From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Thursday, May 25, 2023, the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Action Cleanup Environmental Services, executed a comprehensive cleanup operation targeting the homeless encampment in Venice."

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.

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Kick off Summer at the Venice Summer Fest

Saturday, June 24th, 2023. 12pm - 8pm in downtown Mar Vista, on Venice Blvd.

Explore the Fest Grounds as you enjoy a day filled with Local Bands, Activities for the Entire Family, Shop Local Artists & Designers, Dog Adoptions, Yoga, Games, Food trucks, Beer Gardens, Classic Cars & so much more! ☮️🎶

The Fest will be located in between Centinela & Inglewood Blvd. The city has closed Venice Blvd. for this event. The event will be held in the street. This is a free community event.

Dog Friendly

12257 Venice Blvd Los Angeles CA, 90066

For more info, Click Here

When: Saturday June 3rd from 12-3pm.

Where: The Santa Monica Animal Shelter 1640 9th St. Santa Monica, CA 90404.

What: A fun afternoon for the whole family to raise much needed funds for the Santa Monica Animal Shelter.

All funds raised help the Santa Monica Animal Shelter and make a difference in the care and well-being of the animals.

We hope to see you there!

At the event

- Tour the Animal Shelter and meet the wonderful animals waiting to be adopted, you may meet your new best friend.

- For a small donation you could win fantastic prizes from our raffle. (See the awesome items that will be part of our raffle below)

- Bid on unique experiences in our silent auction. (Our great silent auctions items are listed in the next section)

- Indigenous bird presentation from Michael Chill with Wild Wings of California Wild Bird Rehabilitation Organization at 12pm.

- Enjoy a live performance from School of Rock West LA House Band at 1:30pm.

- Face painting by The Magical Atelier.

- Balloon animals, headbands and bracelets from Wild About Balloons LA.

- Interact with cool critters from Allan’s Pet Center West LA.

- Delicious dark chocolate tahini brownies from Cadoro Bakery.

- Meet the Santa Monica Police Department Mounted Unit

- And more fun activities for the whole family.

For more info, Click Here

Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 6 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Pacific Mariners Yacht Club, 13915 Panay Way, Marina Del Rey, CA,

For more info, Click Here

Nick Gabaldon Day is always an incredible time. Filled with joy, history and the future. Definitely get out there if you can!

Hosted by The Black Surfers Collective, his year is even more epic with their partnership with Jamal Hill!

Jamal Hill, the founder of Swim Up Hill, has created an innovative teaching method that promotes restorative justice through swimming for underserved communities with little access to this essential life skill. We are pleased to have Swim Up Hill as our swimming lesson partner and grateful for their support.

Furthermore, we are thrilled to welcome the LA28, the organizers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, who will be celebrating our community's diversity and creativity.

All participants will have the chance to meet and listen to inspiring stories from Olympic athletes, making the celebration even more special.

If you wish to take free surf lessons please Click Here

If you're interested in volunteering for the event, please Click Here to sign up. Please feel free to share this with anyone you think would be interested in attending and supporting the event. Thank you all for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at Nick Gabaldon Day.

Caltrans plans emergency storm repairs on sections of Route 27 (Topanga Cyn Blvd ) that requires lane closures with alternating traffic between Cezanne Ave to Route 1 (PCH) beginning MON, June 5. Expect delays.

Security cam footage of Winnie The Pooh attempting to break into an apartment building ion West LA.

Saba Surf, the surf lifestyle brand dedicated to crafting premium essentials that celebrate and uplift the surf community, is excited to announce their first-ever Beach Clean-up on Sunday June 11th starting at 9:00 a.m.

The event, led by Saba Surf co-founder, Laura Quintana, was created to give back to the surf community by working to preserve the beaches they rely on for clean waves. What started as a Venice-local initiative has since grown into a Southern California-wide effort, with clean-ups happening along the coast in cities including San Diego, Newport, Manhattan Beach, and Santa Monica.

For consumers looking to join the Venice Beach clean-up, plan to meet at Breakwater in Venice at 9:00am and look for the Saba Surf tent. Gloves will be provided, and the beach-clean up will begin at 9:30AM. Guests will then be invited to meet back up at the Saba Surf tent at 10:30 for a chance to win a month’s supply of Saba Surf Wax, Saba Surf T-Shirt, and more prizes. To learn more about the clean-ups in additional communities, locals can reach out to sabasurfco@gmail.com. More information will also be posted on Saba Surf’s Instagram page.

Co-founded by Gal Tshnieder and Laura Quintana, Saba Surf was born from an unbridled appreciation for surf culture; as avid surfers themselves, the Saba Surf co-founders understand the wants and needs of surfers at every skill level, from beginner to professional. Unlike other surf waxes on the market, the brand’s proprietary blend of natural ingredients allows their wax to work in a wide range of temperatures, allowing surfers from coast to coast to utilize the wax in varying weather conditions.

In addition to Saba Surf’s product offerings, the brand is also committed to providing resources to the surf community through a variety of digital platforms — including their blog, newsletter, Instagram page, and YouTube channel, where they regularly share industry news, WSL standings, and more. The brand also utilizes these platforms to spotlight local videographers and artists, as well as the stories of prominent individuals in the surf world.

LA’s beloved grassroots LGBTQ+ Pride celebration returns with FREE party in the street!

