June 21 Main St. Summer Soulstice & Make Music LA Events: This Saturday is going to be a big day on Main St.! The street will be closed to vehicular traffic as we again transform the street into a pedestrian paradise. The iconic Summer Soulstice event returns with live music, vendors, beer garden, activities for kids & more. And we are moving Make Music LA to the Ocean Park Library lawn so the events are combined. The events run from 12 – 7pm on Main St. from Pico Blvd. to the Venice border. FREE!
HELP NEEDED for Summer Soulstice & Make Music LA Events: We NEED volunteers to staff our table/tent at the Soulstice event and to help with set-up and take-down from both Soulstice and Make Music LA. PLEASE CLICK HERE OR REPLY TO THIS EMAIL TO VOLUNTEER!
Thank You Rob Maschio for Upgrading your OPA Membership to a “Gold Business Member”! We encourage all community members to share their appreciation for the long time Ocean Park resident and real estate agent for his community support. More details on him at MaschioRealEstate.com. If other businesses are interested in joining, business memberships range from $50-$1000 and include a variety of benefits. Individual and family memberships start at only $10! More details here or reply to this newsletter with any questions.
2024 Annual Crime Statistics:
- SMPD just published this comprehensive look at their public safety efforts, challenges, and accomplishments. Among the topics it covers is the 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, summary of 2024 Calls for Service (CFS) and Crimes, their development of SMART Center & Surveillance Technology, and Recruitment & Women in Policing.
- This Santa Monica Daily Press report summarizes the full report and calls attention to facts like “Santa Monica Police Department reported a 2% decrease in serious Part I crimes in 2024 while Part II crimes increased 16%, according to the department’s annual report presented to the City Council on Tuesday and Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista said homelessness remains the most consistent factor in local law enforcement.”
June 17 Deadline to Apply for City Boards and Commissions: The City of Santa Monica has created a variety of Boards and Commissions to help guide and advise decision-makers on a variety of topics. The City Council appoints members of the Boards and Commissions. Most meet monthly and have 4-year terms. OPA members have served on, or are currently serving on many boards and commissions and we encourage you to apply so that our neighborhood continues to be represented. More details here.
Entertainment Zone soft launches on Third Street Promenade: The City released this statement about the launch this past weekend, “creating a shared patio along Third Street Promenade” where “adults 21+ can purchase an alcoholic beverage from a participating, licensed Promenade business and enjoy it outdoors between 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays within the Zone boundaries.” “The Entertainment Zone will be in full swing during the annual Pride on the Promenade event, Santa Monica’s premier Pride celebration on Saturday, June 21, from 2-7 p.m.”
SaMo Advances Cannabis Retail Ordinance With Social Equity Focus: The City “is moving forward with a comprehensive cannabis ordinance that would allow retail marijuana sales throughout the city’s commercial districts while establishing a social equity program to benefit communities most affected by decades of cannabis criminalization.” More details here.
Santa Monica Black Empowerment Association Updates:
- Here is their June Newsletter detailing support services they offer, their entrepreneurial program and more.
- SMBEA Was a Victim of Vandalization: Nobody was harmed but their windows were smashed. Click here to read more about it and to click here to support SMBEA.
The Street Seen: Patriotic Hall (2621 2nd St @ Hill St): In 1900, a small wood-frame Methodist church building in Santa Monica is moved to Ocean Park. The relocated building (with additions) functions as the Ocean Park Methodist Episcopal Church until 1923, when it becomes a meeting hall for Civil War veteran groups. In 1972, the building is converted into a private residence. More details here.
LA 28 Looking for 1984 Olympics Volunteers and Performers: They want to do on camera interviews with people who volunteered and performed at the 1984 Olympics. Click here to email Mark Flaisher if you did so or know people who did who might be interested in being interviewed.
Brian Wilson’s Deep Ties to Santa Monica: This write-up details how the “Beach Boys leader and composer, a supreme genius of popular music whose death was announced by his family Wednesday, had long ties to Santa Monica.”
June 22 Deadline to complete the Airport Conversion Project CoMap Survey: What do you want to see on the Santa Monica Airport property after the Airport closes at the end of 2028? Contribute your thoughts and ideas! Click here to take the survey.
Hands-only CPR training kiosk debuts in Santa Monica, aiming to turn bystanders into lifesavers: This SMDP story details “A new interactive kiosk that teaches hands-only CPR in five minutes was unveiled last week at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, marking the launch of a mobile program that will travel to multiple Los Angeles County locations over the next three years.”
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.
- Free Walk-In Legal Clinic (Wednesday 4:30 – 7pm): Santa Monica residents can meet one on one with a lawyer from Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles for help with housing issues. More details here.
OPA & City Meetings:
- Architectural Review Board Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details here.
- Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment (Monday 7pm): More details here.
- OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
- Planning Commission Meeting (Wednesday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
- Recreation & Parks Commission Meeting (Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
