Best of Venice 2021

YO!

VENICE www.yovenice.com

October 22 – November 25, 2021

Best of Venice 2021

Not eligible for all property types. Eligible for fixed rate, jumbo loans on primary or second homes only. Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Restrictions may apply, contact Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC for current rates and for more information.

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Ryan Woodward

Vice President, Mortgage Lending

O: (310) 791-6077 grarate.com/ryanwoodward Ryan.Woodward@grarate.com 130 North Brand Blvd, Suite 207 Glendale, CA 91203 NMLS ID: 700492, LO#: CA CA - CA-DFPI700492 Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC is a registered trademark of Guaranteed Rate, Inc., used under license. Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC is a subsidiary of Guaranteed Rate, Inc.; NMLS #1598647; For licensing information visit nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Equal Housing Lender. Conditions may apply Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC is a registered trademark of Guaranteed Rate, Inc., used under license. Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC is a subsidiary of Guaranteed Rate, Inc. CA: Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act

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October 22 – November 25, 2021

Learn more at smc.edu

Get Back On Track We’re here to help you succeed.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Ride Metro for Free

SMC will award over $75 million in financial aid and scholarships to help you achieve your goals.

Los Angeles County’s Metro system is launching a two-year pilot program for SMC students to ride its buses and light rail trains for free.

SMC Promise Program The SMC Promise provides free enrollment, a free Chromebook, and up to $1,200 in textbook vouchers to qualifying students.

Vaccination Required Your safety is our number one concern. The SMC Board of Trustees unanimously approved a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination program for the Santa Monica College community.

SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rob Rader, Chair; Dr. Louise Jaffe, Vice Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff; Dr. Nancy Greenstein; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Dr. Sion Roy; Barry A. Snell; Ali Shirvani, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu

October 22 – November 25, 2021

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Westside Neighborhood Councils Call for Action on Anti-Camping Ordinance WRAC Board passes two motions related to camping in public areas

By Dolores Quintana The Westside Regional Alliance of Councils or WRAC Board has passed a motion that could go up for a vote potentially in fourteen community and neighborhood councils. The Board seeks to compel action from the LA City Council to enforce the rules of the new anti-camping ordinance passed by Council intended to put a stop to encampments of the homeless in various public areas.

For the ordinance’s clauses to be enforced, the LA City Council must vote to approve each action taken against any encampment or persons violating the ordinance through a resolution. After a resolution is passed, anticamping signs can be posted and after 14 days, the city may then issue fines to compel compliance and as punishment.

This new ordinance replaces the previous version of the Municipal Code 41.18 and now prohibits “…sitting, lying, or sleeping, or by storing, using, maintaining, or placing personal property” in a way that obstructs public use or access to public streets, sidewalks or other

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types of public structures or private property.

There is a clause that also prevents the same with specific places that are related to the presence of children designated as sensitive use as in “a School, Day Care Center, Public Park, or Public Library.”

This motion by WRAC’s Board is attempting to press the LA City Council members who represent the areas that WRAC represents– Mike Bonin, Paul Koretz, Nithya Raman, and Mark Ridley-Thomas–to work with the neighborhood councils to identify areas that require enforcement of the ordinance and then to bring resolutions to the City Council as soon as possible to hasten enforcement of the ordinance at the designated sites. The motion does, however, state that offers of shelter should first be made and refused by the people in the encampments before enforcement proceeds. Of the four City Council members that represent the WRAC area, two of them were the only City Council members to vote against the ordinance, Bonin and Raman.

Another motion that was passed by the WRAC council is a motion to support the proposed resolution written by City Council member Joe Buscaino and seconded by Paul Koretz that would prohibit encampments near all schools in the City of Los Angeles and that signs be posted near all school buildings, at the approved distance of 500 feet, to warn anyone

Photo: Sam Catanzaro

who would attempt to camp there to stay away from the school grounds. The resolution can be read here.

The two motions was written by WRAC Homelessness Committee Chair (HOC) Jay Handel and Vice Chair Chris Spitz. The motion is available to read at Westside Councils.com.

