There will be no OPA Update on Thursday due to the holiday. Hope you have an amazing New Years!
Consider OPA for End of Year Charitable Giving: We’re proud of the year we’ve had that included multiple “Open Main St.” street closure festivals, our 4th of July Parade, publishing about 100 newsletters, expanding our newsletter reach to nearly 2200 community members, advocating to the city on a variety of neighborhood issues, and much more! And we’ve done it all on a shoestring budget with all the work being done by community volunteers. As you make your end of the year donations, please consider joining and/or donating to YOUR neighborhood organization. OPA is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible. CLICK HERE TO GIVE OR JOIN
First OPA Meeting of 2025 is Monday, Jan 6: It’s a great time to check out the organization and help set our 2025 priorities. This month’s meeting will be at the 2601 Main St. Library with food and mingling at 6:10pm and the meeting starting at 6:30pm. The schedule includes and SMPD update, a talk from new Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya, a discussion of the future of the SaMo Airport land including presentations from advocates from the “Great Park Coalition” and for alterntive options for the land, and board business including electing 2024 Exec Board, determining key 2025 priorities, and more!
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap December 14-20: Here is the pre-Christmas summary of police activity.
The Street Seen: A Main Street Gas Station: Did you know there was a gas station at the corner of Main St. & Ocean Park Blvd. until 1973? Read all about it here.
Homelessness Falls In Los Angeles For First Time In Years: This SaMoPatch article states “While homelessness across the US increased by a dramatic 18% in 2024 compared to a year earlier, LA was among a handful of cities bucking the national trend — with a 5% drop in unsheltered homelessness over the same period, the first such drop in seven years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported Friday.” Ring in the New Year with FREE rides on Big Blue Bus: Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Big Blue Bus and enjoy a FREE, safe, and sustainable ride home! Beginning Tuesday, December 31 at 9:00 p.m. until Wednesday, January 1, at 12:00 a.m. Big Blue Bus passengers ride for free.
Crudo e Nudo’s Tuna Tartare Toast Recipe: The Main St. staple shared their recipe for one of their special dishes with the LA Times here.
Things To Do This Week:
- Cirque du Soleil Kooza: This HIGHLY recommended Cirque closes on Jan. 5. Kooza combines acrobatic performance and the art of clowning, while exploring fear, identity, recognition and power. The Innocent’s journey brings him into contact with comic characters from an electrifying world full of surprises. Use code SG20OTH for 20% off tickets. https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/kooza
- Nightly Menorah Lightings on the Third Street Promenade: They begin on the first night of Hanukkah, Wednesday, Dec. 25, and run for eight joyous nights through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 4:30 to 5:30pm, 1300 Block Third Street Promenade https://downtownsm.com/holiday-happenings
- Ring in the New Year at Ice at Santa Monica (Tuesday 12/31, 8:30 – 9:30pm): Join us for a spectacular family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration! Ice at Santa Monica presented by Disney+ invites you to a heartwarming and unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration tailored for families and kids of all ages. Experience ice skating under the stars and the excitement of a countdown to midnight (East Coast time). https://iceatsantamonica.com/santa-monica-events/
- The Edgemar NYE: The party starts at 10:00p.m. with $10 cocktails and complementary passed canapes. 2435 Main St. https://www.opentable.com/r/edgemar-santa-monica
- New Years Eve at Orla Santa Monica: Indulge in a spectacular Mediterranean tasting menu at Orla by Chef Michael Mina, perfectly paired with exquisite beverages and elevated by live performances from the glamorous Satin Dollz. 1700 Ocean Ave. More details here.
- Santa Monica New Years Eve Pub Crawl Party (Tuesday 12/31): Check In @ Jameson’s Pub or Barneys Beanery and get a map with the bar locations in Santa Monica and when they’re participating in the drink specials. More details here.
- Run in the New Year (Wednesday Jan. 1): Kick off the new year with races ranging from a 5K to a Half Marathon along Santa Monica Beach. Jan. 1 https://www.letsdothis.com/us/e/run-in-the-new-year-5k-10k-15k-half-marathon-233334
- 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/
- Annual Polar Bear Plunge (Saturday): The seventh annual Polar Bear Plunge is an opportunity for community members of all ages to dive into the new year and enjoy family-friendly activities with this fun Santa Monica tradition. After the invigorating ocean dip, participants can head to the Annenberg Community Beach House heated pool from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to warm up, enjoy a hot chocolate or take a photo with event mascot Pat the Polar Bear. @ Annenberg Community Beach House More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): We are excited to announce the 30th Anniversary of the Main Street Farmers Market. Here to kick the month long celebration off, the Sunnyside Chalkers will join us at 9am followed by local favorites DJ and the Main Street Jam at 10am-1pm and at 11am, we are honored to have the newly elected Mayor Lana Negrete to help with a dedication and pizza cutting! That’s right! Free Triple Beam farmers market inspired pizza bites! See you all there and celebrate with us this and every Sunday in January!
- For more New Years happenings around town, here is my weekly Santa Monica Daily Press column for this week.
