S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY
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INSIDE SMC TO GO VIRTUAL IN NEW SPRING AND WINTER PAGE 2
September 25 – October 01, 2020 Volume XLXV, Issue 60
Miramar Project to go Before City Council Tuesday Councilmember Gleam Davis asks City Attorney if she should rescue self from vote By Sam Catanzaro
Santa Monica lawmakers will soon decide whether to approve or reject plans that have been in the works for a decade to redevelop one of the city’s most iconic hotels. On September 9 the Santa Monica Planning Commission approved the proposed redevelopment of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. The hotel, located at Wilshire Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, has been around since the 1920s. Under plans from the Athens Group, the hotel would nearly double in size, retaining the existing Palisades Building and Moreton Bay Fig Tree. The 502,157-square-foot redevelopment proposal, which has been drastically altered three times during a decade-long planning process, calls for 312 guest rooms 60 condominiums and around 18,000 square feet of commercial space. In addition, land would be set aside land on 2nd Street for 100 percent affordable housing complex with 42 units. The project is expected to provide a boost to a Santa Monica’s economy hit hard by the COVID-19 shutdown. “I would probably vote against this if it had come up six months ago or asked for considerable reductions. And if that didn’t happen, I would have voted against it. And in fact, this goes to the reason I’m supporting it tonight,” said Commissioner Richard McKinnon. “We’re in the worst economic crisis for 100 years. We just haven’t quite seen it yet but the issues around the world are there. This [redevelopment] is
something which says to people, ‘There is an investment. There are jobs. There is a future,’ and we need it to begin. That’s why I want it to be on a timetable.” The only dissenting vote was Commissioner Mario Fonda-Bonardi. “Once it’s up, it ain’t going away and that massiveness is going to be a giant object, a giant huge object, that is going to completely change our skyline, what you see from the beach will be completely changed by this object,” Fonda-Bonardi said. Ellis O’Connor and Dustin Peterson with the Miramar Santa Monica say, however, that only a small percentage of the project would reach zoning height limits for the area. “Only 14 percent of our project site takes advantage of the 130’ height limit in the DCP. In contrast, over 50 percent of our site will be open space, including a 14,000 sf lushly landscaped garden for the public’s use and enjoyment, activated with food and beverage, artwork and programming. We’re very proud of the project and look forward to the upcoming discussion with City Council,” O’Connor and Peterson said in a statement to the Santa Monica Mirror. The project was approved 6-1 and calls on City Council to fast track the project. City Council is expected to vote on the proposal at their meeting Tuesday, September 29. As reported by the Santa Monica Lookout, Santa Monica City Councilmember Gleam Davis has asked the City Attorney if she should recuse herself from voting on the agenda item. Davis is married to John Prindle, a high ranking employee with Dell Technologies and Dell’s CEO Michael Dell owns the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows through his investment firm MSD Capital. According to Davis, her family would not benefit financially from the Council’s approval of the Miramar expansion.
The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows as it stands today
A rendering of the proposed redevelopment.
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
Photo: Courtesy Miramar Santa Monica
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September 25 – October 01, 2020
SMC to Deliver Classes Online for Winter & Spring 202
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School cites lack of available vaccine By Sam Catanzaro
Santa Monica College (SMC) has announced it will be delivering classes primarily in an online environment for the Winter and Spring 2021 semesters because of the continuing public health COVID-19 crisis. According to the college, SMC is offering over 700 online classes for the Winter 2021 intersession, which runs from Jan. 4 to Feb. 11, 2021 and over 2,800 classes for the Spring 2021 semester, which runs from Feb. 16 to June 15, 2021. In line with county and federal guudliens, SMC will continue to offer safe, limited access to practicum/lab tools for instructional programs deemed essential by the California Governor’s Office including Nursing, Respiratory Therapy and Media/ Interaction Design. In a college-wide memo sent Sept. 21, SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery announced that the college made these decisions based on recommendations from its Emergency Operations Team, which monitors the pandemic and is utilizing California’s four-tiered risk assessment system, in addition to LA County Public Health and CDC guidelines and requirements as a framework for decision-making. “It is unlikely that a safe, widely available vaccine will appear this year,” Jeffery
wrote. “The safety, health & wellbeing of SMC colleagues and students is the highest priority …Santa Monica College upholds the highest level of dedication to access, equity, and excellence in these challenging times.” SMC will continue its free Chromebook lending program for employees and students; provide the services of a designated free Wi-Fi area for enrolled students at its Bundy Campus; and continue to disburse federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) financial assistance to students disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. “SMC has distributed $2.6 million in one-time checks to nearly 5,000 students and the remainder of the $6.1 million grant designated for direct aid to students will be distributed throughout the fall semester to those with verifiable needs. The college was also awarded an equal amount of $6.1 million to cover costs related to the transition to an online environment,” SMC said in a press release. In addition, SMC will continue to provide telehealth services through its Center for Wellness & Wellbeing including a free 24/7 emotional support hotline and short-term, free, confidential therapy. Students also have access to a weekly drive-thru pop-up pantry: the SMC Foundation’s Meal Project has delivered well over 86,000 meals—free of charge—via social enterprise Everytable to the homes of more than 12,180 students who need the assistance, including seniors, housing insecure students, veterans, and former foster youth.
