OPA Holiday Party Details
Mark your calendar to join us the Edgemar Restaurant THIS Sunday, Dec. 7, from 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Click here to add the holiday party to your calendar.
Apps and soda and one drink are free for OPA members and $10 for guests.
Edgemar Restaurant will be extending their 25% off employee pricing to their Sunday menu for anyone who wants to stick around for dinner. They do a GREAT Sunday Supper series that is $45 for adults and $25 for kids for a pre-fixe meal and the discount will apply to that plus drinks, etc. Click here to make a reservation (strongly encouraged).
We will be having a raffle for prizes from these generous neighborhood businesses (please thank them!) and more:
- AJA Vineyards: Two classic tastings (value of $70)
- Alfalfa: $50 gift card
- Ashland Hill: $50 gift card
- Beach House Coworking: Two 3 month memberships
- Divine Vintage: Tasting for two people
- Dolcenero: $50 gift card
- Edgemar Restaurant: $50 gift card
- Jameson’s: Five $25 gift cards
- Library Ale House: $50 gift card
- Little Bean Cold Brew Coffee: Three $20 gift cards
- Love for Pilates: Two 5-class packages (retail value of $120 each)
- Lula’s: $100 gift card
- Museum of Illusions: Four admission tickets + Gift Bag
- Mystic Journey: $50 gift card
- Papille Gustative: Two $50 gift cards
- Pasjoli: $100 gift card
- Pilatesmith: Three group workouts ($125 value)
- The Pump Station: TBD
- Rabano: $50 gift card
- Shore Hotel: One-night complimentary stay (including parking)
- Ten Women Gallery: $25 gift card, enamel dish by Carole, and a small framed bird by Meilisa
- Triple Beam Pizza: Two $50 gift cards
Buy OPA Raffle Tickets Online: Want to participate in the raffle but can’t make the party? Buy them by replying to this email. They cost $10 for 10 tickets (or $40 for 50 tickets) and you can pick which prizes you want to enter them for.
Miracle on Main St. Tree Lighting Celebration (Sunday starting 3:30pm): Experience the holidays in Santa Monica as the iconic 20-foot Shopping Cart Tree returns to Main Street! Enjoy kids’ activities, holiday music, Santa’s grand entrance at 4
Headlines
Santa Monica’s 70-year-old nativity scene tradition returns Sunday @ 2311 Main St.: The nonprofit Santa Monica Nativity Scenes will display five of its 14 life-size biblical dioramas depicting Jesus’s birth story. Founded in 1953 by businessman Herb Spurgeon and local churches, the displays were once central to Santa Monica’s identity, with police wearing “City of the Christmas Story” patches. More details and its history here.
Pasjoli Listed #1 on Eater’s “Best Soups in LA” List: This write-up states: “Pasjoli’s French onion souplette is a miniature version of the iconic dish whose indulgent interpretation comes with more cheese than soup. A thick, bubbly, floating blanket of cheese rests on top, obscuring the sweet braised onions immersed in a rich vegetable broth beneath. Instead of the bread being baked into the soup, two tiny breadsticks sit on the side of the piping hot ceramic pot for dipping. This is one soup you cannot miss in fall and winter.” 2732 Main St.
Tis the Season to enjoy holiday shopping: Click here to check out SaMo Daily Press’ 20th Annual guide to holiday shopping and events in Santa Monica.
“Santa Monica Is Stronger Than Anonymous Attacks”: Quite a few residents are receiving anonymous flyers and Mayor Pro Tem published this OpEd in the Santa Monica Daily Press to respond to them. She writes, “I was disappointed to see an anonymous political mailer recently circulated more than a year before the next election. It is filled with misinformation, fear-based rhetoric, and personal attacks. This kind of shadow campaigning does not reflect the character of Santa Monica, and it raises serious concerns under California’s campaign transparency laws and the Fair Political Practices Act. Our city deserves honest, transparent debate, not anonymous smears.”
JSX Operating Permit and Lease Approved at Santa Monica Airport: The City released this press release announcing the permit issuance and stating that it is “Consistent with 2028 Airport Closure Plan” with the permit set to expire Nov. 30, 2028.
Recycling Event at City Yards (Saturday 9am – 2pm @ City Yards, 2500 Michigan Avenue (2nd gate entrance): This is a FREE event for Santa Monica residents only. Bring your used mattresses, box springs, electronic waste, and up to 5 boxes of paper for shredding. Shredding will happen on-site and the paper will be recycled. Questions? Call (866) 311-7266.
