| June OPA Monthly Meeting Monday (June 8): The meeting is at the Ocean Park Library @ 2601 Main St., starting with food and mingling at 6:00pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Click here to add the OPA monthly meeting and Zoom link to your calendar. |
| Ocean Park Social Club 2nd Annual June Gloom Chili Cookoff (Sunday): Last year, our Chili Cookoff was a raging success with over 15 submissions of delicious cornbread and chili recipes by our neighbors! Come back to reignite the community and the competition. Click here to email Tess if you’d like to volunteer and RSVP here. |
| “Rough Sleeping” hits 4-year high in LA despite flat overall homeless numbers: The Rand study concluded that the combined unsheltered population in Hollywood, Skid Row & Venice neighborhoods was statistically unchanged from a year earlier, but rough sleeping — defined as living completely without a tent, makeshift shelter or vehicle — rose 20%, adding roughly 250 people to that most-exposed category. More details here. |
| Santa Monica, Coastal Commission enter into MOU to collaborate on plan to complete Local Coastal Program: This City press release details how “Once certified, the LCP will give the city greater approval authority over projects such as temporary events, commercial tenant improvements and adaptive reuse, outdoor dining, residential development, and transportation improvements in the city’s Coastal Zone, while maintaining protections for coastal resources and public access consistent with the California Coastal Act.” |
| Housing Permit Timelines: TurboPermit just published charts on thousands of recent LA single-family, ADU and fire rebuild permits. The typical single-family home had its permit issued in 297 days, but variability is high with 25% of homes taking 754+ days. TurboPermit was started hyper-locally, by OPA member Robbie Leer…props! See the details here. |
| You Don’t Need a TAP Card for the BBB Anymore: Big Blue Bus riders can now pay their fare by simply tapping a contactless credit or debit card, or a mobile wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, directly on the bus fare validator. The new system also allows a single rider to pay for up to five passengers by tapping the same card or mobile wallet once for each fare, making it easier for families and groups traveling together. Currently, contactless payments are available only for the regular adult fare, though reduced fares for seniors, riders with disabilities, and Medicare recipients are expected to be added in the future. More details here. |
| Jeremy Renner + Kym Renner + Junior Cookies ❤️ A Cookie With a Purpose: The limited Renner Crunch Cookie is a buttery cookie with milk chocolate, marshmallow crunch loaded with potato chips, pretzels, and cornflakes, and topped with rainbow sprinkles. $5 from each 4-pack will be donated to support Camp RennerVation, helping provide summer camp experiences for children in foster care and at-risk youth. 2726 Main St. juniorcookies.com |
| The Street Seen: Main Street Bridge (Main Street @ Colorado Ave): Discussed for many years and finally built in 1926, the Main Street Bridge at Colorado Ave connects the north Third Street and south Main Street business districts. The bridge is an important precursor to the widening of Main St in Ocean Park. The bridge also makes the location of the current City Hall viable. The City-owned bridge remains as it was built in 1926, although the 2nd and 3rd St ramps have been altered to accommodate changes on Colorado Ave. More details here. |
| Annenberg Community Beach House unveils summer programming: Click here to learn about their summer calendar, including returning community favorites, new craft and game activations, a World Cup watch party and daily poolside recreation. |
| Councilmember Lana Negrete Newsletter: Here is her weekly newsletter with updates on Public Safety, Economic Development, Education, Around Town & Community Highlights, Election & Voting, and more. |
Things to Do This Weekend
- Route 66 Steak Challenge (Thursday 4 – 8pm): The famous 72-ounce steak challenge from Texas’ Big Texan Steak Ranch arrives at the Santa Monica Pier as the Big Texan Steak Ranch is taking over Route 66-where brave contenders attempt to devour a massive steak dinner in under one hour on a live stage. @ Santa Monica Pier More details here.
