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West L.A. NEWS
Prepared by the West L.A. Neighborhood Council  ·  Vol. 2, No. 8, 3/2/09
Weekly Calendar of Events and Meetings Important to WLANC Stakeholders
Contents (Links)
NOTEWORTHY
ARTS, CULTURE & ENVIRONMENT
SAFETY & SECURITY
FROM THE MAYOR
EMAILS-TO-THE-EDITOR
ONGOING
STANDING RESOURCES
The West L.A. News (formerly the WLANC E-Bulletin) contains information about both citywide and local area civic community events, meetings, hearings and other activities.

We welcome local
community-based, non-profits to send  announcements for
the weekly emailing
of West L.A. News.

Contact the editor:  wlancnews@wlanc.com

Quick Links...
-Lead Item-
CURRENT & NOTEWORTHY


WLANC PLUM (PLANNING, LAND USE MANAGEMENT) MEETING
Tuesday, March 3, 7:15 p.m.
Click link below, then under MEETINGS click PLUM
AGENDA

WLANC OUTREACH/EDUCATION MEETING
 Thursday, March 5, 6:00 p.m.
Click link below, then under MEETINGS click PLUM
AGENDA

VOTE, VOTE & VOTE!
Los Angeles Election Primary
Tuesday, March 3, 7 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Let's keep that the spirit of democracy
ignited in November still bright!
For polling info and more...

LADOT/LAPD TO RELAX PARKING RESTRICTIONS FOR ELECTION
Within one block of all City polling places:
1. Motorists parking their vehicles will NOT be
required to deposit money in parking meters;
2. Time limits at the parking meters will NOT be enforced;
3. Street Cleaning parking restrictions will NOT be enforced;
4. Preferential Parking restrictions (i.e. permit parking)
will NOT be enforced.

WEST LOS ANGELES REGIONAL LIBRARY
March activities listings
For further information, call Ann Bowman at 310-575-8323

FREE METERED PARKING FOR ALTERNATIVE

FUEL VEHICLES  ENDS 1 MARCH 2009
More Detailed Info

WEST LA COMMUNIITY PLANNING WORKSHOPS
Begin with a walking tour of neighborhood's favorite
commercial streets to help identify solutions for improving
street environment, open space and parking opportunities;
Help envision the form and scale of future development around
commercial corridors and centers in your neighborhood.
Kick-off Meeting

Thursday, March 5th, 6 - 8 pm
Henry Medina West Los Angeles
Parking Enforcement Facility, 2nd Floor
11214 W. Exposition Blvd.
Workshop #1
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Neighborhood Walk: 10 am - 12 pm
Workshop: 1 pm - 3pm
West Los Angeles Regional Branch Library
11360 Santa Monica Blvd., 90025
Workshop #2
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Neighborhood Walk: 10 am - 12 pm
Workshop: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Westside Family YMCA
11311 La Grange Ave., 90025
More Detailed Info

REMINDING STAKEHOLDERS TO INSPECT SEWER LINES
Dept. of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation (BOS) requests that
stakeholders inspect their lateral sewer lines and correct
as necessary to avoid costly emergency repairs.
 
Aging laterals are susceptible to damage, i.e., tree
roots and debris can invade lines through cracks
or loose joints and restrict flow; the roots
can cause total collapse of over time. 
Email questions to sewer.root@lacity.org

Dispute Resolution:
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL BOARD -
REQUESTING TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA

 The Dispute Resolution Program is a community-based
program, which provides mediation, conciliation and
facilitation services to stakeholders in English and Spanish. 
The services are FREE and provided with the help
of volunteer mediators, pursuant to the
California Dispute Resolution Program Act.

 Contact: Eva Fisher, Administrative Coordinator
Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney
Dispute Resolution Program
(213) 485-8324
eva.fisher@lacity.org

PlanCheckNCLA PLANNING INFORMATION/EDUCATION

Environmental Review Program
Historic Downtown Outreach Center
114 W 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
 $5 donation to help defray program costs
Mark your calendars for coming PlanCheckNC Events
March 14, 2009 Education Program: Transportation
April 11, 2009 Issues Forum on current issues
in planning and land use
May 9, 2009 Education Program:
The General Plan Framework & Community Plans
For additional information about PlanCheckNC contact
Maggi Fajnor at maggi4F@gmail.com or
Cindy Cleghorn at cindy@cmprintmail.com
To receive notices about PlanCheckNC programs/events,
email: plancheckncla@gmail.com


