New Ordinance: No More Swap Meet on Boardwalk

By Greta Cobar

A revised ordinance has been drafted by downtown city attorneys to stop the selling of merchandise from China that now dominates the Ocean Front Walk and replace it with First Amendment supported activity.

It was drafted to “prohibit vending and excessive noise on public beaches” by amending Section 42.15 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. It is the fourth revised ordinance within the last six years.

The vast majority of Venetians agree with the goal of the proposed legislation. However, the fact that Venetians were not involved by the city attorneys who drafted the document was evident by the comments made at the three meetings concerning the ordinance that took place during the week of July 25, organized by: the Ocean Front Walk Committee, Friends of the Boardwalk / Peacekeeper Project, and Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC). If Venice had cityhood we wouldn’t even have to deal with something coming from distant (in more ways than one) downtown.

The Ocean Front Walk Committee met for six hours on July 25. City Attorneys Mike Nagle and Arletta Maria Brimsey were present to respond to the many concerns, but the most pressing questions, such as why is there no mention of the First Amendment in the ordinance, were just jotted down and were subsequently never answered by the higher-ups.

The good thing about the new ordinance is that it frees the spaces from the stranglehold of the previous lottery system, which made freedom of speech on the boardwalk reliant upon a lottery prize. However, as Ibrahim Butler pointed out at the July 25 meeting, constricting freedom of speech within the space borders currently marked does not make a whole lot of sense either.

Although the draft states that all items sold on the west side of the boardwalk have to have a First Amendment purpose of self-expression by being “inherently communicative,” that same document calls the persons engaging in the stated activity “vendors.” Furthermore, although the lottery system of designating spaces is annihilated, the ordinance still refers to all spaces provided for self-expression as “designated.”

A major omission in the amendment is enforcement, as there is no mention of who, when or how it will be enforced. Performer Stephen Fiske created the Friends of the Boardwalk / Peacekeeper Project to address this issue. According to him the city of Los Angeles and private donors have provided enough money to create a peacekeeping non-profit organization that would employ two supervisors, one bookkeeper and eight part-time peacekeepers who would patrol the boardwalk, four at a time, each in his or her own designated section. The main purpose of the peacekeepers would be to stop people from trying to re-sell merchandise that is not “inherently expressive,” in other words handmade.

Taking enforcement out of the hands of the police sounds great. However, the city would probably continue to put its endorsement and funding behind its police force.  Enforcement of the ordinance may bring additional police presence in Venice, just as it did in 2008, when the last ordinance was enforced.

Another major problem with the draft is that it allows the Board of Recreation and Parks to come up with any and all rules it pleases independent of any other entity. This was brought up by several concerned citizens at the July 28 VNC meeting. Jim Smith asked Nagel and Brimsey, who were present at this meeting as well, why the rules are not defined in the ordinance. He speculated that Recreation and Parks would take advantage of this loophole to sell the ocean front walk space to advertisers.

Yet another provision that most Venetians disagreed with concerns punishment for noncompliance. According to the current draft, a first offense is considered an infraction and carries a $100 fine. However, all subsequent infringements can be considered misdemeanors and can result in $1000 tickets and six months in jail. Handmade jewelry is not considered “inherently expressive” enough to be protected by the First Amendment, said Nagle, and therefore a person could go to jail for six months for selling it. Venetians seemed confused by the difference between body and wall decoration. Why is something protected by the First Amendment if it hangs on a wall, but not on someone’s body? Nagle responded that it is the way it is because the Ninth Circuit Court decided so.

Allocation of spaces is to take place on a first-come, first-served basis, which has a long history of problems on the boardwalk. As Smith pointed out, nothing can stop people from camping out to secure a spot, just like they always have. Although a whole lot better than the lottery, this system promotes hostility and it fosters a sense of ownership of space on the part of the artists.

The sound limit provided in the ordinance prohibits excessive noise, but does not prohibit amplified sound. The document states the allowed decibels as 75 and 96 when measured from 25 feet and one foot respectively. Residents attempted to lower those levels, but they were told that it would be unconstitutional to do so. The fact is that even the established limits are difficult to enforce.

A vague area of the document concerns free speech activity taking place outside designated space. It states that “the activities described in Subsection D (Vending and Performing), but not including Vending, may occur on the Westside of the Boardwalk outside the Designated Spaces, Pagodas, Recreation Area and other areas designed as access points for or constitute routes for emergency ingress and egress.” That leaves a whole lot of space open for Performing, but also for interpretation of what constitutes an emergency route.

And a Performer is a Person, but a Person is legally defined as a company, corporation, business, business trust, joint stock company, or association.  WOW! In no time the whole place will be full of all of the above advertising their multimillion-dollar-making products. As long as no products are actually sold, space can be occupied, signs can be displayed and pamphlets can be passed out under the disguise of some environmental or humanitarian umbrella.

Towards the end of the VNC meeting Amanda Seward asked the downtown reps: “did you try to come up with an ordinance that passes the legal test or with one that has a vision of Venice and considers and promotes what Venice is all about?” The audience’s response suggested the first alternative as true. Nagle responded that all they’re doing is following precedent.

Ira Koslow introduced a motion before the VNC to approve the ordinance with a few changes, such as eliminating the word “designated” when referring to spaces, changing the term “vendor” to “artist,” providing a definition for the term “nominal utility” and mandating that rules created by Recreation and Parks agree in every sense with the ordinance. The Ocean Front Walk Committee agreed that artists should be allowed to sell their handmade jewelry and added “handmade jewelry has to be dealt with separately” to the draft, but the city attorneys stated that it cannot be permitted regardless of the committee’s decision.  Furthermore, some committee members opposed the high fines and jail time enforced for a second violation of the ordinance, but the committee could not agree on a change to the proposed punishments.

The motion passed with no board member voting against it and two out of the 12 present board members abstaining. Ivonne Guzman, one of the board members who abstained, stated that she does not feel comfortable approving an ordinance that we really did not have enough time to consider, that we do not fully agree with, and do not fully understand. She questioned why there was no independent council involved in the negotiations.

The VNC meeting ended with the revised draft being sent back to city council and Venetians hoping that they will take our recommendations seriously. However, those recommendations are nominal in the scheme of things, as we were not allowed to make the changes that we wanted and truly were not given enough time to digest the document and all of its loopholes. The three meetings that took place during the week of June 25 were a nice practice of a democratic process, but in the end did not have a whole lot of fruition.

