The Office of the City Clerk is offering new live and on-demand video and audio services of City Council meetings.  For more information, please see their flyer.

Low income senior housing is now available in the San Fernando Valley. Menorah House at 19206 Sherman Way, Reseda, has opened a waiting list for new residents. Request an application by calling (310) 477-1476 or (818) 972-4410. The deadline is Feb. 12, 2010. For more information, click here. 

L.A. Works is a nonprofit volunteer action center that creates and implements hands-on community service opportunities throughout the greater Los Angeles area.  They are currently looking for ideas for a Day of Service that would revitalize community centers, transitional living facilities, schools, parks, beaches, and more.  All services including supply costs are free.  Please contact Gil Gonzales at gil@laworks.com for more information. 

Donate-A-Bench program has been officially launched by the L.A. Parks Foundation. Each bench has a personalized bronze plaque and is placed in a park of choice. This fundraising campaign not only beautifies the city's facilities, it provides a way for community members to enhance their neighborhood parks. For more information, please see the Foundation's Donate Page or contact info@laparksfoundation.org.

You can participate in an online review of the priorities of the Department of Homeland Security.  Public study groups have been working to refine the thinking that formed this survey.  What you will see is the product of their work and not final DHS policy.

Issues include: counterterrorism, employers that violate labor laws, disaster responses, immigration laws, and airport security, according to the CityWatch newsletter.

There is also a place for you to post your comments.

In a sudden reversal, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has spared hundreds of California parks from being closed.

But local volunteers are organizing to step in if Sacramento flip-flops again and sends workers to erect chain-link fences and padlock gates at Chatsworth's Santa Susana Pass State
Historic Park.

If enough community members train on Sunday, Oct. 18, to serve as State Park Volunteers, local State Park officials say the park -- with its equestrian and hiking trails -- can stay open, even if the cash-starved California budget requires other parks to be shut. The parks system faced a $14.2 million deficit.

Last week, Schwarzenegger retreated and threatened to close far fewer than 100 state parks his administration had previously planned, according to reports in the San Jose Mercury News. And when he dropped plans to release a list of targeted parks, it was apparent that a deal was in the works.

Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park was believed to be on the closure list.

"Obviously the governor has finally heard what Californians have been trying to communicate to him for months now," said  Elizabeth Goldstein, who heads the California State Parks Foundation. She told LA Weekly that Schwarzenegger is "trying to heal a wound that was self-inflicted."

The governor proposed eliminating all $143 million in state general fund money for parks by next year. That move, according to the state parks department, would have required 220 of the 279 state parks to close.

But those fighting to preserve public green space are not yet out of the woods. As a result of the budget rearranging, lots of parks will have reduced hours, and some will only be open on weekends. Jobs will be cut and maintenance will be scaled back. It amounts to neglect, and the parks won't be able to take it for very long,  Goldstein told LA Weekly.

The impact in Chatsworth has not been disclosed.

Originally, Schwarzenegger sought $36 million in spending cuts from state parks, according to the Modesto Bee. Last week's deal defers $22 million of those cuts to January. In turn, the parks department has agreed to further defer maintenance, suspend vehicle and equipment purchases, and reduce spending at headquarters.

That's $14 million in cuts -- but only until January, leaving this subject far from resolved, the Bee reports.

If the park had been closed, it would be the latest of Chatsworth's parks to be fenced off. Chatsworth Park South has been shut since Valentine's Day 2008 when lead pellets were discovered in the soil. A portion of the park was used as a skeet shooting range more than 50 years ago. There is no target date for rehabilitation of the park.

The northern half of Mason Park is now fenced off for replacement of the sprinkler system. When that is complete, the southern part will be closed to install the remainder of the system.

A widely discussed plan to ensure long-term state park funding calls for a $15 park access fee that would be included in the annual cost of renewing your vehicle in California, LA Weekly reported.

"We're looking at whether the idea has legs," said Goldstein. A decision will be made this fall as to whether they'll try to get the proposal on the 2010 ballot.

The Modesto Bee said a voluntary checkoff on license renewals could generate $31 million.

If and when volunteers staff Santa Susanna Pass Park,  they'll need to complete 4 hours of introductory and safety training. After training, Safety Patrol Volunteers will be asked to hike the park wearing a state-issued shirt and/or cap so they will be visible to park visitors. A volunteer graffiti removal team may also be organized.
 
Equestrians would be needed for mounted patrols. Mounted Volunteer Patrol training would be provided by the National Park Service.

To volunteer, contact John Luker at jcluker2@yahoo.com or (818) 371-7918, Teena Takata at teena@besttax.com or  (818) 326-1533, or Jack Unger at junger@ask-wi.com at (818) 227-4220.  Include SSPSHP or State Park in the subject line of your email.

Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park faced closure.

Stakeholders are invited to meet with the CNC board and candidates for a Q&A session at 7 p.m. Voting will follow from 7:15 to 8 p.m. 

Votes will be counted and the newly elected board member will be seated immediately.

By Danny Del Valle
Senior Lead Officer, LAPD
 
I have been receiving complaints of individuals removing recyclables from their trash bins.  A question was asked, if this activity is a crime? Yes, taking recyclables from the recyclable container is a crime of theft. 

Once a resident has placed the recyclables in the container they become property of the city.  I know the economy has been hard, and we have seen an increase in this activity.  Most of us will have our own opinions whether or not this activity truly is a crime.  If this is a problem that you're experiencing, I suggest that you to tell (from a safe distance) the individuals to stay out of your bins. 

If you feel that the individual does not understand or does not want to listen, call the police. 

The major  criminal activity in our area is Burglary/Theft from Motor Vehicles (BTFMV). I ask everyone to remove all property of value from your vehicles.  Most criminals are opportunists and look for the easy target.  If you are leaving a GPS, wallet, purse, or computer in plain sight in your vehicle, it is only a matter of time before you become the next victim.
 
I have a Basic Car Neighborhood Watch Meeting for our area on Oct. 22.  The meeting will start at 7 p.m. and will be at St. John Eudes Church at 9901 Mason Ave.  At the Neighborhood Watch Meeting we will cover crime issues and concerns around the area.  On Oct. 23rd and 24th, Devonshire Division will be hosting the first Haunted Halloween Station from 6 to 10 p.m..  The Devonshire Station is located at 10250 Etiwanda Ave. in Northridge.  This will be a fun and safe time for all.

An analysis of crash data suggests that Metrolink could significantly reduce accidents by targeting a few particularly dangerous crossings. Click here for Los Angeles Times report.

In other news:

• Metrolink train runs red light during test
• Cassel not a major contributor to offense against Eagles
• 2 arrested, 1 wanted in Katrina scam
• Where's the weed? Mapping L.A.'s marijuana dispensaries
• New rules sought for sober living homes in Valley
• 1,000 marijuana plants found inside Chatsworth warehouse
  
  

Bruce Boyer, general manager of Reseda-based Lone Star Security, rents out unhitched advertising trailers.

Ad Trailer Fight Is a Sign of the Times

Some city officials see him as creating one of the biggest neighborhood nuisances in the San Fernando Valley. But Bruce Boyer makes no apologies for parking dozens of mobile billboards on trailers throughout Valley neighborhoods. Click here for Daily News report.

This year's Great California Shake Out drill will take place at 10:15 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 15.

The drill will last for 60 seconds with participants reacting as if a real earthquake is happening. The recommended action to minimize injury from earthquakes is "Drop, Cover, and Hold On."

It is an opportunity for families, schools, businesses, governments and emergency response teams to devise and carry out their earthquake preparedness plans.