The Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance (NCSA) and the Climate Emergency Mobilization Office are launching Cool Blocks, a neighbor-to-neighbor organizing effort that aims to reduce your block's carbon footprint, adopt water stewardship practices, prepare for disasters, and improve the quality of life in your neighborhood.

The NCSA hopes to recruit 200 Cool Block leaders. Team leaders will host neighborhood meetings via Zoom over the course of five months and each leader will receive full training, coaching and support. For more information on how to get involved, please contact [email protected], call 323-660-2780, or visit the NCSA or Cool Blocks online.

For more information about attending a workshop or how you can be a host visit www.lawnbegone.ladwp.com

News from California Audubon

Andrea Jones, Director of Bird Conservation at Audubon California
Joanna Wu, Avian Ecologist at National Audubon Society

Smoky days are degrading our air quality and the respiratory health of millions of people. Our hearts go out to those who have been displaced, lost a home, or loved one.

Many of you have asked how this impacts birds. Wildfires are posing a new stressor to birds who are already threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and pollution. Various species are on the move to escape the flames and migrate. However, many wild food sources and rest areas are scorched, leaving birds highly vulnerable. What can we do to help birds? During this crisis, we recommend taking two simple steps to help local and migrating birds stay clean and nourished: providing water and food.  (Cont.’d on the TNC’s GREENSPACE resource page HERE)

AMIMAL ALERT-If you have a dog or cat, I want to alert you to the danger of Foxtail Plants. We are having an infestation of foxtails this year...

“The barbed seed heads of the foxtail plant can work their way into any part of your dog or cat, from the nose to between the toes and inside the ears, eyes, and mouth. They can even simply dig themselves directly into a patch of skin. … 

"The danger of foxtails goes beyond simple irritation. Because these tough seeds don't break down inside the body, an embedded foxtail can lead to serious infection for your dog. It can even lead to death if left untreated. … 

"Foxtails travel. Moving relentlessly forward, never back, they can migrate from inside your dog's nose to its brain. They can dig through skin or be inhaled into -- and then perforate -- a lung.” 

Foxtails are also dangerous to cats. 

This article states: 

“Remember, once a foxtail has embedded itself into your dog's [or cat's] skin, it will take a professional to remove it, including anesthetic and a surgical procedure by your veterinarian. Never attempt to remove an embedded foxtail yourself, since you may cause additional infection, pain, and suffering for your dog.” 

Dogs are more apt to get foxtails up their noses because they are constantly sniffing plants and the ground, but cats can get them as well, in any part of their bodies. Removing a foxtail from a dog’s nose may require major surgery. This website has some pictures of foxtails. 

Be careful with your dogs and cats. Foxtails are found in fields, on trails, next to roads, in parks, and even in back yards. Please forward this information to anyone you know who has a dog or cat. 

 By Jeffrey Mausner, TNC Animal Welfare Committee Chair; as first appeared in CityWatch, June 6, 2019 (prepped for CityWatch by Linda Abrams)

More information can be found at WebMD Veterinary Reference, Click Here

Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District
12545 Florence Avenue,
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
562-944-9656

West Nile Virus Positive Mosquitoes Confirmed in Los Angeles County
This is the first positive West Nile virus mosquito pool within the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Service Area

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD/District) has confirmed West Nile virus (WNV) positive mosquito samples in Los Angeles County. The positive mosquito samples were collected from mosquito traps in Bellflower (90706), Studio City (91602), and Tarzana (91356), confirming the presence of the virus in mosquito populations within the community.

While this confirmation serves as the District’s first positive West Nile virus mosquito pool this year, virus activity has been increasing steadily throughout California, including other vector control jurisdictions within the County. Additionally, the District submitted a dead bird located in Valley Village which has been confirmed positive for WNV.

“West Nile virus is detected every summer by local public health agencies because it is endemic to Los Angeles County,” said Susanne Kluh, director of Scientific-Technical Services at GLACVCD. “This virus is spread through our bird population and transmitted to humans with the bite of an infected mosquito.”

Because there is no human vaccine for West Nile Virus, residents must be proactive against mosquito bites by wearing insect repellent. Many mosquito repellents are available to prevent bites, but they do not all work equally well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend products with the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus as being safe and effective against mosquitoes that can transmit disease when used according to the labels.

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The seasonal LAPD online portal is open early this year, as of June 1. All fireworks continue to be illegal in the City of Los Angeles; if you see fireworks in your neighborhood, please report them at https://complaint.lacity.org/Complaint/fireworks/, include as much information as possible on the incident (address, description of suspect, whether fireworks are actively underway, etc).

To learn more about Los Angeles City Council's motion to pursue new strategies to curtail illegal fireworks - click the READ MORE button below.

Notice: Fireworks complaints are accepted within the city limits of LA only. Incidents occuring in other areas shouild be reported to the law enforcement agency for that area. LAPD will not forward complaints to other agencies. 

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Mayor Eric Garcetti has issued an order requiring Angelenos to wear face coverings when they leave their homes and will be near other people. The order will aid the fight against COVID-19, as restrictions are gradually eased to allow more people to return to work and outdoor recreation.

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COVID-19 EVICTION MORATORIUM EXTENDED TO SEPT. 30, 2021

On June 28, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 832 into law, which extends the protections available for residential and mobilehome space renters facing eviction due to COVID-19 financial hardship through September 30, 2021. This also extends the rental assistance available through the State of California for impacted tenants and landlords. DCBA is actively reviewing this legislation to determine the impacts to the Los Angeles Temporary Eviction Moratorium and will update our materials accordingly. For more information on AB 832, please visit: housing.ca.gov

You can also visit L.A. County Department of Consumer & Business Affairs for more information about Residential, Commercial Properties, or Eviction Moratorium Implementation Guidelines Here