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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. Speakers include City Attorney Heidi von Tongeln, SMPD, SaMo Travel & Tourism, and local Main St. Business Chi Trainer. Click here to add the OPA monthly meeting and Zoom link to your calendar. Here's the zoom link.
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.
OPA Spring Mixer @ Lula Wednesday (5/20): We hope to see you at @ Lula's back patio (2720 Main St.) from 4:00-6-30pm. Come enjoy FREE appetizers and GREAT company. See you there!
Registration Open for MAINopoly on Sunday, May 24: This event is one of my personal favorite days on Main St. every year. HIGHLY recommend it! Get ready to PASS GO and taste your way down Main Street at the 11th Annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street — an interactive, Monopoly-inspired food & drink adventure! Throw on your top hats and monocles and explore 20+ of Main Street’s best restaurants, bars, eateries, and shops along a lively 5-block stretch. Use your MAINopoly dollars to redeem delicious tastings, complete your game board, and enter to win amazing prizes. More details and get early bird tickets here.
Santa Monica Hosts Series of Community Events for National Water Safety Month: The month-long campaign, which runs throughout May, includes hands-on demonstrations, CPR training, lifeguard outreach and family-friendly activities. More details here.
Santa Monica accepts $486,760 federal police grant with conditions amid dispute over DOJ mandates: The grant, awarded through the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, will pay for training in de-escalation tactics, alternatives to use of force, safe responses to people in mental or behavioral health crises, and safe encounters with individuals with disabilities, according to a staff report from Police Chief Darrick Jacob. The council's acceptance came with what officials called "guardrails" — a cover letter stating that compliance is contingent on a federal court injunction remaining in place. If that injunction is overturned, the city's position is that it will stop spending the grant money, return any unspent funds, and refuse to comply with the federal conditions. More details here.
Monarch Nursery Grows New Beginnings on Lincoln Boulevard, Rooted in Plants and Family: This SMDP profile highlights how "On the stretch of Lincoln Boulevard, where Santa Monica and Venice blur into one community, a once forgotten nursery has been brought back to life, and for Jasper Watts, Monarch Nursery co-founder, is more than a business, but a second chance born from loss. After nearly a decade building a life in Altadena, where he and his family had poured themselves into a home and a garden that became both sanctuary and expression, everything was lost in the fires. “We lost everything, and it all happened overnight," said Watts."
Santa Monica's Mel's Drive-in celebrates 100 years of Route 66: This NBC4 Video report highlights Mel's role as the endpoint for the cross-country road and its centennial celebration. It’s a fun story to learn about people ring the bell at the restaurant to mark completion of the full drive.
Councilmember Lana Negrete Newsletter: Here is her weekly newsletter, with updates on public safety, economic development, education and community, housing, and more. Regarding police activity, she notes that “Calls for service eased slightly this week, while proactive enforcement kept climbing. Year-over-year arrest activity is now up 75.8 percent.“
Mother's Day:
Pasjoli's Mother’s Day Brunch: The family style menu includes deviled eggs, french onion dip, fried chicken, black truffle gravy, and french toast. $115 for adults and $65 for kids. 2732 Main St. https://www.opentable.com/r/pasjoli-santa-monica
Papille Gustative Mother's Day Brunch: Multi-course menu options include Strawberry salad, smoke salmon Benedict, French toast, flame seared salmon and more for $59. Saturday & Sunday https://www.opentable.com/r/papille-gustative-santa-monica
FIT4MOM Santa Monica to Celebrate Moms with Free May Events: Celebrate moms throughout May with a series of free, family-friendly events as part of its annual Month of Mama celebration, designed to help mothers move their bodies, build friendships and connect with their community. Events include a free Mamapalooza workout and reception, free Walk Club meet-ups in partnership with Mom Walk Co Santa Monica, plus classes, playdates, expert talks and giveaways. To view the full schedule of Month of Mama events or reserve a spot, visit santamonica.fit4mom.com/month-of-mama
Things to Do This Weekend
