Come celebrate the completion of the Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue project on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. at 1610 Colorado Avenue (Metro E line parking lot). We will have donuts, activities, and remarks from the Mayor.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, the city will celebrate the completion of the newest addition to its protected bike network with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a morning full of free, family-friendly activities.

The celebration kicks off at 9 a.m. and goes until noon at the 17th St./SMC Metro E Line parking lot at 1610 Colorado Ave.

By improving bike and pedestrian safety and promoting sustainability to combat climate change, the completion of the Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue project marks a crucial step towards advancing the city’s key strategic priority of fostering a Sustainable & Connected Community.

In line with this priority, the project builds upon foundational city initiatives rooted in deep community engagement and feedback including the adopted Bike Action Plan Amendment, Pedestrian Action Plan, the Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway (MANGo) Plan, and the city’s Land Use and Circulation Element.

“I’m thrilled to see such a robust, thoughtful and important multi-modal project come to completion,” Mayor Gleam Davis said. “By increasing separation from moving traffic and connecting neighborhoods, this project helps make walking and biking easier, encouraging sustainable practices that lead to healthier communities.”

The Dec. 2 event will feature music, performances and workshops, including:

- Santa Monica High School marching band
- LA Jugglers performing with vintage bicycles
- Academia de Danza Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo
- Guided bike rides
- Free bike repair and tune ups from Santa Monica College Bike Maintenance Class
- Helmet decorating with Santa Monica Spoke
- Bike basket and accessories workshop with reDiscover Center
- Remarks from Mayor Gleam Davis, Police Chief Ramon Batista, and Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta - Remarks from Cynthia Rose of Santa Monica Spoke
- Free donuts, coffee and hot cocoa

For more info, Click Here

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

Another RV got fire and burnt up in Venice. This one happened on Thanksgiving on Main Street by Rove Ave.

Top photo from Fight Back Venice. Bottom photos from Surf Venice.

Enter our CAN THE TRASH! Clean Beach Poster Contest for a chance to have your message shared with millions of beachgoers!

To enter the poster contest, draw a picture with a message about how we can keep our oceans and beaches pollution-free and healthy. Be creative!



Contest winners will have their artwork displayed around trash barrels on the beach. Simply submit your artwork online, in person, or by mail. The contest is open to students in grades 3 – 5 who reside in the County of Los Angeles. Online submissions must be entered by an adult.



2024 Summer Contest: We are now submitting submissions for summer 2024.

For more info and to enter, Click Here

From Santa Monica Close Up:

" A dramatic turn of events unfolded at Santa Monica Pier on the morning of Thursday, November 23, 2023. Santa Monica Police Officers arrested a man following a reported assault and disruptive behavior. The suspect, initially taken to a hospital after a confrontation with law enforcement, has since been cleared for booking and is now in police custody.

Eyewitnesses at the scene described the suspect as unruly, leading to a physical altercation with another individual at the pier. When police attempted to intervene, the suspect reportedly resisted arrest. This resistance led to an officer deploying a taser, causing the suspect to fall and hit his head.

Santa Monica Harbor Patrol Officers and Firefighters were promptly on the scene. After receiving initial treatment by firefighters, the suspect was transported to a local hospital. Following medical clearance, he was booked into the local jail, facing charges of battery."

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

November 22, 2023
Ocean Water Use Warning for Los Angeles County Beaches

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:

BEACH AREA WARNINGS:

· Arroyo Sequit Creek at Leo Carrillo State Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.

· Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public access.

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

The entire swim area.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach. Near Will Rogers Tower 18

100 yards up and down the coast from the creek.

· Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.

· Redondo Beach Pier in Redondo Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· 28th Street extension in Manhattan Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the 28th Street extension.

· World Way Extension at Dockweiler State Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the jetty.

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

· Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica South Tower 20

Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas where recent sample results identified water quality levels within State standards Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.

Venice Healer Daisy confronts a man who she says is constantly sexually harassing her on the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

The Santa Monica Police have released info the homeless man that threw a 4 foot metal pipe into traffic on PCH (he video above shows the full event).

"On Friday, November 10, 2023, Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested Carlos Hernandez-Martinez, a 29 year-old male experiencing homelessness, for a throwing a metal pole down onto Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) into traffic.

Hernandez-Martinez was observed by a passerby holding a four-foot metal pole while standing on top of the pedestrian bridge that crosses over PCH from Palisades Park. As officers approached, he threw the pole over the side of the bridge directly onto vehicles traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour below. Although Hernandez-Martinez initially complied with officers' orders to climb off the top of the bridge, he grabbed another stick and a frying pan from a pile of his belongings and ran from the officers. He was quickly subdued and placed in handcuffs.

SMPD detectives presented the case to the LA County District Attorney’s Office, and Hernandez-Martinez was charged with throwing an object at a vehicle with intent to cause great bodily injury, a felony, along with multiple counts of resisting arrest."

November 20, 2023
Ocean Water Use Warning for Los Angeles County Beaches

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:

· Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.

· Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach. Near Will Rogers Tower 18

50 yards and 100 yards up and down the coast of the creek.

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica South Tower 20

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.

December 10! Dogtown Car Club's first annual toy drive! Please join for a fun night at Lunetta in Santa Monica.

