Help City Planners Prioritize Mobility Enhancements and Programs
Over the last few weeks, emails from staff at LA/2B (the effort to integrate Complete Streets principles and community input into the Mobility Element of the City’s General Plan) have been popping up in my inbox, encouraging me to participate in prioritizing the programs proposed for the Mobility Element's Action Plan in their online town hall.
August 16, 2013
USC’s Planned Expansion in Boyle Heights: When Planning Objectives and Community Perceptions Collide
Taking a deep breath as he looked out over the crowd that had gathered in the gymnasium of Hazard Park to discuss USC's planned expansion on its Health Sciences Campus, the lanky and earnest youth with the air filtration mask dangling from his belt made an appeal to the hearts of the USC representatives.
August 14, 2013
“You Don’t Belong Here:” Sheriffs Profile Reporter
"Hi," said a terse voice to my left.
August 12, 2013
“Invest in Us!” say South L.A. Youth in Response to Questions about How to Curb Violence at Town Hall with Garcetti
When asked by his group's facilitator whether he believed the youth in South L.A. had opportunities -- opportunities to grow, succeed, try new things, advance their education, you name it -- one young man said he was convinced that the answer was a resounding "no."
August 7, 2013
Support the United Riders of South L.A. as They Ride in Gardena this Weekend (UPDATED)
If you've followed this blog at all recently, you're probably familiar with the disturbing video showing some of our favorite South L.A. superheroes -- the East Side Riders and Los Ryderz -- getting pulled over, frisked, and handed bogus tickets while on a memorial bike ride for Benjamin Torres.
August 6, 2013
ELACC Holds Design Charrette for 1st and Soto Affordable Housing Site
How about a funeral parlor? deadpanned the older gentleman to my right in Spanish. You shouldn't have to go so far to die.
August 2, 2013
Got Justice?: Observations on a Food Justice Youth Summit and Food as a Means to Youth and Community Empowerment
When speaking with a major non-profit about their decision to put gardens in South Los Angeles, Garrett Broad says he was struck by their declaration that, after running the data, "it just so happen[ed]" that the highest incidences of heart disease, diabetes, and other health risk factors were found there.
July 31, 2013
Art, Food Justice, and Bike Rides Make South L.A. the Place to be this Weekend
One of the really fun things about tracking South L.A. as intimately as I have over the past couple of years is seeing how the area is transforming itself, both as a site of innovation in community organizing and as a destination for arts and fun. This weekend's events offer a perfect example of what I mean.
July 25, 2013
City Recommends General Contractor for Sixth Street Viaduct Replacement
I'm not sure I'm ready to let the 6th Street Bridge go just yet, but it seems I have little choice.
July 23, 2013
It’s Coming: the Organizing Committee Meets to Finalize Plans for August Clitoral Mass
Several months ago, I sat down with Sean Deyoe, one of the masterminds behind the Passage Ride. He had asked about setting up a bike ride through South L.A. and if I would think about an interesting and informative route through the area.
July 19, 2013