From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Saturday, June 4, 2022, animal lovers and supporters gathered at the Santa Monica Animal Shelter Open House Fundraiser, a remarkable event aimed at raising much-needed funds for the welfare of animals in the community. The event was filled with laughter, joy, and a shared commitment to supporting the Santa Monica Animal Shelter's vital mission."

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

Call for local artists to submit original, surfing-themed art for City of Malibu's next exhibition by June 7. The Arts Commission will host a free opening reception Sun, July 16, 12PM at City Hall w/food, beverages & live music.

For more info & submissions, Click Here

On Saturday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Cardboard Yacht Regatta kicks off a bucket list of summer fun at the Annenberg Beach House!

SAIL, ROW, PADDLE OR SINK YOUR WAY INTO SUMMER! Be a part of the 11th Annual Cardboard Yacht Regatta!

Have you ever dreamed of setting sail across the waters in your very own yacht? Now you can build your own cardboard yacht and test its seaworthiness in a race across the Beach House Pool. Build a yacht using just corrugated cardboard and duct tape, decorate it, cross your fingers and hope you can make it to the other side.

Two people must be in the yacht during the race. All boats must be human-powered (no motors).People's Choice Awards will be given in a variety of categories, including "Most Likely to Sink", "Best Use of Theme", and "Most Spirited". The Beach House Courtyard will open for yachts to be on display beginning at 9am. Races will launch beginning at 11am. Please read attached information sheet for more details on the Cardboard Yacht Regatta, including appropriate yacht building materials, regatta rules and an event timeline.

For questions or more information, call the Beach House at 310-458-4904.

Preregistration required to race your yacht. Register early and enjoy building your boat with friends and family! $20 entry fee per yacht. Payment is NOT required for each sailor who will be in the yacht. This is a team registration. Please register once per yacht that will be entered in the event.

You will be asked for the names and ages of sailors in the registration process.

For more info, Click Here

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Thursday, May 25, 2023, the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, in collaboration with Action Cleanup Environmental Services, executed a comprehensive cleanup operation targeting the homeless encampment in Venice."

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:

" Venice Pride Block Party Lights Up Windward Avenue with DJ Victor Rodriguez and Dazzling Divas Dancers on Friday, June 2, 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

Kick off Summer at the Venice Summer Fest

Saturday, June 24th, 2023. 12pm - 8pm in downtown Mar Vista, on Venice Blvd.

Explore the Fest Grounds as you enjoy a day filled with Local Bands, Activities for the Entire Family, Shop Local Artists & Designers, Dog Adoptions, Yoga, Games, Food trucks, Beer Gardens, Classic Cars & so much more! ☮️🎶

The Fest will be located in between Centinela & Inglewood Blvd. The city has closed Venice Blvd. for this event. The event will be held in the street. This is a free community event.

Dog Friendly

12257 Venice Blvd Los Angeles CA, 90066

For more info, Click Here

When: Saturday June 3rd from 12-3pm.

Where: The Santa Monica Animal Shelter 1640 9th St. Santa Monica, CA 90404.

What: A fun afternoon for the whole family to raise much needed funds for the Santa Monica Animal Shelter.

All funds raised help the Santa Monica Animal Shelter and make a difference in the care and well-being of the animals.

We hope to see you there!

At the event

- Tour the Animal Shelter and meet the wonderful animals waiting to be adopted, you may meet your new best friend.

- For a small donation you could win fantastic prizes from our raffle. (See the awesome items that will be part of our raffle below)

- Bid on unique experiences in our silent auction. (Our great silent auctions items are listed in the next section)

- Indigenous bird presentation from Michael Chill with Wild Wings of California Wild Bird Rehabilitation Organization at 12pm.

- Enjoy a live performance from School of Rock West LA House Band at 1:30pm.

- Face painting by The Magical Atelier.

- Balloon animals, headbands and bracelets from Wild About Balloons LA.

- Interact with cool critters from Allan’s Pet Center West LA.

- Delicious dark chocolate tahini brownies from Cadoro Bakery.

- Meet the Santa Monica Police Department Mounted Unit

- And more fun activities for the whole family.

