GOOD LA Launch Weekend

The GOOD LA Launch Weekend is April 8 through 10. Join in Good Magazine's celebration of its Los Angeles issue and the launch of GOOD LA, a new local community for Los Angeles residents.

The weekend will consist of events from non-profit organizations and community groups, and will take place at Atwater Crossing, a new creative space in Atwater Village. RSVP here.

GOOD LA Launch Weekend events (subject to change):

Friday, April 8

7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Steal This Idea: GOOD Design LA

Saturday, April 9

12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Pop-Up Community Center

5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Readings By Slake

Sunday, April 10

12:00 to 1:30 p.m. GOOD Book Club CicLAvia: 7th Street overpass over the 110 freeway=

4:00 to 10:00 p.m. Rio Arriba Tour from ZZK Records

Help YPI help you!

In an effort to better serve the Hollywood and Pacoima communities, the Youth Policy Institute is taking a survey as part of the Promise Neighborhoods initiative, President Obama’s signature program to help children and their families.

The online survey is available both in English and Spanish, and only takes about 10 minutes to complete. If you live, go to school, or have a child who goes to school in one of the Promise Neighborhoods below, please take the time to participate!

The Youth Policy Institute will be collecting surveys through the end of the day Friday, April 8, 2011. All answers will be anonymous and confidential, and the results will be shared with the Department of Education as part of their grant application to bring millions of dollars to these communities to help implement the Promise Neighborhoods vision.

To answer the survey, go here: Los Angeles Promise Neighborhood Community Survey.

City Council remembers Archbishop Oscar A. Romero

This morning, I joined the City Council in recognizing a day of remembrance of Archbishop Oscar A. Romero of El Salvador.

Archbishop Romero is celebrated as the ultimate pastor of the Salvadoran people. Each year in March, Salvadorans across the world remember Archbishop Romero and his fight against injustices and human rights violations.

Celebrating Bangladesh Independence Day

On Saturday, I was proud to join with members of the Little Bangladesh community in celebrating Bangladesh’s 40th anniversary of independence. The parade and celebration focused on the themes of community building and cultural diversity. Earlier this year, Little Bangladesh became one of Los Angeles's officially recognized neighborhoods -- showing the growing diversity of our city.

WOOF Dog Boutique

On Sunday, May 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Angel Dogs Foundation will be putting on the WOOF Dog Boutique (3172 Glendale Blvd) in Atwater Village. The boutique will offer low cost spay and neutering as well as microchips and vaccinations as well as canine and feline food vendors.

All spay and neuters require a reservation and prepayment. The cost of a canine spay or neuter is $110 and comes with a free microchip and rabies vaccine. The cost of a feline spay or neuter is $90 and comes with a free microchip and free rabies vaccine.

Cash or checks are accepted. Checks may be dated 5/1/11 and made payable to Angel Dogs Foundation.

Reservations must be made by April 20. To make a reservation, call (323) 661-7722.

Walk-ins are welcome for microchips and vaccinations. It will cost $10 for microchips and $10 for each vaccination.

Visiting with Helen Bernstein High School student council members

Today I met with student council members at Helen Bernstein High School. These are Los Angeles's next generation of leaders and I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet them.

Already, these students are involved in improving our community. They shared their thoughts and concerns about improving Lemon Grove Park and noted some of the positive changes they have seen in the area around the school, including improvements at a nearby tunnel under the freeway.

I look forward to seeing more from these young leaders.

Dodgers Opening Day info

Opening Day for the Los Angeles Dodgers is scheduled for Thursday, March 3, at 5:00 p.m. The Dodgers will be playing the San Francisco Giants.

The night before Opening Day, maintenance lights will be on for the duration of the night in preparation for the day's events.

The pre-game ceremony, which is scheduled to start at approximately 4:30 p.m., will include displays on the field and a military flyover approximately 10 minutes before the opening of the game.

The parking gates will open at 1:00 p.m. and the stadium gates will open at 1:30 p.m.

The City of Los Angeles will close the following streets on March 31 from 1:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for staging purposes and game preparations:

• Scott Avenue between Stadium Way and North Boylston Street
• North Boylston between Academy and Stadium Way
• Lilac Terrace between Stadium Way and Lookout to Stadium

You may report any security concerns to the Dodgers' Neighborhood Focus line at (323) 224-2636.

Garage sale to benefit Atwater animals

The Atwater Village Directors of Animal Welfare will be hosting a garage sale to benefit the animals of Atwater on Saturday, April 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 3713 Edenhurst Avenue.

Donated items can be dropped off anytime before April 7 at the address above.

Please contact jellybeanjr@dslextreme.com with any questions.

Spring Festival at Santa Rosa Charter School

Partnerships to Uplift Communities' Santa Rosa Charter School (3838 Eagle Rock Blvd.) will hold a Spring Festival Fundraiser Swapmeet on Saturday, April 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The festival and swapmeet will feature musicians are artists performing live, carnival games, great deals on swapmeet items, food and drinks, and a raffle. Admission is free.

Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC) is a non-profit charter school management organization designed to significantly increase college entrance and graduation rates for under-served students in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.

Glassell Park Visioning Summit is underway this morning

You can learn more about the Glassell Park event and my Los Angeles Neighborhood Dreams (LAND) initiative here.