Santa Monica’s AMP (Art, Music, Promenade) Fest; a shoppable art & music festival happening at the Third Street Promenade. Get ready to immerse yourself in vibrant art created by talented local artists!
AMP (Art, Music, Promenade) Fest
Date: April 27th, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Address: Third Street Promenade, (1200 & 1300 Block).



For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Ivan Angel Plancarte, 20-years-old, DOB 05/20/2004; San Gabriel Resident; Charge: 664/187 PC Attempted Murder' $1,000,000 Bail; Pending 4/23/2025 court appearance

On Saturday, April 19, 2025, at approximately 2:26 AM, Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officers responded to a radio call regarding a reported stabbing in the 1700 block of Ocean Front Walk. One suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Officers arrived on scene within two minutes and discovered two individuals who had been stabbed. The first victim, an adult male, sustained multiple stab wounds to the upper torso. SMPD personnel provided initial medical aid to the victim. Upon their arrival, Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) paramedics continued medical treatment and then transported the individual to a local area hospital. At the time of this release, the victim was in critical, but stable condition.

The second victim, an adult female, was also discovered to have sustained stab wounds. She was also transported to the hospital for treatment and released.

Witnesses reported that suspects fled the scene on foot, traveling southbound after the stabbing.

A preliminary investigation revealed the following suspect descriptions:

Suspect 1: Male, Hispanic, thin build, wearing a grey sweater and a blue bandana or face mask.

Suspect 2: Male, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and light-colored pants.

Suspect #2, 20-year-old Ivan Angel Plancarte from San Gabriel, CA was taken into custody on Monday, April 21, 2025 and charged with attempted murder (664/187 PC).

Suspect #1 remains outstanding.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this crime is encouraged to contact the Det. Zamfirov at (310)458-8398, Det. Sgt. Lozano at (310)458-8774, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.

On Saturtday morning, about 2:26 a.m., Santa Monica Police responded to reports of a stabbing in the 1700 block of Ocean Front Walk.

The only information out right now is that two people were taken to the hospital with stab wounds. Police said they remained in stable condition as of Saturday afternoon. No information on whether any suspects were detained or identified in this stabbing.

The victims were reported to be brother and sister. And reports say they were asttacked by to drunk men who were seen on scooters.

The sister spoke to the news service

"She said it was around 1 a.m. on Saturday when her group went down to the beach, just wanting to dip their toes in the water. Before they got to the sand, the sister said they noticed two men from a distance, seeming to be drinking and riding their scooters on the boardwalk.

The sister said she found it suspicious, but they carried on. They later again noticed the same men who seemed to be getting closer to her group.

The two men eventually approached her and her brother and began harassing them, she said. The sister said that her brother was trying to protect her and his girlfriend and her other friends during the confrontation.

The men pulled out pocket knives and began threatening them, the woman said. She and others in the group managed to record the suspects.

The sister begged the two men to leave her and her brother alone, but the suspects didn't listen, and instead attacked and lunged at both of them with their knives.

The group was able to escape to safety, and the sister said she and her brother ran toward the parking lot to get to their car.

The woman said she was stabbed four times -- in her head, her back and under her armpit area. Her brother was stabbed five times -- with hits to his stomach and back."

Story by City News Service

The owner of a pit bull mix who fatally mauled a toy poodle in Santa Monica has been identified, and authorities Wednesday were evaluating possible charges in the death.

The attack happened around 5:30 p.m. Friday near Main and Strand streets, not far from shoreline, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

A gray-and-white pit bull attacked the 11-year-old toy poodle, who sustained fatal injuries, police said. One of the poodle's owners was also bitten while trying to save the dog, according to police.

The pit bull owner fled the scene on foot with the dog, and his image was captured by security cameras, police said.

The owners of the poodle, named Dublin, said the pit bull's owner should be held accountable for failing to prevent the attack and for fleeing the scene afterward.

The incident happened less than two blocks from where the poodle's owners, Alyssa Kluge and Christopher Dietrick, live.

"This is a walk we take three times a day," Dietrick said. "We were walking home with Dublin. As we were walking, a man was not paying attention; he was leaned into the passenger window of a car, and the pit bull mix lunged across us, got a hold of our Dublin. It was very violent. There was a big scuffle. I kept punching the dog."

The man then grabbed his pit bull and "took off running," Dietrick said.

A good Samaritan drove the couple and Dublin to an animal hospital, but Kluge said, "My baby died in my arms."

