Latest News

Venice Arson Suspect Sought



The Los Angeles Fire Department's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section (ACTS) is seeking the public's help in locating this suspect in connection with recent arson fires in the Venice area. The suspect set a series of rubbish fires on February 26, 2022 on Flower Ct between 6th Ave and 7th Ave. The suspect continued westbound and set additional rubbish fires on Paloma Ct between Pacific Ave and Speedway.

LAFD Investigators are working closely with Patrol Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Community Police Station to canvass the area in the search for this suspect.

Given the quality of these images, it is believed the suspect should be easily identifiable to those who know him.

Anyone who recognizes this suspect should call the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 222-8477.




SUSPECT DESCRIPTION
25-35 yo African American male
Approximately 6' tall, 185lbs
Thin build, thin mustache
Right side earring
Brown USS Iowa ball cap
White shirt with blue graphic design
Bluep pants and black Croc shoes
Variety of jewelry including shell necklace, ear stud, wrist bracelet and multiple rings on fingers

Marina Del Rey Dragon Boat Festival



The first Marina del Rey Dragon Boat Festival is this Sat, March 5th at Burton Chace Park, 7AM – 4PM. This free event features dragon races, entertainment, arts & crafts, food truck fare and more.

Hot Dog On A Stick Food Truck



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"A Hot Dog on a Stick truck is at Santa Monica Beach next to the original store, Thursday, February 24, 2022.

The Original Hot Dog on a Stick is closed for a few months. After 75 years on Ocean Front Walk, the iconic Hot Dog on a Stick will be demolished and rebuilt. The 440-square-foot building will be replaced with a 660-square-foot building. Hot Dog on a Stick opened in 1946. Hot Dog on a Stick is planning to reopen in early May.

Hot Dog on a Stick is known for its fresh, made-to-order hot dog on a stick and cheese on a stick products, hand-stomped natural lemonade, smiling customer service and its iconic bright striped uniforms. Hot Dog on a Stick provides customers with a fun all-American quick service restaurant experience, catering services for events, party packs, and fundraisers. Hot Dog on a Stick has close to 70 locations in the U.S. and internationally including Korea and China."

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

Venice Oceanarium



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Founder of Venice Oceanarium, Tim Rudnick, at the Venice Pier on Sunday, February 27, 2022. The Venice Oceanarium is a Museum Without Walls. Their programs combine science with the arts to encourage kids (of all ages) to appreciate the environment and, therefore, become stewards of our oceans. The Venice Oceanarium believes that this integrative curriculum of poetry, literature, music, drawing, and performance arts teaches by experiencing the world around us on a more profound level than books and classrooms alone can provide. The events and activities are designed to raise awareness of the natural wonders of Venice Beach. Join them on their learning expedition!"

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 Most Haunted House Of Venice Beach



History is myth. Once upon a time, Venice Beach was a fairytale by the sea. And there are some spirits who still remember...

A Short film Written & Directed by ANSEL FARAJ

Homeless Starts Another Venice Beach Fire

Another homeless meth zombie started another fire in bathroom at Venice Beach.

More Arson At Venice Beach

Hot Dog On A Stick Closes For Demolition



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"he Original Hot Dog on a Stick will be closed for a few months on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. After 75 years on Ocean Front Walk, the iconic Hot Dog on a Stick will be demolished and rebuilt. The 440-square-foot building will be replaced with a 660-square-foot building. Hot Dog on a Stick opened in 1946. Hot Dog on a Stick is planning to reopen in early May.

Hot Dog on a Stick is known for its fresh, made-to-order hot dog on a stick and cheese on a stick products, hand-stomped natural lemonade, smiling customer service and its iconic bright striped uniforms. Hot Dog on a Stick provides customers with a fun all-American quick service restaurant experience, catering services for events, party packs, and fundraisers. Hot Dog on a Stick has close to 70 locations in the U.S. and internationally including Korea and China.

Surveyors lay reference lines at Hot Dog on a Stick on Tuesday, February 22, 2022."

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

Double Rainbows Over Topanga


LA Beaches Closed Due To Lightning



{BEACH LIGHTNING} All Los Angeles County Beaches are CLOSED due to lightning. Lifeguards are clearing the water and advising patrons on the beach to seek shelter immediately. The Lifeguard Division is working with the National Weather Service Los Angeles to monitor the current storm cell.

