A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E C I T Y O F S A N T A M O N I C A |
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AFTER KATRINA:
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS LESSONS
FOR ALL CALIFORNIANS
The dramatic and often heart-wrenching scenes of devastation inflicted by Hurricane Katrina on the people, environment and animals of Louisiana, Mississippi and other Gulf Coast states have captured Americans’ attention and galvanized them into charitable actions unlike any other in history. Donations of nearly one billion dollars and thousands of volunteers pouring into the region have meant the difference between life and death for many affected families and pets. The Santa Monica Red Cross has reported taking in nearly a half million dollars in recent weeks, as well as training more than 1,000 volunteers, a number of whom have been sent to the Gulf Coast states to assist in the relief effort.
But as we continue to watch this unfolding drama, every one of us should remember our own vulnerability in earthquake-prone California and take to heart the lessons that Katrina’s aftermath have made clear. Effective emergency preparedness
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FREE DISASTER ASSISTANCE
RESPONSE TRAINING (DART) In an emergency, can you:
Learn how to perform all of these vital emergency actions and many others at a free one-day session conducted by the Santa Monica Fire Department. The DART course includes hands-on training in light search and rescue techniques, shutting off utility connections, rescuer safety, extinguishing fires, and disaster first aid.
The training is open to all
adults (18 and older) who live, work or attend school
in Santa Monica.
Please call 458-2221 to enroll. |
COME BACK TO VIRGINIA AVENUE PARK
“A Place to Discover, Connect, Celebrate!”
The expansion of Virginia Avenue Park is
almost complete and, when you see it,
you’ll know it was worth the wait!
Farmers’ Market Homecoming
Saturday, November 12
Join your neighbors and friends from 8 a.m.
to 1 p.m. to welcome the Market’s return to
its beautiful new, tree-shaded home at
Virginia Avenue Park. The community is the
star of this event!
Portraits of a Neighborhood
Saturday, November 12
While you’re celebrating the return of the
Market, also stop by the new Park Center
(located just west of the Thelma Terry
Building) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Help us capture your treasured park
memories on film by sharing your
favorite recollections of the park with a special CityTV video crew who
will be on hand to record your
stories and history in the making. Bring historical and family photos
taken in Virginia Avenue Park so
they can be scanned and incorporated into a permanent record of the
park’s importance to the community
(photos will be scanned on site and returned immediately). Your memories
of the park will become a rich
background for events to follow!
Park Program Preview
November 14 - December 3
Exciting park programs will begin in January 2006. While
park staff members are moving back in and getting settled,
join them any weekday from 4 to 6 p.m.—share a cup of tea
and get a sneak preview of what’s to come.
Grand Opening Festival
Sunday, December 4
At press time, the creative team responsible for the dynamite
Santa Monica Festival is hard at work assembling a grand
opening event for Virginia Avenue Park that will knock your
socks off! During the Sunday afternoon festivities, you’ll find
an amazing display of first-class entertainment, art workshops and sports clinics, along with scrumptious food and tons of fun.
Keep your eye on www.smgov.net for the latest news on these long-awaited festivities, or call Virginia Avenue Park at (310) 458-8688 (see more about VAP on pages 3 and 6).
SUSTAINABLE CITY PLAN MARKS
11TH YEAR WITH
REPORT CARD,
NEW WEBSITE
In
September 20, the City of Santa Monica released its first Sustainable
City Report Card and launched a companion website, marking the 11th
anniversary of the Sustainable City Plan (SCP) and outlining the city’s
progress on the road to sustainability. The SCP is a comprehensive,
long-range policy for managing the city’s environmental, economic and
social future. Notable plan successes include the continued reduction of
pollutants entering our air, soil and water, an expanding parks system
and an outstanding recycling
and waste disposal infrastructure. Among the challenges, the report card
highlights the need to lower community use of energy, water and fuels,
provide more affordable
housing and increase public use of the city’s award-winning Big Blue Bus
and other sustainable modes of transit. The Sustainable City Report Card
will be issued each year to focus attention on the state of our
sustainable city. Visit www.smepd.org/scpr for up-to-the moment data for
citizens, policymakers and researchers alike, and to review
the report card in detail.
BRINGING THE SPARKLE BACK TO A FAVORITE CITY LANDMARK
The revitalization of the former Marion Davies Estate and Sand & Sea
Club at 415 Pacific Coast Highway is underway and your input is needed.
A two-day community workshop on October 1 and 2 will offer the public a
chance to learn about the site’s history, tour the property and tell us
what you think about its future use. Parking is available in Beach Lot 3
North (1150 PCH), with shuttle access to the site.
Visit 415pch.smgov.net for more information.
LEADERSHIP SERIES TAKES YOU “TO
THE POTHOLES AND BEYOND!”
Take a trip with the Leadership Series on Thursday, October 27, to the
City Yards to learn all about resurfacing streets, replacing
streetlights, removing graffiti, repairing sidewalks and maintaining the
city truck fleet, including its alternative fuel vehicles. We’ll even
have a special presentation on “Rosie's Girls,” a unique camp experience
for girls that is changing attitudes and beliefs. Presented by
Maintenance Manager Renee Cowhig and her staff. This free session will
be presented at the Yards, located at 2500 Michigan
Avenue (one block south of Olympic, just east of Cloverfield), from 7 -
9 p.m. Advance registration is requested, though not required; to enroll
in the class, register on-line at
santa-monica.org/leadership or call 458-8301 (TTY 917-6626).