Deadly Stabbing Outside Popular Santa Monica Bar on Saturday
One Man Killed, Another Injured in Early Morning Attack
The Bungalow, a popular restaurant and bar in Santa Monica, was the site of a stabbing early Saturday morning that left one man dead and another injured, Santa Monica Police Department spokespeople said.
After being notified of the violence, SMPD officers arrived within moments and located two male victims with stab wounds. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel provided medical aid and transported both individuals to a local hospital. One victim, a 31-year-old man
from Anaheim, sustained critical injuries and, despite life-saving efforts, later succumbed to his injuries. The second victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and remains under medical care., according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
Police stated that the incident occurred outside the Fairmont Miramar Hotel at 101 Wilshire Boulevard, where The Bungalow Restaurant and Bar is located. Detectives said the attack appears to have been targeted rather than a random act of violence. There is no known threat to the public, officials said.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to determine what led to the altercation.
Authorities are asking anyone with
information to contact Detective Hilda Lucero at hilda.lucero@santamonica. gov, Sergeant Shaun Cooney at shaun.
cooney@santamonica.gov, or the Santa Monica Police Department Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427.
Three Residential Santa Monica Burglaries
Occur in Early February
Suspects forced entry into homes and stole valuables
Three separate residential burglaries occurred across Santa Monica between Feb. 2 and Feb. 8, with suspects forcing entry into homes and stealing valuables. The incidents do not appear to be related.
Officers responded to a burglary on the 1100 block of 20th Street after a homeowner arrived to find lights on and a patio door open, fearing a suspect was still inside. Police deployed K-9 units to search the three-story condo, where they discovered signs of forced entry and ransacking, but no suspects were found.
On the 500 block of 7th Street, a homeowner watching a live security feed saw masked intruders armed with firearms inside their home. Officers, along with a K-9 unit, searched the property and found evidence of forced entry on a secondfloor balcony and bedroom closet, where valuables had been taken. The suspects had fled before police arrived.
In another incident on the 900 block of 29th Street, a family arriving to move into their home discovered forced entry through patio doors, footprints inside, and a light on upstairs. Officers found the bedrooms had been ransacked, but no suspects were present.
L.A. County Approves Eviction Protections for Fire-Affected
New policy grants six-month relief to tenants and small business owners impacted by January fires, with $10 million in rental assistance allocated
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a motion to enact limited eviction protections for workers and small business owners financially impacted by the January 2025 wildfires. The measure, introduced by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, applies countywide, including all 88 cities and unincorporated areas, and includes a six-month eviction protection period ending on July 31, 2025.
“Tonight, our workers impacted by the fires don’t have to worry about losing their homes because of a disaster beyond their control,” Horvath said in a statement. “With today’s vote, we ensure that those directly impacted by the fires have the eviction protections they need to stay housed as they recover.”
Business Owners and Workers
The motion comes in response to the devastation caused by multiple wildfires across Los Angeles County, including the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, and others. The disaster led to the destruction of more than 16,000 structures and displaced thousands of residents, while economic disruptions impacted over 125,000 workers and 20,000 businesses, according to preliminary estimates from the Department of Economic Opportunity.
Under the new policy, tenants facing eviction must demonstrate financial hardship due to the fires and be actively seeking relief through unemployment benefits, wildfire assistance programs, or job searches. Qualifying tenants will have until July 31, 2025, to repay rental debt incurred during the protection period.
The Board also approved $10 million in rental assistance funds, which will be directed to landlords on behalf of tenants. Additionally, philanthropic funds will be solicited to further support affected renters, with a report due in 15 days outlining the financial framework for the initiative.
Landlords will be prohibited from charging late fees or penalties on rental debt accrued during the protection period. However, they may challenge a tenant’s claim of financial hardship if they believe the provided documentation is fraudulent.
