> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Newsletter: Jan 24, 2026 - URL: https://www.smdp.com/newsletter-jan-24-2026/ - Published: 2026-01-24T20:35:38.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-26T19:09:58.000Z - Author: Editor Partly cloudy today and mostly cloudy tomorrow. Today: 🌤️ High 63° / Low 46° Tomorrow: 🌥️ High 65° / Low 48° ### **First Up** ![women dining outside at Bare & Parklet](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/size/w960/format/webp/2026/01/Bare-and-Parklet.jpeg) ### Savor Santa Monica During Dine LA Restaurant Week as the City’s Culinary Scene Takes Center Stage More than 45 Santa Monica restaurants are participating in Dine LA Restaurant Week (January 23-February 6), offering special...[READ](https://www.smdp.com/savor-santa-monica-during-dine-la-restaurant-week-as-the-citys-culinary-scene-takes-center-stage/) ### **Close to Home** [Debbie Lee Returns as Downtown Santa Monica CEODebbie Lee returns to Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. as CEO with $318,000 starting salary after serving as Santa Monica’s chief communications officer until 2022.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-154.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/dtsm-1.png)](https://www.smdp.com/downtown-santa-monica-inc-names-debbie-lee-as-new-ceo/) [Former Santa Monica business owner arrested for stealing $10M in homeless fraudA Westwood man was arrested Friday on federal charges alleging he fraudulently obtained $23 million in public money intended to combat homelessness and pocketed at least $10 million for personal luxuries, including a $7 million house, private jet travel and a vacation property in Greece. Alexander Soofer, 42, faces wire![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-151.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Soofer.png)](https://www.smdp.com/former-santa-monica-business-owner-arrested-for-stealing-10m-in-homeless/) ### **In Case You Missed It** [Metro Approves Underground Subway Through Sepulveda PassMetro’s new underground subway will connect the San Fernando Valley to LA’s Westside in under 20 minutes with 7 stations including UCLA, reducing I-405 congestion.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-150.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/map.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/metro-approves-underground-rail-line-through-the-sepulveda-pass/) [Local Pacific Palisades Startup Revolutionizes Post-Disaster RebuildingPaliBuilds, founded by Pacific Palisades residents, creates software that streamlines disaster rebuilding with AI-powered bidding tools and insurance claim support.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-147.png)SMDPMichelle Edgar![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/COVER---Screenshot-2026-01-21-at-1.09.20-PM.png)](https://www.smdp.com/palibuilds-is-rewriting-the-rebuild-playbook-in-pacific-palisades/) [Election season begins with a trio of ballot measuresSanta Monica’s 2026 election season has officially begun with the filing of two competing citizen-initiated ballot measures and a potential third up for discussion by City Council on Tuesday. In recent weeks, proponents have filed initiatives that would establish parks and affordable housing at Santa Monica Airport and create permanent![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-148.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/airport-plans-2.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/election-season-begins-with-a-trio-of-ballot-measures/) ### Events [ **The Cuddle Sanctuary** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/the-cuddle-sanctuary/17764962/2026-01-24T14) Laughing Frog Yoga Sat. Jan 24 2:00PM 12217 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles [ **New Exhibition at the history museum celebrates Food & Family** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/new-exhibition-at-the-history-museum-celebrates-food-family/17896821/2026-01-24T11) Santa Monica History Museum Sat. Jan 24 11:00AM 1350 Seventh Street, Santa Monica [ **One Year Later: Community and Science Day** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/one-year-later-community-and-science-day/17740030/2026-01-24T12) Heal the Bay Aquarium Sat. Jan 24 12:00PM 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica [ **Sat Jan 24 2pm Live Goals Book Talk at BN Santa Monica Debra Eckerling** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/sat-jan-24-2pm-live-goals-book-talk-at-bn-santa-monica-debra-eckerling/17899685/2026-01-24T14) Barnes and Noble Santa Monica Sat. Jan 24 2:00PM 1318 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica [ **Goat + Sheep Yoga** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/goat-sheep-yoga/17764987/2026-01-25T12) Laughing Frog Yoga Sun. Jan 25 12:30PM 12217 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles [ **New Exhibition at the history museum celebrates Food & Family** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/new-exhibition-at-the-history-museum-celebrates-food-family/17896821/2026-01-25T11) Santa Monica History Museum Sun. Jan 25 11:00AM 1350 Seventh Street, Santa Monica [ **Santa Monica Airport Antique Market** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/santa-monica-airport-antique-market/15831601/2026-01-25T08) Santa Monica Airport Sun. Jan 25 8:00AM 2800-3200 Airport Ave, Santa Monica [ **Soy Saucey** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/soy-saucey/17764995/2026-01-25T19) The Crow Sun. Jan 25 7:00PM 2525 Michigan Avenue #Unit F4, Santa Monica [ **Star Wars Immersive Dinner** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/star-wars-immersive-dinner/17921203/2026-01-25T17) Shoreside® Restaurant & Bar Sun. Jan 25 5:00PM 1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica [ **Sun Jan 25 1pm Live Wellness Book Talk at BN Santa Monica Dr Portia Preston** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/sun-jan-25-1pm-live-wellness-book-talk-at-bn-santa-monica-dr-portia-preston/17899730/2026-01-25T13) Barnes and Noble Santa Monica Sun. Jan 25 1:00PM 1318 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Santa Monica [Read our PDF version](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/012326.pdf%0A?ref=smdp.com)