Author: Jim Houghton - Page 6
Jim has slowly learned how to operate a fairly primitive WordPress website. It doesn't look like much, but all the SFVAS information anyone needs is here. Gifts of good-quality white wine are welcome but not required.
July 11, 2016
What Is AngelFest and How Do We Stop It?
AngelFest -- Why Are We Against It? And Why You Should Help Us Stop It -- Now! We are not against music festivals! Music festivals are a legitimate -- and increasingly necessary -- way for musicians to earn a living in the digital age. When properly designed, planned and located, festivals bring great pleasure to…
June 23, 2016
Concerned About Angelfest? Take Action!
Help us protect Woodley Park and the Sepulveda wildlife area. Contact your representatives and tell them "NO" on Angelfest. If you haven't yet read our explanation of AngelFest, what it is, how it came to be and what we need to do about it, please click here. Representative Brad Sherman, US Congress (818) 501-9200 brad.sherman@mail.house.gov Mayor…
June 10, 2016
SFVAS Response to the Problematic AngelFest “Environmental Assessment”
The case for siting the AngelFest music event in Sepulveda Flood Control Basin's Woodley Park is embodied in a “Draft Environmental Assessment” -- a scrupulous analysis required by the Army Corps of Engineers that oversees and manages the Basin. The purpose of the "EA," as its called, is to convince the Corps to waive many of…
May 26, 2016
Encino Neighborhood Council Withdraws Support from Angelfest
The ENC voted on Wednesday evening to A) rescind their 12/2/15 vote supporting (in concept) Angelfest and B) move to disapprove of placing Angelfest in the Sepulveda Basin. The meeting was well-attended by Valley residents opposed to the event, who spoke passionately when given their thirty seconds of time at the microphone. Before the vote(s), several Council…
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May 16, 2016
General Membership Meeting — and Roadrunners!
Thurs., May 26 -- Roadrunners of Southern California -- with Mark Mendelsohn Mark Mendelsohn is a wildlife and vegetation biologist working under a cooperative agreement between the Mountains Restoration Trust and National Park Service in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. His love for field biology sprouted during his undergraduate work at Cal Poly…
May 1, 2016
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An Open Letter to Colonel Gibbs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Col. Gibbs, It has come to my attention that Make Good Group has recently been soliciting their clients, friends, and supporters, from near and far, to send you letters regarding their conservation credentials. Of course that is their right and privilege. I’m sure you surmise that many (most?) of those who write on their behalf might…
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April 29, 2016
Update on Drones in Woodley Park
Thanks to the efforts of SFVAS, notably our Board Member (and Encino Neighborhood Council Treasurer) Patricia Bates, the City has finally posted permanent signage banning drones from Woodley Park. Enforcement has also increased, to the point that drone fliers have largely taken their toys elsewhere. Work continues toward the banishment of fighting kites in the park…
April 28, 2016
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Angelfest 2016 Postponed — the Fight Will Continue
Good news. Plans for Angelfest have been scrapped for October 2016. The marketing company that hoped to bring 65,000 people a day to the area surrounding the Sepulveda Wildlife Reserve has announced plans to try again next year, but of course none of the environmental concerns will be any different then. We will not resist…
April 16, 2016
April 28 — General Membership Meeting — and Parrots!
SPEAKER TOPIC: Identify Parrots in our “Urban Jungle” SPEAKER: Karen Mabb. Karen Mabb, M.S., Biological Sciences, is the heart of the California Parrot Project. Her dedicated research; compilation and analysis of data spanning more than a decade has lead to a comprehensive understanding of wild parrot populations in California. In 2003, Karen published her Masters Thesis…
April 3, 2016
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