"I got him on St. Patrick's Day more than 11 years ago, and he was aptly named Dublin," said Kluge, who raised the dog since he was 10 weeks old.

Witnesses said the pit bull's owner, speaking with an English accent, shouted that someone was going to kill his dog as he ran up Fourth Street and into an apartment building in the Ocean Park neighborhood.

Following days of seeking public help, the SMPD shared an update on Wednesday morning stating that the owner had been identified. Police did not provide his name, however.

Police said under current law, several dog-on-dog attacks and related violations fall under civil or misdemeanor-level offenses, including failure to control a dangerous animal or failure to provide information following a dangerous bite.

The Santa Monica city attorney was identifying any municipal or criminal violations that might be applicable to this attack, officials said. middle class local"

On April 22, Palisades Charter High School will begin holding in-person classes at the school’s new temporary location, dubbed “Pali South,” located at the site of the former Sears building at the corner of 4th Street and Colorado Avenue, 302 Colorado Ave.

Since the devastating wildfires destroyed much of the Pacific Palisades, including portions of the Pali High campus, Santa Monica teams have worked around the clock to assist schools, businesses and residents from impacted areas with their relocation efforts to Santa Monica.

Thanks to an emergency order approved by the City Council and dedication from city staff across all departments and cooperation and partnership from school leadership, the city has been able to help students at Pali High and other schools get back to in-person learning as quickly as is safely possible.

The school will hold classes at this new site through the end of the school year on June 6, then return to campus after summer break for the fall semester.

Pali South’s school day begins at 8:30 a.m. and lets out at 2:46 p.m.

Also nearby in the area, Santa Monica High School has a similar schedule.

Peak traffic is anticipated between 7-8:30 a.m. and 2:30-4 p.m. Those who don’t need to be in the area during these times are encouraged to avoid traveling there during these peak periods.

The first week of the new activation of this previously vacant corner will undoubtedly come with learning and adjusting. We appreciate the community’s patience as we observe and address traffic flow, drop off and other logistics at this new campus.

As we all prepare to welcome Pali High to downtown Santa Monica, below are some important details for students, parents, residents, businesses and their employees to prepare for the change in patterns downtown.

HOW WILL STUDENTS GET TO AND FROM SCHOOL?

Pali High’s student population comes from all over the region, comprised of families from nearly 100 different ZIP codes.

Students will arrive:

By public transit on the Metro E Line, Metro buses and Big Blue Bus
With their parents/guardians at the drop-off and pick-up lot located behind the downtown Metro E Line station, via the entrance on 5th Street
Via nine private charter buses sponsored by Pali High parents, with drop off inside the Pali South site
By car, with limited parking passes for students and school staff on school days for Parking Structures 5 and 6
Walking, biking, scooting from various locations

The city’s mobility team, in partnership with GoSaMo, the city’s Transit Management Organization, and Pali High leaders have been in close coordination to assist students and parents with transportation options.

Students, parents and anyone else traveling to the downtown area in the coming two months should give extra time for their commutes, think about avoiding peak times and explore non-driving options.

For personalized help with trip planning, GoSaMo offers online appointments. You can also reach them at (213) 425-0955 or Info@GoSaMoTMO.org.

Santa Monica has developed a traffic and mobility plan to make the transition as smooth as possible. This includes deploying changeable message boards, traffic safety personnel and adjusting signal timing for the best flow of traffic.

For the safety of all, please do not double park, stop at red curbs or stop at bus stops surrounding the school site.

Follow all traffic laws and avoid actions that may put your safety or the safety of others at risk. Use crosswalks and be aware of your surroundings as you make your way around the area.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Public transit to downtown Santa Monica via the Metro E Line or Big Blue Bus is an easy, stress-free and affordable way to go.

These options are free for all students with a registered GoPass and offer a great way to access the new downtown campus. Students can contact their school’s administration for a free GoPass TAP card.

From the E Line Downtown Santa Monica Station, Pali High students can walk south into the drop off/pick up lot to access a pedestrian tunnel that will allow them to safely cross under 4th Street directly into the Pali South parking lot.

Discount rates and passes are available to city employees, income-qualified residents and many others. Find more information at metro.net.

Big Blue Bus and Metro are also free for all riders on Pali South’s opening day, in celebration of Earth Day.

Download the Transit app for iOS and Android to plan your trip via BBB and track your ride in real-time, or use Big Blue Bus’s online trip planner at bigbluebus.com/planner.

