Real Estate Information Archive

Whittier, CA has several forms of transportation for the public to access:

• Dial-A-Ride (DAR)
• Taxi Voucher Program
• Discount Metro Passes
• Metro TAP Cards
• Bike to Work
• Purposed Light Rail Project

Dial-A-Ride is for 60+ year old seniors and people with disabilities.  This curb to curb service is offered to people in Whittier and La Habra.  People in La Habra Heights, depending on where they will go in Whittier, may have to purchase a Whittier DAR card.  With special request you can get door to door service but, either one must be requested 24 hours in advance, which has a guarantee of service; same day trips are based upon “first come first serve” for available space. As with all government services there is paperwork to fill out.  You can get an application and have it verified, and purchase a $5 or $10 card at the Transit Depot, Uptown Senior Center, and Parnell Park Senior Center.  People with disabilities must have a doctor’s certification.  Dial-A-Ride has rules and regulations that must be adhered to.

Taxi Ride Program is exclusively for medical and dental appointments outside the Whittier city limits.  This has expanded to 24/7 service which includes Downey, La Habra Heights, Norwalk, and unincorporated Whittier.  A taxi voucher can be used within the city limits if Dial-A-Ride (DAR) is not in service.  A DAR card is not accepted, you must have a voucher.  People who have a current application on file with DAR can purchase a voucher at the Whittier Historic Depot, Uptown Senior Center, and Parnell Park Senior Center.

Discount Metro Passes can be purchased at a discount for Whittier residents with proof of residency from the 25^th of the month to the 10^th of the month at Whittier Senior Center and the Transportation Depot.  The discounted passes are $10 to $53 per month.

Metro TAP Cards are called the smart card; it is reusable, contains your information, your picture, and can be purchased for $2 at the Uptown Senior Center and Whittier Historic Depot.   Whittier’s equipment will scan the monthly Metro Senior/Disable pass, Metro regular pass, weekly, day, and zone passes.

California has bikes as a part of their transportation wheel.  Each May, to show support and encouragement for people who ride bicycles to work, there is a California Bike to Work Day.   Information booths, bicycle displays, free refreshments, prizes, and give-a-ways are located at certain points of travel to encourage more people to participate in riding bicycles to work.  By riding bicycles or using a combination of transit vehicles in conjunction with bikes there is a reduction in the greenhouse effect.

The Purposed Light Rail Project goal is to “improve mobility” between Los Angeles and the cities on the eastside. According to Project Delivery Progression – In the Works the proposal is 25% through the Environmental Clearance MIS/EIR/EIS/EA Draft Phase.

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Twelve Whittier elementary schools made the California’s Distinguished Schools list for 2010.  The elementary schools are in five different school districts in or around Whittier that competed and won this award.

According to the California State website, http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/proginfo10.asp, for schools to be considered for this award they must meet several measurable criteria based upon:

• No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
• Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
• Academic Performance Index (API)

To be selected for the Distinguished School Award schools must submit an application that has a description of 2 signature practices, a review of the application, and a site visit.

The purpose of these awards is helping to close the achievement gaps that currently exist between California students and to give recognition to school staff for their academic work in aiding the students to become more successful. 

The selection process is conducted by the California Department of Education with a team of educators from across California’s county school systems.  If these educators find that the applications are complete then the schools will become a nominee.  Each selected school will then receive a site visit to determine how well the 2 signature practices are working in that school.  

In recognition of this effort, well known corporations and education organizations donate money for the awards ceremony where the State Superintendent will give each school a plaque and flag to display on their campus.

Congratulation Whittier students of distinction!

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The Watershed Conservation Authority, in conjunction with the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy acquired the Woodland Duck Farm in 2004.  The goal for these 57 acres between the 605 Freeway and the San Gabriel River is to reclaim the land for public usage while protecting the watershed of the rivers and the wildlife. 

The Watershed Conservation Authority (WCA) is to “provide open space, habitat restoration, and watershed improvement projects.”  The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) mission is to “preserve open space and habitat in order to provide low-impact recreation and educational uses, wildlife habitat restoration and protection, and watershed improvements.” Both of these agencies have similar goals.  With one exception the WCA works like a partnership between the RMC and Los Angeles County.  This partnership helps with funding and projects. 

This project will be done in 2 phases according to the Conceptual Site Plan.  This plan was drawn up in 2007 and had to slowdown its completion because of the budget constraints.  But the WCA is expecting the Duck Farm to be opened to the public by April 2010.

Phase 1 of the Conceptual Site Plan is within unincorporated Los Angeles County.  This part of Duck Farm will have trails leading to the river, improve the river levee, a park, a dog park, and improve an existing equestrian center, a new road access, and a native plant nursery.

Phase 1 – North Parcel

• 14 acre Riparian corridor
• 4 acre native plant nursery
• 4 acre wildflower meadow
• 0.5 acre wetland/freshwater marsh
• Visitor Center
• Improvement for pedestrian

Phase 1- East Parcel

• Park with community garden
• Children’s play area
• Dog Park
• Equestrian facility
• 250 parking spaces with 2 vehicle access points

How much is your home worth?

