𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡: Military Vehicle Parade Opens Santa Monica’s Veterans Day Observance

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Police motorcycles led a convoy of camouflage Humvees and military trucks down Ocean Avenue on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, carrying military and local officials to Santa Monica’s Veterans Day ceremony. The procession turned into the beach parking lot next to Crescent Bay Park, where the ceremony followed. Gen. Ronald P. Clark, commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, and Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob were among the dignitaries who rode in the parade. The beachfront observance honored veterans and current service members during the year marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Santa Monica Councilmember Dan Hall, an Army veteran, was slated to open the ceremony, followed by the posting of the colors by the U.S. Army Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion and the national anthem performed by Rora Wilde. The program also listed a helicopter flyover by Coulson Aviation. Clark was the scheduled keynote speaker. The program also listed remarks by Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis, Maj. Gen. Dianne Del Rosso, deputy chief of the U.S. Army Reserve, and Medal of Honor recipient Gary Littrell, a retired Army command sergeant major. The program included performances by the 300th Army Band and Miss USO Heidi-Marie Ferren, along with a swearing-in ceremony for future soldiers led by Maj. Gen. Shane Buzza, commanding general of the 63rd Readiness Division. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document local ceremonies and community events across Santa Monica and the surrounding communities.

𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦, 𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗔, 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗘! ABC’s High Potential Films at Santa Monica Beach

SANTA MONICA, CA — Tuesday, November 10, 2026 — The cast and production crew of ABC’s hit crime drama *High Potential* were filming on Santa Monica Beach Tuesday morning, transforming a stretch of shoreline near the Santa Monica Pier into an elaborate television crime scene, with the iconic Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel and amusement park serving as a backdrop. The production featured an extensive beachside setup, including law enforcement vehicles representing the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and Los Angeles County lifeguards. Personnel wearing jackets marked "Coroner" were also visible, along with yellow crime scene tape, uniformed officers, and actors portraying beachgoers. Several red lifeguard trucks, police SUVs, surfboards, and beach umbrellas were positioned throughout the filming area, creating the appearance of an active investigation along the shoreline. Actors dressed as surfers carried colorful boards near the water, while others portrayed beachgoers relaxing on towels and chairs. Behind the scenes, production crews operated professional cameras, lighting equipment, large reflectors, and diffusion screens. Crew members coordinated the beach sequences as cameras captured activity against the picturesque backdrop of the Santa Monica Pier. Filming took place under clear, sunny skies, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s, providing summerlike conditions for the coastal production. *High Potential*, starring Kaitlin Olson as Morgan Gillory, follows a single mother with an extraordinary intellect who becomes a civilian consultant for the LAPD's Major Crimes Division. Working alongside Detective Adam Karadec, portrayed by Daniel Sunjata, Morgan uses her unconventional investigative abilities to help solve complex criminal cases. The series also stars Judy Reyes, Javicia Leslie, and Deniz Akdeniz. Premiering on ABC in September 2024, the crime comedy-drama has attracted a substantial television audience with its combination of police investigations, humor, and family storylines. The specific episode and storyline being filmed Tuesday were not immediately confirmed. The production brought a touch of Hollywood to one of Southern California's most recognizable landmarks, as the fictional police investigation unfolded amid the sand, surf, and familiar sights of Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica Closeup provides original, on-the-ground documentary coverage of news, events, and daily life in Santa Monica, Venice, and surrounding communities.

𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦: Anthony Schmitt Brings Holiday Cheer to Santa Monica’s Shopping Cart Tree

