Fire Dept.
Spark of Love Toy Drive – The department collected and distributed 500 toys for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. All toys and sporting equipment collected went to underserved children and teens.
Evaluations – The department recently completed its 2015 company and platoon evaluations, demonstrating a commitment to training. The 12-company (a crew of three to five) personnel evaluations required firefighters to perform a variety of timed tasks, such as donning personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus, practicing portable radio operations, executing technical rescue operations, practicing large object stabilization and lift procedures. The three-platoon (a platoon is an entire shift of 18) evaluations simulated a swift water rescue incident in the La Ballona flood control channel.
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Dept.
Crochet Group – The dedicated Wednesday Crochet Group at the Senior Center donated 100 handmade items to Para Los Niños during the holiday season. Scarves, blankets, sweaters, booties, hats, and more were delivered to the families at Para Los Niños. Para Los Niños offers quality education, integrated with family support, mental health services and community engagement opportunities to thousands of children in at-risk neighborhoods.
After School Recreation – The Culver City After School Recreation Program students returned to school two days ago following the holiday break.
Dr. King Day – The 11th Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, will be Saturday, Jan. 16, from 11 to 4 at the Senior Center. Headlining will be a community service fair, a live performance by Gerald C. Rivers as Dr. King, a live dramatic performance by Darryl Reed and Windy Barnes Farrell as Dr. King and his wife, a youth conversation with Teen Center members and a panel discussion with Robert Farrell, a Freedom Rider and former Los Angeles City Councilman. The movie Dare Not Walk Alone will be screened at 2:30.
Police Dept.
Grand Opening – City Councilman Jim B. Clarke, Lt. Bill Browne, Lt. Aubrey Kellum, Officer Jason Martin, and Clinician Dan Richardson attended the grand opening for the newly located Exodus Recovery, LLC Westside Mental Health Urgent Care facility,11444 W. Washington Blvd. Open 24 hours, seven days a week, Exodus Recovery assists law enforcement and provides services to individuals experiencing mental health crises.
County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, County Dept. of Mental Health interim Director Robin Kay, and acting Deputy Director Irma Castaneda also participated in the opening ceremony.
Public Works Dept.
Audio-Video System – The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Dept. has received County approval of its application to secure $199,000 in excess Prop. A Maintenance and Servicing Funds. The funds will be used to replace the Senior Center’s audio/video equipment.
Pavement Project Completed – The project to repave Centinela Avenue from Green Valley Circle to Bristol Parkway is complete. The contractor has completed the pavement resurfacing and the new traffic striping, with the inclusion of new bike lane in both directions.
Construction Updates:
On Monday, Southern California Gas Co. has begun the installation of a new gas main and property service mains on Sherbourne Drive. Installation work will be between Washington Boulevard south to the end of the cul-de-sac (two blocks). The work will take eight weeks. For information, call Jose Ariyeta, the gas company’s contact, at 323.730.2948.
Mr. Nachbar, the city manager, may be contacted at john.nachbar@culvercity.org
