Englander E-news: The Cost of Fixing Streets; Remembering 'Moby Dick' and More

Last month, Councilmember Joe Buscaino and I updated our colleagues on the City Council on our Save Our Streets L.A. proposal to fix 8,700 miles of failed streets in Los Angeles within 10 years.

This week, the Auto Club’s Westways Magazine released an article titled “The Transportation Game” which reviews several approaches to investing in transportation and transportation infrastructure and gives a brief analysis of each approach’s chance for success. The article breaks down the sources of transportation funding in California and highlights the distribution of these funds between state, local and federal transportation needs. In 2013, only 26% of the transportation funding in California went towards local streets, including bike and pedestrian paths.

Our streets are the foundation of our city. Poor pavement conditions affect every Angelino, every day, whether by increased traffic, slower public safety response or decreased property values. Los Angeles' streets are in the worst condition of any major US city, costing vehicle owners about $750 in additional per-vehicle operating costs every year. It is vital that we invest in our infrastructure to improve our quality of life and our City.

Click here to view the Westways article.

For more information visit the Save Our Streets L.A. website:http://tinyurl.com/sosla

Councilmember Mitchell Englander's Mid-Term in Review

To see the Mid-Term in Review book, click here.

To have a printed copy of the book mailed to you, please send us an email with your name and address at Councilmember. Englander@lacity.org

Celebrating Rosh Hashanah

Yesterday, I celebrated Rosh Hashana with a number of the West San Fernando Valley’s numerous congregations, among them Shomrei Torah Synagogue in West Hills and Valley Outreach Synagogue in Chatsworth, where my daughter, Lauren, sings in the choir.

A special thanks to both Rabbi Camras and Rabbi Li-Paz who led the respective services encouraging all the congregants to reflect on the past year with all its blessings and challenges.

L'Shana Tova! Happy New Year.

This fall, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Public Library invite you to discover or rediscover the great literary masterpiece, Moby Dick, through the lens of the modern and equally mythical Southern California state of mind. The Granada Hills Branch Library is participating in this program with an informative and fun week of activities about whales. Events include guest speakers, story time for children, film screenings and more!

Monday, September 9
7:00 pm
Diane Alps of the Los Angeles Chapter of the
American Cetacean Society
Reservations Required

Tuesday, September 10
6:30 pm
Pajama Story time for Kids

Wednesday, September 11
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Presents
“Thar She Blows – A Whale of a Lesson”
Reservations Required

Thursday, September 12
5:00 pm
Screening of “Moby Dick”

Friday, September 13
3:00 pm
Screening of a documentary nature film.

Saturday, September 14
3:00 pm
Alan Salazar, Chumash/Tataviam Storyteller &
Traditional Paddler of Tomols

Granada Hills Branch Library
10640 Petit Avenue
Granada Hills

Join the Granada Hills Branch Library for this whale of a week!

For more information call 818 368-5687.

Fifth Annual Appreciation and Remembrance Assembly

The Chatsworth Hills Academy will be having it’s Fifth Annual Appreciation and Remembrance Assembly in honor of our Uniformed and Civic Personnel.

Thursday, September 12
8:30 am- 9:15 am

Chatsworth Hills Academy Amphitheater
21523 Rinaldi Street
Chatsworth, CA

To RSVP please call Cathy Weinstein at 818-998-4037 ext. 100

2013 Los Angeles Sparks Career Fair

The Los Angeles Sparks Career Fair is on Thursday, September 12

. Meet with representatives from various companies that are hiring for a variety of positions. It's only $20 to participate! The participation fee includes admittance into the career fair as well as the Sparks game immediately following against the Minnesota Lynx.

Thursday, September 12
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
$20.00 Admission

STAPLES Center
City View Terrace
1111 S Figueroa Street
Los Angeles

For more information contact Gabe Alfred at (213) 929-1320 or emailgalfred@la-sparks.com.

2013 Texas Hold’em and Blackjack Tournament Fundraiser

Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce will be holding its Annual Fundraiser and is inviting our community members here in Council District 12. On Saturday, September 14 they will have the tournament fundraiser. All proceeds go to the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce.

