Red Car Property: Coast Live Oak Sprouting Acorns

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 23, 2009. Coast Live Oak on "Lot C" of the Red Car Property near Adelbert. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Red Car Property: Mattress Above Viaduct Footings

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 23, 2009. During the extreme heat, a homeless person dragged a mattress upslope from behind the Arco Station. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Northeast LAPD Senior Lead Officer Summit Tonight

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 23, 2009. Guard dog on the Red Car Property at India Street. Always spay or neuter your pets. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Meet your LAPD Senior Lead Officers (SLO), Commanding Officers, as well as reps from area City Council Districts, Dept. of Transportation, Rec. & Parks, Building & Safety and Animal Control.

Northeast LAPD Senior Lead Officer Summit
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
6:30 PM
Dodger Stadium, Stadium Club
Parking Lot L

http://www.lapdonline.org/

Los Angeles River: Wildlife

Video: John Waiblinger, July 24, 2009. Egrets over Glendale Narrows, Los Angeles River, near the golf course at Los Feliz Blvd.

The Glendale Narrows section of the Los Angeles River is one of the most scenic. It is literally in our backyard. The river has a "soft bottom." In other words, it is not completely lined in concrete. As the video shows, it looks like a real river, not a concrete lined drainage ditch. See www.lariver.org for the LA River Revitalization Master Plan.

Photo: John Waiblinger, July 24, 2009. Egret on LA River, Glendale Narrows near Los Feliz Blvd. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Waiblinger writes in an email, "I was so excited to finally make my way down to the river (my first trip, but NOT my last! ...so much to explore)."

You can access the LA River in our neighborhood from Fletcher Drive at Rattlesnake Park (the Great Heron Gates), just on the other side of the 5 Freeway from the Red Car Property. If you go north or south on the river from Fletcher you are in the Glendale Narrows.

Velvety Soft Plants Staging Comeback

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 23, 2009. Velvety soft plants growing back after the City did brush clearance with a backhoe and a giant rota-tiller last month. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

If you can help identify plants, animals or insects highlighted here, please contact us: redcarproperty@gmail.com.

Brush Dumped On Red Car Property

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 19, 2009. Pile of dry brush dumped last week on the Red Car Property near the Silver Lake Ave. Staircase. Well, if the City can leave piles of crap when they do brush clearance... (Click on photo to enlarge.)

UPDATE August 19, 2009: The City finally picked up the pile of brush today.

Corralitas Staircase: Reptile Sightings

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 24, 2009. In the past few days, the tiniest little lizard has claimed the Corralitas Public Staircase. He must be an inch long. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 24, 2009. He's super fast. Hopefully he'll evade predators and grow to be a big lizard, like one seen earlier this year. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Two weeks ago, during brush clearance on an adjacent lot, there was a 3' gopher snake sighting on the staircase.

Last weekend's 2-day, 40-mile staircase hike, "The Big Parade" (featuring staircases in the Red Car Property and Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract) is reviewed in "Walking for Walking in Los Angeles."

Send us photos or video of your urban wildlife encounter in the Corralitas Red Car Neighborhood. Include your name, date and approximate time of photo, plus any observations of the animal's behavior at the time of the photo: redcarproperty@gmail.com.

Do You Know Where Your Contractor Dumps Leftovers?

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 23, 2009. If these concrete pavers look familiar: tell your contractor to pick them up from the Red Car Property near Rose Scharlin Preschool, where he dumped them. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Midnight is Lost

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 23, 2009. Poster on Rosebud Ave. & Corralitas Drive. Let's hope Midnight didn't meet a neighborhood coyote. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Menlo Property: Public Hearing Continued

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 14, 2009. Menlo Property, Coast Live Oak grow above the upper retaining wall. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Yesterday's City Planning Advisory Agency public hearing for the Menlo Property was continued for further environmental review of impacts on air quality, biological resources and trail issues.

Sound familiar? We recently went through this with the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract subdivision. At least this time, the Advisory Agency recognized what was missing before making a decision.

Note to developers: we take greenfield development seriously in a neighborhood overburdened by freeways.

