Westside Village Civic Assn., Inc.

Westside Village News & Views --May 2002

Sep 11, 2002

President?’s Report

Approximately one hundred members attended our Annual Meeting on February 20. They heard interesting reports from our City Council representatives, Cindy Miscikowski and Ruth Galanter, a pep talk about the benefits on Neighborhood Watch from our Senior Lead Officer Anthony Vasquez, and a brief report about the
Operation Healthy Neighborhoods program (see article elsewhere in this newsletter) from its Program Manager, Abigail Zimmerman. A full slate of Officers and Directors were elected for the 2002 Board. In addition to continuing members, five new members without previous Board service joined the Board - Bobby Holliday as President-Elect, and Ken Alpern, Ian Halsema, Tracy Marsh, and Jacki Weber as Directors. Marion Serra and Marie Wallace moved into the positions of Secretary and Past President, respectively, and Greg Severson has agreed to manage the newsletter operations. In my opinion, we have a dedicated Board which is representative of Westside Village residents.

We acknowledge and thank Albertson?’s Food and Drug, and Store Manager Todd Broom, for their generous donation of soft drinks and bottled water served at the Annual Meeting and Dinner. Albertson?’s continues its fine record of support for WVCA events.

A second request for 2002 WVCA dues has been attached to newsletters for delivery to households that have not yet responded. We hope those households that have not already responded will do so now. Errors in the system are always possible, so check your records before submitting a payment if you receive a notice but think you have already paid.

Two expenditures of WVCA funds were authorized at the April 8 Board Meeting. The expenditure of up to $ 300 was approved for the purchase of three trees and planting materials needed to replace three dead street trees on the parkway of Bentley adjacent to Charnock Road Elementary School. TreePeople will manage the planting. These trees are much needed by Bentley Avenue residents to replace shade trees that were removed a year ago. Also, a $ 250 donation was made to The Police Unity Tour in support of Senior Lead Officer Anthony Vasquez?’s participation in this year?’s tour and The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Officer Vasquez has been a steadfast supporter of our community over the past two years, and the Board felt that this is an appropriate way to recognize that service.

The organizers of the Mar Vista Community Council, which includes Westside Village residents, have submitted an application for certification as a Neighborhood Council to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE). Hopefully, MVCC will soon move from organizational status to an elected Council that will transact business as specified in their by-laws. The MVCC flyer inserted in this newsletter is part of their effort to reach out to the community for participation and support, which they very much need. The MVCC has already sponsored some very interesting programs on topics of interest to our community, such as the Playa Vista project and intermodal transit possibilities.

By the time you receive this newsletter, most of the residents affected will have received a notice from the Department of Public Works announcing a sewer reconstruction project that will impact sections of most of the streets in Westside Village. This work is to repair sewer lines damaged in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake and will be paid for by Federal and State funds. The cost to residents will be the inconvenience rather than monetary costs. Concerns were immediately voiced by residents about digging up streets that were resurfaced not long ago. This seems to be a classic case of lack of coordination of city government activities. Or , as Ian Halsema put it, ?“the city giveth and the city taketh away?”. We can only hope that the project includes adequate restoration of the street surfaces and that they deliver on the promise in the notice that ?“Every effort will be made to allow you to continue your normal activities?”.

Charles West
(310) 839-7320
west@chem.ucla.edu


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Subject: Redistricting Boundary Changes Affecting Westside Village

The Westside Village Civic Association Board requests that the boundaries proposed in the revised map submitted by the Redistricting Commission to the City Council be modified so as to include the entire Westside Village Community in Los Angeles City Council District 11.

Westside Village is a community within West Los Angeles bounded by National Blvd. on the north side, Overland Avenue on the east side, Charnock Road on the south side and Sepulveda Blvd. on the west side. Most of the single family residences were built initially in the late 1930?’s and early 1940?’s as part of the Fritz Burns Westside Village Tract. Our Civic Association has served this area for forty years.

At the present time, Westside Village is divided between Council Districts 6 and 11. The revised draft map presented by the Redistricting Commission to the City Council relegates the approximately three-fourths of Westside Village north of Palms Blvd. to District 5 while leaving the remainder south of Palms Blvd. in the new District 11. We feel that this arrangement is unfortunate and not in the best interests of our community for the following reasons:

(1) The major reason relates to the fact that the Westside Village area is associated with the Mar Vista Community Council, which is located entirely within proposed District 11 except for the section of Westside Village north of Palms Blvd.. Westside Village residents have participated in the organization of this Neighborhood Council, which is currently applying for certification by DONE.

(2) Also, it should be noted that Westside Village has developed a good working relationship with the District 11 Office, and we would like it to continue.

