OPA Jan 8 Monthly Meeting This Monday: This month’s meeting will be at the Beach House CoWork (2219 Main St. @ Strand) starting with food and mingling at 6:15pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Here is the Zoom link to join the meeting starting at 7:00pm. Here’s the agenda and here’s schedule:
- 6:15 – 7:00pm: Food, refreshments and mingling
- 7:00 – 7:15pm: SMPD update
- 7:15 – 7:30pm: Kaitlin Drisko: Executive Director, Santa Monica Conservancy
- 7:30 – 8:30: Board business including electing 2024 Exec Board, determining key 2024 priorities, and more!
Beach House Cowork has offered our community a free day pass at their amazing coworking space @ 2219 Main St. Use code “OPA” for a free day!
City Manager David White Shares City’s Efforts to Address Homelessness Issues: This post entitled “Addressing homelessness by facing the challenge head-on” many of the City’s efforts to date and going forward, including a law change that enabling local enforcement action of crimes and the opening of new permanent supportive housing units.
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 OR reply to this email to join an OPA team.
Holiday Tree Collection (Now through 1/31): Remove all decorations such as tinsel, lights, and stands from the tree and place it curbside or in the alley next to your waste containers for automatic pick-up until Jan. 31. Do not leave trees in parking lots or parks. No 311 request required. Questions? Email zerowaste@santamonica.gov.
Big Blue Bus Looking Hosting Focus Groups for Feedback on “Improving Transit Service for Riders: Register here to join one of their virtual focus group meetings scheduled for Jan. 9, 10, and 11.
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.
The Infatuation Lists “Sweet Maple” Among Best 2023 New Restaurants: This write up states “What makes it stand out from the bajillion other brunch options nearby? A creative Asian-leaning menu with things like bulgogi scrambles and souffleggs, similar to fluffy Korean steamed eggs. We should also point out Sweet Maple’s trademarked specialty, Millionaire Bacon — thick bacon slabs candied in brown sugar, cayenne, and pepper.” 1705 Ocean Ave.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Santa Monica Forward Q&A w/ Transportation Department Director Anuj Gupta (Thursday 6pm): This is part of a monthly Q&A series with city staff. RSVP here to receive Zoom link.
- Abbot Kinney First Friday Food Truck Fest (Friday starting at 5pm): About two dozen food trucks are expected to line the street for the monthly event. https://www.abbotkinneyblvd.com/
- Polar Bear Plunge (Saturday 10am – 2pm): Follow your ocean plunge with a dip in the warm pool. Ocean Plunge is free! Admission required for pool access and amenities. Pool Admission: $10/adult, $4/youth, $5/senior adult. More details here.
- Soundwaves Concert Series at Main Library (Saturday 3:30pm): This Saturday event features Isaura String Quartet. @ 601 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
- Sunday Main St. Farmers Market: “Hello & Happy 2024 Main Street Farmers Market community!! Look for new vendors to join the market in the next couple of months. This Sunday, Kiazi Halprin Fleece Kawaski will be back at the market from 10am-1pm to kick off the new year.” Here is the entire January calender.
- For more things to do, check out my weekly SMDP article here.
