Riviera Homeowners Association

Full house at City Council Candidates forum

A lively and informative question and answer forum was held April 2 at South High School, featuring 15 out of the 16 candidates running for the 4 open City Council positions.

The RHA hosted the session, with Linda Herman of the League for Women Voters conducting the Q&A.  The Southwood HOA was a co-sponsor.  All candidates had a chance to answer questions prepared ahead of time, and also fielded questions from the audience.  A short wrapup comment was also allowed.  The range of questions allowed everyone in the audience to get a good sense for where each candidate stood, on issues important to the Riviera and the city as a whole.  Thanks to all the residents who turned out for this important event.

Pictured, left to right
Top: Heidi Ashcraft, Tim Goodrich, Mike Griffiths, Milton Herring, Rahmat Khan
Middle:Leilani A. Kimmel-Dagostino, Aurelio Mattucci, Omar Navarro, Clint Andrew Paulson, Geoff Rizzo
Bottom: Alan M. See, Charlotte Ann Svolos, Ryan Mand, John Paul Tabakian, Kurt Weideman
Not attending: Norm “Opa” Segel

Next up: Please be sure to attend the

Mayoral FORUM – Wednesday, April 16, at 7 PM

The next general meeting for RHA residents (and last for the current 2013-14 year) will be at Richardson Middle School and will feature up to date information on “Crime Statistics and Prevention in the Riviera”  plus information on Neighborhood Watches. Torrance PD officers will be present to answer your questions.

Signs on the way

The City Council will be discussing Street Sweeping and the no parking signs to go with it at the upcoming April 22 council meeting.  This is being initiated in the Seaside area and will be coming to the Riviera soon.  The RHA will be following the progress and reporting back to you.

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You can pick up a little wisdom and beauty right outside our El Retiro branch library now.

Supervising Librarian Kay Ujimori shows off the new wall mural and gardens at El Retiro

Recent ADA-mandated construction at El Retiro Library resulted in a more user-friendly ramp and a newly configured planter – but destroyed previous plantings. The Riviera Garden Club used this as an opportunity to re-landscape with colorful and whimsical mural-inspired plants and flowers intended to attract butterflies and appeal to children (and adults).

The kids can also get homework help from a local high school student, for free, in a safe, friendly, well-lit environment.  Help is available from a local high school volunteer Mondays and Thursdays 3:30-5:30.  While they’re at it, pick up a book, CD, or movie for yourself from the library’s growing collection.

Homework Help is just around the corner

And for the little ones, there’s Toddlertime, which has just resumed on Wednesday’s at 11am, a story and song program for ages 18 months to 3 years.

A sour note

A marked rise in burglaries has taken a toll on a number of residents.  There is increased concern and vigilance, with an increased interest in Neighborhood Watch groups.  The Torrance PD has excellent resources here  if you’re interested in learning more.  The RHA Board is looking into ways to raise awareness of the actual levels of crime and preventive measures that residents should be aware of.  Board members have been in touch with the police department, and there has been an increase in the amount of patrolling in our area.

Reminders

Our City Council candidates forum comes to South High this Wednesday April 2.  At least 12 of the 16 running candidates have agreed to appear.  Check the website for details on that and on the subsequent Mayoral candidates forum on April 16.

The RHA Scholarship Committee will soon be making recommendations on this years award winners.  What helps is to have the resources to be as generous as possible.  If you haven’t yet donated your voluntary dues, please do so right away!

You should be receiving the latest Riviera Reporter in your mail this week.  Printing and mailing these newsletters is a major expense for the RHA, and the board is considering scaling this back to a smaller simpler newsletter, or even a post card.  Again, better participation by contributing residents is a big help.    We’ll keep you posted on the decision.

Interested in volunteering with the organization that has served the Riviera for over 60 years?  Get in touch with a Board member at any of our meetings or by phone or email to find out what opportunities there are.

