SwimRight Academy Water Skills Classes
SwimRight Academy Sponsored Post - Water Skills That Help Kids Stay Safer at the Beach: Many families in Santa Monica look for kids swimming lessons before visiting the ocean. Basic floating and breathing control help children stay calmer in moving water. See a local water safety resource.
Ocean Park Community Paint Party (3/22 @ 1pm): Gather on Second and Hill for Graffiti Removal, Mutual Support and Celebration! You are invited to paint a section of the wall to cover up the hateful language (if you wish) and Support each other and Celebrate this resilient community with food, music and good people! Come Celebrate Our Diversity Together!
Suspected Gunman Linked to Pier Shooting Arrested: An Inland Empire man was arrested and booked in Santa Monica after being accused of firing his weapon at the Santa Monica Pier and injuring one person, police said Monday. Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department had responded to the Santa Monica Pier at around 9 p.m. Sunday after learning about the shooting following a large fight involving multiple people. More details in this NBC4 report and this SaMo.gov report.
SMPD's high-tech system nabs armed robbery suspect: Police said the suspect entered the 7-Eleven store on Lincoln Boulevard at around 4:15 p.m. Monday and tried to steal merchandise. When confronted by the store employees, the suspect took out his gun and pointed it at the workers before running away. As soon as receiving a call about the suspect, the department utilized its SMART Center, a technology and support system that gathers data quickly and and helps with investigations, Santa Monica police said. The SMART Center is equipped with security cameras, automated license plate readers and drones. More details here.
Meals On Wheels asks for donations after freezers break: The organizations had to throw out hundreds of meals for homebound people, including seniors and veterans. This NBC4 video report details their current issues and needs. More details here or go to mealsonwheelswest.org to donate food, money, freezers, etc.
Santa Monica Set to Become First Jurisdiction to Launch Automated Bike Lane Enforcement: City Manager Oliver Chi's newsletter details how some "Two SMPD parking enforcement vehicles have now been equipped with camera systems specifically designed to identify and cite bike lane parking violations." More details here.
Coming Soon to Main St. - La Diperie: This is a dipped ice cream concept out of Canada and is moving into the old Holey Grail Donuts space at 2441 Main St. Their Insta says "Real Belgian chocolate dips for cones, cookies, cakes & donuts. WE DIP EVERYTHING" instagram.com/ladiperie_sm
Crudo e Nudo Celebrates Five Years on Main Street with Week-long Chef and Winemaker Collaboration Series: “When Chef Brian Bornemann opened Crudo e Nudo on Main Street before COVID, the timing could not have been more uncertain. Restaurants were closing their doors as the pandemic took hold, and the future of dining was anything but clear. Five years later, the small seafood restaurant has not only survived, it has built a loyal following around a simple idea to make local seafood something people eat every day.” More details here on the restaurant's history and their week-long anniversary celebration from April 13 through April 19, bringing together chefs and winemakers who have been part of the restaurant’s journey.
Former SaMo Mayor (and Current OPA Board member!) Judy Abdo named 2026 Assembly District 51 Woman of the Year: "Judy Abdo has spent her life fighting to make Santa Monica a more just, inclusive, and compassionate community," California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur said. "As Santa Monica's first openly LGBTQ+ mayor, she helped break barriers and expand representation at a time when that visibility mattered deeply. Her years of advocacy and grassroots leadership helped shape Santa Monica into the progressive and caring community it is today. I am incredibly proud to honor her as Assembly District 51's 2026 Woman of the Year." More details here.
The Street Seen: 151 Fraser Ave (Armstrong): Former Riverside business partners, Newberry and Crombie, acquire the vacant lot in 1901, but decide not to build, and sell it in 1903. In 1904, Commodore Armstrong and his wife build one of the largest houses on the street on a double lot at 151 Fraser Ave. More details here.
