Community - SMDP

Braiding bread and history at Lincoln Middle School

By Devan Sipher At a time of war and polarization, a group of 160 Santa Monica students and family members gathered at Lincoln Middle School last month for an after-school

By Devan Sipher

/ 14 Mar 2026

Students and families gathered around tables making challah bread at Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica during Holocaust education event

Low and slow meets forever: US postage stamps honor lowrider car culture

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press From Mexican American and Chicano barrios in the American Southwest to the halls of the Smithsonian on the National Mall and even the streets

By Associated Press

/ 13 Mar 2026

Low and slow meets forever: US postage stamps honor lowrider car culture

Ruskin Group Theatre to celebrate new permanent home with Saturday ribbon cutting

The Ruskin Group Theatre will officially open the doors to its new permanent home with a public ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday at 2800 Airport Avenue, capping a years-long journey that

By Matthew Hall

/ 13 Mar 2026

Exterior or interior view of the new Ruskin Arts Center building at Santa Monica Airport

Residents celebrate International Women's Day with multicultural fashion show

Eight countries were represented Saturday as residents of Santa Monica Christian Towers wore traditional dress from their homelands in celebration of International Women's Day. The fashion show, organized

By Maaz Alin

/ 12 Mar 2026

Julieta Tobar, president of Santa Monica Christian Towers Residents Council, speaking to audience at International Women's Day fashion show in Santa Monica

Scouts learn rocket science at Museum of Flying

Scouts from Palisades-based Troop 223 got a masterclass in aerospace engineering on Feb. 28 when they met with recently retired rocket scientist Adrienne Russo. Russo shared her expertise with the

By Guest Author

/ 9 Mar 2026

Boy Scouts from Troop 223 learning about aerospace engineering with retired rocket scientist Adrienne Russo outside the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica

Palisades Recovery Becomes a Test of Leadership, Insurance, and Accountability

In a community still rebuilding from one of the most devastating coastal fires in recent memory, Thursday’s gathering in Pacific Palisades was less about ceremony and more about control

By Michelle Edgar

/ 4 Mar 2026

Rick Caruso and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan walking through fire-damaged areas of Pacific Palisades, California during community recovery tour

LA Marathon returns with personalized race guides to commemorate every runner’s accomplishments

The Los Angeles Marathon is back for 2026, and for the first time in the race's four-decade history, every runner who crosses the finish line at Avenue of

By Matthew Hall

/ 2 Mar 2026

LA Marathon returns with personalized race guides to commemorate every runner’s accomplishments

Santa Monica Native Launches Literary Project to Preserve Pico Neighborhood's Vanishing Voices

As rising rents and redevelopment continue to reshape one of Los Angeles County's most storied working-class neighborhoods, a Santa Monica native is fighting back with poetry, essays, and

By Maaz Alin

/ 2 Mar 2026

Raquel 'Rocky' Perez standing in front of Santa Monica Pier selling poetry books at a community event

Live to Serve: A Visionary Series on Transformation, Service, and Returning to One’s Calling at The Crow

On Sunday evening at The Crow in Santa Monica, a room known for holding intimate truths will become the starting point of something larger - not a performance in the

By Matthew Hall

/ 26 Feb 2026

Speaker or performer at The Crow venue in Santa Monica during Live to Serve transformation series event

March at the Market

March Blog 2026 Celebrating everything green this month. Especially veggies! And who knew there was such a thing as green lavender! (Ask AZ Ranch) With springtime rains, market greens are

By Guest Author

/ 25 Feb 2026

Shoppers browsing fresh produce at Santa Monica farmers market with vendors and community activities in background

Students send community Valentines to senior citizens

Last week students from the Upper School Community Engagement Honors Society at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences completed a student-led Valentine’s Day card initiative benefiting residents at Santa

By Guest Author

/ 25 Feb 2026

Students working at tables creating handmade Valentine's Day cards during a card-making event at Crossroads School in Santa Monica

11th annual Black History Greens Festival celebrates culture, history and wellness

The city of Santa Monica and the Black Santa Monica Community Group will host the 11th annual Black History Greens Festival on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Virginia Avenue Park. The

By Guest Author

/ 24 Feb 2026

11th annual Black History Greens Festival celebrates culture, history and wellness