Issues

20 Arts Groups From The Fourth District To Receive Grants From The Arts Commission

Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce grants to 20 arts organizations from the Fourth District. The Los Angeles County Arts Commission Organizational Grant Program (OGP) grants were awarded competitively, reviewed and scored by panels, and approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors July 14, 2009.

The grants for the Fourth District are part of awards totaling $4,418,000 to 153 nonprofit arts organizations countywide for fiscal years 2009-10 and 2010-11. An estimated 9 million people will be served by the organizations receiving grants.

23 additional Fourth District organizations will also receive grant funds in 2009-10 through two-year awards made last year, bringing the total number of Fourth District organizations funded by the Board of Supervisors to 43. A double asterisk next to the organization name indicates a first-time grantee.

ORGANIZATIONAL GRANT PROGRAM I/SMALL BUDGET ORGANIZATIONS

Bluepalm: Art Culture Education (ACE) (Los Angeles)

Grant Amount: $11,400

Project: To provide, for the first time, salaries for the Executive and Artistic Directors

Chorale Bel Canto (Whittier)

Grant Amount: $18,700

Project: To support development of marketing plans, improve the website, and develop a succession plan.

Culture Shock Los Angeles Dance Troupe (San Pedro) **

Grant Amount: $19,400

Project: To support Program Director position, professional development for teaching artists, and program evaluation.

JC Culture Foundation (Cerritos) **

Grant Amount: $4,200

Project: To support the purchase of performance and technical equipment and hire a part-time administrator.

Long Beach Community Concert Association (Long Beach)

Grant Amount: $13,500

Project: To support artists’ fees for two concert seasons.

Los Cancioneros Master Chorale (Torrance)

Grant Amount: $7,800

Project: To support the production of eight concerts.

Whittier Community Theatre (Whittier) **

Grant Amount: $8,900

Project: To support musicians for productions.

ORGANIZATIONAL GRANT PROGRAM II/MID-SIZE BUDGET ORGANIZATIONS

Downey Symphonic Society, Inc. (Downey)

Grant Amount: $13,500

Project: To support funding for the live concert part of our Music In the Schools Program.

Hernandez Mariachi Heritage Society (South El Monte)

Grant Amount: $15,200

Project: To recruit sponsors, help sites become financially self-sustaining,establish new sites and provide curriculum training.

Institute of Art, Music and Science (Bellflower)

Grant Amount: $11,500

Project: To support fundraising and development plans to increase the participation of low-income children in music education.

Khmer Arts Academy (Long Beach)

Grant Amount: $38,600

Project: To support the Salon Series.

Regina Klenjoski Dance Company (Long Beach)

Grant Amount: $14,100

Project: To support the administrative manager and booking managers .

Rio Hondo Symphony Association (Whittier)

Grant Amount: $17,700

Project: To support planning initiatives with new conductor and a grant writer.

San Pedro City Ballet (San Pedro)

Grant Amount: $11,600

Project: To support the development of a year-round studio performance program that advances works-in-progress.

Shakespeare by the Sea (San Pedro)

Grant Amount: $21,600

Project: To support the Artistic Director and Festival Producer staff positions.

South Bay Ballet (Torrance)

Grant Amount: $21,400

Project: To support artistic and administrative staff.

ORGANIZATIONAL GRANT PROGRAM 2.5IMID-SIZE BUDGET ORGANIZATIONS

Angels Gate Cultural Center (San Pedro)

Grant Amount: $31,900

Project: To support visual and performing arts programming.

Arts Council for Long Beach (Long Beach)

Grant Amount: $75,500

Project: To support temporary public arts projects in vacant lots.

Friends of the Cerritos Center (Cerritos)

Grant Amount: $45,100

Project: To support educational programming and professional development workshops for teachers.

Long Beach Opera (Long Beach)

Grant Amount: $35,700

Project: To support two fully-staged large scale contemporary operas.

Childhood Lead Awareness Art Contest Winners Recognized

Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, presented honorary scrolls to the winners of the Department of Public Health’s 2009 Lead Awareness Art Contest. The contest encouraged youth to demonstrate ways to reduce lead hazards in the home and environment through educational art.

This art contest helps educate parents, teachers and students by promoting awareness on lead poisoning prevention, said Supervisor Knabe, who led the presentation at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

The most common way children in Los Angeles County are poisoned is through exposure to lead-based paint, especially if it is deteriorating. Lead-based paint is commonly found in houses, apartments, and buildings built before 1979. Dust and chips from the paint can settle on toys, windowsills and floors, where they can be swallowed by children. In addition, some traditional or folk health remedies, imported dishes and ceramics, and imported candies may bring lead into the home.

In 2008, more than 900 children in Los Angeles County suffered from lead poisoning, which is as preventable as it is tragic, said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. This art contest is designed to highlight the problem and provide resources for families to address it.

Contestants’ entries were judged according to grade level, originality of art, and design quality. Judges also looked for a good demonstration of knowledge of lead sources, and different ways that lead poisoning can be prevented. The panel of judges included community stakeholders, staff from Public Health and community service organizations. Winning contestants received trophies and other prizes that were presented to them during school assemblies.

We promote the Lead Awareness Art Contest every year as a way to educate students, their parents, teachers and the community about lead poisoning prevention, said Angie Toyota, director of Public Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. In addition to the art contest, Public Health works with schools in a variety of ways, such as providing educational information at parent meetings.

Most children affected by lead poisoning do not look or act sick, so the only way to know if a child has been lead poisoned is through a blood test. Children under the age of six are at greatest risk of negative health effects, including permanent learning disabilities and behavior problems. Parents who suspect that their child has been lead poisoned are encouraged to take their children to a doctor and to specifically ask for a blood lead test. More information on lead poisoning prevention and lead-safe work practices is offered at 1-800-LA-4-LEAD or click here for more information.

Two County Hospitals Rated Among America’s Best

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (Rancho) and the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center (LAC+USC) have made the list of America’s Best Hospitals in an annual ranking of the nation’s elite medical centers by U.S. News & World Report. Both hospitals are run by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS).

Rancho once again made the Top 20 list of Rehabilitation Hospitals where it has remained for two decades – and the only rehabilitation hospital in California to have that distinction. LAC+USC made the Top 50 list of Ophthalmology Hospitals.

The U.S. News ranking, now in its 20th year, differs from other rankings by looking at how well a hospital handles complex and demanding situations, and involves surveys completed by 10,000 physicians nationwide. A total of 4,861 hospitals were considered for the survey, but only 174 hospitals (less than 0.4 percent of the total), were ranked in one of 16 specialties, including cancer, heart and heart surgery, kidney disorders, urology, neurology and neurosurgery.

Scoring criteria included reputation, mortality index, patient safety, and care related factors such as nurse staffing, and available technology, however in the ophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation and rheumatology specialties hospitals were ranked on reputation alone.

This ranking illustrates that our world-class clinical care has earned the respect and admiration of our national peers, said Rancho Chief Executive Officer Jorge Orozco. All of Rancho’s highly trained and dedicated health care providers share in this prestigious recognition of our work and mission.

We are extremely proud of the high-quality care that our public hospitals provide to the residents of the County, added DHS Interim Chief Medical Officer Robert G. Splawn, MD. Both of these remarkable hospitals, which have trained generations of physicians, continue to raise the bar in clinical outcomes through research and innovation.

Of the 174 hospitals ranked in one or more specialties, 21 qualified for Honor Roll by earning high scores in at least six specialties. Click here for more information.

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Fees Update Effective August 1

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean Logan announced that on June 23, 2009, the Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance changing fees related to Real Property Data provided in electronic formats, established a Marriage Ceremony Witness fee, revised the Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriage (DCOCM) fee, and established a DCOCM expedited/special appointment fee. The new and revised fees, as listed below, will take effect August 1, 2009.

REVISED SCHEDULE OF FEES

Effective August, 1, 2009

Real Property Data on Compact Disc (CD) (Increase) $49

Real Property Data on Digital Video Disc (DVD) (Increase) $58

Real Property Data on E-mail Attachment (Decrease) $27

Real Property Data on File Transfer Protocol (FTP) (Increase) $34

Marriage Ceremony Witness (New) $18

Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages for a Day (Increase) $75

Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages for a Day Expedited Appointment (New) $13

Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages for a Day Special Appointment (New) $13

Cost studies performed by the RR/CC and used to determine the appropriate fees, consisted of research, interviews and work observations of technical and support staff performing duties related to these services. The studies included all applicable costs such as salaries and employee benefits, supplies, equipment and overhead.

The RR/CC requested approval by the Board of Supervisors for the proposed new/revised fees, which were also reviewed and approved by the Department of Auditor-Controller. The RR/CC estimates the fiscal impact of the new/revised fees to be $177,000 in additional Departmental revenue for the period August 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

Additional information can be obtained by calling Kathy Treggs, Manager, RR/CC Public Records Division at (562) 462-2081 or Portia Sanders, Assistant Manager, RR/CC Public Records Division at (562) 462-2983.

A Most Wanted Delinquent Parent Is Brought To Justice

One of Los Angeles County’s Most Wanted Delinquent Parents was jailed today following his arrest on Tuesday morning. Bartolome Salazar had been sought by District Attorney Investigators since June 9, 2009 when he failed to surrender at the county jail to serve a court-ordered jail sentence. Salazar appeared in custody this afternoon in Department 82 at the downtown Central Arraignment Court (CAC). Following a brief hearing, Judge Mildred Escobedo issued an order remanding Salazar to serve a 180-day sentence.
Salazar was jailed almost two years to the day since standing convicted on charges in two separate criminal cases for failing to support his minor son and daughter, owing $82,053.49 On July 24, 2007 Salazar pleaded no contest to separate counts of contempt of court, for failing to abide by court orders to pay support for his two children. At that time, Superior Court Commissioner Marshall H. Rieger placed Salazar on 36 months probation on condition that he make monthly payments toward the children’s support.
On June 2, 2009 following repeated failures to comply with the terms of probation, Salazar found himself back in Commissioner Rieger’s courtroom at the Central Civil West Courthouse. After a hearing, Rieger found Salazar in violation of probation, sentenced him to serve 180 days in the county jail, and ordered him to surrender on June 9 in Department 82 at CAC to serve his sentence. Although Salazar walked into the courtroom on the appointed date, he excused himself to say goodbye to a family member but did not return to surrender himself as ordered. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest with bail set at $100,000.
Salazar’s photo was quickly placed on LA County’s Most Wanted Delinquent Parents website. Simultaneously, a team of two District Attorney Investigators was assigned to locate and arrest Salazar. The investigators are members of the County’s Child Support Arrest Warrant Project, a collaborative effort of the Child Support Services Department and the District Attorney’s office.
After pursuing a number of unproductive leads, the Investigators acted on a tip from an informant. They stationed themselves outside the Pasadena home of the mother of Salazar’s current girlfriend with the hope that he might be found there. The informant’s tip paid off. Salazar was taken into custody without incident on Tuesday, July 21 at approximately 11:30 a.m. after he exited the home with his visibly pregnant girlfriend and entered a vehicle parked on the street. At the time of his arrest, Salazar informed the Investigators that he and his girlfriend were on their way to a shower for the unborn baby.
Since the inception of the Most Wanted Delinquent Parents website in March of last year, 22 parents have had their photos posted with details of their cases and the warrants for their arrest. 14 of the 22 have been arrested or surrendered to court after their photos and stories were made public.
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 Supervisor Don Knabe.

New Series Of Property Tax Assessment Seminars Set

The County of Los Angeles is sponsoring a series of free seminars monthly through December to assist property owners who feel their taxes should be lowered due to a decline in the value of their property. The 90-minute seminars will be offered one time at each location: Culver City, El Monte, Glendale, Lakewood, Lancaster and Van Nuys. Additional meetings will be scheduled throughout the County on a year-round basis.

The meetings are intended to help taxpayers better understand the assessment appeals process, which many find confusing. The seminars will be of value to homeowners who are interested in learning about the assessment appeals process and to those who have already filed an appeal. The seminars will cover taxpayers appeal rights and when to file an application for reduction in assessment. The seminars will also cover how to prepare for a hearing, what qualifies as admissible evidence, what will happen at the hearing and what to expect after the hearing.

The dates, times and locations of the sessions are:

Van Nuys – Bernardi Senior Center, 6514 Sylmar Avenue, July 22, 2:00 p.m.

Free parking on Hamlin.

Lakewood – Iacoboni Library, 4900 Clark Avenue, August 10, 10:00 a.m.

Parking at corner of Clark and Del Amo.

Lancaster – Lancaster Library, 23743 Valencia Boulevard, September 16, 10:00 a.m.

Free parking at the Library.

Culver City – Dixon Library, 4975 Overland Avenue, October 13, 10:00 a.m.

Free parking behind the Library.

El Monte – Crippen Senior Center, 3120 Tyler Avenue, November 12, 10:00 a.m.

Free parking at the Center.

Glendale – Glendale Library, 222 Harvard Street, December 2, 10:00 a.m.

Parking at the corner of Maryland and Harvard.

Persons with disabilities who believe they need reasonable accommodation or help in order to attend a seminar may call (213) 974-7953. Hearing-impaired persons with TDD equipment may leave a typewritten message by calling (800) 735-2929 (TDD). Schedules for meetings may be obtained by calling (213) 974-7953 or
click here.

Local Child Support Evaders Sentenced To Jail Time

Sixteen parents have recently been sentenced to serve time in Los Angeles County jail after failing to meet their child support obligations, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today. The sentences are the result of a stepped up criminal prosecution effort by the Board of Supervisors, the County’s Child Support Services Department (CSSD) and the District Attorney’s office.

The recent arrests and subsequent jail sentences stem from the County’s Arrest Warrant Project and Most Wanted child support evaders list, unveiled in March 2008 by Supervisor Don Knabe, CSSD Director Steven Golightly and District Attorney Steve Cooley. The project is aimed at executing outstanding warrants for parents who have been charged with or convicted of not paying their child support obligations for their children.

Over the past two months, sixteen parents have received jail sentences ranging from 30-180 days for failing to pay court-ordered child support. Collectively, the sixteen defendants owe $752,349.20 in unpaid child support.

On June 25, Scott Saulsberry of Perris was sentenced to 90 days in jail for failing to make payments on $103,000 in unpaid child support. On June 2, Bartolome Salazar of Reseda was sentenced to 180 days in jail, owing more than $82,000 in child support. Salazar failed to surrender to serve his sentence. A warrant, with bail set at $100,000, has been issued for his arrest. On June 19, Mark Sandoval of Pasadena, who owes over $28,000 in child support arrears, was sentenced to 90 days in jail. On June 22, Gardena resident Marco Smith was sentenced to 90 days in jail, owing over $90,000 in child support arrears.

On a motion of Supervisor Knabe, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors have approved an annual appropriation of $500,000, to be combined with $1 million in federal matching funds, to underwrite the costs of a team of District Attorney Investigators to aid a stepped up prosecution effort.

The County works with thousands of parents who are doing the right thing by paying their child support obligations. Unfortunately, there are a few people out there, like these sixteen individuals, who have left their children without financial support, going to great lengths to evade paying what they owe, said Supervisor Knabe. The message here is clear. If you evade your child support payments, the County will use every legal recourse we have available, including jail time.

Over the past six years in California, the child support system has entered a new era of working cooperatively with parents to address their child support obligations, said CSSD Director Steven Golightly. Our goal is always to secure regular payment of support in keeping with a parent’s ability to pay. However, some parents willfully ignore their obligations despite having the means to provide. They must be held accountable. I applaud the work of the DA, our Criminal Prosecution Division and the Courts for bringing these parents to justice.

To support the criminal prosecution effort, the County posts a Most Wanted list at www.cssd.lacounty.gov

It provides pictures and case information on individuals who face warrants because of non-payment of their child support obligations. The public can call CSSD’s Criminal Prosecution Division at 213-351-8696 if they have information on Most Wanted individuals.

Fourth Of July Safety Tips For Pets

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest times for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC). DACC reminds pet owners that extra precautions are necessary in order to protect pets during Fourth of July celebrations.

Dogs and cats can become startled and disoriented by the loud noises of fireworks. Pets may panic and attempt to escape from your property. To ensure the safety of your pets, here are a few tips:

Make sure your dog’s license is current and tags are securely affixed to your dog’s collar.

Keep your pets indoors in a cool, comfortable place.

Do not keep your pets in the backyard, even if they are tied up. Dogs, in particular, can break free of their restraints and jump fences when scared.

Do not take your pets to community fireworks events. Most events do not allow pets and the noises in close proximity are particularly terrifying to your pets.

