> ## 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: Mar 27, 2026 - URL: https://www.smdp.com/newsletter-mar-26-2026-2/ - Published: 2026-03-27T21:38:46.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-27T22:12:24.000Z - Author: Editor Cloudy. Intermittent drizzle this morning. High 71F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Today: 🌧️ High 71° / Low 56° Tomorrow: ☁️ High 73° / Low 60° ### **First Up** ![Downtown](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/size/w1280/format/webp/2026/03/DSC_0269.JPG) Plan: Santa Monica Council approves eight-point plan to boost business amid declining sales and fire recovery challenges. (Photo Credit: SMDP) ## Santa Monica Launches Sweeping Economic Recovery Package as Downtown Struggles to Rebound Facing declining restaurant sales, stubbornly high retail vacancies, and the lingering economic shadow of the 2025 Palisades Fire... [READ](https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-launches-sweeping-economic-recovery-package-as-downtown-struggles-to-rebound/) ### **Close to Home** [Growth rate slowed in US metro areas in 2025, with steepest drops along the southern borderGrowth rates in U.S. metro areas dropped the steepest last year in communities along the border with Mexico because of declines in immigrants, while counties along Florida’s Gulf Coast lost residents due to a series of hurricanes, according to population estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-399.png)SMDPAssociated Press![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_4402.JPG)](https://www.smdp.com/growth-rate-slowed-in-us-metro-areas-in-2025-with-steepest-drops-along-the-southern-border/) [AI Virtual Tour Guide & Avatar Generator GuideLearn how to create AI virtual tour guides using avatar generators and Pippit AI tools to build engaging, interactive video experiences.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-397.png)SMDPRoss Furukawa![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/image--7--2.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/ai-virtual-tour-guide-avatar-generator-guide/) [Gen Z Drives LA Red Cross Volunteer Surge to 48%Generation Z comprises 48% of Los Angeles Red Cross volunteers, leading growth among 9,000+ volunteers across the region in 2024.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-396.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Aredcross-1.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/red-cross-data-shows-gen-z-leading-volunteer-growth-in-los-angeles/) [Metro Launches New Safety Website with Crime DataMetro launches Safety Hub, a new online resource providing transparent data on transit safety, crime statistics, and security efforts across LA’s transit system.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-395.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_0024.JPG)](https://www.smdp.com/metro-launches-new-safety-website-and-data-tool/) ### **In Case You Missed It** [Chamber of Commerce CEO announces departure after four yearsJudy Kruger, the president and CEO of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, announced she will step down from the role by the end of June, concluding a four-year tenure during which the organization expanded its programming and restored financial footing following the COVID-19 pandemic. Kruger, who has led the![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-394.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2868-1.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/chamber-of-commerce-ceo-announces-departure-after-four-years/) [Cayton Children’s Museum Brings Free Weekly Family Programming to West LA’s Bundy Triangle Night MarketCayton Children’s Museum will offer free, weekly hands-on activities for children and families at the Bundy Triangle Night Market in Sawtelle every Friday from March 27 through the end of October, the museum announced. The programming, offered in partnership with Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park, will run from 5![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-393.png)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/cayton.jpeg)](https://www.smdp.com/cayton-childrens-museum-brings-free-weekly-family-programming-to-west-las-bundy-triangle-night-market/) [Santa Monica Faces $35M Budget Deficit, Says Council CandidateSanta Monica City Council candidate Doug Trussler exposes $35 million budget deficit for 2026, criticizes city’s financial transparency amid parcel tax request.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-392.png)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/city-hall.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-deserves-a-straight-answer-about-its-finances/) [Santa Monica resident opposes new SMMUSD parcel taxSanta Monica resident Karen Melick argues SMMUSD’s $495 parcel tax is unnecessary, citing $84M reserves and history of budget surpluses.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-391.png)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/download-1.jpeg)](https://www.smdp.com/no-new-taxes-another-phantom-deficit-prediction-by-smmusd/) ### Events [ **$5 Community Dog Training Classes!** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/5-community-dog-training-classes/11981844/2026-03-28T10) Virginia Ave Park Sat. Mar 28 10:30AM 2200 Virginia Ave, Santa Monica [ **DadTime** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/dadtime/17327106/2026-03-28T09) Virginia Avenue Park (fitness room inside the Park Center) Sat. Mar 28 9:00AM 2200 Virginia Avenue, Santa Monica [ **Eddie Frierson's MATTY: an evening with Christy Mathewson** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/eddie-friersons-matty-an-evening-with-christy-mathewson/18108458/2026-03-28T19) Santa Monica Playhouse Sat. Mar 28 7:00PM 1211 4th St,, Santa Monica [ **Rediscovering Twin Peaks** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/rediscovering-twin-peaks/18298317/2026-03-28T13) West Los Angeles Regional Library Sat. Mar 28 1:30PM 11360 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles [ **Roman Garden: Seed Ball Workshop** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/roman-garden-seed-ball-workshop/18261574/2026-03-28T11) Getty Villa Sat. Mar 28 11:00AM 17985 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades [ **2026 Downtown Santa Monica Easter Celebration** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/2026-downtown-santa-monica-easter-celebration/18273429/2026-03-29T12) 1300 Block Sun. Mar 29 12:00PM , Santa Monica [ **Eddie Frierson's MATTY: an evening with Christy Mathewson** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/eddie-friersons-matty-an-evening-with-christy-mathewson/18108458/2026-03-29T13) Santa Monica Playhouse Sun. Mar 29 1:30PM 1211 4th St,, Santa Monica [ **Trash Art at the Library** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/trash-art-at-the-library/18109354/2026-03-29T14) West Los Angeles Regional Library Sun. Mar 29 2:00PM 11360 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles [ **Venice Electric Light Parade - Sundays at Sunset** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/venice-electric-light-parade-sundays-at-sunset/14970341/2026-03-29T00) Windward Plaza Sun. Mar 29 12:00AM 1501 Ocean Front Walk, Venice [Read our PDF version](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/032726.pdf%0A?ref=smdp.com)