This motion has been passed by the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) and the PPCC has sent a list of schools, day care facilities, public parks, and libraries in their area to City Council member Mike Bonin requesting that he write a resolution for the City Council members to vote on to designate all of those sites as sensitive use in order to enforce the ordinance. The letter was sent on

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Sept. 12 and, as of yet, Mike Bonin has not responded.

WRAC Vice Chair Spitz was quoted by Westside Current.com and stated “Burgeoning homeless encampments in the public-right-ofway are THE presenting issue in Los Angeles.

Protecting our children and supporting our schools are priorities for the vast majority of WRAC constituents with families. Prompt follow-up by Bonin and other WRAC Councilmembers – to work with WRAC Member-Councils and bring resolutions in LA City Council to allow enforcement under the ordinance – would be consistent with these priorities.”

October 22 – November 25, 2021

kriszacuto.com

518 E Imperial Avenue, El Segundo 4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 1,974 SF Offered at $1,499,000 Rare opportunity at Waypointe in El Segundo for an incredible newer construction townhouse. This multi-level luxury home offers a spacious functional floor plan with an attractive contemporary design throughout. This highly sought after southwest corner unit offers both the utmost privacy in the community as well as unobstructed views from the roof deck over the rest of El Segundo. Waypointe is close to the excitement of downtown El Segundo’s shopping, dining and entertainment, as well as firstclass schools and so much more.

About Kris Zacuto Kris Zacuto, Broker Associate with Compass, has established himself as an authority on luxury real estate in the Silicon Beach market. In 2017, he partnered with Brookfield Residential as the exclusive listing agent for Playa Vista’s most luxurious homes - Jewel Playa Vista. Exclusively presenting and selling all 14 new construction residences was an unprecedented accomplishment for the area, which resulted in numerous sales records set in the process.

Get in touch.

310.702.6299 | kris@kriszacuto.com DRE 01972897

Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer.

This is not intended to solicit properties already listed.

October 22 – November 25, 2021

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Honor a Deserving Venice High School Student with a Jacket of Excellence Venice Chamber of Commerce’s annual event celebrates 37th year

By Staff Writer The annual Venice High School Jacket of Excellence Awards, now in its 37th year, returns to celebrate exceptional students who have demonstrated the best attributes of being a Gondo.

“An incredible 117 students will be awarded a Jacket of Excellence this year – and we need your support!” said the Venice Chamber of Commerce, who hosts the event along with the Venice High School Alumni Association.

The tradition to honor the scholastic achievement of Venice High School Seniors with a custom Jacket of Excellence and awards began in 1984. Since then, over 1,200 jackets have been awarded.

“The Venice Chamber of Commerce enthusiastically champions continuing this tradition and ask for your help. Invest in your

Photo: Venice Chamber of Commerce.

2020/21 Jacket of Excellence Award Winners. community’s future and sponsor a jacket today!” the Chamber said.

Sponsoring one jacket costs $125 while sponsoring two is $250. In addition, any amount can be accepted as a donation. Pledge directly online at: venicechamber.net/jackets.

Checks are payable to Venice Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 202, Venice 90294.

The Awards will take place at 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 via Zoom.

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10/24/21 7:34 PM

October 22 – November 25, 2021

Landlord Sues Snap Over Fire At Former Venice Office Benjamin Schonbrun files lawsuit against Snap, Inc. in connection to January fire

A Venice property owner is suing Snapchat for vacating a building that later burned down.

Benjamin Schonbrun, owner of the building at 723 Ocean Front Walk, has filed a lawsuit against Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, and a number of other defendants for a fire that destroyed the building on January, 13, 2021 as reported by Business Insider. The building was 68 years old and had 6,952 square feet of commercial space that spanned from the addresses of roughly 600 to 723 Ocean Front Walk in the Venice Boardwalk area. The lawsuit was filed on Sept. 8, 2021 and also names Snapchat, CNA Financial Corporation, Continental Casualty Company, Hanasab Insurance Services, Inc., City of Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles City Council Member Michael Bonin in the U.S. District Court.

