𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣𝗦 𝗨𝗣: Piano Man Receives Donated Piano After Local Haulers Deliver to Boardwalk

VENICE, CA — Saturday, November 29, 2025 — Community stepped up on the Venice Beach Boardwalk today, as a donated piano was delivered to longtime performer Nathan “The Piano Man” Pino with the help of two small Westside businesses who volunteered their time, trucks, and hands to get him playing again.

Blue Mule Hauling, a family-run local hauling company owned by Amanda Arreola and her husband, coordinated the pick-up of the donated piano in Los Angeles after seeing Santa Monica Closeup’s coverage of Pino’s instruments being removed and destroyed during recent city cleanups. They brought in additional support from Scotties Flatbed, another Westside independent hauler, who volunteered a larger truck to safely transport the upright to the boardwalk.

“We saw Nathan had gotten his piano taken away and we were able to help him find a new piano and bring it down here for him to play for everybody,” said Amanda Arreola. “We got some help from Scotty’s tow to get it down here — it was a little bigger than our truck could handle. We’re looking forward to having lunch at the Sidewalk Café and listening to him play.”

Amanda said the pickup was easier than expected thanks to the flatbed truck’s extendable bed, eliminating the need to carry the instrument down stairs. The donor, who inherited the piano from her mother — a woman who walked the Venice shoreline every morning and knew Pino’s music — was “very happy” to see it go to him.

Pino arrived to find the piano waiting at his regular spot and expressed gratitude to the crews who made the delivery possible. With help from neighbors and small business owners, he is once again equipped to share music with visitors, locals, skaters, families, and longtime boardwalk regulars — a reminder of how quickly the Venice community can rally around one of its own.

Santa Monica Closeup continues documenting public events and community-driven moments across the Westside, including the restoration of music to the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

𝗚𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘: Chariot and Warriors March Down the Boardwalk for Spartacus Promo

A column of armored performers and a horse-drawn chariot moved through the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Saturday, November 29, 2025, turning heads along the coastal walkway as crowds paused to watch a scene reminiscent of ancient Rome. The group — dressed in leather skirts, metal arm guards, and carrying round shields and spears — advanced in formation beneath bright morning light, their sandals striking the pavement between souvenir shops and beach vendors. Behind them, two draft horses pulled an ornate chariot. An actor in red and blue robes gestured to onlookers, while another held the reins steady as the procession pushed forward. The spectacle appeared to be a promotional march for Spartacus: House of Ashurlo, the new STARZ Original series expanding the well-known Spartacus franchise. The campaign leaned heavily into historical imagery, using full costume, props, and live horses to evoke the world portrayed in the show. Visitors filmed with phones, stepped back to allow the group to pass, and gathered around the boardwalk corridor as the troupe continued north. The sight offered a striking contrast — ancient-style warriors moving past modern storefronts, roller skaters, and weekend foot traffic. The promotion comes ahead of the release of Spartacus: House of Ashur, a series that imagines the gladiator Ashur surviving to claim control over the very training ground where he once fought. The production stars Nick E. Tarabay, Graham McTavish, and Tenika Davis. Santa Monica Closeup observed the full procession along the beach walkway, documenting the moment as art, commerce, and performance intersected with everyday life at Venice Beach.

𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡: Venice’s Iconic Binoculars Undergo Restoration at Google-Occupied Landmark

 

Under clear coastal light on Friday, November 28, 2025, crews were seen high on lift platforms actively refurbishing the Giant Binoculars on Main Street — a rare restoration on one of Venice’s most recognizable landmarks. Primer patches and resurfaced sections marked visible progress on the sculpture’s exterior, signaling an ongoing effort to preserve its distinctive matte finish and structural detail.

Designed in 1991 by architect Frank Gehry in collaboration with artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, the oversized binoculars have long served as both sculpture and functional gateway. For years, vehicles passed directly through the lenses to enter the courtyard, a signature example of postmodern design that blurred the boundary between utility and monumental art. The structure remains a defining presence in Venice’s architectural identity — surreal, playful, unmistakably bold.

The building that sits behind the binoculars, once home to the advertising agency Chiat/Day, is now occupied by Google, extending the location’s creative legacy into the digital era along the booming tech corridor known as Silicon Beach.

