Remembering Dr. King

Parade with Councilmember Wendy Greuel, Jackie Dupont Walker, and Councilmember Jan Perry
Originally uploaded by CD-13

I was proud to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 23rd annual Kingdom Day Parade in South Los Angeles.

Dr. King is one of the most significant figures in American history and the theme of this year’s parade -- “30 Years of Continuing the Dream” -- plays out every day in Los Angeles neighborhoods where people of all different backgrounds live and work together.

As we celebrate Dr. King’s life, let’s all recommit to achieving his dream of equality for all.

Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline

Operation HOPE mortgage crisis hotline
Originally uploaded by CD-13

One in every 88 homes in California are in danger of foreclosure.

Fortunately, help is just a phone call away through the Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline: 877-592-HOPE (4673).

The volunteers at the Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline are trained mortgage lending professionals who provide free counseling to help families keep their homes. We want people to call as soon as they think they might need help because the earlier they do, the easier it may be to help them.

More information about the hotline and other financial education opportunities is also available through Operation HOPE.

Sirens - 2007 LA Derby Dolls champions

Sirens - 2007 LA Derby Dolls champions
Originally uploaded by CD-13

The Los Angeles Derby Dolls rolled into Historic Filipinotown at the end of 2007 and I'm proud to have these women athletes training and competing in my Council District.

In December, the Sirens beat the Fight Crew to win the 2007 championship in one of the most exciting roller derby bouts in League history. The 2008 season opener is next weekend. It'll be fast, furious, and definitely worth checking out.

Bike to Work

Me with bike lockers
Originally uploaded by CD-13

If we’re going to reduce traffic in this city, then people need to have real alternatives to driving a car to work everyday. A few city employees already bike to work, but today we announced new facilities that I hope will make it possible for more people to do so.

Thanks to our Department of General Services, Personnel Department, Transportation Department, and Helen Leung of my staff, city employees in the Downtown Civic Center area now have access to showers, bicycle and shower lockers, and additional bicycle racks. The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition provided assistance with making the new facilities effective for cyclists.

I encourage city employees who have ever thought about biking to work to give it a try. It helps reduce traffic. It helps our environment. And it’s great exercise.

Farewell, Johnny Grant

Johnny Grant in Council Chambers
Originally uploaded by CD-13

This morning Hollywood shines a little less brightly. It's greatest star, Johnny Grant, passed away last night.

Johnny brought Hollywood the industry and Hollywood the neighborhood together. He was at the center of the story of Hollywood.

Johnny not only knew all the players that brought about Hollywood's first golden age, he was one of those participants that made it happen. He was our best booster, our unofficial historian, our neighborhood chairman, and the heart of this town.

There was hardly a player in Hollywood over the last seven decades who did not know Johnny. He defined class and commitment to his craft and to his adopted hometown. He was not only part of Hollywood's first golden age, but he stuck with Hollywood when many others abandoned it, and he helped usher in the second golden age that we are now beginning to experience.

Johnny's love of Hollywood was mirrored by his unmatched patriotism. Just last month, we honored him for his 60th visit to U.S. troops as the number one USO ambassador. He holds the record for the most visits of any entertainer to our nation's troops, having lifted the morale of our men and women in uniform in every conflict since (and including) World War II.

Johnny was a dear, dear friend, and Hollywood and I are devastated by his passing. May Johnny Grant rest in peace.

Recycle your Tree

Recycling Trees
Originally uploaded by CD-13

Now that Santa has come and gone, and presents have been unwrapped, and Christmas dinner has been eaten, it’s time to clean up. Using a quick three step process, all Angelenos can easily and safely dispose of their Christmas trees in an eco-friendly manner. Simply pick it up, cut it up, and put it in your city-issued green yard trimming bin. Residents without green bins can bring their trees to one of 28 drop-off centers throughout the city, some of which will be giving out free compact fluorescent light bulbs and trees for your yard (call 3-1-1 to find the drop-off center closest to you). Last year, more than 80,000 trees were recycled and turned into mulch for use in gardens and landscaping.

Helping the Homeless Year Round

LA Mission
Originally uploaded by CD-13

This holiday season Los Angeles got an early present in the form of $72 million from the federal government for shelter funding to serve the homeless and help to lift them out of poverty. For more than a decade, this program has given millions of dollars to organizations that provide people with a place to stay, help to pay the rent, provide job training, rehabilitation for substance abuse, and much more.

After announcing these new funds with Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilmember Janice Hahn at the Los Angeles Mission, we joined volunteers from across the city in serving food and handing out gifts to homeless families and children. During the holidays, we’re all reminded of the tremendous number of people in need – but for those who are homeless, those needs don’t end once Christmas is over. The return of the shelter plus care program will help thousands of people get back on their feet and find a brighter future.

Seily Rodriguez Park

Me and the kids at Seily's Park
Originally uploaded by CD-13

Today I opened Seily Rodriguez Park in East Hollywood. This is the 20th park that we've opened in the 13th Council District since I took office in 2001. There are now 33 parks, which means we've almost tripled the number of parks.

There were several hundred neighborhood kids who came out to celebrate the new park, which features playground equipment and a basketball court. The park is in the middle of one of the densest neighborhoods in the country, and is a much needed open space for kids to play. It was great to see so many kids running around and having fun.

BTW, we named the park after Seily Rodriguez, who was 8 years-old when she was killed by a car while walking to school in the neighborhood. I think that Seily would have loved the park and it will be a great way for the community to remember her.

Happy holidays!

Parading down Hollywood Boulevard
Originally uploaded by CD-13

Looking back on 2007, Amy and I are happy to have had the opportunity to celebrate so many great moments with friends and family. We hope the road ahead is filled with friendship and fulfillment for you!

Holiday Shopping Traffic Relief Brigade

Holiday Traffic Brigade
Originally uploaded by CD-13

LA shoppers are getting some help with holiday shopping -- the City of LA is deploying white-gloved traffic officers to help keep traffic moving around some of our busiest shopping centers. Mayor Villaraigosa, Councilmember Wendy Greuel and I made the announcement at Hollywood and Highland this morning.

Of course, it's always great to take public transit. The Metro site can be helpful with planning routes.