As part of our Caminos del Pueblo/Complete Streets campaign, we’re helping the California Department of Public Health spread the message that when it comes to community safety and transportation – It’s Up to All of Us!  Every hour a pedestrian is injured or killed in California. Pedestrians accounted for nearly one out of five . . . → Read More: Pedestrian Safety – It’s Up to All of Us!]]>

As part of our Caminos del Pueblo/Complete Streets campaign, we’re helping the California Department of Public Health spread the message that when it comes to community safety and transportation – It’s Up to All of Us!  Every hour a pedestrian is injured or killed in California. Pedestrians accounted for nearly one out of five deaths in traffic collisions in 2009 – roughly 58 percent more than the national average. To address this deadly statistic, we at Pacoima Beautiful are launching an “It’s Up to All of Us” public education campaign to remind residents to create a safer environment for pedestrians.

One of the most critical changes urged by the campaign is for drivers to slow down. There is a documented relationship between vehicle speeds and pedestrian crash severity. As speeds increase, so does the percent of fatalities. Only about five percent of pedestrians are likely to be killed when struck at 20 mph, whereas nearly 80 percent of pedestrians are likely to be killed when struck at 40 mph. The campaign messages also urge pedestrians to stay alert and to always look up and never assume they are seen by motorists.

The “It’s Up to All of Us” Campaign is made possible by the California Department of Public Health, through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Please help us spread the word, and look for more information coming soon!  You can download our first flyer here.  Thanks!  And remember – it’s up to all of us to make a difference!

Metro, in coordination with the City, is conducting a transit . . . → Read More: Metro East San Fernando Valley Transit Project]]> Do you take the bus?  Do you wish it was easier/faster?  Then come voice your support for improved service at the upcoming Metro meeting on May 1st!  The meeting will be at Mission Community Police Station at 11121 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills from 6-8pm.

Metro, in coordination with the City, is conducting a transit study to evaluate ways to improve north-south transit opportunities in the east San Fernando Valley that offer connections to the regional transportation network.

Metro is considering which mode (e.g. a bus rapid transit line like the Orange Line, a light rail line like the Blue Line, or a streetcar, like in San Francisco).  They are also considering which route the transit line should take: whether it should travel from the Orange Line on Van Nuys Blvd. or on Sepuvleda Blvd. or some combination of the two.  We know that the population density and ridership numbers show that the line would be most helpful to our transit dependent families in the Northeast Valley, who use the Van Nuys Blvd. bus routes every day!  Transit improvements would really make a tremendous improvement to our residents’ quality of life.

There’s more information here at Metro’s website or their flyer here.  You can learn more and share your support of the project (and let them know which route you prefer!) via Metro’s FaceBook, twitter, email, or phone (818-276-3233) – or you can fill out this comment form.  You can even text them: text “esfvtransit” to 25827!

Mark your calendar! On May 15th the LA City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee will hold a hearing on Clean Up Green Up, LA’s cutting-edge policy initiative to address toxic hotspots in the communities of Boyle Heights, Pacoima and Wilmington. Join us . . . → Read More: Action Alert: Clean Up, Green Up on May 15th!]]>

Our member leader Reyna and ED Nury at the CUGU Launch!

Mark your calendar! On May 15th the LA City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee will hold a hearing on Clean Up Green Up, LA’s cutting-edge policy initiative to address toxic hotspots in the communities of Boyle Heights, Pacoima and Wilmington. Join us at City Hall for the Clean Up Green Up rally at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 15, followed by the PLUM hearing at 2:30 p.m., Room 350, City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles.

Download more info here and keep reading for all the details!

Nearly 200 endorsing organizations and businesses support Clean Up Green Up, a community-driven policy initiative that provides an innovative and balanced solution to the problem of the overconcentration of pollution sources adjacent to homes, schools, parks, day care centers. The proposed policy establishes “Green Zones” in Boyle Heights, Pacoima and Wilmington, combines economic incentives with traditional city planning tools, and promotes collaboration among government agencies, residents and businesses.

Piloting the Clean Up Green Up policy in three geographic areas will allow the City to narrowly apply this model and evaluate its effectiveness prior to considering a broader effort to address the problem of toxic hot spots in LA.

You can read more about this important campaign at the Clean Up Green Up coalition website, or read some of the fantastic research supporting this policy at Liberty Hill’s website.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Attend the rally at 1:30 p.m. outside City Hall (location to be determined) and the PLUM Hearing at 2:30 p.m., Room 350, Board of Public Works Hearing Room, City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles 90012.
• Email PLUM Committee members by May 4th, urging them to VOTE IN FAVOR of the Clean Up Green Up motion. There’s a sample letter below—please be sure to refer to Council File #11-0112 in your all your communication. The mailing address for all Councilmembers: 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Get the example support letter and contact info here!
• Spread the word! Post this alert on your website and social media. Distribute it to your constituents and allies; ask them to endorse the campaign by going to: http://www.CleanUpGreenUpLA.org

For more information, call 818-899-2454 or email Imelda or Polo.

