Santa Monica Mirror / Yo! Venice: Feb 23 - Feb 29, 2024

Council Votes to Advance City Hall Mural Project Focused on Equity

The Recommendations Center on Changes to the Mural Display and Surrounding Space

The Santa Monica City Council voted on Tuesday to proceed with ten actions resulting from the Reframe: City Hall Mural project. This decision opens the path for new artwork and educational materials aimed at recognizing and contextualizing the history, depictions, and omissions within the Stanton Macdonald-Wright mural in the City Hall lobby.

Proposed by consultant Meztli Projects and endorsed by the City Council, the recommendations center on two key areas: concrete changes to the mural display and surrounding space, and broader equityfocused initiatives aligning with the city’s commitment to Racial Justice, Equity & Social Diversity.

The initial set of actions concerning the mural includes commissioning additional

artworks for the City Hall lobby, creating interpretive signage incorporating diverse perspectives, ensuring public art aligns with equity and belonging, and developing educational materials in collaboration with schools and community partners.

Implementation of those actions, led by the Recreation and Arts Department’s Cultural Affairs Division, will commence this year.

This initiative, part of Acknowledge + Reframe Together, aims to create public art

A Sustainable “Air Taxi” Service Will Operate Out of West L.A.

Based on Images and Videos, the Aircraft’s Design Mixes a Helicopter With an Airplane

By Zach Armstrong

Los Angeles is one of the most traffic congested U.S. cities. As a driver moves at a snail’s pace on its highways, they may look to the sky for an idea on how to bypass the situation. But expedient private air travel is unaffordable for most. Even if one can afford it, using it as an alternative for cross-town commutes has been scrutinized as a factor in environmental destruction.

Following a partnership between aircraft

startup Archer Aviation Inc. and aviation service provider Atlantic Aviation, the two entities will develop an sustainable “air taxi” service at the Santa Monica Airport among other U.S. locations. The companies aim to launch these services at initial locations, including Miami, San Francisco and New York in addition to Los Angeles, by 2025.

The air taxi service aims to provide 10to 20- minute long commutes in an electric aircraft as a substitute for car commutes that can take up to an hour and a half.

The aircraft, Midnight, is a piloted, fourpassenger aircraft which the companies describe as being safe, low noise and costcompetitive with ground transportation.

The aircrafts will be engineered for speeds up to 150 mph and optimized for regular 20-50 mile urban trips.

Based on images and videos, the aircraft’s design mixes a helicopter with an airplane. Most of its long, narrow body is

reminiscent of an airplane, while a dozen propellers similar to that of a helicopter sit on the wings.

“We are excited to work with Atlantic to help electrify their vast portfolio of high-value aviation assets in America’s most congested cities,” said Nikhil Goel,

OR

and civic memory projects that prioritize community voices, fostering a more equitable Santa Monica by acknowledging and amplifying historically excluded voices.

Archer’s Chief Commercial Officer in a news release. “These initial eVTOL vertiport locations will provide a launching pad for future expansion across Atlantic’s portfolio and ensure that our Midnight aircraft has safe, centrally located landing facilities for our future passengers.”

News of the Opening Comes One Month After the Brand Raised $67 Million

By Zach Armstrong

Amid ambitious U.S. growth, Brazilian açaí company Oakberry will soon open a second Santa Monica location along Montana Avenue. The shop will be one of at least eight locations established in the Los Angeles area by the bowl & smoothie franchise.

Announcement of the upcoming shop was made via a vacant storefront painted over with the brand’s logo. Its location is 705 and 707 Montana Ave.; less than two-and-a-half miles from its initial Santa Monica outpost at 3032 WIlshire Blvd. and less than four miles from its Venice Beach spot at 1432 S Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Founded in 2016, Oakberry is a quickservice superfood brand offering açaí bowls and smoothies served with customizable toppings. According to the brand, ingredients are sustainably sourced from Brazil’s Amazon

Global Açaí Bowl & Smoothie Brand to Open Second Santa Monica Shop Firefighters Maintain Venice Condo Fire

Rainforest, rich in antioxidants and organic with no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors. In addition to its smoothie and bowl options (which customers can customize with as many as three toppings), the brand serves snacks and drinks such as its açaí coconut bar or its passion fruit drink “Oakombucha”.

