Happy New Year from the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council

January 1, 2022 UPDATES FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL View as Webpage

Upcoming NWSPNC Zoom Meetings

Monday, January 3, 2022 @ 6:00PM - NWSPNC Executive Committee Meeting - Details Tuesday, January 4, 2022 @ 6:00PM - NWSPNC Special Planning & Land Use Committee Meeting. - Details Wednesday, January 5, 2022 @ 5:30PM - NWSPNC Budget & Finance Committee Meeting - Details

Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council Board Seat Vacancy - Deadline to Apply - February 7, 2022

A Year of Resilience - A Message from the City Controller's Office

Dear Friend: Over the past year, we’ve faced steep challenges and learned important lessons: the power of community, changes to our lives and work, and adapting to our new normal — as a nation, as a City, as neighborhoods and as individuals. The challenge is to take these lessons and turn them into opportunities to improve everything around us. My office worked hard to do that in 2021 and I know all of you did too. Being more than 20 months into this pandemic, you'd think it would get easier — but I know that it is still tough and hurdles to our collective recovery remain. However, through it all, I’ve seen so much good and have managed to find many things to be grateful for. Among them are my loved ones and friends, and, of course, the opportunity to serve the City I love. This year was one of the most productive years the Controller’s Office has ever had, and this would not have been possible without the critical and essential work of the all-stars who make up the Controller's Office staff. My staff produced exceptionally high-quality work throughout 2021 — and did so with bravery, professionalism, grit and kindness. Most employees continued to work remotely, while some came into the office to complete important functions at City Hall. READ MORE

First Thursday Art Walk

Please plan to join us for the first 1st Thursday ArtWalk on January 6th, 2022, from 6-9pm. Come out and see some art to begin 2022.   Organizers are curating food truck placement on the ArtWalk perimeters, but there will not be a Guided Tour until February 3rd at 5:30pm gathering in Sirens, 402 West 7th Street.   Galleries are welcoming guests, and masks will be required for all indoor locations.

Zoom Event

You are Invited... Register today for South Coast AQMD's 9th Annual Day of Service to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s everlasting message of nonviolence, communication, and, most of all, equal rights. This inspirational event features distinguished speakers, live music and a call to action for healthy communities and clean air for all to breathe.  Jan 15, 2022 11:30 AM Register here

Port of Los Angeles Plans Fees for Empty Containers

Starting Jan. 30, Ocean Carriers Would Be Charged for Empty Containers Lingering on Docks 9 Days or Longer

The Port of Los Angeles plans to begin charging a fee to ocean carriers that allow empty containers to linger on the Port’s marine terminals for nine days or longer. The fee, subject to approval by the Los Angeles Harbor Commission, would take effect on Jan. 30, 2022.   Under the policy, starting Jan. 30 ocean carriers will be charged $100 for an empty container dwelling for nine days, increasing in $100 increments per container per day until the container leaves the terminal. If approved by the Harbor Commission, implementation of the fee will be at the discretion of the Executive Director. READ MORE

Metro Fare Collection Resumes Jan 2022

To keep riders and our employees safe, we suspended front door boarding on our buses in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also relaxed our rules requiring riders to use the farebox and TAP validator. With vaccinations well underway and mask wearing required on our system, we will resume front door boarding only and restart fare collection January 10, 2022. READ MORE

LA Animal Services Shares Tips to Keep Pets Safe During Cold Weather

Cold weather, just like hot weather, can pose serious threats to your pets' health. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe during wintry weather: Winter wellness: Cold weather may worsen some medical conditions such as arthritis. Your pet should be examined by a veterinarian at least once a year, and it's as good a time as any to get them checked out to make sure they are ready and as healthy as possible for cold weather. It's sweater weather: If your dog has a short coat or seems bothered by the cold weather, consider a sweater or dog coat. Use a dry sweater or coat each time your dog goes outside. Wet sweaters or coats can actually make your dog colder. Check paws and wipe down pets: After walks in rainy weather, paws, legs, and bellies may pick up harmful chemicals that could be toxic if pet's lick them off of their feet or fur. Dog booties are a good option during wet and cold weather; ensure booties are fitting properly. Stay inside. If it’s possible to keep your pets indoors, cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold and freezing weather. If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet. Make some noise: A warm vehicle engine can be an appealing but deadly heat source for outdoor and free-roaming cats. Before starting the engine, check underneath your car, bang on the hood, and honk the horn to encourage feline hitchhikers to leave their hiding spot under the hood. Never leave a pet alone in a car during cold weather: A car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death. Always check to make sure that dogs are welcome where you are going, otherwise leave them at home. Wear a collar and check the chip: Make sure your pet is wearing a well-fitting collar with a current LA City dog license and ID tag, and that your furry friend is microchipped with your up-to-date contact information, which can help reunite you with your lost pet should you become separated. For more information about LA Animal Services, and how to keep your pets safe, visit: laanimalservices.com.

