SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Thursday, October 17, 2025 — Dozens of hospitality workers, community allies, and clergy rallied outside Santa Monica City Hall, calling on city leaders to pass a Right of Recall Ordinance aimed at reinstating laid-off employees from the former Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier.
Organized by UNITE HERE Local 11, participants gathered on the City Hall steps dressed in red union T-shirts and holding picket signs that read “Rusty’s Workers Deserve a Homecoming.” The demonstration began at 4 p.m. with a petition delivery to city officials, including City Manager Oliver Chi, before the group marched through downtown Santa Monica toward the Pier.
By late afternoon, supporters picketed near the shuttered Rusty’s location as the city hosted its “Homecoming” festivities, urging officials to ensure that future businesses operating on public land give priority rehiring opportunities to former workers.
Organizers said the proposed ordinance would mirror similar Right of Recall measures already adopted in Los Angeles and Pasadena to protect hospitality workers from displacement following business closures.
UNITE HERE Local 11, which represents more than 32,000 hospitality workers across Southern California and Arizona, stated that Santa Monica’s “Homecoming” celebration would not be complete without welcoming back the longtime Rusty’s employees who helped define the Pier’s legacy.
Santa Monica Closeup documented the rally, march, and picket line as part of its ongoing coverage of community events, public demonstrations, and local government action across the Westside.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Monday, October 13, 2025 — Eight vintage Ford Model A cars rolled onto the Santa Monica Pier, marking the completion of a three-week cross-country road trip along the historic Route 66 — known as “The Mother Road.” Spectators gathered along the Pier to admire the gleaming classics, snap photos and selfies, and chat with the proud drivers who had navigated the 2,448-mile route from Chicago to the Pacific.
The Ford Model A, produced between 1927 and 1931, represented the second major success for the Ford Motor Company following the legendary Model T. The vehicles featured an improved engine, modern controls, and a variety of body styles that helped usher in a new era of American automotive design.
The coast-to-coast convoy was chronicled in a dedicated travel blog, Route 66 Model A 2025, which documents the cars’ journey through eight states, showcasing small-town Americana, roadside diners, and iconic landmarks along the way.
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Thursday, October 9, 2025 — On a warm, sunlit afternoon, the courts at Veterans Gardens once again came alive as members of the Palisades Bocce Club gathered for a spirited evening of friendly competition and laughter. The sound of rolling bocce balls and cheers from teammates marked a moment of joy and renewal in a town still healing from the devastation of the Palisades Fire earlier this year.
The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, rapidly expanded amid extreme drought and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. The blaze scorched 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, and displaced over 100,000 residents before firefighters finally contained it on January 31, 2025. The disaster left deep physical and emotional scars across the community — including the loss of much of the Palisades Village, once the heart of local life.
Nine months later, scenes like Thursday’s gathering at Veterans Gardens signal a return of the human spirit. With the sun setting behind the Santa Monica Mountains and the ocean breeze drifting inland, dozens of players — from their twenties to their seventies — competed, laughed, and reconnected in the park’s welcoming atmosphere.
“This has everything to do with creating belonging and creating community,” said Jimmy Dunne, co-founder of the Palisades Bocce Club. “When this town needs it more than ever, it’s about buddies getting together — the Sweet Peas, the Killer Peas, the Chai Rollers, the Sunset Patriots — they love to come out, play, and celebrate being Palisadians.”
Once a neglected section of Palisades Park, Veterans Gardens was reborn through community effort and local donations, transforming a barren patch of ground into a lush gathering space. Conceived by residents including Dunne and Bill McGregor, the Gardens symbolize the Palisades’ enduring commitment to unity and resilience.
Since its founding, nearly a thousand residents have participated in the bocce leagues, which now feature multiple divisions such as the Dolphin League on Tuesday mornings and the Sunset League on Wednesday evenings. The games have sparked friendships that stretch far beyond the courts — from neighborhood dinners to Palm Springs getaways.
“The beauty of it,” Dunne added, “is that many of these teams started as strangers. Now they’re cheering for each other, going out to eat, celebrating birthdays, and traveling together. That’s what belonging looks like.”
Beyond the competition, Veterans Gardens has become a central gathering place for the community — hosting picnics, family celebrations, and quiet afternoons under the shade of newly planted trees. Dunne calls it “a garden that is a mirror of who we were, who we are, and who we dream to become.”
For many in the Palisades, the revival of activity at Veterans Gardens represents more than just recreation. It’s a sign of renewal — proof that after tragedy, the bonds of community continue to grow stronger.