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With the coming of the 20^th Century La Habra City really started to change.  The Pacific Electric Railroad came to the city in 1908, in 1912 Standard Oil Company built a pipeline; by 1913 La Habra was blooming with tents to house the oil and citrus workers.  With the increase of the population so did the property values; in 1916 La Habra was a modern city of its time.  It had everything, including a dance hall.

The City decided to incorporate in 1925, had a Police Force by 1926; employing a Chief, Patrolman, and a Traffic Officer.  In ’28, it was known as the largest avocado center.  In the depression era, the Fire Department first building was erected and during the deepest parts of the depression in 1935 the first City Hall was built.

By the middle of the century, 1950’s, La Habra grew to almost 5000 people.  The County Library with a Civic Center (1966) and the Administration Building (1969) came to fruition during the Vietnam War.

1974 was an award winning year for La Habra.  The City won the All-America City which was given by the National Municipal League and was picked to be a Bicentennial City.

Even today, in 2010, La Habra is a full service city.  Known as a “bedroom community” with only 62,000 people in a 7 square mile radius, La Habra manages to be on the cutting edge.  The City’s history has shown its people to be a forward thinking and acting body.  For example, community supporters, with the City Management Team, had the first Children’s Museum in the West.  Also, the water supply has been “greened” to make it more flexible and diversified to accommodate California’s dry spells.

So, as we progress through the 21^st Century, it will be interesting to see how La Habra City develops.

How much is your home worth?

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Some interesting history about La Habra City, California. 

La Habra City has a rich Hispanic history starting with the Spanish explorers 1769, who discovered a natural pass in the area, before the United States came into exists in 1776.  Don Mariano Reyes Roldan, in 1839, was granted 6,698 acres for a rancho.  Don Mariano named his rancho Canada de La Habra (pass through the hills) for this natural pass.

Abel Stearns bought the Rancho in the 1860’s.  Shortly thereafter many ranchers in the area became bankrupt due to heavy flooding and then prolonged drought.  Sounds very much like modern California’s weather problems.  

• The City Flower: Hibiscus
• The City Tree: Avocado
• The City Motto: La Habra – A Caring Community
• La Habra City Mission Statement: Improve the quality of life in our community

By the 1890’s settlers, arriving by rail or wagon had purchased parcels of land.   The settlers raised sheep and grain.  One of the earliest settlers was the Milhous family which produced a future President of the United States. Richard Milhous Nixon practiced law in La Habra. 

How much is your home worth?

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El Nina is created by weak trade winds and cool Pacific water creating dryness for the West.  This creates droughts.  El Nino is the opposite, which is supposed to bring rain.

California weather is known to affect the rest of the West.  Since 2006 to 2009 California hasn’t received the average rainfall of 15.15 inches but, has not been considered in an El Nina. 

There were some heavy rains this season but, it wasn’t enough to bring tears of happiness to the farmers and water managers. Of course, there were homeowners thankful for not being a part of a mudslide. 

However, the Station Fire area lost to the mudslides because the fire that did such long term damage to the area.  Without the trees on the mountainside every year that it is an El Nino there will be the same concern for the homeowners.  So go, volunteer to re-plant the trees that the Forest Service has begun to re-seed.  There will be a need to re-plant trees through 2013 to help prevent future mudslides. 

Meanwhile, the Arctic Oscillation that brought flooding to the East did not help our community.  And the rainy season is almost over for California. 

Expect Water and Power Department to hold workshops on long term drought conditions and to place water restrictions.  And this is in an El Nino year. 

In May, the National Weather Service should be able to predict if it will be an El Nina or El Nino year for 2010. 

How much is your home worth?

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The month of April is designated as National Safe Digging Month.   For those that are not aware - digging has become a hazard to modern life. 

For example, in Southern California in 1976 a construction crew hit an oil pipeline killing nine people and burning an entire block.  Because of this accident California established a call line for anyone digging.  However, again in 1985 another construction crew hit an electrical transmission line killing one man and another man unable to work ever again.  Both of these accidents created damages that cost millions.  This resulted in California passing legislation in 1986 making it a law.

In 1994, the Underground Facility Protection Act became the national law that required anyone digging to call 1-800-272-1000 or 811.  This law spells out what companies or individuals must do before digging. 

• Call 1-800-272-1000 or 811 two complete work days before digging
• Have  the information about the dig
• Keep your ticket number in a safe place – permits will not be issued without a ticket
• Wait until the utilities company has marked the site. The markings could be paint, flags, or stakes
• Know the color code used to label what type of utility/facility
• Hand dig two feet away from marked lines
• Immediately notify utility company of any problems
• Take steps to protect health and property                    

The color code is:

• Red – electric
• Yellow – gas, oil, steam, and dangerous materials
• Orange – CATV communication
• Blue – water
• Green-sewer
• Pink – reclaimed water
• White – proposed excavation

 Congress passed the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) in 1998.  Apart of this act required a study to be conducted; the Common Ground Study of One Call Systems and Damage Prevention Best Practices.  After a year of intense meeting across the nation with people in these fields, in July of 1999 this study was presented to the Secretary of Transportation. From this humble beginning Common Ground Alliance was established in 2000 with the motto of “Prevention is a Shared Responsibility”. 

Common Ground Alliance’s  goal is to keep communities and the environment safe. 

How much is your home worth?

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Contact Linda and Tim at:

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