HIGHLIGHTSVolume 35 Issue 12

Fireworks Spectacular at Marina del Rey...............2

Michael D. Antonovich Courthouse Opens...................3

Retirees/Employee of the Month.................................4

Molina Dedicates East L.A. Commercial Center...........5

Antonovich Tours One-Stop Fire Assistance Center..6

Holiday Tips: Fire Prevention/Tree Recycling.............7

ENRICHING LIVES.................................................8-9

Holiday Tips: Smart Holiday Shopping.......................10

Holiday Tips: Keeping Pets Safe...............................11

Yaroslavsky Announces Settlement of MTA Strike.....13

Knabe Works to Create CERT Teams........................15

EOMcontinued on page 4

DECEMBER 2003 HOLIDAY ISSUE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

Employee of the MonthHuman Resources

Nancy EiserSupervisor Burke Looks Back on Year as Chair

At the Board ceremony honoring her asthe November 2003 County Employeeof the Month, Director of PersonnelMichael J. Henry thanked her for hercontributions to the department, as wellas the County and on her youthfulnature in spite of the number of yearsshe has served the County.

The Director of Personnel is correct.Nancy Eiser does not look like she hasworked for the County for 32 years.

Currently a Human Resources AnalystIV with the Organizational andEmployee Development Division of theDepartment of Human Resources(DHR), Nancys responsibilitiesrevolve around four programs: ClericalAs she left the presiding chair on the dais for incoming ChairmanDon Knabe, Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke looked back ona year of trials and triumphs. The trials were monumental, with

record state budget deficits threatening to crush County revenues andprograms. County budget cuts drew public anger, most especially whenRancho Los Amigos, High Desert Hospital and 100 beds at Los AngelesCounty-U.S.C. Medical Center were placed under the axe. Rancho LosAmigos and the beds at Big County received judicial stays of execution,and County government faced a hemorrhaging of funds as a result. Inaddition, King-Drew Medical Center generated headlines with a loss oftwo strategic residencies in surgery and radiology due to accreditationproblems, and four other residencies are at risk for the same reason.Supervisor Burke and the Board of Supervisors met the challenges, and hadsome triumphs.

With each Supervisor chairing the budget hearings of his or her assigneddepartments, as requested by the Chair, budget deliberations proceeded in atimely and reasonably orderly manner despite the crisis. In addition,Supervisor Burke looked back on other achievements.

BURKEcontinued on page 12

EVENT CALENDAR

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WeTip WELFARE FRAUD1-800-87-FRAUD

Music Center135 N. Grand Avenue(213) 628-2772www.musiccenter.org

Ahmanson TheatreJan 9 March 7, 2004 - Giacomo Puccinis La BohemeMark Taper ForumThrough Jan 25, 2004 A New Musical

Los Angeles County Museum of Art5905 Wilshire Blvd.(323) 857-6000www.lacma.org

Dec 14 Sept 6, 2004 nano: A Media Arts and Science Exhibition

Dec 14 April 4, 2004 Erte/Opera & Ballets Russes/Dance: Theatre Costume in LACMAs Collection

Through July 5, 2004 - Luxury Textiles East and West Part II: Dress and Identity

Walt Disney Concert Hall151 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles(213) 972-3034www.laphil.com

Dec 18 - Special Holiday Program: Sing We ChristmasDec 19 - Los Angeles Philharmonic: BeethovenDec 20 - 2:00 p.m. - Special Holiday Program: Glory!

Glory! Glory! Gospel ChristmasDec 20-21 - 8:00 p.m. - Los Angeles Philharmonic:

Verdi, Busoni, BeethovenDec 23 - Special Holiday Program:

A Merry Mancini ChristmasDec 31 - Special Holiday Program:

New Years Eve - Pink MartiniJan 8-11 - Los Angeles Philharmonic: BeethovenJan 16-18 - Los Angeles Philharmonic:

Berlioz BicentennialJan 22 & 25 - Los Angeles Philharmonic:

Berlioz BicentennialJan 29 - Feb 1 - Los Angeles Philharmonic: Berlioz BicentennialFeb 5-8 - Los Angeles Philharmonic: Mozart, Strauss, Schumann

Be a County Pollworker

Call (562) 462-2840

Fireworks Spectacular Greets the NewYear in Marina del Rey

A brilliant display of fireworks will light up theskies over Marina del Rey on Wednesday,December 31, to greet the Year 2004. Beginningat the 30-second countdown to midnight, the fireworkswill continue into the opening minutes of the New Year.

Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, which startedbusiness in Italy more than 100 years ago, will create

FIREWORKScontinued on page 11

Articles and other submissions to the County DIGESTmay be edited or otherwise altered for clarity.

Department of Human Resources3333 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000 (10th floor)

Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 639-6386 (213) 639-0940 FAX

Available online at: hr.co.la.ca.us

To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

The Youth Public Education Campaign, a collaborativeeffort between the Commission on Human Relationsand the non-profit Rock the Vote organization,launched a cutting-edge anti-discrimination campaigntargeting Los Angeles Countys 14 to 18-year-olds, inan effort to empower them to take action againstdiscrimination and hate crimes.

This campaign takes aim at more than six millionyoung people in the County of Los Angeles through amixture of marketing, mass media and specially-developed programs, designed to appeal to this groupof residents.

