Valentino’s is best known around town for their mobile coaches, but the walk up counter is the way to go!

Valentino’s Venice
310 664-8840
Old school- no website we are aware of.

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No windows? Check
Orange metal stuff that looks like construction barrier material but is permanent? Yup
Putting your name on the side of the building to ensure no one ever calls your business? Yup Yup
Winning the first ever YoVenice “I can’t believe they actually did that” design award? Smoove.

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Keri scanned the brunch and dinner menus and they are after the jump! (Click on them to make it full sized.)

Los Angeles, Calif., October 3, 2008—The Venice Neighborhood Council will host an Informational / Town Hall Meeting regarding the shooting incident that occurred on September 28th after the Abbot Kinney Festival. The meeting will be held on Monday, October 6th at 7:30pm in the Westminster Elementary School Auditorium, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd (parking and auditorium entrance on Westminister, 1/2 block west of Abbot Kinney).

At Monday’s Community Meeting, CD-11 City Councilman Bill Rosendahl; LAPD Pacific Division Captain Joseph Hiltner; Jeff Carr, Deputy Mayor responsible for the Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development; and Stephen Cheung from Mayor Villaraigosa’s West LA office will update our community on any additional developments and facts, take questions and suggestions, and work to clear up any false or unsubstantiated rumors. They will also ask our community to work with them to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice.

The incident on September 28th occurred around 9:30pm near the “Otheroom” in the 1400 block of Abbot Kinney. Gunfire struck one victim who later died of his wounds; a second victim was also struck, treated at a local hospital and later released.

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The taping for the 1st Annual Worldwide Fido Awards will be this Friday at Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport. Doors open at 6:30pm. Anyone is welcome (RSVP to veronica@wwbiggies.com.) There will be tons of great dogs getting awards for being great dogs on video. The show will air on Nickelodeon (Nick at Night) on Sunday. (promo video after the “more” jump)

While you’re over there, drive by the fancy dog park on Airport and Bundy.  Then let’s discuss how crappy the Westmister Dog Park is…

Fred Willard: World Wide Fido from EmilGH on Vimeo.

Edizen and our pals at Venice Paparazzi have some more pictures here!

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YoVenice.com video of Councilman Bill Rosendahl and the LAPD press conference 9/30/2008 from Yo Venice on Vimeo.

In it, Bill Rosendahl and the LAPD discuss the murder of 31 year old Adam Pacheco last Sunday outside of The Other Room Venice and another unrelated murder of Braylon Williams September 23rd in the 4800 block of Marionwood Drive in Mar Vista at the Mar Vista Gardens Housing Project.

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The police would like your help trying to find the suspects. The shooter in TheOtherRoom incident is described as a male hispanic 17-18 years of age that escaped in a white vehicle, possibly a Durango. The shooter walked up to Adam Pacheco and shot him multiple times. The shooter also shot a passing female motorist in the face. The motorist apparently was not a part of anything except being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The attack may be gang related.

Adam Pacheco:

The shooter in the Braylon Williams murder is described as an 18 to 20 year old Hispanic male with medium height and build. The motive appears to be gang related.

Those behind the podium said that there were erroneous emails and false reporting circulating about the events of Sunday evening. They said that out of 100 or so people that were possible witnesses they were only talking to two of them. If you saw what happened, you should call them up.

All parties were adamant that Sunday nights shooting was unrelated to The Abbot Kinney Festival. Next year they may plan to have the festival shut down at an earlier hour, however.

We will put up video of the entire conference later.

Zach is rocking the reporting over at laist too, so peep that.

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Yesterday a person was killed after the Street Festival near the Other Room. Last week a guy was stabbed and ran to the Venice Free Clinic on Rose for help. Gas is being stolen out of tanks, purses from cars (lock the door next time Larna), rapes in limos and drug dealers are taking over the streets in certain sections of the city. How safe is our home?

Lets discuss it in our new forum!

