P.O. Box 49802 Los Angeles, CA 90049     

IN THIS ISSUE

Canyon Disaster Plan

MCA’s Board has formed a committee of Board Members and interested neighbors to create a plan that will assist our homeowners and help all of us prepare to manage through a natural disaster. In the event of a catastrophe, such as a large earthquake, first responders might be unable to reach our neighborhood due to overwhelming circumstances including transportation difficulties or communication failures. It is even possible that we could lose vital services for several days.

The Committee is charged with interacting with the various local agencies including LAPD, LADOT, LAFD, and other homeowner associations to develop a leadership plan that provides priority and guidance in the event of such a catastrophe. Read More

Mandatory Water
Conservation Is Here

Water Conservation Ordinance

Frequently Asked Questions

Mandeville's Going Green

October 09 Tips from Casey:
continued from previous newsletter

6.) Reuse grocery bags if you must..Carry cloth/string bags in your car for those stops at the market.

7.) Use recycled paper for all your needs..

8.) Stop using pesticides (try ladybugs and other natural remedies).

9.) Use organic fertilizer from your composter instead of chemicals.

10.) Consider gray water systems to irrigate your gardens (use every drop).

http://www.globalpossibilities.org/links.html

Casey Coates Danson, President and Founder of Global Possibilities

Contact Casey at: casey@globalpossibilities.org or visit the website at http://www.globalpossibilities.org/index.html  

“At some point the American West will go back to the future rather than forward to the past.”
 - Marc Reisner -

Recent Cougar Attack on Deer

Many of us have noticed more deer than usual as the water shortage has driven the deer down and out of the mountains. Recently there was a young deer killed in the 2000 block of Mandeville Canyon. The carcass indicated the attack was made by a bobcat or cougar. Although we all know we share our Canyon with wild animals, remember that as a precaution to keep a close eye on small pets in your yards. Here is useful information from the California Department of Land Management.  Read More

Lower Westridge Safety Initiative
This week a committee of concerned homeowners will be visiting with Councilman Rosendahl to address the growing unrest of residents regarding their safety and that of their properties on Lower Westridge Road.

Despite multiple requests for significant change, little has been done to slow down speeding cars, create safe passage for pedestrians, and provide dedicated roadway for the numerous recreational bicyclists who use the road.  Read More

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success”
 - Henry Ford -

MCA Volunteers Making a Difference

New Homeowner Wins Canyon Beautification Award
for Open Stream Bed Restoration Project

MCA’s Canyon Beautification Award has been won by Mr. Gareth Egan, a new neighbor on the 2600 block of Mandeville Canyon.  Mr. Egan recently moved into his renovated home. During his summer ’09 construction period Mr. Egan made a big commitment of time and resource to restore an overgrown and unsightly open stream bed. This is a terrific example of how one homeowner can make a huge difference. Years of overgrowth and debris were cleared out and replanted with indigenous plants. He also discovered old and lovely curving concrete block retaining walls during the excavation and kept them to help retain the walls of the stream bed. Grass provides a visually pleasing backdrop and allows water to percolate and flow downhill to the County Flood Control Drains.

In addition Mr. Egan installed split rail fencing and improved his city-owned walkway with decomposed granite.  Many neighbors have commented on the attractive and simple design and even more are enjoying the newly installed walkway. Mr. Egan will be honored for his contributions at MCA's Annual Meeting in late January.

Look for MCA’s holiday lights to be soon installed as more homeowners north of Chalon are creating safe passage and picturesque split rails.

2009 PROJECTS IN MANDEVILLE CANYON AND ITS RIDGES

MCA Bulletin Board Parkway Improvement Project

MCA is working  closely in collaboration with the newly restructured Mandeville        Foundation and has taken on its first project. By all measures it has been a success. Dozens of neighbors attended briefing and sharing of ideas meetings prior to the clearing and removal of tons of overgrowth, beehives, and rat infested ivy on the north east corner of Mandeville Canyon and Mandeville Canyon Lane.

Kathleen Garfield who lives near the Bulletin Board and walks her dogs there daily volunteered to be the Project Lead. She has organized work crews and led other neighbors and volunteers through design plans and two phases of work. Marianne Perls has donated oversight of the on-site work and worked with Ms. Cassy Aoyagi and Form LA Inc.(www.formlainc.com) in the development of a drought-resistant landscape design.

Another neighbor donated large sculptural rocks and still another donated mature agave plants which are already beginning to take hold. In short order the third and final phase of planting the area with drought-resistant landscaping will begin. To date, 19 homeowners have made pledges and/or contributions to support the project with tax deductible donations. This truly has been a community effort of pride and commitment.

If you are interested in supporting this project please contact News@MandevilleCanyonAssociation.com  or mail your contribution to Mandeville Foundation c/o Mr. Joshua Green, 2200 Jeffersonia Way, Los Angeles CA 90049

Mandeville Foundation is an IRS recognized 501c3 organization and affords our community and neighbors the opportunity to fund public improvement projects within our neighborhood and receive a ax deduction.

MANDEVILLE FOUNDATION
Building a Neighborhood is a powerful gift!

Open Stream Bed Renovation Project

Neighbors in the vicinity of Shadow Canyon Lane and Mandeville Canyon will be invited to a neighborhood meeting soon to discuss the design, plans, and timeline to restore this once-open stream bed. Dirt and debris was dumped into this channel years ago by the Army Corps of Engineers under disaster-like conditions in 1990. The problem remained when they never came back to remove the excess dirt.  Now the County Flood Control Basin drains are completely impacted and non-usable in the event of another heavy rainfall.

Each homeowner in the vicinity of this project shares in the opportunity to make a difference and will be invited to share their design ideas and make contributions.  Mandeville Foundation will be the lead organization as donations made through it are tax deductible.  If you have an interest in serving on the project committee please drop us a line at:
News@MandevilleCanyonAssociation.com