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A homeless man is spotted on the beach iin Santa Monica with what appears to be a rifle, he points it around, and starts marching, scaring some nearby beach-goers.

It ends up being a fake rifle made from pieces of wood. The homeless liaison personal had already been in contact with him earlier in the day and assured it was not a real gun.





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From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In a vibrant spectacle, the Abbot Kinney Festival 2023 descended upon Venice Beach, delivering a day of art, music, food, and community engagement. This event, which took place on Sunday, September24, 2023, marked an unforgettable addition to the local calendar.

Abbot Kinney Boulevard underwent a stunning transformation, becoming a thriving hub of creativity and excitement for festival-goers. The festival invited people from all walks of life to join in this unique celebration of culture."

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


"I’m just visiting and thought I’d take the metro out to Santa Monica and we hit (got hit by?) a car a few blocks from the station. Eventually someone popped a door open on my car and we all hopped down and out.

I had a great time walking to Venice and back still, and then on my train ride home some dude was smoking crack so I’d say it was a pretty solid outing overall."


After several months of being unofficially ridden, on Sunday September 24th, the Inglewood Pumptrack has officially opened to the public.

The openeing day ceremony was a bike only event, since this pump track was actually built for bikes, not skateboards or scooters.

Fortunately, the city has decided to allow skateboards on the track on certain days. 3 days of the week have been designated as Bikes Only. The other for days will be bikes and skatebooards. Scooters are not allowed at all.

Here's everything you need to know about the pump track:

It is actually 2 different pump tracks, one designated for Beginner/Intermediate, and one for Intermediate/professional users.

Woodlands Track
Beginner / Intermediate



World Championship Track
Intermediate / Professional





Pumptrack Rules

Schedule:

- Inglewood Pumptrack was purpose-built for bikes, but we also love all things skate. Please be mindful of the days when bikes take priority and observe the community guidelines. Good Vibes Only!
- Monday: Bike & Skate
- Tuesday: Bike Priority
- Wednesday: Bike & Skate
- Thursday: Bike Priority
- Friday: Bike & Skate
- Saturday: Bike Priority
- Sunday: Bike & Skate



General Rules:

- Use: Bikes and skaters please use at appropriate times. No scooters, e-bikes, motorized vehicles or RC cars.
- Safety: RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Riding can be extremely hazardous! Helmets REQUIRED for people under 18 (California Vehicle Code §21212). Additional protective gear recommended. Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t obstruct entries or the riding areas. Stay in control; be courteous and share the park.
- Hours: Open during park hours only.
- Care: No waxing, ramps, installations of any kind. No damaging or modifying features of the track. No throwing skateboards, bikes or objects.
- Prohibitions: No private events, food, music, pets, firearms, alcohol, smoking, vaping, or drugs. No camping, fires, fireworks, graffiti or tagging. Violation of these prohibitions may result in immediate removal from the premises and penalties imposed by the City of Inglewood.
- Environment: Keep the park clean and beautiful. Respect what was created for you to enjoy, including native vegetation and wildlife.
- Professional Filming: All professional filming requires advance City of Inglewood legal permit. Contact pumptrack@growcyclingfoundation.org for details. Violation of permit prohibitions may result in immediate removal from the premises and penalties imposed by the City of Inglewood.
- In Case of Emergency: Dial 911.

Riders:

- Ride in one community direction at all times.
- Do not block the track. Always move off the track when not in motion.
- Ride safely and within your ability. Start small, progress gradually.
- Ensure your equipment is in good working order.

Pedestrians & Spectators:

- No loitering in the riding area.
- Spectators are to stay outside the riding area unless aiding someone.
- Parents/guardians, supervise young children at all times.

Community Guidelines:

- Respect Each Other: Take turns and keep a safe distance. Be mindful of others, adjust your speed when the track is busy, and be courteous to everyone.
- Inclusivity: This Pumptrack is for bringing people together to build community and to share joy. Treat others with dignity and kindness, regardless of skill level or background.
- Belonging: This Pumptrack was built as a place of belonging. Help foster a sense of community by engaging positively with others and encouraging new riders. Share tips, offer assistance if wanted, and make connections.
- Stewardship: Participate in keeping the pumptrack clean and in good condition. If you see litter or damage, please address it if you can or report it to pumptrack@growcyclingfoundation.org.
- Teaching & Learning: Encourage safe riding by example. If you see someone struggling, be respectful and supportive. Be the friend you wish you had made when you started out.
- Communication: Keep the dialogue open and respectful.

The track is inside Edward Vincent Jr. Park at 700 Warren Ln, Inglewood, CA 90302

For directions to the park, Click Here






From Name On Rice:

A dead body was discover next to the graffiti walls in Venice Beach on Friday, September 15th.

This is one of the many people that have been found dead in Venice recently, the following Friday, a man in a wheelchair was found dead on the Boardwalk at Rose Ave.


In 2018, the devastating Woolsey Fire swept through Malibu, destroying the home of residents Bruce and Carla Bates. This fire, the largest in Malibu's history, decimated over 97,000 acres and 600 structures. The Bates were among thousands who faced the monumental task of rebuilding from scratch. Unable to find a prefab home that met their criteria, the couple found the perfect solution in a prefab home by Stillwater Dwellings. They look forward to hosting friends and family in their new space, designed with gatherings in mind. With their new home set against the same beautiful Malibu backdrop, the couple has found a way to move forward while paying homage to what they lost.


From Santa Monica Close Up:

" In a recent incident at Santa Monica Beach Park, Santa Monica Code Enforcement Officers accompanied by SMPD Police Officers and an Animal Control Officer responded to a gathering involving online influencer "The Dog Daddy," a popular figure on Instagram and YouTube, renowned for his dog training content. The event, which took place at 2400 Ocean Front Walk, was intended to provide free dog training advice and an opportunity for dog enthusiasts to engage in discussions about their beloved pets.

Notably, several individuals, accompanied by their canine companions, turned up to meet The Dog Daddy, keen to benefit from his expertise. However, during the event, Santa Monica Code Enforcement Officers concluded that a city license was necessary for such a gathering. They subsequently requested The Dog Daddy to cease the event. The influencer argued that he was not engaged in a business venture and did not charge a fee for the event, thus believing that a city license was unnecessary. Disagreeing with his standpoint, Code Enforcement Officers declared their intention to issue a citation, which would be sent by mail."

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:

"In a splendid display of culture and community, the Los Angeles Opera transported its patrons to the enchanting world of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Don Giovanni on a crisp evening at the Santa Monica Pier on September 23, 2023. This was the opening night of an exceptional event known as "Opera at the Beach," a free live outdoor broadcast of this timeless masterpiece."

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