As 2009 comes to a close, I wanted to take a little peek back at the highlights here in Mar Vista. The year started out with the debut of the Sunday Farmer’s Market report in January. March brought the addition of the House Of The Week, April was the month for the Green Garden Showcase tour in honor of Earth Day as well as when yours truly (and her neighbors) got to be on the Oprah show, for sure a major highlight personally as well as for the blog, since this is how they found me.
Floyd’s Barbershop opened in May, and in June someone tried to open another marijuana dispensary on Venice Blvd. July could have been called Green month here in Mar Vista, because both the Wise Water Use Expo and the GoSolar kickoff event were both held then.
In August, Bikerowave opened up and A Mano closed down. In October, Mar Vistans (including this one) received their rain barrels and rain water harvesting could begin, the City planning department came by and collected residents’ opinions about how to design the Mar Vista of the future, and the Mar Vista park Fall Festival had a Green theme and was a big hit.
In November, Mar Vista declared a target of 100% clean energy by 2018, new Police Chief Charlie Beck came and spoke, and Mar Vista Mom’s first Holiday Gift Guide was launched. December brought solar panels to my very own roof, through the Open Mar Vista GoSolar program, Santa came to town and made several stops, and Mar Vista (and this blog) got a ton of love in the Huffington Post.
What an amazing year! I am so thrilled you came along with me in 2009 and I look forward to another fantastic year in 2010. Stay tuned for some changes, a new look for the site and, as always, lots of info about our neighborhood.
Like an old Plantation House.
Pepy’s.
Coffee Connection.
Robinson’s Beautilities.
Soaptopia.
Venice Grind.
Dick’s Hardware.
Sleek.
Today at the market the 
who strolled and caroled. Lorraine the Elf was making crafts with the kids. 
Then we all ate latkes again (they were dee-lish!) 
and waited for the Man in Red. 
Santa arrived and listened to all the kids’ wishes, 
and the 
The building got all new, high-efficiency, low-flow toilets, so they were getting rid of the old ones. Mar Vista’s going green all over the place!
(L to R: Dot Frey, the newest member, Melinda Newman, Lila Smith, Shirley Ruess, Ruth Shiro, Lorraine Zieve, and Emily Greenberg.) 
By the way, there are league bowling teams going at it 7 days a week at the 
I just love the turret in the center.