Englander E-News: Disaster Warning? There'll Be an App for That

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS

June 15, 2012 

Mobile Smartphone App and Text Message Warning System for Earthquakes and Other Disasters...

As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, my first priority is the safety of our families and communities. I also believe in using existing, low-cost, easily accessible technology to make City services better, faster and more efficient. To that end, I co-authored a motion calling for the development of a smartphone app and text messaging early warning system for earthquakes, natural disasters and other emergency events. 

Nearly everyone now has a smartphone with access to millions of free mobile apps, which are becoming increasingly viable as a tool for communicating with the public. The Mexico City government recently partnered to develop a smartphone app that can provide an alert for an earthquake up to seconds before it occurs, which could give the public time to drop, cover, and hold on. That could save lives. This technology has tremendous implications for improving earthquake preparedness and response, for public safety officials, first responders and the public. While are in early stages of development in the United States, Mexico City's app represents a jump forward and is based on existing technology. The Los Angeles region faces a continuous threat of major earthquakes, and other disasters, and the City should be exploring the development of such apps tailored to L.A.'s needs, its threats, and other local factors. The motion calls for the Emergency Management Department with assistance from the Information Technology Agency to report on the feasibility of developing a smartphone app and text message early warning system for earthquakes and other disasters and emergency events.
-- Mitchell  Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Tax Relief for New Car Dealers and New Business Owners Moves Forward...

The City’s Jobs, Business and Development Committee approved measures that I co-authored to eliminate for new car dealers and to extend the business tax waiver for new businesses in Los Angeles. 

Los Angeles has lost far too many new car dealerships that create a variety of high-quality jobs, to its neighboring jurisdictions. Eliminating the gross receipts tax for new car dealers will generate a great deal of business for our local economy. 

The Business Tax Holiday exempts all new Los Angeles businesses from paying gross receipt taxes for three years will expire at the end of 2012. The Jobs Committee approved extending the Business Tax Holiday until December 2015 which help encourage much-needed new business activity in the City.

As a former small business owner, I understand the need to remove the obstacles to our local business community.

I am committed to permanently ending the gross receipts tax for all businesses and all other measures that will create investment in Los Angeles’ private sector.
-- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Supporting the Creation of Tech-Sector Jobs in Los Angeles...

I seconded a motion by Councilmember Eric Garcetti calling for a report on models for public/private partnerships in Los Angeles that would bring together the City and our private sector technology community. The goals are to partner with local technology companies to use technology to improve City services and help solve tough problems while helping local tech companies thrive, create jobs and boost the economy. 

The expertise of the tech community can be put into action to help find better, more efficient solutions to tough problems in the City and improve our customer service. Such partnerships would also improve the City's ability to attract and retain technology companies in Los Angeles so that we can compete on the global marketplace. 
-- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District 

Follow us on Twitter at
www.Twitter.com/Mitch_Englander 

Congratulations L.A. Kings and Their Fans on The Stanley Cup Victory!

Our heartfelt congratulations go out to the Los Angeles Kings and all their fans on winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in 45 years. 

The Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-1 to win the Stanley Cup series in game six of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center on June 11.  

Conversations With Councils...

We held our "Conversations With Councils" meeting this week at Fire Station 87 in Granada Hills. Every quarter, we invite the Board Members of every Neighborhood Council in our District to join Councilmember Englander and heads of City Departments to discuss City services, take questions, and hear ideas, input and concerns about issues affecting the community. 

Chief Administrative Officer Miguel Santana, the City's top Budget official, discussed the 2012/2013 City Budget, which is in its final stages. The meeting was attended by members of Chatsworth, Granada Hills North, Granada Hills South, West Hills, Reseda, Northridge West, and Northridge South Neighborhood Councils.  Mr. Santana explained the Budget process, discussed the reasons behind many of the budgetary decisions and budgetary challenges the City faces. It was an excellent opportunity for Neighborhood Council representatives to hear first-hand about the work that Councilmember Englander has done throughout the process as Vice Chair of the Budget & Finance Committee.

Honoring a Citizen Hero...

We were proud to honor Time Warner cable employee , a citizen hero, in City Council on Friday, June 8. 

On April 25, while out working in Porter Ranch, Brennan heard screams, dropped what he was doing, and ran to the scene to help. He found Pastor John Yoon, a 63 year-old resident of Porter Ranch, pinned under his own car. The car was slowly rolling down the slope of the driveway, crushing him. Brennan freed him, called 911 and performed first aid and comforted Pastor Yoon until the ambulance arrived. 