The refurbishment is being carried out by Randall/McAnany, a Southern California company established in 1978 by William A. Randall and Timothy J. McAnany. Originally operating from a 200-square-foot office with a small warehouse, the firm has since grown into a Gardena headquarters with 1,800 square feet of office space and 15,000 square feet of warehouse capacity. After Randall’s retirement in 1994, McAnany became President and C.E.O., later transitioning to Chairman of the Board as Stefan Politz stepped into the executive role in 2009 — marking nearly five decades of continuous operation in the region.

Workers appeared to be sanding, resurfacing, and applying new coatings to the binoculars throughout the day — part of a larger preservation effort to ensure the sculpture remains structurally sound and visually striking for years to come. Once refinished, the binoculars are expected to return to their deep, uniform tone, restoring the iconic street-level silhouette that has drawn curiosity, cameras, and architectural study for more than thirty years.

Still standing at the crossroads of art, industry, and imagination, Venice’s binoculars remain a landmark worth watching.

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘: 13th Annual Block Party Delivers Hot Meals, Shoes & Support to the Unhoused

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2025, the Lost Angels Organization marked its 13th annual holiday block party on Rose Avenue in Venice — extending hot meals, essential supplies, and a sense of community to those living without housing. The block, stretching from Hampton Drive to Main Street, filled with folding tables, serving lines, and volunteers working shoulder-to-shoulder to bring comfort and connection into the holiday.

Guests were offered warm Thanksgiving plates with all the traditional fixings and invited to move through a distribution area where new shoes, clothing, socks, and toiletries were provided. A structured support system paired participants with volunteers who guided them through food service, clothing selection, and other resources, ensuring no one drifted through the event unnoticed or alone. The buddy approach emphasized personal interaction — conversations at the serving table, shared moments of gratitude, and a reassuring reminder that the community continues to show up.

Along the sidewalk, volunteers prepared hot trays, handed out cups of water, fitted shoes, sorted donated goods, and checked in with people one by one. The effort reflected the organization’s long-standing philosophy that no one gets left behind, a sentiment visible in the steady line of warm plates, the careful matching of shoe sizes, and the time taken to speak with individuals who arrived.

Lost Angels, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, relies on public support and volunteer labor to sustain its annual outreach — including its upcoming December distribution. Those wishing to participate or donate may visit @LosAngelsOrg on Instagram or LostAngelsLA.org.

Thirteen years into its tradition, the Thanksgiving block party once again turned a stretch of Venice pavement into a space of generosity and dignity. For many who attended, the holiday meal served as nourishment and connection, reflecting the enduring impact of small acts of care.

Santa Monica Closeup will continue documenting community-driven efforts like this one, highlighting the people and stories shaping life on the Westside.

𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘: Daisy the Venice Healer Joins Grassroots Effort to Stock Free Pantry in Venice

 

On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Venice-based organizer Michael Brandt, founder of the evangelical outreach group Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, stood beside a sidewalk pantry on Pacific Avenue near Horizon in Venice, joined by local healer and community figure Daisy, to help restock and beautify the space with fresh plants and flowers.

The pantry, located behind the Trading Post at 1324 Pacific Avenue, operates as a 24-hour, zero-barrier food and essentials station—offering round-the-clock access for those in need, and an open invitation to the public to donate freely. Brandt described the project as a pilot meant to demonstrate how community-led solutions can bypass bureaucracy while fostering direct mutual aid.

“It’s a 24-hour, zero-barrier, no-bottleneck pantry for the public—and it’s free,” said Brandt. “We wanted to show people you can just do things if you do it the right way. Anyone can donate at any time, and likewise, anyone can take what they need.”

Daisy, known across Venice as “the healer,” volunteered her time to organize the pantry and plant flowers around the base. Her efforts drew praise from Brandt, who credited her with bringing people together and adding spiritual and aesthetic warmth to the initiative.

Neighbors Feeding Neighbors was originally formed in response to the rollback of emergency SNAP food benefits, which left many low-income families without reliable access to meals. Brandt emphasized the need for a modernized food relief model—one that partners with local restaurants, rewards donors with gift cards or experiences, and allows businesses to contribute without harming their brand reputation.

“If you're a family and walk into a restaurant saying you can’t feed your kids, they have to say no—because there’s no system in place,” Brandt said. “We’re building that system so the answer can be yes.”