Letters

Make the Post Office a Bar

Dear Beachhead:

I have to say that I won’t be sad to see that post office go, for several reasons: (1) It’s ugly in there. There’s string hanging from the louvers, crap laying around the counters, and the whole space feels impersonal and bureaucratic. (2) I hate the plexiglass. If we keep the present P.O., we keep the plexi. Makes it like East Germany in there. If we change the post office, maybe the new one can come without that stuff. (3) The help is less than helpful. Let’s just say that they are of widely varying intelligence levels. (4) The mural is historic, but it’s also very weird.

It’s one of the weirdest in the entire Post Office Mural Program (and I know because I am an art historian and I have studied this). Abbot Kinney rising out the doorway, photographically accurate which does him no favors, while the rest of the mural is more loosely painted. Hoo Boy. So I think the Postal Service should sell the building. Let it become a bar or something. And let’s try to make a new post office that we can be a little prouder of.

Patrick Frank
Crescent Place

The 10 Most Ridiculous Anti-Homeless Laws

By Peggy Lee Kennedy

The National Coalition for the Homeless offered a preview of their upcoming report on the criminalization of homelessness by choosing the top ten most ridiculous anti-homeless policies enacted in cities across America.

During the term of an alleged progressive City Council person, the National Coalition for the Homeless has now rated our beloved Venice in the top ten ridiculous laws and actions that ignore human and constitutional rights:

RV Sleeping Ban – Venice, California

“In 2010, Venice CA began strict enforcement of an ordinance banning sleeping in RV’s. This action is reportedly due to resident claims of annoyance from noise and inconvenience from the bulky vehicles. But many homeless [people] live in RV’s, and they need to be close to the city so they can access services. Not allowing them to park and sleep in the city makes getting help all the more difficult. The ordinance was enacted due to reports of some RV owners dumping their sewage in public, but this ban punishes Venice’s homeless who have to choose between living either in their RV or on the streets. This homeless population is assuredly much larger than a couple of bad apples who do not care where their waste ends up.”

The complete article is at  http://bit.ly/q1P5Ls

Historic Gondola Returned to Former Site of Canal Lagoon

By Nikki Gilbert

Eighty years after the last canals were drained, filled in and paved to make way for automobiles, the iconic symbol of Venice has returned to its rightful location, the Grand Lagoon.

On Friday, July 1, a replica of an historic gondola was installed at Windward Circle, which was the site of the lagoon and the central nexus of the canal system.

A group of volunteers, made up of lifelong Venetians from the Venice Historical Society transported the gondola to its new home.

The gondola was originally varnished, bringing out the beautiful colors of the wood. It also came with its distinctive oarlock, called a forcola, and its signature long, single oar.

Over the years the oar has disappeared, the normally open gondola was covered over from the seat to the bow to protect it from the elements and somewhere along the way was painted the light blue it wears today.

It was built from original plans by Arthur L. Reese, who designed the gondolas that cruised the canals back in the early 1900s.

In the 1960s Home Savings Bank contacted Reese to obtain the plans so they could build a replica to exhibit in front of the bank at Lincoln and Milwood.

The bank’s current occupant, Chase, donated the boat to the Venice Historical Society.

Because it is a replica and somewhat fragile, it bears a sign warning people not to climb upon it, and security cameras have also been installed in the area to prevent vandalism.

Oakwood Barbecue Draws Hundreds

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 food competition.

The BBQing duties were expertly handled again this year by the firefighters from Venice’s own Station #63, and the enormous, mobile MOAB (Mother Of All BBQs).  (You’d think those guys deal with enough smoke already, though, come to think of it, probably not as appetizing.)

A host of volunteers served up a wonderful array of “pot luck” side dishes, including various green and pasta salads, the essential and traditional baked beans and much more brought by a host of area residents to complement the BBQ’d chicken, pulled pork and hot dogs served up by the firemen and volunteers. A nice assortment of homemade cookies and cupcakes provided a sweet finish to the delicious meals.

A line of hungry Venetians, that snaked its way across the grassy field, barely diminished in length during the entire afternoon. Between 1,200 and 1,500 people were fed thanks to the efforts of the firemen, the volunteers and the donations by the event’s many Venice-area sponsors.

VNC President Linda Lucks served as M.C., introducing several featured speakers, including Deputy Mayor Larry Frank, who was pleased to announce that the city’s libraries, including our own Abbot Kinney Branch would return to a six day-a-week schedule starting July 18, due in large part, he said, to the employees of the City of L.A., who helped ease the city’s financial problems by making concessions in their compensation and benefits.

The ubiquitous Councilman Bill Rosendahl was on hand, and gave out four Certificates of Recognition to the BBQ Committee that included Barklie Griggs, who organized the BBQ portion of the event and spent two days prepping and cooking, Mindy Meyer, Daryl Barnett and Carolyn Rios of the VNC.

Part of the festivities included a competition and prizes for the best entry in several food categories. Ana Metcalf’s acclaimed 5-bean salad took the prize for best side dish, and Chad Mann won the best dessert prize for his sublime lemon bars. Also, the VNC conducted a raffle for some great donated door prizes, which included bottles of wine and a stay at the Hotel Erwin.

Music for the afternoon’s festivities was supplied by four musically distinctive, but equally polished, acts, perfectly suited to the occasion. Kicking off the fun was the New Bethel Baptist Church Choir – a wonderfully powerful and enthusiastic group whose joyful sound washed over the crowd like the warm breezes off the ocean and set the mood for a one-big-happy-neighborhood block party.

Following them was Alejandro and his guitar. Compared to the choir who filled the stage, Alejandro almost looked lonely on the big stage, but his clean, clear voice and rousing ‘n’ rocking artistry on the guitar matched them in volume and set the audience’s toes to tappin’ as he pounded out one upbeat pop classic song after another.

After the announcements and acknowledgements mentioned above, it was time for the Venice Kazoo Band, showcasing our abundant local talent. They were a perfect warm up for J.T. Ross and his blues band. They took the stage for a raucous set of authentic Chicago-style blues with J.T. on harmonica. Echoes of Paul Butterfield, Elvin Bishop and Mike Bloomfield charged the atmosphere and took the party up another notch.

Rounding out the afternoon’s musical tetrad was the 7-piece Ska/Reggae band, FuDogs. Combining spot-on covers of The English Beat, Elvis Costello and Chicago with some original compositions, FuDogs had a whole herd of folks, dubbed “The Grass Dancers,” and everyone else for that matter, hoppin’ and boppin’ to their infectious, brassy sound.

