December 6, 2024

With the holidays in full swing, Council District 12 has been buzzing with holiday cheer, and I’ve been honored to join in the festivities across our communities. From lighting up the giant tree at The Vineyards to spending time with local officers from Topanga Division, the spirit of the season is strong in the Northwest San Fernando Valley, and we’re only just getting started.

In the coming weeks, the communities of Council District 12 will come together to celebrate the season with two festive holiday parades, several toy drives and giveaways, and a series of holiday concerts. Above all, what continues to stands out is the vibrant CD12 spirit of community and generosity that shines brightly during this special time of year. Take a look at the sections below for details on all of the exciting upcoming events! I look forward to seeing you at one of these events as we come together to make this holiday season truly special for everyone in Council District 12!

CD12 COMMUNITY UPDATES

2024 Granada Hills Holiday Parade

The holiday season is upon us, and there is no better way to enjoy the festivities than with the 41st Annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade. Join us on Sunday, December 8th, 2024, beginning at 1:30pm, on Chatsworth Street from Balboa Blvd to Zelzah Avenue for this classic Granada Hills tradition.

PlayLA Winter Registration

Winter is here, and it's time to keep the kids active and having fun. The PlayLA Youth and Adaptive Youth Sports program is the perfect way to keep kids moving and inspired all season long. Whether they are making a splash or hitting the bullseye, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks to the LA28 Olympics and Paralympic Games commitment, the PlayLA Youth and Adaptive Youth Sports Program provides affordable and accessible sports programming to kids of all abilities throughout Los Angeles. For qualifying families, the program is offered for just $10.00.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN: Visit www.laparks.org and download the LA Parks app, to jump into the PlayLA Winter Sports Leagues and Clinics for youth ages 3-17!

AARP Fraud Watch Network

The holiday season is loved by all, including scammers. With the holiday season in full swing, it’s important to arm yourself with tips to protect yourself from scammers and their various grifts. AARP’s Fraud Watch Network compiles various resources to help you recognize and protect yourself against scams. Click here to access the Fraud Watch Network.

Help Shape Metro’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

Help shape Metro’s budget for the 2026 Fiscal Year by participating in the FY26 budget process with the My Metro Budget activity. Your feedback is essential in building a budget that reflects the needs of all residents. Complete the activity today to share your insights and guide Metro’s priorities. The activity is available in multiple languages to ensure accessibility for everyone.

Follow Metro for updates, key dates, and more ways to stay involved at the budget portal. When you provide your contact information, you'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $100 TAP card or $50 gift card!

LAPD Devonshire PALS Youth Center Toy Drive

Join in spreading holiday cheer by donating new, unwrapped toys to the LAPD Devonshire PALS Youth Center! Your generous gifts will bring joy to local children in need, ensuring they have a brighter holiday season. Drop off your donations at 8721 Wilbur Ave, Northridge, CA 91324 by December 12th. Let's come together and make this holiday season one to remember for these amazing kids!

Follow this link to view the flyer.

2025 EmpowerLA Youth Conference

EmpowerLA is hosting a youth conference seeking to motivate young people (ages 14-17) to get involved with the Neighborhood Council system and intentionally shape their personal and professional futures. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to hear from City leaders, attend workshops and panel discussions, and participate in a resource fair with over a dozen City departments and trusted community partners. This conference is free to attend, and breakfast and lunch will be provided to all attendees.

Youth interested in attending the 2025 EmpowerLA Conference will be asked to complete a short application opportunity, and not all applicants will be invited to attend the conference. Applications are due no later than 11:59pm on Friday, December 20th. Click here to find out more.

SEEN AND HEARD III AT CAMP GRIFFO

Every year, Council District 12 students have the ability to participate in an all-day leadership workshop at Camp Griffo in Griffith Park called “Seen and Heard.” Now in its third year, the Seen and Heard Workshop is for civically engaged secondary students along with the Fall 2024 cadre of Councilmember Lee’s LEE12 Excellence in Leadership program. Led by the lead 12 participants, the workshop explores issues of social equity, leadership, and personal growth.

This year, students from middle and high schools around Council District 12 were welcomed to Camp Griffo to participate in five workshops designed to help students recognize and grow beyond their comfort zone, explore the concept of inherent bias, discuss human and social rights, and of course, make new friends.

Through their discussions and participation, students learned more about themselves, their fellow students, and about their teachers and administrators. It was clear that students particularly enjoyed the anti-bias workshop, where chaperones anonymously shared a fun fact about themselves, and students guessed who it applied to based on nothing beyond appearance. In addition, there was time allotted for strategic planning where students formed groups, and looked at ways to positively impact the communities in which they live.

Councilmember Lee and Council District 12 office are proud to continue partnering with our local private and public schools in empowering students on their personal journeys and to find a purpose bigger than themselves.

If you know of a student interested in participating in any of Councilmember Lee’s student-focused initiatives, please reach out to our Senior Advisor, Ron Rubine via email at Ron.Rubine@lacity.org.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

UPCOMING

12/6 - Annual Granada Hills Holiday Tree Lighting

Celebrate the 12th Annual Granada Hills Holiday Tree Lighting! Enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, carols, and a singing Santa – a festive night of fun for all ages!

12/7 - Memory Loss & Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer's Los Angeles will provide an overview of Alzheimer's disease and its effects. They will also discuss what causes memory loss, the difference between normal aging and signs of dementia, and what to do when you visit the doctor. Click here for information.

12/7 - Winter Wonderland and Toy Drive

Experience a magical Winter Wonderland and Toy Drive, with free entry and fun for the whole family! Enjoy shopping with local vendors, food, drinks, pony rides, bounce houses, carnival games, pictures with Santa, and more—while helping us spread holiday cheer by bringing a toy to donate! Follow this link to get all of the event details.

12/7 - Stella Dallas Screening at the Oakridge Estate

The Friends of Oakridge invite you for a special screening of Stella Dallas (1937) starring Barbara Stanwyck and John Boles. Advance registration is required; click here to reserve your spot.

12/7 - Oakridge Estate Docent-Led Tours

Enjoy a 75-minute docent-led tour of the Oakridge Estate, a historic gem of CD12. Follow this link to reserve your spot.

12/8 - SFV Master Chorale “Holidays in the Valley: 'Twas the Night” concert

The San Fernando Valley Master Chorale invites you to a festive concert of holiday choral music featuring The Night Before Christmas and more, plus an Ugly Sweater contest to end the night with laughter and cheer! Get your tickets here.

12/8 - 2024 Granada Hills Holiday Parade

The holidays are here – and so is the Granada Hills Holiday Parade! Join us for this community favorite and kick off the festive season. Follow this link to get all of the details.

12/14 - 12/16 - Third Annual Christmas Village at West Valley Church!

Experience the magic of Christmas with SNOW and a sledding hill, a nostalgic Main Street, thousands of Christmas lights, nightly lineups of live music, a jingle shop for kids, local vendors with unique and handcrafted gifts, and more! Click here for the flyer.

12/14 - Voices of the Season Winter Concert

Join the San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus for an amazing winter concert! Click here for tickets.

12/15 - Chatsworth Holiday Parade & Festival

Celebrate the season with a festive parade, live entertainment, and fun for the whole family! Don’t miss this beloved holiday tradition that unites our community in festive cheer. Click here to view the flyer and get all the details for this event you won’t want to miss!

12/15 - Valley Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Winter Concert

Come listen to the incredible sounds of the most talented youth philharmonic orchestra in the San Fernando Valley. Click here to view the flyer.

THROUGHOUT THE MONTH

LA Sanitation Blankets and Socks Drive

From November 4th, 2024 through January 3rd, 2025, the CFRP will be collecting new and gently used (wash and clean) blankets, sleeping bags, and socks. Click here to see drop-off locations.

Northridge Branch Library Temporary Closure

The Northridge Branch Library remains closed until further notice. Please click here for information about the library.

Bulky Item Drop-Off Events

LA Sanitation will be accepting bulky items at five locations around the city each month throughout 2024. Furniture, carpet, yard trimmings, shelving, and wood will be accepted. To find out more information, click here.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 12 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

If you’re still looking for the perfect gift for your loved ones, look no further than the Council District 12 Holiday Gift Guide. Handle all your gift giving needs while supporting our local businesses!

1. Deadly Wax

2. Valley Relics Museum

3. House Roots Coffee

4. Porto’s Bakery

5. We Can Be Heroes Comics

6. Silver King

7. Greenhouse

8. Prostainable

COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER
By appointment only. Please call or email.
9207 Oakdale Avenue, Suite 200
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Phone: (818) 882-1212
Fax: (818) 701-5254

LOS ANGELES CITY HALL
By appointment only. Please call or email.
200 North Spring Street, Room 405
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 473-7012
Fax: (213) 473-6925

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