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Mayor Dan O'Brien Newsletter — November 23, 2025
📬 Mayor Dan O'Brien — Culver City — November 24, 2025
Last Monday at the Chamber toasting, Bev and I raised a glass to this wild, wonderful year in Culver City. Between the eight - 8! film festivals Culver City has hosted the past few months, the TV & film incentives package we passed to reignite production in our community, and Culver City Bus earning "Transit Agency of the Year" for the fifth time—it's been something.
This week, as we head into Thanksgiving, I'm especially grateful for the trust you place in this work and the ways you show up for each other.
🎬 Economic Development & Creative Community
🔹 Film incentives are already making waves. After we approved the $500,000 film support package earlier this month, I've been getting calls from production coordinators and talking with local filmmakers like Dan Mirvish—co-founder of Slamdance Film Festival and a resident just a few blocks from my house. It was actually a conversation with Dan that sparked my push to make Culver City more film-friendly again. When productions choose us, it's not just about permits—it's about lunches at local restaurants, crew staying in our hotels, and vendors getting booked. That ripple matters. The Heart of Screenland isn't just a tagline; it's jobs, energy, and stories told right here.
→ 🎯 My take: We can't afford to wait for Sacramento or the studios to solve this. Cities like ours have to act.
👉 Read about the film support package
🔹 Small Business Saturday is Nov 30. As holiday shopping ramps up, I'm asking you to make one small shift: buy local first. Every coffee at Tanner's, every meal on Main Street, every gift from a Culver City shop keeps dollars circulating here and strengthens the backbone of our economy. I'll be highlighting a few favorites on social this week—tag me if you've got a spot I should spotlight.
👉Learn about business resources
🚌 Transportation & Getting Around
🔹 CulverCityBus keeps earning recognition—and riders. Our Chief of Transportation Diana Chang announced at the November 10 Council meeting that CulverCityBus was named 2025 Transit Agency of the Year by the California Transit Association. Fifth time we've won this. When you see Line 6 packed with UCLA students choosing transit over cars, you're watching years of smart planning and dedicated operators paying off. I'm proud of this team's creativity and their commitment to keeping Culver City connected sustainably.
📅 This Week & Looking Ahead
🔹 Tuesday Nov 25, 2-7 PM — Downtown Farmers Market. Yes, the market is open this week! Grab produce, support local growers, maybe a pie from Des Croissants Paris for Thursday. Main Street between Culver and Venice. First hour parking is free in adjacent structures.
👉 Visit the Farmers Market page
🔹 Thursday Nov 27 & Friday Nov 28 — City Hall closed for Thanksgiving. City services including street sweeping will not be available. Emergency services remain operational.
🔹 Thursday Dec 4, 5-8:30 PM — Downtown Tree Lighting Sled-tacular. Mark your calendars now. This beloved 20-year tradition brings 50 tons of fresh snow, sledding, carnival games, visits with Santa, and a half-hour tree lighting ceremony featuring 250 students from Culver City's public schools. The event also celebrates 30 years of AVPA—our innovative arts program that's been inspiring young musicians and creators since 1995. Free popcorn and hot chocolate on Town Plaza. Bring your mittens and your sense of wonder.
👉 Learn about the Tree Lighting event
🙌 A Thanksgiving Thought
As someone who grew up on a tight budget—powdered milk and homemade clothes—I learned early that gratitude isn't about having plenty. It's about recognizing what matters: family, neighbors who care, and a community willing to show up. This Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for every hello at the park, every tough question at Council meetings, and every email you send when something needs fixing. That's how we build a city worth being proud of.
If you've got something that needs attention, a policy idea, or just want to say hello, hit reply. City Hall may be closed Thursday and Friday, but I'll be reading your messages.
Happy Thanksgiving.
