COMMUNITY

Spreading Joy for the Holidays

15th Annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive was a big success

By Kamala Kirk

The 15th Annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive took place on Dec. 4 and spread joy to local underserved children during the holidays. Organized by Joe Wheatley Productions, the family-friendly event featured fun and festive events throughout the day. The Pacific Division LAPD Color Guard Cadets kicked off the festivities to the National Anthem followed by the Lat Pull Down competition. The Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club rolled in with toys strapped to the back of their motorcycles, then Santa and his Elvettes made a special appearance on their sleigh and handed out special Certificates of Appreciation to event sponsors. The money raised from the Muscle Beach Toy Drive goes to the Pacific Area Boosters, a nonprofit organization that supports the LAPD Pacific Division Cadets Program.

Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club rolled in with toys on their motorcycles. Sal Cortez drops some toys off during the Muscle Beach Toy Drive.

Zach Iddings and Carly Van Skaik dressed up for the occasion.

Eddie Nicholas from Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club hands out toys.

Thrive with Dignity

Community Corp. Santa Monica breaks ground on Westchester’s first affordable housing

By Morgan Owen

There was celebration in the air as public officials, community members, and representatives from Community Corp. of Santa Monica gathered for the groundbreaking of their most recent affordable housing complex in Westchester. Buying the property was a gamble. That was the consensus among the leaders present at the ceremony. But it was a gamble that paid off. When Community Corp. purchased the lot at 8300 Airport Road three years ago for $9 million, there was no guarantee that the Santa Monica affordable housing nonprofit would successfully obtain permission to build Westchester’s first affordable housing development. Aside from the typical community pushback to affordable housing, Tara Barauskas, Community Corp.’s executive director, explained their biggest obstacle was breaking through a nine-page restrictive covenant from the 1940s that prevented the property from being sold to anyone of Black, Jewish, or Mexican descent. Although the racial component was declared unlawful during the Civil Rights movement, sections that outlined density restrictions for new developments and how future owners must use the property remained legally binding. “That’s the more subtle way to get at keeping ‘those people’ out, is to say ‘we don’t want any multi-family housing here,” Burauskas said. One way to overturn this covenant was to obtain a majority vote from the surrounding landowners, but pushback in the community prevented Community Corp. from taking that approach. “That left me with very few options,” Barausakas said. “I could either file a lawsuit, or I could change the law.” And that is exactly what she did. Now, in California State Law, recorded covenants, restrictions, and limits on private or publicly owned land that restrict the number, size, or type of residences built on a property are unenforceable against affordDesigns for Community Corp. Santa Monica’s Red Tail Crossing.

COURTESY PHOTO

able housing developments. Furthermore, AB 721 declares that “ensuring access to affordable and supportive housing and the production of additional affordable and supportive housing is a matter of statewide concern,” and that it applies universally across California. “If everyone seems excited today, it’s because this is the project we had to go all the way to Sacramento and change the state law to make it happen,” said Richard Moore, Chairman of the Board at Community Corp. Santa Monica. Red Tail Crossing will have 104 units, 52 of which will be two and three-bedroom homes for families, and 40 of which will be reserved exclusively for formerly homeless individuals looking for a new start. Selection will be through a lottery system six months before the building’s completion. Rene Buchanan, one of Community Corp.'s residents, spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony to fight the stigma that comes along with offering affordable housing for the formerly homeless. “I would guess we have all passed these people in the streets, stood behind them in grocery lines, ridden the metro, or sat next to them as we worship. And we most likely had no idea, because just as two adjacent apartment buildings – one affordable and one not – are indistinguishable, two people standing side by side – one low income and one not – are also indistinguishable,” said Buchanan. Community Corp. Santa Monica has been building affordable housing in Santa Monica for 40 years. Founded by community leaders in 1982, Community Corp. has built or restored more than 80 properties throughout the Westside, creating over 1,900 affordable homes for more than 4,000 people. Red Tail Crossing, Community Corp.’s largest development ever, represents their push further into the Westside after completing another affordable housing complex in Mar Vista. It also represents Community Corp.'s commitment to creating sustainable “homes” that improve the quality of life for residents through health and wellness, solar power, and green space. “As a dad, when I think about these (Red Tail Crossing), I think about some of the firsts. Babies will say their first words and take their first steps here… People will get their first jobs here… have some first dates here… All these first experiences will be enhanced because people living here will have a beautiful, safe, affordable home due to the efforts of everyone here today,” Moore said to the crowd. The atmosphere at the groundbreaking emanated with pride and accomplishment. Sometimes affordable housing projects don’t make it, explained Moore, either because of financial obstacles or community pushback. But in 18 months, residents will move into Red Tail Crossing not just to live, but “thrive with dignity.”

