OPA 2025 Board Election Results: Congrats to Chris Morgan, Ian Novos, Jeff Fleming, John Prindle, Judy Abdo, Kelly Martin, Patty Tann, Sean Besser, and Tony Dimond. Learn more about them here. Hope to see everyone at our first meeting of the year on Jan 6, where we will elect the 2025 exec board and discuss our 2025 priorities.
OPA T-Shirts Make a Great Holiday Gift: Reply to this email if you’re interested in getting one. Thanks for the support!
8 Story Mixed-use Project Proposed at Snyder-Diamond lot at 14th and Olympic: “The proposal is for a new eight-story build featuring 222 studio, one, two, & three bedroom apartments above approximately 9,484 square feet of ground-floor commercial space & a two-level, 211-car subterranean parking garage.” More details here.
SaMo Rent Grows in November Amidst Year of Sharp Drops: According to the November rental report by Apartment List, SaMo median rent grew by 1.3% in the month, with the median one-bedroom apartment now going for $2,338 and the median two-bedroom listed at $2,803. More details here.
“Beloved Nativity Scenes Bring Joy to the Faithful on Main St.”: The non-profit organization that creates Santa Monica’s Nativity scenes has found a new home for their life-size diorama for the 2024 holiday season at 2311 Main St. The organizers of the 70-year-old festive tradition say “Santa Monica used to be called the ‘City of the Christmas story,’ it was actually on the patches that the policemen used to wear on their sleeves,” said Kari Czer, of the organizers of Santa Monica Nativity Scenes. More details here.
Highlights From Department of Transportation Annual Report: This SaMo.gov post details some of the “Significant accomplishments from this past year” including $28.3M in grants secured, 19 electric buses in service (10 percent of the Big Blue Bus fleet), and 3.8 lane miles of new and upgraded bike lanes completed.
Santa Monica receives perfect score in HRC’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index Scorecard: For the sixth consecutive year, the city of Santa Monica has earned a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, reflecting the city’s inclusive municipal laws, policies and services for LGBTQ+ people who live and work here. Read more here.
The Street Seen: The Rose: With the Rose Cafe closing for good this past weekend, it seemed like the perfect time for this deep dive on the history of the property that “the production and storage of domestic gas.”
San Vicente Santa Monica – New Luxury Club Opens as a Haven for L.A.’s Elite: A new luxury private club has opened its doors in Santa Monica, offering an exclusive seaside retreat for Los Angeles’ elite. The San Vicente Santa Monica…debuted last month with a $40 million price tag and a slew of amenities designed to attract Hollywood’s power players, as reported by The New York Times. The club occupies the top floor and rooftop of a building on Ocean Avenue, providing panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Members can enjoy an indoor-outdoor restaurant, a rooftop bar, a billiards room, a 50-seat screening room, and event spaces. The rooftop deck, spanning 5,000 square feet, is a standout feature. Membership initiation fees range from $3,200 to $15,000 depending on age, with annual dues running up to $4,200. More details and pics here.
Things To Do This Week:
- Patio 66 Holiday Movies on the Santa Monica Pier (Daily Through X-Mas): Patio 66 will be showing a different Holiday movie everyday through Christmas, with showings at 12 PM & 5 PM daily.12/16: Alvin & the Chipmunks; 12/17: A Nightmare before Christmas; 12/18: Polar Express; 12/19: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone; 12/20: Annie; 12/21: The Grinch; 12/22: Elf; 12/23: Chronicles of Narnia; 12/24: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas; 12/25: Home Alone
- LA Law Library Office Hours (Thursday 2 – 6pm): More details here on the monthly offering where a legal research specialist helps patrons find answers to legal questions.
- Holiday Cheer on the Pier (Thursday 4 – 8pm): The SaMo Pier is bringing the holiday cheer this year with holiday music and performances, puppetry, singalongs, and holiday cheer. https://www.santamonicapier.org/cheeronthepier/
- 3rd St. Promenade “Holiday Thursdays” (Thursday 5 – 7pm): Gather around the tree for festive fun! Hand deliver your letter to Santa, sip hot cocoa, make holiday crafts, and enjoy live holiday music. Local Girl Scouts will be on hand to wrap gifts, and the Promenade will be decked out in its holiday best. This Thursday will be Santa’s final visit to the Promenade, so don’t miss it! Free! More details here.
OPA & City Meetings:
- Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment (Monday 7pm): More details here.
- City Council Meeting (Tuesday 5:30 pm): Meetings are hybrid and can be viewed on this YouTube channel. Click here for agenda.
- OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
- Planning Commission Meeting (Wednesday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
- Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting (Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
- SMMUSD Board of Education Meeting (Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
