Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words

Articles from the February 8, 2021 edition


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  • Do I Really Need a 20 Percent Down Payment to Buy a Home?

    Rick Cunningham, Cunningham Real Estate|Feb 8, 2021

    Is the idea of saving for a down payment holding you back from buying a home right now? You may be eager to take advantage of today's low mortgage rates, but the thought of needing a large down payment might make you want to pump the brakes. Today, there's still a common myth that you have to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. This means people who could buy a home may be putting their plans on hold because they don't have that much saved yet. The reality is,...

  • Santa Monica Still Facing Budget Deficits, But City Officials Hoping for 'Federal Stimulus" to Fill Gaps

    Jack Simon, Observer Staff Writer|Feb 8, 2021

    With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to batter the US economy, the Santa Monica City Council received this week an update on the city's finances and its projected budget deficits over the coming years. City staff told the Council the current budget remains balanced through "prudent departmental spending" and by leveraging $14.6 million of the $20 million Shutdown Reserve fund, created during the June 2020 budget process after revenues declined more than anticipated due to the extended winter...

  • Group Seeks Order to Stop the Ballona Restoration Project

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Feb 8, 2021

    A group called Protect Ballona Wetlands, has filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate with the LA Superior Court. The lawsuit seeks to restrain the Calif. Dept of Fish and Wildlife from approving a project to “restore, enhance, and establish native coastal wetland and upland habitats on approximately 566 acres within the Ballona Reserve.” The group alleges that the State’s description of the plan as restoration is “disingenuous.” They say that the plan will actually harm wildlife, take the land out...

  • Don't Go to Superbowl Parties, County Health Department Begs, Claiming Such Gatherings Bring Death

    Alyssa Erdley, News with Attitude|Feb 8, 2021

    The Los County Department of Public Health today begs residents to avoid gathering with people outside their immediate household to watch the Superbowl this weekend. This week, the county surpassed 17,000 deaths from Covid-19 since the beginning of tallies of cases of the disease imported from China. So far, 1.129 million people in the county - over 10 percent - have been confirmed to have contracted the disease. Vaccinations have begun for first responders, health care workers, and residents...

  • Sentencing Delayed for Santa Monica Man Who Orchestrated Online Romance Scam

    Simon Jack, Observer Staff Writer|Feb 8, 2021

    A federal judge has delayed until February 22 the sentencing for a Santa Monica man who admitted to orchestrating an online romance scam that conned four women, including "Black-ish" actress Jenifer Lewis, into investing in his sham companies. Antonio Mariot Wilson, also known as "Dr. Tony Mariot" and "Brice Carrington," 57, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud last June, according to a plea agreement filed in Los Angeles federal court. Between May 2015 and October 2018, Wilson engaged in...