GNW March 2013 Newsletter

Saturday, March 2, 2013
Volume VII, Number 1

MARCH 2013 NEWSLETTER
Coldwater WEST & Ventura SOUTH, in Studio City, CA!
L.A.'s First "100% Web-Connected Neighborhood"

The South San Fernando Valley's Neighborhood Watch Groups Network.

Our collective eNewsletters South of Ventura reach more than 3,000 households and businesses from Tarzana to Universal City.

What's Watch 2.0? Click Here.
GNW's 2012 Newsletter Click-To-View Rate: 49.1%

Crime and Safety Update

LAPD STILL LOOKING FOR

LOCAL JEWELRY STORY BURGLARS.

The LAPD requested the public's help last week identifying burglary suspects caught on surveillance tape at an area jewelry store.

You can view the tape HERE.

Below is the basic information:

On Feb. 2, 2013, at about 3:50 p.m., two suspects entered a jewelry store in the area of Coldwater Canyon Ave and Riverside Drive armed with hammers.

Once the suspects entered the business, they started smashing the display cases and removing several watches. The owner tried to stop the suspects but was pushed away by the two suspects. The suspects with the items ran out of the location and into a light colored compact vehicle. The two suspects were seen on a video in the store the day before posing as customers.

Suspect #1 is described as a Hispanic male, 25-30 years old. He is 5'10" inches to 6 feet tall and weighs about 170 pounds. Suspect #2 is described as a 20- to 25 year-old Hispanic male. He is 5'8 "inches tall and weighs 150 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Van Nuys Detective O'Shea at 818-374-0087 or Detective Flores at 818-374-0079.

OAKLAND MAYOR CUTS-AND-PASTES

INFO ON LOCK-PICKING WORKSHOP

from the LA Times

In the "Stranger than Fiction" section of the Newsletter, the LA Times today reports on a workshop held in Oakland that teaches how to pick locks. Stranger still? The Mayor of Oakland has promoted it in her community Newsletter.

We've all made cut-and-paste mistakes but this flub defies belief.

Click HERE to read the article.

GNW and LECW Work to Shrink

Boundaries of ACS Patrol Car

Greenleaf Neighborhood Watch (GNW) and Longridge Estates Community Watch (LECW) continue partnership to shrink the boundaries of its area-dedicated ACS patrol car.

GNW and LECW are working to shrink the boundary currently in place South of Ventura Blvd. between Beverly Glen and Coldwater to Dixie Canyon and Coldwater.

The LAPD's patrol car (car #9A89) for the GNW and LECW community must cover an area more than three times the size of ACS' patrol car area. GNW and Longridge Watch hope to cut the size of the current ACS car's boundaries in half.

If you are interested in learning more about the dedicated patrol car, please email greenleaf@watch2.org.

VOTE!

TUESDAY = VOTE

To find out where to vote and get your nifty "I voted" sticker, click HERE.

"Welcome to Studio City" Sign

"WELCOME TO STUDIO CITY"

SIGN IN THE WORKS!

by Jeffrey Berk

The Studio City Beautification Association (SCBA), affiliated with the Studio City Residents Association (SCRA), is in the process of organizing an-adopt-a median package for the purpose of installing a "Welcome to Studio City" monument sign on the southeast corner of Ventura Blvd. and Longridge Avenue.

The sign would be located in the Studio Oaks Neighborhood Walking Park just inside the border of Studio City. It would welcome drivers and pedestrians to Studio City on its Western border and would "book-end" the sign on Studio City's eastern border (pictured above).

SCBA installed Studio CIty's eastern boundary sign several years ago next to Ralph's Supermarket on Campo de Cahuenga Way near the 101 freeway. The overall look and style of the sign on Longridge will be the same except the STUDIO CITY letters won't have a solid background behind them due to Department of Transportation visibility siteline requirement.

The adopt-a-median package will need approval from SCNC through under the auspices of its Land Use Committee.

The SCBA and GNW are interested in your thoughts on the sign; please email us at GNW at greenleaf@watch2.org or SCBA at scraboard@studiocityresidents.org . Meanwhile, GNW will track developments.

Coldwater Canyon Closure

COLDWATERGEDDON !!

From March 23 to approximately April 26, DWP crews will close Coldwater Canyon from Ventura Boulevard to Mulholland Drive during the following hours:

8:30a - 7p Weekdays

8:30a - 6p Saturdays

The project is part of a major improvement project to upgrade the city's water infrastructure.

Due to the narrow road conditions of Coldwater and the need to use heavy equipment to excavate the road, remove and replace pipe, the thoroughfare must be completely closed to traffic to ensure the safety of the crew and the public.

For additional information regarding the construction of this project, contact Robert Smith, Asst. Construction Superintendent at LADWP at 213-798-5704.

