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Mayor Dan O'Brien Newsletter — November 30, 2025
📬 Mayor Dan O'Brien — Culver City — December 1, 2025
Happy Monday to you friends!
Last week, I gave a hand as our Parks and Rec team, Councilmember Albert Vera, and Culver City Rotary gave Thanksgiving meals to seniors—boxes of food, warm greetings, and that particular kind of care that makes this city feel like home. And thank you to Culver City Lions Club for donating pumpkin pies! That gratitude carries forward into what's shaping up to be a beautiful start to December.
Small Business Saturday just passed, and I'm hoping you found time to shop local. Now we're looking ahead to Thursday's Tree Lighting—250 students on stage, 50 tons of snow for sledding, and a countdown I get to lead. This is when Culver City shines.
🛍️ Economic Development & Small Business
🔹 Small Business Saturday reminded us what matters. Saturday was the day to choose Culver City first—a hot brew at your neighborhood coffee shop, dinner downtown, or gifts from our local shops instead of the big-box default. Every dollar you spend here strengthens the people who make this place special. Our Chamber of Commerce highlighted dozens of local deals and promotions, and I'm grateful to everyone who showed up for our small-business owners.
→ 💡 Why this matters: Small businesses are Culver City's economic backbone. When they thrive, we all benefit—jobs stay local, neighborhoods stay vibrant, and the character that makes us the Heart of Screenland stays intact.
🚦 Public Safety & Community
🔹 New traffic safety grant will fund enforcement and education. Our Police Department secured a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to run DUI checkpoints, bike and pedestrian safety programs, and targeted patrols through September 2026. Chief Jason Sims and the team are focused on reducing dangerous driving and preventing crashes. Programs like these help to ensure our streets are safer for everyone—especially near schools and high-traffic corridors.
👉 Learn about Public Safety programs
🔹 Spark of Love Toy Drive is underway. Culver City Firefighters are partnering with ABC7, Toys for Tots, and Subaru for the 33rd year of the nation's largest community toy drive. Drop off an unwrapped toy at any fire station through mid-December. It's a simple way to make sure every kid in our region has something to open this season.
👉 Learn about the Spark of Love Toy Drive
♻️ Environment & Sustainability
🔹 Hazardous Waste & E-Waste Roundup this Saturday. On December 6 from 9am-3pm, LA County and our Public Works team are hosting a free drive-through collection event at the Wende Museum. Bring old paint, batteries, cleaners, electronics—anything you can't toss in regular trash. Stay in your car, hand it off, and drive away knowing it's being recycled or disposed of safely. Limit is 5 gallons or 125 pounds per vehicle.
→ ♻️ For residents: This is the easiest way to clear out garages and storage rooms responsibly. No explosives, ammunition, tires, or large appliances accepted.
👉 View the Hazardous Waste Roundup event
🏊 Parks & Recreation
🔹 The Plunge closes Dec 14 for annual maintenance. Our municipal pool will be closed from December 14 through January 3 for its yearly tune-up. Swimming continues on the regular schedule until then, so get your laps in now. The pool reopens January 4, and Parks and Rec can answer any questions at 310-253-6650.
→ 🏊 For swimmers: This is routine maintenance to keep the facility in top shape. Plan ahead if you rely on the pool for exercise or training.
👉 Visit the Culver City Pool page
🎭 Arts, Culture & Kindness
🔹 L.A. GOAL Holiday Boutique this weekend—December 6 & 7. Support L.A. GOAL, our longstanding nonprofit that provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Their annual holiday boutique features artwork, handmade goods, and gifts created by members. It's a meaningful way to shop local while supporting an organization that's been part of this community for over 50 years.
🔹 Westside Youth Orchestra Winter Concert—Sunday Dec 7. At 6pm in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Culver City's youth orchestra performs works by Bach, Bernstein, and Copland. These talented 6th-12th graders rehearse and perform right here in town, and this concert is a chance to see the next generation of musicians do what they love. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids.
→ 🎶 Why I care: Supporting youth arts programs matters. Music education builds discipline, teamwork, and confidence—skills that serve kids well beyond the stage.
👉 Get tickets for the Winter Concert
📅 This Week & Looking Ahead
🔹 Tuesday Dec 2, 2-7 PM — Downtown Farmers Market. Main Street. Grab produce, support local growers, and say hello to neighbors.
👉 Visit the Farmers Market page
🔹 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
🔹 Saturday Dec 6, 9 AM-3 PM — Household Hazardous Waste & E-Waste Roundup. Wende Museum. Free drive-through disposal for paint, batteries, electronics, and more.
🔹 Sunday Dec 7, 6 PM — Westside Youth Orchestra Winter Concert. Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Support our young musicians.
🔹 How to watch and participate in meetings. Agendas post Wednesdays before Monday meetings. You can attend in person or virtually.
🙌 Looking Ahead
As my final week as Culver City’s mayor passes by, I am grateful for the past year–the good and the bad, the easy and the difficult. Thursday’s Tree Lighting celebration will be the perfect culmination of what makes Culver City so special: A place where people come together to enjoy our community and the joy togetherness brings.
And remember, if something needs attention, an idea worth exploring, or you just want to share what's working in your neighborhood, hit reply. That's how we keep this city moving forward together.
See you Thursday with mittens on.
