Highlights & Video Clips from This Week’s OPA Monthly Meeting:
- SaMo Police Department discussed recent neighborhood crimes and how to prevent, avoid, and deal with them (click here to watch the video)
- Nina Fresco: Planning Commissioner discussed Possible Main St & Other Commercial District Zoning Changes (click here to watch the video)
- City Council-member Caroline Torosis discussed her priorities and goals and how we can productively engage in City matter (click here to watch the video)
- Carla Rosin discussed what’s to expect at the Main St Farmers Market in the coming months (click here to watch the video)
- OPA Board approved sending a letter to the developers at 2627 Lincoln “Gelson’s Project” details many of our concerns with the project that we urge the developer to consider (click here to watch the discussion and the full letter will be published shortly)
- OPA Board approved sending a letter to LA Metro in support of a possible new “Metro End of Line Policy” supplying services to people in need
- OPA Board approved switching Monthly Meetings to hybrid starting in March (hope to see you there!)
- Click here to watch the meeting in its entirety
City Council Revises Restaurant Parklet Rules: The parklets are now allowed to expand beyond their street footprint if neighboring businesses approve and the city eased up on the financial requirements. Here’s a link to the video of the City Council discussion of the matter.
City Council Declares Local Emergency on Homelessness: Declaring a state of emergency enables the City to advocate for additional funding and resources at the county, state, and federal level, remove barriers to building affordable housing, encourage partners in our region to urgently address the crisis of homelessness and streamline hiring for critical staff positions Here is the official city statement and here is KTLA’s coverage.
SaMo Active Aging Pilot Program Kickoff: The program is designed to help older adults be more confident, independent, and mobile without needing to drive. More details here to help or participate.
Applications Open for Wellbeing Microgrant Program: It focuses on “Funding people, purpose, & possibility with grants for action-oriented Westside projects.” Typical grants are $500 and March 3 is the deadline. More details here on the program and how to get application help. Click here to watch the video of the team presenting details at this past week’s OPA Monthly Meeting.
LA Times Covering Isla, the New Concept from the Crudo-e-Nudo Team: Here’s the tasty read on the new wood-fired pop-up which is taking rezzies this Sunday and Monday.
Panda Express Coming To Ocean Park: More details here on the signage up in the shopping center at the southwest corner of Lincoln and Pico.
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism Announces Partnership with Veo to Distribute Free Helmets: Helmets will be available at the Visitor Information Center @ 2427 Main St. More details here.
Girl Scout Cookie Season Returns with New Cookie: Click this Girl Scout Cookie Finder to find local sale locations. And click here to learn about the new Raspberry Rally cookie.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- OPA Arts Task Force Monthly Meeting (Thursday @ 6pm): Join on the 2nd Thursday of the month every month at 6pm at Tavern on Main. Feel free to just drop in or click here to reach out to Nick Rolston for more info.
- Pier Locals Night (Thursday): Music, art and crafts for kids will be offered tonight at the Pier’s Local’s Night. More details here.
- Black History Month Event: Screening of “The Gabby Douglas Story” (Thursday 4pm): Pico Branch Library invites the public to a screening of “an inspiring look at the life of the first black gymnast to become the Individual All-Around Champion and the first American to win gold in both the individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympics. For teens only.”
- Livable Communities Initiative “Virtual Presentation to Address SaMo’s Housing & Climate Crisis” (Thursday 7pm): Their goal is to “Solve our housing crisis while delivering the beauty and convenience of a 15-minute city.” Click here to register for the Zoom meeting.
- Stand-Up Comedy at Aviator Nation on Abbot Kinney (Friday & Saturday): See comedians from Netflix, Comedy Central, late night TV The Comedy store and more. Includes free hard kombucha! More details here.
OPA needs people like you to join our committees: Events, Education, Renter Issues, Diversity, and More!
Email contact@opa-sm.org to learn how to get involved
- Citrus Care Workshop and Pruning Demonstration (Saturday @ 9am): Join the UCCE Master Gardener Orchard Team @ Ishihara Park Learning Garden for an Urban Citrus Orchard Care Workshop with special attention to prevention, recognition and management of Citrus Greening Disease. Register here.
- “Human Books” at SaMo Public Library (Saturday 9am): Human Books share their perspective on life at The Human Library at the Pico Branch Library. Among others, the group of Human Books will include Bipolar, Black, Recovered Addict, and Gay. More details here.
- SaMo Active Aging Event (Saturday 9am): Kidical Mass at Ishihara Park includes FREE pancake breakfast. More details here.
- “Kidical Mass: A Multi-Generational Bike Ride” (Saturday 9am): The ride is slow paced, perfect for families, children and seniors (it is part of SaMo Active Aging program). Pre-ride activities including helmet decorating and free pancake breakfast. More details here.
- Bergamont Art & Soul Cocktail Reception (Saturday 5pm): All weekend long, over 20 galleries and cultural venues will be open in connection with LA Art and Frieze LA Art Shows. More details here. This is part of Art Week all around the city here are details on the LA Art Show downtown and the Frieze Art Fair at the Barker Hanger.
- Mardi Gras at the Farmers Market (Sunday 10a-1p): “Bring your Mardi Gras masks and get ready to boogie thru the market! Cabeza de la Vaca Folklorico kids dance and Face painting too!”
