Damien Newton
191 POSTS
Damien is the executive director of the Southern California Streets Initiative which publishes Santa Monica Next, Streetsblog Los Angeles, Streetsblog San Francisco, Streetsblog California and Longbeachize.
Exclusive articles:
City Staff Asks for O.K. to Begin Work on July 2015 SMO Closure
The jet plane roars overhead. I sneak a peak at the sleeping child in the stroller next to me. She stirs, but doesn't move....
#TreeHugSamo Winner Announced, and Some Links on SaMo’s Urban Forest
Apparently, unless you actually are Jerry Rubin, it's hard to get adults to hug trees and be photographed while doing it. We received only...
#TreeHugSaMo Contest Extended!
Originally timed to coincide with Jerry Peace Activist Rubin's "Tree Hugging Day," we did get a couple of great submissions. But since I spent...
With Petition Filed, There’s Time for Bergamot to Cool Off
Last week, a coalition of community based organizations turned in a petition to create a referendum to overturn a 4-3 City Council vote to...
Join the #treehugSaMo Photo Contest Tomorrow
Tomorrow is Tree Hugging Day in Santa Monica. Thanks to the efforts of Jerry Peace Activist Rubin, Santa Monicans have had a chance to...
Latest
OPA Update 12/1/25: OPA Holiday Party & Miracle on Main St. THIS Sunday, New City Law Requires Owners to Register Vacant Properties, & Street...
OPA Holiday Party DetailsMark your calendar to join us the...
SMMUSD Students Honored by National Merit Scholarship Program
The following is a submission from SMMUSD. Photo: The...
Feast on a Ferris Wheel With a 90-Foot-Tall Turkey and All the Light Trimmings for Thanksgiving – And Next Will Be Back Next Week
The following is a press release from the Pier...
SMC’s Corsair Track Closed to the Public from 12/1 to Spring 2026
The Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsair Track & Field, located at SMC’s...