Fox Laurel Canyon Pocket Park Groundbreaking with the PB Team! by Freddy Tapia

The groundbreaking ceremony was inspiring, with many different leaders sharing their . . . → Read More: A Great Earth Week!]]> Last week we had two fantastic events, Thursday’s groundbreaking for the Fox and Laurel Canyon community garden and pocket park, and on Saturday, our Earth Day Tree Care Block Party!

Fox Laurel Canyon Pocket Park Groundbreaking with the PB Team! by Freddy Tapia

The groundbreaking ceremony was inspiring, with many different leaders sharing their inspiration for working to bring forward this new pocket park and community garden, and their vision for what it can be.  We can’t wait to continue working with our San Fernando High School students and rock star teacher Ms. Bower on this new resource for our community.  Thanks to all the parties involved for all their hard work!  Here’s the story in the Daily News and there’s more photos on Flickr.  Special thanks to Freddy Tapia for all his help as our event photographer and all-around versatile and hard-working intern!

One of our incredible Earth Day volunteers! by Freddy Tapia

Our Earth Day Tree Care and Block Party was a perfect mix of hard work and fun.  The sun shone down and the sky was clear.  We pruned, cleaned up, and watered the trees along San Fernando Road near Osborne, weeded, and picked up trash.  To celebrate the beautiful cleaned up street and trees, we went to Roger Jessup Park where we had lunch together, played games, and did projects like creating seed bombs and painting.  Thanks to all of the people who helped sponsor and support the effort: So. Cal Gas, Councilmember Tony Cardenas’ office, Franklin Truck Parts, Scotts Miracle Gro, Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes’ office, Senator Alex Padilla’s office, the Office of Community Beautification and the Bureau of Sanitation, Mr. Louis in the Mayor’s office, Northeast Graffiti Busters, and Heal the Bay.  We’re also very grateful for the mighty volunteer efforts of the Cesar Chavez Learning Academies Eagles football team, our youth and adult members and their families, and all our staff for their great work!  What a great day!  We’ll definitely plan more for the future – there’s plenty of trees and other corners of our community that could use some love!  More pictures on our Flickr page.

Our youth and adult members give our trees some much needed attention

Meet at San Fernando Rd. and Branford at 9am to maintain the trees along San Fernando . . . → Read More: Earth Day! Tree Care and Block Party]]> Come join us for our Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 21st.  We will be working to conserve our trees along San Fernando Road and end the morning with a nice lunch/picnic that will be fun for the whole family.

Meet at San Fernando Rd. and Branford at 9am to maintain the trees along San Fernando Rd.  Picnic and fun for the whole family afterwards at Roger Jessup Park at 12467 Osborne St.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in the efforts to care for our environment and community, so come on out! Wear your work clothes, comfortable shoes, and a hat – and bring a folding chair or blanket!

See our flyer for more info.

Even though it started out as a very cool morning, Pacoima Beautiful turned out a good number of adults and youth who arrived on time for breakfast. About 9:30 the bus arrived and started boarding everyone. By the time we arrived to the park, there were a couple . . . → Read More: Mayor’s Day a Success!]]> Guest column by YUTEP all-star, David R.:

Even though it started out as a very cool morning, Pacoima Beautiful turned out a good number of adults and youth who arrived on time for breakfast. About 9:30 the bus arrived and started boarding everyone. By the time we arrived to the park, there were a couple of booths from different neighborhood councils, churches, and organizations. We all walked around for the very informative flyers on what each club did; many of them gave away tote bags and other small items. After talking to many of the friendly people at the park we headed out to the hike!

First, the park ranger introduced his staff to everyone who was very helpful with any of the questions we had. It was still pretty cold but the view was amazing; there were mountains in the background covered in fog, and the water stream coming down the trail looked very cool as well. After taking some pictures we kept walking along behind the park ranger who was telling us about all of the history and different native and non-native plants at the park, he told us of plants that were edible too. After we arrived from the hike we all had lunch, turkey burgers or veggie burgers, along with fruits and salads; there was also entertainment from local bands. Overall the day was great, everyone had fun, and I personally wish to go back soon.

Look for pictures soon!

Our Caminos del Pueblo Campaign has benefited mightily from the wise guidance of our LA County Department of Public Health Policy Analyst, Margot Ocañas.  She has also been instrumental to the Streets for People (S4P) initiative, which looks to turn underused roadway space into vibrant, . . . → Read More: Pocket Parks and Streets for People]]>

Sunset Triangle Plaza (Photo by the Atlantic's Nate Berg)

Our Caminos del Pueblo Campaign has benefited mightily from the wise guidance of our LA County Department of Public Health Policy Analyst, Margot Ocañas.  She has also been instrumental to the Streets for People (S4P) initiative, which looks to turn underused roadway space into vibrant, safe, and welcoming space for people!  This whole park was completed in about a year and under $25,000 – and they’re working to set up a process so it keeps getting cheaper and easier – meaning more and more Streets for People projects on the horizon!  Here’s the flyer announcing the opening of the plaza and a great write-up in the Atlantic.  Congratulations to Margot, visionary City Planning Commission president Bill Roschen, and all the other folks who made this happen!