I hope our newsletter finds you well. 

We had a great morning today when the City Council recognized the 2015 EmpowerLA Award winners and the Congress of Neighborhoods Planning Committee for their hard work. Many thanks to Council President Herb Wesson for leading the recognition of our Neighborhood Councils' awesome efforts to bring Angelenos closer to City Hall! I was also happy to award the Congress Planning Committee members Neighborhood Council Spirit Awards for their wonderful work for the betterment of the entire Neighborhood Council system in giving us an amazing Congress. Thank you!

Speaking of the impressive work, the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council has been stepping way up for their community during a gas leak in their area. Because I'm on their mailing list, I am getting regular updates from the President Paula Cracium to the neighborhood about the status of the leak, when to stay inside, and what the PRNC is doing to protect the community. Thanks to the PRNC board members for being an information conduit and advocates on this important safety matter! For more information, click here.

Neighborhood safety from natural and man-made disasters is a big concern right now throughout the City, which is why tomorrow's launch of the new Neighborhood Council
Emergency Preparedness Alliance is so timely. HUGE thanks again to Board of Neighborhood Commissioners President Leonard Shaffer for taking the lead in bringing an amazing team of experts together for the launch and to Councilmember David Ryu for sponsoring the first meeting on El Nino preparation! We are nearing our room capacity so if you haven't already RSVP'd, please do so in order to receive your parking pass for the launch.

Our newsletter will go dark next week because of the short Thanksgiving work week. I want to appreciate the continued hard work of our staff, our City partners, in particularly our City Attorney Neighborhood Council Advice Division and the City Clerk, and of course, our Neighborhood Councils, who continue to inspire me every day with their passion and spirit for their community. I'm very grateful for all of you.

Have a lovely weekend and a Happy Thanksgiving!