From the National Weather Service:
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST INCLUDING DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES-
 INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MALIBU...SANTA MONICA...BEVERLY HILLS...
 HOLLYWOOD...LONG BEACH
 547 PM PST WED NOV 30 2011
 ...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST FRIDAY...
 * WINDS...NORTHEAST 25 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH BELOW
   PASSES AND CANYONS FROM MALIBU TO THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS. 
 * TIMING...WINDS WILL INCREASE THIS EVENING AND THEN REMAIN VERY
   STRONG AND GUSTY THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING...EXCEPT FOR A PERIOD
   OF WEAKER WINDS THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY THURSDAY EVENING. 
 * IMPACTS...VERY STRONG WINDS WILL BE CAPABLE OF DOWNING TREES 
AND POWER LINES...KNOCKING DOWN OUTDOOR OBJECTS... CREATING FLYING 
DEBRIS... AND CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY FOR 
HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. 
 PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
 A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
 OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS
 OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

The power outage in Venice was a great reminder of how paralyzing life can be when basic services are not available. A few months ago at the LAPD open house we got a 4 person deluxe emergency preparedness kit from www.moreprepared.com . It has supplies for 4 people for 4 days, and they even have them for pets too! $100, and so far it came in handy when I needed an emergency rain poncho during the rain and flooding a few weeks ago. Poncho is dried and packed back in for the next time, but the entire kit, hand crank radio and supplies give me incredible peace of mind. When the lights went out tonight, I new I would have light, battery power, water and supplies for myself and my pets for days if necessary.

They make several different kits, and you can build your own. We live in an earthquake zone, by the ocean… a lot can happen. It pays to be prepared!

A 4 person, 3 day survival kit supply of emergency supplies packaged in a 5 gallon pail and designed for the home or office. (Toilet seat is an optional accessory)

(4) 2400 Calorie Food Bars - 3 days, 4 person, 5-year shelf life
(12) Water Boxes w/straws - 3 days, 4 person, 5-year shelf life
(4) Thermal Blankets - retains body heat
(4) Ponchos with hoods
(4) Tissue Packs
(4) Dust Masks - Prevents dust and germ inhalation
(1) 52-piece First Aid Kit - comprehensive first aid kit in plastic case
(50) Water Purification Tablets - to purify unsanitary water
(1) AM/FM Solar Radio & Flashlight with Hand Crank Generator
(4) 12 Hour Lightsticks - bright green light at the snap of a finger
(1) Multi Function Swiss-style Army Knife
(1) Safety Whistle - Blow loud for immediate rescue attention
(1) Tube Tent - Comes with rope and instructions
(1) Pair of Work Gloves - Heavy duty with leather palm
(1) Pair Vinyl Gloves - Protect hands from infection
(1) Can Opener - Easy to use GI style can opener
(1) Nylon Cord - 50 feet of heavy duty nylon rope
(1) Gas Shut-Off Wrench - Protect your home from gas explosions
(1) Box Waterproof Matches - 50 matches; lights after getting wet
(1) 3 Wick 36 Hour Emergency Candle - Each wick lasts 12 hours
(1) Toilet Chemical Pouches (non-formaldehyde)
(1) Roll of Duct Tape
(12) Sanitation/Toilet Bags
(1) Emergency Survival Guide
Packaged in a 5 Gallon Air Tight Red Pail: Easy to carry and store

This complete emergency survival kit contains the following items which are recommended to keep your cat alive and happy during a disaster. It has a 5-year shelf-life.

2 Food Packets
12 Water Pouches
2 Blankets
2 Light Sticks
2 Bowls
1 Cat Toy
1 Leash
1 58-piece Pet First Aid Kit
1 50′ Rope
1 Collar
6 Poop Bags
1 Can Opener
1 Bloodstopper Trauma Pad
1 Pet Disaster Information

All items come in a sealed 3-1/2 gallon plastic pail.

A major power pole transformer blew at Lincoln and Rose at about 7:10 p.m. as a result of gale force winds in the area. The wind warning has been coming all week… and it hit starting at around 5 p.m.

Power is out in Venice and across multiple areas in thePacific Division…

Conserve battery power.
Don’t light fires.
Check on elderly neighbors.

When Venice311 saw the note downtown regarding Venice Beach being the “Plan B” occupation site for “Occupy LA” we immediately alerted LAPD and Recreation and Parks. We were assured that the protest would not be permitted to relocate to Venice. While people are permitted to set up tents and sleep on the beach and in the park, we were told the hours to do so are restricted and organized violations will not be tolerated.

