From my family to yours, wishing you a happy and a healthy new year! As your Councilmember, I look forward to continuing all of the progress we have made and the important work of bettering our communities in 2023 and beyond. Below are some of the best memories and moments from 2022.
Thank you so much to our community for giving me the opportunity to serve the West Valley for one final term on the LA City Council. I take this responsibility very seriously and I am honored to continue doing the work, tackling the tough issues facing Los Angeles and delivering for the Valley. My goal is to improve the quality of life for all residents of the Third Council District. Please do not hesitate to contact my office for assistance with any issue or question. For more updates and photos from the year that was and the year to come, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
For years Team Blumenfield has led the West Valley's portion of the annual Homeless Count. These results help dictate how much/what type of resources we get to address homelessness so this effort is critical. Watch a recap here.
Blumenfield joined the LA River Walkers and Watchers and MRCA at a cleanup event in Winnetka where they collected debris, furniture, and trash.
Blumenfield joined StreetsLA and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to unveil the latest pedestrian improvement project in Canoga Park. Funded by the California Transportation Commission through the Active Transportation Program, this is a great example of the infrastructure being created in the SFV. Watch the video recap here.
Blumenfield joined local representatives from all over the country at the League of Cities Congressional Conference in Washington, DC. While in DC, Blumenfield met and heard from federal representatives who highlighted opportunities to leverage federal funding to improve transportation and infrastructure projects.
In conjunction with the 11:11- A Creative Collective, local artists and community members kicked off Councilmember Blumenfield's “Reseda Rising Mural Festival.” It is the first city-funded neighborhood wide mural installation ever in the San Fernando Valley and it is a natural extension of his Reseda Rising Initiative. Watch a recap of the fest here and for more info on the artists and locations, please visit resedarisingmuralfest.com.
Councilmember Blumenfield met with Tarzana residents to discuss next steps against speeding and street racing on Vanalden. Over the past several months, Blumenfield and his staff have been working hard with the Department of Transportation to put together a series of additional solutions to deter speeding and street racing such as bollards, parking restrictions and new stop signs. Blumenfield invested over $600K in new and better infrastructure improvements and also directed $100K of district funds for an LAPD Speed Racing Task Force to go after organized racers and reckless drivers throughout the district.
Councilmember Blumenfield kicked-off the first Valley Asian Cultural Festival organized by the West Valley Chamber of Commerce at Pierce College. He helped bring out the vibrant showcase of cultural booths, kids activities, food, decorations, displays, and performances. Blumenfield helped fund and organize this event and hopes the Chamber will make this an annual event to showcase the vibrant diversity of the Valley.
Continuing progress toward making the West Valley more bike-friendly, Councilmember Blumenfield welcomed bike advocates and city leaders to unveil the newest portion of the LA River Bike Path. Located at the headwaters of the River from Owensmouth Ave to Mason Ave, this 1.5 mile of new path will connect to established portions Blumenfield has helped create over the past few years. Watch a recap here.
May is Jewish American Heritage Month and Councilmember Blumenfield was proud to welcome community and faith leaders to celebrate the City’s vibrant Jewish community at the 6th annual JAHM in Los Angeles. This year’s theme “Who Doesn’t Love a Deli: LA Jewish Deli Stories” highlighted the fusion food born of the Jewish immigration story. Regional food traditions from Eastern Europe with available, local ingredients resulted in an entirely new American Jewish food phenomenon. Students from Multicultural Learning Center in Canoga Park participating in the David Labkovski Project guided guests through a tour of Villnes, Lithuania through the artwork and eyes of Labkovski before and during the Holocaust.
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield was joined by Mayor Eric Garcetti, City leaders and residents for the groundbreaking of Caballero Creek Park. This site will convert a 1.5-acre underutilized lot into a multiple-benefit park, located at the convergence of the LA River & Caballero Creek in Tarzana. The design utilizes innovative methods for watershed protection and new wetlands that will create habitat, clean water and help connect Angelenos to the River. The site plan also includes amenities for the community including an outdoor classroom for Reseda High School, outdoor fitness center, play and recreation, access to the LA River bike paths, and more. Watch a recap of the groundbreaking here.
Councilmember Blumenfield joined Department of Recreation and Parks staff and community leaders for a ribbon cutting for the latest improvements at Winnetka Recreation Center. Hearing requests from the Winnetka Neighborhood Council to make the park more family friendly with amenities, Blumenfield jumped into action and got the funding necessary for the park improvements. The $450K+ project includes a new basketball court, fitness equipment, walking path, landscaping, and water fountains. Watch a recap of the ribbon cutting here.
Earlier this year, Councilmember Blumenfield joined City leaders at the new Center for Green Innovation for the unveiling of the City’s green tech ideas including the first plug-in street sweepers and electric bikes that help detect potholes or other nearby infrastructure improvements that may be needed.
Councilmember Blumenfield joined the topping off event and signed the final beam for the Palm Vista in Winnetka. The 91 PSH/Affordable unit project will open soon. Blumenfield thanked Hollywood Community Housing and GTM Holdings for helping us make meaningful positive impact to address LA’s housing crisis.
