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A NOTE FROM THE
ENC OUTREACH COMMITTEE
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Hey Neighbors!
Welcome to the third issue of our Encino Neighborhood Council newsletter, The Oak Tree Flyer. Big thanks to everyone who's been reading and interacting with us—it turns out our last issue was a record-breaker as the most-read email ever sent by our council. That’s really something to celebrate!
I’m thrilled by how engaged everyone has been, and it just goes to show how much we all care about what’s happening around here. So, let's keep the momentum going. I’m reaching out to ask each of you to share this newsletter with someone you know. Think about it: is there a story from around Encino that you think deserves a shout-out? We’d love to hear from you and share your stories and insights, which help guide everything we do here at the council.
Getting involved with our local issues doesn't just help improve our neighborhood—it actually makes our day-to-day lives better too. I can personally vouch that diving into community activities and connecting with fellow residents and local leaders through the council makes me feel 10% happier. It’s amazing what knowing your neighbors, understanding the challenges and triumphs of our community, and having the power to make a difference can do for your happiness.
In this edition, we’re exploring what 'community' means in a big, bustling place like Encino. Even though we’re a large community with around forty thousand people, every single person's voice is important. By bringing those voices together, we’re not only tackling issues but also building stronger, happier connections.
Your involvement is key. Let’s keep building a community that not only looks out for its own but also celebrates every person's unique story. Let's create a community narrative as lively and diverse as the people in it.
Thanks for joining us on this journey toward a better community and boosting our everyday happiness. Here’s to more growth, learning from one another, and enjoying our neighborhood—and life—10% more, one story at a time.
Warmly,
Josh Sautter
joshsautter.enc@gmail.com
ENC Outreach Committee Chair
JOIN THE MAILING LIST HERE! !
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Meet our LAPD Senior
Lead Officer,
Pravind Walia,
Encino Area,
LAPD West Valley
Join us at our regular ENC monthly board meeting on May 22nd at 7pm on Zoom to connect with Officer Walia.
(Zoom link can be found on General Board Meeting Agenda posted on ENC Calendar 72 Hours prior to meeting)
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Officer Walia's Tip of the Month:
May 2024
Protect Your Valuables from Car Break-ins
In this month's safety tip, Senior Lead Police Officer Tim Walia of Encino highlights a growing concern in our community—car break-ins, burglary, and theft. Understanding the distinction between these crimes can help us better protect our possessions.
A "theft" typically occurs when you leave property inside an unlocked car. It's a crime of opportunity, allowing thieves to easily take whatever is visible without having to break in. On the other hand, "burglary" involves a more aggressive approach where the perpetrator breaks into a locked vehicle, often by smashing a window, to steal items stored inside.
Given the rise in vehicle-related thefts, Officer Walia emphasizes the importance of not leaving valuables in plain sight. If thieves see something tempting in your car, they are more likely to attempt a break-in. He advises a simple yet effective strategy to deter these crimes:
"Lock it, hide it, keep it."
Here are three key steps to follow:
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Lock Your Vehicle - Always ensure your car is locked when leaving it unattended, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
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Hide Your Valuables - Store any valuables in the trunk or other out-of-sight areas before reaching your destination.
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Keep Your Property - By following the first two steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of theft and keep your belongings safe.
Let's work together to keep our community safe by taking these precautions and looking out for each other. Remember, the best guard against car theft is caution and prevention.
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ONEgeneration
Senior Symposium!
Join Onegeneration for this free annual event with Health Screenings, Community Resources, Raffles and Entertainment!
When:
Saturday, May 18, 2024, 9 am - 12 pm
Location:
17400 Victory Blvd, Encino, CA
MAP
REGISTER HERE!
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The Encino Neighborhood Council supports readiness in our community!
May 18, 2024 from 8AM to about 12 PM at Encino Park, 16953 Ventura Blvd. Join the LAFD, CERT, the Sherman Oaks/Encino Chamber of Commerce, Councilmember Nithya Raman and other responders in a Disaster Preparedness Drill recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake.
The drill will be immediately followed by "Stop the Bleed" training. Attendees and participants can sign up at the event for free smoke detectors and NOAA radios.
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Roy Nwaisser
Public Safety Representative
Encino Neighborhood Council
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Essential Safety Tips for Power Outages and Natural Disasters
In this month's safety column, I'd like to share a few straightforward measures you can take to significantly enhance your safety during a power outage or in the aftermath of a natural disaster that results in a blackout.
The sudden loss of power at night can transform your home into a hazardous environment. Without even the faint glow from your microwave's clock or your TV's standby light, navigating your own home becomes perilous. Post-earthquake scenarios may further complicate matters, with potential shifts in the positioning of objects and the presence of unseen broken glass. Finding a flashlight in complete darkness, especially if it has shifted from its usual spot, can be challenging.
To safeguard yourself and your loved ones, I highly recommend equipping each room with a power failure flashlight. These innovative devices plug into any standard wall outlet and are designed to automatically light up during a power outage, providing immediate illumination to safely navigate the room. You can then detach it and use it as a regular handheld flashlight, thanks to its built-in rechargeable battery that maintains its charge while plugged in.
