Santa Monica Mirror: Sep 15 - Sep 21, 2023

Santa Monica Serial Killer Charged in Homicide of Cellmate

The Man Pleaded Guilty Last Year in the Murder of Several Victims Including Three in Santa Monica

By Zach Armstrong

Ramon Escobar, an El Salvadoran immigrant who pleaded guilty last year in the murder of several victims including three in Santa Monica, was charged with FirstDegree Murder in a homicide committed against his cellmate, Kern County District Attorney’s office announced.

While Escobar was serving multiple life sentences in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in a Delano, CA prison, he allegedly strangled cellmate Juan Villanueva. Villanueva had been sentenced in L.A. County for life in the aggravated sexual assault of a child

under 14, according to My News LA. He was discovered unresponsive in the cell he shared with Escobar, who is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 21.

The news comes over a year after Escobar was sentenced for life in the killing of five men and injuring an additional seven others. According to prosecutors, Escobar had fled Texas after the murder of his Uncle and Aunt. During a two-week period in September 2018 while homeless, he assaulted people around Los Angeles and Santa Monica using bolt cutters or a baseball bat as a bludgeon on primarily homeless people sleeping on the beach or city streets. Only one victim wasn’t unhoused.

Santa Monica victims included: Juan Antonio Ramirez (51), Steven Cruze (39) and Jorge Martinez (63).

Last year, he also pleaded guilty to murdering his aunt and uncle in Houston, Texas. According to authorities, Escobar said he beat his uncle to death then murdered his aunt when she went looking for her brother two days later. The bodies were dumped in dumpsters and eventually discovered in a landfill.

Police interviews with Escobar revealed

Drunk Driver Arrested For Crashing Into SMPD Officer

The Officer Had Been Ejected From Her Scooter

By Zach Armstrong

At the intersection of Yale Street and Santa Monica Boulevard, a black Audi traveling westbound struck an SMPD Traffic Services Officer on a scooter as she crossed a green light.

Responding officers found the officer had been ejected from the scooter and was

suffering from significant injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is currently in stable condition, according to SMPD.

Following a DUI exam of the Audi driver, they were arrested for Felony Driving Under the Influence.

“Our hearts are with our injured employee as she begins the long road to healing. This is a hard reminder that we are all at risk, anytime and anywhere, when drivers choose to use drugs or drink and drive.” read a statement from SMPD. “For the safety of all of us in the Santa Monica community, if you see someone who appears to be driving under the influence, call 9-1-1 immediately.”

he claimed to kill some victims because “they irritated him, they were disrespectful to law enforcement or he robbed them because he needed money,” as quoted by ABC News 4. He also previously served a five-year sentence for a Texas burglary in Texas and on assault and trespassing charges. Born in El Salvador, he was

deported six times between 1997 and 2011. After winning an appeal on his most recent deportation case, he returned to the U.S. again illegally and was released from federal immigration custody in 2017, as previously reported based on reports from the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.

SMMUSD Assistant Superintendent Passes Away at 46 Following Illness

She Dedicated Six Years to SMMUSD in Her

Current

Role

Dr. Jacqueline Mora, the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, has passed away following a five-month battle of illness at 46 years old.

Dr. Mora arrived in central California as a child from Mexico going on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Chicano Studies and Spanish from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a master’s degree in education with a focus on teaching and learning from UCSB, a master’s degree in education with a concentration in administrative and policy studies from UCLA, and a doctorate in K-12 leadership in urban education from USC.

She dedicated six years to SMMUSD in her current role, where she oversaw educational programming, curriculum development, instructional strategies. Her responsibilities encompassed the hiring and evaluation of principals and staff, professional development initiatives, budgeting and spearheaded efforts during Covid-19 to transition to distance learning.

Before SMMUSD, Dr. Mora held various roles, including director of English learner and parent engagement programs at Santa Barbara USD, elementary school principal positions in Santa Barbara, San Francisco Unified, and Glendale Unified, as well as prior service as assistant principal, categorical program advisor, and teacher in LAUSD.

“Our SMMUSD family has lost a tireless advocate and champion for equity and inclusion, particularly for ALL our students, including our most diverse and vulnerable. Whenever our District has pursued positive academic changes to benefit ALL our students, Dr. Mora was either the instigator or a staunch supporter.” said Board of Education President Maria Leon-Vazquez in a statement. “Her contributions include initiatives and programs such as our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the expansion and enhancement of our District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC), our EL program, career technical education programs, social justice standards integrated into our curriculum, family engagement, anti-racism resources, and our American cultures and ethnic studies classes.”