The county has taken multiple steps
to address the housing crisis following the fires, including previous measures to prevent rent gouging and establish a $32 million fund for displaced residents and business owners. Horvath emphasized the importance of swift action to prevent further homelessness in a county already facing severe housing challenges.
adding pressure to the rental market, it’s critical that we do everything we can to keep people in the housing they are currently in,” she said.
RING
“With thousands of displaced families
County officials will continue to assess the program’s impact and may extend or modify protections based on future needs. The resolution is set to take effect immediately.
Inglewood Man Arrested in January Homicide in Santa Monica Month-Long Investigation Leads to Arrest
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred last month in Santa Monica, police said.
Fabian Mendez, 27, of Inglewood, was taken into custody on Feb. 11 following an investigation into the Jan. 15 shooting in the 200 block of Broadway. According to authorities, Mendez approached the victim and pursued him into the street before shooting him in the back. Responding officers attempted life-saving measures, but the victim succumbed to his injuries.
Mendez has been charged with homicide under California Penal Code 187, and his bail has been set at $3 million.
The Santa Monica Police Department is asking anyone with information about
the case to contact Detective Isaac Reyes at (310) 458-4852 or Detective Sergeant Alfonso Lozano at (310) 458-8774. The department’s Watch Commander is also available 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.
First Palisades Property Clears Wildfire Debris Ahead of Schedule, Mayor Announces
Officials
have touted the cleanup effort as the fastest of its kind
in California history
The first property in the Palisades affected by recent wildfires has completed both phases of debris removal months ahead of schedule, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced Tuesday.
“Our focus is on making sure we rebuild the Palisades as quickly and safely as possible, and today marks a major milestone that’s months ahead of expectations,” Bass said in a statement. “This underscores my commitment to drive this wildfire recovery forward in record time.”
Debris removal occurs in two phases: Phase 1, conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, clears hazardous materials such as electric vehicle batteries, while Phase 2 involves a full clearing of the lot to prepare for rebuilding.
Bass has implemented several measures to expedite recovery, including an emergency executive directive that streamlines building permits, bypasses state environmental review, and allows
for rebuilding “like for like” without additional city approvals. Additionally, the city launched the LA One-Stop Rebuilding Center at 1828 Sawtelle Blvd. to provide centralized resources for affected residents.
The announcement follows Los Angeles
H&H Bagels Sets Opening Date for Santa
Monica Location
The chain is known for its pop culture
appearances— including a memorable mention in
Seinfeld
H&H Bagels, the iconic New York bagel chain known for its pop culture appearances—including a memorable mention in Seinfeld—is set to open its first California location on Feb. 26 at 710 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, the company announced. The new storefront marks the brand’s West Coast debut as part of a national expansion.
Founded in 1972 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, H&H Bagels has built a reputation for serving what many consider the quintessential New York bagel. The company currently operates seven locations in New York City and one in Boca Raton, Florida, with additional openings planned for Washington, D.C., in 2025.
To commemorate its Santa Monica launch, H&H Bagels will donate all proceeds from its first week of operation to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund, according to NBC4.
Bagel enthusiasts in Los Angeles will soon be able to enjoy H&H’s signature offerings, which range from classic bagels with a variety of cream cheese spreads to hearty breakfast sandwiches, including the “Avocado, Egg & Cheese” and the “NOVA Salmon with The Works.”
County’s introduction of an Opt-Out permit for property owners wishing to hire private contractors for debris removal while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Officials have touted the cleanup effort as the fastest of
its kind in California history, with strong coordination among federal, state, and local agencies. Residents can find more information on recovery efforts at LACity.gov and recovery.lacounty.gov.
The Palisades: A Story of Irreplaceable Loss
SMa.r.t.
Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
The Palisades would never be the same; that much was certain. Not only because the fire had taken so much—homes, memories, and even the old trees, some of which had stood for a hundred years, now gnarled and warped—but also because of what was coming next. It wasn’t just the burned-out lots or the hollow-eyed tenants and homeowners, many of whom would never return; it was the unknown future itself, creeping in like rot beneath the foundations of what once was.
