> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Resolution by communion - URL: https://www.smdp.com/resolution-by-communion/ - Published: 2005-12-03T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T08:15:46.000Z - Author: Carolyn Sackariason - Tags: Events, Pier, #archive-import *First ‘Resolution Festival’ intended to inspire for ’06* SM PIER — On New Year’s Day, it might be wise to put down the bloody Mary, turn off the bowl games and, instead, consider your future. Contemplating what the new year holds for each of us will reach new levels on the first day of 2006, as the Santa Monica Pier plays host to the first annual Resolution Festival. The event is the brain-child of Lawrence Cohen, whose resolution for 2005 was to take more risks. Cohen, who has helped organize the Los Angeles Marathon and this weekend’s Las Vegas Marathon, is self-funding the Resolution Festival. He is taking the financial risk, believing that offering a venue and support network will pay off for hundreds, if not thousands of people. “A lot of people keep their resolutions to themselves, but I think declaring them puts the forces to work,” he said. “It’s the idea of like-minded people gathering and declaring their intentions.” The day will start with a 9 a.m. ceremony, followed at 10 a.m. by a Soft Sand Run — a 10k run on the beach — as well as a 10,000 Steps Walk, which will then segue into a Polar Bear Swim at 11:30 a.m. The day will end with participants writing their resolutions in the sand with bamboo sticks. “I wanted to start it later, because it is New Year’s Day and people should sleep in,” Cohen said, adding that each event will be led by someone who has faced challenge in their life as a means to inspire participants. The 10,000 Steps Walk will be led by Ernie Van Leeuwen, who for 10 years has been the oldest person in the Los Angeles Marathon and has recently undergone major digestive surgery. Those events, which require pre-registration, will lead up to the free “New Year/New You Expo.” The expo will feature lectures, demonstrations and booths offering supportive products and services. Throughout the day’s events, which go from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the stage will feature lectures and demonstrations designed to inspire and motivate individuals to reach and sustain their New Years’ resolutions, Cohen said. Between 40 and 50 vendors —from financial consultants to health food experts to physical fitness trainers — will be on hand to give resolution seekers advice and guidance. “The whole day is designed to inspire,” Cohen said. “We want to break down the barriers that get in the way of your goals. “I think it will be a personal experience for many, but getting together will give it momentum,” he added. “We all have it in us once we make the decision. We just need a push.” Cohen, who has obtained many goals through resolutions over the years — including losing 60 pounds, doing away with various vices and securing more fulfilling jobs — realized that declaring his intentions among other people helps. “Ten years ago, a group of my closest friends got together between Christmas and New Year’s and reflected and said, ‘OK, what do you want to happen this year?’” Cohen said. “We declared our intentions and let the magic take care of itself. That first year, I said I wanted to live and work in a tropical place... then I got a job in Fiji.” Handling the public relations for the Air Quality Management District for California, which sponsored the Twilight Dance Series summer concerts on the pier, Cohen built a relationship with Ben Franz-Knight, the executive director of the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corp., which manages the pier. Typically on New Year’s Day, the pier is filled with football fans who rally for their teams that are playing in the Rose Bowl. But in 2006, that rally is scheduled for Jan. 4 “It came to me one day that New Year’s fell on a Sunday. There was no Rose Bowl, no parade and I thought, let’s do an event on the Santa Monica Pier on New Year’s Day,” Cohen said. Franz-Knight is hoping some of the Rose Bowl alumni will participate in the activities. “We are tremendously excited about this event,” he said. “It’s exciting that it’s happening on New Year’s Day and it’s a real opportunity to get some activity in Santa Monica.” The festival has a “no excuses” theme, meaning it will happen rain or shine. The day’s opening ceremony recognizes athletes who represent Challenged Athletes Foundation, which embodies the no excuses philosophy at the heart of the Resolution Festival. Participants of the walk, run or swim will be able to designate $10 of their entry fee to the foundation, which has satisfied more than 1,700 funding requests from challenged athletes throughout the world. The foundation will lead off the Polar Bear Swim. Participants also have the choice to donate to four other non-profit organizations: ■ The Johnny G Foundation, which was established by the creator of the spinning phenomenon, provides support for individuals recovering from heart conditions. Johnny G, who was named one of the top 10 fitness icons by Men’s Fitness Magazine, will top the list of motivational speakers during the expo. ■ Operation USA was established to support victims of hurricanes. Of every dollar donated, 98 cents will go to Operation USA to re-establish health clinics serving low-income people. ■ Team Parkinson was established to raise awareness about Parkinson’s Disease and funds for research. The Soft Sand and Run will be led by John Ball, on behalf of Team Parkinson. Ball became a marathon runner after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. ■ TreePeople has worked with the people of Southern California to give them tools to take environmental action into their communities through forestry, education and sustainability programs. Entry fees are $35 for the 10,000 Steps Walk; $45 for the Soft Sand Run and $65 for the Polar Bear Swim. A special $85 entry fee is available for those who want to participate in the swim and run, or the swim and the walk. Anyone who registers before Dec. 10 will receive a $10 discount. Online registration is available at www.resolutionfest.com. “Expect to be inspired,” Cohen said. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 3, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/120305.pdf?ref=smdp.com)