It helps the low-income homeowner maintain his or her dwelling with minor repairs and with reduced-cost building materials and supplies from a restore, according to Erin G. Rank, president and chief executive officer for Habitat’s Greater Los Angeles affiliate now based here at 8739 Artesia Blvd.

“We have a special fund to make home repairs for veterans and a fund to repair or replace mobile homes if owned by the qualifying occupant,” Rank said.

Called “Habitat for Heroes,” the veterans’ program seeks to assist, engage, mobilize and educate military members and veterans about the program and services.

“The ReStore was established in 2004 to provide a self-sustaining funding source and to provide our local communities with low-cost building and home improvement materials,” Rank said, adding that many of the items are sold at about half the retail cost.

Also for sale at the ReStore is used furniture and home appliances donated to Habitat.

Board members of the nonprofit, established in 1990, said that people were calling, asking if they could donate used items, but we could not accept them.

“The ReStore also helps the environment by keeping building materials and used items out of area landfills,” Rank said. “Building materials make up about half the tonnage taken to landfills.”

Some of the materials and building supplies, such as paint and lumber, may be used in constructing a home if it gets quality approved by cities where homes are being built.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and its ReStore moved to Bellflower last year from Gardena, where is was in rented quarters.

“When the Bellflower site became available, we decided it would be less expensive to own our own buildings,” Rank said.

An affiliate office and ReStore is located in Torrance.

As of July 1, both ReStores are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ian McGough is manager of the Bellflower store.

The ReStore will pick up donated items free of charge, except for a $5 fuel fee.

Since its founding in 1990, the local Habitat chapter has built or repaired more than 1,000 homes locally and internationally.

The organization is nationwide and has about 1,600 affiliates in the United States and in 70 other countries.

On May 16, Habitat began building six units in Downey and also has built homes in Culver City, Long Beach, Lynwood, Norwalk and Montebello.

In some cities, Habitat for Greater Los Angeles acts as a community housing development organization, which allows cities to allocate federal funds as loans for construction, to be repaid by the sale of the homes.

The latest project is in Bellflower where the City Council June 27 allocated a loan of $250,000 in federal funds for construction of six units at 8809 Ramona St. to the local Habitat affiliate, Partnership Housing Inc.

The loan is to be repaid with proceeds from the sale of the units to occupants.

Six three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhomes will be built on the currently vacant 1,690-square-foot site Habitat representative Darrell Simien, director of real estate, told the City Council.

Habitat was founded by a Christian group in 1976 but serves all low-income residents and accepts volunteer work from the entire community.

Rank has a $20 million annual budget with funding from the ReStore, cities using federal funds and private individuals, businesses and corporations.

She has a nine-member staff and help from more than 10,000 volunteers including in the ReStore and construction of the homes.

Prospective homebuyers their families must perform up to 500 hours of what Habitat calls “Sweat Equity,” working on the building, must be low-income eligible, but with good credit and able to make a small down-payment, must take two Habitat education programs and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

“I started with Habitat as a volunteer and enjoyed the work and accepted when the board offered me a full-time position,” Rank said. “I was the [L.A.] chapter’s first paid staff member.”

The Habitat for Humanity for Greater Los Angeles board is composed of 23 members from the business and faith communities in the area. The current chairman is Bill Blake, senior vice president of Zurich North America, an insurance company.

The post Habitat for Humanity moves local operation to Bellflower appeared first on Wave Newspapers.

After opening ceremonies, there is a survivor’s lap around a track, followed by an evening luminaria  ceremony in which bags of sand with lighted candles are placed around the track in memory cancer victims.

The event is open to the public free of charge to spectators. There is food for purchase, cancer information booths and live entertainment.

Information: Robin Snow at (562) 404-1287.

Other upcoming events include:

Friday, July 8

Political fundraiser: Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-South Gate; and union official Maria Elena Durazo speak at a breakfast fundraiser for Bell City Councilwoman Ana Maria Quintana from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at Mole de Los Reyes, 6242 Maywood Ave., Bell, to kick off her campaign for the March 2017 municipal election.

Teen art programs: The Norwalk Library, 12350 Imperial Highway, offers art programs for young people 3 to 17 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Each week features a new visiting artist who will teach those present something about mosaic tiles, origami, headdresses or something else they can make. (562) 868-0775

Library market: A farmers market is open in the Bruggemeyer Library parking lot, 318 S. Ramona Ave., Monterey Park, from 4 to 8 p.m. It features fresh and organic fruits, vegetables and flowers grown at California farms. Also available are hummus, breads and tamales, raw honey from Energy Bee Farms, peaches from Arnett Farms and a wide selection of Asian vegetables from Vu Produce of Fresno. (626) 307-1388

Rabies clinic: Low-cost vaccinations ($6) are given at a pet clinic from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Norwalk City Hall lawn, 12700 Norwalk Blvd. Microchipping services and flea control products also are available and dog licenses can be renewed. All dogs must be on a leash. (562) 929-5711

Saturday, July 9

Downey market: A farmers market offers fresh produce and other items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Downey Avenue between Second and Third streets in Downey. Parking is available in the city’s parking structure there or on marked spaces on surrounding streets. (562) 904-7284

Monday, July 11

Bellflower market: A farmers market operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Simms Park, 16614 S. Clark Ave., Bellflower. Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, breads, sprouts, honey and more are available. (562) 866-7510.

