Operation Donation: Help the Japanese

OPERATION DONATION: HELP THE JAPANESE

Los Angeles Harbor College's Psychology Club and LLN (The Latina Leadership Network) are going to be accepting monetary donations to aid with the disaster relief in Japan.

Help send much needed supplies to the nation of Japan by donating a dollar or more this upcoming Wednesday, and receive a commemorative ribbon.

• When: Wednesday, March 30th
• Time: 8am - 3pm
• Where: In front of the NEA (Northeast Academic) Building

*All proceeds go to the American Red Cross*

LAHC presents: Poetry & Spoken Word Night

7-11 Coming to Two Wilmington Locations and CRA/LA Does Not Have the Support of the WNC

Yesterday, February 23, 2011, at the Senior Citizen Center about 15 residents attended the Wilmington Neighborhood Council (WNC) meeting eager to speak out their opinions on what decisions should be made for the Wilmington community. A group of middle-aged Latina women gathered around a table while a professional interpreter listened attentively trying to get every point across to these women.

At the beginning of the meeting public comments were taken from Wilmington residents who wanted to speak out on a particular issue. Don Compton, a retired educator who is passionate about progress in Wilmington and attends almost every meeting turned in a speaker comment sheet. Even though he is legally blind, he claims to see every issue affecting Wilmington clearly and always vigorously speaks his mind. When Compton’s name was called the chair of the WNC, Tom Dahlgren, allowed Compton to say his comment from where he was standing.

“On Monday, February 28, 2011, the Port of LA will hold an update meeting on the Waterfront project at the Crowne Royal Plaza Hotel in San Pedro…they’ll be talking about the construction of what I call the “Dead Car Museum” better known as the Red Car Museum and using the Bekins facility to build this and it is important for everyone to attend!” said Don Compton in loud voice.

In Wilmington the population is at least 54,000 people based on the 2000 Census. Most likely those numbers have increased. Out of these thousands of residents only about 15 people, predominantly older people, attended the WNC meeting last night. By the end of the meeting there were three residents in the public who were willing to listen to the final decisions made and say their comments. These were some of the presentations and items voted on yesterday:


1. Harbor Department, Community Relations Office Report:
330 vehicles were given traffic citations. Out the 330 citations 104 were violations by trucks. Both moving and parking violations.


2. Public Library Representatives: Two public library representatives talked about measure L and asked for the support of the community and WNC to vote YES on measure L to avoid the cutting of funding.




3. Sharefest Inc.: A representative of the non-profit organization gave a PowerPoint presentation, which included all the positive work they’ve done in the community, specifically at Banning High School and Avalon High School. They provide courses such as physical activity, college prep and tutoring, job readiness, and more. They gave statistics showing how their program has helped increase the amount of students graduating from Avalon High Schoool from no more than 10 graduating to now more than 50 and there has also been a 97% increase of attendance. They asked for funding support from the WNC.

4. Los Angeles County Mental Health Commission: Executive Director, Terry G. Lewis gave a presentation of their program which helps millions of people in L.A. County suffering from different types of mental illnesses. They have a help line available 24/7, 1-800-854-7771

Their goal is to bring light to this issue and introduced a new program they started called “Not in My Backyard” which focuses on breaking the stigma against the mentally ill. They’re also working on developing a center in 2014 where their organization will provide marriage and mental health counseling.

5. Community Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles (CRA/LA) asked the WNC to write a letter to the state capital in support of CRA to avoid funding cuts. The majority of the WNC voted not to write this letter, therefore the WNC will not support this. One of the arguments given was that the money could be used to fund public education instead.

6. The majority of the WNC voted yes on opening two 7-11’s. One on Wilmington Blvd. and Pacific Coast Highway where the Radio Shack is located. The Radio Shack will remain there and the landlord claims to provide more parking. Where the marijuana dispensary was at, the laundry mat will be moved. The second location will be at the corner of PCH and Avalon where Papa John’s use to be. No alcohol will be sold at the location and produce will be available to encourage healthy eating.

To get the complete minutes check out the WNC website

What's Up with the Waterfront Project?

The Port of Los Angeles will be holding a meeting Monday, February 28 at 6:00 PM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Pedro to discuss the development plans of the Waterfront project. Some of you might have already noticed that construction is currently in progress off Harry Bridges in Wilmington. The expected date of completion is sometime this summer.

In the agenda of what will be built as part of the Waterfront the Port of Los Angeles has a Red Car Museum listed. There are rumors that this museum will be built at the three-story vacant building, also known as the Bekins building, located in Wilmington on Fries Avenue and C Street. Not surprising at all, San Pedro and the Port of Los Angeles are making decisions for Wilmington.

Supposedly Wilmington residents vote on these decisions. I wonder which Wilmington residents are voting on this, because the majority of the Wilmington community has no idea of the plans being decided for this Waterfront project.

Not to say that this Red Car museum is a horrible idea, but considering that there is a lack of resources in Wilmington a museum will not help resolve the problems of high school drop out rates, gang violence, foreclosures and more.

Even though Wilmington is the “Heart of the Harbor,” for many years it has been controlled by the powers of the ports, refineries, and oil industries that solely make decisions on self-interest instead of the interest for the Wilmington community.

At this meeting, on February 28, there will be an opportunity for Wilmington residents to give their input on what they think the current vacant spaces should be used for. It is obvious that in Wilmington there is a lack of resources such as recreational spaces, educational centers, art centers and much more.


The Bekins building is large enough to not only have one of the centers mentioned above but all the centers. Perhaps even the Red Car museum. Wilmington already has two museums, the Banning Mansion and the Drum Barracks Museum, and after attending those museums once no one sets their foot there again.

This is the time for Wilmington to speak out and voice what they believe is needed. Otherwise, the powers that have been controlling Wilmington will continue to until they get what they want. You can make your own conclusion on what you think they want.

Check out this website to get updates on the Waterfront project

I hope to see you all at the meeting Monday, February 28! Click here to RSVP

13 Great Outdoor Places to Run in L.A.

(From left: Reed Saxon / Associated Press; Los Angeles Times; Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Running and moderate exercise is not only good for your body, but also good for your mood!

A study conducted by Dr. Jeremy Sibold of The University of Vermont, Burlington, concluded that, "Moderate intensity aerobic exercise improves mood immediately and those improvements can last up to 12 hours."(Doheny, Kathleen. Health.US News.com).

Thankfully, The L.A. Times Newspaper posted an article in which they name thirteen of the best running and hiking places in Los Angeles. Not only will you enjoy a calorie-burning jog, but you'll do it surrounded by natural beauty. Best of all...it's free!

Click the following link for information on the various beach, mountain, and park trails: LA Times

Happy running!

The "Clean-Up, Green-Up" Plan

Article sourced from The Daily Breeze

Wilmington Given "Green Zone" Designation

By Erin Richards Staff Writer

Posted: 01/21/2011 07:15:32 PM PST

Updated: 01/21/2011 07:29:38 PM PST

Auto repair and tire store on Fries Avenue in Wilmington.
(Brad Graverson / Staff Photographer)

Wilmington residents could soon receive a respite from the area's long history of pollution.

Under a motion backed Friday by five members of the Los Angeles City Council, Wilmington is one of three city neighborhoods recognized as "toxic hot spots" that could be redesignated as "green zones."

The "Clean-Up, Green-Up" plan aims to attract green businesses and use environmental innovation and planning in the port town, as well as in Pacoima and Boyle Heights.

The proposal will allocate funding and offer tax incentives for green businesses, provide strategies for cleaning up polluted areas and create job opportunities.

The plan is gaining early support from local residents and concerned environmentalists.

Auto dismantling yard in Wilmington. (Brad Graverson / Staff Photographer)

About 100 people gathered at Breed Street Elementary School in Boyle Heights on Friday to voice support for the "green zones."

"The people of Boyle Heights, Pacoima and Wilmington deserve healthy and livable communities, especially for those who are most vulnerable to the high levels of pollution in toxic hot spot neighborhoods," said Leonardo Vilchis, co-director for Union de Vecinos, a collection of local activists.

The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce is cautiously optimistic about the campaign.

"It's most likely to create more business opportunities and jobs for people out here," said Executive Director Dan Hoffman. "But we have to look before we leap."

The plan will also mean tighter controls and enforced regulations for heavy polluters, including the numerous metal recyclers, auto body shops and chrome-platers that abound in Wilmington, often within blocks of residential areas.

Wilmington street scene at Anaheim Street and Avalon Boulevard.
(Brad Graverson / Staff Photographer)

"This is what we need to clean up our neighborhoods and create good-paying green jobs where they are desperately needed," said Councilwoman Janice Hahn, one of the motion's presenters. Wilmington is in the heart of Hahn's 15th Council District.

Despite the initial positive response from environmental groups, some local business owners are worried that the proposal will overlook the most deserving areas.

"It needs to go here, for downtown, not out there in the industrial areas," said 28-year-old business owner Donald Rebek. "This is the heart of the city."

City analysts have 90 days to report to two committees - the Jobs and Business Development Committee and the Planning and Land Use Management Committee - which will then submit recommendations to the council for approval.

Voting on the "Clean-Up, Green-Up" recommendations is expected to happen within three to four months.

erin.richards@dailybreeze.com

WECAN Fundraiser @ WJC Adult Day Program Center

WECAN FUNDRAISER: Double Feature Art Film Screening

Saturday, January 22, 2010
7:00 pm - 12:00 am

WJC Adult Day Program Center

1148 Avalon Blvd.
Wilmington, CA 90744

Your presence will be highly appreciated at wecan's double feature premiere of selected films that embody the voice of the art that has been represented in the 21st century.

Selected short films will be shown during intermission

Show starts at 7:00pm
Suggested donation $3

Food and beverages will be sold at the screening

Please join us for wecan's first show of the year!

-WECAN

Connect with Wilmington's very own budding artists at WECAN on Facebook!

LA Couny Housing Resource Center & HPRP

Have you experienced job loss? Reduced hours at work? Having trouble paying rent, paying past-due utility bills, or possibly need funds for utility turn-on fees? If so, then The L.A. County Housing Resource Center & HPRP are here to help. The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid-Housing Program could be of monetary assistance for you and your families during this difficult economy.

To find out if eligible, please visit the county's program online and fill out a pre-screening questionnaire at: http://housing.lacounty.gov/HPRP/Launch.html, or simply call 2-1-1 for more assistance with this program.

Please click on the images below to zoom in on details, both English and Spanish attached.

YMCA'S "Get Moving" Campaign

YMCA Urges South Bay to 'Get Moving'

By Shanley Knox Staff Writer

Posted: 01/19/2011 06:32:26 PM PST

Updated: 01/19/2011 06:32:37 PM PST

Lucy Mackuse has a vision to get Los Angeles County moving, one YMCA at a time.

"We want to be in the forefront of the prevention of child obesity, prevention of diabetes, prevention of heart disease," said Mackuse, operations executive director for the San Pedro & Peninsula, Gardena-Carson and Wilmington YMCAs. "We should be partnering with our community and making sure that we fight this and that we help people understand what healthy lifestyle means."

Mackuse is part of a team spearheading Southern California's first "Get Moving" campaign, a YMCA initiative Mackuse began while she was in South Florida.

The yearlong "Get Moving South Bay" program began Jan. 6 with events at the Gardena and San Pedro YMCA locations. There were walks at both sites, as well as chefs preparing healthy foods and consultations from health professionals, including a pulmonary specialist and a massage therapist.

Julie Turner Tisue, executive director of the San Pedro & Peninsula YMCA, said "Get Moving" is designed for people who do not already integrate athletics into their schedules.

"Get Moving's" specific goal is to get people moving 10,000 steps a day, which translates into 30 minutes of exercise.

Participants are encouraged to wear a pedometer to track steps during daily activities such as walking to and from their car and taking the stairs instead of the elevator, along with any planned exercise.

"The Y has always been focused on helping our community be healthier. But this is the first time we've really taken this larger, all-coordinated effort to work on community health," Tisue said.

"With the state of health care today, and the costs associated with being sick, and the reality that a lot of our illnesses stem from behaviors that we can change - you could throw all the health care dollars in the world at people but if they don't start moving more and making better healthy eating choices, it will never be enough money," she said. "We have to lower the rate of obesity in our communities."

"Get Moving South Bay" was spurred by research showing that the largest health problems in Los Angeles County include heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer and depression.

Mackuse said studies have indicated that 50 percent of all diseases are preventable through a modified lifestyle, and regular exercise has been proven to reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer and respiratory disease, among others.

A study conducted by the University of Tennessee found that middle-aged women who take at least 10,000 steps per day are more likely to have healthy body weight and body fat percentages, which reduces risk for obesity, heart disease and other illnesses.

