WHAT WE'RE DOING – AND WHAT YOU CAN DO – TO KEEP THE ENERGY CRISIS AT BAY he City of Santa Monica has been focused on energy conservation for more than a decade, as part of our Sustainable City objectives, but we recently joined with hundreds of other cities throughout the state in a commitment to reduce energy use by an additional 5%. Among the many conservation measures already in place for the city infrastructure are: converting to all high-pressure sodium streetlights, the most energy efficient type; converting all traffic signals to more energy-efficient LED technology (alone resulting in a 3% overall savings); and retrofitting lighting and heating and air conditioning systems in city buildings. With the initial threats of power blackouts that began in early January, conservation tips for homes and businesses were posted on the city's website and given to all employees. All city departments have received specific instructions regarding thermostat settings, turning out lights, turning off all electrical equipment when not in use, not using space heaters, and so on. Power shortages continue to grip the state as Seascape goes to press, and most residents are concerned not only about the effect of this energy crisis on their pocketbooks but also with how they can help alleviate the problem. The good news is that the same easy steps that can save you money will automatically save energy, so we offer them here to help you get through this winter and the coming months as painlessly as possible. Heating accounts for a big chunk of winter energy bills, even in our moderate coastal climate * The first thing to do is turn down your thermostat. A 68 degree setting when you are at home will use only half as much energy as a setting of 75 degrees. When leaving for the day or before retiring, set your thermostat even lower (as low as 55). * Make sure your furnace receives a professional "tune up" each year. Clean or replace filters once a month to help your unit run more efficiently. * Close off vents to rooms that are not being used. Draw draperies and window shades to limit heat loss. Open them during the day to let sunshine in. Replace four of your most-used 100-watt incandescent bulbs with four comparable 23-watt compact fluorescent bulbs to save $82 over three years * If all households did this, we'd save as much energy as is consumed by 7 million cars in one year! Shift energy-intensive tasks like laundry and dishwashing to off-peak demand hours * In winter, the peak hours are generally 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Limit your power usage during these hours. * Be sure to run only full loads in both washers for maximum energy efficiency. * Line dry laundry and turn off the dishwasher after its final rinse cycle to let dishes air dry. * Don't preheat your broiler or oven – it's an unnecessary waste of energy. * Keep in mind that microwave cuisine is faster and more efficient than conventional cooking. It can save a lot of your time and energy, as well! Turn off everything not in use: TVs, computers, lights * Remember that, even though turned "off," TVs, VCRs, cable boxes, CD players, cassette decks, cordless phones, burglar alarms and microwaves continue to consume electricity to keep their display clocks lit and memory chips and remote controls working. The energy cost is $3 billion annually. If you have more than one of these each of these items in your home, consider unplugging the additional equipment to reduce power consumption. * Activate "sleep" features on computers and office equipment that power down while on but not in use for awhile. Turn them off altogether during long periods of non-use to both cut utility costs and extend longevity. For more energy-wise help for your home, office and automobile, as well as long-term solutions to the power crisis, we encourage you to visit these websites: www.smgov.net, www.edison.com, www.energystar.gov, www.fueleconomy.gov and www.naima.gov. You'll also find links to other useful webpages on these sites. Low-income residents are reminded to visit Southern California Edison's website at www.sce.com for details on its California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program or call 1-800-409-2365.

Born to Learn! NEXT LIFELONG LEARNING FORUM SET Work continues in Santa Monica's community effort to ensure every child is born healthy, enjoys learning, and enters school ready and eager to succeed. Learn what's been accomplished so far to build a supportive, appreciative and enriched environment for the families of our community's children age 0-5. . . and participate in planning the next steps at a Lifelong Learning Community Conference and Discussion, "When Life Begins in Santa Monica," on Saturday, March 31, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at John Adams Middle School. The public is invited to join Santa Monica's mayor, other civic and community leaders, and representatives of our schools, college, hospitals and other Lifelong Learning partner organizations and institutions to listen and take part in discussion groups as strategies for supporting the critical beginning years of learning for our youngest residents are refined and advanced. John Adams Middle School is located at 16th & Pearl Street. Conference registration begins in the auditorium at 8:30 a.m., and the program runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend. Special programming for young children and their families, as well as Spanish translation, will be provided. To RSVP or for more information, please call 450-2387 or email smllcp@aol.com.

