OPA 2024 Board Eletion Results: Congrats to Abe Sassoon, Dave Tann, Erin Mosbaugh, Jeffrey Jarow, Lucy Stone, Robbie Leer, & Will Burrington. Learn more about them here.
Save the Date: January 8 is the first OPA meeting of 2024: We will be back at the Beach House Coworking space and hope to see you there!
iPad Winner: Congrats to Dana Kelsey! Thanks everyone for being members.
Consider OPA for End of Year Charitable Giving: We’re proud of the year we’ve had that included three “Open Main St.” street closure festivals, our 4th of July Parade, publishing about 100 newsletters, expanding our newsletter reach to over 2000 community members, advocating to the city on a variety of neighborhood issues, and much more! And we’ve done it all on a shoestring budget with all the work being done by community volunteers. As you make your end of the year donations, please consider joining and/or donating to YOUR neighborhood organization. OPA is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible. CLICK HERE TO GIVE OR JOIN
City Council Votes to Open Public Process for Rehabilitation and Reopening of Civic Center: At last Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council voted unanimously and quickly to create an “Request For Proposals Process” so that anyone can bring forward a proposal to take over the rehabilitation and management of the Civic. More details here.
Heavy Handed “is a Top 3 Burger in LA”: Food blogger Rick lox posted this Instagram video post about the Main St. spot.
Local Public Radio Station Cutting Staff Amid Financial Distress: KCRW Owned by Santa Monica College and Located at 1900 Pico Blvd., has station commenced voluntary employee buyouts. More details here.
Closed SaMo Starbucks Could Be Forced To Reopen After Labor Complaint: Among the stores is one just off the Pier here in Santa Monica. More details here.
New Businesses Report: Jennifer Taylor, the City’s Economic Development Manager, published this report of on the almost 500 new businesses opening around town this year.
“Cultivating Economic Recovery: City Extends Simplified Zoning & Permitting Rules for New & Existing Businesses”: David Martin, City Community Development Director, published this report detailing efforts the city is taking to this extending a variety of administrative changes that give potential commercial uses greater flexibility.
Things To Do This Week:
- Free Walk-In Legal Clinic (Wednesday 4:30 – 7pm): Santa Monica residents can meet one on one with a lawyer from Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles for help with HOUSING issues. More details here.
- Pier Locals Night Holiday Extravaganza (Thursday 3:30 – 10pm): Expect Rainbow Painted Smiles’ enchanting face painting, Books & Cookies musical storytime, Photos with Santa, Lincoln Middle School Choir, and more! https://www.santamonicapier.org/localsnight
OPA & City Meetings:
- Arts Commission Meeting (Monday 6:30pm): In-person only in the SMi Training Room (northwest corner of the 2nd floor of the Civic Center Parking Structure – 330 Olympic Drive).
- Architectural Review Board Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details here.
- Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment (Monday 7pm): More details here.
- City Council Meeting (Tuesday 5:30 pm – public portion starts no earlier than 7:00 pm): Meetings are hybrid and can be viewed on this YouTube channel. Click here for agenda.
- OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link or Click Here to add it to your calendar.