Snapchat was founded in Venice in 2011

and eventually leased a number of different addresses in the area after their number of employees expanded as their business grew in size and the company went public in 2017. The company had a contentious relationship with the Venice communtiy since their need for so much space to accommodate their workforce and the leasing of so many properties led to charges that they were engaging in gentrification. The accusation was that their extensive leasing of so many properties was causing long term community members and their small businesses to have to vacate their businesses’ premises with very little notice. Venice is now one of the priciest neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Schonbrun alleges in his lawsuit that “In September 2018, Snap vacated the premises and ceased maintaining the premises, as it was obligated to do under the lease agreement, thus abandoning both the premises and their legal duties and responsibilities under the terms of the lease contract” and furthermore that “Snap signed a lease for the premises through March 2022 that made the company responsible for its upkeep and security, adding that it failed to maintain both since moving.” as reported by Business Insider.

However, as reported by the Westside Current, an unhoused woman who was a witness to the fire reported that she had been living near the building and in the alleyway for five years or since 2016. At that time, Snapchat was still in Venice and didn’t start to vacate the buildings in Venice until April of 2018. The article also states that the fire that

BEST RESTAURANT

BEST HAPPY HOUR

By Dolores Quintana

WINNER – GJELINA Address: 1427 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (310) 392-7575 Website: gjelina.com

Equal parts dine in restaurant and take away coffee shop and bakery, Superba Food + Bread offers the opportunity to swing by for a fresh baguette, indulge in a morning coffee, or enjoy a meal highlighting Southern California’s best produce from both local farms and Superba’s backyard garden.

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PLACE RUNNER UP – VENICE ALE HOUSE

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Address: 2 Rose Ave Phone Number: (310) 314-8253 Website: venicealehouse.com/

October 22 – November 25, 2021

destroyed the building was not the first fire that erupted in the alleyway. A video posted by the account Venice Safety on Youtube and shot by resident Jeff Leahy shows another fire that broke out in October of 2020. While this is not proof that Snapchat is not liable, it does potentially show that the encampments existed before Snapchat vacated the building and were a longer term issue. Housing for the homeless is a controversial issue that is facing the city of Los Angeles both because of the Covid 19 pandemic and the numbers of encampments all around the city. This fire shows the chilling potential for loss of life among the unhoused or residents of buildings and large scale property damage. The fire that destroyed the building did not cause any deaths or injuries.

Schonbrun is seeking $8 million dollars in damages from an estimate of $2.5 million to rebuild the building and additional damages from trebling or asking the court for three times the amount due to deliberate wrongdoing.

In this case, the trebling damage request comes from charges in Schonbrun’s lawsuit that Snapchat and the insurance companies engaged in “fraud, breach of contract, and bad-faith insurance”. Mayor Garcetti and Councilmember Bonin are part of the lawsuit for allegedly being aware of the encampment and not taking action to disperse it as reported to Business Insider.

Snapchat has issued no comment regarding the lawsuit after being contacted for this article.

BEST HOSPITAL/URGENT CARE

WINNER – VENICE FAMILY CLINIC WINNER – JAMES BEACH Address: 60 N Venice Blvd Phone Number: (310) 823-5396 Website: jamesbeach.com/

Address: 604 Rose Ave Phone Number: (310) 392-8636 • Website: venicefamilyclinic.org For more than 50 years, Venice Family Clinic has provided quality primary health care to people in need, growing from a small storefront operation into one of Los Angeles’ leading community health centers.

Venice Family Clinic’s model delivers comprehensive and integrated care, providing multiple services, often at the same locations and same time as primary care appointments, which lowers barriers to care for patients. In addition to primary care, the Clinic’s services include mental health, dental care, vision care, substance use treatment, child development services, prescription medications, HIV services, street medicine for people experiencing homelessness, health insurance enrollment and more.

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – SUPERBA FOOD + BREAD Address: 1900 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 907-5075 Website: superbafoodandbread.com

Photo: Citizen.

A fire burns in a vacant Venice building in January, 2021.

