Politics & Government

Englander E-News: Soda, Pools, Showtime and More

Councilman seeks healthy beverage choices for kids in city park and library vending machines.

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS

June 22, 2012

Working to Offer Kids Healthy Choices in Vending Machines in City Parks...

On Tuesday, June 19, I testified in the Arts Parks Health and Aging Committee on my motion to offer healthy beverage choices for kids in City park and library vending machines. 

The Los Angeles County Health Department, First Five LA and the American Diabetes Association have all advocated for healthier beverage choices for children, including unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices, low and non-fat milk, unsweetened milk substitutes like soy or rice, water and carbonated water. 

To see the motion, go to tiny.cc/SugarBeverages

To see the editorial in the L.A. Times in suppport of my motion, click here

As a father, and a longtime board member of the American Diabetes Association, the health of our children and the diabetes epidemic we face has long been a serious concern for me. I was also motivated to introduce the motion when my own daughter was unable to get anything other than sugar-packed beverages from the vending machines at the City park where she had sports practice. 

This measure will not prevent people from bringing sodas into parks. It means that the City will be offering healthy choices to kids in its own vending machines at parks.  

To demonstrate how much sugar is in soda, I emptied out 22 packets of sugar – representing the approximately 69 grams of sugar in each 20 ounce soda. 

- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

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Public Pools in Los Angeles Open This Weekend!

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

The summer swimming season is here and L.A.'s 48 public pools open this Saturday, June 23 and remain open through August 12! Admission is free for kids under 17, seniors and people with disabilities. The pools are open 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on weekends, and for the first week, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm weekdays. After the first week, they are open 11:00 a m to 6:00 pm on weekdays.  

Our public pools are a wonderful resource, offering kids and adults in the community a great, economical way to cool off, get exercise and have fun!

The City’s Aquatics facilities include regular public swimming pools with a wide variety of amenities, programs, sports and classes for children, adults and people with disabilities and competitive athletes in training. The City also offers a Junior Lifeguard Training Program designed to prepare young people who are interested in pursuing a career as a Lifeguard. 

L.A. Public Pools the West San Fernando Valley
GRANADA HILLS POOL
16730 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills
Click here for a map.

NORTHRIDGE POOL
(818 ) 709 – 7475
10058 Reseda Blvd., Northridge
Click here for a map.

CANOGA PARK - LANARK PARK
(818) 756-9364
21817 Strathern St., Canoga Park
Click here for a map.

VAN NUYS/SHERMAN OAKS WAR MEMORIAL PARK
(818) 783-6721
14201 Huston St., Van Nuys
Click here for a map.

To learn more about all of the City’s Aquatics facilities click here.

Valley Village Showtime Fundraiser to Benefit Developmentally Disabled Adults...

Valley Village is holding its "Showtime!" Garden Party & Luncheon on Saturday, June 23 to raise funds for its programs and services for develomentally disabled adults in the San Fernando Valley.

Valley Village is a Winnetka-based non-profit organization that provides family-style care homes and therapeutic day programs for 400 developmentally disabled men and women. To learn more about Valley Village, visitwww.valleyvillage.org/index.html.

Saturday, June 23
Sheraton Universal
333 Universal Hollywood Dr.
Universal City

Showtime! is a fun, elegant opportunity to mingle, sip champagne, and shop at trendy boutiques. At 12:00 pm, there is a sit-down luncheon with entertainment by a top-name stand up comedian, and an auction with prizes including trips, collectible items and more. The event MC will be George Pennacchio, entertainment reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News.

Tickets are $85 and RSVPs are required by June 15. To purchase tickets online, or to learn how to donate to Valley Village or donate auction and raffle items, click here.

For information, please contact Jenny Daniels Freese at (818) 587-9480, or by email at showtime@valleyvillage.org.

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, visitwww.newhorizons-sfv.org/walk or call John Thornton at New Horizons (818) 221-0644 or email jthornton@newhorizons-sfv.org.

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

Weekends
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!

Thursday, June 28
Devonshire St. between Tampa Ave. and Corbin Ave.
Park on Tunney Ave., west of Tampa 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 Council provides the refreshments and tools.

For more information contact Jo Ann Phillips at (818) 304-4989 orjaphillips1@yahoo.com or visit www.NorthridgeWest.org.

