Santa Monica Mirror: Apr 03 - Apr 09, 2026

Conviction upheld for man who killed Santa Monica senior with pickax.

Appellate court ruled that evidence

identifying Davis as the killer was

"overwhelming."

State appellate justices on March 25 affirmed the second-degree murder convictions of Roy Antonio Davis, the man sentenced to life in prison for the 2018 pickax killing of an 88-year-old Santa Monica resident.

California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal issued a 24-page ruling describing the evidence against Davis as "overwhelming." The three justices on the panel also noted that Davis’ lawyer never argued that his client was innocent.

Santa Monica detectives linked the now 34-year-old defendant to the Jan. 1, 2018, death of John Hautz, who was struck in the head and chest with a pickax inside his apartment. Hautz was described as a popular man in his neighborhood.

Less than two weeks later, Davis fatally stabbed 28-year-old Kenneth Schmitt more than 100 times near a Hollywood Boulevard nightclub. The victim had defensive wounds as he fought for his life.

Jurors in the original trial opted for second-degree murder convictions after the defense successfully argued that Davis lacked the specific intent required for firstdegree charges. The appellate panel noted that Davis attempted to evade detection at the Santa Monica scene by locking the front door from the inside and exiting through a rear window.

Davis remains in state prison serving a sentence of 32 years to life.

Gunfire erupts near 4th Street and Olympic Drive, leaving one man dead after a traffic confrontation

Suspects

fled the scene after a vehicle dispute turned

deadly.

Detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Saturday night near the intersection of 4th Street and Olympic Drive following an apparent road rage altercation.

Santa Monica Police Department officers arrived at the scene at approximately 10:30 p.m., where they discovered an adult male with a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts by police and Santa Monica Fire Department personnel, the victim was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Officials are withholding his identity pending notification of next of kin and formal confirmation by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Preliminary evidence suggests the shooting stemmed from a confrontation between the occupants of two vehicles. During the dispute, a suspect reportedly

opened fire, striking the victim at least once before fleeing the area in a vehicle. No suspects were in custody as of Sunday morning. Investigators are treating the case as an active and ongoing homicide inquiry. Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the incident

Tree Trimming, Pressure Washing and Street Cleaning to Expand Across Santa Monica’s Major Corridors

The changes include adding 12 positions across Public Works and expanding contracted services for cleaning and landscaping, including at public libraries

The Santa Monica City Council has approved a reorganization of the city’s Public Works Department that officials say will expand street cleaning, maintenance and landscaping services beyond the downtown area to commercial corridors across the city.

The changes are part of the city’s broader “Realignment Plan Update,” adopted this week, and extend a maintenance model

introduced in downtown Santa Monica last year to other areas, including Montana Avenue, Wilshire Boulevard, Main Street, Pico Boulevard and Ocean Park Boulevard.

City officials said the expanded services will include more frequent pressure washing of sidewalks and public spaces, increased street cleaning, sidewalk repairs and additional landscaping and tree trimming.

Mayor Caroline Torosis said the goal is to apply the same level of maintenance seen downtown to other parts of the city.

Under the reorganization, the city will also create a new division combining downtown and beach maintenance operations. In addition, Santa Monica’s 311 customer service system — which handles a majority of Public Works-related service requests — will be moved into the department to improve coordination, according to city officials.

The restructuring also shifts the city’s Mobility Division from the Department of Transportation into Public Works Engineering, consolidating planning, construction and maintenance of

public right-of-way projects under one department.

City officials said the changes include adding 12 positions across Public Works and expanding contracted services for cleaning and landscaping, including at

public libraries.

The expansion builds on work completed downtown, where the city reported tree trimming and planting, sidewalk repairs and increased debris collection in recent months.

A Tiny Ray of Sunshine in the State Housing Law Clouds

a.r.t.

By Bruce Leddy, SMa.r.t. Guest Columnist

When it comes to new state housing laws that override local zoning, our City Council tends to say, in effect, “There’s nothing we can do! Our hands are tied!” While it’s true most of these laws are immutable – such as SB 1123, SB 9/450, SB 10, and many more – in the case of SB 79, that’s not the whole story.

Some background: For years now, the state of California has taken a “one size fits all” approach to mandating housing development, as if San Francisco is no different than El Segundo or Buttonwillow. In an effort to address the declared housing crisis, these bills override local city planning and zoning with an attitude of, “Build everything, everywhere, all at once!” At best, it is paternalistic (“We’ll tell you how to build your city, little one.”); at worst, it’s a recipe for haphazard development that does little to address the affordability crisis, ignores the massive infrastructure demands it would require, and puts developer profit ahead of thoughtful planning in ways that will negatively impact cities for years.

