Yearly Archives: 2008

LACMA Invites L.A. To Free Community Weekend

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) welcomes all of L.A. to its Free Community Weekend, celebrating the opening of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM), and other key features of Phase I of LACMA’s ongoing transformation.

During the weekend-long extravaganza Saturday, February 16 through Monday, February 18 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, visitors will explore BCAM, the BP Grand Entrance, outdoor works by Chris Burden, Robert Irwin, Jeff Koons, and Charles Ray, as well as LACMA’s newly installed modern art galleries and the reconfigured Atrium in the Ahmanson Building. The rest of LACMA’s galleries of European, American, Asian, Islamic, and Indian art will also be open free of charge for all to enjoy. A full schedule of entertainment is planned as well. LACMA’s Free Community Weekend is sponsored by Target.

While all three days of LACMA’s Community Weekend are free, tickets are required. Tickets can be reserved by calling the LACMA box office at 323 857-6010, or by visiting www.lacma.org

The following entertainment will be presented throughout LACMA on all three days of the Free Community Weekend:

11:00 am-4:00 pm

Live music & performance, sound artists, artist-led workshops – Hancock Park

LACMA’s backyard comes alive with a variety of sights and sounds. Artist Hadley Holliday will be holding a weekend-long workshop where she’ll ask participants to engage in a special group sculpture. On Monday, artist Peggy Hasegawa will lead an origami-like paper architecture workshop.

Monday will also feature live musical performances by bands Ars Poetria at 11:00 pm and the Aquabats at 2:00 pm. All weekend long visitors can enjoy and participate in the eclectic sounds of Alan Nakagawa and his fellow sound artists who have made unique instruments out of recycled materials. While guests are in the park, they can also sign kids up for LACMA NexGen, the nation’s only free youth membership program.

11:00 am-4:00 pm

Los Angeles Contemporary Dance – South Plaza

This innovative, culturally influenced dance troupe will be performing short, art-inspired dance sets in response to Chris Burden’s outdoor artwork, Urban Light, and Robert Irwin’s palm garden.

All Day

Roaming Performers – Throughout LACMA

Avant Garde stilt-walkers, head-dress-making balloon artists, and magicians will wander LACMA’s campus. Visitors will also see intricate, artist-designed bird puppets soaring through the crowds.

All Day

Photo Booth – Los Angeles Times Central Court

Guests can make their museum memories last by hopping into LACMA’s specially designed photo booth for commemorative snapshots.

All Day

Live Deejays – North Plaza

Deejays will spin throughout the day for those who love to dance or just relax to the sounds on LACMA’s outdoor plaza.

All Day

Construct – Boone Children’s Gallery

Kids’ imaginations can run wild in Construct; an exhibition that lets children paint, sculpt, draw, and even design buildings in the Renzo Piano-inspired architectural square.

LA County Women At Greater Risk For Heart Disease

To commemorate American Hearth Month, Los Angeles County public health officials are advising residents, especially women, to learn about factors that put them at risk for cardiovascular disease and take immediate steps to reduce and control those risks. Cardiovascular disease, commonly referred to as heart disease, includes coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure and several other conditions including arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, and peripheral arterial disease.

To put it into perspective, a woman dies every minute from cardiovascular disease nationally. Heart disease is still the leading cause of death, among women, yet many women do not perceive themselves as being at the same risk as men said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Public Health Director and County Health Officer.

Heart disease and stroke are also the leading causes of premature death and disability in LA County. Data from the LA County Office of Women’s Health indicate that adult women in LA County die from cardiovascular disease at a higher rate than the national rate, with the largest disparities among African American women. Additionally, 52% of African American women, 38% of Latinas and 35% of white women were found to be at risk for heart disease, defined as having two or more of the following factors: cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high blood cholesterol.

Even though 53% (459,000) of cardiovascular deaths in 2005 nationally were in women compared to 47% (411,000) in men, awareness that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women is much lower than the awareness that it is the leading cause of death among men. Also, a 2006 national study conducted by the American Heart Association evaluated trends in women’s awareness, knowledge, and perceptions related to cardiovascular disease since 1997. Although awareness has increased, knowledge gaps exists among ethnic and racial minorities. Only 31% of African American women and 29% of Latina women compared to 68% of white women reported cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of death.

While progress has been made against some factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease in the general LA County residents, many challenges still remain. Trends in cigarette smoking between 1997 and 2005 indicate a decline in some county residents, especially among Latino, white, and Asian adults, however rates are still climbing among African Americans. In addition obesity increased from 12% to 21% in the same period, and a substantial proportion of adults (37.5%) report a sedentary lifestyle.

A phone survey conducted by the Office of Women’s Health helps women determine their risk for heart disease. Women can call a toll-free hotline, 1-800-793-8090, for their Healthy Heart Risk Assessment. Based on the caller’s risk level, they will receive an information packet in their preferred language that includes educational materials on heart disease prevention and a resource guide for free and low-cost health and fitness programs in LA County. Operators are available in 7 languages Monday – Friday 8:30 am-6:00 pm. Services are provided in the following languages: English, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Vietnamese and Armenian. The goal of this phone-based, multi-language survey is to raise awareness and reach low-income women that might not have access to a traditional health care network.

Supervisors Knabe and Molina Announce New Trash Collection Service Begins In South Whittier April 1, 2008

Los Angeles County Supervisors

Don Knabe and Gloria Molina announced recently that the much anticipated new trash collection service in South Whittier begins April 1, 2008. An exclusive Franchise Agreement has been provided to Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. for solid waste collection services to residents in South Whittier.

This agreement will allow us to offer better trash and recycling services to the residents of South Whittier, said Supervisor Knabe. The agreement will help the County provide more efficient service while reducing service fees. Additionally, working with individual haulers will help us keep better track of our residential waste diversion rate, which is important as the state enforces minimum rates.

The County’s new Franchise system is helping us better serve our unincorporated communities. A binding agreement between the County and Burrtec will provide efficient and cost-effective trash hauling services to our residents and hold the trash hauler accountable for quality customer service, said Supervisor Molina. South Whittier residents will also now pay a lower rate than those offered by previous trash haulers.

Prior to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW) call for proposals, the department spent several years working with trash haulers throughout the County to ensure an adequate process was established for the development of the County’s Trash Franchise system.

A competitive process was used for selecting the exclusive waste hauler, and proposals were evaluated based on the rate, work plan, experience, financial strength, and other criteria received by residents during community meetings and a survey in 2005.

In addition to reporting, screening protocols and un-permitted waste and safety requirements, the South Whittier franchise agreement at a $17.67 monthly rate includes:

– Once-a-week automated trash collection

– One 96-gallon refuse, one 96-gallon green waste, and one 96-gallon recycling containers

– One extra green waste container and/or recycling free of charge upon request

vAdditional refuse containers at $5 per container per month upon request

– Free Holiday tree collection

– Annual curbside clean-up event (including electronic waste)

– On-call bulky item collections twice a year in unlimited quantities (including electronic waste

– Four special community clean-up events per year

– Free roll-out services for elderly and/or disabled

– Customer Education Program

– A 25 percent senior discount for residents 62 or older who either (1) qualifies for utility rate discounts based on financial need and is the head of household, or (2) generates small amounts of waste and uses 32-gallon containers

– Annual curbside clean-up event (including electronic waste)

– On-call bulky item collections in unlimited quantities (twice per year, including electronic waste)

The recycling programs, such as Universal/E-Waste cleanup events, Sharps Program, illegal dumping prevention and cleanup activities, and others will provide residents with convenient opportunities to dispose of hard-to-handle wastes. It will also increase recycling and assist the County in meeting the State’s 50 percent waste reduction mandate (AB939) and avoid penalties.

Another benefit to the community is cleaner air and less pollution from gas emissions because all residential refuse and recycling service trucks in South Whittier will use Alternative Fuel Vehicles for operation. These vehicles will operate under a liquid natural gas (LNG) or a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system.

For more information, contact the Franchise Hotline at (800) 993-5844 or www.888CleanLA.com

Traffic Signal Synchronization Project Complete In Long Beach And Paramount

The County of Los Angeles has completed the construction of a Traffic Signal Synchronization Project in the Fourth District cities of Long Beach and Paramount, Supervisor Don Knabe announced recently.

The $1,022,691 project was financed with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Grant Funds and Proposition C Local Return Funds, and focused on coordinating the timing of signals along Eastern Avenue/Garfield Avenue/Cherry Avenue between Pacific Coast Highway and Atlantic Boulevard.

This project is part of the County’s ongoing program to enhance traffic flow and safety for drivers and pedestrians. Prior projects have shown travel times through these synchronized routes are reduced by as much as 24 percent during peak travel hours and as much as 29 percent during other periods of the day.

It is important that we constantly look for ways to reduce congestion and improve the flow of traffic on our roads, said Supervisor Knabe. By synchronizing these traffic signals, both the residents of these cities and the nearby unincorporated County areas that travel these routes will benefit.

Knabe Establishes Rewards For Information Related To Three Shooting Deaths In Long Beach

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved three $10,000 rewards today, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to two different shooting incidents that led to three deaths in the City of Long Beach.

On Saturday, January 19, 2008, Dennis Moses, 17, and Breon Taylor, 15, were shot and killed while attending a birthday party at the Lakewood Masonic Center located on East Parkcrest Street. Police believe a fight occurred between people at the party, which led to gunfire. The very next day, on Sunday, January 20, 2008, Ikime Sims, 20, was found outside a house near 68th Way and Orcutt Avenue with a gunshot wound to his lower body. He was transported to a local hospital, but died shortly after.

