OPA June Monthly Meeting Recap: Full meeting video here and here are some of the highlights:
- SMPD Update: Here is a link to Officers Wang and Navarro discussing recent police activity and fielding questions.
- Lloyd Allen: HIGHLY recommend watching this video where the 103-year-old community icon tells his story of moving to SaMo in 1938 and what life was like for black man here at that time and his role in the creation of Virginia Avenue Park and getting Martin Luther King to speak at the Santa Monica Civic.
- Kera Blades-Snell: In this video, she talks about the Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association (SMBEA) and all the great things they are doing at their new center and how we can help.
- Rev Janet McKeithen: In this video, the Minister at the Church of Ocean Park and steering committee member of the Committee for Racial Justice discusses what we can do to try to combat racism.
- OPA Board Business: We discussed the busy summer calendar, including last weekend’s Heal the Bay Beach Clean-Up, June 21 Make Music Day, July 4 Parade, July 13 Solstice Festival, & more). We also discussed upcoming Main St. openings, the neighborhood council meeting, and more. Watch this portion of the meeting here.
- Click here to email OPA to learn about ways to gett involved in your community (doesn’t require a big time commitment).
- Next OPA Meeting: Note that we will not be having a July meeting. Next meeting is Monday, August 12.
Main St. 4th of July Parade Registration Open: This year’s theme, “Celebrating the Arts,” encourages participants to showcase Santa Monica’s creative soul. Organizers are looking for dazzling floats, marching bands, and creative performances that embody the city’s artistic energy. Applications are now open for community groups, businesses, and individuals to participate in the parade. Whether you choose to march, drive, or create a stunning float, the Santa Monica 4th of July Parade is the perfect platform to celebrate Independence Day with your community. Here is the registration link (6/21 application deadline).
Assault on Main St at Midnight Results in Three Arrests: This SMDP report has the details that “just after midnight, in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday, 11 June, officers responded to a 911 call of an assault in the 2700 block of Main St.”
The Street Seen – Laundry – Garage – Gone: This week’s post details the history of 2402 – 2412 Main St @ Hollister, where “in 1908, a steam laundry is constructed on the west side of Main St at Hollister. In 1919, the abandoned laundry is converted to an automobile garage. In 1926, the garage is demolished to make way for the widening of Main St.”
Federal Realty Sells Third Street Promenade Portfolio for $103M: They sold off 8 buildings totaling about 185,000-square-feet of space. No report on the buyer or their plans with the portfolio. More details here.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Santa Monica Forward Happy Hour (Thursday 6pm): Meet at @ Santa Monica Brew Works (1920 Colorado Ave.). SantaMonicaForward.org
- Family Pride Comedy Fest (Friday & Saturday): The Crow is hosting a series of family-friendly comedy shows featuring top LGBTQIA+ comedic talent. Programming will be appropriate for all ages including stand-up sets and improv acts inspired by queer experiences. The Crow’s weekend events will also include Fierce Fables, a drag queen and king storytelling corner taking place at the historic Carousel on the Santa Monica Pier, as well as a comedy show developed specially for parents and babies and a finale event showcasing star LGBTQIA+ comics taking place at The Crow comedy club. https://crowcomedy.com/familypridefest
- SMPL Summer Reading Kickoff Party (Saturday, June 15 10:30am – 12pm): Celebrate the first day of summer reading with fun activities and a magic show. Get dazzled by the amazing Zany Zoe, enjoy sweet treats, and take pictures with special guests. The Summer Reading program helps prevent “summer slide” by ensuring that youth retain reading and learning skills over the school break. Parents can sign up their babies and receive a free board book. Kids and teens can sign up for 10 and 20-hour challenges, and receive a tote bag, coupon from the Friends of the Library Bookstore, and log to track reading minutes and activities during the summer. smpl.org
- Annual Cardboard Yacht Regatta (Saturday 9am – 1pm): The raucous Annenberg Beach House summer kick-off is an all-ages event for two-person teams to race-themed cardboard and duct tape yachts across the historic pool while spectators cheer them on. @ 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. More details here.
- SMPL Summer Reading Kickoff Party (Saturday 10:30am – 12pm): Celebrate the first day of summer reading with fun activities and a magic show. Get dazzled by the amazing Zany Zoe, enjoy sweet treats, and take pictures with special guests. The Summer Reading program helps prevent “summer slide” by ensuring that youth retain reading and learning skills over the school break. Parents can sign up their babies and receive a free board book. Kids and teens can sign up for 10 and 20-hour challenges, and receive a tote bag, coupon from the Friends of the Library Bookstore, and log to track reading minutes and activities during the summer. smpl.org
- 32nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration @ Virginia Avenue Park (Saturday 2 – 7pm): Enjoy an afternoon of music, food and craft vendors, kid’s activities and more. This year’s theme is “Rising Above Racism: A Legacy of Empowerment & Pride.” More details here.
- Montana Ave. Summer Kick-Off & Big Gay Bake Sale (Saturday): Enjoy activities for kids, a refreshing margarita garden, delicious food from your favorite Montana restaurants, guest vendors, and more. https://www.instagram.com/montanaavesm
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): Join us this coming Sunday for a super fun Father’s Day celebration with Miss Me and the Music Castle. Plus check out these new vendors.. Olson Family Farm organic stonefruit, Persiano Cafe and featured restaurant.. Holy Guacamole! See you there!
