SANTA MONICA—On April 2, the city of Santa Monica posted on its website that the first municipal art gallery, the Santa Monica City Gallery, at Bergamot Station Arts Center will open on April 10 with “Case Study: Adapt” from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The reception will feature light refreshments and remarks by California for the Arts Executive Director Julie Baker and a commendation for State Senator Ben Allen, founder of Arts Month.

The opening exhibit “Case Study: Adapt” explores how design can meet the challenges of a changing climate to create homes as resilient as they are beautiful. On loan from USC Architecture and previously featured at the Charles & Ray Eames Foundation, “Case Study: Adapt” showcases architectural models created by USC students in collaboration with 10 architecture firms addressing the rebuilding needs of families impacted by the Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires.

The exhibit revisits the classic Case Study House program of the mid-1940s, when architects such as Richard Neutra, Charles and Ray Eames, and Pierre Koenig were commissioned to design and build innovative, affordable homes that responded to post-war housing needs.

The city of Santa Monica established the City Gallery at Bergamot Station Arts Center to expand access to creative space and increase opportunities for artists and the public alike. Developed in response to the growing need for flexible artist residency and project space, the gallery serves as a platform for rotating exhibitions, community partnerships and artist-led programming.

It also provides a dedicated place to showcase works from the city’s Art Bank collection, while supporting short-term exhibitions and collaborations that reflect Santa Monica’s cultural priorities and bring new creative experiences to the community.

The new venue joins the ranks of over 20 renowned art galleries, design firms and non-profits that operate at Bergamot Station, reflecting the city’s long history of celebrating arts, culture and creativity.

For gallery location and hours, visit: https://www.santamonica.gov/places/cultural-venue/santa-monica-city-gallery.

For more information on Bergamot Station Arts Center, visit: https://www.santamonica.gov/places/city-facilities/bergamot-station-arts-center.

 

By Danny Jones

MULHOLLAND/LAUREL CANYON—On April 2, the Los Angeles Fire Department rescued a hiker on Mulholland Drive.

The incident was reported at 12:28 p.m. at 8527 Mulholland Dr. near the Beverly Crest region. An adult female with 3 children (unknown ages or genders) requested LAFD assistance due to becoming “lost” while hiking a local trail.

LAFD Air and Ground units responded and located the group, whom were successfully and safely escorted to the trailhead on foot. There were no reports of any injuries.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department has announced that it is celebrating National Property and Evidence Professionals Appreciation Week.

The post on the BHPD Facebook page on April 3 at 11:13 a.m. indicated the purpose of this week’s celebration is to acknowledge the work of the department’s two Property Officers.

These officers keep track of evidence that is collected at crime scenes.  In addition, they ensure that it is properly stored and documented.

The Beverly Hills Police Department noted that it wanted to thank the two property officers for their hard work.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—In order to address the issue of distracted driving and pedestrian driving, the city of West Hollywood launched its Drive Mindfully Campaign on the city’s Facebook page.

The purpose of this campaign is to inform the citizens of West Hollywood about the dangers of distracted driving and how it endangers the safety of other drivers and pedestrians.

Additional information about the Drive Mindfully campaign can be found on the city of West Hollywood’s fact sheet via https://www.weho.org/home/showpublisheddocument/42411/637116479875670000.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

MALIBU—On Wednesday, April 1, at 7:58 p.m., the city of Malibu announced on its Facebook page it finished the efforts to make improvements to Cross Creek Road safer.

The purpose of the improvements was to replace the old crosswalk lights leading to the Civic Center on Cross Creek Road. These new lights are solar-powered.

The city hopes this will allow the Civic Center at Cross Creek Road to operate independently of the city’s electrical grid and reduce maintenance costs for the civic center.

The new lights installed on Cross Creek Road will also make the Civic Center more inviting.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, April 1, the office of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner revealed that it identified the man who was fatally shot in Santa Monica around 10:30 p.m. on March 28. The victim has been identified as 22-year-old Yair Segundo Cruz.

According to the post on the Santa Monica Facebook page, the shooting happened near the intersection of 4th Street and Olympic Drive.

Cruz was given medical treatment and was taken to a hospital where he later died. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

The Police Department has asked that anyone who knows anything about the shooting contact Sergeant Shaun Cooney of the Criminal Investigations Division. Sergeant Shaun Cooney can be reached at 310-458-8401 or via email Shaun.Cooney@santamonica.gov.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, April 1, guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Lindsey Buckingham, 76, was attacked in Santa Monica. A female stalker, who is reportedly known to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), threw an unknown substance at the Fleetwood Mac Star, Buckingham, as he was arriving for an appointment. The woman threw the substance on him and fled. Buckingham was not harmed in the incident. Multiple reports indicate that in 2024, Buckingham obtained a permanent restraining order against the stalker referred to only as “Michelle,” who, according to The Blast, has threatened Buckingham and his family. Reports indicate that LAPD Threat Unit detectives are leading the is investigation. It is unknown if the suspect has been arrested. LAPD is not commenting on the incident. The former Fleetwood Mac star and his wife, Kristen Messner, have three adult children together whom they attempted to raise out of the limelight. Buckingham was born in Palo Alto and primarily lived in Los Angeles County. In 2022, he and his wife purchased a home in Brentwood Park. Reports indicate that Buckingham enjoys what is often referred to as flipping houses. He purchases high-end homes in the area, renovates, and resells them. Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975. Buckingham wrote and produced “Go Your Own Way,” released as the band’s lead single on December 20, 1976. In 2010, “Go Your Own Way” made the 120 spot in Rolling Stones magazine’s Top 500 Rock and Roll Songs of All Time. In 1977, Ken Caillat, Richard Dashut, and Fleetwood Mac (Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Stevie Nicks) won a Grammy for Album of the Year with the hit song “Rumours.”   By Sharon

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Saturday, April 4, the city of West Hollywood will be participating in free Picasso Pets event will provide an opportunity for pet parents to participate in pet-friendly activities and receive event souvenirs while supplies last.

The Picasso Pets event will take place at West Hollywood Park, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard. Event activities begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m.

Pets must always remain leashed and under the control of their humans. Cats are welcome to attend. For the safety of one’s feline friend, the city encourages cats to be placed inside a carrier, pet backpack, pet stroller, or wearing a harness and leash. In case of rain, the event will be moved indoors to the Doheny Room located on the second floor of the West Hollywood Park Aquatic and Recreation Center (which is adjacent to the surface level of West Hollywood Park).

The popular caricature drawing activity has met registration capacity; there will be an on-site wait list sign-up beginning at 11 a.m. at the event information booth. Admission from the waitlist is not guaranteed and will depend on availability of caricature artists.

For more details about Picasso Pets contact Susana Salazar, West Hollywood’s Recreation Coordinator, at (323) 848-6479 or at ssalazar@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

 

By Danny Jones

SHERMAN OAKS—On Wednesday, April 1, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that it battled a structure fire in Sherman Oaks.

The fire was reported at 8:33 p.m. at 14922 W Rhinestone Dr. at a one-story single-family dwelling — attached garage involved after an outside fire spread to the structure.

Firefighters ensured all occupants were out of the home and quickly initiated fire suppression, achieving knockdown in 27 minutes from the initial 911 call. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) is reminding drivers to stay focused, keep their eyes forward, and keep their hands on the wheel. Distractions like checking a phone, using the in-dash touchscreen or car phone app, adjusting the radio, or eating can have devastating consequences.

By Danny Jones