Englander E-News: District 12 Moving Into New Office

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS

March 16, 2012

New Community Service Center...

We are consolidating our Northridge and Chatsworth offices into a single location in Chatsworth.

We are still in the process of setting up and arranging the facility, and we look forward to opening our doors very soon. Until then, please call us at (818) 882-1212. 

We are moving to the Community Service Center after leaving what was the Council District 12 field office for over 30 years. In addition to housing our District operations, staff offices, and meeting spaces, the Community Service Center will also offer residents the opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from various City Departments to get assistance. We will announce details on that service in coming weeks. 

CD 12 COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER  & OFFICE 
CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: (818) 882-1212.  Fax: (818) 701-5254 
Address: 9207 Oakdale Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311.

You can still reach our City Hall Office at (213) 473-7012 and email us at Councilmember.Englander@lacity.org.

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 10: Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
It is crucial during a large-scale natural or man-made disaster such as an earthquake, wildfire, flood or terrorist incident to stay informed. Everyone should have a solar or handcrank-powered AM/FM radio to hear updates and alerts, but there are now more emergency information channels available. Public safety authorities will broadcast information on the radio as well as various websites and alert systems about which roads and bridges are closed, which areas to avoid, and where to go for shelter, medical aid, food and water. Here are several valuable tools you can use, all of which are free and open to the public to use.

NIXLE - LAPD's emergengy alert system. Sign up to receive emergency information by email or text messages to your phone, or look at alerts and updates on their website. Sign up for one or multiple zip codes.
http://local.nixle.com/city/ca/los-angeles.

AlertLA - Los Angeles County's emergency alert system. Sign up online, and you can receive "reverse 911" phone calls.
http://portal.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/alertla.

ReadyLA.org - City of Los Angeles' official emergency preparedness and response website and Twitter feed. http://www.readyla.org/
https://twitter.com/#!/ReadyLA

LAFD Alert - City of Los Angeles Fire Department's blog. http://lafdalert.blogspot.com/.

LAFD's website - http://lafd.org/

LAFD's Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/#!/LAFD

LAPD's website - http://lapdonline.org/

LAPD's Twitter feed - https://twitter.com/#!/LAPDHQ

To see our printable Emergency Preparedness Checklist, with every week's entry, click here. 

Off-Site Budget & Finance Committee Meeting...

The City Council's Budget & Finance Committee is holding one of its regular off-site meetings in the San Fernando Valley on Wednesday, March 28. Councilmember Englander is Vice Chair of the Budget & Finance Committee.

Wednesday, March 28
6:00 pm
Van Nuys City Hall
14410 Sylvan St., Van Nuys

At the meeting, there will be an update on the City's financial situation from the Chief Legislative Analyst (CLA) and the City Administrative Officer (CAO).  

Chatsworth Basic Car Meeting...

Join Sgt. Taylor of LAUSD School Police, LAPD Officer Danny Del Valle and your fellow community members for the next Chatsworth Basic Car Meeting on Thursday, March 22. 

Get an update on crime statistics and trends in our community, public safety tips, and hear about crime prevention and public safety in our schools and ask questions from your local LAPD Police Officers.  

Thursday, March 22,
7:00 pm
St. John Eudes Church
Corner of Mason Ave. & Lassen

For more information, call Carol Jensen at (818) 341-3327 or email cei2@mail.com.

Community Blood Drive..

Give the gift of life, give blood this Sunday, March 18 at World Mission Society Church of God's community blood drive.

According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion every two seconds. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day. Blood transfusions are needed to save the lives of people involved in accidents, crimes, or who undergo surgery. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy also often require blood transfusions every day. 

Unfortunatelly, not enough blood is donated, and the need grows exponentially during major disasters, when large numbers of people need blood transfusions. You can help save lives by donating blood! 

Sunday, March 18
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
World Mission Society Church of God
19400 Valerio St., Reseda 

For more information, call (818) 998-3755.

SOLID Fundraiser Dinner at Islands in Porter Ranch...

Come enjoy a delicious dinner and help support a great cause at the SOLID (Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire) fundraiser night, Wednesday, April 18 at Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks in Porter Ranch.

Wednesday, April 18
4:00 pm to close
Islands Restaurant
11400 Porter Ranch Dr.
Porter Ranch

Print and cut out this flyer [see the adjacent photo box] and present it to your server and Islands will donate 20% of your food and beverage purchase to SOLID.

