From Westchester Groups info

Block Captains,
I received this note from a Westchester resident. This is important
information and a good reminder to our NW groups.
Be safe,
...

Hello all.

Many of you remember back in the early 90's when Westchester/Playa Del
Rey homes were being targeted by daytime burglars dubber the "Liquid
Burglars." Their name came from the fact that they used liquid soap to
disable home alarms systems. Those burglars were 15-20 year old
members of a South Central L.A. gang called the Rollin' 30's, who were
schooled on how to do burglaries by older members of the gang. Since
the younger members were juveniles, if caught, they would likely get
probation since our justice system believes juveniles can do no wrong.
Never mind that today's gang banger is violent, unremorseful, and a
threat to those around him/her.

But I digress. Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach police arrested one
adult and three juveniles last week while committing burglaries in the
Manhattan Beach. The tactics used by these juveniles from South
Central L.A. (and possibly members of the same gangs) were the same as
the ones used recently here in Westchester/PDR. They cruise the
neighborhoods looking for houses that appear unoccupied, and once they
pick their target, they walk up and knock on the door. If no one
answers, they walk around the back or side of the home and smash a
window or kick a door in and ransack the place. These particular
burglars were caught because a resident wrote down a license plate.
Someone always stay with the car, so look for people being dropped off
in the neighborhood and get the license number of the car.

This is a countywide epidemic. The "Liquid Burglars" targeted not only
Westchester/Playa Del Rey back in the 90's, but also hit homes in the
Valley, Santa Clarita, and points beyond.

Now the call for vigilance. Fighting criminals is a 50/50 task
involving the community and the police. If the community (by looking
out for suspicious vehicles/persons in their neighborhoods) doesn't do
it's part, the equation collapses. The police will follow-up on leads,
make arrests, prosecute suspects in court, and return stolen property.
Prevention is on the community's lap. Harden the target by closing
blinds/curtains when not home. Set the alarm no matter how little time
you will be gone. Keep dogs in the backyard when leaving home, or if
possible, in the house. Barking dogs tend to make burglars go
elsewhere. We need to be vigilant on our block, to and from the
market, the cleaners, the gas station, or wherever we go for
people/cars that look suspicious. Call the Pacific Station and report
it. It's better to report it and be wrong, than not report it and
allow a crime to take place. These hoodlums are out there looking for
easy targets and your home could be nest.

Andre' ...

Have just had this info sent on to me...
####Clip####
FYI- Got a note from an apartment dweller on Venice yesterday.

   We had a robbery here in out apartment complex this afternoon.
   My downstairs neighbor went out for 45 mins and when she got back
   someone had drilled a 1 in hole in her door to unlock her dead-bolt
   and gain access.
   The took her laptop, iPod, digital camera, and jewelry...

It's disturbing that such a low tech tool as a drill could be used to
get around dead bolt security. In broad daylight.
Security needs to get even more clever than the thieves.
####End Clip####

Neighbors watching out for neighbors includes apartment dwellers.

Fear of getting caught is the only deterrent for most.

IMHO Keith

--- In VenMar@yahoogroups.com, "wenchiatsai" <wenchia@...> wrote:
We are concerned about people not curbing  their dogs in the area...

We take nightly walks with our children and dogs, around the Behetoven
and Mark Twain schools.  We are concerned about people not curbing
their dogs in the area.  Many people let their dogs defecated all over
the schools lawns, sidewalks as well as neighboring homeowners
sidewalks of Lucille, Walgrove, Behetoven and the Streets in between.
  Any suggestions on how to solve this problem would be helpful.

Note the item under OLD BUSINESS.
Our newsletter is ready to go to press.  It is waiting for the MVCC
Directors to give the green light to the expense.  We may need to be
there in force to speak up in support of the newsletter.

####Clip ####

Mar Vista Community Council
Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 6:00 PM
Mar Vista Library
12006 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90066


www.marvista.org



AGENDA



Call to Order and Welcome ­ Rob Kadota, Chair (6:00 PM)

Pledge of Allegiance - Bill Scheding

Approval of Minutes - public comment permitted (2 min)

Public Comment & Announcements - (limit: 2 minutes per speaker)

Elected Officials and City Department Reports ­ Not scheduled



Officers and Liaison Reports

Chair, Rob Kadota (2 min)
First Vice Chair, Tom Ponton   (2 min)
Treasurer, Bill Scheding  (2 min)
Second Vice Chair, Matthew Vodnoy (2 min)

Committee reports - Action items included with public comment permitted

A) Executive & Finance Committee, Chair (2 min)

B) Community Outreach Committee ­ Stephen Boskin (2 min)

C) Election & Bylaws Committee ­ Matthew Vodnoy, Chair (20 min)

1. Motion to adopt MVCC 2007 Election Procedures ­ Schedule attached

D) Transportation & Infrastructure Committee report - William
Scheding, Chair (3 min)

E) Urban Planning Committee report -- Steve Wallace /Ken Alpern,
Co-Chairs (10 min)

1) MVCC Motion to Grant Parking Variance to Adat Shalom Temple:

³Whereas, Adat Shalom Temple at 3030 Westwood is a Conservative Jewish
congregation that had 425 families when it expanded its facilities in
1985, and had therefore purchased and recorded a parking Covenant at
the offsite parking lot at 3015 Westwood (the free-standing parking
lot with 39 spaces above Trader Joe's) to allow for a total of 48
required parking spaces permitted by variance by the City of Los
Angeles, and

Whereas, Adat Shalom Temple now has only 225 families and for
financial reasons has sold the parking lot to Bershon Realty (which
owns the property on which Trader Joe's resides) and wishes to replace
the Covenant/ownership arrangement with a leasing/license agreement
with said Bershon Realty that would initially keep the parking
arrangements that have been in place since that time for years,
resulting in no short-term loss of parking spaces, and,

