Experts in container rentals, sales and customization. | Let us help you today! 800.686.9114
Southwest Mobile Storage is a family-owned shipping container business founded in 1995. Our strength for more than 25 years comes from the specialized knowledge and passion of our people, along with serving over 24,000 commercial, construction and residential customers. Our facility and expertise in maintaining, manufacturing, and delivering corrugated steel containers is unrivaled in the industry.
While the rental side of our business is regional with branches throughout the Southwest, our container sales and modification operations are nationwide and becoming global. Culver City, CA offers a wide selection of portable offices and mobile storage containers you can rent, buy or modify.
Our experts in container rental, sales and customization are committed to providing you the highest quality and best experience from service to delivery - our reputation depends on it.
Whether your need is for storage, office space, moving, multi-purpose or custom use, we've got your back. Here's how:
We bring your storage container to you for convenient, easy access at your home, business or jobsite. Plus, you'll get more choice in storage space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of a pod or add on building, saving money and energy.
Not enough room to keep a storage container at your business, home or construction site? No problem - we can store it for you. Plus, you get 70% more space and better security, for a fraction of the cost of public storage units.
Need a permanent storage solution for your business, residence or construction? We sell new and used shipping containers in many sizes with a variety of add-ons. Or customize a container to your specific storage needs with our certified fabrication experts.
Take your time packing with our moving containers. We'll deliver to your business or home and pick it up whenever you're ready to move. So, you don't have to stress about moving or making multiple trips in one day, like if you rented a moving truck.
Our moving container solutions ensure the long-distance move of your home or business is highly efficient and affordable throughout the southwest. In fact, we usually cost 20%-40% less than full-service movers.
We understand move-in and move-out dates might be different. We can store your moving container at our highly secure facilities until you're ready to move to your new home or business location, and you can conveniently access it at any time.
Whether you need a workspace, conference room, or other office requirement, our ground-mounted mobile offices meet any and all of your business needs. Plus, it's faster and easier than building additions.
If you need your shipping container to serve multiple uses, such as office-storage combos, breakrooms and even utilities, we've got you covered. We'll modify a custom container to fit your business needs and bring your business to the next level
We'll create a custom container to fit your unique needs anywhere in the US. With our container modification expertise, we make any idea a reality. From pop-up stores to multi-story structures, our unrivaled facilities and fabrication experts do it all.
With Southwest Mobile Storage, you get much more than a POD or typical Conex box. You also get high security, unparalleled service and unmatched container modification expertise and facilities. No other company offers that much.
Shipping containers and storage containers come in a range of sizes. The most common external lengths are 20ft and 40ft with a width of 8ft. ISO Containers are typically 8ft 6in tall, but high cube containers are 9ft 6in tall. We also have steel containers in a variety of sizes from 10ft long to 45ft long to rent or buy, and we can modify shipping containers into any size you want.
Having flexible storage containers options is important, but security is crucial to protect your peace of mind and your possessions.
At Southwest Mobile Storage, we don't believe in leaving things to chance. We want you to rest easy knowing your inventory, documents, tools, equipment and other items are safe 24/7. That is why we equip SMS high-security slide bolt locking systems and lockboxes on our entire fleet of rental freight containers.
Contact us to speak with a helpful, friendly representative to better understand our full range of capabilities. We are happy to answer any questions you have, go over pricing and set up a time and place to deliver your Conex box. Our quotes are 100% free and you are under no obligation to pay for your consultation.
When you own a business or manage one, it's crucial to have efficient, affordable ways to store inventory and supplies, whether it's to grow your business or adapt to changes in the market, like the many caused by the pandemic.
Renting storage containers to keep at your business eliminates the cost and hassles of sending your staff to offsite storage facilities. Steel containers with roll up doors make storing and retrieving items faster and easier. Auto repair shops and other businesses that need easy access throughout the workday to secure storage for tools, parts, equipment or supplies find renting shipping containers to be the best solution for their business storage needs. Southwest Mobile Storage has your back.
Renting portable offices gives your business more workspace, breakrooms, pop up stores, security booths and more, without the cost and red tape associated with constructing building additions. Plus, a steel storage container fits neatly into one parking space and provides much stronger security than Pods and way more convenience than self-storage units.
If you have a specific need, we can modify shipping containers to build whatever you need to grow your business. Whether it's a portable workspace to run your business, like a pop-up container bar, or a durable facility for scientific research, like a container laboratory, or even a container gym, our unrivaled fabrication facility and modification experts got you covered. Our full-time, in-house staff of certified welders, engineers, electricians, carpenters and painters have over 500 years combined experience modifying thousands of container projects for just about any business use you can imagine.
