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Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 28, 2009. Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) on Lake View Ave. as seen from Corralitas Drive. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Jacaranda trees are exploding with lavender-purple flowers all over the neighborhood right now. Jacaranda is one of the many species of trees available for free from the LA DWP's Trees for a Green LA Program. Take a 20 minute on-line course and qualify for free trees.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 23, 2009. Dry weeds above the Viaduct Footings and closest to the 5 Freeway are coated in black gunk. (Click on photo to enlarge.)While the Adelbert end of the Red Car Property boasts the largest variety of unique plants, it may also be the most polluted portion of the property. Closest to the 5 Freeway, a heavily travelled truck corridor, it's also right above the intersection of Riverside & Fletcher, another heavily travelled commute corridor.
The dry weeds near Riverside & Fletcher bear a black grime not evident on the dry weeds at the southern end of the Red Car Property at Corralitas & the 2 Freeway. The 2 Freeway has nowhere near the same truck or traffic volume as the 5 Freeway. The southern end of the property is also further away from the 5 Freeway than the northern end. 
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 21, 2009. Dry weeds at the Corralitas end of the Red Car Property, closest to the 2 Freeway, do not show the same black gunk as those close to the 5 Freeway. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 25, 2009. A patch of these fluffy, pliable-leaved plants are finally blooming on the slope between the Viaduct Footings and Adelbert. (Click on photo to enlarge.) If you can help identify any plant, animal or insect highlighted here, please send us an email: redcarproperty@gmail.com.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 23, 2009. Twelve-foot tall grass grows in clumps near Adelbert. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 21, 2009. One of several different types of grass growing on the slope between Adelbert and the Viaduct Footings. (Click on photo to enlarge.)Calflora lists 239 species of native and non-native grasses occurring in Los Angeles County. If you can help identify this or any other plant, animal or insect seen here, please contact us: redcarproperty@gmail.com.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 21, 2009. White butterfly on Wild Radish flower. (Click on photo to enlarge.)The northern end of the Red Car Property is host to a variety of butterflies. Perhaps it's due to the variety of flowers near Adelbert. The most commonly seen butterflies are the small white ones that like the Wild Radish flowers. If you can help identify any animal, bug or plant seen here, please email us: redcarproperty@gmail.com.
Photo: C.C. Pierce Photography, Title Insurance & Trust, California Historical Society, probably 1927 (when area roads were paved). Riverside Drive at Partridge Rd., looking toward Allesandro. Note the retaining wall on the right: it's the same wall as currently in front of Allesandro Elementary School and homes on Riverside Drive today.(Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: AAA of Southern California, USC Digital Archives, 1961. 2 & 5 Freeway construction dramatically changed the landscape of the neighborhood. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, 2008. If you look closely at the first photo and this photo, you can see the same homes on Sunflower Ave. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Cal Trans & the MTA released the environmental review for the 2 Freeway Terminus Redesign. There are two community workshops and a public hearing in June.
Last fall, we explored the history of our neighborhood surrounding the 2 Freeway through photos collected primarily from neighbors. If you have photos of the neighborhood prior to, or during construction of the area freeways, please share them with us: redcarproperty@gmail.com.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 13, 2009. The 2 Freeway from Corralitas Drive. (Click on photo to enlarge.)After several delays, the environmental review is available for 2 Freeway Terminus Redesign Project. It's available on the State's website, or more directly here. It is open for public review until July 2, 2009. ALL alternatives, including the "do nothing option," will put more traffic idling on the southbound 2 Freeway in our neighborhood. So, we may as well choose an alternative that gains as much park space and benefit to the community as possible. The community has consistently chosen the alternative that includes keeping the flyover ramp and turning it into park space. CalTrans keeps changing the name of that alternative to confuse the public.CalTrans and the MTA are holding two community workshops and a public hearing in June which might be easier deal with than weeding through a 292 page document: Community WorkshopTues., June 9, 20096:30-8:30 PM Mayberry Elementary School 2414 Mayberry Street Los Angeles CA 90026Community Workshop Thurs., June 11, 20096:30-8:30 PMBarlow Hospital, Williams Hallin Elysian Park2000 Stadium WayLos Angeles, CA 90026Public HearingTues., June 16, 2009 6:30 - 8:30 PMMayberry Elementary School2414 Mayberry St.Los Angeles, CA 90026For more information contact the project helpline (213) 922-3010 or www.metro.net Last fall, we explored the history of our neighborhood surrounding the 2 Freeway through photos collected primarily from neighbors. If you have any photos of the neighborhood before or during freeway construction, please share them with us: redcarproperty@gmail.com.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 22, 2009. Tiny pinkish-purplish flowers near Adelbert are in bloom all over the Red Car Property. They leave nasty spiky seed pods that get caught between your dogs toes. (Click on photo to enlarge.) UPDATE May 27, 2009: Thanks to two readers, Philip and Breadteam, who both identified this plant as Common Storksbill, also known as Redstem Filaree (Erodium cicutarium). It is non-native, invasive and similar to the Broadleaf Filaree. I'd like to extend extra special thanks to Philip, who has identified many plants in the past few months! If you can help identify any plant highlighted here, please email us: redcarproperty@gmail.com.