ARTS, CULTURE & ENVIRONMENT
Upcoming Events To Note In Your Calendar:

THE ZOO STORY & DISARMED
Runs February 27 - March 21
Albee Play and Art Exhibit at USVAA/LAAVAA
10858 Culver Blvd. (west of Overland)
Flyer with details

Every Thursday Night at 9 p.m. Kris Angelis
Performing live at the VCPA
446 S. La Brea
Los Angeles, CA 90291
For more about Kris Angels visit www.krisangelis.com
For more about the VCPA visit www.govcpa.org


Westside Education and Career Center

(our local LAUSD adult school)
Interesting, professionally taught, reasonably
priced adult education classes in our community

Over 20 sites from Westwood to the Palisades
Chair Exercise Class for Seniors
Stoner Park, Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
For more information call 310-914-3565.
--------------
If your organization has an upcoming event, email:
wlancnews@wlanc.com

SAFETY & SECURITY- LAPD

RESURGENCE OF MAILBOX THEFTS
There is a resurgence of thefts from mailboxes where the suspect has resorted to breaking into the mailboxes to remove victims' mail. This action usually precedes identity theft.
Please consider these options to protect your identity.
1. Pick up your mail at the post office
2. When you receive unwanted catalogs, call the company
to request being taken off their mailing list
3. Go to ZabaSearch.com and input your name to see what
information is available about you to the public.
You can request to have your information removed.
4. Check into companies that specialize in protecting
your identity, and sign up.
For further information, contact Sergeant David Podesta:
(310) 444-0743 or by email at 32305@lapd.lacity.org


LAPD TEXT TIP SYSTEM
Now you can text information to the LAPD
Click this link and learn all about it

WEST LAPD
AlertCommunity.com
The department-monitored website for posting
information about your neighborhood.
Example, an unfamiliar car parked on your street,
but no crime or reason to call the police;
Go to AlertCommunity.com and post the information:
 make, license plate, time of day, etc.
As burglaries and thefts in the area are reviewed
LAPD checks the web site for any information
that they can follow up on from residents.
For information: Sergeant Podesta (310) 444-0743.

 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES
DISTRACTING ELDERLY VICTIMS

Burglaries in Pacific Palisades,
Westwood, and West L.A.

To report suspicious activity or share
information about these crimes, call the
24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk:
1-877-LAW-FULL (1-877-529-3855)
or the West Los Angeles Area Front Desk
at (310) 444-0701 or 444-0704

CRIME UPDATE
Basic Car 8A53
Senior Lead Officer Kirk
All upcoming crime updates will be posted on our LAPD
website which you can
log in at LAPDEPOLICING
You can get latest crime
info
displayed on maps of the WLA area.

Back to Top


FROM THE MAYOR

NEW WATER RESTRICTIONS IN FACE
OF SEVERE SHORTAGE
Get the Whole Story

LOAN MODIFICATION SCAMS ALERT
City officials will join banks, non-profits and legal aid groups
to warn residents about foreclosure fraud

 
Get the Whole Story

RESOURCES FOR JOB SEEKERS
Get the Whole Story

ORDINANCE TO PROTECT TENANTS OF FORECLOSED PROPERTIES
Get the Whole Story


EMAILS-TO-THE-EDITOR


Your comments, observations, opinions, etc. about items in the
West LA News or anything else in and about the neighborhood!

Now including Recommendations
from fellow stakeholders!

 
AIA/LA TELLS LA PLANNING COMMISSION TO SLOW DOWN
AND HIRE A DESIGNER (Architects Institute of America/LA)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009 - Los Angeles, CA 
Today, the American Institute of Architects (AIA/LA), Director of Government & Public Affairs, Will Wright, in testimony to the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission, requested that the Commission delay action and continue consideration of a revised sign ordinance until comprehensive visual analysis of the proposed regulations is completed.
 
In a letter to the Commission and the Department of Planning, AIA/LA also recommends that the Department immediately convene a panel of outside experts or a consultant team with design expertise to work with City staff to review, illustrate, and contribute to the refinement of the draft sign code.
 