CHARTER BUSES AND LIMITED PARKING IN DOWNTOWN STRUCTURES

A limited number of parking passes are allocated to students and teachers on school days from April 22 through June 6 in Parking Structure 5, at 4th Street and Broadway, and Parking Structure 6, at 2nd Street between Broadway and Santa Monica Boulevard.

For those walking to campus from parking structures or otherwise, the front entrance of Pali South is the glass door along Colorado Avenue.

Private charter buses will bring many students to school from the region, as was also the case at the home campus. These buses will drop off students near the main entrance to the school site, entering and exiting through the driveway on Colorado Avenue.

CARPOOLING & DROP OFF/PICK UP

The drop off and pick up lot for Pali High will be the Metro drop off area located across 4th Street from the campus.

This lot is designed for brief stops and for active loading and unloading only. Cars waiting or parked in the lot will be asked to exit.

The best way to access lot is by exiting the I-10 West Santa Monica Freeway at 4th/5th Street in the right lane to turn onto 5th Street. Then merge to the left lane and turn left into the driveway of the parking lot.

Please note that there are no left turns from 5th Street onto Colorado Avenue when exiting the drop off lot.

From the drop off lot, students can access the pedestrian tunnel to safely cross 4th Street directly into the Pali South campus.

For a less congested drop off option, park at the metered parking on Main Street in front of City Hall and Tongva Park and have your student walk to school from there. And all city-owned Downtown Santa Monica parking structures are free for the first 90 minutes, so parents are also encouraged to explore pickup at those lots.

Drop off, parking or waiting are not permitted along 4th Street or Colorado Avenue.

Students can ride the Metro E Line a short distance from nearby stations at Expo/Bundy, 26th Street/Bergamot or 17th Street/SMC.

The Expo/Bundy Station is recommended for a faster pick up and drop off experience and to alleviate congestion in the downtown Santa Monica area. Take the Metro E Line three stops to and from the Downtown Santa Monica Station.

Metro will deploy additional ambassadors at the Expo/Bundy and Downtown Santa Monica Stations to help students with directions and provide assistance.

For commuters driving into downtown, exiting at the Lincoln Boulevard offramp may provide a smoother route. It may also be beneficial to adjust arrival and departure times, if possible, to avoid the morning and afternoon peak times.

Also of note: One lane in each direction will be closed on Lincoln Boulevard on April 21 and 22 between Broadway and Santa Monica Boulevard. This may cause impacts if exiting the freeway at Lincoln.

WHERE CAN STUDENTS EAT OR HANG OUT BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL OR WAIT TO BE PICKED UP?

Santa Monica businesses are excited to welcome Pali High students! Go here for a list of local business specials and deals for students.

Access a list of all downtown businesses here. For list of places to eat at Santa Monica Pier, click here. And fun things to explore, click here. Any Santa Monica businesses who would like to submit a “Welcome to Santa Monica, Pali High!” special, can do so here.

Physical education classes during the day are set to be held at Historic Belmar Park and the city of Santa Monica has helped facilitate after school sports, meetings and other activities at various parks, libraries and city facilities around town.

Santa Monica’s Main Library is just a few blocks away from Pali South, at 601 Santa Monica Blvd., and offers many free resources and spaces for homework and studying ― open Monday through Thursday until 8 p.m. Find more at santamonica.gov/library.

We invite students and parents to spend a bit more time in Santa Monica to avoid the traffic and enjoy what the community has to offer.

The city hosts many free and low-cost arts, sustainability, and cultural activities and other classes and programming that all are welcome to attend. Visit the city’s website and events page for more!

WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR SECURITY AT AND AROUND THE PALI SOUTH CAMPUS?

Santa Monica Police Department personnel are in close coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who oversees Metro public safety, to coordinate efforts at the E Line station. There will be an added security presence at E Line station and in the area around the campus/drop off lot.

Big Blue Bus's Transit Safety Officers are stationed on high-traffic routes and at select bus stops, to assist riders with navigating the system and addressing safety and maintenance concerns.

Downtown Santa Monica Ambassadors will also have an added presence around the Pali South campus, outside the E Line station and in downtown parking structures to assist with questions, security concerns and wayfinding.

The Pali South campus will be closed to the public. Students, teachers and school staff must show official school identification to get onto campus. Pali High will provide security personnel and campus aides to help answer questions and ensure everyone gets to school safely.

The pedestrian tunnel beneath 4th Street will only be open to students during arrival and dismissal. Students must stay on campus during school hours. Only seniors are permitted to go off-campus for lunch.

