Nuts & Bolts

By Zhita Rea

Ask the Managers:

It’s summer in Park La Brea (PLB), and, like every other season, summer brings lots of questions to, and information from, the managers.

Alandele Circle:  Summer is a busy time at Alandele Circle. This appealing activity area is for the use of All PLB Residents. A few reminders about use policies: No Reservations can be made or places held in the circle; just go when you’re ready to play or picnic…. There is one exception: residents may rent party jumper equipment for use in the circle; no more than one jumper per day is allowed.

Contracts and arrangements for this equipment are handled at the PLB Activities Center.

No Yard Sales at PLB:  Summer may also be the time when we start clearing out the corners of our apartments and deciding to part with things that we no longer need. There are many charitable groups in the area to which you may wish to make donations: There is a new Good Will Donation Center on Beverly Blvd west of Fairfax Ave, Out of the Closet on Fairfax Ave north of Beverly Blvd and there are the D.A.R.E. Bins near the Third St and Burnside Ave entrance to PLB, etc. However, residents are reminded of the policy that prohibits any individual yard sales on PLB property. (Note: There is talk at PLBRA of arranging for a community Swap Meet. Wait for further news.)

New Water Restrictions:  And with summer comes new city regulations about the use of water. How will this affect PLB? Watering of grounds and gardens is now limited to two days a week, Monday and Thursday. As a result, Ron Bowdoin, General Manager of Park La Brea, says, we will see longer grass as cutting it less often keeps it greener; however, we can also expect some brown grass as the days get hotter. 

How will residential water rates be affected? Ron raised the question himself and said that due to a new water rate calculation formula he is not sure. An LADWP e-mail directed to Multi-Family Residential Schedule B Customers, (Park La Brea is part of this category of customer), stated: "Second tier rates will apply year-round. Your first tier allowance will be 97.75% of your highest winter water use over the past three years."  We’ll wait and see what that means.

Finally, an importnat reminder, it is more urgent than ever that we promptly report broken sprinklers, water leaks or anything that might be causing water waste to the Service Department. This will benefit both our community and our pocketbooks.

Bicycle Registration Update:  Glenn Beem, PLB Security Director, recently reported that 146 bicycles of residents have been registered, photographed and licensed. Registration will continue as needed after which PLB will clear out remaining bikes from bike storage areas. Make sure that your bicycle is registered. Check with Patrol at (323) 549-5509, for an update on procedures.

Enjoy the summer in our very special community:  Swim in the new pools, enjoy gardening or just looking at the gardens that your neighbors and PLB landscapers create and maintain, explore the neighborhood. We hope it’s a great time for all of our PLB neighbors!

Send your questions and comments so that we can “Ask The Managers” to:
nutsand bolts@plbra.org.