Two beaches in the continental U.S. are now two-time recipients of the international Blue Flag award, Blue Flag USA announced today. Westward Beach in Malibu and Delray Beach Municipal Beach in Delray Beach, Florida, received the recognition for the 2024 season from the Blue Flag International Jury this month.

Westward Beach, which spans from Zuma Lagoon to Birdview Avenue, in Malibu, will fly the Blue Flag from May 1 through September 30, 2024, while the stretch of Delray Beach Municipal Beach between Casuarina Road and Laing Street will see the Blue Flag from May 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025.

The 30 plus-year-old International Blue Flag program recognizes beaches, marinas, and tourism boat operators annually based on a significant but attainable set of operations criteria covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, and safety and services. The International Jury awarded over 5,000 sites for the first time in 2022.

“Our awarded sites exceeded national standards with the first flags in the 50 U.S. states last year,” and said Annie Mercer, program coordinator for the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). “We look forward to seeing how they continue to grow in their second award season.”

As a National Operator for the international Blue Flag program, ASBPA administers the program in the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii, as well as supports sites in reaching criteria compliance.

Flag raising ceremonies and environmental education events will be coordinated by local sites in support of raising environmental awareness and active participation in sustainable beach management.

Sites in the Blue Flag USA program participate in four stages of engagement between the host location and the USA program: Interest, Candidate, Applicant, and Award. Learn more at blueflag.us.

Aztec Dancers, Grupo La Rosa Folklorico Dancers, Charro (Mexican Dancing Horses), Venice High School Band, Santa Monica Cheerleaders. Classic Cars/Lowriders, Clown, and more in ths historic parade down Lincoln Blvd in Venice Beach.

For the previous news update on this, Click Here

The 3 surfers were killed with gunshots to the head, Mexican authorities said on Sunday.

The victims’ relatives identified the bodies without need for genetic tests, the state attorney general’s office said in a statement.

“The attackers drove by [the travellers’ campsite] in their vehicle,” Andrade Ramírez, the state’s attorney general, said. “They approached, with the intention of stealing their vehicle and taking the tires and other parts to put them on the older-model pickup they were driving.

“Upon approaching and surprising the men, there was surely resistance and these people, the attackers, took out a firearm they had and took their lives.

“When what was meant to be a robbery had got out of control, they tried to dispose of the bodies by throwing them into a well.

“They were not attacked because they were tourists, the intent was to steal their vehicle.”

The attackers had burned the tents and covered the well with boards, she said.

When reporters asked if this was the cartel, “The investigation has only just begun,” Andrade Ramírez said.

The three Mexican nationals have been detained, only one of them has been charged with kidnapping.

As of this moment, he other two are only being held for possession of crystal meth.

“In fact, we are sure that more people took part in the attack,” she said.

At least one of the suspects was believed to have directly participated in the killings. In keeping with Mexican law, prosecutors identified him only by his first name, Jesús Gerardo, AKA “el Kekas”, a slang word that means quesadillas, or cheese tortillas.

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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.

Red Bull is holding, what they call, a "first of its kind skate event" in Venice Beach to celebrate the origins of modern skateboarding and embodying the rich skate history and fame of Venice Beach.

“Venice was the epicenter to attitude and style which was the fuel for creativity and progression in a culture sport/lifestyle that changed the world! Hyped that “Red Bull Origin” Is bringing back some of the original obstacles from the 80’s so we can watch this new Gen of rippers shred our faces off by their approach and imagination… it’s gonna be an amazing weekend of skateboarding!!!” says Christian Hosoi.

Skateboarding’s origin story could not be described without mention of the sunny streets and vibrant culture of Venice Beach, California. In the 1970s, the Santa Monica(Dogtown) and Venice Beach area became a breeding ground for the Z-Boys and similar groups, birthing the punk and skate subcultures that reverberate through skateboarding today.

Red Bull wants to pay homage to the pioneers and iconic spots that have carved the way at Red Bull Origin, a challenge-focused event format set against the backdrop of iconic Venice Beach skate spots meticulously replicated for an unforgettable session.

The main events Friday & Saturday are for invited Red Bull Skaters only, but there will be a Community Skate Day open to all skaters to participate in the Origin features on Sunday. Participating Red Bull athletes scheduled are Torey Pudwill, Ryan Sheckler, Jake Wooten, and Zion Wright.

