Issues

Newborn Boy Safely Surrendered in Torrance

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the seventh time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on September 20, 2012 at a hospital in Torrance.

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.

“It is important that we continue to get word out about the Safe Surrender program so that mothers in desperate situations know there is a better option for their newborn than abandonment,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this baby boy has a second chance at life and hope for a bright future.”

This is the seventh Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2012, and the 96th since the program began over ten 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 nomore than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

Knabe Seeks Alternatives to Landfills for 8 Million Tons of County Trash

Supervisor Don Knabe today called upon federal and state legislators to amend decades-old laws and regulations to encourage the development of innovative conversion technologies in Los Angeles County, as an alternative to landfills.

Through conversion technologies, trash that would get dumped in a landfill would be converted into fuels and energy sources. For example, the 8 million tons of waste sent to landfills by County residents and businesses each year could potentially produce over half a billion gallons of renewable biofuels.

“Conversion technologies are critical to ensuring the County’s ability to manage its waste in the future, thereby protecting public health and safety, and the environment,” Supervisor Knabe said. “Yet many companies have decided not to pursue projects here due to uncertainty created by California’s outdated regulations.”

For years, cities and counties in California have led the way in recycling and waste reduction. But, while LA County’s award-winning programs have resulted in one of the highest recycling rates in the nation, there continues to be a substantial amount of residual waste remaining.

Supervisor Knabe said conversion technologies are already successfully operating in 28 countries worldwide but California laws written over two decades ago only envisioned trash being buried or burned.

“They did not account for these sophisticated technologies being able to recover products and fuels from trash and erroneously consider them equivalent to landfills and incinerators, thus creating barriers to their development,” Supervisor Knabe said.

“We must seize the opportunity and continue to lead in this effort, working diligently with State officials and legislators, other municipalities, scientists, industry representatives, and other key stakeholders to modernize State and Federal law and regulation to support, rather than discourage, these promising technologies,” he added.

UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic Rolls Into South Whittier

South Whittier, August 15, 2012 – August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, which is also the time when families begin to prepare for the new school year.  The UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic, a 40-foot-long coach, made its way to the Community Resource Center (CRC) to provide basic eye exams for 30 low-income children.  Patients were tested by the eye clinic’s Ophthalmologist and Optometrist, received free prescription eyeglasses as well as referrals for future treatment.

 The UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic provides high-quality eye care to underserved populations—particularly children and the elderly—who lack access to health care as a result of finances, lack of transportation, or cultural and language barriers. “Teaching children to protect their eyes is an important early lesson toward a lifetime of healthy vision.  It is vital to educate parents on the importance of their children’s eyes, especially with the first day of school just around the corner.  We want all our children to be star students in the classroom,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, who represents the area.

The UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic, established in 1975 by an anonymous donor, remains a privately funded outreach program operated by the Jules Stein Eye Institute.  Their mission is to discover eye diseases or eye problems and try to get people connected to the care they need.  Each year, the UCLA Ophthalmologists provide 4,000 children and 1,000 adult examinations free of charge.  In addition, they also provide 1,500 vision and glaucoma screenings at community events, and supply 400 free prescription glasses to underserved children.

A project of the Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles (CDC), the Community Resource Center is funded by the Fourth Supervisorial District, and works in collaboration with its onsite service providers to offer health, wellness, and educational programs for families, seniors, and youth.

The CRC is located at 10750 Laurel Avenue in South Whittier.  For information on services provided by the CRC, please call (562) 946-2425, or visit the website at www.swcrc.org.  All media may contact Elisa Vásquez, CDC Public Information Officer, at (323) 890-7415.

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Newborn Baby Boy Safely Surrendered in Glendora

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the fifth time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on August 6, 2012 at a hospital in Glendora.

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.

“It is important that we continue to get word out about the Safe Surrender program so that mothers in desperate situations know there is a better option for their newborn than abandonment,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this baby boy has a second chance at life and hope for a bright future.”

