Dear Friend:
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season! It was truly a joy to see so many friends and community members at my annual holiday gathering and donations drive. The kindness and generosity of West Valley residents are unmatched, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who contributed toys and other items for those in need. Your donations of non-perishable food directly assist families facing food insecurity and the new socks, along with gently used jackets and blankets, provide support for our unsheltered neighbors. Like with previous years, we distributed the many donated toys to local elementary schools, LA Parks programs, and nonprofits including Kids Cancer Connection, CDI, Boys and Girls Club, New Economics for Women, Haven Hills, Guadalupe Center and many more. |
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Special thanks to Los Angeles Rams Rampage, Pierce College Choir, and 360 Photobooth for bringing holiday cheer and to Safir Mediterranean Cuisine, The Village Cafe, and Johnny Pacific for the wonderful holiday food! Video recap can be found here and photos from the event can be found here.
It was a heartwarming event, and I feel incredibly proud to serve this community during the holiday season and throughout the year.
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Proposed Project and Woodland Hills Country Club |
There are few issues that can bring a community closer together than development, especially when a proposed project is in an environmentally sensitive area and can significantly alter the fabric of a neighborhood. An application of this magnitude was recently submitted for a high-density multi-family project to be located on the property currently owned by the Woodland Hills Country Club. This project has raised many concerns in the community, and Councilmember Blumenfield wants to be clear about where he stands.
In short, this proposed project takes advantage of new state laws that may have made it impossible to get proper environmental review and community input. It is deeply concerning that these changes, which could affect our district and many areas throughout the City and State, have happened with little scrutiny or local awareness.
Blumenfield was approached by the owners of this site years ago to request my support for various necessary entitlements needed for a large scale project like this. At that time, the project needed a zone change and general plan amendment, among other accommodations. Blumenfield refused to support it flat out, because this is the sort of project that needs a full public vetting process. Just recently, he found out that the developer is now attempting to use newly passed State laws to obtain streamlined approvals for the project ministerially, meaning the City would have no discretion to review the project, no authority to require CEQA and that the project would not be appealable by the community or the Council office.
Blumenfield introduced a motion seeking clarity from the City’s land use experts and attorneys to officially answer all the questions about this application. Read more about the project here. |
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Celebrating Hanukkah at City Hall |
As part of Hanukkah festivities, Councilmember Blumenfield joined many leaders in City Hall to light the historic Katowitz Menorah which survived the Holocaust in Poland. Guests noshed on sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts eaten customarily during Hanukkah) and enjoyed listening to the youth choir from the Cheder Menachem Middle School. The boys did an excellent job singing some of favorite Hannukah tunes.
Blumenfield said, “I think to myself how the light from the Menorah could not come at a better time and how we need the light to illuminate the way through some of our darkest days as a people, as a City and as a Country. With anti-Semitism on the rise, I continue to remain inspired by the Shamash and the light we all have the capability to spread.”
Chag Sameach and Hannukah Sameach to all who can benefit from some light. |
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This week, Councilmember Blumenfield honored the inimitable Wendy Butts in City Council on her well deserved retirement after 25 years with the LA Conservation Corps. For those unfamiliar with what the Corps does, they hire youth to make a positive impact on the community and environment. Specifically, youth with the Corps do it all- whether it is community beautification through weeding or garbage pick up and disaster response and recovery during the 2025 Wildfires. They are an integral piece to making our communities shine and Wendy has been there to do it all! We are so thankful to her and her team and we know the work will continue under new leadership. Thank you, Wendy! |
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Have you been looking for a free way to add greenery to your space? LADWP customers are eligible for up to 7 free trees from City Plants or another one of our amazing partners like TreePeople, nonprofits who are collectively fighting the urban heat island. In Council District 3, we know all too well about how hot it can get in the summer, so now is the perfect time to help with preventative measures and improve energy efficiency, increase the tree canopy, and work toward more shade. The program is funded by the LA Department of Water and Power as part of their energy efficiency program. Please note, there is normally a limited supply of fruit trees at these events so be sure to come first to claim.
If you pledge to water and care for the tree, then come on by to your nearest Tree Adoption event and check the calendar here for a time that works for you. These organizations always need volunteers to help get trees in the ground and make sure they get a healthy start. If you would like to volunteer please contact them directly and see how you can help. |
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Councilmember Blumenfield participated in the annual Walking In Our Light Community Gratitude Event at the Taxco Theatre where attendees celebrated and honored the light in each person, family, community organization, and business that create a safe and nurturing neighborhood for all to thrive.
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Motor4Toys Charity Car Show and Toy Drive is one of the most successful toy drives in Los Angeles and Councilmember Blumenfield was proud to recognize Dustin Troyan for his dedication to putting on the event each year. |
Councilmember Blumenfield, in partnership with the Southern California office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) along with the Automobile Club of Southern California, local officials, law enforcement, and drunk and drugged driving victims illuminated various landmarks in the City to raise awareness about impaired driving.
Drug and drunk driving is 100% preventable. Metro public transportation, ride sharing vehicles, taxis, and friends and family are all better choices to save lives. For victim assistance or if you need help after a crash or need counseling, MADD is always there to help. Just call 877.MADD.HELP or go to MADD.org for more information. Save lives by not drinking and driving. |
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Community Events and Resources |
This week's photo from the Los Angeles Public Library's archives is from the Valley Times Collection taken in 1962 of holiday lights sparkling along the Sherman Way business district in Canoga Park. Learn more about the photo here. |
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield 200 N Spring Street, Room 465, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
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