Englander E-News: No Taxes, Water for Horses, Vegan Visit and More ...

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS
Nov. 2, 2012

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

No Vote on Proposed Tax Increases...

On Wednesday, Oct. 31, I voted NO on the series of tax increases proposed for the March 2013 ballot. Proposals were made to increase the parcel tax to raise money for parks, to increase the documentary transer tax, to increase the parking occupancy tax, and to implement a .5% sales tax.

The City faces a $220 million budget deficit this year which has heavily impacted our resources. However, I believe that not enough has been done to bring the City back to its most essential core services - public safety, infrastructure, and planning - and that not enough progress has been made to bring our current and future pension costs under control. We must first make significant progress on those fronts before asking the taxpayers for more money, especially now when families are still struggling to make ends meet. 

- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Working on Behalf of Horse and Livestock Owners...

As a strong supporter of our large equestrian community, I introduced a motion on Oct. 16 to get the hardship adjustment for horse and livestock owners in the DWP Water Rate Ordinance finally implemented. 

In 2009, the Board of Water and Power Commissioners amended the Water Rate Ordinance to allow a hardship adjustment for horse and livestock owners. The amendment specifically allowed registered owners of livestock an allotment of 100 cubic feet per month (approximately 748 gallons) per animal to ensure adequate health and hygiene. On average horses consume 15 gallons of water per day, or approximately 500 gallons per month. However, in mid-2009 the livestock hardship adjustment was referred back to the Board of Water and Power, and has never been adopted. 

With the cost of water rising all the time, horse and livestock owners need the hardship adjustment more than ever. My motion asks DWP to report to the Council in 30 days on the status of the livestock hardship adjustment and its plan to quickly implement it.  Click here to see the motion.

- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Supporting Businesses in Our Community...

As part of our ongoing outreach and assistance efforts to businesses in our community, I was proud to make a site visit to Earth Island, a Chatsworth-based manufacturer of vegan food products. 

I presented a commendation to Earth Islands CEO Bob Goldwyn and his staff, and toured their facility. While a great deal of manufacturing now takes places overseas, Earth Island still produces their high-quality, natural products right here in Council District 12. 

Their flagship product, Veganaise, a gluten-free, eggless mayonaise substitute, is sold at their health food cafe and market, Follow Your Heart. L0cated at 21825 Sherman Way in Canoga Park, Follow Your Heart has been in business since 1970. 
  
- Councilmember Mitchell Englander, Twelfth District

Conversations With Councils...

I hosted another "Conversations with Councils," our series of meetings bringing together Neighborhood Council leaders and City Department heads to discuss City services and community concerns and ideas, on Thursday, Nov. 1. 

We were joined by Director of Bureau of Street Services Nazario Sauceda at the lively and constructive meeting at Corporate Pointe in West Hills. At our Conversations with Councils, we invite Board Members from all Neighborhood Councils in our District to meet with me, my staff, and heads of City Departments to get updates on legislation, projects and hot-button issues, ask questions, and discuss community matters. 

The meeting was attended by representatives from Northridge South, Northridge West, Chatsworth, Porter Ranch, West Hills, Granada Hills North and Reseda Neighborhood Councils. 

- Councilmember Mitchell Englander, Twelfth District

Fall Community Clean Up Event at Limekiln Canyon Park...

We are proud to be partnering with middle-school student Sam Dobry and his fellow student leaders for our Fall Community Clean-Up event on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Limekiln Canyon Park. 

Student volunteers from several local schools will be leading the clean up activities, including removal of graffiti, cleaning up trash and debris, and beautification of Limekiln Canyon. This event is a great way to get some outdoor exercise, meet your neighbors, teach kids about volunteerism, and help keep this natural area in our community beautiful. 

Saturday, Nov. 3 
8:30 am to 11:00 am 
Meet at Shepherd of the Hills Church
Parking Lot 
Southwest corner of Corbin Ave. & Rinaldi St. 
Porter Ranch

Wal-Mart of Porter Ranch is generously providing free breakfast for the volunteers. Ralph's of Porter Ranch is donating free bottled water. Trader Joe's of Chatsworth is donating free protein bars and bottled water. 

For more information, call the District 12 Community Service Center at (818) 882 – 1212

Dearborn Elementary School Goodwill Donation Drive... 

