Steve Soboroff, Police Commission Chairman:

*Our Next Police Chief?

*Public Release Of Officer Body Camera Videos

*Drones?

Steve Soboroff, President of the Los Angeles Police Commission, will speak at a Community Meeting of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association on Wednesday evening, April 18, 2018.  The Meeting, beginning at 7:15 p.m., will be held at Notre Dame High School, 13645 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.

Richard Close, President of the Association, explained that Soboroff will discuss the search for a new Police Chief, when police officer body cam videos will be released to the public, why there is an increase in crime in the City, and concerns over how officers use force. 

“Steve Soboroff, President of the Police Commission, will explain the importance of the selection of the new Police Chief, the reasons behind the new rules about release of police officer body cam videos and how the Department is dealing will allegation of increase police use of force,” Close stated.

The public has been invited to this free Community Meeting.

Reviewing over 350 poster entries from local Chatsworth school students that proved they've got what it takes to show their Hometown Pride. Here's a peek at some of their vision. Our theme this year, Horses in Chatsworth. Pick a famous Chatsworth horse and a location known for making Our Town Great. All were winners in our eyes!

A big thank you to the students for participating, the parents who helped get the word out, and to the teachers who made it happen. Chatsworth Community Spirit!

“Earthquake Alert” Community Meeting
By Margaret Vinci, Caltech

The Community Meeting of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association on Wednesday evening, March 21, 2018, will focus on the earthquake risks to our community.  Margaret Vinci of the Caltech Office of Earthquake Programs will discuss action that must be taken to prepare for the inevitable major earthquake.  The Meeting will commence at 7:15 p.m. at Notre Dame High School, 13645 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.

“Experts acknowledge that we will have a major earthquake in Los Angeles.  It is a question of when, not if.  Caltech has done extensive research on preparation and action necessary in case of a major earthquake,” said Richard Close, President of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association stated.

The public is invited to this free Community Meeting exploring current research on timing and effect of an earthquake in Southern California.

SYLMAR NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

SPECIAL YOUTH AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA

March 11, 2018, 4:30pm

Sylmar Neighborhood Council Office, 13521 Hubbard Street, Sylmar, CA 913423

“Corner of Gladstone and Hubbard next to flower shop”

Donald Zelaya, Chairperson

Agenda 

1. Call to Order

2. Committee Member Roll Call

3. Housekeeping: Sign-In Sheets, Speaker Cards for Agenda Items, Recording and Timekeeper

4. Public Comment on matters not appearing on the agenda.

5. Review and Discussion of committee purpose and introductions

6. Review and Discussion of committee goals and planning for future projects/initiatives/events 

7. Discussion and possible action appointment of stakeholders to the youth affairs committee.

8. Committee Member Comments on subject matters within the committee’s jurisdiction.

9. Closing Remarks, Announcements, Acknowledgements, and Adjournment

AGENDA

LADWP Science Bowl, 25th Anniversary Regional Competition, Set for Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018

LOS ANGELES — More than 250 of the city’s top science students from 29 public, private, parochial and charter high schools in 50 teams will compete at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Science Bowl on Saturday, February 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the utility’s downtown headquarters, 111 North Hope Street. The public is invited to attend.

The winning team as the regional champion will travel to Washington, DC from April 26 to April 30 to represent the city at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science National Science Bowl, where it will compete in a field of 64 teams from 40 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

LADWP regional championship teams have among the best records at the National Science Bowl, compared to other regional areas, having won four national titles and placing among the top five teams 11 times. The trip to Washington, D.C. is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science.

Science Bowl demonstrates the LADWP’s commitment to the city’s youth and the Los Angeles educational community. A proud LADWP tradition, Science Bowl tests students’ reflexes, teamwork skills and knowledge of science, math, technology and related current events in a fun competitive atmosphere following a television game show format.

