OPA Happy Hour THIS Thursday @ Lula’s: Our first community happy hour of the year is THIS Thursday from 4:30-6-30pm @ Lula’s back patio (2720 Main St.). Come enjoy FREE appetizers and GREAT company. See you there!
Main St. Committee Meeting (Wednesday 5-6pm at Ashland Hill): Checking out a committee meeting is a great way to explore getting more involved in the community! Main St is synonymous with Ocean Park and the success of the street and the community go hand in hand. This task force addresses issues unique to the street, such as strengthening stores’ community ties and vice versa and helping shape city policy for the street on issues such as restaurant parklets and zoning. Feel free to just show up or click here to email Robbie Leer to express your interest.
Crime Statistics Report: Here is the official City summary of the report on 2023 crime, highlighting that calls for service was down slightly from the previous year (103,462 v 104,061) and arrests were up about 10%, with over 67% of all arrests being people experiencing homelessness. Here is a link to the complete 29 page presentation.
$500 Grants Available for Community Advocates: Nextdoor Kind Foundation has launched a community microgrant program for Los Angeles County residents to award 100 $500 microgrants to individuals who are making a difference in their neighborhoods and communities. Here is a link to the application or reply to this email and we can connect you with them to learn more.
The Street Seen: Fisk – Supporting Cast: Here’s a deeper dive on Ocean Park aviation pioneer Edwin M Fisk.
Meet the Main St. Chef who Trained “The Bear” Star Jeremy Allen White: NBC4 published this video story with Chef Dave Beran, owner & head chef of Pasjoli on Main St., where he shares what it was like training the award-winning actor.
Nectar Fills the Alcohol Alternative Gap for Health-Curious Locals: This SMDP article covers the new Kavahana shop @ 306 Pico & 3rd St. that is “cultivating a communal experience around Kava Nectar, a relaxing drink sourced from the natural roots of the kava plant grown in Hawaii and the South Pacific.”
Nominations Open for SaMo Most Loved 2024: Click here to nominate your favorite businesses in a variety categories. Voting is open through Feb. 29.
Things To Do This Week:
- Don’t Tell Comedy (Tuesday 8pm): This BYOB pop-up comedy club changes locations for every show. Secret location in Venice this week. More details here.
- Free Walk-In Legal Clinic (Wednesday 4:30 – 7pm): Santa Monica residents can meet one on one with a lawyer from Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles for help with HOUSING issues. More details here.
- Authors in Conversation at Public Library (Wednesday 6pm): Two emerging Black novelists will engage in a dialogue about the art of fiction. As part of the library’s “Authors in Conversation” series, Rasheed Newson will discuss his debut novel, “My Government Means to Kill Me,” with fellow novelist Laura Warrell. SaMo Public Library Main Branch, 600 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
OPA & City Meetings:
- Arts Commission Meeting (Monday 6:30pm):In-person only in the SMi Training Room (northwest corner of the 2nd floor of the Civic Center Parking Structure – 330 Olympic Drive).
- Architectural Review Board Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details here.
