Community meetings bring people together for exchange of ideas and memorable shared experiences. Here’s a sampling of meetings and charity/volunteer events in the San Fernando Valley area.
Jan. 30
Wings Over Wendy’s: Veterans of all services and ages, and their supporters, meet from 8:30-11 a.m. every Monday of the month. Location, 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. Contact Ed Reynolds, 818-884-4013. www.wingsoverwendys.com
North Hills East Neighborhood Council: A special board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3wyoeqO. By phone, 669-900-6833 and use ID: 82740037455 and #. Voicemail, 818-672-6674. northhillseast.org
Filing for Neighborhood Council Elections in the San Fernando Valley: Thinking about filing as a candidate for a neighborhood council? Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, using the “Selection” process, has a filing period from now to Feb. 16 (details: www.chatsworthcouncil.org/2023-selection).
Also, Feb. 3 is the opening date for filing if you are a stakeholder in one of these nine councils: Arleta, Foothill Trails District, Mission Hills, North Hills East, Pacoima, Panorama City, Sunland-Tujunga, Sun Valley Area and Sylmar (filing closes for these councils on March 20). Stakeholder requirements to participate vary by council. For information on qualifications: empowerla.org/about-neighborhood-councils. For other neighborhood councils (21) in the San Fernando Valley, check the filing dates in February here: bit.ly/3isaQ3H
Jan. 31
Clases de conversacíon en inglés/English Conversation Class: Join the class and develop communication, grammar and vocabulary skills, 2-3:30 p.m., and also every Tuesday. Sun Valley Branch Library, 7935 Vineland Ave. 818-764-1338. Details: bit.ly/3hPaOmG
CicLAvia the Valley – Community Meeting Online: Learn about street closures, business opportunities and volunteer positions for the event on Sherman Way from Canoga Park to Reseda (9 a.m. Feb. 26; rain or shine event). The online meeting, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom: bit.ly/3Hi9lz0. Meeting details: bit.ly/3XoNBHm. www.ciclavia.org/the_valley23
Feb. 1
San Fernando Valley Chapter of the National Active Retired Federal Employees Association: Meet the group, in Chapter 61 of the association, for lunch at 11:30 a.m., followed by a business meeting at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is on-your-own payment. Lulu’s Restaurant, 16900 Roscoe Blvd., Van Nuys. David Rittenberg, 818-901-8331.
Book Club at Chatsworth Branch Library: Discusses “Interior Chinatown” by Charles Yu, 1:30 p.m. The meeting is in-person and online. Request the Zoom link by email in advance to sstamm@lapl.org (put “Book Club, Feb. 1” in the subject line). Location, 21052 Devonshire St. 818-341-4276. Details: bit.ly/3R9LoNO
Chatsworth Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voicemail, 818-464-3511. Emails: info@chatsworthcouncil.org or president@chatsworthcouncil.org. www.chatsworthcouncil.org
Feb. 2
California State University, Northridge’s VITA Clinic Income Tax Preparation: Appointments required for the free sessions, 2-6 p.m., and every Thursday through April 13. Check the website link for details on what you need to bring to an appointment and also the link to make an appointment. Sun Valley Branch Library, 7935 Vineland Ave. 818-764-1338. Details and reservations: bit.ly/3kNvwEu
Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voicemail, 818-723-8087. www.facebook.com/ghsnc. ghsnc.org
Congressman Brad Sherman Town Hall: The congressman (32nd Congressional District) discusses the new session of Congress, the economy, environmental concerns, inflation, infrastructure projects and answers submitted questions, 7 p.m. Reservations requested. To listen to the town hall, 855-920-0548. Local office number, 818-501-9200. Email: brad.sherman@mail.house.gov. Make a reservation and submit a question on the form here: sherman.house.gov/townhall
West Hills Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voicemail, 818-254-9378. www.westhillsnc.org
Feb. 3
Setting the Path for Tomorrow Using the Lens of Today – African American Military History Event: Speakers include United State Marine Corps veteran Dave Culmer (Montford Point Marine); United States Army veteran Patsy Pitts (Otis College of Art and Design); United Sates Navy veteran D’Artagnan Scorza (executive director of racial equity), 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Register for the event: Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, 1816 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. Details and to make a reservation to attend: bit.ly/3HDiJNW
Feb. 6
Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 6:30 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. Voicemail, 818-503-2399. www.facebook.com/ShermanOaksNC. www.shermanoaksnc.org
Greater Valley Glen Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 p.m. Check the agenda page on the website for how to join the meeting on Zoom or by phone. www.facebook.com/GVGCouncil; www.greatervalleyglencouncil.org/
Mission Hills Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled, 7 p.m. Join the meeting on Zoom here: bit.ly/3g7ifAQ. By phone, 888-475-4499 and use ID: 8592272279 and #. Voicemail, 818-869-4577. Email: board@mhnconline.org. www.facebook.com/MissionHillsCouncil. www.mhnconline.org
Feb. 8
Sepulveda Basin Vision Plan – Community Open House: A presentation by the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering, 6 p.m. Reservations requested here: bit.ly/sbvpcm1. Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd., Encino. www.encinonc.org/
Feb. 10
Current Events Nonfiction Book Club at Studio City Branch Library: Discusses “There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the 21st Century” by Fiona Hill, noon. Location, 12511 Moorpark St.. 818-755-7873. Details: bit.ly/3YrLhQS
Charity and Volunteer
Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters: The organization is seeking volunteer mentors. Upcoming information sessions, 6 p.m. Feb. 16 and March 15. Information on the work they do and to register for a meeting, www.jbbbsla.org/mentorship/#volunteer
LA Sanitation and Environment’s City Facilities Recycling Program’s Clothing Drive: Donations of new or gently-used (washed and clean) jackets and sweaters, pants, shirts and socks for children, men and women are accepted through March 3. Items may be donated, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed, however, on Feb. 20). Two locations in the San Fernando Valley: East Valley District Yard, 11050 Pendelton St., Sun Valley, and West Valley District Yard, 8840 Vanalden Ave., Northridge. See other drop-off locations on the website. 213-485-2260. Email: san.cfrp@lacity.org. lacitysan.org
Tujunga Monday Night Bingo with Knights of Columbus: The organization holds the game night that generates funds for local charities. Early bird games, 6:30 p.m., and regular games at 7:30 p.m. Bingo games are set for multiple Monday dates. Buy-in $15. Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, auditorium, 7144 Apperson St., Tujunga. Details on Eventbrite: bit.ly/3S22nkb
Volunteers Cleaning Communities: Join the group for clean-up projects in the San Fernando Valley. Find a list of upcoming projects, and also how to make a donation for clean-up supplies, volunteerscleaningcommunities.com
Send information at least two weeks in advance to Holly Andres at holly.andres@dailynews.com. 818-713-3708.