Annual Workshop for SaMo Landlords & Tenants (Dec. 10, 5:30 – 8:30pm): Residential landlords, tenants, property managers, service providers and city staff are set to discuss the latest information in landlord/tenant topics at the popular free annual Landlord/Tenant Forum at the Main Public Library’s Martin Luther King Auditorium. More details & RSVP here.
On the Lighter Side: This Facebook video shows a gaggle of Homer Simpsons descending on DK Donuts here in Santa Monica. 🍩🤣
Events
Official City of Santa Monica Tree Lighting Ceremony: 🎄Santa is lighting the tree and taking FREE photos with everyone! Enjoy special performances, hot cocoa, holiday crafts, and more. Thursday, Dec. 4, 6-8p.m., 1351 Third St. More details here.
Abbot Kinney First Friday Food Truck Fest: About two dozen food trucks are expected to line the street for the monthly event. Friday, Dec. 5, starting at 5p.m. abbotkinneyblvd.com
AJA’s Annual Ugly Sweater Party & Competition: Wear your BEST holiday ugly sweater. Grab a glass & enter their contest for the ugliest sweater! They’ll have a catwalk & competition, specialty pricing and more! Winners receive prizes of wine related gifts! Must be 21+ to enter competition. Thursday Dec. 4, 6:30p.m., 1417 2nd St. More details here.
MeUndies Holiday Undie Run: 🩲No pants, no problem at this FREE “cheeky” three-mile run at The Penmar, followed by tacos, Juneshine, and branded goodies. Runners will receive a free pair of MeUndies Holiday undies upon arrival to wear during the event. Thursday, Dec. 4, 6:30p.m., 1233 Rose Ave., Venice More details here.
Pier Plans Three Nights of Free Holiday Festivities with Photos with Santa and Marionette Theater Performances: The series runs Thursdays Dec. 4, 11 and 18, turning the Pier’s Merry Go-Round building and nearby walkways into a themed holiday hub featuring art activities, live entertainment and seasonal displays. Each Thursday from 3:30 to 7 p.m., children can write letters to Santa and make ornaments with the local studio Paint:Lab inside the historic carousel building. Books & Cookies will lead musical storytime sessions, and The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is scheduled to perform two shows nightly, accompanied by vendors selling hot cocoa, churros, popcorn and other treats. santamonicapier.org/cheeronthepier
Santa Claus “Candy Cane Drive”: Santa Claus is coming to town with Santa Monica’s police officers & firefighters leading the way. Santa and his public safety helpers will be distributing good cheer and thousands of candy canes as part of this year’s 33rd Annual “Candy Cane Drive.” Dec. 6 at various parks from 10a.m. – 3p.m. More details here.
Venice Holiday Sign Lighting Festival: Join the Venice Chamber of Commerce, special guests, and your community for a beloved tradition—the annual changing of the Venice Sign lights to festive red and green for the holidays! Now in its 14th year, this special celebration will take place on Windward Avenue (east of Pacific Avenue), with street closures to make room for live music and family-friendly activities. Saturday, Dec. 6, 6 – 9p.m. More details here.
Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm):Join us this Sunday for a special kids’ holiday event starting at 9:30am with Dance with Miss Alice and DJ and the Main Street Jam from 10:30am-1pm! YARI Youth Animal Rescue Initiative will have facepainting for the kids and My Gym will have their obstacle course on the lawn. Also joining us for your holiday baking needs, Fat Uncle Farms is back this Sunday with organic dry farmed almonds and heritage grains, featuring granola, whole grain sourdough bread and pancake mix!
18th Annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive (Sunday): The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Muscle Beach in Venice offering a day of giveaways, holiday photo ops and community fundraising to support children across the Westside. The drive benefits the Los Angeles Police Department Pacific Division’s “Winter Wonderland Distribution Drive,” held at the division’s station the following week. For 18 years, Muscle Beach has partnered with the Pacific Division to collect toys for families in Culver City, Venice, Santa Monica, Oakwood, Westchester and Marina del Rey. More details here.
SaMo Dem Club Annual Holiday Party (Sunday 6:00–9:00pm): Come to Santa Monica Brew Works with an unwrapped toy as price of admission.
Feliz Improvidad Comedy Show at Lula’s: Grab dinner & margaritas and enjoy the hysterical, completely made-up-on-the-spot comedy show based on YOUR suggestions. Sunday, Dec 7 from 6 – 8p.m., 2720 Main St. More details here.
Author
About The Author
