Sutro Avenue Block Club President Harold Washington (my block!) has invited one of the candidates for the Los Angeles City Council, Forescee Hogan-Rowles, to talk about her vision for the 8th District.

The meeting is at Harold's house, 4176 Sutro Avenue, at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5. All are invited.

"At the state and local level I am sure that we can all agree that it is imperative for our community to have in government representatives that are active, dedicated and committed to community service and social justice," Washington wrote in his announcement. "With government cut backs and reductions in state and local services, the outcome of the upcoming elections will play a critical role in the life of our community."

Simply vote March 8 - this Tuesday - it's a right we shouldn't take for granted as people in Tunisia, Bahrain, Egypt and Lybia are risking their lives for freedoms we already have, the right to choose their leaders.

Harold has been president of our block club for years and led the efforts to replace the water main valve that needed constant repair, helped bring in trees when the old ones were removed because of disease and brought U.S. Rep. Diane Watson to our summer barbecue. Harold and his wife, Sandy, moved to Sutro in the '70s after growing up along Central Avenue.

He retired from Golden State Insurance a few years ago and is threatening to retire his presidency of our block club. Let's hope he reconsiders.