April 18, 2013
Local News & Culture Marina del Rey
Westchester
Free S a n ta M o n i c a
P l aya d e l R e y
P l aya V i s t a
The Street is in Play Photo by Gary Leonard
The sixth annual CicLAvia is expected to be the largest to date, taking cyclists and other participants on a 15-mile route along Venice Boulevard between downtown Los Angeles and Venice Beach.
M a r V i s ta
Del Rey
VenicE
CicLAvia opens car-free Venice Boulevard to beach for biking, strolling
By Vince Echavaria For at least one afternoon, residents and visitors will be able to take advantage of a primary corridor through Venice, free of cars, for some play time. CicLAvia, an event which has opened streets of Los Angeles to non-vehicle activities on five prior occasions, is coming to the Westside for the first time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21. The free event will create an unprecedented 15 miles of car-free space along Venice Boulevard between downtown Los Angeles and Venice Beach for bicycle riding, strolling, playing or experiencing the city from a new perspective. The new route will take participants across diverse landscapes and through historic neighborhoods to and from the shore. As in prior open-street events, Venice Boulevard through communities like Mar Vista and Venice will become a playground for those on two wheels and on foot. Organizers say the sixth CicLAvia is expected to be the largest event to date with over 100,000 people estimated to take part along the route. In wake of the April 15 bombings at the Boston Marathon that killed three people and injured more than 180, the Los Angeles Police Department said it is increasing security in and around all areas where there is a large public gathering. The department did not identify specific events that can expect the additional police presence. Robert Gard, spokesman for the CicLAvia event, said that prior to the Boston tragedy organizers had worked closely with the LAPD to provide security throughout the route, and he believed preparations would take into account the incident in Boston. (Continued on page 10)
Del Rey
Senior housing complex named after Rosendahl at unveiling ceremony By Gary Walker An unexpected surprise awaited Los Angeles Councilman Bill Rosendahl at a ceremony celebrating the Del Rey Square senior housing facility April 12. The unveiling of the Bill Rosendahl Senior Housing Community was the epilogue to a morning of festivities built around speeches, food and a tour of the senior living complex at the corner of Inglewood and Culver boulevards. Rosendahl, who represents Del Rey and worked with developer Thomas Safran for several years to bring the 124-unit residence to the community, appeared to be stunned when he learned that the building was named after him. News of the decision to name Del Rey Square after the
councilman had been leaked that morning to certain members of the media. Del Rey Square houses veterans, low-income residents and those who are homeless. The development consists of project-based Section 8 units, tax-credit and public housing units, as well as spaces dedicated to transition for 31 formerly homeless civilians and veterans, say representatives of Thomas Safran and Associates. Residents will pay approximately 30 percent of their income for their rent. Rosendahl was his typical humble self when asked about the building that now bears his name. “I consider it an honor, but these kinds of things, helping to bring affordable housing to my communities, is part of my job,” the councilman
(Continued on page 11)
•This Week•
Page 13
The Verdi Chorus will celebrate its 30th anniversary with spring concerts Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21, in Santa Monica.