Tax Help Available For Those Facing Financial Hardship by State of CA Franchise Tax Board

Sacramento –4-3-2013, With the April 15 tax deadline looming, the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today advised taxpayers who face financial hardship to contact FTB for assistance. FTB has many options to help taxpayers handle their tax bills.

FTB assists those with financial hardships by establishing payment plans and sometimes delaying collection activities. The number of taxpayers seeking relief through payment plans has remained the same as last year but has increased by 126 percent over the last five years.

File Your Tax Return 
First and foremost, taxpayers should file their state tax return on time and pay what they can. This can reduce the penalties and interest down the road. FTB will send a Statement of Tax Due when a tax return is submitted without full payment. Once taxpayers receive that statement, they can begin to look at other assistance from FTB.

Payment Plans
FTB generally approves monthly payment plan requests if the balance owed is less than $25,000 and can be paid within 60 months. Liens are not typically filed on taxpayers paying their state tax through payment plans. Taxpayers can request payment plans online atftb.ca.gov by selecting “installment arrangement” under Online Services or by calling our automated phone line at 800.689.4776. Service is available in both English and Spanish.

Offer in Compromise
The Offer in Compromise (OIC) Program is for taxpayers who do not have, and will not have in the foreseeable future, the income, assets, or means to pay their tax liability. An OIC is an agreement between a taxpayer and FTB that settles the taxpayer’s tax liabilities for less than the full amount owed. FTB looks at the taxpayer;s income and assets to make a determination regarding the taxpayer’s ability to pay. Absent special circumstances, FTB will not accept an offer if FTB believes the liability can be paid in full as a lump sum or through an installment agreement. For more information go to ftb.ca.gov and search for “Offer in Compromise.”

Help with State Tax Liens
If you have a state tax lien and are trying to sell or refinance your home, FTB can help. State tax liens must typically be paid before real estate can be sold or refinanced. If a taxpayer suffering a financial hardship is selling or refinancing a home for less than the loan balance, FTB can remove the tax lien to allow the homeowner to complete the sale. This can generally occur within two weeks of the taxpayer submitting the required documents. However, the tax lien remains in effect on any other property the taxpayer currently holds or later acquires. For more information go to ftb.ca.gov and search for “Lien.”

About State of CA Franchise Tax Board:
They are responsible for administering two of California’s major tax programs: Personal Income Tax and the Corporation Tax. They also have responsibility for administering other nontax programs and delinquent debt collection functions, including delinquent vehicle registration debt collections on behalf of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and court–ordered debt. For more information visit https://www.ftb.ca.gov

Source: FTB Newsroom

State of CA Franchise Tax Board Reports Statewide Median Income Up In 2011

Sacramento – April 2, 2013, The statewide median income for all 2011 individual tax returns was $34,684, an increase of 2.2 percent over 2010’s median income amount.  For joint returns, the statewide median income was $68,122, an increase of 3.6 percent over 2010, according to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB).

“Median income” is the point where one half of the tax returns are above and one half is below the midpoint of the range of values.  Median income represents the income reported by a typical California individual or couple.

Californian taxpayers filed 15.8 million 2011 state income tax returns, reporting $1.1 trillion of adjusted gross income.  This is an increase of 5.7 percent from tax year 2010 figures. Adjusted gross income is a tax term that means the total income increased or reduced by specific adjustments, before taking the standard itemized deduction.

Over the past 40 years, the Bay Area counties of Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Contra Costa have consistently reported the highest median incomes. Marin County still has the highest median income for joint returns, reporting $120,170, an increase of 5.4 percent over 2010.  Santa Clara County ranked second with $103,019, while San Mateo County ranked third with $102,793 and Contra Costa County ranked fourth with $89,924.

Los Angeles County taxpayers filed 25.4 percent of all 2011 income tax returns in California. They reported median incomes of $30,255 for all individual returns, and $58,859 for joint returns, ranking 38th and 26th respectively.


The largest percentage gain in median income for all counties was 8.2 percent, reported in Alpine County. For joint filed returns the largest increase was in Trinity County, with a 7.0 percent increase.

