Santa Monica Mirror 12.16.22

Man Arrested for Robbing Two Santa Monica Adult Toy Shops

SMC Marks 32 Consecutive Years as No. 1 in UC Transfers

By Sam Catanzaro

Santa Monica College (SMC) has maintained a 32-year consecutive streak as the No.1 transfer college to the University of California (UC) system, per 2021-2022 transfer data released recently by the UC Information Center. SMC sent 1,200 students to UC campuses in the prior academic year— 147 more transfers than the No.2 feeder college.

SMC also maintained the No. 1 spot for African American and Latinx transfers to the UC, and continues to remain the leading transfer college to the University of Southern California (USC) and Loyola Marymount University (LMU). In addition, the college is the top feeder west of the Mississippi to the Ivy League Columbia University.

“At Santa Monica College, we are thrilled to be celebrating 32 straight years as California’s number one transfer college to the premier University of California system, as well as to USC & Loyola Marymount University,” said SMC Superintendent/President Dr. Kathryn E. Jeffery. “This is not an achievement we take for granted. The numbers speak to the immeasurable dedication of SMC’s faculty, counselors and staff, as well as this college’s long, storied legacy of leaving no stone unturned when it comes to supporting students’ success. And most of all, this latest data underscores the hard work of SMC’s highly motivated students whose determination to overcome disruptions—even a pandemic—helped them attain their goal to transfer successfully to the respective college or university of their dreams. Dreams do come true. Congratulations to the students and those who journeyed with them!”

According to the data, among 1,200 SMCto-UC transfers there were 246 Latinx/ Chicanx students and 59 African American students. In addition, UCLA continued to be the most popular destination for SMC transfer students, with 412 out of the 1,200 SMC-toUC transfers headed to the Westwood campus, followed by UC San Diego (194 SMC transfers) and UC Irvine (133 SMC transfers). SMC also had more students enrolled at USC

and Loyola Marymount University than any other community college with 124 and 117 respectively of those SMC transfers who were admitted, ending up enrolling. SMC ranked third in total combined transfers to the UC and California State University (CSU) systems, with 2,417 students combined heading to UC and CSU campuses (up from 2,319 combined transfers last year). SMC also kept up its longtime record of sending more transfer students to Columbia University than any other community college west of the Mississippi. Twenty-six SMC students (out of those admitted) enrolled in Columbia University School of General Studies in spring and fall 2022.

“SMC students have shown they are tough and flexible because they stayed the course and remained focused despite the incredible barriers and challenges they faced every day. Those of us on Team Transfer are so impressed and completely honored to lead the transfer efforts on our campus as we get to work with amazing students and incredible colleagues!” said SMC Transfer Center Faculty Lead (Interim) Teresa Garcia. “Great attention and effort has been placed on transitioning back to SMC’s physical, on-ground campus and offering students more on-ground opportunities while continuing to offer and maintain online services and learning. Accordingly, SMC

used many different modalities to promote and assist student interaction both inside and outside of the classroom.”

Just recently, SMC’s Annual Fall 2022 College Fair was offered both on-ground and on-line. Approximately 150 four-year institutions attended—nearing pre-pandemic numbers—and interacted with nearly 2,000 students who also took advantage of many on-ground, on-line, and hybrid workshops and services to guide them along a successful transfer path. Also the college’s Transfer Admission Guarantees (TAGs) provide guaranteed admission for students who meet specific requirements to several universities including six University of California campuses, Loyola Marymount University, Arizona State University (ASU), and many

Santa Monica Pub Crawl Returns This Weekend

Event returns to bars across Santa Monica this weekend

By Dolores Quintana

The Santa Monica Pub Crawl is back this weekend and ready to raise money for The Westside Food Bank. Many of Santa Monica’s favorite bars and restaurants will take part in the festivities this Saturday, starting at 5 p.m. As the press release for the event says, “Dust off those Santa hats and shine those menorahs; it’s time to join dozens of the city’s best bars and restaurants to raise money for the Westside Food Bank and help those in need for the holidays.