South Gate market: Harbor Area Farmers Markets sponsors a farmers market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Gate Park, Tweedy Boulevard and Walnut Avenue. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, fish, eggs, honey, baked items and gardens plants are available. (323) 774-0159

Dance class:Michael Trusnovec, a principal dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Co., hosts a master class on modern dance for intermediate and advanced dance students from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Rio Hondo College, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier. (562) 692-0921

Junior golf: Youngsters from 7 to 17 may participate in the Pico Rivera Junior Golf Club at the Pico Rivera Golf Course, 3260 Fairway Drive, from 5 to 6 p.m. Cost is $10 per week or $30 for the month. (562) 692-9933

Park concert: The city of Whittier’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services conducts a free concert at 7 p.m. at Central Park, 6532 Friends Ave., featuring Blackburn County, a country band. Pets, barbecues and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. (562) 567-9400

Tuesday, July 12

Farmers market: The Norwalk Committee on Aging conducts a farmers market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Excelsior High School south parking lot, on the south side of Alondra Boulevard west of Pioneer Boulevard. Fresh fruits, flowers, vegetables and fish are available.

Wednesday, July 13

Fresh produce:The Huntington Park Farmers Market offers fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and other items from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Salt Lake Park, 3401 E. Florence Ave. (323) 584-6218

Pet vaccination: A low-cost vaccination clinic for dogs and cats is offered by the city of Santa Fe Springs from 5 to 8 p.m. at Santa Fe High School, 10400 Orr and Day Road. Rabies vaccination and flea control products are available. (562) 409-1850

Golf program: Women in Business conduct a golf program from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Lakewood Country Club, 3101 Carson St. Cost is $15 for lessons and shooting a few holes. Food is available for purchase. RSVP to Vivian Hansen, ceo@NorwalkChamber.com or Jodee Kilroy at advertise@lakewoodchamber.com

City Hall concert: The Norwalk Parks and Recreation Department conducts a free concert at 7 p.m. featuring Como La Flor Band, a Selena tribute, on the north lawn of the Civic Center, 12700 Norwalk Blvd. Those attending may bring blankets, lawn chairs and food, but food also is available for purchase. (562) 929-5702

Twilight concert: Downey’s free Twilight Summer Concert series at 7 p.m. at Furman Park, 10419 Rives Ave., features Knyght Ryder, playing music of the 1980s. Those attending may bring blankets and lawn chairs and food, although Miss Downey and members of the Downey Rose Float Association are selling snacks as a fundraiser. (562) 904-7238 

Thursday, July 14

Coloring club: The Norwalk Library, 12350 Imperial Highway, conducts a coloring club called Color us Happy from 1 to 2 p.m. Coloring is a no-pressure art form that helps people unwind from a day at the office. Materials are provided. (562) 868-0775

Paramount concert: The Paramount Parks and Recreation Department conducts a free concert by Mariachi Divas, an all-woman band, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Paramount Park, 14400 Paramount Blvd. (562) 220-2121

Concert in Bell Gardens: The Bell Gardens Parks and Recreation Department hosts a free concert at Veterans Park, 6662 Loveland St., at 7 p.m. featuring 1980s music by Past Action Heroes. Those attending may bring lawn chairs and dance to the music. A food booth is available. (562) 806-7650

Parnell Park concert: The city of Whittier’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services conducts a free concert at 7 p.m. at Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Road, featuring Heartache Tonight, an Eagles tribute band. Pets, barbecues and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. (562) 567-9400

Saturday, July 16

Toxic wastes: The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County conduct the free disposal of hazardous household wastes and electronic wastes not appropriate for regular trash pickup from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in parking lot C at Cerritos College, 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk. Accepted are used motor oil, paint, household cleaners, televisions and stereo sets, computers and printers, small electric appliances and cellular telephones.Not accepted are large appliances, tires, hazardous materials or explosives, ammunition, radioactive materials and weapons. (888) 238-0172

Cancer benefit: A 24-hour Relay for Life fundraiser begins at 9 a.m. in South Gate Park, 4900 Southern Ave. in South Gate to benefit the American Cancer Society. After opening ceremonies, there is a survivor’s lap around a track, followed by an evening luminaria ceremony in which bags of sand with lighted candles are placed around the track in memory of cancer victims. The event is open to the public free of charge to spectators. There is food for purchase, cancer information booths and live entertainment. (800) 227-2345

Items for the Community Calendar may be submitted in care of Wave Newspapers, 3731 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 840, Los Angeles, 90010 or by email to dwanlass@wavepublication.com. Please include a daytime phone number.

The post COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Bellflower Relay for Life to raise funds to fight cancer appeared first on Wave Newspapers.

