INSIDE
Investors Snap Up Nearly Half of Vacant Lots in Fire-Damaged Palisades and Malibu smmirror.com
January 9 - January 15, 2026 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
See Page 2
Waymo and Santa Monica Sue Each Other Over Autonomous Vehicle Charging Facilities City Officials Want a Judge to Declare the Facilities a Public Nuisance; Waymo Disputes the Claim
After negotiations collapsed over complaints tied to autonomous vehicle charging sites, Santa Monica and Waymo are headed for a courtroom showdown in the new year. The dispute centers on two Waymo facilities that began operating in a Santa Monica neighborhood in January to recharge about 50 of the company’s driverless, battery-electric vehicles used across the greater Los Angeles area. Residents living nearby have complained for months about flashing lights, nighttime traffic, and the high-pitched backup sounds emitted by the vehicles as they enter and exit the lots. Both sides filed lawsuits in December after failing to resolve the issue through discussions. Santa Monica is asking a judge to declare the charging stations public nuisances and to restrict overnight operations, while Waymo is seeking a ruling that its facilities do not violate nuisance laws.
In court filings submitted December 24, the city said residents have likened the charging sites to a “mini-Las Vegas,” “living next door to a spaceship,” and “a city that never sleeps.” The city is requesting an injunction that would halt charging operations between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. or impose other measures to reduce nighttime noise and lighting impacts. The City of Santa Monica’s statement said, "Santa Monica supports clean transportation and innovative mobility services, and we worked for months in an attempt to resolve this issue cooperatively. Residents living next to Waymo’s Broadway charging facilities have experienced persistent overnight noise, lighting, and traffic impacts that interfere with sleep, safety, and basic livability. The City repeatedly proposed targeted operational changes – short of shutting down service – that would have materially reduced those impacts. Waymo refused to take those steps. While asking the City to delay litigation and continue discussions, Waymo filed its own lawsuit without notice, seeking a court order that would prevent the City from enforcing nuisance protections or requiring further mitigation. That action left the City no responsible alternative but to file its own case to protect our residents and renters.
This is not about opposing Waymo or EV charging. It is about enforcing longstanding nuisance laws that apply to every business when operations substantially interfere with public health, safety, and quality of life. We remain open to early mediation and a prompt resolution." Waymo, in a lawsuit filed Dec. 17, rejected the city’s claims and said it has taken multiple steps to address neighborhood concerns. The company said it hired additional staff, rolled out software updates to reduce noise levels and frequency, installed light and sound barriers, and altered vehicle behavior near the sites. Complaints from residents prompted a petition earlier this year, though Santa Monica officials said in April that some
noise oversight falls under state jurisdiction rather than local control. With competing lawsuits now on file and talks at an impasse, the case is expected to proceed in Los Angeles County Superior Court sometime in 2026, according to reports.
