A Politically Incorrect Blog About Living in Woodland Hills, California

Canoga Park Tourism Board Releases Follow Up Video

Oh man, I guess the first video was so successful these guys had to do another.

drjedly writes:

I publicly apologize to the Canoga Park Tourism Board. They disapproved of my “Canoga Park Tourism Video.” At first the board wanted their money back, but when I threw in a case of MD 20/20, they agreed to let me produce another to rectify. They kept saying, “Great things about Canoga Park were left out.” I forgot to ask what they meant, but I assumed that they were referring to the nightlife, state of the art public transportation and flourishing economy. So here it is: “Canoga Park Tourism Video II.” I hope I got it right this time.

Popularity: 27%

Dennis Zine Writes In With Comments Regarding Costco

Dennis Zine writes in a comment to the “Done Deal” post:

Recent reports in the media have raised some issues over the proposed Westfield Village Project. Let me clarify a few things; while the prospect of a Costco coming to the Westfield development is pending, the deal has not been finalized. Westfield, the owner of the property has proposed several development concepts from residential to commercial for the parcel of land stretching from Victory Blvd. to the Promenade. Having said that, I have been working with Costco for a few years to determine a suitable location for a store to be established in the West San Fernando Valley to make it convenient for residents in the area to shop. Costco ultimately determines the demand for one of their stores at a particular location. It is also my understanding that the current Costco in my district is anticipated to close and that will leave the Southwest Valley without any Costco. This development is in the very early stages and all of the specifics including the architectural details, a traffic plan, and environmental impacts are to be determined. Nothing will be set in stone without an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in addition to a full review by the relevant City Departments, the City Planning Commission, the Planning & Land Use Management Committee, and the full City Council. When a draft EIR is released, a public comment period follows, and subsequently, every single concern is addressed. I am supportive of the concept of a Costco because of the job creation and much-needed tax dollars it will bring to the area, but there will be several opportunities for residents to voice their opinions on this matter so we can ensure a sound plan for the community. As the Councilman for the district, my obligation is to provide economic vitality, and in that endeavor, I will continue to promote opportunities for job creation and a robust economy for residents in my district.

Mr. Zine, so the question I pose to you, is what sites in Woodland Hills and the west SFV were considered and why were those rejected?  What about sites just for the Costco that are not Westfield owned?  How much empty office space is already in Warner Center?  Does it need more?  Why do we care if Westfield develops that site at all costs?  Wasn’t Catalina Yacht’s property a consideration?  Seems like a Costco would be better suited there?  I’d like to see more real discussion involving the community on this.  That’s my goal, I am not even anti-Costco, I just feel consideration needs to be made to the long term interest and not the rush to develop anything at all just so something is developed.

Note: It appears Zine’s comment is a cut-and-paste of a retort from his weekly newsletter.

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Dennis Zine, “Costco Is A Done Deal” – But Community Meeting Tonight Anyways

Just a remind that tonight is the community meeting with Westfield regarding the revised The Village Project.  The gather will be from 5 to 8pm between the dining terrace and Nordstrom in the former Ruehl store at Topanga Plaza mall.  Technically, the letter says you should RSVP via e-mail to TheVillage@Westfield.com.

At the July 14th Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council meeting, which I attended, the council’s chairperson Karen Koe recounted a disturbing encounter she had with LA City Councilman Dennis Zine.  It was a meeting, I believe, of NC chairs of the various Neighborhood Council’s in his district.  Zine had posed the question to them of what were the major concerns of constituents in their neighborhoods.  Koe mentioned to Zine that there was some concern regarding Westfield’s revised The Village plan, ergo Costco.

Zine said to Koe, in her words not mine, “Let me stop you right there.  Costco is a done deal.  There’s no way I am going to refuse a huge tax base like  that for the city.”

People in the room were visibly and audibly disturbed by that recount of Zine’s comment.  For me, it’s not even about the Costco any more.  Matters like this simply require community consensus and feedback.  What Zine essentially said is that the community’s input here in unimportant.  He has made the decision and deal for everyone.  It is important that our elected representatives represent our interests, not their own.

That’s not good, folks.  Several people, including one at the meeting, remarked that Zine is planning to run for City Controller, and he needs the developers on his side.  But you know what, he needs the community, too.

It was also noted by others with knowledge of the plan at the meeting that Costco has said the deal would be dead without the gas station.  This gas station will probably not be a slam dunk for them, as there is technically a creek in the corner of the property where it is to be placed.  See the attached Daily News article for some detail about that.

Popularity: 6%

Unstable Woman In Standoff With Police In Reseda

LAPD is currently involved in a standoff with a woman in Reseda.  Suspect is armed with a 9mm handgun and is apparently depressed and on meds.  Her sister is in the process of evicting her from the home.  After police were called at 9pm this evening, suspect confronted police at entrance with handgun, then retreated into the home.  Thanks to Samira for the tip and to a police scanner on my Droid phone for more details.  Apparently there is also possibly a suicide note.  This might end badly.

(in progress)

Update: I had to go to bed around 1am, hopefully I can get some info on how this ended.

Update: According to ABC7, this ended peacefully:

RESEDA, Calif. (KABC) — A woman was arrest after a police standoff in Reseda on Tuesday that was apparently sparked when she was being evicted from her home.

Police said the two sisters who lived at a home on the 7300 block of Shirley Avenue got into an argument. It seems one of them was being evicted but refused to leave.

When police arrived at about 7:30 p.m, the sister being evicted grabbed a gun. Police called a SWAT team in, and the woman was eventually taken into custody without incident.

No one was injured in the incident.

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Movie Shoot Transforms Friday’s Into Rivetti’s Bar & Restaurant

Looks like there is a multi-day film or TV shoot going on at Friday’s in Woodland Hills this week that has transformed it into Rivetti’s Bar & Restaurant.  If anyone has details please e-mail me!

Update: A Facebook fan tells us that she believes the movie being filmed is Horrible Bosses, starring Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey, and Jason Bateman. Wow.

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Emma Ridley’s Goddess Fitness Dance Opens In Old Woodland Casual Space

Wow, today when I was driving to the future location of Pavilion’s in Woodland Hills I noticed that a new business had moved into the old Woodland Casual space at 19855 Ventura Blvd.  Turns out that it’s the second location of Emma Ridley’s Goddess Fitness Dance.  According to their Facebook page, they are in the midst of their Grand Opening.

Seems like Ridley is some kind of socialite and former 80’s party girl who may have been on some sort of reality show called Spoiled Rotten.  None of this I can truly confirm or disconfirm, but what I can tell you is that the place seemed pretty busy and I observed many MILFs and Cougars walking in and out of the place.  To me, this is instantly more exciting than the overpriced patio furniture that was previously available at that location.  Check out the video clip below which documents the site selection for this location.

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Construction of New Pavilions Begins in Corbin Village Plaza

Thanks to Joel for the heads up on this.  I guess I haven’t driven by the Corbin Village shopping plaza in a few weeks, either that or I’ve been averting my eyes from the open sore that the place is.  It looks like that they have begun the preliminary work of putting in a Pavilions supermarket next to the 99 cent store.  I’m sure many in the community would have rather seen the mostly vacant plaza be razed, but perhaps this is a step in the right direction.

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