Second of two parts
Re “Clarke Knows Exactly How He Wants to Celebrate City’s Centennial”
[img]1792|right|Jim Clarke||no_popup[/img]Exploring ideas for Culver City’s centennial in 2017 – the year he hopes to rotate into the mayor’s chair – City Councilman Jim Clarke mentioned uniquely lavish visions.
He ponders commissioning artworks, inviting chamber and symphony orchestras “playing in theatres, showcasing productions that highlight Culver City,” and then he noted one more.
“We used to have a float in the Rose Bowl Parade,” Mr. Clarke said. “I would love to see us raise the money for that. It is a very expensive endeavor, but we can do that for our 100th anniversary.”
He already has taken steps in that direction.
“I have met with one of the float builders, Phoenix Decorating, that does floats for municipalities,” the Councilman said. “I have some idea of what that entails and what the cost might be.”
Joining the legendary New Year’s show in Pasadena is not assured because Culver City cannot unilaterally make the decision.
“First,” said Mr. Clarke, “we would have to get permission to be in the parade. I would think that with the right contacts, plus the fact we used to have floats and that we would be celebrating our 100th anniversary, should be persuasive.
“We would have a legitimate float builder, so that the Tournament of Roses Parade would have confidence we are not going to have something that looks like it came from ‘Animal House.’”
That leaves one decision to be rendered, and it could be vexing.
“The question,” said Mr. Clarke, “is whether we would start Sept. 20, 2016 and run a full year, or start Jan., 1, 2017, and run for nine months.”
By some yardsticks, the party already has begun.
“In some respects,” Mr. Clarke said, “the (Founding Father) Harry Culver speech I gave at the California Club was sort of the opening of our celebration. In 2015, we will be celebrating the 100th year of the Colonnade out at Sony. There will be things going on, but the official kickoff will be decided by the kinds of events and activities we have.”