CITYTV PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COLLEGE   anta Monica's own cable Channel 16 is sporting a hot new look on the web. The site redesign is the result of a collaboration with the Art Institute of Los Angeles in Santa Monica. Integrated into the Institute's web design program, students were given the valuable experience of updating CityTV 16's existing site with a new look. Challenged to provide insight and access to CityTV's "Key to the City" programming, each student was asked to create two site design ideas. The students then voted on the ten best ideas. The final decision, arrived at jointly by city staff, institute instructors and students, is available for you to see at citytv16.org. Set your web browser to citytv16.org for programming information, broadcast schedules, "Santa Monica Update," the "Tuesday Night Live Club," city meeting coverage and ways that you can contribute to this Emmy Award winning station. CityTV is the place to see your neighborhood, local school, or even your neighbor. It's your "Key to the City." How to Access the Public Electronic Network (PEN):    http://santa-monica.org LEADERSHIP SERIES SETS MARCH SESSION: WHAT IS THE CITY'S GENERAL PLAN? HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME? The City of Santa Monica's popular Leadership Series will next meet on Thursday, March 22, to cover the weighty topic of the city's General Plan. The class, to be held at the Ken Edwards Center, 1524 4th Street, from 7-9 p.m., is free to the public, but limited to 40 participants. Call 458-8301 to register, or sign up on-line at www.smgov.net/communication/cityforms/leadership_series.htm

HOW ARE WE DOING? s part of its budget preparation cycle, the city has, for several years, asked Santa Monica residents to rate their satisfaction with city services. A scientifically valid telephone survey of 429 randomly selected households was conducted in November using the International City Management Association (ICMA) Performance Measurement Project survey instrument. The survey addresses city services in general and, specifically, streets, sidewalks, alleys, refuse collection, parks and recreation, libraries and public safety. In addition to this basic assessment, information was sought on local parking, water and communication issues. Among the key findings: * While 80% of Santa Monicans are currently satisfied with municipal services, the percentage saying they are very or somewhat satisfied declined by 8% from last year. More than two-thirds of respondents gave excellent or good ratings to refuse collection services (78%), range and quality of park and recreation opportunities (both 72%), availability of library materials (85%) and quality of library services (81%), Police Department handling of emergencies (77%), Fire Department response time (87%) and handling of emergencies (90%). The city's communication with residents was satisfactory to 74% of those surveyed, a 10-point decline from 1999's survey. * Positive ratings for the appearance of Santa Monica's parks increased from 77% last year to 80%. Also noteworthy is a marked improvement in opinion on the condition of alleys, with the "good all over" rating up from 14% to 22%. * Homeless, growth, housing and parking issues topped the list of concerns voiced by residents. To an open-ended question aimed at identifying the top one or two issues facing the city, 32% of those polled indicated "too many homeless/homeless causing problems," 26% identified "too much growth," 23% named "lack of affordable housing" and 13% pointed to "lack of parking." Responses to questions on parking suggest that most residents (81%) find parking in the downtown "always" or "sometimes" difficult, and 94% feel the amount of parking in the downtown area should be increased. * Topping suggestions for improved city services were "offer more services for the homeless" (21%), "communicate better with residents" (18%), "reduce traffic congestion" (15%) and "stop growth" (14%). * Seascape ranked highest among information sources for city news, mentioned by 38% of respondents, with CityTV cited by 29% (a 10% jump from last year.) The now defunct Our Times was mentioned by 20% of respondents and the Westside Weekly by 15%. Survey results are used in budget development, program evaluation, and service planning. The full survey findings are available on the city website at  http://www.smgov.net/residents/ ***

