Sat - January 1, 2005

It Can’t Happen Here?


By John Davis

Tsunamis can be viewed from space or high ground. But the worst possible viewing location is on the beach with no plan of escape. Only after the Indian Ocean wave is the world paying attention again, and hopefully learning.

Posted at 07:43 PM     Read More  

Personal Effects: An Alliance of Killers


By Francisco Letelier

When I read that General Augusto Pinochet, the 89-year-old former leader of Chile, had been placed under house arrest earlier this week and declared competent to stand trial for his many crimes, it was no abstract issue for me. This was a man, after all, who had a tremendous influence on my life, who robbed me of my father, who tore my family apart.

Posted at 07:00 PM     Read More  

2005 - The Year We Stood Up For Renter Rights


By Jim Smith

Lost: Thousands of Venice rental units of affordable housing. Last seen being abducted by greedy landlords and their political lackeys. If found, please return to the people of Venice.

Posted at 06:50 PM     Read More  

In Brief...


Neighborhood Council

Supporters and detractors of the Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council (GRVNC) turned out at a meeting of the city’s Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC), Dec. 14, to debate the Dept. of Neighborhood Empowerment’s (DONE) contention that a quorum of the GRVNC Board does not exist and that the arbiter’s letter overturning last June’s election was valid. Significantly, BONC did not vote on the matter (perhaps demonstrating where the power in the council system lies), but did ask DONE to bring a proposal for calling a new election to its next meeting, Jan. 25 at L.A. City Hall.

Posted at 05:52 PM     Read More  

(Advertising) Graffiti Strikes Ocean Front Walk


Not so long ago, Ocean Front Walk was known for its murals (among other things). Lately it seems on its way to being known for its visual pollution and alcohol ads. Are recovering alcoholics allowed to walk down our Boardwalk any longer?

Posted at 04:54 PM     Read More  

Venice hosts Solari founder, Catherine Austin Fitts


By Tom O’Meara

The Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council’s Town Hall, December 13, featured Catherine Austin Fitts, a nationally known investment banker and a pioneer in applying modern financial wizardry to empower neighborhoods and support local business.

Posted at 03:55 PM     Read More  

OFW lottery moving ahead despite protests by artists and performers


Hash marks and numbers have been painted along Ocean Front Walk by the city in preparation for the start of assigned spaces for non-commercial artists and performers on the west side of the Boardwalk.

Posted at 02:56 PM     Read More  

Poetry


• Venice Beach, Venice Beach - p. rogue
• Suffering in America is like dying twice in one day - Hillary Kaye

Posted at 01:58 PM     Read More  

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