In case you didn't know DWP is upgrading the water meters. I just spoke with a DWP employee out on our street.

They will be switching to a unit that can be read "electronically" or remotely. This will result in greater efficiency. It will only mean a reduction in staff by attrition.

So if you noticed a slight "hesitation" by the water coming out of your pipes, today or recently, it is likely due to this upgrade, as they of course have to turn off your water for just a few…

From the Daily Breeze 4/27/2012:

“The pair committed their first armed robbery Nov. 18^th at an auto parts store in the 24800 block of S. Western Ave… They also are suspected of robbing two other businesses in the area. They have targeted auto parts stores and a pharmacy, usually around closing time.”

[Please read for more details and descriptions of the suspects]…

From the Daily Breeze 4/27/2012:

“The pair committed their first armed robbery Nov. 18^th at an auto parts store in the 24800 block of S. Western Ave… They also are suspected of robbing two other businesses in the area. They have targeted auto parts stores and a pharmacy, usually around closing time.”

[Please read for more details and descriptions of the suspects]…

According to a Yahoo article, many foods are not exactly what we think, and store brands or "off" brands are more likely to have fraud than trusted brands. One reason is the source of those low-priced or store brands, often from foreign countries. Remember the toxic non-food additives we heard about in baby formula from China? Read the article and decide for yourself.

"Currently, imports account for 85% of seafood, 39% of fruits and nuts and…

Learn all about it in this handy NASA video, from Space.com

http://www.space.com/15188-comet-thatcher-yearly-attack-earth-lyrid-meteor-shower-video.html

Along the same theme as continuing education, is the subject of Career Transitions.

Here is a good article, found on LinkedIn:

http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/5-career-transition-successful/

Did you know that if you registered your home/cell phones before 2008 that registration has probably expired? It was only in early 2008 that the registry became PERMANENT, per a 2007 legislative bill.   To re-register log on to:

https://www.donotcall.gov/

You can register up to 3 phone numbers at one time.

Believed to have first appeared on a ship in the Great lakes, these little pests have made their way to the oceans. They can clog water pipes and impede flow of our water supply! Please check your boats!

http://www.pge.com/about/environment/pge/qzmusselprogram/index.shtml…

3/9/2012 - Check out their website for new photos of the "Auroras". Gorgeous! - mb

http://www.space.com/14851-auroras-solar-storm-2012-photos.html

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The biggest solar storm…

I am not thrilled about this announcement from Sprouts Farmers Market, about another merger. As much as we all want to believe this kind of move makes the shopping experience better, it OFTEN does not. If nothing else, many employees are often let go. Not good. This will likely effect our Sprouts (was Henry's) on Western Ave.…

Joe Buscaino interview on NBC LA - topic LAFD response time…

It seems that the original information was from an article from the Wall Street Journal. "The Daily Ticker reached out to Bank of America for a comment in response to The Wall Street Journal article Thursday morning. After 3pm ..." [a statement was received from B of A]... see article for more:…

"An informational meeting open to all interested parties in the downtown San Pedro waterfront area will be held at 6pm Wednesday [March 7]. Brown Brothers Building. 455 W. 6th St. Speakers will include a senior lead officer from the LAPD. For more information contact the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce. 310-832-7272." - Daily Breeze.

On this link, you can put in a specific address, and modify the default time period. Icons that may appear, indicate a particular crime. Rolling over that icon or clicking with your mouse will provide basic information.

Unfortunately, on this site & in our paper, I have seen several thefts (from grocery stores) and car break-ins from vehicles just in a few blocks from Western to Mermaid, along 25th street in the last week.…

The 2012 Oscar that our neighbor Mark McKenzie is nominated for: (and perhaps the Warner Grand could show this film sometime)

http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/10/06/the-greatest-miracle-score-released/

"McKenzie is one of a small number composers working in Hollywood who both composes and orchestrates each note of his movie scores. The talented composer/orchestrator has…

2/24/2012- this goes even further than I thought! I just found this article about the same scam in Florida.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/scam-calls-target-seniors-its-me-grandma-1143035.html

And my neighbor received ANOTHER call,…

Thanks to Anna on FB for providing another method of reporting graffiti. You can opt to get an email or phone call back, or for a confirmation.

"They are out there in 2 business days!"

anti-graffiti.lacity.org

(What I like about this system, is that you can put into your OWN words…

This is what many of us are writing and warning people about. One group caught doesn't mean we're rid of this! 

".....gang members are suspected of breaking into at least 18 Torrance houses....."

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_20030390

Thanks to Larry Altman for the Tweet!

Sr Lead Officer Wight, for lower San Pedro, has been in contact with members of local Neighborhood Watch groups. (Contact Officer Wight for photos recently obtained of one of the individuals in question).

One person told Officer Wight that they had been scammed this way a couple of years ago:

Not that most of us would know what a real Sheriff's uniform looks like, but beware:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/02/deputy-impostor-on-motorcycle-pulls-over-driver-in-lawndale.html

"On Tuesday, a motorist was pulled over by what appeared to be an L.A. County sheriff's deputy on a motorcycle in Lawndale. He had flashing red-and-blue lights…