4th Annual Winter Wonderland in El Sereno

Join me tomorrow for the 4th Annual Winter Wonderland in El Sereno!

Schedule of CD 14 Holiday Events

Holiday festivities begin today! Hope you and your family can make it out to any of the below events taking place in CD 14. All events are free for the whole family.

- Jose

Hermon Tree Lighting
December 4, 2009 6:30-8:30p.m.
Monterey Road & Via Marisol

Eagle Rock Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 4, 2009 6:30-8:30p.m.
Corner of Colorado Blvd. & Maywood Ave.

Glassell Park Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 11, 2009 6:30-7:00p.m.
Rite-Aid Parking Lot
4044 Eagle Rock Blvd.

Boyle Heights Tree Lighting Toy Giveaway
December 12, 2009 4-8:00p.m.
2844 E. 2nd Street Evergreen Park

El Sereno Tree Lighting and Toy Giveaway
December 19, 2009 4:00-8:00p.m.
Corner of Huntington Drive & Van Horne Ave.

Please consider donating a toy to our partners:

LAFD Spark of Love Program
Contact: Firefighter Michael Marquez

Marines Toys for Tots Foundation

Sgt. Franciso Ulloa

Giving Thanks this Thanksgiving

I just want to wish everyone a very happy and safe Thanksgiving. As for myself, I have much to be thankful for. First and foremost, like all of you, I am thankful for my wonderful family, my wife, Richelle, my children, Emilia, Isabella and Simon Luis (with another daughter on the way). I am thankful for my health. And as the Councilmember for District 14, I am thankful to you, my constituents, for allowing me to represent you. I have the greatest job in the world and I enjoy coming to work each and everyday to work on your behalf. I am also thankful for all the improvements that are going on in our district. We recently opened the Edward R. Roybal Gold Line Eastside Extension and had a fantastic block party celebrating its opening and the $1.4 billion in public improvement projects in Boyle Heights. I am thankful for community members like the late Ross Valencia, “Mr. Boyle Heights,” who we recently named a park after. I am thankful for a committed group of people in El Sereno who helped me fight against potentially dangerous development on Elephant Hill, or “The Heavens” as it once was known. I’m thankful that I have the opportunity to effect policy that protects our neighborhoods from the over-proliferation of unlicenced medical marijuana dispensaries. I am thankful for our veterans who have sacrificed so much so that we all can enjoy the freedoms we have in this great country and I’d ask you to please say a prayer for our men and women who are serving our country right now, many far away from their families during the holidays. Again, thank you for allowing me to be your representative. It is something that I take very seriously and to you, I am deeply thankful. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Ross Valencia Pic: Courtesy of Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council

Elephant Hill Residents See Victory

This morning I gathered with El Sereno residents to celebrate a victory 25 years in the making. The long-contested battle to protect homes from potentially dangerous development in Elephant Hill in El Sereno will soon be over. At my urging, my colleagues on the City Council voted unanimously yesterday to support a settlement with a developer that will allow the City to buy the original 15 acres of contested land, plus four more acres for $9 million. Our court battle was about an old Environmental Impact Report putting our residents and hillsides at risk. Although a judge initially ruled against the City in this matter, he did not compel the City to issue the final permit necessary for the developer to start construction on the 24 luxury homes on Elephant Hill. At the end of the day, this is good for everyone involved. For El Sereno residents, it's environmental justice. Somebody said today that the Westside has its beaches and we in the Northeast have our hills. Having grown up in Boyle Heights, environmental justice issues resonate with me. I have made it a priority to fight polluters in my district, taking them to court (Shamrock, ISOCI, Vernon). And I have fought for better policies like the Northeast LA Hillside Ordinance, to make sure that hillside lots are developed in a way that is sensitive to the hillside and existing homes. And now that the residents of El Sereno have 19 acres of their beloved Elephant Hill back, they can start thinking about what they want to do with it. At the very least, it will be protected open space that people can enjoy now and in the future. Congratulations to all, especially Elva Yanez, who spearheaded the battle and sat me down in her living room for two hours when I was running for City Council to tell me the problems with this proposed development. Also thanks to Vanessa Yanez, Geneece Perez, Casey Reagan, Hugo Garcia, the National Resource Defense Council and the Latino Urban Forum. There are many others to thank. Unfortunately, some people involved in this struggle didn’t live long enough to see this through. They are people who used to enjoy the hills of El Sereno at one time and beyond the concerns over potentially unsafe development, they wanted future generations to enjoy those same hills and ravines. We honor them and we will not forget their contributions to this noble effort.
Press Release

Halloween in CD 14

The past couple of days of Halloween activities in CD 14 have been really great! From little princesses to Michael Jackson impersonators, take a look at our district-wide slide show of great costumes! Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Boyle Heights Rec Center Soccer Fields in Full Use!