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 22, 2009. This unusual plant is drying up quickly, but is still in bloom above the Viaduct Footings. (Click on photo to enlarge.)The wildflowers between Adelbert and the Viaduct Footings benefit from the more northerly facing slope and tall trees on either side of the Red Car Property producing more shade than on the rest of the property. The slopes seems to hold moisture longer since they are not blasted by direct sun all day long. There are still green patches of grass and lots of new wildflowers coming up.If you can help identify any plant we highlight, email us at redcarproperty@gmail.com.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 13, 2009. Bees have been busy with the large Opuntia cactus near India St. on the Red Car Property. (Click on photo to enlarge.)Opuntia is a good fire resistant plant. It stores water in its large pads, so it does not burn easily. The blobs of white stuff are cochineal or scale insects. When crushed, they emit a redish-purple liquid. Indians used to make a dye from them.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 9, 2009. Two-inch diameter cluster of yellow flowers top a narrow 12 to 18-inch stalk. (Click on photo to enlarge.)A variety of wildflowers are coming into bloom between the Adelbert cut-through to the Red Car Property and the Viaduct Footings. Native wildflowers, grasses and trees are repopulating this particular slope after the City repaired it in 2007 (following the slope failure during 2005 rainstorms).
If you can help identify any plant, animal or bug we highlight, please contact us: redcarproperty@gmail.com. UPDATE: Thanks to Michael O'Brien for helping us identify this native plant as Common Goldenstar (Bloomeria crocea).
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 7, 2009. Big beetle on the Semi Tropic Spiritalists' Tract proposed Lot 16. (Click on photo to enlarge.)No surprise here. City Council's PLUM Committee denied neighbors' appeal, despite considerable evidence illustrated with photos and graphics. Wednesday, May 13, 2009 City Council will likely vote to approve the 16-lot subdivision of the 3 Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract Lots since City Councilmember Eric Garcetti did not support the neighbors.
Garcetti's staff supported the additions to the MND by City Planning involving conditions for potential burrowing owl nesting sites and addition of two Grading Dept. memos that have nothing to do with environmental effects.
The developer listed the property for sale as a 16-lot subdivision, back in January, prior to final approval. Once all the trees are cut down and they start cutting into the hillside and abandon the site like so many before them, we can write another chapter in the long Legacy of Failed Development.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 7, 2009, 7:37 AM. Red Tail Hawk in Eucalyptus tree. (Click on photo to enlarge.) Thursday, while walking up Modjeska from Peru St., a Red Tail Hawk caught my eye as it failed in a hunting attempt on the upper plateau of the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract proposed Lot 16. It was using the tree as a high vantage point for swooping down on potential prey on the upper plateau. Most mornings, you can see hawks and kestrels using the tall trees for hunting on the 3 large lots slated for subdivision. This non-native tree will likely not survive the plateau removal should the developer gain final approval and actually build his subdivision on the site. Neighbors will be making their appeal to City Council's PLUM Committee on Tues., May 12, 2009. See also: Legacy of Failed Development
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 7, 2009. Three weeks ago, the Common Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was still green in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. (Click on photo to enlarge.)City Council's Planning & Land Use Management Committee (PLUM) will revisit the plan to subdivide the 3 large lots into 16 lots in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract on Tuesday, May 12. The hearing has been postponed several times in the past month. In February, the City Council sent the item back to City Planning for further review the environmental concerns. City Planning issued revisions to the environmental review of 2400 Allesandro, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: ENV-2005-9337. PLUM Hearing Tuesday, May 12, 20092PM City Hall, Room 350 200 N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Council File #: CF 09-0082 PLUM Agenda: Item #11
See also: Legacy of Failed Development
Photo: Diane Edwardson August 6, 2008. City Planning wants to remove Allesandro Elementary School from the "Hillside Area." (Click on photo to enlarge.) City Planning is making code amendments affecting Hillside Neighborhoods with minimal public outreach and review. It is removing certain areas from the Hillside Area to enable parts of the Hillside Mansionization Ordinance. However, the lots removed from the Hillside Area appear to be carved with a scalpel at the behest of developers' and LAUSD lobbyists.Why should you care about City Planning esoterica? It might affect your views and increase density in your neighborhood.In the Red Car Property Neighborhood, City Planning wants to remove Allesandro Elementary School from the Hillside Area. City Planning argues the school property is a big flat site, fronting on Riverside Drive. Ivanhoe Elementary is also on a flat lot, but Ivanhoe is not being removed from the Hillside Area.Allesandro Elementary is bordered on 3 sides by substandard Hillside Streets. Glen Eden is the only access road to this very dense neighborhood (with lot sizes as small as 800 sq ft). Many of the neighborhood streets are subject to Red Flag No Parking Days. The entire neighborhood between the Red Car Property and Allesandro Elementary already feels the burden of parents commandeering the neighborhood streets, while dropping off and picking up their kids. If you live on India, Riverside Place, Riverside Terrace, and Silver Lake Ave., you should be concerned. If you live on parts of Lake View Ave. overlooking Allesandro Elementary, you should be concerned too. Your views could be affected.LAUSD recently submitted plans to build housing on site of a Glassell Park school. Removing Allesandro Elementary from Hillside would make it easier for LAUSD to gain extra units, build taller and reduce parking for any new residential construction. Removing the Hillside designation would also raise the threshold for number of units triggering a site plan review by the public, further reducing pubic input on development proposals. 