About State of CA Franchise Tax Board:
They are responsible for administering two of California’s major tax programs: Personal Income Tax and the Corporation Tax. They also have responsibility for administering other nontax programs and delinquent debt collection functions, including delinquent vehicle registration debt collections on behalf of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and court–ordered debt. For more information visit https://www.ftb.ca.gov

Source: FTB Newsroom

Consumer Reminder: Daylight Saving Time Begins This Sunday

Customers Reminded to Reset Clocks and Timers to Save Water, Power and Money

LOS ANGELES — With Daylight Saving Time beginning at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2013, LADWP reminds customers to turn clocks forward and reset lighting timers, programmable thermostats and sprinkler timers.

In the City of Los Angeles, outdoor watering is restricted to hours before 9:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. Customers should note the change in time and adjust their automatic sprinkler timers accordingly. With spring and summer approaching, and the accompanying warmer temperatures, LADWP encourages customers to be mindful of their water use, both indoors and outdoors.

LADWP also encourages customers to reset their lighting timers to turn on only after daylight hours and to remain lit only as long as necessary. Energy efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and long-life LED lights are recommended for installation wherever possible. CFL and LED lights may cost a little more at the outset, but they use less electricity, last longer and save customers money in the long run.

The time change presents a valuable opportunity for LADWP customers to review their energy and water routines at home and in the workplace to seek out efficiency opportunities. Efficiency can help customers better manage utility costs and save money. For efficiency tips, and information on the Department’s many water and energy efficiency solutions, please visit www.ladwp.com.

Source and graphic credit: LADWP

Exclusive: Meet The Iron Man of Persian Community Shahbod Noori

“One Man With Courage Make A Majority” Shahbod Noori is the Publisher and President of Tehran International Weekly Magazine and the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Persian Relief Center.

Shahbod Noori was born on March 10, 1964, in Iran, Tehran. He became a driving instructor there at age 17. When the regime changed in Iran, he fled from his country through the mountains to Pakistan. There he continued to work as a driver, and also as a bodyguard for celebrities.

After one year in Karachi, Pakistan, Shahbod Noori moved to Vienna, Austria. He worked for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) as a driver and security guard for the Jewish Synagogue. In 1986 he moved to New York and after six months, decided to head for the Golden State of California.

In Los Angeles, Shahbod Noori started his own driving school, Foojan Driving School. At the same time, for fun and because he loves Friday nights, he began creating and promoting Friday Night-only nightclubs at famous locations around the Los Angeles area. They included Rendezvous on Club Yes in West LA; Spanky on Paradise Night Club in Century City; Club Lido in Tarzana; and Club Rio in Encino.

Shahbod Noori is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Persian Relief Center, a non-profit organization founded in 2008 to assist low-income or no-income families. Shahbod Noori is an entrepreneur with many skills. When he is not working on his Tehran International Weekly Magazine, he is working at his Super California Deli & Market (located at 20050 Vanowen St #C in Canoga Park, C). Super California Deli & Market has been serving the San Fernando Valley Persian community since 2009. In 2011 he opened California Kabob Restaurant (located at 20050 Vanowen St #B in Canoga Park, CA).


Shahbod Noori has put together 11 successful charity concerts with more than 3000 people for the Persian Relief Center. He has raised money and helped several dozens of people to keep roofs over their heads, go to school, find jobs, and has even sheltered them in his home for many months. Shahbod Noori promoted nine Persian festivals, which drew from 8,000 to 12,000 people, at sites including Mehregan on Hollywood Park Casino, Woodley Park, and Pierce College. He produced six Persian New Year’s festivals with more than 25,000 people in attendance on Balboa Lake Park in San Fernando Valley area.

Shahbod Noori is also the Founder & Executive Director of Tehran International Weekly Magazine, one of the leading Persian-Language magazines in the United States and around the World since 1996. In 2003, Shahbod Noori Started his recording company, Tehran Records, and has produced and distributed the albums from the top Persian singers. 

During his entrepreneur and publishing careers, Shahbod Noori has met and worked with powerful politicians, newsmakers and shakers such as former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton, LA District Attorney Gil Garcetti, Former Mayor of Los Angeles Richard Riordan, City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Sheriff Lee Baca, and Zev Yaroslavsky from Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, among many others.

(Please click on photos to view them regular size)

He started his publishing company in 1989 with The Original Bazaar Weekly, the first free classified and advertising paper among Iranians residing in Southern California. Besides being a publisher, Shahbod Noori has always shown great concern for social issues within the Iranian community.