With an extensive in-house staff and 90,000 sq ft container modification facility, we're able to deliver consistently high quality and work on multiple projects simultaneously for a fast turnaround.
Other companies don't have the facility, staff or resources to modify shipping containers and will outsource the work to various shops who may not have the special experience or tools needed to modify the right way.
You can rest assured knowing your custom container is safe in our hands. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications through every step of the process.
Renting a moving container from us makes your move much less stressful because you won't have to rush to pack your whole house into a moving truck in one day. Instead, you can take your time packing over the course of a month.
Our ISO shipping containers are weatherproof and come with vault-like security, so you don't have to worry about theft or damage to your belongings.
You won't get that level of security from U-Haul or other moving truck companies.
Renting a storage container at your home keeps your belongings close and gives you convenient 24/7 access, so you're always able to retrieve the contents of your container when you need to.
We know move in and move out dates don't always line up. We can store your packed rental container at our secure facility until your new home is ready.
With our mobile storage containers for rent in Culver City, CA, you can save up to 40% when compared to full-service long-distance movers, while gaining more flexibility in your schedule.
We know your needs may change suddenly. With our extensive inventory and variety of sizes of portable offices and shipping containers to rent, buy or modify in Culver City, CA, we provide fast service and the best value possible so it's easy for you to get whatever you need when you need it.
Renting storage containers and portable offices from us gives you more flexibility when it comes to your schedule and options. If you don't have enough space at your current location or simply would prefer offsite storage, you can keep your rental storage and office containers at your location or ours - whichever is most convenient for you. You also get more options to choose from when it comes to size and features, like portable offices with divided rooms for private meetings or office/storage combos for storage and office space in one container. All while costing a fraction of the price of a pod or self-storage facility.
-Rivian 40' Office Delivery R1
- Office Storage Combo for Rent
- Office 2017-7 R1
- Monitoring Station 1 R1
- Custom Communications Tower M R1
You can also buy new or used freight containers from us and choose from a variety of add-ons, including lights, electricity, doors and windows. Or fully customize a shipping container to save time, money and energy by skipping the expensive, lengthy process of constructing building additions. We can modify a Conex box into whatever you can imagine for any use you need, from construction tool cribs to office buildings, monitoring stations, mobile communication towers and much more. The possibilities are endless.
You'll never face hidden fees or surprises with us. We give you transparent billing up front at the best prices.
With us, you get a reliable, dedicated point of contact, who keeps you updated every step of the way. You can rest assured knowing you'll always get what you need, when you need it.
No other company has the breadth and depth of staff and experience that we do when it comes to modifying shipping containers. Our certified welders, engineers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters have more than 500 years of combined experience in fabricating custom steel containers.
We prorate your rent by the day after the first 28-day billing cycle, so you don't have to pay for a full month when you only have your mobile containers and offices for a few days.
While other companies may be able to do small container modifications, most don't have an in-house fabrication staff or 90,000 sq ft fabrication facility like we do. As a result, they outsource the work on your custom container, so you don't know who's actually building it.
Rest assured knowing your modified shipping container will be built to the highest quality standards. Our certified weld and quality control inspectors check every step of the fabrication process to ensure everything is structurally sound and built to your specifications.
Whether you're in need of a storage container for your commercial business, a portable office for your construction site, or a moving container for your home, our process is simple and straightforward.
Choose the mobile storage solution that works best for your needs. In this step, you will let us know the number of containers you need, their sizes and what types of doors to equip.
Let us know if you would like to add any of our rental options, like a folding table or shelving.
Choose from padlocks, puck locks and other enhanced security options. All of our storage containers come standard with dual-locking, vault-like security.
You can expect standard delivery within 3-5 days of your order. If you need expedited delivery, we will do everything in our power to accommodate your needs.
Do you need to keep your shipping container at our location? Prefer to have our team deliver your packed container to a location of your choice? Let us know, and we'll be by your side to work out the logistics.
Let our team know where we should deliver your mobile storage container for rent in Culver City, CA. Be sure to let us know if there are any special conditions that might prevent our drivers from entering your chosen destination. Before you schedule your delivery, let us know which direction you would like the doors of your container to face.
Our drivers can deliver your storage container Monday-Friday, between the hours of 6AM and 2PM local time. Our two-hour delivery window is the most precise in the industry. If you desire another delivery time outside of our standard delivery options, we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As a courtesy, our driver will call you at least 30 minutes before they arrive at your drop-off destination.
