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Please join us at our next
Board Meeting
We meet on the first Wednesday of each month.
Our next meeting will be:
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 7:00pm.
City Councilmember Tony Cardenas will be our featured guest.
***Please note the new start time.
Click here for the meeting agenda.
Lake
Balboa Studios
7412 Balboa Blvd.
Lake Balboa, CA 91406
February Newsletter Now Available
Download the February 2010 newsletter here.
Save the Date!
 The Mayor's Office is launching the Fiscal Year 2010 -11 Budget Survey, the "LA Budget Challenge," an interactive online survey that allows Angelenos to provide direct input on real budget issues that the City is facing, by participating in a budget balancing simulation exercise. The LA Budget Challenge survey is also designed to educate users on the actual development of the City budget, which will be particularly challenging during Fiscal Year 2010/2011.
Please visit the survey site at http://labudgetchallenge.lacity.org and be among the first to take the survey!
As an important part of the annual budget development process, the City Charter requires that each Neighborhood Council have the opportunity to present the Mayor and the City Council with a list of priorities for the City budget. Over the past four years, Mayor Villaraigosa has implemented a structured process to ensure that all Neighborhood Councils and community members have the opportunity to become informed about the proposed City budget and have the ability to submit their ideas, comments, and budget priorities directly to his Office.
The Los Angeles Budget Challenge survey asks respondents to address next year's projected General Fund budget deficit of approximately $400 million by making decisions on reductions to programs and services, implementing Citywide cost-cutting measures, and by raising revenue through taxes or other initiatives.
While completing the Los Angeles Budget Challenge survey, participants will receive educational information about the City's finances and opportunities for community input, thereby making the City budget process more transparent and accessible for all Angelenos.
Responses to the Los Angeles Budget Challenge will be compiled, analyzed and presented to Neighborhood Council budget representatives and community members at a budget workshop meeting in early March 2010. Participants will be able to provide additional input on budget priorities, as well as take part in a valuable dialogue on City budget issues.
The Mayor's Office licensed the budget challenge software from Next 10, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that in 2005 released the "California Budget Challenge" survey to engage Californians in the State budget process. Next 10 can be visited at www.nextten.org.
Share Your Fruit
 Many of us have fruit trees and use or distribute only a small portion of the fruit to our friends and families. Here's an idea that will help you and many others at the same time:
FOOD FORWARD is an all-volunteer grassroots group of Los Angeles residents who care about reconnecting to our food system and making change around urban hunger and food waste. Food Forward volunteers convene at private properties they have been invited to and glean the excess fruit on their trees, donating 100% of it to local food pantries. In just 10 months, they have harvested nearly 65,000 pounds of fresh, free fruit. Food Forward supplies the volunteers, equipment and coordination to pull off picks both large and small, creating an atmosphere of community that encourages its volunteers to reconnect and pass along the abundance of food already present in our daily lives. All property owners receive a tax deduction for every pound they harvest.
We encourage you to volunteer your property to be gleaned, or to be part of a pick. Call them at (818) 530-4125 or visit their website: www.foodforward.org
2010 Census Information Available
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Holiday Safety Notes
Property crime is generally low in our area, but does up-tick during the holidays. Burglary-Theft from Motor Vehicle (BTMV) is the biggest one. Go to www.lapdonline.org and click on crime maps in your area hyperlink (http://www.lapdcrimemaps.org). Enter the address of concern and click on the GO button under all the colored dots. Only crimes that are reported (documented) are listed.
First, foremost, and easiest -- don't leave ANY mail by your mailbox for the postman. Wait to hand deliver it to the postal carrier or better, take it to the post office or drop-off location yourself.
Keep packages out of sight in your vehicle at all times while shopping.
If you return to your vehicle to drop off packages before continuing shopping, be sure to drive around, like you're leaving, and then park in another spot.
Don't leave anything visible in your vehicle while parked unattended, even for a moment, including in your driveway, anybody's driveway, or on the street, and keep it locked. Prime targets are iPods, GPS units, laptops, cell phones, purses and the like. If your in-dash radio has a removable faceplate, consider taking it with you when shopping, etc.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Walk like you own the place.
Watch for suspicious activity in your neighborhood, such as someone staring into car and house windows, checking door handles, etc. If you see someone like this, it's a 911call, although not a high priority 911 call. Get a good description without placing yourself in jeopardy. Police will respond.
Best not to let the world see your tree or other seasonal decoration with all the presents under it through that big window on the front (or side) of your home or business.
When disposing of boxes, especially those that once contained electronics, best to take them directly to a recycling center. Next best is to cut up and place in your blue bin, stored out of sight, and placed at the curb on the day of pickup. Don't make it easy for scavengers to get a peek at all the new and expensive stuff you've recently bought. Never leave the empty box sitting in your driveway, parkway or other highly visible spot on or near your property.
Be alert for scams and door-to-door solicitors, especially requests for charitable donations. Also be alert to scams on public transportation and mall parking lots.
Watch for the delivery truck (UPS, FedEx, USPS, etc.) in your neighborhood. If you're friendly with your neighbor and they get a package left on their doorstep while they're not home, consider holding it for them until they return. And let your neighbor know you'd appreciate the return favor. You could possibly prevent a theft. Yes, the thieves are that bold!
Lake Balboa Neighborhood Boundaries
Click
HERE for L.A. City approved motion and street-by-street
boundaries
Map Key:
The black line represents the city of Lake Balboa.
The blue overlay shows the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council boundaries.
The green overlay shows the area that the Lake Balboa NC shares with Encino NC.
The yellow push pin is where Lake Balboa NC holds Board Meetings.
The red push pin is where the Emergency Preparedness Committee and Communications Committee meetings are held.
View Lake Balboa NC in a larger map
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The 2010 Census is coming. Click here to see what you need to know about the upcoming 2010 Census.
