Councilman LaBonge's Weekly Newsletter

[The information below was provided by the Office of Councilman Tom LaBonge.]

Spring is here in all its glory and Councilman LaBonge urges you to get outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer.  The wildflowers are in bloom in Griffith Park and elsewhere around town, and the weather is perfect for hiking or picnicking or taking a bike ride.  It's healthy ... it's free ... and it'll put a spring in your step.

Pedestrian killed on Rowena Avenue in Silver Lake
-a note from Tom

The recent tragic accident on Rowena Avenue -- which killed 24-year old Ashley Sandau -- has left many people shocked and looking for answers.  We have received a number of emails and phone calls from the entire Silver Lake community as well as from friends and family of Ms. Sandau.  Like all of you, I am very saddened by this event.  Upon learning of the accident, I drove out to the Edendale Grill on Sunday morning to get a first-hand look at matters.

Paramedics from Fire Station 56 were the first responders that evening. I have discussed this accident, at length, with personnel from both the Fire and Police Departments.

As many of you know, we are constantly working on traffic improvements in this area of our community.  We have made significant improvements over the years, and will continue to do so.  Currently, there are several major construction projects underway along Rowena Avenue and adjacent streets.  All of this work is done with an eye toward improving safety for both pedestrians and vehicles.  

Before commenting further, I am awaiting the full Police Department analysis of the accident.  In the meantime, I ask you to join me and other community members in extending heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the Sandau family.  

Our office will be coordinating a meeting with representatives from various City departments, the Rowena Avenue business community, Ivanhoe School, along with the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council and the Silver Lake community to address these issues.

Puma Captured in Griffith Park

National Park Service biologists from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) captured a mountain lion in the Griffith Park Area on March 28.  After fitting the lion with a GPS collar, collecting blood and tissue samples, taking measurements, and recording weight, age, and sex, biologists released the animal at the capture site.

According to Wildlife Ecologist Seth Riley, an expert on urban wildlife with the National Park Service, “This is very interesting to learn of a large carnivore such as a mountain lion in a park as small and surrounded by urbanization as Griffith Park. It is a testament to the health of the natural systems in the LA area, including Griffith Park, that the full complement of wildlife can persist here. It will be extremely interesting to see where this animal goes and how long he stays there.”

Named P-22 (for Puma 22), the lion is male and approximately three years old.  Scientists working with the U.S. Geological Survey first spotted a lion on remotely triggered wildlife cameras and alerted the mountain lion specialists at SMMNRA, part of the National Park Service.  They were able to capture the lion after nine days of trapping. Blood and tissue collected from P-22 will be used for DNA testing at UCLA and UCDavis that will provide information about where the mountain lion came from and how he might be related to lions in the Santa Monica Mountains and elsewhere in the region.

As part of a decade-long study, SMMNRA is currently tracking the movements of five mountain lions in the region, from Pt. Mugu State Park in the west, to north of Highway 126 in Los Padres National Forest, to Griffith Park.  The goal of the study is to understand how mountain lions are existing in such a fragmented, urban landscape and how best to conserve them. Mountain lions require ample acreage to find mates and sufficient food, often with “home ranges” of up to 250 square miles. Because Griffith Park is only a fraction of that size, scientists do not expect P-22 to stay in the park for an extended period of time.

Mountain lions are solitary animals and sightings are extremely rare. Out of an abundance of caution, when on a trail, keep small children close to you and dogs on leash. If you do encounter a mountain lion, make yourself appear as intimidating as possible by yelling, waving your arms, and even throwing objects. Slowly back away and allow the mountain lion a path to move away.

AEG Releases its Draft Environmental Impact Report on the proposed Downtown Football Stadium

Now that Anschutz Entertainment Group -- developers of Staples Center and would-be builder of a downtown NFL Stadium -- has released its 10,000 page draft Environmental Impact Report, you have 45 days to comment on it.  There are a variety of ways to do this.  You can get a hard copy at City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning, 200 North Spring Street, Room 750.
You can see copies at Central Library, Exposition Park Regional Library or the Pico Union Branch Library.
You can see it online -- Click Here

You can comment directly to the Planning Dept. -- Click Here

Email a comment to: eircomment.conventionstadium@lacity.org

Or mail comments via US Mail to:
Case # ENV 2011-0585-EIR
Environmental Analysis Unit
Department of City Planning
200 North Spring Street, City Hall, Rm. 750
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Councilman LaBonge is a member of the Ad-Hoc City Council Stadium Committee, which is working to examine the AEG proposal and make sure that no taxpayer dollars are spent on the stadium project.


50 Years of Historic Preservation in Los Angeles

Councilman LaBonge speaks at a reception and exhibition at Los Angeles City Hall this week, honoring 50 years of Historic Preservation in the City of Los Angeles

Thai New Year - Songkran Festival

Councilman Labonge was on-hand for the Thai New Year Songkran Festival in the Thai Town area of Hollywood last weekend.  The celebration of Thai culture and community pride was very successful and well-attended and marked the final official appearance for Thai Consul General for Los Angeles Damrong Kraikruan, who heads back to Thailand to await his next international assignment.