Event Details:

Date: May 31 – June 2
Time: Friday 4-7pm, Saturday 1-7pm, Sunday 11-3pm
Location: Venice Beach Skate Park, Venice Beach, California

Schedule:

Friday May 31, Venice Skate Park:

Features include: Bowl Jam, Red Bull Best Trick, Head-to-Head Death Races, Fire Hydrant Challenge

Saturday June 1, Venice Beach Pavilion:

Features include: Wall Showdown, Main Event featuring Best Trick and Special Events

Sunday June 2, Venice Beach Pavilion:

Community Skate Day open to all skaters to participate in the Origin features

Shacked Mag Editor's note: About Red Bull's claim of this being a "first of its kind skate event in Venice, the skatepark has had numerous Bowl Jams, had at least one Wall Ride Contest, had many Best Trick Contests, etc.... now the Fire Hydrant Challenge and Death Races, those are new.

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

The City of Malibu Arts Commission invites all of Malibu to attend the opening reception for public art exhibition, “On a Sunday Afternoon," featuring renowned photographer Pep Williams, on Sun, May 19, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM at Malibu City Hall.

Photographer, Pep Williams, will showcase images of the lowrider culture in Los Angeles. Images will include the world’s most famous lowrider, Gypsy Rose, a 1964 Chevrolet Impala, as well as other well-known lowrider cars as part of the exhibition. Mr. Williams is a fine art photographer, video director, and third generation DogTown skateboarder from South Central Los Angeles. He has traveled globally, creating materials for his photographic exhibitions, and has photographed spreads for magazines worldwide.

The exhibition will be on display from May 20 - June 28, 2024 and open Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The Opening Reception is Sunday, May 19, at noon. Celebrate the artist, view the artwork, and enjoy complimentary refreshments. An RSVP is not required.

For more info, Click Here.

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

Overnight moving lane closures are scheduled for northbound & southbound Pacific Coast Highway between Sunset Blvd. & Topanga Canyon Blvd. Monday, May 6 - Friday, May 10 to prepare for upgrading drainage culverts.

This overall project will repair or replace a total of twelve drainage culverts along PCH from south of Temescal Canyon Road to the Ventura County line. Work includes:

Removing debris or flush sediment inside the pipes.
• Repairing joint seal of the pipes.
• Re-lining culvert barrels.
• Replacing damaged sections of pipe.
• Replacing entire sections of culverts.

Replacing the culvert at Solstice Creek (near Corral Canyon Road) with a bridge under the highway. The proposed bridge replacing the existing culvert will allow steelhead trout to swim upstream.

The nights of Monday, May 6 & Tuesday, May 7 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.:

• One northbound lane will be closed from Sunset Boulevard to Topanga Canyon Boulevard for "potholing", confirming the location of utility lines. This will be a moving closure, starting at Sunset Boulevard.


The nights of Wednesday, May 8, Thursday, May 9 from 9 p.m. to 6.am.:
• One southbound lane will be closed from Topanga Canyon Boulevard to Sunset Boulevard for "potholing", confirming the location of utility lines. This will be a moving closure, starting at Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

Beginning Friday night, May 10, work will shift to southbound lanes again to install k-rail and for concrete work, blocking one lane each night for up to four nights. Then work will shift to northbound lanes again for up to four nights.

All lanes will reopen each morning. Please Be Work Zone Alert. The project will continue through summer of 2029. The contractor on the project is Security Paving Company, Inc.

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

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The State Prosecutor General announced the 3 surfers in Santo Tomas were killed for resisting an assault.

It also reported a fourth body, likely to have been there longer, was recovered from the same place, but may not be related to the other killings.



Authorities confirmed the finding of the 2 Australian brothers and the American citizen who have been lost since the weekend in Ensenada. They removed the bodies from a water well, more than 50-foot deep, next to the three foreigners a fourth body was located. The fourth body was identified as a ranch owner who was reported missing two weeks ago, officials said. He owned the property where the bodies were found.

And it also appears that Baja California’s state chief prosecutor, María Elena Andrade Ramírez, is blaming the families for not reporting them missing sooner.



