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Showing posts with label coronavirus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coronavirus. Show all posts



Venice Skate Park's Sergeant-At-Arms Peck and Venice Skateboarding Stuff got everyone together to clean out the skate park.

As seen on our Instagram Stories, the clean up started late Sunday afternoon, Peck rounding up shovels, brooms, and buckets, and the crew started removing most of the sand from the mini-bowl.


Sunday afternoon, mini-bowl almost cleared out and was skate-able.


Venice Skateboarding Stuff put the word out that skate park clean up will continue at 8am on Monday.

Clean up resumed early Monday with a few people, then it grew throughout the morning to a large number of people coming down to help out. More shovels and buckets were brought over. All ages pitched in, even the non-skaters jumped in and started shoveling out sand.


Peck in the completely buried snake run Monday morning.





There were all ages helping out.


No interruptions from Police or The Department Of Parks & Recreation. But a source said that Parks & Rec are just going to tell the workers to fill the skate park back up with sand again.


This kid was shoveling sand on Sunday and Monday morning, took a break from that to get some air over the hip.





@somasugiyama with sandals frontside airing a penny board.






By Sunday afternoon, the last bucket of sand was removed from the snake run. The mini-bowl was cleared of sand, and they were working on getting the last of the sand out of the pool. By late afternoon, everyone was skating the park again. But as seen in the photos, the city let the skate park get thrashed, there is graffiti everywhere, it has never been this badly tagged up before.


Venice Skateboarding Stuff , Peck, and all who helped get the skate park.


We'll have to wait till Tuesday morning when the Parks & Rec head honcho shows up to find out the fate of the park.

The city workers gave a heads up, that the park will just be refilled with sand. But Peck said, "We are prepare for that, we're ready for that, we prepared for that. But hey, let it be a battle. We gonna fight for what we believe in and our rights, cuz this skate park is our life and we're gonna fight for it."

Check out more photos of the clean up and skating in this gallery:

Venice Skatepark - May 2020 Photo Galley



“I would say it's like 70% less than what this weekend would bring normally,” said Los Angeles Police Sgt. Theresa Skinner, who oversees the department’s Venice Beach detail.

Josie Huang reports "The Asian and European tourists aren’t here but locals are still coming to Venice Beach — many not wearing masks."






For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE



LA County Beaches And Harbors and the crime approving mayor of LA have stated that no sunbathing, sitting, or laying on the beaches.

But an LA County Lifeguard Captain said all that is allowed via a Fox 11 News statement:


“There are still no umbrellas, no coolers and we don’t want large social gatherings,” said L.A. County Fire Lifeguard Captain A.J. Lester. “You can come down absolutely with your family, lay on a towel, sunbathe, watch your kids run in and out of the water, just try to do it near an open lifeguard tower.”

Fox 11 News added:

"Those in the same household are now welcome to sit on towels on the beach – an amendment to the COVID-19 beach restrictions for “active-use only.”

So basically, sitting and laying out on the beaches is allowed, but it is not allowed. Maybe the lifeguards are fed up with having to enforce these BS rules, as those that have been out on beaches already know people are and have been doing it all anyways.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

On May 22,2020, LA County released this updated set on Beach Rules ALLOWED:

- Individual or family ocean activities (such as surfing, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and body surfing)
- Individual or family active recreation & exercise (such as walking, running and using the beach bike path)

NOT ALLOWED:

- Sunbathing, or sitting or lying on sand
- Picnicking
- Chairs, canopies or coolers
- Group or organized sports (such as volleyball)
- Gatherings or events
- Fishing

HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: - More than 6 feet physical distance from others at all times (except between members of same household)
- Face coverings, when out of the water AND around others (except for children under age 2 and those with breathing problems)
- Stay at home if you, or someone you live with, is sick

CLOSURES STILL IN EFFECT (until further notice):

- Piers – CLOSED
- Beach Accessways – CLOSED
- Beach Volleyball Courts – CLOSED





For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE



Once again, these city "officials" are sending out mixed messages about what is going on. This time these nitwits are releasing mixed statements regarding the beach parking lots.

This afternoon, the crime approving mayor made this announcement: "We are reopening the city beach parking lots at Cabrillo and Venice Beach as well as the beach bike paths — this is in addition to the County opening paths and lots at partial capacity at Dockweiler State Beach, Will Rogers State Beach, Zuma Beach, and Surfrider Beach."