Thatcher Yard

Marina del Rey’s latest affordable housing community holds groundbreaking on Dec. 8

By Leah Schwartz

Thomas Safran & Associates, along with Mayor Eric Garcetti, city council member Mike Bonin, and state senator Ben Allen, broke ground on Dec. 8 in Marina del Rey at the Thatcher Yard build site, the city’s newest affordable housing community located in the Oxford Triangle Neighborhood. This event is the last that Mayor Garcetti and council member Bonin will attend before leaving office. The project is slated for completion in the Fall 2024; once finished, Thatcher Yard will host 98 units, spread across eight two-story buildings, which will enclose a courtyard and green space complete with an outdoor patio, barbecue grill, play structure, landscaped gardens, and interior walkways. There will be 67 units designated for seniors, 30 for lowincome families, and one unit for an onsite manager. 50% of these units will provide permanent supportive housing to tenants experiencing chronic homelessness. There will be onsite supportive services for those tenants in need. “The Department of Mental Health at the county level will be here to help folks who are here complete their healing and move forward out of the trauma that they carry into apartments here,” Garcetti said. The community will include a multi-purpose community room

PHOTO CREDIT: ROBIN WEITZ

Thatcher Yard, a 98-unit affordable and supportive housing community in Marina del Rey, held a groundbreaking and brunchtime celebration on Dec. 8.

replete with a gourmet kitchen, lounge seating, and a game/TV/ music area. Other amenities to be featured are a semi-subterranean parking lot and a fitness center. Thomas Safran & Associates, the company spearheading the project, has been developing and managing affordable, luxury, and mixed-use rental housing in Southern California for over 40 years. Since its inception, it has constructed over 6,000 units. At the event, Bonin remarked on Thomas Safran’s outstanding reputation as a leader in creating and maintaining affordable housing in LA. “They want Tom involved because not only are the projects the gold standard…he cares deeply about not just building housing, but building community,” he said. “And that’s what will be built here – a community.” Bonin continued, “Tom doesn’t just come for the groundbreaking and the ribbon cutting and then disappear. He’ll be down here on his bike frequently, checking out the art, making sure that the art is right, making sure that people are happy, making sure that the doorknobs are polished. He’s going to make this thing, the beautiful gift for the people who live here and those who live around here that it needs and deserves to be.” Before the project, the lot was an underutilized maintenance yard for the city. But in the wake of the housing crisis and ongoing homelessness epidemic, council member Bonin proposed using the lot for affordable housing back in 2016. Later that year, TSA was selected to develop the lot in partnership with the city of Los Angeles, which donated the land and will share the revenue from the project. Since 2016 much has happened, between holding neighborhood collaboration meetings, securing land use and environmental approvals from City Planning, and receiving the funding commitment from the city and Housing & Community Development. The project was given the final go-ahead in 2021 after obtaining low-income housing tax credits and building permit approvals. Bonin expressed his frustration at the length of the project. “Eight years from conception to providing a roof over someone’s home doesn’t work, that’s why we’re in this crisis,” he said. During this, many neighbors expressed initial misgivings about the complex in their community. This reaction is not unusual; neighborhoods often block low-income housing proposals, fearing it will lower property value and cause disruptions. At length, Bonin and TSA engaged and educated the community, trying to quell some initial unease. “Part of what makes Tom so successful is the ability to listen and show enormous respect to neighbors, neighborhoods, quality of life, and all the concerns in the community,” Ben Allen said. “He also has such a track record. Neighbors here were able to go and visit other sites down in Playa, the Westside, and all over Los Angeles to see how the projects have been conducted. They saw how he had kept his commitments to neighborhoods and communities over and over again. And I think that is a big part of what got us to this place where people felt comfortable moving forward with this project.” Initially, the project was supposed to include 160 units, but neighbors pushed back, which led to the 98-unit compromise. When choosing the design for the building, TSA wanted to collaborate with the neighborhood and put up the final design for the community to select by vote, ultimately voting for luxury architect Steve Giannetti. Safran explained that there are often misconceptions about people in affordable housing. “Every resident will be so grateful that they were selected and get to move in here,” he said. “So they’re going to adhere to the house and ground rules. And they’re not going to play loud music at night because we don’t permit it. So you’re going to have ownership and residents who will be to me a dream. It is not the fear that so many people have” The demand for housing outweighs the 98 units available, and tenants will be selected through a lottery after completing a thorough application. TSA will screen winners with a credit and criminal background check and income verification, followed by an in-person interview and home inspection. This detailed process allows TSA to select high-quality applicants. But many in need will remain unhoused. “We’re going to need in the 11th district alone tens of thousands more units of housing, workforce housing, affordable housing to end homelessness,” Bonin said. “And that is multiplied across the city. And it’s on all of us to get that done. It’s on all of us to end this crisis.”

