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AUGUST 7, 2008
IN THIS ISSUE
GARCETTI EXPANDS AT THE PARK AFTER DARK SUMMER ANTI-GANG PROGRAM TO HOLLYWOOD
 Los Angeles Council President Eric Garcetti visited one of Hollywood's two new summer anti-gang programs this week. At the Park After Dark keeps parks open until the late evening hours to give young people a safe, supervised place to go and is now available at Lemon Grove Park and the Hollywood Recreation Center.
Innovative programming is key to At the Park After Dark's success. Participants can learn to  box, play music, skateboard, play basketball and other sports, learn the fundamentals of hip hop theater and aerosol art, and much more. The broad range of exciting activities help attract the neighborhood's most at-risk youth.
"At the end of last year, we saw too many young lives tragically ended in Hollywood. At the Park After Dark gives young people a fun place to go during a time when not much else is available to many of them. It keeps them off the streets  and gives them something positive to do," said Council President Garcetti.
Garcetti piloted the At the Park After Dark program in Glassell Park last year after a 16 year-old girl was fatally shot while walking just a few blocks from the neighborhood's recreation center. The program was successful in attracting at-risk youth and keeping them safe and off the streets last summer. This summer, Mayor Villaraigosa expanded the concept of keeping parks open late at night and is serving the Glassell Park community as well as others across the city through his Summer Night Lights program. Garcetti worked to bring At the Park After Dark to Hollywood.
At the Park After Dark receives generous funding from Kaiser Permanente. Partner organizations include LACERS, Aztecs Rising, Sound Art, Santana House, and Be the Change - Hip Hop Theater.
GOVERNMENT 101 EMPOWERS NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATES
On Wednesday, nearly 100 local residents attended Government 101, a workshop that Council President Garcetti created to help people understand how local government works and empower them to get involved in improving our communities. This workshop was co-hosted by the Mayor's Office and was open to residents from across the city.
"Everyday I meet people who want to help their communities and want to  learn more about how they can do so effectively," said Council President Garcetti. "Through the program, we've helped people in neighborhoods learn how to partner with government, businesses, and local organizations to bring real change to their neighborhoods."
Since its inception in 2001, Government 101 has graduated more than 1,000 participants.
ECHO PARK NEIGHBORS TURN OUT FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Across the country, neighbors turned out for National Night Out, an evening when families celebrate efforts to keep communities safe. Echo Park residents joined in the festivities organized by the Positive Energy Neighborhood Watch. The Echo Park Chamber of Commerce, the Echo, and the Dodgers helped to sponsor a fun night out.
"Like our falling crime rate, this night is one of many reminders that our neighborhoods belong to the law-abiding people who live in them. I'm proud to stand with our neighborhoods tonight and every night because the people of our city deserve safe streets, safe schools, and safe places to work and play," said Council President Garcetti, pictured at left with young people who are part of the LAPD Explorers program.
Los Angeles Police Department Northeast Area Captain William Murphy and members of the LAPD attended the event to thank community members for their partnership in reducing crime in the area.
FREE ADMISSION TO CA CONSTRUCTION EXPO FOR CONSTRUCTION JOB SEEKERS
The California Construction Expo is coming to the LA Convention Center and will offer free admission and workshops for individuals seeking a career in construction. Representatives from labor organizations will be available to provide information on and facilitate access to construction apprenticeship trainings.
In addition, this is an opportunity for contractors, designers, and construction professionals to explore best practices, test new tools and equipment, and network with others in the industry.
The Expo's host agencies include the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Airports, the Associated General Contractors of California, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
For more information or to register, click here.
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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