Photo: Diane Edwardson, 2004. Glendale Blvd., as seen from Waverly, is slated for removal from designated Hillside Area. (Click on photo to enlarge.) Residents of Lake View Ave. and Silver Ridge Ave. who have a view of Silver Lake Reservoir should be concerned. Parts of Glendale Blvd roughly between Silver Lake Blvd and Fletcher are slated for removal from Hillside designation. Again, increased density, increased building height, reduced parking and loss of views are potential impacts on the neighborhood.In response to Eastside community activists outcry over the lack of public outreach by City Planning, City Councilmember Eric Garcetti's staff (CD13) requested City Planning hold an community meeting on this side of town, at a reasonable time for the public to attend. Hillside Code Amendments Follow-up MeetingWednesday, May 13, 20096:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Glassell Park Community/Senior Center/CD13 Field Office(In the Public Storage Building)
3750 Verdugo Road.Glassell Park Directions from the Red Car Property Neighborhood: Take the 2 Freeway North to Verdugo Rd. exit - go straight off the exit, into the Public Storage Parking Lot - parking in rear. Do not attempt to drive around the block.
City Planning has been quietly revising all manner of codes with minimal public review. See "Jane Usher Slams Gail Goldberg," by Steven Leigh Morris, in the April 29, LA Weekly. Silver Lake Neighborhood Council's Urban Design & Preservation Advisory Committee (SLNC UD&PAC) will be attending this meeting, rather than their regularly scheduled committee meeting.
Photo: Mack, Herald Examiner, August 1, 1959. Dismantling of the Pacific Electric Fletcher Viaduct, shot from Riverside Drive looking toward Glendale Blvd. (Click on photo to enlarge.)Although Pacific Electric discontinued the Glendale Red Car Trolley Line in 1955, it was another four years before they dismantled the viaducts at Fletcher and Riverside Drives, as well as Glendale Blvd. and Riverside Dr. Grading for the nearby freeways began in 1960. Considering how long it took the powers that be to get around to removing the abandoned viaducts, it appears our neighborhood has always been a Political No Man's Land. For reference, in the above photo, what we refer to today as the Red Car Property is to the left of the viaduct; the Menlo Property is to the right.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 5, 2009. Sunflowers replaced the Lupines on the Meadow. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Russell Bates, May 3, 2009. Great Horned Owl in Eucalyptus tree on Lake View Ave. (Click on photo to enlarge for awesome feather detail.)
Red Car Property neighbor, Russell Bates sent this amazingly detailed photo of a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) in his Eucalyptus tree. Several crows and a hawk kept circling the owl while it hung out in the tree yesterday. According to Bates, the noise of the birds harassing the owl was cacophonous.
I once saw a progression of birds similarly harass an owl in a neighbor's tree. Red tail hawks, kestrels, crows, mockingbirds, a variety of little birds and even hummingbirds all took their turn dive-bombing and screaming at the owl for a couple of hours one morning. Owls are stealthy hunters. They fly completely silently due to specialized feathers, so it's no wonder the other birds try to chase them off. Bates pointed out, "It's also fairly bone-chilling to have an owl stare at you."
Last December, many neighbors on Corralitas Drive and Riverside Place reported routine sightings of two Great Horned Owls calling to one another. A Corralitas neighbor reported an owl flying right past her head while she was standing on her deck, just a couple of weeks ago. Lately, the owls have been "hooting" around Corralitas the pre-dawn hours.
