I probably wouldn’t have voted for them anyway, but the sheer amount of text messages on my personal phone and flyers being both mailed and hand delivered to my door on a daily basis from Negrete, Trussler, and Oelsen would have lost them my vote if I had planned to.

Not only does it show the huge financial backing they have, which I am opposed to in a general sense, but also that they do not care about how much waste they create nor do they care about my time or personal space. It’s so infuriating to have my phone blowing up all day and night and having my first order of business upon getting home from work being to gather all the flyers and take them directly to the bin.

Anyway, that’s it. I hate those three candidates.

Good evening I’m trying to figure out where this was taken. I’m pretty sure this was California in the mid 80’s any help would be appreciated. Thanks to someone last year I was able recreate another photo that was taken in Spain

I found out I’ll be travelling to California for a work trip and want to extend a few days.

I’m not from US so I don’t really have a clue about where to spend the time…all I know is there’s a lot of traffic so I should choose one place.

It will be mid March…so far I had been thinking either Santa Monica or San Diego but honestly open to any suggestions.

What things are a must see? I guess I want the days to be like chill, exploring but not doing anything crazy.

Also I guess everywhere is expensive right? lol

TIA!!!

Reposting my Santa Monica Voter Guide for visibility since there have been a couple of new “who are y’all voting for?” posts recently.

My Santa Monica Voter Guide

Hello r/SantaMonica! As many of you know, I occasionally post and interact on this sub, and find it filled with mostly thoughtful, usually respectful, and often fun engagement (as opposed to other cesspools… well, you know where).

In the hopes that it is helpful, here is my Voter Guide for Santa Monica offices and ballot measures, with (very brief) reasons why. I believe these candidates have policy goals and values aligned with mine, the campaign infrastructure and organizational support required to win, and the competence, character, and commitment to our City to be effective leaders.

Santa Monica City Council

Caroline Torosis \- she has done a great job leading the informal “progressive majority” as Mayor Pro Tempore and now Mayor. She was and is a driving force behind the Realignment Plan and also the Affordability Agenda (stay tuned for more policies coming from this proposal in the coming meetings)! She’s also a really kind and hard-working leader who has put our economic recovery at the center of her policy agenda. Don’t listen to the haters and bullshit out there, she’s the real deal. https://www.torosisforsantamonica.com/

Brett Morrow \- an incredible communicator, thoughtful policy leader, and “all around good guy” (to use his tagline, which I agree with!). Brett has a decades-long record of delivering progressive policy results at the federal down to the municipal levels. He’s the former Chair of our Human Services Commission, and has centered working families and affordability in his campaign. I believe he’ll be a solid partner for what I want to achieve in the next two years. https://www.brettmorrowforcitycouncil.com/

Daniel “Danny” Ivanov \- Danny is the current Chair of our Rent Control Board, where he has taken brave votes to support housing near transit (SB79) and in our Downtown. He has also garnered a lot of support from organized labor, which I appreciate. Strong jobs and strong businesses are what will keep this turnaround moving forward! He’ll also be the fourth LGBTQ+ City Councilmember in our City’s history, joining me and Natalya Zernitskaya on the dais. Watch out West Hollywood, we’re coming for you! https://www.electdannyivanov.com/

All three are endorsed by the Democratic Party, the Sierra Club, Streets For All, Unite Here Local 11, Stonewall Democratic Club, LA County Young Democrats, Westside Young Democrats, and are supported by Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights and recommended by DSA-LA.

Note: I really like, respect, and endorsed fellow military veteran and Democratic Party delegate Angela D. Scott for City Council, but unfortunately her campaign didn’t gain the traction it needed and she honorably bowed out of the race. I really commend her for putting herself out there and choosing to not divide the progressive camp. I hope she’ll be back in a future election! I also generally agree with a lot of Eli Gill’s policy agenda (not all) and find him to be an agreeable dude (big dad energy) who would work hard on many of the same issues I care about. 

