Calendar of Events

Now thru Sat., May 10, 2008
Noon to 6 p.m. Wed.-Sat.
* Info at (323) 227-0275
“WALK--Macha Suzuki”
Art Exhibition
Sam Lee Gallery
990 N. Hill St., #190
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sat., Apr. 5-Sun., Apr. 6, 2008
10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Little Tokyo Cherry
Blossom Festival
244 S. San Pedro St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sat., Apr. 5, 2008
Starts at 9 a.m.
* Info at (626) 934-3083 *
City of Industry Sheriff’s
Youth Activities League
Opening Day Ceremony
Rimgrove Park
747 N. Rimgrove Dr.
Valinda, CA 91744

Sat., Apr. 5, 2008
Starts at 10 a.m.
* Info at (626) 969-4750 *
Renaissance Pleasure
Faire Opening Ceremonies
Santa Fe Dam
15501 Arrow Hwy.
Irwindale, CA 91706

Tues., Apr. 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

Wed., Apr. 9, 2008
Starts at 8 a.m.
* Info at (562) 817-0824 *
“Fighting the Credit Crunch”
Commercial Finance Seminar
Southern California Gas
Energy Resource Center
9240 Firestone Blvd.
Downey, CA 90241

Thurs., Apr. 10, 2008
* Property Taxes Due! *

Tues., Apr. 15, 2008
* Income Taxes Due! *

Tues., Apr. 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

Sun., Apr. 20, 2008
Passover

Tues., Apr. 22, 2008
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

Tues., Apr. 22, 2008
Starts at 6 p.m.
* Info at (213) 972-7219 *
Grand Avenue Project
Park Design Public
Outreach Meeting
135 N. Grand Ave., 2^nd Fl.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Wed., Apr. 23, 2008
Secretaries’ Day

Thurs., Apr. 24, 2008
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Metro Board of
Directors Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Mon., Apr. 28, 2008
Starts at 2 p.m.
Alameda Corridor East (ACE)
Board of Directors Meeting
Irwindale Council Chambers
5050 Irwindale Ave.
Irwindale, CA 91706

Tues., May 6, 2008
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 7, 2008
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Fiscal Year
2008-2009 Budget Hearing
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Fri., May 9, 2008
Starts at 11 a.m.
El Sereno Middle School
2^nd Annual “Dia de las Madres”
El Sereno Middle School
2839 N. Eastern Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90032

Fri., May 9, 2008
Starts at 6 p.m.
East Los Angeles
“Heroes Gala”
4801 E. Third St., Courtyard
Los Angeles, CA 90022

Sat., May 10, 2008
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
East L.A. Civic Center
Grand Dedication
“Concert Under the Stars” and
Fireworks Show
4801 E. Third St.
Los Angeles, CA 90022

Sun., May 11, 2008
Mother’s Day

Tues., May 13, 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., May 20, 2008
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 22, 2008
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Metro Board of
Directors Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Mon., May 26, 2008
Memorial Day
* County buildings closed *

Tues., May 27, 2008
Starts at 1 p.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
Public Hearing
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., June 3, 2008
Election Day!

Wed., June 4, 2008
Starts at 1 p.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., June 10, 2008
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sun., June 15, 2008
Father’s Day

Tues., June 17, 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., June 24, 2008
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

Thurs., June 26, 2008
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Metro Board of
Directors Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., July 1, 2008
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 4, 2008
Independence Day
* County buildings closed *

April 4, 2008 -- Volume IV, Issue II

COME TO THE RENAISSANCE PLEASURE FAIRE!

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire has returned to the Santa Fe Dam! Starting this Saturday and continuing through May 18^th, the Renaissance Faire will be open to the public each weekend from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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. Tickets to the Renaissance Faire are available by calling (626) 969-4750 or you can go to http://www.renfair.com/socal/.

SOUTH EL MONTE VILLAS GO ON THE MARKET

We recently celebrated the grand opening of the first phase of the South El Monte Villas housing complex. Located at 1641 Cogswell Road in South El Monte, California, the South El Monte Villas feature 30 gorgeous homes--most of which come with two bedrooms and half of which will be affordable to families earning 80 percent median income or 120 percent median income. Eleven homes were constructed during Phase I and 19 more are being constructed during Phase II.

