In partnership with
Ocean Park Social Club Summer Picnic Series (Tonight/Thursday): Join your neighbors every other Thursday in Hotchkiss Park from 5:30 - 7:30pm. Next one is Tonight/Thursday (Aug 6), followed by Aug 20, and Sep 3. Email Tess with any questions.
August OPA Monthly Meeting Next Monday (Aug. 10): 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. Expected guest speakers include Ericka Lesley (Rent Control Board).
Not No Bar on Main St. Featured on The Infatuation's "Most Fun Dinner Spots In LA" List: “A night at Not Bar Bar is frenetic and a bit lawless. Walk into this pizzeria-cocktail bar from the Dudley Market people in Santa Monica and you’ll find dates smooshed up against the bar and groups packed into booths. On Friday and Saturday nights, you’ll probably have to wait in line for a little bit while DJs spin throwback Euro disco over the hi-fi. A spacious table is never a guarantee, but the reward is excellent tiki-inspired cocktails and bubbly-crusted pizza that goes toe-to-toe with the best on the Westside.” More details here.
JuneShine to Close Santa Monica Location This Month: The Southern California company opened in Santa Monica at 2914 Main St. in 2021, three years after its founders conceived of the business upon brewing kegs of Blood Orange Mint, a flavor which the brand still produces. The Westside brick-and-mortar features a white interior, the company’s line of alcoholic drinks poured from bamboo levers and a small event space in the back. The Santa Monica tasting room’s last day of operations is Aug. 28. More details here.
Homelessness on L.A. Metro System Reportedly Falls 57% Since 2024: The 2026 point-in-time count found 31% fewer unhoused people on the system than a year earlier. This year's tally estimated 395 to 517 people experiencing homelessness on Metro, down from 631 to 684 in 2025 and 1,041 to 1,092 in 2024. Because the count is not an exact census, results are reported as a range to account for statistical margins of error. Metro attributes the progress to what it calls an integrated public safety model, which combines care-based services with coordinated law enforcement and security. In January, the agency's Department of Public Safety launched a Care-Based Services Division that brought Metro Ambassadors, the Homeless Outreach Management and Engagement program, and Community Intervention Specialists together under one umbrella. More details here.
City Council takes ownership of local homelessness response system, approves build-out of new Housing Focused System of Care: This City press release states "The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday approved the establishment of a Housing Focused System of Care, a locally controlled model that gives the City direct authority over homeless services from street outreach through permanent housing. The plan replaces the City's reliance on the county-run system with a new program built around four linked priorities, including 1) local prioritization to place people connected to Santa Monica into the proper type of housing facility; 2) robust on-site services; 3) City-directed security, and 4) good-neighbor agreements."
Santa Monica to celebrate unveiling of Silas White Street: The city of Santa Monica will host a ceremony Aug. 10 to commemorate the renaming of a portion of Vicente Terrace to Silas White Street. The event is free and open to the public. It will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10 at 1846 Main St. More details here.
Prince St. Pizza Debuts Black Currant Apple Pie Dessert Pizza: 🍕🍇Throughout August, the Black Currant Big Apple Pie Pizza pairs the familiar comfort of apple pie with a black currant drizzle and McCormick Black Currant Finishing Sugar. 326 Lincoln Blvd, Venice princestreetpizza.com
Local Business Profile: Monarch Nursery on Lincoln Blvd.: This SaMoMirror story highlights how "An existing wholesale nursery on Lincoln Boulevard was given new life this year after two entrepreneurs combined their professional and lived experiences to grow something beautiful: Monarch Nursery. A welcoming destination for green enthusiasts, the 4,000-square foot nursery serves as a neighborhood garden center, wholesale nursery and a connected space for community events."
Hot Dog on a Stick Comeback Roadmap - New owner, rapid expansion — and lobster on a stick: The fast food joint — with roots in Santa Monica’s Muscle Beach and known for its corn dogs and hand-stomped lemonade — has plummeted from its glory days as a staple food at food courts across the state. The rise of competition and decline of malls has slashed its presence, but its new owner has big plans for a comeback. More details here.
Trying all the Best SaMo Bakeries: Instagrammer audris_lim posts about what she tried at Bread & Butter on Main St. and others: instagram.com/reels/DbENBIlPHKW
Councilmember Lana Negrete Newsletter: Here is her weekly newsletter with updates on Public Safety, Economic Development, Education, Around Town & Community Highlights, Election & Voting, and more.
Over $70B in Unclaimed Funds in the U.S.
There is over $70B in unclaimed property across the U.S., held by state agencies.
You can search your name and state to check if you may be included in these records. Unclaimed funds can come from old accounts, refunds, or deposits that were never collected.
