Haym Salomon Rededication at Pan Pacific

Rededication of the Haym Salomon Statue
Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.
At the corner of Third St. & Gardner St., 90036
Adjacent to Pan Pacific Park

The final stop on its journey West, come celebrate the rededication of Robert Paine’s tribute to a Jewish American hero of the Revolutionary War.

The rededication is sponsored by Councilmember Tom LaBonge, the Department of Recreation and Parks, the Pan Pacific Senior Activity Center and the Jewish War Veterans Department of California, Hollywood Post No. 113.

Visit the National Parks Service to learn more about this great Jewish American, and we'll see you June 12 at Pan Pacific Park.

Sister Cities Cultural Day comes to the Grove

Color and culture filled The Grove on Sunday at the 2008 Sister Cities Cultural Day.

Japanese drummers, Indian folk dancers and Lithuanian ballroom dancers from St. Casmir’s Catholic parish in Los Angeles performed throughout the afternoon Sunday at the fourth annual Sister Cities Cultural Day at the Grove.

The performances were sponsored in part by Councilmember Tom LaBonge, President of Sister Cities of Los Angeles, Inc., a non-profit organization.

“This festival brings the wonderful folk dancing and music and brilliant costumes from Sister Cities across the globe right to the heart of Los Angeles. It is a lot of fun,” said Councilmember LaBonge, President of Sister Cities of Los Angeles, Inc.

A photo gallery of the event will be posted shortly.

Preserving Art Murals

Councilmember LaBonge is fighting to preserve and protect fine art murals throughout Los Angeles.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge, frustrated with the graffiti and damage to beloved public murals throughout Los Angeles, pressed several city departments to come up with new regulations for the creation and preservation of fine art murals.

“Art brings intelligence, comfort and joy to the people,” the councilmember said. “I want to preserve and protect the murals that are a vivid part of the life of our city, and establish a better system for considering the creation of new ones.”

Currently, the creation and maintenance of murals on private property is governed through the City’s sign regulations in the zoning code. This has given rise to unintended consequences. In many cases, new signs cannot be created and the validity of existing murals is called into question. Emerging artists are denied the opportunity to create important new works of art and the cultural endowment of art murals is slowly being lost.

To address this problem, the councilmember introduced a motion directing the Department of Planning to work with the Cultural Affairs Department, the City Attorney’s Office and the Department of Building and Safety to come up with creative solutions to the protect murals and consider applications for new ones. The councilmember spoke before the Council’s Planning and Land Use Management committee, where his motion was aired on May 27.

“I’m for art and fine art murals. I feel passionately that city code should address them separately from commercial signs,” the Councilmember said.

Mexico City Philharmonic Concert-June 6

Councilmember LaBonge presents a loaf of his signature pumpkin bread to Mauricio Camps, Coordinator of International Affairs for the Office of the Mayor of Mexico City.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge announced the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra’s debut performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The concert was co-organized by the Los Angeles-Mexico City Sister City Committee, whose member Steven Loza composed the featured piece of music.

The concert, on Friday, June 6 at 8 p.m., will feature a repertoire of master composers Carlos Chávez, Arturo Márquez, José Pablo Moncayo and Silvestre Revueltas. Led by Maestro Enrique Diemecke, the philharmonic will also premiere UCLA Professor Loza’s América Tropical—a piece interpreted by Los Angeles Opera mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzmán and accompanied by a narrative and multimedia imagery created by UCLA Professors Jose Luis Valenzuela and Judy Baca. The presentation will feature a Mariachi concerto by Los Camperos de Nati Cano and a narration for Amèrica Tropical by actor Edward James Olmos.

América Tropical is inspired by the educational and artistic work of muralist David Alfaro Siquieros in Los Angeles during the 1930s. The press conference was held on Thursday, May 29th on the steps of the Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave.

“This concert represents the best of what the Sister Cities program offers – relationships between people advancing the cultural achievements of their cities," said Added Councilmember LaBonge, President of Sister Cities of Los Angeles. "This will be a great event for all Angelenos.”

The Sister Cities Program was created in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to strengthen partnerships among U.S. and international cities. The premise was that personal relationships fostered through Sister City affiliations would increase trade, cultural exchange and mutual understanding and lessen the chance of international conflict. Los Angeles began its Sister Cities program in 1959 with Nagoya, Japan, and now includes 25 Sister Cities on six continents.

May 31: Free movie screening at LAPL in NoHo

Gary Cooper in "Meet John Doe"
Saturday, May 21, 2008; 2:00-4:00 p.m.
LAPL NoHo Regional branch:
5211 Tujunga Ave.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
Phone: (818) 766-7185

Come celebrate Gary Cooper’s birthday in style with a free screening of Frank Capra’s 1941 comedy-drama classic "Meet John Doe" in Council District Four!

The North Hollywood Regional branch of the Los Angeles Public Library will screen the Academy Award-nominated film starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck on Saturday, May 31 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; stick around after the film for a slice of birthday cake!

A synopsis of the film, information about the cast and crew, and more can be found at the film’s IMDB entry, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033891.

Veterans Honored at Hyperion Bridge

Councilmember Tom LaBonge invites the public to join him in honoring the nation’s veterans by noting the American flags raised along the landmark Hyperion Bridge. The historic bridge was constructed in honor of World War I veterans and spans the Los Angeles River between Silver Lake and Atwater Village. “We ask that all Angelenos pause to remember and thank those who’ve served our country with distinction,” said Councilmember LaBonge.

The Councilmember allocated about $2,000 for the installation of 30 flags along the historic bridge through revenue generated by advertising on transit benches and kiosks in the Fourth Council District. The flags will fly in commemoration of the Fourth of July and September 11th and will remain in place until September 28, 2008.

“I wanted to show my personal gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” the Councilmember said.

CD4 Community Congress

About 150 residents attended Councilmember LaBonge's second quarterly Community Congress of 2008 at the Friendship Auditorium on May 21st.

“Information is knowledge is power,” the Councilmember said. “Our great city is facing a number of important challenges right now. The public should have the opportunity to hear from their public officials, ask questions, and make their voices heard.”

The town-hall style meeting lasted about two hours. City officials discussed the 2008-2009 City Budget, land use issues, public safety and emergency preparedness.

May 29: LA Sister Cities trade conference

On Thursday, May 29th, 2008, from 8:30am-1:30pm Sister Cities of Los Angeles, Inc in partnership with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce brings you the 3rd Annual Los Angeles Sister Cities Trade Conference -- Green technologies around the globe.

Join Romel Pasqual, Associate Director of Energy and Technology, Mayor’s Office, along with experts, business leaders and local elected officials to learn about some of Los Angeles’ most innovative programs in sustainable energy. Hear about green technologies currently being developed and utilized in our sister cities around the world from Consulate Corps Economic Attaches.

Introduction by Councilmember Tom LaBonge, CD4, President of Sister Cities of Los Angeles, Inc and Carlos Valderrama, Chair of International Trade and Investment, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

Thursday, May 29th, 2008
8:30am-1:30pm
Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Registration Fee: $25 (includes breakfast and lunch)

Please call to RSVP: (310) 728-5626

Registration and payment at the door. Please make checks payable to: Sister Cities of Los Angeles, Inc.

Sponsors include: The Port of Los Angeles, O.N.E. Natural Experience, Semeli Natural Products, Friends of Sister Cities

For more information, please visit: www.lasistercities.com