Don't Text While You Drive
American Idol 2009 winner Kris Allen and finalist Allison Iraheta joined Councilmember LaBonge at a "No Phone Zone" rally at John Marshall High School on Friday.
Councilmember LaBonge joined talk show host Oprah Winfrey's No Phone Zone campaign on Friday to discourage teens from texting while driving. Ms. Winfrey launched the No Phone Zone campaign with rallies in five U.S. cities, including one at John Marshall High School in the Franklin Hills.
"When you get behind the wheel, turn on the music and enjoy the ride. You don’t need to text or talk on the phone," said Councilmember LaBonge. "Safety comes first."
Even though California banned texting while driving in 2008, some people still subvert the law. Friday's rally included speeches by public officials, the story of one mother whose son was killed by a driver who was texting and a closing duet by 2009 American Idol winner Kris Allen and finalist Allison Iraheta.
Hollywood Grove HPOZ Moves to Next Step
To preserve one of the beautiful historic neighborhoods in his district, Councilmember LaBonge directed the City Planning Department today to move forward on an Interim Control Ordinance for Hollywood Grove.
This ordinance would impose a moratorium on tear-downs during the establishment of a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, or HPOZ. The area, bordered by Franklin Ave. to the south, Canyon Dr. on the west, Western Ave. on the east and Foothill Dr. on the north.
"I am working to move this HPOZ process forward - given the serious financial issues the City is currently facing - because I want to support and protect this great neighborhood," the Councilmember said.
The Planning Department is facing a 40% staff cut because of the current budget shortfall and revenue reductions expected for fiscal 2010-2011. The Planning Department is the process of streamlining the HPOZ process to make it more efficient.
An important public meeting on the streamlining process is being held on Monday, May 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hollywood Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1711 N. Van Ness Ave.(at Hollywood Blvd.) For more information on this meeting, visit: click here.
All are invited.
Wilshire Softball Gets Peek at the Big Time
Scorpion coach Dr. Glen March, Councilmember LaBonge and Dodgers' Fan Services Coordinator Brett Searson accompanied the Wilshire Softball Team on a visit to Dodger Stadium on Monday evening.
Councilmember LaBonge took the Scorpions of Wilshire Softball to Dodger Stadium for a behind-the-scenes, inspirational tour of a major league stadium this week. The Dodgers, meanwhile, were in New York losing a double-header to the Mets.
That didn't faze the Scorpions.
Ten members of the all-girl team shrieked with delight at the chance to sit in the Dodgers dug-out, drink from the players' water fountain and run around the famous Chavez Ravine field. They visited the season-ticket holder clubs, sat in exclusive box seats and visited the booth from which Vin Scully calls the games.
"This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to feel like a pro and they loved it," said Councilmember LaBonge.
Cahuenga Peak Saved
Will Rogers of the Trust for Public Land, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Councilmember LaBonge and Chris Baumgart of the Hollywood Sign Trust at today's press conference.
Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced a $900,000 donation from Hugh Hefner of Playboy Enterprises closed the gap on their Save the Peak campaign to buy 138 acres of pristine hillside beside the famed HOLLYWOOD sign from developers. At a press conference just below the peak, they announced that the parcel would be preserved and annexed to Griffith Park.
"This is a great day for all of us. I have climbed Mt. Hollywood every morning for over 30 years and look forward to hiking Cahuenga Peak with anyone who wants to join me," Councilmember LaBonge said. "This would not have happened without the Trust for Public Land, the Hollywood Sign Trust and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Very special thanks to a man who, like me, loves nature, loves people and provided great strength to bring us to this point, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger."
Gov. Schwarzengger, an early supporter of the protection effort, said, “Of all the iconic landmarks in the world, the Hollywood Sign is truly one of the most recognizable symbols of the California dream and land of opportunity. It called to me when I left Austria and made my way to the U.S., with a few dollars in my pocket and the dream of becoming an actor. I am proud we were able to come together and create a public-private partnership to protect this historic symbol that will continue to welcome dreamers, artists and Austrian bodybuilders for generations to come.”
