State of the Arts
Every year, Los Angeles offers up a wide variety of cultural events and festivals, some of which are free. The full schedule is available at the Department of Cultural Affairs’ website [.pdf], but we will update this blog to bring you a listing of events in and around the district and invite you to tell us of your arts experience and/or events as well.
Learn the art of shadow theater in Tujunga| Photo courtesy the McGroarty Arts Center
The listing reflects the city itself; events comprise an inter-cultural mix of dance, theater, literature, art and music. While many of these events have become annual favorites, some new additions will be unveiled this year.
Events have already started in many neighborhoods. In Tujunga, the McGroarty Arts Center now features artist Maria Bodmann, who teaches a weekly class on shadow play, the ancient form of storytelling using hand puppets or other materials.
The free class runs through March 23 each Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and students of all ages are invited to draw, carve, paint, act and choreograph. There are also classes on Sunday, Feb. 27 from noon to 4:30 p.m. and a special, final session on Sunday March 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. The McGroarty Arts Center is located at 7570 McGroarty Terrace in Tujunga and they can be reached at (818) 352-5285.
Starting this summer, the Sun Valley Youth Arts Center will take part in “Music L.A.,” a citywide, hands on musical training session for kids and teens. At the arts center, musician Tomas Herrera will hold an instructive lesson about Jarocho, traditional Mexican music from the state of Veracruz. Stay tuned for more details. The Sun Valley Youth Arts Center is located at 8642 Sunland Boulevard and their phone number is (818) 252-4619.
There are also farmer’s markets, art walks, gallery expositions and much more throughout the city. Read about it in the DCA guide – available online [.pdf]- or stop by one of our office’s for more information.
–Article by Sean Carpenter
Krekorian’s Consumer Protection Law Ensnares Two
Ever wonder what happens to state legislation after it’s enacted?
Councilmember Paul Krekorian, with child actors outside of Los Angeles City Hall | Photo by Hans Gutknecht / Los Angeles Daily News
Recently, a pair of talent management company operators found out after they were the first two to be charged with violating the Talent Scam Prevention Act of 2009, which then-Assemblymember Paul Krekorian passed while in Sacramento.
David Askaryar, 46, and Ricardo Macias, 35, were arraigned this week after the city attorney’s office said they had stolen from, misrepresented and cheated customers. Their trial awaits.
The legislation bars talent talent representation services such as agents and managers from charging actors fees other than commissions and requires other talent services to comply with various consumer protection regulations.
North Hollywood Patch reporter Susan Hampar has the story:
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Motion Calls for Greater Scrutiny of DWP Investigation
In late October, the L.A. Times reported that:
Criminal charges were filed Thursday against two employees of the Department of Water and Power, accusing them of setting up a scheme to defraud the utility using the agency’s corporate credit cards.
The two men are accused of using about a dozen DWP “P-cards,” or purchasing cards, to buy at least $3 million in products on the utility’s behalf between July 2003 and December 2009. They allegedly bought goods at an inflated price and pocketed the difference
Less than a week later, the L.A. City Council sought to ensure the ensuring DWP investigation does not fall into the black hole of bureaucracy. On Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010, the council introduced a motion that calls on the DWP to report back to city officials on the status of its investigation. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Paul Krekorian and brought forward by Councilmembers Bernard Parks and Jan Perry.
The motion will next be heard in the Energy and Environment Committee before it makes its way back to the council for a vote. Read a scanned copy of the original motion below the jump.
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[Updated] Neighborhood Council Election Report
In an effort to continue his open and transparent administration, Councilmember Paul Krekorian, on behalf of the Los Angeles City Clerk, encourages everyone to take a look at the recent summary of neighborhood council elections held between March and June 2010.
The report, which you can read here, details the neighborhood council election processes across the city, their cost, as well as provide some guidance for such elections going forward. The City Clerk will present these findings Wednesday, Oct. 27 in City Hall, Room 1060, 200 N. Spring St. Los Angeles soon. The meeting of the Education and Neighborhoods Committee for the 27th has been postponed. We will let you know exactly when and where the next meeting will take place and apologize for any inconvenience.
Recently, Councilmember Krekorian held a neighborhood council town hall where a discussion on elections was a main focus. For more information on that, please click here.
Click here to read the Neighborhood Council Election’s Summary.
Neighborhood Empowerment Town Hall Report
Results of the Neighborhood Empowerment Town Hall Survey:
On Sunday, Sept. 19, Councilmember Paul Krekorian hosted a workshop to build a foundation for the future of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, which oversees the city’s 92 neighborhood councils. During the four-hour session, respondents were asked to offer their feedback about the town hall and how the next workshop – planned for October at USC (a specific date will be released soon) – can improve.
Respondents rated the workshop via a series of five questions from 1 – the lowest rating – to 5 – the highest. According to the survey, the workshop proved exceedingly beneficial as exemplified by the answers below:
- More than half – 51% – rated the workshop a 5, with one going above and beyond by rating the overall event a 6.
- The overwhelming majority – 79% – rated the workshop either a 4 or 5;
- The average rating of the entire event was 4.2;
- The highest rated question, asking if people felt they were able to effectively communicate, received an average rating of 4.39;
- The lowest rated question, asking if respondents believe the information gathered will be used effectively, received an average rating of 4.02;
- Asked about their overall impression of the event, respondents offered an average rating of 4.18;
- The highest rated response – 33 people rated it a 5 – was the question asking if respondents would encourage others to attend our next town hall.
