A proposal by the Los Angeles City Administrator’s office would eliminate the $1.00 per-year leases for Beyond Baroque and SPARC as well as 116 nonprofit organizations (approximately 16 arts organizations) working in the interest of the public. No economic analysis was conducted on the long term costs of this short-term fix and no non-profits were...
A real bomb filled with explosive poetry began a nationwide tour at Beyond Baroque, April 25. The bomb, now named Elsie, is a brainchild of poet S.A. Griffith. It began life as a 100-pound Vietnam era weapon. Griffith obtained it about two years ago and enlisted help to begin extensive remodeling of the interior and...
Nearly 1,800 Venetians and former Venetians turned out at Venice High School, April 10, to see the new statue, Inspiration, better known as the Myrna Loy statue, unveiled. Most were alumni of the school who had spent their years of study near the old cement statue which suffered from 70 years of vandalism and the elements,...
Noon Saturday, April 10 Venice High School Rededication of Myrna Loy statue Noon: Ceremony; 1-3pm: Souvenirs, Reunion Court, Myrna Loy Films in Auditorium, Live Music, Food Booths. Free The Myrna Loy Statue is a remnant of the golden age of art from 1917 to 1933. During this period Mr. Harry Winebrenner, a nationally recognized sculptor,...
By C.J. Gronner The front of Surfing Cowboys is painted with a sign that says “Purveyors of Beach Culture & California Lifestyle” and that pretty much sums it up. Owners Wayne & Donna Gunther have created a bright, happy space filled with all of the items that make the feeling of California living obtainable, wherever...
Review by Jack Neworth For those born before the time period known as the Sixties or for those who lived through the decade but whose memories have faded from time (or psychedelics) it was perhaps the most turbulent era in modern U.S. history. The phrase “sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll” reflected only part of...
Historical status for the building that housed the Venice West coffeehouse (see photo, right), the Potpourri coffeehouse, the Vox Populi coffeehouse and Sponto Gallery was approved by the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Commission, Jan. 7. That’s just the beginning, says Alan Leib, who initiated the application for historical recognition. Leib, who previously was instrumental in...
By Jim Smith They say that capitalism will sell anything – even ideas or arms designed to bring it down – as long as it makes someone a profit. Capitalism’s interest in making a buck was confirmed with the release of Avatar, a profoundly anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist film. Some say as much as half a...
By Bill Fleeman Long hair, beard, looking like Raskolnikov ‘bout to kill his landlady, back in Baltimore I didn’t fit. I read “On the Road” in ‘58, “The Holy Barbarians”early ‘59. Then I read a U.S. highway roadmap. Broke, no car, I bummed money from a friend and a ride out of town to I...
By Amy V. Dewhurst After 9 months of building, 10 years of lobbying, and 30 years of Skateboard History, Venice’s “Out Front” is finally being immortalized with it’s own park. This Saturday, October 3, 2009, The Dennis ‘Polar Bear’ Agnew Skatepark will open. The much anticipated 2.5 million dollar renovation was made possible with funds...
