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Papille Gustative Vandalized: This SMDP video report interviews the owner (Calin) and shows video of someone vandalizing their patio. They have always been very supportive of OPA with gift cards and more and now is a great time to show them some love in return by frequenting the restaurant and sharing support. @2823 Main St. papillegustativela.com
Why is Santa Monica Temporarily Removing the Iconic Pier Sign?: According to the city, its historic character will remain intact when the refurbished sign returns late next year. Planned improvements include rust removal, repainting and structural repairs. More details in this NBC4 video report.
Officials unveil Venice triathlon courses for first medal event of LA28 Games: The first medals of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be decided on the sand, streets and canal bridges of Venice, where LA28 on Wednesday released preliminary courses for the Olympic and Paralympic triathlon. The women's individual race opens competition July 15, 2028, followed by the men's race July 16 and the mixed relay July 20. More details here.
Santa Monica Fire Department urges residents to power up their devices with fire safety in mind: Many of the devices we rely on daily phones, tablets, laptops, power tools, toys, and even e-bikes and scooters use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. These batteries store a large amount of energy in a compact space, but if they are damaged or charged improperly, they can overheat, malfunction, and in rare cases, cause fires or explosions. SMFD recommends residents follow these safety tips.
The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap - September 6 - 12: Here is the weekly police recap that includes details on "a coordinated enforcement and service posture during the week, with patrol and specialized units addressing violent crime, residential and retail theft, wanted individuals, narcotics, and firearm-related investigations."
Santa Monica council upzones 89 Pico-area lots to shield transit zone from state housing law: The City Council voted to raise development limits on 89 single-family lots near the Expo/Bundy transit station. City officials said the move is needed to temporarily exempt the surrounding transit zone from a state law that allows taller, denser housing near transit. The ordinance applies to R1-zoned parcels in the Pico neighborhood. The area is bounded by Interstate 10, Dorchester Avenue, Exposition Boulevard and Centinela Avenue. Projects there may now reach a floor-area ratio of 1.25 and a density of 40 units per acre, but only if they build to that maximum density. More details here.
Santa Monica accepts $1 million Annenberg grant to widen access to Beach House: The grant from the Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation will create opportunities in the first year for about 2,700 people who have not been visiting the Annenberg Community Beach House. A third will go to major public events and a third to new programming and administration. The final third goes to community-based organizations to decide "what they need most," according to Sofia Klatzker, the city's cultural affairs manager. More details here.
Upcoming SaMo Candidate Forums: The City of Santa Monica and the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica (LWVSM) have partnered to host two nights of candidate forums to help residents learn more about the candidates running for the following offices. Forums will take place at live and and some of them will also be watchable on YouTube. my.lwv.org/california/santa-monica
Friday Oct. 2: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education Candidate Forum & Santa Monica Community College District Board of Trustees Candidate Forum; @ Santa Monica City Hall, City Council Chambers (1685 Main Street, Santa Monica)
Sunday Oct. 4: Santa Monica City Council Candidate Forum; @ Church in Ocean Parlk, 235 Hill St.
Friday Oct. 9: Santa Monica City Council Candidate Forum & Santa Monica Rent Control Board Candidate Forum; @Santa Monica City Hall, City Council Chambers (1685 Main Street, Santa Monica)
Wednesday Oct. 14: Santa Monica City Council Candidate Forum & Santa Monica Rent Control Board Candidate Forum; @1834 14th St.
Bike It! Walk It! Bus It! Week (October 5 - 9): K-12 students attending school in Santa Monica can ride Big Blue Bus for free during Bike It, Walk It, Bus It Week, and families are encouraged to forgo driving in favor of eco-friendly modes of transportation such as walking, biking, or taking transit. More details here.