The focal point of the campaign is an interactive Website, www.zerohour.com, designed to provide youthwith the tools they need to combat intolerance anddiscrimination. Through quizzes, streaming videos andsurveys, the user is encouraged to take personalinitiative to seek ways to engage in hate violenceprevention, and evolve from a passive bystander to anengaged, action-oriented individual.

The motivating tool leading to this fast-paced andvisually appealing Web site is a series of cutting-edgetelevision public service announcements producedin the reality genre which bring to life the absurdityof discrimination and the resulting hate violence. Thecampaign was funded by a generous seed grant fromthe Quality and Productivity Commission.

A Youth Advisory Council Team has been organizedto help the Commission with outreach and educationof the campaign. Composed of 20 membersrepresenting all areas of the County, this group rangesfrom the ages of 14 to 28. They represent differentracial, gender, religious, sexual orientation and culturalgroups in the County of Los Angeles.

Youth Advisory Council Team (ACT) membersrecently completed production of Confessions of theDiscriminated CD, a collection of songs that memberswrote as a result of a creative exploration of their ownpersonal experiences with discrimination.

The Youth Public Education Campaign

YOUTHcontinued on page 14

The newly constructed Michael D. AntonovichAntelope Valley Courthouse opened to serve the publicon Monday, October 20.

Joining more than two hundred attendees at the October16 dedication ceremony were state and local officials,including Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert A.Dukes, Judge Frank Jackson, Judge Steven Ogden,Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, Senator Pete Knight,Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts, Palmdale Mayor JimLedford, District Attorney Steve Cooley, and JudgeHoward Swart who served as the master of ceremonies.

This courthouse is a civic coming of age for thiscommunity, District Attorney Cooley said. Thisstructure is worthy of the many dramas to be playedout in it.

Michael D. Antonovich Antelope ValleyCourthouse Open to Serve the Public

Supervisor Antonovich, wife Christine and childrenMichael Jr. and Mary Christine in front of the newMichael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse.

COURTHOUSEcontinued on page 14

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DECEMBER RETIREESEOMcontinued from page 1

Certification TrainingProgram, I-9 Basic PilotProgram, EmployeeDisaster AssistanceProgram and DHRsEmergency ResponseTeam for the CountysEmergency OperationsCenter.

I find it a learning experience to interact with so manydifferent facets of my job whether its trying to resolvean issue in the classroom, advising a student on whatcourse curriculum to take, working with faculty oradministrators from the Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict or coordinating with County departments toschedule employees into a class or plan a graduationceremony, she said.

Providing service excellence and customer service havebeen the hallmark of her career long before both wereincorporated in the Countywide Strategic Plan. Havingstarted as a Typist Clerk and progressed through sevendepartments, she is fully aware of what a job entails.

Her mantra of wherever there is a need, I am willing tohelp in any way I can is evident in her many volunteerefforts. Continuing her commitment to service, Nancyvolunteers in fundraising efforts for and contributesmonthly to a fund dedicated to a new church building inher local parish and has participated on numerousoccasions in the Walk America March of Dimes andAIDS Walk Los Angeles. She also sponsors a child inthe Philippines through Compassion International byproviding her with life-changing benefits including helpin education, health care, social skills development andChristian training.

On a personal note, Nancy Eiser enjoys spending timein the outdoors with her husband, Mark, and sons, Neil,a graduate of USC and Erik, a member of the ScreenActors Guild who is pursuing an acting career.

Congratulations, Nancy, on a well-deserved accolade.You truly exemplify service excellence.

Congratulations to the following employees who are joining theranks of the retired after 30 or more years of service to the peopleof the County of Los Angeles:

ASSESSOR: Carolyn McPhanCHILD SUPPORT SERVICES: Cadance A. McClendonCHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES: Courtanya FergusonCOMMUNITY & SENIOR SERVICES: John P. Coyle, RaymondL. SquagliaDISTRICT ATTORNEY: Frank Lukus, Alan B. TomichFIRE: Dennis Corbett, Robert Evans Jr., Jennie Frabotta, TerrylW. Hart, Darrell D. Higuchi, Gregory B. Kidman, Gregory Lee,Donald Murray, Roger Sorenson, Norton WisdomHEALTH SERVICES: Arthur Allen, Robin G. Allen, Martin L.Belcher III, Rubie C. Burton, Richard Bush, Edna L. Coleman,Carole R. Evans, Michele Y. Lewis, Anda M. Luters, Loraine A.McCarthy, Pauline Miller, Onofre Ordona, Cecilia Perona, DonnaRedmond, Felton Robinson, Lynda G. Steele, Patricia Tidwell,Luisito T. Varias, Willie J. Wickliffe, Franzetta WilliamsINTERNAL SERVICES: Danny Montoya, Lynn C. Peltcher Jr.MENTAL HEALTH: Christine S. TorrePROBATION: Troy Amos, William A. Gerth, Frances R. JenkinsPUBLIC DEFENDER: Bobbie J. Anderson, William B. SaulPUBLIC WORKS: James J. Bellane, Thomas N. Brumm, EddieS. Concepcion, Richard Delgado, David W. Lobato, Shirley L.WoodmoreSHERIFF: Jerome Despues, Raymond Frazier, Corinne Gish, JerryC. Kaono, Patrick J. Mallon, Terry D. SonntagSUPERIOR COURT: Irene B. PuschmanTREASURER & TAX COLLECTOR: Pete R. Juezan, MaureenOster

Congratulations to the following employees who are joining theranks of the retired after 25 or more years of service to the peopleof the County of Los Angeles:

