SaMo Becomes First in U.S. to Establish Bitcoin Office Pilot Program: This SMDP report details how “Santa Monica is attempting to live up to its Silicon Beach tagline with a national first in digital currency.”
SaMo Police Drone Busts Vehicle Burglary Suspect: This NBC4 video report shows drone video coverage of how SMPD is using the technology to protect our City.
Video Report on “Newly Rebranded Santa Monica Hotel” @ Lincoln & Grant: This SaMoMirror TikTok “shines a new light on the neighborhood” hotel and how it “is also available for events.”
California Heritage Museum on Main St. “makes room for skateboarding’s Dogtown roots”: This SMDP write-up details “A project two years in the making has brought the spirit of skateboarding’s origins back to the sport’s birthplace. On June 30, the California Heritage Museum launched its exhibit ‘Dogtown and the Legendary Z-Boys,’ paying homage to the Westside’s founding fathers of modern skateboarding. Running through October 27, what museum Executive Director Tobi Smith called a “long summer” show, the exhibit came about via a partnership with original Z-Boy Nathan Pratt.”
Pasjoli on Main St. Included in the Infatuation’s New “25 Best Restaurants” List: “Rather than offering a trendy take on an onion tart that no one asked for, the French cooking at Pasjoli is all about good old-fashioned animal fat and the technique required to back it up. In the $200 duck extravaganza for two, you’ll eat every part of the bird—from the juices in a wine-cognac gravy to the crispy skin over a simple salad—and go home with duck-leg bread pudding leftovers for breakfast. Pasjoli is by no means reinventing the wheel, but the unforgettable food makes it an all-time great special occasion spot and wholly worth the bill.” https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-restaurants-los-angeles
It’s DineLA Restaurant Week: This summer’s event runs July 12-26 with hundreds of local restaurants offering special lunch and dinner menus. Some SaMo offerings include high end spots like Citrin, Fia Steak, and Via Veneto, and more casual options like Bludo’s BBQ, Colapasta, and Uovo. https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela
The Street Seen: Marketa El Centro (@ 2936 – 2938 Main St. @ Pier Ave.): This week’s write-up details the history of what is currently 2nd Street clothing store, which has been a Muji, Patagonia, Safeway, and other stores over the years.
Fairmont Miramar Hotel Redevelopment Updated Look Published: This UrbanizeLA post details and shows renderings of the planned “makeover of the landmark hotel at Wilshire and Ocean.” “The hotel complex sits upon roughly 4.5 acres of land, bounded by Wilshire, Ocean, California Avenue, and 2nd Street. The approved project calls for an expansion of the Miramar, while also retaining its historic Palisades Building and the landmark Moreton Bay Fig Tree at the center of the property. New construction would result in 301 guest rooms, a spa, dining areas, meeting space, retail uses, and up to 60 condominiums atop subterranean parking. A public benefits agreement signed between developer Ocean Avenue, LLC and the City of Santa Monica also calls for the creation of a new 42-unit affordable housing complex across the street at 1127-1129 2nd Street, as well as money that will go toward mobility improvements, affordable housing, senior services, early childhood initiatives, senior services, and other programs.”
SMDP Profiles Ten Women Gallery: This write-up states “Three decades of female artistry continues to brighten Main Street.” More details below on their 30th Anniversary party this weekend.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Free Produce Market @ Virginia Avenue Park (Friday 12 – 2pm): “Come pick up refreshing summer fruits and vegetables at SEEDS OF HOPE FREE PRODUCE MARKET at Virginia Avenue Park. 3rd Friday of the month from June to September, from 12 pm – 2 pm in the Patio Room: 2200 Virginia Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404 Questions: call: 310-458-8688 Supplies limited to the first 150 families! Strawberries, watermelon and much more!!! More details here.
- Annual Venice Beach Run (Saturday): Proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Parks Foundation to support the Venice Beach Recreation Center. Participants can sign up for a 5K or 1 Mile Race/ Walk with the 5K starting at 8a.m. and the 1 mile at 9a.m. with the run starting and finishing at the Venice Beach Pier. There will also be a Beach Fitness Challenge & Expo. More details here.
- Pickle Me Silly (Saturday 9 – 11am): “Whether you like your pickles sweet or sour, this event is always a big Dill” There will be a variety of pickeled and preserved foods, including Kim Chi, Pickled Beet, Okra, and a few surprises for the adventurous. Free and for all ages. There will also be Garden Pancakes on the Griddle, Chalk Art on the Sidewalks and smiles on everyone’s faces. Kids get first dibs on the limited supply Home Pickling Kits to take home and inspire yourself. @ Ishihara Park Learning Garden 2909 Exposition Blvd. More details here.
- Ten Women Gallery Celebrates 30 Years (Saturday 6 – 9pm): “It is no easy feat for a small business to keep it’s doors open. This year the women-owned gallery and co-op has accomplished an amazing milestone… thirty years on Main Street in Santa Monica.” There will be free food, drinks, music and the opportunity to meet and mingle with your favorite artists. @ 2719 Main St. https://www.tenwomengallery.com
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): This week at the Main Street Farmers Market we are pleased to announce a double show featuring Chloe Resler at 9am and Cadre Scott 10am-1pm. Laura Jean Music Academy at 11am and noon, Learn about local sustainable farm business operations with special guests The Shepherdess and the Fibershed Project. And be sure to come hungry, local restaurant pop ups EdgeMar-SideDoor and Sweet Rose Creamery will be show casing special farm to table offerings!
- The Artist Fair – An Outdoor Gallery Market in the Park (Sunday 10am – 5pm): This space was created “so artists and people that are creating pieces by hand can have a safe space to sell more upscale items without the hassle of having cheap vintage, or cheaper items that dilute the aesthetics and vibe of the event. All vendors are either artists, painters, designers, metal workers doing jewelry, wood workers making amazing house pieces and other items but the important thing is that everything is handmade and sold by the artist itself. This event is for the community to come meet the artists and shop their creations.” FREE. @ Tower 25 in Ocean Park (2410 Ocean Front Walk) https://www.instagram.com/theartistfair
Looking Ahead to Next Week:
- Walk for Joy! (Tuesday 5:30pm): Event is sponsored by Alfalfa to raise money for Project Joy, which is “dedicated to inspiring joy through balance in our communities and environment.” “We’ll connect, we’ll walk + we’ll share a delicious meal” Meet @ Alfalfa (2309 Main St.). More details here.
- Happie Hoffman Musical Shabbat Service & Dinner @ Mishkon Temple (Friday, July 26 @ 6:15pm): “Happie is a gifted folk singer trained in opera at Indiana University and has earned a national and global reputation for her joyful, soul-stirring Jewish music. She will be accompanied by our own Rabbi Katzan, a classically trained guitarist.” The service is free, but please RSVP on our website by Friday, July 19 if you want to stay for a 7:15 Italian dinner (meeting all dietary needs). The suggested donation is $18 per person (children younger than 12 are free). @ 206 Main St. RSVP here.