OPA Summer Mixer This Thursday Night 5:30 – 7:30pm: Get to know your neighbors while checking out the new Edgemar Restaurant & Lounge @ 2435 Main St. Snacks provided by OPA and the Edgemar Restaurant. Note that there was a mistake in last week’s newsletter regarding the start time. It runs from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. We will be hosting a raffle there for free Hollywood Bowl tickets, an OPA t-shirt, and more. Note there was a typo in last week’s newsletter about the start time. It runs from 5:30-7:30pm. See you there!!
Enter for FREE Tickets to OPA Night @ Hollywood Bowl (Thursday Sept. 5): We have 10 tickets to “Carmen and Carnival with Dudamel” that we are raffling off to interested members (each winner gets the option of 1 or 2 tickets). The night is described as “A euphoric evening featuring the sultry streets of Seville and a fantastical circus.” More details here. Thank you LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath for donating the tickets to OPA! Click here to join OPA by Aug. 29 and you get two raffle entries! Reply to this email if you want to be entered into the drawing.
Save the Date for Main St. Day of the Dog Block Party on Saturday Sept 7, 12 – 7pm: Don’t miss the last Santa Monica Block Party of the summer happening on September 7th! Join us on Main Street as it will again be transforming into a pedestrian plaza for live music, outdoor art displays, free activities for all ages and a partnership with Day of the Dog, North America’s largest pet festival. See you there! Click here for more event details on Facebook.
Volunteer at the OPA Tent During the Main St Block Party Saturday 9/7: We’ll have a canopy-covered table on the street where we can answer neighbors’ questions, talk OPA, collect email addresses and hand out swag. Sign up here!
Governor Newsom Signs Assemblymember Zbur Bill Targeting Retail & Property Theft: This SMDP report details that “The new laws provide tougher criminal penalties for repeat offenders and additional tools for felony prosecutions.”
Whale Tail Grants Now Open: These fund projects that connect people to the California coast and its watersheds through education, stewardship, and outdoor experiences. Projects can engage youth or adults and can take place anywhere in California. Heal the Bay recently received a $30k grant from this for their Adopt a Beach program (more details here) and OPA can be available to help any neighbors with ideas who are interested in applying. Reply to this email if you have any questions or thoughts. More details on the program here.
Who Qualifies for Santa Monica’s New ‘Supportive Housing’ Projects?: This SaMoLookout report summarizes recent developments and blog posts on the City’s website noting “that an individual must meet at least one of four criteria to qualify.”
Layla Gets a Glowing Review: This Infatuation review states “Layla has waterfront views and pretty spectacular food.” I’ve been a couple times and some of my favorites so far are the mezze sharing plate, marinated kohlrabi, short rib kebab, and the lamb mansaf. Great atmosphere and cocktails too! “After dinner, you can ride the old-school elevator up to The Coco Club, a calm new rooftop bar (from the same team) with panoramic views of the California coastline.” 1301 Ocean Ave. in the Sonder Hotel.
The Blue Notebook: A weekly SMPD recap August 10-16: Click here for Police Department statistics for the week.
Things To Do This Week:
- Barnes & Noble Grand Opening (Wednesday 10am): Celebrate the long-awaited return of the famous bookseller. @ 1318 Third Street Promenade. https://www.instagram.com/bnstamonica/
- Laughs for Democracy (Thursday 7:30pm): Laugh your fears away with Vance Sanders, Eric Edwards, Carol Ann Leif, Laura House, Cathy Ladman and more. All proceeds will fund the efforts of Field Team 6 to register Democrats. UnUrban Organic Food and Coffee: 3301 Pico Blvd. More details and get tickets here.
- “Hoedown Throwdown” (Thursday 6 – 8pm @ Annenberg Community Beach House): Country Line Dancing (for ages 18+) Enjoy our first time event, an end of summer Hoedown Throwdown! Get ready to kick off your flip flops and kick up your heels with Tina Michelle & The Rhinestone Cowgirls! 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). https://www.smgov.net/portals/culture/agendas.aspx
- City Council Meeting (Tuesday 5:30 pm – public portion starts no earlier than 7:00 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.
- Urban Forest Task Force Meeting (Wednesday 6:30pm): More details here.