Santa Monica Police Investigate Death After Woman Detained at UCLA Campus where they located the infant Officers Were Sent to apartment, with serious injuries. Personnel from the Santa Monica Fire Department responded Nearby Apartment and transported the child to a nearby where the infant was later Following Woman’s hospital, pronounced dead. The woman was taken into custody in Disturbing connection with the incident and booked at the Santa Monica Jail. Authorities have not Statements released the identities of those involved. Santa Monica police are investigating the death of an infant after officers found the child critically injured inside an apartment on Broadway on Tuesday, authorities said. Police were alerted shortly before noon after UCLA Police detained an adult woman on campus who made statements indicating she had harmed her child and left the infant alone in a residence in the 2000 block of Broadway, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. Officers were dispatched to the
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death. Detectives from the Santa Monica Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division are leading the investigation. Police said preliminary information indicates the incident appears to be isolated and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
2
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
January 9 - January 15, 2026
Investors Snap Up Nearly Half of Vacant Lots in Fire-Damaged Palisades and Malibu Analysis Shows Investor Purchases Surging as Homeowners Weigh Rebuilding
Real estate investors are purchasing a significant share of vacant land in areas affected by the January 2025 California wildfires, accounting for roughly four in 10 lot sales in some of the hardest-hit communities, according to a new analysis by real estate brokerage Redfin. In Pacific Palisades, investors bought 48 of the 119 vacant lots sold during the third quarter, representing 40.3% of transactions in the 90272 ZIP code. No lots were sold in the area during the same period a year earlier, Redfin said. A similar pattern has emerged in Malibu. Investors purchased 19 of the 43 lots sold in the 90265 ZIP code during the quarter, or 44.2%, more than double the share recorded a year earlier. Redfin agents say the post-fire market
reflects both investor interest and difficult decisions facing homeowners whose properties were destroyed. Some residents have opted to buy replacement homes while deciding whether to rebuild, said Justin Vold, a Redfin agent in Pacific Palisades. One of his clients purchased a $3.75 million home near Santa Monica while planning a rebuild with an architect. Another client whose Malibu home burned bought a $4.68 million house in Pacific Palisades that survived the fires but carries landslide risk. Vold said additional land is likely to come
onto the market as insurance coverage for temporary housing expires and more residents abandon plans to rebuild. While investor activity after natural disasters is common, Redfin agents note that supply currently exceeds demand in fire-impacted neighborhoods. Listings have surged even as sales remain limited. During the three months ending Nov. 30, Pacific Palisades recorded 309 active lot listings, compared with just seven a year earlier. Malibu had 214 listings, up from 125. The typical lot sold for $1.6 million in Pacific Palisades
and $1.3 million in Malibu, according to Redfin. Valuing properties has been challenging due to limited turnover and damaged infrastructure, said Carlos Castillo, a Redfin Premier agent. In Pacific Palisades, there were 31 single-family home sales during the three months ending Nov. 30, up from six immediately after the fires but down from 45 a year earlier. Vacant lot sales, by contrast, totaled 107 during the same period, up from none a year earlier, marking a reversal from pre-fire trends. Malibu recorded 37 lot sales, up from 12.
YOUR 1-MINUTE GREEN BIN TIP Consejo de un minuto para el bote verde
What goes in the green bin? ¿Qué va en el bote verde?
Wooden cutlery along with food scraps are allowed in your green bin. Los cubiertos de madera, junto con los restos de comida, están permitidos en el contenedor verde.
SCAN HERE
Escanea Aquí Questions? Email zerowaste@santamonica.gov ¿Preguntas? Manda un correo a zerowaste@santamonica.gov
January 9 - January 15, 2026
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
3
Store Hours: 7 am-9pm Daily Prices are valid while supplies last. Prices Valid January 8, 2026 January 14, 2026
Delivery Hours: 7am - 3pm Call or Email before 2 pm for same day delivery! Not Available Sundays Curbside pick-up available 9am-5pm Daily (310) 452-2493 • www.bobsmkt.com
FEATURED THIS WEEK!
SERVICE DELI
PEET’S COFFEE WHOLE OR GROUND BEANS
Boar’s Head RARE ROAST BEEF $
9
PEPPER JACK OR MONTEREY $ .99 CHEESE lb.
$ .99
8
Regular Price: $14.99
Save: $2.00 lb.
BAKERY
FARM FRESH PRODUCE
LEMONS
Product of USA
Product of USA
99¢
59¢
lb.
Each
Regular Price: $1.49 lb.
STRAWBERRIES BASKETS Product of USA
Regular Price: 79¢ Each
2 for $7
Regular Price: $4.49 Basket
FULL SERVICE MEATS BOB’S OWN SWEET OR SPICY ITALIAN PORK SAUSAGE
USDA PRIME T-BONE OR PORTERHOUSE STEAK
JUMBO SHRIMP
Peeled & Deveined 16-20 Count
6
36
$
lb.
Save: $2.00 lb.
.99 lb.
Save: $3.00 lb.
16.99
$
Save: $3.00 lb.
