The Top 5: Japan, Sunshine and a Marathon

Relief efforts for the victims of the earthquake and tsumani in Japan dominated our news as well as our thoughts this week. Out of the sadness and the horror we feel about the devastating 8.9 earthquake in Sendai, Japan, last week, it's good to see the people of Culver City stepping up.

In fact, one of the major relief agencies is located right here in Culver City and Patch talked to the organizers in .

Not only is our Sister City Committee helping, but the kids at El Marino Language School, who have a real tie with Japan because one-third of their students are in the Japanese language immersion program, are doing their part too. .

In addition, while the exchange plan was already in place before the disasters, runner Nana Terai's visit from Culver City Sister City Kaizuka, Japan, made for an interesting twist on Sunday's soggy running of the 26th Los Angeles Marathon.

But there was other news too. It was Sunshine Week, celebrating your right to know what your government officials are up to, and I owe Culver City Councilman Scott Malsin a big thank you for .

Finally, there was some movement on the expected to be up and running next month.