Westwood South

Westwood South of

Santa Monica Blvd.
Homeowners Association

Home

February 2017 events

You are invited to attend the Forum featuring the three candidates on the March 7^th ballot:  Jesse Max Creed, Mark Matthew Herd, and Paul Koretz.  The Forum moderator will be Mike Newhouse, West LA Area Planning Commissioner and Western Regional Alliance of Councils (WRAC) Immediate Past Chair. 

Admission is free.  Free parking is available in the St. Paul Church Lot (enter on Selby Avenue), and street parking is available on Ohio or Selby.  Seating is first come, first served.  Complimentary coffee and other refreshments are graciously being provided by several Westwood area businesses. 

In addition to questions posed by Forum panelists, written questions may be submitted from the audience.

11th Annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive- Monday 2/20

WLAPD invites all to join in the WLA Area’s LAPD Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on Monday, February 20th, 2017, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

The Blood Mobile will be parked in front of West Los Angeles Area Community Police Station located at 1663 Butler Avenue, West Los Angeles, 90025.

Undecided on Measure S (also known as the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative)?

Confused and/or buried beneath campaign mailers? Then you may want to attend one of the upcoming Westside programs presenting info on this initiative effort on the March ballot.  Measure S is an initiative to change the city's laws governing changes to the general plan and development projects.

Proponents of Measure S (“yes”) argue that the existing zoning and project approval system in Los Angeles allows developers to give political contributions to city officials in return for approval of their large development projects, which they say increase traffic, ruin neighborhood integrity, and result in the eviction of residents—including senior citizens and low-income households. The support campaign said, "Measure S is one of the best ways to fix systemic corruption at City Hall. The initiative dramatically curtails the ability of LA politicians to give spot zoning favors to developers.”

Opponents of Measure S (“no”) argue that the proposed moratorium and restrictions on project approval would put a stop to most development projects in the city, resulting in an even greater housing shortage, economic decline, the loss of thousands of jobs, and the loss of millions in tax revenue for education, parks, and other city services. Opponents also argue that none of the provisions in Measure S directly address corruption in the city planning process or developer contributions. Data from BallotPedia.com

Pacific Palisades Community Council: Feb. 23^rd, 8-9 pm-Pacific Palisades Library,861 Alma Real, PP 90272

Brent Gaisford and Brian Van Ripper will be presenting the “Vote No” argument for Measure S; Marsha Hanscomb and Sabrina Venskus will be presenting the “Vote Yes” argument for Measure S

Measure S Forum: Feb. 26^th, 1-4 pm - Fire Station 59 (WLA) 11505 W. Olympic Blvd., LA 90064

Panelists will include:  Jack Humphreville, columnist for CityWatch LA and president of the NC Department of Water and Power Advocacy Committee; Miki Jackson, grassroots activist and consultant to AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Michael Manville, assistant professor of urban planning, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs; and Mark Vallianatos, co-founder of Abundant Housing LA and member of the Zoning Advisory Committee for re:code LA.

Presented by the NC Sustainability Alliance.  Please RSVP today, here or go to: http://ncsa.nationbuilder.com/?utm_campaign=02_19_17_enews&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ncsa

*******************************************************************************************

Save the Date:  BLOCK CAPTAIN Training – March 30^th Westside Pavilion.

Block captains play an important role in preventing crime and in serving as a conduit of information between neighbors, WSSM and the City.  Blocks that have active captains/co-captains are better prepared to respond to emergencies and natural disasters. Learn about the role of the block captain /co-captains by attending this program being presented by WSSM, Westside NC and the LAPD.  This will also be an update for existing block captains.   It is important that we have at least one contact person on each block. 

If you do not know who your captain is or would like to volunteer to help, please contact us c/o block captain coordinators Dianne Maddock (dmdock@aol.com) and/or Pat Tobias (pattobias@msn.com).

To help respond to concerns about crime voiced through the NextDoor website, the March 30^th program will be open to residents from throughout the Westside Neighborhood Council area.  We will have RSVP info posted in future blasts and will ask that you RSVP so that we can have adequate materials for you to take home with you.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * ** * ** * ** * * ** * * **

DWP Free Trees Program

-------------------------------------------------------

OLD POSTS:

WSSM HOA will hold its  2016  Annual Meeting on June 15, 2016 at St. Timothy at 6:30 for dinner and 7:15 for meeting. 

We will be having guest speakers including LA County Supervisor Sheila Keuhl and LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz, and LAPD Senior Lead Officer Eric Swihart and Cpt. Tina Nieto. 

Dinner will be catered by California Fresh.  If you wish to have dinner, please RSVP at 424-256-9085 .  Cost is $8 per person.

