Santa Monica Police quickly responded to the potential threat and evacuated the area around the pier and near Third Street Promenade. Communication with the perpetrator and Officers was difficult because of the ocean breeze and the media helicopters that quickly swarmed into the area to cover the breaking story.

One hour after the incident began, police were able to talk the man down to safety. According to the SMPD PIO, the man seemed to be in some sort of crisis. After officers made the arrest and confirmed there wasn’t a bomb in the backpack, the man was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

One Santa Monica citizen who was on his way to pick-up his children after school said, “The California Highway Patrol closed the 10 Freeway exit ramps near downtown Santa Monica, but they didn’t close access at Main Streets and Colorado. It seems like the perimeter should have been tighter the closer one got to the potential explosion. We dodged a bullet this time,” he said.

While the one piece may have you cringing for many reasons, it’s at least not as unfashionable as they used to be. Instead of a single piece of fabric with holes cut out, fashionistas finally took the time to upgrade the design and make one piece suits go from cookie cutters to cute, fashionable attire that isn’t so embarrassing to walkout in.

A post shared by E’s Life & Style (@eleanagrasso) on Apr 24, 2018 at 1:19pm PDT

The newest trend with the one piece suit specifically has incorporated the front tie that has long been apart of women’s fashion. Instead of a flat piece of fabric, the suit cuts at waist for a high waisted look and gathers the fabric up top to make a tie strapless chest piece.

However, it’s reasonable to say not everyone is a one-piece type of girl, and no matter how in it may be you just refuse to don the solid piece of fabric. No worries though, the fashion world knows and understands this and is working just as hard on its bikini styles.

A post shared by Miami Swim Week by FWO (@miamiswimweekend) on Aug 7, 2017 at 6:51pm PDT

The big bikini trend for 2018 will definitely be this new one-shoulder style. It’s as fashionable as the one-shoulder dress and is probably just as comfortable if not more. The styles within this concept vary from an one-inch strap to a full cap sleeve on one side. Women will be able to find the style and look that truly fits them, and the best part is that mix-and-match bikini’s are also coming back so women can truly customize their beach day outfit.

Photos courtesy of Juan Salamanca and Bruce Mars on Pexels and Miami Swim Weekend and Eleana Grasso’s Instagrams.

OFF THE HOOK Santa Monica Seafood Festival 2015

Off the Hook Santa Monica Seafood Festival on the Santa Monica Pier on Oct. 17, 2015. Celebrating National Seafood Month with some of the top seafood restaurants and chefs in Los Angeles, benefiting the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Seafood for the Future program.

SANTA MONICA – Seafood and ocean lovers unite! Santa Monica is celebrating National Seafood month with with their annual OFF THE HOOK Seafood Festival, presented by Capital One.  On Saturday, October 14th from 4-7, Santa Monica Pier will transform into a seafood lovers dream. Food from some of Santa Monica’s best restaurants like Tar & Roses, FIG, The Lobster, BOA, Sushi Roku, Herringbone, Spinfish Poke, and Red O will be among the places to eat.

Additionally, environmentalists can rejoice because the OFF THE HOOK Seafood Festival has a dual purpose.  Aside from bringing the most delicious seafood all to one place, OFF THE HOOK is also partnering with the Surfrider Los Angeles Chapter to raise awareness and money to keep our oceans and beaches clean.



“In an effort to help build a more sustainable future, this year’s event will be free of all single-use plastic containers using all recyclable cups, straws and disposable items. We hope that all who attend this event will not only enjoy great seafood, but learn about ways to reduce their single-use plastic footprint in their everyday lives and help build a more sustainable future for ocean ecosystems,” said Graham Hamilton, the Surfrider Los Angeles Chapter Coordinator in a press release.

The event will also honor three outstanding people involved in the sustainable seafood movement.  Festival goers can meet with them and learn more about how to lead a more sustainable life.

Advance sale general admission ticket cost $50.00 and include tastings, entry to the beer and wine garden, spirits tasting, live music, and games.  Advance sale VIP tickets will cost $75.00 and include early entry at 3:00, entry to the Capital One Cafe Sustainable Seafood VIP Lounge, with cocktails and exclusive seafood dishes.

Photos courtesy of SPIN PR.

SANTA MONICA – Although summer doesn’t officially end until September 22nd, schools are back, and for many, those fun filled summer nights already seem like a distant memory.  Santa Monica Pier, however, can take you back to those sweet summer days of fun and relaxation with their Front Porch Cinema series.

Front Porch Cinema, put on by Eat|See|Hear|, which was voted “best outdoor movie series” by Los Angeles Magazine in 2014, is a free, outdoor movie extravaganza involving food trucks, music, and a massive inflatable movie screen.  Today, they announced their line up.  The fun starts on September 29th with “La La Land.”  Then, on October 6th, in honor of 30 years since its creation, “The Princess Bride” will be showing, followed by “Hidden Figures” on October 13th, and the “Beauty and the Beast” on October 20th.  Then, on October 27th, there will be a bonus screening of Rough Elements, presented by REI.

“Front Porch Cinema is one special film series. Where else can you see moviegoers laugh, cry, cheer, and wince with the sand and Pacific Ocean as a backdrop? Our primary goal is to promote civic engagement via free and open to the public Pier programing, and Front Porch Cinema certainly checks that box.” said Craig Hoffman, Director of Partnerships and Development for the Santa Monica Pier Corporation.

Additionally there is a DJ, and they are currently working on special enhancements  and activities before each event.  The Front Porch Cinema series is produced by the Santa Monica Pier as part of their free programming, and Eat|See|Hear.

Every Friday, the music and The Cinema Lounge will open for 21+ attendees at 6:00.  At 7:30 the movie will begin.

Photos courtesy of Spin PR Group.

This article was updated on September 28th

SANTA MONICA -The Twilight Concert Series, a Santa Monica summer tradition that has lasted for 32 years could possibly end if one city official has his way. Santa Monica Arts Commissioner Phil Brock told the media in January that “the Twilight Dance Concerts are now a security burden to our city,” and “must be canceled or reimagined.”

First and foremost, citizens of a liberal democratic society – like we have in Santa Monica, shouldn’t hide indoors because there are some who would do us harm. However, despite being a security concern, the cost of holding concert series is growing.   This year, cost cutting measures are being taken to keep the concert alive and the public engaged. The concert, which typically begins in July, will now start in June. Unfortunately, the number of concerts produced will shrink by 20% compared to years past.  Therefore, the City decided to reduce the weekly series from eight to 10 weeks.

Locals, Angelinos, and thousands of tourists have crowded the streets and flocked to Santa Monica Pier on Thursday nights. With the sole purpose of forgetting about work and relaxing with family and friends, the Twilight Concert Series is one of Santa Monica’s most beloved traditions and is an iconic event in Santa Monica.

Executive Director of the concerts, Jay Farrand, is adamant about keep the series alive. However, with more attendees, growing costs, and an already shrinking calendar, how long can the can the city continue to support the series which for one Santa Monica resident, “Is the best part of the summer,” and “A great way to enjoy the beach.”

Last year, the number of spectators per concert exceeded several thousand by some reports. The problem is the more people that come, the more security and city infrastructure is needed. Those personnel and additional facilities cost money and the question is, “Where will the city locate the funds?”

]]>