ANIMAL ISSUES MOVEMENT 9 420 N. BONNIE BRAE STREET CA 90026 (213) 413-2367 I 1-- \ b eo [email protected]

October 14, 2011

Councilman Herb Wesson, Jr. Councilman Bernard Parks Eighth Council District Tenth Council District Ci1y of Los Angeles Ci1y of Los Angeles 200 N. Spring Street 200 N. Spring Street Los Angeles CA 90012 Los Angeles CA 90012

Honorable Councilmen:

RE: RENAMING TWO (2) SOUTH LA ANIMAL SHELTERS (CF 11-1680)

The above motion suggests that the existing ci1y animal shelter on 11th Ave, would be named "South LA Shelter" and, the new animal shelter at 60'h Street would be named "South L.A. Shelter- West."

In discussions with people in the communi1y and animal organizations, there is great concern that this will lead to confusion and will make it more difficult for people to find lost pets, because of the similari1y in the names. Also, for much of the population that will be served, English is a second language and nuances of Southwest vs. South LA may not be easily discernible.

We suggest that you consider naming the existing ll'h Ave. shelter "Los Angeles Mid-City Animal Care & Adoption Center" AND name the new shelter "Los Angeles Southwest Animal Care & Adoption Center.''

Although the official ci1y-designated Mid-Ci1y ends at Jefferson, the purpose would not be to indicate the shelter is within that boundary, but that it serves the entire Mid-Ci1y area.

The Los Angeles central district is moving farther south and west than in the earlier history of this ci1y. With the existing and proposed development around the Staples Center, the former "South LA" area will soon actually be in the middle of the revitalization of Los Angeles. The animal shelter and the employees and patrons deserve to be part of this.

We believe this would develop a NEW IMAGE for the SLA animal shelters and bring renewed interest in adoptions to the communities surrounding them and also those who live in other communities to come to the shelters in .

I hope you will consider this very "friendly amendment!"

Sincerely,

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Deputy: ~· Mid-City, Los Angeles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Page 1 of4

Mid-.City, Los Angeles From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mid-City is a district in Los Angeles, . It is 2.5 miles south of Hollywood and 3.5 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. The Lafayette Square, Victoria Park, Wellington Square, and Vineyard neighborhoods are part of the district.

·Contents

• 1 Geography and history • 2 Demographics • 3 Transportation - past, present and future • 4 Landmarks and attractions • 5 Public libraries • 6 Schools • 7 Notable residents • 8 Music references • 9 References

Geography and history The Holmes-Shannon House in Victoria Park was built in 1911. Mid-City's boundaries are roughly Hoover Ave. on the east, Pico Boulevard on the north, Fairfax Avenue on the west, and the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) on the south. Picfair Village is to the northwest, Wilshire Park is to the northeast, Arlington Heights is to the east, Jefferson Park is to the southeast, and Crenshaw and Baldwin Hills are to the south. Major thoroughfares within the district include Washington Boulevard, Pico Boulevard, Redondo, and Hauser Boulevards and Fairfax and La Brea Avenues. Most of Mid-City lies within ZIP code 90019 and 90016.

Ballona Creek rises in the hilly Vineyard neighborhood. Demographics

Mid-City is a very ethnically diverse neighborhood, with an uncommonly wide range of incomes represented within the district. Lafayette Square, in particular, is one of the wealthiest majority-black neighborhoods in Los Angeles; famed architect Paul Williams called it home. The demographics of mid-city (zip code 90019) are: 28.27% of people are black, 26.70% are white, 12.22% are Asian, 0.96% are native American, and 32.15% claim Typical apartment 'Other'. 47.94% of the people claim Hispanic ethnicity (meaning 52.06% building identity as non-Hispanic). Transportation - past, present and future

As part of their long-range plans, the Los Angeles County MTA has proposed the Metro Crenshaw Line, http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki:/Mid-City ,_Los_Angeles 10/13/2011 Mid-City, Los Angeles- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Page2of4

which would place a rail transit stop in Mid-City. The proposed rail stop is at the intersection of Pico and San Vicente Boulevards -- site of the old Vineyard Junction. That same intersection was a former rail stop of the Pacific Electric Red Car lines more than 50 years ago.

