Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council Newsletter April 2018
Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council proudly brings you all the news that’s FUN to print! See what's happening and get out and join in!
www.shermanoaksnc.org
PO Box 5721, Sherman Oaks 91413
(818) 503-2399
In this month’s issue:
The End of Single Family Homes in Los Angeles
Free Pizza, Pizza!
SONC Committee Meetings
April Newsletter
Free Shredding Event
Top Asian Restaurants Right Here in the Valley
Public Safety Committee
CERT Classes
Neighborhood Watch
Free Ice Cream!
Men of All Ages Who Love Singing 4-Part Harmony
Free Bulky Item and Furniture Pick Up
Paid Internships
SONC Traffic and Transportation Committee
Bounce, Bounce!
Glowing Fun!
SONC Green and Beautification Committee
How to Survive a Shooting
Free Tax Filing and Cash Refund
Valley Home Prices Set Record
Aviation Careers Education for 7th - 12th Graders
About SONC
Planning and Land Use
LA City Budget
Vision Committee
Arts Committee
The Valley Relics Museum
Preventing Home Burglaries
Free Services from Your LA Public Library
Programs at the Sherman Oaks Library
At the Van Nuys Library
At the Studio City Library
Fire Department Notices
New Police Chief
New Signals and Crosswalks
Coffee Meet & Greet with Assemblymember
Adrin Nazarian
Assemblymember Nazarian's Free Women's Self Defense Workshops
Free Museum Admission
Museum of the San Fernando Valley
Sidewalk repair
Potholes Need Filling?
Conserve Water – Get Paid
Senior Center Activities
Spring Chickens Senior Improv Group
New Mah Jongg Class at the V.J.C.C.
Mah Jongg Anyone
Need a Ride to the Senior Center?
Daily News 8th Annual Aging Expo
ONEgeneration Health Fair
Seniors Helping Seniors
Read and Talk About Books
Online Senior Services
Calendar of Meetings and Events
\The End of Single Family Homes in Los Angeles
You read that correctly. Senator Scott Wiener from San Francisco has introduced a bill that would allow developers to build 8-story apartment buildings on any residential property with no parking and no limit on density. The only requirement is that the property is within ¼ mile of a major bus line. The city of Los Angeles could do nothing to prevent the building from being constructed. If you live in a single family home or a low rise apartment building, would you want an 8-story building with 100 apartments and no parking next door? The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council will have a panel discussion on this bill and what you can do to stop it. Monday April 9 6:30 PM at Sherman Oaks Elementary School Auditorium, 14780 Dickens St.
Free Pizza, Pizza!
Little Caesars promised Free Pizza if a #16 seed beat a #1seed. It sounded like a safe bet because it’s never happened. That is until now. #16 seed UMBC (that’s the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, for everyone who still has no idea) crushed top-seeded Virginia 74-54. It was the maddest thing that’s ever happened during March Madness, and Little Caesars is following through on its promise. On April 2, the day of the NCAA championship game, Little Caesars is giving away lunch combos (normally $5) with a four-slice pepperoni pizza and a Pepsi beverage. The promotion is only valid between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. or until supplies last that Monday, and your order must be placed by 1 p.m. If you’re still in line at 1 p.m., there’s no free lunch. Also, this is limited to one combo per family. Little Caesars is located at 14901 Vanowen at the corner of Kester.
SONC Committee Meetings
There will be SONC Committee meetings in April. See the dates below and check the complete agendas on our website: www.shermanoaksnc.org. We need your participation and input. Would you like to serve on one of these committees? You don't have to be a Board member to be on a committee. Contact [email protected].
April Newsletter
This April newsletter has 53 articles and was emailed to 17,878 subscribers. It was sent through NextDoor and through SONC's website. We recommend signing up on the website's "mailing list" and reading it with your browser. You are welcome to reprint any portion of this newsletter under one condition; reprints must include "This is reprinted from the SONC Newsletter. Go to www.shermanoaksnc.org to read the full issue." Send any comments or questions to [email protected].
Free Shredding Event
Shred your documents after tax time. Saturday May 5 10AM-1PM at 14755 Huston Street in the Ernie’s Walk area. There will be a shredding truck with a window so you can see your papers shredded.
Top Asian Restaurants Right Here in the Valley
Food and Wine Magazine has named the Top 5 Asian Restaurants in LA and 2 of them are right here in the Valley!
Lotus and Light in Burbank is hidden in plain sight in a Vons shopping center! It’s become one of the best kept secrets of TV executives in the Burbank Media Center. The menu includes pho, papaya salad, pork egg rolls, vermicelli bowls, and Hainan Chicken. Who would have thought? Don’t look for it online. The place doesn’t have a webpage. Lotus & Light, 345 N Pass Ave Burbank. (818) 562-7777.