Before we deliver your Conex box, prepare your delivery area by ensuring that there are no low overhangs, arches, wires, trees or any other obstacles that could interfere with your delivery. It's a good idea to mark the space where you would like your steel container placed.
When our driver arrives, they will back our truck into the space where you would like your shipping container placed. Once we arrive, we will ensure that your container is delivered safely and securely. If placed on asphalt or pavement, we will use wood dunnage pads to make sure your ground surface is protected and the container is level.
Check out our FAQ page or reach out to our helpful customer service team today @
909.948.7700The Pacific Fishery Management Council has adopted three alternatives for 2023 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California for public review. The Council will make a final decision on salmon seasons at its meeting on April 1-7. Detailed information about season starting dates, areas open, and catch limits for the three alternatives are available on the Council’s website at http://www.pcouncil.org.Forecasts for West Coast Chinook and coho stoc...
The Pacific Fishery Management Council has adopted three alternatives for 2023 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California for public review. The Council will make a final decision on salmon seasons at its meeting on April 1-7. Detailed information about season starting dates, areas open, and catch limits for the three alternatives are available on the Council’s website at http://www.pcouncil.org.
Forecasts for West Coast Chinook and coho stocks in 2023 are a mixed bag, with some low and high points when compared to last year. Federal requirements to conserve Fraser River (Canada) coho, lower Columbia River natural tule fall Chinook, Klamath River fall Chinook and Sacramento River fall Chinook will be the main constraints for this year’s ocean salmon fisheries.
“Meeting our conservation and management objectives continues to be the highest priority for the Council,” said Council Chair Marc Gorelnik. “Balancing those objectives while providing meaningful commercial and recreational seasons remains a challenge in 2023.” “The 2023 salmon season discussions have been dominated by the severely low
forecasts for both the Klamath and Sacramento River fall Chinook stocks”, said Tule Chinook generally spawn lower in the Columbia River than salmon that continue to migrate up the
mainstem.
Executive Director Merrick Burden, “the Council will need to deliberate on the best path forward in setting 2023 seasons with considerations for economic implications to the coastal communities and the low abundances of key salmon stocks and the need to ensure future generations of healthy salmon returns.” Washington and Northern Oregon (north of Cape Falcon) Fisheries north of Cape Falcon (in northern Oregon) are limited mainly by the need to constrain catch of lower Columbia River natural tule Chinook. Additionally, two natural coho stocks meet the criteria for either overfished (Queets River) or not overfished/ rebuilding (Strait of Juan de Fuca), which is also a concern when structuring 2023 fisheries.
Tribal ocean fisheries north of Cape Falcon Tribal negotiations are underway, but at this time the Chinook and coho quotas for tribal ocean fishery alternatives range from 30,000 to 50,000 for Chinook salmon, and from 42,000 to 62,000 coho (which are the same as 2022). Under the range of alternatives, seasons open May 1 and continue through September 15.
Sport season alternatives For the ocean sport fishery north of Cape Falcon the alternatives with Chinook recreational quotas range from 32,500 to 42,500, compared to 27,000 in 2022. For coho, recreational quotas range from 142,800 to 168,000 marked coho, compared to 168,000 in 2022. Starting dates range from mid- to late-June with the season continuing through most or all of September. Chinook and coho retention is allowed generally throughout the proposed seasons. Commercial season alternatives For the non-Indian ocean commercial fishery North of Cape Falcon, the alternatives reflect traditional seasons between May and September. Chinook quotas for all areas and times range from 32,500 to 42,500, compared to 27,000 in 2022. Coho quotas range from 27,200 to 32,000 marked coho, compared to 32,000 in 2022.
Oregon (south of Cape Falcon) and California Fisheries south of Cape Falcon are limited mainly by the low abundance forecast for both Klamath River and Sacramento River fall Chinook. This year’s management alternatives are significantly reduced or closed to fishing opportunity to keep fishing impacts minimal given the critically low abundance forecasts for key California Chinook stocks of concern. Sport season alternatives While the Sacramento River and Klamath River fall Chinook abundances are forecasted to be very low, Oregon’s coho populations have a similar forecast to 2022. Oregon ocean recreational alternatives from Cape Falcon to the OR/CA border include mark-selective coho fishing seasons starting June 17 and running through all of August, with one alternative from Humbug Mountain to the OR/CA border as closed. Quotas range from 90,000 to 110,000 marked coho (compared to 95,000 to 120,000 in 2022). In addition, non-mark-selective coho fisheries are proposed in all alternatives for the area between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain for the month of September, with quotas ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 coho (compared to 17,000 to 20,000 in 2022). Two alternatives provide Chinook salmon retention from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain from September 1 to October 31. In the area from Humbug Mountain to the Oregon/California border a mark-selective coho fishery is proposed in two of the three alternatives.
