In partnership with
Thank You Beach House Cowork for Joining OPA as a GOLD MEMBER!
Thank You Beach House Cowork for Joining OPA as a "Gold Business Member"!
Beach House Cowork offers a bright, laid-back workspace for freelancers, remote workers, and small teams who want productivity without sacrificing coastal vibes. With modern amenities, natural light, and a strong sense of community, it’s a refreshing alternative to the traditional office — where getting work done pairs nicely with a little beach energy. Stop by to check it out at 2219 Main St. or check them out at beachhousecowork.com
If other businesses are interested in joining, business memberships range from $50-$250 and include a variety of benefits. Individual and family memberships start at only $10! More details here or reply to this newsletter with any questions.
Santa Monica Celebrates Presidents Day Monday Feb. 16: City Hall is closed and there is no mail, trash pickup, or street cleaning on Monday. Congress made it a federal holiday in 1879 to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Today, Presidents’ Day is part civics lesson, part mattress-sale marathon, and part excuse for a winter long weekend. Whether you’re honoring the Founding Fathers, brushing up on presidential trivia, or just enjoying the day off, it’s a holiday that proves one thing: Americans will always find a way to celebrate history — preferably with a sale and a three-day weekend. 🇺🇸
Local Spotlight: Urban Jungle - Where Santa Monica Plant Lovers Go for TLC: This SaMoMirror profile highlights this "place where plant lovers gather to share stories, tips and their love for all things green" and how if Urban Jungle "specializes in [how to care for your plants with tips on] properly dressing and recommending the most accurate water dosage, light and placement for your plants." 3113 Lincoln Blvd. Follow the nursery on Instagram @urbanjungleplantsandpottery. Reply to this email if you want to share a favorite local business.
Upcoming OPA Events:
Ocean Park Social Club - Special Event this Friday (Feb. 20): You're invited to experience The Jar for an evening of art, conversation, and community. Here's a Washington Post feature on The Jar. The Jar brings people together through cultural gatherings that spark connection across difference, especially with those who don’t look, pray, or love like them. I'm inviting you (and your partner) to join us and ask that you bring along one other neighbor with you. Someone you enjoy, someone you’re curious about, or someone you’d love to experience this with. There'll be art, there'll be dinner, there'll be dessert! Would you like to be part of this evening? Friday, Feb. 20, 7pm, 235 Hill St. RSVP: HERE (It is free, donation optional)
OPA Happy Hour March 4: Our next community gathering will be at Lula’s. Stay tuned for more info.
Trio of storms to slam SoCal starting on President's Day: The arriving powerful storm brings with it the likelihood of heavy rain, with the best estimates calling for 1 to 1.2 inches of rain regionally on Monday, with an added 1.5 to 3 inches of rain likely on Tuesday &Wednesday, & a possibility of 3 to 6 inches of total rain in the mountains, according to the NWS meteorologists. At least two more storm systems will follow through on Wednesday, with temperatures falling. More details here.
City Taking Steps to Lease Beds for Homeless Outside Downtown: City Council is considering greenlighting negotiations to lease space at two neighboring homeless facilities at 1905 & 2019 Pico Boulevard operated by the Manor & the Palm Motel at 2020 14th Street would provide temporary housing & services for homeless individuals currently staying at SamoShel. More details here.
SaMo Homelessness Emergency Enters Fourth Year: City Council extended the Local Emergency on Homelessness for a fourth year, making it easier to seek funding and launch initiatives to tackle the long-entrenched problem. The 2025 census counted 812 homeless individuals in SaMo, an increase of 38 individuals over the previous year. More details here.
The Street Seen: Edgewater Beach Club (1855 Ocean Front Walk @ Pico Blvd): The Edgewater Beach Club opens in 1926, but quickly falls into bankruptcy. The Jonathan Club takes over the building in the early 1930s. During WWII, the Edgewater is commandeered by the US Army. After the war, the property is briefly the Ambassador Hotel, and then the Kabat-Kaiser Institute, before the building is demolished in 1964. The site is currently occupied by Shutters on the Beach. More details here.
