Category: Community
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Richland Elementary French Immersion Enrolling Now
The newest LAUSD French Academy program on the Westside is at Richland Elementary in Mar Vista – and they are still accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year. Please contact the school for more information.
11562 Richland Ave., Mar Vista 90066 (310) 473-0467 -
New French Immersion Language School at Richland Elementary
Mar Vista’s own Richland Ave. Elementary School will open the FIRST French Language Immersion Program in LAUSD this coming school year 2015-2016. Take the tour this Thursday, March 26th at 9am to find out more about this LAUSD Public K-6 school.
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New Mural at Mar Vista Bowl by Jonas Never
Jonas Never painted the mural on the wall at Floyd’s Barbershop a few years ago and now he’s painted an awesome mural on the Bowling Alley wall here in Mar Vista. Here are some shots of the mural finished and in process.
He’s a fantastic artist and our neighborhood is lucky to have not one, but two of his murals now! -
Let’s Welcome Mike Bonin to City Council District 11
Today is Mike Bonin’s first official day on the job as our City Councilman from CD 11, and according to his stated plan, he’s not going to City Hall today. Instead, he’s making the rounds of District 11 and starting his Council tenure off with service to his constituents. Follow him on Twitter & Facebook today to see what projects he’s doing.
Mar Vista Mom (Me) and Bill on the runway at LAX I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Bill Rosendahl for his years of service as our City Councilman. Thanks, Bill!
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David Sharif, Mar Vista Teen & Star of Youtube Viral Video About Autism
Meet David Sharif, Teenager, Mar Vista Resident, Star of a Viral Video on Youtube about Autism called My Name Is David, and Autism Awareness Advocate.
David wrote a speech about being autistic for his Bar Mitzvah project a few years ago, and has performed the speech all over, to crowds of students and adults, in an effort to raise awareness about Autism.
The organization Autism Speaks loved his speech so much, they had it made into a claymation video by Matt Manning, one of the creators of the claymation hit series Robot Chicken.
It was a huge thrill for David to be a part of it (even though he told me he’s never seen Robot Chicken), and also to be honored for his work at the premiere screening when he was presented with the figure model of himself that was actually used in the movie.The other reason it was so thrilling was that he got to meet both Matt Asner, Executive Director of Autism Speaks in Southern California, and his Father Ed Asner, who stars in one of David’s favorite films: Up.
David’s goal of raising awareness about autism got a big boost from the exposure the Youtube video has received. As of the publication date, the video has been viewed over 622,700 times. With David’s 16th birthday approaching on May 28th, he and his family are hoping to get to 1 Million by that symbolic date, so take a moment and please help spread autism awareness by watching his video.
And then check out the video interview I did with him and his adoring Mom.
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Reminder: Venice Blvd. Pothole Protest April 28th 11am
Join Linda Jones as she protests the state of Venice Blvd. and the fact that Cal Trans has not repaired it.
Sunday, April 28th11am
Venice Blvd. & Grand View Blvd.
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Venice Blvd. Potholes – Protest on April 28th
Linda Jones is mad as hell, and she’s taking it to the streets.
If you’ll pardon the mixed metaphorical references for a moment, please read on…Jones has been a Mar Vista resident for many years and she has seen the state of Venice Blvd. deteriorate steadily. Unhappy with the number of potholes and gaping cracks, she reached out to her City Council representative to see what could be done – and that’s when she found out that Venice Blvd. is actually considered a State Highway, and is therefore under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Transportation, or CalTrans.
Repeated emails and phone calls to CalTrans have yielded very few responses and absolutely no resulting improvement in the streestcape.
She’s tried contacting every government official and agency that has anything to do with Venice Blvd., and still she’s received almost no responses and clearly, if you’ve been out to the street lately, absolutely no action.
And now she’s decided to make her protest big and public.
On Sunday, April 28th at 11am, Linda Jones will be protesting the state of Venice Blvd. on the corner of Venice & Grand View – and she wants you to join her.
If you want to see the State Highway that runs through our neighborhood repaired – so that it’s safe and smooth for strollers, wheelchairs, bicycles, car tires, and yes, walkers – then she’s asking you to join her. You can contact her for more information – LlindaJones@promotionalstuff.com or (310) 397-8886.
What do you think of Venice Blvd.? Let us know in the comments section.
Here’s a letter from Linda:
Dear Mar Vista Residents and Local Stakeholders:
My name is Linda Jones and I have been a resident and business owner in Mar Vista for 31 years.
My husband and I have been Neighborhood Watch Block Captains all along and we find it rewarding to help keep the neighborhood safer for all.
We have noticed that in the last 8-10 years the street asphalt on Venice Blvd. has been deteriorating. It is undrivable, unwalkingable and unbikable in many, many areas between Overland Bl. and Lincoln Bl.
Venice Blvd. is a State Highway….so Caltrans is in charge of maintaining it, not the City of LA.
I have submitted numerous repair requests to Caltrans through their official website reporting form for the last three years and have noticed little to no response. At best they fill a few potholes, but much more comprehensive resurfacing is needed.
How can we bike and walk our area when it is dangerous and difficult?
I feel sorry for anyone that tries to push a baby stroller or use a wheel chair to cross Venice Blvd.
I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore.
Please join us in a protest on April 28th, Sunday at 11:00 am at the corner of Venice Bl and Grandview Bl in Mar Vista 90066.
Show the politicians and State agencies that you are “Mad as Hell” too!
Thank you,
Linda Jones
Wasatch Ave. Neighborhood Watch
Block Captain
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Mar Vista’s Celebrity Crossing Guard: Henry Czerny
Award-winning actor and dedicated Mar Vista Dad, Henry Czerny, is seen here, as he is whenever he’s not on the set of a major motion picture, helping kids safely cross the street to Mar Vista Elementary School. -
Ten Tips For a Great Block Party
In a word, my street rocks. We have had a block party for 6 years in a row, and they have all been awesome, so I thought I’d share some of the things we’ve learned and some of our favorite parts of the whole affair, the most important being to appreciate our neighbor Elise who does most of the prep work. We are so grateful to you, Elise!
1. Get the paperwork done for the City permits EARLY. It takes longer than you could possibly imagine for the permits to be approved, insurance secured, street signs posted and barricades issued. And you have to do all that and maybe more to get your street blocked off, a basic requirement of a block party.
Because you do NOT want this to happen:
2. Rent tents. It’s no fun to sit in the hot sun, or to have the food sitting in the hot sun.
3. You need tape and scissors — you just do. 
4. A bouncy house is a must. 
5. A Baking Contest is a fun competition for neighbors. But it’s a win-win; everyone gets great treats and I always make sure everyone gets some sort of prize. (Hint: each baked good can be a category of its own.)
6. A raffle is fun and helps raise money for next year’s block party.
7. A dunk tank can’t be beat.
8. A live band is a great addition, especially if one of the members is your husband. (On the left.)
9. It’s helpful to have a beer brewer (and his beer) at the party, especially if it’s great beer like Angel City.
10. Have great neighbors who all want to celebrate living in a great community!
