On August 21, Councilmember Blumenfield joined Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas to unveil the City’s new innovative helicopter fleet. With an almost 500 gallon tank and new night vision tech, these helicopters are a game changer for the City’s brave first responders.
“Last year, the Woolsey Fire was at our doorstep. We were lucky it didn’t enter the City, but we must be ready when the next disaster hits,” Blumenfield said. “That’s why I’m excited the LAFD is more prepared than ever with new resources and I’m glad we found the necessary funding during last year’s budget process that made it possible.” Blumenfield said.
As fire season kicks off, it is essential to make sure the West Valley is more resistant to fire and better prepared to prevent it. Recently, Blumenfield introduced a motion to expand stricter fire-resistant building codes used in denser areas like Downtown in other areas of the City. (Include Link to motion)
This motion will essentially bring LA’s building codes into the 21st century. As fire season increases in length and severity, buildings need to be built to better withstand fire, especially in high density areas of the City.
The second Blumenfield motion will help LAFD and peace officers ensure people’s safety in High Fire Severity Zones, such as most of the undeveloped hillsides. This motion to facilitate evacuation and removal of unauthorized people in fire zones will be heard in the Council’s Public Safety Committee soon.
Hoping to understand the historical significance of the Valley’s last remaining citrus orchard, on August 16, the City Council passed Councilmember Blumenfield’s motion instructing the Department of City Planning to study the feasibility of the Bothwell Ranch as a Historic Cultural Monument. The Ranch has been part of the West San Fernando Valley since owner Lindley Bothwell purchased the lot in 1926 to grow Valencia and Navel oranges for residents of the community to enjoy.
“For nearly a century, the Bothwell Ranch in Tarzana and Woodland Hills has been a family-operated enterprise that has captured the spirit of the West Valley,” said Blumenfield. “There isn’t much of the original Valley left, and I want to help retain and preserve its history and identity where we can. That starts by recognizing special landmarks like the Bothwell Ranch.”
Much has changed since the Bothwell family first bought the originally 100-acre site almost a century ago. Los Angeles’ agricultural parcels gradually have disappeared as local needs shifted. The Bothwell Ranch now stands at about 13 acres of land with rows of beautiful orange trees.
With the passage of this motion, the City Planning Department and the Historic Cultural Commission formally began the application to study the feasibility of recognizing Bothwell Ranch as a Historic Cultural Monument and their findings will eventually be heard by the City Council which has authority to designate monuments.
This week residents and several members of Team Blumenfield completed their summer-long Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training which took place in Councilmember Blumenfield’s District Office. Thanks to LAFD's CERT Instructor Randall Opperman, more residents have the skills and resources to support the community during a disaster. After completing the course, residents received backpacks containing emergency gear and valuable resources to stay connected to the CERT Program.
If you would like to participate in future CERT classes, be sure to stay on the lookout for updates next year. In the meantime, feel free to browse FEMA's website for CERT training materials.
It is a matter of WHEN, not IF, the next disaster occurs. Be sure to prepare yourselves so you can best help your family, friends, and neighbors.
Ventura Boulevard is the San Fernando Valley’s Main Street, and it is so iconic that it is referred to simply as “the Boulevard.” But the westernmost portion, near Fallbrook Avenue, has the potential to be even better. Councilmember Blumenfield’s ‘Reimagine Ventura’ initiative will support local business and create a better sense of place for nearby residents by providing additional parking, enhanced landscaping, and improvements for those who walk, even if just from a parking space to a local store or restaurant. The idea for this initiative was initially brought to the Councilmember by several neighborhood council members, developed through multiple community meetings held over the course of two years, studied and engineered by City engineers, planners and staff, and funded by grants and discretionary monies cobbled together by Blumenfield.
Please watch this video featuring Karl from The Local Peasant - Woodland Hills to learn more about the street improvement project, Reimagine Ventura. More information about the work in progress can be found here on Blumenfield’s website.
LA Sanitation is starting Bulky Item Drop Off days at the West Valley District Refuse Collection Yard. Please check the dates and times before you drop off any bulk items. For more information, please call the LA Sanitation Customer Care Center at 1 (800) 773-2489.
