From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Claus lights the 24-foot-tall Christmas tree at the Third Street Promenade in Downtown Santa Monica on Friday, November 19, 2021.

The Tree Lighting Ceremony featured performances by Samohi Madrigals, Lincoln Middle School Madrigals, Santa Monica Youth Orchestra Mariachi Perla del Oeste, and Santa Monica Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensemble.

Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) brings the holidays to the Third Street Promenade with the return of Winterlit, transforming the downtown district into an immersive, festive experience. Tens of thousands of colorful lights, decor and garlands deck the Third Street Promenade, 2nd and 4th Streets, illuminating convenient shopping and cozy outdoor dining experiences."

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The Santa Monica community is invited to a one-day pop-up art event to experience Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park in a new way on Saturday, December 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The temporary art installation component between Broadway and Colorado Avenue will remain on view through early 2022.

The pop-up event is hosted through the City of Santa Monica’s Ocean Avenue Artists in Residence Program, part of the Ocean Avenue Project. The project aims to revitalize and enhance public use of the streetscape. The first phase of the Ocean Avenue Project focused on roadway enhancements including a protected bike lane and expansion of the eastern sidewalk for additional outdoor dining. For the next phase, Here LA, the interdisciplinary design firm selected as the Ocean Avenue Artists in Residence, will lead an arts-based community engagement process to gather feedback about how the street could be improved to better utilize its public spaces, support local businesses, and connect to adjacent corridors.

On Saturday, December 4, the interactive event will explore ways of improving the street for a more people-centered experience and will feature:

A temporary large-scale art installation mounted atop the park’s edge, between Broadway and Colorado Avenue. The installation features transparent wire letters that spell out the phrase, “WE ARE A DROP WE ARE THE OCEAN” (rendering pictured above), providing a moment of reflection as well as photo opportunities. The installation seeks to draw attention to the west side of the street and to create a unique visual that further complements the views. The installation will remain on view through early 2022.
Prototypes of large play furniture in various colors and shapes that invite climbing and interacting.
A colorful activity where participants show their feedback on how they think the street could be improved by throwing a powdered color ball on the ground in front of their favorite option. The activity will create a mural of color on the ground.

The event and activities were informed by conversations with local stakeholders and over 500 survey responses from the Santa Monica community. Here LA found that what people valued most about the street is its natural setting, the unique location of the street and park atop the bluff, and of course, the view. Competing with this natural beauty however is the street itself, which is a key gateway to nearby destinations. Much of the corridor’s physical space is dedicated to roadway and vehicles, which separates people from the park and views. To bridge this divide, Here LA is using urban planning and temporary artistic activations to explore ways of improving the street for a more pedestrian-friendly experience and to enliven the space and engage passersby.

For more information, visit SantaMonica.gov/Ocean-Avenue-Project.

Mornings in Venice Beach 11/19/21. Video by Cop Watch Venice

"The Friday boardwalk homeless clean up AKA sweep, is scheduled and LAPD and sanitation were already waiting to start at 3 am. After not wanting to be filmed doing something they were not supposed to be doing, they sat around for 8 hours, then left. Meanwhile a homeless guy who drove onto the sand and got stuck yesterday, has been camped out since without a complaint. Somebody finally called LAPD about it today, so they showed up and had police impound tow it.."

Cop Watch Venice follows LAPD pacific division on world famous Venice beach, showing a point-of-view style cop watch and update on Venice's current conditions. We make edited shorts, full scenes and are working on a documentary about homelessness and city failures. Donate to Cop Watch Venice via Cop Watch Venice Paypal

Saturday, November 20th: 2-3’ surf off combo of swells. Blend of easing SSW swell and refreshed NW swell will offer a decent little morning window. Average combo spots see waist high surf. Good spots of western North LA see sets to chest high. Light/variable morning wind stays down into the early afternoon with light onshore flow out of the W expected. Bit more onshore flow for some spots deeper into the afternoon.

