Photos via The Dude

In case you were wonder what are those markings on the road in several sections of Pacific Coast Highway, they are optical speed bars. According to the California Department of Transportation, "Speed Reduction Markings (also known as Optical Speed Bars) are transverse pavement markings placed with progressively reduced spacing on both edges of the traveled way to create the perception of increased speed. This illusion encourages drivers to slow down as they pass by the markings."

The guidebook also states, "Speed reduction markings should be reserved for unexpected curves and should not be used on long tangent sections of roadway or in locations frequented mainly by local or familiar drivers. Speed reduction markings shall not be used in lanes that do not have a longitudinal line (center line, edge line, or lane line) on both sides of the lane."

Mason Brown's Surf Report reports that thousands of dried up creatures resembling jellyfish have washed ashore on the beach in Santa Monica.



There are called Velella velella or By-the-Wind Sailors. The By-the-Wind sailors are also known as colonial hydroids and are similar to Portuguese Man O'War, feeding on algae and zooplankton.

Velella velella are flat, oval-shaped hydroid polyps (cousins of the jellyfish) that live in the open ocean but are often seen washed up on beaches in the spring and early summer months when strong winds push them ashore.

This video (below) is about them washing up last year, on April 10th:

They have a firm and upright triangular sail attached to their body which causes them to be caught up by the wind and blown across the surface of the water, giving them their name “By-the-Wind Sailors.” Don't worry about those little blue tentacles that hang from their body! These tentacles don't sting humans but will gather up plenty of zooplankton or fish eggs for them to eat.

According to Point ReyesNational Seashore, Velella Velellas pose little threat to humans, but if you do decide to pick one up, be careful when touching your face and eyes afterward because they can cause slight irritation to your skin.

"You may come across a fresh wash-up of Velella, tinging the stretch of shoreline blue, but if they've been there a while, they will look like crinkly and dry ovals of cellophane."

Join Heal the Bay from 10 AM – 12 PM, April 20, 2024, at the Santa Monica Pier on Santa Monica Beach!

We are celebrating the transformative power of reusable alternatives to single-use plastics at our Beach Cleanup this Earth Month! Every gloved hand on the sand, every advocate trained, and every dollar raised brings us closer to a plastic-free future.

Whether you participate in a beach cleanup or contribute to our online fundraiser, you'll be directly helping to rid our beaches of harmful plastic pollution and advocate for impactful, lasting change for the Los Angeles community.

Join us on the sand, explore all the ways you can make a difference this month, and share this page with your loved ones! We're grateful for your support and excited to celebrate with you.

This event's onling registration is getting very full!

Walk-up volunteers may still join us in the sand even if our online reservations sell out.

10 AM - 12 PM @ Santa Monica Beach, Northside of the Pier

FREE ADMISSION TO THE HEAL THE BAY AQUARIUM

11 AM - 4 PM @ the HtB Aquarium Under the Pier

The Heal the Bay Aquarium, will be FREE to all cleanup volunteers and open for an extra hour.

This event is held rain or shine, barring lightning or beach closure.

For more info and register for the event, Click Here.

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

On April 11, the LAPD apprehended the suspect, 29-year-old Anthony Jones, who had fled to the San Diego area. He was booked for two counts of attempted murder with bail set at $3,250,000 (booking number 6791008).

LAPD is not releasing any information on him other than his name Anthony Jones and that he is a 29 year old black man that is about 6'1" 200lbs. (see update below video for latest)

UPDATE Friday Night: Clearer screen shot of the suspect added.

UPDATE: LAPD did not mention in their big press event that Anthony Jones, 29, is a homeless man. Also did not mention if he had priors or where he is from.



UPDATE

Since the assault, detectives from Pacific Area, as well as investigators from Operations-West Bureau Special Assault Section, dedicated countless hours to identifying this perpetrator. Within hours after identifying the suspect, on April 11, 2024, the LAPD located and swiftly apprehended the suspect, who had fled to the San Diego area. The suspect, 29-year-old Anthony Jones, was arrested and booked into LAPD’s Metropolitan Detention Center on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder. Bail was set at $3,250,000 and his booking number is 6791008.

This investigation is still ongoing, and both victims are continuing to recover from the serious injuries they sustained. At this point in the case, investigators are not ruling out the likelihood that the women may have been sexually assaulted.

LAPD Chief Dominic Choi stated, “I am proud of the tireless work and dedication to public safety demonstrated by all involved in this case, especially our specialized detectives. I thank Councilwoman Park for her unwavering support, continually working together to ensure the safety of our communities. The people of Los Angeles are safer today because this predator is in custody.”

With the community’s help and the amazing work of the men and women with the LAPD, a dangerous and violent suspect has been taken off of the streets of Los Angeles.