SANTA MONICA — Monday, November 9, 2026 — A longtime Main Street holiday tradition is taking shape once again as artist **Anthony Schmitt** and his longtime assistant **Scott Frentrop** spent Monday morning decorating the iconic Shopping Cart Tree on the lawn of the California Heritage Museum in Santa Monica. Now in its second year at the museum, the nearly 20-foot-tall holiday installation features 57 bright red, child-sized shopping carts arranged into a Christmas tree. The sculpture previously stood for decades in the courtyard of the Edgemar Center for the Arts before relocating to its current location in 2025. Schmitt expressed his appreciation for the installation's former home while celebrating its return to the museum grounds. He said the red shopping carts have returned for a second consecutive year, with the finishing touches of lights and ornaments bringing the sculpture to life for the holiday season. The installation is a two-person undertaking, with Frentrop assisting Schmitt in assembling, securing, lighting, and decorating the structure. Frentrop has worked on the Shopping Cart Tree for approximately eight years, becoming an integral part of the annual holiday project. Unlike previous versions of the sculpture, which reached approximately 35 feet and required larger construction crews, the smaller installation allows Schmitt and Frentrop to complete much of the work themselves. According to Schmitt, assembling the tree took approximately three and a half days, followed by another three days installing the lights. The pair are now completing the final decorative elements, including ornaments collected throughout the installation's history. Schmitt also reflected on the engineering behind the unusual structure, crediting the architectural firm Pugh + Scarpa with the original design and structural engineering. He recalled that the project was among architect Pugh's favorites and described how the shopping carts are securely connected, allowing the crew to climb and stand on the structure during installation. Beyond its unusual construction, the Shopping Cart Tree has become a recognizable part of Santa Monica's holiday history. Schmitt recalled hearing from a young adult who remembered being photographed with the tree as a baby. "My mom took a picture of me when I was a baby," Schmitt recalled the visitor saying. For the artist, such encounters demonstrate how the installation has become part of the personal memories of generations of Santa Monica residents and visitors. The Shopping Cart Tree carries a message extending beyond its holiday appearance. Schmitt has long described the shopping cart as a symbol of contrasting experiences, representing both prosperity and hardship. While some shoppers fill carts with groceries and gifts, others rely on shopping carts to transport their personal belongings. The installation invites viewers to reflect on abundance, generosity, homelessness, and the different circumstances experienced by members of the community. Last year, Schmitt selected **"transformation"** as the theme for the red Shopping Cart Tree, reflecting its relocation, redesigned structure, and the opportunity for renewal. The sculpture also incorporates ornaments and decorations dating back approximately 30 years, preserving memories of individuals who contributed to the holiday tradition over the decades. The project has historically received support from the Main Street Merchants Association and local community partners. Schmitt said this year's tree-lighting ceremony is planned for Saturday, December 5, the first Saturday in December. Festivities are expected to begin in the late afternoon, around 4 or 5 p.m., with Santa Claus possibly arriving aboard a fire truck. Final event details have not yet been confirmed. Community members interested in supporting the installation can make donations to Anthony Schmitt through **Zelle at 424-385-7569**. The same number is being provided for those interested in entering a drawing for a miniature Shopping Cart Tree. Additional drawing details were not specified. The Shopping Cart Tree has become a fixture of Main Street's holiday celebrations, combining public art, community participation, and seasonal tradition in one of Santa Monica's most recognizable annual installations. Santa Monica Closeup continues documenting the city's seasonal traditions, local artists, and community events throughout the holiday season.

𝗙𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟, 𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗: Historic Santa Monica Pier Sign Comes Down After 85 Years

