September 2008 – The Situation for the Arts on Ocean Front Walk

By Samuel Brantley
The writer has experienced the change in the area’s creativity from what was once free and vibrant to what is now oftentimes quite stifling under the influence of the city’s approach to the new regulations on the lottery system. At first, the experience had been enlightening. It was a time of befriending and [...]

September 2008 – Another View of Spy Cameras

By Laddie Williams
I read and reread last month’s article, It’s Spy Camera’s vs. Street Dealers in Oakwood, and I have these thoughts as a born and raised Venetian. 
I will tell you that the demise of our community is not just the drugs and the homeless, it is the lack of total respect for the entire [...]

September 2008 – Letters

• More on Spy Cameras - Anonymous 
• Long Live Poets! - Krista Schwimmer
• We Are All “Arch” Conservatives – DeDe Audet
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More on Spy Cameras
Dear Beachhead,
I noticed your first page article, written by Ingrid Boon and felt I needed to add to what she wrote. I have known about the cameras for quite some time now, and was surprised to see [...]

September 2008 – With Enough Shovels

By Jim Smith
Groundbreaking for new metered parking spots on Tabor Court, Aug. 14, behind the Abbot Kinney stores, saw Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and various city of Los Angeles bureaucrats wielding shovels on a pile of dirt brought in just for the occasion. The shovels were painted gold, perhaps, to emphasize to Venetians that $800,000 of [...]

September 2008 – City of L.A. Approves Overnight Permit Parking Throughout Venice

Measure Aimed at Homeless but Homeowners and Renters Will Bear Burden of Cost

Appeal Period Ends Sept. 5 at 5pm.

The L.A. Bureau of Engineering has disregarded the overwhelming opposition expressed at the June 26 hearing and has approved the overnight permit parking districts in Venice. Appeals may be filed within 10 days of the date of [...]

September 2008 – A Profile in Courage – Venice Resident, and Secretary of State, Debra Bowen Makes Good

Debra Bowen got her start in politics as the attorney for the Venice Town Council. When she was elected California Secretary of State in 2006, like any good Venetian, her first act was to ban electronic voting machines. This courageous act earned her the attention of the Kennedys. Both Ted and Caroline attended her award [...]

September 2008 – The Never Ending Neighborhood Council Meeting

By C.V. Beck
At this meeting, (which didn’t start until 7:20pm and didn’t end until 10:40), had an 8-page agenda which was largely unreadable to anyone over 30. My feeling was that it was like a cruel and unusual punishment. It was dimly lit by fluorescent lights, chairs were hard and uncomfortable. The auditorium was about [...]

September 2008 – City Not Policing Developer; Oxford Triangle Residents Protest

By Reta Moser
Stand tall Triangle residents. Hopefully, you are about to make a change for the Triangle in reference to JPI. Hopefully, this change will affect all Venetians…maybe all city neighborhood councils.
You with your emails; you with your protesting. Hopefully you are about to change the L.A. City Planning’s ability to ever cripple a neighborhood [...]

September 2008 – Presidential Campaigns Start on Labor Day – Where Will They End?

By Jack Neworth
While Labor Day is upon us, I confess that lately I’ve been doing very little “labor,” unless you count clicking a remote control. With the Olympics, the Democratic Convention, and the U.S. Open I haven’t wasted this much time since the O.J. trial. 
Labor Day isn’t really about labor anymore. It’s a day set-aside [...]

September 2008 – Food Not Bombs – Serving the Community

By Mark Lipman
Often when you speak to people they will tell you that they “Do lots” to help the community, but then suddenly become hard pressed and defensive when you ask them to provide concrete examples. The reason behind this is that “Lots” usually amounts to nothing more than tending to their personal, private, fenced [...]