Be who you are at the Venice Pride Block Party on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 5 PM to 11 PM at 99 Windward Ave, Venice, CA. Featuring community booths, food trucks, queer market, and more! Celebrate Pride at the beach, it’s open to the public—and all ages!

Special Pride month edition of everyone’s favorite westside queer dance party, @gaywatchparty (21+) to follow Block Party at Baja Cantina from 10 PM to 2 AM. Proceeds from the Block Party will benefit Venice Pride, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aimed at saving lives through the acceptance of diversity by giving back to the local community through volunteerism, partnerships and events throughout the year.

For more info and tickets, Click Here

On Saturday, May 27, 2023, at about 7:30 pm, Santa Monica Police Department DART officers patrolling the Pier were flagged down by the victim of an assault that just occurred. The victim, a Spanish-speaking tourist from Mexico, told the officers that about ten minutes prior, a male suspect approached her and grabbed her breast. The suspect, later identified as Johnathan Peck, continued walking past the victim, but stayed in the area. When the victim told her friend what happened the friend approached Peck and confronted him about the sexual assault. Johnathan responded by using a large, sharpened stick to stab the friend (victim 2) in the face and neck.

Johnathan Peck fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by additional officers on the Pier. While they were conducting their investigation, officers learned that Peck was also responsible for an additional assault that occurred shortly before the one described above. Peck attacked another female, grabbing her breasts, and another male victim who was also stabbed with the stick. Two of the victims requiring medical attention were transported to local hospitals and treated for minor injuries.

In Custody: Johnathan James Peck, DOB: 11/11/1997.

Some news outlets have reported him as being homeless, but the SMPD has not annouced anything about that yet.

Santa Monica Police Department Holding Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations June 1st & 2nd

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will have extra officers on patrol June 1st and 2nd looking specifically for violation made by drivers and motorcycle riders. The top primary crash factors for motorcycles are unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence and unsafe lane changes. Speeding is the most common, accounting for nearly a third of all crashes in the state.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

· Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
· Use your signal when changing lanes.
· Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
· When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning.


Motorcyclists
· Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear.
· Consider adding reflective tape to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
· Always keep your lights on, even during the day.
· Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.
· Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic.

A bee infestation on the pike bath at Santa Monica Beach near the Santa Monica Pier.

Homeless people living inside the public restroom stalls are remove by the city, so workers can clean up.

Share the stoke of summer with your local community at Surfrider LA and the World Surf League as we celebrate International Surfing Day! We will be meeting on the beach at Tower 20, Santa Monica between 10am-12pm on Saturday, 6/17 to pick up trash and learn about waste management on our shorelines. Dune Sunscreen, Sister Betsy Surf Wax, and EMOcean will all have donated product on the sand with us as well.

Prior to the beach cleanup, Dream Team Society will be hosting a casual surf and beach hang from 9am-10am. All types of surf, boogie, or swim craft are welcome. Please bring your own board.

Started in 2005, International Surfing Day is an international celebration of the love of surfing and our beaches for all people to enjoy. The day was established to raise awareness and support for our world’s beaches and coastal environments.

Sat, Jun 17, 2023
10:00AM-12:00PM PDT

For more info & to sign up, Click Here

Call for local artists to submit original, surfing-themed art for City of Malibu's next exhibition by June 7. The Arts Commission will host a free opening reception Sun, July 16, 12PM at City Hall w/food, beverages & live music.

For more info & submissions, Click Here

Photo by Angela McGregor

Pacific Division is investigating possible homicide in the 600 block of Washington BLVD. Traffic on Washington Blvd from Palawan way to Mildred Ave will be impacted for several hours during this investigation.

According to LAPD spokesperson Warren Moore, officers received a call at about 6 a.m. on Tuesday about a man lying on the ground on a dirt path between two homes in the 600 block of Washington Boulevard.

Police said they believe the man, who is between 40 and 45 years old, had been stabbed multiple times before he was discovered on a dirt path between two houses, but that information will have to be confirmed by the coroner.

Memorial Day boardwalk dumpster fire 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NRcY1LwJW8

— Democrat Against Mike Bonin (@CarlGetInside) May 29, 2023

Another PCH crash.

On Saturday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Cardboard Yacht Regatta kicks off a bucket list of summer fun at the Annenberg Beach House!

SAIL, ROW, PADDLE OR SINK YOUR WAY INTO SUMMER! Be a part of the 11th Annual Cardboard Yacht Regatta!

Have you ever dreamed of setting sail across the waters in your very own yacht? Now you can build your own cardboard yacht and test its seaworthiness in a race across the Beach House Pool. Build a yacht using just corrugated cardboard and duct tape, decorate it, cross your fingers and hope you can make it to the other side.

Two people must be in the yacht during the race. All boats must be human-powered (no motors).People's Choice Awards will be given in a variety of categories, including "Most Likely to Sink", "Best Use of Theme", and "Most Spirited". The Beach House Courtyard will open for yachts to be on display beginning at 9am. Races will launch beginning at 11am. Please read attached information sheet for more details on the Cardboard Yacht Regatta, including appropriate yacht building materials, regatta rules and an event timeline.

For questions or more information, call the Beach House at 310-458-4904.

Preregistration required to race your yacht. Register early and enjoy building your boat with friends and family! $20 entry fee per yacht. Payment is NOT required for each sailor who will be in the yacht. This is a team registration. Please register once per yacht that will be entered in the event.

You will be asked for the names and ages of sailors in the registration process.

For more info, Click Here