Today is Juneteenth!
- 31 years ago, LaVerne Ross approached the City to commemorate a holiday that her family celebrated in Texas. Juneteenth is known as America’s second Independence Day, the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.
- The first Juneteenth in Santa Monica was held in 1992 as a small observance. Over the years, thanks to LaVerne’s dedication and leadership, the event has grown into an important annual tribute that brings together Santa Monica’s Black community.
- In March 2022, Santa Monica City Council designated Juneteenth as an official City holiday, one year after President Biden acknowledged Juneteenth nationally.
Sharing an Open Main St is Back! Mark your calendars now for the weekends of August 12-13, September 9-10, and October 21-22! We need community members to get involved to help plan our annual celebration. Click here to email Robbie Leer or simply reply to this email to learn more.
4th of July Parade: It is less than a month away and we need volunteers to help with planning. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR VOLUNTEER!
“Gelson’s” Project Update: The city recently published this FAQ to provide on an update on the proposed residential project at 2601 Lincoln Blvd and Ocean Park Blvd.
Muir / SMASH Update: The City gave us the following update to share with the community: “We’re starting some exploratory demolitions and material testing the week of June 20 to complete the design. This work, mainly internal, is not extensive. We anticipate these activities to continue until the end of the month.”
Popular La Brea Thai-Inspired Brunch Bar is Expanding to Main St: Met Her at a Bar planning to open soon on Main Street. This EaterLA article and this WhatNowLA article dish the details.
June 20 Deadline to Apply to Serve on a SaMo Commission or Board: Here is a list of the vacancies expected to be filled at the June 27 City Council meeting and here is a link for applying.
The Street Seen: This week’s post details the Weiman Apartments at 3025 2nd Street @ Marine.
The Santa Monica Conservancy 2023 Preservation Award Winners: Congrats to OP’s own Mark Gorman for his Media Award and all the projects that “demonstrate that preservation practice in Santa Monica is multidisciplinary, collaborative, creative, and rooted in authentic storytelling about people and place.” More details here.
Things To Do This Week:
- Make Music Day (Wednesday):
- Ocean Park: South Lot 1 at the beach will have bands playing from 1-6 pm, including Dogtown Prophets, Calvin Banks, The Gotler Brothers, and Adrian and the Boys. More details here.
- MidCity: Here’s info for the event at Colorado Center Park from 4-8pm
- North of Wilshire: Here’s info on the one in Palisades Park from 5-8pm
- Summer Solstice Tree Hugging Day (Wednesday 5p.m.): Public Gathering in Palisades Park at Ocean Ave. and Colorado. Group hugging of BOTH the Childrens Tree of Life, planted Earth Day 1983 and the Tree of Gratitude, planted Earth Day, April 22, 2023 in honor and memory of tree lover Marissa Rubin who passed last year from pancreatic cancer. ALSO- Come share at the open mic any tree or environmental poems and songs…as well as expressing your love for trees and our urban forest. Further information- 310-399-1000.
- Venice Backgammon Club with Live Jazz: The Venice West is hosting this hosting this 21+ event. More details here.
- WhistlePig Summer BBQ (Thursday 7pm): Kick off summer at SALT Restaurant in Marina del Rey with a rye whiskey tasting flight, special BBQ, and tiki glass giveaway. Tickets start at $75 per person. More details here.
OPA & City Meetings:
- Architectural Review Board Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details here.
- Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment (Monday 7pm): More details here.
- OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link or Click Here to add it to your calendar.
- Planning Commission Meeting (Wednesday @ 6pm): Hybrid meeting can be streamed here. Click Here for agenda.
- Catalytic Converter Etch & Catch (Thursday 7-9pm): at Firestone at 1817 Lincoln, limited spots available sign-up at this link.
