Saturday, April 12, 2008

Congrats Foshay Robotics Team!

Message from Regina Boutte:

I am very happy to report that the LAUSD District 7 Foshay’s Robotic Team 597 represented YOU very well in Hawai’i for the FIRST Robotic Regional. Not only were we the most attractive and courteous team competing, we walked away with the 2nd highest overall award.

The Chairman’s Award was presented to Team 359 from Hawaii, established in 2000. We were awarded the 2008 Engineering Inspiration Award, which celebrates outstanding success in advancing respect and appreciation for engineering and engineers within a team’s school and community. We won the 2008 Website Award, which recognizes excellence in student-designed, built, and managed FIRST team websites…please visit us at www.team597.net.

We were recognized during the awards ceremony as one of the top teams (actually the runner-up) for the Underwriters Laboratories Industrial (ULI) Safety Award that celebrates the team that progress beyond safety fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards. Each member of the team was presented an ULI Safety Pin. In addition to practicing safety in the pit area and on the field, team members campaigned for breast cancer awareness and shared pink ribbons, website information, data and clothing with other teams, the judges and spectators supplied by Privacy Wear (www.privacywear.com), one of the team’s sponsors.

Let’s not forget our robot, Neptune. The team accumulated enough points and qualified for the Finals!!! A few weeks ago, while competing in San Diego for the Robotics Regional, March 6th -8th, the team also won the 2008 Website Award and special recognition from the Underwriters Laboratories.

The Team will compete in the FIRST Robotic Championship in Atlanta April 16th - 19th.

Sincerely,

Regina M. Boutte
Assistant Principal
Foshay Learning Center

Friday, April 11, 2008

Caregiver Conference - In Spanish

The City of Los Angeles Department of Aging and the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation are working together to host a Free Caregiver Conference at Our Lady of Angels Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, April 26, 2008. The Spanish language event targets caregivers, people who provide care for their older adult relative, spouse, or grandparent who has custody of a minor child and will link them to supportive services offered through the City's network of Multipurpose Senior Centers.

This will encourage Spanish Speaking caregivers within the City of Los Angeles to access supportive services that will help their loved ones age independently with dignity and respect, in the comfort of their own homes. This is important because many family caregivers that care for their parents (padres) are caregivers, but they do not identify themselves as caregivers since they feel it is a cultural duty to take care of their parents. The benefit to these families is that they can access services for the caregiver as well as programs to keep their loved ones (padres) active, independent, and pursuing a healthy lifestyle.

Please take a moment to review the flyer for the Aprendamos Juntos (Learning Together) Caregiver Conference on Saturday, April 26, 2008; RSVP by calling (323) 313-1683.

Click Here for the Flyer

NOTE: For additional information on the conference, please dial (323)313-1683. If your Neighborhood Council is interested in partnering with the City of Los Angeles Department of Aging to host a Caregiver Conference or accessing supportive services such as Caregiver Trainings or Caregiver Support Groups, please contact:

Charles Shivers
Information & Assistance Director
Department of Aging
3580 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Tel: (213) 252-4082
Fax: (213) 252-4020

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Now You Can Fight SPAM!!!

SPAM!--It's official... now, we really can fight back.

We hope you have not, but if you have suffered financial loss (money) in a so-called "investment" behind an eMail scam, contact the California Victims of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund (VCFCF). The California Secretary of State has created this entity to provide restitution to those individuals and business entities that have been victims of a corporate fraud but have been unable to collect on their judgment or criminal restitution order. (Corporations Code section 1502.5; California Code of Regulations, Title 2, sections 22500-22519.): Victims of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund: call (916) 651-9070, or email at vcfcf@sos.ca.gov.

The California Attorney General, or local law enforcement has the authority to investigate and intervene, in certain situations, on behalf of members of the public involved in disputes with corporations and other business entities or individuals that may be involved in unlawful conduct or that may be making false representations to the public. You may wish to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office in writing to the Public Inquiry Unit at P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550 or call (800) 952-5225 (toll free in California), (916) 322-3360, or through their web site:
http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general.php.

Regarding the unauthorized dissemination of electronic mail, there is a federal statute known as the CAN-SPAM Act (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003) that federal and state law enforcement officials enforce jointly, and there is a California version of the Act located in Business and Professions Code sections 17529 through 17529.9. You also may want to access the "Consumers SPAM" link on the Attorney General's website: http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general/spam10.php.

Contact the FTC by mail at Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20580. You also may wish to visit the FTC's website at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/tech/spam.shtm.

Also, a spam complaint may be filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace. To file a complaint or to get free information on this and other consumer issues, you can visit their website at www.ftc.gov, or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), send spam to the FTC: spam@uce.gov.

Additionally, if you have fallen victim to an internet scam, or know others who have fallen victim to an internet scam, you may wish to file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National White Collar Crime Center, at: http://www.ic3.gov/complaint.