Menlo Property: Public Hearing Today

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 14, 2009. View from atop the upper retaining wall on the Menlo Property. Almost all the drainage benches & support built into the slope for stabilization would be removed for construction of 120 condos on Riverside Drive.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 14, 2009. We will, however, get more of this: freeboard of up to 5' is being required by the Grading Dept. on the upper retaining wall. This is what 2' of freeboard looks like on the existing upper retaining wall on the Menlo Property.

Convicted slumlord, Sam Menlo and his company, Century Quality Management are seeking a zone variance for the existing 157 units of the River Glen Apts. on Riverside Drive and a tentative tract to build 120 condo units on the vacant Menlo Property next door. It's more than a 50% increase on the existing RD2 zoning.

The Silver Lake Neighborhood Council has is suggesting a variety of mitigations, including a tree-planted median for the length of Riverside Drive, which is a Designated Scenic Highway in the Community Plan.

The Menlo Property goes to a City Planning Advisory Agency public hearing:

Wed. July 22, 2009
9:30 AM
City Hall, Room 1020

ENV-2009-517-MND
VTT-70871-CN
ZA-2009-534-ZV-SPR
2600-2750 Riverside Drive

The Menlo Property is notorious among the Legacy of Failed Development in our neighborhood. History of this site indicates chances are very high we will see another abandoned project on this site once they start digging into the hillside.

See: all Menlo related posts.

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Cactus

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 18, 2009. Cactus at the corner of Walcott and Peru is blooming spectacularly. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Semi Tropic Leftovers

Photo: Lucinda Inganni, July 16, 2009. Lucinda & her dogs found a small pile of fur and possibly a bone from a pelvis in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Photo: Lucinda Inganni, July 16, 2009. Could be skunk or more likely, raccoon, since it didn't smell like skunk.

Send your neighborhood wildlife photos or video to redcarproperty@gmail.com.

Why We Encourage Brush Clearance

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 19, 2009. Bottle rocket remnants, lots of them, just north of India on Lot C of the Red Car Property. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Day 2 of "The Big Parade:" Red Car Property

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 19, 2009. The Big Parade on Silver Lake Court, a paper street (unbuilt City street). (Click on photos to enlarge.)
Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 19, 2009. From Silver Lake Court, the hikers found the hidden Roselin Staircase, once used by neighbors to reach the India St. stop for the Red Car Trolley.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 19, 2009. After winding their way through the Roselin & Adelbert Public Staircases, the hardy group went down Adelbert to the Red Car Property for a brief trek through the urban wilderness.
Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 19, 2009. While a Red-Shouldered Hawk soared overhead, at top of the historic Red Car Viaduct Footings, the intrepid urban hikers learned about the huge bridge (viaduct) that crossed Fletcher. The group continued across Fletcher and up the Waverly Staircase, on their way to their eventual goal of Day 2: The Hollywood Sign.

Follow their progress, join "The Big Parade" later today or offer up cold drinks as they pass thorough your neighborhood. Route and approximate time tables are on www.bigparadela.com. They are about an hour and half behind schedule.

Red Car Property: Bonfire Last Night

Photo: A. Barron, July 19, 2009. A garden rake-wielding neighbor chased off 3 pot-smoking, drinking teenagers around 3AM from behind Rose Scharlin Preschool. Considering the piles of brush the City left behind when they did brush clearance, there's plenty of kindling. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Day 1: "The Big Parade" on Corralitas

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 18, 2009. The Big Parade on the Corralitas Staircase - 133 steps up. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

"The Big Parade" made their way down Fellowship Parkway Stairs, to the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: up the Landa Staircase, where resident Cindy O. provided welcome refreshments to the more than 60 hikers in the midday heat.

The hardy group continued down the Peru Staircase, to Whitmore to Alvarado and back though the Semi Tropic Lots. They paused briefly to see the petrels carved into the eaves of the Paul Landacre Cabin, a City of Los Angeles Historic Landmark.

They continued down through the Semi Tropic Tract via Modjeska, Peru and Rosebud enjoying a breathtaking view of the 2 & 5 Freeway Interchange and the LA River. Crossing under the 2 Freeway on Rosebud they faced one of the tougher staircases in the blistering sun: Corralitas, 133 steps in 6 flights.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 18, 2009. Corraltias Walk between Corraltias Drive and Allesandro Way.

"The Big Parade" contunued up Corralitas Walk to Allesandro Way past the Holyland Exhibition. They continued across the 2 Freeway on the Oak Glen Overpass and on to Loma Vista Stairs in Elysian Heights.