Whereas, Bershon Realty has no expressed interest in ending this
leasing agreement for at least 4-5 years, and the landlords of other
adjacent parking lot locations at/near Adat Shalom Temple have
expressed an interest in leasing their own parking lots to Adat Shalom
should Bershon Realty end this leasing agreement, providing ample
parking alternatives for this new leasing agreement,

The Mar Vista Community Council Board hereby supports the request of
Adat Shalom Temple to:

1) Be granted a Variance from the Zoning Code regulations to terminate
the currently-required Covenant in order to acquire the same amount of
offsite parking through lease rather than Covenant, but without impact
on traffic or parking on the surrounding community, and

2) Receive approval for the creation of more (at least 14) onsite
parking spaces by demolishing one of its Early Childhood Center
structures at National/Malcolm to increase its onsite parking capacity
and to both improve local traffic circulation patterns and provide
better access to the Early Childhood Center for those  who are
disabled or who have strollers for small children²

Mar Vista Concept Plan Sub-committee report -Sharon Commins

Venice Blvd. Beautification Project

F) Safety and Security Committee report ­ Keith Lambert (10 min)

1) Motion to approve Safety and Security proposed budget of no more
than $1800 for Feb 13th Quarterly Stakeholder mtg.
Budget: Table/chair/outdoor heater/misc equip rentals estimated cost $
400. Door prizes and give aways (Emergency Radios, AM/FM Radio
Flashlight, Keychain/Whistle/Light) estimated Cost $600. Food and
refreshments: pizza, salad, cupcakes, drinks, paper goods - estimated
cost: $800

  Total anticipated cost less than $1,800


G) SMC Bundy Campus Ad Hoc Committee

Old Business - Action items (Public comment permitted)

A) Opportunity for the board to reconsider MVCC¹s allocation of $1,500
to Ven Mar Neighborhood Association to support the printing and
distribution of a one time newsletter, as a resolution to the
grievance filed by Rick Selan. (10 min.)

New Business - Action items (with public comment permitted)


Future agenda items


Public Comment and Announcements (limit: 2 minutes per speaker)

Adjournment (7:55 PM)

********************************************************************************\
*************
The audience is requested to fill out a "Speaker Card" to address the
Board on any item of the Agenda prior to the Board taking action on an
item. Comments from the public on Agenda items will be heard only when
the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on
other matters not appearing on the Agenda that are within the Board's
subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the public comment
period. Public comment is limited to two minutes per speaker, unless
waived by the presiding officer of the Board. Mar Vista Community
Council meetings will follow Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.
For more information, please visit the MVCC web site at
www.marvistacc.org.
********************************************************************************\
************
"Translators, sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices
for the hard of hearing and/or other auxiliary aids/services are
available upon request. To ensure the availability of services, please
make your request at least three (3) working days before the scheduled
date.  If you have any questions regarding this notice, please please
call (213) 485-1360.

LA's Top Cop Tells NCs How They Can Help Fight LA's Gangs

By Ken Draper; Copied from http://www.citywatchla.com/content/view/189/

LA's top cop stopped by a packed Citywide Alliance gatheringlast Saturday and told Neighborhood Councils how they could help him fight LA'sgangs by keeping an eye on those who would dip into committed LAPD funds to payfor some other project or cause. 

 Los Angeles PoliceChief William Bratton charmed, warned and educated an energized crowd at LACity College. "The Mayor is committed to moving this forward," Bratton said,"and I ask that Neighborhood Councils stay aware, stay involved, work with usas you have done, work with the political leadership to ensure that theresources that are committed stay with the police department."

Bratton said that he is committed to making Los Angeles a safer city and "I believe wecan."
"I'm very good at this," he said, "I've been doing it for 35years and have never had a failure." 

Bratton appeared on a Citywide Alliance program thatincluded keynoter Laura Chick, the City's Controller, and Terry Cooper andChris Weare from the USC School of Policy.

Bratton covered a range of issues. Here's a sampling.

1) On LAPD resources—"LAPD is a small department. 9400officers may seem like a lot but in this huge city that is not a lot. To havethe equivalent of New Active ImageYork, LA would have to have 18,000 officers.The history of the LAPD has been small. Always trying to do more with less. Onthe doors of our police units it says Protect and Serve. My number two in thedepartment, Jim McDonald says the unofficial motto of the department is: `too few for too long have been asked to dotoo much with too little.' LAPD has always been under-staffed,under-resourced, under-funded and under-appreciated."

2) On terrorism---"Los Angelesis one of the three most likely … along with New Yorkand Washington… terrorism targets in the world. Maintaining our anti-terrorism capability isone of the department's four goals for 2007. LA's anti-terrorism center is amodel for the country."

3) On fighting gangs---"The Mayor has asked that a specialfocus be placed on Los Angeles'gang problem. An anti-gang initiative has been created. Its cornerstone ispartnerships. The FBI, Sheriff, District Attorney, City Attorney, DEA, ATF,Probation, Parole and police from surrounding towns will collaborate in thefight. In what may be a first, joint patrols have already started with Sheriff'sDeputies and LAPD officers riding together."

4) On his goals for 2007---"I have four goals for 2007: a.Continued reduction of crime including controlling the gang problem; b.Continued adherence to the Consent Decree; c. Maintaining LA's anti-terrorism capability;d. Increasing the size of the department."

5) On increasing the department's size---"NeighborhoodCouncils can help in a big way to increase the size of the LAPD. Fundsraised from a trash fee have been dedicated to the hiring of 1,000officers. There will be, believe me, attempts made to use that money for otherpurposes. Neighborhood Councils need to be watchdogs to make certain that thosededicated funds get used to hire more officers. We need those cops. We need tostay focused on increasing the size of the department. The Mayor is committedto moving this forward and I ask that Neighborhood Councils stay aware, stayinvolved, work with us as you have done, work with the political leadership toensure that the resources that are committed stay with the police department."

I concur.  All actions here need to be most civil and in keeping
with the focus of moving forward for whatever good works we can
muster going forward.

