Ballona Creek Clean Up
Roll up your sleeves to help clean up the last coastal wetland in Los Angeles. Did you know that 130 square miles of storm drains flow into Ballona Creek? Gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up right here! The time and effort you put in to clear out debris means less trash in the wetlands, on our beaches, and in the open ocean.
Saturday, April 8, 2023
9:30 AM 12:00 PM
Meet us in the dirt parking lot behind Gordon's Market / Alka Water:
303 Culver BoulevardPlaya del Rey, CA
For more info and to register, Click Here.
Skate Across America Day 1
From Chad Caruso:
"Hey everyone, my name is Chad Caruso and I’m a skateboarder from Long Island, New York, and on March 24th, 2023 I will begin skateboarding 3,000+ miles across America to raise money for addiction awareness.
I have been sober for six years now and doing so has completely changed my life for the better. I wouldn’t have been able to attempt this skate across the country without the energy and focus that sobriety has given me. The goal of this fundraiser is to highlight the importance of having something passionate in your life to focus on.
25% of the money raised will be donated to Natural High, a drug prevention nonprofit that inspires and empowers youth to find their natural high and develop the skills and courage to live life well. The rest of the funds will be used to cover food, hotels, and other expenses on throughout this two month long trip.
Thank you for being a part of this! It means more to me than you could ever know.
Chad "
Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory
An Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory has been declared for all Los Angeles County beaches. The advisory will be in effect at least until 9:00 am, Saturday, April 1, 2023 (72 hours after significant rainfall). Beach users should avoid water contact for at least 72 hours after significant rainfall. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.
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.
An ocean water quality rain advisory is declared when there is significant rainfall that may cause run-off from inland to flow to the ocean. Contamination from run-off can cause increased bacterial levels in ocean water especially near storm drains, creeks, and other waterways. Water contact during a rain advisory may cause illness especially in children, the elderly and susceptible people. Bacteria levels may take 72 hours or more to return to normal after heavy rainfall.
At all times, beach users are cautioned to avoid water contact near flowing creeks and storm drains.
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.
An ocean water quality rain advisory is declared when there is significant rainfall that may cause run-off from inland to flow to the ocean. Contamination from run-off can cause increased bacterial levels in ocean water especially near storm drains, creeks, and other waterways. Water contact during a rain advisory may cause illness especially in children, the elderly and susceptible people. Bacteria levels may take 72 hours or more to return to normal after heavy rainfall.
At all times, beach users are cautioned to avoid water contact near flowing creeks and storm drains.
Under The Hood Of A Lifeguard Truck
From Santa Monica Close Up:
"Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Gevorg Akopyan is checking the fluids, tire pressure and removing sand from the engine of his Toyota Tacoma lifeguard truck at Santa Monica Beach."
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
Thunderstorm Risks Today
National Weather Service is monitoring the LA Basin today for the possibility of thunderstorms, including strong storms with brief heavy rain, small hail, gusty winds and lightning. 10-30% chance in the area of concern. The lightning warning is in effect till 6pm tonight.
Surfboard Palooza
Surfboard Palooza is BACK- April 1st Mar Vista, 9 am - 3 pm
Over 70 used surfboards etc etc Slo | Studio ceramics open studio sneak peek Location:
Wasatch Ave. x Windward Ave.,
Mar Vista, Los Angeles, 90066
For more info, Click Here
Free Ice Cream Day at Venice Beach Ben & Jerry's
Come join the fun at Ben & Jerry's for a free ice cream cone 4/3 12pm-8pm.
1307 Ocean Front Walk
Los Angeles, CA 90291 For more info and for other Ben & Jerry's locations, Click Here
Venice Beach Spring Eggstravaganza
The City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks Venice Beach Recreation Center invites you to our Spring Eggstravaganza event. Join us on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 10am-1pm at the Venice Beach Recreation Center located at: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291 for a day of Arts'n'Crafts, egg hunts, games and so much more! This is a FREE family event. Pre-registration is required. Please fill out the form below.
1800 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291
For more info and to register, Click Here
Topanga To Charthouse
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/
Tree Crushes Mercedes after Heavy Rain in Santa Monica
A tree fell on a Mercedes Benz after several days of rain soaks the city of Santa Monica.
Porsche Gets Struck in Bike Path
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.
Earth Hour Ferris Wheel Lighting at the Santa Monica Pier
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.
Pedicabs On The Beach Bike Path Survey
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.
New Muck Rock Santa Monica Pier Mural
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
PCH Lifeguard Station Vandalized with Graffiti
Lifeguard Operations Building along Pacific Coast Highway and the adjoining public restrooms were vandalized with graffiti. The home across PCH, was also tagged up.
Queen Of The Point Registration
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
Mountain Lion Dies in PCH Hit-&-Run
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.
It was a hit-&-run near Leo Carrillo on Saturday, March 25. The lion was killed.
Abandoned Destroyed Homeless Car on PCH
Car has been sitting there on Pacific Coast Highway for several months.
Electric Bike Parade Rolls Through Santa Monica
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
Earth Hour at the Santa Monica Pier
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.
Surfing, Bodyboarding Venice Pier with Hecho En Venice
Oscar from Hecho En Venice checks out the surfing and bodyboarding at the Venice Pier on an early winter morning.
Beach Water Use Advisory Extended
Beach Water Use Advisory for all Los Angeles County beaches is extended until Sunday, March 26, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. – Due to the recent rainfall, Los Angeles County Health Officer, Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, is cautioning residents that bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to contaminate ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers after the rainfall. Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill.
This advisory will be in effect until at least Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall. Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800-525-5662.
This advisory will be in effect until at least Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall. Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800-525-5662.
Malibu Crash Shuts Down PCH Lane
A traffic collision on Pacific Coast Highway sheared a fire hydrant that turned into a geyser about 10:30 AM near the Malibu Pier. One westbound lane was closed until LA County Public Works repaired the hydrant.
#watermainbreak creates 60 foot geyser across from Malibu Pier on #PacificCoastHighway in @CityMalibu pic.twitter.com/wv0guPJsuk
— Ryan Clarkson (@ryanjclarkson) March 23, 2023
Mighty Underdogs Surf Therapy Event
Mighty Underdogs Surf Therapy Event at Malibu on April 23rd.
For more info and to volunteer, Click Here
Surf Photos - Topanga - Wednesday 3-22-2023
Here's surfing photos from Wednesday, March 22nd at Topanga.
This set of surf photos was shot by Six12 Media and brought to you by RVCA. Unlock your mystery sale offer today. Use code: MG460312 at checkout to see what it is!
These are just a few of the 150+ 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 galleries for this day, check them out, the links to the complete galleries are down below.
You can find about 100 more photos from this session, all full size and in high-resolution, in these 2 photo galleries:
Topanga - Wednesday 3-22-2023 - Gallery #2
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 from this photographer?
Click Surf Spot Galleries and look for the spot and then the date.
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