The Venice West - A New Venice Live Music Venue That Celebrates The Old Venice

Hi Venice! It's been a while! I'm still handling family affairs in Minneapolis, but when I heard there was a new cool live music venue opening this month in Venice, I had to get the scoop. The Venice West is set to open for business this October 8th with a live show featuring Matt Costa. Venice has needed more live music venues for ages, and The Venice West is bringing that to Lincoln Boulevard in the space that was previously The Witz End. 

 

 

My friend (and former fellow Venice Neptune Queen!), Kaycee Smith, is the Director of Marketing and Community Outreach for The Venice West, so you know there are going to be locals up in there, and you know there's going to be good music. In the first week open alone they've got the aforementioned Costa, then back to back shows with The Samples (10/9) and The Wailers (10/10)!  That's a pretty stacked opening week, Dude. The team behind The Venice West is pretty stacked as well. Co-owners Rob Lissner and Allen Sanford are also the team behind the Beach Life Festival in Redondo Beach that is one of the best festivals I've ever covered, right there in the sunshine on the sand next to the Pacific. Sanford also owns Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, where we've all seen many a great gig, so you know The Venice West is going to be a real good time. Looking ahead, I see The English Beat, The Untouchables/Brobots, Donovan Frankenreiter ... seriously, this is gonna be good, Venice. 

 

 

I spoke to Lissner and Smith about the venue, as, frankly, I really wanted to be sure that it wasn't going to be a situation where douchey gentrifiers think they can come in and claim Venice, and piggyback on to the coattails of the cool that was established here long before they came. Well, I can assure you that Lissner and Company are being extremely thoughtful and respectful about Venice and its history, and stressed to me repeatedly that they want this spot to be for the entire community, where all feel welcome ... and you might even learn something about Venice you didn't know about before. 

 

Lissner has been doing his Venice research in the four years since they bought the space, deep diving into the era that saw The Venice West Café (in the old Sponto Gallery space) thriving with all the Beat poets, artists, and musicians of the day in the scene that was Venice West. He really wanted to pay tribute to that history and all the supercoolness that came out of that key moment in Venice time, and as permits and neighborhood hearings, Coastal Commission appeals, and Covid and all that kept pushing the opening, he had the time to be very thorough in his research. He has been in talks with Venice historian, Gerry Fialka, to create an evening of Venice history. We talked about getting Beyond Baroque involved and hosting Poetry nights at The Venice West. They also very much want to get kids from Venice Arts, Venice High, School of Rock, the Boys and Girls Club, whoever might have a need, to use the space for performance or rehearsals during the daytime. He's over-paying on Ebay for old photos and posters to adorn the walls, and is particularly proud of an original Earl Newman he scored. As he should be. 

I was happy to hear that they are putting an emphasis on hiring locals, both as staff and entertainment. GM Carl Roberts ("Reverand Carl") has been on the scene for ages, and their talent booker, Adam Spriggs, has a solid history of getting the good national acts for his projects like the KAABOO Festival, as well as booking local favorites like Christopher Hawley and Tom Freund, who are already on The Venice West's calendar, with Freund bringing "Hold Strong Thursdays" to town - a throwback to the hallowed Stronghold days.

They're going for a supper club feel, with tables and dining from 5-8 pm, and then the tables will be moved aside for show time. Diego Balan is heading up the food program, and from what I'm hearing about the pre-opening tastings, the food at The Venice West is going to be bomb. Who doesn't love dinner and a show? Though Lissner and Sanford could have opened their venue anywhere, it was very important to Lissner that it be in Venice, where he has lived for the past two decades. Anyone who was present for The Stronghold scene knows how fun that was, and Lissner is going for some of those kind of vibes to return. And, after the last couple of years we've all been through ... the people are READY.

"To me, Venice has always been art, culture, and eccentricity based, and I've seen some of that fade in recent years. I really think music can help bring some of that back. I want people to know that Venice history, while being cool and respectful to it," explained Lissner, in a statement that I can fully endorse. The Venice West looks to be a place where the community can always find great music, good vibes, and tasty eats. Smith envisions it being the spot where you can say, "Hey, let's hit The Venice West - I don't know who's playing, but you know it's going to be good." A real Venice hang ... for REAL Venice. I can't wait. 