CLOVER SONOMA MILK
$ .79
3
$ .99
Regular Price: $4.99
Regular Price: $7.99
Assorted Varieties, Excludes Organic. 32 fl. oz.
We Accept
Lactose Free, Organic! Half Gallon
5
ETERNAL ALKALINE SPRING WATER
5
PICK OF THE WEEK WINE & BEER LA VOIX 2019 Central Coast Pinot Noir $ 750 ml. WHITE CLAW 12 / 12 fl. oz. Cans
$
19 .99
+Tax +CRV
19
.99
+Tax +CRV
Regular Price: $23.99 +Tax +CRV
2.5 Liters
2 for 7 $
+CRV Regular Price: $4.29
NOOSA YOGURT
2 for 6 $
Regular Price: $3.99
AUTUMN GLORY APPLES
HOT FOODS
Regular Price: $6.99
Assorted Varieties 8 oz.
lb. Regular Price: $16.99 lb.
lb. Regular Price: $1.29 lb.
$ .99
lb.
12.99
$
99¢
Assorted Varieties 7-8 oz.
LOW PRICES FOR YOUR EVERYDAY NEEDS SWANSON’S BROTH AND STOCK
Product of USA
Product of USA
TATE’S BAKE SHOP COOKIES
Regular Price: $23.99 +Tax +CRV
$ .99
CHESTNUTS
Save: $2.00 lb.
Assorted Varieties 10.5 oz.
YUKON GOLD POTATOES
16 .99lb.
NATURAL ORGANIC SPECIALTY
STOUFFER’S FROZEN ENTREE’S Assorted Varieties 8.37-12.75 oz.
3
$ .99
Regular Price: $5.29
1650 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica, 90405 Corner of 17th & Ocean Park Blvd.
BOB’S OWN BEEF MEATBALLS
11
$
.99
lb. +Tax Save: $3.00 lb.
Hot and Ready to Serve!
PORK BABY BACK RIBS
16
$
.99
lb. +Tax Save: $1.00 lb.
Hot and Ready to Serve!
Become a member of our Rewards Program
4
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
January 9 - January 15, 2026
Digital Advertising Coming to the Promenade The measure creates a digital display district limited to corner buildings on the Promenade and four exterior façades at Santa Monica Place
The Santa Monica City Council has approved an ordinance allowing largeformat digital advertising displays along the Third Street Promenade and at Santa Monica Place as part of an effort to boost downtown activity and generate new city revenue. The measure creates a digital display district limited to corner buildings on the Promenade and four exterior façades at Santa Monica Place. Each display is capped at 1,000 square feet, with no more than 16 allowed districtwide. All displays must be approved through individual development
agreements. City officials said the ordinance is designed to support economic recovery while maintaining controls on size, brightness, content and operating hours. Flashing or traffic-confusing displays are prohibited, and the displays must include
emergency alert capabilities and meet maintenance and safety standards. In exchange for approval, applicants must provide significant financial contributions. Each display requires a one-time payment of $500,000, along with annual payments of at least $500,000 or 20 percent of gross
revenue, whichever is greater. If all 16 displays are installed, the city estimates annual revenue between $3.5 million and $7 million. The ordinance also requires at least 20 percent of screen time to be reserved for city messaging and arts-related content.
Community Picnic to Mark One-Year Anniversary of Palisades Fire
The way high school should be. Admission is free and open to neighbors affected by the fire. Registration is requested via Eventbrite An event commemorating the oneyear anniversary of the Palisades Fire is scheduled for Jan. 10 at Pepperdine
University, featuring food, music, healing arts and community reflection. The "Community Rising Picnic," organized by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath's office in partnership with Pepperdine University and the City of Malibu, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the campus, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway. Admission is free and open to neighbors affected by the fire. Registration is requested via Eventbrite for planning purposes. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in designated campus lots, with ADA accommodations offered upon request.
