Santa Monica Forward / Santa Monica Next
Communications Director for Santa Monica Forward and Editor of the website Santa Monica Next
PROFILE
Jason Islas
Guest
FROM Jason Islas
Design and Architecture
The southland's growing pains Angelenos are in the midst of an epic battle over what kind of city they want to live in, suburban or urban. They are also battling over which of these two cities can keep the region's housing affordable as the middle class is hollowed out. In Santa Monica, Measure LV , also known as LUVE, is being watched with great interest all around the region by those who think development has gotten out of control.
Design and Architecture
Does LUVE hurt or help Santa Monica? Downtown Santa Monica is being transformed from a Central Business District into a dense, walkable community of three- to seven-story mixed-use buildings attractive to young and old urban dwellers. But many Santa Monica residents are angered by what they see as over-development and traffic congestion. They are supporting Measure LV , or LUVE (Land-Use Voter Empowerment), a November ballot initiative that is being watched around the Southland. (We hear from Santa Monica residents Elena Christopoulos, Jeremy Stutes, Brian Derro, Shari Mattingly, Gary Llewellyn, Amy Utani and Ida Riley.)
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Santa Monica: To Grow or Not to Grow? How much should a city grow to prosper but also remain livable? That’s the central question for Santa Monica, also known as a key part of Silicon Beach, the tech-heavy oceanside business corridor. Now, some of those tech companies are getting frustrated by the city’s low-growth rules that result in relatively few new developments, either housing or commercial. It was a hot topic at Santa Monica’s recent “state of the city” event, and we get perspectives from both sides.
Recommended
Design and Architecture
Securing Public Spaces, Super Wealthy Asians Vehicles are increasingly being used as weapons, as seen in the London Bridge attack over the weekend and in New York’s Times Square last month. The Compton-based company Calpipe is designing security bollards to help make public spaces safer. And novelist Kevin Kwan satirizes the “crazy rich” Asian jet set and their luxurious tastes in his latest book, “Rich People Problems.”
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why is Trump so behind on filling staff jobs, establishing concrete policies? Yesterday Donald Trump signed a “decision memo” to revamp the air traffic control system. But there was little legislative detail in the plan. There’s not much to other splashy announcements from the White House, including tax cuts and the arms deal with Saudi Arabia. And hundreds of positions are unfilled in federal agencies.
Good Food
Shaking up the USDA, 'The Beef Cookbook' and 'Tartine All Day' Peggy Lowe explains why Trump’s pick for USDA Secretary is rattling rural America. Dario Cecchini talks future plans for Chianti ramen, and Richard Turner shares cuts from “PRIME: The Beef Cookbook.” Writer Matthew Sedacca looks at the controversy behind liquid smoke. Jonathan Gold tries Chengdu-style dishes, and Elisabeth Prueitt of Tartine fills us in on the latest. Plus, chef Michael Beckman shares a recipe for cactus confit.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How do Trump supporters feel about the Paris Accord? Globally and around the U.S., there are strong opinions whether or not the Paris Climate Accord is a good idea. The American exit is either a horrifying abdication of American leadership or a forceful and long overdue statement about U.S. sovereignty.