Tom LaBonge Newsletter: Christmas Parade, Toyland and More

Here's wishing you and yours a Thanksgiving Holiday full of family, friends and gratitude for all the blessings we enjoy.  I am so thankful I get to serve the People and the City of Los Angeles each and every day.  These are trying times -- not the same times our parents and grand-parents went through -- but challenging all the same.  Remember and be thankful for those who went before us and build for a better future for those who come after us.  Happy Thanksgiving!


New Leadership on the Los Angeles City Council

The Los Angeles City Council voted this week to accept Council President Garcetti's request to be removed as President of the City Council.  The Council then voted unanimously to make Herb Wesson Junior the new President of the Los Angeles City Council.  Councilman Ed Reyes was voted-in as Council President Pro-Tempore.  In his first act as Council President, Mr. Wesson chose Councilman Tom LaBonge to serve as Assistant President Pro-Tempore.  The leadership team becomes effective on January 2nd, 2012.


HO-HO-HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE

Santa Claus is coming to town this Sunday for the Hollywood Christmas Parade.  It's the 80th Annual running of this historic fixture of the holiday season in Los Angeles, benefiting Marine Toys for Tots.  The Grand Marshal is Marie Osmond this year, with Parade Broadcast hosts Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie joined by scores of Movie and Television stars, performers and 16 award-winning marching bands.  There will also be 9 equestrian units, 8 floats and 13 giant ballons, including Santa Kermit and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  You can purchase grand-stand tickets or grab a free seat on the sidewalk along the U-shaped parade-route.  
Ticket and Route Information

List of Road-Closures and Parking Restrictions

Honoring "Kip" of Kip's Toyland

City Councilmember Tom LaBonge honored Irvin “Kip” Kipper this week for his life-long dedication to providing smiles to children of all ages.  His toy shop has survived the test of time. He first opened back in October 1945.  Kip’s Toyland relocated to the Original Farmers Market in 1956.  Ever since that move, Kip’s Toyland has been a favorite and treasured stop at the Original Farmers Market.  Kip’s passion for toys knows no bounds.He spends his days thinking almost exclusively about dolls, trains, and stuffed bears.Monday through Saturday, Kip is still at the store ensuring that his customers find that special toy.Kip’s Toyland has served generations of families.Young people come in and say that their first visit was with their grandparents; and now they bring their own children.  Kip was surrounded by his family: his wife Gertrude and his two sons and their wives at the event at the Original Farmers Market.

Gay for Good Runyon Canyon Cleanup

Councilman LaBonge joined volunteers from the "Gay for Good" organization, which brought-out about a hundred people to help clean up Runyon Canyon.  “GAY FOR GOOD” aims to energize and mobilize the LGBT community to interact with the greater Los Angeles community by volunteering their time to various social welfare and environmental service projects. Each month, they select a different non-profit to donate our time for a community service project. 
If you want to get involved, go to their website and set up your membership profile to receive information about all their events.  
There is no money involved.  Just donate your time !
Do something valuable for the City of Los Angeles while meeting other great people of the LGBT community and the community at large!
Click here for the Gay for Good website



United Way HomeWalk 2011 

Councilman LaBonge joined Kobe Bryant for the United Way HomeWalk 2011.  HomeWalk is United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ annual 5K Run/Walk to End Homelessness. Each year thousands join together to do their part by fundraising and spreading the word that homelessness is a solvable problem. 
In Los Angeles County 51,000 people are homeless. Over the past 4 years, HomeWalk has mobilized 18,000 walkers, raised $1.7 million and funded organizations that have moved 9,000 people into permanent housing. All proceeds go directly back to the community, supporting permanent solutions to end homelessness for chronically homeless people, veterans and families. Solutions such as permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing have proven highly successful in cities such as New York and Denver. In Los Angeles County the solutions we support have over 85% success at keeping people off the streets for good with a 43% cost savings for tax-payers.