LOCALmotion – Jozelle Smith

A sell-out crowd is expected this Thursday, March 31 when the Culver City Chamber of Commerce’s 36th Annual Mayor’s Luncheon honoring outgoing Mayor Micheál O’Leary takes place at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 6161 W. Centinela Avenue. Mayor O’Leary will give the 2016 State of the City address at the luncheon, with check-in set for 11:30 a.m., lunch, and program running until 1:30 p.m. This event provides a unique opportunity for businesses, service clubs, schools, and community organizations to meet together and collectively look at the Culver City community’s programs and activities over the past year as well as the accomplishments of Culver City. The deadline for ticket sales has passed, and there will be no tickets sold at the door. If you’re desperate to attend, however, try calling the Chamber at (310) 287-3850…
Coming up soon is the 2nd Annual Culver City Healthy Family 5K Run/Walk at West Los Angeles College – this Sunday, April 3rd, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. Everyone’s invited to celebrate a lifestyle of activity and good health in support of community programs that help our youth develop skills, grow strong and build confidence. For even more fun, get you and your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors involved. All proceeds will benefit youth programs at Culver City Teen Center & Camps Program and the Culver-Palms Family YMCA, and through the Rotary Club of Culver City, to help all families in the community, regardless of their ability to pay, gain access to programs and resources necessary for their children to learn, grow and prosper. Go to www.runculvercity.com to register. Please call (310) 253-6675 for more information.
This coming Saturday afternoon, April 3 from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., legendary jazz trombonist Phil Ranelin and his Jazz Ensemble will perform at the Mayme Clayton Library & Museum, 4130 Overland Avenue. The performance is in celebration of National Jazz Appreciation Month and the release of Ranelin’s latest endeavor “Portrait in Blue.” The legendary trombonist will also be honoring and playing music from the songbook of three fellow Jazz musicians, Randy Weston and the late Horace Tapscott and Freddie Hubbard, all born in the first week of April. Tickets are $20.00 and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For tickets visit goo.gl/9s0XaU or telephone (310) 202-1647.
And kids love music, even the youngest! This Wednesday, March 30 at 10:30 a.m. in the newly-renovated Culver City Julian Dixon Library, it’s “Fun Music for Preschoolers: with Craig Newton.” Craig will lead preschoolers, toddlers and even babies on a fun-filled musical adventure. He performs on a variety of instruments and shares a wealth of music and songs, encouraging everyone to participate. There’s no charge, and parking is free.

It’ll be a grand dedication this Wednesday, March 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at 4044 Globe Avenue when Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and the City of Culver City will host a kickoff at the site for ten new homes that will be offered at affordable prices. Culver City is a partner with Habitat LA on this project and donated the vacant land for these homes. Habitat is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization building simple, decent, affordable housing. Habitat houses are purchased by families at prices affordable to low-income Americans, thanks to the donated labor of Habitat volunteers (including the buyers, who must dedicate 300-500 hours of work themselves), the support of partner organizations and the no-profit, no-interest terms of each U.S. Habitat for Humanity mortgage. Several local churches, including Grace Lutheran Church, are ready with volunteers, and even outgoing Mayor Micheál O’Leary is rumored to have said “I’m going to buy a hammer!”
Fortunately, foodie-favorite Surfas, 8777 W. Washington Blvd., isn’t disappearing for a year or more even in the wake of all the development surrounding the Expo Line station at National and Washington. In addition to all the supplies chefs (at any level) need, Surfas Café has terrific food, and there are cooking classes in their huge demonstration kitchen. One that caught this vegetarian’s eye will take place on Sunday, April 10 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. In a delicious series titled “Farm to Table” highlighting local and fresh farm produce, Chef Nikki begins with colorful vegetarian style menu, where you’ll create and taste an Orange Avocado Salad, Polenta-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms, Asparagus Tart with Cream Triple Creme Cheese, and a Strawberry Mousse with Dark Chocolate Shavings. The cost is $65.00 and you can sign up or get more information by visiting www.surfasonline.com.
From Ballona Creek Renaissance (BCR) comes word that that there will be a Creek Cleanup at Centinela Avenue with Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin on Saturday, April 9th, from 9:00 am-noon, more information to come!
It’s almost April already, and those celebrating birthdays this week include Peter Benjamin, both Ron and Beverly Peterson, Colleen Jones, Sue Larky, Seth Horowitz, and Fred Yglesias. If you’d like your (or a friend or family member’s) birthday mentioned here, just send the information to [email protected] and we’ll be happy to post it!