OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the events and community work OPA is leading (like last week’s MAINopoly), please help our efforts by becoming a member or making a donation. WE NEED COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO KEEP DOING EVERYTHING WE DO! Most memberships are $20/year but there is also a $10/year option. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OR DONATE.
If you are not a member, you can join for a year + get a t-shirt for $30.
Video Recap of ‘MAINopoly’ Event: SaMoMirror published this short video recap of the annual taste of Main St. event.
Santa Monica Hires Oliver Chi as City Manager: Chi, who has served as Irvine’s city manager since 2021, will earn an annual salary of $410,604 when he officially joins Santa Monica on July 14. As Santa Monica’s city manager, Chi will oversee a total city budget of $789.9 million and a workforce of more than 2,000 employees. More details in this SMDP report and here is the City’s official announcement of the hire.
Airport Replacement Options Envisions Urban Forest, Water Features & Up to 48 Acres of New Housing: Santa Monica’s decades long debate over the future of its airport continues to simmer with the unveiling of three potential visions for the property should it close in 2028. A May 17 workshop, organized by the city’s Public Works department and design consultants Sasaki Design Associates, drew throngs of residents to examine proposals that would transform the 192-acre site into various combinations of parkland, recreational facilities and development. All three scenarios designate at least two-thirds of the airport property for park use, but differ significantly in scope, amenities and whether housing would be included. More details here.
The Street Seen: Wave / World Café / Areal (2820 Main St @ Ashland): The northwest corner of Ashland and Main is an important Ocean Park corner, and since 1980 has received intense public scrutiny. The property is currently For Sale $5.9MM after a rumored years long estate battle among family members. More details here on the property’s history and here’s the sale listing details.
Housing Affordability Crisis Deepens in Santa Monica: SaMo ranks as the second most expensive city for renters in the Los Angeles metro area, with one-bedroom apartments commanding a median rent of $2,950 per month, according to a new report released last week. More details here.
Community Input Sought for New Recreation & Parks Master Plan: Provide your feedback on a plan that will shape Santa Monica’s parks for the next 20 years. Take the survey here before May 31.
Gone, Godmother: LA’s Favorite Italian Deli Sandwich Spot Shut Down by Health Department: Bay Cities Deli was temporarily closed on May 21 after the Health Department found a vermin infestation and is yet to re-open. More details on the closure here and this KTLA report details the the statement Bay Cities issued on the matter.
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap May 11 – May 17: Here is the recap of last week’s police activity.
Not No Bar Makes the Infatuation’s “Best Pizza in LA” List: “The pizza at Not No Bar can be difficult to procure. The buzzy cocktail bar-pizzeria on Main St. is walk-in only and lines form quickly on the weekends. But your reward is bubbly-crusted, Neapolitan-ish pizza that goes toe-to-toe with the best on the Westside. The topping options are swapped out regularly, but if you see La Blanca, get it. The ricotta-layered white pie is squiggled with pesto and topped with a heap of frilly mustard greens that cut through the richness nicely. The room tends to be less packed on Sundays and Mondays, which means you might be able to glimpse spinning dough action at the back pizza counter from your seat.” 2424 Main St. More details here.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- AJA Vineyards Locals Night (Friday): Kick off the summer right with the perfect evening at your local Santa Monica winery. If you live in Santa Monica or the surrounding Los Angeles area, come enjoy 2 glasses of wine and get the 3rd for $1. @ 1417 2nd St.https://ajavineyards.com/upcoming-events/
- “Marina Culture Jam” (Saturday 11am – 4pm): Marina del Rey celebrates 60 years with free community festival featuring music, art and cultural performances at the waterfront. The family-friendly event will showcase internationally recognized performers and attendees can also participate in interactive drumming sessions, enjoy live DJ sets, and engage with various art stations throughout the park. @ Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way https://beaches.lacounty.gov/marinaculturejam/
- Superbloom Sound Bath: Relax & Restore (Saturday, May 31, 3pm): Step away from the noise of daily life and sink into deep relaxation with meditation instructor, Priya Bhikha, on a 30-minute sound bath designed to calm your nervous system and restore balance. Through the gentle vibrations of crystal singing bowls and other healing instruments, this experience taps into the power of sound frequency and resonance to help shift your brainwaves into a more meditative state. Research shows that sound baths can reduce stress, slow the heart rate, and support deep relaxation—no effort required! Pico Branch Library 2201 Pico Blvd. More details here.
- A Summer Kickoff Pool Party at The Pierside Hotel (Saturday 4 – 7pm): The Pierside is kicking off summer in style beachside in Santa Monica. Their “High Tides & Vibes” summer kickoff pool party will feature poolside beats, coastal bites from The Surfing Fox and cocktails from Mission Craft Cocktails. @ 120 Colorado Ave. https://www.thepiersidehotel.com
- Saturday by the Sea with WHEAT Boutique (Saturday 11am – 2pm): Join Us For A Shopping Experience Where Chic Meets Coastal Charm Thoughtfully designed activations and shopping featuring Citizens of Humanity providing custom embroidery, Tom Ford and Pucci Sunglasses, Aviator Nation, Hunza G, Jennifer Meyer, Karen Lazar, and Lady Cuir. A live DJ, mimosa bar, and light bites @ Hotel Casa del Mar rsvp@etchotels.com
- Chrysalis Annual All In For Changing Lives Poker Tournament (Saturday 2 – 8 pm): Come to the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club, where chip leaders play their best hands in hopes of making it to the final table and all friends of Chrysalis can get in on the fun at the party. This event is for both poker players and non-players to come together and support changing lives through jobs. @ 1210 4th St. https://www.changelives.org/all-in/
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): Kicking off stone fruit season this Sunday at the Main Street Farmers Market with special guests Dance with Miss Alice at 9am followed by DJ and the Main Street Jam 10am-1pm! Don’t miss the Sunnyside Chalkers starting at 10am with My Gym on the lawn and special pop up Fat Uncle Farms heritage grains, whole grain sourdough bread and organic almonds! Olson Farm Organic stone fruit is back!! See you there!
- Samohi to Unearth 50-Year-Old Time Capsule (Monday 4pm): Fifty years ago, in celebration of Santa Monica’s Centennial in 1975, SaMoHi’s class of ’75 students buried a time capsule at the foot of the flagpole in the school’s quad. The capsule contains artifacts of historical significance to both Samohi and the City of Santa Monica. In honor of the city’s sesquicentennial celebration, the community is invited to witness the opening of this unique snapshot in time and reflect on the journey from 1975 to 2025. @ SaMoHi Quad, between the Innovation and Discovery buildings. More details here.
- Blue Plate Oysterette Community Dinner Series (Monday, 6pm): Join a gourmet dinner at sunset for $29. Enjoy a chef-curated meal, mingle with your Santa Monica neighbors, and soak in the sunset from our communal table. This dinner will feature shrimp tacos, rice and beans, chips with specialty salsas, watermelon and cucumber agua frescas and more. @ 1355 Ocean Ave. More and reserve details here.