Also on Saturday, boys and girls’ soccer teams from El Sereno and Boyle Heights squared off for the unofficial 1st Annual soccer match at the new $2.2 million renovated Boyle Heights Sports Center. The Center is now the site of the first City-built synthetic soccer field on the Eastside. After construction on the project began, state funding was frozen due to the poor economy and I worked with the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Bureau of Engineering to find City loans to complete the project. From the $50 million Valley Boulevard Bridge, to the Metro Gold Line, to the Mendez Learning Center and the new Hollenbeck Police Station, to the Sports Center (just to name a few!), L.A.’s Eastside is enjoying a time of unprecedented public project improvements. I’m happy to have done my part to turn these dreams into reality. Congrats to all the boys and girls (and their families) for coming out to our fair yesterday and thanks to all our organizations, including representative from the 2010 Census for coming out and helping.

El Sereno Stallions Homecoming, 15 Years and Still Going Strong

On Sunday I was invited to the El Sereno Stallions Homecoming at Wilson High School. What a great event! The Stallions are celebrating 15 years in the El Sereno community under the direction of Jorge Hernandez. The commitment that the parents, coaches, football players and cheerleaders demonstrate is really inspiring. When I was a young boy, sports were always a part of my life. I wanted to be a baseball player and I was glad to see that Louie Moreno, who was my high school baseball coach, was the MC at the Stallions Homecoming. A big congratulations and thank you is in order to the Stallions head coaches, Joel Cuevas, Lionel Gonzalez, Robin Joseph Sr., Mario Zepeda, Bert Pere, Andy Carrillo and Art Garcia, as well as the many parents and family members who volunteer their time to teach these kids the importance of team spirit and sportsmanship. Playing sports and being involved allows students to be positive role models and teaches the value of hard work, commitment and friendship. Congratulation again to the players and the 2009 court! Great job!

Honoring a Great Man in El Sereno – Robert F. Saunders Parking Grove

It was a beautiful day Thursday morning when I was joined by 200 schoolchildren, teachers, community members and family and friends of Robert F. Saunders for a plaque dedication ceremony in honor of the beloved Farmdale Elementary School volunteer. Mr. Saunders, who passed away in 2008, was absolutely instrumental in working with me to pave over a dirt parking lot shared by families of Farmdale students and children who play sports at the adjacent El Sereno Park. I first heard about this troublesome parking lot – which blew loads of dust in the dry season and became dangerously muddy in the wet season – while I was on the LAUSD Board of Education. I discovered then that it was City property, so when I joined the City Council, I worked to find $410,000 in funding to finish this project, which includes new trees and a community garden. I want to thank Farmdale Principal, Teresita Saracho de Palma, and Mr. Saunders' family, who were on hand for the dedication, for their help in making this a reality. Robert Saunders is proof that one person really can make a difference and we all owe a debt of gratitude to him for never giving up on a dream.

City Council Reward Motion Leads to Arrest in Fatal Hit-and-Run in El Sereno

Recently I announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the August 3rd death of motorcyclist Federico Porras. The 29-year-old man, who was raised in City Terrace, was a loved brother and father of a 4-year-old daughter and his family and friends attended a press conference with police officials and me to plea for the public’s help. Within a week of that press conference, police received a tip that led to the arrest of the alleged driver who is now facing felony charges. While nothing can bring their brother back, the Porras family did convey their heartfelt thanks to all whose help led to this arrest, which should bring some closure to them. I want to thank LAPD Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz, Capt. Ron Marbrey and their fantastic detectives for their work on this case. I also want to remind drivers that they are required under law to render aid if they are involved in an auto collision and somebody is injured, regardless who is at fault. If they leave the scene of the crash, they could be facing felony charges.