Currently, the group is hosting a coat drive through the end of November, and encourages community members to drop off clean, gently used coats and nonperishable foods. Donors who tag @feedingneighbors on social media may be gifted a local experience or gift card as thanks.

“Neighbors speak to neighbors,” said Brandt. “And that’s what this is all about.”

Santa Monica Closeup will continue following developments from this community effort in the weeks ahead.

𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧: Artist Anthony Schmitt Reflects on Meaning, Memory, and Holiday Tradition While Decorating Cart Tree

SANTA MONICA — Wednesday, November 26, 2025 — On a warm and sunny afternoon ahead of Thanksgiving, artist Anthony Schmitt and longtime collaborator Scott Frentrop continued decorating the Shopping Cart Tree on the lawn of the California Heritage Museum, adding lights and ornaments that span three decades of the installation’s history.

Schmitt said the finishing touches — many of which have appeared on the tree since the early 1990s — carry layered symbolism and memory. “Some of these lights and ornaments are 30 years old,” he said, noting that several pieces originated from the former Edgemar location and were later stored, preserved, and restored for continued use.

As pedestrians stopped to watch and photograph the progress, Schmitt reflected on what the Shopping Cart Tree has come to represent within the community. “It challenges us on our attitudes towards abundance and generosity — those who have nothing and push carts with their belongings, and those who fill multiple carts at the grocery store,” he said. “It’s a representational language.”

Schmitt also acknowledged the civic collaboration behind the annual build, emphasizing Main Street’s role while extending recognition to other Santa Monica districts. “I really appreciate the coming together of the city,” he said. “Main Street takes care of its own, but we also pay attention to what Montana, downtown, Pico, and Ocean Park need. It’s partnership — all of us working together to make the Santa Monica experience joyful.”

This year marks the tree’s second season at the museum grounds, following decades at Edgemar. Schmitt expressed gratitude for the transition and the support behind it. “With a new location for the Shopping Cart Tree at the California Heritage Museum, I think it’s really special. We’re grateful for Toby, and grateful for the Farmers Market working with us,” he said.

The artist also spoke to the ornaments’ history — pieces collected, contributed, and passed down through years of involvement from local residents and supporters. Snowflakes chosen with the late Jan Bates remain part of the display, along with original decorations faded by time but intentionally preserved. “It brings back great memories for those of us who know the people who contributed early on,” Schmitt said. “Some families have lost loved ones — sometimes the holidays are joyful, sometimes heavy — and these ornaments hold that memory.”

Schmitt shared stories from past years, noting that the tree has prompted conversations, criticism, celebration, and cultural interpretation — including a longtime detractor who later embraced the installation after it shifted from blue-and-white to red. To Schmitt, the evolution reflects the purpose of the work. “I welcome all faiths and beliefs,” he said. “It’s important we have compassion for one another, so we can collaborate and make the world a joyful place.”

The tree-lighting ceremony will take place Sunday, December 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., featuring photos with Santa, performances by the Santa Monica High School Choir, and holiday activities along Main Street. Visitors are encouraged to shop local, dine, and take part in seasonal offerings.

Santa Monica Closeup will continue following the installation through lighting and community celebration. 

𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗣𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗦 𝗢𝗨𝗧: Nathan Raises Funds After City Removes His Pianos from the Boardwalk

VENICE, CA — Saturday, November 22, 2025 — Three days after city crews destroyed one upright piano and impounded another during a multi-agency cleanup along the Venice Beach Boardwalk, longtime street performer Nathan Pino — “The Venice Piano Man” — was back at his usual spot on Ocean Front Walk, talking with passersby and trying to chart a path forward.

Pino, seated in his wheelchair near the performance zone where he has played for more than two decades, spoke with Santa Monica Closeup on Saturday afternoon about the loss of his instruments, his decades-long history on the boardwalk, and his effort to secure a replacement piano. During the interview, several people stepped forward to press cash into his hand after hearing what had happened.

“People have always been great to me here,” Pino said, noting that word about the piano seizure has quickly spread through the neighborhood and among longtime visitors. “All kinds of people stop and give me goodwill and good faith. It’s really heartwarming.”

The conversation followed a series of recent enforcement actions involving Pino’s pianos:

• On October 31, cleanup crews found two unattended upright pianos during a scheduled boardwalk sweep, initially considering removing them before confirming ownership and leaving them in place with a written warning.

• On November 5, Los Angeles Police officers cited Pino under Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 42.15 for having one of the pianos partially outside the marked performance box.