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YoVenice friend Emil has been helping us out by building a forum for the site. We think it will bring a livelier discussion area and will be a place that readers can easily jump in and start their own discussions. All of the stories on the front page will be mirrored in the forums, and we will take some of the better conversations from the forum and put them up on the front page. We are going to try and lock the front page comments for a few days just to promote taking discussions to the forums.

Now would be a good time to swing by the “Introductions” forum so you can introduce yourself!

Update: The victim was Adam Pacheco, pictured here. RIP.

From the LA Times …

Man killed, woman critically injured in Venice shooting
Witnesses said the gunman ‘just walked up and started shooting.’

By Scott Glover, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 29, 2008

A 30-year-old man was killed and a 25-year-old woman was critically injured in Venice Sunday night as a street fair was winding down for the evening, authorities said.

Witnesses said a gunman dressed in black “just walked up and started shooting,” said Officer Karen Smith, a Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman.

The shooting occurred about 9:30 p.m. as the victims were standing near the intersection of Abbot Kinney Boulevard and California Avenue.

There were preliminary indications that the two were shot after a dispute among people who had been attending a fair called the California Festival, said Cecil Manresa, a Fire Department spokesman.

Alan’s Market in this clip:

WHEN:
Sunday, Sept. 28
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM: Festival
5:00 PM: Press conference at the Palms Stage with actor Camryn Manheim and City Councilman Bill Rosendahl to present the Spirit of Venice Awards to community leaders Betsy Goldman and Ivan Spiegel

WHERE:
Abbot Kinney Blvd. from Venice Blvd. to Main St. in Venice

WHAT:
One of Southern California’s most popular community festivals, the annual Abbot Kinney Festival goes eco-chic this year with the new “Connected” Green Lifestyle Area showcasing art, music, community groups, and businesses that inspire healthy living. Included will be a gourmet green food court with Chef CJ of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef,” sustainable art workshops, a bike valet station, and test drives of alternative-fuel vehicles.

The festival also features three live music stages (one produced by acclaimed The Hotel Café), punk bike polo demonstration, 350 arts & crafts booths; three food courts, a beer garden, Inside Out Community Art’s Youth & Family Courtyard with amusement attractions, cultural performances, and art activities for kids and parents.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Venice youth organizations and community beautification projects.

WHO:

Camryn Manheim (CBS-TV’s “Ghost Whisperer”), City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, artists, musicians and performers will join an expected 150,000 people from throughout the region at the festival, which has grown to become the second largest community event of its kind in Southern California.

Music Schedule
as of 9/25/08 - subject to change

BROOKS STAGE produced by The Hotel Café

10:00 AM - Procession and gospel music by Second Community Baptist Church
12:00 PM – WAZ
12:40 PM – Buddy
1:20 PM – Laura Jansen
2:00 PM – Holly Conlan
2:40 PM – Steve Reynolds
3:20 PM – Brian Wright
4:00 PM – Jesca Hoop
4:40 PM – Greg Laswell
5:20 PM – Chris Pierce

PALMS STAGE produced by Air Conditioned Supper Club–Venice

10:00 AM – Heather Donaldson
11:00 AM – The Elevaters
12:00 PM – HI-Stereo
1:00 PM – With a Bible and a Gun
2:00 PM – Too Pretty for Porn
3:00 PM – Stephanie Quayle
4:00 PM – Miss Willie Brown
5:00 PM – War Tapes
6:00 PM – HoneyHoney

Andalusia Stage produced by Kim Michalowski of Ananda

10:00 AM – Kathy Leonardo
10:30 AM – Terese Carlton
11:00 AM – Dicki Fliszar
11:30 AM – d henry fenton
12:15 PM – Holly Long
1:00 PM – Kim Michalowski
1:45 PM – Eric Schwartz
2:30 PM – Sweet Talk Radio
3:30 PM – Molly Venter
4:30 PM – Paul Chesne
5:30 PM – Matt Ellis