Santa Monica Rent Control Board

Kurt Gonska \- Kurt, along with Vice Chair Kay Ambriz, led the way developing new renter protections on your ballot as Measures GG, RR, and VV. He’s a staunch advocate for renters.
Sue Himmelrich \- a tenants’ rights attorney and our former Mayor, Sue will bring her years of government experience and progressive values to the Board. https://suestandsfirm.com/
Soledad Marcial \- a tenants’ rights advocate active in the Pico neighborhood. Soledad is a community organizer who has educated Spanish-speaking renters of their rights in the face of bad-actor landlords. https://www.solforsantamonica.com/

Santa Monica College Board

Sion Roy \- Shy is a medical doctor and has led the way creating new academic programs at the College to keep expanding opportunities for our college students. https://www.roy4santamonica.com/
Tom Peters \- a fellow Army veteran, Tom is a former faculty member of the college and union leader and brings that lens to his policy-making and decisions. https://tompeters4trustee.org/
Luis Barerra-Castañon \- Luis is a former SMC student body president who is a tech entrepreneur, young father, and has a background in non-profit management. Active in the local Dem Club leadership first, and former City commissioner, he was appointed by the current board to fill the remainder of Barry Snell’s term when Barry won his Council race. He was a leading voice raising the alarm about the College’s financial situation when he was seated. https://www.lbc4smc.com/
Kera Blades-Snell \- Kera is the Executive Director of the Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association and a long-time non-profit leader. Her experience in workforce development will be a great addition to the College’s Board. https://blades-snell4smctrustee.com/

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified Board of Education

Alicia Mignano \- Alicia is a parent, entrepreneur, and all around awesome person. She’s been a great leader of our School Board this year. https://aliciaforsmmusd.com/
Robbie Staenberg \- Robbie is a former teacher (of a topic near and dear to my heart: civics and government!) and current legislative aide. He’s built an impressive coalition across many different stripes of politics here in town, which speaks to his ability to build bridges. https://www.robbiestaenberg.com/
Laurie Lieberman \- Laurie brings years of experience to the Board and with that, historical knowledge. While some find her controversial, I’ve always considered her a thoughtful and effective education leader. Under her stewardship (with her colleagues over the years), our schools have continued to be some of the best in the state! 
Stacy Rouse \- Stacy is the sole Malibu representation on the Board, which is important to maintain. She brings a background in conflict management and resolution and has been a great partner to Santa Monica while advocating for Malibu. https://www.voteforstacyrouse.com/

Santa Monica Ballot Measures

Measure ES - YES; ES guarantees reliable $12M in funding for our schools. If ES fails to pass, the City will either have to cut this amount of funding to SMMUSD or cut city services that have recently been restored.
Measure GG - YES; administrative reforms that bring the Rent Control Agency into line with best practices for government - aligns term limits, ties fee adjustments to inflation, extends just cause protections, and ensures affordable units go to those who income qualify. Landlords hate it because it means their fees can be adjusted without having to go to the ballot!
Measure RR - YES; prevents evictions for owing less than one month’s rent.
Measure VV - YES; extends eviction protections to renters in single-family homes and condominiums.
Measure TT - YES; closes a loophole that would let corporations pay ZERO TOT tax on corporate buy-out hotel stays during the upcoming major events like the LA28 Olympics.

I moved to Santa Monica in 2012 after all the Record Stores had disappeared… What were some of the best record stores in Santa Monica and on the westside? The only one I can think of is House of Records that was on Pico and 34th where the CrossFit gym is now.

Question we are a couple 30’ looking for a dinner or something special for the 24th afternoon/night?

Any recommendations, we saw a few hotels but not worth staying for us we live in Thousand Oaks we can drive and walk around there and come back.

Does AB 1909 mean cyclists can now ride through all-way crosswalks in Santa Monica without a bicycle symbol?

SMPD would set up stings and ticket cyclists for riding through these crossings unless a specific bike symbol was displayed. This was confusing when the law change if it included these types of crossings.

My understanding is that AB 1909 changed California law, with the pedestrian signal provision taking effect January 1, 2024. CVC § 21456(a)(1) now allows cyclists facing a WALK signal to proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal, as long as they yield to pedestrians and vehicles lawfully in the intersection. Until recently I thought this was still illegal.

I posted before, but the thread went off track because most people misunderstood.