The Loma Vista Staircase on the Silver Lake side of the 2 Freeway along with the rest of the Red Car Property Neighborhood is on Day 2's agenda. See www.bigparadela.com for details, routes and timetables.

Day 2 of "The Big Parade" Features Fletcher Red Car Viaduct Footings

Photo: Diane Edwardson, 2004. City of Los Angeles Historic Landmark #770, Red Car Viaduct Footings as seen from Waverly. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Photo: Bill Volkmer, Dave's Rail Pix, undated photo. Fletcher Red Car Viaduct from Waverly. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Sunday morning, July 19, "The Big Parade" will hike through the Corralitas Red Car Property Neighborhood including the Fletcher Viaduct Footings. If you want to join the ultimate urban hike for a few staircases, a few miles or both days, see www.bigparadela.com for details, routes and schedules of approximately 40 miles and 135 staircases.

Staircase Hikers: Beware The Corralitas Pits of Doom

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 2, 2009. The handrail only covers the first two segments of the Corralitas Public Staircase. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

If you're taking "The Big Parade" hike through Corralitas on Saturday, July 18: BEWARE THE CORRALITAS PITS OF DOOM. There are no handrails beyond the first two flights of stairs. There is a good 10' drop off the side of the public staircase to the Pits of Doom below.

More than a year ago, the developer of 2463 & 2467 Corralitas Drive abandoned work on two big stucco boxes adjacent to the Corralitas Public Staircase. In October 2008, a neighbor discovered his missing dog at the bottom of one of the dozen 3' diameter, 8 - 12' deep holes, right next to the public staircase, covered only by a disintegrating blue tarp. Fortunately, the dog was unhurt.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 15, 2009. The Corralitas Pits of Doom are between the Corralitas Public Staircase & the sage-colored stucco box. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

After Building & Safety issued an Order to Comply, the builder covered the Corralitas Pits of Doom with plywood. However, Building & Safety never enforced the Order to Comply to fence the dangerous site.

Work was supposed to be completed on the developer's planned retaining wall by June 30, 2009. No work has occurred since they covered the Pits of Doom in October 2008. Nor has the brush been cleared. The property line goes almost to the top of the public staircase. The dead bamboo is another bonus.

Earl Staircase & Hollywood Sign Featured Day 2 of "The Big Parade"

Photo: Antonio Futterer, Holyland Exhibition, 1960. Shot from Fellowship Parkway, looking at the Silver Lake side of what is now the 2 Freeway. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Sunday, July 19, Day 2 of the ultimate urban hike, "The Big Parade," will begin at the Music Box Steps and end at the Hollywood Sign. They'll be in the Red Car Neighborhood in the morning.

Fellowship Parkway, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract and Corralitas staircases are on Saturday's schedule.

Check www.bigparadela.com for instructions, routes and approximate timetables. Be sure to check Friday night, as routes and times may change. Dan Koeppel, who is organizing the event, emphasizes following their progress on Twitter so you can join the hike in progress, or just offer encouragement as they work their way through our neighborhood.

"The Big Parade" Features Neighborhood Public Staircases

Photo: Diane Edwardson, 2002. Roselin Staircase is on Day 2 of the ultimate urban hike: "The Big Parade," July 19, 2009. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Red Car Property: Leftovers

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 11, 2009. Harvester ants having a field day on leftover feathers from either a coyote or fox kill, above the viaduct footings. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract: Coyote

Video courtesy: Rosebud Marketing Group, July 11, 2009. Link to full-size video.

This weekend, a young coyote paid a visit to a backyard pond in the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract. The owner's terrier can be heard as he defended the pond from the safety of the bedroom window.

So many neighbors comment they've never seen a coyote. In our neighborhood, I've seen more coyotes in broad daylight, than after dark.

If you have neighborhood wildlife photos or video, share them with us: redcarproperty@gmail.com. Do not attempt to touch or feed urban wildlife. For more on living with urban wildlife see: LA Animal Services website.

July 18 & 19: The Ultimate Urban Hike

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 8, 2008. Silver Lake Ave Staircase between Lake View Ave. and Riverside Place is Staircase 45 on on Day 2 of The Big Parade. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Next weekend, July 18 - 19, 2009, an intrepid group of local hikers will hike approximately 40 miles and 135 public staircases in 2 days.

