'100 Venice Stories' anthology release

More than 100 years ago, Abbot Kinney dreamed up Venice of America, building canals and a seaside amusement park in Los Angeles. Venice has gone through dozens of reinventions over the course of the century, and local author Jason Hill, whose column in The Argonaut always features stories about colorful local residents, has spent the past decade talking to the people who make Venice what it is. His new book collects 100 stories on these locals, like Boardwalk staple Harry Perry and surfboard shaper Guy Okazaki, and will be released with a celebration, signing, and film premiere at legendary literary center Beyond Baroque.