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September 25 – October 01, 2020
Santa Monica Loses Vegan Restaurant
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A vegan restaurant in Santa Monica appears to have closed for good, with its former space on the market for over $7,000 a month. Viva Vegan, located at 1028 Wilshire Boulevard, noted in a March Facebook post and door notices that they are temporarily closed. “Until further notice, are only offering takeout dining. We will not have dining seats available for our guest but all of our delicious food, desserts and beverages can be enjoyed in the comfort of your home. You can come in and order, phone in to pick up curbside or use one of the following delivery services; Grubhub, Door Dash, UberEats and PostMates,” reads the post, dated Match 16.
1028 Wilshire Boulevard.
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
The restaurant is not listed on any of these platforms, however, and its website appears to be down as well. The restaurant could not immediately be reached for comment via a Facebook comment. In addition, the property is listed as “For Lease” by PAR Commercial Brokerage for $5.35 per square foot per month. This comes out to around $7,256 a month for the approximately 1,358 square foot property nestled between Starbucks and Belcampo Meat Company.
String of Fires Break Out in Venice Homeless Encampments Multiple fires in one week in the Venice area By Sam Catanzaro Venice recently experienced a string of fires at homeless encampments in a single week. The first fire was reported early in the morning on September 14. According to the Los Angels Fire Department (LAFD), the fire was reported around 6 a.m. on the 900 block of Rose Avenue. The Department says a single unit arrived on the scene and was able to put out the fire. The encampment where the fire took place has been the location of multiple fires over the past year. These fires and other impacts from the encampment have been a source of frustration for nearby residents This spring a petition was started by the Rose Penmar Parkway Beautification Association–a coalition of nearby residents–calling on the City to transfer the jurisdiction of the public walking path to the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department. Petition supporters say it will
Photo: Citizen App
A fire burns on Rose Avenue near the Penmar Golf Course September 14
A tent goes up in flames on Ocean Front Walk September 17
String of Fires, see page 6
September 25 – October 01, 2020
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Will Los Angeles County See Another Spike in COVID-19 Cases?
County health officials keeping close eye on data this week By Sam Catanzaro
Los Angeles County health officials are monitoring COVID-19 data this week to see whether Labor Day gatherings cause a surge in cases, a factor that could determine the next reopening tier. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) reported 31 new deaths and 1,265 new cases of COVID-19. As of Wednesday, Public Health identified 263,333 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 6,423 deaths. Deaths have continued to decline since the peak seen two months ago. In late July, the average daily reported deaths was 43, and on September 9, the average daily reported deaths was 20. “While deaths continue to decrease, if there is an increase in cases as a result of Labor Day activities, this will likely translate into more hospitalizations and deaths in the coming weeks. We have seen a slight increase in cases recently which we are watching closely, especially since these increases happened after the Labor Day weekend,” Public Health said Wednesday in a press release. Speaking a briefing Monday, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer stated that after consecutive days of reported increases last week, the department will be keeping a close watch on numbers this week to see if
there is a surge in cases. “We do have four days of data from last week that showed a significant increase in the number of cases,” Ferrer said. “We are looking every day to see whether we have an indication that we’re going to see a surge in the numbers of cases, which would be the first place we would see an increase related to how we all behaved with each other over the Labor Day holiday.” Ferrer noted that an increase in cases could also be attributed to the reopening of testing sites closed due to poor air quality. According to Ferrer, a surge “could allow us to not be able to make movement into tier two in the upcoming couple of weeks.” Los Angels County is currently in the state’s most restrictive tier due to case numbers and positivity rate. Testing results are available for nearly 2,576,000 individuals with 9 percent of all people testing positive as of Wednesday. There are 779 confirmed cases currently hospitalized and 28 percent of these people are confirmed cases in the ICU. Daily hospitalizations have declined and have dropped down slightly lower than the numbers seen in early April. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has been below 1,000 for most of September and reflects, in part, an overall decrease in transmission of the virus and better treatments that result in shorter lengths of hospital stays.