"This is more than just an abstract policy issue about square footage of signs and digital media in the public right-of-way. No substantive visual analysis has been completed to date. This is a design issue that impacts the environmental quality, indeed brand, of Los Angeles and nobody knows what it looks like," states AIA/LA President John Kaliski.
 
ABOUT AIA LOS ANGELES
The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architecture profession dedicated to serving its members, advancing their value, and improving the quality of the built environment.  The AIA promotes leadership, design excellence, lifelong learning, ethical behavior, inclusiveness, collaboration, and client-and-member-centered service.  AIA Los Angeles oversees a full program of events providing year-round educational, social, and networking opportunities, and works with representatives in support of legislation that will benefit the architecture profession and the built environment.  AIA Los Angeles is the fourth largest chapter in the country and the largest in California.

Thought you would be interested.
Don Swiers
swiersaia@yahoo.com 

Motion Legalizing Overnight Use of Public Spaces by RVs
Dear Neighborhood Council President/Secretary:

This Motion, by Councilman Bill Rosendahl, to legalize living in RVs on city streets and parking lots, may be of interest to your neighborhood council.

We ask that you join Venice residents in opposing this Motion.

Thank you,

Mark Ryavec
Venice Stakeholders Association
310 392 4843
The Motion
Venice Stakeholder Letter
 Back to Top


ONGOING - WLANC

Free WiFi at West L.A. Civic Center Plaza

Connect to wlancwifi courtesy of WLANC
WLANC Committee & Board of Directors Meetings
Beautification/Farmers Market (Ad Hoc):
as needed when announced
Board of Directors: fourth Wednesday of month, 7:00 p.m.
Budget: as needed when announced
Bylaws/Elections: as needed when announced
Outreach/Education: last Thursday of month, 6:00 p.m.
rescheduled: Thursday, March 5
PLUM (Planning, Land Use Management):
first Tuesday of month, 7:15 p.m.
Tuesday, March 3
Public Safety (Ad Hoc): as needed when announced
Traffic: as needed when announced
For schedule changes and special meetings,
check www.wlanc.com
for final times and dates

Meetings are held at:

West L.A Neighborhood Council Office
WLA Municipal Building
1645 Corinth Avenue, West L.A., CA 90025
Entrance on west side opposite Court House
Weekly Open Door Hour
Jay Handal, Chair of the West L.A. Neighborhood Council,
keeps the WLANC office open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to noon
for stakeholders to come to discuss issues that affect them.
Call to make an appointment: (310) 466-0645
Jay's email: jhandal@wlanc.com
All stakeholders are encouraged to help improve the West Los Angeles neighborhood by joining a committee and helping to formulate the issues and programs the Board will act on. Complete an application form and send it to: info@wlanc.com
For information on committees, WLANC Committees
Back to Top



STANDING RESOURCES


RECYCLING DROP-OFF CENTER
 All Kinds of Electronics

Call about Free Pick-Up Program
California Recycles, Inc.  ·  310-478-3001 ext 101
DELAYED - The effective date of February 17, 2009 applies
only to some TV stations; the remaining will transition
from analog to digital broadcasting between
March 14 and June 12, 2009.

Information available:
http://www.dtv.gov
 You can drop off your old TV without charge at
1932 Cotner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Or call to arrange a pick up.
www.californiarecycles.com

DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION

METRO service information at 1-800-COMMUTE and
 http://www.metro.net
More Information


WATER-USE RESTRICTIONS
New Water Conservation Ordinance 
The New Restrictions


STATE LAW PROHIBITS 'SHARPS'
IN TRASH OR BY FLUSHING

READ all about it:
argonautnewspaper.com

SHOPPING CART RETRIEVAL
Call the number below to get rid of shopping carts
left on streets - it's a company that is paid to do it. 
California Shopping Cart Retrieval Corporation (800) 252 - 4613
From Baila Romm of C-PAB
info.neighborhoodwatch@gmail.com


HELP FIGHT GRAFFITI
WLANC has an email to report graffiti
graffitiwla@aol.com
Note address of graffiti and report it ASAP!
HELPING RID THE CITY OF GRAFFITI
Back to Top

To find out more about the West L.A. Neighborhood Council or to get involved in a committee, go to www.wlanc.com. You can also leave us a message at (310) 281-6116
or email us at info@wlanc.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

 
Sincerely,
West L.A. Neighborhood Council