The city of Pico Rivera will host its annual fireworks spectacular at El Rancho High School, 6501 Passons Blvd., beginning at 5 p.m.  July 2.

The event will feature jumpers, food booths and other family-friendly activities, a city spokesperson said.

The evening also features live concerts with the Wise Guys taking the stage at 5 p.m. and Stone Soul beginning at 7 p.m.

A special sky diving demonstration will take place at 7:45 p.m. leading up to the fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Bleacher seating for the fireworks show is available in the football stadium.

Attendees can also bring blankets and lawn chairs for ground level seating, the spokesperson said.

Information: (562) 801-4430.

Norwalk will conduct its Independence Day program from 6 to 9 p.m. July 3 on the north lawn of the Civic Center 12700 Norwalk Blvd.

There will be music, games and food booths, with a fireworks display at 9 p.m., a city spokesperson said.

As part of the annual event, professional hair stylists will give free haircuts from 1 to 8 p.m. to those wishing to donate their hair to make wigs for persons who have lost their hair because of treatment for an illness or other reasons.

Donated hair must be at least 10 inches long and cannot be bleached or highlighted. Colored or permed hair is acceptable and curly hair may be stretched to measure the minimum length, the spokesperson said.

Information: (562) 929-5702.

Santa Fe Springs will conduct its Independence Day program July 3 from 8 to 9 p.m. at Los Nietos Park, 11143 Charlesworth Road.

There will be live entertainment and fireworks. Food and beverages are for sale and craft booths are open from 3 to 9 p.m., a city spokesperson said.

Features include a family games and face painting. Wading pools, a cool zone and a dunk tank will be available. Games include watermelon eating contest, seed spitting contest and a water balloon toss.

The schedule includes a horseshoe tournament at 8:30 a.m., Pinewood Derby contest at 3:30 p.m., a 1980s cover band, Flashpants, at 4 p.m., a patriotic ceremony with color guards at 6:30 p.m., music by the Latin funk band Soto at 7 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.

Information: (562) 863-4896.

The Alhambra Parks and Recreation Department will conduct an Independence Day program starting at 2 p.m. July 4 at Almansor Park, 800 S. Almansor Ave.

There will be games and activities with food for purchase. Live entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m. with music by the MVPs band, followed by fireworks at 9 p.m., a city spokesperson said.

Information: (626) 570-3242.

Downey will conduct a freedom fireworks festival from 6 to 9 p.m. July 4 at Downey High School Stadium, 11040 Brookshire Ave.

The festival includes live entertainment by the Swing Kings and Roscoe’s Rascals, carnival games, food for purchase and swimming in the high school pool.

Stadium doors open at 5:30 p.m. Attendees may bring blankets and lawn chairs if seating in the stands is unavailable.

Free open swimming is from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on a first-come basis.

Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

Information: (562) 904-7238.

A private company will conduct a four-day carnival at Salt Lake Park, 3401 E. Florence Ave., Huntington Park, leading up to a fireworks display July 4.

Schoeppner Shows will conduct the carnival July 1-4 and pay the city 20 percent of its proceeds from rides, along with $50 for each booth the company sells to a vendor, said Josette Epinosa, director of parks and recreation.

The carnival will include rides, game booths and food vendors.

Schoeppner will be in charge of the event costs including security and clean up at no cost to the city.

The company will also provide free entertainment and work with city staff to provide local talent to perform, Espinosa said.

Revenue from the carnival will go toward the $25,000 cost of the fireworks display, contracted to a private company earlier this year, she added.

Information: (323) 584-6218.

Lynwood offers a free fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. July 4 at Lynwood City Park, 11301 Bullis Road.

Information: (310) 603-0220/

Monterey Park will have games, activities and live entertainment from 4 to 9 p.m. July 4 leading up to the fireworks show, a city spokesperson said.

Information: (626) 887-1388.

South Gate will mark the holiday with a carnival and fireworks display July 4 at South Gate Park, 4900 Southern Ave.

A carnival will operate from July 1 through July 4 at the park, off of Tweedy Boulevard and Walnut Avenue, said Parks and Recreation Director Paul Adams.

Hours of operation are 5 to 11 p.m. July 1 and 2 to 11 p.m. July 2, 3 and 4.

There will be carnival rides, midway games and snacks for purchase.

The Junior Athletic Association conducts baseball games on ball diamonds 5 to 10 beginning at 9 a.m., Adams noted.

Information: (323) 563-5479.

Whittier will commemorate Independence Day July 4, with a flag-raising ceremony and freedom walk starting at the Palm Park Greenway Trailhead, 5703 Palm Ave.

The ceremony will begin at 8 a.m., featuring patriotic entertainment and the singing of the national anthem, said Parks, Recreation and Community Services Supervisor Stacey Arismendez.

Immediately following the flag raising, there will be a community freedom walk along the Greenway Trail.  Prior to the walk, there will be a craft booth for children to make fun items, Arismendez said.

Information” (562) 908-3666.

The post Area cities to celebrate Independence Day appeared first on Wave Newspapers.

