A Pre-emptive “Thank You” to Bill Rosendahl – 

 

Photo © Phill Truesdell

In last month’s issue we asked the question: “Will Bill Rosendahl Keep His Promise to the Spirit of Venice?”  The jury is still out…

The above photo, taken at Bill Rosendahl’s inauguration in July, 2005, shows a banner sponsored by artist/activist Ibrahim, leader of the African Drummers, who sets up 
opposite Venice Bistro on the Boardwalk daily, to exhibit

his art and play drums.  He has been setting up in this spot for the past 20 years and has seen and fought many battles. The most recent of which was in 1998 when he won a California Superior Court ruling entitling him to play music and perform here every weekend from 12 noon to 4:30pm.

On April 10, 2005 he was performing, as usual, when Sgt Burrus arrived with approx. 30 LAPD officers at around 3:00pm. Burrus said someone was complaining about the music. He said that he was not asking them to stop but to do neighborly courtesy and bring the volume down. The drummers agreed and LAPD left.  At approx. 5:00pm the same evening the same group of approx. 30 LAPD officers returned. They arrested Ibrahim for disturbing the peace even though he had finished playing music at 4:30pm.  He was taken to Pacific Station and booked where he was held for 2 1/2 hours while Officer Putnam tried to persuade him to join the lottery program.  His daughter bailed him out for $500 at approx. 7:00pm and he

was free to leave.  No charges were ever filed and he heard nothing more about it. He eventually received his bail money back after a long waiting period of 40-60 days.         Editor

Open Letter to Mayor Villaraigosa
By Long-time Venice Resident

Dear Mayor Villaraigosa:  There are three issues that you should know about concerning our fine city of Los Angeles.

 DIESEL POWERED SCHOOL BUSES

All those diesel-powered school buses that take our children to school are big polluters of the air that we all have to breathe.

Almost OVERNITE, we could clean up the exhausts from all of these buses by as much as 20% by just adding a blend of BIODIESEL (20%) to the school bus fuel tanks.  Many truckers use this blend because it makes their truck motors run better and last longer.  Country singer Willie Nelson and others use this fuel in tour buses that take them around the country.  In HAWAII biofuel is used in almost all the diesel -powered cars and trucks.  BIODIESEL can be used in diesel motors without modifications to the engine  or fuel systems...and it's available in good quantities for use in the fuel tanks of all our diesel-powered school buses.

BIODIESEL is a cleaner burning and less expensive fuel per gallon than petro-diesel.  It's produced from soybeans that are grown right in the U.S...the same soybeans that are used in the preparation of TOFU, soy sauce and cooking and edible oils.  Using this fuel would no doubt be a win-win situation for everyone...especially the children who have to ride the school buses to and from school.

ABBOT KINNEY BOULEVARD IN VENICE

Three years ago a very good friend of mine was hit in the crosswalk by a car while he was walking his bike across
Abbott Kinney.  He spent two weeks in the intensive care unit at UCLA, then he was transferred to the Veterans unit
up in Northern CA.  He's mostly ok now but as you can imagine, it almost cost him his life and many thousands of
dollars of his personal savings.  The organization “Victims of Crime” could have, and maybe should have, come into play to help him, but it was concluded that he was not a victim, even though, I was told, the person driving the car that hit my friend did not have a current driver's license or insurance...he said that the sun was in his eyes.  Abbott Kinney s a very well traveled street that runs between Venice Bl. to the south and Brooks Ave. to the north.  Too many people abuse Abbott Kinney by driving much too fast...check it out – they are driving 35-40 mph and faster.  The speed limit should be strictly enforced at no more than 25 mph, especially considering that there is an elementary school at the north end of the Boulevard with a single sign that says 30 mph...it should say 25 mph max.  I think inconsiderate people in their fast cars abusing the speed limit here should be cited...think of the revenue to the city.

 REPAVING OUR STREET

About six years ago the city came and completely repaved our street.  All the neighbors were grateful; it was about time.  The city workers were very professional and did a great job.  Now, here within the last week, the city came back to repave our same street.  The neighbors could not figure out why...the street looked good and certainly was not “broke” so why fix it, we were wondering, when the very next street to the south was indeed broke and needed fixing.  It seems as though a huge amount of time, materials and equipment were used to complete this job.  Do you know who is responsible for making the decision to repave a street that did not need repaving and not another that to this day needs a repave badly?