When it came time to call it a day, everyone gave the organizers, volunteers and firemen a rousing round of appreciative applause and then dragged themselves home for a late afternoon nap while a dedicated band of volunteers removed any sign of the good times, save the stage and huge canopy, until next year.

Tisha Bedrosian, First President of the Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council

By Jim Smith

No one worked harder than Tisha Bedrosian to create a neighborhood council in Venice. And no one had a more controversial term, or resigned before it was over.

The 50-year-old Bedrosian died July 19 of cancer. She had ceased to be an active player in Venice politics in 2004. However, from 2000 to 2004 she worked tirelessly to build the neighborhood council. It was one of the first councils to be certified by the city.

Current leaders of the neighborhood council could learn something from her drive and organizing ability. She told Betsy Goldman of the Venice Vanguard in 2004 that there were 200 volunteers in the group. It was also reported that the email list included more than 900 contacts. Meetings frequently were attended by 100 to 200 or more residents.

In spite of a cheery beginning, the neighborhood council was beset by infighting, which some blamed on Bedrosian. One officer of the GRVNC was quoted in the Beachhead in 2003 as stating that “Tisha’s style was divide and conquer, not consensus building.”

Bedrosian aligned herself with the Rose Avenue Working Group led by Rick Feibusch. The group focused on getting the homeless off Rose Avenue, and went after merchants who sold to them. It ultimately succeeded in convincing the landlady of the St. Joseph’s homeless drop-in center at Rose and 4th Street to evict the group.

Divisions were not long in coming at the neighborhood council. In November 2002, a motion to elect board members by Instant Runoff (IRV) passed overwhelming. In the ensuring weeks opposition emerged to the election process, which guarantees that the winner in an election has a majority, not just a plurality. Bedrosian called a special meeting at the Venice Foursquare Church in December to reconsider the motion, an unheard of step at that time. After a rancorous debate, a vote was taken which resulted in a tie, at one hundred votes pro and con. Bedrosian, who was chairing the meeting, then voted to break the tie by voting against IRV.

Many of those attending were incensed, not just at the loss of IRV but by what they considered the high-handed reconsideration and conduct of the meeting. A short time later Venice Progressives, a new organization, was formed to contest the upcoming elections. Bedrosian’s allies quickly formed their own group variously called “Grvnics” (groovnics) or “Team Venice.”

In the first election of the neighborhood council, June 13, 2002,, Bedrosian ran unopposed and won 416 of the 621 votes casts. Her groovnic allies won 11 additional seats on the 21-member board. Venice Progressives contested 12 seats and won eight and tied one.

In the election held one year later, in which half the seats were up for reelection, Venice Progressives won a clear majority on the Board.

Bedrosian and two others, John Caldwell and Chris Williams, resigned their seats before the new board was seated. Lincoln Place Tenant Association President Sheila Bernard replaced Bedrosian as president.

After her meteoric rise and fall, Bedrosian was seldom seen at neighborhood council meetings or other public events in Venice.

Film Review: If A Tree Falls

By Mary Getlein

Coming home from seeing the movie If A Tree Falls, coming home on the #1 Bus. We pass car dealership lots – I imagine them igniting in flame as we pass. What would this world look like if we all destroyed the things we hated?

The trees are still here in Venice and Santa Monica. They wanted to cut down all the ficus trees in Santa Monica, but they’re still there. What is not there are huge 500-year-old trees that used to live in Northern California and are now gone, thanks to clear cutting practices of the lumber companies. What else is gone? Wild horses, there were all taken away, killed, ground up for dog food. These are a few of the things that drove peaceful demonstrators over the edge and led to the formation of E.L.F. – the Earth Liberation Front, which had 14 members.

There was also cruel and heavy-handed response by the police in Oregon and Washington to peaceful civil disobedience. The film shows police beating protesters and spraying them with pepper spray, directly into their eyes. In one demonstration, protesters were in the limbs of the trees that were scheduled to be cut down by the Eugene, Oregon City Council, to make way for a parking lot for a corporation. The police arrived on cherry pickers and proceeded to cut the pants of demonstrators and spray their entire bodies with pepper spray, including their legs and genitals, which is extremely painful and can last a week, with your limbs swelling up as a reaction to the poison.

The film’s main focus is Daniel Cowan and what led him off the path of peaceful demonstration to be willing to participate in the arson of properties of corporations, meat packing plants, Ranger stations, lumber companies, car lots, wild horse corrals, and universities suspected of doing genetic engineering on trees.

Daniel was a product of a loving family, growing up in Rockaway Beach in New York, and went on to become a business major in college. He graduated and got a job in corporate America, in New York City. He went to Northern California for a retreat run by Earth First, which showed him films of clear cutting old growth forests, oil spills, harpooning of whales and strip mining of mountain tops, which he had never seen before. At the end of retreat there was a demonstration against clear cutting forests. Daniel participated in this and got arrested. They show his arrest photo, and he had a big smile on his face. Clearly, he had found his calling, and went on to participate in more demonstrations, and moved to Northern California.

Police response to peaceful protesting was one of the main reasons people gave for going past the rules of non-violent civil disobedience. People would chain themselves together, with metal sleeves over the chains, so police had no way to separate them. The police would grab a protester by the head and spray pepper spray directly into their eyes. Protesters felt that none of the non-violent tactics were working and E.L.F. was born. There were over 1200 Arson reports that E.L.F. claimed credit for, but there was no loss of life in any of them. it was an extremely secretive organization which did not get caught at any of the arson. They did not look like crazed activists and looked like “normal” Americans. The arson happened in the lat 1990’s.

Daniel McGowan was directly involved in two of the arsons, the first as a look-out, and in the second he directly participated in it. They targeted a garage of a tree farm that was suspected of genetic engineering of trees. It turned out their information was wrong, and the tree farm was just using hybrid plants, which is a technique that has been used for thousands of years.

On the same weekend, other members of E.L.F. targeted the greenhouse laboratory of the University of Washington, which was also reported to be doing genetic engineering on trees. This information was also proven to be false, and the fires got out of control and burned part of the library at the University.

Daniel Cowan felt sick about this and questioned the effectiveness of arson as a tactic. This time, he flew back to New York to be present at his sister’s birthday. Once back there, he realized he loved his family and wanted to stay there. E.L.F. disbanded over questions of tactics and what direction they wanted to take, and they went their separate ways. Five years went by, and everyone thought they got away with it.