Kids and teachers at Dearborn Elementary Charter Academy are holding a Goodwill Fundraising Drive to gather used clothes and household items to benefit struggling families served by Goodwill and to raise funds for the school.  
 
Saturday, Nov. 3
9:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Dearborn Elementary School
9240 Wish Ave., Northridge
 
For every 28 foot truck that is filled with donated items the Goodwill will contribute $1,500 to Dearborn Elementary. Funds raised will help benefit the school’s 2012/2013 Educational Programs, including computer classes, art classes, dance and music classes, physical education, field trips and teacher supply grants. 

Simply drop off your items at Deaborn Elementary or schedule a large item pick up by sending an email to donations@dearbornpta.org.

Don't Forget to "Fall Behind" for Daylight Savings Time This Weekend...

Daylight savings times ends this Sunday morning at 2:00 am, so don't forget to set your clocks one hour earlier. 

Voter Information for Nov. 6 Elections...

Election day is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Whatever your choice is, it is important to vote and make your voice count in our democracy. 

On Nov. 6, residents of the San Fernando Valley can vote for City Measures, County Measures, Los Angeles County District Attorney, California State Assembly and Senate, California State Propositions, U.S. Congress, U.S. Senate and President of the United States. 

To see a list of all candidates and measures that you can vote on on Nov. 6, visit Los Angeles County's Voter Information page here  and enter your address. It includes summaries of the candidates and measures, including pros and cons, fiscal impacts, and other important information. To look up your local polling station, visit http://lavote.net/Locator/ and enter your address. 
 

Free CERT Training...

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

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 Evenings
Nov. 7, 14, 21, and 28
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!

Courageous Citizens Award Luncheon...

Don't miss the Kiwanis Club of Northridge's 11th Annual Courageous Citizens Award Luncheon coming up on Thursday, Nov. 8. 

Thursday, Nov. 8
11:45 am to 1:30 pm
The Odyssey Restaurant 
Apollo East/West Room
15600 Odyssey Dr. Granada Hills

Every year, this event brings together business and community leaders, public officials, and law enforcement officers to recognize extraordinary acts of bravery by regular citizens. The awards are given to those who have come to the aid of a victim of a crime, helped capture a suspected criminal, prevented a crime, testified in the face of unusual pressure, or acted selflessly to help a fellow citizen. 

For more information, call Richard Leyden at (818) 775-1185. 

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. 

Starting Friday, Nov. 9, 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 to 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.
 

Granada Hills Library Used Book Sale...

The Friends of the Granada Hills Library are holding a two-day used book sale on Friday, Nov. 9 and Saturday, Nov. 10. 

The Granada Hills Library was the 22nd branch to be opened in the City of Los Angeles in November 1962. All year, the Granada Hills Library is celebrating its 50th birthday, and with your support, they can keep providing service to our community for another 50 years. The library offers many free cultural and educational programs, including monthly free family movie nights, showing family-friendly films. 

Friday, Nov. 9
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm 
Saturday, Nov. 10
10:00 am to 2:00 pm 
Granada Hills Library
10640 Petit Ave., Granada Hills  

Many fiction, non-fiction, hardcover, and paperback books in good condition will be available at rock bottom prices! You can purchase a bag full of books for $5. All proceeds will help the Friends of the Library purchase books and maintain its programs and activities. 

For more information, call (818) 368-5687.

Northridge Village Clean-Up Effort by San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission & Northridge Sparkle Campaign...

The San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission is partnering with Northridge Sparkle Campaign to hold a major clean-up operation in Northridge Village as part of the ongoing Northridge Village Beautification Project on Saturday, Nov. 10.  

Saturday, Nov. 10
9:30 am
Home Again Rescue Mission
8756 Canby Ave.
Northridge 

Volunteers will be cleaning up trash and debris from sidewalks, removing graffiti, planting greenery, starting their first public mural and installing benches.  

Northridge Sparkle is a community-driven effort to beautify the Reseda Blvd. business corridor between Parthenia St. and Nordhoff St. and has been instrumental in decreasing litter and vandalism, and increasing community pride in the commercial district. 

Their past projects have included installing Northridge Village signs, historical plaques, redwood planter boxes with new plants and flowers, trimming trees,  repainting red curbs and fire hydrants, sweeping gutters, power-washing sidewalks, promoting businesses, and creating business membership stickers. 

