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Avalon Lifeguard and Paramedic

Station
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a $5.423 million project to construct a state-of-the-art lifeguard and paramedic headquarters building in the City of Avalon on Catalina Island. Of the $5.423 million total budget, $3.924 million was awarded to AMG Associates, Inc., for the construction contract, while the remaining funds will be used for project management costs, furnishing and equipping the building, and a public art project for the exterior of the building.

The proposed project is a two-story, 7,005 square foot lifeguard/paramedic station, which consists of a two-bay apparatus area for housing a paramedic truck, a utility vehicle and watercraft trailers; an office with storage rooms; and a reception area with a public restroom.

The Avalon Lifeguard facility will also have one unique feature among all of the County’s similar buildings. This will be the first to include dormitory space for workers, which will consist of a living room, kitchen, dining room and bedroom space for up to eight personnel. County lifeguards on Catalina Island are on-call for 24-hour periods, meaning that anyone stationed in Avalon must secure housing in the City’s limited and expensive housing market. With the new building, lifeguards will be able to complete their shifts without having to acquire housing off-site.

The new building will be constructed on a parcel of land adjacent to City Hall that was donated to the County by the City of Avalon. Construction is scheduled to be completed by summer 2009.

Drop Pounds By Adding Information

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has released a study that for the first time shows posting calorie information on menus and menu boards at large chain restaurants (with 15 or more outlets in California) could have a significant impact in reducing the obesity epidemic. The study found that if just 10% of restaurant goers ordered reduced-calorie meals (average reduction of 100 calories per meal) as a result of calorie information provided on menus, it would result in a 40% decrease in the 6.75 million pound average annual weight gain in the county population.

Obesity is one of the most serious public health threats we face today, said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. This study shows that providing restaurant customers with calorie information at the point of purchase could lead to more informed decisions, and have a dramatic effect on reducing the overall obesity epidemic.

The study looked at a range of consumer responses in calculating potential impacts on the obesity epidemic. The results indicate that with public education, pricing incentives, or other strategies to promote reduced-calorie meals, the impact on reducing the epidemic could be greatly enhanced. For example, if 20% of restaurant patrons ordered reduced calorie meals (average reduction of 100 calories per meal) 77.7% of the county population’s annual weight gain could be prevented.

The study also found that dropping 100 or more calories from a typical restaurant meal is an achievable goal. It examined calorie information from three fast food restaurant chains and found that creating a reduced-calorie meal could be as simple as ordering a medium-sized soft drink instead of a large (saving 95 calories), ordering medium-sized French fries instead of a large (saving 163 calories), or ordering a single-meat patty hamburger instead of the double (saving 244 calories). Just one change in how a person orders could cut calories where they count.

The Health Impact Assessment titled Menu Labeling as a Potential Strategy for Combating the Obesity Epidemic can be viewed at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov

LACMA’S Annual Artwalk Returns

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s (LACMA) Muse program presents their thirteenth annual ArtWalk on Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. ArtWalk features an afternoon survey of a unique art scene in Los Angeles and culminates with a celebratory reception in the evening. After traveling for a number of years, ArtWalk returns to the Mid-Wilshire District this year, with more than forty participating galleries, in conjunction with the recent debut of LACMA’s Broad Contemporary Art Museum.

Muse is also partnering up with the participating galleries this year for an exceptional lineup of programming, including artist lectures, art seminars, musical performances, and much more. Programs will be held throughout the afternoon from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., followed by happy hours at select host galleries from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Muse will host the ArtWalk After Party at LACMA’s newly opened BP Grand Entrance from 8:15 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., concluding the day with complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, as well as a performance by the Los Angeles-based indie rock/pop trio Craft Club.

The following galleries and art spaces will participate in this year’s ArtWalk: Adamson-Duvannes Gallery, Alitash Kebede Gallery, Carl Berg Gallery, Concrete Walls Gallery, Couturier Gallery, Craft & Folk Art Museum, Daniel Weinberg Gallery, DF2 Gallery, DNJ Gallery, Fahey/Klein Gallery, Forum Gallery, Gallery 825, Gallery Brown, Iturralde Gallery, Jack Rutberg Gallery, Korean Cultural Center, Lawrence Asher Gallery, MAK Center, Marc Foxx Gallery, Mark Selwyn Fine Art, Merry Karnowsky Gallery, Michael Kohn Gallery, Milo Gallery, Perrell Fine Art, Photographers Gallery, Richard Telles Fine Art, Sabina Lee Gallery, Solway Jones Gallery, Stephen Cohen Gallery, Steve Turner Contemporary, The Loft at Liz’s, Tobey C. Moss Gallery, Verve Gallery, and Voila! Art for the Modern Eye.

Ticketing

Tickets are not necessary for the daytime portion of the event, but are required for the After Party at LACMA. Tickets are $20 for Muse members, $30 for LACMA non-Muse members, and $40 for the general public. Tickets go on sale May 3 for the general public, and can be purchased at www.lacma.org/muse, at any of LACMA’s three Welcome Centers, or by telephone at (323) 857-6010. Advance purchase is recommended, as the event is expected to sell out quickly.

