DOWNTOWN — The leaders of Santa Monica education advocacy group Community for Excellent Public Schools had a hard time deciding whom to back for the City Council.
A funny thing happened on the way to the election. People started to get real. Last week, I attended an informal gathering of neighborhood group leaders and grass-roots community activists who get together from time to time to discuss politics.
• Name: Bob Holbrook • Age: 68 • Occupation: Community pharmacist • Marital status/children: Married to Jean Ann; children: Bob, Cindy and Craig • Your neighborhood? How long have you lived there?: I have resided in the North of Montana neighborhood for the past 41 years.
DOWNTOWN — Following in the footsteps of Santa Monica’s non-public safety employees, associations for local cops and firefighters on Thursday endorsed all five sitting City Council members in November’s election.
SM BAY — Dozens of giant blue whales are putting on a show along the Southern California coast, and one Santa Monica resident was treated to a front row seat.
The Santa Monica Democratic Club (the operative word here is “club”) Executive Committee last week picked its favorite candidates for local races in the November election.
CITY HALL — An anti-incumbent backlash could be about to sweep the nation, but if it does, the municipal employees of Santa Monica won’t be going along for the ride.
PALISADES PARK — Residents of Santa Monica and cities across Los Angeles County will soon be able to take advantage of $32.1 million worth of programs aimed at reducing smoking and preventing obesity, thanks to a federal grant announced Wednesday.
CIVIC CENTER — Billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad has chosen downtown Los Angeles over Santa Monica as the site to house his extensive contemporary art collection after a decision by the Grand Avenue Authority on Monday to approve his plans for the project.
In a few weeks, the 2010 election season will begin in earnest. Most serious candidates have been working on their campaigns for months and a lot of ducks are already in rows.
CITY HALL — The City Clerk’s Office released the official list of candidates who have qualified for this November’s ballot on Thursday, setting the final lineups for contests to decide the makeup of the Santa Monica City Council and school board.
CITY HALL — Leaders of the political party Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights on Thursday were keeping quiet about whether the organization would support additional candidates in the City Council and school board races, saying they’d make an announcement this evening.