Rejoice! This week is a short one, but there are still a couple of things you ought to put in your calendar, like Santa Monica’s shop local Saturday and Santa Monica Next’s last event of 2015.
Streetfilms at Vidiots with Santa Monica Next
We’ll be rounding out 2015 with food, drinks, and a special screening of Streetfilms at the Annex at Vidiots on Friday, December 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. Join us to see what other communities are doing to make themselves better places to live, work, and play and let’s get inspired to make positive change in Santa Monica. This event is sponsored Pocrass & De Los Reyes Bicycle Law.
If you’re not familiar with Streetfilms, here’s one of their short films from 2008 about various bike coops in L.A., including Bikerowave, which was located in Santa Monica at the time. Here’s more info about the event.
Shop Local Saturday
Shopping time is here and it’s important to remember the benefits of buying local. Keeping your shopping nearby means less driving and stress. It also means supporting local businesses, schools, and city services. So, instead of driving to distant outlet mall, hop on a bike, a bus, or talk a walk to your neighborhood commercial district when shopping for gifts this year.
“Tis the Season to Buy Local! We have many wonderful businesses located in Santa Monica and we want to encourage everyone to support their favorite local businesses for their holiday shopping and holiday preparation needs,” said Jennifer Taylor, the chair of the Buy Local SM Committee.
“From Montana Avenue to Main Street, Pico to Ocean Park Boulevard and throughout Downtown Santa Monica, you can find unique and fun gifts for everyone… and have fun at the same time, as you see your friends and neighbors,” she said.
This Saturday, Montana Avenue is celebrating Buy Local Saturday with a day-long festival.
“The event will take place from opening to closing all along Montana Avenue, from 6th to 17th Street, with live entertainment (jazz, classical, light rock), and special promotions in stores and on the sidewalks at local retailers and restaurants,” officials said.
Throughout December, events will be held throughout the city to encourage residents to keep their shopping — and their dollars — local. For a list of all events, visit buylocalsm.com/events.
“Shopping locally makes a difference. Last year, purchases made at Santa Monica businesses raised over $7.5 million for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. When you’re making your holiday purchases in Santa Monica, you’re also giving back to our schools and to our community,” said Linda Greenberg Gross, executive director of the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation and a member of the Buy Local Santa Monica Committee.
If you are having visitors, residents can get special rates for their visiting family and friends with the Extra Bedroom Program. For details and rates, visit www.santamonica.com/
