𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝗔 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗟: Drive-Along With Meals on Wheels Delivering to Homebound Residents

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Santa Monica Closeup joined Meals on Wheels West Executive Director Kaylee Hawkins for a behind-the-scenes look at how the organization prepares and delivers meals to homebound residents across the Westside.

During a tour of the Santa Monica facility, Hawkins explained how meals are received and organized before volunteers depart on daily delivery routes.

Clients typically receive a hot entrée, a cold side dish, and fruit, along with a frozen meal intended for the following day to help ensure consistent nutrition between deliveries. Meals are delivered three times per week—Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—with frozen meals provided for the days in between.

Meals on Wheels West also accommodates vegetarian and medically tailored diets, including options designed for individuals managing conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease. All meals are approved by a Los Angeles County registered dietitian.

According to Hawkins, the program delivers meals to approximately 400 to 450 clients each day across about 40 delivery routes, with volunteers typically serving around ten clients per route.

The organization has operated in the region for more than 50 years, serving residents across Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu.

Beyond nutrition, Hawkins said the deliveries also provide an important point of human connection for many clients who live alone.

“More than 80 percent of our clients live completely on their own,” Hawkins said. “We’re not only delivering food—we’re delivering social connection.”

Volunteers also serve as informal wellness checks. If something appears unusual during a visit, Meals on Wheels West staff can connect clients with additional support services through a network of community partners.

Following the facility tour, Santa Monica Closeup accompanied Hawkins on a delivery route where meals were delivered to several local clients.

One Santa Monica resident, who identified herself as “Miss Lulu,” invited the team into her apartment and described how the program helps her manage a limited budget and difficulty getting to the grocery store.

“Meals on Wheels helps me out,” she said. “When you’re choosing between rent and food, it makes a big difference.”

She said she has been receiving the meals for several years and sometimes struggles to travel to the store.

“Sometimes it’s hard for me to get out,” she said. “Having the meals has really helped get me through.”

Another recipient visited during the route was Charles, a military veteran recovering from cancer treatment. Charles said the program provided support during a difficult period when he was undergoing chemotherapy and rebuilding his life.

“They were going out of their way to help me out,” he said of Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers. “It was life-saving.”

Charles, who served as a corpsman during the Vietnam War and later worked as a nurse for decades, said the deliveries not only provide food but also emotional support.

“They check on me and keep my spirits up,” he said. “It’s been a great help.”

A third delivery was made to Joseph, a Santa Monica resident who is blind and said the program has been helpful in maintaining regular meals.

“It’s been helpful,” Joseph said of the deliveries.

Joseph said he appreciates the volunteers who bring the meals and encouraged community members to support the program.

“It would be nice if we could get more volunteers,” he said.

For all three residents, the deliveries represent more than just food — they provide consistency, contact, and support during challenging circumstances.

Hawkins said the organization relies heavily on community support to sustain the program. While some funding comes from government sources, much of Meals on Wheels West’s operating budget comes from private donations and community partnerships.

With food costs continuing to rise and demand for services increasing, the organization encourages residents interested in helping to volunteer or donate.

Santa Monica Closeup continues to document community programs and local efforts supporting residents across Santa Monica and the Westside.

𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Volunteers Install Native Plants at Santa Monica Beach

SANTA MONICA — Saturday, January 18, 2026 — Volunteers with The Bay Foundation took part in a morning planting effort at Santa Monica Beach as the organization continued expanding its coastal dune restoration work along the shoreline. The volunteer event focused on installing native plants and seeds as part of the foundation’s ongoing Coastal Adaptation Program, which uses nature-based solutions to reduce erosion, improve biodiversity, and increase resilience to sea-level rise and coastal flooding. Participants planted California sunflower and California poppy seedlings while also dispersing a native seed mix containing approximately 20 different species expected to emerge over time as conditions allow. Heather Burdick, Director of Programs for The Bay Foundation, said the effort relies on plant growth to naturally build dunes. As native vegetation establishes itself, wind-driven sand accumulates around the plants, allowing dunes to gradually rise and strengthen without mechanical intervention. Volunteers assisted with planting and site preparation throughout the morning. The dune restoration approach replaces traditional beach-flattening maintenance practices that remove vegetation and destabilize sand. By allowing dunes to form naturally, the project aims to raise beach elevation, absorb wave energy during storms, and create habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife. Previous restoration efforts at Santa Monica Beach have been credited with supporting the return of species such as the federally threatened Western Snowy Plover. The Bay Foundation emphasized the role of community participation in maintaining and expanding the restored areas, noting that volunteers contribute not only labor but long-term stewardship and public awareness. The organization continues to encourage public involvement in future planting and restoration events. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document environmental restoration efforts and public space projects shaping the Westside coastline.

𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗦: Guests Dance in 1920s Style at Marion Davies Birthday Party

On Sunday afternoon, January 25, 2026, a birthday celebration honoring silent-film actress and famed hostess Marion Davies was held at the Marion Davies Guest House at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica.

Presented by the Santa Monica Conservancy, the event drew visitors dressed in vintage attire and period-inspired costumes reminiscent of the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting the era in which Davies became known as one of Hollywood’s most celebrated social figures.

The afternoon program included live music by Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys, along with brief dance demonstrations introducing classic 1920s steps led by James Zimmer and Cynthia Harper, co-founders of the Historical Ballroom Dance Club at University of California, Los Angeles. Guests also viewed a fashion presentation by the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, highlighting styles inspired by the interwar period.

Author Lara Gabrielle spoke with attendees about Davies’ life and legacy, drawing from her biography Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies and recounting stories of the lavish gatherings once hosted at Davies’ beachfront estate.

Throughout the event, Santa Monica Conservancy docents provided guided tours of the Marion Davies Guest House, offering historical context and inviting guests to imagine what daily life was like at the beachfront property during Davies’ residency.

The free, all-ages celebration ran from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and was open to the public, with RSVPs requested. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document local cultural events and community gatherings across Santa Monica.

𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗣𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘: Artist Kate Mueller Unveils Temporary Constellation-Inspired Installation at Santa Monica Beach

SANTA MONICA — On Saturday, January 17, 2026, installation artist Kate Mueller presented a temporary, site-specific artwork along the Santa Monica Beach shoreline during low tide, drawing onlookers as afternoon light shifted into a vivid orange sunset.

The interactive installation, titled String of Light That Connects All Things (S.O.L.T.C.A.T.), was installed in the mid-afternoon and removed at dusk, timed to the day’s tidal conditions. As waves moved in and out, beachgoers gathered near the waterline to observe the steel forms, take photographs, and speak with the artist about the work.

According to the artist, this month’s installation consisted of five steel sculptural elements corresponding to the star points of the constellation Capricorn. The arrangement translates the celestial pattern into a physical form placed directly within the coastal environment, reflecting Mueller’s ongoing exploration of the relationship between astronomy, natural cycles, and human presence.

S.O.L.T.C.A.T. is part of an ongoing series of monthly pop-up installations that imagine the California coast through the lens of light and space. Each installation references a constellation visible in that month’s night sky, drawing a parallel between celestial movement and ocean tides, and inviting viewers to consider their place within a shared environmental moment.

During daylight hours, the welded steel forms cast stark linear shadows across the sand, evoking comparisons to ancient time-marking structures. As sunset approached, the pieces became silhouetted against the sky, while wet sand created reflective surfaces that shifted with the viewer’s position. Passing sailboats, birds in flight, footprints, and the advancing tide became part of the installation’s evolving visual field.

Each installation consists of four to seven lightweight steel structures designed to be approachable and interactive without obstructing coastal views. Rather than dominating the landscape, the forms are intended to subtly reframe a familiar shoreline, emphasizing environmental change and the passage of time.

Mueller, an installation artist based in Los Angeles, incorporates welding and woodworking techniques to create large-scale, immersive works that invite physical movement and public engagement. Her practice emphasizes sustainability and frequently employs reclaimed and found materials. Her work explores themes of shared humanity, awareness, and the experience of occupying a specific place at a specific moment.

Raised in Oxnard and influenced by extensive travel and site-specific exploration, Mueller has created interactive installations across Santa Monica, Downtown Los Angeles, and Ventura County. Her ongoing work continues to focus on the relationship between environment, perception, and interconnected systems.

This installation was made possible in part by the City of Santa Monica Art of Recovery grant.

Santa Monica Closeup continues to document public art, cultural activity, and community moments along the Westside shoreline as they unfold.

𝗗𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: The Bay Foundation Plants Native Habitat Along Santa Monica Coast

SANTA MONICA — Thursday, January 15, 2026 — The Bay Foundation is expanding its coastal dune restoration project at Santa Monica Beach this week, continuing a multi-year effort to transform sections of the shoreline into living, plant-supported dunes designed to reduce erosion, improve biodiversity, and strengthen resilience against sea-level rise and coastal flooding.

