Calendar of Events

Tues., July 3, 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., July 4, 2007
Independence Day
* County buildings closed *

Tues., July 10, 2007
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 13, 2007
Registration at 6 p.m.
Dinner at 7 p.m.
* Info at (323) 349-9299 *
Southwest Voter Registration
Education Project (SVREP)
Latino Vote 2007 Banquet
Cathedral of Our
Lady of the Angels
Conference Center
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., July 17, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sat., July 21, 2007
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Bell Gardens Library
Dedication Ceremony
7170 S. Garfield Ave.
Bell Gardens, CA 90201

Tues., July 24, 2007
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 25, 2007
Starts at 11:30 a.m.
Metro Gold Line Eastside
Extension “200 Million Hour”
Milestone Celebration
Intersection of E. César E.
Chávez Blvd. and N. Soto St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Thurs., July 26, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Metro Board of
Directors Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sat., July 28, 2007
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
“Expression Session”
Belvedere Skate Park
Located on Mednik Ave.
Between E. César E. Chávez
Blvd. and First St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sun., July 29, 2007
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“Rebuild Garfield High School
Auditorium” Benefit Concert
East Los Angeles College
1301 Avenida César Chávez
Monterey Park, CA 91754

Tues., July 31, 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., Aug. 5, 2007
* Info at (323) 857-6000 *
“The Arts in Latin America:
1492-1820” Exhibit Opens
Los Angeles County
Museum of Art (LACMA)
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Sat., Aug. 11, 2007
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Plaza Community Center
Grand Opening
4018 City Terrace Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90063

Tues., Aug., 14, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., Aug., 21, 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., Aug. 23, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Metro Board of
Directors Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., Aug. 28, 2007
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

Mon., Sept. 3, 2007
Labor Day
* County buildings closed *

Tues., Sept. 4, 2007
Starts at 1 p.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Fri., Sept. 7, 2007
Starts at 11 a.m.
* Info at (909) 623-3111 *
L.A. County Fair Opening Day
Pomona Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Dr.
Pomona, CA 91768

July 2, 2007 -- Volume III, Issue V

EAST L.A. OPENS BELVEDERE SKATE PARK

Belvedere Park has become a point of pride in East L.A., first through extensive park landscaping and then with construction of a library plus civic center. Now, with the latest addition of a $1.1 million skate bowl -- the second deepest in the state -- Belvedere Park has become a destination point for youth well outside East L.A.'s official boundaries. We opened the skate park just in time for summer vacation! Joining us were, L.A. County Dept. of Parks and Recreation Director Russ Guiney, Rep. Hilda Solis, and the legendary skater Tony Alva (all pictured), a true skating pioneer whose early years were featured in the entertaining 2005 film Lords of Dogtown.

Belvedere Skate Park is an 18,000 foot concrete masterpiece that includes sports lighting, tubular steel fencing, spectator bleachers, and a nearby picnic area. It is also a project with extensive local support. For years, local skaters living in densely-populated East L.A. had no choice but to "thrash" on crowded streets and in quiet residential communities. Local homeowners and merchants complained about the intrusion, the noise, and property damage.

And once a young skater lost his life after veering into oncoming traffic, everyone in the community -- but the skaters most of all -- got serious about constructing the skate park. Now it's here and we hope you enjoy it, too. Belvedere Skate Park is located on Mednik Avenue in East L.A. Between César Chávez Blvd. and First Street. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

EL MONTE YOUTH CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

Adding green space to neighborhoods becomes a higher priority each year as regions that were once considered on the outskirts become more densely populated. That's why we were so proud to join youth from Twin Lakes Elementary School in El Monte as they officially dedicated a new, outdoor eco-classroom and recreation area at the school this past Earth Day. They also planted over 350 trees, shrubs, and seedlings native to California.

So what was just a dry dirt path along the San Gabriel River has been transformed into another green oasis along the "Emerald Necklace" of rivers and green space gracing the San Gabriel Valley.

The bike path running along this patch of green space connects bicyclists to the Arrow Highway Gateway, the Santa Fe Dam, and the Azusa foothills to the north and to the Thienes Gateway Project and Whittier Narrows Nature Center to the south. Runners, equestrians, and pedestrians can use the path, too!

Many thanks to non-profit organization Amigos de los Rios, the L.A. County Dept. of Public Works, as well as staff and administrators from both the Mountain View School District and Twin Lakes Elementary School for making this year's Earth Day such a success!

HELP REVITALIZE FLORENCE-FIRESTONE!

We are turning unincorporated Florence-Firestone around one block at a time. To do this, we've enlisted the community's help -- and we're hoping you'll join us too, by becoming a part of the Florence-Firestone Community Enhancement Team.

Our goal is to create an engaged, informed, and active community that knows how to access government services and isn't shy about telling us how they want to see Florence-Firestone transformed. So far, the team includes 32 different grassroots organizations of varying interests, from neighborhood watch groups and local business associations to environmental advocates and neighborhood beautification clubs. If you or your organization is interested in participating, call my Southeast L.A. Field Deputy Luis Ayala at (323) 881-4601 for more information.