Bangladesh Day Parade

 Councilman LaBonge joined the 5th Annual Bangladesh Independence Day Parade on April first, celebrating the 41st year of Nationhood for Bangladesh and the one-year anniversary of the formation of Little Bangladesh in Los Angeles. Congratulations to the Bengali community in the City of Angels!

Friends of the Los Angeles River Planning a Big Cleanup

CALENDAR ALERT
FRIENDS OF THE LOS ANGELES RIVER TO HOST
23rd ANNUAL LA GRAN LIMPIEZA: THE GREAT LOS ANGELES RIVER CLEANUP
Massive, Countywide Volunteer Effort to be Part of Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup™ Nationwide Day of Service April 28
WHAT:  Some 4,000 volunteers representing a broad cross-section of Los Angeles’ diverse population
are expected to take part in the Friends of the Los Angeles River’s (FoLAR) 23rd Annual La Gran Limpieza: The Great Los Angeles River CleanUp happening April 28, 2012.  FoLAR estimates more than
25 tons of garbage will be pulled from the 15 river clean-up sites sprawling from the Sepulveda Basin to Tujunga Wash to Long Beach.
The Los Angeles event has been chosen as one of ten events taking part in Keep America Beautiful’s (KAB) nationwide Great American Cleanup™ day of service.
This year, The Great Los Angeles River CleanUp brings the community together at the height of local enthusiasm and national attention to urban river revitalization.  The event will reveal a side of the river that volunteers likely have never seen, including fish and birds in their riparian habitat. Participants will be inspired to become stewards of this natural treasure of Los Angeles. College students will conduct a scientific trash sort at five locations, opening every fifth garbage bag and cataloging the contents. From the data gathered by the students, FoLAR will release a report to the community describing the types of trash found in the river.
The fun and festive “work party” atmosphere will be livened up with gift giveaways, raffle prizes, entertainment and refreshments at each site.
WHO: Elected officials and civic leaders; diverse community members representing societies, cultural associations, charities, Neighborhood Councils and stakeholders; families, youth, seniors, corporate teams, churches, eco groups, river enthusiasts and more. 
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 2012, 9 a.m. to noon
WHERE:  15 sites, including current and future river park sites as well as some locations normally off limits to the general public.  Locations – Sepulveda Basin, Encino; Big Tujunga Wash, Sunland; Griffith Park; Atwater Village (2 sites); Glassell Park; Cypress Park (3 sites); Elysian Valley (3 sites); Compton
Creek, Carson; and Long Beach (2 sites). Check FoLAR’s website for maps: Click here for more information

Upcoming Events

Happy EASTER
Enjoy the holiday this coming Sunday, April 8th with family and friends.

Happy Passover
Passover begins at Sundown on Friday April 6th

Hollywood Half-Marathon
Saturday, April 7
A number of constituents and community groups have expressed concerns about the lack of notification of road closures due to the race on Saturday.  Councilman LaBonge -- though an avid supporter of road-races and street-festivals -- will conduct a thorough review of the procedures followed by the Hollywood Half Marathon.  
Click Here to see the Course Map

Road Closure Notice

Friday - Aprl 6th
10:00AM to 7:00PM- Hollywood Health & Fitness Expo
Saturday - April 7th
6:00AM- Half Marathon Start @ Universal CityWalk
8:00AM- 5K/10K Start @ Hollywood & Highland (Medals awarded at finish line)
7:00AM - 10:00AM- Awards of Half Marathon on CityWalk Stage)
8:00AM- Star Kids Fun Run @ Universal CityWalk

North Atwater Park Dedication Ceremony
All are welcome to join the celebration of the new park on the river.
Thursday, April 12 2012
9:30am
3900 West Chevy Chase Dr., Los Angeles, Ca. 90039

"Get to Know" your Wild Neighbors Event
Saturday April 14th
9am - Noon
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park
Expo and Hike
Councilman LaBonge will lead kids on a hike to the top of Mt. Hollywood
Games, Exhibits, a climbing wall and fun for the whole family.

CICLAVIA
LA's biggest block party
Sunday, April 15th, 2012
Ciclavia transforms 10 miles of LA's streets into a safe, fun, car-free space for walking, bicycling, skating, jogging and seeing the city in a whole new way.
More information

Neutra 4k - 8k 1st Run/Walk
Earth Day, April 22nd
Saturday
7am
Start and end location: Silver Lake Meadow across from the Neutra House
2300 Silver Lake Boulevard
Los Angeles
Click here to see flyer

Hike for Health
Thursday, April 26th
8am - 11am
Griffith Observatory
(Charlie Turner Trailhead)
Griffith Park, Los Angeles
for more information
emailmary.d.rodriguez@lacity.org
See a video of last year's hike for health