Dr. Mora is survived by her mother, Maria Mora, her brother, David Mora, sister, Vanessa Mora, a niece, all residing in central California, and her fiancé, Eduardo Magaña.

Those who wish to send a note or card to the family, are asked to send it to: Maria Mora 144 W. Lerdo Hwy. Shafter, CA 93262.

Opera Under the Stars: Santa Monica’s Night of Enchantment

Don Giovanni at the Santa Monica Pier Live Broadcast

By Dolores Quintana

Join the Los Angeles Opera for an unforgettable evening under the stars as we present Don Giovanni live from the LA Opera stage, broadcast on the big screen at Santa Monica Pier. This spectacular event is free to attend and welcomes all ages. The live broadcast of this innovative production will take place on Saturday, September 23, and gates open at 4:00 p.m. at the Santa Monica Pier. Join the LA Opera for an unforgettable evening under the stars as they present Don Giovanni live from the LA Opera stage, broadcast on the big screen at Santa Monica Pier at 6:00 p.m.

This spectacular event is free to attend and welcomes all ages.

Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets for a night of enchanting music and drama. RSVP here to stay updated and receive a free gift at the event. For anyone who would like to attend the opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, you can get tickets at the venue’s website.

Event Highlights:

• Engage your creative side with family-friendly arts and crafts.

• Witness the magic of our on-site balloon artist, offering unique creations, including balloon swords inspired by the iconic duel from Act I.

• Visit the Connects booth for complimentary popcorn while supplies last and a chance to win themed gift baskets, including categories for Teachers, College Students, A Night Out, Friends, and family, with prizes such as gift cards, games, merchandise, and more.

Parking Information: Location: Beach Parking Lot, 1550 Appian Way, Santa Monica, CA 90401. For parking details and rates, check out the Santa Monica Parking

website.

Food & Beverage:

• Savor delicious offerings from event food vendors and a beer garden.

• Food & Dessert: Bar Nuda, Gracias Señor Taqueria, and sweets from The Cookie Studio LA.

• Beer Garden: Santa Monica Brew Works, Honest Abe Cider.

What to Bring:

• Your own blankets, low lawn seats, and cushions.

• Sweaters and jackets to stay cozy.

• Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed.

• Please note that chairs will not be available for rent.

What Not to Bring:

• Large coolers, canopies, tents, or sun umbrellas.

• Regrettably, pets are not permitted.

• A bag check will be conducted at the event entrance.

Don’t miss this magical night of music and drama on the Santa Monica Pier. Join us for an evening you’ll cherish!

E-Bike Voucher Program Anticipated for Eligible Santa Monica Residents

Certain Santa Monica Residents Would Get as Much as $2,000 for an E-bike

By Zach Armstrong

A grant-funded City voucher program could soon give certain Santa Monica residents as much as $2,000 for their new e-bike.

The Office of Sustainability and the Environment is seeking $157,000 from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program for around 75 vouchers to income-qualifying households. If approved, the City expects to receive the funding in early 2024 with

vouchers distributed, following a community outreach, through three lotteries in spring of next year. City Manager David White said in a release that the program’s benefits would include emission reduction, more active transportation, local business partnerships and equitable access to sustainable transportation. Eligible residents are those enrolled in lowincome assistance programs, such as Family Electric Rate Assistance, California Alternate Rates for Energy or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or meet the Office of Housing and Urban Development’s definition of low-income at 80 percent of Area Median Income. Each voucher would provide up to $2,000 to cover bike costs along with eligible accessories.

The cities of Pasadena, San Diego and Denver have similar e-bike incentive programs in place along with a state incentive program expected soon.

Developer Will Propose Five Story MixedUse Project Across Metro Terminus

Project Would Include 6,883 Square Feet of Ground Floor Commercial Space

By Zach Armstrong

Local real estate developer Worthe Real Estate Group is set to propose a five-story, 60 residential unit mixed-use development at the north-east corner of Colorado Avenue and 4th Street at the Santa Monica Architectural Review Board’s next meeting.

In addition to the residential units, six of which would be affordable, the project would include 6,883 square feet of ground floor commercial space with one outdoor space facing 4th street and another towards the rear

of the property facing Colorado. Sitting at a prominent corner at 407 Colorado Ave., across from the Metro E Line terminus, the project is described as one that will “help create a new ‘gateway’ to the Downtown area.” The southern edge of the rooftop would also feature an outdoor space, giving views down the Colorado Esplanade towards the ocean. The proposed landscape includes a variety of trees such as Arbatus Marina, Ginko Biloba and Platanus Mexicana, along with a variety of shrubs.

