OPA May 13 Monthly Meeting Monday: This month’s meeting will be at the 2601 Main St. Library starting with food and mingling at 6:00pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Here is the Zoom link to join the meeting starting at 6:30pm. Here’s the draft agenda and here’s schedule:
- 6:00 – 6:30pm: Food, refreshments and mingling
- 6:30 – 6:45pm: SMPD update
- 6:45 – 7:00pm: Matthew Wells, City of Santa Monica, Public Landscape Manager
- 7:00 – 7:15pm: Alexander Hall, Waymo
- 7:15 – 7:30pm: Megan Gamble, Hospitality Santa Monica, a CRA coalition
- 7:30 – 8:20: Board business, including upcoming calendar of events (MAINopoly, Make Music Day, July 4 Parade, & more)
MAINopoly Next Weekend: 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. Early bird prices end in a few days.
SaMo Tourism Industry’s Recovery Loses Some Ground: This SaMo Lookout article states “An estimated 4.6 million visitors came to Santa Monica in 2023, down from 5.3 million in 2022, & they spent $938 million, down from $961 million, according to an economic impact report released last week by Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. Visitor activity and spending supported 7,182 local jobs last year, down from 8,049 jobs in 2022, an 11% drop.”
City Street Striping Construction Notice on Ocean Park Blvd.: As part of the City’s annual paving project, the existing striping on Ocean Park Blvd from 7th to 10th Street will be removed and replaced with a new roadway and bike lane striping. The work is scheduled for 5/8 through 6/14. During the striping operation, traffic on Ocean Park Blvd. will be impacted, please follow all temporary construction signs. Access to driveways will remain open during the project unless work is taking place directly in front of a driveway. On that occasion the property owner will be notified directly by the Contractor. For most up-to-date work schedule, please refer to project website here.
More Laws Proposed in Sacramento to Protect Renters: At the April 11 meeting of the Santa Monica Rent Control Board, legislative advocate Brian Augusta presented key bills making their way through state government pertaining to rent control and tenant protection. More details here.
The Street Seen – Ocean Park Garage 171-177 Pier Avenue @ Neilson Way: In 1926, Pacific Electric on its property of the North East Corner of Neilson and Pier, builds a new automobile parking garage and offices, replacing a demolished 1914 parking garage. More details here.
Mothers Day Weekend Food Options: Here’s my SMDP column listing many of the options for showing your appreciation for your mom, including Pasjoli on Main St. and a few other walkable options like Shutters and Spaghetti Momsday at The Georgian.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Santa Monica Forward Monthly Happy Hour to Support Bike Month (Thursday 5 – 8pm): Join fellow Santa Monica Forward supporters for our monthly happy hour at Santa Monica Brew Works (1920 Colorado Ave.) https://www.instagram.com/santamonicaforward/
- FREE Movie Fridays on the Promenade – “Mamma Mia” (Friday): The events begin at 6:30 p.m. with fun photo ops, complimentary popcorn and a DJ playing music before the movies, which include singalongs, start at 7:30 p.m.Guests can bring low chairs (tall chairs are not permitted), pillows, blankets and picnic essentials to relax with family, friends and even furry companions. More details here.
- Venice Family Clinic Art Walk (May 10-19): For 45 years, Venice Family Clinic has celebrated the artists and collectors whose talent and generosity raises money for vital health care in our community. This milestone edition of Venice Family Clinic Art Walk + Auction explores the intersection of History, Health and Home. https://venicefamilyclinic.org/annual-events/aw24/
- Wellness & Waves (Saturday, May 11 – June 29, 9 – 10am): Get ready to ride the wave of rejuvenation on the pier with yoga, light running, and mindfulness exercises with the ocean’s chill vibes as your backdrop—all for FREE! It’s like a beach party for your soul! https://www.instagram.com/santamonicapier/
- Medicinal Plant Tour and Workshop at the Main St. Community Garden (Saturday 9 – 11am): “Join us for a tour of the Main St. Community Gardens as we point out the variety of Medicinal Plants in this block of paradise. We will discuss uses, history and cultivation of these plants, and examine the spirituality associated with many. Interested in putting in a few hours of Volunteer Service? Help us prep our gardens for summer.” @ 2318 Main St.
- Fire Service Day / Open House at Fire Station 1 (Saturday 10am – 1pm): Open house activities for families and children include fire apparatus and trucks available to explore, tours with firefighters, emergency preparedness information and Hands- Only CPR with American Red Cross. @ 1337 7th St. More details here.
- 26th Annual Communitas Awards (Saturday 4:30pm): “You are invited to join us in affirmation of the power of community and to honor those who make a difference and inspire others. We honor these outstanding individuals who embody and elevate the spirit of community: Roger Gawne, Shelley Tochluk and Dr. Kathryn Jeffery.” More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am-1:30pm): Celebrate Mothers’ Day at the Main Street Farmers Market this Sunday. Take Mom out for a relaxing jazz brunch with the GM Jazz Quartet from 10am -1pm and special guests Phoenix Rising Morris Dancers performing at noon! Plus.. it’s the cherry season kick off!! Plenty of peaches and berries too!! See you there! Here’s the full May calendar of events.
