GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION

"An Eye for Elephants," a lecture by celebrated documentary photographer Carol Stevenson about her techniques and experiences photographing elephants and mahouts (keepers) at Thailand's elephant rescue site, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, is presented by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) on Saturday, February 26, 11:30 a.m., at the Los Angeles Zoo's Witherbee Auditorium.  

Stevenson, a British-born photographer specializing in landscape, wildlife and documentary photography, is known for her passion to document the world's fast disappearing cultures, animals and places.  Her conservation work revolves around a five-year project documenting the vanishing Asian elephant and the unique mahout community in Northern Thailand's Chiang Ra.  She seeks to capture the essence of her subjects in her documentary work through evocative color photography and a distinctive style.  

"An Eye for Elephants" is among the many events and programs presented by the private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, founded in 1963.  This year marks nearly five decades of GLAZA's success in supporting the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden's work as an educational resource for the citizens of Los Angeles, and as an international center for the conservation of endangered wildlife.  GLAZA provides funds and other services for Los Angeles Zoo exhibits, conservation, capital projects, education programs, community outreach, research, and more through fund-raising and an endowment, membership, special events and more.  GLAZA currently has 65,000 member households, the second largest membership base of a cultural organization in Los Angeles.  Many of its nearly 300,000 individual members have sustained their GLAZA support for more than 20 years. The Los Angeles Zoo is an international leader in the conservation of endangered species and one of the city's major cultural and entertainment resources.

Tickets are $8 for GLAZA members, $10 for nonmembers (plus Zoo admission, which is $14 for ages 13 and up; $11 for seniors, and $9 for ages 2-12).  Parking is free.  For reservations, call (323) 622-8114 or e-mail Docents@lazoo.org.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles' Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.  
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2/14/11

2010 GREEN CITY REPORT HAS PLENTY TO SHARE

Residents, businesses and institutions play a major role in helping Pasadena meet its sustainability goals, as outlined in the 2010 Green City Report.

For example, the city’s water use dropped by 15 percent with the help of Pasadena ’s residents, workforce and visitors.

The report has plenty more to share.   Pasadena reduced its annual peak power demand by 4.45 megawatts, or the energy consumed by about 1,112 Pasadena homes, in part thanks to Water and Power customers who took advantage of rebate programs and incentives.  More than 100 new solar installations were completed citywide in 2010, allowing the city to reach a stellar milestone: 2 megawatts of solar power capacity installed. 

Pasadena ’s Green City efforts are designed to create policies and practices that balance the social, economic and environmental needs of the present with those offuture generations.

The fourth annual report shows Pasadena ’s progress in carrying out its Green City Action Plan.  Based on the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords, the 2006 plan sets 21 specific goals in seven areas: energy, water, waste reduction, urban design, urban nature, transportation and environmental health. 

Pasadena has completed eight goals, including the use of renewable energy to meet 10 percent of the city’s peak electric load by 2012; reducing per capita solid waste disposal by 20 percent by 2012; conducting an inventory of tree canopy coverage in the city; implementing a green building rating system that applies to all new municipal buildings; advancing higher density, mixed-use, pedestrian and bike-friendly neighborhoods; and protecting critical habitat corridors and key habitat characteristics from unsuitable development.

Pasadena also crafted a 25-year water supply plan in 2010 and linked transit information to Google and 5-1-1 for easy access.

The report supplies tips and future goals, such as solar panels on the Windsor Reservoir, lockable recycling bins and drafting a city Urban Climate Action Plan to help cut greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2030.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/greencity or call (626) 744-7546.

BOARD APPROVES EXPANSION OF GRAFFITI ABATEMENT SERVICES IN COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $275,000 contract with Woods Maintenance Service to expand its graffiti removal services to include an additional 29 channels, reaches and debris basins in the west area of the County’s flood control system, announced Mayor Michael D. Antonovich.   

“To enhance the County’s zero tolerance graffiti policy, this vital graffiti abatement service will assist in curtailing gang activities, protecting our neighborhoods and improving the quality of life in our County communities,” said Antonovich. 

To report graffiti, the public is encouraged to contact the County’s graffiti removal hotline at (800) 675-HELP available 24 hours a day, seven days a week or the website: http://dpw.lacounty.gov/itd/dispatch/publicgraffiti/index.cfm?action=report

Graffiti is removed within 48 hours of notification; Monday through Friday in county rights-of-way, flood control channels, and private property in designated zero tolerance zones. 

ANTONOVICH CALLS FOR REPORT ON COUNTY GAS LINE SAFETY

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – In a motion introduced today, Mayor Michael D. Antonovich   directed the Department of Public Works to report to the Board in 45 days on the status of existing steel gas lines in Los Angeles County .  The report will include the age and number of miles of steel lines as well as the progress of replacing them with plastic pipes.  

An NBC story following the deadly gas explosion in San Bruno last September illustrated the dangers of natural gas mains made of steel which are susceptible to corrosion, leaking and whose rigidity makes it susceptible to cracking under stress.  Since 1970, leaks, fires and explosions resulting in injury and death have declined as many utilities have switched over to plastic pipes, which are less vulnerable to corrosion. 

Currently, 60% of the nation’s 475,000 large gas mains are plastic although many as those wider than 16 inches in diameter are made of steel according to the Natural Gas Supply Association.

The nation’s second largest natural gas distributor, Atmost Energy Corporation which operates in 12 states, agreed in September, 2010 to replace 100,000 steel pipelines in north Texas by late 2012.  The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates natural gas pipelines has commissioned a feasibility study to replace all 525,000 steel service lines across the state.

In Washington , the Puget Sound Energy Company replaced 9,000 older steel gas lines and in Arizona , regulators have issued a warning to the nearly 2 million customers served by the Southwest Gas Corporation that it’s the customers’ responsibility to monitor the lines and identify any potential problems before they become hazardous.

officials oppose eliminating redevelopment agencies

LOS ANGELES - Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, a vice president of the League of California Cities, will join other mayors and council members from Los Angeles County and local business, affordable housing and labor leaders at a 10 a.m. press conference Wednesday to announce their opposition to California Governor Jerry Brown's proposal to eliminate redevelopment agencies in California.
The event is at the YWCA Jobs Corps Urban Campus, 1025 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles.


Full Story:http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_17395061#ixzz1E4xNP9YF