Santa Monica

GLOW Festival in Santa Monica: The Trials of Creating an Art Show on the Beach

This Week's Review: Water Grill in Santa Monica

This week, the new Water Grill in Santa Monica is the subject of our restaurant review. Head over to the food section to read the full review, or check out the list of spoilers and extras below. History: The Water Grill downtown has been in operation since 1989, and last year underwent a facelift t ... More >>

September Chile Roasts at the Santa Monica Farmers Market

It's the season of chile roasts, even if you don't live in New Mexico, and if you didn't make it to Sante Fe you can head on over to the Santa Monica farmers market, where they're having southwest-style chile roasts every Saturday for the month of September at the Saturday Pico market. Chile roast ... More >>

Climb on the Peace Chain

Closed: Norms in Santa Monica

It was a sad day for early birds and late-night clubgoers last Wednesday, July 17, when Norms in Santa Monica closed its doors for good after 47 years of serving steak and eggs at all hours of the day. News of its (then impending) closure was first reported in early May by outlets like Grubstreet an ... More >>

3 West L.A. Gangsters Charged in Santa Monica Shooting

Three West L.A. gangsters were charged today in connection with a fatal shooting in Santa Monica. The violence was part of an ongoing rivalry between Santa Monica 13 gang, to which the two victims belonged, we were told, and Sotel (for the Sawtelle community) in West L.A:

John Zawahri Left Letter Expressing Sorrow Before SMC Rampage

The man believed to be the Santa Monica rampage shooter left a note expressing sorrow for the death of his father and brother, police said tonight. The also said farewell to some friends and stated that he wished that his mother was taken care of financially, according to Santa Monica police offici ... More >>

3 West L.A. Gangsters Arrested in Santa Monica Murder Case

Three men have been booked in connection with a fatal shooting in Santa Monica that appears to have involved a rivalry with a West L.A. gang. The three were nabbed in the 1500 block of Armacost Avenue in West Los Angeles following the Tuesday morning attack in Santa Monica's Pico neighborhood:

1 Dead in Santa Monica Gang Attack Near SMC

Updated at the bottom with one dead, possibly two arrested. Headline has changed. First posted at 11:55 a.m. Two people were shot not far from Santa Monica College this morning, shaking up a community already shocked by Friday's unrelated rampage. The violence in the 1500 block of Michigan Avenue, ... More >>

Levy Ernesto Rodriguez Sought in Santa Monica Shooting

Updated at the bottom with gang-tie information. First posted at 3:48 p.m. See also: 1 Dead in Santa Monica Gang Attack Near SMC. Yet another shooting, this one on Sunday, has shaken up a Santa Monica community already saddened by Friday's rampage. Luckily the victim in Sunday afternoon's attack ... More >>

SMC Rampage Prompts Quick Call For Gun Control

It wasn't long after the bullets stopped flying that a politician said it was time once more to consider serious gun control legislation. Congressman Henry Waxman, who represents much of the L.A. County coastline and the area of Friday's Santa Monica rampage, said over the weekend that "enough is e ... More >>

Margarita Gomez Had a Smile For Everyone, Even SMC Rampage Shooter

She had a smile for everyone, and alleged Santa Monica rampage shooter John Zawahri was no different. An eyewitness told us the older woman known for collecting recyclables on campus was just standing upright after leaning down to retrieve aluminum and plastics from a trash can near the Santa Monic ... More >>

Santa Monica College Shooting: What Happened?

As many as six four people were killed by a gunman who lost his own life after police confronted him and fatally shot him on the campus of Santa Monica College today. Here's what appears to have happened:

Santa Monica Club Sucker Punch Puts Marine In Hospital; Cops Seek Loser

If you've been around L.A. clubland you know that Zanzibar in Santa Monica is one of the more mellow, musically inclined venues around. You can leave aggro at the door. One guy apparently missed that memo, however, and now Santa Monica cops want talk to him regarding allegations of assault and caus ... More >>

Santa Monica College Bomb Scare Prompts Evacuation

Updated at the bottom: It's over. First posted at 1:25 p.m. Another day, another bomb scare. After the terrorist bombings in Boston last week, police in the L.A. area have had their hands full with fake threats and unattended bags. Today, it's Santa Monica's turn:

Happy National Caramel Popcorn Day: 5 Places to Eat Bacon Popcorn Instead

We're told April 6 is National Caramel Popcorn Day, but aside from the concession stands at The Arclight and Dodger Stadium, we're not seeing too much caramel corn in this town. Instead, a different kind of corn is popping up on L.A. menus, and it's got one thing in common: bacon. Sometimes, you can ... More >>

The Taco Madness Tournament Returns to L.A. Taco

Don't believe all of that NCAA basketball hype; there's only one single-elimination bracket to worry about this month, and L.A. Taco has it covered. The alternative arts/food/culture site has just released the 5th annual version of their extremely popular Taco Madness tournament, which pits the city ... More >>