Added TPL President Will Rogers: “Today, we have the Hollywood ending we hoped for and now this land will be forever protected by adding it to Griffith Park. We want to thank all the donors who so generously helped us, but we owe a particular thanks to Hugh Hefner, who stepped forward at the end to close the final gap.”
Councilmember LaBonge had set aside $4.3 million in public park funding over the past eight years to purchase the hillside property called Cahuenga Peak. In 2008, developers put the land on the market for $22 million and advertised it as a great location for luxury housing. Last year, the Councilmember partnered with TPL, which made an agreement with the owners to buy the land for $12.5 million to expand Griffith Park. The effort has attracted donations from Hollywood stars, inspired an outpouring of support from the local community and drawn media attention from around the world.
Chris Baumgart, Chair of the Hollywood Sign Trust, said, “The Sign you see today exists because Hugh Hefner raised the money in 1978 to re-build it. Now, 32 years later, the Sign’s no. 1 fan has come forward again with the closing gift to ‘Save the Peak’ and thus the view of Mt. Lee and the Hollywood Sign. It is a view that is recognized around the world as the icon of the entertainment industry and the postcard of the Southern California lifestyle. The Hollywood Sign Trust and admirers from around the world thank Tom LaBonge for believing and not giving up and Hugh Hefner for carrying our efforts across the finish line.”
The fundraising campaign was launched over President’s Day weekend when the Hollywood sign was covered temporarily with the message Save the Peak. The two earliest and largest donors to this effort were Los Angeles philanthropist Aileen Getty and the Tiffany & Co. Foundation.
“I thank Hugh Hefner and Aileen Getty for their critical contributions, along with everyone whose generous spirit moved them to join the campaign to save one of America’s most famous urban spaces,” said Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and CEO of Tiffany & Co. “The threat to its existence underscores the need for partnerships like ours with TPL who can work together to protect our cultural assets for future generations.”
Ms. Getty, a long-time Hollywood resident, said, "I'm proud to have supported TPL's efforts in conserving this magical place. With all of the needs facing our urban communities today, this successful effort reminds us that we also need beauty, green spaces, trails and parkland to prepare our communities for a healthy, more livable future."
Joseph T. Edmiston, Executive Director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, said, "The protection of this land is something which will provide an enormous benefit to people in Los Angeles, both now and for generations to come. And it wouldn't have happened without Gov. Schwarzengger's leadership, and with help from TPL. This project has shown a welcome spotlight on the need to protect open lands in Los Angeles."
Hollywood leaders donated $3.2 million, including major donations from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, CBS Corporation, The Entertainment Industry Foundation, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, the Lucasfilm Foundation, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Steven Spielberg, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Time Warner Inc., and The Walt Disney Company Foundation. Other Hollywood contributors include Creative Artists Agency, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, and Norman Lear.
In addition to headline-grabbing larger donations, community activists also sold baked goods, held a rally and sponsored a concert at a Sunset Strip nightclub to raise money for this grassroots campaign that attracted international support. Many area neighborhood groups also donated, including the Argyle Civic Association, the Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association, the Cahuenga Pass Property Owners Association, the Hollywood Dell Civic Association, the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council, the Hollywood Knolls Community Club, the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council, the Hollywoodland Homeowners Association, the Lake Hollywood Homeowners Association, the Los Feliz Improvement Association, the Mt. Olympus Property Owners Association, the Oaks Homeowners Association, the Spaulding Square Neighborhood Association, the St. Andrews Square Neighborhood Association and the Whitley Heights Civic Association.
Brits Explore Los Angeles While Stranded
To extend a warm Southern California welcome to British travelers stranded by last week's Icelandic volcano, Councilmember LaBonge teamed up with LA Inc., the Convention and Visitor's Bureau and Dame Barbara Hay, the Britsh Consul General, to help them to see the city's great sites.