This is the fifth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2012, and the 94th since the program began over ten 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 nomore than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

Knabe Calls for Review of County’s Military Leave Policy

On a motion by Supervisor Don Knabe at today’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Los Angeles County will review its current military leave policy for County employees to ensure they do not lose any opportunities or seniority while on deployment. Currently, in order to protect reservists and their families from loss of income and benefit coverage during deployment, the County makes up the difference, if any, between a reservist’s military pay and their County pay for up to 720 days.

“Our Country has been at war for over a decade, and many of our nearly 100,000 County employees have been deployed across the world to protect our freedoms,” said Supervisor Knabe. “This is our way of ensuring that those serving our Country do not miss out on promotional opportunities and their families do not lose benefits such as health insurance and income. County employees deployed on active duty must maintain the same rights and privileges as any other non-deployed County employee.”

The Chief Executive Officer will review the County’s current policy and report back within 60 days. Pending the receipt of recommendations, the Board can vote to suspend the current 720-day limit policy. The Chief Executive Officer will also report back on options to ensure that County Employees receive their seniority rights and privileges as well as report on efforts to develop a County-Wide Military Leave Coordinator.

Knabe Calls for Revisions to County’s Film Policies

On a motion by Supervisor Don Knabe at today’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Los Angeles County will review its current board policies and consider revisions in accordance with the recently revised California Film Commission’s Model Film Ordinance, which protects more than 6,600 local businesses and hundreds of thousands of jobs.

“As a job creator and tourism generator, the film industry is vital to the economic well-being of Los Angeles County and our 88 cities,” said Supervisor Knabe. “The world’s view that Los Angeles is Hollywood – the mecca of film and television – is critical to attracting visitors and boosting the local economy. We cannot take for granted our position as the center of the entertainment industry.”

In May, the California Film Commission adopted a revised statewide Model Film Ordinance and Best Practices based on extensive stakeholder outreach together with Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), FilmL.A., and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).  The purpose of a standardized statewide ordinance was to provide the entertainment industry with a uniform set of policies and procedures to secure on-location production that will streamline the permitting process and send a clear signal that this is a coveted industry California intends to retain.

According to the LAEDC, the entertainment industry accounts for 176,700 jobs and $30 billion in spending in the Southern California region and is the third largest industry in Los Angeles County, behind international trade and tourism.

Rancho Los Amigos to Unveil New Paramobile Golf Chairs

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe will join Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center officials to unveil and host a demonstration of the hospital’s new Paramobile Golf Chairs. A golf clinic led by Supervisor Knabe and Paramobile Inventor Anthony Netto will be held for Rancho patients using the Paramobile Golf Chairs following the event.

The Paramobile, originally designed for disabled golfers, allows for the therapeutic benefits of golf for physically limited players. The Paramobiles will be a key element in establishing Rancho’s future golf clinic and will help improve the self-esteem and promote community reintegration for the hospital’s patients.

When:
Wednesday, July 18, 2012; 10:00 a.m.
Presentation of Paramobile Golf Chairs; 10:15 a.m.
Golf Clinic; 10:30 a.m.

Where:
Los Amigos Country Golf Club, Driving Range, 7295 Quill Drive, Downey, CA

Who: 
Don Knabe,Los Angeles County Supervisor
Jorge Orozco, CEO, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Anthony Netto, Inventor, Paramobile Golf Chair

Two Newborn Baby Girls Safely Surrendered This Week

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the fourth time this year, and the second time this week, with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby girl. This most recent safe surrender occurred on July 9, 2012 at a hospital in Lancaster.

A second newborn was also safely surrendered on July 9 at a hospital in Pomona. As is standard practice, the baby girls are in protective custody and will be placed with families approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, these baby girls have a second chance at life and hope for bright futures,” said Supervisor Knabe. “I’m thankful that these mothers decided to surrender their babies, rather than put them in a harmful situation. As word spreads about the Program, mothers in desperate situations can make the right choice for her baby, because of Safe Surrender.”

These are the third and fourth Safe Surrenders in Los Angeles County in 2012, and the 92nd and 93rd since the program began over ten 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 nomore than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

Newborn Baby Girl Safely Surrendered in Pomona

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the third time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on July 9, 2012 at a hospital in Pomona.

The mother concealed her pregnancy and called ahead to the hospital to ask if she could surrender the infant. 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.