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – VENICE WHALER Address: 10 Washington Blvd Phone Number: (310) 821-8737 Website: venicewhaler.com

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – SIDEWALK CAFE Address: 1401 Ocean Front Walk Phone Number: (310) 399-5547 Website: thesidewalkcafe.com

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – THE WESTSIDE CLINIC Address: 3019 Washington Blvd Phone Number: (310) 305-1801 Website: thewestsideclinic.com

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – EXER URGENT CARE Address: 8985 Venice Blvd Ste. A3B Phone Number: (424) 502-1020 Website: exerurgentcare.com/urgent-care-culver-city

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BEST HEALTH STORE

BEST ART GALLERY

BEST PET STORE/ GROOMING SERVICE

BEST COFFEE SHOP

WINNER – RAINBOW ACRES

WINNER – UNIVERSAL ART GALLERY

WINNER – MENOTTI’S COFFEE STOP

Address: 13208 Washington Blvd Phone Number: (310) 306-8330 Website: rainbowacresca.com

Address: 2001 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 302-8909 Website: framegallery.com

WINNER – THE DOG BAKERY

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – EREWHON MARKET

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – BRIGHT MOMENTS

Address: 585 Venice Blvd Phone Number: (310) 362-3062 Website: erewhonmarket.com

Address: 62 Windward Ave Phone Number: None Website: brightmoments.io

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – NUTRITIONAL WAREHOUSE Address: 2118 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 392-3636 Website: facebook.com/ nutritionalwarehouse/

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PLACE RUNNER UP – VESSEL

Address: 64 Windward Ave Phone Number: (347) 241-1133 Website: vessel.store

Burgers, Brew & Pool Live Music Fri-sun

15 washington Blvd.

310-822-3902

Hinano Cafe thanks our customers for their ongoing support. We are proud to continually serve the Venice/ MdR Community for almost 60 years.

Voted #1 Best of Venice,

Yo! Venice

Address: 56 Windward Ave Phone Number: (424) 205-7014 Website: menottiscoffeeveniceca.com

Address: 12112 Venice Blvd Phone Number: (310) 313-1801 Website: thedogbakery.com

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – INTELLIGENTSIA COFFEE VENICE COFFEEBAR

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – KRISER’S NATURAL PET Address: 303 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (424) 744-8329 Website: krisers.com

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Address: 1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (310) 399-1233 Website: intelligentsia.com/pages/ venice-coffeebar

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – GROUNDWORK COFFEE CO.

PLACE RUNNER UP – THE PET AFFAIRE

Address: 3013 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 396-0804 Website: petaffaire.com

Address: 671 Rose Ave Phone Number: (310) 664-8830 Website: groundworkcoffee.com/pages/ venice-on-rose

BEST GYM/WORKOUT FACILITY

BEST DISPENSARY

WINNER – THE GYM VENICE

WINNER – GREEN GODDESS COLLECTIVE

Address: 12257 Venice Blvd Phone Number: (310) 439-2286 Website: thegymvenice.com

Address: 1716 Main St Phone Number: (844) 420-8442 Website: greengoddesscollective.com

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – PLATEFIT VENICE

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – MEDMEN VENICE BEACH

Address: 1919 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 439-1234 Website: platefit.co

Address: 410 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (424) 625-0740 Website: medmen.com

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – F45 TRAINING VENICE

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – ERBA VENICE - FORMERLY THE GREEN DOT

2021

Best liVe Music Venue

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Address: 2321 Abbot Kinney Blvd Suite 102 Phone Number: (310) 734-2236 Website: f45training.com/venice/home

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Address: 4200 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 578-8300 Website: thegreendotla.com

October 22 – November 25, 2021

Thank you Yo!Venice Readers for voting us BEST Dispensary in Venice 2021

We are currently open for in-store, curbside, and delivery.

We would love to meet you!

Come and explore all that cannabis has to offer.

Mention to your Cannabis Guide that you saw this and reCeive 15% off until Dec 15th, 2021.