HISTORIC 1941 SANTA MONICA PIER SIGN REMOVED IN MAJOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT MILESTONE SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Friday, October 23, 2026 — A significant chapter in Santa Monica's waterfront history unfolded Friday morning as crews from YESCO successfully removed the historic 1941 Santa Monica Pier sign from its longtime position above the Pier entrance, marking a major milestone in the city's ongoing Pier Bridge Replacement Project. Using a large mobile crane equipped with a steel spreader beam, crews carefully lifted the iconic blue-and-yellow arched sign from its supporting structure. The operation followed several days of preparation, including the removal of the sign's neon lettering, dismantling of its upper crown, and the installation of specialized lifting equipment. Once secured to the crane's rigging, the historic sign was hoisted free of its supports, bringing an end to more than eight decades of its presence above the entrance to one of Southern California's most recognizable landmarks. Originally unveiled on June 17, 1941, the Santa Monica Yacht Harbor sign features distinctive Art Deco styling and lettering advertising sport fishing, boating, and cafes. Designed by the Pan Pacific Neon Sign Company, the landmark is listed on the California Register of Historical Resources and has become an enduring symbol of Santa Monica's coastal identity. The removal is temporary. YESCO, a specialty sign company based in Las Vegas, is responsible for restoring the historic structure. The restoration will include repairing its neon lighting, addressing corrosion, refurbishing structural steel components, and repainting the sign to preserve its historic appearance. Following restoration and storage, the original sign is expected to return to the Pier entrance in 2027, where it will be reinstalled as part of the new bridge configuration. The removal operation had originally been scheduled earlier in the week but was postponed as crews required additional time for pre-removal preparations and crane rigging. The city subsequently rescheduled the main lift for Friday morning. With the historic sign removed, Shimmick Construction, the project's prime contractor, can advance the next stages of demolition involving the remaining bridge approach near Ocean Avenue. The work will eventually make way for additional foundation construction and the new bridge structure. Originally built in 1939, the existing Santa Monica Pier Bridge no longer meets modern structural and seismic standards. The approximately $35 million federally funded replacement project is designed to improve earthquake resilience, accessibility, and long-term safety, including a new 15-foot-wide sidewalk for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Santa Monica Pier remains open during construction, with pedestrian access maintained through a temporary bridge and vehicle access available from Pacific Coast Highway. The replacement project is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Friday's removal represents more than a construction milestone. It marks the temporary departure of an 85-year-old Santa Monica landmark, carefully preserved for its eventual return as the city builds a new gateway to the historic Pier. Santa Monica Closeup documented the removal operation Friday morning, capturing the careful lifting of the historic sign and another defining moment in the transformation of the Santa Monica Pier entrance.

𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡: Farmers Market Reopens After Fire Closure

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — On Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, the Pacific Palisades Farmers Market returned to Swarthmore Avenue for the first time since the January 2025 Palisades Fire forced the market to close. The reopening began with remarks before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m., followed by market hours from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 1035 Swarthmore Ave., adjacent to Palisades Village. Melissa Farwell, director of the Palisades Farmers Market, spoke before the ribbon cutting alongside Jennifer McClem, the market’s founder. Farwell said the market first opened on Sept. 17, 2000, on Swarthmore Avenue and had served as a gathering place for nearly 26 years. Farwell said many of the farmers and vendors at the reopening had been part of the market for 10, 20 or even 26 years. “Thank you for welcoming us home,” Farwell said. Rick Caruso, developer of Palisades Village, also welcomed the market’s return and encouraged residents from Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and Santa Monica to support the farmers and vendors. Caruso described the market as a needed grocery option for the community as larger supermarket service continues to return. “This is now your supermarket,” Caruso said during the ceremony. Caruso said the reopening marked another major step in the commercial district’s recovery, citing strong customer traffic and sales at Palisades Village businesses since reopening over the weekend. Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park also spoke at the ceremony, calling the market’s return part of a week of recovery milestones in the Palisades. Park noted that Palisades Charter High School had returned to campus for the new school year and that more than 40 businesses had reopened at Palisades Village. California farmers and local vendors offered fresh produce, flowers, prepared foods and artisan goods as shoppers returned to the outdoor market. The market also introduced a new weekly schedule, shifting from its former Sunday morning hours to Wednesday afternoons. Its returning footprint was limited to Swarthmore Avenue. Before the closure, vendors operated along portions of both Swarthmore Avenue and Antioch Street. Raw Inspiration, the nonprofit organization behind California Certified Farmers Markets, has operated the Pacific Palisades market since 2000. The market’s return restored a longtime community gathering place as businesses, schools and public spaces continued reopening across Pacific Palisades. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document community events, public spaces and recovery milestones across Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and the Westside.

𝗩𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗡 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛: SMPD, Salvation Army Connect Homeless Veteran With VA

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 — Santa Monica Police Department officers and the Salvation Army Santa Monica Corps Homeless Outreach Team helped connect an unhoused veteran with Veterans Affairs services during a coordinated outreach operation on Santa Monica Beach Wednesday morning.

