VENICE VANGUARD - JANUARY 2003
Welcome to the 2003 version of the Venice Vanguard. For those of you who are history buffs, you might remember that Venice's first newspaper, started in 1911, had the same name. It began as a weekly and, after a year, became a daily paper until it ceased publication in 1940. This Vanguard is a tribute to and in remembrance of the original (but not affiliated).
CONTENTS
** FEATURE ... Peace With Justice in Venice ... And More
** WHAT YOU ARE DOING ... Welcome Back Kelly Shea
** COMMUNITY CORNER
... 102 And Still Counting
... Garden Tour Recruitment
... TECH TEAM
** SHOPPING OF THE MONTH ... Robin's Sculptural Garden
** SAVE THE DATE
... Abbot Kinney Blvd. Shopping
... Beyond Baroque
... Electric Lodge Visual and Performing Arts Center
... Fire Station Pancake Breakfast
... Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council
... Masters in the Chapel
... Pacific Resident Theatre
... SPARC
... Venice Chamber of Commerce Mixer
... Venice Farmers Market
... Venice Oceanarium
... Venice Peace and Freedom Party
FEATURE
Peace With Justice In Venice ... And More
New faces bring new ideas. Just ask Rev. Tom Ziegert, pastor at Venice United Methodist Church located at Victoria Avenue and Lincoln Blvd. for the last year and a half. His background in community organizing and community planning gave him an idea of developing a just community for Venice. "It's not only for the people who can't find a way to make a living, it's also for those who work hard and have families and want to feel safe," says Rev Tom. "Justice has to work for everybody or it doesn't work at all. We talk about wanting peace. There is no lasting peace without justice."
It seemed to Rev. Tom that an appropriate place to talk about community planning was through a place that would be seeking peace through justice. "It so happens that United Methodist Church has a Peace With Justice committee and they had a few bucks," he says. "So, we sought some funding to seed what became the Venice Peace With Justice Center." Rev Tom also explains that it is a movement, it doesn't exist physically. "The idea is that everybody in Venice, any organization can have a Peace With Justice Center," he adds.
A building adjacent to the church houses the Venice Center for Peace With Justice and the Arts. You have been there if you voted in the Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council elections. It is projected within the next five years to create the block between Victoria Ave. and Venice Blvd. with a community plan. It is already home to the Venice Boys & Girls Club and auto body shop (a perfect place to resume the repair classes that were available at the Venice Skills Center). "This place is becoming more of a center where people are coming through and wanting to do things with us so it's becoming extremely collaborative," says Rev. Tom. Venice organizations, such as Venicearts and Venice Community Housing Corporation have been involved in different projects. Even the neighbors have been part of the collaborative. Neighbors picked out the new paint color for the church after a film company paid to use the parking lot while filming in the street and one of the neighbors designed the landscaping and donated the bushes.
The anchor at the Center is Inside Out Community Arts. It's a children's arts program starting its 8th year that works in five different sites around Los Angeles with outreach programs. A variety of art disciplines are used ... theatre based but include movement, visual arts, music, photography, and videography. "The program gives kids a tool and a voice and a forum to express themselves about issues in their own lives and in their communities and to take a leadership role in presenting performances and art shows about these issues and then the community gets to watch those, participate in them, and then, engage in discussion about those issues," says co-founder Jonathan Zeichner. "Most kids don't have a safe place to talk about that stuff so they talk about it out on the street and that's where they learn whatever they learn about sexuality, drugs, violence, relationships, about their ability or inability to be productive members of society. So, we're saying, 'Let's talk about it and we'll give you some tools'."
"This seems like the perfect place for us to be because here is a place where things can really come together ... theatre arts, in particular, as theatre art demands that you work together," says Camille Ameen, Inside Out Community Arts other co-founder. "It's through the experience of working together and getting to know each other ... the experience of taking healthy risks versus the unhealthy risks, surviving and having a sense of empowerment and as a result of that, you build healthy community. You start getting peace with justice because people start getting to know each other and take responsibility for their actions.