> ... stakeholder distributed a handout
> that contained personal attacks on individuals in the community,
> including myself.   This sort of thing has no place in a
> neighborhood  association.
>
We must not engage in this type of stuff.  I'm going to let it go.
And Look Forward!

I get excited to move the Ven Mar NA area forward on the track to
have Emergency Preparedness containers in our local vicinity.  One
for those residents West of Walgrove and one for those East of
Walgrove.

Maybe with funding from the two Community Councils and if not we
must fid the funding from the community and local businesses.

It must happen.  Or when (not if)needed we are able to give tools to
those who want to work to help the neighbors who are in need of that
help.

NA's are the front line of Neighbors helping Neighbors.

Making our Zone better.  One block at a time.

Keep up the good work.

Do not let the detractors keep you from participating.

Keith L.

Are you a Ven-Mar resident?  If yes please volunteer to help distribute the newsletter to your neighborhood.  Every little bit helps.  We will be going to press soon.

Once they are printed we will need to pass them out.  Getting the word out is the first step to getting the dialog going back and forth for those who are affected by our issues of traffic, crime, safety, greenery, eldercare, child and adult recreation.

Block Captains can do their one block or maybe add one or two extra when a block captain is needed.  This is a good opportunity to say "Howdy Neighbor!" to a few people you have been passing by day after day.  Break the ice and do more than smile and nod.

We are printing a lot of these newsletters.  We must distribute them.  We hope to get the bulk of them out before the Feb 13th MVCC meeting and the Feb. 15th Ven-Mar NA meeting.

The rest will be passed out at the Farmers Market on Sundays.

Since you are part of the Internet Enabled residents of Ven-Mar you can see a draft copy of the newsletter now at www.VenMar.us  – (Best to use Micrsoft IE to view it.)

Thanks in advance for your help.  Send a reply and say Yes, I'll cover XYZ streets.

Keith Lambert
MVCC Zone 6 Director

(Printing is pending the result of a MVCC  committe
 meeting on the funding approved.)

At last night's Ven-Mar meeting, a stakeholder distributed a handout
that contained personal attacks on individuals in the community,
including myself.   This sort of thing has no place in a neighborhood
association.

The Ven-Mar neighborhood  includes people with differing political
philosophies and divergent views on some of the major issues facing
the community.   One of the purposes of a neighborhood association, it
seems to me, is to provide a means for these people to find common
ground to make their neighborhood a safer, more beautiful, more
congenial place to live.  Sometimes neighbors have to agree to
disagree, but using the association to turn disagreement into personal
attacks and allegations of conspiracies is antithetical to its very
purpose.

Dennis Hathaway

Well done Marianne.

There were plenty of people in attendance and the speakers were very helpful.

I now know a lot more about the difference between Gang marking and the art graffiti for Tagging sake.  Like the old scratching on a tree "___ was here" type stuff. 

Unfortunately the most recent cases seem to be just defacement not gang stuff that the police take as high priority.  Or maybe it is better that it is just kids blowing of steam.  And not gangs moving into the area.

Maybe we can redirect that "steam" into a more fun and less damaging path for their power or energy.  How about a Youth Center.  A teen drop in center at the fire house the LAFD will be vacating soon on Centinela!

This is an Idea we can work on together as a community.  Give the youth of our community a cool place to go.  Have a meeting place for community groups.  Have a good pocket park that is functional.

A place where Skate boards are not banned.  A place where kids feel welcomed.  Not just tolerated.  Then they are not left all by their lonesome to find new ways to make trouble.

Youth need something to do after school.

Lets have something to offer.

IMHO.  Keith

on...
> Also there is the new soccer field and NOW The COLLEGE-
> What are we doing about the traffic pattern from the college campus?
> Centinela is a traffic mess and so is Walgrove?
> These 2 places need some traffic help-
> Please let me know what we can do to take a stand-

Well the last MarVista Community Council meeting did have a great
presentation about the SMC Bundy Campus issues.  Seems the City of
Santa Monica is unhappy with SMC too.  That is why the City of SM
closed off so much of the Airport Ave. traffic access.

Thereby making the problem even worse.

Then the deal cut with the Neighborhood Association in Santa Monica's
Sunset Park area fought hard to keep the traffic off of them so they
only let the few cars coming out of the Bundy Campus onto Airport turn
RIGHT.  Up to Bundy/Centinela.

If they take a right out of the top parking lot or a Right on Cent. at
Airport they turn and come through the Ven-Mar areas via Rose or Palms
to Walgrove and STILL go up 23rd into Santa Monica.

That is such selfish and self defeating stuff.

And next there will be another light on Bundy/Centinela just south of
Airport.  This light is the only tool/carrot the City of Los Angeles
has to get some Fair Play back to the SMC Collage and City of Santa
Monica loggerhead on this issue.

Please get involved Mr/Mrs Davidson.  We need all the help we can to
soundly describe the reasons the three sides need to cooperate to
equitably work this out.

Traffic is going up any way we look at it.  But little adjustments now
mean so much down the road.

Sincerely Keith L.


BTW Surveys went out...  Did you fill one out?

I live by Rose Ave and Walgrove Ave-
As a resident for 10 years the airport noise and pollution is out of
control-
More loud jets than ever and the smell is terrible-
I have attended the SM Airport meetings but nothing gets done?
Also there is the new soccer field and NOW The COLLEGE-
What are we doing about the traffic pattern from the college campus?
Centinela is a traffic mess and so is Walgrove?
These 2 places need some traffic help-
Please let me know what we can do to take a stand-
Thanks
The Davidson Family

You are a Stakeholder in this Community.

stake·hold·er   n.
    1. One who holds the bets in a game or contest.
    2. One who has a share or an interest, as in an enterprise.

OK. So for the Neighborhood Association it is anyone who lives in the
area.  For the City Neighborhood Councils it can be residents and
Employees or even members of Church congregations that have a interest
in the community.

