http://www.encino411.com/ Information on living green in Encino, California. en Copyright 2012 2012-02-04T22:00:45+00:00 http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/woodley-park-archers-in-balboa-park/ http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/woodley-park-archers-in-balboa-park/#When:22:00:45Z Another of Encino’s best-kept secrets is the archery range in Balboa Park. Technically it is in Woodley Park, which is the eastern end, down the road that goes by the Japanese Gardens. The reason I like it so much is that it is free! They give you a free lesson and equipment, which you turn in when you’ve finished. You never have to book; you just show up in the first 30 minutes of each session and get in line. The beginners sessions are on Saturdays 9-11AM and Wednesdays 6-8PM. The volunteers... Community and History 2012-02-04T22:00:45+00:00 http://www.encino411.com/index.php/resource/page/recycling-for-apartment-buildings-in-los-angeles/ http://www.encino411.com/index.php/resource/page/recycling-for-apartment-buildings-in-los-angeles/#When:23:56:22Z Apartment buildings in Encino have their trash taken away by private haulers like Waste Management and Athens, not the green City trucks. The blue recycle containers are emptied by a different private company, under license from the City, usually on a different day. This system works pretty well because it doesn’t require apartment owners or tenants to be responsible for placing the blue containers on the street.   Owners, if your building doesn’t have the blue containers,... Recycling 2012-02-01T23:56:22+00:00 http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/gasoline-consumption-and-poor-financial-planning/ http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/gasoline-consumption-and-poor-financial-planning/#When:23:12:58Z As gasoline prices slowly rise, are people realizing just how big a hole gasoline is burning in their wallets? Will more people switch to hybrids and electric cars? Do they know the boiling frog story where the frog doesn’t notice the water is getting hotter because the heat increases slowly (no? explanation here). If single people and working families who do a lot of driving want to save any money, they need to start thinking inexpensive hybrids or EVs or CNG. At the very least they ought to... Green Cars and Commuting 2012-01-28T23:12:58+00:00 http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/the-coolest-residents-of-encino/ http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/the-coolest-residents-of-encino/#When:00:03:56Z My vote goes to the Canada Geese doing their v-shaped runs across the skies of Encino in the winter months. Hearing their honking in the early morning and then seeing them fly over is one of the pleasures of living here. These geese are intelligent. I like the way they look at you as if to say “Whaaat?” as they amble over the golf course pooping and looking like they own the place. I will never forget being attacked by an angry male at the Arboretum many years ago. I don’t go looking for... Pet Care and Wildlife 2012-01-22T00:03:56+00:00 http://www.encino411.com/index.php/resource/page/the-flyaway-why-we-should-support-it-in-encino/ http://www.encino411.com/index.php/resource/page/the-flyaway-why-we-should-support-it-in-encino/#When:00:14:26Z The Van Nuys and Westwood FlyAways provide a great service for Encino residents to and from LAX. We use them all the time, particularly the Van Nuys one, dropping off and picking up friends and family there, rather than driving to LAX. We highly recommend the service. The Van Nuys FlyAway is at Saticoy and Woodley. Buses leave Van Nuys for LAX every 15 or 30 minutes every day of the week. It only costs $7 one-way (cash is not accepted) and it is always reliable. Mostly it is every 30 minutes,... Green Cars and Commuting 2012-01-19T00:14:26+00:00 http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/dance-classes-for-adults-at-encino-community-center/ http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/dance-classes-for-adults-at-encino-community-center/#When:19:28:39Z One of Encino’s best kept secrets should not be a secret at all. We have excellent dance classes for adults – each session covers swing, salsa, tango, waltz, rumba, foxtrot – available right now at Encino Community Center and not enough residents take advantage of them. It’s a missed opportunity! The classes are a bargain at $110 for 10 weeks. Every Thursday evening there are two sessions: 7:00-8:20PM and 8:30-9:50PM. We prefer the later one since it allows us time for dinner and there are... Community and History 2012-01-15T19:28:39+00:00 http://www.encino411.com/index.php/resource/page/want-to-volunteer-at-lax/ http://www.encino411.com/index.php/resource/page/want-to-volunteer-at-lax/#When:01:52:56Z If you enjoy airports and you have some free time, you can volunteer part-time in LAX's VIP Program. You get to help lost or distracted travelers figure out what to do if they have lost their bags or need to switch terminals or find transportation, or if they want hotel or sightseeing options. The job was done previously by Travelers Aid Society of Los Angeles, but the City Council brought it in-house in 2011. Most people who are volunteering in the program are retired, but they are open to all... Volunteering 2012-01-12T01:52:56+00:00 http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/should-tattoos-be-restricted-to-18-years-and-older/ http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/should-tattoos-be-restricted-to-18-years-and-older/#When:23:07:12Z Did you know that you have to be at least 18 to get a tattoo? No exceptions. Why is California law so restrictive when most other states permit tattoos if a parent or guardian gives consent? As for body piercing, most of it is legal for under-18’s if a parent or guardian gives consent. The language is in California Penal Code Section 653, which states that “Every person who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor” (link). Regardless of... Soapbox 2012-01-07T23:07:12+00:00 http://www.encino411.com/index.php/resource/page/who-to-contact-with-non-emergency-requests-potholes-etc/ http://www.encino411.com/index.php/resource/page/who-to-contact-with-non-emergency-requests-potholes-etc/#When:17:49:01Z If you need the trees on your street trimmed, or if you have large potholes that need to be filled, or there has been illegal dumping, LA County Department of Public Works is your first stop. Use this link to send an email. These requests are not considered emergencies so be prepared to wait a few days before you hear back. However, the following are considered urgent and you can call the County hotline at 800-675-HELP (4357) for immediate action. Report Traffic Sign down or missing: (Stop... Disaster Preparedness 2012-01-04T17:49:01+00:00 http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/seasons-greetings/ http://www.encino411.com/index.php/blog/entry/seasons-greetings/#When:20:43:01Z We are an agnostic household. Or perhaps we are Taoists, which is the religion you have when you are not having a religion. But, many years ago, we argued over this: “What’s that doing here?” “The Christmas tree?” “Well it’s not a Hanukkah bush, is it, with those lights all over it. It’s a Christian symbol.” “But it’s not religious really. It’s for the kids, so we can put presents under it.” “That’s Christian. A “Christ”-mas tree is Christian.” “No it isn’t. It’s more of a pagan thing. Nobody... Community and History 2011-12-21T20:43:01+00:00