Community Corner

Englander E-News: Movies Under the Stars in Northridge and more

Here's the latest news from the Councilmember's office.

 

National Night Out & Movies Under the Stars...
 
Don't miss our National Night Out and a free outdoor movie as part of our Movies Under the Stars summer film series, coming up on Tuesday, August 7 in Northridge.

Tuesday, August 7
7:00 pm
Northridge Park
10058 Reseda Blvd.

Community members in the Northwest San Fernando Valley are invited to join thousands of communities nationwide for the 29th Annual National Night Out event.

National Night Out raises awareness about preventing crime, builds positive relationships between the community and the Police, and strengthens neighhorhood pride and engagement in the community. To learn more, visit http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/.

Our office in coordination with LAPD Devonshire Division, S.O.L.I.D. (Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire) and Target are proud to invite you and your family to join us! We will be holding a FREE screening of the animated kids movie Kung Fu Panda 2 as part of our Movies Under The Stars outdoor film series, now in its seventh year. There will be free refreshments and hot dogs (while supplies last), free kids activities, public safety information, and more!

For more information call Melody Jaramillo at (818) 882-1212 or email melody.jaramillo@lacity.org.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

West Hills National Night Out and Child Safety Fair...
Please join the Police Officers of LAPD Topanga Station and the West Hills community in celebrating their first ever West Hills National Night Out and Child Safety Fair on Aug. 7 at Shadow Ranch Park.

Tuesday, Aug. 7
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Shadow Ranch Park
(Vanowen St. just east of Fallbrook Ave.)
West Hills

The Chaminade High School Marching Band will provide live music, and there is a Jumper Slide and face painting. The kids in the Topanga Cadets and Jeopardy programs will be on hand with information on how to sign up. There will be free child ID kits, traffic safety information and neighborhood watch sign-ups, drug awareness and prevention information provided by the Elks Lodge, snacks and prizes provided by Target, and Police vehicles and equipment on display.

Honoring a Police Hero...
We were proud to honor LAPD Detective Robert Holcomb in City Council on Wednesday, Aug. 1 for his years of service to the City and congratulate him on his retirement. Detective Holcomb, Officer in Charge of Devonshire Division Narcotics Enforcement Detail, retires this year after protecting and serving the community as an LAPD Officer for 32 years.

Detective Holcomb’s notable accomplishments include being a Lifetime Member of the California Narcotics Officer Association and serving as an adjunct instructor for the LAPD Narcotics Group in the area of undercover operations, drug evaluation, report writing and expert testimony.

He also helped develop the strategies that successfully located and shut down all of the illegal storefront marijuana shops in Council District 12. There were more than 80 operating in our community, and now we are the only Council District without any. 

Detective Holcomb's work has helped take countless drug dealers off the street and has made our community a safer place to live.
- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District


Wilbur Ave. North of Rinaldi to be Paved...
We are pleased to announce that Wilbur Ave. between Tampa Ave. and Rinaldi St. will be repaved starting next week.

We were able to secure Proposition 1B funding and work with the Bureau of Street Services to get repairs and repaving done on one of the most degraded and most heavily trafficked roads in Council District 12.

Neighborhoods Get Official Name Designation...
Today, the City Council approved proposals for two community name changes in Council District 12. Both community name changes were initiated from within the neighborhoods themselves, and went through a comprehensive process including petitions, community outreach and public hearings. Neither of the two name changes has any impact on Neighborhood Council boundaries.  

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sherwood Forest
The neighborhood in the Northridge area bounded by Nordhoff St. to the north, Balboa Blvd. to the east, Southern Pacific Railroad to the South, and Lindley Ave. to the west will be named "Sherwood Forest." Sherwood Forest is a unique, longstanding community which has been known as Sherwood Forest for many years, and has one of the most active Home Owner Associations in the City. Sherwood Forest comprises 1,200 properties, and has a population of about 4,848.

Northridge
A section of the Woodley Hill neighborhood of North Hills bounded by Lassen St. to the north, Woodley Ave. to the east, Plummer St. to the south, and Balboa  Blvd. to the west has been named Northridge. This neighborhood has approximately 400 homes and 1,300 residents is now part of the already existing Northridge community.