California ocean recreational fisheries in all areas from the Oregon/California border to the U.S./Mexico border are proposed to be closed in all three alternatives given the low
abundance forecasts for both Klamath and Sacramento River fall Chinook. Commercial season alternatives Oregon ocean commercial alternatives from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain are open either beginning in September 1 or October 1 through October 31 and one alternative is closed entirely. A limited coho season is also being considered in
September.
All commercial alternatives in both the Oregon and California Klamath Management Zones are proposed to be closed for the 2023 season. California ocean commercial fisheries in all areas from the Oregon/California border to the U.S./Mexico border are proposed to be closed in all three alternatives given the low abundance forecasts for both Klamath and Sacramento River fall Chinook. Management Objectives for Southern Resident Killer Whales The Council worked collaboratively with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to
understand the effects of Council-area fisheries on Southern Resident killer whales, which are listed as endangered. Based in part on information provided by the Council’s
ad-hoc Southern Resident Killer Whale Workgroup, the Council amended the Pacific Salmon Fishery Management Plan to address the needs of the whales while providing
salmon harvest opportunities. Based on updated modeling information, in November 2022 the Council adopted a revised abundance threshold value of 623,000 for the North
of Falcon area. Salmon abundance in 2023 is projected to be well above this threshold. Management Process The Council has scheduled one public hearing for each coastal state to hear comments on the alternatives. The hearings will occur online and are scheduled for Monday, March 20 (Washington and Oregon) and Tuesday March 21 (California). The public
will also be able to comment on the alternatives during the April Council meeting.
Materials and instructions for joining online Council meetings and hearings will be posted to the Council website. The Council will consult with scientists, hear public comment, revise preliminary decisions, and choose a final alternative at its meeting April 1-7. The Council will forward its final season recommendations to NMFS for its approval
and implementation no later than May 16. All Council meetings are open to the public.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of
1976 for the purpose of managing fisheries 3-200 miles offshore of the U.S. coastline. The Pacific Council recommends management measures for fisheries off the coasts of
California, Oregon, and Washington.
The New York-based orthodontist recently launched the Big Mouth toothbrush in Atlanta.CULVER CITY, CA — A New York orthodontist who is expanding her business to Atlanta recently got the chance of a lifetime when she made a deal with Barbara Corcoran on ABC's "Shark Tank."Dr. Bobbi Peterson and her Big Mouth toothbrush appeared on a March 3 episode, where she asked the panel of sharks for $150,000 for 10 percent of her company.Peterson, the owner of the Brooklyn-based Aces Braces, told Patch being featur...
CULVER CITY, CA — A New York orthodontist who is expanding her business to Atlanta recently got the chance of a lifetime when she made a deal with Barbara Corcoran on ABC's "Shark Tank."
Dr. Bobbi Peterson and her Big Mouth toothbrush appeared on a March 3 episode, where she asked the panel of sharks for $150,000 for 10 percent of her company.
Peterson, the owner of the Brooklyn-based Aces Braces, told Patch being featurd on the star-studded show was exhilerating.
In an energetic opening, she noted the impact of gum disease - even going as far to show a photo of a toothless Kevin O'Leary to demonstrate how gum disease can cause loss of teeth.
"Your mouth is the gateway between your heart and your mind, and most people don't even realize how easily infection can travel between these three important points," Peterson told the sharks.
In introducing her wide-head toothbrush to the panel, she called it a "spa in your mouth." The head of the toothbrush allows people to cover more surface area while brushing and creates a massage effect while people are brushing their teeth, she said.
Lori Greiner noted Peterson's toothbrush has gum care, sensitive, clean, polish and whitening settings.
Corcoran initially declined to make an offer to Peterson, but when Peterson gave a counter offer to the sharks for $150,000 for a 20 percent stake in her business and a royalty of $2 per unit sold, Corcoran immediately stood up and accepted the deal in the final seconds of the episode.
"It's not every day that you get the chance to pitch your passion project to some of the biggest names in the business world. But, I'm so glad that I did because it allowed me to take the Big Mouth oral care line to the next level," she told Patch.
"And to work with the legendary Barbara Corcoran was truly a dream come true. She is an incredible mentor, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from her and collaborate with her."
Peterson will hold a watch party at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Continent, 4300 Buford Highway in Atlanta.
The Birth of the Big Mouth Toothbrush
Peterson has been an orthodontist for more than 20 years, having a bachelor's degree in biology from Drexel University and a doctorate of dental surgery from Howard University, she said.