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Subject: Redistricting Boundary Changes Affecting Westside Village

(3) During much of its history, Westside Village has been partitioned between more than one Council District. Although this has not been all bad, it has at times made it more cumbersome or awkward in trying to get things done for the community.

In conclusion, it seems to us a more sensible and sounder arrangement if all of Westside Village were to be included in District 11. It is our understanding that one of the guiding principles of redistricting is to avoid the division of communities with common interests.

In order to accommodate our request, it would be necessary to move the northern boundary of the proposed District 11 five blocks further north from Palms Blvd. to National Blvd. in the region between Sepulveda Blvd. and Overland Ave.. Overland Avenue would then become the eastern border of the appended section.

We hope the Council will consider this request favorably, and act to make this adjustment in order to keep Westside Village an integral unit wholly within the Mar Vista Community Council?’s and City Council District 11?’s boundaries.



Charles West
Westside Village Civic Association
3461 Military Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90034

cc: Councilwoman Cindi Miscikowski (District 11)
Councilwoman Ruth Galanter (District 6)


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Dinner Meeting for Block Captains

The WVCA Board is hosting a dinner meeting for present and prospective Block Captains and their families on Saturday, June 8 in the Fellowship Hall of St. John?’s Presbyterian Church. Block Captains serve an essential role in the functioning of our Civic Association. Ideally, a Block Captain, or Co-Block Captains, in each ?‘block unit?’ of Westside Village deliver our newsletters, coordinate the Neighborhood Watch, welcome new residents, and help recruit new members for the Association. One purpose of this dinner meeting is to recognize and thank those members who have been serving as Block Captains and providing one or more of these services. In addition, we hope to recruit new Block Captains for a few block units that lack one, and Co-Block Captains who might like to share some of the responsibilities in their block unit. Therefore, the Board invites all current Block Captains and their families, plus those who are interested in becoming Block Captains or Co-Block Captains and their families, to attend this dinner meeting.

More detailed information about the meeting will be found in a separate flyer included as an insert in this newsletter. If you plan to attend, please return the registration form to Lisa Cahill as instructed to assist us with preparations. There is no charge. The Board encourages you to attend what we think will be a pleasant event.

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New Public Middle School to Open on Westside

New West Charter Middle School is a new, public, independent,
parent-founded, charter school for grades 6-8 opening in September
2002 in the Santa Monica/West Los Angeles area. New West was
approved by the State Board of Education in December 2001, has no
affiliation with any school district, is legally exempt from most
public education laws, and is state funded at the same level as other
public schools. Charter schools are meant to encourage independence,
innovation, accountability, competition among public schools,
enhanced student performance, professional opportunities for
educators, and school choice for parents.

New West's educational program emphasizes: (1) small school size (600
students); (2)small class size; (3) high expectations of students;
(4) academic excellence; (5) college preparatory curriculum; (6)
personalized learning environment; (7) strong character development;
(8) diversity in its student body; (9) visionary leadership; (10)
energized, fully credentialed teachers; (11) strong parental
involvement; and (12) local, shared governance.

New West does not charge tuition. There are no fees, testing,
interviews, or residency requirements for admission. (students can
live in any school district in California).

More information about New West is available at the school's website:
www.NewWestCharter.org . You can also contact New West by mail
(P.O.Box 1581, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272), by phone (310-446-1126),
by Fax (310-441-8565), or by e-mail (NewWestCharter@aol.com ).

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Fritz Burns and the History of Westside Village


Local history buffs in Westside Village are in for a treat. A book has been written about Fritz Burns, the developer of Westside Village. Although the book is mainly about Burns, Westside Village figures prominently because it was his first major project and was the prototype for many other affordable housing developments in L.A.

Why do many blocks in WV have no curbs or sidewalks? In order to keep the price affordable for buyers in 1939 and 1940, Burns didn?’t paint the houses or put in curbs and sidewalks. He left that up to the buyer. Another thing he did was to buy out a nursery so new homeowners could buy trees and shrubs at inexpensive prices--50 and 25 cents. I used to wonder why so many homes had the same plants in their landscaping--and that is why--a cheap and convenient source.

The information and detail in the book dovetails nicely with what community historian, Greg Fischer covered several years ago at our annual meeting. Utilizing new Federal legislation concerning real estate loans, Burns built affordable housing and made homeownership a reality for many who otherwise would not have had the financing..

The complete title is Fritz B. Burns and the Development of Los Angeles, published by The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University and the Historical Society of Southern California, 2001. It is written by James Thomas Keane, a Research Fellow for the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University. He is a native of LA, graduated from LMU and lives in Playa Del Rey. I got my copy from Amazon for $25.00 and it is available in other bookstores.

