The battle lines remain the same -- trying to create a racially gerrymandered new district vs. preserving the Santa Monica Mountains community of interest. In an enlightened electorate that does not vote along racial lines, the proposed maps that use the eastern portion of the Santa Monica Mountains as a stepping stone just to connect the two far apart flatland communities of the northern San Fernando valley and the area as far south as Lynwood, are offensive to the consciousness of the voters.

Community of interest (COI) is of paramount concern in the redistricting process. Racial districts are not required in Los Angeles County. Supreme Court decisions relative to the Voting Rights Act specifically allow for crossover districts. The Voting Rights Act was intended to end racism -- not to institutionalize it. Racial gerrymandering was evil when it was practiced in the old South and it will still be evil if it is attempted today in Los Angeles County. Of the three maps submitted by the supervisors, only map A3-amended meets the test of the Voting Rights Act.

But take a look for yourself: Go to http://redistricting.lacounty.gov and review these new submissions. Then go to our neighborhood website for a review of the plans submitted: http://beachwoodcanyon.org/CountyIDC1.htm

Zev Yaroslovsky says, "It's critical that you be heard now. I encourage you to attend and speak at the public hearing on these redistricting plans, to be held Tuesday, September 6, at 1:00 p.m. in Room 381 of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple Street, in downtown L.A.  If you can't attend, please communicate your concerns to the board members by e-mailing them to commserv@bos.lacounty.gov."

This is one of a growing number of tour buses that frequent Beachwood Canyon.

By Bob Pool, Los Angeles Times

Tour guide David Lewis was headed toward the Hollywood Hills homes of actors Charlize Theron and Laurence Fishburne and rock star Billy Idol when he and his 14 passengers were pulled over by police in front of game-show host Bob Barker's house.

Motorcycle Officer Timothy Rolsen sized up Lewis' 2008 Ford E-350 open-top van and the tourists inside. He decided they were 1,800 pounds too heavy to be on Outpost Drive.

As the passengers looked on dumbfounded, Rolsen handed Lewis a traffic ticket. "He told me that no commercial vehicles were allowed," said Lewis, 44. "I told him the sign down the street doesn't say 'commercial vehicles.' It just shows a picture of a truck with a slash mark through it and the words 'Over 6,000 pounds."

Although Hollywood tour guides try hard to fill their buses and vans with paying passengers before heading to celebrity-packed neighborhoods, Los Angeles police say some are too full - making them too heavy for residential streets.

The weight limit enforcement has come as two new tour companies have entered the highly competitive Hollywood sightseeing field. The proliferation of tour buses has prompted complaints from homeowners who contend their neighborhoods are overrun with vehicles that stop in the middle of the street and block driveways.

The city's municipal code prohibits vehicles heavier than 6,000 pounds from using local streets posted with weight-restriction signs. The restrictions also apply on some streets classified as "major" or "secondary" thoroughfares. The code specifically authorizes local streets' weight restrictions for vehicles "used for round-trip sightseeing tour service."

Lewis said Rolsen cited him for weighing 7,800 pounds. "I told him these vans weigh about 5,900 pounds, but this one is even lighter because the roof is off. But he didn't weigh the vehicle. So how did he know it weighed 7,800 pounds?" said Lewis.

According to Ford Motor Co., the E-310 weighs 5,404 pounds. Add 15 people each weighing an average of 175 pounds and the tour van's total weight is 8,029 pounds - minus a few hundred pounds for the missing roof. The van's passenger load counts as part of the vehicle's gross weight, said Sgt. Christopher Kunz, who is in charge of traffic officers in the Hollywood area. Managers of the city's Department of Transportation aren't so sure, however. "They don't count the vehicle's passengers' weight. My understanding has always been the weight refers to the vehicle, perhaps including the gasoline in its tank," said John Fisher, the department's assistant general manager. What is clearer is the municipal code's authority to restrict tour buses and vans on local streets throughout Los Angeles, Fisher said.

Section 80.36.1 prohibits tour buses and vans on virtually all of the narrow, winding streets in the Hollywood Hills and on residential streets in flatland neighborhoods if they are posted with advisory signs, as Outpost Drive is.