Sunset Sessions Returns to the Penmar (Friday 5pm): Join for good music, good company, and something that smells really good as by/rosie jane is collabing with Penmar so that every ticket comes with a Rosie travel spray, plus the first 100 guests will receive a free glass of wine. @ 1233 Rose Ave., Venice instagram.com/p/DXpJs1XiSR0
SaMo Jazz Festival Tribute Celebrating John Coltrane (Friday 7pm): A multigenerational tribute at BroadStage featuring saxophonists Isaiah Collier and Lakecia Benjamin, alongside Tenor Madness featuring Hubert Laws and Stanley Clarke. smjazzfest.com/schedule
The Main Street Community Garden turns 50 (Saturday 9 - 11am): This is where the citywide community gardens program started in 1976, and it is celebrating with anniversary festivities. @ 2318 Main St. instagram.com/p/DXxWn5wksWv
SaMo Jazz Festival Finale: A Day in the Park (Saturday 1 – 10pm): The first full-scale concert event at Tongva Park, headlined by double 2026 Grammy-winner Kamasi Washington. * Special Collaborative Set: Stanley Clarke will be joined by iconic Police drummer Stewart Copeland, pianist Kiefer, and trumpeter Keyon Harrold for a one-time Miles Davis tribute. smjazzfest.com/schedule
The Main Library Turns 20 (Saturday 2 - 4pm): Enjoy a community celebration featuring a panel with the building's architects from Moore Ruble Yudell, a reception, and a chance to join the Friends of the Library. @ 601 Santa Monica Blvd. instagram.com/p/DX2i4YtHC2W
Marina WELL Rey - a free Health, Wellness & Selfcare Expo (Saturday): Over 60 local businesses will be offering Free Classes, Talks, Doggy Yoga, Vendors and Entertainment. @ Coco Beach Sports Bar & Grill, 404 Washington Blvd., Venice More details here.
Venice Family Clinic Art Exhibition + Auction (May 8-17): What began nearly 50 years ago as Venice Art Walk, a one-day fundraiser, has grown into Venice Family Clinic Art Exhibition + Auction - the longest-running charity art exhibition in Los Angeles. 910 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice venicefamilyclinic.org/aea26/
Celebrate Fire Service Day at Fire Station 1 (Saturday 10am – 1pm): Fire service day is a unique opportunity to meet local firefighters and learn about what they do through a hands-on learning experience. Free open house activities for families include fire engine and trucks displays for exploration, fire station tours with firefighters, learn hands-only CPR alongside emergency preparedness information with the American Red Cross. @ Fire Station 1, 1337 7th St. More details here.
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm):
Protection for Birds, a Gift for You
Snowy Owl. Photo: Grant Eldridge/Audubon Photography Awards
Since 1970, we have lost 3 billion birds in North America. Birds like the Snowy Owl are at increasing risk of extinction due to climate change. Birds are vital to healthy ecosystems - and their decline affects us all.
With over a century of conservation expertise, the National Audubon Society knows what it takes to protect the birds we love. And with your support today, we can.
Join us in protecting birds with a dependable, annual gift and we’ll send you our quarterly, award-winning magazine every year as our thanks.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are May 6 (Demon Copperhead), June 3 (Remarkably Bright Creatures), July 8 (Trust), Aug 5 (The Night Watchman). Email [email protected] for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, May 11, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
Ocean Park Social Club Cookbook Club: A Cookbook Club is when a group of people choose 1 cookbook and each make a different recipe, and then enjoy the meal together. Our first one will by Monday, June 1, 6-8pm at the Meditation Center (237 Hill Street). Our first cookbook will be: Nothing Fancy by Alison Roman. If you would like to participate or have questions, email me at [email protected].
Ocean Park Social Club 2nd Annual June Gloom Chili Cookoff: SAVE THE DATE: June 7. Last year, our Chili Cookoff was a raging success with over 15 submissions of delicious cornbread and chili recipes by our neighbors! Come back to reignite the community and the competition. Click here to email Tess if you'd like to volunteer! Sign-ups for contestants will be sent out soon.
Ocean Park Social Club - The Jar Returns to Ocean Park: After a wonderful first event with the national non-profit, The Jar, our friends are back for another dinner & salon on June 24.
Ocean Park Social Club Summer Picnic Series: Mark your calendars for our bi-weekly summer evening picnics at Hotchkiss Park on the following Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm: July 9, July 23, Aug 6, Aug 20, and Sep 3.
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!
Have News to Share? Email [email protected] anytime you have news you think we should share
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