WNC Celebrates 5 Years

On Monday, July 21, 2008, the WNC was congratulated on our fifth anniversary as a certified neighborhood council. The Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC) presented several Board members with a certificate commemorating the special milestone at the BONC’s Sylmar meeting.

Over the last five years the WNC has evolved into a very stable and productive neighborhood council. The WNC has a long standing record of organizing town hall educational sessions, promoting disaster preparedness, working with local schools to promote education, working on community issues (including street paving, parking issues, and safety related concerns), and working with developers to ensure smart development in our community.

Our fifth year promises to be one of our best yet. Earlier this year we held a gang awareness session at Sutter Middle school to educate parents on signs of developing gang activity. In August 10th, we’re teaming up with the Valley Cultural Center on the Family Cultural Earth Day festival in Warner Park. Later this fall we’ll be sponsoring a Youth Expo to give parents and children in our community an opportunity to see what youth services are available to them. And we’re only getting started!

Exciting things are happening with our neighborhood council. Join us as we work to make our community the best it can be!

School's Out, Keep Children and Youth Safe, Get Them Involved In Activities

For many youth and children, summer means vacation, no school or homework, and carefree times until school resumes in the Fall season. LAUSD schools have finished their regular school year and drivers need to be especially alert as streets now abound with children and youth playing. For many parents, summer becomes a struggle to provide supervision or activities that can keep children and youth safe as they have fun. Many children or youth wander the streets aimlessly out of boredom, falling prey to unsafe or even illegal activities.

Ideas are numerous and resources are plentiful in Winnetka, ranging from public, low or no cost facilities, to private facilities that can provide for more specific needs. The City of Los Angeles has numerous parks that have activities such as arts, crafts, sports, cheerleading, martial arts, and dance. Some facilities have other services such as daycare and swimming. Call today and enroll your child in an activity that will make their summer safe and memorable.

Winnetka Rec Center Classes
There's still time to sign up for great activities and classes at the Winnetka Recreation Center for this summer.
Summer Brochure (2 mgs)
Summer Basketball
Summer Basketball Spanish
Summer Camp
Summer Classes

Also try Woodland Hills Recreation Center
5858 Shoup Ave.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Phone: (818) 883-9370

AREA POOLS:

Woodland Hills Pool
5858 Shoup Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
(818) 756-9363

Northridge Pool
10088 Reseda Blvd.
Northridge, CA 91324
(323) 906-7953

Granada Hills Pool
16730 Chatsworth St.
Granada Hills, CA 91344
Phone: (818) 360-7107

Youth Expo: Oct 25

The WNC Youth Committee is planning the West Valley Youth Expo (Fair) to be held on Saturday October 25th 2008 from 10am to 2PM at the Winnetka Elementary School in Winnetka.

This event is free to the public and promises to be an exciting opportunity for residents, agencies, and businesses to come together to have fun, learn about programs and resources within the local community, and directly access programs.
The event will be comprised of representatives of social service, educational, healthcare, recreational, private, and public agencies and businesses in the San Fernando Valley area that provide programs and services for youth and families at low or no cost.

For more information and registration, please contact talanschweizer@yahoo.com or (818) 359- 2895.

Board Requests Shopping Cart Theft Solution

On April 16, 2008 the WNC sent a letter to the City Planning Department approving a request by Longs for a zone variance at 19725 Vanowen St. The Board believes that the project will beautify the area and the landscaping plan is particularly welcoming. The plan calls for remodeling Marshalls, converting the old CVS into a Longs and adding trees, flowers, a walkway and a patio on the west side of the parking lot. Near the patio would be smaller stores for eating and gathering.

However, the Board did request that Longs and Vallarta install a shopping cart theft prevention system to help address abandoned shopping carts which are scattered around the community. Read the Letter.

Family Cultural Earth Day:
August 10, Grand Success

10,000 people came to party, dance, and hear the music, when the Winnetka Neighborhood Council launched a new community event, “Family Cultural Earth Day” as part of the Valley Cultural Center’s Free Concerts in the Park ongoing free series on Sunday August 10th, at Warner Center Park.

Headlining the concert was Grammy Award and Oscar Award winning, B.J. Thomas. He performed many of his signature hits—the Oscar-winning “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” the million-selling, “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” and his career-igniting cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”

The event included eco-friendly workshops and informational booths with tips and products on how to conserve energy. The purpose of the event was to bring residents and businesses together to have fun and learn about energy conservation that can help the environment and save money.

The WNC board received a commendation certificate from the City by Councilman Zine for sponsoring this community event.

More Photos

WNC Plans Mural for Sunny Brae Elementary

During the December 2007 meeting the WNC re-allocated the $2,500 that was approved during the September 2007 meeting for Sunny Brae Elementary School in Winnetka. The original plan was to provide masonry near the lunch area and plants for the student garden. Because of hurdles with LAUSD, Susan Lasken the principal has requested that the funds be used for a mural that would face the street and serve to beautify the neighborhood. This project is being coordinated through the Public Works Committee.

Books for Winnetka

WNC Approved $2,500 to buy dictionaries, encyclopedias and books for the Multicultural Learning Center in Winnetka at 7510 DeSoto during the April 2008 meeting. The center is a public charter school within LAUSD that serves approximately 250 children in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. A main component of its program is that conducts classes in both English and Spanish and promotes bilingual language acquisition. The school librarian, Mrs. Anderson made a presentation to the board about the school and the need.

WNC Against Proposed DWP Rate Increases

The board voted unanimously at the January 2008 meeting against the proposed DWP rate increases. The motion read:

"The WNC supports the NC/LADWP Memorandum of Understanding Oversight Committee January 5, 2008 Resolution regarding proposed LADWP Rate Actions for 2008-2010 to not approve any LADWP rate increases until the information and recommendations of the IEA Survey can be considered by the Mayor, Controller, City Council, and Neighborhood Councils so as to allow all to make informed decisions." A letter was sent to the DWP MOU Oversight Council. Read the Letter.

Due to challenges with LAUSD, principal Caren Guthmans has requested that the funds be increased to $3,000 to pay for tables and umbrellas outside the parent center. The WNC is currently coordinating with the principal to move forward on these exciting projects.