Sad news to report this Tuesday afternoon, it's been confrimed that Born x Raised Co-Founder Chris "Spanto" Printup Has Passed Away



In 2013, Spanto created Born x Raised brand with Alex "2Tone" Erdmann, celebrating and defending their Venice, California home.

A month aftewr starting Born x Raised, Spanto was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

He celebrated his cancer-free status in 2018.

Just a few months aog, he took to social media reflecting on his health journey and expressing how grateful he is to be cancer free.

"I just want to take a moment to take a long, hard look back and what has happened over the last ten years. I think if you would take a peek at my instagram and see the highlight reel and think it might’ve been easy - but.. from where ive started (like in the early years of my life).. growing up my dad was homeless and my mom was mentally ill - I spent a lot of time in and out of the system from an early age from central juvenile hall to many years spent in the county - I decided to create a clothing brand while the last time I was incarcerated - I cooked up bxr while I was in the hole at supermax (idk if anyone who is reading this has been there but if you’ve ever eaten juke balls for a month you know the deal). A couple years after working on bxr we started moving, things were great and one month after we launched with union I was diagnosed with terminal cancer (YES, TERMINAL) so from 2013 until now I’ve been battling cancer, did 4 years of chemo lost 100 lbs and my hair numerous times - what I’m getting at is life is hard for everyone and I want anyone to know, that if you’re feeling discouraged or like life has given you too many handicaps - ITS OKAY. you’re going to be fine things will get better."



"I’m cancer free, I’m not incarcerated and my family has a house to live in and I want to look back at all that has happened and say THANK YOU - because just 5 years ago I was in the worst place in life I’ve ever been and just this last week I’ve been in Vogue, NY Times and a bunch of other places that I am extremely grateful for. If you would have told me 10 years ago I would be hosting a dinner with Nike on the roof of Soho house for 100 of my friends I would’ve never believed you. So I again want to look at all the beautiful gifts life has given me and enjoy all of it." He ended his post by thanking all his friends and beautiful wife Ann for suporting him.



Details of his death have not yet been confirmed.

Here's surfing photos from Tuesday, June 27th at the Venice Breakwater.

This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by Bodyglove. From now till July 6th, use code july25 to get 25% OFF at Bodyglove.com

These are just a few of the 150+ photos from this session. If you were out there, you probably got some surfing shots, probably multiple photos, they will be in the complete photo gallery for this day, check them out, the link to the complete gallery is down below.

















You can find 100+ more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in this photo gallery:

Venice Breakwater - Tuesday 6--27-2023 Photo Gallery


If you were out there, we probably got some cool surfing shots of you, go check them out!

Wanna see photos from previous days at this and other local surf spots from this photographer?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.

The Aquarium of the Pacific and Marine Mammal Care Center are partnering to pilot a program engaging the public on beaches in response to a large scale stranding event. Volunteers are helping to monitor for Domoic Acid (DA) and other seal and sea lion (pinniped) behaviors on beaches or near people.

Volunteers are needed to help spot strandings, educate beachgoers, and help keep these animals and the public safe. If you're willing to help, Click Here to start the process.

If you see a sick or injured animal, please call 1-800-39-WHALE. Please do not approach the animal.

For more about the sick sea lions and dolphins, Click Here.

The Los Angeles Police Department has release their statement about the bus driver who was stabbed in his back last week at Venice Beach:

On June 22, 2023, around 2:05 p.m., patrol officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD or Department) Pacific Area responded to the 1700 block of Main Street for an “Ambulance Cutting” radio call.

The victim, an MTA bus operator stopped at the above location and exited the bus to check an exterior part. The suspect approached the victim and without provocation, stabbed him in the back. When officers arrived, they were directed to the suspect, who was later identified as 60-year-old Mark Charbonneaux. Officers contacted the suspect and took him into custody without incident. Pacific Area detectives and officers from the LAPD Mental Evaluation Unit responded to the scene and assisted in the investigation.

The Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital. He is currently listed in stable condition. The suspect was also transported to a local hospital and treated for a medical issue unrelated to the assault or his arrest. He was later cleared by hospital staff and released for booking. The investigation revealed that prior to the officers’ arrival a security guard from a local business deployed pepper spray against the suspect.

A four-inch folding knife used in the incident was recovered at scene. Charbonneaux was arrested and booked for 245(a)(1) Penal Code – Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Booking #6628443).

URGENT COASTAL ALERT: California coasts are experiencing a significant increase in sea lions and dolphins suffering from domoic acid (DA) poisoning due to a toxic algal bloom. If you see any marine mammals on the beach the public should keep away at least 50 yards & call Marine Mammal Care Center's Rescue Hotline at 1-800-39-WHALE.



More on DA poisening: Pseudo-nitzschia blooms (toxic algal blooms) offshore along the Central and Southern California coast. This algae produces a neurotoxin called domoic acid, which accumulates in fish such as sardines, anchovies, and squid. The toxin then transfers to predators such as sea lions and birds that prey on the fish—causing seizures, brain damage, and sometimes death.



Symptoms of DA poisoning in Marine mammals include side-to-side head movement, seizing, bulging eyes, extending their heads back for long periods, and erratic behavior.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act states that "it is illegal to feed or harass wild marine mammals including dolphins, porpoises, whales, seals, sea lions, and manatees."



Marine Mammal Care Los Angeles ius currently caring for over 50 domoic acid (DA) patients as they strand on SoCal beaches. The increase in distressed animals reported to MMCC is putting strains on resources as they continue to deal with the many young animals already in their care following the annual pup season this spring. To care for the increased volume of patients, it is likely to cost more than $250,000. Your support is needed now more than ever.

To donate, Click Here

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Woman lifeguards showcase their prowess in a thrilling surf race at Santa Monica Beach during the unforgettable Pier 360 festival!"

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

Ocean Water Use Warnings for beaches in Los Angeles. County Of Los Angeles Public Health advises not coming in contact with ocean water as it may cause illness.

June 23, 2023 - The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:

BEACH AREAS WARNINGS:

• Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu. 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.

• Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach 100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.

• Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey The entire swim area.

• Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

• Las Flores Creek at Las Flores State Beach 100 yards up and down the coast from the creek.

These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24- hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800- 525-5662.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.

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

"Today, I saw some helicopters circling over Venice. The area was taped off with the caution tape, lots of police. A homeless man just stabbed a bus driver in the back. Really sad situation."

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

Join us for our Summer Open House Event! We will have a Magic Show with Magic Wayne at 11 a.m., and then a Swing Dance Party with the Benny Brydern Trio at 12:30 p.m. Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge and receive your sign-up prizes. Plus: Food Trucks, Crafts, and More!

Saturday, June 24th from 11 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

11 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ~ Magic Show with Magic Wayne

12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Swing Dance Party with Benny Brydern Trio

501 S. Venice Boulevard
Venice, CA 90291

For more info, Click Here