The FBI had a hard time finding any evidence until they found Jake Ferguson, who had been there at the first E.L.F. arson. He had been involved in many arsons and demonstrations, and had become a heroin addict. He was relatively easy to turn into an informer. Most heroin addicts are. He also had a young son who did not want to have to come and visit his Dad in jail. The prosecutors realized he would not be a credible witness, as he had a pentagram tattooed on his head, so they convinced him to wear a wire and fly around the country visiting his old friends, getting them to incriminate themselves on tape. The U.S. Government got most of the E.L.F. members to cooperate with them and give up fellow members, in exchange for shorter sentences. They were all arrested in December 2005.

The Oregon police were happy to catch them and charge them with arson, but the federal prosecutors insisted on charging them as “eco-terrorists”, which led to Daniel being sentenced to a specially built institution within an institution, the C.M.U. (Communication Management Unit) in Marion, Illinois. The C.M.U. was built to house mostly Muslim terrorists, since 9/11. It limits communication with family members, the media, and the outside world. Prisoners can only meet with their family for two four-hour visits a month, behind glass.

A Government prosecutor is quoted as saying, “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.” Daniel McGowan does not look or sound like anyone’s idea of a terrorist. He looks like a teddy bear kind of guy, a little chubby, good with small children and animals.

A Government prosecutor is quoted: “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.” Daniel McGowan does not look or sound like anyone’s idea of a terrorist. E.L.F. did multi-millions of dollars worth of damage to many companies, but they would maintain that those companies are the real terrorists. When you look at clear cutting and see a landscape totally devoid of trees, it is really devastating. The activists make the point that when there is an oil spill and damage is done to the environment, and all the living creatures in it, that no FBI forces march in and put them in handcuffs and call them eco-terrorists. All they do is pay fines, which they can well afford, and continue to reap huge profits, while continuing to pollute the planet.

Daniel McGowan was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2007, so he will be out in 2014. Jake Ferguson, who was involved in many more arsons than Daniel, received no time at all. He is currently residing in the Eugene area.

This film was directed by Marshall Curry and co-directed by Sam Cullman. It is appearing at small theaters around the country and will be shown on PBS and BBC Television, which provided funds for the film. I highly recommend the film, which is an acute learning experience. This film raises a lot of questions, with no clear answers.

Text of the Draft Ocean Front Walk Ordinance

As a public service, the Free Venice Beachhead is printing the Draft Ordinance in its entirety:

An ordinance amending Section 42.15 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code to prohibit vending and excessive noise on beaches or upon immediately adjacent boardwalks, sidewalks and public ways.

THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES

DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Section 42.15 of the Los Angeles Municipal code is amended to read:

SEC. 42.15. VENDING AND EXCESSIVE NOISE ON BEACHES PROHIBITED.

A. Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following words or phrases shall have the following meanings:

1. Board. The Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners of the City of Los Angeles.

2. Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is the manmade promenade that runs parallel to the beach and is designated or referred to as “Ocean Front Walk” or just the “Boardwalk.” The Boardwalk runs from the City of Santa Monica on the north to the City of EI Segundo on the south. A map depicting the Boardwalk is available for inspection and copying at the Police Substation or at the Recreation Office.

3. City. The City of Los Angeles, a municipal corporation, acting by or through any of its officers, employees or agencies, including, but not limited to, the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks.

4. Designated Space or Designated Spaces. A Designated Space or Designated Spaces are the 205 areas on the Boardwalk designated by the City and located between Navy Street on the north and 1yth Avenue on the south. A map depicting the Designated Spaces is available for inspection and copying
at the Police Substation or at the Recreation Office.

5. Department. The Department of Recreation and Parks of the City of Los Angeles.

6. Donation. A gift; a voluntary act which is not required and does not require anything in return.

7. Food. Any type of edible substance or beverage.

8. Goods or Merchandise. Any items that are not food.

9. Pagodas. The shade structures and seating, plus the area within a ten foot radius around each of the shade structures and seating, located on the Boardwalk at Clubhouse Avenue, Breeze Avenue, Park Avenue, Sunset Avenue and Dudley Avenue. A map depicting the Pagodas is available for inspection
and copying at the Police Substation or at the Recreation Office.

10. Perform, Performing, Performance or Performances. To present or enact a play, work of music, work of art, physical or mental feat, or other constitutionally protected entertainment or form of expression.

11. Performer. A Performer is a Person who Performs. Performer includes the employers, employees, and agents of a Performer.

12. Person or Persons. One or more natural persons, individuals, groups, businesses, business trusts, companies, corporations, joint ventures, joint stock companies, partnership, entities, associations, clubs or organizations composed of two or more individuals (or the manager, lessee, agent, servant, officer or employee of any of them), whether engaged in business, nonprofit or any other activity.

13. Police Substation. The Police Substation is the Los Angeles Police Department office building located at 17th Avenue and Ocean Front Walk.

14. Program Rules. Rules adopted by the Board pursuant to its Charter authority and made applicable to use of the public space on and adjacent to the Boardwalk. The Program Rules will be adopted at a duly noticed public hearing at which the public is provided an opportunity to comment, as required by the Ralph M. Brown Act, at least ten (10) days prior to implementation. The Program Rules, as may be amended from time-to-time by the Board, shall be available for inspection and copying at the Police Substation or at the Recreation Office.

15. Pushcart. Any mobile device that holds Food or Goods or Merchandise, as defined in this Subsection, and is used to vend.

16. Recreation Area. The area between Horizon and 20thAvenues that includes the Boardwalk, grassy areas, the Police Substation, which is co-located with an office of the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks, Muscle Beach, paddle tennis courts, skate park, skate plaza and other recreational facilities. This does not include the area west of the Boardwalk immediately adjacent to this area. A map of the Recreation Area is available for inspection and copying at the Police Substation or at the Recreation Office.

17. Recreation Office. The Recreation Office is an office of the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks that is physically co-located with the Police SUbstation at 1th Avenue and Ocean Front Walko

18. Sunset. Sunset is the time at which the sun’s disk descends below the western horizon. The precise moment of Sunset is listed in almanacs and newspapers of general circulation in Los Angeles.

18. Vend or Vending. To sell, offer for sale, expose or display for sale, solicit offers to purchase, or to barter Food, Goods or Merchandise, or services in any area from a stand, table, Pushcart, motor vehicle, bicycle, or by a Person with or without the use of any other device or other method of transportation, or to require someone to pay a fee or to set, negotiate, or establish a fee before providing Food, Goods or Merchandise, or services, even if characterized by the Vendor as a Donation.

19. Vendor. A Vendor is a Person who Vends. Vendor includes the employers, employees, and agents of a Vendor.

20. Westside of the Boardwalk. The area on the ocean-side of the Boardwalk. A map depicting the Westside of the Boardwalk is available for inspection and copying at the Police Substation or at the Recreation Office.

