OPA Halloween Mixer Wednesday @ Ashland Hill: We hope to see you at @ Ashland Hill’s back patio (2801 Main St.) from 4:00-6-30pm. Costumes optional, but encouraged. Come enjoy FREE appetizers and GREAT company. See you there!
OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the events and community work OPA is leading, please help our efforts by becoming a member or making a donation. Most memberships are $20/year but there is also a $10/year option. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OR DONATE. And a free easy way to support OPA is to click on the Author.inc ad in this newsletter as we get paid if you click on it…nothing more required. Thanks!
Upcoming Book Club Meetings (Subject to Confirmation with Ocean Park Library):Planned dates are November 5, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1. Please RSVP for the meeting at Library Ale House by e- mailing Alexa at alexabarrett@gmail.com so that we can account for how many folks to expect.
City Council to consider comprehensive plan to restore safety, rebuild vitality, and achieve fiscal stability:
The city released this press release stating “Santa Monica is poised to embark on a significant renewal effort with the City Council set to consider adoption of the Santa Monica Realignment Plan on Tuesday, Oct. 28.” The release goes on to detail some of the key proposed changes, including how they plan to Achieve Safe Neighborhoods & Clean Streets, Activating Economic Opportunity & Growth, Developing Affordable, Livable & Secure Housing for All, Creating Organizational Capacity, and Building Organizational Health.
SMDP’s Editor wrote this opinion article about the plan stating “It’s a plan that is more than just confident, it’s more than simply bold, it’s audacious but it’s more than that. This plan doesn’t come from someone who just thinks they’re right or someone who is willing to gamble. It comes from someone who isn’t willing to have their vision workshopped into mediocrity by never ending discussions about people’s feelings and fears. It’s a plan for someone who isn’t ashamed to recognize reality and adapt to it. It’s brazen and it’s vitally needed right now.”
Interview with City Manager Oliver Chi: PlanningReport.com published this interview with him, touching on what motivated him to come to SaMo, city staff turnover, his priorities, and his “Realignment Plan.”
SaMo City Council Approves Signature Events Program to Streamline Community Festival Support: “The City Council voted unanimously to establish a new ‘Signature Events’ category that will automatically waive city fees for 14 qualifying community festivals and events, replacing what officials described as a cumbersome bureaucratic process that burdened volunteer organizers. The resolution, presented by Recreation and Arts Director Jenny Rogers, aims to simplify event permitting and provide predictable support for recurring nonprofit community events that have demonstrated long-standing value to the city’s residents and economy.” Multiple Ocean Park events are included in this, including the July 4 parade and Day of the Dog Festival. More details here.
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap – October 5 -11: Here is the weekly update of police activity.
Culver City Wants In on “Entertainment Zone” for Its Downtown: Other areas are starting to follow Downtown Santa Monica’s lead as “The City Council of Downtown Culver City has directed staff to … begin modifying an ordinance that would allow an entertainment zone designation for the area.” More details here.
Statewide Special Prop 50 Election Vote Centers are Open: Vote Centers will remain open daily through Election Day, November 4. At a Vote Center, you can vote in person or drop off your completed Vote by Mail ballot. The SaMo location is at the Civic Center Parking Structure (330 Olympic Dr.), 2nd Floor Plaza. Open daily from 10am – 7pm. LOCATOR.LAVOTE.GOV
The Street Seen: 2507 3rd St (Spellmire) @ Mills St.: An early Ocean Park Craftsman house is built in 1909, high on the east side of 3rd Street between Mills St and Ocean Park Blvd. More details here.
Locals Discount Program is Back! OPA has partnered with the SaMo Public Library to launch a Community Discount Program. Local Ocean Park participating businesses include Fitoor and Junior Cookies. Check out the full list here and expect more to come!
Things to Do This Week
Gardening Opportunity (Monday 3 – 5pm @ 245 Hill St.): Rev. Janet Gollery McKeithen has returned to the Parsonage and has been hosting a group of local volunteers to revitalize the garden, filled with fruit trees and soon to be garden beds. So, if you have more availability on a weekday, stop by! No need to RSVP, just drop in and say you’re with the Ocean Park Social Club.
World Series Watch Parties on the Promenade (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday starting at 5:08pm): All games will be shown on a giant outdoor LED screen right in front of the Dodgers Clubhouse (1343 Third Street Promenade) with plenty of space to hang out, grab a drink (adult beverages available since it is in the Entertainment Zone), and enjoy the games together. It’s a great way to soak up the fall evenings downtown and cheer on the home team.
Ocean Park Library Historical Tour & Discussion (Wednesday 3:30 – 4:30pm): Explore our festive Open House from Noon – 8pm, featuring Halloween crafts for children and delicious snacks for all. Starting at 3:30pm, join us for a special discussion and tour of our historic Carnegie Library with notable architecture expert, Dr. Kenneth Breisch. More details here.
Live Talks: An Evening with Michael Lewis (Wednesday 8pm): The writer will discuss the 15 year anniversary of the book and 10 year anniversary of the movie adaptation of The Big Short. @ New Roads School 3131 Olympic Blvd. https://livetalksla.org/events/michael-lewis-2/
4th Annual Volley-Ween Fundraiser (Wednesday3 – 6pm): Santa MoniCARES is gearing up for its 4th Annual Volley-Ween, a beach mixer and volleyball tournament fundraiser, set for. The event, with a $35 registration fee per player, aims to raise funds for local nonprofits providing essential human services during the winter season. @ Perry’s, 2400 Ocean Front Walk SantaMoniCARES.org
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