If you can’t make it, you can always take advantage of the MyLA311 app or call 3-1-1 to request free bulky items pickup or to report illegal dumping.
If you are a high school filmmaker, Blumenfield invites you to participate in the NewFilmmakers Los Angeles mentorship program 'CineSessions', taking place in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, August 25 from 10:00am-4:30pm. 'CineSessions' is a great way to shadow professional filmmakers and learn practical skills from industry professionals such as directing, sound recording, and cinematography. These monthly sessions take place after NFMLA's film festivals and are great ways to give aspiring filmmakers hands-on experience.
To RSVP, please contact [email protected] today and to learn more about 'CineSessions,' please visit their website.
The Upper LA River & Tributaries (ULART) Working Group is looking to survey the community on how residents use the LA River and what issues may prevent them from visiting. Please take a moment to fill out this survey on the segment of the LA River or Tributary you visit before the deadline, September 5. Please take their survey here.
Interns are a vital component to Team Blumenfield and help serve the West Valley while they build meaningful experience in public service. Councilmember Blumenfield thanks every intern who worked in his District or City Hall office this summer. From listening to constituents' concerns to conducting research on behalf of the staff, interns develop a wide array of skills that help them stand out from their peers.
To learn more about about the Team Blumenfield Internship Program, please click here.
Streets LA has surplus mulch and welcomes the community to pick it up for free by the truckload. To learn more visit their web page.
Johnny Pacific (Empanada Kitchen) is a restaurant based in Winnetka that serves delicious empanadas, skewers, and other street foods derived from cultures of the Pacific Islands and Latin America. Long-time restaurateur John Walguist has run his unique business for many years and loves to serve the diverse community of Winnetka. Anyone who has eaten at Johnny Pacific recognizes the relaxing, breezy atmosphere inside and the high-quality ingredients that go into each and every dish. Voted LA's favorite empanada, Johnny Pacific can serve guests a wide range of flavors, including beef, chicken, ham and cheese, kailua big, and so many others. Johnny Pacific is a unique food destination of the West Valley definitely worth exploring. To learn more about their menu, visit their website.
20133 Saticoy Ave. Winnetka, CA
“TWITCH” ID# A1884454- This super adorable little 3-year angel is Twitch and, at 7 tiny pounds, he is ready to be your constant companion, whether traveling around or cozying up on the couch!! He is a sweet little guy who will dance for your attention and love. He is so sweet and loves all people, big and small!! He’s perfect for your lap and ready to steal your heart
“SHADOW” ID# A1868192- Shadow is a lovely, sleekly beautiful 4-month ebony boy who is gentle and loving. He’s a little guy - just 2 pounds of handsomeness! Shy initially, he warms up nicely and will let you hold him, pet him and give him the love he so deserves.
Bring home forever love, smiles, purrs and wags -- come adopt a shelter pet today! Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, bunnies, all sizes, types and fur lengths, from playful youngsters to gentle, loving seniors -- they are waiting for you at your local CD 3 Animal Shelter! Come fall in love at the West Valley (L.A. city) Animal Shelter at 20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth, (818) 756-9325. See all the L.A. City Shelter animals at http://www.laanimalservices.com/.
On August 15, Blumenfield was proud to stand with the UFCW 770 Union as they conducted an ‘information only’ picket outside of the Woodland Hills Ralphs for workers healthcare in contract negotiations.
On August 21, Blumenfield joined students at the AGBU School in Canoga Park to welcome them back to school and to celebrate the school’s 44th anniversary.
On August 17, Blumenfield joined the grassroots organization the Gr818ers for the grand opening of their Unite Cultural Center in Canoga Park. The Gr818ers is an organization focused on uniting the community through art, music, and dance.
On August 16, Blumenfield and the veteran community of Wings over Wendys came together to remember Chairman Emeritus and Captain Art Sherman, who flew west shortly after celebrating his 98th birthday at the end of July. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. 
On August 17, Blumenfield joined the Stonewall Dems for a summer BBQ.
In solidarity with the Jewish and Filipino community, Blumenfield attended the 20th anniversary memorial of the North Valley JCC Memorial where a gunman unloaded 70 bullets into a Jewish Community Center and later that day shot and killed a Filipino mail carrier.