Both as a journalist and publisher, Shahbod Noori not only tries to be a true voice of Iranians in Southern California and around the globe, but also helps many in the community at times of despair and hardship. His passion for social justice and helping the most vulnerable women and children in society led him to found The Persian Relief Center.

For all his contributions for the betterment of society, in particular the Persian community, Shahbod Noori has received awards from the City of Los Angeles, and a Citizen award from the Los Angeles Police Department. Even the Persian community of which he is such a vital player has recognized his work and contribution by awarding him the Persian Media Award. Shahbod Noori is a recipient of the Charity Award and is Member of Who’s Who.

(Please click on photos to view them regular size)

Shahbod Noori travels all over the word and had visited many countries. Shahbod Noori has wide ranging interests, hobbies and activities. He is an accomplished photographer. Shahbod Noori is a professional Persian chef. Shahbod Noori is a licensed security guard. Shahbod Noori is also a licensed massage therapist: he has healing hands in meditation and pain management. Shahbod Noori is an Entertainment Sponsor and coach of many Persian models, actors and singers. Shahbod Noori loves to watch movies, viewing one movie per night before he goes to sleep.

Shahbod Noori is known as the Iron man, sometime working more than 12 hours a day. He is like a respected godfather of the Persian community because those who are in trouble or need assistance know they can go to him for advice and help.

About Tehran International Weekly Magazine: Tehran International Weekly Magazine is the leading Persian-Language weekly magazine in the United States and around the world.

Mr. Shahbod Noori is the Founder and Executive Director of the publishing company. In 1989 he published the first 24- page Original Bazaar Weekly.

The Original Bazaar Weekly was the first free classified and a display advertising paper published for the Iranian community in Southern California.

After eight years, the Original Bazaar Weekly was the most popular free classified advertising paper among Iranians residing in Southern California. However, this great success was just the beginning.

In 1996, Mr. Shahbod Noori published Tehran International Weekly Magazine, which covers world news, entertainment, art, sports, cultural & social events, politics, etc., by utilizing the talents of the most famous writers from within the Iranian community.

In 2000, Shahbod Noori, for the first time in the Iranian community, released 108 pages of Tehran Magazine online at www.tehranmagazine.com. The on-line version of the magazine is free for people to read or print in PDF format, and is updated weekly with a one-month lag-behind.

In 2013, after 17 years, Tehran International Weekly Magazine has become one of the most popular and powerful Iranian magazines in the United States and around the world. Although it mainly focuses on California, the magazine covers the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and Middle East, as well.

Photos credit to: Shahbod Noori private archive collections, Travis Jourdain/Five Minute Photos and Gisele Rebeiro/PartyBy5.com

Editor’s Note: We want to thank and congratulate Mr. Shahbod Noori for all his contributions to the community and accomplishments. We want to wish him the best and we need more strong people like him that helps and cares about the community. We are so proud and happy to featured him in our pages.

The First Venice Sign Holiday Lighting & Windward Crawl

On Friday, November 30, 2012 for the first time in 100 years, the historic Venice Sign display welcomes the holiday season and trades–in standard issue white lights for red-and-green colored bulbs inspired by local restaurateur Daniel Samakow.

The Band Venice opened the scene for the arrival of Robert Downey Jr. and LA Councilman Bill Rosendahl. They received an outstanding welcome from the Venice Community. The event started at 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Historical Venice Sign Inaugural flip of the switch by actor and Venice resident Robert Downey Jr. along with Councilman Rosendahl. Bill Rosendahl presented the LAPD Pacific Division with a certificate of appreciation from the City for their annual toy drive. The event ended with the Arrival of Santa and Mrs Claus on Venice Beach #63 Hook and Ladder Fire Truck.

(Click on the photos to view regular size)

Attendees that brought new, unwrapped children’s toys to benefit “The Muscle Beach Toy Drive” received a wristband to discount specials at the Windward Holiday Crawl. Onlookers received complimentary Egg Nog, coffee, and hot chocolate sponsored by The Townhouse.
The Venice Sign holiday lighting was a free event sponsored by the City of Los Angeles, the Venice Chamber of Commerce, and Windward Avenue Merchants.

Photos credit to: Gisele Rebeiro from PartyBy5.com

Editors’ Choice: The Best of 2012 West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval

About half-million people attended West Hollywood’s annual Halloween Costume Carnival, one of the world’s largest celebrations of Halloween’s Eve.
Pictures were taken on Santa Monica Blvd, in West Hollywood at night of Halloween on October 31, 2012.

