Keeping our community aware                                Wednesday morning, May, 2013

Joseph Castro, Battalion Chief, L.A.F.D

Commander, Battalion 5 ”C” Platoon

 7 May, 2013

LAFD BRUSH FIRE

CLEARANCE Notice & Info – English & Spanish

http://lafd.org/brush/

BRUSH FIRE CLEARANCE SAFETY TIPS

http://lafd.org/images/pdf/Brush Clearance Tips for Homeowners.pdf

READY-SET-GO!  -  HOW TO EVACUATE

http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/SafetyPreparedness/readysetgo/pdf/Ready Set Go 09.pdf

Friends and Neighbors,

We’re going to get some much needed help from the weather starting today.

Ted and I drove the entire Battalion 5 Mountain Fire District (from the 5 Fwy to the Beverly Hills border) today and found the  fire potential at an  extreme level.  The relative humidity remained around 6%. This, compounded with high heat causes particular concern, especially on the slopes that face the South/West.

What this means in simpler terms; fires start much easier and burn with a significantly higher level of intensity.  This figures to be the most significant year, in terms of fire potential, that we’ve face in recent memory…and we’ve only just begun the season.

Yesterday, we deployed 30 extra firefighters, an extra Battalion Chief and a Staff assistant to augment the Hollywood area resources. (That’s 7 fire engines and two brush patrol rigs.)  We staged the majority of those resources, in the form of an LAFD Strike Team, at our NEW Fire Station 82 at Hollywood and Wilton.  One of the reasons we built this station so large was to accomplish just that: increasing our ability to attack an escalating brush fire in the Hollywood Hills area.  The additional resources give me many additional strategical options when confronted with the complexity of a brush fire in the Hollywood Hills.

To this end, I feel it would be appropriate to let you know what our tactical priorities are when confronted with a fire in the brush:

1.  Life Safety and Rescue

We accomplish this by evacuating the area ahead of the fire, and aggressively attacking the fire from the ground and the air.  Nothing is more important to me than protecting the lives of you and your family.

2.  Incident Stabilization (extinguishing the fire)

3.  Property Conservation and effects on the environment

Protecting your home and its contents remains a critically important task for the members of the LAFD.

                                        How can you help us?

1.  Prepare in advance. Clear your brush.  www.lafd.org is a great resource for information on how to prepare for brush fires and other emergencies.

http://lafd.org/fire-prevention/118-brush-clearance

As is www.mysafela.com  http://www.mysafela.com/ready-set-go

Battalion 5 district extends from the 5 Fwy to the East, to Beverly Hills border to the West, Beverly Blvd to the South, and over the Cahuenga pass to the North.  I can’t tell you how proud I am of the nearly 200 firefighters and paramedics under my command. We all live 1/3rd of our lives at the fire station,  so in addition to our professional obligations, we truly are your neighbors also.

Feel free to use me as a resource for questions and concerns (emailing is always best) for anything regarding public safety.

Joe

Joseph Castro, Battalion Chief, L.A.F.D.

Commander, Battalion 5 “C” Platoon

1327 Cole Ave, Hollywood CA 90028

Office  213-485-6275

Fax 323-957-6411

Cell  213-7091546

Joseph.castro@lacity.org

Enjoy a picnic in the park…  Birdwatch…   Hike a Trail…  Stroll the sand at the beach…  Sit under a tree…  Watch the Sunset…  Stop and Smell the Roses…

And of course be Earth friendly whenever possible and….

Recycle or donate…  Go Paperless…  Walk, don’t drive…  Conserve water…  Keep thermostats at 68º in winter,  72º in summer…  Use a water canteen instead of plastic bottles…  Start composting…  Recycle rainwater with a rain barrel…  Plant a tree…

Close your eyes and think of one of your favorite neighborhoods.  I’ll bet 9 times out of 10 it has tree-lined streets or lush hedges.  Have you ever noticed that most upscale neighborhoods usually have the loveliest tree-lined streets?
So… Want to  improve the look and value of your home and neighborhood, and help the air quality… plant trees!  Some fast growing and good looking trees (they are all good looking) or one of my favorites, Pepper trees.

