Tomorrow April 22nd, marks the annual Earth Day celebration, a beloved tradition throughout the city. Council District 12 is no stranger to the importance of protecting our environment and taking necessary steps to maintain our outdoor spaces. Traditionally our community gathers for a once-a-year open house event at the Chatsworth Nature Preserve but due to the rains earlier this year, that event has been postponed until June.
Instead, to celebrate Earth Day this year, we invite you to join the Volunteers Cleaning Communities for their All Street Clean Up event which aims to clean up 15+ miles of streets in 2 hours with 250+ volunteers. Follow this link to register.
|
|
|
|
Making Movies that Matter Film Festival
Following many months of preparation, Council District 12 and the 33 schools participating in the Making Movies that Matter Film project officially invite you to join us for the culminating event at The Soraya. Students throughout the San Fernando Valley have been involved in an immersive process through which they've learned how to film, act, direct, edit, and produce films. Please consider joining us for the culminating event that will screen the films and conclude with an awards ceremony. Follow this link to RSVP.
|
|
Restaurants Care Resiliency Fund
A new cycle for grant funding is available for independent restaurants. Restaurants Care is partnering with SoCalGas, PG&E, and SDG&E to provide restaurants with grants that can go towards kitchen equipment, technology upgrades, and any difficult or unforeseen circumstance. Applications are now open through May 7 and restaurants with less than $3 million in annual revenue are encouraged to apply. Follow this link to learn more and apply.
|
|
|
LA Region Small Business Summit
The City and County of Los Angeles invite you to a free Small Business Summit and the opportunity to access resources and get insights on how to improve your business. This partnership between the county and the city aims to continue helping small businesses grow and thrive by providing important resources, panel discussions, and free on-site services. Click here to read all about it and register.
|
|
|
Council District 12 Year in Review
We invite you to take a look at the newest volume of Council District 12's Year in Review, which highlights some of our accomplishments over the past year. Working together we were able to continue supporting our first responders, welcome new businesses into the community, and find common sense solutions that increased the quality of life for our neighborhoods.
|
|
|
L.A. Repair Participatory Budgeting
North Hills! It’s time to VOTE for your favorite community idea to be funded thru L.A. REPAIR Participatory Budgeting! Last year, residents from across the neighborhood submitted ideas for improving our community. Now YOU have the power to decide how $775,000 of the City's budget will be spent, so vote NOW at repair.lacity.org! Voting is open to anyone over the age of 15 who lives, works, or studies in the REPAIR zones.
|
|
|
Senior Citizen/Disability Lifeline Program
The Lifeline Rate Program is a City of LA Office of Finance program that offers senior and disabled citizens an exemption on their electric and other utility bills. This rate is available under provisions of the Los Angeles Municipal Code or the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State of California. To learn more about this program and to apply, visit the City of Los Angeles, Office of Finance website.
|
|
|
Metrolink Earth Day Free Rides & Photo Contest
In celebration of Earth Day Metrolink is offering free rides all day on Metrolink and Arrow service trains. To raise awareness about the environmental benefits of using the train, they have also launched the Earth Day photo contest, "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Rides." Leading up to Earth Day, riders are invited to explore the beautiful sights and landmarks of Southern California by train. Riders can then enter the contest by submitting their name, photo or photos, and destination to Metrolink@theaxisagency.com. The deadline to submit photos is Monday, April 24. Three winners will be selected, and each will receive Metrolink Monthly passes for a year.
|
|
|
Al Fresco Dining Ordinance
The Al Fresco Ordinance has been revised to reflect feedback received during the public hearing and comment period on the initial November 2022 draft ordinance. These revisions include updates to parking relief, operational standards, alcohol authorizations, and more. City Planning also focused on creating a simple and streamlined transition process for current Al Fresco participants with regard to Zoning Code regulations, as well as restaurants looking to expand outdoor dining in the future (see Al Fresco Regulations Comparison Chart). Please see the Fact Sheet for more information and the next steps in the process.
|
|
|
Storm Damage Resources
In order to advocate for State/Federal disaster assistance on behalf of residents, the LA County Office of Emergency Management is conducting a survey of all County residents (including those within the City of Los Angeles) to submit information on their property damages resulting from the February and March 2023 storms. Visit https://bit.ly/40VCuHg to report major damages. The survey is not an application for financial assistance, nor does it indicate that assistance is now or will become available.