For more info, Click Here

Don't miss out on 20% OFF all boardshorts & bikinis. Plus get up to 60% off our sidewalk sale and 30% off fullsuits!⁠ ⁠

Sale is valid online @ Jackssurfboards.com. Exclusions apply.⁠

This intimate feature documentary, UNZIPPED focuses on one of the country’s most iconic and increasingly income divided zip codes, Venice CA 90291. Once a mecca for artists, outsiders and a thriving Black community, Venice is now the frontline for America’s heated battles over gentrification, affordable housing, and homelessness.

With moving, personal profiles of families who struggle to remain in their rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, to bitterly contested community fights over a proposed homeless shelter, UNZIPPEDexplodes stereotypes and humanizes the lived experiences of people caught in the cross-fire of America’s growing housing divide. A topical local lens on this alarming humanitarian issue, UNZIPPEDis an urgent call to action for more equitable housing solutions for every community in America and around the globe.

The film is now avaliable on Amazon.

Trailer:

International Surfing Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in June and takes place on June 17 this year. It is an environmentally-conscious holiday that celebrates surfing and the sustainability of ocean resources. It also promotes surfing and encourages more people to dive into this fun sport. Surfing can be traced back about 5,000 years and is not just a sport but a hobby and a lifestyle; it’s a pastime found on all populated continents.

History of International Surfing Day

International Surfing Day was initiated in 2005 by “Surfing Magazine” and the Surfrider Foundation. The holiday was created to promote the sport of surfing, as well as educate people about the negative impact of their activities on the ocean and the environment. On International Surfing Day, various activities are held, such as surfing contests, barbecues, and other fun surf-centered activities. Several groups also organize beach clean-ups and other restorative activities as a way of contributing positively to the environment.

Body-surfing has likely existed since humans began swimming in the ocean. However, surfing with the assistance of apparatus has been traced to the ancient cultures of Peru, where people surfed on reed watercraft for recreational and fishing purposes. Modern surfing with the use of surfboards, however, originates from pre-colonial Hawaii, which was introduced to the innovation by the Polynesians. Written evidence of surfing in Polynesia can be found in the journal of Joseph Banks during his stay in Tahiti in 1769. In Hawaii, surfing became more than a hobby or sport, moving into the realm of religion, culture, and art. It was referred to as ‘he’e nalu,’ meaning “wave sliding.” Before surfing, the people would pray to the gods for protection and strength. The making of surfboards also required the assistance of a priest.

According to historians Kim Stoner and Geoff Dunn, surfing made its debut in the United States in July 1885 when four teenage Hawaiian princes arrived in California. David Kawananakoa, Edward Keli’iahonu, Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana’ole, and Elle Mancini all surfed at the San Lorenzo River on redwood boards. In 1961, the United States Surfing Association was established, arguably becoming the first professional surfing contest organization in the world. Today, surfing is not just a sport but a lifestyle, which can now be found on all populated continents.

Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 6 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Pacific Mariners Yacht Club, 13915 Panay Way, Marina Del Rey, CA,

For more info, Click Here

Nick Gabaldon Day is always an incredible time. Filled with joy, history and the future. Definitely get out there if you can!

Hosted by The Black Surfers Collective, his year is even more epic with their partnership with Jamal Hill!

Jamal Hill, the founder of Swim Up Hill, has created an innovative teaching method that promotes restorative justice through swimming for underserved communities with little access to this essential life skill. We are pleased to have Swim Up Hill as our swimming lesson partner and grateful for their support.

Furthermore, we are thrilled to welcome the LA28, the organizers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, who will be celebrating our community's diversity and creativity.

All participants will have the chance to meet and listen to inspiring stories from Olympic athletes, making the celebration even more special.

If you wish to take free surf lessons please Click Here

If you're interested in volunteering for the event, please Click Here to sign up. Please feel free to share this with anyone you think would be interested in attending and supporting the event. Thank you all for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at Nick Gabaldon Day.

If you haven’t heard, City Council recently approved the launch of state-of-the-art digital wayfinding kiosks for use in commercial areas, which will include wifi, maps, business directory, city announcements, emergency services, and much more. These kiosks will enhance residents’ and visitors’ experience of our city and provide added safety to Downtown Santa Monica and beyond.