B. Findings and Purposes. The City Council of the City of Los Angeles finds and declares as follows:

1. The Boardwalk is a major tourist attraction in the City. Historically, the Boardwalk is significant as a traditional public forum for its performance and visual artists, as well as other free speech activity. Unregulated Vending and Performances adversely affect the historic character of the Boardwalk, hamper rather than encourage a wide-variety of performances, visual artists and other free speech activity, as well as jeopardize the public safety of visitors to the Boardwalk, resulting in an economic and cultural loss to the City. Therefore, the Boardwalk requires reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions to retain its unique historic character as a center of performance, art, and other free speech activity, preserve its status as a tourist attraction, protect the commercial life of the Boardwalk, and ensure the safety and enjoyment of residents, visitors, advocates, artists, performers, and Vendors alike. Due to its unique historical, geographical, and physical characteristics, the Boardwalk requires its own set of rules and regulations different from other public parks in the City.

2. Unregulated Vending and Performing harms the Boardwalk, and therefore must be regulated because:

(a) Tourists are deterred from visiting or shopping at the Boardwalk as they are constantly approached, solicited, and sometimes harassed by unregulated Vendors and Performers. Regulation is
therefore necessary to manage the time, place, and manner of Vending on the Boardwalk, in order to ensure that tourists are not deterred from visiting or shopping at the Boardwalk;

(b) The amount of space on the Boardwalk that is available for performing and visual artists and for political advocacy is limited due to the size of the Boardwalk and the large crowds of visitors that the Boardwalk attracts. Due to the limited amount of space, unregulated Vending along the Boardwalk prevents many Persons from engaging in performance, art, advocacy or other expressive activities. The lack of regulations for Vending, Performing and noise has resulted in conflicting claims for the available spaces. Numerous altercations occurred, in competition for locations and amounts of space, during time periods in which the City lacked regulations for noise and a system for allocating available space for Vending and Performing. Frequently, the altercations became violent requiring law enforcement response to preserve the public peace.

Persons wishing to secure spaces often arrived prior to dawn and created loud noise in setting up their displays, thereby disturbing the public peace, including the peace of the residents on and near the Boardwalk, and requiring a law enforcement response. Unregulated, the Boardwalk became a place where only the strongest and earliest arrivals could secure space to exercise their rights of free expression without threat of intimidation. Regulation is necessary, therefore, to manage the use of the limited space on the Boardwalk to prevent conflicting claims for the space and to allocate the limited space available fairly to all who desire to use it for lawful purposes;

(c) Tables, Pushcarts, stands, and equipment of Vendors and Performers impede the orderly movement of pedestrian traffic and may make the Boardwalk unsafe for pedestrians by limiting the City’s ability to effect crowd management and control. Regulating the use of equipment by Vendors and Performers therefore is necessary to manage the orderly movement of pedestrian traffic. Regulation also is necessary to avoid injuries to pedestrians as well as ensure the existence of emergency and non-emergency ingress and egress between the beach and the Boardwalk;

(d) The Vendors, Performers and their equipment impede the ingress and egress of emergency and public safety vehicles by creating physical obstacles to emergency response and administration of aid to those in need of immediate medical attention and to victims of criminal activity. Regulation is therefore necessary to ensure that Vendors, Performers and their equipment do not interfere with emergency response vehicles that provide assistance to individuals with medical needs and victims of criminal activity;

(e) Unregulated Vending has resulted in the sale of stolen, defective or counterfeit merchandise. Regulation therefore is necessary to protect the public and the Boardwalk commercial life;

(f) Unregulated Vending causes visual clutter/blight along the Boardwalk, impedes views of the beach and the Pacific Ocean, and threatens the City’s ability to attract tourists and preserve businesses along the Boardwalk. Regulation therefore is necessary to manage the number of Vendors, the size of their equipment and displays, and the location of Vending activity;

(g) Unregulated Vending creates unnecessary, excessive and annoying noise on the Boardwalk, is detrimental to the public health, welfare and safety and contrary to the public interest, harms residents, the commercial life of the Boardwalk and the historic character of the Boardwalk, and diminishes the quality of life for those who visit, live or work on or near the Boardwalk. Regulation therefore is necessary to establish restrictions on noise at the Boardwalk; and

(h) The Recreation Area is a site that is uniquely suitable to and frequently used for events that require pre-planning and advanced notice. The Recreation Area is the location of the Police Substation where vehicles require the ability for unobstructed ingress and egress. Due to the size, shape, and physical attributes of the Recreation Area, it is also a site uniquely suitable to and used by many Persons for skateboarding, paddle tennis, and other sports and exercise. The Recreation Area is the home of historic “Muscle Beach,” a popular tourist attraction.

C. Beach Vending Prohibition. Except as specifically allowed in this Section, no Person shall engage in Vending upon any public beach lands or properties adjoining the waterfront of the Pacific Ocean, or upon any immediately adjacent Boardwalk, sidewalk or public way between the southerly boundary of the City of Santa Monica and the northerly boundary of the City of EI Segundo and between the northwesterly boundary of the City of Santa Monica and the northwesterly boundary of the City of Los Angeles.

D. Vending and Performing on Designated Spaces. To address the findings and purposes set forth in this Section, the City has created reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on Vending and noise, as well as to facilitate Performing. To preserve the Boardwalk’s rich history of fostering new artists, performance, and other free speech activity, the City has divided the available space on the Boardwalk into 205 areas, known as Designated Spaces, where:

1. Persons can engage in traditional expressive speech and petitioning activities, and can Vend the following expressive items: newspapers, leaflets, pamphlets, bumper stickers, patches and/or buttons.

2. Persons can Vend the following items, which have been created, written or composed by the Vendor or Performer: books, audio, video, or other recordings of their performances, paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures or any other item that is inherently communicative and has nominal value apart from its communication. Although an item may have some expressive purpose, it will be deemed to have more than nominal utility apart from its communication if it has a common and dominant non-expressive purpose. Examples of items that have more than nominal utility apart from their communication and thus are subject to the
Vending ban under the provisions of this Section, include but are not limited to, the following: housewares, appliances, articles of clothing, sunglasses, auto parts, oils, incense, perfume, crystals, lotions, candles, jewelry, toys and stuffed animals.

