Encino Neighborhood Council

The Oak Tree Flyer


October / November  2024, Edition


www.encinonc.com 

Encino Shines Brighter Together:

A Message from the Encino Neighborhood Council (ENC)


Hello, Neighbors!


Happy Halloween to everyone in Encino! As we embrace the festive spirit of October, I’m thrilled to share all the wonderful things happening in our community. But before we dive into the details, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible effort it takes to make these initiatives possible. None of this happens without the dedication of so many, and it’s truly inspiring to witness our community coming together to build something special.


I’m excited to announce that we’ve added Eric Kingsley, the President of Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue, as an alternate religious representative. Valley Beth Shalom is celebrating its 75th year, and I’ve had the privilege of speaking with Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz about their vision for becoming more deeply involved in our community. I attended their October 7th Remembrance event, which was a powerful and moving demonstration of the strength that community brings in times of grief and solidarity. To see over a thousand congregants gather together to sing, pray, and stand united was truly inspiring. It’s this kind of spirit that we want to foster in Encino, and we are honored to have Eric on our board as we continue to build bridges across our vibrant community.


We’ve also been busy supporting local schools and families. Recently, we awarded a Neighborhood Purpose Grant to the Academy for Enriched Sciences PTA (AES-PTA.) The AES-PTA family night featured “Impossible Science.” This initiative brought incredible hands-on science experiments to children, sparking curiosity and wonder. The energy at the event was electric. Children learned about scientific methods and were dazzled by experiments that made science feel like magic. The Principal Amy Petry, Dr. Eric Maxey, Regional Director Principal, Dr. Bacca, LAUSD Region North Superintendent and Briar Darden, AES-PTA all expressed how crucial the Encino Neighborhood Council’s support was to making this event a reality, and hearing the children thank us for bringing this to their school was a moment I’ll never forget. We look forward to supporting our other Encino Schools!


In addition, we’re working with She is Hope, an organization providing vital support to single mothers on the brink of homelessness. Our Neighborhood Purpose Grants are making a real difference, and we’re excited to continue empowering organizations like these in our community.


The ENC recently passed a funding motion to help with the much needed tree trimming and maintenance on the protected Oaks and Sycamore trees at the Louise Ave. and Ventura Blvd. median. We are also hoping to help support the restoration of the "Can of Sardines" mural on Hayvenhurst Ave. at the 101 Freeway Underpass.


Looking ahead, we have several important events on the horizon. Our upcoming Public Safety event will focus on home burglary prevention, offering practical tips and resources to help our neighbors feel safe and secure. We’ll also share advice on how to avoid scams after a burglary—something no one should have to navigate alone. We will be posting an event date and details very soon.


We are currently working on our 2025 event schedule, which will feature Encino Movie Nights at Encino Park, and we are excited to potentially include a Kids Music in the Park concert as part of the lineup.


We’re reigniting our Education and Youth Committees with the first kick off meeting on November 18th—the first in nearly a decade! Our goal is to involve every corner of the community, from youth to seniors, creating spaces where everyone feels they belong.


Our work continues on October 28th with our Airport Committee meeting, and I encourage you to join us for our next General Board Meeting on October 23rd, @7PM held on Zoom. There’s so much happening, and we need your voice and passion to keep our community moving forward.


Being a part of the Encino Neighborhood Council is more than just meetings and decisions—it’s about building a stronger, more connected community. Yesterday, after the Impossible Science event, a group of children came up to me with wide eyes and big smiles, thanking us for bringing such a cool experience to their school. That moment, full of joy and gratitude, captures the essence of what we’re working toward: pride, connection, and shared purpose.


I invite each of you to get involved, to be part of something meaningful. Together, we are building a brighter future for Encino.


See you at our upcoming events!


Warmly,

Josh Sautter

President, Encino Neighborhood Council


If you have concerns, ideas, or just need to talk, I’m always available. You can reach me directly at 202-494-2332. Let’s continue working together to make Encino a safe, vibrant, and thriving community for all of us.

The Spanish word Encino translates to "oak" in English. The name Encino comes from the Tongva language name for the village of Siutcanga, which means "the place of the oaks".

Monday, October 14th is Indigenous Peoples Day

JOIN THE MAILING LIST HERE

Meet our LAPD Senior Lead Officer,

Pravind Walia, Encino Area,

LAPD West Valley

Officer Walia's Tip For October / November:


The LAPD has been receiving more and more reports of phone scams of all sorts that are taking advantage of seniors and others in our community. Recently we have heard reports of AI being used to impersonate the voices of family members. The scam uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Scammers can impersonate your family and friends using AI technology to ask you for money or personal information. They do this by manipulating videos and recordings found on social media to produce realistic sounding voice recordings or even videos.


There are many types of scams happening in Los Angeles, including: 

  • Phone scams: Scammers may pose as a Sheriff's office Sergeant, Lieutenant, or personnel, and ask for payment for a missing grand jury duty subpoena. They may also claim to be from the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, and demand payment. 
  • Check scams: Scammers may steal checks from the mail and change the payee.
  • Fake parking tickets: Scammers may place fake parking tickets on windshields.
  • Fake QR code on parking meters.
  • Disaster Scams: Donate to charities you know and trust with a proven track record of dealing with disasters. Stick to well-established charities or, when possible, donate directly to local non-profits through their existing donation sites.
  • Don’t donate to anyone who insists you can only pay by cash, gift card, wiring money, or cryptocurrency. That’s how scammers tell you to pay. If you decide to donate, use a credit card for added protection against fraud.


Here are some tips to protect yourself from scams:


  • Consider creating a family code word to ensure the identity of family members.
  • If a call or caller seems suspicious, hang up and call the relevant agency directly.
  • Don't provide your account information or your bill to anyone. 


Please report all property crime to the LAPD!

For emergencies call 911

For non emergencies

877-ASK-LAPD

(877-275-5273)

If you see something, Say Something!


SHERMAN OAKS STREET FAIR IS COMING! The Largest FREE Event in the Valley!

THE ENCINO COMMUNITY CENTER PRESENTS FREE HALLOWEEN EVENT!

SATURDAY OCTOBER 26TH

https://www.laparks.org/reccenter/encino-community

Note from Roy Nwaisser, ENC Public Safety Representative

As many of you know, Encino has experienced a troubling increase in burglaries. Our homes should be places of comfort and safety, but with all the crime, it doesn't always feel that way. Yet while the frequency of these events has been troubling, the reality is that burglaries aren’t new to Encino. We have long been a target due to the layout and demographics of our community.


It was through the connections I have with so many neighbors that I became aware of the problem, and this awareness is what drove me to serve my community on the Neighborhood Council. And today I am proud to be the Vice President and your Public Safety Representative. In this role, I often hear from neighbors who are concerned about their safety and unsure how to protect their homes. Many feel powerless in the face of these challenges, but I want to assure you that there are proactive steps we can all take to make our homes more secure.


That’s why I’m excited to invite you to an upcoming Town Hall meeting in November, where I’ll be presenting a variety of strategies you can implement to safeguard your home. Whether you’re looking for simple, budget-friendly solutions or more comprehensive security measures, there will be something for everyone. After the presentation, I’ll also be available for a Q&A session to address any specific concerns you might have. We’ll wrap up the evening by organizing Neighborhood Watch groups—a fantastic way to protect our streets, get to know our neighbors and foster a sense of community.


I hope you’ll join us for what promises to be an empowering and informative event. Let’s work together to make Encino a safer place for everyone. We will email event date and details in the coming week.


Roy Nwaisser

Public Safety Representative, ENC





To Sign Up Please visit:


www.EncinoNeighborhoodWatch.org




If you have questions:

info@encinonc.org


The Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance has some exciting information for residents regarding replacing gas appliances in your home. In California, buildings contribute anywhere from 10 to 25% of our greenhouse gas emissions. And it turns out that gas stoves in particular lead to really poor indoor air quality. Getting off gas means switching out our gas stoves, ovens, heaters, water heaters, washing machines, dryers, gas fireplaces, and grills…. And there are incentives to help us do a lot of this!

The Inflation Reduction Act’s big incentives are just now going into effect in California. (LADWP also has incentives!) Taking advantage of these incentives and electrifying your home is harder if you are a renter, but we have solutions for you, too, including what you can do on your own, what your landlord can do, and resources for approaching your landlord.

Join the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance (LANCSA)

for a conversation Thursday, October 17 from 6:30pm to 8pm via Zoom about how to electrify your home and get off gas.

Learn more and RSVP at ncsa.la/electrify_my_home_10-17_2024.

Check out ncsa.la/electrify_la for more information. ncsa.la/events!



www.foundanimals.org

Earthquake Warning California


Earthquake Warning California is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system that could give California residents crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking. Managed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Earthquake Warning California uses ground motion sensors from across the state to detect earthquakes before humans can feel them and can notify Californians to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in advance of an earthquake. For more info: https://earthquake.ca.gov

 

To receive earthquake warnings, individuals and family members can download the MyShake App and ensure phone settings are adjusted to receive emergency alerts, including:

 

  • MyShake App: Free smartphone app that provides iPhone and Android users with audio and visual warnings [magnitude 4.5 or higher and Modified Mercalli Intensity III (weak) shaking].

DOWNLOAD THE AP HERE:

 APPLE IPHONE

GOOGLE / ANDROID

  • Android Earthquake Alerts: Android phones with updated operating systems are automatically subscribed to Android Earthquake Alerts, which uses the same technology as the MyShake App; and
  • Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): No-cost text messages for emergency situations [magnitude 5.0 or higher and Modified Mercalli Intensity IV (light) shaking].


If you live in or travel to areas that could be impacted by an earthquake, preparation is vital, as these events can strike suddenly, at any time, with little warning. Visit My Hazards to see if you live or work in an area prone to earthquakes.

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



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 and agendas 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.


Encino Neighborhood Council Calendar

View Live Links: https://www.encinonc.org/calendar

 

Contact: joshsautter.enc@gmail.com 

www.encinonc.org

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