Youth & Family Stage produced by Inside Out Community Arts

9:00 AM – Drum Circle at California St. and Abbot Kinney Blvd.
10:00 AM – Family Parade
10:15 AM – Drumming on Stage
10:40 AM – Mama Maria
11:00 AM – Aaron Nigel Smith & The FUNdamentals Band
11:40 AM – Storytelling by Ina Buckner-Barnette
12:10 PM – Aradhana Silvermoon
12:40 PM – Two Stories Youth Dance Performance
1:00 PM – Everybody Dance Youth Performance
1:40 PM – MUDO Martial Arts Youth Demo
2:20 PM – Inside Out Community Arts
2:40 PM – Stephen Longfellow Fiske
3:30 PM – Superbroke Brass and Tin and Strings
4:30 PM – Preeta & The Peace Makers
5:15 PM – The Luminaries

From Jean Kim:

Join us this Sunday for the 24th Annual Abbot Kinney Festival in Venice, CA, from 10:30AM ‘till 6PM! For detailed information, please visit the official website www.abbotkinney.org.

Rabbit Kinney will be at booth #M83B on Abbot Kinney Blvd. near Westminster Ave.

Hope to see everyone!

Best,
Jean Kim of Rabbit Kinney

www.RabbitKinney.com
info@rabbitkinney.com

The environmentally conscious G2 Gallery, located on the historic Abbot Kinney Blvd. will be open the day of the festival and will featuring Robert Glenn Ketchum’s new exhibit. The G2 Gallery is committed to supporting the environment by showcasing photography of our natural world. G2 gallery will have a $5 admission donation that will benefit The Friends of Ballona Wetlands.

This new exhibit continues the efforts by the G2 Gallery to highlight environmental photographers.  100% of their proceeds gets donated to charity.  Their last show, Boundless Vision, benefited the Friends of Ballona Wetlands (an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Ballona Wetlands through restoration efforts, re-introduction of native species, and educational programs for children) and the Theodore Payne Foundation (restores California landscape and habitats through their native-plants nursery program.)

In addition to the show, Mr. Ketchum will be their first guest lecturer in a series of lectures addressing environmental issues.  This lecture will be on October 10th at 7pm.  Actress Maud Adams will deliver the special introduction that evening.

Robert Glenn Ketchum is an author, teacher, and photographer dedicated to supporting the environment through his work by addressing several issues including deforestation, clean air and water, and the preservation of wilderness.  Additionally, in conjunction with his traveling exhibit, Ketchum lectures widely on the subject of preserving the ban on the Alaskan fisheries, hoping to prevent the most productive wild salmon fishery in the world from being destroyed by offshore oil and gas development and onshore mining.

G2 Gallery
www.theg2gallery.com
1503 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice, CA 90291

We stopped by the new N’ice Cream Gelato and Sorbet shop this week to meet the owners - Christian and Laura, from Denmark.   They seem like a very cool & down-to-earth couple - definitely fitting in to the Venice vibe.  They made it very clear that they are NOT a chain business, in fact, they told us that when the company started to head in that direction (franchising), they stepped back and decided that they would rather open a single location in Venice and run it like a mom & pop.  They also have already made arrangements to work with local charities - seems to be a trend with new businesses but one that we hope becomes the norm.

They make their gelato and sorbet fresh every day - with new flavors offered (whenever inspiration strikes) and a flavor-of-the-day, to be noted on a blackboard outside.  Through a window to the kitchen, you’ll be able to see Christian making the day’s products while Laura greets you in the front.

As we stood outside, chatting with Christian and Laura, we obviously couldn’t ignore the fact that they are neighbors with Pinkberry.  They were nothing but gracious about their neighbor - taking the attitude of non-competition:  They are offering a different product to appeal to customers who may not like frozen yogurt. (Abbot’s Habit and Abbot’s Pizza Co. both serve food, but they co-exist nicely just across the street.)  The words were still exiting Christian’s mouth when a mother and her 2 children walked by - Laura bent down to hand the daughter the red "Grand Opening" postcard, who, after being told it was for gelato and not Pinkberry, actually starting jumping up and down with a huge smile on her face.  Her mother cannot get her to go to Pinkberry because she loves gelato.   Case in point.

