| OPA Boardmember Spotlight: Get to Know our New President Robbie Leer: A Minnesota native, Robbie joined the OPA Board in 2022 and began serving as president this year. He acted as vice president for the past three years. Robbie leads the Housing Committee and supports the Main St Committee because he wants our local businesses to thrive. He enjoys spending as much time as possible on or near Ocean Park’s beautiful beaches. Robbie founded TurboPermit, a software platform that uses AI to get builders housing permits faster. |
| Ocean Park Social Club – Special Event on Feb. 20: You’re invited to experience The Jar for an evening of art, conversation, and community. Here’s a Washington Post feature on The Jar. The Jar brings people together through cultural gatherings that spark connection across difference, especially with those who don’t look, pray, or love like them. I’m inviting you (and your partner) to join us and ask that you bring along one other neighbor with you. Someone you enjoy, someone you’re curious about, or someone you’d love to experience this with. There’ll be art, there’ll be dinner, there’ll be dessert! Would you like to be part of this evening? Friday, February 20 7pm, 235 Hill St. RSVP: HERE (It is free, donation optional) |
| February is Black History Month 2026: A century of Black History commemorations: This year’s Black History Month theme marks an especially significant and momentous milestone: “A century of Black History Commemorations.” In February 1926, author, historian, and activist Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week, which later became Black History Month, to honor Black achievements and contributions to U.S. history. More details here along with a list of events. |
| LA Times Reports that “Rent is actually decreasing in L.A.”: Perhaps unnoticed among the issues in this state related to housing affordability is the slight reprieve taking place throughout Los Angeles County. The price of rent in the city and surrounding county is dropping, bucking regional and statewide trends. The median rent in the L.A. metro area dropped to $2,167 in December — the lowest in four years, according to data from Apartment List, which analyzes new leases for one- and two-bedroom apartments in a given month. More details here. |
| Parks and Recreation Vision Plan Approved: Last week the Santa Monica City Council approved the ‘2025 Parks and Recreation Vision Plan.’ The Council adopted the “City as Habitat” plan that included the need for more park space in the City of Santa Monica. It also included the addendum for the Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project and the roadmap for planning the Great Park when the Santa Monica Airport closes at Midnight, December 31, 2028. More details here. |
| New poll supporting continued airport operations flies in the face of conventional wisdom: A new poll from Santa Monica shows 67% of voters support keeping the city’s airport open in some capacity, challenging the city’s plans to close the facility in 2028 and convert it to parkland. More details here. |
| Santa Monica approves new rules for who can work in businesses on City-owned property: The Santa Monica City Council voted 6-1 to adopt new worker recall and retention protections for hospitality businesses on the city-owned pier, requiring employers to rehire laid-off workers and retain existing staff for 90 days after ownership changes. The vote came after several hours of debate. More details here. |
| BBB Offers Free Rides on Transit Equity Day (2/4): Big Blue Bus (BBB) celebrates Transit Equity Day honoring civil rights icon Rosa Parks’ birthday by offering FREE RIDES on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Transit Equity Day is a nationwide day of action that highlights the advancement of an equitable public transportation system for all. |
| Santa Monica Reads (February 2 to March 14): This is one of the longest-running community-wide reading programs in the U.S., offering a unique opportunity for individuals to come together, read a shared book, and participate in enriching discussions and events. What You Are Looking for Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama is the 2026 book selection. Free copies are available at all library locations, while supplies last, courtesy of the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library. More details and selections from past years are listed here. |
| Jan. 2026 SMMUSD Wave: Here is the monthly newsletter of all things going on in the school district. Maybe not all things, because yet again it is completely silent about the Ocean Park school (or lack thereof). |
| The Street Seen: 140 Fraser Ave (Glassell): In 1901, well-known Los Angeles society person, Hugh Glassell builds a summer cottage at 140 Fraser Ave. He has one summer there before domestic troubles cause him to sell to Mrs. Noonan and her two daughters. After one of the daughters marries in 1905 and moves to San Francisco, the house sees a long series of short-term rentals. The house last sold in 1996 and undergoes a significant renovation in 2004. More details here. |
| Message from OPA Gold Member Alfalfa: Introducing breakfast! Featuring avocado tartine, and organic yogurt & homemade granola. Available now. 2309 Main St. eatalfalfa.com/santa-monica |
