NOTE: There will be no OPA Update on Monday Dec. 25 as we are taking off for a long holiday weekend. Have a wonderful holiday!
Santa MoniCares – Clothing and Canned Food Drive Donations: Donations are being accepted through Sunday, December 31st. This is a wonderful opportunity to give back and help those in need. If you have any items that you would like to donate, please drop them off at Main Street Visitor Center @ 2427 Main St. daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Christmas in Venice 2023 – Come Help Feed The Homeless: Join us for our longstanding tradition of giving back during the holidays! For over a decade, Lost Angels has hosted our Thanksgiving and Christmas events in Venice Beach, CA, dedicated to feeding the homeless and offering hot meals, essential toiletries, shoes, and clothing. More than just items, we provide heartfelt support, ensuring our community members feel valued and embraced. This event is a wonderful opportunity to involve your children, sharing the invaluable experience of giving back and fostering a compassionate community spirit. Let’s make a difference together! RSVP now to be part of this meaningful event. Monday, Dec 25, 6:30 – 10a.m. @ Rose Ave. in between Hampton Dr and Main St. More details here.
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
Registration Now Open for 2024 Homeless Count on January 23, 24, and 25: “The annual Homeless Count is an important tool that helps us better understand and address homelessness across LA County. It provides valuable data that guides the deployment of resources, identifies trends, and informs strategies to combat homelessness effectively. Your participation as a volunteer is instrumental in ensuring the success of this initiative.” Visit theycountwillyou.org to learn more and register.
The Street Seen: A Public Art Project: This week’s post highlights the street art around the neighborhood, including a possible Basquiat.
Children Can Send Wishes to Santa at SaMo Pop-Up Post Office: This KTLA report details the pop-up post office inside the Pier’s Merry-Go-Round Building that is open Monday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Dec. 24.
MUD/WTR Opens @ 2215 Main St.: This is their “Flagship Location” for the company focused on Mushroom lattes. Their motto is “Energy & focus without the jitters” and serve “a coffee alternative consisting of 100% organic cacao, ayurvedic herbs and functional mushrooms. With just a fraction of the caffeine found in coffee, you get energy, focus and immune support without the jitters, crash or poor sleep.”
Infatuation Glowing Review of Willie Mae’s on Lincoln: This review of the NOLA institution in Venice states “You can get your hands on some of LA’s—if not the country’s—best fried chicken in roughly 20 minutes.” 324 Lincoln Blvd.
Things to Do This Weekend:
- SaMo Ice Skate for FREE on Netflix Family Nights (Friday Dec. 22 & Tuesday, Dec. 26): “Guests can visit Ice at Santa Monica for Netflix Family Nights and enjoy complimentary skate sessions featuring family favorite films and shows.” https://iceatsantamonica.com/
- Frugal Foodie Venice Beach Event (Friday 5 – 6:30pm): “Indulge your taste buds as we take you on a guided tour through the diverse food scene of this iconic beachfront neighborhood. Immerse yourself in the local culture, discover hidden gems, and savor the flavors of Venice Beach.” More details here.
- Holiday Fun 5k, 10k, 15k, or Half Marathon (Sunday 7:30 am): Burn off some calories and make some room for the holiday feast! More details here.
- Malibu Lagoon Field Trips (Sunday 8:30am & 10am): “Here in deep and dark December it’s a great day for the lagoon. It’s often sunny, although once ice encrusted the lagoon-edges. A veritable googolplex of species. Dress in layers for cool weather, wind or fog, or even sun and heat. On December 24 there’s nothing else going on, so you might as well go birding at the lagoon.” More details here.
- Main St. Sunday Farmers Market: CLOSED for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve to give our amazing farmers and food vendors a break. Looking forward to coming back January 7, 2024!