One Hour later, LA Beaches & Harbors makes this announcement: "PLEASE NOTE: We will NOT be opening the County-operated beach parking lots at Venice Beach. The lots at Washington Blvd, Venice Blvd and Rose Ave will remain CLOSED for Memorial Day weekend."

Since, Beaches And Harbors apparently has the priority (the keys) on these lots, it's what they say that goes, and they are not opening the Venice lots.

And anyone who has actually been to the beaches already knows the bike paths have been open for a long time now.


For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE



ZUMA & SURFRIDER PARKING LOTS OPENED AT LIMITED CAPACITY & ACCESSWAYS UNLOCKED
LA County Department of Beaches and Harbors announced the opening of parking lots for limited capacity at select beaches throughout the County, including Zuma Beach and Surfrider Beach in Malibu. County disaster service workers will be at the lots to advise beach patrons of the COVID-19 related rules. In addition, County-operated beach access ways throughout the City will be unlocked during posted hours to allow easier public access to beaches.


For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Santa Monica Pier 360 event has been cancelled.

"While this is disappointing news, the safety of our team and athletes is our top priority. If you’re already registered, your fee will be refunded automatically. We look forward to seeing you in 2021!"




For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE

Similar to what happened at Huntington Beach a few weeks ago, photos of crowded beaches in Malibu this past weekend are making the headlines, and causing that Department of Public Heath Director lady, Barbara Ferrer to start with her vague threats.



These are some of the photos from Broad Beach resident Rodger Grossman that KTLA Reporter Eric Spillman started posting to his Twitter which started it.




"The photos are real and there were hundreds of people on the beach no social distancing and no masks. Directly in front of my house there was human waste, used tampons, garbage and used condoms," Malibu Resident Leslie Grossman stated," "I watched it all day Saturday from my window."

City Officials and the sheriff's Department are coming under fire about allowing it to happen, even though there is proof they were trying to keep everyone moving:



Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer talked about this in her daily press conference on Monday. “We got reports. We’re working very closely with Beaches and Harbor to make sure this doesn’t continue to happen. If people are willing to blatantly disregard their obligation to make it safe for others, it’s impossible to continue to move down a path towards recovery, because this is what is going to overwhelm our healthcare system. You don’t know when you’re in a public space who the people are who are around you, you may have underlying health conditions.”



“When we talk about Safer At Home, we talk about being responsible,” County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “The only way we’re going to get to a position where we go into the next phase is by people acting responsibly, so when I hear stories like this it frustrates me. Enforcement is going to be the key, but I would hope that people would use common sense when they are out doing that.”

It is not just the size of the crowds, but the reports that most were not social distancing, sunbathers laying on the sand, and up to 90% of the people on the beaches were not wearing masks.

As well as complaints about dogs being off leashes on the beach, parking not being enforced, and open containers of alcohol.



Another of Grossman's photos where he shows "Open containers of alcohol". Noticed a lot of Grossman's shots do have girl's butts in them.

Malibu was trying to keep the parking under control, the city reported that their Sheriff's Volunteers on Patrol issued more than 977 parking citations, a weekend record.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE



Today, Santa Monica Extends the Local Emergency to June 30 and Requires Face Coverings for Outdoor Activities (except water activities). here's the city's press release:

“Today, Interim City Manager and Director of Emergency Services Lane Dilg issued a fourteenth supplement to Santa Monica’s local emergency, extending the declaration of local emergency and all associated orders to June 30, 2020. The supplement also requires cloth face coverings for all permitted outdoor activities, except water activities. Children under two and individuals who have breathing difficulties, are unable to remove a cloth face covering without assistance, or have a disability that prevent the use of a cloth face covering are exempted from this requirement, but must comply with all other social/physical distancing requirements. This aligns with Los Angeles County’s revised Safer at Home Health Officer Order and a similar order from the City of Los Angeles issued yesterday.“

Here are additional updates Santa Monica residents should know:

Tennis courts are allowed to reopen for singles play. This weekend, the tennis courts at Reed Park will be available to residents with additional openings in the weeks ahead. All parks will be open, including Palisades Park, for safe outdoor recreation. Street sweeping will resume in neighborhoods beginning June 1 and will continue on a monthly schedule, beginning the first full week of every month. Follow posted street signs.