2001-02 BUDGET PRIORITIES PUBLIC HEARING HELD At their first meeting of the new year, on January 9, the Santa Monica City Council took public input on potential budget priorities for the 2001-2002 fiscal year that will begin July 1, 2001. Nearly 100 civic-minded individuals offered comment following brief staff reports on the economic outlook for the city and results of the annual survey of resident satisfaction with city services (see separate article). Among the suggestions for funding were youth and family services and programs, early childhood education, support to the local school district, retrofit of earthquake damaged buildings at the local college, services for the disabled community, childcare, acquisition of open space for playing fields, park and field maintenance, developing the city-owned property at 415 PCH, parking and traffic improvements, increasing assistance to business improvement districts, sustainable city goals, and Pico neighborhood programs. The City Council voted at this same meeting to continue into the next fiscal year with the principal priorities established for 2000-2001--Education, Affordable Housing, Community Livability, Mobility, and Environment--which encompass objectives mentioned by the public. Staff was directed to evaluate additional objectives, funding sources and potential trade-offs for consideration when the recommended budget comes to Council in mid-May. Budget hearings will be held May 29, 30 and 31, with adoption of the final 2001-02 budget scheduled for June 19. Budget suggestions may still be submitted via www.smgov.net.

HONORING THE WORK OF KING AND CHÁVEZ T he Santa Monica City Council is soliciting the public's input on naming one or more existing or planned city venues or a city street after Martin Luther King, Jr. and César Chávez, two of America's foremost civil rights leaders. Sites currently under consideration include Virginia Avenue Park, the Main Library and Olympic Drive, which will be a new street directly south of City Hall between Fourth and Main Streets in the new Civic Center. Other sites within the Civic Center will be considered during the planning process, scheduled to begin later this year. There are three ways you can participate in this process: * Go to the city's website at www.smgov.net and fill out the on-line survey * Call the Community & Cultural Services Department at 458-8710 to have a survey form faxed or mailed to you * Ask to be placed on our mailing list to be notified of City Council and other community meetings at which this topic will be discussed (again, phone 458-8710) *** PICO NEIGHBORHOOD TEENS PRODUCE VIRGINIA AVENUE PARK PSA T wenty-five teens living in the Pico area recently completed writing, directing and producing a public service announcement (PSA) for Virginia Avenue Park. Under the guidance of director Alex Munoz and staff at the park's Thelma Terry Center, the amateur videographers participated in the video film production class, the first of its kind in the city. Watch for it this spring on CityTV, cable channel 16. *** CHROMIUM MONITORING PROGRAM UNDERWAY T here have been several recent news items regarding Chromium 6 in regional drinking water supplies, including reports of elevated levels of the chemical in Los Angeles and Glendale water supplies. With the release of the movie "Erin Brockovich," which told the story of litigation over extremely high levels of Chromium 6 found in the water supply of Hinkley, California, there has been increased public concern about the safety of municipal drinking water. Chromium exists in two forms: Chromium 3 is a required nutrient that is essential to good nutrition. Chromium 6, however, is known to cause lung cancers among workers inhaling its dust particles. It can be naturally occurring in groundwater or can enter drinking water sources through certain types of industrial discharges, or as leachate from hazardous waste sites. The levels of Total Chromium (the sum of both forms) in Santa Monica's water sources have always been well below the established limit of 50 parts per billion (ppb). Until recently, it was not possible to test for Chromium 6 at extremely low levels, but recent improvements in laboratory methods have allowed water agencies to begin collecting data on its occurrence in their supplies. The city recently tested for Chromium 6 for the first time. As anticipated, a range of levels from "none detected" to a low 1.2 ppb was found. In comparison, the level of Chromium 6 in the Hinkley water supply was 24,000 ppb. The city's Water Division is watching this issue closely and a quarterly monitoring program for Chromium 6 has been implemented. Find out more on the issue, including the city's involvement with other water agencies and the state, at www.smgov.net/epwm, or call the city's Water Quality Office at 826-6712. *** ELECTION WELL-COVERED ON THE NET & AROUND TOWN E lection coverage in Santa Monica provided ample opportunities for residents to become well-informed voters in the weeks leading up to Election 2000. In addition to local candidate and ballot measure forums sponsored by the League of Women Voters, cablecast numerous times by CityTV, there was also a live, interactive forum with City Council and school board candidates that attracted dozens of phone, fax and e-mailed questions for candidates. Candidate interviews and text of the local propositions were also posted on the city website, which received more than 5,000 visitors who accessed more than 10,000 election-related pages between June 23 and December 31, 2000. ***

