THE LATEST IN CARSON

• Illegal Fireworks Use in Carson Punishable with $1K Fine
  
  The discharge, use or possession of safe and sane fireworks outside the authorized period is punishable with a $1,000 fine in Carson.
  
  Sale of fireworks at properly licensed stands will begins on June 28th and until midnight of July 4th. Fireworks may only be discharged from noon of June 28th through midnight of July 4th.
  
  The authorized period for discharge, use of possession of fireworks in Carson is part of the amendment the City Council made to its fireworks ordinance in 2007.
  
  Under the same ordinance, residents who provide consent to selling, discharging or using fireworks in their property will be subject to the same liability or criminal penalty as the person selling, discharging or using the fireworks.
  
  To report illegal fireworks in your neighborhood, please contact the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, Carson Station at (310) 830-1123.

• Carson's Hemingway Aquatic Center Scheduled to Open July 3
  
  Hemingway Aquatic Center, Carson's newest swimming pool complex has recently been completed and is scheduled to open to the public on July 3 following a grand opening ceremony to be led by City officials.
  
  The ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the pool complex, located at 16605 South San Pedro Street in Carson. The ceremony, including the recreation swim following the program, is open to the public and admission is free.
  
  The new aquatic center, built on a two-acre property, has a 6-lane lap pool that goes from three-and-a-half to nine feet, two waterslides and a kiddy pool with spray features. It also has shade shelters throughout and ample deck spaces for lounging. The construction also includes an office building, restrooms, locker enclosures and a parking lot for pool patrons.
  
  The $4.6 million Hemingway Aquatic Center project broke ground in July 2008 as a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) of the City Council. The grand opening of the new aquatic center comes exactly six years after the Dominguez Aquatic Center opened on Santa Fe Avenue in 2003. In addition to the two aquatic centers, Carson also has recreational swimming pools at Carson and Scott Parks.
  
  For more information on fees and pool hours, please contact the Hemingway Aquatic Center at (310) 847-3578.

• 2% UUT to Appear on July Utility Bills
  
  The 2% Utility Users' Tax (UUT) approved by Carson voters as Measure C last March will appear on all electric and gas bills mailed by the utility companies on or after July 1, 2009, for all Carson households and businesses.
  
  The new tax will help augment funds needed to save vital City services and programs that are at risk because of the current economic crisis. UUT is expected to bring in about $9 million in revenues per year.
  
  A UUT citizens oversight committee has been formed following the creation of the UUT to act as an advisory to the City Council on matters related to the new tax. The oversight committee has 21 members appointed by the Mayor, and meets every fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Congresswoman Juanita Millender McDonald Community Center.
  
  Residents 62 years and older, and lower income households – as defined by State law -- are exempt from paying the UUT. State law defines lower income households as a 4-person household earning $5,000 per month.
  
  To apply for an exemption for UUT, please contact the City of Carson Revenues Division at (310) 952-1748.
  

• Carson Adopts a New Marketing Logo
  
  The City of Carson has adopted a new and more contemporary marketing logo replacing a marketing brand that has been in use since the mid-80s.
  
  The new logo sports a colorful and dynamic look, which reflects Carson's transformation from a conventional bedroom community into a progressive, vibrant city.
  
  The new logo is comprised of the City's name, with a very prominent letter C and a bright yellow sun next to it, reflecting Carson's sunny Southern California location. Under it are the words "California", and the City's logo "Future Unlimited".
  
  The new logo will be seen soon on the City's new fleet of buses, bus stops,  parks and facilities, City publications, marketing materials and directional signs throughout the City.
   

• Phase 2 of Brick Pathway Project Now Underway
  
  Carson residents, businesses and organizations who missed the opportunity to purchase a brick on the City of Carson's commemorative brick pathway may still purchase bricks as City officials announced a phase two of the project.
  
  The announcement was made on June 20 as City officials led the community in unveiling a pathway comprised of bricks purchased by the community as the final commemoration event for the City's 40th anniversary  in 2008.
  
  The 40th anniversary brick pathway is the centerpiece of the newly-relandscaped Xeriscape Garden, which is the first only "green" Xeriscape Garden in the South Bay.
  
  Bricks prices are $150 for the regular terra cottas, and $200 for white premium bricks. The bricks can be personalized with up to three lines of information of 20 characters per line.
  
  Brick order forms are available at the City of Carson Fine Arts Office, located at the Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center, 801 E. Carson Street.
  
  
  For more information, please contact Dani Cook at (310) 952-1705.

• WNV Prevention Begins at Home
  
  You can reduce your risk of being infected with the West Nile Virus if you take extra precautions against breeding mosquitoes in your home. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water and can complete the cycle from egg to adult in just five days.
  
  West Nile Virus is a serious disease present in the United States. Primarily a disease in wild birds, WNV can also spread to people and other animals by infected mosquitoes. Not everyone infected with WNV will get sick. Eighty percent of infected will experience no symptoms, while 20% will experience symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even people have been sick for several days.
  
  To avoid the possibility of breeding mosquitoes in your home, make sure check for and remove all sources of standing water. Mosquitoes can breed in very small amounts of water. A swimming pool that is not well maintained can breed thousands of mosquitoes each week.
  
  It is also important to change the water in wading pools, birdbaths and pet bowls twice weekly. Mosquito eating fish should be placed in ornamental ponds and water gardens.
  
  Don’t let mosquitoes into your home. Make sure that doors and windows have tight fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
  
  Reduce your risk of mosquito bites by into cutting your time outside when mosquitoes are most active during the evening and early morning hours (dusk to dawn). If you must go outdoors during these times, wear long pants, long sleeved shirts and other protective clothing to avoid mosquito bites.
  
  Finally, use insect repellents (10-30% DEET for adults and children over 2 months of age) on exposed skin according to label instructions.
  
  
  For more information, or to report a dead bird, please contact the Los Angeles County West Vector Control District (www.lawestvector.org) at 310-915-7370, or the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (www.glacvcd.org) at 562-944-9656.
   

UPCOMING  CITY  EVENTS / SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

• HEMINGWAY AQUATIC CENTER GRAND OPENING
  7/3/2009
  [ Flyer ]
• FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE FIGHTS
  7/31/2009
  [ Flyer ]
• TREASURE ISLAND DAYS
  8/1/2009
  [ Flyer ]
   

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