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER/ WEIGHTS & MEASURES:Carmelita C. Castro, Nancy S. KellamCHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES: Dorothy Byas, Gloria B.WallickDISTRICT ATTORNEY: Gloria Hinojosa, Edward E. MessingerFIRE: Ollie L. Linson, Jan Musial, Alfonso SaldanaHEALTH SERVICES: Leslie B. Allen, Pasqui Ba, Olga Castillo,Leon Chakerian, Rosemary G. Guerrero, Lydia P. Juezan, Joyce G.King, Ernest Oms, Joan M. Reyes, Christine RiordanINTERNAL SERVICES: Cora A. CooperMENTAL HEALTH: Charlene Bell, Presentacion D. SagunPROBATION: Dennis Ortenburger, Lynn ScharnhorstPUBLIC WORKS: Lillian ConiglioSHERIFF: Michael L. Harroun, Dolores Hernandez, Mary K. King,Lloyd B. Teel, Paul D. Vechil, Virginia Weaver, James L. WrightSUPERIOR COURT: Donna C. Siebig

To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

Supervisor Gloria Molina and the local communitydedicated unincorporated East Los Angeles largestcommercial center in over 20 years at the grand openingof the East Los Angeles Civic Center Plaza on October10.

Located within the Countys Maravilla RedevelopmentProject Area at 149 South Mednik Avenue, the $8 millionplaza is the first facility in the area to lure tenants suchas the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Dairy Queen, OrangeJulius, Quiznos Sandwiches, and Juan Pollo RotisserieChicken to unincorporated East Los Angeles. Additionaltenants include State Senator Gloria Romeros districtoffice, Lindas Bakery, Myras 99-Cent, Rosies Nails,Sparkleen Laundry, Tomic Insecticide, and the WaterStore.

The 30,000 square foot plaza will create approximately100 new jobs. In addition, it is the first completeddevelopment of the adjacent $25 million East LosAngeles Civic Center expansion project. Another 4,000square foot plaza addition is slated to open in April 2004with targeted tenants including financial institutions,retail shops, and medical services.

Over the past decade, Supervisor Molina has revitalizedEast Los Angeles by upgrading streets, improvingCounty buildings, providing accessible transportation,initiating economic development programs andsecuring programs and services for families.

This is a significant and momentous occasion in EastLos Angeles history, Supervisor Molina said. Thisplaza will provide increased access to business andretail services for the existing community and for manyyoung people who have returned home to raise families,purchase real estate, and start new businesses. Those

individuals investing in East Los Angeles haverecognized this communitys potential and have joinedin our belief that this is an outstanding place to dobusiness. They have become a part of East Los Angelesrenaissance.

The family of Ron Mukai, head of plaza developer MukaiMaravilla LLC, has long-standing, deep roots in thecommunity. The Mukai Family has owned the land uponwhich the plaza was built since the 1920s. Their life inEast Los Angeles was interrupted when they wereforced to relocate to an internment camp in the State ofWyoming during World War II but they returnedimmediately afterwards to their hometown.

In the 1920s, my grandfather owned a general store,Mukai said. Throughout the years we also owned theBelvedere Bottle Supply, an auto repair shop, a hot dogstand, and Tomic Insecticides. We never gave up onEast Los Angeles. Even when we were told nationaltenants would never do business in East Los Angeles,we worked with Supervisor Molina to pursue our familysdream of developing this site.

The opening of the East Los Angeles Civic Center Plazais the result of years of effort by Supervisor Molinasoffice, Mukai Maravilla, members of the redevelopmentareas Community Advisory Committee, concernedresidents of the East Los Angeles region, and theCommunity Development Commission (CDC). To bringthe project to fruition, Supervisor Molina secured fromthe CDC $1.6 million in redevelopment funds for landacquisition, off-site improvements and other projectactivities.

These private and public groups jointly participated inmany community meetings over several years to shapea development that addressed the needs of people thatlived and worked there, CDC Executive Director CarlosJackson said.

Supervisor Molina Dedicates East Los AngelesSupervisor Molina Dedicates East Los AngelesSupervisor Molina Dedicates East Los AngelesSupervisor Molina Dedicates East Los AngelesSupervisor Molina Dedicates East Los AngelesLargest Commercial Center in Over 20 YearsLargest Commercial Center in Over 20 YearsLargest Commercial Center in Over 20 YearsLargest Commercial Center in Over 20 YearsLargest Commercial Center in Over 20 Years

Supervisor Molinaexplains the historybehind the East LosAngeles Civic CenterPlaza grand openingto a reporter fromUnivisions KMEX-TV Channel 34 news.

Mariachis entertain thecrowd at the East LosAngeles Civic CenterPlaza grand opening.

MOLINAcontinued on page 15

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On Friday, October 31, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich,then Governor Gray Davis, and Governor-Elect ArnoldSchwarzenneger (pictured) toured the Claremont LocalAssistance Center (LAC), a vital one-stop center forCounty of Los Angeles citizens impacted by the wildlandfires.

Located at 1700 Danbury Road at the Hughes CommunityCenter in Claremont, the one-stop facility will be openMondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.,Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and will be closed on Sundays. Thehotline for recovery planning is (800) 980-4990.

The County of Los Angeles is providing this vital one-stop center for our County citizens impacted by thesedevastating fires to access governmental assistanceavailable to them and receive vital information aboutthe recovery process, Supervisor Antonovich said.

