Culver City Observer -

I am writing to ask for your personal financial assistance in underwriting a Culver City Hub during the upcoming CicLAvia.

Here are the details:

On Sunday, April 21, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. the City of Los Angeles will be hosting its sixth CicLAvia. CicLAvia, is a one-day event in which long stretches of city streets are closed to vehicles so that bicyclists, roller skaters, skateboarders, joggers and walkers can use them. It is not a race but an opportunity to leisurely enjoy touring various neighborhoods. People start and stop at any point along the route. The latest CicLAvia, held last fall, attracted an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 participants. Along the route, shops and restaurants do some of their best business of the year.

This upcoming CicLAvia is different in that the route will run along the westbound lane of Venice Blvd. from downtown LA to Venice beach, a distance of some 15 miles. Culver City is located about in the middle which means we will attract riders from both directions as well as those who chose to use Expo either coming or going.

That makes Culver City a perfect place for a Hub location. Our intention is to close off Main Street to traffic and to utilize Parcel B (area next to Culver Hotel) as a bike valet station. We will have first aid station, bike repair facilities, and information booths for various City organizations set up. We anticipate between 10,000 and 15,000 people will stop at the Hub, park their bikes and enjoy our downtown restaurants and visit the booths.

Because the Culver City Hub is located outside the City of Los Angeles, City funds cannot be used to underwrite the costs. The City of Culver City is putting up an estimated $12,500 in in-kind police, public works and sanitation services. Sony Studios has graciously pledged $10,000 as a challenge grant. The Downtown Business Association has pledged to raise $5,000 toward the Sony grant and I have pledged to raise $5,000 from Culver City residents as part of the match.

That is where you come in. Any amount that you can contribute will help me reach my pledge goal. Contributions are tax deductible.

You can contribute in one of two ways. Either write out a check to CicLAvia and mark Culver City Hub in the memo line and mail it to me Jim B. Clarke, P. O. Box 4521, Culver City, CA 90231-4521 or you can make an on-line contribution to CicLAvia by visiting their web site http://www.ciclavia.org/support-donate/ Since there is no place on the donation form to designate the Culver City Hub, please send me an email to let me know. All funds raised by us will be used exclusively for the Culver City Hub.

When I was campaigning for City Council, I felt it was important for us residents to support the great activities and events we enjoy in Culver City. That is what sets our city apart from others. This is one of those opportunities and I appreciate whatever contribution you can make.

P.S. If you are interested being involved in the Culver City Hub, please let me know and I will find a way to put you to work.

Jim B. Clarke

Culver City