CAN YOU SPOT THE COP IN THE CROSSWALK? Want to pay $270 to find out? The cost of violating pedestrians' rights in marked or unmarked crosswalks just went up. AB 2522, which went into effect in California on January 1, imposes a mandatory fine of $270 for a first offense of not yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and $540 for a second offense. Injure a pedestrian and the fines escalate to $594 the first time and $864 the next. The Santa Monica Police Department vigorously enforces traffic laws to protect the safety of drivers and pedestrians. DRIVERS * Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk (that car is stopped for a good reason, usually a pedestrian) * Yield right-of-way to pedestrians, make eye contact * Wait for the pedestrian to clear the crosswalk before moving * Use extra caution near schools and in business districts * Don't use a handheld cell phone while driving PEDESTRIANS * Cross only at intersections, preferably with traffic lights or stop signs * Allow vehicles enough time to stop * Make eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb * Stop, look both ways, listen -- be a defensive walker * Use extra care when crossing with children * Use caution crossing parking lots LET'S WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER. . .CROSSING SAFELY IS A TWO-WAY STREET

CALIFORNIA LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS WORKSHOP CALENDAR W orkshops are held on Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Ken Edwards Center, 1527 Fourth St. The cost is $5 for Santa Monica residents. Workshops sell out, so reserve early by calling (310) 998-5590 March 7 TAX STRATEGIES FOR ARTISTS A tax specialist will discuss and answer questions concerning strategies to reduce taxes for individuals and small businesses. March 21 WRITING FOR TELEVISION An attorney experienced with the television industry will discuss television production company hiring procedures and cover standard terms found in single-episode and staff writer agreements. April 4 CYBERSPACE & THE LAW A multimedia attorney will discuss current legal issues related to computer technology, including copyright law, fair use and licensing of existing works and the interplay between the right of privacy and free speech. April 18 CONTRACTS FOR ARTISTS Arts attorneys will highlight selected contract terms in various contacts (e.g. for writers and publishers, photographers, artists and galleries, performers, etc.) These workshops are supported by the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division, the California Arts Council, the County of Los Angeles Dispute Resolution Program, Los Angeles County Arts Commission and the 18th Street Arts Complex.

A EULOGY FOR OUR EUCALYPTUS S ince early 1998, Eucalyptus trees throughout California have been experiencing an infestation by a new insect commonly known as the Lerp Psyllid. With no natural enemies, this pest has managed to spread unimpeded, causing the untimely demise of perhaps thousands of the giant trees. Signs of the infestation were first discovered in Santa Monica during the summer of 1999. Residents began complaining of both excessive leaf drop and "honeydew" dripping off the leaves during the day onto sidewalks and vehicles. Approximately 65 Eucalyptus trees in isolated areas of the city have been lost to the infestation. Though there have been numerous attempts by the tree care industry to control this insect with chemicals and beneficial insects, including predatory wasps, they have so far met with limited success. To prevent the spread of disease to other significant stands in Santa Monica, those trees that have already succumbed to the insect are being removed from sections of Alta Avenue and the northern end of Palisades Park. They will be replaced with trees that have proven resistant to the Lerp Psyllid. Community Forester Walt Warriner noted that one the affected trees, located across from the Hotel Oceana, was saved in 1999 when the new Palisades Park restroom at Idaho Avenue was built, but now must be removed. It will be replaced with a Grey Gum, grown from seeds imported from Australia by Grace Heintz, fondly remembered as "the tree lady" and editor of the revised edition of Trees of Santa Monica. Although the loss of these majestic trees is regrettable, this is a process that occurs in all forests, whether urban or natural. For more information on the Psyllid or on the tree removal and replacement program, please call 458-8974.

