POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

D.C. group honors local commissioner

Glendale resident Grace Llana-Walker, board member of the Filipino American Kiwanis of Glendale and member of the city’s Commission on the Status of Women, was named one of the 100 most influential Filipina women in the U.S. last month by the Filipina Women’s Network in Washington, D.C.

Receiving the award at a three-day summit starting Oct. 26, Llana-Walker was honored in a category called Policymakers and Visionaries for her advocacy on behalf of Filipinas aspiring to participate in local government, she said.

The Filipina Women’s Network strives to increase the political visibility, viability and the number of leaders in the Filipino-American community.

“I think it’s just really important to encourage Filipinas and Filipino-Americans in general to really participate in the democratic practice, in policymaking and having their voices heard, because we’re the second largest immigrant population in the nation,” she said.

Llana-Walker also participated in a panel discussion led by Filipina appointees to political commissions nationwide.

“We’re proud of her,” said Marlene Cagatao, membership secretary for the Filipino American Kiwanis of Glendale. “[Her award] brings more attention and prestige to the club.”

Candidate Edwards to picket in Burbank

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards will join Writers Guild of America workers in a picket line today at 1:45 p.m. at NBC Studios in Burbank, 3000 W. Alameda Ave.

The visit is part of a West Coast campaign tour that began Thursday in Las Vegas.

“The striking Writers Guild members are fighting an important battle to protect their creative rights,” Edwards said in a statement. “These writers deserve to be compensated fairly for their work, and I commend their courage in standing up to big media conglomerates. As someone who has walked picket lines with workers all across America and as a strong believer in collective bargaining, I hope that both sides are able to quickly reach a just settlement.”

Guild members, who are hoping to increase their compensation tied to DVD sales and online distribution of their material, began their strike on Nov. 5.

Paul-for-president supporters to rally

A group of area supporters of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul are slated to walk in support of the congressman at 11 a.m. Saturday, meeting at McCambridge Park in Burbank, 1515 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

The event is organized by independent citizens and is not paid for or otherwise associated with the Ron Paul 2008 election campaign. The event is an attempt to rally grass-roots support for Paul, organizers said.

For more information, visit https://ronpaul.meetup.com/about/ or call (323) 804-7206.