“Science Bowl encourages students from all parts of the city to pursue studies and careers in technical fields like those we need to hire,” said LADWP General Manager David H. Wright. “We hope some Science Bowl participants will pursue employment with LADWP and the city of Los Angeles as they enter the workforce because hiring employees with strong technical skills is essential to our success.”

Each year a different theme is chosen for the LADWP Science Bowl that highlights important, science, technological innovations or individuals. The 2017 theme was “1917-2017, LADWP, 100 Years of Providing Power to Los Angeles. This year the theme commemorates the Silver Anniversary of the Regional Competition and 25 Years of Innovation by the utility from 1993 to 2018.

At this year’s competition, students will vie for $25,000 in science awards which include college scholarships and prizes for their schools. First place team members will each receive the $1,000 Hitachi Scholarship as well as $2,000 for their school. Some teams will compete in the Water and Power Community Credit Union Hands-On Competition.

Since its inception in 1991, about 275,000 middle and high school students have competed at regional competitions as part of National Science Bowl program in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This year 9,500 high school students and 4,500 middle school students participate in one of 113 regional tournaments around the nation.

This year, LADWP Science Bowl sponsors include not only LADWP and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, but also the Water and Power Community Credit Union, Hitachi Southern California Regional Community Action Committee, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Industrial Applications Society Metro Los Angeles Chapter, Office Depot, Gelson’s Market and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

In addition to Science Bowl, other LADWP-sponsored education programs include the Los Angeles Times in Education Program, Academic Decathlon Student Training Workshops, Adopt-A-School Program, an Environmental Teacher Institute, and Electric Safety Lessons for elementary schools. Also live theater plays in schools on water resources and conservation and an-in-school water conservation and energy efficiency program are conducted on behalf of LADWP under sponsorships of two non-profit organizations.

LADWP is the largest municipally-owned utility in the nation with more than 1.5 million electric customers and 650,000 water customers. It has provided utility services to residents and businesses in the city of Los Angeles for more than a century. It is only one of a few coordinating regional Science Bowl sponsors that is a utility.
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Healthcare Workers to Protest Kaiser Plan to Lay Off, Outsource 794 Jobs in L.A. 

Caregivers Urge Company to Reverse Plans Since its Profits are Up 60%, Sitting on $32 Billion in Reserves 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Hundreds of healthcare workers are expected to protest Wednesday, Feb. 21 and Thursday, Feb. 22 at three Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Woodland Hills, Baldwin Park and Downey because the corporation plans to lay off or outsource 794 jobs in Los Angeles County that would undermine patient care. 

“Kaiser Permanente is more profitable than ever and the partnership between labor and management is a big reason for that,” said Francisco Paez, a Downey warehouse worker whose job is threatened. “The partnership wasn’t built on laying off workers, outsourcing jobs and wage cuts, which harm patient care and our communities.”  

Kaiser Permanente’s profits increased over 60 percent in the first three quarters of 2017, it has $32 billion in reserves and yet is seeking cuts that threaten patient care.  

The company plans to lay off 652 employees at their call centers in Woodland Hills, Baldwin Park and Hollywood and move those jobs to San Diego, Riverside and Fontana – where the positions would pay $2 per hour less. Call center workers answer the phones when Kaiser patients are trying to arrange medical appointments.  

Kaiser also plans to outsource 81 pharmacy warehouse jobs in North Hollywood and 61 in Downey and contract them to an outside company where workers would be paid less and have fewer benefits. The healthcare giant said it wants to reduce wage rates by 20 percent in California’s Central Valley and 10 percent in the Sacramento area.  

The three protests are part of a series of 32 being held across California by caregivers between Feb. 14 and March 15 at facilities owned by Kaiser Permanente. 

More than 55,000 Kaiser Permanente employees in California are members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), including 1,829 at the Woodland Hills facility, 2,149 at Baldwin Park and 2,386 at Downey. Their contract with Kaiser Permanente expires Sept. 30, 2018. 