(To view the photos regular size, click on each one)

All of the following professional pictures were taken by Tzuming Sun for Diversity News Magazine published by Diversity News Publications.

Breaking News: Statement by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power regarding Mammoth Creek Water Issues

High Priced Public Relations Campaign Run by LA Firm Attempts to “Snow” the Public & Media.

On Friday, June 29, 2012 that Los Angeles Department of Water & Power General Manager Ronald O. Nichols released the following statement today regarding an article in the LA Times concerning the town of Mammoth Lakes & Mammoth Creak Water District:

The Mammoth Creek Water District has retained consultants to undertake an intensive and costly public relations campaign to cast the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) as attempting to deny the Town of Mammoth Lakes a water supply from Mammoth Creek.  This is simply not true.  A story reported in today’s Los Angeles Times repeats many of the baseless arguments set forth by lobbyists and public relations consultants hired by Mammoth Creek Water District (MCWD) at public expense, and I am very concerned that the public is being misled and has been misinformed as to the basic facts.  LADWP is in no way attempting to deny water to the Town of Mammoth Lakes and has communicated to MCWD staff and Board that we are ready and willing to work with them to find a solution.


Here are the facts on the issues involving LADWP and MCWD:

For the past a decade, LADWP has expressed its concerns to MCWD regarding water diversions from Mammoth Creek. Over the last year, LADWP and MCWD officials have been negotiating to find a mutually acceptable way of sharing the water of Mammoth Creek while not harming the water customers and ratepayers of Los Angeles. Those talks have consistently failed to produce results.

We believe the reason for the failure to reach an agreement is that so far, the MCWD is unwilling to do what is provided for by water rights laws and protocols of the State of California.  LADWP has held the senior water rights on Mammoth Creek since 1905.  That water flows to Owens River, and is a part of the water supply to Los Angeles.  Water from Mammoth Creek used by MCWD to meet local needs can be replaced by LADWP by purchasing more water from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD).  Water rights laws and protocols provide for LADWP to make that substitution to enable the Mammoth water district to meet local needs, which LADWP has repeatedly expressed we are willing to do.  However, there is no obligation for LADWP to make that substitution and charge our customers to provide free water to MCWD.  To view this otherwise is to ignore the very foundation of water rights laws in California.  We believe that MCWD knows its position is groundless and has undertaken a public relations campaign to camouflage that fact.

LADWP had not pressed this issue legally, believing that a fair solution could be reached.  However, when MCWD sought to update its Urban Water Management Plan to allow the resort community to increase its water use by 50% in the future by using LADWP’s water source, we were forced to ask a judge to protect the interests of Los Angeles’ water customers who pay LADWP water rates.  LADWP has been accused of making a “water grab” but that is simply not the case.

Even though LADWP has taken legal steps required to protect our water rights, at the same time we have also been clear that we are prepared to continue our long-running negotiations with MCWD, in the hope that a compromise can be reached.  In fact, recent conversations, not reported in the Times story, have been very positive, and.  LADWP and MCWD staff have been quietly working together to look for a suitable resolution that would enable LADWP to retain its water while meeting the needs of MCWD.

It is important to note that even if other supplies cannot be found and Mammoth customers were asked to pay for the water purchased and paid for by Los Angeles’ residents, under the worst-case scenario average Mammoth customers would see their monthly water bills increase from about $24 to $35 – while the same amount of water currently costs a Los Angeles customer about $43 a month.  In other words, LADWP’s rates would still be about 25% higher than the rates enjoyed by Mammoth’s residents, businesses and resorts.  LADWP has over 300,000 qualified low-income and senior citizen customers who would continue to pay more for their water than customers pay in in Mammoth Lakes even if MCWD compensated for the LADWP water that it is diverting.  Los Angeles water customers cannot continue to subsidize Mammoth’s water bills.   We believe there are solutions that enable alternatives other than simply reimbursing LADWP for the water that MCWD is using and we remain actively engaged with MCWD to collaboratively find such a solution.

I want to reiterate that LADWP has no intention, nor any desire to deprive the citizens of Mammoth of water.  No amount of misinformed public relations efforts can change these facts.  We remain willing to work out a solution that will ensure adequate and affordable water supplies to the community of Mammoth Lakes on a sustained and fair basis and we stand ready to work with MCWD to resolve this issue.

