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AUGUST 14, 2008
IN THIS ISSUE
GARCETTI WALKS DREW-ESTARA NEIGHBORHOOD TO HEAR RESIDENTS' PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS
 Joined by dozens of youth who are part of the Aztecs Rising gang intervention program, Los Angeles Council President Eric Garcetti walked the Drew-Estara area of Glassell Park on Saturday to listen to residents' public safety and other concerns. Earlier this summer, a federal indictment put behind bars dozens of members of the violent Drew Street clique of the Avenues gang.
"We have been working to clean up this neighborhood for years, but in the aftermath of the federal indictment we have a real opportunity. Today we're going door-to-door to let residents know about the city programs for people of all ages as well as the job resources that are available to them. We want the law-abiding families of this neighborhood to know that we're here for them," said Council President Garcetti.
Since he was elected to the City Council in 2001, Garcetti been working to improve the quality of life in the Drew-Estara area of the Glassell Park community. His efforts include converting a vacant problem lot into Juntos Park, a neighborhood park with playground equipment, picnic tables, and a small field. He helped to start a neighborhood watch in the community and to bring numerous job and community resource fairs. To serve the neighborhood's young people, he started the nationally-recognized At the Park After Dark summer anti-gang program, which keeps the Glassell Park Recreation Center open late into the evenings with exciting programming to attract the community's at-risk youth. For the community's seniors, he negotiated to include space for a senior and community center as part of a private development adjacent to the existing Glassell Park Recreation Center. Local seniors now enjoy classes, lunches, and other activities at the center.
ECHO PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GETS ORGANIC GARDEN EXPANSION
Council President Garcetti joined his neighbors in Echo Park to help build and plant an organic garden at Elysian Heights Elementary School. Garcetti was joined by his partner, Amy Elaine Wakeland (pictured at right in the hat), who tends their home garden which boasts more than 75 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Several local businesses donated items to make the new garden and the  building/planting day possible. These included Delilah's Bakery, the Dodgers, Home Depot, Starbucks, and the Echo Park Improvement Association. The law firm Heller Ehrlman also generously donated both funding and labor to help with the expansion, which included raised beds, new mulch and plants, and trenches for the watering system.
GARCETTI SWEARS-IN NEW HOLLYWOOD STUDIO DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL BOARD
Council President Garcetti joined members of the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council at the swearing-in of the organization's board members. Elections were held earlier this year for the board members, who will serve two-year terms.
 Board members for the 2008-10 term are: Maripat Donovan, Chair; Steve Whiddon, Vice Chair; Glenda Kelley, Treasurer; Courtney Kanagi, Recording Secretary; Ziggy Kruse, Corresponding Secretary; Harry Plapinger, Parliamentarian; Samir Srivastava; Juri Ripinsky; Chris Shabel; Aracely Ortiz; Ed Hunt; Cathy Donovan; John Coleman; Tracey Alexander; and Kiwon Ban.
The Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council serves the area between El Centro and Western Avenue/101 freeway and Hollywood Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. (Photo by Grant Cihlar)
L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti represents the Thirteenth Council District which includes all or part of the communities of Glassell Park, Little Armenia, Thai Town, Atwater Village, Elysian Valley, Echo Park, Historic Filipinotown, Silver Lake, East Hollywood and Hollywood. Councilmember Garcetti serves as President of the Los Angeles City Council.
Council President Garcetti and his staff can be reached via e-mail at councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org or by mail or phone at City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Room 470, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-473-7013; 5500 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-957-4500; and 3750 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065, 323-478-9002.
www.ericgarcetti.com
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