All South El Monte Villas homes are being built by Mayans Development in conjunction with the L.A. County Community Development Commission, which provided a subsidy for the 15 affordable units using federal Home Ownership Program (HOP) funds. Many thanks to South El Monte Mayor Blanca Figueroa and the entire South El Monte City Council for being so supportive of this worthwhile project.

And we especially commend Ishmael Mayans--CEO of Mayans Development--for his commitment to providing high-quality homes at affordable prices. For more information on the South El Monte Villas housing complex, go to www.mayansdevelopment.com or call (714) 692-1900.

IRMA RESENDEZ: ‘WOMAN OF THE YEAR’

We proudly named Irma Resendez--co-founder of Familia Unida Living with Multiple Sclerosis--the First District’s “Woman of the Year” at the L.A. County Commission for Women’s 23^rd Annual Awards Banquet. Irma Resendez’ story is inspiring. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1990. The disease left her completely paralyzed from the waist down and substantially limited her upper extremities. During her difficult, year-long rehabilitation period, she was stunned to discover that culturally appropriate, expert information about services and resources for people

with Multiple Sclerosis were not available in Spanish from local or national organizations. So Irma Resendez and co-founder Edmundo Castellanos launched Familia Unida Living with Multiple Sclerosis. They have committed their lives to this organization, which, for the past four years, included an annual “wheelchair wash”--held last October in East L.A. Attendees got a free wheelchair wash plus free makeovers--including a hairstyling and manicure. They and their family caregivers also sampled delicious food, enjoyed live entertainment, and were connected with the latest county, state, and national social services for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.

Recently, Irma Resendez produced the first-ever bilingual, English/Spanish, culturally diverse educational video for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis titled, “You are not Alone/No estás Solo” with the support of Gloria Estefan Enterprises and Sony Records. She also is a HOPE Leadership Institute graduate. Familia Unida Living with Multiple Sclerosis is located at 4716 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Bldg. A in East L.A. For more information, go to www.msfamiliaunida.org.

SPEED BUMPS ALONG RIVERA RD. IN LOS NIETOS

Residents in the unincorporated Los Nietos neighborhood will be pleased to learn that L.A. County recently installed speed cushions along Rivera Rd. between Pioneer Blvd. and Norwalk Blvd. The purpose is simple: To reduce speeding along a residential road frequently trafficked by parents and staff heading to and from Los Nietos Middle School.
We also installed signs reminding motorists that the official speed limit on Rivera Rd. is 25 miles per

hour. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be watching closely for speeders on Rivera Rd.--and residents are encouraged to call the CHP directly at (562) 868-0503 to report potential violators. Many thanks to the Los Nietos School District and the members of Los Nietos More Advocates for Safe Home (MASH) for their work on this issue.

DODGER STADIUM JOB FAIR ATTRACTS OVER 4,000

Over 4,000 people attended the 13^th Annual L.A. Dodgers Community Job Fair at Dodger Stadium recently. They received information on openings at various of L.A. County agencies--including the Sheriff’s Dept., the Office of Public Safety, the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and the Dept. of Human Resources. They also learned of job opportunities at the LAPD, LAFD, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Internal Revenue Service as well as close to 100 private sector openings. For information L.A. County jobs, go to http://easier.co.la.ca.us/jobs/cfscripts/search_body.cfm.

ROOSEVELT SPARKS: ‘WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!’

Congratulations to the Roosevelt Park SPARKS cheerleading team based out of our Florence-Firestone neighborhood! They recently brought home three first place trophies from the SHARP State Championship cheerleading competition, which was held at Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, California: One in the “Mascot Cheer” category, another in the “Junior Cheer” category, and yet another in the “Hip-Hop” category. The Roosevelt Park SPARKS also brought home a second place trophy in the

“Senior Hip-Hop” category and a third place trophy in the “Junior Song” category. This is a great accomplishment by the Roosevelt Park SPARKS. We are proud of you!

ELAC GALA HOSTED AT DOROTHY CHANDLER

Hundreds of East Los Angeles College alumni gathered recently at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown L.A. for the ELAC Foundation 5^th Annual President’s Gala. The master of ceremonies was none other than Henry Alfaro, an award-winning Channel 7 Eyewitness News journalist whose face is a familiar one to television viewers throughout the Southland. Li Yu, the chairman and CEO of Preferred Bank, received the Corporate Citizen of the Year Award--presented to him by state Board of Equalization Chair Judy Chu. The foundation posthumously recognized Thomas Leland Silliman as Philanthropist of the Year for his lifetime of dedication to developing the Vincent Price Gallery and Art Museum at ELAC.

