July 7, 2006 -- Volume II, Issue VIII

Calendar of Events

Sat.., July 8, 2006
10 a.m. to 11a.m.
Atlantic Park Pool
Grand Reopening
570 S. Atlantic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90022

Sat., July 8, 2006
Starts at 11:30 a.m.
2006 National Council of
La Raza Annual Conference
Los Angeles Convention
Center, West Hall
1201 S. Figueroa St
Los Angeles CA 90015

Tues., July 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

Fri., July 14, 2006
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Southwest Voter Registration
Education Project Latino Vote
2006 California Banquet
Sheraton Universal Hotel
333 Universal Hollywood Dr.
Universal City, CA 91608

Sun., July 16, 2006
Starts at 8 a.m.
* Info at (213) 368-8633 *
SEIU Local 660's 13^th Annual
"Keep L.A. Running"
5-10K Walk/Run and
Coastal Fun Bike Cruise
Dockweiler State Beach
12000 Vista del Mar
Playa del Rey, CA. 90293

Tues., July 18, 2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St ., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA. 90012

Sun., July 23, 2006
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
11^th Nikkei Parents
Day Festival
Japanese American Cultural &
Community Center
Aratani/Japan America
Theatre
244 S San Pedro Ave.
Los Angeles, CA. 90012

Mon., July 24, 2006
Starts at 2 p.m.
Alameda Corridor East (ACE)
Board of Directors Meeting
City of Irwindale
Council Chambers
5050 Irwindale Ave.
Irwindale, CA 91706

Tues., July 25, 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., July 26, 2006
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Larry King Cardiac Foundation
Press Conference
LAC+USC Medical Center
1200 N. State St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Thurs., July 27,2006
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (MTA) Board of
Directors Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sat., July 29, 2006
Starts at 8:30 a.m.
* Info at (213) 738- 2065 *
Older Women's Conference
East Los Angeles College
Student Center
1301 Avenida César Chávez
Monterey Park, CA 91754

CITY TERRACE PARK POOL REOPENS IN TIME FOR SUMMER

The remodeled City Terrace Park Pool opened to great fanfare recently --and it could not have come at a better time since the dog days of summer arrived early this year. The beautiful new pool includes a renovated pool deck, a new concrete base, new paint, tile, and lighting treatments, new signage, and a renovated office space for pool employees.

We are most proud of the fact that the City Terrace Park Pool includes a hydraulic lift to accommodate individuals with disabilities and new restrooms for this same population. It is vital that everybody in the City Terrace neighborhood -- regardless of whether or not they are living with a disability -- can enjoy the refurbished pool. It provides a great opportunity for people to get some exercise and cool off from the summer heat.

We also use this pool to host the City Terrace Swimming Program, which is operated by the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation. The adjacent park has been kept safe, clean, and generally of gang activity thanks to a strong partnership between L.A. County, the City Terrace Task Force, and local residents. We truly hope that local children and families take advantage of the remodeled pool, the surrounding park, and the recreational programs offered there. Tfhese include the Aztec Dance Club, Ballet Folklorico, karate classes, and the City Terrace Starz Cheerleading Team as well as sports programs like baseball, basketball, and of course, swimming. The City Terrace Gymnasium continues to rank as one of the First District's most heavily utilized facilities. With the summer months just beginning, we are confident that residents' use of the City Terrace Park Pool will be just as strong. Many thanks to the Department of Parks and Recreation for remodeling the pool in time for summer. Residents across the First District can look forward to more pool and splash pad openings in the coming weeks.

SOUTH WHITTIER SUMMER BEACH BUS NOW BOARDING!

Now through Labor Day, the South Whittier Summer Beach Bus will transport local residents to and from Long Beach every Saturday. Amenities at Long Beach include Shoreline Village, the Long Beach Aquarium, Pike, and Marina Green Park -- all of which are located within walking distance from Long Beach proper -- in addition to a nearby beach bike path. Passengers may board the South Whittier Summer Beach Bus at three locations:

· The intersection of Amber Valley Dr. and First Ave. (departs at 9:05 a.m.)

· The Sheriff’s Dept.'s STAR Center at Telegraph Rd. and Colima Rd. (departs at 9:20a.m.)

· Amelia Mayberry Park at 13201 E. Meyer Rd. (departs at 9:35 a.m.)

The bus will arrive at Long Beach at 10:15 a.m. and depart back to South Whittier at 3:30 p.m. Bus admission costs just $1 for children and adults -- but seniors and people with disabilities pay just 50 cents! For more information (in English and Spanish), call (888) 769-1122 or access the Internet at http://dpw.org/pdd/Transit/Whittier.pdf.

WHITTIER RESIDENTS ENHANCE LOCAL CIVIC LIFE

The Whittier County Community Coordinating Council is a vital part of civic life in the unincorporated Whittier neighborhood. Its members devote considerable time and energy to helping wherever they can on issues like public safety, economic development, education, and opportunities for youth. Though I was proud to be honored recently as the council's "Public Official of the Year," I felt that the council itself truly deserved to be commended.

By working in partnership with L.A. County, the council is instrumental in ensuring that unincorporated Whittier residents receive their fair share of municipal services. For example, the Whittier Community Resource Center -- and especially the South Whittier Shuttle -- materialized in large part because of our ability to work together. Without a doubt, the Whittier County Community Coordinating Council has earned its reputation as an effective community advocate.

IRWINDALE CHAMBER STARTS GOV.'T AFFAIRS INITIATIVE

The City of Irwindale sits at an important nexus of San Gabriel Valley, with access to three freeways and scores of recreational opportunities -- including the Santa Fe Dam and the San Gabriel River. Over the coming decades, as many of Irwindale's mining properties are reclaimed, the potential for new housing and commercial options should boom. So it was with great pleasure that I recently provided the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce with an overview of the many ways that L.A. County government impacts the regional business

climate -- from enhancing transportation arteries and providing public health services to housing the homeless and offering treatment for the mentally ill. We also celebrated several public works projects that came to fruition via a city-county partnership. These include the widening of Los Angeles Street over the Big Dalton Wash and the reconstruction of a nearby roadway as well as the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Irwindale Avenue and Edna Drive.