News in Brief
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The “Reel” Fighting Check Out History of Human Our Local the Valley - Trafficking People D.W. Griffith With Words Making the News See Page 15 See Page 11 See Page 3 VolumeValley 33, Issue 15 A Compendious SourceVantage of Information June 17, 2021 News in Brief The Power of Community Speeds Cleanup Trash has piled up next to the homeless camp near Ventura and Woodlake. The powerful partnership between the press and the police! Less than 24 hours after Valley News Group’s story broke about How to Solve the Homeless Camp at Bowlero homeless destroying the little house on Glade and Ventura, police had the property manager cleaning up the property and By Bob Blumenfield shelter. Specifically, it amended on our district’s streets. That’s in had hauled the heroin addicted transient to jail. Above, LAPD The encampment outside two sections of the LA Municipal addition to hundreds of units of SLO Jose Fernandez and Mike Encinas of Southern Oaks the Woodland Hills Bowlero Code, 41.18 which deals with Permanent Supportive Housing Construction supervise cleanup of the site. Various groups are is the latest to escalate into an (PSH) that I’ve approved, now attempting to get the oldest house in Woodland Hills declared sitting, lying or sleeping in the unacceptable mess. I share the a historical site. Early title records say the house was used as a public right of way and 56.11 under construction or soon frustration of many who call and real estate sales office. Anyone with information if this was the which focuses on personal will be. While having beds for original office of the founder of Woodland Hills Victor Girard email my office. I’ve watched belongings in the public right of 60% of the district’s homeless can email [email protected]. fire videos, seen LAPD crime way. Unfortunately, even though population may satisfy Judge reports, and personally visited the six Councilmembers co-signed Carter’s threshold in a pending occupant of every tent and RV or seconded my motion, there settlement agreement, my goal Anti-Vaxxers Protest Foo Fighters Concert at that location, near Target, and was tremendous opposition remains to find beds for 100% Dozens of anti-vaccine protesters gathered at the Canyon at Corbin. I wish I had a magic when the ordinance drafted of the unhoused population wand or ideal services available in my district. We’re opening Club in Agoura Tuesday night, where the Foo Fighters were While I believe everyone set to play to a sold-out crowd. Ticket holders had to show that people would voluntarily beds faster than ever, but how proof of vaccination to enter the club. Protesters claimed this accept — but I don’t. So what are has a right to a roof over do we make sure the local was “segregation” and pickets comparing the vaccination we doing? their head, I don’t believe unhoused folks accept them? policy to Jim Crow racial segregation and called the Foo For starters, while I believe that everyone has a right Our best tool is consistent, Fighters “farma sellouts.” The band also got flack on social everyone has a right to a roof to encamp anywhere persistent outreach. For years media, including a post from former child star and anti-vaxxer over their head, I don’t believe they want. my staff and I have done weekly Rickey Schroder, who wrote, “(Foo Fighters frontman) Dave that everyone has a right to - Councilman outreach to homeless people with Grohl is an ignorant punk who needs slapped for supporting encamp anywhere they want. For Bob Blumenfield (and beyond what’s done by) LA discrimination.” Other pro-band posts said, “The unvaccinated some activists, any restriction on Homeless Services Authority are a risk to closing down all these venues again.” Grohl encampments is “criminalizing by the City Attorney came to (LAHSA) and non-profits. tweeted, “Tonight we’re gonna play until the cops get called.” homelessness.” I disagree. While the Council for a vote, and the Many people want housing but The show went on, even though there were police outside the I am working feverishly to create Council President sent it back often service providers don’t club to monitor the protesters. and incentivize temporary and to committee for further review. have a bed available right permanent supportive housing for I’m working to get a revised away. For those with substance West Village Developers Sue Calabasas local people, a lack of ideal housing proposal to Council for a vote. abuse/ mental health issues, it’s New Home Company, whose West Village project at Las shouldn’t mean that encampments We’re opening hundreds of especially frustrating. Every time Virgenes and Agoura Roads was shot down by Calabasas City continue everywhere. temporary shelter and housing I meet someone who says they Council last month, is suing the City for $58 million and the Last fall I introduced a units within weeks. With our two would like a