Register for art classes at Barnsdall

A new session of art classes for adults and children at Barnsdall Park begins on January 24 and registration day is coming up.

Here's the info:

• Registration for art classes for children at Barnsdall Park Junior Arts Center will be January 8 from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Class offerings include painting, ceramics, and more.
  
• Registration for art classes for adults at Barnsdall Art Park will be January 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Class offerings include ceramics, sculpture, bookmaking, weaving, photography and more.
  
• Both facilities are located at 4800 Hollywood Boulevard, which is where the classes and registration will take place.
  
• Fees vary depending on the class.
  

For more information, about classes at the Junior Art Center, please call 323-644-6275. For more information about classes at Barnsdall Art Park, please call 323-644-6295.

Report DWP outages: 1-800-DIAL-DWP

The high winds have led to a number of power outages in the area. The Department of Water and Power (DWP) has crews working across the city to address outages as quickly as possible.

If your area experiences a power outage, please report it by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP. It's possible that the DWP doesn't know that a particular customer (you!) is without power.

Report potholes by calling 3-1-1

Operation Pothole 2011 begins on January 8 when the Bureau of Street Services will roll out 50 crews throughout the city as part of an effort to address the increase in street repairs needed because of the recent rainstorms.

We need everyone to help make Operation Pothole a success! Please call 3-1-1 (the city's non-emergency service number) to report potholes in your neighborhood. The more potholes we identify, the more potholes we can fix.

Please don't assume that the city magically knows about the pothole near your house or on your way to work, school, the store, or wherever. Give us a call at 3-1-1 with the approximate address of the pothole. We want to have as comprehensive a list as possible before the crews are deployed for the Operation Pothole weekend.

Help shape LA's newest high school

Next month a series of public hearings, presentations and a public vote will help determine instructional plans, school models and the parent engagement plan for the new Taylor Yards High School in Glassell Park.

All events will take place at Irving Middle School (3010 Estara Ave). Hearings and presentations will be held on January 20 and 24 at 6:00 PM in the auditorium. There will be an opportunity for parents, high school students, faculty and staff from nearby schools and community members to cast their advisory recommendation vote on January 29, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Irving Middle School cafeteria.

For more information, please call (213) 241-2547 or visit publicschoolchoice.lausd.net.

New iPhone app helps drivers find parking

Today we unveiled a new iPhone app that will help drivers in Hollywood find street parking.

Hollywood is the first neighborhood in the country to pilot the Parker application, which was developed by Streetline. Parking meters in our pilot area have been outfitted with ultra-low power wireless sensors and sends the data to mobile smart phones through the Parker app. Parker will tell drivers which blocks have more than four available spaces, more than two, or fewer than two. It will also let drivers know where there is "rock star" parking -- areas with the most open spaces.

Reducing the amount of time that drivers spend looking for parking will also help reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and frustration.

Parker is available at the Apple app store for $1.99. You can also learn more about it at the city's Department of Transportation website.

As with all mobile devices, please do NOT use Parker while you are driving. Find a safe spot to pull over or have a passenger use it for you.

Potholes? Graffiti? Report them with Garcetti 3-1-1

Earlier this year, we launched a new iPhone application that allows constituents to report graffiti, potholes, bulky trash items that need to be picked up, abandoned vehicles, and more.

Now, Garcetti 3-1-1 (developed by CitySourced) is available for Android and Blackberry users.

Here are the instructions for downloading:

• For iPhone: From the iPhone, go to the iTunes App store and search for Garcetti 311 or input http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/garcetti-311/id360289397?mt=8 directly into the address bar.

• For Android: From the Android, go to the Android marketplace and search for "Garcetti311" or input market://search?q=pname:com.citysourced.garcetti311directly into the address bar on the phone (not on the desktop).

• For Blackberry Storm: From the device, enter http://content.citysourced.com/downloads/citysourced/blackberry/touch/garcetti311.jad into the address bar or email the address to the device and click on the hyperlink.

• From all other Blackberries: From the device, enter http://content.citysourced.com/downloads/citysourced/blackberry/NonTouch/garcetti311.jad into the address bar or email the address to the device and click on the hyperlink.

Blackberry users, please note that the app requires OS 5+. Older Blackberries (OC 4.x) cannot run the application.

Download the free app today! But please remember not to use the app while driving.

Celebrate MLK Day with a Day of Service

On Monday, January 17, L.A. Works hosts its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. This year, volunteers will beautify and improve Rosemont Avenue Elementary School in Historic Filipinotown by converting an unused area of the library into a reading nook, landscaping to create a literacy garden, and designing a new game room specifically for children to interact with one another. The volunteer project will also include creating murals, painting school buildings, and planting flowers and shrubs.

In 2011, L.A. Works will kick off its 20th year of connecting volunteers with volunteer opportunities. The organization manages more than 80 volunteer events each month and has contributed more than 1 million hours of service to Los Angeles.

Click here to sign up to volunteer or go here for more information about L.A. Works and other volunteer opportunities.

Flea Market at Dodger Stadium tomorrow

Tomorrow, there will be a flea market in the Dodger Stadium parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In addition to antiques and collectibles for sale, the market will also feature food trucks and musical entertainment.

Please be aware that only the Downtown Gate (adjacent to the 110 south exit/Stadium Way) and the Sunset Gate (Stadium Way /Elysian Park Avenue) will be open for attendees and vendors.

For more information, visit PDMarkets.com.

Mark your calendars: GPIA free tree giveaway is January 15

On Saturday, January 15, the Glassell Park Improvement Association will be giving away free fruit trees at the Glassell Recreational Center (3650 Verdugo Road).

To receive your free tree and mulch or to volunteer at the event, please contact tree giveaway coordinator Alonso at 213-503-7838 or at acalceves@yahoo.com.

Central City Action Committee hosts Grand Sale

Today and next Monday through Wednesday, the Central City Action Committee (CCAC) is hosting its annual grand sale. The sale features a variety of used items, including vintage clothes and furniture and all proceeds will help fund local youth initiatives. This event will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Fire Station Number 6 (534 E. Edgeware).

To find out more about CCAC or to find out how you can help, please visit their website at CentralCityAction.com.