Red Car Property: Hoping For Rain

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer, January 26, 2014.  We're usually on Mudwatch this time of year (near the Silver lake Ave Public Staircase). 

Red Car Canyon Lake: 1 Year Ago

Photo: Diane Edwardson, January 24, 2013.  We were in drought, but at least we had enough rain to make things green by this time last year.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Neighbors are glad they pressed CD13 for brush clearance and removal of dangerous dead trees built up in Red Car Canyon in October.

Red Car Canyon: Not A Park, It Just Looks Like One

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer, January 25, 2014.  Too many generations of children have grown up in the neighborhood without the Red Car Property being secured as public open space. 

 



Red Car Canyon: Neighbors Taking Action

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer, 2014.  Fed up with the slow or no response from the City's 311 service, when it comes to painting over graffiti on the Red Car Property, neighbors on Riverside Place & Lake View have been working together for months to keep it painted out as quickly as possible.

Graffiti vandals have been running amok throughout the area, not just the Red Car Property.  Despite assurances from one of the City's contractors that tagging reported as "on the rear fence of street address, fence is on the Red Car Property" would be painted out for accessible fences, there still seems to be a problem finding the locations. Heck, they can't seem to find the Silver Lake Ave Public Staircase.

Like neighbors in Elysian Valley, Riverside Place & Lake View neighbors have been photographing the tags to send to the LAPD officer who tracks gang tags in Northeast Division, before painting it out in the event it is gang related.  Most of it is not. 

Don't let the graffiti vandals win by creating fear in the neighborhood.  Paint it out immediately.  If you are unable to do so, report it to the City's My 311 service (with photos) either by smartphone app or on the City's website.  If you call 311, the operator doesn't usually record enough information on location for the contractor to find it. 

LAPD strongly advises people to NOT confront graffiti vandals.  If you see someone tagging & can safely take a picture, do so.  If not, write down a good description of the kid(s) & call the LAPD non-emergency line, 1-877-ASK-LAPD immediately. 

Kudos to the neighbors working together to make the Red Car Property a cleaner place.  At least one neighbor spends a couple of hours painting out graffiti several times a month on the Red Car Property alone.

Riverside Dr & Gilroy, 5 Freeway Overpass: Why So Many People Hate Murals

Photos: Red Car Property Neighbor, January 22, 2014.  A neighbor submitted these photos to  My 311 on the City's website  to get the graffiti painted out.  Yesterday the neighbor received the following response:

On behalf of the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti, and your City Council, thank you for contacting 3-1-1 to report graffiti in your neighborhood.
Please be advised - we have reviewed the request to remove the graffiti (2131859) that was reported on Jan 22, 2014 at 2701 N GILROY ST and determined that the request should be cancelled.
The associated comments are:
'(Reassigned from CCAC) Gang tags(per constituent/WITH photo)/PHOTO shows mural @ underpass of 5 Freeway/"Frogtown" on walls of underpass in black MYLA311 sR# 033044 1/22/14-OCB/GV - these are neither legal nor coated murals. City cannot abate. CANCEL'
For more information, please contact 3-1-1 with the Service Request Number 2131859.
Graffiti abatement requests may be submitted to the Office of Community Beautification at the following website: http://Anti-Graffiti.LACity.org

According to the attached photos in the neighbor's original submission, the tags have been painted out dozens of times before.  

Highly annoyed, the neighbor contacted me.  We contacted Adam Bass in City Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell's office (CD13), who expects have it painted out  (or have answers) by the end of the day today.  

Yet one more reason why so many people hate these half-assed murals.

You can also use the City's smartphone app, but it hasn't been working to well for those areas without addresses, that's why we recommend the City's website where you can put in more detail.  Don't even bother calling 311 if there is no address, it won't get logged in correctly.

*5:30 PM: The neighbor reports the graffiti was painted out by noon today.  Thanks Adam in CD13!

Red Car Canyon: How Many Times Do We Have To Say It? LEAVE THE TREES ALONE!

