ABOUT US
The Santa Monica Star is a trusted voice in the community, published by Diane Margolin — creator of On Montana and The City Scene. With deep roots and longstanding relationships across the Westside, Diane brings a unique ability to connect local businesses with an engaged, loyal audience. Widely distributed throughout Santa Monica and now expanded into Mar Vista and West Los Angeles, The Santa Monica Star reaches readers where they live, work, and gather — from restaurants and boutiques to medical offices, schools, and community hubs. Published monthly, the paper highlights standout local businesses and the people who shape the community — our “local celebrities”— alongside vibrant coverage of events and neighborhood life.
If you’re looking to reach a targeted Westside audience in an authentic, community – driven way, The Santa Monica Star offers a powerful platform to showcase your business.
One Reframe That Can Change Your Family's Story
By Frances Barry
Recently, I was driving slowly through a parking garage when a child ran in front of my car. I slammed on the brakes. The child and I stared at each other, frozen, as their parent pulled them away. As I drove away, I imagined the inevitable reprimand: Don't run in parking lots.
Sound advice – but directions that begin with "don't" rarely land the way we intend. When a child hears 'don't run,' their mind may inadvertently focus on 'run' –
the very thing you want them to avoid. Or they simply tune out after the word 'don't.' Children can better follow directions that tell them what to do rather than what
not to do.
But this shift can be challenging. Our natural instincts are wired towards danger, what we don't want, not towards desire, what we do want. It takes real mental effort to override that pull. Let's replay the parking lot scene using a framework I call ORCA – Observe, Reflect, Connect, Act – and see what that looks like
in practice.
April 2026
