May OPA Monthly Meeting Next Monday (May 11): 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:

OPA Volunteer Opportunity - Fire Service Day is THIS Saturday, May 9, 10am – 1pm at Fire Station 1 (1337 7th St.): OPA will have a table at this event and it is a great opportunity to represent OPA and meet and greet community members. No previous volunteer experience is needed…it’s really just a great way to lean in on community engagement. Reply to this email to volunteer and learn more about the event here.

Free Cookies 5-7pm Today @ Cookies with the Cops – Monday, May 4 at Junior Cookies (2726 Main Street): More details will be in Monday’s newsletter and the SMPD facebook page: facebook.com/santamonicapd

"Circle Bar is Back": “Serial entrepreneurs, and owners of Hinano Cafe and Tavern on Main, Mark and Addie Van Gessel, are at it again! This time bringing back the 2926 Main St. Santa Monica legend, Circle Bar. Established in 1949, it has long been a staple of the Westside nightlife scene, attracting a vibrant and diverse crowd from icons like Jim Morrison and Truman Capote. Known for its unpretentious vibe, great drinks, and famous dance floor, the venue has been thoughtfully updated while maintaining its original layout and character. Circle Bar remains one of Santa Monica’s most iconic nightlife destinations.” Grand Opening is expected Memorial Day weekend. More details here.

Via Veneto Closes its Doors for Good: No word on exactly why, but the owner died last year, so that probably is a major factor in the closure.

Santa Monica Launches Automated Bike Lane Enforcement: “This effort supports the City’s broader commitment to safe, sustainable, and accessible multimodal transportation options for residents and visitors alike… The Automated Bike Lane Enforcement technology uses advanced, forward-facing camera systems mounted on City Parking Enforcement vehicles to automatically detect parking violations in bike lanes. When a vehicle is identified blocking a bike lane, an evidence package is generated and reviewed by a Parking Enforcement officer before a citation is issued.” More details here.

Santa Monica Planning Commission Backs Two-Track Strategy to Blunt State Housing Law's Impact on Neighborhoods: The commission's recommendation calls on the council to quickly adopt a stop-gap ordinance temporarily excluding certain eligible residential parcels from the law's upzoning requirements until 2030, while staff works in parallel to develop a permanent Transit-Oriented Development Alternative Plan that would allow the city to strategically redistribute required housing density away from sensitive neighborhoods and concentrate it closer to transit stations and downtown. More details here.

March 2026 SMMUSD Wave: Here is the monthly newsletter of all things going on in the school district. Maybe not all things, because yet again it is completely silent about the Ocean Park school (or lack thereof).

The Lobster Launches Brunch in Time for Mother’s Day: Perched at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier, the Michelin-recognized restaurant is now serving “Brunch with a View” every Saturday and Sunday.  Think Lobster Eggs Benedict, Korean Fried Chicken & Waffles, Cereal-Crusted French Toast, and over-the-top Seafood Towers, paired with 180° ocean views, mimosas, and Bloody Marys. thelobster.com 

Augie’s on Main highlighted by @hungryinla food blog: This video report raves about Chef Josiah Citrin (of Michelin-starred Citrin and Mélisse) dishing up serious comfort food with a glow-up: the cult-favorite “dirty chicken,” a next-level fried chicken sandwich. 2428 Main St. https://fb.watch/GuF8htUH_k/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Culver City Moves to Join Santa Monica in Letting Eventgoers Carry Drinks Downtown: The City Council unanimously introduced an ordinance this month to create a Downtown Entertainment Zone, according to the City of Culver City. The program would allow customers to buy alcoholic beverages from participating businesses and drink them within a designated outdoor area during permitted events. The proposal follows Santa Monica’s Entertainment Zone on the Third Street Promenade. More details here.

The Street Seen: Chapin (Palisades Park @ Broadway): In Palisades Park, across from where the Sunset Inn was, there is a granite block with CHAPIN 1932 carved on it. Of the two candidates for Chapin, both have granite monuments at Woodlawn Cemetery. We can find nearly everything about the Chapin who wanted to be forgotten, and yet very little about the other Chapin who wanted to be remembered. This is their story.

Santa Monica Pier 360 Beach Festival Registrations Open: The event is free and open to everyone — but if you want to compete, it's time to lock in your spot. Summer is coming and athlete registration is officially open. More details here.

Councilmember Dan Hall Newsletter: Here is his weekly newsletter, with his thoughts on the SMPD SMART Center, Assembly Bill 1740 that would allow the City to locally approve a defined set of low-impact projects in non-environmentally sensitive areas without requiring review by the Coastal Commission, Activating Economic Opportunity & Growth, Developing Affordable, Livable, & Secure Housing for All, Building Organizational Health, and much more.

Message from OPA Gold Member Alfalfa: Mother's Day pop-up at Alfalfa Santa Monica, featuring florals, candles, and exclusive Alfalfa promotions.