Jessica Koslow

Local musicians are playing familiar tunes. The food and drinks are flowing for the hundreds of community members in attendance. Dozens of neighborhood businesses have donated to the silent auction. Each year for the past 22 years, Venice Community Housing (VCH) has hosted a champagne brunch with live jazz to raise money for its mission: To develop comprehensive solutions to rising rates of homelessness and an increasing need for affordable housing for low-income individuals and families.

VCH is on a roll, according to Linda Lucks, the Community Engagement and Special Events Coordinator. The Corporation recently broke ground on a 78-unit project on 20^th Street and Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, and 2024 saw the opening of three projects: Marian Place, which houses formerly unhoused families; The Journey Apartments in Venice, which provides permanent supportive homes for transition aged youth (18-25) and other formerly unhoused people; and Aviation Apartments in the Del Aire neighborhood. . . .

Read the entire article at The Argonaut.

The city of Buellton has experienced two time periods: B.S. and A.S., referencing the 2004 Oscar-winning film “Sideways” about a road trip to the Santa Barbara wine country. Buellton and its neighbor, Solvang, were featured prominently in the film, and because of the exposure, tourism to the area skyrocketed. Unfortunately, one of its claims to fame, Pea Soup Andersen’s, which had been a major draw since 1924, closed in 2024 just before its 100th anniversary. Fortunately, Buellton has so much more to offer, including wineries, breweries, new eateries, horseback riding, a botanic garden, a petting emu and ostrich farm, a zipline experience and an adventure park course. . . .

Read the entire article at Playa Vista Magazine.

On Thursday, Aug. 21, Thomas Safran & Associates (TSA) hosted the grand opening of Thatcher Yard, consisting of 98 affordable and supportive housing units for seniors and non-age-restricted residents located at 3311 S. Thatcher Avenue in Marina del Rey. 

Both founder Thomas Safran and Jordan Pynes, the president of TSA, were on hand mingling with guests, including LA Councilmember Traci Park; Elizabeth Selby, director of development and finance for the Los Angeles Housing Department; Carlos Van Natter, director of Section 8 at the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and Paul Buckland, senior vice president of fund investments for Wells Fargo.

In 1974, Safran left the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to start his own company, and for over 50 years, TSA has specialized in developing and managing high-quality properties. It has created 6,500 units of luxury, affordable and mixed-use rental housing in Southern California. . . .

Read the entire article at The Argonaut.

Founded in 1985, Heal the Bay has been making waves of change by helping to protect the coastline, restore waterways, and speak out for clean water policy across watersheds. How does it accomplish this? Partly with the aid of volunteers, because ripples make waves. The kid-friendly Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier features more than 100 species of marine life that live right offshore.

  healthebay.org

•

Venice Family Clinic has devoted more than five decades to providing quality care to 45,000 individuals, families, and communities from the Santa Monica Mountains through the South Bay. In 2023, the community health center celebrated the completion of its renovation at its flagship site, which was renamed the Chuck Lorre Rose Avenue Health and Wellness Center. The clinic’s comprehensive care includes mental health services, dental care, vision services, substance use treatment, prescription medications, domestic violence counseling, HIV services, healthy food distributions, health education, health insurance enrollment and child development services.

  venicefamilyclinic.org . . .

Read the entire article at The Argonaut.