The Venice West

1717 Lincoln Boulevard (at Superba)

Venice, CA 90291

www.TheVeniceWest.com

 

*Photos courtesy of Kaycee Smith and Paul Gronner.

Be You!

There is a long mural stretching down Lincoln by the Venice Boys and Girls Club, and it's great.

Be Love. Be Beautiful. Be Kindness. Be Life. Be YOU (that part got cut off, but it's there in real life). What a lovely reminder as you're sitting in traffic. Think about it. Practice it.

BE it. Think how much better this place will be when people can follow these very basic principles.

Thank you, Boys and Girls!

Great Western Steak & Hoagie Company - Serving Venice Since 1973

I've been a big fan of Great Western Steak & Hoagie Company ever since I moved to Venice in the 90's, but that makes me a rookie, as they've been serving up their wonderful steak sandwiches on the corner of Lincoln and Superba since 1973.

The spot was actually a sandwich spot before that as well, run by Philly people that had relocated here, but THIS incarnation has been around since Richard Sohn took it over in 1973, and ran it for 25 years. One of his early workers, Sergio Perez, Sr., took over the business with a partner 20 years ago, and he now owns and operates this Venice institution with his son, Sergio Perez, Jr. Perez, Jr. was essentially born in the shop, and says it was "my after school, my detention, my suspension, my 'you're gonna come work and peel a sack of onions so you don't do that mistake again' job. Helping my Dad saved me. Growing up in Oakwood, lots of those friends are gone or in jail, but I learned to respect EVERYONE in the Community ... Black, white, and brown ... and you get it back."

That sense of Community isn't felt as much these days, but Perez agrees that the "Heart and spirit is still here." The sidewalk in front of the shop used to have so many drug addicts and hookers cruising up and down, police thought they had a piece of it. You couldn't walk there after dark. He grew up having drive-by drills at Broadway Elementary during their lunch hours, so "you grew up knowing the dangers of Venice, but you didn't want to live anywhere else." Kind of like now.

The menu at "Hoagies" (as pretty much everyone calls it, and how they answer the phone) has never changed, and people would be mad if it did. They even got upset just when they changed the menu hanging inside! Change is hard, but it also speaks to how beloved a place it is.  Perez, Jr. told me, "You see things come and go, and it hurts, because you lose people. We don't get having $300 t-shirts on Lincoln, but you can come here and get a meal for under $10, and we're gonna keep doing it, because we're a staple."  They truly are.

While Perez, Jr. and I sat outside at one of the outdoor tables at Hoagies and chatted, I could tell how much this place truly means to him and his family. He got on a roll, and I sat there, listening and nodding in full agreement, almost getting emotional.  He spoke enthusiastically and seriously, "We provide a service, we're here for you, we were a part of your growing up, and that's what we do it for. It hits your core when you grow up with something and it stays the same. Everything changes, but if ONE place stays the same, it lets you know that it will be o.k. ... . Nostalgic places are around for you to feel that way." We've all got ours. "In chains, you're just a number, but we have camaraderie. You can vent, reunite, catch up, GATHER ... It's important. And it's important to a lot of people."

NBA stars (Kobe, Robert Horry - my favorite, who would wait outside in his car for people to leave before coming in, so as not to make a fuss). Biggie Smalls' kids and wife, Faith Evans are regulars who live off of their sandwiches. Philly transplants (as the sign says, "It's 3,000 miles to Philly, eat here!"). Venice locals. Kids from Animo Venice ("We provide a sanctuary for them as they flirt with independence. It's that sacred walk between school and home."). Single parents, maybe not connecting with their kids, but they can sit down and relate over a cheesesteak, "and that's all that matters then." It's clearly more than just slanging sandwiches for this wonderful Venice family. And it is a legit family affair. They are there every single day, and they love it. Their history is right there on the ceiling for all to read.

