From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The 99 Cent Only Store, located at the corner of Lincoln Blvd and Rose Avenue in Venice, has announced it will permanently close its doors on December 31st. This closure marks the end of a well-known discount shopping spot in the area, though customers can still find bargains at the chain's other locations in Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, and Los Angeles."

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 Department of Beaches and Harbors will host the Marina del Rey New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Glow Party event on 12/31, 7 PM – Midnight, at Burton Chace Park. Enjoy fun activities for the whole family!

For more info and to register, Click Here

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

It's time for Santa Monica's 6th Annual Polar Bear Plunge!

The annual Polar Bear Swim at the Annenberg Community Beach House will take place on Saturday, January 6, 2024, 10am-2pm. The Beach House Polar Bear Swim has become a tradition just as cold water swims have been for centuries across the globe.

The Annual Polar Bear Plunge is a great way to refresh, reset, and have some fun. If you have never been part of a Polar Bear Swim, it’s time to see what you’re missing.

The morning starts with a 10 a.m. check-in at Guest Services before heading to the shoreline in front of the Beach House. The first plunge takes place around 10:15 a.m. starting with the youngest Polar Bears, followed by the rest of the crowd. The most stalwart Polar Bears can take part in the 300-yard swim around a buoy. At this no judgement zone, whether you stick your toes in the ocean, take a quick dip or round the buoy, it’s a great experience that gets the blood pumping and the skin tingling. After the invigorating ocean plunge, warm up in the heated Beach House pool. Gather with friends and family, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, and grab a photo with our very own Pat the Polar Bear mascot.

Pool admission will be charged for Polar Bears and others entering the pool deck to visit, soak, swim in the heated pool, or take a hot shower.

In-person registration will be available but may be limited on the day of event. Parking is $3 per hour or $8 per day.

Pool Admission: $10/adult, $5/senior adult age 60+, $4/youth age 1-17.

Regular Pool Rules apply while swimming at this event. Youth under age eight and under four feet must be accompanied by an adult in the pool at all times.

For more info and to register, Click Here

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

Tuesday morning on Main Streetby Rose Ave. Photos from @FightBackVenice

On Friday, December 22, 2023, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location. DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes.

The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road. Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk. Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.

The SMPD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Free 3-hour parking starts today! 🚗🚗🚗
The SM City Council has extended free parking in downtown public parking structures from 90 minutes to three hours, effective Dec. 22 - 24, to support last-minute holiday shopping for local residents and visitors.

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Abnormally high tides around 7.2 to 7.4 feet are expected.

* WHERE... Malibu Coast and Los Angeles County Beaches.

* WHEN...From late Saturday night through Tuesday morning.

* IMPACTS...Pooling of sea water is possible around high tide at beach and harbor areas that is uncommon with normal tidal ranges. Enhanced beach erosion is also possible. No significant damage is expected.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Minor coastal flooding is expected during early morning high tides.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers. Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

" Downtown Private Security Officers from Legion Corporation were dispatched on a rainy Wednesday to address a public disturbance caused by a homeless man on 5th Street in Downtown Santa Monica. The incident occurred in front of a local business, where the man was reported to be yelling incessantly and behaving erratically.

Legion Security Officers, who recently commenced patrol duties in the area as of December 1, arrived promptly at the scene. They approached the individual, who was barefoot, shirtless, and wearing shorts amidst the rain. Despite their attempts to engage, the man continued to yell and subsequently walked into the middle of a busy intersection at Santa Monica Boulevard and 5th Street, causing concern for his and others' safety.

The security officers followed him as he wandered off into a private parking lot where he vanished from sight. A Santa Monica Police officer, signaled by the security team, was briefed on the situation for further attention."

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

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

"The week before Christmas I’m just riding my new bicycle around Venice Beach showing you a typical day and what’s going on on the craziest beach in the world. I ended up joining the electric light parade with my new bike. This is the real Venice."

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