By Anne Alvarez Fitness stations versus park benches was the most important item on the Oakwood Park Advisory Board’s agenda, Nov. 1, and quite clearly what drove Venice locals to come out and make their voices heard. According to Lizka Mendoza Oakwood Park Director, final decision for it’s whereabouts are unknown. At one point, according to various people in attendance,...
By Greta Cobar The Venice community won the legal battle to allow social services to continue being provided out of the Vera Davis. However, operating budgets have been slashed significantly by the city of LA, and the organizations operating are reaching out to those who are able to donate money in order to ensure that...
By Roger Linnett The 5th Annual Venice Community BBQ and Picnic held at Oakwood Park July 16 was acclaimed a rousing success by all who attended. In addition to tons of great food and equally tasty music there were games and races and a jumper for the kids, a tug-of-war, a watermelon-eating contest and a...
By Roger Linnett The City tried to push one past the Oakwood Community, and the Community pushed back. The result is that the city’s “done deal” of turning the social service center into an art gallery run by the Cultural Affairs Department (CAD) won’t be happening. Instead, the Community Development Department (CDD) will continue as...
By Roger Linnett The reassignment of the Vera Davis Center to the auspices of the L.A. Cultural Affairs Department is proceeding apace despite the hue and cry of Venice residents that both use and support its many charitable services. However, the city miraculously found $60,000 to pay for keeping the Center open during the coming...
Community organizations that service low income residents in Oakwood from offices in the Vera Davis McClendon Youth and Family Center at 610 California Avenue are worried that they are about to lose their happy home. They learned only on March 28 that the building, which was the old Venice library, was being transferred from the...
The Tabors, one of the founding families of Venice had a reunion was held at the Pacific Residents Theater, March 2. It was conceived and produced by Maryjane and included family photos, documents and other memorabilia. Irvin Tabor, the family Patriarch, was Abbot Kinney’s personal assistant and chauffeur. Kinney willed his home to Tabor, who...
By Jill Prestup Navalette “Novie” Tabor, matriarch of one of Venice’s first families, passed away July 18. She was 95, two months short of her 96th birthday. Born September 7, 1914, Novie was a lifelong Venice resident. Her family moved from Louisiana to Venice when she was 6 months old, and she lived for the...
(This interview originally appeared in the Beachhead’s March 2007 issue) By Rex Butters Beachhead: How long have you been with the historical society? Navalette Tabor Bailey: Oh, about 20 years, I guess. I know it’s been a long time. Beachhead: What does the historical society do? Bailey: They try to restore and protect the original...
By Krista Schwimmer On a small lot next to the Bethel Tabernacle Church, corner of San Juan Avenue and 6th Street, there is now an ancient symbol marked on the earth itself. Found in a multitude of cultures as early as 4,000 years ago, this circular design invites you to pause, to look and to walk....
