The Pacific Wheel will be lit red on Wednesday, May 1 in recognition of AAPI Heritage Month, 2024.

The month of May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. This annual celebration recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

To mark the occasion, we’ll be illuminating the world-famous Pacific Wheel with a special lighting program in red. This is an auspicious color in Chinese culture associated with vitality, passion, good fortune, and celebration.

You can view the AAPI Heritage Month Ferris wheel lights from dusk until midnight on May 1. The best views of the Pacific Wheel light programs are from the Santa Monica Pier boardwalk just west of the amusement park or on the beaches south of the Pier.

For more info, Click Here.

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

As part of Safe on PCH week, the Michel Shane film, 21 Miles Film, will be screened at Malibu High School on Wednesday, May 1st.

As part of Safe on PCH Week, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, in partnership with Malibu High School, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, and Malibu High School PTSA, will be hosting a film screening of the Michel Shane film, 21 Miles Film.

Panelists: Captain Jenn Seetoo, Captain Dennis Ford, Robert D Cohen, Michel Shane, & Bridget Thompson

"21 Miles in Malibu" follows the incredible history of Malibu, the story of the Pacific Coast Highway, and the people most affected by it all. It shows the dichotomy of this small town - a seemingly idyllic paradise devastated by a high-speed highway ripping through its heart. The documentary chronicles the lives of those affected, further exemplifying the dangers of the frequently traveled road and leaving viewers wondering why stricter regulations are not in place to prevent future damage.

Wednesday, May 1 · 6:30 - 8:30pm PDT Malibu High School
30215 Morning View Drive Malibu, CA 90265

For more info & to RSVP (required) for this free event, Click Here.

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

Work starts this week on City of Malibu's PCH Median Improvements Project. Single lane closures on PCH, John Tyler Dr - Puerco Cyn 6AM - 5PM. Will increase safety by reducing illegal u-turns & wrong-direction driving. Completion expected June, 2024.

For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

Happening annually on Memorial Day weekend, Topanga Days is a 3-day music festival with artisans, food, beverages, a fun zone for kids and family games that raises funds for the Topanga Community Center, a 501c3 nonprofit.

This year’s musical lineup features Grammy award winning artist, Fantastic Negrito, on Saturday, May 25th at 5:30 p.m., the catchy, synth pop sounds and dynamic stage presence of 80s Rock icons, Missing Persons, on Sunday, May 26th at 5:30 p.m., and the genre defying psychedelic folk sounds of musical savant, Jonathan Wilson, on Monday, May 27th at 5:45 p.m. In addition to the headliners, the diverse, crowd-pleasing Main Stage outdoor lineup includes, Krooked Kings, Nosotros, Venice, Deb Ryder, The FBR, Will Worden, Kummerspeck, Wynchester, Tristan Lake Leabu, Low Coast, Electric Magic, and The Dirty Lowdown.



For more info, Click Here.

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

Two suspects from Richmond, CA that went on a crime sapree in Santa Monica have been caught.

Two suspects have been arrested and charged on suspicion of committing two counts each of burglary from a vehicle and grand theft. On April 24, 2024, at 12:24 pm, a dark colored Nissan Altima with three occupants pulled into the Chevron at 1344 Santa Monica Boulevard and stopped next to the open car door of a vehicle getting gas. One of the suspects took the victim’s purse from the front seat.

At about 12:30 pm, the same Altima pulled into the Sinclair gas station at 1944 Pico Boulevard and stopped in front of the second victim’s vehicle at the pumps. The rear passenger in the Altima opened the victim’s car door, took the victim’s purse, and fled with the other suspects. About 30 minutes later, the same suspects shattered the window of a vehicle parked at the Shell station at 1866 Lincoln Boulevard and stole a laptop, iPad, and other property.

The suspects were tracked and arrested with the assistance of the Hawthorne Police Department. Officers recovered several hundred dollars and most of the victims’ property.

On April 26th, the LA County District Attorney’s office filed felony burglary and grand theft charges (487a PC and 459 PC):



Lopez, Raul Santino of Richmond, CA (DOB: 12/27/2003)

Vega, Agustin Jesus of Richmond, CA (DOB: 02/23/2003)

None of the arrestees have a significant arrest history in California.

Anyone with information related to this incident or these individuals is encouraged to contact Detective Tavera at Hector.Tavera@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours at 310-458-8427.

On Sunday morning, several people observed a man walking on the Venice Pier hiding what they said looked like a rifle under a jacket he was carrying. They informed some police officers that were in the area to enforce the No Dogs On the Beach law. It ended up being a fake rifle, which the man let the police have.

Josh “Bagel” Klassman is an Underground Documentary style Photographer from Venice. Josh grew up surfing the Venice Break Water and skating at the Venice Pavilion.

We Are Venice showcases the people and culture of Venice Beach, California and will inspire you to be the best version of yourself. This is a series of premium documentary profile pieces on Venice’s most important and influential individuals.

Meute is an eleven-piece self-described techno marching band from Germany. The band arranges techno, house and deep house works by well-known DJs, augmenting them with electronic beats created by marching band instruments.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Venice Healer Daisy along with her fiancé Jeff Kupers and a team of volunteers, stepped in to support the community by feeding the homeless on the Venice Beach Boardwalk. This initiative came as a response to the illness of Dan Hubbard, the founder and CEO of Oasis, who was recently sidelined and unable to continue his work.

Daisy and Jeff began their day early, using the Oasis van to collect donated food items from Whole Foods and Vons. They then transported these provisions to Venice Beach, where volunteers were ready to distribute them. The assortment of donated food included fresh fruits and vegetables, pastries, cookies and desserts, baked breads, and various protein options.

The couple plans to continue this vital service, providing meals to the unhoused while Dan is recovering. Their efforts align with the broader mission of Oasis Network, which has a long-standing tradition of reaching out to the homeless, not only on weekends at Venice Beach but also on weekdays in Redondo.

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.