March, 2014

Los Angeles: The Big Picture

OM LABONGE, Photographer & Councilmember for the Fourth District of the City of Los Angeles, returns to share his personal photography in "Los Angeles: The Big Picture" at C&F's photo-networking dinner. LaBonge first shared his passion for photography as C&F's guest speaker in June, 2002. He has been photographing L.A. and its people since the early 1970s. His photography exhibition "A Slice of Los Angeles" which was first exhibited in Los Angeles in 1979, has traveled to sister cities in Germany, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and China. In addition to standing exhibits in Los Angeles, a selection of work is on file in the photo archives at the Los Angeles Central Library. All levels of photography enthusiasts and non-photographers are welcomed. RSVP required in advance. (626) 794-7447.

Tom LaBonge lives daily by his oft-spoken words: "Let's continue to enjoy and love Los Angeles!" As the elected representative of the 4th Council District, LaBonge has a deserved reputation for not only knowing the name of every street in his district, but many of its residents and the history of their neighborhood. Tom is a native of Silver Lake whose family first came to Los Angeles in the late 1880s.

LaBonge's role as Councilmember for the 4th District of the City of Los Angeles is the culmination of a lifetime spent in service to his native city. He has worked in some capacity for the City of Los Angeles for almost four decades, starting with a stint on Mayor Tom Bradley's youth council. In recognition of his years of service, Los Angeles Magazine in 2009 dubbed LaBonge "Mr. Los Angeles." LaBonge first took office in 2001, in a special election to replace his friend and political mentor John Ferraro. He was subsequently re-elected to four-year terms in 2003, 2007 and 2011. A longtime advocate for park land with a special affection for Griffith Park, LaBonge spends a part of every morning hiking to the top of Mount Hollywood, from which one can see all of the Los Angeles Basin. He counts as one of his greatest achievements in office being the acquisition of Cahuenga Peak, which saved 138 acres from redevelopment and added them as open space to Griffith Park. He has also worked tirelessly in support of Los Angeles' sister city program, maintaining connections with cities all over the world.

LaBonge currently serves as Chairman for Trade, Commerce & Tourism; Vice Chair for Arts, Parks, Health, Aging and River; Member of Energy & Environment Committee; Member of Transportation Committee, Member of Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee; and serves on the City Council Leadership as Assist President Pro Tempore. He continues a decades-long involvement in the revitalization of the Los Angeles River and the development of the River Bikeway. A preservationist, LaBonge is a proponent of finding creative reuses of historic structures to maintain the history and charm of Los Angeles' many distinctive districts. He resides in Silver Lake with his wife Brigid and their two children, Mary-Cate and Charles. His camera is always with him

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