Tuesday night, July 14, at the council’s monthly board meeting, Albert Olson, left, was duly elected as chairman of the board, replacing Rob Kadota, right.

The council decides many issues each month, and it’s worth your time as a community member to check it out once in a while. This month, issues like these were before the board: funding the LAPD Pacific Division’s Explorers program, honoring volunteers who’ve worked on community prjects like the Green Garden Showcase and the Fire Station 62 clean-up, funding Grand View school’s computer lab, and establishing funding guidelines going forward for other worthy projects. Representatives from the offices of City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, U.S. Representative Jane Harman, State Assembly member Ted Lieu, and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass were on hand to make reports, among others. Agendas for upcoming meetings are posted on their website, Mar Vista Community Council.

Plus if you come to a meeting, you might get some cookies, like these, homemade by Lorraine Wells.

Just be aware of the seating arrangements. The metal folding chairs can really get uncomfortable after a couple of hours of meaty community deliberations. Some people come prepared.