The “first flush” of the storm drains is an annual event every fall or winter. The first heavy rain causes massive amounts of water and trash to flow out of the storm drains, onto the beach, and hours later, into the ocean. As a result, there is an enormous amount of plastic and urban runoff that is brought to the coastline, and this month was no different. After the first heavy rainfall hit the Los Angeles area this morning of November 21, garbage lodged in catch basins from all over the city was shuttled to the ocean shore. Santa Monica High School's Team Marine and Heal the BaySurfrider Club are quick on the scene. The groups ventured to the storm drains to collect samples, survey the damage, and start cleaning up. Club members are testing ocean water for fecal indicator bacteria, while Team Marine assessed the state of plastic pollution on the shore and will perform an emergency beach cleanup after school.

Half Santa Monica Police Department Car and Half Taxi Cab, anti-DWI campaign. “Drink. Drive. Go to Jail,” Third Street Promenade, Downtown Santa Monica, Thursday, November 17, 2016.

The Shopping Cart Tree by Artist Anthony Schmitt, is being constructed this week at the Edgemar Center on Main Street Santa Monica. The holiday tree is constructed from 86 shopping carts and is 33 feet tall. Schmitt uses shopping carts because they are a symbol both of abundance and a reminder of those less fortunate.

With respect, honor and gratitude, Happy Veteran's Day from the Armed Services Memorial at Palisades Park, Friday, November 11, 2016. Thank you to all our military personnel for the sacrifices you have made to protect our freedom. The Santa Monica Veterans Memorial is a unique memorial consisting of 5 granite columns representing each branch of the United States Armed Forces. The memorial is designed to cast shadows and line up across a pathway every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (which is when the Armistice for WWI was signed).

Workers from Rosa Lowinger & Associates - Conservation of Art + Architecture restore the 26-foot-tall monumental public art sculpture entitled, ‘Chain Reaction’ 1991 by 3-time Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist Paul Conrad on Main Street Santa Monica on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. The restorationproject is expected to continue through the end of the year. Chain Reaction was a gift to the city, approved by City Council in 1991 after extensive public process and debate. #publicart

Santa Monica Police Department Motor Officers maneuver through a cone pattern course at Santa Monica Beach on Tuesday, November 1, 2016.

The Santa Monica Police Department. Santa Monica Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Lifeguards practice a pier diver rescue drill on Thursday, November 3, 2016.

ICE at Santa Monica opened today! Every holiday season, Downtown Santa Monica brings a little ice skating to the beachside community and transforms the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue into ICE at Santa Monica, a premier outdoor ice skating rink. The 8,000 square foot rink by the beach offers residents and visitors a little taste of winter without the bite.

A great location to celebrate the holidays, ICE at Santa Monica is the perfect place to hang out with friends and family, throw a party in a private event cabana, enjoy a first date or sign up for skate lessons. Join the fun and visit Downtown Santa Monica this season to experience ICE.
The cost to skate is $15 and includes skate rental.