𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗗: LA Metro Resumes Limited Bus Service on Fire-Damaged PCH Between Malibu and Santa Monica

𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗕𝗨, 𝗖𝗔 – Santa Monica Closeup traveled along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from the Malibu Pier to Venice Beach on a very windy Sunday, March 2, 2025, documenting ongoing recovery efforts following the devastating Palisades Fire. The highway, still closed to the public, now serves as a critical operations hub for rebuilding and securing fire-damaged areas. Santa Monica Closeup also rode on the bike path to Venice Beach.

During the ride from Malibu towards Santa Monica, Metro Bus 134 was observed stopping at PCH at the Malibu Pier to pick up and drop off passengers.

LA Metro has partially resumed service on Line 134, reconnecting Malibu and Santa Monica for the first time since the Palisades Fire forced a shutdown nearly two months ago. The closed-door service, which began operating on Friday, February 28, provides a critical transportation link for residents, workers, and commuters navigating the ongoing recovery efforts.

Metro Line 134, which runs along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), now serves stops at the Malibu Pier, Cross Creek Road, Civic Center Way, and Malibu Canyon Road, extending to Trancas Canyon Road in Malibu and into Santa Monica, where it connects with the E Line Station and Ocean Avenue. However, buses will not open doors along a 10-mile work zone between PCH/Temescal Canyon Road and PCH/Rambla Vista near the Carbon Beach Terrace checkpoint, ensuring the safety of passengers and recovery crews working in fire-damaged areas.

“Resuming service on Line 134 is a crucial step toward supporting the residents and commuters who depend on this route from Malibu to Santa Monica,” said Metro Board Member and LA County Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “While there are still challenges ahead, we know how critical reliable transit service is to our communities. We are doing everything we can to safely serve this critical need; however, this is not yet operations as usual. We are committed to restoring essential connectivity and getting back to normal service as quickly as recovery conditions allow.”

Public access to PCH remains heavily restricted, with only one lane open in each direction and a 25-mph speed limit enforced through the affected area. National Guard Military Police continue to staff checkpoints, allowing passage only to first responders, authorized personnel, and select press. Residents and contractors must obtain special entry passes to access impacted areas.

Metro Board Chair and LA County Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn emphasized the importance of the restoration, stating, “Across the county, hundreds of thousands of people count on Metro to get to work, to school, to family, and everything in between. It is important that as we recover from these fires that we get this service back up and running as soon as possible for our riders that need it.”

Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart also praised the initiative, highlighting the service’s role in easing congestion and aiding in the city’s recovery. “Restoring public transportation access to Malibu is a critical step in our community’s recovery,” Stewart said. “This modified service strikes a careful balance of safety and ensuring residents, workers, and business patrons have a safe and reliable way to travel through the area. We are grateful for LA Metro’s partnership. While the impact of the Palisades Fire remains, this marks an important milestone in reconnecting our city and supporting those who depend on public transit.”

Delays are anticipated due to ongoing lane restrictions, and Metro has stated that schedules may be adjusted as conditions evolve. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins underscored the significance of the restoration, noting, “January’s wildfires devastated the L.A. area and disrupted the connectivity of communities in and around the fire zones, which makes this partial restoration of service an important part of the recovery.”

The Palisades Fire, which erupted on January 7, scorched over 23,000 acres, destroying more than 12,000 structures and displacing approximately 150,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley. Strong Santa Ana winds and extreme drought conditions fueled the inferno, overwhelming emergency response efforts and grounding aerial firefighting teams. The disaster resulted in five fatalities and numerous injuries, leaving a lasting impact on the region.

As rebuilding efforts continue, Metro’s partial service restoration offers a sign of progress, providing much-needed connectivity and support for those affected by the disaster.

𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐆! Wienermobile Rolls into Santa Monica Beach, Bringing ‘Buns of Fun’ to the Coast

Santa Monica Beach, March 1, 2025 – The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile made a splash along Santa Monica Beach on Saturday afternoon, turning heads and adding a whimsical twist to the weekend scene. The 27-foot-long hot dog-shaped vehicle, a rolling symbol of American nostalgia, has been delighting fans across the country since 1936. Drivers and brand ambassadors, known as "Hotdoggers," greeted beachgoers with enthusiasm. "Hey everyone, I’m Sizzling Steven and I’m Relishing Riley, and we’re on tour with the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile!" the duo announced. "We’re here in Los Angeles for the week, sparking smiles, having ‘buns of fun.’ Come check us out at Santa Monica Beach or around L.A. this weekend—we can’t wait to "meat" you!" Beyond simply driving the Wienermobile, Hotdoggers serve as brand representatives, handling public relations, vehicle upkeep, and social media engagement. The full-time position offers a salary of $35,600 annually, alongside benefits including a $150 weekly stipend, 18 days of paid time off, comprehensive health coverage, and fully covered hotel accommodations. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, possess a valid driver’s license, and hold a bachelor's degree—preferably in public relations, communications, journalism, or marketing. Since its debut in 1936, the Wienermobile has undergone numerous redesigns, cementing its place as an enduring pop culture icon. Saturday’s sighting in Santa Monica is a testament to the vehicle’s lasting charm, proving that even in 2025, America still loves a good hot dog on wheels. #KeepItOscar

