Today in Venice-Mar Vista: Celebrate With Venice Arts, Take a Taste of Venice

Here are five things for your Wednesday and beyond in Venice-Mar Vista:  

1. Venice Arts' 20th Anniversary Spectacular is set for Saturday from 5-8 p.m. The event celebrates the organization's 20 years of service to the community as a "leading, youth arts organization whose Art Mentoring & Education and Documentary Programs nourish the creativity, develop the knowledge and skills, and uplift the voices of thousands of low-income youth," according to its website. Community Angels Susan Rennie and Paula Lumbard will also be honored at the event. Tickets to attend the event, which will be held at the 

   Venice Arts' Center for Media and Learning, 

   1702 Lincoln Blvd., cost $175 each. Visit the website to view art available for bidding and to place a bid.
2. The 5th annual Taste of Venice (formerly the Taste of Abbot Kinney) takes place Sunday to support the Venice nonprofit Inside Out Community Arts. The afternoon event, which includes a restaurant walking/tasting tour, highlights Venice’s culinary talent. Other highlights include music, cooking demonstrations by Venice chefs and special presentations by hosts Adam Gertler from The Food Network and Jet Tila from Iron Chef America during the VIP reception from 3-4:30 p.m. The tasting tour ($65 per ticket) follows from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tasting tour and VIP reception tickets go for $110 each. Tickets can be purchased online.
3. Councilman Mike Bonin will hold a community briefing about the new LAX Connect project that is intended to bring mass transit to the airport. The briefing will be held on Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Westchester/Loyola Village Public Library, 7114 W. Manchester Ave. RSVP to Jessica Duboff at jessica.duboff@lacity.org. 
4. Tony Daniels brings his "spooktacular" blend of magic and humor to the Abbot Kinney Memorial Library Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The show promises family fun, according to the website. The library is at 501 S. Venice Blvd.
5. A change.org petition asking a medical marijuana business owner not to continue with his plans to move his business to 3472 S. Centinela Blvd. is online. The petition and comments are here.