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THIS IS THE LETTERS PAGE
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THE BEST LETTERS OF THE MONTH IN
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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2003
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Mailbox Jan.-March 2005
Letters used on this page are subject to editing.
Send mail here.
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If you do not want your correspondence to The Sun or its editor used, please mark it 'not for publication' (or NFP for short). Your name will be withheld if you want.
Correspondence to and from public officials like President Bush, Mayor Villaraigosa, City Council members and people serving on the governing boards of neighborhood councils are, however, considered public records and may be posted in full or in part if the editor feels like it. |
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Let's put on a show! (But where's our theater?)
I love getting your updates on the Palms area. Since you know the area so well, maybe you can direct me. We are a small charter (public) school on Dunn Dr. just north of Venice Blvd.
We are looking for a small local theater space our 4-5th graders can use for a special production they are working on. They have been mentored through the process of writing one-act plays by professional TV and film screenwriters (volunteers). Professional actors will be cast (some famous) who are also volunteering. Our school has no space for the Big Show that the parents come and see. I've contacted the theater you mentioned below as well as the Kirk Douglas and Ivy Substation with no return calls.
CHERYL WARD, Pacfic Community Charter School
March 26, 2005
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 Westside Village's battle of the signs
I love the photos! I call that... "grass roots OUTREACH" at it's finest! [The Palms-Village Sun, March 2005.]
TOM PONTON
March 16, 2005
[Ponton is chair of the Mar Vista Community Council]
I'm terribly sorry to hear that the "Yes" advocates fell victim to those vicious squirrels. Don't feel so bad though. Several years ago, my wife set fire to our kitchen, and to this day she insists it was the squirrels. Something needs to be done. Do you think the federal government would consider a $25 million reward for their capture?
On a separate note...
With your permission, I would like to use photo of the pole with the two signs for outreach purposes. May I?
Thank you either way.
BAHAA MIKHAIL
March 16, 2005
[Mikhail is chair of the Outreach Committee of the Mar Vista Community Council]
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Palms artist is looking for a place to show his art
I am looking for a large industrial-type building for a month rental. The catch is it would be for a Los Angeles, Culver, Palms exhibit.
The reason for the space is that my paintings are based around the history of Los Angeles. Not to mention my large collection of historical photos and memorabilia.
I also plan to show a few historical films I own, plus a short film I made on Los Angeles. I know it sounds crazy, but I had to start at some point and I didn't know where. Well if any thing comes to mind please let me know. I hope all is well.
SCOTT DYGERT
Feb. 8, 2005
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| Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could start with his exhibit and do other things about the history of the area to create a regular attraction that we help sponsor and promote?
It would give us that center we've been lacking.
Hope someone knows of property that could be used. Sorry, I don't.
BILLY SILVEY
Feb. 9, 2005
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I am not sure, but you might want to contact someone about the old Circuit City building on Sepulveda, across the street from Vons and Sav-on. It seems to be available for short term rentals: Halloween store in September and October, Mattell toy outlet in November and December.
DAVE ATKINSON
Feb. 8, 2005 |
As the city historian in Culver City, I just want to suggest that you check in with Linda Simmons at the Culver City Community Development Department. You can reach Linda, who deals with events, at 310 253-5762.
Another thought is that the old Sagebrush Restaurant in downtown Culver City is empty, but is going to be readied for animation exhibit space. Maybe they would be interested.
Or the check with the owner of the old Bank of America Building which sits on Main Street, and is empty. He is the owner of Imperial Electric at the east end of Culver City. I think there is a lot of lease space around. Try the Hayden Tract, too.
JULIE LUGO SERRA
Feb. 8, 2005
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| FROM THE OFFICIAL HISTORIAN OF CULVER CITY
You are way too funny......keep the faith.
Julie Lugo Cerra
(Jan. 31, 2005)
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| JUST WHERE IS NATIONAL PLACE ANYWAY?
Good work as usual. But in The Sun it talks about the condos at National Blvd. and Overland, and I'm pretty sure that, like the star on the map, the lot is actually at National Place.
I know I was confused until I saw the map. I know where the shuttered gas station on National Place is.
Judy (no last name offered)
(Jan. 31, 2005)
National Blvd. explained
I will have to use a different map. National on the east side of Overland is actually National Blvd.
National Place runs between Overland and National Blvd. up by Trader Joe's. National Blvd. continues east of Overland.
The editor
(Jan. 31, 2005)
A half million dollars? For what?
Oh. Sorry :) Because of the jog in National, how about saying, "National Blvd. on the east corner of Overland where National Place and Queensland cross?" Too wordy? Probably not any clearer. What a messy street is National. Sigh.
Leave the map. When National Blvd. was stated I was thinking near the freeway entrance and didn't remember that the gas station is Shell or something, not Arco. . . . That messy lot.
Why anyone would pay half a million dollars for a loft by the freeway is beyond my ken, but the map was a big help :D
You see why I'm so protective of Westside Village boundaries? The east side of Overland is no-man's land in the fog and mist where there be dragons :)
Thank you for being such a great purveyor of information.
Judy
(Jan. 31, 2005)
Learning to love the dragons . . .
Keep going to www.WestmarSun.info/Palms.html and www.Palms-California.us and you will learn to love the dragons in their mysterious and misty frolic!
The editor
(Feb. 1, 2005)
. . . and learning to drive on National Blvd.
I don't really mind, but if I'd realized my e-mails to you about the map would be posted in public, I wouldn't have made that crack about the dragons. I grew up going to my father's office just outside the east boundary of Palms, doing business on Venice within Palms, going to school with kids from Palms JHS (as it was then), etc.
