Certainly the story of the year and the picture of the year for Venice. Looks like two people maneuvering the camouflaged barge down the Grand Canal. The picture was sent to Venice Update by Howard Weisenfield, former president of the Venice Canal Association. It was published here Tuesday and sent to LAPD Captain Brian Morrison with the note that it was suspected to be part of the encampment at the Grand Canal under the Red Car bridge between North and South Venice Blvd.

By Wednesday the TV media were on the story. Officials were trying to figure out who was to handle this — LAPD handles homeless; Street Services handles the waterways; Sanitation handles cleanups.

Friday the the Safe and Clean teams of the Venice BID (Business Improvement District) started cleaning up the area and by 2:30 pm area was cleaned with the exception of the bare barge itself.

One Canal homeowner said the barge is probably one of the barges the Venice Canal Associations uses for their annual Christmas parade.

According to Venice BID CEO Tara Devine, “The barge or raft disposition is still a slightly open question, but it is my hope, it will be resolved the beginning of next week. I believe it requires coordination between at least two parties to remove it.

“We’ll be following up and doing extra patrols with both Clean and Safe Teams in area of the barge.”