"Inside Out", says Jonathan, "is about taking what's inside and opening up and letting it out. It's come to mean a million things other than art." Camille agrees. "It's much greater than the art," she says. "It's that beautiful thing that is within all of us that has been repressed and put down ... especially the kids. They have so many defensive walls to protect themselves. Here is an opportunity of a safe space that allows them to be kids again. We have to bring out the inner child of a child."
Inside Out has been at the Center for five months and has already had two community events. One was a dedication of the Center along with an open house to celebrate diversity and unity that was held in December. There will be an inaugural performance on February 8th and many more performances in the future. Outdoor movies will be offered starting in the summer.
For those of you who did attend the Venice Grass Roots Neighborhood Council elections, you saw the stage that is perfect for performances. The Center is looking for help to get a used lighting grid and sound system and have them installed. "We are totally dependent on the kindness of strangers, as Blanche DuBois would say," says Camille. "There's an opportunity for people from the corporate and business sector to get involved," says Jonathan. Thirty volunteers from Turner Broadcasting System helped out in September. Nike helped build a haunted house. A big fundraiser will be held at the Ritz Carlton in April. Volunteer artists are also needed. "It's not about any one person's or entity's agenda over another," says Jonathan. "It's about how to take all the resources, put them together and come up with something that is bigger than the sum of its parts." In addition, Inside Out Community Arts also accepts minor and adult community service people.
"The Center also hopes to provide resources for things to work the other way around," says Rev. Tom. "We don't want someone from the police department or mayor's office, for example, coming in and saying 'we need to have a meeting about this' and setting the agenda and interpreting what happens. We want to be able to have the people say, 'We have a problem. We would like to get together something.' The people can initiate it, they can set the agenda, they can form the interpretation ... like who they want and have resources like facilitators, mediators, who ever to come and help that happen. It's grass roots rather than from the government. The movement is open to be any where in Venice for people who understand the concept of what it means ... to find peace with justice."
If you'd like to know more about Venice Peace with Justice Center, please contact Rev. Tom Ziegert at 310-391-2314, VeniceUMC@aol.com or stop by the church office at 1020 Victoria Ave. If you'd like to know more about Inside Out Community Arts, please contact Jonathan or Camille at 310-397-8820, insideoutca@insideoutca.org or check out their website at www.insideoutca.org.
WHAT YOU ARE DOING
Welcome Back Kelly Shea
A person's deeds have to be pretty noteworthy to be included in the annals of Time magazine. LAPD's Kelly Shea made the cut in 1992 featured in the article "Are Women Better Cops?" The first line of the article states, "Among the residents, merchants and criminals of Venice, Calif., officer Kelly Shea is as well known as the neighborhood gang leaders."
How true! Residents west of Abbot Kinney Blvd. were fortunate to have Kelly Shea as a senior lead officer for eight years. Then, as what often happens, Kelly was promoted, in this case to sergeant, and given other assignments that took her out of the area.
The good news is that Kelly is back in a position that is a perfect fit ... officer in charge of the Community Relations Office. "I always yearned to come back to Pacific," she says. "This is my home. I spent half my life here."
For those of you familiar with former members of the command staff at the Pacific station, you might recall that there was a couple that were problem leaders. "I've taken a lot of risks where I've been criticized and disciplined," Kelly says. "I'm not talking about misconduct, but some of my philosophies, ethics, enforcement techniques and views especially. I see out of the box. I have a vision. As leader now I want to explore it. I currently have a very good captain who allows me to do that. This new position in community relations will be a foot in the door to do a lot of really good things. Now that I'm back you're going to have to drag me out of here."
"I started out in Venice as a baby cop in 1982 working the foot beat," says Kelly. "I grew up chasing some of the kids who are now successful business owners. A lot of people have stayed in touch with me. I'm proud of their accomplishments. It's neat to come back and see them still out in the community. This is a community where people stay." Among Kelly's goals is to bring back some of her contacts that have been involved through the years ... to win their trust back and find out what lost them along the way.
