FIRST OPA Monthly Meeting of the Year Today/Monday (Jan 12): It's a great time to check out the organization and help set our 2025 priorities. The meeting is at the Ocean Park Library @ 2601 Main St. starting with food and mingling at 6:00pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Click here to add the OPA monthly meeting and Zoom link to your calendar. Here's the zoom link, here’s the full agenda, and here's the schedule:
6:00 - 6:30: Food, refreshments and mingling
6:30 - 6:45: SaMo Police Department
6:45 - 7:00: SaMo Fire Department
7:00 - 7:15: Ross Fehrman (City Planning Manager) discussing a new State law that allows up to 10 parcels/units to be created on a single-unit zoned parcel
7:15 - 7:30: Graham Fandrei (Broadstage)
7:30 - 8:30: Board business, including exec board election, 2025 priorities, 2025 financial recap, upcoming calendar of events, & more)
Reminder: New Car Parking Rates Today: Starting January 12, motorists will see a mix of higher hourly rates and new discounts as Santa Monica rolls out a revised parking pricing structure approved by the City Council in August. Parking generates about $51.4 million annually for the City, according to budget projections. City officials say the new rates could generate up to $9 million more per year for the City. More details here.
LA28 Olympic Ticket Draw Registration Opens January 14: More details here.
The Street Seen: Casa Del Mar (1910 Ocean Front Walk @ Pico Blvd.): The upscale beach club Casa Del Mar opens in 1926 at the foot of Pico Boulevard. The beach club glory days span from 1926 to 1943, when it is commandeered by the US Army during WWII. More details here.
UCLA Study Finds Metro Transit Ambassador Program Is Benefitting Metro Riders: The study found that “ambassadors play a key customer service role, promoting safety for riders, and providing job opportunities for people likely reflective of the diversity of riders themselves.” Further ambassadors “support riders and operator safety and connecting vulnerable riders to resources.” More details here.
Karl Mark Kreher, husband of former OPA President Mary Marlow, Died: From his obituary (full text here): He was known by his middle name, Mark. His lifetime was a continual pursuit of beauty, knowledge and spirituality. He suffered no fools, but was generous to a fault. He was known for his investment prowess, his great blues harmonica playing and his love of a good story.
Registration Now Open for 2026 Homeless Count on Jan. 22: "The annual Homeless Count is an important tool that helps us better understand and address homelessness across LA County. It provides valuable data that guides the deployment of resources, identifies trends, and informs strategies to combat homelessness effectively. Your participation as a volunteer is instrumental in ensuring the success of this initiative." Visit theycountwillyou.org to learn more and register OR reply to this email to join an OPA team.
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Things to Do This Week
Samohi Band Concert (Tuesday 6:30pm): @ Barnum Hall; More details here.
Advanced Care and End of Life Options (Wednesday 11am): Mark Greenberg of End of Life Choices California presents the legal choices we have to make for advanced care, and tips for relaying your wishes to loved ones. at the Montana Branch Library More details here.
Locals Night & Drive-In Movie Night Featuring 'Grease': Get ready to rev your engines and relive the golden age of drive-ins as the Santa Monica Pier transforms into a nostalgic beachfront cinema for “Locals’ Night” on Thursday, January 15, 3:30-9:30 p.m., offering a special, first-ever drive-in movie on the Pier featuring the beloved film “Grease.” As part of the immersive drive-in experience, a limited number of vehicles will be able to drive onto the upper Pier deck, recreating a nostalgic drive-in movie night. Movie begins at 6:30 p.m. More details here.
OPA & City Meetings
Architectural Review Board Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details here.
City Council Meeting (Tuesday 5:30 pm): Meetings are hybrid and can be viewed on this YouTube channel. Click here for agenda.
OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
Disabilities Commission Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): More details & agenda here.
Library Board Meeting (Thursday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
Rent Control Board Meeting (Thursday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are February 4 (Project Hail Mary), March 4 (The Vanishing Half), April 1 (The Maid), May 6 (Demon Copperhead). Email [email protected] for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
Ocean Park Branch Library Re-Opening Celebration: Wednesday, January 21, 12 - 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. All ages are welcome, and no RSVP is required. More details here.
OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, Feb. 9, 6p.m. @ Ocean Park Library