Seniors Oscar Dominguez and Christian Cuevas from Lynwood High School and juniors Jasmine Wheatley and Virginia Ortega from the AdvancePath Academy, an alternative school site operated in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Probation Department, watched other student and professional films at the festival while screening two of their own.

All four student filmmakers collaborated on a film about the power of words driven by former South African President Nelson Mandela’s comment, “It always seems impossible until it’s done,” while Cuevas also wrote and directed “Miracle Whiplash,” a parody of the 2014 Oscar-winning film “Whiplash.”

“It felt good to see a film that I worked on up there on the screen,” Dominguez said. “I think it was the best film we produced this year and I’m really proud of what we accomplished.”

The trip was made possible through a partnership between the Lynwood Unified School District and Southern California Crossroads, a nonprofit that holds programs for students to confront social issues through filmmaking.

Up to six Lynwood students from the Crossroads program are invited to screen their works each year at the Tribeca Film Festival, representing the only out-of-state students attending the show.

“It is a huge accomplishment for our students to have their work displayed around the nation,” Lynwood Superintendent Paul Gothold said. “Our district prides itself on its visual and performing arts, and seeing our students crafting and showcasing projects like these speaks volumes about our students and these programs.”

The selection of Lynwood students is based on attendance, participation, an essay and family background. The students raised the funds necessary for the trip and also received a donation from St. Francis Medical Center to help cover the costs.

The “Power of Words” film presented an interview with Dr. Tchaka Shepherd, a surgeon at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, who took viewers behind the scenes while he made his rounds throughout the hospital.

“We thought he was the perfect subject because he’s seen so much of what is happening in Lynwood,” Dominguez said.

Cuevas’ film, “Miracle Whiplash,” parodies a film about a high school drummer and his overbearing, intense band instructor.

“The festival was really inspiring because students on the East Coast have a different perspective than we do when creating films,” Wheatley said. “They really put their personal life stories and struggles into their videos, and that made it really emotional at times.”

Students attended the first of the two Tribeca film screenings the morning they arrived and went to Rikers Island for a second day of screenings held at the female prison complex as part of a screenings program for female inmates.

Dominguez and Cuevas graduated this month from Lynwood High and plan to attend college in the fall. Wheatley hopes to study law and Ortega looks to pursue film production after they graduate from AdvancePath next year.

“It is great to see our students get recognized for their talents at huge events like the Tribeca Film Festival,” school board President Alma-Delia Renteria said. “Very few students get an opportunity like this, and they deserved it for all the hard work they put into making these films.”

The post Lynwood film students attend Tribeca Film Festival appeared first on Wave Newspapers.

Voters will be asked to increase Los Angeles County’s sales tax by another half-cent, and continue the existing Measure R half-cent tax indefinitely. MTA officials had originally planned to have the proposed tax hike sunset in 40 years — which would have raised $120 billion — but announced earlier this month that they plan to propose a tax without a sunset date.

The ballot measure still requires approval from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors before it can be placed on the ballot.

The permanent total one-cent sales tax for transit would create a sustained funding source for construction and operation, and would allow the acceleration of nine projects, including a five-year acceleration in planned improvements on the Orange Line, an eight-year acceleration of the northern extension of the Crenshaw/LAX rail line to Hollywood and a five-year acceleration of the Green Line extension to the Norwalk Metrolink station.

The board also approved an amendment that earmarks funding for a bus rapid transit project in the San Fernando Valley.

MTA board chair and County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said that the transportation plan funded by the proposed tax hike and extension would be potentially “transformative” for Los Angeles County.

“It’s about time the county of Los Angeles with respect to mobility steps squarely into the 21st century,” he said.

Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin, who sits on the MTA board, noted a feeling that both riders and other county residents who currently rely on cars are eager for a more complete public transportation system in Los Angeles, and they are willing to pay a higher tax for it.

“Folks have a very palpable hunger for us to do more,” he said. “I’ve sensed they have a lot of faith that we can do that.”

The two board members who voted against the measure — Lakewood City Councilwoman Diane DuBois and County Supervisor Don Knabe — had raised concerns that not enough was being done to ensure all areas of the county are equally represented among the major projects included in the transportation plan.

Most cities in Los Angeles County, including the city of Los Angeles, currently have a nine-cent sales tax.

The post MTA board moves forward with plan for sales-tax hike appeared first on Wave Newspapers.

“We can’t just have moments of silence when we see American lives perish,” Rep. Xavier Becerra said. “It’s time to allow the American people to speak through their representatives and have a vote in Congress on legislation to prevent gun violence.

Becerra issued the call exactly a week after House Democrats held a sit-in on the floor of the House of Representatives for 26 hours to demand that House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans allow an immediate vote on bipartisan, common-sense gun safety legislation to help keep guns out of dangerous hands.

The bills included the bipartisan King-Thompson legislation to expand and strengthen the background check system and the bipartisan “No Fly, No Buy” bill to keep guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists.