Source: LADWP Public Affairs
Graphic credit to: LADWP

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Unveils new and improved official website at www.LADWP.com

The New www.LADWP.com Features Intuitive Layout, Self-Service Capabilities and Offers 24/7 Service and Information About the Nation’s Largest Municipal Utility.

On May 14, 2012 The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) today announced the launch of its new and improved official website,www.LADWP.com.

The English/Spanish bilingual site is more user-friendly and features a modern, updated design with streamlined navigation and improved self-service capabilities. Residential and commercial water and power customers can now access improved bill view and payment options, online applications for rebates and low income discounts, view electric and water consumption charts and graphs to understand their usage trends, view past bills and track service requests.

The website also features real-time neighborhood power outage maps and information and also comes in a mobile version for customers who use smart phones and other handheld devices.

“The new www.LADWP.com features improvements in terms of appearance, ease and convenience,” said LADWP General Manager Ron Nichols. “But more importantly, users now have 24/7 access to information that can directly impact their quality of life, including neighborhood power outage maps and water and power consumption charts to help estimate future bills. Our new online presence furthers our ability to provide the high quality online customer service experiences our customers expect.”

The new website houses detailed information on the relationship between the LADWP and the early growth of the City of Los Angeles. LADWP financial information, reports, electric and water rates, Board of Water and Power Commission agendas and community information are still readily available on the website (click “About Us”). The site also features new customer service video tutorials and information on topics such as: How to read your water and electric meters, the Low-Income Discount Program, energy and water conservation, and the “Charge Up LA” electric vehicle program.

LADWP’s website is among the most frequented municipal websites in the nation.  First launched in 1995, nearly 200,000 users log-in to the website each month with more than 120,000 of these users viewing and paying their bill online.

Customers can provide feedback on the new website by clicking on the “Contact Us” tab at the top of the website and then selecting “Email Us.”

The new www.LADWP.com is part of a major initiative to improve the quality of the customer experience. The initiative will address specific process, organizational and technology improvements in customer service, including replacement of the LADWP’s 30+ year old Customer Information System (CIS).

To read the original press release visit http://www.ladwpnews.com/go/doc/1475/1430887/

 # # #

Editor’s Note: We tried the website today on June 13, 2012 and we can say that at the beginning we were not sure why we need to update our password and security questions but, then later it was easy to navigate, pay our power bill, even shows the bill been populated instantly via PDF. Congrats to LADWP staff on this huge improvement with your customers.

Chad Griffin Named Human Rights Campaign Organization’s President

On Friday, March 2, 2012 The Human Rights Campaign announced that Chad H. Griffin was appointed as the next president of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, by the organization’s Board of Directors. Griffin, a national communications and policy strategist, is widely credited for being the mastermind behind the federal lawsuit to overturn California’s Proposition 8, which has now been ruled unconstitutional by two federal courts.

Griffin’s appointment follows an extensive six month search by the board that included the consideration of over one hundred diverse and extremely well-qualified candidates from the worlds of business, academia and activism. Griffin will assume his new responsibilities on June 11, 2012. Current HRC president Joe Solmonese will continue to lead the organization until that time.

The founding partner of strategic communications and campaign firm, Griffin|Schein, Griffin has taken on entrenched, well-financed interests like Big Tobacco, Big Oil and the far right, and shaped national policy debates around equal rights, clean energy, universal health care, stem cell research, and early childhood education. He has also led groundbreaking ballot initiative campaigns including the largest ballot initiative ever recorded, Proposition 87: California’s Clean Alternative Energy Initiative; the Proposition 10 campaign, which generates $600 million a year for early childhood education; and Proposition 71, which secured billions of dollars for stem cell research despite the Bush Administration ban.

Griffin is a founding board member of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), the sole sponsor of the Prop. 8 lawsuit.  He is personally responsible for recruiting the legal dream team of Theodore Olson and David Boies to successfully argue the case. Griffin will remain on the board of directors of AFER.

