City Manager’s Office
Restore Mural –– You can be a part of restoring Culver City’s Rivers of the World mural, which has sustained graffiti damage, vandalism, and suffered various states of disrepair. The planned renovation – Thursday through Monday — will return the mural to a protected, and near-original state. Those interested can meet at the Bicycle Ramp of the Ballona Creek at the Duquesne Avenue gate. Brushes, paint and guidance will be provided. Volunteers need to be of high school age or older. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/124480450908112/. To register as a volunteer, see http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a49afaa2fa6f94-save.
Fire Dept.
Training – The department recently took delivery of, and underwent training for, two sets of light rail emergency response equipment. The funds to purchase the Paratech Hydrafusion Strut Kits were acquired by the Transportation Dept. through the California Transit Security Grant Program. The primary designated use for the equipment is for lifting and stabilizing trains and large transit vehicles to extricate trapped victims during major accidents, incidents or disasters. The struts are readily useful for lifting passenger vehicles after rollover incidents, securing garage doors during residential structure fires, and emergency shoring operations for small sections of a building after a fire or an earthquake.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept.
Historic Occasion – On Wednesday evening at 7, Albert Vera Jr. will tell the story of his father, Albert Vera, the founder of the Sorrento Market, at a meeting of the Culver City Historical Society in the Multipurpose Room at the Vets Auditorium. Information is available at info@culvercityhistoricalsociety.org and by visiting http://www.culvercityhistoricalsociety.org/.
Performing Arts Grant – Culver City’s Vox Femina Los Angeles presents a free choral concert at Culver City Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 26. http://voxfemina.org/.
Health & Wellness Program – A new program through Jewish Family Services helps at-risk older adults, ages 65 and older, continue living independently and aging in place by matching them with a volunteer Health and Wellness coach. The coaches will provide companion services and social activities, dedicating a couple of hours a week meeting with their matched senior(s) at the senior’s home or out in the community. Volunteer coaches receive training prior to starting, as well as ongoing monthly support once matched. They help connect their matched senior to necessary community resources while promoting socialization and diminishing social isolation. Volunteers in the Senior Health and Wellness Program are similar in age to their matched senior – 55 and older. They are asked to make an ongoing weekly commitment. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for this program, may contact Jill Thomsen at 310.253.6722 or at jill.thomsen@culvercity.org.
In-School Mentoring – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles has started its first program in the Culver City Unified School District. They are recruiting kind, dependable Bigs for the upcoming school year. This program takes place during the lunch hour, between 11:45 and 1, depending on class schedules, at La Ballona Elementary on Washington Boulevard. Mentors will meet with their Littles one day a week, usually Tuesday or Wednesday, for an hour during the school year. This can make a huge impact on a young person’s life. If interested, contact Jill Thomsen at 310.253.6722 or jill.thomsen@culvercity.org.
De-Cluttering Workshop – The Senior Center will present a de-cluttering workshop on Thursday, April 23, at 1 o’clock. Participants will learn a simple de-cluttering system to help in getting started and two key elements in staying motivated. Like all of the education programs at the Senior Center, this is open to the public ages 50 and older.
Spring Follies – The Spring Follies, an annual Senior Center talent show, will be held on Tuesday, April 28, at 1o’clock. This variety show will feature the Center’s own talented members, and it is organized by Tony Munoz & Friends. Entry is a $1 suggested donation.
Police Dept.
Employees Recognized – Lt. Aubrey Kellum, Det. Ryan Thompson, Dianne Gifford and three Explorers, Miranda Myers, Jonathan Loughlin, and Yishah Everett, were honored by the Rotary and Exchange clubs in April 1 for their service to the community.
Lt. Sims Graduates — Lt. Jason Sims graduated from the Los Angeles Police Dept.’s Leadership Program this month after completing the 136-hour program. Based on West Point Military Academy courses, leadership theories are taught to all o students.
Assembly Member Visits – State Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Culver City/Crenshaw District) met with Chief Bixby and the Command Staff recently to discuss issues facing the city and the state. Mr. Ridley-Thomas learned about the department’s goals, measures of effectiveness and of the positive community outreach the department has in place to make the citizens safer.
Public Works Dept.
Rain Gardens Completed – The department completed a multi-faceted project for improved water quality in Ballona Creek. Part of the project, funded by a Prop. 50 grant, included the construction of rain gardens at four locations:
- Ballona Creek near the Culver City Middle School
- Baldwin Avenue north of Farragut Drive
- Public Works Maintenance Facility
- City Solid Waste Transfer Station
Purpose of the rain gardens is to infiltrate urban runoff and to reduce pollutants loading to the creek and the ocean. The primary pollutants of concern in Ballona Creek are metals and bacteria. The table below provides an estimate of the pollutant removal capacity of the rain gardens. The department estimates that on an annual basis, 10 pounds of metals and 5.4 trillion bacteria organisms are diverted from the creek and the ocean by the rain gardens.
Recently the last effort on the project was completed. Interpretive signage was placed at three of the four locations, explaining the rain gardens.
Grant Writing Assistance – The department was successful in securing no cost grant writing assistance from LA n Sync. The grant writing assistance will be used to compile a grant application for Safe Routes to School safety improvements surrounding La Ballona Elementary. The application will be submitted on June 1 for consideration of funding from the Active Transportation Project Grant.
Construction Updates
Golden State water will slurry seal Revere Place and Le Bourget Avenue between Braddock Drive and Culver Boulevard. The streets are closed this week between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to complete the work..
Southern California Edison will be intermittently closing traffic lanes on Jefferson Boulevard, south of Pearson Street, this week and next to access their utility vault in front of the business park at 10131 Jefferson Blvd.
Transportation Dept.
Rally for Transportation Funding – The city of Long Beach last Thursday hosted the national “Stand Up 4 Transportation” campaign, supported by the American Public Transportation Assn., and National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates. Campaign supporters are demanding Congress pass a long-term federal transportation funding bill. At Thursday’s event, officials emphasized their concern that without a long-term funding plan in place, local governments that cannot afford to undertake major infrastructure projects on their own will not be able to take action on worthwhile projects. Vice Mayor Mehaul O’Leary attended the event, and Transportation Director Art Ida addressed the attendees.
Mr. Nachbar, the City Manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org