“You will never truly understand the gun violence epidemic until it happens to you,” said Mandy Pifer, the fiancé of Shannon Johnson, who was killed in the San Bernardino shooting last December. “I strongly believe that to ignore the role that guns play in this public health epidemic — homicides, suicides and terrorism — is like throwing away the last piece of a puzzle you’ve been working on for a very long time. It’s frustrating and nonsensical.”

The event was part of a National Day of Action for Common-Sense Gun Violence Prevention. Gun violence prevention advocates held sit-ins and other events throughout the country to demand that Congress act on commonsense gun violence prevention legislation.

Becerra was joined at City Hall by other members of the Southern California congressional delegation, including Reps. Maxine Waters, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Judy Chu, Karen Bass, and Alan Lowenthal; as well as Los Angeles City Councilmen Mitch O’Farrell, Paul Krekorian, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Curren Price.

“Enough is enough. It is long past time for Congress to make sensible gun control a national priority,“ Roybal-Allard said. “Democrats are ready to vote on bills to strengthen our background check system and keep terrorist suspects from buying guns.

“In the name of my constituents, in the name of the countless American families whose lives have been shattered by gun violence, and in the name of all those who fear that a gun in the wrong hands could harm them or their loved ones, I am calling on House Republican leaders to hold a vote on these bipartisan gun bills,” Roybal-Allard added.

“Americans have had enough of mass shootings and of feeling unsafe because Congress refuses to allow a vote on even the most common sense gun restrictions — like keeping guns away from those on the No Fly List, or expanding background checks, a proposal supported by 92 percent of Americans,” Rep. Chu said.

“The problem of gun violence is more than just mass shootings. It’s a daily plague. Today, with our National Day of Action, we are speaking out as one to say that it is time for Congress to take action to end the senseless gun violence that is tearing apart our communities.”

“It is unfortunate that House Republicans have refused to take up the issue of gun violence through legislative action, particularly after it is clear that it’s what the American people want, “ Rep.Bass said. “It is critical that we continue the protest efforts started last week by House Democrats in our communities across the country to keep the drumbeat going and that is what we are all hoping to accomplish today.”

Earlier in the day, Rep. Becerra convened a roundtable with residents affected by gun violence, including representatives from Women Against Gun Violence, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the Trevor Project, Equality California, Interfaith Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles, and the Wall Las Memorias Project.

“I want to thank Rep. Becerra for helping lead the fight against our nation’s gun violence crisis,” said former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, co-founder of the gun violence prevention organization Americans for Responsible Solutions, who was the victim of an assassination attempt in 2011. “Speaking is difficult for me. But I haven’t been silenced. And neither should the American people. Their representatives must vote to make our communities safer.”

The post Elected officials rally in support of gun safety legislation appeared first on Wave Newspapers.

The event features a concert by L.A.’s Acoustic Generation and speeches by City Councilman Jose Huizar and actor Ed Begley Jr.

Other upcoming events include:

Friday, July 1

Library market: A farmers market is open in the Bruggemeyer Library parking lot, 318 S. Ramona Ave., Monterey Park, from 4 to 8 p.m. It features fresh and organic fruits, vegetables and flowers grown at California farms. Also available are hummus, breads and tamales, raw honey from Energy Bee Farms, peaches from Arnett Farms and a wide selection of Asian vegetables from Vu Produce of Fresno. (626) 307-1388

Dance night: Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Road, Whittier, hosts Friday night dances from 6 to 10 p.m.Dance professionals Rudy andMaria Hernandez offer lessons on a specific style of dancing from 6 to 7 and then a dance party runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Cost is $10 and includes light refreshments. (562) 567-9450

Saturday, July 2

Downey market: A farmers market offers fresh produce and other items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Downey Avenue between Second and Third streets in Downey. Parking is available in the city’s parking structure there or on marked spaces on surrounding streets. (562) 904-7284

Tuesday, July 5

Farmers market: The Norwalk Committee on Aging conducts a farmers market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Excelsior High School south parking lot, on the south side of Alondra Boulevard west of Pioneer Boulevard. Fresh fruits, flowers, vegetables and fish are available.

Sports trivia: The summer reading program at the Norwalk Library, 12350 Imperial Highway, offers sports trivia games from 3 to 4:30 p.m. for young people between the sixth and 12th grades. Summer reading bookmarks also can be turned in for prizes and weekly drawing entries. (562) 868-0775

Bridge project: Residents of Boyle Heights can receive an update on the progress of the Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement Project from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Art Share LA, 801 E. Fourth Place, Los Angeles. Information is available on demolition, detours and construction timelines. (213) 400-8398

Wednesday, July 6

Fresh produce:The Huntington Park Farmers Market offers fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and other items from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Salt Lake Park, 3401 E. Florence Ave. (323) 584-6218

Anime program: Teens who love anime and Japanese pop culture may join the Teen Otaku Club at the Norwalk Library, 12350 Imperial Highway. The club meets from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for young people between the eighth and 12th grades. (562) 868-0775

City Hall concert: The Norwalk Parks and Recreation Department conducts a free concert at 7 p.m. featuring Mariachi Cachanilla on the north lawn of the Civic Center, 12700 Norwalk Blvd. Those attending may bring blankets, lawn chairs and food, but food also is available for purchase. (562) 929-5702