Four years after completing a three-year residency at Maimonides, she opened Aces Braces in New York. Helping people achieve optimal oral health makes her passionate about dental hygeine, she said.
"It's incredibly rewarding to see the positive changes that occur when patients take control of their oral health and make it a priority," Peterson said. "Ultimately, my passion for dental hygiene is fueled by the knowledge that I am helping people live healthier, happier lives."
In January, Peterson founded the Big Mouth toothbrush. On "Shark Tank," she said she owns the design patent for the toothbrush.
"The Big Mouth toothbrush was born from my passion for promoting oral health as a vital aspect of overall wellbeing," she said. "As a second-generation oral healthcare provider, I noticed that people didn't always brush their teeth as recommended, and the consequences could be devastating. So, I decided to take action."
The wide-head toothbrush makes it easier for people to practice dental hygeine, she said. Kids an adults can use her product, she said.
Peterson recently launched the Big Mouth toothbrush in Atlanta. She noted she has friends in the area and said she loves Atlanta's history and the variety of people living in Atlanta.
"The expansion has already begun," she said. "I've already started linking with brands and forming my inner circle. I surround myself with like-minded extremely supportive women only. Atlanta has very much of that. It's full of extremely successful self-made entrepreneurs."
Future plans for the Big Mouth toothbrush include expanding its line of oral care products, hosting oral health fairs and donating to important causes.
"The sky's the limit for the Big Mouth oral care line, and we're ready to take on whatever comes our way," Peterson said.
More information about the Big Mouth toothbrush can be found here.
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The 2023 Mammoth Film Festival celebrated incredible filmmakers and talented actors this past week in Mammoth Lakes, CA, while also bracing the deepest snowfall Mammoth received in the last decade, with back to back blizzards over the duration of the festival. The adventure made for an exciting winter experience for the dedicated filmmakers, talent, and festival supporters in attendance. The 5th year of the fastly growing festival certainly did not disappoint with an impressive film slate of over 84 projects, inclusive of 13 world premieres ...
The 2023 Mammoth Film Festival celebrated incredible filmmakers and talented actors this past week in Mammoth Lakes, CA, while also bracing the deepest snowfall Mammoth received in the last decade, with back to back blizzards over the duration of the festival. The adventure made for an exciting winter experience for the dedicated filmmakers, talent, and festival supporters in attendance. The 5th year of the fastly growing festival certainly did not disappoint with an impressive film slate of over 84 projects, inclusive of 13 world premieres and over 12 International films.
Founded in 2018 by Tanner Beard, Tomik Mansoori, Alex Chando and Theo Dumont, the festival kicked off on March 2nd with the screenings of Lucas Needs An Agent starring high school Musical's Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Sasha Clements and Katie Leclerc. Following the short debut was feature film Padre Pio starring Shia LeBeouf and directed by the legendary Abel Ferrara. The film first debuted at Venice Film Festival, and chose Mammoth Film Festival for its North American premiere. The Friday Night Feature slots included The Duel starring Dylan Sprouse and Some Other Woman directed by Joel David Moore starring Amanda Crew, Ashley Greene and Tom Felton, with the Saturday Spotlights showcasing The Engineer directed by Danny A. Abeckaser, starring Emile Hirsch, Night Shift by Paul and Benjamin China, Bad Hombres starring Thomas Jane, and Nick Cassavetes, and Rise starring Jimmy Jean-Louis. Sunday closed out with the world premiere of Dreamer starring Ari Lopez. Peter Facinelli debuted his latest film On Fire paired with a generous donation to the local fire department through nonprofit Rak The Planet. The Action Sports Category premiered Citizen Athlete showcasing the U.S. Olympic Female Bobsled Team, and highly buzzed about documentary American Badass: A Michael Madsen Retrospective screened on Saturday afternoon.
The buyers marketplace is a key focus at MammothFF, with the announcement and acquisition of four features already confirmed during the 2023 festival weekend, led by Bad Hombres purchase by Screen Media leading the news. Festival Founder Tanner Beard hosts the annual marketplace event, with a focus on offering a growing platform for independent filmmakers on a global scale.
The intimate festival included daily red carpets, premiere parties and programming, press junkets, a Peak IV Hydration & Therapy lounge, filmmakers lounge at Sierra Nevada Resort complete with daily Saldo Wines and El Cristiano Tequila tastings, Paramount+ live streaming activation, and the annual Her Voice female filmmaker panel. This year also marked the return of their Celebrity Bowling Tournament benefiting the Mammoth Media Institute, presented by White Claw.
