SMMUSD Settles attorney fees for lawsuit

The SMMUSD Board of Education has approved the final settlement amount with America Unites for Kids ending a six-year legal battle with Malibu activists concerning the removal of toxic Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) from Malibu High School (MHS) and Juan Cabrillo Elementary School (JCES).

Council plans education campaign in face of eviction tsunami

City Hall will consider a new communications campaign to inform renters and landlords about the extended eviction moratorium recently passed in Sacramento as part of a bill known as AB 832.

Council approves contract for parking structure demolition

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Local author uses book to support animal welfare

A foster husky was given a fair chance at life and found her forever home along the way thanks to a local family. Samohi graduate, Anastasia Khromova recently released her debut children’s early chapter book, titled “Stella” detailing her puppy’s inspiring journey overcoming Swimmer Puppy Syndrome.

Santa Monica’s LA Car Guy expands with 13th dealership

It’s lucky number thirteen for The LA Car Guy or Santa Monica resident Mike Sullivan as he is known to his friends.

Lana Negrete appointed to City Council

City Council announced Lana Negrete as their newly appointed Councilmember Tuesday after twotime former Mayor and longtime City Councilmember Kevin McKeown abruptly retired in early June.

Planners approve micro-hotels but reject restaurant at The Shore

City Planners have approved plans for a micro-hotel project at the existing Shore Hotel property that will include 34 beds inside a 14 room concept as part of an ongoing settlement issued by the California Coastal Commission due to the unpermitted construction of the original building.

As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, there are new guidelines to assist in slowing the spread of COVID-19, Although we cannot gather, we can still celebrate and give thanks for our health.

City Council announced Lana Negrete as their newly appointed Councilmember Tuesday after two-time former Mayor and longtime City Councilmember Kevin McKeown abruptly retired in early June.

Pier Evades Beach Bummers List

Heal the Bay has released their annual beach report card for 2021 on the cusp of Fourth of July weekend, giving us a glimpse of the safest options to enjoy a nice day at the beach. The annual report is commissioned by local non-profit Heal the Bay, whose mission is to preserve and protect coastal waters and watersheds.

Instead of a Stairway to Heaven, 2020 has taken us down the road of recovery, as our community navigates the ever- changing landscape of a COVID-19 world. On this journey, we have had new adventures, taken some unexpected detours and learned a little more about ourselves in the process.

We have faced big challenges this past 8 months, but have worked remarkably hard to turn our economy around. Since March, we have seen our community support one another by looking local for the everyday essentials, creating a positive outcome for our local economy. Our local automotive industry has quietly kept us on path generating 25 percent of the overall sales tax income, the highest sales tax generator for the City.

There is so much to be thankful for this year, but many are still facing the adversities that 2020 has brought us, which is why our work to build a brighter future in Santa Monica is not over. Give and spread thanks this year by looking into local volunteer options and show those experiencing hardship what the power of our community looks like.

Many were shocked by the news following the beginning of quarantine; come home from work, wear a mask and stay inside unless you’re gathering the essentials. After nearly seven months of closures, we are slowly but surely seeing many businesses reopen once again, looking to replenish their fallen workforce. As unemployment rates reach an all time high in the state of California, the City of Santa Monica has created a one-stop resource for residents to assist in their next career change, including unemployment resources, hosting virtual employment webinars, and providing links to job preparedness organizations.

As we enter the seventh month of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that this is a stressful time for families everywhere and Santa Monica households are no exception. Some families are supervising their children’s virtual learning while working from home or job hunting. Without the resources to hire or access one-on-one tutors, many parents are worried about their children falling behind in school.

In Santa Monica, it can be easy to overlook the everyday luxuries of our quaint city by the sea. The palm tree lined streets, cool, blue oceans and clear, sunny-skies look like they were pulled from a postcard. Too quickly we overlook these delights, but when they are perceived as a part of our everyday they can lose their luster. When the world feels like it has become repetitive and your everyday routine feels especially dull or stressful, it may be time to take a vacation, or better yet—a near-cation.

Los Angeles is known for its beautiful sights and beautiful residents, but with salons and barber shops closed earlier this year as a result of preventing the spread of COVID-19, many have attempted their self- care routines at home. The top trending videos on the internet are now littered with grimacing videos of box- dye attempts gone awry and regrettable experiments with at-home chops, but there is no longer a need to worry, because your stylists and barbers are back and ready to bring a little more beauty back to Santa Monica.

The effects of COVID-19 continues to alter every aspect of our lives, shifting the pace of the world and forcing us to focus on our own well-being in new ways. As a community, we have banded together and learned how to navigate this shift with innovative ideas that allow us to support one another while remaining healthy. The latest adjustment to our lives is that many local gyms have moved their operations outdoors. With fitness’s proven ability to relieve stress and fortify the body, a workout session might be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Rediscover the iconic Santa Monica Pier through an immersive, location-based digital quest and a new Pier Prize program to support Pier Businesses.

Fitness Centers Fight COVID by Classes Outdoors

The recent reclosure of fitness centers statewide has forced local fitness fanatics to get creative and move classes outdoors during the summer months to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

Samohi Grads Raise $15,000 for Summer Reading Program

The Samohi class of 2020 may have had an unexpected end to their senior year, but a special group of seniors will leave a lasting legacy. Samantha Breuer, Maya Lauer, Guilia Trevellin, Ansel Garcia-Langley and Anna Doñata said goodbye to their high school alma mater this year with a generous parting gift- a $15,400 donation to be used for the purchase of this year’s summer reading book “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson.

