Newsletter of the Park LaBrea Residents AssociationADVOCATING FOR THE RESIDENTS

V.26.8 AUGUST 2014

PARK LA BREA Can PLBRA Help?When you made the decision to move into Park La Brea, you recognized the benefits of living in a park like community that is centrally located in the City of Los Angeles. We enjoy the dual benefits of being an oasis of green tranquility surrounded by a vibrant metropolitan environment. But, like any large community, all is not always well within the Park. As you know, many of the Tower elevators have had significant mechanical problems. These problems were caused by a perfect storm created by the age of the elevator systems combined with a lack of off-the-shelf repair parts. The Park LaBrea Residents Association worked constructively and effectively with PLB Management to find a solution. As a result, we are delighted to announce that during the period from Fall 2014 through Fall 2015, 8 Towers will undergo complete elevator modernization. By Fall 2015, all 18 Towers at Park La Brea will have undergone elevator modernization. This is definitely good news for our community. But what is even more important to note is that the problem was resolved by working collectivly with PLB Management. The Park LaBrea Residents Association (PLBRA) is YOUR ADVOCATE with PLB Management. Our operational philosophy is that a Constructive, Measured, Conciliatory and Consistent mediation approach is the Best Way to achieve the desired results for our community. PLBRA believes that engaging PLB Management in constructive negotiation on key issues is the only logical way to achieve our collective goals in a timely and cost-effective manner.

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ABOUT USPLBRA Officers:

President: Bernie Clinch

Vice President: Solomon Moore, MBA

Secretary/Treasurer: Col. Donald Harris, USA (Ret.)

PLBRA Office:

Tower 39 Lobby Office 401 S. Burnside Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90036

Tel: 323-934-1177

e-mail: plbra@ca.rr.com

PLBRA Newsletter:

Advertising & Editorial plbra@ca.rr.com

Printing: Kal Tobe Press Inc.

PLBRA Web Site:

www.plbra.org

Activity Center Upgrades

PLB Management reports that New “state of the art” Gym Equipment will be replacing our older equipment presently in place.

The Meeting Room & Lounge Area will receive New Carpeting and wood flooring treatment. (Yoga classes will be held in this area)

Furthermore, the Conference Room will be transformed into a Spin Room.

All of these improvements will take place over the next few months.

Lock Outs

PLB Management will waive its customary FEE for Lock Out Assistance for the First Call made per lease year. A Formal Request must be made to PLB Administration to receive subject waiver. Further information on this subject can be obtained by calling PLB Administration at (323) 549-5400 (Administration prompt).

Town Hall Meeting

Due to the Great Success of the Town Hall Meeting held on June 18, 2014 PLB Management has agreed to hold similar meetings in the future.

Elevator Modernization

Commencing in October 2014 Four Towers will undergo Elevator Modernization simultaneously. (A special article on this topic will appear in the October Newsletter) (Continued on page 3)

PLB Management / PLBRAMeeting Notes

SAFETY TIP

Do Not store flammable items in either the broiler or oven compartments of your stove.

Prevent Fires

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Maintenance Tip of the Month

APPLIANCE SAFETY

“Please help us to help you”

Make sure that all wires, cords and plugs associated with your appliances such as coffeemakers, toasters, blenders, microwaves, mixers, etc. are not frayed or damaded. Do not use extension cords. Make sure all of the standing pilot lights on your stove are lit. Call Service at (323) 549-5599 if you have problems. Do not leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Make sure to turn burners off as soon as you take pots or pans off the stovetop. Keep dish towels, pot holders and oven mitts away from the stove. Keep a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen but not near the stove. In case of a grease fire, if you do not have a fire extinguisher handy, salt or baking soda will help to put the fire out.

Courtesy of Bruce C. Manning Director of Maintenance, Able

PLB Management / PLBRA Meeting Notes (continued from page 2)

Ongoing Work

SCEP (Systematic Code Enforcement Program) should be rapped up within a four week window.

