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JULY 23, 2009
IN THIS ISSUE
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GARCETTI WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE PASSES COUNCIL
L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti's ordinance that will help the City of Los Angeles conserve water passed the City Council this week. 
The ordinance sets new water efficiency guidelines for toilets, urinals, faucets, showerheads, dishwashers, single-pass cooling systems, and cooling towers in new buildings and for the replacement of broken fixtures in existing buildings.
"In Los Angeles – where we’re known for being able to surf in our ocean and ski on our slopes on the same day – we’ve developed a culture that values water conservation,” said Council President Garcetti. “This ordinance will help us save an average of an additional 1 billion gallons of water every year over the next 20 years.”
The ordinance will also help businesses and residents save money. For example, by installing low-flush toilets that meet the new standards, the average household would save an estimated $90 per year in reduced water utility bills or $2,000 over the lifetime of the fixtures.
Prior to the Council vote, Garcetti visited the Los Angeles Convention Center, which installed high efficiency fixtures during a renovation last year. Nearly 200 urinals were replaced with an ultra-low flush model that uses 0.125 gallons per flush, which will save an estimated 900,000 gallons of water annually. The dishwasher in the main kitchen was also replaced with an Energy Star-rated model (pictured at right), saving 627,000 gallons of water annually.
HOLLYWOOD WELCOMES MADAME TUSSAUD'S
Council President Garcetti helped cut the ribbon on the brand new Madame Tussaud's Hollywood, a 44,000 square-foot museum located next to Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard.
"For more than two centuries, Madame Tussaud's has been on the cutting edge of entertainment and tourism, and now this world-famous institution has a home in Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world," said Council President Garcetti.
Jim Carrey, Kobe Bryant, and Meryl Streep are among the celebrities from film, television, and sports who are represented in this collection of amazingly life-like wax figures. Former Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant, who passed away last year, is also immortalized in wax (Mr. Grant's wax figure pictured above with Council President Garcetti).
More than 1,000 people were hired to help build the new facility and the museum is expected to employ 160 people when it opens. In its first year of operation, Madame Tussaud's Hollywood is estimated to generate $100 million for the local economy. No public funds were used to build the project.
Madame Tussauds Hollywood will celebrate its grand opening to the public on August 1.
JUDGE LIFTS LAPD FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE
Last week, U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess lifted the Los Angeles Police Department's federal consent decree, which was negotiated in 2001 to help bring reform to the department.
"The LAPD badge depicts City Hall and the City Seal, and around them are the rays of a setting sun, representing our West Coast location. Today, those rays shine brighter as the luster of the LAPD badge is restored with the lifting of the federal consent decree," said Council President Garcetti.
In the eight years since the consent decree was negotiated, the LAPD has become a more transparent community partner. Under the leadership of Chief Bratton, the department has worked together with local residents to solve and prevent crimes, resulting in the city's lowest crime rate in 50 years.
At a press conference to discuss the judge's decision, Council President Garcetti committed to working with the LAPD and the community to ensure that department does not slip backward in the progress it has made toward becoming a model for law enforcement agencies around the world.
CHECK OUT THE 24TH ANNUAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS - AUGUST 9
On Sunday, August 9, enjoy a day of art, music, and fun at the Hollywood Arts Council’s 24th Annual Children’s Festival of the Arts.
This free event celebrates Hollywood’s arts and cultures and will feature a variety of international music and dance performances as well as an assortment of art workshops.
Kids will also be entertained by Mally Lewis and Lamb Chop. Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck are also scheduled to make appearances.
The festival will be held from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Paramount Pictures Studio (5555 Melrose Ave). For more information, call (323) 871–ARTS or visit here.
EAST HOLLYWOOD RESOURCE AND HEALTH FAIR THIS WEEKEND
On Saturday, July 25, come to 9th annual Live, Work & Play in East Hollywood Consumer Resource and Health Fair to find out about employment programs, housing information, health insurance, educational opportunities, youth programs and much more.
More than 40 organizations will provide free resources and consultations, and free health screenings will be offered.
The event will be hosted by Thai Community Development Center and will be held at the Hollywood/Western MTA Portal Plaza, 5454 Hollywood Blvd.
For more information, call (323) 468-2555 or visit http://www.thaicdc.org/.
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L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti represents the 13th 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
Watch the Meet Eric Garcetti video in English or Spanish.
www.cd13.com
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