Little Amal Visits The Santa Monica Pier

Little Amal is coming to the Santa Monica Pier on November 2nd.

Little Amal is the 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee girl, who has travelled over 9,000km to 15 countries with her message of hope and solidarity for displaced people everywhere.

Between 7 September and 5 November 2023, Amal is journeying 6,000 miles across the United States in one of the largest free public festivals ever created. More than 35 towns and cities from Boston to San Diego and 1,000+ artists and arts organizations have created 100+ events to welcome her.

Amal is dazzled by the lights of the Santa Monica pier. As the sun sets in the horizon, she is blessed by the music and dance of Hālau Hula Keali`i O Nālani as the sun sets in the horizon.

Join us from 4:00pm to create art to welcome Amal

Date: Thursday November 2nd
Crafting begins at 4:00pm
Amal arrives at 5:00pm
Location: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA
For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

Tensions Flare at Pro Israel Rally at Santa Monica Pier

Tension between a skateboarder and pro-Israel supporters flare at the top of the Santa Monica Pier during a rally for Israel.

Dia de los Muertos at the Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier's Dia de los Muertos: Return of the Monarch promises a wonderful blend of art, tradition, and community spirit that pays homage to the cherished memories of our loved ones.

The intricately designed altars created by Sylvia Sanchez, Yolanda Medina and their family, Felipe Sanchez, Leticia Vickers. Sergio Sanchez, Luis Romo, Lisa Montoya, Carmen Q. Rosa, Frank Medina, Dominique Medina, Mateo Rodriquez, Jose Soto, Mia Vickers, Mya Vickers, Josie Avila, Linda Valdez, Olivia Valdez, Alina Servin-Valdez, Natalie Montano, and Antonio Medina, Alex Montoya,Irma Cannata and members of the Marquez family of the Rancho de Boca de Santa Monica.

Fatal Motorcycle Vs SUV Crash in Venice Beach

Motorcyclist T-bones SUV and dies at the scene.

At 10:55 p.m. on Friday night a man approximately 35 years old, was traveling south on his motorcycle down Lincoln when he t-boned a Toyota SUV vehicle that turning westbound onto Lake Street. The imapct was fatal, paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

The Toyota SUV was being driven by an 81-year-old man who stood at the scene to cooperate with police.

Power Shut Down in Malibu due to High Winds

Due to high winds/hazardous fire conditions in Malibu, SC Edison has shut off power to SERRA as well as Nicholas & Cuthbert circuits. Come to complete stop at malfunctioning traffic signals.

Surf Photos - Topanga - Saturday 10-28-2023

Here's surfing photos from Saturday October 28th, at Topanga.

This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by RVCA.

These are just a few of the 300+ photos from this session. If you were out there, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo galleries for this day, check them out, the links to the complete galleries are down below.


















You can find about 300 more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in these 2 photo galleries:

Topanga - Monday 9-4-2023 Photo Gallery #1
Topanga - Monday 9-4-2023 Photo Gallery #2


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous days at this and other local surf spots from this photographer?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.

Venice Beach's Weekly Homeless Encampment Clean Up

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On October 27, 2023, the City of Los Angeles carried out a cooperative initiative aimed at addressing the homelessness issue at Venice Beach. The operation saw the combined efforts of the Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, and Clean Harbors Environmental Services."

Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

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Drunk gets his SUV stuck on Venice Beach

Arrests made for the Malibu Barrel Murder

Two men have been arrested and charged earlier this month in connection with the killing of a man whose body was found in a barrel at Malibu Lagoon.


The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department made the announcement today, "On October 3, 2023, Joshua Lee Simmons and Dennis Eugene Vance were arrested in connection with the murder of Javonnta Marshann Murphy"


(Photos courtesy of El Monte Police Department)

"During the investigation it was learned that Joshua Simmons was also responsible for an attempted robbery" in El Monte, the news release said. Simmons is said to have used bear repellent to disorient jewelry store employees before being forcibly ejected from the establishment shirtless.

Simmons now faces a battery of charges, including murder, personal use of a firearm, making criminal threats, and attempted robbery. In addition, he has been charged with two further counts of making criminal threats and personal use of bear spray in connection to the attempted smash-and-grab in El Monte. Simmons was arrested Oct. 3 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and has remained behind bars since then in lieu of more than $3.2 million bail, according to county jail records.

Vance was charged with one count of accessory-after-the-fact in connection with Murphy's death. He is free on bond while awaiting arraignment next week, jail records show.

Both suspects "are known to be acquaintances of the victim," the Sheriff's Department said.

The motive for the killing remains unknown, investigators said, as they are still continuing their investigation.

Westside Volkswagen Club Halloween Car Show

The Westside Volkswagen Club's Halloween VW Show on Main Street, Santa Monica. Photos was shot by Six12 Media.

You can find about 100 more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in this photo gallery:

Westside Volkswagen Club Halloween Car Show Photo Gallery


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous automtive events from this photographer?
Click Click Here