Meet with Mayor Caroline Torosis: Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis is inviting members of the community to meet one-on-one during new monthly office hours at City Hall. The mayor's office hours will be held on the fourth Monday of each month from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1685 Main St., beginning on Feb. 23. More details and the link to book a 20-minute meeting here.
Early birds file campaign finance paperwork kickstarting this year's election season: Santa Monica's 2026 election season is underway as Daniel Ivanov, Brett Morrow, Caroline Torosis and Derrick Townsend establish campaign accounts for City Council races. More details here.
Neighborhood Group Pulls Out of City Grant Program: Northeast Neighbors informed City officials Monday that the group will not participate in a new grant program. It has endorsed candidates and taken other actions prohibited by the grant program. OPA is applying for the grant and continues to focus on community engagement and activism. More details here.
Share your precious pier story during Santa Monica Pier's ‘Month of Love': This NBC4 report highlights how the pier is collecting people’s pier stories, including “getting engaged on the Pacific Wheel, or first developing feelings for someone while playing a lively game of Skee-Ball, or finding common ground with a new pal during a spontaneous ride on the Santa Monica Pier Carousel.”
Voting Now Open “Most Loved” Businesses: The annual "Most Loved Business" competition is back. Vote for all your favorites here through March 13: smdp.com/vote
Congrats to the OPA Gold member for 5 years in the ‘hood!
Things to Do This Week
Locals' Night: Jazz Night (Thursday 3:30 - 10 pm): Locals’ Night is bringing the rhythm with BroadStage's Jazz Night featuring phenomenal alumni from Stanley Clarke's Artist Residency program. Enjoy serious grooves to celebrate Black History Month, while Offhand Wine Bar keeps the vibe smooth with perfectly paired selections. @ Santa Monica Pier santamonicapier.org/jazznight
Mishkon Temple Sake Tasting and Havdalah (Saturday 6:15pm): This year’s annual tasting event will feature sake, the traditional rice beverage of Japan. The evening includes the tasting, kosher Japanese snacks (including sushi), and your very own sake tasting cup to take home! Non-alcoholic sake available on request, and soft drinks will be served. @ 206 Main St., Venice Learn more and get your tickets here.
The Daily Immune Ritual I Trust All Winter Long
Winter is when I’m most intentional about supporting my immune system, and Pique’s Daily Immune has become one of my non-negotiables. It’s the kind of daily ritual that feels supportive, not overwhelming and one I actually look forward to.
What sets Daily Immune apart is its liposomal vitamin C, which helps deliver nutrients more effectively to your bloodstream and immune cells, where they can truly do their job. I notice the difference in how steady and resilient I feel, especially during colder months when my body needs extra support. The addition of elderberry gives it that extra layer of seasonal immune defense I trust.
Daily Immune supports my everyday immunity, collagen production, skin resilience, and antioxidant protection all in one simple step. I love that it fits seamlessly into my routine and tastes bright and refreshing.
Winter wellness doesn’t need to be extreme to be effective. For me, Daily Immune is an easy, consistent way to feel supported, strong, and cared for all season long
OPA & City Meetings
Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment (Monday 7pm): More details here.
OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
Arts Commission Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): In-person only in the SMi Training Room (northwest corner of the 2nd floor of the Civic Center Parking Structure - 330 Olympic Drive). More details here.
Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting (Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are March 4 (The Vanishing Half), April 1 (The Housemaid), May 6 (Demon Copperhead), June 3: (Remarkably Bright Creatures). Email [email protected] for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
OPA Happy Hour March 4: Our next community gathering will be at Lula’s. Stay tuned for more info.
OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, March 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. Dates this summer are 6/28, 7/26, & 8/30.
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!