Councilmember Blumenfield joined the family and friends of Nora Ross and community members at the unveiling of a large lettered sign bearing her name which indicates that wonderful Bandshell which is part of the Lou Bredlow Pavilion in the Warner Center Park is now officially named the “Nora Ross Bandshell.” Nora was a mainstay of the community. Through programming the space and events, she provided the artistic canvas for many West Valley residents. Whether at the Summer Movies and Concerts, Blumenfield’s 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza (60,000 people), or by working to provide programming at the Madrid Theatre to families to young children, Nora devoted decades of her life to providing entertainment and culture to the residents of the West Valley and it was only fitting to name the bandshell in her honor. Watch a recap of the event here.
Councilmember Blumenfield led the groundbreaking for ‘Re-imagine Ventura Blvd’ effort. Focusing on the most western portion on Ventura Blvd, between Royer and Sale, the goal is to transform this stretch of the Boulevard into more “main street” to support local businesses and create more of a sense of place for local residents. Over the course of the next two years, the project will:
Construction for the $25M Reseda Blvd Complete Streets Project is underway. Reseda Blvd between Parthenia and Victory will be transformed with pavement rehabilitation and roadway safety improvements for all pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers including:
Councilmember Blumenfield teamed up with West Valley PALS to give away school supplies to local youth participating in the PALs program. The Police Activities League Supporters is a youth crime prevention program that relies on educational, athletic, and other recreational activities to cement a bond between police officers and the youth in our community. 
Councilmember Blumenfield joined The Gr818ers at the A Family Affair Festival where over the course of three days, folks enjoyed live performances, art, and local vendors. Blumenfield thanked all the sponsors and performers who put together a great community event.
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield celebrated the memory of the late legendary comedian and West Valley native, Brody Stevens, with the unveiling of a new mural by artist Chris Rogers located on the side of local eatery, Firehouse Taverna, off of Victory Blvd and Reseda Blvd.
Several new traffic and pedestrian improvements were completed in Warner Center. Under the Warner Center 2035 Plan, developers pay impact fees to help fund more than $180 million worth of specific transportation improvements identified in the Plan. The Warner Center Plan Implementation Board (WC 2035 PIB), which consists of community stakeholders in coordination with Team Blumenfield, is charged with helping to prioritize these projects, which are aimed at making the Warner Center a vibrant Transit Oriented District based upon sustainability, community connectedness, aesthetics, accessible public transit, and a safe and friendly pedestrian environment.
To mark the temporary closure of the Madrid before construction begins, Councilmember Blumenfield joined City leaders, community members and local performers for one last performance by the San Fernando Valley Master Chorale. Watch a recap of the event here.
September 30, 2022 was declared MTO Shahmaghsoudi® Day in the City of Los Angeles thanks to Councilmembers Blumenfield and Raman. They recognized MTO's commitment to community service and charitable works dedicated to supporting Angelenos, frontline heroes, first responders, people experiencing homelessness, and those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councilmember Blumenfield joined the Iranian-American community in support of the brave women in Iran as they fight for their most basic rights. No one should have to fear retaliation or death for making choices about how they express themselves. He stands with them and all Iranians in the fight for freedom against the totalitarian Iranian regime.
Councilmember Blumenfield joined outreach workers and his MDT team out in the field to assess unsheltered people's needs and make referrals to needed services.
Councilmember Blumenfield celebrated Pierce College's 75th Anniversary and grand opening of the Advanced Automotive Technology Building. Pierce is one of the most respected community colleges and transfer institutions in California and this addition will provide more opportunities in growing fields.
Councilmember Blumenfield worked directly with community members to find solutions to improve and maintain the Greenbriar median in Tarzana. With their input, Blumenfield allocated $15k in discretionary funding for to Urban Forestry landscape crews to enhance the median.
Councilmember Blumenfield joined StreetsLA on a tour of their new Commercial Vehicle Training Center in the San Fernando Valley. The City has a high demand for employees who hold commercial driver’s licenses to drive the heavy equipment that the City operates. This effort will provide training to get employees qualified.
Councilmember Blumenfield joined Hope of the Valley staff to thank them and help serve Thanksgiving lunch for the residents of our Sycamore Cabin Community, behind his District Office.
Councilmember Blumenfield welcomes Mayor Karen Bass and new City Council colleagues.
With the donations collected at Blumenfield's Toy and Collection Drive, generous West Valley residents prevented neighbors and families from going without food, toys, and warm clothing this holiday season. Blumenfield distributed goods to NEW Economics for Women, Haven Hills, Kids Cancer Connection, West Valley Food Pantry, and several more nonprofits in the West Valley. Watch a recap of the gift giving here.
In celebration of Hanukkah, Councilmember joined Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, local leaders, and allies outside City Hall to #ShineALight for love, justice, humanity, and community. Together, we must continue to fight the rise of Anti-Semitism, racism, and all forms of hate.