by Dana Variano, Digital Manager

I spend most of the week staring at my computer. Sometimes, I see fun colors and my eyes sometimes start crossing with website code. When I reach this point, my sensitive and amazing coworkers plea with me: "Dana! Get out of the office once in a while! Please!" So I finally listened to my coworkers this week, dusted off my walking shoes, and hit the CicLAvia - Culver City Meets Venice route to explore Mar Vista. My travel buddy for the day was Jen, a resident of Mar Vista who owns a website called barrio LA that finds and markets unique made-in-LA goods. I found about Jen and her brother Rick's amazing project on Instagram, and the synchronicity of their passion with CicLAvia's was too great to be ignored!

"barrio.la is all about looking up, down & around, making sure we take in everything this city gives to us – like it’s amazing parks, community gardens, outdoor markets & street art."

Jen said she loves going to CicLAvia with her daughter, and that it shows her that "if streets and neighborhoods rally together, they can support each other." I hit the streets of the Mar Vista with Jen to talk about her neighborhood, and what she loves about it.

On January 27, CicLAvia staff & volunteers hit the CicLAvia - Culver City Meets Venice route to share some awesome spots to visit on Sunday, March  26!

On January 13, CicLAvia staff & volunteers hit the CicLAvia - Culver City Meets Venice route to share some awesome spots to visit on Sunday, March  26!