Get your free gelato today from noon-4pm and welcome Christian and Laura!

N’ice Cream
www.nielsens-ice.com
1410 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice CA

(Thanks to YoVenice reader Rachel for the tip!)

The Venice Whaler
2-10 Washington Boulevard
Venice, California 90292
Tel: 310.821.8737

Yo, meet the newest contributor to Yo! Venice…Johnnie Jenkins!  Johnnie is THE go-to guy about everything and anything happening in the food & wine scene in Venice - so we are thrilled he wants to blog for us!  Here is the first post of what we hope will be a regular feature on Yo! Venice!

Robin’s Nest, our wonderful little "Quality Convenience Market" on the last block of Venice, closed a couple months back. Ronen Helmann, the super outgoing and easy going new proprietor promises to more than double the inventory of "organic and gourmet food from around the world."

With a huge cold case of specialty beverages, cheeses and meats to choose from, this is definitely a great stop for your staples when you don’t want to bike all the way to the Whole Foods on the other side of our universe. His background in agriculture should show through in the excellent selection of local organic produce, and he is super excited about his packaged goods as well-very quick to brag about the artisan marshmallows he found! They also have the best coffee in Venice-my own opinion-it’s ground to order from fresh beans roasted weekly at La Mill, and poured through the Cadillac of espresso machines.

Bellissimo
68 North Venice Boulevard
Venice, CA

Ok…here is the unofficial "official" update on the rapes at the beach situation :

There is an active police investigation underway.  They have a good description of the suspect.  I promised I would not quote anyone on this, so unfortunately, that’s as specific as I can officially be.  They are on the case!

But…let’s say…for example…you’re a chick and some dude picks you up at a bar or the beach or otherwise approaches you and he happens to have a black limosine outside - which may not seem unusual considering that he has identified himself as a professional athlete - don’t get in the limo!  In fact, call 911.  If that exact hypothetical situation occurs.

Seriously, ladies - what, are we new?  Never get into the car of a man you just met - no matter what occupation he claims to have or what car he is driving!  Even if he IS an actor or an athlete or musician - like those guys never rape anyone?  (I was going to link to an article but there are too many to chose from - google "athletes, rape" yourself.)  NOT that I think doing so makes it the victim’s fault - that’s not what I’m saying.  We just need to be smart about situations we put ourselves in and not get all star-struck.

And while we’re on the subject of crime in Venice…

I was wondering if and how my fellow Venice residents deal with crime in their neighborhood.  I was surprised, but not surprised, to see all the crime dots on the LAPD crimemap for Venice.  Yes, I know this is Venice (which is why I wasn’t surprised).  But I was more struck by the fact that no one really seems to talk about it, alert each other, or even know about crimes happening on their own street!   And if they do - they seem to just ignore it. "It’s Venice." How many times do you see helicopters overhead with search lights and not know what’s going on or ever find out afterwards?  I know I’m not the only one who imagines that a knife-weilding maniac is jumping from yard to yard and will be in my yard any minute.  (that actually happened to my family when I was a kid - so it’s not so far-fetched actually.) I see neighborhood watch signs all around but have never been approached by a neighbor who does any watching - so I don’t know if such a system exists on my street.  Ok so the point I’m making is this:  Crime is not OK, even in Venice.  Are we turning a blind-eye?  Could we be doing more to protect ourselves and our neighbors?  Is it a matter of just calling 911 when you see that crack is being dealt on your corner?  Would a online Venice Police Blotter help keep us informed and aware, maybe even angry and fed up?  Let’s stop bashing our friend Esperanza and discuss…

]]> http://www.yovenice.com/2008/09/24/official-beach-rapes-update/feed/ http://www.yovenice.com/2008/09/23/fred-segal-santa-monica-sale/ http://www.yovenice.com/2008/09/23/fred-segal-santa-monica-sale/#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:20:26 +0000 Bret http://www.YoVenice.com/?p=717 Venice adjacent Fred Segal of Santa Monica is having their big sale this weekend and here is your invite to peep the goods at the presale! Thanks for the heads up to CarolineonCrack.

