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.
We will have our new AWOL (Always West of Lincoln) t-shirts on site at the mixer for anyone looking to buy one. Cost is $20 for OPA members, $30 for non-members or $10 for new members signing up this month. Reply to this email or click here to email Sean for more info.
Council Wants Downtown Entertainment Zone to be ‘Bigger, Broader Better’: This SMDP write-up summarizes the City Council direction to city staff this week that rejected “a limited pilot program in favor of a permanent, seven-days-a-week allowance for open container alcohol consumption throughout the area.” “And if we so, if we want to bring our tourists and regional visitors back downtown, I think we need to make it worth our while. We want to have encouraged businesses to stay open later. We want to create more jobs, more revenue. So I’m asking us be bold when it’s appropriate,” said Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Torosis. The entertainment zone, permitted under California Senate Bill 969 signed by Governor Newsom last September, would allow patrons to purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed establishments and consume them while walking through designated public areas.
Rent Control Rates Inch Up, Turnover Remains High: There is a lot of interesting data in the the report that was released last week about the 27,668 controlled rental units in the City For example, 5,727 of the units, or 20.7 percent, remain occupied by renters who moved into their units before the Costa-Hawkins Rental Act took full effect in 1999, and those tenants paid a median rent of $1,117 last year. That was 140 percent less than the $2,683 median rent paid by those who moved in after the law took full effect. Also, “more tenancies ended in 2024 of those started in 2022 than from tenancies started in the prior 15-year period combined,” according to the report. More details here.
TODAY is the Final Day to Take the City Survey for Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project Next Steps: Survey deadline has been extended to today. 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.
JAMS/SMASH Theater presents The Wizard of Oz: Get your tickets to one of the four shows May 2, May 3, and May 4 Don’t miss the spectacle of our neighborhood middle school students flying! Get tickets here.
Junior Cookies Bringing “World’s Freshest Cookies” To Main St.: It appears that a West Hollywood popular baked treat spot is opening a second location in Santa Monica. According to this Instagram post, construction is halfway finished on the new Junior Cookies, moving into the former Sweet Rose Creamery space at 2726 Main St. Promising “the world’s freshest cookies”, Junior Cookies offers flavors such as Banana Pudding, KitKat Tiramisu, and Salted Almond Chocolate Chip. The window says they’re aiming for a Spring/Summer opening. More details here.
The Street Seen: Sourdough Starter (2201 5th St. @ Pacific St.): The sourdough bread specialist, Pioneer French Bakery, has its early 1900s origins in Ocean Park before family patriarch, John B. Garacochea, moves the bakery to Rose Ave in Venice in 1916. More details here.
Things To Do This Week:
Memories & Movement Senior Club (Tuesday 10:30am): Each week will be something new: Exercise, Talking with Friends, Learning, Guest Presenters, Health & Wellness. @ Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave. More details here.
Tech & Tasks (Thursdays 2 – 4pm): Need a little help? This weekly program offers one-on-one assistance from SMPL tutors. Staff and volunteers can assist with reading, writing, and technology related tasks. Drop-in to get help with completing online forms and applications, resume writing, device help, improving reading skills, email, downloading eBooks, and much more. More details here.
Pali Wine Dinner at Socalo (Thursday 7pm): Celebrate Pali Wine Co.’s 20th anniversary with an unforgettable dinner featuring winemaker Aaron Walker and Socalo Executive Chef Raul Plascencia’s five-course menu. $99. @ 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. https://www.socalo.com/event/pali-wine-dinner-at-socalo/
OPA & City Meetings:
Airport Commission Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details & agenda here.
City Council Special 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.
Housing Commission Meeting (Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
