Prepare Today - Survive Tomorrow!

On Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the California African American Museum (CAAM), Levitical Network will host a free “PREPARE TODAY – SURVIVE TOMORROW” DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FAIR along with State Farm Insurance, the American Red Cross, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, and State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas.

People of all ages are invited to attend this festive and informative event that will feature experts in earthquake, fire and other natural disasters who will share how we can assist our families, friends, foes, communities, churches and businesses in preparation. In addition to great speakers and gobs of information, there will be food, fun, music and entertainment; and activities for the kids and youth.

Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

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Your Genes: Choice or Chance?

Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas and
The Empowerment Congress
Invite you to join us in a very special and intriguing discussion on

Your Genes: Choice or Chance?

Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
California Science Center
700 State Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE!
The past decade in biological research has produced startling findings and set the stage for major potential inroads toward progress against human disease.

In particular scientific research on the human genome has pitted the hopes for progress toward the eradication of disease against ethical concerns about manipulating the human genome and worries over public access to private data.

What is the role of our genes vs. our personal health choices in determining health outcomes?

As genetic information becomes more readily available should we err on the side of privacy in making decisions regarding employment, insurance and law or should we override these issues in order to address a greater common good?

What are the ethical issues associated with manipulating the human genome and should theological considerations play any role in the formulation of policies and guidelines pertaining to genomic research and personal decision-making?

Join us in this timely and exciting conversation with scientists and other community members to learn more about your genes and the choices and decisions you can make for yourself and your family.

Admission is FREE!

Register online: goto.californiasciencecenter.org/sciencematters, or by phone: (213) 744-2420.

Featured panelists include:

Conan Nolan—moderator: Reporter, NBC4

Pragna Patel, Ph.D.: Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, USC School of Medicine

Mr. Olophius Perry, Esq.: District Director, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, L.A. District Office

James J. Walter, Ph.D.: Professor of Bioethics and Chair, The Bioethics Institute, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California

Stanley F. Nelson, M.D.: Professor and Vice Chair of Human Genetics and Professor of Psychiatry, Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA

Support for this program was provided by the California Community Empowerment Foundation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

City of L.A. Green Building Program

City of Los Angeles Adopts the Green Building Program

On April 22, 2008, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined City Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmembers Jan Perry, Ed Reyes and Bill Rosendahl to sign the Green Building Program into law. The Program is expected to reduce the City's carbon emissions by more than 80,000 tons by 2012, or the equivalent of taking 15,000 cars off the road.

The ordinance establishes a series of incentives and requirements for developers to meet USGBC LEED® standards. Effective May 29, 2008, the Standard of Sustainable Excellence gives builders voluntarily committing to pursue LEED Silver certification or higher priority processing through the Department of City Planning and Expedited Services through the Bureau of Engineering. These incentives are in addition to the existing Priority Plan Check processing through the Department of Building and Safety and Priority Service Planning through the Department of Water and Power. The project team must include a LEED AP, demonstrate how the project will achieve LEED Silver certification or higher, register with the USGBC, and attain formal certification.

Effective November 1, 2008, the Standard of Sustainability applies to non-residential projects 50,000 square feet or above and residential projects 50,000 square feet or above and seven stories or more. These projects must meet the intent of LEED at the Certified level. After May 1, 2009, residential projects 50,000 square feet or above, 50 units or more, and six stories or less must also meet the intent of LEED at the Certified level. The project team must include a LEED AP and demonstrate how the project meets the intent of LEED at the Certified level, but is not required to register with the USGBC.

The Green Building Program also establishes the Green Building Team. This cross-departmental Team fosters conversation between developers and City staff regarding policy-related issues posing obstacles to building green. Regular public meetings occur on the first Wednesday of every month. The Team will conduct public outreach, provide policy recommendations, train City staff, review the Standards, and produce an annual Green Building Report Card.

More information is available online at EnvironmentLA.org.

Protect Your Health - Get a Flu Shot

At least 36,000 people die each year from the flu. Protect your health and the health of those you love. Get your FREE flu shot!

Proteger su salud...¡Conseguir tu vacuna contra la gripe! Mas a menos 36,000 personas mueren cada año de la gripe. Proteger tu salud y la salud de ésos que amas. ¡Conseguir tu vacuna contra la gripe LIBRE!

St. Vincent Catholic Church
November 2 from 8 am - 2 pm
621 Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007

T.H.E. Clinic
November 8 from 9 am - 12 pm
3834 S. Western Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90062

Ted Watkins Park (Health Fair)
November 1 from 10 am - 2 pm
1335 E. 103rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90002

LA City Fire Station #15
(University Village)
November 20 from 10 am - 1 pm
915 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007

South Health Center
October 20 — December 12
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
8 am - 11 am
1522 E. 102nd St. (in the trailer)
Los Angeles, CA 90002

Crenshaw Christian Center
October 23 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
7901 S. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90000

St. Michael’s Catholic Church
November 23 from 8 am - 1 pm
1016 W. Manchester Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90044

Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
October 23 from 10 am - 4 pm
3650 Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90008

Notice of Public Hearing on NC Financial Disclosure

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, Saturday, October 11, 2008

To: Neighborhood Council Friends and Colleagues
From: Board of Neighborhood Commissioners

The Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC) will hold two Town Hall sessions on Saturday, October 11, 2008, at 11 am and 1:30 pm at the Citywide Congress of Neighborhoods to learn about and provide input on the various limited personal financial disclosure options for neighborhood councils currently under consideration by the City Council of Los Angeles. The Town Hall format is an opportunity for us to hear from neighborhood council members and stakeholders. See links for full City Ethics Commissions (CEC) Report and proposed language here - Report from CEC dated 02/19/08 regarding financial disclosure and Form 700.