Participants in the "Get Moving" kickoff were given initial consultations and personalized workout recommendations. But Mackuse said the day was only the beginning of a much longer commitment to motivate the South Bay.

New YMCA members are being programmed into the Y's FitLinxx system, a program that will track the progress of each participant throughout 2011. FitLinxx is designed to motivate users by marking certain fitness goals.

"This initiative ... is really in line with our focus of community health, or building a healthier community, and social responsibility," Mackuse said.

"There isn't a bigger mission that the Y could have - and a more important mission that the Y could have - than helping our communities become healthier."

Shanley Knox is a freelance writer.

Article derived from The Daily Breeze

Dep't. of Justice & Facebook Team Up

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children - Department of Justice and Facebook join teams in the fight against child abduction and kidnappings. If you have a Facebook account, please add and share the Amber Alert® Page to obtain live stream information. When such crimes are committed, time is of the essence.

The AMBER Alert Program is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement, media, transportation and others to send bulletins about child-abduction cases. Visit your state AMBER Alert page for alerts in your area. Info at www.amberalert.gov

Thank you.

Watch live streaming video from facebookdclive at livestream.com

“Freedom from Fear Award” Will Honor Fifteen People with $5,000

Do you know of someone who is courageous, fearless, and advocates for social change? If you do they might be the perfect candidate to nominate for the Freedom from Fear Award. Geri Mannion and Taryn Higashi are founders of the awards and are also co-recipients of the Council on Foundations 2009 Robert W. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking.

The name Freedom From Fear Award was inspired by Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s famous “four freedoms” speech, where he focused on the four fundamental freedoms that all people worldwide have the right to.

• Freedom of speech and expression;
• Freedom of religion;
• Freedom from want; and
• Freedom from fear.

Mannion and Higashi were recognized by the Council on Foundations for their leadership of the Four Freedoms Fund, a national funding collaborative that has invested more than $35 million since 2003 in more than 85 grantees working in 33 states to protect immigrants against abuses, promote humane immigration policies, engage newcomers in civic life and build bridges between receiving communities and new residents.

Both have decided to donate the $10,000 cash prize accompanying the Scrivner Award to establish the Freedom From Fear Award. Since the award was first launched 40 other individuals and foundations have partnered in to help commence the award. Click here to see the list of donors.

For guidelines and to nominate someone click here

Good luck!

New Driving Laws & New Fees for 2011

New Driving Laws & New Fees for 2011

New laws increase the opportunities for ticket mailing

By Matt Baume and John Adams
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Story from www.nbclosangeles.com

Facing thousands of deaths each year on California roads, the state has taken steps to protect life and limb. A handful of new road safety laws take effect this month, according to Streetsblog.

Starting this month, dangerous drivers will have to answer for their deeds to the state, rather than to local jurisdictions. That will ensure uniform enforcement of speeding, DUI, and reckless endangerment laws, and also gets the state Department of Motor Vehicles involved.

The result will be fewer crazy drivers on the road, with the DMV empowered to revoke the license of habitual accident-causers.

Enablers of drunk drivers will face particularly stiff penalties. Adults who serve liquor to minors will be held accountable if those minors cause accidents.

And watch where you park: street sweepers will now be equipped with cameras to ticket cars illegally blocking the street - at least that'd mean they'd actually be out cleaning the street which isn't always the case.

The new laws come at a time when the City of Los Angeles is cash-strapped and singing the budget blues. However, the new laws aren't the only changes coming in 2011 as the price for breaking those laws (and the old ones) is changing too.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the state is adding $4 to the price of every traffic ticket to pay for emergency air transport services because of a revenue shortfall in Medi-Cal funding. It is set to generate an estimated $34 million a year through 2016, according to state estimates.

"We have so many different fees tacked on to traffic tickets and many tickets are in the $400 range now," Auto Club of Southern California spokeswoman Marie Montgomery told the Times. "They should be paying a fine because they broke the law but it's just a question of how disproportionate this is on drivers versus other taxpayers."

Are you thinking of solving the ticket dilemma by selling your car and investing in a bike? Well, new laws will also affect LA bikers with weaken penalties for bike theft..

The new threshold for "grand theft" is nearly a thousand dollars, which means that most bicycles won't qualify. Seems like there ought to be a way to consider factors like "suspect took victim's primary mode of transportation to work, depriving them of income" when charging thieves.