Politics & Government

Englander E-News: Pilot Permit Program for Food Trucks, Valley Museum Grand Opening and More

Granada Hills Food Truck Pilot Program

This week, I submitted a motion authorizing a special events pilot program for the weekly Granada Hills Food Truck event that will allow the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce to obtain on-street parking permits for the food trucks during the event. Additionally it will allow the Department of Transportation to post restricted on-street parking signs that read “Parking By Permit Only Between5:00 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Fridays.”

The City's Special Events Ordinance does not include provisions to enable City departments to respond quickly and efficiently to a single City service request, such as a lane closure or a posting of restricted parking.In addition to off-street construction and filming, which require special provisions for reserved parking, there are a number of events that occur citywide where only the curb lane is closed and/or no parking is posted.This is particularly true for organized food truck events, which have become very popular in the City. 

The Granada Hills Food Truck event occurs every Friday night between5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. where about 30 food trucks gather along Chatsworth Street between White Oak and Zelzah Avenues. The need to secure parking spaces for the food truck has led to operators using "scout vehicles" to park in the on-street parking spaces many hours prior to the food truck event.This practice has deprived the general public and customers of surrounding businesses of the use of on-street parking. Unfortunately, the City's inability to effectively regulate parking for food truck events is creating issues among food truck vendors, local business and the communities where the events take place.

To address this situation, the existing Special Events Ordinance could be revised to allow for the issuance of permits to provide for the posting of restricted parking where a street closure is not required.The Department of Transportation could post parking allowances similar to those used citywide at Farmers' Markets.These postings could be permanently installed to allow parking of oversized vehicles for certain days at specified times. This would eliminate the need for any scout vehicles to reserve parking on the days of the events, and result in additional parking opportunities for the adjacent businesses.

Implementing this pilot program for the Granada Hills Food Truck event is the first step in revising the Special Events Ordinance to better serve our communities. 

Funding Allocated for Granada Hills Pool and Aquatics Center

This week, I submitted a motion to allocate funds from the Sunshine Canyon Community Amenities Trust Fund for the development of the Granada Hills Pool and Aquatics Center. The pool, built in 1975 is in need of repair. 

Funding identified would replace out of date pool piping and drainage system, filter, and update the pool deck. New plumbing and other improvements would be made to the changing house. The pool and bathhouse would also be brought up to ADA compliance. 

The Sunshine Canyon Amenities Trust Fund provides funds for financing community amenities within the City of Los Angeles, within five miles of the Sunshine Canyon landfill. We're pleased to have identified this funding and prioritized this project for the community of Granada Hills.

VIDEO: Northridge Vision Plan approved by the City Council.

Valley Relics Museum Grand Opening

Join us in celebrating the grand opening of the San Fernando Valley Relics Museum! Activities include Gourmet food trucks, live music, and a classic car show. Bring your classic cars to the celebration! 

Saturday, October 12
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
21630 Marilla St.
Chatsworth

The West Hills Optimist Club Presents “Blithe Spirit”

"Blithe Spirit" is a comedic play written by Noël Coward. The play concerns the socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant, Madame Arcati, to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. The scheme backfires when he is haunted by the ghost of his annoying and temperamental first wife, Elvira, after the séance. Elvira makes continual attempts to disrupt Charles's marriage to his second wife, Ruth, who cannot see or hear the ghost.

Saturday, October 12
Play starts at 8:00 pm

West Valley Playhouse
7242 Owensmouth Ave.
Canoga Park

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

Tickets are $28 per person. If you have any questions please call Kathy Willets at (818) 970-7200

Oktoberfest at Oh’Gradys

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

Oktoberfest is coming to Oh’ Gradys. There will be Brats, Burgers, and Ice Cold beer. There is a $5.00 Admission fee and all proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles.

Saturday, October 12
2:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Oh' Gradys
17633 Chatsworth St.
Granada Hills


To learn more about the event please call (818) 368-8424

LAFD Charity Car Show

Los Angeles Firefighters welcome you to join them and automotive enthusiasts of all ages. This family-themed car show - with free parking and admission for all spectators - proudly draws public participants from throughout California. Along with dozens of gorgeous full-sized cars, motorcycles, boats and trucks on static display, there will be hand-crafted miniature racers taking part in a Pinewood Derby. All proceeds from the LAFD Car Show benefit the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen’s Fund and the Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors.

