November 17, 2023

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, my team and I have been busy working throughout the district to ensure that this holiday season is a joyous one for everyone in the community. Food insecurity can be felt in more acute ways during the holidays and so over the last two weeks, I have been proud to lend my support to multiple organizations that are giving back to the community and providing free Thanksgiving meals to families in the Northwest San Fernando Valley.

As they do each year, the North Valley Family YMCA, alongside dozens of volunteers, successfully packed and donated complete Thanksgiving dinners to local schools in our district. All in all, over 8,000 bags of food were donated through this effort!

Additionally, my office partnered with the 99 Cents Store Foundation, the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region, and the Devonshire PALS Youth Center for a turkey giveaway event. Over the course of two hours, we successfully gave away 1,000 turkeys to local families.

It was an honor to lend my support to both of these efforts in Council District 12 but the reality is that food insecurity is an issue that people in our city face year-round which is why I have remained supportive of the POD Farm project created in partnership with LADWP and housed at the Devonshire PALS Youth Center.

This project remains instrumental in fighting food insecurity through sustainable urban farming, periodically allowing us to deliver fresh produce to local food banks in our district and ultimately shows that Los Angeles continues to be a leader when it comes to innovation. This week the project was selected as the winner of the Innovation and Performance Award out of over 120 submissions throughout Los Angeles, an honor that puts an exclamation mark on our efforts and shows our city’s commitment to a greener planet.

CD12 COMMUNITY UPDATES

Digging Up a Time Capsule from 50 Years Ago!

I was honored to join the Granada Hills community for the unearthing of a time capsule buried 50 years ago in celebration of Veterans Day. Thank you to our partners at LA CityView 35 for capturing this moment.

2nd Annual California Christmas

Councilmember John Lee cordially invites you to be his guest at the 2nd Annual California Christmas concert. You don't want to miss this festive and entertaining community holiday concert being held on December 2nd in Porter Ranch by some of Los Angeles' most accomplished musicians and entertainers. Seats are limited so please RSVP by visiting https://bit.ly/3FQtDOP to request seats before they're gone.

Microenterprise Recovery Grants

Applications for round 2 of the "Microenterprise Recovery” grant program are now open! Grants of up to $5,000 are available for eligible microenterprises in the City of LA that need financial assistance recovering from COVID-19. To apply visit: bit.ly/MicroenterpriseGrant. If you need assistance with the application process, contact your local BusinessSource Center. Application closes on 12/10 at 11:59 PM (PST)!

Project Care

The Los Angeles Department of Aging has brought back its Project Care initiative which aims to bring joy to older adults during the holiday season. The department seeks your assistance in helping them provide necessities during the festive months. All you have to do is either donate through Amazon or give a donation through PayPal and Project Care will do the rest.

LA Civil Rights Homeownership Seminar

The LA Civil Rights Department is hosting a seminar focused on the topic of homeownership for first-time buyers. This seminar will discuss how to build wealth through homeownership, educate attendees on the process of buying their first home, connect them with housing counselors, real estate agents, loan officers, and attendees will also walk away with a certificate of completion. This seminar will take place virtually on November 18th at 9:00am. Follow this link to register.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

UPCOMING

11/18 - Magnolia Science Academy 7 Community Food Distribution

MSA-7 is hosting a food distribution event for the community on a first-come first-served basis. Here is the flyer.

11/18 - 11/19 - Always Tina & Friends at the Big Oak Theater

Come by the Big Oak Theater in Chatsworth for a performance paying tribute to Tina Turner and other iconic performers. Click here to see the flyer.

11/19 - Volunteers Beautification Event

Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth, Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, and VCC invite you to join them in helping beautify our community. Follow this link to see how you can help.

11/19 - Shepherd Church Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

It's almost the most wonderful time of the year! Join Shepherd Church for their annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Click here to view the flyer.

12/1 - Rita’s Tree Lighting Ceremony in Granada Hills

It’s a tree lighting! Come through. Click here for more information.

12/2 - Granada Hills Charter High School Career Fair

Visit Granada Hills Charter High School for a career fair. Click here for details.

12/3 - Makers Handmade Market at the West End Art District

Come to Chatsworth’s West End Art District to shop handmade goods created by local artisans and businesses. Click here to see the full list of vendors and details.

12/3 - 40th Annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade

The Granada Hills Holiday Parade returns! Come by for a festive and fun-filled parade that welcomes in the season of giving with pure joy. Visit this link to visit the parade’s website and learn all there is to know.

12/5 - Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility Annual Meeting

SoCalGas is hosting its annual meeting on the Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Facility. Click here to register for this meeting.

12/10 - 39th Annual Chatsworth Holiday Parade
The Chatsworth Holiday Parade welcomes you to keep the good times rollin’ and come enjoy a parade hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth and the Chatsworth - Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce.

THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER

Rescue Mission Alliance San Fernando Valley November Needs List
The Rescue Mission has released its list of most needed items for this month. Click here to see the full list.
Traffic Advisory on Reseda from Parthenia St. to Victory Blvd.
The Bureau of Street Services will be conducting work along Reseda Blvd for multiple weeks and work is scheduled to be completed on 12/6. Please look for alternative routes as traffic will be impacted.

LA Sanitation and Environment’s Blanket and Sock Drive
LA Sanitation and Environment is collecting new and gently used (washed and cleaned) blankets, sleeping bags, and socks. Donated items will be provided to the Livability Services Division of LA Sanitation and Environment, LA Mission, and the St. Francis Center.
LAHD Webinars for Tenants and Landlords
If you are interested in learning about Los Angeles' current rules regarding tenant protections, follow this link to register for one of LAHD's upcoming sessions.

WEEK IN REVIEW

TOP LEFT: Helping load one of the free trees at the Tree Giveaway event in Dearborn Park.

BOTTOM LEFT: Joined my colleagues at a press conference discussing the city’s efforts to hold recyclers accountable for purchasing stolen copper wire.

TOP RIGHT: With the Granada Hills Woman’s Club at their Fall Gala.

BOTTOM RIGHT: At the unearthing of the time capsule in Granada Hills.

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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