Students achieve remarkable outcomes with our strong academics, small classes, and personalized learning. Learn more about our dynamic program and 4-year college planning support at an Admissions event.
Register for a tour or an upcoming admissions event: Learn more at vistamarschool.org/admissions
Vistamar is a private independent high school in the South Bay VM 2025-26 Mirror Media 4.917x5.75 v3.indd 1
10/29/25 6:01 PM
January 9 - January 15, 2026
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
5
Sprinkles Cupcakes Closes All Stores, Leaving Workers With Little Warning Founder Candace Nelson Confirmed Closure as Employee Backlash Spread Online.
Sprinkles Cupcakes closed all of its locations this week, a move that quickly became public after rumors spread online and the company’s founder confirmed the shutdown on social media. Candace Nelson, who launched the bakery chain in Beverly Hills in 2005, addressed the closure on Wednesday in a video posted to her social media accounts after rumors about a shutdown circulated among influencers. Nelson said she had learned only days earlier that private equity firm KarpReilly LLC planned to end operations. Her remarks were the first public acknowledgment from anyone that the entire Sprinkles chain was closing without prior notice to employees or customers. Sprinkles operated 21 stores and 25 branded “cupcake ATM” vending machines across six states and Washington, D.C., employing hundreds of workers.
Nelson sold the company to KarpReilly in 2012 and exited the business with an undisclosed profit from the sale. In her video, she described the closure as the loss of her legacy but did not address the lack of advance warning provided to staff. Following the announcement, Sprinkles’ main social media pages and parts of the
company’s website were taken offline. Before the accounts were removed, employees posted critical comments describing being laid off with little notice just after the holidays. “One day’s notice of losing my job. How will I take care of my five kids?” one former employee wrote. Others echoed
SANTA MONICA LOCALS DO YOU NEED AN EXTRA BEDROOM THIS SEASON? Stay local and save with Santa Monica Resident Rates this holiday season
BOOK YOUR EXTRA BEDROOM santamonica.com/extrabedroom
similar concerns, including, “One day’s notice is crazy. Just use us for the holidays and toss us aside,” and, “Thank you for one day’s notice of unemployment with no severance.” KarpReilly did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
6
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
CuriousCity 1/2/26: JESUS CHRIST! By CHARLES ANDREWS NOW, HOLD ON… Before you blow a fuse and frantically start looking for the phone number for The Mirror, and the Mayor, and the Pope, let me assure you I am trying to be completely respectful here. Of Jesus. Not the clubs (religions) launched in his name, after he was gone, by men who seemed much more interested in how they could use his popularity and teachings to enhance their own standing, for power, notoriety, control, and wealth. But how is that even possible, when Jesus preached peace and love for your fellow human, the “brotherhood of Man”? Are you kidding? Wiley, dishonest humans have always known you could tell people almost anything, and if you say it often enough, with certainty, they will believe it. Won’t even fact-check it, an easy thing to do nowadays. But how much easier to con folks in a world with no quick communication or even travel, and when almost everyone was illiterate. But humans evolve, and advance both our good and bad traits and discoveries. So now with instant worldwide communications available to everyone, the cons are embedded in daily life, having a field day. As facts and truth become compromised for so many, reduced to your personal perspective and prejudices, the wickedly wiley improve their methods, and the rest of us have to be on alert everywhere, from a nationwide election to an email about fraud to a knock at the front door. And so we now have again, or still, those who, like the Pharisees Jesus spoke about, pray very publicly, invoke the names of Jesus and their God, and do all in their power to make sure everyone is forced to do the same. Conformity and allegiance to the homeland is one thing, but to God Almighty, well, don’t resist. “INSANE” A couple of columns back, I wrote about that, trying to find, as I am here, some tool we could use to make sense of this current chaos and insanity, and a way forward. I have always felt our progress and problem solving is bogged down and waylaid, intentionally, by getting us to argue and fight about distinctions that don’t matter. We have to negotiate over how to handle those subsidies for health insurance… No! Not negotiable. Insane. Millions of Americans will lose their health coverage, and many will die. 72-86% of Americans favor greater restrictions on background checks, safe storage, licensing, and red flag laws. But we get nothing from our NRAcowed “representatives” in Washington, and now guns are the leading cause of death for our children aged 1-19. Monsrously insane. So how about this? Borrowing from the so-called religious folk, let’s try this sane shortcut: WWJD – What Would Jesus Do? Not advocating for any one religion. By my observation, there are a whole lot of people who call themselves Christians,