Briefly... CITY HALL, 1685 MAIN STREET, is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and every other Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Closed Fridays" (which reduce car trips and improve air quality) for the next three months are: February 23, March 9 and 23, April 8 and 20. We'll also be closed on Monday, February 19, in observance of Presidents' Day. A REMINDER ABOUT "CURBING" YOUR DOG – for everyone's health and safety, and for the continued protection of the Santa Monica Bay, please remember to pick up after Fido during those daily walks. Even in winter – especially in winter, with rains that carry potentially-polluting debris and wastes off yards, streets and sidewalks and into our storm drains – it's important to keep a watchful eye and carry a bag and scooper. Others will appreciate your thoughtfulness as they use Santa Monica's beautiful parks and walkways. KEEP UP WITH SANTA MONICA ON CITYTV "Santa Monica Update," the city's only TV news program, provides news, features, event coverage and a calendar of events, local sports and more! Aired weekdays at 9 a.m., 12 noon, 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on CityTV cable channel 16, a new edition of "Santa Monica Update" is produced every two weeks. (Please send press releases and event announcements to CityTV via fax at 310-260-1568.) CONSTRUCTION UPDATE After completion of major storm drain work, the city's new Public Safety Facility, to house the Police Department and jail, Fire Department headquarters and emergency operations center, began to rise on the site directly behind City Hall on January 23. Completion of construction is scheduled for Spring 2003. *** CITY'S WEBSITE EARNS KUDOS In a timely convergence of publicity, recent issues of America West, the regional airline's in-flight magazine, and Technology News, a supplementary publication of the Los Angeles Business Journal, featured the City of Santa Monica's website, giving it top marks for design, usefulness of information and online interactivity. Tech News rated Santa Monica's site "Best in L.A. County," noting that in addition to "standard features" such as meeting agendas, visitors can watch live broadcasts of Council meetings, download project EIRs, submit dozens of forms on-line, and even find out what streets are currently under construction. The America West story covered the national horizon, including Santa Monica among the nine federal, state and local websites that are "must sees." Have YOU seen us lately? Go to www.smgov.net and surf a little... or a lot!

ANNUAL CO-ART GRANTS ANNOUNCED WIDE ARRAY OF LOCAL ARTS OPPORTUNITIES ome of L.A. County's most exciting arts organizations make their home in Santa Monica. These agencies offer a wealth of programming, enabling local residents to take part in some of the best arts activities Southern California has to offer without ever leaving their own neighborhoods. This year, the Santa Monica Arts Commission has provided over $50,000 to these agencies to present cultural programming that enhances the quality of life in our city by the sea. THESE ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE 2001 SANTA MONICA CO-ARTS GRANTS: 18TH STREET ARTS COMPLEX 453-3711 Each October, this internationally recognized arts organization opens its doors to the community at its annual Arts Fest. The free event features performances and workshops for all ages by many of Santa Monica's local arts companies and tours of the studios of their resident artists. DANCESSENCE 260-1198 This local dance company will present a series of lectures/demonstrations in Santa Monica community centers and schools. Students will have a chance to view the creative processes involved in a dance performance and learn the basic tools needed to develop their own aesthetic tastes and appreciation of modern dance. HIGHWAYS 453-1755 Highways will present the eighth annual Treasure in the House, a month-long festival exploring the arts of Asia and the Pacific islands. This popular festival is dedicated to contemporary performance art created by solo artists and independent performance and dance companies. LOS ANGELES BAROQUE ORCHESTRA 458-0425 The orchestra will present performances celebrating its 15th anniversary including a free family concert at the Santa Monica Public Library, a major orchestral concert at the Water Garden, an in-school performance at Santa Monica High School and two performances at the Miles Playhouse. POWERHOUSE THEATER 396-3680 This local theater will present a four-week long summer theater camp for local youth, 11 through 16. Students will explore all the elements of theater from acting and writing to stage lighting, puppetry and choreography. The program is designed to build participants' skills in reading and writing while working together as an ensemble to create a original performance piece for presentation to their families, friends and community. SANTA MONICA MUSEUM OF ART 586-6488 The Museum will present its Evening Salon Series free to the public, bringing artists, scholars and community members together for spirited discussions about contemporary visual art in a relaxed environment. The salons a chance to delve deeper into current museum exhibitions as well as the opportunity to explore other arts and culture issues . THE VERDI CHORUS 394-1902 This unique community chorus will present a series of performances from grand opera, light opera, and the Broadway stage at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church on March 25 and November 18 along with a free concert at Santa Monica College (date TBA). The chorus brings together professional soloists and student singers with members of the community to perform some of music's most memorable moments. LATINO CO-ARTS GRANTS These grants are designed to promote arts activities for, by, and about Santa Monica's Latino community. This program was created by the City Council in 1991 with a goal of providing cultural and educational opportunities exploring the city's Latino heritage. 18TH STREET ARTS COMPLEX 453-3711 This prestigious local arts agency will provide an arts education project offering Latino-led workshops at John Adams Middle School and Edison Elementary. Three Latino artists will work in classrooms incorporating their art practices in the classroom curriculum during a series of workshops throughout one school semester. CALIFORNIA HERITAGE MUSEUM 392-8537 The local museum will present the exhibition Saints and Sinners: Latin American Religious Arts. The Museum will also offer educational workshops, lectures and tours including a day-long Day of the Dead workshop for children, a mural tour of Los Angeles, and a lecture series featuring contemporary Latino artists. HIGHWAYS PERFORMANCE SPACE 453-1755 The renowned performance art space will present El Vez, the Elvettes and the Memphis Mariachis in June 2001. Drawing from the style, flare and mythical status of the King of Rock n' Roll, El Vez fuses kitsch, pop culture, and cultural stereotypes with the famous melodies originally sung by Elvis Presley to entertain and educate audiences. LOS ANGELES BAROQUE ORCHESTRA 458-0425 The Orchestra will present Salir el Amor al Mundo a zarzuela by Spanish composer Sebastian Duron. The performance will mark the modern-day American premiere of this work featuring vocalists and an ensemble of string instruments. THE POWERHOUSE THEATRE COMPANY 396-3680 Nationally acclaimed, award-winning Cuban-American performer and storyteller Antonio Sacre will stage performances at Santa Monica community centers and schools, along with a series of weekly, bilingual storytelling events for young people and their families at the Powerhouse Theater. SANTA MONICA MUSEUM OF ART 586-6488 The Museum will present the second Virginia Avenue Park Project, a free, open-admission, outreach program held during spring break. This project serves as an introduction to art for many young people with workshops, field trips, and a final exhibition of the children's work at the Museum's Community Focus Gallery in the Santa Monica Place shopping center.