That's some news from Venice; that's the way we see it.  Hope this information will be helpful to you in your position as Mayor of our fine city. If we can be of service with the BIODIESEL fuel issue, please let us know.

Also sending a copy of this letter o Mr. Bill Rosendahl, our newly elected city council representative here on the Westside.

Thank you for taking your time to read this letter.

Sincerely, 

Why I Was Born?  By Siamac

I was born in New Orleans.

When I was going to be born,

I didn't know there was still slavery in its new form.

Now, I see how I was abandoned, blown, and torn,

Like a piece of trash in the storm.

 

When I was born in a Christian home,

I didn't expect to be a Christian born,

Part of a rotten and forgotten world.

Now, I live in a modern day,

And I don't know why I still believe

That I am made out of mud and clay.

 
When I was born in America,

I didn't know I would be a stone-like-face man,

A citizen of an Imperialist land,

And a hated soldier of a savage band.

Now, I can't even imagine how

I continue to live in this so called "freedom land!"

© Siamac (Hamid), Sept. 15. 05

Clear Cut Artist, Performers, & free-speech should be exempt from the Boardwalk Lottery.  The following items must be included with your Application. You must include all of the requested items to setup on the West side of the Boardwalk.

 Five photos/slides of the work you will present at the show:

 One photo of your booth

 A copy of your California Resale Certificate  ( maybe NOT)

Three self addressed and stamped envelopes: Write “Photo Return” at the bottom right hand corner of the envelope

 You want us to use for the return of your photos. Please make sure this envelope has enough postage to cover the return of your photographs.

 Participants found displaying imported or manufactured goods, or goods purchased for resale will be removed from the Boardwalk. Failure to do so may result in removal from the Boardwalk by the LAPD.

 All works must be presented by the person who has created the art... California Seller’s Permit: You must provide a copy of your California Seller’s Permit certificate issued by the State Board of Equalization. Your Seller’s Permit number will be checked prior to the displaying your work... Artists presenting invalid numbers will be removed from the Boardwalk.

 Space Size: Space sizes are determined by the applicant’s individual needs.

 Application : A separate application must be completed for Artist, Performers & Free Speecher's applying for space on the Boardwalk.

 To create a (exempt zone).

Crafts persons: Must have full proof that they made their crafts
Incomplete applications will be returned delaying the processing of your application.

Photographs: Three photos showing the variety of work you will be showing is required for each show you are applying for. The photos you submit will determine acceptance into the show. Your photos will be compared to the photos submitted by other artists in your category. Selecting the best work from all of the submissions in your category will fill the limited number of spaces allotted in your category.

 Display Photo: You are required to provide a photo of the display you will be using on the west side of the Boardwalk.

Acceptance is not only determined by the quality of your work but also the quality of your display. Often times the quality of work submitted may be equal amongst artists submissions therefore, the quality of the display becomes the determining
factor as to who will be accepted...Also we go back to a monthly Lottery - If there needs to be a Lottery at all.

Keep in mind that this is just a Draft to help bring back the creative flavor of the Venice Beach Boardwalk   © Aaron Waugh

You must not ever, ever let people of any made up organizations come down on this beach and take your God-given

freedom of speech, talent, love, food, caring away from this beach and tell you what you must and cannot do, when they don't know what they are doing themselves.

To:  The ones who thought of the Lottery which is turning into a mockery.  

I see your laws are being twisted by some people, of sorts, who have insisted, and that are none, caring and tight-fisted. So, please, to you of sorts, who live in those glass castles, though shun the poor ,always remember you, too, can lose all that rich splendor, come a big quake.  And a shelter can become your next wake.                                                                           ©  Demetrius

From the Soul of Brother Rock

 * * * * * * * * * * *

JOIN 4-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER EDWIN HAWKINS IN HIS APPEALTO RAISE FUNDS FOR AMERICA’S HOMELESS

“People In Need” (PIN) song 

http://www.benefitnetwork.org/PINCD.htm

 or send $15.00 check/money order for CD copy to :

* * * * * * * * *

 * * * * * * * * * * * * *