Englander E-News: Business, Safety, Streetcars and More ...

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS
March 8, 2013

Working to Help Local Manufacturing Businesses Thrive...
I was proud to second a Resolution supporting Senate Bill 500, encouraging businesses to expand their investment in research and development. Sponsored by Senator Ted W. Lieu, the bill offers approved tax credits to businesses as a reward for growing their research and development departments.

While California remains a national leader in research and development investment we must to continue to nurture businesses in this vital area. The Senate Bill will increase the State’s tax credit from 15% to 20% of excess qualified research and development expenses. 

I am a strong supporter of City efforts to support research and development in areas like technology, renewable energy, and alternative fuels, because these industries will create quality high-tech jobs.

We must do everything we can to help our local businesses compete in the global marketplace. Other cities, other states and even other countries are working to lure away companies and we must stay competitive. Click here to see the resolution.

       - Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Working to Protect Public Safety...
This week I seconded a motion to protect public safety by adding instant reporting of sales of ammunition to the LAPD. Existing law requires that ammunition sales take place face-to-face, that purchasers show proper identification and provide thumbprints, and that sellers keep a log of purchasers. However, to inspect the sales logs the LAPD must physically visit each seller, which is time consuming and inefficient.
 
This motion amends the law to include automatic, time-of-sale electronic reporting of all ammunition sales within the City of Los Angeles to the Board of Police Commissioners. The motion directs the LAPD and the Information Technology Agency to work together to implement an electronic reporting system that can be made available to ammunition dealers throughout the City.

As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, and an LAPD Reserve Officer, I am committed to working to make our neighborhoods safer and reduce gun violence. Click here to see the motion.

     - Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

 Recognizing the Success of a Local Business...
I was proud to join TIG/m, a company located in Chatsworth, to announce the delivery of Aruba’s second TIG/m streetcar and the order for two additional streetcars to be delivered in 2013. TIG/m's streetcars are completely designed and manufactured in Chatsworth. They are pollution free, custom, state-of-the-art streetcars meant for inner city transportation. 

They are powered by a combination of lithium batteries, regenerative braking, and hydrogen fuel cells, generating zero pollutants.  

The Caribbean Island Nation of Aruba has implemented TIG/m street cars for an inner city trolley system that is completely green since December 2012. Aruba has partnered with the Carbon War Room, a global initiative from Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and a group of entrepreneurs to become the first country in the world with a 100% renewable energy economy. The contracts have allowed TIG/m to double their work force over the last year. 

I worked to help TIG/m with securing funding and grants to support their expansion and thrive in Los Angeles. This business is an example of how the City government can help businesses create jobs and boost the economy. TIG/m is also located in a state enterprise zone, which gives them access to state business incentives. I worked to support the two expansions of the Enterprise Zone in the San Fernando Valley. 

         -Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Baseball Season Begins...
This week I had the privilege of attending the North Valley Youth Baseball Opening Day Ceremony. In addition to beginning a new baseball season, we also celebrated the signing of a forty-five year lease agreement between Metropolitan Water District, Department of Water and Power, and the Granada Hills Youth Recreation Center. It was also my pleasure to attend the opening game of the Granada Hills Little League. Other area leagues taking part in Opening Day included West Hills Baseball and Mid Valley Youth Baseball.

Athletics are a great way for our youth to learn the values of tradition, sportsmanship, community involvement, and teamwork. Let’s play ball!

      -Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Community Hike to Commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Chatsworth...
Join the Santa Susana Mountain Park Association as they lead a community hike through the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park this month to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the community of Chatsworth. 

Rain cancels the hikes, so please check the weather the mornings of the event. Bring water, sunscreen and shoes appropriate for hiking. Dogs must be kept on a leash. Hike through the park and up the historic Devil's Slide section of the old Butterfield "California Line" Stagecoach Trail. The difficulty level is high.

Saturday, March 9
9:00 am
Meet at: Larwin entrance to Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
10200 Larwin Ave., Chatsworth

Founded in 1970, the Santa Susana Mountain Park Association works to protect and preserve our unique historic and geological treasures, the Chatsworth Hills, through recreational and educational events.

For more information about the hikes or the Association, email mail@ssmpa.com or visit www.fpssm.org or visit their Facebook page Friends of the Santa Susana Mountains. 

Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council Offering Free CERT Training...
Learn how to get your family trained and prepared to survive a disaster and assist the community at the free CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) course sponsored by Porter Ranch Neighborhood C0uncil on Monday evenings starting March 4.  

This free, six-week class will teach you how to be prepared for and to survive after an earthquake, wildfire or other major disaster. You will learn how to operate a fire extinguisher and put out small fires, conduct search and rescue for injured victims, provide some basic first aid, and how to assist emergency responders after a disaster.

Getting CERT trained is one of the best things that individuals, families, businesses and neighborhoods can do to get the entire community better prepared and able to help each other and first responders after a disaster. We commend Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council for sponsoring this important event.

Monday, March 11
6:30 pm
Porter Ranch Community School
Multi-Purpose Room
12450 Mason Ave. (at Sesnon)
Porter Ranch

The course is free, but you must register in advance. For more information or to sign up, visit http://www.prnc.org/cert.

Sign Up Now for One-On-One Help With Representatives of City Departments at Our Community Service Center...
We are now taking reservations for community members to meet one-on-one with representitives of City Departments at our Community Service Center in Chatsworth.

We will have regularly scheduled time slots for community members to meet with the Planning, Police, Transportation (LADOT), Housing, Community Development and Neighborhood Empowerment Departments and the Bureau of Sanitation. This will offer community members a chance to get information and assistance in Chatsworth without having to travel all the way to Downtown.

The following Departments are currently taking appointments: 
Los Angeles Police Department - Tuesday, March 12.
8:00 am - 12:00pm 
(Questions regarding legal, criminal and public safety issues.)

Department of Transportation – Wednesday, March 13.
9:10 pm
(Responsible for the planning, design and management of transportation systems in the City to increase mobility and safety for all modes of travel.)

Community Development Department- Friday, April 5.
(Offers economic, social and employment opportunities for individuals, families and neighborhoods in need.)

We will announce in our newsletter the service hours of the remaining Departments once they have been established.

Our Community Service Center is located at 9207 Oakdale Ave., Second Floor, in Chatsworth.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (818) 882-1212 or email Melody Jaramillo at Melody.Jaramillo@lacity.org.  

Soroptimist Society of San Fernando Valley Program Meeting...
The Soroptimist Society of San Fernando Valley will be meeting at Marie Calendar’s to host Marsel Watts, Director of the Women's Business Center for the Valley Economic Development Center, she will discuss "Resource for Women Entrepreneurs."

Thursday, March 14
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Marie Calendar’s Restaurant
19310 Business Center Dr.
Northridge

Soroptimists are like-minded Valley business and professional women whose goal is to make the world a better place for women and girls who face obstacles and discrimination because of their gender.

For more information please visit http://www.soroptimistsanfernandovalley.org/ or email contact@soroptimistsanfernandovalley.org

Public Meeting with the Department of Sanitation on Proposed Exclusive Franchise Ordinance…
The Department of Sanitation is holding a series of public meetings to discuss adopting a City ordinance to establish a City-wide exclusive franchise system for municipal solid waste collection and handling. The proposed ordinance would include services for large multi-family residential units, commercial, industrial, and institutions within the City of Los Angeles.

The meetings are being held as public scoping meetings to receive public input on the proposed project.

Thursday, March 14
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Granada Hills Charter High School-Library
10535 Zelzah Ave.
Granada Hills

Free Tax Preparation Assistance at Our Community Service Center...
 We are offering a valuable, free service for community members in March in advance of the April 15 deadline to file taxes. Our Community Service Center is holding a free income tax preparation session on Friday March 15. 
 
Friday, March 15
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Community Service Center
9207 Oakdale Ave.
Chatsworth

Appointments are required, and you must bring certain documents. For more information or to schedule your appointment, call (818) 882-1212.



Year of Healthy Living March Event - Grand Opening of Aliso Canyon Park!
Please join me in celebrating the opening of Aliso Canyon Park on the Granada Hills/Porter Ranch border on Saturday, March 16!

We are proud to open up this new park to the community. The park is the first public equestrian arena in the Northwest San Fernando Valley. It also features an outdoor pavilion and picnic area, a pedestrian bridge over the small creek to protect the riparian habitat, a naturally landscaped meadow with native, drought-tolerant plants, equestrian parking and staging area, regular parking area, restrooms, and improved trailheads and markers for the trails through the canyon.

Saturday, March 16
10:00 am
Aliso Canyon Park
East of Reseda Blvd. between Senson Ave. & Rinaldi St.

