'Hi, I'm your friendly neighborhood mayor...'

That's the introduction Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa had for a group of Virgil Middle School students gathered at the neighboring Bresee Youth Foundation in the Hollywood area on Thursday during a tour with Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
The center, which offers after-school programs including computer training, math tutoring and other programs for upwards of 100 children, was cited as an example of a gang-prevention program Feinstein wants to see funded with her $1 billion anti-gang bill that is pending in the House of Representatives.
Feinstein said it has been a 10-year fight to get the measure through, which includes $400 million for supression, $400 million for intervention and $130 million for witness protection.
" Conservatives wanted more money for crime suppression and liberals wanted more money for prevention," Feinstein said. "I think we have a balance with this bill."
The students were given a few hours off from classes to attend the event where they posed for pictures with Feinstein and Villaraigosa.