The week ahead

A look at upcoming events:

Today

Teacher awards: The Los Angeles County Office of Education will announce its teacher of the year awards.

Tuesday

Power plant protest: Residents from several southeast cities plan to gather at Rosewood Park in Commerce for a candlelight vigil to protest a proposed Vernon power plant.

Wednesday

Public art: Long Beach launches ArtPEACE, an eight-month campaign to promote cultural exchanges and peace through the visual arts.

Thursday

Drug abuse: The California Science Center hosts an exhibit about illegal drug use from societal, healthcare and law enforcement perspectives.

Saturday

Hospital opening: The public is invited for tours at the community grand opening of the new Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.

Art festival: Street painters will create art in real time during a festival along Main Street in Old Town Newhall.

--

Ask a reporter

My pet is not neutered yet, and the new city law requiring neutering of most cats and dogs goes into effect in two days. What should I do?

Aside from making an appointment with your own veterinarian, there are numerous options. You can call 1-800-Spay4LA for the various spay-neuter clinic locations coordinated by L.A. Animal Services. Or you can read about options on www.laanimal

services.com/serv_bigfix.htm.

There are two mobile clinics that offer the services. The Sam Simon Foundation’s Spay Mobile can be found at various locations daily. This week, it will be at the Food 4 Less store at 16530 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Call 1-888-DOG-SPAY for an appointment.

The Amanda Foundation’s Mobile Clinic will be in the Rite Aid parking lot at 1433 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park, today. Call 1-888-FIX-PETT.

L.A. Animal Service’s South L.A. shelter offers clinic services. The address is 3612 11th Ave. Call 323-766-8185 for an appointment.

There will also be a free Spay Day L.A. event Oct. 24-26 at several veterinary clinics and mobile units. Go to www.spaydayla.com/

index.html to see locations and make an appointment.

What if you are caught with an unaltered animal? An animal control officer will issue a warning that gives you 60 days to comply by getting your animal fixed.

-- Carla Hall