Santa Monica Selects Jay Baldwin as Poet Laureate: Baldwin, who was born and raised in Santa Monica, currently works as a school librarian at a Santa Monica elementary school and is completing a master’s degree in library science. More details here.
Letter to the Mayor and Santa Monica City Council from Friends of Sunset Park (FOSP): The FOSP Board has voted to not apply for a city grant this year and published this letter explaining that decision. OPA has applied for the grant.
Councilmember Lana Negrete Newsletter: Here is her weekly newsletter, with Public Safety stats (including Sunday night’s pier shooting), street safety upgrades, Economic Development updates, and more.
Red Cross Urges Blood Donations: To help combat a shortage, those who donate blood, platelets or plasma through March 31 will receive A1C testing and a $15 Amazon gift card by email. More details at RedCrossBlood.org/March.
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Things to Do This Weekend
SaMo Pier Locals’ Night Celebrates L.A. Hip-Hop Culture (Thursday 3:30 - 10 pm): This edition highlights the diversity and legacy of L.A.’s independent hip-hop scene with a curated lineup by Top to Bottom LA on the Main Stage with additional entertainment and activities, and Route 66 salute.
Venice Art Crawl (Thursday 6pm): Experience the eclectic soul of Venice as local galleries, studios, and pop-up spaces open their doors for this quarterly community tradition. This volunteer-run sunset tour celebrates the neighborhood’s historic status as a creative haven, offering everything from large-scale murals and fine art to experimental performance pieces and live music. veniceartcrawl.com
The Venice Love Fest (Saturday 11am - 7pm): This free annual community celebration of music, art, wellness and local culture, transforms Windward Circle, Windward Plaza, the Venice Boardwalk and surrounding streets into a large-scale cultural takeover. thevenicefest.com
March Madness at Santa Monica Place (Saturday 2 - 5pm): The excitement of March Madness hits the court at Santa Monica Place with a high-energy, basketball-inspired game experience for fans of all ages. Shoot your shot and test your skills with four interactive, carnivalstyle challenges including Rim Shot, Crossover, Alley Oop, and Bee Ball. Plus enjoy concession-style snacks to keep you fueled. There will be prizes, snacks, and everything you need to warm up to watch the games at The Courtside Lounge. @ 395 Santa Monica Place santamonicaplace.com/events/march-madness-mania
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm): Wow! It's been a hot week! Chill out at the Main Street Farmers Market this Sunday with local favorite Megan Ukoh 10am-1pm! Also joining us City Council Member Natalya Zernitskaya with kid crafts, Camp Cosmo science experiments on the lawn and St. Johns with CalFresh and Health information. See you there!
Preparing for Passover with Rabbi Katzan (Sunday 10am - 12pm): Mishkon’s rabbi is guiding people through the physical and spiritual preparations for Passover, helping you to create a Seder that is both joyous and meaningful for family, friends, including children. He will cover everything from getting ready for the holiday to the structure and deeper significance of the Seder. Parents, don't miss this opportunity to discover new ways to engage your children in the rituals and traditions of this special holiday! 206 Main St., Venice More details here.
Celebrate National Puppy Day with a Free Pet Psychic Reading (Sunday 1 - 4pm): Pizzana Marina del Rey is offering pup pizzas & psychic readings 🔮🍕🐶 + buy any pizza, get a pup pizza - free! @ 4716 Lincoln Blvd. instagram.com/p/DVJiHx2Cgi4
Hate Crime Recovery Workshop (Sunday 1pm): We are seeking community input Help CIOP determine what our response should be. All are welcome—we are all impacted by this crime. Some people will be painting over the graffiti at the same time on the same day. Come on inside. We will see you upstairs (if you have mobility challenges, please let someone at the outside welcome table know and they will guide you to the elevator) Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St. More details here.
SMPD Wag Watch (Wednesday 6:30pm): Bring your furry friend for a walk at Douglas Park. More details here.
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Upcoming Calendar of Events
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are 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 Monthly Meeting: Monday, April 13, 6pm @ 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!
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!
