Earlier this morning, UNITE HERE Local 11 announced that the last four hotels that were under strike in Santa Monica have reached a settlement. The UNITE HERE Local 11 hotel strike is over in Santa Monica. Hampton Inn Santa Monica, Courtyard Santa Monica, Viceroy Santa Monica, Le Méridien Delfina joined the Proper Hotel (which signed […] The post The Hotel Strike in Santa Monica Is Over first appeared on Santa Monica Next ..read more

Earlier this morning, Santa Monica College (SMC) unveiled a microforest on its main campus at 1900 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica during the college’s weeklong Earth Week 2024 celebration. Densely-planted, multilayered indigenous forests planted in small urban spaces which act as self-sustaining ecosystems, microforests reconnect fragmented habitat and restore biodiversity. The college’s microforest will also provide research experience to biology students. Made possible by […] The post Santa Monica College Plants First Microforest at a U.S. Community C ..read more

The following is a press release from the City of Santa Monica. The City Council took another key step toward carbon neutrality Tuesday, approving an ordinance to require the use of low-carbon concrete for all new construction, swimming pools and spas.  Traditional concrete is a mix that uses Portland cement, known as clinker, and other […] The post City to Require Use of Low-Carbon Concrete in New Construction first appeared on Santa Monica Next ..read more

It may have been a bit of a long shot anyway, but it’s a real bummer that S.B. 961 has been amended to call for new vehicles to install only passive speed governors. Speed governors – a well-tested, widely deployed technology – can either actively prevent a driver from going over some set speed limit, or passively alert the […] The post Bill to Require Speed Control in Vehicles Goes Limp first appeared on Santa Monica Next ..read more

Between the fall of 2022 and May of last year, there was constant chatter about the “builder’s remedy” and the sixteen projects that were submitted to the city during a brief time when the state suspended the city’s zoning code. In May, the council approved a deal with WS Properties to pull thirteen of those […] The post Two “Builder’s Remedy” Projects Are Moving in the City’s Permit Process first appeared on Santa Monica Next ..read more

The Santa Monica Big Blue Bus announced changes to nine routes along its service, mostly with increased hours, starting on Sunday, May 5. Three other lines, E7, 42 and 44, will cease service. “We’re making service improvements on nine routes to improve service reliability and better meet rider demand. We’re also adding service on select […] The post Big Blue Bus Announces Service Changes Starting on Sunday, May 5 first appeared on Santa Monica Next ..read more

Registration for the city of Santa Monica’s summer recreation programs opens Wednesday, April 24, at 6 a.m. for Santa Monica residents, and Wednesday, May 1, at 6 a.m. for non-residents.  Indoor and outdoor recreation classes for all ages are provided at city parks, the Santa Monica Swim Center and the Annenberg Community Beach House seasonally throughout the year.      […] The post Summer Recreation Registration Opens Wednesday at 6 a.m. first appeared on Santa Monica Next ..read more

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is pleased to announce its high ranking in the 2024 Best School Districts in California by national academic ranking service, Niche. SMMUSD is ranked sixth in Los Angeles County and 13th in California of 504 California school districts included. The ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key […] The post National Poll Ranks SMMUSD Among California’s Best Districts first appeared on Santa Monica Next ..read more

The following is a lightly edited press release from Metro. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today announced that the agency saw a 9.4 percent increase in total system ridership in March 2024 compared to March 2023 with nearly 26 million boardings. Average weekday rail ridership saw a 6.4 percent increase in boardings […] The post Metro Ridership Continues Comeback in March, Big Bump On the E/Expo Line first appeared on Santa Monica Next ..read more

OPA Happy Hour THIS Thursday: Our Spring community happy hour is THIS Thursday (4/25) from 4:00 – 6:00pm @ Jameson’s Irish Pub patio (2702 Main St.). Come enjoy FREE appetizers and GREAT company. See you there!  OEM Community Workshops: “These workshops will provide an opportunity for us to come together, share ideas, and discuss important […] The post OPA Update 4/22/24: Happy Earth Day!, OPA Happy Hour THIS Thursday (4/25), & Other Things To Do This Week first appeared on Santa Monica Next ..read more