Flickr Creative Common User Juice Stains

I love Santa Monica because this is my new home.  I am an established blogger and lifestyle writer coming to you from Austin, Texas.  I will be blogging about my fabulous finds around the area at http://www.fabulousdrinksaustin.com/ Looking forward to working together.

This new initiative is different from the Cleanup programs that the Commission organizes throughout the year, which include California Coastal Cleanup Day and the year‐round Adopt‐A‐Beach Program, because these citizen cleanups will largely be self‐organized by concerned people who want to make a difference in the locations where they either live, work, or play.

To sign up or get involved with a clean up in your area, log onto earthdaycleanup.org.

Natalie Burdick for Heal the Bay

I love the way Santa Monicans come out in full force to celebrate Earth Day. It’s great to see so many people eager to get out and clean our beaches. And for all those who clean the beach the weekend of April 21st and 22nd, the reward is free admission to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. The weekend-long festivities feature presentations and activities for all ages and an offer of free admission to everyone who first cleans the beach. Participate in Heal the Bay’s monthly Nothin’ But Sand cleanup from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 21st at Santa Monica Beach/Ocean Park location or pick up supplies at a beach cleanup station in front of the Aquarium to clean the beach near the Pier between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. April 21st or April 22nd. Protect what you love, Santa Monica, and get a (free) hug from a sea urchin at the Aquarium as a reward.

I love that there exists, in the center of everything, a little oasis known as Bhakti yoga shala. This magical place is a force of light and positivity and will lift you up beyond belief.

I teach a 1pm yoga class on Fridays here. And I would love for you to join me!

Finn McCool’s Irish Pub

2702 Main St | (310) 452-1734
Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party! We’re open from the crack of dawn (8am) to the wee hours of the morn. Free admission 8am-1pm, free treats and give-aways. Cocktail shooters and specials. Traditional Irish breakfasts and St. Patrick’s Day special menu served all day and all night. 1pm-5pm traditional Irish music with Marian Tomas Griffin and friends. 1pm-closing $10 cover charge, 9pm-closing The Drunken Monkeys.

McCabe’s Bar

2455 Santa Monica Blvd | (310) 828-3960
Drop by early for a traditional Irish breakfast starting at 6am and partake in the games, prizes, music, and tons more throughout the entire day! Contact us for details. Early bird specials guaranteed!

O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

2226 Wilshire Blvd | (310) 829-5303
Open 7am St. Patrick’s Day serving Irish Breakfast.

O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

2941 Main St | (310) 396-4725
St. Patrick’s Day Weekend 2012! Friday, 3/16 St. Patrick’s Day Eve count down to midnight. Live music: Traditional Irish Hooley with Slugger O’Toole. Saturday, 3/17 open at 6am serving our traditional Irish Breakfast and other Irish fare all day. Live music: 4pm – The Praties, 9pm The Shamrock Apostrophe’s, 3:30pm – DJ Peter Quinn spins Irish music.

Ozumo

395 Santa Monica Place, #360 | (424) 214-5130
Complimentary Tyku patty’s served from 3-5pm (per ty ku)

Sonny McLean’s Irish Pub

2615 Wilshire Blvd | (310) 449-1811
Open at 8AM, Irish bands during the day, a beer garden, great party bands in the evening, a special menu, March Madness on the big screens. Come to Sonny’s and you will not be disappointed!

Sonoma Wine Garden

395 Santa Monica Place, #300 | (424) 214-4560
Corned beef & green cabbage specials and specialty green contail. Price $6, Saturday only.

West 4th/Jane

1432 A 4th St | (310) 395-6765
$10 Corned Beef and Cabbage Sliders & $5 Guinness and Snakebites All Night. Festive Costume Contest & Giveaways 12pm.

Ye Olde King’s Head

116 Santa Monica Blvd | (310) 451-1402
Join us for the BEST celebration in town! We’ll have it all for you: Bag Piper, DJ, Green Beer, Corned Beef & Cabbage…the WORKS! Also: At 10am it’s England VS Ireland – 6 NATIONS RUGBY! You don’t want to miss THIS one! Sunday 3/11, Our Annual St. Patrick’s Day Tournament England VS Ireland 1pm: Ladies game, 2pm: Mens Game. Santa Monica High School and afterwards at Ye Old King’s Head. All are welcome!

