OPA Monthly Meeting Returning to the Ocean Park Library! In Monday’s newsletter, we failed to mention which library our meeting will be at. D’oh! It will be at the Ocean Park Library @ 2601 Main St. Hope to see you there May 13, with food and mingling from 5:30 – 6:30pm and the meeting from 6:30 – 8:30pm. Guest speakers include Matthew Wells (City of Santa Monica, Public Landscape Manager), Alexander Hall (Waymo), and Megan Gamble (Hospitality Santa Monica, a CRA coalition).
MAINopoly in Two Weeks: The 9th annual “Taste of Main Street” event is Sunday May 19, featuring a “culinary tasting tour and real-life board game adventure all-in-one!”. More details here where you can also buy tickets with early bird pricing.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month: This SaMo.gov post details some of the happenings planned that offer opportunities “to increase understanding of and destigmatize conversations about mental health and substance abuse and elevate local resources that support diverse paths to prevention and recovery for all.”
The Street Seen: Auto Inn Garage @ 171-177 Pier Avenue (& Neilson Way): This week’s write-up details how “In 1914, the Auto Inn Garage is built on the North East Corner of Neilson and Pier on property leased from Pacific Electric. The building no longer exists – it is demolished in 1926 to allow for the widening of Main St.”
Multiple Santa Monica Hotels Receive Honors on Inaugural Michelin Keys Guide: This KTLA report details the honors bestowed on Casa Del Mar, Fairmont Miramar Hotel, Proper Hotel, Shutters, and The Georgian.
May is Bike Month: This SaMo Mirror write-up has a list of bike-centric events this month, including .
Kidical Mass Bike Ride Needs Volunteers: More details here on the annual event on Sunday, May 19. To volunteer, email volunteer@SMSpoke.org.
Venice Lifeguard Station Is Now a Historic Monument: This SaMo Mirror report details “what that means for the iconic structure.”
Things To Do This Weekend:
- 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/
- Preservation Next Invites You to Light Up Your Color Brain With Farrow & Ball (Thursday 6:30-8 pm): The Conservancy kicks of Preservation Heritage Month with a very special free event for emerging and mid-career folks interested in how the stories of Santa Monica can be told through colour. Join Colour Consultant Krista Broadstreet at Farrow & Ball’s Santa Monica showroom as she shares her expertise and learn about the history, inspiration, and heritage-minded applications of the company’s signature palette of 132 handcrafted colours. Light refreshments will be served. Email catherine@smconservancy.org or click here to register.
- Free Bike Safety 101 Workshop (Saturday 11am – 12pm): Whether you’re a regular rider or it’s been a few years since you’ve last been on your bike this session will help refresh your knowledge and skills before you hit the road. This session will be lead by League of American Bicyclist’s League Certified Instructor Jayro Queme. A bike is not needed to attend. There will be no on-bike components to the workshop. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bike-101-with-the-gosamo-tmo-tickets-885741455537?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am-1:30pm): Celebrating all that is May at the Main Street Farmers Market with Fleece Kawasaki back from tour, 10am-1pm. Laura Jean Music Academy at 11am and at noon and Bach 2 Rock Instrument Petting Zoo on the lawn. Here’s the full May calendar of events.
- Superbloom Beach Club (Sunday 1 – 7 pm): This pop-up social club offers a full day of wellness activations, live DJs, beach games, and amazing connections. @ Ocean Park Beachhttps://lu.ma/a6rl5woz
- “Compassionate Santa Monica” Hosting Tea & Discussion of Citywide Equity Plan (Sunday 1pm): “Join us for tea and input on the current effort from Santa Monica DEI team working to develop the City’s first Citywide Equity Plan. The plan, built from a foundation of community input and informed with departmental resources and priorities, will be presented to City Council for adoption in Summer 2024. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard and documented. We will be focusing on Public Safety, Mental and Physical Health; get involved-we want to know what you think.” @ Goose Egg Park More details and RSVP here.
- Cinco de Mayo On The Promenade (Sunday 4 – 5:30 pm): The community is invited to enjoy performances by UCLA’s Mariachi de Uclatlán, Academia de Danza BFFM and recording artist Danny Muñoz. Attendees will also experience outdoor dining from local favorites including Casa Martin, Cabo Cantina, 1212 and Ugo Trattoria. on the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade. More details here:downtownsm.com/events.