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘: Santa Monica Police and Superheroes Team Up at Pacific Park’s ‘Heroes Day’

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Santa Monica Police Department participated in Heroes Day at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, an event that celebrated local heroes and promoted safety awareness on Saturday, March 1. Families and visitors gathered for an afternoon of community engagement, emergency preparedness activities, and superhero fun. The free event featured family-friendly entertainment, including face painting and interactive demonstrations focused on safety. Guests also had the chance to meet Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Ghost-Spider, who posed for photos and interacted with attendees, adding to the excitement of the day. As part of the activities, the Santa Monica Police Department hosted ‘Coffee with a Cop’ from 3-5 p.m. in front of Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Community members met local officers, asked questions, and discussed public safety concerns over refreshments. In partnership with the American Red Cross, officers helped distribute free emergency preparedness kits at a booth in the park. The kits provided essential supplies and information to help families stay prepared for potential emergencies. Heroes Day served as a valuable opportunity for the community to connect with first responders and law enforcement while enjoying a lively afternoon at one of Santa Monica’s most popular destinations.

𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔 𝗖𝗔𝗨𝗦𝗘: Police Help Break Guinness World Record at IHOP’s “20K for Pancake Day” Event at the Pier

SANTA MONICA, CA – IHOP successfully broke the Guinness World Records™ title for the most pancakes served in an eight-hour period during its “20K for Pancake Day” event at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The event, held in celebration of the 20th anniversary of National Pancake Day, saw 25,629 pancakes served, surpassing the original goal of 20,000.

IHOP invited the public to participate in the record-breaking celebration while supporting a meaningful cause. For every pancake served, IHOP donated $1 to Feeding America®, benefiting the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to help fight hunger in LA County.

“This is a holiday our fans love, so we wanted to make the celebration even bigger for our 20th anniversary,” said Lenna Yamamichi, Vice President, Brand Creative at IHOP. “Now, we can officially say IHOP is the champion of pancakes!”

Chef Art Carl and his team led the pancake-flipping efforts, while Santa Monica Police officers and local residents joined in the festivities to witness and take part in the Guinness World Records™ attempt.

For those who missed the record-breaking event, IHOP continued the celebration nationwide on Tuesday, March 4, offering guests at participating locations a free Short Stack of Buttermilk Pancakes from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

As part of IHOP’s Month of Giving, which runs from March 1-31, 2025, guests can continue to donate to Feeding America by rounding up their checks to support efforts in providing meals for those facing food insecurity.

For more details on National Pancake Day and participating locations, visit IHOP.com.

𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗬𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗨𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗: Fire Debris Piles Up in Pacific Palisades Cleanup

𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: 𝙏𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙮𝙘𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘿𝙪𝙢𝙥 𝙎𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙀𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙨 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙡 On Sunday, February 23, 2025, Santa Monica Closeup toured the temporary recycling and dump site on Temescal Canyon Road, located between Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard. The site, entirely closed to the public, has become a key operational hub in the cleanup efforts following the devastating Palisades Fire.

Lining Temescal Canyon Road, a steady stream of dump trucks waited for entry, each carrying debris from the Pacific Palisades burn zone. The site is organized into two designated areas—one for iron, metal, and steel, and another for concrete. The temporary facility has been established to improve efficiency, significantly reducing travel time for disposal. Rather than taking hours to reach a recycling yard, trucks can arrive at this site in approximately 10 minutes, allowing for faster turnaround in the debris removal process.

To further streamline operations, debris is transported to recycling centers overnight when Los Angeles traffic subsides, enabling crews to move materials more efficiently. This logistical approach is critical to maintaining momentum in the extensive cleanup efforts.

Palisades Fire Recovery Efforts Continue

The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, has burned over 23,000 acres, destroying approximately 6,837 structures and displacing more than 105,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley. Driven by fierce Santa Ana winds and prolonged drought conditions, the wildfire has claimed at least 12 lives and left several others injured. High winds hampered aerial firefighting efforts, allowing flames to spread rapidly and overwhelming emergency response teams.

The initiation of Phase 2 debris removal marks a crucial step in the recovery process. Crews are actively working to clear hazardous materials and prepare the area for rebuilding. With federal, state, and local agencies collaborating at an accelerated pace, the focus remains on restoring impacted communities and ensuring a pathway forward for those affected by the disaster.