The project is part of The Bay Foundation’s Coastal Adaptation Program, which replaces traditional beach-flattening maintenance practices with nature-based solutions. Rather than mechanically raking sand flat — a process that removes plant life and destabilizes dunes — crews are planting native California beach species and allowing sand to accumulate naturally around their roots and branches.

Native species introduced and encouraged in the dunes include California poppy, beach evening primrose, California red sand verbena, and seacliff buckwheat. These plants stabilize sand, create habitat for insects and birds, and support broader coastal ecosystems. Invasive species such as ice plant, European sea rocket, and non-native grasses are removed to allow native communities to recover.

Los Angeles County’s beaches have been heavily modified over decades by seawalls, imported sand, and heavy maintenance equipment. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, California could lose up to 75 percent of its beaches over the next 75 years due to rising sea levels, with Southern California facing particularly significant impacts by the end of the century. Dune restoration is intended to counteract that trend by raising beach elevation naturally and absorbing wave energy during storms and king tides.

The Bay Foundation reports that dunes can grow up to three feet tall within about four years, significantly improving storm protection and erosion resistance. At Santa Monica’s pilot dune site, the federally threatened Western Snowy Plover returned to nest in 2016 — the first documented nesting in the Los Angeles region in nearly 70 years. Today, dozens of plovers can be observed feeding and resting in the restored dune habitat depending on the season.

Volunteers have played a central role in the success of the project, contributing labor, monitoring, and long-term stewardship. The foundation also emphasizes public education as part of the program, encouraging visitors to see beaches not as static landscapes but as living systems that support both wildlife and human communities.

Millions of residents and visitors now experience these revitalized shoreline areas each year, where native plants, birds, insects, and natural dune formations coexist alongside recreation. The project reflects a growing shift toward climate-adaptive coastal management focused on restoration rather than mechanical control.

Santa Monica Closeup continues to document environmental restoration efforts, infrastructure changes, and public space projects shaping the Westside’s coastline and community life.

𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧: Demonstrators Rally at Lincoln and Venice Boulevards Following Recent Fatal Shootings

VENICE, CALIF. — January 11, 2026 — Dozens of demonstrators gathered Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Venice Boulevard to protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), amid a wave of nationwide unrest following a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis earlier this month. The event remained peaceful, with participants carrying handmade signs and chanting slogans calling for ICE’s removal and accountability for recent law enforcement use of force. Protesters held placards with messages including “ICE Get Out,” “Abolish ICE,” and “No Murder Voter,” reflecting local anger over ICE’s tactics and federal immigration enforcement policy. One marcher in a costume of a large frog — a visual element noted by onlookers — was seen among the crowd as people moved through the crosswalk and onto surrounding streets. The demonstration in Venice occurred in the wake of the January 7 fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, an incident that has fueled protests across the United States. Good, a U.S. citizen, was killed during a large federal immigration operation when an ICE agent fired shots at her vehicle; federal authorities have defended the shooting as self-defense, while local leaders and eyewitnesses dispute that account and call for independent investigation. Across the country, tens of thousands have taken to the streets in recent days, including a major rally in Minneapolis and protests in cities such as Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., with demonstrators demanding answers, transparency and changes to immigration enforcement practices. Some local officials have criticized the federal handling of the Minneapolis case and the exclusion of state investigators from evidence, heightening tensions between municipal and federal authorities. At Sunday’s Venice gathering, no arrests or violent incidents were reported. Participants expressed solidarity with families affected by immigration enforcement actions and called for broader reforms. Organizers encouraged attendees to document the demonstration and share their perspectives on social media and community forums. Santa Monica Closeup documented the Venice protest with video and on-the-ground observation.

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗨𝗦 𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗡: Palisades Fire Survivors Rally One Year Later in Pacific Palisades

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Wednesday, January 7, 2026 — Exactly one year after the devastating Palisades Fire, residents, fire survivors, and community advocates gathered in Pacific Palisades for a morning rally marking the anniversary of the disaster and calling for accountability, transparency, and long-term reform related to wildfire prevention, emergency response, and recovery.

The January 2025 wildfire burned for several weeks across the Santa Monica Mountains, killing 12 people, destroying nearly 7,000 structures, and causing an estimated $18–$20 billion in damage. One year later, rebuilding efforts remain uneven, litigation is ongoing, and many residents say they continue to face insurance disputes, permitting delays, displacement, and environmental concerns tied to damaged but standing homes.