And Special Thanks to Mike Cockinos of Coldwell Banker for his help in underwriting our Annual Meeting !

WSSM HOA held its 2013 Annual Meeting on June 26, 2013. 

We were privileged to have County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Councilmember Paul Koretz, and West LA Police Captain Evangelyn Nathan speaking to a full auditorium at St. Timothy's. Thanks to all of our neighbors for making it a great meeting!

We also would like to thank many local businesses and residents for their generous donations of door prizes distributed at the meeting:

• ABC Nails (10620 W Pico)
  
• Adam's Music (10612 W Pico)
  
• Bossa Nova Restaurant (10982 W Pico)
  
• California Tire (10950 W Pico)
  
• Chef's Inc. Cooking School (10955 W Pico)
  
• Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (10897 W Pico)
  
• Cool Cat Comics and Cards (10922 1/2 W Pico)
  
• Colony Café (10957 W Pico)
  
• Creative Nails
  
• Dr. Erika Rich of Rich & Associates
  
• Farsi Café (1922 Westwood)
  
• Feast from the East (1949 Westwood)
  
• Food Restaurant (10571 W Pico)
  
• Islands Restaurant (10948 W Pico)
  
• Jeff Ellis, New York Life Insurance
  
• Kirby's Pet Depot #6 (10531 W Pico)
  
• Laura Levine Books
  
• Lenny’s Deli (2379 Westwood)
  
• Merci, A Blow Dry Salon (10877 W Pico)
  
• Norms Restaurant (11001 W Pico)
  
• Perfect Cleaners (10531 W Pico)
  
• Peet's Coffee (1854 Westwood)
  
• Radio Shack (2011 Westwood)
  
• Rancho Park Veterinary Clinic (10585 W Pico)
  
• Pitfire Artisan Pizza (2018 Westwood)
  
• Sprouts (1751 Westwood)
  
• Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studio (10577 W Pico)
  

And Special Thanks to Mike Cockinos of Coldwell Banker for his help in underwriting our Annual Meeting and Lenny’s Deli on Westwood for the Chocolate Celebration Cake and Peet’s Coffee for supplying their delicious coffee!

Bylaws Revision on Hold 

June 5, 2013

After consultation with an attorney that specializes in bylaws, we have decided to re-review the latest suggested amendments to the bylaws. We therefore will not present any revised bylaws for adoption at the next Annual Meeting.

Bylaws Committee revises Bylaws; Seeks feedback from our Homeowner Members

April 16, 2013

Our Bylaws Committee presents proposed revisions to our Bylaws. The goal was to make the text more succinct and clear, serving the association by making it easier for the Board to more effectively operate. 

For a discussion of the revisions, click, in the left sidebar menu, the Bylaws link.

We submit these revisions for your review and solicit your feedback. Feedback should be submitted to Bylaws Committee at wssmhoa@gmail.com or by mailing a letter to the Association's address, found by clicking, in the left sidebar menu, the Contact us link. You have until June 3rd, 2013 to submit comments, questions, concerns, suggestions, or kudos. 

BE AWARE OF THEFTS FROM US POST BOXES!

Updated 2013-04-16

Even the mailboxes outside the post office at Exposition Blvd. are not safe!

We have had a report from a neighbor that she placed an envelope in one of the outside  post boxes on post office property, and that envelope was stolen. 

We therefore suggest using the mail slots inside the post office to mail any envelope containing a check or other form of payment.

Thieves are removing mail that we have placed in US Postal Service mailboxes in our area.

One of our neighbors in the Bentley/Greenfield/Missouri area contacted us to let us know that she saw a man attempting to remove mail from her local mailbox.  She contacted the LAPD but was told instead to contact the US Postal Service for follow up.  At that time in mid-October this was an isolated incident.  NOTE:  The LAPD tells us they will respond to a theft in progress at a mailbox.

Later that month, we had a second report that after mailing a letter at the Prosser/Mississippi mail box, a neighbor realized that the inside slot of the box was very, very sticky.  This made her suspicious in that letters mailed would not go down into the box but would instead stick to the upper portion and could be retrieved.  She contacted the U.S. Postal Service and insisted that they immediately clean the mailbox.

 The third incident occurred shortly afterwards:  A neighbor who mailed payment envelopes from the US Postal Box at Selby and Pico (at the side of the Bank of America)  was contacted by a local neighbor who FOUND his envelopes and payment stubs BUT NO CHECKS, discarded in the street near the mailbox.  THIS MEANS THAT SOMEONE REMOVED THE ENVELOPES, OPENED THEM AND STOLE THE CHECKS. 

