This is a lightly edited version of this week’s OPA newsletter:
Main St. Festival Wrap Up: Thanks to all the volunteers and attendees who helped make this event another great weekend on Main St.! Events like this don’t program themselves. You can support the community by joining or donating to OPA. OPA Membership is $20/year for an individual ($10 off for seniors) and $30/year for a family. Reply to this email or CLICK HERE for more details.
Happy 80th Judy Abdo!!! Yesterday was her 80th birthday. She was the first out Lesbian elected to Santa Monica City leadership, serving on the City Council from 1988 to 1996, including two terms as Mayor, and is still a force of nature for our community and beyond. Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do!
SMPD Nearing Full Force: The Department has hired 18 new recruits so far this year, bringing the total number of officers to 218, just ten shy of the 228 officers budgeted for the current fiscal year. More details here.
Civic Auditorium Process Entering a New Stage: This SMDP article details that the School District is stepping back while the city seeks clearance from the state to seek new bidders.
The Street Seen – Trask-Kyte House: This week’s write up goes deep on the landmarked yellow building at the corner of Main St. & Ocean Park Blvd.
Sustainability Week 2023: Learn about the critical issues of our day from experts, participate in online workshops, view special videos and documentaries, and find out how to get involved with students and faculty who are making positive changes on the Santa Monica College campus. See smc.edu/sustainabilityweek for an up-to-date list of events.
Tacos Por Favor Replacing Cock N’ Bull: This report details the new tenant coming to 2947 Lincoln Blvd. Tacos Por Favor currently operates three locations on The Westside and offers this menu of tacos, burritos, tortas, tostadas, and combos.
SMPD Awarded Grant to Increase Safety on Roads: More details here on the plans to use $306,000 from the the Office of Traffic Safety for Traffic Enforcement Program.
Things To Do This Week:
- Dia de los Muertos Ofrenda: Visit the Main Library Youth Services department daily through Nov. 4 to contribute to an ofrenda, a traditional altar, to celebrating life and death. Feel free to bring something to contribute like paper flowers, photos, or drawings of deceased loved ones. More details here.
- SMC Glass Pumpkin Sale (Thursday 10am – 2pm): SMC’s annual Glass Pumpkin Sales are a fun opportunity to buy handcrafted glass pumpkins. “Each pumpkin is a truly unique work of art that can enhance fall-season home and office decor, as well as satisfy holiday and year-round gift needs. Proceeds benefit the SMC Art Department and community organizations.” More details here.
- SaMo Public Library Hosts Office Hours with LA Law Library Legal Resource Specialist (Thursday, 2 – 6 p.m.): More details here on the monthly offering.
OPA & City Meetings:
- City Council Meeting (Tuesday @ 5:30 pm – public portion starts closer to 6:30 pm): Meetings are hybrid and can be viewed on this YouTube channel. Click here for agenda.
- Samohi Campus Planning Meeting (Tuesday): Community Meeting on Oct. 24, 2023 To Review and Discuss Santa Monica High School’s Campus Plan, including Phase 4 of Samohi’s Campus Plan is planned to include a new student center, library, administration building and performing arts center & How the Civic Auditorium Fits into the Plan. More details here: Samohi campus plan mtg 102423.pdf
- OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link or Click Here to add it to your calendar.
- LGBTQIA+ OPA Meet Up (Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm): We’re connecting queer community in Santa Monica. Come meet your LGBTQIA+ neighbors & allies, have fun, chat about queer community (etc), and grab light bites & drinks. Everyone is welcome! Event hosted by The Network, a LGBTQIA+ OPA Initiative @ LULA Cocina Mexicana (2720 Main St).