To further assist affected residents, the Board ofSupervisors unanimously approved Supervisor MichaelD. Antonovichs motion:

Directing the Department of Public Works to preparea disaster prevention program addressing potentialflood conditions resulting from recent fires,

calling for a report on whether current county fireresistance codes and policies including landscapebuffers and fire-resistant construction can beexpanded to prevent future fire damage and assistfirefighting efforts,

Supervisor Antonovich Tours Countys One-StopFire Assistance Center with State and Federal Officials

Head of Homeland Security Tom Ridge (pictured withSupervisor Antonovich below) also visited the center,pledging support from President Bush and hisadministration in providing whatever help was necessaryto assist the affected communities in recovering fromthe devastating fires.

To minimize the negative impact and prevent futureloss, we must mitigate the flood danger and prepare forfuture forest fires, Supervisor Antonovich said.

Supervisor Antonovich initiated a $50,000 reward forinformation leading to the arrest and conviction of theperson(s) responsible for the wildfires in San Bernardinoand Ventura Counties which made their way into theClaremont and Chatsworth areas. Anyone withinformation regarding suspicious activity around theorigin of the fires may call We-Tip anonymously at (800)472-7766.

Furthermore, Supervisor Antonovich warns donors whowish to contribute to fire disaster relief funds to be waryof what organizations they choose.

implement re-seeding efforts ensuring a sufficientinventory of seeds on hand,

ordering the immediate stockpiling of sandbags, calling for report back to the Board on the status of

county dams and debris catch basins in hillside areas,and

approving a measure to allow the Tax-Assessor todefer and/or reduce property taxes for thosehomeowners who suffered property loss.

ANTONOVICHcontinued on page 14

To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

HOLIDAY TIPS

Each year, fires occurring during the holiday seasoninjure over 2,000 individuals and cause over $500million in damage in the United States. There are simplelife-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happyholiday. By following some of the outlinedprecautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce theirchances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.

Holiday Tree Fire HazardsSpecial fire safety precautions need to be taken whenkeeping a tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidlyfill a room with fire and deadly gases.

Selecting a Tree for the HolidayNeedles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pullback from the branches, and the needles should notbreak if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk shouldbe sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified bybouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needlesfall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probablydried out, and is a fire hazard.

Caring for Your TreeDo not place your tree close to a heat source, includinga fireplace or heat vent. Heat will dry out the tree,causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame orsparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashesnear a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early orleave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the treestand filled with water at all times. Consider using apotted tree.

Disposing of Your TreeNever put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard itpromptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is bytaking it to a recycling center or having it hauled awayby a community pickup service.

Maintain Your Holiday LightsInspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, barespots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets,and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.

Holiday Fire Prevention Tips from the Fire DepartmentUse only lighting listed by an approved testinglaboratory. If there is any question as to the integrityof your lights, replace them with a new set of lights.

Do Not Overload Electrical OutletsFollow the directions on the light sets when connectingyour lights. Connect lights to an extension cord beforeplugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure toperiodically check the wires - they should not be warmto the touch. Do not leave holiday lights on whileunattended.

Use Only Nonflammable DecorationsAll decorations should be nonflammable or flameretardant and placed away from heat vents.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in a FireplaceWrapping paper can produce dangerous sparks and achemical buildup in the homethat could cause an explosion.

Artificial Holiday TreesIf you are using a metallic orartificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Avoid Using Lit CandlesIf you do use them, make sure they are in stable holdersand place them where they cannot be easily knockeddown. Never leave the house with candles burning.

Never Put Lit Candles on a TreeDo not go near a holiday tree with an open flame candles, lighters or matches.

Keep your Kitchen Appliances CleanGrease build-up can cause a stove fire.

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarmsinstalled on every level and in every room of your home.Test smoke detectors monthly and keep them clean andequipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know whenand how to call for help. Practice your home escapeplan.

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ENRICHING LIVES...

Firestorm 2003: On the Line and Behind the Scenes

As wildfires broke out across Southern California on October21, news reports fanned out around the globe, depictingfirefighters on the line. Hot shot teams of firefighters pouredinto the region over the 13-day period to contain the largestfirestorm in California history. Nightly television news becamea blur of yellow and orange, as camera crews chased flameswhipping up canyons and barreling through neighborhoodslike a solid wall of unstoppable destruction.

It was war. Tragically, 22 people, including Novato FirefighterSteven Rucker, perished in the flames. Some were overcomewhile trying to evacuate their own neighborhoods, some diedinside their homes and some suffered heart attacks trying tograpple with the emergency. In all, 746,664 acres burned and3,681 homes were destroyed from Santa Barbara south to theMexican border. While Firefighter Rucker made the ultimatesacrifice trying to save homes in San Diegos colossal CedarFire, another 240 firefighters were injured in the region.

While all of the split-second drama was happening on the frontlines, many other members of the Los Angeles County FireDepartment were also in emergency mode behind the scenes,supporting the incident command structure. Making sure thatCounty firefighters and other agency responders providingmutual aid to the U.S. Forest Service and the CaliforniaDepartment of Forestry had the equipment and supplies neededto battle these major wildland incidents, became their primaryfocus.

With wildland firefighting,attacking the rapidly spreadingflames is a race against time. Tohelp firefighters on the groundcutting dozer lines to encase theperimeter of the fire, water-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft are used. Thesemachines become criticallyimportant whenever the firecomes too close to the urbaninterface - where homes meetthe hillside brush areas within amatter of feet or yards.

