New exhibit salutes Chicano culture, community
The Chicano art movement has represented both the struggle and success of Mexican-American artists since the 1960s, and the Mecca of Chicano art now has a home at the California Heritage Museum with the "Arte Chicano Hecho En Los Angeles" exhibit. Put together by guest curator Pablo De La Rosa, the exhibit is a tribute to both the well-known and burgeoning artists representing Santa Monica and beyond. Artwork highlights popular Chicano culture like luchadors and classic cars, as well as the resourcefulness of Chicano artists ranging from the legendary "Los Four" to those who are now part of a major exhibit for the first time.
Man arrested in San Diego for assaulting two women in Venice
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has arrested a suspect in connection with two violent assaults in the Venice Canal community. LAPD confirmed the arrest of 29-year-old Anthony Francisco Jones in relation to the recent assaults, with Jones apprehended on April 11 in San Diego and facing charges pertaining to the violent incidents that occurred on April 6. According to LAPD, officers responded to the 2700 block of Strongs Drive to a report regarding a woman being approached from behind and struck with a blunt force object, leaving the woman unconscious. The suspect similarly attacked another woman about an hour later as she was walking near the Sherman Canal before fleeing the scene. Police said both victims sustained significant injuries. Jones is being charged with two counts of forcible rape, one count of sexual penetration by use of force, one count of mayhem, one count of torture, one count of attempted murder and one count of sodomy. In an April 15 press conference, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced the charges, stating that Jones faces a maximum of life in prison.
Special guest panel on homelessness reveals how other cities are handling the crisis
On April 12, a group of officials gathered at the 1212 restaurant on the Third Street Promenade to focus on successful strategies to achieve a reduction in homelessness. The panel, moderated by Daily Press Editor in Chief Matthew Hall, included Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock, Malibu Public Safety Director Susan Dueñas, former Santa Ana council member Michelle Martinez and District 51 assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. Dueñas said that Malibu’s approach includes using legislative measures to enforce private property rights, encouraging individuals in the community to step up, and using its resources to make multiple contacts with homeless individuals in the city.
A pair of local cyclist revolutionaries successfully swim with the ‘Sharks’
On the April 12 episode of ABC’s Shark Tank, locals Bryan Visintin and Ani Armstrong presented their noseless and bumpless bike seat product, the VSEAT, securing $200,000 in funding from the combination of Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec in exchange for 25% equity in their business. The duo created the VSEAT in 2017, grinding out years of design work before finally breaking meaningful ground in sales during 2013. The product promotes a healthy and comfortable cycling experience by doing away with the pressures of a traditional saddle, with the v-shaped design distributing rider weight to the more supportive "sit bones" rather than pressure on genital areas.
Reed Park protest highlights opposition to ongoing needle distribution program
A crowd of approximately 100 people gathered at Christine Emerson Reed Park on April 16 to protest against the free needle distribution program in Downtown Santa Monica. Organized by the Santa Monica Coalition, the crowd assembled after a notice was distributed and posted online about a week before the event. The essence of the discussion revolves around a program whereby every week in the centrally located Reed Park, a transit van from the Venice Family Clinic distributes clean syringes, Narcan and fentanyl testing kits to anyone suffering from drug addiction. The program operates in a number of parks in Santa Monica, but a significant cause of concern among critics is that St. Monica Preparatory School is directly opposite Reed Park, which incorporates publicly accessible basketball and tennis courts.
Marina tourism continues rebound despite inflation challenge
This month, the Marina del Rey Tourism Board released the 2023 Economic Impact of Tourism Study for the waterfront locale, which plays a pivotal role in Los Angeles tourism as a whole. The study showed that tourism in the Marina generated an estimated impact of $638 million in 2023, with overnight visitors surpassing 2019 numbers before the COVID-19 pandemic. During the year, Marina del Rey hosted 551,726 overnight visitors, beating the 2019 total by 14% and gaining 3,014 visitors over the 2022 total. Direct visitor spending numbers, however, were skewed by inflation costs, with local officials stating that businesses have been "absorbing the cost" of inflation, particularly hotels and restaurants having to deal with increased food and lodging costs.
Patagonia, other businesses honored for environmental stewardship
On April 8, the City of Santa Monica announced the winners of the 28th annual Sustainable Quality Awards, a partnership between the city and environmental education nonprofit Sustainable Works that recognizes sustainable economic development, social responsibility and stewardship of the environment. Patagonia Santa Monica on the Third Street Promenade was the grand prize winner, while other local businesses received recognition in separate categories (Angeles Investment Advisors, Avocado Green Mattress, Physical Therapyworks and Yoga-urt). The Santa Monica location of Patagonia has supported climate initiatives like Stand Together Against Neighborhood Drilling Los Angeles (STAND-L.A.) and Friends of Ballona Wetlands.
Remodeled and rebranded Regent Hotel offers first look
The remodeled and rebranded Regent Hotel that occupies the site formerly known as Loews beachfront hotel has released the first details of what the new venue is going to look like. The site is being remodeled as a "resort" rather than just a hotel experience and was originally scheduled to open in late 2023, with the date pushed back to mid-2024. According to the hotel, the resort will offer a total of 34 different suites, including a 2,180 sq-ft, two-story atrium suite offering ocean-facing views. A total of 143 guest rooms will also be available starting at 720 sq-ft with bathrooms that feature bathtubs, rainfall showers, bidets in the water closet and double vanities.
Cellista soars in upcoming aerial cello experience
Performance artist Cellista will be combining two top-notch entertainment forms on April 28 at the Highways Performance Space, performing the Aerial Cello piece Élégie. The phrase is exactly what it means, as Cellista will be hoisted in the air in a static trapeze setting, all while playing her own cello composition. A classically-trained cello performer, she began to soar with trapeze classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, enjoying the aerial art’s ability to be a "very malleable object" when it came to storytelling. She noted that physical training for the show has been "pretty intense," putting in between 15-20 hours a week of workouts and trapeze practice, including at least 100 push-ups each days to build strength.
Latino icon with local ties immortalized in music history
On April 16, the Library of Congress announced its selections for the National Recording Registry, a preservation of recordings with "cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance to life in the United States." One of the selections, nominated by Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX), is Juan Gabriel’s song "Amor Eterno," part of Castro’s push to include recognition of Latino musicians in the registry. Gabriel, a mainstay in the Latino arts community during his distinguished career, passed away in Santa Monica in August 2016 at the age of 66.
thomas@smdp.com
