property 2 Leased SMMUSD wants them back
4 Warnings For social media
crisis 3 Housing Getting worse
fire 5 Malibu Thousands of acres burned
Volume 24 Issue 19
smdp.com
WEDNESDAY 12/11/24
Holey Moley takes a swing at being Homes burn as wind-driven Promenade entertainment destination wildfire prompts
City Manager David White to step down in February
evacuations in Malibu
THOMAS LEFFLER SMDP Staff Writer
After three-plus years serving as Santa Monica’s City Manager, David White will be stepping down from the role in February, the city announced Tuesday. White began his role as permanent City Manager in October 2021 after serving as City Manager of Fairfield for five years, as well as two years of experience as the Deputy City Manager of Berkeley. He will be returning to the Deputy City Manager position in Berkeley. “This is a bittersweet departure, and I am tremendously grateful to have had the opportunity to serve Santa Monica,” White said. “I’ll be working closely with the City Council and city leadership to ensure a smooth transition and am confident in the city’s bright future.” In the position, White oversees a City budget of $705.5 million and a workforce of 1,923; and is also responsible for operation of 12 City departments. During his tenure, White worked with City Council to establish the five key priorities of Addressing Homelessness; Clean & Safe; Economic Growth & Cultural Vitality; Justice, Equity & Diversity; and Sustainable & Connected. The city’s press release noted that White’s leadership “advanced bold initiatives to strengthen the approach to public safety and broadened the work to address homelessness,” as well as moved forward infrastructure projects, adopted new tax measures, adopted zoning code amendments and began the process for the conversion of the Santa Monica Airport site. SEE CITY MANAGER PAGE 5
JAE HONG, ERIC THAYER AND CHRISTOPHER WEBER Associated Press
Holey Moley’s sixth location now lies on the Promenade, joining spots in San Antonio, Denver, Houston, Austin and San Francisco. The latter two locations are where General Manager Adrian Perez took a crash course on marketing mini golf, a new chapter in the food and hospitality pro’s career. Perez, born and raised in
Thousands of Southern California residents were under evacuation orders and warnings Tuesday as firefighters battled a wind-driven wildfire in Malibu that burned near seaside mansions and Pepperdine University, where students watched as flames raced down hillsides and the sky turned deep red. A “minimal number” of homes burned, but the exact amount wasn’t immediately known, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony C. Marrone said. An Associated Press photographer witnessed at least one house and a car engulfed in flames. More than 8,100 homes and other structures were under threat, including more than 2,000 where residents were ordered to evacuate. Another 6,000 people were warned to be prepared to flee at a moment’s notice as Santa Ana winds with gusts reaching 40 mph made for erratic fire conditions. Abigail Ballhagen, a junior at Pepperdine University, was in the school’s library when the power went out late Monday and students began screaming. Later, the school evacuated students to the library from their dorms because of the worsening conditions. Ballhagen and Bethany Kronlund, who are co-resident assistants, said bringing the other students there amid the fire’s smoke and encroaching flames was terrifying.
SEE MINI GOLF PAGE 7
SEE FIRE PAGE 5
Photo by Thomas Leffler
MINI GOLF: City officials welcomed Holey Moley to the Third Street Promenade on Dec. 6. THOMAS LEFFLER SMDP Staff Writer
The Third Street Promenade’s newest tenant has taken its shot at bringing entertainment to the shopping district, with early reactions sounding like the response to a hole-in-one on the golf course. On Dec. 6, Holey Moley opened its latest mini golf and bar establishment on the Promenade’s
1300 block, a chance to revitalize the space last occupied by the United Kitchen Mix ghost kitchen concept. At its opening, attended by city officials and Chamber of Commerce members, Holey Moley introduced its two 9-hole courses on the second and third floors, packing in the space with unique hole designs, including some made for Santa Monica. An Australia-based company,
Gary Limjap (310) 586-0339
In today’s real estate climate ...
Experience counts! garylimjap@gmail.com
www.garylimjap.com
CalRE # 00927151