| OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the events and community work OPA is leading (like this past weekend’s SOULstice event), 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. Main St. Summer Soulstice Recap & Pics: Above are pics from MMLA (props to Dave Tann for single-handedly pulling this off…truth be told he was spotted using both hands). This VenicePaparazzi post has some great pics from the event and described the event as “all good vibes and sunshine.” And here is a brief video montage the SaMoMirror published from the event.4th of July Parade Update: The parade is just over a week away and hope to see the entire community on Main St. that morning! We have a few needs for it: OPA Vehicle/Float: We NEED volunteers to help decorate a vehicle for the parade the night before. Reply to this email or click here to email Sean to volunteer. Truck Drivers Needed: Looking for driver volunteers…to drive the trucks..with the bands in the back Must have a license, insurance, and have some experience driving a 16 ft stake bed and truck. Click here to email Jeff Jarow if you might be available. Truck/Band Sponsors Needed: Click here to email Jeff Jarow if you are willing to help sponsor the event. This SMDP article previews the event that “brought more than 15,000 people to the streets and about 1,500 participants, with organizers anticipating even more this year thanks to outreach efforts beyond city lines” and should be even bigger this year as we’ve invited folks from Pacific Palisades. Ocean Park Summer Picnic Series Kicks Off Tonight: While this is not an OPA event, it is organized by Tess, who is a super engaged OPA member who is spearheading creating community events. Here’s a message from her:We are excited to kick off our Summer Picnic Series at Hotchkiss Park this Thursday!! When: Thursday, June 26th from 5:30pm-7:30pm (drop by anytime) Where: Hotchkiss Park – closer to 4th Street (to the left of the bathrooms if you’re coming from 4th).What you bring: Your own food/drink and something to sit on (chair or blanket) What we’ll bring: As always, we’ll have name tags! Why are we doing this: We are looking to build an increased sense of community and connection in Ocean Park. So what’s the inspiration for this event? When I grew up, families in my neighborhood held a weekly potluck after swim practice. In retrospect, I loved the recurring gatherings, the number of different parents that looked after us kids, and the savoring of summer nights. Optional Icebreaker: Meeting a new neighbor? Ask if they had any traditions growing up that made them feel connected to their community. If you can’t make this one, we hope you’ll join us one week this summer: July 10 | July 24 | Aug 7 | Aug 21 “SMASH community rallys to save school name:” This SMDP article details how “students of the now closed Santa Monica Alternative School House are fighting to preserve their school’s 52-year-old name as the district prepares to merge two displaced schools into a single institution when their renovated Ocean Park campus reopens in 2026. SMASH supporters have launched this Change.org petition on the matter. Main St Change – Car Wash: The 1970 car wash on the corner of Ocean Park Blvd and Main St has been for sale for a while (listing here), seems to no longer be for sale (can’t tell if it’s sold or not) and is currently being repaired. For reference, here is the recent Street Seen on the property. Residential Parking Permit Fees May Double in Santa Monica: The proposed changes would adjust rates for both residential and visitor permits, which are issued to tenants and property owners who live at eligible addresses in the city. City officials say the rate hike is part of an effort to better manage residential curb space, align permit fees with administrative costs, and support the city’s ongoing sustainability goals. The new fees have not yet been publicly detailed, though staff indicated changes will vary depending on zone and time of purchase. More details here. Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approves more commercial uses at RAND Building: The amendment enables RAND to sell or lease significant portions of its 326,170-square-foot building for business and professional offices, creative offices, research and development facilities, and ground-floor retail uses. The current agreement restricts the building to “institutional office” use essentially limited to RAND-like entities. Under the amendment terms, RAND will pay the city $3.5 million upon approval and an additional $2 million after Coastal Commission approval or when the property is used for new purposes. The organization will also continue its $40,000 annual contribution to the Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School through 2065. More details here. Voodoo Donuts Opens at Winward Circle in Venice: The iconic pink-boxed chain is bringing its famously bold, over‑the‑top doughnuts, like the fan-favorite “Cock and Balls” and apple fritters, to the trendy Venice scene @ 66 Windward Ave. Here’s a brief video tour of the shop. Things To Do This Weekend: Pier 360 Beach Festival (Saturday & Sunday 8am – 6pm): The annual summer event features thrilling ocean sports competitions, live music, food vendors and family-friendly activities celebrating Southern California’s rich coastal culture. With stand-up paddle races, volleyball tournaments and interactive wellness zones, the weekend offers fun for both spectators and athletes alike and cements Santa Monica’s legacy as a hub for endless entertainment and outdoor activity. https://www.santamonicapier.org/pier-360-festivities Eeeeeatscon (Saturday & Sunday 8am – 6pm): The Infatuation’s signature food event returns to The SaMo Airport Barker Hangar, treating foodies to a music-festival-style culinary experience with headlining restaurants, live music, thought-leader panels, and exclusive chef collaborations. The weekend also spotlights community support, with proceeds benefiting wildfire relief and a special Shake Shack × LAFD menu raising funds for the LAFD Foundation. @ 3021 Airport Ave. https://www.eeeeeatscon.com/los-angeles Drag Story Time! (Saturday 9 – 11am @ Marine Park Community Garden, 1406 Marine St.): Celebrate Pride Month with story time at the Marine Park Community Garden. It’s a lovely place bursting with colors and you many not even know it exists! Bring a children’s book to read or just bring a blanket and listen to the reading of others. Light refreshments to keep you from getting hungry, flower crowns to be made so we’re all royalty for the day, and a fun place to be any day of the week. More details here. Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): Please join us at the Main Street Farmers Market this Sunday for local favorites, the Megan Ukoh Duo 10am-1pm! The perfect excuse to take time out from a super busy June just before the upcoming holiday weekend. Buon Gusto olive oil is back this Sunday! And melon season has begun! See you there! Discover the History of Muscle Beach at Pier 360 (Saturday and Sunday 10am – 5pm): Santa Monica Conservancy presents the legendary history of Santa Monica’s Muscle Beach! Visit the Museum of Beach Life next weekend to view historic photographs of gymnasts, weightlifters, and other exceptional athletes who made this iconic location famous. This special exhibit is open for two days as part of SaMo Pier 360 Beach Festival. More details here. |
OPA Update 6/26/25: 4th of July Parade Updates, Ocean Park Summer Picnic Series Kicks Off Tonight, & Other Things To Do This Weekend
Date:
More like thisRelated
Reminder: State of the City Is Thursday Night at Reed Park, Kicking Off SaMo’s 150th Birthday
The following announcement comes from the City of Santa...
Supes Push for Transparency and Accountability from ICE
The following is a press statement from the Office...
Redditor Seeks Help Finding Missing Brother Last Seen in Santa Monica
From the post on Reddit:Hi everyone. My brother Brian...