Here’s a quick recap of what’s happening in the Seventh Council District this week:
Jaws Movie Night at Hansen Dam
Dun. Dun. Dun. Dunnn.. it’s Shark Week 🦈! Join me for the screening of the movie Jaws at Hansen Dam Aquatic Center on Friday, August 17th at 6:30 PM. Pack a blanket, chair, and picnic to watch this cinematic shark classic. Sink your teeth into free popcorn, and beware…there may be something fishy in the water.
Save the Date: Ritchie Valens Festival, August 25
Mark your calendars! I’m proud to present the Ritchie Valens Festival to celebrate the unveiling of the Ritchie Valens Memorial Highway. A stretch of the 5 Freeway in the Northern San Fernando Valley will be renamed to honor the life, music, and legacy of rock and roll legend Ritchie Valens. The festival will take place at the Ritchie Valens Park in Pacoima (10731 Laurel Canyon Blvd) on August 25th from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm and will feature live entertainment, food trucks, followed by a screening of the movie, La Bamba at sunset.
Cooling Centers Now Open
The LA heatwave is here with high temperatures expected this week. Please check on your neighbors as extreme temperatures are especially dangerous for seniors and young children. If you need somewhere to cool off, our Los Angeles Public Library, City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and other City facilities are open to the public. I’m also working on developing creative solutions, like installing cool pavements and building our city’s urban canopy, to cool down our neighborhoods.
Cooling Centers in Council District 7 include: David M. Gonzales Recreation Center, Hubert H. Humphrey Recreation Center, Lake View Terrace Recreation Center, Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, Stonehurst Recreation Center, Sunland Recreation Center, Sylmar Park Recreation Center, Sunland Senior Citizen Center , Lake View Terrace Branch Library, Pacoima Branch Library, Sunland – Tujunga Branch Library, and Sylmar Branch Library.
Find a full list of cooling center locations and hours at emergency.lacity.org/heat and in Spanish at emergency.lacity.org/calor.
Swimming Lessons with SwimLA
Splash into a fun and healthy sport this summer with SwimLA at one of the pools in the 7th District (Ritchie Valens Pool, Hubert Humphrey Pool, Sylmar Pool, or Verdugo Hills Pool). The City of Los Angeles is offering affordable swim lessons for kids ages 4-17 at all City pools, all summer long. Swimming not only beats the summer heat – it teaches kids a lifesaving skill. Morning, afternoon and evening lessons are being offered until August 31. Scholarships are available and for more details visit swimla.org.
Photo of the Week
Earlier this month, a fire erupted at a Sylmar home. Four LAPD officers (Luis Lopez, Kenneth Morales (not pictured), Jose Moya, and Cristina Shente) were responding to another call when they saw the fire erupt. Neighbors told them a man was still inside the home. The four quickly ran in to help, using a neighbor’s hose and a baton to break a sliding glass door. Thank you all for your swift action and brave leadership! More on their heroic story, here.