News of the opening comes one month after the açaí brand raised $67 million through funds managed by Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual; the largest investment Latin American bank, according to a news release. Those funds are primarily being used to accelerate the franchise’s global expansion strategy, specifically in the U.S. market. Other L.A. Oakberry locations include those in Downtown, Century City, Silverlake and Playa Vista.

According to What Now Los Angeles, the new Santa Monica store is expected to open by May. Additional stores in Larchmont, Sherman Oaks, Culver City, West Lake and Hollywood should open by the end of this year.

The property containing three separate two-story condos

A fire damaged a condominium in Venice on Wednesday, but the swift response of firefighters prevented its spread to neighboring units, as reported by Patch.com. The incident occurred in the 300 block of 6th Avenue shortly after 1 p.m., as reported by the Los Angeles Fire Department. Nicholas

Prange, a spokesperson for the department, told Patch that firefighters arrived at the property containing three separate two-story condos with smoke showing from the first floor of one unit. The affected property, visibly vacant, was cordoned off.

Firefighters efficiently accessed the unit where the fire originated, utilizing hose lines to confine the flames to that specific unit. The fire was successfully extinguished within 16 minutes, with a total of 36 firefighters assigned to the incident.

No injuries were reported in the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Gelson’s Looms Large

OPINION

SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Our guest column this week is by SMCLC (the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City). SMCLC is a well-established group of concerned residents that have successfully been involved for many years in addressing and improving, or stopping, numerous egregious planning issues and developments, such as the Hines project or the massive project that had been proposed for 4th/5th & Arizona, where the annual ICE event takes place.

We share their concerns expressed here, in their letter to you, the residents, and the developer and their design team, regarding the massive project proposed for the Gelson’s site at Ocean Park Blvd. and Lincoln Blvd. We ask you to support them by sending an email to info@smclc.net with your name. Stay informed.

February 19, 2024

Dear Santa Monican,

As many of you know, Cypress Equity is proposing a massive project comprised of 12 buildings, up to 6 stories, and 521 apartments on the Gelson’s site at Ocean Park and Lincoln Boulevards, an intersection the City has already identified as “failing.”

Recent state laws have gutted a local community’s ability to influence new developments, many of which will radically change the density and scale

of our neighborhoods and dramatically increase traffic.

We’d like to address our concerns directly to Cypress Equity with a full-page open letter in local newspapers in an effort to engage this so far unresponsive developer.

Please read the below letter, and if you agree, go to info@smclc.net to tell us we may add your name as a co-signer.

And if you’d like to make a donation to help defray the cost of publishing our open letter, that would also be welcome.

Thanks!

Diana Gordon for SMCLC

Projects Get Better When Developers Listen to the Community

To: Cypress Equity, Michael Sorochinsky (CEO), Alla Sorochinsky (CFO), Bruce Fairty (COO), Jason Bohle (Senior VP Development)

From: The Santa Monica Community

Dear Cypress Equity Management Team,

As you know, recent state law has severely limited local input on development decisions. Your proposed project at Lincoln and Ocean Park Boulevards, the Gelson’s site, is an example of what happens when a city and its residents are locked out of the planning process: a poorly conceived, out-of-scale design that has created ill will in the community.

Your plan for this already gridlocked intersection is over one-and-a-quarter times the square footage of the Santa Monica Place Mall on a site less than half its size. Yet no consideration has been

given to massing, impacts on traffic, water, or any infrastructure, and, so far, no modifications have been made based on any community concerns.

We’re not against growth. We’re against badly planned, catastrophic growth that overwhelms a neighborhood and harms the people who live there.

You have over a dozen more projects you hope to develop in our city. We urge you to be responsible corporate citizens, listen to residents, and do the following:

Reduce your project’s “density bonus” from 50% to 25% (130 fewer units) OR reduce all building heights to no more than four stories.

This would help the community by lessening traffic impacts and massing, and help you by lowering construction costs and reducing future vacancy rates—a win for everyone.

Let’s talk. Contact us at info@smclc.net.

Please forward this letter to your friends and neighbors to sign up for updates and join in our

efforts.