Please plan to attend and make your voice heard!

Gang Reduction & Youth Development

MAYOR’S OFFICE OF GANG REDUCTION & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

On October 1, 2008, the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the implementation of gang prevention services in six (6) designated Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) Zones in the City of Los Angeles.

Over a 6-month period, a total of $3 million, $500,000 per GRYD Zone, will be available for distribution through this RFP, subject to the availability of funding from the City of Los Angeles and the State of California.

GRYD Zones seek to bring about significant, long-term reductions in gang activity and improve overall community health through collaborative efforts at local, state, and federal levels. Organizations will apply a comprehensive gang reduction and youth development model in addressing the full range of individual, family, peer, school, and community factors thatcontribute to high levels of juvenile delinquency and gang activity. The successful bidder's proposal must demonstrate its ability to deliver services in the core area of gang prevention.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

The Request for Proposals (RFP) is available at the Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (LABAVN) at www.labavn.org. Registration is mandatory in order to access and apply for the RFP. Signing up on LABAVN will also provide you with any updated information on this RFP and other contractual opportunities offered through the City of Los Angeles. If there are technical assistance questions regarding the LABAVN site, please email support@labavn.org.

NEEDS ASSESSMENTS

A copy of the needs assessments that were conducted in the six (6) designated GRYD Zones can be found on LABVN and on the Mayor’s website located at www.lacity.org/mayor under the section titled “Villaraigosa plan.” Click on Public Safety, then on Gang Reduction Strategy and the needs assessments and the statistical data maps can be found when scrolling down to the bottom of the page. The RFP is also available on the Mayor's website.

PROPOSER’S CONFERENCES

Two proposer’s conferences have been scheduled to answer questions about this RFP on Thursday, October 9th at 9:00am-11:00am, and also from 12:00pm-2:00pm. At these conferences, GRYD and City staff will provide an overview to the RFP document and respond to questions regarding requirements of the RFP. This conference is not mandatory. Please bring your own copy of the RFP. Copies of the RFP will NOT be provided at the conferences.

Thursday, October 9th, 2008
First Conference: 9:00am - 11:00am
Second Conference: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
EXPO Center
3890 S. Menlo Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90037

For further questions regarding the RFP process, please email your questions to
LAGRYD@lacity.org or you may call (213) 473-7796.

Financial Crisis Seminar

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Register to Vote!

Ready for a Change? Want to Avoid More of the Same?

First...You and everyone you know must Register to Vote!

On November 4, 2008, millions of people will cast their vote for the next president of the United States. This year there is unprecedented excitement and passion to change America, but this momentum can only lead to victory if those who feel it are registered to vote.

The deadline to register to vote is October 20, 2008. If you are not registered to vote, or if you have moved or changed your name, please visit the California Secretary of State's website today!

Make sure your friends' and family's voices are heard on Election Day - be sure they are registered to vote! Simply forward this notice to them by copying and pasting the text into an email - or send them a link to this site.

Once you and everyone you know is registered to vote, be sure you are signed up to vote-by-mail. Voting by mail is easy: No traffic. No lines. No hassle. The deadline to sign-up to vote-by-mail is October 28, 2008.

For voters registered in Los Angeles County, simply click here to sign-up to vote-by-mail. Or click here to become a permanent vote-by-mail voter, so that your ballot arrives at your address every election.

For voters registered outside of Los Angeles County, click here to sign-up to vote-by-mail.

If you are a voter in Los Angeles County, you have another option to vote early. Beginning Monday, October 6, you can visit the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office in Norwalk and vote early in-person.

Early Voting in Los Angeles County:
Beginning October 6, 2008
from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Weekdays
(Hours will be extended as Election Day nears)
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office
12400 Imperial Highway, 3rd Floor
Norwalk, CA 90650

For updates on voting in Los Angeles County, click here to visit the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's website.

Stop School Violence!

The California State Senate Public Safety Committee, The Senate Select Committee on Urban School Governance, Senator Gloria Romero and Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas

Invite you to

SCHOOL VIOLENCE:
PREVALENCE, TRENDS, IMPACT AND PREVENTION

an Informational Joint Committee Hearing

Thursday, October 2, 2008
5:00 – 7:00pm
West Adams Preparatory High School
1500 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007

Is the increase in school violence a series of isolated incidents, or an ominous trend? How are schools coping? What can the community do to stem the tide of Black vs. Brown violence? The joint committees seek to address these questions, and Senator Ridley-Thomas looks forward to hearing from YOU.

For more information, or to confirm your attendance please call the 26th Senate District Office at (213) 745-6656.

Workplace Hollywood

Workplace Hollywood is a community based organization formed by the entertainment industry to ensure that individuals from economically disadvantaged and under-represented communities of color can successfully compete for (and gain access to) jobs in the industry.

Go to: www.workplacehollywood.org or email lkaplan@workplacehoolwood.org.

Minority Outreach Symposium IV

MINORITY OUTREACH SYMPOSIUM IV

California State University
Northridge, California
Saturday, October 18, 2008
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Reception to follow)

Offering New Strategies to Engage Minority Communities in all facets of Society by:

- Building City-wide Coalitions
- Developing Ongoing Communications and Relationships
- Strengthening Awareness of our Cultural Similarities

Honorary Chairs: Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Senator Art Torres and Congresswoman Maxine Waters

Please RSVP to Elizabeth Badger (818) 713-9737 or MinorityOutreach@aol.com

48th District - TALENT SEARCH

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