especially in politics, who are anything but. They like to hit you over the head with their label, but they do not walk the walk. Many times, I wished I still believed in Hell, so those self-righteous, judgmental hypocrites would get quite the surprise when they hit the pearly gates. I was raised a Catholic, attended catechism on Saturdays and mass on Sundays, middle and high school with the nuns and priests. So I know something about this, first hand. But I have learned so much more lately from two online experts who know the Bible backwards and forwards, and warn of the dire threat to our founding freedoms from the Christian nationalists. I should, but can’t recall the name of the man I used to listen to a lot, soft spoken and scholarly. The one who pops up on my feed lately is MONTE MADER, red hair, piercings, long black fingernails,
rapid speech, and smart and informed as… hell. She was raised a Christian nationalist, so gives inside information. She speaks of what Jesus said and preached, as noted in the Bible, and rails against the distortion and co-opting of those who twist it for political means. So for those of you, Christian or not, who have some notion of what he preached and stood for, try using WWJD on the next issue that comes up. What did he say about strangers (immigrants)? Children? The poor, the hungry, the sick? Mercy/ retribution? We need to take the high road, but also throw the bankers out of the temple. Charles Andrews has lived in Santa Monica for 40 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world. Really. Send love and/or rebuke to him at therealmrmusic@gmail.com
January 9 - January 15, 2026
Welcome to Urban Jungle Immerse yourself in a sanctuary where nature’s tranquility meets the vibrancy of city life. Urban Jungle is more than a plant store it’s a communitycentered oasis bringing a lush slice of paradise to your urban lifestyle. Here, we passionately believe in the power of plants to transform spaces and elevate well-being.
Explore Our Urban Collections
sales@urbanjungleplantsandpottery.com 310-744-1220 3113 Lincoln Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90450 Hours: M-F 11-6, Saturday and Sunday 10-6
January 9 - January 15, 2026
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
FILM REVIEW MARTY SUPREME
7
Rated R 150 Minutes Released December 25th
BEHIND THE SCREEN By Kathryn Whitney Boole Get ready to run and run and run – you’ll feel it physically and emotionally as you experience Marty Supreme. The movie is loosely based on the true story of Marty Reisman, a self-made table tennis champion in early 1950’s New York City. Timothy Chalamet’s character “Marty Mauser” recalls Sydney Sweeney’s “Christy.” Both actors usually play physically beautiful roles which are slightly off balance, but they can trade on their looks as part of their power. Neither role mentioned above is hot or romantic, but as we watch those films, we grow invested in them. Marty’s choices in this story are excruciating but understandable given his circumstances. You root for him to choose actions that will lead him to succeed, but his life is like a Three Stooges movie. Every decision he makes, usually a split-second one, leads him into further calamity. What guides Marty through his ever more chaotic and complicated crises, to the detriment of anyone or anything involved in his life, is his focus on his North Star, the table tennis championships in Japan. Giving depth to a sometimes-choppy narrative rhythm is the highly original musical score by Daniel Lopatin, a combination of symphonic music, popular songs, and sounds. One quiet scene is punctuated by melodic beats that sound like a chorus of frogs. The environment of post-World-War-II New York City is accurately represented in the location shots of stores, transportation, apartments, offices, and streets, in character interchanges that we would consider rude and prejudiced today. The perceived submissive place of women in the home
and society is illustrated, although some of the strongest characters in this movie are female. The setting of early ‘50’s NYC looks detailed and genuine, though I would like to have seen more immersion in the social and environmental elements. Fran Descher and Sandra Bernhard have cameos that provide local color. This is Josh Safdie’s first film without his brother Benny as co-director. The two
decided to pursue solo careers in 2024. He has collaborated with writer Ronald Bronstein to write and edit Marty Supreme. Josh was born and raised in NYC, spending part-time with his dad in Queens and part with his mom and stepdad in Manhattan, so he truly knows the city. This appears to be a passion project for Timothee Chalamet, who grew up in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, son of a French father who is a UNICEF editor and a mother who was a dancer and now is a real estate broker. At the age of 30, Chalamet has already built a stellar career, which began in 2009 with small roles in TV and film and now features him as an internationally sought-after star. Most of his roles have been edgy and introspective, and his rise has not always been easy. He did commercials as a kid and hated that. As with most actors, Chalamet auditioned for many projects at the beginning of his career with no callbacks. Luckily for us, he never gave up. His breakout role was “Elio” in Call Me by Your Name in 2017.