treatment program, right to build the development. The lawsuit alleges the City controversial motion to prohibit cabin communities, the Willows there is always a wait or a violated state law and local plans in denying the project. The camping within 500 feet of Bridge Housing, hotels that bureaucratic hurdle that prevents City Council had rejected the newest proposal based in part freeways or homeless services, we bought, and other housing them from getting immediate on the number of apartments and the amount of open space.” but before people could be asked opportunities, we have beds for help and the critical moment gets to move, they had to be offered over 60% of the unhoused people (Continued to page 17) Page 2, Valley News Group, June 17, 2021 COMMUNITY JUNE COMMUNITY CALENDAR ONLINE: New Directions for Youth will honor their past Honorary Chairman of the Board on Sunday, July 25, at 10 am. At the free virtual event they will dedicate the new Athletic Center as The Rafer Johnson Athletic Center. Register online at www.ndfy.org. New Directions for Youth is a comprehensive youth development agency that provides direct services and programs to more than 3,000 at-risk youth and families annually. Sponsorship opportunities are available and will be recognized on the donor plaque to be displayed inside the athletic center. For sponsorship opportunities email pattijowolfson@gmail. get traveling com. IN 2021 * WOODLAND HILLS: Jackie Goldberg, aka “The Pink Lady,” will host RECEIVE UP TO $750 BACK ON SELECT Big Band stylist Nancy Osborne on her Pink Lady Presents television show this Sunday, June 20, at 5 pm. The show airs on Channel 18. For VACATIONS WHEN YOU PAY IN FULL more information email [email protected] or call (818) 606- 6679. CALABASAS: The Calabasas City Council will meet on Wednesday, Many destinations are open for travel in 2021, and with June 23, at 6 pm. Agenda items include extending the existence of the local emergency due to the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic, expected capacity restrictions, booking now helps to dispersing funds from the American Rescue Plan Act account, secure your preferred accommodations. Appointments to the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center Joint Powers Authority Board and more. The council will adjourn in memory of Harold Arkoff at 6:45 pm (see Arkoff obituary last issue). The meeting will be live streamed on CTV. For more information visit cityofcalabasas.com. CALABASAS: Tickets are now on sale for Calabasas Rotary’s BOOK BY Zoom “Beach Blanket CalaBingo” on Thursday, June 24, at 6 pm. $20 includes five games with two bingo cards per game. There will be JUNE 30! opportunity drawings, gift card payouts and prizes - with a prize for the best beach attire. Register and pay at calabasasrotaryevents.org. For questions call Susan Renick, Event Chair, at (818) 303-6004. CANOGA PARK: Tickets are on sale now for West Valley Playhouse’s first production live on stage July 9. Director Jon Berry and cast will present Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest. The play will run July 9 through August 8. Tickets are available now at wvplayhouse.com or by calling (818) 884-1907. The West Valley Playhouse is located at 7507 Topanga Canyon Blvd. WOODLAND HILLS: The West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce will hold a “Staying Connected” Zoom mixer on Wednesday, June 23, at 5 pm. To register visit woodlandhillscc.com or call (818) 347-4737. HURRY! YOU MUST BOOK BY JUNE 30, 2021. CONTACT YOUR AAA TRAVEL ADVISOR TODAY! CALL: (800) 741-1605 VISIT: Your Local Auto Club Branch *Travel Savings o er (“O er”) only valid on qualifi ed bookings made with participating AAA preferred travel providers made through your local AAA Advisor, Minimum purchase required to qualify for o er. Maximum one (1) travel credit per booking. O er valid only on new bookings made on or after February 1, 2021 with full deposit no later than June 30, 2021 for travel commencing no later than December 31, 2021. Incentive will be provided to lead client/trip payee following trip departure. Deposited bookings of $2,000 – $3,999 qualify to receive a $50 credit; bookings of $4,000 – $7,999 qualify to receive a $75 credit; bookings of $8,000 – $9,999 qualify to receive a $100 credit; bookings of $10,000 – $11,999 qualify to receive a $150 credit; bookings of $12,000 – $14,999 qualify to receive a $250 credit; bookings $15,000+ qualify to receive a $375 credit. Booked and paid-in-full travel credit value requires payment-in-full at time of booking. Paid-in-full bookings of $2,000 – $3,999 qualify to receive a $100 credit; bookings of $4,000 – $7,999 qualify to receive a $150 credit; bookings of $8,000 – $9,999 qualify to receive a $200 credit; bookings of $10,000 – $11,999 qualify to receive a $300 credit; bookings of $12,000 – $14,999 qualify to receive a $500 credit; bookings $15,000+ qualify to receive a $750 credit.