Physical distancing remains a requirement along with cloth face coverings whenever you are outside your home. Please comply with physical distancing requirements posted by businesses and recreational facilities.


For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE



The mayor just announce that everyone in Los Angeles must wear a face mask when outside:

“And as long as you’re not doing a solitary activity or with your own household, put that mask on,” he said. “Always now.” “Bring your masks with you whenever you leave your home. That will help us get more freedoms, open up more parts of our city,” he said.

There are exceptions in place for small children or those with disabilities.

This comes after L.A. County announced Tuesday during a Board of Supervisors meeting that its stay-at-home restrictions would likely last for three more months.

“Our Safer at Home order will remain in place beyond May 15,” the mayor said. “Depending on public health conditions, we will continue to adjust the order to safely allow more businesses to operate and more people to get back to work. “

And if you need a mask, or more masks, we just got some Hecho En Venice Face Masks in our online store, as model by Mr Hecho himself (below).


Hecho En Venice Face Masks - Click Here To Order


For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




All the Beaches Are Closed banners and signs starting to be removed and these new Beach Rules signs are being put up.

LA Beaches & Harbors have been placing them at most beaches. They are the same image they posted to their social media accounts when they announced the beaches would reopen.


Santa Monica has also put up their own sign:





For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE





"Surf’s up! LA County beaches are reopening this Wednesday, May 13 for individual activities like swimming, surfing, jogging, and walking."

“LA County Beaches are reopening this Wednesday, May 13 for individual activities like swimming, surfing, jogging and walking." Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced today.

LA Beaches & Harbors confirmed the opening:

On 5/13, LA Co. beaches reopen w/ the following rules:
• Individual/family activities & exercise ONLY
• No lying or sitting on sand, canopies, coolers or picnicking
• 6+ ft. physical distancing & masks REQUIRED
• Parking lots, bike path, piers & boardwalks remain CLOSED




But take note, these city officials don't agree with each other on this, so one of them might cock block this decision. Also, Malibu said it's beaches are different than those down south, so they may nee additional time to set health guidelines before they open.

Around 5:00PM, Santa Monica has agreed to open their beaches via their social media accounts:

"Santa Monica beaches will reopen this Wednesday, May 13 for ocean activities and exercise with restrictions - specifically NO gathering, sitting & sunbathing."

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE






The fence Santa Monica erected to keep people off the bike path has been defeated, with an epic result.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE






As we first reported via our Instagram Story, a bunch of people showed up today (Saturday, May 9th) at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier to protest. Adults of all ages, a lot of kids, held signs and waved flags. And some girls who were there twerking for the cause.

Most were protesting California's quarantine closures, some were protesting the vaccine companies. And about three were there to sell hats and masks.

The lady on the bullhorn running the circus made it known to all that she is from San Diego and she is a big protester who is facing jail time down there.











For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE






Yet another change in the plans of reopening LA beaches.

Now Los Angeles County public health officials said that they will "use this weekend to test whether people can obey loosened stay-at-home directives before deciding whether to lift some coastal restrictions next week."

“We are going to pay a lot of attention to how well we all do this weekend in terms of being able to comply with the directives,” Barbara Ferrer, director of Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Health, said during her daily coronavirus briefing on Friday.

"If things go well," she added, "officials might relax more rules next week."

“We’re looking forward to hopefully getting there by next week.”

This damn lady is always giving vague answers about this.

Basically, they are going to see how well people on the reopened hiking trials follow the rules. The whole keeping six feet from others, no large groups, and that everyone wears a face covering.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE






Here's today update:

"We don't want a stampede to the beaches," said Nicole Mooradian, public information officer for L.A. County's Department of Beaches and Harbors, on Friday. "Right now we're planning for Wednesday."

What she really means is that the first phase of reopening the beaches might start next week.

There are 4 phases for reopening LA County beaches:

Phase one: gatherings beyond household members are prohibited. Surfing, running, walking and solo activities are allowed. No chairs, umbrellas or tents. Phase one lasts approximately six weeks and includes Memorial Day weekend.

Phase two: gatherings beyond household members are still prohibited, but chairs and umbrellas would be allowed. There’s a possibility, though, beaches would close for the Fourth of July weekend.

Phase three: small gatherings would be allowed, volleyball courts would open and film permits enabled.