Photo: Red Car Canyon Neighbor, December 31, 2013.  It's not just the Red Car Property that's besieged by taggers for the past few months.  Elysian Valley, Echo Park & other parts of Silver Lake have been hit too.   In this instance, they've vandalized a non-native white walnut tree.

Red Car Property: It Takes Effort To Dump Near Rose Scharlin Nursery School

Photo: Red Car Property Neighbor, January 18, 2014.  Someone dumped a pile of wardrobe boxes, broken glass, batteries & other trash way south of India St on the Red Car Property, near Rose Scharlin Nursery School.  The City's 311 service is refusing to pick up the trash because it's on private property.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

If you see someone dumping trash in our or any neighborhood, either (safely) snap a photo of the truck/license plate with your phone, or write down the make, model, color of the truck & license plate report it to the police.   

Riverside Place: Ring-Necked Snake

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer, January 16, 2014.  "This little guy slithered right by my client's feet, quite a surprise. :)"  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Judging by the range maps on CaliforniaHerps, it's a San Bernardino Ring-Necked Snake.  They like moist environments like Red Car Canyon. If you've got a backyard pond, you might find these snakes in nearby leafy debris, as they hunt slender salamanders, small snakes, lizards, tadpoles, small frogs, worms, slugs & insects. 

But the really cool thing about this species is their defense mechanism.  Their underside is yellow to orange and red.  When threatened, they curl up exposing their colorful underside, emitting a noxious odor, suggesting to predators they might be toxic or at least, really unpleasant to eat. 

Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer, January 16, 2014.  I'll speculate it's a juvenile snake, as it is so tiny.  Vandiveer reports it was about 8-10" long, yet clearly not much wider than the key ring.  Adults are 11-16" long.   This is the tiniest one we've documented in the neighborhood.

Check out all our Ring-Necked Snake posts.

Really unique wildlife visits Vandiveer's yard.  In the past he brought us a Black Witch Moth, Headless Mantis & a pretty scary spider among many other sights around the neighborhood. 

Help researchers by reporting wild reptile & amphibian sightings.

Learn more about Ring Necked Snakes: CaliforniaHerps

Corralitas Drive: Colby Fire In Glendora

Photo: Gary Vlahakis, January 16, 2014, 8:06 AM.  The Colby Fire in Glendora, 30 miles away, provided an early beautiful photo op (from Corralitas Drive) that also highlighted the polluted haze of diesel particulate matter hanging low over Elysian Valley & Cypress Park this bone-dry, Santa Ana Wind-blown morning.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Next 3 photos: Corralitas Neighbor, January 16, 2014, 9:27 AM.  About an hour & a half later, the cloud of ash blew into Elysian Heights, heading toward Silver Lake, dissipating shortly after these photos.

Corralitas Drive: Not A Bobcat, But They Documented One In Deb's Park!

Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 17, 2012.  A large intact male feral tabby cat made the rounds in our yard in 2012.  He should not be confused with a bobcat.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Miguel Ordeñana, wildlife biologist at the LA County Natural History Museum (who had a camera trap on the Red Car Property last year) captured the first images of a bobcat in nearby Deb's Park: The Eastsider.

Learn more about the Deb's Park Bobcat & other local predators: Urban Carnivores

Elysian Valley: Bridge To Taylor Yard

Photo: Diane Edwardson, January 12, 2012.  Not only is the City looking to purchase the G2 Parcel of Taylor Yard, they're planning a bridge connecting Elysian Valley to Cypress Park.  Photo shot from Elysian Park.  Elysian Valley is to the left of the river, Cypress Park is on the right.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Read more on the Eastsider:
400' Long Orange Taylor Yard Bridge
 Taylor Yard Parcel G2

Of course, you'll still have to cross Metrolink tracks and property to get to any existing park, rec center or school on the east side of the river.  Word has it, the bridge is long ago agreed-to mitigation to be paid for by Metrolink for the City allowing their facility to be built so close to homes in Elysian Valley & Cypress Park.  Lesson: if neighbors don't hound developers, things agreed to are forgotten & never get built. 

