Welcome to Monday, people. We hope you had a wonderful weekend. Did you make it to CicLAvia in South L.A. on Sunday? There’s plenty going on on the Westside this week, including a pub crawl for a good cause, a chance to mingle at the Miramar Hotel (also for a good cause), and an important City Council meeting, during which Santa Monica will get a new mayor.
Santa Monica’s Sixth Annual Pub Crawl
If you are looking for a chance to have fun while doing good, you’re in luck. The sixth annual Santa Monica Pub Crawl is this Saturday, December 13 at 5 p.m. The Pub Crawl benefits the Westside Food Bank.
“Sign up online, choose your favorite SANTA route and pay a $12 donation/entrance fee. A very generous portion of all proceeds benefit the Westside Food Bank to feed those in need for the holidays,” according to the event’s Facebook page. “Last year’s event raised over $20,000…enough for 100,000 meals!”
There are about two dozen bars in Downtown, on the Pier, and on Main Street participating this year, including Rusty’s Surf Ranch, O’Brien’s on Main, Barney’s Beanery, and many others.
Organizers for the event encourage people to walk or take the bus to the event. Big Blue Bus (BBB) day passes are available for $4.
“The ‘Day Pass’ (good from time of activation through the end of service within a 24 hour period) is available HERE. BBB’s Route 2 will serve all locations… from Wilshire to 4th to Colorado to Main Street at Ocean Park and it runs every 15 min. BBB’s Route 1 will serve Main Street to the Third Street Promenade,” according the Pub Crawl’s website. More information is available at santamonicapubcrawl.com.
City Council to Choose a New Mayor
Santa Monica doesn’t have independent elections for its mayor. Instead, the City Council, every two years, chooses one of its own members to fill the the largely ceremonial post.
With the 2014 election behind us, the City Council — once the new members are seated on Tuesday, December 9 — will decide who will serve next as mayor now that Councilmember Pam O’Connor’s two years in the position are up.
There has already been much speculation as to which of the seven Council members will tapped as the bayside city’s next mayor. O’Connor, who was reelected in November despite a well-funded negative campaign against her by a local conservative no-growth group, is not likely to be up for another term as mayor, since convention is that the post rotates every two years. Newly-elected Councilmember Sue Himmelrich, who ran on an no-growth platform, is also not likely to be nominated, since convention is that newbies don’t get the post.
According to The Lookout, the three most likely candidates are Councilmembers Ted Winterer and Tony Vazquez, both of whom will likely be running for reelection in 2016. Councilmember Kevin McKeown, who has desired the title but has been unable to get it during his 16 years on the Council, is also considered a likely candidate this time, according to The Lookout.
Meet Me Under the Fig
The Fairmont Miramar Hotel will host another party for a good cause on Sunday, December 14 at 2 p.m. Admission is free, but organizers ask that attendees bring non-perishable food.
“It’s an afternoon for the entire family! There will be entertainment, pictures with Santa Claus, whimsical gingerbread houses and seasonal crafts. For the kids, there will be a bounce house and snow!” according to the event’s Facebook page. “Your nonperishable food items will be donated to the Ocean Park Community Center [OPCC] and Olympic High School. Your contribution will help change lives and provide food for those in need in our community.”
Organizers ask that those planning to attend RSVP on their website, friendsofthemiramar.org.