I should also 'fess up that I learned to drive (for real, not the class) by following National Blvd. from National Place through its various jogs, taking my father to Fedco on the weekends. It was where the name changed that confused me :) I thought it was farther east.
Because I work at home I do rarely get east of Overland nowadays, and then mostly to Office Max, but I meant no disrespect to my neighbors in Palms!
Judy
(Feb. 12, 2005)
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| SHORT AND SWEET (TO READ)
It's always fun to read your stuff.
Don Schwartz
(Jan. 31, 2005)
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| PACIFICA COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL
Please subscribe me to your newsletter.
Also, is there a way you can include information about our school? Pacifica Community Charter School is a truly unique public school. We have a very strong community of 100 families who are dedicated members of the Palms Community. Recently, several of our members testified in favor of official recognition for Palms at your hearing in December.
Currently, we are working on a neighborhood tree-planting and greening project on our block of Dunn Drive, just north of Venice Blvd.
Please let me know if I may submit articles, information about us.
Cheryl Ward
Pacifica Community Charter School
(Jan. 26, 2005)
[Editorial response: Sure. Anybody can submit information about anything, although it might not always be used. Photos, too.]
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| IS PALMS STILL CHARMING AND AFFORDABLE? (Yes!)
I've recently come upon your informative Web page. I'm hoping you could help this lifelong East Coast inhabitant with your knowledge of the UCLA/Palms/Westside Village area.
My husband and I may be moving to UCLA area in the next year, and I was told by UCLA grad/friend that the Palms neighborhood is charming and affordable.
Is this still the case? If so, do you have any recommendations for apartment complexes? I've searched your Web page and couldn't find anything regarding housing.
Any guidance would be great. I have absolutely no idea where to begin to look.
Many thanks.
Doreen D. Barako
Program Coordinator
Harvard Program for Evolutionary Dynamics
Cambridge, MA
(Jan. 26, 2005)
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| SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ISSUES
What a great site! We were so surprised to receive your newsletter and enjoyed the articles and spotlight on community events and issues. Keep up the great work. I look forward to your next publication.
Elizabeth Lerner
Property Management Division
Aura Asset Group Inc.
(Jan. 19, 2005)
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Letters — irate and thoughtful — about Westside Village and Mar Vista boundary signs
The Sun's editor asked people to send mail giving their opinion about the fact that Westside Village, a predominantly residential area east of the 405 Freeway, has been placed by the city within the territory of the Mar Vista Community Council.
One of the proposals within the Mar Vista Concept Plan is for standardized boundary signs to be posted within the council area.
The following are the opinions offered to the Community Council board. They were forwarded to the Board members on Monday, Jan. 24.
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 We in Westside Village do not want to be included in Mar Vista — there is absolutely no good reason to do this. We want to stay in our area.
HELEN BUDIN, WV condominium apartment owner
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[The letter that was in this position has been removed at the request of the author.]
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Jan. 20, 2004
 As a Westside Village homeowner, I am very concerned by the report of your plans to put Mar Vista Council signs at the borders of Westside Village. I don't live in Mar Vista!!!
Yes, we belong to the council, but that doesn't mean that the Mar Vista name should be superimposed on our neighborhood. People have a hard enough time finding Westside Village without this further confusion!
If you must put up signs — which seems like a waste of taxpayers' money to me — they should say something like "WESTSIDE VILLAGE," perhaps with a small "part of the Mar Vista Community Council" underneath.
Thank you for your kind attention.
JUDITH COHEN, WV homeowner
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Jan. 20, 2004
 I guess you have lost your way home and have decided to make your home anywhere you want. I suppose I could call the police to help you find your way home, but that would be as ridiculous as YOU are being!!!
BEA STEELMAN, Palms homeowner
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Jan. 20, 2004
Please do not include my neighborhood — Westside Village — in your plans.
The annexation of my neighborhood into your council was made in an undemocratic way, via a letter from a homeowners' group that did not consult us about whether we wanted to belong to your neighborhood council.
Many of us want to join the new Palms Neighborhood Council, which is much more inclusive to all the local residents than your council.
Bottom line: Westside Village (Palms) is not part of Mar Vista, and therefore it makes absolutely no sense for us to be in 'your' council.
The 405 is one of the biggest natural boundaries that I can think of, and while I have nothing against your neighborhood, I would prefer to be part of a civic group that is a more representative of all local residents and businesses, and shares more of the same issues.
We are already split into three different City Councilmanic districts, while you have the good fortune of having only one representative to deal with. We need to have a united voice for Palms, including Westside Village, and being part of your council does not help us in the least, politically speaking.
Please listen to the many residents in Westside Village and let us go!
SALLY RICHMAN, WV homeowner
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Jan. 20, 2005
Just for the record I would like you to know that I am very much against the idea of including any signs in Westside Village that have anything to do with the Mar Vista Community Council.
I have been a resident and home owner in Westside Village since August of 1985.
I am sorry that I can not make it to the Meeting at St. Andrews Church on Sunday Jan. 23, 2005 but I will be out of town.
RICHARD A. LEIB, WV homeowner
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| UGLY SIGNS AROUND ABANDONED GAS STATION ARE GONE
I am pleased to report that as of today the billboards on the corner of Sepulveda and Palms Blvds. have been removed. My hope is that it is permanent.
I have made numerous telephone calls to Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski's office and bugged the heck out of Mark Edwards, the deputy for that area. He kept telling me that the wheels of government move slowly, but I have found that persistence is the name of the game.
Thank you for your Web site and for caring so much about our community.
Mirja Bishop
(Jan. 19, 2005)
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