𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡’: Lowriders, Muscle, and Customs Turn Venice Into Car Paradise

VENICE BEACH — Car enthusiasts from across Southern California gathered at Windward Plaza on Sunday, August 31, 2025, for a free, family-friendly celebration of vintage automotive culture along the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk. The all-day event, hosted by the Westside Classics Car Club in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, showcased rows of classic vehicles, including lowriders, kustoms, street rods, rat rods, pre-1980s trucks, and muscle cars. From meticulously restored models to bold custom builds, the show offered a vibrant display of craftsmanship and nostalgia that drew a diverse crowd of car lovers, photographers, and curious beachgoers. Set against the unmistakable backdrop of Venice Beach, the gathering served as a lively tribute to Southern California’s enduring car culture. Throughout the day, attendees explored polished chrome and colorful paintwork, stopped for photo opportunities, and spoke with owners who traveled from across the region to showcase their rides. Food vendors and memorabilia booths added to the festive atmosphere, blending community spirit with the rumble of engines. Organizers said the show underscored their mission to preserve classic vehicles while creating a space for connection, storytelling, and appreciation of the region’s rich automotive history. The event added a nostalgic spark to the Labor Day weekend, with celebrations continuing through Monday.

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Kyle Rich Debuts Anchor Barbell at Iconic Gold’s Gym Venice

VENICE, CA — Saturday, August 30, 2025 — Gym-goers outside the world-famous Gold’s Gym in Venice were treated to a unique demonstration when Kyle Rich unveiled his hand-crafted “Anchor Chain Barbell.”

Rich, who spent two decades in the dredge industry working with heavy anchors and massive steel chains, said the idea came naturally.

“I worked with big anchors and chains for years, and one day I realized I could take a piece of anchor chain and turn it into a barbell,” Rich explained. “It has a really nice feel, and honestly, the best gains I ever made were with this—not a regular barbell.”

The customized piece, fashioned from a heavy anchor chain and round stock, weighs in at 135 pounds on its own. With added plates, the bar totals 245 pounds.

Rich emphasized that the design provides a different training experience and added safety.

“It’s kind of nice—you don’t even need a spotter. You can just roll it. Sometimes I even pick it up from the end,” he said, referring to the bar he proudly calls the Anchor Chain Barbell.

The debut drew the attention of passersby and gym members, many pausing to watch the demonstration and snap photos.

Santa Monica Closeup documented the scene, capturing Rich’s innovative approach to fitness just steps from the entrance of Venice’s most iconic gym.

𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗢𝗘𝗜𝗥𝗔 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗭𝗘: Capoeira Fighters Flip, Kick, and Dance on Santa Monica Beach in Celebration of Culture and Community

SANTA MONICA, CA — August 30, 2025 — Santa Monica Beach pulsed with music, movement, and cultural pride on Saturday as Capoeira Exchange 13 brought together a diverse community of performers and spectators. The annual gathering drew dozens of Capoeira groups and enthusiasts, with participants traveling from across Los Angeles, Arizona, Colorado, and even Brazil to showcase the Afro-Brazilian art form.

Capoeira, recognized for its blend of martial arts, acrobatics, and dance, filled the shoreline with rhythm and spectacle. Traditional Brazilian instruments such as the berimbau and atabaque set the tempo as practitioners engaged in fluid movements and spontaneous exchanges, captivating crowds with a mix of athletic skill and musicality.

The event’s highlight came during a fellowship roda, where the circle of Capoeira players symbolized unity and empowerment. Organizers emphasized the gathering as more than a performance — it was a community celebration, using Capoeira as a bridge for cultural exchange and collective strength.

“Capoeira Exchange is about gathering the community through movement and music, keeping the tradition alive and empowering people to support one another,” said organizers Saracuru and Muito Tempo, who co-founded the event in Los Angeles.

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the beach became a stage for samba, batucada, and live music, underscoring Capoeira’s deep roots and boundless creativity. For many in attendance, the day’s celebration left a lasting impression of unity, artistry, and joy.

To learn more about future events, visit Instagram @CapoeiraExchangeOfficial. 

𝗨𝗞𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: Hundreds Carry 100-Foot Ukrainian Flag Across Santa Monica Pier