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Traffic on the Interstate 10 West in Santa Monica over Labor Day weekend.
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September 25 – October 01, 2020
OpEd: The Miramar Project Will Be a New Architectural Jewel
Photo: Courtesy The Mirimar Santa Monica
Renderings of the proposed Mirimar redevelopment
The Miramar Hotel has been a central part of Santa Monica’s history and an integral part of the community for the last 100 years. In order for the hotel to remain a community asset for the next 100 years, the time has come for a comprehensive reinvestment and revitalization. Given the significance of the Miramar site to the City, we recognize the immense responsibility of getting our plan right. We have spent more than 10 years meeting and listening to thousands of our neighbors, local business owners, neighborhood associations, City staff and City decision makers to solicit input on our plans. We are grateful for the community engagement that has crafted a far superior plan (our fourth version) that we believe represents what makes Santa Monica the progressive City it is. This was most recently validated by the Planning Commission, which voted 6-1 to move the project forward to City Council with several
thoughtful refinements to be considered as part of the Council’s review. A key part of our vision is to preserve and honor the hotel’s rich history for future generations. That’s why we’ve made the 141year old Moreton Bay Fig Tree and the 1924 Palisades Building, both local landmarks, central focuses of our design. Our proposed plan implements the vision set forth in the City’s Land Use and Circulation Element for our site and is fully compliant with the Downtown Community Plan’s established height, density and open space standards, which were developed following an extensive, two-year public process. Our design team, led by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, has created a world-class project that reflects the values and aspirations of today’s Santa Monica and will be a new architectural jewel for our Downtown. The plan removes the walls and fences that surround the hotel, opening the site – including the Fig Tree – to
the community for the first time in decades. It includes 42 units of family-sized affordable housing on Second Street, directly across from the Miramar and one block from Palisades Park. It improves the parking and circulation around the site and enhances pedestrian and bicycle access, while creating compelling new publicly-accessible open space for the community, with outdoor dining, artwork and regular community programming. The project will be built to the highest levels of sustainability (LEED Platinum) and a commitment to use 20% less water and 15% less energy than the existing hotel – an unprecedented approach to sustainability for new construction. We will continue to work with our partners at UNITE HERE Local 11 and provide more than 100 new union jobs. In total, the project is estimated to contribute over $100 million in project/community benefits. The fiscal and economic benefits of the proposed project are critical in today’s
environment. During construction, the project is estimated to create thousands of new constructions jobs. Over its first 25 years of operation, the new Miramar is forecasted to provide more than $444 million to the City’s General Fund to support City services like parks and libraries ($217 million more than the existing hotel) and a boost of more than $1 billion to the local economy. We cannot express enough how proud we are of how our project has evolved over this ten-year public process. We are confident that the new Miramar Hotel will continue to be a vital community asset and contribute significantly to our City’s economic recovery. We look forward to, and are grateful for, the opportunity to present our project to the City Council. Ellis O’Connor and Dustin Peterson The Miramar Santa Monica
String of Fires, from page 4
15, the LAFD put out a tent fire on the 300 block of Sunset Avenue, near Gold’s Gym. Then on September 17 a fire broke out at a Venice Beach encampment Thursday morning after a homeless individual set another homeless person’s tent on fire. According to the, LAFD firefighters responded to the area of 300 Ocean Front Walk to reports of a rubbish fire. Upon arrival, crews discovered “what appeared to be a homeless encampment,” said LAFD pubic information officer Brian Humphery, with tents on fire. According to the LAFD, crews quickly extinguished the fire. No injuries have been reported. Humphrey said that LAFD investigators met with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers to discuss a possible
suspect behind the fire. According to the LAPD Pacific Detective Division, the incident “involved two transients”. Police say one individual set another individual’s tent on fire. Detectives stated that LAFD Arson investigations are currently investigating the incident. Also on September 17 a fire broke near Penmar again, this time in an RV. According to the LAFD, the fire was called in around 11:30 p.m regarding reports of an RV on fire at the 1200 block of Rose Avenue. Firefighters arrived on scene and were able to extinguish the fire right away, according to LAFD. In the wake of these fires, Councilmember Mike Bonin released the following statement:
“The Los Angeles Fire Department and I are coordinating with other agencies to prevent the risk of fire at and near homeless encampments in my district -- after a rash of fires this week at places where unhoused people are living. LAFD and LAPD are investigating any fires that may have been intentionally set, and have already made an arrest as a result of an arson investigation into a fire on Ocean Front Walk. Next week, I will be asking the City to post a reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone who intentionally set a tent or RV on fire in these incidents. Anyone with any information regarding who started any of these fires is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles Fire Department at: 213-893-9800.”
