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

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS

Nov. 4, 2011

More Local Control for Van Nuys Airport...

This week, we co-authored a motion calling for more local control and accountability to help improve Van Nuys airport, together with Councilman Tony Cardenas.

The 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.

Putting Teeth into the City's Barking Dog Ordinance...

This week the City Council changed the city's ordinance regulating nuisance dogs, establishing a new hearing procedure and fine structure.

Before, a citation could only be issued for licensed dogs because the citation was attached to the license. The owner first had to be forced to get a license. Under the new code, Animal Control officers can now issue citations even if the dog is unlicensed. (The dog owner must still get a license.)

A dog is a "nuisance" if it barks continuously for 10 minutes or for 30 minutes in a three-hour period. The owner first receives a written warning allowing them to improve the situation. If it persists, a hearing is held where the owner could get a $250 fine for the first offense, $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense.

To report nuisance barking dogs, please call West Valley Animal Care Center at  888-452-7381.

Remember to "Fall Behind" This Weekend for Daylight Savings Time...

Remember to set your clocks an hour behind this Sunday morning for Daylight Savings Time. Be sure to appropriately re-set anything that runs on automatic timers, such as security lights or lawn sprinklers.

Benjamin Franklin is credited with coming up with the concept of Daylight Saving Time as a way to allow farmers to make the best use of daylight hours. Most of the United States has been observing Daylight Savings since World War I, but states can opt out. Hawaii and Arizona do not observe Daylight Savings.

We "spring forward" an hour at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March, and "fall behind" an hour at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of November.

28th Annual Clean Up day...

Join the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce for their 28th Annual Clean Up Day on Saturday, Nov. 5. This day of fun, outdoor work will help make the San Fernando Valley cleaner and greener by cleaning up a hiking trail in Limekiln Canyon in Northridge. Come meet your neighbors, get some exercise and fresh air and join the effort to beautify our community!

Saturday Nov. 5
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
World Vision Church
19514 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch

They will kick off the event with a review of the work plan with a free continental breakfast, and a free lunch will be provided for all particpants at the end of the clean-up. The first 150 volunteers will receive a free resuable shopping bag! To volunteer or for more information call 818-989-0300 or visit www.sanfernandovalleychamber.com

First Annual Non Profit Summit...

We are proud to launch the First Annual Non-Profit Summit to help community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, charities and schools build stronger partnerships to move our community forward, on Monday, Nov. 7 in Northridge.

We will provide tools and resources for building stronger partnerships, and each attendee will be invited to share information about their organization and its activities.

Monday, Nov. 7,
10:00 am to 11:30 am
Devonshire PALS
8721 Wilbur Ave., Northridge

We will be featuring L.A. Shares, a web-based philanthropic organization that takes donations of new and gently used goods from the local business community and individuals, and distributes them for free to Los Angeles- based schools and non-profit organizations. Over the past 11 years, L.A. Shares has redistributed over $80,000,000 worth of goods and materials to over 2,500 local organizations and schools!

All community-based organizations, schools and charities in Council District 12 are invited to attend the Summit. This is event is free, but RSVP is required by Friday, October 28 to Semee Park at (818) 756-8501 or by email to Semee.Park@lacity.org.

Support Our Heroes This Veterans Day ...

With Veterans Day coming up on Nov. 11, it's a great time to help honor and thank our nation's heroes for their service and sacrifice to the country.

Our Veterans need our help and support. They are disproportionately represented among the homeless population, and many of them return from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan with lasting physical and emotional wounds.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
Donate or volunteer with Veterans Affairs of Greater Los Angeles.

The National Coalition on Homeless Veterans offers these tips to support Veterans:

Volunteering at a shelter, be a mentor or offer legal aid

Organize a Stand Down program

Develop a Veteran burial program

Volunteer or donate to community-based Veteran support organizations in your neighborhood

Advocate for homeless Veterans

Donate to the National Coalition on Homeless Veterans

Help Provide Thanksgiving Dinners to Struggling Families...

Councilmember Mitchell Englander and the entire CD 12 staff are volunteering on Monday, Nov. 21, to help North Valley Family YMCA distribute 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners to struggling families. You can be part of this wonderful annual effort by the YMCA by volunteering or donating food or money.

Turkey Donation Challenge!

Councilmember Englander is donating $1,000 to the Thanksgiving dinner program, and will donate an additional $5 for every whole turkey donated by an individual. So bring a turkey to donate to the YMCA and help us give even more to this wonderful event!

