Culver City Observer -

• The Culver City Cultural Affairs Foundation presents architectureTALKS, a series of three architecture talks presented by internationally renowned professionals based in Culver City. Proceeds from the series’ ticket sales will benefit technical enhancements (lighting, sound, and projection equipment) for the Veterans Memorial Building Auditorium, with the intent of increasing public performances and film screenings at that venue.

The first event is scheduled for January 25 and features award-winning architect Zoltan Pali, FAIA, founder and design principal of SPF:architects located on Washington Boulevard in the Culver City Arts District. Moderated by architectural writer Thomas Aujero Small, Pali will discuss his work on creating the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. The recently completed and much celebrated “Wallis” transformed a classical Spanish Mission Revival United States Post Office with the addition of a stunningly modern, state-of-the-art concert hall and performance space. A reception catered by Akasha is included.

WHEN: Sunday, January 25, 2 pm to 4

WHERE: 8609 W. Washington Boulevard, Culver City

WHO: Zoltan Pali, FAIA, founder and design principal of SPF:architects

COST: $40 per person. Admission is 100% tax deductible with proceeds to benefit the technical enhancement of Veterans Memorial Building’s Auditorium.

TICKETS: To purchase tickets, visit http://architecturetalks.eventbrite.com

PARKING: Free parking for this event is provided by the Exceptional Children’s Foundation in the lot located at 8740 W. Washington Boulevard.

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Community Development

• Westfield Culver City - Tenant improvement construction work was completed on a new retail shoe store called “Baldi London”.

• Smashbox Studios – The renovation of Smashbox Studios/Cosmetics office space is now complete. The improvements include the creation of a new production facility.

• Washington/National Project Site - A Preliminary Project Review meeting was held on December 18 to review the project status and City requirements.

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Staff will be transmitting the City’s Fiscal Year 2015-16 CDBG project submission and request for funding to CDBG Administration by the end of January 2015. The project submission includes available funding not previously captured by the CDBG program for Fiscal Year 2014-15.

• 3433 Wesley Street – On December 8 the Successor Agency to the Culver City Redevelopment Agency approved the transfer of the property at 3433 Wesley Street to Jim Hull, owner of the adjacent property. This item is now scheduled for consideration by the Oversight Board of the Culver City Redevelopment Agency at its January 8 meeting.

• Pieology Pizzeria – Pieology Pizzeria, the customizable artisan-style pizza chain that is expanding in California, will be opening soon at 3850 Main Street in Culver City.

• New Business Banner Program - The Economic Development Division and the Culver City Chamber of Commerce have collaborated on a new marketing program intended to improve awareness and promote visits to new businesses, which have opened in Culver City within 90 days. This marketing program, anticipated to begin in spring 2015, allows for the display of a pre-approved, temporary banners.

The Hayden Tract - the "pterodactyl", new office above an existing parking structure:

8770 Washington Boulevard - the Graystar mixed use project:

The 2nd floor deck of the Graystar project looking southeast:

A view from the Graystar project 2nd floor deck towards the Washington/National Boulevards’ intersection, towards the location of the Washington/National project:

The platform project new parking structure:

The Platform project’s new 4 story office building - view from the top of the new parking structure:

Looking west down Washington Boulevard from the top of the new parking structure:

The new and remodeled buildings at the east end of the Platform project, close to the Metro Exposition Light Rail line:

6001 Centinela Avenue - the new mausoleum building for Hillside Memorial Park

Cemetery is nearly complete:

Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Studio Support Building - nearly with the Production Service building under construction behind it:

Interior of Studio Support building:

Another photo of the Studio Support Building:

Better view of Production Services Building:

The Sony parking structure addition, the east end:

New Mazda building at Mazda Volvo on Washington next to the 405:

Washington/Marcasel mixed use building:

5450 Sepulveda Boulevard - new commercial building with rooftop parking:

4058 Madison Avenue - new 4 unit residential project:

10100 Culver Boulevard - Cedar-Sinai, commercial building addition/ remodel:

Jefferson Boulevard - existing commercial building remodel:

4141 Duquesne Avenue – Seven new townhomes:

Fire Department

• Annual Company and Platoon Evaluations – The Fire Department recently completed its 2014 company and platoon evaluations. The evaluations are the culmination of over 18,000 training hours clocked by Culver City Fire Department members. The evaluations required every company and platoon to perform a variety of timed tasks to demonstrate their individual and company competency levels. Some of the tasks included: donning personal protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus; demonstrating fire ground survival techniques; and utilizing a variety of communication methods. The time and effort Department members dedicated to training throughout the year was evident, as all individuals and companies exceeded Department standards.

• Spark of Love Toy Drive – Culver City Fire Department members collected and distributed over 1,500 toys this year through the Spark of Love Toy Drive. Over the past two decades, Southern California fire departments have collected and distributed over 8 million unwrapped toys and sporting equipment for underserved children and teens in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Ventura, and Riverside counties. Thank you to all Culver City community members who contributed!

Police Department

• Interfaith Alliance Meeting held at the King Fahd Mosque - On December 20 Chief Bixby attended the Culver City Area Interfaith Alliance meeting and addressed the group as part of the Department’s community outreach.

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Checkpoint - On December 27 the Police Department and California Highway Patrol participated in a DUI sobriety checkpoint on La Cienega Boulevard and Smiley Drive. The checkpoint is part of an Office of Traffic Safety grant that funds local law enforcement to help to reduce the number of motorists driving under the influence.

• Culver City Police Department Members Attend Funeral Service for New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Killed in the Line of Duty - On December 27 Chief Scott Bixby and six other members of the Police Department attended the funeral services for NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos (at their own expense). About 20,000 law enforcement officers from the US and Canada attended the funeral.

Public Works

• Culver City Urban Forest Master Plan Community Meetings – The City of Culver City is working with Artecho, a consulting firm specializing in urban forests, to develop an Urban Forest Master Plan (Plan) setting forth a comprehensive vision for a robust and resilient urban forest in the City.

The Plan will establish long-term strategic framework for tree planting and species diversification over the next 50 years. The areas covered in the Plan will include principles, policies, criteria for tree removal, tree care, existing tree locations, types and conditions, species diversification, an update of the tree inventory list and the future vision of trees in Culver City.

Please join us on the following dates to share your observations about the existing urban forest and your ideas for its future:

Saturday, January 10, 2015 10:am to 11:30 am

Wednesday, January 14, 2015 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Thursday, February 5, 2015 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Saturday, February 7, 2015 10 am to 11:30 am

Saturday, April 25, 2015 10:00 am to 11:30 am

City Hall – Dan Patacchia Room (Ground Floor)

9770 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232

Sign-Up to Receive Email Updates:

https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/CACULVER/subscriber/new

*Once you have entered your email address, scroll down to “Timely Topics” and select “Urban Forest Management Plan.

Participate in Urban Forest Survey to Help Structure Community Meetings:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/culvercityurbanforest2014

• Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Residential Program Webpage –

Out with the old, in with the new… but what does OUT really mean? Old computers, cell phones, batteries, nail polish and many more surprising items cannot simply be thrown out with the garbage. These items are considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW).

To help residents identify HHW, Culver City Public Works Environmental Programs and Operations Division has put together an informative and helpful residential webpage that provides a list of HHW commonly found around the house, videos, brochures and posters to download.

Residents can check out details online on how to dispose of HHW, why it is important to dispose of it properly and where to go once these items have been rounded up at home. Residents will even find a practical list of homemade alternative household product recipes!

Visit: http://www.culvercity.org/Government/PublicWorks/EnvironmentalPrograms

to learn more about HHW and view the dynamic video by acclaimed host Joel Green from “Curiosity Quest Goes Green” in Culver City.

• Electronic Waste Roundup Dates in 2015 – Each year, hundreds of thousands of computers, monitors, copiers, fax machines, printers, televisions and other electronic items become "obsolete" as rapid advances in technology and an expanding demand for new features accelerate the generation of "old" electronic equipment (e-Waste).

Most electronic devices contain a variety of materials, including metals that can be recovered and used again. In addition, some electronic products contain materials that render them hazardous and unacceptable for municipal trash disposal. California law designates televisions and monitors as hazardous.

Culver City Public Works Environmental Programs and Operations (EPO) in collaboration with California Recycles, Inc. will offer opportunities for residents and businesses to drop-off their end of life or obsolete electronic waste free of charge. No other hazardous waste will be collected other than electronic waste.

Location

Exceptional Children’s Foundation

8740 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232

Dates

Saturday January 10, 2015

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Saturday, September 12, 2015

9:30 am to 2 pm

California Recycles, Inc. is a state certified electronic waste collection and disposal company operating in compliance with the California Electronics Recycling Act of 2003, which makes it illegal to dump any electronics in landfills or otherwise undesignated areas.

For more information, please contact the EPO Customer Service Office at

(310) 253-6400.

• 2015 Smart Gardening Workshops – EPO in collaboration with Los Angeles County Public Works will offer free Smart Gardening Workshops in 2015. Learn how to improve your lawn and garden, conserve water and reduce waste. No reservations needed. Doors open at 9 am and Workshops begin at 9:30 am on the dates below:

Saturday February 28, 2015 Beginning Workshop*

Saturday April 18, 2015 Advanced Workshop**

Saturday July 25, 2015 Beginning Workshop*

Saturday October 24, 2015 Advanced Workshop**

Veterans Memorial Building – Garden Room

4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA 90232

*Beginning workshops provide hands-on instruction on composting, worm composting, grass-cycling as well as water-wise and fire-wise gardening.

**Advanced workshops introduce organic gardening, landscaping with native friendly, drought tolerant plants, and integrated pest management (environmental ways to control pests).

Residents can purchase a backyard or worm composting bin at a discounted price after the workshops. Please call (310) 253-6411 for mo