It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

SUMMERUP

Target was celebrating Summer at the Santa Monica Pier on on Sunday, July 14, 2013. #‎summerup‬

Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 12:00PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Universally Accessible Playground

Children play in the city's first Universally Accessible Playground during the grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 13, 2013, at South Beach Park, near the 2900-block of Ocean Front Walk. The playground provides children of all levels of ability to enjoy time at the beach in a way that may not have been possible before.

Accessible playgrounds include barrier-free equipment, increased maneuvering space, and accessible surfacing and paths. Being wheelchair accessible is only one aspect of accessible playground design which also considers the needs of children with physical, cognitive, seeing and hearing disabilities, as well as children with complex developmental behavioral conditions, such as autism. Sensory play elements to touch, feel, and hear, such as sand and water complement swings, slides, and climbing equipment and inspire activity, mobility, and imagination.

Mayor Pam OConnor and members of Santa Monica's Disabilities Commission and Recreation & Parks Commission, will officially open the South Beach Park playground at 10 a.m. Santa Monica school children, whose winning Disability Awareness Month posters have been displayed along the construction fence, will receive fresh copies of their artwork from the Disabilities Commission.

"Inspired by Santa Monica's seaport history, and influenced by the sand and sea, the inclusive, multi-sensory playground takes the form of a ship, its blue and green sails welcoming visitors to the magnificent beaches of Santa Monica," explains playground designer Katherine Spitz of Katherine Spitz Associates, Inc. "The playground celebrates the marine environment with sensory and active play that recall elements of the marine world, providing an accessible place for children of all abilities to play on the beach."

South Beach Park is served by Big Blue Bus line 1, which runs along Main Street. Short term and all day parking is available in Beach Lot 5S (2600 Barnard Way).

Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 06:16PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

The Spazmatics

The Spazmatics perform at the Santa Monica Pier during Course of the Force on Friday, July 12, 2013. Course of the Force is an Olympic-style lightsaber relay, where participants are making a journey from Santa Monica to San Diego while benefiting theMake-A-Wish Foundation. At quarter-mile markers (much less than 12 parsecs), participants hand off the official Course of the Force lightsaber to the next runner as they begin their leg of the journey. Course of the Force is taking place July 9-16, in the days leading up to the annual San Diego Comic Con International. ‪#‎courseoftheforce‬

Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 06:11PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Twilight Concert Series

Surfer Blood guitarist/vocalist John Paul Pitts performs during the during the kick-off of the summer Twilight Concert Series on Thursday, July 11, 2013.

Posted on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 12:19PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Last Food Truck Standing

A chicken from Wicked Kitchen and a lobster from Roll'n Lobster play fight over a customer during Santa Monica Food Truck Lot's, "Last Food Truck Standing" on Tuesday, July 9, 2013.

Posted on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 12:12PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

The Honest Store

An unmanned pop-up shop called, ”The Honest Store” stocked with ice cold bottles of Honest Tea was installed on the Santa Monica Pier on Wedenesday, July 10, 2013. The shop relied solely on the honor system of passersby as a money box and sign read: “$1.00 on the Honor System.” The outcome was recorded using a customized digital tracking application by undercover observers nearby who recorded the actions of those who decided to pay $1 for their tea and those who simply grabbed a drink without paying. The results can be seen at TheNationalHonestyindex.com

Posted on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at 11:00PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

TRIPLE THREAT

Daniel McClure, 21, plays the guitar while walking on the slackline at Santa Monica Muscle Beach on Monday, July 8, 2013.

Posted on Monday, July 8, 2013 at 04:52PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

Chess Park 

A boy carries a King and Queen at Santa Monica Chess Park on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.

Posted on Monday, July 8, 2013 at 04:20PM by Registered CommenterFabian Lewkowicz | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail | PrintPrint