3. Performers can Perform.

E. Allocation and Use of Designated Spaces. The City’s Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners shall designate a total of 205 spaces on the Boardwalk, which will be referred to as the “Designated Spaces.” The Designated Spaces will be available for use in accordance with a first-come, first-served allocation system or any other legally permissible allocation system adopted by the Board at a duly noticed public hearing at which the public is provided an opportunity to comment, as required by the Ralph M. Brown Act, and made effective by posting at the Recreation Office for at least ten (10) days prior to implementation.

The 205 Designated Spaces shall be made available for the activities described in Subsection D above. Five of the Designated Spaces shall be double-sized, large act spaces for Performers whose number of Performers plus audience can be anticipated to exceed 25 Persons. Two of the regular-sized Designated Spaces shall be made available for Persons engaging in any activity that is described in Subsection D and who are predominantly giving away Food. The remainder of the regular-sized, Designated Spaces shall be made available for Persons engaging in any exempt activity described in Subsection D.

Persons using the 205 Designated Spaces are subject to, and shall comply with, the following restrictions and the Program Rules adopted by the Board:

1. The five double-sized large act Performer spaces are the only spaces able to safely accommodate a large audience and, therefore, in order to facilitate a variety of Performers on and proximate to these spaces, the
Performer spaces are subject to a rotation requirement, whereby each Performer using one of the five Performer spaces shall relinquish the space on the hour, every hour, whenever another Performer is waiting to use the Performer space in which the Performer is Performing.

2. No Person shall Vend any item in a Designated Space, except as expressly authorized by Subsection D.

3. No Person shall place or allow anything in any Designated Space to extend beyond the boundaries of the Designated Space nor place anything adjacent to the Designated Space nor obstruct or impede the access areas between the Designated Spaces.

4. No Person shall Vend in, Perform in, or place or allow any item to extend into a desiqnated emergency ingress and egress area. A map depicting the emergency ingress and egress areas is available for inspection and copying at the Police Substation or at the Recreation Office.

5. No Person shall place or allow any item (except an umbrella, sun shade, easel or display board) exceeding four feet above ground in any Designated Space, nor shall any Person cause or allow a Designated Space to be enclosed on more than two sides. An umbrella or sun shade shall not exceed eight feet above ground. An easel or display board shall not exceed 68 inches in height.

6. No Person occupying a Designated Space shall leave that Designated Space for a period longer than 45 minutes without first removing all items from the Designated Space.

7. No Person shall occupy more than a single regular-sized or double- sized Designated Space at any given time, nor shall any Person solicit another Person to obtain or occupy a Designated Space on his or her behalf.

8. No Person shall purchase, sell, barter or exchange any Designated Space with any other Person.

9. No Person shall set up or set down items in, take down items from or block, or attempt to reserve a Designated Space between Sunset and 9:00 a.m.

10. Any umbrella used in connection with the activities authorized in the Designated Spaces must be adequately secured in an upright position with a diameter no greater than eight feet

11. Designated Spaces must be kept clean and litter, debris, or any marking must be removed from the Designated Space by the later of Sunset or when the Person vacates the Designated Space.

12. No open flames combustible fuel or gasoline-fueled generators are allowed in any Designated Space. Electric cords may not be connected outside the assigned space or to any City or private power source.F. Special Rules for Other Areas of the Boardwalk.

F. Special Rules for Other Areas of the Boardwalk.

1. Areas Outside of the Designated Spaces, Pagodas, and Recreation Area.

(a) Areas where use of equipment is prohibited. The activities described in Subsection 0 may occur in all areas covered by this Section outside the Designated Spaces, Pagodas, and Recreation Area, provided that no Person may set up a display table, easel, stand, equipment or other furniture, use a Pushcart or other vehicle or place any item on the property defined in Subsection C except as provided in Paragraph (b) of this Subdivision.

(b) Areas where limited use of equipment is permitted. The activities described in Subsection 0, but not including Vending, may occur on the Westside of the Boardwalk outside the Designated Spaces, Pagodas, Recreation Area and other areas designed as access points for or constitute routes for emergency ingress and egress. In connection with permissible activities in the area on the Westside of the Boardwalk,
outside the Designated Spaces, Pagodas, Recreation Area and other areas designated for emergency ingress and egress, a Person may set up a display table, easel, stand, equipment or other furniture, a Pushcart or other vehicle, or place an Item on the ground in the areas where limited use of equipment is permitted, subject to reasonable size and height restrictions set forth in paragraph E.5., herein, provided the equipment or the activity associated with the equipment does not materially impede or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or areas designed for emergency ingress and egress. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to allow a person to use or set up equipment in connection with Vending.

(c) The areas in which use of equipment is prohibited and areas in which limited use of equipment is permitted is available for inspection and copying at Police Substation or Recreation Office.

2. The Recreation Area.

(a) The Recreation Area is a limited space containing a confluence of public safety ingress and egress routes, and at which pre- planned events, recreation activities and tourism occur. The City’s Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners may allocate use of the Recreation Area through the adoption of Program Rules detailing an advance reservation system or any other legally permissible allocation system, and the advance reservation system or other legally permissible allocation system contained in the Program Rules will be adopted by the Board at a duly noticed public hearing at which the public is provided an opportunity to comment, as required by the Ralph M. Brown Act, and made effective after reasonable public notice by posting at the Recreation Office for at least ten (10) days prior to implementation. A copy of the Program Rules shall be available for inspection and copying at the Police Substation or the Recreation Office.

(b) No Vending, and no display tables, easels, stands, equipment, Pushcarts or other vehicles, or structures shall be allowed in the Recreation Area except as may be expressly authorized in connection with the pre-approval of the Board.

(c) No Person shall use the Recreation Area or any part of the Recreation Area while the Recreation Area or any part of the Recreation Area has been reserved, set aside, is being used, set up, maintained or designed for a specific recreational purpose, park purpose or event authorized by the City through the Department or Board. When the City, through the Department or Board, has reserved, intends to use, set up, maintain or designate the Recreation Area or any part of the Recreation Area for a specific recreational purpose, park purpose or event, the Department will make available for inspection and copying at the Police Substation or Recreation Office information describing the nature of the authorized park purpose or event, the location of the park purpose or event and the times during which the park purpose or event will take place.

G. Use of City Property for Vending, Performing, or Display Prohibited. No Person shall use or obstruct access to any City-owned or maintained property or equipment, including, but not limited to, street furniture, benches, planters, trash receptacles, Pagodas or other structures or equipment installed on public property, for Vending, Performing, or display of anything whatsoever.

