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Woman alleges comedian drugged her after inviting her to a show.
Known for his work across cinematography, directing, and editing, Ruiz-Healy returned home to find his house occupied by squatters
Known for his work across cinematography, directing, and editing, Ruiz-Healy returned home to find his house occupied by squatters
Prospective jurors returned to a Santa Monica courtroom Tuesday as attorneys continued selecting a panel for a civil trial accusing Bill Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman more than five decades ago, as reported by Fox 11 News.
she drove toward her home in Mill Valley, pulled alongside her vehicle, and invited her to attend a show he was performing in San Carlos.
Motsinger agreed to attend, and the lawsuit says Cosby later arranged for a limousine to take her to the theater. During the ride, Cosby allegedly offered her a glass of wine.
Indie filmmaker and award-winning cinematographer Fidel Ruiz-Healy is recovering from a devastating home robbery that left his Santa Monica residence uninhabitable and stripped of nearly all his professional equipment.
Indie filmmaker and award-winning cinematographer Fidel Ruiz-Healy is recovering from a devastating home robbery that left his Santa Monica residence uninhabitable and stripped of nearly all his professional equipment.
The lawsuit was filed by Donna Motsinger, who alleges the 88-yearold actor and comedian assaulted her after inviting her to attend one of his performances in the early 1970s.
The complaint states that Motsinger recalls flashes of light before losing consciousness. She later woke up at home wearing only her underwear, according to the lawsuit filed in September 2023.
Ruiz-Healy, known for his work across cinematography, directing, and editing, returned home on Sept. 16 from a work trip to find his house ransacked and reportedly occupied by squatters. According to a GoFundMe campaign launched by friends and collaborators, “every single crevice” of the home had been turned over. Alongside trash and discarded weapons left behind, extensive damage was done to the plumbing, including cut wires, rendering the home unlivable.
Ruiz-Healy, known for his work across cinematography, directing, and editing, returned home on Sept. 16 from a work trip to find his house ransacked and reportedly occupied by squatters. According to a GoFundMe campaign launched by friends and collaborators, “every single crevice” of the home had been turned over. Alongside trash and discarded weapons left behind, extensive damage was done to the plumbing, including cut wires, rendering the home unlivable.
According to the complaint, Motsinger worked at the Trident restaurant in Northern California, where Cosby was a frequent customer during a period in 1972. The suit states that after one encounter at the restaurant, Cosby followed Motsinger as
Cosby’s attorneys deny the allegations. They say he does not recall any sexual contact with Motsinger and contend that if any encounter occurred, it was consensual. His legal team also denies that Cosby gave the plaintiff drugs without her knowledge.
Cosby was found liable in a separate civil case filed by Judy Huth in Santa Monica in 2022 involving similar allegations. Jury selection in the trial is expected to continue this week.

items belonging to colleagues that RuizHealy was storing were also among the stolen equipment.
items belonging to colleagues that RuizHealy was storing were also among the stolen equipment.
equipment is everything. Therefore, this situation requires immediate attention,” organizers wrote on the fundraiser page.
equipment is everything. Therefore, this situation requires immediate attention,” organizers wrote on the fundraiser page.
Most concerning for the filmmaker is the loss of virtually all of his camera equipment — the tools that form the backbone of his career and sole source of income. The theft included high-end gear such as a RED Dragon camera package, Leica R and Nikon AIS lenses, tripods, lighting meters, hard drives, and a MacBook Pro. Several
Most concerning for the filmmaker is the loss of virtually all of his camera equipment — the tools that form the backbone of his career and sole source of income. The theft included high-end gear such as a RED Dragon camera package, Leica R and Nikon AIS lenses, tripods, lighting meters, hard drives, and a MacBook Pro. Several
Compounding the loss, insurance coverage on the equipment had lapsed just weeks earlier, on August 30.
Compounding the loss, insurance coverage on the equipment had lapsed just weeks earlier, on August 30.
