Devonshire PALS Distributes 1,000 Holiday Gifts to At-Risk Kids

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS
Dec. 21, 2012

PALS Holiday Toy Drive Bringing Joy to At-Risk Kids and Their Families...

On Sunday, Dec. 16, the LAPD Devonshire PALS (Police Activity League Supporters) Youth Center distributed over 1,000  holiday gifts to at-risk kids in our community. Our staff was proud to join the LAPD, the PALS staff and volunteers for this wonderful annual charitable effort. Our sincere thanks go out to all of those in the community who donated gifts, books, gift cards and their time in order to ensure that less fortunate families can provide holiday gifts for their kids. 

PALS' after-school programs offer at-risk youth in our community positive alternatives to gangs, crime and drugs. It offers mentoring, homework assistance, sports and other activities, and builds strong, positive relationships between the Police and the community. To learn more, visitwww.Devonshire-PALS.org. 

Special Trash Collection Schedule During Holidays...

Trash collection service will be postponed by one day on the following holidays:

Christmas Day
Tuesday, Dec. 25. One day delay. Trash collection will be on Wednesday, Dec. 26.

New Year's Day
Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. One day delay. Trash collection will be on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013.

Trash collection during the week after each holiday will be on the normally scheduled day.

For more information please call (800) 773-2489 or click here. 

Please Plan to Recycle Your Christmas Tree...

The City Bureau of Sanitation offers recycling of Christmas trees this winter for both residential and multi-family residential properties. The collected Christmas trees will be recycled into compost and mulch.

If your tree is too big to cut and place inside your green waste bin, simply place the tree next to your green waste bin on collection day. For multi-family residences, simply place your tree curbside on the day of collection. Please remove all ornaments, decorations, tinsel, and the stand first.

The City also offers a special ONE DAY ONLY collection of Christmas trees at several locations, on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013.

Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Balboa Sports Center
17015 Burbank Blvd., Encino

Fire Station #28
11641 Corbin Ave., Northridge

Fire Station #106
23004 Roscoe Blvd., West Hills

For more information on recycling your Christmas tree, visithttp://www.lacitysan.org/tree-recycle.htm. 

Gun Buyback Program Offering Gift Cards to Help Take Unwanted Firearms Off the Streets...

The Los Angeles Gun Buyback Program offers residents the opportunity to turn in unwanted firearms to the Police, no questions asked, on Wednesday, Dec. 26. 

Since 2009, the program has rewarded Los Angeles citizens for bringing in over 9,000 guns. The goal is to help reduce the number of guns that end up on the street or in the hands of criminals. 

In exchange for the firearm, the individual will receive a Ralph's gift card worth up to $200, depending on the type of firearm. Up to $200 for assault weapons, and up to $100 for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. 

The LAPD Gun Unit will be on site to determine the type of firearm surrendered and ensure safety. All firearms must be unloaded, and transported in the vehicle trunk. 

Wednesday, Dec. 26
9:00 am to 4:00 pm 

LAPD Van Nuys Area 
Van Nuys Masonic Temple 
14750 Sherman Way, Van Nuys

Los Angeles Sports Arena 
Parking Lot 6 
3939 South Figueroa St., Los Angeles
(Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd./Figueroa) 

For more information, click here.

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.

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 the free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course in Chatsworth.

These courses could make all the difference for you and your family before, during and after a disaster. We applaud Chatsworth Neighborhood Council for sponsoring this important public safety resource for the community.

Thursdays
Jan. 10 to Feb. 21, 2013
9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Chatsworth Library Meeting Room
21052 Devonshire St., Chatsworth

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 email cert@chatsworthcouncil.org or call Clara at(818) 773-9655 . 

Granada Hills Charter High School's Highlander Fest...

Save the date for Highlander Fest, an annual community event to welcome families, alumni, neighbors and friends to celebrate Granada Hills Charter High School, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. This fun community event is completely organized and executed by the students.

Saturday, Jan. 12
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Granada Hills Charter High School
10535 Zelzah Ave., Granada Hills

The event includes bungee jumping, a petting zoo, obstacle courses, a free throw contest, pony rides, a geography game, skee ball, human hamster balls, Sumo wrestling, rock climbing and other games. The food and treats at the event will include cotton candy, In N' Out Burger truck, Numero Uno Pizza, cupcakes, Thai food, pupusas and more. 

For more information, click here. 

Learn About Ham Radio...

Join the Valley Public Response for Emergency Team (VREP) for a great Ham radio class starting on Saturday, Jan. 19 in Woodland Hills. Our office is proud to support this event, together with Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, the California Highway Patrol, and community-based emergency preparedness organizations. 

Saturday, Jan. 19
California Highway Patrol West Valley Station
5825 De Soto Ave. 
Woodland Hills
(Between Burbank Blvd. & Oxnard St.)

In times of disaster, when regular communication channels fail, amateur Ham radio operators can play an important role in assisting emergency communication efforts and working with public service agencies and the community. At this event, you can learn more about the Ham radio system, and how you can become a Ham radio operator. 

There will be an Amateur Radio Entry Level FCC-License Test  at 8:00 am. RSVPs are required because space is limited, and applicants need to receive exam study materials in advance. There is a $5 administrative fee for the exam. At 11:00 am there is an informational presentation on Ham radio 

Please RSVP to Erik Rodriguez at (818) 904-3840 or email Erik.Rodriguez@asm.ca.gov.

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 47: Advanced Healthcare Directive...
Part of emergency preparedness means hoping for the best, but planning for the worst. It's a good idea to put an advanced directive in place so that your family or friends will know what to do in the worst case scenario. An advanced directive will allow you to leave instructions for funeral arrangements, power of attorney, organ donation, and other matters.   

To learn more, click here. 

To see our updated, printable Emergency Preparedness Checklist, with every week's entry, visit our website at www.CD12.org and click "Year of Preparedness."

Community Bike Ride...

As an avid cyclist, our Communications Director, Matt Myerhoff, keeps his eyes out for organized bike rides in our community. He reports that Ride Reseda, a series of community bike rides that promotes neighborhood awareness, community contact, and good health, is holding their next outing this Saturday, Dec. 22. 

This Saturday's ride starts at the Reseda Neighborhood Council Office and takes riders west to Woodland Hills to visit the spectacular Christmas decorations on the famous Candy Cane Lane. The ride is approximately 10 miles at an easy pace. 

Community bike rides are a great way to stay in shape, get kids interested in outdoor sporting activities, and get to know your neighbors and your neighborhood better. 

Saturday, Dec. 22
9:00 am
Meet up behind 
Reseda Neighborhood Council Office
18341 Sherman Way, Reseda

Helmets are 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 Saturday morning for updates at http://www.facebook.com/RideReseda. For more information, contact Ride Reseda at RideReseda@gmail.com.