Message OPA Gold Member Robert Maschio Real Estate / Compass Santa Monica: Here is an opportunity to live in your own 5-star hotel. The combination of refined finishes to the unit, exceptional positioning within the building & being in the most desirable section in all of Ocean Park, makes this a one-of-a-kind property & a rare opportunity. 140 Ocean Park Boulevard, Unit 425. 2 BD 2 BA 1502 SF $2,200,000 Open Houses Sunday 10/04 & 10/11, 2 -5 pm themls.com/Share/YWFoaWlmamRo
Robert Maschio Real Estate @ 140 Ocean Park Blvd
Things to Do This Weekend
Gott’s Roadside Grand Opening: The famous James Beard Award winning Northern California burger favorite and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” regular is finally making its way to Santa Monica, bringing burgers, sandwiches, salads, seafood, shakes and plenty of wine-country hospitality. The sexy 6,600-square-foot restaurant will also feature a sprawling patio, full bar and dedicated soft-serve counter with toppings and nostalgic sundaes. Soft open Thursday Oct. 1 with ribbon on Friday, Oct. 2, open 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, 401 Wilshire Blvd. gotts.com
Club Solaire Comes to Venice: Veuve Clicquot is bringing Champagne, ice cream and a whole lot of yellow to Venice Beach with Club Solaire, a three-day celebration of food, music, culture and, naturally, Champagne. The weekend includes ticketed culinary experiences plus free-to-explore boardwalk attractions, including a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, a concept shop, yellow bike rentals and a pop-up from cult-favorite Parisian ice cream shop Folderol featuring special soft-serve flavors inspired by Veuve Clicquot. Friday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Oct. 4, 12–6 p.m., 619 Ocean Front Walk. 21+. instagram.com/p/DdCLC-fFKwg
First Friday on Abbot Kinney: The Venice street turns into a street-food playground, with dozens of rotating food trucks serving everything from international favorites to creative new bites. Local shops and businesses also stay open late, making it an easy excuse to eat, browse and people-watch your way down the boulevard. Friday, Oct. 2, 5–9:30 p.m., abbotkinneyblvd.com/firstfridays
Montana Ave. Art Walk Returns: The annual Art Walk returns with 10 blocks of art, live music, artisan vendors, wellness experiences, family activities, food and shopping, plus a classic car showcase and interactive installations. The street will close to cars, turning Montana into an open-air celebration of art and the Mother Road as it goes big for Route 66’s 100th anniversary. Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Montana Avenue from 7th to 17th streets. Free. montanaave.com/events/art-walk
Pier Play Returns to the Santa Monica Pier: The family festival returns with its first-ever two-day edition. The expanded lineup features interactive kids' activities, live music, dance performances, games, and local community pop-ups stretching across the historic landmark, celebrating play, creativity, and Westside youth programming. Saturday, Oct. 3 & Sunday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. https://rasa.fyi/event/pierplay-festival
Join or Die Screening & Volunteer Fair (Saturday 12pm): Explore the connection between community, civic engagement and participation in local organizations with a screening of the documentary Join or Die (2023), followed by a discussion and a Volunteer Fair featuring local organizations. Refreshments will be provided. @ Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Free. More details here.
Mini Fall Festival and SMC Glass Sale (Saturday 9am - 12pm @ Virginia Avenue Park): Enjoy the art booth, face painting, photo booth, Pico businesses, and much more! Pumpkin Patch: Free pumpkins for youth 12 & under while supplies last. One per child.
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm): Hello and a big 10-4! Join us at the Main Street Farmers Market this Sunday with Special Guests, Kindred Spirits 10am-1pm. Providence St. John's will be sampling almonds with Gonzales Siemens Family Farms aka Fat Uncle Farms organic almonds and heritage grains! Taste what's so amazing about dry farmed almonds. Don't miss the Sound Bath on the lawn at 1pm!! Look for tasty fruits and veggies at the market and say "Hi!" to your favorite farmers.
Santa Monica History Museum Annual Gala - Roots & Vines: Support local history preservation at the Santa Monica History Museum's annual fundraising benefit at the iconic Annenberg Community Beach House. The evening includes fine wines, hors d'oeuvres, a live auction, and a celebration of community history alongside the presentation of the 2026 Spirit of Santa Monica Award. Sunday, Oct. 4, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. More details here.
Sunset Club Returns: Fall means flannel, cooler evenings and another excuse to gather on the beach. Sunset Club returns for its first Sunday of October, inviting locals to kick back, meet some new friends, reconnect with old ones and watch the sun go down together. Sunday, Oct. 4, 4:30 p.m., Ocean View Park, 2701 Barnard Way More details here.
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Upcoming Calendar of Events
COOKBOOK CLUB: Cookbook club returns this fall! If you are not familiar, a Cookbook Club is when a group of people choose 1 cookbook or 1 author and each make a different recipe, and then enjoy the meal together, potluck style. This quarter we will be cooking from any of Yotam Ottolenghi's cookbooks! Check out his broad base of books HERE. I personally have Plenty More, but have never made anything from it so Cookbook Club seems like a great way to break it open and give it a try! TBD in October If you would like to participate or have questions, email me at [email protected].
OPA Book Club: Next planned dates are 10/7 (The Big Sleep), 11/4 (James), and 12/2 (The Year of Living Danishly). Email [email protected] for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, Oct. 12, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
Resources
Police non-emergency Phone #: Call 310-458-8491 or click here for more info.
Santa Monica 311. Submit non-emergency requests to the City.
Santa Monica Alerts. Sign up for emergency text and email alerts.
SaMoNews. Subscribe to the official newsletter of the City of Santa Monica.
Board and Commission Openings. Volunteer to serve the community!
City of Santa Monica Career Opportunities. Get paid to serve the community!
Santa Monica Animal Shelter. Support our municipal Animal Shelter!
Locals Discount Program is Back! OPA has partnered with the SaMo Public Library to launch a Community Discount Program. Local Ocean Park participating businesses include Fitoor and Junior Cookies. Check out the full list here and expect more to come!
