OPA Feb 10 Monthly Meeting Recap:
- Click here to watch the meeting in its entirety.
- Newly elected City Council-Member Ellis Raskin: Click here to watch him share his priorities and vision for the City.
- SMPD: Click here to watch their recap of recent police activity and discussion on other issues.
- Jenna Grigsby (Chief Deputy City Attorney) discussed SaMo Bridge, a new diversion pilot program planned on the Civic Center grounds; Click here to watch her presentation.
- Click here to watch board business, including 2025 priorities and upcoming calendar of events
- Next Meeting: Monday, March 10 @ 6pm at the 2601 Main St. Library
Tell the City What’s Important to You for the 2025-27 Budget: What do you think are the areas of greatest need in your neighborhood? Want to see the Main St. Library re-open for full service? Here’s your opportunity to advocate for funding for the library. The city is seeking public participation in the planning and development of the FY 2025-27 Operating Budget. You share input via an online survey, available in English and Spanish, through Feb. 17.
Not No Bar Opens on Main St. This Infatuation review covers the new spot in the old Isla space at 2424 Main St. “Not No Bar is proof that when you mix good cocktails, good pizza, and good music, people will show up in droves. Walk into this crowded pizzeria-cocktail bar and you’ll find dates smooshed up against the bar and groups of friends lounging on two-tops and booths like the Feast of Dionysus. It’s loud, a little messy, and a lot of fun. The place is arguably a bar first, but almost every table is eating bubbly-crusted Neopolitan-ish pizzas, too. Get the spicy, soppressata-topped Bang Bang and pair it with a tropical-leaning cocktail like the Curry Killer, made with rum, coconut, and fragrant green curry.”
Why Has LA Traffic Been Worse Than Usual Lately: This Yahoo! News report details how “Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) has been closed from Chautauqua Boulevard in Santa Monica to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu since the fire erupted on January 7. Only emergency personnel, utility crews, and a few local residents are allowed access. This means drivers from Ventura County, Agoura Hills and the San Fernando Valley, who would normally use canyon roads to reach PCH and L.A.’s Westside, now have to take the busy 101 and 405 freeways.”
Police Arrest Suspect in Copper Wire Theft: Police arrested a suspect who allegedly stole more than 300 pounds of copper wire from electrical pull boxes along Colorado Avenue. “Theft of wire from streetlights is not only illegal, but it also compromises safety, leaving neighborhoods, roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks without light for extended periods.” More details here.
New Plans Call for an 18-Story Building High-Rise at 1437 6th St.: According to this presentation with renderings, the 18-story building high-rise would reach a maximum height of nearly 195 feet. The proposed development is being designed to include 173 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments atop a two-level, 55-car subterranean parking garage. on the east side of 6th Street between Santa Monica Blvd. and Broadway. More details here.
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap February 1-7: Here is this week’s summary of police activity.
Most Loved Santa Monica Businesses Voting Now Open: Visit smdp.com/vote to vote and highlight the businesses that deserve to be recognized by the entire community.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Update on Alzheimer’s Disease Research (Thursday, 12:30pm): Monica Moore, from the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Care at UCLA, discusses the latest findings related to the symptoms and causes of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Learn about the latest treatments available and research being conducted to find a cure. @ Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
- Santa Monica Forward Happy Hour (Thursday 6pm): Meet at @ Santa Monica Brew Works (1920 Colorado Ave.). SantaMonicaForward.org
- Papille Gustative Valentine’s Day Menu + Wine Dinner: $85/person includes a multi-course menu and welcome bubbly. 2823 Main St. More details and reserve here.
- Crudo e Nudo Valentine’s Day: They will be offering “an extra sexy version of their Neptune’s Flight featuring caviar, spiny lobsters, and uni.” $115/person. Friday, Feb. 14, 2724 Main St. If you are not seeing a slot available on Resy for the time that you would like, email ciao@crudoenudo.com as they are holding some slots in reserve. https://www.instagram.com/crudo_e_nudo
- Here is my SMDP column filled with other Valentines Day goings on.
- What Thyme is it? (Saturday 9am): Join us at the learning garden for our monthly community breakfast. Learn how to infuse oils with herbs and make a sage bundle! Stop by for pancakes hot from the griddle, compost from the garden, and veggie seeds for your home garden. Ishihara Park Learning Garden, 2909 Exposition Blvd. More details here.
- Mental Health & Wellness Fair (Saturday): Hosted by the Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association. Celebrate Black History Month and honor resilience, healing, and self-care. RSVP here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): Hearts out on this special Valentines Day weekend with Dance with Miss Alice mini dance lessons at 9:30am followed by singer song writer Cadre Scott 10am-1pm and the Laura Jean Music Academy at 11am and at noon. It’s not too late to share a farmers market treat with your favorite valentine. Grab brunch or a sweet treat from our famous food vendors and from our farmers.. maybe strawberries and flowers too!