Extra Bedroom

Award-winning program relaunches for holiday season

By Kamala Kirk

Whether you have out-of-town guests or want to enjoy a local staycation, the award-winning “I Wish I Had an Extra Bedroom” program is back. Through the program, Santa Monica residents and their visiting friends and family that need extra space have the exciting opportunity to explore their city from a visitor’s standpoint while receiving a special discounted rate at participating local hotels. The program is available through Jan. 30, 2023 at 23 participating hotels including Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Hotel Casa del Mar, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, Shutters on the Beach, and Viceroy Santa Monica, among others. Santa Monica residents must show valid proof of ID to receive the special deals. To receive the discounted rates

SANTA MONICA BEACH HOTEL PHOTO COURTESY OF SANTA MONICA TRAVEL & TOURISM/LOEWS

Whether you have friends and family visiting or need a change of scenery, residents can take full advantage of this year’s “I Wish I had an Extra Bedroom” program available through Jan. 30.

(some up to $300), book directly with the hotel. The complete list or participating hotels and their special rates can be found at santamonica. com/extra-bedroom. Rates are subject to availability and blackout dates may apply. Mention the program at any of the three Santa Monica Visitor Information Centers to receive 30% off most Santa Monica merchandise. “Those of us that live here know Santa Monica is LA’s premier beach city with stunning Pacific Ocean views, a booming dining scene – including 17 Michelin-recognized restaurants— unique shopping and world-class hotels, all which typically play a factor in why current and future residents call Santa Monica home,” said Misti Kerns, president and CEO of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. “'I Wish I had an Extra Bedroom’is not only one of our most popular programs each year, but it provides residents with a unique opportunity to experience their community from a visitors point-of-view, so we encourage locals to ‘gift’ themselves this holiday season by taking advantage of these offers.”

Extra Bedroom Program

santamonica.com/extra-bedroom

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Saint Mark School

St. Mark School in Venice is a Catholic school that fosters the development and education of the whole child while Lion TV: How the Lockdown at St. Mark School also providing opportunities to practice the faith through community service, philanthropy and artistic creativity. St. lead to a Popular Student Program Mark first opened its doors to students in 1949, and continues to serve the Westside of Los Angeles as an elementary school with classes from TK to 8th grade. Graduates from St. Mark continuously get accepted into the high school of their choice. St. Mark is a fully accredited school with an average class size of 20 and a student to teacher ratio of 14 to 1. Our education program includes Religion, Readers & Writers Workshop, Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) Math, Responsive In March 2020, the Coronavirus forced the St. Mark community and the world into lockdown. And for St. Mark Church the quest began to stay connected when we were no longer able to attend mass in person. Live streaming mass became a regular way to maintain our faith during the lockdowns – it became an emerging ministry in the liturgical space for Catholics. Little did they know at the time, it would also give birth to one of the most popular and valuable programs at St Mark School: Lion TV. Classroom Pedagogy, Spanish, Music, Art, Science and Physical Education. For more on St. Mark School, join our upcoming Admissions Information Session on October 12, 2021 at 8:00 AM. Meet with Dr. Holmquist, take a tour of the school, see our children and Under the direction of professionals in the production industry, St. Mark students were invited to learn the trade of filming and producing the live streamed masses. Equipped with the skills and the professional-grade equipment used in the church, those student directors became the core of teachers in action, and participate in a Q&A session with our what is now Lion TV. Soon, students imagined how to take their expertise students to experience what makes St. Mark School special. and experience beyond the live streamed masses. Those students began For more details and dates, visit the website: writing scripts, directing, and editing content showcasing every dimension www.stmarkschool.com of school life. Sports, religion, interviews, even skits and game shows ADVERTORIAL fueled the content for Lion TV episodes that began broadcasting in homerooms on a bi-monthly basis. Lion TV teaches its members digital literacy and citizenship, content creation, technical skills, and promotes collaborative learning, organizational and management skills. And it has become one of the most popular leadership opportunities that St. Mark School offers its students. The entire experience reflects what St. Mark School values: the faith dimension of its school life; problem solving and creativity; learning new skills; and building a diverse community. The birth of Lion TV reflects each of those values.