𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗗 𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗗: Man Travels Across America on Motorized Bike With Custom Trailer and Dog

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A traveler and clothing maker who goes by the name “Mushroom” spoke with Santa Monica Closeup at Palisades Park while stopping in Santa Monica during a cross-country journey with his dog, Rhapsody. Mushroom said he began the current trip in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago and traveled south through Big Sur before arriving in Santa Monica. He described the journey as an attempt to “circle America” using a motorized bicycle and a large custom-built trailer that serves as both a mobile workshop and living space. He said the route could eventually cover about 12,000 miles and may take roughly a year to complete. According to Mushroom, he plans to continue east from Santa Monica through Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. He said he expects to remain in Santa Monica through much of March while making clothing, selling garments, and gathering supplies needed for the next leg of the trip, including replacement tires and other equipment. The trailer, decorated with colorful artwork and “Spunco” branding, was seen set up near the sidewalk at Palisades Park with tie-dye shirts hanging outside for sale. Mushroom said he supports himself on the road by making and selling clothing, including shorts, jackets, hoodies, hats, and tie-dye items. He described his work as upcycled fashion, explaining that he takes apart used garments and rebuilds them into custom pieces. During the interview, he showed a pair of patchwork shorts he said took about 16 hours to make and said he typically sells such pieces for around $300, though prices vary. Inside the trailer, Mushroom was also seen using a hand-crank sewing machine, which he said he has relied on for custom garment work while traveling. He said the machine allows him to sew more efficiently than working entirely by hand. During the encounter, he was also preparing pizza inside the trailer using a pan on low heat. Mushroom said the bicycle is powered by a four-stroke, 79cc gas engine and that he built the custom trailer and hitch system himself. He said the setup presents ongoing mechanical challenges, especially with the rear wheel and spokes due to the weight of the trailer, the dog, and rough road conditions. He added that he performs most of the repairs himself. He identified his dog, Rhapsody, as his travel companion and said the animal accompanies him on the road as he moves from city to city. Throughout the stop at Palisades Park, pedestrians and cyclists passed by while Mushroom worked from the trailer and displayed his clothing. Mushroom said his work can be found under the name Spunco on YouTube and Instagram. He explained that the name refers to fabric being spun together and serves as the identity for the clothing and project he is building while traveling. Santa Monica Closeup continues to document the people, projects, and public-life moments unfolding across Santa Monica.

 

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.