In partnership with
MESSAGE FROM OPA GOLD MEMBER MYGYM: Create Moments that Matter at My Gym Santa Monica! Our variety of programs for kids 4 months to 10 years old shape skills and build confidence to help children be active, healthy, social and, most of all, happy kids! mygym.com/santamonica/?force=1
Upcoming Ocean Park Social Club Events:
PRANA IN THE PARK: Join Jaini Shah for a free, all-levels yoga flow in Hotchkiss Park - no experience required, just bring a mat, water, and layers. Optional donations welcome to support Nepal flood relief. Sunday, Sept 27th, 10 - 11AM
@ Hotchkiss Park (top left corner facing the ocean) RSVP for Sept 27th HERECOOKBOOK CLUB: Cookbook club returns this fall! If you are not familiar, a Cookbook Club is when a group of people choose 1 cookbook or 1 author and each make a different recipe, and then enjoy the meal together, potluck style. This quarter we will be cooking from any of Yotam Ottolenghi's cookbooks! Check out his broad base of books HERE. I personally have Plenty More, but have never made anything from it so Cookbook Club seems like a great way to break it open and give it a try! TBD in October If you would like to participate or have questions, email me at [email protected].
City Gives More Details on Beach Damage That Caused Cancellation of Ocean Way Concert: City Manager Oliver Chi’s newsletter states: "In Santa Monica, the surf stripped sand from the beach south of the Pier, lowering it and leaving a four-foot erosion shelf at the south end of the festival site. On a lower beach, every tide runs farther inland, and the impacts from the storm meant that we would have had to push the event’s water-side edge 96 feet inland, and the southern boundary of the event roughly 500 feet north. Of note, our beach is open and safe for everyday use, and the Pier never closed. However, what the site located south of the Pier cannot facilitate right now is a two-week building process, followed by a two-day festival where tens of thousands of people would be interacting with fixed structures anchored in the sand." More details here.
Latest in Waymo case favors rideshare company over the city: "The City of Santa Monica’s ongoing legal dispute with Waymo hit a speed bump this month when the court overturned a previous ruling that had prevented Waymo from using its disputed facility on Broadway. The new ruling allows Waymo to continue operations in the city." More details here.
Today is Zero Emissions Day: Monday, September 21 is the 19th Annual global observance of Zero Emissions Day! This year’s theme, “Give our planet one day off a year,” urges drivers to forgo gas-powered vehicles and try a more sustainable alternative to driving, like taking public transit, walking, or biking, for just one day.
The Street Seen: 2411 3rd St (Clark Court) @ Hollister Ave: In 1922, a 12-unit Mission Revival apartment court is constructed between Hollister Ave and Mills St on the east side hill of 3rd St. In 1991, the rent-controlled apartments are converted to tenant-owned condominiums. More details here.
Council OKs trapeze school in Clover Park, owner ‘overwhelmed’: “A local trapeze school finally has a place to land — but some Santa Monica residents say City Hall pulled a fast one to get them there. In a unanimous vote Tuesday night, City Council rubber-stamped a 5-year deal, with a 5-year option, to drop the Santa Monica Trapeze School directly into the middle of Clover Park. The City will also contribute up to $170K toward relocation expenses. In return, the for-profit business will shell out $4,000 a month — plus an 8% cut of concession sales — to occupy a patch near old Public Works trailers…” More details here.
$5,000 Microgrant for 20 Brick and Mortar Small Businesses – DUE Thursday 10/1: The City of Santa Monica is offering Microgrant of $5,000 for existing brick-and-mortar businesses (20 businesses total). Applications will be accepted from September 10 through October 1, 2026. This grant helps small business owners with business investments such as technology upgrades, marketing and advertising services, professional services related to business growth and so much more. More details here.
SMMUSD Meeting Summary (September 17): The board heard wide-ranging public testimony calling for tighter restrictions on student technology use in classrooms, received a sweeping update on roughly $480 million in active and recently completed construction projects across the district, and approved a consent calendar amid a procedural abstention tied to absences at prior meetings. More details here.
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.
The CBD Brand that Actually Does What It Says
CBD is having a moment and CBD brands are everywhere right now. But with so many options, it can be tough to know what to look for – and which brands actually follow through on their claims.
That’s where CBDistillery sets itself apart. For the past decade, all of CBDistillery's products have been made with non-GMO, US-grown industrial hemp and with 100% clean ingredients – no corn syrup or artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners.
They frequently introduce new and innovative products formulated to meet a variety of wellness needs and customer preferences. And every single batch of CBDistillery’s gummies, oil tinctures, topicals and softgels are tested by an independent, accredited lab to make sure what’s in the package matches what’s on the label.
Right now, CBDistillery is offering our readers a special deal: save 50% on orders of $75 or more with code NEWS50!
Things to Do This Week
Memories and Movement - Senior Club (Tuesday 11am): Come, learn, and have fun every 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM in The Patio room at Virginia Avenue Park. Each week there will be something new: Exercise, Talking with Friends, Learning, Guest Presenters, Health & Wellness. More details here.
35+ Singles Wine & Mingle Night at AJA Vineyards: Ditch the dating apps for a night of real-world connections as “Thursday” is taking over AJA wine bar for a 35+ singles gathering, pairing local boutique wines with a laid-back, open-format social hour designed for meeting local neighbors. Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 – 10 p.m., 417 2nd St. ajavineyards.com/events
dublab Open Air: Cosmic Sounds & Dance Floor Vibes: dublab brings two free evenings of live music, DJs and dancing to Reed Park, with sunset vibes, a pop-up bar from Good Boy Wine and food trucks. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 24–25, 5–8 p.m., Reed Park, 1133 7th St. Free More details here.
Penmar Oktoberfest Sunset Session: Their Friday event goes Bavarian for a one-night Oktoberfest celebration featuring live tunes, seasonal brews, food platters, and golden-hour lawn vibes. Advance tickets include a drink token. Friday, Sept. 25, Starting at 5:30 p.m., 1233 Rose Ave., Venice More details here.
Daily news for curious minds.
Be the smartest person in the room. 1440 navigates 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive, unbiased news roundup — politics, business, culture, and more — in a quick, 5-minute read. Completely free, completely factual.
OPA & City Meetings
Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment (Monday 7pm): More details here.
Architectural Review Board Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details here.
City Council Meeting (Tuesday 5:30 pm): Meetings are hybrid and can be viewed on this YouTube channel. Click here for agenda.
OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
Restorative Justice Commission (Wednesday 7pm): More details & agenda here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
PRANA IN THE PARK: Join Jaini Shah for a free, all-levels yoga flow in Hotchkiss Park - no experience required, just bring a mat, water, and layers. Optional donations welcome to support Nepal flood relief. Sunday, Sept 27th, 10 - 11AM
Where: Hotchkiss Park, Ocean Park (top left corner facing the ocean) RSVP for Sept 27th HERECOOKBOOK CLUB: Cookbook club returns this fall! If you are not familiar, a Cookbook Club is when a group of people choose 1 cookbook or 1 author and each make a different recipe, and then enjoy the meal together, potluck style. This quarter we will be cooking from any of Yotam Ottolenghi's cookbooks! Check out his broad base of books HERE. I personally have Plenty More, but have never made anything from it so Cookbook Club seems like a great way to break it open and give it a try! TBD in October If you would like to participate or have questions, email me at [email protected].
OPA Book Club: Next planned dates are 10/7 (The Big Sleep), 11/4 (James), and 12/2 (The Year of Living Danishly). Email [email protected] for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, Oct. 12, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
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!