Each year, the North Valley Family YMCA distributes baskets with a turkey and all the fixings so that a family can have their own complete Thanksgiving dinner at home. It is hard to express how important it is for a family that is barely able to keep afloat during these tough economic times to be able to provide their kids with a Thankgsiving dinner.

The YMCA needs donations of frozen turkeys, $10 gift certificates for Ralphs or Food 4 Less and donations of cranberries, pumpkin, green beans, gravy, boxed mashed potatoes and other Thanksgiving food items. Monetary donations are always welcome.

You can drop off a check made out to "YMCA" or food items at the YMCA Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., or Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Checks can also be mailed to Sisy Sagastume, North Valley Family YMCA, 11336 Corbin Ave., Porter Ranch CA 91326.

Volunteers are also needed for Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20 to help prepare the baskets.

To sign up, donate, or for more information, please call Sisy Sagastume at the North Valley Family YMCA at 818-368-3231 ext. 2304.

Live Green and Save Some Green by Making Your Home Energy Efficient...

For a limited time, the Department of Water and Power (DWP) is offering bonus rebates to Los Angeles City customers who make two or more energy efficiency improvements to their homes as part of their Whole House Energy Efficiency Program.

To apply, click here or call 800-374-2224.

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

Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council every Thursday for their weekly community project and help clean up the streets of Northridge!

On Thursday, Nov. 10, they will be at the northwest corner of Wilbur Ave. and Lassen St. working on planting drought-tolerant plants in the raised garden area and installing a residential sign on the block wall.

Thursday, Nov. 10
8:00 am
Meet up at the corner of Wilbur and Lassen, Northridge

At 8 a.m. they 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.

The project was launched in the Spring of 2010 by Northridge West Neighborhood Council and neighborhood residents who wanted to get involved in beautifying our public streets and sidewalks. Since then they have removed thousands of bags of debris from the streets and sidewalks and inspired several more groups to launch street clean-ups!

For more information, call Jo Ann Philips at 818-304-4989 or email Japhillips1@yahoo.com

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

There are only three more Holiday Assembly Days so come join Operation Gratitude and help assemble care packages to send to US troops serving overseas. The next assembly day is on Sunday, Nov. 6.

Sunday, Nov. 6
Friday, Nov. 25
Saturday, Nov. 26
Saturday, Dec. 17
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Operation Gratitude
National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys

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.

Help Care for Animals in Shelters - Operation Blankets of Love...

Cold weather is here, so it's a great time to support the efforts of Operation Blankets of Love, a San Fernando Valley-based non-profit organization that provides blankets to help keep animals in shelters warm and comfortable.

Homeless cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens need your unwanted blankets, towels and comforters, as well as cat and dog beds, toys, treats and other pet items.
Drop off your donation at Pet People, located at 18040 Chatsworth St. in Granada Hills. Or to help even more, you can host a blanket drive at your work, school or community-based organization.

For more information, call Brad Smulson 818-402-6584 or visit
www.operationblanketsoflove.org.

Chatsworth Fine Arts Council Annual Studio Tour and Reception...

Our Field Deputy Semee Park works with various non-profit organizations in our district, including ones involved in art and cultural activities. This week she reports on a great chance for families to enjoy a cultural event and support local artists right here in Chatsworth - the Chatsworth Fine Arts Council Annual Studio Tour and Reception, on Sunday Nov. 6.

Come support the arts in our community and see great artwork in a variety of media created by local artists at this fun event sponsored by the Chatsworth Fine Arts Council (CFAC). The Studio Tour and Art Reception will help raise funds for art activities in the Northwest San Fernando Valley, including the annual art show at Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station.

Sunday, Nov. 6
10:30 am to 4:00 pm
Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station
10042A Old Depot Plaza Rd., Chatsworth
Click here for a map.

The reception includes exhibits, art demonstrations, complimentary snacks and drawings for prizes. The self-guided tour will bring you inside the working studios of five notable Chatsworth artists: Christina L. Johnson (fused glass, watercolor and dye-on-silk paintings), Chet Collom (mixed media), Phyllis Solcyk (watercolor paintings), Gail Benton (watercolor paintings) and Lorraine Strieby (mixed media paintings).

To see ChatsworthPatch.com's great article about the event, including photos of some of the art pieces featured at the event, click here.

Parking is free. Tickets are $12.50 and can be purchased at the door.
For more information call 818-772-1639 or email chatsworth-arts@att.net or visit the Fine Art Council's Facebook page.