To purchase tickets for the event, visit https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/14th-annual-santamonica-pub-crawl-tickets-410675339997

Since 2008, the SANTA Monica Pub Crawl has raised enough for a half a million meals for the Westside Food Bank! Thank you for your continued support, as you are making a huge difference. Every $5 will feed 20 people in

You must collect your wristband at your route’s official starting location between 5-9:30 pm.”

This year, The Santa Monica Pub Crawl will have three official routes with tickets for sale for each, and for the adventurous, the VIP Route Hopper Ticket and a party pass for you and all of your Santa friends.

MAIN STREET Route Ticket

This wristband ensures priority access into the official bars on the Main Street route, $6$9 food & drink specials, DJs/live music, and access into Santa’s Official After Party. You must collect your wristband at your route’s official starting location at The Victorian

between 5-9:30 pm.

PROMENADE Route Ticket

This wristband ensures priority access into the official bars on the Promenade route with $6-$9 food & drink specials, DJs/live music, and access into Santa’s Official After Party. You must collect your wristband at your route’s official starting location at Cabo Cantina between 5-9:30 pm.

PIER / OCEAN Route Ticket

This wristband ensures priority access into the official bars on the Pier / Ocean route with $6-$9 food & drink specials, DJs/live music, and access into Santa’s Official After Party. You must collect your wristband at your route’s official starting location at Rusty’s Surf Ranch between 5-9:30 pm.

College also keeps No. 1 spot for African American & Latinx UC Transfers, still tops in transfers to USC & Loyola Marymount University

Four Arrested for Catalytic Converter Theft Near Virginia Avenue Park

Four suspects arrested in connection to early morning robbery December 9

By Sam Catanzaro

Santa Monica police recently arrested four suspects wanted for stealing a catalytic converter from a Prius parked near Virginia Avenue Park. When making the arrest, police located four additional Prius catalytic converters in one of the suspect’s car.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), on December 9 around 2:10 a.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of 22nd Street, near Virginia Avenue Park. The 911 caller reported that several suspects had just removed the catalytic converter from his sister’s 2010 Toyota Prius. The suspects fled in two automobiles: a dark blue Honda Accord and a dark green or gray Dodge Charger.

“Within minutes, officers located the cars driving in a convoy on Oak Street. Both vehicles were stopped and the subjects detained without incident,” the SMPD said. “The reporting party was able to positively identify the Honda as having been involved in the commission of the theft.”

Inside the Honda – occupied by 23-year-old Long Beach resident Jose Izguerra Duarte and 19-year-old LA resident Michael Pedraja –officers located four catalytic converters from Prius vehicles, a Daytona jack, a Milwaukee reciprocating saw with a 6” blade, additional 6” saw blades, an electric impact driver and three jack stands. Officers also found a replica handgun on the passenger side floorboard.

The lead vehicle, the Charger, was driven by 21-year-old Gardena resident Jasenda Argueta

“During a jail search, officers found in Argueta’s wallet a white, powdered substance preliminarily identified as cocaine,” the SMPD added.

All four suspects were booked into the Santa Monica Jail for grand theft. Argueta was also booked for a Health & Safety Code violation for drug possession.

Anyone with any additional information about this incident or subjects is encouraged to contact Detective Jauregui at (310) 458-8944, the Criminal Investigations Division at (310) 458-8451, or the SMPD’s Watch Commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8426.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recently released a report showing catalytic converter theft has spiked due to three precious metals found inside the converters: palladium, rhodium and platinum. An ounce of rhodium costs roughly $15,000. For comparison, an ounce of gold costs around $1,800.

