<VV> Was Creeper, now zoning laws

[NicolCS@aol.com]

I used to live in a fancy neighborhood (Manhattan Beach, CA), where I could 
have easily run afoul with my neighbors. I took a proactive approach to keeping 
the neighbors happy and it went like this: 1) Whenever possible, I had my 
"under restoration car" in a closed garage even though this meant my nicer cars 
were out.  2) After purchasing an old car, I would take it directly to the body 
shop (as in same day) - the neighbors would never see it in it's ugly state 
and never saw an old jalopy they could ruminate over. 3) For any car that was 
less than nice, if I couldn't put it in the garage, I a nice car cover on it in 
the driveway every night it was outside.  The hardest part was #2; getting it 
painted immediately - this wasn't always the most efficient route but it did 
have the beneficial side effect of my always working on a "nice car that 
doesn't run" rather than slaving away on an ugly heap.  
This little three-point policy kept me out of trouble there for over 10 
years.  Now, I live in the woods on 10 acres - but the habit is set and things look 
nice all the time without pressure from the neighbors.
Craig