Let’s give some love ❤️💚tis the season! 4:30- 8:30 Tacos, classic cars and music! Don’t miss this! Please bring a unwrapped toy and join in on the raffle! Lots of amazing stuff!

2420 / 2424 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405

For more info, Click Here

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

Filmed by, Venice Gallerie

Police draw guns on stolen vehicle suspect and arrest him in a Venice Beach alley. Filmed by, Venice Gallerie

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Thursday, November 16, 2023, a collaborative effort unfolded on Main Street and Ozone Avenue in Venice, where the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc. converged to address a homeless encampment with an cleanup operation. Prioritizing safety, the workers wore white hazardous materials suits, in compliance with established safety standards."

Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

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

From Santa Monica Close Up:

" In a shocking turn of events, the once-beloved couple known as "The Venice Healer" and "The Perfect Prince" has announced their separation after exchanging vows on August 2, 2023. The Venice Healer, fondly referred to as "Wa" and Daisy, shared her emotional journey during an exclusive interview with Santa Monica Closeup at the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Thursday, November 16, 2023.

In a candid conversation, The Venice Healer offered insight into the challenges her marriage with The Perfect Prince has been facing. She began by emphasizing the universality of relationship struggles, stating, "We all go through struggle stages." Acknowledging the trauma both she and The Perfect Prince have endured, she described their current situation as a "struggle stage" and expressed hope that they could eventually overcome it together."

Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

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

November 15, 2023
An Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory has been declared for all Los Angeles County beaches. The advisory will be in effect at least until 1:30 pm, Saturday, November 18, 2023, This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.

Santa Monica Police just released information about some victims that were able to subdue a homeless man that carjacked them and held them hostage.

"On November 7, 2023, Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested Adrian Jose Dugas, a 24-year-old male experiencing homelessness from the Los Angeles area, for a carjacking incident involving multiple victims.

At approximately 10:30 pm, officers responded to the 400 block of Adelaide Drive after receiving reports of a group of individuals holding down Dugas in the middle of the street. The six victims reported that as they were returning to their vehicle in Parking Structure 8, Dugas approached them while simulating a handgun concealed within a duffle bag. Dugas forced his way into the backseat of the vehicle and demanded the victims drive him around the city. While in the car, he confiscated their cell phones, made multiple threats to shoot the victims if they did not comply, and physically assaulted the driver and a passenger.

The victims drove for more than an hour before Dugas ordered all passengers out of the vehicle. Upon exiting, one of the victims was able to place the suspect in a chokehold. The victims held the suspect down until police arrived.

The LA County District Attorney charged Dugas with:
· (6) counts of robbery;
· (6) counts of kidnapping during the commission of a carjacking;
· (1) attempted carjacking; and
· (1) count of aggravated assault.

Dugas remains in police custody with bail set at $6.4 million and awaits a November 29th court appearance.

SMPD Detectives believe the suspect may have attempted an additional carjacking and are seeking other victims. Anyone with information related to this individual or this investigation is urged to contact Detective Spencer at brian.spencer@santamonica.gov or Sergeant Gradle at ryan.gradle@santamonica.gov or call 310-458-8427."

The birds have been blamed for the poor water quality surrounding the Santa Monica Pier. Earlier this year, when Santa Monica was named the Most polluted Beach in California, the city responded by claiming it was due to all the pigeons living under the Pier.

Since then they have done things to try to rid the pier of all the birds, such as installing nets under the peir. Now they decided to make it illegal to feed them. Tickets will range from $5 to $25 if you get busted feeding the birds.

"The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday approved an ordinance to prohibit the distribution of food to birds and animals at beaches and the Pier.

This ordinance update looks to improve water quality around the Pier and enhance efforts to address bacterial levels in the Santa Monica Bay, which were noted in the Heal the Bay Beach Report Card.

The update is intended to work holistically with infrastructure investments made by the city to reduce bacterial pollution. Earlier this year, the city installed netting under the pier to discourage pigeon roosting and nesting."

The City has also stated that, "Pigeons are attracted to the Pier because it provides both a roosting structure and access to food. The City recently installed new bird netting under the Pier to limit bird roosting. However, the birds may still congregate in the area because of the available food sources."

Tickets start at $5, as stated in their report:

"Any person violating any of the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of an infraction. Any person convicted of an infraction under the provisions of this Section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than five dollars and not more than twenty-five dollars. Each such person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every commission of any violation of any provision of this Section and shall be punished accordingly."

Meanwhile:



To read the report from the city meeting, Click Here

An elderly woman drove her H2 down the Venice Beach Boardwalk and got stopped at the end by police.

On Tuesday night, 2 sergeants and 4 deputies from the Lost Hills Sherrifs Station conducted enforcement on PCH throughout Malibu, the operation was funded by the City of Malibu.


33 citations were issued (31 for speed violations).

2 drivers were cited for driving on a suspended license.

1 driver was arrested for DUI (driver also had 2 outstanding warrants for his arrest for DUI).

2 drivers were arrested for reckless driving/racing and their vehicles were impounded for 30 days.

You can now register online for the 30th Annual Venice Surfathon!

Divisions
- Boys 18U
- Open Men
- Open Women
- Men's 50+
- Open Longboard Women
- Open Longboard Men
- Foamie Expression Session
- Body Surfing
- Women 40ish
- Girls 14U

To register, Click Here