LOS ANGELES --- Mercado La Paloma, a market and cultural gathering place near Exposition Park in Los Angeles, celebrated five years Feb. 27. Calling the marketplace an example of "smart growth," Phil Angelides, California state treasurer and gubernatorial candidate, added "this is what happens when business and economic development work for the community."
The urban development project has been spearheaded by the Esperanza Community Housing Corporation (ECHC), whose aim has been to assist low-income families with entrepreneurial dreams to start their own businesses. The marketplace --- a converted sweatshop factory --- offers a variety of ethnic foods, a bakery, handmade arts and crafts, a flower shop and wide range of social, health and educational services. Araceli Flores, owner of a small business offering tax and notary services appreciated Mercado La Paloma for helping her to secure a business license and to market her services. "This is a good place to start a business," she said.
Los Angeles Councilwoman Jan Perry praised the "outstanding contribution" of the marketplace whose efforts have "transformed this community and furthered the common goal of helping families to have a better future." The remaining $500,000 debt on the $7 million loan was dramatically reduced when Congressman Xavier Becerra presented Sister of Social Service Diane Donoghue, ECHC executive director, with a check for $125,000. Donations of $25,000 each were presented by Carolyn Webb de Macias, USC vice-president of external affairs, and Angelides. The community marketplace is located at 3655 S. Grand Ave. and is open daily, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
L.A. churches advocate moving L.A. Marathon to holiday Monday
LOS ANGELES --- Religious leaders are protesting the selection of Sundays for future running of the Los Angeles Marathon, because it adversely affects more than 100,000 members from 500 congregations trying to attend Sunday services.
"It is not the Marathon that we protest," said Father Richard Martini, pastor of Transfiguration Church in Los Angeles and a member of One LA, a community organizing group. But, he said, holding the race on Sunday, when most church services are held for most denominations, means parishioners cannot get through the maze of street closures to reach their houses of worship. "This is not right," he assrted, "and it violates the religious worship rights of our citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution."
The Boston Marathon is held on a holiday Monday, and local religious leaders are organizing through One LA to advocate moving next year's Los Angeles Marathon to a holiday Monday. For more information, call (213) 273-8420. |