|
|
|
Financial Literacy Month
April is Financial Literacy Month and to help you better control your finances, The Valley Economic Alliance is hosting a series of workshops and events that can help make you an expert on this subject. Throughout the month, they will be hosting events on tax preparation and filing, how to generate steady income for your business, and are sharing a compilation of resources to help you step up your financial literacy as a whole. To learn more and see everything they have planned throughout April, follow this link.
|
|
|
Legal Help for Small Business Owners
Are you a small business owner in Los Angeles? Could you benefit from FREE legal help? Los Angeles Economic Workforce Development Department has teamed up with its various partners for the LA Regional Small Business Legal Aid program, which offers free legal help, from basic legal information and guides to representation by an attorney to help address immediate/long-term issues. Visit lalegalhelp.org to connect with a legal expert now!
|
|
|
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Ana Cardenas
|
|
|
Our Community Spotlight this week features Ana Cardenas, a dynamic and invaluable partner to my office who serves the community and people around her with care and compassion. Ana is the Moderator of the Congregational Church of Chatsworth and Director of its food ministry, FISH of West Valley Food Pantry. From feeding the hungry to teaching young children through the arts, to providing care to the elderly, Ana has dedicated her life to helping people and advocating for worthy causes near and dear to her heart.
Long before heading to the West Coast, in her hometown of New York City, Ana led the marketing and PR efforts (pro-bono, of course) at the WhiteWolf Group, a multimedia production company working on projects for charitable organizations focused on food justice, environmental protection and children’s rights. A confirmed workaholic, she did all of that while also honing her business acumen as the Global Marketing Director for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Ask her about her biggest accomplishment, and she’ll tell you it’s the same as her biggest failure - Sandbox Harbor, a tourist destination project that she and her late husband Edward Medina, were developing for the city of Daytona Beach, Florida. The multi-million dollar venture had been greenlit and funded to start production, but sadly, the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy on the tourism industry directly resulted in the project being sidelined, then ultimately canceled.
A move to the West Coast brought with it new horizons and new opportunities including successfully helping a number of SoCal technology companies reach and surpass their business goals and launching a successful children’s afterschool enrichment program in the arts. However, it wasn’t always sunny days. Early on, a tragic loss led her to seek help at the Congregational Church of Chatsworth where Ana originally began as a FISH Food Pantry client to help her family. She then quickly graduated to become a volunteer in order to give back to those who had helped her and, inspired by the hardship she had overcome, she committed herself to do everything she could to help anyone who was struggling to also put food on the table.
For the past seven years, as Director of FISH of West Valley, Ana has been fighting the good fight against food insecurity on behalf of those most in need in the community. Not even the pandemic could stop her and her dedicated team of volunteers who set up outdoor spaces for food distribution and delivered groceries and hygiene items direct to homeless encampments and homebound disabled and senior citizens throughout the lockdown. Applying her over 30 years of corporate management and marketing experience (and a lot of elbow grease), she has grown the pantry program by developing a network of key partners and food sources making it possible for FISH to feed over 3,000 people each month.
Ana will be adding to her current responsibilities (and lack of sleep) when she becomes Director of Chatsworth Community Academy Preschool at the Congregational Church of Chatsworth later this month!
We are so grateful to Ana for her dedication and tireless work to provide resources and care for those in need in our community. Learn more about Ana's work with FISH at www.fishofwestvalley.org.
|
|
Home Delivery of COVID-19 Test Kits
The United States is once again offering home delivery of COVID-19 test kits. Each order is limited to 4 tests per household. Follow the link to order yours.
COVID-19 Information
Click here for resources and the latest updates from the County Department of Public Health.
|
|
4/23 - Van Nuys Airport Vision Study Open House (Virtual)
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) invites you to attend the virtual Community Open House to envision future land uses at Van Nuys Airport. Click here to register.
4/23 - Granada Hills Woman's Club Sock Hop
Join the Granada Hills Woman's Club for their Sock Hop fundraiser, and enjoy a free spaghetti dinner and the chance to dress in cool 50's and 60's outfits. Here are the details.
4/24 - Chatsworth Kiwanis Annual Charity Golf Tournament
The Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth is hosting its annual Charity Golf Tournament. Come support an event that will in turn use the proceeds to benefit the community. Here is the flyer.