The Pali South campus will have 24/7 onsite security and will be closed outside overnight.

Santa Monica Police can be reached on the non-emergency line at (310) 458-8491.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

A search is underway for the owner of a pit bull that mauled to death a toy poodle. This happened on Friday afternoon as Alyssa Kluge and Christoper Dietrick were walking their poodle, named Dublin, down Strand inbetween Main Street abd 2nd St, when they pasted dark-haired man next to a parked car with black and grey pitbull on a leash. The pit charged at the poodle and killed him. The man then took off.

Dublin's owner posted this:

"Hi All - Unfortunately, our dog was the one killed by this dangerous animal. The owner was absolutely negligent. We have called SMPD, Animal Control, you name it, and have spoken to every business on Main Street, in addition to neighbors, and have put up 50+ signs and sent over 100 emails. We've also patrolled our neighborhood and blasted this across every channel we've tried.

PLEASE HELP US FIND THIS MAN. He may have two pitbulls; one gray, one white-ish with spots on his face, but he only had the gray one with him. He was middle aged, a little bigger around the middle (not fat, but just got winded running away), was wearing shorts and flip flops -- white, black or dark brown hair and had an accent like it was British.

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THIS MAN, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE POLICE AND OR ME DIRECTLY -- I have posted in NextDoor, Neighbor Ring, everywhere with my phone number and my phone number 517-803-5158 on flyers throughout Main Street / Santa Monica area. WE NEED EVIDENCE AND PHOTOS OF THIS MAN."







The suspect is described as:
"middle age white male dark hair five o clock shadow slightly heavier set had an english accent
gray / black pit bull
lives in the neighborhood — around 4th and Pacific we believe
middle class local"

Public Health Releases Preliminary Soil Testing Results With Unanticipated Elevated Lead Levels in Parcels Downwind from Eaton Fire

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released preliminary findings from representative soil sample testing in and around the Eaton and Palisades fire areas, revealing a higher percentage of soil samples with lead levels above health-based screening thresholds from parcels with intact homes downwind of the Eaton Fire.

The preliminary findings also indicate localized chemical impacts to soil above health-based screening thresholds are present in the Palisades fire area, but there is no evidence of widespread contamination from fire-related chemicals.

The County’s soil sampling and analysis, conducted by Roux Inc., measured levels of harmful substances that may be present after a wildfire—such as heavy metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and dioxins—on representative soil samples from various parcels in different areas and with different property conditions in and around the Eaton and Palisades fire areas. Over four weeks from mid-February to mid-March, soil samples were collected from destroyed, damaged, and intact properties within the burn areas, as well as from properties just outside, and compared to current residential soil screening level thresholds. A final report and analysis will be available in May.

Levels below the screening thresholds are considered protective over a lifetime of exposure, even for the most vulnerable people. If levels exceed the screening thresholds, it does not automatically mean cleanup is required, but it suggests the need to consider additional evaluation.

Representative soil sampling involves collecting soil samples from different areas affected by the fire to assess contamination levels, such as ash or chemicals, and understand the overall impact on the environment.

The identification of high frequent lead exceedances in soil samples from downwind of the Eaton fire are consistent with reports of elevated lead in air samples collected in the days immediately following the fire. The source of lead in the fire is reasonably expected to be from the burning of homes with lead-based paint, which was common prior to 1979. CalTech reported that more than 90 percent of the houses in Altadena were built before 1975.

However, because there are many potential sources of lead in soil in the Los Angeles area, additional assessments will help understand how much of the lead found in the samples came from the 2025 wildfires versus other sources.

Testing identified isolated areas of heavy metal and PAH soil sample exceedances above screening thresholds in the Palisades fire area. The source is unknown at this time, but these are not consistent with communitywide impacts from fire-related smoke plumes.

This assessment provides a representative analysis of the soil in areas and under different conditions impacted by the fires. Individual parcels may have unique factors that result in differences compared to these representative samples. The reported results are not intended to imply cleanup or specific remediation is necessary; rather, the results identify areas potentially requiring additional evaluation.

Those with concerns about their specific property may want to test their soil and/or consult an environmental professional about evaluating their property. In all areas with on-going fire debris, residents are reminded to take precautions to not inhale, ingest or come into contact with ash, soot, and/or fire debris by using appropriate personal protective equipment. Additionally, community members are encouraged to review the soil sampling results and consider taking appropriate precautions if your home is in one of the areas where soil sample screening thresholds have been exceeded. Residents can refer to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s FAQs for best practices to minimize exposure to these potential hazards.