The inaugural MammothFF Awards Luncheon presented by Saldo Wines closed out the festival on March 6th. All screenings were held at local theater partner Minaret Cinemas and were presented by Wild7Films, Visit Mammoth, Advanced Airlines, and Path Water.
From Beach House to Night Shift to Rise, the festival had a long list of well deserved winners. Dreamer took home both best picture and best actor, with an impressive cast including Diego Calva, Jason Patric, Paulina Gaitan, Alfredo Castro, Renata Vaca and newcomer Ari Lopez, Inspired by a powerful and true story from EP Yalitza Aparicio. This year's festival judges included notable industry names such as Rob Weiss, Luke Watson and Jamie Chung.
Complete Mammoth Film Festival 2023 Awards List:
Achievement in Filmmaking | 2023
JUSTIN MATTHEWS AND LUKE SPENCER ROBERTS - THE DUEL
Achievement in Filmmaking | INTERNATIONAL
BEACH HOUSE by Hector Hernandez Vicenz
Achievement in Filmmaking | MUSIC
THE ENGINEER by Danny A. Abeckaser scored By Lionel Cohen
Achievement in Filmmaking | CINEMATOGRAPHY
ALESSANDRO ABATE FOR PADRE PIO
Achievement in Filmmaking | WRITER
REX NEW AND NICK TURNER STORY BY JOHN STALBERG FOR BAD HOMBRES
Achievement in Filmmaking | DIRECTOR
HECTOR HERNANDEZ VICENS FOR BEACH HOUSE
Best Action Sports | 2023
CITIZEN ATHLETE directed BY BRANDT WILLIE, written / produced by Ryan March
Best Episodic | 2023
THE MANY WORLDS OF GEORGE GOODMAN starring / produced by Blair Redford, written / directed by Gregg Bishop
Best GENRE Film | Short
LUCAS NEEDS AN AGENT starring, written / directed by Lucas Grabeel
Best Documentary | Short
SOMOS BY RAFAEL PENSE
Best GENRE Film | Feature
NIGHT SHIFT written / directed by Paul and Benjamin China
Best Documentary | Feature
AMERICAN BADASS: A MICHAEL MADSEN RETROSPECTIVE, starring / produced by Michael Madsen, directed by Dominique Milano
Audience Award| Short
THE TRAVELER directed by DL Guerra
Audience Award | Feature (TIE)
RISE by Mariette Lee Go, produced by Maurice Fadida starring Jimmy Jean-Louis, Joy Sunday, Chike Okonkwo, Peter Mensah
THE DUEL directed by Justin Matthews and Luke spencer Roberts starring Dylan Sprouse, Patrick Warburton, Hart Denton, Denny Love and Callan McAuliffe
Grand Jury Award | Short
THE LAST BELL written / directed by Via Lubeck
Grand Jury Award | Feature
BAD HOMBRES Starring Thomas Jane, Nick Cassavetes, Paul Johansson, Hemky Madera, Tyrese Gibson, Diego Tinoco, Luke Hemsworth, directed by John Stalberg, EP Kyle Smithson, producer David Frigerio
Best Actress | Short
DANA MELANIE - TEN YEAR
Best Actress | Feature
SASHA MORFAW - RISE
Best Actor | Short or Episodic
BLAIR REDFORD - THE MANY WORLDS OF GEORGE GOODMAN
Best Actor | Feature
ARI LOPEZ - DREAMER
Best Picture | Short
EL PORTAFOLIO starring Albert Hammond Jr, directed / written by Scottie Cameron
Best Picture | Feature
DREAMER, starring Ari Lopez, Renata Vaca, Diego Calva, Jason Patric
I never learned how to ride a bike.Sure, I went through the motions of trying when I was 7 or 8 years old, but the skill never stuck. I suppose the balance needed to steer and maneuver a contraption with two wheels has always evaded me.But you don’t need balance (or really any skills beyond sitting and wearing a helmet) to take a spin on the Sunburst’s new 17-mile railbike route, which launched this month. Thursday through Sun...
I never learned how to ride a bike.
Sure, I went through the motions of trying when I was 7 or 8 years old, but the skill never stuck. I suppose the balance needed to steer and maneuver a contraption with two wheels has always evaded me.
But you don’t need balance (or really any skills beyond sitting and wearing a helmet) to take a spin on the Sunburst’s new 17-mile railbike route, which launched this month. Thursday through Sunday, riders can now book two-seat railbikes to explore the citrus and avocado groves on train tracks that run through the Santa Clara River Valley.
