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This week, the Santa Monica Jaycees have a panel on women in politics, the future of the Santa Monica Pier is up for discussion, there will be a family-friendly story time in Tongva Park, and the Housing Commission continues its discussion on the future of affordable housing in Santa Monica.

Women in Politics

The Santa Monica Jaycees’ Civic Engagement Committee is hosting a panel on women in politics today (Monday, September 21) at the Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club in Downtown Santa Monica from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Panelists include Cam Kashani, entrepreneur, community builder, and former co-owner of Coloft, Melanie Luthern, workers’ rights advocate, and Pam O’Connor, a Santa Monica City Council member and former mayor.

For more information and to RSVP, visit the event’s Facebook page.

When: Monday, September 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club, 1210 4th St, Santa Monica, California 90401

Plan the Pier’s Future

It’s more than a century old and arguably one of the most recognizable landmarks in Santa Monica. So, how do you envision the future of the Santa Monica Pier? Do you like the free concerts? The fun events? Do you want to see more of that?

Today (Monday, September 21) at Ken Edwards Center, join the Pier Board and city staff as they plan for the next decades. They will “evaluate opportunities to improve the layout and visitor experience” to Santa Monica’s famous Pier.

For more information, visit santamonicapier.org.

When: Monday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Ken Edwards Center, 1527 4th St.

City’s Art Collection on Display At Annenberg Beach House

In conjunction with the Beach=Culture open house on Friday, September 25, the city will be displaying pieces from its art collection at the Annenberg Beach House.

“The evening will kick off at 4:00 p.m. with a dress rehearsal of Choreographer-in-Residence Rebecca Bruno’s new site-specific dance work Elemental Forms. Visitors are encouraged to stay and view the exhibition, and enjoy light refreshments to the sounds the vintage jazz of Nick Ariondo & Friends. There will also be a special, mini-Dance Hall starting at 6:30 p.m. with James & Cynthia until 8:00 p.m.” according to city officials.

Art Bank: Selections from the city of Santa Monica’s Art Collection will be on display until January 12, 2016.

The exhibition “gives visitors to the Annenberg Community Beach House Gallery the rare opportunity to view artwork from the collection together in one location. The City of Santa Monica ‘s Art Bank program was established by the Santa Monica Arts Commission in 1984 with the aim of supporting local artists and bringing art into the life of Santa Monica’s municipal spaces by displaying the artwork throughout the City in public facilities,” officials said.

For more information, visit www.smgov.net/arts

When: Friday, September 25 at from 4 to 8 p.m.
Where: The Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402

Story Time in Tongva Park

On Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., acclaimed recording artist Michael Heralda presents Aztec Stories in Tongva Park.

Heralda’s engaging storytelling and musical presentation, based on the great Mexica/Aztec culture, incorporates oral tradition, narratives, poetry, and interactive music. Michael will demonstrate and share more than 45 hand-made, indigenous instruments and talk about themes of Mexica/Aztec knowledge. The presentation is for all ages and audience participation is encouraged,” according to city officials.

For more information, visit smgov.net/tongvapark/events.

When: Saturday, September 26 at 10 a.m.
Where: Tongva Park, 1615 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

The Future of Affordable Housing in Santa Monica

That’s the topic that the Santa Monica Housing Commission will be discussing on Saturday, September 26 at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Branch of the Santa Monica Public Library.

“The Housing Commission, a seven-member board that advises the Santa Monica City Council on affordable housing issues, is inviting the public to share their experiences with and views on affordable housing in Santa Monica, information that will be incorporated into a comprehensive Housing Commission report on the funding efficacy for new development and preservation of the current affordable housing stock in the City,” according to city officials.

Currently, the city is in the throes of a major housing supply crisis and the dwindling funds for subsidized affordable housing, which serves low-income residents, has only exacerbated the problem.

The number of units -- both market rate and affordable -- approved in Santa Monica has dropped significantly in recent years, according to the city's annual Prop R reports.
The number of units — both market rate and affordable — approved in Santa Monica has dropped significantly in recent years, according to the city’s annual Prop R reports.

For more information, contact the City of Santa Monica Housing Division at (310) 458-8702 or visit www.smgov.net/housing.

When: Saturday, September 26 at 10:30 p.m.
Where: Multipurpose Room at the Main Branch Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

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