SMa.r.t. thanks SMCLC for their continuing efforts to protect and enhance the livability and environment of Santa Monica for its residents, new and old, and for all those who come to visit and work and enjoy our beachfront community.

SMa.r.t.

Send comments to santamonicasmart@gmail. com

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect; Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission; Thane Roberts, Architect; Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA, Architect; Samuel Tolkin Architect & Planning Commissioner; Michael Jolly, AIR-CRE; Marie Standing; Jack HillbrandAIA,Architect

For previous articles, see www.santamonicaarch. wordpress.com/writing

Plant-Based Deli Opens on Montana Ave

Many Ingredients are Sourced From the Santa Monica Farmers Market

By Zach Armstrong

A new deli, one which describes itself as “where Bay Cities meets Erewhon”, officially opened its doors at 912 Montana Ave. with a menu that presents nothing but plant-based delights.

With many ingredients sourced from the Santa Monica farmers market, B&T’s Deli is the product of local sandwich lovers Britt and Terrence who say they grew up going to Jewish and Italian delis each weekend. An array of specialty sandwiches are offered, such as “The Pegasus” (marinated zucchini with B&T’s classic spread on a sourdough bun), “The Peter” (seasonal mushrooms, balsamic glazed onions, chimichurri), “The Brunch Club” (tater tots with garlic spread, chipotle aioli) or “The Susie Green” (whitefish celery root salad with lemon, capers and heirloom tomatoes on a Jyan Isaac bagel).

The eatery’s website states “The challenge of finding good plant-based comfort food, sub-style sandwiches in

particular, led us to B&T’s Deli. Our goal is to bring plant-based options to sandwich lovers. B&T’s is not for the strictly vegan— we use ingredients that everyone knows and

loves, like artichokes, instead of confusing and fake meat imitations that turn people off from incorporating plant-based items into their routine. We show the plant-based-

curious that you’re not relegating yourself to a lifetime of tofu and hummus.”

For more information, go to https://www. bandtsdeli.com/.

Downtown Wellness Center Bridges Gap Between Psychedelics and Meditation

By Zach Armstrong

The solution isn’t OUT there. It’s IN there… Somewhere deep within yourself.

In the field of alternative therapies, there is an emerging interest in psychedelics and deep meditation. However, those practices have their own limitations. Even the most fundamental forms of meditation require

patience on top of long-term periods of practice in order to hone the skill. And while LSD, psilocybin, DMT and other psychoactive drugs offer an eye-opening journey (your third eye that is), users may be vulnerable to negative episodes and loss of control to exit the trip when they want.

Reality Center, a Santa Monica-based startup bridges these gaps with what the

founders term, “digital psychedelics.” Located at 1428 2nd Street, Reality Center has the calming feel of a therapist’s office, quietly removed from the bustle of the Promenade, just outside.

At one end of the treatment chamber, a relaxing space reminiscent of a massage area within a recording studio, enhanced with lysergic decor, clients meet the one who synchronizes all of the elements of a treatment, a ’Reality Manager’ who directs the session from behind a set up of controls. This person takes on the dual role of therapist and DJ. Based on co-founder Don Estes’ theory of ‘Sensory Resonance,’ which posits that the autonomic nervous system can be reset by harmonizing its various senses, the reality manager mixes the sound and visuals of the technology just right for the client to enter a nearmeditative state.

During 30 minute to hour-long sessions, a client lies on a wave table, which is basically a massage table-size waterbed filled with minerals which regulate the vibrating impedance of two 15-inch transducers (akin to subwoofers) embedded at the base. A pair of noise-canceling headphones are placed over the client’s ears, an additional small transducer (in the form of a stuffed animal dolphin) is placed over the heart and two LED visor lights are placed over the eyes. All of these elements are synchronized to the same frequency, manifesting a psychedelic-style journey for the client, while he or she closes their eyes, exuding no effort for the experience to come.

I underwent a one-hour session. I can’t recount every single emotion or interpretation I felt. But what I envisioned was a non-stop exhibition of ornate patterns featuring every shape with every shade of every color; rapidly morphing and spiraling before my eyes. At one point, it appeared as though I was propelled down a tunnel walled in colorful symmetries. At another, I hovered above what seemed like a planet surrounded by a billion specks of dust. For whatever reason, I interpreted these specks as the individual souls of every breathing organism of the universe. That we are all one, together, connected in complex ways.