The proposed building is a “contemporary design” with framed features extending beyond the top floor in an angled soffit. Some balconies span the full length of each floor’s frames while those on level 4 span for a portion. The building’s facades are divided by horizontal bands of wood and aluminum. Metal panels are described as “used to highlight the protruding angular forms” while the facade’s interior faces are painted a shade of blue and the exterior face painted charcoal.

The Worthe Real Estate Group is a Santa

Monica-based developer whose tenants include 20th Century Fox, abc, AT&T, Disney, ESPN, Sony, Snapchat, nickelodeon, and TMZ. Its portfolio projects include the “Ocean Avenue Project” at 1333 Ocean Avenue. That

project, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, is set to include 120 hotel rooms, 100 apartments, restaurants and shops with outdoor dining and a public rooftop terrace with 360-degree views.

Santa Monica City Council Proclaims Official Start of Hispanic Heritage Month

The City Has Numerous Activities To Celebrate Latinos and Their History

By Dolores Quintana

The City Council of Santa Monica officially declared the period from September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month on Tuesday, September 12. The proclamation was marked by reading and remarks led by Mayor Gleam Davis, along with contributions from teachers, students, and representatives from Santa Monica High School (Samohi).

Mayor Davis emphasized the vital role of Latinas/os in the community, recognizing their enduring contributions and the historical significance of the Spanish language in the city’s identity. She noted the deep-rooted connection to the indigenous languages of the Gabrielino-Tongva and Chumash peoples, who

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originally inhabited the land.

“Latinos have been part of and are valued in our community,” Mayor Gleam Davis said.

“While we recognize that the indigenous languages of the Gabrielino-Tongva and Chumash were first spoken for thousands of years on the land we occupy, the Spanish language is ingrained in the name of our city and frequented streets, from the original Mexican 1839 land grant name, Rancho San Vicente y Santa Mónica, to Pico Boulevard, San Vicente Boulevard, and Montana Avenue. Our city has long been enriched by the contributions, heritage, and traditions of Latinas/os and will continue to be well into the future.”

In conjunction with the proclamation, the Santa Monica Public Library is hosting a series

of family-friendly activities throughout the month to honor Hispanic Heritage, including:

Hispanic Heritage Month Booklists: Explore a curated selection of books celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of people from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, available for borrowing or recommendations to friends and family.

• Hispanic Heritage Month for Kids

• Hispanic Heritage Month Middle-Grade Books

• Hispanic Heritage Month Books for Teens

• Hispanic Heritage Month Books for Adults

Hispanic Heritage Month Kids Take & Make

Kit: Quetzal Bird: This hands-on kit, currently available, provides the supplies needed to create a quetzal bird—a sacred creature in the tropical forests of Central America for the ancient Maya and Aztec peoples. A learning sheet accompanies the kit to encourage further discovery. Kits can be obtained at the Main Library Youth Services desk and all branch locations while supplies last.

Mystery Book Group Discussion: “Velvet Was the Night” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Scheduled for Tuesday, September 19, from 7 to 8 p.m. This Zoom discussion invites participants to explore the 1970s Mexico City setting of “Velvet Was the Night,” a captivating novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Maite, a secretary enamored with romance novels, embarks on a quest to find her missing neighbor, Leonora, an art student. Interested parties can obtain the Zoom link by contacting library@santamonica.gov.

Stories from Latin America with Olga Loya: Taking place on Friday, September 29, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the Pico Branch Library. This event celebrates the magic of “Los cuentos” (stories) with folktales addressing self-image and the power of ancient myths in understanding the present. Participants will gain insights into Latina/o culture while exploring their own identities. For further information, click here.

Hispanic Heritage Month Teen Take & Make Kit: Ceramic Calaveras: Commencing on Monday, October 2, this kit allows participants to delve into the cultural significance of Calaveras (skulls) and decorate one of their own. Registered teen volunteers can earn one hour of community service by decorating a Calavera and adding it to the Main Library’s ofrenda for Día de los Muertos. Kits can be collected at the Main Library Youth Services desk and all branch locations while supplies last. This activity is suitable for ages 11-18. For more information, click here.

Civic Center Debate

SMa.r.t.

Last year, the City declared the Civic Center Auditorium surplus property after a decade of neglect and disuse. The auditorium had been closed because of seismic concerns and the lack of accessibility. It’s not unusual for a sixty-three-year-old auditorium to need a significant upgrade as entertainment tastes and technology change and as newly updated codes start to make such buildings obsolete or even dangerous. The debate on what to do to reactivate our defunct Civic Center auditorium had been sputtering along since the City’s negotiations with the Nederlander group (a potential operator) failed, compounded by the State of California eliminating the Redevelopment Funds, which could have been used for its restoration.