The Palisades Fire didn’t just blacken the hills and send walls of flame licking at the sky; it changed the bones of the place, reshaping the land and the lives of those who had called it home. Long after the last embers died and the smoke curled away like the spirit of something wicked, the absolute horror begins—not the fire itself, but what comes after.
New rules, codes, and restrictions create a creeping, unsettling feeling that perhaps, just perhaps, the fire was the easy part. The government will work to enhance and streamline what has always been shaped by its slow, impersonal bureaucratic hands. It plans to implement and revise building requirements—not all negative, as there will be stricter building codes, new zoning laws, and regulations to reduce damage and loss of life.
However, the unfortunate reality is that effectively and economically implementing these changes will present a significant challenge. This is mainly due to skyrocketing construction costs and available labor and materials, which will make it nearly impossible for many displaced residents who still wish to remain and rebuild. In addition, the required code upgrades for fire-resistant materials, tempered glass, and emberproof vents as precautions against the expected fires will add additional costs. Infrastructure repairs and replacement needs and rising costs of water and related delivery systems will also accumulate and ultimately be passed on to the property owners.
In total, this will amount to a small fortune, often exceeding what most homeowners have in their bank accounts or might receive from insurance claims, assuming insurance companies operate fairly. Spoiler alert: Quite often, they don’t make it easy. Gathering enough funds from claims to cover the increased costs of new construction and current building code requirements can be challenging and time-consuming. Insurance rates are skyrocketing and will continue to rise, increasing property ownership costs and diminishing rental property income.
Los Angeles and the State of California seem to have ambitious plans to turn this crisis into a housing opportunity. This time, they’re not keeping it a secret.
The ashes haven’t even cooled before discussions about rezoning begin—higher density, multi-family developments, and affordable housing. Where many single-family homes once stood, the new vision envisions clusters of multi-family residences and towering apartments, creating a new type of neighborhood rising from the ruins. It is possible that Los Angeles County will ask the state to limit or waive the application of some density and bonus legislation for Altadena.
If that happens, the City of Los Angeles should consider making a similar request for the Palisades.
You can push back, petition, or scream until your voice is raw. But deep down, this is how this story ends for now. It’s not the script some of us might prefer, but the fact is, progress (in the name of) doesn’t ask for permission. It simply squats down and moves in, whether you’re ready for it or not.
And so, the for-sale properties are starting to sprout like weeds. Some people will likely decide to leave for good because they have no choice—their policies won’t cover enough, or their savings aren’t deep enough to start over and endure the inevitable, excruciating permit-to-construction periods.
Others left because they could not handle the nightmare and stress of rebuilding while trying to normalize and continue their daily lives. Many will also be burdened by mandatory interest payments piling up on existing mortgages, like another firestorm consuming their savings. Additionally, there is a palpable fear that this nightmare could return with its destructive malevolence again.
Some of the fortunate ones (if you can really say that) with relocation options, fortitude, and sufficient funds to rebuild are now packing up, moving, and living in Santa Monica, Playa Vista, Brentwood, or even Newport Beach—places where the ocean glows blue instead of toxic gray.
Inevitably, new buyers will arrive, and this process has already started. But who will they actually be? Many will be fueled by a burning hunger unrelated to smoke or ash.
They see profit opportunities where others perceive ruin and despair. Private investors, large corporate entities, developers, and visionaries for a brighter future wanting to reside in what could be reimagined as “better” desire a piece of scorched earth to revitalize, and they will be prepared to pay at the right price, of course!
The Palisades has always been a unique and special place, embodying the charming, quintessential California lifestyle. Quiet and removed from the chaos of the city, it has served as a retreat for those who could afford to pretend the outside world didn’t exist—a small, peaceful, cozy bubble of dreams. However, that illusion has also been burned and deeply scarred. Indeed, not all progress is negative, and many will choose to rebuild despite
the challenges and changes because the location is exceptional and enchanting. Being new and improved doesn’t always equate to being better for the soul. Regardless of what ultimately unfolds, there is no denying that the vintage and historic charms of the neighborhoods and communities we cherish, many of which have been destroyed or demolished for development, cannot be easily replaced. For long-time and older residents, the true horror of this situation may not lie in the fire or the loss but rather in the realization that something irreplaceable has been taken away. After the homes and
community are fully reconstructed, the Palisades will never be the same or evoke the same feelings.