Stone Canyon Neighborhood Watch has an article chock-full of information HERE.

UPDATE: Councilmembers Paul Krekorian and Tom LaBonge, as well as Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and members of the Department of Water and Power, and Department of Transportation will hold a news conference at 8:45a Monday on the southeast corner of Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Ventura Boulevard to publicize the closure.

WE GUESS THE NEWS CONFERENCE WILL SNARL TRAFFIC.

My LA 311 - City Services iPhone and Android App

City of L.A. Releases a 311 App

Beginning March 18, 2013, L.A. residents can complain about graffiti, abandoned furniture, potholes, broken street lights and fallen trees with their iPhone and Androids. They can also use their mobile phones to find area parks, libraries and police stations.

City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveiled the My LA 311 mobile app for the City of Los Angeles at Google's LA offices last month.

By taking advantage of a smartphone's GPS and camera, the app promises to make reporting complaints a simpler process.

"My LA 311" comes alongside the first major re-launch of the city's website in 15 years. The new LACity.org offers a smarter user experience with self-updating "Top 10 Service Requests", "Top 10 City Council Files," and a "Dynamic City Calendar."

The citizen-centric redesign features live streaming home screen video, centralized job opportunities, and easy to access City services. The site will also provide a more social user experience through "LA City Now," a homepage ticker-tape of every City twitter feed.

The app was developed by LA's own 3Di Systems and will be available for download both in the iTunes store and Google Play store March 18.

Further details HERE.

Studio City Celeb Spotting

Studio City's celeb spotting this month is courtesy of Daily Mail.

Kirsten Dunst displays her signature casual style as she enjoys a morning hike with friends.

Restaurant News

KING'S ROAD STUDIO CITY

2009 - 2013

The Kings Road Cafe, which opened on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City in 2009, closed its doors last week. According to speculation online, the owners lost the Ventura Boulevard lease.

The Kings Road Cafe on Beverly, opened since 1990, remains open.

HENRY'S TACO REBOOT

Henry's Taco's, that crunchy and historic (certainly by Southern California standards) has just found a new home in Studio City after closing in January.

Henry's is moving just down the street to the former Studio Sub sandwich shop location. Henry's is hoping the rebooted restaurant will reopen later this month. You can track progress on a Henry's facebook page.

SUPPORT GNW'S OWN!

SUPPORT LA CAVA!

LA CAVA is the brainchild of Armando Pucci, a GNW neighbor, restauranteur and actor.

The restaurant's ingredients are based on Armando's roots.

Armando grew up in Florence, Italy, Eat Local First learning that as a local, one would go to the little Osterias where everything was made fresh every morning and prepared with basic ingredients, simple recipes, subtle flavors and lots of care, for a typical Italian experience that was also "gentle" on your wallet.

Armando has recreated his recollections in Sherman Oaks. If you haven't visited, you haven't eaten in GNW's favorite Italian.

Stop in and let Armando know that you support GNW's own.

Mendocinio Farms

MENDOCINO FARMS COMES TO THE HOOD

Southern California's newest and hippest artisanal sandwich "shoppe" chain, Mendocino Farms, is rumored to be completing plans to move into the large, mixed-use complex at Ventura Blvd. and Hazeltine Ave. You know the spot... next to Taco Bell.

The "Farm" as the corporate farmers call it, will supposedly have a room for the kiddies to play in and a living tree in the middle of the restaurant -- just like the one at its restaurant in West Hollywood.

Mendocino Farms accords that it pays tribute to its namesake county in Northern California that is known for its support of the Slow Food Movement and Sustainable Farming.

According to Mendocino's website, this area is famous for its unpretentious "down home" love for artisan food and drink. We'll be getting in line when it opens. It's good to see another healthy and casual dining choice in the area.

A Manifesto for Los Angeles' Murals

"A Manifesto for Murals"

Panel Discussion

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

7:00pm - 9:00pm

The Madrid Theater

21622 Sherman Way

Canoga Park, CA 91303

Local mural laws are in flux for the City of LA, according to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. For this reason, the Museum believes it's an appropriate time to discuss the mural art. To foster discussion, the Museum will bring together mural artists and lawmakers.

Museum of the San Fernando Valley President Gerald Fecht will moderate the mural discussion with well known mural artists, educators, supporters and activists including:

Kent Twitchell

Judy Baca

Cheech Marin

Isabel Rojas-Williams

Levi Ponce

Felicia Filer and others

Who will stand up for the mural?

Los Angeles and Artists - can they work together?

Cruel & unusual punishment. Laws vs Artists.

Facing graffiti. Defacing art. Mind altering therapy.

Helping the masses accept mural art & artists.

For more information, click HERE.

