HOLMBY NEWS
April 26, 2024
From the Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association, serving the Holmby Westwood community since 1960.
1. Caution – Strangers Knocking on Doors
2. HWPOA’s July 4th Event – Seeking Sponsors & Volunteers
3. Housing Update: SB-9 Declared Unconstitutional
4. Summer Programs for Kids & Teens
5. Congressman Ted Lieu – Youth Town Hall
6. Activities & Things to Do
1. CAUTION – STRANGERS KNOCKING ON DOORS
In the last several weeks, HWPOA has received several notices from residents who reported incidents of strangers knocking on their front door. While these incidents may be harmless, there is the possibility that the strangers were scoping the area or casing the homes to determine if anyone was home.
Please stay alert and take precautions when responding to door knockers. Report any crime in progress to 911. Suspicious situations should be reported to the non-emergency number 1-877-275-5273 (1-877-ASK-LAPD). You should also contact your own security company, if you have one, who get there quicker than LAPD.
Here are the reports from neighbors:
Loring Ave. – April 15 around 7:00 PM
Two people were going house to house on our street – the older guy remained on the sidewalk, while the younger guy would go up to the door — make a noise or knock — & then move back alongside his partner. We heard the brass mail slot cover on our front door go BANG. I opened my RING doorbell app and when I didn’t see anybody, I opened the viewing port in our door & saw two people on the sidewalk. I opened my front door & asked if I could help them? One gentleman responded that they’re taking pictures of “charming houses” and asked if I’m interested in selling our home? I told them “NO, and I doubt you’d have any success in this neighborhood.” His response was “Very true!” They turned to walk to my neighbors house. They were both holding cell phones; they had no clipboards or brochures; and they had no identifying logos on their clothes.
Manning Ave. – April 22 (mid afternoon)
On Monday, my doorbell rang. I did not intend to answer but, after a few loud, persistent bangs, I thought that I should investigate. I did not open the door, instead responding through the peephole. I saw a fairly light-skinned, scruffy man standing on my top step. He was not well groomed and did not look professional. He carried no promotional or other materials. He asked about solar panels. After I said that I was not interested, he made no attempt to sell me anything. He just literally scurried away. I do not believe that the man was legitimate. He seemed only interested if someone were in the house.
File a Police Report Online: click here
EMERGENCY: 911
NON-EMERGENCY: 1-877-275-5273
All other City Services: 311
West L.A. Community Police Station –1663 Butler Ave.
James Allen, Senior Lead Officer
Office: 310-444-0741
Email: 39318@lapd.online
West LA Community Police Station Website: click here
LAPD Website: www.lapdonline.org
2. HWPOA’s JULY 4th EVENT – SEEKING SPONSORS & VOLUNTEERS
HWPOA’s July 4th Parade & Picnic is fast approaching! We all look forward to this very special community event where hundreds of neighbors celebrate Independence Day together at Holmby Park, enjoying free food, music and children’s activities. In order to make this event a success, WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Sponsors – We are in need of a few more sponsors so that we can provide enough food, entertainment and games for all! If you would like to become a sponsor or if you know of a business that would like to be a sponsor, please let us know.
Volunteers – We are in need of a handful of volunteers to assist on the day of the event (one-hour shifts). We will need help with children’s activities (face painting, arts & crafts, monitoring bouncers, etc.) as well as set-up, distributing balloons, cookies, etc. It’s a great way for students to receive community service credit.
Please contact Dana at hwpoa@aol.com or call our office at (310) 470-1785 if you would like to help.
Thank you!
3. HOUSING UPDATE: SB-9 DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Thank you to our WHPOA neighbors for the following information:
You may recall that in 2021, the legislature and governor in Sacramento outlawed single-family neighborhoods throughout the state, by passing SB 9 and SB 10, which permit multi-family building in single-family lots regardless of local zoning.
We just received the email below from United Neighbors, confirming that SB 9 has been declared unconstitutional when applied to charter cities (such as Los Angeles).
The community plan for Westwood has not yet been revised, but is scheduled to be done in the next couple of years.