Chiang Mai Urban Thai Kitchen in Valley Village made the list! It’s said to be the best place to eat Khao Soi (Thai coconut curry soup). You can order it topped with crispy pork, white meat chicken, drumstick, braised beef, sausage, shrimp, tofu, or vegetables. But that’s not all. You can order spicy beef salad, pork curry, purple sticky rice, and many more Thai delights. Chiang Mai Urban Thai Kitchen, 12510 Burbank Blvd, Valley Village, (818) 763-9877.
Public Safety Committee
SONC Public Safety Committee will meet April 23rd at 6:30PM at the Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center at 5056 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. Our committee is focused on the safety of our neighborhoods and what we can do, on an ongoing basis to improve the overall safety of our stakeholders. As we all know, crime continues to plague our neighborhoods. Come join the conversation about where these crimes take place and what you can do as a member of the community to make a difference. We also discuss Public Safety topics currently making their way through the Public Safety Committee of Los Angeles City Council, and any role Sherman Oaks can play in the outcome of these topics. For more info contact committee co-chairs Kristin Sales [email protected] or Melissa Menard [email protected]
Next Map Your Neighborhood/Ready Your LA Neighborhood Training Class: Sunday, May 6th from 10am-11:30am at the Sherman Oaks Galleria Community Room.
CERT Classes
On February 20th SONC Public Safety Committee sponsored CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) class ushered in 50 new graduates. Congratulations to all of our graduates!
Have you taken one of our Map Your Neighborhood classes? And have you meet with your neighbors and created a neighborhood disaster plan? If so, let us know! We have a SPECIAL gift for each block to keep at their neighborhood gathering site. The kit includes items you would use in the event of a disaster on your block: emergency radio, gas shut-off tool, 5 pairs of leather gloves, 5 dust masks, crowbar, mini first aid kit and a drawstring bag. Stop by our Public Safety Committee meeting or email us for more information: [email protected]
Neighborhood Watch
Do you know how Neighborhood Watch works? Did you know there are some simple steps we can all be doing TODAY that will help keep our blocks safer? Stop by our Public Safety Committee meetings to learn more about Neighborhood Watch and to pick up some NW tips and best practices. Stop by our Public Safety Committee meeting or email us for more information: [email protected]
Free Ice Cream!
Get your Free Scoop of Ice Cream at Ben & Jerry’s on Tuesday, April 10 between 12 and 8PM. Sherman Oaks Galleria or Sherman Oaks Fashion Square. Yummmm!
Men of All Ages Who Love Singing 4-Part Harmony
If you love this kind of singing, you are welcomed to join in. The Valley Harmony Singers meet every Monday night at 7 pm. These guys are always in perfect harmony!
Mondays 7PM at the Social Hall
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
14646 Sherman Way, Van Nuys
(1-1/2 blocks west of Van Nuys Blvd , on the south side of the street) For more information please call 818-994-SING (7464)
Free Bulky Item and Furniture Pick Up
The Sanitation Department will pick up your old mattress, couch, or other bulky item. To schedule a pick up, call 311 or 1-800-773-2489 24 hours or use the MyLA311 app or use the website www.lacitysan.org or https://myla311.lacity.org. The Sanitation Department will schedule a pick up for you. To schedule a pick up you will need to have your DWP account number. Then click on "Create a Service Request", use GPS to identify the location, and receive an email confirmation and Service Request (SR) tracking number. Did one of your neighbors put a bulky item out and forget to schedule a pick up? Just follow the same procedure and it’ll be gone soon!
Paid Internships
The LA Sanitation Department has partnered with HIRE LA's Youth and LAUSD to provide paid 6-week internships to high school juniors and seniors. More details are available on the website at lacitysan.org/careers. The application deadline is Friday, April 20, 2018
SONC Traffic and Transportation Committee
SONC Traffic and Transportation Committee will meet Weds April 11th 6PM at the Sherman Oaks Library 14245 Moorpark St. As we all know, traffic is getting unbearable in Sherman Oaks due to the overflow from the Sepulveda Pass. Metro has funds for a public transportation project through the Sepulveda Pass. This meeting will be the first for a new Subcommittee: The Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project Subcommittee. Its purpose is to gather info on the future Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project by Metro and disseminate it. The project is scheduled to be completed by the 2028 Olympics. Join us so we can help guide the way Metro uses funds to alleviate Sherman Oaks Traffic issues. We are looking for volunteers to help. Contact Avo Babian at [email protected]
Bounce, Bounce!
