Hybrid Parking: still free

The six-month pilot program offering hybrid vehicles free parking at city meters is still in effect and will be until May 31, 2005—at which time I hope to extend it, pending a report from city staff on its effectiveness. Remember, hybrid drivers: the time limits still apply.

Recreation and Parks: Play Ball!

It's not Dodgers' Stadium, but Baseball Opening Day in our CD13 recreation centers promises to be exciting. On Saturday, April 30th, you can attend festivities at either Bellevue or Glassell Recreation Centers. Glassell starts at 9 am and is open to all ages; Bellevue starts at 10 am and is for children from 5 to 12 years old. For more information, contact Nicole at Bellevue at (323) 664-2468 or Ramon at Glassell at (323) 257-1863.

Pilibos School

Making the grade at Pilibos

With Mayor Hahn, I visited the Pilibos School, an Armenian private school. The students were very well prepared for our visited, armed with sharp questions before which many politicians might have withered. I think the Mayor and I held up, though.

New Preschool in Hollywood

Great news for families seeking preschool and day care services in the Hollywood area. The Delaney Wright Fine Arts Preschool has recently opened at St. Stephen�s Episcopal Church in Hollywood, at 6125 Gower Street near the 101 freeway. The preschool currently has openings for children from 2 to 6 years old. It is open Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 6:00pm, and offers full and part time schedules. The school placed strong emphasis on the arts. A summer program is available, which culminates with a production in which all children participate. This summer, the children attending the preschool will present �Peter and the Wolf.� If you would like more information, please call Shelley Acton, the director, at (323) 871-2470 or e-mail her at fineartspreschool@sbcglobal.net.

Friends of Atwater Village get to work

FAV Board members and volunteers on Clean Up Day

Friends of Atwater Village has cleaned up this town! With assistance from about 35 members of the MTA Metro Clean crews, a team of about 10 from Clean and Green, the Bureau of Sanitization Bulky Item Truck, those famous graffiti-eradicators the Hollywood Beautification Team, 12 members of the Sunrise Rotary, 8 students from Marshall High School, several members of the Teen Club from the Chevy Chase Rec Center and their own dedicated hard core of residents, the Friends picked up trash and cleaned Glendale Bouelvard.

In other FAV news, they won support this month from the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council to name the pocket park area at Glendale and Ferncroft the "Red Car River Park".

Ed Peterson, Theodore Payne Society

Happy birthday!

We celebrated in Council Chambers the centenary of Ed Peterson, founding board member of the Theodore Payne Society. Mr. Peterson, a UCLA grad and Hollywood native helped create the Wild Seed Collection program at the foundation, which is dedicated to the protection and appreciation of California's wildflowers. Chief Legislative Analyist John Wickham, also pictured, is the president of the Society.

Songkran Festival

Water Blessing

Kurt Holtzclaw sent in this photo from the Thai New Year's celebration earlier this month. In it, festival planning committee member Prakas Yenbamroong pours water over my palms and those of Councilmember Wendy Greuel as part of the traditional water blessing ceremony. Also pictured is VIP James Croon from National Promotions and Advertising.

Friends of Atwater Village update

Luis Lopez writes: Friends of Atwater Village would like to take the opportunity to thank Cold Stone Creamery for choosing our neighborhood volunteer group to be a part of their Grand Opening fundraiser. The fundraiser was a great success and over $400.00 was raised during the March 17^th event.

Rebirth of The Palomar

Under Construction

I have written previously about the most harrowing day in my life as a Councilmember: the Palomar fire that left Luis Galindo and his two children without a wife and mother. We acted quickly after the fire to seize some hope from the ruins of the building, and Hollywood Community Housing Corporation has undertaken the project of turning the Palomar's burnt shell into an affordable housing project. The finished project will feature 27 units of affordable housing, a sorely needed addition. Bill Harris, HCHC's executive director, send this picture along. Progress!

The Other Hollywood Farmer's Market

Most e-news readers in Hollywood and across the district know about the Hollywood Farmer's Market on Ivar between Hollywood and Sunset every Sunday. But did you know that there is also a farmer's market, sponsored by SEE-LA, the same organization that sponsors the Ivar market, that sets up shop on Wednesdays during the day?

Every Wednesday, rain or shine, from noon to 5:30 pm, the Hollywood Sears Farmer's Market sets up at 5601 Santa Monica Boulevard in the parking lot of the Sears between Wilton and Western.

This Wednesday, April 27th, there will be a special presentation on using EBT (which the market accepts) to maximize your food purchases. If you have time during the day, the Hollywood Sears market might be right for you!