After 50 years, Gladstones is closing down in October (some reports say as it will close as early as September 15). Their lease is coming to an end .Los Angeles County is the owner of the land and is seeking a long-term lease with new tenants.

L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, has called the property “seriously deteriorated and outdated.”

The building is set to be torn down and the city plans to construct a new culinary destination designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry and operated by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. The proposed project calls for an architecturally attractive waterfront dining destination with easy access to public transit, including the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus. Preliminary plans include casual dining areas serving a changing menu of locally sourced, farm-to-table cuisine, a lounge, a rooftop bar, a public deck, small retailers including an ice cream shop, and a monument to the site's well-known tenant, Gladstones.

According to Gladstones.com, California’s Pacific Palisades landmark has long been a state stalwart: Founded in 1972 right on the beach in Malibu, Gladstones restaurant has been a symbol of Los Angeles and the Southern California lifestyle for nearly half a century. Owned by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan, this classic establishment has stood the test of time, outlived trends, and set the bar for quality, warmth, and excellent seafood.

Hey y'all. Sam here, local journalist who started People Powered Media .

We are trying to start up hyperlocal volunteer groups to clean and maintain bike lanes, and also to report issues to the authorities.

Our second bike lane cleanup is happening Sunday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. Meet at Coffee Bean/Tea Leaf and Venice and Hughes.

The plan is to the survey the local lanes, cleaning as necessary. You can come on foot or by bike, and there should be parking available if you drive. The cleanup crew will be traveling slow, at walking pace.

Basically dress for heavy, dusty work -- cover up, boots, masks, glasses/goggles, etc. Also, bring water!

Right now, the hub for PPM is on insta, so follow us there for details on the day of. But basically, show up, meet up, and we'll clean for an hour or two, and then grab food, probably at Baja California Tacos, down at Venice and Overland.

What better way to celebrate Labor Day than with some Labor! lol

For more info, Click Here

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

Today we're embarking on an exhilarating journey to the iconic shores of Malibu California circa 1996. Join us as we immerse ourselves in the thrilling world of the Malibu surf scene capturing the essence of a pivotal era in surfing history.

It starts today, Xcel's End of Summer Sale

Xcel never goes on sale so this is a big deal!

Up to 40% off select items *
Sale runs until September 5th
No code needed!

Shop Now!

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) swiftly intervened in a dispute between two unhoused individuals at the iconic Venice Beach earlier today. Officers, driving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), rushed to the scene to defuse a confrontation that reportedly involved a taser.

Eyewitnesses recounted a heated exchange between the two men, with tensions escalating as they grappled over the possession of a taser. By the time law enforcement arrived, one of the individuals had departed the scene, leaving officers to address the aftermath with the remaining individual.

The LAPD officers on-site were familiar with the individual who stayed behind, a man known for frequently causing disturbances due to being under the influence. The department acknowledged his recurring presence in the area, often drawing attention due to his behavior.

Following the incident, the police conducted a thorough investigation, speaking with witnesses to piece together the events that transpired. After careful consideration and consultation, the officers made the decision to release the remaining individual. Despite the altercation and the tumultuous history, the authorities opted to allow him to continue on his way."

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Checking the Los Angeles' new pump track over in Inglewood. Even though it was made for bicycles, it's being used more by skateboarders.

The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) will conduct a Bike & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation with focused enforcement efforts on primary collision factors involving motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Police Department identifies locations where pedestrian and bike collisions are prevalent, along with the violations that led to those collisions. Traffic officers will be on duty patrolling areas where bike and pedestrian traffic and collisions occur in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Officers will be looking for violations committed by drivers, bike riders and pedestrians alike that can lead to life changing injuries. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

These extra enforcement efforts will take place on Wednesday, August 30th, Thursday, August 31st and Friday, September 1, 2023 between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car. Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.”

Pedestrians

· Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.

· Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.

· Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

· Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.

· Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

· Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

· Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

· Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

· Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.

· Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

· Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.

· If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

· Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Chabot at 310-458-6679, Detective Sergeant Gradle at ryan.gradle@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427."