Please join us for the

Annual Membership Meeting

Monday, January 22, 2017

Marina City Club
4333 Admiralty Way
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 [map]

Complimentary valet parking

6:00 p.m. — Social Hour – Join us for Wine and Appetizers
7:00 p.m. — Meeting begins

All current members, Canals residents and Canals homeowners are invited. We will be discussing issues that affect all Canals residents as well as the community.

If anybody is interested in running for the VCA Board, please contact Josie Scibetta at josiescibetta@yahoo.com.

BOAT PARADE

GRAND PRIZE
“Christmas On The Rocks”
Martin Meunier and Nika Dunne

1ST RUNNER UP
“Arctic Mishap”
Barbara Mastej and John Ransom

2ND RUNNER UP
“Festive Fellas”
Emmett Oreilly and friends

3RD RUNNER UP
“Neptune’s Fantasy Workshop”
Philip and Kristen Messina

4TH RUNNER UP
“Frosty the Snowman”
Jack Galanty and Mark Galanty

BEST KIDS BOAT
“The Magic Moment”
Suzanne Wrede and 11 kids

BRIDGES

1ST
Sherman Canal, “Home Sweet Home”
John Ransom, Barbara Mastej, Patrick Taylor  & John Revell

2ND
Carroll Canal, “Sailing Ships”
Ricky Otterstrom

3RD
Howland Canal, “Matterhorn”
Martin Meunier & Nika Dunne

HOUSES

1ST
446 Sherman Canal
Carol Ann Cassella

2ND
452 Carroll Canal
Barbara & Allen Toennies

3RD
214 Howland Canal
Donna, Randall & Lindsay McKay

The Venice Canals Association would like to thank everyone who participated in our 34th Annual Holiday Boat Parade by decorating their homes bridges and boats.

A special thanks to Sandy Berens the chairman and her fearless committee: Renee Kaplan, Monnie Fanning, Deb Kaufman, John Schacht, Claudette Shores, Maggie Bright, James Arnall, Mark Galanty, Jack Galanty, Jay Levitt, Carisa Levitt, Alyxa Chang, and Steffi Berens.

And thank you to the local restaurants that donated prizes:
Baja Cantina • C&O Cucina • C&O Trattoria • Canal Club • Cheesecake Factory • Danny’s • Venice Islands • James Beach • Joni’s Coffee Roasting Cafe • The Terrace Cafe • Tony P’s Dockside Grill • Wabi Sabi Sushi Bar & Pacific Grill • Whiskey Reds

Long-time VCA member Orson Bean will be appearing in “A Christmas Carol” this weekend:

The list is in! Here are the winners in this weekend’s Fourth Of July festivities:

RUBBER DUCKY RACE

First Place: Grant Miller (#549)
Second Place: Gavin McGarry (#159)
Third Place: John Schacht (#10)

DOWNWIND REGATTA

First Place: Brad Bolton, Boat #8 – “Bolt”
Second Place: Melissa, Troy, Flavio &, Boat #12 – “Pop My Cherry Pie”
Third Place: Hannah Fierstein and Ruby Phillips, Boat #9 – “The Sharkies”
Most Creative Entry: Ming-yen Johnson, Vance Chou, Vanisa Chou, Arielle Candaele, Boat# 10 – “My Cauliflower”

The most recent issue of The Canals magazine included a “Save the Date” notice for our Cinco de Mayo celebration; however, the Cinco de Mayo event is cancelled. This event will not be taking place this year.

Please look forward to our other events in the future!

Starting January 19th

Mariposa Landscapes, the Venice Canals maintenance company under contract with the City of Los Angeles, has recently done their Annual Survey of the saltbush plants (Atriplex lentiformis ssp breweri). The saltbushes were planted in 1993 to provide a safety barrier between the sidewalk and the canal.

The plants have a limited lifespan and the Voice of the Canals and the Venice Canals Association have purchased new plants over the past three years as needed. Many of the plants are nearing the end of their life expectancy and need to be replaced.

The recent rains have toppled many of the oldest plants. In addition, the repeated close trimmings have caused many plants to become top heavy. Also, many of the bushes exceed the 29” height stipulated in the City contract. If nothing is done we will continue to lose plants more rapidly.

Several thngs are being done to address the problem:

1. Mariposa will be lowering the height of the bushes to open them up to sunlight. This will allow for new growth of leaves and strengthen the bushes. New growth will take a couple of months. This maintenance will start the week of January 19th.
2. The VOC and the VCA have asked Mariposa to secure 194 new plants that are needed at this time.
3. Mariposa will care for the new plants in the very early stages, which they have to water by hand. We are asking the residents to help water all the saltbushes at least once a week if there is no rain. Please do your best to protect the newly planted bushes.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.