Washer / Dryer Project:

Tower 50 (432 S. Curson Ave) 50% of the plumbing work has been completed.

Tower 48 (435 S. Curson Ave) work to commence.

[PLB Management reports that upon completion of the Washer / Dryer hookup work in Tower 48 no further work on this project is anticipated for the immediate future.]

Elevator Modernization:

Tower 37 (400 S. Burnside Ave) is the next Tower to receive Elevator Modernization.

Audio / Video Equipment at the Activity Center

The control elements of subject equipment will receive fine tuning calibration to achieve optimum performance levels.

Patrol Answering Service

An expansion of capabilities will be initiated to provide more responsive customer service.

For additional information on this topic contact the PLBRA Office (323) 934-1177

CONTEMPORARY FILMS SUNDAYS AT 2 PM

8/3 Oblivion (2013) PG-13124 minutes - High above a war-torn future Earth, Cmdr. Jack Harper (Tom Cruise) is maintaining the planet's defensive drones when a crippled starship enters his territory. Its sole occupant, a mysterious woman, leads Harper to shocking truths about humankind's legacy.

8/10 Tim’s Vermeer (2013) PG-13 80 minutes - This film is about inventor Tim Jenison's quest to solve one of art's greatest mysteries: How did Dutch master Johannes Vermeer paint so photo-realistically 150 years before the invention of photography?

8/17 Labor Day (2013) PG-13 111 minutes - What begins as a short ride turns into a life-changing event for divorced single mother Adele Wheeler (Kate Winslet) and her 13-year-old son, Henry, when they give a lift to a bloodied man (Josh Brolin).

8/24 Endless Love (2014) PG-13104 minutes - An intense teenage boy falls for a wealthy girl and when her parents try to keep them apart their love affair grows obsessive and dark.

8/31 Grudge Match (2013) PG-13113 minutes - Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro play aging prizefighters who return to the ring for one last match.

Movie Calendar

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August 2014

FAMILY FRIENDLY FILMS SATURDAYS AT 2 PM

8/2 Mary Poppins (1964) PG 139 minutes - Julie Andrews won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the "practically perfect" nanny who revolutionizes the prim and proper Banks family in this Disney classic.

8/9 Yogi Bear (2010) PG 80 minutes - When the greedy mayor decides to close Jelly stone Park and sell the land to make money, Yogi Bear and his sidekick Boo-Boo must team up with their rival, Ranger Smith, to save their home.

8/16 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010) PG 109 minutes - Master Sorcerer Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) makes a student his apprentice and teaches him enough magic to save the world from ruin.

8/23 Old Yeller / Savage Sam: Double Feature (1957) G 103 minutes - Disney serves up a double-dose of heartwarming family enjoyment with the tale of a yellow dog who teaches a young boy valuable lessons of courage and the sequel which follows a new pup who helps save a group of kidnapped children.

8/30 The Little Rascals Save The Day (2014) PG93 minutes - A mischievous gang of third graders wreaks comedic havoc on their surroundings.

TRAVELTHURSDAYS AT 7 PM

8/7 Around The World in Eighty Days (1956) G175 minutes - Adaptation of Jules Verne's novel about a Victorian Englishman who bets that with the new steamships and railways, of his time, he can go around the world in 80 days. This film stars David Niven and Cantinflas. (Academy Award – Best Picture)

8/14 Eat, Pray, Love (2010) PG-13133 minutes - A married woman (Julia Roberts) realizes how unhappy her marriage really is and that her life needs to go in a different direction. After a painful divorce, she takes off on a round-the-world journey to "find herself".

8/21 The Accidental Tourist (1988) PG121 minutes - An emotionally distant writer of travel guides (William Hurt) must carry on with his life after his son is killed and his marriage crumbles. This film also stars Kathleen Turner and Genna Davis.

8/28 The Endless Summer (1966) PG95 minutes - A surfing documentary which follows two young surfers around the world in search of the perfect wave.

August 2014

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Movie Calendar

Please stay well !

and mark these dates !

