Barnard Way Closure This Weekend: Venice Beach Half Marathon is Sunday May 18 and Barnard Way will be closed between Ocean Park Blvd. to Pacific/Nielson Way from 7:00am – 10am.
PLEASE ASK FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO SIGN UP FOR THIS NEWSLETTER: We need to get the word out to everyone, so please share this with people you know and help them sign up. Here is a link to subscribe to our twice weekly newsletter that goes to more than 2000 local recipients and most city staff (click “Neighborhood News & Updates”).
OPA May Monthly Meeting Recap: Here is the full video from this month’s meeting and here are some highlights schedule:
- This SMPD Update includes discussion of protecting against urban coyotes (more on that below too), how to slow down vehicles (speed bumps, more stop signs, etc.).
- Mayor Lana Negrete had to reschedule: We will get her confirmed for June or July meetings.
- Sunny Wang, Water Resources Manager: Here is the video of his presentation that included details on the proprosed five year water rate adjustment.
- State Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur: Here is the video of his talk that included updates on his priorities, how to help SaMo with post-fire issues (re-opening the 10, etc.)
- Click here to watch the board business part of the meeting, including neighborhood school re-opening, housing matters, SaMo 150th year celebration, and upcoming calendar of events.
- June 9 is next OPA Monthly meeting and speakers include former Mayor Gleam Davis, SaMo Fire Department, and SaMo School District representatives discussing the Ocean Park neighborhood school.
How to Live Safely with Urban Coyotes: The city published this guide about coyotes and understanding their behavior and what to do if you encounter one.
Avril Lavigne Partners with Palisades Skate Shop for Sweatshirt Fundraiser: Three months after its spotlight moment at the 2025 Grammy Awards, Paliskates, a historic Pacific Palisades skate shop, is teaming up with pop-punk star Avril Lavigne for a limited edition sweatshirt release to fund rebuilding efforts following the devastating Palisades fire. The shop, a community cornerstone since 1999, was destroyed in the wildfire that swept through the area. More details here.
World-Class Brew: Santa Monica’s Own Takes Home Top Beer Honors: Santa Monica Brew Works (SMBW) just took home a bronze medal at the 2025 World Beer Cup®., a global competition widely regarded as the most prestigious in the brewing industry. More details here.
Stevie Nicks’ Former Marina del Rey Condo Hits Market at $3.9M: The 2-bedroom, 3-bath home was owned by Nicks in the 1970s and early 1980s. The residence is located in a boutique, 3-unit building on Outrigger Street, just steps from the sand and within walking distance of the Venice Pier. More details here.
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap April 27 – May 3: Here is the recap of last week’s police activity.
Paper Shredding and Recycling at City Yards (Saturday 9am – 2pm): Bring your used mattresses, box springs, electronic waste, and up to five boxes of paper for shredding! Shredding will take place on-site and the paper will be recycled. @ City Yard Parking Lot, 2500 Michigan Ave. (2nd gate entrance) More details here.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Santa Monica Pier Locals’ Night Season Finale (Thursday 3:30 – 10pm): They’re closing out the season with a bang with a free, all-ages event supporting three amazing causes: the Rick Crocker Charity Run, SAMOHI Football, and Lincoln Middle School’s Art Dept. https://www.santamonicapier.org/localsnight
- Konamon Fest – Japanese Street Food Festival (Saturday and Sunday): This street food and cultural festival returns with a sake tasting area with more than 31 varieties of sake, vendors from Japan, and a live Japanese violin performance. @ Santa Monica Pier https://www.konamonfest.com
- “Cars & Coffee” at Papille Gustative (Saturday 7am): Bring your exotic car(s) or your old-timer and receive FREE COFFEE, pastry and cookies. Enjoy live music and be entered to win special prizes. @ 2823 Main St.https://papillegustativela.com
- Come See the Three “Finalists” for the Future Airport Park this Saturday 12- 5pm: Come learn the results of the Layers Survey and see how they informed the three scenarios at the Airport Admin Bldg (3223 Donald Douglas Loop South; 90405). There will be opportunities to provide feedback and comments on the scenarios, in-person and on-line, as well as take a bus tour of the airport and an option for facilitated small group discussions on a first come first served basis. http://smacproject.com/
- Communitas Honors Four Individual for Their Stellar Work Improving Our Community (Saturday): The community will gather to celebrate four individuals for their stellar work in our community, region and beyond. The honorees include NPR investigative journalist Nick Gerda, Black History Archivists Carolyne & Bill Edwards, and Ted Talk, author, and award-winning documentarian Valarie Kaur. The program starts at 6 PM, with happy hour at 4:30 PM and dinner at 5 PM. @ the Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St. More details here.
- Take A Moment: An Unplugged Event (Sunday 11am – 5pm): series of free all-ages events focused on healing and community. Enjoy offline space designed for you to be in solitude or in community while you read, knit, draw, write, play games, color, or browse the book collection. @ Annenberg Community Beach House (415 Pacific Coast Highway) More details here.
- Jewish American Heritage Month Concert: Klezmer Juice (Saturday 2pm): Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month with a live performance by Klezmer Juice, a Los Angeles-based, Jewish soul band with a healthy dose of Latin flavor, led by International Clarinetist Gustavo Bulgach. Main Library 601 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): We’ve got a lot going on this Sunday at the Main Street Farmers Market starting at 9am with singer/song writer Sophia Vandeberg followed by the Laura Jean Music Academay at 10am and local favorite, Cadre Scott from 10:30am- 1pm! On the lawn Big & Tiny is joining us with kid crafts. Find out more about bees from Emmett with Bill’s Bees..It’s World Honey Bee Day! And for all of our CalFresh customers, we are excited to announce that Market Match is back.
- Adult Learn to Ride Bike Class: The Bike Center offers learn-to-ride bike classes for adults (ages 18 and up) on select Sundays with the first session from 9:00AM to 10:30AM, and the second session from 10:30AM to NOON. Upcoming sessions will be on May 4, and May 18. More details here.
- Arts Commission Special Meeting (Sunday 6:30pm): In-person only in the SMi Training Room (northwest corner of the 2nd floor of the Civic Center Parking Structure – 330 Olympic Drive). More details here.
