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Dear Friend:
The holidays are around the corner and I invite you to my annual holiday party and toy/essentials collection drive happening on Thursday, December 5th from 4-7pm at the Taxco Theater at 7242 Owensmouth Avenue in Canoga Park. |
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Like in years past, we will be collecting toys, nonperishable dry and canned goods, hygiene products, and more to be distributed among community members in need. Your non-perishable dry or canned goods will go directly to food insecure families thanks to our amazing local partner food banks- West Valley Food Pantry, the Canoga Park Senior Citizen Center, and ONEgeneration Senior Enrichment Center. New socks and gently used jackets and blankets will benefit our unsheltered neighbors. We will also distribute the toys to countless local nonprofits including Guadalupe Center, Kids Cancer Connection, and NEW Economics for Women. Our drive does not take cash or credit cards. If you'd like to donate to one of our partner organizations directly, please visit their website linked above.
Please don't forget to RSVP and we look forward to seeing you this holiday season. |
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Welcoming LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell |
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Last week, the City Council approved the confirmation of Jim McDonnell as the new Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. With an unmatched depth of experience in LAPD and the region, Chief McDonnell understands the needs of the Valley and he and Councilmember Blumenfield share priorities on how to tackle critical issues like property crimes, street racing and catalytic converter theft, as well as retention and hiring concerns.
McDonnell has the credibility within the department to help give officer morale a needed boost and he has the contacts and knowhow on a national level to help Los Angeles work closely with the federal government when it comes to security at the Olympics and other major events and keep at an arm’s length when it comes to immigration issues and other areas where LAPD must be fiercely independent from the federal government. This is a complex tightrope to walk, but after meeting personally with McDonnell and hearing him deftly field questions during his confirmation hearing, Blumenfield feels he can succeed.
Blumenfield looks forward to partnering with Chief McDonnell to make the Valley, and all of Los Angeles, a safer place while building bridges and trust between the community and law enforcement. |
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Protecting our Freelance Workers |
The California Legislature recently enacted SB 988, which establishes minimum requirements for contracts with freelance workers that provide professional services with a value over $250, including prompt payment within 30 days, and that contracts be in writing. SB 988 is modeled after the City of Los Angeles' Freelance Worker Protections Ordinance, which Councilmember Blumenfield successfully wrote and got adopted in March 2023. As with the minimum wage and other measures, the City's leadership in advancing and protecting workers' rights has led to Statewide legislation providing better working conditions for all Californians. |
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Each November, Americans pause to honor Veterans and recognize the heroic sacrifices of so many of our heroes. This year, Councilmember Blumenfield was proud to recognize Lance Corporal Patrick Michael Rollins as CD 3's Veteran of the Year. Patrick served in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Like many who returned home, Patrick's life was forever changed and affected by survivors' guilt. He credits his faith for helping him pull through. Committed to his community, he became a Minister with the First Lutheran Church and also served as a Chaplain at the Birmingham Veterans Hall in Woodland Hills. Most importantly, Patrick is a devoted husband and father. |
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There was no shortage of celebrations in the San Fernando Valley. Councilmember Blumenfield was happy to participate at the Annual Veteran’s Day Luncheon hosted by the Canoga Park Women’s Club and speak at the 21st Annual San Fernando Valley Veterans Day Parade. As a founding member of the parade committee, Blumenfield is proud that this wonderful tradition continues and that we are able to show appreciation for the men and women who fight to keep us safe and preserve our freedoms. This continues to be the only Veterans Day Parade in the City of Los Angeles. At the parade, Blumenfield was joined by Mayor Karen Bass, local leaders, and thousands of Angelenos and veterans from throughout the region. |
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Community Cleanup and Resource Fair this Saturday |
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In partnership with Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield and John Lee, the Keep Los Angeles Beautiful Advisory Board and Office of Community Beautification are hosting its 3rd Community Cleanup and Resource Fair on Saturday, November 16th in the West Valley. Join us in this effort to make Los Angeles cleaner, greener and more sustainable. A resource fair will immediately follow the cleanup where free shade trees and rain barrels will be given to residents. There will also be an arts and crafts booth where you can create eco-friendly bird feeders from egg cartons and upcycled succulent planters from tin cans.
Greening the valley and combating climate change are a few of Blumenfield’s priorities. Climate change poses an existential threat and we must do our part to fight against it. Blumenfield has worked diligently to mitigate the effects of climate change in the community, including piloting the world’s first “cool public street”, investing in more trees to increase our urban tree canopy, creating more pedestrian and bike friendly infrastructure to reduce our reliance on cars, adding solar panels to buildings, and funding local organizations such as the LA Conservation Corps to increase cleanups and planting projects. There is an urgent need for the City of Los Angeles to address the threat of climate change and Blumenfield will continue to prioritize those efforts. |
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Councilmember Blumenfield’s partnership with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC) continues to deliver results. Young Corpsmembers work hard each day to keep our communities clean. A few years ago, Blumenfield provided office space for the LACC within his district office building, and he regularly allocates district specific funds to LACC to specifically address needs in the district and he's always grateful to see their continued progress. He views this local team as a potent local strike force to help remove weeds, trash and other nuisances.
If you see bulky items, excess trash, graffiti, etc, call 818.774.4330 or email c03.foryou@lacity.org and we'll send a team out. |
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Councilmember Blumenfield joined civic leaders and community members at the 66th annual Fernando Awards, the highest award for volunteerism and philanthropy in the San Fernando Valley. Congratulations to this year's winner, Sue DuBrin, and finalists Armida Colmenares-Stafford, Horace H. Heidt, Sharon J. Udkoff, and the Honorable Dennis P. Zine. Blumenfield first got to know Sue while he was an Assemblymember and together they collaborated on organizing disaster preparedness workshops, a senior services guide, and a free health clinic. Sue has been a longstanding community advocate and her unwavering dedication to service has made a positive difference in so many lives. |
Councilmember Blumenfield joined the community at the 24th Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Festival in Canoga Park to celebrate and remember loved ones who are no longer with us. |
Woodland Hills/Warner Center is the home to the LA Rams’ practice facility and Councilmember Blumenfield was happy to join Rams President Kevin Demoff and Rams General Manager Les Snead in showing Mayor Karen Bass around the facility. |
Councilmember Blumenfield along with local elected leaders, hosted a community forum on silicosis that brought together health experts and local organizations to raise awareness about the risks of silica exposure, share insights on the disease's impact, and, most importantly, provide resources for workers and their families. Watch a recap of the forum here. |
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Community Events and Resources |
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This week's photo, from 1961, is from the Valley Times Collection, of 1961 Fernando Award recipient Rickard G. Norlander, along with Mayor Sam Yorty, and community leaders. Learn more about the photo here.
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Councilmember Bob Blumenfield 200 N Spring Street, Room 465, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
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