Wed, Sept 3 & Fri, Sept 5

THE PARK LA BREA PLAYERS

will open in

“Rx. LAUGHTER”

at the

Activity Center Theater

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Our 106th Year

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6

Bridge Club. 323-571-2963. Meets Mondays and Thursdays, 12:30 - 3:30 pm, in the PLB Activity Center.

Chess Club. Harry LeMay, 323-935-4053. Meets Mondays and Saturdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 Noon, in the PLB Activity Center.

Community Garden. The Park La Brea Community Garden, located at the corner of Lindenhurst and Hauser, adjacent to Garage 6, provides small plots for Park La Brea residents to garden. For more information or to be added to the waiting list, email: newplot@plbgarden.com.

Debi Doodles Arts & Crafts After School Workshops. Debora Gillman, 323-549-5458. Debi Doodles Arts & Crafts will be on vacation during August and will resume in September.

Library. Basement of Tower 34. Open every day, 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

Plays That Shakespeare Didn’t Write. Elliott Witt, 323-272-4197. Meets Sundays, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, in the PLB Activity Center. The current play is Street Scene by Elmer Rice to be followed by Stage Door by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman.

Quilters. Mary Jane Hopkins, 323-938-4861. Meets every Friday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, in the PLB Activity Center.

Writers Circle. Robert Richter, 323-571-4994. Meets every other Tuesday, 7:00 pm, in the PLB Activity Center Conference Room. The next meeting will be August 5.

Modified T’AI CHI for all ages. Karin Green, 323-938-7799, karinmg@ca.rr.com. Meets Tuesdays & Fridays, 8:30 am (Advanced), 9:00 am (Beginners). Burnside Circle around the fountain. Free.

English as a Second Language (ESL) at Park La BreaThere are many opportunities at PLB and in our community for PLB residents who wish to study and practice English as a Second Language.

ESL Classes: A LAUSD ESL class will begin August 12, Dedicated to PLB Residents, in the Adult Education Hall located in the basement of Tower 36 (350 S. Fuller Ave). The class will meet MTWTh from 9:00 - 11:30 am. (For further information, call 310-664-5880)

Conversation Partner Program: Resident native English speakers volunteer to partner with resident non-native speakers as conversation partners. Those interested in volunteering and/or in seeking a partner, please see the contact information below.

Conversation Group: No conversation group meeting August. (Check the PLBRA Newsletter for information about a meeting in September.)

For further information about ESL programs:Visit our website: www.EnglishConversationatPLB.wordpress.comContact: Zhita Rea, 323-571-1603, zhitarea@hotmail.com or Susan de la Vergne, susan@susandelavergne.com.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES August 2014

$1.45 Shirt Laundry 30% Off Dry Cleaning

Phone # (323) 935-7275!"#$%&'()"*&+,()$-#.-/*

(Some Restrictions Apply)

Now Open SUNDAY 10:00 AM TO 3:00 PM

Leoni BongcasanManager

386 S. Burnside Ave. Tower #34 Lobby

(On Burnside Circle)Los Angeles, CA. 90036

EXP: 9/30/14

Wherever you are – on the street, in an office building or shopping mall, driving, or waiting for a bus or subway – stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings. (Courtesy of the LAPD)

CRIME PREVENTION TIP

COMING SOON

Medicare 101.

Learn about Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Programs, Prescription Drug Plans and Medigap Plans.

This informational program will meet Tuesdays 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the PLB Activity Center.

First Session – September 2

[These sessions are for informational purposes only and no detailed information on specific proprietary plans will be provided]

Facilitator: Solomon Moore, MBA (CA Ins. Lic. # 0G77708) 323.404.1896

WARNING:

Now Enrolling for Fall !

GRADES 2 - 12 • TEST PREP • HOMEWORK HELP

“Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”

BONDED | INSURED | WORKERS’ COMP. | CPR CERTIFIED

Trust, Love & Care

In the event of an emergency

FIRST CALL 911then call

Park La Brea Patrol at

323-549-5508

CAREGIVERS USA, Inc.