Be Safe This Fourth of July Weekend at Our Free Fireworks Shows

I want to remind everyone that while the Fourth of July weekend is a great time to celebrate the birth of our great country, unsanctioned fireworks (street fireworks) are illegal in the City of Los Angeles. Besides posing fire dangers, illegal fireworks injure people every year and that's a big reason why I'm sponsoring three fireworks shows this weekend. Check out a fireworks safety segment I did for the City of Los Angeles here.

And here's information on our Concert and Fireworks shows in Boyle Heights, El Sereno and Eagle Rock. Hope to see you there!

Free Concert and Firework Shows in Council District 14, July 2nd to July 4th
The celebrations will include musical performances, kid’s activities, community resources, information booths and food and drink (no alcohol) at these family-friendly celebrations. Each celebration will culminate in a spectacular fireworks show. And most importantly, all three events are FREE!


4th Annual Boyle Heights Concert and Fireworks Show
o Friday, July 2nd @ Hollenbeck Park, 415 S. Saint Louis St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
o 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
o Concert begins at 4 p.m.
o Fireworks @ 8:30 p.m.


3rd Annual El Sereno Concert, Fireworks Show & Independence Parade
o Saturday, July 3rd @ El Sereno Park, 4721 Klamath Place, Los Angeles, CA 90032
o *4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
o *Parade @ 2 p.m., corner of Huntington Drive & Van Horne, ends at El Sereno Park
o Concert begins @ 4 p.m.
o Fireworks @ 8:30 p.m.


Eagle Rock 4th of July Concert and Fireworks Show
o Sunday, July 4th @ Eagle Rock Park, 1100 Eagle Vista Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90041
o Concert begins at 4 p.m.
o Fireworks @ 8:30 p.m.

Summer Night Lights to Shine Brighter in 2010

This morning I joined Mayor Villaraigosa, LAPD Chief Beck, Councilmembers Reyes, Garcetti and LaBonge and -- most importantly – the boys and girls who will be participating in the 2010 Summer Night Lights (SNL) Program. The City's highly successful anti-gang program is expanding from 16 parks in ’09 to 24 this year.

We were at Highland Park Recreation Center this morning to announce the kick-off of the 2010 program, which will run July 6th to September 4th, Wednesdays thru Saturdays. SNL keeps thousands of kids busy and engaged to midnight with a number of athletic and artistic programs. It has helped reduce gun and gang crime in targeted neighborhoods throughout the City. Besides Ramona Gardens and Ramon Garcia parks, Costello Park is added to the Council District 14 this year. This is a great program that not only helps the kids participating, but the surrounding communities as well.

Here is contact information to parks serving Council District 14 youth for this year's Summer Night Lights program:

* Ramona Gardens Park, (213) 847-2961
* Ramon Garcia Recreation Center, (323) 265-4755
* Lou Costello Recreation Center, (213) 485-9111
* Highland Park Recreation Center, (213) 847-4876
* Glassell Park Recreation Center, (323) 257-1863

Important Charity Fashion Show Coming Downtown

This morning Macy's announced that they are bringing their annual Passport Fashion Show to the Orpheum Theatre, located in the Historic Broadway Core. After being located on the Westside for 14 years, "Macy's Passport Presents Glamora" will now make its home at the intersection of Los Angeles' historic and fashion districts, in partnership with the City of L.A. and my Bringing Back Broadway initiative. Through its history the show has raised more than $28 million for HIV/AIDs services. Macy Gray and Eric Hutchinson will headline the 28th Annual event this September, which will feature top designers and is sure to draw a large crowd. More importantly the event will continue to benefit HIV/AIDS services, prevention and research, while targeting downtown's young, fashion-savvy population and boosting our local economy. A big thanks to Macy's and Steve Needleman, owner of the Orpheum, and a committed Bringing Back Broadway supporter.

Photo: Councilmember Huizar presents certificate to Macy's Eagle Rock Plaza Store Manager Dan Douglas at Glamorama kick-off event.

Channel 35 to Replay Councilmember Huizar's "Election Reform Forum" Today & Twice Next Week

Councilmember Huizar moderated his second government reform panel recently in Council Chambers. A panel of experts discussed election reform in hopes of increasing voter turnout in City of Los Angeles’ elections while exploring ways to save the city money in the process. Channel 35 will reply the program later today @ 5:30 p.m. and again on 6/28 @ 12:30 p.m. and 7/1 @ 6 p.m. You can also click here to watch it online.

The panel included Kathay Feng with California Common Cause, Antonio Gonzalez with Southwest Voter and the Willie C. Velasquez Institute, David Holtzman with the League of Women Voters Los Angeles, Ron Kaye with OurLA, political pundit and Sonnenschein managing partner Darry Sragow, and Holly Wolcott with the Office of the City Clerk. The discussion centered on possible solutions to voter fatigue and apathy in increasingly expensive elections.

Councilmember Huizar’s last panel in March focused on Campaign Finance Reform and he is currently working on a package of campaign and election reform proposals. A third forum focusing on the City’s Charter will soon be announced for September.

Council Adopts Councilmember José Huizar's Proposal to Institute Higher Penalties for Illegal Dumpers

(Photo credit: Edited version of the new South LA Transit Rider ad)

As chairman of the Los Angeles City Council's Public Works committee, Councilman Huizar championed stricter and heavier fines for individuals and companies guilty of illegally dumping items on the public right of way. Click here for the most recent agenda.

The heavier fines allow the City to assess a fee in the amounts of $500, $1,000, and $1,500 for the first, second, and third violations respectively.

The fines will be administered by the City's Bureau of Street Services, with the City Attorney following up to prosecute violators.

