Blumenfield Hosts Planning 101 in the West Valley
Few things stir more emotion than decisions about development in our neighborhoods, and Councilmember Blumenfield wants all of the communities in the West Valley to have all of the information needed to understand and shape the process. That’s why on June 17th, Blumenfield hosted Craig Weber from the Department of City Planning (DCP) for a “Planning 101” forum to help local residents understand how land use decisions are made. Mr. Weber shared his insights, expertise and helped start the conversation around the Southwest Valley Plans.
“I organized this event because I want to make sure that community members and stakeholders know how this complex process works and have the tools to be better and more successful community advocates,” said Blumenfield. “We who live in the West Valley love our communities and the updating of the plans must reflect our collective values, priorities, and vision.”
Throughout the summer there will be neighborhood-specific meetings with City Planning staff where residents can offer thoughts and concerns about the future of the West Valley. Blumenfield is working with the Planning Department to ensure that the community plan update process is open, transparent and inclusive. “Every step of the way West Valley residents must have an opportunity to stand up and make their voices heard,” said Blumenfield.
To learn more about the plan updates please go to http://www.swvalleyplans.org/ or call Councilmember Blumenfield’s office at (818) 774-4330.
New Security Guidelines for Blumenfield 4th of July Extravaganza
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and LAPD Topanga Division released new safety guidelines for this year’s Blumenfield 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills. Every year an estimated 60,000 residents descend on the park for a day of music, fun and fireworks. To make sure all those who attend remain safe, new security protocols are being introduced. Similar measures are being put in place by LAPD for all large public events.
“It is my honor to host this celebration, but in today’s climate it is imperative that the City takes all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of all who attend,” said Blumenfield.
LAPD’s new security measures include additional barriers, fencing and only five entry points into the park. Attendees and their belongings are subject to inspection before entering the event.
Additionally, the following items are prohibited from entering the event:
• Sharp objects, including kitchen knives
• Weapons, regardless of permit
• Alcoholic beverages or drugs
• Broken factory sealed beverage containers
• Chemical irritants
• Combustible liquids
• Glass bottles
• Open-flame BBQs
• No smoking, including vapes
This level of heightened security is not unique to this event. Security at other events and celebrations around the City are being assessed by organizers and the LAPD.
Fireworks will begin between 8 and 9 pm, and families are encouraged to arrive early to have enough time for security checks.
Blumenfield Objects to Scale of Boething Treeland Proposal
Over the past few months, Councilmember Blumenfield has heard from a number of constituents regarding Boething Treeland’s proposal for the development of their property in Woodland Hills. The process for reviewing this project has just begun and there will be many opportunities for the community to weigh in. The proposal that Boething submitted is for an 87 bed eldercare facility and 121 single family homes, which are predominantly small lot style residences. They are asking for a general plan amendment and a zone change.
Blumenfield does not support the current proposal and believes that it is out of scale for the neighborhood. He said, “While this is private property and they have a right to redevelop their property, any development must be done appropriately and contextually complement the existing neighborhoods. Warner Center is the more appropriate area for density, this area should remain a cherished area of single family homes and community serving services. The proposal must be changed substantially if it is to have a chance for being adopted.”
As community meetings continue, Blumenfield will update the community when there is new information to share. To read his full letter regarding the proposal please go to http://blumenfield.lacity.org/boething_treeland_proposal.
Blumenfield Honors Crime Prevention by Tarzana South Neighborhood Watch
On June 2nd, Councilmember Blumenfield honored Jeff Gross and Gail Webster from the Taranza South Neighborhood Watch, as well as Lt. Lou Vince, Senior Lead Officer Daryl Scoggins, and Captain Beverly Lewis for their work together helping make Tarzana a better community for all. With a Facebook group of over 1,700, Tarzana South has built a network of neighbors who are following the “if you see something, say something” mantra, and looking out for one another.
“Although it grew out of unfortunate circumstances, the neighborhood has been hit with a wave of “knock – knock” burglaries over the last year. The Tarzana South Neighborhood Watch has become a model of community and police cooperation and engagement through social media,” said Blumenfield. “I’ve had the opportunity to walk our streets with this neighborhood watch on patrol and have seen firsthand the difference they are making in the West Valley.”
Blumenfield Highlights Resources for Local Blind Community with LARRS and Lions Club
On June 27, Councilmember Blumenfield joined Jolie Mason, Director of the Los Angeles Radio Reading Service (LARRS), for a conversation on the struggles of being blind in Los Angeles and all of the different resources that non-profits and the City have to offer. The interview was a part of a program on 67kHz of 88.5 FM tailored for blind and print impaired listeners.
“In the Los Angeles area alone, there are about 140,000 individuals who have visual impairments, and non-profits and local leader must work together to make Los Angeles as blind friendly as possible,” said Blumenfield.
The interview coincided with the 23rd anniversary of LARRS and 137th the birthday of Helen Keller. Consequently, Blumenfield, LARRS and community members celebrated with cake and a screening of The Unconquered, an Academy Award winning documentary on Ms. Keller. LARRS is a non-profit organization whose mission to ensure that those who are print impaired have the same access to information as those who can read text.
This event would not have been possible without the work of the Greater West Valley Lions Club led by Lu Rivas, former Councilmember and Blumenfield Ambassador Dennis Zine, Tamara Johnson, Corinne Ho, Kevan Worley, Yassmin Flores, Sharifa Hurt, and Marc Braun. Also, five radios were donated to blind veterans who will form a “Lions Club of the Air” with the two way radios.
Blumenfield Commends the California Writers Club of the San Fernando Valley
Councilmember Blumenfield is proud to celebrate the San Fernando Valley branch of the California Writers Club on the release of their anthology Cascade of Pearls, marking their 30th anniversary. The book features a wide range of writing including fiction, non-fiction and poetry from amateur and professional writers, many who are West Valley seniors.
The title, Cascade of Pearls, was chosen because the pearl is the gem symbol for a 30th anniversary. These pearls in the anthology shine through humor, tragedy, reflections, life experiences and great short stories.
Cascade of Pearls is available on Amazon and all proceeds will help continue their writing programs and events.
The California Writers Club was founded by John Muir, Ina Coolbrith and George Sterling, with the strong influence of Jack London and others in San Francisco more than 100 years ago. The Club has grown to 22 branches throughout California with nearly 2,000 active members. The Valley branch was established in 1986 and meets on the first Saturday of each month (except July and August) at the Motion Picture Television Home in Woodland Hills. For additional information about the branch, visit www.cwc-sfv.org or the Central California Writers Club at www.calwriters.org
Around Town
On June 25, Councilmember Blumenfield joined the Reseda Neighborhood Watch on their first community walk. Blumenfield looks forward to continuing to work with them to make the West Valley even better.
On June 25, Blumenfield joined Father George Bet-Rasho and Assemblymember Matt Dababneh for the 16th Annual Assyrian Food Festival in Tarzana.
On Memorial Day, Blumenfield joined Art Sherman, World War II Veteran and founder of Wings Over Wendy's for the annual Memorial Day Parade in Canoga Park.
On June 28, Blumenfield Kicked Off Summer Night Lights at Lanark Park with Captain Maureen Ryan, LAPD Topanga Division; Kevin Taylor, Office of Mayor Garcetti; Karla Martinez, Community in Schools; and West Valley Aztec dancers. The Summer Night Lights program is a public and private partnership undertaken by the Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction & Youth Development (“GRYD”) and The GRYD Foundation to serve at risk youth.