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.
Santa Monica, November 17, 2025 — A rainy Monday brought an unexpected spectacle to the Third Street Promenade as roughly 50 life-size Homer Simpson characters filled the pedestrian corridor in a coordinated promotion for Fortnite’s new month-long collaboration with The Simpsons.
The procession of Homers greeted shoppers, posed for selfies, and performed a synchronized group dance as onlookers crowded beneath umbrellas to watch the pop-up flash mob unfold. The activation showcased Fortnite’s newly released Simpsons skins and Springfield-themed content now available to players throughout November.
Adding to the surprise, Simpsons creator Matt Groening made an appearance at the event. Groening photographed the Homer performers, met with fans along the Promenade, and posed for photos with visitors who recognized him — turning the promotional stunt into a rare public moment that blended gaming culture with animation history.
Fortnite’s crossover, which launched November 1 and runs through November 29, introduces a cel-shaded Springfield map, themed weapons, character outfits, and a slate of in-game gags tied to the long-running series. Players can access Homer, Marge, Flanders, Blinky Fishstick, and other Springfield-inspired skins through the Springfield Battle Pass.
Disney+ is also rolling out four new Simpsons shorts this month to expand the crossover storyline, offering fans an animated explanation of how Springfield enters the Fortnite universe.
Despite steady rain, the Promenade crowd grew as the Homers marched, danced, and interacted with visitors, transforming a gray Monday into a vivid, cartoon-colored street scene.
Santa Monica Closeup continues to document notable public moments of community significance across the Westside.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — November 11, 2025 — The Santa Monica Pier transformed into a stage of remembrance and pride on Tuesday as civic leaders, military officials, and residents gathered for the city’s sixth annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The event brought heartfelt tributes, solemn reflection, and patriotic celebration beneath an overcast coastal sky.
The ceremony, hosted in partnership with the U.S. Army, featured remarks from Councilmember Dan Hall, Mayor Lana Negrete, and General Bryan P. Fenton, Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, who delivered the keynote address.
Honoring Service and Sacrifice
Councilmember Dan Hall, a West Point graduate and Army veteran, opened the ceremony by reflecting on the meaning of Veterans Day and his own experiences at the U.S. Military Academy. “Standing here on the Santa Monica Pier, we gather in a place where people come to feel restored,” Hall said. “It is the perfect place to honor the men and women who carried that truth with them into service.”
A Message of Gratitude from the Mayor
Mayor Lana Negrete expressed deep appreciation for veterans and active-duty service members, including her own family members who have served in the Army. “It takes a very courageous, generous, selfless, and disciplined person to respond to the call to fight for the greater good,” Negrete said. “While we may have this Veterans Day celebration once a year, you have our gratitude and respect every day.”
Negrete also acknowledged the city’s Palisades Fire recovery heroes, presenting official commendations to organizations and agencies that played key roles in the region’s recovery efforts. Honorees included the American Legion Post 283, Coulson Aviation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the California National Guard.
General Fenton’s Keynote Address
General Bryan P. Fenton, who recently concluded his tenure as commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, spoke passionately about the enduring legacy of military service.
“Veterans Day is a sacred day — a day when we pause as a nation to recognize veterans, past and present, who have served in defense of our freedoms,” Fenton said. He saluted wounded warriors, Gold Star families, and service members missing in action, calling them “the best of humanity.”
Fenton also highlighted ongoing challenges veterans face, including homelessness, unemployment, and suicide, urging continued public support: “By working together, we can ensure that those who gave so much receive the care, support, and opportunities they deserve — honoring our veterans year-round.”
Awards for Fire Recovery Heroes
Following his address, Mayor Negrete presented awards of commendation recognizing the tireless work of emergency responders and partner agencies during the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
American Legion Post 283 was honored for transforming its facility into a disaster relief center.
Coulson Aviation received recognition for its precision aerial firefighting missions, including more than 3 million gallons of water dropped during the wildfire emergency.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was commended for cutting debris removal timelines in half through military efficiency and compassion.
The California National Guard was recognized for securing burned areas and supporting displaced families during recovery.
Future Soldiers Sworn In
In a moving conclusion, General Fenton administered the Oath of Enlistment to a formation of new recruits, who raised their right hands and pledged to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. The crowd stood in applause as the future soldiers completed the oath, symbolizing the continuation of service and sacrifice across generations.
The ceremony also included a Chinook helicopter flyover from Coulson Aviation, a National Anthem performance by Master Sergeant Keith Beyer, and “God Bless America” sung by Miss USO Heidi-Marie Ferren.
Music and post-ceremony festivities followed, featuring DJs from 95.5 KLOS and Power106, while veterans and active military members received free meals and ride passes courtesy of Meals on Wheels and Pacific Park.
The event, organized by Sonki Hong, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, underscored Santa Monica’s ongoing commitment to honoring its veterans and those who continue to serve.
“Every veteran carries within them a story of honor and resilience,” Hong said. “Through their service, they have written the very definition of patriotism.”