Sunday, November 21st: 1-3’ surf off mix of swells. Top OC spots up to 3’+. Offshore wind, strong in some areas. Both the NW and SSW swells will be coming down and the surf will be small, falling under waist high for most. Top NW, SSW and combo spots are still waist high and a touch better on the morning tide push. Breezy offshore NE wind develop through most of the morning.

Mornings in Venice Beach 11/18/21 Thursday. Video by Cop Watch Venice

"This Thursday I ran into a guy with his car stuck in the sand, a rooster riding a skateboard and Arnold Schwarzenegger showed up to work out at gold's gym, and comes to the Hampton Ave homeless encampment clean up, where he has a conversation with LAPD and a local homeless woman."

Cop Watch Venice follows LAPD pacific division on world famous Venice beach, showing a point-of-view style cop watch and update on Venice's current conditions. We make edited shorts, full scenes and are working on a documentary about homelessness and city failures. Donate to Cop Watch Venice via Cop Watch Venice Paypal

On November 16, 2021, at about 2:30 PM, SMPD units responded to a “man with a gun” call at Chess Park (1652 Ocean Front Walk). Officers safely made contact with the individual and due to extensive training were able to quickly identify that the items in his bag were parts of an airsoft rifle and could not be fully assembled into a working device. An airsoft gun often resembles a traditional firearm but shoots nonlethal, plastic pellets. No other weapon or replica of a weapon was located. Contrary to rumor, there were no victims of criminal threats nor brandishing of this replica firearm. The male subject surrendered the parts of the airsoft to our officers.

We understand and share the concern from the community. The individual in possession of the replica rifle did not meet the criteria for an involuntary psychiatric hold. Per current law, officers collected as much personal information as possible and confiscated the airsoft parts. Penal Code 20170 is the California gun law that makes it a crime for a person to display an imitation firearm in public. A first offense violation is treated as an infraction and not punishable by imprisonment.

We thank the community members that reported the incident and remind you that we count on all residents to be an extension of SMPD. Your extra eyes and ears are an essential piece of the crime prevention and policing puzzle. Please continue to report criminal behavior by calling 9-1-1 or 310-458-8491 (non-emergency dispatch).

Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Detectives are investigating an armed robbery involving a shooting that occurred on November 15, 2021.

On Monday at about 2:00 PM the victim involved in this incident parked his vehicle in the 2600 block of 34th Street when a black sedan stopped in front of him. The front passenger of that vehicle walked to the victim’s vehicle, pulled out a handgun and demanded the victim’s cellphone and wallet. Fearing for his life, the victim gave him both.

The suspect returned to his vehicle and fled. The victim followed behind the suspects and while traveling eastbound on Pico Blvd the suspect leaned out the passenger side window and fired multiple rounds at the victim. The victim continued to follow until the suspects were last seen driving eastbound on the I10 freeway on-ramp at Centinela Ave.

Suspect Vehicle: Newer black Nissan Versa (or similar) 4 door sedan with dark tinted windows, black and chrome wheels

Suspect 1: Passenger - Male White or Hispanic, late twenties, straight shoulder-length brown hair, brown or grey eyes, wearing a hoodie and a black bandana that covered the lower half of his face

Suspect 2: Driver – Unknown

Anyone with any information pertaining to this incident, the suspect or vehicle involved, is strongly encouraged to contact Detective Tavera at 310-458-2256 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310- 458-8426.

The sand berms are back in Venice Beach for the winter storms. Photo by Jonathan Alcorn

Winterlit returns to Downtown Santa Monica to brighten up the holiday season as Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) transforms the world-class Third Street Promenade into an immersive one stop holiday experience.



Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) brings the holidays to the Third Street Promenade with the return of Winterlit, transforming the downtown district into an immersive, festive experience. Tens of thousands of colorful lights, decor and garland will deck the Third Street Promenade, 2nd and 4th Streets, illuminating convenient shopping and cozy outdoor dining experiences.

Santa comes to the Promenade on Friday, November 19 at 6 p.m. for the annual lighting of the official City of Santa Monica 24-foot-tall holiday tree. Performances by Samohi Madrigals, Lincoln Middle School Madrigals, Santa Monica Youth Orchestra Mariachi Perla del Oeste, and Santa Monica Youth Orchestra Chamber Ensemble.