Officers assigned to SMPD’s Homeless Liaison Program initially contacted the man Tuesday and learned that he was a veteran. When officers returned Wednesday with the Salvation Army outreach team, they introduced the man to outreach personnel and began working to connect him with veteran-specific assistance.

The Salvation Army team accompanies SMPD’s Homeless Liaison officers during their Wednesday outreach patrols. After speaking with the veteran, team members contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs Street Outreach team and requested assistance.

VA outreach personnel arrived a short time later in a van and spoke with the veteran. They then helped gather and load his belongings before transporting him from the beach. According to information learned at the scene, the veteran was taken to the VA’s West Los Angeles campus for housing assistance and additional services.

Following the beach outreach, Salvation Army Lt. David Aviles invited Santa Monica Closeup to the organization’s community center on Fourth Street in downtown Santa Monica. Aviles provided a tour of the facility and discussed the Salvation Army’s local outreach work during an on-camera interview inside the center’s chapel.

Aviles and his wife, Lt. Monnique Aviles, serve as corps officers at the Santa Monica Community Center. He said the Salvation Army’s outreach team works with people experiencing homelessness and other challenges, helping connect them with services and support intended to restore stability.

Aviles said Wednesday’s coordinated response allowed the veteran to reconnect with the VA and take a step toward housing and additional assistance.

“That’s what we strive here at the Salvation Army—to connect people, whether they are experiencing homelessness or any challenges in general, to services and support,” Aviles said.

The Salvation Army Santa Monica Community Center also provides community meals at 6 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and sack lunches at 11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The center is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for people seeking information about available services.

The center holds Sunday worship services at 11 a.m., preceded by coffee, pastries and Bible study beginning at 10 a.m.

SMPD’s Homeless Liaison Program consists of a sergeant and six officers who coordinate with the City Attorney’s Office, Santa Monica Fire Department, the city’s Housing and Human Services Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. The team responds to situations involving homelessness, substance-use concerns and behavioral-health needs while connecting individuals with available city, county and community resources when appropriate.

Santa Monica Closeup continues to document outreach efforts, public-safety activity and community services across Santa Monica.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗖𝗨𝗣 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗬: Fans Flood Venice Beach to Celebrate Spain's Triumph

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗖𝗨𝗣 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Spain supporters and soccer fans gathered Sunday at the end of Washington Boulevard near the Venice Beach Fishing Pier to celebrate the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Spain's World Cup championship victory. The free outdoor block party featured live performances on stage, DJs, dancing, and a festive atmosphere as hundreds of attendees filled the street. Fans waved Spanish flags, sang along with performers, enjoyed food and beer, and celebrated into the evening following the tournament final. The event, presented by Revival, marked the closing celebration of the month-long FIFA World Cup, which brought matches and fan events to Los Angeles and energized communities across Southern California.

𝗞-𝟵 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟: Santa Monica Police Canine Teams Sweep COAST 2026 Festival Before World Cup Final

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Sunday, July 19, 2026 — Santa Monica Police Department K-9 officers conducted a security sweep along Ocean Avenue Sunday morning ahead of the COAST 2026 open-streets festival, a citywide celebration marking the FIFA World Cup Final.

Santa Monica Closeup accompanied the K-9 teams for approximately 30 minutes as they patrolled the event footprint, moving methodically from booth to booth and through high-traffic gathering areas. The feature video offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the important role police canines play in securing large public events before crowds arrive.

The department's K-9 teams, K-9 Jack and K-9 Mylo, worked alongside their handlers, carefully inspecting vendor tents, equipment, staging areas, and other locations throughout the festival route. While the Santa Monica Police Department did not publicly detail the specific purpose of the operation, such pre-event sweeps are commonly conducted to detect explosives and other potential threats before major public gatherings.

The officers and their canine partners continued along Ocean Avenue from the Santa Monica Pier area through the festival grounds, with the dogs using their highly trained sense of smell to examine locations inaccessible to conventional security screening.

The Santa Monica Police Department's K-9 Unit serves as a specialized resource supporting patrol operations, public safety, and critical incident response. Depending on each dog's certification and training, police canines may assist with explosive detection, suspect apprehension, evidence recovery, building searches, area searches, and locating missing persons. Their ability to rapidly screen large areas makes them an important asset during major events attended by thousands of people.