Red Car Canyon: "Not Sure Who To Call...We Have An Elmo Down On The Red Car Property"

Photo: Red Car Canyon Neighbor, January 11, 2014.  Oh noooooo!

2 & 5 Freeway Interchange: Closed Transition Road Reopened Friday

Photo: Chrissy Fiorilli-Ellington, July 13, 2013, 11 AM.  A tanker overturned on the northbound 2 to the northbound 5 Freeway transition road spilling more than 8500 gallons of gasoline, that immediately caught fire & spread into the LA River, creating a second scary fire in Elysian Valley.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)  

After a weekend in July a lot of neighbors would rather forget & months of road closure that was particularly noticeable after Dodger games, the transition road from the northbound 2 Freeway to the northbound 5 Freeway opened Friday with a bunch of politicians & Caltrans officials patting themselves on the back for doing their job & not making us wait 2 years to get it done.  Read about it: LA Times

India St: More On The Coyote Pack

Photo: Gary Vlahakis October 6, 2013, 8:32 AM.  Coyote nonchalantly crossed Vlahakis' path at the corner of India St & Silver Ridge.  (Click on photos to enlarge.) 

The story of the coyote pack on the Red Car Property & the brazen coyote who did not want to move from the path of a neighbor's truck pulling into his own driveway, brought today's photos, as well as the following story from another Riverside Place neighbor:

I bumped into 3 very large coyotes at the bottom of India/Silverlake Blvd (behind Ralphs) on a jog last Saturday [around 7:30-8] am. The first one startled me (and me it) as we came within a few feet or so of each other as we both rounded the corner there simultaneously. Even more surprised to see the other two in the pack following close behind. There might have been more, who knows. The first one was definitely the biggest. About mid thigh height on me which is pretty huge for a coyote.

Next time I'll try to get a photo but I'm pretty single minded when running.
Another Riverside Place Neighbor

 

Photo: Gary Vlahakis, October 6, 2013. 8:33 AM.  Same coyote didn't seem to care about Vlahakis or his dog but it took the sidewalk at the corner of India & Silver Ridge, heading toward Lake View.

Our urban coyotes are big, healthy & not afraid of people.  They are totally adapted to hunting in packs using the cars & trashcans as cover to lure off-leash dogs into an ambush.  One coyote will take to the middle of the street to distract the dog while the other two will cleverly come out from the sides of a parked car to trap the unsuspecting dog.  I've watched coyotes use this technique and I've intervened by shouting at the dog to go home & throwing rocks, running waving my arms at the coyotes.  Others have reported similar coyote behavior and experienced ambushes on the public staircases themselves. 

KEEP YOUR DOGS ON A LEASH!

DO NOT ALLOW YOUR DOGS TO CHASE COYOTES. 

Keep trash & recycle bins tightly closed, even if they are empty. If a neighbor isn't controlling their trash - have a talk with them - they might not know they're attracting coyotes, rats, raccoons an skunks to the area.  Some neighborhood restaurants & markets are notorious for not covering their trashcans. Report them to Building & Safety or have a talk with the manager.  (Mixed-use zoning that City Planning is embracing, will only encourage more of this particular problem.)

Don't feed wildlife - it's against the law.  If you feed your pets outside, pick up the food bowls immediately after they eat - do not leave food out for them.  All the local wildlife will beat a path to your door.  Do not poison or trap coyotes. (You're putting not only wildlife at risk but also cats, dogs and children too.) 

City of LA Animal Services has good info for dealing with coyotes on their website.

Click here for all our coyote posts.

Red Car Property: Coyote Pack Alert!

Photo: Diane Edwardson, July 14, 2010. Coyote in Red Car Canyon. (Click on photo to enlarge.) 

A Riverside Place Neighbor sent the following email:

Have you also noticed the relatively new coyote pack?  I see them almost nightly behind my house [on the Red Car Property] and occasionally they roam the street in front.

The appear young - but one is particularly brazen.

Last night I had to run this [brazen] one off as he began to attempt trying to enter my yard through my rear parking gate as I parked the truck.  The sound of the truck, headlights and horn weren't enough to stop him.

