Hey All,

Hope everyone is staying safe. I’m currently on the waiting list for the Below Housing Market, I’ve been on the list for almost 2 years. I’ve been sent places to review but nothing else. Realistically how long is the waiting list and has anyone actually received a call back and/or gotten a place? I know that as a single person the places available are very small but just looking for anyone others in my same situation.

Thanks!!

I scheduled this drive before the fires started, but it seems like even more of a great idea now that ARC is actively deploying disaster relief across the city and the best way to support them is via blood donation per my ARC contact!

Aside from the need for blood, and the need for disaster relief… Anyone else mentally struggling right now? Feeling helpless? Possibly hopeless? Lonely? Isolated? Scared? ME TOO. My sleep schedule is fucked. I’m crying a lot more than usual, and I’m just feeling so unsure about the future of our beautiful Los Angeles.

I started hosting blood drives to bring community together because I need it, and I know I’m not the only person feeling this way. I also love saving lives in such a direct impactful way, but I love blood donors even more. They’re the best humans imho.

I see a lot of posts about people wondering where to meet people… well friends, let me recommend my blood drive. If you’re a childless cat person, welcome to a new community I’m hoping to start!

If you’re not, welcome to a community of people that will literally bleed for strangers.

Donate blood, get a free snack, have a nice chat with others at the snack table, and take home a special sun catcher made by me🥹

You are not alone. We are not alone. I’d love to see you there!

I work in the Canyon, just off Kanan Dume near the PCH. Normally, my northbound commute on the PCH takes about 30 minutes from my home in Santa Monica. However, with the PCH still closed and my work now open, I've had to take a much longer route, almost a full circle around the Canyon and through the Valley. It's now taking me nearly 2 hours each way.

Just hoping someone might have information on when the PCH will reopen. I’m sure others are dealing with the same issue.

Hello. I am a runner and surfer but have been holding out running outside and surfing nearby because of the fires and the massive amounts of pollution they have caused. I have used friends guest pass a few times at a couple gyms recently but this isn't gonna work out in the long run. I was wondering if there is a no contract gym that has decent amenities and isn't gonna be astronomically expensive. Day passes seem to be expensive especially if this situation lasts more than a few weeks. I mainly want cardio machines some weights and a place for some stretching to maintain my surf habit. I don't feel that I will continue with a membership for more than a few months prefer being outside to a gym environment. Thanks for any help you can give.

Is the smoke plume going by from the palisades fire or the new Castaic fire?

I have a few indoor plants that I am noticing are dying despite normal watering and sun exposure. Am I being paranoid or could this be related to the questionable air quality right now? Is this happening to anyone else in the area?

We recognize that a number of important sources of local information, such as the City of Santa Monica and SMPD, are still using Twitter as a primary communications feed. To account for this, we're allowing screenshots of Twitter posts, with a link in the comments to the tweet so that we (the mods) are able to verify the authenticity of the screenshot.

Just a reminder that ash is still falling. No, you can’t see it raining down life before. But it’s there.

I have rinsed down our patios several times. Within a couple days our plants are spotted with white/grey ash particles.

The wind is likely picking it up either from the burn areas or off the ground around you. You’re breathing it in.

Wear a mask if you can. It looks like we might hopefully have some rain soon to rinse our environment.

I’m confused about the invisible toxins from the fires. As we have heard there are tons of carcinogens that were generated. My question is, are these only inhaled if the ash is disturbed and you inhale it? Or are they in the air even with no ash disturbance?

I’ve gone to people all over LA and I always leave $500 poorer. Finding a good stylist that isn’t super expensive is SO hard.

I really just need a root touch up at this point, not balayage. Can anyone recommend someone?

Hi SM community! I am pregnant with my 2nd child, due in August. Do any of you have a night nurse that you highly recommend? We used a great nurse for the first, but she lives quite far, so I’m hoping for someone that’s a bit closer. Thanks in advance 🙏🏼

This is not a Santa Monica specific question but I live in SM and want to find ski friends preferably around the same age (20s and 30s). What’s the best way to meet people that are down to go on ski trips? Any apps or meetups or any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Hi Santa Monica redditors! I was grabbing coffee at Holy Grounds today when I saw this posting of three cats who just lost their owner. It breaks my heart that they lost their owner and it further breaks my heart that they may be rehomed without one another.