SLAROS (Save LA River Open Space) Update

Save LA River Logo DUP

GNW AND WATCH 2.0 GROUPS IN SOUTH SFV

ASKED TO SIGN WITH SUPPORT

For well over half a century, the property that is Weddington Golf & Tennis, located on the bank of the Los Angeles river at Whitsett Ave in Studio City, has been a local and regional destination.

If current building plans are approved though, this precious open space IS lost.

Developers plan to build 200 condominiums and over 600 parking spaces on the last remaining sixteen acres of open space in the San Fernando Valley.

Save LA River Open Space (SLAROS) is working hard to preserve this critical link in the 51-mile Los Angeles River Greenway by establishing the Los Angeles River Natural Park.

Show your support for the LA River Natural Park!

Click HERE to sign and give your support to preserve for future generations this open space.

Save LA River Open Space is dedicated to creating this public park to:

- provide a quiet, natural refuge for people to escape urban congestion

- capture and clean polluted runoff water

- re-create natural habitat

- provide LA River access for walking and bike trails

- continue to offer golf and tennis amenities.

Around the Watch 2.0 Network

WATCH 2.0 NETWORKED GROUPS IN:
SOUTHEAST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Addison: 13900 block of Addison North of Fashion Square and several adjoining streets. Email Paula at addisonnwatch@aol.com for information.

Beeman Ave. Park: This area is well organized thanks to Seraphine who can be reached at seraphine@longshadowstudio.com. Whitsett to Coldwater and Moorpark to 101. Seraphine is a community angel!

Columbus: South of Ventura and East of the Sherman Oaks Galleria. Email Debra if you'd like to get involved at columbus@watch2.org or for further information.

Dixie Canyon: This group is organized and is composed of Dixie Canyon from Valley Vista South to Mulholland. Email Alex at dixiecanyon@watch2.org for information.

Footbridge Square: Watch 2.0's newest network member (in Studio City's footbridge area) can be reached by emailing David at footbridgesquare@watch2.org.

Galewood: This group is between Longridge and Dixie Canyon in Sherman Oaks. Contact Jayne at galewood@watch2.org. Jayne is amazing!

Goodland & Halkirk: This Studio City Group is led by Hilary at goodland@watch2.org. Please email her if you'd like to help out with community involvement.

Greenleaf: This group consists of 200+ households and businesses in Studio City. They are West of Coldwater and South of Venura. Email Jeffrey at greenleaf@watch2.org for further information. A meeting is expected this Spring. We hope!

Landale Square: This 200+ homeowner group has rough boundaries that are East of Laurel Canyon to Colfax and North of Moorpark to Sarah. They just had a HUGE block party in November 2012. Marcella is the Captain and can be reached at mbell@oia-kaiserarb.com.

Longridge: The group on Longridge is working to build support for the area's dedicated ACS Patrol Car. If you are interested in knowing more about this group, email Matt Epstein at somatt@aol.com.

M Street: Rough boundaries of thid 75 house area is Coldwater to Fulton and from the 101 Freeway to Moorpark. Email Alan at ataylor@watch2.org for more information. A meeting is going to be held in this area in March, 2013.

North River: This group is North of the L.A. River, and West of Coldwater. Rick can be reached for more information at northriver@watch2.org or you can email Alan at ataylor@watch2.org.

Fashion Square: Organized area North of Fashion Square Mall. Email Jessyca at fashionsquare@watch2.org if you'd like to get involved.

Royal Woods: This group West of the 405 in Sherman Oaks is active and regularly sends emails, related to 405 expansion development. Tom, the neighborhood's Watch organizer, is moving out of the area this Spring but you can reach him for another month at at royalwoods@watch2.org.

SoCha: This group is located from Magnolia to Chandler and from Fulton to Wortser in Sherman Oaks. Email Alan at socha@watch2.org for more information.

V5: This group runs from Vitellos on Woodman to Casa Vega on Fulton and from Ventura to Valley Vista and is active thanks to regular newsletters. (That's why they call it the 5 V's!) Email Mary at v5@watch2.org for further information. Their next meeting is likely going to be in the Summer months.

Valleyheart Glen: North of the LA River to 101 Ventura Freeway from Fulton to Woodman this group has 100+ households. Email Scott at valleyheartglen@watch2.org.

Ventura Canyon: This group in Sherman Oaks holds regular meetings. Email Amy at vcanyonwatch@gmail.com to get involved and if you'd like to help her with newsletter which is distributed regularly. Amy ROCKS! Yeah, Amy, you do.

Weslin: Haven't heard much from this group lately. Email Allan at adhaims@gmail.com for more information.

Woodman Sherman Way: North of Sherman Way and East of Woodman in Van Nuys, you can email Susan at: woodmanshermanway@watch2.org to get involved.

Your feedback is appreciated; click HERE .

Issues of past GNW Newsletters are available; click HERE.

Jeffrey Berk
GNW Block Captain
818-822-6807 (cell)