In response to potential health risks from wildfire-related smoke, ash, and debris, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is offering free blood lead testing for individuals concerned about exposure to lead. Testing is available through three easy options: by visiting a medical provider (with costs covered by most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal), scheduling a free appointment at a Quest Lab by calling 1-800-LA-4-LEAD, or accessing walk-in mobile testing offered at select community events. Testing is fast, free, confidential, and does not require insurance. Lead exposure can be especially harmful to children and pregnant individuals, and early detection is key. For more information or to find testing locations, call 1-800-LA-4-LEAD (1-800-524-5323).

For larger versions of the following charts, Click Here










For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

Santa Monica’s favorite Thursday night tradition is back—and you’re invited to the party! Locals’ Night is your one-stop celebration of community, creativity, and coastal vibes, with everything from live music and dancing to an epic local art market and car show. Whether you’re coming for the tunes, the handmade goods, or just a killer sunset, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

This month’s lineup is stacked with local legends and rising stars—plus Salsa dancing, 30+ local vendors, and a fundraiser supporting Concrete Queenz, a nonprofit empowering girls in South LA through skateboarding. Bring your friends, your family, and your dancing shoes. We’ll see you on the Pier.

2 Live Music Stages ft. Tom Nolan Band, Movie Club, House of Vibe, and Jane Fonda’s

Youth + Emerging Artist Performances

Art Mart with 30+ local vendors

Salsa Way with Rush Hour Orquesta and Salsa dance lessons with Courtney Parisi

Classic Car Show

A special fundraiser for Concrete Queenz

Live Music Lineup – April 17

Main Stage
5:00 – 5:45 PM – School of Rock
6:15 – 7:00 PM – Jane Fonda's
7:30 – 9:30 PM – Tom Nolan Band

Stage 2
4:30 – 5:30 PM – Lunch Crew Combo (featuring emerging artists from the SMC Jazz Ensemble & Just Jazz Collective)
6:00 PM – Movie Club
7:30 – 9:00 PM – House of Vibe

Kids' activities begin at 3:30 PM, followed by the performances starting at 5 PM.

For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

The Ocean Water Advisory due to Fire Impacts from Las Flores State Beach (SMB 1-14) to Santa Monica State Beach (DPH 104 A&B) has been lifted. Residents are still advised to avoid fire debris in the water, and to avoid being on beaches on or near burned properties.

After Rigorous Testing, Public Health Lifts Ocean Water Quality Advisory for Fire-Impacted Beaches - RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO BE ADVISED TO AVOID FIRE DEBRIS IN THE WATER, ON THE BEACH, AND ON OR NEAR BURNED PROPERTIES

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is lifting the Ocean Water Advisory due to Fire Impacts from Las Flores State Beach (SMB 1-14) to Santa Monica State Beach (DPH 104 A&B). This decision comes after the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board released results and analysis for testing on ocean water on January 22nd, January 27th, February 6th, February 18th , and March 13th, and sediment/beach sand testing from February 25th through February 27th.

The ocean water and sediment/beach sand testing, which looked for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are chemicals that may be found in water runoff based on previous California wildfires, revealed no chemicals related to wildfires at levels that are dangerous to human health

Beachgoers may now enter the ocean water and recreate on the sand in these areas, but they are still advised to avoid fire debris in the water, and to avoid being on beaches on or near burned properties, as the fire debris may contain harmful substances and physical hazards such as glass, metal, and sharp wooden debris.

High tides may carry fire debris into the ocean, creating hazardous conditions. In areas along the coast—particularly near burned or destroyed properties on the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)—debris from recent fires has not yet been fully cleaned up. As the tides rise, this debris can be swept into the water, posing a danger to those in or near the ocean.

Residents are advised to continue following the Department of Public Health Ocean Water Advisories, which are non-fire related, and avoid entering the ocean water when ocean water quality exceeds State bacterial limits.


For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

Back in October we report that Santa Monica was not accepting the terms for hosting the 2028 Olpmics Beach Volleyball event due to the Olympic Committee outrageous demands and lack of transparency regauding costs and reimbusments to the city.

On Tuesday, April 8th, the city made it officioal, Santa Monica will not host the Beach Volleyball Events.

The city of Santa Monica and the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, or LA28, have ended formal talks to host beach volleyball at Santa Monica State Beach for the 2028 Summer Olympics, following nearly two years of negotiations.

As the birthplace of the modern sport, the city of Santa Monica has been in discussions about hosting beach volleyball since Los Angeles’ first bid for the Games in 2016.