Returning Holiday Gifts? Know Your Consumer Rights

Need to return some holiday gifts this year? Make sure you know your rights as a consumer.  Read our article and watch our video to learn about refund policies.

Commission Delivers Maps to Secretary of State

On December 27, 2021, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission delivered California’s Congressional, State Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization maps to the California Secretary of State. The Commission drew 4 Board of Equalization districts, 52 Congressional districts, 40 Senatorial districts, and 80 Assembly districts. The Commission concluded its work with a press conference to provide final remarks.  https://www.facebook.com/WeDrawtheLinesCA/videos/1025976441284444 View Photos here In Response members of the Commission and Secretary of State Issued the following Statements: "I want to thank the Redistricting Commissioners for their hard work under challenging circumstances. We will now send these maps to the Legislature and to all 58 counties for implementation," stated California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. "Composed of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four unaffiliated Californians, representing a variety of personal and professional backgrounds and different parts of the state, we come together to serve all of California in this important effort that only takes place every ten years. We drew district maps in an open and transparent manner that did more than merely allow public input—we actively sought and encouraged broad public participation in the process through a massive education and outreach program, afforded to us by the delay in receiving the census data," stated Commission Chair Isra Ahmad. "We had a larger goal beyond independent redistricting. It was the goal we vowed to keep, a goal of supporting and defending the U.S. and California Constitutions, which is to say supporting and defending democracy itself. We unanimously redistricted the most populous, most geographically and demographically complicated state in the nation and we left politics out of the equation. The California Constitution clearly spells out our line drawing criteria, and forbids us from taking into account an incumbent’s place of residence when drawing the lines," stated Commission Vice Chair Russell Yee. "For me it has been an extreme honor to serve on this 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission in the task of drawing new district lines. We came from different backgrounds and different experiences, but we came with the same desire and determination to serve California by drawing fair and equitable maps. We know that in order to please and honor the desires of some, we've disappointed others, and for me that's been heartbreaking. We are imperfect people, trying to draw, for you, perfect lines for perfect districts. Nevertheless, with our required and given criteria, I am proud of the ultimate product that we've created," stated Commissioner Pastor Trena Turner. "Serving on the commission has allowed us to work to expand the circle of opportunity for more and more people across California. Our communities are changing faster than ever. We all worked to ensure that all communities had fair, just and equitable representation. And we did so in a transparent manner, while working hard to engage all communities, especially voices who have been historically excluded. Representation matters, and representation is only truly possible in all communities actively engaged," stated Commissioner Pedro Toledo. Every 10 years, after the federal government publishes updated census information, California must redraw the boundaries of its electoral districts so that the state’s population is evenly allocated among the new districts. In 2008, California voters passed the Voters First Act, authorizing the creation of the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission to draw new State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization district lines. In 2010, the Voters First Act for Congress gave the Commission the responsibility of drawing new Congressional districts following every census. For more information, please visit www.WeDrawTheLinesCA.org.

Shop Local

Continue to support local San Pedro businesses!

Reputable Sources for Covid-19 Updates

For the latest information on Covid-19 from reputable sources, consider these links: City Controller's Covid-19 Resources Hub Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 in Los Angeles CDC Los Angeles County Public Health California Department of Public Health CA State: COVID-19 City of Los Angeles: COVID-19  Free Mental Health Services Resources for Immigrants Help for Victims of Domestic Violence

Help the City Help Our Neighborhood

Use the MyLA311 app to report potholes, graffiti and street light problems!  City information and services are just a few taps away. Use the app to quickly and easily request the City's most popular services, including graffiti removal, pothole repair, and bulky-item pickup. Other features include access to the City Services knowledge base, map of nearby City facilities, City Social Media feeds, and more. https://www.lacity.org/myla311

This is a friendly reminder that if you are reporting a crime or need police response to please call 9-1-1 for emergencies and 1-877-275-5273 for non-emergencies. LAPD social media accounts are not regularly monitored & should not be used to report public safety issues.

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