Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Let's Talk about Iraq

Iraq & Middle East Peace Forum at Cal State L.A.

Thursday, May 29th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Cal State Los Angeles
Golden Eagle Building, 3rd Floor, Ballroom
5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90032

Moderated by Sonali Kolhatkar of KPFK 90.7 FM, and "Afghan Women's Mission"

Speakers Include:

Raed Jarrar is an Iraqi political analyst and consultant to American Friends Service Committee's Iraq Program currently based in Washington, D.C. After the U.S.-led invasion, Jarrar became the country director for CIVIC Worldwide, the only door-to-door casualty survey group in post-war Iraq. He then established Emaar, (meaning "reconstruction" in Arabic); a grassroots organization that provided humanitarian and political aid to Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs). Emaar delivered medicine and food as well as helped initiate micro-enterprise projects for IDPs. Additionally, Emaar engaged in political advocacy on behalf of displaced populations.

Ann Wright resigned from the U.S. Foreign Service on March 19, 2003, while serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Mongolia. She resigned due to her disagreement with the Bush administration's decision to go to war in Iraq without the authorization of the UN Security Council, the lack of effort in resolving the Israel-Palestinian situation, the lack of policy on North Korea and unnecessary curtailment of civil liberties in the United States. Ms. Wright joined the Foreign Service in 1987 and served as Deputy Chief of Mission of US Embassies in Sierra Leone, Micronesia and briefly in Afghanistan. Before entering the Foreign Service, she served in the Army and has a combined regular Army/Army Reserve service time of 29 years. She served primarily in special operations units and attained the rank of Colonel. Ann Wright will also have her book for sale at the event, called "Dissent Voices of Conscience" about how government insiders speak out against the Iraq War.

Edgar Cuevas was stationed in Germany for three years as a Cavalry Scout for the United States Army. Twelve days before his contract was about to expire he was Stop Lossed and forced to serve in Iraq for a year and a half. He served in Iraq from February of 2004 through March of 2005. He was stationed in Tikrit and witnessed innocent people being mishandled and tortured. He is a member of 'Iraq Veterans Against the War" in Los Angeles.

Sponsored by the "Student Friends Service Committee of CSULA". Co-sponsored by the Humanist Association at CSULA. For more info call 310-795-2235.

Want to Save $$$ on Property Taxes?

The UNNC Neighborhood Council offers a Free Mills Act and Cultural Monument Application Workshop with Conservation Easement Information
May 31, 2008 from 9:30-11:00 am

At the LAPD Drop-in Center
4012 Washington Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90018
(near 10th Avenue)

Mills Act Applications are due on June 27, 2008.


The Mills Act Program is designed to encourage preservation of historic properties; these properties can be either residential or commercial. If approved, the property owner enters into a contract with the city of Los Angeles to use funds resulting from the reduction in property taxes to restore or maintain the structure. This approval remains with the property and is a positive marketing tool when the property is sold. Eligible properties must be either a contributor to an established Historic Preservation Overlay Zone or a Los Angeles City Cultural Monument.

Owners who purchased property after 1995 have the greatest potential benefit. Those who purchased property in the 1980’s may see a decrease. Those who owned property prior to the passage of Proposition 13 would receive no benefit.

The Mills Act application requires either a substantial time commitment from the property owner or the services of a professional. Computing potential property tax savings is the first step in determining whether to complete the application process. The application can be downloaded from the Planning Department website or can be obtained from the historic resources office on the sixth floor of the Los Angeles city hall.
The application handbook and forms require multiple downloads.

Please review the application prior to the workshop, if possible, and bring it to the workshop. Photos of the property interior and exterior are also useful.

Please R.S.V.P. to: mmdarch@ca.rr.com.

Voices of the Comminty - Voces De La Communidad

The Figueroa Corridor Community Land Trust, in conjunction with other local organizations and neighborhood residents, invites to you participate in:

VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY - VOCES DE LA COMUNIDAD

When: Saturday, May 31st from 9:00am to 12:00 noon
Where: Auditorium of St. Vincent's School
(on the west side of Figueroa, halfway between 23rd Street and Adams)

Councilmember Jan Perry, Councilmember Ed Reyes, and staff from the Planning Department will be there to hear presentations from community residents about issues of concern.

Our focus has been on two neighborhoods: Estrella neighborhood (bounded by Washington/Hoover/Adams/Figueroa) and MLK/South Main (bounded by Jefferson/Broadway/Vernon/Avalon).

Over the past six months, we have been gathering information about these neighborhoods (through our March 1st Community Walks, and a Fall 2007 Community Health Survey). We look forward to this opportunity to present these findings to the City, and to dialogue with the Councilmembers and other City staff about solutions.

WE INVITE ALL NEIGHBORS AND OTHER INTERESTED FOLKS TO JOIN US!

Registration at 8:30am. Breakfast, childcare and simultaneous translation (English/Spanish) provided.

To RSVP or for information, contact Blanca Rivera or Tafarai Bayne at 213-784-4140 ext 103 or 102.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Improving the Lives of Girls and Women in L.A.

Please call today. Space is limited! Please Join Us!

When: Wednesday, May 21st, 2008
Time:6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Exposition Park Intergenerational
Community Center, Inc. (EPICC)
3980 S. Menlo Ave.
Los Angeles,CA 90037

Why: The Commission on the Status of Women wants to hear about the issues that are most important to women in the City of Los Angeles. Download Agenda at here.

A resource table will be available for organizations interested in providing
information about their community programs and services. If you are interested in providing information, please contact Veronica Hendrix at the Commission office (213) 978-0300.

The Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women is a City department that was established by ordinance by the City Council and Mayor in 1975. In 1980, the Commission was made a permanent department. The Commission is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all women have full and equal participation in the affairs of City Government and promotes the general welfare of women and girls in the Los Angeles Community.

Reasonable accommodations as well as information in alternative formats are available upon request. Sign language interpreters, assisted-listening devices, other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability, you are advised to make your request at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. For additional information, please call (213) 978-0300 Voice or (213) 978-2197 TDD.

Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women
200 North Spring Street, Room 2111
Los Angeles, California 90012
Phone: (213) 978-0300
Fax: (213) 978-0309
E-mail: laccsw@lacity.org

Black Airline Pilots Summer Program

Hello Friends & Colleagues,

This summer the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) will hold 2 Aviation Career Education Camps sponsored by Delta Air Lines.

The purpose of each one-week program is to introduce interested youth to the world of aviation by exposing them to the many challenging careers and opportunities which the aviation industry has to offer.

This is a program that I've been involved in for several years and I'm extremely passionate about it and what it does for children. Please take the time to read the brochure/application and pass it along to anyone that you know who may be interested. Go to: www.acecamps.org.

The age range is for boys and girls between 14-18 years old. The best part of the camp other than the exposure is that it is FREE!!!!

Delta Air Lines pays the entire cost.

Thanks for spreading the word,

Michael Gaillard, Delta Air Lines
Atlanta ACE Camp Director of Admissions