Venice Lights Up For 4/20!

Venice woke up to a new addition to the Venice Sign this morning, with two weed leaves (created by metal artist Alberto Bevacqua and his son, Ara) adorning either side, in honor of 4/20, and the end of the ridiculous marijuana prohibition that this country has endured for ages. It's pretty much 4/20 every day in Venice, but it's still nice to acknowledge the day this year, especially now that it's legal (here).

And it should be. It's medicine. Plain and simple. I remember asking a friend if they ever thought they smoked too much weed, and they said, "No. It helps me not want to kill myself and everyone around me." While that's an extreme example, some days I sure get it. A person posted on Nextdoor this morning that they were "overly offended" by the new sign's leaves, and to that I would agree. You ARE overly offended, and probably shouldn't live in Venice either. It's really no big deal, and I'd much rather have kids see that than alcohol ads. No one does anything bad on marijuana (other than perhaps overeat with munchies), and we all know all the damage that alcohol has done historically. I've also never heard of alcohol ending children having seizures. Or shrinking tumors. Or bringing comfort to chemo patients. Etc. Etc. Etc. Please.

The sign probably looks much cooler lit up at night, but I'm not going to be down there tonight, and it's to celebrate today. I was heading back when I saw these two cheery guys strolling down the street in their "Best Buds" shirts, and they were SO excited when I told them to go take their picture under the sign with matching leaves. Cute.

We used to have a croquet tournament on this day every year in memory of our dearly beloved Sponto, but now people are all over the place and it's hard to set up, but the spirit remains, and today is sunny and beautiful and Friday, and time to cut loose with some extra good vibes. So, HAPPY 4/20 to one and all, and YOOOOOOOEEEEEEE SPONTO!!! This one's for you.

A True Green House

I was out for a stroll the other day, and though I've walked by a zillion times, I never really noticed this little house ... probably because it is fully overgrown with foliage covering every inch. The Cousin Itt of houses! No, the Sigmund the Sea Monster of houses! It makes you on the one hand want to give it a hug it's so cute, and on the other, wonder if Hansel and Gretel are being kept inside. The story possibilities are endless!

With all the homogeneous boring houses going up around Venice, it's a delight to encounter someplace that is fully its own, and fully charming. I wonder what it looks like inside? Is it super dark in there? Who lives there? I need to get more to the bottom of this little gem. Finding interesting spots like this is one of the joys of wandering around in Venice, and I hope they will be allowed not only to remain, but to thrive.

Keep Venice Cool.

Happy St. Patrick's Day From Venice!

The Windward Circle is all decked out in green for St. Patrick's Day! And the first person I saw today was Venice Irishman, Gary Palmer!

I think the greening was done by Jules Muck (who is never mad at green) and friends, and I think it's great. The Circle is such a centerpiece of town, and it's been dominated for far too long by the off-center dismembered Black Dahlia sculpture by the late (so he won't know it's gone) Robert Graham - that no one I've ever talked to even likes. Certainly not as a representation of Venice. That thing needs to be auctioned off, and the great circle be turned into a real town center. Maybe a little gazebo/band shell in the middle, that our Venice Symphony Orchestra could call home? Maybe a sweet fountain that looks like it has something to do with Venice? Maybe more graffiti walls? Rotating public art installations? I don't know, but it hasn't been used to its full potential yet for sure.

Until today. Today it gave us a bright spot of the spirit of fun that we've always been known for, that gave everyone passing by a smile and a touch of the Irish luck/blarney to start their day.

I'll take that over Lucky Charms or green beer anyday.

Have fun (and if you're going to Brennan's, get going. The line was down the block at 6 am)!