In the wake of President Obama's announcement of Osama Bin Laden's death, Los Angeles law enforcement agencies are stepping up to protect our communities from potential threats and asking the public to help do the same.
To be clear, there are no specific threats to the Los Angeles area, but out of an abundance of caution, we are deploying law enforcement to protect critical infrastructure and high-risk targets such as water and power facilities, religious institutions, LAX and the Port of Los Angeles.
We also want people to help law enforcement by reporting potential threats to 1-877-ATHREAT or www.lapdonline/iwatch. These reports should focus on suspicious behavior -- not someone's race, religion or ethnicity.
We owe a tremendous debt to those who fought and lost their lives in the 10-year battle to bring Bin Laden to justice. Our ultimate victory over terror can only come if Americans of every color and creed stand together.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Help protect Los Angeles - report suspicious activity to LAPD
FREE tire recycling
The City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation will host FREE tire recycling events in May and June.
Here are the guidelines:
- Recycling services are open to City of Los Angeles residents only -- please bring a copy of your DWP bill or California driver's license to show proof of residency.
- Those transporting more than nine tires per trip must obtain a Tire Transport Form one week prior to the event. These forms are available from the Department of Public Health (626-430-5540).
- Only passenger and light truck tires will be accepted.
- Tires on rims will NOT be accepted.
The event closest to Council District 13 neighborhoods will be on June 4 at the North Central District Yard (452 N. San Fernando Road). Click on the flyer at right for a complete list of events and locations.
Congressmember Xavier Becerra to host townhall for seniors
Those of us who serve in city government often work together with our partners in Washington to help our shared constituents. Congressmember Becerra and his office have been wonderful resources for me and my office -- we've worked together on a number of projects from bringing more street lighting to Elysian Valley to renovating the Echo Park Boathouse to improving the busy intersection at Santa Monica and Western.
On Friday, May 20, Congressmember Becerra will host a town hall where seniors can get information about Medicare/Medi-Cal, Social Security, consumer protection, and more. The event will take place at the Highland Park Adult Senior Center (6152 N. Figueroa Street) from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For more information or to RSVP, please call Congressmember Becerra's office at 213-483-1425.
Taste of the Eastside - May 15 at Barnsdall Art Park
On Sunday, May 15, get a "Taste of the Eastside" at an afternoon event being held at Barnsdall Art Park (4800 Hollywood Blvd.) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to benefit SEE-LA, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Rose Scharlin Cooperative Nursery School, and the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation.
The festivities will include food and drinks from restaurants from neighborhoods including Silver Lake, Echo Park, Atwater Village, Highland Park, Los Feliz, Eagle Rock, and more. KCRW's Garth Trinidad will provide music.
General admission is $25 for adults and $5 for children ages 2 to 12 years old (children under 2 are free). VIP tickets are also available for $65, and entitle holders to enjoy cocktails by mixologist Talmadge Lowe of Heirloom LA and Pharmacie.
For more information about participating restaurants or to purchase tickets, please visit www.tasteoftheeastside.com.
Griffith Park Lions Club Atwater Village Pancake Breakfast - May 7
The Griffith Park Lions Club will hold its annual Atwater Village Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction this Saturday, May 7, starting at 7:30 a.m. The event will be held in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot (3250 Glendale Blvd.) where you can eat all the pancakes you want for $5.
The Lions Club will be collecting used old eyeglasses to be refurbished and given to those in need. They will also collect pull tabs from all cans -- soda, beer, pet food and many others -- to support the Ronald McDonald House for parents of children needing major medical care.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Sustainable Silver Lake presents "Building a Better, Bike-able Los Angeles"
Join Sustainable Silver Lake on Saturday, May 7, for "Building a Better, Bike-able Los Angeles" -- a talk with Alexis Lantz, Planning and Policy Director of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) who will provide an overview of the new City of Los Angeles Bike Plan and what it means for Silver Lake.
The event will be held at the Silver Lake Public Library (2411 Glendale Blvd.) beginning at 11 a.m.
Echo Park Stories and Enchiladas fundraiser to benefit Elysian Heights Elementary School
On Saturday, May 7, the Friends of Elysian Heights and the Echo Park Improvement Association will host "Echo Park Stories and Enchiladas," a fundraiser to benefit Elysian Heights Elementary School. The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Elysian Heights Elementary (1562 Baxter Street).
Admission is free and enchilada plates will be sold for $5. There will also be live music and a silent auction.
Construction on the Cahuenga alley project has begun
Today I was thrilled to join Hollywood business community leaders to break ground on a project that will transform the alley behind local businesses into a safe, thriving pedestrian thoroughfare. The alley is located west of Cosmo Street between Hollywood Boulevard and Selma Avenue, and will be the first pedestrian alley of its kind in Los Angeles.
The alley's concept was developed with local property owners and business tenants and will be an outdoor open space for visitors to stroll, relax, and enjoy outdoor dining options and patio space. The project will include major rehabilitation and construction, including the addition of new drainage, lighting, pavement and a security system in the alley. The existing potholes, pools of stagnant water, and orphaned dumpsters will be removed as part of the project.
I particularly want to thank the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance for helping to spearhead this effort and the East Cahuenga Alley Corridor Association for their work to make this project a reality.
When this project is complete, locals and tourists alike will be able to relax and enjoy our beautiful weather in this new outdoor space.
Apply now for an Emergency Management Internship
The City of Los Angeles has one of the premier emergency management programs in the nation and now applications are available for its Emergency Management Internship. The deadline to apply for this summer program is May 13, 2011. However, filing may close at any time without prior notice if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Internships are a minimum of two months. Compensation may be available.
Youth Policy Institute Gala Dinner and Auction
On Thursday, May 19, the Youth Policy Institute will be hosting a Gala Dinner and Auction at the W Hotel in Hollywood (6250 Hollywood Boulevard). The reception will begin at 6:30 and dinner will be served at 7:30. The evening will feature music by Calé as well as live and silent auctions.