Englander E-news: Poker Tournament Fundraiser; Disaster Preparedness Event

The City of Los Angeles funded and is implementing a major technology project for the modernization and improvement of its 311 system called MyLA311. MyLA311 provides residents and visitors to the City improved access to information and the ability to request services and easily contact departments, elected officials and city commissioners.

In order to give MyLA311 functionality across the City’s 39 operating departments, it is necessary to implement a Customer Service Platform (CSP) that aggregates all of the above into one central system.

This same CSP already established for the MyLA311 project could be enhanced to create a single portal with a unified view from which a resident could access all of their service requests from tree trimming and bulky item pick up to pothole repair, Department of Water and Power and Bureau of Sanitation billing statements and history, and police reports and the status planning projects.

This week, I asked the Chief Legislative Analyst, the City Administrative Officer and the City’s Information Technology Agency to report back on how to make MyLA311 CSP a single portal for residents with a unified view of all of their service requests.

This single portal will give residents unprecedented access to their government and its processes and give the City of Los Angeles a tool that will greatly improve the accuracy and consistency of data, reduce the need for duplicate information, provide a better understanding of the needs of residents, more accurately and efficiently align resources with needs, and vastly improve the customer service experience for residents.

New Fire Commissioners Confirmed

As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, I would like to welcome the newly confirmed Los Angeles Fire Commissioners: Jimmy Hara, a physician at Kaiser Permanente; Andrew Glazier, an executive at a local affiliate of AmeriCorps; Delia Ibarra, a litigator who served in the Clinton administration; Jimmie Woods Gray, a retired teacher; and Steve Fazio, business owner in the San Fernando Valley. 

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

Chatsworth Hills Academy’s Fifth Annual Appreciation and Remembrance Assembly

In remembrance of the 2008 Chatsworth Metrolink train crash, Chatsworth Hills Academy held their Fifth Annual Appreciation and Remembrance Assembly to honor of our uniformed and civic personnel. Personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California State Highway Patrol were treated to a breakfast and a concert organized by the students. At the close of the ceremony, they were given notes of thanks written by the students. My office was honored to be a part of this ceremony. Thank you to all of our first responders who protect our community each and every day.

Oakridge Estate Neighborhood Oversight Committee Meeting

My office is pleased to announce first meeting of the Oakridge Estate Local Volunteer Neighborhood Oversight Committee (LVNOC). The committee will meet on Thursday, September 19 at 2:00 pm at the Northridge Recreation Center located at 18300 Lemarsh Street.

The role of the LVNOC is to provide feedback on a $1.3 million Proposition K grant secured to make improvements to the property and open it to the community as a park.

The Oakridge Estate was designed by noted architect Paul R. Williams and was built in 1937 for Barbara Stanwyck. It was later the home of actor Jack Oakie in an era when many stars lived in ranches in the San Fernando Valley.

I am committed to preserving this historic-cultural monument in Northridge. The grant funding that my office has secured is a major milestone in restoring this property and turning it into a haven of green open space and culture for the public to enjoy for generations. To learn more, visit www.theoakridgeestate.org.

If you are interested in attending this meeting or for more information please contact our District Director Megan Cottier at (818) 882-1212 orMegan.Cottier@lacity.org.

"What Ever Happened To Moby Dick?" at the Granada Hills Branch Library

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!

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.

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. OnSaturday, 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.

Valley Nonprofit Recourses has a number of exciting workshops coming up and encourage you to attend!  

Secrets of Writing an Effective Foundation Letter of Inquiry: 
David Berkus of Strategic Development Solutions will lead this free two-hour workshop about writing LOIs for foundation grants, targeted to nonprofit Executive Directors, Board members and development personnel. 

Wednesday, September 18
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Please call (818) 990-0176 to RSVP

Getting the Most From Your Financial Statements:  
Karla Salazar of SOS Strategies will lead this free two-hour workshop, targeted to nonprofit Executive Directors and Board members, covering the basics of how financial statements are prepared and how to use them. 

Wednesday, September 25
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Please call (818) 990-0176 to RSVP 

Los Angeles Police Foundation’s 2013 Above and Beyond Medal of Valor & Purple Heart Award Ceremony

Join us in celebrating 43 of L.A.’s heroes on Thursday, September 19, as the LAPF hosts the Los Angeles Police Department’s Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony presented by Verizon. This incredibly moving event will share the harrowing and heroic true stories of LAPD’s finest as they are presented with one of the Department’s most prestigious honors this year – the Medal of Valor or the Purple Heart.

Thursday, September 19 
11:00 am

The Grand Ballroom 
The Hollywood & Highlands Center 
6801 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles

Visit the following link for sponsor information.

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.

6th Annual Valley Emergency Disaster Preparedness Fair

Get preparedness information from the Red Cross, the Gas Company, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and many others. Learn how to volunteer with emergency response organizations like Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), California Emergency Mobile Patrol and Civil Air Patrol.

Saturday, October 5 
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Fire Station 87
10124 Balboa Blvd.
North Hills 

Reports From Our Staff

Our Chief of Staff, John Lee would like to inform you about an important tax amnesty program being offered by the City of Los Angeles. Starting this month, businesses with unpaid taxes or under reported gross receipts or those who have not registered with the Office of Finance can benefit from the Tax Amnesty Program.

The program provides an opportunity for businesses to pay delinquent taxes and avoid up to forty percent in penalties. The following City taxes qualify for amnesty: Business Tax, Telephone, Electricity & Gas Users Taxes, Commercial Tenants’ Occupancy Tax, Transient Occupancy Tax, and Parking Occupancy Tax.

The Tax Amnesty Program will run from September 1 to December 2.

For more information please contact Saul Romo at (213) 978-1757 or email saul.romo@lacity.org.