Bruce Russell
My first book signing of Chinatown County: The Sell-Out of Marina del Rey” is 4 p.m. at Pammy’s Place in Fisherman’s Village on May 31. The book can also be obtained from Lulu.com.  The people at Fisherman’s Village are really steamed as the County wants to tear down the village as part of its plan to build another shopping mall on Lot 49 (opposite the present Waterside shopping mall) and relocate the boaters launch ramp from lot 49 to the space now occupied by Fisherman’s village. Can you imagine the uproar if any outrageous scheme like this was proposed in Venice!!! Residents of the unincorporated district of Marina del Rey are simply disenfranchised and the County is doing what it damn well pleases. I think it’s time for Venice to be told that it has an ugly monster on its borders and thanks once again for your help.

Amie Leadingham and someone else
I noticed a young Asian man with glasses walking strangely down Dickson St. He was not walking on the sidewalk instead he was walking next to the cars. Kind of looking from the side of his eyes into the cars. I took a picture of him because I parked and just watched him the whole time. He was wearing light green pants and a grey sweater swinging his arms while he was walking by each car. If you could let everyone know to get their belongings out of their cars.

Another resident took a picture of a person on a bicycle who was suspicious.

Comment:  Property crimes are one of the biggest concerns in the community.  Property left unattended and sometimes in vehicles in view is an invitation to thieves.  Call 877-ASK-LAPD if you see someone suspicious; call 911 if you see a crime in progress.

Richard Garvey
Another permissible use for two of the 205 spaces under 42.15 is that people can give away food.

Michael King
The thieves are becoming bolder. Someone jumped our 6′ gates, broke into our shed and stole my wife’s bicycle. There is no way to tell who the homeless thieves are and who the Google employees are? They seem to dress alike?

Unfortunately with the proliferation of VRBO’s (vacation rental by owner), our neighborhood has become more transient than ever. I never know who lives on our street and who is a vacation renter. The Venice community does not seem to actually exist anymore.

Carolyn Rios
Glad to hear about the vending on OFW win.

Jon Nahhas, boating coalition
It has been a week and we have not heard back from you or your staff about this very important matter of restricting coastal access. Would you please provide a brief explanation how the new increased fees along the coast of Los Angeles will be implemented on May 24, 2014 with the Coastal Commission’s approval? Is this going to be done in an open meeting, closed session, or by collective concurrence with Coastal Commission Staff?

Those Involved in the Matters of MdR Harbor,
Mr. Geisinger’s email response to the issues of withholding information from the public and the Commissioners of the Small Craft Harbor Commission by the Department of Beaches & Harbors is another example of continued troubles that keep occurring in Marina del Rey. The spin that the Department or Mr. Geisinger, personally, is using is inappropriate and the account of the details is completely misleading.

These are the facts. The MdR Visioning Statement, including the concept plan to move the Public Launch Ramp, was released a couple days prior to the February 12, 2014 SCHC Meeting. The public and Commissioners clearly had strong concerns over the moving of the ramp, particularly in the area along the Main Channel. Several people at the meeting asked for an explanation of how this concept plan was derived and who would have ever thought of such an outlandish idea. The Department of Beaches & Harbors Staff willfully and knowingly withheld their direct involvement in not only procuring a study to relocate the ramp to Fisherman’s Village, but to develop a plan for moving the Launch Ramp.

This goes way beyond the Oops! kind of mistakes that the DBH is notorious for.

To Gary Jones, Director of DBH: In what capacity is Mr. Geisinger acting in his response to our questions? Is he the Department’s spokesperson? Is Mr. Geisinger the DBH’s attorney? Is he in charge of the concept plan to move the Launch Ramp? Please explain his role and the confusion of details in the response.

To Chair Rifkin: There are many of our County residents that are appalled by the secrecy surrounding the plan to move the Public Launch Ramp and how we learned of the Department’s critical involvement only after your February meeting adjourned. I requested public records regarding this issue on April 17th, 2014 and the Department finally sent a response that they would make the records available to me on May 29th, 2014 – the day after your scheduled SPECIAL NIGHT Meeting on this important issue. (PRA request attached). Deputy Supervisor Steve Napolitano has stated that he thinks I will be receiving them earlier. Would you please ensure that the records are released prior to the day of your meeting?

Bonnie Barrett
We visited LACMA today (18 May) and were surprised to see an old friend, the Venice post office mural beautifully restored and on temp display. There is also a nice display of historic photos. It is worth the trip to Wilshire Blvd.

Debbie Rochlin, Mar Vista Neighbors
In case you haven’t heard, Mar Visa Bowl (corner of Grand View and Venice) has been sold.

It has just been confirmed that Pepy’s Galley, the coffee shop in the Mar Vista Bowling Alley is being forcefully evicted on June 30th, 2014. Plans are to turn the bowling alley into a Supper Club with bowling included. Phil Yoakum’s bowling supply shop will also be leaving.

Mia Duncans has set up a rally this Sunday for the neighbohood to show the new owners we want Pepy’s and Phil Yoakums to stay.

When: Sunday, May 25, 2014
Time: 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm
Where: Street corner of Grand View and Venice
Info: Facebook Page to Save Pepy’s
Petition: Sign the Petition

Later information Regarding Mar Vista Bowl
Some new information just came to light about Pepy’s that I want to share so that you are fully informed.

I just received an email from Sherri Akers with the following information.

Just a little clarification. Mar Vista Bowl was not sold. The entire AMF chain went bankrupt and Bowlmor bought it last year. They are closing some locations and renovating others. This is not a sudden occurrence but something that took place last July so everyone involved has been anticipating what changes would happen at this location.

What we don’t want to do is inspire them to close the Mar Vista location.

They have converted a location to Bowlmor in Pasadena and it actually looks pretty nice and may be beneficial to the other businesses in the community by drawing customers from throughout the Westside – http://www.bowlmor.com/pasadena/

But they also have a format called Bowlero which is anchored in nostalgia – if they were inspired to convert this location to that theme, it is possible that Pepy’s and Phil could be a fit and be kept on – http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2014/05/bowlmor-amf-to-open-nostalgic-bowling-alley-in-the.html

I just think it is important to remember that the business model as it exists at Mar Vista Bowl was failing and in bankruptcy and change may be viable.