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October 22 – November 25, 2021

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BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE

WINNER – HINANO CAFE

BEST WELLNESS SERVICE

WINNER – KISMET

Address: 15 Washington Blvd Phone Number: (310) 822-3902 Website: hinanocafevenice.com

Address: 812 1/2 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 383-7670 Website: kismetsalem.com

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – THE BRIG

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – HUMAN GARAGE

Address: 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (310) 399-7537 Website: thebrig.com

Address: 2004 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (323) 325-5787 Website: humangarage.net

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – THE VENICE BEACH BAR AND KITCHEN

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER LOS ANGELES

Address: 323 Ocean Front Walk Phone Number: (310) 392-3997 Website: thevenicebeachbar

Address: 12927 Venice Blvd Phone Number: (877) 496-3939 Website: rocketshipwellness.com

BEST DENTIST

BEST DRY CLEANERS/ LAUNDRY SERVICE

Police Seek Teenagers Wanted for Attacking 14-Year-Old and Friend Walking Back From School

Photo: Google

Manchester Boulevard between Stanmoor Drive and Rayford Drive.

WINNER – VENICE DENTAL GROUP

WINNER – LINCOLN DRY CLEANERS

Address: 12563 Venice Blvd Phone Number: (310) 390-2423 Website: venicedentalgroup.com

Address: 839 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 399-7915 Website: None

LAPD seeks group of 6-7 teenagers wanted in connection to October 19 incident in Westchester

By Dolores Quintana

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – DESIGN DENTAL SPA

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – VENICE CLEANERS

Address: 3206 Washington Blvd Phone Number: (310) 822-3833 Website: designdentalspa.com

Address: 11277 Venice Blvd Phone Number: (310) 390-2165 Website: venicecleaners.com

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – DENTAL SOLUTIONS

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – MARINA DEL REY QUALITY CLEANERS

Address: 3017 Washington Blvd Phone Number: (310) 822-4340 Website: dentalsolutionsla.com

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Address: 720 Washington Blvd Phone Number: (310) 823-4000 Website: None

Police are searching for a group of teenagers wanted for attacking a 14-yearold and his friend walking back from school recently in Westchester.

The incident, initially described on Nextdoor and later confi rmed with the LAPD, happened on Tuesday, October 19 at 3:30 p.m. The assault took place on Manchester Boulevard between Stanmoor Drive and Rayford Drive.

A parent of one of the victims said his son and friend were walking home from school in the afternoon when they were “surrounded by 6 or 7” boys who “demanded to know ‘where they were from.’”

“They then demanded their phones, wallets and backpacks. When they refused one of the assailants noticed my son’s gold chain and yanked it from around his neck injuring

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him,” the parent writes. “The assailants ran away. My son took out his phone and began to call [the] police when one of them ran back and returned the chain and told them to ‘scram.’ My son and his friend ran toward the Ralph’s by the bowling alley. These boys were 16 or 17 generally taller than my son who is 6’ 1” and very likely are students at Westchester High.”

According to the parent, the police responded, took a report and launched a robbery investigation.

Lieutenant Rhone of the LAPD Pacific Division gave an update on the case.

According to Rhone, there have been no suspects identified or apprehended at this time. A detective has re-interviewed the victims and the parent of the victim to try and find out any additional information. A crime bulletin has been sent out to officers in the area regarding the crime and the detective who is investigating the case will be canvassing the area to search for anyone who might have video of the incident.

This was the description of the assailants according to the account on Nextdoor: “Age: 6 or 7 Teenagers Sex: Male Race: African-American Physical Build: Athletic, 6 feet plus Other: One had braces on his teeth”

October 22 – November 25, 2021

October 22 – November 25, 2021

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BEST KIDS PRE SCHOOL OR SERVICE

We want to thank the community for voting in this year’s Best Of Venice 2021! We had well over 30,000 votes from the community this year and many nominations – it is truly amazing to see the community come together for that!

This year, we encourage you to shop local for the holidays – whether they are the “Best” business in their category, a nominated business or a business that isn’t even listed in this publication – small businesses are what makes our communities thrive!

So, as we start to hear more and more news about supply chain issues and big box stores not having gifts for the holidays, we encourage you to look local – shop small this holiday season and support all your community businesses!

From our family to yours, we wish you an amazing end of the year and a happy holiday season! As always, thank you for reading, following, watching and supporting!