In Firestorm2003, CountyFire incidentc o m m a n d e r sused all theycould to attackthe four majorfires burning inits jurisdiction:the Simi Valley,

Piru, Verdale and Padua fires, for a total of almost 200,000acres. In addition to the two 1,300-gallon capacity Super-scooper airplanes leased each fire season, the State ofCalifornia paid for an additional two to assist. The Countysown helicopter fleet was kept in the skies over Los Angeles,thanks to the dedicated work of the Air Operations Sectionshelicopter mechanic team, headed by Chief HelicopterMechanic Mitch Gahie. Our task was to keep the aircraftup, Gahie said. We successfully made over 500 waterdrops with no major problems. Our entire operation is ateam effort, as safety and aviation go hand in hand.

Driving into the Arroyo Vista Community Park in WoodRanch just south of the 118 Freeway, the Simi Fire base,fences draped with banners from residents andschoolchildren were a visible display of gratitude. A bannerfrom second graders at WoodRanch Elementary Schoolwas layered with crayondrawings of their heroes inaction and thankful messages.One read, Thank you forbeing brave and helping usnot get burned. Anotherexpressed a grander message,Thank you for saving theSimi Valley. When I grow upI am going to be a firefighter, signed seven-year-old Natalie.

As communities begin to heal and rebuild, the Los AngelesCounty Fire Department team regroups to prepare to respondto whatever lies ahead. Whether on the line or behind thescenes, their mission remains as proud protectors.

To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

County of Los Angeles

VISION

Our purpose is to improve thequality of life in Los AngelesCounty by providing responsive,efficient and high quality publicservices that promote the self-sufficiency, well-being andprosperity of individuals,families, businesses andcommunities.

Our philosophy of teamworkand collaboration is anchored inour shared values:

responsiveness professionalism accountability compassion integrity commitment a can-do attitude respect for diversity

Our position as the premiereorganization for those working inthe public interest is establishedby:

a capability to undertakeprograms that have public value an aspiration to be recognizedthrough our achievements as themodel for civic innovation a pledge to always work toearn the public trust

Sheriff Baca Unveils Cops HaveHeroes, too -We Salute Our

Firefighters Bumper Sticker

Sheriff Lee Baca joinedFire Chief P. MichaelFreeman and LosAngeles City FireAssistant Chief JohnWare in saluting theheroic efforts of thehundreds of firefighterswho battled the worstfires to ravage the Stateof California in itsrecent history.

Sheriff Baca showed the Sheriffs Departments appreciation byunveiling a newly designed bumper sticker Cops Have Heroes, too -We Salute Our Firefighters. The bumper sticker will be placed on alldepartment vehicles as an acknowledgment to the heroic deeds of ourbrothers and sisters in the fire service. Sheriff Baca, who placed thefirst bumper sticker on his department vehicle, said, In spite of thisterrible loss, it could have been worse. Your heroic efforts preventedfurther loss. Throughout California and neighboring states, you valiantlyrose to the challenge and without regard for your personal safety, foughtthose fires.

In addition to honoring thevaliant efforts of thefirefighters, Sheriff Bacarecognized all SheriffsDepartment members fortheir tireless efforts inevacuating affected residentswhile, at the same time,making it possible for thefirefighters to access theburning areas. Many liveswere saved through deputies persuasive efforts to convince hesitant ornon-compliant residents to evacuate. Also in attendance at the eventwere several firefighters from City and County departments, as well asfield deputies from the Sheriffs Department.

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Tis the season for shopping and gifts, a time when we give generously tocharity and holiday spirit may overcome our usual caution. These tips willhelp you avoid post holiday problems and New Year budget blues.

Prepare a holiday budget and stick to it. Paying with cash can help keep youoff the, buy now, pay later road to a debt filled New Year. If you must pay bycredit card, use just one. It makes it easier to keep track of your spending.

Know a stores refund policy before you buy. Some stores offer a full refund,some offer store credit only, and some may offer no refund at all. Save all yourreceipts! Youll need them for returns or exchanges.

If an item is on sale, make sure youre charged the sale price, not more. Whenan item on sale is scanned, the regular price will be charged if the store has notchanged the price in the scanner to the sale price. Check your receipt beforeyou leave the cash register to ensure youre charged correctly.

Buying on the Internet? Make certain the Web site is secure before enteringyour personal or financial information. Keep in mind that paying by creditcard gives you certain legal protections if you dont receive what you ordered,so it may be good to use in internet buying.

A contract is a legal document. Read it very carefully and dont sign it untilyou really understand it. Ask yourself if the interest rate is reasonable and whatthe total cost of the item is when interest is included. Then ask, Can I affordit?Guard against identity theft! Do not write your address, phone number, socialsecurity or drivers license numbers on credit card receipts. Avoid givingpersonal information over the telephone or internet unless you initiated thecontact.

Gift Certificates are popular and in California, most dont expire no matterwhat the fine print says. California law has prohibited expiration dates on mostgift certificates since 1997. A gift certificate is also redeemable in cash for itscash value. Beginning January 1, 2004, nearly all service fees on retailer giftcards and gift certificates are banned.

Donating to charity? Charities and their agents can be bogus. Donate only tocharities you know are reputable. Take your time before you give anyone money.Ask for identification and written information about the organization. Be waryof phone solicitors and those who come to your door unless you know them.Do not give your credit card number to people you dont know!

