Tom LaBonge Newsletter: Zoo, Stadium, L.A. River and More

Seeking Partners for the Los Angeles Zoo

Councilman LaBonge argues before the Los Angeles City Council for colleagues to vote to begin the process of accepting bids from potential partners in the operation of the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
The Los Angeles City Council voted 9-2 on Friday to begin accepting bids from potential community partners to help defray the cost of operating the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens.  Councilman LaBonge says it's in the city's best interest to see what potential partners might be out there, and what they might be able to offer.``We're going to go out there and see who in the world could be a partner with the city of Los Angeles to operate our zoo, to expand our zoo, to continue the great care for the animals,'' said Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district includes the zoo. ``We'll have an opportunity in seven or eight months to see if we want to reject this or not. We'll see who's out there.''  He says we need to plan for the future to maintain the zoo's mission of education and conservation.  LaBonge cites the example of the county-owned Hollywood Bowl, which partners with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association to operate the iconic venue.  The Councilman emphasizes that this is just the beginning of the "Request for Proposal" process; and the city may ultimately choose to maintain the status quo.


Great Field-Position for Downtown Football Stadium

Councilmember Tom LaBonge and the Los Angeles City Council voted 13-0 this week to approve the framework for a deal to build an NFL Stadium next to Staples Center in Downtown LA.  The non-binding agreement -- known as a Memorandum of Understanding -- between the City of Los Angeles and Anschutz Entertainment Group, moves the deal beyond how to pay for the 1.2-billion dollar NFL stadium, a new city convention center and two parking structures on municipal land to the finer points of the project, such as the Environmental Impact Report.
Read More at tomlabonge.com

Official Downtown Stadium Website



Paddle the Los Angeles River

For the first time in decades, kayaks and canoes legally paddled the waters of the Los Angeles River this week.  From now until September 25, a City of Los Angeles Pilot Program allows groups of paddlers to float along a 1.5-mile stretch of the river, from the bridge at Balboa Boulevard to the Sepulveda Dam on Saturdays and Sundays.  The cost is $50 per person, which includes the cost of the rental of the boats, safety equipment, insurance and other expenses.  The trips also include educational talks about the flora and fauna of the river and a brief boating clinic.  Councilman LaBonge believes the program can be expanded to include tours of Los Angeles River in the Glendale Narrows area bordering Griffith Park, where the river has a natural bottom.
Make your Reservations to Ride the River

The Los Angeles River has a German Counterpart -- or Schwesterfluss (sister river) -- Der Isar

A German boy holds a sign in a Munich Square proclaiming the Los Angeles and Isar Rivers as "Sister Rivers"
Councilman LaBonge traveled to Germany to deliver a presentation on  the Los Angeles River and the City's efforts to restore the river to a more natural, usable state for the enjoyment of the people of Los Angeles.  Germany's Isar River is a similar case.  Though it's much larger than the Los Angeles River, it's an excellent example of remediation of a river that flows through several big German cities, including Munich.  The Councilman toured several areas of the river, even going for a swim in one stretch, as he traveled with Munich city officials on a mission to bring-home lessons on urban watershed restoration and use.  The Los Angeles River and Germany's Isar River are now Sister Rivers -- or as the Germans say, "Schwesterfluss".

Councilman LaBonge flanked by the US Consul General in Munich (at left) and members of the Goethe Institute at a presentation on the Los Angeles River in Munich

Paramount Volunteers Dig-In at John Burroughs Middle School

Paramount Pictures employees volunteered to plant trees at LAUSD’s John Burroughs Middle School as part of a campus beautification project.  On Saturday, August 6, Paramount volunteers dug holes, turned soil and planted a row of 125 Podocarpus trees along a chain-link fence that borders the school’s playground.  Approximately 15 employees including experts from the Paramount Grounds Department helped create a green edge along the fence providing more shade and privacy for the school campus.  You can see from the photos (above = "before", below = "after")  they did a fantastic job.  Thanks for the hard work to beautify one of our venerable schools.
Paramount’s charitable giving and volunteer programs provide support to numerous local, national and global non-profit groups, concentrating on three key initiatives: Education, Environment, and HIV/AIDS.  They are Angels in the City of Angels!




There's Still Time to Enjoy the Track at Marshall High

John Marshall High School's new track is available to the community to walk or run everyday for the rest of August from  6-8 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.  Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to exercise and utilize this wonderful amenity in our neighborhood.
School will begin sooner than you know it and the track and field will revert to student use and we will not have the availability that we currently enjoy. So please get out and Walk and Run for health.


Earthquake Preparedness Tip of the Week


What to do during an Earthquake:
 If Trapped Under Debris
If you find yourself trapped by debris inside or outside, there are a few things you should know to help you survive.
*Do NOT light a match or lighter
*Try not to thrash about and kick-up dust.  The debris may be unstable, and the dust can impair your breathing.
*Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
*Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you.  Use a whistle if one is available.  Shout only as a last resort.  Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

I Love LA, in Photographs

If you love Los Angeles like Councilman LaBonge loves Los Angeles, then you'll love a new photographic exhibition at the Duncan Miller Gallery in Los Angeles.  The show features images from some 50 photographers, offering a unique glimpse of the majestic, quirky and diverse city we call home.
Click for info and directions

No weekend Construction Closures along the Interstate 5 Carpool Lane Project (Aug. 12 - Aug. 14)
The California Department of Transportation this weekend
(Caltrans) will NOT close any lanes, ramps, and connectors of the
Golden State Freeway (I-5) and the Ventura Freeway (SR-134) as part of a $57.8 million improvement project to construct High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV or carpool) lanes in each direction along I-5 between SR-134 and Magnolia Boulevard. Work will begin in the construction zone on Monday August 15th.