Ruiz-Healy, who has since found
Ruiz-Healy, who has since found
As of Friday, more than $20,000 has been raised through over 250 donations on GoFundMe, putting the campaign within reach of its $22,000 goal. Supporters
As of Friday, more than $20,000 has been raised through over 250 donations on GoFundMe, putting the campaign within reach of its $22,000 goal. Supporters
Santa Monica police have assigned a detective to the case, and neighbors have been alerted to report any leads. Organizers shared photos of the aftermath to show the scale of the damage and say they are continuing to adjust the fundraising goal to account for the full cost of replacing
Santa Monica police have assigned a detective to the case, and neighbors have been alerted to report any leads. Organizers shared photos of the aftermath to show the scale of the damage and say they are continuing to adjust the fundraising goal to account for the full cost of replacing
Those wishing to contribute can visit the GoFundMe page titled “Help Indie Film
Those wishing to contribute can visit the GoFundMe page titled “Help Indie Film

away.
A traffic stop in Santa Monica led to the arrest of a man found with a loaded handgun and a significant quantity of drugs, police said Thursday.
A traffic stop in Santa Monica led to the arrest of a man found with a loaded handgun and a significant quantity of drugs, police said Thursday.
Santa Monica Police Department officers, patrolling the 00 block of Bay Street around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, observed a parked vehicle with the driver’s door open. The driver was seen handling suspected drug paraphernalia, according to a police statement.
Enforcement campaign will cite drivers violating California’s handsfree law.
Santa Monica Police Department officers, patrolling the 00 block of Bay Street around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, observed a parked vehicle with the driver’s door open. The driver was seen handling suspected drug paraphernalia, according to a police statement.
A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded handgun positioned between the driver’s seat and center console, within the suspect’s reach. Authorities also recovered a significant amount of cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, and marijuana.
Throughout March, Santa Monica police will step up enforcement of California’s hands-free driving law, targeting motorists suspected of using handheld cell phones behind the wheel.
A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded handgun positioned between the driver’s seat and center console, within the suspect’s reach. Authorities also recovered a significant amount of cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, and marijuana.
need to make a call or enter directions to pull over to a safe location before handling a device. Drivers are also encouraged to silence their phones or place them out of reach before starting a trip.
The suspect, whose identity was not released, remains in custody pending further investigation, police said. No additional details were immediately available.
The Santa Monica Police Department announced that officers will conduct focused operations aimed at drivers who violate the state’s prohibition on holding a phone or other electronic communications device while operating a vehicle.
The suspect, whose identity was not released, remains in custody pending further investigation, police said. No additional details were immediately available.
California law bars motorists from using a handheld phone for calls, texting, apps or other functions while driving. A violation carries a fine, and a second conviction within 36 months of a prior offense results in a point being added to the driver’s record.
Police officials emphasized that drivers should keep their attention on the roadway and avoid distractions that can increase the risk of crashes. They urged motorists who
The enforcement campaign is funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.





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Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
If you live in Sunset Park, Pico Neighborhood, or several other Santa Monica neighborhoods, a process is quietly underway that could permanently reshape where you live. It's framed as a study. But the more you look at it, the more it looks like something else.
The Santa Monica Planning Commission is being asked to scope an "affordability study" for single-family neighborhoods –who could object to studying affordability? But before anyone agrees, it's worth asking: What, exactly, are we studying, and why?
Because a state law already addressed this last July SB 1123 allows a lot of a singlefamily home to be divided into as many as 10 lots (depending on the size of the original lot). Your neighbor's lot can now become several starter homes or townhomes – up to 1,750 square feet each, plenty of room for three bedrooms and a family (the home I grew up in, for example, was 1377 sq ft and had 3 bedrooms). The City Attorney has confirmed that Santa Monica can adopt it as written, with no additional study or expanded zoning. Nothing further is required.
Let's be honest about what's happened here. Sacramento passed yet another law taking away cities' control over their own planning – adding market-rate housing that doesn't solve our affordability problems. And a few members of our City Council looked at that and said: Not enough. We want to go further.
SB 1123 is already a significant change. And many of us can live with it under our current development standards. We may not love that Sacramento imposed it, but the law is intended to produce reasonably scaled homes in our neighborhoods. What's been angled for since last July by a few Council members – 3-story heights, 50% more building mass, reduced setbacks – is something else entirely, designed to incentivize the erasure of these neighborhoods as we know them. There's value in a city having neighborhoods that look and feel different from one another –and low-density areas are part of that variety, not a problem to be solved.
So what exactly was this study for when the Council voted to put it in motion? Is the goal deed-restricted affordable units? Market-rate starter homes – which the law, as written, already makes possible? The Council's own direction, as shown on the agenda slides, trails off into ellipses. That's not a research question. That's a blank check. The pattern is hard to miss. The Council members driving this process have made no secret of where they want to end up – 3-story heights and 50% more building mass are what they pushed through in last summer's "emergency" ordinance, bypassing the Planning Commission entirely, and what they directed the Commission to recommend last November. Some have signaled they want to go even further. Now there's a study.

