Main St. Closed to Traffic THIS Sunday AM for Festival of Chariots Parade from Approx 10am-12pm
Thank You AJA Vineyards for Joining OPA as a Gold Member!!! AJA Vineyards is proud to be Santa Monica’s first ever winery tasting room. They feature award-winning local wines from their family’s Estate Vineyard in the Malibu Coast and surrounding AVAs. Come visit them for a flight, glass, or just some great conversation. Learn more about them at www.ajavineyards.com, follow their Insta here or just stop in at their shop at 1417 2nd St. and taste some of their excellent wines (I have been many times and genuinely love their wine!).
OPA Housing Committee Meeting This Coming Monday (8/4) 5:30-7pm @ Ashland Hill: Topics include (others always welcome) Abundance (book by Ezra Klein), CEQA exemption for infill housing (AB 130), and updates on housing at the airport. Feel free to show up or get more information by clicking here to email Robbie.
Council Meeting Recap: This SaMo Next article is a concise summary of this week’s Council meeting that including appointing a “New DTSM Board, Pico Bus Stop Approved, Protected Bike Lanes Approved, Changes to the RAND Developer Agreement” and more.
My Gym Drop off Camp is August 5th – 8th: When school is out, My Gym is in! Let us keep the kids busy with 3 hours of games, activities and most especially FUN! 1-4pm. www.mygym.com/santamonica/camp
***CONSTRUCTION NOTICE*** Roadway Improvements for Lincoln Boulevard Neighborhood Corridor (LiNC) Streetscape Project (August 4-8): The City sent this notice: “The City of Santa Monica’s Engineering and Street Services Division is leading the construction of the Lincoln Boulevard Neighborhood Corridor (LiNC) Streetscape Project. As part of this effort, cross gutter reconstruction and street paving will take place on Michigan Avenue (east of Lincoln Boulevard) beginning Monday, August 4, and continuing through Friday, August 8. The planned work includes reconstruction of the cross gutter and street pavement improvements. During construction drivers will not be able to enter or exit Michigan Avenue east of Lincoln Boulevard and parking along Lincoln Boulevard will be restricted, and traffic delays should be expected. More details here.
Never reveal these 5 things to anyone if you’re an older American — or it could backfire badly: Scams targeting older people are on the rise and this article highlights some key things that you should NEVER share with someone you don’t know and trust.
Santa Monica Reports 54% Carbon Emissions Drop, Sets Ambitious 2030 Goals: Adopted in 2019, the CAAP aims for an 80% emissions reduction below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050, but the city must cut emissions by an additional 26% in the next five years to meet the interim target. The report highlights successes across three key sectors: zero net carbon buildings, zero waste, and sustainable mobility. Santa Monica’s enrollment in the Clean Power Alliance, which defaults customers to 100% clean electricity, has slashed residential electricity emissions by 92% since 1990. More details here. This city also published this Climate Action and Adaptation Progress Report.
The Third Place Reinvented: Why Kavahana Is Becoming LA’s New Favorite Hangout Spot: This SaMo Mirror article highlights how this Pico Blvd. shop is succeeding. “In a city full of coffee shops that close too early and bars that don’t cater to the sober (or sober-curious) crowd, Kavahana is carving out something new: a place to be. More than just a spot for drinks, work, or weekends, Kavahana is quickly becoming Santa Monica’s go-to “third place” for any occasion—from morning coffee to date nights.”
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Dine LA Restaurant Week Continues through Aug 8: 47 SaMo eateries are participating, including: Edgemar, Papille Gustative, Chnois on Maim, Fitoor, Orla, and Blue Plate Taco. More details here.
- Community Picnic at Annenberg Community Beach House (Thursday 5 – 8pm): Whether you’re joining their epic tug-of-war on the sand, making crafts in the courtyard, or playing giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, or boardgames with new friends, this event is all about being together and enjoying summer evening vibes with your community. Bring your picnic dinner, grab your friends and family—or come solo—and jump into the fun. @ 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. More details here.
- LEGO Time at Ocean Park (Friday 3pm): Build a city by the sea at a branch by the sea with LEGO! All materials provided. For ages 18 months – 11 years old. @ Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.) More details here.
- 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/
- Recycling Event (Saturday 9am -2pm @ City Yards, 2500 Michigan Ave. (2nd gate entrance)): Used mattresses, box springs, electronic waste, up to 5 boxes of paper for shredding! Shredding on-site – the paper will be recycled. For a list of accepted and prohibited items click here. Questions? Call (866) 311-7266. For household hazardous waste please call Clean Earth at (877) 443-2371 or go to cleanearthinc.com for complimentary residential household hazardous waste and e-waste collection.
- Margaritas & Mocktails with the Mayor at New Tacos Por Favor (Saturday 4 – 7pm): The old Cock & Bull at 2947 Lincoln Blvd. has been transformed into a beautiful space! Join Mayor Negrete to celebrate their opening. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLYXZCkBUjz/
- Rooted Together: Healing in Nature (Saturday 4 – 7pm @ Reed Park): Spend the afternoon with gardening and art workshops. Take a breath and connect with the park’s beautiful trees. This program is offered in collaboration with City of Santa Monica Community Gardens and the Urban Forestry Department. 1130 Lincoln Blvd. RSVP HERE
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): We are excited to celebrate the kick off of National Farmers Market Week this coming Sundaay with Peter Elbling at 9am and Telephone Tag 10am-1pm! Also joining us, special guest Mayor Lana Negrete and on the lawn My Gym kids obstacle course and Big & Tiny kid crafts. Featuring new food vendors Creative Kiln and Kitchen hot sauces, Banane Haitian food and Hasi organic sourdough bread now every Sunday! Last chance for Olson’s organic stone fruit! So, come on by and see what you’ve been missing. Here is the August schedule.
- The Festival of Chariots Celebrates Ancient Indian Tradition (Sunday 10am): Dancers in colorful clothing, music, a multicourse feast, 40-foot tall hand-drawn floats — The Festival of Chariots will be an explosion of culture and celebration. Parade begins at 1855 Main St. and the festival takes place at 1530 Ocean Front Walk. https://www.larathayatra.com/parade
- Free Screening of “October 8” Documentary (Sunday 10am): Mishkon at 206 Main St. is hosting this screening and discussion of the documentary “October 8,” a film that documents and explores the explosion of antisemitism in the United States erupting the day after the traumatic horrors of October 7. More details here.
- National Night Out (Tuesday 5:30 – 8:30pm): The annual community-building event promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Expect FREE music, food, and activities for all ages. SMPD will showcase their various police vehicles and equipment and invite the community to meet police personnel (human and 4-legged alike).The parking structure at Olympic & 4th St. is free that night and Big Blue Bus will be providing free bus rides all night when you mention National Night Out. @ City Hall, 1685 Main St. More details here.
