View preservation on the horizon?

Word has it that the City Council staff will be presented with the chance to evaluate the possibility of a view ordinance at tomorrow’s (Feb 26) weekly City Council meeting. This is very preliminary, there will not be any input from the public, but it may indicate future action on view preservation. Residents who are interested in seeing the city council adopt a tree ordinance are encouraged to attend (starts at 7pm) to show their support. We will report what was decided in a future Alert. City Council agenda for February 26.

February 6 RHA General Meeting report

Neighbors with a Views ordinance

At the February 6 RHA General meeting, we were educated on the Rolling Hills Estates’ “View Equity Ordinance” by David Wahba, the Planning Director over yonder. Their ordinance is an attempt to achieve “a fair and balanced accommodation of views with obstructions such as trees and structures to allow both a view to one neighbor and privacy and landscaping to the other neighbor.” The way this was implemented was cost neutral to the city and has led to many disputes being settled with little interference from the city.

David Wahba, from Rolling Hills Estates, speaks at Feb 6 RHA General Meeting

Local writer makes appearance

We were also fortunate to have Riviera resident and author Bill Sewell discuss his latest novel “Nonofficial Asset” along with some colorful stories touching on his brushes with international intrigue.

You can find and purchase Bill’s book on-line at Amazon.com.

Bill Sewell shows us his novel. Note – no cloak, nor dagger.

Stay tuned for news on the RHA’s upcoming activities.

Check out the latest landscape awards!

Share this Email Alert with your neighbors, who can sign up at hollywoodriviera.org

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The next RHA general meeting is this Wednesday Feb. 6 at 7 PM at the Richardson Middle School cafeteria

Please come and bring a friend!

Our speakers that evening will be David Wahba, the planning director of Rolling Hills Estates,and local author Bill Sewell, who will have copies of his novel.  David Wahba will have 25-30 copies of the RHE ordinance and we will have the  one-page summary of the ordinance  for anyone who prefers the short version.

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Latest from your Riviera Homeowners Association:

More buzz on the way

Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles personnel will be completing their annual flight crew standardization checks from Jan. 28th through Feb. 7th.

Residents living near the Torrance Airport can expect to see and hear the air station’s MH-65 Dolphin helicopters more frequently during that time period. In an effort to reduce the frequency of flights near Torrance, multiple airports are being used throughout the Los Angeles area.

Every Coast Guard air station must complete the two-week check, conducted by Coast Guard instructors from the service’s training center in Mobile, Alabama.

The purpose of the flight checks is to test a pilot’s ability to handle emergencies like an engine failure and other critical facets of being a military aviator.

The Coast Guard fully recognizes the impacts caused by the noise of the helicopters and is taking all possible steps to keep the flights as short as possible. These checks will be conducted primarily between 9AM and 5PM.

Thanks to  John Bailey, President  South East Torrance Homeowners Assoc. for bringing us this info.

Neighborhood swingers

The Hollywood Riviera Sportsman’s Club would like to extend an invitation to you to join them for their annual golf tournament on January 26th at 10 am at the Manhattan Beach Marriott Golf Course.

This is a really fun event and you do not have to be an avid (or even good) golfer in order to participate.

It’s a “scramble” (best ball) format with a 10 am shotgun start. The Marriott is a 9 Hole Course so it only takes about 2 hours to complete the round.  There is also a putting contest starting at 9 am.

There are prizes for the winners and a raffle with more great prizes.  Lunch and cold beverages are also provided.

Our Tournament is open to anyone who can swing a golf club.  You can put your own team together or sign up as an individual and they will place you with a team.

New Scholarship Chair

We welcome Amy Josefek to the RHA board as Scholarship Chair.  Stay tuned for information on this year’s scholarship awards, and get those kids tuned up for their SATs!

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Holiday program wows the Riviera

Many of you attended last week’s RHA annual Holiday Program at Richardson Middle School.  Our thanks to the Richardson Choir, the Riviera Choir, and  Laura Savitz and Karrie Willett, who led them in song.  It was a wonderful program of holiday music and goodies. Can’t wait til next year!

You can relive the moment by viewing this year’s program on these Youtube videos.