Saturday, September 14
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm

VFW Post 2323
17552 Chatsworth Street
Granada Hills

For more information call the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce at(818)368-3235.

The Last Sunset Picnic Hike of the Summer

Are you interested in Santa Susana's stunning views of the San Fernando Valley? Then join Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park for the last sunset picnic hike of Summer 2013!

Saturday, September 14
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Lilac Lane entrance to the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park.

Wear long pants because the brush is thick and sticky. A light jacket or long-sleeved shirt is also recommended. Although we try to avoid poison oak, sometimes it is encountered. Wear sturdy hiking boots. A walking stick is preferred by some hikers. Bring plenty of water. A hat is also recommended. Well-behaved dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash. Please remember to bring enough water for your four-legged friend. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information please call (818) 341-4276 or emailsantasusana@parks.ca.gov.

Neighborhood Computer Group Presents Disaster Preparedness

For Disaster Preparedness Month, The Users Group Network (TUGNET), a computer and technology users group for all levels of skill, will feature a presentation from the L.A. Fire Department on disaster preparedness and will focus on the Valley area. Included will be online resources and notifications.


Tuesday, September 17
7:00 pm

Granada Pavilion
11128 Balboa Blvd.
Granada Hills, CA

Although you hear a lot on this topic via the TV, newspaper and such, the evening's presentation will offer a far more personal approach and you will gain insight into this topic that may well prove to be very important.

For more information, visit http://tugnet.org or call (818) 249-1629.

Granada Hills Library Used Book Sale

The Friends of the Granada Hills Library will host a two-day used book sale onFriday, September 20, and Saturday, September 21, 2013. The sale will take place from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM both days, and will be held in the library's community room.

Lots of fiction, nonfiction, paperback and hardcover books will be sold at prices ranging from 25 cents to one dollar. A wide selection of children's books will be available Friday and Saturday. All proceeds will benefit the library.

Friday, September 20
Saturday, September 21
10:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Granada Hills Library
10640 Petit Avenue
Granada Hills

For more in formation please call 818-368-5687.

Devonshire PALS 40th Birthday Party

Come celebrate on September 28 at the Greig Smith LAPD Devonshire Youth Center. Join us for food,fun and live music as the friends of PALS past and present gather together for the birthday celebration of the year. LAPD Devonshire PALS is dedicated to developing character in youth, reducing juvenile crime and creating safer communities.


Saturday, September 28
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Devonshire PALS
8721 Wilbur Ave
Northridge, CA

Tickets will be sold at $60.00 per person and to purchase tickets please click this link.

Granada Hills Community Blood Drive

The Granada Hills Rotary Club will be holding a community blood drive. Last year, teaming with AYSO Regions 8 and 174, over 400 pints of blood valued at approximately $140,000 were donated to Providence Holy Cross Center, Kaiser Permanente, Cedars Sinai Medical Center and Red Cross.

Saturday, October 5
8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Granada Hills Recreation Center
16730 Chatsworth St
Granada Hills, CA

North Valley Youth Sports Complex
13225 Whistler Ave
Granada Hills, CA

If you have any questions please call the Granada Hills Rotary Club at(818)388-6428.

Reports From Our Staff

Our Assistant Planning and Land Use Deputy, Brian Oh would like to tell you about the Getting LA Back 2 Work initiative. If you were laid-off from one of the qualifying companies (click here for list), you may be eligible for Re-Employment services and free Short Term Training.

Training offered includes but is not limited to the following:
• Physical Therapy Aid
• Smog Check Technician
• Phlebotomist
• Certified Nurse Assistant
• Certified Six Sigma
• Information Technology
• Green Belt Infrastructure Library
• Project Management
• & MANY MORE!!!

Build WorkSource Center
9207 Eton Avenue
Chatsworth

To qualify for this program you will need:
• Valid CA ID/License & Social Security Card.
• Unemployment Insurance documents (EDD); Lay-Off WARN Notice (If Applicable).
• Have been laid off from one of the listed employers.
• If not a US Citizen, Right-to-Work documents (Valid US Passport, or Alien Card).

For more information call (818) 701-9800 or visitwww.buildworksource.com.