School District Addressing Ocean Park Neighborhood School: We have received A LOT of questions from members about the plans for Muir/SMASH campus and in response have got Carey Upton and Steven Richardson to attend Monday’s OPA meeting to discuss plans and field questions. See you there!
OPA June 9 Monthly Meeting Monday: This month’s meeting will be at the Ocean Park Library (@ 2601 Main St.) starting with food and mingling at 6:00pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Here’s the zoom link and here’s schedule:
- 6:00 – 6:30pm: Food, refreshments and mingling
- 6:30 – 6:45pm: SMPD
- 6:45 – 7:00: Santa Monica School District Update Regarding Ocean Park School
- 7:00 – 7:15: Anuj Gupta (City Director of Transportation)
- 7:15 – 7:30: Jonathan Holab (Rent Control Board Executive Director)
- 7:30 – 7:45: Gleam Davis, former Mayor
- 7:45 – 8:30: Board business, including housing matters and upcoming calendar of events
Help Needed for June 21 MakeMusicLA Event: OPA’s production of MakeMusicLA 2025 will be folded into the Main St. Soulstice event this year as both fall on the same date. It will be on the Library lawn at Ocean Park Blvd and Main Street. Dave Tann needs a few volunteers to help move, setup and return gear. Please click here to contact him if you can help.
Congratulations to the 2025 Most Loved Awards Recipients! Winners were announced this week and Ocean Park winners include OPA members Pump Station and Rabano, as well as Dolcenero Gelato, Jinya Ramen, and Kavahana. More details here.
Getty Villa Museum to Reopen This Month After Closure Due to Palisades Fire: It will reopen to the public on Friday, June 27, after nearly six months of closure due to the Palisades Fire with a new exhibition on Mycenaean Greece. More details here.
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap May 18 – 24: Here is last week’s recap of police activity.
Heavy Handed on Main St. Listed on EaterLA’s “Best Burgers in LA” List: “The short rib patty differentiates Santa Monica’s Heavy Handed from the rest of the pack. The burger is fatty and rich and only benefits from the addition of American cheese, caramelized onions, bread and butter pickles, and a healthy dosing of “heavy” sauce. The burger is quite hearty by itself, but don’t skip out on the crispy, salty beef tallow fries. End meals here with a creamy soft serve cone, encapsulated in a sweet chocolate shell.” 2912 Main St. More details here.
Jyan Isaac Bread Makes EaterLA’s “Best Bagels in LA” List: “In addition to coveted sourdough rolls, Horwitz bakes brioche buns, baguettes, challah, and multi-grain porridge loaves. He also branched out into bagels, serving them loose or topped with options like schmear, tomato cultured butter, and house jam. On the sweeter side, the bakery offers glossy croissants with mesmerizing curves and cruffins topped with seasonal fruits.” 1620 Ocean Park Blvd. More details here.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Abbot Kinney First Friday Food Truck Fest (Friday starting at 5pm): About two dozen food trucks are expected to line the street for the monthly event. https://www.abbotkinneyblvd.com/
- Shabbat on the Beach (Friday 5:30 – 7 pm): Come to Lifeguard Tower 28 and warm your toes in the sand and join your community in singing and celebrating the joys of a magical Shabbat experience. Challah and grape juice will be provided for services, and FUN will be provided with beach games, kites, paddle ball, corn hole, and more after services! Feel free to bring your own instruments to join Rabbi Katzan during Shabbat on the Beach. Make sure to bring beach chairs, blankets, jackets, and your own dinner if you plan to picnic on the beach afterward. Learn more and RSVP here
- AIDS LifeCycle Finish Line Festival (Saturday 12 – 6 pm): Get ready to witness an incredible feat of determination and resilience as the extraordinary Cyclists and Roadies conclude their remarkable 7-day journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles. @ Beach Lot 4 South, 2030 Ocean Ave. More details here.
- Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation Fundraiser (Saturday 12 – 3pm): The fundraiser is a very fun afternoon to help the animals at the Santa Monica animal shelter. Adoption fees will be reduced, for a small donation you could win fantastic prizes in the raffle and bid on unique experiences in the silent auction. There will be face painting by The Magical Atelier, balloon animals from Wild About Balloons LA, burgers from Troop 2 Santa Monica, you can meet the Santa Monica Police Department’s Mounted Unit and more fun activities. @ 1640 9th St. www.smasf.org
- Venice Pride to Feature a Block Party, Dance Event, Food Trucks, and More (Saturday 4pm – 2am): The Venice Pride Block Party, presented by L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, will run from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Venice sign, welcoming all ages. Attendees can expect performances by DJ Victor Rodriguez & Friends, a variety of community booths, food trucks, and a queer market. Following the block party, the special Pride month edition of the Gaywatch dance party, hosted by Barry’s Santa Monica, will take place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Baja Cantina. https://venicepride.org
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): Join us this Sunday for local singer-songwriter, Sophia Vandenberg at 9am followed by the GM Quartet 10am-1pm, the Santa Monica Dance Company Folklorico at 11:15am and a Sound Bath on the lawn at 1pm! Don’t miss the Fat Uncle Farm pop up with heritage grains, farm baked whole grain bread and organic, dry-farmed almonds! See you there!
- SaMoHi Grad Night Open House (Sunday 2-4pm): Join at the SaMoHi tennis courts to see how your donations contribute to a safe celebration for SaMoHi seniors. NO STUDENTS PLEASE (they want to keep a surprise). More details here.
- Click here to see more things going on this weekend.
