In 1965, Venice was a little quieter. I could walk among the columns and still see outlines of paint over abandoned stores left over from "A Touch of Evil" and there would be almost no one else walking around.

Bongo drums were outlawed. It seemed the Republicans were taking over. I could only imagine what it might be like at some point in the distant future when we found ourselves under the iron heel.

A few wise ass beats referred to the rundown boarding house John Haag was running as "Miramar". Named after the splendid mansion in Pacific Palisades where Thomas Mann and Bertolt Brecht stayed to avoid the careening Nazi beast.




(Aug. 24, 1980: Painted elephants and floats parade down the boardwalk during the 4th Annual Venice Beach Festival of the Chariots. The event, sponsored by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, was faced with cancellation when permits originally were not granted by Los Angeles city recreation and parks commissioners. Only after the Hare Krishna society filed a federal lawsuit did the commissioners relent and issue permits.

This image by staff photographer Bill Hodge was published in The Times as standalone art on Aug. 25, 1980.

The Festival of the Chariots continues to be held every August.)  ¶ 1/18/2011 08:47:00 AM