Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words

Articles written by Sarah Storkin


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  • BREAKING NEWS: $114 Million Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing Over 101 Freeway Remains Unfinished, Sparking Fresh Criticism as Costs Balloon and State Faces $2.9 Billion Deficit

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Mar 18, 2026
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    Drone footage of a massive but incomplete wildlife bridge spanning the 101 Freeway has gone viral on X, reigniting debate over a high-profile California infrastructure project that has now consumed $114 million with no end in sight for connecting the structure to land on either side. @vskymedia on Youtube highlights the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing - a project launched in 2022 to create a safe overpass for animals including mountain lions and butterflies - as a glaring...

  • Nathan Martin, Cross Country Coach From Jackson, Miss, Wins LA Marathon in Stunning Finish

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Mar 8, 2026

    The 41st ASICS Los Angeles Marathon delivered Hollywood-level drama on Sunday, March 8, 2026, as American runner Nathan Martin claimed the men's elite division in the closest finish in the race's history, while Kenya's Priscah Cherono dominated the women's race from start to finish. In the men's division, the 36-year-old Martin, a high school cross-country coach from Jackson, Michigan, staged an incredible late surge on Santa Monica Boulevard near the Century City finish...

  • Animal Briefs Jackie and Shadow's New Beginning; Condor Returns to the Redwoods

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Mar 8, 2026

    Second Clutch Brings Fresh Hope In the snowy heights of Big Bear, celebrity bald eagles Jackie and Shadow refused to let tragedy define their season. After ravens raided their first clutch in late January, the devoted pair built anew, with Jackie laying a fresh egg on February 24 and a second on February 27. Fans around the world tuned into the live cam watched the eagles trade incubation duties with precision, keeping their two precious eggs warm through winter storms. As...

  • Local Santa Monica Author Ani Malik Unveils Debut Book on AI's Radical Reshaping of Software Engineering

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Feb 28, 2026

    SANTA MONICA, Calif. - In the heart of Silicon Beach, where tech innovation pulses through daily life, local author Ani Malik (pen name of Anmol) has released a timely and unflinching guide to the future of software development. Titled Hi BOIS: Build, Observe, Iterate, Ship, the debut book argues that artificial intelligence agents are not merely speeding up the traditional software development process-they are collapsing it entirely. Published in February 2026 and available...

  • Calendar Events: Frieze Art Fair Lands at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer

    Frieze Los Angeles officially opened its doors this week at the Santa Monica Airport, transforming the historic hangars into a sprawling international art destination from February 26 through March 1, 2026. This year's features more than 100 leading galleries from 24 countries, showcasing everything from cutting-edge contemporary works and large-scale installations to thought-provoking pieces by emerging and established artists. Los Angeles-based galleries, nonprofit...

  • Bears Cross Busy Lake Tahoe Ski Slope as Downhill Skiers Stuggle to Avoid Mama Bear and 2 Cubs

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Feb 19, 2026

    Truckee, Calif. (February 19, 2026) - A mother black bear and her two cubs briefly interrupted skiing operations at Northstar California Resort on February 18 when they sprinted across an active ski run, as captured in multiple videos shared widely online. The incident occurred on the resort's "Woodcutter" trail during a busy powder day, following recent heavy snowfall that left the area with approximately 48 inches of new snow over the prior week. Video footage, including...

  • Car Crashes Into 99 Ranch Market on Westwood Blvd, Killing Three Bakery Patrons and Injuring Six Other People

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Feb 8, 2026

    A tragic accident occurred on Thursday, February 5, 2026, when a 92-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle and crashed into the 99 Ranch Market in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, killing three people and injuring six others. The incident took place shortly after noon near the intersection of Westwood Boulevard and Rochester Avenue. Authorities reported that the driver, operating a silver Mercedes sedan (though some early reports mentioned a different make),...

  • 550-Pound Black Bear Finally Evicted from Underneath House in Altadena, California

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 17, 2026

    ALTADENA, Calif. - After more than six weeks of an unusual - and increasingly frustrating - cohabitation, a 550-pound male black bear has been successfully removed from beneath an Altadena resident's home, bringing relief to homeowner Ken Johnson and ending a saga that drew national attention. The bear, tagged by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as Yellow 2120, first squeezed into the crawl space under Johnson's kitchen around Thanksgiving 2025. It remained there...