According to a recent study from Carfax, the following are the 10-most targeted vehicles for catalytic converter theft in California: 200121 Toyota Prius; 1985-2021 Ford F-Series; 1989-2020 Honda Accord; 1990-2022 Ford Econoline; 1999-2021 Chevrolet Silverado; 2007-20 Subaru Outback; 2007-17 Jeep Patriot; 2003-11 Honda Element; 1998-2020 Subaru Forester; 1995-2021 Toyota Tacoma.

“The West has many of the same top targets as the national list, but the Prius sits atop the list instead of the Ford F-Series pickup, no doubt because the hybrid is incredibly popular in areas – such as California – with high gas prices and strict emissions laws,” Carfax wrote.

Photo: Santa Moncia Police Department

with 19-year-old Antioch resident Victor Duarte Macia in the passenger seat. Officers located in the vehicle a Milwaukee power tool battery and the handle to a floor jack.

Los Angeles City Council Committee Moves Forward on Contentious Scattergood Power Plant Plan

Los Angeles City Council Committee Moves Forward on Contentious Scattergood Power Plant Plan

By Dolores Quintana

On December 1, the Los Angeles City Council’s Energy, Climate Change, Environmental Justice and River committee voted in favor of changing the source of the Scattergood Power Generating Station in Playa Del Rey to green hydrogen. The committee’s vote was 2 to 1 for a competitive bid plan that would cost $800 million.

Paul Krekorian, the LA City Council President and member of the Energy Committee, said that the plan – which still needs to be approved by the City Council as a whole – is necessary for Los Angeles to meet its clean energy goals by 2025 while having enough power for residents.

“The easiest thing to do is to say, ‘Climate change is a crisis. It’s a lot harder to figure out: How do we address climate change in a city of four million people and ensure that we can keep the lights on?” Krekorian said.

According to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, the shift to green hydrogen would help the LADWP reach its goal of transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035.

The ordinance has been posted on the City

Council agenda for Tuesday.

This plan has been opposed by Food and Water Watch and The Ballona Institute, two environmental groups who have voiced concerns over the green hydrogen. Jasmin Vargas of Food And Water Watch voiced concerns about hydrogen storage, the levels of emissions that the plant would release and how that would affect nearby residents. She noted her belief that the local community’s voices were not heard.

“That’s very concerning. There are easy questions we’re asking that we still have no answers to. So how is (the committee) passing this forward without having those solutions, those answers or having alternatives?” Vargas told City News Service.

Vargas said that the plan is “perpetuating institutional racism,” and would disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities. Instead, Food And Water Watch wants an alternative energy source in which there is no combustion of hydrogen on top of shutting down LADWP’s four LA Basin plants.

Paul Koretz, who will soon be leaving the City Council, voted against the ordinance in committee saying he did not trust SoCalGas and their plans for “green hydrogen”. Koretz said that a lobbyist from SoCalGas “looked me in the eye and told me they intended to use hydrogen to keep the methane flowing for as long as possible.”

“I do think we need to make the hard decision and the hard choices and do the work, but I’m just

not there yet on this one,” Koretz said.

The Scattergood plant, located along the beach in Playa del Rey, last underwent a retrofit between 2013 to 2015. Two of the three units at the plant are conventional steam turbine generators that burn natural gas in boiler units. Between 2013 and 2015, the Department of Water and Power replaced the original Unit 3 with an efficient combined cycle of natural gas and steam turbine and two simple-cycle turbines.

Executive Director of the Ballona Institute Marcia Hanscom stated that the Ballona Wetlands in Playa Del Rey has a gas storage facility that the Institute regards as a risk to the area and that they feel should be removed.

“We don’t need to have a facility that has even more explosive components of hydrogen added into it.” about SoCalGas’s intention to continue using methane gas at Scattergood,” Hanscom

said.

During the committee meeting, a power engineering manager for DWP, Marcelo DiPaolo, said that hydrogen burns at a lower temperature and thus would reduce emissions.