El Sereno Sees Business Improvements Along Huntington Drive

I’m very proud to see that El Sereno is seeing a revitalization of its business corridor. In 2006, I asked the City’s Community Development Department to find projects that would improve the business environment along Huntington Drive and I was happy we were able to set aside $354,000 for El Sereno Beautification. Yesterday I was joined by LANI – the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative, the El Sereno Steering Committee, community members and youth from Barrio Action Youth Family Center to celebrate the renovations in façade and signage of many store fronts alongside the Huntington Drive Corridor. Together, we are helping beautify and create a more pedestrian-friendly environment for the community.

Aside from a new building, lighting and signage improvements to nine storefronts between Castalia and Rosemead avenues, the renovations allowed one property owner the opportunity to lease three spaces that have been empty for more than 20 years. For their involvement, LANI awarded the El Sereno Steering Committee, which consists of El Sereno stakeholders and property and business owners, their 2009 Outstanding Community Project Award winners.

Recently, my office has also help fund the trimming of 500 trees along Huntington Drive and Eastern Avenue, as well as add 20 new trash receptacles and increased bulky-item pickups throughout El Sereno. Thank you to everyone that keeps making these improvements possible!

Volunteers Show up in Force for CD 14 Community Cleanup

This Saturday, over 1,000 volunteers, City workers and contractors came out to beautify El Sereno, Boyle Heights and Northeast Los Angeles in our effort to improve Council District 14. Collectively, we worked on 40 separate projects, including removing graffiti, bulky items and overgrown weeds in pathways, schools and parks. It was refreshing to see so many hard working people (especially all the young people) who gave up their Saturday morning and showed real community pride. To highlight just a few of the many projects, in the Northeast, members of two local Girl Scout troops and Victory Outreach came out in full force and swept up streets and cleaned major corridors; in El Sereno, our award-winning cheerleading squad, Pride All Stars, cleared weeds and picked up trash outside Farmdale Elementary School and El Sereno Middle School; and in Boyle Heights, students at Roosevelt High School repainted benches around the trees in the school’s quad area. I painted over some graffiti on Blueberry Hill (under the supervision of Graffiti Busters!) and joined several young students collecting trash around the Evergreen jogging path. Also, we trimmed trees as part of my effort to fund the trimming of more than 1,500 trees throughout the district and we placed 110 additional trash receptacles throughout CD 14, improving the overall quality of life in our community.

Reminder: Besides City’s regular Bulky Item program, CD 14 Bulky Item pickup:
El Sereno: every 2nd Saturday
Boyle Heights: every 3rd Saturday
Northeast: every 4th Saturday

Please call any of my district offices or 311 to report potholes, graffiti or bulky items. A big thank you to everyone who came out and supported the Community Clean Up, including the following agencies, organizations and concerned residents who lent a hand. My apologies if I miss anybody. You all did a wonderful job!

Enjoy the pictures!



City of Los Angeles and partners:
Department of Public Works Commissioner Cynthia Ruiz, Enrique Saldivar, General Manger Bureau of Sanitation, Nazario Sauceda, Assistant General Manger Bureau of Street Services, Urban Forestry, Office of Community Beautification, Department of Transportation, Northeast Graffiti Busters, Clean and Green and the Los Angeles Conservation Corp.

Community groups and organizations:

Northeast Los Angeles
Victory Outreach, Girl Scouts (Troops 216 and 330), Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, Glassell Park Improvement Association, Mt. Washington community members, Eagle Rock Kiwanis Club, San Pascual Neighborhood Watch and the North Highland Park Neighborhood Watch.

El Sereno:
L.A. 32 Neighborhood Council, Semillas del Pueblo Charter School, Rose Hills residents, El Sereno Stallions Football Program, Wilson High School Football team, Hollenbeck PALS, Barrio Action, Calvary Chapel, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Monterey Hills Federation, Club Deportivo, Hillside Village Homeowners Association, University Hills Homeowners Association, Pride All Stars, Mi Casita Parent Organization and Plaza de La Raza.

