It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...
Entries by Fabian Lewkowicz (6146)
Dog Cosmic
Dog Cosmic (@dogcosmic) performs at #SantaMonicaBeach, Saturday, June 12, 2021.
Queers on the Pier
Local drag queen @Facisha_Farce reads an ocean and environmental conservation storybook entitled, "Stella Rose and the Sea Dragon" by Stella Harris during Drag Queen Story Time @healthebayaquarium, Saturday, June 12, 2021.
Queers on the Pier is a celebration of inclusivity and community through queer art and representation. In the spirit of community, Heal the Bay is proud to present our very first Drag Reading series in honor of Pride Month! These private events will feature local drag queens Fasicha Farse and Ruthless Envy on Saturday, June 12th and Saturday, June 19th, who will be reading ocean and conservation-themed storybooks at Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica. Guests will also have the exclusive opportunity to explore our indoor gallery and exhibits before we officially re-open our doors to the public! This event is for all ages.
Meaning of Queerness: n. The state or condition of being strange. The term “queer” has a number of definitions but historically, the term “queer’ has been used in a derogatory way to dehumanize, harm, and humiliate members of the LGBTQIA+ community. In today’s society, any sexual orientation other than heterosexual is scrutinized, invalidated, and othered. Like most things in life however, sexual orientation exists on a spectrum and to have variations on sexual behavior is a naturally occurring phenomena. Many members of the LGBTQIA+ community have reclaimed the term “queer” as an all-encompassing expression to include all the various members of the community, and that is how we at Heal the Bay are aiming to utilize this term as well. Radical inclusion and increased queer representation are the essence of these events. #PRIDE #SaMoPRIDE #pridemonth 🏳️🌈
📷 Fabian Lewkowicz
Santa Monica Cruisin' Classics
Santa Monica Cruisin' Classics (@santamonica_cruisinclassics), with other neighboring car clubs, meetup at #SantaMonicaBeach, Friday, June 11, 2021. The car clubs meet every Friday night at Santa Monica Beach during summer.
THE CLEAN TEAM
The Venice Beach Clean Team works at the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Friday, June 11, 2021.
The Venice Beach Clean Team is provided by the Venice Beach Business Improvement District, a nonprofit organization helping to make venice cleaner and safer.
The VB BID’s primary purpose is to provide clean and safe services within the BID zones, above and beyond what the City alone can deliver.
Clean Team services provide:
Sidewalk and gutter sweeping around businesses, residences, and public areas to clear unsightly and unsanitary debris, including weeds and refuse.
Bulky Items such as mattresses and furniture are picked up on a limited, case by case basis.
Trash Removal from public use trash receptacles, which are emptied and kept from overflowing and wiped down as needed.
Surface cleaning and/or painting of streetscape “furniture,” including benches, newsstands, parking meters, and bike racks.
Porter Service to remove graffiti,** stickers, and leaflets.
Tree wells and planters in public areas are cleaned of weeds, trash, and debris.
Sidewalk pressure washing to address unsightly stains and environmental issues such as animal/human waste, using biodegradable solvents when needed.
The Clean Team works 7 days a week.
Zack Delucifer
Zack Delucifer (@zachdelucifer) performs on the roof of his Ford van at #SantaMonicaBeach, Friday, June 11, 2021. 📷 @fabianlewkowicz
Shuffolution
@Shuffolution dance at Ocean Front Walk, #SantaMonica, Friday, June 11, 2021. 📷 @fabianlewkowicz
Haircuts for the Homeless
Jason Schneidman, founder of the nonprofit foundation, “The Mens Groomer,” (@themensgroomer) with his team, give free hearcuts to the homeless at the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Jason believes that a haircut can change someone’s life. "A haircut can change a persons appearance, instill confidence and allow someone to reach for opportunities when they thought life had passed them by. This is about second chances to anyone willing to do the work."
While on the streets, Jason has found that those struggling with drugs and alcohol addiction are the ones that he can help the most. He is able to connect with them, because he has been there himself.
Jason is working with rehabs of his choice providing funding through the sales of his products. The work that needs to be done is not easy, it takes time, but these people are worth it and hopefully they can just help one at a time through their efforts.
The Mens Groomeris Foundation is creating a community to help people get off the street, and back on their feet.
Jason Schneidman grew up on the beaches of Southern California surfing and seeking the fun, care-free lifestyle it offered. His partying continued into his thirties until his life unraveled completely when he found himself homeless and addicted to crack cocaine. Sixteen years ago, he knew he had to do something otherwise he’d end up in jail or dead and so he asked for help and began the hard word of getting and staying sober.
Jason’s rehabilitation taught him the importance of giving back. He decided to go out onto the streets with cordless clippers and treat homeless individuals as though they were his celebrity clients. He was able to connect with them because he’d been through what they had. With a friend nearby to video his encounters, hundreds of thousands of Instagram viewers would get to see first hand his motto, “A haircut can change a life.” You can’t be helped but be moved to see how a haircut and kind human interaction not only helps people gain self-confidence and see their value, but also seek treatment for their addiction and gain employment.
Since Jason was a young teen he’d been cutting hair, but not until he got sober did his fierce work ethic lead him to make a name for himself creating fully unified looks for press tours, red carpets, music videos and editorial gigs. After apprenticing under Jennifer Aniston’s hair stylist, Chris McMillan, Jason was soon being asked to fly off to the the Super Bowl to cut Bruno Mars hair, and style and cut other big celebrities like Rob Lowe, James Corden, Hugh Jackman, Jonah Hill, Robert Pattinson, and Jay Shetty to name a few. His editorial work has appeared in magazines such as Rolling Stone, GQ, Entertainment Weekly, and Billboard.
Jason branched out on his own creating an entire salon and product line upon the fundamentals of men’s hair care. Aptly named “The Mens Groomer,” his Venice Beach, Lincoln Boulevard headquarters is part barbershop, part coffee shop, and part surf/skate shop. With his motorcycles and hot rods parked in front and his shop next to the iconic Dogtown Skateboards, it’s the epitome of California cool. Don’t be surprised if the legendary surfer, Laird Hamilton stops by for a cut and coffee.
Jason donates a percentage of his styling products and his haircuts to his foundation he started to give the homeless the second chance they need and deserve. Jason is married and has two adorable kids. He’s grateful every day for his family and friends and for the devoted group of clients he continues to gain and keep.
THEMENSGROOMER Shop
SHERIFF IN VENICE FOR HOMELESS
Angry protesters confront Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva, (@lasdhq) at the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Sheriff Villanueva, with deputies who are members of the department's Homeless Outreach Services Team - H.O.S.T., (@lasdhost) surveyed the homeless situation at the Venice Beach Boardwalk on Thursday, June 10, 2021. The team walked the Boardwalk and met with business owners, residents, tourists, vendors, and those experiencing homelessness to better understand the crisis the city and @countyofla is currently facing. Sheriff Villanueva is planning on removing the homeless encampment from the Venice Boardwalk by the 4th of July. #villanueva #lasd @lacosheriff #venicebeach #homeless #unhoused