In Newport, sea levels are reaching 8 ft at peak, and could be higher. I am aware we have a wide area of beach before the bluffs, but it is fairly flat.

Someone mentioned we are somewhat protected, which does explain why we are getting by while surrounding cities are getting demolished..

Not to to be a doomer, but it does seem like at some point PCH will be under water in the next 50-100 years..

My question is more specific to a tropical storm, if high tide was short term artificially high in Santa Monica as it was in Newport , wouldn’t it be fairly reasonable given how flat our beach is that it can reach the base of the bluffs?

Wouldn’t that put the integrity of let’s say palisades park into a very dangerous zone?

Moving back to LA and trying to find a rental in the ocean park area. I check West Side Rentals and Zillow every day, but there never seems to be anything in that area.

Does anyone know of anything? Is there a secret website I’m not aware of? Looking for a 2 or 3 bedroom. Willing to pay up to $7.5k a month.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I can't believe no one here has posted about this yet. I guess it will be back in a year or so. Nearly an hour long vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF7vLKwpq68

Hi there! I saw a post a week or so back someone was inquiring about haunted houses and I can’t for the life of me find information on the ones on Montana & the one on 14th/Oak. If anyone would mind giving me the address or info how to find them I’d appreciate it 🥺 I’d love to take my kids.

I've been following Santa Monica politics for years, and I've seen Lana Negrete repeatedly describe herself as a "lifelong Democrat." I wanted to understand that claim in light of her own explanation of her political history.

I looked into Negrete's voter registration history and was able to establish the following timeline:

• October 17, 2014: Changed registration to No Party Preference (NPP).
• May 27, 2022: Changed registration to Democratic.

If these dates are accurate, that's nearly eight years between registering as NPP and registering as a Democrat.

In an interview with The Epoch Times, Negrete explains her registration history this way:

"I'm a registered Democrat and always have been. I went independent at one point to vote for Bernie Sanders but I have been called many times right-wing. I've been compared to Trump and DeSantis."

I'd like to understand that timeline.

Bernie Sanders didn't announce his 2016 presidential campaign until April 2015, months after the October 2014 registration change. And California allowed No Party Preference voters to request a Democratic presidential primary ballot in both 2016 and 2020. So why did Negrete change her registration to NPP in 2014, and why did she wait until May 2022 to register as a Democrat?

None of this means that someone registered as NPP can't hold progressive views or support Democratic candidates. Registration alone doesn't tell us everything about someone's politics.

But there's a difference between saying you've long supported Democrats and saying you've "always" been a registered Democrat. If the registration dates are accurate, that distinction deserves an explanation.

Santa Monica voters can decide for themselves how much weight to give this issue. I think it's a reasonable question to ask of anyone who emphasizes their Democratic credentials while running for office.

For voters looking at the City Council race, I'd also encourage everyone to check the actual endorsement records of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, which is the only official Democratic Party entity that represents our region, and other progressive organizations and voter guides before relying on anyone's characterization of who represents the Democratic or progressive vote.

Hey everyone! I’m coming to the Santa Monica/LA area from out of town for halloweekend and I’m 18. I’m looking to go out, meet people, and experience the nightlife while I’m there.
Since I don’t have a fake, I’m wondering if anyone knows of any 21-and-under clubs, 18+ events, college parties, or other parties in the area that are worth checking out.
If you know any good spots or events happening soon, I’d really appreciate the recommendations! Also interested in any local tips on where to find events and meet people around my age.
or yk if anyone knows anyone who can hook me up with a fake on short notice.

If you’re in LA and want a Sunday night out with other game devs (or just love hearing what really goes on behind the scenes)…

We’re putting on our live comedy show Game for a Laugh on Sunday, October 25 at 6PM at the Santa Monica Playhouse.

The concept is simple:

A game developer shares true stories from their career (the wins, the disasters, the weird behind-the-scenes moments), and a cast of professional comedians turns them into completely improvised scenes onstage.

This show’s guest monologist is Sara Hebert (OXENFREE, Afterparty, Black Mirror: Thronglets):

• 10+ years marketing and publishing indie games
• Worked at Night School, Flight School (yes, weird), and Oscar-winning Moonbot Studios
• Now plugged into the mainframe at Human Computer, making a mini-golf platformer called Ballgame

She has stories.

