Englander E-News: Council Supports More Local Control for Van Nuys Airport

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS
Dec. 16, 2011

More Local Control for Van Nuys Airport...

This week, the City Council unanimously approved a motion I co-authored calling for recommendations on more local control and  accountability to help improve Van Nuys airport.

The San Fernando Valley is overdue for a positive change to focus on improving Van Nuys Airport. The Airport is one of the nation's busiest general aviation airports, used by more than 320,000 people every year, and is one of the City's most valuable assets. An economic impact study from 2007 found that it contributed more than $1.3 billion to the local economy and supported over 12,300 jobs.

But because it is so far removed from L.A. International Airport and is the smallest airport under Los Angeles World Airports' (LAWA) management, the neighboring community members, business partners, airport users, and other Van Nuys Airport stakeholders have been neglected for years.

The motion, which we co-introduced with Councilman Tony Cardenas, calls for a report back to City Council with recommendations on improvements to Van Nuys Airport's management, oversight and engagement with its community partners.

To see the motion, click here.

PALS Holiday Toy Drive for Kids...

Join us in helping ensure that at-risk kids in our community can have holiday gifts by donating to the Devonshire PALS (Police Activity League) Youth Center Toy Drive. The toy give-away is on Saturday, Dec. 17, and you can still donate a new, unwrapped toy or book, or gift card directly at the PALS Center in Northridge.

Saturday, Dec. 17
9:00 am to 11:00 am
PALS Youth Center
8721 Wilbur Ave., Northridge

All donated gifts go to kids who participate in PALS programs. PALS offers valuable after-school programs, including sports, education, and mentoring with LAPD Officers to give at-risk youth in our community positive alternatives to crime, gangs and drugs. Please visit www.devonshire-pals.org.

Honoring a Pillar of the San Fernando Valley...

We were proud to honor Gary Thomas in City Council today in recognition of receiving the 2011 Fernando Award. The Fernando Award goes to people who have made extraordinary contributions to the San Fernando Valley through volunteerism and charity.

Gary is Senior Vice President and Creative Director of Aaron, Thomas & Associates in Chatsworth. He was born in the San Fernando Valley and has dedicated his life to making our community a better place to live, especially for at-risk and underprivileged kids.

Gary has served in leadership positions and raised funds for Chambers of Commerce, anti-gang programs, youth development organizations, leadership and business development programs, and non-profit organizations that provide valuable services to those in need. He is Chairman of the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley and has served on the Board for over 13 years.

Recognizing Amazing Achievement by Kids in Our Community...

We were proud to honor the “Dynamite Divas” in City Council for winning the 2011 California State Championships of the Girls Under 10 Years Old Division of AYSO soccer. The Dynamite Divas are from North Valley AYSO Region 174, and their home field is the Granada Hills Youth Sports Complex.

We presented commendations to Head Coach Oscar Pariente who is also the father of two players  and the Assistant Coach, and to team members Alyssa Acosta, Isabella Alvarez, Chloe Belinsky, Sahar Dabirian, Debra Felix, Elise Norwood, Isabella Pariente,  Katarina Pariente, and Shannon Toledo.

We are proud to have such talented young athletes in our community!

Join Operation Gratitude and Help Support Our Troops Overseas During the Holidays...

Come join Operation Gratitude and help assemble care packages to send to US troops serving overseas this Saturday, Dec. 17.

Saturday, Dec. 17
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Operation Gratitude
National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys

The Rotary Clubs of Lancaster, Granada Hills & Northridge/Chatsworth are generously providing lunch to all the volunteers helping to assemble care packages on Saturday!

Operation Gratitude is a San Fernando Valley-based non-profit that organizes volunteers and donors to put together care packages to ship to our troops serving overseas to offer them support and comforts from home. The care packages include everything from toiletries and snacks to books and letters of support.

Please RSVP to Volunteer Coordinator Penny Alfonso by sending an email to opgratvolunteer1@yahoo.com with "Operation Gratitude Volunteer" in the subject line.

Community Chanukah Celebration in Porter Ranch...

Chabad of Chatsworth, Northridge and Porter Ranch are holding their annual Community Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at Porter Ranch Town Center. 

This fun, free family event will feature a fire acrobat show, real snow for kids to play in, live music, hot potato latkes, doughnuts and hot chocolate, arts and crafts activities, a raffle with great prizes, and live performances. 

Wednesday, Dec. 21 
6:00 pm
Porter Ranch Town Center
(Rinaldi St. and Corbin Ave.)

Noche Buena Christmas Performance at El Rancho...

Come enjoy Noche Buena, an evening of multicultural Christmas music and dance on Saturday, Dec. 17 at El Rancho Cordillera Del Norte in Northridge. Nochebuena, literally "Good Night" in Spanish, is the celebration of Christmas Eve dinner in Spain and Latin America.

The Elisabeth Waldo Ensemble will be joined by a talented cast of singers, dancers and actors inspired by the customs of Native Americans, Central Americans and the American Southwest. There will also be a luminarias procession.

Saturday, Dec. 17
5:30 pm
El Rancho Cordillera Del Norte
18916 Nordhoff St. Northridge
(Corner of Nordhoff and Wilbur Ave.)