Another goal is to see the senior leads more proactive. "They've been so involved in the patrol aspect of their job that they haven't been as involved with community affairs and meetings," says Kelly. "Now being their supervisor and being a former senior lead myself, I'm going to make many meetings out there and they're going to have to work. I'm going to motivate, stimulate, kick them in the butt when they need it and monitor what they do because the community expects results. I want to be able to give my word and know that my officers have the same commitment and that I can guarantee it." The Community Relations Office general telephone number is 310-202-4524. Each senior lead has a separate voice mail extension and cell phone number. Call CRO to find out who the senior is your area.
The end of the Time article states, "The mark of a good officer is no longer simply responding to distress calls but working in partnership with citizens and local merchants to head off crime and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods." No one has to tell Kelly this. Welcome home to Venice, Sgt. Shea!
COMMUNITY CORNER
... 102 And Still Counting
Laddie Williams, Henry Williams' granddaughter, reports that her grandfather, who turned 102 years young on December 24th, is "still the same" ... which means he's still busy and moving by bending down to garden, clean the yard and mow the lawn. What an inspiration!
... Garden Tour Recruitment
The next Venice Garden Tour will take place on May 3, 2003. Community members are needed as docents to work in the gardens ("green thumbs" preferred); sponsors who can help underwrite the event; advertisers; committee members to help solicit food donations, party planning, event logistics, press, garden selection and general all around people who will choose a task and do it. For docents please contact Lisa Jessen at 310-399-1123 x111 or lisa@veniceproperties.com. For all other volunteer opportunities, please contact James Haydu at 310-390-6641 or venicegardentr@aol.com if you'd like to become involved. Remember, it's for a worthy cause. Proceeds benefit the Los Dorados Children's Center in Oakwood.
... TECH TEAM
Did you receive a new computer or some type of technology for Christmas and don't know what to with your broken/outdated one? Your donation to TECH TEAM located at the Vera Davis Center at 610 California Ave. will be used to train young people in the technical aspects of computer configuration and repair in addition to educating low-income adults and senior citizens in personal computer usage and office applications. Besides computers, other technology items such as scanners, digital cameras and printers are also welcome. Please contact Lois Webb at 310-305-7996 or wlu@earthlink.net Your donation will be appreciated!
SHOPPING OF THE MONTH
Robin's Sculptural Garden
1632 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice CA 90291
A lot of beautification has occurred in Venice over the last number of years. In addition to all the city improvements, we have seen numerous remodels and new construction of homes and commercial buildings. But, what to do when you have an unsightly tarp with graffiti covering a chain link fenced empty lot growing nothing but weeds and are too busy at the time with other projects to think about its future? Why not turn it into an artistic garden?
Artist Robin Murez, (yes, Jim's sister), is indebted to the owner of the empty lot, who she praises as "a tremendously generous friend with a passionate love of Venice, its art and architecture."
It's been a journey for Robin to Abbot Kinney Blvd. First, was her "serious job" as an attorney for professional athletes. Although she has loved art all her life, she thought she was "suppose to have a profession." Then, after she relocated with her boyfriend to St. Louis Missouri, she used a line that the wife of his colleague said, "You do what you love and make lots of money. How about if I do what I love, even though I may not make any money?" He agreed and off to art school she went focusing on sculpture and glass blowing.
Even before graduating with a Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Robin already started making her mark. "I found that what I really liked doing was creating public art, making large installation sculptures and creating environments as opposed to sculpture that sits on a coffee table," she says.
Commissions started coming in. Riders of St. Louis' Metro Link subway system must enjoy their daily commutes. Colorful giant jewel-like glass beads hang suspended from the tunnel arches. "It's like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'," says Robin. Another early commission was for the City Hall. It was a play on people's attitude of what is art. A giant necklace of 2 to 4 feet square beads carved from Styrofoam hung from the 80' structure. "It gave the building a personality," she says.
After finishing her degree, Robin needed a studio. At the same time, she was approached to help create a museum for the downtown area of the city. It turned out to be a beneficial collaboration. More commissions were forthcoming. One is what she calls "Missouri Tall Grass." It stands at the riverfront just upstream from the famous St. Louis Arch. Because it has to withstand various weather elements it's made of steel reinforced concrete and covered with a mosaic of glass and mirror. "They twinkle," Robin says.