WHAT:           Hundreds of healthcare workers will protest at three Kaiser Permanente hospitals over the corporation’s plans to lay off or outsource 794 jobs in Los Angeles County. 

WHEN:          Wednesday, Feb. 21

WHERE:         11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

                     Kaiser Downey

                     9333 Imperial Hwy.

                     Downey, Calif. 90242

ALSO:          11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

                    Kaiser Baldwin Park

                  1011 Baldwin Park Blvd.

                  Baldwin Park, Calif. 91706

Thursday, Feb. 22

                   11 a.m. to 2 p.m.        

                  Kaiser Woodland Hills

                   5601 De Soto Ave.

                 Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367

VISUALS:      Colorful, hand-held signs. Workers marching and chanting in front of local hospitals.

# # # # #

2018 VANC "Best of ..." Awards

Nominations for the 2018 awards must be submitted by February 23  . Winners will be chosen by the VANC Executive Board. Although we encourage all neighborhood councils to strive for excellence, these awards are intended to honor extraordinary efforts by a council or a Neighborhood Council Board member. The awards will be presented at the VANC 15^th Anniversary Mixer on March 8 at CBS Studios,  Studio City.

*Please send a short description of what the Neighborhood Council has done, how it benefited the community, what barriers had to be overcome, what partnerships were formed, how the Council thought “outside the box” to create something special, etc. There are no set categories, just suggested ones.

  All nominations will be considered. If you think a Neighborhood Council deserves special recognition, here's your chance to let everyone know what dedicated volunteers can accomplish. You can nominate your own council or another council.

*Include contact information in case there are questions about the nomination.

Some previous honorees include:

• “Best of … Partnering with City Departments”
• “Best of … Improving the Quality of Life in the Community”
• “Best of …Civic Participation for Serving the Needs of Their Communities”
• “David and Goliath Award”

Some projects that have been honored previously are:

• Creation of a "Pothole Lottery"
• Citizenship workshops for Green Card holders
• Working to find permanent housing for local homeless people
• A coalition of ten neighborhood councils that has cooperated for 10 years to sponsor an annual emergency preparedness fair
• A dedicated group of neighborhood council members who cleaned streets and sidewalks every week for more than a year

***Send nominations to [email protected]

(emails to this address are delivered to VANC and are not seen by EmpowerLA)

“Got it”  Award—given to someone who really understands the role of and is supportive of neighborhood councils. Some past recipients include Councilman Paul Krekorian, Controller Ron  Galperin, and Street  Service  General Manager Nazario Sauceda.

“Razzie” Award—rarely given to someone or some entity that undercuts the position and role of neighborhood councils.

Dear VANC Friends,

15 YEARS! We're counting the days until our 15th ANNIVERSARY MIXER on
March 8 at CBS Studios, starting at 6:00 p.m. This is a special celebration and
we hope ALL 34 Neighborhood Councils in the Valley attend. Let's have 100%
turnout! You certainly want YOUR council to take part in the ROLL CALL of
Neighborhood Councils. Bring your NC banner to display. And stand up and cheer
when we call your name! Every year we have a "celebrity" elected official
helping to call the ROLL. See who it is this year!

The MIXER is a great opportunity to meet our Elected Officials and City
Department heads. "Working the room" is encouraged!

SECURITY: You must make a reservation, the DEADLINE is MARCH 2. 

Your name must be on the attendance list at the Gate on Radford Avenue.
Security is very tight at the studio. Bring a photo ID with you. (See the
attached flyer and RSVP form).

" BEST OF..." AWARDS: DEADLINE to submit nominations is FEBRUARY 23.
Nominate a Neighborhood Council, or a Board member, for their extraordinary
contribution to the community. (Send to [email protected])

DOOR PRIZES: Take part in our Door Prizes part of the evening. We need
gift certificates from restaurants, movies, sporting events, stores, as well as
actual items such as bottles of wine, gift baskets, etc. Your contribution will
be most appreciated and you will be thanked publicly.