Honoring Oustanding Achievements by Neighborhood Council Board Members...

On Thursday July 26, Councilmember Mitchell Englander

attended the Northridge South Neighborhood Council meeting, where he  presented City commendations to two outstanding Board Members in recognition of their work for the community.

Councilmember Englander recognized Christopher Sales, President of Northridge South Neighborhood Council, for his leadership, his efforts to encourage volunteerism, and for being a great community partner with our office on such projects as the Valley Family Festival, Northridge Public Art Project, Citrus Sunday and the Reseda Blvd. Beautification Campaign. 

Councilmember Englander also recognized Sal Pelaez, Chair of the Transportation & Public Works Committee for Northridge South Neighborhood Council. Sal has organized community bike rides around the neighborhood while advocating for safer bike routes.  He has worked to increase outreach to diverse ethnic groups in different languages in our community. He also organized the Earth Day environmental clean-up project by Napa Elementary School, which converted a blighted vacant lot into a pocket park.

Donations Needed to Help Our Local Veterans...
The Sepulveda Veterans Administration (VA) Ambulatory Care Center provides crucial services to thousands of Veterans who have served our country in the military.

Among their many services and programs, the Sepulveda VA offers free clothing to at least 100 struggling Veterans per month. However, they are running extremely low on clothing and need your help. You can help support our local Veterans by donating *NEW* men's T-shirts, boxers, and especially socks.

Drop off donations Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm at the Sepulveda VA, 16111 Plummer St., in North Hills, building #22, in the Volunteer Office, Room 204.

For more information call  (213) 253-5135.

Be Ready for Summer Heat Waves ...
The summer heat waves are here, so be ready!

During extreme heat, the City opens up hundreds of facilities to be utilized as cooling centers, including Senior Citizen Centers, most Recreation and Parks facilities, and City Libraries. The air-conditioned facilities offer residents cold water, and a place to rest indoors. For more information on where all the cooling centers are located, call 3-1-1 or click here.

Senior Centers: (213) 202-2700 or visit http://www.laparks.org/dos/senior/senior.htm .
Libraries: (213) 228-7000 or visit http://www.lapl.org/branches/ .
Recreation & Parks Facilities: (213) 202-2700 or visit www.laparks.org.

Tips to Beat the Heat
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. If you plan to be outdoors, take precautions to protect yourself from the sun and heat. Avoid the sun from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm when the sun's burning rays are most intense. Reduce physical activity. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and light- colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid hot, heavy meals and alcohol. Drink Gatorade or other non-caffeinated drinks with electrolytes. Take a cool shower or bath. If you do not have air-conditioning, visit one of the City's public pools, go to a public park to sit in the shade, or go to an air-conditioned shopping mall, where there are plenty of places to sit.

Be Aware of Symptoms of Dehydration and Heat Stroke
Symptoms of dehydration and heat stroke include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst. To learn more, click here.

Never Leave Pets or Kids Unattended in a Vehicle
Leaving a child or a pet in a closed vehicle on a hot or sunny day, even with the windows cracked, can be fatal. On hot or sunny days, the temperature inside a car can be 50 degrees hotter than outside.

Heat Wave and Other Emergency Information:
UpdateLA : http://www.updatela.com/
ReadyLA: http://www.readyla.org/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/readyla
Emergency Management Department: http://www.emergency.lacity.org/

Online Calculator to See How DWP Proposed Rate Increases Would Effect You...
 The Department of Water & Power (DWP) has launched an online tool that allows customers to calculate how DWP's proposed rate increases will impact their water and power bill. To use the tool and for more information, visit http://www.ladwp.com/rates.

DWP says it needs to raise rates to allow it to ramp up investment in developing local water supplies to reduce the city’s reliance on more expensive imported water purchases from the Metropolitan Water District, replace aging infrastructure, and meet state and federal water quality regulations.

The power and water rate proposals are currently being reviewed by the LADWP Ratepayer Advocate. They are expected to be considered by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners in August, and thereafter by the City Council.

Free Outdoor Movie Series at CSUN...
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is screening free outdoor movies for the community all summer. The next free film, on Thursday, Aug. 9 will be "Hairspray."