But no two clients have the same experience. Often, their emotional reactions, and resulting shifts in mentality, correspond to their particular trauma or stress. For example, if a client has difficulty connecting with others, they may no longer feel that struggle after a session. These experiences often trigger tears of relief, said Reality Center Co-Founder Jonathan Chia.

A combat infantry veteran of the Iraq War, Chia founded Reality Center two years ago alongside partners Tarun Raj, Don Estes and Benji Tucker. After obtaining a degree in digital photography, he enjoyed a career photographing and directing

multimedia content for some of the world’s biggest brands, celebrities, thought leaders and politicians. Like many veterans, he initially turned to drugs and alcohol as a path to self-medication. His business partner, Raj, introduced him to a better way of alleviating pain: Reiki; an energy healing technique using soft hand motions. Concurrently, he was documenting and working with nonprofits that provide experiences like - hiking with psychedelics, golf with meditation and various equestrian programs. He saw how those organizations integrated mindfulness practices that fast tracked his own well-being and did the same for entire communities. Eight years later, he made the entrepreneurial move to foster more of that healing with Reality Center.

While the center is available to the general public for a fee, it has played somewhat of a charitable role within the community. Since undergoing her own session, Dr. Gina Gallivan, Lead Clinical Psychologist for over 60 local agencies, has partnered with the center to refer clients (police, first responders, firemen, etc). According to Chia, 500 veterans in the last two years have been provided free sessions through partnerships with organizations like Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion and Veteran Care Group. One segment of clientele which Reality Center has seen results from are those suffering the loss of a loved one, hoping to connect with them on the other side, but never feeling their presence or energy. Chia says one client, the widow of a police officer, couldn’t sleep since her partner was killed in the line of duty. When her session finished, she felt rejuvenated but didn’t feel she could connect with her husband. The next morning, however, she texted Chia ebullient news: Not only had she slept through the entire night, she dreamt. Not only did she dream, she dreamt of her husband. In her dream, she explained, he looked happy and told her, “I love you.”

“All of the work we have done in the Veteran community has enabled us to reach the front door of other communities like police, firefighters, first responders, doctors and clinicians,” said Chia.

Future plans include selling individual devices for customers to replicate the experience within the comfort of their home. An annual subscription for an App, along with purchases of goggles and transducers (controlled by the App), may be offered as soon as Winter of 2025. An expansion of Reality Centers is also anticipated soon across major U.S. cities.

Find Harmony at IntoMeSea: Unveiling

Santa Monica’s Quantum Wellness Hub

A Look Into the Healing Studio and Interview with Owner Jen Williams

IntoMeSea, a healing wellness studio located at 1812 Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica, radiates peacefulness and calm in a turbulent world. Owner and creator Jen Williams opened the studio in November of 2021 and is having a bit of a pop culture moment since the studio and its services were featured in the February 20 episode of Vanderpump Rules.

The building was designed by environmental architect David Hertz, a leader in sustainable architecture and regenerative design. He has decades of experience in the practice and innovation of green building; the building itself is steeped in beautiful and environmentally conscious design. If it can be said that a building has an aura, IntoMeSea’s studio has one, which is noticeable as you approach it.

I spoke with owner Jen Williams about the studio and all it offers to residents of Santa Monica and beyond.

Dolores Quintana: Tell me a little about IntoMeSea

Jen Williams: We call it Quantum Wellness Studio because we tap into wellness aspects that aren’t typically common in most other places. We have floatation therapy and energetic soaking in crystal tubs, gigantic quartz crystal tubs. We have infrared saunas. We have a halotherapy salt chamber, which is great for the microbiome of our lungs, which is on everyone’s minds since so many people are getting sick. It’s great for that and the immune system and so forth.

