Late night, on March 27, Santa Monica PD Harbor Officers Kat Ahlers and Henry Reyes observed a male subject sprint to the end of the pier, climb over the railing, and hang from it with just his hands. As Reyes grabbed onto him to keep the man from falling. Just as Ahlers suited up in her wetsuit, Reyes lost his grip.

The subject hit the water, actively drowning. Ahlers jumped in after him, secured him in a rescue tube, and swam the drowning man to where Reyes had dropped a Stokes basket. The individual was successfully rescued uninjured thanks to the quick & decisive action of these heroes.

“The individual was successfully rescued uninjured thanks to the quick & decisive action of these heroes,” police said.



Harbor Officers are specially trained to perform water rescues from the pier and from their two watercraft, including the one pictured here with Harbor Officers Kat Ahlers and Henry Reyes.

Thousands of purple-colored creatures resembling jellyfish, called Velella velella or By-the-Wind Sailors, are being washed up on the beaches.

The By-the-Wind sailors are also known as colonial hydroids and are similar to Portuguese Man O'War, feeding on algae and zooplankton.

Velella velella are flat, oval-shaped hydroid polyps (cousins of the jellyfish) that live in the open ocean but are often seen washed up on beaches in the spring and early summer months when strong winds push them ashore.

They have a firm and upright triangular sail attached to their body which causes them to be caught up by the wind and blown across the surface of the water, giving them their name “By-the-Wind Sailors.” Don't worry about those little blue tentacles that hang from their body! These tentacles don't sting humans but will gather up plenty of zooplankton or fish eggs for them to eat.

According to Point ReyesNational Seashore, Velella Velellas pose little threat to humans, but if you do decide to pick one up, be careful when touching your face and eyes afterward because they can cause slight irritation to your skin.

"You may come across a fresh wash-up of Velella, tinging the stretch of shoreline blue, but if they've been there a while, they will look like crinkly and dry ovals of cellophane."

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Pepsi commercial with a retro 80s theme is being filmed today on the Venice Beach Boardwalk."

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From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The Real Rydaz Low Rider Bike Club ride along the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Saturday, April 4, 2023. With around 30 riders, this unique group emphasizes the significance of leading a healthy lifestyle through their highly detailed custom bikes."

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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Mind & Matter presents SkateJam. Live music, rollerskating, sound bath meditation, live graffiti, merch, nail bar, flash tattoos + more!

Mind & Matter is a nonprofit creating holistic mental wellness initiatives for youth in Southern California. In partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica, our SkaterTots program teaches self-esteem skills and rollerskating to underserved youth.

SkateJam brings together LA community, creativity, and philanthropy. All ticket sales support our mission to turn trauma into strength for the next generation in Southern California.

Friday, April 21 · 5 - 10pm PDT

Tower House
1720 Main St Venice, CA 90291

For more info and tickets, Click Here

"Look Left or Might Get Your Head Chopped Off."

Join us for a one-day festival featuring iconic artists & musicians of Venice. There will be punk, reggae, & jazz! Music performances by: Cycotyc Youth, No Reaction!, Sick Sense, Who Cares, and Doug Mug & The Thugs. Food & craft vendors will be tabling on-site. Entrance: $10 Doors open: 2:00 p.m.

Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center
681 Venice Blvd
Venice Beach, CA 90291


For more info and tickets, Click Here

Photos via @neighborhoodini

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica Cruisin' Classics and neighbors brought out their coolest rides for the Friday Night meetup. "

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:

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