Holmby News 3-13-20

HOLMBY NEWS
March 13, 2020

From the Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association, serving the Holmby Westwood community since 1960.

1.  Coronavirus – Updates & Resources
2.  LAPD Crime Report
3.  Green Team Comments on Sidewalks LA Program
4.  Earthquake Brace & Bolt Program
5.  2020 Census Has Started – Respond Online
6.  Stuck at Home – Try Virtual Museum Tours
7.  Upcoming Events – Canceled
8.  HWPOA Communication and Ad Policy
9.  Resident Ads
10.  HWPOA Contact Information

1.  CORONAVIRUS – UPDATES & RESOURCES

Updates from the City of Los Angeles:
For updates, please check the very top of City of Los Angeles websites for a bright yellow button to get all of the very latest updates on the coronavirus.  If you are accessing these websites from your phone, you’ll notice a bright yellow circle with a black exclamation point in the middle.

In addition, you can sign up for NotifyLA.org – the City’s emergency alerts system, which the City is using to push out updates about COVID-19 prevention, to receive urgent notifications about local emergencies by phone, email, and/or text message.  Alternatively you can text your zip code to 888777 to receive these important updates.

LADWP -Statement on Power & Water Service:
In response to questions and concerns about whether the COVID-19 Pandemic could affect the continuity of water and power service to residents, businesses and institutions, LADWP wants to reassure our customers that we have been and continue to take steps to ensure our core mission of delivering reliable water and electric service continues uninterrupted.

LADWP also wants to reassure our customers, the water at their tap continues to be of the highest quality and is 100-percent safe to drink.

To read the full statement, visit www.ladwpnews.com

Trusted resources on the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19):

2.  LAPD CRIME REPORT

VEHICLE, STOLEN
Incident #: 200807071
900 BLOCK HILGARD AV  |  3/8/2020 @ 12:01 AM

HOMELESS SLEEPING IN GARAGE
A homeowner on Lindbrook reported that on Sunday morning, March 1, they accidentally left the garage door open for about 45 minutes.  When they went to close the door, they discovered a homeless man sleeping inside the garage.  No other details are know at this time.  Please remember to keep your garage door closed except when entering or exiting.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER – THEFT PREVENTION TIPS
The Greater Los Angeles Area has been experiencing thefts of catalytic converters, machinery underneath the car made of precious metals, that requires your car to run properly. It can cost up to $2,000 to replace your catalytic converter if stolen, and it is illegal to drive without one.

The attached PSA explains how to tell if your catalytic converter has been stolen as well as tips to prevent catalytic converter theft.

3.  GREEN TEAM COMMENTS ON SIDEWALKS LA PROGRAM

The letter below was prepared by the HWPOA Green Team and sent to the City of Los Angeles Public Works Department regarding the Sidewalk Repair Program Draft Environmental Impact Report.

The conflict between street trees and sidewalks is complicated. While sidewalk repair is important and necessary, the removal of trees should be considered with proper due process.  We hope this letter helps you understand what’s at stake and why what we do is so important.

Green Team Comments on Sidewalks LA Draft EIR

Thank you to Marnie Bodek and the HWPOA Green Team for their efforts in addressing this issue!

4.  EARTHQUAKE BRACE & BOLT PROGRAM

Last Chance to Register for the 2020 Round of
EARTHQUAKE BRACE + BOLT

The Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program was created by The California Residential Mitigation Program (CRMP) in 2011 to provide mitigation incentive programs to help California homeowners complete seismic retrofits of their houses.

EBB provides $3,000 grants toward completing a code-compliant seismic retrofit for houses that qualify. A typical retrofit may cost between $3,000 and $7,000 depending on the location and size of the house, contractor fees, and the amount of materials and work involved.

Houses that meet specifications are typically:

  • wood-framed construction built before 1980
  • built on a level or low slope
  • constructed with a 4-foot (or less) cripple wall under the first floor OR constructed with a cripple wall between 4 feet and 7 feet (requires and engineered solution)
  • have a raised foundation

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN through March 19, 2020
Register for EBB – Click Here

5.  2020 CENSUS HAS STARTED – RESPOND ONLINE

The 2020 Census has started! This year’s population count will influence community funding and congressional representation for our entire state. Information collected by the census will inform the allocation of more than $675 billion in federal funds for states and communities each year.

No matter where you live in our Golden State, be counted. Whether you’re a recent graduate or retiree, farmer or factory worker, artist, or aspiring astronaut – this message is for you. When you get your invitation by mail from the U.S. Census Bureau to participate in the 2020 Census, I’m counting on you to participate. So is California.

Review samples of the official U.S. Census Bureau mailings coming to your home here: https://2020census.gov/en/mailings.html

The census happens just once every ten years and impacts funding decisions on critical needs like clinics, public transit, schools, and more. This is your chance to not only shape your future, but California’s future.

Respond online today at https://go.usa.gov/xdKjk!

6.  STUCK AT HOME – TRY VIRTUAL MUSEUM TOURS

From Travel & Leisure:

Experience the best museums from London to Seoul
in the comfort of your own home.

Going into a self-quarantine can have many complex issues and complications beyond having enough food and supplies for two weeks. In terms of entertainment, it also probably means you’re in for a lot of boredom, a lot of Netflix, and a lot of browsing the internet.

But there is a way to get a little culture and education while you’re confined to your home. According to Fast Company, Google Arts & Culture teamed up with over 500 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world..

Now, you get “go to the museum” and never have to leave your couch.

Google Arts & Culture’s collection includes the British Museum in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Guggenheim in New York City, and literally hundreds of more places where you can gain knowledge about art, history, and science. This collection is especially good for students who are looking for ways to stay on top of their studies while schools are closed.

Click here for more information

7.  UPCOMING EVENTS – CANCELED

Numerous events around Los Angeles have been canceled.  Please confirm the status with the organization or the venue before attending any local events.

8.  HWPOA COMMUNICATION AND AD POLICY

Please direct all comments, questions or issues regarding the Holmby News to hwpoa@aol.com.

Ads for plumbers, housekeepers, garage sales, etc. will be posted in the weekly News. Emergency situations such as lost and found pets, traffic alerts and similar situations will be published during the week as received.

When placing an ad, please send to hwpoa@aol.com for the Holmby News moderator to review.  Responses to ads should be directed to the ad placer, not to HWPOA.

9.  RESIDENT ADS

SEEKING ORTHOPEDIST RECOMMENDATION

I’m looking for an orthopedist with whom you have had an especially good experience. It would be helpful if you could provide a phone number and perhaps a few words about why you are recommending this doctor. Many thanks.

Andrea Smith
ablsmith@dock.net
310-470-8343

10.  HWPOA CONTACT INFORMATION

HOLMBY WESTWOOD PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
P.O. Box 49180
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310-470-1785
Email: hwpoa@aol.com
Web site: www.holmbywestwoodpoa.org
Pay Membership Dues: https://squareup.com/store/hwpoa

You Are Invited . . .

  • To attend our monthly Board Meetings*
    NEXT MEETING – APRIL 14
  • To let us know your concerns about our community and your ideas about how we might work to improve it
  • To become involved in our Association.

*Board Meetings are usually held the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at Belmont Village (10475 Wilshire Blvd.).  Please confirm prior to attending.