NOTES from February 8 VANC Meeting:
SPECIAL ELECTION April 3 for AD 39 (NE Valley) and AD 45 (West Valley). Last
week's meeting began with introductions from the candidates running in the
Special Election to fill the vacancies. The candidates were well-spoken and
interesting, with a variety of backgrounds and different personalities. You will
be able to meet them at the March 8 MIXER.

LAND USE and PLANNING Q & A: Many thanks to our Guest Speakers, Ira
Handelman, Land Use Consultant, and Dave Rand, Land Use Attorney, who provided a
very lively and informative discussion answering the questions left over from
our November "Crisis in Housing" panel . Both speakers have a wealth of
information to share and they were a great team. Most importantly, they "tell it
like it is"!

Neighborhood Council FUNDING: Leyla Campos Office of the City Clerk
brought us up to date on the newly released "NC Funding Program Policies and
Guidelines"

I hope to see you all on March 8!

Best,

Jill Banks Barad
Founder and Chair VANC

Fountain Theatre, City of LA, ‘West Wing’ alum band together to support
a free press with celebrity reading of ‘All The President’s Men’

Bradley Whitford, Joshua Malina, Richard Schiff and
Ed Begley, Jr. head cast at City Hall on Jan. 27

“Nothing's riding on this except the First Amendment of the Constitution, freedom of the press, and maybe the future
of the country.” — Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee, as portrayed by Jason Robards in ‘All The President’s Men’
 

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 8, 2018) — Bradley Whitford (The Post, Get Out, The West Wing), Joshua Malina (Scandal, The West Wing), Richard Schiff (The Good Doctor, The West Wing) and Ed Begley, Jr. (Future Man, St. Elsewhere, The West Wing) will head the cast of a special, one-night only reading of William Goldman's screenplay for All The President’s Men, presented by the award-winning Fountain Theatre in partnership with the City of Los Angelesand with exclusive permission from Warner Bros Entertainment and Simon & Schuster. The free event will be hosted by Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell and will take place in the John Ferraro Council Chamber of Los AngelesCity Hall on Saturday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m. A catered reception will follow in the City Hall Rotunda.

Based on the book by Washington Postreporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the 1976 film All The President’s Men tells the story of their Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation of the Watergate scandal, which brought down the presidency of Richard M. Nixon.

“This high-profile reading will be a statement asserting the First Amendment, advocating freedom of the press and honoring the tenacity of American journalism in a free society,” says Fountain Theatre co-artistic director Stephen Sachs, who will direct the reading. “As the current administration is under investigation, the echo of Watergate rings loud and clear. Reporters from The New York Times and Washington Post have been heroes, warriors for our democracy, as they were forty-five years ago.”

According to Councilmember O’Farrell, “All the President's Men is a reminder of the parallels between Richard Nixon and the corruption that brought his presidency to an end and the current state of corruption overshadowing the Donald Trump administration. I want to thank the Fountain Theatre for producing this live reading, which underscores the importance of art in its many forms that can illuminate the conditions that affect us as a nation and as a society.”

Adds Sachs “We are profoundly grateful to Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell’s office and the City of Los Angeles for taking the extraordinary and unprecedented action of hosting the reading at Los Angeles City Hall, in the City Council Chamber, as a sign of solidarity. I am very proud of our city.”

Although admission to the reading is free of charge, any voluntary donations will support, in part, the Society of Professional Journalists, the nation’s oldest organization representing American journalists, founded to improve and protect journalism and dedicated to the perpetuation of a free press.

The Fountain Theatre is one of the most successful intimate theaters in Los Angeles, providing a creative home for multi-ethnic theater and dance artists. The Fountain has won over 225 awards, and Fountain projects have been seen across the U.S. and internationally. Recent highlights include being honored for its acclaimed 25th Anniversary Season in 2015 by Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Los Angeles City Council; the inclusion of the Fountain’s Citizen: An American Lyric in Center Theatre Group’s Block Party at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The Fountain’s most recent production, the world premiere of Building the Wall by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan, ran for five months and was named “L.A. hottest ticket” by the Los Angeles Times.