Nightly menorah lightings will celebrate the Festival of Lights during the Hanukkah season from Sunday, November 28 through Monday, December 6. The lighting of the menorah will begin at sundown and take place on the 1400 block of Third Street Promenade (located between Santa Monica Blvd and Broadway).



For a one-stop holiday shopping destination, the Conscious Night Market will be on the Promenade, Saturday, December 4 from 4 – 9 p.m. hosted by Fit Girl Club LA. The pop-up artisan market features unique goods from over 40 local vendors, elevated and sustainable brands in addition to live music and free kombucha. The SoCal Etsy Guild comes to downtown for two dates: Saturday, November 20 and Saturday, December 18 from 2 – 9 p.m., featuring local Southern California-based artists, crafters and designers. Shoppers can support local businesses while finding something for everyone on their gift list.

Steps from the Promenade, Santa Monica Place will offer an array of festive activities for the whole family to enjoy this holiday season. Santa Clause will be in town and available for photos November 19 through December 24. Visitors and shoppers can also catch special performances by the dancing sensation, Santa Monica Beach Belles, and the 14-foot larger-than-life Snow Globe. Bring your furry friend to a special pet night and "sit" for a photo with Santa on December 15 and 16. Visit SantaMonicaPlace.com for more information.

Fire fighters put out a small brush fire on the ocean side of PCH east of Topanga Canyon today. It's that area were near Topanga where all those RVs have taken up residency. The "cause of the fire is under investigation".

Dense fog is quickly developing, and should push into coastal sections this afternoon and evening. Visibilities well below 1 mile are expected

Live conversation with Tim from the Mighty Under Dogs

The Mighty Under Dogs is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to the recreational rehabilitation of participants by exposing them to adaptive surfing taught by world-class instructors.

Video by Venice Gallerie

"This guy thought he'd skate away with the skateboard he stole, but two guys chased him down and got the board back."

Saturday, November 13th: 2-3’+ surf off combo of swells. Better summer/combo spots 4’+. Holding SSW swell as NW swell mix gradually creeps up through the day. Decent combo spots should see playful waist-stomach high surf for the small wave gear with focal points up to chest high at times. Light to locally moderate offshore wind early trends onshore through the morning, ahead of light westerly wind in the afternoon.

Sunday, November 14th: 3-4’ surf off combo of swells. Better summer/combo spots 4-5’+. Continued Southern Hemisphere energy (old SSW swell lingers as long period energy of a new SSW creeps in) and gradually rising NW swell mix. Decent combo spots should see playful waist-chest high surf with focal points up to shoulder high at times. Light to locally moderate offshore wind early trends onshore through the morning, ahead of light+ westerly wind in the afternoon.

Sign up for this year's contest at venicesurfathon.org.

Check out last year's contest: 27Th Annual Venice Surf-A-Thon Recap.

The Annenberg Community Beach House has commissioned artist Lars Howlett to create two temporary site-specific walkable labyrinths in the sand and one on hardscape for Out-of-the-Blue, a program of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs. Labyrinths cultivate peace and bring the community together by providing a container for a reflective experience in a focused and sacred space. Join us at the Beach House on November 13 and 14 to experience the potential of labyrinths to create and hold space for stress reduction, healing, reflection, and community building through art.

Into the Labyrinth at the Annenberg Community Beach House November 13 and 14, 2021

Reservations are not required to walk the three labyrinths. However, facilitators will be available to answer questions about labyrinths, walking meditation, and mindfulness on:

Saturday, November 13: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, November 14: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Two manual beach wheelchairs will be available for the sand labyrinths.
For more info: Click Here.

A large wooded board floated in from the ocean and through the surf at Topanga on Saturday. Photos by Six12 Media.

Here's some surf photos from Monday, November 8th at County Line. These were taken around 4:00-5:00 PM. This set was shot by ChrisDidThis.

These are just a few of the 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 gallery is down below.






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

County Line - Monday 11-8-2021 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?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.