She said the chances of finding the men had diminished as a result of delays to the investigation.

“Unfortunately, a notice of their disappearance was only filed in the last few days, so very important hours were lost there,” she told a press conference in Mexico on Friday.

Ari Gisel García Cota, 23, was found with drugs and a phone connected to one of the missing Australian surfer. She is one of three suspects arrested in Baja California in connection with this crime.



Her Tik-Tik account has been discovered and people have been leaving comments:







Antonio Otañez, president of the Baja California Surf Association said “Everyone is in shock. We can’t believe it.”

He announced the Baja California peninsula surfing community would hold a rally on Sunday, “to show solidarity with our Australian and American friends, and to demand security for the surfer community in the whole state”.

“Some friends told me they met [the missing surfers] here in the 38 and in San Miguel. They told me they were really great guys, friendly.”

Otañez said the area was not especially dangerous for surfers.

“You think Tijuana and you think cartel, mafia. But we who live here don’t see such risk. Of course, there’s crime. And you hear about deaths, but these are usually between the drug trafficking groups. But against civilians? Situations like this are very rare here. And still more with foreigners.”

Cirque du Soleil raises the Big Top for its first production at the Santa Monica Pier since 2014

From October 19 through December 1, 2024

Tickets available now for Club Cirque members.

General on-sale begins on May 6th.

The thrilling, internationally-acclaimed Cirque du Soleil production, KOOZA, is coming to the Santa Monica Pier from October 19 through December 1. Audiences are invited under the iconic Big Top at the Pier to be part of the joyous return of Cirque du Soleil to this much-loved location that is home to both magic and memories. From daredevil performances to mischievous clowns, KOOZA delivers a signature Cirque du Soleil experience in its most exciting form with high-flying acrobatics, whimsical characters, lavish costuming, colorful sets, hilarious clowning, and a powerful live score. Acclaimed the world over since its opening in 2007, KOOZA has mesmerized close to 8M spectators with over 4K performances in 65 cities across 22 countries. This marks Cirque du Soleil’s first Big Top show in Santa Monica since 2014.

A breathtaking return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil, KOOZA pays tribute to traditional circus in all its splendor with audacious acrobatic prowess and bold slapstick comedy. Filled with chills, thrills, laughter and wonder, KOOZA unfolds a non-stop, adrenaline-packed series of edge-of-your-seat surprises. Under the watch of a mysterious trickster with electrifying powers, KOOZA follows the self-discovery adventures of the Innocent who is magically transported to an exotic yet zany kingdom.

“We are thrilled to announce the return of Cirque du Soleil to the beautiful Santa Monica Pier said Duncan Fisher, President, Touring Shows Division at Cirque du Soleil. It has been 10-years since our last visit to this iconic site that has created such amazing memories over the years. Cirque du Soleil’s relationship with Santa Monica dates back to 1987 where we received such a warm welcome that it sparked our climb to global prominence. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, it is only fitting we return to the community and fans who supported us from the very beginning. We look forward to welcoming visitors, old and new, into the world of KOOZA” he concluded.

Undeniably the most daring Cirque du Soleil touring production, KOOZA takes audiences on a thrilling emotional ride with its nail-biting, mind-boggling acrobatics. Inspired by traditional circus arts from around the globe, the show’s performances display remarkable showmanship, exceptional execution, and incredible agility – notably in the High Wire, Teeterboard and Wheel of Death acts.

As previously announced, Cirque du Soleil will perform under the Big Top at the Laguna Hills Mall from June 8th through July 21st. Cirque du Soleil In Santa Monica

Cirque du Soleil made its first United States debut at the opening of the Los Angeles Festival in 1987. The Big Top first set ground at the beautiful and iconic Santa Monica Pier for its first international staged-show in 1987 which led to a turning point in the growth of Cirque du Soleil. The performance received such a warm welcome that it was followed by a tour of California which brought an incredible visibility for Cirque du Soleil. Since then, the company returned with 10 different productions over the years to a location that became a favorite tour residency destination. Cirque du Soleil will visit the Santa Monica Pier for the first time since 2014 with anticipation.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for Santa Monica performances of KOOZA are available online exclusively to Club Cirque members starting today. For free subscription, Click Here. General on-sale to start on May 6th, Click Here.

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