Twilight concert: Downey’s free Twilight Summer Concert series starts at 7 p.m. at Furman Park, 10419 Rives Ave., featuring Smith, the Band, performing country music. Those attending may bring blankets and lawn chairs and food, although Miss Downey and members of the Downey Rose Float Association are selling snacks as a fundraiser. (562) 904-7238

Thursday, July 7

Coloring club: The Norwalk Library, 12350 Imperial Highway, conducts a coloring club called Color us Happy from 1 to 2 p.m. Coloring is a no-pressure art form that helps people unwind from a day at the office. Materials are provided. (562) 868-0775

Parnell Park concert: The city of Whittier’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services conducts a free concert at 7 p.m. at Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Road, featuring Scot Bruce performing early Elvis Presley music. Pets, barbecues and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. (562) 567-9400

Friday, July 8

Rabies clinic: Low-cost vaccinations ($6) are given at a pet clinic from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Norwalk City Hall lawn, 12700 Norwalk Blvd. Microchipping services and flea control products also are available and dog licenses can be renewed. All dogs must be on a leash. (562) 929-5711

Teen art programs: The Norwalk Library, 12350 Imperial Highway, offers art programs for young people 3 to 17 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Each week features a new visiting artist who will teach those present something about mosaic tiles, origami, headdresses or something else they can make. (562) 868-0775

Items for the Community Calendar may be submitted in care of Wave Newspapers, 3731 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 840, Los Angeles, 90010 or by email to dwanlass@wavepublication.com. Please include a daytime phone number.

The post COMMUNITY CALENDAR: ‘Rock the Vote’ event planned downtown appeared first on Wave Newspapers.

Former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka, 57, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson to serve two years of supervised release following prison and pay a $7,500 fine.

The judge set Aug. 1 for Tanaka to surrender to begin serving his time.

The diminutive Tanaka remained stone-faced and stood ramrod straight throughout the hour-long hearing before a tightly packed courtroom, declining an opportunity to speak to the judge.

Before imposing sentence, Anderson blasted the defendant for displaying “arrogance” during previous court appearances and refusing to show remorse for what the judge termed “a gross abuse of public trust.”

“One of the most troubling things is … your efforts to shield dirty deputies have been largely successful,” Anderson told the defendant, noting that despite more than a dozen convictions in related cases, “some among your clique” remain in the department in “positions of authority.”

Tanaka was found guilty in April of felony charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice.

“After several trials and tens of convictions of Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials, one thing is abundantly clear: defendant Paul Tanaka is responsible not only for obstructing justice, but also for fostering the culture that led to the significant problems in the Los Angeles County jails,” federal prosecutors wrote in pre-sentencing papers filed with the court.

“While [the] defendant claimed at his and three previous trials that he had only limited involvement in the conspiracy, the evidence showed instead that he was the ringleader from the beginning,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Fox wrote.

H. Dean Steward asked Anderson to impose a probationary sentence, claiming that his client had spent his career serving the community and had little to do with the conspiracy of which he was convicted.

Tanaka, Steward wrote, was “unjustly taking the fall” for former Sheriff Lee Baca, who pleaded guilty to a federal charge of lying to investigators. In his proposed plea deal, which has yet to be approved by the judge, Baca is calling for a sentence ranging from probation to six months behind bars.

“If there was a ringleader, it was Lee Baca and nobody else,” the defense lawyer told the court, adding that the “disparity” between Baca’s proposed six-month sentence and Tanaka’s five-year term “can only be described as stunning” and “wholly unfair.”

Tanaka, who remains the mayor of Gardena despite his conviction, was the ninth sheriff’s official convicted of criminal conduct based on the circumstances surrounding the hiding of inmate-informer Anthony Brown, a scheme that also involved witness tampering and the threatened arrest of an FBI special agent assigned to the jails investigation.

Steward argued that Baca had “total control” of the Brown operation, leaving Tanaka to participate for two weeks while the sheriff was on vacation in September 2011. During that period, the defense contends, “nothing happened in the case.”

Tanaka’s 60-month prison sentence is the longest stretch of any defendant in the Brown case.

Seven former sheriff’s lieutenants, sergeants and deputies convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice received prison sentences ranging from 18 to 41 months. Their appeal is scheduled to be heard by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena on July 5.

The jury in Tanaka’s case deliberated for less than three hours over two days before reaching a decision.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Tanaka directed co-conspirators in a scheme to derail the 2011 investigation into allegations of excessive force within the jail system.

The case stemmed from events five years ago when a cellphone was discovered in the hands of an inmate at the Men’s Central Jail. Sheriff’s deputies quickly tied the phone to the FBI, which had been conducting a secret probe of brutality against inmates.

At that point, sheriff’s officials “closed ranks” — at the direction of Tanaka, prosecutors said — and began an attempt to halt the formerly covert investigation by concealing inmate-informant Brown from federal prosecutors, who had issued a writ for his grand jury appearance.

The charges included a host of “overt acts” — including witness tampering and threatening an FBI agent with arrest.

