Sun - July 1, 2007

THE CITY OF VENICE: Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Los Angeles


By Jim Smith

On July 4, people across the country remember and celebrate those heady days of the late 18th Century when our rich white men with wigs defeated the despotic rich white men with wigs in England. Plantation owners, shipping company magnates and crooked land surveyors in the colonies believed that they should be allowed to run their own affairs, and not be ruled from afar.

Posted at 08:11 PM     Read More  

In Brief:


• A Plan for Lincoln Blvd.
• Tsunamis trump High Water
• Hope for Venice Bus Riders
• How much will it take for you to sell out your community?

Posted at 08:00 PM     Read More  

Report from the (Ocean) Front: CHANGE IS ON THE WAY


By Della Franco

The change is coming. That is for sure. Is it all good? For the City, probably. For some artists on the Front, maybe. For the activists who are trying to save the Free Speech Zone they helped create, definitely NOT. So here is what has been going on. In a nutshell, or should I say, a bombshell.

Posted at 07:16 PM     Read More  

One-Way Streets Get a Hearing


By C.V. Beck

On June 20, there was a hearing at Penmar Park Gym in the matter of one way streets being proposed for eastbound on Olympic and westbound on Pico Boulevards. This hearing was presented by the Westside Democratic Club and sparsely attended with about 30 persons in attendance. Len Nguyen was present from the councilman's office and Allyn Rifkin, Transportation Planner/ Engineer presented the concepts which seemed to me like a good idea except for the “contraflow lane proposals”, which I felt were sort of tricky.

Posted at 06:17 PM     Read More  

One More Report Card


Last month the Beachhead collected report cards on Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from readers. Bill got an aggerate grade of B+, while Antonio only got D+.

Posted at 05:18 PM     Read More  

Venice Unchained


By Dawn Hollier and Melissa Bechtel

There is a more vibrant and visible street scene on Abbot Kinney than ever before, and increased parking coming soon. Unfortunately, these conditions are ideal for the chains to pounce. The first chain store on Abbot Kinney is already open. Pinkberry’s backlit corporate logo and scripted service are already poisoning the street's authentic look and feel. Left unchecked, the chains will also hurt the community by squeezing out small businesses, exporting profits, and killing the neighborhood’s identity. We believe that the fun and funky nature of our community is worth saving. Will you help us?

Posted at 04:20 PM     Read More  

Lincoln Place: TENT CITY REPORT


By C.V. Beck

Tent City is taking place weekly, on Saturdays, from 10 to 5 pm, located at the southeast corner of California/Frederick Streets, to the rear of Ralphs and the Ross stores parking lot.

Posted at 03:21 PM     Read More  

A Soldier's Lament


By Don Geagan

As an former solider I know that nothing is more important to military success than the moral and cohesiveness of our fighting forces. From the company level, to the brigade, to the division, this "esprit-de-corps" is the very glue that holds the military together and determines victory or defeat.

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Venetians in the Street


This month’s question from the Beachhead:

Is Venice better off as part of L.A., or would it be better off independent?

Posted at 02:27 PM     Read More  

New City Statue in the Circle Sparks Controversy


After more than two years of dispute over a statue, created by Robert Graham, bought by Roy Doumani, and donated to the city, it has been planted in the Venice traffic circle.

Posted at 01:28 PM     Read More  

A warning to all ye throughout the domain of Venice


- The Wrath of Sir Robert G. -

It was on the second day of the celebration of the summer solstice that we peasants and craftspeople gathered at the place that we in the shire of Venice call the Circle.

Posted at 12:32 PM     Read More  

Shattering Myths About Immigrants: DECONSTRUCTING “OPERATION RETURN TO SENDER”


By Margot Pepper

The cities of Berkeley and Oakland have adopted immigrant sanctuary measures disallowing the use of city funds and staff time in aiding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Posted at 11:34 AM     Read More  

Poetry


• the breeze - By Rex Butters
• CONSIDERING GRACE - By John David West
• Still Near - By Hillary Kaye
• IN LIEU - Hal Bogotch
• Requiem for Stuart Perkoff - Philomene Long

Posted at 10:37 AM     Read More  

Venice Fest


The band Venice performed at Venice Fest on June 24 at Windward Plaza. Venice is made up of cousins Pat Lennon, Kip Lennon, Mark Lennon, Michael Lennon and some others not named Lennon.

Posted at 09:39 AM     Read More  

Astrological Cookery


• General Forecast for July
• Cancer in the kitchen - Home is where the Crab is.

Posted at 08:41 AM     Read More  

THEY’RE HERE! Interview with a Verifiable UFO Lady


Don't Drive Any Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly!
- sign on Linda Lu's front gate

by Erica Snowlake

This past little while's gone supernova. Has it for you?

Posted at 07:44 AM     Read More  

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