Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

CONGRATULATIONS!
Four presidents ago, the club set out to replace the aging gazebo. I knew it would be difficult but I never thought it would take five years to get started. Through the efforts of many dedicated members, supportive Boards of Directors and helpful people in our local government, we are finally at the beginning of the end:

Joe Greblo walked away from L.A. Building and Safety around 3:30PM, January 5, 2011, permit in-hand. Congratulations to all of us. We’re in!

What’s next? Organization. What’s needed? I need to create a list. This is a club project. What I ask of you all is to provide the names of members you feel may contribute skills for the construction phase. Your name, is, of course, very welcome. Any experience and all qualifications are solicited. Each member on the list will be contacted to gage their interest. No pressure. I need to begin assembling a dedicated team that has the desire to do something great. You may send suggested names to me at

jim_thompson1@verizon.net

Post in the Club Projects / Volunteer Opportunities of the Forum

Tell me or a board member when we’re out flying

Call me: 818 515 9005

Thanks in advance for your support.

A little history and many thanks...
President Joseph Vandertol started the club down this road. Actually, he had a woman behind him: Lynn Mc Laughlin who lamented the dilapidated state of the “fruit stand� used for shade at his first meeting. Immediately a committee met and our good friend Richard Seymour encouraged us all to think big. Rob Burgis collected and organized input from many, many members. Jesse Benson and Hiroyuki Matsunaga submitted drawings based on the members’ wishes.
A referendum on the three plans yielded a majority of votes for the most comprehensive design. Estimates were submitted by Steve Nootenboom and Rich Grigsby. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Rich who provided his experience and wisdom, an idea that vastly reduced the cost of construction and his artistry for the design of the access ramp (with landscaping). Our facilitator Robert Fedor circumvented the requirement for a CUP. Hiro crafted plans and engineering (many times revised) while Jesse supplied a SketchUp rendering used to garner support from the Sylmar neighborhood council and our always supportive councilmember, Richard Alarcon. Mr. Alarcon placed his deputy Dan Rosales in our service to steer the process through the myriad bureaucracies.
Dan Brown, Mohammad Firouzbakht and “Rick�, in zoning, at the LADBS moved us along. Of special note is assistance provided by Christine Mahfouz at Community Planning and Ewa O’Neal in the disabled access office: their help cleared us of the final obstructions.
Through all this presidents Vandertol, Ken Andrews and Mike Moacanin patiently prodded their recalcitrant coordinator (me) to keep this project moving.
And, of course, Joe Greblo. He’s a tireless partner and a font of optimism. He says, “no, it’d get done� but this wouldn’t have happened without his constant support and assistance.
We can build! This is more amazing than I can say and it helps open the door, is an important precedent: that we are recognized as an entity that can apply for a permit.
Again, congratulations to us all, at last!
The new gazebo, pavilion, shade and glider storage structure, whatever-you-will, was always intended to be, wherever possible, a project for the membership. Many of you have personally offered assistance – blood, sweat, tears and dollars – to see this through. I am so sorry that your interest may have waned and hope that this news rekindles your desire to create something special; our monument, as it were, to our flying, friendships and all the fun the Kagel LZ brings us.
A better place for us to BE.
To those members who are new to all this: Welcome! We need you and you should know that you, also, were and are, integral to the new structure. Making a great space for new members was considered of utmost importance to the survival of the Sylmar Hang Gliding Association. A place for you to proudly bring your families and friends to visit.

Again, contratulations to all of us and thank you for your patience.

Does this mean it's too late to make it a floating gazebo?

Hey Jim,

Unsure if this will help, but my dad is a retired Building Inspector for LA county and maybe he could check things out as the project progresses to make sure things look correct so that when the actual inspections take place that they should not find any issues. Just a thought?

Take care,

Marc

Jim,

As I posted a couple years ago - I'm willing to help in any way I can. Since I'm currently unemployed I have alot of spare time.

My range of skills are immense - I'm of the same ability no matter what the task or skill requirement. For example - I know how to swing a hammer - fact is a friend once said that I was like lightening with a hammer - I never strike the same place twice.

I'm also pretty good at staying out of the way of those that actually can do something.

Seriously - just let me know and I'll do what ever is needed.

Don

Don never saw a job he couldn't start in on!
I've never seen a job I couldn't postpone!
Seriously, I admire everyone who persisted and succeeded in securing a permit.

Although I have been called "tits on a bull" by some members, I once again volunteer my help on electrical work. Money back guarantee on labor.