High Surf Advisory



HIGH SURF ADVISORY} in effect 10AM - Wednesday morning. As a result of strong winds, a short period wind swell of 4-6' is expected to impact Los Angeles County Beaches. Check in with a Lifeguard for an update on ocean & beach conditions.

Large breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet with dangerous rip currents. Highest west-facing beaches.

A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area...producing localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Special Marine Warning



Special Marine Warning including the Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands until 6:00 PM PST

Body Glove - 20% Off Wetsuits - Super Bowl Sale



Body Glove Super Bowl Sale! 20% off
Full Line up of Men's Phoenix and
Women's EOS Wetsuits, use code Super20
2/9-2/14, Shop Now!



Jacks Surfboards Valentine's Day Sale




Check out Jacks Surfboards Valentine's Day Sale going on this weekend.⁠⁠

Shop online and get 20% Sitewide, use online code: BEMINE20.⁠⁠


Shop in-stores & save big through Valentine’s Day!
❤️ Spend $100, get 10% OFF
❤️ Spend $200, get 20% OFF
❤️ Spend $300, get 30% OFF ⁠

(This sale excluded Surfboards, bodyboards, wetsuits, booties, bikes, rainbow, gopro, yeti, theragun, gift cards, already discounted items.)


Venice Early Morning Fire And LAPD Confused



Filmed on Friday 2/11/22 by Cop Watch Venice

"I spotted a fire on Windward Ave next to an elderly homeless guy I know who has dementia or something around 4:30 am. He cant talk, so he couldn't tell me if it was his to stay warm or someone started it passing by, but it was really close to the highly flammable street dining set up that the city illegally allows in the street, so I decided to put it out before the neighborhood burned down. The city refuses to help people like this and let them suffer and die on the street intentionally. LAPD and private security drove by and supposedly didn't see it. There was a lot of smoke which I smelled a few blocks away and tracked it down, they literally drove by as I was there. I have seen this guy everyday for at least a year and he has never had a fire previously. I believe someone tossed a cigarette or something on his blankets he had on the planter. There's a group of rich people currently threatening the city with litigation if this type of thing happens, rather than forcing them to live up to their responsibilities, they just threaten frivolous lawsuits and demand the current situation continue by asking for the wrong solution. Seemed very suspicious to me. LAPD refuses all arson investigations if it is against a homeless person, so I didn't bother. He also could have tossed a cigarette in there himself and it caught his blanket on fire.

Then the park rangers were back with sanitation for the weekly Venice boardwalk homeless clean up. Sanitation was out all night and harassed select people again, but didn't clean anything. The morning shift was no different. Because homelessness is not illegal while the city refuses to provide shelter, only thing they could do was move people 5 feet and pretend to sweep.

Later I ran into a LAPD detainment with one man claiming another was trying to sell kids drugs, and the guy claiming the other stole his cellphone. There was no cellphone in possession and LAPD refused to search the other guy for drugs, so they let everyone go."

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

Rip Current Risk This Weekend



There's a moderate rip current risk for LA beaches and high for Ventura County beaches through Saturday.

Top Secret Malibu Car Show



LIVE from the Malibu Car Show - Fireball Tim walks the Top Secret Malibu Car Show in his town, spots Malibu Taxis, Classics and more...

Excessive Heat Watch



Excessive Heat Watch in effect. Warning, signunusually hot temperatures are expected for the second half of the week for the LA coast and coastal valleys. Wintertime heat stress is a possibility, especially for those not acclimated to the heat.

Venice Boat Docks



S.S. Methamphetamine seen today on Glencoe​.

Photo by Justin Gordon

LAPD Chases Man With Knife Thru Venice



Filmed on 2/7/22 by Cop Watch Venice

"I ran into LAPD in the middle of a foot pursuit chasing a man with a knife. He led them on a pretty long chase around the neighborhood, going in and out of different properties. In the end the suspect held a knife to his throat and threatened suicide and was taken to the hospital."



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

Venice Homeless Woman Tries To Kidnap Baby





Venice Library Is Now A Shithole





Santa Monica Pier Compass Rose Restored



As part of the City’s enhanced maintenance to prepare for crowds of Super Bowl fans, staff members Daryl Nathan, Joey Alvarez, and Alex Vizuet refreshed the Santa Monica Pier Compass Rose and gave it a vibrant look in the home team’s colors.

Venice Surf Lifestyle Brand Under Fire For Cultural Appropiation



Venice Beach based "surf lifestyle" hipster brand, Aviator Nation and it's Texas-born founder Paige Mycoskie are being acused of committing cultural appropriation by the Native American owned brand, NSRGNTS. It appears the hipster brand has been taking traditional Native American clothing, as well as tipis, and selling gaudy versions of them.