Thieves can "wash" out the name of a payee on a check and enter their own name.  Thieves can take your personal information from a payment stub and request that your charge account info be mailed to a new address (and then request new credit cards and do further damage).  If a thief were lucky enough to get hold of mail with your personal information such as social security number, date of birth, etc. there could be identify theft leading to serious problems. 

UNTIL THE LAPD AND/OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE ARE ABLE TO CATCH THOSE RESPONSIBLE, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT USE THE LOCAL MAILBOXES when mailing documents that contain your signature and personal information such as social security number, credit card numbers, etc..  IT IS BEST TO  HAND YOUR OUTGOING MAIL TO YOUR MAIL CARRIER (do not leave checks in letters outside of your mailbox at your home as they could be taken) or TAKE THEM TO THE POST OFFICE.  Offer to take the mail of your neighbors if they don't make regular trips to the post office. 

BE ALERT AND MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE LOCAL MAILBOXES AND CALL THE POLICE SHOULD YOU OBSERVE ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS.  WE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH BOTH THE LAPD AND U.S. POSTAL SERVICE. 

Annual WSSM NEWSLETTER will be mailed to all homes in the area in late May 2013.

Owners of all single family homes and condominium homes in our area in addition to owner-occupants of local multi-family buildings will be receiving our WESTWOOD SOUTH newsletter.  Included in this year's issue (we send one written newsletter annually and post news on the website and send out email blast updates regularly) are a number of articles and a summary of WSSM activities over the past year.  Details about this year's Annual Meeting are included. 

Membership forms were included in the newsletter mailing.  We urge all  to take a moment to complete it and return it to us with your dues.  The form is available on line on this website as well.

If you do/did not receive the newsletter, please email us at:  wssmhoa@gmail.com and give your name, address, email address.  We will mail or email the newsletter to you.

HOORAY!  HOORAY! (Double Hooray) for Missouri paving between Westwood and Glendon Avenue.  We are so grateful and relieved that this miserable stretch of "roadway" has been replaced.  Thank you to the CD 5 office, Street Services and all involved for this end-of-LA City fiscal year public works job!

PICO BLVD. between Westwood and Sepulveda has been repaved and what about the stretch between Sepulveda and Sawtelle? 

To those wondering when the section of Pico between Sepulveda and Sawtelle (which continues to be one of the worst stretches of roadway in the Westside) willl be repaved, wonder no more.  That work will not be done until AFTER the 405 improvements in the area have been completed.  There are fears that the new roadway might be damaged as a result of construction (even though the 405 project staff have offered to do any needed repairs should that be the case).  So, we must wait until after the 405 project in our area has been completed.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OLYMPIC - Midvale to Sepulveda Repaved!

Though we did not have advance notice, OLYMPIC Blvd. between  Westwood and Sepulveda has also been repaved. 

We are grateful to have these roadway improvements and thank CD 5 and the Bureau of Street Services for their attention to these important arterial streets.

... now about our other streets in bad condition

We have been patiently awaiting resurfacing of some of our local streets which, sadly,  are amongst the worst on the Westside.  This is not a distinction of which we can be proud.  WSSM receives frequent email queries as to why and how the City can continue to leave our streets in such terrible disrepair.  There is considerable frustration area-wide.

The explanation we have been given is one that doesn't provide much hope.  Apparently, the worse our roads are, the less chance there is that they will be repaired.  The City's policy now concentrates on paving streets that are in need of repair but which have not FAILED.  They seek to keep streets from becoming failed roadways.  (You may remember a project undertaken by WSSM a couple of years ago where we graded each of our streets and submitted the information on roadway condition to the local council district office.  Streets are rated on a grade basis from A to F. )

In our case, since many of our streets have already FAILED and will require complete rebuilding (a very much more expensive proposition than those that can still get by with repairs), they are placed on a long list of streets in need of complete rebuilding.   Street Service dollars would be easily spent rebuilding a small number of  failed streets leaving more streets to fail... a vicious cycle.  While the the City's effort to keep more streets from falling onto the list of failing streets may make sense in an attempt to look at the big picture, it leaves us with a dismal situation in the meanwhile with cratered roadways that are nearly impassable.  

One has to wonder how much it costs to send out the City's pothole team over and over to patch up some of our streets --and particularly those adjacent to commercial streets that regularly carry higher volumes of traffic.   News of the City's continuing budget crisis  does not instill confidence that a plan actually exists to repave our streets. 