The demonstration was organized under the banner “They Let Us Burn,” a phrase repeatedly echoed throughout the event by speakers who argued the fire was preventable and that failures at multiple levels of government contributed to the scale of destruction. Organizers emphasized that the protest was nonpartisan, framing it as a demand for operational accountability and improved emergency preparedness rather than a political campaign.

The rally took place in and around Palisades Village and ran from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., spanning the Antioch and Swarthmore corridor toward Via de la Paz. It drew homeowners, business owners, attorneys involved in active litigation, advocates, former and current public officials, and residents from other fire-affected communities including Altadena and Malibu. Yard signs were distributed, and organizers said no money was collected or merchandise sold.

Several speakers described evacuations they said were chaotic or nonexistent, citing a lack of audible warnings, traffic control, or visible emergency coordination during critical hours. Others raised concerns about water infrastructure, alleging key reservoirs were empty at the time of the fire, resulting in low or nonexistent hydrant pressure. Additional criticism focused on brush-management policies in surrounding parklands, with claims that earlier fires were allowed to smolder and later reignite.

Attorneys representing fire survivors said litigation against the City of Los Angeles, the State of California, and related agencies remains active, with a key court hearing scheduled for February 5, 2026, concerning motions to dismiss the case.

Organizer Mariam Engel said residents lost not only their homes but also trust in public institutions, arguing that warnings and established protocols were not adequately addressed prior to the fire. Jeremy Padawer, a Palisades resident and publisher of PacificPalisades.com, outlined a list of “Ten Imperatives” presented by organizers as policy proposals intended to ease rebuilding and recovery. The measures included waiving rebuilding permit fees, providing tax relief during reconstruction, improving evacuation planning, undergrounding electrical lines, enhancing brush-clearing and fire-prevention efforts, increasing budget transparency, establishing a local police presence, and addressing insurance-related challenges.

Among those appearing at the rally was Traci Park, who addressed the crowd and acknowledged what she described as a catastrophic failure, stating that residents were justified in their anger and pledging continued advocacy for affected communities. Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and actress and Palisades resident Heidi Montag were also among the listed speakers and participants.

Earlier in the morning, prior to the rally, a separate white-glove flag presentation and remembrance ceremony was held by the Pacific Palisades Long Term Recovery Group in partnership with Palisades American Legion Post 283, honoring victims and marking the one-year anniversary.

While emotions ran high throughout the multi-hour event, organizers emphasized unity among fire survivors and framed the rally as part of a broader effort to prevent similar disasters in the future. The demonstration unfolded as litigation, policy debates, and recovery efforts related to the Palisades Fire continue across the region, with residents signaling that public scrutiny of officials and agencies remains ongoing.

Santa Monica Closeup continues to document fire-recovery efforts, public safety issues, and community responses across the Westside.

𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗘𝗡𝗗: Churches Pack Away Santa Monica Nativity Scenes for the Year

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Saturday, January 3, 2025 — On a rainy Saturday morning, parishioners from St. Anne’s Catholic Church worked under overcast skies at 2311 Main Street, dismantling their nativity installation as the seasonal run of the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes came to a close.

Volunteers methodically wrapped and boxed life-size figures, straw, backdrops, and signage from “The Nativity,” one of several themed booths that together narrate the Christmas story. Each display is installed and maintained by a different local church or faith group, a model organizers describe as a cooperative community effort.

The Santa Monica Nativity Scenes are among the city’s most enduring holiday traditions, dating back to 1953, when local civic leader Herb Spurgeon partnered with area churches to place nativities in Palisades Park. For decades, the displays occupied prime park space each December and became a hallmark of the city’s seasonal landscape.

That long tradition encountered political and legal challenges in the early 2010s. A number of atheist applicants entered Santa Monica’s lottery for public park display space, an annual process required under the city’s Winter Display ordinance. Some of these applicants received lottery spots alongside traditional Christian scenes, prompting debate over whether religious displays should be permitted on public property and whether the system treated all viewpoints equally.

In 2012, amid growing controversy and competing applications, the City Council voted to repeal the Winter Display exception that had allowed unattended holiday displays in parks, effectively banning all such exhibits in city parks — religious and secular alike. The Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Committee filed a federal lawsuit, arguing the repeal violated free speech rights. Federal courts upheld the city’s action as a neutral regulation of time, place, and manner, bringing an end to the decades-long practice of placing the Nativity Scenes in Palisades Park.

In the years since, organizers and volunteers have worked to preserve the tradition at a new site on Main Street, relying on community support, church partnerships, and donations to keep the project alive. Churches including St. Anne’s, St. Monica, Vintage Church, and the First United Methodist Church have contributed scenes and labor to sustain continuity.