Calling All High School Artists

Dear Friends:

It is my pleasure to formally announce the annual 31st Congressional District Student Art Competition. Our theme this year will be "Los Angeles: A Cultural Crossroads - the Everyday and the Extraordinary." The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity for the community to recognize our gifted young artists. If you are a high school student with interests and talents in the arts, or know someone who is, you should be aware of this exciting opportunity.

Since 1982, hundreds of thousands of high school students have participated nationwide in the Annual Congressional Art Competition. The winner of the local art competition will have their artwork exhibited in the United States Capitol for one year and receive airfare and accommodations for two to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 25 in Washington, D.C. More great prizes for second and third place winners, as well as those receiving honorable mention will be awarded.

Please note that participants must be high school students and reside in the 31st Congressional District. To verify that a student lives in my district, please visit the House of Representatives Web site and enter their zip code in the "Find Your Representatives" field
click here to look up the +4 zip code).

Visit my Congressional Art Competition Web page to see the winners from the previous three years and to learn more about the artwork guidelines and student requirements. All entries must be delivered to my Los Angeles district office by the deadline: Friday, May 2, 2008 at 5 p.m., with this release form completed and attached.

Please contact Nicolas Rodriquez at my district office at (213) 483-1425 if you have any questions.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

XAVIER BECERRA
Member of Congress

L.A. Neighborhood Initiative: SAVE THE DATE!

Once again we’re bringing the community together for the
LOS ANGELES NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE SIXTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY FORUM!

Thursday • May 15, 2008 • 8 am - 2:30 pm
USC Davidson Conference Center
3415 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90089
www.lani.org

Everyone is invited to this FREE event!

Drawing on Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative's unparalleled track record of revitalizing diverse areas, this exciting event gathers and trains neighborhood leaders and community stakeholders, providing a critical opportunity for dialogue and information sharing.

POTENTIAL WORKSHOP TOPICS:
• How to Bring a Grocery Store to Your Community
• California Friendly Landscape and Irrigation
• Bike Paths in Los Angeles
• CALots and Neighborhood Mapping
• Historic Preservation: Revitalizing Broadway
• Cleaning Up or Closing Down Nuisance Businesses

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
• LANI Community Steering Committees • Neighborhood Councils • CAC’s, PAC’s & Planning Committees • Business Improvement Districts • Merchant Associations • Community Based Organizations • Nonprofits • Public Officials • City & County Agencies • Community Members • Consultants • Students • Anyone interested in Neighborhood Revitalization

Register now at www.lani.org or call 213 627-1822 ext. 20

NC Input Requested

Commission Seeks Neighborhood Council Input
on Preservation Ordinance


The Office of Historic Resources and the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) invite Certified Neighborhood Councils to participate in two upcoming public hearings - on Thursday, March 20 (after 11:30 a.m.) and on Thursday, April 17 (after 10:00 a.m.) to provide input on a significant overhaul of the City's historic preservation ordinance.

The staff of the Office of Historic Resources (OHR) is proposing important changes aimed at strengthening demolition review procedures, clarifying criteria for historic designation, and enhancing notification of private property owners. The City of Los Angeles' Cultural Heritage Ordinance, originally approved by the City Council in 1962, created the procedures for the designation and protection of significant Los Angeles buildings and sites as Historic-Cultural Monuments. While the Ordinance has undergone several minor, procedural modifications, it has never been comprehensively updated to give our City a state-of-the-art historic preservation program.

The Cultural Heritage Commission held an initial public workshop on these ordinance amendments in February, and will be holding these two additional hearings on the proposed changes in the coming weeks, at City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Rm. 1010 (10th Floor). We encourage you to participate, but if you cannot attend, we welcome your written comments and suggestions on these proposals as the OHR and Commission finalize a draft ordinance for submission to the City Council later this year.

The OHR has now made available the text of the proposed ordinance changes. To review the draft ordinance and a summary of the recommendations under review by the Commission, click on the attachment at the bottom of the OHR's web site article on the hearing, at: www.preservation.lacity.org/node/94

You may also review the existing ordinance by clicking on the attachment "Cultural Heritage Ordinance" at: www.preservation.lacity.org/commission

2008 Arbor Day L.A.

It's spring time! Put on those gardening gloves and pick up that shovel. Don that party hat and join the City of Los Angeles at the 2008 Arbor Day LA -- a fun-filled and educational activity with information booths, treats, surprise guests, entertainment, tree adoptions and tree planting workshops for all Angelenos. Learn about how you can pitch in to grow Los Angeles' urban forest.

Saturday, May 17, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Griffith Park, Park Center Area
4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027

Admission is FREE! Feel free to forward this information to all interested parties.

For more information, email milliontree@lacity.org, call (213) 473-9950, or
visit www.milliontreesla.org or www.arbordayla.blogspot.com.

This event is presented by Million Trees LA, the Department of Public Works, and the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Southern California Youth Music Competition

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE:

WHAT: Southern California Youth Music Competition
WHEN: April 19, 2008
WHERE: Church of Congregational Fellowship (UCC)
2085 South Hobart Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90018
WHO: Bradley Baker, Music Director
DEADLINE: April 12, 2008

The competition is open to high school vocalists and instrumentalists who live in Southern California.

The goal of this music competition is to have a positive impact on the youth who spend time learning their musical craft.

For more information: Fax Mr. Bradley Baker at 323.731.0851

Or by email (preferred): bradleybaker@earthlink.net

Entrants are asked to prepare two contrasting selections based on the following:

Baroque
Romantic
Impressionist
Gospel
Contemporary
Broadway Show
Jazz
Pop
Original Composition

There are two categories - vocal and instrumental.

Each category pays as follows:
First Prize is $500
Second Prize is $250
Third Prize is $125
Honorable Mention
Special Mention

If you know someone who is interested, talented or just wants the experience, please have them Enter today!

Community Workshop: City of Los Angeles Clean Money Programs

April 19, 2008, 10 a.m. to Noon
Little Tokyo Library
203 S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

In November 2007, the Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution instructing the City’s Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA) to generate a Clean Money proposal for the City of Los Angeles. The adopted resolution additionally instructed the CLA to consult with the California Clean Money Campaign, the City Ethics Commission, City Clerk, City Administrative Office and Mayor Antonio Villara igoisa, in crafting this proposal.

The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) has ben requested to assist in soliciting feedback, as requested by the LA City Council Rules and and Elections Committee on proposals for voluntary full public funding of city elections.

In order to raise public awareness & understanding of Clean Money Programs and give you an opportunity to weigh in with your thoughts and ideas, the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council is hosting an informational workshop on the topic.

For more information contact Tobi Dragert (tdragert@gmail.com) or Ginny Case (ginny@ginnycase.com or 213.248.0698)

Empowering Black Women to be Tomorrow's Health Advocats

Advocate Training Program 2008: Empowering Black Women to be Tomorrow's Health Activists

CABWHP will soon begin training a new group of Los Angeles health advocates through our innovative Advocate Training Program (ATP). The 2008 ATP will have a special cohort for young women ages 18-24. However, applications from sisters of all ages are welcome. The ATP is designed to train women from the grassroots community to become effective health policy activists and advocates. Since 2002, the Advocate Training Program has produced sixty-five women's health advocates trained in Black women's health issues, media advocacy, community organizing, strategy development and policy advocacy. In 2006, we trained our inaugural Northern California class of advocates in the East Bay.

The 2008 ATP will empower a new set of health advocates to enrich our advocacy, activism and dialogue with policy makers. Applications are available now! Space is limited so submit your application as early as possible!

Apply Now! Space is Limited!

Young women who complete our program will each receive a $250 college scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year!

For more information, contact us at?310 412-1828 x15 or adrienne@cabwhp.org.

Student Science and Technology Day

STUDENTS TO EXPLORE ENGINEERING, SCIENCE WITH PROS AT FIFTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS DAY

City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works staff are playing a major part in planning the fifth annual Science and Technology Awareness Day on May 10, where “Energy for the Future” will be the theme. The event will take place from noon to 4 p.m., at the Expo Community Center, 3990 S. Menlo Avenue in Los Angeles, said City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works President Cynthia Ruiz.

More than 200 South Los Angeles area students, elementary to high school, are expected to participate in engineering and scientific activities lead by Engineering professionals. The Los Angeles African American Engineers and Professional Employees Association (AAEPEA) is the sponsor.

“Displays, exhibits and experiments as well as giveaways for participating students will be offered,” said Bureau of Sanitation Chief Industrial Waste Inspector and AAEPEA President Sunny Owairu. “AAEPEA sponsors Awareness Day each year to generate interest in science, technology, and engineering in young people who are generally underrepresented in these fields of study,” Owairu said. “By conducting fun, hands-on activities like these, AAEPEA believes it can motivate youth to study math and science and pursue Engineering-related majors in college.”

Among organizations contributing to the event with the Bureaus of
Sanitation and Engineering are:

The Gas Company
Southern California Edison Company
College Prep Kids
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
AIAA (Boeing Corporation)
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Metropolitan Water District
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
MWH
Parsons
American Society of Civil Engineers
GC Tech
AAEPEA LA County Public Works
Society of Women Engineers
British Petroleum
MAC Tech
Shell Oil Company
UCLA NANO Outreach
Southern California American Chemical Society
California Earthquake Center

For more information, contact Owairu at (323) 342-6044 or (323)
342-6200. The Public Works Department is the third largest municipal
agency in the City. DPW has more than 5,700 employees and an annual
budget of more than $1 billion. DPW is responsible for construction,
renovation and operation of public facilities and infrastructure,
including: municipal buildings and treatment facilities; streets, street
lights, and urban forest; bridges and sidewalks; sewers and storm
drains; integrated solid waste management and recycling; graffiti
removal and beautification grants.