Atwater Movie Night Under the Stars

Don't miss out on the last two Atwater Movie Night Under the Stars free community events this summer at Los Feliz Municipal Golf Course, presented by the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council!

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" will be shown on August 19, and WALL-E will be shown on September 16.

Gates open at dusk, and the show begins at dark. Blankets and picnics are encouraged. Concessions will be available, with all proceeds going to benefit local Atwater Village elementary schools. Please, no pets or smoking.

For more information, please visit http://www.atwatervillage.org/.

Taking the Reins 'Salsa Under the Stars' Benefit

Taking the Reins will host an Salsa Under the Stars benefit to support its youth programs on August 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Taking the Reins farmhouse in Atwater Village (3919 ½ Rigali Avenue).

Taking the Reins is a non-profit organization that works to inspire underserved girls facing the challenges of adolescence in high risk environments. Through riding and caring for horses, teens develop self-esteem, teamwork, responsibility and leadership skills.

The celebration will be emceed by Brandi Hitt from KTLA, and will feature live salsa music with the Ronnie Gutierrez band and special guest salsa performances.

Tickets are $65 in advance and $75 at the door. The price includes dinner, margaritas, and valet parking. To purchase tickets or to find out more information please call 323-906-1560 or visit www.takingthereins.org. a

Griffith Park Lions Club Atwater Village Pancake Breakfast - May 7

The Griffith Park Lions Club will hold its annual Atwater Village Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction this Saturday, May 7, starting at 7:30 a.m. The event will be held in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot (3250 Glendale Blvd.) where you can eat all the pancakes you want for $5.

The Lions Club will be collecting used old eyeglasses to be refurbished and given to those in need. They will also collect pull tabs from all cans -- soda, beer, pet food and many others -- to support the Ronald McDonald House for parents of children needing major medical care.

The 22nd Annual Great L.A. River Clean-Up

Friends of the Los Angeles River is hosting the 22nd Annual Great L.A. River Clean-Up on Saturday, April 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to pick up trash at 14 different sites, including Sunny Nook Park in Atwater Village and Marsh Street Park and Elysian Valley Gateway (on Knox) in Elysian Valley.

Last year more than 3,000 volunteers participated in the largest clean-up event in the river’s history.

For more information or to sign up to volunteer, click here.

GOOD LA Launch Weekend

The GOOD LA Launch Weekend is April 8 through 10. Join in Good Magazine's celebration of its Los Angeles issue and the launch of GOOD LA, a new local community for Los Angeles residents.

The weekend will consist of events from non-profit organizations and community groups, and will take place at Atwater Crossing, a new creative space in Atwater Village. RSVP here.

GOOD LA Launch Weekend events (subject to change):

Friday, April 8

7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Steal This Idea: GOOD Design LA

Saturday, April 9

12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Pop-Up Community Center

5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Readings By Slake

Sunday, April 10

12:00 to 1:30 p.m. GOOD Book Club CicLAvia: 7th Street overpass over the 110 freeway=

4:00 to 10:00 p.m. Rio Arriba Tour from ZZK Records

WOOF Dog Boutique

On Sunday, May 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Angel Dogs Foundation will be putting on the WOOF Dog Boutique (3172 Glendale Blvd) in Atwater Village. The boutique will offer low cost spay and neutering as well as microchips and vaccinations as well as canine and feline food vendors.

All spay and neuters require a reservation and prepayment. The cost of a canine spay or neuter is $110 and comes with a free microchip and rabies vaccine. The cost of a feline spay or neuter is $90 and comes with a free microchip and free rabies vaccine.

Cash or checks are accepted. Checks may be dated 5/1/11 and made payable to Angel Dogs Foundation.

Reservations must be made by April 20. To make a reservation, call (323) 661-7722.

Walk-ins are welcome for microchips and vaccinations. It will cost $10 for microchips and $10 for each vaccination.

Garage sale to benefit Atwater animals

The Atwater Village Directors of Animal Welfare will be hosting a garage sale to benefit the animals of Atwater on Saturday, April 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 3713 Edenhurst Avenue.

Donated items can be dropped off anytime before April 7 at the address above.

Please contact jellybeanjr@dslextreme.com with any questions.

Northeast Community Police Station Update

On Wednesday, March 2, the LAPD's Northeast division will be hosting a community meeting for residents of Glassell Park, Atwater Village, Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Elysian Park, Elysian Valley, Franklin Hills, Garvanza, Glassell Park, Highland Park, Los Feliz, Mount Washington, Silver Lake, and Solano Canyon.

Captain Murphy and other officers from the Northeast station will report on recent crime statistics and other community issues. The meeting will take place at the Glassell Park Community Senior Center (3750 Verdugo Road) beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Speak Out About Your Neighborhood

The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles is right now studying an area that overlaps with the neighborhoods of Atwater Village, Cypress Park, Glassell Park and Elysian Valley to determine community and economic needs.

An open house will be held tomorrow, November 10 at 6 pm to hear from neighborhood residents at Dickerson Employee Benefits, 1918 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90039. I urge you to attend and speak out about your neighborhood. For more information, visit www.crala.org/nela.