  • Mother Charged with Murder in Tragic Death of 17-Month-Old Daughter in Santa Monica

    Sarah Storkin, Observer STaff Writer|Updated Jan 15, 2026

    SANTA MONICA, Calif. - January 15, 2026 - A 24-year-old Santa Monica woman faces murder charges in the death of her young daughter, following an incident that authorities described as involving extreme violence. Carmen Anita Degregg, who was arrested after confessing to harming the child, appeared in court last week where her arraignment was postponed, highlighting the ongoing investigation into the heartbreaking case. The events unfolded on January 6, 2026, around noon, when...

  • Overly Aggressive Cat Keeps Attacking and Biting the Hand That Pets Her. Or is it My Fault?

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2026

    I have a 13 year old female cat. we give her appetite stimulant because she's under weight. I was petting her in my lap. I stopped, and left my hand on her paw lightly. Suddenly she attacked my hand and bit it. She's done stuff like this 2 other times to me and twice to my wife, recently. my wife says maybe she didn't like that I stopped petting her, or maybe she didn't like that i was petting her. i overstimulated her, she said. I think it's the appetite stimulant. who's...

  • Eccentric British Baronet, 79, Renews Quest for Young Bride to Secure Male Heir and Multimillion-Pound Legacy

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2026

    Somerset, England – January 9, 2026 - In a story that continues to captivate and divide public opinion, Sir Benjamin Slade, the 79-year-old 7th Baronet of Maunsel House, has once again gone public with his decades-long search for a significantly younger woman to marry and bear him at least one son - ideally two - to inherit his historic title, fortune, and sprawling 1,300-acre estate in Somerset.Here are a few striking views of Maunsel House, the grand ancestral home at the c...

  • Should Barron Trump Marry Princess Isabella of Denmark to Settle the Dispute Over Greenland?

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 7, 2026

    In the frosty realms of international diplomacy, where ice caps meet Twitter caps, a peculiar proposal has thawed out online: Why not have Barron Trump, the towering youngest son of President Donald Trump, tie the knot with Denmark's Princess Isabella to finally snag Greenland for the United States? It's got all the makings of a Hallmark holiday special-boy meets girl, nations swap vows, and everyone gets a chunk of Arctic real estate as a wedding gift. But is this satirical s...

  • Isabel Van Gelder: Is This 22-Year-Old Dutch Girl the Next Taylor Swift?

    Sarah Storkin, Observer STaff Writer|Updated Dec 31, 2025

    In a world where pop music often feels oversaturated with manufactured stars, every once in a while, a genuine talent emerges that stops you in your tracks. Enter Isabel van Gelder, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Amsterdam whose raw emotion, storytelling prowess, and angelic voice are turning heads across the globe. With viral covers that built a massive social media following and original tracks like "Die For You" and "My Silly Boy" that hit straight to the heart,...

  • Frank Gehry, Architect Who Bent the Skyline of Santa Monica and Beyond, Dies at 96

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Dec 10, 2025

    Santa Monica, Calif. - Frank O. Gehry, the visionary architect whose deconstructed bungalow on a quiet Santa Monica corner in the 1970s foreshadowed a career of audacious, curve-defying masterpieces that reshaped skylines from Bilbao to downtown Los Angeles, died on Dec. 5, 2025, at his home here. He was 96. The cause was a brief respiratory illness, according to Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at Gehry Partners, the firm he founded in 1962 and led from offices overlooking the...

  • Robert Redford's Passing Resonates in Santa Monica, Where He Helped Save the Pier

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Sep 17, 2025

    The recent passing of iconic actor and filmmaker Robert Redford at age 89 has left a profound impact on his birthplace, Santa Monica, where his legacy as a Hollywood legend and local hero endures. Born in the coastal city in 1936, Redford's early life and connection to the area have sparked an outpouring of tributes, with vintage photos of a young Redford alongside his father circulating widely, stirring nostalgia for Santa Monica's deep Hollywood roots. Redford, celebrated...

  • Tom Lehrer, who wrote Hanukkah in Santa Monica, Dies at 97

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jul 31, 2025

    Cambridge, MA – July 27, 2025* – Tom Lehrer, the Harvard-trained mathematician and musical satirist whose biting, darkly humorous songs captivated audiences in the 1950s and 1960s, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was 97. His death was confirmed by his longtime friend David Herder, who did not specify a cause. Born Thomas Andrew Lehrer on April 9, 1928, in Manhattan, New York, to a secular Jewish family, Lehrer was a pro...