That means tour buses and vans could be banned from the vicinity of the Hollywood sign. Residents of that area have complained that tour vans have added to congestion along narrow Deronda Drive, which dead-ends at a locked gate to a fire road that leads to the top of Mt. Lee, where the sign stands.

"I don't think Beachwood Drive is a major or secondary street," Fisher said of the roadway that tour vans must take to reach Deronda Drive."

For the city, weight restrictions are important, he said: "It's for the integrity of the asphalt. Paving is not as thick on local streets intended for local circulation as it is on main thoroughfares." Delivery trucks, construction vehicles, garbage trucks and municipal buses are exempt from street weight rules.

Other tour drivers said they have been cited by Rolsen for their vans being overweight. Kunz said Rolsen, who has been a police officer for three decades, did the drivers a favor by ticketing them under the municipal code instead of the state's vehicle code, which would have added a point on their driving record and could have resulted in a fine totaling 40 cents for each pound they were overweight.

Kunz said tour bus drivers and their companies could ask the City Council to amend the municipal code to raise the weight restriction to 8,000 pounds or to eliminate Section 80.36.1 (b), which prohibits sightseeing vehicles on local streets. 

Conversely, residents of neighborhoods frequented by sightseeing buses and vans could ask the city to post their streets with weight-restriction signs. Lewis, meantime, said he plans to contest his ticket on Monday. If he loses, he expects it could cost him $500 out of his own pocket.

bob.pool@latimes.com 

(BCNA President, Fran Reichenbach and VP/Secretary, Larry Markes paid a visit to Captain Girmala. The Captain volunteered to reach out to the West Traffic Bureau officials to get citations issued for tour bus weight infractions. We applaud her quick response to this on-going tourist impact issue.)

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Doors had just opened. Officer Massey and volunteers get ready for the day.

LAPD's Youth Mentoring Center has just opened and they need help from the neighborhood to keep the doors open.

Captain Beatrice Girmala says, "Investment in our youth-with time, attention, a safe haven, and educationally-inspired opportunities-not only assures our young people that the Department sees them as important, but our hope is that the personal commitment of Hollywood Area officers and volunteers reflects our unwavering support of all members of this East Hollywood community."

The new youth center is located at 5824 Santa Monica Blvd. There are computers and reference tools for school work, arts and crafts, and life skills training. Youth from 10 - 17 will get a chance to learn and be entertained. The hope is that tagging crews and gang influences will NOT be the after-school alternative for our most precious resource: our children.

BCNA Vice President/Secretary, Larry Markes outside the LAPD's Hollywood Area Youth Mentoring Center

The Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association has donated to this center. YOU, too can help. Please donate funds to Hollywood Police Support Association, 6464 Sunset Blvd., Ste 716, Hollywood, CA 90028 and refer to Tax ID # 95-3848258.

Also needed are donations of healthy treats (packaged only, sorry) and little juices and small bottles of water.

Feel free to stop by the center and see Officer Massey about volunteering your time.

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Citations WILL be Issued - please read: 

The apron is the portion of the driveway between the sidewalk and the street. In many parts of Los Angeles, particularly older multifamily neighborhoods, the sidewalks are fairly close to the buildings and residents have parked for many years on the aprons of their driveways between the sidewalk and the street. In years past, regulations against apron parking largely have not been enforced. 

Unfortunately, that changed this year. Lawsuits were filed against the City claiming, among other things,that apron parking interfered with the mobility of disabled residents. Partially in response to this litigation, the City Attorney's Office instructed the Department of Transportation to enforce existing prohibitions on apron parking. This abrupt elimination of many parking spaces all over Los Angeles is causing great hardship in many neighborhoods.

One issue is whether Sacramento must pass legislation before the City can act to meet the needs of all of its residents. The California Vehicle Code is silent on the issue of apron parking. Some have interpreted this silence as a prohibition on the development of a Los Angeles City apron parking altogether unless and until Sacramento revises the Vehicle Code to expressly provide for such a program.

Councilmember Kortez introduced a motion, which was adopted by the full City Council (August 19, 2011), to direct the Department of Transportation and the City Attorney to report on a dual strategy regarding apron parking - both the immediate development of an apron parking plan and also the development of a Sacramento legislative strategy. 