BEST TATTOO AND PIERCING

BEST COSMETIC SERVICES

WINNER – INK MONKEY TATTOO AND PIERCING

WINNER – ALEXANDRA WAGNER SKIN CARE

Address: 2417 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 822-9138 Website: theinkmonkey.com

Address: None Phone Number: (310) 399-0123 Website: alexandrawagnerskincare.com

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – ROYAL HERITAGE TATTOO AND PIERCING

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – STOKER PLASTIC SURGERY: DAVID STOKER, MD

Address: 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (323) 782-9977 Website: royalheritagetattoo.com

Address: 4640 Admiralty Way #1000 Phone Number: (310) 300-1779 Website: drstoker.com

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – ONE LOVE TATTOO Address: 620 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 883-3858 Website: instagram.com/ onelovetattoovb

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3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – BEAUTY INNOVATIONS Address: 4560 Admiralty Way suite 110 b Phone Number: (310) 780-1602 Website: laserlipola.com

WINNER – THE ACADEMY AT VENICE: A BRIGHT HORIZONS PRESCHOOL Address: 2201 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (323) 316-9083 Website: child-care-preschool. brighthorizons.com/ca/venice

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – ABBOT KINNEY KIDS PRE Address: 582 Venice Blvd Phone Number: (310) 822-9801 Website: None

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – A KID’S PLACE Address: 12306 Venice Blvd Phone Number: (310) 390-0401 Website: akidsplacela.com

BEST AUTO SERVICE

BEST MASSAGE/ MEDICAL SPA

WINNER – VENICE BEACH AUTO BODY

WINNER – THE MASSAGE PLACE

Address: 703 Hampton Dr Phone Number: (310) 396-3221 Website: None

Address: 245 Main St Phone Number: (310) 399-5566 Website: themassageplacevenice.com

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – MARINA AUTO BODY

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – SPA SOPHIA

Address: 721 Washington Blvd Phone Number: (310) 822-6615 Website: marinaautobody.com

Address: 1027 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (310) 564-6676 Website: spasophia.com

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – A & G AUTO REPAIR & BODY SHOP

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – TAKE CARE

Address: 2499 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 305-8855 Website: laxmechanic.com

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Address: 1733 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (310) 881-8308 Website: takecarebody.com

October 22 – November 25, 2021

BEST LOCAL BOUTIQUE

BEST JEWELER/ JEWELRY

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT/BROKER

WINNER – PARDEE PROPERTIES WINNER – GENERAL STORE Address: 1801 Lincoln Blvd Phone Number: (310) 751-6393 Website: shop-generalstore.com

WINNER – GORJANAM Address: 1639 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (424) 268-4279 Website: gorjana.com

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – GENERAL ADMISSION

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – BRACKEN JEWELERS

Address: 12808 Venice Blvd Phone Number: (310) 313-1364 Website: generaladmission.com

Address: Lincoln Blvd, Venice Phone Number: (310) 821-6006 Website: toddbracken.com

Address: 1524 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (310) 907-6517 • Website: pardeeproperties.com Founder and CEO of Pardee Properties, Tami Pardee has established dramatic new standards of success in real estate. She is the creator of a cutting-edge concierge brokerage model, using specialized teams to create life-changing client experiences in buying and selling homes. Since its inception in 2005, Pardee has sold over $6 billion worth of residential and commercial real estate across California. Tami has always put her heart into the communities she serves, donating over $1.5 million toward uplifting underserved areas of Venice and West Los Angeles over the last 16 years.

2ND PLACE RUNNER UP – SILICON BEACH HOMES Address: 13900 Marquesas Way #6003 Phone Number: (424) 272-0916 Website: siliconbeachhomesinla.com An indie, woman-owned real estate brokerage perfecting the art of customer service.

We are a tech-savvy real estate Company with the #1 searched site for homes in the Silicon Beach area. Customer service drives us and the results make our clients happy.

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – ANANDA

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – MIANSAI ABBOT KINNEY

Address: 1354 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (310) 450-2607 Website: anandacollective.com

Address: 1116 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (310) 683-0060 Website: miansai.com

3RD PLACE RUNNER UP – BULLDOG REALTORS Address: 1209 Abbot Kinney Blvd Phone Number: (310) 452-5004 Website: bulldogrealtors.com

Get your business SEEN in one of our publications!

