Meet Mayor Garcetti, Councilman Bonin at Venice Neighborhood Walk Event Saturday

A free public barbecue will conclude a Neighborhood Walk with Mayor Eric Garcetti Saturday at Oakwood Recreation Center, 767 California Ave., Venice.

Co-sponsored by District 11 City Council member Mike Bonin in association with the Venice Neighborhood Council, the day's activities will begin at Oakwood around 9:30 a.m. with free coffee and refreshments.

Around 10 a.m., volunteer walkers will break into groups to distribute flyers to residents of Venice, said a Garcetti staff member Friday.

The staffer said community members are "more than welcome to join" the day's activities at any time.

Garcetti's aim is to meet and chat with Venice residents as part of his campaign promise to "bring city hall to you," said a staffer. "The goal is just to say, "Your government is here and we're listening.'"

Walkers will distribute flyers that list "new ways to contact your government."

The walk won't be the first time Bonin has participated in a neighborhood walk, said David Graham-Caso, spokesperson. "He's (Bonin) very, very happy to join the mayor. This (outreach) is nothing new for the councilman."

A quote from Bonin on his website reads, “I want to set new standards for accessibility and transparency in local government. City Hall can seem pretty far away from the Westside, and I want to do everything I can to bring it to our neighborhoods.”

Bonin, who replaced Bill Rosendahl in District 11 and was sworn in in Venice on July 13 by Rosendahl, has started what he calls "Access 11" to use direct personal outreach and technology to make sure residents and neighborhoods have access to city government, and have multiple ways to make their voices heard."

Garcetti, who defeated Wendy Greuel in a heated race, was sworn in for his first term as mayor of Los Angeles on June 30.

• Related: Mike Bonin Sworn Into Office at Google Building in Venice