H. Noise Regulation for all Property on or Immediately Adjacent to the Boardwalk.

1. No Person shall create any noise, or allow the creation of any noise, which causes the noise level to exceed the following Lmax levels between 9:00 a.rn. and Sunset:

(a) 75 dBA, when measured at a minimum distance of 25 feet from the source of the noise; or,

(b) 96 dBA, when measured at a minimum distance of one foot from the source of the noise.

When Lmax levels are measured for noise emanating from a building located on private property adjacent to the Boardwalk, the measurement shall be taken from the property line dividing the private property and the Boardwalk.

2. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as prohibiting the City from enforcing other provisions of this Code regulating noise and sound levels. At all times, the noise and sound provisions of Chapter 11 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, Sections 111 through 115, inclusive, and Los Angeles Municipal Code Sections 63.44B.6, 41.42,41.57,53.63 shall apply.

3. No Person shall interfere with or resist the taking of any noise measurement authorized by this Section.

I. Violations. Any Person violating a provision of this Section shall be subject to the following penalties:

1. First violation. A first violation of this Section shall be an infraction punishable by a fine in the amount of $100.

2. Second and subsequent violations. A second violation and all subsequent violations shall be subject to the provisions of Section 11.00 of the L.A.M.C, including prosecution as an infraction punishable by a fine in the amount of $250, or prosecution as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both a fine and imprisonment.

3. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as prohibiting the City from enforcing any and all other provisions of this Code. At all times, Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 63.44, which regulates the use of park and recreational facilities, shall apply.

J. Other Applicable Opening and Closing Hours. Nothing in this Section amends or extends the opening or closing hours otherwise established by law for any area subject to this Section.

K. Posted Notice. The City shall post signs providing notice of the existence of rules for the allocation and use of the Designated Spaces, Recreation Area and Boardwalk areas outside the Designated Spaces. A complete copy of this Section shall be available for inspection and copying at the Police Substation or at the Recreation Office.

L. Severability. If any provision or application of a provision of this Section is held invalid, the remainder of the Section and application of its provisions will not be affected.

Sec. 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance and have it published in accordance with Council policy, either in a daily newspaper circulated
in the City of Los Angeles or by posting for ten days in three public places in the City of Los Angeles: one copy on the bulletin board located at the Main Street entrance to the Los Angeles City Hall; one copy on the bulletin board located at the Main Street entrance to the Los Angeles City Hall East; and one copy on the bulletin board located at the Temple Street entrance to the Los Angeles County Hall of Records.

Easing The Automobile Out Of Venice

By Jim Smith

Getting around Venice can be a problem if you don’t have a car. Even then, if you park your car on the street, don’t even think about moving it on a sunny weekend, or nearly any time during summer days. First Friday can extend the problem well into the evening if you live in Central Venice, Oakwood or Milwood.

In spite of having a problem that affects thousands of Venetians, no one seems to be working on a solution. The MTA doesn’t care. Bill Rosendahl’s advisory transportation committee is too busy looking at the big picture to address intra-community transportation problems. There is no Venice committee or organization that addresses this issue.

What exactly is the problem? First of all, there are too many cars in Venice. When Abbot Kinney founded our city in 1904-05, there were few cars and not many places to drive one. Most visitors came to Venice on an excellent rail system. Locals mostly walked around the town which hardly extended east of what is now Abbot Kinney Blvd. Or instead of walking, they could hop on the tram that plied Ocean Front Walk. Many streets were canals and the remainder, with a few exceptions, were and are, narrow.

Until more affluent residents moved to Venice beginning in the 1980s, many Venetians either did not have a car, or had one car per family. In the 1970s, the energy crisis had made small Japanese cars popular.

Detroit struck back by mounting station wagon bodies on large trucks and calling them SUVs. Gasoline became plentiful again and was sold at the lowest prices ever (adjusted for inflation). The growing popularity of Venice as a tourist attraction meant thousands of big vehicles were competing for Venice’s anemic supply of parking places. In recent times, the supply has shrunk even more as the City of Los Angeles has put up restrictive parking signs and red curbs without regard to the needs of local residents.

Growing numbers of Venetians have abandoned their cars for short trips and recreation by bicycle. However, Venice has lagged far behind many biking cities in protecting bike riders and in providing them with equal rights with other vehicles (cars and trucks). The only buffered or separate bike path in Venice is on the beach. Biking down Lincoln Blvd. can be considered a suicide attempt. The ill-considered painting of sharrows on Abbot Kinney Blvd. makes riding a bike there more dangerous because it gives riders a false sense of security. Some cities in Europe have closed some streets to autos and other streets to bikes.

In Venice biking, skating and walking are three popular alternatives to driving. Some streets, particularly near the beach, should be considered for skating lanes.

Nobody walks in L.A., but lots of people walk in Venice, and always have. You might think that there would be lots of accommodations for walkers. There are a few. Ocean Front Walk is the best. No cars and no bikes allowed. Police cars and bikes constantly violate this rule (anyone want to make a citizen’s arrest?). They should not be allowed in vehicles unless it is a genuine emergency. They can walk, can’t they?

On the other hand, there is no crosswalk leading to our circle in front of the Post Office. In order to enjoy this park, one has to evade several lanes of cut through traffic coming from one of five streets. A paranoid Venetian might think the L.A. Dept. of Transportation was trying to kill us off. Further evidence for this belief can be found in the dangerous crosswalk connecting Rialto Ave. and Palms Blvd. at Abbot Kinney. The Beachhead has previously reported on the inability for pedestrians to see whether motorists have a green or red light.

If Venice was a city of its own, it would probably have a flourishing shuttle service and perhaps a street car. A shuttle in Venice could provide two functions. It could pick up visitors to the beach who could park in unused lots on Lincoln Blvd. or in the Marina. During the week and during the winter, the shuttle could pick up some of the thousands of seniors who live near the beach where there are few businesses that cater to people’s daily needs and take them to Ralphs, RiteAid, Ross and other stores along Lincoln Blvd. The shuttle could charge a relatively high single use fee and a relatively low monthly pass fee. This is the fee schedule that is used in Venice, Italy, and enables the city to derive a good income from tourists using its Vaporetto (water bus), while providing a needed and low cost service to residents.

Would there be enough ridership to make a Venice shuttle viable? Yes, if visitors were able to park more cheaply in distant lots, and if the shuttle was attractive.

If Venice was a city of its own, it could build a streetcar down Pacific Avenue from the Santa Monica border to the end of the peninsula, giving sunbathers their choice of 2.6 miles of beaches. The street car could be linked with shuttles that would depart from Rose, Venice and/or Washington and Pacific to circle around Venice on Lincoln and Abbot Kinney Blvd. Ultimately, cars would not be needed to get around our community. Meanwhile, both street cars and shuttles would share traffic lanes with cars.