Anyone is welcome to join them on "The Big Parade" for any length of time. If you'd like to join the hike or can provide support, they've got a good FAQ page on their website.

Route maps are posted with the trail between the historic Angels' Flight Staircase, Downtown, to the Hollywood Sign. In our neighborhood, Day 1: Saturday, July 18, includes the Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract, Fellowship Parkway and Corralitas staircases, with a camp out at the Music Box Steps. Day 2: Sunday, July 19, includes the historic Red Car Viaduct Footings, Waverly, Roselin, Silver Lake Ave., Earl and Loma Vista staircases.

Neighbors are encouraged to offer cold drinks to these hardy adventurers as they take the ultimate urban hike.

Mystery Tree Blooming on Corralitas

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 2, 2009. Small tree blooming on the side of the 2 Freeway and Corralitas Drive. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Littlefoot Prowls Red Car Property

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 30, 2009, 8:08 AM. Fresh 3 inch long footprints just north of India St. entrance to the Red Car Property. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The Pacific Northwest has Bigfoot. The Corralitas Red Car Property has Littlefoot. The prints are possibly skunk, raccoon or opossum. Or, perhaps it's a small mutant hominid covered in fur: Littlefoot.

Littlefoot lurks in the shadows of the Red Car Property, venturing out at night and the early morning hours, foraging in bushes and around trashcans. A few minutes later, all evidence of Littlefoot was obliterated by the next truck driving onto the property. Littlefoot prints should not be confused with domestic dog footprints, below.

UPDATE July 10, 2009: A Red Car Property neighbor who also is a LA Zoo keeper thinks Littlefoot is a raccoon.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 30, 2009. Dog footprint near India St. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 30, 2009. Bird footprints near India St. Red Car Property. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Sunflowers The City Left Behind

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 25, 2009. A few sunflowers are still blooming on the Red Car Property meadow after the City did brush clearance with a giant rota-tiller. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Crap The Homeless Guy Left Behind

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 30, 2009. Homeless encampment remnants on the Red Car Property meadow. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

For about two years, a homeless guy made his home on the densely overgrown slope above the Red Car Property meadow. For the past year, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) worked to persuade him to move off the hillside (technically, a part of the Red Car Property) and into supportive housing.

Perhaps it was not LAHSA, but a skunk that finally persuaded this homeless person to leave. Two days prior to this photo, the slope near the encampment had a very strong skunk odor emanating from it. Or, he did some spring cleaning and pushed his trash down the slope. Prior to this incident, he had been extremely well-hidden and tidy.

Now we just have another pile of crap left on the Red Car Property. Why not? The City left piles of crap when they did brush clearance and every day, inconsiderate dog owners literally leave piles of crap all over the Red Car Property.

Belated 4th of July Post

Photo: Diane Edwardson. Fireworks on the LA River were spectacular as always. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The illegal fireworks show on the LA River was even larger and more explosive than usual this year. Luckily, there were far fewer LAFD sirens this year.

Stunning Action Shot!

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer, June 29, 2009. Neighborhood hummingbird. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Jonathan Vandiveer, a Red Car Property neighbor, caught an awesome shot of a hummingbird outside his window. Vandiveer previously shared wildlife encounters with Slender Salamanders and MOTHRA!

If you have photos of neighborhood wildlife, please email them to us: redcarproperty@gmail.com.

Remember, never attempt to feed or touch wildlife. If you encounter injured wildlife, call the City's info line: 311, ask for the Dept. of Animal Services.

Learn more about living with urban wildlife on the Dept. of Animal Services' website.

Menlo Property: 120 Units Proposed, Giant Retaining Wall Will Remain

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 14, 2009. It's an eyesore from every angle. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Tonight, the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council will vote on the proposed Menlo Property development at their regular Governing Board meeting:

Silver Lake Neighborhood Council Meeting
Wed., July 1, 2009
7PM
Micheltorena School Auditorium
1511 Micheltorena St.

A City Planning public hearing is scheduled for Wed., July 22, 2009.

Photo: Diane Edwardson, November 1, 2007. Overwhelming in scale, in 1987, the wall was to extend the entire length of the vacant land with an apartment building atop the 40' wall. Just another episode in the Legacy of Failed Development. (Click on photo to enlarge.)