Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Santa Monica Says Business Permits Are Moving Faster Amid Economic Slump

Happening soon: Passacaglia Chamber Music Concert: Cello & Piano on the Santa Monica Patch calendar

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Saturday October 10th Patch AM
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Hello Santa Monica! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Santa Monica speeds permits and cuts fees to revive local business
  • Santa Monica man in high-profile assault case found dead at home
  • How Lana Negrete would reshape homelessness, the airport and downtown

Also on today's calendar: Passacaglia Chamber Music Concert: Cello & Piano and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: An afternoon shower in spots, with a high of 76 and low of 68 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly cloudy, a little rain, temps: high: 72, low: 63.
  • Monday: Partly sunny, showers around, with a high of 69 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Santa Monica Says Business Permits Are Moving Faster Amid Economic Slump (patch.com) — Santa Monica is touting faster business permitting, fee reductions, and new financial incentives as it tries to revive a local economy still lagging behind neighboring cities. From microgrants and outdoor dining breaks to a $3 million economic fund and full police staffing downtown, officials hope streamlined processes and safety improvements will attract more businesses and visitors, especially around the Third Street Promenade.
   

2. Santa Monica Man Accused Of UCLA Student Kidnapping, Rape Found Dead: Report (patch.com) — Santa Monica residents are learning that a 26-year-old local man, previously accused in high-profile kidnapping and sexual assault cases in Westwood and Culver City, was found dead by suicide at his family's San Vicente Boulevard home. Authorities report no foul play, and his attorney stresses that the serious allegations tied to the Santa Monica man had not been proven in court at the time of his death.
   

3. Santa Monica Council Candidate Spotlight: Lana Negrete (patch.com) — Santa Monica voters get a close look at council candidate and former mayor Lana Negrete, who lays out detailed positions on homelessness, housing mandates, the airport's 2028 closure, and downtown recovery. She emphasizes shifting resources toward mental health and permanent housing, creating a large public park at the airport site, revitalizing Third Street Promenade with business incentives, and balancing bike-friendly streets with emergency access and commuter needs.
   

4. Santa Monica's deterioration could be the opportunity of a lifetime now (latination.com) — Santa Monica is grappling with an 11% citywide retail vacancy rate and especially severe empty storefronts around Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place, pressuring city finances. Local leaders are responding with a $3 million downtown investment, new entertainment zones, stepped-up policing, and efforts to attract tenants and visitors, while still managing fallout from a massive legal settlement and shifting tourism patterns.
   

5. Nevada Steps Up With Illinois and Other States in Leading US Tourism Revenue Through Record Visitor Spending in 2026 (travelandtourworld.com) — Santa Monica is projecting a strong tourism year, with hotel revenue expected to top $400 million in 2026 and occupancy rising as more visitors choose local beachfront stays, restaurants, and attractions. While the piece compares several major U.S. destinations, it highlights how Santa Monica's growing visitor spending and improving hotel demand may buck weaker statewide and national international-arrival trends, supporting local jobs and businesses.
   

📸 Around Santa Monica

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Monica

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📣 Santa Monica Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Santa Monica mirror Columnist Charles Andrews endorses me for Santa Monica City Council! —Phil Brock Read on Patch
  • Creating a robust, safe, and diverse commercial environment scaled properly to SM is essential! —Phil Brock Read on Patch
  • Popsicles broke the heat of the barn —Michael Ashcraft Read on Patch
  • How do local housing policies actually function in Santa Monica? —Phil Brock Read on Patch
  • Eliza and Angelica are looking for homes!!
    These sweet 7 month old kittens have full vet records and documentation. They can go together or by themselves, and both get along with other cats… (Nextdoor Pico)
  • I am new to Santa Monica and will need to board my female Corgi for a few days in early November.
    I am looking for recommendations, especially those that board at their home. TIA! (Nextdoor Santa Monica Center)
  • Albertsons Company posted a job opening for Retail Sales and Store Support in Santa Monica. Apply here.
  • Oak St. Health posted a job opening for Store Associate in Santa Monica. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Monica here.

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: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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