Smart Holiday Shopping Tips from theDepartment of Consumer Affairs

HOLIDAY TIPS

Its as easy as one, two, tree.This year when the festivitiesend, have your Christmas treerecycled into compost, mulch,or ground cover to preserve ournatural resources and reducelandfill waste.

1. Simply remove all items likeornaments , s tand, waterc o n t a i n e r , nails, and tinsel.

2. Visit www.888CleanLA.comor call (888) CLEAN-LA,during working hours, todetermine whether yourcommunity will havedesignated drop-off sites orcurbside collection of trees(most common throughout theCounty of Los Angeles).

3. Recycle your Christmas treeduring the designated time.

ChristmasTree Recycling

Happy Holidaysfrom the

Department of Public Works!

To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

HOLIDAY TIPSY

Never feed or let pets eat chocolate or other holidayseason candies. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs andcats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and evendeath. If you see or suspect your pet of eatingchocolate, get him or her to a veterinarian right awayfor treatment.

Shiny ornaments on Christmas trees can beparticularly attractive to curious pets. Dogs and catscan suffer serious and even fatal injuries by chewingand swallowing pieces of tree ornaments. Make sureyour pets cannot reach any ornaments in your home.

Many people add special liquid preservatives to thewater in Christmas tree stands. Some of theseproducts are harmful to pets that may take a drinkfrom the water. Be sure to ask if a Christmas treepreservative is pet safe before you buy it.

Keep holiday season plants and flowers away fromyour pets. Many plants, such as Poinsettias,Christmas candles, English Holly, Christmas Berry,Christmas Rose and Mistletoe are poisonous to dogsand cats.

Gift-wrappings can also pose risks to dogs and cats.Your pets may be tempted to chew on wrappingpaper or ribbon, and these can be very harmful ifswallowed. Also, dont let your pets play in oraround trash bags used to discard holiday wrappings.

Electrical wiring can prove tempting for cats to playwith and dogs to chew on. Your pet can suffer a

Tips for Keeping Pets Safe this Holiday Season

The holiday season, a joy-filled time for many people,poses some risks for pets. Here are a few tips from theDepartment of Animal Care and Control to keep youand your pets safe during the holidays:

severe shock or even be electrocuted by coming intocontact with the electrical current in the line. Makesure your pets cannot reach or climb onto areas thatput wiring in their reach.

Turkey is a particular favorite during the holidayseason, but the bones easily splinter and should notbe given to pets. Bone splinters can puncture ananimals gastro-intestinal tract, causing seriousinternal injury, which could result in death.

Keep your pets away from alcoholic drinks. Theholiday season traditionally features a wide varietyof specialty drinks such as eggnog. These are notgood for family pets. Dont let anyone offer asample of your favorite libation to a pet.

Remember, your pets during the holiday season. Besure to pick out a new tag or other present for yourpets. It makes them feel a part of the family,including them in the festivities and gives themsomething to do while family members are openingpresents. Pet stores feature a wide variety of toysthat are specially designed for your dogs and cat.

The Department of Animal Care andControl wishes you and your pets a

safe and happy holiday season!

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the Marina del Rey Fireworks Spectacular. Thefamous fireworks can be viewed throughout theMarina, however the best locations for viewing areFishermans Village on Fiji Way, and Burton ChacePark at the west end of Mindanao Way. Parking isavailable in Los Angeles County lots throughout theMarina at $2 for the evening.

The Marina del Rey Fireworks Spectacular ispresented by Supervisor Don Knabe and theDepartment of Beaches and Harbors. All Countyemployees are invited to include the Marina del ReyFireworks as part of their New Years Eve celebration.

FIREWORKScontinued from page 2

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In February, she introduced a motion to begin taking stepstowards the County setting up its own official recordsretention and archiving program. The County is knownto be a treasure trove of historical and other information.However, despite legal requirements by the statemandating that counties should maintain archives, muchof this precious material is languishing in boxes that arestored wherever space may be found. Its so importantto have archives, Supervisor Burke said. Havingaccess to properly catalogued records will make thebusiness of governing the County much more efficient.

Supervisor Burke is also proud of new changes in theway in which property tax bills are being administered,especially for the elderly. It came about after TerrellDotson, an 85-year-old World War II veteran, had losthis Inglewood condominium because of an unpaid 1995tax installment of $546, due to a series of errors andmix-ups. Supervisor Burke joined forces with thecommunity, and then with Treasurer-Tax Collector MarkSaladino, to get Mr. Dotson back into his condo and,even more importantly, to change County procedures toidentify elderly property owners who are at risk of losingtheir homes, so that preventive measures may be taken.

The Supervisor says her continuing events for fosterchildren in her district, such as annual beach and fishingparties, are a joy as well as a provision of experience forchildren who have often never before been to parks orbeaches. The purpose of these events has always beento bring children to amenities where they have not beenbefore, and to guide them so they know how to behaveat the beach and in the park. Its very important forchildren to know that places like these exist.

In keeping with her special concerns for children,Supervisor Burke has also led the way to allocating anaverage of $25 million a year, from funding through thestate, to After School Enrichment Programs throughoutthe County, as well as in her district.

