Councilmember Tom LaBonge Honors "Argo" with Second "Made in Hollywood Award"

(Wednesday, February 20, 2013; Los Angeles) – Los Angeles City Councilmember Tom LaBonge will present the second annual "Made in Hollywood Award" to the crew of "Argo" in a ceremony on Thursday morning at Warner Bros. Studios. "Argo" is the sole film of the nine nominated for "Best Picture" at the 85th Academy Awards to have been filmed primarily in Los Angeles.

"'Argo' is a great film that was shot in a great location: the City of Los Angeles," Councilmember LaBonge said. "When filmmakers choose not to film in Los Angeles, we risk losing the creative force that makes Hollywood the entertainment capital of the world."

Of the 13 production weeks in "Argo"'s schedule, 10 took place in Los Angeles. (Two took place in Istanbul and one in Washington, D.C.)

In 2012, the "Made in Hollywood Award" was given for the first time to "The Artist," which ultimately won "Best Picture" at the Academy Awards. "Argo" has previously been honored by the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the British Academy Film Awards.

Take Part in a Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Workshop

You are invited to take a neighborhood emergency preparedness workshop in a free program sponsored by the Emergency Management Department. Please register using the following link to confirm your reservation. Four nightly sessions will be held throughout Los Angeles in the month of February.

www.constantassociates.com/disaster

All Are Invited To A Sunset Salute to Huell Howser

The many admirers of Huell Howser will gather in a salute to his memory at the Griffith Observatory in the City of Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 in a sunset ceremony, organized by Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

"Huell had a tremendous enthusiasm for California landmarks like the Griffith Observatory," Councilmember Tom LaBonge, who represents the Fourth District of the City of Los Angeles. "And now we must say goodbye to our own California landmark, Huell Howser."

Howser served as the longtime host of "California's Gold," the public television show on California places and people. He was a resident of the Fourth District, living on Rossmore Avenue. All members of the public are invited to gather, and a shuttle from the Greek Theatre parking lot will provide extra capacity for all who would like to come.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 3:30 P.M. Gather at the steps of Griffith Observatory 4:00 P.M. Remarks 5:07 P.M. Sunset Salute

WHERE: Steps of the Griffith Observatory 2800 East Observatory Road Los Angeles, CA 90027

Councilmember LaBonge To Host Two Los Feliz Events This Monday

Chuck Hallman Square To Be Dedicated; St. Andrews Stairway To Be Lit

(Friday, January 4, 2013; Los Angeles) Councilmember Tom LaBonge will inaugurate two new additions to the Los Feliz community this Monday. In the morning, LaBonge will dedicate "Chuck Hallman Square" at the corner of Hillhurst and Clayton Avenues, in conjunction with Fire Station 35. In the evening, the community will celebrate new lighting that has been installed at the St. Andrews Stairway.

Chuck Hallman Square: Chuck Hallman served Fire Station 35 as a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department for over 35 years, beginning his career in 1976. He retired from LAFD as an engineer in June of 2011. On Monday morning, his fellow firefighters of Fire Station 35 will honor him for his long service to their station, where he worked from 1982 until his retirement.

"This effort was initiated by the brave firefighters of Fire Station 35, who sought to honor one of their most long-standing co-workers," Councilmember Tom LaBonge said. "It is an honor to recognize Chuck Hallman."

St. Andrews Stairway: St. Andrews Stairway is a public staircase that was constructed in the 1920s, just north of Immaculate Heart High School. It is believed that plans to install lighting were thwarted by the Great Crash of 1929. Eighty-four years later, lighting is finally being put into place, which will provide a huge benefit to the community. Local stakeholders will preside over a ceremonial first lighting as the sun sets on Monday afternoon.

"It only takes a couple of lamp posts to make a big difference," Councilmember Tom LaBonge said. "Let's light up our community."

Giving In Honor of Rory Fitzpatrick

Those who wish to give in honor of Rory Fitzpatrick may do so in honor of one of his greatest loves: his grandson Jack Porras's baseball team.