Despite good-faith efforts to reach a deal that would benefit both the Santa Monica community and work for LA28, ultimately the two parties were not able to agree to terms around community benefits, operational details and financial guarantees.

LA28 informed the city Friday that it plans to host beach volleyball elsewhere.

With the formal end to venue city negotiations, Santa Monica will focus efforts on bringing a host of exciting opportunities surrounding the Games as a regional partner. City teams have been exploring ideas for related events and revenue-generating prospects, including hospitality houses for numerous countries, broadcast centers, practice venues and watch parties to name just a few opportunities.

The city also remains committed to partnering with LA28 and neighboring agencies to coordinate the Games in the region, including collaboration and support around transportation, hospitality, media, events and more.

“There is no better place to host the Olympic beach volleyball competition than Santa Monica, where the sport was born. We would have loved to be a venue city in 2028,” Mayor Lana Negrete said. “While we’re disappointed that an agreement was not realized, we remain eager to share in the excitement the Olympics will bring to our region and are looking forward to being a regional partner in this historic event.”

Prior to the end of venue city negotiations, a team of city officials had been meeting with LA28 since early 2023 to finalize a Venue City Games Agreement.

At a public study session on Oct. 8, 2024, the Santa Monica City Council discussed the potential impacts of being a venue city and directed staff to negotiate more tangible benefits for residents and businesses and greater clarity and assurances about financial and other impacts on residents and businesses, particularly on and around the Santa Monica Pier. LA28 declined to adjust the proposed agreement to accommodate these terms.

Separate from negotiations around the beach volleyball venue, preparations for this major regional event have been moving forward through the city’s CELEBRATE28 initiative. The initiative brings together key groups of staff and community partners in areas of sustainability, transportation, arts, special events, community safety and hospitality to prepare for welcoming thousands of spectators still anticipated to visit Santa Monica during the games.

The city and its partners continue to coordinate and prepare to welcome visitors and engage locals throughout the Games, and are exploring additional revenue generating options in Santa Monica, including opportunities that could bring benefit to the community in advance of the Games.

“When the world shows up to Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Olympics, we look forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands of participants and sports enthusiasts to Santa Monica for an iconic California experience,” Santa Monica Travel and Tourism President/CEO Misti Kerns said. “With our key location and proximity to LA28 venues, our beachside city is already seeing strong demand for the summer months of 2028. Our hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shopping areas are working to create additional packages and experiences while looking forward to hosting Olympic visitors during this exciting time for the region.”

The Santa Monica Fire Department this week launched a new K-9 Peer Support Program, an initiative designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of firefighters and other Santa Monica city employees and community members.

The program’s first K-9 team member, an English Labrador named Roger, is a certified support K-9 trained in providing comfort and companionship. Working alongside a designated peer support team handler, Roger will visit fire stations, attend debriefings after critical incidents, attend community events to interact with the public and be available to firefighters and city employees in need of emotional support.

Through Roger’s efforts, the program aims to provide comfort, reduce stress and promote emotional resilience for Santa Monica Fire Department, or SMFD, personnel as well as the broader community.

“We are thrilled to introduce this program as a proactive step in supporting the mental wellness of our firefighters and city employees,” Fire Chief Matthew Hallock said. “The presence of a therapy dog has been proven to lower stress levels, improve morale and encourage open conversations about mental health. We believe this initiative will make a meaningful impact on our team.”

Firefighters face high levels of stress due to the intense and often traumatic nature of their work. Recognizing the need for enhanced mental health support, SMFD has integrated the K-9 Peer Support Program as part of its commitment and dedication to prioritizing a healthy and supportive work environment.

SMFD joins a growing number of agencies across the nation in bringing on a K-9 support program to prioritize mental health for first responders. In Southern California, that list includes Redondo Beach Fire, Orange County Fire Authority, Huntington Beach Fire, Westminster Police Department, Newport Beach Fire and Torrance Fire.

The Santa Monica Fire Department extends its gratitude to the city staff, community partners and mental health professionals who have helped bring this program to life. The department remains committed to exploring innovative ways to enhance the well-being of its personnel and aligns with national best practices for firefighter mental health and wellness.

This is a beach cleanup at Santa Monica State Beach, hosted by The Persaud Foundation. Register today & get litter out of our oceans!

