It’s not easy to live in LA. You’ve got to have a certain toughness. Especially if you are struggling to make ends meet… and who isn’t these days?
Certainly our fair city is having a hard time. And it seems that one of the answers the people who run this place have is raising the fine on just about everything having to do with driving. Forget about the impact on the populace. There’s a new attitude and it seems to be… let’s make new laws to take as much money as we can from the people of this city.
Now I’m not an advocate of scofflaws who drive like maniacs and endanger peoples lives by their bad driving. Those losers should be off the road… but I can’t help but wonder what kind of message politicians are sending to us folks when they raise the parking rates to outrageous sums, slap $50 parking fines on expired meters, boot and tow cars after three unpaid parking tickets … it used to be 5 (lots of money in getting a car out of hock) and now are suggesting that putting more cameras at intersections can raise millions for the city.
The LA Times is reporting that the LA City council has defeated Measure 56 that would have eliminated funding for the Department of Cultural Affairs. Why? Simply because the local art community raised it voice and was heard by the council.
“This is the first time the arts community was able to mobilize in such an effective way,” said Danielle Brazell, executive director of the arts advocacy group Arts for L.A. “The arts locked arms and we were one community, and that’s extraordinary.”
At first sight when I read the headline in this mornings Pasadena Star News my parent hat was on and thought bravo keep the child sex offenders at bay. Then I got to thinking, do we have a civil liberty issue at hand? What’s to stop them from crossing the city limit anyway?
Monrovia joined the ranks of several other cities in the area that place significant restrictions on where a registered sex offender, on parole or not, can reside or even congregate within the city limits. Only 2% of the city residential housing stock is now available to these folks. 2%.
The law enacted is based on the Prop 83 Jessica’s Law that was passed a few years ago. LA County was the first to enact similar restrictions that apply to the unincorporated areas of the county. Challenges to similar restrictions have stood the test of law.
Here’s where my libertarian streak rears its head. If the laws say these guys served their time for the crime and are free to go why are they being restricted so much more differently than other criminals once released? I mean a petty thief released can go free to live and congregate once his time and parole is served yet these folks are treated differently. I understand the chances of recidivism is high among the offenders, but the code as passed doesn’t allow for shades of gray.
I’m not advocating those sex offenders for violent crime or involving children get a break. But what about the non-violent ones. As an example, a guy at a party misreads a girls intentions and plants a kiss on her only to get slapped, then a police report charging him with sexual battery lands him on the offender list? Or the couple that have consensual sex only to find out one of the partners lied their age and it becomes a sex with a minor charge landing them on the list? Shades of gray.
Aside from the liberties issue of residing where you wish after you’ve served your time there is another concern. Isn’t this classic NIMBY and just shoving the problem to another city to deal with? The article points out that an opinion is held that it is the states duty to relocate them when released from prison, really?
It started with an idea. Justin Yuille wanted to help kids get into colleges and new that the average high school counselor is so overwhelmed it isn’t always possible to give each kid personalized help with applications let alone SAT’s. He’s an educator and knows full well the challenges the kids face in getting help from counselors. With the help of his family members (all educators, some I know personally) Foundation 44 was born.
That was 6 months ago and so far he has helped 75 kids from Pasadena’s Blair High School and Duarte High School to make it into college. They are all smart kids from under privileged homes, the many the first in the family to make it to college. They are in the process of working on obtaining their non-profit status as I write this.
Pepsi has a challenge running right now to give out grant money to programs such as this that help a community. The grant is huge $250K. In the end it comes down to votes and Foundation 44 needs votes if it is to grow and achieve their goal of helping 750 local kids from under-privileged homes make it into college. If you want to help their cause VOTE HERE.
Bookmobiles are a venerated American tradition–and, like lots of venerated American traditions, are foundering on lack of funding.
The D.I.Y. spirit behind “The Miracle” bookmobile, which ranges between LA and Oakland, is propelling this little Jeep even when funding gets scarce. You’ll be able to catch up with it at the “Actions, Conversations and Intersections” show at the LA Municipal Art Gallery this Saturday at 2:30pm.
They’re also encouraging book donations. Anyone can take, read, and pass along a book–you never have to return them–so donations fuel their work. Keeping in the spirit of free exchange of information without censorship, they are particularly looking for LA local history, West Coast history, science fiction, graphic novels, zines, what they call “priceless porn,” biography/memoirs, arts & crafts, “everything queer,” books en Espanol, and “anything that can be xeroxed and prepared for mass distribution and more!”
I’m not sure what “priceless porn” is, but I’m intrigued. All the info on “Actions, Conversations and Intersections” is here; I’d particularly recommend checking out the SmartGals “Winter Picnic Performance,” on Sunday at 2pm, featuring “freshly baked bread from the Bicycle Bread Company, hot coffee from Cafécito Organico, savory music, and sweet bits of surprising theater unwittingly triggered by our guests.” Neat!
