NO MEMBERSHIP MEETING in MAY!!!  
Committee meetings only 
 

Overview: WorldWideWeb  
Well, we are now up and running in the virtual world of communication and can be visited at our web site WWW.USHollywood.Net.  For those without access to the WWW, we will have a copy of the text at the meeting.  But briefly, it contains a history of USH, our goals, our successes, our ongoing projects and this year's newsletters, a foto album, etc. We also can be e mailed: anysubject@USHollywood.Net  

USHollywood.Net was created by the vision and dedication of our neighbor Vic Ten.  VIC has our fullest admiration for his technical skill, our highest appreciation for his civic devotion, and his seemingly endless patience in instruction.  

We hope our .Net will facilitate communication with neighboring groups in Hollywood and thruout the city. We invite your contributions and your inspirations as to how best this publication may help advance our causes.  

PARKWAY TREES  
We advocate a change in the replacement of older trees as a group. The Ficus is our example, they are replaced with all good fiscal intent.  But, fiscal intent is only a part of the vista. Trees are placed for the beautification of the community. When they are razed as a group, what happens is an instant blight and dreary prospect for at least a decade, especially when the replacement specimens are tiny tots. We urge an end to this cheap, but massively counterproductive, bureaucratic practice. WE suggest that when established tree themes are replaced for any purpose, that replacements not be immature, but of at least 5/8ths of mature height, and that removals and replacements be over a span of 3 years, so that a continuum of attractiveness be retained.  

To act otherwise, is to scuttle the reality of beautification for a generation, and all the values the arboreal umbrellas stand for, i.e., the enhancement of the civil life, celebrating the life of earthy virtue. Without trees, a philosopher is sans a sentient shelter, and human kind, sans a sheltering presence of a companionly benign life.  
  
We believe that any community's valuation of trees and their contribution is expressed in their care and maintenance, and regretfully observe that L.A. cannot claim any devotion to this vital element of civilization, in view of the lowest order of importance placed on their presence. 

What's your opinion? We need a real statement to move the practices of the entire State of California forward in this 'meaningful life' issue.  

GANGS, DRUGS, endless GRAFFITI...  

Times change, problems remain. Our successes in diminishing street loiterings with the intent to engage in the sale of narcotic or solicit prostitution, have moved the alert offenders to apartments, to autos, and to areas of ordinary indolence such as playgrounds, parks, etc. It is low profile, hence the more the politically acceptable.. Less squeaky wheels...But there yet, and none the less a criminal intrusion on the civil life.  

According to our Hollywood Division, GRAFFITI is still with us, citywide. Hereabouts, it is blossoming with a wicked vigor. A new vigor. This morning, for the first in more than a year, I had to remove 3 patches from my sidewalk. All the properties South to Hollywood blvd are again violated after having been cleansed of such just yestereday. Center visitors report the same thruout the Corridor.  

Community based peacekeeping:  
Clearly we are in a time of major change, a time yet again of renewed isolations from community and volunteers.  Accented by the now ordinary of department procedures of rotations and the promotions elsewhere of aware personnel.  

The 'dysfunctions' of such dispositions of naive personnel make for expectations of inappropriate, and insensitive applications of office consequent to the lack of a gradual immersion into the local community mix & ethos. What are we saying?  Dumb, dumb, & dumb actions. Actions, generically correct, but wildly inappropriate to a specific instance, and massively destructively of our hard won work in the realization of that elemental need which our military so succinctly term: I.F.F. Identification, Friend or Foe.  

When peacekeeping folk in the field lamely label that which is normal to be abnormal: otherwise lamentable dysaffections result.  Psychologists term 'the misperception of reality' to be: schizophrenic.Thus, we contemplate the inevitable decline of our rare comity of the served with the servant. Hello N.Y., damn, damn.  