On Monday, November 10, 2025, a team of veterinarians and marine biologists carried out a necropsy on a Cuvier’s beaked whale on Santa Monica Beach to help determine condition, cause of death, and any contributing factors. The animal — an adult male weighing more than 4,000 pounds and approximately 20 feet long — had originally washed up alive in Malibu on Friday before later coming ashore in Santa Monica.
The operation involved multiple agencies working side-by-side on the sand, including the California Wildlife Center, Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, and Santa Monica entities such as Beaches and Harbors, maintenance crews, police, fire, and lifeguards.
California Wildlife Center Marine Program Manager Heather Henderson said the effort aims to preserve as much of the skeleton as possible for scientific study, noting that findings from rare species like this can offer insight into broader ocean health.
Santa Monica Closeup reports this as part of ongoing documentation of coastal events.
A deceased whale drew public attention on the sand in Santa Monica on Monday, November 10, 2025, after the animal washed ashore and was later moved farther up the beach by city crews.
The carcass — estimated at roughly 20 feet in length — showed clear signs of advanced decomposition. According to observers at the scene, the whale appeared to have been dead for some time before surf and tide carried it in.
Crews repositioned the remains away from the waterline to secure the area and prevent the carcass from drifting back into the surf. Members of the public stopped to look, take photographs, and discuss the sighting while keeping a cautious distance.
Specialized wildlife personnel are expected to conduct a necropsy — the animal-science equivalent of an autopsy — to help determine species, condition, and any contributing factors in the whale’s death.
Santa Monica Closeup reports this as part of ongoing documentation of coastal events.
Thousands of runners moved up the center lanes of Ocean Avenue on a foggy Sunday morning, November 9, 2025, as the Run Travis Run 5K brought out a high-energy crowd along Santa Monica’s shoreline.
The event — led by drummer Travis Barker — blended wellness culture with Barker’s familiar brand aesthetic, drawing participants across age groups and fitness levels. Many runners wore official race bibs and Run Travis Run apparel as they pushed through the coastal haze toward the finish.
Organizers positioned the 5K as more than a timed run, framing it as a lifestyle experience rooted in health, recovery and pop culture. After crossing the line, participants entered a branded post-run activation zone offering sponsor engagements, wellness tie-ins and social-media friendly moments.
The high turnout filled Ocean Avenue from curb to curb, underscoring strong community interest in themed fitness events and celebrity-connected runs along the Westside.
Santa Monica Closeup documented the scene.
Classic cars line Washington Boulevard at the Venice Pier during the Venice Block Party on Saturday afternoon, November 8, 2025 — turning the waterfront corridor into a nostalgic display of craftsmanship and chrome. Visitors stopped to admire the gleaming vehicles, snapping photos and selfies beside the restored rides that stretched toward the pier entrance.
Dogtown Car Club members stood by their vehicles, fielding questions, sharing restoration stories, and revealing the engines that power their decades-old machines. The relaxed, street-level setup fostered conversation between builders and bystanders alike, blending Venice’s neighborhood energy with Southern California’s long-running car culture.
Local artists, food vendors, and pop-up makers added to the scene, transforming the block into a community gathering that celebrated both creativity and heritage.
Santa Monica Closeup captured the atmosphere of the day as locals and visitors united around one of Venice’s enduring traditions — cars, community, and California sunshine.
Santa Monica Police reported the passing of mounted patrol horse “Laredo,” who died Monday, November 2, 2025, following a seven-month battle with rotational laminitis in his left front hoof. He was 18.
Laredo, originally from Wyoming, joined the department’s Mounted Unit in 2017. He served as a steady partner to mounted officers during routine patrols, protests, and high-activity crowd environments. He was also a regular presence at school demonstrations and public-safety outreach events, where his calm demeanor often resonated with children and families.
In February 2019, Laredo drew wider attention during what officers later referred to as a “hoof pursuit,” when he assisted in tracking a stolen-vehicle suspect in Downtown Santa Monica — a short chase that was captured on Los Angeles television news.
Santa Monica Closeup extends condolences to the Santa Monica Police Mounted Unit. Laredo’s years of service in the downtown and beachside corridors left a visible imprint on the city’s public-safety landscape, and his presence was familiar to countless residents, visitors, and officers alike.
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at around 5 p.m., approximately a dozen Santa Monica Police officers initiated a high-risk traffic stop on Marine Street near Neilsen Way after receiving an automated alert from the city’s camera network regarding a vehicle reportedly wanted for further investigation.
Officers conducted the stop with weapons drawn and ordered two occupants out of the vehicle. The individuals were then placed in handcuffs and temporarily detained while officers verified information connected to the alert.
According to officers at the scene, the vehicle matched a plate associated with a notice flag — however it was later confirmed to be a rental. After documentation checks and verification, the two individuals were released.
Police indicated they would contact the rental company for follow-up regarding the alert originating from the vehicle’s registration.
Santa Monica Closeup continues monitoring public safety activity across the Westside.
