In 2017 photographer Pep Williams had the opportunity to photograph inmates at the Chuckawalla Valley State Prison and Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, California. In his photographs, Mr. Williams portrays these men’s lives with dignity and humanity, even in a harsh setting and in the shadow of difficult pasts, and discovered a functioning social world and individual wisdom from men he met in prison.

Mr. Williams is a fine art photographer, video director, and third-generation DogTown skateboarder from South Central Los Angeles. He has traveled globally, creating materials for his photographic exhibitions, and has photographed spreads for magazines worldwide. The series, “Behind Bars,” is on permanent display at The Autry Museum.



"Behind Bars" is on display from March 27 to May 5, 2023 at the Malibu City Gallery (23825 Stuart Ranch Rd). Free admission and open to the public Monday - Friday, from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

For more info, Click Here

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

"Today, my friend called me and let me know that there is a free concert car show and a silent disco on the Santa Monica Pier. I believe spring break started already. Lots of people walked on the pier in Santa Monica. We had fun listening to the free concert. The car show was amazing with classic cars and super cars. We also walked around the ferris wheel and all the other rides on the pier it was a fun day, lots of things to see.."

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

Westward Beach Road in Malibu is open, following a closure from Birdview Ave to PCH due to a downed utility pole during this week's storm.

Tuesday Night through Wednesday looks windy, with the potential for widespread Gale Force winds and hazardous seas over the waters. Here are the probabilities / chances of gale force winds (35+ mph / kts).

Jump into spring with Surfrider at a beach cleanup from 10am-12pm on the northside of the Venice Pier, collecting trash off of our coasts and engaging in a morning of community and connection with fellow volunteers like you.

Opolis x Cake x SFLA Venice Pier Public Beach Cleanup
Sun, Mar 18, 2023
10:00AM-12:00PM

For more info and to register, Click Here

Beach Water Use Advisory for all Los Angeles County beaches is extended until Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

Beach users are cautioned to avoid water contact for at least 72 hours after significant rainfall. This advisory may be extended depending upon further rainfall.

Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory
A rain advisory is issued when there is significant rainfall that may cause bacteria levels in ocean waters to increase. Bacteria levels can increase significantly during and after rainstorms, as contaminants within the runoff enters the ocean. Bacteria levels may remain elevated up to 3 days depending upon the intensity of the rain and the volume of runoff. Elevated bacteria levels in ocean water may cause illness, especially in children and the elderly. The Department of Public Health recommends that beach users avoid contact with ocean water for a period of 3 days after significant rainfall, especially near flowing storm drains, creeks and rivers.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., carried out a cleanup operation of homeless encampments at Westminster Dog Park in Venice on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Sanitation workers were donned in white hazardous materials suits as part of the safety protocol for the cleanup."

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

The Santa Monica Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division (CID), in conjunction with the Special Operations Division, has identified and arrested a suspect involved in a felony assault that occurred yesterday morning.

On March 15, 2023, at approximately 8:15 AM, patrol officers responded to a 911 call from a Downtown Ambassador who reported a subject down in Palisades Park near the Camera Obscura. Arriving officers located a City of Santa Monica employee who had been stabbed in the upper torso when he attempted to rouse an individual sleeping in the area. The suspect fled the area prior to officers’ arrival. The victim was transported by the Santa Monica Fire Department to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury.

This morning, CID detectives were able to identify a possible suspect and at approximately 1100 hours officers located and arrested him. In custody for aggravated assault:

Barna, Allen Cranford DOB: 10/6/1982



Anyone with information pertaining to this incident or person involved is strongly encouraged to contact SMPD Detective Pollnow at 310-458-8455 or steven.pollnow@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8426.

This happens just a couple of days after another Homeless Man Arrested for Attempted Murder and Hate Crime on the beach in Sata Monica.

In 2017 photographer Pep Williams had the opportunity to photograph inmates at the Chuckawalla Valley State Prison and Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, California. In his photographs, Mr. Williams portrays these men’s lives with dignity and humanity, even in a harsh setting and in the shadow of difficult pasts, and discovered a functioning social world and individual wisdom from men he met in prison.

Mr. Williams is a fine art photographer, video director, and third-generation DogTown skateboarder from South Central Los Angeles. He has traveled globally, creating materials for his photographic exhibitions, and has photographed spreads for magazines worldwide. The series, “Behind Bars,” is on permanent display at The Autry Museum.



The Opening Reception includes live music by A Call 2Peace and local artists from the Malibu Arts Association displaying their work. Light refreshments will also be served. The event is free to attend and an RSVP is not required.

Date:
March 26, 2023
Time:
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location:
Malibu City Gallery at Malibu City Hall
Address:
23825 Stuart Ranch Rd
Malibu, CA 90265

"Behind Bars" is on display from March 27 to May 5, 2023 at the Malibu City Gallery (23825 Stuart Ranch Rd). Free admission and open to the public Monday - Friday, from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

For more info, Click Here