We also have fire and ice, which is contrast therapy with the cold plunge and the infrared sauna. We also have a cool light called a Lucia number three; it’s technically a hypnagogic light, which will put a person into the state of hypnagogia, which is the state between wakefulness and sleep, which actually stimulates alpha and theta brainwaves. It activates the pineal gland. It’s great for insomnia, anxiety and depression. It boosts serotonin levels and increases melatonin output. It’s not to be mistaken with what people think of light therapy as red light therapy; we do have red light in the infrared saunas. If needed, that’s where someone can get the red light, their boost of red light.

Dolores Quintana: So IntoMeSea has a lot of therapies that are centered on wellness, as well as events, correct? Please tell me more about the wellness events.

Jen Williams: We have an event space, and we call it the labyrinth room. There’s a gigantic labyrinth that’s been hand-painted

on the floor. The events range from a Full Moon monthly Tarot ceremony with a local tarot reader, Fabio, who is amazing, to past life regression and tea ceremonies to sound baths and breathwork.

We do a weekly breath church on Sundays. There are embodiment and movement classes inspired by movement and dance, breath work, and cacao ceremonies. It really ranges the gamut of energetic work and spirituality work. We don’t prescribe to any one type of spirituality; we like to include everything. It’s a great complement to the services because the services help integrate the work that’s done in a lot of the events.

Dolores Quintana: So you find that the events and services work together harmoniously.

Jen Williams: Very harmonious, and many times, somebody could come and have this fantastic breathwork event and experience these breakthroughs. Then, they can try a float tank and integrate that or in the crystal tub, and many of the services also work well together.

Say somebody wants to work on manifestation. They can do the Lucia Light followed by a session in a crystal tub so that whatever comes up for a person in a Lucia Light service, they can then integrate into the crystal tub service, which is about manifestation and intention setting.

Dolores Quintana: Some of the services might be useful in dealing with issues that

someone has in their lives from past events.

Jen Williams: I mean, yeah. If somebody wants to work through clearing blockages or feels stuck somewhere, the Lucia lights are great for that, as well as the crystal tub. We are not therapists; we’re not doctors. We can’t diagnose or treat any particular thing; we want to create a space to allow a person to move through their own experiences.

Dolores Quintana: Could it be used for people who may be at a place where they feel like they want to make some kind of breakthrough? Maybe they want to get through a stagnant period, say they’re low energy, or there may be a specific issue they can’t resolve. If they have repetitive thoughts about something that happened and it is bothering them, but they want just to get away, not get away from it, but help themselves process it because our brains are part of our bodies, so they affect how our body feels and functions.

Jen Williams: Absolutely. The space helps people break through old patterns or old belief systems. We also have an intimacies co-creator. Her name is Martha Lockie, and she does Akashic Records readings. You can book a reading with Martha, especially if they have repetitive patterns or something keeps showing up in their life—a type of relationship or job or, specific thought patterns, and so forth. Martha can do an Akashic Records reading, and Martha has been trained in Akashic Records readings and has been

accessing it for many years. She provides a mantra that’s practiced and so forth, and she can guide the person to pinpoint those specific things they might need assistance with. Then, they can integrate it either in a float tank in the crystal tub, with the Lucia light, or a combination of them. Some of the services have physical health aspects, but we also have energetic health aspects as well.

Dolores Quintana: Is there anything else that you might like our readers to know?

Jen Williams: We’re a green business. Everything we do is green-certified with the City of Santa Monica. We really care about the planet, and so forth, sustainability and all our, you know, as much of our packaging as we can do possibly is, you know, either biodegradable plastics or you know, like even when it comes to like our little cellophane wrappers for our Q tips and cotton, cotton pads and so forth, you know, we try to keep everything as green as possible. And if anybody wants to book, they can book directly on the website.

When I originally came up with the concept of IntoMeSea, it was really important for me to create a space where people could come and find their authenticity and connect to their authentic selves. Those people could then collectively take that sense of authenticity into the world.

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Become Fit ‘N’ Fab Forever With At Home Personal Training

By Susan Payne

“Age is a number, fitness is a lifestyle.”

Santa Monica personal trainer Betsy Mendel truly believes this. Over the last 20 years, Mendel has enjoyed seeing the natural progression of her clients become happier and healthier as they commit to moving their bodies.

This year, Mendel has rebranded her business to encompass a broader spectrum of clients, ages 50 or above, that want to be “Fit n Fab Forever.”

