July 15, 2022

As summer is in full swing, stay cool at the City facilities in our district and enjoy the free programming at our parks and libraries.

The valley is known for its summers with high temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. Our City’s libraries, pools, and senior centers are a great place to stay cool. For more info about all of the parks, facilities, and activities available to you throughout the summer and throughout the City of Los Angeles, visit laparks.org. To learn more about programming at our local libraries visit lapl.org.

Each year, Valley Cultural Foundation not only puts together a great 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza, but they also host free movies and concerts at Warner Ranch Park throughout the summer. Each event brings together the community to enjoy local food trucks, vendors and entertainment. My team and I have a booth at almost every event so feel free to stop by to say hello or with any questions as well.

Valley summers bring high temperatures, so remember to check weather conditions, stay hydrated, and don’t forget about your pets too. 

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or call 818-774-4330.

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Groundbreaking of Re-Imagine Ventura

This week Councilmember Blumenfield attended 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:

  • Increase the number of parking spots by utilizing reversed angled parking (first of its kind in LA)
    Create a new median and beautify the sidewalk areas with greenery, shade, benches, bike parking and more
  • Add a new traffic signal at Ventura and Royer as well as a pedestrian signal at Ventura and Ponce
  • Upgrade existing crosswalks and repave the entire corridor
  • Create more protections for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Blumenfield thanks the Los Angeles Department of Transportation for all their efforts and all the West Valley community members who engaged with his office over the past few years on this project, helping shape it to better our community. Special thanks to Dennis DiBiase and Scott Silverstein (formerly of the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council), who helped craft the idea for this effort as well as Diana Williams and the West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce and local businesses such as The Local Peasant for their consistent support.

Watch a recap of the groundbreaking here and if you’d like to learn more about this effort, please click here.

Updated Hours at LA Animal Shelters

LA Animal Services is at capacity and they need your help to foster or adopt – primarily medium- to large-size dogs. Animal shelter hours have been updated to expand opportunities to visit and adopt on a walk-in basis. Shelters are open and no appointment is needed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8AM-5PM, and on weekends from 11AM-5PM. Shelters are open by appointment Wednesdays and Fridays from 8AM-5PM. Please click here for more information on adopting.

Small Businesses Rental Relief Round 2

The Economic Workforce Development Department will be launching another round of the small business rental relief program beginning on July 20. Grants are available for up to $15,000 or six months of back rent, whichever is less. The grant may be used for rent payments that were incurred on or after March 1, 2020 until May 1, 2022. To be eligible, businesses must be for-profit, operate and be located in a commercial storefront within the City of Los Angeles. Click here to learn more.

Paid Leave Grant for Small Businesses

The Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the CA Paid Family Leave Grant. Small businesses with 1-100 employees with at least one employee utilizing California’s Paid Family Leave program are eligible to apply for microgrants to offset the increased costs associated with the employee out on leave. For more information, eligibility details, and to apply, visit CaliforniaPFL.com or call the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber at (818) 989-0300.

Around Town

Councilmember Blumenfield celebrated the kickoff of Summer Night Lights at Lanark Park along with local residents with hot dogs, carnival games, loteria, performances, and so much more. For more events and info about SNL at Lanark, visit http://facebook.com/LanarkRC.

Upcoming Community Events

Historic West Valley

This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times taken on December 16, 1960 of the groundbreaking of the pool at Woodland Hills playground at Shoup and Oxnard. Beat the heat and join the City's Recreation and Parks Department as they offer families and community members many affordable and safe aquatic activities at their public pools.

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