Feb. 17: Community Workshop Held for Controversial Bergamot Transit Village

In case you haven't noticed, we've been getting something of a reprieve from what had been forecasted as five straight days of rain. The showers let up midday Wednesday, and now today's forecast says there's only a 10 percent chance of rain. Same goes for Sunday.

While you're savoring that good news, here's a quick recap of the news we shared with you on Wednesday: Santa Monica is now the , according to U-Haul; and Goldstar Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the choking death of a patient last year. Also on Wednesday, we brought you with one of the two Santa Monica residents appearing on Survivor: Redemption Island; and columnist Robbie Pickard about how Ye Olde King's Head brings out the wild side in all of us—even his mom.

In other news, it was announced that restaurant's executive chef, Andrew Kirschner, is leaving. In March, Kirschner will open his own joint, Tar & Roses, where Breadbar used to be on Santa Monica Boulevard. Finally, the Los Angeles Times reported that Activision was dealt a bit of a blow after a three-judge panel rejected its motion to toss out a lawsuit filed last year by No Doubt. The rock band is alleging breach of contract over the company's Band Hero game.

Here's how today is shaping up:

Weather Forecast

• partly cloudy
• high temperature: 59 degrees
• low temperature: 49 degrees
• chance of precipitation: 10 percent
• sunrise: 6:38 a.m.
• sunset: 5:39 p.m.

The Main Event

• If you're interested in—or concerned about—the controversial , then Pier 59 Studios at is the place to be tonight. At 6:30, the Planning Commission will hold a community workshop to discuss how the factors into the development project, and what locals think about the design. Should be a , to say the least. The agenda is here.

The Runner-Up

• A slew of budget items are on the bill for tonight's school board meeting, the public portion of which starts at 6 p.m. It will be held at the ; go here for the agenda. Meanwhile, former SMMUSD and incoming LAUSD Superintendent will address challenges facing the latter district when he speaks at RAND as part of the organization's Distinguished Speaker Series. The talk begins at 6:30 p.m.

Other Happenings

• While we're on the subject of budgets, if you're concerned about California's, author Joe Mathews has the answer—or so he says. He will give a talk at the ’s MLK Auditorium at 7 p.m., with a book sale and signing to follow. “The California Crackup and How We Can Fix It” is being staged by the Santa Monica Public Library in conjunction with the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica.
• , which just signed a big deal with Nordstrom's, celebrates four years on Montana Avenue today. The store sells apparel, as well as books and accessories, and has often donated to the SMMUSD's the Lemon 8 campaign and other area schools. For its birthday party, held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the store will have discounts, giveaways and a raffle too. Go  for more info.
• Young and emerging community leaders will connect with one another at the "Los Angeles Institute for Social Innovation," a five-day seminar being held at the Annenberg Community Beach House. A slew of speakers will appear at the event, which is being put on by nonprofit group StartingBloc.
• An opening reception will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. for “Sheila Pinkel: Photographs,” a new exhibit that opens today at the art gallery. Pieces from three of Pinkel's bodies of work will be on display: “Site Unseen: Museum Guards”; “Journey to Tovangar, the World of the Tongva”; and “X-Ray Photograms.”

Last but Not Least

• Born Under a Lucky Moon author Dana Precious is doing her only book signing on the West Coast today at 7 p.m. at . The New York Times calls the nonfiction comedy "funny, charming and touching."

(Go here for more events happening today.)

This Day in Santa Monica History

• On Feb. 17, 1987, the 's Hippodrome was adopted into the National Register of Historic Places (source: Santa Monica Pier: A Century on the Last Great Pleasure Pier).

Did you take a great pic of SM in the early morning? Want to see it in The SM AM Report? Drop a note to Kurt.Orzeck@patch.com.

City News Service contributed to this report.