Englander E-News: Councilman Discusses LAFD Response Time on TV

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS
Nov. 30, 2012

Interview with NBC Ch. 4 About Ongoing LAFD Response Time Problems...

In case you missed it, I was interviewed by NBC Ch. 4's Patrick Healy about the ongoing Fire Department response time problems. We discussed a motion I co-authored in November for the Fire Department leadership to appear before the full City Council as soon as possible to explain why the Department has not provided specific actions to improve response times during life-and-death emergencies.

The motion was in response to the ongoing problems emerging with the Fire Department's innacurate data collection and reporting of response times, and the lack of adequate actions to address the problems.

To see part 1 of the interview, click here.
To see part 2 of the interview, click here.

We also discussed my FIRESTAT-LA motion, which I introduced in February 2012 to create a comprehensive new system for the Fire Department modeled after the LAPD’s highly successful COMPSTAT system.

FIRESTAT-LA, which was approved by the City Council on April 17, 2012, combines leading-edge technology, real-time data collection and mapping with innovative management techniques to deploy resources. There will be frequent meetings and open dialogue among all levels of the Department and a cycle of constant assessment and communication of results to find improvements and efficiencies. Click here to see the FIRESTAT LA motion.

- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Congratulations to Heritage Christian School on Grand Opening of Their New Preschool...

Our Field Deputy Melody Jaramillo presented a City certificate congratulating Heritage Christian School on the grand opening of their new pre-school in Granada Hills.

Heritage Christian Pre-School is the newest addition to the Heritage Christian School system. It will offer a well-balanced early education program focusing on the spiritual, social, academic, emotional and language development of the children.

To learn more about Heritage, visit http://www.labaptist.org/.

Northridge Hospital Festival of Trees...

Don't miss the holiday festivities at the Northridge Hospital Festival of Trees, Nov. 29 through Dec. 1.

The Festival of Trees is a public fundraising event featuring individually designed trees, wreaths, quilts and holiday centerpieces for purchase and activities including a Sweet Shop, live holiday musical performances, children’s crafts, story time, photos with Santa Claus and more.

Thursday, Nov. 29 - Opening Reception
Friday, Nov. 30
Saturday, Dec. 1
10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Granada Hills Town Center
18040 Chatsworth St.
Granada Hills

Individuals or businesses can purchase, decorate, display and donate an artificial tree, wreath, centerpiece or handmade quilt for the silent auction.
Proceeds benefit Northridge Hospital's Richie's Pediatric Trauma Center to help fund state-of-the-art equipment. Richie's Center is the first and only Trauma Center dedicated to the children of the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities. There are also sponsorship opportunities for local businesses or organizations.

For more information call (818) 885-5341 ext. 3.

29th Annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade...

Don't miss the 29th Annual Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade, coming up this Sunday, Dec. 2.

The theme of the parade this year is "12 Days of Christmas." The Grand Marshall is former Dodger Great Steve Yeager.

Local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Troops will march with their banners along the Chatsworth St. parade route, alongside marching bands from high schools across the San Fernando Valley, equestrian teams, car clubs, floats, drill teams, fire trucks, military color guards, and Santa Clause.

Bring your whole family for this fun, free event which was attended by 15,000 people last year.

Sunday, Dec. 2
1:30 pm
10640 Petit Ave.
Granada Hills

The parade starts at 1:30 pm at the Granada Hills Library at Petit Ave. and Chatsworth St., continues west down Chatsworth St., and ends at Granada Hills Charter High School on Zelzah Ave.

For more information, visit http://granadachamber.com/.

Chatsworth Fine Arts Council Art Show...

Come enjoy fine art and culture right here in our backyard at the Chatsworth Fine Arts Council's Arts & Crafts Show on Sunday, Dec. 2.

Sunday, Dec. 2
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station
10046 Old Depot Plaza Rd., Chatsworth
Enter from Devonshire St. or Lassen St., 1 block west of Canoga Ave.

The show will feature original art, and unique crafts including
paintings, prints, glass works, ceramics, jewelry, photography, fabric arts and sculpture. There will also be a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the community art activities of the Chatsworth Fine Arts Council.

