Got asked for my Blogger ID, commenting on another blog tonight. I realized it's been a long time since I've added anything here. Reasons abound: the economy has me working harder, so less free time to blog. Other tech pursuits have taken over. Family calls, as does the stack of books on the nightstand and the two daily papers and myriad blogs and news sites.
More than those, though - Encino Village doesn't change much, day-to-day. I never saw this blog as being a place to log the falling of the leaves or the daily temperature. The idea from the beginning was to post news and to enable a sense of community. Other institutions have taken over those functions - we now have Neighborhood Watch and a steering committee. For the most part, we got the parking changes that we sought. There is a Twitter feed for "Encino Village" and an interest group on Yahoo.
When I started Electric Encino, no one else in the room at that first community meeting knew what a "blog" was. (It's true; I actually had to define the term.) Asked for emails, many gave AOL addresses. Many more refused to give any email at all, fearing spam and identity theft. There has been change in Encino Village, but when I walk the Encinodogger through the nabe, my Flip camera usually stays in my pocket. Very little is moving in the Village, and taking video of non-moving objects is just silly.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
L.A. Heritage Day
News from John Bwarie of L.A. Heritage Day, to take place on March 2nd. Local orgs are involved. Per their release, their event "...reconnects public at large with all of their cultural institutions and resources, while aiding historical sites and museums from across Southern California in showcasing their respective histories to the public. This event will be the first step in the launch of the LA Heritage Alliance."
More at their site: www.heritagesquare.org.
Deleting the link to the Encino Village Neighborhood ass'n. blog. It's gone MIA. Anyone know what happened?
More at their site: www.heritagesquare.org.
Deleting the link to the Encino Village Neighborhood ass'n. blog. It's gone MIA. Anyone know what happened?
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Balboa Park in the eye of the storm
Here's something we haven't seen in a while - the park after a rain.
Note the snow also. It's winter in SoCal - tell your friends in the Midwest.
Note the snow also. It's winter in SoCal - tell your friends in the Midwest.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Last night's EVNA Steering Comm. meeting
Last evening, the encinoblogger attended the (self-selected; if you were there, you're part of it) steering committee meeting. A funny thing here - several emails begged for confirmation of attendance because the room would only accommodate 25 people. No problem there; I think there were 12 people at the peak, so we could have each brought a guest and still had room within the legal limit.
At any rate. there was a discussion about the pending parking restriction experiment (see the EVNA blog for more on this; link below) put together by some Balboa Park-adjacent residents. Hard to believe anyone would oppose this, especially if you've seen the density of the parked cars on weekend days for blocks around the park. Obviously, the park was built in simpler, less dense times, and seen by the city as a neighborhood, not a regional gathering place. Soccer leagues changed all that, as did the explosion of apartments and condos that replaced homes. People drive to the park, they don't walk (so much, at least) and they come from all over the Valley, not from the neighborhood. There won't be any more parking built, at least not without shrinking the green areas of the park. Gotta wonder just where people will park once the restrictions start; I guess we'll see. I've dealt with this a lot as a guest at other's homes. It's a slight pain in the ass for all concerned, but less so than the unintended consequences of a horde of strangers using the nabe as a parking lot.
The rest of the time was spent discussing a few issues:
At any rate. there was a discussion about the pending parking restriction experiment (see the EVNA blog for more on this; link below) put together by some Balboa Park-adjacent residents. Hard to believe anyone would oppose this, especially if you've seen the density of the parked cars on weekend days for blocks around the park. Obviously, the park was built in simpler, less dense times, and seen by the city as a neighborhood, not a regional gathering place. Soccer leagues changed all that, as did the explosion of apartments and condos that replaced homes. People drive to the park, they don't walk (so much, at least) and they come from all over the Valley, not from the neighborhood. There won't be any more parking built, at least not without shrinking the green areas of the park. Gotta wonder just where people will park once the restrictions start; I guess we'll see. I've dealt with this a lot as a guest at other's homes. It's a slight pain in the ass for all concerned, but less so than the unintended consequences of a horde of strangers using the nabe as a parking lot.
The rest of the time was spent discussing a few issues:
- Someone needs to represent the Village on the Encino Neighborhood Council. Maybe me, I dunno. Wednesdays are a tough night for me; I have a recurring obligation that would interfere a lot, and which I'm loathe to give up. Who's out there that will step up?
- Apropos of that, whatever time we meet will always pose a problem for someone. How best to decide this?
- There is an ongoing need for better communication within the Village. Long detailed flyers don't work. A few bullet points and a source for more info are better. Bet you read the bold red stuff first, didn't you. Geeks and wonks (we know who we are) want the details immediately, and should be able to get them. Everyone else needs to be brought into the tent first. Simple solution - a flyer on everyone's doorstep with basic info and a referral to a website and a phone number (some people don't use the 'net; go figure) for more info.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Really good to see some effort and some unity in Encino Village. It seems there are new people and new ideas surfacing. Maybe this time some things will actually get done.
The various problems around Balboa Park seem to be the factors around which people are coalescing now. If you live near Louise, this doesn't seem such a big issue, but we all have to kinda feel each other's pain for a while and not allow the Village to get too Balkanized or nothing will get fixed (again).
The various problems around Balboa Park seem to be the factors around which people are coalescing now. If you live near Louise, this doesn't seem such a big issue, but we all have to kinda feel each other's pain for a while and not allow the Village to get too Balkanized or nothing will get fixed (again).
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Greetings, Trash-Pickers
Happy new year. I'm going to try once again to keep this going with some frequency. I have the time now, with a large part of my industry paralyzed by the writers' strike. There's a lot to write about in the Village; when I'm walking the encinodogger or cooling down after a long cycle trip I see people and things that bear, uh, blogging.
Here's the thought for the day: The trash pickers are back in force, and they're working smarter, not harder - they've figured out that we're looking for them on trash day, so they're coming into the neighborhood the night before trash day. How do I know? I saw a woman picking through a recycling can on Hatteras last night (Wednesday night; the trash pickup is delayed one day this week for the holiday, but still...), but I was on my way out for the evening and couldn't really stop to deal with it. This morning, I noticed that the newspapers, and I have a lot of newspapers by the end of the week, were totally cleaned out of my blue trash bin.
So here's the thing about this: as officer Trulick has mentioned, in most cases these are not individuals down on their luck looking for subsistence pickings. For the most part, they're organized and methodical in their treasure hunting. They know what they're looking for, and they know how to make a quick score and get out. If that was all there was to it, I'd almost leave it to them. There's a big temptation to cut these guys a break - let them have the papers, even take the newspapers out to them when they're in the neighborhood, especially if they have kids with them, as they often do. If you really want to help people, there are lot of organizations set up to do this in an efficient and sensitive way
The dark side of this is there's a complicated formula determining how much the city clears from recycling our trash. If a representative load of recycling is worth a certain amount, that value is used as a determinant for the entire neighborhood, or street, or region, or whatever. It's something like that, if not exactly that, but the point is that we all lose if the load from the truck is light at the dump. Ultimately, the money cleared from recycling helps keep other fees down, not to mention that recycling is just the right thing to do on so many levels. (If you don't agree with that concept, you probably stopped reading this several paragraphs ago.) On the level that this is happening, it's big-time crime, not petty theft. These guys and girls can make several thousand dollars a week stealing our recycling.
Side issue #1: once they are in your bin, no rule says that they have to stop at your newspapers. They may have your financial records, your mail, your discarded blog print-outs. There is a market for this kind of information. Side issue #2: crimes of opportunity present themselves. Your car is parked in your driveway, next to your trash cans. Your iPod (laptop, Prada pumps, 1955 Stratocaster; whatever) is on the seat. Maybe your car window is open or your door visibly unlocked. You can fill in the blanks. If one aspect of the neighborhood shows vulnerability, we can't really control what follows. Why start?
We can all help out with this. If you see someone going through your trash, or your neighbor's trash, call the police. It's not petty crime, it's big-time larceny. (The cops may not roll out immediately on this. It's not murder, after all, and we have to have some perspective on this. Not enough police; too much mischief. Do the math.) But here's the thing: if we harden the target - if we show self-respect on a Village-wide basis, if we present that we have a sense of place and that we look out for each other, the bad guys will go where the pickings are easier, and we'll all be safer.
Here's the thought for the day: The trash pickers are back in force, and they're working smarter, not harder - they've figured out that we're looking for them on trash day, so they're coming into the neighborhood the night before trash day. How do I know? I saw a woman picking through a recycling can on Hatteras last night (Wednesday night; the trash pickup is delayed one day this week for the holiday, but still...), but I was on my way out for the evening and couldn't really stop to deal with it. This morning, I noticed that the newspapers, and I have a lot of newspapers by the end of the week, were totally cleaned out of my blue trash bin.
So here's the thing about this: as officer Trulick has mentioned, in most cases these are not individuals down on their luck looking for subsistence pickings. For the most part, they're organized and methodical in their treasure hunting. They know what they're looking for, and they know how to make a quick score and get out. If that was all there was to it, I'd almost leave it to them. There's a big temptation to cut these guys a break - let them have the papers, even take the newspapers out to them when they're in the neighborhood, especially if they have kids with them, as they often do. If you really want to help people, there are lot of organizations set up to do this in an efficient and sensitive way
The dark side of this is there's a complicated formula determining how much the city clears from recycling our trash. If a representative load of recycling is worth a certain amount, that value is used as a determinant for the entire neighborhood, or street, or region, or whatever. It's something like that, if not exactly that, but the point is that we all lose if the load from the truck is light at the dump. Ultimately, the money cleared from recycling helps keep other fees down, not to mention that recycling is just the right thing to do on so many levels. (If you don't agree with that concept, you probably stopped reading this several paragraphs ago.) On the level that this is happening, it's big-time crime, not petty theft. These guys and girls can make several thousand dollars a week stealing our recycling.
Side issue #1: once they are in your bin, no rule says that they have to stop at your newspapers. They may have your financial records, your mail, your discarded blog print-outs. There is a market for this kind of information. Side issue #2: crimes of opportunity present themselves. Your car is parked in your driveway, next to your trash cans. Your iPod (laptop, Prada pumps, 1955 Stratocaster; whatever) is on the seat. Maybe your car window is open or your door visibly unlocked. You can fill in the blanks. If one aspect of the neighborhood shows vulnerability, we can't really control what follows. Why start?
We can all help out with this. If you see someone going through your trash, or your neighbor's trash, call the police. It's not petty crime, it's big-time larceny. (The cops may not roll out immediately on this. It's not murder, after all, and we have to have some perspective on this. Not enough police; too much mischief. Do the math.) But here's the thing: if we harden the target - if we show self-respect on a Village-wide basis, if we present that we have a sense of place and that we look out for each other, the bad guys will go where the pickings are easier, and we'll all be safer.
Monday, April 23, 2007
RE: Citrus Sunday from Councilman Smith's Office
Here's something I'm passing on. I'm too busy with work to blog here for now, and there's been nobody breaking down my door with community ideas, though I'm still open to all. This sounds like a good cause, and I don't know what could be more wholesome than a day spent fruit picking in the Valley. Check it out...
Greetings!
It's time for Citrus Sunday again in the Valley. On Sunday, May 6, 2007, join with neighbors from across the Valley in providing fresh fruit for those who are in need. This is a community-wide effort, and we need your help. Perhaps you know a neighbor or friend who you could tell about the project? Perhaps your school, organization, or workplace wants to participate as a group and do an independent collection in conjunction with Citrus Sunday? Spread the word, and join in Citrus Sunday!
This year's event is even easier than last year, with two easy ways to participate:
1. Collect fruit from your own trees and deliver them to one of the 13 drop-off locations (see flyer below for drop-off locations).
OR
2. Join the Citrus Sunday team at various locations to pick fruit by signing up in advance as a volunteer (with lunch provided!).
Information on how to participate and to sign up to volunteer with the group can be found here:
http://www.lacity.org/council/cd12/pdf/CitrusSundayFlyer2007.pdf
Hope you'll be able to join in the Citrus Sunday effort,
JOHN
John Bwarie
Deputy District Director
Office of Councilmember Greig Smith
Chatsworth office: 818-701-5253
Northridge office: 818-756-8501
**Participate in Citrus Sunday on May 6th!**
(check out www.cd12.org for more information)
Greetings!
It's time for Citrus Sunday again in the Valley. On Sunday, May 6, 2007, join with neighbors from across the Valley in providing fresh fruit for those who are in need. This is a community-wide effort, and we need your help. Perhaps you know a neighbor or friend who you could tell about the project? Perhaps your school, organization, or workplace wants to participate as a group and do an independent collection in conjunction with Citrus Sunday? Spread the word, and join in Citrus Sunday!
This year's event is even easier than last year, with two easy ways to participate:
1. Collect fruit from your own trees and deliver them to one of the 13 drop-off locations (see flyer below for drop-off locations).
OR
2. Join the Citrus Sunday team at various locations to pick fruit by signing up in advance as a volunteer (with lunch provided!).
Information on how to participate and to sign up to volunteer with the group can be found here:
http://www.lacity.org/council
Hope you'll be able to join in the Citrus Sunday effort,
JOHN
John Bwarie
Deputy District Director
Office of Councilmember Greig Smith
Chatsworth office: 818-701-5253
Northridge office: 818-756-8501
**Participate in Citrus Sunday on May 6th!**
(check out www.cd12.org for more information)
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Yogurt in February
Winter really agrees with the Valley. It's easy to forget that in mere months we'll be sweltering and damning the cruel fate that keeps us in the humid muck.
This week, however, is nearly perfect - a little crisp at times; at times a little warm. This is a desert, y'know - we should be having cold nights and temperate days this time of year. Funny how different the weather is just moments away, though. When I'm cycling up to the end of Reseda Blvd. at 7.30AM, it's a whole different climate, though it can go either way: sometimes it's ten degrees warmer, sometimes cooler. Then I go over the hill, as I am today. Sitting in my tiny Beverly Hills office, I'm looking at the blowing trees; it's been windy all day here, though it was calm in Encino when I left. I go out to move my car - no garage, no free parking, no fucking way at these prices - or grab a coffee and I need a jacket. The mobs in front of Pinkberry are in T shirts and skirts. Wherever they come from, it's gotta be colder, so this is a treat for them. Yogurt in February.
This week, however, is nearly perfect - a little crisp at times; at times a little warm. This is a desert, y'know - we should be having cold nights and temperate days this time of year. Funny how different the weather is just moments away, though. When I'm cycling up to the end of Reseda Blvd. at 7.30AM, it's a whole different climate, though it can go either way: sometimes it's ten degrees warmer, sometimes cooler. Then I go over the hill, as I am today. Sitting in my tiny Beverly Hills office, I'm looking at the blowing trees; it's been windy all day here, though it was calm in Encino when I left. I go out to move my car - no garage, no free parking, no fucking way at these prices - or grab a coffee and I need a jacket. The mobs in front of Pinkberry are in T shirts and skirts. Wherever they come from, it's gotta be colder, so this is a treat for them. Yogurt in February.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The bad news...
From Jennie, an Encino Park neighbor who blogs at valleygirly.blogspot.com (the posting from which this is excerpted is NSFW or kids; most of the rest is family/boss friendly, and a really cool blog you should be reading)
Hello there -- my fiance and I live in Encino Park. This past Friday while we were at work, our home was burglarized and many valuables stolen. We had received the recent community alert warning us of the thefts in the area and had been taking extra precautions with locks on windows and doors, and we have two dogs, one of whom is very protective, large and mean. But to no avail -- they forced a lock on one of our bathroom windows and the dogs were in the backyard and could do nothing. In speaking with neighbors, I have learned that the burglaries are occurring at an alarming rate in the past two months or so, and wanted to let you know so you could perhaps post something about it on your blog and e-mail people who live in the area since our area is apparently being targeted, and there is no sign of it slowing down. The only clue we have to go on is that one of our neighbors noticed what she thought to be a gardeners truck parked right in front of our house that day. We don't have a gardener, and our neighbor's gardener was not due until Tuesday. It was suspicious, and a perfect cover for a robbery when you think about it.
Yeah, it is a great cover. Gardeners, various repair persons, pool servicers, etc, are transparent and anonymous. They must belong here, or they wouldn't be here, or so we think - but we need to be a little more vigilant. The encinoblogger's neighbor's truck was broken into on Sunday night - next time, guys, try the door; it was unlocked and you could have at least spared him the glass repair bill - and an irreplaceable photo album was stolen. There is too much of this going on. Good news is that Jennie and probably others had kept serial numbers for their stolen valuables. If these guys go to a pawn shop, they'll get caught.
Meanwhile,lock everything; use your house alarm; get a doggie door so that your dog can actually protect you (Jennie's dogs were in the yard as the crime took place; she's since gotten a doggie door). Keep as little as possible in your car when it's parked on your driveway, and don't confront a burglar if you interrupt him/her in the act; get away quick.
Hello there -- my fiance and I live in Encino Park. This past Friday while we were at work, our home was burglarized and many valuables stolen. We had received the recent community alert warning us of the thefts in the area and had been taking extra precautions with locks on windows and doors, and we have two dogs, one of whom is very protective, large and mean. But to no avail -- they forced a lock on one of our bathroom windows and the dogs were in the backyard and could do nothing. In speaking with neighbors, I have learned that the burglaries are occurring at an alarming rate in the past two months or so, and wanted to let you know so you could perhaps post something about it on your blog and e-mail people who live in the area since our area is apparently being targeted, and there is no sign of it slowing down. The only clue we have to go on is that one of our neighbors noticed what she thought to be a gardeners truck parked right in front of our house that day. We don't have a gardener, and our neighbor's gardener was not due until Tuesday. It was suspicious, and a perfect cover for a robbery when you think about it.
Yeah, it is a great cover. Gardeners, various repair persons, pool servicers, etc, are transparent and anonymous. They must belong here, or they wouldn't be here, or so we think - but we need to be a little more vigilant. The encinoblogger's neighbor's truck was broken into on Sunday night - next time, guys, try the door; it was unlocked and you could have at least spared him the glass repair bill - and an irreplaceable photo album was stolen. There is too much of this going on. Good news is that Jennie and probably others had kept serial numbers for their stolen valuables. If these guys go to a pawn shop, they'll get caught.
Meanwhile,lock everything; use your house alarm; get a doggie door so that your dog can actually protect you (Jennie's dogs were in the yard as the crime took place; she's since gotten a doggie door). Keep as little as possible in your car when it's parked on your driveway, and don't confront a burglar if you interrupt him/her in the act; get away quick.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The parking deal
I'm really starting to think that the city may have lost the paperwork. I've heard nothing in a long time from the Parking Office. Luckily, I made copies of the petitions, so we're not looking at starting over.
I'll be checking into this, so more soon...
I'll be checking into this, so more soon...
From the City Council Office...
Passing this along, from John Bwarie...
The San Fernando Valley Jaycees
present
Involvement 2007
Join us at our annual community involvement expo to
learn how to get involved with and meet the various nonprofit
and community groups that serve the Valley.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
6:00pm to 8:00pm
Braude Constituent Center
6262 Van Nuys Bl. * Van Nuys
Passing this along, via John Bwarie:
As we start the new year in the San Fernando Valley, there is an event coming up that I think everyone should know about and attend...
The San Fernando Valley Jaycees is hosting their annual community engagement expo, "Involvement 2007." This is an event where all the community serving non-profits in the Valley are invited to come and show what they do and the general public (you) is invited to come find out ways you can get involved at helping other and the community. With over 150 Non-Profits in the Valley, there is something for everyone: youth services, education, animal welfare, environmental activities, poverty assistance, senior services - and everything in between!
Special presentation at 7pm by
Councilmember Tony Cardenas
and Wendy Saunders, Executive Director, Mid Valley Family YMCA
“How to get involved”
RSVP to involvement@SFVJaycees.org
For more information, call 818-384-1622
Refreshments will be provided.
Free Parking beneath the Braude Center (if you enter off of Sylvan Street)
Sponsored by
Telesis Community Credit Union
The San Fernando Valley Jaycees
present
Involvement 2007
Join us at our annual community involvement expo to
learn how to get involved with and meet the various nonprofit
and community groups that serve the Valley.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
6:00pm to 8:00pm
Braude Constituent Center
6262 Van Nuys Bl. * Van Nuys
Passing this along, via John Bwarie:
As we start the new year in the San Fernando Valley, there is an event coming up that I think everyone should know about and attend...
The San Fernando Valley Jaycees is hosting their annual community engagement expo, "Involvement 2007." This is an event where all the community serving non-profits in the Valley are invited to come and show what they do and the general public (you) is invited to come find out ways you can get involved at helping other and the community. With over 150 Non-Profits in the Valley, there is something for everyone: youth services, education, animal welfare, environmental activities, poverty assistance, senior services - and everything in between!
Special presentation at 7pm by
Councilmember Tony Cardenas
and Wendy Saunders, Executive Director, Mid Valley Family YMCA
“How to get involved”
RSVP to involvement@SFVJaycees.org
For more information, call 818-384-1622
Refreshments will be provided.
Free Parking beneath the Braude Center (if you enter off of Sylvan Street)
Sponsored by
Telesis Community Credit Union
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Thanks...
...to those who responded to the last couple of posts, and for the offers of help. The thing is, I don't run Encino; just this blog. This blog is my voice, at least for now, but the idea is that we all work on this stuff together. There don't need to be Indians and chiefs; we can all be either or both at any time.
So - who has an idea?
So - who has an idea?
Monday, December 25, 2006
My Christmas present to you...
I've deleted the link to Eddie Bernard's site. The site was open only by registration; there was no useful content that was publicly accessible, so it kinda looks, to me anyway, like a vehicle for harvesting email addresses for pitching.
The thing is, I like Eddie and he definitely has the best houses in the village in his inventory. I'd have no problem working with him on either side of a transaction, and he seems to have a good rep. I just don't like boilerplate sites that add to the advertising jungle.
And it's my blog so I can do what I want to do.
Well, that was then - a half-hour ago. This is now, and the link table was pretty much swallowed by the new template design. About that - I was mucking around with the HTML of the site this morning. I'm a big fan of web-designer and author Dan Cederholm and I noticed that Blogger has some templates he designed in their new collection, and so - the new look of Electric Encino. I'll have to rebuild the links table, so if anyone has any links they think should be included, let me know. Keep in mind that I'm looking for community-based sites, not ads. If you want to build your own site or blog to promote your biz (and you should), go for it.
Any thoughts on the re-design are welcome also.
The thing is, I like Eddie and he definitely has the best houses in the village in his inventory. I'd have no problem working with him on either side of a transaction, and he seems to have a good rep. I just don't like boilerplate sites that add to the advertising jungle.
And it's my blog so I can do what I want to do.
Well, that was then - a half-hour ago. This is now, and the link table was pretty much swallowed by the new template design. About that - I was mucking around with the HTML of the site this morning. I'm a big fan of web-designer and author Dan Cederholm and I noticed that Blogger has some templates he designed in their new collection, and so - the new look of Electric Encino. I'll have to rebuild the links table, so if anyone has any links they think should be included, let me know. Keep in mind that I'm looking for community-based sites, not ads. If you want to build your own site or blog to promote your biz (and you should), go for it.
Any thoughts on the re-design are welcome also.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
You should be reading LA Observed.com
Thanks to those who thanked me for the "It's A Wonderful Life" post, but you really should thank Kevin Roderick by making LA Observed.com part of you daily reading, especially if you're into doings at the rapidly downsizing and deteriorating LA Times. Roderick always has the inside scoop.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Every time a bell rings...
The film's mythical Bedford Falls covered four acres of the ranch north of Burbank Boulevard between Balboa and Louise. The trees lining the streets? Encino oaks, transplanted for the film. For the autumn scenes the leaves were knocked off, and for the winter scenes where Stewart stumbles through the snowy town, the trees were coated with white plaster...
What film? Why, none other than "It's A Wonderful Life," Frank Capra's postwar postcard and wakeup call to America. Turns out the Village was once the RKO backlot. We're treading where James Stewart, Donna Reed and Ward Bond once worked. This info from Kevin Roderick's essential LA Observed blog, which is the encinoblogger's first read each morning and frequent diversion during the day. You'll learn more about what's really going on in the city from this site and the sites it links to than anywhere else I've found. Also lots of valley-specific history and info at Valley Observed. Roderick's a local boy and collects a lot of valleyana there. I'm not, but I've learned a lot from this site and Roderick's SF Valley book. Check them out.
What film? Why, none other than "It's A Wonderful Life," Frank Capra's postwar postcard and wakeup call to America. Turns out the Village was once the RKO backlot. We're treading where James Stewart, Donna Reed and Ward Bond once worked. This info from Kevin Roderick's essential LA Observed blog, which is the encinoblogger's first read each morning and frequent diversion during the day. You'll learn more about what's really going on in the city from this site and the sites it links to than anywhere else I've found. Also lots of valley-specific history and info at Valley Observed. Roderick's a local boy and collects a lot of valleyana there. I'm not, but I've learned a lot from this site and Roderick's SF Valley book. Check them out.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
The blog is alive; it's Encino that's dead...
A few people have asked me lately what's going on with this space and the various efforts to spiff up the neighborhood. This space is alive, though I've been busy with work and various other things for a few months; it's the will to move on with things in the neighborhood that's (apparently) dead. The intention here was to have a means of communication; there's been little of note about the Village to communicate.
The main thing for me is that there has been very little response to either this blog or the various flyers that the encinodogger and I put on doors last summer, and it gets tiring, all this crying out in the wilderness. Most of the email addresses I got at the meeting last February are garbage. They're either not valid, or so spam-blocked that my emails won't go through, so it's hard to know who's actually reading this. A place to begin: email to me your (valid and not-spam-blocked please) email address. Also, as you can see, there aren't a lot of comments on the blog, let alone people interested in posting here. BTW, commenting is easy; you don't have to be a geek to do it, so give it a try. You can also email me here.
I never saw any action or offers that were acted on about landscaping the Louise strip, or any of the other beautification efforts, so I'm assuming there's no enthusiasm for any of that. These changes can't happen without expertise, money and stuff - trees, dirt, tools, planning. Got any of that? If so, let's do it. By this, I mean actually get it done. I know that there are people who'd love to get involved with projects. I think we're just having trouble getting the ball rolling.
There was a Neighborhood Watch meeting last night (Tuesday 12/5), which I could not attend. Barbara at encinowatch.com is still doing a great job of keeping that channel open, and our SLO, officer Trulick remains helpful and responsive.
One positive: The petition to limit parking on Louise is with the city. How long that may take to turn around is anyone's guess.
Meanwhile, enjoy this time of the year. Kiss your children and hold them close; call your old friends and wish them well. Sing the songs and eat the foods that go with whatever holiday you may celebrate.
Any ideas on how to get things happening are welcome. Email me at encinoblogger@gmail.com.
The main thing for me is that there has been very little response to either this blog or the various flyers that the encinodogger and I put on doors last summer, and it gets tiring, all this crying out in the wilderness. Most of the email addresses I got at the meeting last February are garbage. They're either not valid, or so spam-blocked that my emails won't go through, so it's hard to know who's actually reading this. A place to begin: email to me your (valid and not-spam-blocked please) email address. Also, as you can see, there aren't a lot of comments on the blog, let alone people interested in posting here. BTW, commenting is easy; you don't have to be a geek to do it, so give it a try. You can also email me here.
I never saw any action or offers that were acted on about landscaping the Louise strip, or any of the other beautification efforts, so I'm assuming there's no enthusiasm for any of that. These changes can't happen without expertise, money and stuff - trees, dirt, tools, planning. Got any of that? If so, let's do it. By this, I mean actually get it done. I know that there are people who'd love to get involved with projects. I think we're just having trouble getting the ball rolling.
There was a Neighborhood Watch meeting last night (Tuesday 12/5), which I could not attend. Barbara at encinowatch.com is still doing a great job of keeping that channel open, and our SLO, officer Trulick remains helpful and responsive.
One positive: The petition to limit parking on Louise is with the city. How long that may take to turn around is anyone's guess.
Meanwhile, enjoy this time of the year. Kiss your children and hold them close; call your old friends and wish them well. Sing the songs and eat the foods that go with whatever holiday you may celebrate.
Any ideas on how to get things happening are welcome. Email me at encinoblogger@gmail.com.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
It's a busy time...
...for the encinoblogger just now. It's time to get the encinodaughter off to college, there's some paying work to be done, and tomatoes in the garden that need picking. While there is blogging to be blogged, it's going to have to wait for a week or ten days more; then I'll be back up to speed.
Just a note, though: The encinoblogger would like to stay that - simply "the encinoblogger" - in this space. If you know my name, leave it off this space or any other 'net places where you may hang out. I want to avoid any flame wars or other conflicts. Inevitably, someone will disagree with something here, and I'd like to keep that out of my personal life if possible. You're free to disgree in print as much as you like; I welcome debate, I just want to leave the debate in cyberspace.
Thanks for understanding...
Meanwhile, there's a swell new blog up regarding the village's history and efforts to promote and preserve same. You can find it here (http://encinovillageheritageassociation.blogspot.com/ ).
I'd like to see someone posting or commenting (btw, thanks to John Bwarie)about the efforts to plant behind the wall. Does no one have a thought about this?
Just a note, though: The encinoblogger would like to stay that - simply "the encinoblogger" - in this space. If you know my name, leave it off this space or any other 'net places where you may hang out. I want to avoid any flame wars or other conflicts. Inevitably, someone will disagree with something here, and I'd like to keep that out of my personal life if possible. You're free to disgree in print as much as you like; I welcome debate, I just want to leave the debate in cyberspace.
Thanks for understanding...
Meanwhile, there's a swell new blog up regarding the village's history and efforts to promote and preserve same. You can find it here (http://encinovillageheritageass
I'd like to see someone posting or commenting (btw, thanks to John Bwarie)about the efforts to plant behind the wall. Does no one have a thought about this?
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
As promised...
...news of the new "Encino Community Improvement Organization." We met last night, the agenda being limited to projects that would update the physical appearence of the nabe. Such as:
To Babbitt Ave. residents, and others who back up to Louise Ave.:
If we are able to secure plants (we're thinking oleanders, but open to suggestions) for the parkway between the wall and the street, they will need to be watered and somewhat tended until they are established. How will we keep them watered? This will require community action of some kind...
Please email encinoville@gmail.com or comment below.
- Spiffing up the (former) Oak Tree island at Louise and Ventura
- Extending the planted divider on Ventura near Plaza de Oro to "Chli's" restaurant
- Removing the moribund newsstand next to Auto Steigler
- Landscaping and cleaning-up the east side of Louise between Burbank and Oxnard
To Babbitt Ave. residents, and others who back up to Louise Ave.:
If we are able to secure plants (we're thinking oleanders, but open to suggestions) for the parkway between the wall and the street, they will need to be watered and somewhat tended until they are established. How will we keep them watered? This will require community action of some kind...
- Are you willing to install a drip sprinkler for the new plants at your expense?
- Can you hang your hose over the wall twice a week to water the plants
- Should we just go #$%$&^% ourselves; this isn't worth the trouble
Please email encinoville@gmail.com or comment below.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
News from Neighnorhood Watch
Some of you will find a flyer with Neighborhood Watch news on your doorstep tonight (Sunday). The encinodogger 
and I took it around and dropped it at selected houses, especially those of residents who have expressed a wish to be involved in the nabe. Though this is the first issue that I remember seeing, at least for quite some time, I think the organizers of this now know that we in the "south of Hatteras" sector are interested and involved with Encino Village life.
The bad news is that our SLO has not set up a future meeting for the neighborhood, though the other areas covered in the brochure seem to have a regular schedule. There could be a lot of reasons for this, but if you're concerned, or just want to get more involved, give him - officer Rob Trulik - a call at 818 374.7637, or drop an email to 32326@lapd.lacity.org. In my experience, he's shown himself to be a good guy and responsive to our needs and requests. Notice that the large commercial trucks have, for the most part, disappeared from Louise Ave., due largely to Ofc. Trulik's citing efforts. And you haven't seen anyone messing with the trash on Thursday mornings either, thanks again to him.
In other news, there's an effort afoot to organize a new group to deal largely with neighborhood beautification efforts. They're meeting Tuesday, so more news after that.
and I took it around and dropped it at selected houses, especially those of residents who have expressed a wish to be involved in the nabe. Though this is the first issue that I remember seeing, at least for quite some time, I think the organizers of this now know that we in the "south of Hatteras" sector are interested and involved with Encino Village life.The bad news is that our SLO has not set up a future meeting for the neighborhood, though the other areas covered in the brochure seem to have a regular schedule. There could be a lot of reasons for this, but if you're concerned, or just want to get more involved, give him - officer Rob Trulik - a call at 818 374.7637, or drop an email to 32326@lapd.lacity.org. In my experience, he's shown himself to be a good guy and responsive to our needs and requests. Notice that the large commercial trucks have, for the most part, disappeared from Louise Ave., due largely to Ofc. Trulik's citing efforts. And you haven't seen anyone messing with the trash on Thursday mornings either, thanks again to him.
In other news, there's an effort afoot to organize a new group to deal largely with neighborhood beautification efforts. They're meeting Tuesday, so more news after that.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
We've done it...
Well, at least we've started to do it. Thanks to Josh and Richard, we walked the petition around the neighborhood and garnered quite a few signatures. Since we only need two-thirds of the affected properties to sign on, it should be pretty easy to qualify this. How long it will take the city to actually put up the signs is another story altogether, I'm sure.
A couple of the old-timers in the neighborhood recalled to me how many times this has been tried before; apparently we're not breaking any new ground here, but we're actually doing something.
Thing is - it's a beginning. If you're new to the blog, or even if you're not, please comment or email me. If you want to post, or even start your own damn blog, I'll help you do that too.
Get involved; be part of the solution.
And to all that helped, signed, and leant their experience: thanks.
A couple of the old-timers in the neighborhood recalled to me how many times this has been tried before; apparently we're not breaking any new ground here, but we're actually doing something.
Thing is - it's a beginning. If you're new to the blog, or even if you're not, please comment or email me. If you want to post, or even start your own damn blog, I'll help you do that too.
Get involved; be part of the solution.
And to all that helped, signed, and leant their experience: thanks.
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