Venice Turns 100

[Sequoia]

Built on a whim by a fantastical dreamer, Venice turns 100 on July 4 —minus its original canals but with its pop-cultural zest intact.

A summer-long celebration will kick off near the boardwalk Saturday with an amped-up Carnevale featuring costumed revelers, music and abstract showpieces from Venice's crowded stable of resident artists.

Given the coastal community's dynamic beginnings and chaotic history — a mere 50 years ago, the place was called "the sewer by the sea" — it won't come as a surprise that the celebration has engendered controversy.

What is surprising is that Venetian activists, notorious for not playing well with others, managed to pull together to light the birthday candles.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-venice24jun24,0,3599837.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Take me home....!!!

[katty]

1. live in SMonica-Happy B'day Venice - as if

you needed an excuse to party!