This event is hosted by The Persaud Foundation. This is a Beach Cleanup, lasting from 11:30 AM, to 2:50 PM. We will be meeting in the front section of Big Deans Ocean Cafe. We will provide Scoopers, gloves, & Trash Bags. Our Organizer will be wearing a bright orange turtleneck, which will be very easily recognizable. Participants are encouraged to bring close toed shoes, a sunhat, & a waterbottle. For more information on the order of events, please consult the Agenda.

Saturday, April 12 · 11:30am - 2:50pm
Santa Monica State Beach

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

This Earth Day, let’s come together to give back to our land, clean our shores, and nurture our spirits with a restorative Sound Bath.

Join Mayra for a Beach Clean Up + a Sound Healing Session afterwards on April 19th.

"I'd love for you to join me in making a difference and giving back to our beaches. As we all know, they're full of rubbish, damaging our ecosystem. Let's collectively help clean our beaches and save the animals and our environment for future generations to come. So they to can enjoy the beach like we currently do. It's on April 19th, Lifeguard Tower #26 in Santa Monica. The beach cleanup will begin at 11 am, so please arrive on time, if you're hoping to participate in the beach cleanup. Followed by guided breathwork and sound healing meditation that will begin at noon."

Mayra also partnered with Project Pop Drop to collect items for the homeless that will be delivering to a homeless shelter on the last Saturday of the month (each month is a different shelter and details will be available at the cleanup for those who want to attend that event as well). Collecting of non- perishable foods and new toiletries, new socks, new underwear, new clothing etc.

"Afterward, stay and hang out in the community. Connect with like-minded individuals, socialize, and enjoy the SoCal sun. All you need to bring is a yoga mat, a beach umbrella for shade, and some snacks. After the cleanup, we'll relax enjoy a cup of sun tea followed by guided breathwork and sound bath meditation, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose."

Saturday, April 19 · 11am - 12:30pm
Santa Monica Beach Tower 26
2600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90405

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Project Save Our Surf returns to Tower 26 to clean the beach. Buckets, gloves and light snacks will be provided.



Come join Project Save Our Surf for a fun afternoon of music and refreshments cleaning the beach. Buckets and gloves will also be provided for the cleanup. Connect with others in Los Angeles working to support our environment.

We have also partnered with Project Pop Drop to collect items for the homeless that we will be delivering to a homeless shelter on the last Saturday of the month (each month is a different shelter and details will be available at the cleanup for those who want to attend that event as well). We are collecting non- perishable foods and new toiletries, new socks, new underwear, new clothing etc.

Saturday, April 12 · 11am - 1pm
Santa Monica Beach Tower 26
2559 Ocean Front Walk Santa Monica, CA 90405

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Celebrate the Easter season at Third Street Promenade with fun, games, and FREE photos with the Easter Bunny!

On Sunday, April 6th from 12-4PM, celebrate the Easter season at Third Street Promenade!

This event is FREE and for ALL AGES!

There will be fun activities for all ages including:
Photos with the Easter Bunny (pets welcome!)
Live Childrens’ music + entertainment
Arts & crafts + games
Balloon twisters + face painters

Photos with the Easter Bunny will be first-come, first-served. There will be a (2) picture limit per group with the Easter Bunny.
There will be no egg hunt, rather Easter Eggs will be handed out .

Event will be on the 1200 Block of Third Street Promenade (between Arizona & Wilshire)

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

If you passed by the intersection of Main Street and Pico Boulevard this morning, you may have noticed some exciting activity taking place just outside the southwest corner of the shuttered Civic Auditorium.

Early this morning, a pair of mobile buildings were delivered to the parking lot. These trailers will soon house SaMo Bridge, a new city diversion program set to launch this month.

The SaMo Bridge program will join STEP Court and the Alternatives to Incarceration Pre-Filing Diversion Program as the latest tool to help the city intercept individuals experiencing homelessness or behavioral health issues before they enter the criminal justice system – and offer a different path.

The program is a key component of the city’s innovative strategy to address homelessness by focusing on sustainable solutions with lasting impacts.

When Santa Monica Police Department, or SMPD, personnel contact an individual who has committed a low-level crime – such as violating the city’s camping ordinance – they can now offer the person two choices: go to jail or go to the SaMo Bridge “respite hub.”

If the person chooses jail, they are usually either cited or booked and then released, with an obligation to appear in court in 30 days. But in the intervening month, they may pick up more offenses or have to wait to be connected with resources.

The idea is that the 24/7 respite hub is a more attractive option, with the goal of getting people off the street and connected to services. It also offers SMPD a new and much-needed resource to refer people to after hours.

