NO OPA UPDATE MONDAY DUE TO LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
ICE Activity in Santa Monica: From Mayor Negrete: “After federal vehicles were seen at Santa Monica Airport, we confirmed there was a related raid in Culver City and individuals were later processed in our airport’s public parking lot. That is the full verified information we have. We’re monitoring closely, sharing updates transparently, and focusing on communication that eases fear and supports those most impacted.”
Santa Monica 150th — Microgrants for Community-Led Events (Apply Now): To mark our city’s 150th, microgrant applications opened this week for public events created by community members. If you’ve been dreaming up a block-party, pop-up history walk, youth performance, or neighborhood art moment that celebrates Santa Monica—this is your nudge to make it real. Who: Open to all community members (residents, students, artists, neighborhood groups) What: Microgrants for public events tied to the city’s 150th-anniversary themes Apply at santamonica150.com — short form, big ideas welcome. Let’s mark 150 years by lifting up the people and places that make this home.
Automated Bus Lane Enforcement in Santa Monica Begins 9/1: Starting September 1, 2025, the City of Santa Monica will commence widespread enforcement of illegal parking in bus lanes and bus stops, as part of its Automated Bus Lane Enforcement (ABLE) program. Forward-facing cameras mounted behind bus windshields will be used to automatically detect parking violations in designated bus zones; registered owners will receive a $293 citation for vehicles parked unlawfully. ABLE aims to help move thousands of daily transit riders safely and efficiently, by minimizing the illegal use of bus lanes and bus stops. Additional details about this program are available at bigbluebus.com/able.
Solar 30% Tax Credit & EV Vehicle Credits Ending 12/31: If you are thinking about installing solar or getting an EV, now is the time. More details in this NPR article. We recently upgraded the solar at our house and can recommend Jay Glick who owns Maxum Energy Inc. if you’re looking for someone. Here is his website.
Nordstrom Closes Santa Monica Place Store After 15 Years: The location at 220 Broadway shut its doors Aug. 26, a spokesperson confirmed. More details here.
Opinion: Jim Harris Wants to Change the Way You Think About Santa Monica Pier: The Executive Director of the pier wrote this interesting OpEd about his 35 year + history with the pier, his goals for it, and A PIERfect Benefit takes place on September 6th.
Santa Monica Gets Clean Financial Audit as City Prepares Major Permitting Overhaul: Santa Monica received another clean financial bill of health and is preparing to launch a major overhaul of its troubled permitting system by spring 2026, officials said during an audit subcommittee meeting Monday. More details here.
Things To Do This Weekend & Next Week:
- Last Thursdays Summer Concert Series on the Venice Boardwalk (Thursday 6:30p.m – Sunset): Come out and celebrate summer and experience the best of Venice Beach and support our local venues. FREE. @ 300 Ocean Front Walk More details here.
- Tipsy Scholar Chardonnay Master Class (Thursday): Taste and learn about Chardonnay from resident sommeliers. Flights are $40 and include an AJA Rosé trucker hat. Reservations are $10 per person. @ AJA Vineyards, 1417 2nd St. More details here.
- Wally’s Summer Soirée – Last Party of Summer (Thursday): Enjoy a grand finale soirée at Wally’s Santa Monica with a complimentary glass of Prosecco, dance to the sounds of DJ Nelson, and celebrate the season’s end in style. @ 214 Wilshire Blvd. More details here.
- Plunge & Poppi (Saturday 11am): This is a swim social and sober mixer for twenty-somethings kicking off at lifeguard tower 28. More details here.
- Spogomi Beach Cleanup Competition (Saturday): The winning team get a FREE trip Japan in October! “SPOGOMI”, short for “Sport Gomihiroi”, translates to “Sport Picking Up Trash”. @ SaMo State Beach https://spogomi-usa2025.com
- Brennan’s Knight Fight “Full Contact Combat” (Saturday 7-9pm): You can go to the home of the turtle races to watch local knights compete in sword and shield, sword and buckler, polearm, longsword and pro-fight formats. @ 4089 Lincoln Blvd. More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): Looking for a chill place to be this coming Labor Day Weekend? We have an amazing show for you! Starting with Mosaic Coyote at 9am followed by special guests the LA Chamber Orchestra at 10am with the Santa Monica Dance Co. Mariachi band at 10:45am and the Dakota Dry Duo from 11am-1pm! The Tutu School will be joining us on the lawn with mini dance lessons for kids. Plus!! 5 new food vendors including Maam’s Kitchen and Brandon’s Ice Cream!! Yay!
- Truly Pizza Pop-Up at Patio del Mar: Hotel Casa del Mar is serving something “Truly” special for Labor Day weekend by welcoming back the award-winning Newport Beach pizzeria for another exclusive coastal pop-up. I went to the first pop-up (which sold out) and was blown away by the flavors and HIGHLY recommend hitting them up this weekend! Sunday Aug. 31 and Monday Sept. 1, 11a.m. – 8p.m., 1910 Ocean Way https://www.instagram.com/trulypizza/
- Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission Meeting (Tuesday 5:30pm): More details & agenda here.
- Housing Commission Meeting (Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
- Bergamot Station — Guided Art Tours: Curator Hannah Sloan will lead walkthroughs of the Annual Fall Open across participating spaces—spotlighting emerging and established voices. RSVP required: hannah@hannahsloan.com (include preferred time + number of attendees). Saturday, Sept 6 at 12 pm & 2 pm (two tours, ~20 guests each).
- Council on Recess: No Council meeting this coming Tuesday; they return September 9.
Upcoming Calendar of Events:
September OPA Meeting (9/8)
Ocean Park Book Club (9/17): Click here to email the club with any questions or to RSVP.
OPA Housing Committee Meeting (9/24)
Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/18)