Many thanks to the foundation for honoring me as the “Alumna of the Year.” I attended ELAC part-time, like so many students who enter college today. As a full-time employee and the oldest of ten siblings, my time at ELAC certainly was challenging. Since then, ELAC has evolved. Many alumni have attained influential positions. But we must always remember that ELAC belongs to the entire Eastside community--not just one city or area--and that ELAC’s continued success is essential for countless students throughout the region.

CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ‘STEP’ UP TO SUCCESS

We encourage child care providers in the Florence-Firestone/Walnut park neighborhood and in Pomona to participate in the Step to Excellence Program (STEP).

It offers educational and financial resources specifically for providers who work with children up to five years of age--and who want to offer the best possible learning environment for their young clientele. STEP training is free. Once you’ve completed it, you’ll be eligible for an array of financial mini-grants. STEP is a great way for child care providers to grow their small businesses at a time when parents increasingly need high-quality child care. Approximately 150 child care centers in L.A. County already participate. If you operate a child care center in Florence-Firestone/Walnut Park or in Pomona, you can, too. For more information, call Helen Chavez of the L.A. County Office of Child Care at (213) 893-0505. Or go to www.ceo.lacounty.gov/ccp/step.htm#App.

KEEP FLORENCE-FIRESTONE CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL!

Help beautify our Florence-Firestone community by keeping it free of trash and by recycling whenever possible. It’s easy to do! Just call Allied Waste Services at (888) 742-5234 and they’ll supply your family with three trash bins:

A green bin for green waste, a blue bin for recyclables, and a black bin for all other waste. The bins are free! And instead of allowing trash to overflow, you can purchase additional bins for just $3 each. You also can call Allied Waste Services to schedule a special pick-up appointment for bulky items--like refrigerators, furniture, tires, rugs, and mattresses--or to dispose of “electronic waste,” such as old computers or television sets. These services are free of charge, too. For more information, go to the L.A. County Dept. of Public Works' website at www.888CleanLA.com.

LOS ANGELES PARENTS UNION CONF. ON APR. 19^th

All our children deserve an excellent education. But not all of them receive one--and, too often, this includes youth attending LAUSD public schools. Last year, a group of fed up parents said, “Enough!” They organized the Los Angeles Parents Union--and now it’s 4,000 members strong. On Sat., April 19^th at 9 a.m. at the L.A. Convention Center, the L.A. Parents Union will hold the “We Too Have A Dream Parents Conference 2008.”

Conference participants can attend workshops on a variety of topics, such as ensuring your child receives a college-prep curriculum; parents’ rights; college and university information; education resources in your community; tips on how to hold the LAUSD bureaucracy accountable; and the state of L.A.’s education reform movement. L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will speak. Participants can start their own Los Angeles Parents Union chapter or connect with an existing one. Chapters already exist at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights, Wilson High School in El Sereno, Garfield High School in East L.A., Huntington Park High School in Huntington Park, and South Gate High School in South Gate. For more information, call (213) 621-3052 or go to www.laparentsunion.org/.

BOYLE HEIGHTS OIL FACILITY MAY EXPAND

Since 1972, the Industrial Services Oil Co. in Boyle Heights has treated, stored, and disposed of oily water, antifreeze, and waste oil products. Located at 1700 S. Soto St. between E. Pico Blvd. and E. Washington Blvd., the 2.2-acre facility is conveniently located adjacent to a key Union Pacific railroad junction. The company creates lots of jobs. But they operated without a permit for years. And they produce pollution in a neighborhood struggling to generate more green space and lower children’s asthma rates.

So when local residents learned that the company plans to expand its operation by 40 percent, over 200 of them packed the Resurrection Church Hall to voice their concerns at an informal hearing sponsored by the agency that approved the expansion permit--the State of Calif. Dept. of Toxic Substance Control. The state permit will go into effect only if the City of L.A. also blesses the project. The final decision on this issue won’t come for a while. But L.A. City Councilman José Huizar--who represents the area and who testified at the hearing--opposes expansion.