TOM LABONGE NEWS

New Mayor and Council Debut in Los Angeles
Councilmember Tom LaBonge stands with Mayor Eric Garcetti in the mayor’s first day in office. A new Los Angeles City Council, with six new members, also met for the first time on Monday, July 1. Elected officials in the City of Los Angeles serve four-year terms, and councilmembers are limited to three terms total. This most recent municipal election saw the most turnover in the Los Angeles City Council in over a decade. Councilmember Tom LaBonge will continue to serve the people of the Fourth District until 2015.

OfficeSlice Holds Grand Opening in Sherman Oaks
A new business aimed at female entrepreneurs has opened in Sherman Oaks, with a grand opening event recently attended by Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce executive director Vicki Nussbaum, founder Judy Santos, Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce president Robert Cohen, Chief of Staff to Councilmember Tom LaBonge Carolyn Ramsay, and Field Deputy Alice Roth. OfficeSlice is a new collaborative, coworking space, offering flexible workspace, private offices, and meeting rooms. Welcome to the Fourth District, OfficeSlice!

Griffith Observatory Re-Opens for Tuesday Service
Griffith Observatory returned to serving the public six days a week this Tuesday, as the new city budget took effect. Councilmember Tom LaBonge marks the event with Griffith Observatory staff members, as he holds six Griffith Park maps for the six days of the week the park amenity will now be open. Griffith Observatory, located in Griffith Park, was formerly open five days per week (Wednesday through Sunday) year round and six days per week (Tuesday through Sunday) during the summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring school breaks. To restore a six-day operation to Griffith Observatory to the remaining 34 Tuesdays of the year, $189,674 in additional funding was required. Councilmember Tom LaBonge provided the necessary amount using discretionary funds from his AB1290 account. “The Griffith Observatory is one of our city’s grand jewels, and I am proud to play a part in ensuring that the public can enjoy it as much as possible,” Councilmember Tom LaBonge said. “Summer fun means time at the Griffith Observatory. I invite all families in Los Angeles to come out and enjoy it.”

New LAX FlyAway Service from Expo Line at La Brea Debuts
The new LAX FlyAway bus service between the Metro Rail Exposition Line rail station at La Brea Avenue and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) began July 1. The station is located six blocks south of the Santa Monica (I-10) Freeway at the intersection of Exposition Boulevard and La Brea Avenue.

To encourage ridership on this new route, a special introductory one-way fare of $6 will be in effect through December 31, 2013. On January 1, 2014, the fare increases to $7. The Expo/La Brea FlyAway® service will offer 18 daily trips (nine trips each way). For further information, telephone or visit www.lawa.aero/flyaway.

Tour LaBonge Continues in Toluca Lake on July 10
All constituents, near or far, are invited to participate in the last two stages of Councilmember Tom LaBonge’s summer bike ride series, which will take place July 10 in Toluca Lake and July 17 in Hollywood. On July 10, meet at Councilmember LaBonge’s Valley Field Office at 10116 Riverside Dr. On July 17, meet at Councilmember LaBonge’s Hollywood Field Office at 6501 Fountain Ave. Police will provide traffic control. All riders must be at least 12 years of age, wear helmets, sign waivers, and leave pets at home. See you in two weeks!

BURBANK

Christmas in July
Hundreds of Holiday items will be on sale at the “Christmas in July” event at the La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Thrift Shop.
The Thrift Shop will be turned into a “Winter Wonderland.” A “Collector’s Corner” has been added this year featuring sterling silver, Waterford, Spode, Haviland, etc. A Bake Sale will feature goodies made by Guild members.

La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital
Los Angeles Thrift Shop
3301 W. Burbank Blvd.
Saturday, July 13, 10a—4p

STUDIO CITY

Library to Have Iron Chef-type Event for Teens
Teens and pre-teens are invited to attend an event modeled on the TV series, Iron Chef. Several teams will be assembled to compete as they prepare the same type of food. Will it be salsa or guacamole? The contest will be at the Studio City Branch Library so only the librarians know the answer to this question.

The event is part of a series of programs celebrating the Teen Summer Reading theme, “Reading Is So Delicious!”

Among the criteria for judging the best dish will be: taste, team cooperation, and plating of the food. Those teens with cooking experience (such as members of the Culinary Academy at Walter Reed Middle School) are particularly encouraged to join others in this competitive but enjoyable event.

One need not have cooking experience to participate.
A selection of cook books from the library’s huge collection will be on display. They may be taken to the Circulation desk, checked out, and taken home to be read

The program is co-sponsored by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and the Friends of the Studio City Branch Library. Those who complete their Summer Reading gamecards will be part of two raffles: one is regional and the other (city-wide) will be for a significant, electronic prize.

Studio City Branch Library (Meeting Room)
12511 Moorpark St.
Thursday, July 18, 3—4:15 p.m.