You can still register your show car at the gate.

Sunday, October 13
9:00 am to 3:00 pm

22801 Roscoe Boulevard
West Hills

Kiwanis Equestrian Competition for Special Athletes

The Kiwanis Club of Warner Center is holding its 20th Kiwanis Equestrian Competition for Special Athletes. It is a fun filed day with informal equestrian competitions for special needs children and young adults. This is not only fun for the kids and their parents, but this also benefits the children through therapeutic riding.

Sunday, October 13
8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Hansen Dam Equestrian
11127 Orcas Ave.
Sylmar


If you have any questions please call (818) 347-6523.

Chatsworth Historical Society’s Homesteading in the Chatsworth Hills

The program will cover the rules and documentation along with the stories, photos and relationships of those that lived on government land in the hills north of Chatsworth Street. 

Tuesday, October 15 
7:00 pm

Homestead Acre at Chatsworth Park South
10385 Shadow Oak Dr. 
Chatsworth

18th Annual SOLID All You Can Eat Pasta Dinner Fundraiser

Come join SOLID’s all you can Eat Pasta Dinner Fundraiser and help theDevonshire LAPD Station raise money for updates to their Police Station. The dinner fundraiser will be $9 per person and children under 3 eat for free.

Friday, October 18
5:00 pm to 7:30 pm

St. Nicholas Greek Church.
9501 Balboa Blvd.
Northridge

Attendees can pay at the door and if you have any questions please call(818) 718-9498 or visit www.soliddevonshire.org

Northridge Family Art Fair

Councilmember Englander, the Calahan Community Center and the Northridge South Neighborhood Council are proud to sponsor the First Annual Northridge Family Art Fair. This free event will include live music, crafts for both children and adults, free face painting and much more!

Saturday, October 19
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Calahan Community Charter School
18722 Knapp Street
Northridge

Chatsworth Library's Giant Book Sale

The Chatsworth Branch Library is having a Giant Book Sale. The Library is raising funds to support their day to day operations and gives them an opportunity to open up space to put new books and give their older books new homes.

Saturday, October 19
10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Chatsworth Branch Library
21052 Devonshire St.
Chatsworth

If you have any questions please call (818) 341-4276

Clash of the Canyon VEX "Toss up" Robotics competition…

Spectators of all ages won't believe their eyes as they watch the robots that are completely designed and built by students, compete and perform against each other in the competition. Watch and support the Reseda High and Granada Hills Charter High Robotics teams compete against other schools and teams from around California and from the United Kingdom. The competition is based on the VEX Educational Robotic Design System.

Saturday, October 19
7:00 am – 5:30 pm

Viewpoint School
23620 Mulholland Highway
Calabasas

The event is free for spectators. If you have any questions please call Lance Rush at (818)340-2901

Open Arms Walkathon and 5K run

Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic is holding a Walkathon and 5K run at California State University, Northridge. By registering as a walker or runner, or by pledging support for a participant, you will be helping the Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic to offer practical help and hope to those facing an unexpected pregnancy.

Saturday, October 19
8:30 am – 11:30 am

California State University of Northridge
Corner of Lindley and N. University Dr.
Northridge

To register please visit http://www.withopenarms.org/events/

Highland Fest and College/Career Fair

Granada Hills Charter High School will be hosting the College/Career Fair and Highlander Fest at Granada Hills Charter High School. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about different careers and colleges.

Saturday, October 19
11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Granada Hills Charter High School
10535 Zelzah Ave.
Granada Hills

If you have any questions please email Carrie Boutros atcboutros@ghchs.com 

Bird Migration and Bird Banding at the SSMPA

Mark Osokow, SFV Audubon and biologist, will present a Power Point presentation covering bird migration and bird banding from an observatory located in the Simi Hills. This is a free event. 