We applaud the brave and selfless action of Brennan Baughman, a regular citizen who moved without hesitation to save the life of a stranger. 

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, June 21
Devonshire St. between Tampa Ave. and Corbin Ave.
Park on Tunney Ave., west of Tampa 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. Northridge West Neighborhood Council provides the refreshments and tools.

For more information contact Jo Ann Phillips at (818) 304-4989 orjaphillips1@yahoo.com or visit www.NorthridgeWest.org.

Volunteer or Donate to Operation Gratitude...

Volunteer or donate to help assemble and ship care packages to our troops serving overseas. Operation Gratitude is a San Fernando Valley-based non-profit organization that has sent over 775,000 care packages to bring letters of support and the comforts of home to U.S. military personnel serving in war zones abroad.

They hold major assembly and shipping drives every spring and winter, and volunteers and donations are needed year-round.

Weekdays
Mondays & Fridays, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Weekends
Saturday, June 16, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday, June 24, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Saturday, June 30, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Gourmet lunch trucks sell a variety of delicious food for lunch in the parking lot from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, and the truck operators each donate 10% of all proceeds to Operation Gratitude. This activity qualifies for Community Service Hours.

Anyone over 12 years old can volunteer, but anyone under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. If you would like to volunteer please send an email to OpGratVolunteer1@yahoo.com with the subject “Operation Gratitude Volunteer.” To make a donation, visit https://www.operationgratitude.com/donate/.

Valley Village Showtime Fundraiser to Benefit Developmentally Disabled Adults...

Valley Village is holding its "Showtime!" Garden Party & Luncheon on Saturday, June 23 to raise funds for its programs and services for develomentally disabled adults in the San Fernando Valley.

Valley Village is a Winnetka-based non-profit organization that provides family-style care homes and therapeutic day programs for 400 developmentally disabled men and women. To learn more about Valley Village, visit www.valleyvillage.org/index.html.

Saturday, June 23
Sheraton Universal
333 Universal Hollywood Dr.
Universal City

Showtime! is a fun, elegant opportunity to mingle, sip champagne, and shop at trendy boutiques. At 12:00 pm, there is a sit-down luncheon with entertainment by a top-name stand up comedian, and an auction with prizes including trips, collectible items and more. The event MC will be George Pennacchio, entertainment reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News. 

Tickets are $85 and RSVPs are required by June 15. To purchase tickets online, or to learn how to donate to Valley Village or donate auction and raffle items, click here. 

For information, please contact Jenny Daniels Freese at (818) 587-9480, or by email at showtime@valleyvillage.org.

New Horizons 5K Walk...

Join New Horizons for their Fifth Annual Walk on the Horizon 5k Walk to benefit developmentally disabled people in our community on Saturday, June 23 at Woodley Ave. Park.

Saturday, June 23
Registration - 7:00 am
Run - 8:30 am
Walk 9:00 am
Woodley Park
6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys
Map - http://g.co/maps/uuhvv

Take a little walk, or run, and make a big difference for New Horizons’ programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The event will feature a 5k run and a non-competitive walk around Woodley Park in Van Nuys, followed by an awards celebration with food, and live music by the band Arrest My Sister.

For 57 years, New Horizons has empowered individuals with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy and autism to fulfill their dreams.

For more information on Walk on the Horizon, or to register, visitwww.newhorizons-sfv.org/walk or call John Thornton at New Horizons(818) 221-0644 or email jthornton@newhorizons-sfv.org.

Grand Opening and Free Rides for the Public on the Canoga Ave. Orange Line...

The — a four-mile addition to the popular Orange Line busway — will open to the public on Saturday, June 30 with community celebrations and free rides for the public from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

In addition to free rides for the public all day, the grand opening will include community events at the Chatsworth and Canoga Stations. Chatsworth Depot will have a country/western theme, while the Canoga Station will feature eco-friendly booths, food trucks and other fun activities.

Saturday, June 30
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station
10446 Old Depot Plaza Rd.
Enter at Devonshire St. between Canoga Ave. and Owensmouth Ave.

Canoga Station
Canoga Ave. & Victory Blvd.
Woodland Hills

We have supported and worked on the Canoga Ave. Orange Line Extension from its inception in order to offer fast, safe, convenient public transit and make the entire regional public transit system more available to Northwest Valley commuters, while alleviating traffic congestion and pollution. 

