Tag: Celebration

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, June 18, the city of Santa Monica announced that a celebration will be held on Saturday, June 29 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Pico Branch Library located at 2201 Pico Boulevard.

The celebration will be held from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. It is free to the public and there will be activities for the entire family.

At 11 a.m. there will be an opening by the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra Mariachi band and a welcome address by Mayor Phil Brock. Keynote speaker, Anne Carmack, city of Santa Monica Poet Laureate will read a special poem she wrote for the event from words contributed by the community.

City officials, the Director of Library Services, Library Board and Friends of the Library Board members, and community members in celebrating this beloved neighborhood library branch in the Virginia Avenue Park campus with a performance-filled afternoon. Ashley Granillo reads from her book, “Cruzita and Mariacheros.” Following the reading, enjoy Mariachi music and a book signing by the author.

The day’s line-up includes Summer Reading Program signups, a variety of activities, giveaways courtesy of the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library, refreshments, screen printed tote bags, and much more.

The event concludes with bossa nova music courtesy of the Angelo Metz Quartet. Participants are asked to check out a local history RED Kit, one of the library’s new interactive items that invites neighbors to share their stories through interviews and spoken word.

“In the 10 years that Pico Branch has existed within the Virginia Avenue Park campus and the Pico neighborhood, our library services, programs, and staff have woven themselves into the fabric of this community, ensuring that everyone has access to lifelong learning opportunities and experiences. Cheers to many more years of partnership and collaboration!” said Erica Cuyugan, Director of Library Services.

Designed by Koning Eizenberg Architecture of Santa Monica, the Pico Branch Library, which opened to the public in June 2014, is a two-building, state-of-the-art, LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum rated facility.

Since parking is limited, the public is asked to walk, bike, or take Big Blue Bus line 7 to the tenth anniversary celebration. Additional free parking is available in the Venice Family Clinic lot, located just a half block east of Virginia Avenue Park, at 2509 Pico Blvd. The Pico Branch is wheelchair accessible. For assistance with accessibility accommodations, call (310) 458-8600 at least one week in advance.

The Pico Branch 10th anniversary celebration is presented by the Santa Monica Public Library and Virginia Avenue Park. Generous support is provided by the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library. For more information, call the library at (310) 458-8600; or email library@santamonica.gov. Follow us on social media @smpubliclibrary for updates.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills Public Works Department is inviting the public to the celebrate with Public Works Day on Saturday, May 19. The goal of the event is for the community to learn how the Public Works Department supports the quality of life in the community every day.

The event will be held at the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market located at Civic Center Drive and Third Street. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will be things to entertain the entire family including a Public Works Construction Play Zone, petting zoo/pony ride for a nominal fee, goodie giveaways, big trucks, music and games.

For information contact the city of Beverly Hills Public Works Department at (310) 285-2467 or visit www.beverlyhills.org/pwday.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced on November 30 that residents can bring their pets to the Santa Paws event, a Holiday Celebration for Dogs and their Humans on Sunday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Malibu Bluffs Park (24250 Pacific Coast Highway at Malibu Canyon). Reservations are recommended for free, family and animal-friendly event. Dogs must be on a leash and under control of their owner at all times.

Participants and their animals will receive a give-away bag and can sign up for the fun Ugly Holiday Sweater Parade, and there will be treats for people and pups. Local pet businesses and Community Class Dog Obedience instructors from Canine Logic will have information booths. People can take a photo with their dog and Santa from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Attendees can make a donation to support a local animal shelter by visiting www.MalibuCity.org/HappyHolidays. Holiday attire is encouraged by attendees.

For additional even information visit www.MalibuCity.org/SantaPaws or call 310-317-1364. Register for the event at www.MalibuCity.org/Register (click “All Programs,” Special Events,” “Santa Paws”).

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica announced in a press release on Monday, November 27 that on Saturday, December 2, the city will celebrate the completion of the newest addition to its protected bike network with a ribbon cutting event and activities throughout the morning.

The celebration starts at 9 a.m. and will run until 12 p.m. at the 17th St./SMC Metro E Line parking lot at 1610 Colorado Avenue.

According to a news release from the city of Santa Monica, improvements to bike and pedestrian safety have helped the city’s goal of focusing on a Sustainable and Connected Community. The project elevates foundational city initiatives in the community and feedback that came from the adopted Bike Action Plan Amendment, Pedestrian Action Plan, the Michigan Avenue Neighborhood Greenway (MANGo) Plan, and the city’s Land Use and Circulation Element.

