On Sunday, Nov. 5, an Army Reserve Unit will conduct a training exercise for emergency/disaster preparedness on the beach by the Santa Monica Pier (near Lifeguard Tower 15).

During the training, the unit will purify thousands of gallons of ocean water to drinking water standards. Army water purification specialists and medics will perform various tests to ensure the water is safe to drink, and it will then be recycled for use by the city of Santa Monica.

The City of Santa Monica thanks the community and visitors in advance for respecting all signage and barriers during the training exercise. And thanks to the Army Reserve Unit for coordinating with the city for this important and interesting project!

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The global sensation and towering symbol of resilience, Little Amal, a 12-foot-tall puppet embodying the spirit of a young Syrian refugee, arrived at Santa Monica Pier on November 2, 2023, at 5 PM, continuing her extraordinary journey of awareness and compassion.

Little Amal's odyssey, which captivated the hearts of millions worldwide, celebrated the arts and shone a light on the plight of countless children who had been uprooted by conflict. Supported by a myriad of artists, leaders from various faiths, civil society, and a massive online community, Amal's voyage became more than a movement—it turned into a global festival of hope and solidarity. Her resonant plea, "Don’t forget about us," echoed the urgent need for attention to the stories of children affected by war and strife.

Crafted with masterful artistry by the Handspring Puppet Company, known for their groundbreaking work on the international hit play "War Horse," Little Amal represented a beacon of human rights, especially advocating for the displaced and family-severed young ones across the globe.

As Amal traversed the world, her presence was celebrated through deeply engaging and culturally rich events. She had already journeyed through 14 countries, engaging with communities in over 270 events across 97 cities, towns, and villages, each encounter tailored to reflect and honor the local traditions and narratives.

In her visit to Santa Monica, the community gathered for an unforgettable evening of cultural immersion and heartfelt welcome. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the pier resonated with the stirring performances of Hālau Hula Keali`i O Nālani, enveloping Amal in a tapestry of music and dance that highlighted the cultural diversity of America."

For more info on Little Amal, Click Here

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.

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Potential robbery suspect detained by LAPD while his oversized bag searched in public view at Bank of America, Venice Beach. Filmed by, Venice Gallerie

The 2nd Annual Skate n' Scare went down at the Venice Skatepark on Halloween afternoon.

This skate contest was hosted by Peter Ruiz of The Venice Pier Project and open to all ages. Prizes were supplied by Dogtown Skateboards and Naybor Hoodiez

These are just a few of the 100+ photos from this event. The links to the complete galleries of all the photos are down below.























You can find about 100 more photos from this event, all full size and in high-resolution, in these 2 photo galleries:

Skate N' Scare 2023 Photo Gallery #1
Skate N' Scare 2023 Photo Gallery #2


Video of the contest will be up soon...

Venice Beach, CA. 1979 Photo by: George Porcari

For more Throwbacks, Click Here

On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at about 9:50 pm, Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to a call of a battery that just occurred in the 1200 block of Lincoln Boulevard. Officers located the victim of the battery, a 79-year-old female resident of the city suffering from a blow to the head and other injuries. The suspects, four males in a Kia sedan and armed with a handgun, robbed the woman of her purse. A witness was able to provide a description of the vehicle and license plate. The Kia had been reported stolen out of Long Beach.

Additional responding officers located the suspect vehicle on the south side of the city driving recklessly and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to yield. The pursuit ended at 11th and Wilshire when the driver of the suspect vehicle lost control of the car and crashed into a pickup. Two of the suspects were located immediately and taken into custody. The third suspect was discovered hiding in a carport off a nearby alley and taken into custody without incident. The fourth suspect pushed his way into an occupied apartment in the 1200 block of 11th Street. The resident was able to force the suspect out of the apartment. This suspect was located hiding on the roof of the building by an assisting LAPD helicopter where he was taken into custody. A firearm was also located in the area.

The elderly victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries. The occupants of the other vehicle struck by the suspect vehicle were not seriously injured.

All four suspects were booked into the Santa Monica Jail on multiple felony charges:

Stevenson, Kejon (DOB: 03/03/1999) of Los Angeles.

Pugh, Jacob (DOB: 04/28/2004) Homeless.

Juvenile #1 (17 years old) of Los Angeles.

Juvenile #2 (17 years old) of Los Angeles.


Kejon Stevenson (left) and Jacob Pugh (right) / Santa Monica Police Department

Stevenson has been arrested 3 times already this year, once for kidnapping:



Pugh has also been arrested recently for burglary:



Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Tavera at Hector.Tavera@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Gradle at Ryan.Gradle@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

Little Amal is coming to the Santa Monica Pier on November 2nd.

Little Amal is the 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee girl, who has travelled over 9,000km to 15 countries with her message of hope and solidarity for displaced people everywhere.

Between 7 September and 5 November 2023, Amal is journeying 6,000 miles across the United States in one of the largest free public festivals ever created. More than 35 towns and cities from Boston to San Diego and 1,000+ artists and arts organizations have created 100+ events to welcome her.

Amal is dazzled by the lights of the Santa Monica pier. As the sun sets in the horizon, she is blessed by the music and dance of Hālau Hula Keali`i O Nālani as the sun sets in the horizon.

Join us from 4:00pm to create art to welcome Amal

Date: Thursday November 2nd
Crafting begins at 4:00pm
Amal arrives at 5:00pm
Location: Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA
For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

The Westside Food Bank's annual 5k Hunger Walk is Nov. 5 at Ocean View Park in SM

Join Westside Food Bank's 5K Hunger Walk on Nov. 5th, at Ocean View Park to raise awareness about food insecurity in LA County. Put on your walking shoes, and let's work together to help those in need!



Check-in begins: 12 p.m.
Pre-walk festivities: 1 p.m.
5K walk starts: 2 p.m.
Beach Bash After-Party: 3:30 p.m.

For more info, Click Here

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

A brush fire started in Pacific Palisades on Halloween night.

The Los Angeles Fire Department immediately responded and reported the fire at 100 N Temescal Canyon Rd across from Will Rogers State Beach at 10:45PM, affecting around a quarter-acre of light and medium brush.

There was potential for structures to be threatened in the Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates (Samoa Way) however firefighters made good progress and there were no evacuations made.

No injuries reported. And wind was not a factor in this fire.