OPA Receives Heal the Bay Certification: We received the Adopt-a-Beach Certification for 2025. Thank you Dave Tann for leading this effort and to everyone else who participated in the program.
Two Significant Frank Gehry Projects are on Main St: This LA Times story detailing “11 fascinating Frank Gehry buildings in LA” highlights the Edgemar Center and the Binoculars Building among others.
On Dec. 9 Caroline Torosis to be sworn in as next Santa Monica mayor, Jesse Zwick as mayor pro tem: To celebrate the mayoral transition, a reception will be held in the City Hall lobby on Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. with light snacks and refreshments. The reception is free and open to the public. More details here.
The Street Seen: Charles Warren Brown House (2504 3rd St. @ Mills St): The 1910 Craftsman at 2504 Third Street is built and occupied by Ocean Park contractor Charles Warren Brown. The property is designated as a Santa Monica landmark in 1997. More details here.
SaMo Ice entrepreneur still has a burning passion for the cold stuff: The patch of ice at the corner of 5th and Arizona is a truly beloved holiday tradition. Whether it’s besties in matching sweaters jamming to Taylor Swift Night, couples (young or otherwise) looking for an excuse to hold hands or families out for a night of holiday joy, the rink is the center of Santa Monica’s winter activity. It’s also a technological marvel capable of supporting skating in what would be otherwise unthinkably warm conditions. More details here.
Heads up: Street Closure for Venice Christmas Run: On Saturday, Dec. 13, Barnard Way from Ocean Park Blvd to Neilson Way will be closed to traffic from 5am – 10am. christmasrun.com
Baywatch to Reboot! And it will Film in Venice & Malibu: The reboot of the globally popular television series has committed to filming at the historic Venice Beach Lifeguard Operations Station and Malibu. Guess we can still refer to TV as the boob tube. More details here.
Third Street Promenade Entertainment Zone Survey: The City of Santa Monica and Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. are inviting local residents to share their feedback on the Third Street Promenade Entertainment Zone. The goal of the Entertainment Zone is to enhance the visitor experience, support local businesses, and foster a more vibrant and welcoming community through expanded entertainment opportunities. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday, December 15, at 4:00 PM. Click here to take the survey (took me about 2 minutes to complete).
SaMo Great Park Coalition End of Year Report: This report “details just how much positive progress has been made the past year in achieving the Great Park once the airport closes December 31, 2028.”
Holiday Safety Tips from the Santa Monica Police Department: Keep the season merry, bright, and safe with these tips for you, your home, holiday shopping and celebrations. More details here.
City offers energy efficient appliances to income-qualified renters: Applications opened this week for the city’s new Renter’s Energy and Cooling/Heating (REACH) Program, which provides free portable heat pump HVAC units and other energy-efficient appliances to improve indoor air quality and comfort for residents in older rental properties. More details here.
Need a Little Extra Cheer This Holiday Season? Get Merry and Bright in Santa Monica! The next six weeks are packed with opportunities to come together, celebrate our city and each other, and experience a little holiday magic. Here is a list of many of the seasonal activities throughout the city.
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!
World’s Best Matcha finally On Sale
As the season speeds up, I turn to Pique’s Sun Goddess Matcha for calm, steady energy and a natural, healthy glow. Crafted to be pure, potent, and antioxidant-rich, it delivers clarity without the crash. It’s the Pique ritual that keeps me grounded, focused, and radiant through the busiest time of year.
Things to Do This Week
Lifting As We Climb: Celebrating the Philomathean Charity Club (Tuesday 10am - 12pm): Celebrate the unveiling of the Philomathean Club's Historic landmark plaque, honoring its contributions to the Black community, and ongoing legacy of philanthropy, community-building, and civic engagement. More details & RSVP here.
State Sen. Ben Allen’s Annual Toy Drive and Holiday Gathering (Wednesday 5 - 7pm @ Santa Monica Place): Community members are invited to donate gifts for families in need. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be collected and distributed by two local organizations. More details here.
Ocean Park Photo Exhibition Open to Public (Thursday): OPA member Martin Makaryan is pleased to invite you to his photo exhibition honoring the history of Ocean Peak through portraits and street photography at the Bruce Lurie Gallery in downtown Santa Monica (608 Santa Monica Blvd). More details and RSVP here.
Viceroy Debuting Après Surf Lounge (debuts Thursday): The seasonal pop-up transforms the hotel’s palm-tree-surrounded outdoor terrace into a stylish winter escape. The destination will celebrate its public opening on Dec. 11 with a live DJ and a retail pop-up. Kicking off from 6p.m., hotel guests and visitors alike will be able to enjoy coastal-inspired beats as they discover an edited collection vintage books surf coded luxury - think Prada wetsuits, Burberry swimwear, Versace paddle sets, and other covetable vintage pieces that blur the lines between beach culture and high fashion. instagram.com/viceroysm
SaMo Forward Holiday Party (Thursday 6-9pm): “We've seen some big wins for housing and sustainable transportation both locally and statewide, so come celebrate those victories with the Forward community! The holiday party will be in-lieu of our monthly happy hour for December.” @ Lanea, 217 Broadway (between 2nd and 3rd street).
Samohi Winter Choral Concert (Friday 7pm): The 20th annual "Motus Perpetuus," a unique Concert of Perpetual Motion, will feature all 5 school choirs. During the concert, students move throughout Barnum Hall as they perform.
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OPA & City Meetings
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.
Annual Workshop for SaMo Landlords & Tenants (Wednesday 5:30 - 8:30pm): Residential landlords, tenants, property managers, service providers and city staff are set to discuss the latest information in landlord/tenant topics at the popular free annual Landlord/Tenant Forum at the Main Public Library’s Martin Luther King Auditorium. More details & RSVP here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
Ocean Park Holiday Caroling Event (Friday, Dec. 12, 8-9pm)📖 Join neighbors Erik and Karen as they gather singers to do a four-part harmony, walk around the neighborhood, and carol to four houses! If you would like carolers outside of your house or apartment building, contact [email protected] or 530-574-2125. Or, if you would like to join them in caroling, email/text Erik to find out how to join!
Ocean Park Social Club Holiday Potluck and Cookie Exchange (Sunday, Dec. 14, 3:30-5pm): Location is TBD, but the idea is that attendees mix and mingle while assembling a box of assorted cookies made by your neighbors! Attendees should bake and bring at least 1 dozen cookies, a tupperware, and an ingredient list for your cookies. RSVP to [email protected].
Holiday Potluck and Festivities (Sunday, Dec. 14 5:30-7:30pm @ The Church in Ocean Park): Stay tuned for details, how to RSVP, and potluck sign up sheet!
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1. Email [email protected] for more info.
New Year's Brunch Potluck and Square Dancing (Jan. 4):🕺 Details to follow