As St. Anne’s volunteers finished dismantling their booth in the morning drizzle, the scene reflected both the seasonal close and the persistence of a tradition carried forward by successive generations of Santa Monica residents.

Organizers say the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes will return for the next holiday season. More information on the project and ways to support it are available through volunteer and donation channels

𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡: Crews Inspect Icon Ahead of Bridge Replacement

 

On Tuesday morning, December 16, 2025, crews from YESCO were seen conducting a structural inspection of the historic Santa Monica Pier sign as part of preparations for its planned removal early next year. The inspection is a preliminary step tied to the larger Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project, a multi-year infrastructure effort aimed at modernizing access to one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

The inspection focused on evaluating the structural condition of the iconic blue steel sign, which spans the entrance to the pier. According to the project timeline, the original sign is scheduled to be removed in January 2026, restored off-site, and stored until the bridge replacement is completed. Once construction concludes, the refurbished sign will be reinstalled at a higher elevation to improve visibility and clearance.

The Pier Bridge Replacement Project involves replacing the 86-year-old bridge that connects Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue to the pier. Built in 1939, the existing structure will be replaced with a new, seismically upgraded bridge designed to meet modern safety standards and provide a projected 75-year service life. Planned improvements include widened sidewalks, improved pedestrian circulation, and enhanced accessibility in advance of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 and continue through the end of 2027. During the project, pier businesses, restaurants, parking, and visitor access are expected to remain open. Temporary pedestrian and vehicular access routes will be installed to maintain connectivity, including a pedestrian bridge from Ocean Avenue and a vehicle ramp from the beach parking lot for emergency access, deliveries, and public parking.

Shimmick Construction Company, Inc., a nationally recognized infrastructure contractor, is leading the $35 million project. Approximately 75 percent of the funding is provided through the Federal Highway Bridge Program, with the remaining costs covered by local transportation funds.

YESCO, the company conducting the sign inspection, is a Salt Lake City–based manufacturer of electric signs founded in 1920. The firm is known for producing and maintaining several high-profile landmarks nationwide, including the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, the Fremont Street Experience, the Reno Arch, and historic theater marquees in Hollywood.

City officials have stated that outreach with pier tenants and community stakeholders will continue throughout construction to minimize disruption and maintain public access during the multi-phase project.

Santa Monica Closeup documents infrastructure projects and civic improvements across the city as they unfold.

𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦: Rabbi Lights Giant Menorah on Hanukkah’s First Night in Santa Monica

Rabbi Isaac Levitansky of Chabad of Santa Monica lit the giant menorah at the Third Street Promenade on Sunday night, December 14, 2025, marking the first night of Hanukkah. The public ceremony brought community members together in downtown Santa Monica as the first candle of the eight-day Festival of Lights was illuminated.

Before the lighting, Rabbi Eli Levitansky addressed recent international events impacting the Jewish community. He referenced a reported attack on members of the Jewish community in Australia that occurred during an early Hanukkah celebration due to time zone differences, emphasizing resilience in the face of antisemitism.

“When these tragedies occur, they are done to create fear,” Rabbi Eli Levitansky said. “Our response needs to be the opposite. We need to come out even stronger, even prouder, to show our Jewish pride.” The gathering paused to light 16 memorial candles in honor of those who lost their lives in the reported attack. Attendees were invited to join in singing Ani Ma’amin, a song rooted in Jewish faith and perseverance. “It is not a song of despair, but rather a song of hope,” Rabbi Eli Levitansky told the crowd. “Even in the darkest moments, the Jewish people believed their future still lay ahead—and that we are here to stay.” Gratitude was also extended to local law enforcement, with organizers thanking the Santa Monica Police Department for providing security during the event and offering a blessing for their safety. Prior to the menorah lighting, a letter written in 1980 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe was read aloud. The message described Hanukkah as a reminder of the victory of spiritual strength over oppression and emphasized the symbolic power of light in confronting darkness. “Our sages said, ‘A little light expels a lot of darkness,’” the letter read. “Illumination begins at home, but it does not stop there.” Following the remarks, Rabbi Isaac Levitansky led the menorah lighting as prayers were recited and songs were sung. The evening concluded with community activities, including hot chocolate, latkes, children’s arts and crafts, and a photo area near the large dreidel display. Additional nightly menorah lightings and Hanukkah festivities are scheduled to continue throughout the week at the Third Street Promenade, hosted by Chabad of Santa Monica.