Englander E-News: Shopping Carts, Occupy L.A., the Orange Line, and More ...

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS

May 11, 2012

Law to Address Abandoned Shopping Carts Moves Forward...

On Tuesday, May 9 the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to require new supermarkets and those with at least 50% percent of the store being remodeled to install systems to prevent the theft of shopping carts. I support the ordinance and support this effort to find  common sense solutions to this problem, which we have worked for several years to address.

The law was intended to reduce the proliferation of abandoned shopping carts on city streets and sidewalks, which are a blight and eyesore, attract trash, become traffic hazards and block sidewalks and driveways. The requirements only apply to stores with more than six carts. I called for a study to be conducted to find ways to make the rules apply to all stores.

- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Costs of Occupy L.A. to the City Reviewed in Public Safety Committee...

As Chair of the Public Safety comittee, I heard the final report back from the City Administrative Officer (CAO) today on the total costs to taxpayers of the two month long Occupy L.A. movement encampment, its removal, and the restoration of the historic City Hall park and ground.  

The total costs amount to at least $4.7 million, with more costs expected to emerge. The costs come from  Police operating costs and overtime ($2.59 million), Public Works, General Services, graffiti abatement, Bureau of Sanitation, Street Lighting, Street Services and City Attorney. The cost to Recreation and Parks alone for restoring the historic City Hall park and grounds which were destroyed during the two-month illegal encampment is more than $1 million. The park remains closed to the public while it is being restored.

This is an irresponsible waste of scarce City resources and taxpayer dollars at a time when the City faces a $220 million budget deficit, when City services that our communities need and deserve are being cut and when City employees are being laid off.

To see the news article about the Occupy L.A. costs, click here.

Rinaldi Convalescent Hospital Open House and Health Fair...

Join Rinaldi Convalescent Hospital for their Open House and Health Fair on Thursday, May 14 in Granada Hills. There will be free medical and dental screenings, health information and other resources for seniors, and free refreshments.

Thursday, May 14
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
16553 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills

For more information, call (818) 360-1003.

Electronic Waste & Used Clothing Collection Event...

Bring your unwanted or broken computers, TVs, toys and other electronic devices to be safely and properly disposed of at the Chatsworth Kiwanis Club's electronic waste and used clothing collection event on Saturday, May 19 at Los Toros Mexican Restaurant in Chatsworth.

Items that will not be accepted include refrigerators, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, damaged TVs and monitors.

Saturday, May 19
11:00 am to 4:00 pm 
Los Toros Mexican Restaurant
21743 Devonshire St., Chatsworth

Enter to win a 7” Android tablet when you drop off e-waste. The winner will be picked and contacted on the day of the event.

To learn more about the Chatsworth Kiwanis Club and their activities in our community, visit www.chatsworthkiwanis.org/. For more information on the event, call (818) 489-6423.

“Living Well” Senior Symposium at OneGeneration...

OneGeneration Senior Enrichment Center is holding its Fourth Annual Senior Symposium on Saturday, May 19.

Saturday, May 19
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
OneGeneration
18255 Victory Blvd. 
(1 block  west of Lindley St.)
 
Speakers and workshops cover mental, emotional and physical health, eating healthy on a budget, working past age 60, legal issues, and remaining active in the community. Motivational speaker Jackie Goldberg (Pink Lady) will kick off the day with her keynote, “Get Up, Get Out, Get a Life.”

Canoga Park, Encino, Lake Balboa, Northridge South, Reseda, Tarzana, Winnetka and Woodland Hills/Warner Center Neighborhood Councils are co-sponsoring this event.

More than fifty vendors will offer goods and services to the senior community. The all-day event is free, but RSVP is required. To RSVP, please call (818) 705-2345 by May 12.  For more information please Denyse Selesnick at Denyseselesnick@yahoo.com.

Independence High School Blood Drive...

Student volunteers at Independence High School in Van Nuys are organizing an American Red Cross Bloodmobile blood drive on Monday, May 21. Give the gift of life! Give Blood!

Monday, May 21
8:00 am to 2:00 pm
6501 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys

For more information, call (818) 881-7737.

Volunteer or Donate to Operation Gratitude...

Volunteer or donate to help Operation Gratitude assemble and ship care packages to our troops serving overseas. Operation Gratitude is a San Fernando Valley-based non-profit organization that has sent over 775,000 care packages to bring letters of support and the comforts of home to U.S. military personnel serving in war zones abroad.

They hold major assembly and shipping drives every spring and winter, and volunteers and donations are needed year-round.

Weekdays
Mondays & Fridays, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
CLOSED: Memorial Day, Monday, May 28

Weekends
Saturday, May 12, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Saturday, May 26, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday, June 3, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Saturday, June 16, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday, June 24, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Saturday, June 30, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Gourmet lunch trucks sell a variety of delicious food for lunch in the parking lot from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm, and the truck operators each donate 10% of all proceeds to Operation Gratitude. This activity qualifies for Community Service Hours.

Anyone over 12 years old can volunteer, but anyone under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. If you would like to volunteer please send an email to OpGratVolunteer1@yahoo.com with the subject “Operation Gratitude Volunteer.” To make a donation, visit https://www.operationgratitude.com/donate/.

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 beautification project every Thursday!

May 17 - east side of Wilbur Ave. at Kenya St.
Northridge

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.

Free Tire Collection Days in the San Fernando Valley...

Bring your old tires to have them safely and properly disposed of and recycled for free at the upcoming tire collection days in the San Fernando Valley.

Saturday, May 19
West Valley District Yard
8840 Vanalden Ave., Northridge
9:00 am to 2:30 pm

Every person who brings in tires will receive a coupon for 15% off their next purchase of Firestone or Bridgestone tires. This event is limited to City Los Angeles residents only. The collection event will not accept tires from businesses, tires on rims, tires for large trucks, or more than nine tires per person.