Boyle Heights:
El Centro de Ayuda, Youth Opportunity Movement, Aliso Pico Girl Scouts , East Los Angeles Community Corporation, YMCA Camp Whittle Volunteers, Gang Alternatives Program, Roosevelt High School (including Football and Basketball Drill teams), People who Care, Salesian Boys and Girls Clubs, Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, Los Angeles Conservation Corps, La Purisima Neighborhood Watch, LA Voice at Talpa Church and Abuelitos de Boyle Heights.


And special thanks to our sponsors: Charlie’s Trio Restaurant, Jarritos Sodas, El Mercado Restaurant, Cafe De Leche, CVS Pharmacy, Ellis Paints/Pacific Resource Recovery, Italiano’s Pizza and Occidental Plaza.

August 15th Community Clean Up!

Take pride in your neighborhood by volunteering to help keep Los Angeles beautiful.


WHEN: August 15, 2009

TIME:
Boyle Heights: 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM
456 S. Mathews Street
Program and Roosevelt pool plaque unveiling at 12:00 Noon

Eagle Rock: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Occidental Plaza
4430 York Blvd. (Near Eagle Rock Blvd.)
Parking on Lincoln St.

El Sereno: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Program
begins at 8:45 AM
El Sereno Park, 4721 Klamath St.


MORE INFO:
Boyle Heights District Office - (323) 526-3059
Eagle Rock/Northeast District Office - (323) 254-5295
El Sereno District Office - (323) 266-1646

Enjoying family and history at El Sereno Parade, Concert and Fireworks Show

On Sunday, we celebrated Independence Day El Sereno style. The El Sereno Independence Day parade, which marked the 50th Anniversary of the parade, was put on by the El Sereno Bicentennial Committee and was a lot of fun. I was happy to participate, and I was very glad to see that so many families came out to our 2nd annual El Sereno Concert and Fireworks show at El Sereno Park. When I was elected to the City Council, I wanted to bring the fireworks show back to our communities (El Sereno had gone 25 years without one) and it was great to see the thousands who came out for this event yesterday. Louie Moreno from Sports Rap-Up (who was my baseball coach in high school), came out to MC and everyone loved the bands that provided the kind of music that got people out of their seats and onto the dance floor. Thank you so much to all of our entertainers! And a big thank you to the CD14 staff who worked so hard to make sure everything ran smooth. These festivities mean a great deal to me. They are fun, free, and most importantly, safe. I hope you all had a great time!

El Sereno Community Gets Their Day in the Spotlight

El Sereno is one of the oldest communities in Los Angeles, and I am proud to represent this great community. With a rich history that dates back to 1771, it was definitely time El Sereno was recognized for its proud families, community advocacy and leadership. In Council, I introduced a resolution that declared June 30th be recognized as “El Sereno Day.” I was joined by Honorary El Sereno Mayor Eddie Santillan, his father, Lou Santillan, members of the El Sereno Bicentennial Committee and community members at the Resolution Ceremony in Council Chambers, which was followed by lunch reception. Eddie and Lou exemplify El Sereno’s reputation as a community where sons and daughters return to their hometown to raise their families and help out the community.
In honor of the history of El Sereno, the Valley Bridge project, which should be fully operational by 2010, will include tile and limestone artwork highlighting the community’s history. Congratulations El Sereno!

FREE 4th of July Celebrations in Boyle Heights and El Sereno!

My family and staff would like to invite you and yours to join our 4th of July Celebrations!

Two great events have been planned. One in Boyle Heights and one in El Sereno. We will celebrate the birth of our nation and the spirit of our community.

There will be live entertainment and lots of great food!
And most importantly, both events are FREE!

I hope to see you there!

The 3rd Annual Boyle Heights Concert and Fireworks Show
Sunday, June 28th, 2009
Hollenbeck Park
415 S. St. Louis
Los Angeles, CA 90033
4pm – 9pm
Live Entertainment by: Mariachi Olimpico, Domingo Siete, Impact Top 40 Band

The 2nd Annual El Sereno Concert and Fireworks Show
Sunday, July 5th, 2009
El Sereno Park
4721 Klamath Place
Los Angeles, CA 90032
4pm – 9pm
Live Entertainment by: Chico Band, Domingo Siete, Impact Top 40 Band