CALL TODAY

310.310.2637 Big thanks and to our community for voting us Best of Venice 2021!

We �ou!

310.907.6517

|

pardeeproperties.com

October 22 – November 25, 2021

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Opinion: Housing, Homelessness and the Empty Rhetoric of LA Mayoral Hopefuls Looking to Replace Eric Garcetti!

For who will help Venice get rid of Mike Bonin?

By Nick Antonicello There is an obvious “disconnect” between this new crop of mayoral candidates looking to succeed the failed administration of lame duck Mayor Eric Garcetti, now seeking political refuse in India while Congresswoman Karen Bass becomes the latest entrant into a race that identifies the central issue of housing and homelessness, but doesn’t have a clue on how to address it!

The Bass announcement was long on flowery rhetoric, but lacked any sense of gravity to the housing and homeless condition that has paralyzed Los Angeles and in particular Venice for some time.

An ally of Garcetti and the embedded status quo, how does a Bass Administration change anything when she has been nothing but a silent supporter of the disastrous era of Eric?

Here in Venice, the host of more homeless than anywhere else in Los Angeles with the exception of Skid Row, what will be the fate of this community under Karen Bass?

Tragically, failed Councilman Michael Bonin, in the throw of yet another recall attempt tries to rehabilitate what’s left of his political career with “I like Mike” placards has endorsed Bass, making it almost impossible for any rational and reasonable Venetian to consider her candidacy moving forward.

Why would Venice support Congresswoman Bass if she thinks Mike Bonin is not part of the problem, but part of the solution when it comes to rampant homelessness, rising crime and the squandering of precious public dollars when it comes to the construction of permanent housing?

Does Bass support Bonin’s “containment” policies that have turned Venice into this homeless ghetto and slum by the sea?

For what is LA’s most undervalued asset that is Venice, is Karen Bass open to the suggestions and advice of a Mike Bonin, and if so why would anyone take her candidacy seriously?

For if Karen Bass views Mike Bonin as a supporter, can she be depended upon to hear the cries and concerns of Venice when our council representative has no standing or support with the residents of Dog Town he pretends to represent?

Last week we saw the 20-count federal indictment of Councilman Mark RidleyThomas on bribery charges having to do with his time as a LA county supervisor, USC and his disgraced son, who was forced from the legislature and then seeking employment and scholarship in exchange for millions in discretionary county funding his father controlled in this attempted quid pro quo?

And like Mike Bonin, Mark Ridley-Thomas is yet another self-anointed homeless advocate who like Mike has no real accomplishment or solution for this tragic human condition that has gotten worse under the leadership of both Mike and Mark!

Candidate Bass apparently has disowned the Ridley-Thomas endorsement; will she do the same regarding Mike Bonin?

Venice needs to know.

And if she won’t reject his help which seems to be the case, is the Bass candidacy for mayor just more of the stale and tired rerun we have had under both Eric Garcetti and his predecessor Antonio Villaraigosa?

For when was the last time Karen Bass has been to Venice, and will she be escorted by Bonin should she decide to see for herself the state of affairs here at the beach directed and produced by Mike himself?

For this former LA and Sacramento insider, who is now a DC insider that was passed over for a Biden cabinet position is coming home to LA under the premise we need a female mayor more than the notion of a mayor that has a plan

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Congresswoman Karen Bass in 2018. to turn LA around?

For the other mayoral aspirants seem equally dismal and disappointing as hopefuls Kevin de Leon, Mike Feuer and even Joe Buscaino appear lost and confused when it comes to clearly articulating what they will do and how they will do it when it comes to the issue of housing and homelessness.

And as this garden party of political candidates talk past each other and offer Venetians little to nothing on how to end this encampment debacle that continues to plague our community, is it any wonder that locals are signing and supporting this Bonin recall effort because no one is really listening as this mayoral “mosh pit” is nothing but more of the same with a wink of the eye and silent support for another term of office for Mike Bonin?

