Englander E-News: How to Survive the Heat in L.A.

Be Ready for Summer Heat Waves ...
Temperatures reached over 100 degrees in the San Fernando Valley last week before cooling off. More heat waves will come this summer, so be ready!

During extreme heat, the City opens up hundreds of facilities to be utilized as cooling centers, including Senior Citizen Centers, most Recreation and Parks facilities, and City Libraries. They offer residents cold water, and a place to rest indoors in the air-conditioning. For more information on where all the cooling centers are located, call 3-1-1 or click here. 

Senior Centers: (213) 202-2700 or visit http://www.laparks.org/dos/senior/senior.htm .
Libraries: (213) 228-7000 or visit http://www.lapl.org/branches/ .

Recreation & Parks Facilities: (213) 202-2700 or visit www.laparks.org.

Tips to Beat the Heat
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. If you plan to be outdoors, take precautions to protect yourself from the sun and heat. Avoid the sun from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm when the sun's burning rays are most intense. Reduce physical activity. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and light- colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid hot, heavy meals and alcohol. Drink Gatorade or other non-caffeinated drinks with electrolytes. If you do not have air-conditioning, visit one of the City's public pools, go to a public park to sit in the shade, or go to a shopping mall. You do not need to purchase anything, and there are plenty of places to sit. Take a cool shower or bath.

Be Aware of Symptoms of Dehydration and Heat Stroke:
Symptoms of dehydration and heat stroke include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst. To learn more, click here.

Never Leave Pets or Kids Unattended in a Vehicle:
Leaving a child or a pet in a closed vehicle on a hot or sunny day, even with the windows cracked, can be fatal. On hot or sunny days, the temperature inside a car can be as much as 50 degrees hotter than the outside temperature.

Heat Wave and Other Emergency Information:
UpdateLA : http://www.updatela.com/ 
ReadyLA: http://www.readyla.org/ 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/readyla 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/readyla 
Emergency Management Department: http://www.emergency.lacity.org/ 

- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

“E-xcellence in Public Service” Leadership Development Program…

Throughout the summer, our "E-xcellence in Public Service" students have visited a wide range of public and nonprofit organizations in Council District 12 to learn about the services and programs provided to the community. These visits provide opportunities for students to think critically about the issues in our community while collectively working to provide solutions. Students are also exposed to a wide range of career opportunities to consider as their education progresses.

This week, our young leaders visited the LAPD Devonshire Station. The tour was provided by our Devonshire Senior Lead Officers, who serve as the direct link between the LAPD and the community. They proactively meet with community members to address issues and communicate information and crime trends. 

The students learned about the historic crime trends within the City and how public policies and technology have contributed to a reduction in crime. The students also learned about the various task forces and strategies Devonshire Division deploys, such as the "Knock-Knock Burglary Task Force" and the Volunteer Surveillance Team, to reduce crime to an all time low within Devonshire Division. 

One of the most effective ways of deterring crime is education. The students were charged with helping to spread the word to their peers to "Lock it, Hide it, Keep it" in order to mitigate car burglaries, document valuables and serial numbers of electronic goods to increase the chance of recovery, and to always be aware of their surroundings to avoid being a victim.

- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Thank you to all the participants in the CD12 Photo Contest...
We have now finished accepting photos for our "Year of Healthy Living" District 12 Photo Contest. We would like to thank all who participated in the contest and everyone who voted. 

District 12 boasts the most public parks in Los Angeles, providing photographers a wide variety of opportunities to capture examples of a healthy lifestyle. However, healthy living means more than just eating vegetables and exercising. It also means taking care of our community, our environment, our mental health and more. 

After an initial screening process, photos will be posted on our contest Facebook page. Finalists will be determined by how many “likes” your photo gets on the Facebook page and five winners will be chosen by Councilmember Englander. The finalists and winners will have their work proudly displayed at Councilmember Englander’s Community Service Center in Chatsworth.

Click here to visit our CD12 Photo Contest Facebook page or check out our Picasa page by following this link.

For more information please contact Semee Park at (818) 882-1212 or email at semee.park@lacity.org.

Northridge Library Used Book Sale…
The Friends of the Northridge Library are holding a Used Book Sale. Many boxes of used books have been added to the book sale collection. The sale will be held in the Meeting Room at the Northridge Branch Library.