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Last call for scholarship applications from Riviera resident High School Seniors!
Deadline has been extended until Friday, March 7th.

For details, visit our Scholarship Application page here to find the application form. 

Thank you to the Riviera residents whose dues make this possible.

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At least 5 out of the 7 Torrance city council members will be newly seated once the dust settles on the June 3 election.  The RHA is presenting a forum for you to come and hear the candidates present their positions and answer questions, possibly for the only time in the Riviera area.  If you’re interested in where your city is heading, head over to the South High School cafeteria April 2 at 7:00 pm for this valuable opportunity.  Parking is free (on the newly paved lot) and refreshments will be served.

In addition, you’re invited to attend the Southwood Homeowners Association meeting on April 16th at Anza Elementary School, 21400 Ellinwood Avenue, in Torrance, for a Mayoral candidates’ forum.

Blue and Green were the RHA’s colors this month

If you attended this month’s meeting, you were treated to a pair of very informative presentations.

We had representatives from the Beach Cities Health District present a detailed description of the Blue Zones project. This innovative program has really gotten off the ground with a multi-faceted approach to improving the well-being of all citizens.  As the speakers invited to the meeting attested, it has motivated many residents to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles, by working with local restaurants, schools, and businesses.   So much good information was passed along, together with prizes and discounts to local restaurants.  If you missed it, and are interested, visit their dynamic website here.

Blue Zones put on a lively presentation
RHA President Judy Brunetti introduces Joe Galliani

Following the Blue Zones project, we were treated to an engaging and energetic presentation and discussion on energy efficiency by a Riviera resident and passionate environmentalist, Joe Galliani.  These days we’re bombarded with offers for solar cars and roof panels.  Joe laid out some very practical considerations for residents in this part of the city in making decisions about converting to solar power for the home and automobile.  Actual results from homeowners in the area were presented and many local resources were touted to help make decisions, based on specific needs.  We’re pleased that Joe made his presentation on solar power and energy efficiency available to the RHA (download here) to share with our residents.

Prevent your home from being a target

South Torrance, including the Riviera, is not immune from car and home burglaries.  Just this week, our neighbors have been victimized, from the lower (Las Colinas) to the upper (Tortugas).   Spend a minute to watch this video courtesy of the Torrance PD to help guide you in prevention.  Stay safe!

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Greetings Riviera residents,

Our next general meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday, February 5 at Richardson Middle School, starting at 7:00 PM.

We will hear from, and be able to ask questions of,  Blue Zones, a division of Beach Cities Health District, and Joe Galliani, the “Creative Greenius” of the South Bay Cities Green Task Force. The Blue Zones people will discuss their comprehensive program for long life and healthful living, and Mr. Galliani will share the latest information on solar power initiatives for the home, and other, practical ways for homes in the Riviera to save energy and money.  Bring a friend – bring a neighbor!

Special giveaways and extra refreshments will be served, doors will open at 6:30.

Did you know the RHA has a historian? The Riviera is a special place with a unique history, which can live on with your help.  If you or someone you know has a neighbor who has lived in the Riviera longer than 60 years that they would like me to interview please have them call Janet Kaplan at 310 780 9641.  We’ll keep you posted on the results.  The RHA has quite a treasure trove of past history, going back to the forties.  Come to the upcoming General Meeting and ask how you can learn more.

Coming soon: this year’s deadline for RHA Scholarship applications.  The RHA awards scholarships each year to deserving seniors living in the Riviera. For more information, see our Scholars webpage.

You can use the upcoming meeting as an opportunity to update your dues, or simply use our handy Paypal option.  Thank you for your support, and also the support from our newsletter advertisers.  For the latest Riviera Reporter, click here.

Save the date: On April 2 [corrected date] the RHA will host a city council Candidates Night, our Riviera’s best opportunity to meet and question our prospective city representatives.  This will be held at South High — we’ll get you more details, so stay tuned.

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