OPA 4/30 Spring Mixer Details: Come to the patio of Chez Jay @ 1657 Ocean Ave. from 4-6:30pm on Wednesday April 30 to mix and mingle with other engaged community members.
Sunday is the Final Day to Take the City Survey for Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Next Steps: CLICK HERE to take the survey and let the City know your option on the future of the site, including the blend of park, recreation uses, housing, etc.
California Homeowners Could See Insurance Rates Jump 22% Under State Farm Plan: Following a public hearing last week before an administrative law judge, the company is one step closer to gaining interim approval for its proposed $921 million rate hike. The hike would impact a wide range of policyholders across the state. The proposed increases include a 22% jump for homeowners, 15% for renters and condos, and 38% for rental dwellings. More details here.
Make an Appointment for a FREE SMPD Home Security Checkup: Residents can take proactive steps to enhance their home security. SMPD offers free home security assessments to all residents to “help identify potential vulnerabilities & provide recommendations to better secure your home.” To schedule a free home security evaluation, call 310-458-8474.
Ocean Park Blvd. History: This LA Street Names Facebook post explains The Ocean Park neighborhood was originally known as South Santa Monica. The “new” name was coined in June 1893 with the incorporation of the Y.M.C.A. Ocean Park Company by Abbot Kinney and Francis G. Ryan. The two men donated five acres, plus five more donated by others, for a seaside resort for the YMCA “and other religious organizations”. It opened that August. Within a year, upon the completion of the resort’s bathhouse and auditorium, locals had dropped the “Y.M.C.A.” from the name and were just calling it “Ocean Park”. More details here.
Proposed Density Bonus 7-Unit Condominium Project Proposed for 2430 7th St.: This development has been proposed on an 8000 square foot lot using the State Density Bonus law. The developer is requesting multiple waivers to allow deviation from height restrictions and from the maximum lot coverage in order to build these units. The public comment period prior to the City providing Administrative Approval runs through May 1. You can see details about the proposed project on the architect’s website here and there is a tab for collecting public comments.
Vamos Vamos on Main St. Launches New Menu & Locals Only Happy Hours: The Mexican spot has a variety of excellent tacos, including carne asada, duck, mushroom, and birria, along with creative cocktails and more. They are offering a locals only discount of 25% off all menu items (including cocktails) from 8:30p.m. to close through the end of May. 2917 Main St. https://www.vamosvamosbar.com/
The Infatuation’s “Best New Restaurants On The Westside”: Multiple Santa Monica spots make this list, including multiple OP spots and other nearby places like Din Tai Fung, Fitoor, Not No Bar, Seline, and Orla.
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap April 6 – 12: Last week’s recap of police activity includes details on the incident with a Stolen Vehicle/TC/Loaded Handgun at 4th and Pico Blvd. on April 10.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- PanCAN PurpleStride 2025 (Saturday 7:45am – 12pm): PurpleStride is the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer. It’s a family-friendly day filled with fun, hope and the power of community. More details here.
- Virginia Avenue Park Art & Literacy Festival (Saturday 10am – 2pm): This year’s theme is “Dinosaurs!” and the event will host over thirty different community organizations offering games and activities that align with the Santa Monica Cradle to Career Building Blocks for Kindergarten (BBK) campaign. Building Blocks for Kindergarten promotes social and emotional development, self-care, physical well-being and motor skills, language development and early learning to help parents, educators, early childcare providers, and other community partners work together to make sure all Santa Monica children start kindergarten ready to learn, inside and outside the classroom. FREE. 2200 Virginia Ave. More details here.
- AMP Festival (Art, Music, Promenade) (Saturday 12 – 7pm): Stroll through an art walkway with 40+ talented artists, enjoy a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band, and let the kids get creative at the Paint Lab. Don’t miss AMP’s Urban Reflections, a special installation honoring LA’s vibrant street art scene. Third Street Promenade, 1200 & 1300 Block More details here.
- ‘Party on the Field!’ at Historic Belmar Park (Sunday 4-7 pm): The Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica invites families, friends, and community members to come together for an afternoon of fun “Partying on the Field” in celebration of the donation of the new scoreboard. 1840 4th St. More details here.
- Bee Monitoring (Saturday 11am – 12:30pm): Join Sarah Caso, Bee Scientist and California Climate Action Corps Fellow, in a monitoring program for pollinators at the Marine Park Community Garden. Did you know there are 4,000 species of bees in The United States alone? Attendees will learn and assist in searching for a variety of pollinators with a focus on our local bee populations. Bring a hat, water bottle. A demonstration on the process will start promptly at 11:00 AM, with the monitoring to take place immediately following. Bring along your kitchen scraps and toss them into our Community Compost System. Marine Park Community Garden. 1406 Marine St. RSVP Here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): It’s the weekend of Earth Month and we are celebrating big with special guests, Miss Me and the Music Castle playing from 10am-1pm! And a super fun pop up from Outlandish, DoDo Chocolates will join us! See you there.
- Kafe K DayDrip Coffee/Cocktail Party (Sunday 10am – 2pm): Kickstart your day with a fresh twist at our Coffee party! Enjoy unique drinks while a DJ sets the mood with an exciting mix of electro, oriental disco and laid-back beats. It is not just a party; it is the perfect way to elevate your morning. Came together, sip, dance and connect. 2209 Main St. More details here.