Presstime Update: What did we just say?  
A terrific couple, who have brought an apartment building back from ruin, to respectability, and to competent ownership, and are active civically, have endured a horror of incompetent law enforcement. The husband, cleaning a vacated apartment, is mistaken for a domestic abuser, disbelieved despite obvious confirming realities, handled roughly as such, meaning face into a dirty carpet, handcuffed at pistolpoint, and hauled off to be eventually rescued by the owner who confirmed his identity as a manager. Needless to say, he is stunned and now fearful of everything. We are indeed in trouble, folks.  

HOLLYWOOD? Reborne or only Regurgitant?  We are confident on one aspect alone: that we must "make Hay while the Sun shines..."  The Marketplace adventure, now constructively reviewed by the CUP planning process, needs realization, period. This we assert, despite all the concerns we have made manifest; namely, parking, and the propriety of expected liquor licensings, etc..  

The inevitable nature of the economic cycle, and our fear that continued lack of any marketplace investment will doom as 'prehistoric' any revival of those 'blessings' which we once, most innocently thought: 'our due', consumes us.  

All our hopes of a revival of that fabled Vine Street ambiance are now embodied in the success of the MARKETPLACE . Only on their inpiration, may the sprouts of neighboring grace, timidly contemplate their emergence from now historic disrepute.  

CHARTER REFORM  
The current proposals appear not to hold elements of hope, i.e., the achievement of a rudimentary governance. Which is to say, a natural representation which results from a political constituency of such modest size, as to enable a civically inclined citizen; some reasonable possibility of attaining office. We define 'reasonable' as that unfettered by special interest endorsements & dominant financial pressure. Is this some radical concept?  Or rather, folks; is it not only that which our neighbors everywhere else were in the Southland ordinarily enjoying? How else to explain the prosperity and the contentment of our neighbors. We, are the exception, they are the rule. The longer we fearfully genuflect to arrogant rule by ambitious professional demagogues, the longer we accommodate ourselves to a hell of consequences abominable to our heart, our mind, and our purse.  

In this view, time is not on the side of the complacent.  

Parks & "Recreation" We hear unsettling complaints from neighbors of loiterings, bums, late-hour noise, and drugdealings in the opening Yucca mini rec center. "Worst fears realized" some say..Hopefully when officially opened and controlled by the rangers it will improve. Till then, locals say, 'told you so'....  

'Welfare' as practiced in L.A. County vs. Orange County. Evidently the difference to my surprise, is that there, one is guided to the real workplace life and support is real and useful to that end, however, in our L.A., the perception is that of losing a valued 'client'. How else to explain observed hostility to those embarking in the real workplace? How else to explain gratuitous slurs and denigrations to employers?  For example,  "You mean he's showing up and not goofing off? Well; there's got to be a first time!!! .....And the subsequent return to the 'farm' by the valued 'client'  
How else to explain: special requirements to take time off a new job!  To come to the professional social worker rather than scheduled off worktime appointments: Question?:  What new employer applauds 'time off' requests to deal with obsure welfare requirements? How many just discharge 'em? Is there a 'profit factor" in corralling the 'client' back to the welfare 'farm'?  Or is there just a '9 to 5' entrenched bureaucracy committed to self improvement /self sustenance.  

I have been astounded to hear the variety of realities from neighborhood folk. We've heard of such in broad brushes in the press. To hear them in the exact, however, is bleak confirmation of the verity.  

Space denies reportage of similar outrageous dysfunctions alleged in our school system.  

The program for an incompetent populace still on track.  
Talk about ethnic cleansings, the campaign against a competent populace in central Hollywood continues on with major buildings rehab held hostage to this concept. We speak of 1760 wilcox, The Hillview Apts., and 1746 Cherokee. Simply astonishing.  

On a positive note : A privately funded apartment building is in Planning for 1827 Wilcox Ave. My heavens.....  
All for now: Keep in touch....  

Important Luncheon Meeting: 
 
Hollywood Coordinating Council  
May 7th  
Youth Awards  

Call Dorothy Remsen for reservations @ 323 463-0716