Calendar of Events

Thurs., Nov. 22, 2007
Thanksgiving Day
* County buildings closed *

Fri., Nov. 23, 2007
* County buildings closed *

Tues., Nov. 27, 2007
Starts at 1 p.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
Public Hearing
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Wed., Nov. 28, 2007
Starts at 10:30 a.m.
Fitness Zone Launch
Belvedere Park
On N. Mednik Ave.
between E. 1^st St. and
E. César Chávez Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90022

Thurs., Nov. 29, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Metro Board of
Directors Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., Dec. 4, 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., Dec. 4, 2007
Sundown
Hanukkah begins

Wed., Dec. 5, 2007
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Green Grant Program
Press Conference
520 S. Arizona Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90022

Wed., Dec. 5, 2007
11 a.m. to Noon
Beverly Blvd. Bridge
Grand Reopening
8300 E. Beverly Blvd.
Pico Rivera, CA 90660

Mon., Dec. 10, 2007
* Property taxes due! *

Tues., Dec. 11, 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., Dec. 12, 2007
Sundown
Hanukkah ends

Mon., Dec. 17, 2007
Starts at 2:30 p.m.
Alameda Corridor East (ACE)
Board of Directors Meeting
Irwindale Council Chambers
5050 Irwindale Ave.
Irwindale, CA 91706

Tues., Dec. 18, 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., Dec. 21, 2007
Starts at 10 a.m.
L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy
Graduation Ceremony
Pasadena Civic Auditorium
300 E. Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91101

Mon., Dec. 24, 2007
Christmas Eve

Tues., Dec. 25, 2007
Christmas Day
* County buildings closed *

Mon., Dec. 31, 2007
New Year’s Eve

Tues., Jan. 1, 2008
New Year’s Day
* County buildings closed *

Tues., Jan. 8, 2008
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., Jan. 15, 2008
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., Jan. 19, 2008
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Mon., Jan. 21, 2008
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
* County buildings closed *

Tues., Jan. 29, 2008
Starts at 1:00 p.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
Public Hearing
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 856
Los Angeles, CA 90012

November 21, 2007 -- VolumeIV, Issue VIII

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The First District family wishes you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving! This warm, cherished American holiday is all about feast and family -- and about counting our blessings. This year, the First District family would like to offer special thanks to the men and women of the armed services, who keep our nation safe. Our thoughts and prayers go particularly to those individuals serving in the Iraq War. Many of them -- including several casualties -- originate from the First District. We hope those currently serving return home swiftly and safely.

$195,000 RAISED TO REBUILD GARFIELD HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

When the majestic James A. Garfield High School Auditorium burned down in May, the East L.A. community quickly began mobilizing to rebuild it. Local artists -- including musicians like Los Lobos, El Chicano, Tierra, and Little Willie G along with comedian Rudy Moreno (pictured at left) -- were especially generous. They hosted a benefit concert at the Gibson Amphitheatre, which I attended. It was a blast! In sum, we raised $195,000. Garfield High School Principal Omar del Cueto (pictured below) proudly accepted the check on behalf of the school's students, staff, faculty, administration, and alumni.

Built in 1924, the magnificent Garfield High School Auditorium was considered a historic landmark. Its loss was huge. For generations, Garfield High School has had a special place in the hearts of East L.A. residents. This is where so many Eastside youth received their education, where they met so many lifelong friends. The Garfield High School Auditorium was where many school dances were held, where so many people over the years met and fell in love. It was beautiful and enchanting, the backdrop to so many precious memories. We will rebuild it! If you are interest 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.

ROOSEVELT PARK POOL REFURBISHMENTS COMPLETE

Our parks and recreation amenities are vital to the health and well-being of so many First District residents, especially our children and seniors. So we are proud to report that major refurbishments are complete at the indoor Roosevelt Park Pool on Graham Ave. in Southeast L.A. Interior renovations include pool replastering, repairing the pool building, upgrading restrooms and showers, plus installing a new perimeter concrete deck and new pool equipment. Outdoor upgrades include new grass, planting of Queen Palm trees, adding six new benches, reinstalling bike racks, plus new tennis court nets and repainted tennis courts as well as a new nearby picnic area and jogging path.

The Roosevelt Park Pool is a community treasure for so many local residents. Approximately 450 people -- and as many as 600 people -- use it each day, which is why it is so important for us to keep it in first-class condition. The L.A. County Dept. of Parks and Recreation provides myriad programs at the facility for free or at low cost. This includes synchronized swimming, aqua aerobics (pictured above), swimming lessons, and recreational swimming. The pool also is used to host the local swim team, water polo team, diving team, and junior guard. For more information on classes for seniors, call
(323) 586-7228. For any other information, call (323) 586-7203.

YORBITA RD. WALKWAY NOW A PICTURESQUE PATH

Everyone knows that just one local eyesore can ruin the look and feel of an entire neighborhood. So when unincorporated Valinda residents asked for upgrades to the short (but frequently trafficked) Yorbita Rd. walkway, we understood exactly what compelled them. The unlit dirt trail connected Sunshine Park to S. Yorbita Rd.

What's more, many local schoolchildren used it on their way to and from Yorbita Elementary School, which is located about a block away. The pathway could get very dark by late afternoon. That is a big concern -- especially now that daylight savings time is over.

We are pleased to report that upgrades to the Yorbita Rd. walkway are complete. After investing approximately $150,000, this formerly dark, dusty trail is now a bright, picturesque path. Whether coming to and from Yorbita Elementary School or Sunshine Park, local residents can rest assured that the pathway is smooth, safe, and well-lit. We are especially committed to keeping it free of graffiti. Call the county's Graffiti Hotline at (800) 675-4357 for graffiti removal within 48 hours.

HELPING THOSE IN NEED ON SKID ROW

Despite the incredible wealth generated in L.A. County and throughout the nation, thousands of Americans still go without basic food and shelter every single day. Many of them live in downtown L.A.'s Skid Row. So L.A. County has invested major time, energy and funding to helping those in need by increasing the supply of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing -- and by connecting the homeless population to available county services.

This includes (but is not limited to):

∙ Funding recuperative beds at the Bell Shelter in the City of Bell.

∙ Increasing bed space for homeless individuals suffering from severe mental illness (using Proposition 63 state monies).

∙ Providing housing and supportive services to 300 families in Skid Row.

∙ Streamlining services for our CalWORKS families.

∙ Allocating $200,000 to the Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children to operate two homeless shelters.

∙ Operating a homeless shelter in the Pico-Union/Westlake area.

It also includes contracting with the non-profit organization Common Ground to administer "Project 50." The goal of this program is to provide housing and intensive supportive service to 50 of the most vulnerable individuals living on Skid Row. Common Ground members experienced very positive results when they undertook a similar effort in New York City's Times Square. Especially during this Thanksgiving and holiday season, it is our hope that, through Project 50, Common Ground can replicate their services here in L.A. County.