Together we share an interest in the welfare of each other.  I'm
betting that if you are safer that it will make me safer.  We are all
committed to the enterprise of having a vibrant and caring community.

So to that end I resolve to use my front yard more often and to look
out for my neighbors too.  Community starts there.

Then up to ...
Block Captains and Neighborhood Watch
- Neighborhood Associations
  - - Community Councils
  - - - City Council

Then county and state and eventually Federal and All Mankind!

But first you stop local crime on your block and start caring for the
elderly on your own street.  That is where Ven-Mar and MVCC comes in.

I'm glad to be a part of this community.

Sincerely Keith L.
Stakeholder, Neighbor
Member of Ven-Mar NA
and Director MVCC for Zone 6

----- Original Message -----

From: Keith Lambert

To: VenMar@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2006 11:12 AM

Subject: [VenMar] Photos of Graffiti added to Photos section.

Recent graffiti, Dec 10, 2006.

Photos in the Graffiti photo album. If you have info that the LAPD
would be able to use... Please pass it on.

This is the same house that was badly tagged in and out just before
they moved in a couple of months ago. Discussed before at the Ven-Mar
N A meeting in November.

Address is northeast corner of Redwood and Palms Blvd. (3496 Redwood).

These kids/hoodlums need another outlet for their energy. Or they
need to be caught and properly discouraged form doing it in the future.

Suggestions?

---

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.15.20/588 - Release Date: 12/15/2006

Zone 6 is getting funding from MVCC and will be publishing a
newsletter soon.  The Ven-Mar NA now has a flier at the Sunday Farmers
Market and is beginning to hold meetings again.  Hot issues have been
the recent graffiti tags and the traffic problems.  Some areas are
more impacted by the SMC Bundy Campus and some by Walgrove or
Beethoven traffic.

Together we can work to mitigate the inconveniences and get along.

I highly support the local Neighborhood Association and this new Yahoo
Group so you can talk openly about the issues affecting us.

Look for a Newsletter in January of 2007

Recent graffiti, Dec 10, 2006.

Photos in the Graffiti photo album. If you have info that the LAPD
would be able to use... Please pass it on.

This is the same house that was badly tagged in and out just before
they moved in a couple of months ago.  Discussed before at the Ven-Mar
N A meeting in November.

Address is northeast corner of Redwood and Palms Blvd. (3496 Redwood).

These kids/hoodlums need another outlet for their energy.  Or they
need to be caught and properly discouraged form doing it in the future.

Suggestions?

Hi all you Ven-Mar NA members.

I also get hot info as the chairperson of the Safety and Security Committee for MVCC.   Some of the reports of crime are definitely interesting.  I will CC you on some.

...I wanted to pass on information about a possible intruder that we have encountered in the past week.  About a week ago a member of my household returned home around 5:30 PM to see someone standing at our front door. He was behaving strangely so she waited until he left before getting out of her car. Then on Tuesday night (actually 1:30  AM Wednesday AM) on returning from her job as a nurse (she works nights at Cedars). She encountered the same man. He was across the street and approached her as she got out of her car. He said that he was a salesman and was stranded and need to come in and use our phone. She got away from him and got safely into the house. We called the police, meanwhile he commenced to ring the door bell and shout obscenities. This went on for 25 minutes while we repeatedly called the police. By the time the police showed up he had left on foot.  The police said that a neighbor across the street had complained also about someone knocking on her door.

The person in question is a  black male in his twenties, he is tall and broad shouldered. On both occasions he was wearing the same outfit nice black pants and a blue long sleeve button down shirt. ...

This is the calm version as compared to other Distraction Crime operatives.  Someone at the talks to you and keeps you occupied in the front yard while some accomplice is ransacking the back of the home. (e.g. your bedroom for valuables)

Keep an eye out for this and other tricks that thieves try on your neighbors and especially the seniors.

Be safe and know your neighbors.

Sincerely Keith L.

From: Marianne P. Brown [mailto:m_p_brown@...]
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 3:07 PM
To: m_p_brown@...
Subject: Minutes from VMNA Meeting on 11/16 plus other items that
affect us all



Dear friends & neighbors,

Hope you have finished up the last bite of leftover turkey or tofu
and are resting up for the next set of holidays!

We had a good VMNA meeting this month; minutes are attached.  Sorry
to have missed some of you, but it was a busy month for many of us!

Couple of things coming up that you may want to "weigh in" on:

The imminent move by the City Council to approve City Attorney
Degadillo's settlement with 2 major billboard companies here:  Clear
Channel Outdoor and CBS Outdoor who own about 4,100 of more than
10,000 (!) billboards in LA.  See yesterday's LA Times article on
front right column in the California section, "Critics Knock Deal on
Ad Signs in LA," for background.  This settlement would allow the
billboard companies to keep non-permited, illegal boards and upgrade
them with flashing lights, digital effects and backlit messages.
Bringing it all back home:  we don't want Lincoln Blvd. to look like
Sunset Strip or Las Vegas.....it's bad enuf already!  The citywide
Planning Commission has requested a meeting on 12/14 with the City
Attorney and the LA Dept. of Planning staff to discuss this.
         Meanwhile, you can contact the City Attorney's office, your
councilperson Bill Rosendahl and others, plus the Mayor to say you
strongly oppose this settlement and asking for a fair deal for the
public and not a sweet deal for the bb industry!  Quality of life
issue -    - yes!

City Controller Laura Chick released yesterday a 40+ page audit
report on the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE)
regarding the Neighborhood Councils (As you know, the ones that
cover our area are the Mar Vista Community Council and the Venice
Neighborhood Council), which were authorized with LA Charter Reform
in 1999.  She says they are long overdue for Phase II.  Her press
release cites:
         1.  Lax financial controls at DONE.
         2.  Millions of taxpayer dollars allocated to Neighborhood
Councils sit unspent.
         3.  DONE doesn't track and analyze reoccurring problems.
         4.  DONE needs to do a better job in helping and supporting
Neighborhood Councils in achieving greater diversity, civic
participation,  and community representation.
         5.  There needs to be an adopted City plan for DONE which
sets forth the authority to monitor and assist Neighborhood Councils.