4/25 - Coffee with a Cop
LAPD Devonshire Division's Senior Lead Officers invite you to join them for their latest Coffee with a Cop, this time in the community of Northridge. Follow this link to see all of the information.
4/26 - 2nd Annual Campus EV Car Show
CSUN's Institute for Sustainability invites you to test drive the latest electric vehicles and listen to a roundtable discussion on the future of these types of cars. Click here to learn more.
4/29 - Autism Acceptance Resource Fair
Council District 12 and the City of LA's Department on Disability invite you to a morning of conversation and resources for our autistic community. Click here to view the information.
4/30 - Chatsworth Historical Society Garden Party & Fashion Show
The Chatsworth Historical Society invites you to a fundraiser featuring vintage fashion and tea. Please visit the Chatsworth Historical Society's website for more information.
5/1 - Baila Baila Fun with Music & Movement
The Mid-Valley Regional Library invites you to the Baila Baila program which teaches children from ages 2-6 to Spanish through music and movement. Follow this link to learn more information.
5/6 - VFW Post 2323 Day of Service
The Veterans of Foreign Wars are hosting a day of service in Granada Hills and ask for your assistance in kicking off veteran-led community service projects. Follow this link to view the flyer.
5/11 - United Chambers of Commerce Inspirational Women's Awards
The United Chambers of Commerce invites you to join in celebrating 5 outstanding women in the San Fernando Valley. Follow this link to learn more about attending this paid event.
|
|
THROUGHOUT APRIL
- 118 Freeway Reseda Off-Ramp Update
According to updates provided to my office from Caltrans, work on the 118 Freeway Reseda off-ramp has been delayed due to water mitigation efforts and supply delays. Caltrans' contractor is moving to a seven-day-a-week work schedule and is developing an updated project timeline to share with the public.
Although Caltrans is a state agency, my office has continued to be at the forefront of pushing for progress and updates in recognition of the fact that our community is impacted by the closure, and we will provide updates as they become available.
- San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission April Needs List
The San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission needs a variety of items in April. To see everything they are hoping to receive and how you can donate, follow this link.
- 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.
- Sidney's Sock Project for Hope the Mission
Donate socks to Hope the Mission (formerly Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission) for Sidney's Sock Drive, an initiative spearheaded by the organization's President & CFO's 12-year-old daughter. Donate a pair through their Amazon wish list or by visiting the CD12 Community Service Center, or any of the 20+ locations.
- LADOT Hiring Crossing Guards
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is accepting applications for new Crossing Guards. Please visit this link to learn more and download an application.
- LASAN's OrganicsLA
Los Angeles Sanitation and Environment customers should use their green bin to dispose of all food scraps and food-soiled paper, along with their existing yard waste. To help residents start collecting food scraps, the City is providing 2-gal kitchen pails. Residents can start making appointments to pick up their pails through the LASAN's scheduling system.
- LA Sanitation Non-Perishable Food Drive
LA Sanitation & Environment will be collecting non-perishable goods to donate to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Click here to view all of the details.
- Free Bulky Item Drop-Off
LA Sanitation & Environment is accepting bulky items at five locations around the City monthly. Click here to see the dates, times, and details.
|
|
|
|
TOP LEFT: Mayor Richard Riordan was an incredible public servant whose impact on the City of Los Angeles will never be forgotten. From leading our city through some of its most difficult times, including the Northridge earthquake, his dedication and service to Angelenos can be found throughout every corner of the city. May he rest in peace.
TOP RIGHT: At the beloved West Hills Neighborhood Council Spring Fling Dance.
BOTTOM LEFT: With the Volunteers Cleaning Communities at Chatsworth Blockfest.
BOTTOM CENTER: At the Magic Market Renaissance Book Faire hosted by The Museum of the San Fernando Valley to promote literacy and access to books for children in our community. We honored Sylvia Beanes of Gordon Philanthropies, who collected over 600 books for the Child Care Resource Center in Chatsworth, and worked tirelessly to make this a fun event for all attending.
BOTTOM RIGHT: CD12 staff joined LAPD Devonshire PALS for an agriculture class with Steve List. Kids learned how to plant crops like strawberries, tomatoes, and eggplants.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