During an exhibit opening at the museum, she started talking to the Ambassador from Sweden, home of world-renowned glass blowing design companies such as Orrfors and Kosta Boda. She invited him to see her studio in the Museum. "The Ambassador was impressed by the magical environment created by the large glass sculptures and invited me to be a visiting artist to Sweden," she says. During the tour of studios and galleries she was asked to do an installation there.
The City Museum administration changed and offered to buy Robin out. It was time for her to come home to Venice. It's here that she is now making and showing her artwork. You'll be able to see the "Forest of Glass Blades", "Necklace of the Gods", "Confetti", "Pods" and "Hearts" in addition to the fiberglass sculptures, "Maat, the Egyptian Goddess" and "Toth, the Egyptian God" that were created for "The People Project" similar to the "Cows" in Chicago and "Angels" in Los Angeles that were commissioned by sponsoring corporations.
Although Robin's sculptures are meant to be displayed indoors, the garden is a perfect setting. "What I like to do with art work is to draw a person in, let them be part of it, create a narrative where they get to be an actor in the story and enjoy being part of it," she says. It's not a commercial looking space. "If you're walking by you might think it's the neighbor's garden," she adds.
The hours of the sculpture garden are variable but you can always look in as you stroll by. You may contact Robin at 310-823-7826 or robin@murez.com. Also, be sure to check out her web site at www.robin.murez.com.
SAVE THE DATE
... Abbot Kinney Blvd. Shopping ... Second Friday of each month stores stay open until 10:00 pm. Pick up a free Abbot Kinney Blvd. Shoppers Guide which provides a map and list of store locations from your favorite Abbot Kinney retailer. Many stores are offering special sales. Please support our local merchants.
... Beyond Baroque ... 681 Venice Blvd.
Please check out their web site at www.beyondbaroque.org for current readings and workshops or call 310-822-3006 for more information.
... Electric Lodge ... 1416 Electric Ave.
Please check out their web site at www.electriclodge.org for current visual and performing arts schedule or call 310-306-1854 for more information.
... Fire Station #63 Pancake Breakfast ... Venice Blvd. at Shell Ave.
February 22nd from 8 am to 11 am sponsored by the Rotary Club.
... Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council Land Use and Planning Committee (LUPC) is hearing their first project this month on Jan. 20th at 7pm. This committee will meet the third Monday of every month on the 2nd Floor of the Boys & Girls Club of Venice. See the website for full agenda and renderings of proposed project at www.grassrootsvenice.org/lupc_committee.html.
... Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council Board Meeting will be held on Monday, Jan. 27th at 7pm at Venice High School cafeteria, 13000 Venice Blvd., LA 90066. Contact information for Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council is, P.O. Box 2224, Venice, CA 90294, Voice Mail: 310-281-1943, E-Mail: info@grassrootsvenice.org, and Website: www.grassrootsvenice.org.
... Masters in the Chapel ... First Lutheran Church at 815 Venice Blvd.
February 9th at 4:00 pm ... Experience an exotic and enchanting program merging music from the East and West played by the award-winning Pacific Harmony String Quartet. Call 310-821-2740 or check out their web site at www.flvenice.org for ticket information.
... Pacific Resident Theatre ... 707 Venice Blvd.
Please check out their web site at www.pacificresidenttheatre.com for current productions or call 310-822-8292 for more information.
... SPARC ... 685 Venice Blvd.
Please check out their web site at www.sparcmurals.org to find out about their gallery program or call 310-822-9560 for more information.
... Venice Chamber of Commerce Mixer ... Menemsha Restaurant ... 822 Washington Blvd. ... January 22nd from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm ... Hors d'oeuvres, networking, fun and raffle prizes.
... Venice Farmers Market ... Venice Blvd. at Ocean Ave. parking lot
Every Friday from 7:00am to 11:00am ... fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, bread, flowers and more.
... Venice Oceanarium ... Breakwater or Venice Pier ... every Sunday at 1:00pm ... expanded tables set up for nature talks.
... Venice Peace and Freedom Party ... Rose Ave. and Ocean Front Walk
Every Sunday until the war is over ... 2:00pm ... Rally at Windward Ave. |