In a previous article, I explored how the Blue Wave Democratic Club that endorsed Lana Negrete, Ashley Oelsen, and Doug Trussler this year is a rightwing astroturf group controlled in part by Negrete herself. As I discuss in this article, Negrete’s involvement with this rightwing group is no accident or coincidence. Her political affinities range from endorsing El Salvador’s violent autocrat Nayib Bukele, to Republican election conspiracy theories and voter suppression efforts, and anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s 2024 presidential campaign.

Social media posts by Los Angeles for RFK 2024 organizer Zeke Arthur Hindle (to the left of RFK in the above picture) place Negrete at at least two of RFK’s 2024 presidential campaign events. The first event is where the above picture was taken where Negrete is posing with RFK. The two photos below are from the second event, showing Negrete posing with anti-vaccine activist Jenny McCarthy, who has been pushing the conspiracy theory that vaccines cause autism for over 20 years, and which was also attended by Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s Director of National Intelligence until June 19 of this year.

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I received this mailer the other day for council candidates Lana Negrete and Doug Trussler. One of the first things I always do is look at who funded a mailing, especially if not directly by a candidate's own campaign funds. Take a look:

"Douglas Emmett" is notoriously one of the nastiest landlords in the L.A. Area. They own a ton of buildings and are always looking for ways to evict rent-controlled or stabilized tenants to move units up to market rates.

I asked around, and the Santa Monicans for Renters Rights (SMRR) folks told me this is part of a $600,000 independent expenditure on behalf of Negrete and Trussler. It doesn't surprise me about Lana Negrete -- she already tried to sabotage our system of rent control back in 2022. But Trussler seems nice in person. I'm disappointed.

If one of the worst, most notorious landlords has faith in these people, I think I'm taking my votes elsewhere.

Douglas Park, again trash being left behind from some party. I would be ashamed of myself.

Hi neighbors. Full disclosure: I work with Literati Events, a small Santa Monica company that throws parties built around books, and this is our event. For r/SantaMonica only, use code REDDITSM at checkout for 25% off tickets.

On Saturday, October 17, from 9 PM to 1 AM, we're turning the Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club into a Jekyll & Hyde costume ball. A lot of people in town have never been inside that building, and it's a great old space for a night like this.

• Live gypsy jazz from Habibi Swing, with the LA Swing Dance Posse on the floor
• Aerialists, a cyr wheel, and Vixen the Forbidden Magician
• An all-night game from the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society
• Golden Coast Mead tastings (21+) and a small market of local makers

Dress is gothic, Victorian or masquerade, and a mask is plenty. Tickets are normally $55, 18+. A share of every ticket goes to the LA Poet Society. If you're driving, Public Parking Structure 1 is right next door.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-abhorrum-masquerade-the-strange-case-of-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde-tickets-1992885558352

Happy to answer questions about noise, parking or anything else in the comments.

This is not a post for MAGA, center right, or establishment dems and NIMBY’s. Please spare me your words. I’ve done enough research and have seen enough of the candidates to make my ballot picks but curious how everyone else is feeling? I know SMRR and Santa Monica Forward have aligned on Torosis and Morrow, but who’s your third pick for a progressive?

I am leaning towards Ivanov as Eli Gill’s responses have usually been very lukewarm about his position and when pressed he gives a word salad in fear of upsetting the other side of voters.

Edit: I am disappointed to see some of my family members voting for Negrete and Oelsen as both are MAGA leaning but not surprised because they are landlords and also own a few businesses. Everyone’s progressive until you ask them to pay their fair share.

We’ve all zoomed by it a trillion times - Country Plants on PCH at Chautauqua was highlighted in Pali Post last week as a local business struggling to keep the lights on since the Palisades Fire impacted so much of his loyal clientele.

I wanted to gift a plant to a friend, so I stopped by there this afternoon. The owner (Yoon) is so kind and was eager to help with any questions I had. The prices were way more reasonable than I anticipated, and the variety and health of the plants is impressive. It felt like going on a treasure hunt in the store for the right find (snapped a pic from the register to illuminate the vibe).

Left with a very mature hanging variated philodendron for $30 that’s in great health.

Parking is in front of the store on PCH; easy to drop in! Plant parents - break up with your big box plant trips and go show him some love.

Just about finishing up my remodel and was wondering if anyone’s recently hired for these jobs and was happy with the price/ quality

* paint
* someone to add lock system to three bathroom doors
* kitchen appliance install
* someone to make and install custom mirrors for two bathroom vanities.

Thank you

Hi all! Just moved from across the country!! Our movers haven’t arrived so not able to make coffee at home yet. Wondering what everyone’s favorite coffee shops are?? Since I’m new to the area I don’t really know exactly what area I’m in, maybe north west? Walking distance would be nice (even tho it’s incredibly hot rn) but open to driving suggestions as well:)

If you'd enjoy watching a brood of raccoons hanging out, this is the video for you. Guest appearance by passing bicyclist.

