Open Santa Monica

Tar & Roses – Santa Monica

2012-02-23T06:05:01Z

Tar & Roses has been humming and happening ever since it opened just under a month ago. Named after the tasting notes characteristic of wine made from Nebbiolo grapes, Tar & Roses serves up big and small plates in a lively neighborhood setting. I came in for dinner last week with my friends and fellow food [...]

Seasons 52 Opens This Fall in Santa Monica

2012-02-23T05:53:55Z

Not only is Seasons 52 opening in Santa Monica, the calorie counting True Food Kitchen-esque chain is also headed to Century City. Seasons 52 in Santa Monica at Palisades Promenade is still on target to open this coming fall, meanwhile Seasons 52 in the Westfield Century City Mall will debut shortly thereafter.

Much like its other locations spread throughout mostly the South Eastern part of the country, the SaMo and Century City restaurants will have a warm-wooded contemporary chainy feel as seen over right, plus a piano bar, a chef's table, two private dining rooms for Century City, and three private dining rooms in Santa Monica.
&#183Seasons 52 Moving into I Cugini Space in SaMo [~ELA~]

Santa Monica Pier

2012-02-23T00:25:57Z

The Santa Monica Pier on Monday, February 20, 2012.

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook

Oscar-worthy recipes for this Sunday

2012-02-22T22:28:57Z

The 84th Academy Awards take place this Sunday at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, and are said to have a more comfortable feeling about them compared to award shows of the past. With a nine-time returning host (Billy Crystal...

21st Annual Santa Monica Festival

2012-02-22T16:00:51Z

The Santa Monica Festival is a unique event that highlights the dynamic connection between the City’s communities, businesses, arts and environment while offering ideas and solutions for a greener, healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Presented for California’s most celebrated beach city, the 21st annual Santa Monica Festival offers an eclectic mix of live music and dance, delicious food, DIY art workshops with recycled and repurposed materials, guilt-free shopping featuring…

Time:May 19, 2012 from 11am to 6pm
Location:Clover Park
Street:2600 Ocean Park Blvd
City/Town:Santa Monica, CA 90403
Website or Map:http://www.smgov.net/festival
Phone:310-458-8350
Export to Outlook or iCal (.ics)

Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar Closing: Everything Must Go

2012-02-22T07:03:32Z

Approaching its three-year anniversary, Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar announces its closure. Currently in escrow, a Japanese buyer will open another wine bar in the same space called 104 by the Sea. ...

Continue reading "Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar Closing: Everything Must Go" >

Santa Monica-Based Joost Media Launch Online Sitcom ‘Game Night’

2012-02-22T07:01:00Z

Santa Monica-based Joost Media, the owner and operator site of www.joost.com, a digital brand solutions company has kicked off “Game Night,” an original online sitcom series where everyone is a player. Episode one and two of the series launched on Joost.com earlier this month on Sunday, Feb. 5. “Game Night” is a wacky, upbeat, multi-ethnic online sitcom about four friends discovering their own unique identities and finding their place in society and all of its trappings. Their weekly game nights serve as the backdrop for their exuberant stories, experiences and ultimately, their altercations. Life, love, laughter – it’s all part of the game. “We are thrilled to have ‘Game Night’ to share with our audience on Joost,” said Phillip Nakov, Head of Programming and Acquisitions at www.joost.com. “The timing and comedy are so relevant to what people are watching online today.” Ashwin Gore, star and creator of “Game Night," said there very few comedies online these days that are a true representation of the cultural melting pot that America is. "Our aim with ‘Game Night’ is to bring these different cultures together in hilarious circumstances and reach a diverse audience," Gore said. "Joost.com was the perfect place to do this." Log on to www.joost.com to catch “Game Night.”