Phase four: large gatherings would be permitted, with normal operation resumed.


She goes on to add that the first phase of the beaches reopening may last "about six weeks, but it could be shorter and it could be longer." She gives no clear reason for this, she just said, "It just depends on how many people come, and what the attendance looks like."

"We want people to wear masks when they're not in the water," Mooradian said.


But remember, mayors can cockblock the reopening.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




Topanga - Photo: Six12 Media


It appears they are making changes daily about the reopening of beaches in LA. Here's today update:

Today, the Los Angeles County’s public health director Barbara Ferrer claims she is close to approving a phased plan for opening county beaches, paving the way for renewed public access to the coastline as early as next week. The Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors is preparing for that possibility, with the most likely opening date being Friday, May 15.

Carol Baker, from the county Department of Beaches and Harbors said she she was “under the impression” the plan was close to complete. “As of now, we have not received a final word on when the beaches will open,” she added. “We’re preparing for as soon as next week.”

So basically, the Department of Beaches and Harbors and the Los Angeles County’s public health director are NOT working together, since neither knows what the other is actually doing.

Santa Monica officials have been getting ready for a potential early opening of beaches, but said they are doing everything in lockstep with the county.

“We have this limited reopening next week with all water sports involved,” said Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery. All restrooms at beaches will be open and county staff will be in charge of frequent cleaning, Montgomery said. The concrete areas above the sand will also off limits. That means no pedestrians or cyclists on bike paths, the Strand or Esplanade.

Officials with Hermosa Beach, which also owns its beach, have said they will follow suit with whatever restrictions the county makes.

The draft plan that has been released (but still needs "additional tweaking") on reopening LA County beaches is as follows:

Phase one: gatherings beyond household members are prohibited. Surfing, running, walking and solo activities are allowed. No chairs, umbrellas or tents. Phase one lasts approximately six weeks and includes Memorial Day weekend.

Phase two: gatherings beyond household members are still prohibited, but chairs and umbrellas would be allowed. There’s a possibility, though, beaches would close for the Fourth of July weekend.

Phase three: small gatherings would be allowed, volleyball courts would open and film permits enabled.

Phase four: large gatherings would be permitted, with normal operation resumed.



For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE





As we reported already, select businesses are permitted to reopen on 5/8/20 and trailheads and golf courses can reopen 5/9/20.

Santa Monica officially announced that some of their closures, including the beach area, Santa Monica Pier, and Palisades Park remain in effect.
Source: @santamonicacity

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




Los Angeles County officially announced Wednesday, May 6, the guidelines for the first round of businesses to reopen. Approved by the tantrum throwing Gov. Gavin Newsom to begin as soon as Friday, which makes no sense in why he wants to make all these businesses wait these extra days. He claims "science and data", but we all know his science and data is flawed.

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said trails, golf courses, florists, car dealers and retail businesses selling toys, books, clothing, sporting goods and music can open as soon as Friday with curb-side pickup only.




As for the parks, County staff will be deployed to monitor trails to ensure they don’t become overcrowded.

“What’s best for other counties may not necessarily be right for Los Angeles County as we are the most densely populated county in the state,” said Barger.

“Our guidelines will certainly look different than others. When we reopen slowly but surely we must maintain physical distancing, continue to wear face coverings and rely on pickup and delivery.”

Again ,no word on beaches reopening.


For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE





L.A. County Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer said at a news conference on Tuesday that L.A. County beaches, which have been closed since March 27, will reopen “soon.” She kept very vague about the reopening of the beaches. The existing health officer order closing the beaches expires on May 15.

Ferrer said her department has been “working hard” with the mayors of beach cities and L.A. County Beaches and Harbors.

“I think we’ll have a plan that will have our beaches reopen safe,” she said. Noting that the county’s beach city mayors have been working with beaches and harbors staff and have “created some documents that we are reviewing at the public health department. These are consensus documents and we think they look great.”

Ferrer said those documents “will give us the ability to have a road map for safely reopening county beaches here in L.A. County.” But Ferrer refuses to mention any timeline for the reopening L.A. County beaches.

San Diego was able to reopen their beaches. Orange County and Ventura were able to as well. Those beaches reopened with health guidelines in place, but looks like this Ferrer lady needs more time to come up with her own guidelines for LA beaches.



For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE