Highland Park Residents Blog

Graffiti at N AVE 53 & GRANADA ST

The Service Request number is 499957

Graffiti at N AVE 54 & GRANADA ST

The Service Request number is GRR499990

Graffiti at N AVE 53 & Monte Vista ST

The Service Request number is GRR499991

We also had a fire at Monte Vista & Ave54 last night in front of the Liquor Store that is across the street from Monte Vista Elementary school.

Just a small trash can fire, but I have seen that happen there a few times.

Article reproduced courtesy of the Los Angeles Times, February 4, 2010:

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously shot down a proposal Wednesday that would have eliminated guaranteed city funding for the arts, after listening to often-impassioned pleas during a public hearing on cutting government services and jobs in the face of a municipal budget crisis.

The council also showed no appetite for a recommendation by City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana that would have erased the $4 million arts grants program.

Olga Garay, executive director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, said she would try to find at least $500,000 in savings in her current budget, as Santana has proposed. The council also decided to continue pursuing Santana’s plan to shift operations at nine or 10 community arts centers from the city to private, nonprofit groups.

“I think it was really a heartening sign that our elected officials heard the message that the arts are important in this community,” Garay said in an interview. She said the idea of more privately run arts centers — the city would still own the buildings and pay utilities and upkeep — doesn’t trouble her.

The plan to do away with the arts agency’s reliable funding was a major concern for Garay and arts advocates. Since 1989, the city has earmarked $1 in taxes per $100 of hotel room charges for the Department of Cultural Affairs — money that provides virtually its entire $9.6-million budget.

Six council members, including President Eric Garcetti, made a written motion last week to repeal guaranteed arts funding. But it never came to a vote because the council unanimously decided it should be “received and filed.”

That, City Clerk June Lagmay translated, is “a polite way of saying, ‘Trash it.’ “

Garay said the proposal hadn’t been “thought through as carefully as it should have been, but I’m not pointing fingers. [Council members] are desperate to come up with solutions. They have a Herculean task.”

The council heard from more than 30 speakers who decried the proposed arts cuts. Scores of others looked on in the council chamber, many sporting red stick-on badges provided by the Arts for L.A. advocacy group, which during the days before the meeting had led an e-mail campaign opposing gutting arts programs to help bridge a projected two-year budget gap of nearly $700 million.

Speakers warned that a city that claims to be a world capital of entertainment and culture would court widespread ridicule by eliminating arts grants and risk losing part of its civic soul. Others talked about the arts’ economic benefits and their role in keeping youngsters out of trouble.

“People have stood up to say what L.A. values are,” Garcetti said after the nearly two-hour public comment period. “It doesn’t mean Cultural Affairs won’t face some cuts.”

Among those who stood up was artist Lilia Ramirez, clad in a white gown and huge white angel wings as “a homage to the city of Los Angeles.”

“Art saved me,” she told council members. “I was in the streets, I wasn’t doing so good. Here I am today, giving love and light to everyone.”

- Mike Boehm

Hey Guys,

Because of the downpour, our local fire station is on stand by in the event of mudslides.  Since we like them to be a part of this, we feel it’s best to postpone, likely until next week.  So put your brooms and gloves away for one more week.  But if you feel so inclined to pick up a piece of trash while walking through the neighborhood…DO IT!

Hi Everyone,

After a little hiatus, it seems like some are eager to start our clean ups again!  So here’s the deets:

Saturday, 2/6

Leave at 8:30a from La Tropicana Market on Monte Vista.

Meet for coffee and OJ at the market beforehand is you wish!

Bring gloves, brooms, garbage bags – whatever you need to make it easier for you!

Route still needs to be decided.  We’re always open to suggestions, but please consider that many of us are coming with young kids and cannot do long/hard routes.  Post a comment if you have an area that needs extra attention this week!

***The forecast shows possible rain.  If it’s sprinkling, I say party on.  In the event of heavier rain, it will likely get postponed until next weekend.

Sorry for the late notice, this is quite important. Some of you have heard of the motion coming up tomorrow AM in the city council, a proposal to eliminate the 1% hotel tax which is the Dept of Cultural Affairs only dedicated source of funding.  Ed Reyes is not one of the sponsors. Please act tonight or tomorrow morning, email or call him, or if possible, attend the meeting and speak. His office number is (213) 485-3451. Email:   councilman.reyes@lacity.org

Kathy Gallegos of Avenue 50 Studio wrote: Re:  Action Alert Cultural Affairs grants in jeopardy

Dear Friends:  I want to alert you to a City Counsel meeting that will take place Wednesday, February 3 at 10:00 am at City Hall in the council chamber.  There is a motion being heard “Item 13” which will remove the guaranteed funding from the hotel tax which comprises the entire budget for the Department of Cultural Affairs.  DCA is not funded though tax dollars, solely through this tax on hotel tourism.  The grants program is being targeted; all existing grants will be revoked and no grants will be given next year.  Please see motion http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2010/10-0150_MOT_01-27-10.pdf, and LA Times article http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-la-budget30-2010jan30,0,7045652.story.

What this motion does is open the door for the City Council to reduce or eliminate funding for DCA’s programs without any impediments.  It is clear through the LA Times articles that the grant program that support small arts organizations such as the Avenue 50 and other arts organizations throughout the city is the target.  Our organization is dependent on this funding which supports artists and the arts community and has social and economic impact for the many artists we serve.  This is a serious situation unlike those that may have happened in the previous years.  This is real.  If you want the City Council to see the faces and hear the voices of those impacted, I want to encourage you to attend this meeting. If you want to speak you need to fill out a card and hand it to the bailiff.  There is public comment opportunity for you to speak for about one minute. I will be there.  I hope to see you there too.

Kathy

Hathaway-Sycamores Resource Center (Music Room)

840 N. Avenue 66

6200 Meridian, Los Angeles, CA 90042

6:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

Click here for Agenda

Hi Everyone,

 I am Sensei Zuniga, from the Nippon Kempo Academy. Our school has just moved into its new location this January. We are VERY EXCITED to continue being part of the Highland Park Community.  The Nippon Kempo Academy’s goals are to build our students into excellent Black Belts.  To make our students more successful in life through the practice of Nippon Kempo. To ALWAYS influence them in a positive manner and make our students PRODUCTIVE members of society. We would like to get involve in the community events and offer our help in any way posible. Please keep us in mind for your next COMMUNITYCLEAN UP DAY. 

Thank you in advance.

Sensei Zuniga

Candidate filing packets for HHPNC 2010 Election are available here:  http://cityclerk.lacity.org/election/ncdocs/HISTORIC%20HIGHLAND%20PARK%20NC.pdf

The following is an email from the director of our local community garden about a new afterschool program they have launched:

Please see the attached press release for the new “LA Sprouts” after school program that we are launching this week at the Milagro Allegro Community Garden in Highland Park. This 12-week program will teach gardening, cooking and nutrition on Tuesday and Friday afternoons at the garden to 4th and 5th graders from LAUSD’s Loreto Elementary School enrolled in LA’s BEST. The goal of LA Sprouts is reduce the risk of obesity and encourage healthy eating habits in children. Monthly visits to the Old LA Farmer’s market in Highland Park are planned as part of the curriculum.

This program has been several months in development, has involved tremendous collaborative efforts from a number of groups, and we are very excited to see it getting off the ground. The nutrition and cooking component will be taught by PhD students from USC’s Department of Preventive Medicine Childhood Obesity Research Center. The gardening component will be taught by Master Gardeners from the UC Extension Common Ground program with assistance from Homegirl Cafe.

Funding for LA Sprouts is provided by a Community Benefit Grant from Kaiser Permanente. The Cypress Park Neighborhood Council has committed funds for Gold Line passes for students. The North Figueroa Association will provide vouchers that may be used by students at the Old LA Farmer’s Market in Highland Park. The South Central Farmers will supply fresh organic produce for the cooking classes. A talented young designer from Art Center College of Design designed and fabricated a mobile kitchen island for the project. Whole Foods Market Arroyo will supply cooking staples, cleaning supplies, and kitchen utensils promoting more plant-based, whole food options, as part of their larger commitment to the community and healthy eating education. Slow Food Los Angeles has also contributed to the program and is continuing the partnership that began last year when Milagro Allegro Community Garden hosted one of the Slow Food “Time for Lunch” events aimed to improve food served in schools.