If you are leaving town for the weekend and cannot take your pets with you, make sure you leave them with someone who will be cautious during the Fourth of July celebrations.

If your pet becomes lost over the Fourth of July weekend, DACC is expanding its days and hours of operation to ensure pet owners can be reunited with their pets. All six shelters will be open Friday, July 3rd; Saturday, July 4th; and Sunday, July 5th. The shelter locations and hours are as follows:

Downey, Carson, Baldwin Park, and Lancaster:

Friday, July 3, 2009: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 4, 2009: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 5, 2009: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Castaic and Agoura:

Friday, July 3, 2009: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 4, 2009: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 5, 2009: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, you can visit our website at http://animalcare.lacounty.gov to contact the animal shelter nearest you.

Newborn Safely Surrendered At Los Angeles Hospital

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

The newborn Hispanic male was surrendered on Thursday, June 25 at hospital in the City of Los Angeles. The newborn is reported to be in good health. 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 case could have ended in tragedy, but because of the Safe Surrender program, this baby boy has a long life ahead of him, said Supervisor Knabe. I am happy this mother made the right choice for her baby.

This is the fourth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2009, and the 73rd since the program began eight 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.

First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Confirmed In Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Health Officer has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus in Los Angeles County for the 2009 season. The case is a blood donor from the Antelope Valley who donated blood in early June. The person does not show any symptoms (asymptomatic), and is feeling well. The donated blood was not used. Health officials are determining where the patient may have contracted the virus. T his is the first documented human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in California.

People should take precautions to avoid mosquitoes, as that is the primary way this disease is transmitted. Mosquitoes obtain the virus by feeding on infected wild birds, said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. West Nile Virus can appear anywhere in Los Angeles County or around the state, and we urge residents to get rid of pools of stagnant water around their homes, where mosquitoes breed, and to use a repellant containing DEET, or another approved repellent, when outdoors in mosquito-prone areas, especially around dawn or dusk.

As of June 19th in Los Angeles County, Public Health and the mosquito abatement districts have detected WNV in five dead birds, two mosquito pools, and three sentinel chickens. In past seasons, most of the infected birds and positive mosquitoes have been found in the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and East Los Angeles County areas.

Exposure to West Nile Virus

WNV is spread from humans through the bite of an infected mosquito; mosquitoes can become infected by biting a bird that carries the virus. Most mosquitoes do not carry the virus and most people bitten by a mosquito have not been exposed to the virus. The virus is not spread through person-to-person contact, or directly from birds to humans.

In most cases, people who are infected with West Nile Virus never become sick, or have only very mild symptoms that include fever, headache, nausea, body aches, and a mild skin rash. Symptoms of West Nile Virus could appear within three to 12 days after infection. Fortunately, fewer than one in 150 people who are bitten by an infected mosquito become severely ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In these rare cases, the virus can cause encephalitis and death. The elderly are most at risk for severe cases of the disease. There is no specific treatment for West Nile Virus. However, individuals with severe symptoms may be hospitalized.

Preventive Measures

People can decrease their risk of infection by following these recommendations:

Avoid mosquito-infested areas at dawn and dusk.

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.

Repellants containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of eucalyptus, when used as labeled, are effective defenses against mosquitoes.

Check your window screens for holes.

Do not allow water to collect and stagnate in old tires, flowerpots, swimming pools, birdbaths, pet bowls, or other containers. These are prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Clean and chlorinate swimming pools; drain water from pool covers.

Stock garden ponds with goldfish or other mosquito-eating fish. These eat mosquito eggs and larvae.

Empty and wash birdbaths and wading pools weekly.

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department has established a toll-free information line that will provide callers with updated information on West Nile Virus within the county. Call 800-975-4448.

If a recently dead bird (less than 24 hours) is found, the public is encouraged to report this by calling 877-747-2243.

If residents see a green pool or stagnant swimming pool at a home, please report this to Public Health’s Environmental Health Bureau at 626-430-5200.

Where to call with questions about mosquitoes:

Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District: (562) 944-9656

Los Angeles County West Vector Control District: (310) 915-7370

San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District: (626) 814-9466

Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District: (661) 942-2917

Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District: (310) 639-7375

Pasadena City Health Department: (626) 744-6004

City of Long Beach Vector Control Program: (562) 570-4132