Calendar of Events

Mon., Apr. 30, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (Metro) Board of
Directors Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., May 1, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisor Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Wed., May 2, 2007
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Emerald Necklace Earth
Day Celebration
Community Meeting
Twin Lakes Elementary School
3900 Gilman Rd.
El Monte, CA 91732

Sat., May 5, 2007
Cinco de Mayo

Tues., May 8, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Wed., May 9, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Los Angeles County 2007-08
Budget Public Hearing
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Fri., May 11, 2007
Starts at 2 p.m.
Regional Crime Lab
Dedication Ceremony
California State University,
Los Angeles
1800 Paseo Rancho Castilla
Los Angeles, CA 90032

Thurs., May 17, 2007
Starts at 10 a.m.
* Parking is free *
Assessment Appeals Public
Education Program
Jack Crippen Senior Center
Crafts Room
3120 N. Tyler Ave.
El Monte, CA 91731

Sat., May 19, 2007
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Belvedere Skate Park
Dedication Ceremony
Corner of E. César E. Chávez
Ave. and N. Mednik Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90022

Mon., May 21, 2007
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
9^th Annual First District
Small Business Workshop
Old Timers Foundation
3355 E. Gage Ave.
Huntington Park, CA 90255

Tues., May 22, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Thurs,. May 24, 2007
Starts at 8:30 a.m.
Women's Health Policy
Summit
Sheraton Los Angeles
Downtown Hotel
711 S. Hope St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Thurs., May 24, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (Metro) Board of
Directors Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

April 25, 2007 -- Volume III, Issue IV

L.A. COUNTY PARKS HOST EASTER-THEMED EVENTS

Spring has sprung! What better way to celebrate the flora of the season than by visiting a local county park or recreation site? This month, staff from the Dept. of Parks & Recreation held scores of Easter-themed events for First District children, their parents, and seniors. Hundreds of residents enjoyed community Easter egg hunts and egg-coloring sessions while others took pictures with the Easter Bunny himself!

At Rimgrove Park in unincorporated Valinda, youngsters enjoyed our Easter in the Park program, which included a community parade, an egg hunt (pictured above), and an Easter coloring contest. At Obregon Park in East L.A., our Tiny Tots and their parents feasted on an Easter luncheon, then played Easter games and enjoyed some Easter Bunny face-painting (pictured at right).

At Roosevelt Park in unincorporated Florence-Firestone, local seniors held an Easter egg party and socialized while making Easter-themed crafts (pictured at left). To learn more about upcoming events in your community sponsored by the Dept. of Parks & Recreation; send an e-mail to parks@lacountyparks.org.

RENAISSANCE PLEASURE FAIRE AT SANTA FE DAM

L.A. County is proud to host the Renaissance Pleasure Faire for the second year in a row at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale each weekend from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This exciting festival features plenty of fun and all kinds of food. The entire family can cheer on jousting knights and steeds, laugh with the popular "washing well wenches," enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo, witness Ye English vs. Ye Celts "Battle to the Death," relax at the Fairy Godmother's Imaginary Tea Time, dance around the May pole, and marvel at all sorts of craft-making -- from candles and jewelry to swords and ceramics.

You may even take part in a knighting ceremony officiated by Queen Elizabeth herself! Tickets are available by calling (877) 772-5425 or by accessing the Internet at http://www.recfair.com/socal/index.php. The Renaissance Pleasure Faire lasts through May 20^th. Don't miss it!

L.A. COUNTY MARKS 6^TH ANNUAL CÉSAR E. CHÁVEZ WEEK

This year marked L.A. County's Sixth Annual César E. Chávez Community Service Week. We couldn't be more proud of the 183 volunteers who honored the life lessons of our beloved César. Employees donated close to 23,000 pounds of food to local shelters. They spent hours volunteering at county parks, libraries, community centers, animal shelters, and probation camps. Volunteers participated in 15 beautification projects, cleaned up Dockweiler State Beach, and held six arts & crafts workshops plus two storytime sessions for local kids.

I also volunteered. This year, I spoke about César's life to a class of fourth grade students at Laurel Elementary School in Whittier after receiving a letter from young Vanessa Chicaiza (pictured at right), who asked for my help obtaining data on L.A. County. I happily obliged with a civics lesson and a crash course on César's importance to the history of L.A. County, our state, and our nation.

Similar discussions on César's legacy were held by staff from 13 of our Probation Department camps. They oversaw poetry, arts, and essay contests for incarcerated youth in the county's care as well as local schoolchildren in the community. One such event involved students from Bridge Street Elementary School in East Los Angeles (pictured).

LA PLAZA DE CULTURA Y ARTES NOW IN L.A. COUNTY ARTS FAMILY

La Plaza de Cultura y Artes officially has joined the register of arts venues owned and operated by L.A. County. The museum -- which will be located in El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument -- will showcase the contributions of Mexican Americans to our county's history. Though Los Angeles is known as a region of the future, it also has a history -- and, tragically, no county venue exists to recognize, celebrate, or honor our roots. La Plaza will change that. In addition to exhibition galleries, a family genealogy center, and a culinary arts program, La Plaza will offer numerous education and arts programs designed to enlighten the public on Mexican-American culture and the broad talent of established Mexican-American artists. La Plaza should open to the public by Spring 2009.

KERN VILLA APARTMENTS IN EAST L.A. KEPT AFFORDABLE

Two hundred families can call East L.A. home now that the Kern Villa apartment complex on Kern Avenue has been rehabilitated -- and kept affordable. Two years ago, the East L.A. Community Corporation partnered with L.A. County to purchase Kern Villa and refurbish it. Over time, the complex received new architectural treatments along with a fresh coat of paint, new kitchens, and new bathrooms plus a new community room and playground. Recently, the East L.A. community celebrated its completion with a grand opening ceremony. Keeping places like Kern Villa affordable is key to combating L.A. County's affordable housing crisis, which is precisely what the East L.A. Community Corporation's mission has been for over 30 years.

Kern Villa is just the latest success story. Now fewer families are living in converted garages or in dilapidated conditions -- and our youngest residents are growing up in a healthier, safer environment.

GRAHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GETS NEW WALKWAY

Students, faculty, and staff at Graham Elementary School in unincorporated Florence-Firestone will be happy to learn that work is complete on a heavily trafficked pedestrian path situated behind the school between 84^th and Fir Streets. The walkway -- notorious for flooding during each rainy season -- has been completely repaved using a unique material which more quickly absorbs moisture. The new pavement also allows for quicker storm water runoff into an adjacent alley. It, too, has been repaved using special tiles created by children attending Graham Elementary School.

We also planted vines and trees at key access points in and around the alley. Many thanks to local non-profit organization North East Trees for working with L.A. County to make this urban watershed trail possible. And special thanks to Katrina Alexy and Sonia Nicholson for their fantastic design work on this project.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, BE PREPARED!

A large-scale disaster -- whether natural or man-made -- can happen at any time. When it does, you and your loved ones must be prepared. It's easier than you think. The L.A. County Dept. of Public Health has identified ten items each of us should have in case of a disaster. They include water, some food, a little cash and important documents, a spare change of clothes, a flashlight, a first aid kit, any medication you may be taking, a battery-operated radio, some toiletries, and a few tools.

L.A. County is a fantastic place to live, work, and raise a family. But it is also one of the most high-profile cities in the world -- and they don't call it "Earthquake Country" for nothing. So be prepared!