The $75 donation includes a reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres, dinner and show.

For information or reservations, call (818) 998-0326 or email manager@elisabethwaldomusic.com.

Energy Star-Rated Holiday Lights...

Consider using energy-saving LED holiday lights this season! They come in all colors, are more durable and less likely to break than conventional bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. They are also cool to the touch so they're less likely to cause fires.

According to the Energy Star website, if everyone in America switched to Energy Star-rated holiday lights, it would reduce over 700 million kilowatt/hours of electricity per year. It would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of taking 100,000 cars off the road. 
Look for the Energy Star label and learn the facts before buying. 

To learn more about Energy Star holiday lights, click here.
You can even find solar-powered LED holiday lights!  

Re-use, Recycle, Rejoice!
Make it a green holiday this year and recycle your tree!

In addition to gift wrapping paper, boxes and gift packaging, you can recycle your Christmas tree. Every year, the City of Los Angeles offers residents the opportunity to recycle Christmas trees. Dead, dry trees can be a fire hazard, and when they go to landfills, they release greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. When the trees are recycled, they are turned into mulch and re-used for gardening and landscaping. You can even get free mulch for your own garden!

Remove all ornaments, decorations and the tree stand. Cut the tree into pieces and place it in your green waste bin. If it does not fit, place the whole tree at the curb and the Bureau of Sanitation will pick it up. You can also bring it to one of the City’s drop-off locations. To see a list of all of the Christmas tree drop-off locations, click here.

Gift Wrapping & Packaging

Please do not burn gift wrapping in the fireplace once the holiday gifts are opened. They often contain dyes and plastics that release toxins into the air. Most gift wrapping can be recycled in the blue bin. You can also re-use gift wrapping to wrap other gifts.

Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council for Their Community Clean-Up and Help Keep Northridge Streets Clean!

Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council for their weekly community clean up effort and help keep Northridge looking clean, green and beautiful!

On Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 they will continue their work, removing weeds, trash and trimming trees to beautify the north side of Plummer St. from Vanalden Ave. to Tampa Ave. in Northridge.

Thursday, Dec. 22
8:00 am
Meet up at northwest corner of Plummer St. and Vanalden Ave. in Northridge.
Parking on Vanalden Ave.

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.

There is no clean-up planned for Dec. 29.

For more information, or to sign up as a volunteer, visit www.NorthridgeWest.org  or call Glenn Wilson at (818) 886-3534 or email glenw@dlextreme.com.

Re-Districting Commission Meeting in the San Fernando Valley...

The L.A. City Council's Redistricting Commission is holding a series of public meetings, including one in the Valley. 

The meetings are part of the process of drafting new Council District boundaries, and they need your input. Every 10 years, following the U.S. Census, districts are redrawn at all different levels of government, including the Los Angeles City Council Districts.

Saturday, Dec. 17
11:00 am
West Valley Christian Church
22450 Sherman Way, West Hills

To learn more about the process, visit the Redistricting Commission's website. There you can also find meeting agendas and minutes, documents and district maps dating back to the 1970s.

Police Commission Meeting in Northridge...

Join the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, Councilmember Mitchell Englander, and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck on January 17, 2012 for a community meeting in Northridge to discuss public safety issues in the Devonshire Area and the City of Los Angeles.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012
6:30 pm
St. Nicholas Greek Church
9501 Balboa Blvd. (at Plummer St.)
Northridge

Under the City Charter, the Board of Police Commissioners is the head of the Police Department. Established in the 1920's, the Board consists of five civilian volunteer Commissioners who set overall policy while the Chief of Police manages the daily operations of the Department and implements the Board’s policies or policy direction and goals.

Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices and other auxiliary aids and/or services are available upon request. To ensure availability, all requests for reasonable accommodation must be made at least three business days (72 hours) in advance.

For more information, please call (213) 236-1400.  

Photos With Santa to Raise Funds for Golden Retriever Rescue...

Our Field Deputy Erik Richardson works with a wide variety of community groups, and brings word this week of a fun event to help a great cause.

Bring your kids to Pet People in Granada Hills this Saturday, Dec. 17 to get their photo taken with Santa! All proceeds from your $15 donation go to support the Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue. As a Golden Retriever owner, this is a cause close to Erik's heart.

Walk-ins are welcome, but you may call to reserve a slot at (866) 299-1899.

Saturday, Dec. 17
10:30 am to 3:30 pm
Pet People 
18040 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills
(Chatsworth and Zelzah Ave.)

This fun event will also feature a silent auction, holiday treats, raffles and more! The Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue takes in dogs that are in need of homes, medical care, and love throughout Southern California. Their volunteers work with people across the region to make the perfect Golden Retriever-family match.

Their  mission is to find loving, lifetime homes for all Golden Retrievers in need, regardless of conditions or circumstances. They strive to heal sick and injured dogs, and rehabilitate those that are neglected or abused.  To learn more, visit www.scgrrescue.org.

Councilmember Mitchell Englander
18917 Nordhoff Street, Suite 18
Northridge, CA 91324
(213) 473-7012