SSMPA Community Meeting
Monday, October 21
7:00  pm

Rockpointe Clubhouse
22300 Devonshire Rd.
Chatsworth

Collaboration to Improve Children and Family Services Workshop

Valley Nonprofit Resources and Child Development Institute are bringing together children and family services nonprofits in the San Fernando Valley to brainstorm about how they can collaborate more effectively to meet the needs of children and families in the Valley. It will include information about what services their nonprofit provides, what challenges they face (for instance, health care reform and education reform), and how nonprofits can collaborate more effectively.

Tuesday, October 22
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Valley Nonprofit Resources
5435 Balboa Blvd.
Encino

To attend the Workshop, please RSVP through the VNR Project. Please contact Julaine Konselman at 818/990-0176 or julainehiri@aol.com.

Building Community One Breakfast at a Time

Our Community School (OCS) invites local business owners and community members to its Community Building Breakfast series for a complimentary breakfast while they learn about Our Community School and how they can help build community involvement both on and off campus.

Thursday, October 24
7:00 am – 8:30 am

Assembly Hall at Our Community School
10045 Jumilla Ave.
Chatsworth

If you have any questions please contact Ilia Jauregui, Development and Communications Director, 818-350-5000 or atIlia.j@ourcommunityschool.org

Honor A Hero – Hire A Vet

The San Fernando Valley Veterans Employment Committee is having a Job and Resource fair to help our veterans that live in the San Fernando Valley.

Thursday, October 24
11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Airtel Plaza Hotel & Conference Center
7277 Valjean Ave
Van Nuys

To register please go to: www.thevalley.net/hahhav

LAPD Devonshire’s Salute to Kids

Join the LAPD’s Devonshire Division in celebrating “A Day for Children” at Petit Park. The event will kick off with a “Walk Against Crime” around Petit Park and will include face painting, great food and music.

Saturday, October 26
9:30 am to 2:00 pm

Granada Hills Recreation Center at Petit Park
16730 Chatsworth Street
Granada Hills

Public Legal Services Fair…
An exciting array of free legal and public services is coming to the LA Law Library. Booths will be providing free legal consultations with attorneys, referrals, community services, in formation regarding everything from consumer protection to lawyer referral services.  Other legal consultations will include: family law, government benefits, immigration, claims, domestic violence and much more.

Saturday, October 26
9:30 am – 5:30 pm

LA Law Library
301 W. 1st Street
Los Angeles

Advance registration is required for the free workshops including; Clearing criminal records, Juvenile ticket fines, citizen processing, and claiming unpaid wages. 

For more information visit www.probonoweek.lalawlibrary.org or call(213) 784-7372.

Honoring Women Veterans…
All veteran and active duty service women are invited to attend the VA GLA’s 8th Annual “Honoring Women Veterans – Active Military Luncheon.”

Saturday, October 26
11:00 am – 3:00 pm

VA Sepulveda Building 22
16111 Plummer Street
North Hills

Registration begins at 10:00 am.Please RSVP by October 23 to guarantee your food order.

For more information please call Julie Stranges at (818) 895-9325.

St. Euphrasia School’s Trunk or Treat: Car Show and Chili Cook Off…
Join the St. Euphrasia School & Parish for a car show and chili cook off. Special events include a pumpkin decorating contest, a costume parade and contest, photo displays and “Monster Mash” dancing lessons. 

Saturday, October 26
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

St. Euphrasia School & Parish
11766 Shoshone Ave.
Granada Hills


For more information call: (818) 360-4611. 

Reports From Our Staff:
Our Public Safety Deputy, Tania Oronoz would like to report that the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) has launched a new website,www.ladot.lacity.org, aimed at improving customer service and efficiency. MyLADOT features an easy to use customer interface which allows you to report a problem, map a location precisely, upload a photo, and track your case via text messaging.  You can also email to check on the status of your issue. 

MyLADOT makes it easier than ever to notify LADOT of any problems you may encounter such as downed stop signs, flashing traffic signals, or to request improvements for your neighborhood such as the installation of red curbs or stop signs. Service requests can be made directly through the MyLADOT online service request system at myladot.lacity.org/sr by clicking the “I want to…” button.

For more information please visit www.ladot.lacity.org.


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