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Scenes from Day of the Dog
Day of the Dog Pics: This SMDP article has a ton of great pics!
OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the events and community work OPA is leading (like last weekend’s Main St. event), please help our efforts by becoming a member or making a donation. Most memberships are $20/year but there is also a $10/year option. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OR DONATE.
Forbes Declares “Santa Monica’s Main Street Is Having Its Biggest Restaurant Moment In Decades”: This Forbes story goes deep on how Main Street’s resurgance and states at the outset that “From a James Beard Award-winning chef and inventive new Italian wine bar to ambitious restaurant openings and a private club, the iconic beachside strip is finding its swagger again.” It highlights the opening of Bar Fortuna, the new Italian-inspired wine and pasta bar from Crudo e Nudo chef Brian Bornemann, to Michelin-starred Seline and the evolving menu at Pasjoli. The story also looks ahead to Marseié, a new concept planned for the long-vacant former World Café space, and The Santa Monican, a proposed private club at the historic Victorian. It’s an encouraging look at the renewed energy—and big ambitions—shaping our neighborhood’s dining scene.
NEW OPENING - Bar Fortuna Brings Italian Flair to Main St: Crudo e Nudo chef-owner Brian Bornemann has opened a stylish new Italian restaurant and cocktail and wine bar just a block from his fantastic seafood restaurant. Bar Fortuna pairs Italian-inspired cocktails, an extensive amaro selection, and California-focused wines with a food menu that features 100% California-sourced ingredients for its handmade pasta, house-butchered meats, and snacks like fried squash blossoms. Look for a moody, old-world vibe, a vintage Victrola playing Italian opera and plenty of reasons to linger over a Negroni. Open for dinner Wednesday - Sunday and lunch Friday - Sunday; 2917 Main St. instagram.com/barfortunala
Main Street's Next Pour: Los Angeles Ale Works has applied for an Alcohol Exemption permit for a new taproom at 2914 Main Street, the space JuneShine left when it closed its tasting room in August. No info on timing yet, but stay tuned.
Draft Plan for Santa Monica Airport Site Would Create Eight-District “Great Park”: Santa Monica residents have until December 6 to weigh in on a draft plan that would turn the 192-acre airport site into a park with eight districts after hundreds viewed the proposal at Memorial Park Gym on Saturday. The proposed Great Park would divide the 192-acre Santa Monica Airport site into eight distinct districts, bringing together nature and habitat restoration, sports, recreation, arts, culture and community gathering spaces. Residents can now weigh in on the draft Illustrative Master Plan through a new round of public feedback and a public survey. More details here.
‘It's not goodbye forever.' Iconic Santa Monica Pier sign removed: This NBC4 video report shows and explains its removal as it is being sent to Las Vegas for restoration.
Halloween & Día de los Muertos Safety Tips from SMPD: This SMPD post gives tips on walking and driving safely, planning activities, and more.
The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap - Sept. 27 - Oct. 3: Here is the police recap of activity.
Samohi climbs in U.S. News best high schools rankings: Samohi ranked No. 562 nationally, No. 82 in California and No. 34 in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. In 2025, That year, Samohi ranked No. 777 nationally and No. 102 in California, and Malibu High ranked No. 2,009 nationally and No. 276 in California. More details here.
SMPD and the Drug Enforcement Administration Team Up for the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day: On Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Santa Monica Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the country. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. More details here.
Here is the SMDP guide to Santa Monica elections. It takes a non-partisan approach to explain and educate on all the items/people on the ballot.
Message from OPA Gold Member Ted Winterer - 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom 2219 SqFt SaMo House for $2.1M: Don't miss the timeless character of this 1902 home with an elegantly combined modern addition graced with abundant natural light plus a detached two-car garage on a 7509 sf lot.
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Things to Do This Weekend
Eric Idle & “Weird Al” Yankovic Together in Santa Monica (Thursday 7:30 pm): Monty Python legend Eric Idle and ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic are teaming up for an evening of conversation, comedy and music — including a joint performance with their band. Idle will also discuss his new book, Idle in Provence: A Brief History of Thyme. We're not entirely sure what happens when these two share a stage, but we're pretty sure it will be weird. @ John Adams Middle School Performing Arts Center, 2425 16th St. More details here.
Food Bowl Returns With a Top 101 Reveal (Friday & Saturday nights): The L.A. Times Food Bowl brings two nights of serious eating to Barker Hangar, with unlimited bites and drinks from more than 30 restaurants each night, chef demonstrations and cookbook signings. Friday's festivities feature a live countdown of the Los Angeles Times' 101 Best Restaurants in L.A. list, while Saturday brings cooking demos from comedian-chefs Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer, plus James Beard Award-winning chef Roy Choi. It's a chance to sample some of SoCal's best kitchens without driving all over town. @ 3021 Airport Ave. latimes.com/events/la-food-bowl
Not-So-Haunted House (Saturday 2–3 pm): Looking for Halloween fun without the nightmares? Santa Monica’s Main Library is hosting a kid-friendly afternoon of festive crafts, a spooky-but-not-too-scary storytime and games. Costumes are encouraged, and the scares are strictly optional. @ Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
Marilyn Monroe's Centennial Celebration (Saturday 6 – 10 pm): The Fairmont Miramar celebrates the Hollywood icon's centennial with a glamorous evening inspired by Monroe's connection to the historic hotel. The menu features Oysters Rockefeller, Waldorf Salad and Caviar Fries, alongside the Bungalow #5 cocktail, named for the bungalow where Monroe reportedly escaped the paparazzi. Dress as Marilyn, sing along with live tribute performer Bri Oglu and try to take home the prize for best costume. Diamonds optional; star power encouraged. @ 101 Wilshire Blvd. More details here.
Ghosts of the Miles — Historical Haunt (Friday & Saturday 6 – 9:45 pm): The historic Miles Memorial Playhouse gets a spooky makeover for this immersive theatrical haunt. What begins as a historical tour leads guests through backstage spaces, hidden corridors and atmospheric rooms where Santa Monica history and haunting lore come to life. @ 1130 Lincoln Blvd. More details here.
Broadway Classics at The Georgian (Saturday 7 & 9 pm): JUNO Award-winning vocalist Laura Anglade brings an intimate, theatrical take on Broadway classics to The Georgian Room at the Georgian Hotel. The special evening offers a first listen to material ahead of her Nov. 3 album release, paired with a new menu from Chef Ronan and a selection of Georgian wines. @ 1415 Ocean Ave. thegeorgian.com/events/laura-anglade
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm): Looking for a super fun chill place to be this coming Sunday? Join us at the Main Street Famers Market for local favorites, DJ and the Main Street Jam 10am-1pm! Explore the market and discover lots of amazing winter squashes and pumpkins for fall decorating and some amazingly delicious lunch box treats!
Spooky Sips at Viceroy (Sunday 4 – 5:30 pm): Shake, stir and sip your way into Halloween at Viceroy Santa Monica’s monthly mixology class. An expert bartender will guide guests through seasonal cocktails featuring autumn flavors, with a welcome drink, tastings, light bites and recipe cards included. Costumes are optional; spooky cocktail names are not. @ 1819 Ocean Ave. instagram.com/viceroysm
Your fall escape awaits
Mountain air, city lights or somewhere new? There's still time to make your fall plans take flight with Alaska Airlines. See the fall foliage in Boston, sip cider in Seattle, or swap your flannel for a swimsuit and head to Hawai'i.
Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
OPA Book Club: Next planned dates are 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, Nov. 9, 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!
Have News to Share? Email [email protected] anytime you have news you think we should share
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