Boxscore for Landslide Moratorium Exemptions for Monks Lots. 15 Down; 1 To Go

On May 24 two more  applications for a Landslide Moratorium Exemption by Monks plaintiffs were approved by the Community Development Director for lots on upper Cinnamon Lane. A third Monks LME application for a lot on Plumtree Rd. was approved by the Director on May 26.  As of that date, the last remaining Monks LME request for a lot on Narcissa Dr. is under review by the City's geotechnical consultant.

Two Weeks of Jury Duty....

...has sort of put me off track. I've lost my focus and it's hard to get it back.

I've been called up for jury duty before, but never actually served on a jury... this was a first. It wasn't like the courtroom TV shows, but it was a chance to see the system up close. It was an educational two weeks. An interesting two weeks. An exhausting two weeks. A difficult two weeks. It was a murder trial.

When it was over, the judge thanked the members of the jury, as did the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney, who also pointed out that, "If people don't serve, the system doesn't work."  She's right of course.  

The next time the summons arrives in the mail, I won't drag my feet.

HELP! We Need Someone to Love Us!

Dusk and Sandy need a home. 

The owner of these two cats moved to Hawaii and planned to have them shipped over after she got settled and they had received their various shots and medical clearance to move to the islands.

My daughter, Shari, who already HAS two cats, agreed to foster them while they got ready to move.

After four months, the owner wrote to say that she'd  discovered that life in Hawaii was more expensive than she expected and she can't afford to have the cats live there. Shari really can't handle FOUR cats.

These are indoor cats, Dusk (the black one) is female, Sandy (the beige one) is male; both are neutered. They play with each other, are affectionate and friendly.

They come with three beds each (!), a play tower, large carrying containers, litter box,  dozens of toys and a month's worth of food.

If you'd like to have two wonderful additions to your home, email Shari at twidjr@yahoo.com, or call (310)  947-1323 and tell Shari you want to help save her sanity.

If you know anyone who needs a couple of wonderful cats, please alert them about Dusk and Sandy.

P.S. And for everyone else: please neuter and spay your cats! And then we won't have dozens of cats looking for homes.

How Much Oil Has Leaked Into the Gulf of Mexico?

I know that the oil is not leaking right here...but what happens in the seas around us affects everyone. And, if anyone ever again suggests that we should drill for oil off the coast of California, remember this latest calamity and go out and buy solar panels for your house or get a windmill or put on a sweater or SOMETHING.

You Can Get Filled Up AND Emptied Out This Saturday If You Plan It Right

How's this for a game plan for Saturday, May 8?

Get a couple of big boxes and spend this week piling up hazardous waste and old electronics that are sitting around your house.  This includes:

• paint (oil or water based)
• household and car batteries
• pesticides
• used oil and oil filters
• pool chemicals
• old medicine
• propane
• medical sharps (in a secure container)
• old and obsolete electronics such as:
• TVs
• VCRs
• Computer monitors
• CPUs
• key boards
• networking cables
• cell phones
• fax machines
• microwaves
• printers

On Friday night or Saturday morning, load all the junk in your car.

Start early and have breakfast at the Pony Club's annual Pancake Breakfast between 8 and 11 a.m. at 2 West Pomegranate Road.  Call 310-377-6058 and tell them you want to come. Tickets are $7. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, orange juice, coffee and trimmings.

When you're done eating, head on over to the RPV City Hall/City Yard at 30940 Hawthorne Boulevard for the city's annual FREE household hazardous waste and electronics waste roundup. . There will be temporary traffic signs for this event and there may be a line-up of cars. Be patient. When it's your turn: Dump the junk you stashed in your car. They will be taking stuff from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once collected, these items will be recycled or disposed of properly.

Then, you can either go home and take a nap, or go for a walk in the park. Either way, you'll feel much better.

P.S. Board meeting tonight (Monday, May 3, 2010) at Ladera Linda. Architectural meeting begins at 7 p.m. Board meeting begins right afterward.