The busway will feature four new stations at Sherman Way, Roscoe Blvd., Nordhoff St. and Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station. New platforms are being added at the Canoga Station. An elevated crossing at Lassen St. will keep the busway safely separated from the railroad tracks. All stations will include beautiful public art. A beautiful bikeway and pedestrian path landscaped with native, drought-tolerant plants will run parallel to the busway, and will connect to the long bike and walking path along the Orange Line. There will also be a new park and ride lot at the Sherman Way Station and additional parking at Chatsworth Depot.

To see photos of the Metro Canoga Orange Line Extension under construction and for more information, visit www.metro.net/projects/orangeline.

Canoga Ave. Orange Line Extension Construction Updates...

Metro is now working seven days a week including some evenings. Paving, utility, traffic signal and other work is being done on each street along Canoga Ave. from Vanowen St. to Devonshire St. Some traffic disruptions and congestion can be expected until the entire project is completed.

Canoga Station Park & Ride Lot Closure
In preparation for the grand opening of the Metro Orange Line Extension, the Canoga Station Park & Ride Lot will be closed for re-construction through Friday, June 15. 

For further questions, please call (818) 701-2827 or emailmolextension@metro.net.

Call for Submissions - Artwork Made By Local Artists for a District 12 Art Exhibition...

The Council District 12 office is putting out a call for submissions of artwork by Northwest Valley artists to be part of a community art exhibition in our Community Service Center in Chatsworth.

We will display the artworks for up to six months. There is no cost involved, and the artists will receive 100% of any sales of their artwork. The works will be by artists living or working in Council District 12 in the San Fernando Valley, and they will be related to the unique culture, landscape, people, places and life of our community or the City of Los Angeles as a whole.

If any artist wishes to donate proceeds from the sale of their work to support the arts in our community, our office will match the donation. For more information, call Semee Park at (818) 882-1212.

If you are an artist in the Northwest San Fernando Valley, please submit your work for review! Click here to see the guidelines and the entry form. 

33rd Annual Devonshire PALS Golf Tournament...

Save the date for the 33rd Annual LAPD Devonshire PALS (Police Activity League Supporters) Golf Invitational on Monday, July 9. This great day of golfing raises funds for Devonshire PALS, which provides valuable after-school programs to give at-risk youth positive alternatives to gangs, drugs and crime. The PALS Youth Center in Northridge offers sports, mentoring and homework assistance to kids while building positive relationships between the Police and the community.

Monday, July 9
7:30 am- Registration
Porter Valley Country Club
19216 Singing Hills Dr., Northridge

The $200 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, hole-in-one prize opportunities, golf cart, entry for raffle prizes, awards and goodie bags.

For more information, call (818) 349-1706.

Fire Department's New 'LAFDmobile' Smartphone App to Stay Up to Date on Emergency Information...

The Fire Department (LAFD) has launched a great new tool to help the public stay up to date on emergency and public safety information. LAFDmobile is their new FREE app for your iPhone and Android smartphones that consolidates all of LAFD's information and updates for the public into one easy-to-use program.

Created and funded by a veteran Firefighter to support the "LAFD Everywhere" initiative, LAFDmobile is designed to put timely and trusworthy information into the hands of L.A. residents. The items listed include LAFD Alert, LAFD Scanner Radio, LAFD's Twitter and Facebook postings, LAFD's Photo Gallery and much more, all in one list, available on your phone.

To download and start using the LAFDmobile application on your iPhone or Android, simply go to http://www.widgetbox.com/mobile/app/lafd-mobile . There are easy-to-follow instructions on the website.

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 22: Emergency First Manual 
These days, people have become very accustomed to looking up medical and first aid information on the internet. But if a major earthquake or other disaster strikes, you may be without power for a long period of time, so it's a good idea to keep a printed first aid book or manual together with your first aid kit. Even if you have had first aid training, you may need to look up specific information on how to respond to open wounds, shock, poisoning, or other medical emergencies. There are many excellent first aid manuals available. To see some examples, visit http://tiny.cc/21myfw.
 
To see our printable Emergency Preparedness Checklist, with every week's entry, click here or visit our website at www.CD12.org.

National Night Out & Movies Under the Stars...

Our Case Worker Melody Jaramillo reports this week on a great event for Valley families - National Night Out and Movies Under the Stars, 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 and builds positive relations between the community and the Police, strengthens pride and engagement in the community, and sends a message that neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back against crime. 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 sodas 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.