For more information, call (213) 485-3568.

Child Care Seat Safety Event in Northridge...

Northridge Hospital Medical Center is holding a child car seat safety event on Saturday, May 26.

Car Seat Check Up
Saturday, May 26
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Northridge Hospital Medical Center
Education Auditorium
18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge

By appointment only. Call (818) 885-8500 ext. 3437 to schedule or for more information. The car seat check-ups teach parents, hands-on and in your own car, how to correctly use a child’s car seat or seat belt. The checkups are run by trained and certified child passenger safety technicians.

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.

St. Nicholas Valley Greek Festival...

Don't miss the 39th Annual St. Nicholas Valley Greek Festival, the biggest Greek festival in all of Los Angeles, coming up May 26 to 28 at St. Nicholas Greek Church in Northridge.

May 26, 27, 28
1:00 pm to 9:00 pm
St. Nicholas Greek Church
9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge

This San Fernando Valley tradition features Greek music, dance, food, culture, games, booths and more.

For more information, call (818) 886-4040 or visit www.valleygreekfestival.com.

Save the Date for the Valley Family Festival...

Get ready for a day of family-friendly fun in the park at the Valley Family Festival and Movies Under the Stars, coming up on Saturday, June 2 at Northridge Park.

We are proud to host this event in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Northridge and L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks. There will be live music and dance performances, vendor booths, food, games, and a free outdoor screening of the animated family film Puss in Boots.

Saturday, June 2
3:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Northridge Park
18300 Lemarsh St., Northridge

Call for Booth Sponsorship for the Valley Family Festival...
You can be part of making our Valley Family Festival happen! We are offering opportunities for local businesses, non-profit organizations and other community groups to help support this great event and be part of the celebration. For information on booths, sponsoring, or donating to the event, please contact Megan Cottier at megan.cottier@lacity.org or (818) 882-1212. Click here for the sponsorship and booth forms.

9th Annual Still Saving Lives Car Show...

The 9th Annual Still Saving Lives Car Show & Family Traffic Safety Fair is coming up on Saturday, June 2 at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills.

Saturday, June 2
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Warner Center Park
5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills

This annual free event is sponsored by the LAPD Valley Traffic Division and the Valley Traffic Advisory Council. There will be over 300 classics, hot rods, race cars, motorcycles and other beautiful and rare vehicles, as well as food trucks, games and vendors. The LAPD's SWAT, K-9 Unit, Motorcycle Drill Team and Bomb Squad will have demonstrations and vehicles on display.

For more information, visit www.VTAC-VTD.org.

Northridge Village Beautification Project Fundraiser at El Rancho...

The efforts of the Northridge Sparkle Campaign to beautify the business corridor on Reseda Blvd. between Nordhoff St. and Parthenia St. in Northridge have evolved into "Northridge Village Beautification." The group is holding a fundraiser concert at El Ranch Cordillera Del Norte on Saturday, June 9 to raise funds for the revitalization of the Historic Reseda Boulevard
Business District.

Saturday, June 9
4:00 pm - silent auction
5:00 pm - show begins
6:30 pm - wine & appetizers
El Rancho Cordillera del Norte
9015 Wilbur Ave., Northridge
$25 donation. Free Parking.

The event features nine great singers (Annie Grimes, Meggan Taylor, Gina Mitchell, Sue Fountain, Joe Green, Dave Berges, Carl Nakamura, Terry Lieberstein, and Northrdige Sparkle's own Andrea Alvarado) led by Charlie Harrison, Music Director of El Rancho. 

Seating is limited so RSVPs are required. To reserve, please email  northridgebeautification@gmail.com or call (818) 885-0825.

Traffic Disruptions Possible During Final Period of Construction On Canoga Ave. Orange Line Extension...

With construction nearly complete on the Canoga Ave. Orange Line Extension, MTA is now working seven days a week including some evenings. Paving, utility, traffic signal and other work is being done on each street along Canoga Ave. from Vanowen St. to Devonshire St. Some traffic disruptions and congestion can be expected between now and the end of May.

When the Canoga Orange Line Extension is complete, it will provide a fast, safe connection between Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station and the endpoint of the Orange Line Busway at Warner Station in Woodland Hills. It will provide Northwest Valley commuters vastly greater public transit options and alleviate traffic congestion on our streets.

For further questions, please call (818) 701-2827 or email molextension@metro.net.

New Horizons 5K Walk...

Join New Horizons for their Fifth Annual Walk on the Horizon 5k Walk to benefit developmentally disabled people in our community on Saturday, June 23 at Woodley Ave. Park.

Saturday, June 23
Registration - 7:00 am
Run - 8:30 am 
Walk 9:00 am  
Woodley Park
6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys
Map - http://g.co/maps/uuhvv

Take a little walk, or run, and make a big difference for New Horizons’ programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  The event will feature a 5k run and a non-competitive walk around Woodley Park in Van Nuys, followed by an awards celebration with food, and live music by the band Arrest My Sister.

For 57 years, New Horizons has empowered individuals with developmental disabilities such as mental retardation, cerebral palsy and autism to fulfill their dreams.

For more information on Walk on the Horizon, or to register, visit www.newhorizons-sfv.org/walk or call John Thornton at New Horizons (818) 221-0644 or email jthornton@newhorizons-sfv.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 17: Give An Earthquake/Disaster Survival Kit for Mother's Day
This Sunday, May 13 is Mother's Day. Why not show your mother how much you care by giving her an earthquake/disaster survival kit for a Mother's Day gift? Every person should have a kit in their car, in their home and at their workplace. Each kit should have a handcrank or solar powered radio and enough food, water and medical supplies to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

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