OPA Sept 8 Monthly Meeting 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: SaMo Police Department
- 6:45 – 7:00: SaMo Fire Department
- 7:00 – 7:20: Sam Shapiro-Kline (Executive Director of Santa Monica Forward)
- 7:20 – 8:30: Board business, including upcoming calendar of events
Newsom Creates Task Force on Homeless Encampments in Los Angeles, Other Cities: The State Action for Facilitation on Encampments, or SAFE Task Force, will coordinate expertise and programs across state agencies to address encampments. The goal is to work with local governments to move people from the streets into temporary shelter and ultimately permanent housing, according to the governor’s office. More details here
SB 79 Explained: This “OnlyInSantaMonica” Instagram video tries to briefly summarize the bill that just advanced in Sacramento, which could allow 4–7 story apartments near Santa Monica’s Expo Line stations. The final vote is supposed to be this week, and if it passes and is signed into law, new rules could kick in by mid-2026.
Santa Monica reports Typhus outbreak as County cases surge: Health officials are investigating a flea-borne typhus outbreak in Santa Monica, marking the second outbreak Los Angeles County has faced this year as cases of the bacterial infection continue to climb across the region. More details here.
The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD August 10 -16: Here is the weekly update of police activity.
Quitting Time: Another Director Leaves City Hall: Community Development Director Arminé Chaparyan resigned this week after approximately seven months on the job, marking the latest departure among Santa Monica’s senior leadership. Chaparyan’s resignation follows the recent departure of Police Chief Ramon Batista and adds to a series of high-level exits that have included City Attorney Doug Sloan and Director of Housing and Human Services Heather Averick. More details here.
Judy Abdo to be honored at ‘Pierfect Benefit’: The Santa Monica Pier Corporation will honor local legends at the inaugural “PIERfect Benefit” this Saturday. Attendees will gather at the historic Merry Go-Round Building from 3:30-7:30 p.m. to celebrate the pier’s history and honor Judy Abdo and Larry Barber with the inaugural Santa Monica Pier Awards. Judy is a current OPA Board Member, but is sooooo much more than that! She served as an original board member of the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, then the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation, in the 1980s and fought for the pier to remain open and accessible to the public. Originally a school teacher, she went on to become the first out-lesbian Mayor of Santa Monica, with a career spent advocating for rent control, education and pier accessibility. More details here.
The Street Seen: Faded Dreams 3020 3rd Street (@ Marine): In 1911, a Craftsman-style house, “one of the nicest” in the neighborhood, is constructed on the west side of 3rd St near Marine St. After several owners and many tenants, the house still exists – although in need of some care and attention. More details here.
Santa Monica celebrates Sustainable September 2025: This SaMo.gov post details how the City is “celebrating more than three decades of environmental leadership with Sustainable September 2025, a citywide opportunity to learn, connect and take action on sustainability, to protect our natural resources, grow our local economy, and create a safe and equitable community for all.”
Alfalfa x California Olive Ranch (now through Sept. 20): California Olive Ranch teams up with Jersey-born, better-for-you café chain Alfalfa for two seasonal dishes showcasing their acclaimed 100% CA-Grown Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The collab features a vibrant Summer Harvest Grain Bowl with organic arugula, farro, heirloom tomatoes, sugar snap peas, fresh corn, feta, avocado, and roasted herb chicken, all tossed in a house-made basil pesto vinaigrette. For dessert, indulge in a gluten-free Lemon Berry Olive Oil Cake with strawberries and topped with a lemon glaze. 2309 Main St.
CORRECTION FROM LAST WEEK RE EV TAX CREDITS: We wrote that both “the Solar 30% Tax Credit & EV Vehicle Credits were Ending 12/31, but the EV credit ends 9/30. If you are thinking about installing solar or getting an EV, now is the time. More details in this NPR article. We recently upgraded the solar at our house and can recommend Jay Glick who owns Maxum Energy Inc. if you’re looking for someone. Here is his website. [Thanks Andrew for the note!]
Things To Do This Weekend:
- Kickoff Football Season @ Jameson’s Pub: Enjoy LSU watch parties, walls of TVs, and ice cold draft beer specials. Join for NFL and NCAA Football with $5.99 Peanut Butter Jameson shots and $21 Social Mimosa bottle service.
- Wicks & Wine at AJA Vineyards (Thursday 6pm): Support an OPA Gold member and make a fabulous candle from soy and coconut wax & essential oils and recycled wine bottles. Enjoy a couple glasses of AJA wine too! A great night to hang with the gals or pals or loved ones! @ 1417 2nd St. More details here.
- Community Corp.’s Summer Social (Thursday 5:30pm): Tickets are $100 for an outdoor evening with “your favorite affordable housing advocates, partners and social changemakers.” @ 18th St. Arts Center, 1639 18th St. More details here.
- Red Bull Origin Venice Beach Open (Friday – Sunday): The event will feature top skateboarders from around the world competing on recreations of iconic Southern California skate spots honoring skateboarding’s roots and future. More details here.
- Annual Virginia Ave. Park Open House and Resource Fair (Friday 5:30-7pm): This free event is a chance for residents of all ages to connect with local service providers, discover free programs offered at Virginia Avenue Park, and learn about valuable resources available throughout the city. Participants are invited to explore offerings that support the community’s well-being, including senior programs, financial services, mental health support, music education and hospitality employment training. Many city departments will also be on hand to share important information and resources. More details here.
- Discover the Historic Miles Playhouse at Stage Speaks (Saturday): Join Santa Monica Conservancy for tours of the Miles Playhouse at The Stage Speaks—a family-friendly celebration featuring live poetry from Get Lit youth and Santa Monica Rep’s play reading of The House on Mango Street. RSVP
- Bergamot Station Fall Open House & Guided Art Tours (Saturday): Expect a variety of gallery exhibitions, artist talks & exhibitions, food & entertainment (including standup comedy), and kids’ activities.Curator Hannah Sloan will lead walkthroughs for those who RSVP to hannah@hannahsloan.com. @ 2525 Michigan Ave. More details here.
- A PIERfect Benefit (Saturday 3:30 – 7:30pm): Celebrate the Pier’s 116th birthday sipping cocktails, savoring tasty bites, and enjoying great entertainment by the sea. More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm): Welcoming in September, it’s Kids’ Day at the market with special guests School of Rock LA at 10am and SOL-LA 11:15am-1pm! Joining us on the lawn is Bambola Shoppe upcycling workshop and MyGym Santa Monica!! It will be a super fun action packed day at the Main Street Farmers Market!! See you there! And here’s the complete September calendar.
Upcoming Calendar of Events:
- September OPA Meeting (9/8)
- Ocean Park Book Club (9/17): Click here to email the club with any questions or to RSVP.
- OPA Housing Committee Meeting (9/24)
- OPA Beach Clean-Up (9/27)
- Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (10/18)
