Treasures of Los Angeles

Each year, the Central City Association honors outstanding individuals and organizations as part of its Treasures of Los Angeles luncheon. I had the pleasure of emceeing this event and was proud that one of this year's treasures was the Los Angeles Derby Dolls, who train and compete in Historic Filipinotown.

The Derby Dolls are revitalizing the sport of roller derby. The all-women league sells out every game (or "bout") as people come from all over the Southland to see these athletes skate.

But the Dolls have done more than just bring this exciting sport to HiFi -- they have become active community partners, participating in numerous community clean-ups and volunteer efforts to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood and in Los Angeles. They worked with the city's Commission on the Status of Women to organize a wellness clinic for women, taught girls in the After School All Stars youth program how to skate, joined St. Vincent Hospital in coordinating a Health Day for women that provided free mammograms, and held a skate-a-thon to raise funds for AIDS Project Los Angeles. They are partnering again with the Commission on the Status of Women to hold a job fair in the fall.

You can see the Derby Dolls in action on the track this Saturday or you can look for them in the community helping to make our city stronger and healthier for everyone.

Pilates and yoga class at Glassell Park Recreation Center

The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks offers a pilates and yoga class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Classes take place at the Glassell Park Senior and Community Center (3750 Verdugo Road; this is the same building where my Glassell Park field office is located). You must be 18 years old to enroll, and the monthly fee is $35.

For more information, call the Glassell Park Recreation Center at 323-257-1863.

LAPD asking for community's help finding suspect in attempted kidnapping

The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public's help with finding a suspect in an attempted kidnapping.

Yesterday, a 14 year-old girl was walking to King Middle School when a male between 30 and 40 years-old grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth. The student fought back by

kicking the suspect's legs and the suspect ran away. Today police released a composite and description of the suspect's vehicle which is a 2008 or 2009 two-door, dark gray Honda Accord with dark tinted windows.

If you have any information that could help police find this suspect, please contact LAPD at 213-847-4270 (Northeast Robbery Detectives) or 1-877-LAWFULL (24-hour anonymous tipline).

Neighborhood Stabilization Program will help prevent foreclosures from creating blight in neighborhoods

Yesterday Los Angeles welcomed the new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan (second from left), who visited South L.A. neighborhoods on a tour of foreclosed homes. His visit underscores President Obama's commitment to keeping Californians in their home, where more than 25% of all foreclosures nationally have occurred, and the innovative approach that the City of Los Angeles is taking to address this crisis.

Secretary Donovan emphasized the need for the federal and city governments to work together to stem the tide of foreclosures. The homes we visited will be purchased with funding from the federal government's Neighborhood Stabilization Program, designed to combat blight and prevent community destabilization by helping low- to moderate-income families purchase homes that have been foreclosed.

In many ways, Los Angeles is a model for the nation. We discussed our mutual efforts to help refinance and modify mortgages for families facing foreclosure, to keep renters from being evicted from foreclosed properties, and to stop communities from becoming blighted. He specifically noted the need to prevent fraud against homeowners looking for help with their mortgages. (If you are facing foreclosure and need help, be sure to use a qualified loan mortgage consultant. You can check makinghomeaffordable.gov for help.)

Community Beautification Grant now has its own blog!

The Los Angeles Department of Public Works has provided grants to local neighborhood projects through its Community Beautification Grant program for more than a decade.

More than 900 projects have been completed with funds from this program and now it is easier than ever to learn about these grants through a new blog.

This blog has information for grant seekers and photos of completed projects. You can also view projects by category (e.g. community gardens, murals, landscaping) and geographic area.

Spay/neuter preliminary report now online

Last year, the City Council created the Spay/Neuter Advisory Committee to review and make recommendations for revising the city's spay/neuter policies. Making spaying and neutering services available for all pets is important to reducing the number of unwanted pets on our streets or in our shelters.

The Committee's final report is due this fall, but it has released a preliminary report of its findings, which is available by clicking here.

Applications for Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute scholarships due next week

The average college graduate will make $1 million more in his or her lifetime than the average high school graduate, and we want to make sure that a college education is accessible and affordable to everyone who wants one. Our Cash for College project has helped thousands of students learn more about their financial aid options.

As I hear about them, I will also post information about available scholarships.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute offers scholarships to Latino students who have a history of public service and community involvement. Applications are due next Thursday, April 16.

Scholarships are available to full-time students who will be enrolled at an accredited community college, four-year university, or graduate/professional program during the period for which scholarship is requested. Applicants must have U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency. There is no GPA requirement.

Click here for more information and the application.

New book chronicles history of Historic Filipinotown

In 2002, we officially designated Historic Filipinotown, making the area in my City Council District just west of Downtown the first Filipino community in the U.S. to have distinct geographic boundaries.

Earlier this month, the community celebrated the launch of a new book, Los Angeles's Historic Filipinotown by Carina Monica Montoya, which chronicles the rich history of this vibrant community.

Adopt a pet in Hollywood

On Saturday, April 18, come to the Hollywood Recreation Center to check out Pets in the Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsored by the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, with support from the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council, the 2nd annual Pets in the Park is a free event to raise awareness about pet responsibility, place pets with new owners, and provide valuable resources to residents.

This event will include an animal showcase with pets ready to be adopted as well as information and resources, including a veterinarian, canine coach, and entertainment for pet lovers of all ages. Representatives from organizations, animal rescue groups, humane societies, and local businesses will also be present to provide information and materials to pet owners and animal lovers of all kind.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program is Open for Business!

Last year the city received $33 million from the federal government to help mitigate the impacts of foreclosure – such as blight and other problems that come with vacant buildings - on our communities. The Los Angeles Housing Department has launched its “Walk-In Program” to use these funds to help low- and moderate-income buyers purchase a foreclosed home in designated priority areas. These areas have been hit hardest by foreclosure, and are places where having a family in a home can help an entire neighborhood from destabilizing. You can contact a pre-qualified lending partner to get started today!