She was also instrumental in getting the County to utilizeElectronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, so that welfarerecipients may use cards, instead of food stamps, to buyfood. They also may use the cards to get cash at ATM

machines. The new program, which began in SouthCentral Los Angeles as one of the pilot areas, has helpedeliminate the stigma of using food stamps, decreasedout-of-pocket costs for welfare clients, and resulted insubstantial savings in the cost of these programs totaxpayers.

Her passion for the expansion of parklands in her districtcontinues. She has had informal discussions to furtherexpand the greenbelts along La Cienega Boulevard andLa Brea Avenue. And the first indoor pool in her district,at Jesse Owens Park, got under construction earlier thisyear, and is due to be opened in the first quarter of 2004.A new Senior Center in Ladera Heights is also beingplanned.

Supervisor Burke also introduced a motion for a high-powered tax force, headed by former U.S. SurgeonGeneral Dr. David Satcher and made up of medicaleducation and administration experts to makerecommendations to strengthen and improve teachingprograms and the delivery of health care at King-DrewMedical Center.

In mid-November, a freak storm dumped seven inchesof rain, giant hailstones and snow on the South CentralLos Angeles area in the span of a few hours, whichresulted in the flooding of hundreds of homes and theclosing of schools and clinics. Supervisor Burkedeclared a local emergency and allocated CommunityDevelopment Block Grant funds for a one-stop helpcenter. She also set up a center at the Florence-FirestoneCenter that provided nearly 9,000 people with food andsupplies.

Last, but by no means least, Supervisor Burke welcomedthe opening of Disney Hall. This is an event that wouldmake any year complete, Supervisor Burke said.Disney Hall is magnificent, and has become an instantlandmark.

BURKEcontinued from page 1

To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

Marvin J. Southard, D.S.W., thedirector of the Department of MentalHealth, was among a group ofdistinguished speakers at a specialforum on mental health heldNovember 12, at the UCLA campus.The forum was sponsored by theHarvard Interfaculty Program for

Health Systems Improvement, the Harvard School ofPublic Health, the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute,the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, and theUCLA School of Public Health.

Dr. Southard lectured on the effectiveness of integratedservices for co-occurring disorders as exemplified bythe success of the AB2034 program in general and theVillage ISA in specific. The Village ISA, an innovativemental health program contracted with the County ofLos Angeles, is located in the City of Long Beach.

The forum was moderated by Harvards KennedySchool of Government Professor David Gergen, whois a journalist and former presidential advisor. Otherspeakers at the forum included California AssemblymanDarryl Steinberg; Howard Goldman, an advisor to thePresidents Commission on mental health; and otherleading experts and scholars from UCLA and Harvard.

Catherine Bond, M.A., a member of the Board ofDirectors of the California Network of Mental HealthClients and the training coordinator for Project Return:The Next Step, a program of the Mental HealthAssociation in Los Angeles County, joined actressCarrie Fisher and two others to provide individualtestimony at the forum.

The forum, the third in a series that the Harvard Forumson Health is co-sponsoring with partners nationally onhealth issues, showcased findings from a new nationalpoll examining public attitudes toward chronic mentalhealth conditions. In addition, it presented innovativemental health programs from California and around thecountry.

Mental Health Director Panelist atHarvard UCLA Forum

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky (lectern), Chairman of theMTA Board of Directors, announced the settlement inthe crippling transit strike that stranded more than400,000 transit riders and inconvenienced hundreds ofthousands of Southland commuters for 35 days fromOctober 14-November 17. It was the third-longesttransit strike the region had seen. Joining SupervisorYaroslavsky around the lectern to announce thetentative agreement with striking mechanics, from left

to right, are fellow MTA Board members and LosAngeles City Councilmembers Antonio Villaraigosaand Martin Ludlow (behind, conferring withmechanics union president Neil Silver);Councilmember Tom LaBonge (behind SupervisorYaroslavsky); Supervisor Gloria Molina; SupervisorMichael D. Antonovich (behind Supervisor Molina);Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke; and SupervisorDon Knabe.

Lets Roll

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky(left) and MTA DeputyDirector John Catoe catch anearly bus ride down SantaMonica Boulevard in West Hollywood to welcometransit riders back on board on the morning after thesettlement of the 35-day transit strike.

Supervisor Yaroslavsky AnnouncesSettlement of the MTA Strike

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After 9/11 my best friend told methat I was a terrorist, and I was madeto feel very unwelcome at my school,by both students and teachers, saysFarah, a current member of YouthACT, and an organizer of a school-wide peace rally that helped bringMuslim and non-Muslim studentstogether.

Chavonne Taylor, an 18-year-old ElCamino College freshman, joinedYouth ACT as a high school senior

COURTHOUSEcontinued from page 3

because of its dedication to achievingresults. Youth ACT was a groupthat didnt just complain about theproblems in Los Angeles, but alsosought to change them by informingyouth of the effects of discriminationin its many forms.

For further information on the YouthACT program and its members,readers may contact the programscoordinator, Cherylynn Hoff, SeniorIntergroup Relations Specialist, atthe Commission on HumanRelations, by phone (213) 974-7629or e-mail, choff@hrc.co.la.ca.us.

YOUTHcontinued from page 3

Beware of telephone callers and Internet scam artists soliciting donations for bogus charities and promising tohelp fire disaster victims, Supervisor Antonovich said. Do not be fooled give to charities that you are familiarwith and that are in the disaster related business, such as the American Red Cross, United Way, and SalvationArmy.