As we soak up the last moments of sun, you may have noticed that summer in Santa Monica looked a bit different this year. Warm nights spent with family occurred in our backyards, going out to dinner at our favorite restaurants quickly turned into fun kitchen experiments, and conversations with loved ones occurred six-feet apart. COVID-19 was sudden and unexpected, to say the least, causing this shift in everyone’s lifestyle. As we learn to accept our new normal, the City of Santa Monica has worked diligently to embrace the change.

Public Libraries Look to Continue Services Despite COVID

Santa Monica public libraries and recreation services remain closed as they uphold social distancing regulations, but a push for independent, online learning and emergency community support has residents hoping the departments will open soon.

Reliving Old Fashion Values

At its core, Sebastopol has a fiery and passionate heart, kindled and kept alive by its energetic residents. Jim Lerum, Sebastopol native and “wood heat enthusiast” keeps that fire going the old fashioned way - simple and eco-friendly.

Intimate Feel at Large Leather

Imagine that special piece in your collection that makes every outfit just come together. Is it a pair of good shoes? A nice hat? What about a custom made, one-of-a-kind leather handbag? At Large Leather, located in the Sonoma Plaza, their specialty is to create one of a kind, all leather products that will add fashion and function to every outfit.

Bringing a Taste of Japan to West County

Many Sebastopol families have deep ties in our small community that can be traced back through generations to a time where sprawling apple orchards were in place before the winding vineyards. For Justin Gill, his Sebastopol roots can be traced back all the way to the 1920s when his great Grandmother immigrated from Japan to Sebastopol.

Happy Holidays from the Husary Family

In a community built and preserved by it's wonderful residents, every piece of the Sebastopol puzzle counts. The Husary family is an integral part of the grand puzzle that makes the community what it is.

Self Care and Community

DeAnna Batdorf has devoted 20 years of her life caring for, uplifting and building the community of Sebastopol through her devotion to elemental health and well-being. Her self-care center, The dhyana Center on Main Street, is Sebastopol’s hub for all things concerning personal health, growth and seasonal care.

Sebastopol’s Extraordinary Couple

Michael A. Ellis, a Sebastopol resident and a leader in the canine professional training world is a top dog in his profession. Standing at over six feet tall with bright blue eyes, an energetic smile and trademark ponytail, he commands the attention of his students and their canines in his vibrant classroom.

Inspiring a Community of Music

The cello is a vibrant and powerful instrument that when played correctly can “bring people to tears,” according to cello aficionado Maureen Caisse.

Building the Community, at the Heart of the Community

It’s 4 a.m. and Greg Beale’s alarm rings — time to start another busy day. He quickly gets ready and walks the five blocks from his house to Builders’ Studio, one of his three businesses along Main Street. Greg works for three hours as the sun rises, then heads home at 8 a.m. to join his wife Caitlin as they wake their two young children and eat breakfast as a family.

DNA Magic: A Tale of Two Sisters

An unexpected occurrence has led to an enduring sisterhood and friendship for Sue Brooke and Sebastopol local, Kathy Anderson. A simple Ancestry.com DNA test in 2017 did not just uncover a few missing branches of a family tree, but planted a seed for an entirely new tree to grow.

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Sandborn Tree

Sebastopol is a small, tight-knit community that has a rich history of locals planting family trees in fertile soil and letting them flourish and grow for generations to come. For Chip and Mariah Sandborn, this is not just a metaphor.

Bringing the Community Together Through Coverage

In the past two years, Sonoma County has had to endure massive wildfires and flooding causing enormous amounts of devastation. Although it is a tragedy, the community rallied around those who were suffering and rose from the ashes. With that being said, it is more crucial now than ever to make sure you are properly covered just in case one of these tragic accidents happens to you. Which is why Christopher Stuhr, of Stuhr Insurance agencies motto is “Servicing Your Claim Before it Happens.”

The People’s Doctor-Dr. Elson Haas

A member of the Sebastopol community since 1993, “The Healthy Doctor” Elson Haas devotes his life to treating patients with an approach of “Lifestyle first, natural therapies next, drugs or surgery last.”

Behind the Scenes of the Happytime Murders

Ridden with controversy, the new Melissa McCarthy film “The Happytime Murders” takes “The Muppets” to a whole new level. Director Brian Henson is the son of the late creator of “The Muppets” Jim Henson. He takes the once family-friendly puppet characters and turns them upside down, creating this explicit and raunchy r-rated version.

Measure W will Support First Responders

The Sonoma State campus and downtown Cotati are in danger of not having a team of first responders at our fingertips if Measure W does not pass this midterm election season.

Midterm Election is a Step Towards Representation

This midterm election has released record-breaking numbers, allowing for increased representation in both the House and Senate, as well as multiple gubernatorial candidates in the epitome of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.

Trump Rolls Back On Birth Control

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Puerto Rico In Crisis

Just a few weeks after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, ravaging the U.S territory and killing 16 people, the small country is still suffering from the harrowing effects of the storm.

SB 320

A new bill introduced to the California state senate “would require on-campus student health insurance plans offered by California State University, the California Community Colleges and the University of California to include coverage of the abortion pill, which can be taken up to 10 weeks after a woman’s last period. The bill would not cover surgical abortions” according to the Daily Californian*.

Mni Wiconi

After almost a year of protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Sioux tribe celebrated a short victory in December of 2016 after the US Army Corps of Engineers reversed their previous decision to build DAPL.

Stand With Standing Rock

In the past few months, Standing Rock North Dakota has become the center for international news after the Dakota Access Pipeline threatened to run a 1,172 mile long crude oil pipeline in 2014.