More bad news on the Arts front: The Pasadena Playhouse, an L.A. landmark and institution, California’s only State Theatre, will be closing its doors, possibly for good, due to financial woes.
With 2 million owed to creditors and no way to pay, the current production of Camelot looks to be its last. Thirty seven employees will be out of work after the final curtain February 7th.
Stephen Eich, executive director of the Pasadena Playhouse, has said he is looking for ways to fulfill his obligation to current subscribers amidst massive financial restructuring and possible bankruptcy.
Attempts to find a donor to name the main auditorium after have thus far proved fruitless, as corporate donations have dwindled.
The company was founded in 1917, and the building itself built in the twenties, this is a huge loss for the arts, and a huge loss for theatre. I truly hope they find a way to re-open their doors soon.
Garcetti and a few of his pals on the LA City Council have put together a motion that will adversely affect the growth of the arts in LA by eliminating dedicated funding for the Department of Cultural Affairs. Specifically Motion 56 will divert the funds currently going to them from the hotel tax back to the general fund. There is no provision in the motion to reinstate the funding at a later date.
What can you do to help prevent this from happening? Attend a Letter-Writing Party tonight hosted by the Angels Gate Cultural Center and the Grand Vision Foundation in San Pedro. Everything you will need from pre-drafted letters to pens for your signature will be provided. If you care to write your own custom letter, or can’t attend tonight’s letter writing party, visit Marshall Astor’s blog here.
The impact of this move is far reaching. It isn’t entirely about robbing one source to pay another. Should it pass staffing (IE more direct unemployment) will result as well as end grants that support local artists and arts organizations. Rippling out will be the loss of art for the community and jobs that are related to promotion and sale of art.
Time is of the essence as it is to be presented and up for vote on February 3. If you can’t write, plan on attending and stating your position and with supporting arguments if possible.
Hat tip to Marshall Astor at the Angels Gate Cultural Center for alerting me to all of this. I’m working with him for additional information on why this is such a bad idea and will post additional information when it is available.
Details: Feb 1, 5:30-8PM, the Grand Annex 434 W. 6th St.San Pedro 90731
UPDATE 6PM. I asked Marshall Astor 5 questions to better understand why Measure 56 is important and how it will affect the city and him. I got answers to that and more. There may be one additional letter writing campaign tomorrow night. To read the 5 questions you need to make the jump.
Update 2/2 Phone bank information and numbers to call added by Marshall Astor in the comments. Don’t miss you chance to be heard.
I’ve written about Healthy Spot before. It’s my neighborhood dog store; it’s my dog’s version of “Cheers.” Because, really, everyone there knows her name, from the groomers to the girl in charge of their doggie daycare to the owners. I wish I frequented a store catered to humans where the people knew my name, and what my favorite treat is (FYI: for future reference, it’s those tiny Andes thin mints – so tasty and satisfying). Healthy Spot opened near me in Santa Monica in 2008; now, not even two full years later, they’re bringing the cheers, the organic, not-recalled dog food, and their dog-related services to West Hollywood. Located on Santa Monica and La Cienega in a space that formerly housed a Famima!!, Saturday is their grand opening bash. You’ll get to sample their store, peek inside their doggie daycare, check out the grooming salon, and, most importantly, get free stuff. There will be doggie bags full of samples for the first 200 dogs; complimentary nail clippings with any purchase; and a raffle and silent auction in support of Best Friends LA. Cheers!
The West Hollywood branch of Healthy Spot is at 8525 Santa Monica Boulevard. The grand opening party is from 10am – 4pm.
Thanks to everyone who made Classic Eats #8 a smashing success! What a great way to start the Classic Eats New Year!
We started at Langers at 2:30, Metblogs signage in hand. We waited for a few minutes until Mr. Langer himself came out to greet us, then we were bumped ahead of the line (sorry!) to a table that expanded to hold 16 of us! We gorged on delicious sandwiches then some of us moved on to Cole’s at 6th and Main.
It was a great time, great stories, lots of history and delicious food!
Save the date for Classic Eats #9: February 27.
Click past the jump to see more photos and hear more about the afternoon/evening.
Is Booting Cars Really LA’s Answer to Budget Deficits? LJ123 Wow, we have some super angelic drivers in here. /sarcasm I got 3 parking tickets in one week on my street for... doreet The only problem I have with this is that they did not raise the fees higher!!! It’s a great way to make...
It’s not easy to live in LA. You’ve got to have a certain toughness. Especially if you are struggling to make ends meet… and who isn’t these days?
Classic Eats #9 is scheduled for Saturday, February 27. Where shall it be?
Thanks to everyone who made Classic Eats #8 a smashing success! What a great way to start the Classic Eats New Year!
