City Council Adopts New Rules for Block Parties & “Open Street” Events: New rules require 51% approvals from residents/businesses on impacted streets OR need to be submitted by a recognized Business Improvement District (BID). Here’s a link to the relevant portion of the Council meeting that includes discussion and vote on the new ordinance. OPA and Main St are already working together to plan the return of Sharing an Open Main St in August, September and October this year. Stay tuned and click here to email Robbie Leer about getting involved with the planning efforts.
SMPD/OPA Community Safety Meeting Recap: Here are some highlights from this week’s learning session that included who to call between 911 v 311 v 211 v another # when dealing with public safety issues:
- Here is the full session video.
- Here is the presentation from SMPD on best practices for knowing when to call the police and who to call. Officer Navarro summed it up by saying “If you are unsure whether to call the police or not, follow your gut and call us.”
- Here is an explanation of the different “beats” around the city. The officers recommend you save these contacts in your phone:
- Beat 1 (from Main St to the beach): Officer Hollowell; 310-458-2201 ext 4133
- Here is an explanation of when to call 911 v the non-emergency line (310-458-8491); SMPD recommends you save the non-emergency # in your phone.
- Here is an explanation of your rights on keeping your personal info confidential and how to make an anonymous report.
- Here is an explanation of other numbers to call for things like code enforcement issues, 211 for homeless services, etc. Here is a screenshot of the numbers if you want to save it to your phone.
- DO NOT CALL 311 FOR ISSUES REQUIRING IMMEDIATE RESPONSE: That is for issues like graffiti, a couch on the sidewalk, etc. Here’s their brief explanation.
- Homeless Liason Program: Here’s an explanation of the dedicated team that consists of 6-8 officers that work along side Dept of Mental Health works.
- Here are best practices on what to do when you are aware of potential issues. Key take away is to “observe and report.”
- Here is the Q&A session that we will break down into clips next week.
Handel’s Ice Cream Coming to SaMo: This article details the highly rated shop’s plans to open a new location at 1701 Ocean Park Blvd.
Holey Grail Donuts Featured in NY Times: This “Los Angeles Is a Doughnut Town” article highlights the taro doughnut from Hawaii.
SaMo Approves $229 Million to Settleme Eric Uller Molestation Cases: This LA Times report details the history of this horrific matter.
Single Family Homes Used as Rentals are Not Subject to Rent Control: This SMDP article discusses SaMo’s Rent Control Board stance on several proposed laws last week backing measures that would allow tenants to relocate, expand rent control to newly constructed buildings and facilitate payments to landlords who are making their buildings earthquake safe.
City Council Expands Requirements for Gender Neutral Public Restrooms: This press release details the ordinance “to require multi-stall, gender neutral public restrooms for all newly constructed buildings.”
Construction Notice – 4th St & I-10 Ramp Paving: “Starting Monday night, May 1, until Tuesday morning, May 2, temporary lane closures will occur on 4th St & the I-10 freeway off-ramp and on-ramp at 4th St for ramp paving. The I-10 off-ramp will be closed at 4th St.” More details here.
Trees Planted in Hotchkiss Park: To celebrate Arbor Day, volunteers from five local service clubs pitched in to plant five New Zealand Christmas Trees. More details here.
Things To Do This Weekend:
- JAMS Theater Production of Grease (Friday, Saturday & Sunday): “Experience this rocking musical in the JAMS Performing Arts Center. Kids (of all ages!) are welcome to come in costume and get their picture taken with Greased Lightning.” More details and get tickets here.
- Dine LA Returns April 28 to May 12: Here is a list of participating SaMo restaurants and here is a complete list of along with links to book.
- PanCan PurpleStride Los Angeles (Saturday 8am): PurpleStride is the ultimate walk to end pancreatic cancer. More details here.
- Annual Arts & Literacy Festival for Kids @ Virginia Avenue Park (Saturday 10am-2pm): This year’s theme is “Ready, Set, Build,” and the event will host over 30 different community organizations offering games and activities that align with Santa Monica Cradle to Career Building Blocks for Kindergarten campaign. More details here.
- 626 Night Market Mini Returns (Saturday & Sunday 1-10pm): The downtown SaMo snack around pop-up is back starting every other weekend this Spring with three dozen rotating local food pop-ups, curated by the 626 Night Market team, merchandise & craft vendors, and a full bar. The markets 1pm-10pm each night at the corner of Arizona and 5th.. More details and FREE tickets here. Video preview here.
- Afternoon High Tea Service at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows (every Saturday & Sunday): “Ready for tea by the sea? The experience includes an elegant spread of sumptuous scones, pastries and finger sandwiches designed to pair with a vast selection of Lot 35 loose-leaf teas.” Click here to view the full menu and to book your reservation.
- Women’s Health & Wellness Gala (Saturday 6-9pm @ SaMo Pier): The black tie event “is all about promoting women’s health and wellness” and “features live music from the sensational band White Chocolate Martini and exquisite cuisine by Celebrity Chef Matt Palmer.” More details here.
- Santa Monica Conservancy Event Celebrates ‘The Godmother of Santa Monica’ (Sunday 5pm): No this is not about the Bay Cities sandwich (though that seems like a natural tie in). Arcadia Bandini one of the richest people in the country when she passed away in her house on Ocean Avenue that she donated to what would become Palisades Park. More details here on the Zoom event.
- Sunday Main St Farmers Market:
- CULTIVATE LA is launching a rewards ecosystem that includes a scavenger hunt and launch of their rewards ecosystem in support of local small food businesses and local farmers. This Sunday Fun Day market will include live music and prepared food. More details here.
- Sunday is International Jazz Day and the SaMohi Jazz Band has performances at 10am, 11am, and 12pm. More details here.
- Gardening Activities and Advice – SM Seed Library, SM Community Gardens and Master Gardeners with a planting activity for the kids.