Go to these great sites for more tips:

www.earthday.org

http://san.lacity.org/solid_resources/recycling/composting/

http://www.lastormwater.org/green-la/low-impact-development/residential-solutions/rain-barrels-and-cisterns/

http://www.milliontreesla.org/mtabout8.htm

This home in Lake Hollywood is an ideal example of that style with a definitely contemporary interpretation.  Similar to the Mid-Century styles of the 1950s with its open floor plan and walls of glass, but with less focus on bold lines and innovative uses of materials, the International Style was the cool modern cousin and the style of Palm Springs, Bel Aire and Trousdale with an easy indoor/outdoor flow to pools and patios for lavish day or evening entertaining.  The Owners here have also xeriscaped their front yard with drought tolerant succulent plants and palms, and gravel to minimize maintenance and watering, which could easily place it in the Movie Colony in Palm Springs.

This recently refurbished International Style home in Lake Hollywood was redesigned by opening even more walls in the Dining and Kitchen areas, floating a wood floor in the dining room to create separation to the step-down Living room with polished cement floors, and adding a panel of Floor to ceiling windows to the outdoor area.

In case you missed it, Lake Hollywood was in full bloom last week.  The Dogwood trees were full of white fluffy blossoms all over the neighborhood and around the Lake.  Like the elusive Wisteria bush that has blooms in March or April for a short one or two weeks, the Dogwood trees bloom around March

and April for probably no more than two to three weeks, but unlike the Wisteria, these Dogwood trees line almost every street in Lake Hollywood so their coming out is a breathtaking spectacle that heralds the beginning of Spring and warmer, sunny weather.

If you walk around the neighborhood, you might still catch a glimpse of some late starters.  There were a few of these abundant blooms at the Dog Park and some near the Hollywood sign but I think these may be California Lilacs which are also in bloom and just as gorgeous.  Who needs a groundhog?

You can look all over Los Angeles and not come up with a neighborhood Village as charming and unique as the Beachwood Canyon Village Green.  Located at the mouth of Hollywoodland just beyond the Historical Clock tower gates at Belden is the smallest bustling commercial enclave.  Worthwhile noting is that residents can come down to the village and never hit a stoplight or busy intersection to find,  A  fully stocked Market with a great produce, butcher and deli section with a  great international selection of wines and liquors, A quick serve Dry Cleaners specializing in large items like rugs and drapes, An Antique Shop loaded with Hollywood memorabilia and one of the best vintage watch collections at affordable prices , and if he doesn’t have it, owner Jeff can probably find it for you,  a Newly designed Cafe serving scrumptious and healthy breakfast, lunches  and now even   Pre Fixe dinners and a Flower shop with gorgeous plants, flowers, candles and other fun gifts. And they deliver!  Just ask owner Jennifer and if you don’t feel like shopping or eating just take a moment of respite and sit on the cafe or planter benches with the cat and watch the joggers, dog walkers, hikers, locals and tourists on the daily parade past the Green.I hope you’ll support our wonderful neighborhood stores  by shopping regularly  and you will always have them here at your convenience.  It beats sitting in traffic at a stoplight.

Now for a quiz   Some little known facts

The Beachwood Market had a mini-makeover in the 1960′s from a noted architect .  Can you guess who?  Heres a hint…. look at the glass wall skylight window in front of the Market.
Answer: John Lautner

When John Lautner was commissioned  to build a guest suite addition to  Wolf’s Lair, He made a trip down to the Beachwood Market for a bite to eat and noticed that the market was closed off and dark.  He suggested to the owners  to  open up the wall and put the window/skylight that you see today. A superb improvement.

Besides the famous Hollywood sign, clock tower and gates, what are some other historical landmarks in HOLLYWOODLAND?
Answer: The Granite retaining walls and walking stairs that traverse the entire community.  One set of walking stairs were used  in the filming of the Classic Sci-Fi movie “It Came From Outer Space”.

