Just a short note:

For those of you that use 6th Street or live on it, 6th Street will be closed for about 5-6 hours today. The gas company has detected a leak that runs across the street and will be replacing the pipe. They are sorry for the inconvenience but as they know in San Francisco, much better to fix it than not know about it until it is too late. They will be in the area for a couple of days.

Pat

Dates to Forget!
Last time I wrote I suggested we keep a couple of dates in January/February, 2012, open for a “neighborhood meeting”. Instead, the Board of Directors decided that since there were no issues that had arisen in recent months, we should waive the winter meeting and schedule another one around the time of our “neighborhood” concert/picnic on the greenbelt. The really good news is that we won’t collect dues at this time. If you have an issue you would like to bring to the Board—please contact me @ pprmint10@aol.com
The Board will be meeting again in March to plan our picnic and to relook at our structure as a neighborhood resource, so if you are interested in attending our planning session please feel free to come at that time. Further information will be forthcoming.
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A neighbor asked the Board to assist with an issue that occurred outside of our tract but in the general area. Evidently they had encountered an “annoying” homeless person in the vicinity of 7^th& PCH. This person was aggressive and frightened our Homeowner. The management in a number of stores in the area was contacted and it was their opinion that there was little they could do about addressing the “homeless” that congregated in the area. The Board determined that there was little we could or were authorized to do since it was outside of our residential area.
If we are incorrect about this assumption, we welcome your advice and help in this matter, otherwise we thank you homeowner for bringing it to our attention. As a word of advice, just like solicitors in the tract, if you listen to or buy from them, they will mark our area as a potential source of income. Without a permit, they cannot solicit and if you don’t do something about them, no one will. That means they will knock on your neighbors door when you send them away, unless you call the police and tell them there are some illegal solicitor in the area. The police number to call is: 435-6711. Note this is not the emergency number which is still 911.
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Another issue a homeowner is concerned about is the rummaging through our recycle bins by people looking for materials that can be resold. This of course is illegal under the City Code and persons who do so can be prosecuted. The only suggestion we have heard is to put out your recycle bin in the morning rather than at night. This seems rather inconvenient, but it will eliminate much of the “dumpster diving” since it is usually done at night.
In addition, it could prevent identity theft if you do not shred all of your papers. AND did you know that recycling also helps the City, in that I would imagine, they also benefit from the sale of our recyclables.
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The Board discussed the new signfor Bixby Village a “BV”,which was put up on the corner of 7^th& Margo. At issue was the status of our signs which are on the opposite side of the street. Many of you may remember, it was initially installed with the City of Long Beach offset and misplaced in regard to the rest of the sign. We were told that the installer would adjust the offset, but to date there has been no action on moving the “City” portion. Maggie Kinal, will be looking into who owns the poles in front of the wall and how we can get them straightened—as well as what we can do to “spiffy” our sign up. Ideas and thoughts on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
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We also were thinking we might want to institute some version of “Neighborhood Watch” in order to let others know we care what is happening in our area. Believe it or not, we have had few problems, though the goal is “no” problems in our area. Many, many of you have written to me about things that you have observed, many of you have taken the initiative to help each other out and not surprisingly we are stronger than most Neighborhoods in our area.
Do you think it is possible to start an abbreviated program on your street and do you know someone who might want to work with us to establish one that fits our area and accommodates our needs? We would love to have a discussion about this at our March BOD meeting.
And finally, I could not talk about the assistance we have received without saying “Thank You” to Anne Cramer in Councilman DeLong’s office. As she so elegantly said in a response to a request from us . . “I’m here to make you look better” and she does. Thank you will never be enough.
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At our meeting this summer we are hoping to propose a new set of goals and objectives for our community. As you may or may not know, our Articles of Incorporation, which were filed in 1963 and revised as to our new name “University Park Estates Neighborhood Association” and a statement of information as to who and where we can be found has been accepted by the Secretary of State. I am now working with the Franchise Tax Board to reestablish our Non-Profit status which has been suspended since 1971. These were some of my commitments to you when I took office and hopefully it will be finished by the time I leave office.
So I am asking you—would you like to join us in redefining the goals of our Neighborhood Association?
That includes such issues as: what should our role as a neighborhood association, in relation to the rest of the community be?
Should our Board of Directors operate as they have operated since 1963 or given the new & quicker methods of communication, should we be smaller and leaner?
Should we reach into the neighborhood to allow all areas of the tract to have a greater voice in the activities we undertake?
With Facebook, our website, a yearly picnic and a regular newsletter, are these modes of communication enough or should we continue to have a yearly meeting and on occasion, a meeting to address special issues?
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Some queries from the Neighbors:

I had a call, purportedly from the LA Times, telling me that my account was past due by some $50, which it indeed was. The person offered to reduce the future price of the Times if I would allow them to debit my checking account for the $50. Since they knew the amount owed I allowed greed to overcome my reasoning and acceded to the suggestion and gave them my checking account number and the bank transmittal number. A few days later I had other business with the Times and learned that (1) my account was still $50 past due and (2) they didn’t have a policy allowing 50% discounts! With that I replaced my checking account and sure enough, not long thereafter there was an “unauthorized” attempt to withdraw funds from the now closed account!
Jim
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Before I close I would like to talk about your opportunity to join the Board of Directors. As you may, or may not know---all of us currently on the Board are at or above retirement age. We are really looking for younger people (like Ryan Durkin- with our Mail list and setting up Facebook) to step in and say there are easier ways to accomplish what you want to do and “just do it”. Are you willing to step in and get involved in the happenings of your community? The pay stinks, the accolades are many and you gain the friendship of many of your neighbors (most of the time).
Who knows where this may lead you on your journey to bigger & better, just ask Ben Goldberg. Since he was president he not only became a business owner, he was appointed to a couple of prestigious boards and Commissions! This job could be you first step ….
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An FYI from the City and the County:
Dear Neighborhood Leader:

We are happy to announce that Neighborhood Leadership Program (NLP) applications for our 19th class are currently available. This unique free program is offered by the City of Long Beach, Neighborhood Services Bureau. The program design and curriculum provide an opportunity for participants to strengthen their linkages with the city, schools, businesses, parents, families, neighborhoods and community. The deadline to submit the applications is Monday, January 23, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in applying for the program, please submit your application before the deadline.

Neighborhood Leadership Program brochures and applications in English, Spanish (as well as class photos and more information) are all available from our website:

http://www.longbeach.gov/cd/neighborhood_services/nlp/default.asp

We will be offering an Informational Session where you can meet and hear from graduates and learn more about the program.

Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Neighborhood Resource Center
425 Atlantic Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570-1010
Free parking in the rear of the building

Once again, the due date for the application is Monday, January 23, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

Applications may be dropped off at:


Neighborhood Resource Center
425 Atlantic Avenue
Long Beach, CA
(562) 570-1010
FAX (562) 570-1016

Free parking available behind building

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please feel free to call me at (562) 570-3817 or e-mail at Francisco.Rodriguez@longbeach.gov.

We look forward to working with you in 2012!
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Several Weeks of Nighttime Full Closures of the Southbound I-405 Freeway
Beginning Thursday, Jan. 12
The southbound I-405 freeway, between the I-605 freeway and Seal Beach Boulevard, will be closed nightly for several weeks beginning Thursday, Jan. 12.
Nighttime closures on this stretch of the southbound I-405 freeway will take place seven days a week; between 11 p.m and 5 a.m., Monday through Friday, and between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., Saturday and Sunday. The work will last approximately three to four weeks.
Full closures of the southbound I-405 freeway are necessary to allow crews to install falsework spanning over the freeway, as part of the northbound I-405 / westbound SR-22 / 7th Street connector reconstruction.
Recommended Detours:

• From the southbound I-405, exit Studebaker Road - stay in the right lane and proceed south on Studebaker Road, turn left on Westminster Avenue, then select one of the three detour routes below:
• From the southbound I-605 freeway,take the Spring Street exit and turn right, proceed west on Spring Street and turn left on Studebaker Road, turn left on Westminster Avenue, then select one of the three detour routes below:
• To access the SB I-405 freewaycontinue east on Westminster Avenue and turn left on Seal Beach Boulevard and proceed north to the SB I-405 on-ramp
• To access the SB I-405 freewaycontinue east on Westminster Avenue to access the SB I-405 on-ramp
• To access the EB SR-22 freeway continue east on Westminster Avenue and turn left on Goldenwest Street to access the EB SR-22 on-ramp

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Kettering Elementary School

From our PTA President, Tracey Jacobsen: Thank you to all of the families who participated in our first Family Night of the year at Ruby's last week. We had a great turn out and a good time was had by all. Please make a note that our general meeting is this upcoming Friday (in the parent center) right after school starts (JANUARY 20 @ 8:00 a.m.). We would love for you to join us...we'd like to share our plans for the rest of the school year and also receive your input. Thank you!
Important information regarding SCHOOL CENTS: We want to take this opportunity to remind you that Kettering Elementary can take advantage of DOUBLE POINTS in January. You can log any receipt dated since September 15, 2011. Please be sure to ask your family, friends and neighbors to support your endeavor in earning Kettering funds for their school at no additional cost to anyone. It's a great time to ask for receipts as most of the returns and exchanges have been done! For more information and/or to sign up, please visit: http://www.shoppingpartnership.com/	JOG-A-THON UPDATE: One of our favorite fundraisers of the year will take place on Thursday, February 23rd. We are still seeking sponsors for the awesome jog-a-thon t-shirts (that are also permitted to be worn as part of the school uniform - AND each child receives one free). Please email Suzanne Donnelly at suz-em1@earthlink.net, with any questions or simply submit your sponsorship information along with your payment to the school office or your child's teacher. Forms have been sent home or can be found online. http://www.ketteringpta.org/events/jogathon P.S. Talent Show information coming soon!