Rock & Brews in the news

The Torrance City Council will hold a public hearing to consider an appeal of a Planning Commission denial of a Conditional Use Permit to allow renovations and outdoor seating for a proposed Rock & Brews restaurant at Pacific Coast Highway and Palos Verdes Boulevard (formerly Oliver’s restaurant).  The Council meeting will be held at 7 PM, Tuesday, December 18, 2012, in the City Hall Chambers, 3031 Torrance Boulevard, in Torrance.
Please attend the hearing if you wish to hear the pros and cons of the project.  A number of nearby residents, have expressed concerns, and are still circulating a petition expressing those concerns (see previous RHA blog posting)

Dues we could use

The 2012-13 RHA calendar year is well under way and we are still running somewhat short of our goals, putting in jeopardy some of the projects and funding efforts that help our community.  Please visit our membership page, and consider making this year’s contribution as your Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanzaa gift to the RHA.  Check your membership status there if you’re not certain whether you’re paid up.
Thank you!

Santa drops in on the Riviera

Every year, the Torrance PD invites Santa to cruise our streets in search of ideas for that year’s Christmas presents.  A welcome reminder that the holidays are upon us.
Click here for more pictures of Santa spreading cheer this year.

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Our October meeting – themed “Filmed in the Riviera” was a lot of fun.  We had a fine turnout, and learned a lot about some interesting movies filmed right in our area:  “American Beauty” filmed on location at South High, “Skater Dater” an early film chronicling the teenage pioneers of skateboarding, and a silent promotional film from the ‘30s with fascinating views of our landscape when only a few homes were actually built.  Our thanks to those who gave of their time to entertain us with this nostalgia.

Now for what’s coming – prepare to attend

the annual RHA Holiday Program
December 5, starting at 6:30pm
Richardson Middle School
[location]

Come enjoy the wonderful voices of the Riviera Elementary and Richardson choirs welcoming the season with traditional tunes, and of course, holiday treats will abound.  (Note: last year was at South High, but not this year!) Don’t miss this chance to join friends and neighbors to get the holidays rolling.

Inspirational December 2011 Holiday Program

New restaurant promises rock and brews – neighbors concerned:

Silhouette up – at Oliver’s

In other news, you may have heard of the new restaurant proposed for the corner of Palos Verdes Blvd and PCH, where Oliver’s now stands.   Several concerned neighbors have voiced their concerns about the potential for late-night music, traffic, and other impacts on the character of the Riviera.  The new owners have been hearing these concerns, and the city council is due to take up the issue in the next month or so.  Your RHA is following the situation closely and has provided resources to learn more and get involved.
People who would like to donate to anindependent sound study for the Rock & Brews may do so by making out a check to “Bob Keller” and sending it to 139 Camino de las Colinas, Redondo Beach CA 90277.  The neighborhood group will consolidate
the contributions and reimburse the sound technician.
If you’d like more information, or to get involved, please contact our co-presidents, Judy and Janet, by email at president@hollywoodriviera.org.

Did you know…

On occasion, a pilot will need to take off from LAX in an easterly direction and ‘round the bend’ over our area?  Our Richard Root has pointed out a monthly report showing those flight paths, which you can see here:    http://www.lawa.org/LAXNoiseEDR.aspx
Richard has also been pursuing the RHA initiatives to have the Torrance City Council address our concerns about helicopter and other aircraft noise from the Torrance airport.  If you’d like more information, please email council@hollywoodriviera.org.

Santa’s coming where? To our town!

Every year, the TPD floats Santa by our streets to gladden the hearts of those who still believe (and the rest of us).   This year’s schedule (for full schedule and maps, click here):

• Monday 3 DEC — Calle Mayor to South CIty Limits, Southwest to Anza/Calle Mayor
• Tuesday 4 DEC — PCH to City Limits, West of Calle Mayor
• Thursday 6 DEC — PCH to South City Limits, Hawthorne to Via Colusa and Calle De Ricardo

The RHA never rests…

The latest Riviera Reporter is on its way to your mailbox, and also available here.  Let us know how you like the format!

Enjoy these latest landscape awards – congratulations to our neighbors who beautify their homes and our jewel of the south bay.

Plea for members

Folks, the Riveria Homeowners Association only exists (tenaciously) on the generous $25 memberships that you provide once a year.  Please do your part and send in your memberships for the 2012-13 year.  It’s a challenging time to ask, but we do need to bring our membership up if we wish to continue representing your neighborhood — providing the service, critical information, and entertainment that we do.
If you need a membership form, or you’re not sure of your membership status, please consult our Membership page.  And encourage your friends to sign up to receive these postings.

We give thanks this week for your support, and hope to see you at the Holiday program !!

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