Tom LaBonge Newsletter: NoHo Arts Festival, LAX, Runyon Canyon and More

Making LAX even Safer

City Councilmember Tom LaBonge – Chairman of the City Council’s Trade, Commerce and Tourism Committee – is calling for a renewed commitment to safety and security at Los Angeles International Airport.  “As Chair of the Committee overseeing airport operations, I’m closely reviewing the study released by the Mayor’s panel of experts,” said Councilman LaBonge.  “I’m happy to see that the airport is safer today after more than one $1.6-billion dollars in security investments since 9/11.  But I’d like to see LAX be the safest airport in the country, and I plan to schedule hearings in the Trade, Commerce and Tourism Committee to discuss how we can accomplish that.”
The report called for improved security at LAX facilities, better emergency management and more cooperation between the Los Angeles World Airports Police Force and the LAPD, which helps patrol the busy airport.
Click here to read the 162-Page Report


Major Emergency Road-Work on Los Feliz Boulevard
Crews will begin a major road project at the intersection of Los Feliz Boulevard and Riverside Drive on Monday November 7th to perform emergency roadway stabilization.  Tunnelling in the area for the River Supply Conduit Project has resulted in the ground sinking underneath the major intersection around a newly-installed water pipe.  Crews will drill hundreds of holes in the pavement and inject grouting to shore-up the ground around the pipe.  Work begins on the park-side on Crystal Springs Drive, but will eventually move out onto Los Feliz Boulevard until the sinkage has been mitigated.  The work is expected to continue in the area through December 21st.  

Parking Changes Around Runyon Canyon Park
The City Council has approved changes to the Preferential Parking District near Runyon Canyon Park.  By unanimous vote, the Council approved Los Angeles Department of Transportation recommendations to extend to weekend the parking restrictions in Preferential Parking District #112.
Click here to see the council files on this

Earthquake Preparedness Tip of the Week

FEMA, FCC Announce Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System  
Similar to local Emergency Alert System tests, this test is scheduled for November 9, 2011  2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT 
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The national test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT and will last 30 seconds.
The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies.  NOAA's National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts.  
Similar to local EAS tests that are already conducted frequently, the nationwide test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline video service providers across all states and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. 
On November 9, the public will hear a message indicating that "This is a test." The audio message will be the same for both radio and television. Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help the federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers nationally and regionally.
"A national test of our Emergency Alert System, with the vital communications support and involvement of participants, is a step towards ensuring that the alert and warning community is prepared to deliver critical information that can help save lives and protect property," said Damon Penn, FEMA's Assistant Administrator of National Continuity Programs. "Because there has never been an activation of the Emergency Alert System on a national level, FEMA views this test as an excellent opportunity to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system.  It is important to remember that this is not a pass or fail test, but a chance to establish a baseline for making incremental improvements to the Emergency Alert System with ongoing and future testing.  It is also important to remember that the Emergency Alert System is one of many tools in our communications toolbox, and we will continue to work on additional channels that can be a lifeline of information for people during an emergency."



Experience NOHO Arts Festival Coming Up

Experience NoHo: a FREE, multi-arts festival in the heart of the NoHo Arts District, featuring live theater, dance, music, art, fashion and food. 
Experience NoHo is part arts walk and part festival. A large main stage area for music will be located at the north end of the festival, while a dance stage will anchor the festival on Lankershim Blvd. at the south end. Art will be everywhere - from public art stations inviting patrons to create their own art, to gallery installations. There will be incredible discounts and offerings from local restaurants and retailers. To top it off, 15 of NoHo’s live theatres will offer performances, classes and demonstrations for FREE during festival hours. So come SEE, HEAR, TASTE… EXPERIENCE NOHO!
WHEN: Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 12-8 PM.
WHERE: In the NoHo Arts District, spanning Lankershim Blvd. from Chandler Blvd. to Camarillo Blvd.; Bakman Ave. to Vineland Ave.
COST: ALL EVENTS ARE FREE!

A new radio station debuts in Koreatown

A new radio station has debuted to serve the Korean American community in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.  It's Radio K 1230AM, on-the-air now, broadcasting a mix of news, talk, music and lifestyle programming in Korean.  Station officials celebrated their first day on-the-air this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their studios on Wilshire Place in Los Angeles.  They hope to become an integral part of the Korean American experience in southern California.