A Politically Incorrect Blog About Living in Woodland Hills, California

Councilman Dennis Zine Wants You To Know LADWP Rate Increase Not His Fault

Los Angeles Councilman Dennis Zine (Council District 3) wants us to know that even though we are all about to get screwed with higher LADWP electricity rates, it’s not his fault.

He writes in an e-mail:

Zine Opposes DWP Rate Increase
Due to the high volume of calls and emails I have received regarding the proposed DWP Energy Cost Adjustment Factor (ECAF), I wanted to make my position very clear to my constituents. Today the City Council voted to direct the DWP Board of Commissioners to adopt a one-time .5 cent/kWh increase in the ECAF Cap beginning April 1^st. This would translate to approximately a 4-6% increase in ratepayers’ bills. I voted “No” on this increase and I am staunchly opposed to any action that would place a greater burden on taxpayers and businesses during these trying economic times. To be very clear, I support the environmental efforts to green our City and to bring more jobs in this sector to Los Angeles; however, this proposal does nothing to reduce the City’s dependence on coal, nor could the DWP answer my questions today regarding bringing clean projects and jobs to the City. The DWP currently has numerous jobs and contracts outside our City and State which makes it even more difficult to defend the benefits of this proposal when it will not boost the local economy. I will remain steadfast against any increases presented by the DWP Board in these times of economic uncertainty.

Popularity: 4%

LAist Writes About City’s Grant Money Strategy For Warner Center Transit

You know, here is the reality.  I live in Warner Center.  There is no traffic problem that requires a “mass transit” solution.  The only traffic issue that exists, in my opinion, is around the intersection of Victory Blvd. and Topanga Canyon Blvd.  My guess is that it could be fixed with some street widening, creative lane manipulation, etc.  I don’t see how a people mover, or any of that nonsense is needed.  Save the money for real light rail in LA, but wait, that will never happen because – correct me if I’m wrong – but I’m under the impression that we are stupidly required to spend the same amount of money on buses that we do on rail due to some idiotic proposition.  And since light rail is much more expensive to construct, we simply end up with a ridiculous amount of bus routes and very little rail.  Hence, the “busway to nowhere” A/K/A Orange Line Extension to Chatsworth which is about to begin full swing construction along Canoga Avenue.  Just about every business along the path has been torn down at this point.  Hopefully I can photo-document some of that.  But, seems like they’re all pretty much gone at this point.

If the day arrives where I have to take both a bus and a train to work, I encourage one of the readers of this site to please shoot me in the head.  Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration.

LAist writes:

It’s been a topic for some time now. The Warner Center in the West Valley is one place that could use a local circulator, perhaps a “people mover,” some believe. Three years ago, 300 residents came out to work towards an integrated transportation network for the Woodland Hills neighborhood and now, with state money available via grants, Los Angeles wants in.

Today, the L.A. City Council approved a grant application for $180,000 to “study the feasibility of an internal transit circulator, including the potential for light rail in the Warner Center” (we’d wager that a street car might be a better fit). Caltrans has a total of $3 million available to local entities for community based transportation.

The center is one of the few accomplishments of L.A.’s “Centers Concept,” which was a 1974-adopted plan to build dense areas around city connected by transit. It never fully came to fruition, but the Warner Center today is home to a handful of skyscrapers, malls and the Orange Line and 750 Metro Rapid bus route.

See the attached links for interesting/historical reference articles about the Orange Line Extension and Canoga Avenue right-of-way and properties.

Popularity: 2%

Did City Of LA Give Up On Good-Neighborly Lawn Mowing Of Old Fire Station 84?

Looks like they haven’t been around to mow the lawn or trim back the trees at the old Fire Station 84 in a while.

Current pictures (March 28, 2010):

December 26, 2009:

Popularity: 2%

Rumor Mill Puts Anthropologie At Westfield Topanga Opening For Monday April 5, 2010

I swung by Topanga Plaza over the weekend and it looked like Anthropologie was pretty much ready to go.  People were inside setting up merchandise and finalizing the window displays.  A call over to the mall today puts the whisper open day for next Monday April 5th, but I was advised to call back later in the week for final confirmation as Anthropologie has not committed to a firm date just yet.

I was also told that Urban Outfitters has only just begun their construction, and as of right now they are looking at a mid-July open date.  Watch this space for more information!

Popularity: 4%

Doing Some Damage At the Roy’s Aloha Hour In Woodland Hills

Ever since I heard about the new Roy’s Aloha Hour happy hour that was introduced earlier this month, I’ve been looking for the right occasion to check it out.  A good friend of mine seemed unusually unsettled by the untimely death of the world’s smallest man He Pingping, so it seemed like a fitting occasion to knock down some drinks and celebrate the little man’s life.  Or something like that.

Everything on the Roy’s Aloha Hour menu is just $5, including and assortment of about 20 cocktails.  I arrived at Roy’s shortly before my friends, so I kicked things off by ordering the Mango Mojito.  Delicious!

After checking out the extensive menu of Roy’s Hawaiian Fresh Cocktails (pictured above) I decided to really amp things up and get my swerve on Hawaiian style with the delicious Basil Cucumber Collins.  I’m a big fan of the cucumber, it’s one hell of a fine vegetable.

After I polished off my Basil Cucumber Collins my friends arrived.  They kicked off their celebration of Pingping’s life with another Mango Mojito and a glass of Terra Noble Chile Sauvignon Blanc.

After getting ourselves sufficiently lubricated with delicious tropical drinks it was time to knock down some $5 appetizers.

Roy’s is doing some great Lobster appetizers for the Aloha Hour, including the Crunchy Golden Lobster Potstickers and Lobster California Rolls (both pictured above).  Additionally, we tried the awesome Tempura Crusted Ahi Roll and the over-the-top amazing Wagyu Beef Sliders, which are served on Hawaiian sweet rolls and accompanied by sweet potato fries.  Phenomenal!  My friends are vegetarians (they shun meat but they do eat fish), and Roy’s was kind enough to allow us to substitute the beef in one of our sliders orders to avocado.  Awesome!  See more pictures of these items as well as some other drinks in the full gallery below.

Overall, the Roy’s Aloha Hour is a winner and is available Monday thru Friday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Popularity: 5%

Red Hat Restaurant Moves Into Old Mark & Jane’s Place Space

As previously blogged, the short lived South African themed restaurant Mark & Jane’s Place closed back in November.  A couple of weeks ago I noticed Persian eatery Red Hat Restaurant has opened in the space, located at 22990 Ventura Blvd (right next door to Topanga Pizza).  Seems like there is also a new salon next door, Studio 9 Hair Design.  Next time I am in the mood for some Persian food I’ll check out Red Hat and see how it is.

Popularity: 3%

YD’s West Hills Official Becomes Yankee Doodle’s

An astute reader writes in:

I read your article about YD’s Sports Bar and Grill in West Hills.  Let you know that YD’s Sports Bar and Grill is change of name now called “Yankee Doodles Bar Sports and Grill” and replace new signs around the building. My dad and I were surprised to see them change it. We don’t know why. I saw alot of people at YD’s for UFC 111 and a Lakers game. Today’s biggest PPV event of the year is WWE Wrestlemania 26 at YD. Go WWE!! Thanks, Jose

Thanks Jose for letting me know.  I drove by today to confirm the change and take a few pictures.

Popularity: 6%

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