Welcome to The Santa Monica Star

For years, The Santa Monica Star has been a trusted voice on the Westside – connecting neighbors, celebrating local stories, and fostering meaningful relationships throughout the community. Published monthly in both print and e-newsletter formats, The Santa Monica Star is thoughtfully distributed where life happens – banks, restaurants, medical offices, schools, boutiques, and gathering places across Santa Monica, now extending into Mar Vista and West Los Angeles. Each issue shines a spotlight on the people and businesses that define the area, highlighting our local “celebrities” alongside vibrant coverage of community events. The Santa Monica Star is a platform for connection – helping businesses reach engaged local audiences while keeping the spirit of the Westside front and center.

How Do You Like to Celebrate Father’s Day?

Hodge, Dad Hodge Patterson, and brother Mack

Jeff Jarow and his son Morgan

Our June Featured Articles

Celebrating the Pacific Palisades Annual 4th of July
Parade on Sunset Boulevard

By Richard Lombari

Even though the calendar has only just turned to June, anticipation for the Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade is already beginning to build.
   In years past, it was not unusual to see lawn chairs quietly appear along Sunset Boulevard several days before the parade itself. Long before the marching bands arrived or the first flag waved down the parade route, the excitement had already begun.
   For generations, the Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade has represented the very best of small-town America woven into the fabric of Los Angeles. Residents eagerly await the familiar sights each year – scouts carrying banners, local schools, youth sports organizations, classic cars, community groups, first responders, and the beloved Pacific Palisades Oom Pa Pa Band moving down Sunset Boulevard past cheering families and neighbors. For many residents, the parade is more than a holiday tradition.
It is part of the identity of the Palisades itself.
   

Grand Opening of the19th Street Community Garden

By Sarah Caso- California Climate Action Corps Fellow 

To celebrate the opening of Santa Monica’s seventh community garden, a block party will be held on 19th Street between Delaware and Pico on June 14,  from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is open to all and will have activities for all ages. 
  This garden is not only for the community, but designed by the community. The 8,000-square- foot property that the garden now occupies sat vacant for over 20 years. In 2023, the Community Garden Program began holding meetings with neighbors of the property to create a vision for a garden in the space. Over the last few years, numerous workshops were held where participants worked on designing the space. Now, in 2026, the construction of the garden space is complete, and the block party is being held as the official opening of the garden to the public.  

The Emotional Challenges of Older Cancer Survivors

By Tim Petlin

When cancer treatment ends, many people expect relief and celebration. While that is often true, surviving cancer is not simply a finish line, it can bring emotional and personal challenges that continue long after treatment.
   Each year, the first Sunday in June marks National Cancer Survivors Day, a time to recognize those living with a history of cancer and acknowledge the struggles many survivors still face.
Beyond medical bills and follow-up appointments, cancer survivors often face:
• Mental and emotional struggles 
• Changes in personal relationships 
• Fear that cancer may return 
   For older adults, these challenges may go unspoken. Many seniors grew up believing they should “push through” feelings 
of sadness or anxiety rather than ask for help. But emotional struggles after cancer are real and deserve attention.

Good Gift Ideas For Our Fathers

By Michele Li

Father’s Day falls on June 21 this year. This guide is perfect for teens struggling to find the right gift for their dads. Sometimes the budget is hard to follow, especially if you want to get a “grown up” gift. The secret to the perfect gift is to recognize the work that fathers do. Dads spend most of their time fixing things around the house, the WiFi router, and helping with driving lessons, so the most important thing is to make sure Dads feel that their work is appreciated.
   A good gift can be an upgrade gift. You can replace a chipped mug, or replace an old wallet. This shows that you care and know what your Dad uses and needs. It shows that you have been paying attention to his routine and makes your Dad feel seen and respected. If you have a thin wallet, you can consider a service gift. You can offer to wash his car, or give him a massage. Sometimes, acts of service can be more valuable to Dads than an expensive bottle of cologne.

Get Ready to Celebrate in June!

