Tuesday Night is National Night Out: This annual community-building event promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Expect FREE music, food, and activities for all ages. SMPD will showcase their various police vehicles and equipment and invite the community to meet police personnel (human and 4-legged alike).The parking structure at Olympic & 4th St. is free that night and Big Blue Bus will be providing free bus rides all night when you mention National Night Out. Tuesday, August 1, 5:30 – 8:30p.m. @ City Hall, 1685 Main St.
Civic Auditorium Updates:
- There was no public action taken on it at this week’s City Council meeting.
- FAQS for Designation of the Civic Auditorium as Surplus Land: This City post is designed to answer questions to address the status and future process of the Civic Auditorium site.
- Pressure Builds for Open Hearing on Civic Auditorium: This SaMoLookout article details the process and how residents can weigh in.
- Mayor Gleam Davis assured residents on this week’s OPA Connects that this will NOT be a closed door process if it moves forward, but that some private meetings are necessary as it relates to pricing and negotiation strategy.
The Santa Monica Housing Commission Wants Rent Controlled Tenants to be Able to Buy their Units: This SMDP report details what the Commission’s planned City Council presention “to de-emphasize rentals in the City’s housing process.”
Seven Trees at Muir/SMASH to be Removed for Mold Project: This SMDP article details the “tree removal [that] has become part of the process to repair a water-damaged local school.”
City Composting Survey: Click here to take a brief survey to help the City better “understand what residents are doing with their kitchen scraps.” “If there is enough support, it may be possible to start a community composting program where residents could drop off their kitchen scraps for composting and then be able to pick up some of that compost once it is ready.”
Councilmember Phil Brock Interviewed on Fox News @ Night About Being Attacked on 3rd St Promenade: Here is the full video.
Pickleball Coming to 3rd St. Promenade: This SMDP article details how the former Adidas store is expected to go live with pickleball by August 20.
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 August 25 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 a recent OPA Monthly Meeting.
Local Food News:
- Coucou Added to The Infatuation’s “Best New Restaurants On The Westside” List” (218 Main St.): They join Heavy Handed, Isla and Willie Mae’s on the list.
- Bread Head Sandwich PopUp Extended at Juneshine (2914 Main St.): Two Michelin star-rated chefs have launched a new sandwich concept that is operating as a Wednesday – Friday popup while they build out their permanent location on Montana Ave. This LA Times article listed them as one of the best new sandwiches in LA.
- Willie Mae’s (324 Lincoln Blvd.): This Infatuation’s recent review describes it as “some of LA’s—if not the country’s—best fried chicken.” I agree!
Things To Do This Weekend:
- 1) SaMo Public Library Presents Author Charles Fleming on Secret Stairs & Secret Walks: The author and veteran journalist will tell stories from his “Walking in L.A.” books. Thursday, July 27 at 5:30 p.m., Main Library’s Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.
- 2) Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series: “Night Celebrating Music in Film”: This Marina del Rey Symphony show is free to attend and seating is first-come, first-served. Thursday, July 27, 7:00 – 9:00p.m. @ at Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way
- Volunteer at Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica “Kids Night Out”: This is “a fun-filled volunteer opportunity…to be paired as a ‘buddy’ with one of their Club Members (ages 6-11 yrs) to complete a treasure hunt filled with fun activities together.” Friday, July 28, 2023, 4:30 – 7:00p.m. | Main Branch, 1238 Lincoln Blvd.
- 3) Venice Beach Games: “This event is a giant outdoor celebration of sports and fitness, that brings together the entire community and beyond in a healthy, fun, day of sports, fitness, competition, and camaraderie.” Saturday, July 29, 9:00a.m. – 4:00p.m., Venice Beach Recreation Center, 1800 Ocean Front Walk.
- 4) Spiritual Salsa Launch Party: “Curious about spirituality or want to learn salsa moves in a holistic way? Join this first ever Spiritual Salsa Demo!” Saturday, July 29, 4:00 – 7:30p.m. @ Pretenders Dance Studio 1438 9th St.
- 5) Sunday Main St Farmers Market: Singer songwriter, Megan Ukoh will be playing. Special pop up guests Laura Jean Music Academy on the 11am and noontime breaks. SM Community Gardens will be on the lawn.
- 6) Oceanic Global LA Hub Cleanup: “This free event is to help preserve our beautiful beaches and blue planet and is an opportunity to meet our local LA Hub community!” Sunday, July 30, 4:00p.m. @ Parking lot at the end of Rose Ave.
- 7) Star Struck Photography Exhibition: This FREE show displays photography featuring never-before-seen images of Hollywood icons including James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and more. Ongoing daily through August 15, 10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m., Gallery 33 @ The Georgian, 1415 Ocean Ave.