Venice Beach Wines , awesome wine shop and "artisanal deli", will be re-opening up on Rose Avenue by the end of the week! We stopped by yesterday (first "customers" to enter after the paper was taken off the windows) - and we can’t wait for it to be open. The outside seating area is perfect for sipping wine and enjoying some of their cheeses, meats, salads, sandwiches, homemade olives and pickles, and breads.  Their wine selections are interesting, approachable, and reasonably priced.

Owned and operated by dedicated long-time Venice residents, Venice Beach Wines is more than just a local wine shop. "We are not only a small, approachable boutique wine store and artisan deli, but a part of the community as a whole. You will see us at Neighborhood Council sessions, fundraisers, charity events and private parties. We hold Venice close to our hearts, and continue to maintain strong ties within our unique beach township."

Venice Beach Wines
www.venicebeachwines.com
529 Rose Ave, Venice CA
310.392.3539

The 16th Annual Venice Music Festival is Sunday, September 21st between 2pm-6pm at Palms Court. FEATURING: Punky Latin Reggae Rockers Mandorico And Afro-Cuban Salsa Band Sono-Lux. Tickets $10 suggested donation.

Champagne Brunch between 11am and 2pm. Community outreach and fundraising celebration FEATURING Jazz Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia. Tickets $125. By reservation only. For more information, contact (310) 399-4100 x 103 or marlies@vchcorp.org.

This event benefits the Venice Community Housing Corporation .

VCHC’s mission is to preserve the economic, racial and social diversity of Venice and the surrounding area by maximizing affordable housing and economic development opportunities and providing needed social services to the area’s low-income population.

Venice Music Festival & Champagne Brunch
733-743 Palms Avenue (between Lincoln Blvd. and Abbot Kinney Blvd.)
Venice, CA
Sunday, September 21, 2008

There’s an email circulating since yesterday, warning women in the area to be careful walking to/from/between the Townhouse and James Beach at night - the email claims there have been some attacks.  (the email is below)

We could not find any mention of these attacks - LAPD website, any of the news websites, any of the women’s non-profit sites or local political sites.  So we called the police.  They haven’t heard anything about women getting attacked in Venice in the past few weeks - but there is the possibility that it’s not being reported.  Well, it’s getting reported in a bunch of emails so how is it that no one has told the police or filed a report?  Is this even true?

We are going to talk to both the Townhouse and James Beach in a few hours when they are open and ask if they’ve heard anything about attacks occurring.  We’re also going to head down to the police station at the beach to talk to them about it and find out if and how they patrol the beach at night.

In the meantime, it’s just common sense that NO ONE should walk alone at night, whether they’ve been drinking or not.

We hope that this is just a rumor and that no woman has been the victim of a vicious rape or beating while trying to enjoy a night out in Venice.  If you or someone you know has been attacked, please go to the police with this information!   This blog post and the email are not enough to protect other women!

The email:

So, my co-worker just told me that there have been some rapes with beatings happening the past 2 weeks in Venice. They think it’s related to gang initiation, however, we need to pay attention because it’s happening around where we go out! Apparently 3 of the attacks have occurred in between the Town House and James Beach. Drunk women were walking in between the 2 bars, and or home alone from those bars, and were attacked. They attack there because they can “drag” the women to the beach where no one can hear anything. Even if you are going to your car, please get an escort or go out with a friend. If you are around there, or ANYWHERE, for that matter, at night after some cocktails, YOU MUST NOT WALK ALONE. We all feel brave and invincible, but it is not a risk we should be taking