Defense attorneys contended that much of the prosecution testimony was motivated by jealousy, delivered by retired sheriff’s officials with grudges against Tanaka.

During two days of testimony, Tanaka denied remembering details of his communications with his now-convicted colleagues.

In their trial brief, government prosecutors maintained that Tanaka “fostered a culture that led to the significant problems in the Los Angeles County jails,” a statement Steward calls “patently ridiculous.”

Tanaka, the attorney countered, was actually “a fearless executive in the department who fought to weed out problem deputies, not encourage them. The  only culture he fostered was excellence and he made daily efforts to accomplish it.”

Last August, Tanaka’s co-defendant, retired sheriff’s Capt. Tom Carey, pleaded guilty to lying on the witness stand during the 2014 trial of former Deputy James Sexton, who was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for trying to impede the jails investigation.

In exchange for his plea and cooperation, Carey, 58, can expect to receive a reduced prison sentence of not more than 16 months when he is sentenced Aug. 1, according to his plea deal.

A law enforcement union responding to Tanaka’s sentencing said that an “era of corruption” within the Sheriff’s Department had come to an end.

“The era of corruption which characterized the upper management in the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department ended with the conviction of former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka,” said George Hofstetter, president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs. “The department can move forward now that the truth about the failed leadership of disgraced former Sheriff Lee Baca and Undersheriff Paul Tanaka has been revealed through the judicial process.

“The Baca-Tanaka era created leadership failures that left the Sheriff’s Department and ALADS members with real scars from rising assaults on deputies, and emotional scars from diminished morale as deputies struggled to perform a dangerous job under a cloud they didn’t create,” he said. “With today’s sentence, the department is rid of the culture that created the corruption. The men and women who serve proudly as deputy sheriffs shall remain focused on restoring confidence and trust to the public we are sworn to serve.”

ALADS represents more than 8,200 deputy sheriffs and district attorney investigators working in Los Angeles County.

The post Former undersheriff receives five-year prison sentence appeared first on Wave Newspapers.

The Southeast Cities Relay for Life in Huntington Park and the Norwalk Relay for Life groups conduct their annual 24-hour fundraisers beginning at 9 a.m.

The Huntington Park event is at Salt Lake Park, 3401 Florence Ave.

The Norwalk program is at the Cerritos College utility field, 11110 Alondra Blvd.

After opening ceremonies there is a survivor’s lap around the track for those who have survived cancer, followed by an evening luminaria  ceremony in which bags of sand with lighted candles are placed around the track in memory of a cancer victim.

During the 24-hour period, each team must have at least one member walking or jogging around the track at all times.

Both events are open to the public free of charge to spectators. There is food for purchase, cancer information booths and live entertainment.

Information: Huntington Park Parks and Recreation Department, (323) 384-6218 or city of Norwalk, (562) 929-5700.

Other upcoming events include:

Friday, June 24

Dental screening:Northeast Dental provides seniors with a free basic dental health screening from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Norwalk Senior Citizens Center, 14040 San Antonio Drive. A dental assistant discusses findings with individuals, who can then address issues with their regular dentist. (562) 929-5580

Library market: A farmers market is open in the Bruggemeyer Library parking lot, 318 S. Ramona Ave., Monterey Park, from 4 to 8 p.m. It features fresh and organic fruits, vegetables and flowers grown at California farms. Also available are hummus, breads and tamales, raw honey from Energy Bee Farms, peaches from Arnett Farms and a wide selection of Asian vegetables from Vu Produce of Fresno. (626) 307-1388

Dance night: Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Road, Whittier, hosts Friday night dances from 6 to 10 p.m.Dance professionals Rudy andMaria Hernandez offer lessons on a specific style of dancing from 6 to 7 and then a dance party runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Cost is $10 and includes light refreshments. (562) 567-9450

Painting night: Area artists gather from 7 to 9 p.m. at Stay Gallery, 11140 Downey Ave., Downey, to display their talents. Cost is $25 and includes a canvas and painting materials. Participants must be at least 18 years old. (562) 774-2056

Saturday, June 25

Downey market: A farmers market offers fresh produce and other items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Downey Avenue between Second and Third streets in Downey. Parking is available in the city’s parking structure there or on marked spaces on surrounding streets. (562) 904-7284

Sunday, June 26

Fireworks show: County Supervisor Hilda Solis and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation invite residents to a fireworks show, art festival and concert from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the East Los Angeles Civic Center, 4801 E. Third St.

Monday, June 27

Bellflower market: A farmers market operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Simms Park, 16614 S. Clark Ave., Bellflower. Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, breads, sprouts, honey and more are available. (562) 866-7510.

