It is with great pleasure that Joe Wheatley Productions in conjunction with Councilmen Bill Rosendahl, 11th District, City of Los Angeles were able to present a Resolution from the City of LA honoring Joe Weider, Father of Fitness and Nutrition, for his dedication and lifetime commitment to physical fitness, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

During a ceremony at City Hall on Friday, January 22, 2010, the Muscle Beach Venice Bodybuilding Hall of Fame, Lifetime Achievement Inductee with his wife Betty, family and friends received recognition and acknowledgement for his 73 year commitment to his philosophy.

Standing proud, Joe acknowledged his meager beginnings in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He described his early achievements in publishing magazines, books and inventing equipment that supported weight training as a form of exercise. He went on to include nutrition in his publications and soon became the co-innovator and voice of the International Federation of
Bodybuilding (IFBB).  He described his dedication and persistence when the health care community including physicians and mental health workers thought his ideas were “nuts”.

Congratulations Joe!!! You were right! Today, the modern perspective includes strength training, aerobics and nutrition as the foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

The third annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive was a huge success December 12 & 13, 2009. A record number of toys will be distributed by the LAPD Pacific Division to needy children. Thanks to our partners City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department and our sponsors Iron Man Magazine, Bodybuilding.com, Eric The Trainer,  Kanidu, Venga and H2OM.

City Councilmen, 11th District, Bill Rosendahl was on hand to present a Certificate of Appreciation to Johnny Bench, Hall of Fame Baseball Great and his company Kanidu for their major contribution to the Toy Drive.

Following Santa’s arrival, a Time Capsule Burial ended the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Muscle Beach.  Two capsules filled with memorabilia from the past 75 years of Muscle Beach were buried on the Muscle Beach stage. Many thanks to Iron Man Magazine and John Balik for their support of this project!

Bill Rosendahl presented a special Certificate of Recognition to Joe Weider (accepted by Charlotte Parker) for his ongoing vision and support for the sport of bodybuilding and his philosophy for health and fitness.

Notables from the industry including Relna McRae Brewer, a founding member of Santa Monica Muscle Beach and a Muscle Beach Venice Hall of Fame Inductee, were on hand for the ceremony. Other Muscle Beach Venice Hall of Fame Inductees included Samir Bannout, Sara Hirsch Clark, Bill Howard, Bill Grant, Chet Yortin, Gene Mozee, and Bernie Ernst.

Thanks to a group of young individuals for accepting the pledge to be the “guardians” of the Muscle Beach Time Capsules. Justin and Lilly Balik, John Balik’s children, Henry Fleischman, son of Eric The Trainer, Taylor Wheatley, Joe Wheatley’s niece, Boston Loyd, winner of the Teen Category Labor Day 2009 and Taylor Hansen, winner of the 2009, Labor Day Novice Overall Figure.

We wish them a healthy and happy future. We hope they will join together in fifty years to open and fondly remember the heritage, history and world renown notoriety of Muscle Beach.

Joe Wheatley Productions is pleased to present the 3rd Annual Muscle Beach Toy Drive. Presented by Bodybuilding.com and Iron Man Magazine and Hosted by the LAPD Pacific Division and L.A. City Recreation and Parks. The event will take place on December 12 & 13, 2009.

Please bring a new unwrapped toy between the hours of 10 am – 4 pm to the Venice Recreation Center, 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA, 90291. The toys will be distributed by the LAPD Pacific Division to needy children in the area.

Santa will be arriving on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 12:30 pm. Bring the kids to greet and talk with Santa and his famous sled.

In addition to the Toy Drive and in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Muscle Beach an historic time capsule will be buried on December 13, 2009 at 1 pm. The time capsule will include memorabilia, pictures, DVD’s and books that acknowledge the work and dedication of many individuals to health and fitness.

On hand to participate in the ceremony Councilmen, 11th District, Bill Rosendahl, the world famous Joe Weider founder of the IFBB and Mr. Olympia competition, Franco Columbu, Mr. Olympia, the oldest Muscle Beach Athlete, Hall of Fame Inductee Relna McRae Brewer and Bill Grant Former Mr. America/Mr. Universe and many others.

Please join us for the time capsule dedication and bring your toy to support the Toy Drive.