| Santa Monica Could Move Some Homeless Services Outside the City: |
| The Council’s closed-door negotiations come as City officials have said they are looking at options to relocate homeless services and temporary shelter from Downtown as a key component of a citywide “Realignment Plan.” Under the plan, the SAMOSHEL homeless shelter operated by The People Concern, formerly OPPC, would be shut down at its current location at 515 Olympic Boulevard next to the 10 Freeway Downtown. One of the locations under discussion is in the City of Bell, roughly 20 miles east of Santa Monica. More details here.This one-minute SaMoMirror video report details some of the plans to shut down SaMoShel and relocate services out of downtown SaMo. |
| Arrests Reach Record-Breaking Pace: “The Santa Monica Police Department has averaged more than 110 weekly arrests over a one-month stretch this year, a pace that if sustained would shatter previous annual records. The 438 arrests made between January 9 and February 7, the latest data available, amount to an average of 110 arrests per week, based on crime date posted on the Department’s weekly blog The Blue Notebook. That is double the 54 average arrests per week made in 2024, according to the latest annual report issued by the Police Department last June.” More details here. |
| SMMUSD Board of Education Statement on Grass and Turf: The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has released a statement on grass and turf, including information on a third-party study by NV5, an independent global environmental consulting firm. The statement also addresses a timetable for decisions regarding Franklin Elementary and other SMMUSD schools. Their summary is “There are no imminent decisions regarding any fields in SMMUSD at the present time. Any future decisions will be based on research, educational uses for all campus spaces and community impact, as our fields serve as parks on weekends and afterschool hours.” Read the full statement here. |
| Santa Monica Launches One SaMo People’s Academy: The City is inviting residents to apply for a six-week course offering an inside look at city operations, priorities and civic engagement opportunities. The program aims to build understanding, transparency and trust between Santa Monica residents and their local government. Participants will gain insight into how policies are developed, budgets are allocated and services are delivered — empowering them to become active partners in shaping the city’s future by creating a deeper bench of informed community leaders. More details here. |
| PSA: Tips to Avoid Falls at Night: “Approximately one in four (25%–28%) adults aged 65 and older falls annually, with over 60% of these incidents occurring at home.” This SaMoNext article offers some tips for avoiding them. |
| SaMo Native Erin Whalen is an “LA school co-founder helping underserved students change their lives”: Erin is the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the Da Vinci Schools Network, which serves students who have faced hardships. At Da Vinci RISE High School, students are given a flexible learning schedule, projects that expose them to helpful real-world experiences and help them develop skills for different career paths. More details here. |
| Annenberg Beach House staff went viral with an Olympic torch relay video: To celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, the Annenberg Community Beach House team created this playful Instagram relay video that’s already racked up plenty of views. Team SaMo energy at its finest! |
Things to Do This Weekend
- Frieze Los Angeles (Thursday – Sunday): Bringing together approximately 100 galleries, ambitious installations, nonprofit collaborations and local food pop-ups. As a leading international art fair focused on contemporary art, Frieze LA celebrates Southern California’s dynamic creative culture and global influence in the arts. This is a must-attend event for art lovers, collectors and anyone interested in experiencing cutting-edge work in a community setting. @ Santa Monica Airport, frieze.com/fairs/frieze-los-angeles
- 11th Annual Black History Greens Festival (Saturday 11am – 4pm): Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a day of culture, connection, and celebration at this joyful celebration of Black History Month, presented by the Black Santa Monica Community Group in collaboration with Virginia Avenue Park. This year’s theme, “Boots on the Ground,” honors community and culture. Enjoy greens cooking demonstrations, music and dance, local vendors, and community booths offering resources and information for the community. @ Virginia Avenue Park More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market + Special Event (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm):This Sunday engage in your local food system with special music guests, Cadre Scott 10am-1pm and the Laura Jean Music Academy at 11am. Nancy Matsumoto, previously interviewed on KCRW by Evan Kleiman, book signing and selected readings and discover the Gonzales Siemens Family Farms Heritage grains story. Plus! Adventures with Doc JC and My Gym kid obstacle course on the lawn. Join the conversation. See you there!
- Pinot & Pilates Event (Sunday 1 – 4 pm): Join a day of ~wellness~ to kick off International Women’s Month. One Bodyrok Pilates Class followed by an AJA Wine Tasting. Starts @ BODYROK, 1417 2nd St. More details here.
- Mishkon Temple Family-Friendly Purim Party with a Bounce House (Monday, March 2, 5 – 7 pm): Join a fun-filled, family-friendly Purim Party for little ones. Enjoy music, tasty snacks, face painting, delicious hamantaschen, and of course, costumes! We will also join in an interactive kid-friendly Megillah reading with groggers and laughter. This event is tailored to children 6 and younger. @ 206 Main Street, Venice. Get your tickets here.
- Fitoor Santa Monica Celebrates One Year with a Weeklong Anniversary & Holi Festivities: All week they are celebrating with programming including a $5 Anniversary specialty cocktail, complimentary champagne toast nightly, belly dancing tutorials, live music and a finale at LA’s largest Holi celebration.
- Samohi Theatre Presents its Spring Musical – Hello Dolly: Be prepared to be entertained and thoroughly delighted that you took the time to celebrate our local, talented Santa Monica performers. Various dates between Feb. 27 & March 8. More details here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are March 4 (The Vanishing Half), April 1 (The Housemaid), May 6 (Demon Copperhead), June 3: (Remarkably Bright Creatures). Email alexabarrett@gmail.com for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
- OPA Happy Hour March 4: Our next community gathering will be at Lula’s. Stay tuned for more info.
- OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, March 9, 6p.m. @ Ocean Park Library
- Pi Day (3/14) Pie Baking 101: 🥧 Back by popular demand, join Lissa and Tess for Pi(e) Day! We are planning to make apple pies with pie pastry using this ridiculously easy recipe from the 1978 Betty Crocker cookbook (flaky! inexpensive! takes 10 minutes start to finish! no packaging waste! vegan! delicious!), so if you want to learn to make pie, come on over for Pie Baking 101. RSVP to samosocialclub@gmail.com
- Want to Volunteer for Future OPA-Sponsored Heal The Bay Adopt-A-Beach Clean-Ups? Contact Dave Tann at dogtowndave@yahoo.com. He is the coordinator for the OPA/Heal The Bay events, always meeting at Tower 26. Dates this summer are 6/28, 7/26, & 8/30.
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