ElliptiGO: Ride The Outdoor Elliptical Bicycle In Santa Monica

2012-02-22T05:43:00Z

If you’re of either the walk, run, bike, or skate variety and frequent the beach path in Santa Monica, then it’s likely you’ve seen the ElliptiGO. The self-proclaimed “outdoor elliptical bicycle,” the rider assumes a standing position while striding as one would on an indoor elliptical – but gets to experience the freedom and cardiovascular benefits of an outdoor bike. Sure, it looks a bit silly. But here’s the thing: If you’ve ever been injured and told you can’t walk or run for months or if you are a professional athlete who has been told to rest due to overuse but can’t fathom the idea of forfeiting the training – then the ElliptiGO is your savior. Imagine getting to work out just weeks after surgery. Imagine doing it outside while burning the equivalent calories to being in a gym on an elliptical. Imagine, if you tune it right, replacing portions of your endurance training with half the time on the ElliptiGO and performing better and faster without wearing or tearing your joints and tendons. Perhaps the ElliptiGO is a dream come true for recovering and training athletes because it was made by, and for, professional athletes, Bryan and Brent. Iron men by sport (Bryan and Brent) and Engineer (Brent) by training came up with the idea when Bryan was sidelined by years of endurance sport and told to seek something with low impact. Sound familiar? It happens every day to endurance athletes, and almost just as often to people who aren’t even runners by profession. As such, the presence of the ElliptiGO is on the rise. Last weekend, I had the pleasure of taking the ElliptiGO out for a test ride – and while this is the first time I’ve seen one carving up the Santa Monica bike path, there were several cyclists and runners who, in passing, hailed “hi!” to the ElliptiGO. At first, I was a bit hesitant. Imagine mounting a bike, but standing the whole time. Sure, it’s steady (and if you can ride a two-wheeler then you can ride the ElliptiGO) but it took me a few seconds to wrap my mind around the concept of breaks and gears (bike-style) while standing and doing the stride and motions that I associate with the stationary elliptical. But after practicing mounting, switching gears, and gracefully stopping, I was ready to get my workout on. Speeding down the bike path, by the time we got from the Hotel Casa del Mar parking lot to Channel Road (about 2.5 miles) my muscles felt warmed up and I was sweating just as I would be had I been running. Impressively, I wasn’t sore at all – not my knees, ankles, or tendons (years ago I was sidelined for several months due to an overused tendon, so these days if anything gets sore from too much impact it’s that pesky tendon). After the round-loop five-mile “run” on the ElliptiGO, I was sold. With the same cardiovascular and physical benefits I like from running, minus the sore ankles, knees, tendons, or hips that we all associate with overuse or old age, the ElliptiGO is great for anyone. Luckily, if you want to give it a whirl, there are two locations in Santa Monica where you can test run (or buy!) the ElliptiGO. Get up, go out, and check it out! To rent one, visit Joey’s Bike and Skate Rentals at 1715 Ocean Front Walk, phone 310. 395.4748. For purchase, visit Performance Bicycle at 501 Broadway, phone 310.451.9977. More information is available at www.elliptigo.com.

Sunday Funday: Take A Visit to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

2012-02-21T22:53:41Z

Sunday Funday: Take A Visit to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium

Have you visited the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium lately? If you haven’t, this Sunday might be the perfect opportunity to do so.

Thanks to Ovo (the Cirque de Solei production in Santa Monica), this Sunday the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is free and open to the public!

The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is a 4,500 square foot aquatic center located at beach level at the Santa Monica Pier. The aquarium is full of hands on exhibits, “touch tanks”, and a wonderful staff to answer any questions you or your child may have about any of the sea creatures! All of the animals in the aquarium can be found in the Santa Monica Bay, so what you and your child are seeing is actually happening below the waters. Cool, right?

Attracting over 85,000 visitors annually, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is not only a great educational resource for Santa Monica residents, but it’s also a big part of the amazing “Heal The Bay” organization. Heal The Bay is an organization supporting the health and preservation of our beloved bay, hosting cleanups, workshops and other events throughout the year.

This Sunday, The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium will be free and open to the public between the hours of 12:30 and 5:00 PM.

Have you ever been to the Pier Aquarium? What did you think? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Photo courtesy of Inazakira’s Flickr

Santa Monica Real Estate Voice | Community News, Local Events, and Real Estate Market Info - Your neighborhood hub for community news, local events, and real estate information in Santa Monica.

21st ANNUAL SANTA MONICA FESTIVAL

2012-02-21T21:27:51Z

21st ANNUAL SANTA MONICA FESTIVAL

2012-02-21T21:27:51Z

BGCSM Secures Triple Play Grant from Anthem Blue Cross

2012-02-21T22:12:36Z

ANTHEM BLUE CROSS FOUNDATION GIVES $6,500 IN GRANTS TO BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SANTA MONICA

Grants provided for expansion of the Health & Wellness Program Triple Play

Santa Monica, Calif., February 20, 2012 — As childhood obesity rates continue to climb in America, Anthem Blue Cross Foundation is partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to instill healthy habits in children. The foundation provided two grants totaling $6,500 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica (SMBGC) to help teach youth healthy habits for their bodies and minds. Both grants are part of $66,000 in grants to various Boys & Girls Clubs in California to expand Triple Play programming, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s health and wellness program proven to demonstrate how eating right, keeping fit and forming positive relationships add up to a healthy lifestyle.

