Thu - June 1, 2006

Who’s Protecting the Coast? - Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell


By John Davis

The California Coastal Commission and the City of Los Angeles have a policy the public does not know about. The City illegally issues Coastal Development Permits without telling the State Commission. When the Coastal Commission is informed by the public it asks no questions and fails to enforce the law. This is not just State law but Federal law, the U.S. Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.

Posted at 10:45 PM     Read More  

Ban on Chain Stores sought for Abbot Kinney, Ocean Front Walk


When Dawn Hollier read an L.A. Times article two years ago about citizens of one San Francisco neighborhood organizing to pass an ordinance that banned chain-stores after a Wal-Mart suddenly moved in, she was inspired to take action in her own neighborhood. Hence, Venice Unchained was born.

Posted at 10:00 PM     Read More  

Mighty Hercules defeats Wal-Mart


By Jim Smith

The great Hercules of Greek lore was a giant of a man - half god, half human - for whom no task was too big. The city of Hercules in Northern California is small in population - about half that of Venice - but its city council has more guts than L.A.’s when it comes to taking on the rich and powerful.

Posted at 09:49 PM     Read More  

Don’t Vote for these candidates


Don’t vote for Rocky Delgadillo for Attorney General. He has sided with developers and landlords over tenants, especially at Lincoln Place.

Posted at 08:52 PM     Read More  

The man who can save Lincoln Place, and himself in the process


By Jim Smith

Memo to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa:
Dear Brother Antonio,

Posted at 07:53 PM     Read More  

The Latest from Lincoln Place


By Sheila Bernard

On May 31 at the Los Angeles City Council, there was good news and bad news.
The bad news is that Bill Rosendahl’s motion to record the conditions of the Lincoln Place tract map lost by a vote of 5 to 8.

Posted at 06:55 PM     Read More  

Enjoying Open Space and Green, Green Grass of Home


By C.V. Beck

Over the past few months, as I sit here at the Tent City, California/Frederick Streets, created out of a necessity and an emergency of the residents of Lincoln Place, I have a rare opportunity to observe in peace and quiet, the life of the community around me.

Posted at 05:56 PM     Read More  

Getting a grasp on a greased pig


By Martin Rubin

As a former Santa Monica Airport Commissioner put it, trying to get Santa Monica City officials and airport staff to address the air pollution issue from the airport that they own and operate, is like trying to get a hold of a “greased pig.”

Posted at 04:59 PM     Read More  

Coming in the July issue


It’s that time again. Another birthday for our favorite un-city. It’s time to give her a big send off into the second hundred years.

Send your Venice recollections, inventions, myths and facts about Venice to the Beachhead, POB 2, Venice CA 90294, or to <Beachhead@freevenice.org>.

Posted at 04:57 PM     Read More  

Poetry


• post holiday blues - Rex Butters
• Who Owes Whom? - Margot Pepper
• Soapbox (for John Haag) - Sherman Pearl
• Everyday - Douglas Eisenstark
• Circle of Color - erica snowlake
• That Lincoln - Ingrid Mueller

Posted at 03:04 PM     Read More  

FLASH – the interview


By erica snowlake

Flash is the name he’s going by for this...printed mirror image of human lightning. he is quite mercurial. rajneesh meets elvis meets fat freddy’s cat - whiskers and great chops, lambchops, (got sideburns! get it?) wears all black, the odd pinstripe suit jacket, leather pants, meticulously clean for a dude living in his volvo the past seven moons. loquacious, interesting, fascinating, even. possesses a wisdom apart from the ordinaire. perhaps playing the role of superhero, in his own mind, and, in fact, in reality. definitely pursuing a mission related to godhead. teaching me spanish, so far the words arco iris y pesadilla prove sublime. makes me laugh and gives me hope - if he can sustain positive vibes day to day “out there” what more affirmations of a blessed life do we need? why? flash? and more miraculously, how?

Posted at 03:01 PM     Read More  

David Asper Johnson, Editor and Publisher of The Argonaut


By Carol Fondiller

David Asper Johnson, Editor and Publisher of The Argonaut died on May 17, 2006. I’ve had an interesting relationship with The Argonaut. Part hometown newspaper, part boosterism, the Argonaut was, for a long time, the only other newspaper in the area that had a point of view--that cared admit that it was run by a man with strong opinions.

Posted at 02:03 PM     Read More  

Eviction Disease


By Erin Grayson

The failure to preserve EXISTING rent controlled affordable housing has caused higher rents on the fewer available units. The out of control Real-Estate market drives up inflation, reduces job opportunities for the middle class because employers want to invest in cities where the employees could at least afford to rent an apartment or buy a home. This runaway locomotive has caused more homeless on the streets adding to the 80,000 + homeless population here in LA many of these new homeless are seniors on a fixed income who cannot spend a 700 dollar a month pension entirely on rent. The waiting list for senior housing is from 4-8 years in different parts of LA. How would you feel if this was your own grandmother dealing with the threat of sheriffs banging on their door and forcing them onto the street. This situation is really bad for seniors, students, middle class, jobs, inflation, traffic, smog, environment and the weather. Air flow throughout the city is being clogged.

Posted at 01:05 PM     Read More  

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