City Manager’s Office
A Mayoralty Welcome – A delegation from Culver City’s Sister City of Iksan City, Republic of Korea, including Mayor Park Kyung-chul, recently visited gave him a tour of City Hall. The City Council honored Mayor Kyung-chul. To learn more, see http://www.culvercitysistercitycommittee.org/
Class Visit – Lin Howe Elementary School’s two third grade classes visited City Hall. The group happened to encounter Mayor O’Leary while he was meeting with the Iksan City Sister City delegation. Mr. O’Leary joined Mate Gaspar, Engineering Services Manager, to conduct a tour of the outside and inside of Council Chambers. There was a presentation of how and why City Council meetings are conducted and a description of the specific functions of each city department. Some students may be inspired to run for political office after hearing about Mr. O’Leary’s childhood dream of being the President of the United States. He told the students that he technically can’t be President since he was born in Ireland.
Boost for the Vets –– The Cultural Affairs Foundation Board has raised nearly $29,000 this fiscal year to support the technical enhancement of the Vets Auditorium stage. Funding includes proceeds from the three architectureTALKS and a private foundation grant. http://www.culvercity.org/en/Culture/CulturalAffairsFoundation.aspx
Fireworks – The city is a co-sponsor of the Fourth of July fireworks show, presented by the Exchange Club, at West Los Angeles College. Gates will open at 4. http://culvercityfireworksshow.com/
Community Development Dept.
Urgent Care –– A final inspection was completed by the Building Safety Division for an 8,390-square foot tenant improvement for a new medical office, 10100 Culver Blvd.
Yalla Restaurant — Tenant improvement plans were approved for a new 1,678-square foot Mediterranean restaurant at 9516 Culver Blvd.
J.C. Penney — A final inspection was completed for new escalators installed at 6000 Hannum Ave., /Westfield Culver City.
Lane Bryant — A final inspection was completed for a 4,417-square foot tenant improvement to an existing retail space at Westfield Culver City.
Splash Fruit — Building Safety issued a permit for a new mall kiosk at Westfield Culver City.
Culver City Volvo — Building plans were approved for a tenant improvement including an additional 346 square feet to the floor area of the Volvo auto dealership at 11201 Washington Blvd.
On Holiday — Building Safety issued a building permit for a new retail space at The Platform, 8840 Washington Blvd.
Dunkin’ Donuts — Building Safety issued a building permit for a 1,380- square foot tenant improvement converting the Foster’s Freeze restaurant to a new Dunkin’ Donuts, including a new accessible unisex restroom, 13300 Washington Blvd.
Soul Cycle — Building Safety issued a building permit for a 7,422-square foot indoor cycling gym, at The Platform, at 8810 Washington Blvd.
Sony Pictures Entertainment — Building Safety issued a permit for an 8,274-square foot tenant improvement for offices. Building plans were approved for an 880-square foot tenant improvement renovation and reconfiguration of interior partitions of the collaborative release board on the second floor. Plans were also approved to transform open office space on the first floor of the Thalberg building. Building plans were submitted for an interior tenant improvement of the first floor Fof the Jimmy Stewart building. All of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s permits were issued for work at its property at 10202 Washington Blvd.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept.
Senior Scam Stopper – State Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas and the state Contractors License Board provided a free Senior Scam Stopper seminar at the Senior Center.
Volunteers Needed – The Culver City Volunteer Program is recruiting volunteers for two upcoming events, starting with the Vox Femina Song Cycle Festival on Saturday in Culver City Park. Volunteers are needed for various shifts between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is a family-friendly event, and volunteers will be outside interacting with riders, families and children. The Exchange Club is hosting its July 4 fireworks show at West L.A. College, and volunteers will help with traffic control, guiding people into parking lots and leading pedestrians to their appropriate entrance. Volunteers will enjoy a free dinner and will be able to attend the show. Shifts are only two hours. Help is needed from 4 until the end of the show, 10 o’clock. Contact Jill Thomsen at 310.253.6722 or at jill.thomsen@culvercity.org.
Prom Night – Saturday will be the second annual Senior Prom Night, which actually will be in the daytime. Doors open at 12:30, and the dance is from 1 to 3. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is the theme. Tickets are $5 for members, $8 for guests. The Prom will feature a photo booth, live music and light refreshments.
Independence Day – The Independence Day party at the Senior Center starts at 11:30 on Thursday, July 2. Tickets are on sale to Senior Center Assn. members at $3.50 each.
Award Winner – Volunteer specialist Jill Thomsen has been awarded the credential Certified in Volunteer Administration. “CVA.” She completed a rigorous year and a half course that included the preparation of a performance-based portfolio. A panel of professionals, who are certified in volunteer administration, judged the portfolio. candidates sat for a two-hour examination, testing their knowledge, application and analysis of skills related to professional volunteer management. Successful candidates demonstrated a clear philosophy of volunteer administration, pledged to work within the professional code of ethics and demonstrated accountability, leadership and advocacy. Ms. Thomsen joins a select group of 1,370 professionals in the United States, Canada and other nations who have attained this credential.
CarFit Event – The Senior and Social Services Division will host a CarFit event on Saturday, July 25, 8:30 until 12, at the Senior Center. CarFit offers older adults the opportunity to check how well their personal vehicles fit them.
A team of trained technicians and/or health professionals works with each participant to ensure the person fits his or her vehicle for maximum comfort and safety. A CarFit check takes 20 minutes. The program is open to all drivers 55 and older. Appointments must be made by calling 310.253.6700 to make a reservation.
Summer Camp – Camp is in full swing. Registration will remain open until all spots are filled for the schedule that ends Aug. 21. Among outings are trips to Six Flags Magic Mountain, and the Discover Cube of Orange County, in addition to a Super Heroes Day. The second week will feature Olympic Day, celebrating the Olympic spirit. Olympic Day will feature Olym four-time Olympic champion Greg Louganis, track and field heptathlon champion Marlene Harmon Wilcox, and gold medal gymnast Peter Vidmar. The athletes will speak to campers about their experiences.
Rental Operation – A new upright Kawai K-200 piano is now available during rentals at the Vets Auditorium. The piano may be rented for the Garden Room and smaller rooms off of the building’s main hallway. vmc.booking@culvercity.org or call 310.253. 6625. Free events this month include the Culver Expo 2015 tomorrow, by the Chamber of Commerce. http://business.culvercitychamber.com/events.details/culver-expo-2015-821 . The Culver City Rock and Mineral Club’s 54th Fiesta of Gems will be Saturday and Sunday. http://culvercityrocks.org/fiesta.htm. The 62nd Culver City Garden Club Show and Sale will be on the same days. http://www.culvercitygardenclub.org/events/garden-show/2015/62nd-annual-culver-city-garden-club-show-and-sale-html.
Performing Arts Grant Program – Performing arts companies will present music, dance and theatre in Culver City from now until August. The Actors’ Gang (http://www.theactorsgang.com/) will hold performances at Media Park, and Culver City Public Theatre (http://ccpt.org/) will perform at Carlson Park. These free performances are made possible in part by the Performing Arts Grant Program with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Fiesta Time – Fiesta La Ballona returns to Vets Park Aug. 28-30. http://www.fiestalaballona.org/ Fiesta’s three-day party in the Entertainment Tent features the authentic American sounds of classic rock ‘n roll, country, soul, big band, Hawaiian, and the most popular music playing today including world music such as mariachi and Conjunto music, Russian rock, and Latin jazz.
Summer at The Plunge – Community recreation swimming hours have been expanded to include the following schedule:
Monday – Friday, 12:30- 2:45
Friday 7:30 p.m.-8:45
Saturday 12:15-3
Sunday 1:30- 3:45
The Aquatics staff will be teaching swimming lessons to 300 adults, infants, and children each day for eight weeks. Classes meet for two-week sessions Monday to Friday. Cost per session is $50 for Culver City residents and $60 for non-residents. Session I ends Friday. Session II runs from June 29 to July 10. Session III runs from July 13 to July 24. Session IV runs from July 27 to Aug. 7. 310.253.6680.
Police Dept.
Westside Jam — Officers participated in this event at Vets Auditorium to support the mission of the Westside Regional Center – helping those with developmental disabilities.
Special Olympics — Officers participated in the Special Olympics Torch Run tp raise awareness for Special Olympics.
Anti-Defamation League – Capt. Allen Azran attended the annual ADL dinner in which he, along with County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey and Sheriff Jim McDonnell led a discussion of the cstate of the country in regards to law enforcement.
A Sad Anniversary — Chief Scott Bixby and Capt. Ron Iizuka attended a program honoring the 20th anniversary of the death of officer Louie Pompei of the Glendora Police Dept. Killed while off-duty, he was attempting to intervene in an armed takeover robbery in the San Dimas. Officer Pompei confronted the two armed suspects only after one of the suspects assaulted an employee.
For Young Victims — The Exchange Club presented the department with “We Care Bears” to be given to any child who may be a victim of a crime or accident.
Democratic Club — Chief Bixby was the featured speaker at the Democratic Club’s monthly meeting, giving an overview of the department, his expectations and goals.
Public Works Dept.
Energy Savings – Compared to April of last year, City Hall has decreased energy use by 11 percent, and May usage was 25 percent lower.
Insurance Program – Service Line Warranties of America launched the utility service line insurance program in May by mailing offer letters to residential property owners. The insurance covers the cost to repair or replace failed utility service lines and 230 property owners have enrolled.
Mr. Nachbar, the City Manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org
