Seniors Meet Every Monday, Thursday

Chatsworth seniors 50-plus meet every Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mason Park Recreation Center,
10500 Mason Ave.

A hot lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. But, because lunches are limited in number, seniors need to sign up beginning at 9:30 a.m.

A lunch donation of $1.25 is requested for seniors 60-plus and  $4.50 for seniors age 50-60. You do not have to be a member
to enjoy lunch, which is funded by the Department of Aging.

Membership activities include chair exercise, line dancing, mah jongg, bridge, square dancing, poker and more. Exercise chairs were donated by the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council.

For information, stop in or call the park, at (818 ) 998-6377 on meeting days, or e-mail Chatsworth Senior Center President Harriet Van Tiger at chatsworth4seniors@yahoo.com;
or contact Phyllis Fisher at (818) 701-6099.

 

PALS Plans July
Golf Invitational

LAPD Devonshire PALS and the Barbara McIntyre Memorial Foundation invite all golfers to enter the 30th Annual Grand Golf Invitational, Monday, July 13 in Northridge. 

The event raises funds for Devonshire PALS (Police Activities League Supporters) sports, tutoring, camping trips and leadership programs for at-risk youth. These programs are designed to help steer kids away from gangs, crime and drugs.

The $200 entry fee includes breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Registration is 7:45 a.m. with tee-off at 10 a.m. at the Porter Valley Country Club, 19216 Singing Hills Dr., Northridge.

For more information or to register email golf@devonshire-pals.org or call (818) 349-1706.

Pico Union Plans   June 6th Health Fair

On Saturday, June 6, Pico Union Neighborhood Council  will be co-hosting a Health Fair for the community with their partners from churches, local hospitals, City agencies, and community organizations.  A number of free medical services will be provided.  For more information, please see the event flyer.      

Donate DVDs
to Benefit Veterans

DVDs4Vets is a non-profit organization that collects new and used DVDs and donates them to wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many of these veterans have physical and economic hardships that make it difficult for them to obtain some of the basic entertainment that most civilians take for granted.

In the last year, DVDs4Vets has delivered more than 38,000 DVDs to various V.A. Hospitals, homes, centers and clinics for veterans.

For more information on how to donate DVDs, visitDVDs4Vets.org.

Donate Items
for VA Silent Auction

The Veterans Administration Voluntary Services Executive Committee is seeking donated items to be auctioned at its Silent Auction to raise funds to benefit veterans at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare system.

Suggested donation items include vouchers for services or goods from local businesses such as salon and spa services, carwashes, restaurants, or movie theatres, or new items suitable for auction such as sports memorabilia.
Donations are tax deductible. Funds raised will be used to purchase items or services requested by veterans.

Donated items should be labelled "VAVS Executive Committee Fundraiser" and can be dropped off at the VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center, 16111 Plummer St., North Hills, Bldg. 20, Room B104, or contact Julie Stranges, lead volunteer, VA GLA Sepulveda Campus at (818) 895-9325 or Julie.Stranges@va.gov.

Trade in Your Old
Gasoline Lawn Mower

You can trade in your old polluting gas-powered lawn mower for a deeply discounted new electric lawn mower and help reduce air pollution.

Using electric mowers also reduces fuel costs.

The cordless rechargeable electric mowers will cost $100 to $160 with the trade-in. They operate for up to an hour on a charge and come with a rear-mounted bag and a mulching kit.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) will hold several exchange events in several locations during June. For location information click here.

For elegibility and registration information click here or call
1 (888) 425-6247.

Workshops to Help Small Business Owners

The Small Business Development Center is offering low-cost workshops in Chatsworth to help local entrepreneurs successfully start, build and grow their small businesses. 

Writing a Useful Business Plan
This interactive three-hour workshop will help you write a short- and long-term business plan that you can use to build and grow a successful business. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, June 23. Cost: $30. Premier America Credit Union, 19867 Prairie St., Chatsworth.  To reserve call (661) 294-9375 or email sbdc@canyons.edu.

Call for other classes:

• June 24. Effective Marketing for Small Businesses
• June 25. California Construction Contractors Program
• Free Business Counseling

Here's Where You Can Recycle Locally

Vons Shopping Center,
20440 Devonshire St. (behind Rite-Aid)

Valley Recycling Center,
20220 Plummer St.,
818-885-7318

Budget Recycling,
21250 Nordhoff St.,
818-998-1700

 

Zero Waste
The City has a Zero Waste team soliciting opinions on how to reduce solid waste. Find out how you can participate. Zero waste brochure.

Bureau of Sanitation
The BOS is working to convert our solid waste into renewable energy. Read the brochure.

Be Prepared for
the 'Big One'
This is the 150th anniversary of the last great San Andreas Earthquake. Dare to Prepare is a campaign to prepare for the next big quake. Find out what you can do at the Dare to Prepare site. Read the LAFD letter.

