OPA July 14 Monthly Meeting Tonight/Monday: This month’s meeting will be at the Ocean Park Library (@ 2601 Main St.) starting with food and mingling at 6:00pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Here’s the zoom link and here’s schedule:
- 6:00 – 6:30pm: Food, refreshments and mingling
- 6:30 – 6:45pm: SMPD
- 6:45 – 7:00: Lana Negrete, Mayor
- 7:00 – 7:15: Cathy Taylor, SMFD Fire Prevention Coordinator
- 7:15 – 7:30: Eli Gill, Abundance in Santa Monica
- 7:30 – 8:30: Board business, including upcoming calendar of events
OPA Membership Drive: If you enjoy this newsletter and all the events and community work OPA is leading (like last week’s 4th of July parade), please help our efforts by becoming a member or making a donation. Most memberships are $20/year but there is also a $10/year option. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OR DONATE.
OPA is Working with the SaMo Public Library to Bring Back the Locals Discount Card: The goal of launching it this September. The plan is that community members can present their physical or digital Santa Monica Public Library card at participating businesses to receive special discounts. For any Santa Monica-based business interested in participating, please fill out the interest form by Thursday, July 31.
Introducing the Ocean Park Book Club: Alexa Barrett and a team of neighbors are excited to launch a new monthly Book Club! Meeting are on the first Wednesday of each month from 6:00 – 8:00pm at the Ocean Park Library, located at 2601 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA. The first meeting is Wednesday, August 6 at 6:00pm. For their inaugural selection, they’re reading “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman. This cozy mystery follows four residents of a retirement village who meet weekly to investigate cold cases, but soon find themselves solving a real murder. Please RSVP here if you plan to attend.
Council Could Suspend Funding for Neighborhood Groups: On Tuesday, the Council voted to hold a study session to explore ways to reform the City’s policy for granting “official” status to neighborhood groups. In the meantime, the Council suspended distribution of grant funds to the five neighborhood organizations with a 501(c)(4) tax status that allows them to engage in politics using non-City funds until a new policy framework is adopted. “I think it’s incredibly inappropriate to be using taxpayer dollars to subsidize organizations that make political contributions and political endorsements,” Council-member Dan Hall said. More details here and here is a link to the video from the Council’s discussion and vote on the matter. For clarity, OPA is a 501(c)(3) (not a 501(c)(4)) and does not engage in politics or endorse candidates and thus not subject to this inquiry, but it remains to be seen what the rules for 2026 will be.
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap June 22 – 28: Here is the weekly update of police activity.
Meals on Wheels West Needs Delivery Volunteers: Help deliver nutritious meals to homebound neighbors in Santa Monica, Venice, or Marina del Rey.Volunteer Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday between 10:45 AM–1:45 PM; a route typically takes less than 2 hours.Great for individuals, couples, and groups of all ages! Apply online here or email margaret@mealsonwheelswest.org to get started.
“Stephen Miller Finally gets his Revenge on LA”: This LA Times story asks the question if part of the reason for ICE’s focus on LA is Miller’s vengeance from growing up in the “famously liberal enclave once dubbed ‘the People’s Republic of Santa Monica.’”
The Street Seen: Beverley Has Three E’s: In 1886, F.P. Howard subdivides the 25-acre Corry Beverley Smith property on the northwest corner of Lincoln and Ocean Park Blvd. The subdivided lots fail to sell. More than 30 years later, in 1920, a large part of the tract is re-subdivided. Some of the old streets are closed, and new streets are created. In 1922, part of the 1920 tract is again re-subdivided to accommodate a new John Muir School. More details here.
Pasjoli Makes The Infatuation’s “The Best Burgers In LA” List: “The fancy French burger at Pasjoli was once capped at ten orders per night, but after a menu makeover, their burger policy is now much more laissez-faire. And that’s great news. The thick, dry-aged patty is pan-seared and basted in herb butter, then blanketed with cheddar and bone marrow aioli. A handful of crisp shallots and a thick ring of sauteed red onion are the only vegetables in sight.” https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-burger-la
Crudo e Nudo Team Opens Force of Nature: This is a speakeasy and creative gathering space upstairs at 1031 Abbot Kinney in Venice open Wednesday – Sunday beginning at 5pm. It’s “ an intimate bar designed as both a sanctuary for and an altar to women everywhere. This project highlights female winemakers, distillers, chefs, artists, and those who remind us how to create again and again. Offerings include a curated list of low-intervention wines, spirits, and a thoughtful non-alcoholic selection, all from women who reflect intention and terroir in their work. In addition to a collaborative dinner series, we offer apertivo and the incoming pizza pulley connected the Cooks Garden below, a community where beauty is always in bloom.” https://www.instagram.com/forceofnature.la
Things To Do This Week:
Two Nights Only: Andrew Ponce Brings A Tí to Crudo e Nudo (Tuesday & Wednesday): Chef Andrew, who has cooked in some of LA’s most notable kitchens, including Bestia, Bavel, Cento, and Taco María, is known for weaving his Mexican heritage, classical French training and LA upbringing with hyper-local ingredients. While some call his food “new-wave Mexican,” Chef Andrew says, “I make LA food.” This week a Tí will take up residence at Crudo e Nudo, offering three of his greatest hits: Scallop aguachile, Fish Taco, and Tuna tostada.
SMPD Blood Drive (Thursday 9am-2pm): Blood donations are at a critical level and all donations will be greatly appreciated. It’s very easy to schedule your own appointment by going to www.ucedonor.com and then clicking on Blood Drives.
State of the City Event (Thursday 4 – 7pm): A Celebration of Resilience and Growth: Putting a new spin on the State of the City tradition, the evening will start with an opening reception inside the Miles Memorial Playhouse, offering light refreshments, city information displays and a chance to meet and connect with Mayor Lana Negrete and incoming City Manager Oliver Chi. The reception will be followed by live performances in the park, tours of the Playhouse, a beer garden by Santa Monica Brew Works, interactive city department booths across Reed Park including a prize wheel, a succulent giveaway, police officers on horseback, a fire truck and more. @ Christine Emerson Reed Park & Miles Memorial Playhouse More details here.
Sunset Picnic at Annenberg Community Beach House (Thursday 5 – 8pm): Grab your picnic basket and your favorite people – or come solo and join a communal table – and enjoy a sunset evening at the beach. Vibe to musical duos and take in the glow of the summer sunset while enjoying complimentary s’mores and fun activities! Check out their calendar of events – including sunset swims, community picnics, youth/adult classes & more. @ 415 Pacific Coast Hwy. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/july-sunset-picnic-tickets-1412856324299
OPA & City Meetings:
Landmarks Commission Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details & agenda here.
OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