The Perez family doesn't own the land, but the Korean family who sold it to them does, and they love the place, so it looks to be safe, but if ever forced to move, they've got ideas. They could be in the new football stadium (They could be there - a second location - even without moving, Magic Johnson, give them a call!). They could be a food truck. They could move over to Hampton, closer to the beach. There are options, but we all know no one wants them to change. They get offers to buy the place every day, and they just tear them up. "It's not about money, it's about a fulfilling, meaningful life. I don't want to knock anyone else's hustle, but you can't know what it means to us. Like, you went to Hoagies, and now it's a good day." I love them. Perez, Jr. told me they're toying with the idea of having merch, like shirts and trucker hats, but "It would piss me off so much if I saw some fake hipster wearing one, so we haven't done it yet." Haaa. I get it  - and definitely want one.

As much as Hoagies gets from Venice, it also gives it all back. They sponsor a toy drive every Christmas, with bands and a party in the parking lot. They are involved with the Venice Car Club, with Perez, Sr. riding in a low-rider in the Cinco de Mayo parade, and donating gift certificates to the raffles. They want to utilize the parking lot space more for community events too (he's thinking something for the homeless that are their neighbors), so add Hoagies to your list of cool spots to host a shindig.

"In Venice, you grow up knowing 'crazy' is really just hard times, so you want to say hi, help them, feed them ... it's understood that they need help. Venice makes you aware of these things. You're more careful. It gives you a thicker skin. It's all we know and how we roll." And have been for 45 years.

Cheesesteaks. Burgers. Hot dogs. Chips. Homemade lemonade. Sodas. That's it. But it's so much more. The murals on the walls are all by local artists. You will see locals at the tables. It's still cash only, but if you don't have cash and need to go across the street to get some, they'll put extra cheese on for you while you walk. The prices are weird, like $3.54 for a hot dog (dinner under $5!) and 7.63 for this one sandwich, but that's because they've gone up in increments since 1973.

"These aren't Philly Cheesesteaks, they're VENICE Cheesesteaks. Philly people say, 'You took me home today', but the vibes and feelings and the simplicity of knowing that you'll get what you want is Venice. We know how bad it can get, and we're aware of the tightrope walk between good and bad, but we're here for you. The whole spirit of Venice unites, binds us to do better together, so that EVERYONE can rise, and all of us are up there!" That really is the spirit, and it does not go unnoticed by locals. During the Superbowl this year, Hoagies had to close down because they ran out of all their supplies, even though they had ordered way extra. During the World Series Game 7, I walked to Hoagies, and while every t.v. in town was tuned in to the game as I passed by, the phone was ringing off the hook at Hoagies, where they were listening on the radio. They're simply a part of our lives here in Venice, and we're so lucky to have them.

They feel lucky too. Perez, Jr. loves the skatepark. "Every single sunset I go down there and say thank you to the sun, and welcome to the moon." He likes La Fiesta Brava and Casablanca and the Indian place at the beach, but really, "The sunset in Venice is where I like to be." Me too, brother.

Even running the same ad in the Beachhead since the early days, Great Western Steak & Hoagie Company has been a solid mainstay for Venice every day they've been open. Stop in, say hi, eat a great, affordable meal, and say thanks. This is the kind of joint that keeps Venice real.

Long live Hoagies!!

Great Western Steak and Hoagie Company
1720 Lincoln Boulevard
Venice
#310-450-4545
10-10 every day.

L.A.Vate At Amiga

There was a really fun art opening/party at Amiga on Lincoln last Friday night, but life has been a bit nuts, so I'm only getting to tell you about it now. It was already a packed house by the time my friend and I strolled over to the great shop to see what was going down.

The Amigas (Sadie Gilliam and Nicole Reed) curated an excellent art show made up of other amigas y amigos that were all in the house on this fun night. Priscilla Witte, Pink Riches, Jason Adler, Monique Boileau, Erika Lane, Shannon Moss, Matt Branham, and the Netherworlds project all showed everyone what they got ... and it was good.

It's always fun to see the friends that you only mainly see on social media in real life, and I was extra happy to see my friends, Tara and Danny, in the flesh! They were there with their photography project "The Netherworlds", with a very cool underwater vibe that were my favorite works in the show. Dreamy.