From the LAPD online official blog:

Los Angeles: An early morning combined Los Angeles Police Department, Department of General Services Police Department (DGSPD), and Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) operation has cleared out the Occupy LA (OLA) encampment on the grounds of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. The encampment began on October 1, 2011, and ended today.

The police operation utilized approximately 1400 officers, resulting in 292 people arrested during the course of the night. There were three minor incidents of LAPD officers using force to take suspects who were resisting arrest. There were no serious injuries to officers or arrestees.

The LAPD and the entire City family reached out to the Occupy LA community from the very first day of the protest. The goal was to ensure that First Amendment rights were upheld, and the Occupy LA protesters and the rest of the community were kept safe.

The LAPD and the City have worked with the occupiers to ensure they could protest safely. They have protested in a generally nonviolent manner throughout the past two months. The City family has said from the beginning that the City Hall location is not sustainable. Public safety and security at a long-term encampment were an ongoing concern. Additionally, the City Hall property has been used as a First Amendment area for all residents of our City, and will to be open to all groups again.

Earlier today, a press conference was held during which Mayor Antonio Villariagosa and Chief Charlie Beck praised the involved LAPD, DGSPD and LAFD personnel for their patience, professionalism and compassion during this operation.

Since Wednesday of last week, OLA has known that the end of the encampment was near. Signs were posted on Thursday, November 24, and hundreds of flyers were distributed the following Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Outreach workers have been working with OLA to address social service needs of the people occupying the grounds at City Hall.

Yesterday, the LAPD made loudspeaker announcements throughout the day and all protesters had notice that the park was closed. The clearing of the park this morning came as no surprise. All the participants at OLA had a choice to make. Many of the OLA members decided to move on and continue their protest in another manner.

The closure is not meant to stop or interfere with First Amendment expression by OLA or any other person. The Mayor has assured that the Spring Street steps on the west side of City Hall will continue to be a place for peaceful protest and public demonstrations.

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has also been actively involved in this operation. All individuals arrested were taken into custody and are being held in lieu of $5000 bail.

For more information please contact the LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-486-5910.

As posted on one of the most visible pieces of artwork at the Occupy LA “campsite” crime scene, “Plan B” for the protestors is to come to Venice Beach… tagged on their own flyer as “No Man’s Land”. Breaking the Historical Society’s gondola and vandalism apparently wasn’t enough… here we go for round #2. Apparently they think the “circle” by the post office is a dog park. Genius. An LAPD Officer with beach training from Pacific Division made one of the few arrests last night when the occupiers tried to block city streets for the 99% who needed to get to work… perhaps that experience will come in handy down here.

A call came out just after 9:30 p.m. from LAPD West Traffic Officers requesting backup after a traffic stop went bad in front of The Terrace restaurant near Washington and Ocean Front Walk. Officers pulled over a car and upon questioning, the driver became unruly and combative with officers. It was suspected that he may have been under the influence of narcotics. The suspect fought with officers causing injury to one officers knee requiring an ambulance. The suspect was tazed, hog tied, and was arrested and taken into custody. His hoopy’d truck was being searched by officers as crowds looked on. Huge thanks for the reader photos and updates from the scene!

Dressed like Marcel Marceau, some clown with a crayon ( tool of choice for taggers these days ) left his remains on the side of a home in Venice, and on their security system. Nothing a little scrubbing didn’t fix… still a pain. Thanks to J.C. for the report…. a photo of the suspect and his tag were sent to LAPD which tracks hundreds of taggers activities throughout the city. If your home is tagged, take a photo and make a report… it helps get these creeps charged with bigger crimes.

Tonight a man was shot in the head and torso on Dunn Dr a block of Venice Blvd. A witness said the victim received a phone call from a female that he knew and they arranged to meet. A friend dropped him off at the agreed location and the female and another male then robbed him and shot him twice. Bloody and disoriented, he got back in the car with his friend who took him to the hospital. He is currently listed in critical condition. It is possible that the girl and shooter have gang affiliation.

Smiles spread across the boardwalk this morning as Thanksgiving dinner and clothes were distributed to the area homeless. Tables were set up at the basketball courts, Windward Plaza and Park with dozens of volunteers handing out food and distributing clothes. Jerome, pictured below has made the boardwalk his home for years and was really happy this morning to get a new sweatshirt and some warm lined pants. If you visit the boardwalk every day and see some of the many familiar faces… they can always benefit from your old clean clothes and any food. Thanksgiving can be any day…. but today was extra special. Nice to see such generosity at work in our neighborhood!

Another possible gang related shooting occurred last night on Barrington just after 2 a.m. The victim, a male Hispanic is in stable condition and is expected to survive his injuries. No suspect is in custody at this time.