A veteran of the Clinton White House communications team, and a native of Arkansas, Griffin was highly motivated by young people in taking this new endeavor. “All over this country in big cities and small towns, there are families and young people who long to be accepted for who they are, and who want be treated with the same dignity and respect as everyone else,” said Griffin. “I’m honored by the board’s confidence in my ability to lead HRC. While there’s no doubt that we’ve made tremendous progress on the road to equality, we must not forget that millions of LGBT Americans still lack basic legal protections and suffer the consequences of discrimination every day. Today’s generation of young people, and each generation hereafter, must grow up with the full and equal protection of our laws, and finally be free to participate in the American dream. As HRC president, I’ll approach our work with a great sense of urgency because there are real life consequences to inaction.”

HRC Co-Chair Tim Downing and HRC Foundation Co-Chair Sandra Hartness spoke on behalf of their colleagues on the Board of Directors, “We’re ecstatic to have someone of Chad’s caliber as our next president. His superior credentials and achievements, both as a visionary and strategist, make him uniquely qualified to lead this organization forward. Chad has a proven track record of consistently delivering results during his career. That’s something that our community rightly expects and deserves.”

With over a million members and supporters, HRC works to secure equal rights for LGBT individuals and families at the local, state and federal levels by mobilizing grassroots supporters, lobbying elected officials, proactively educating and changing the hearts and minds of fair-minded Americans, and investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials. Founded in 1980, HRC seeks to improve the lives of LGBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs.

HRC consists of two separate non-profit organizations: the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on research, advocacy and education and the Human Rights Campaign, a 501(c)(4) organization that focuses on lobbying Congress, state and local officials for support of pro-LGBT bills, and mobilizing grassroots action amongst its members. The combined annual budget of both organizations was approximately $40 million in 2011.

Professional colleagues and friends have been unanimous in their praise of Griffin’s appointment (some of them are):

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:

“I congratulate Chad Griffin on his appointment as the new President of HRC. I’m confident Chad will continue to provide the strong leadership that HRC has become known for here in Washington. I’m proud to count myself as a strong supporter of issues important to the LGBT community and look forward to working with Chad and HRC to advance these issues.”

Julian Bond, Chairman Emeritus, NAACP:

“Chad Griffin is a great choice – he is a major leader in the fight for equality. HRC has staged a coup!”

Anthony Romero, Executive Director, ACLU:

“Chad’s appointment to the Human Rights Campaign comes at a historic time for LGBT equality.  Chad is exactly the right person to lead the organization at this incredible time.  He has courage, passion, dynamism and a willingness to push tough issues forward in a thoughtful and strategic manner.”

Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles:

“Congratulations to Chad Griffin! There is no better person than Chad to take the helm of the Human Rights Campaign. Chad has proven he is a bold, insightful leader, and that is why I honored him with the Dream of Los Angeles Award during the City of Los Angeles’ first ever LGBT Heritage Month last year. I have every confidence that his fearless, deft and innovative approach to politics and problem solving will ensure HRC continues to lead the way.”

About The Human Rights Campaign (HRC):
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Sources: http://www.hrc.org, & LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Facebook
Photo credit to: http://www.hrc.org

Editor’s Note: Here at Diversity News Magazine published by Diversity News Publications we want to congratulate Chad Griffin and to wish him the best with HRC. Also thank you to Joe Solmonese for leading the organization for many years.

Hollywood Street & Sidewalk Closures for the 84th Academy Awards Week

On Tuesday, February 14, 2012 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that to ensure public safety, support security strategies and facilitate the production of the 84th Academy Awards®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the City of Los Angeles have finalized street closure plans around the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood.

To accommodate the construction of press risers, fan bleachers and pre-show stages along the Academy Awards red carpet, Hollywood Boulevard will be closed between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive beginning at 10 p.m. on Sunday, February 19, and remain closed until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28.

MTA subway trains will bypass the Hollywood & Highland station after the last regularly scheduled train on Saturday, February 25, until 6 a.m. Monday, February 27. Service at the station will resume with the first scheduled train after 6 a.m.

Between Sunday, February 19, and Oscar Sunday, February 26, additional streets and sidewalks will be closed for varying periods.

READ IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

21 days Prior to Show (Sunday, February 5, 2012):

1. Close Orchid Alley from Orange Drive to Orchid Street from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012, except for emergency vehicles.

