Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What SMMUSD’s new communications chief means for local families

Also, don't miss Afterglow: Portraits By Sam Comen Exhibition at the Santa Monica Pier on the Santa Monica Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Monday September 14th Patch AM
Monday September 14th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Santa Monica! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What SMMUSD's new communications chief means for local families
  • Why Santa Monica Bay's unusually warm water matters for your fall
  • How a Santa Monica surfer turned beach trash into global activism

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!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 78 and low of 67 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Humid, temps: high: 77, low: 68.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 75 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• 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.
   

📸 Around Santa Monica

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Santa Monica

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Santa Monica Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Santa Monica PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Spanish United Network honors former Mayor Phil Brock —Phil Brock Read on Patch
  • Bigger school, bigger kids, still couldn't beat Lighthouse —Michael Ashcraft Read on Patch
  • Lighthouse SEALs —Michael Ashcraft Read on Patch
  • Dreamscape Hospitality posted a job opening for Security Guard in Santa Monica. Apply here.
  • Savant Senior Living posted a job opening for Activities Assistant in Culver City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Santa Monica here.

🗞 Nearby News

Marina del Rey

Culver City

  • Drew Barrymore (ign.com)
  • 'Unreleased AAA 2D fighting game' is having playtests this weekend and here's why I believe this unknown project might be Injustice 3 (eventhubs.com)
  • This Morning at Ground Zero, Hero Terry Strada Shamed Leaders That Chose Saudi Arabia Over the Dead (rairfoundation.com)

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!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Santa Monica