The Pacific Electric Red Car lines heading west from downtown Los Angeles diverged at Vineyard Junction. One line continued on to Beverly Hills, while the other went out to Venice Beach. The old Vineyard Junction site is now occupied by the end terminal for the Crenshaw Corridor and regional setting. dashed lines represent possible Santa Monica Big Blue Bus. extensions or aligmnents The Crenshaw Light Rail Line would allow Mid-City residents to easy access to the city's east/west rail lines: the Purple Line along Wilshire Boulevard, the Expo Line from Downtown Los Angeles to Culver City, and the Green Line from Norwalk to Redondo Beach.

Currently, the Mid-City aligmnent is unfunded, and part of the Crenshaw Corridor's "Northern Feasibility Study". Landmarks and attractions

• Atomic Cafe- Located at 5001 Washington Boulevard, this eye-catching restaurant has quickly become a neighborhood landmarkPl

• The Comedy Union -A-Comedy Club that has been called "LA's premier showcase for Black commedians". 121

• The GAM Arts Center - A striking tri-level silver building with red trim, the GAM Arts Center is located at 4975 W. Pico Boulevard. The GAM Arts Center is a rehearsal hall and studio space for film and video production.13l Oki's Dog on Pico Blvd. • Jewel's Catch One- Opened in 1972 on Pico Boulevard, a few blocks east of Crenshaw Boulevard, it was the nation's first black gay and lesbian disco. Madonna held a CD release party here.14l http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-City ,_Los_Angeles 10/13/2011 Mid-City, Los Angeles- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Page 3 of4

" Midtown Crossing - A new Shopping Center featuring a Target and a Lowe's Home Improvement store, this development is currently under construction.£ 51

., Nate Holden Performing Arts Center- Named after city councilman Nate Holden, the facility is located on Washington Boulevard. It is the home of the Ebony Repertory Theater Company.l6l

a Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles - A local chain of Roscoe's on Pico Blvd. restaurants with outlets in Hollywood and Mid-City.

., Oki's Dog- A landmark hotdog shack. People debate which is better: the Mid-City location or the West Hollywood location.[?]

., United States Post Offlce, Ray Charles Station - This post office was to dedicated to Ray Charles on August 24, 2005. It is across the street from the above mentioned Atomic Cafe.£81 Public libraries

The neighborhood is served by the Los Angeles Public Library system. There are two branches that serve Mid-City.

" Memorial - located on Olympic Boulevard opposite Los Angeles High School. ., Washington Irving- located on Washington Boulevard just east of Crenshaw Boulevard. Schools

a Alta Lorna Elementary " Arlington Heights Elementary ., Cienega Elementary School " Marvin Avenue Elementary .. Queen Anne Elementary " Saturn Street Elementary " Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Middle School (formerly Mqunt Vernon Middle School) " Los Angeles High School Notable residents

" Harold Harby, member, 1939-42, 1943-57 Music references

In the song "Los Angeles Daze" by People Under the Stairs Thes One makes reference saying "Thes born in South America Moved to South Bay, Run with crew from Mid-City, That's where I stay ... ".

People Under the Stairs also had a song entitled "Mid-City Fiesta" from The Next Step album. http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki!Mid-City ,_Los_Angeles 10/13/2011 Mid-City, Los Angeles- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Page4of4

MURS is from Mid City and makes many references in many of his songs.

Ray Charles was a longtime resident of nearby Baldwin Hills and had his recording studio headquartered on Washington Boulevard near Western Avenue. The building was designated a national historic landmark in 2004 and remains to this day .£91 References

1. " http:/lwww.yelp.com/biz/atomic-cafe-los-angeles-2 2. "http:/lwww.thecomedyunion.com/news/LA-maglpage2.html 3. " http://www.gamonline.com/rehearsal/index.php 4. "http://www.jewelscatchone.com/about_us.html 5. " http://la.curbed.com/tags/midtown-crossing 6. " http:/lwww.ebonyrep.org/index.html 7. "http:/lwww.losanjealous.com/2006/02/28/oki-dog-fairfax-vs-okis-dog-pico-the-chart-that-no-one-wants-to­ see/ 8. " http:/lwww .losanjealous.com/2005/07/28/ray-charles-commemorated-in-post-office-form/ 9. " http:/lwww.boheme-magazine.net/php/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=258 Retrieved from "http://en. wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mid-City,_Los_ Angeles&oldid=449361414" Categories: Neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California ' Los Angeles Historic Preservation Overlay Zones ' Populated places in the United States with Hispanic plurality populations

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http://en. wikipedia.org/wiki!Mid-City ,_Los_Angeles 10/13/2011