It costs $249 to book a two-seater bike for a three-and-a-half-hour ride, but local residents of Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru are offered a discounted rate of $186. In Northern California, Mendocino Railway’s steep pricing was criticized back in 2020, when companies increased River Fox Train and Skunk Train tickets by nearly 500% to $250. But the worth of a railbike experience, I suppose, is in the eye of the beholder.
To avoid rush hour traffic, I decided to book the Saturday afternoon ride for my partner and me. The Santa Clara River Valley is about 60 miles outside of Los Angeles, so we left the house before 11 a.m. and got back to L.A. around dusk.
The drive north is scenic, especially with all the greenery from this winter’s heavy rain. Once we arrived in Fillmore, we also spotted the only Jamba-Wingstop combo shop I have ever seen.
On the tracks of the train depot, we spotted seven go-kart-like apparatuses with big red wheels. Each railbike had two seatbelts, two bright green helmets and one shallow basket that could hold small bags and snacks throughout the ride.
Bike-adjacent inventions that roll atop train tracks have been known by many different names — handcar, draisine, kalamazoo and velocipede are just a few — since they first cropped up around the 1860s. And though these devices were originally made for railroad maintenance, different companies have found ways to turn railbikes into fun, outdoor adventures for train lovers.
July 22, 2021
Robert Jason Pinoli, the president and CEO of Mendocino Railway, said the company’s electric railbikes — which function similarly to electric bikes — are currently patent pending. (Mendocino Railway operates the Sunburst and its railbikes.)
“We didn’t invent the railbike,” he said. “What we did invent, though, was the technology to propel these rail bikes beyond pedal power, the electric assist.”
As we settled into our seats, the guides explained how to use the bike’s handbrake, five gears and thumb throttle, which allows you to move without pedaling. The person on the right side of each bike is in charge of setting the bike’s pace and keeping a safe distance from the railbike just ahead of them, since the bikes move as one unit with a guide in the front and a guide at the back of the group.
“If you want to make the pedaling effortless, you can do it,” Pinoli said. “If you want to pedal away, you can turn it down to zero and pedal your heart out.”
As we buckled up and set out on our journey, we immediately encountered our first intersection. Pinoli shared that the guides are able to input a code that activates railroad crossing warning gates before the bikes approach each road. The tracks for the Sunburst’s route cross several active roads including CA-126, which made our line of railbikes quite the spectacle for drivers as they waited for our gates to retract.
There are around 140,000 miles of train tracks in the United States alone — enough track to loop the circumference of Earth more than five times. Most of them are used for utilitarian purposes such as transporting coal, lumber or rocks, but some have been restored and repurposed for entertainment and enjoyment.
In this case, Mendocino Railway proposed a plan to restore the Santa Paula Branch Line, a 32-mile railway corridor that was built in 1887 and is now owned by the Ventura County Transportation Commission.
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“This line was originally built by the Southern Pacific Railroad to transport citrus out of the area,” Pinoli said. “We took over operation of the line in 2022, did a bunch of infrastructure work to the railroad, and we are now at the phase where we can actually start running railbikes over it.”
Mendocino Railway’s other tourism trains and railbikes include the popular Skunk Train in Fort Bragg and the monthly Boba Tea Train on the River Fox Line in West Sacramento. Eventually, Pinoli said, this Sunburst Train route will include “excursion-based passenger trains” that center around food and beverages local to Ventura County.
“We’re surrounded by lemons, by oranges, and [want] to embrace the produce that’s in this area and incorporate that into the train,” Pinoli said. “So it wouldn’t be a stretch to see maybe orange- or lemon-flavored citrus drinks, like if you want a margarita on the train we can squeeze the fruit for you fresh. Maybe chips and guacamole.”
As we pedaled our way out of Santa Paula, the homes and Del Tacos began to disappear. After about 15 minutes we arrived at Prancer’s Farm, where we had just enough time to browse either the farm store or the petting zoo.
We chose petting goats and pigs over fresh strawberries, growing especially attached to a tiny goat my partner named Denzel (because Denzel Washington is also, famously, the G.O.A.T.).
Once we left Prancer’s, the views were especially beautiful. Suddenly the landscape was split into four layers: grass, citrus trees, mountains and an enticingly cloud-speckled sky. From afar, we even got a glimpse of some large patches of bright orange flowers.
Throughout the ride we passed over small bridges, modest waterfalls and a few bumpy spots. Most of the ride, our bike was set to the third gear, which brought us to about the speed limit with little to no peddling.
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“We are restricted to a speed of 15 miles per hour on this line,” Pinoli said. “But these bikes can go anywhere from 25 to 30 miles an hour.”
