Latest News
Showing posts with label Santa Monica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Santa Monica. Show all posts


Santa spotted in Santa Monica today.


An update to the story posted yesterday, DEAD BODY FOUND IN THE WATER IN SANTA MONICA.

A local surfer found out more info: "A brief discussion with authorities today revealed there was NO wetsuit and the body had been in the water for some time, probably surfacing due to gasses. It was spotted by an unknown surfer."


Reports from Sunday morning is that a dead body was found in the water near Tower 28. The body was reportd to be a man in a wetsuit, no other info as of this moment, more details from Mason Brown of the  Mason Brown's Surf Report in the video below:.





It's time for Santa Monica's 4th Annual Polar Bear Swim!

Sunday, January 2, 2022, 9am-12pm



After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the annual Polar Bear Swim returns to the Annenberg Community Beach House on Sunday, January 2, 2022, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Pre-registration is now open!

This unique Santa Monica event for all ages kicks off 2022 with a plunge into the Pacific Ocean and a 300-yard swim around a buoy and continues with access to Annenberg Community Beach House heated pool and amenities. Check-in is at 9 a.m. at the Guest Services office, followed by a short walk to the shoreline with the first plunge for youth at 9:15 a.m. All other ages to follow.

The Polar Bear Swim is a no-judgment zone; participants can choose to stick their toes in the ocean, take a quick dip, or take a swim around the buoy. Attendees are invited to take photos with event mascot Pat the Polar Bear.

Registration includes admission to the Annenberg Community Beach House heated pool and hot showers as well as hot chocolate on the pool deck. Regular pool rules apply while at this event. Youth under the age of eight and under four feet tall must be accompanied by an adult in the pool at all times.

Pre-registration is available online at Polar Bear Swim 2022
. In-person registration will be available though may be limited on the day of the event. 


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Five hundred drones light up the sky displaying Chanel No 5 above Santa Monica Beach on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. The drone light show was for a Chanel commercial. "

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

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


Looff Pleasure Pier, 1924, now known as the Santa Monica Pier, with our world famous, iconic hippodrome on the right, keeping watch over all the activity.

Photo via the Fred Basten Collection


"Constructed in 1924, the La Monica Ballroom was the largest ballroom on the westcoast. Its 15,000 square foot dance floor could accomodate 5000 dancers. The building's Spanish stucco exterior was crowned with a dozen towering minarets that were lit up at night."

Photo via the Fred Basten Collection


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Claus lights the 24-foot-tall Christmas tree at the Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica on Friday, November 19, 2021.

The Tree Lighting Ceremony featured performances by Samohi Madrigals, Lincoln Middle School Madrigals, Santa Monica Youth Orchestra Mariachi Perla del Oeste, and Santa Monica Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensemble.

Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) brings the holidays to the Third Street Promenade with the return of Winterlit, transforming the downtown district into an immersive, festive experience. Tens of thousands of colorful lights, decor and garlands deck the Third Street Promenade, 2nd and 4th Streets, illuminating convenient shopping and cozy outdoor dining experiences."

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

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


The Santa Monica community is invited to a one-day pop-up art event to experience Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park in a new way on Saturday, December 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The temporary art installation component between Broadway and Colorado Avenue will remain on view through early 2022.

The pop-up event is hosted through the City of Santa Monica’s Ocean Avenue Artists in Residence Program, part of the Ocean Avenue Project. The project aims to revitalize and enhance public use of the streetscape. The first phase of the Ocean Avenue Project focused on roadway enhancements including a protected bike lane and expansion of the eastern sidewalk for additional outdoor dining. For the next phase, Here LA, the interdisciplinary design firm selected as the Ocean Avenue Artists in Residence, will lead an arts-based community engagement process to gather feedback about how the street could be improved to better utilize its public spaces, support local businesses, and connect to adjacent corridors.

On Saturday, December 4, the interactive event will explore ways of improving the street for a more people-centered experience and will feature:

A temporary large-scale art installation mounted atop the park’s edge, between Broadway and Colorado Avenue. The installation features transparent wire letters that spell out the phrase, “WE ARE A DROP WE ARE THE OCEAN” (rendering pictured above), providing a moment of reflection as well as photo opportunities. The installation seeks to draw attention to the west side of the street and to create a unique visual that further complements the views. The installation will remain on view through early 2022.
Prototypes of large play furniture in various colors and shapes that invite climbing and interacting.
A colorful activity where participants show their feedback on how they think the street could be improved by throwing a powdered color ball on the ground in front of their favorite option. The activity will create a mural of color on the ground.