14 Days Prior to Show (Sunday, February 12, 2012):

1. Close north curb lane of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to south east corner of Orange Drive from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012. (Except MTA buses until Sunday, February 19, 2012)
2. Close north sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to 230 feet east of Orange Drive allowing 8-foot pedestrian access from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
3. Close east and west curb lanes on Orange Drive from Hollywood Boulevard to Orchid Alley from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012.

7 Days Prior to Show (Sunday, February 19, 2012):

1. Close south sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Orange Drive to Highland Avenue from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012, except 8-foot pedestrian access.
2. Close all lanes of Hollywood Boulevard from the southeast corner of Orange Drive to Highland Avenue from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
3. Close north sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Kodak Theatre portal from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012. This is a complete sidewalk closure in front of the entrance to Awards Walk. Pedestrian traffic re-routed and emergency access available.
4. Close balance of north sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Orange Drive allowing 8-foot pedestrian access from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
5. Close the pedestrian crosswalk, mid-block on Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Drive and Highland Avenue, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2012.
6. Close north and south curb lanes of Hawthorn Avenue from Highland Avenue to Orange Drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012. MTA to re-route bus traffic. School buses exempt through the end of the school day on Friday, February 24, 2012.
7. Close Hawthorn Alley behind El Capitan Theatre from 300 feet east of Orange Drive east to the “T” alley from 10 p.m.. to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. The remainder of Hawthorn Alley to remain open from the “T” east to Highland Avenue.

6 Days Prior to Show (Monday, February 20, 2012):

1. Close Hawthorn Alley on the east side of the El Capitan Theatre from Hollywood Boulevard south 210 feet to “T” of east/west alley from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2012.

2 Days Prior to Show (Friday, February 24, 2012):

1. Close Hawthorn Avenue from Highland Avenue to Orange Drive from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012. School busses allowed on Friday only.

1 Day Prior to Show (Saturday, February 25, 2012):

1. Close Orchid Street from 60 feet south of Franklin Boulevard to Orchid Alley from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 except for residents, emergency vehicles, and hotel loading.
2. Close Orange Drive from Orchid Alley to Hollywood Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012. Exception for local residents, local business access, and emergency vehicles.
3. Close north and south sidewalk of Hawthorn Avenue from Highland Avenue to Orange Drive from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
4. Close north sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to Orange Drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012. MTA station to be by-passed from the last regularly scheduled train on Saturday, February 25 until the first scheduled train after 6 a.m. on Monday, February 27, 2012. Pedestrian traffic rerouted to south sidewalk.
5. Close west sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Johnny Grant Way south to Hollywood Boulevard from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
6. Close Johnny Grant Way from Highland Avenue to Orchid Street from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.

Day of Show (Sunday, February 26, 2012):

1. Close remainder of Hawthorn Alley from Orange Drive to Highland Avenue from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
2. Close Orange Drive from Hawthorn Avenue to Hollywood Boulevard from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
3. Close north sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to 300 feet east of Highland Avenue in front of closed businesses from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012. Erect bike rack.
4. Close south sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to 300 feet east of Highland Avenue from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 except for 8-foot pedestrian access. Erect bike rack.
5. Close south sidewalk of Hollywood Boulevard directly in front of the north-south running Hawthorn Alley from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012. Erect fencing along the entire sidewalk. No pedestrian access to cross alley.
6. Close east sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to Hawthorn Avenue from 12:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 except for 8-foot pedestrian access. Erect bike rack.
7. Close west sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard south to Hawthorn Avenue from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 except for 8-foot pedestrian access. Erect bike rack and fencing.
8. Close east sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Yucca Street south to the alley from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 except for 8-foot pedestrian access.
9. Close north and south crosswalks on Hollywood Boulevard at the Highland Avenue intersection from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
10. Erect bike rack on the east curb of Highland Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to the alley north of Hollywood Boulevard from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012.
11. Close northbound and southbound 101-freeway off-ramps at Highland.
12. Restricted access on streets that end at or intersect Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue at the discretion of the LAPD and LADOT.

For more details of the closures and maps of affected areas are available from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Sixth and the Thirteenth District City Council field offices, at www.navigatehollywood.com, and on the Academy’s website at www.oscars.org/closures.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

About The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards—in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners—the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies. For more information visit www.oscars.org

Source: Oscars.org
Poster credit to:  ©A.M.P.A.S.®

Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine and Diversity News TV team will be covering the 84th Academy Awards starting from Monday to Sunday, February 26, 2012. Thank you to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

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