More Events: Food Tour, Cookbook Signing Kids' Harvest Workshop

A Taste of Santa Monica Destination Food Tours will lead a three-hour food tour of Santa Monica with samples from participating restaurants. Some of the restaurants on the tour agenda include Border Grill, Hosteria del Piccolo, M.A.K.E. and N'ice Cream. WHAT: A Taste of Santa Monica WHEN: Friday, M ... More >>

What's In Season at the Farmers Market: Cardoons from Flora Bella Farm SMFM Farmer Comes to Hollywood

It's probably telling that when asked how he likes to cook cardoons, Flora Bella Farm's James Birch immediately says, "By finding someone else to do it." Birch says he does like the flavor -- it's nearly identical to its thistle cousin, artichoke -- it just takes a bit of work and time to get it th ... More >>

Top 4 Weekend Food Events: Brunch Class, Bar Crawl, Coffee Talk Wine Tour

Brunch Cooking Class Learn to cook a Mexican-inspired brunch from Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. The chefs will demonstrate how to make Border Bloody Maria; guava empanada; heirloom bean and bacon tostada; Peruvian shrimp and grits; and La Bomba rice pudding. WHAT: Brunch Cooking Class WHEN: ... More >>

Shoot Santa Monica Pier's Ferris Wheel Via Amazing Video

How would you like to glide along the beach like a seagull and then fly through the top of the Ferris wheel at the end of the Santa Monica Pier. This is probably as close as you'll get. Videographer Robert Macintosh, known for previous "fly through" escapades, brings you his latest beach fantasy ( ... More >>

Methane Ocean Stink Gets Westsiders Worried

When many Westsiders woke up yesterday it was to the smell of the aftermath of a really rockin' house party. Or, say Santa Monica authorities, it was a natural release of methane gas from the ocean. Either way, it was a party foul that had folks calling emergency authorities. Because Westsiders don ... More >>

Kelvin Ramirez: Santa Monica High Aide Sexually Battered 15-Year-Old Girl, Cops Say

Santa Monica police today announced that Kelvin Ramirez, a part-time special education aide at Santa Monica High School, has been charged with suspicion of sexual battery. A 15-year-old girl Ramirez was working with on-campus came forward Dec. 20 and alleged that "she was grabbed on the buttocks" b ... More >>

Santa Monica Beach Sex Attack Suspect Described

It happened again: A man recently grabbed a woman on the beach in Santa Monica and attempted to sexually assault her. In fall a jogger was chased down by a man and raped, police said, but in that case a suspect had been arrested. In the most recent attack, cops are still looking for their guy:

Bamboo, an iPad-Equipped Izakaya, Coming to Santa Monica

Here's some news for fans of Santa Monica's Ozumo: Early next year, the sushi bar will be relocating from its space in Santa Monica Place to a beachside sort just east of the Pier, where it will "evolve" in a new Izakaya restaurant called Bamboo, run by much of the same management team and staff beh ... More >>

Santa Monica College-Adjacent Shooting Injures Teenage Woman; Waiverly Thomas Arrested

People are often surprised to learn that Santa Monica has crime, gangs or a historic barrio near Santa Monica College. It does. A shooting over the weekend proved that point. An 18-year-old woman was gunned down on Pico Boulevard but survived with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Santa ... More >>

If You Want My Body (of Work) ...

Drinking and Thanking

California Assembly District 50 Race: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City Disses Local Son Richard Bloom

California State Assemblywoman Betsy Butler and Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom are battling it out in the competitive Assembly District 50 race, and with such a close election expected, anything can help -- or hurt. Butler and Bloom would have probably liked the endorsements of their like-minded ... More >>

Top 5 Weekend Food Events: FIG Sausage Fest, Feria de los Moles, Wine & Jazz Festival, BAM Fest Planet Taco Talk

FIG Inaugural Sausage Fest Chefs Vartan Abgaryan (Public Kitchen), Greg Daniels (Haven Gastropub), Daniel Mattern (Cooks County), Bernhard Mairinger (BierBeisl) and Kris Morningstar (Ray's and Stark Bar) join FIG chef Ray Garcia to grill up their best homemade brats. Sides, snacks and beers from Smo ... More >>

Santa Monica Rates as L.A.'s Best Date Spot

What's the most-romantic neighborhood in Los Angeles? Los Feliz? Hollywood? Larchmont Village? No: Angelenos prefer a beach with bustle. Santa Monica ranked as the top spot across the board in the latest Match.com "L.A. Dating" survey:

Jeffrey Gundlach: $10 Million Santa Monica Art Heist of Jasper Johns, Porsche, Patek

Cops this week were looking for the thieves who cleaned out a Santa Monica home left alone earlier this month by a resident on a "trip." The $10 million-plus haul included "numerous" art works, including a piece by Jasper Johns, a 2010 Porsche and a handful of watches, including a Patek Philippe. Al ... More >>

Mary Poppins, Moliere, 12 Angry Men and a Japanese Swordfight Play in This Week's New Theater Reviews

A bucket full of enthusiastic reviews this week, starting with the Pick of the Week, Sweet Thursday, Pacific Resident Theatre's stage adaptation of the novel by John Steinbeck. Also garnering good notices: Neo Ensemble Theatre's Epic Proportions, Moliere's The Fools at Santa Monica Playhouse, also i ... More >>

Art For Thumb's Sake

Santa Monica Seafood: Go for the Spot Prawns, Stay for the Salt Water Taffy

The Santa Barbara Spot prawns we picked up recently at Santa Monica Seafood, inspired by Michael Cimarusti's salt cooking technique, set us back $13.95. For two. Not exactly a cost-cutting shopping stop, though they were fantastic (and our luck, still in season). The bargain consolation prize: A $4. ... More >>

Michael Dell's Miramar-Geddon?