We secured grant funding to purchase and make improvements to Aliso
Canyon Park and worked with Granada Hills North, Granada Hills South, and Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council and equestrian and hiking groups to determine the design of the existing park. We look forward to bringing this new park to the community!

The opening of Aliso Canyon Park is our March Year of Healthy Living event. By opening this new park, we are expanding the trails that are available for community members to have a place to walk, run, hike and enjoy nature. Having easy access to outdoor recreation and nature is important to the health of the community. We invite all communities to come out for a healthy walk or hike at the new Aliso Canyon Park! 

As part of our Year of Healthy Living, we are holding a community activity or event every month to offer families in the community a fun way to get healthy. The events range from community hikes, walks and bike rides, to informational events on nutrition, healthcare and financial health.
              
          - Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Women of the Northridge United Methodist Church Annual Spring Boutique...
The annual Spring Boutique will be presented by the Women of the Northridge United Methodist Church featuring handmade crafts, with proceeds going to support Valley organizations that provide assistance to families, and especially to women and children.

Sunday, March 17
8:00 am to 12:30 pm
9650 Reseda Blvd.
Northridge

For additional information please visit www.northridgeumc.org or call (818) 886-1555.

CD 12 Non-Profit Summit - “Enriching the Community with the Arts”...
We invite all community-based organizations and non-profit organizations in the Northwest San Fernando Valley to join us for our next CD 12 Non-Profit Summit, “Enriching the Community with the Arts.”

Monday, March 18
10:00 am to 11:30 am
Devonshire PALS Youth Center
8721 Wilbur Ave.
Northridge

Our office strongly supports the arts by working with local artists on community projects, cultivating strategic partnerships, and promoting local arts events. We have successfully partnered with local artists to conduct a public art event at our Valley Family Festival and have transformed our new Community Service Center into a community art gallery.

Three great organizations are partnering on this Non-Profit Summit - the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and Arts for LA.

The panelists will provide information on grants and funding opportunities, programs available for artists, and ways for artists to learn advocacy and civic engagement. Organizations will share experiences and best practices.

Please RSVP by Thursday, March 14 to Semee Park via email at Semee.Park@lacity.org or by calling (818) 882-1212.

Discover Recycling Open House...
Save the date for the Discover Recycling Open Houses coming up in the San Fernando Valley!

Families and children of all ages will have the opportunity to meet trash truck drivers, see trash truck demonstrations and tour trash facilities while learning about recycling and the environment.

Saturday, April 27
9:00 am to 2:30 pm
East Valley District Yard
11050 Pendleton St.
Sun Valley

Saturday, May 18
9:00 am to 2:30 pm
West Valley District Yard
8840 Vanalden Ave. 
Northridge

Alzheimer’s Association's Walk to End Alzheimer’s...
Save the date for a fun, family event for a great cause coming up - The Alzheimer's Association's 3rd Annual Walk to End Alzheimer's on Sunday, June 9 at Woodley Park.

Sunday, June 9
6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys
Registration - 7:00 am
Opening ceremonies - 8:30 am
Walk begins - 9:00 am

Residents and businesses from throughout the San Fernando Valley will walk in the 5K route to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition to the 5K route, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s will include entertainment, food, awards and a family festival. Walkers who raise $100 receive a commemorative T-shirt, and there are prizes for top fund-raising teams and individuals.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Donations benefit the Alzheimer's Association – the leading voluntary health organization for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

To register, start a team, donate, sponsor, or volunteer, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/socal or (800) 272-3900.

Recognizing Arts in Our Community…
Our Field Deputy, Semee Park, reports that the San Fernando Valley Arts Council, the Valley Arts Alliance, and local artists are
partnering to bring to the community, "Definitions-An Artist’s Relationship to Techniques + Mediums.”

March 4 - 16
Canoga Park Youth Arts Center
7222 Remmet Avenue
Canoga Park, CA 91303
Gallery is open from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm

Artists’ Reception: March 9
6:00 - 9:00 pm

This special exhibit is based on a theme of artists expressing their
thoughts on the techniques and mediums that make their art so
engaging. Each selected artist has written about their experiences
with certain types of techniques and/or mediums that have made a
lasting impression on themselves as well as their art.

For more information, contact Roslyn Wolin, SFV Arts Council President
at Roslyn@sfvartscouncil.com.