There was live painting outside, there was live music (after I left - we still had to eat!), but above all, there were friends.

Having a great time in the neighborhood together ... AND it was also doing some good, as proceeds from the raffles went to It's On Us, a non-profit organization that works to help prevent sexual assault on school campuses. Which needs to happen, and we're happy to help.

I was just about to sneak out of our quest for food, when this piece by Shannon Moss caught my eye ... "The springtime is kind ... and brings you home."

That's kind of what I'd been feeling ... Spring is so beautiful and full of life, and it brings that feeling of home into your heart. Where you're from, but also where you have made your home ... and Venice is a pretty good one, especially with great people like this doing great things.

Thank you, Amigas!

Amiga - A Place For Friends

I'd been hearing great things about Amiga, the new lifestyle shop on Lincoln Boulevard, and finally got there myself the other day. Amiga is the vision of friends, Sadie Gilliam and Nicole Reed, who came together after their respective businesses (Freedumb Founded Jewelry by Gilliam, and the Lincoln & Rose blog by Reed) often found them at the same pop-ups. A friendship was born between the Venice native Gilliam and the San Pedro bred Reed, and they talked about looking for a space for an actual shop site. Gilliam's mother was shopping at the antique store, H. Bleu, on Lincoln, when its owner, Sue (fourth generation Venice), told her she was looking to sublet out the space, and that she wanted it to go to Venice people. That was just last December 10th, and Gilliam and Reed had Amiga open for business by the 15th! They pretty much just looked at each other, shrugged, and said, "Let's just do it!" I love that go for it spirit, and they did it!

That Reed had just found out she was pregnant with her first child only made it all the more impressive, but with help from both of their families (with honorable mention especially to Jeremy Reed, Nicole's husband, for helping to get it ready in time), and all of their relationships with vendors from their pop-ups ready to go, Amiga was up and running just in time for the holiday gift-giving season ... phew! It was all very charmed, and seemingly very meant to be. Women power!

It's been going like gangbusters ever since they opened their doors, as all of their vendors have their own following, and when people come in looking for say, art by Priscilla Witte, they might get turned on to a whole new designer they'd never heard of that becomes their new favorite. It's just that kind of a place.

"This is such a badass spot!", said one happy, new customer while I was there hanging out, and she was not wrong. In just the time I was sitting there chatting with the amigas, we all honestly made like three new friends, and that's when I realized what a perfect name the gals had chosen for their new venture. Amiga!

I got to meet the very cool Robin Wisdom, who sells her delicious "Peace, Love, and Wisdom" candles out of Amiga. She is the wife of artist Norton Wisdom (member of the Cali Locos!), whose drawings adorn her candles. Their daughter did the sketch for the Venice candle, and its wonderful graperfruit aroma make it a best-seller.  Mrs. Wisdom also does the tarot card readings when Amiga hosts their fun events ... aaaand I can't wait until the next one.

They recently hosted a make your own Valentine afternoon, and it was fueled by the Menotti's coffee truck that pulls up to their space on Sundays from 8 am - 2 pm. It's a really good hang, and this past Sunday they had free donuts and coffee, just for fun in the sun.

Amiga also carries Mrs. Lilly Apothecary items, clothing from Jasmine St. D'Aigneaux, chocolates from Rose Avenue Sweets, vegan jewelry made out of recycled bicycle inner tubes from Beatrice Holiday, greeting cards from The Good Twin, and plants from Amiga themselves.

I learned a new word while visiting Amiga ... "Flintknapping". It's the method of making stone tools, and the very cool knives they carry look as if they were carved out of dragon glass. They would be a very cool V Day gift for your dude ... or anyone, for that matter.

Gilliam told me that there is finally a "Venice" ring in the works from her Freedumb Founded line, and I'm already in line in front of you, so you better get in there to get yours! She is also adding hats to her line in April, and if they're as cool as her jewelry ... I'm so excited.

