| OPA Monthly Meeting Tonight/Monday (Feb. 9): It’s a great time to check out the organization and help set our 2025 priorities. The meeting is at the Ocean Park Library @ 2601 Main St. starting with food and mingling at 6:00pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Click here to add the OPA monthly meeting and Zoom link to your calendar. 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 – 7:30: Guest Speakers:SaMo Police DepartmentSaMo Fire DepartmentSanta Monica Police, Chief Derrick JacobMeet the Ocean Park Merchant Guest: Cheryl Petram (The Pump Station & Nursury)Matt Goldenberg (NOMA to discuss Artificial Turf Ban)Kaylee Hawkins (Meals on Wheels West) 7:30 – 8:30: Board business, including 2026 priorities, upcoming calendar of events, & more) |
| Circle Bar on Main St. Sells for Nearly $2M: The iconic bar that served Jim Morrison, Truman Capote, etc. is a 1,700-square-foot retail building at 2926 Main St, and was the longtime home to the Circle Bar, a Santa Monica nightlife staple since 1949 that drew celebrity patrons. Philippe Chicha acquired the property from seller Lillian Zacky in a transaction that closed Dec. 9, 2025, according to property records reported by Traded. More details here. |
| Councilmember Park Shares Concerns with SMO Operations: Angeles, the Palisades, and Venice ,and more wrote last month to the Santa Monica City Council to ask for a formal assessment of the Santa Monica Airport’s operational impacts on communities within her district. The text of the letter can be found at the bottom of this article, and a pdf of the letter can be read here. |
| Santa Monica City Council Approves Scaled Back Memorial Park Expansion to Address Budget Gap: “City Council unanimously approved a revised Memorial Park expansion plan, eliminating elevated tennis and pickleball courts to save $17M amid funding shortfalls. The 30-year project will expand the park from 10.3 to 13.2 acres but still faces a $45-58M funding gap…The project…would expand Memorial Park…by incorporating the former Fisher Lumber site. The park serves as Santa Monica’s primary location for baseball and softball and houses the city’s only public gymnasium, skate park, and tennis-pickleball courts….” More details here. |
| PCH Off-Ramp to Close for Pier Bridge Construction: The Moomat Ahiko Way off-ramp from southbound Pacific Coast Highway will close for two weeks starting February 9 as part of Santa Monica’s Pier Bridge Replacement Project. Detours are available and the pier will remain open to visitors. More details here. |
| Santa Monica sponsored law could turn the tide on coastal development: Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur introduced legislation that would allow qualifying coastal cities to bypass California Coastal Commission approval for housing and transportation projects. The bill, sponsored by Santa Monica, targets urban areas with robust transit systems and would allow select coastal cities to bypass California Coastal Commission approval for housing projects, bike lanes and parking changes, marking a significant shift in how nearly 50-year-old coastal protection laws are applied in urban areas. More details here. |
| The Street Seen: Historic Beach Property Fight (Ocean Front Walk @ Pico Blvd): Part of the 1910 Vicente Terrace Tract, a beach sand lot at the bottom of Pico has a turbulent history. In 1921, an African-American group buys the property with the intention of building a resort for Black Americans. In 1922, their request to amend the new zoning ordinance to allow for its construction is denied. In 1926, the property is a part of a private beach for the Edgewater Beach Club. It is now a part of a state-owned public beach. opnews.substack.com/p/the-street-seen-beach-property-fight |
| Santa Monica Pier Invites World to Share Love Stories During February Campaign: The Pier has launched its annual Month of Love campaign, inviting visitors to share memories made along the historic landmark. Stories of all types of love and connection will be featured throughout February on the pier’s website and social channels. More details here. |
| Send a Valentine to a Santa Monica Senior citizen: Students from the Upper School Community Service Honors Society at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences are organizing a Valentine’s Day card drive for senior residents living in assisted care homes in Santa Monica. The project will deliver handwritten Valentine’s messages to 40 residents across Santa Monica Home & Care and Brookdale Ocean House, helping ensure that each resident receives a personal note of kindness this holiday. More details here. |
| Layoffs coming to Santa Monica College as the school runs out of money next year: SMC will eliminate approximately 70 positions as it faces a projected $16.7 million deficit that could deplete its financial reserves by 2026-27. The cuts come after implementing $8.6 million in budget reductions and amid declining enrollment. More details here. |
| Most Loved Businesses: The annual “Most Loved Business” competition is back. Vote for all your favorites here. |
Things to Do This Week
- Sushi Class at Soko Sushi (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday): Discover the art of sushi with a new hands-on sushi-making class led by Chef Masa Shimakawa. This 90-minute, beginner-friendly experience begins with a sparkling sake welcome drink, followed by miso soup and salad, and guided instruction on crafting classic salmon, yellowtail, crab, and tuna rolls. @ 101 Wilshire Blvd. sokosantamonica.com
- Floral Arrangement Class at the YMCA (Wednesday 4:30pm): The local YMCA is coming in clutch with an affordable and unique date night idea! They’re hosting a succulent-making class, and spots are limited—so grab yours before it fills up. Perfect for couples, friends, or anyone looking to try something new together. @ 1260 Third Street Promenade. Email kayla@ymcasm.org for more information.
- Volo Solo Cornhole Singles Mixer (Friday 6 – 10pm): This is designed to be a low-pressure, social alternative to dating apps – play a few games, meet new people, and see what happens. @ Santa Monica Brew Works, 1920 Colorado Ave. More details here.
- Rooted in Love – Companion Planting & Lending Library Dedication (Saturday 9am): Love is in the gardens! In honor of Valentine’s Day, we are celebrating the love rooted in gardens and community! Join us for a workshop led by a UC Master Gardener to discuss the love shared between plants through companion planting! We will be covering why certain plants benefit one another and how you can support your garden by giving them some friends. @ Main Street Community Garden, 2318 Main St. More details at Santamonica.gov/events
- Fire & Community Photo Exhibit: This timely photo exhibit at California Heritage Museum presents powerful images documenting the aftermath of recent Southern California wildfires and the resilience of affected communities. Visitors can reflect on the work of first responders and the human impact of fire through compelling photography and storytelling. Through mid-February 2026 (check museum hours); @ 2612 Main St. californiaheritagemuseum.org/events
OPA and City Meetings
- City Council Meeting(Tuesday 5:30 pm): Meetings are hybrid and can be viewed on this YouTube channel. Click here for agenda.
- OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
- Clean Beaches Committee Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): More details here.
- Disabilities Commission Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): More details & agenda here.
- Rent Control Board Meeting (Thursday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
- Library Board Meeting (Thursday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are February 4 (Project Hail Mary), March 4 (The Vanishing Half), April 1 (The Maid), 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 Monthly Meeting: Monday, Feb. 9, 6p.m. @ Ocean Park Library
- 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)
- 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.
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