Mike Bonin, the outgoing City Council member for CD11, proposed that the definition of “green hydrogen” be tightened to exclude the blending of hydrogen and other gasses and put a requirement that contractors submitting bids on green hydrogen-related projects must include environmental justice impacts in their bids.

“We need clear guarantees that all raw materials used at Scattergood will be from 100% renewable energy sources,” Bonin said. “Hydrogen projects are being propped up by oil and gas companies, which may be hoping to blend hydrogen into their operation.”

Mixed-Use Affordable Housing Development Nearly Complete in Santa Monica

14th Street’s Las Flores project nears the finish line

By Dolores Quintana

The Los Flores apartment complex in the Pico neighborhood of Santa Monica is almost complete as reported by Urbanize Los Angeles. This development is a mixeduse affordable housing project and the developer is Community Corp. of Santa Monica.

The structure is located at 1834-1848 14th Street, across the street from the Woodlawn Cemetery. It is a four-story building that will hold 73 units and as a mixed-use building will have 3,500 square feet reserved for retail stores on the first floor. The complex will have an underground parking lot for residents and customers for the retail space.

DE Architects is the designer of record for the project. The design is, according to

Urbanize Los Angeles, a “ series of offset cubic masses” with “a concept of solids and voids.” The building’s exterior will be surfaced with corrugated metal sheets.

The 73 apartments will be split between one, two and three-bedroom units and, as affordable housing, renters will only be considered if they earn 80 or less than Santa Monica’s median income. Community Corp of Santa Monica used the entitlements granted by AB 1763 that allow buildings that are made as affordable housing to avoid being subject to local zoning ordinances. It was originally estimated that the development would be completed in the fall of 2022.

UC Transfers, from page 1

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), among others.

The Scholars Program is a distinctive academic community within the larger SMC community which aims to prepare students— particularly freshman, first-generation college students, students from underserved schools and communities, and non-traditional students—for transfer to the colleges and universities of their choice. The program’s focus is on academic preparation and study for university-level work through writing, exposure to research, critical thinking, and

analysis, along with intensive counseling and support.

Through special transfer agreements with top four-year colleges and universities, Scholars students get priority consideration for admissions to the following campuses: The UCLA College, the Luskin Public Affairs major and the Education and Social Transformation major (TAP), UC Irvine, Loyola Marymount University, Chapman University, University of San Francisco, and Pomona College, to name a few.

For more information about SMC’s Transfer Center and its services, please visit smc.edu/ transfer or email Garcia_Teresa@smc.edu.

Pub Crawl Returns, from page 1

VIP ROUTE HOPPER Ticket

This route-hopper ticket gives you an allaccess wristband to ALL ROUTES, allowing you to check-in at any of the starting locations, 1 FREE drink, food & drink specials at all locations, AND VIP, front-of-line access into Santa’s Official After Party. Limited tickets available.

10 PACK – ALL ROUTE & VIP After Party Wristbands

This is a PARTY PACK gets 10 elves ALL ROUTE pub crawl wristbands AND priority access into Santa’s Official After Party at Senator Jones starting at 10 pm.

20 PACK – ALL ROUTE & VIP After Party

This is a PARTY PACK gets 20 elves ALL

ROUTE pub crawl wristbands AND priority access into Santa’s Official After Party at Senator Jones starting at 10 pm.

Please Note: We have the right to refuse entry to crawlers who are overly intoxicated.

Here’s a quick primer on how The Santa Monica Pub Crawl works:

Purchase tickets online and choose your route (limited wristbands can be purchased and picked up at the official starting location along each route)

Dress in your favorite holiday attire (prizes will be awarded for best holiday spirit, using hashtag #SMPCSpirit to enter)

Bring your ticket to collect official wristband at your designated starting location (5-9:30 pm)

Download the Official Map at check-in Eat, Drink & Be Merry and Spread Holiday Cheer!

