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Fire Season Information
2007 currently stands as the driest rain season to date since records were first compiled in 1877. Since the year began on July 1, 2006, only 3.21 inches of rain have fallen on Los Angeles, which is nearly a foot below normal and only 22% of the normal rainfall for this period.
Between the continuing heat, low humidity and dry winds, more National Weather Service “red flag warnings” for heightened wildfire dangers will be inevitable, as the County of Los Angeles recently experienced with the Griffith Park and Catalina Island brushfires. More than 800 acres burned in Griffith Park, including such favored hiking landmarks as the hilltop garden Dante’s View, while nearly 5,000 acres of brush burned virtually to the doorstep of the City of Avalon.
Thanks to the skill and courage of County and City firefighters, no homes were lost in the Griffith Park fire and the Catalina fire claimed only one, with no loss of life. Fire officials remind us that in Southern California, especially during dry spells like these, it always pays to be ready. Our Los Angeles County Fire Department links below offer valuable information to help you prepare to protect lives and property during this brushfire season.
Fire Prevention Tips
Vegetation Management
For more safety information and to watch a short video on brush clearance safety please visit the Los Angeles County Fire Department website.
On the Westside
Federal Legislation to Protect West L.A. VA
Suffers Temporary Setback
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky vowed to continue the fight to save the West L.A. VA after statutory language barring the sale, lease, transfer, exchange or other disposition of its 388-acre property was stripped out of a key Congressional funding bill at the insistence of the White House. Congressman Henry Waxman and Senator Dianne Feinstein had originally proposed the legislation.
"We have had the belief that this administration was hell-bent on optimizing the use of the VA land for revenue-producing purposes," Yaroslavsky said. "The action taken by the White House in demanding the removal of the language is consistent with that objective."
Yaroslavsky expressed his deep disappointment at the decision to drop the protections, but predicted that the legislation would resurface in this Congressional session. He spoke with both Feinstein and Waxman after the language was dropped, and they both vowed to pursue their legislation that would prevent the commercialization and economic optimization of the VA lands.
The VA property was originally deeded to the federal government in the 1880's for the benefit of Civil War veterans, and its facilities have served veterans returning from every war since. "We owe it to our veterans, their families, and the larger community to honor that pledge and repay our debt for their service to our nation," Yaroslavsky said. "These are hallowed grounds, and they deserve to be preserved and protected."
Yaroslavsky Meets with Santa Monica
Canyon Homeowners
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky was a featured speaker at the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association annual meeting to update the community on various issues of interest to the Westside, particularly plans by the federal government to sell off or develop portions of the West LA VA property.
Yaroslavsky has long opposed plans to commercialize the VA site, noting that the land was originally deeded to the government after the Civil War for the sole use and benefit of military veterans. “When I was growing up, there were still soldiers recovering from World War II,” Yaroslavsky told the group. “I remember, even as a kid, how peaceful and serene I thought the open space there was.” He singled out for special praise the efforts of Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Henry Waxman, both of whom have introduced legislation aimed at protecting the site and preserving its use for veteran purposes.
Other issues Yaroslavsky discussed included County renovations currently underway at Will Rogers State Beach, and Yaroslavsky’s transportation initiatives including his Olympic/Pico one-way paired street proposal and the Expo Line light rail project, now under construction and eventually planned to travel all the way from downtown to Santa Monica. (5/8/07)
Yaroslavsky Keynotes New Directions
15th Anniversary Breakfast
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky presents New Directions founder and Executive Director Toni Reinis with a County plaque to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the nonprofit agency’s service to the region’s veteran community. Yaroslavsky was the featured keynote speaker at a special celebration breakfast hosted by New Directions, a drug and alcohol recovery program for homeless veterans.
Following the meal, guests toured New Directions’ Regional Opportunity Center, which offers detox programs, permanent housing for elderly and disabled vets, long-term inpatient rehab and recovery programs, vocational training, employment counseling and several other programs, located on the West LA VA Campus. (5/4/07)
Yaroslavsky, Board Lobby Washington
on County Priorities
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky and his colleagues devoted two days in April in Washington, D.C. for the Board’s annual lobbying visit to press California lawmakers and others to support the County’s legislative agenda, which includes health care and transit funding, protecting the West LA VA property against exploitation and commercial development at the expense of area veterans, and other matters. The tour included visits with various members of the California congressional delegation and officials at federal agencies, as well as a stop at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Washington office.