• On November 19, during a coordinated homeless sweep and sanitation pass, city crews again found both pianos unattended. One, heavily damaged by the elements, was discarded directly into a garbage truck; the second was loaded onto a municipal vehicle and taken into city custody. A property-retrieval notice was posted nearby, directing the owner to “The Bin” in downtown Los Angeles, where seized items are held for up to 90 days.

Pino expressed deep skepticism that impounded instruments are truly preserved.

“They say they put it in storage, but they don’t really put it in storage,” he said. “You go to get it and there’s nothing there. You go all the way downtown with a truck and then they tell you to come back another day, knowing what a hardship that is.”

The logistics and cost of reclaiming the boardwalk piano are, he said, out of reach. He estimated that renting a truck and hiring labor to move a full-size upright would cost around $150 to $200 “on a shoestring,” money he does not have.

“It’s not worth it,” he added, saying recent rain and lack of tarp protection had already left the instrument in rough shape.

Instead, Pino is focused on a different path: a donated piano from a supporter in Pasadena.

“Some lady from Pasadena is giving me a piano,” he said. “I just have to go pick it up. That’s why I’m out here trying to collect some money — I’m totally broke.”

He said he intends to store any new piano behind the fenced area at Big Daddy’s, with the owner’s permission, rolling it out to the boardwalk early each day to avoid future impoundments.

“Casey from Big Daddy’s told me I can go behind the fence there and leave it as long as I get it out early,” Pino said. “That’s what I’m going to do.”

Pino also described the $400 citation he recently received for having one of his pianos slightly outside the painted performance box lines before he had fully set up for the day, saying the lines were difficult to see and that he believes he was singled out. He said he plans to contest the ticket.

Beyond the immediate enforcement issues, the Venice musician offered a snapshot of a life spent at the piano. Pino said he has played on the boardwalk for 23 years, often tuning his instrument by ear daily to keep it playable despite constant exposure to salt air and shifting weather.

“You’re not really a musician unless you can tune by ear,” he said, explaining that some days a tune-up takes 15–20 minutes and other days it can stretch to an hour.

Before settling into his role as a Venice Beach fixture, Pino said he worked as a professional musician across the United States and Canada, including touring with the rock band Iron Butterfly and doing session work for multiple record labels. He recalled being brought to Los Angeles in 1970 after a Columbia Records producer sent him $500 — enough at the time, he said, to buy a car, move his Hammond organ, and start a new chapter in Southern California.

Over the years, he has played hotel lounges, restaurants, and clubs, including a long stretch at the Ambassador Hotel before it closed and a two-week stint covering for another pianist at a restaurant on Rodeo Drive. He said he reads music but often relies on memory and feel when performing outside, mixing standards, originals, and improvisation depending on the crowd.

“I love playing here,” Pino said of the boardwalk. “The people are great. I have many, many friends here. A lot of people come to see me — even people from my grammar school.”

He added that he prefers a real acoustic grand piano to digital instruments, saying an expensive digital grand he bought years ago has sat largely unused, because “it’s just not like a real piano.”

Pino also briefly recounted a past dispute involving a Steinway grand he once owned and stored in a private facility, which he believes was mishandled and ultimately lost. That experience, he said, left him wary of storage companies and more inclined to keep his instruments close — even if it means fighting the elements on the boardwalk.

Now, facing mobility challenges and relying on a wheelchair, Pino said playing remains central to his identity and survival.

“If I don’t play, I die,” he said. “The only thing keeping me going in my life is that.”

Despite frustration with enforcement and the loss of his recent instrument, he insisted he intends to be back behind a keyboard or a full-size piano in the coming days, once he can raise enough money to retrieve the donated instrument and arrange transport.

“I’m definitely going to have a piano,” he said. “I’m not going to let this stop me.”

Santa Monica Closeup continues documenting public events of local significance across the Westside, including homelessness outreach, law-enforcement activity, infrastructure operations, and cultural stories like Venice Beach’s long-running relationship with street performance and live music.

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚: Pier Bridge Replacement Mobilization Underway in Beach Lot 1 North

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Saturday, November 22, 2025 — The first signs of pre-construction activity for the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project are now visible in Beach Parking Lot 1 North, where heavy equipment, storage containers, and construction fencing mark the start of staging operations.

