Corralitas Easter Eggs

Photo: George W. Jones, 2008

Corralitas is swarming with hummingbirds this year. The nest hanging off our driveway, near the dryer vent, appears to be constructed of dryer lint and spiderweb filament. The female is even tinier than the one with the earlier nest. I've seen at least 4 different species of males in my neighbor's yard this year. He's got lots of hummingbird-friendly flowers to attract them.

Corralitas Dr. Ugly Rooftop Watch Part 2

Photo: Edwardson, March 10, 2008. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Perhaps the architect of these two newly constructed homes on Corralitas Drive just had a fetish for the 1985 Terry Gilliam movie, Brazil.

A close-up view

Ugly Rooftop Watch Part 1

Part 3

Riverside Drive - No Overnight Parking District

Riverside Drive at Fruitdale 3-12-08. Photo: Edwardson

Starting this Friday, 3-14-08, The City will implement a "No Overnight Parking Zone" from 2AM to 6AM daily on Riverside Drive between Los Feliz and Oros St., as well as Allesandro Ave. between Riverside Drive and Glendale Blvd. Residents can obtain permits for "District 527" and more information by calling the Dept of Transportation (213)473-7890.

For decades people have lived in motor homes and other vehicles on Riverside Drive. In response to the increased number of vehicles and neighborhood complaints, the City crafted this solution after years of discussion within City Council District 13.

Parking District 527 will be expandable if motor homes start parking on adjacent residential streets. The Silver Lake Neighborhood Council and CD13 identified the most likely streets last fall.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If motor homes begin parking on your residential street, report the activity immediately to 1-877-ASK-LAPD and your Senior Lead Officer. Additionally, contact CD13 (if you are south of Fletcher) and report the motor homes to Billie Jean Londono (323)957-4500 or Sallie Martinez (323)478-9002. CD13 will create a file to establish justification for expanding the district. However, the downside is neighbors would have to purchase parking permits. So calling the LAPD is important to reinforce that our residential streets are not appropriate for motor homeless living.

Not Quite Hawks...

Photo: Edwardson, 2008

The red tail hawks did not nest on our side of Corralitas this year. The hawks still hunt in the neighborhood but the hummingbirds feel safe enough to nest on our deck.

Fire Season Lasts All Year 'Round...

Above: December 1960 Red Car Property grass fire (south end), Lake View and Silver Ridge in background. Photo: Futterer, Holyland Exhibition

Click on photos to enlarge

Above: 2007 From Corralitas across Red Car Canyon to Lake View. Photo: Edwardson

Aztec Rising, a non-profit fire prevention crew, began clearing dead trees and trimming back thick vegetation on the Red Car Property slopes this week. They will be working in the area for the next several months under a grant secured by CD13. They will concentrate on problem areas like the Red Car Property, Los Angeles River and areas around Elysian Park adjacent to homes.

Aztec has done work on the Red Car Property slopes in the past few years, as well as a major problem area below the 2 Freeway adjacent to Riverside Drive and Corralitas Drive just last year. Neighbors are encouraged to bring cold drinks out to the crew when they're in your area. If you have any questions, you can speak directly to the crew: Enrique Hurtado is the supervisor, or contact Mitch O'Farrell in CD13: (323)957-4500.