Saturday, July 13
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Northridge Branch Library
9051 Darby Avenue
Northridge

For more information call (818) 886-3640.

New Horizons Yard Sale Fundraiser…
New Horizons is hosting its Annual Yard Sale Fundraiser on Saturday, July 13. Items include shoes, clothing, jewelry, electronics, artwork, office items, toys, books, DVDs, tools, kitchen appliances, small furniture, decorations, household items, sporting goods, plus so much more!

Saturday, July 13
8:00 am - 1:00 pm

New Horizons
15725 Parthenia Street
North Hills

Money raised goes towards the agency's programs and services for its clients with special needs.

For more information call (818) 221-0651 or email smokuolu@newhorizons-sfv.org.

Sunset Picnic Hike at Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park…
Interested in stunning views of the San Fernando Valley? A full moon is on the horizon for this sunset picnic hike. Join the experts at Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park and discuss the history of the stagecoach trail and meet other nature lovers.

Saturday, July 13
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Lilac Lane entrance to the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park.

Wear long pants because the brush is thick and sticky. A light jacket or long-sleeved shirt is also recommended. Although we try to avoid poison oak, sometimes it is encountered. Wear sturdy hiking boots. A walking stick is preferred by some hikers. Bring plenty of water. A hat is also recommended. Well-behaved dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash. Please remember to bring enough water for your four-legged friend. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information please call (818) 341-4276 or emailsantasusana@parks.ca.gov.

Mid-Valley Regional Library Used Book Sale…
The Friends of the Mid-Valley Regional Library are holding a used book sale on Saturday, July 13 in the Community Room.

Saturday, July 13
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Mid-Valley Regional Library
16244 Nordhoff Street
North Hills

Proceeds from the book sale are used to help fund library programs and collection.

For more information please call (818) 895-3650.

Movies Under the Stars...
Councilmember Englander is proud to present Movies Under the Stars. The summer movie series kicks off on July 20 with “Monsters, Inc.” at the Porter Ranch Community School. Admission is free and popcorn and face painting will also be available at no charge.

Saturday, July 20
7:00 pm

Porter Ranch Community School
12450 Mason Avenue
Porter Ranch

Join Councilmember Englander for a great night of family fun!

For more information call (818) 882-1212.

Chatsworth Branch Library’s Giant Book Sale…
The Friends of the Chatsworth Branch Library are hosting a Giant Book Sale onSaturday, July 20.

Saturday, July 20
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Chatsworth Branch Library
21052 Devonshire Street
Chatsworth

The great prices include $0.50 paperbacks, $1.00 hardcovers, and three for $1.00 children’s books. All funds raised benefit the Chatsworth Branch Library.

For more information please call (818) 341-4276.

West End Art Walk Returns to Chatsworth...
Shops at West End Chatsworth in collaboration with the Chatsworth Fine Arts Council present the 2nd Annual West End Art Walk. The art walk will feature a showcase of galleries, artists, restaurants, shops and small businesses located in the Historic West End of Chatsworth.

Friday, July 26
Friday, August 30
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm

21800 Devonshire Street
Chatsworth

The West End Art Walk is dedicated to enhancing the economic development and revitalization of the community for businesses, visitors, and residents. Join us and you could win tickets to the Hollywood Bowl!

For more information please contact (818) 341-8888 or info@we-shops.com

Reports From Our Staff:
Our Field Deputy, Semee Park works with a number of community organizations and is proud to report on a great community connection!

Temple Ramat Zion is a great philanthropic leader organizing many service projects throughout the district. Earlier this year, Maxine Simon, the Food Pantry Director at Temple Ramat Zion called our office seeking suggestions for recipients of their food pantry program.

Semee was able to connect Temple Ramat Zion with another well-connected community extraordinaire, Judi Greenberg, a teacher at Northridge Middle School and Boardmember of Northridge South Neighborhood Council and LAPD Devonshire PALS. As a result, 15 bags of food are distributed weekly to families of Northridge Middle School and are continuing to do so during the summer because as Maxine says “families don’t stop eating for the summer.” Additional donations are also being provided to LAPD Devonshire PALS, a youth center providing activities four days a week for children from seven to 17 years old.

For more questions or suggestions on how you can participate in our community, contact Semee Park by emailing Semee.Park@lacity.org