The “Wizard of Venice” celebrates the life of Sonya’s grandfather, Arthur L. Reese, an inventor, decorator and businessman of Venice, California during the 1900s. The ‘Wizard’ decorated the town of Venice, designed gondolas for the Venice Canals and operated businesses in both Venice and Santa Monica.  The book uncovers how her grandfather’s passion to succeed in life, ked him to a friendly business relationship with Abbot Kinney and brought together the communities of Venice and Santa Monica through social clubs and events.

Soft-Bound, $19.99

Available at the following:
-Regular VHS events

Venice Historical Society proudly announces the second printing of our book authored by Venice's historian, VHS past-president and archivist Carolyn Elayne Alexander. 128 pages soft-bound with over 200 black and white photos chronicling our first 100 years.

From the back cover:
This pictorial retrospective illustrates Venice's history from its beginnings in 1880 through the Great Fire and Consolidation, to the advent of the rollerskaters and carnival-like ambience that characterize the Venice that we know today. Based on over 200 interviews of local and pioneer families, this volume contains many previously unpublished images from private albums and collections, all of which provide a unique glimpse into Venice's fascinating first century.

Soft-Bound, 128 pages, $19.99

Available at the following:
-Regular VHS events
-Small World Books in Venice
-Amazon.com

Explore hundreds of famous movie sites throughout Southern California. These wide-open spaces have transported moviegoers to exotic worlds for nearly a century, Hollywood Escapes unveils these exciting settings within a day's drive of Los Angeles.

The first comprehensive guide to Southern California's outdoor filming locations takes you to sixty of the Golden State's most cinematic mountains, lakes, deserts and beaches. This book shows you the way to the movies' and recommends places to dine and lodge along the way.

Soft-Bound, 410 pages, $19.95

Available at the following:
-Regular VHS events
-Bookstores around the Los Angeles area

Thousands of men, women and children owe their lives to the Los Angeles County Lifeguards. Made famous by the television show Baywatch, these lifeguards patrol 72 miles of coastline extending from Zuma Beach to the Los Angeles Harbor.

Author Arthur C. Verge, a full-time professor of history at El Camino College and a Los Angeles County lifeguard since 1974, has used official archival photos to trace the compelling history of the largest and busiest lifeguard service in the world. This photographic retrospective tells a fascinating historic account of this unique organization.

All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Public Safety and Education Fund.

Soft-Bound, 128 pages, $19.99

Available at the following:
-Regular VHS events
-Borders Books in Santa Monica
-Barnes & Noble in Santa Monica
-Amazon.com

California was invented by dreamers. Like an old-fashioned postcard album with engaging historical narratives, this book explores the Venice landscape and its continuing evolution.

Soft-Bound, 70 pages, $19.99

Available at the following:
-Regular VHS events

Venice Historical Society T-Shirts

MOST T-SHIRT DESIGNS COME IN S, M, L, XL, 2XL
AVAILABLE AT VHS EVENTS.
FOR MULTIPLE ORDERS, CALL US AT 310-967-5170