GLENDALE BLVD. / ATWATER VILLAGE

I just wanted to share some photos of a recent walk
I took along Glendale Blvd. in Atwater Village. I had a good time speaking with residents and business owners and introducing them to Angela Motta and Marta Segura of my staff. Angela is my office's representative to Atwater Village and Marta is District Director. They personally get involved to help residents and businesses alike with a variety of services (323-957-4500). Andy Hasroun, President of the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce and owner of 55 Degree Wine, joined us as well and served as our host.

Atwater Village Meet Your Neighbor Night

Join Atwater Village residents for Meet Your Neighbor Night!

On February 21, Friends of Glenfeliz Elementary (FOG) will host this event to benefit Glenfeliz Kids, a new after school program. Mingle with neighbors while enjoying a night of wine tasting at 55 Degree Wine (3111 Glendale Blvd.).

An admission price of $18 will cover a flight of 3 wines selected for FOG, and 50% of the proceeds will benefit Glenfeliz Kids.

Atwater Village Chamber hosts A Night on Casitas

The Atwater Village Business Community is sponsoring A Night on Casitas on February 23 at the Atwater Playhouse (3191 Casitas Avenue) starting at 6:30 p.m.

Appetizers and refreshments will be provided by Revo Cafe and Patricia Aleman.

For more information, visit the Atwater Village Chamber website or contact the Chamber at 323-251-5967 or board@atwaterchamber.org.

Atwater Village tree lighting - Friday, December 4

Check out the annual Atwater Village tree lighting ceremony and festivities, which will be held on Friday, December 4, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. along Glendale Boulevard (the tree is near the Wells Fargo located at 3250 Glendale Blvd.). The evening will include music, treats, and a visit from Santa -- perfect for children of all ages.

This event is organized by the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce and gets bigger and better every year. I'm proud to help sponsor this year's event, along with the Chamber and the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council.

Free H1N1 flu vaccines available this weekend

The City of Los Angeles and the L.A. County Department of Public Health are hosting clinics across Los Angeles to provide free H1N1 vaccines this fall.

This weekend, the vaccine will be available at a number of locations including the Chevy Chase Recreation Center in Atwater Village. Click on the flyer at right for a complete schedule.

Every two weeks, new schedules will be released with additional dates and locations for November and December.

Summer Nights on the Boulevard season finale - September 24

Enjoy music, dancing, food, and fun at the season finale of Summer Nights on the Boulevard in Atwater Village. This event is sponsored by the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce and will take place between 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. along Glendale Boulevard.

Check out the local shops and restaurants and support neighborhood businesses. For more information, contact the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce at 323-634-2535 or visit the website here.

Final Atwater Village Job Readiness Workshop completed... now, come to the Job and Resource Fair!

Last week, we held the last in our series of Job Readiness Workshops at Chevy Chase Park in Atwater Village. These free events provided information to people about how to qualify and prepare for construction jobs.

This workshop was led by Rene Jann Whelston-Brooks of the Construction Trade Council and Jane Templin from Electrics Training Institute. Our guest speaker informed the participants about apprenticeships opportunities, career paths in construction, how to prepare for a job interview, how to create a resume, strategies for getting and keeping a job, and how to join a union.

On Saturday, September 19, we will host a Job and Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chevy Chase Recreation Center.

For more information, contact Arsen in my office at 323-957-4500.

Job Readiness Workshop held in Atwater Village

Last night's Job Readiness Workshop at Chevy Chase Park in Atwater Village provided information to people about how to qualify and prepare for construction jobs. The workshop was led by Rene Angeles of Ironworkers Local 433 .

Next Thursday, Youth Employment Services will lead a workshop at the Chevy Chase Recreation Center. For more information, contact Arsen in my office at 323-957-4500.

Thank you for making Atwater Village walk a success!

Many thanks to the volunteers and staff (pictured at right) who helped make our Atwater Village neighborhood walk a success on Saturday morning.

We knocked on doors of both residences and businesses to share information about recent efforts to make the neighborhood safer and provide information on an upcoming workshops, and a job and resource fair. We also received feedback from the community on ways to improve the neighborhood. Many neighbors also expressed appreciation for the police department's efforts to crack down on gang activity.

North Atwater Neighborhood Walk this Saturday!

We need volunteers to join me in walking the North Atwater Village neighborhood to talk to residents about city resources and upcoming community events.

After a short training, groups of volunteers will be dispatched throughout the neighborhood to share information with residents and hear their concerns.

To RSVP or for information, please call (323) 957-4500.

Glenfeliz Boulevard improvement project is complete

The Atwater Village community celebrated the completion of the improvement project at the Glenfeliz/Valleybrink/Dover intersection this Saturday.

The upgrades -- including a curb extension and re-striped crosswalks -- will make it safer for pedestrians and help traffic move more efficiently through this intersection.

Many thanks to the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council, Frank Armstrong, Edward Nino, Monica Hayes-Nino, Claire Flewin, Quinn Cummings, and all of the other community leaders who helped make this project possible!