Angelenos commemorate Memorial Day

May 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment


With Memorial Day Weekend here, many events are being across the city held to honor U.S. soldiers and veterans over the next two days. Here are a few:

SUNDAY

At 10 a.m. the 63rd annual 24-hour vigil will begin at the Mexican All Wars Memorial at the Raul Morin Memorial Square on Cesar Chavez Avenue and Lorena and Indiana streets. Councilman
Jose Huizar will be among those standing vigil. Medal of Honor recipient PFC Eugene Obregon, an East Los Angeles native who served with the Marines during the Korean War, will be remembered. There will be a wreath-laying at 3 p.m.

MONDAY

Hawthorne will host its annual Memorial Day service sponsored by Hawthorne American Legion Post 314 and Hawthorne VFW Post 2075, beginning at 10 a.m at the Hawthorne Memorial Center, 3901 W. El Segundo Blvd. Admission is free and an open buffet will follow.

Inglewood’s 62nd annual Memorial Day Celebration will include ceremonies conducted in front of the Memorial Obelisk Monument at City Hall, celebrating local heroes. The events begin at 11 a.m. on Manchester Boulevard, and admission is free.

Kennel Club LAX will host a “Pack for Paws” party at 10:30 a.m. to prepare care packages for military bomb-sniffing canines in Afghanistan. There will also be a demonstration of how dogs sniff out explosives.
with books, toiletries and snacks for their soldier handlers. The event is located at 5325 W. 102nd St.

Long Beach’s aquarium will host a Memorial Day picnic on their front lawn at 11:30 a.m.

Active and retired military personnel also get free admission to Knott’s Berry Farm this weekend.

You can see more events here.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: ,

L.A. Catholics welcome new archbishop

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment


Yesterday marked the start of a changing of the guard at the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  Current Cardinal Roger Mahony, who has held the position for 25 years, will retire next February at the age of 75, blogdowntown reports. He will turn the country’s biggest Roman Catholic archdiocese over to 58-year-old Jose H. Gomez, who was chosen by the Pope to succeed him.

Gomez, who was born in Monterrey, Mexico, previously served five years as the archbishop of San Antonio, Texas.

You can read more about his background in a two-part series put together by the Los Angeles Times.

At a two-hour Mass in front of thousands of worshipers and priests, the two religious leaders exchanged banters and prayers, with Gomez quipping that the audience got “two homilies for the price of one. And it’s free. It’s a good deal.” The Mass was streamed live on the Archdiocese of San Antonio’s Web site.

Later, as the Times reports, Mahony told Gomez that “church rules demand that the ceremonial throne for the prelate ‘must be fitting,’” and invited him to try it out.

“A bemused Gomez approached the large wooden chair, began to sit, hesitated, looked askance, then finally plopped down. ‘It’s kind of big,’ he said, ‘but I think I can make it.’”

As archbishop, Gomez will likely have to confront issues regarding immigration policy.  Like his predecessor, he made his stance clear, telling parishioners that God doesn’t see strangers and that “no one is an alien for any of us,” a sentiment he repeated in Spanish.

He praised L.A.‘s diversity, saying, “In the community of cultures here in Los Angeles, we can see what it means to say that our church is ‘catholic,’” – that is, universal.

Gomez will serve with Mahony until Mahony’s retirement.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: ,

Relative caregivers demand better care from county agencies

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment


On Thursday, June 3, 100 South Los Angeles relative caregivers, including grandmothers, aunts and uncles, will protest Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and Department of Mental Health (DMH). They will demand that these departments increase mental health resources in out-of-home placements.

“With all the recent attention on the deaths and failures in the foster care system, DCFS should be throwing relative caregivers a parade right now,” Marqueece Harris-Dawson, president and CEO of Community Coalition, said. “DCFS has been relying on these [relative caregivers] to reduce its foster care roles, and to provide safe and stable alternatives to placing children in the care of strangers.”

Los Angeles County is trying to reduce the number of children in foster care. In the past 10 years, the number of children in out-of-home placement in Los Angeles County has dropped dramatically. What started out as 50,000 cases has dropped to less than 20,000 today.