Into this mix comes SB 79, a law ostensibly designed to promote mass transit that, in reality, lets developers build much taller and denser than local zoning allows, anywhere within a half mile of mass transit (referred to as “TOD” – transit-oriented development – zones).

Santa Monica’s transit qualifies as “Tier 2,” which means builders can go as high as 85 feet on lots within 200’ of transit stops, six stories within 1/4 mile, and five stories within a 1/2 mile.

Draw a half-mile circle around each metro stop in Santa Monica, and you get a wide swath across the middle of the city, from Wilshire to Pico, disproportionately affecting the Pico and Mid-City neighborhoods. While the law has carve-outs for rent-controlled units, this area has a high proportion of the city’s lower-income residents who would be displaced for years during construction, or permanently if their building is not deedrestricted. [This is why SMRR opposed the bill in their excellent, detailed analysis LINK ]. SB 79 makes no distinction between a residential building and an empty lot; it simply lets developers call the shots. So if a bungalow on a quiet street like Yorkshire Ave is cheaper and will yield higher profit than a commercial lot on Colorado, guess where developers will tear down and build up?

These state housing bills have provided cover for our pro-development City Council when confronted by residents

who feel overdevelopment is already hurting the city and may ultimately ruin it if left unchecked. Multi-story complexes looming in single-family areas not only wreck the character and consistency of neighborhoods, it also drives up prices as speculators snap up single-family homes to convert them into expensive apartments, adding to gentrification.

SB 79, however, is different (the tiny ray of sunshine!). One of its key provisions is that a city may submit to HCD (CA’s Housing and Community Development division) their own “TOD alternative plan,” which can take into account many local factors not considered by SB 79, most importantly, what works for the residents and the city as a whole. On March 4th, City Staff presented to the Planning Commission the details of SB 79’s impact in Santa Monica, identifying 2600 potential lots that would likely be subject to its increased density and height limits. But, by creating its own plan, the city can focus additional housing in commercial/mixed-use areas, on unused lots, or on boulevards, and limit the impact on existing residential buildings or single-family neighborhoods. Individual properties can be up to 50% less dense

than SB 79 would require, provided the local plan yields the same amount of housing increase overall. In other words, our alternative plan has to create the same number of units, but they can be distributed where our city determines they best fit within the transit zones.

The City of Los Angeles just did exactly that: last week, they approved an SB 79 alternative plan which allows greater density at reasonable heights (mostly four stories) where it makes sense in their city’s transit zones, instead of leaving it to developers to decide to build wherever they can max out profit.

With many of these housing laws, we have no choice but to swallow the state’s bitter remedy and hope for the best (we’re looking at you, SB 1123!). But with SB 79, we have a genuine opportunity to claw back some control of our city’s destiny (and density). On April 15th, the Planning Commission will hold a Study Session to determine if the city should adopt SB 79 as is, or recommend to Council that we create an alternative plan based on what’s best for Santa Monica. While it might seem obvious that we should create our own plan, remember that 6 of the 7 current Council members voted to

send the state a letter of support for SB 79 before it was even passed (one of only two cities statewide to do so). Residents need to write in and show up on April 15th to encourage the alternative plan option, so that the increased density we are required to produce is done in a sensible and thoughtful way for our city. There is no time to waste. SB 79 goes into effect on July 1st, and after that, it’s nothing but dark clouds ahead.

Bruce Leddy is the Co-Chair of NOMA and a current Commissioner and former Chair of the Santa Monica Human Services Commission.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA, Former Planning Commissioner, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Dan Jansenson, Former Building & Fire-Life Safety Commissioner, Sam Tolkin, Former Planning Commissioner, Michael Jolly ARE-CRE, Jack Hillbrand AIA, Landmarks Commission Architect, Phil Brock (Mayor, ret.), Matt Hoefler, NCARB, Architect, Heather Thomason, Community Organizer, Charles Andrews, journalist, columnist.

Kyle Amundsen

After attending Art Center College of Design Kyle pursued a career in design and advertising that lead him to work at John Moran Auctioneers for 15 years. It was here he became fascinated with American & California Impressionist art, fine jewelry and diamonds. For the last 15 years Kyle has owned a company in Pasadena brokering estate jewelry, fine art, buying and selling diamonds & cutting diamonds.

Hana Goble

Hana attended Gemological Institute of America after graduating from UC Riverside and has been passionate about antique jewelry for over a decade. Her deep interest in the history and craftsmanship of fine jewelry led her to work as a traveling buyer for a prominent estate jeweler, specializing in old-cut diamonds and signed pieces. She especially enjoys researching hallmarks and uncovering the history behind jewelry she encounters.

