This Sunday (Aug 23): First Ocean Park Farmer’s Market on Main Street:

Ocean Park Social Club Summer Picnic Series (Thursday): Join your neighbors every other Thursday in Hotchkiss Park from 5:30 - 7:30pm. Next one is Thursday (Aug 20), followed by the finale on Sep 3. Email Tess with any questions.

Back to School: SMPD Reminds Drivers, Students and Families to Put Safety First: SaMo schools start this Thursday. This SMPD post details some tips for drivers, ebikers, parents, walkers, etc.

Back to school: Plan your trip before the first bell: This City released this post with travel tips, also stating "The first week of school is an exciting time for students and families, but it can also bring heavier traffic and new routines. Whether you're returning to campus or heading to a new school, taking a few minutes to plan your trip before the first day can help make the school commute safer and less stressful. The city of Santa Monica encourages families to explore all the ways to get to school. Walking, biking, taking Big Blue Bus, carpooling, or combining transit with walking are all great options that can reduce traffic around schools while helping students arrive safely and ready to learn."

15 Best Dine LA Deals in Santa Monica: SaMoNext published this list of 15 Santa Monica Dine LA menus worth considering.

Why Everyone’s Heading Back To Santa Monica: This Forbes article highlights the "Buzzy hotels, standout chefs, a new festival from Coachella’s organizers and a citywide revitalization are putting this beach town on the map again."

Realignment Plan Scorecard: The Santa Monica Scorecard has been developed to provide the public with ongoing, transparent access to the city’s progress against its Realignment Plan commitments, as directed by City Council. Click here for the scorecard. Click the titles to check the status for each priority area.

City Invites Property Owners to Participate in New Master Leasing Program: The city of Santa Monica is issuing a Request for Expression of Interest, or RFEI, to solicit property owners interested in joining the city’s new Master Leasing Program. Master leasing is a strategy for the city to increase its available interim housing capacity by leasing residential units, multifamily buildings and hotel properties directly from owners and subleasing them to individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Interested property owners can apply to the program for an entire building or for individual units. More details here.

The Street Seen: 2731 4th St (Pollock/Baelz) @ Raymond Ave: A 1906 cottage is relocated on the property to make way for this 1928, 2-story 4-unit apartment building on the northeast corner of 4th St and Raymond Ave. The 4 doors at the building entrance removes the need for an interior lobby space. More details here.

California Environmental Voters endorses Brian Goldsmith for state Senate: “The state's leading climate advocacy organization, announced its endorsement of Brian Goldsmith for state Senate in District 24. Senate District 24 takes in some of California's most iconic natural landmarks, from the Santa Monica Mountains and coastal watersheds to the coastlines stretching from Malibu through the South Bay to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. In backing Goldsmith, the group, known as EnviroVoters, cited his policy expertise and focus on addressing immediate climate pressures while mitigating future environmental risks.” More details here.

Casa del Mar Turns 100...and still looks great! This SMDP story highlights the hotel's history. "Some buildings provide a backdrop to a city, others become part of its identity. For 100 years, Casa del Mar has stood at the edge of Santa Monica, its red-tiled roof, Renaissance Revival façade and sweeping arched windows facing a Pacific Ocean that has remained constant even as nearly everything surrounding it has changed."

Councilmember Dan Hall Newsletter: Here is his weekly newsletter, with his thoughts on news in and around the city over the past week, upcoming calendar of events, and much more.

Catching Up With Rick Zbur - August Legislative Session Update: Here is his monthly update that includes “highlights from our recent Legislative Town Hall, an update on my Right to Human Customer Service Act (AB 1609), celebrations from Pride Month in West Hollywood and Los Angeles, this year's Pride Month Honoree, B. Scott, my continued efforts to protect California's film and television industry, and other priorities as the Legislature enters the final weeks of session.”

Message from Main St.: Thank you to everyone who voted in this year’s Most Loved Competition, hosted by the Santa Monica Daily Press! We love the businesses that make Main Street so special, and even more, we love seeing how much they mean to locals and visitors alike! Check out this year’s list of Most Loved businesses, then come see for yourself what makes Main Street one of Santa Monica’s favorite spots to shop, eat, explore, and hang out: