Dorene Slavitz

Here are my tips..as a 25 year resident of Los Angeles..on how to keep your cool..and stay alive..while driving the Los Angeles Freeways.

Leave with ample time for your destination

So many things are beyond our control, (construction, traffic, weather, odd hazards) but one thing that IS is our time. Just leave 1/2 to 45 minutes early. You will be more relaxed on the drive and you will most likely be on time..regardless of the freeway conditions. Don't speed, you won't have enough time to stop in case of an emergency. You do want to get there..and you do want to get there alive.

Learn to Ignore the "crazies"

I know that guy in the SUV just cut across 5 lanes of traffic without looking..and deserves to have his license revoked! But don't make that your problem. Protect yourself from reckless driving, by setting a comfortable speed (the speed limit please). Pick a steady flowing lane and drive your vehicle. The incomprehensible drivers and their judgments will take care of themselves.

Never take bad driving personally

While I fully understand the frustration and the intense desire to get revenge on the road...Don't !

If you're driving too slow for "Mr. Speed Racer", just move over and let him get on with it. Don't make eye contact and don't retaliate. Be like the Bullfighters..."Aha Toro! " and let them go past you! Some actions are deliberate, but most are not. Do you really want to take the lives of yourself and your family in your hands and start a road feud that can never be settled? Just let it go..and drive on.

Invest in some simple tools

There are some great gadgets on the market now that I highly recommend. Get a Navigational System for your car. The smooth and calm directions beats the heck out of struggling with a map on the road. I also recommend the Traffic Gauge. This handy dandy tool, will alert you to slow moving traffic, so you can avoid hours sitting on the Freeway, and pick an alternate route.

Keep your vehicle in good repair

You can protect yourself from many unnecessary frustrations if you make sure your car is in good working order before getting on the freeway. Do all the basic maintenance procedures and check your tires too.A flat tire on the Freeway or other mechanical problem can actually be very dangerous. Play it safe, and get those basic things done.

Culver City Earth Month Activities

To add your Earth Day Event, please email Catherine Vargas.

4/18 E-Waste Round Up
4/22 Culver City National Conversation
4/22 Washington Beautification
4/25 Global Youth Service Day (GYSD)
4/26 ECO Star Children's Earth Day

Saturday, April 18, 2009 - E-Waste Round Up
Culver Palms Methodist Church
4464 Sepulveda Blvd
10:00AM -2PM

Unsure what to do with your old Electronics? RECYCLE IT!

Each year in California hundreds of thousands of computers, copiers, fax machines, printers, televisions, and other electronic equipment become "obsolete" in the eyes of consumers. Rapid advances in technology and expanding demand for new features accelerate the generation of "old" electronic equipment "e-waste". The result is a growing challenge for businesses, residents, and communities as they search for ways to reuse, recycle, or properly dispose of this equipment. In recognition to this growing threat to our environment, and in keeping with the City's goal of recycling all forms of solid waste, the City has collaborated with California Recycles, Inc., and Culver Palms United Methodist Church to assist in its electronic waste recycling program. The City encourages its residents and businesses to properly dispose of their old electronics by participating in this recycling program.

EARTH DAY Wednesday, April 22, 2009- Culver City National Conversation
Culver City Mike Balkman Council Chambers
9770 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, Ca 90232
9:00 AM-9:00PM

Culver City will host an ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, Inc. National Conversation Event to raise awareness and create dialogue on Environmental Protection and Climate Change. This will be a full day of environmental displays, films, speakers, presenters and interactive discussions. Come for part or all of the day. www.culvercity.org

EARTH DAY Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - Washington Beautification

We will be collecting trash on Washington Blvd. between Elenda and Sepulveda during the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 am. We've invited our tenants and their employee's to join us in cleaning up the city.

Contact Karen Shelton, Asst. Property Manager with Cushman & Wakefield of Calif., Inc. Tel: (310) 202-2330
Email: karen.shelton@cushwake.com


Saturday April 25, 2009 Global Youth Day
10 AM - 1 PM
Lindberg Park- Farragut Elementary
Syd Kronenthal Park- Willows Middle School
Veterans Park- Culver City High School/ Middle School
El Marino Park- El Marino Language School
Blanco Park- El Rincon

EPO will have a table display at one of the park sites and provide recycling at all sites.

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) was launched in the year 2000 based on the successful implementation of National Youth Service Day, which had engaged young people in community service projects every April throughout the United States since 1989. Global Youth Service Day, the name under which the celebrations were effectively combined, is billed as the largest service event in the world, with millions of young volunteers participating in communities worldwide.

The Culver City Teen Center Youth Making Changes group in collaboration with the Willows Middle School Component, and Parks Department would like to have this year's GYSD event be a citywide event at local parks. The purpose for this event is to get the youth involved in fun activities that will allow them to expand their stewardship qualities. Taking ownership of their community and developing a sense of pride for their work. A temporary beautification art piece will be made at each site that day to symbolize the hard work and effort.


Sunday, April 26th, 2009 - Children's Earth Day
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
10101 Jefferson Blvd.

Rescued exotic wildlife, celebrity guests and incredible environmental experts will welcome thousands of families to the biggest and best Earth Day for kids in Culver City from at the magnificent STAR ECO Station. Children's Earth Day 2009 features games, crafts, activities, healthy cuisine and live entertainment designed to inspire children to help protect the planet. Bringing together various eco friendly organizations, designed to show the families of Southern California that they are a vital part of a larger, worldwide environmental effort. Attendance at the Children's Earth Day is expected to number well 20,000 participants and attendees. EPO will have an interactive booth and an automated refuse and recycling vehicle display.

BRING YOUR FAMILY TO A FREE EVENT AT

CULVER PALMS FAMILY YMCA

10:00 AM With events for the children and family.

Rock Climbing,face painting, Arts & Crafts,Games, Prizes, Raffels and Food! All activities are Free

4500 Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City, California 90230