| OPA November Monthly Meeting Recap: Here is the full recording and here are some highlights from the meeting: |
| SaMo Police Department: Click hereto see the discussion of recent police activity. SaMo Fire Department: Click hereto see the discussion with Fire Prevention Coordinator Cathy Taylor. Carey Upton & Steve Richardson (SMMUSD): Click here for the complete talk and highlights here:Here is the updateon the renaming of what will be called “The Ocean Park School House” and that it will be TK through 8th grade and that it will be a neighborhood school focusing on project based learning.Here is the timing update that the school will not open until August 2026 and that in the meantime they hope to get the park/fields open in January and have about 40 kids from Olympic High School there in January for the Spring semester. Board business, including elections, upcoming calendar of events (12/7 holiday party, etc.): Here is the videoand here are the holiday party details:OPA Holiday Party will be Sunday, Dec.7 from 3-6pm at the Edgemar Restaurant (2435 Main St.) Click here to add the holiday party to your calendarThe party is free for OPA members and $10 for non-membersAttendees will get a free drink coupon and there will be a variety of appetizers/snacks availableEdgemar will be extending their 25% off employee pricing to their Sunday menu for anyone who wants to stick around for dinner. They do a GREAT Sunday Supper series that is $45 for adukts and $25 for kids for a pre-fixe meal and the discount will apply to that plus drinks, etc.We are looking for raffle prizes for the party…please reply to this email if you want to donate |
| Heavy Handed Makes The Infatuation’s Best Smashburger List: 🍔“As the lone smashburger option in Santa Monica, this small yellow walk-up window on Main Street is a destination for touristy types on the Westside, and that’s before you factor in their dipped soft serve cones, beef tallow fries, and a long list of craft beers on tap. The strongest burger traits here are the beef (substantial, flavorful ground short rib) and bun (a buttery toasted potato roll).” 2912 Main St. More details here. |
| NBC Profiles Pasjoli Chef Dave Beran: This video report covers how “This SoCal chef reimagined a new restaurant in just 2 weeks” and how it “has now taken on a more relaxed, neighborhood bistro vibe.” 2732 Main St. |
| KTLA Raves That “New Museum of Illusions opens in Santa Monica with 80 mind-bending exhibits”: This video report discusses how “Beyond its photo-worthy illusions, the museum is also accredited by STEM.org , adding an educational layer that blends science and art.” I checked it out last week and LOVED it! Locals get 20% off through Dec. 22. @ 1232 3rd St. Promenade |
| Visible Progress Downtown: In Mayor Lana Negrete’s weekly newsletter, she updates that “Crews are planting 36” box trees along 2nd–5th Streets (afrocarpus, elm, jacaranda, ginkgo), adding an audible “scramble” at Arizona & 2nd, and power-washing parking structures on a 5-day rotation with ongoing elevator detailing and expanded trash service. Why it matters: clean, well-lit, green streets invite people back — and that’s the flywheel for economic recovery.” Read the Realignment Plan update |
| SMC Opens New Planetarium & Resumes Public Shows: The planetarium, now located in room MSB 126 on the SMC main campus at 1900 Pico Blvd., features a 9-meter dome and a new Evans & Sutherland Digistar 4K projection system capable of full multimedia displays. The building, which opened earlier this year, is LEED Gold-certified for sustainability. Weekly Friday evening programs will return with two shows: the 7 p.m. “Night Sky Show,” offering an overview of current astronomical events and visible constellations, and the 8 p.m. “Feature Show,” which explores a specific topic in greater depth. https://smc.edu/tickets |
| Santa Monica Holiday Job Fair (Thursday 2:30-5pm): The Santa Monica Holiday Job Fair (Ages 16+) is your change to meet local employers, discover exciting job opportunities, and take the first step toward career success. Don’t miss this opportunity to make connections that could launch your next chapter. This event is focused on empowering Gen Z & Millennials by connecting them with meaningful work experiences. Remember to bring copies of your resume and dress to impress. More details here. |
