Leaders Pave Way For L.A. River Bike Path

Councilmember Reyes joined Council President Eric Garcetti this morning to break ground on a new Los Angeles River bike path in the 13th District. The Elysian Valley Bike Path will extend the existing bikeway by 2.5 miles from its current end at Fletcher Drive to Barclay Street. The $2.8 million project will include a new layer of asphalt, lane striping, a barrier along the river, landscaping and two pocket parks.

“We’re just waiting for the day when we can have a greenway from the mountains to the sea. A day when we can have a bike path that connects all these great parks, and this is an instrumental step,” said Reyes at the ground breaking.

The Councilmembers were joined by the Los Angeles River Keepers, Elysian Valley community members, Los Angeles Department of Transportation and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

Reyes Hosts City's First Vegan Bake Sale Thursday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2009 Contacts:
Monica Valencia, monica.valencia@lacity.org, (213) 473-7001
Hop Hopkins, hhopkins@lacorps.org, (323) 224-2550 X400
Gary Loewenthal, gary@compassion4animals.org, (703) 932-0749

REYES RAISES DOUGH FOR THE L.A. RIVER

Councilmember Ed P. Reyes is hosting the City’s First Vegan Bake Sale Thursday, June 25, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Los Angeles City Hall Farmers Market, 200 N. Spring Street, to help raise awareness and funds for the Los Angeles River.

Los Angeles is one of more than 80 cities in eight days internationally holding a vegan bake sale as part of Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale, a fun global event to help people, the animals and the environment.

“The Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale helps brings attention to our planet, especially the L.A. River, because of its environmental implications for the City of Los Angeles,” said Reyes, who chairs the City's Los Angeles River Ad Hoc Committee. “Thursday’s event is also about making educated and compassionate choices about the food we eat. The vegan bake sale will feature favorites like chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes and brownies, as well as diabetic-friendly and gluten-free goods.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Los Angeles River Keepers, a Los Angeles Conservation Corps team of students who help clean and green the L.A. River.

"Delicious vegan sweets and the L.A. River Keepers: two things working hard to preserve our environment,” said Hop Hopkins, Los Angeles Conservation Corps Program Manager, a vegan who has been active in food justice programs to aid urban communities.

The Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale is being organized by the Washington D.C.-based, Compassion for Animals.

“When people bite into a mouth-watering vegan cheesecake, cherry cobbler or chocolate chip cookie for their first time, their misperceptions about vegan food may immediately begin to melt away,” said Gary Loewenthal, Director, Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale. “And the positive experience often leads them to learn more about the ethical, environmental, and health benefits of a vegan lifestyle.”

For those unable to attend the event who would like to support the L.A. River Keepers, checks can be made out to Los Angeles Conservation Corps and mailed to:

Los Angeles Conservation Corps, Vegan Bake Sale event
c/o Cheyanne Sauter, Asst. Director of Fundraising
P.O. Box 15868
Los Angeles, CA 90015

LACC's Tax ID is 95-400-2138

###

Cookies for a Cause

Councilmember Reyes is having a little bake sale for a big cause, the Los Angeles River.

Enjoy fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, raspberry oatmeal bars, banana nut bread, brownies, gluten-free, raw food treats and more at the City's first Vegan Bake Sale.

The event will take place Thursday, June 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Los Angeles City Hall Farmers Market, 200 N. Spring Street. Find us at the fountain, near the tent for the roasted peanut vendor.

The bake sale puts the City of Los Angeles on the map for Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale, a fun global event, involving more than 80 cities, to help benefit people, animals and the planet.

We're still looking for bakers. If you or your business is interested in contributing *vegan baked goods, please call (213) 473-7001 or e-mail Monica at monica.valencia@lacity.org. Baked goods can be dropped off the day before the event at our office(City Hall, Room 410), or at our table the morning of the event.

Proceeds from the bake sale will benefit the L.A. River Keepers, a program of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps involving young adults who clean and green the L.A. River. The River Keepers director is vegan and has been active in food justice programs to help urban communities.

*Absolutely no eggs, dairy, honey, gelatin or other animal-based ingredients.

More Than 1,000 March for Peace in the Northeast

A little rain on Saturday didn't keep Councilmember Reyes and more than 1,000 residents from marching for Peace in the Northeast. The Northeast Clergy Council teamed with the Los Angeles Police Department, government and community leaders to coordinate the 2.7-mile march from Sycamore Grove Park to El Rio de Los Angeles State Park. Their message: Stop the Violence and Increase the Peace.

Reyes, below in video, speaks to how community unity can help ease violence in the Northeast.

Departures: L.A. River

For those who think the L.A. River is little more than the car race scene in the movie Grease, check out Departures: L.A. River. This comprehensive, multi-media production by KCET is a fascinating journey down the 52-mile river. Take in the sights, sounds and history of the City's birthplace through the eyes of those, including Councilmember Reyes, who share their lives with the L.A. River.

The Councilman recalls fond memories of the Narrows part of the River by Elysian Valley. As a child, he, his brothers and friends, climbed down the L.A. River's concrete lip to "their private beach.” Environmentalists, journalists, homeless, skaters, artists and others also talk about their favorite River spots.

To comment on the Departures: L.A. River production, click on the link below. They would really appreciate it. http://kcet.org/local/departures/la_river/

Lummis Day Festival this Sunday

Councilmember Reyes invites you to the 4th Annual Lummis Day Festival on Sunday to experience and celebrate the patchwork of cultures and ethnicities that enrich the Northeast Los Angeles community. The free event runs from 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.


The Lummis Day Festival begins at 10:30 a.m. with the annual poetry gala at Lummis Home, 200 E. Ave. 43., followed by art exhibitions at Casa de Adobe , 4605 N. Figueroa St. Music, dance and theater performances at Sycamore Grove Park , at 4702 N. Figueroa St., will run from 12:30 - 7:30 p.m.


Artists scheduled to appear at the festival include Ozomatli's Wil Dog Y Su Banda, the psychedelic country group, I See Hawks in L.A. and local rock bands The Monolators, Cougar Blues and Seasons.

Lincoln Park Fishing Derby on Saturday

Councilmember Reyes invites you to join him Saturday morning at the 7th Annual Fishing Derby in Lincoln Park, 3501 Valley Blvd. Children and their families will have the chance to catch catfish and participate in raffles to win prizes. Youth age 15 and younger will receive fishing equipment (rods, reels, tackle and bait). Anyone 16 and older are required to bring a valid California State Fishing license. Pole rentals are available with a valid driver’s license.

Registration: 8 -9 a.m.
Fishing Derby: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Prizes and Raffles: 1 -2 p.m.

Visit North Harvard Heights on the Web

Councilmember Reyes invites the residents of North Harvard Heights to visit the community website created by their neighborhood association. Although still in its infant stage, the website has useful information about community meetings, mission statement, contact information and links to City departments such as the Los Angeles Police Department.

We hope this communication tool can continue to foster the strong relationship North Harvard Heights has with Council District 1.

http://northharvardheights.com/