Maven’s Morning Coffee

Good morning, readers. Welcome to the Maven’s Morning Coffee — a listing of the important headlines, news conferences, public meetings and announcements you need to know to fuel up and tackle your day.

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Today is Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 and here is what’s happening in Los Angeles:

Headlines

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is investigating the city’s Housing Authority following news that public funds were inappropriately spent on expensive meals and travel, reports the Daily News. “HUD’s investigation places another uncomfortable spotlight on HACLA, which has a $900 million federally-funded annual budget to provide Section 8 federal housing assistance and other housing aid for thousands of Angelenos,” according to the newspaper.
• Continuing its coverage of the race in the Los Angeles City Council‘s CD15, the Los Angeles Times editorial board asked Assemblyman Warren Furutani and police Officer Joe Buscaino what they thought of each other.  Buscaino on Furutani: “You know, being a decision maker, as a school board member, sitting on the Community College District Board, being in the state Legislature…. We’re having the same issues. And again where has this experience today led us? To the same issues, 20 years later.” Furutani on Buscaino: “He’s a young guy. He’s home-grown from San Pedro. If that’s your only concern in the 15th District. He’s not ready to be a city councilman. I think he’s got great potential. He’s got a great family from what I’ve met. I think his heart’s in the right place.”
• The Downtown News looks back at the major stories of 2011, including Occupy LA, Farmers Field and that nasty race between Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar and Rudy Martinez.
• ESPN puts together the city of Los Angeles’ top NFL moments of the year.

Pressers

10:45 a.m. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will serve meals at the Los Angeles Mission.

12:15 p.m. Mayor Villaraigosa will encourage residents to recycle their Christmas trees after the holiday. Los Angeles Zoo.

Meetings

The Los Angeles City Council is on recess this week.