The City of Santa Monica commemorated Earth Day with a special tree planting ceremony. The "Tree of Gratitude" was planted in memory and honor of Marissa Rubin, a beloved tree lover, artist, art therapist, and environmental activist who passed away on July 28 from stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The young New Zealand Christmas Tree was planted in Palisades Park near the Children's Tree of Life, another New Zealand Christmas Tree that Marissa planted on Earth Day in 1983. Former Santa Monica Mayor proclaimed the Children's Tree of Life as a "living monument to world peace." On its 40th anniversary, the tree was rededicated with a group tree hug following the new Tree of Gratitude planting.

Santa Monica Mayor Gleam Davis read a special proclamation for Marissa before the tree planting. The Santa Monica Urban Forester Matthew Wells supervised the planting, along with his dedicated landscape team. Marissa's husband, Jerry Rubin, a peace activist, thanked everyone for their kind support.

Marissa Rubin was 82 when she passed away. She was a longtime tree lover who loved Santa Monica and always promoted having gratitude through all of life's ups and downs. Marissa was a true friend of Mother Nature and Mother Earth. Her legacy will continue to inspire the Santa Monica community to cherish and protect the environment.

Hot Dog on a Stick, the iconic all-American brand that originated on Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, celebrated the grand reopening of its original location on April 22, 2022. The brand's 440-square-foot building had been demolished in March of 2022 and replaced with a larger, 660-square-foot structure that reopened in October of the same year.

To commemorate the refreshed look of the chain's original location, Hot Dog on a Stick held a beachside bash where fans were treated to free Original Lemonades and invited to try their hand at Hot Dog on a Stick's signature lemonade-making method, lemon stomping. The event also welcomed beloved former employees, known as 'Hotdoggers,' for a reunion. All current and former Hot Dog on a Stick employees were invited to the event and the brand gave away exclusive swag, including striped t-shirts and hats.

Mayor Gleam Davis of Santa Monica, along with Mayor Pro Tem Lana Negrete and Councilmembers Phil Brock, Oscar de la Torre, and Christine Parra, attended the event and participated in the lemonade stomping activity.

Hot Dog on a Stick is famous for its made-to-order hot dog on a stick and cheese on a stick products, hand-stomped natural lemonade, smiling customer service, and its iconic bright striped uniforms. The brand provides customers with a fun all-American quick service restaurant experience, catering services for events, party packs, and fundraisers. With close to 70 locations in the U.S. and internationally, Hot Dog on a Stick is known for its trademark colors of red, white, and blue, with a splash of lemonade.

Jenn Johnston, President of FAT Brands' Quick-Service Division, expressed her excitement about celebrating this moment for Hot Dog on a Stick, stating that the brand is an icon in American pop culture. She added that it was only fitting to throw a fun-filled beach bash to celebrate the refreshed look of the stand that made the brand famous almost 80 years ago. Hot Dog on a Stick is grateful to longtime partners Limoneira and HEINZ® for helping make the Muscle Beach grand reopening celebration possible.

Hot Dog on a Stick was first established in 1946 in Santa Monica, CA, and has since grown into a cultural phenomenon with over 50 locations throughout the U.S. Customers can enjoy fresh, hand-stomped lemonade and made-to-order Hot Dog on a Stick and Cheese on a Stick products, which pair perfectly with HEINZ® ketchup. For more information or to find a Hot Dog on a Stick near you, visit www.hotdogonastick.com.

Man Injured in Santa Monica Bay Waverunner Accident Rescued by Emergency Responders

A man injured in a waverunner accident in Santa Monica Bay was successfully rescued by a team of emergency responders on Friday, April 21, 2023. Santa Monica Police Harbor Patrol Officers, Los Angeles County Lifeguards, Los Angeles Fire Department, and Los Angeles Sheriffs Department all collaborated in the daring rescue operation.

At approximately 4:30 pm, SMPD Harbor Officers responded to a report of a jet ski collision half a mile offshore of the Santa Monica Pier, with one person unconscious and in the water. Upon arriving at the scene, the Harbor Officers found the victim, a male aged between 40-50, unconscious and unresponsive in the water with two friends clinging to his lifejacket, struggling to keep the victim's head above water. The victim had a deep laceration to the left side of his forehead and was bleeding moderately. Witnesses reported that two jet skis had collided head-on, with a speed of approximately 10-15mph.

Santa Monica Harbor Services Officers Kingsbury and Sardisco sprang into action, communicating with the US Coast Guard and LA County Lifeguards while HSO Sardisco entered the water to rescue the victim. LA County Baywatch was en route, and the HSOs decided to extricate the victim onto the larger LA County vessel. The victim was brought to the West End of the Pier, where he was loaded into a stokes basket and hoisted to the pier deck with assistance from HSO Marshall and Buchanan. The Santa Monica Fire Department Paramedics took over patient care, and the victim was ultimately transported to a local hospital by ambulance.

