"Read Across America" comes to a Toluca Lake Elementary School

Councilmember Tom LaBonge, surrounded by Students and Staff at Rio Vista Elementary School in Toluca Lake. They're joined by Curious George for a "Read Across America" event.

There's no dispute about the importance of childhood reading to a student's continuing educational success. That's why I support programs like "Read Across America", which instills the love of reading early in a child's life. "Read Across America" came to Rio Vista Elementary School on February 28th, with Curious George, the character from the series of childrens' books by HA Rey that have delighted kids for generations. Curious George was a big hit with the kids, thanks to the folks over at Universal Studios, where the curious monkey lives. I just want to make sure all students are curious about their world ... and discover their universe -- and beyond -- through a lifetime of reading. "Read Across America" Day is March 2nd, which happens to coincide with Dr. Seuss' birthday!click here to see more photos

"Let there be light" ... at Talofa and Riverside in Toluca Lake

Councilmember Tom LaBonge announces that the traffic-light on Riverside Dr. at Talofa Ave. is operational.

The traffic-signal at Talofa and Riverside is up and running, activated during a community ceremony on February 23rd in Toluca Lake. This project was funded by the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Dozens of people turned out at the intersection for the activation. We'd like to thank the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce, the Toluca Lake Homeowners Association, the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council, the West Toluca Lake Residents Association. As retired St. Joseph Medical Center Chaplain Father James Boal quipped during his invocation: "Let there be light" at Talofa and Riverside. The light helps the flow of traffic at the increasingly busy intersection, where people flock to the Trader Joe's on the southwest corner. The signal also allows pedestrians to safely cross the street to businesses like the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on the north side of Riverside. It's a safety improvement the community needed, and I'm proud my office could help make it happen.Click here for more photos

Don't get caught in an Oscar Jam!

Be advised: Oscar takes-over Hollywood this weekend and there will be no red-carpet for most of us drivers. A number of streets in Hollywood will be closed for the 83rd Academy Awards presentation, which will be held at the Kodak Theater on Sunday, February 27. Traffic has been affected all week, and will be affected for a few days after the Oscar ceremonyclick here to see street-closure info

It's like a new library at the Will and Ariel Durant Branch in Hollywood

What a pleasure to read my favorite storybook, "Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel" to third-graders from Gardner Street Elementary School.

My staff and the Los Angeles Public Library organized an Open House to show off the beautiful improvements to the Will and Ariel Durant Branch library in Hollywood. Funded by a generous grant from the La Kretz Family Foundation via Hollywood property-owner Morton La Kretz and his daughter Linda Duttenhaver, the Durant Branch was given a stunning makeover. Improvements include new flooring and neon-signage, fresh paint and upgraded computer areas. The result is a library that's brighter, more airy and more able to serve the needs of children and adult users. The Open House included a book-reading for third-graders at Gardner Street Elementary School.click here to see more photos

Adding beauty and safety to Wilton Place in a single bound!

We had the pleasure February 17th of holding a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Wilton "Green-Triangle" traffic-islands. There are two of them ... at 1st and Wilton and 2nd and Wilton. These islands beautify the neighborhood, with landscaping and trees that will be nourished by an automated sprinkler system. They also make the area safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and for vehicles. The traffic islands include special crosswalks, a traffic-signal and street-lighting. This was a real team-effort, by my office, City agencies and the community to install these traffic islands on a curvy, well-travelled area of Wilton Place, which runs through a Federally-designated Historic District.

Don't fall for the Scam!

We have been notified by the Los Angeles Fire Department that scammers are going to people's houses in the Studio City area, representing themselves as members of the LAFD, asking for donations for the family of the LAFD Firefighter who died February 18th after being injured in a Hollywood Hills house fire. THIS IS A SCAM!

There is NO such request by the LAFD or any authorized organization. North Hollywood LAPD as well as Mike Lewis and the local LAFD Battalion Chief, have all been notified.

If someone comes to your door, simply say no and then call North Hollywood Police Station at 818-623-4016 or LAPD Communication at 818-734-2233.

An authorized donation request will probably come out after the funeral on Friday.

Helping the LAFD and the Dodgers provide fire-coverage to a Dominican town

Tom congratulates Dodger shortstop Rafael Furcal on getting a retired LA fire engine for his hometown in the Dominican Republic, which had no fire equipment at all.

It was an honor to help Dodger Shortstop Rafael Furcal secure a retired fire-engine from the Los Angeles Fire Department so that his Dominican Republic hometown -- Loma de Cabrera -- can have fire protection. The village had no fire apparatus at all. We introduced a motion to see if we could help, and the LAFD came through, restoring the 1980's-era engine so that it's in operational order. It will be trucked, then shipped to the Dominican Republic.click here to see more photos

Los Feliz Library Lecture Feb. 17: “Ansel Adams in Los Angeles”

Local photographer expert Richard Stanley will give a presentation on “Ansel Adams in Los Angeles” at the Architecture & Beyond Lecture Series Thursday, Feb. 17, 6:45-7:45 p.m. at the Los Feliz Library, 1874 Hillhurst Ave.

This is one of four talks Stanley, a graduate of the Rochester (NY) Institute of Technology, has given on famous photographers of the 20th Century at the library. The images by the legendary landscape photographer are part of the Los Angeles Public Library’s Photo Collection.

Stanley is also a realtor specializing in architecture and historic properties.

Skylights Books will be on hand to sell photography-related books.

The free lecture series, now in its seventh year, is supported by the Friends of the Los Feliz Library and the Los Feliz Village BID.

For more information, call the Los Feliz Branch Library at (323) 913-4710.

[Contact: Lynne T. Jewell @ 323.244.6706]