Feb 10 is Next OPA Monthly Meeting: Mark your calendars for dinner and socializing from 6:00 – 6:30pm and the meeting from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the Main St. library. The agenda includes new Council-Member Ellis Raskin and setting the 2025 OPA priorities list.
Dine LA Restaurant Week is Back (Jan. 24 – Feb. 7): Restaurants have been struggling since the fires and this is a great way to show support and get a deal. OP participants include Chinois on Main, Edgemar, Fitoor, Orla by Michael Mina, and Piccolo Ristorante, along with a variety of other SaMo eateries. https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela
The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count Rescheduled to Feb. 20: This count is critical for determining how much money gets allotted to communities for homeless services. The count was postponed due to the L.A. fires and the new date for Santa Monica is 20. Learn more and register to volunteer here or reply to this email to join the OPA team.
New Flashing Yellow Signal Installation: The City’s first flashing yellow arrow signal with signage will be installed at 26th Street and Olympic Boulevard in the coming weeks as part of the Bergamot Area First-Last Mile Improvements. The flashing yellow arrow indicates that vehicles can cautiously make the turn indicated by the arrow, but must first YIELD to oncoming traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooter users. Data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that up to 20% fewer crashes occur after installation of flashing yellow arrows. More details here.
New Main St. Brow Shop: Two of a Kind, a brow studio specializing in waxing + tinting + lamination, opened last week at 2305 Main St. The studio is focused on personalized + natural results. Think: your brows but better. Open daily from 9am – 6pm and appointments can be booked online at twoofakindbrows.com.
Augies on Main New Dish Alert – Asian Crispy Chicken Salad: It features Dirty Chicken Tenders, Cabbage, Cilantro, Crispy Noodles, Gochujang Orange Miso Vinaigrette Available as a Salad or a Wrap. @ 2428 Main St. More details here.
Santa Monica Gets a New Community Development Director: “Arminé Chaparyan brings over 20 years of local government experience to Santa Monica. She most recently served as the city manager for South Pasadena and has previously held positions such as assistant city manager/community development director in San Gabriel and redevelopment and community preservation manager/city clerk in Santa Clarita.” More details here.
The Street Seen: Greene Apartments 160 Ocean Park Boulevard @ Neilson: “In 1911, a 2-story Ivy Apartments is built by C.P. Schermerhorn on the southwest corner of Ocean Park and Neilson. From about 1920 to 1930, the building is ‘owned’ by Dolph M. Greene. It is demolished in the mid-1960s to make way for the Ocean Park Redevelopment Project.” Read more here.
Recycling Event at City Yards (Saturday 9am – 2pm): The City is hosting a FREE recycling event Saturday, February 1st, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Santa Monica residents only. Bring your used mattresses, box springs, electronic waste, and up to five boxes of paper for shredding! Shredding will happen on-site and the paper will be recycled. @ 2500 Michigan Ave. More details here.
Things To Do This Week:
Big Blue Bus Bus Operator Hiring Fair (Wednesday & Thursday): Looking to steer your career in a new direction? City of Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus is looking for customer service and safety-minded Motor Coach Operators to join our growing team. @ Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
Santa Monica Democratic Club Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): More details and RSVP here.
OPA & City Meetings:
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 (note that there is a new link for 2025).
Rent Control Board Meeting (Thursday 6pm): More details & agenda here.