A donation to the Glendale High School baseball team will provide funding for underprivileged students to purchase the required uniforms and equipment to participate in the program. Funds will also go to much-needed field and dugout maintenance and team transportation. Checks can be made payable to GHS Baseball; include "in memory of Rory Fitzpatrick" in the memo section of your check. Mail to: Glendale High School Baseball, 1440 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205. You will receive a thank you letter from the school with tax ID information for tax purposes.

Rory Fitzpatrick's second charity is for his granddaughter Gracie Porras.

Because We Can - Because We Care is a nonprofit organization designed to thank our military, law enforcement, and firefighter personnel by providing equine therapy for free to those who have become disabled. The program rescues, adopts, rehabilitates and trains horses to use for equine therapy. Make checks payable to: Because We Can - Because We Care and include "Rory Fitzpatrick" in the memo section of your check. Tax ID: EIN 38-3820550. Mailing address: Because We Can - Because We Care, 4017 Karen Lynn Drive, Glendale, CA 91206.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge Introduces Reward Motion for Copper Wire Theft

(Friday, December 14, 2012; Los Angeles) Councilmember Tom LaBonge today introduced a motion in Los Angeles City Council that approves a reward for "information leading to the identification, apprehension, and conviction" of those involved in copper wire thefts in his district. The motion covers thefts that occurred in the 2012 calendar year.

"When someone steals from this City, they steal from all Angelenos," Councilmember Tom LaBonge said. "We need to create a financial incentive in the other direction."

In 2012, there has been a sharp increase in the number of thefts of copper wire in the Fourth District. These thefts shut down city-owned street lights and darken neighborhoods, creating a public safety issue. There are currently 27 open cases of copper wire theft in the Fourth District, which is 35% of the citywide total. (The district comprises less than 7% of the City's population.)

With this motion, $25,000 will be made available as a reward for catching those who steal copper wire from city-owned street lights. Additionally, residents must be vigilant in their neighborhoods; anyone working on a city street light may be asked for identifying information.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge Invites You to the 4th District Holiday Reception and Merchant Open House

Councilmember Tom LaBonge would like to extend an invitation to all of his constituents to attend the annual Fourth District Holiday Reception and Toluca Lake Merchant Open House, to be held Friday evening, December 7, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Come to the Fourth District Valley Field Office at 10116 Riverside Drive, Suite 200 in Los Angeles, CA. Parking will be available behind the adjacent US Bank building. Hope to see you there!

Additionally, the tree lighting will be at the Ramsey-Shilling Building at 10205 Riverside Drive at 5:30 p.m. in Toluca Lake.

In Memory of the Fourth District's Rory Fitzpatrick

Rory Fitzpatrick, a longtime director of constituent services for the Fourth District of the City of Los Angeles and a Silver Lake native, passed away this Sunday, November 25th, 2012. He was 66 years old.

Fitzpatrick grew up on Panorama Terrace in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles. He was a graduate of John Marshall High School, where he was an all-star baseball and basketball player as well as an avid surfer. He continued his education at the University of Southern California, receiving a degree in political science.

An executive for the Automobile Club of Southern California where he worked for 30 years, Fitzpatrick embarked on a second career as Chief of Field Operations for Councilmember Tom LaBonge, who hired Fitzpatrick when LaBonge was first elected in 2001. LaBonge and his seven brothers were childhood friends with Fitzpatrick, having grown up across the street from each other. Fitzpatrick served the people of the Fourth District for nearly a decade before he stepped down due to his illness.

“Rory was loved by everyone in City Hall as well as in the community,” LaBonge said. “He cared about getting services to the people and will be sorely missed.”

His greatest joys were watching his grandson’s baseball games and seeing his granddaughter care for and ride her horses. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Donna; his two daughters, Jennifer and Amy; his son-in-law Marty; and his two grandchildren, Grace and Jack. He was a wonderful father and grandfather and will be missed greatly.