Looking for Adventure or just a party? Visit Sky Zone Park in Van Nuys. The park is a building with wall-to-wall trampolines. Events include Freestyle Jump, Skyslam Basketball, Ultimate Dodgeball, and Foam Zone for a soft landing. 7741 Hayvenhurst (818) 946-0082 10AM-6:30PM daily. https://www.skyzone.com/
Glowing Fun!
Want some fun that’s a little less physical? Try the glow-in-the-dark maze at GlowZone in Woodland Hills. Games and fun, bowling, and rock climbing in the dark. Kids days, Adult nights, Pizza and Parties. 6051 DeSoto, Woodland Hills (818) 918-3964. https://wdh.glowzonefca.com/
SONC Green and Beautification Committee
SONC Green and Beautification Committee will meet Weds April 4th, 6PM at the Sherman Oaks Library 14245 Moorpark St. We all would like to beautify Sherman Oaks, but city funds are limited. One of the solutions is to create a Business Improvement District (BID). A BID organizes property owners to combine their resources and help clean up, beautify, and improve an area. We will help organize & guide a new BID in Sherman Oaks. Please join us to help Beautify Sherman Oaks. Volunteers are needed. Contact Avo Babian at [email protected]
How to Survive a Shooting
The LAFD is giving a class in How to Act in an Active Shooter situation and Situational Awareness. You could be anywhere and suddenly caught in the situation. Learn how to survive from Retired Police Officer Dan Tomlinson. Sunday April 22 12:30PM-2:30PM at the Senior Center 5056 Van Nuys Blvd. To register go to eventbrite.com and search LAFD CERT Battalion 10. Questions? Email [email protected]
Free Tax Filing and Cash RefundIf you make less than $54,000 annually, you may qualify for up to $6,000 cash back through the Cal EITC and Federal EITC – but only if you file. Claim what’s yours. Why pay to file when you may be eligible to file FREE with an IRS-certified tax volunteer? Contact New Economics for Women 6931 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 201 Van Nuys, CA 91405 or call (818) 786-4098.Valley Home Prices Set Record
Valley home prices hit a new record high in 2017 with a median price of $643,783. That’s $30,000 more than the previous high just before the 2007 recession.
Aviation Careers Education for 7th - 12th Graders
The Van Nuys Airport is hosting a wonderful, FREE academy for 7th - 12th graders to learn about the aeronautical industry. The week-long motivational program is designed to introduce students to the broad spectrum of career opportunities within the aviation/aeronautical industry, as well as general knowledge about the Van Nuys Airport. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 1, 2018. You can view the application and read more information at https://www.iflyvny.com/en/aviation-careers-education
About SONC
The Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council is the first level of your city government. We are not homeowner's association or a club; we are an important part of your city government. We are here to bridge the gap between you and City Hall. Board members are elected by the public and serve without pay. Do you have a city related question or problem? Contact us by using the contact form on our website, www.shermanoaksnc.org, or call (818) 503-2399. Board meetings are at Sherman Oaks Elementary School Auditorium, 14780 Dickens St, 6:30 PM the 2nd Monday evening of most months. All meetings are open to the public. The Council files "Community Impact Statements"(CIS) with City agencies and the City Council on important pending issues. If you miss a meeting you can read the CIS or the minutes on the website after they have been approved the following month.
Planning and Land Use
The PLUM (Planning & Land Use Management Committee) meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at the SO Library to consider new construction projects in our community. To check the complete agendas and project drawings log on to our website: www.shermanoaksnc.org. The next committee meeting will be 6:30pm April 19 at the Sherman Oaks Library. The findings will be presented to the SONC Board at a later date. For more information contact Jeff Kalban at [email protected]
LA City Budget
The City of Los Angeles Budget Advocates is a citizen group that measures how your tax money is spent. They make recommendations to the City Council and the Mayor. They want your opinions to provide the Mayor and City Council a better perspective of how well the City is performing in delivery of services and fiscal responsibility. Go to this link to take a brief survey. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfW7Ng5uDzwpCBBdowF3SEZEQ8Wlq0_Nqmo_MshLgfUGQ53uw/viewform
Vision Committee
The Vision Committee meeting will continue a study of housing for the homeless. This is a critical issue for Sherman Oaks and all of Southern California. The Vision Committee will meet 6:30 pm April 5 at Sherman Oaks Library. For more information contact Jeff Kalban at [email protected]
Arts Committee
Our new Arts Committee holds its meetings at the council office, 14930 Ventura Blvd #210. This committee has the exciting job of working with the Department of Cultural Affairs to choose art work that will grace the community of Sherman Oaks. Members of the committee are Jeff Hartsough(chair), Jules Feir, Charles Gherardi, Jeff Kalban, Jill Banks Barad, and Leslie Beers. The public is welcome to attend. For more information email [email protected].