An RV on fire the evening of September 17 near Penmar Golf Course.
become illegal to camp once Recreation and Parks take over the land. The day after the fire at the Penmar encampment on the morning of September
September 25 – October 01, 2020
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OPINION
Needed, A Heart Transplant SMa.r.t. Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
We have written about adaptive reuse in previous columns and have postulated that with proper incentives, the existing one, two and three-story buildings lining our downtown streets and boulevards provide more than all the buildable area we will ever need if properly re-purposed for new uses, including the 8,874 Statemandated housing units required by 2028. In addition, we see the decline in retail and an ever-increasing shift to remote working from home, shrinking the existing office space demand in those existing larger/taller office buildings scattered throughout our town, providing the potential for even more adaptive reuse to housing or other uses. How has Santa Monica approached adaptive reuse? In the new zoning code adaptive reuse is mentioned only three times. That is more than in the previous zoning code but the reference occurs in the section titled “Employment Districts”, which are then defined as the Industrial Conservation Zone, the Office Campus zone, and the Healthcare Mixed Use zone. And while the zones list 100 percent affordable as a permitted use, it is not as a specific incentive for the purposes of encouraging adaptive reuse, and family housing is not among the approved uses “by right” except in the Healthcare district. Adaptive reuse means more than just saving an old building from demolition. It means there is a lot of life, structurally and functionally, still left in the bones. It just needs a ‘heart’ transplant. Current technologies permit easy adaptation to new energy saving devices such as LED lighting, high efficiency heating and air conditioning system upgrades, energy saving glass and solar panels. Existing 2 & 3 story buildings can be made to be net zero in most circumstances, producing as much energy as they consume, desirable goal that should be encouraged. Water metering can be adapted for new housing units in the event that a building is repurposed for housing, and obviously re-use is a more sustainable solution than the demolition and building of an entirely new structure. It means a smaller carbon footprint than will occur from hauling debris and earth from a tear-down and subterranean excavation to a distant landfill that happens with the big box buildings you see currently redefining our downtown, most visible right now along Lincoln just north of the freeway. The City of Los Angeles has a specific adaptive reuse code that encourages saving older buildings. They do so with specific incentives, for both economic and code compliance issues, recognizing safety at all times, but allowing certain exceptions
“The building frenzy we are being subjected to means more vehicles, more congestion, more demand on the infrastructure, water consumption, power consumption, waste, and sewer demand. It means less open space and less blue sky,” writes SMa.r.t. In their latest column.
