Celebrating Navy Week

This morning I was proud to join Vice Admiral Gerald Beaman and other members of the United States Navy to recognize Navy Week in Los Angeles.

As a member of the reserve component of the Navy myself, I have a first-hand appreciation for the work that the men and women of our Naval forces do to protect our country and our values at home and abroad.

There are many activities happening at the Port of Los Angeles to celebrate Navy Week. Click here to learn more.

Growing our city's technology workforce

Last night I had the pleasure of participating in a conversation about developing Los Angeles's technology workforce. The panel discussion was sponsored by GOOD and the University of Phoenix.

We spent much of the time focused on how crucial it is that our Los Angeles community get our young people excited about aspects of math, science, and technology that relate to them to raise their interest in these subjects that are so crucial to our success.

Melrose Avenue Elementary School Principal Bernadette Lucas talked about the passion for learning that she sees in her students inspired by the school's robotics program. The teachers and faculty at her school regularly seek opportunities for their students to be exposed to people who have careers that utilize math and science. Her school provides every 3rd through 5th grader with a laptop that they take home with them everyday -- just one of the many ways the school community affirms its commitment to teaching technology.

Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing and a proud UCLA alum, talked about his desire to see more people of all ages being driven in their careers by their passion, creativity and innovation rather than financial incentives.

Audience members also had excellent comments and questions, including a college student who asked what the average person could do to help. The discussion continues online here -- click through to join in.

Foreclosure prevention assistance fair - September 17

A Home Rescue Fair will be held on Saturday, September 17, to provide assistance to those who are at risk of foreclosure.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Goodwill Industries (342 N. San Fernando Road) in Lincoln Heights.

The fair will offer free bilingual face-to-face sessions with loan specialists, HUD-approved housing counselors and attorneys, and informational workshops.

My office is pleased to be a co-host of this event, which is sponsored by Assemblymember Gil Cedillo and the National Council of La Raza, in collaboration with the Montebello Housing Development Corporation.

2011 Water and Power Rates Input Summary Session Postponed

The 2011 Water and Power Rates Input Summary Session previously scheduled for Thursday, July 28, has been postponed to Thursday, August 25, to allow more time for public comment. With the added time, LADWP hopes to gather more input from customers on potential strategic investments, and further analyze customer feedback.

The rescheduled session will take place at the same location as previously planned -- the LADWP headquarters (111 N. Hope Street) in Downtown Los Angeles. The meeting also be accessible as an online webcast.

If you plan on attending the Input Summary Session, please RSVP by clicking here, and be sure to indicate whether you will attend the meeting in person or will participate online. For more information about the 2011 rates process, please visit http://www.ladwp.com/LAForward.

Sign up now for the 5th Annual Historic Filipinotown 5K Run/Walk

Sign up now for the 5th Annual Historic Filipinotown 5K Run/Walk! The race will kick off on August 6 at 7:30 a.m. at 1925 Temple Street, cutting through the heart of Historic Filipinotown with a rolling street closure along Temple Street.

The race is co-sponsored by the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council, the Silver Lake Medical Center, and my office.

Festivities will follow the race from 10 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and include live music and dance performances, LA’s top food trucks, and a fashion, travel, craft, and free health fair.

To register to compete in the race, please click here. For more information, please click here.

Northeast Los Angeles Police Department's Annual Senior Lead Officer Summit

Please join the Northeast Los Angeles Police Department for the Annual Senior Lead Officer Summit held at the Dodger Stadium VIP Lounge on Thursday, July 28, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (1000 Elysian Park Ave).

Come meet Northeast Area Commanding Officers and your Senior Lead Officers, and get a crime update regarding your community. This is your opportunity to ask questions and discuss the LAPD's goals in crime reduction.

To RSVP please contact Sgt. Danny Roman at 213-485-2548 or 22195@lapd.lacity.org.

Sustainable Silver Lake workshop - "The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and How We Can Help Shrink It"

Sustainable Silver Lake will present “The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and How We Can Help Shrink It” with Dave Weeshoff on Saturday, August, 6 at 11 a.m. at Silver Lake Library (2411 Glendale Blvd.)

Mr. Weeshoff works with the Algalita Marine Research Foundation and is a Senior Ambassador for Heal the Bay. He will discuss the plastic plague in the world’s oceans, its causes, consequences, and possible resolutions.

The lecture is part of Sustainable Silver Lake’s “Sustainable Saturdays” free lecture series exploring various aspects of sustainable living.

After the discussion, there will be a chance to win a ZAPino scooter valued at $3500 in a free raffle give-away.

Sidewalk Enhancement Project at Santa Monica and Western

Starting today, the Department of Public Works will begin sidewalk, curb and gutter improvements at the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd. and Western Ave. The construction is estimated to last a few weeks.

All construction will be done at night between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Friday, and between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Please be aware that “Tow Away – No Parking” signs may be placed on the street prior to construction and some driveways may be temporarily out of service.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the supervisor Joaquin Villanueva at 213-216-4265 or at the main office at 213-847-2966.

2011 Hollywood Relay for Life

The 2011 Hollywood Relay for Life is this Saturday, July 30!

It's not too late to sign up for a team or donate money to Relay for Life, which supports the American Cancer Society. The event begins at 9 a.m. at Helen Bernstein High School, and concludes at 8:30 a.m. the next morning.

Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Teams of people camp out and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

For more information, please click here.

Bank of America foreclosure prevention assistance

Bank of America will host an event for its customers experiencing financial hardship to help prevent them from falling into foreclosure. The event will take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from August 4 to 6 and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day (1201 S. Figueroa Street, Concourse Hall EF).

Customers will be able to meet face-to-face with Home Loan Specialists to review loan modifications and other foreclosure prevention alternatives.

Complimentary parking will be available in the West Hall parking lot.

To register, click here or call 1-855-201-7426.