FINAL OPA Monthly Meeting of the Year Monday 11/10: 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, here’s the full agenda, and here’s the schedule:
- 6:00 – 6:30: Food, refreshments and mingling
- 6:30 – 6:45: SaMo Police Department
- 6:45 – 7:00: SaMo Fire Department
- 7:00 – 7:30: Carey Upton (SMMUSD)
- 7:30 – 8:30: Board business, including elections, upcoming calendar of events (12/7 holiday party, etc.)
OPA is Looking for 2026 Board Nominations: THIS Sunday (Nov. 9) is the deadline for 2026 OPA Board Nominations: Reply to this email asap if you’re interested in joining the board, want to learn more about it and/or want to nominate someone else.
The Oct. 2025 SMMUSD Wave: Here is the latest newsletter from the school district that includes updates on a variety of Facilities Improvement Projects, but nothing about the Ocean Park School…however Carey Upton will be speaking at the monthly OPA meeting Monday, Nov. 10 to give updates.
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap – October 12-18: Here is the weekly recap of police activity.
Downtown SaMo Updates: The City is already working on many items from the recently passed Renaissance Agenda, including multiple Public Safety & Clean Streets projects. Here are some notes from the Mayor’s newsletter this week:
Downtown Police Substation: construction underway at Santa Monica Place: You’ll see work happening now. This substation will be home base for an expanded Downtown Services Unit—more officers and Public Safety Officers, faster response, and a steady presence in the heart of the district. It’s a practical step from the Realignment Plan to make the Promenade and surrounding blocks feel reliably safe and welcoming again. More details in this SMDP article and in this City release.
Tree-trimming & clean-up blitz: Public Landscape crews are out along key corridors and in Downtown. Cleaner sightlines + well-kept streets = fewer hotspots and a better pedestrian experience. If you spot something that needs attention, let’s get it in the queue.
Pasjoli’s Burnt Basque Cheesecake Listed on The Infatuation’s “Best Desserts In LA” List: “The best dishes at Pasjoli involve some sort of oozing cheese, and turns out, that also includes dessert. This slim slice of Basque-style cheesecake with a blackened top is almost all cheese and no cake, with a custardy, fondue-esque middle that spills out like lava. A bit of tangy crème fraîche keeps things from veering sweet.” 2732 Main St. More details here.
Three Flavors Bringing Asian Flavors To Main St.: A small banner has appeared in the window of the space at 235 Main St. in Venice, previously home to The Anchor. A new eatery named Three Flavors appears to be moving in. The banner promises an interesting combination of “Thai, Sushi, Phở”. More details here.
Ice at Santa Monica Grand Opening (Friday 6 – 10pm): ❄️Santa Monica’s beloved ice rink, presented by Disney + and Hulu, is back from November 7 to January 19. You’re invited to the grand opening and it’s totally FREE! The festivities kick off with the Grand Opening Celebration on Friday, November 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy free ice skating, a live DJ, on-ice skating performances 🕺🏻, giveaways and a magical “snow” surprise. @ 1324 5th St. KTLA previewed the opening here and here is the ICE site with more details.
Douglas Park History & Future: This Instagram video details how “Douglas Park has lived many lives. Once a reservoir. Then a silent film studio. Then the birthplace of Douglas Aircraft, where planes were built that circled the globe. In the 1930s, the site was reborn as a public park with ponds, lawns, and space for neighbors to gather. Now in 2025, Douglas Park is transforming again, as a major remodel is underway.”
Shore Hotel Ranks No. 11 in Condé Nast Traveler Awards: The prestigious honor highlights Shore Hotel’s eco-conscious design, coastal California style and prime location steps from Santa Monica Pier and beach. The ranking among the country’s best hotels by Condé Nast Traveller UK readers reinforces the property’s reputation as one of Santa Monica’s most sought-after destinations for domestic and international travelers. https://smdp.com/news/shore-hotel-ranks-no-11-in-conde-nast-traveler-awards/
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Things To Do This Weekend
- AJA Vineyards Events: It’s a busy weekend at the OPA Gold Member tasting room:
- Saturday 11/8- LIVE DJ set by DJ Max 4-7pm
- Sunday 11/9- 2-4pm Succ + Sip: A Pumpkin Succulent Decor Workshop hosted by Santa Monica community member Earl Clarkston. Tickets $55 per person includes a 3 wine flight and succulent pumpkin class. $50 for AJA wine club members. Tickets here.
