Posted by Gurdip Hari on Jun 21, 2018

At the  Jun 21  meeting, Rotary members in attendance and guests heard a  presentation from Julia Brown, Community Relations Manager, Gateway Cities Region, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, (also called LA Metro.)

The Gateway Cities area is located in SE LA County, and includes Lynwood. Programs close to and impacting Lynwood were briefly explained.  LA Metro, among transportation agencies, has a unique role:  it is a operator, builder, funder and planner.  Among the projects described by Julia Brown are the following:  Next Gen bus study.  The first time in 25 years, a comprehensive study is underway to determine how the LAMetro bus network for the region should be modified.  Paid Parking.  On the Green Line, paid parking will be start in June for the Avalon/LAX Station, Crenshaw Station, Lakewood Station and Norwalk Station.  The rate will be $3.00 per 24 hours.  The primary purpose is to help ensure that parking is used only for LAMetro riders.  I-710 South Corridor Project.  This project involves interchange modifications and a truck bypass lane adjacent to the I-405 interchange with the 710 Freeway.  The Preferred Alternative, adopted by the LAMetro Board, is Alternate 5C, which will minimize the requirement for taking property adjacent to the freeway ROW.  As noted by Julia, the reconstruction of the freeway will be done by Caltrans, but the decision as to the specific changes, is within the authority of the LAMetro to decide, and LAMetro will fund the project.  Also described by Julia is the status of the West Santa Branch Transit Corridor.  This consists of a rail line from Artesia, following the old Pacific Electric route, to serve communities in SE LA County and ending in DTLA.  (A station at Gardendale in Downey, is close to Lynwood.)  The project is funded by Measure M, but one of the issues is getting it constructed in the next decade, rather than in the next 20 years.  In answer to questions from Daniel, Julia noted the Blue Line/ Green Line Station at Willowbrook, will soon be modified to improve passenger access to both lines and to improve station appearance.  Also, the Crenshaw Rail Line will open in the next two years, which line will extend south from the Crenshaw Blvd. Station on the Expo Line to serve LAX and will connect to the Green Line.  There will be shuttle bus service to LAX from the nearest Crenshaw Line station, until LAX constructs a people mover rail line, in time for the 2028 LA Olympic Games.

Before the presentation from the LA Metro representative, , there was considerable talk and focus on four visitors from LUSD. (At the Jun 14 meeting there were two FHS students, and two were LUSD staff involved in helping students organize for activities, such as Rotary Rotoact.)  At the Jun 21 meeting, there was again Kristiano  Camateros, LUSD Leader of College & Career, and three FHS students;  Leilani Celis, Susana Flores and Byran Reyes.  Bryan Reyes, FHS student,  took the lead in asking questions to Rotary members about opportunities for youth to participate in Rotary activities and programs.  For example, Byran expressed his interest in the late  August annual boat race at the El Segundo Marina, using cardboard boats built by the participating  clubs.   Joe Wang explained that he is the Rotary member that has helped construct the cardboard boats.  (The race is held in shallow water, so if the boat sinks, which occasionally happens, the participants can walk on the water and retrieve the boat.)  For developing Rotoact programs, it was noted that a resource is the very active Youthact group at Roosevelt  ES, with the very active support and adult leadership of Tila and Fernando Millan.  Also Rotary District 5280 provides conferences to train Rotoact youth in how to develop Rotoact membership and programs.

Relating to the fireworks stand, President Elect Barbara Battle, noted there will be an important coordination meeting, next Wed,, at 6pm, Jun 27, at the Patel Travel Lodge Motel meeting room.  ALL Rotary members are encouraged to attend this meeting.

 This weekly update there is a second page with more documentation of the Jun 21 Rotary meeting

Concerning the American Cancer Society Relay For Life event, Jul 21-22 in South Gate Park, Club Treasurer noted that a total of $1,100  from club members have been donated.  So that the Lynwood Rotary Club will be officially a sponsor of this annual event.

For next week’s evening meeting, that will start at 5:30 pm in Bateman Hall, Joe Wang and Barbara Battle determined the number of attendees to plan for, for the food preparation.  Also, Lucy Avalos daughter will need to be advised of the requested decorations for this special meeting.

Mention was made of the candidates to be installed (for the so-called 6pm membership group)  at the Annual Officer installation Dinner event that will start at 5:30pm at Bateman Hall on Thursday, Jun 28.  The names are:  Rowland Becerra, Joe Battle Jr., Yolandra Rodriguez, and Marisela Santana.

Also a repeat from the May 31 notes is the  opportunity for fund raising through distribution of the Snow Factory tickets.    These are sales tickets from Snow Factory, for ice cream, priced at $5.99 each. The tickets are color coded for the participating non profit organizations.  The Rotary tickets have a yellow circle on them.  The Snow Factory is located on the second floor of Plaza Mexico.  So Rotary members can walk around Plaza Mexico urging persons to take a Rotary ticket and buy the ice cream at the Snow Factory store, explaining that Rotary will get the full price of $5.99 donated to the Lynwood Rotary Club.

    Daniel Miller /  Omar Franco / Rowland Becerra – 

 Public Relations  and Community Outreach for the Lynwood Rotary Club