March 16, 2006 -- Volume II, Issue IV

Calendar of Events

Thurs., Mar. 16, 2006
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
9^th Annual Los Angeles Political Roast for the American
Diabetes Association
Hyatt Regency Century
Plaza Hotel
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067

Fri., Mar. 17, 2006
St. Patrick's Day

Mon., Mar. 20, 2006
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Rivers & Mountains
Conservancy (RMC) Meeting
Progress Park Plaza
Auditorium
15500 Downey Ave.
Paramount, CA 90723

Tues., Mar. 21, 2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St.,
Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Wed., Mar. 22, 2006
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Presentation of Centro Estrella Aquatics Awards
Centro Estrella
4701 E. César Chávez Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90022

Thurs., Mar. 23, 2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
MTA Board of Directors
Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Mon., Mar. 27, 2006
César E. Chávez Community
Service Week Begins

Mon., Mar. 27, 2006
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Alameda Corridor East (ACE)
Board of Directors Meeting
Irwindale Council Chambers
5050 Irwindale Ave.
Irwindale, CA 91706

Tues., Mar. 28, 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

Wed., Mar. 29, 2006
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
State of L.A. County Address
at the Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
Crowne Plaza Hotel
6121 Telegraph Rd.
Commerce, CA 90040

Sat., Apr. 1, 2006
César E. Chávez Community
Service Week Ends

Sat., Apr. 1, 2006
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
15^th Annual Mariachi
Sinfónico con José
Hernández y su Mariachi Sol de México
San Gabriel Civic Auditorium
320 Mission Dr.
San Gabriel, CA 91776

Tues., Apr. 4, 2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisor Meeting
500 W. Temple St.,
Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sun., Apr. 9, 2006
Palm Sunday

Tues., Apr. 11, 2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St.,
Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

EAST LOS ANGELES WELCOMES BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO

Attracting new businesses is key to revitalizing East Los Angeles. We've successfully enticed major retailers like the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Quiznos, and Dairy Queen to join our local entrepreneurship. Now Blockbuster Video has set up shop in East L.A. For too long, major retailers overlooked this neighborhood. So it's gratifying to witness East

L.A.'s exciting resurgence. The local business climate has improved thanks to the dedication of the East L.A. Chamber of Commerce as well as our public safety partnership with the Sheriff's Department and the California Highway Patrol. But deep appreciation also goes out to local merchants, whether they are newcomers or have invested in East L.A. for years. Together we have created a thriving community. Let's keep it that way. Merchants can call (323) 890-7100 to inquire about business development opportunities provided by the L.A. County Community Development Commission. Anyone can call the L.A. County Graffiti Hotline at (800) 675-4357 for graffiti removal within 24 hours.

YOUNG MONTEBELLO READERS WISH DR. SEUSS 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY'

"Read Across America Day," a more recent civic tradition, is held on March 1^st to coincide deliberately with the birthday of author Theodore Geisel -- better known as Dr. Seuss. Children have enjoyed his books for generations. This year, Montebello youngsters spent the afternoon reading Dr. Seuss classics aloud. I joined them to read from "The Little House" by Virginia Lee Burton, a favorite of mine since childhood. We also enjoyed a surprise afternoon visit from none other than the Cat in the

Hat! Many thanks go to Pastor Linda Marshall of the Montebello United Methodist Church for providing us with a venue for this special annual reading. To participate in future "Read Across America Day" events, visit your local public library or inquire by e-mail at readacross@nea.org.

COMMUNITY DIALOGUE HELPS LATINAS COMBAT HEART DISEASE

Afflictions like breast cancer and osteoporosis typically come to mind when we think about women's health issues. But few people know that heart disease actually is the number one killer of women. Latinas are particularly susceptible since our diets tend not to be "heart smart." So it's imperative that we raise

awareness of heart disease among our female friends and family members. With this in mind, the L.A. County Office of Women's Health held a community dialogue on this important issue at St. Anne's Church in the Westlake region of Los Angeles. Participants received the most up-to-date information on heart disease. They also enjoyed a special culinary exposition where chefs demonstrated how to cook "heart smart" food that is still healthy, tasty, and inexpensive. To learn more about preventing heart disease, access the Internet at www.americanheart.org.

LOCAL MERCHANTS MAKE 'CONTRACTING CONNECTIONS'

L.A. County is committed to fostering an environment where small businesses can flourish. In that spirit, our Office of Small Business periodically hosts "Contracting Connections Workshops" so local merchants can discover new business opportunities within L.A. County. We held the most recent seminar in Montebello at the Quiet Cannon Restaurant. Over 150 entrepreneurs attended. L.A. County representatives advised them on finance, marketing, and workforce development. They also provided them with handy tips for doing business with L.A. County -- particularly when competing for county contracts. Merchants interested in learning more should contact the Office of Small Business by telephone at (323) 881-3964 or via the Internet at www.laosb.org.

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SENIORS FIGHT ELDER ABUSE AND FRAUD

It goes without saying for many of us that we should respect our elders. But some unscrupulous individuals actually target seniors when committing fraud. Preventing this and other types of elder abuse is a critical part of L.A. County's mission, which is why we regularly host "Smarter Seniors Forums" directly in the community. We held our most recent roundtable at the Rosemead Senior Center. Local seniors learned the latest techniques to protect themselves against elder abuse, identity theft, telemarketing

fraud, and real estate scams. They also were advised on how to establish a living trust or conservatorship. To find out more about these issues, access the Internet at http://consumer-affairs.co.la.ca.us/ or www.ladcss.org (explore the "Program Services" section). To report elder abuse, call (877) 477-3646.

-- Photo of Blockbuster Video Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony courtesy of Martin Zamora, L.A. County Photo Dept.
-- Photo of Read Across America Day courtesy of Martin Zamora, L.A. county Photo Dept.
-- Photo of Heart Disease Community Dialogue courtesy of Ralph Nuñez, L.A. County Photo Dept.
-- Photo of Contracting Connections Workshop courtesy of Martin Zamora, L.A. County Photo Dept.
-- Photos of Smarter Seniors Forum courtesy of Ralph Nuñez, L.A. County Photo Dept.