The city confirmed that crews will use the 1550 Beach Lot for mobilization through the end of the year, preparing the site for the $35 million replacement of the 86-year-old Pier Bridge that links Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue to the Santa Monica Pier. Work hours are scheduled Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to the city’s project update, initial activities in November include pre-location of the parking pay booth, trash compactor, and equipment storage. By early December, construction teams will expand the staging area for pier-widening and utility work. Parking availability will gradually be reduced to approximately 1,000 spaces, with dedicated access maintained for Pier visitors and employees.

The replacement bridge—led by Shimmick Construction Company, Inc.—will be seismically upgraded, pedestrian-friendly, and built with a 75-year service life. Construction is slated to continue through late 2027, with the Pier remaining open to the public throughout the process.

City officials note that more than 75 percent of project funding comes from the Federal Highway Bridge Program, with the remainder supported by local transportation funds.

As staging ramps up along the beach, the transformation of Santa Monica’s most iconic entryway is shifting from planning to preparation—signaling the true start of the Pier’s long-anticipated rebuild.

Santa Monica Closeup will continue documenting the project’s progress as work expands along the waterfront.

’𝗧𝗜𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡: Artist Anthony Schmitt Installs 20-Foot Shopping Cart Tree at California Heritage Museum

SANTA MONICA — Thursday, November 20, 2025 — A long-running Main Street holiday tradition resumed on Thursday as artist Anthony Schmitt continued assembling his signature Shopping Cart Tree on the lawn of the California Heritage Museum. Working with longtime collaborator Scott Frentrop, Schmitt spent the day securing the final tier of the bright red, child-sized shopping carts that form the latest version of the sculpture.

The pair began building the structure on Tuesday and expect to complete the full assembly later today. Lights will be added on Friday, followed by several days of decorating. Schmitt said the tree will be fully finished in time for the Sunday Farmers Market.

This year’s installation marks a relocation for the project. For decades, the Shopping Cart Tree stood in the Edgemar courtyard behind Blue Bottle Coffee and Holy Grail Donuts. After renovations and new restaurant development at that site, the tree has shifted to the museum grounds. “We’re so happy to be here in this new space,” Schmitt said. “It’s good to have the cart tree back on Main Street.”

The 2025 version stands about 20 feet tall and is constructed from 57 red “kitty carts”—children’s grocery carts selected for their scale and affordability. The previous Main Street tree was significantly larger, built from 94 full-size carts and reaching roughly 35 feet.

Schmitt said the red color carries special meaning this year. After researching the symbolism of red trees, he chose “transformation” as the theme — a reflection of the project’s new location, the shift in size, and the spirit of seasonal renewal. “A sense of unity, hope, and transformation feels right,” he said.

Funding for the installation comes from the Main Street Merchants Association, which supports the annual build and welcomes community contributions to sustain the tradition.

The public tree-lighting ceremony is scheduled for December 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., featuring photos with Santa, a performance by the Santa Monica High School Choir, and holiday activities for families.

Now marking its 31st year on Main Street — and Schmitt’s 37th Shopping Cart Tree overall — the installation continues a tradition that began with a single cart he once noticed sitting alone in a park. Schmitt said shopping carts symbolize a wide range of experiences, from poverty and abundance to childhood independence and play. “There’s a sense of generosity and enjoyment wrapped up in something as simple as a cart,” he said.

---

Santa Monica Closeup continues documenting the city’s seasonal traditions and public art installations throughout the holidays.

𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗣 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗢: Orange “Marty Supreme” Blimp Floats Over Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — November 18, 2025 — An eye-catching burst of orange drifted across the coastal skyline Tuesday as a bright promotional blimp for the upcoming film Marty Supreme made its way over Santa Monica. The airship, emblazoned with the words “MARTY SUPREME”, cruised above the beach and downtown corridor during the afternoon, drawing glances from beachgoers and residents who noticed the unusual sight against a backdrop of towering post-storm clouds. According to the studio’s campaign materials, the flyover is part of a broader Los Angeles promotion for the film, which stars Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mauser — a fictional 1950s table-tennis prodigy whose rise, rivalry, and ambition form the heart of the story. The blimp’s appearance added a surreal flash of color to an already dramatic sky, marking one of the more distinctive promotional stunts to pass over the Westside this fall. Santa Monica Closeup continues monitoring notable moments in the skies and on the ground across the Westside.