The San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission is an outreach of the Rescue Mission Alliance. To learn more visit www.sfvrescuemission.org.  

For more information or to sign up for the Nov. 10 clean-up activity, contact Andrea Alvarado at (818) 903-8194 or  northridgebeautification@gmail.com or visit www.textinthecity.org.

Veteran's Day Celebration at Granada Hills Veterans Memorial Park...

The Granada Hills Rotary Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Granada Hills Post are holding a Veteran's Day Celebration at the Granada Hills Veterans Memorial Park on Sunday, Nov. 11. 

VFW will conduct a Color Guard ceremony. Visitors are asked to donate to support the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life. To learn more about the Wounded Warrior Project, visit http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/. 

Sunday, Nov. 11
2:00 pm
Corner of Zelzah Ave. and Chatsworth St.
Granada Hills

For more information call Kerry Nelson at (818) 388-6428. 

Help Complete the Memorial Walkway on the Granada Hills Veterans Memorial Park...

The Granada Hills Rotary Foundation is offering 150 laser-engraved memorial bricks to be added to the Memorial Walkway in the Granada Hills Veterans' Park.  
The Foundation maintains the Granada Hills Veterans’ Park, which they refurbished in 2009 and 2010.  The memorial bricks have helped raise funds for the renovations and continue to help pay for maintenance. 

There are now 750 bricks which were sponsored and have names and messages from individuals, families of fallen and current soldiers, local businesses and community-based organizations.  

This is the last opportunity to sponsor a memorial brick. The deadline to sign up is Nov. 12, 2012, and the final 150 bricks will be installed in early December.
  
The Veterans' Park's pergola was made possible by the Granada Hills Improvement Association. New landscaping, brick and cement work, flagpoles, monument and statue were supported by Jake Parunyan, Kenn Cleaners; Councilmember Mitchell Englander; former Councilman Greig Smith; the Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council; the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council; the Department of Cultural Affairs; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2323; and the Granada Hills Rotary Foundation.

For more information or to request a brick, please contact John Weitkamp at jweitkamp@aol.com or (818) 363-3144 or Dr. Carl Melnik atdrmelnik@ghoc.com or (818) 366-2020.

Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber 7th Annual Legends and Heroes Luncheon...

We are proud to co-sponsor the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce's 7th annual Legends and Heroes Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 15.  This great community event recognizes the achievements of outstanding community members. 

Thursday, Nov. 15
11:30 am 
Porter Valley Country Club
19216 Singing Hills Drive, Porter Ranch 
Tickets: $40 

This year, the Legends and Heroes Honoreers are Detective Eddie Solomon, LAPD Devonshire Station; Senior Lead Officer Danny Del Valle, LAPD Devonshire Station; Captain Denise Jones, LAFD Fire Station #28; Robert Dager, Santa Susana Mountain Preservation Association; Jelena Csanyi, Chatsworth Neighborhood Council & Chatsworth Community Coordinating Council. 

For more information please call the Chamber at (818) 341-2428.

'Tis the Season Holiday Celebration at Shops at West End in Chatsworth...

Shops at West End invite you for an evening of holiday cheer, fun activities and shopping while giving back to the community on Nov. 15.  

Thursday, Nov. 15
5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Devonshire St. between 
Owensmouth Ave. and 
Topanga Canyon

The holiday festivities include a Santa’s Workshop for kids, Winter Wonderland Christmas Tree Showcase, Children’s Holiday Art Contest Display, Silent Night Silent Auction and Raffle, Giving Stations and more.  

Guests will also enjoy tasty refreshments, holiday boutique shopping and a special visit from Santa! In the spirit of giving, proceeds will benefit local schools of the finalists of the Children’s Holiday Art Contest and Haven Hills, an organization that serves victims of domestic violence in the San Fernando Valley.  

You can drop off donations of unwrapped gifts for a child or adult or gift cards at Los Toros Restaurant, located at 21743 Devonshire St. or visit www.havenhills.org  to see their wish list. Los Toros will give a free child’s meal for each gift donated. 

The Holiday Toy Express is Back...

The Holiday Toy Express is coming back to town with stops at Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station on Friday, Nov. 16, and Northridge Station on Sunday, Dec. 2, so mark your calendar!

Friday, Nov. 16
Festivities start 6:00 pm
Train arrives approx. 8:00 pm
Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station
Chatsworth
To see a map, visit http://goo.gl/maps/a5C5X. 