Will is co-owner of Santa Monica Jewelers and host of this event. He is a Graduate Gemologist From Gemological Institute of America with 24 years of experience buying a very broad range of items. Call for your appointment and he will personally talk to everyone who calls. Will can answer all questions about your items and is dedicated to very personal service.

Michael Merritt

Mike is the owner of Place Vendome Jewelers and is co-host of the event. He has 38 years of experience in buying and selling new and vintage jewelry, rare watches, diamonds and exceptional colored gemstones. Mike also puts on events like this all over the western United States.

The Santa Monica Conservancy Opens Landmark Adelaide Drive Estates

For one day only, the "Landmarks of Adelaide Drive" walking tour provides rare interior access to the historic homes.

The Santa Monica Conservancy will open the doors to some of the city’s most historically significant and architecturally distinct residences during the Landmarks of Adelaide Drive Tour on Sunday, April 12, 2026, offering a rare opportunity to step

inside homes that are typically inaccessible to the public.

Set along the edge of Santa Monica Canyon with sweeping views of surrounding mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Adelaide Drive has long been one of Santa Monica’s most notable residential streets. Beginning in the early 1900s, the corridor attracted civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and early developers who commissioned homes by prominent architects, shaping the city’s early identity.

This guided walking tour includes exclusive interior access to two designated landmark homes, along with exterior visits and historical insights into several other notable properties along the street.

Featured Homes:

1. Second Roy Jones House (1907)

Designed by architect Robert Farquhar,

this residence was home to Roy Jones, a business leader and founder of the Bank of Santa Monica, as well as the son of city co-founder John P. Jones. Farquhar is best known for the Clark Library at USC and the California Club in downtown Los Angeles.

2. Boehm House (1925) A picturesque French Norman Revival design recognized for its inventive design and fine craftsmanship. Recently restored and expanded, the home received a 2025 Preservation Award from the Santa Monica Conservancy.

Additional Tour Highlights:

The tour also includes exterior views and stories behind several prominent properties along Adelaide Drive, including:

● Gillis House (1906), home to a pioneering developer and owner of the

Santa Monica Land & Water Company

● Milbank House (1911), a restored Craftsman residence set prominently along the hillside

● Frank Gehry Residence, a landmark of the future that pays homage to its historic predecessor.

“Adelaide Drive represents a unique concentration of early residential design and civic legacy that continues to define the character of the city today,” said Board Member Ruthann Lehrer, Santa Monica Conservancy.

Event Details

Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Tickets: smc.givecloud.co/2026adelaide Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged.

Birdie G’s returns: Chef Jeremy Fox to open new flagship at Fairmont Century Plaza

Following its December closure in Santa Monica, the acclaimed California brasserie returns this summer as an all-day dining destination.

The best news for fans of Chef Jeremy Fox and his restaurant Birdie G’s has arrived. After what seemed to be the last installment of 8 Nights at Birdie G’s, the incredible eight-day-long chef

collaboration at the restaurant, Birdie G’s, closed on December 20, 2025.

There was no hinting that the restaurant might return, so it was a sad farewell.

But, wait, that wasn’t the end of the story. It was announced today that Chef Fox will bring the beloved Santa Monica favorite to Century City. The Fairmont Century City hotel posted on its Instagram page that Chef Fox would be leading a revival of Birdie G’s as an all-day restaurant at the hotel this summer, replacing the current restaurant, Lumiere.

The post said, “@birdiegsla, the acclaimed concept from @chefjeremyfox, will open as the hotel’s new signature restaurant—bringing its deeply personal, seasonal produce-driven approach to Century City. Birdie G’s at Fairmont Century Plaza will introduce breakfast,

brunch, lunch, and dinner service, offering a full spectrum of cuisine that blends comfort, creativity, and a distinctly California perspective within a modern American brasserie setting.”

The Fairmont’s account added, “The arrival marks a vibrant new chapter for dining in Century City,” and we couldn’t

agree more.

This wonderful news comes two weeks after it was announced that Chef Fox would become the Culinary Director and Partner at The Restaurant at

starting

FILM REVIEW

PROJECT HAIL MARY

BEHIND THE SCREEN

By Kathryn Whitney Boole

This is an epic journey, with only two characters on screen through most of the film. One of them is an alien whose appearance is somewhere between rock and spider. Throughout this mythic tale, there is very little dialogue, and that makes it more intimate and powerful. Nothing distracts us from the isolated vessel in which we find ourselves.

An important part of this environment is the melodic soundtrack, flowing with emotional chords and passages. Composer Daniel Pemberton made this happen beautifully with varied styles that enhance the striking views of the cosmos surrounding the ship.