Starline Tours is providing free bus travel for stranded families to and from airport hotels to Hollywood, the Miracle Mile Museum District and the Los Angeles Zoo.
Several attractions then offered free passes to anyone carrying a British passport. The participants included the Zoo, Madame Tussaud's in Hollywood and four museums in the Councilmember's district: the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Petersen Museum, the Page Museum and the Los Angeles Folk Art Museum.
"This is a great example of how Angelenos show their hospitality, generosity and civic pride," Councilmember LaBonge said. "We appreciate the British tourists who visit our city in greater number than from any other country in the world. This is our way of saying thanks, we're glad you're here."
More than 4,000 British travelers were stranded in Los Angeles when a volcanic eruption in Iceland grounded all air travel to England and much of Europe last week.
The free offers have different expiration dates, so travelers should check with the individual location for specific information.
A Glimpse of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk
Councilmember LaBonge and officials from the City of Glendale walked the site of a planned pedestrian/bicycle bridge that will cross the Los Angeles River. The bridge will connect the Glendale industrial area that's home to Walt Disney and Dreamworks Studios with Griffith Park and North Atwater Village.
Initial construction of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk, which is being built by the City of Glendale, is scheduled to begin this summer at Bette Davis Park.
Councilmember LaBonge and the Glendale officials discussed potential sites where the bike and walking bridge could cross the river and the Verdugo Wash.
This interesting project is located near the proposed Fairmont Avenue bridge, which is being built now. For more information on this project, please click here.
Fifth Annual Hike for Health on 40th Earth Day
In celebration of Earth Day, Councilmember Tom LaBonge led more than 350 public school fifth graders up Mt. Hollywood in Griffith Park on his Fifth Annual Hike for Health. The Councilmember initiated this annual event in 2006 to encourage healthy exercise (fight obesity and related health issues); foster an appreciation for nature and instill civic pride by exposing the children to expansive views of the city.
“This is one of my favorite events every year,” said Councilmember LaBonge. “Not only does the hike up Mount Hollywood get their hearts pumping, it gives students a fresh perspective on their city.”
Students from five Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools - Cheremoya, Maurice Sendak, Gardner, Ivanhoe and Cahuenga schools - participated. All are located in Council District 4. The mostly 10- and 11-year-olds ran and walked the gentle 1.5-mile slope to the peak of Mt. Hollywood, 1625 feet above sea level.
They stopped at points of interest including the Berlin Forest, which offers a great view of the Hollywood Sign.
At the top, they planted five trees at Dante's View; explored the Zoo Mobile and played. City departments donated items for students goodie bags including the library and the departments of Public Works, Transportation, Recreation and Parks and Animal Services.
Charles H. Kim Tree-Planting
About 100 fifth graders from Charles H. Kim Elementary School hiked to the top of Mt. Hollywood in Griffith Park today to plant a Canary Island Pine tree to honor their school's namesake.
Councilmember LaBonge planned the hike after two members of the fifth grade class won a contest for their essays about Mr. Kim, a Korean immigrant who established farms throughout California's Central Valley, became the first Korean-American millionaire and went on to become an advocate for fair wages and good working conditions for immigrant laborers.
Charles H. Kim is the first public school in Los Angeles to be named for a Korean-American.
Mr. Kim's granddaughter Daisy Kim helped to organize the the 1.5-mile hike and tree-planting. She has been a strong advocate and volunteer at the school since it opened in 2006.
"I know Charles Kim is smiling down on these students and his granddaughter Daisy from heaven right now," Councilmember LaBonge. "Through Mr. Kim's wonderful life story of farming, agricultural development, community-spirit and philanthropy, these students are learning to give back to the world."
The Charles H. Kim tree was planted in Dante's Peak, a garden on the Charlie Turner Trail in Griffith Park.
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