OPA Nov. 10 Monthly Meeting Next 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, here’s the full agenda, and here’s the schedule:
- 6:00 – 6:30: Food, refreshments and mingling
- 6:30 – 6:45: SaMo Police Department
- 6:45 – 7:00: SaMo Fire Department
- 7:00 – 7:30: Carey Upton (SMMUSD)
- 7:30 – 8:30: Board business, including elections, upcoming calendar of events (12/7 holiday party, etc.)
OPA is Looking for 2026 Board Nominations: November 9 is the deadline for 2026 OPA Board Nominations: Reply to this email asap if you’re interested in joining the board and want to learn more about it and/or want to nominate someone else.
Ocean Park Traffic Signals Receive an Update: SaMo Department of Transportation (SaMoDOT) recently implemented signal timing updates at several key intersections to enhance safety for all road users. These updates include additional pedestrian crossing time, longer left-turn intervals, and Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) to enhance safety for all road users. The improvements were made at the following intersections: Pico & Ocean, Pico & Main, Pico & Ocean/Neilson, Pico & Main, Neilson & Bay, Neilson & Bicknell, Neilson & Pacific, Neilson & Strand, and Neilson & Hollister.
Santa Monica Police Department Substation to Open at Santa Monica Place Mall: “This is about restoring confidence, safety, and vibrancy to our downtown,” City Manager Oliver Chi said. “The new substation – paired with enhanced police deployments – represents the kind of visible, meaningful action we’re taking to make Santa Monica a place where residents, businesses, and visitors once again feel safe and proud to be.” Located on the ground level of Santa Monica Place, the 863-square-foot substation anchors a visible law enforcement presence in one of the city’s busiest commercial corridors. More details here.
Two New Businesses Confirmed for Santa Monica Place: Opening dates are TBD, but both are expected to occupy at least one floor of the former Bloomingdale’s space:
Arte Museum is a series of immersive media art exhibitions that combine large-scale digital art, soundscapes, and even scents to create multi-sensory experiences, often themed around nature. Here is a video tour of the Las Vegas version of it.
Club Studio is a luxury fitness club that combines boutique-style classes with premium amenities. In addition to fitness options like trampoline, cycling, yoga, boxing, and Pilates, and traditional gym equipment, many provide high-end amenities such as a recovery lab with cryotherapy, a wellness cafe, a swimming pool, basketball courts, and luxurious locker rooms. More details here.
New Bus Shelters Installed Throughout Santa Monica: Big Blue Bus is thrilled to announce the installation of 10 new bus shelters throughout Santa Monica is now underway! The sleek, modern shelters are part of the Better Blue Bus Stop project, which utilizes federal grants to enhance safety, accessibility, and comfort at bus stops throughout the service area. The new shelters offer improved solar lighting, shade, seating, and protection from the elements, creating a more comfortable and welcoming experience for riders as they wait for their bus.
Community Corp of Santa Monica Food Drive: In light of the challenges with the SNAP/Cal-Fresh program due to the government shutdown, they will be collecting non-perishable food items for residents that need extra suppost. They have a collection bin at their office at 1410 2nd St., 2nd Floor Tuesday – Thursday 9am-5pm.
Pasjoli Rated as the #1 French Restaurant in Los Angeles! This Infatuation review raves about the reboot stating “Pasjoli adds a lot of fun to serious French cooking” and goes on to say “Come here for an impromptu date night, order one of the surprise build-your-own cocktails, and eat rich and delicious French food that would make Marie Antoinette blush. It might be less serious, but it’s also a lot more fun.”
The Street Seen: O. A. Kirkelie & Company (202 Main Street @ Navy, Venice): If you died in Ocean Park between 1905 and 1977, there is a good chance that O.A. Kirkelie & Company, undertakers and funeral directors, arranged your send-off. Their 1921 building on Main St at Navy in Venice, while extensively altered, still exists. More details here.