For more information call (818) 772-1639 or click here.  

PALS Holiday Toy Drive for Kids...

Join us in helping to 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.

You can drop off new, unwrapped toys, books or gift cards to our Community Service Center in Chatsworth, at Devonshire Community Police Station, or at the Devonshire PALS Youth Center. The toy give-away is on Saturday, Dec. 15, and you can drop off donations directly at the PALS Youth Center in Northridge until Thursday, Dec. 13.

Nov. 9 through Dec. 13
Drop Off Locations
Council District 12 Community Service Center
9207 Oakdale Ave., Chatsworth
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday

PALS Youth Center
8721 Wilbur Ave., Northridge
Monday - Thursday
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Devonshire Community
Police Station
10250 Etiwanda Ave. (at Devonshire St.)
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.

To learn more about Devonshire PALS, visit www.devonshire-pals.org.

The Holiday Toy Express is Back...

The Holiday Toy Express is coming back to town at Northridge Station on Sunday, Dec. 2, so mark your calendars!

Sunday, Dec. 2
Northridge Metrolink Station
Train arrives at 5:35 pm
Wilbur & Parthenia
To see a map, visit http://goo.gl/maps/p56zg
For more information, click here.

The Holiday Toy Express is a full-sized Metrolink passenger train decorated with over 50,000 lights, animated light displays, animatronic singing reindeer, and a song and dance performance by Santa and his Elves. This free event is a great way for families and kids to celebrate the holidays in our community.

Please bring an unwrapped gift or a gift card to donate to the Spark of Love Toy Drive, which offers holiday gifts and sports equipment to at-risk and low-income children. Spark of Love is a partnership between Fire Departments across Southern California and ABC TV Ch. 7.

To see a video of last year's Holiday Toy Express, click here.

Community Bike Ride...

Ride Reseda, a series of community bike rides that promotes neighborhood awareness, community contact, and good health, is holding their next outing on Sunday, Dec. 2.

This Sunday's ride is 13.1 miles, starting from the Reseda Neighborhood Council Office and extending along a segment of the new L.A. River Bike Path to Shadow Ranch Park in West Hills. To learn more about the history of Shadow Ranch, visit http://www.laparks.org/dos/historic/shadow.htm

Sunday, Dec. 2
9:00 am
Behind the Reseda Neighborhood Council Office
18341 Sherman Way, Reseda

Helmets required for riders under 18 years old, and encouraged for all. Please ride safely and share the road!

Only heavy rain will cancel the ride. Please check the Facebook on Sunday morning for updates at http://www.facebook.com/RideReseda. For more information, contact Ride Reseda at RideReseda@gmail.com.

New Horizons Celebrates the Holidays with its own “Holiday Cheer!”

New Horizons, a North Hills based non-profit organization whose mission is to empower individuals with developmental disabilities, is holding its 6th Annual “Holiday Cheer” event on Monday, Dec. 3.

Monday, Dec. 3
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
New Horizons Sam’s Café
15725 Parthenia St.
North Hills
$5 per person

The community is invited to enjoy this holiday concert tradition, featuring music and dance by New Horizons’ Brite Lites and Dancers, as well as songs performed by Patrick “Elvis” Mitchell, Malissa Moreno and Amanda Sandoval. There will also be a special appearance from Santa and much more!

New Horizons has been offering community education, advocacy, work training, programs and other services to help adults with developmental disabilities live with dignity in our community since 1954.

For more information on this and other New Horizons events and programs call (818) 894-9301 or visit www.newhorizons-sfv.org. 

Coat Drive to Benefit Homeless & Struggling Families Over the Holidays...

The Granada Hills Woman's Club is holding its annual Warm Coats Warm Hearts Coat Drive in partnership with Burlington Coat Factory through Dec. 31.

Please bring new or used coats (in good condition, without stains or holes) to the two drop-off locations to help provide warm coats to homeless and struggling families in Los Angeles during the cold winter months.

Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce
17723 Chatsworth St.
Granada Hills
11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Thursday
12:00 pm to 7:00 pm Friday

Bicycle Den
16908 San Fernando Mission Blvd.
Granada Hills
11:00 am to 4:00 pm, 7 days a week

CD 12 Community Service Center
9207 Oakdale Ave., 2nd Floor
Chatsworth
9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday

For more information email skilos1234@aol.com.