Admittedly, I don’t know much about them beyond what’s on the picture shared here, but I’m hoping to boost the signal in the hopes that some kind soul will adopt them all.

Hi! Does anyone know of local gardening or houseplant groups / clubs? I moved from the midwest about a year ago and used to go to local seed swaps and gardening events put on by the library or local groups. One of my friends mentioned that National Seed Swap Day is coming up, but I am having trouble finding events in SM. I tried searching on Facebook for events, but didn't have any luck. Any tips? Thanks :)

Curious if anyone knows a good contractor for small jobs? I want to redo my bathroom floors, extend my fence, paint, etc. thank you!

Does anyone know if the Spin scooters are still working? The app says Spin is pausing operations but scooters still appear on the map and everything looks normal

I am curious about population-level responses to lingering concerns about air quality with relation to the Palisades and Eaton fires. Obviously this is far from a representative, random sample of Santa Monica; nevertheless, I think knowledge of where people "are" in this space will help us better understand and communicate with each other. Please consider the following questions:

• How concerned are you about potential wildfire-related air quality risks that fall outside of, or are not fully quantified by, the AQI? This includes concerns about ash, asbestos, heavy metals, VOCs, etc., that are separate from the direct effects of the plume of wildfire smoke.
• What steps are you taking, if any, to manage these risks, that are different from what you normally do? This includes the use of masks, purchase of indoor air purifiers, and changing habits or plans, all as a response to non-smoke related air quality concerns. Keep in mind there is a separate category if you have temporarily left Santa Monica entirely due to concerns about air quality.

If you wish to give commentary I'd ask that you please give the neighborhood where you live. Proximity to fire likely plays a big role in your response but I unfortunately don't have a way of integrating demographic data into this survey.

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The debris has be picked up and transported. Somewhere.

I’m concerned about keeping my dog safe from the ash on the ground during walks. I’m imagining him inhaling everything, getting it on his paws and ingesting it (even if I wash him each time he comes in, I imagine it’ll be hard to get it all off him). my husband noticed ash coming down like snow when the fires were at their peak and without rain, it’s just going to sit there. If this were a normal wildfire I wouldn’t be as concerned, but knowing how many structures and toxic chemicals burned, I fear this ash is extra toxic. My dog is small (7lbs) so Im afraid it won’t take much ash inhalation or ingestion to create a problem. I’m currently away and wondering if delaying my return will make it better. Appreciate any advice you all can share.

I’ve been trying to get in touch with Public Works and 311 to get a sense when and how they are planning to clean playgrounds and public spaces. Also just as important, make visitors aware of when it was cleaned with some signage.

So far not real luck and haven’t been able to get in touch. As you can imagine there are many kids and babies in our great neighborhood who are getting crazy to play again, we should make sure it’s safe for them.

Anyone uncovered more information?

Seeing a lot of stuff online about people deciding to move out of nearby areas of the fires — Brentwood, Santa Monica — because of the enduring toxins. I personally don’t know what to think or do, so was just curious to hear from everyone what your thoughts were, either pro leaving or pro staying.

Does anybody know about the fight that happened outside of West Edge on OlympicxBundy today (Monday)?

I just went to Ace and saw a guy on the ground getting the absolute shit beat out of him. 3 cop cars, a fire truck, and an ambulance. It seemed pretty intense.

Tldr; Does anybody know about the fight that happened outside of West Edge on OlympicxBundy today (Monday)?

I think my roof setup only has space for a 2 or 3 kw system but I’d still like to do it. Any recommendations to give?

Starting to look into volunteering in my spare time and was curious if anyone had any positive or negative experiences to share with any particular orgs in the area. I do have a full time corporate job so looking to give a few hours per week. Thanks!