Thursday, Aug. 9
7:00 pm
CSUN
Sierra Quad Lawn
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge

Bring your whole family, and bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics, but alcohol or BBQs are not allowed. There will be free activities for kids, including a balloon artist, face painting and raffle. Vendors will offer popcorn, lemonade, and other snacks for sale.

Parking is free for CSUN students, faculty and staff who have current valid CSUN parking permit. Flat fee parking permits are $6 per vehicle, and are available from machines in all of the campus lots.

CSUN will be screening "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" on August 16. For more information, visit www.csunas.org.


Free Blood Pressure and Diabetes Check for National Health Center Week...
Mission City Community Network (MCCN) is offering free blood pressure and diabetes check-ups Aug. 6 through Aug. 10 as part of the National Association of Community Health Centers's 2012 National Health Center Week.

Aug. 6 to Aug. 10
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
MCCN-Non-Profit Community Clinic
15206 Parthenia St., North Hills

MCCN’s mission is to provide and advocate for quality health care and social services for the uninsured and low-income families in the communities of Los Angeles County. To learn more, visit http://www.healthcenterweek.org.

Public Pools in Los Angeles Open Through Aug. 12!
The summer swimming season is here and L.A.'s 48 public pools are open now and will remain open through August 12! Admission is free for kids under 17, seniors and people with disabilities. The pools are open 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on weekends, and are open 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays.

Our public pools are a wonderful resource, offering kids and adults in the community a great, economical way to cool off, get exercise and have fun!

The City’s Aquatics facilities include regular public swimming pools with a wide variety of amenities, programs, sports and classes for children, adults and people with disabilities and competitive athletes in training. The City also offers a Junior Lifeguard Training Program designed to prepare young people who are interested in pursuing a career as a Lifeguard.

L.A. Public Pools in the West San Fernando Valley
GRANADA HILLS POOL
16730 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills
Click here for a map.

NORTHRIDGE POOL
(818 ) 709 – 7475
10058 Reseda Blvd., Northridge
Click here for a map.

CANOGA PARK - LANARK PARK
(818) 756-9364
21817 Strathern St., Canoga Park
Click here for a map.

VAN NUYS/SHERMAN OAKS WAR MEMORIAL PARK
(818) 783-6721
14201 Huston St., Van Nuys
Click here for a map.

To learn more about all of the City’s Aquatics facilities click here.


Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council's "Clean Sweep" Weekly Clean-Up and Help Make Northridge Shine!
Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council's Clean Sweep community beautification project every Thursday!

Thursday, Aug. 9
Corbin Ave.
Between Mayall and Devonshire St.
Northridge

At 8:00 am the crew will review the game plan with free refreshments provided by Northridge West Neighborhood Council. Bring gloves if you have them, sunscreen,a sunhat and appropriate shoes for outdoor work. Northridge West Neighborhood Council provides the refreshments and tools.

For more information contact Jo Ann Phillips at (818) 304-4989 or japhillips1@yahoo.com or visit www.NorthridgeWest.org.

The Relay for life is coming to Northridge!
Get ready for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Northridge! This 24-hour event raises funds to support the American Cancer Society, which raises funds for cancer research, treatment, support and programs for cancer victims and their loved ones.

Relay for Life Northridge
August 11 and 12
Calahan Elementary School
18722 Knapp St., Northridge

During Relay for Life Northridge, thousands of families, friends, local businesses, schools and community-based organizations form teams and walk the track at Calahan Elementary School for 24-hours to raise funds. There are also Relay events coming soon in Chatsworth, North Hollywood and other parts of the San Fernando Valley.

During the event, cancer survivors are honored by taking the first lap around the track, and there is a Luminaria (candle) Ceremony, as well as many other activities, both happy and somber throughout the 24 hours. There will also be food vendors, information booths, games, and other activities.

You can form a team, join an existing team, sponsor a team, donate to a team, or donate directly to Relay for Life to help support this important cause.

For more information on the Northridge Relay for Life, call Karen Rubenstein at (818) 738-3464 or email Karen.rubenstein@cancer.org or visit www.relayforlife.org/northridgeca.