You’re invited – Rev. Janet McKeithen’s 20-Year Anniversary: The Church in Ocean Park is celebrating Rev. Janet McKeithen’s 20 year anniversary on Nov. 16, 2-4 pm. Open to all, this event will foster community and connection, while recognizing the inspiring work of one of our very own community changemakers. There will be food, music, raffle items, and camaraderie. Tickets may be purchased here.
Photographer Looking for 1-3 Ocean Park Residents for a Photoshoot: Martin Makaryan, a new member of the community and a hobbyist photographer, is looking for 1-3 Ocean Park residents to photograph, preferably at historical sites that are of special importance to the neighborhood. The shots will be printed and exhibited in early December as part of the City’s 150-year anniversary celebrations. For more details, please reach out to Martin at (747) 499 7776 (please text first) or email at martmakaryan2000@gmail.com. All ages welcome (preference for longtime or completely new residents).
Listing by OPA Gold Member Ted Winterer: Discover sophisticated indoor/outdoor living in this single-level, two-bedroom, two-bathroom Ocean Park condo. The open floor plan features a recently remodeled kitchen with quartz countertops and a bright living area, all accented by real hardwood floors. More details here.
Things to Do This Week
OPICA presents “Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease Behaviors” at SaMo Main Library (Monday 1 – 3pm): Community Health Educator Monica R. Moore, MSG, provides an understanding of the challenging behaviors often associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and encourages proactive learning and self-care. This workshop covers cognitive health, aging, and brain function and is targeted to family caregivers of individuals with memory loss. More details here.
A Taste of Tuscany on the California Coast: Il Borro Toscana Takes Over Fairmont Miramar’s FIG Restaurantwith Four-Course Wine Dinner (Monday6:30pm): Nestled in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, Il Borro Toscana is a Sustainable Relais & Châteaux-recognized estate and certified organic winery, renowned for its commitment to responsible winemaking and authentic Italian heritage. @ 101 Wilshire Blvd. More details here.
Live Talks: An Evening with Werner Herzog (Tuesday 8pm): From legendary filmmaker and author Werner Herzog, a compact, effervescent, and deeply personal exploration of art, philosophy, and history that unravels one of our most elusive and contested questions: What is truth—and how to find it in our “post-truth” era? @ New Roads School 3131 Olympic Blvd. livetalksla.org/events/werner-herzog/
Native American Heritage Month Film Screening: The Exiles (Thursday 6pm): Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a screening of The Exiles, 1961 film chronicling a day in the life of a group of 20-something Native Americans who left reservation life to live in Los Angeles. Pico Branch Library, 2201 Pico Blvd. More details here.
Read with Roger (Friday 3-5pm): Practice reading out loud to Roger, Santa Monica Fire Department’s own K-9 Peer Support dog! Only six 15-minute reading sessions are available. To request a reading session, please visit bit.ly/Roger-Nov2025. For ages 5 – 11 and invited adult literacy learners. Ocean Park Branch Library, 2601 Main St. More details here.
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OPA and City Meetings
Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee (Monday 6 – 8:30pm): The Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee provides advisory support to the City Council regarding the allocation of funds for schools, homelessness prevention, and affordable housing. More details here.
Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission Meeting (Tuesday 5:30pm): More details & agenda here.
OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
Housing Commission Meeting (Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
November OPA Meeting (Monday 11/10)
OPA Holiday Party (Dec. 7)
Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings:Planned dates are November 5, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1. emailalexabarrett@gmail.com for more info.
Pie Baking 101 (11/15 10:30 AM-12pm): Join Lissa and Tess for Pie Baking 101! We are planning to make pie pastry using this ridiculously easy recipe from the 1978 Betty Crocker cookbook (flaky! cheaper! takes 10 minutes start to finish! less packaging waste! vegan! delicious!) and wanted to invite anyone who wants to get a jump on their holiday baking to come on over for Pie Baking 101. You don’t even need a rolling pin, and you can refrigerate or freeze the pastry no problem. We’ll also have a homemade pumpkin pie to eat afterward because, you know, pie! We’ll be making crust together, so even if you’ve never set foot in a kitchen before, we will guide you through it. Experienced bakers are also welcome! samosocialclub@gmail.com
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