You can listen to the calls of Great Horned Owls on the Ojai Raptor Center's website. (They rehabilitated and released one of the red tail hawks we rescued a few years ago.)
Several neighbors have tried to snap photos of the owls. Bates is the first to succeed. Kudos!
If you have photos of any neighborhood wildlife, please send them to Diane Edwardson at redcarproperty@gmail.com with info pertaining to when, where and who took the photo as well as any other observations of the animal's behavior at the time. DO NOT attempt to pet or feed wildlife.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 17, 2009. The lack of curbs, gutters or sidewalks at the corner of Peru & El Moran Streets means the hillside drains directly into the lots below. (Click on photo to enlarge.)City Council's Planning & Land Use (PLUM) Committee is yet again cancelled for next week. Sounds like City Councilmember Jack Weiss is avoiding making any decisions that could effect the election for City Attorney. There was a Citywide sign (billboard) ordinance on the agenda.PLUM will revisit the plan to subdivide the 3 large lots into 16 lots in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract on Tuesday May 12. The hearing was scheduled for May 5 (agenda item #3). In February, the City Council sent the item back to City Planning for further review the environmental concerns. City Planning issued revisions to the environmental review of 2400 Allesandro, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: ENV-2005-9337. PLUM Hearing Tuesday, May 12, 20092PM City Hall, Room 350 200 N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Council File #: CF 09-0082
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 28, 2009. Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) on Lake View Ave. as seen from Corralitas Drive. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 23, 2009. Dry weeds above the Viaduct Footings and closest to the 5 Freeway are coated in black gunk. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 21, 2009. Dry weeds at the Corralitas end of the Red Car Property, closest to the 2 Freeway, do not show the same black gunk as those close to the 5 Freeway. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 25, 2009. A patch of these fluffy, pliable-leaved plants are finally blooming on the slope between the Viaduct Footings and Adelbert. (Click on photo to enlarge.) 
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 23, 2009. Twelve-foot tall grass grows in clumps near Adelbert. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 21, 2009. One of several different types of grass growing on the slope between Adelbert and the Viaduct Footings. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 21, 2009. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) going to seed above the Viaduct Footings. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 21, 2009. White butterfly on Wild Radish flower. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 14, 2009. Native Douglas' Nightshade (Solanum douglasii) grows along the fence between Corralitas Drive and the 2 Freeway. Nightshade is classified as majorly toxic. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: C.C. Pierce Photography, Title Insurance & Trust, California Historical Society, probably 1927 (when area roads were paved). Riverside Drive at Partridge Rd., looking toward Allesandro. Note the retaining wall on the right: it's the same wall as currently in front of Allesandro Elementary School and homes on Riverside Drive today.(Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: AAA of Southern California, USC Digital Archives, 1961. 2 & 5 Freeway construction dramatically changed the landscape of the neighborhood. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, 2008. If you look closely at the first photo and this photo, you can see the same homes on Sunflower Ave. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 13, 2009. The 2 Freeway from Corralitas Drive. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 22, 2009. Tiny pinkish-purplish flowers near Adelbert are in bloom all over the Red Car Property. They leave nasty spiky seed pods that get caught between your dogs toes. (Click on photo to enlarge.) 
Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 22, 2009. This unusual plant is drying up quickly, but is still in bloom above the Viaduct Footings. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 13, 2009. Bees have been busy with the large Opuntia cactus near India St. on the Red Car Property. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 13, 2009. Red Car Property between Adelbert and the Viaduct Footings. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 9, 2009. Two-inch diameter cluster of yellow flowers top a narrow 12 to 18-inch stalk. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 7, 2009. The Lupines near the historic Landacre Cabin are going to seed, along with the sunflowers and wild oats. 
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 7, 2009. Big beetle on the Semi Tropic Spiritalists' Tract proposed Lot 16. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 7, 2009, 7:37 AM. Red Tail Hawk in Eucalyptus tree. (Click on photo to enlarge.) 
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 7, 2009. Three weeks ago, the Common Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was still green in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson August 6, 2008. City Planning wants to remove Allesandro Elementary School from the "Hillside Area." (Click on photo to enlarge.) 
Photo: Diane Edwardson, 2004. Glendale Blvd., as seen from Waverly, is slated for removal from designated Hillside Area. (Click on photo to enlarge.) 
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 5, 2009. Sunflowers replaced the Lupines on the Meadow. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 5, 2009. Artist Philip Lumbang returned to complete the mural on Shawnda & Randy's wall. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, April 17, 2009. The lack of curbs, gutters or sidewalks at the corner of Peru & El Moran Streets means the hillside drains directly into the lots below. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