By Maureen Molé

June is party month! Graduations, bridal showers, weddings, first communions, confirmations, and various birthday parties. Of course, hosting these events is a big task.
Invitations must be sent, hosts must decide on the location of the party, food to be served, will there be entertainment, decorations, and many other details. Here are a few tips to help make your party a success:
• When communicating the invitation via evite, phone, or written, be sure to let the guests know if the party is indoors or outdoors.
• Always give the guests an idea of food that will be served such as outdoor buffet, sit-down lunch, appetizers and desserts, or pizza and birthday cake.
• Be sure to discuss the chronology of the party with the guest of honor. Whether it is a birthday party for a preschooler, school-age child, teenager, or adult. They may very well have a specific plan in mind and may get very upset if the party does not follow their idea.

Now What? Pier 360 Beach Festival, That’s What!

By Jim Harris

If you’ve been to  our Pier 360 Beach Festival before, you already know – it’s a grand affair. We’re talking all-day beach volleyball competitions, paddleboard races, swim races, lifeguard competitions, skateboarding, roller- skating, a strongman competition, live music, Polynesian dancing, incredible food, and a pop-up Museum of Beach Culture. It is our annual “WOW” kickoff to Summer, and trust me, you don’t want to miss it.
This event celebrates Santa Monica’s singular role in creating and curating Southern California’s beach culture. There’s truly nothing else like it.
Looking back at how Pier 360 came to be still makes me smile. In 2009, the Pier was celebrating its first 100 years with a full-year of incredible events. When it was all over, we looked at each other and thought, “Now what?”
Well, standup paddleboarding was the latest craze, so in June 2010 we staged a paddleboard race, and it was beautifully grassroots, right down to one of the Pier’s business owners showing up with a giant urn of homemade coffee.

Best Care Tips for Parrots

By Dr. Frank Lavac, MS,DVM

Q: What are some  good tips for care of parrots?
A: 1. Diet: Poor qual ity, seed-based diets
are a leading factor in predisposing disease in parrots.  Feed 70% pellet diets with approximately 20% dark green vegetables and a small amount of seed/nuts (approximately 5-10%). If you can’t transition them to a pelletized diet, then purchase human-grade seeds and nuts from a health food store. Purchase small quantities so that it is used quickly.  Seeds or seed mixtures bought in pet stores do not have an “eat by” date. Extended storage can lead to spoilage of proteins and fats that are so important for health.
2. Cage sanitation: Bird cages are their microenvironment and detailed, routine cleaning is important. Pay close attention to the food and water bowls. Don’t leave fish, fruit, or vegetables in the cage for more than two to three hours.
3. Environmental enrichment:  Toys and more toys. Allow them to fly in a safe environment. Get a cage mate. Parrots are never alone in the wild. They have evolved to be social creatures and live in flocks.

Talking With Your Children

By Lisa Alexander, Esq.

When it comes to  finances and estate planning, the question of how much to share with your children has many answers. For some families, money is just not something to talk about. Finances are private and held close. Some families are worried their children might be less incentivized to work if they knew how much they might inherit. Or, they worry about their children’s spouses. Other families are very open with their children about their finances.
   How much to share with your children is a matter of preparing them, even in the most basic way, in case something was to happen. For example, where do you keep your important documents? Who is your attorney and investment advisor, and any other professional contacts who should be notified? If you have named one or more children as your health care agent or power of attorney, do they know that? Do they know what will be expected of them? 
   The next level may be a general summary of your assets and the basics of your estate plan, without the need to share dollar amounts. Who will be in charge of settling your affairs? How will your estate be distributed? Will there be gifts to charity or beneficiaries outside your immediate family? If family dynamics are an issue, avoiding surprises may also avoid legal conflicts. 

Every Day Should Be World Hunger Day  

By Qin Sun Stubis

Few Americans understand the torture of hunger these days. On the contrary, we are having the opposite problem of eating too much, lured by ever-present food commercials and aromas escaping from eateries conveniently located all over our streets. At home, a well-stocked fridge acts more like a temptress, ready to offer us food even when we are not hungry. 
   Those who are starving could only wish they had America’s problem. In fact, hundreds of millions of people are unable to secure enough food for themselves every day. They come in all ages, genders, and colors, trying to survive wars, political turmoil, natural disasters, and more. 
   These people battle drought and flood or other events they cannot predict and have no control over. They are our earthly brothers and sisters, perpetually living in fear with empty stomachs. And, if we look more closely, we are bound to find plenty of our own down-and-out countrymen starving in the shadows of our tall, magnificent skyscrapers as well.  

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