Politics & Government

Englander E-News: Photo IDs, Limekiln Clean-up, Toy Drive and More ...

This is the weekly City Council District 12 newsletter.

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS
Nov. 9, 2012

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

Opposing Library Photo ID Cards...

This week I voted against moving forward with the proposed new photo ID card to be issued through the City Library Department. 

The card is meant to offer an official photo ID card to enable people to use banks or other financial institutions. It would also serve as a debit card. 

I opppose this proposal because it would create another entire bureaucracy within the City when we face a $220 million budget shortfall next year, which severely impacts our ability to provide services. We are looking at laying off 154 LAPD civillian workers, which could take Police Officers off the streets to cover those positions. 

The City should be focusing on our most important core services - public safety, repairing and maintaining our streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure, trimming trees, city planning, and parks and libraries. 

- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fall Community Clean Up Event at Limekiln Canyon a Huge Success...

We were proud to partner 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 led the clean-up activities, including removal of graffiti, cleaning up trash and debris, and beautification of Limekiln Canyon. 

Click here to see more photos of the clean-up effort. 

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

Our thanks and congratulations go out to the outstanding young community members who led this effort, and to all of those who volunteered, sponsored and contributed to help protect and beautify our community green spaces! 

If you would like to volunteer or sponsor a community event in District 12 please call our Community Service Center at (818) 882 – 1212. 

PALS Holiday Toy Drive for Kids... 

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 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. 

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 through 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.

30th Annual Higlander Marching Band Competition at Granada Hill Charter High School...

The Highlander Band Parents Association presents the 30th Annual Highlander Field Competition, on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Granada Hills Charter High School. 
 
Marching bands, drill teams and dance squads from over 20 Southern California schools will be competing for prestigious awards in the John Ellway Football Stadium at Granada Hills Charter High. 

Saturday, Nov. 10
12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Awards 
Ceremony - 9:00 pm
Granada Hills Charter High School
10535 Zelzah Ave.   

There will also be food vendors offering a variety of delicious dishes.
Admission is $7, with proceeds benefiting the Highlander Band.  

For more information, visit http://www.ghchs.com/.
 

Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber Community Clean-Up...

Come help clean up a beloved park in the San Fernando Valley this Saturday at the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce's 29th Annual Clean-Up Day. Join your neighbors and help clean up Lake Balboa, remove graffiti, clear weeds, trash and debris and help keep our community clean and green.  

Free continental breakfast and lunch provided for registered participants! 

Saturday, Nov. 10 
8:00 am to 12:00 pm 
Lake Balboa Park
6300 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys

Students can receive four hours of community service credit for volunteering! 

For more info call (818) 989-0300 or visit http://www.sanfernandovalleychamber.com

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

Join the Granada Hills Rotary Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Granada Hills  this Veteran's Day to honor the contributions and sacrifices made by our nation's Veterans! They 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. 

San Fernando Valley Veteran's Day Parade...

Come be a part of celebrating  the contributions and sacrifices that our Veterans have made to keep our country safe and free at the annual San Fernando Valley Veteran's Day Parade, Sunday, Nov. 11.  

Sunday, Nov. 11
11:11 am
San Fernando 
Mission Blvd. 
(at Laurel Canyon Blvd.) 
Mission Hills

This year's Grand Marshall is Admiral Michael G. Mullen, U.S. Navy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The parade will begin at the corner of Laurel Canyon Blvd. and San Fernando Mission Blvd., proceed down Laurel Canyon Blvd. one mile and culminate at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center and Park at 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima (at Paxton St.). There will be a carnival at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center. 

Hundreds of Veterans groups, high school marching bands and the San Diego-based Navy Band Southwest will provide great live entertainment. 

This year's Veteran's Day Parade is dedicated to the memory of Alfred Anthony Flores, Jr. who lost his life serving his country. Alfred gave his father, Fred A. Flores, the idea of starting the Veterans Day parade in the San Fernando Valley, so veterans and their families would not have to travel to other cities for a Veteran's Day Parade. To learn more, visit http://sfvveteransdayparade.com/ 

Free CERT Training...

There is a great opportunity 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 Granada Hills. 

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. 14 (Nov. 21 - cancelled), Nov. 28, Dec. 5
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Knollwood Country Club
Fairway Room
12024 Balboa Bl., Granada Hills

The entire series of classes must be completed, however, if you have missed a session in another CERT course, you can make it up attending any other CERT class.  

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 emailcert@ghnnc.org to sign up for free!

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 at drmelnik@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

Granada Hills Women's Club's Country Club Gala...

The Granada Hills Women's Club is holding their annual holiday luncheon and boutique to benefit research and treatment of Lou Gehrig's disease and Lupus on Thursday, Nov. 29. 

Thursday, Nov. 29
10:00 am - vendors open 
12:00 pm - lunch
Porter Valley Country Club
19216 Singing Hills Drive
Northridge
$35 per person

The event will feature vendors offering exciting crafts and apparel, entertainment, door prizes, a holiday money hat and more. 

John West Organ Concert...

The Northridge United Methodist Church presents an organ concert featuring John West playing uplifting holiday music on Friday, Nov. 30. 

John West has played around the world, from Russia and South America to Canada and the United States. He has played with the New York Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale at Disney Concert Hall.  He has also recorded extensively for film and stage productions, and is a renowned choral and vocal works composer. 

Friday, Nov. 30
7:30 pm
Northridge United Methodist Church
9650 Reseda Blvd., Northridge

Admission is free. Donations to help support the congregation's music program are welcome. For more information, call (818) 886-1555. 

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 42: Pack Warm Clothes in Your Kit... 
In addition to food, water and medical supplies, keep warm clothes in your emergency kit that you keep in your car, or in your "grab and go" kit in your home. Even here in sunny Los Angeles, night time temperatures can be in the 40s in the winter. After an earthquake or other major disaster, you could find yourself spending the night outdoors. Exposure or hypothermia, even in temperatures in the 40s, can be life threatening. A hat and warm sweatshirt or jacket could make all the difference.  

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

Donations & Volunteering During the Holidays...

Our Field Deputy Semee Park works with a wide range of community-based organizations and charities in our community and she reports this week on some of the ways to volunteer or donate to good causes over the holidays. 

North Valley YMCA Thanksgiving Dinner Basket Drive
To support the North Valley Family YMCA's effort to give complete Thanksgiving dinner baskets to struggling families, you can donate donate canned goods, dried goods, stuffing, desert, vegetables, turkeys, gift cards or money. Drop off donations at the YMCA, at 11336 Corbin Ave., Porter Ranch. For more information, call Tracy Karagari at (818) 368-3231 ext. 2325. 

Kiwanis Club of Northridge Thanksgiving Dinners & Holiday Gifts
To support the Kiwanis Club of Northridge's annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive to help 75 struggling families at Napa Street, you can donate canned or non-perishable Thanksgiving dinner food items, such as canned vegetables, stuffing, or gift cards. For information email Scott Spooner atpiquetson@aol.com

You can also support the Northridge Kiwanis Santa's Helpers in their effort to give holiday presents to 25 children and their families from Napa Street Elementary School by donating new, unwrapped toys, gifts or gift cards. For information, email Lawrence Nye at nye-guy@juno.com.

MEND
You can help MEND (Meeting All Needs With Dignity) by participating in their 2012 Christmas Program. Through MEND, you, your family, your business, or your organization are connected with needy families during the season of giving. You can "adopt" a family or donate to their food drive or their toy drive to help struggling families be able to enjoy the holidays.To learn how you can help, click here.  To volunteer, call (818) 896-0246 or email volunteering@mendpoverty.org




 


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