I finally had to get out, brandish a piece of wood and yell to get it to retreat.

Has anyone else mentioned this pack?
Riverside Place Neighbor

Indeed they have.  I sent out word to a few neighbors who walk/run in the neighborhood & received photos & another story for tomorrow.

In the meantime, the City of Los Angeles Animal Services has good advice on their website like, don't feed your pets outside; if you do, pick up the food bowls immediately after they eat.  Keep all trashcans closed - even the empty ones - the smell attracts rats, raccoons, skunks & coyotes.  Do not leave your small pets outside unattended, although our coyotes are not afraid of people.

The prolonged drought has wildlife of all sorts boldly looking for food in places we might not have seen them for a while.  Remember, January is usually the rainy season and the weeds are normally knee high by now.   Drought means there is a scarcity of coyotes' natural prey (rats, gophers, mice), so they're looking for easy pickings like trash, dog & cat food and your pets. 

Click here for all our coyote posts. 

Share your Red Car Property Neighborhood wildlife photos (attach .jpg or .gif formats only) to: redcarproperty@gmail.com.

India St: New Year's Armed Robbery Report, Cautionary Tale

Over the weekend, I noticed a robbery show up on the CrimeMapping.com report (LAPD contractors) in the 2200 block of India St (the west or Lake View Ave side of the Red Car Property). 

Aware that rumors can quickly spiral out of control, I immediately sent an email to Silver Lake LAPD Senior Lead Officer Lenny Davis, asking for clarification, copying the neighborhood watch leaders in the Red Car Property Neighborhood.  Email was already circulating that there was a "new" gang in the neighborhood.   

Officer Davis responded Monday:

On Jan 1st, 2014 at 11:05 PM the victim went out to look for his dog that had escaped from his property.  When he approached the two suspects that were sitting in their vehicle at the 2200 block of India, the suspects exited their vehicle and pointed a  handgun at the victim and took his property.  The suspects fled the area but returned and were captured as they exited the Ralphs on Glendale.  The victim was not injured.

 

Both suspects are documented Frogtown gang members.  There is no new gang in the area that we are aware of.

 

I hope this helps.

Senior Lead Officer Lenny Davis 26028

LAPD Northeast

 

The incident illustrates the danger of approaching suspicious vehicles and/or persons in the neighborhood.  (All the more distressing since the victim was just looking for his lost dog.)

 

LAPD warns people to NOT approach or confront suspicious people, but to call the police.  If the are engaging in criminal activity call 911 immediately.  (LAPD non-emergency phone is 1-877-ASk-LAPD.)

 

The incident also raises new questions, since our neighborhood is not within the gang injunction boundaries.   Will individuals arrested who violate the gang injunction here, face the same penalties if they violate the gang injunction within the boundaries?  Does being outside the gang injunction boundaries make our neighborhood a more attractive place for them to congregate since we are literally a few hundred feet from the boundary?

Editor's note: We apologize for not getting this post up yesterday, we were experiencing technical difficulties.

 

Red Car Canyon: 2013 Hangover, Critter Cam! Stuff You Missed Last Year

Photos: © Miguel Ordeñana, some rights reserved,  Los Angeles County Natural Museum camera trap, May 2013.  Coyote.  (Click on photos to enlarge.)

For a week last May, Wildlife on the Red Car Property was documented with a remote critter camera on the LA Nature Map.  Ordeñana is a field biologist & lead gallery interpreter at the LA County Natural History Museum.
 
Jonathan Vandiveer, Red Car Property neighbor & blog contributor, commented (when I sent him the link last summer), "The timestamp on the coyote photo indicates I'd just jogged through the canyon.  I never saw him.  The close angle and expression on his face is one you'd only get with a remote camera."    

Striped Skunk

Raccoon

Virginia Opossum

Eastern Fox Squirrel

Domestic Cat.  From the size of his neck, I'd say it's an intact male.

Stuff you missed last year: we shoot & collect tons of photos.  So we try to wrap up the year with some interesting ones we never got a chance to run.