SOLID Fundraiser Night at Rosie's BBQ & Grillery...

SOLID (Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire) presents a night of delicious BBQ for a great cause on Tuesday, Dec. 4 at Rosie's BBQ & Grillery in Northridge.

Tuesday, Dec. 4
Rosie’s BBQ & Grillery
9012 Tampa Ave.
Northridge

Click here for the flyer.
Print out the flyer and present it to your server and Rosie's will donate 15% of your bill to SOLID. SOLID is a non-profit organization that raises funds to offer non-City-supplied materials and equipment to the Police Officers serving our community at Devonshire Community Police Station.

Free CERT Training...

There is a great opportunity up for families to learn how to get prepared for earthquakes, wildfires, floods or other disasters at the free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course in Granada Hills.

These courses could make all the difference for you and your family before, during and after a disaster. We applaud Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council and Patriot Oil Community Benefit Trust Fund, administered by the North Valley Coalition, for sponsoring this important public safety resource.

Wednesday Dec. 5
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Knollwood Country Club
Fairway Room
12024 Balboa Bl., Granada Hills

CERT trains community members in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. You will learn how to prepare for emergencies, what supplies, food and water you should have in your home or office, and most importantly, how to protect your family and your neighbors.

For more information visit www.cert-la.com/cert-syllabus.pdf. or email cert@ghnnc.org to sign up for free!

Wilkinson Senior Center Art Show...

The Wilkinson Senior Center is holding an art show featuring all original pieces painted by seniors as part of the art classes offered at Wilkinson. All of the paintings on display will be available for sale, and the artists will be on hand to discuss their work. Proceeds from sales will go to the individual artist in conjunction with Valley Interfaith Council. Free refreshments provided for guests.

Friday, Dec. 7
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Saturday, Dec, 8
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Wilkinson Senior Center Annex Building
8956 Vanalden Ave., Northridge

For more information, call (818) 756-7741.

Chatsworth Kiwanis Holiday Parade, Festival and Car Show...

Get ready for the the 29th Annual Chatsworth Holiday Parade, featuring hundreds of floats, marching bands, clowns, horse teams, live music, food, booths, arts and crafts, games, photos with Santa Claus, a Kid's Zone and more! The theme this year is "Under the Sea."

Sunday, Dec. 9
9:00 am
Car Show Check-In
1:00 - Parade Begins
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Festival
Canoga Ave.
Between Devonshire St.
and Lassen St.
Chatsworth

Click here for the sponsorship and entry form for the Holiday Parade.

This year the Chatsworth Holiday Parade will also feature a car show! Hundreds of cars will be on display, including trophies for categories including Best Classic, Best Hot Rod, Best Muscle Car, Best Paint, Best Domestic, Best of Show, and People’s Choice. The event will feature lots of food vendors and entertainment. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift card to donate to the toy drive benefiting Project Living Hope. No burnouts, pop-up tents, trailer parking or alcohol are allowed.

All sponsorships or donations are fully tax-deductible and benefit the Chatsworth Kiwanis Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. You can sponsor a trophy, or have a booth for your local business. The sponsorship deadline is Nov. 25.

Click here for the entry and sponsorship form for the Car Show.

For more information, please call Larry Stein at (818) 800-3287 or email larry@thegoldhillgroup.com.

Chabad of Chatsworth, Northridge & Porter Ranch Community Chanukah Menorah Ligthing Event...

Don't miss the Chabad of Chatsworth, Northridge & Porter Ranch Community Chanukah Menorah Ligthing Event on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at Porter Ranch Town Center. The lighting of the Menorah signals the beginning of the eight days of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights .

Tuesday, Dec. 11
6:00 pm
Porter Ranch Town Center
(Northwest corner of Corbin Ave. & Rinaldi St.)
Porter Ranch

This fun, free community celebration is open to families of any denomination and features live music, hot potatoe latkes, doughnuts, Chanukah craft activities, face painting, drawings for prizes, special performances for kids, and a special tight-wire act.

For more information call (877) 44Chanukah or visit www.ChanukahatPorterRanch.com.