The temporary recycling site on Temescal Canyon Road serves as a vital component of this large-scale effort, optimizing debris management and expediting the transition toward recovery.

𝗙𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗛 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: High-Tech ‘Throne’ Off-Grid Restroom Debuts at Santa Monica Metro Station

In a world where clean and accessible bathrooms remain a luxury for many, Throne Labs is on a mission to change that reality. The company is redefining the traditional public restroom with an innovative approach designed to expand access to clean, welcoming spaces for all. With a focus on both equity and convenience, Throne Labs is committed to providing restrooms that anyone, regardless of background or need, can use with confidence and comfort. A new Throne restroom was installed today, Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Santa Monica Downtown Metro Station. This marks a significant step forward in making clean, secure, and sustainable public bathroom access more widely available. Throne’s sleek, ADA-compliant restrooms come equipped with modern features like NFC-enabled entry cards, ensuring an inclusive and secure experience. To access the restrooms, users simply scan a QR code, which opens the doors, ensuring a streamlined and tech-savvy approach to public bathroom access. Designed to serve a wide range of people—whether parents with children, commuters, tourists, or those with medical needs—Throne’s solution is built to cater to everyone. The company’s bathrooms also offer free menstrual products, addressing the need for menstrual equity, and include baby stations for added convenience. Throne Labs takes sustainability seriously. These innovative restrooms are entirely off-grid, with no plumbing into the city sewer system. They run on solar power, offering an eco-friendly solution that is not only sustainable but also independent of municipal infrastructure. To maintain cleanliness and functionality, a maintenance vehicle visits regularly to drain the wastewater, refill the water supply, and restock essential products, including toiletries and menstrual items. Throne Labs is not just about providing restrooms; it’s about creating spaces where dignity, privacy, and cleanliness are guaranteed. With the installation at Santa Monica’s Downtown Metro Station, Throne continues to set new standards for what it means to expand public bathroom access in urban environments. This innovative model is helping bridge a significant gap in public facilities, ensuring that no one is left without a safe place to go.

𝗦𝗜𝗙𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦: Palisades Couple Finds Hope After Wildfire with Help from Samaritan’s Purse

PACIFIC PALISADES – Paul and Susan Tracey, longtime residents of Pacific Palisades, lost their home of 48 years in the devastating Palisades Fire. As they sifted through the charred remains, they were joined by volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse, a faith-based disaster relief organization assisting wildfire victims across Southern California.

Paul, originally from South Africa and raised in England, is an accomplished musician, songwriter, and performer. A true Renaissance man, he has appeared on Broadway, written songs for The Muppets, and performed internationally, including on The Tonight Show. His work includes contributions to the second season of The Muppet Show, with songs featured in episodes starring Madeline Kahn, Rudolf Nureyev, and Milton Berle. He also co-authored Wait a Minim!, a musical revue that ran internationally for seven years. A lifelong advocate for arts education, Paul has received multiple awards for his contributions, including a lifetime achievement award from the California Alliance for Arts Education.

Paul built and expanded their home over the decades, filling it with irreplaceable artifacts collected during their travels—kudu horns, African instruments, and a collection of masks. Susan, an artist, lost her home studio, including her jewelry-making tools and personal keepsakes.

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, dressed in protective gear, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers carefully sifted through the debris, hoping to recover any remaining belongings. Despite the widespread destruction, they unearthed a few unexpected treasures—a nearly intact Mexican sculpture, silverware, and cherished family cups from a 1994 reunion. One of the most emotional moments came when they discovered Paul’s longtime Scrabble set, which he had used in weekly games with his late best friend.

“This experience is surreal,” Susan shared. “To be sitting in the midst of the ashes of our lives, and to have all these wonderful people giving their time, comfort, and love—it’s incredibly humbling.”

The Palisades Fire, which erupted on January 7, 2025, scorched over 23,000 acres, destroying thousands of structures and displacing more than 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley. Fueled by intense Santa Ana winds and prolonged drought conditions, the fire overwhelmed emergency response efforts and left widespread devastation in its wake.

Samaritan’s Purse, led by Franklin Graham, has been providing disaster relief across the United States since 1998. The organization is known for being among the first to arrive and the last to leave, offering not just physical assistance, but also emotional and spiritual support to those in need.

While Paul and Susan remain uncertain about whether they will rebuild, they expressed immense gratitude for the kindness of strangers. “We may have lost our home,” Paul said, “but we’ve gained an entire community of people who care.”

For those in need of assistance or looking to volunteer, Samaritan’s Purse continues to provide aid in wildfire-affected areas. More information can be found at SamaritansPurse.org.