The destination hasn't changed; just the route.
The data being used to frame this discussion follows the same pattern. Planning staff is working within the direction they've been given, and it's easy to see how framing can reflect the priorities of those giving the orders in the first place – but it's still worth scrutinizing. The "Housing Costs" slide cites a citywide single-family median of nearly $4 million, but the neighborhoods this study would most likely reshape have a median closer to $1.8 million – still expensive, but a very different story. And the presentation suggests SB 1123 only applies to vacant lots, when the planning department itself has confirmed that any property without a renter in the last five years can simply be demolished to qualify – which is a lot of the single-family housing stock.
To its credit, this Planning Commission has shown some independence – asking hard questions, doing things thoughtfully rather than rubber-stamping, and pushing back when the directive felt too much like an order. That's exactly why the framing matters. The Commission is being handed a process set up to point in one direction. The question is whether it will function as an independent inquiry, or whether it's been designed to arrive at a conclusion reached long ago – because these changes, once made, cannot be undone. Every step in this direction is a one-way door.
And the core promise – that bigger buildings mean more affordable homes – doesn't hold up. Increasing height and building area doesn't lower prices; it makes the land underneath more valuable, which makes everything built on it more expensive. Under current zoning, SB 1123 projects naturally produce homes under 1,400 square feet – families live in homes this size and raise kids in them. If the city defines "family housing" so generously that only high-income buyers can afford it, it hasn't solved a problem – it's created a more expensive one and called it progress.
And for those who say we have to do something if we care about affordability – we agree. But relaxing zoning in neighborhoods still full of modest homes doesn't create affordable housing. Marketrate construction alone has never been a reliable path to affordability, and dressing it up as one doesn't change that.
We support studying housing affordability. Our city needs real answers. But residents deserve to understand what's happening: a process that began with its conclusion already written is looking for a question to justify it. And the changes being contemplated are permanent.
This Planning Commission has earned the community's trust by exercising independent judgment. We're counting on that independence – to demand a real question before commissioning a study, to insist the data tell the whole story, and to recognize when a process has been built to deliver an outcome rather than discover one.
Change isn't the enemy. Our neighborhoods have always evolved. But there's a difference between thoughtful evolution and a process quietly engineered to reach a foregone conclusion. Residents deserve to know which one this is – and to keep watching.
*Note: I attended the Planning Commission meeting. In the early part of the meeting, City staff presented the avalanche of state laws that are coming to Santa Monica all at once. SB79 most transformative among them. When they finally got to SB1123 it was hard to believe we were really talking about doing even more than the state requires. There were many many public comments and heated discussion. There was an important observation about how relaxing zoning standards around SB1123 could end up clashing with Fair Housing goals in the Pico Neighborhood. At least three Commissioners voiced the critical point that this issue of missing middle housing and affordability should not be studied through the lens of SB1123 alone, in a vacuum; a much wider lens, beyond SB1123 and beyond single family neighborhood, needs to be taken to truly have any clear picture of the best ways for our city to address this issue; we shouldn’t assume the answers are all in single family neighborhoods. Then, in spite of that perspective, they all voted to study, in the words of Commissioner Landres, “what it would take to deliver missing middle housing and affordability through SB1123.” Still feels like a blank check. And a big advertising campaign to go beyond SB1123. Stay tuned for what the Planning Department comes up with.
By Heather Thomason, Community Organizer, for SMa.r.t. 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

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Last year, Los Angeles lost more than 100 restaurants, most of which were independent businesses that had been staples of the community for years. Between rising rents, labor costs, tariffs, and a strong shift in consumer habits, the reasons for the closures are well-documented in the media. In losing all of these businesses, there is a change in the LA atmosphere leaving people feeling like their nights out are less communal and more obligatory.
To have a successful small business in a major city like Los Angeles, the company’s priorities have to be intentionally defined in order to survive. There are only a handful of places that keep consistent crowds and while there are many puzzle pieces that need to fit together to have a successful establishment, it takes a special kind of dedication to delivering a high quality experience to become part of people’s routines. Shifting consumer habits have opened the door for businesses built around cultivating physical environments centered on social experiences.