Empowering individuals to unlock their full potential is Mendel’s mission.

By providing personalized, results-driven fitness programs, she prioritizes your health and wellness. Through her expert guidance, motivational support and her commitment to a positive and supportive environment, Mendel wants to inspire and guide clients on their journey to achieve fitness goals,

Fit and Fab Forever

Betsy Mendel

Move a muscle, change a mood. As you start moving your body, you start feeling good, taking better care of yourself and making healthier food choices. It’s a natural progression,” Mendel said.

With personal at-home training, Mendel allows her clients the convenience and comfort of their own home, helping them become stronger and giving them the confidence to rebrand their own lifestyle. Whether that be moving more, making improved choices in their personal diets, or wanting to feel stronger, healthier, or more flexible, Mendel meets clients where they are, designs a plan to reach and exceed their goals, and starts them on a journey to live their best life ever.

“During the initial consultation, we go over their goals, if they have injuries, what they’ve been doing, or want to do, and we get to know each other and see if it’s a good fit,” Mendel said. “I love this part because I can share my passion for fitness and ensure that we are on the path to achieving a happier and healthier lifestyle.”

After a thorough review of health histories, Mendel integrates cardio, weights, flexibility and stretching, into a plan customized for each client, depending on their history and capabilities. With a flexible schedule, Mendel sets aside time with each client and is often an accountability partner for them.

“Most people just want to get in better shape and stay active. They want to be able to play pickleball, or get on the floor with their grandchildren, they just want to feel better. I’ve seen clients go from lacking confidence, not thinking they can do it, to looking forward to the workout and seeing that lifestyle change and how far they’ve come. It’s a beautiful transformation,” she said.

Although she specializes in ages 50 and

above, Mendel welcomes clients of all ages, and even couples who wish to get stronger together.

“I have couples that train together and they really enjoy the togetherness and bonding experience,” Mendel said.

“It’s important to stay in shape as you get older. A lot of people want to work out, but don’t feel comfortable in a gym. Some are lacking accountability, but they have it coming now with Fit n Fab Forever. Being able to work out from home, I strive to make them feel at ease.”

With 20 years of experience, Mendel has culminated a wealth of success stories and testimonials from her clients:

“All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you! You’ve made such a difference in my life!”

To get in touch with Betsy Mendel and get a custom workout schedule in place, visit fitnfabforever.com, or email westsidebetsy@gmail.com. Better yet, call or text 310-980-1477.

One Whole Life: Health Starts in Your Gut

Los Angeles-based broth company, OWL Venice, is on a mission to heal the world. OWL stands for One Whole Life and they believe that to heal the world, you

must

first heal yourself, which is where their Reset cleanse comes in.

The OWL Reset combines the wisdom of Chinese medicine, ayurveda and chronobiology. On the Reset, their broth elixirs and plant-based shakes work synergistically to provide a simple, powerful way to maintain your gastrointestinal health and digestion.

Broth is an effective way to treat intestinal permeability, but OWL Venice bone broth elixirs aren’t like other traditional stock. They are free of inflammatory foods like onion and garlic, and simmered with healing herbs that reduce inflammation, heal the gut and aid in digestion. They are formulated to be sipped like tea and provide healing benefits from both the plants and bones.

While other cleanse programs deplete the body of essential nutrients, the OWL Reset is formulated to nourish the body, heal the gut and promote holistic wellness. Packed with healing herbs, minerals, collagen, protein and key superfoods, this is a modern day cleanse that helps people curb cravings and manage weight while restoring and repairing the gastrointestinal system, commonly known as the gut.

But, why reset?

OWL founder Lindsey Wilson says the word cleanse implies that you may not already be clean to begin with, but your body is actually healing itself all the time.

“Our body uses about 60% of its energy on digesting food. So, the idea of switching to an all-liquid reset is that the body is able to spend less energy digesting food and more energy doing what it does best, which is repairing and healing the body,” Wilson says.

Currently, OWL offers chicken, turkey, beef, bison and vegan mineral broth elixirs in a four-, six- and eight-day reset cleanse program to heal and seal the gut. Each day of the Reset comprises three broth elixirs and three organic mylkshakes, a nourishing blend of hemp hearts, veggies,

roots and functional herbs designed to improve digestive performance and reduce inflammation.

