Latest News
On Saturday, June 17th, Bartels’ Harley-Davidson of Marina Del Rey hosting a Father’s Day Custom Bike Show to celebrate their 40th anniversary and as well the 120th anniversary of the legendary American motorcycle brand.

There will be some cikc custom bikes, and great prizes, as well as Food and Beer. This is a "people's choice" bike show judging contest.





Bartels' Harley-Davidson
4141 Lincoln Blvd,
Marina del Rey, CA 90292-5615

For more info, Click Here
Cosmic Demise has posted their first round of photos from the Unity Skateboard Championship at Stoner Park.





All the photos are in this photo gallery:

Unity Skateboard Championship


Celebrate America returns to Santa Monica College on Saturday, July 1! Fireworks by Pyro Spectaculars. Live music by Westside Crew. Picnic on Corsair Field

Gates open at 5 p.m.
Fireworks at 9 p.m.
$5 parking - enter at Pico Blvd. & 17th St.

For more info, Click Here
HEAL THE BAY ANNOUNCES BEST AND WORST BEACHES BASED ON WATER QUALITY

The Heal the Bay Water Quality Team has published their set of scientific reports on fecal-indicator bacterial pollution rankings for 100's of CA beaches and dozens of LA freshwater.

And Santa Moinca Pier is the most polluted beach in California!!!!!

It is actually tied for most polluted beach when Playa Blanca in Mexico is factored in.



Heal the Bay’s Beach Bummer List ranks the most polluted beaches in California based on levels of harmful bacteria in the ocean. The 2022-2023 Beach Bummer List includes beaches in Los Angeles, San Mateo, San Diego, and Orange Counties as well as the Tijuana Area. This year, Santa Monica Pier and Playa Blanca in Tijuana tied for the top spot as both faced significant water quality challenges.

1-2. Playa Blanca, Tijuana Area
1-2. Santa Monica Pier, LA County
3. Linda Mar Beach, San Mateo County
4. Marlin Park, San Mateo County
5. Erckenbrack Park, San Mateo County
6. Tijuana River Mouth, San Diego County
7. Pillar Point Harbor, San Mateo County
8. Marina del Rey Mother’s Beach, LA County
9. Poche Beach, Orange County
10. Gull Park, San Mateo County

The City of Santa Monica is in theprocess of replacing the bird deterrent netting underneath the pier because bird feces is suspected to be the main culprit for the poor water quality. The City of Santa Monica is also installing a trash removal device in the large storm drain south of the pier at Pico Boulevard, which could help reduce bacteria levels around the pier. The City recently completed a large stormwater capture project that will keep polluted water from entering the ocean and increase local water resilience.

Regrettably, the name Mother’s Beach is now synonymous with the term Beach Bummer. The characteristics that make this beach a great destination for families also make it prone to bacteria pollution. This beach is enclosed within Marina del Rey so there is little wave action and water circulation. Similar to the San Mateo Beach Bummers, pollution does not get flushed away from the shore as it does at beaches on the open ocean. In 2022, L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors conducted a study that concluded that most fecal pollution at the beach comes from birds. Department of Beaches and Harbors is currently planning to install bird deterrents around the beach. Mother’s Beach was closed for a few days this past January due to a 64,000 gallon sewage spill, which was another unfortunate setback for Mother’s Beach visitors

The good news is 95% of the California beaches assessed by Heal the Bay received an A or B grade during summer 2022, which is on par with the average.



To download the full report, Click Here


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In response to a report of a violent altercation involving a parking lot attendant, Los Angeles Police Officers swiftly arrived at Venice Beach on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. However, upon interviewing the attendant, it was revealed that the alleged assailant had not physically assaulted him but had resorted to verbal aggression. The individual appeared to be under the influence of substances at the time. Since no physical harm had occurred, the police determined there were limited options for their immediate intervention."

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:

"Athletes compete at the Santa Monica Pier during the USA Teqball Tour - Los Angeles Championship matches at Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, June 11, 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

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




From Santa Monica Close Up:

"As the sun sets, car enthusiasts from Santa Monica Cruisin' Classics and neighboring clubs gather for their weekly meetup. This event has become a mecca for those who adore classic cars and the surrounding culture."

This Happens every Friday night in the south end of the Ocean Park parking lot.

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:

"On Friday, June9, 2023, the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., conducted a cleanup operation at Venice Beach to address the homeless encampment. To ensure safety, sanitation workers wore white hazardous materials suits as part of the protocol. LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority) was also present, offering homeless outreach during the operation."

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