One establishment that has positioned itself perfectly to thrive in the growing demand for genuine connection is
Kavahana.
What is Kavahana?
Kavahana is a place in Santa Monica where people come to sit down, enjoy drinks, eat, and socialize, located at 306 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405. On the surface, Kavahana might seem like any other establishment, like a bar, or a coffee shop, but it is neither. It functions as a social anchor for the community, giving people a real opportunity to connect with each other while enjoying kava nectar drinks. Kavahana centers its menu around kava nectar, a zero proof drink made from the root of the kava plant, which has been enjoyed in the South Pacific and Hawaii for centuries.
Kavahana’s kava nectar is made by cold pressing fresh kava root into juice and gently drying it into a fine powder. Because the kava plant is grown from the ground and the root is what’s used in the drinks, kava nectar is known to have a really earthy taste. When the powder is prepared as a drink, it delivers a subtle tingle on the tongue followed by a relaxed feeling which often leads to confident and relaxed socialization at every table.



Kavahana has a seat for everyone as people come in the morning to work, meet friends in the afternoon, and often stay throughout the evening. In a place that values slowing down, you’ll never be rushed out the door.
Kavahana opened at a time when many establishments were cutting hours and tightening operations. Instead of shrinking, it leaned into demand and became a place where people could linger. Kavahana, like many cafes, opens early, but it stands out by staying open late too, often until 1 AM on the weekend. Seating is offered in a way that encourages people to settle in for a while, instead of urging quick reservation
rotation. The Kavahana experience starts the moment you walk in the door as familiar faces are welcomed by name and first-time guests are guided through the menu by staff.
Kavahana has made a strong positive impact on the community already and was even voted most loved new business in Santa Monica in 2025, reflecting its growing presence in the neighborhood. Customers consistently flow in and out throughout the day, typically staying longer than they would at a traditional cafe or bar.
Kavahana’s presence also extends beyond Santa Monica. The same kava
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Feige Takes Over as VNC President; Board Denies Venice Blvd Shopping Center, Forms Charter Reform Ad Hoc Committee, Defeats Redmond Removal Motion.
By Nick Antonicello
The Venice Neighborhood Council (www. venicenc.org) met via ZOOM on Tuesday evening with newly elected President David Feige presiding.
The board consists of Feige, Gary Pearl, Tima Bell, Helen Fallon, Mark Mack, Soraya Moss, Erica Moore, Alley Bean, Brennan Lawson, Clark Brown, Fran Solomon, Jason Sugars, Jim Fitzgerald, Joseph Garcia, Kenya Lee, Lisa Redmond, Nico Ruderman, Richard Stanger, Ted Henderson, Yolanda Gonzalez and Sarah Mahir.
Feige appointed Robin Rudisill as temporary secretary in lieu of Tima Bell’s absence.
With Feige’s ascension to President, a vacancy has occurred on the Land Use & Planning Committee otherwise known as LUPC, where his seat is now open.
Residents will get the opportunity to apply for that unexpired term once advertised by the Communications Chair in March, according to Feige when asked under general public comment.
Under LUPC business, 606 Venice Blvd came before the VNC for approval
Continue from page 6
nectar served behind the bar is shipped to all 50 states and Canada through their site. What makes the company especially unique is that it operates as both a hospitality space and a growing consumer brand. Guests can discover kava nectar in person and then continue the experience at home, something few establishments successfully bridge. What does Kava Nectar Feel Like?
Many guests describe feeling more present in their surroundings after drinking kava nectar without feeling overstimulated by their environment. For some people, it serves as an alcohol replacement, but for others it is part of their morning routine to start their day feeling relaxed. Kava nectar drinks are served both traditionally in coconut shells and as thoughtfully crafted zero proof cocktails made with ingredients like mango, coconut milk, ginger, pineapple, and spirulina. Every menu item at Kavahana is procured right from the source. Beyond kava nectar, Kavahana also serves 100% Hawaiian Kona coffee supplied from Hawaii’s Big Island, along with ceremonial matcha and roasted hojicha. Kavahana meets people where they are at, offering multiple options for people to choose how they want to feel. People can come for coffee, stay for a kava nectar drink, and leave a few hours later having tasted a little of everything.