“Resetting helps you re-establish healthier habits and reconnect you with those hunger cues so you realize when you’re eating because you’re hungry versus when you’re eating because you’re tired, lonely, stressed or sad,” Wilson said.

“Spring and summer are the best times to have a lower caloric intake. A traditional reset I would recommend only in summer because it is hotter and the body is better able to digest raw foods,” Wilson said. “However, the OWL Reset is designed to be done year-round because of its warm broths and whole fruit and vegetable shakes.”

OWL products are void of common food

A beneficial time to detoxify the body and tap into increased energy and confidence, clearer skin, reduced stress, stable adrenals and a healthier lifestyle, is spring, right around the corner.

allergens such as gluten, dairy, garlic, nuts, onion, added sugar and inflammatory ingredients. Using chronobiology, the idea of eating foods at a specific time of day based on a living organism’s utilization of

light as indirect energy, each ingredient in the reset intentionally considers alignment with circadian rhythm. This supports prime digestion and absorption of nutrients morning, afternoon and evening.

If you feel hungry during the reset, OWL includes a list of cleanse-approved foods that won’t negate the benefits of the Reset. Because there’s no one-size-fitsall approach to health and nutrition, OWL encourages listening to your body and finding routines, practices and preferences that work for you.

“The OWL Reset is designed for bioindividuality, taking into account those who have to follow various restrictive diets or protocols to heal digestive issues, those with autoimmune conditions, or anyone that has a compromised gut. We work with a specific list of ingredients to make the reset as approachable as possible,” Wilson said.

OWL Venice products are sold throughout Los Angeles county and OWL’s brick and mortar location in Venice at 1613 Abbot Kinney Boulevard. To explore bone broth elixirs, mylkshakes, supplements and skincare products and learn more about the OWL Reset, visit owlvenice.com.

Popular Coffee & Tea Franchise Opens Another Santa Monica Spot

menu includes coffee options, whole leaf teas, muffins, cakes, specialty croissants, and oven-toasted breakfast items like the Beyond Breakfast Sausage Sandwich, Bacon & Egg Burrito and the Chorizo Breakfast Burrito.

Outpost

By Zach Armstrong

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the popular Southern California-based franchise, has established what seems as its fourth Santa Monica outpost at the Medical Center of Santa Monica. The private building houses various medical businesses. This gives doctors, nurses and visitors easy access to morning and afternoon beverages.

The opening comes about four months after What Now L.A. reported that the chain would establish a store at 2021 Santa Monica Blvd., situated on the corner of 20th Street. Other Santa Monica locations for the international franchise are situated within the Promenade at 1312 Third Street Promenade and around the Pier at 380 Santa Monica Pier Ste 7.

The official address is 2021 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 103.

The café is known for sourcing Arabica coffee and custom roasting small batches at its roasting facility in Camarillo, CA. The

Amid Delays, House of Pies Sets New Opening Date for Venice Spot

For About a Year, the

Development’s

Construction Has Seemingly Been Inactive

By Zach Armstrong

House of Pies, a popular L.A. Diner, which plans a second location at the intersection of Venice Blvd. and Lincoln Blvd., has delayed opening that storefront amid permitting issues with the city of L.A.

The franchise initially expected a November 2022 opening, but has pushed that timeline to September of this year.

For about a year, the development’s construction has seemingly been inactive. The developer faced scrutiny from local agencies and others last May for removing sycamore trees on the adjacent public right-of-way sidewalk. During this time, a skeleton of the upcoming shop consisting of large steel beams and other materials remained unchanged behind a green privacy screen at 1020 Venice Blvd.

“These trees were 30 years old, of substantial size and installed and watered by the Venice community members in conjunction with the City, State and non profits organizations including Tree People with our tax dollars and grant funding.” an agenda item from a Venice Neighborhood Council meeting stated.

In an emailed response as to whether the business was fined by the city of L.A. or any other authorities for the tree cutdowns, a representative stated “Yes, we are currently working with the city agencies in charge of trees and public sidewalks to address the issue.”