Finally, the City is now reeling from the impact of Covid and the $200,000,000+ pedophile case payouts, so at this time has no funds to attempt its own civic auditorium rehabilitation. If its seismic vulnerability is truly as serious as represented, the longer we wait to address this flaw, the greater the possibility of it being damaged in the next big (overdue) earthquake. Such damage may not even cause a complete collapse but might still

cause enough damage to make the building prohibitively expensive to repair. In that case, demolition might still result even without full seismic destruction. However, it was undamaged by the 1972 and 1994 quakes, so the alleged seismic deficiency still needs to be verified. In addition, rumor has it that at one time, it was considered a civil defense asset, so it must have had some inherent strength. Given these uncertainties, there is still a prudent sense of urgency to restore this building. We do not want to be like those dams in Libya.

Thus, the City has entered into negotiations with the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District as a candidate to restore and operate the building, either as a tenant or as an owner. The City is awaiting their formal proposal of what they intend to do with the building, which seems to involve converting it into a gym with options for probable weekend uses as a music/performing arts venue. The School District will need to pass a resident-paid bond to fund their restoration and possibly purchase this beloved landmarked building. The School District has a long, successful history of passing school bonds, so it might be able to raise the funds relatively quickly. The City could also pass a bond if there is enough public support for this building.

But many residents are concerned that this building, with its incredible historical pedigree, may be completely altered or even demolished by the School District if it becomes the owner.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Robert Potash

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Robert Potash

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Jesse Potash in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 23STPB09089

The Petition for Probate requests that Jesse Potash be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in Los Angeles County Superior Court as follows: Date: October 31, 2023, Time: 8:30 am. Dept.: 44 The address of the court: 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statues and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner Jesse Potash 22 Haide Pl. East Islip, NY 11730

Published

School districts exist as separate legal entities from cities and are therefore not bound by the constraints of a local landmarked designation. So substantial alteration or even demolition is a potential danger if the School District becomes the owner.

Because of this possibility and because the school district has been repeatedly neglectful of its buildings (e.g., SMASH/John Muir have been closed for over a year to fix leaks) and disdainful of its historical assets (e.g., demolishing the High School History Building), a citizen’s group called Save the Civic was formed to advocate for an alternative agent for the Civic’s resurrection.

S.M.a.r.t often offers guest columns for credible advocates in important debates on public issues. Attached is Save the Civic’s September 18th public announcement for your consideration.

Dear friends of the Civic,

Ever since we began our mission to stop the City from selling off our beloved, historic Civic Auditorium, we have found ourselves submerged in the world of the Santa Monica/ Malibu Unified School District, which by law is the only entity whose offers our City Council can currently entertain. (Should the Council reject the District’s proposal, it can then field other offers.)

One of the District’s main selling points to the community has been that it will pay for the Civic’s operating costs by renting it out up to one hundred days a year. From the beginning, we thought that wasn’t a good idea. The School

District is in the education business, not the venue rental business. It simply does not have the experience or resources to properly manage a property of this scale.

Now we have proof.

We’ve just discovered that the District is surprisingly not good at the venue rental business. How not good? It lost money renting out school facilities last year. That’s right, the School District LOST MONEY renting out Barnum Hall and other venues. How do we know? Because this week, it asked the School Board to authorize $438,502 in unrestricted funds to pay for those losses! Read its request here.

We’re sure that $438,502 could have been better spent on other school needs, but how the District allocates money is not our issue.

What IS our issue is that clearly, the School District should not be in the Civic rental business. And by the way, who do you think is going to bail it out if it fails at that endeavor?

Us!

Instead, the City should partner with an experienced group that can run the Civic as a concert and performing arts center; a group that knows how to do it and, importantly, in the event of failure, will not use precious school funds to bail it out. We have found such a group. And if we’ve found one, we know the City can find others.

But first, our City Council must reject the School District’s proposal.

Let’s restore the Civic as a world-class venue for music and the arts. And let’s keep the School District focused on education, not venue rentals.

For more information and to register so we can contact you when we need people to reach out to the City Council, please visit our website at savethecivic.org.

By SM.a.r.t

S.M.a.r.t Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Thane Roberts, Architect; Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect; Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission; Samuel Tolkin Architect & Planning Commissioner, Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA & Michael Jolly, AIR-CRE.

For previous articles, see www. santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

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