"We just feel lucky to be here, and give local artists and makers a home," explained Gilliam. To that point, I witnessed no less than three people come in while I was there to see if Amiga might like to carry their wares. It's a true community store, by and for the members of our community. When I asked her what she liked most about Venice, she laughed and said, "The traffic on Lincoln. It makes people see our sign and stop in!" In addition to that traffic, she loves Hinano's for burgers, Animal House for clothes, Windward Farms for their ceviche (what?! I didn't even know.), and the view of the palm tree clusters at night.

Asked the same question, Reed digs that Venice is flat, and makes for great bike rides. She loves the old cars, the artist community, and the fact that we're all mashed up here. "Extreme wealth and extreme poverty are all right here, and we're forced to figure it all out together. We're exposed to so much in one place ... if I could pick anywhere to live, it would be here."

You never know who you'll meet next at Amiga, and connections happen all the time. I wasn't kidding that we all made three new friends while sitting there -  like exchanged info and hugged goodbye new friends - and it was easy to see why when they were brainstorming for their business name they insisted that it had to have something to do with "Friends". They knew that their motto would be "You - Me - Us", and that's exactly who Amiga is for. Stop in any day of the week, 10-6 (except Sundays when it's 8 am for that Menotti's coffee!) and experience this delightful new addition to the Venice family of friends. (Just in time for Valentine's Day!)

Amiga
2124 Lincoln Boulevard
Venice
www.amigalosangeles.com

Mystic Journey - Your One Stop Spiritual Shop

Mystic Journey is exactly the kind of store you want in Venice ... psychic readers, incense, tarot cards, chimes, books, crystals - all the groovy stuff any good hippie needs. It's also the rare indie success story on Abbot Kinney, where instead of being driven off of the block, Mystic Journey has actually expanded, and now has its second, enhanced Mystic Journey Crystal Gallery and Event Space on Lincoln Boulevard.

They've been on my list to write about since their original location opened further down on Abbot Kinney next to Principessa, and I finally tracked down owner, Jeff Segal, to hear his story just in time for his 9th anniversary today of opening shop on October 24th, 2008.

We sat down to chat in the Amethyst Room (the "stone of peace") at the Lincoln location, so called because of the purple couches and beautiful, gigantic amethyst geodes set up around the room. Segal was raised in California, and was a fan of collecting rocks and crystals from a young age, even showing me his labeled collection that he assembled at eight years old. "I guess it was always in my blood," he explained.

Segal attended Occidental College, which led to law school in D.C., but three years in the east coast cold soon led him back to Los Angeles, where he practiced environmental law for 27 years. The stress of that job suing corporate polluters made him grow disenchanted with it all, he wasn't digging it, and knew he'd get sick if he didn't get out of it. And he did. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and after listening to his gut, decided against undergoing chemotherapy, and instead assembled a team of alternative healers. His best friend was his doctor and advised against that route, so they made a deal that if in three months there was no improvement, Segal would go the more traditional cancer route. Well, the acupuncture, Pranic healer, body workers, therapists, and everything else he tried, worked. The cancer had shrunk by 50 percent. Another three months, and there was no more sign of any abnormality. The cancer was gone, and beating it caused Segal to dig deep. These events made him realize that the important things were not material. He gave much thought to what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, and asked himself, "What do I REALLY want? What am I most passionate about? And that was my spirituality."

There was no equivalent to The Bodhi Tree or The Psychic Eye bookstores on the west side, so Segal set out to create a spiritual haven for people on this side of town. "It was Abbot Kinney or bust," Segal told me, and though he had no retail experience, he found a cool landlord (!), and opened the original Mystic Journey on October 24, 2008 - just as the economic crash was about to happen. The interesting thing was that as all kinds of other businesses were suffering in that climate, Mystic Journey only grew. When finances are difficult, people often turn more within, and since Mystic Journey offered everything you could ever want for your spiritual journey, the store actually thrived.

In addition to offering the products that customers would want to purchase, Segal also wanted to help people learn. To that end, Mystic Journey offers classes, workshops, speakers, psychics, astrologers, and teachers to help all find their way on their own spiritual journey. After five years in the original location, Segal felt it was time to grow - and his lease was up. He looked all around, but wasn't going anywhere other than Abbot Kinney. He had a great deal, which fell through at the last minute - and the lone hold-out on the deal was the surgeon that had operated on Segal's cancer! Weird. Even that setback worked out in Segal's favor, as the current space opened up just then, and Segal considers it the best space on the street.