Please see this link Apron Parking Report Backs 

Councilmember Koretz has already begun seeking legislators willing to explore possibly writing and carrying any appropriate legislation, and has also urged the Department of Transportation and City Attorney's Office to begin the necessary work leading to a report.

So, until such time, LADOT will be actively enforcing a "no apron parking" policy Citywide and will be part of an effort to keep sidewalks accessible to all people. Tickets for apron parking will be $58, and if a resident receives more than five citations, the vehicle could be subject to towing. 

Lisa Schechter

Director of Legislation

Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Council District #4

Office:  213-485-3337

Blackberry: 213-924-6549

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LA Food & Wine arrives October 13-16 with more than 70 unique events, 300 acclaimed wineries and more than 100 celebrated chefs including Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, Tyler Florence and more! Tickets are on sale now. Visit www.lafw.com or call 1-877-AEG-TICKETS (234-8425) for more information.

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Monty has to be placed ASAP! Write to Marie at PawAngel@FARescue.org.

Monty is a male Miniature Pincher mix who was found running the streets in Long Beach. He was taken to the vet and they estimate he is around 2 years-old. He is in excellent health and weighs 9 pounds. He's been neutered, has all of his shots and a microchip. Monty is very sweet and likes to be around people as much as possible. An active dog, he can keep up but he is also happy sitting on the couch snuggling.

Monty is extremely smart and very eager to please and is not a barker. He's doing well with house-training, crate-training and walking on a leash. He also enjoys traveling. He gets along well with other small dogs, cats and children.

For information about Monty, contact Marie Atake at PawAngel@FARescue.org and be sure to visit her website:

http://www.farescue.org/

Monty is sweet and friendly to all!

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Interested in Lucky? Contact write to Kim at mcgill1989@aol.com

This beautiful Beagle is looking for a home. Lucky's owner passed away and now he has nowhere to go.

He is micochipped, neutered, up to date on shots and healthy! He is 5 yrs. old. He's a little chunky but adorable! Lucky is good with cats, dogs, kids and everyone! A totally friendly, loving Beagle - true to his breed! He is a kisser, so affectionate and loving. He likes to make sure other dogs are clean :) Anyone out there looking for a wonderful Beagle to add to their pack?

This sweetie needs to be adopted right away.

Please contact Kim McGill at 818-360-2990 or 818-360-2990

Send email to mcgill1989@aol.com 

Lola deserves a home.

She loves people, children, and other dogs. She is young, healthy and professionally trained. Not only will she greet your guests and children with licks and love, but also she will not destroy your home or require housebreaking.  Lola currently lives with our trainer and happily shares her home with a number of other dogs, both large and small. She is crate-trained and non-destructive in her home. She knows a number of commands, all of which our trainer will teach the family who is lucky enough to adopt her. 

She arrived at Take Me Home a year ago and her caregivers realized that she was and is an exceptional dog.

Take Me Home Rescue

2633 Lincoln Blvd #207

Santa Monica , CA   90405

310-967-4637

Email:  TMHRescue@gmail.com

For more information about Take Me Home rescue, A 501(c)(3) nonprofit:

Lola is ready for love.

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Very Young Quinn and Anah

On August 17th, I said a farewell to my amazing dog Quinn. 14 years ago I was living in Hawaii and decided to volunteer at the humane society. Of course I had to check out the dogs while I was there. I walked down the isle and saw this little blonde puppy sitting in one of the cages, for all appearances like he was waiting just for me. It was a "soul mate" moment full on! There was an extra sparkle in the air and I felt a rush of energy. I KNEW he was mine. I had no business getting a dog, but I knew we were meant for each other. From the very first day at 8 weeks old he was perfect. He stayed right at my heel and would sit calmly by me when I would stop. He never chewed anything, learned everything from the first moment I asked him for it, and even learned to wait outside stores for me without being tied up at the young age of 5 months old. Quinn is truly the most special dog I have ever known. I am so grateful for the 14 + years of loyal companionship and tremendous amount of love my Buddha dog has offered me.

Quinn visits Malibu one last time with his friend, Marley.

Anah Reichenbach

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