“The Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter what the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands and to protect a baby from abandonment,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this baby girl has a second chance at life and hope for a bright future.”

This is the third Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2012, and the 92nd since the program began over ten 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.

Free Summer Concerts This Summer in the Fourth District

Free concerts, ranging from Latin to R&B to American Roots, are taking place July through October in Fourth District communities.

The free performances are supported by the Fourth Supervisorial District, Don Knabe, Supervisor.

The schedule of free concerts listed below is also available online at www.lacountyarts.org. Click on “Free Concerts in Public Sites,” then “District 4.” These concerts are presented cooperatively with the L.A. County Arts Commission as part of the commission’s Free Concerts in Public Sites program.

Tuesday July10, 2012
Sgt. Pepper
6:30pm-8:30pm
Pop/Rock
Adventure Park
10130 S. Gunn Ave.
Whittier, CA 90605
Contact: Bryan Spragg
562-698-7645

Saturday July 14, 2012
Brasil, Brazil
1:00pm-3:00pm
Brazilian
Sorensen Public Library
6934 Broadway Ave
Whittier, CA 90606
Contact: Leticia Polizzi
562-695-3979

Monday July 23, 2012
Susie Hansen Band
7:00pm-8:30pm
Latin Jazz
Central Park
6532 Friends Ave.
Whittier, CA 90602
Contact: Greg Alaniz
562-567-9464

Thursday July 26, 2012
Cheap Chick
6:30pm-8:00pm
Pop/Rock
La Mirada Creek Park
12021 Santa Gertrudes Ave.
La Mirada CA 90638
Contact: Lisa Montoya
562-943-7277

Friday July 27, 2012
I See Hawks in LA
7:00pm-9:00pm
Americana/Roots
Heritage Park
12100 Mora Drive
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Contact: Mary Tavera
562-946-6476

Tuesday July 31, 2012
TBD
8:00pm-10:00pm
TBD
Cerritos College Quad
11110 Alondra Blvd.
Norwalk, CA 90650
Contact: Steve Richardson
562-467-5053

Saturday August 4, 2012
Braziliando
2:00pm-4:00pm
Brazilian Jazz
Artesia Public Library
18722 Clarkdale Ave.
Artesia, CA 90701
Contact: Barbara Nightingale
562-865-6614

Tuesday August 7, 2012
Along for the Ride
5:00pm-8:00pm
Latin/Jazz
Mayberry Park
13202 Meyer Rd.
Whittier, CA 90605
Contact: Bryan Spragg
562-944-9727

Wednesday August 8, 2012
The Hodads
7:00pm-9:00pm
Pop/Rock
Norwalk City Hall Lawn
12700 Norwalk Blvd.
Norwalk, CA 90650
Contact: April Batson
562-929-5763

Saturday August 25, 2012
I See Hawks in LA
12:00 PM-4:00 PM
Americana/Roots
Norwalk Senior Center
14040 San Antonio Drive
Norwalk, CA 90650
Contact: Elizabeth Rock
562-929-5677

Saturday September 15, 2012
The Undercover Girls
6:00pm-8:00pm
Pop/Rock
Pathfinder Park
18150E. Pathfinder Road
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
Contact: Timothy Tuyen
562-690-0933

Sunday October 7, 2012
Susie Hansen Band
1:00pm-3:00pm
Latin Jazz
Burton Chase Park
13650 Mindanao Way
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Contact: Catrina Love
310-305-9511

Artists who perform at Free Concerts in Public Sites are chosen by the concert presenters from the Arts Commission’s Musicians Roster featuring more than 180 L.A. County-based groups representing a range of musical styles. This online directory is accessible to the general public. Go to www.lacountyarts.org and click on “Musicians Roster.” The Roster is searchable by key word, name of artist, and by music style. Artists included are chosen by a panel of experienced and respected music professionals based on artistic excellence, cultural diversity and the ability to work cooperatively with other organizations as representatives of the Free Concerts program.

In addition to the free concerts, the Arts Commission also produces free participatory J.A.M. (Jazzed and Motivated) Sessions at six locations throughout L.A. County, including Mayberry Park in Whittier in the Fourth District. Complete schedules are available at www.fordjamsessions.org.