SOUTHEAST L.A. GETS 'BUSINESS BASICS'

L.A. County is committed to supporting entrepreneurs, especially those interested in operating their own small business. In this spirit, the L.A. County Office of Small Business recently partnered with the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation to host a "Small Business 101 Workshop." Held at the Old Timers Foundation headquarters in Huntington Park, the emphasis at this year's seminar was on growing a business from the ground up. Topics ranged from accessing capital to marketing basics to contracting with government agencies. Individuals interested in participating in future business forums should contact the Office of Small Business at (323) 881-3964 or at <www.laosb.org>.

HERTZBERG-DAVIS FORENSIC SCIENCE CENTER OPENS

The recent opening of the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center proves that where there's a will, there's a way. Almost a decade ago, then-Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg learned that the Sheriff's Department Crime Lab had a severe DNA evidence backlog of up to 45 cases per month. This meant that detectives prioritized only sexual assault and homicide cases and put aggravated assault, burglary, and robbery cases on the back burner. So Bob decided to do something about it. And despite the state's notorious fiscal challenges, Bob wouldn't take no for an answer. After years of work -- and with the support of then-Governor Gray Davis -- Bob compelled the state to provide almost $100 million in bond revenue to build a new crime lab. It is located on the Cal State L.A. campus and is a shining example of civic collaboration.

'PASEO DEL RIO' PATHWAY OPENS IN PICO RIVERA

We encourage the public to take advantage of the new, three-mile "Paseo del Rio" bike and pedestrian path recently completed along the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo Pico Rivera Spreading Grounds. It provides access to the San Gabriel River and the Rio Hondo bikeways via Washington Blvd. What's more, the San Gabriel Paseo del Rio offers up a new entry point to the river bikeway via Whittier Blvd. in Pico Rivera.

These Precious plots of open space feature new picnic shelters, bike racks, rest areas, mile markers, and native California landscaping. They also include informational signage explaining to visitors the tremendous benefits these spreading grounds provide to our water supply. What were once neglected plots of land now added beauty to the neighborhood. We hope you enjoy them!

DONATE TO REBUILD GARFIELD HIGH AUDITORIUM!

East L.A. suffered a community tragedy after an arsonist set the historic Garfield High School auditorium ablaze, completely destroying it. But rather than let this setback bring them down, the mighty Garfield Bulldogs have never been stronger. Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and so many others have resolved to raise the funds necessary to rebuild the auditorium to its original grandeur. I am proud to be part of this effort -- and I am proud of private developers from Primestor (pictured), who already pitched in $25,000!

If you are interested in donating to the Fund to Rebuild the Garfield High School Auditorium, contact Henry Beltran of the Garfield High School Alumni Association at (323) 728-9353.

POMONA RAILROAD CROSSING PROJECT BEGINS

San Gabriel Valley residents living or working near railroad crossings are all too familiar with the noise, traffic congestion, and safety hazards the trains produce. So we've taken action. The Alameda Corridor East (ACE) Construction Authority has identified railroad crossing improvement projects at 20 of the 54 most heavily congested arterials in the San Gabriel Valley. Recently, we started work on one such project in Pomona where Reservoir St. and First St. meet. Soon commuters won't have to keep their cars idle while trains make their way across the intersection. Nearby residents won't have to suffer from loud, intrusive train horns. Air pollution will reduce, too.

Since this project was especially important to the late Pomona Mayor Edward "Eddie" Cortez, the ACE Authority dedicated it in his honor.

MACARTHUR PARK MELEE BEING INVESTIGATED

Many are still reeling from the mayhem which ensured on May Day during an immigrant rights rally at MacArthur Park. Strangely, when a much larger immigration march took place at this same location last year, no disorder occurred. But this year, innocent participants -- and news media -- claim that L.A. Police Department (LAPD) officers unnecessarily used excessive force against them. It was all caught on tape -- and I am glad that both L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief Bill Bratton recognized that errors were made.

We will be monitoring their investigations closely and demanding that everyone responsible for what happened be held accountable. If you feel you were a victim of police brutality during this march, you may call the LAPD Inspector General at (213) 202-5866 or the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of L.A. (CHIRLA) at (888) 624-4752. Many thanks to Assembly Speaker Fabián Nuñez for his leadership on this issue.

EASTSIDE EXTENSION TO STOP AT RAMONA HIGH

We are very excited that construction of the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension is on track and that the light rail line is still scheduled to open in 2009. What's more, when it does, the Eastside Extension will stop right in front of Ramona Opportunity High School on Indiana St., which students from all corners of L.A. County attend. But this arrangement was made possible only through collaboration between Metro, L.A. County, the City of L.A., and the Los Angeles Unified School District since it meant that the high school had to be expanded and resituated.

This wasn't an easy task -- but we did it. To celebrate the completed negotiations, we recently broke ground on the expanded portion of the school site. It also should be finished by 2009.