Deadline to Sign Up for DWP's Solar Feed-In Tariff Program is June 29...

The deadline to sign up for the Department of Water and Power (DWP) Solar Feed-in Tariff Demonstration Program is June 29. 

The DWP launched its 10 megawatt Solar Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Demonstration Program this year to encourage renewable energy development in Los Angeles and to help meet the 33% Renewable Portfolio Standard Mandate by 2020. The FiT Program will allow DWP to partner with program participants to create a standard power purchase contract to buy electricity generated from a participants’ renewable energy plant. These plants will be located within the DWP service territory and connected to the DWP electrical distribution system.

To sign up or to learn more, go to www.ladwp.com/FIT or emailFiT@ladwp.com or call (213) 367-2100. 

Grand Opening and Free Rides for the Public on the Canoga Ave. Orange Line...
 

The Metro Orange Line Extension — a four-mile addition to the popular Orange Line busway — will open to the public on Saturday, June 30 with community celebrations and free rides for the public from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

In addition to free rides for the public all day, the grand opening will include community events at the Chatsworth and Canoga Stations. Chatsworth Depot will have a country/western theme, while the Canoga Station will feature eco-friendly booths, food trucks and other fun activities.

Saturday, June 30
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Chatsworth Depot 
Metrolink Station
10446 Old Depot Plaza Rd.
Enter at Devonshire St. between Canoga Ave. and Owensmouth Ave.

Canoga Station
Canoga Ave. & Victory Blvd.
Woodland Hills

We have supported and worked on the Canoga Ave. Orange Line Extension from its inception in order to offer fast, safe, convenient public transit and make the entire regional public transit system more available to Northwest Valley commuters, while alleviating traffic congestion and pollution.

The busway will feature four new stations at Sherman Way, Roscoe Blvd., Nordhoff St. and Chatsworth Depot Metrolink Station. New platforms are being added at the Canoga Station. An elevated crossing at Lassen St. will keep the busway safely separated from the railroad tracks. All stations will include beautiful public art. A beautiful bikeway and pedestrian path landscaped with native, drought-tolerant plants will run parallel to the busway, and will connect to the long bike and walking path along the Orange Line. There will also be a new park and ride lot at the Sherman Way Station and additional parking at Chatsworth Depot.

To see photos of the Metro Canoga Orange Line Extension under construction and for more information, visit www.metro.net/projects/orangeline.

Canoga Ave. Orange Line Extension Construction Updates...
Metro 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 until the entire project is completed.

For more information, please call (818) 701-2827 or emailmolextension@metro.net.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore Grand Opening… 

Habitat for Humanity is holding a grand opening for its new "ReStore" location on Saturday, June 30 in Chatsworth. 

ReStore is part of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and is meant to be a self-sustaining funding source and also offer our community a place to find low-cost building and home improvement materials. 

Saturday, June 30
10:00 am
9606 DeSoto Ave.
Chatsworth 
 
The ReStore sells donated materials including new and gently used furniture, appliances, lumber, hardware, vintage and other unique items. All prices are at least 50% off retail value and all proceeds go toward the Habitat for Humanity mission to end sub-standard housing and provide high quality housing for struggling families. 
 
For more information call (818) 914-8633 or click here

Call for Submissions - Artwork Made By Local Artists for a District 12 Art Exhibition...

The Council District 12 office is putting out a call for submissions of artwork by Northwest Valley artists to be part of a community art exhibition in our Community Service Center in Chatsworth.

We will display the artworks for up to six months. There is no cost involved, and the artists will receive 100% of any sales of their artwork. The works will be by artists living or working in Council District 12 in the San Fernando Valley, and they will be related to the unique culture, landscape, people, places and life of our community or the City of Los Angeles as a whole.

If any artist wishes to donate proceeds from the sale of their work to support the arts in our community, our office will match the donation. For more information, call Semee Park at (818) 882-1212.

If you are an artist in the Northwest San Fernando Valley, please submit your work for review! Click here to see the guidelines and the entry form.

14th Annual Shepherd of the Hills 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular…

Don't miss the 14th Annual Shepherd of the Hills 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch. This free family- friendly Valley tradition is one of the largest public fireworks displays anywhere in Southern California. 
 