Anthem Blue Cross Foundation provided a $5,000 Healthy Habits grant to SMBGC, which is used to continue to teach Club youth the importance of healthy eating habits and being physically active. SMBGC also received a $1,500 grant for a Gamesroom Tournament to bring Club members together for fun competitions that challenge their minds and build friendships.

A part of Triple Play, the Healthy Habits program includes curriculum-based and cooking classes to encourage healthy habits while explaining the importance of nutritious food – with ingredients coming from SMBGC’s newly built edible garden. In addition, Club staff conduct healthy eating and body image discussions in the teen program. The Club constantly promotes healthy eating choices by providing nutritious snacks and meals to members. SMBGC’s Healthy Habits programming will continue into the summer.

Thanks to Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, SMBGC also held its First Annual Triple Play Gamesroom Tournament on November 19, 2011. The day was filled with fun, competition, sportsmanship and friendship. Members of SMBGC’s Main, Pacific and JAMS Branches and members from BGC of the Foothills (Monrovia) competed in Ping Pong and Pool for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place medals. The overall winner of the festival, BGC of the Foothills, was awarded the Triple Play Championship banner.

“We’re thrilled to have the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation as a co-sponsor of the Triple Play program and thank them for the work they are doing to make sure that we are continuously able to bring the program to our youth,” says Aaron Young, President and CEO of SMBGC. “Anthem Blue Cross is truly committed to improving the health of kids and families, and the grants provided to Boys & Girls Clubs make an immediate, positive difference in the lives and futures of our Club members.”

A recent study of more than 2,000 children ages 9-14 who attend Boys & Girls Clubs showed that Triple Play succeeded in getting them to exercise more, eat healthier foods and feel better about themselves. Triple Play kids increased to 90 percent of the federally recommended amount of daily exercise, which is 60 minutes a day for children, while their peers outside the program decreased to 78 percent.

All grants provided by Anthem Blue Cross are part of a three-year, $5 million commitment from Anthem Blue Cross’ parent company foundation to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to promote youth health.

To see Facebook Photos of our Games Room Tournament & Healthy Habits Garden click here!

About Triple Play

Triple Play, a Game Plan for the Mind, Body and Soul, is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s proven health and wellness program. Supported by founding sponsor Coca-Cola and co-sponsor Anthem Blue Cross Foundation the program encourages Club members to eat healthier (mind), become more physically active (body) and increase their ability to engage in healthy relationships (soul). Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) launched Triple Play in 2005, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services and with support from The Coca-Cola Company. A two-year study of more than 2,000 children ages 9-14 showed that Triple Play succeeded in getting them to exercise more, eat healthier foods and feel better about themselves. The study found that Triple Play kids increased to 90 percent of the federally recommended amount of daily exercise, which is 60 minutes a day for children, while their peers outside the program decreased to 78 percent. To date, Triple Play has helped more than one million kids learn the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition. In 2011, the WellPoint Foundation joined BGCA and Coca-Cola as a Triple Play sponsor. Learn more about the program at www.bgca.org/tripleplay.

About The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica

Founded in 1944, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica currently serves approximately 7,000 youth through memberships and community outreach. They come from all over Los Angeles County, largely from Santa Monica, Venice, West Los Angeles and Inglewood. Members pay a $20 annual fee for access to all Club amenities and programs that span across education, leadership, recreation and more. The Club operates with the objective of serving children from all backgrounds, regardless of economic circumstances – ensuring that youth ages 7 to 18 have a safe and nurturing environment to develop socially, succeed in school, stay physically active and prepare for positive futures. For more information, visit us at www.begreatsantamonica.org, or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/smbgcfan) and Twitter (twitter.com/SMBGC).

About Anthem Blue Cross Foundation

Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association promotes Anthem Blue Cross’s inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that the company serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s annual associate giving campaign and its parent foundation provides a 50 percent match of associates’ campaign pledges. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association.