that would otherwise be required of new structures. They have guidelines that encourage adaptive reuse for housing, and under that ordinance there are approximately 100 projects have been completed or are in the process of development. Why does it seem impossible for our City Council to encourage and incentivize a similar program instead of their supporting a cruise ship sized hotel/condo project that simply enriches the developer, and a massive office/hotel project on our city land, instead of resident desired open space in the heart of our downtown. In the real world, in real time, the building frenzy we are being subjected to means more vehicles, more congestion, more demand on the infrastructure, water consumption, power consumption, waste, and sewer demand. It means less open space and less blue sky. It is self-perpetuating revenue tail-chasing, and, simply put, more is more, and we don’t need more, we need responsible. And for that we need a clean slate of new, resident oriented, council members. The council obviously needs a ‘heart’ transplant, and with 5 seats up in November, lets help our city get that new heart! And note that all five of the existing
council members running for “re-election” were not “elected” by a vote of the public for their first terms, but rather appointed by ‘friendly’ sitting Council members in midterm appointments. However, on the ballot they receive the benefit of being identified as ‘incumbent’. It is self-perpetuating, by and for, one political party’s control in Santa Monica for the past 40 years, and look what they have done, and are doing, in over-building our beach town and seemingly blending it into Los Angeles. No to incumbents. Why would anyone who cares about the environment, or the uniqueness and value, of what a low-rise beach town brings to the greater region, want to continue the demolition of our town and build it into the dense urban mess it is fast becoming? As we can adapt existing structures for new uses without having to destroy them, we can responsibly adapt our built out beachfront town without having to demolish it just to build higher and more dense. At the same time we can respect the voice of its residents, who have been ignored by the council for much too long, and prepare for the future impacts expected by predicted sea level rise, droughts and the likely water
Photo: Getty Images
shortages that are foreseeable in the near future. We just need the heart to do it. This November we can give our beach town that new heart by voting in a new clean slate of council members. SMa.r.t. has two of our own running and we trust you will consider voting for Planning Commissioner Mario Fonda-Bonardi, and Arts Commissioner Phil Brock to be your new City Council members. They will hear you and represent you, not developers or special interests. Bob Taylor, Architect, AIA for SMa.r.t. (Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow) Ron Goldman, Architect FAIA; Dan Jansenson, Architect, Building & Fire-Life Safety Commissioner; Robert H. Taylor, Architect AIA: Thane Roberts, Architect; Mario Fonda-Bonardi, Architect AIA, Planning Commissioner; Sam Tolkin, Architect; Phil Brock, Arts Commissioner; Marc Verville, CPA (inactive) For previous articles see www.santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/ writings.
September 25 – October 01, 2020
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Local Breweries Say They Have Been Unfairly Shuttered as County Passes Grant Program $10 million grant program approved by Board of Supervisors By Sam Catanzaro
Will a $10 million grant program be enough to help LA County breweries who say they have been unfairly shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic? On September 15, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a new $10 million grant program requested by Supervisor Janice Hahn to help breweries and other small businesses that have remained closed or restricted by LA County health officer orders despite being allowed to open under the State’s health order. “I have heard from so many local breweries that are struggling to stay in business while following the County’s health order,” Hahn said. “With our case numbers on the decline, I am hopeful it will be safe for them to reopen soon. But in the meantime, I want to get them the lifeline they need to make it through this crisis.” Although breweries in Tier 1 counties have been allowed to open under the State’s health order, Los Angeles County’s health officer order has kept many local breweries that do not qualify as restaurants closed for on-site service to slow the spread of the virus. This has been a source of frustration for many local breweries, including the Westside’s Santa Monica Brew Works. In a Facebook post from August 26, the brewery noted that not only have they been forced to close, but the County also has not allowed them to partner with third-party food vendors and remain open “LA County’s decision to prohibit breweries from partnering with third-party food vendors pursuant to an ABC-issued Catering License was made hastily without understanding what a brewery is and how it operates. We implore the Board of Supervisors to align the classification of LA County breweries with breweries throughout the State pursuant to California’s health order,”
reads the post, which implores the County to reinstate the ability of breweries to operate pursuant to an ABC-issued Catering License. “Los Angeles is the ONLY county in California preventing breweries from partnering with food trucks and caterers. Some of our peers who are brewpubs with full kitchens and outdoor space have had the privilege of being classified in the same way as restaurants and remain open, but two-thirds of LA Brewers Guild members are shut down based on the County’s decision. But for the most part, the County’s decision deters patrons from going to breweries only in LA County as many of them are instead driving to breweries in Ventura and Orange County to enjoy craft beer.” County officials told City News Service, however, breweries are still classified “highrisk” businesses for the spread of COVID-19, particularly among younger residents, and therefore cannot be allowed to reopen. The new grant program is included in a supplemental coronavirus relief fund spending plan being approved by the Board of Supervisors. The funding comes from Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding allocated to Los Angeles County by the federal government. Accoridng to the county, under the new grant program priority would be given to those small businesses like breweries subject to restrictions that are more stringent than those required by State health officer order. Other such businesses include wineries, family entertainment centers and card rooms. According to the Long Beach Post, grant amounts will be set by the number of employees and production output, among other factors. Considering LA County is home to hundreds of breweries, wineries and other qualifying businesses, grant amounts could be small.
4.6 Quake Felt in Santa Monica 4.6 magnitude quake recorded last Friday night By Sam Catanzaro
A 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck the San Gabriel Valley last Friday sending shock waves to Santa Monica. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake was centered less than two miles west-southwest of South El Monte at 11:38 p.m., with a recorded depth of around 10 miles. Local law enforcement and fire agencies have been put on alert following the quake, with officials warning of the potential of aftershocks. Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist interviewed by ABC 7, said there is a 5 percent chance that the quake was a foreshock to a larger quake and an around 50 percent chance of additional small aftershocks within 24 hours.