Segal is aware of all the change on Abbot Kinney, but told me, "We'll continue to do well on Abbot Kinney because we present something that isn't otherwise here. We're unique." Which is exactly what we love about them, and what tourists want to see when they come to Venice - not corporate chain stores. "All I want is for whomever comes to be successful," Segal graciously said, adding, "Negative energy toward whatever business is not a good use of my time or energy. I'm here to be of service and to help people, and all of my energy has to go toward that." He has also made it so there is always something affordable on Abbot Kinney - "You can get a $30,000 large geode, or a $3.00 impactful stone." - Plus cards, candles, and a whole slew of things that won't set you that far back, but will absolutely bring the positivity. Whatever helps in these crazy, largely negative times. It really is time to go within and try to figure out what you really want, and go in that direction, because time doesn't feel as infinite as it once did. And Mystic Journey can help you.

And Segal has a lot of energy. He has to, as when he started having thoughts about expanding to be able to display his larger crystals and offer larger classes, the Lincoln Boulevard space that previously housed Venice Arts came to him.

They needed a bigger place to work out of, and once Segal saw their Lincoln space, he knew it was the spot to house his giant crystals, hold yoga and meditation classes, and even added a sound bath and color energy room (led by Jenny Deveau, Mystic Journey's woman of all trades). They've already hosted such events as a Dan Millman (Way Of The Peaceful Warrior) reading, CD release parties, and Sound Bath Friday Nights, among many others.

It's a wonderful vibe, and the crystal gallery/event space is something else. Segal's childhood rock collecting led him to learn about and acquire some of the most gorgeous specimens of crystals I've ever seen. After attending gem shows around the country, especially the big one held in Tuscon, Arizona each year, Segal made friendships with the gem dealers, and soon found himself traveling to the mines in Uruguay and Brazil to experience the origin of these precious gems.

"Crystals are natural art. They're created by God, or the Universe, and the force of Earth. You can feel the energy that they emanate, and it can really be emotional." When Segal's Pranic healer would wave a crystal wand over him, his body would begin to vibrate. "There's more than just the physical universe. I fully believe that there is a higher energy that people can tap into if they're open to it. You have to follow your intuition to take the right steps."

Segal is big on intuition, and it has served him well. When he thought about where he wanted to open his new business, he waited to feel what resonated with him - a word that he feels is not used enough. Things have to resonate with him, and it's good advice to follow. Things should resonate with you, which is basically the same deal as following your intuition. Things should feel right. For Segal, that means being near the ocean. "My energy loves the ocean. It's the place of balance on the Earth. It's my peace." Segal wanted a single digit address (because that meant it was closest to the water) and a space for his business on Abbot Kinney, and he manifested both. He loves Abbot Kinney and Venice, because "You'll see every color, hear every language, and it's a true place for people to mix and interact, and everyone accepts everyone else - that's the beauty of Venice to me. The most important thing in the world now is tolerance." Segal explained things to me like, "There's the center of the Universe, and everything else is spokes coming out of different ways to get there. You do whatever is right for you." And Mystic Journey has pretty much all of the spokes to lead you in the right direction.

Segal loves the community of Venice, and loves seeing its members at places like Wabi Sabi and Hal's, and of course, when they come into either Mystic Journey location. "Mystic Journey Gallery and Yoga Studio is an extension of the book store, but more than that, it's a transformational center. The crystals are awe-inspiring. They have an energy that is truly moving. I'd like to see them in hospitals, law offices, hotels, any public space that would allow people to feel their energy. There are energetic modalities for people to experience and grow from. It's truly a unique space, that I believe is unduplicated in the world." Lucky for Venice.

Both Mystic Journey locations are open every day, to bring as their motto says ...

Peace to all Beings.

