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.

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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From Santa Monica Close Up:

" Venice Pride Block Party Lights Up Windward Avenue with DJ Victor Rodriguez and Dazzling Divas Dancers on Friday, June 2, 2023."

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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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

This intimate feature documentary, UNZIPPED focuses on one of the country’s most iconic and increasingly income divided zip codes, Venice CA 90291. Once a mecca for artists, outsiders and a thriving Black community, Venice is now the frontline for America’s heated battles over gentrification, affordable housing, and homelessness.

With moving, personal profiles of families who struggle to remain in their rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, to bitterly contested community fights over a proposed homeless shelter, UNZIPPEDexplodes stereotypes and humanizes the lived experiences of people caught in the cross-fire of America’s growing housing divide. A topical local lens on this alarming humanitarian issue, UNZIPPEDis an urgent call to action for more equitable housing solutions for every community in America and around the globe.

The film is now avaliable on Amazon.

Trailer:

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

From Santa Monica Close Up:

" Exciting news from the Venice Beach Memorial Day Bodybuilding Championships! Today marked the highly anticipated debut of a groundbreaking division: 'Angel Bikini.' The stage was graced by a group of incredibly talented women, exuding confidence and flaunting their impeccable physiques at Muscle Beach on May 29, 2023. What sets this division apart is the enchanting fusion of beauty and strength, as each competitor posed in bikinis adorned with meticulously crafted wings made from real feathers! "

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

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Witness the extraordinary at the Venice Beach Memorial Day Bodybuilding Championships! Master Bodybuilders over the age of 70 took the stage and showcased their timeless dedication and incredible strength on Monday, May 29, 2023. These seasoned athletes defied expectations, proving that age is just a number in the world of bodybuilding."

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

Surfing at the Venice Beach Pier during a Spring day. Video edited from our Instagram Story footage of this day.

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

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

A drunk driver hits a pole on Speedway early in the morning in Venice Beach, then proceeds to blast his car horn complaining about the pole needing to be removed.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In an effort to tackle the persistent homeless encampment issues along the Ocean Front Walk and Venice Beach, Councilwoman Traci Park's office has announced the establishment of a dedicated multi-department task force. Councilwoman Traci Park herself made a special appearance at a recent cleanup operation to extend a warm welcome and express gratitude to the task force members. The occasion was marked by the provision of donuts and coffee as a special thank you gesture by Park's office. Notably, Los Angeles Park Ranger Chief Joe Losorelli was also present at the event."

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

LAPD Pacific reports that on Thursday, Patrol Officers arrested one Assault with a Deadly Weapon suspect armed with this firearm in the suspect’s possession. The 50-round drum magazine was fully loaded.

No info on whether or not this was connect to the Possible Shooting involving a Surfer at Venice Beach yesterday..

On Thursday, a shooting was confirmed along Rose Ave near the beach, and then another alert came in of an incident where a deadly weapon was shown fron a vehicle (described as a pickup with a surfboard in the back).

Then another call comes in of a person pointing a gun from a vehicle after a crash, and the vehicle was a Toyota Tocoma with a red surfboard in the back.

Pacific and Venice - ADW Suspect
Pointed a gun from the vehicle, the vehicle described as a black vehicle with a red surfboard.

*This sounds to me as possibly related to that shooting call, but LAPD not advising any connection yet*

LAPD responding

— Scanner Pacific (@ScannerPacific) May 25, 2023

The air unit has cleared. Nothing on the canvas.

Shooting confirmed (was in the parking lot, no victim)
Male white, 6 foot, 29 years old, dark shirt, blue pants, no property taken. LAPD has his scanned ID.

The suspect vehicle was a 2013 Toyota Tacoma, a surfboard in the back.

— Scanner Pacific (@ScannerPacific) May 25, 2023

"So there was a small fire at the troublesome encampment at North Venice and Pacific" reports Jonathan Alcorn on Wednesday.

For more information on LA Fleet Week and a complete schedule of entertainment and activities, visit Click Here

Mike, aka German in Venice, vlogs about daily life in Venice Beach, and the nearby communities.

"The Venice Beach Boardwalk is absolutely dead, no business and it’s a really overcast day. Kind of cold, not that many tours in town and I just decided to write my e-bike and show you around Venice Beach. I just felt like I wanted to do a video for you guys. Thanks for watching."

If you would like to support German in Venice with some gas money or you want to buy him a coffee, you are welcome to donate to his paypal account: https://paypal.me/germaninvenice