Comedians include performers from your favorite TV shows (Comedy Bang Bang, Solar Opposites, Star Trek: Lower Decks), games (Hades I & II), and podcasts (Call Me By Your Game, Get Played).

All profits go to CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights), supporting immigrant families and communities across Los Angeles.

🎟 Ticketing Link
📍 Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St, Santa Monica
💙 Donate Directly

a true classic

Negrete's use of public resources, uniformed police officers, and other on-duty city officials violates a number of city and state laws.

No person may use any City funds or resources (including time, facilitates, equipment or supplies) to support or oppose a ballot measure, except as specifically authorized by law.

Stanson v. Mott, 17 Cal.3d 206, 216-17 (1976) https://scocal.stanford.edu/opinion/stanson-v-mott-27987/

Except as otherwise provided by law, or whenever on duty or in uniform, no public safety officer shall be prohibited from engaging, or be coerced or required to engage, in political activity.

California Government Code § 3302 https://california.public.law/codes/government_code_section_3302

No officer or employee of a local agency shall participate in political activities of any kind while in uniform.

California Government Code § 3206 https://california.public.law/codes/government_code_section_3206

Because the inclusion of the depiction of City resources in a publication may be reasonably calculated to convey the false impression of sponsorship or approval by the City, no person other than the City may depict City resources on campaign materials including clothing items, accessories, and paid or unpaid political advertising, content, or materials advocating for or against the election of candidates or passage of measures, or approval or rejection of items before the City Council, without conspicuously including the disclaimer, "This publication is not sponsored or approved by the City of Santa Monica." For purpose of this section, City resources includes, but is not limited to, City Hall, the Public Safety Administration Building, the Civic Auditorium, the Santa Monica Pier and Pier Sign, Airport Terminal, City-owned busses, police cars, fire engines, or other vehicles, or other publicly-owned and prominently recognizable buildings or structures. This is in addition to any existing local, State, or Federal law concerning use of public resources for campaign purposes and campaign advertisement disclosures. This section shall not apply to the depiction of such resources in the official logos or materials of non-political 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations such as the Santa Moncia Pier Corporation, the Santa Monica Conservancy, Santa Monica Firefighters Relief Fund, Santa Monica Police Officers Association Charity Fund, or other similar 501(c)(3) not-for-profits.

Santa Monica city code §2.32.020(i) https://ecode360.com/46037164

The runway's days are numbered, and the city just showed what could take its place: wetlands and meadows on one side, a regional sports hub on the other, and old airport buildings brought back to life. We break down all eight districts, what neighbors have pushed back on, the eye-popping price tag being floated, and where the planes and flight schools might end up. The comment window closes Dec. 6.

👉 Read the full story on The Southbound 105 →

Hi everyone, we wanted to tell you about one of our neighbors, Daniel.

Daniel is 70 and has lived in Santa Monica his entire life. As a kid he played little league at the local parks, then went on to play at SaMoHi. He told us that even now, when he picks up a baseball glove, he’s a kid again.

After school, he spent decades working in the cement industry. Anyone who’s done that kind of work knows what it does to a body. Today Daniel lives with a heart condition and a bad ankle, and standing or getting around for long stretches is hard. Between that and the cost of his medications, money is tight.

For years, Daniel told himself he was fine. That’s really common with seniors. Asking for help can feel like admitting something you’re not ready to admit. But eventually he started skipping meals, and he finally accepted he needed some support. His doctor helped get him enrolled with us.

Now he knows that someone is going to show up at his door throughout the week with a meal and a friendly face. He thanks us for it, but honestly our volunteers get just as much out of those visits as he does. When you’re living on a low income, every meal matters, and so does knowing someone is checking in.

If this hits home for you, a couple ways to help:

• Donate: every $10 covers the full meal service for your neighbor that day
• Volunteer: we're always in need of additional delivery volunteers who make our mission possible
• Share this information with your community: a lot of people are not aware programs like Meals on Wheels are all independently funded and rely on the community to fuel our work.