South Gate market: Harbor Area Farmers Markets sponsors a farmers market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South Gate Park, Tweedy Boulevard and Walnut Avenue. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, fish, eggs, honey, baked items and gardens plants are available. (323) 774-0159

Dance class:Michael Trusnovec, a principal dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Co., hosts a master class on modern dance for intermediate and advanced dance students from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Rio Hondo College, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier. (562) 692-0921

Junior golf: Youngsters from 7 to 17 may participate in the Pico Rivera Junior Golf Club at the Pico Rivera Golf Course, 3260 Fairway Drive, from 5 to 6 p.m. Cost is $10 per week or $30 for the month. (562) 692-9933

Park concert: The city of Whittier’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services conducts a free concert at 7 p.m. at Central Park, 6532 Friends Ave., featuring “Woody and the Long Boards, a Beach Boys tribute. Pets, barbecues and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. (562) 567-9400

Tuesday, June 28

Coffee with cops: The South Gate Police Department invites residents to have coffee with a cop from 8 to 10 a.m. at McDonald’s, 3309 Tweedy Blvd. This provides an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers in the community.

Farmers market: The Norwalk Committee on Aging conducts a farmers market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Excelsior High School south parking lot, on the south side of Alondra Boulevard west of Pioneer Boulevard. Fresh fruits, flowers, vegetables and fish are available.

Library program: Teens can create designs of popular video game characters and sports symbols from fuse beads and make them into magnets, earbud holders or key chains from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Norwalk Library, 12350 Imperial Highway. (562) 868-0775

Cancer benefit: Johnny Reb’s Restaurant, 16639 Bellflower Blvd., Bellflower, hosts a benefit for the local Relay for Life group with 25 percent of all proceeds from 7 to 9 p.m. going to the American Cancer Society.(562) 404-1287

Wednesday, June 29

Fresh produce:The Huntington Park Farmers Market offers fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and other items from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Salt Lake Park, 3401 E. Florence Ave. (323) 584-6218

Thursday, June 30

Children’s conference: The Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse conduct a conference on safeguarding children from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the DoubleTreee Hotel, 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk. Sponsored by First 5 LA, a nonprofit agency that advocates for children 5 and under, the conference is aimed at social workers or students but is open to the public. Cost is $95, which includes a continental breakfast, lunch and six continuing education credits. (562) 906-2686, ext. 105.

Coloring club: The Norwalk Library, 12350 Imperial Highway, conducts a coloring club called Color us Happy from 1 to 2 p.m. Coloring is a no-pressure art form that helps people unwind from a day at the office. Materials are provided. (562) 868-0775

Paramount concert: The Paramount Parks and Recreation Department conducts a free concert by Beta Maxx, playing hits of the 1980s, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Paramount Park, 14400 Paramount Blvd. (562) 220-2121

Bell Gardens concert: The Parks and Recreation Department of Bell Gardens hosts a free concert at Veterans’ Park, 6662 Loveland St., at 7 p.m. featuring Mariachi Voz de America. Those attending may bring lawn chairs and dance to the music. (562) 806-7650

Whittier concert: The Whittier Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Service conducts a free concert at 7 p.m. at Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Road, Whittier, featuring Mariachi Divas. Those attending the concerts are reminded that pets, barbecues and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. (562) 567-9400

Friday, July 1

Dance night: The Whittier Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department sponsors a dance night, starting with a social at 6 p.m., followed by dance lessons from Rudy and Maria Hernandez at Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Road. Featured is disco music from the 1970s and 80s. Light refreshments are also provided. Cost is $10. (562) 567-9450.

Items for the Community Calendar may be submitted in care of Wave Newspapers, 3731 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 840, Los Angeles, 90010 or by email to dwanlass@wavepublication.com. Please include a daytime phone number.

The post COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Relays for Life planned in Bellflower, Huntington Park appeared first on Wave Newspapers.

“We need to build and sustain a world-class transportation system here in Los Angeles County to accommodate our ever-changing and continually growing needs,” Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Phillip Washington said. “Working with our community stakeholders, this updated plan brings us a step closer in defining what projects are needed and where a sustained level of funding could come from to accelerate and complete those projects.”

The MTA initially envisioned asking voters to increase Los Angeles County’s sales tax by another half-cent, and continue the existing Measure R half-cent tax — set to expire in 2039 — for another 18 years, meaning both would end in 2057.

Under the new proposal, voters would be asked in November to raise the sales tax by an additional half-cent indefinitely and extend the Measure R half-cent tax indefinitely. The MTA Board of Directors is expected to decide June 23 whether to put the issue on the November ballot.

According to MTA officials, the permanent total one-cent sales tax for transit would create a sustained funding source for construction and operation, and would allow the acceleration of nine projects, including a five-year acceleration in planned improvements on the Orange Line, an eight-year acceleration of the northern extension of the Crenshaw/LAX rail line to Hollywood and a five-year acceleration of the Green Line extension to the Norwalk Metrolink station.

“This plan includes hundreds of local and regional capital improvement projects,” Washington said. “But this plan goes far beyond building and delivering projects. It includes operating and maintaining the system we build, developing new services that meet the shifting needs of our region and it creates a smarter system that takes full advantage of the technology that is out there today and technology of the future that has yet to be developed.”

MTA officials said the proposed tax increase — when it was planned to sunset in 40 years — would have raised about $120 billion.

The post Transportation officials revise November tax proposal appeared first on Wave Newspapers.