First Two Female Members Of County’s Most Wanted List Brought To Justice

The first two female members of the Los Angeles County Most Wanted List of child support evaders have been sentenced and arrested respectively this month, Supervisor Don Knabe announced recently.

Vickie Irene Nass, the first woman to find a place on the Most Wanted List, made an appearance in Superior Court on April 24. Ms. Nass, who owed $66,127 to her two sons, had been sought on a warrant issued in August 2007, for failing to obey the terms of court-ordered probation. Superior Court Commissioner John Green made a formal finding that Ms. Nass was in violation of her probation terms. He sentenced her to 180 days in the county jail, but stayed imposition of that sentence on the following terms: that she make a payment of $5,000 on or before June 19 and that thereafter she commence making payments of $499 per month beginning July 1. She will face incarceration if she fails to make the payments as ordered.

Antoniette Duran, one of the latest additions to the Most Wanted List, was arrested at her home in Pomona on April 10. Ms. Duran, who owed $16,236 to her minor son and daughter, was arrested on a warrant issued when she failed to appear for a probation violation hearing. She was on probation for failing to comply with agreed-upon terms of supporting her children. On two occasions, she made promises to appear and clear the warrant and both times she failed to do so. When she failed to appear as directed, a new warrant was issued for her arrest, with bail set at $45,000.

The Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department maintains the Most Wanted Delinquent Parent List. It was developed as a result of an appropriation by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors on the initiative of County Supervisor Don Knabe. The appropriation provides funding that permits the Child Support Services Department to pay for the services of District Attorney Investigators to locate and arrest parents wanted on warrants for failure to pay court ordered support. Since the first arrests in December 2007, more than 275 parents with outstanding warrants have been arrested, cited, or surrendered in court after contact by District Attorney Investigators.

Interim Director And Chief Medical Director To Be Appointed To Department Of Health Services

Effective May 16, 2008, John F. Schunhoff, Ph.D., will be appointed as Interim Director and Robert G. Splawn, M.D., will serve as the Interim Chief Medical Director for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

Dr. Bruce Chernof, Director and Chief Medical Officer, recently announced his resignation from County service effective May 15, 2008. Mr. Schunhoff and Dr. Splawn will serve these posts to ensure that the mission and responsibilities of this highly critical department are carried out without interruption. The Chief Executive Office is working with the Department of Human Resources to identify a highly qualified recruitment firm to conduct a nationwide search to identify candidates for the permanent position as Director of the Department of Health Services.

In these positions, Mr. Schunhoff and Dr. Splawn will operate in a collaborative manner and function as a team to address various critical issues facing the department. The Chief Executive Office will be working closely with both individuals to ensure that the County and the Department of Health Services move forward with critical initiatives, such as the Financial Stabilization and Deficit Reduction Plans, reopening Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital, the LAC+USC Replacement Project, and restructuring departmental programs and services.

Dry Dock Storage And Boat Launching Services Provided To Del Rey 77 Boat Owners

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors announces effective immediately, Seamark Marine will provide temporary boat moving and launching services to boat owners who store their boats in the dry dock storage facility at Del Rey 77, located at 13575 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey. Del Rey 77 boat owners should contact the Department of Beaches and Harbors at (310) 305-9503 for boat storage rental or access to their vessels.

Boaters that want to launch their vessels from Del Rey 77 Monday through Saturday should contact Seamark at (310) 301-8303. For Sunday launching, boaters may contact Seamark on Friday or Saturday, and the vessels will be placed in the water Saturday night; these boaters can use and return their boats on Sunday to the water area at Del Rey 77, and Seamark will retrieve the boats for storage on Monday morning.

Seamark will also offer Del Rey 77 boat owners the option of launching from the Seamark hoist located at 13441 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey at no extra charge, which can hoist vessels up to 26 feet in length. Hours of operation for Seamark are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; and closed on Sunday.

LA County Department Of Children And Family Services Looking For New Hires

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will host a Job Fair on Saturday, April 26, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at its Chatsworth Office located at 20151 Nordhoff Street in Chatsworth. The Job Fair is open to the public. Anyone committed to changing the lives of children by working as a Children’s Social Worker or in a supportive clerical role is invited to attend.

DCFS offers multiple positions in a variety of fields including clerical, nursing and social work. A Children’s Social Worker II can earn as much as $66,068 annually and Children’s Social Workers Trainees can earn up to $41,140 annually. Additionally, the County of Los Angeles offers an excellent benefits package, retirement plan and 10 paid holidays per year. At the Job Fair, free educational workshops will touch on topics such as the job application process and "A Day in the Life of a Social Worker."

Applications and information regarding minimum requirements for available positions can be found online at www.lacdcfs.org in the "careers" link, by calling the DCFS Job Hotline at (213) 351-6417 or by visiting DCFS Headquarters at 425 Shatto Place, Room 105, in Los Angeles. Applications and information will also be available at the Job Fair, along with technical assistance in completing the necessary forms.

Board Establishes $10,000 Reward For Information Related To Murder Of 11-Year Old Long Beach Boy

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $10,000 reward today, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to a shooting incident that led to the death of an 11-year old boy in the City of Long Beach.

On Sunday, March 16, 2008, Jose Luis Garcia Bailey, 11, was standing with a group of three other individuals in front of a residence at 2024 East 15th Street in Long Beach across the street from where he lived. The four of them were talking when two males approached on foot and started shooting. Jose was fatally shot.

No one has yet been arrested in this case. The victim is not a gang member, but police believe the suspects are gang members. Investigators also believe it would be beneficial to offer a reward in this case, which may prompt reluctant witnesses to come forward and provide information to identify the individual(s) responsible for this crime.

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 this 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 March 16 incident is asked to contact Detectives Russ Moss or Terri Hubert of the Long Beach Police Department – Homicide Division at (562) 570-7244.

Statement By Supervisor Knabe On Proposed 2008-2009 Los Angeles County Budget

The Chief Executive Officer’s proposal for the Los Angeles County 2008-2009 Budget rightly focuses on limiting growth of government programs in the time of a slowing economy and slowing revenue into County coffers.

For the first time in several years, we are experiencing a loss in property tax revenue from the stalled real estate market and the potential loss of state funding in many areas. However, this proposed budget reveals that Los Angeles County remains in solid financial shape and today we are not facing the widespread financial shortfalls and cutbacks that many other levels of government are currently suffering.

What we will have to keep a close eye on is the potential impact the proposed Federal and State budgets could have on the County in the year ahead. Proposed cuts in both of these budgets could potentially mean a loss of up to $500 million in funding to the County in the year ahead. Both the Federal and State budgets proposals are still very uncertain at this point, so the potential hit the County could take is unknown today. We likely will not know more about these impacts until September or October. If State and Federal budget cuts impact the County, then we will cross that bridge when we come to it. Until then, the County will move forward with our own budget proposal that is free of service cuts at this time.

As far as our budget proposal, I am very pleased to see $4.6 million in new funding for enhanced unincorporated Sheriff patrols. This means our unincorporated area residents will benefit from dozens of additional patrol deputies in the near future. Additionally, $3.3 million in new funding will be dedicated to gang prevention efforts.

Although the vast majority of our County programs and departments remain financially solvent, the ongoing deficit in the Department of Health Services is still deeply alarming and continues to loom on the horizon. With a potential structural deficit of over $700 million in the next two fiscal years, the time to act and to make difficult decisions has arrived. We must resolve this deficit without reducing health services to patients. Closing clinics and access points to healthcare is not the answer in a time when we should be opening additional clinics. We need creative decisions and a willingness to look at out-of-the-box solutions to solve this deficit and we need to make these decisions now.

LACMA’S Art Museum Council Presents 51st Annual Art & Architecture Tour

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s (LACMA) Art Museum Council (AMC) presents its 51st annual Art & Architecture tour on Sunday, April 27, 2008. One of the AMC’s most popular events, the Art & Architecture tour grants access to some of the finest homes and private art collections in Los Angeles. This year, the ticketed and docent-guided tour will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and includes a Special Projects boutique located at one of the homes, where attendees may purchase unique works of art created especially for the tour.

To take the tour, one must first become a LACMA member. Benefits of membership include free admission to LACMA, exclusive exhibition previews, discounts on special programs and gifts, and much more. For information about becoming a LACMA member please call (323) 857-6151.

General admission to the Art & Architecture Tour is $150; patron tickets for luxury mini-bus, sedan, and limousine service can also be purchased. Ticket-holders at these levels will enjoy access to one additional home, plus chauffeured front of the line access to all homes via luxury minibus (Gold, $350), sedan (Emerald, $2,500), or limousine (Platinum, $5,000); and a gourmet lunch. Tickets can be purchased by calling (323) 857- 6287. All proceeds benefit LACMA and help fund museum programs and acquisitions.

Artworks on display in the homes include works by Peter Alexander, John Baldessari, Jim Dine, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Elsworth Kelly, Paul McCarthy, Robert Motherwell, Bruce Nauman, Sigmar Polke, and many others. The homes on this year’s Art & Architecture tour include:

A dazzling modern home, nestled in Santa Monica’s idyllic Rustic Canyon and filled with a superb collection of contemporary art from internationally known artists.

A Mediterranean villa, situated on a beautiful Bel Air hilltop, with city and ocean views outside, and contemporary and American Impressionist art inside.

A Trousdale mid-century home with airliner views of the city, authentic mid-century furnishings and works by current contemporary artists.

A tastefully remodeled traditional home, located in Beverly Hills, filled with Asian art and photo-realistic paintings.

A newly built Spanish-style home in Brentwood, seamlessly incorporating the owners’ collection of California and European artists.

Bonus home, to be viewed by upper-level ticket-holders only: a contemporary home, filled with Asian art, antique carvings and glass, located on one of the bird streets above the Sunset Strip.