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Innovative Westside Village Sidewalk Repair

Old car tires may help save the planet. That is, once they?’re turned into rubber sidewalks. Following the city of Santa Monica?’s lead, LA has begun to explore the idea of using these expanding beauties to prevent having to remove monstrous shade trees whose roots upend sidewalks across the city.The trees are important because they keep temperatures down, people cool, and neighborhoods more attractive.

The first effort in the pilot project is here in Westside Village, at the northeast corner of Kelton Avenue and Charnock Road.The highly trafficked corner is graced with a bus stop; it?’s also on the walkpath to both Palms Middle and Charnock Elementary Schools. And it has adecades-old ficus whose roots had torn up the sidewalk so much that the neighborhood boys used it as a skateboard ramp on the weekends.

Last summer, after reading a story on the project, I arranged with Councilmember Ruth Galanter?’s office to use this corner as a test. It took weeks to get approval, and then months to actually schedule the work. But once Bureau of Street Services pulled up the concrete, it took just a few days to trim the tree so it wouldn?’t fall over as they cut the roots back, and lay new rubber tiles buttressed by concrete.

The idea is this: as the roots of the tree grow back in coming years, the rubber will lift to accommodate them. Then, as needed, the city will come out, pop out the rubber sidewalk, trim the tree roots and branches again and replace the tiles, saving the tree and the sidewalk.


Initial word from Galanter?’s officeis that they?’re pleased with both the ease of installing and removing the sidewalk for tree maintenance; and that they see it as a way for people to nothave to sacrifice their trees. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the city will pick up the tab.

The new sidewalk is beautiful and smooth. If you?’d like to take a look for yourself, drop by and kick the tires, so to speak.

- Jacki Weber

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Free Trees for LA Homeowners

LADWP?’s Trees for Green LA program wants to add 200,000 trees to Los Angeles in the next year. They?’re doing it one residence at a time by offering as many as seven trees at a time for homeowners to plant on their properties. The trees are free, come with stakes and fertilizer, and all you have to do to get them is participate in a two-hour workshop that?’s actually quite helpful.
The neighborhood forester offering the workshop covers planning - how to figure outwhere you should plant a tree, and the size and type of tree you should aim for to maximize energy efficiency. Then he walks you through the process of planting your trees (for example, do you know about pedestals?) and how to protect them in the months and years to come. You get a great guide to DWP-approved trees that explains shapes, eventual sizes and specific needs, along with attributes like whether a tree produces pollen or has an invasive root system.There are nearly 40 trees to choose from - New Zealand Christmas Trees, Jacarandas, Mimosas and Purple Orchids are just a few of the options.
At the end of the workshop you draw out your house on a graph, and plot where you?’d like to plant your trees. The neighborhood forester answers questions, helps you pick your trees, signs off on the plan, you send in an application and in a couple weeks you get your trees.
In order for the program to be successful, DWP needs to find more participants. Why not become one of them? Call 1-800-Green LA and ask for the Trees for a Green LA hotline. They?’ll set you up for a workshop. Here are upcoming offerings near Westside Village: Thursday, May 16th and Thursday, May 23rd, 7PM to 9PM - Westchester Senior Citizen Center, 9405 Lincoln Boulevard, LA 90045; and Saturday, May 18th, 10 AM to noon - Barrington Recreation Center, 333 South Barrington, LA 90049. June?’s workshops have not been announced. Check www.greenla.com for additional information.
- Jacki Weber
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NOTICE FOR WESTSIDE VILLAGE RESIDENTS SOUTH OF PALMS BLVD ABOUT OPERATION HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS


It has come to our attention that you live in an area that has been targeted for action by the Operation Healthy Neighborhoods (OHN) program. This program, which is managed by Mayor Hahn?’s Office, coordinates the services of a number of City Departments with the goal of revitalizing participating neighborhoods by making them cleaner and safer. and thereby less prone to attract crime. We thought it would be useful to alert you to this program even though you will probably be notified directly by OHN later. The enclosed flyer from OHN briefly describes the program and how it works.

The Palms/Westside Village area targeted for this activity by OHN is shown in the shaded area on the enclosed map. Note that the part of Westside Village included is that between Palms Blvd. and Charnock Road. We are currently in the ?“survey period?” during which key issues and problems are being identified by City officials and community members. Note the OHN is seeking input from community members! A Problem Report Form is enclosed for your use. The so-called ?“saturation period?” (see the OHN flyer) will occur between April 1 and June 30.

OHN staff will be meeting with community members in public meetings held in conjunction with the Palms/Westside Village Neighborhood Watch, which meets regularly on the third Tuesday evening of each month. The next meeting is:

6:30 PM, Tuesday, May 21, 2002 or
6:30 PM, Tuesday, June 18, 2002
Palms Elementary School Auditorium
3520 Motor Avenue

Further information is available from: Abigail P. Zimmerman, Program Manager, OHN, Phone: (213) 978-0761 FAX: (213) 978-0750