As everyone in California knows we’re still in a severe drought. We’re all cutting back on landscape watering or removing lawns and replacing them with more appropriate plantings. However, this doesn’t mean we should starve our trees of water and let them die. Trees are one of the most important links that keep our planet healthy. They clean the air, the water, the soil, providing food and refuge for birds. They lower temperatures and produce the Oxygen we need to live. To produce this oxygen they take CO2 out of the air, helping to fight climate change. Trees don’t take a lot of water, unlike lawns, but they do need some water. An effective way to keep your trees watered correctly (by deep watering), without wasting water is to use Tree Watering Stakes. These stakes get the water underground and down to the tree roots quickly and efficiently. Please, remember to water your trees, deeply, twice a month. That’s all, and you’ll be keeping the planet cooler, cleaner and more livable.

The LA Department of Building and Safety has launched two new websites for online access to building permits, Certificates of Occupancy and other building authorization documentation. If you have a question about any construction activity in your neighborhood, or if you want to find out if your contractor actually got that permit check these site to see what was approved. The website that describes this new facility is http://ladbs.org/LADBSWeb/online-building-records.jsf . The website for searching records is: http://ladbsdoc.lacity.org/idispublic/ .

Remember, to keep you and your family safe by locking your house and car; not leaving items in plain sight, setting your house alarm (if you have one), and paying attention to any unusual activity. If you think a crime is happening call 911, DO NOT confront someone yourself. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org ) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ). And don’t forget to water your trees. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180