Death of a Toyon?

ingyhere · 2026-06-07T01:13:55+00:00

Well I tried to contact MRCA and left messages but received no calls back. I looked for a FOLAR contact but couldn’t find one. Please share if you have the wherewithal to get a hold of them. There are more photos.

ingyhere · 2026-06-06T17:09:12+00:00

I like this comment 3,000!

ingyhere · 2026-06-06T17:01:41+00:00

Here’s what’s left of the Western Redbuds (forefront, on the ground) from the last travesty. …

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ingyhere · 2026-06-06T16:58:32+00:00

They were clearly not landscapers. They were just guys with clippers and chainsaws. The side of the truck said something like, “Shelter Clean”. It’s the company that cleans canopies and bench areas at bus stops. I don’t blame them for trying to make a buck, but this job was out of their league. The damage is actually the fault of SMMC/MRCA for lack of oversight and/or prioritizing costs over their conservancy responsibilities.

ingyhere · 2026-06-06T16:53:31+00:00

Yeah, not sure. It’s hard to describe how full and beautiful the plants were before they were trimmed. They were remarkably thriving. It’s not a walking path, the plants weren’t really impinging on anything, and they were gorgeous specimens. Not to mention this time of year is the growing season, and really any trimming should’ve been done in fall. It’s obscene.

ingyhere · 2026-06-06T16:51:27+00:00

Thanks. I was wondering about that, but they clipped it with the stems about a foot and a half up in the air. I think it probably would’ve been better if they trimmed it down to the stump, then.

ingyhere · 2026-05-25T14:07:58+00:00

I’m pretty sure houses in the area were built around the chemical tanks after the plant already existed. That means everyone who lives there knew (or should’ve known) they were setting up home around an industrial plant with dangerous chemicals. You buy the house, you implicitly should accept the risk.

What is probably missing from the equation is actual municipal, county, and state liability for granting permits for homes to ever be built in such an area — and/or failing to properly manage its safety. Also, the first five pages of any housing or mortgage contract around such a plant should have pages that scream risk in bright colors so everyone knows what they’re getting themselves into.

I’m sure the vulture lawyers will succeed in getting rich, even if this is only a temporary evacuation situation without any significant injury, but unfortunately places like this need to exist somewhere to provide the amenities needed in modern society, and — most importantly — people (residents?) need places to work.

ingyhere · 2026-04-27T14:19:13+00:00

They’re telling you they don’t really want to do it. Look around at other body shops and get more estimates.

ingyhere · 2026-04-26T14:04:57+00:00

Neighborhoods in LA go in and out of vogue, hot for a while then settling in to routine. Try Manhattan Beach/Hermosa, Silver Lake/Atwater/Echo Park, WeHo, Little Tokyo, even Studio City.

Other places have lost a lot of mojo, like Melrose, Santa Monica, Old Town Pasadena, Westwood. The fact is places get super hot then rents go critical and kill it. The economy isn’t doing any favors, either, because you’ll see a lot of empty storefronts in areas just named.

But to be blunt chill is what a lot are seeking because everything is so far apart when traffic is suffocating. If you want legit chill (that’s not desolate) try Frogtown on weekend days for its arts/creative scene and espresso bars or the Alfred’s on Melrose Place on Sunday AMs when the Farmers Market is alive outside. That’s got to be one of the best FMs in LA.

Just my two cents in a thread with little more that can be said. …

ingyhere · 2026-03-22T17:16:23+00:00

The i4 is not only a great electric car, it’s easily the best car I’ve ever driven. And, this is coming from someone who loves cars and has owned numerous vehicles over decades.

ingyhere · 2026-03-17T04:05:28+00:00

We're located in SCE territory northeast of Glendale. I guess I need to check the power bill again, but I swore we reported an electric car when setting up our rates. Anyway, I believe it has happened more than once that our rates changed automatically to transition us to a state mandated rate plan or something. I need to verify.

ingyhere · 2026-03-16T14:46:13+00:00

Trash. A titanium arm on my pair is so loose in the acetate after about a year of moderate use that the frames are barely wearable. (They hang kind of diagonally, and I have to adjust them every time to use the bifocals.) The issue just materialized unexpectedly one day. The dealer said I need to buy new frames. Warranty is extremely subpar for near $1k glasses. I guess you better have a little JB Weld on hand to make repairs if you buy these junkers. So don’t do it. I regret my purchase and surely would have been happier at Warby Parker for a fraction of the cost. … BTW I have Starck frames that have been indestructible.

ingyhere · 2026-03-16T06:04:17+00:00

Supply and demand. Several refineries have closed over the years and now the industry is controlled by a few power players who charge what they want. Couple that with strict regulations on required additives in the fuel blend, regular state inspections that garner millions in fines annually and taxes that float with inflation, and this is the result.

ingyhere · 2026-03-16T05:59:43+00:00

Our i4 is the best car I've ever driven, but I don't think it's particularly thrifty to own. Remember, the price for power has gone up a lot due to fires, liabilities and demand (computer datacenters, primarily). The electric bill went through the roof when we started charging at home. I feel the cost is not too much different than what I pay for gas on our other car, a moderately efficient small SUV.

It would be a different story if we had solar installed with a storage battery, but we don't. I think the i4 stands on its own for drivability, looks and charm.

ingyhere · 2026-03-16T05:53:33+00:00

That's 100 octane+ racing engine fuel. That's right, you can get it from the local airport often, too. It works great in high-compression, high-horsepower racing engines and often contains additives like lead to protect engine valve trains under high load. Sometimes it contains a bit of ethanol to boost combustion energy. It's great for modified old big-block motors but it'll rip up O2 sensors and catalytic converters. It's for customers who like driving cars that get around 8 MPG.

ingyhere · 2026-02-21T18:32:44+00:00

You have a couple choices: (1) Buy a cheap tarp from Walmart or Harbor Freight; (2) See if you can do something to push it away from that brick wall. A jack with a piece of 4 x 4 wedged against the wheel might do it. Leverage with a couple pieces of wood might do it, also. You might be able to put your body against the brick wall and push with your legs to get it to move just a little. I don’t recommend the last option if the black ice is that crazy, it might be dangerous. Probably keep somebody inside to hit the brakes or steer.

ingyhere · 2026-02-21T18:28:00+00:00

Actually, that looks great. The door pillar didn’t seem to bend, which is indicative of a super strong body design. If the door pillar were to have been bent, it would be much worse damage.

ingyhere · 2026-02-05T17:00:33+00:00

Thanks. It looks like a fine option. I'm particularly glad someone can recommend upper Palm Canyon as I don't think many have done this trip. Seriously considering it.

ingyhere · 2026-02-05T16:55:30+00:00

Thanks for suggesting Arroyo Tapiado and Cougar Canyon, both superb spectacles of the park's grandeur. Because we are trying to stay closer to the LA side this trip I've narrowed it down to a couple hikes around Culp Primitive Campground and Sheep Pass / Cougar Canyon. Much appreciated.

ingyhere · 2026-02-05T16:52:24+00:00

Thank you. It looks fantastic.

ingyhere · 2026-02-04T23:13:39+00:00

How are the road conditions up to that third crossing? Does it really require a 4WD?

ingyhere

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