It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...
Pacific Plunge
CLEAN Up
Santa Monica Public Works personnel clean-up a Hazardous Materials Spill on Olympic Dr., between Main St. AND 4th St. on Tuesday, April 9, 2013. A truck allegedly from the Tonga Park construction site (across from Santa Monica City Hall) spilled its hydraulic fluid on Olympic Dr., from Main St. to 4th St. It does not appear that any of the fluid has reached the storm drains. The Santa Monica Police Department was able to locate and stop the truck that allegedly spilled the fluid on 14th street. It has been determined at this time that no Hazardous Materials were spilled beyond 4th street. Santa Monica Fire Department is working diligently to quickly and efficiently mitigate the incident by utilizing absorb and dirt to soak up the liquid. Santa Monica Public Works has provided street sweepers, pressure washers and personnel to assist in the clean-up. Other divisions and agencies are currently being contact to assist in the clean-up process.
SLACKLINE PARK
Josh Beaudoin from Gibbon Slackline and Santa Monica maintenance employees install a new “slackline” park at Muscle beach on Monday, April 8, 2013. (this may be the first public slackline park in California?)
Made nationally famous by the Gibbon Slackline Team, who performed alongside Madonna at the 2012 Superbowl, slacklining is an emerging sport that challenges the participant to balance along a dynamic surface known as a slackline. Set up is usually low to the ground with trees serving as anchor points.
In addition to being a sport of its own, slacklining is also popular as a training tool for a variety of athletes. As it can help improve core strength, balance, and reaction time, slacklining is common with climbers, cyclists and other athletes. However, balancing on the slackline is also a fun and mentally stimulating activity for all ages.
The park at muscle beach utilizes a myriad of poles secured into the ground as anchor points for the slacklines. This allows for many different configurations and line lengths.
THE GIVING TREE
Andrew Greger drills the first wooden leaf onto John Muir Elementary School's ‘Giving Tree’ during the monthly PTA Art and Antique Fair on Saturday, April 6, 2013. The unique hand-made 10 ft tall plywood tree, created and built by the parents and children of John Muir Elementary is erected at the entrance of the school. Each donor will have a leaf with their name placed on the branches of the tree in recognition of their support. The Annual Giving Campaign was started to help raise funds for the school’s art, science, technology and music programs. It also helps fund field trips, reading specialists and basic school supplies. The school hopes the tree will "bloom" with support this Spring. Any donations can be made via Paypal on the John Muir website www.myjohnmuir.org or mailed or dropped off to the school at 2526 Sixth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405.
John Muir Flea Market
WHAT'S YOUR SIGN?
Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi celebrated the launch of their new California 1400 Touring and Custom motorcycles at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel on Friday. April 5, 2013 Moto Guzzi gained prominence in the American market via its exclusive contract with the LAPD and California Highway Patrol, over 40 years ago. In 1970, Moto Guzzi won the first motorcycle fleet contract in America ever awarded to a foreign manufacturer and developed the California model for the LAPD and the California Highway Patrol. It was this model that propelled the Italian brand to success in the U.S. market. The Moto Guzzi California designed for the LAPD was decidedly different from the base model V7 sold in dealerships. The California featured an oversized saddle, bullhorn handlebars, platform footrests and an abundance of chrome protection. Since then, seven generations and four engine capacities (750, 850, 1000, 1100) have alternated in more than 100,000 units manufactured. Founded in 1921, Moto Guzzi is Europe’s oldest continuously operating manufacturer of motorcycles. The brand continues to produce bikes from its original location on the shores of Lake Como in the village of Mandello del Lario, Italy.