Founded in 1969, House of Pies’ single current location is in Los Feliz at 1869 N. Vermont Ave. In addition to its breakfast, lunch and dinner options, the diner serves a multitude of pies such as Bavarian Chocolate Cream Pie, French Apple Fruit Pie, Southern Pecan Pie and Egg Custard Pie.

Multiple Mar Vista Robberies Appear to be Related

One resident told NBC4 she was robbed of tens of thousands of dollars worth in personal belongings

By Zach Armstrong

According to a report from NBC4, up to a dozen similar robberies have occurred in a Mar Vista neighborhood leading residents to believe the incidents could be related.

Taking place over the course of months, thieves are caught on camera wearing masks and gloves while confiscating pricey belongings such as heirlooms before leaving in a black SUV. One resident told NBC4 she was robbed of tens of thousands of dollars worth in personal belongings. Another local told the local news outlet the robbers took $100,000 in

jewelry and purses, going on to say it seemed well organized.

NBC4 said during their coverage that local law enforcement in addition to federal authorities are actively investigating the matter. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact LAPD.

“Women in Jazz” Event at the Moss Theater to Benefit College Scholarship Program

The Scholarship Trains Students to be Ambassadors for Antiracist Learning and Teaching

Los Angeles-based jazz vocalist Amber Weekes, an alumna of Mount Saint Mary’s University, will take center stage at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica on Friday, March 1, at 7 p.m. for the “Women in Jazz” event.

Organized by New Roads School, the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra, and Mount Saint Mary’s University, the concert aims to raise $15,000 in scholarships for the university’s Equity, Diversity, and Justice Leadership Scholars program. This initiative trains students to be ambassadors for antiracist

learning and teaching.

The event, produced by Dr. Julius Carlson, Associate Professor of Music at Mount Saint Mary’s and co-founder of the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra, will feature the cultural expression of West Coast Jazz.

General admission tickets are $50, and VIP seats are $100, available for purchase on Eventbrite. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-jazztickets-798897202037

Venice Heritage Museum Set to Open Inaugural Exhibition

The Opening Will Feature

Live Entertainment and Food

By Zach Armstrong

The Venice Heritage Museum, a project meant to showcase the L.A. neighborhoods’ rich 115+ year history of economic and social evolution, will soon open the doors to its inaugural exhibition.

On Saturday March 9., the “This is some place” gallery grand opening will feature live entertainment, music, food, drinks and more.

According to an event post, this exhibition presents visitors with moments of worldbuilding in Venice over the last century, showing how Venetians have distinguished their home from the world around it.

According to its website, the museum aims to be a “hub for Venetians, Angelenos, and the millions of visitors who come to Venice each year to preserve, explore, and celebrate all there is to love about our city.” Its listed values include representing Venice’s creative and socio-economically diverse histories, providing a permanent platform for Venice’s diverse communities, empowering young people to take pride in their community,

In 2021, the museum launched its first capital campaign, raising over $300,000 in order to bring it to life.

Emerging New RV Encampment Compromises

Del Rey Neighborhood

Fourteen RVs now occupy a stretch at the 90 Marina Freeway, some for years

By Nick Antonicello

A chain of some fourteen illegally parked and permanent vehicles along the 90 Marina Freeway have local residents frustrated and seeking action.

Del Rey has this growing homeless encampment of RV vehicles along the corridor of Inglewood Blvd and the 90 Marina Freeway for some time and most of the permanently parked buses and campers have been towedin, and most are currently unlicensed and

unregistered.

Sources tell Yo! Venice that when other encampments are cleared, they arrive at this location because enforcement has been lacking.

Now we see these illegally parked vehicles making their way to Bray Street and Messmer Avenue, directly parked in a residential street and not just a commercial corridor.

The photos here were taken recently by area residents.

While we recently saw a collection of three (3) RV’s removed at the First Lutheran Church located on South Venice Boulevard, encampments such as these continue to flourish and increase in size according to reports by those who live here in Del Rey.

Nick Antonicello is a 31-year resident of Venice and covers the RV and homeless encampment issue in the neighborhood. Have an encampment or RV crisis on your block or street? Contact him via email at nantoni@ mindspring.com

Photo by Ed Gandara