Kavahana is also very dedicated to building real connections within their community. Each week there are free open mic nights and comedy nights focused
The application called for a shopping center that would include retail, fitness and sit-down & takeout restaurant. An issue of additional trees and landscaping was discussed as a condition of approval and after that discussion was rejected by the full board by a vote of 8-6-2.
The most controversial application of the evening was the rejection of 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd, more commonly known as The Brig, the longtime popular bar.
President Feige handed over the meeting to Vice-President Gary Pearl to present the staff report he prepared as a former member of LUPC.
The application called for the conversion of the existing parking lot with temporary dining to a permanent outdoor dining or “Al Fresco” function.
Originating as a phrase for eating outside, it is commonly used to describe restaurant patios, picnics, and, in Los Angeles, the “L.A. Al Fresco” program, which expanded outdoor dining options on sidewalks, parking lots, and streets to support businesses in lieu of the pandemic crisis.
It was argued that the number of complaints by neighbors was numerous, and that The Brig by definition was not a restaurant, but rather a bar and expansion was not appropriate.
The motion to deny the application was
solely on creating space for people to support and form bonds with each other. These events have no fees or minimums as they are designed simply to bring people together.
11-2-4.
During the discussion regarding the application, a motion was made to remove Community Officer Lisa Redmond from the Administrative Committee. While Feige tried to dismiss the motion, a vote was eventually taken, and the board voted 9-6-1 to avoid removal. This was the second time an attempt was made to remove Redmond.
Redmond, a longtime proponent for the homeless was highly critical of former VNC President Brian Averill and a political opponent of Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11), an attorney and resident of Venice. Park is seeking reelection to a second term in the June Primary.
Sources tell Yo! Venice, that two unnamed members of the VNC have been cited with censure motions.
A request for information has been made with DONE, or the Los Angeles Department of Neighborhood Empowerment seeking the names of those being potentially censured.
A censure order is a disciplinary action for disorderly behavior, ethical violations, or to criticize specific actions of a member of a legislative body, commission, agency or board.
A stakeholder motion to create an Ad Hoc committee on the issue of Los Angeles
whole and realize people are looking for a sense of belonging, not just a place to eat and drink.
Kavahana
306 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Better is helping our community breathe easier after a disaster.
Kavahana has set the standard for prioritizing comfort and genuine connection in LA. In a world that is becoming more online by the moment, people want to leave their home and go somewhere they can feel human. Creating a space for this is exactly how Kavahana retains a strong customer base so effectively.

charter reform was brought before the board even though the LA Charter Commission will be wrapping up its business later this month.
Several issues are being weighed by the commission including expansion of the 15-member city council, rank choice voting and new budgetary reforms that could be presented to the LA City Council for approval in the form of a ballot initiative come the November General Election.
The stakeholder motion was made by Redmond.
After long discussion and public comment, it was decided to create the committee by a vote of 10-4-3.
FEIGE APPOINTS REDMOND & RUDISILL AS CO-CHAIRS
After passage of the motion, Feige announced both Lisa Redmond & Robin Rudisill would act as co-chairs versus a single chair. The appointments were approved by the full board.
Open daily from morning to late night
Tuesdays: Open Mic Night
Wednesdays: Comedy Night
Kavahana.com
Instagram: @kavahana
The Disaster Relief Pulmonary Clinic at Saint John’s was founded to help restore the lung health of our community after the January fires.
Breezes Del Mar Apartments, a project-based HUD subsidized community in Venice, will be opening its housing waitlist on February 25, 2026 for the following properties and unit sizes:
Los Angeles may be losing establishments, but people are not losing the desire for connecting with others through experience. If establishments are looking to survive this period of change, they need to prioritize the experience as a
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Available Properties & Unit Sizes
The clinic offers specialized care to first responders and residents, focused on their long-term pulmonary health needs. Helping our neighbors heal is just one of the many ways we do everything for the better.
• Breezes Del Mar 1A–1D: 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms
• Breezes Del Mar 2A–2D: 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms
• Breezes Del Mar 3A–3C: 2, 3, and 4 bedrooms
• Breezes Del Mar 4A–4C: 2, and 3 bedrooms
⚠ Please Note: There are no immediate openings. Completed applications will be placed on the waitlist.
• Applications must be obtained in person only
• Location: 915 7th Ave – Suite 316, Venice, CA 90291
• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• All adult household members applying must complete the application in full.
Waitlist placement will be based on the date and time the completed application is received by the management office.
Please contact the management office at (310) 399-0409
