Hello Santa Monica! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Afterglow: Portraits By Sam Comen Exhibition at the Santa Monica Pier and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the fish say when she hit a wall? 🤔 (Answer below!)
• SMMUSD Names Thomas Piland Chief Communications Officer (smdp.com) — Santa Monica-Malibu Unified has hired Thomas Piland as its new chief communications officer, a role that will shape how families and staff receive information from the district. With a background in public administration, marketing and crisis communications, Piland says he's eager to return to Santa Monica and Malibu and focus on transparent, bilingual outreach and stronger community engagement.
• Historic El Niño keeps the Atlantic calm as Pacific becomes a storm factory (lynnwoodtimes.com) — Waters in Santa Monica Bay have been running about 6°F warmer than normal, with buoy readings near 74°F and NOAA classifying the region in a marine heatwave. Linked to a strong El Niño and longer‑running ocean warmth, these conditions could influence local weather, marine life, and beach experiences through the end of 2026.
• Cigarette Surfboard: Santa Monica Native's Ocean Activism Film (smdp.com) — A Santa Monica-raised surfer and filmmaker has turned thousands of cigarette butts collected from local beaches into a working "cigarette surfboard," now featured in a new documentary. The film, premiering online Sept. 15–27, highlights pollution along Santa Monica's coastline and shows how grassroots cleanup efforts with groups like Heal the Bay can inspire broader policy changes far beyond the city.
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Ok Santa Monica! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Dam! (Thank you George G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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