If shuttles and street cars don’t get you where you want to go, there are always rickshaws. Electric or pedal powered three-wheel vehicles are used in many cities around the world and have made their appearance in parts of Southern California from time to time. It remains for one of Venice’s budding entrepreneurs to navigate the L.A.’s bureaucracy and buy about 20 of the easily obtainable vehicles. Don’t wait too long. Someone might beat you to it.

There is nothing in the suggestions above that is not being done already by progressive-minded cities of all sizes. The main drawback in Venice is that we have no city government of our own. We are dependent on the city of Los Angeles, which has shown a marked reluctance over the years to make any improvements in Venice unless it comes from bond-issue funds or is desired by one of the moguls that runs Los Angeles.

 

Community Garden Sprouts in Venice

CJ Gronner

I had just about had it with urban problems this last month. I thought I was actually going crazy from chopper noise that one night that they hovered right over my house for four (plus) hours, just to get some Best Buy robbers (you’ve got to wonder what the resources wasted for HOURS cost vs. the electronics swiped. Really!). Two days later I went to the beach for some peace and quiet, only to be hovered over by choppers, for again, for hours. I was beginning to think it was me they were after, but I’ve been pretty good lately.

OVER it, I pedaled for home, and for some reason (likely less noise) I took another route that day. As I sped down Mildred, I burned rubber skidding to a halt, when BEHOLD, right in front of my face was the most glorious, abundant garden with a big cheerful sign reading “Venice Community Garden”! How this had gone on unknown by me (for almost a year!) I don’t know, but there it was, bursting with life – and produce. I’ve been yearning for a simple balcony – anything! – to grow stuff on, so this was like the end of the rainbow for me to chance upon.

I got online when I got home to track down the story of the place, and in  a few days, I was sitting at the sunny patio table in the middle of the VCG, talking with its founder and director, Kip Wood. I have all sorts of garden questions, and he knows what he’s talking about, having completed the Master Gardening program. He and his family had a little garden at their Venice home, but builders came and put up yet another square box living complex next door to them, which took away all of their sunlight. You need sun to grow things. Talking about the need for a community garden with friends became Kip walking the streets and really looking for a space.

Kip came upon a “For Rent” sign at the Garden’s current site on Mildred, then just a scrubby, overgrown plot of land that had nothing on it. He called the number and reached Donald Novack – the owner of Hal’s (my last month’s Beachhead subject – synchronicity!), who also owned this plot of land. As the real estate market was/is struggling, Donald agreed to rent the land to Kip and his fellow gardeners at a low cost, as a benefit to the community (and maybe some excess produce to use in the kitchen at Hal’s).

Now they had a site for a Garden, but that was just the beginning. The land needed to be cleared, the soil needed to be tested, gardeners needed to be recruited, and it was on. It seems to be a charmed project, as just when anything has been needed, help has come. The LACC (Los Angeles Conservation Corps) provided land clearing equipment and labor – for free. A Construction company took away all the old dirt and refuse. Venice Youth Build kids came and did volunteer work. All systems were go, but then they found out that the soil had arsenic in it from when Mildred was an old railway line. Not good for growing edibles. 100 tons of undesirable soil was taken out, new soil was put in, and wooden beds were built to elevate the individual plots up off the ground. The word was put out, and pretty much since they’ve been up and growing, there has been a waiting list for the 54 plots of around 150 names (much to my dismay).

You can see why instantly. It’s so completely great to just step inside the fence into this green paradise of growth. As Kip said, “Things just WANT to grow here.” We are blessed with a wonderful climate for gardening, and everything just goes bezerk – including weeds, so it’s a constant job to stay ahead of it all. “But it’s the best kind of work”, said Kip. “When I’m trimming plants, my mind is quiet, I’m relaxed, I’m grateful, you just feel good about it.”  At $25 a month for a plot, with so many fruits (vegetables, herbs, flowers, etc..) of your labor, you can feel good about your grocery store savings too.

While I was visiting, different gardeners came and went, checking on their crops, watering their plots, picking some FRESH produce for dinner, or even just to stop in and chat at the table. All of them were so clearly thrilled and grateful to have their plot (I get it), they were pretty much beaming as they went about their business. One guy (thanks, Ross!) shared his pineapple mint with us … PINEAPPLE mint?! I’d never even heard of it. Kip pointed out that benefit to gardening as well, that stores can only carry so many varieties of things, but one look at a seed catalog and it’s a whole new gigantic world of possibilities. PAGES of crazy potatoes alone.

The Venice Community Garden really is about Community too. There are fruit trees and herb pots planted for all to share. They have lectures, classes, art, dinners, “Crop Swaps”, a Squash Hunt for the kids at Easter time … all kinds of fun, educational stuff is always going on. One lady that was watering her plot while I was there said she was away for a month and had her co-gardening friend send her weekly photos of the plot, as she missed it so. Again, I get it.

I didn’t want to just sit and chat with Kip as his time in the garden was limited, so we talked while I helped him fill up the compost bin things (and learned about them), which goes right back to fertilizing the garden. I got a good old fashioned splinter, and immediately was transported in my mind back to youthful days of helping my Grandma Olson in her majestic garden when I would visit her. Gardening not only made her the tannest Norwegian you’d ever encounter, but made her beloved and kind of famous in LaCrosse, Wisconsin for how very green her thumbs were. I was telling Kip about her, and he stopped me and asked, “Would you say she was happy?” My eyes well up at just the memory of my answer, “Yes. One of the happiest people I’ve ever known, until her very last day.” Kip just nodded, and his point was made.

As my day was made. I went home with a bunch of freshly picked beans (from Kip and His Giant Beanstalk), two kinds of mint, and a wish that I’d brought something to carry more home in. But more than that, I went home inspired, impressed, and grateful that Venice has these pockets of magic that make you (almost) forget all about police choppers and such b.s. There was a tangible love of the space, a shared love that when you stop and think about it, should really apply to our Community as a whole. So let’s knock off the robbing, the police chasing, the bike stealing, the hating of any ilk, and put those wasted efforts toward things that will grow, thrive, and make us all the better for it.

If you have or know of any open spaces in Venice that could be donated for a while or forever, that would help the Venice Community Garden expand (or relocate if need be one day). Then I could have a plot and grow things and make you a delicious pie or something in gratitude. Please contact Kip Wood at KipWood23@gmail.com if that sounds good to you.