Residents interested in joining future bocce leagues or learning more about Veterans Gardens can visit www.veteransgardens.com.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Thursday, October 2, 2025 — Crews from Front Signs have spent the past three days installing a half-scale replica of the iconic Santa Monica Pier Harbor sign, ensuring visitors can continue to capture the classic photo opportunity even as major changes loom for the Pier’s historic entryway.
Santa Monica Pier Executive Director Jim Harris said the installation preserves an essential part of the visitor experience. He explained that the original sign will soon be taken down and placed into storage for a complete refurbishment while the aging Pier Bridge is demolished and rebuilt. “We don’t want people to lose that chance to have their photo under the Pier sign,” Harris said, noting that the temporary replica has been placed in the central plaza of the Pier near Pier Burger and Pacific Park so it remains easily accessible to the public.
The replica sign marks the first visible step in the long-anticipated replacement of the 86-year-old Pier Bridge. Built in 1939, the bridge connects Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue to the Santa Monica Pier and is slated for a $35 million overhaul led by Shimmick Construction Company, Inc., a nationally recognized infrastructure contractor. The new bridge will be seismically upgraded, more accessible, and designed to last 75 years. Construction is expected to begin in November 2025 and conclude by December 2027, well ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.
City officials have emphasized that the Pier will remain open throughout the process. Restaurants, shops, and attractions will continue to welcome visitors while temporary pedestrian and vehicle access routes are put in place. A comprehensive wayfinding program will guide guests during the bridge demolition and rebuilding phases.
Under the current schedule, the original Pier sign will be removed in early 2026, refurbished over the following 18 months, and reinstalled in September 2027, elevated for improved visibility. The bridge demolition is planned for summer 2026, with full construction running into late 2027.
More than three-quarters of the project’s cost is being funded through the Federal Highway Bridge Program, with the balance supported by local transportation funds. City outreach has included more than 30 meetings with Pier businesses and stakeholders to minimize disruptions during the two-year construction period.
For now, visitors will enjoy a rare sight: two Pier signs standing side by side — one a temporary replica, the other awaiting its careful restoration — as Santa Monica readies a new gateway to its world-famous pier.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Monday, September 29, 2025 — Santa Monica High School was briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution this afternoon after police received a report of a man believed to be armed near the campus.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, officers responded at approximately 3:20 p.m. and quickly located the individual. The weapon was determined to be a BB gun.
Initial reports state the suspect had been waving the item and pointing it toward passersby before officers intervened. Officers physically subdued the man, who was then transported by ambulance as a routine precaution.
The suspect was taken into custody and the lockdown was lifted soon after. Police emphasized there is no ongoing threat to the community.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department’s Daily Arrest Log, the man was booked on multiple charges, including:
30305(a)(1): Prohibited Person Own/Possess Ammunition
626.10 PC: Possession of a Weapon While on School Grounds
Bench Warrant: Santa Monica
In a statement, SMPD thanked community members for their vigilance, noting that public reports play a vital role in maintaining safety: “If you see something, say something.”
No further details about the suspect have been released.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Monday, September 29, 2025 — Santa Monica police officers responded to a theft report at the TJ Maxx in Downtown Santa Monica. Officers arrived within minutes and located a man matching the suspect’s description just two blocks from the store.
A search of the individual turned up the alleged stolen merchandise along with suspected drug paraphernalia. He was taken into custody without incident.
The Santa Monica Police Department Daily Arrest Log listed the charge as 459.5(a) — Shoplifting Under $950.
Santa Monica Closeup will continue to follow the case as further details become available.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Saturday, September 27, 2025 — The Third Street Promenade transformed into a lively Bavarian celebration as men and women faced off in an Oktoberfest Beer Stein Holding Contest, challenging competitors to keep their one-liter mugs extended at arm’s length for as long as possible. Cheers and laughter echoed across the promenade as onlookers cheered contestants through every second of the endurance test.
The family-friendly festival brought the spirit of Germany’s iconic Oktoberfest to downtown Santa Monica with live music, festive games, and a dedicated kids zone. Visitors enjoyed the Entertainment Zone’s open-air beer garden and received free commemorative steins with beverage purchases, marking the first official event under the city’s new Entertainment Zone program.
Organizers said the celebration aims to unite locals and visitors in a shared toast to community, culture, and friendly competition. From traditional music to frosty mugs, the promenade delivered a taste of Bavaria along the Pacific.
Santa Monica Closeup will continue to cover community celebrations as the city’s fall event season unfolds.
VENICE, CA — Saturday, September 27, 2025 — Volunteers from UCLA and members of the Verdant Venice Group (VVG) fanned out across Sunset Avenue, Hampton Drive, and 3rd Street on Saturday morning to plant a variety of native and drought-tolerant trees as part of an ambitious effort to green the neighborhood and support local wildlife.