| Recycling Event at City Yards (Saturday 9am – 2pm): The City is hosting a FREE recycling event Saturday, November 15th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Santa Monica residents only. Bring your used mattresses, box springs, electronic waste, and up to five boxes of paper for shredding! Shredding will happen on-site and the paper will be recycled. 2500 Michigan Ave. More details here. |
| OPA Gold Member DMN8 Sale: Ocean Park’s most popular community gym is having its biggest sale of the year! First time members enjoy 50% off any membership for their first billing cycle. Don’t want a recurring membership? DMN8 offers day passes and a handful of options to let the casual gym goer access all our premium facilities and amenities. Gym, sauna, cold plunges, showers, classes, private training and more. Come visit DMN8 on Main & Marine to see why everyone’s calling DMN8 the most beautiful gym on Earth. https://www.dmn8.com/ |
Things to Do This Weekend
- Giant Puppet Making Workshop (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday nights) Nov 12, 13 and 14): Want to make giant puppets for protests or parades, or just to keep around the house? Henry Lipkis is a puppet master artist. He will be offering giant puppet worksips where you create giant puppets that you can wear that are huge. @ Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St. More details here.
- The Porch: A Public Conversation (Thursday 6pm): More outdoor dining? Benches on traffic medians? Community coffee in garages? Join SM Artist Fellows Frances Anderton, Nicola Goode + Jona Frank to talk about “porch-like” spaces, real and imagined, at Annenberg Beach House.
- SaMo Conservancy Preservation Awards – Thursday, November 13 (4:30pm reception; 5:45pm awards):Santa Monica Conservancy hosts the annual Preservation Awards at Miles Playhouse, recognizing exceptional efforts in local heritage conservation, celebrating the arts, history, and culture that define Santa Monica.More details here.
- Poetry Workshop (Thursday 7pm): Ticket includes light bites, a bev, and live acoustic enjoyment. Bring a journal and a pen. @ Feeling Swell, 222 Main St. More details here.
- FRIENDSGIVING @ Ishihara Park Learning Garden (Saturday 9-11am): Our Tree of Thanks will be decorated at this Annual Event showing appreciation for those people, places and things that we love. Come help us decorate the space in this welcoming and rewarding space. 2909 Exposition Blvd. More details here.
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm):Hey everyone! there’s a lot going on at the Main Street Farmers Market this Sunday starting with Special guest guitarist Sebastian Marulanda at 10am followed by the Laura Jean Music Academy at 11am and noon and singer songwriter Ryann Barnes from 11:15am-1pm! Mayor Lana Negrete will be joining us with crafts for the kids. We welcome back the YARI animal rescue initiative with facepainting for the kids and Big & Tiny kid activities on the lawn. Special pop ups include Fat Uncle Farms with organic almonds, heritage grains, whole grain sourdough bread and granola and Buon Gusto is back with this season’s olive oil. See you there!
- The Artist Fair Santa Monica (Sunday 10am – 5pm): This outdoor gallery market showcases all different types of artists like painters, woodworkers, jewelry, clothing, sculptures and music! Bringing the community together to enjoy the park in this family dog-friendly event! Come enjoy some cool tunes and meet the artists. FREE. Near Tower 25 in Ocean Park (2410 Ocean Front Walk) https://www.instagram.com/theartistfair
- Blue Plate Oysterette Community Dinner Series (Monday 6 – 8pm): Join a gourmet dinner for $35.70. Enjoy a chef-curated meal, mingle with your Santa Monica neighbors at their communal table. This month the featured dish will be Bouillabaisse served with a dressed side salad and rice, plus a welcome sip from Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA. @ 1355 Ocean Ave. More details here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- 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! RSVP to samosocialclub@gmail.com
- OPA Holiday Party (Dec. 7) @ Edgemar Restaurant, 3-6pm
- Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1. email alexabarrett@gmail.com for more info.
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