The Bureau of Street Services also conducts stings at “hot spot” locations where dumping is excessive and frequent in order to catch violators in the act of illegal dumping.

In these instances, violators and the associated company are tied directly to the act and swifter fines and heavier penalties can be imposed.

Councilmember Huizar is committed to addressing environmental issues and works tirelessly to improve the quality of life for Council District 14 residents.

Independence Day Fun for the Whole Family at CD 14 Concert and Firework Shows

There are a number of FREE community events to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day—in Boyle Heights, El Sereno and Eagle Rock. Come enjoy musical performances, have the kids participate in activities, eat some tasty food and learn more about community resources. They are all family-friendly so no alcohol is allowed and each one will culminate in a spectacular fireworks show.

4th Annual Boyle Heights Concert and Fireworks Show
o Friday, July 2nd @ Hollenbeck Park, 415 South Saint Louis St., Los Angeles, CA 90033. It will be from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. and the fireworks start at 8:30 p.m.

3rd Annual El Sereno Concert, Fireworks Show & 4th of July Independence Parade
o Saturday, July 3rd @ El Sereno Park, 4721 Klamath Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90032
o It will be from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. The parade begins at 2 p.m. @ the corner of Huntington Drive & Van Horne—and ends at El Sereno Park. The concert starts at 4 p.m. and the fireworks begin at 8:30 p.m.

Eagle Rock Concert and Fireworks Show
o Sunday, July 4th @ Eagle Rock Park, 1100 Eagle Vista Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90041. Fireworks start at @ 8:30 p.m.

Historic Ground-Breaking for Ascot Hills Park

Today was a historic day for El Sereno-Hillside Village residents. We broke ground on what will be about 100 acres of open-space at Ascot Hills Park. When completed, this park will be one of the largest in the entire city and allow families from the eastside to enjoy a completely natural setting in the middle of the city. My office worked with our partners at Rec and Parks, Bureau of Engineering, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority and, most importantly, the El Sereno-Hillside Village community to begin Phase II construction today. The $3.3 million Phase II project will cover 53 acres and include an outdoor amphitheatre, new hiking trails, stream restoration, new native plantings, irrigation and fire safety improvements and additional parking. This massive preservation effort, along with our decision to purchase and protect land on Elephant Hill and our Northeast Hillside ordinance, which protects hillsides from overdevelopment, ensures that the beautiful, rolling hills that are this area's most striking feature, will be around for decades to come. Thanks to all who made this day possible and hope to see you all at the grand opening early next year!

Councilmember Huizar Invites You to Election Reform Forum at City Hall

Here is a video invite to a program I am moderating this Thursday at City Hall in Council Chambers. I held a Campaign Finance Reform forum last March and decided to follow that up with Election Reform on June 10th from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The title is "Election Reform in Los Angeles: Idle, Moving Back or Moving Forward? An Exploration of Voting By Mail, Ranked Choice Voting & Changing Election Dates.” It is free and open to the public and you can register here.

We have a number of experts involved: Kathay Feng with Common Cause, Ron Kaye with Our LA, Darry Sragow with Sonnenshein, David Holtzman with the League of Women Voters; Holly Wolcott with the Los Angeles City Clerk’s office and Antonio Gonzalez with the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project and the Willie C. Velasquez Institute.

Light refreshments will be served and parking will be hosted by contacting my office at (213) 473-7014.

Don't Forget to Vote Today!

Golden State voters will take part in the California Primary today to vote in a number of key contests and critical issues, including Proposition 15, the “Fair Elections Act” and here in Los Angeles, Measure E—the parcel tax to help save arts, music teachers, and librarians in our schools. According to the Secretary of State, 16.9 million Californians have registered to vote—up from 15.6 million in the ’06 primary. I hope you will be one of them. Polls close at 8 p.m. Do your civic duty and vote today! (Click here to find your polling place.)

Adelante Awards 2010

It was such a pleasure to recognize 90 of the top students in my district at this morning’s 7th Annual Adelante Awards breakfast at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral. It was the seventh time the gala has been held and it dates back to my days as School Board President for L.A.U.S.D. I originally started the Adelante Awards to encourage our local students to pursue education and support them in that journey.

The Adelante Awards pays tribute to boys and girls who are shining in and out of the classroom. It is important for us as a community to give them recognition and to encourage them to keep up their studies and stay on the educational path they are on. Many of these children could be the first in their families to seek higher education and we want to let them and their families know that college offers them the best chance for a bright and prosperous future.”

I offer congratulations to all and a tip of the hat to Wilson High School senior and UC Berkeley-bound, Adrian Mendez, on receiving the coveted $1,000 scholarship—sponsored by the Nielson Group.

Proud to Have Served Foster and Probation Youth as Chair of Education Coordinating Council

After more than five years at the helm of the Los Angeles Education Coordinating Council (ECC), which was created to help fill education gaps for foster and probation youth, I am passing the baton on to Mónica García, President of the Los Angeles Unified School District. I am extremely proud of what we were able to achieve during my time as Chair of the ECC to improve the lives, hopes and future of two extremely vulnerable groups.

Among our successes:

• We oversaw a series of first-ever data matches with more than a dozen school districts, which lets us know how foster and probation youth are faring academically in comparison with other students.

• We developed a tool to facilitate school enrollment within 72 hours.

• Most importantly, we created a greater awareness and a commitment to the needs of foster and probation youth. Our efforts doubled the number of foster children enrolled in high quality pre-school programs and tripled the number of foster and probation youth in after-school enrichment programs.

I am proud of the work we did to improve the academic future of foster and probation youth and I will continue to support the efforts of the ECC. To learn more about the ECC and the important work they do, click here.