“I’m thrilled to see such a robust, thoughtful and important multi-modal project come to completion,” said Mayor Gleam Davis. “By increasing separation from moving traffic and connecting neighborhoods, this project helps make walking and biking easier, encouraging sustainable practices that lead to healthier communities.”

The December 2 event will feature music, performances and workshops, including:

-Santa Monica High School marching band

-LA Jugglers performing with vintage bicycles

-Academia de Danza Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo

-Guided bike rides

-Free bike repair and tune ups from Santa Monica College Bike Maintenance Class

-Helmet decorating with Santa Monica Spoke

-Bike basket and accessories workshop with reDiscover Center

-Remarks from Mayor Gleam Davis, Police Chief Ramon Batista, and Department of Transportation Director Anuj Gupta

-Remarks from Cynthia Rose of Santa Monica Spoke

-Free donuts, coffee and hot cocoa

An event schedule is available here.

The Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue advances Santa Monica’s commitment to a Clean and Safe Santa Monica, including the Vision Zero initiative, which has the goal of eliminating severe traffic injuries and deaths on city streets.

Project elements that promote safety include:

-A concrete curb protected bikeway

-Increased lighting to better illuminate sidewalks and bike lanes

-Curb extensions and upgraded accessible curb ramps

-Freshly painted crossings to better define space for bicyclists and pedestrians and increase yielding compliance

-Protected intersections to reduce crossing distances, slow vehicles and turns, and facilitate left turns for bikes and scooters without needing to merge into traffic

-Curb extensions and new curb ramps at 14th and 15th Streets

-Mini traffic circles on 16th and 18th Streets, bringing a calm and predictable flow with landscaping and new trees

-Signal timing adjustments to give pedestrians a head start when crossing the street

Additional projects upcoming and underway within the Sustainable & Connected Community priority include bike and pedestrian improvements on Stewart Street, 20th Street and Wilshire Boulevard.

“I want to thank our community for their patience during construction of these critical upgrades. Projects such as this make our streets safer and more inviting for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike, while fighting climate change by encouraging more people to bike, walk, and connect to transit,” said Anuj Gupta. “I look forward to continuing to advance the City Council’s ambitious agenda and working closely with community members to improve safety and the overall experience of getting around our vibrant city.”

For more details, visit www.santamonica.gov/mobility-projects/safe-streets-for-17th-street-and-michigan-avenue.

By Trevor

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood announced in a news release that on Tuesday, August 1, community members will gather on neighborhood streets in a show of unity against crime to celebrate the annual National Night Out.

Block parties, barbecues, dancing, live entertainment and other things will occur in West Hollywood. Attendance is free. There will be limited street closures during National Night Out; these will occur on Tuesday, August 1, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. A list of events, times, and event locations is being regularly updated on West Hollywood’s website at www.weho.org/nno as the event approaches.

The year 2023 marks the 40th Annual National Night Out (NNO), which started in 1984 as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, law enforcement, community partnerships, and neighborhood camaraderie – and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized against crime.

Nationwide, over 35 million people in neighborhoods across the country gather outdoors to celebrate their unity and their successes in the fight against crime. Celebrating National Night Out has been a tradition in West Hollywood since its incorporation.

National Night Out 2023 participants include members of the West Hollywood City Council, Neighborhood Watch groups, the West Hollywood Gateway, and West Hollywood’s Public Safety Commission and Russian-Speaking Advisory Board. Events will be held in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the City of West Hollywood.

For more details contact Jessica Anukam, West Hollywood Public Safety Specialist, at (323) 848-6436 or at janukam@weho.org For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing call TTY (323) 848-6496.

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills will celebrate Public Works Day on Sunday, May 21, at the Farmers’ Market. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The goal during the event as noted on the city of BH website that the event is “Connecting the World Through Public Works.”

The event will be held at the Farmers Market located at Civic Center Drive and Third Street. There will be Bike Safety Tips and Helmet Fittings, a Petting Zoo, Goodie Giveaways, Big Trucks, Free Compost and Games.

The Department of Public Works is responsible for The Infrastructure and Right-of-Way Caretaker. There are over 200 employees committed to maintaining and strengthening Beverly Hills’ infrastructure including: traffic and street lights, sidewalks, streets, the stormwater system, City facilities, parks and trees.

In addition, the department provides fresh water, trash and recycling service, wastewater removal, and parking at city facilities and meters.

For more information on our programs and services browse visit their social media platforms, sign up for the newsletter “The Backbone” or contact Public Works Customer Service.

For more information about the event contact the city of Beverly Hills Public Works Department at (310) 285-2467. For details about the Department of Public Works email www.beverlyhills.org/pw.