From Santa Monica Close Up:

"On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, emergency responders were called to Santa Monica Beach after receiving reports of an assault. Los Angeles County Lifeguards, Santa Monica Police Officers, Santa Monica Firefighters and Paramedics, and Santa Monica Harbor Patrol Officers attended the scene where a couple's argument had escalated into violence.

According to eyewitnesses, a dispute between the couple culminated with the male partner, described as an African American man, striking the female partner over the head with a wine bottle. The assault left the woman temporarily unconscious with a head injury. Lifeguards and firefighters provided first aid until she was transported to a hospital by ambulance for further medical care.

The suspect fled the scene immediately after the incident. Authorities have since launched a search to locate him, with potential charges of domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon pending upon his capture. Eyewitnesses praised the prompt response of the emergency services, highlighting the quick arrival of both lifeguards and police at the beach.

This violent incident has heightened community concerns about safety and security in popular public areas like Santa Monica Beach."

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

Venice's Glen Walsh is thrilled to announce the documentary ‘Out in the Lineup’ is celebrating its 10 year anniversary with a screening at the Dana Point Film Festival on Saturday, May 4 at 1pm!

"Can’t believe it’s been 10 years since I music supervised and co produced this ground breaking documentary about LGBTQ surfers. So much progress has been made , of course we will have a ways to go towards equality and acceptance! Come see the film that launched a movement! Would love to see you all there with Riley Herman and mysel are doing a Q&A after! Or we will just surf!"

Time: Sat, May 4th, 1:00 PM @
Location: Dana Point Women's Club

For more info, and to get tickets, Click Here.


Originally released in 2014, and featured in film festivals around the world, ‘Out in the Lineup’ is a documentary following two gay surfers as they travel the world and learn why gay men and women surfers find it impossible to get sponsorships, or find acceptance in a sport which is supposed to be renown for it's laid back, free-spirited culture.



Join David and Thomas from the east coast of Australia to Hawaii, California, Mexico and the Galapagos Islands as they meet and surf with people from all corners of the surfing community. There’s some amazing stories, and beautiful surfing – contradicting a comment from a pro surf spectator that “gays just aren’t strong enough to paddle a surfboard”. There’s an openly gay three-time world champion, an award winning big wave rider, and former US Congressman and his surfer husband, along with everyday surfers, gay and straight coming together to help build acceptance. The story even inspired a current national champion surfer to come out and share his story – an amazing finale to the film.

Throughout their travels David and Thomas hear stories of fear, isolation and self-doubt, but are also inspired by tales of hope, self-empowerment and transformation. They witness the conflicts created by the marketing image of surfers (straight white males and women in tiny bikinis), and how it inhibits personal expression in a sport that’s supposed to be so free. Numerous attempts to get comments from the professional surfing associations, or the mega-corporations that sell billions of dollars of merchandise built on the surfing stereotypes were unsuccessful, as the film documents.



Why are homophobic slurs so common in the lineup? When homosexuality is now being accepted in pro sports including basketball, football and soccer – why is the surf industry unwilling to make any comment at all? How do gay surfers reconcile their identities as athletes when role models are invisible?

These topics and others are revealed as the journey of David and Thomas unfolds. They, along with the 5,000+ members of GaySurfers.net, their friends, families and communities hope this film can help create change in surf culture, looking to the surfing’s grassroots values of freedom of spirit, open-mindedness and love for the ocean.



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

Who’s counting days til May 4th at Malibu?!?! We can’t wait to share the stoke, countless smiles and good times with all our AWOW Athletes, volunteers, families and friends. Come support if you can and big thanks to all our ‘Bu partners and people who make these events possible. See ya soon




For more info, Click Here.

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

Get ready for some adrenaline-pumping action at the Spyder X Carver Pump track event - it's gonna be epic!

All ages, all skates, and all inclusive! Get ready for the first skate contest over at the Inglewood Pump Track presented by Carver and Spyder boards. They will have demos of all the latest boards, so if you don’t have a board and want to compete they'll take care of you!

There's going to be tons of prizes and the winner for one of the divisions will win a brand new Super73 E-bike.

Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this event is perfect for anyone looking to have a blast on two wheels. Don't miss out on the chance to meet fellow riders, test your limits, and maybe even pick up some new tricks. See you there!

For more info, Click Here.

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

Meet Frank the Magician, one of the skaters that helps keep the skate park clean.

May 19 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Enjoy a fun-filled morning with family-friendly activities and a group bike ride for all ages. Wear green for mental health awareness month!

Co-hosted by Santa Monica Spoke, the Kidical Mass bike ride + Mental Health & Wellness Fair is back at Clover Park! The morning will include:



Community partners offering activities and local mental health resources

Family-friendly group bike ride in Santa Monica*

Helmet decorating

Bagels, juice, coffee, and snacks

We will meet on the west side of the park, near 25th Street and Oak Street. Remember to wear GREEN for Mental Health Awareness! This group ride will help all participants develop skills and comfort for bike riding in the city.

Volunteers needed! Email volunteer@SMSpoke.org to help that day.

For more info, Click Here.

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

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 Friday, May 3, 2024 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 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. 

Pick Up for Paradise, Rebel Alliance Beach Cleanup


Attention all rebels and Jedi knights! Join us for a galactic beach cleanup on May the 4th at Life Guard Tower 1550 in Santa Monica! Harness the power of the Force as we unite to clean the shores of Santa Monica Beach. Don your Jedi robes, bring your lightsabers (or grabbers), and prepare to restore balance to our coastal paradise. Together, we'll make a difference and leave a lasting impact on our galaxy. May the 4th be with you as we embark on our Pick Up For Paradise mission!

Saturday, May 4 · 9 - 11:30am Northside of the Santa Monica Pier


For more info & to sign up for this free event, Click Here.

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

Come out and Join us at the Historical Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade & Festival on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 10AM to 6PM at Oakwood Park.


Parade begins at 10AM on California Ave and Lincoln Blvd. Spectators are asked to post along Lincoln Blvd from California Ave (going North) to Rose Ave. The parade will go down Lincoln Blvd (north) then will turn left on Rose Ave (west) to 7th Ave and will turn left (south) on 7th Ave towards Oakwood Park. The parade will end on 7th Ave and California Ave.

A street festival will proceed with Aztec Dancers, Grupo La Rosa Folklorico Dancers, Charro (Mexican Dancing Horses), Venice High School Band, Santa Monica Cheerleaders. Classic Cars/Lowriders, Clown, Piñata, Authentic Mexican Food Trucks, Live Entertainment by Rythym Band playing Old School Funk Music, D.J. Mango, Baby Dog Rapper Straight out of Venice, Informational Booths and Vendors.

Venice Mexican American Traquero Monument, AmVets Post 2, Venice Family Clinic, Santa Monica College, Kaiser, Venice Kush, Venice Paparazzi, Venice Family Community Housing, Councilmember Traci Parks, Lupitas Tacos, Tacos de Valiii, Oaxacana Taco Truck, Growin up in Venice Brand, and much more. This is a friendly family free community event.



For more info, Click Here.

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