Eastside Events Roundup: Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council Elections, Health Fair, Arts Workshops, Block Party

Updated October 10, 1:46 p.m.

Meet the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council candidates on Thursday, Vote for Them on Saturday

With the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council elections on Saturday, people have a chance to meet the candidates from 6-8p.m. Thursday at the Puente Learning Center (501 S. Boyle Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90033)

There are 33 candidates running for  19 open seats, which include four area board positions, 14 community seats, and  one seat on  factual basis. Residents can vote from 10 a.m.-4p.m. Saturday, October 13, at the Benjamin Franklin Library (2200 E. First St.)  To read the candidates statements, click here.

Requirements to vote:

• 18 and older
• Live, work or are a stakeholder in Boyle Heights

Both citizens and non-citizens are allowed vote. Those voting simply need to declare whether they live, work or have a vested interest in the neighborhood. Voters are also required to fill out a voter registration form the day of the election.

After casting your ballot, Neighborhood Council voters can pick up a free Chavez Pollo & Burgers lunch from 11 a.m.-3p.m. at Ross Valencia Park, which is across the street from the polling place. The sticker received from voting is also the lunch ticket.

Free Community Health Fair at Hollenbeck Park

Local residents can meet with more than 60 local health agencies this Saturday, October 13, during a Free Community Health Wellness and Safety Fair at Hollenbeck Park (415 South Saint Louis St.). Organized by White Memorial Medical Center and University of Southern California, health agencies will offer screenings and doctor consultations concerning issues like cholesterol, dental, diabetes, flu shots, and osteoporosis.

At 11 a.m. there will be a zumbathon, which will be led by certified zumba instructors.

At the Los Angeles Community Development Department's demonstrations of booster seat use, the department will give out up to 60 booster seats for free to parents with children between the ages of seven and 12 years old. Parents need to bring their children to the demonstration, where they will be measured into the proper size of the seat.

If enough seats are available who haven't reached the proper age for a booster seat, parents can still get one with the condition that they only use it when the child reaches a certain age. A seats were made possible by a grant through the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Self Help Graphics Community Art Workshops in preparation for Dia de los Muertos

Self Help Graphics and Art have one of the most popular and colorful Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead festivals in Los Angeles. Since it takes weeks and months to organize, Self Help Graphics is offering free community art workshops every Saturday to help decorate and prepare the arts space for Dia de los Muertos on November 2.

From noon to 3 p.m., people can work on the following activities at the workshops:

• Flores de Papel/Paper Flower Making
• Papel Picado/Mexican Cut Paper
• Dia de los Muertos Mascara/Mask Decorating
• Paper Mache Mask
• Paper Mache Procession Calaveras and Calacas

The activities are enjoyable for all ages, and teachers will be helping people create festive images honoring the dead. Remaining dates include October 13, 20, and 27.

The organizers ask to be on time and not wear clothes that you wouldn’t want damaged. It’s arts and crafts after all. For more info on the Dia de los Muertos celebration on Nov. 2, click here.

Youth of Building Healthy Community, Boyle Heights presents: Boyle Heights Block Party

From noon to 5 p.m. October 21, Seventh Street and Euclid Avenue will be closed off for a block party that will have music, food, games and entertainment. While the details of the event are vague, we'll post updates as we get them of what to expect. For now, you can RSVP at the Facebook event page.