The successful execution of this ocean rescue operation was the result of the skills gained during a host of interagency training opportunities by SMPD and its partners. The Santa Monica Harbor patrol officers were the first to respond to the scene and were soon joined by Los Angeles County Lifeguards, who worked together to ensure the victim's safe rescue.

This successful rescue operation is a testament to the bravery and dedication of these skilled emergency responders, who saved the man's life and prevented a potentially tragic outcome. The incident is also a reminder of the importance of water safety and the crucial role that emergency responders play in ensuring the safety of everyone who enjoys Santa Monica Bay.

On a beautiful Friday morning in Santa Monica, a group of senior citizens gathered at Muscle Beach to take part in a plein air art class. Led by instructor Catherine Tirr, the class focused on using watercolors to capture the beauty of the surrounding scenery.

The class was part of the SMC Emeritus program, which offers a wide variety of noncredit classes for older adults in the Santa Monica area. Whether you're interested in learning a new skill, improving your health, exploring your creative side, or simply meeting new people, there's something for everyone at SMC Emeritus.

Classes are held at the Emeritus campus on 2nd Street, as well as at various community sites throughout Santa Monica and Malibu. And if you're an artist looking to showcase your work, the program even operates an art gallery, complete with free opening receptions for exhibitions of works by students and community members.

But what really sets SMC Emeritus apart is its commitment to lifelong learning. Whether you're in your 50s or your 90s, there's always something new to discover and explore. And with a supportive community of fellow learners and dedicated instructors like Catherine Tirr, you'll have all the tools you need to keep growing and thriving well into your golden years.

So if you're looking for a fun, engaging way to stay active and keep your mind sharp, consider checking out the SMC Emeritus program. With classes ranging from art and music to fitness and nutrition, there's never been a better time to join the Emeritus family and start your lifelong learning journey.

Check out WestSide Dream Car Club's classic cars on display at the Santa Monica Pier! 🚘 This amazing car show tonight was part of Locals Night - a curated series for locals, by locals. There were tons of awesome activities including youth activities, local DJs, a silent disco, a salsa dance class, live music from local bands, art exhibits, and so much more. 💃 Don't miss out on the next one! #LocalsNight #SantaMonicaPier #WestSideDreamCarClub #ClassicCars #FunTimes

On April 15, 2023, in honor of Earth Day, 750 volunteers came together at Santa Monica Beach to participate in Heal the Bay's annual Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup. The event aimed to raise awareness about the need to protect our planet's coastal waters and watersheds. During the cleanup, the volunteers worked tirelessly to collect litter from the beach, including plastic bottles, food wrappers, cigarette butts, and other debris. Together, they picked up 291 pounds of trash, making a significant impact on the environment.

At the Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup by Heal the Bay, visitors also had the opportunity to experience an engaging art installation by Artist Andrea Martina, called "Marina the Plastic Mermaid." The interactive exhibit aimed to raise awareness about the escalating issue of plastic pollution in the oceans. The artwork was created entirely from items that Martina collected during Heal the Bay's cleanups, either from the beach or from the ocean.

Heal the Bay has been dedicated to protecting California's coastal environment since 1985. The organization's programs and initiatives focus on science, education, community action, and advocacy to make coastal waters safe, healthy, and clean for marine life and humans. The Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup is one of the organization's flagship events that brings together people from all walks of life to volunteer and make a positive impact on the environment.

The event also featured educational activities for children and adults, including a tour of the award-winning Heal the Bay Aquarium and a chance to purchase zero-waste products at the organization's gift shop.

The Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup at Santa Monica Beach is just one example of the numerous initiatives led by Heal the Bay to promote sustainability and environmental awareness in California's coastal communities. With the dedication of volunteers and supporters, Heal the Bay will continue to protect our planet's coastal environment and create a more sustainable future.

First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica (@santamonicaumc) Senior Minister Patricia Farris led a special Easter Sunrise Service at Palisades Park on Sunday, April 9, 2023!

It was a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope and renewal that this season brings. Members and newcomers alike gathered to worship, sing, and pray in the beautiful outdoor setting.

Attendees were asked to bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on and to dress warmly as the service began at 6:00am. It was a memorable experience for all who were present. 🌞🙏🏼 #EasterSunriseService #PalisadesPark #FirstUnitedMethodistChurch #SantaMonica

Six hundred drones lit up Santa Monica Beach in a spectacular drone light show to celebrate the release of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie"! The computer-animated adventure film, based on the beloved Mario video game franchise, starred an impressive ensemble of voice actors including Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen, Sebastian Maniscalco, Charles Martinet, and Kevin Michael Richardson.

The collaboration between Nintendo, Illumination, and Universal resulted in the highly-anticipated movie, which premiered in Los Angeles on April 1, 2023, and was released in the United States on April 5, 2023, followed by Japan on April 28, 2023.

Fans are able to stay updated on all things "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" by visiting SMBPLUMBING.COM or calling 929-55-MARIO.

It was truly an amazing drone light show! #SuperMarioBrosMovie #Dronelightshow #santamonicabeach