         The DONE audit can be accessed at her website at
www.lacity.org/ctr.

the Mar Vista Farmers' Market happens every Sunday from 9-1pm at
Grandview and Venice Boulevards.  Good produce, food, flowers, and
meet your neighbors there!  There's also a booth devoted to
community organizations and new developments in the middle of the
Market on the east side of Grandview.  Parking is available in the
post office parking lot or on the nearby streets.
Every Friday there is a potluck in Venice High's Learning Garden at
12:30 pm.  This Friday the 1st we welcome gardenmaster David King
back to his stewardship of the community garden after having worked
at the Theodore Payne Native Plant Nursery for several months.

Talk with you soon!

Marianne
_____________________________________________________________________
_
Minutes

Ven-Mar Neighborhood Association
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Walgrove Elementary School Lounge

Those Attending:
Marianne Brown
Keith Lambert
David Moring
Sandy Moring
Deena Stein
Alex Utas

Those who were unable to attend but contacted us:
Lynn Barker
Christy Boardman
Michael Stenger
Nancy Swaim
Evelyn Dravecky

1. Welcomes.  We were sorry Michael Stenger couldn't attend
because of a virus as we were planning to surprise him with a
birthday celebration (a big one on 11/20!).  We signed cards and
saved the fruit tart for MB to take to his home on the weekend.

2. Marianne reported on the Mar Vista Community Council meeting
held on 11/14.  (She attended in Christy's place as she was at a
conference in N.Cal. then.)  It was the quarterly stakeholders'
meeting which focused on "Traffic and the City Budget."  The
following are notes she took at the meeting:

a. Sharon Cummins of the MVCC Urban Planning & Land Use
Committee said they are conducting a questionnaire survey to find
out what people want re land use in the Mar Vista area (Keith
Lambert told us that she particularly wants to see more playfields
in our area.)  She also said that the Committee will be updating the
Community Plan for our area (note:  Marianne, as a WLA Planning
Commission member stressed how important Community Plans are when
the Commission hears cases presented to them by developers and
residents – the Planning Department and the Commission refer to the
CPlans when making decisions.) Note:  this Community Plan committee
meets at the Venice Grind at 12224 Venice Blvds. MV, 90066 the
second Wednesday of every month.
b. Nicole Velasquez introduced herself as the new Field Deputy
for Councilman Rosendahl for the Mar Vista area
(Nicole.Velasquez@...; 310/568-8772).  She said the former FD
for our area, Len Nguyen has been assigned to the Palms/WLA area.
She encouraged people to attend the upcoming "Mar Vista Park
Community Town Hall" meeting at Mar Vista Park Recreational Center
(11430 Woodbine Avenue, 6:30-8:30pm) on Wednesday, November 29.
There are some community concerns about noise, etc. at night from
the park's soccer field.

She announced implantation of the Proposition O Project where a
water filtration tank will go under Mar Vista Park to gather and
reuse water runoff.

She passed out petitions to be used in a neighborhood to request "no
overnight parking" zones.  (VMNA members took copies at the VM
meeting).

c. MVCC Treasurer Bill Scheding (wis.marvista.org) reported on
our Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan.  The speed trailer data
goes onto the Mar Vista Community Council website (www.marvista.org)
and to the city's Department of Transportation to measure traffic
congestion.  Playa Vista development is still in Phase 1.  With
Phase 3 (the retail development) it is estimated that traffic in our
area will TRIPLE!
d. Invited speaker Pauline Chan from the LA Dept. of
Transportation (Pauline.chan@...; 310/575-8138; 213/978-9705)
made a Power Point presentation which included the following points:
a. The Playa Vista Corporation donated $150,000 to help "adjust
traffic increases in the Mar Vista area." [Later she said it costs
$50,000-75,000 to build a traffic circle; Keith Lambert said at the
VMNA meeting that it would cost $25,000-50,000 to put left turn
arrows at Palms/Centinela.]
b. Chan said the DOT will develop a new traffic plan by sub-
areas (?), then they will solicit input by holding community
meetings, they will verify community support of the plan (e.g., thru
the MVCC), and then the City will approve the plan.
c. She listed various measures [referred to them as "band
aids"] to consider when developing a new traffic plan for Mar Vista:
i. Photo-radar enforcement (San Jose has this).  We would need
enabling state legislation to have this in LA.
ii. Speed bumps; demand grows each year – in 2005 $1 million was
spent on this in LA
iii. LA's "Watch the Road" campaign (posters, etc.)
iv. LAPD "Speed Watch" program where a minimum of 3 volunteers
use radar guns to measure auto speed in their neighborhood.
v. Speed Advisory signs which tell you how fast you are driving
compared with the speed limit (cost:  $8-9,000; they are solar-
powered)
vi. Edge Lines like are on Walgrove (may reduce sideswipes)
vii. Traffic signal metering and turn restriction signs (requires
police enforcement)
viii. Diverters [thru landscaping or other means]/Partial Street
Closures
ix. Traffic circles/roundabouts.  Requires petitions from
adjacent streets; is expensive: $50,000-100,000. Not used much in LA.
x. Bump out/Curb Extension. Santa Monica has these. $5,000 for
3)
xi. Landscaped median

