LOCALmotion – Jozelle Smith

Have you noticed these intriguing designs appearing overnight on many city streets? They’re called “sharrows” (shared lane markings) and this Monday, December 10th members of Ballona Creek Renaissance (BCR) will be encouraging the City Council to approve the installation of sharrows along Sepulveda Boulevard from Culver Boulevard to the city boundary at Franklin Avenue. The pavement marking in the driving lane reminds motorists to be aware of cyclists and helps cyclists correctly position themselves on the road. Part of the Sepulveda Area Improvement Plan and the city’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan, this feature would help provide safer bicycle access not only to the Ballona Creek path but also to the area businesses. Also on the agenda that night will be a public discussion about single-use plastic carryout bags and potential actions to discourage or ban such bags in the future. Along with Heal the Bay and others, BCR long has advocated taking strong steps to reduce the damaging impact of unnecessary plastic in our communities, Ballona Creek, and the ocean. Safer economical alternatives abound, whether for shopping, picking up after your pets, or carrying and storing things.

In addition to their regular Sunday (10:00 a.m.) services, Westside Unity Church is offering a Meditation, Prayer and Spiritual Practice Class this Wednesday December 12 7:00-9:00 p.m., facilitated by Rev. James Daly. Westside Unity is located at 10724 Barman Avenue, near Overland.
The official “OMG” Department: The Culver City Garden Club’s sign-up sheet for refreshments for the first three months of 2013 got lost after their recent Potluck dinner meeting. Larry Ebner is asking members who would like to volunteer to bring food or drink for the January, February or March meetings to please let him know at [email protected].

SO MUCH going on this Monday eve, December 10 – The Culver City Sister City Committee’s 50th Anniversary activities begin at 5:00 p.m. with the public unveiling of the Sister City signpost at the corner of Duquesne and Culver. The ceremonies will continue at a reception open to the public in the Dan Patacchia Room at City Hall, followed by the presentation of a proclamation during the City Council meeting in Council Chambers.

It’s hard to believe that the Winter 2013 Parks, Recreation and Community Services session is just around the corner! Resident walk-in registration starts December 10th and non-resident registration on December 17th. Online enrollment is now easier through their new registration site at www.activenet.active.com/culvercity. Customers wishing to view the traditional Culver City Living online PDF may visit www.culvercity.org/CulverCityLiving. Registration is also available at the Recreation Office at 4117 Overland Avenue, open Mon-Fri from 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00p.m Or you can call (310) 253-6650 for more information. Most winter activities will begin the week of January 7th so don’t miss out on enrolling early for one of their exciting and enriching classes, including several new offerings such as: Belly Dance, Tahitian Dance and Zumba Dance, Beyond Basics Sports and Commercial Acting for Adults! Whatever your interests might be, Culver City has something fun for everyone!
On Saturday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. —talented musician Cody Gillette presents “Glad Tidings & Sacred Spirits” – an evening of Baroque, Classical and Romantic vocal and instrumental music to benefit the music programs at Grace Lutheran Church, 4427 Overland Avenue. Admission is by a love donation and of course there’s always lots of good refreshments and snacks following almost any event at Grace.
From Culver City Fire Marshal Michael Bowden comes a great list of “Christmas Tree Safety Tips,” available on the culvercity.org website. Take a look!
On tap tonight, Monday, December 10th is the Culver City Rock & Mineral Club’s Holiday Party, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Culver City Rotary Plaza meeting room. The installation of officers will also take place. They’re looking forward to a great buffet (turkey and ham provided by the club and side dishes by members) as well as the infamous White Elephant Gift Exchange which, described by Acting President Rick Shaffer, “… usually gets a little out of hand.”
Chilly but having fun are December birthday celebrants Pierre Joujon-Roche, Edmondo Coronel, Carolyn Bettet, Max Hippensteel, Laurel Grosse, Brian Lallement, Lucia Pasquinelli, Yvette Marie Trinh, Volodymyr Ihnatkova, Barbara Shaffer, Ellen Moe, Rosemary Ihde, Koroush Sobha, Lourdes Brito, Jean Walpole, Laura Burgess, Somasundaram Niranjayan, Neil Sussman, Franklin White, Patricia Woodman, Maria Checa, Donald Dier, Spencer-Rose McGregor, Johnathan Perez, Jeff Burne, Patricia Cervante, Jeremy Haneline, Kristina Villanueva, Myrna Mark, Susan Moriyama-Yi, Claudia Nicholas, Caroline Francesca Faull, Gina Glatis, Pierre Helias, Karen Jean, Imtiaz Khanmohammed, and Paola La Bruna. Want to include your own or a friend or family member’s birthday in LOCALmotion? Let us know at [email protected].