Volume 11 No.6
SUMMER - 2004



A publication of the City of Santa Monica

Spirited scenes like these were repeated throughout the day as thousands of residents celebrated diversity, arts and sustainability at the 13th annual Santa Monica Festival at Clover Park on May 1. (Photos from top clockwise)

  • Viver Brazil and choreographer Linda Yudin's Santa Monica College KDR Students
  • Opening Procession: "Who has Dirty Hands?"
    by Franklin Elementary Fourth Graders
  • Arpana Dance Company with Ramya Harishankar
  • "Rhythm of Life," Titus Fotso's West African Dance Workshop

SCHOOL FUNDING UPDATE

As SeaScape went to press, the Santa Monica City Council had just given approval to a five-year agreement to increase the city's annual payment to the school district for community use of school facilities from $3 million to $6 million effective July 1, 2004, adding several accountability points to the terms proposed by the city manager and school superintendent. "I believe the proposed terms [which include escalator, renewal and reopener clauses] represent a fair exchange of value and preserve the ability of the city to respond to broader community needs," said City Manager Susan E. McCarthy. Attorneys from both agencies will now draft the formal agreement.

SANTA MONICA PIER TWILIGHT
DANCE SERIES TUNES UP

IconPieces.epsv2Calling all music lovers! The 20th Annual Twilight Dance Series is scheduled to run from July 1 through September 2, 2004. The free outdoor concerts are held on the Santa Monica Pier from 7:30 to 9:30 every Thursday evening during the summer.

July 1 - To be announced

July 8 - Wailing Souls - Eight-time GRAMMY nominees Lloyd "Bread" McDonald and Winston "Pipe" Mathews perform songs from their new
album "Souvenir from Jamaica."

July 15 - The Young Dubliners - A longtime Twilight Dance Series favorite ­ rock n' roll with a Celtic "jam band" flavor.

July 22 - Les Yuex Noir and Quetzal  is a Paris-based octet offering an irresistible mix of Gypsy, klezmer music and swing jazz. Featured with Latin music powerhouse Quetzal.

July 29 - Ex-centric Sound System - This Israeli/Ghanaian world music, ambient, trip-hop, African-dub ensemble's music reflects the common thread of Black music – whether from Africa or the Caribbean, England or Jamaica, New York or L.A.

August 5 - Janice Ian and Richie Havens - Two of the world's most recognizable singer/songwriters join forces at the Pier.

August 12 - Latin Alternative Music Conference Performance featuring Andrea Echeverri. The ethereal-voiced front-woman of Aterciopelodos headlines this incredible event, performs songs from her new self-titled solo album.

September 2 - Clarence Clemons - His unmistakable saxophone sound lofted Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band for more than two decades. Clarence's own material with Temple of Soul, as well as touring and recording with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Great White, Roy Orbison, the Grateful Dead and Ringo Starr's All Star Band, puts him in a league by himself.

July 1, August 19 and 26 bands were still being confirmed as Seascape went to press, but concert-goers are guaranteed great entertainment each of these nights, too!

For more information, visit www.twilightdance.org, www.santamonicapier.org or call the Santa Monica Pier Information Line at 458-8900. The Pier strongly recommends walking, biking and using mass transit to get to the concerts, as parking on the Pier is limited. A FREE shuttle is available from the 2030 Barnard Way lot south of the Pier starting at 6 p.m. each Thursday. For bus information, visit www.bigbluebus.com or call 441-5444, or visit http://www.mta.net.

REDUCED 2004-05 CITY BUDGET
SET FOR COUNCIL ACTION

Following study sessions on the budget scheduled for May 25, 26 and 27, 2004, the Santa Monica City Council is poised to adopt a balanced budget for the coming fiscal year that trims more than $5 million from the prior year's adjusted general fund and capital budgets, with the three largest departments --Community & Cultural Services, the Police Department and Environmental & Public Works--absorbing the largest cuts, but with no department immune. Budget adoption is set for June 15, 2004 following a public hearing beginning at 6:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The proposed budget is posted on-line and copies are available at all libraries. Residents can make their city budget opinions known via the Internet at santa-monica.org (click on "Budget Suggestions" on the home page), by fax to 917-6640 or by mail to Santa Monica City Council, 1685 Main St., Room 209, Santa Monica, CA 90401.


LONG-RANGE COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS

MAJOR MATTERS EXPECTED TO COME BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS:

  • June
    • Extension of outdoor dining interim ordinance
    • Taxicab ordinance modifications
    • Right-of-way management ordinance
    • Promenade users ordinance
    • Leash law/parks-related ordinances
    • Substantial remodel interim ordinance
    • CEQA appeal regarding 3010 Wilshire
    • City participation in 10 cities' community energy partnership
    • Public hearing and adoption of 2004-05 City Budget
  • July
    • Renovation of Samoshel/Swashlock
    • Approval of conceptual design for Big Blue Bus facility improvements
  • August
    • Auto dealer standards study session
    • East-West Commercial Corridor Task Force recommendations

Readers should note that the long-range nature of the list means that some items may not be heard in the month originally scheduled, as new matters emerge and agendas are re-worked. But no item will come to Council before the date originally published. Also available on-line at www.smgov.net.