e. Yunus Ghausi, engineer from Cal-Trans (100 S. Main Street,
LA 90012; 213/897-0560) reported on the current construction of HOV
lanes and sound walls on the #405 Freeway, sound walls on #10
Freeway, and a new signal installed on Venice Boulevard between
National and Sawtelle.
f. The Senior Lead Police Officer from the Palms area spoke and
declared that, "The majority of traffic violators live in the
community."  He said the "smart trailers' can monitor speed or
merely be there to increase awareness about speeding.
g. Captain Jeff Johnson of the LAFireDepartment Station #62
said that with the construction of the new Mar Vista area Fire
Station on Venice/Inglewood Blvds. That they will be widening
Inglewood Boulevard south of Venice Blvd. by 17 feet; they will also
change the traffic signals at that intersection so that the fire
engines which will be going to a fire will be able to immediately go
through the intersection.
h. Attendees at the meeting had a chance to ask a few questions
or make comments:
"When will the MVCC traffic questionnaire survey be summarized?"
President Rob Kadota said he hoped "soon."
"Graffiti on the #405 exits should be cleaned up; this is
responsibility of CHP, CalTrans, Police Dept. and Sheriff's
Department.
"What will the old firestation on Centinela be used for?"  Answer:
No known yet; Captain Johnson said it may go to the city's General
Service Administration to decide.
i. Someone from the city's budget office spoke; comments on it
were due on 11/15 (www. Neighborhoods.org).  On 4/7 the Mayor will
present the budget to the City Council:  $6.67 billion (10% is
discretionary; rest is already allocated to city services).  It has
to be passed by July 1, 2007.

David Moring reported that the Venice Neighborhood Council has 9
neighborhood-based committees, but that their officers are now not
elected from a particular geographic area, but rather are "at-large"
representatives.  David heads up the Emergency Preparedness
Committee and had a very successful meeting on this topic at Venice
High last year.

3. Outreach Flyer. The multi-colored VMNA Outreach flyer was
finalized.  We agreed it would be used for our door-to-door outreach
and it will be an insert in the VMNA newsletter.  It already has
been distributed at the MVCC meeting on 11/14 and at the Sunday Mar
Vista Farmers' Market (9-1pm).

4. Website Revision, Newsletter and Communication Plan. Keith
Lambert volunteered to draft a design a new website for us and post
it at the url Alex Utas reserved for us awhile back:
www.venmar.us   He will use Microsoft Front Page, and those knowing
Microsoft Word will be able to update it (with a Password, of
course).  We have 3 of the 4 articles promised for the newsletter;
Nancy Swaim will be writing the fourth one soon.  Keith clarified
that it is difficult to get a "grant" from the MVCC for this, but he
proposed we sell space to the MVCC for articles from them (and sell
business card ads) and then we can use that money to pay for the
expense of paper, folding & postage.  Keith will talk with Steve
Boskins of the MVCC about this and help with the layout for the
newsletter.  He will obtain addresses for our Ven-Mar area from a
title company.  We talked about using 11x17 paper and folding it
over with an insert of our Outreach Flyer.  We also discussed having
a tear-off portion where people could also send in $5 donation to
defray costs.  We decided that we would do one issue in hard copy
and then assess if future issues would be sent out electronically.
Alex said he thinks we need a Communications Director, one of whose
tasks will be to update our e-mail list.  Keith volunteered to
create a Yahoo Group for us to communicate with each other, and
Deena volunteered to be the Moderator for this (note:  one is up and
running already!)

5. Plans for January Meeting on Gangs/Graffiti in our
Neighborhood.  We agreed our January meeting would be devoted to
this topic.  Some of us will meet with Nancy Swaim in December to
plan it; Nancy is obtaining speakers.  We will hold it in the
Walgrove Lounge.

6. Announcements:  The Tuesday, February 13 quarterly
stakeholders meeting of the MVCC will be on "Safety & Security."
Keith Lambert, as chair of the MVCC Safety & Security Committee, is
organizing it.  It will cover such topics as Block Captains, CERT,
Protecting Seniors in the Event of an Emergency, ID Theft through
the postal service, internet, etc.

Marianne announced that the Venice High Learning Garden is
soliciting money to pay for repair of its shade and lath houses
which haven't been upgraded since the 1970's.  Nancy Mills at
310/307-5723 is seeking donations; Nancy attended our August meeting.

Michael Stenger sent info that Walgrove Elementary School is doing a
fundraiser at the Marina del Rey Barnes & Noble store on Saturday,
December 2.  If you request a voucher from the checkout desk then 10-
15% of your payment will go to the Walgrove Booster Club.  Good time
to buy holiday gifts!

7. Next Official Meeting: Thursday, January 18 @ 7pm, call to
find out location.

Minutes submitted by Marianne Brown.  Please contact her with
additions/corrections.

FYI
All are welcome to attend and participate in this community event!
Saturday, Dec 2, 9:30 AM- 5 PM

9th Annual Santa's Village Festival of Trees - A W-PdR family event...

Westchester-Emerson Community Adult School 8810 S. Emerson

Mrs. Clause will arrive by Train @ 9:30 AM Santa and his Elves by
Helicopter @ 10 AM

Come to the MVCC Urban Planning/Land Use Committee at the Library...

I hear that they have added some Expo line information to the meeting.
also see the "Photos" section here for maps of the two routes under
consideration.

FYI the Agenda...


   Urban Planning/Land Use Committee
   Tuesday, November 21, 2006, 6:00 to 7:55 PM
   Mar Vista Library (Southwest corner of Venice and Inglewood Blvds.)
   12006 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista, CA 90066
   Co-Chairs:  Ken Alpern and Steve Wallace


Agenda (Steve Wallace to chair this meeting)


I.  Call to Order (1 min.)
II. Volunteer to Take Minutes (1 min.)
III. Introductions and Public Announcements/Comments (2 min.)
IV. Approval of Minutes for meeting on 10/17/06 (2 min.)

V. Old Business, with potential motions (30 min.)
     a Grand View Parkway Revitalization Project update - (Cathy
Bekian, Kent Alves, Frank Harris, 2 min.)
     b. Taco Bell Update - (Steve Wallace, 2 min.)
     c. Washington/Centinela Project Update (Steve Wallace and others,
2 min.)
     d. National/Overland Project (Ken Alpern, Susan Bok and others, 5
min.)
     e. UCLA Development/Apartments on Barrington (John Evans, Sharon
Commins and others, 2 min)
     f. Affordable Housing Update

MOTION:  Implement LA Municipal Code 12.95.2(F)(6) which allows for
the denial of a condo conversion if the vacancy rate is below 5% in a
Planning Area and the cumulative effect of the loss of that rental
housing is significant- (Nancy Karlin and others,15 min.)

     g. Update on VNC efforts opposing large developments on Lincoln
Blvd. (Ken Alpern, 2 min.)