What animal sits as sentinel and watches over all the comings and goings of the Village Green Day and Night.
Answer: The Cat

Single? How about celebrating a February 13th “Galentines” Day with your BFF or favorite Gal Pal at one of these great beauty spots

Get together and share the love of your beautiful selves with a Spa treatment, Pedicure or manicure, Facials, or just some fun shopping at….MYRTLES on Sunset Blvd in Silverlake is having a “Galentines” Day Special 30% off Dresses

February 13 only
BAHN SABAI in Los Feliz if Offering a Twofer One hour massage Special for $65.
Get two and use then anytime for one whole year Offer ends February 14

You can also use or combine for a Facial and They offer Oxyen treatments
THE PLUSH BEAUTY BAR in West Hollywood offers, waxing, hand treatments, facials and manicures in a cool salon setting with all the perks and all the works

Happy Galentine’s Day Girls!

Valentines Day is this Thursday February 14, and Of course we all love chocolates and roses but for a slightly different treat for your special Valentines try these unique shops for a wide variety of cookies, cupcakes, cakes and pies

Cupcakes at CRUMBS on Larchmont
Individual or by the bakers dozen a great variety of hearty cupcakes from
Chocolate velvet to pumpkin pecan with sourcream or butter cream frosting
Love me tender!

For your favorite Foodie RAMEKINS in Los Feliz on Hillhurst
This new spot in Los Feliz features Individual ramekins Filled with a variety of sweet and savory offerings Like caramel bread pudding to cheese souffle. You will fall in love again.

Having a Valentines Day party? NOTHING BUNDT CAKES in Santa Monica on Montana
With an array of flavors like your tried and true velvet and lemon cake theres the splendid pumpkin pecan, apple walnut and cranberry orange. Available in cupcakes too. Please sir may I have another?

And of course for your gluten free lover BABY CAKES Downtown L.A. On Sixth street
You can love wheat or leave wheat with this wide variety of cookies, cupcakes, cakes and pies all gluten and wheat free some are even dairy free. But not for me …love my Buttah!

and if you really want to get your beloved something they will love, love, love, check out the homes on our featured properties page and get shopping!

Happy Valentines Day!

If one of your New Year’s Resolutions for 2013 is buying or selling a home, now is a great time to begin planning ahead and getting all of your ducks in a row. There really is no need to wait until the buying season starts in Spring to put your goals in motion.

Setting up a clear plan will make the home buying or selling process much more successful. The first step to take is to have an honest and in depth look at your credit report. Although this is not much fun, it is very important to know where your credit stands and if there are items that need to be corrected. Now that the recession has slowed down a bit, 2013 is an optimal time to buy or sell a home. Annualcreditreport.com is the safest site to order all 3 of your credit reports and its free!

Next, find a mortgage broker to help you better understand your credit report and provide you with pertinent information on how to raise your score, get pre-approved for loans as well as guide you in what steps need to be taken. Starting this process as soon as possible is important because you don’t know how long you may need to raise your credit standing.

The Hollywood Sign was unveiled today,on it’s 90th Birthday after an extensive makeover to reveal it’s full beauty once again This has been a nine-week refurbishment where all nine letters have had all existing paint removed before being primed and painted. The makeover cost $175,000 and began on October 2nd, taking 400 gallons of paint. The last time the Hollywood Sign was painted and retouched was in 2005 but this was a true, new Hollywood Sign that was unveiled today! The prized  historical and cultural landmark of the City of Angels is the famous Hollywood Sign, perched high atop Mount Lee, the tallest peak in L.A. Built in 1923 as an advertising sign for a real estate development in Beachwood Canyon, the Hollywood Sign originally read Hollywoodland. The last four letters were removed in 1945 when Hollywood became the movie capital of the world. In 1932 a hopeless young actress, Peg Entwistle, jumped to her death from the Hollywood Sign’s letter “H.” Sherwin-Williams and the Hollywood Sign Trust are funding the project for the benefit of the City and fans around the world.