North Valley Jewish Community Center's Day of Shopping and Games...
 Join "The J" - the North Valley Jewish Community Center - for a fun-filled day of gaming, shopping and a delicious buffet lunch at the San Manuel Casino and Resort on Sunday, August 12.

Sunday, August 12
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Temple Ahavat Shalom
18200 Rinaldi Place


The trip will raise funds to support "The J" programs. To learn more about "The J" visit www.NVJCC.org.

The trip departs from the Temple Ahavat Shalom parking lot, located at 18200 Rinaldi Place (at the 118 Freeway between Reseda Blvd. and Zelzah Ave.), Northridge, at 10:00 am and will return at 4:00 pm.

The $20 donation includes the roundtrip bus ticket, snacks and a $10 San Manuel Casino card good for games or food. To register or for more information, call (818) 360-2211 or e-mail karoooon@sbcglobal.net.

Artrageous Artwalk...
Check out the Canoga Park Artrageous Artwalk on Thursday, Aug. 16. There will be gallery displays, live art and installations, three music stages, food trucks, a kids area, and more. The Artrageous Artwalk takes place every third Thursday evening through September.

Thursday, Aug. 16
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Canoga Park Old Town Center
Starting point and maps available at Follow Your Heart
21825 Sherman Way
To see a map of the art galleries
and venues,
click here.

Over 15 venues and 30 artists will be represented at this free community celebration of art and culture sponsored by "11:11 A San Fernando Valley Art Collective," Canoga Park Improvement Association, and the Canoga Park/West Hills Chamber of Commerce. To see the event Facebook page, click here.

Auditions for San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus...
The San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus is holding auditions Aug. 19 and 26 for its 21st year of singing.

The Chorus is made up of 3rd to 12th graders. Auditions and rehearsals for the fall season are at the Canoga Park Methodist Church, located at 22700 Sherman Way.

Under the leadership of Musical Director Yohan Partan, the SFV Youth Chorus participates in various performances and community events throughout the year. The enrollment fee is $150 per semester. An audition appointment is required. To make an appointment or for more information, call (818) 212-9356 or email audition@valleyyouthchorus.org.

For more information on the SFV Youth Chorus visit www.valleyyouthchorus.org.

Community Meeting with the Ratepayer Advocate...
We are holding a community meeting on Aug. 23 in Northridge to offer the community an opportunity to meet the Ratepayer Advocate, Dr. Fred Pickel.
The Rate Payer Advocate will explain his roles and responsibilities, and how his process of review works, and the public will have an opportunity to share their ideas, concerns and feedback. The Ratepayer Advocate is holding a series of community outreach meetings in advance of the proposed DWP rate increases.

Thursday, Aug. 23
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Grand Ballroom
9501 Balboa Blvd.
Northridge

I have been a strong and consistent advocate for reform of the Department of Water and Power (DWP). The creation of the independent Rate Payer Advocate and Office of Public Accountability, which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2011, was the most significant step toward restoring the public's confidence in the utility and bringing transparency and accountability to the DWP. I have voted NO and will continue to do so on any proposed DWP rate  increases until they have been reviewed by the Rate Payer Advocate and found to be justified and necessary.

- Councilmember Mitchell Englander, Twelfth District

Learn How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft at LAPD Community Meeting...
Don't miss the LAPD Basic Car Community Meeting focusing on Internet, credit, and identity security, coming up on Thursday, Aug. 23.

Thursday, Aug. 23
6:45 pm
St. John Eudes Church
9901 Mason Ave.


Guest speaker Robert Rebhan is an internationally recognized expert on financial crimes, is a former LAPD Detective, and was Director of the American Express Fraud Prevention Program. He will discuss how to protect yourself from Internet fraud, identity theft, bank and credit fraud, financial scams and more.

For more information, call Carol Jensen at (818) 341-3327 or email cei2@mail.com.

Get Involved in Your Community! Participate in the Upcoming Neighborhood Council Elections...
Looking for a chance to get more involved in your community? Participate in the upcoming election for Neighborhood Council Board Positions in the Northwest San Fernando Valley on Sept. 8 and Sept. 29.

Joining your local Neighborhood Council is a great way to make a meaningful, positive contribution to your community, meet others who are engaged in the community, and get involved in rewarding community projects and events. If you're interested in running for a neighborhood council board position, the Candidate Filing Form is available here.