Wednesday, July 4
Gates open at 4:30 pm
Shepherd of the Hills Church
19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch
 
In addition to amazing aerial fireworks, there will be  bouncers, face-painting for kids, delicious food for sale, and live music from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm. There will also be a patriotic Color Guard presentation by the Civil Air Patrol Cadets to honor military service men and women on Independence Day. 
 
Seating is on the grass area. Be sure to bring lawn chairs and blankets, but no BBQs, alchohol or personal fireworks. Free parking is available at the northwest corner of Rinaldi St. and Porter Ranch Dr., in the Town Center parking lot and on the East side of Corbin Ave.
 
For more information, visit http://www.theshepherd.org/4th or call (818) 891-9333.

33rd Annual Devonshire PALS Golf Tournament...

Save the date for the 33rd Annual LAPD Devonshire PALS (Police Activity League Supporters) Golf Invitational on Monday, July 9. This great day of golfing raises funds for Devonshire PALS, which provides valuable after-school programs to give at-risk youth positive alternatives to gangs, drugs and crime. The PALS Youth Center in Northridge offers sports, mentoring and homework assistance to kids while building positive relationships between the Police and the community.

Monday, July 9
7:30 am- Registration
Porter Valley Country Club
19216 Singing Hills Dr., Northridge

The $200 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, hole-in-one prize opportunities, golf cart, entry for raffle prizes, awards and goodie bags.

For more information, call (818) 349-1706.

National Night Out & Movies Under the Stars...

Save the date for National Night Out and a free outdoor movie as part of our Movies Under the Stars summer film series, coming up on Tuesday, August 7 in Northridge.

Tuesday, August 7
7:00 pm
Northridge Park
10058 Reseda Blvd.

Community members in the Northwest San Fernando Valley are invited to join thousands of communities nationwide for the 29th Annual National Night Out event.

National Night Out raises awareness about preventing crime and builds positive relations between the community and the Police, strengthens pride and engagement in the community, and sends a message that neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back against crime. To learn more, visithttp://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/.

Our office in coordination with LAPD Devonshire Division, S.O.L.I.D. (Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire) and Target are proud to invite you and your family to join us! We will be holding a FREE screening of the animated kids movie Kung Fu Panda 2 as part of our Movies Under The Stars outdoor film series, now in its seventh year. There will be free sodas and hot dogs (while supplies last), free kids activities, public safety information, and more!

For more information call Melody Jaramillo at (818) 882-1212 or emailmelody.jaramillo@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 23:  Emergency Contact Cards
When a person is injured and unconscious or killed in an earthquake or other disaster, it is crucial that the family members are contacted immediately. Hospital emergency rooms treat millions of patients every year, and they may have no way of notifying family members of victims. That is why it is crucial to carry an emergency contact information card on your person at all times. 

To download an emergency contact card click here. Fill it in, and include any medical conditions such as diabetes, or any allergies to medication, as well as your healthcare directives and your wishes for organ donation if you have them. 

Make sure that everyone in your family knows what is on the cards, and who the emergency contact people are. Be sure to include an out-of-town phone number, since during major earthquakes, phone lines often become overloaded with calls almost immediately, but it is often still possible to make calls to other areas. 

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

Making Streets In Our Community Safer...

Our Senior Transportation and Planning Deputy Hannah Lee reports this week on some great traffic safety improvements moving forward in our community. 

The City Council recently passed our motion to allow the City to install a traffic signal at Balboa Blvd. and Knollwood at the Knollwood Shopping Center in Granada Hills. 

This has been a challenge we have been working on for a long time. The Bureau of Engineering would not support the intersection due to the steep grade going into the shopping center. After the property owners agreed to fix the grade we secured the  necessary funds to complete this project. 

This is a major victory for Granada Hills, and will make this heavily travelled section of Balboa much safer for the families who live in this neighborhood. Our thanks go to all of the people who supported and worked on this project. 

We also recently completed the crosswalk on Chatsworth St. in Old Town Granada Hills near the area where dozens of gourmet food trucks gather two evenings a week. The improved crosswalk will allow people to cross the street safely when they come to the food truck gatherings, which have become a regular community event in Old Town Granada Hills. 


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