NSRGNTS has been calling them out on this on social media:

"We have had several relatives from this area reach out to us. We see problematic and harmful actions taking place by owner Paige Mycoskie and her clothing brand Aviator Nation! Her brand consists of the misuse of traditional regalia specifically traditional beaded moccasins. Her brand consists of hipsters wearing traditional “vintage” beaded moccasins. They are being referred to as “hippie slippers”, “boho”, “eccentric”, along with all those other usual cringey terms. Traditional moccasins are very sacred, and not to be used as a fashion accessory on hipsters for exploitation. Every color, pattern, design, and material has significant cultural meaning. It is a problem when people want to take bits and pieces of our culture and use it for their own personal fashion shoot. It’s problematic that they want to take from us but will not stand with us. Where are they when we are fighting pipelines, fighting to protect Mother Earth, fighting to protect our people, bringing awareness to MMIWg2S? Where are they then? Paige Mycoskie we demand you do better and stop with the cultural appropriation that is very apparent within your clothing brand, and your use of tipis at ACL Festival. We see that you are proudly boasting you “build tipis for a living!” Tipis are not yours to appropriate and paint hideous neon colors at festivals!!! Tipis have very powerful and significant meanings. All of this is not yours to take, or to be played with. We have entered new times, and we hope for your sake that you take the time to educate yourself and stop this behavior."

Aviator Nation responded to this by deleting people's comments on their postings and disabling all future comments on their Instagram account.

So now NSRGNTS going to hold a protest on Sunday in front of the Aviator Nation store on Abbot Kinney, here's the latest statement from them:

"Because Paige Mycoskie and her company Aviator Nation have decided to knowingly move forward with committing cultural appropriation after being told not to by the Indigenous community, Southern California relatives and allies have decided to move forward with action! Our culture is not yours for the taking! We demand you stop your profiting off of Indigenous culture, your misuse of tipis, your exploitation of serapes, and your misuse of Native regalia specifically moccasins. Our culture is not a costume, and appropriation is not appreciation."

Homeless Are Back On Venice Beach



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

"My last homeless encampment video on venicebeach was five months ago this is an update video that shows you how to situation of the homeless community looks like at the current time In the Venice area more and more tens Accumulates around the beach area."

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

Santa Monica Compass Rose Update



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica Pier painter Joey Alvarez, with the help from City Employees Daryl Nathan and Alex Vizuet, refurbish the compass rose on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. The compas rose was originally painted in 2018 by Santa Monica High School student Mimi Gaudet."

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

Venice Homeless Encampment Cleanup



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works sanitation workers in white hazardous materials suits, with Clean Harbors hazardous waste management, clean-up homeless encampments at public parking lot 740 on 301 Main Street in Venice on Wednesday, February 3, 2022."

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

Venice Beach Homelessness Update



Venice beach, CA library park major homeless encampment clean up AKA sweep. 1/12/22 Filmed by Cop Watch Venice

"A homelessness update of Venice beach and surrounding areas filmed on 2/1-2/22. There's a lot of other people around Venice, this is just some of them. Everyone is still being moved around aimlessly while the funding intended to help them is wasted."

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

Wavegarden Set to Arrive Near Los Angeles



DSRT Surf is slated to be the first Wavegarden Cove surf park built in the United States of America after plans were unanimously approved by the City of Palm Desert in the Coachella Valley. Wavegarden´s technology will comprise a 52-module wave generator and a fully integrated surfing lagoon.

DSRT Surf is implementing a unique “turf for surf” program to offset all surf lagoon water use by converting 20 acres of turf on the adjacent golf courses to drought tolerant landscaping. The surf program will use the same amount of water as the golf course area being removed, making it a “net zero” water consumption operation.

On top of world-class waves, the resort will also feature a 92 room hotel, 83 residential villas with water views, a beach club and spa, together with pickleball courts, a pump track, restaurants and bars.

According to the development plans, construction on the surfing lagoon will soon commence and completion is scheduled for the end of 2023.

Car Races Down Venice Boardwalk



Filmed by Green Cloud Art Org

Venice Boardwalk Live Cam



Santa Monica Compass Rose



From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Santa Monica Pier painter Joey Alvarez refurbishes the compass rose on Monday, January 31, 2022. The compas rose was originally painted in 2018 by Santa Monica High School student Mimi Gaudet."

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