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There's an old legend that during the huge El Nino winter of 1998-99, Santa Monica local Donnie Wilson picked off a ride from Topanga that connected all the way past Chart House -- a distance of more than 300 yards.

On January 5th, 2023, it happened again. This time it was Michael Torquato DeNicola riding a wave from Topanga past Chart House. .

Michael Torquato deNicola is a world traveling and award-winning surfer, artist, and filmmaker.
https://iamtorquato.com/


A tree fell on a Mercedes Benz after several days of rain soaks the city of Santa Monica.




Guy in a Porsche raced out of the Santa Monica Pier, in his lame attempt to impress all the tourist with his Soccer Mom SUV, and drives into and down the sectioned off protected bike lanes until he reaches a plastic post.





The Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel was Lights off except rim, 1 hr on Saturday, March 25 in recognition of Earth Hour 2023. Earth Hour, one of the largest global grassroots movements for the environment, will bring together millions of people, businesses and leaders from around the world to raise awareness on the urgent need to address nature loss and climate change.





The City of Santa Monica wants to hear from you! What are your thoughts on pedicabs on the beach bike path?

In 2022, the City Council voted to allow a limited number of non-electric pedicabs on the Beach Bike-Path providing an alternative mode of transport that enhances tourism and reduces pollution and motor vehicle congestion. A limited number of pedicab operators were granted specific decals through a lottery process to operate on the Beach Bike-Path. The City would like to receive input from the public regarding the existing policy and operating on the Beach Bike Path.

Click Here to tell them via a survey.



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Graffiti Mural Artist Jules Muck, popularly known as Muck Rock, paints a new mural of the Santa Monica Pier on the Skin Remedies Medical building at 1711 Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica on Monday, March 27, 2023. Muck is known for her large-scale murals that are both colorful and dynamic, often incorporating pop culture references and themes of social justice.

Muck's latest mural is a beautiful and intricate representation of the iconic Santa Monica Pier. The mural showcases the pier's neon sign in her signature style, featuring bold colors, expressive lines, and playful imagery. The mural is a perfect fit for Skin Remedies Medical, which specializes in cosmetic procedures to help people feel more confident and beautiful."

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


Lifeguard Operations Building along Pacific Coast Highway and the adjoining public restrooms were vandalized with graffiti. The home across PCH, was also tagged up.








From June 23-25, 2023, the Queen Of The Point is back to bring together female longboarders of varying styles and abilities from all over the globe to the perfect peeling waves of First Point Malibu. Regarded as one of the best point breaks in the entire world, especially for longboarding, Malibu Surfrider Beach is steeped in surf history and culture. It has long been host to numerous events and competitions, but few have honored the lady sliders of past, present, and future.

As the fastest growing population of surfers, female longboarders are not only taking over lineups, but they represent the beauty, flow, and art of the sport.

The mission of QOTP is to acknowledge and show respect to the women who came before, to give a platform for the current class, and to encourage girls of the future to embrace longboard surfing.



The event includes AMATEUR divisions, with a maximum of 12 spots per division, running in a round-robin format, guaranteeing participants a minimum of 2 heats!

The PRO division has 24 spots available. Heats have a maximum of 4 riders, with an early second chance elimination round.


Price per division:$110 USD - $210 USD
Pro Division – $6,000 Prize Purse*
First Place = $3,000
Second Place = $1,500
Third Place = $900
Fourth Place = $600

For more info and to register, Click Here

*Subject to change without notice
A mountian lion was hit by a vehicle on Pacific Coast Highway.

It was a hit-&-run near Leo Carrillo on Saturday, March 25. The lion was killed.



Car has been sitting there on Pacific Coast Highway for several months.





From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The Venice Electric Bike Parade rolled along Ocean Front Walk on Sunday, March 26, 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


"Bay/Cove Great Learning Spot With Lots Of Space."



Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

Shop products Daisy uses and recommends:






From Fireball Tim



The Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel will be lit Lights off except rim, 1 hr on Saturday, March 25 in recognition of Earth Hour 2023.

On Saturday, March 25 at 8:30 p.m. local time, Earth Hour, one of the largest global grassroots movements for the environment, will bring together millions of people, businesses and leaders from around the world to raise awareness on the urgent need to address nature loss and climate change.

The iconic Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel in Los Angeles joins other world-famous landmarks including the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London, the Parthenon at the Acropolis in Greece, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Great Wall of China, among others at 8:30 p.m. local time on March 25.

Started in 2007 by WWF and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney to raise awareness of climate change, Earth Hour is now one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages supporters in more than 190 countries and territories, all taking action to ensure a brighter future for people and the planet.

Earth Hour participants can visit earthhour.org to know what’s happening in locations around the world and read individuals’ stories about what they are doing for the planet. Now is the time to secure a healthy, sustainable and climate-resilient future for all. Every voice, no matter how big or small, can help make a difference.

“From our solar-powered Ferris wheel to the power of our grassroots efforts, Pacific Park is committed to being the best environmental partner possible by working within our community and globally with national and international companies,” said Nathan Smithson, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. “We have been a staunch supporter of Earth Hour since the beginning and believe in its messaging and initiatives on sustainability, climate and environmental awareness throughout the world.”

Through its own ecological efforts, Pacific Park received the “Excellence in Stewardship of the Natural Environment” award at the 15th annual Sustainable Quality Awards presented by the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the nonprofit Sustainable Works.

The nine-story tall Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel first debuted in May 1996 with the opening of Pacific Park and was adapted as the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel in November 1998.

Pacific Park also introduced the world’s first wind-powered amusement park game, the High Striker, in October 2011. All components of the High Striker were completely wind-powered including the chaser lights with more than 100 bulbs, multiple spotlights and sound system.

Soaring 130 feet above the Pacific Ocean, the Pacific Wheel’s 174,000 LED lights are mounted on the Ferris wheel’s structure including the 40 spokes and two hubs. The world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel’s lighting system features 16.7 million color value combinations while the programming and display software presents imaging up to 24 frames per second to display dynamic, custom, computer-generated lighting entertainment. The eco-friendly, enhanced LED lighting provides 81 percent greater energy savings than most Ferris wheel’s traditional incandescent bulbs.


Oscar from Hecho En Venice checks out the surfing and bodyboarding at the Venice Pier on an early winter morning.