All The President’s Men takes place on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340 of Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Admission is free; however, seating is extremely limited. Please go to www.FountainFreePress.com or email [email protected] to inquire about reservations. Due to high security at the venue, no walk-ups will be permitted.

 

Details for Calendar Listings
‘All The President’s Men’
 

WHAT:
Celebrity reading of All The President’s Men — Bradley Whitford (The Post, Get Out, The West Wing), Joshua Malina (Scandal, The West Wing), Richard Schiff (The Good Doctor, The West Wing) and Ed Begley, Jr. (Future Man, St. Elsewhere, The West Wing)  head the cast of a special, one-night only reading of William Goldman's screenplay for All The President’s Men, presented by the award-winning Fountain Theatre in partnership with the City of Los Angeles and with exclusive permission from Warner Bros Entertainment and Simon & Schuster. The free event will be hosted by Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell and will take place in the John Ferraro Council Chamber of Los Angeles City Hall. Based on the book by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the 1976 film All The President’s Mentells the story of their Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation of the Watergate scandal, which brought down the presidency of Richard M. Nixon. As the Trump administration is investigated for obstruction of justice, the echo of Watergate rings loud and clear.

WHO:
• Written by William Goldman
• Directed by Stephen Sachs
• Composer/Sound Designer Peter Bayne
• Starring Bradley Whitford as Bob Woodward, Joshua Malina as Carl Bernstein, Richard Schiff as Washington Post local news editor Harry Rosenfeld and Ed Begley, Jr. as Post managing editor Howard Simons
• Hosted by Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell
• Presented by The Fountain Theatre and the City of Los Angeles with special permission from Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. and Simon & Schuster

WHEN:
Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE:
John Ferraro Council Chamber
Room 340
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

HOW:
www.FountainFreePress.com or (323) 663-1525
• Seating is extremely limited
• Please go to www.FountainFreePress.com or email [email protected] to inquire about reservations
• Due to high security at the venue, no walk-ups will be permitted

TICKET PRICE:
FREE
• Donations will support the Society of Professional Journalists, the nation’s oldest organization representing American journalists, founded to improve and protect journalism and dedicated to the perpetuation of a free press.
 

###

State Senator Robert Hertzberg
To Discuss At Community Meeting:

*Why Are Water Conservation And Tax Increases Needed?

*How Is The State Helping Sherman Oaks?

The Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association will hold a free Community Meeting on Wednesday evening, January 17, 2018 featuring local State Senator Robert Hertzberg.  The Meeting will commence at 7:15 p.m., at Notre Dame High School, 13645 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423.

Richard Close, President of the Association, explained that Senator Robert Hertzberg has represented the Sherman Oaks area for the last three years.  Previous to that he was the Assemblyman for the area and also served for two years as the Assembly Speaker.

“The legislative session is over for this year.  What was accomplished?  Were the new taxes needed?  Is water conservation still necessary?  The public will have an opportunity to question Senator Hertzberg on issues important to them,” Close stated.

The free Community Meeting is open to the general public.

LA Zoo Lights

L.A. County Holiday Celebration

While Santa may still be working with his elves to load up his sleigh, you can relax and enjoy a pre-Christmas Eve celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Gather up your friends and family and go hear L.A.'s biggest holiday show, which includes more than 20 choirs, music ensembles and dance troupes from all over the city. The free three-hour show celebrates LA's multicultural observation of the holidays with everything from an all-female mariachi ensemble to a Korean dance troupe. Doors open at 2:30pm and guests are encouraged to come and go as they please throughout the show. Reservations and tickets are not necessary; parking at the Dorothy Chandler is also free. Those who still have last-minute holiday responsibilities to attend to can listen to a live stream of the concert on PBS SoCal.