OPA August Monthly Meeting Recap: Here is the full recording and here are some highlights from the meeting:
- SMPD: Click here to see the discussion of recent police activity, ebike enforcement, and more.
- SMFD: Click here to see the discussion with our local engine company (5 guys were there) of the homeless service center at the Civic Center parking lot, tsunami best practices, and more. They end with this fun and spirited throw-down challenge to SMPD for a softball game.
- Oliver Chi (City Manager): Click here to hear him discuss his background and early thoughts on key priorities, and field questions on a variety of subjects, including:
- We only have 5% housing vacancy rate but a 35-40% office vacancy rate and 16% retail vacancy rate and how we address that. Watch here.
- School enrollment is down from 11k people pre-covid to 8k now. Watch here.
- Some action items on how to address the city budget crunch, including charging more for downtown parking, revisit school contribution structure, adjust debt profile, better use of land assets, etc. Watch here.
- Click here to watch the Board business, including upcoming calendar of events, brainstorming having part of Main St. activated as an Entertainment Zone for 10/18 Day of the Dog Festival, budget planning given that we may get less city money next year, and more.
Upcoming OPA Calendar of Events:
- Beach Clean-Up (8/24)
- OPA Summer Mixer @ Lula (8/27)
- September OPA Meeting (9/8)
- Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/18)
The Street Seen: Hale House (149 Wadsworth Ave.): Although altered, the J.M. Hale House at 149 Wadsworth Ave, is one of the more imposing houses in Ocean Park’s South Beach neighborhood. More details here.
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap July 27 – Aug. 2: Here is the weekly recap of police activity.
Santa Monica encourages commuters to plan ahead as high schools return to downtown area: Pali High students will return to the school’s temporary Santa Monica campus at the site of the former Sears building on Colorado Avenue on Wednesday, Aug. 13. Samohi students are set to return to their campus on Thursday, Aug. 21. More details here.
Santa Monica Moves Forward with Permanent Business-Friendly Reforms: City Council Tuesday adopted a slate of business-friendly updates aimed at attracting new businesses, supporting existing shopping and dining and fostering economic growth downtown and on Third Street Promenade. The zoning updates focus on making it easier for businesses to serve alcohol and offer greater entertainment options, bringing vibrancy to the downtown area. More details here.
LACoFD Launches Free Beach Safety Program for Ocean Education: The Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division will host the first of four Beach Safety Day events Saturday, offering hands-on ocean safety training to community members ages 9 and older. The free program runs from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica. Additional sessions are scheduled for Aug. 23 at the same location, followed by Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 at the Dockweiler Youth Center. More details here.
OPA Diamond Member Raphael Barragán Selling 10724 Wilshire Blvd #1402 for $2,995,000: This rare Park Wilshire luxury condo offers a panoramic Century City-to-ocean views, 3 bedrooms, office, maid’s unit, premium amenities, and an unmatched Wilshire Corridor lifestyle in Los Angeles. Instagram tour here.
Things To Do This Weekend:
MUD\WTR presents: Day Camp – A field day for the body and mind (Saturday 10am – 3pm): Day Camp brings together movement, creativity, mindfulness, and play. Expect live music, cold plunging, life size chess, breathwork, a community art mural, surprise challenges, free samples and more. 2515 Main St. https://lu.ma/mntt2zin
Santa Monica Democratic Club: Summer Picnic (Saturday 12-3pm @ Clover Park): “We’ve been going to political rallies and protests all year, but this is more than that. It’s a celebration of our community and our Santa Monica values. We’ll be joined by local elected officials from the City Council, College Board, School Board, and Rent Control Board, plus candidates for State Senate and statewide office. You might even get to meet California’s next governor??” RSVP for the picnic here.
Marina Del Rave – Deep House Block Party at Edgemar (Saturday 1pm): Join a daytime deep house block party in Edgemar’s beautiful open-air courtyard. 2435 Main St. https://partiful.com/e/8CTDUlrwMn8vJ32xgpBK
Butterfly Brawl Charity Boxing Match on the Pier (Saturday 2 – 10 pm): The event will feature 15 professional boxing matches headlined by undefeated knockout artist DeAngelo Evans (13-0, 12 KOs) facing Justin Cardona. Mexican Olympian Brianda Tamara Cruz and lightning-fast combination puncher Chantel Navarro are also scheduled to compete. Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys will provide entertainment with a DJ set. 200 Santa Monica Pier. More details here.
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): Need a break from back to school activities? or looking for healthy snacks for school lunches? Join us this Sunday with local favorites Megan Ukoh 9-11am and Cadre Scott 11am-1pm. Westside Waldorf will be on the lawn with wool crafts for kids! Look for Brandon’s Ice Cream and Creative Kiln and Kitchen farmer inspired organic hotsauces joining our incredible farmers and amazing food vendors. There truly is something for everyone.
CicLAvia (Sunday 9 am – 4 pm): The group will host its 61st car-free open streets event, connecting Culver City, Mar Vista and Venice along a 6.75-mile route “to reimagine city streets as welcoming spaces for the day in one’s favorite people-powered way for all ages and abilities.” Always free, you can enjoy the day by walking, jogging, biking, skating, or simply spectating. ciclavia.org
Gnocchi + Wine Night at AJA Vineyards (Sunday 4 – 8pm): Learn how to make Gnocchi from Private Chef Joanna Barajas, while enjoying cheese, charcuterie, and 2 glasses of wine per ticket. $125. 1417 2nd St. More details here.