SOLID is a non-profit organization that purchases non-City supplied materials and equipment that is needed by the Police Officers at Devonshire Community Police Station.

For more information visit http://soliddevonshire.org.

SOLID Pancake Breakfast...

SOLID's annual All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast is coming up on May 19, so save the date! Proceeds benefit SOLID (Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire), which provides non-City supplied materials and equipment needed by the Police Officers at Devonshire Division.

Saturday, May 19
7:30 am to 1:30 pm
Devonshire Community
Police Station
10240 Etiwanda St., Northridge
$7 per person.

Regency Theatres in Granada Hills has generously donated 25 pairs of movie tickets to be given away to guests in a prize drawing. Free child photo-IDs are provided by Hollywood-West Valley Masonic Lodge. Free facepainting for kids! 

For more information, visit http://soliddevonshire.org.  

RideOn Pancake Breakfast...

Don't miss RideOn Therapeutic Horsemanship's annual Open House and Free Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 31 at the RideOn Ranch in Chatsworth.

Saturday, March 31
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
10860 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth

Come enjoy a delicious, free pancake breakfast, and learn about the services RideOn provides, see their facility, learn about volunteer opportunities, and meet their staff and their horses. RideOn offers physical therapy on horseback for sport, exercise and recreation for children and adults with special needs.

For more information, contact Sara Jones at sara@rideon.org.

Interview With Councilmember Englander About Police Impound Policy...

Tune in to KRLA AM 870 radio this Sunday, March 18 at 9:00 am to hear my interview with Larry Marino, host of the weekly radio show, Sunday Morning Newsmakers. The interview covers the important topic of the changes in the Police Department's vehicle impound policy for unlicensed drivers, which I strongly oppose. You can hear the interview on the radio at AM 870 or online at krla870.com

               - Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Northridge Farmers Market Season Grand Opening...

Councilmember Mitchell Englander will proudly cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the 15th season of the Northridge Farmers Market and Family Festival at the Northridge Fashion Center on Wednesday, March 21. For this fun, free grand opening event, there will be live entertainment, including the award-winning Granada Hills Charter High School Highlander Marching Band.

Grand Opening - Wednesday, March 21
Farmers Market Every Wednesday
5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Northridge Fashion Center
Tampa Ave. Parking Lot (in front of California Pizza Kitchen)

The Northridge Farmers Market is open every Wednesday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm through the end of October at the Northridge Fashion Center, in the Tampa Ave. parking lot. At the grand opening event, there will be live entertainment, including the award-winning Granada Hills Charter High School Highlander Marching Band.

Every week, this certified Farmers Market offers organic and conventional fresh fruits and vegetables as well as hot food booths with delicious foods from around the world. There is also a petting zoo, pony rides, lots of fun activities for kids, and arts and crafts vendors.

Valley Academic of Arts & Sciences St. Patrick's Day 5K Fundraiser...

Join the Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences (VAAS) 5k fundraiser walk/run to support arts education on Saturday, March 17 in Granada Hills. 

Saturday, March 17
Registration - 7:30 am
Runners begin at 8:00 am
Walkers begin at 8:15 am
VAAS Running Track
10445 Balboa Blvd.
$20 donation per person

The event will raise money for the school to offer arts-infused learning programs and purchase Nook E-readers for students. 

For more information call Samantha Ferrell at (818) 850-6703 or email samantha.ferrell@lausd.net.

Used Motor Oil & E-Waste Collection Event...

Come drop off your used motor oil, oil filters as well as unwanted or broken TVs, computers, toys or other electronic devices at the free collection event on Saturday, March 24 in Van Nuys.

Saturday, March 24
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Anheuser-Busch
15800 Roscoe Blvd.
(Enter parking lot from Haskell Ave.
just south of Roscoe)
Van Nuys

They will not accept paint, chemicals, fluorescent light bulbs or batteries or bulky items.

For more information, call (800) 988-6942 or visit www.LACitySan.org.

Free Electronic Waste Collection Day...

Bring your unwanted or broken TVs, computers, toys, and other electronic devices to be safely and properly disposed of on Saturday, March 31 at St. Euphrasia School in Granada Hills.

Saturday, March 31
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
St. Euphrasia School
17637 Mayerling St.
Granada Hills

It is illegal to throw away electronic devices into the regular trash. They contain toxic substances that can leach into the environment if the end up in a landfill.