Is nearly nine awful years of Mike Bonin representing Venice proof enough it’s time for him to go?

For isn’t it really time to retire our $300,000 a year councilman, the highest paid in the entire country?

And even more tragic is the notion Venice can somehow “lawyer” its way out of terrible and defective public policy?

For all the lawsuits in the world and thinking that writing checks to underwrite continued litigation somehow works, look around Venice.

For the problem is not “legal,” but “political” and the way you fix your political problem is by picking up a clipboard and ensuring the recall signature drive is successful!

That is the way you dispose of Mike Bonin as councilman.

It is the only sure-fire solution you control as a resident and the one guaranteed way to replace Mike Bonin as he continues to play “chess” while many Venetians would rather play “checkers.”

The author is a member of the Outreach, Parking, Oceanfront Walk and Rules & Selections Committee of the Venice Neighborhood Council (www.venicenc.org) and can be reached at nantoni@mindpsring. com or (310) 621-3775.

‘Known Gang Member’ Arrested in Connection to Ballona Wetlands Shooting LAPD arrest unnamed suspect this month wanted for August shooting

By Sam Catanzaro Police have arrested a “known gang member” wanted in connection to the shooting of four homeless men near the Ballona Wetlands in August.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers responded

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around 5:40 a.m. on August 18 to a homeless encampment near the Ballona Wetlands area following reports of the shooting.

Arriving at the scene on Jefferson Boulevard between Culver Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard, officers learned that prior to their arrival four men had been transported to a hospital with gunshot wounds. The LAPD says that they were informed the victims were in stable condition.

On October 7, LAPD officers located and arrested a suspected shooter in Venice.

According to the LAPD, the man is a parolee and “a known gang member [with] an extensive criminal history.” The LAPD, when reached for comment, did not provide

any further details about the suspect.

A motive for the shooting has not been determined.

In addition the LAPD noted that a female suspect who possibly was involved in the shooting is still at-large. The Department did not provide a suspect description of her.

Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to contact LAPD Pacific Area Detective Jurado at 310-482-6369. Calls made during non-business hours or on weekends can be directed to 877-527-3247.

Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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Photo: Citizen App

Helicopter footage showing the scene of a shooting near the Ballona Wetlands August 18.

October 22 – November 25, 2021

Three Charged in Alleged Scheme to Steal Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Meant for Homeless Assistance Attorney General Bonta files charges in connection with alleged theft from Los Angelesbased homelessness assistance program

By Sam Catanzaro California Attorney General Rob Bonta is pressing charges against three defendants allegedly involved in a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands in public funds from Los Angeles-based nonprofit People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), where two were employees, to benefit family and friends.

According to the complaint, PATH funds, intended to provide resources to transition unhoused individuals into homes by providing them with affordable housing and other services, were instead used by the defendants for their own purposes.

On September 9, 2021, following an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division, the Attorney General filed a 56-count felony complaint, charging the defendants– Latoi Pledger, Sareena Stevenson and

Valencia Stevenson–with grand theft and embezzlement, as well as a special allegation of aggravated white collar crime with loss over $100,000.

The Los Angeles Homeless Authority contracted PATH to build and manage affordable housing and shelters alongside providing supportive services, including at A Bridge Home homeless shelter in Venice.

From January to September of 2017, working in concert with one another, the three defendants, two of whom were employed

by PATH, allegedly exploited the system by submitting fraudulent referrals and assistance requests to PATH for clients who were not homeless and thus ineligible to receive PATH funds, the complaint states.

“These clients included their associates, friends, and families, whose identities they manipulated through forged and falsified materials, such as leases and income documents, so that they appeared eligible for PATH assistance,” the Attorney General’s office said in a statement.

All three defendants have entered notguilty pleas and are due in court again next month, the Los Angeles Times reported, who also writes that PATH reported the alleged misconduct to the LAPD and cooperated in the investigation. “As an organization dedicated to ending homelessness for individuals, families, and communities, we are appalled that people

would take away valuable resources from vulnerable, unhoused people,” the PATH said in a statement.

According to PATH, around $400,000 was taken. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and the PATH’s insurance company covered some of the loss.

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