The Valley Relics Museum
The Valley Relics Museum is the resting place of a huge collection of cool, nostalgic items from enormous neon signs to cars decorated by famed country-western tailor Nudie Cohn. Rare and historic photos and documents from the San Fernando Valley's past are displayed alongside Valley-made vintage BMX bikes. Did you ever wonder what became of that kitschy neon sign or fancy auto? It’s here waiting for you.
21630 Marilla St
Chatsworth, CA 91311
818) 678-4934
Open Saturdays 10AM-3PM
Preventing Home Burglaries
There have been a string of home burglaries starting in North Hollywood and working west through Studio City and Sherman Oaks. These are done by professionals. If you see a burglary in progress, do not confront the burglars – Call 911 immediately. The police have already made arrests, but there are more active thieves working the area. To foil a potential burglary before it happens:
1) Homeowners should make an attempt to give the impression someone is home at all times, which would include leaving a car in driveway, leaving lights on in and around the home at night.
2) Noise inside the house (leave TV or radio on) to give the impression someone is home.
3) Use one of the commercial security services that have become popular, inexpensive and easy to use, including but not limited to video recording devices.
4) Use pets such as a dog for property protection and deterrence. Don’t leave doggie doors open when you are not at home.
5) Most importantly, make contact with your neighbors and look out for each other’s homes.
6) Be suspicious of unusual vehicles or persons slowly traversing through the neighborhood or strange cars parked on a quiet street with someone sitting inside.
7) ALWAYS and IMMEDIATELY contact law enforcement when you believe you are seeing something suspicious in the neighborhood.
8) Social media and NextDoor are important, but information should not just be posted without also sharing the information with the police.
Free Services from Your LA Public Library
Did you know that you can use the resources of the LA Public Library online? It's all free. Most require a library card. That's free too! Go to https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/e-media#movies to:
- Watch Movies, TV Shows, Videos
- Read Newspapers, Out of Town Newspapers, Magazines
- Read eBooks
- Learn a Language
- Take a College Level Course
- Listen to Music
Programs at the Sherman Oaks Library
For Preschoolers: stories, fingerplays, songs, and more! This storytime is perfect for children two and under. Mondays 10-10:30AM
Star Reader Karen: Come share the joy of reading and storytelling with our STAR volunteer Karen Sherman Oaks Library Mondays 2-3PM, Star Reader Rich Weds 2:30-3:30PM
Kids Craft: Join us for various crafts and activities! Call for specific details. Ages 4+ Weds 4-5PM
Adult Coloring: Explore your creative side! Come color with us! Tuesdays 5:30-7PM, Thursdays 2-4PM Sherman Oaks Library
Mindful Meditation Fridays 11AM-Noon
At the Van Nuys Library
Free Income Tax Preparation and Filing. Van Nuys Library Tuesdays & Thursdays through April 17 Noon -4PM, Mon & Weds 10-3PM 6250 Sylmar Ave
At the Studio City Library
Harmonious Yoga.
A calming, stress-relieving Gentle Yoga Class Mondays 10:15AM-11:15AM Studio City Library 12511 Moorpark Street
Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is a free program for 6th -12th graders. Satudays 2-3PM
Fire Department Notices
The Los Angeles Fire Department Brush Unit has started to send out their annual notices to property owners to begin clearing their brush. Property owners who live in LAFD’s fire zones have 60 days to clear their brush, until inspections begin on May 1, 2018. Most of Sherman Oaks south of Ventura Blvd is included.
New Police Chief
Join Councilmember Ryu and the Los Angeles Police Commission for a Community Meeting on Policing, Security and Public Safety in Los Angeles. As the Police Commission seeks a new chief for the Los Angeles Police Department, now is the time to speak up for the future direction of the LAPD. Tuesday April 3 6:30-8:30PM Friendship Auditorium. 3201 Riverside Drive, 90027
For more information, call (213) 236-1400
New Signals and Crosswalks
Sherman Oaks will get three new signals and crosswalks. Construction will start in late or early June. We have waited 9 years for these and suddenly here they are! Look for them at:
Ventura Blvd and Calhoun
Ventura Blvd and Lemona
Ventura Blvd and Columbus
Coffee Meet & Greet with Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian
This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions about our State Government and how we can better serve our community! FREE Admission & Open to the Community
Sunday, April 8th, 2018 1:00 PM – 2:00PM
Priscilla’s Gourmet Coffee, Tea and Gifts
4150 Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
Parking: Lot behind Priscilla’s/Street Parking
For more information call 818-376-4246
RSVP: [email protected]
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