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 performances by Santa and his Elves. This free event is a great way to 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. 

Recycle Your Old Sneakers to Help Build Playgrounds for Kids...

Drop off your unwanted and worn-out sneakers at the District 12 Community Service Center from Nov. 1 through Nov. 15 to be recycled and made into playgrounds and running tracks. 

Nov. 1 to Nov. 15
Monday through Friday
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
CD 12 Community 
Service Center
9207 Oakdale Ave., Chatsworth

As part of America Recycles Day, Nov. 15, we are collecting used sneakers (only shoes with rubber soles) to help keep them out of landfills and conserve natural resources. The rubber from the soles is shredded and re-used to make the rubber mats for playgrounds and rubber running tracks.

For more information, call (818) 882-1212.

Celebrating Topanga Community Police Station... 

Join the Los Angeles Police Department in Celebrating Topanga Community Police Station on Friday, Nov. 16. 
 
Friday, Nov. 16
5:30 pm to 8:30 pm 
Hilton Hotel
6360 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills

This fun evening of elegant dining and entertainment features live music by Mrs. Robinson. The Topanga Station Hero of the Year will be announced, and Councilmembers Mitchell Englander and Dennis Zine will host the live auction. The event raises funds for the LAPD Topanga Boosters, which provides much-needed materials and equipment for the Police Officers serving at Topanga Station. 
 
Tickets are $60 per person. No Host Bar. Free Valet Parking. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (818) 756-3077 or visit www.topangaboosters.org.
 
Rummage Sale to Benefit Nobel Charter Middle School Drama Dept....

The Nobel Charter Middle School Drama Dept. is holding a rummage sale to raise funds for their upcoming stage production of "Not Yo Momma's Wizard of Oz!" The sale will feature clothes, household appliances, toys, and other used items in good condition. 

Saturday, Nov. 17
8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Nobel School
9329 Beckford Ave., Northridge 

For more information, contact Jennifer Roberto at jroberto@socal.rr.com. 

Help the YMCA Give Thanksgiving Dinners to Struggling Families...

You can help ensure that struggling families in our community can have their own Thanksgiving dinner at home. To support the North Valley Family YMCA's Annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive, you can donate canned goods, dried goods, stuffing, desert, vegetables, turkeys, gift cards or money. Last year the YMCA donated more than 1,000 complete Thanksgiving dinners. 

The entire Council District 12 staff will be volunteering to distribute turkeys to families. 

North Valley Family YMCA 
11336 Corbin Ave.
Porter Ranch 

For more information please visit www.ymcala.org/nv. 

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 41: Incorporate Lessons Learned from Other Disasters Into Your Emergency Preparedness Planning...
As with many natural disasters, the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey can offer valuable lessons to help us be better prepared for earthquakes, floods, wildfires and other disasters. 

Some notable lessons from Hurricane Sandy: 
Follow evacuation orders. At least 98 people have died during Hurricane Sandy. Always follow evacuation orders, it could save your life. 

Keep cash: Huge sections of Manhattan have been without power for days, making credit and debit card purchases impossible. That is the reason why everyone should keep cash in their emergency kits. 

Flashlights: With widespread power outages, large numbers of apartment buildings in Manhattan lost the use of their elevators. Many residents in upper-story units struggled to get down their stairs and out of their buildings because they didn't have flashlights and stairwells were completely dark. 

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

Compete 4 Causes 5K Run/Walk & Wellness Expo at CSUN...

Our Field Deputy Semee Park is our office's liaison for California State University, Northridge (CSUN), the world-class university right here in our community. She reports on a great event this weekend at CSUN, the Compete 4 Causes 5K Run/Walk & Wellness Expo this Sunday, Nov. 4. A portion of your $25 registration fee goes to the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley. 
 
9:00  am  - Registration
10:00 am - Walk/Run begins
10:30 to 2:00 pm - Wellness Expo 
At CSUN
Sierra Quad  
18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge

The Wellness Expo features live performances, bouncers, obstacle course, games, rock climbing wall, food trucks, wellness demonstrations, and more. 

If you would like support the Boys & Girls Club, when you register online, select "I Am Competing For" and select "A Registered Organization" and select Boys & Girls Club - West Valley.  

For more information or to register, please visit http://www.compete4causes.org/events/