| Superbloom Collective for Joining OPA as a “Gold Business Member”!Superbloom Collective is a Santa Monica based 501c3 community organization reactivating our public parks and beaches with accessible and inclusive wellness, music, and community gatherings. Superbloom’s offerings include weekly yoga at Hotchkiss Park, weekly Breathwork at Ocean Park Beach, and several larger monthly community gatherings that focus on mindfulness, movement, and music as pathways to connecting with nature and cultivating deeper connections with ourselves and each other.To learn more about Superbloom Collective, you can visit their website or join their newsletter at superbloom.love, or follow them on Instagram @Superbloom.Collective. If other businesses are interested in joining, business memberships range from $50-$250 and include a variety of benefits. Individual and family memberships start at only $10! More details here or reply to this newsletter with any questions. Church in Ocean Park Vandalized with Homophobic Graffiti: This SMDP column details how they are “responding to vandalism with renewed sense of community. “The Blue Notebook – A Weekly SMPD Recap – February 1-8: Here is the weekly update of police activity. “Year-to-date, Calls for Service total 13,829, reflecting an 18% increase compared to the same period last year. Arrests are also significantly higher, up 68% year-to-date. The Department has made 536 arrests so far this year, compared to 319 during the same timeframe in 2025.” City Council Takes Sharp Turn on Traffic Safety: “The City Council last week took steps to swiftly implement traffic safety measures after a marked rise in fatal and serious injury crashes despite major investments…Tuesday’s unanimous vote calls for Transportation Department staff to change course on the City’s “Vision Zero” plan implemented 10 years ago to eliminate serious crashes. It directs staff to…return in 6 months with quick and inexpensive ways to immediately protect pedestrians and bicyclists… the number of fatal and serious accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians have steadily risen over the past 4 years, soaring to a record 60 in 2024….” More details here. City Releases Draft Framework, Another Survey, for Santa Monica Airport Great Park: This SaMoNext article details the current framework and explains why “Park Supporters Pleased with Direction” and how the “Housing Debate Simmers in Background.” IKEA Heads to Culver City: West Siders will no longer need to head to Carson to browser the big blue box. This is apparently going to be a smaller city center store in Helms Design District where HD Buttercup used to be. More details here. The Street Seen: Shutters on the Beach (1 Pico Boulevard @ Ocean Front Walk): The former Edgewater Beach Club at Pico and Ocean Front Walk is demolished in 1964. From 1964 to 1984, there are several unsuccessful attempts to develop the beachfront property. In 1987, the under-construction Santa Monica Beach Hotel becomes bankrupt. In 1991, the property is sold out of bankruptcy, construction resumes, and Shutters on the Beach opens in 1993. More details here. New BOGO Happy Hour at Fitoor: The excellent modern Indian restaurant and cocktail lounge blending vibrant flavors with coastal California style is launching a Buy One, Get One Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 3–6pm. Discover creative cocktails, elevated Indian bites, ocean vibes, and a gorgeous bar and lounge. 1755 Ocean Ave. eatdrinkfitoor.com/happy-hour-near-santa-monica-beach. Voting Now Open “Most Loved” Businesses: The annual “Most Loved Business” competition is back. Vote for all your favorites here through March 13: smdp.com/vote Meet with Mayor Caroline Torosis: The Mayor is inviting members of the community to meet one-on-one during new monthly office hours at City Hall. For information including dates and times click here. Meet with Councilmember Lana Negrete: The Councilmember is inviting members of the community to meet one-on-one during biweekly office hours at City Hall. For information including dates and times click here. |
Things to Do This Week
- Frieze Los Angeles (Thursday – Sunday): Bringing together approximately 100 galleries, ambitious installations, nonprofit collaborations and local food pop-ups. As a leading international art fair focused on contemporary art, Frieze LA celebrates Southern California’s dynamic creative culture and global influence in the arts. This is a must-attend event for art lovers, collectors and anyone interested in experiencing cutting-edge work in a community setting. @ Santa Monica Airport, frieze.com/fairs/frieze-los-angeles
- Main St. Farmers Market + Special Event (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm):Join us for a special book signing event with author Nancy Matsumoto, previously interviewed by Evan Kleiman on the KCRW Good Food Network, from 10am-1pm. More details here.
OPA and City Meetings
- Airport Commission Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details & agenda here.
- City Council Meeting(Tuesday 5:30 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.
- “Water Is Life” Workshop (Wednesday 5 – 7pm): Santa Monica’s Great Park Coalition and friends invite you to come and learn about our watershed and share your water stories. SMI Room, Civic Center Parking Structure, 330 Olympic Dr., Level 2 More details here.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are March 4 (The Vanishing Half), April 1 (The Housemaid), May 6 (Demon Copperhead), June 3: (Remarkably Bright Creatures). Email alexabarrett@gmail.com for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
- OPA Happy Hour March 4: Our next community gathering will be at Lula’s. Stay tuned for more info.
- OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, March 9, 6p.m. @ Ocean Park Library
- Pi Day (3/14) Pie Baking 101: 🥧 Back by popular demand, join Lissa and Tess for Pi(e) Day! We are planning to make apple pies with pie pastry using this ridiculously easy recipe from the 1978 Betty Crocker cookbook (flaky! inexpensive! takes 10 minutes start to finish! no packaging waste! vegan! delicious!), so if you want to learn to make pie, come on over for Pie Baking 101. RSVP to samosocialclub@gmail.com
- Want to Volunteer for Future OPA-Sponsored Heal The Bay Adopt-A-Beach Clean-Ups? Contact Dave Tann at dogtowndave@yahoo.com. He is the coordinator for the OPA/Heal The Bay events, always meeting at Tower 26. Dates this summer are 6/28, 7/26, & 8/30.
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