A PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA

BLUE: THE TRANSIT STORE…THE GREENEST STORE IN DOWNTOWN!

Now there’s an easier way to access Big Blue Bus Customer Service: come visit our new location at 223 Broadway, just southwest of the Third Street Promenade. A combination transit store and customer service center—officially named “Blue: The Transit Store”—has replaced the old service center at 1660 7th Street. Conveniently located in downtown Santa Monica, the Transit Store is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m.

Blue: the Transit Store is the new home of our customer service staff, who respond to more than 5,000 calls and help hundreds of walk-in customers each month. Store visitors can pick up tokens, Little Blue Cards and other fare media, maps and schedules, get help with trip planning and obtain various IDs. Fun new items on sale include transit-oriented and environmentally friendly clothing and accessories and beach-themed goodies.

Our eco-friendly transportation boutique is a modern, “green” retail space that incorporates innovative materials into nearly every inch of its 900 square feet—floors made from recycled tires, walls of renewable strawboard, counters of recycled paper and solar panels that light the exterior of the store. Try traveling green with us—visit Blue: the Transit Store at 223 Broadway Avenue, or call (310) 451-5444 for more information.

Served by Big Blue Bus Lines 1, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9, as well as the Tide Ride.

A NEW YEAR COMING, A NEW BUDGET IN THE WORKS

As 2008 rolls into view, city staff is beginning to develop the Fiscal Year 2008-09 budget. This effort involves balancing revenues and expenditures and the challenge of financing a range of ongoing and unfunded projects, services and programs within an uncertain economic climate of slowed growth and possible recession. The focus will continue to be on completing significant infrastructure projects, addressing key community priorities and strengthening core services while stabilizing city revenues.

As SeaScape went to press, the City Manager and staff were continuing neighborhood meetings begun in early November to talk about community priorities and how they are integrated into the budget process. We invite all who live and work in Santa Monica to help the City Council and city staff plan for 2008-09, by identifying the services, programs and projects they believe are essential to the city’s continued progress and those that are less important. Submit suggestions in one of five ways: 1) on the city’s website (click on the “Budget Suggestions” link on the home page at www.smgov.net); 2) attend the January 8 Council meeting where budget priorities will be discussed, beginning at 6:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall; 3) e-mail to budget@smgov.net; 4) mail to the City Council, 1685 Main Street, Room 209, Santa Monica 90401; or 5) fax to (310) 917-6640.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE FARMERS' MARKETS

Shop the Santa Monica Farmers’ Markets this season for all your holiday needs! Find unique handmade gifts from the farmers such as jellies, pickled veggies, soaps, oils and wreaths, or shop “Little Main Street” at the Sunday Market for original handmade jewelry, clothes and hats from Main Street businesses.

• Santa Claus Needs His Fruits and Veggies, Too! Find him on Saturday, December 22 at the Pico Farmers’ Market (at Virginia Avenue Park) from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., and on Sunday, December 23 at the Main Street Farmers’ Market (Main Street and Ocean Park Blvd.), 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• “The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook” The perfect holiday gift for the foodie in your life! Author Amelia Saltsman will sign your book purchase(s). Sunday, December 2, Main Street Farmers’ Market, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Klezmer and Latkes Sunday, December 16, Main Street Farmers’ Market, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. And enjoy live music every Sunday!

www.smgov.net/swm

ENJOY OUTDOOR ICE SKATING
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IN SANTA MONICA!

Balmy temperatures, festive decorations, and ice—real ice! Visitors to Downtown Santa Monica will have it all this holiday season when the parking lot at the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue will be transformed into a 6,000 square-foot ice skating rink in November. Everyone will be able to glide, slide and spin in a real winter wonderland, thanks to a partnership of the Bayside District Corporation, the City of Santa Monica and a local business that is bringing this magnificent fair-weather skating rink to our fair city.

“We hope it will become a tradition,” said Debbie Lee, director of marketing and communications for the Bayside District. “We have a lot of great holiday events taking place on Third Street Promenade and at Santa Monica Place this year as part of the Winterlit celebration. The addition of the rink will really help to create a fun and festive atmosphere Downtown.”

The rink will be open from November 21, 2007 to January 6, 2008; admission is $10 including skate rental. Put on your hat and scarf and join the fun on the ice!

See the box on page 6 for
hours of operation