One of the highlights of Marty Supreme is the performance of Odessa A’Zion as “Rachel Mizler,” Marty’s impassioned girlfriend whose importance seems to be constantly minimized. She has the face and eyes of classic Greek tragedy going for her, and a strong TV resume, appearing on Fam, Ghosts, Grand Army, and in the film Hellraiser (2022). A’Zion’s mom is actor/ writer/producer/director Pamela Adlon,
whose work I love from Californication and Better Things. A’Zion has promise for a great career in film and TV. Another actor who stands out is Kevin O’Leary, who happens to be one of the producers in Shark Tank. In his first acting gig in this film, O’Leary plays as a bigoted 1950’s business executive and has one of the most memorable scenes, which involves a spanking. Gwyneth Paltrow also has some great scenes with Chalamet as Marty’s socialite paramour. There is little development of her character, but she shines in the role. Life imitates art in the movie’s marketing. As if still in character as Marty, Chalamet has mounted a personal marketing campaign frenzy on all forms of media. It’s a publicity war. He has stood on top of the Las Vegas sphere, shot a rap video about the film, had an orange blimp created reading Marty Supreme that roams the skies, and he shows up to screenings with giant orange ping pong balls. He has raised expectations about the film exponentially, rather than letting audiences discover it and mount a word-of-mouth campaign. The movie suffers from lack of strong character development, but certainly not from the enthusiasm the filmmakers have brought to it. Chalamet said in his appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show, “This is a movie about sacrifice in pursuit of a dream. And it’s something I can relate
to deeply. And we live in a bleak time, especially for young people, so this film is an attempted antidote for that…to continue to believe in yourself and to continue to dream big…and not take no for an answer.” That said by an actor seems who has a breathless intensity to his work, as if being pursued by an unimaginable force. Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, which has been the backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people. She is a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica. kboole@gmail. com SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No. 25SMCP00599 Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 1725 Main St. | Santa Monica, CA 90401 Petition of: Amelia Rose Mockett by and through Amelia Rose Mockett for change of name. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME To all interested persons: Amelia Rose Mockett Petitioner: filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Amelia Rose Mockett to Amelia Rose Mockett Wieshofer The court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING: Date: 01/16/26 | Time: 8:30AM | Dept: K A copy of this ORDER to SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: SANTA MONICA MIRROR | Dated: December 10, 2025 Judge Lawrence Cho Published: 12/12/2025, 12/19/25, 12/26/2025, and 01/02/2026
8
WWW.SMMIRROR.COM
January 9 - January 15, 2026
S A N TA M O N I C A C O L L E G E
Boost Your Career at SMC! Classes start February 17 On-campus and online APPLY TODAY
smc.edu/spring
SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Sion Roy, Chair; Dr. Tom Peters, Vice Chair; Dr. Luis Barrera Castañón; Anastasia Foster; Dr. Nancy Greenstein, Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Rob Rader; Sophia Manavi, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 smc.edu