Michael Jolly for SMa.r.t. Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
Samuel Tolkin, Architect & Planning Commissioner; Thane Roberts, Architect; Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA, Architect; Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect; Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and FireLife Safety Commission; Michael Jolly, AIRCRE; Phil Brock, SM Mayor (ret)
By Dolores Quintana
Writer and director Osgood Perkins’ follow-up to his acclaimed 2024 film Longlegs is another animal entirely. The Monkey is gob-stoppingly hilarious to behold and filled with existential thoughts about life and death. Even though The Monkey is brimming with bloody carnage and festive annihilation, it struck me as a very personal film. One that grapples with life’s basic unfairness and everyday terror that we all sublimate to survive. How does one deal with death, especially when it claims everyone you love? How does one live?
Poor Chip.
https://youtu.be/ husMGbXEIho?si=z7GIJCvPXB_ cHEsw
but the thing that always stuck with me was the paperback cover illustration of that damned monkey.
While the film does explore the existential dread that comes with living, it is truly more of a comedy with exceptionally gruesome gore. However, Perkins, a master of tone, has managed to make the deeply unsettling and horrendously creative deaths float lightly on the screen rather than be weighted down with sturm and drang.
You may never see so many deaths enacted before your eyes seem quite so, er, life-affirming? Yes, it is life-affirming.
The film stars an admirable cast, including Theo James in a dual role, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Colin O’Brien, Rohan Campbell, Sarah Levy, Adam Scott, and Elijah Wood. All
It is a film-length expansion of the already scary short story by Stephen King that had the same name. I have to be honest and say that the short story actually scared me pretty badly when I read it much too early as a young child,
of the actors work beautifully well while waiting for their assorted fates. I don’t want to spoil the deaths, but the actors make sure that they remain memorable, even with the smallest amounts of screen time, so that you, the audience member,
crack of the smile, and the animatronic artificiality are frightful but fascinating. You want to see The Monkey play its instrument, even while you gasp when it finally does. That is the see-saw of attraction and repulsion that lies at the center of The Monkey itself. You don’t want to feel its wrath, but don’t you just want to see it perform in some sick and secret way? People talk about “survivors’ guilt,” but no one ever talks about survivors’ relief. Maybe it is the same thing, cast as a more palatable idea, but aren’t you always a little relieved when it’s not your time?
The synopsis is delivered on screen in the most matter-of-fact ways: “The monkey that likes killing our family is back.” But what Perkins has done that raises this film above many other King adaptations is that he has rooted it in mundane yet relatable reality. It is one of the most vicious sibling rivalries in film, and the comedic pain of being the kid
feel their absence.
Even when characters fundamentally misunderstand why a character is gone, there’s a whisper of the real reason that is just out of reach, almost tangible, tantalizingly held over their heads. Perkins is a gifted director on more than one level, possibly because he is an actor himself and has cast actors capable of these subtleties and the work of comedy. One character has a moment of such roaring courage that you feel a pang for what might have been had other characters had the benefit of his presence. It also comes into play later when the actions of another character echo the first character.
The Monkey’s ritual is exceedingly well enacted. The lifting of the arm, the
who gets picked on constantly no matter what he does adds another dimension to farcical proceedings. That’s not fun, but he makes it fun.
But that is the core of the film. Life is what it is, and none of us can ever change our eventual fates no matter what we do, but what we do does matter. We never ask for what life chooses to dump on our heads, but how we manage the horror, with grace and humor or with anger and violence, makes us who we are, and since we are all interconnected, it shapes the fate of us all.
How many hateful and vindictive people make others miserable, and what can the world be like when someone finds the strength to act out of love rather than fear?
