Culver City has a lot to be thankful for during this Thanksgiving week. A great school system, beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods, safe parks, an upscale mall, attractive shopping centers and Mike Cohen.
Affectionately called Mr. Culver City, Mr. Cohen has earned his nickname through hard work and dedication to Culver City. He stepped down last year as the sports editor of the Culver City News and as one of the city’s top real estate agents.
Although officially retired, he continues to whatever it takes to help the city he loves.
Born and raised in Culver City, attended three elementary schools, Farragut, La Ballona and El Marino. “At that time I was enrolled in one school across town, then another school would open closer to my home,” said Mr. Cohen. “That’s why I attended three elementary schools.”
At 59, he keeps in touch with old teachers and friends from his elementary school days. “I grew up with all of the people in Culver City,” said Mr. Cohen. “These are all my friends, one big family. It is so great to be part of this great community, and it’s nice to be wanted. I am very grateful.”
At the peak of his involvement in Culver City, he needed at least three closets in his home to store the hats that he wore. One day he would be at Vets Park playing softball, paddle tennis, basketball, volleyball, tennis and swimming. The next minute he would change his clothes and put on a tuxedo and be the Master of Ceremonies at an event inside the Vets Auditorium.
He became one of the best paddle tennis players in Southern California.
Mr. Versatility, Too
One day he would be up on the hill coaching a Little League team. At night you could hear him delivering play-by- play analysis of a Culver City High School football or basketball game. Later he would be hard at work at Fiesta La Ballona, one of the city’s biggest events.
Mr. Cohen served on several committees supporting Fiesta. There is not enough space to list all Mr. Cohen continues to do for Culver City. “I had so much fun,” he said. “It was almost like not working.”
As a young man, he started an 18-year career with the Parks and Recreation Dept. as a recreation leader. “I was able to create classes and programs that are still going today,” Mr. Cohen said. “I really enjoyed that job.”
Next he decided to try real estate, and during that same time he became sports editor of the Culver City News. “Early in my real estate career, I refused to sell any houses outside of Culver City. Other agents at my office started calling me Mr. Culver City.
Mr. Cohen realized he was interested in journalism when he covered a basketball game between Culver City and Inglewood for the high school newspaper. “I enjoyed the game so much, it made me think I might have a future in journalism,” he said.
In high school his main sport was tennis. “I was the No. 1 player on the team, but we were not very good. One time we played Beverly Hills. They sent their seventh grade team to play us. The girl who beat me went on to play professional tennis. That made me feel better.”
Mr. Cohen prefers the background, but his work in the community brings the spotlight to him. “I do my best work if no one knows who I am,” he said. “I like to work behind the scenes to make everyone else look good.”
Typical Mike Cohen, always thinking of other people.
It is time for Culver City to pay tribute to Mr. Culver City. Name a park for him. Erect a statue in front of the Vets Auditorium. After all, he is Mr. Culver City.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
