> ## 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. # Thursday, May 21, 2026 - URL: https://www.smdp.com/wednesday-may-20-2026-2/ - Published: 2026-05-21T22:43:01.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-21T22:43:01.000Z - Author: Natalie Simpson Mostly sunny. High 69F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Today 🌤️ 70º/58º Tomorrow 🌤️ 67º/58º ### FIRST UP ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/05/DSC_0301.webp) SMDP Photo ## Santa Monica Pier Ranks Among California's Most Polluted Beaches for 10th Straight Year The Santa Monica Pier has been ranked among California's most polluted beaches for the 10th consecutive year... [READ](https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-pier-ranks-among-californias-most-polluted-beaches-for-10th-straight-year/) --- [ ![](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/184436/image/0?seed=) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/184436/click/0?seed=&ref=smdp.com) --- ### MORE NEWS [Hilton and Becerra lead in new California governor poll. Steyer trails but isn’t outBy Dan Walters, CalMatters This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Two weeks from now we’ll probably know which of the 61 candidates for governor have finished 1-2 in the primary election and will face each other in November for the dubious honor of![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPCal Matters![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/041426-Governors-Forum-Sacramento-MG-CM-12-cdbde62cf4dad52b2ed408da05f42f921186bd35b55bb3cfb2a9863449f60e1b.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/hilton-and-becerra-lead-in-new-california-governor-poll-steyer-trails-but-isnt-out/) [John Erickson Campaign for CA State Senate District 24West Hollywood Councilmember John Erickson runs for State Senate District 24, focusing on housing affordability, workers’ rights, and California’s disaster recovery efforts.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPMichelle Edgar![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/johnerickson-5419-29c804970c45451cee0e1d79176bd35c008078035885212d9db4cf6dc0043557.JPEG)](https://www.smdp.com/john-erickson-makes-his-case-for-state-senate-centering-housing-safety-and-californias-rebuilding-effort/) [MAINopoly & Memorial Day Weekend Events in Santa MonicaSanta Monica events this Memorial Day weekend include MAINopoly tasting event (May 24), Pier Locals Night finale (May 21), free Bike Anywhere Day rides, and Dine Latino Restaurant Week through May 24.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPSean Besser![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-05-20-at-1.03.36-PM-21831387f7d272eff41fa5df6d0e440a6cc8ef5a139d41dfb7241eda0266dd85.png)](https://www.smdp.com/around-town-mainopoly-pier-locals-night-finale-more-memorial-day-weekend-festivities/) [Topanga Lagoon Restoration Meeting May 31Join the Topanga Lagoon Restoration Project public meeting on May 31 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Share feedback on coastal wetland restoration efforts.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/COVER---Screenshot-2026-05-18-204851-7cc25ea733da2e0cab349ff59c69b39a3a894ab94f36328970c2c482365d9686.png)](https://www.smdp.com/topanga-lagoon-restoration-project-to-hold-public-meeting-may-31/) [Music Guild Santa Monica Season Finale: Dvořák Violin ConcertoMusic Guild at St. Matthew’s in Santa Monica closes its 2025-26 season May 29 at 8 p.m. featuring violinist YuEun Gemma Kim performing Dvořák’s Violin Concerto with works by Debussy and Ravel. Tickets $45.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/YuEun-Gemma-Kim-min--1--48888cb4eb2a97f2cc31cc4dbdfde3d8cba99e9ee66e2d6732ce7d8ad2dc7dc7.jpeg)](https://www.smdp.com/music-guild-at-st-matthews-closes-season-with-dvorak-violin-concerto-may-29/) [Jake Levine’s Plan for LA Wildfire Recovery and Better GovernmentCongressional candidate Jake Levine campaigns on government effectiveness and undergrounding power lines in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and high-risk LA communities.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPMichelle Edgar![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/COVER---Screenshot-2026-05-19-202328-334c7bfa5cfacd4be6ec2f2e07ca62c467700f6b777357c60e6e194f90ba07d9.png)](https://www.smdp.com/from-wildfire-recovery-to-washington-jake-levine-makes-his-case-for-a-different-kind-of-leadership-running-for-congress/) ### IN CASE YOU MISSED [World Turtle Day marks 26th year as turtle populations face uncertain futureA global conservation observance enters its 26th year this week with a new website, expanded resources and a renewed push to grow its international reach — all as scientists warn that more than half of the world’s turtle species face the threat of extinction. World Turtle Day, observed annually on May![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/size/w1200/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-5.55.22---PM.png)](https://www.smdp.com/world-turtle-day-marks-26th-year-as-turtle-populations-face-uncertain-future/) [The Annenberg Community Beach House offers a sun-soaked summer of fun and relaxationThe Annenberg Community Beach House is bringing back community favorite events and introducing new programming for summer 2026, including Sand & Sea Room Fun crafts and games and a World Cup Fun & Watch Party. The summer schedule kicks off Saturday, June 6, with the return of Ocean of Sound, a free![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/sarahprikryl-2022ABH-PoolTime-28-7058851469a2bda089faf99113d539aa68d6e555a30cd2bb0d649f9b7af29e76.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/the-annenberg-community-beach-house-offers-a-sun-soaked-summer-of-fun-and-relaxation/) [Big Blue Bus on Weekend Schedule for Memorial DayIn observance of Memorial Day, Big Blue Bus will operate a weekend schedule on Monday, May 25, 2026 Customer Service and Blue: The Transit Store will be closed. Normal hours of operation will resume Tuesday, May 26, 2026\. Please note: \* Routes 5, 15, 16, 41, 44, and Rapid 10 will![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-05-18-at-5.58.47---PM-01116f686efb22fa36b715ace8c232b2b427cec000ff20a20791f2a892f75acc.png)](https://www.smdp.com/big-blu/) [SMC Student Named Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship RecipientSanta Monica College student Martin Orea has been named a 2026 recipient of the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Orea, a first-generation college student from Fullerton, is among 60 community college students nationwide selected for the scholarship from a pool of more than 1,300![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Martin-Orea-1-e8d0e4090ab453e6a1df50304409208c72dd941ee5f491f0f2f533c8bd7f0145.JPG)](https://www.smdp.com/smc-student-named-jack-kent-cooke-foundation-scholarship-recipient/) [Santa Monica College Mariachi Ensemble Los Corsarios Presents Free Concert May 28Santa Monica College’s Mariachi Ensemble Los Corsarios will perform a free concert Wednesday, May 28, at 11:15 a.m. in the Music Hall at the SMC Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St. at Santa Monica Boulevard. The ensemble, led by director Mary Alfaro, will perform ranchera, bolero and huapango![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/Funsten_Mary_Culture_Mariachi-5141retouch-85bd5767fb85459f41ae28fa6f22c986c51c1709f2676bd9db13385e0eca939c.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-college-mariachi-ensemble-los-corsarios-presents-free-concert-may-28/) Interested in nearby events? Check out our [editor's picks](https://www.smdp.com/event-3/#/show?subset=picks). You can read our print version [here](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/052126.pdf?ref=smdp.com).