Man Arrested for Robbing Two Santa Monica Adult Toy Shops

Kelly Blake Carr arrested in connection to robberies at

Adult

Love Boutique and Secret Desires

Charges have been filed against a man for robbing two Santa Monica adult toy stores.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), on December 3 around 4:30 p.m., officers responded to an armed robbery at Adult Love Boutique, located at 1319 Santa Monica Boulevard. The employee told police the suspect was armed with a handgun and stole US Currency before he fled.

“Officers arrived in less than two minutes and noticed a male changing his clothing near the crime scene and attempted to detain him. The male, later identified as Kelly B. Carr, disobeyed the officers’ commands, and fled on his bicycle,” the SMPD said.

Officers gave chase and eventually detained Carr in the BMW dealership parking lot at 12th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. While he was fleeing from officers, Carr discarded his backpack and the replica handgun used in the commission of the robbery, however, those items were recovered. Officers also located the stolen cash and a clear plastic baggie containing a white crystalline substance resembling methamphetamine in Carr’s possession.

“During the detention, Carr admitted to the crime and during a field show-up the employee and witness both positively identified him as the suspect,” the SMPD said.

Carr was booked for robbery, delaying arrest and possession of methamphetamine. Officers also discovered Carr had a warrant out of Desoto Parish Sheriff’s County for burglary as well as an out-of-state warrant for possession of cocaine.

SMPD Detectives were able to link Carr to an incident that occurred on October 16, 2022, when Carr entered Secret Desires at 2432 Lincoln Boulevard, selected items then walked to the register before producing a handgun, and demanding money. Carr then fled on his bicycle before the police arrived.

Detectives believe that Carr may be responsible for other robberies in the area that may lead to additional charges. Anyone with any additional information pertaining to these incidents or suspect is encouraged to contact Detective I. Tavera at 310-458-2201 ext. 2256 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310458-8426.

P.O.P. – A Positive & Optimistic Place in Santa Monica’s History

OPIN ION SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

It’s the Holidays again, and we hope your spirits of joy and happiness are being well celebrated! In continuation of about remembering Santa Monica’s past and influences on local development here, we would like to turn the page back once again to memorialize a moment in time that was positive and festive in our city’s history.

Most of us know or have heard of Pacific Ocean Park, widely referred to as “P.O.P.” (not to be confused with Pacific Park). P.O.P., in its time, brought joy and happiness to city residents, families, and visitors from all over. It was like a little mirror, an extension of the happiest place on earth, Disneyland, but closer for most Angelenos, and it was at our beach!

P.O.P. opened more than half a century ago on Saturday, July 28, 1958, with an attendance of about 20,000. The next day, it drew 37,262, outperforming Disneyland. Admission was 90 cents for adults. This was a local amusement park that transformed the old carnival-style

beach and pier concepts into a new Space-age architecture and Science fiction themes of the late 1950s representing America’s optimism for its future, full of our culture’s promises and dreams for a better tomorrow. It was a place full of fun, hope, happiness, and fantasy, a place to come together and enjoy, and that’s what a great amusement park is all about.

There were notable contributors to its concept and design; for example, the MidCentury Architectural firm Pereira & Luckman, which developed many noted structures in Southern California, including the iconic Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport, CBS Television City, and Marineland of the Pacific. These were a lasting part of our unique identity here in Los Angeles, and P.O.P. symbolized Santa Monica and relaxed, fun beach living. Fred Harpman, who had designed portions of Disneyland’s Main Street, also had a major role in its design, who had designed much of Disneyland’s Main Street.

Many of P.O.P.’s designs were examples of what is known as “Googie Design,” The iconic and unique genius of this design style in a relatively brief era in our history was represented there and should be remembered. For example, there was a sizeable starfish-

shaped structure at the entrance (mirroring the LAX icon), creatively mixing nautical elements with the then-inspired modern space age-sci-fi. Some of the famous rides included:

• Sea Serpent Roller Coaster

• Mystery Island Banana Train Ride

• Flight to Mars

• Davey Jones Locker

• Round the World in 80 Turns

• Flying Dutchman

• Space Wheels

• And many others….