Janin Paine, a VVG member wearing an “I Speak for the Trees” T-shirt, explained that the day’s work was part of a larger “pollinator corridor” project coordinated with Councilwoman Traci Park’s office, the CD11 Foundation, and the Venice BID. “We’ve planted probably over 600 trees in Venice in the last six years, mostly with volunteer groups,” Paine said. “Today we’re planting Coast Live Oak, cassia, and chitalpa to create a continuous corridor for pollinators.”
The project included a process known as “depaving,” in which cement is removed to open soil for tree planting. “This area had wide parkways but a lot of unused cement,” Paine noted. “We got permits, removed the concrete, and secured urban forestry approvals for the new trees.” A busload of UCLA students joined local volunteers for the morning effort, part of VVG’s regular Saturday plantings and tree-care sessions held from 8 to 10 a.m. throughout Venice.
In addition to the tree planting, Paine highlighted a new community initiative funded by a grant from the county’s Safe Clean Water Program. VVG has developed watershed maps showing how stormwater flows through Venice and will host a workshop on October 8 to gather resident input on water-capture ideas. Suggestions range from small swales and tree wells to imaginative concepts such as restoring a natural river along Rose Avenue. “Because we’re so close to the ocean, unfiltered runoff is a big issue,” Paine said, noting the group’s interest in capturing both stormwater and underground “dewatering” flows from construction sites.
Saturday’s plantings add another link in Verdant Venice Group’s growing network of urban habitat. By combining native trees, pollinator pathways, and community engagement, the volunteers aim to reduce runoff, improve air quality, and create a healthier urban ecosystem for people and wildlife alike.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Wednesday, September 24, 2025 — A large banner displayed on a storefront along the Third Street Promenade sparked discussion Wednesday for its pointed message about City Hall and a quotation attributed to Mayor Lana Negrete. The banner references former White House adviser and Santa Monica High School alumnus Stephen Miller and features a caption criticizing a past mayoral remark about his association with the city.
Property owner and local business operator John Alle said the installation is intended to press city leaders on public-safety concerns and oversight of homeless-services funding. “We’re asking the mayor and the city manager to acknowledge that we have a problem and to stop hiding it,” Alle said, describing the city as increasingly divided and fearful. “It doesn’t cost anything to listen.”
Alle, who is active with a public-safety advocacy group, argued that nonprofit contractors should substantiate outcomes before receiving additional grants. “Show your work — show the paperwork, the ledgers, how every dollar is spent,” he said, calling for audits of grantees and tighter follow-up by the city.
Pointing to recent incidents and service calls, Alle said police and fire responses tied to homelessness continue to strain resources. He also cited his group’s privately funded travel-assistance efforts. “In the last 12 weeks we sent 26 people home — by bus, train, or plane — with family ready to receive them,” Alle said, adding that the program documents each case.
The banner also reproduces a quote attributed to the mayor regarding Miller; Alle called the remark “disrespectful” and said it exemplifies a tone from city officials that he believes undermines collaboration. “We want greater accountability. Put new spending on hold until there’s a plan and a definition of success,” he said.
Santa Monica Closeup observed the banner affixed to the building façade in the 1300 block of the Promenade. City officials and service-provider agencies were not immediately available on scene for comment during the visit.
Santa Monica Closeup will continue monitoring reactions to the display and any response from the city
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — September 23, 2025 — Members of Chabad in Simcha Monica gathered at the Santa Monica Pier on Tuesday to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. More than a dozen participants joined Rabbi Isaac and Eli Levitansky for a ceremony that began with the sounding of the shofar, a ram’s horn traditionally blown to mark the start of the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The piercing notes of the shofar carried across the pier and ocean, signaling a time of reflection and renewal.
The service included the Tashlich ritual, in which attendees cast pieces of bread into the ocean as a symbolic act of leaving past misdeeds behind. Rabbi Levitansky explained that the custom is rooted in a prophetic verse describing sins being “cast into the depths of the sea,” underscoring the opportunity to begin the new year with a clean slate.
Addressing the group, Levitansky reflected on the tradition of performing Tashlich near bodies of water where fish are present. He noted that fish, which never close their eyes, are seen as a reminder of divine watchfulness, while their ability to multiply symbolizes the hope for abundant blessings in the coming year. Their hidden presence beneath the surface, he added, serves as a metaphor for protection from harm.
As the ceremony concluded with prayers for peace, the community shared a quiet moment of unity and optimism. The gathering marked the arrival of the year 5786 on the Hebrew calendar, blending ancient tradition with the scenic backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