VI. Sub-Committee Reports (25 min.)
     a. Commercial Corridors Subcommittee Update and potential motions-
(15 min.)
          1) Landscaping and Tree-Trimming/Planting Updates on
National, Venice and other Blvds. (Steve Wallace, Ken Alpern,  and
others, 5 min.)
          2) Report on St. John's Church Tree Planting, Sat., Oct.
28th, 9-1, and Moreton Bay Fig Tree Update (Ken Alpern) (5 min)
          3) Update of Venice Blvd. Streetscape Improvement Committee
(5 min.)

     b. Concept Plan Subcommittee Update (Sharon Commins, 10 min.)

          1) Discussion of Footprint Overlay Idea,
Questionnaire/Outreach for Concept Plan

VII. New Business, with potential motions

     a. Early Notification Update (Curt Steindler and Steve Wallace, 10
min.)
     b. Planning MOU Committee and Update (Steve Wallace, 10 min.)
     c. MVCC UP/LU Committee Webpage


VIII. Public Comment (1 min.)



IX. Future Agenda Items (1 min.)



X. Adjourn

E-Calendar, November 2006

A public service of the MVCC   Community Outreach Committee

Certified Neighborhood Council August 13, 2004

www.marvista.org

*** Save, print, forward to your friends and neighbors ***

Is your community event missing from this list?

Complete agendas for Mar Vista Community Council meetings can be found on the MVCC website at least 3 days prior to each meeting by going to www.marvista.org and clicking on "COMMITTEES".  To have any of these agendas sent automatically to your email, click on "EMAIL NOTIFICATION SYSTEM".  The same system can be used to remove your email  from this general MVCC announcement list, or any MVCC committee announcement list.

JANE HARMAN WESTSIDE OFFICE HOURS

Every Thursday from 12:00 to 5:00 PM @ 1645 Corinth Avenue #104 (City Attorney Hearing Room), West Los Angeles, CA 90025. Parking located in the adjacent lot. Receive individual assistance and information regarding federal services from an office caseworker West Los Angeles Municipal Building. For an appointment, please contact Reza Akef at (310) 643-3636 or email at reza.akef@... ~ Walk-ins are also welcome.

November 1 to December 16, 2006

LAPD Pacific Division Holiday Toy Drive ^{Recently Added Event}   Donate an unwrapped new toy at Pacific Station lobby located at 12312 Culver Blvd or every Sunday at the MVCC Info Booth at the Mar Vista Farmers Market. Large donations or cash donations should contact Senior Lead Officer Heidi Llanes at (310) 622-3971. In addition to wonderful LAPD Santa Sleigh driving through neighborhoods, a special Winter Wonderland is planned for December 16, 2006. For details go to www.pacificbeat.net and click on the Pacific Pulse link.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Mayor's City Wide Day of Service in Watts ^TODAY   on November 18th. This upcoming Day of Service is sponsored by the Mayor and Councilmember Janice Hahn and will focus on Watts. Our goal is to bring individuals and groups from across Los Angeles to work on beautification projects, murals, community gardens, and school clean ups throughout Watts. This will be a great way to overcome some of the barriers that often separate neighborhoods and communities in the city and have residents work together on a common project. To get involved, call the volunteer line at (213) 978-0811 or send an email to gabriela.ortiz@...

Beethoven Elementary School Holiday Boutique ^TODAY and Friends of Beethoven will be hosting their Holiday Boutique on Saturday November 18th. From 10am till 4pm. Join us for a day of celebrating. Artists and crafters will be selling their wares, craft projects for kids, food and refreshments. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and greet your Mar Vista neighbors and support Beethoven elementary. www.friendsofbeethoven.org

Saturday, November 18, 2006 & Sunday, November 19, 2006

North Venice Little League's Early Registration -We will be at the snack bar at the North Venice fields (off of Centinela at Rose) on Saturday, November 18, from 10am-2pm and on Sunday, November 19, from noon-4pm.  Please bring proof of residency ( e.g. driver's license or utility bill), and a long-form birth certificate (not an abstract) for the player.  Eligible ages are 5 and up.  For more information see our website at http://northvenice.org .

Mar Vista Elementary School Community Weekend will be held on November 18 & 19. This is a chance for everyone to pitch in and spruce up the school, help plant trees or flowers, and be a part of the dedication of our new Reading Garden/Outdoor Classroom!   If you have a knack for home (school) improvement, contact our Community Weekend organizers and find out how you can help out. This year, we will be dedicating the new Reading Garden/Outdoor Classroom. If you would like to help in planning with the dedication, contact David Kent at kent.david@... or www.mvseg.org

Monday, November 20, 2006 ^{Recently Added Event}

Holiday Light Festival – Preview Bike Night , On Monday, November 20, 2006 the LADWP will be hosting a preview "Bike Night" as part of the 2006 Holiday Light Festival. Avid bicycle riders, as well as families and children are invited to preview the 2006 Holiday Light Festival in a "car free" environment. For two years the LADWP has hosted a "Bike Night," but this will be the first time that the event is held prior to the official opening of the festival. This special night of bicycles will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A brief program will take place at 6:30 p.m. "Bike Night" participants should park at the L.A. Zoo parking lot. The route and program will begin near the West side of the L. A. Zoo parking lot. www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp004976.jsp#P17_1776