At the respite hub, the individual can have a snack, take a shower and temporarily rest in a safe place. This environment makes it more likely the individual will be receptive to meeting with an onsite case manager to help find long-term solutions to the issues that brought them into contact with law enforcement.

Exodus Recovery Inc., the city’s nonprofit partner for existing diversion programs, will provide SaMo Bridge’s onsite, around-the-clock case management services.

Case managers will work with participants to create a 90-day care plan focused on housing and treatment. For participants who complete the 90-day plan, the City Attorney’s Office will not file the misdemeanor criminal case for which they were picked up, providing significant motivation to follow through with the program.

The SaMo Bridge respite hub will consist of two mobile trailers, one for Exodus staff and one for time-limited use by participants. The space has capacity to host three to four individuals at any given time.

Participation in the program is by SMPD referral only, and no loitering or walk-ups will be permitted outside the trailers. The site will have a 24/7 security guard, staffed by Exodus, with additional video monitoring by SMPD.

SaMo Bridge is a three-year pilot program fully funded by a grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections. While the concept of “respite hubs” is not new, this is the first program of its kind to serve Santa Monica, and joins a host of innovative, holistic strategies for addressing homelessness within the city.

On March 25, the Santa Monica City Council approved an interim zoning ordinance that allows for SaMo Bridge’s location next to the Civic Auditorium. If conversations about reactivating the Civic Auditorium proceed before the three-year pilot is up, the location of SaMo Bridge could change if needed.

Authored By
Jenna Grigsby-Taggart
Santa Monica Deputy City Attorney

The landmark Santa Monica Civic Auditorium opened in 1958 as a public gathering place for cultural, educational, and community events. Designed by noted architect Welton Beckett, the classic Streamline Modern building is the architectural focal point for the southern sector of Santa Monica's Civic Center. Regular operation of the Civic Auditorium was suspended in June 2013, due to the loss of redevelopment funds needed to rehabilitate the facility.

The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday approved execution of an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with development team Revitalization Partners Group, to renovate, operate and program the shuttered Civic Auditorium.

An Exclusive Negotiating Agreement, or ENA, provides a specified period during which involved parties can conduct due diligence to evaluate the feasibility of a project and negotiate terms for a final agreement, which in this case would be a Disposition and Development Agreement.

Under the ENA, the city agrees to negotiate solely with Revitalization Partners Group, or RPG, to determine the feasibility for redeveloping the Civic Auditorium site. The ENA also sets forth agreed upon timelines and performance schedules, creates financial responsibilities and outlines future discussions.

The term of the agreement is six months.

The next step includes the city coordinating with RPG to complete various site analyses to understand the feasibility of redevelopment and renovation. As part of the ENA, RPG will submit a cost recovery deposit of $250,000 to cover staff and consultant costs for analysis of the Civic project.

“As a city we are pursuing multiple strategies to bolster our economic recovery,” Director of Community Development Arminé Chaparyan said. “From streamlining permitting processes to advancing revitalization projects such as the Civic Auditorium, we’re focused on continuing to push forward initiatives that support our businesses and local economy.”

The process of selecting the development team kicked off in late 2023 when the City Council directed staff to seek Letters of Interest from entities with demonstrated financial capacity and extensive redevelopment experience. 

RPG was selected for the ENA based on their experience and financial resources to renovate, operate and program entertainment venues that have historical attributes. 

Beachside Benefit at Perry's Cafe on the beach in Santa Monica. Zuma Cars & Coffee gather at this event honoring the great Malibu, Altadena and Pasadena Fire Fighters. This event directly benefits California Fire Foundation, Pasadena Humane Society, and Palisades Forever, three incredible organizations assisting fire-impacted communities through emergency aid, pet rescue and care, and essential supplies for families in crisis.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

"Inspired By Cannabis is coming to Santa Monica! Come on out, pick up some trash, win some stuff in the raffle :) hang out with the chilliest peeps you'll ever meet!"

No need to sign up or bring anything supplies are provided just look for the tents and bring your great vibes!

Sunday, March 30 · 10am - 1pm PST
Bicknell Ave Beach Parking Lot
Santa Monica, CA 9040

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Several trash bins in the area have been set on fire over the past week.. On Sunday, arch 16, 2025, the trash bin behind the McDonald's next to the Santa Monica Pier was set on fire, this time a witness saw it happened and reported it. SMPD found the suspect a block away and he was identified and arrested. He was wearing a shirt that says "Not Above The Law".

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.