First OPA Monthly Meeting of 2024 is Monday Jan. 8: Here’s the draft agenda for the meeting that includes the 2024 Executive Board election and a guest speaker from Santa Monica Conservancy. Dinner is provided by OPA. This month is hybrid at the Beach House Coworking Space (2219 Main St. @ Strand) and via this Zoom link. Dinner and mingling starts @ 6:30pm with the meeting starting at 7:00pm. ALL READERS OF THIS NEWSLETTER ARE WELCOME TO JOIN REGARDLESS OF MEMBERSHIP STATUS!
Holiday Tree Collection (Now through 1/31): Remove all decorations such as tinsel, lights, and stands. Place your tree curbside or in the alley next to your waste containers for automatic pick-up between Dec. 26 – Jan. 31. Do not leave trees in parking lots or parks. No 311 request required. Here’s how you can prepare your natural tree for a second life as mulch and compost: Please note that flocked trees (trees with synthetic snow) cannot be turned into compost and mulch due to the synthetic materials used in the artificial snow and will be collected as trash. If you purchase a natural tree, we encourage you to not apply flocking. Questions? Email zerowaste@santamonica.gov.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training: Santa Monica’s Office of Emergency Management shared that “After a couple years hiatus, we are back to organizing our CERT courses and training new members. We are offering a three-day CERT training course on Jan. 20, 27 & Feb. 3. Email OEM@santamonica.gov to learn more.
Registration Now Open for 2024 Homeless Count on Jan. 23, 24, & 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.
What to do on New Years Eve?
- The Victorian: Ring in 2024 at their 5th Annual Prom NYE celebration. $60 tickets include entry to the main floor and upstairs plus: Spiked Punch, Photo Booths, Prom King & Queen, Confetti Countdown, Champagne, and Hors d’oeuvres! More details here.
- Pasjoli: The French Main St. staple is doing two seatings for a 10-course NYE set menu, with options to dine indoors or in their secret outdoor garden. The first seating is $225 per person, while the second seating is $275 (with two additional dishes). Expect dishes such as gnocchi parisienne topped with white truffle, prime rib au jus, and riz au lait for dessert. More details here.
- Marina del Rey New Years Glow Party & Fireworks: Celebrate the arrival of 2024 at the annual GLOW Party in Burton Chace Park and New Year’s Eve Fireworks show in the Marina del Rey channel. The all ages event includes DJ music, live entertainment, food trucks, face painting, photo booths and more. Ring in the new year with a fun fireworks display that will light up the sky over the water! Shot from the South Jetty, the 20-minute show begins at 8:59 p.m. and another at 11:59 p.m. and can be viewed from anywhere in the Marina. Popular viewing spots include Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village. More details here.
- Other New Years Eve Options: I wrote this SMDP article listing about 20 NYE options in the area.
Other Things to Do Over the Next Week:
- The Music of Tom Petty by The Heart Wreckers (Saturday 8pm): The Venice West is hosting of the Westside’s most popular cover bands that rocked it at this past summer’s Open Main St. More details here.
- Main St. Sunday Farmers Market: CLOSED for New Years Eve to give our amazing farmers and food vendors a break. Looking forward to coming back January 7, 2024!
- Social Service Assistance provided by Providence St. John’s Community Health Program (Tuesday, 11:30a.m.- 7p.m.): “The trained Providence St. John’s staff can assist with enrollment in CalFresh, the state of California’s food subsidy program created to improve the nutrition of families through access to healthy foods. Staff can also help navigate enrollment or questions for MediCal and Medicare.” More details here.
- Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission Meeting (Tuesday 5:30pm): More details & agenda here.
- Housing Commission Meeting (Next Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
