Sixth Griffith Park volunteer tree planting -- 3/8

Councilmember Tom LaBonge and the Department of Recreation and Parks invite you to join in the sixth tree planting event in CD4's Griffith Park Recovery initiative since the May 8, 2007 fire.

The planting will take place on the Western Ridge of the Commonwealth Nursery.

The event is Saturday, March 8, 2008 from 8:00am to 10:30am.

Please meet on Commonwealth Avenue at the western edge of the Commonwealth Nursery.

Tools and Gloves will be Provided

For additional information, please contact Jullian Harris-Calvin at (213) 485-3337 or jullian.harris-calvin@lacity.org

CM LaBonge introduces resolution to boost international tourism

Members of Los Angeles' Asian-American community march along North Broadway in the 2008 Golden Dragon Parade.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge introduced a resolution this week to promote international tourism while maintaining secure national borders. The councilmember’s resolution supports a federal bill designed to boost international tourism, which has lagged since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The Travel Promotion Act of 2007, sponsored by U.S. Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) calls for creation of a non-profit corporation to promote the United States as a premier travel destination; clearly explain U.S. security policies and counter negative misperceptions about travel in America. It would be financed through industry contributions and a $10 fee on the visas of some foreign travelers. No American taxpayer dollars would be spent on this initiative.

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22nd Annual Los Angeles Marathon

Councilmember LaBonge with L.A. Marathon founder Bill Burke at the corner of Cahuenga & Lankershim, the starting point for the Los Angeles Marathon.

Councilmember LaBonge walked the first five miles of the 22nd Annual Los Angeles Marathon. This year’s event followed the same point-to-point course that the councilmember pressed marathon officials to use last year. The new route, which began in the San Fernando Valley and ended downtown, covers a vast and varied swath of Los Angeles.

Councilmember LaBonge encourages partnership for clean streets

Councilmember LaBonge demonstrates the importance of everyone's participation in keeping our streets clean.

Councilmember LaBonge gave a push to the 2008 Keep Los Angeles Beautiful campaign this week when he helped promote a new partnership between the Los Angeles Bureau of Public Works and CalTrans. The two agencies vowed to work together to clean up litter and remove graffiti as part of the nation-wide Great American Clean-up, which began March 1 and runs through May 31.

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First Community Congress of 2008 a success

Councilmember LaBonge and DWP General Manager & CEO H. David Nahai listen to the concerns of CD4 residents at the first Community Congress of 2008.

Councilmember LaBonge hosted his first Community Congresses of 2008 on Wednesday, February 27th. It was his latest in a series of meetings designed to bring city departments to the public.

“Information is knowledge is power,” Councilmember LaBonge said in welcoming about 50 CD4 residents to the event, held at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (DWP’s) John Ferrarro building on Hope Street downtown.

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