IT IS TIME THAT THE CITY MAKE AN  HONEST ASSESSMENT OF WHEN EACH OF OUR FAILED STREETS WILL BE REPAVED.  IT IS TIME THAT THE RESIDENTS OF LOS ANGELES ARE SHOWN WHAT IT COSTS TO REPAVE AN AVERAGE CITY BLOCK AND HOW THOSE COSTS COMPARE TO OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN THE COUNTY AND WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES OF SIMILAR SIZE.  WE CANNOT CONTINUE ON INDEFINITELY DRIVING OVER CRATERS. 

We've seen photos of sinkholes swallowing up fire engines in LA. It doesn't take much to swallow up a two-wheeled bicycle with narrow wheels and tires.  How are we to promote bicycle riding in the City if our streets are impassable and the riders can be thrown off their bikes because of  the broken pavement and potholes?  

We'll end this post with a question from a Selby resident from the 1900 block: " What will the City do with the wheel allignment bill for my car  that I would like to send them?  Do I need to take them to Small Claims Court to seek payment?"

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

Thieves going door-to-door to see if residents are at home....

Our community has experienced an increase in home break-ins during daytime hours when people are away from their homes.  It appears that burglars are going home to home knocking on doors to determine if someone is home.  When they find a home where no one answers, they seek a way to enter -- most usually via a side or rear window or door although front windows have also  been broken and entered.  Stolen goods are often placed in a back pack and carried out by the thieves.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR HOME APPEARS TO BE OCCUPIED AT ALL TIMES.  LIGHTS, RADIOS, ETC. SHOULD BE ON TIMERS IF YOU ARE AWAY FROM HOME.  MAIL, NEWSPAPERS, ETC. SHOULD BE PICKED UP BY NEIGHBORS OR HELD BY THE POST OFFICE IF YOU ARE AWAY. 

IF YOU ARE AT HOME AND YOU HEAR A KNOCK ON THE DOOR, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO STRANGERS BUT DO NOT IGNORE THE KNOCKING.  LET THE PERSON AT THE DOOR KNOW THAT YOU ARE BUSY, ARE NOT EXPECTING ANY CALLERS AND WILL NOT BE COMING TO THE DOOR.   CALL OUT TO SOMEONE AT HOME (REAL OR IMAGINED) TO TELL THEM YOU ARE TOO BUSY TO GET THE DOOR.  (If you remain quiet, the burglars may attempt entry while you are inside not knowing that someone is home!) 

It is important that you call the police to report suspicious solicitors, people who are going door-to-door in the area, etc.  It is important that we keep a watchful eye out for our home and the homes of our neighbors.  There will never be enough police to be watching over our homes or the city.  We must be the eyes and ears of the police and alert them to suspicious individuals. 

The notes from a recent CRIME UPDATE meeting with WLAPD Captain Nathan, Senior Lead Officer Sharif and WLA detectives appears on our crime page. 

Sustainable Works 2012 Los Angeles Green Living Workshops   

Get solutions to some of today's greatest environmental challenges and SAVE MONEY in the process.

Funding provided by LADWP through a grant from the US Dept. of Energy

Sustainable Works is a project of Community Partners.  Visit them at: 

 www.SustainableWorks.org

 Should LA City transfer responsibility for sidewalk repairs to property owners?  

This is a proposal being seriously considered by the LA City Council.  Read about it at:  

http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=05-1853-S1

Want to get involved and help WSSM to track this issue and present our views to the City Council?

INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY!  SEND IN YOUR WSSM MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND DUES NOW!

We urge all WSSM area residents to take a moment to send in your WSSM HOA dues. Please take a moment to support WSSM's efforts on behalf of the community. Let us hear from you! The membership form can be found on the Contact us page or as the last page of the 2011 Newsletter (link below).

Annual $25 dues can be sent with your membership form to:

Click here for the 2011 WSSM Newsletter and thank you!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WLA Community Police Station sponsors a number of youth programs including Police Activity League (PAL), the Deputy Auxiliary Police (DAP), and the Cadet Program.  Information about these programs and how your child can become involved can be found on our "Community Links/Resources" page.

THEFTS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES

ARE OUR No. 1 CRIME IN WLA

REMEMBER TO:

Lock It – A reminder to always lock your vehicle.

Hide It – If you must leave valuables in the vehicle, hide them from plain sight.

Keep It – A positive reminder that personal responsibility can safeguard your valuables from theft .

Top Items Stolen from Vehicles:
GPS Devices
Cell Phones/Chargers
Money
Stereos/Radios
Documents, Mail, Check books

For more Crime Prevention Information or to get involved in a local Neighborhood Watch, contact your local Los Angeles Police Station or visit the LAPD Web Site at WWW.LAPDONLINE.ORG 

You are Invited to the Next WSSM Board Mtg :January (date to be determined due to holidays)

Please note:   Our usual "first Tuesday" meeting date falls on New Years Day so we will be changing our January date.  An email will be sent as soon as a new date has been identified.

We meet at St Timothy's Church - Pico and Beverly Glen Blvds., Chapter Room (basement)   (Access to the room is off the alley just west of Beverly Glen and north of Pico under the stairs.)

We invite you to join our Board meetings, as we discuss issues and strategies of critical importance to our community.  Come to learn, come to listen, come to get involved!

Parking is available behind the church (a limited number of spaces) or on adjacent Beverly Glen or Almayo or on Pico Blvd. after rush hour parking restrictions. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PICO BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT UPDATE: 

The application  submitted to METRO for funding to begin implementation of a number of  pedestrian and traffic safety improvements identified in the Pico Beautification Project master plan reached the second round of review but was not one of the handful of projects selected by METRO to be funded.  Other sources of funds and/or partnerships to help to pay for street plantings, medians, sidewalk furniture, concrete design and coloration, new lighting, etc.    will continue to be sought.  You can view the complete plan including drawings, tree selections, sidewalk renderings, etc. by going to the WNC website's posting at:  http://www.wncla.org/static/luc_docs/0-MASTERPLAN.pdf.

WSSM submitted a letter of support and also pledged $ 1,000 toward the required matching funds to help demonstrate to METRO the community's support for this project. We look forward to working with businesses and homeowners to improve the Pico business corridor for safety and pedestrian friendliness which will ultimately improve business on the street and improve the character of our community.  Please email Lisa Morocco at waltzworld@gmail.com if you want further information.

The first phase of beautification took place on SATURDAY, Feb.11th when community volunteers joined in to plant the first 20 new trees on Pico.  Since then additional trees have been planted all along Pico between Patricia and Sepulveda.  Now let's watch them grow!  

PICK PICO!

A new Pico Blvd. business promotion campaign is being sponsored by the WNC and will take place the first weekend in June:   PICK PICO!  Plan to drop by our local merchants and take advantage of weekend specials, sidewalk specials and share in  a spirit of community. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Help End Blight and

             Traffic Hazards:

      Report Mobile Billboards

Call (818) 752-5100 or (213) 485-4181.  Press "2" and give location and license plate # (if any)

After years of frustration battling this pernicious form of blight , L.A. now has a legally enforceable ordinance banning advertising trailers parked on City streets.  Thanks in large part to you and others who called and e-mailed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last fall, he resisted pressure from some business interests and signed a bill that authorized cities to ban  mobile billboards that blight the public landscape, take up valuable parking spaces, and create potential traffic hazards.  The law took effect on Jan. 1, and the City has begun citing the trailers and towing them if not removed.  If you see one on your daily commute or in your neighborhood, please report it by calling one of the numbers and following the directions above.

Note:  The law applies only to mobile billboards parked on public streets, but not to billboard trucks being driven or billboard trailers being towed through the streets.  However, if the law now in effect withstands any court challenges and succeeds in getting rid of this blight, the Coalition to Ban Billboard Blight is interested in working with concerned communities to mount an effort to expand the ban to moving billboards that also create blight, use energy, and add to traffic congestion.  A number of cities around the country, including San Francisco, have banned ALL mobile billboards, parked or not, and L.A. should follow in those footsteps.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

New City Sewer Improvement Project began fall 2010 affecting blocks on Kelton, Camden, Veteran.  See info posted on this WSSM website:  Environmental  Quality tab. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you see anything that you feel is suspicious, but not an emergency, go to: 

                                www.alertcommunity.com  

It allows citizens on the Westside to document suspicious activity  quickly, easily, and anonymously.   It is not a replacement for a call to the WLAPD Community Station when you believe that an officer should be dispatched.

This web site contributes to the safety of  our community and to the prevention of crime.

The database is accessed only by  the  LAPD.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Graffiti Removal Resources

In addition to calling 311, you can now report graffiti directly using the City's online 311 function at http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm. Just enter the exact address and a report and clean-up order are automatically generated.
 
The City also is making efforts to explore today's rapidly evolving technology to make it faster and easier for citizens to report graffiti and other non-emergency problems. The City now has its own iPhone application to report problems. The application was created by Citysourced in a public-private partnership and can be downloaded for free on iTunes. It allows iPhones users to take snapshots of graffiti, potholes, illegal dumping and other issues. Using the iPhone's GPS system, the photo and the exact location are automatically sent directly to the City's 311 system. It even notifies the user when the problem is resolved.

To download the app or see pictures of how it works, visit http://itunes.apple.com/app/citysourced/id336854714.