January 12, 2005 -- Volume II, Issue I

Upcoming Events

Thurs., Jan. 12, 2006
1:30 p.m. to 4: 30 p.m.
First 5 LA Commission meeting
750 N. Alameda St.
Multi-Purpose Room
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Mon., Jan. 16, 2006
Martin Luther king, Jr. Holiday
*County buildings closed*

Tues., Jan. 17, 2006
Starts at 1 p.m.
L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sat., Jan. 21, 2006
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
South Whittier Shuttle
Dedication
Sorensen Park
11419 Rosehedge Dr.
Whittier, CA 90606

Mon., Jan. 23, 2006
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
El Encanto Property
Acquisition Celebration
100 N. Old San Gabriel
Canyon Rd.
Azusa, CA 91702

Mon., Jan. 23, 2006
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Alameda Corridor East (ACE)
Board of Director's meeting
Irwindale Council Chambers
5050 Irwindale Ave.
Irwindale, CA 91706

Tues., Jan. 24, 2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting
Public Hearing
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Thurs., Jan. 26, 2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
MTA Board of Directors meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sat., Jan. 28, 2006
Noon to 1 p.m.
Lashbrook Park
Grand Opening
*Adjacent to Rio Hondo at west end of Lashbrook Ave.*
South El Monte, CA 91733

Tues., Jan 31, 2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., Feb. 7, 2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Thurs., Feb 9, 2006
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
First 5 LA Commission meeting
750 N. Alameda St.
Multi-Purpose Room
Los Angeles, CA 9002

Tues., Feb. 14, 2006
Valentine's Day

Tues., Feb. 14, 2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Mon., Feb. 20, 2006
Presidents Day Holiday
*County buildings closed*

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My New Year's resolution for 2006 is to provide more support for local artists. So recently, I hosted the Inaugural First District Artist Showcase via a festive reception at the Hall of Administration, which featured the extraordinary "Urban Images" collection by Boyle Heights artist Diego Cardoso. More than 200 people attended.

In most of Cardoso's colorful pieces, the streets are the most lively part of the painting -- an influence which most likely stems from Cardoso's full-time occupation as an urban planner at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Hopefully, pieces displayed in the future Artist Showcases -- which will be managed by the county's Arts Commission -- will be featured in special exhibits throughout county parks, libraries, and other facilities. Artists interested in being considered for future Artist Showcases should contact my office at (213) 974-4111 or molina@lacbos.org.

EASTSIDE EXTENSION TUNNEL EXCAVATIONS BEGIN

We have marked a milestone in the history of the six-mile Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension. Tunnel excavations have begun in the portion of the light rail line that traverses the Boyle Heights neighborhood. Two machines -- which MTA workers nicknamed Marj and Suzie -- have started digging twin 1.7 mile tunnels at an average depth of between 50 and 60 feet underground from Mariachi Plaza to First and Lorena Streets. Marj and Suzie will carve 21-foot diameter tunnels and they will unearth enough soil to cover an entire football field 15 stories high. Each machine weighs over two million pounds and stretches 344 feet. Both were custom made in Germany.

The Eastside Extension has been a long time in coming. Though the tunneling kick-off took place recently, many of us have been "breaking ground" on this project for over 15 years -- including the late Rep. Edward R. Roybal, in whose memory we plan to name the Eastside Extension. The tunnels excavated by Marj and Suzie literally will link East Los Angeles -- the fifth most densely populated area in the whole nation -- with the rest of L.A. County's light rail system. The Eastside Extension project should be complete by 2009.

FLORENCE-FIRESTONE GANG TASK FORCE NESTS 230+ ARRESTS

A special task force set up to crack down on gang activity in the Florence-Firestone/Walnut Park region of Southeast L.A. has met with great success. So far, law enforcement personnel on the task force have made 230 felony arrests -- and 49 of these suspects are gang members charged with murder, attempted murder, assault, or unlawful firearms possession.

The task force also has solved nine homicides, filed six murder conspiracy cases, made 70 misdemeanor arrests, and seized over 130 firearms. I am very pleased that Sheriff Lee Baca and Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke are so committed to partnering with my office to make this task force possible. All of us pitched in to add the funding necessary to put more patrol cars on the streets. It is critical that we send a clear signal to gang members that their disregard for the lives of their neighbors will not be tolerated. Just as importantly, we must stop the culture of criminal activity perpetuated by gangs, who members have become so brazen that they sell gang paraphernalia -- some of it for infants -- over the internet. It is a shame that children of gang members are never given the chance to be anything other than a criminal, that from birth they are socialized into the gang culture of violence. I urge the community to join us in taking back Florence-Firestone. We must take responsibility for our neighborhoods and our families. If we don't watch our children, there are hundreds of gangs ready and willing to do it for us.

THOUSANDS MORE CHILDREN ENJOY HEALTH INSURANCE

The future of California depends on the healthy development of every child in our great state. That's why it is so vital to provide health insurance to children who otherwise would go without it. First 5 LA -- a county agency that uses tobacco tax funds to create health and education programs for children up to age five -- has dedicated over $100 million for exactly this purpose.

As a result of First 5 LA's collaboration with organizations like The California Endowment and LA CARE, over 76,000 children of various ages have enrolled in the Healthy kids, Healthy Families, or Medi-Cal health insurance programs. It is because of their combined efforts that some of L.A. County's most vulnerable residents receive helath care right in their own neighborhoods at facilities like the Arroyo Vista Family Clinic in Lincoln Heights. Many thanks to the Arroryo Vista Family Clinic Board of Directors for doing all they can to keep our community healthy. A commendation also is due to Dr. Cynthia Telles, who serves as director of The California Endowment. Thousands of children in Los Angeles get the healthcare they need as a result of her leadership and innovation.

-- Photo of Sup. Gloria Molina and Diego Cardoso courtesy of Henry Salazar, L.A. County Photo Dept.
-- Photos of Eastside Extension tunneling kick-off courtesy of Juan Ocampo, MTA
-- Photos of Florence-Firestone gang task force event courtesy Henry Salazar, L.A. County Photo Dept.
-- Photo of First 5 LA/California Endowment event courtesy of Ralph Nuñez, L.A. County Photo Dept.