Some research shows that children are less likely to end up homeless or in jail, and more likely to finish school, when they are cared for by relatives.

“Many people don’t realize the challenges that relative caregivers face,” Deanne D’Antignac, a relative caregiver, said. “Fifteen years ago, I gave up my 401K, my benefits and my career as a physician assistant to care for my three nieces, and to keep them from being moved from home to home. The children arrived in my care and needed mental health services, yet the level of support I received from the county was appalling.”

Relative caregivers brought these issues to the attention of DCFS and DMH in the past, Harris-Dawson said.

“We’ve held [meetings] with DCFS…participated in DMH community forums, yet no relief has arrived for relative caregivers and their families,” Harris-Dawson said. “It is time for these departments to step up and provide the mental health support necessary to create healthy minds and families.”

The rally and program will begin at 4:30 p.m. in front of DCFS headquarters, which is located at 425 Shatto Place, Los Angeles, 90020.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , , ,

Partnership to investigate the status of Marlton Square

May 26, 2010 By 2 Comments


Intersections:  The South Los Angeles Report is teaming up with LeimertParkBeat.com to embark upon an investigative report on the status of the Marlton Square/Santa Barbara Plaza, the 20-acre shopping center that lies vacant and in shambles. Fifty million dollars has been attached to this debacle and millions spent, but nothing has improved.  We hope to find out why with your help.

Click here to see a video of the Marlton Square area.

Eddie North-Hager, creator of LeimertParkBeat.com, is spearheading this reporting investigation in collaboration with The South LA Report and Spot.Us, a crowd funded investigative news site. 

 

 

 

How to Help

The Marlton Square project is a joint effort between student reporters at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and local residents.  How to help:

* Contribute time and help with reporting the story.  Contact The South L.A. Report at southla[at]usc.edu

* Contribute money to help cover costs and pay community members.  Log onto Spot.Us to donate.

ANY amount is appreciated.

 

The Saga of Marlton Square
By Eddie North-Hager

Leimert Park is the Soul of Los Angeles, an African American cultural center within the city filled with cafes, shops and music. Near it, Baldwin Hills is the high-class star of the BET Network’s successful foray into reality TV.

In between these two L.A. neighborhoods is an embarrassment no one wants to talk about – Marlton Square, aka Santa Barbara Plaza.

Marlton Square
image

The 20-acre shopping center, apparently already in disrepair in the early 90s, was slowly killed as the city attempted to buy it, then sell it to a private firm to redevelop. First there was talk of working with legend Magic Johnson. Then football star Keyshawn Johnson dropped out. Then a check-bouncing, politically-connected developer became the city’s partner.

Today all the buildings, dozens of storefronts with a mammoth parking lot in the middle, are still there—crumbling. All but a few shops are boarded up and waiting for the bulldozer that never comes. Oh, there is one new building—a multi-story nursing home—but it’s never been occupied. The deserted center has hurt business strips nearby, including the adjacent Crenshaw Mall, attracting criminal elements and being blamed for lowering property values. image

And $50 million later, L.A. officials are back to square one with their bombed-out plan, holding back a community’s promise.

The numbers are murky, but it’s been reported there was $43 million in government subsidies tied to the project and that at least $15 million of that has been lost, plus an additional $30 million in private funds were spent.

Most of the political players are still around as the next developer in line, current owners of the adjacent Crenshaw Mall, courts city officials. What will happen?
image
The story of Marlton Square’s demise and future will be completed in August

Filed Under: Blog

Dorsey culinary student wins scholarship

May 25, 2010 By 2 Comments


Carlos Cordero, a senior at Dorsey High School in South Los Angeles received a $2,300 college scholarship from Careers through Culinary Arts Program(C-CAP) to further his culinary dreams.  When LAUSD decided to cut funding for C-CAP, students at Dorsey High School were able to keep participating through a generous donation from Mother Of Many (M.O.M.). 

Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) works with public schools across the country to prepare under-served high school students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry.  C-CAP manages the largest independent high school culinary scholarship program in the United States.

image
Carlos is among the students who will join the Dorsey Culinary Arts Program and Crenshaw Digital Media team’s visit to the White House.  Click here for information on the Journey to the White House.

image

From left to right:  Richard Grausman (C-CAP Founder/President), Carlos Cordero (Dorsey/M.O.M. Student), Erevetta Marzette (Dorsey Culinary Instructor), Daphne Bradford (Mother Of Many, Dorsey C-CAP co-sponsor), Tracy Rivera (Dorsey Student), Mitzie Cutler (C-CAP Director, Los Angeles) />

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , , , , ,

Research links pesticides to ADD or ADHD in children

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment


Common pesticides used on fruits and vegetables can possibly be linked to children’s Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), a new analysis of U.S. health data said. The study cannot prove that pesticides contribute to childhood problems with learning, but experts said the research is influential. More research will be needed to confirm the tie, Los Angeles Watts Times reported.

“I would take it quite seriously,” Virginia Rauh of Columbia University said. Rauh has studied prenatal exposure to pesticides, and was not involved in the study.

Because children are still growing, they are prone to the health risks of pesticides. They may also consume more pesticide residue than adults, relative to the body weight. Pesticides break down into compounds in the body; these compounds can be measured in urine.

Almost universally, the study found compounds in the urine of about 94 percent of children. The findings are based on one-time urine samples of 1,139 children and interviews with their parents to determine whether the children had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The children, ages 8 to 15, were tested between 2000 and 2004.

The children with higher levels had increased chances of having ADHD. These higher levels of pesticide can come from the air or food treated with pesticides. Children can also swallow pesticides in their drinking water. The study did not determine how these children had high levels of pesticide, but experts said it is likely for children who do not live near farms to be exposed through what they eat.

“Exposure is practically ubiquitous,” Maryse Bouchard of the University of Montreal said. “We are all exposed.”

People can limit their exposure by eating organic produce. According to a government report, frozen blueberries, strawberries and celery had more residue than other foods. In 2008, an Emory University study found that children who switched to organically grown fruits and vegetables had lower pesticide compounds in their urine.

The study dealt with one common type of pesticide called organophosphates. Levels of six pesticide compounds were measured. For the most frequent compound, 20 percent of the children with above-average levels had ADHD. In children with no detectable amount in their urine, 10 percent had ADHD.

The study hopes to prove that the government should encourage farmers to switch to organic methods, Margaret Reeves, senior scientist with the Pesticide Action Network, said. The Pesticide Action Netowkr is an advocacy group that has been working to end the use of some pesticides.

“It is unpardonable to allow this exposure to continue,” Reeves said.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , , ,

Low income schools search for gifted students

May 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment


Some Los Angeles schools have put a new emphasis on finding gifted students, especially those who are minority or from low income families, Los Angeles Watts Times reported.

The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, a non-profit organization, launched the initiative. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa oversees the program. Last year, about four city schools began testing almost every second grader for exceptional abilities.

The search turned up Emariye Louden, a student at 99th Street Elementary School. Since he could speak, he has been debating subjects with his mother. He also knew a number of birth dates, phone numbers and words by the age of 4.

But in 2008, the district determined there were no other gifted students at his school. The school is 75 percent Hispanic and 25 percent black. About half of the students do not know much English, and almost all of the students are from low income families.

The purpose of the partnership is to give students the attention they need. The program will also demonstrate that neglected schools have extraordinary students.

“It has allowed us to ramp up our expectations for children,” Angela Bass, the non-profit’s superintendent of instruction, said. “We’ve missed the fact that our children are really talented. We need to make sure our teachers know that, our parents know that and our students know they are gifted.”

Gifted students will participate in additional activities in their classrooms, receive bigger campus projects and partake in discussions with scientists. Some will also go on field trips to museums.

“In the second grade, Emariye now has something not everybody has,” Tynesha Warren, Emariye’s mother, said. “And it is going to follow him for the rest of his life. It could expand his life and open doors. It gives him the opportunity to be noticed.”

Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines said racism is one reason most Latino and black students have gone unnoticed. However, Cortines also believes the district focuses its efforts on middle-class white and Asian students who are possibly more likely to leave the district for a better one, or for a private school.

In the district, white and Asian students make up 12 percent of students enrolled, but about 39 percent of students designated as gifted.