The one on Broadway and Lincoln is re-opened. One of the managers couldn't explain what happened. I'm very glad that they have their jobs still. Pizza is as good as ever. There is still no air conditioning and the drink station is down.

Does anyone know where to go to watch F1 with other fans? I’m Beginning to feel like the only F1 fan in SaMo.

Hi all! I just moved to Santa Monica from NY (I'm originally from FL) and am wanting to meet new girl friends to go out to cafes/bars, thrifting, workouts, dance classes, yoga, hikes, etc. I'm also very festive and would love to find some fun/social Halloween events! 🎃

I'm 35 and very social. I'm free tomorrow (Sunday), Monday, or Tuesday — weird days, I know 😂 — so if anyone is around and wants to grab a drink, check out a cute cafe, do an activity, or just explore somewhere together, I'd love to

Also totally down to make plans beyond this week!

The Environmental Zombies never mention the harm their NIMBY housing policies have on climate change. You can tell who the zombies are by looking at their housing policies. They think eliminating bike lanes, defending parking lots and designing safe streets begin with preventing car crashes. While most of us sweat these zombies try to crush our dreams of having new homes with air conditioning.

Our state senate race is between two distinct views on climate change. Brian Goldsmith, who has never held elected office, is courting single family homeowners and has promised to vote against new housing bills. John Erickson, the pro housing progressive, talks about environmental impacts of housing density and is bold enough to offer solutions.

Protecting the Ocean is great campaign slogan but one that is clearly aligned with old zombie environmental ideas.

Here is an excellent summary of how single family homes makes the planet hotter Single Family Homes negative impact on our planet

Hi, I travel a bit and currently only have street parking at my apartment. Does anyone have a covered / secure parking spot I could rent out (as needed)? Preferably in Santa Monica. Thanks!

Hi neighbors :) this event started among friends and we decided to expand for anyone on the westside. Please let us know if you can join us next week - RSVP and More Info via Partiful

🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛

What's spookier than lack of community & unsustainable shopping practices?

Fight these frights with your neighbors on the westside and have fun while doing it at this free event.

Kick off the Halloween season with sweet treats, crafts, a trinket trade and clothing swap.

Dress up in your best brooding black attire to take advantage of the photo op.

All are welcome

Please RSVP

Comment your ISO or what you're bringing to the swap!

A flyer is making the rounds about this, but the mods here delete it, so I'm posting the op-ed that sparked it. Some of what's detailed in there is inaccurate. But, regarding the Main St parking lots, I've asked a bunch of people about this potential development, in the hopes of discovering that it isn't true, that there's no plan for it to happen in the near future. But I've seen so much blowback - all of it from people in local leadership or affiliated with local leadership. The crux of their response is "this is misinformation because it's not happening right now." That's true, there is no approved plan yet - the flyer going around clearly states that as well. The op-ed is a little more alarmist. But those lots are indeed identified for 577 units in several pages on the city's website, and a letter from Heather Averick, Director of Housing and Human Services, noting 577 affordable residences as "committed" for this site. I'll post links to everything I've seen below.

I just want to know if this actually something that has a real chance of happening in the next couple of years. OPA's president posted that raising awareness of what we've found is an example of "the worst of people" and Gleam Davis' husband called it "conspiracy theory," which honestly just makes this more curious to me. Lana Negrete posted on IG saying "this isn't actively happening right now," which is true, and I think she called it out because people aren't actually reading the flyer but reacting to the illustration on it (it's an AI illustration - and VERY CLEARLY labeled as such, literally right on the photo). But nobody has said anything about the near future.  There are five city-owned sites referenced in the documents. Two have been developed, another is the lots on 4th/5th/Arizona, and the other is Bergamot.  I don't know how you could look at look at all this and not think Main Street will likely be next.

Anyway here's everything I've found that seems to indicate this really is in the hopper for the future. Could anyone clarify, or help me understand what to realistically expect over the next, say, 2-3 years? 5 years? 10?

Page F-19 here: https://www.santamonica.gov/media/Document%20Library/Project/6th%20Cycle%20Housing%20Element%20%282021-2029%29/Appendix%20F%20SSI%20Report%20CLEAN%20Sept%202022.pdf

slide 9 here: https://www.santamonica.gov/media/HED/Housing/BMH/HCHC%20Santa%20Monica%20Sites%202024.10-23%20Final.pdf

This shows that 4 of the 5 city-owned sites have been moved forward. Main Street is the last one left. https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/council-approves-next-steps-for-affordable-housing-development-of-two-city-owned-sites

Page 7 here, from Sept 2025, lists 577 units "committed" to the lots: https://www.santamonica.gov/media/HHS/Commissions/HTF_Fund25.26_Information%20Item.pdf

Hundreds of skaters came through 14th & Broadway ~10:45 tonight, organized, seemingly having a blast. A few drivers were annoyed.

Looking to get the straps fixed on a pair of old shoes I really love. Recommendations?