Free Shade Trees
You can get free shade trees through DWP. Read about the Trees for a Green LA program

DWP Residential Energy and Water Saving Programs
The DWP offers incentives to recycle your old refrigerator and buy an energy efficient one. Other appliance incentives are available too. Receive $100 toward an ultra low flush toilet. Read about DWP rebates.
 
Online Service Requests
You can place service requests for street repair, tree trimming, downed trees or palm fronds in the street online.
This is a service provided by the  Bureau of Street Services.

Property Activity Reports
Did you know that you can view all permit requests for a property online? Click here to access the City's online reporting system. Enter in the address and view the permits.
This is a service provided by the Department of Building and Safety.

 

Santa Susana Pass Park on Governor's Budget Hit List

First, popular Chatsworth Park South was fenced off when lead pellets from a decades-old skeet range were discovered polluting the soil. Then plans were announced to close sections of heavily used Mason Park so that a new sprinkler system could be installed.

Click map to enlarge. These are the top 30 of the 220 state parks, state beaches, state recreation areas, museums and state reserves that officials say could be closed under the proposed state budget cuts: 1. Leo Carrillo State Park. 2. Los Angeles State Historic Park. 3. Los Encinos State Historic Park. 4. Malibu Creek State Park. 5. Malibu Lagoon State Beach. 6. Pio Pico State Historic Park. 7. Point Mugu State Park. 8. Rio de Los Angeles State Park. 9. Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. 10. Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. 11. Topanga State Park. 12. Verdugo Mountains. 13. Will Rogers State Historic Park. 14. California State Capitol Museum. 15. Governor's Mansion State Historic Park 16. Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park. 17. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park. 18. State Indian Museum State Historic Park. 19. Sutter's Fort State Historic Park. 20. Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area. 21. Calaveras Big Trees State Park. 22. California Mining & Mineral Museum. 23. Caswell Memorial State Park. 24. Columbia State Historic Park. 25. George J. Hatfield State Recreation Area. 26. Great Valley Grasslands State Park. 27. Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park. 28. McConnell State Recreation Area. 29. Carpinteria State Beach. 30. Chumash Painted Cave State Historic Park. -- Sacramento Bee

Now, as the state faces an unprecedented $24.3 billion budget shortfall, Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park is No. 10 on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's shutdown list. The mostly undeveloped rustic park surrounds Chatsworth Park South and could also be chained off by Labor Day.

As many as 220 of California's 279 state parks and beaches could close to save money.

"The ultimate outcome will be determined by how the Legislature structures the budget, but will likely include deep cuts to many state services, including parks," Juan Bustamante of the mayor's office told The Roundup.

The governor addressed the Legislature Tuesday as Controller John Chiang warned that California will run out of money to pay its bills on July 29.

The governor outlined a series of cuts that include an additional $5.2 billion reduction in funding for public schools, laying off 5,000 state workers and further cutting the pay of 200,000 others. He has proposed eliminating welfare for 500,000 families, terminating health coverage for nearly 1 million low-income children and closing 220 state parks, according to the Associated Press.

"People come up to me all the time, pleading 'Governor, please don't cut my program.' They tell me how the cuts will affect them and their loved ones," Schwarzenegger said. "I see the pain in their eyes and hear the fear in their voice. It's an awful feeling. But we have no choice."

Bustamante said, "With the failure of the state budget propositions this May and the ever-widening budget gap in Sacramento, the state will be looking for money anywhere it can -- including city coffers and shuttering parks."

"The mayor went to Sacramento last week to work with state leaders on how to preserve vital services that depend on state aid and to try to prevent the state from balancing its books on the backs of cities," Bustamante said.

"While he feels that the state budget system is fundamentally broken and hard-wired for failure, the mayor is committed to fighting to keep state resources flowing to our cities, our local governments, and, most importantly, to neighborhoods, communities, and families across our state," he said.

Assemblywoman Audra Strickland (R-Dist. 37) finds common ground with the mayor.  "Santa Susana State Historic Park is an important part of California's history and one that provides great recreational and educational opportunities for Southern California residents," she told The roundup.

"It is unfortunate that our state legislature has tolerated waste, fraud and abuse in previous spending plans.  This mismanagement of your hard-earned tax dollars has put us in a predicament where we have to choose between health care for the neediest people of our state, a top-rated education for our children, providing public safety in our neighborhoods and other items that are a priority to us all."

The Daily News reported that "critics say closing 80 percent of the Golden State's parks could ultimately cost California far more than any budget savings, with $350 million lost in tax revenue to surrounding businesses from 80 million park visitors.

"They also said the world-famous parks risk becoming vandalized, severely overgrown or scorched by fire if shut.

"A parks recovery could take years and cost millions in deferred maintenance.

"And the loss of recreational and cultural value to local families and schoolchildren would be priceless," the newspaper reported.