Used Book Sale...

The Friends of the Northridge Branch Library are holding a used book sale on Saturday, Dec. 15. There will be many books , hardcover and paperback, non-fiction and fiction in great condition for sale at very low prices. Proceeds go toward purchasing new books and the library's free programs and activities.

Saturday, Dec. 15
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Northridge Branch Library
9051 Darby Ave., Northridge

For more information, call (818) 993-9848 or email
friends.nrlibrary@gmail.com.

Protect Yourself from Thieves This Holiday Shopping Season...

It's holiday shopping season, and the LAPD is urging residents to HIDE IT, LOCK IT, and KEEP IT.

Burglary and theft from motor vehicles is consistently the most common property crime. LAPD reported 1,263 burglaries from vehicles this year in Devonshire Division alone, and Detectives say the great majority of them could have been avoided.

While doing holiday gift shopping, shoppers are often distracted and stressed, and often leave lots of valuable items in their cars. That makes for easy targets for thieves.

LAPD Burglary/Theft Prevention Tips
Lock and secure your vehicle and always set your alarm or use an anti-theft device.

Don't leave cellphones, wallets, laptops, purses, backpacks, or even your sunglasses in view in your car. Lock them in your trunk or take them with you.

Do not leave holiday gifts visible in your car.

Try to park your car in well-lit areas of parking lots, close to store entrances.

Record the serial numbers of expensive toys, computers and other electronic devices.

Call 911 if you see suspicious activity.

For more information call Devonshire Division Detectives at (818) 832-0609.

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 44: Use Smaller Storms and Other Incidents to Help You Get Prepared for Disasters...
Every year, the Los Angeles area experiences flooding during seasonal rainstorms, usually impacting hillside areas and neighorhoods adjacent to them. This can cause property damage and can be dangerous. The threat of dangerous mudslides and debris flows is much greater near hillside areas recently denuded by wildfires.

Los Angeles residents, especially those in foothill neighborhoods, are encouraged to prepare their properties in advance of coming rainstorms. Although the current storms are not expected to drop excessive rainfall, they can provide an opportunity to get more prepared for larger storms that are more destructive and dangerous.

In advance of rainstorms, the L.A. Fire Department makes ready-to-fill sandbags available at all Fire Stations. Sand may also be available at several of these Fire Stations, as well as at many Bureau of Street Services locations.

To learn more about where to find sand bags and sand, click here.

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

Military Discounts…

As a U.S. Army Veteran, our Public Safety Deputy Jim Dellinger is a strong supporter of our current and former military personnel and Veterans. He reports this week on the wide range of Veteran and military discounts that busineses offer to show their support and appreciation of our men and women who are serving or have served our country in the military.

Many businesses, including hundreds of locations in the San Fernando Valley, offer special discounts for Veterans and military personnel. The discounts range from entrance to theme parks such as Disneyland, Knott’s, Magic Mountain, to movie theatres and hotels. Stores offering discounts include Lowe’s and Home Depot, clothing, electronic and sporting good stores and restaurants. AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint Mobile all offer service discounts. There are even discounts on the purchase of a car.

Military Discounters
A website to search by ZIP code for all kinds of stores, businesses and services that offer discounts to Vets or military personnel, including hundreds of locations in the Northwest San Fernando Valley.
www.militarydiscounters.com/

Theme park tickets
The Los Angeles Air Force Base, just south of Los Angeles International Airport, sells discount tickets to members of all branches of the military to theme parks. http://www.losangeles.af.mil/

Military discounts for vehicle purchases
Ford, Chrysler, GM and Toyota offer various types of discounts to military personnel or Veterans on the purchase of a vehicle.

Chrysler military discounts
http://www.chrysler.com/en/incentives/bonus_incentives

Ford military discounts
http://www.encs.com/ford

GM military discounts
https://www.gmmilitarydiscount.com/ip-vpp

Toyota military discounts
Http://tiny.cc/ToyotaVets
Toyota military discounts.

Website to find military discounts for purchase of vehicles.
www.militaryrates.com/military-discounts-automobile.cfm

Various military discounts
www.military.com/discounts
Various military discounts.