About Anthem Blue Cross

Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross name and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.

Contact:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica

Jennifer Vides, Director of Development

310.361.8520

JVides@smbgc.org

The $350M Village at Santa Monica to create 1,500 jobs

2012-02-20T13:48:24Z

The Village at Santa Monica will feature 318 luxury condos including roughly 160 affordable apartments on Ocean Avenue. Replete with access to the beach and views of Palos Verdes to Point Dume, the Village will also create a mixed...

Hot Dog on a Stick

2012-02-21T20:00:00Z

Lenny Hoops sings, “Hot Dog on a Stick” at the Santa Monica Boardwalk on Monday, February 20, 2012.

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook

Santa Monica Purse Snatcher Located Using DNA Test

2012-02-21T01:56:00Z

This story started way back on Oct. 24, 2011 when officers of the Santa Monica Police Department responded to the 2300 block of 14th Street in order to investigate a report of a strong-arm robbery.
When the officers arrived at the scene, they spoke with the victim, a woman, who told them that she had been walking on the east side of the 2300 block of 14th Street when a man had run up behind her and grabbed her purse.
This man had then tried to pull it away and during her attempts to hold on to the purse the victim had been thrown down onto the ground. The man had let go of the purse when passers-by had come to the woman’s assistance, and he had then run away.
The officers conducted a search of the area at that time, but they could not find the suspect. The officers retained the woman’s purse for evidence, and took it away for forensics to obtain some evidence from it.
The experts at forensics took a number of DNA swabs from the purse and these were sent to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Crime Lab for processing. The DNA analysis gave the officers a “hit” and in late January 2012 a suspect was identified.
A warrant for this man was issued and on Feb. 6, 2012 the suspect, a 20-year-old Los Angeles resident, was found and arrested. This man was charged with attempted robbery and his bail was set at $50,000.
Editor's Note: These reports are part of a regular police coverage series entitled "Alert Police Blotter" (APB), which injects some minor editorial into certain police activities in Santa Monica. Not all of the Mirror's coverage of incidents involving police are portrayed in this manner. More serious crimes and police-related activities are regularly reported without editorial in the pages of the Santa Monica Mirror and its website, smmirror.com.

HEADS UP

2012-02-21T00:49:35Z

Children take turns kicking heads into the bucket at the Santa Monica Boardwalk during the Lenny Hoops children’s show on Monday, February 20, 2012.

Santa Monica Close-up on Facebook

Back a Youth!

2012-02-20T19:29:28Z

For nearly 70 years – and for just $20 per year - the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica has offered youth have a safe place to be when they’re not at school, and programs that enhance their educational, civic, leadership and arts abilities. The cost per youth is nearly $1,000, but we make it affordable because the unconditional support and backing of our caring staff results in improved self-esteem, expanded skills, and a brighter future.

This is only made possible thanks to the support of people like you, who choose to Back a Youth by sponsoring the cost of sending a child – or children – to SMBGC for a year, a month or a week. Consider:

Each $20 gift will Back a Youth for one week (52 cover one year)
Each $84 gift will Back a Youth for one month (12 cover one year)
Each $168 gift will Back two Youths for one month (12 cover one year)
Each $1,000 gift will Back a Youth for one year

Please support our Back-a-Youth campaign today.

What does your support pay for?

In 2011 we upgraded our aging facilities, which serve as the foundation for our organization, and continued the process of enhancing our programs, which help us to grow the educational, civic, athletic and leadership abilities of our young people. In 2012, we’ll focus our efforts on improving our ability to make an impact on the young people who come to our Clubs. Initiatives include continuing to expand and improve our programs including College Bound and Be Great Graduate, expanding our child development training for our Club staff, and adding new sites so that we can reach more young people across the L.A. area.

We are grateful for your support – it is critical to our success.

The Pitter-Patter of Bump 'N' Grind :Bongo Fury Returns To Harvelle's (Long Beach)

2012-02-20T11:50:00Z

Dateline : February 17 2012. Long Beach, CA

The return of Bongo Fury - Walter Davis' afro-cuban-latin-jazz-burlesque night - a huge draw in Santa Monica a couple of years ago now back into production at the Harvelle's in Long Beach. It's been well documented in this blog that BF is responsible for the very inception of my relationship with Harvelle's, Walter and Carolina; the reason I perform poetry is due in part to the encouragement of Walter.