The event and activities were informed by conversations with local stakeholders and over 500 survey responses from the Santa Monica community. Here LA found that what people valued most about the street is its natural setting, the unique location of the street and park atop the bluff, and of course, the view. Competing with this natural beauty however is the street itself, which is a key gateway to nearby destinations. Much of the corridor’s physical space is dedicated to roadway and vehicles, which separates people from the park and views. To bridge this divide, Here LA is using urban planning and temporary artistic activations to explore ways of improving the street for a more pedestrian-friendly experience and to enliven the space and engage passersby.

For more information, visit SantaMonica.gov/Ocean-Avenue-Project.


On November 16, 2021, at about 2:30 PM, SMPD units responded to a “man with a gun” call at Chess Park (1652 Ocean Front Walk). Officers safely made contact with the individual and due to extensive training were able to quickly identify that the items in his bag were parts of an airsoft rifle and could not be fully assembled into a working device. An airsoft gun often resembles a traditional firearm but shoots nonlethal, plastic pellets. No other weapon or replica of a weapon was located. Contrary to rumor, there were no victims of criminal threats nor brandishing of this replica firearm. The male subject surrendered the parts of the airsoft to our officers.

We understand and share the concern from the community. The individual in possession of the replica rifle did not meet the criteria for an involuntary psychiatric hold. Per current law, officers collected as much personal information as possible and confiscated the airsoft parts. Penal Code 20170 is the California gun law that makes it a crime for a person to display an imitation firearm in public. A first offense violation is treated as an infraction and not punishable by imprisonment.

We thank the community members that reported the incident and remind you that we count on all residents to be an extension of SMPD. Your extra eyes and ears are an essential piece of the crime prevention and policing puzzle. Please continue to report criminal behavior by calling 9-1-1 or 310-458-8491 (non-emergency dispatch).


Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Detectives are investigating an armed robbery involving a shooting that occurred on November 15, 2021.

On Monday at about 2:00 PM the victim involved in this incident parked his vehicle in the 2600 block of 34th Street when a black sedan stopped in front of him. The front passenger of that vehicle walked to the victim’s vehicle, pulled out a handgun and demanded the victim’s cellphone and wallet. Fearing for his life, the victim gave him both.

The suspect returned to his vehicle and fled. The victim followed behind the suspects and while traveling eastbound on Pico Blvd the suspect leaned out the passenger side window and fired multiple rounds at the victim. The victim continued to follow until the suspects were last seen driving eastbound on the I10 freeway on-ramp at Centinela Ave.

Suspect Vehicle: Newer black Nissan Versa (or similar) 4 door sedan with dark tinted windows, black and chrome wheels

Suspect 1: Passenger - Male White or Hispanic, late twenties, straight shoulder-length brown hair, brown or grey eyes, wearing a hoodie and a black bandana that covered the lower half of his face

Suspect 2: Driver – Unknown

Anyone with any information pertaining to this incident, the suspect or vehicle involved, is strongly encouraged to contact Detective Tavera at 310-458-2256 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310- 458-8426.
Winterlit returns to Downtown Santa Monica to brighten up the holiday season as Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) transforms the world-class Third Street Promenade into an immersive one stop holiday experience.



Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) brings the holidays to the Third Street Promenade with the return of Winterlit, transforming the downtown district into an immersive, festive experience. Tens of thousands of colorful lights, decor and garland will deck the Third Street Promenade, 2nd and 4th Streets, illuminating convenient shopping and cozy outdoor dining experiences.

Santa comes to the Promenade on Friday, November 19 at 6 p.m. for the annual lighting of the official City of Santa Monica 24-foot-tall holiday tree. Performances by Samohi Madrigals, Lincoln Middle School Madrigals, Santa Monica Youth Orchestra Mariachi Perla del Oeste, and Santa Monica Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensemble.



Nightly menorah lightings will celebrate the Festival of Lights during the Hanukkah season from Sunday, November 28 through Monday, December 6. The lighting of the menorah will begin at sundown and take place on the 1400 block of Third Street Promenade (located between Santa Monica Blvd and Broadway).