This program is unique in that we will be collecting data to assess the impact of this program on health outcomes including childhood obesity, blood pressure, dietary intake and other nutritional behaviors related to healthy eating.

Thank you for your continued interest and support of Milagro Allegro Community Garden.

Download Press Release

Hi All,

I found this awesome organization Healthy Corner Stores Network from an article in the new issue of the Journal of Aesthetics and Protest. The article is titled Food Justice Now!

I thought that some of us might be interested in what this article has to say and ways we can help to build healthier food sources in our neighborhood.

HISTORIC HIGHLAND PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING AND AGENDA
ELECTION COMMITTEE
Rick Marquez, Chair
AND
ELECTION OUTREACH AD-HOC COMMITTEE
Rick Marquez, Chair

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2010
LUTHER BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA
6200 Meridian, Los Angeles, CA 90042
6:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

AGENDA
1. Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
2. Public Comment

ACTION ITEMS
3. Discussion and Motion on HHPNC Outreach Plan and General Plan for 2010 Elections.

4. Motion to allocate and spend the remaining approved HHPNC funds ($1,500) for Election Outreach

5. Motion to approve poster printing for candidate outreach (100-200 units) cost shall not exceed $500

6. Discussion and Motion to collaborate with CORO (outreach services) with remaining $1500 budget, allocated by HHPNC to Election ad-hoc Outreach Committee/Election Committee for the elections, (no more than $1000)

7. Discussion and Motion to approve other outreach costs for candidate filing period. (i.e. banners, fliers, balloons, media..etc.) not to exceed $500

FOR ELECTION INFORMATION: CALL (323) 945-6222 OR VISIT

The public is requested to fill out a “Speaker Card” to address the board on any item of the agenda prior to the Board taking action on an item. Comments from the public on Agenda items will be heard only when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the Agenda that is within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the Public Comment period. Public comment is limited to 2 minutes per speaker, unless waived by the presiding officer of the Board. Agenda is posted for public review at: 91) M.A.N. Insurance Agency located at 5000 York Boulevard, (2) Ramona Hall Community Center located at 4580 North Figueroa Street, (3) Police Historical Museum located at 6045 York Boulevard, (4) Fire Station #12 located at 5921 North Figueroa Street, (5) Highland Market located at 6901 North Figueroa (at Burwood), and (6) when possible, the Arroyo Seco Branch Library located at 6145 North Figueroa Street. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting the Neighborhood Council at (323) 256-8921 or e-mail to Mark.Lewis@lacity.org.

www.HistoricHighlandPark.org
HISTORIC HIGHLAND PARK
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
POST OFFICE BOX 50791
LOS ANGELES, CA 90050
TELEPHONE: (323) 256-8921
HTTP://WWW.HISTORICHIGHLANDPARK.ORG
certified as NC#33 28-MAY-2002

EXECUTIVE BOARD
Dr. Richard Dyke
PRESIDENT
Dr. Stanley W. Moore
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT
VACANT
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
JOE GALISH
SECRETARY
Henry Kiefer
TREASURER
C/O Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
305 E. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Telephone: (213) 485-1360
Fax: (213) 485-4608

ISSUE DIRECTORS
Yvonne Sarceda, ARTS, CULTURE & ARCHITECTURE
Chris Smith, CITY SERVICES & TRANSPORTATION
Gemma Marquez, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
VACANT, HOUSING
David Baird, LAND USE
VACANT , OUTREACH & COMMUNICATI
Dr. Nicole Gatto, PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY
VACANT, HUMAN RELATIONS,
EDUCATION & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

DIRECTORS AT LARGE
Miriam Escobar Ofelia Zuniga Linda Phelps
Humberto Escobar Vanessa Ruiz Steve Crouch
Mauro Garcia VACANT
CITY OF LOS ANGELES
CALIFORNIA