Post #285840 by Son-of-Kelbo on Thu, Feb 15, 2007 12:07 PM

Great idea, VampRN. Let us know here on TC, or via PM or email how we can proceed. BTW, does this mean we're not going to meet via TikiShout tommorrow? I'm okay if we still want to (I'll just wear my asbestos sarong, in case Jar Jar and friends want to play with the flamethrower again...). Let us know?

As for the online-petition-thing, I've been trying to gather the proper email addresses to send our "virtual votes" to (and been a bit crunched on the workfront). I'm still trying to figure out whether to run up a separate website (which has been built, but not vetted), or to just put the "voting graphic" on TC, and invite those viewing the pending "Tally Thread" to simply announce that they've "voted" at the same time. The latter almost seems more cut-to-the-chase. Opinions?

Recent News:

I finally got a callback from the California Office of Historic Preservation, but they're "all hat and no cattle", as the phrase goes. As Patricia Ambacher there explained to me, no "declaration of eligibility" they might make is binding or enforceably protective of any structure, and they can't even do that "over the property owner's objection", so, unless Mr. Alagem and Oasis Realty decide to switch sides on their own development project, they're no help at all. All power to preserve or demolish Trader Vic's Beverly Hills "rests with the local government", period.

I got a very positive callback from Jay Platt at the LA Conservancy (after trying to reach Linda Dishman), who asked me to email him my notes and contact info up to this point (which I did), and said they had been meeting with the "Modern Committee" (in association with LottaLiving), including the grandson of Welton Becket, TV's architect. He said they would discuss how to bring TC'ers into the mix. I told him about the planned gatherings at TV's BH this Saturday, 2-17, and next month, 3-17, and he said he may be able to attend the latter and gave me the impression he would pass the word along. I expect we may hear from them presently.

I have contacted Robert Tanenbaum and his representative Richard Tarlon at a phone number I was given through the Beverly Hills Homeowners Association, spoken with Mr. Tanenbaum once and Mr. Tarlon several times, and snailmailed them a copy of the first working draft of a petition (they accept no emails), but I have not received any direct comment on the petition itself. This was sent a day or two before SwampTiki drafted the much more detailed petition we have on hand, and I have called to mention that it exists, and offered to send it to them for their comments and suggestions. Mr. Tarlon said he would ask "someone else" if they wanted to get back to us, and I have received no further contact as of this week, so I must presume that they are not interested in, or in availing themselves of, any aspect of our efforts. Certainly our overtures have not been received warmly.

More poi as it pounds out, and meanwhile, LET'S LUAU at TV's 90210 this Saturday -- 5:30pm. It may be a pretty unorganized war council, but at least a few drinks will probably make things go downhill from there...

Cheers and aloha,
SOK

"Don't let it be forgot,
That once there was a Spot,
Where Blowfish all wore sunglasses,
and Tiki-times were hot..."

[ Edited by: Son-of-Kelbo 2007-02-15 17:10 ]