Dear Friend:
Once again, it’s wonderful to be partnering with the Valley Cultural Foundation for the annual Blumenfield July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza. On July 4, from 6-9:30pm, please join me and hundreds of Angelenos at Warner Center Park for live music, food from over 15 local restaurants, goods and services from local vendors, topped off with an incredible fireworks show. It’s the best FREE display in the region, so please come out and have a wonderful time with us. |
Click here for more info and watch a recap of last year's celebration here. Hope to see you there! |
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Councilmembers Blumenfield and Yaroslavsky Oppose Gaza Resolution |
Recently Councilmembers Blumenfield and Yaroslavsky issued a statement opposing a resolution introduced by their colleagues Councilmembers Hernandez and Raman regarding the war in Gaza and Israel.
They stated, “We oppose the resolution. While we know our colleagues to be well intentioned and appropriately desirous of seeing a peaceful end to the Gaza conflict — as are we — the resolution itself is flawed, biased and based on incorrect assumptions. Unfortunately, it adds to an already divisive local environment and distracts from the critical and immediate needs of our city and its many communities.”
You can read their entire joint statement here.
Many of the resolution’s flaws, biases and problematic assumptions have been highlighted by a variety of groups and are detailed in a joint statement authored by the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, Board of Rabbis Southern California, Holocaust Museum, Agudath Israel of CA and StandWithUs as well this release from the Israeli American Civic Action Network. We urge supporters of the resolution to carefully consider these concerns.
Separately Blumenfield noted, “Any future ceasefire needs to include a, heretofore unattainable commitment by Hamas that it will not simply use the ceasefire to re-group, re-arm, again redirect humanitarian aid for military purposes and again attack civilians and take hostages. Any ceasefire needs to be part of a real pathway toward permanent peace.
“The proposed resolution fails to recognize the role that Hamas continues to play in the tragedy that has been unfolding in Gaza, nor the rocket attacks they continue to lob into Israel. The resolution attributes the deaths of Palestinians solely to Israel, failing to recognize the large number of Palestinians who have been killed by Hamas rockets that misfire or fall short of their target, by Hamas’ deliberate use of civilians as human shields, and by Hamas’ direct oppression of its own people.”
The resolution itself has been referred to the City’s rules committee where Blumenfield is a member. It has not yet been scheduled for consideration. When it does get scheduled, it can be appropriately amended, and should it pass out of the rules committee, it would then need to be considered by the full City Council.
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Unveiling Restored Art Panels on Snoopy Bridge |
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Councilmember Blumenfield was joined by community members and students from Tarzana Elementary School to formally unveil the restored art panels on the one-of-a-kind Snoopy Bridge. Since the 1970s, the Snoopy (also called “Peanuts”) Bridge over Wilbur Avenue near Tarzana Elementary School has been a beloved community landmark. After the Snoopy art panels were defaced with graffiti, Blumenfield and his team worked with community members, Charles M Schulz Creative Associates, and Hattas Studios to refurbish this Valley treasure. It was a complicated task, but all parties worked together to make it happen.
Blumenfield secured $20K in funding and contracted with Hattas Studios to bring the murals back to their original condition. The work also included an application of an anti-graffiti coating both to deter future vandalism and, if it occurs, make it easier to remove. Blumenfield is thrilled that the art panels have been restored for future generations to enjoy and is grateful to the community members who brought this to his attention and have been a driving force behind this project, especially Stephanie Brody, Kirk Donovan, and Patty Jo Wolfson.
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June is Pride Month and Councilmember Blumenfield was honored to recognize Harout Aristakessian as the 2024 LGBT Heritage Month Honoree for Council District Three. Harout is a recently elected Board Member of the WHWCNC and he was inspired to join the Neighborhood Council after he was called a slur in his apartment complex. He chose to react to this incident by committing himself to making positive change in his community.
Additionally, Harout runs a community dance organization called, Dance With Harout, where he uses body-positive movement to help people from all walks of life re-learn how to love themselves. He further uses his skills and education to teach classes and workshops all over Los Angeles where he deconstructs narratives that blind people to their inherent interconnectedness. Harout continues to empower self-love and self-expression through movement to the greater Los Angeles area.
Harout is an ardent advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and now more than ever, we need individuals like Harout to continue to advocate for and represent the LGBTQ+ community. |
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Celebrating El Camino Real Charter HS Decathletes
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Councilmember Blumenfield was honored to recognize the 2024 National Academic Decathlon Champs from El Camino Real Charter High School. Deputy Chief of Staff John Popoch worked with Head Coach Stephanie Franklin and Board President Brad Wright to bring the students to City Hall and celebrate the record for most national wins with 10 titles! El Camino competed against 59 other schools from across the country. The competition spanned 10 subject areas, including art, economics, science and math, all relating to this year’s theme, “technology and humanity.” Blumenfield is so proud of their dedication, hard work and achievements. |
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North SFV Transit Corridor: Roscoe Blvd |
Metro has a plan to make it easier to get around LA with better transit across the North Valley. The North San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Project (North SFV) will improve east-west transit service with better access to jobs, education, and essential services.
Work will begin on Roscoe Bl, as early as June 17, Monday through Saturday, 1am to 6am for lane striping and 7am to 1pm for sign installations. Work will be ongoing for four months. More info can be found here. |
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Apply Now for the City’s Youth Council
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The Los Angeles Youth Development Department is looking for young Angelenos from the ages of 16-25 to comprise the first ever Olivia Mitchell Youth Council. The Olivia Mitchell Youth Council was created in recognition of the importance of civic engagement in positive youth development.
If you or a young person you know has been looking for an opportunity to have a true voice in government and help create solutions to the most pressing issues affecting the City, apply now at youthcouncil.lacity.org. Applications close June 30th. |
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Photo Credit: Alonso Garcia |
Councilmember Blumenfield congratulated the 65 entrepreneur graduates of the West Valley BusinessSource Center Spanish Language Business Accelerator Program. Blumenfield partnered with the BusinessSource Center to offer a free six-week course which has given more than 90 local entrepreneurs training in business principles including planning, marketing, accounting, and access to capital. |
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Community Events and Resources |
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This week's photo, taken in 1961, is from the Valley Times Collection of an aerial shot of Canoga Park Drive-In Theater along Canoga Ave. Learn more about the photo here. |
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield
200 N Spring Street, Room 465, Los Angeles, CA 90012
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