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.
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