Patt Morrison for Wednesday, March 30, 2011

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 

1:06 – 1:39

OPEN

 

 

1:41 – 1:58:30

City council approves downtown sign district

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a 10 floor-high flashing LED advertisement! The city council yesterday approved the first digital signage in the city since the 9^th Circuit Court upheld the city’s ban on new billboards last year. The tops of the 45-story Wilshire Grand Hotel and its accompanying 65-story office tower will flash advertisements for the buildings’ owner and major tenants, while the middle sections will display noncommercial images like flora and fauna. Councilman Ed Reyes said he believes the “architectural lighting” is “art” that “adds more culture” to Los Angeles. Lone dissenter Councilman Bill Rosendahl said the city should at least have found a way to make a profit off the new digital advertising, none of which will be going to city coffers. Other proponents said it would create roughly 7,300 construction jobs, while opponents say the flashing signs distract motorists and are a blight on the city.

 

Guests:

NOT CONFIRMED

Bill Rosendahl, City Councilman, 11^th district and the lone dissenting vote in yesterday’s council meeting

CALL HIM:

 

Jan Perry, City Councilwoman, 9^th district and a 2013 mayoral candidate who enthusiastically backed the Wilshire Grand complex

CALL HER @

 

 

 

2:06 – 2:58:30

Take a walk through Boyle Heights and see the problems & the promise of L.A.

Walk through the neighborhood of Boyle Heights, just east of downtown Los Angeles, and you see the history of the city unfold before your eyes. From the Boyle Hotel built in 1889 to historic synagogues and Mariachi Plaza. The cultural, religious and ethnic melting pot that is Los Angeles starts in Boyle Heights and emanates outward.  The challenges facing the residents of Boyle Heights are familiar: access to affordable housing and high-quality health care, but some are unique.  Boyle Heights has a disproportionate share of public housing developments, some of which were at one time the largest west of the Mississippi.  The conversion of those units to private ownership threatens the low-income residents who inhabit the decades-old buildings adorned with vibrant murals. Boyle Heights is faced with mitigating the environmental health impacts of its surroundings—freeways and rail lines that run next to children’s playgrounds, housing and schools and diminishing the influence of gangs and helping to heal the psychological wounds of violence.  But the promise of Boyle Heights is unmistakable and hopes are high as crime is down, education reform comes into focus, middle class families work to gain prominence and economic and cultural development begins to blossom.  Join us as we take a walk through Boyle Heights and take in the past, present and future.

 

Guests:

Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles

 

Maria Cabildo, president and co-founder of the East L.A. Community Corporation

 

Jose Huizar, L.A. City Councilman representing the 14^th District, including Boyle Heights

 

Father Gregory Boyle, founder & executive director of Homeboy Industries & pastor of Dolores Mission in Boyle Heights

 

George Sarabia, former gang member and current gang interventionist for Legacy LA

 

Lou Calanche, executive director of Legacy L.A

 

David Kipen, owner of Libros Schmibros bookstore & lending library in Boyle Heights

 

Dr. Astrid Heger, pediatrician and executive director of the Violence Intervention Program in East LA

 

Josefina Lopez, artistic director or Casa 0101, theater and art space in Boyle Heights

 

Sanford Riggs, housing services director for the Housing Authority for the City of Los Angeles (HACLA)

 

 

 

Jonathan Serviss
Senior Producer, Patt Morrison
Southern California Public Radio
NPR Affiliate for Los Angeles
89.3 KPCC-FM | 89.1 KUOR-FM | 90.3 KPCV-FM
626.583.5171, office
415.497.2131, mobile
jserviss@kpcc.org / jserviss@scpr.org
www.scpr.org