Fun event this weekend at OPA Gold Member AJA!
Who do you want to see speak at OPA meetings this year? The Board is looking to create a list of potential speakers. Email OPA president Robbie Leer at [email protected] with your suggestions to help us determine our calendar. Thanks!
Explaining Why Main Squeeze Is Blowing Up: You may have noticed that Main Squeeze now enjoys healthy lines on the regular. WHY NOW? Last August, a social media influencer posted this video on TikTok and this video on Instagram describing it as “The Most Under-Rated Smoothie in LA.” The posts got nearly 1M views, but more importantly got the attention of other influencers who then checked it out and posted their own videos (including this mixed review video that has garnered 3.3M and this video that has nearly 1M views). The “nipple” bulging out of the overfilled cup seems to delight customers and make for fun videos. Last week @IamTabathaBrown, who has 4.5M Insta followers, posted this Insta video where she gives the smoothies a 10/10 rating. Expect more crowds!
Inside the Plan to Bring a Major Music Festival to Santa Monica: This article contains a wide-ranging interview with Santa Monica City Council member Dan Hall, who first introduced the motion to partner with Goldenvoice and launch a beachfront festival by the Pier.
Homeless Woman Gives Birth on Santa Monica Main Street: This SaMoMirror video report details what seemed to happen last weekend.
Main St. Self-Service Car Wash has Re-Opened: Village Car Wash (near Main & Ocean Park) has a new mural as well. "Since 1964, Village Car Wash has been helping Angelenos keep their cars clean, shining, and cared for." village-car-wash.com
Ocean Avenue Housing: Setting the Record Straight: Lana Negrete shared these thoughts about all the news/activity around housing on the 400 block of Ocean Ave.: Let me be very clear about 413 Ocean Avenue. Recent media coverage—including a Santa Monica Daily Press article referencing "prisoner housing" and County diversion programs—has understandably created confusion. I want to clarify exactly where the City stands:
The facts: The City has not proposed, advanced, approved, or endorsed any transitional housing, Office of Diversion and Reentry, or incarceration-related project at 413 Ocean Avenue. • There is no City-led plan to house individuals exiting the criminal justice system at that location. The City has not approved any interim use of the property. The concepts referencing ODR or similar programs came solely from the private property owner—not from the City. At no point did we initiate, sponsor, or authorize those ideas. However I feel transparency is necessary so the council voted to report out the closed session item so the community could hear what was being proposed.
What happened with 419 Ocean Avenue: The City was drawn into discussions involving nearby properties because historical agreements and loan covenants require City consent for any sale. When we disclosed those discussions publicly at our January 13 meeting, it was in the interest of transparency—not endorsement. Following that disclosure, we learned that a broker had misrepresented his role in the transaction. Community Corporation of Santa Monica has confirmed they are no longer pursuing that deal.
Moving forward: Any use of 413 Ocean Avenue must comply with land-use, permitting, and safety requirements. We will not authorize interim uses that are inconsistent with neighborhood expectations. I'm committed to handling this transparently, lawfully, and with careful attention to community trust.