Also, there was the Fisherman’s Cove and the International Promenade, with international restaurants and stores.

P.O.P. symbolized a unique and special time when America dreamed of how once impossible things could become a reality if we had the vision, belief, and determination

MOW West will deliver more than 210,000 meals in 2022.

Willie Mae’s Opens in Venice Just South of Santa Monica

Legendary New Orleans fried chicken restaurant now open for in-person dining

By Dolores Quintana

FOOD & SHELTER: As formerly homeless people are housed, MOW West delivers healthy meals and referrals to additional social services that help maintain stability, health & wellness and reintegrate into society.

Willie Mae’s Venice has officially opened as of December 9. The New Orleans-based restaurant’s newest location is at 324 Lincoln Blvd. The granddaughter of Willie Mae, Kerry Seaton Stewart said, “The opening of Willie Mae’s Venice has been great! We are so happy to be serving our guests in our full-service dining room. We look forward the what the future brings.”

Per the press release for Willie Mae’s, “Willie Mae’s Venice will feature a Louisiana-inspired dining room where guests can enjoy the restaurant’s full menu which is highlighted by The Taste of New Orleans offering the ability to try two pieces of Willie Mae’s signature bonein fried chicken, tasters of three iconic sides including gumbo, and of course cornbread. In addition to bone-in fried chicken, the menu will also include baked chicken and chicken tenders along with guest favorite sides – red beans,

butter beans, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and yams.”

The press release also tells the story of Willie Mae’s and how the restaurant came to Los Angeles, “The James Beard Awardwinning restaurant is led by Willie Mae’s great-granddaughter Kerry Seaton-Stewart who has been at the helm since 2007. Guests visiting the Venice location will often find Kerry in the dining room or in the kitchen, furthering her family’s legacy of famous fried chicken and great Southern hospitality. The Los Angeles Willie Mae’s team also includes Lowell Sharron (HiHo Cheeseburger, UOVO and Matu), Kerry’s husband Mike Stewart, as well as Jerry Greenberg (Sushi Nozawa Group, HiHo Cheeseburger, UOVO, and Matu).”

Willie Mae’s is also available for catering, in-store to-go orders as well as nationwide shipping on Goldbelly.

Thanksgiving

Marianne, Food & Shelter client

REFER VOLUNTEER DONATE

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Volunteers call clients weekly for friendly conversations that reduce isolation and loneliness. The Wellness Check monitors and reports health & wellness with a focus on mental health. Referrals are made to other needed social service agencies.

SUPPORTING VETERANS ON THE HOMEFRONT: Meals are delivered to veterans of all ages and their spouses at no cost, reducing the isolation of older veterans and helping younger veterans adjust to civilian life.

KEEPING PEOPLE & PETS TOGETHER: Providing pet food and and veterinarian care to clients who have pets living with them at home. Studies show pets make people happier and healthier.

85% of Meals on Wheels West clients report "the meals and volunteer visits help me to remain living in my home."

DELIVERING MORE THAN A MEAL: MOW West’s core, heritage program that delivers a LA County dietitian approved hot lunch and light dinner to homebound seniors. Our Wellness Check monitors the health and wellness of MOW West clients. 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Santa Monica’s Annual Polar Bear Swim Returns This Weekend at Annenberg Community Beach House

SMa.r.t. Column, from page 9

Event

set for December 18 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The annual Polar Bear Swim at the Annenberg Community Beach House will take place on Sunday, December 18, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

“The Polar Bear Swim is a no-judgment zone with all ages and abilities welcome. Participants can choose to dip their toes in the ocean, take a quick plunge, or go for the 300yard swim around the buoy. After the ocean experience, attendees can warm up with a hot chocolate, take a dip in the Beach House historic heated pool, or take a selfie with the event’s very own polar bear mascot. Creative swimwear is encouraged,” the City of Santa Monica said in a press release.