It has been reported via some news outlets that he is a homeless man and his last address is listed as Las Vegas, NV.

For all our coverage of this horrible event, Click Here.

Person who had 3 of electrics bikes stolen out of his garage was able to recover them, with the unwilling help of LAPD. Here is his story he posted:

Three Bikes were stolen out of our garage last night on Strongs. "What follows is a crazy story and then a warning (see picture) to watch out for a RV encampment where we found two of the bikes.

Apparently for garages thieves now can use third party remotes to unlock your doors.

Fortunately, I had Airtags embedded in two of the bikes and using them was able to locate and recover ALL of them this morning.

One was in a garage in The Pearl, the other was at an RV at the corner of Canal and Grand Canal (off North Venice).

After sitting on hold with the non-emergency response for LAPD for an hour, was able to get a dispatch that came to the house. Filed a report and then showed the officers the locations of the bike on “Find My”.

They were very skeptical that they could do anything (they said the Airtags were inaccurate and if it located in an apartment they’d need a warrant which would take ‘three days’.) We urged them to go to the sites anyway.

They called 20 min later at one of the sites where they found one bike in an open garage, but locked up (with the lock and keys attached to my bike that the thief still had). Ran over with a spare key and unlocked my bike — was still in rideable condition. One down.

They drove by the second area and said they couldn’t find my bike, but my wife walked over and saw the tires of one bike under a tarp next to this RV (see picture). She stayed close to there while we got the police to come over to recover. This time they asked for my phone to “ping” the airtag to find the other bike, ID’d it, and we found the third bike under the tarp next to it. The police got those other two bikes.

I asked if they were going to at least knock on the door of the RV to ask questions and they were resistant — basically like “what do you want us to do”? — and given this was a felony (all the stolen bikes were over $1k) I was like “this is felony property theft aren’t you going to at least question the person?”

Anyway long story they finally knocked on the RV where the guy denied everything and that was that. At least we have our bikes back (sans chargers, the thief’s were smart enough to take them).

see the RV where the bikes were recovered, on corner of Canal and Grand Canal. again no “proof” this guy stole my bikes (I mean they could have been placed at his RV under tarps without his knowledge lol) but occam’s razor. Pics of the police recovering these bikes.

Recommendation to put Airtags on your bikes! and secure your garages. Our camera didn’t catch the thief but we just put in another camera this morning as well as enabling a remote sensor to alert if it is opened. We’re obviously on edge after the attacks and rapes in the Canals last weekend.

Stay safe and smart. Crime is out of control. I’m generally on the side of compassion but things have gotten out of balance here. But feeling grateful to have recovered these bikes (my main form of transportation)."

One of the victims of the Venice Canals Assaults on Women is a 54 year old resident of Venice. Her fiend has set up a GoFundMe for her:

"Dear Friends, Family & Community, I’m a dear friend of one of the two victims of a violent attack on the Venice, CA canals on Saturday, April 6th as she was doing her evening walk after work to get in her daily 10,000 steps. She is a 54 yr old single mother, having lived in Venice for years and serves as a full time caregiver to an elderly woman with ALS. Unfortunately, her healthcare insurance (medi-cal) dropped her March 31st and she was in the midst of getting California Coverage but hasn’t heard from them.

During the attack she received at least 8 fractures to her jaw, large laceration to the back of her head, several teeth are bashed out and multiple contusions on her face & neck. She will require many surgeries and is currently getting her jaw wired shut for at least a month. Not to mention she will, in time, need mental health support and guidance along with PT.

All of these funds will go directly to the victim and her medical bills as well as long term physical and mental care.



It’s doubtful she will be able to return to work for at least 6-8 weeks and she’s so worried about losing her small rental in Venice where she and her cat have resided for years. Many may know her for the wonderful sand art she builds in Venice for all the events. No amount is too small and every note is important for her to read support and love from everyone."

To donate, please Click Here

It has been reported via some news outlets that he is a homeless man and his last address is listed as Las Vegas, NV.

For all our coverage of this horrible event, Click Here.

Venice Healer Daisy preforms on top of some trash cans during the Solar Eclipse on the Venice Boardwalk.



Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

Temporary signals now operating at Tuna Canyon Road and SR-1 (Pacific Coast Highway) for left turns onto sothbound PCH. This is an alternate route to avoid the closure on Route 27 (Topanga Canyon) from Grand View Dr to PCH due to the still-active landslide.

Join us on April 18th for the very first Art Mart at Santa Monica Pier Locals' Night!

Experience the magic as over 20 incredible artists unveil their homemade goods, reworked fashion, and stunning art. It's a night filled with creativity and community - don't miss out! See you there! ⁠

For more info, Click Here

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