DineLA Restaurant Week kicks off this weekend and runs 1/23 – 2/6 and nearly 50 SaMo restaurants are participating. Ocean Park participants include Edgemar Restaurant, Chinois on Main, Papille Gustative and here are some other great options:
BOA Steakhouse: They are offering a multi-course lunch ($45) and dinner ($75) menu with favorites like the Caesar Salad, Chicken Parmesan, Hamachi Crudo, and the Skuna Bay Salmon. 101 Santa Monica Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/dinela/restaurant/1379
Citrin: They are offering a $99 menu with such things as Citrus Cured Kampachi, tomato soup, and Snake River Farms filet mignon. 1104 Wilshire Blvd. citrinandmelisse.com/dine-la
Cosetta: For the $25 lunch, the acclaimed modern Italian restaurant is offering their signature smoked Mozzarella Sticks along with Cosetta's sandwiches and wraps built on Pollack’s house hoagie loaves and “pizza wraps”. Come dinner, $45 includes starter options of albacore crudo, white bean and emmer soup, or chopped salad, followed by a choice of eggplant parmigiana, porcini-rubbed wagyu tri-tip, or bbq prawns. Finish with either soft, comforting polenta almond cake or Joe's vegan chocolate cake. 3150 Ocean Park Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/cosetta/dinela
FIG Restaurant: Enjoy local farm-to-table cuisine helmed by Executive Chef Joseph Cook. A $65 3-course dinner menu includes persimmons and burrata, coffee braised short ribs, truffle gnudi, apple galette, and more. 101 Wilshire Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/fig/dinela
Fitoor: A 3-course lunch menu is $45/person and a 3-course dinner menu is $70/person. Highlights include Sweet Chili Broccoli, traditional Chicken Seekh Masala, and the Chocolate Nemesis. 1755 Ocean Ave. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/fitoor/dinela
Ghisallo: $35 3-course dinners include antipasta, a pizza, and dessert. 1622 Ocean Park Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/ghisallo/dinela
Lunetta: A 3-course weekday lunch menu is $35/person and a 3-course dinner menu is $68/person for Chef Raphael Lunetta’s seasonal, California-driven cooking rooted in farmers market ingredients. Highlights include wild snapper tiradito, mushroom salad, red crab gnocchi, braised short rib, and chocolate whiskey truffle cake. 2424 Pico Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/lunetta/dinela
Gold Member Alfalfa Named one of DoorDash's Healthiest Restaurants of 2026: This post praises the "modern salad and wrap shop known for crisp greens, inventive toppings, and better-for-you twists on comfort classics."
Things to Do This Weekend
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) / Kindergarten Roundup Planned for Thursday Jan. 22: The annual event is an opportunity for Santa Monica and Malibu parents of children entering TK or Kindergarten for the upcoming year to meet the principal and teachers of their neighborhood school, learn about before and after school care and begin the registration process for the upcoming school year. This year’s event is in preparation for the 2026-2027 school year. Visit the SMMUSD new student enrollment webpage for more information and to find your neighborhood school.
Bread MakingClass at All'Antico Vinaio (Thursday): Begin the evening with a refreshing Spritz on arrival, setting the tone for a delightful journey. You'll then roll up your sleeves and dive into a hands-on Schiacciata Dough-Making Class, where you'll learn the secrets of preparing our famous Tuscan schiacciatta. Jan 21 & 28, 1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd. https://link.bucketlisters.com/fukd
Not So Dry January at AJA Vineyards (Saturday 2p.m. - close): We're SO over Dry January! Let's celebrate the new year rather than start off dreading it. Join us for a drink all day and a live DJ set from 4-7pm. We've got Sangria Specials (both Non-Alcoholic and with Alcohol!)--Must be 21 to enjoy both. 1417 2nd St. https://ajavineyards.com/visitus/
Strong Words at Socalo (Saturday 7:30pm): Join us for dinner and drinks before the show at SOCALO and then sit down to a very special spoken word event with powerful back room storytelling. 7 fantastic storytellers will make their SOCALO debut with powerful new stories that will enthrall you. @ 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. socalo.com/event/strong-words
Star Wars Immersive Dinner at Shoreside Restaurant: This is an interactive, immersive experience that includes the movie. Ticket Includes welcome Drink and 5-Course Prix Fixe Dinner. Sunday, Jan. 25 & Feb. 22, 5 - 9p.m., 1515 Ocean Ave. feastyoureyes.co
Happy Birthday Marion Festival (Sunday 1 - 3pm): The SaMo Conservancy celebrates the life of silent film actress and socialite Marion Davies with a day of festivities including Natalie Jacob & The Vintage Quartet, magic by Tom Frank, a lesson in Social Dance steps of the 1920's with James Zimmer & Cynthia Harper, and tours of the historic Marion Davies Guest House. FREE. @ Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway. More details here.
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm): Hello Main Street Farmers Market Community! We are excited to celebrate another Sunny Sunday with local favorites DJ and the Main Street Jam and special guests from 10am-1pm! Also joining, Buon Gusto olive oil pop up is back with their delicious new harvest olive oil. See you there.
Soy Saucey Comedy Show at the Crow (Sunday 6:30pm): The only stand-up comedy show featuring Asian and Latin comedians. Our love language is rice. @ 2525 Michigan Ave. More details 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
Want to Volunteer for Future OPA-Sponsored Heal The Bay Adopt-A-Beach Clean-Ups? Contact Dave Tann at [email protected]. He is the coordinator for the OPA/Heal The Bay events, always meeting at Tower 26.