From United Neighbors:
You might have already heard that SB 9 was ruled unconstitutional for Charter Cities by the Superior court in LA . We wrote to the attorney for this case and she confirmed the ruling. She assumes it will be appealed to the appellate court.
But it is an interesting outcome of the original lawsuit filed by the cities of Carson, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Del Mar, and Whittier. The lawyer told us, “This case challenged the application of SB 9 to charter cities by arguing that because SB 9 does not actually require any housing unit be affordable, it is not “reasonably related” to promoting affordable housing and not “narrowly tailored” to avoid unnecessary interference with local control. State laws that do not meet this standard cannot be applied to charter cities because they impermissibly interfere with a charter city’s local control.” Los Angeles is a charter city. We will have to see where this all goes.
This was a little good news for all of us that have been fighting these crazy bills for the last few years.
Best,
Maria, Cindy, Jeff and Marc
United Neighbors
4. SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR KIDS & TEENS
Kids grades K-8: Aquarium Science Summer Camp
https://healthebay.org/camps/
Aquarium Science Camp is a hands-on learning experience that allows kids to study the ocean, learn about the natural world, and engage their interest in marine science. Each week, campers explore different ocean environments, interact with live animals in the Aquarium, explore and observe the beach, play games, and become ocean stewards. Held at the Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier.
Kids ages 2+ – Summer Dance Camp
https://sophiedancewestside.com/camps
Sophie Dance offers ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop classes and our sister studio, Level Up, offers acrobatics, aerial and Competition Dance. Every week is a new, fun theme, usually related to a new or popular kids movie or TV show! Campers will work towards an end-of-week performance by learning dances, memorizing lines, and creating fun art projects throughout each day!
Kids grades K-12: Future Tech at Camp Integem
https://camp.integem.com/register/summer-camps-in-los-angeles-santa-monica-us-ca
Kids are invited to make magic as they journey into the fun-filled, hands-on world of artificial intelligence (AI), holographic augmented reality (AR) design, coding, robotics, 2D and 3D game design and animation, interactive storytelling and more. Camp Integem has three directions for campers to choose from: coding, game design and STEM; AI & robotics engineering; and Art & Animation.
Girls ages 7-17: Self-Defense/Empowerment Summer Camp
https://shieldselfdefense.com/summer-camp-1
Girls at this camp are equipped with practical self-defense skills, situational awareness and confidence that will protect them against violence, bullies or strangers. Camp is focused on empowerment, helping girls become proficient in self-defense skills and increase focus, coordination and strength. The camp also features games and fun activities like yoga, meditation, dance, outdoor sports, beach days and more.
5. CONGRESSMAN TED LIEU – YOUTH TOWN HALL
From Congressman Ted Lieu:
JOIN US FOR OUR YOUTH TOWN HALL!
I am pleased to host our annual Youth Town Hall featuring our Youth Advisory Council to discuss their work in the past year. Join us for this virtual discussion on Saturday, May 4 at 2:00 PM. To register, click the link below.
To submit questions for the Council and me, send an email to lieu.staff@mail.house.gov by Friday, April 26 at 5:00 PM.
6. ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO
Joy Fest – UCLA First Thursdays
Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 7-10 p.m.
on Broxton Ave. in Westwood Village
Join us in the final First Thursdays series event for the academic year with Joy Fest! The evening party on Broxton Ave. will be a vivid celebration of music, art and food.
Check out performances from UCLA Beat Boxing and the UCLA Bruinettes in addition to a full showcase of Spring Sing preview performances!
Thank you to our partners UCLA Magic and Illusion Club, The Fowler Museum and UCLA Radio.
For more information and to RSVP – click here.
Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station 71
Sunday, May 5 from 9 am to noon
at the corner of Sunset & Beverly Glen
Our classic community celebration has returned!! We encourage you to attend the upcoming Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station 71 (located at Beverly Glen and Sunset). It is a fun, free event for all ages. Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 5!
Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 49180
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 470-1785 (call/text)
Email: hwpoa@aol.com OR info@holmbywestwoodpoa.org
Website: www.holmbywestwoodpoa.org
Pay Membership Dues: https://hwpoa.square.site/
You Are Invited . . .
- To attend our monthly Board Meetings*
- 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. Please confirm prior to attending.