  • Man Bites Dog: After LAPD Car Chase from Downtown to the Santa Monica Pier, It Turns Out a Dog Was Behind the Wheel

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jul 25, 2025

    A high-speed chase that tore through Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, ended dramatically near the Santa Monica Pier when a suspect, accompanied by a dog, surrendered to police after a tense standoff. The pursuit, initiated by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) following a report of an assault with a deadly weapon, began in the West Adams district and culminated in downtown Santa Monica, briefly disrupting the bustling tourist area. The incident, captured by SkyFOX...

  • Leftists Said ICE Nabbed Nannies In Santa Monica's Douglas Park, Taking them away from Screaming Babies. It Wasn't True

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jun 27, 2025
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    On June 14, Santa Monica officials dispelled rumors of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining nannies at local parks, sparked by unverified online posts and a preschool email. While no evidence supported these claims, recent ICE activity at Westside car washes fueled broader immigration enforcement concerns. Separately, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stated that their agents were not at Dodger Stadium looking for illegal aliens. This...

  • Is Santa Monica Making Any Special Preparations Due to the Immigration Riots?

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jun 8, 2025

    There’s no specific information confirming that the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) is on heightened alert following the June 8, 2025, riots in downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). The SMPD’s official Instagram and website don’t mention any tactical alert or heightened status as of the latest updates, with their most recent posts focusing on routine activities like vehicle burglary responses from May 2025. However, given the proximity to DTLA (about 15 miles) and the scale...

  • Class of 2025 Graduates from Pacific Palisades High School, Despite Losing Their Campus in the January 7th Fire

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jun 7, 2025

    The Palisades Charter High School Class of 2025 held its graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the Hollywood Bowl, a departure from the school's campus due to damage from the Palisades Fire on January 7, 2025, which destroyed parts of the campus, including the football stadium. The ceremony celebrated the resilience of the graduating class amidst significant adversity. Speakers at the Graduation The ceremony featured notable speakers, reflecting the school's...

  • Rite-Aid Store on Wilshire and 14th Street in Santa Monica Will closes permanently on May 28, 2025.

    Sarah Storkin|Updated May 4, 2025

    Rite-Aid Drugstore will close permanently on May 28th, 2025, a store employee confirmed for The Observer. The Rite Aid at 1331 Wilshire Boulevard, near the intersection of Wilshire and 14th Street in Santa Monica, is scheduled to close permanently at the end of May 2025. A notice posted at the store indicates that prescriptions will be transferred to the CVS at 1411 Lincoln Blvd starting May 29, 2025. The store remains open with normal hours as of May 5 2025, but many shelves...

  • Chainsaw Weilding Bike Rider Arrested For Cutting Down Trees in Downtown Los Angeles

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Apr 25, 2025

    By Sarah Storkin One man. was arrested in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, for cutting down at least 13 trees with a chainsaw over a 12-day period starting April 13. Samuel Patrick Groft, 44, had been taken into custody on suspicion of felony vandalism. The suspect, identified as a homeless man named Groft, was apprehended after a 12-day rampage during which he allegedly cut down at least 13 mature trees while bicycling in and around downtown LA. The tree-cutti...

  • Who is Shooting Crows in Westchester, and Why?

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Mar 14, 2025

    More than 100 crows were shot to death in a neighborhood on the 8300 block of Chase Avenue, Westchester. Bullets narrowly missed people, causing fear and concern among residents. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating this "deadly animal attack," on March 12th. One Westchester resident, Brenna Lenoir, expressed heightened concern, stating, "I think the whole block is feeling pretty freaked out about it... It's crows, but how long until it escalates to pets...

  • Naked man punched 3-year-old, tried to rape woman at her LA home, police say

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Mar 7, 2025

    On February 27, 2025, a violent incident unfolded in the Sawtelle neighborhood of West Los Angeles, leading to the arrest of 33-year-old Ishmail Bangura. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Bangura, who was nude during the attacks, is accused of two separate assaults that day. The sequence began around 12:30 p.m. when Bangura allegedly entered an apartment complex near the 2400 block of Barry Avenue and...

  • Do The Various Mothers of Elon Musk's 14 or So Kids, Really Hate Each Other?

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Mar 1, 2025

    The tension between Ashley St. Clair, Shivon Zilis, Grimes, and other women-particularly those vocal on platforms like X-seems to stem from a mix of personal, social, and ideological factors tied to their relationships with Elon Musk and their public personas. Based on sentiment from X posts and broader context, here's the breakdown: Ashley St. Clair: As a 26-year-old conservative influencer claiming to be the mother of Musk's 13th child (unconfirmed by Musk as of March 1,...

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