Check your name to see if any matches may be linked to you.
Things to Do This Weekend
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 this Thursday, followed by Aug 20, and Sep 3. Email Tess with any questions.
SMPL at the Beach (Friday 10am - 3 pm): Southern California's only beachside pop-up library is heading back to the Beach House for a day of bookish fun in the sun! Sign out books from our beach reads collection (no library card required), make nautical crafts, play games, or kick back, relax and read in our Surfside Lounge. Seaside Storytime at 10:15 a.m., followed by Nautical Crafts, and an interactive musical performance from Sweet Potato Music at 11:30 a.m. For all ages. Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 PCH More details here.
FX's 'The Shards' Present: Sunset Sessions at Penmar (Friday 5:30 pm): From Executive Producer Ryan Murphy, this seductive new drama is set in 1980s Los Angeles and follows a group of glamorous high school seniors drawn into a life of wealth, beauty, parties and excess. Camber guest list will receive free first drink tickets, and an exclusive blanket (all while supplies last!). More details here.
Recycling Event at City Yards (Saturday 9am - 2pm @ City Yards, 2500 Michigan Avenue (2nd gate entrance): This is a FREE event for Santa Monica residents only. Bring your used mattresses, box springs, electronic waste, and up to 5 boxes of paper for shredding. Shredding will happen on-site and the paper will be recycled. Questions? Call (866) 311-7266.
Santa Monica's New Oceanfront Arts Festival (Saturday 11 am - 6 pm): Ocean Ave. will be car free as it transforms into a vibrant outdoor gallery featuring over 100 California visual artists, live music, an oceanfront wine garden, interactive art experiences, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. @ Ocean Ave. between California & Montana Ave. art-on-ocean.com/santamonica
New Outdoor Music & Movie Series Saturdays at Tongva Park: Spend your Saturday nights under the stars at TONGVA TWILIGHT: Sounds & Cinema, a free outdoor series blending live music, iconic films, and summer vibes in Tongva Park. Grab your friends, pack a picnic and enjoy complimentary popcorn on movie nights while supplies last. The series kicks off with all-star jazz and ska big band Western Standard Time Orchestra on Aug 8. Saturdays, Aug. 8 - Sept. 12, 7 - 10 p.m., 1615 Ocean Ave.
Small Space Gardening (Saturday 9 - 11am): Are your gardening dreams BIG, but your cultivation space small? No worries!! UC Master Gardner Renee Szostak will present how to garden successfully in small spaces. She will discuss container gardening, soil types, fertilizing, watering best practices and pest remedies. She believes anyone can develop a green thumb and that there are endless ways to have a garden with little to no monetary investment via regenerative practices, composting, seed saving, propagation and Patience! Join us at 9 am for a cup of coffee, pastries, walking through the gardens, chatting with other gardeners and pick up some seed packets. Workshop begins at 10 am. Limited seating - please bring a chair or blanket. @ 2318 Main Street Community Garden. Full details at Santamonic.gov/events
Free Venice Street Fair: With more than 150 local artists and makers, the fair will close 3rd Ave between Rose Ave and Sunset Ave.. Sunday, Aug. 9, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. instagram.com/theartistfair
The Surfrider Malibu launches 'Sunday Sessions' summer concert series with Aviator Nation Dreamland, Malibu Pier (Sunday 11 am - 8 pm): General admission is free and open to all ages, with access to the Malibu Pier Stage, Dreamland Stage and Dreamland Patio. Guests 21 and older can buy VIP passes for exclusive access to The Surfrider Roof Deck and the Lola Blankets Lounge on Malibu Pier. More details here.
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am - 1:30pm): All the way from Boulder, Colorado The Speeks will be taking the stage at the Main Street Farmers Market as part of their special Album Release Tour 10am-1pm! Also back this week is GSFF organic almonds, heritage grains and bread and Something Good Treats! You won't want to miss a single minute.
The LA Jazz Festival (Aug. 7 - 23) will spread across the city for 17 days in August, mixing dozens of free neighborhood concerts with a two-night beachfront finale. The festival spans free "Jazz in the Park" concerts, restaurant pop-ups called "Jazz After Dark," a Caribbean Street Carnival in Venice and a closing "Jazz on the Beach" weekend headlined by John Legend, Janelle Monáe, Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton and Raphael Saadiq. Terrace Martin was among the newest additions to the beach lineup. lajazzfestival.com
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Upcoming Calendar of Events
OPA Book Club: Next planned date is 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, Aug. 10, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
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: Aug 6, Aug 20, and Sep 3. Email Tess with any questions.
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. Next date this summer is 8/30.
Resources
Police non-emergency Phone #: Call 310-458-8491 or click here for more info.
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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