MAKING NEW HABITS WORK FOR YOU – AND YOUR COMMUNITY! D o you want to rev up your commitment to making a difference in your community, your country, in the world? Perhaps you walk, bike or carpool to reduce traffic and air pollution. You recycle cans, plastic and paper religiously. But you're thinking you can do more, you're just not sure what. Let us help ignite that spark of desire to improve Santa Monica's quality of life by giving you the information and setting you need to progress even more in your environmentally-sound living habits. Every month, the Santa Monica Green Team Project forms new Green Teams--groups of six to eight neighbors dedicated to improving their own and the planet's health. By assessing the behaviors that affect the environment, members are able to tune-up their environmental habits. Participants learn new or re-establish former practices geared toward sustainable living. Green Teams meet eight times for 1-1/2 hours and complete the Green Action Guide, a workbook that covers the following environmental issues: transportation, solid waste, water use, household chemical use and energy use. A trained coach helps meetings run smoothly, generates fresh ideas related to sustainability and brings people together to form lasting relationships. In addition to the guide, participants also receive a resource binder, a compilation of local environmental resources. Teams start the second and fourth week of each month, so don't wait--call today to reserve your spot! Participation costs $15 for city residents ($25 for all others). Call 458-8716 or e-mail green_team@smc.edu.

TRY A BIG BLUE BUS EXCURSION THIS SPRING! * MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO/RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS FESTIVAL, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO Saturday, March 17. Cost: $20 per person. * CONEJO VALLEY CHILI COOK-OFF AND "WHISKEROO" CONTEST, THOUSAND OAKS Sunday, April 29. Cost: $20 per person. * HUNTINGTON LIBRARY & ORCHID FESTIVAL, PASADENA Saturday, May 12. Cost:$22 per person. Busses leave from and return to Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main Street. Price includes transportation and admission (where applicable), but not lunch. For more information please call 451-5444. *** LATINA YOUTH CONFERENCE Saturday, March 17, 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Santa Monica College. For more information, contact Patricia Galarza Ramos, Commission on the Status of Women, at 586-0876 or visit www.latinayouthconf@aol.com.

SPRING 2001 PERFORMANCE SERIES   ednesday, March 7 @ 12:00 noon - Los Angeles Opera Quartet Imagine four extraordinary singers from the Los Angeles Opera performing an enchanting concert on the Westside! We are pleased to present a quartet of artists of the future who will delight you with a variety of classic Opera selections. Help welcome Plácido Domingo, the new artistic director of Los Angeles Opera, to our area! Underwritten by The Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation. Thursday, March 22 @ 7:00 p.m. - Salon Series with Carolyn and Lisa See Come to the the new Pete and Susan Barrett art gallery at SMC's Madison campus for an intimate evening with mother and daughter authors Carolyn and Lisa See. Have a cappuccino and biscotti, meet the authors and hear them speak about families who write. Seating is limited, please RSVP to 434-3431. Co-sponsored by the SMC Associates and underwritten by Borders Books & Music - Santa Monica. Wednesday, May 2 @ 12:00 noon - Perla Batalla in an Early Cinco de Mayo Celebration Come hear the haunting melodies of Perla Batalla, whose crisp and soulful songs are a perfect way to celebrate Mexico's independence. Whether you are hearing Perla for the first time or know her well, you will be moved by this unforgettable musical experience. Underwritten by The Good Works Foundation. Thursday, May 24 @ 5:00 p.m. - Broadway Extravaganza with John Raitt, Marni Nixon and Friends Broadway hits the Westside in this fun-filled sunset cabaret. Legendary recording artist John Raitt offers a free concert in honor of the 25th Anniversary of SMC's Emeritus College. Sharing the stage are Broadway's Marni Nixon, the voice of "My Fair Lady," and ETC, a top-notch local children's theater company. Co-sponsored by the Emeritus College and The SMC Associates. ALL CONCERTS ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC. CALL 434-3431 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

THE LIBRARY IS BRINGING INFORMATION DIRECTLY TO YOU Have you ever needed some vital bit of information or research, but simply did not have the time to pay a visit to your local library? Logging onto the Internet, have you ever found yourself disoriented and unimpressed by the quality of some of the "answers" you have found to your questions? The Santa Monica Public Library has you in mind! We have obtained permission from numerous major publishers of high-quality online information to open their databases to our cardholders. These online tools may now be accessed from any home or office PC that is connected to the Internet, simply by using your Santa Monica Public Library card and visiting www.smpl.org/research. Here is some of the information at your fingertips: * Thousands of popular magazines and periodicals, such as Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated, are available to you through Infotrac's General Reference Center. News events and overviews of major current events topics can be found at Facts on File. * Current health and medical information from publications such as Lancet and The Journal of the American Medical Association are available from the Health and Wellness Resource Center. Also, the contents of a recent edition of the Physicians Desk Reference, a medical dictionary and encyclopedia. * Literary research about famous authors, past and present, is found in the Contemporary Authors and DISCovering Authors databases. * The Business & Company Resource Center contains profiles of 400,000 major companies worldwide, including executive rosters, independent investment reports, financial data and the contents of hundreds of business periodical titles. * MacMillan's Encyclopedia of Life Science and McGraw-Hill's AccessScience contain high-school and college-level coverage on a multitude of biological and technological topics To access these databases, you must have a library card from a Santa Monica Public Library, available free of charge to any California resident. Either bring your photo ID to any of the four Santa Monica library locations, or call 458-8600. You can also fill out a library card application form online by visiting our home page at www.smpl.org and clicking on the "Borrowing Materials" link on the left sidebar. Cards must still be picked up at the library. Don't hesitate to call 451-8859 at any time during regular library hours if you have a question about these resources, or if you simply need an answer to a quick reference question. Also remember that the databases described here are all accessible, free of charge, from computers at every Santa Monica Public Library.

Coming in the next Seascape * SANTA MONICA FESTIVAL 2001 April 28 at Clover Park - Arts and the environment combine for the community's biggest bash * DOWNTOWN TRANSIT MALL Work begins in April to make the downtown Santa Monica experience better than ever with pedestrian and transit improvements.

Santa Monica Seascape is a publication of the City of Santa Monica designed to inform residents about City programs and services. Please Address editorial information and comments to: Judy Rambeau Santa Monica Seascape City of Santa Monica 1685 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 *** Diane Kuntz DESIGN

Civic Auditorium Schedule | Library Services| City of Santa Monica