Wishing everyone who celebrates a Happy Hanukkah!

Sat, Dec. 9: Free compost giveaway at City Yards - 2500 Michigan Ave - with proof of SM residency! 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. + FREE kitchen pails, one per household, while supplies last. This is self-service. Bring containers for compost; limited bags available. Questions? Call 3-1-1

The city will be completing planned maintenance from 6 to 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 7, which may cause temporary website outages. We appreciate your understanding.

Apply to be the City's first-ever poet laureate! Applications close on Monday, Dec. 18, at 8 p.m. Santa Monica residents 18+ are encouraged to apply. The position serves a two-year term & receives an annual stipend of $5,000. For more info, visit santamonica.gov/programs/poet-…

Beginning Dec. 17, @SMBigBlueBus is making service improvements on seven routes to better meet customer demand. For details, visit: bigbluebus.com/servicechange.

Near the Santa Monica Airport and hearing helicopters? We are expecting military helicopter activity today at approximately 2:30 p.m. Thanks for your patience.

Looking for something to do with the little ones? Check out five great ways to spend a family day out in Santa Monica: santamonica.gov/blog/5-great-w…. # 3: Head over to Ice at Santa Monica for some magical skating under the palm trees. @DTSantaMonica

Call for artists! 🎨🎭🖌️ Apply for a 2024 studio residency at the Camera Obscura Art Lab by Tuesday, Dec. 12 Santa Monica Cultural Affairs seeks proposals from visual, digital and performing artists living in LA County for a 14-week studio residency. ow.ly/wJkz50Qffqj

Shout out to Saint Monica Preparatory - 🏆 2023 CIF SS Division Champions!!🏆 - for an incredible season! We were sad to see the postseason come to a close, but can't wait to cheer you on again next year!

Copper wire theft from public streetlights is on the rise. Residents, visitors and businesses can help in the effort to reduce theft by reporting suspicious activity. 💡 Find out how and who to call: santamonica.gov/blog/copper-wi…

UPDATE 12/3/23 9:12 a.m. — all systems are up and running back to normal.

CITY UPDATE 2: 12/3/23 8:35am - City personnel continue to address issues with outbound calls from government facilities to the community. Thank you for your patience.

CITY UPDATE: 12/3/23 8:35am - Inbound phone service to City facilities has been restored. Please use 310-458-8491 or 310-458-8660 to report Police and Fire/EMS non-emergency information. Use 9-1-1 to report emergency public safety incidents.

City of Santa Monica personnel are working to restore a phone system disruption impacting City government facilities. Please use 9-1-1 to report any public safety incident requiring Police, Fire, or EMS personnel services.

🚨🚨🚨 Today is the 31st annual Candy Cane Drive! 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. Douglas Park 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. Christine Reed Park 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Virginia Avenue Park 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. Clover Park

So many fun things to do in Santa Monica today! ✂️ 17th Street & Michigan Ave Ribbon Cutting 🎄Pico Holiday Celebration 🚔 Candy Cane Drive 🚒 🛍️ Holiday Conscious Market ✨ Montana Avenue Holiday Walk Info on each event: ow.ly/gLNM50QeC4X 📷 Courtesy of @DTSantaMonica

Reminder: Barnard Way from Ocean Park to Neilson Way will be closed tomorrow, Dec. 2, from 5 a.m. to approximately 10 a.m. for the 46th annual Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run. More info here: christmasrun.com/race-details.

The holiday season is off to a roaring start in Santa Monica with a packed day of celebrations tomorrow, Dec. 2, followed by nightly menorah lightings for Hanukkah from Thursday, Dec. 7, through Thursday, Dec. 14. More: ow.ly/7i0e50QeqQu 📷 Courtesy of @DTSantaMonica

Pickleball enthusiasts can now reserve court time at Memorial Park and select sessions to be matched with others at their skill level! Learn more: ow.ly/b3ZB50QeqC9

🚲Tomorrow! 🛴 Celebrate the completion of the Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue project tomorrow, Dec. 2, at 9 a.m. at 1610 Colorado Avenue (Metro E line parking lot). Enjoy donuts, family-friendly activities and remarks from the mayor. Hope to see you there!

The Santa Monica Police Department's annual holiday deployment plan is in effect throughout the month, so you may see more officers around on foot, bicycle and horseback. twitter.com/SantaMonicaPD/…

City Council highlights an SM Animal Shelter pet at every meeting. 🐈 Meet Griselda, a 7-year-old female cat who enjoys pets and attention and loves to hang out in bed and watch the birds fly by. Learn more about Griselda and other pets needing a home: ow.ly/k5Pc50QcyLG

On Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., the city will host the annual Landlord/Tenant Forum at Virginia Avenue Park’s Thelma Terry Building. The forum is in person and will also be recorded for viewing on the city’s YouTube channel afterward. More info: ow.ly/EC4P50QcZCm

Update: The Barnard Way closure on Dec. 2 should end earlier, around 10 a.m. See the full list of road closures here: christmasrun.com/wp-content/upl…

#SantaClaus is coming to town with Santa Monica's police officers & firefighters leading the way. Santa and his public safety helpers will be distributing good cheer and thousands of candy canes as part of this year’s 31st Annual "Candy Cane Drive.” Everyone is invited to join… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

As a result of a Council discussion around a tragic incident last month where a bicyclist was killed, city staff have upgraded the intersection at 19th St & Idaho Ave to an all-way stop and installed “cross traffic does not stop” signage on Idaho Ave at 18th & 21st streets.

UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURE: Barnard Way from Ocean View Park to Neilson Way, and entering into Venice, will be closed this Saturday, Dec. 2, from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the 46th annual Santa Monica-Venice Christmas Run. More info here: christmasrun.com

Celebrate the completion of the Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue project on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. at 1610 Colorado Ave. We will have donuts, activities, and remarks from the Mayor. Hope to see you there! More info: ow.ly/3mLF50QbMIO

The #SantaMonica City Council meeting is tonight @ 5:30 p.m. ✅ Meeting agendas, streaming information, and more: ow.ly/Bt9U50PZWJL.

On Nov. 14, the City Council voted to support Prop 1, a state ballot initiative that would reallocate $$$ to Californians with the most severe mental health needs, including those living in encampments and those struggling with addiction and substance use. ow.ly/XX2J50Qc5my