Dan Cooper, a local biologist doing work for the Griffith Park Natural History Survey, has been trying to find a horned lizard in Griffith Park for about three years now. So when he finally found one last month, and then I found one the very next morning, lots of people were thrilled about the lizards’ continued presence in Griffith Park.

I was on a trail high above the Oaks near Brush (Bronson) Canyon, directly East of the Hollywood sign when I found my horned lizard. It being high on my list of non-native species to locate in the Park, I was intentionally looking in all the right places that Saturday morning in April, especially sun-exposed ridge line trails with loose soils. But when the sighting happened, I was still shocked to the point of almost not believing my eyes. I saw him from a pretty good distance. After quietly switching my camera lens to telephoto (with hands shaking), I snapped a few shots thinking that he would run into the brush if I got any closer. [... Continued here]

On March 16, more than fifty  Oaks members and residents gathered at the American Film Institute for our annual meeting.  Bob Young, President of the Oaks Board, kicked the evening off by introducing our guests from Council District 4 (Council member Tom LaBonge and staff members Renee Weitzer, Sharon Shapiro, Doug Mensman and Jullian Harris-Calvin), the Los Angeles Police Department (Senior Lead Office Mike Shea), and Natalie Freidberg from All Shades of Green. [... Continued here]

There’s no denying: Oaks board members just get better every year… at waiting tables, that is. We donned our white aprons once again on Tuesday March 24th for the sixth (or is it seventh?) yearly fundraiser at Vermont Restaurant which included a mouth-watering menu and wine pairing. Truly delicious, lots of fun and our tips – your generous contributions – yielded over $1,200 for the association. These funds will go towards the upcoming summer picnic, the Halloween Walk and the Holiday Party.

Ponet Drive sent out a challenge to all Oaks residents to see who could book the largest table. Ponet won hands down with a huge table of 17! (And I’m not exaggerating—I should know, I was their waitress.) Thank you, Ponet Drive, for your generosity and Oaks team spirit.

A big thanks as well to all who attended and tipped so generously, and of course, to Manuel, Eric and the whole team at Vermont. See you next year!

The following are rules and restrictions that film companies must observe if they wish to shoot in our neighborhood (or in any other part of the city):

• Production companies are required to obtain a permit from FilmLA, the City agency responsible for issuing film permits. Such permits are required even if the filming takes place on private property.
• Film companies are required to inform residents within a radius of 400 feet of the film location about any scheduled filming at that location.
• Permits issued by the City usually restrict any production activities to the hours of 7am to 10pm on weekdays, and 9am to 10pm on weekends. Production vehicles need to arrive at the location and leave the site within those time frames.

Questions or complaints about film shoots in our neighborhood should be directed to the Community Relations Office of FilmLa. That office can be contacted by phone (213 - 977-8600) or by e-mail (info@filmlainc.com).

Every week the peace and quiet of our neighborhood is interrupted by leaf blowers routinely used by gardeners who take care of our yards.

Many residents don't know that Section 112.04 (c) of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (L.A.M.C.) prohibits the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers "within 500 feet of a residence". The only exemptions from the regulations are "leaf vacuum devices which operate at a sound level not to exceed 45dB," and electric blowers.

Both the operator of a gas-powered leaf blower as well as the property owner who allows his gardener to use them can be cited and fined up to $100 for a violation. Penalty assessments added to the fine can bring the total to $270.

Offenders will only be notified about a possible violation of the ordinance if the City receives a complaint from another resident. For more information you can call the Street Use Investigation and Enforcement Division of the Bureau of Street Services at (213) 847-6000.

After receipt of a complaint, the City will issue a written warning to the property owner and inform him about the violation. If his gardener continues to use the illegal gas blower and is caught in the act, a citation will be issued to the owner and the gardener.

But before you make such a call, you should consider talking to your neighbor first, and let him know what bothers you. A friendly and well-meant word may not only put an immediate end to the nuisance; it will also help maintain and nourish harmonious relationships between neighbors - another quality of life in The Oaks that we all value.