Battle of bylaws aims at hotel expansion

Marijuana Users' Rights Prompt Santa Monica to Reverse Smoking Ban

The Santa Monica City Council earlier this month voted to approve a jaw-dropping ban of smoking in your own apartment. But on "second reading," when a final vote was required, the council backed down. Why? Members forgot to take into consideration the smoking rights of medical marijuana patients. ... More >>

Rafael Venegas, St. Anne's Santa Monica Priest, Investigated For Sex Crime

Santa Monica police today said they're checking out a local priest after a woman came forward and alleged he sexually assaulted her. If so (and, for the record, it ain't so, at least not yet), it wouldn't be too surprising. Church and the Tiki theater in Hollywood, apparently, are where all the sex ... More >>

Comments: Trailer of Tears

Claire Rose: Friends Say Santa Monica Woman Was Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver on Her Birthday

In Santa Monica's third serious hit-and-run in as many weeks, a 30-year-old woman was killed by the driver of a dark Toyota sedan just after midnight on Monday morning. Friends on Facebook and Twitter identify the victim as Santa Monica resident Claire Rose. They say she was celebrating her birthda ... More >>

Santa Monica Rape on Elevator Averted After Suspect Flees, Cops Say

A woman in Santa Monica had a close call after spending a few floors worth of time with a pscycho who indicated he was going to rape her in an office elevator, cops said. Lucky for the victim: The elevator opened a few stops up and someone was waiting for it, according to Santa Monica police. The w ... More >>

Demand Media Takes Over MTV Building In Santa Monica

See also: Demand Media, eHow Factory in Santa Monica, Already Worth $1.9 Billion: Retarded Web Searches Prevail and A Santa Monica Trailer Park -- and Its Senior Residents -- Face Off With Fancy New Development. Demand Media--parent to content farm eHow.com and listicle machine Cracked.com--announc ... More >>

Jensen Gray Killed in Santa Monica Party Stabbing

Updated at the bottom with the victim's ID and evidence he was friends with the suspect. The headline has changed to reflect new info. First posted at 12:24 p.m. Wednesday. A rare murder in Santa Monica was reported early this morning near the Third Street Promenade, police told the Weekly. Cops w ... More >>

Laurel Hardware: Patio Gangster Cocktails in West Hollywood

Refreshment is an almost unparalleled joy. When your throat is a barren pebbly wasteland, your brow is slick with sweat, and you're feeling flat, exhausted, in need of pumping up, finding the cure, inevitably a liquid, is more pleasurable than discovering a $20 bill on the sidewalk. At Laurel Hard ... More >>

Santa Monica Trying to Push Annoying Flight-School Activity Onto Surrounding Airports

A rather pompous proposal to alleviate weekend and holiday traffic at the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) is going up before the city's seven councilmembers at tomorrow's meeting: They'll be taking the fates of eight surrounding airports into their own hands, deciding whether to offer flight schools $150 ... More >>

Volunteers Wanted at the Santa Monica Farmers Markets

If you've always wanted to be a part of a local farmers market, here's your chance. Hang out with farmers, learn about where your food comes from, stalk local chefs FAR more efficiently, shop early for your Santa Rosa plums and breakfast radishes and ridiculously cool melons while the marine layer r ... More >>

Roger Slifer, DC Comics Legend and Transformers Producer, Gravely Injured in Santa Monica Hit-and-Run

Another tragic hit-and-run in Santa Monica last weekend has left comic-book great Roger Slifer, 57, in critical condition. The legend behind DC Comics superhero Lobo and the beloved old TV show Transformers was crossing 5th Street at the Colorado Avenue intersection around 12:57 a.m. early Saturday ... More >>

Behind the Scenes: The Early Morning Hours at the Farmers Market

What happens in the early hours at the farmers market? Early as in 6 a.m., those pivotal few hours before the opening bell rings and most of us are sipping coffee. It's around that hour that farmers start pulling into their parking spots at the Wednesday Santa Monica farmers market, some after an al ... More >>

HipSwap, Craigslist for Rich L.A. Hipsters, Will Deliver Your Used Louboutins in Pink Van With Mustache

No, that is not the tour bus for Echo Park's new ironic K-pop girl band. Somehow, it's even more perfect than that. The pink van driving around L.A. with the groovy font and the mustache -- as of this morning! -- is actually a delivery vehicle for HipSwap, the Santa Monica-based online marketplace ... More >>

Lit the Beach