Carolina Cerisola (right->) has inspired many photos, a poem or two, and her spirit and life outlook have kept me lifted. She is very wise, a true internationalist and someone whose moves I follow (figuratively and literally). With her business partner Sascha Escandon, they have created The Floor, and this Friday (Feb 24) they kick-off Friday Kind Of Love - at Harvelle's Long Beach; an exciting new night where the groove is set to sweet sweet soul.

Although her heart and home is Buenos Aires, Argentina, Carolina is a fixture in Hollywood, she's a heroine to some and inspires others she doesn't even know. When people speak of her without her present it is always with reverie and joy. I see the look on people's faces when she dances; they smile. They forget everything else. They're mesmerized and elated by her every movement. She makes people happy by dancing.

It was great to see Bongo Fury again. Walter's group - which reunites drummer Asa and percussionist Timbali also features Shadarius Shields on bass - laid down the tribal wickedness, and brought out the afro/latin/cuban vibe without kitsch. Dancer Zepha (<-left) took to the new room like a fish to water - if a fish had hips - and worked the room like she'd been there a million times before. This simple combo of cool jazzy live music with ridiculously talented dancers is a winner every time! (The show also features DJ Paper spinning club hits, hip-hop, oldies, soul and eclectica.)

There are lots of burlesque shows in town.

There are a couple of great ones - shows I try to never miss, but Bongo Fury has a special place in my heart and no matter where or when it happens, I'm there!

Thanks - the BF crew (Walter, Asa, Tim, Shadarius, Carolina & Zepha), DJ Paper, Ryan, Doug, Dana and David. Happy Birthday Cevin!!

Learn Acrobatic Acts At Aerial Studio In Santa Monica

2012-02-19T07:02:00Z

The circus is in town and magic is in the air. But it’s not the type where you sit, riveted, trying to figure out the secret behind the trick; it’s the kind where you sit, in marvel, thinking “how ever did they train their bodies to do that?” Luckily, you won’t have to wonder any longer, and you can even experience it in first person right here in Santa Monica thanks to the recent opening of TSNY Aerial Studio 1. If you’ve been on the Santa Monica Pier in the past three years, the name TSNY should sound familiar – it’s the owning name of the first SoCal TSNY location, which is an outdoor trapeze school located east of the Ferris wheel. Aerial Studio 1 is the close-by indoor version that hosts the equipment for the expanding array of circus arts that couldn’t fit next to the gigantic trampoline and apparati at the original location. Standing tall a store or two south of Wilshire on 7th Street, Aerial Studio 1 is almost as narrow as it is tall. The studio itself has floor to ceiling windows, wood floors hidden by gymnastic mats, and the most eye-catching components of all – the thick ribbons of rainbow silks, the lyra, and the static trapeze dangling from the ceiling. I know – the what? Offering several classes each day (private or group) the Aerial Studio 1 can teach you how to wrap, hang, bend, swing, and pose from a smorgasbord of circus art equipment: Silks: Rigged from the ceiling and doubled so you have two pieces to use, the “silk” is a strong and slightly stretchy fabric. Students learn to wrap and climb, pose, and fall. Lyra: Imagine a hanging hoola-hoop. Used mostly for static or swinging acrobatic poses. Static Trapeze: In contrast to the flying trapeze, the static trapeze hangs straight from the ceiling and is used as a mode of display for the artist to work through each acrobatic routine. Wondering whether you should stop by? I would say it’s worth a visit for everyone (even if you just watch). You will like Aerial Studio 1 if you are or ever were a yogi, gymnast, or dancer. Most students tend to be female and in their early teens or mid-20s to late 30s. The youngest participant is a six-year-old boy (and the oldest, a late-60s self-described adrenaline junkie grandma). The recommended attire is anything fitted, and whatever won’t fall over your head if you are upside down. Items of note: Expect the addition of a trampoline in the near future. Aerial Studio 1 is open for intermediate and independent artists for a flat rate. It’s also available for birthday parties. TSNY: Aerial Studio 1 1207 7th Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 310.576.7900 losangeles.trapezeschool.com

Tamboura Babtiste plays, "Let it Be"

2012-02-19T05:17:10Z

Tamboura Babtiste plays "Let it Be," (by the Beatles) on his violin at the Santa Monica Boardwalk on Friday, February 17, 2012. A classically trained violini...