Santa Monica Task Force On the Environment, ^{Recently Added Event} November 20, 2006 @ 7:00 p.m. Ken Edwards Center, 1527 4^th Street, Room 105, Santa Monica, CA. Meeting Agenda includes item IV) Discussion and Recommendations Regarding Santa Monica Airport Sustainability Plan, Item VII) Update on SCAQMD Air Quality Sutyd at Van Nuys and Santa Monica Airports. Information provided by martinrubin@... and www.jetairpollution.com

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Presentation on Proposition O project slated for Mar Vista Recreation Center Park Advisory Board, 6:30 pm @ MV Park Auditorium, 11430 Woodbine Street, Mar Vista , CA 90066

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

LAPD Officer Appreciation Dinner ^{Recently Added Event} Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner for our LAPD officers sponsored by the Citizens Police Advisory Board (C-PAB)  who work while we eat. Wednesday, November 22, 2006 3:30-5:30pm at LAPD Pacific Station, 12312 Culver Blvd. , LA , CA 90066. Contact Chris Williams ( Chris.williams18@... ), CPAB representative for details as to what you can bring or how you can help.  

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Mar Vista Park Community Town Hall Join Councilman Rosendahl, City Attorney's Office, L.A. Dept. of Rec. and Parks, the Los Angeles Police Department and other city representatives on Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 6:30 - 8:30pm @ Mar Vista Park Recreational Center 11430 Woodbine Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90066, to discuss concerns and solutions regarding Mar Vista Park.  Neighbors have complained about noise and other disruptive activity late at night and early mornings on the new soccer field near McLaughlin.  One recommendation being considered is reinstalling a securable fence to regulate usage during off hours. Others are considered about maintaining open spaces and concerned about "closing" part of the park.  Your input is important. ALL ARE WELCOME!  Questions?  Please contact Nicole Velásquez in Councilman Rosendahl's office at (310) 568-8772 or at nicole.velasquez@...

Tuesday, November 28 to Thursday, November 30, 2006

Planned Beach Closure – Hyperion Treatment Plant  Outfall Inspection Beaches will be closed from Ballona Creek to the Manhattan Beach Pier in conjunction with the Department of Health Services and Heal the Bay. City of Los Angeles Council District 11, Dept. of Public Works Bureau of Engineering and Sanitation have scheduled the interior inspection of the Hyperion Treatment Plant's 50-year old 5-mile outfall. The City of Los Angeles will send divers inside the plant's 5-mile outfall built in 1960 to assess the structural condition of the outfall, evaluate its reliability, and identify potential trouble spots. www.lasewers.org .

Saturday, December 2, 2006

Grand View Parkway Project Planting Day, ^{Recently Added Event} All ages are welcome.  Saturday, December 2, 9am – 12 noon will be the big planting day.  This will also be our big kids day -- kids of all ages and abilities are welcome and we will design age-appropriate planting activities for them..   We'd love to have you there for all of it, but come for whatever part of it you are able to do.  No experience -- or tools -- necessary.  Frank Harris, President of the Ocean View Farms, has arranged for gardening experts to help direct us. So bring your friends, bring your family, and come out with your community to help beautify Grand View Parkway.  Visit www.oceanviewfarms.net/gvpppics.html to see photos of the work being done. Please forward this email to anyone you think might be interested in a little gardening this Saturday. Let Kate know if you have any questions. Kate.Anderson@...

December 4 ^th – 8^th, 2006

Mar Vista Elementary School Restaurant Nights, Spitfire Grill, ^{Recently Added Event} Start making plans for the first Mar Vista Elementary School Enrichment Group (MVSEG) Restaurant Nights of the year in December. The first restaurant nights will take place in the first week of December at the Spitfire Grill at the Santa Monica airport. A portion of your dinner check will benefit MVES, and you can enjoy a great dinner every night of the week! Plan to take a break from those Thanksgiving leftovers and get together friends, neighbors, and fellow parents to help Mar Vista raise money for programs around the school. Keep your eyes open for the flyer, coming home soon in your children's backpacks.

Saturday and Sunday, December 9 & 10, 2006

The First Annual 2006 AltCar Expo (Alternative Car & Transportation Expo) is proudly presented by the City of Santa Monica on December 9th & 10^th from 9am-4pm at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Air Center, 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405-6101.  Admission is free/Parking is $5. Exhibits will include bicycles, electric bikes, telecommuting, trip-reduction strategies, fuel efficiency, regional transportation plans and timely university research efforts. Vehicles and fuel types to be exhibited include electric, hydrogen, compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid, plug-in hybrid, ethanol, biodiesel and high MPG gasoline. A "new car lot" will feature vehicles to test drive, purchase and drive home that day. Public transit will also play a prominent role at the Expo because even with the perfect fuel, we will still have gridlock. Displays will include the latest buses, route information, Metro expansion plans. Buses will be available to shuttle guests from the traditional auto show that is being held at the L.A. Convention Center to the AltCar Expo venue at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. www.altcarexpo.com

Saturday, December 16, 2006

LAPD Pacific Division – Santa's Winter Wonderland ^{Recently Added Event} Chill out with Santa and LAPD Pacific Division on Saturday, December 16 ^th. We're bringing the snow to WLA and Santa will be passing out toys. If you'd like to make a donation to this wonderful event you can drop off unwrapped toys or checks made out to the Pacific Area Boosters Assoc to the Pacific Division Front Desk located at 12312 Culver Blvd. For more information contact Heidi Llanes at (310) 622-3971.

Glad to be on the Yahoo group...I like this idea and want to thank
Keith!

This Yahoo Group can be very cool for sharing info on the area and the
goings on in our little section of the City.

VMNA is bigger than some Community Councils.  (Palms for example)

Our area does not have emergency preparation storage containers
stocked full of stuff for "The Big One" like other nearby areas.  We
will correct this soon I hope.

See you at the Farmers market.

Keith L.

Hope that this site brings in lots of users and helps us all get
better connected.

Keep you email private if you want.  Set by your settings when joining
Yahoo Groups.

Update your Calendar often.

Share photos and keep updated on local Crime issues etc.

Keith <"><

email me via keith@...