If a student is designated as gifted, his or her school does not receive any additional funding.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , , ,

First Harvey Milk Day celebrated in Los Angeles

May 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment


A rally at the federal building and Father Serra Park downtown was just one of the events held across Los Angeles today as part of the first annual Harvey Milk Day.

The holiday honors what would have been the 80th birthday of Milk, who was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 and became the first openly gay man to serve in California politics. He was assassinated 11 months later.

The march downtown followed the tradition of Milk’s political activism, including a speech delivered by megaphone and atop a soapbox. It was aimed at expressing “one single demand”: equal protection under the law in all 50 states, a spokesperson said.

LAist reports that other celebrations included an official gathering at Madame Tussauds including Milk’s nephew.  There was also a door-to-door campaign for marriage equality in East Los Angeles, a picnic in Brentwood and a fundraiser hosted by the Osbourne family. In West Hollywood, Mayor Pro Tempore John Duran introduced an anti-bullying project designed to protect LGBT students.

Last year, Governor Arnold Schwarzennegger signed a bill declaring May 22 Harvey Milk Day.  A petition asking him to do so received 50,000 signatures from Californians.

But not all Californians have taken as enthusiastically to the new holiday.  Kern County’s school board voted not to recognize it.

In Los Angeles, though Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa more than endorsed the event. He wrote a blog on The Huffington Post celebrating Milk, and asking Angelenos to join in on what he declared the Harvey Milk Day of Service, including a clean-up of the Vermont Square Community Garden.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: ,

Budget crisis means the end of many summer programs

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment


School’s out for the summer.

No, really.

The spring semester is finished or winding down around L.A., but budget cuts mean that many traditional summer programs won’t be offered this year.

In Compton, the Los Angeles Wave reports, typical summer school is being replaced by intervention and enrichment programs. The classes, focusing on basic academic subjects, will be available only to the students most in need.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Unified School District is completely cutting its summer programs for seniors and developmentally disabled adults for the first time in 20 years.

It was one of a few programs left after the district canceled the majority of its summer programs last year to help mitigate its budget crisis.  New proposals call for summer school to be completely eliminated.

Even when classes are available, prices are rising.

A judge ruled Wednesday that the CSU system can raise its fees for summer courses that count toward graduation. The judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by students, allowing state universities to charge about $80 extra per unit. CSU says with its budget cut by 20 percent, it can no longer afford summer classes for students without increasing rates – but many students say they can’t afford it either.

Have your plans for the summer been impacted?

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: ,

South Los Angeles residents can participate in three upcoming events

May 19, 2010 By 6 Comments


To help develop and strengthen organizational business skills, the South Los Angeles Business Leaders Academy will offer free training sessions to nonprofit organizations in South L.A. Sessions will be held at Council District 9 Neighborhood City Hall, located at 4301 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, 90011.

On May 22, faculty from University of Redlands, who will serve as instructors, will cover accounting and controlling costs. Grants and fundraising will be discussed on June 5, while faculty will observe participant presentations and listen to participant feedback on June 12.

Participants who successfully complete all four sessions will receive a University of Redlands letter of completion.

For more information, please call (213) 978-0333, (213) 978-0259 or e-mail sharon.chun[at]lacity.org.
——-
On May 22, “Good Things Happen Here,” a community resource and employment fair, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The four-hour fair will occur at the Rita D. Walters Learning Complex for Family and Community Development, located at 915 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles, 90044.

The Rita D. Walters Learning Complex is a partnership designed to provide educational support for children, youth and families in and around the 8th Council District of Los Angeles. The three components of the Rita D. Walters Learning Complex include the Youth and Family Center, the Child Development Center and the Y.O.U. Alternative High School.

Those who will attend the fair should dress professionally and bring several copies of their resumes; some employers may choose to give on-site interviews.

For more information, please call (323) 789-4717.
——-
A youth job fair will also take place on May 22. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., attendees can participate in interviewing workshops and resume-crafting workshops. They can also attend a workshop based on work ethics.

Attendees are also encouraged to dress professionally and bring several copies of their resumes.

For more information, please call (310) 898-2015 or (424) 456-7491.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , , ,
Next Page»