April OPA Monthly Meeting Next Monday (April 13): The meeting is at the Ocean Park Library @ 2601 Main St. starting with food and mingling at 6:00pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Click here to add the OPA monthly meeting and Zoom link to your calendar. Here's the zoom link, and here's the schedule:
6:00 - 6:30: Food, refreshments and mingling
6:30 - 7:30: Guest Speakers:
Mayor Caroline Torosis
SaMo Police Department
SaMo Fire Department
Others TBD
7:30 - 8:30: Board business, including the upcoming calendar of events, & more)
Samosa House Closed its Main Street Location: The restaurant had been part of a family-owned business operating in the Los Angeles area since 1979, known for vegetarian Indian cuisine and casual dining. It was not immediately clear whether the Samosa House closure is temporary or permanent. More details here.
Must Watch: Congrats to OPA Board Member by night and TV exec by day Kelly Martin on the premiere of Love on the Spectrum Season 4 on Netflix. Don’t miss it! More details here.
The Street Seen: 1559 Ocean Ave. (Sunset Inn @ Colorado Blvd): In 1911, Adolphus Busch, patriarch of the Anheuser-Busch beer brewing empire, builds the Sunset Inn, a restaurant/nightclub on the northeast corner of Colorado Avenue and Ocean Avenue. Once a celebrity hangout, the Sunset Inn never recovers from Santa Monica going dry in 1917. Vacant for 20 years, the Sunset Inn is demolished in 1943. More details here.
Councilmember Dan Hall Newsletter: Here is his weekly newsletter, with his thoughts on rent control and affordability, Achieving Safe Neighborhoods & Clean Streets (including Recent Homelessness Response Stories), new business openings, and much more.
MESSAGE FROM OPA GOLD MEMBER ALFALFA: Introducing smoothies! Now serving Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie, Matcha Glow Smoothie, and PB Cocoa Cream Smoothie. Order now! Order online here or in the 2309 Main St. store.
Things to Do This Week
Pop-Up Pool Day (Thursday 11am - 5pm): Pop-Up Pool Days are here for Spring Break! Annenberg Community Beach House is opening the pool for three special days—just in time for sunshine, splashes, and a perfect day at the Beach House. @ 415 PCH More details here.
Big Blue Bus to Mark Start of Electric Fleet Project with Groundbreaking Event (Thursday, 9am-12pm): Officials said the project will support the continued transition of the city’s bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles by adding advanced charging capabilities. City officials are set to mark the start of construction on new electric bus charging infrastructure at Big Blue Bus headquarters, part of an effort to expand zero-emission public transit in the region. The event, organized by the Santa Monica Department of Transportation is at the agency’s facility on 6th Street. More details here.
Financial Freedom Fair (Saturday @ the Pico Branch): Advance your personal financial journey with a free HUD-approved First-Time Homebuyer Workshop, plus free tax preparation by appointment from Haven Neighborhood Services. More details here.
Food, Culture, Climate: Exploring Food Justice with Isaias Hernandez (Friday 6:30pm): Learn and discuss how food justice can help build a more just and regenerative future! Join us for an engaging evening to explore the intersections of food, culture, and climate with environmental educator Isaias Hernandez, founder of QueerBrownVegan. Miles Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd. Learn and discuss how food justice can help build a more just and regenerative future! More details here.
The Opening Page: Meet Your Poet Laureate (Saturday 11am): Celebrate National Poetry Month with Santa Monica’s new Poet Laureate! Join us for a special reception marking the beginning of their two-year term and help craft a community poem. @ Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Malibu Celebrates Earth Month With Lineup of Free Environmental Events in April: The City of Malibu has announced a series of free, public environmental education and recycling events throughout April in recognition of Earth Month, culminating in Earth Day on April 22, which marks the 56th anniversary of the modern environmental movement. Key events include a Pollinator Plant Giveaway, the Pepperdine Earth Day Fair, and Malibu Library Speaker Series featuring Bill McKibben. More details here.
Are You Ready to Actually Retire?
Knowing when to retire means knowing what it costs, how long your money needs to last, and where the income comes from. When to Retire: A Quick and Easy Planning Guide helps investors with $1,000,000 or more work through all of it.
OPA & City Meetings
Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee (Monday 6pm): The Committee was established to provide advisory support to the City Council regarding the allocation of funds for schools, homelessness prevention, and affordable housing. More details here.
Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission Meeting (Tuesday 5:30pm): More details & agenda here.
OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
Human Services Commission (Wednesday 3pm): Their goal is to advise City Council on priorities and strategies involving the well-being, equity, and needs of vulnerable, low income, and at-risk residents including youth and families, seniors, and people experiencing homelessness. More details here.
Disabilities Commission Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): More details & agenda here.
Clean Beaches Committee Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): More details here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are April 8 (The Maid), 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
WILDFLOWER MIXER AND PLANT SWAP (April 11): Spring is officially here, and it’s time to get our hands a little dirty! Whether you have a lush garden or just one lonely succulent, come hang out and meet the people of Ocean Park. We’ll have a ‘seed bomb’ making station (perfect for your own window box or guerrilla gardening around town) and a casual plant swap. Bring a cutting to share, or just come to grab a new plant friend and a snack. No green thumb required, just good vibes! More details here.
Family Earth Day Party hosted by Neighbors Victoria & Ksenia
Saturday, April 18th at 10am at Hotchkiss Park. RSVP HERE
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!