For more information, visit www.steuphrasiaschool.org or call (818) 363-5515.

"Sky's the Limit" 7th Annual Aviation Career Day at Van Nuys Airport...

Save the date for the 7th Annual Sky's the Limit Aviation Career Day at the historic Synchro Hangar at Van Nuys Airport on Friday, April 20.

Friday, April 20
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Synchro Hangar
Van Nuys Airport

Every year, this great event offers over 1,400 young people the chance to learn about the exciting and challenging careers paths in the aviation and aerospace industries in the San Fernando Valley and beyond.

The event will feature interactive aviation and aerospace exhibits, military and civilian aircraft displays, airfield bus tours, and light refreshments.

For more information, call (818) 901-9828 or email letv@saicraftsmen.com.

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 beautifictaion project every Thursday! 
 
Clean-Up Schedule for March
March 22 - North side of Lassen St. at Calvin Ave.
March 29 - South side of Lassen St. at 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. Northridge West Neighborhood provides the refreshments and tools.
 
For more information contact Jo Ann Phillips at (818) 304-4989 or  japhillips1@yahoo.com or visit www.NorthridgeWest.org. 

For a map, go to http://g.co/maps/zc4a4.

Northridge Hospital Trauma Center Annual Champagne Brunch...

Save the date for the Northridge Hospital Trauma Center's Annual Golden Guild Champagne Brunch, on Sunday, March 25 at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills.

What happens in the first 60 minutes after traumatic injury is critical to one’s survival. That is why paramedics and trauma doctors call it “The Golden Hour.” The Golden Hour Guild is a volunteer fundraising group dedicated to supporting the Northridge Hospital Trauma Center.

Sunday, March 25
Odyssey Restaurant
Granada Hills

This great annual event helps raise funds to support the Pediatric and Adult Trauma Centers at Northridge Hospital. There will be drawings for prizes, including $1,000 in cash, women's jewelry donated by Gold Rush, and a two night stay at the Luxe Hotel, City Center at LA Live. Their 2011 event raised almost $60,000, which helped the Trauma Center purchase much-needed equipment for Northridge Hospital.

If you are interested in sponsoring or donating toward this event, please call the Northridge Hospital Foundation at (818) 885-5341, ext. 2.

CD 12 Non Profit Summit a Huge Success!  

Representatives from more than 100 non-profit organizations from the Northwest San Fernando Valley attended our second Council District 12 Non-Profit Summit at Devonshire PALS Youth Center on Monday, March 12.

Guest speakers include  Nancy Olson from Volunteer Los Angeles, Merri Whitelock from CSUN Community Service Learning, and Victoria Garcia from Directors of Volunteers in Agencies, SFV.

In partnership with Valley Non-Profit Resources, we organized this great event and invited all non-profit organizations, charities, and community-based organizations in the Northwest San Fernando Valley to participate.

The theme was "Strategies for Recruiting and Mobilizing Volunteers" and the particpants were offered highly valuable guidance on how to improve their volunteer recruitment, get volunteers enthusiastic, trained, organized and working to help their cause. There was also a networking session afterward to help the non-profit organizations share information and resources with each other.

To see more photos from the Non-Profit Summit, visit the photo galleries on our website.  To get information or resources to assist your Northwest Valley-based non-profit organization, call our office at (818) 882-1212.

Learn About the Historic Oakridge Estate...

Our District Director Megan Cottier leads our office's work on Recreation and Parks and open space issues, and she reports this week on a great chance to learn about our community's cultural and historical heritage. 

The Santa Susana Mountain Park Association is giving a presentation during their community meeting about the historical and the architectural importance of the Oakridge Estate.

Monday, March 19
7:15 pm to 8:30 pm
Rockpointe Clubhouse
22300 Devonshire St., Chatsworth

Oakridge Estate is the English Tudor-style manor on Devonshire St. in Northridge that was designed by the famed African-American architect Paul R. Williams for actress Barbara Stanwyck. Later, it was the home of actor Jack Oakie at a time when many movie stars had their homes in the San Fernando Valley. Our office saved the cultural historical landmark from development, and we are working to preserve it as a treasure of culture and open space for the community for generations to come. 
 
Santa Susana Mountain Park Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history, environment, wildlife and habitats of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park and surrounding areas. They have worked to provide recreational and environmental education and helped acquire and expand parks and natural areas since 1970.

For more information, call (818) 340-7357 or visit www.ssmpa.com.