The questions and videos from the workshop’s presenters below the fold:
Council Opens Lane of Bike Communication With Community
On Wednesday, Sept. 22, Councilmembers Greig Smith and Paul Krekorian introduced a motion to strengthen local empowerment while improving the bicycle community. Their motion establishes an outreach process for the Department of Transportation to get feedback from neighborhood councils before bike lanes and other improvements are implemented in their neighborhoods.
Photo by Alex Thompson, via Flickr
“Today’s motion is a step toward creating an expanded community outreach process that gives a voice to neighborhood leaders throughout our city on transportation issues and in creating a future L.A. where bicycles and cars peacefully share the road,” said Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the Education and Neighborhoods Committee. “It is vitally important to ensure that our neighborhood council members – who know their communities better than anyone – have a central role in setting priorities and addressing the array of specific transportation issues that impact their diverse communities.”
Councilman Greig Smith, who shepherded the motion through the council, said: “Traffic improvements can have a huge big impact – positive or negative – on safety, travel time and convenience for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, so it is crucial that community stakeholders’ voices are heard.”
See a copy of the motion below the fold:
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[Updated] First Neighborhood Council Workshop a Smashing Success
On Sunday, Sept. 19, more than 100 neighborhood council members from throughout Los Angeles gathered to change local democracy in Los Angeles. The first of two Neighborhood Council Workshops, hosted by Councilmember Paul Krekorian, allowed residents the opportunity to present their own vision on the future of neighborhood councils and participate in breakout sessions to address specific problems they think plagues the NC system.
Watch Councilmember Paul Krekorian kick-off the event by clicking here or watch the YouTube video below*:
While all the data from Sunday’s event – including more videos – are still being processed, culled and meticulously arranged (we will have a detailed round up on this blog soon), we wanted to thank every one who spent Sunday afternoon with us, making the future a little brighter for local empowerment. For now, watch the video and enjoy some pictures from a great event.
Take Action! Urge the Governor to Sign Anti-Mobile Billboard Law
On March 30, Councilmember Paul Krekorian introduced a motion, with the councilmember from district two, to ban trailer-based mobile billboards throughout Los Angeles. These increasingly common annoyances are unsightly, take up much-needed parking and can even endanger public safety.
Call the Governor and tell him to sign AB 2756
Now, state legislation authored by Assemblymembers Bob Blumenfield and Mike Feuer would assist cities throughout California in eliminating this mobile blight. Their legislation, Assembly Bill 2756, passed the State Legislature and is on the Governor’s desk.
It is important for all of us to let the governor know how we feel about mobile billboards. Please call Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today at (916) 445-2841 and kindly urge him to sign AB 2756. You can also email him by clicking here.
Councilmember Krekorian personally took the opportunity to tell the Governor about why this issue is so important and our efforts to curb mobile billboards.
In his letter, Councilmember Krekorian said, in part:
“In the San Fernando Valley, mobile billboards have exploded in popularity recently, to the great annoyance of outraged residents and business owners. We have seen many of these pesky trailers blown over into traffic lanes, endangering drivers. Business owners have complained that they take up valuable parking spaces. Cyclists have reported that they cut down on bike lanes, forcing riders to veer dangerously into traffic.
Governor, we need your help.”
To read the rest of his letter, see below…
Your Chance to Help Shape the Future of Local Empowerment
On Sunday, September 19, join concerned residents throughout Los Angeles for the first Neighborhood Council Workshop to discuss the future of local empowerment. The workshop will take place in the Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center, Conference Room 1B, 6262 Van Nuys, Blvd., Van Nuys.
From 1 to 5 p.m., you will have the chance to hear from Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Department of Neighborhood Empowerment General Manager Bong-Hwan Kim and others.
In addition, you will get to have your own say during a series of break-out sessions to discuss neighborhood council funding, the mission of DONE, ethics training and much more.
You will also have the opportunity to present your own vision on the future of neighborhood councils. Audio-visual equipment is available upon request, but because of time constraints, each presentation will be limited to five minutes and we must be notified of each one by September 12.
For more information, or to RSVP, please call us at (213) 473-7002 or send your name, phone number and what neighborhood council you represent to Daniel.Lopez@lacity.org. Space is limited, please RSVP as soon as possible and feel free to print out the attached flier for distribution among your neighborhood council.
Hope to see you there and all are welcome!
Sincerely,
Your CD2 Team
To see the flier, which you are more than welcome to distribute to your neighborhood council, please click here or see below:
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Krekorian Continues Efforts to Spur Local Film Production
Councilmember Paul Krekorian, on the Sony Studios backlot with Glenn Gainor, vice-president of physical production at Screen Gems | Ausgut 19, 2010.
Last week, multiple news agencies reported that Councilmember Paul Krekorian introduced a slate of motions to incentivize local film production and make the production of movies easier on those who help fuel one of our biggest economic engines.
Councilmember Krekorian, vice-chair of the Jobs and Business Development Committee, is a former California State Assemblymember who authored California’s first successful bill to incentivize local film production. His legislation has had a direct and immediate impact by generating at least $500 million in wages and more than 11,000 jobs since its passage in 2009.
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