Each neighborhood council will conduct their own election with various processes. For more information about the Neighborhood Council you're interested in, see links below and contact them directly.

Sept. 8, 2012 elections for:
Chatsworth Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/cnc/
Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/ghnnc/
Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/ghsnc/granada-hills-south-nc-elections/
Northridge East Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/nenc/northridge-east-nc-elections/
Northridge West Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/nwnc/northridge-west-nc-elections/
Northridge South Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/nsnc/northridge-south-nc-elections/
North Hills West Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/nhwnc/north-hills-west-nc-elections/
Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/prnc/porter-ranch-nc-elections/

- Candidate Filing Deadline: Aug. 9

Sept. 29, 2012 elections for:
West Hills Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/whnc/west-hills-nc-elections/
Reseda Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/rnc/reseda-nc-elections/

- Candidate Filing Deadline: Aug. 30

For complete rules and guidelines, information about acceptable forms of ID, candidate guidelines and frequently asked questions, visit Department of Neighborhood Empowerment's website at http://empowerla.org/elections or call (818) 293-8683.

"Asphalt Orchestra" - Free Concert at CSUN's Valley Performing Arts Center...
The Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN is holding a free concert featuring a performance by "Asphalt Orchestra" on Thursday, Sept. 13.

The New York City-based Asphalt Orchestra is a wild collective that boldly fuses western classical, rock, jazz and pop into a coherent sound. The twelve-member ensemble group includes a jazz drummer, an Indian dhol virtuoso, a Japanese-born classical percussionist and various other talented musicians playing trombone, sousaphone, over-the-shoulder drums and other assorted instruments—all while marching and dancing on stage. 

Thursday, September 13
8:00 pm
Valley Performing Arts Center
CSUN campus
18111 Nordhoff St. (at Lindley Ave.)
Northridge

All are welcome, but the free tickets are only available by calling the Performing Arts Center's Ticket Office at (818) 677-3000. For more information, click here.

A Year of Emergency Preparedness...
 On January 17, the 18th anniversary of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, we kicked off our Year of Emergency Preparedness in Los Angeles.

Throughout 2012, we will be working on legislation, programs and public awareness efforts to help the residents of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley be prepared for natural or man-made disasters.

Every week, our newsletter will feature a new item in an Emergency Preparedness Checklist. These are simple steps that everyone in Los Angeles should take in order to be prepared for any disaster. If you follow each item on this checklist, you will be highly prepared at the end of the year.

Week 27: Think About Recovery After a Disaster...
While a great deal of attention is paid to preparing for earthquakes and other disasters, most people do not know what to do following a disaster. Recovering from a disaster can be a slow and traumatic process. But being more prepared in advance can help you and your family cope, and get back on your feet faster. Before a disaster strikes, you can find the American Red Cross shelter locations, Salvation Army stores, and local volunteer organizations that offer food, shelter, supplies and can assist in clean-up efforts following a disaster.

To see a guide with information on finding local recovery resources, as well as tips on Health and Safety, Returning Home, Seeking Disaster Assistance, Coping with Disaster, and Helping Others, click here.

To see our printable Emergency Preparedness Checklist, with every week's entry, click here or visit our website at www.CD12.org.

Bureau of Street Services Publishes New State of the Streets Report
Our Field Deputy Erik Richardson handles requests in our District for issues related to street and sidewalk maintenance. This week he shares the Bureau of Street Services' "State of the Street Report."

Keeping track of the condition of over 6,500 miles of streets in the City of Los Angeles is a huge task, and to do it, Street Services conducts a comprehensive survey of all City streets. They use MicroPAVER™ a state-of-the-art computer driven pavement management system. They divide all City streets into 69,000 segments. Each segment is surveyed using a specially equipped van, which takes digital images of the street surface and uses lasers to capture roadway roughness and rutting data. Each street segment is given a grade from A to F, based on its condition. 

Because Los Angeles is so vast, the survey is done once every three years.  The results determine which streets receive priority for maintenance and resurfacing, ensuring that the streets that are in the worst conditoin are given priority. The results from each survey are published every three years in the State of the Streets report.

To see the report, click here.


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