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L’Shanah Tova
May the Sound of the Shofar Bring a New Year of Peace, Good Health, and Renewal
We invite you to join our... Annual Kever Avot V’Imahot Remembrance Service from the comfort of your home, Sunday September 27, 2020, beginning at 9:00 AM. www.hillsidememorial.org/kever-avot
Photo: USGS/Getty Images
An intensity map of a 4.6 magnitude earthquake felt throughout Los Angeles Friday night.
As of 12:08 a.m. Saturday, there are no reports of serious injury or significant infrastructure damage related to the quake. “Please carefully inspect your home for damage, including any natural gas or water leaks, and use flashlights – not candles – if necessary for light,” the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
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September 25 – October 01, 2020
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FILM REVIEW: “THE VALHALLA MURDERS” Here’s another gem you probably haven’t been watching, The Valhalla Murders. It’s a classic “whodunit” with dark Scandinavian overtones, shot and produced entirely in Iceland, with Icelandic actors, director and crew. You will be immersed in the culture and landscape of a country you probably have not had a chance to visit. And if you have been there, it’s most likely not been in winter, when this series was shot, and you probably had the typical tourist experience rather than an intimate view of what life is like in that northerly country. The style is classic Scandinavian – minimalist, brooding, stark and dark, exploring humanity’s deepest hidden urges, benign and evil. The powerfully silent, bright white landscape of the Icelandic winter is a perfect backdrop to this chilling narrative. Why do we love murder mysteries? I remember well my conservative, always proper Grandma, who stepped right out of the pages of Emily Post’s Etiquette, devouring murder mysteries at night in bed. The light in her bedroom would stay on way past midnight. I bet she thought no one noticed. Perhaps the most “normal”
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Rated TV-MA Season 1: Eight 50-Minute Episodes Released on Netflix March 13, 2020
among us are drawn to stories about those most on the fringe of society. In the story of The Valhalla Murders, a detective named “Arnar” returns from his job in the “big city” of Oslo, to his childhood home in Iceland to aid in the investigation of Iceland’s first serial killer. He partners with “Kata,” a seasoned investigator with the Icelandic Police. You may notice that both seem well established and secure in their jobs. However some deep psychological shadows lie beneath their confident appearances, as is often the case with criminal investigators. You know, “it takes one to know one.” The draw of unraveling cases perpetrated by those who are even more troubled is probably drives many a detective. Oh, and many a murder mystery aficionado as well. This series boasts some of Iceland’s finest talents in its crew and cast. Nina Dogg Filipusdottir who plays Kata, comes from a strong theatre backgrounc, and was named one of Europe’s “Shooting Stars” by the European Film Commission in 2003. Bjorn Thors, is Arnar. He has a long resume in Icelandic film and TV. Sigurdur Skolason (“Magnus”) has
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been working in Iceland film and TV since 1971. The entire ensemble does an excellent job with this series. They will draw you in, even though their Icelandic is dubbed into English. You may notice that the detectives don’t carry guns. Their guns are kept in the trunk of their car in a locked safe. Police officers in Iceland do not carry guns in the course of their daily work. They are all well trained in firearms, to use when the need arises, There are specialized police teams who do carry firearms. This series will have you contemplating more than the “who” of “whodunit.” What makes up the fine line between normal and abnormal behavior? Are both part of
our nature as human beings? Often the people who seem the most stable on the surface are those who carry around the heavy baggage of a well-hidden deviation in the depths of their psyche. Could they be among your friends and neighbors? How about yourself? 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.
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September 25 – October 01, 2020
S ANT A MONI CA COL L EG E
Exciting events happening this fall! Santa Monica College is offering a variety of events online. Most events are free. Come join us for: • Dance Performances & Master Classes • Theatre Arts Performances • Music Concerts • Business & Entrepreneurship Series • Santa Monica Review Issue Launch Party
• Planetarium Shows • Sustainability Week • Art Exhibition Receptions • Green Screen Series • and much more! Visit smc.edu/calendar for more information.
SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Nancy Greenstein, Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff, Vice Chair; Dr. Louise Jaffe; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Rob Rader; Dr. Sion Roy; Barry A. Snell; Joshua Elizondo, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu