OPA EVENT THIS WEEKEND: PRANA IN THE PARK (Sunday 10 - 11am): 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.
@ Hotchkiss Park, Ocean Park (top left corner facing the ocean) RSVP HERE

Santa Monica Police Could Soon Patrol Metro Rail Platforms Under New City-Metro Agreement: Santa Monica is moving toward a new agreement with Metro that would allow Santa Monica Police Department officers to patrol the platforms and trains at all three of the city’s Metro E/Expo Line stations, giving the city a much more direct role in addressing public safety and quality-of-life concerns on the system. For years, the city has long argued that the terminus creates particular challenges, including people remaining in the Downtown area after arriving by train. Santa Monica officials have pointed to the fact that Metro stations, trains and platforms are under Metro’s jurisdiction when discussing what the city could do about perceived problems on the system. The proposed agreement would change that arrangement. More details here.

The Blue Notebook - A Weekly SMPD Recap - August 30- September 5: “As Labor Day weekend approached, marking the traditional close of summer, SMPD continued enforcement, outreach, and traffic safety efforts across Santa Monica. Officers made 112 arrests during the reporting period, recovered stolen property, and used SMART Center resources to support theft and vandalism investigations. Traffic assignments addressed pedestrian safety, school-area concerns, and impaired driving in preparation for the holiday weekend. Neighborhood follow-up and service connections complemented these efforts, continuing the department’s work to address both immediate safety concerns and recurring community needs.” More details here.

Beach Repairs Begin as City Readies for ESPN’s Super Bowl Week, Ocean Way 2027, and the LA 28 Games: Here is City Manager Oliver Chi's weekly newsletter that details how “This past week, our spectacular Public Works crews began repairs to the beach south of the Pier, where the impacts of Hurricane Marie over Labor Day weekend eroded the site of the inaugural Ocean Way Festival and forced the cancellation of this year’s event. Of note, the City shared additional details this past week regarding the damage that Hurricane Marie caused on our beach, complete with a fact sheet that includes photographs, drone video, and site plan overlays showing the extent of the damage. In particular, the storm did two things that severely impacted the festival site."

Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Names Shana Epstein CEO: Epstein, a longtime Santa Monica resident, joins the Chamber after more than 20 years of executive leadership in the cities of Beverly Hills and Ventura, and more than 30 years of experience across public works, infrastructure and economic development. More details here.

Westside History Minute: Jim Morrison Writes Classic Rock Song Under the Santa Monica Pier (Video): Click here to learn more about out how the sands of Santa Monica inspired an experimental rock classic.

Santa Monica College Plans Three Glass Pumpkin Sales: Proceeds will benefit the art department, public library and YMCA rebuilding after the Palisades Fire​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​. The first sale is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave., during the Farmers Market & Mini Fall Festival. Proceeds will support the SMC Art Department and the Santa Monica Public Library. A second sale will take place Thursday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the third is Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More details here.

Documentary 'Beyond the Performance' Follows Santa Monica Pier Street Performer: The 26-minute, 52-second film by director Valentine Di Marco, follows Jay, a 22-year-old street performer who has performed on the Santa Monica Pier since he was 18. The documentary spends a day with him, beginning with the performers' spot lottery and following several shows on the Pier. The film observes how Jay and his crew organize their performances, split their earnings and navigate the physical demands of the work. It later follows Jay to boxing training in Venice Beach, revealing another part of his life beyond the Pier. More information is available at whatalifestories.com or on YouTube at @whatalife.stories. More details here.

Walk with Westside Food Bank to Fight Hunger (Sunday, November 1, 12 - 4pm): Join Westside Food Bank's 36th Annual 5K Hunger Walk at Ocean View Park in Santa Monica. This family-friendly event is completely free and an incredible opportunity to raise awareness and funds in the fight against food insecurity. Sign up individually or as a team at wsfb.org/hungerwalk. Questions? Email [email protected]