- Native American Heritage Month Film Screening: The Exiles (Thursday 6pm): Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a screening of The Exiles, 1961 film chronicling a day in the life of a group of 20-something Native Americans who left reservation life to live in Los Angeles. Pico Branch Library, 2201 Pico Blvd. More details here.
- Read with Roger (Friday 3-5pm): Practice reading out loud to Roger, Santa Monica Fire Department’s own K-9 Peer Support dog! Only six 15-minute reading sessions are available. To request a reading session, please visit bit.ly/Roger-Nov2025. For ages 5 – 11 and invited adult literacy learners. Ocean Park Branch 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. abbotkinneyblvd.com
- Ice at Santa Monica Grand Opening (Friday 6 – 10pm): ❄️Santa Monica’s beloved ice rink, presented by Disney + and Hulu, is back from November 7 to January 19. You’re invited to the grand opening and it’s totally FREE! The festivities kick off with the Grand Opening Celebration on Friday, November 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy free ice skating, a live DJ, on-ice skating performances 🕺🏻, giveaways and a magical “snow” surprise. @ 1324 5th St. More details here.
- Shades Indoors Brings House Music to ZJ’s (Friday 9pm): What started as a small gathering of friends has grown into one of Santa Monica’s favorite nights out. Join house music pop-up series Shades Indoors at ZJ Boarding House this Friday. Each ticket includes a free pair of shades, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Ocean Park Association. @ 2619 Main St. instagram.com/shades.indoors/
- LA Wine & Food Festival (Friday–Sunday): During the 3-day event, guests will savor dishes from exciting local and internationally acclaimed chefs, sip beverage selections from top regional and international producers, and experience the cultural mosaic that makes this city a global food capital. From innovative tasting experiences to immersive pop-ups and artistic food installations, the festival is a feast for the senses—where food, culture, and art merge in the most delicious and Angelyne way. I am going Sunday and am looking forward to it! @ Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave. lawineandfood.com
- A Morning with Our Mayor @ the Main Street Community Garden (Saturday 9 – 11am): Stroll through this unique habitat which has hundreds of plant varieties, insects and a seemingly endless supply of ideas for your home garden. Our team of dedicated and seasoned gardeners will have vegetable and flower seeds for distribution, warm coffee, fresh pastries, and plenty of tips on what to plant and the techniques which are most successful. 2318 Main St. More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm):Join us at the Main Street Farmers Market celebrating the fall harvest with the GM Jazz Quartet 10am-1pm. Joining us on the lawn, CASM and Growing Hope Gardens with an Air Quality Awareness event with information and activities for the kids! You won’t want to miss it!
- Travis Barker’s Run Travis Run: This wellness-and-running experience created by Travis Barker invites fans and fitness enthusiasts to join him for 5K runs, wellness workshops, and mindful activities. Sunday, Nov. 9, 9a.m. runtravisrun.com/santamonica
Upcoming Events
- November OPA Meeting (Monday 11/10)
- OPA Holiday Party (Dec. 7)
- Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1. emailalexabarrett@gmail.com for more info.
- Pie Baking 101 (11/15 10:30 AM-12pm): Join Lissa and Tess for Pie Baking 101! We are planning to make pie pastry using this ridiculously easy recipe from the 1978 Betty Crocker cookbook (flaky! cheaper! takes 10 minutes start to finish! less packaging waste! vegan! delicious!) and wanted to invite anyone who wants to get a jump on their holiday baking to come on over for Pie Baking 101. You don’t even need a rolling pin, and you can refrigerate or freeze the pastry no problem. We’ll also have a homemade pumpkin pie to eat afterward because, you know, pie! We’ll be making crust together, so even if you’ve never set foot in a kitchen before, we will guide you through it. Experienced bakers are also welcome! samosocialclub@gmail.com
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