Pictured here, Yaroslavsky and Sheriff Lee Baca after a hectic morning of back-to-back meetings;
and Yaroslavsky and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena) chat about legislation affecting Los Angeles County. (4/26/07)
Yaroslavsky Announces Grant Awards
for Trail Lands Acquisition
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky has announced approval of $2.32 million in grant funding to help purchase six parcels of prime open space in the Santa Monica Mountains to expand the County’s hiking and equestrian trail system. The money comes from competitive grant awards under the Natural Land for Trails program funded through Proposition A, a park and open-space measure championed by Yaroslavsky and approved by County voters in 1996.
The projects, funded by a combination of sources, include: Lindero Creek, an Agoura Hills city park; the Upper Topanga Canyon Trail Connection, between Summit to Summit at Henry Ridge Motorway; Cold Creek Trail, in the Cold Creek Preserve Area; Cold Creek High Trail, part of the remaining 145 acres identified for open space and trail acquisition in the planned 520-acre Cold Creek Restoration Plan; Upper Solstice Canyon – Solstice Canyon Trail, considered a “critical acquisition” in the Upper Solstice Canyon; and Corral Canyon, toward the purchase of a parcel adjacent to Malibu Creek State Park, surrounded on three sides by public parkland.
See press release for further details on these grants; visit SD3 photo gallery to see other Third District Prop. A-funded parks and recreation projects; or Regional Park and Open Space District to learn more about the County’s programs to preserve and protect open space and improve neighborhood parks.
Health
YaroslavskySpeaks at 2007
Women's Health Policy Summit
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky was an honorary co-chair and featured speaker at the 2007 Women’s Health Policy Summit, a day-long event billed as an opportunity for discussion, developing policy recommendations and networking, sponsored in part by the County Office of Women’s Health.
The Office was established in 1998 to improve the health status of women in Los Angeles County by serving as the focal point for strategic planning, promoting comprehensive and effective approaches to improving women’s health, and promoting the expansion of funding for research activities. This year’s theme was “Building Multicultural Women’s Health: Setting an Agenda for Los Angeles.” (5/24/07)
Yaroslavsky Tours LA Free Clinic Annenberg Addition
Pictured here showing Yaroslavsky the drawing plans, from the left: Karl A. Pettijohn, President, Los Angeles Free Clinic Board of Directors, and on the right, Sam Fischer, Chair of the Clinic’s 40th Anniversary Campaign.
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky stopped by the Los Angeles Free Clinic’s Hollywood Wilshire Health Center for a hard-hat tour of the new Wallis Annenberg Children and Family Health Center currently under construction on the second floor of the facility.
The Annenberg Foundation donated a total of $3,000,000 as the lead gift for the Clinic’s fundraising campaign to construct a new Children and Family Health Center to provide access to high quality care to the underserved and uninsured children and families living in the neighborhoods served by the Clinic, located at 5205 Melrose Ave. at the corner of Wilton Pl. in Los Angeles. (5/22/07)
Art & Culture
"Histo-Tainer" Charles Phoenix
Kicks Off 2007 Ford Summer Season
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky honors “histo-tainer” Charles Phoenix to celebrate the performer’s opening night program last month to kick off the Ford Amphitheatre’s 2007 Summer Season.
At the Ford, Phoenix offered a fresh, insightful and humorous perspective on mid-century American culture as part of his newest comedy performance based on his massive collection of flea-market-found 1950s and 1960s color photo slides: "The United States of Charles Phoenix."
An often hilarious mélange of 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s theme parks, tourist traps, car culture, space age style, parties and more, Phoenix presents the lot in glorious color, narrated with his discerning, gleeful, and often hilarious commentary. Phoenix has written or co-written several colorful coffee table books, and he also guides vintage school bus field trips tours. (5/8/07)
Music Center Spotlight Award Finalists Honored
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky honors Third District resident Alexandria Mitchell, 16, a junior and scholar of distinction at Keystone National High School. Alexandria was among the outstanding students recognized by the Board of Supervisors as one of this year’s finalists in the Music Center Spotlight Awards, a nationally acclaimed performing and visual arts educational program for teens first established in 1988.