These dual-purpose tools serve as both an emergency light and a regular flashlight, are cost-effective, and come in various models. Some even include features like nightlights and motion sensors for added utility in non-emergency situations. While I can't endorse a specific model or vendor here, these flashlights are readily available online. If you encounter difficulties finding them, don't hesitate to contact me for guidance.
Another vital item to have during a power failure is a high-capacity USB backup battery to keep your phone charged. In the event of a prolonged outage, it's crucial to have sufficient battery power to recharge each person's phone multiple times. I personally use smaller USB batteries for travel and larger ones reserved strictly for emergency home use, ensuring they're always ready and fully charged.
If you have any questions about these recommendations or any other safety-related topics, feel free to reach out at roy-enc@outlook.com.
Stay safe and prepared
In addition to things you can do individually, Neighborhood Watch is one of the best ways to secure neighborhoods and I encourage everyone to get involved with it. Even though many of us are in larger community Facebook and WhatsApp groups they do not provide the benefits of Neighborhood Watch. If you are interested in joining or starting a Neighborhood Watch group sign up at:
JOIN NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH HERE!!
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Southern California Garden Club, the oldest and largest garden club in the San Fernando Valley, invites you to visit or join as we continue our 97thseason with a Garden Club Meeting featuring the program, “Scholarships Presentation.” Scholarships Committee Chairman Rosemary Ecker will be presenting seven scholarships to recipients ranging from high school seniors to master’s degree candidates. Each scholar will share their studies and future plans. All have plans to work within the field of horticulture.
DATE OF EVENT: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
TIME OF EVENT: 9:30 a.m.
EVENT LOCATION: Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino, 91436
The program is preceded at 9:30 a.m. by a plant market and country store (for fundraising) and plant specimen display (judged by an accredited Flower Show Judge); and business meeting at 10:00 a.m.; and a special presentation on his “Regenerative Learning Garden Project,” by Benjamin Brown. Mr. Brown is Professor of Home Gardening at Mt. San Antonio College and is a past club, state (CGCI) and national (NGC) scholarship recipient. Lunch (bring your own) follows the program at 12:00 p.m. The club provides beverages and desserts. No admission charge for guests. All are welcome.
Club meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month (Sept. through June).
Southern California Garden Club
www.SouthernCaliforniaGardenClub.com
California Garden Clubs, Inc. – www.CaliforniaGardenClubs.com
Pacific Region Garden Clubs, Inc. – www.PacificRegionGardenClubs.org
National Garden Clubs, Inc. – www.GardenClub.org
Read our publications:
The Green Thumb, Golden Gardens eNews, WACONIAH, and The National Gardener
Find us on Facebook.
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The California Audubon Society does business as San Fernando Valley Audubon Society, and was formed in 1906. Its mission is to promote the conservation of natural resources and to preserve and enhance wildlife habitats and biodiversity, to increase appreciation of bird life and the natural environment through education, presentations, guided bird walks and other activities, and to foster opportunities for a diverse population to come together for the protection and celebration of avian life. In addition to birding and related presentations, SFVAS is actively involved in habitat restoration and preservation as well as environmental education. SFVAS is partnering with the Santa Monica Mountains Fund to provide a series of classes on native plant landscaping later this year.
See the SFVAS Website for more information and future monthly events. Events Calendar:
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GOT POTHOLES?
Many of you have probably noticed the dreadful state of some of our streets in Encino after the heavy rain. We'd like to tell you about a convenient way to report potholes or other street maintenance issues.
You can now use the new MyLA311 App on your phone and easily report issues you may see.
With the MyLA311 app
City information and services are just a few taps away. Use the app to quickly and easily request the City's most popular services, including graffiti removal, pothole repair, and bulky-item pickup. Other features include access to the City Services knowledge base, map of nearby City facilities, City Social Media feeds, and more. Download the MyLA311 app for Android or iPhone or submit requests using the MyLA311 website.
DOWNLOAD APP iPhone
DOWNLOAD APP ANDROID
The 311 Call Center provides various options to connect to a wide variety of non-emergency City services and general City information. Some of the most popular City services can be requested by calling 311 or (213) 473-3231. or visit https://myla311.lacity.org
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Stay Informed with the Encino Neighborhood Council!
Feeling concerned with the increasing noise from Van Nuys Airport or the ongoing developments along Ventura Blvd? Interested in finding solutions to the traffic and congestion issues in Encino? The Encino Neighborhood Council is here for you, actively addressing community concerns through its dedicated committees.
To keep abreast of these discussions and contribute your voice, we invite you to join our committee or general board meetings. Our ENC Calendar is your go-to resource for all meeting schedules, most of which are conveniently held via video conference to ensure easy access for everyone.
Meeting links are made available 72 hours in advance and can be accessed through the agendas posted for each event. Simply visit our live calendar, select the event of interest, and find all the details, including the video conference links, in the posted agenda.
Stay connected and informed about the developments in Encino by joining us in our efforts to make our community a better place.
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