Photo by Rebecca Schuetz

Santa Monica welcomes the 2012 Honda LA Marathon on Sunday, March 18th, 2012! Join us in celebrating the finish of the big race with exclusive special offers and discounts at participating Santa Monica businesses for runners, family and friends! Also, explore pre and post race tips for runners including 10 tips from Santa Monica fitness experts for Marathon training, 10 spots within crawling distance of the finish line and 10 sinful desserts in Santa Monica.

Recently named Best Marathon in the West by the readers of Competitor Magazine, the Honda LA Marathon is one of the five largest marathons in the U.S. and one of the 10 largest worldwide. The iconic “Stadium to the Sea” course runs through four cities – Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica – and the federal VA property, taking runners past a highlight reel of sites starting at Dodger Stadium and including landmarks such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive, with the finish line just steps from the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Pier.

We look forward to seeing you at the finish line!

Santa Monica announces the Second Annual Buy Local EXPO and First Annual Buy Local Weekend on March 17 and 18. Restaurants, hotels, retail stores and vendors will offer specials throughout the weekend encouraging consumers and visitors to spend locally. The weekend will be highlighted with the Buy Local EXPO on the Third Street Promenade on Saturday, March 17 from 11a.m. – 4p.m. with live entertainment, interactive activities and food booths, presented by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Santa Monica and the City of Santa Monica.

Featuring over 80 local merchants, free music, demonstrations and tastings, plus a weekend of festivities throughout Santa Monica! Get “caught with your receipt showing” to be entered into a raffle for some great prizes from local businesses. Enjoy sidewalk sales citywide, a Buy Local scavenger hunt, open studios + art walk at Santa Monica Airport and more! To help make buying local as easy and affordable as possible, many local businesses will be offering special deals and discounts.

For more information, visit www.buylocalsantamonica.com/buylocalweekend and www.smchamber.com/BuyLocalExpo.

Come see the full O’Neill 365 athletic apparel line at The Yard while enjoying $5 Champagne Cocktails, raffles and the unveiling of The Yard’s new Veggie Burger on Sunday, March 4th from 10:30am-12:30pm!

After the party, stop by O’Neill and receive 40% off your entire purchase of O’Neill 365, as well as, other special discounts. Receive a FREE gift with any purchase of $75 or more!

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ONeillSantaMonica

Oscar Mania at Santa Monica Place
Now through February 26, 2012
395 Santa Monica Place | (310) 260-8333
You don’t have to be a star to dress and act like one. Whether you plan on hitting the town (maybe even attending the Oscars) or having an Oscar party at your house, check out a guide to help you do it in style from Santa Monica Place. Find out where to pamper yourself, dine in style or catering your Oscar event!

Oscar Viewing Party at Casa del Mar
1910 Ocean Way | (310) 581-5533
Enjoy food & drink specials while watching the 84th Annual Academy Awards on 4 big screens throughout the Lobby Lounge. Cast your ballot to guess the night’s winners and you could win our A-LIST PACKAGE: 1 night in an Ocean View Room, Dinner for 2 at Catch, and a bottle of Champagne. The runners up & best dressed Lady & Gentleman of the night will win exclusive CELEBRITY STYLE SWAG BAGS, so don’t be afraid to channel your inner star!

3:00-5:00pm Get you photo snapped on our red carpet, 4:00pm Live Red Carpet Coverage Begins, 5:30pm Watch the Live 2012 Oscar Show and 8:30pm Prizes awarded for Ballot Competition & Best Dressed. DRINK SPECIALS: My Weekend with Margarita, Midnight in Pear-is, The Mojito Artist, many more!

84th Annual Academy Awards Viewing at Typhoon
3221 Donald Douglas Loop South | (310) 390-6565
Typhoon presents The 84th Annual Academy Awards Broadcast live Sunday, February 26th, 2012.

For more Oscar weekend events in Santa Monica, visit www.santamonica.com/events-calendar.