Tourism railbikes, similar to the ones that Mendocino Railway runs, seemed to find their stride in 2020, as COVID-19 restrictions forced many people outdoors.
“It gives people the ability to get outside and reconnect with friends,” Pinoli said. “During the throes of COVID, we couldn’t build these fast enough. They were in such huge demand.”
The appeal of riding on a railbike is similar to driving a convertible — you get to feel the wind and sun on your face — but traveling on a train track also means that nobody has to steer. And you don’t have to be a train enthusiast or an avid biker to enjoy the experience.
When we arrived at the turnaround point, where we were supposed to stop and have a picnic lunch, it became clear that the route hadn’t totally been finished.
“Our picnic stop is abbreviated because there’s a bridge to the east that [was] washed out with the big storms in January, so we can’t cross over the river to get into Fillmore,” Pinoli said.
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Once the storm damage is repaired, Pinoli said they’re hoping to pair with local vendors who could provide food at that halfway point. But because the picnics weren’t set up yet, I packed sandwiches (from a personal Culver City favorite, Monroe Place) that we ate on the ride back.
Pinoli added that they’re hoping to expand railbike tours beyond four days a week and eventually start running food-and-beverage-centered passenger trains along with the railbikes and freight.
By the time we got back to Santa Paula, I was chilly enough that I was looking forward to getting back into my car. And even though I did minimal pedaling, I felt a sense of accomplishment when I returned my helmet to the seat.
Generally, I’m not particularly inclined to shell out more than $200 for an afternoon of biking, but I can understand the appeal for train lovers and people who enjoy marveling at the natural Southern California landscapes.
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“Not to be cheesy, but I low-key get what they were talking about in ‘America the Beautiful,’” my partner said as we gazed at the mountains. I let them revel in that feeling for a minute before informing them that ‘America the Beautiful’ was actually inspired by Pikes Peak in Colorado.
A much needed winter storm continued to move across SoCal on Monday after a weekend of heavy showers and scattered thunder. |Updated Tue, Dec 13, 2022 at 12:36 am PTCULVER CITY, CA — A weekend storm brought record rainfall to parts of Los Angeles County and significant downpour to Culver City, the National Weather Service reported Monday.The storm system continued to move through the region on Monday, bringing scattered showers and more snow to the mountains. Some flooding and hazardous road conditions were repo...
|Updated Tue, Dec 13, 2022 at 12:36 am PT
CULVER CITY, CA — A weekend storm brought record rainfall to parts of Los Angeles County and significant downpour to Culver City, the National Weather Service reported Monday.
The storm system continued to move through the region on Monday, bringing scattered showers and more snow to the mountains. Some flooding and hazardous road conditions were reported over the weekend and on Monday morning.
Rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch were expected through Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service reported. Possible thunderstorms were expected on Monday and the foothills and mountain areas could see up to three-quarters of an inch of rain, the weather service reported.
Widespread rain doused Culver City over the weekend. Over the past three days, the nearby Hollywood Reservoir received 2.14 inches of rain, according to the Public Works Department of Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Sepulveda Canyon recorded 4.18 inches of rain.
Hollywood Burbank Airport reported 1.21 inches of rain on Sunday, breaking a record of 1.09 inches set for the day in 1996. Lancaster reported 0.46 inches of rain, breaking a record of 0.16 inches set for the day in 1993.
It is expected to be cool with warmer days later in the week. There is a threat of frost and freezing conditions at night in the valleys.
In neighboring Orange County, heavy rain fell in the city of Orange Sunday, where firefighters and paramedics pulled a man from the river during a swift water rescue in the area of the Santa Ana River and Garden Grove Boulevard. He was taken to a hospital for follow-up care.
Anaheim broke its record of 0.94 inches of rain in 1994 with a new record of 1.33 inches, the Los Angeles Times reported.
While the winter storm was welcome news in dry Los Angeles, it won’t be enough to combat drought conditions, officials said. According to NOAA, 2022 is the 10th driest year to date over the past 128 years in Los Angeles, down 8.42 inches of rain from normal.
One hundred percent of the county is under moderate drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. About 25 percent of the county is under extreme drought conditions and 0.04 percent is under exceptional drought conditions, NOAA reported.
As for the rest of the season, Very little rain is expected to fall across the Southland as lingering La Niña conditions are forecast to keep the region dry from December through February, according to an update published Nov. 17 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service.
“It should be no surprise that the winter outlook is consistent with typical La Niña impacts, which include a general warmer and drier south, and cooler and wetter north," Jon Gottschalck, chief of the climate center’s operational prediction branch, told the Los Angeles Times.
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