Check with the Los Angeles Police Commission at (213) 485-2102 or the Attorney Generals Office CharityRegistration at (916) 445-2021 to see if a company is registered. The Department of Consumer Affairs can becontacted at (213) 974-1452 or on the Web at http://consumer-affairs.co.la.ca.us.

ANTONOVICHcontinued from page 6

It has been an 18-year birthingprocess. As with any birth there hasbeen some pain and some joy, butthe father of all this is Michael D.Antonovich, Judge Dukes said.The court is a star on the map ofthe Antelope Valley.

The court building represents theheart and soul and spirit of theAntelope Valley, SupervisorAntonovich said.

Designed to accommodate both thenorth and south portions of the

Antelope Valley, the courthouse wasbuilt at 42011 Fourth Street West,midway between Sierra Highway andthe Antelope Valley Freeway. Thebuilding adjoins Avenue M, thedividing line between the cities ofPalmdale and Lancaster in northernLos Angeles County.

Serving the Antelope Valleycommunity by adjudicating criminal,traffic, civil, and small claims cases,the courthouse has a jury assemblyroom, court clerks office, and 15completed courtrooms with a futurecapacity of 21 courtrooms. Thecourts state-of-the-art lockup facility

can accommodate up to 530detainees. The total project cost$109,000,000 and features morethan 380,000 square feet of spacewith four stories above and onebelow ground.

The facility replaced the rapidlydeteriorating, 40-year-old Lancastercourthouse, which has long sinceworn out its ability to handle thecaseload of the booming AntelopeValley population. The oldcourthouse will be converted to amodernized juvenile court in 2004.

To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

The combined port complex of Los Angeles and LongBeach is one of the largest possible targets for a terroristattack in the country. A major incident at the portcomplex could severely weaken the national economyand cripple the economy of the County of Los Angeles.

In the event of a terrorist attack, units from the LosAngeles Port Police, Port of Long Beach Harbor Patrol,Los Angeles Fire Department, Long Beach FireDepartment, and Coast Guard are likely to be the firstemergency responders on scene. In addition, civiliansmay need to both care for themselves and help othersuntil help arrives. The Department of HomelandSecurity and FEMA have recently nationalized acivilian volunteer training program known as CERT:Community Emergency Response Teams. Theprogram, originally created by the Los Angeles Fire

Supervisor Knabe Works to Create Community Emergency Response Teamsfor Better Homeland Security

Department in 1985, is designed to create a well-trained civilian emergency work force to assistemergency personnel during disaster situations.

The County of Los Angeles has recently receivedfederal funding for Community Emergency ResponseTeams as part of the nationwide Homeland Securityeffort to help communities become safer, stronger andbetter prepared for preventing and handling terrorism,crime and natural disasters. The County will receive$202,000 for CERT training and $1.4 million forEmergency Operations Planning updates.

CERT training is an integral part of our strategy toquickly and effectively respond to terrorist attacks andmajor disasters throughout the County of LosAngeles, said Supervisor Knabe, who is a WhiteHouse appointee to the State and Local Officials SeniorAdvisory Committee to the Presidents HomelandSecurity Advisory Council. The presence of welltrained Community Emergency Response Teams atstrategic targets like the Ports of Long Beach and LosAngeles will greatly enhance our ability to respond inan emergency.

The ability of a community to effectively recover fromthe devastating effects of a natural disaster or terroristattack requires the active participation, planning, andcooperation of all levels of the population. The Countyof Los Angeles is working hard to facilitate thatpreparedness and has set a goal of providing CERTtraining to 100,000 residents in high-risk areas suchas the port complex within the next 10 years.

Supervisor Knabe joins public safety officialsduring a Community Emergency Response Teamstraining exhibition.

I am glad that other businesses are recognizing ourcommunitys purchasing potential and I encourage moreproprietors to consider East Los Angeles for business

MOLINAcontinued from page 5

opportunities, East Los Angeles Chamber o fCommerce President Eddie Torres added.

Those who are interested in obtaining additional leasingspace at the East Los Angeles C ivic Center P laza shouldcontact Ron Mukai at (323) 269-1987.

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Members of the Board

Don KnabeChairman

Fourth District

Gloria MolinaFirst District

Yvonne Brathwaite BurkeSecond District

Zev YaroslavskyThird District

Michael D. AntonovichFifth District

Michael J. HenryDirector of Personnel

Sandra Wallace BlaydowOmbudsman/Community Liaison

Martina AbgaryanEditor

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New Smoking Law Goes into Effect

On January 1, 2004, a new law affecting public buildings will takeeffect. AB 846 (Vargas) was signed by former Governor Davis andamends Sections 7596-7598 of the Government Code.

The new law prohibits smoking within 20 feet of main entrances,exits, and operable windows of any building owned, leased, andoccupied by the state, county, or city, and buildings of the Universityof California (UC), California State University (CSU), and Californiacommunity colleges. The previous law (Government Code 19994.30)prohibited smoking within five feet of the doorways of buildingsowned, occupied, or leased and occupied by state governmentagencies only, excluding UC, CSU, and community colleges.

The bill was signed to further protect Californians from secondhandsmoke (SHS) exposure. SHS is estimated to cause approximately4,700 deaths each year in California, including deaths from lungcancer and heart disease. It has also been shown to be responsiblefor asthma, eye irritation, and respiratory problems in nonsmokers.

For further questions, contact the Tobacco Control and PreventionProgram at (213) 351-7341.