Digital Kiosk Open House

Big Outdoor and the City of Santa Monica would like to invite you to a reception at Building Bridges Art Exchange (Bergamot Station ARTS CENTER) to experience and interact with the kiosks in person to get your feedback on the proposed kiosk design, locations, and what information you think should be available in the kiosks so that they are user-friendly and relevant for all Santa Monicans.



Goodies: Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Bergamot Station ARTS CENTER 2525 Michigan Ave Santa Monica, CA 90404 Building Bridges Art Exchange (Building F2)

When: Friday, June 2, 2023 at 3pm-7pm, Saturday, June 3 at 10am-2pm, and Thursday June 8 at 2pm-6pm

Parking: Free parking available in the Bergamot lot (enter on Michigan Avenue)

Ways to get there: We recommend coming by bicycle, Big Blue Bus (routes 5, 16, 43), or the Metro E Line (gallery located directly across from the Metro station).

For more info and to register for Friday, Click Here and for Saturday, Click Here

Caltrans plans emergency storm repairs on sections of Route 27 (Topanga Cyn Blvd ) that requires lane closures with alternating traffic between Cezanne Ave to Route 1 (PCH) beginning MON, June 5. Expect delays.

Security cam footage of Winnie The Pooh attempting to break into an apartment building ion West LA.

Saba Surf, the surf lifestyle brand dedicated to crafting premium essentials that celebrate and uplift the surf community, is excited to announce their first-ever Beach Clean-up on Sunday June 11th starting at 9:00 a.m.

The event, led by Saba Surf co-founder, Laura Quintana, was created to give back to the surf community by working to preserve the beaches they rely on for clean waves. What started as a Venice-local initiative has since grown into a Southern California-wide effort, with clean-ups happening along the coast in cities including San Diego, Newport, Manhattan Beach, and Santa Monica.

For consumers looking to join the Venice Beach clean-up, plan to meet at Breakwater in Venice at 9:00am and look for the Saba Surf tent. Gloves will be provided, and the beach-clean up will begin at 9:30AM. Guests will then be invited to meet back up at the Saba Surf tent at 10:30 for a chance to win a month’s supply of Saba Surf Wax, Saba Surf T-Shirt, and more prizes. To learn more about the clean-ups in additional communities, locals can reach out to sabasurfco@gmail.com. More information will also be posted on Saba Surf’s Instagram page.

Co-founded by Gal Tshnieder and Laura Quintana, Saba Surf was born from an unbridled appreciation for surf culture; as avid surfers themselves, the Saba Surf co-founders understand the wants and needs of surfers at every skill level, from beginner to professional. Unlike other surf waxes on the market, the brand’s proprietary blend of natural ingredients allows their wax to work in a wide range of temperatures, allowing surfers from coast to coast to utilize the wax in varying weather conditions.

In addition to Saba Surf’s product offerings, the brand is also committed to providing resources to the surf community through a variety of digital platforms — including their blog, newsletter, Instagram page, and YouTube channel, where they regularly share industry news, WSL standings, and more. The brand also utilizes these platforms to spotlight local videographers and artists, as well as the stories of prominent individuals in the surf world.

LA’s beloved grassroots LGBTQ+ Pride celebration returns with FREE party in the street!

Be who you are at the Venice Pride Block Party on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 5 PM to 11 PM at 99 Windward Ave, Venice, CA. Featuring community booths, food trucks, queer market, and more! Celebrate Pride at the beach, it’s open to the public—and all ages!

Special Pride month edition of everyone’s favorite westside queer dance party, @gaywatchparty (21+) to follow Block Party at Baja Cantina from 10 PM to 2 AM. Proceeds from the Block Party will benefit Venice Pride, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aimed at saving lives through the acceptance of diversity by giving back to the local community through volunteerism, partnerships and events throughout the year.

For more info and tickets, Click Here

The smallest pier, south of Santa Monica Pier at Hollister Avenue, existed from 1905 to 1949. It was built in 1905 as the White Star. In 1908 it was renamed the Bristol Pier. From 1919 to 1949 it was the Crystal Pier. The pier was demolished in 1949.