Registration costs $10 and includes admission to the Annenberg Community Beach House heated pool and hot showers as well as hot chocolate on the pool deck. Youth

under the age of eight and under four feet tall must be accompanied by an adult in the pool at all times.

Admission: $10/adults, $5/senior adults 60+, $4/youth ages 1-17. In-person registration will be available but may be limited on the day of the event.

To register online, visit https:// apm.activecommunities.com/ santamonicarecreation/Activity_Search/89000

Polar bear swim highlights:

• 10 a.m. – Check in at Guest Services and head to the shoreline, and pool is open

• 10:15 a.m. – Polar Bear Swim begins with kids, followed by adults and a 300-yard buoy swim

• 1 p.m. – Event end

For more information about the Polar Bear Swim and the Annenberg Community Beach House, call 310-458-4904, email beach.house@santamonica.gov or visit annenbergbeachhouse.com.

to work together for the long haul rather than settling for an easier objective in the short-term or, worse yet, giving up. Let us acknowledge this and memorialize this significant time in our history.

P.O.P. was also a place to hear live music ranging from Frank Sinatra and Lawrence Welk to Pink Floyd and Janis Joplin, reflecting our changing cultural spectrum. It was also a place that supported community events. It played an important positive and constructive role because it reinforced the Santa Monica image of being a beach location, a place to come to relax and enjoy the happier and simple things that Santa Monica offers. It marked our unique contribution to the fabric of Los Angeles.

Some years after, there were higherthan-expected maintenance and repair costs coupled with the daunting economic pressures of redesigning and building new rides and attractions to keep visitors coming. All that was combined with management issues and a decline in income and visitors, which was exacerbated by a real estate development “vision” to clean up the area, ripping down numerous original (historical) beach bungalows and other vintage architecture to build new high-rises (Santa Monica Shores), tearing up many of the roads leading to P.O.P., terminally hindering traffic access and helping to hammer the final nail in the coffin.

There were monies owed for rent and back taxes and creditors, including the City of Santa Monica, who moved legally to collect, and P.O.P. closed on October 6, 1967, and its assets were auctioned off. Some of the rides were purchased and still exist elsewhere.

The proceeds were used to pay off creditors, and then the dilapidated ruins became a favorite surfing area and hangout for derelicts and drug users. Then a series of fires, criminal activity, and vandalism finally destroyed it completely. It was demolished in the winter of 1974-75. What remains are only some underwater pilings and signs warning of them; to the north, the original Santa Monica Pier features a newer amusement park, similarly called Pacific Park.

Nothing can be done about what’s happened. However, we can make a symbolic memorial to P.O.P., documenting its existence for our residents and visitors. Santa Monica residents

like Richard Orton have made an attractive proposal for Santa Monica to build a small P.O.P. memorial with a design to be approved describing its history. This would be located across from the Santa Monica Shores near the bike path near P.O.P.’s location. It would be a place to read about the location’s history, see some photos and have another place to sit and relax.

Many residents here during that time would appreciate the value of acknowledging this special time in history. Since that section of the beach is relatively empty, there would be minimal impact on the area. P.O.P. was a great place, and it deserves homage rather than to be left as a wisp of memory. As it was one of the happiest places on Earth, it’s not much to ask.

Michael Jolly, AIRCRE

S.M.a.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, Planning Commissioner; Marc Verville, M.B.A. City Audit Sub-Committee Member, CPA-inactive; Michael Jolly AIRCRE

A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT OF ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE, OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411 ET SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE). SANTA MONICA MIRROR to publish 12/16/2022, 12/23/2022, 12/30/2022, and 01/03/2023

SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dr. Louise Jaffe, Chair; Barry Snell, Vice Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff; Dr. Nancy Greenstein; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Rob Rader; Dr. Sion Roy; Catalina Fuentes Aguirre, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu