Brush Clearance Continues

Just have to share this one, showing the excellent work Gothic is doing on the hillside. Today is Friday, and it appears that they have the north end of the project mostly covered, down to the township line that marks the northern extent of the Meadows subdivision.

Ray

Brush clearance began yesterday at the top of Risinghill. Thanks to Ray for the pics and monitoring of the work.

Fun Time!

From a Meadows neighbor:

At five minutes and six seconds after 4 AM on the 8th of July this year, the time and date will be 04:05:06 07/08/09.

Homegoing for Teola Davis

Charlie Davis let me know that his Mother, Teola Davis, passed at age 104. She was a Meadows resident at the Davis home on Risinghill Road.

Her Homegoing will be Friday, May 22 at 12:00
Simpson Family Mortuary
3443 W. Manchester Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90305

For any further information, please call Charlie Davis at 626-529-3038

MFSC Brush Clearance to Begin

Brush clearance funded by the 2009 meadows FireSafe Council grant will begin Wednesday, May 20.

The focus for brush clearance this year is maintenance of the land that was cleared last year at the top of Risinghill and careful fuel-reduction of the land that passes from Risinghill to El Prieto. The FireSafe Council is still in the process of contact homeowners in the latter area.

Margaret Bridwell and Ray Backes will coordinate with the vendor, Gothic (the same vendor as last year), over the next few weeks.

Assessments for homeowners who requested assessments are expected to begin in June.

HHW / E-Waste Collection May 16

Here's a convenient Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste clean-up event hosted by L.A. County Sanitation:
Saturday, May 16th from 9-3.
Between Mountain View and Figueroa, west of Lincoln Ave.


Examples of E-Waste that WILL BE accepted:
computer monitors and televisions
computer cpu's and key boards
printers and copiers
cell phones

Examples of what WILL NOT be accepted:
refrigerators or white goods
ammunition
trash or tires
E-Waste from Businesses

What you CAN bring to a Household Hazardous Waste collection:
Motor oil, oil filters, brake fluid
Used antifreeze
Paint, paint thinner, turpentine
Cleaners with acid or lye
Pesticides or herbicides
Household batteries or car batteries
Pool chemicals
CRT's, old TV's, misc. electronics
Mercury thermometers or thermostats
Used Needles or Sharps (In a Sharps container or sturdy box labeled "SHARPS")
Unwanted or expired prescriptions

What you CANNOT bring to a HHW collection:
Explosives
Ammunition
Radioactive Materials
Trash
Tires
Business Waste
White Goods (stoves, fridges, etc.)
Controlled Substances

How should you prepare?
Bring the items you wish to dispose of in a sturdy box preferably in their original, labeled containers.
Do not EVER mix products together.
It is ILLEGAL to transport more than 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste in your personal vehicle.
Be prepared to leave your containers. Because of permitting requirements, and the volume of people that utilize the program, items such as gasoline cans WILL NOT be returned.

Lincoln and Altadena Construction Update

Here's an update on the construction project at Lincoln and Altadena:

The contractor failed to build the project in conformance with the approved plans and this resulted in a structural problem with the foundation of the building. Despite notices to remedy the problem, the contractor kept going with the construction. B&S issued a stop notice and suspended all inspections.

The developer then fired the original architect and engineer and hired a new design team. It took the new design team several submittals before they were able to develop a plan that mitigated the foundation problems. This resulted in about an 18 month delay in the project.

In addition, the contractor built the border walls on the north side of the development higher than approved by DRP, so a revised planning approval was also required.

The applicant has secured revised planning approval and the revised structural plans were approved about 3 weeks ago. We have re-commenced inspections and there should be no further delays.

Spring in The Meadows

Some pics taken by a neighbor while on a hike.

Stamp Out Hunger Saturday

The National Association of Letter Carriers' "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive is this Saturday, May 9th. Just leave a bag of non perishable out by your mailbox that day. (But not the night before as the bear may get it first!)

L.A. Co. Fire Department Alerts

From our Town Councilperson:

"With what has been called one of the best on site alerts for emergencies/calls that involve the Los Angeles Co. Fire Dept, you may subscribe to LAFD alerts.

The alerts range from (forgive me, not to be morbid) car accidents, building fires, a recent jump from a cliff, chlorine spills-anything that will call the fire dept out may be sent out as a brief alert.

You will get an alert before the news hears and reports out.

Where I care is when fire happens. This is immediate, on site, and probably the best immediate source of emerging information for those who want it as it develops. Because this is so immediate, there is a note that the alerts are NOT meant to replace official instructions or calls for action. So far the amount of emails have not been overwhelming. I suspect that may change when a fire erupts...but for me, that is ok. In those situations, I want all the info I can get.Below are instructions should you want to sign up. You can also read their blog."

http://lafd.org/blog

For further information - or to join LAFD_ALERT: http://lafd.org/alert

Open Mic at Farnsworth Park

From a neighbor:

"Last night I had a wonderful experience at Farnsworth Park. I wanted to tell the community that every Friday night at 7:00 there is an OPEN MIC gathering for all to join in. There were very few people since the word has not been out about this incredible experience. The poets, story telling, and percussionist, who is also a poet, was very enlightening. I encourage any one who wants to do something or share your writings, stories, music, to show up and enjoy the talented people I saw last night.

Fansworth Park, 568 E Mount Curve at the top of Lake Ave. 798-63335. On cool nights in the beautiful auditorium and on warm nights in the amphitheater. Hope to see you there.

More Bear Stories

From a neighbor in The Meadows:

"I went for a hike Friday night about 6:30. I headed up El Prieto Rd and was nearing the intersection were you can go right to Millard campground or left to Brown Mtn Rd (where there are lots of bees buzzing). There was a BIG bear that had just crossed the trail and was in the brush on the right about 30 feet from me. I heard the noise and saw him at the same time. He was huge! My eyes got as big as saucers. I watched him as I slowly backed away, he watched me but didn’t make a move. After about 30 seconds he turned and looked toward the canyon and then headed off. I decided it was a good time to turn back for home. He wasn’t scared of me but I was a bit unnerved by him!"

Big Bear in my Back Yard!

At 9:00 p.m. last night, Friday, my security lights turned on at the walkway behind my house and the brush. I looked out my windows to the patio and expected to see the typical raccoon or cat. Instead, a very large shadow appeared and then a beautiful and very large bear. It was literally 10 feet from my patio doors and had to weigh over 400 pounds.

I grabbed my camera and turned on the patio lights, but it was gone. I assumed it went into the brush, but the neighbor to the South of me on El Prieto said that it turned over his trash cans at around 9:30 p.m.

While it was thrilling to see, it's also a bit unnerving that it was so close to my house and also that it was early in the evening.

A little while later, I could hear neighbors' voices in the area. For anyone reading this, please let folks know that it is out and about and to take precautions.