Tom LaBonge Newsletter: Turkey Trot, Road Work, Scott Wilson and More

Road Work Notice:  Intersection of Los Feliz Boulevard and Riverside Drive
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power crews have been working at the intersection of Los Feliz Boulevard and Riverside Drive, at the Crystal Springs entrance to Griffith Park.  The installation of a large diameter water pipe – part of the River Supply Conduit Improvement Project – has caused ground subsidence, especially on the Crystal Springs Drive side of that major intersection.  Engineers have determined it’s necessary to drill holes in the pavement and inject a special grout into the cavities to shore-up the ground around and beneath the pipe, and keep the roadway from sagging.  That emergency work began on November 7^th .
There will be significant traffic impacts as a result of the work, which will eventually have to move out into the intersection.  The DWP sub-contractor will have to drill and fill hundreds of holes on Los Feliz Boulevard in the intersection, requiring the partial closure of the Boulevard.  In order to lessen the impact on traffic, crews will do the work at night between 8pm and 6am. The Los Angeles Police Commission, which has jurisdiction over noise ordinance variances, has approved the DWP plan to conduct the night-work over three to five days on Los Feliz Boulevard between November 28th and December 9th.  Meanwhile, work will continue on the Riverside Drive and Crystal Springs Drive side of the intersection, which resulted in the closure of a single eastbound or westbound lane, depending on which side the crews were working.
This emergency roadway stabilization is part of critical infrastructure improvement work that secures drinking water supplies for parts of the City of Los Angeles once the Silver Lake Reservoir is taken off-line and replaced with the Headworks Reservoir in Griffith Park, near Forest Lawn Memorial Park.  Ensuring a clean, safe and stable water-supply will help us enjoy and love the great City of Los Angeles for 2012 and for generations to come.

City of Los Angeles Redistricting 2011
The Los Angeles City Redistricting Commission is currently working to re-draw the boundaries of the 15 Council Districts within the city in light of the 2010 Census figures.  You can have a voice in this process and help shape the newly redrawn City Council as well as Los Angeles Unified School districts. Sign up - Stay Informed.  The first public outreach meetings will commence after the Thanksgiving Holiday. 
Click here for the latest information


Legacy Luncheon in Griffith Park

Councilman LaBonge and the Department of Recreation and Parks hosted the annual Seniors 90-Plus Legacy Luncheon at Friendship Auditorium in Griffith Park.  Hundreds of seniors over the age of 90, their relatives and caregivers enjoyed a lunch of turkey and all the trimmings with a dessert of pumpkin pie and whipped cream.  Councilman LaBonge helped serve meals to the distinguished guests and even serenaded them with his version of Elvis Presley's "If I Can Dream".

Read More -- See More on the Legacy Luncheon



Disability Art Exhibit at Los Angeles City Hall

This oil painting was created by 16-year old Justin Tecson (with Councilman LaBonge in photo below)  Justin is hearing-impaired.
Councilman LaBonge welcomed more than 40 disabled artists to Los Angeles City Hall this week to officially open the Department of Disability's Art Exhibit on the Henry P. Rio Bridge that connects City Hall with City Hall East.  Each of the artists was recognised by the Councilman and presented with a certificate on behalf of the City Council for their fine contributions to the art exhibit.  The work is beautiful.  Come down to LA City Hall and check it out before November 30th.

See a video of the Art Exhibit and Presentations



Lunching with a US Senator

Former US Senator and Motion Picture Association of America Chairman Christopher Dodd met with Councilman LaBonge during an appearance at a Hollywood Chamber of Commerce luncheon this week.  Senator Dodd spoke about Piracy Concerns and intellectual property rights at the luncheon in his role as Hollywood's chief lobbyist on motion picture issues with the power-brokers in Washington DC.


Korean American Coalition's 17th Annual Legislative Luncheon

Councilman LaBonge was one of the speakers at the Korean American Coalition Legislative luncheon, along with several prominent Asian-Pacific Islander elected officials, including State Controller John Chiang and State Senator Judy Chiu.  The luncheon was held at the Yang Su San restaurant in Koreatown, and gives members of the Korean American community in Los Angeles to hear about current issues like redistricting and representation from several state and local elected officials.  The Councilman pictured here with (from left)
Alex Kim from the Southern California Gas Companyand KAC Board of Directors, Mimi Song from the KAC Honorary Board and Grace Yoo, KAC Executive Director.


Experience NoHo Arts Festival

Despite a rainy day, the Experience NoHo Arts Festival was very successful, bringing out crowds of people to enjoy the music, art, theater and food in the NoHo Arts District.  Councilman LaBonge was there to present commendations to the organizers and looks forward to next year's event.

Councilman LaBonge with (from left) McKenzie Alexander, Shannon Currie-Holmes and Nancy Bianconi, who organized the Experience NoHo Arts Festival



Scott Wilson, 1922 - 2011

Scott Wilson, seen in a photo by Francine Orr, of the Los Angeles Times.
Scott Wilson, the founder of North East Trees, passed away earlier this month at the age of 89.  Wilson was a retired teacher and landscape architect with a passion for horticulture.  He made a pledge to plant five trees a day for the rest of his life.  North East Trees has planted some 70,000 trees in the Los Angeles area and helped countless at-risk young people find employment in environmental restoration programs.
Read the obituary in the Los Angeles Times

Toluca Lake Turkey Trot
Councilmember LaBonge and the Toluca Lake Homeowners Association invite you to the Inaugural Turkey Trot 5k Fun Run/Walk
Sunday Nov. 20
9am (check in 8:45am)
10116 Riverside Dr.
No registration Necessary
HoneyBaked will raffle off a turkey and ham for Thanksgiving.
Free T-Shirts while they last.
Pets welcome too!
email questions to:
mailto:piperwelch@aol.com?subject=Toluca Lake Turkey Trot

Art Exhibit
Saturday, November 19th
6 - 9pm 
"Late To Dinner"
Featuring a selection of artwork from the collections of our collectors including work from 
108, Charming Baker, Banksy, Blek Le Rat, Cyclops, D*Face, The Date Farmers, Claudio Ethos, Shepard Fairey, Mark Jenkins, K. Guy, Paul Insect, L.E.T., Labrona, Ramon Martin, Barry McGee, Adam Neate, Nunca, Jose Parla, Spy and more.
Please RSVP Here
Carmichael Gallery
5795 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
USA 


United Way Home Walk
Saturday, Nov. 19
9am 
(registration opens at 7am)
700 Exposition Park Blvd.
Los Angeles


Bowling the Blues
Lucky Strike Bowling Alley
Blues Brothers Night
Featuring Dan Akroyd signing autographs.
Saturday, Nov. 26
7-9pm
Hollywood and Highland
Hollywood, Ca.
Must br 21 to attend
more info