Time is suspended in this movie. It becomes a non-entity. Life plays out moment by moment rather than in a linear flow for “Ryland Grace,” played by Ryan Gosling, who is suspended in space in a quiet vastness. The movie creates this environment and draws you into it. The visuals are highly original and creative, not copies of other sci-fi worlds, and the situation, unimaginable as it may be, is built on believable circumstances.

The concept is valid, that the sun is dying due to a sort of planetary infection, like a cancer in human terms, and someone must go to a far galaxy to find out why a star there has become immune to the same effect. If you think the premise of this movie is farfetched, consider an actual headline from March 23rd, which read, “A ‘completely bonkers’ change in the appearance of a distant star may be the result of a collision of exoplanets.”

Grace is a high school science teacher whose career as a researcher was derailed because of his controversial theory about extraterrestrial life. We learn that his greatest strength is his ability to solve problems creatively with sharp ingenuity. Another strength is the ability to face loneliness, which is brought to the forefront early in the film. All these elements appear in our lives on Earth.

There are some hilarious scenes when Grace awakes from an induced yearslong coma on the spaceship, and his body barely works. His functions are still asleep. Gosling contorts his body hilariously and stumbles around trying to get his nerves and muscles on the same page.

The courage to face loneliness and the power of friendship come into play here. They become more important than time. This is not your usual storyline, wrapped

up in a tight package with a big bow. The narrative mirrors the concept. Things aren’t always explainable in everyday terms. You suspend time, suspend beliefs, suspend your expectations of environment and routine. The degree of difficulty in smoothly pulling off the immense and detailed optics of this movie is as mindbending as are the film’s concepts.

The movie is based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name. Weir started his career as a computer programmer, and his first novel was a sci-fi story that he posted on his personal blog. His friends loved it, so he put it on Kindle at the price of 99 cents. That novel was “The Martian.” It sold 35,000 copies and attracted an agent and a book deal, eventually becoming a nowclassic 2015 movie starring Matt Damon.

Weir is a space nerd with an interest in relativistic physics, orbital mechanics, and the history of manned space flight. The sci-fi worlds he creates are founded in scientific research.

Directors Phil Lord and Christoper Miller had been working with Weir on another project, which was shelved in favor of Project Hail Mary. They work as a team and have directed 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street, and two Spider-Man movies. Gosling is perfect for the role of Grace. He makes you feel like you are experiencing, feeling, and touching everything along with him. That might be because he is familiar with being alone. His family moved around a lot during his childhood, and he was often homeschooled, so Gosling is not afraid of loneliness or quiet. He is able to reach out alone, directly to the audience.

The only other character throughout most of the movie is “Rocky,” a being from a far planet, who blends characteristics of a boulder, an insect, and a comedian. Rocky is brought to life by puppeteer James Ortiz, whose previous experience is as a skilled stage puppeteer in Broadway productions.

In this movie, Gosling’s Grace represents any one of us. He doesn’t set out to save the world; he is thrown into the role. His superpower is that when faced with a problem, he does not give up on finding the answer, even when confronting repeated failure. We can identify with him, and we respect his practical use of intelligence.

See this movie on IMAX if you can, but I can attest that it is awesome on a regular screen. It’s not a stupendous firework of special effects. The spatial imaging that communicates the vastness of the universe is much simpler than in most films that depict the realms beyond our planet’s atmosphere.

So really, what makes this movie work so well that it is drawing in word-of-mouth audiences worldwide? It’s the “KISS -Keep It Simple Stupid” rule and the realism that the directors, writers, and actors achieve in an unreal environment.

Rated PG-13

156 Minutes

Released March 20th

Stay for the end credits. You will see the extraordinary work of astrophotographer Rod Prazeres, who has set up a camera in his backyard to capture real deep-space images. Production contacted him via

Instagram message with a request to use his photos.

Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, which has been the backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people. She is a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica. kboole@gmail.com

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case No. 26STCP00611

Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 111 N. Hill St. | Los Angeles, Ca. 90012

Petition of: Valery Ninotshka Bellesteros by and through Valery Ninotshka Bellesteros for change of name.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

To all interested persons: Valery Ninotshka Bellesteros

Petitioner: filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Valery Ninotshka Bellesteros to Valery Ninotshka Cruz

The court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING:

Date: 06/15/26 | Time: 8:30AM | Dept: 45

A copy of this ORDER to SHOW CAUSE shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: SANTA MONICA MIRROR | Dated: February 27, 2026

Judge N/A

Published: 2/27/26, 03/06/26, 03/13/2026, and 03/20/2026