She studies ballet, has already had the privilege of attending the American Ballet Theater, N.Y., and the Royal Academy of Dance in London on a summer scholarship program. Last year, she studied in the Extreme Ballet Program at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center. This summer Alexandria studies with the Miami City Ballet and then returns to the Extreme Ballet Program. Best of luck, Alexandria. (5/22/07)
In the Valley
Yaroslavsky, Sherman Honor Nation's Veterans
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Los Angeles) were among the many elected officials and civic leaders who took part in the 19th Annual Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade, a popular community event featuring marching units, youth groups, antique and classic cars, brass bands, equestrians, and other participants sponsored by the Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Canoga Park Neighborhood Council in honor of the nation’s military personnel serving at home and overseas. (5/28/07)
2007 Topanga Canyon Beach Bus Begins June 25th
Now Connects to Orange Line
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky announced that the Topanga Summer Beach Bus service will start on Monday, June 25 and operate through Monday, September 3 (Labor Day). This service provides Woodland Hills and Topanga Canyon area residents with an opportunity to visit Topanga and Will Rogers State Beaches, and Santa Monica Beach, to beat the heat during the hot summer months.
This year, a new stop has been added at Warner Center Transit Station, western terminus of the Metro Orange Line, for greater access to the Topanga Canyon Summer Beach Bus service. Passengers can also board at the intersection of Topanga Canyon at Ventura Boulevard, in front of the Woodland Park Mobil Estates, at the intersection of Topanga Canyon Boulevard at Viewridge Road, in front of the Topanga Elementary School on Topanga School Road, or at the General Store parking lot, next to the Post Office.
Yaroslavsky has long sponsored the Summer Beach Bus program as a handy and environmentally sound transit option to enjoy the beach during the summer months and especially as an affordable option for kids, families and seniors. Fares are $0.50 each way for adults and kids, and $0.25 each way for seniors aged 62 and older and people with disabilities. For more information on specific dates, times, and fares, please call toll free (888) 769-1122 or visit www.LAGoBus.info.
Valley's Orange Line Busway Sets
Another New Ridership Record in April
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky announced that the San Fernando Valley’s Orange Line Busway set another ridership record in April. Latest figures released from Metro (formerly MTA) show a rise in Orange Line weekday ridership to 23,814. This represents a new record, exceeding the 23,242 reported the previous month in March 2007, and an increase of more than 27% over a year earlier in April 2006.
Built on a former railroad right of way, the Orange Line guided busway has proven to be one of the most successful lines of its kind in the entire country. Its meteoric success continues to amaze Metro transit planners, who initially projected an average weekday ridership of 17,000 by 2009, rising gradually to 22,000 weekday boardings by the year 2020. Metro currently operates 28 peak period buses (up from 23 when the project first opened in October, 2006) that run every four minutes. Visit Metro Orange Line for full Orange Line schedule and route information.
In the Community
Board Honors Legendary Sportscaster Tom Kelly
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky joined his colleagues in honoring legendary sportscaster Tom Kelly for more than 50 years of outstanding achievements, including five Golden Mike awards from the Radio-Television News Association of Southern California, four Emmy awards, honors as California Sportscaster of the Year from both the Associated Press and United Press International, and induction into the University of Southern California Hall of Fame among many other awards.
Yaroslavsky warmly praised Kelly, telling him, “You are one of the great play-by-play people in the business. It's one thing to do it on television when the images speak for themselves; it’s another thing to paint the image on radio and it's not an accident that I used to take my transistor radio to those games and listen to you.” (5/8/07)
Yaroslavsky Honors Fairfax High School Basketball Champions
Pictured here, from the left: Darius Singletary; Assistant Principal David Siedelman; Chris Soloman; Malcolm Campbell; Assistant Coach Ramsey Miura; Ja'Shon Hampton; Solomon Hill; Yaroslavsky; Chace Stanback; Lance Bailey; Head Coach Harvey Kitani; Tedros Worku; Rod Singleton; and Assistant Coach James Samson. (5/1/07)
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky pays tribute to the Fairfax High School Basketball team and its coaches, whose stellar performance netted the team its title as 2007 City, Regional, and State Division One Champions. The Fairfax team, hailing from Yaroslavsky’s own alma mater, compiled a 28-5 record, ranking 3rd in the West. Star players Chace Stanback earned a scholarship to UCLA, and Rod Singleton a scholarship to Cal State Northridge.
Thank you for reading our newsletter. If you would like to send a comment or a message to Supervisor Yaroslavsky, please send your message to zev@bos.lacounty.gov or just simply click here |