The popular 80-acre Chatsworth Park South closed last year on Valentine's Day and has remained shut after state toxics regulators warned of a positive test for lead.

Meanwhile, the gym floor in the park's recreation center has been replaced.  The $100,000 repair was funded through Proposition K indebtedness, said Megan Cottier, field deputy for Councilman Greig Smith. "We are working with Rec and Parks to get the gym opened as soon as possible," Matt Myerhoff, Smith's director of communications, said.

"Regarding Mason Park, the [lawn sprinkler replacement] project was delayed because of the two-part design and getting approval from the Prop K Commission to go out to bid," Myerhoff said.  "The Bureau of Engineering is currently reviewing the bids that have come back," Cottier added.

"We are working with Rec and Parks to keep the project moving forward with minimal impact to municipal sports and AYSO as well as our community," Myerhoff said.

Unhitched Trailers Vanish     From Devonshire Street

After the Department of Transportation (DOT) installed more than 100 additional no unhitched trailer signs along Devonshire Street last month, the advertising signs were removed.

The move comes after many requests from the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council. The "No Unhitched Trailers" program will eventually expand to other streets where a few of the trailers have been relocated.

"We have been working for several years to find solutions to the large numbers of unhitched trailers with advertising signs on them which, under State law, are 'vehicles' and can be parked legally on the streets," according to Hannah Lee, associate planning and transportation deputy for Councilman Greig Smith.

Two years ago, the City Council passed an ordinance allowing "No Parking Unhitched Trailers" signs.

Lee said, "Our original request to DOT covers the entire stretch of Devonshire in the district, from Valley Circle to the 405. More specifically, it asked that DOT fill the gaps between existing restrictions (i.e. peak hour, time limited, etc.) with 'No Parking Unhitched Trailer' signs."

"Devonshire was pretty hard hit, so we thought it a logical first request for our district-wide systematic posting program. We'll be continuing on with other major streets in the district," she said.

Some stakeholders said they telephoned businesses and politely asked them not to use billboard trailers.

CHATSWORTH HIGH DOGPILE -- Chatsworth players pile onto the pitcher's mound after defeating Cleveland for the City Section baseball title Saturday at Dodger Stadium. It was the Chancellors' third straight section championship.
Landmark Rocket Bowl Closes After 47 Years

Chatsworth's AMF Rocket Bowl fizzled this week after 47 years, the latest pin to fall among dozens of San Fernando Valley bowling alleys.

The Cold War-era venue saw its last strikes Sunday as disabled kids launched balls down its lanes.

With its lease not renewed, AMF is pulling its equipment while the landowner plans to raze the building for a shopping center. Click for MORE.

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SOLID Fundraiser Dinner at Islands

Don't miss the SOLID (Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire) fundraiser dinner, 5 -9 p.m., Wednesday, June 3, at Islands Restaurant in Porter Ranch. 

A portion of your bill will help SOLID purchase non-city supplied equipment and materials for the police officers working at the Devonshire Community Police Station.

Islands Restaurant is at 11400 Porter Ranch Dr.,  Porter Ranch. For reservations, call (818) 368-2305.

Print out this announcement and present it to your server and 20% of your bill will be donated to SOLID. For more information visit http://solidev17.org/index.htm or call (818) 363-1726.

New Controller to Hold Town Hall

Councilmember Wendy Greuel, who was recently elected as our new City Controller, will hold a Town Hall meeting 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, at the Northridge Recreation Center. Light refreshments will be served.

The recreation center is at Northridge Park, 18300 Lemarsh St., Northridge.

For more information or to RSVP email Controller.Greuel@lacity.org, or call (818) 755-7676.

See invitation flyer.

CERT Class Filled to Capacity

By Clara Woll
Public Safety and Transportation Committee

We received 120 calls about registering for the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council's latest Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class but had room for only 86 people. 

We referred callers we could not accommodate to other classes in the Valley that had seats available.  We were pleased to see such a strong interest from our community in CERT training. 

It is in Chatsworth's interest to have as many people as possible CERT-trained in case of emergency.  If you are interested in CERT classes please go to cert-la.com and click on "Current CERT Trainings."  In addition, we will try to list in The Roundup future classes near Chatsworth.

For instance, there is a class sponsored by the West Hills Neighborhood Council beginning July 2 and going through Aug. 13 that is being held on Tuesday evenings from 7 - 9:30 p.m. at the Chapel, 22450 Sherman Way, West Hills.  For more information or reservations contact Bobbie Trantaffelo at (818) 917-8932.

This is the second series of CERT class offered by the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council. We have also offered CPR and first aid classes.

Bring this coupon to the next Neighborhood Council Meeting and receive a free Be Safe, Be Seen safety flasher.  Wear it while jogging, cycling, walking the dog.

Name: ________________________________________

Email: ________________________________________

While supplies last                                                                6.3.09