Mystic Journey Bookstore
1624 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice

Mystic Journey Crystal Gallery/Yoga & Meditation Studio/Event Space
1704 Lincoln Boulevard
Venice

The Venice Japanese American Memorial Monument Dedication - Never Again

After more than a decade of effort and tireless work on the behalf of many Venetian activists, the Venice Japanese American Memorial Monument (VJAMM) is in its place on the corner of Lincoln and Venice Boulevards, and was officially dedicated this morning in a touching, long anticipated ceremony.

A crowd gathered in the bright sunshine there on the Northwest corner at the intersection that serves as a gateway to Venice, where chairs and a podium had been set up next to the monument for its dedication ceremony featuring speakers who had helped to make this important historical reminder a reality.

VJAMM Committee member Phyllis Hayashibara served as our M.C., and welcomed everyone to this special event. It was very touching to look around and see the many elderly Japanese faces present to witness this ceremony that shone a light on this dark part of our American history. 75 years ago, Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed an executive order demanding that Japanese citizens be rounded up and shipped off to internment camps. They were given as little as hours to liquidate their entire lives, and pack only what they could carry with them to take along with them to destinations unknown. For most, the destination was the camp at Manzanar, out in the desert in Inyo County, where they would remain for up to three years. Most lost everything.

The VJAMM was conceived to be a living reminder of what happened, in order to learn from our history and make sure it never happens again. Ever. Jim Smith spoke, and apologized for the earlier Venetians who did nothing to stop this. We were all standing at the very site where the Nisei (Japanese Americans) had to line up to be taken away, and the emotion surrounding that fact was tangibly felt, and visibly seen on many of the faces assembled.

I definitely wiped away a few of my own tears, because I was born and raised in Minnesota next door to the most beautiful family possible, the Kusunokis. The Japanese Kusunokis came to Minnesota from California, where they too had been forced to live in a camp. These were and are the kindest, gentlest  people I've ever met, and to think that THEY had to be put through this brought angry tears to my eyes, and a lump in my throat that rendered me almost speechless throughout most of today's proceedings. It was all so very, very wrong.

The important message of this VJAMM is, of course, to never allow this to happen again to anyone. Committee member Suzanne Thompson had everyone repeat that very phrase after her at the top of our voices - "This must never happen again to ANYONE!" - and did so because the threat of this kind of racism disguised as nationalism is very much a possibility again in today's awful political climate. It's scary, but this morning showed that there remains a very diverse group of people coming together to guarantee that this cannot and will not be allowed ever again.

Former Councilwoman, Ruth Galanter repeated the quote that "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." A scroll was read from Mayor Eric Garcetti, making the VJAMM official, and urging us to remember the past for the future. This elegant, inscribed black obelisk will make sure of that. Memorials are only as good as the remembrance to apply those lessons learned to today. Zev Yaroslavsky was a speaker, and said, "We have an obligation to carry out what this monument stands for." Former Santa Monica Mayor, Kevin McKeown asked that the phrase "Never Again" not be just a reminder, but a rallying cry. Just as this was said, a car driving by the proceedings honked its support, as did many throughout. Solidarity.

Jeff Burton, a ranger from the Manzanar National Historic Site invited people to come out there and see it for ourselves, and learn about this shameful past, so that it cannot be repeated. Dr. Jimmy Hara and Dr. Thomas Yoshikawa were born in internment camps, and are working on a petition with actor, George Takei, to stand up for Muslims in today's situation. What a beautiful thing, because they know how it felt/feels. This brought another welling of tears, for sure.

The keynote speaker was Warren Furutani, who after being introduced said that he liked to look at the faces looking at him, and how it was no surprise to him that this monument should be here in Venice. "Activists can be pains in the ass, but activism makes things happen." This was met with much applause and shouts of "Resist!" by the many pains in the ass in attendance. "Executive orders must be challenged. We must push back, we must stand up, and we must make our voices heard." All were in agreement, including more cars going by and honking. Furutani went on to say that he knew in time, this monument would be defaced, and said that when it does, to not clean it off. It should be left there as a reminder that our work is still not done today. That was heavy. Though his point was well taken, the VJAMM will be maintained, and should be, as it's beautiful and so richly deserving of respect.