- New Dog Menu Launch Event at Fig Tree (Friday 3–5pm): Celebrate the launch of a new pup menu with free house-made dog biscuits, rescue pup meet-and-greets, and the chance to meet adoptable dogs from Wags & Walks. 🐶 @ 431 Ocean Front Walk, Venice instagram.com/figtreevenice
- Abbot Kinney First Friday Food Truck Fest (Friday starting at 5pm): About two dozen food trucks are expected to line the street for the monthly event. abbotkinneyblvd.com
- Free Yoga Every Saturday in June: The Wilshire-Montana Neighborhood Coalition hosts FREE yoga at Reed Park Saturdays at 8:30 a.m., 1133 7th St. wilmont.org
- Halfdays’ Beach Volleyball Meet-Up (Saturday): A ticket includes A ticket includes beach volleyball, post-game snacks and one of the brand’s workout sets. 🏐 @ Annenberg Beach House, 415 PCH instagram.com/p/DYr6DtvEefE/
- Marina WELL Rey – a free Health, Wellness & Selfcare Expo (Saturday): Over 60 local businesses will be offering Free Classes, Talks, Doggy Yoga, Vendors and Entertainment. @ Coco Beach Sports Bar & Grill, 404 Washington Blvd., Venice More details here.
- Unicorn Movie Club X Variety of So Cal Pickleball Tournament (Saturday 3pm): Two local nonprofits team up for a lively double-elimination pickleball tournament welcoming all skill levels. Enjoy lunch, an open bar, and a high-energy atmosphere, with all proceeds benefiting SoCal children and families. @ Santa Monica Pickleball Center, 1330 4th St. More details here.
- Penmar Wine Mixer (Saturday 3pm): Enjoy a Step Brothers-inspired afternoon featuring over 50 wines from 15+ participating wineries, live DJ sets, sunshine, and Venice vibes.@ 1233 Rose Ave. More details here.
- Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation Fundraiser (Saturday June 6, 12 – 3pm): The fundraiser is a fun afternoon to help the animals at the Santa Monica animal shelter. Adoption fees will be reduced, for a small donation you could win fantastic prizes in the raffle and bid on unique experiences in the silent auction. There will be face painting by The Magical Atelier, balloon animals from Wild About Balloons LA, burgers from Troop 2 Santa Monica, you can meet the Santa Monica Police Department’s Mounted Unit and more activities. @ 1640 9th St. www.smasf.org
- Main St. Farmers Market (Sunday 8:30am – 1:30pm):Here to bring in June and Stone Fruit Season we have special guests the Triple B Band 10am-1pm. On the lawn My Gym kid obstacle course and Soccer Stars with skills building activities will be joining us. Whether you’re dancing through the market enjoying the bounty of the season or chilling out on the lawn, we have something for everyone! See you there.
- Self-Guided Coastal Crossroads Tour: Celebrate Nick Gabaldon Day and Juneteenth at the debut of the Coastal Crossroads Tour, an exploration of Santa Monica’s coastal landmarks, public art, cultural sites, and Black history. For the inaugural event, four sites related to Santa Monica’s Black experience will be docented by esteemed historian Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson and her team of storytellers. The full self-guided tour with all 20 stops will go live on Sunday, June 7, 1p.m. More details here.
- World Play Zone at the Metro Station (Weekends, June 11–28): A family-friendly World Cup activation featuring soccer challenges, skill stations, and interactive play. @ E Line Downtown SaMo Station Lot More details here
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Upcoming OPA Book Club Meetings: Planned dates are July 8 (Trust), Aug 5 (The Night Watchman). Email alexabarrett@gmail.com for more info. All meets are at 6pm at the Ocean Park Library (2601 Main St.).
- OPA Monthly Meeting: Monday, June 8, 6pm @ Ocean Park Library
- Ocean Park Social Club 2nd Annual June Gloom Chili Cookoff: June 7. Last year, our Chili Cookoff was a raging success with over 15 submissions of delicious cornbread and chili recipes by our neighbors! Come back to reignite the community and the competition. Click here to email Tess if you’d like to volunteer and RSVP here.
- Ocean Park Social Club – The Jar Returns to Ocean Park: After a wonderful first event with the national non-profit, The Jar, our friends are back for another dinner & salon on June 24. This next session will be a “Convener” model, where we invite you to bring 2-3 guests with you. This model broadens the community further, allowing us to create a more diverse room of voices. Tickets are $10/person (and includes dinner and dessert!).RSVP HERE and direct questions to samosocialclub@gmail.com and our partner abigail@jumpinthejar.org.
- Ocean Park Social Club Summer Picnic Series: Mark your calendars for our bi-weekly summer evening picnics at Hotchkiss Park on the following Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm: July 9, July 23, Aug 6, Aug 20, and Sep 3.
- 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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