This year's COAST 2026 festival transformed more than a mile of downtown Santa Monica into a car-free pedestrian zone extending from the Third Street Promenade and Metro E Line Station to Ocean Avenue, Colorado Avenue, Arizona Avenue, and the Santa Monica Pier. The free community event featured live entertainment, food vendors, art installations, family activities, and large-screen viewing of the FIFA World Cup Final.

Security planning for events of this size involves coordination among law enforcement, city staff, and event organizers to help provide a safe environment for attendees while minimizing disruptions to the festivities. The K-9 sweep represented one visible component of those preparations before thousands of visitors filled the streets.

Santa Monica Closeup followed K-9 Jack, K-9 Mylo, and their handlers throughout the morning patrol, providing an extended look at the professionalism, discipline, and teamwork involved in preparing one of Santa Monica's largest public events for the day ahead.

Santa Monica Closeup covers public safety, community events, civic life, and breaking news throughout Santa Monica and the surrounding communities.

𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗘: Remote Workers Trade Cubicles for Sand and Surf in Venice

VENICE, Calif. — Friday, July 17, 2026 — Remote-work advocate and social media personality Scott Muirhead brought his popular outdoor meetup concept to Venice Beach on Friday, transforming a stretch of sand into an unconventional open-air office.

Muirhead, known online as “The Remote Work Guy,” curates gatherings in scenic locations where participants can work outside traditional offices while connecting with other remote professionals.

Dozens of participants worked from laptops beneath beach umbrellas as sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s provided comfortable conditions along the coast.

Some attendees wore bathing suits and bikinis, while others arrived with surfboards or brought their dogs. Makeshift workstations—including portable desks, folding tables and beach chairs—were arranged across the sand, blending a typical workday with the relaxed atmosphere of Venice Beach.

The gathering reflected the continued flexibility of remote employment, allowing participants to conduct business while spending the day beside the Pacific Ocean.

Santa Monica Closeup covers news, community events and coastal lifestyle throughout Santa Monica, Venice and surrounding communities.

𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗣 𝗟𝗔𝗫: JSX Makes Flying Into Santa Monica Fast, Easy and Surprisingly Affordable

 

One of the best parts of my recent trip wasn't just Cozumel—it was flying home from Scottsdale directly into Santa Monica Airport.

After spending a couple of days in Arizona following my trip to Cozumel, I headed to Scottsdale Airport and boarded a JSX flight to Santa Monica. The convenience was remarkable. Instead of flying into LAX, waiting for a shuttle, and then catching an Uber from the rideshare lot, I was home in about 10 minutes. It was one of the smoothest and most enjoyable travel experiences I've had.

One thing that surprised me was the cost. Once I factored in the value of free checked baggage, arriving only about 20 minutes before departure, the ability to bring my own beverages onboard, and not having to worry about the typical TSA liquid restrictions, the overall cost was about the same as flying through a major commercial airport. You don't have to be a celebrity or a business executive to fly JSX. For anyone who lives near Santa Monica or on Los Angeles' Westside, it can be a convenient, cost-effective, and low-stress alternative to LAX.

The experience also served as a reminder that Santa Monica Airport is currently scheduled to close on December 31, 2028, with the 227-acre property planned for redevelopment as a public park.

Beyond passenger convenience, the airport serves several other important functions. It supports aircraft maintenance, fueling, charter operations, flight instruction, and other aviation-related businesses that provide local jobs. It also serves as a training airport for student pilots and flight schools, and its closure would shift more training activity to surrounding airports. Visitors arriving by private aircraft also contribute to the local economy by staying in local hotels and patronizing restaurants and businesses.

The airport also plays a role in regional emergency preparedness. Located on the Westside, it provides an aviation resource that could be valuable if a major earthquake or other disaster were to limit access to LAX or make road travel difficult.

Since the airport opened in 1919, aircraft accidents have occurred, but there have been no reported fatalities involving a person on the ground struck by an aircraft.

Have you ever flown into or out of Santa Monica Airport? What was your experience?