It is important for the County of Los Angeles to display its resolve in protecting innocent citizens from appalling crimes, said Supervisor Knabe. In order to bring these suspects to justice, and demonstrate our intolerance to such deplorable crimes, I believe these reward should be established, hoping someone will come forward so that we can bring these suspects to justice.

Any person having any information related to the January 19 incident is asked to contact Detectives Mark McGuire or Hugo Cortes of the Long Beach Police Department – Homicide Division at (562) 570-7244. Any person having any information related to the January 20 incident is asked to contact Detectives William Matsubara or David Rios of the Long Beach Police Department – Homicide Division at (562) 570-7244.

Construction Set To Begin On Dockweiler State Beach Youth Center

Construction of the Dockweiler State Beach Youth Center, located at the end of Imperial Highway and Vista del Mar, is scheduled to begin January 28, 2008 with anticipated completion in April 2009.

The $6.2 million project is jointly funded by County of Los Angeles Prop A and State of California Prop. 12 bond funds. This project will provide a youth activity center at Dockweiler State Beach and will serve as the southern headquarters for the Los Angeles County W.A.T.E.R. (Water Awareness, Training, Education and Recreation) youth education program offering aquatic sports camps.

The 8,800 square foot building will consist of multi-purpose meeting and training facilities, administrative space, indoor storage facilities, restroom and locker facilities and storage for beach equipment.

Respiratory Illnesses Are On The Rise This Season

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the past week as Preteen Vaccine Week to highlight the importance of immunizations and regular doctor visits for 11 and 12-year-olds.

California’s youth are our greatest asset, and protecting their health is our responsibility, says Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Public Health Director and County Health Officer. Parents of preteens are urged to schedule a wellness check-up with their child’s doctor to make sure immunizations are up-to-date. This visit is a great opportunity for youth to receive any shots they might have missed, and to receive any other immunizations that can protect them against serious diseases.

It is recommended that all 11 and 12-year-olds receive a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) booster to protect against whooping cough and a meningococcal vaccination. Meningococcal infection can be very serious, and can rapidly progress to meningitis, pneumonia, and even death. Among infected teens, the disease is fatal in about 10% and another 15% will have a long-term disability because of it. A vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), which helps protect against cervical disease and cancer later in life is available for girls.

For more information on preteen vaccines, visit the Public Health’s Immunization Program at www.lapublichealth.org/ip

Second Safe Surrender In 24 Hours

The Los Angeles County Safe Surrender program celebrated a second success story today with the confirmation of a Safe Surrender in the City of Monterey Park. Word of the other Safe Surrender came earlier today out of Huntington Park.

This most recent Safe Surrender of a female Chinese newborn occurred on Tuesday, January 15 at a hospital in Monterey Park. Although the surrender happened several days ago, confirmation was just received today. It is normal for surrenders to take several days to be verified under the rules of the program. As is standard practice, the baby girl is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

A second Safe surrender also occurred on Tuesday, January 15th when a Hispanic baby boy was taken to an urgent care facility in the City of Huntington Park. This is not the first time multiple surrenders have happened on the same day. Last year, two babies were surrendered in different parts of the County on January 17, 2007. Two different surrenders also occurred on February 10, 2007.

This is the third Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2008, and the 65th since the program began seven years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

This case could have ended in tragedy, but because of the Safe Surrender program, this baby girl has a long life ahead of her, said Supervisor Knabe. I am happy this mother made the right choice for her baby.

Newborn Safely Surrendered In Huntington Park

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success again with the report of another safely surrendered newborn. This most recent report of a safe surrender occurred at a hospital in the City of Huntington Park.

The newborn Hispanic male was surrendered on Tuesday, January 15 and is reported to be in good health. Reportedly, the infant’s mother gave birth on January 13 at another hospital and she considered voluntary relinquishment. However, the infant’s mother changed her mind and took her baby home. Later that day, the mother brought the infant to the urgent care in Huntington Park and asked to safely surrender the infant.

Although the surrender occurred on Tuesday, the confirmation was just received today. It is normal for surrenders to take several days to be verified under the rules of the program. As is standard practice, the baby boy is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

This is the second Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2008, and the 64th since the program began seven years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

Employment Opportunities For Veterans

A County program introduced by Supervisor Don Knabe and Supervisor Mike Antonovich to assist veterans with employment opportunities is seeing tremendous success.

The program is available to local military veterans who have been honorably discharged, the County recruits applicants whose training, education and skills match those needed by the County. Successful applicants are hired as trainees for up to 24 months and receive job training and experience. They receive benefits and are eligible to compete for permanent County positions.

Already, 250 veterans have been placed in employment opportunities and another 1,400 are currently being evaluated. Interested veterans are encouraged to visit http://dhr.lacounty.info or call (213) 738-2175.