He spoke about how as kids, when others were talking about the kind of camp where you make lanyards and sing campfire songs, the Japanese kids knew differently. Children showed up at school and all the Japanese kids were just gone one day. This busy corner of Venice will now serve as a beacon of our progressive values and intolerance for systemic racism, for generations to come. This is a place that fights for freedom, liberty, and justice ... and no amount of gentrification can change that core of Venice, as was clear by the many truly vigilant citizens present this morning. We're still here.

VJAMM Committee member Brian Maeda read quotes from the internees who were in the audience, and had them stand up to be recognized. You just wanted to go up and hug and profusely apologize to every one of them, but it was striking how graceful each of them were about it, accepting their acknowledgement with humble and grateful waves to the crowd. Committee member Emily Winters spoke, and I couldn't hear a thing (it's a loud corner) but I did hear her graciously thank all of the supporters, of which there are many. Committee member Suzanne Thompson led the aforementioned rallying cry, that this absolutely MUST NEVER happen again to ANYONE, and talked about how the VJAMM will be used as an educational tool, with curriculum available at VeniceJAMM.org.

Phyllis Hayashibara wrapped it all up by thanking everyone, and inviting them back to Hama Sushi, where Esther Chaing is donating 100% of the bento box lunch today to the VJAMM fund, and tonight from 6:30-10:30, 10% of all Hama sales are for VJAMM. Let's all head over there and have sushi for a great cause!

This is a very special day in Venice, and I'm so proud and happy to be a part of a Venice Community that always strives to do the right thing. It took a lot of work to make the VJAMM happen, but it ultimately did. This should serve as encouragement to us all ... that the important things still matter, that the heart of Venice is healthy and pumping, and for all of this, we WILL remain vigilant.

Never Again!

The Westside Collective - A Mobile Boutique In Venice

A while back I started seeing super cute stuff pop up on Instagram from a cute little mobile trailer boutique in Venice called The Westside Collective. I reached out to its owner, Heather Roma, to find out a little more about it and check out all the great stuff, and hear how it came to be parked there on Lincoln Boulevard.

Roma was born in the Virgin Islands, raised in Connecticut and Florida, and did everything in fashion that you can think of along the way. She got bored in Florida, didn't really have a plan, but knew she wanted to move here. She began a fashion consulting and styling business called Westside Consulting, where she helped people launch their fashion brands, and did styling for photo shoots and things.

Living in Venice was great, and then Roma got pregnant and moved to Topanga. She found a fantastic trailer by chance, and at 8 months pregnant decided to start another business. This was not planned, but that's how life goes sometimes. Baby Hendrix was born, and Roma loaded up the truck with beautifully curated pieces for women, babies, pets, gifts, and the home, and started hitting festivals and having fun with it.

Topping was a bit too slow to keep it open up there between festivals, so when Roma heard about an opening to park the truck at the Love Shack space at 2121 Lincoln Boulevard, she took it, and has been parked there since May of this year. Everything in the truck is California or American made, and everything has an ethical aspect ... and everything is adorable.

From Roma's own brand, Growler Goods, that makes tipis for dogs (and coming soon will be big ones for play rooms or outdoor/meditation spaces) to the highly covetable dresses by Pitusa, to the crystal trolls by Blonde Omen ... there really is something for everyone in this great little trailer. Roma also has her own line of dresses and bodysuits, all of which I loved.

"I love the community feel in Venice, and there's always something to do here," said Roma, "I just love it here." Like her store, she thinks there's something for everyone here in Venice, and there is. She loves getting her coffee at Deus up the street, checking out what's new at Golden State, and is generally so busy that that stretch of Lincoln is her main domain.

The Westside Collective holds monthly local designer residencies (this month is Blonde Omen's turn), where their goods are featured on a table out front, and coming up on December 17, there will be a pop up Holiday party with drinks and fun shopping (also available online if you're elsewhere).

Lincoln is really becoming a destination for cool and interesting spots, and The Westside Collective is a most welcome addition to the neighborhood. Stop in any day, 10-6 and see what's up on the best side.

The Westside Collective
2121 Lincoln Boulevard
Venice
www.thewestsidecollectivetruck