Donate to the 2010 City of Los Angeles Pet Food Drive

Today's tough economy is making it difficult for Los Angeles animal shelters to meet the needs of the growing number of pets that enter the system each day. According to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, donations for shelter dogs and cats are less than 10 percent of what they were before the recession.

We are holding a Pet Food Drive to alleviate the growing effects of the recession on Los Angeles’s shelter animals. The 2010 City of

Los Angeles Pet Food Drive will take place from February 15 to March 15, and I hope you will consider donating one or more bags of dog or cat food. All pet food items will go to local animal shelters and contributions are tax deductible.

You can make your donation by:

• Ordering online and having the items sent director to the Garcetti Hollywood Field Office (5500 Hollywood Blvd., 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90028)
• Contacting us for a pickup at 323/957-4500 or 818/644-7900
• Bringing food items to the Garcetti Satellite Field Office at the Glassell Park Senior and Community Center (3750 Verdugo Road) or Garcetti Hollywood Field Office (5500 Hollywood Blvd., 4th Floor)

For more information please, contact my office at 323/957-4500.

First Annual Echo Park block party

Come to the first annual Echo Park block party and Office & Community Center grand opening on Saturday, February 27, at 1574 Sunset Boulevard and Echo Park Avenue. The event starts at 11:00 a.m. with the formal program beginning at noon.

The event is coordinated by the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council (GEPENC) with support from Betty Plasencia Elementary School, Clifford St. Elementary School, Rev. David Farley of the United Methodist Church, Echo Park Chamber of Commerce, Echo Park Improvement Association, Echo Park Library Community Group, Echo Park Security Association, Edendale Library Friends Society (ELFS), Elysian Heights Elementary School, Episcopal Cathedral Center of St. Paul, Foursquare Church/Angelus Temple, Historic Filipinotown Chamber of Commerce, Judy Donovan, Edendale Library, Lisa Palombi, Echo Park Library, Logan St. Elementary School Mayberry St. Elementary School, Positive Energy Group and Rosemont Elementary School.

Please consider bringing your used, old or broken digital cameras, lap tops, cell phones, iPODs, GPS and ink cartridges which GEPENC will collect for Student International Travel Experiences (SITE).

Elysian Heights Elementary snow day fundraiser

*** NOTE: Due to expected rain, organizers have rescheduled this again event for March 13.

Join students and families of Elysian Heights Elementary School (1562 Baxter Street) on Saturday, February 27, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for a day of fun in the snow!

There will be sled rides, hot chocolate, snow cones, pizza, tostadas and a raffle to win gift certificates to local businesses.

Admission is free, with ticket prices for sled rides starting at $2.00 and food, games and craft tickets ranging from just $0.50 to $3.00.

**In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to March 6, 2010. **

Elysian Valley Riverside Neighborhood Council meeting tonight

The Elysian Valley Riverside Neighborhood Council will meet tonight beginning at 6 p.m. at Dickerson Employee Services (1918 Riverside Drive). The agenda includes discussion of the upcoming neighborhood council elections.

Collaborative effort seeks to improve public schools

This morning I joined California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, Mayor Villaraigosa, LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia, and other education, business, labor, and community leaders in signing the L.A. Compact, an unprecedented commitment to support initiatives that will better prepare our students for college and the 21st century workplace.

In the next three to six months, the organizations working through the L.A. Compact will be primarily focused on collaborative, coordinated efforts to advocate for state and federal funding, supporting the School Choice resolution, and promoting increased accountability through the School Report Card to help identify schools that need extra assistance to ensure their students meet their academic potential.

For our city to succeed, we need our students to succeed. An effective and thriving public school system is crucial to Los Angeles's future.

City Employee Spotlight: Senior Lead Officer Brenda Ramirez

Senior Lead Officer Brenda Ramirez is a 16-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. She has worked in the Rampart, Foothill, Hollenbeck and Hollywood communities and with a range of specialized units including gang, narcotics, and bike details.

As a senior lead officer, Ms. Ramirez works closely with the community to address their concerns and to collaborate on efforts to prevent and solve crime. Her commitment to our neighborhoods is demonstrated by her responsiveness and engagement in activities ranging from community clean-ups to fostering partnerships between the LAPD and local organizations.

When not on duty, Officer Ramirez enjoys spending time with her family, including her two gorgeous children.

American Jewish Committee hosts "Rekindling the Bond"

On Thursday, February 25, the American Jewish Committee and the LA African American Jewish Connection (LAAAJC) is hosting "Rekindling the Bond - Reflect, Respond, Renew" at the California African American Museum (600 Exposition Park) at 6:00 p.m.

The event will include complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cocktail reception, testimonials from Freedom Riders and civil rights activists, and private docent tours of the museum including the exhibits After 1968 and An Idea Called Tomorrow-2.

The LAAAJC was formed by AJC, First AME, Brotherhood Crusade, CORE-CA Congress of Racial Equality of California, SCLC, LA Urban League and Wilshire Boulevard Temple.

RSVP here or call 310-228-8080, x332. For more information, contact Elise Woodson at ewoodson@caamuseum.org or 213-744-2024.

CD 13 Welcomes new preschool!

This month, Hollywood's Blessed Sacrament Church opened a new preschool on the grounds of this historic church and adjacent to its Jesuit-sponsored Elementary School. Classes are offered for children ages 3 to 5 years-old.

The preschool will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is designed to keep its students engaged in activities that will foster social skills and encourage emotional growth. The school will also offer breakfast and lunch as well as snack twice per day along with sensory tables, and a safe and supervised bike trail complete with tricycles and scooters.

Tuition is paid on a per-month basis and financial assistance is available to those who qualify. In additional, there is a one-time annual fee to cover supplies, books, snacks and other items.

For additional information visit the Blessed Sacrament Church website or call Angelica Jimenez at 323-467-4177.

Ride to Arrest Cancer

Come and join the Los Angeles Police Department on March 13 in an event to fight cancer!

The Ride to Arrest Cancer starts at the Valley Traffic Division (7870 Nolan Place., Panorama City) and stops at various police divisions along the routes. Participants will have the option of riding the 15-mile Infraction Route, the 25-mile Misdemeanor Route or the 50-mile Felony Route.

The bike ride will end at the Valley Traffic Division where participants are invited to a BBQ lunch, Health & Wellness Fair and an opportunity to speak with officers from the Air Support Division, the LAPD SWAT Team, Recruitment and K-9 Units.

Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. and the ride starts at 8:00 a.m.

There is a $25 pre-registration fee, and a $30 registration fee on the day of the event. Kids under 12 years of age can register for $15.

For more information or to register, visit The Ride to Arrest Cancer website.

Atwater Village Meet Your Neighbor Night

Join Atwater Village residents for Meet Your Neighbor Night!

On February 21, Friends of Glenfeliz Elementary (FOG) will host this event to benefit Glenfeliz Kids, a new after school program. Mingle with neighbors while enjoying a night of wine tasting at 55 Degree Wine (3111 Glendale Blvd.).

An admission price of $18 will cover a flight of 3 wines selected for FOG, and 50% of the proceeds will benefit Glenfeliz Kids.