For a one-stop holiday shopping destination, the Conscious Night Market will be on the Promenade, Saturday, December 4 from 4 – 9 p.m. hosted by Fit Girl Club LA. The pop-up artisan market features unique goods from over 40 local vendors, elevated and sustainable brands in addition to live music and free kombucha. The SoCal Etsy Guild comes to downtown for two dates: Saturday, November 20 and Saturday, December 18 from 2 – 9 p.m., featuring local Southern California-based artists, crafters and designers. Shoppers can support local businesses while finding something for everyone on their gift list.

Steps from the Promenade, Santa Monica Place will offer an array of festive activities for the whole family to enjoy this holiday season. Santa Clause will be in town and available for photos November 19 through December 24. Visitors and shoppers can also catch special performances by the dancing sensation, Santa Monica Beach Belles, and the 14-foot larger-than-life Snow Globe. Bring your furry friend to a special pet night and "sit" for a photo with Santa on December 15 and 16. Visit SantaMonicaPlace.com for more information.


The Annenberg Community Beach House has commissioned artist Lars Howlett to create two temporary site-specific walkable labyrinths in the sand and one on hardscape for Out-of-the-Blue, a program of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs. Labyrinths cultivate peace and bring the community together by providing a container for a reflective experience in a focused and sacred space. Join us at the Beach House on November 13 and 14 to experience the potential of labyrinths to create and hold space for stress reduction, healing, reflection, and community building through art.

Into the Labyrinth at the Annenberg Community Beach House November 13 and 14, 2021

Reservations are not required to walk the three labyrinths. However, facilitators will be available to answer questions about labyrinths, walking meditation, and mindfulness on:

Saturday, November 13: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, November 14: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Two manual beach wheelchairs will be available for the sand labyrinths.
For more info: Click Here.


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In addition to food items, unpermitted vendors sell swap meet merchandise on the Santa Monica Pier, Tuesday, November 2, 2021."

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

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica Pier Maintenance workers rebuild the plank walk on the beach on Wednesday, November 3, 2021."

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

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Ian Bowen, dressed as Huell Howser for Halloween, gives us a tour of the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, October 31, 2021."

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

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz



on Friday, a garbage truck caught fire in downtown Santa Monica. Contents were dumped onto street to prevent gas tank from igniting. Firefighters were quick to respond.
Santa Monica Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance to help identify and locate the suspects involved in a shooting that occurred in the area of Ocean and Pacific on September 22nd.




On September 22, 2021 approximately 3:00 a.m. Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department were dispatched to Ocean Ave. and Pacific St. to investigate a shooting.

Officers met with the victim who told them that he was asleep in his vehicle when two male suspects armed with a handgun and taser, opened his door and demanded his car keys. A verbal altercation ensued. Suspect #2 tased the victim, then Suspect #1 shot the victim in the face. Both suspects fled southbound Neilson Way through Ocean Park Blvd in the vehicle described.

Suspect Vehicle – Older SUV, possibly a Sequoia, 4Runner or Tahoe



Suspect #1 - Male Hispanic "Latino Accent" approximately 18 to 25 years in age; 5'4" to 5' 7" in height; 155 to 170 pounds; light to medium skin tone, buzzed haircut, "fuzz" on upper lip; wearing a button up short sleeve loose fitted orange/yellow reddish checkered pattern shirt, loose dark pants/ jeans

Firearm Description - 9mm semi-automatic handgun, "medium toned", approximately 6 in barrel

Suspect #2 - Male Hispanic "Latino Accent" approximately 18 to 25 years in age; 5'4" to 5' 6" in height; 145 to 165 pounds, "flabby"; light to medium skin tone, buzzed haircut, no facial hair, had a "baby face", wearing a jersey type top "crossover", dark or red in color with dark letters, dark to medium jean shorts, white tennis shoes.

Taser Description - Black 5-inch taser or stun gun

SMPD is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating both suspects and the vehicle believed to be involved. Anyone with this information is strongly encouraged to contact Detective Nicole Murphy at (310) 458-8941 or Nicole.murphy@santamonica.gov , Sergeant Art Williams at (310) 458-8475 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8426.