SANTA MONICA — Saturday, August 23, 2025 — Hundreds of members of the American Ukrainian community and supporters gathered along the coast to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day with a symbolic march of solidarity. The demonstration began in Ocean Park, where participants carried a 100-foot Ukrainian flag to the Santa Monica Pier, creating a striking display of unity against the backdrop of the Pacific. Families, children, veterans, and allies joined the procession, many waving Ukrainian and American flags as they walked together. The event was organized by the Stand With Ukraine Foundation and combined a run and walk with speeches, chants, and fundraising efforts. As they moved along the beach path and onto the pier, participants raised their voices in unison, chanting “Russia is a terrorist state,” “Arm Ukraine now,” and “Save Ukrainian children.” At the pier, the large flag was unfurled across the wooden planks, drawing the attention of onlookers and tourists. Mykhailo Lavrys, President of the Stand With Ukraine Foundation, addressed the crowd and emphasized both the symbolic and practical purpose of the march. “We are so proud of you,” Lavrys said. “It’s obvious there is a brutal war of aggression that Russia is waging against Ukraine, and we’re trying to use every possible opportunity to raise awareness and to fundraise. Today we had a run-slash-walk from Venice to Santa Monica, unwrapping the 100-foot Ukrainian flag as a symbol of unity. Ukraine is fighting not only for its own freedom, but for the free democratic world. This is a fight of good against evil, and that is our message today.” Lavrys noted that the foundation is raising funds for tourniquets, calling them “life-essential, life-saving things” that can help Ukrainian defenders survive injuries on the battlefield. He encouraged those wishing to contribute to visit SWUfoundation.org. The march also welcomed international guests, including Sandra Brikaitė, Consul General of Lithuania in Los Angeles; Hanna Kumpusalo-Tyukalov, Finnish Consulate General in Los Angeles; and Dmytro Medvid, a veteran and Captain of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Their presence underscored the international nature of the event and the broad support Ukraine continues to receive abroad. The Independence Day Freedom Run and March blended cultural celebration with political activism, reflecting both the pride and urgency of Ukraine’s ongoing struggle. As the flag stretched the length of the pier and chants echoed above the waves, the demonstration became a vivid reminder of resilience and the global call to stand with Ukraine.

𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗘: Anti-Theft Welded Wing-Gates Installed Along Temescal Canyon Drains to Block Debris, Prevent Flooding

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Tuesday, August 19, 2025 — Crews from United Storm Water, Inc. were at work along Temescal Canyon this week, installing a newly designed stainless steel storm drain gate built to improve both safety and durability. The installation featured the company’s Wing-Gate™ automatic retractable curb inlet screen cover (ARS), an advanced system designed to block trash and debris from entering storm drains during dry conditions while automatically opening under heavy water flow to prevent flooding. Unlike previous bolted-on models, the new gates were welded directly into place — a security measure taken after thefts of earlier stainless steel units, which had been targeted for scrap resale. Technicians custom-fitted and welded the Wing-Gate™ covers directly onto the curb inlets. The stainless steel screens are perforated with three-quarter-inch holes, ensuring pollutants are trapped while water flow continues. Each unit includes a calibrated spring-activated mechanism that allows the gate to open laterally under pressure from stormwater and debris, then automatically return to a closed position as rainfall subsides. The enhanced design reflects a broader effort in storm water management to balance flood prevention with environmental protection. By intercepting litter and debris before they reach the ocean, the Wing-Gate™ helps safeguard marine life, beaches, and public health. Santa Monica Closeup will continue monitoring regional infrastructure improvements as communities adapt to more frequent storm events and the growing challenge of waterway pollution.

𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗗: Santa Monica’s Singing Beach Chairs Get a Fresh Coat and Polished Notes

SANTA MONICA, CA — Friday, August 8, 2025 — Santa Monica Beach maintenance worker Richard spent the day power washing and repainting one of the city’s most beloved public art pieces, the “Singing Beach Chairs.” The freshly restored chair now gleams in its original soft mint color, with the companion chair scheduled to receive its own refresh in Arctic blue next week. Created in 1987 by San Francisco artist Douglas Hollis and commissioned by the City of Santa Monica in partnership with the Santa Monica Arts Foundation, the towering 18-foot chairs are constructed of pastel-painted steel and aluminum. Each features vertical stainless-steel tubes that transform ocean breezes into oboe-like tones, projecting sound as far as 500 feet. Positioned on the sand between Pico Boulevard and the Santa Monica Pier, the pair has become one of the city’s most recognizable interactive artworks, inviting beachgoers to both listen and lounge while the wind provides the music. Santa Monica Closeup will continue to follow restoration work as the second chair gets its fresh coat next week.

𝗘𝗬𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗞𝗬: Drone Demo Highlights Santa Monica Police Public Safety Tech at National Night Out

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Tuesday, August 5, 2025 — Santa Monica’s annual National Night Out brought hundreds of residents to City Hall for an evening of community connection, public safety education, and family-friendly activities.

One of the evening’s highlights was a live drone demonstration by the Santa Monica Police Department, drawing a large crowd as officers showcased the department’s aerial surveillance technology. The demonstration was part of ongoing efforts to promote transparency and modernize public safety tools.

In attendance were Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete, Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista, and Santa Monica Fire Chief Matthew Hallock, all engaging with the community throughout the event.

Families explored public safety vehicles, played games, and spoke with first responders while children received free helmets and fire hats. The event also featured music, food, and outreach booths under the theme “Santa Monica All Stars.”

Hosted annually, National Night Out is a nationwide initiative designed to strengthen police-community partnerships and encourage neighborhood camaraderie.