Dear friends,
As the first South Asian ever elected to LA City Council, hosting our annual Diwali celebration at City Hall holds special significance for me.
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is a celebration with multiple meanings. It is a time to gather with friends and family to feast on festive foods and sweets, and marks the start of the Hindu New Year for many. Where I’m from, in Kerala, Diwali celebrates the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. But across regions and across the range of Hindu narratives, Diwali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
This message could not be more poignant right now. At a time when it feels like the federal administration has turned its back on our immigrant community, enacting a reign of terror and tearing families apart, I feel a deep and personal pain. As an immigrant to America, I have never taken this country, this city, nor the opportunities it has afforded me and my family for granted. But, for so many of us, these feel like dark times.
Which is why celebrating Diwali felt especially important this year. Shadows may fall, but light always emerges. That is the promise of Diwali.
This week at City Hall, we welcomed leaders from LA’s South Asian community to join us for a celebration uplifting this spectacular holiday. Dhol players got everyone on their feet with the beat of their drums and members of the Indian Performing Arts Center treated us to a traditional Kathak performance – a graceful and expressive classical dance form from India.
We were also joined by former Mayor and recently returned U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, whose message of unity served as a reminder to continue breaking down barriers between us. And, with the Consulate General of India poised to open its doors in a few short weeks here in Los Angeles, we were honored to welcome the inaugural Consul General, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa. Dr. Srinivasa is a senior Indian diplomat with over 23 years of experience, and we took this opportunity to officially crown him an Angeleno. California now has the distinct honor of being the only state to host not one, but two, Indian consulates.
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This celebration was particularly special as just a few weeks ago, Governor Newsom signed AB286 into law, officially designating Diwali as a state holiday in California – only the third state in America to do so. This was thanks in part to the persistence of the Valley’s very own Nishtha Goel, President of the Valley Indian Seniors Association, who helped galvanize her community and advocate for this bill!
Diwali reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we have the power to kindle light. Here in Los Angeles, we stand united in that light – as neighbors, as Angelenos, as believers in a more just and compassionate world. The lamp that burns brightest is not lit alone, but by a community coming together.
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Photo credit: Sachin Medhekar
Let us remember: we are that light. Together, we will continue to illuminate the path forward.
Warmly,
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Nithya
P.S. In case you missed it, I recently shared a video explaining why establishing a single, citywide unarmed crisis response is a necessary step for creating a safer Los Angeles.
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FALL CONCERT IN THE PARK | OCT 26 | MORE INFO
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Join us this weekend for our next FREE Concert in the Park!
We’re following up our joyous first show, with fan-favorite Taylor Swift tribute band, New Romantics! Join us *this* Sunday, October 26 from 3 – 6PM at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park.
Bring your friends, neighbors, and dancing shoes – these events are free and open to all! For more information and to RSVP, click HERE.
Taylor Swift Tribute Band: New Romantics
DATE: Sunday, October 26
TIME: 3PM – 6PM
LOCATION: Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
RSVP HERE
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Updates From City Hall — Identifying Funding To Continue Quality Medical Care For People In LAPD Custody
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In The District — Connecting With Residents At Backyard Chats Across The District, Celebrating Latino Heritage Month At Our Fall Concert In The Park, Stepping Into The Role Of Principal For A Day At Chandler Elementary
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Upcoming Events — Wicked Movie Night In Reseda, Fall Concert In The Park: Taylor Swift Tribute Band, Rebel Without A Cause At The Griffith Observatory
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Resources & Forums — Small Business Resiliency Fund, LA City Park Needs Assessment Public Comment
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Other Helpful Links
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IDENTIFYING FUNDING TO CONTINUE QUALITY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR PEOPLE IN LAPD CUSTODY
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In June, I introduced a motion to ensure that people held in LAPD custody continue to receive quality medical care. Earlier this month, the City Council took the final step to prevent the proposed closure of two of the City’s three medical clinics located at LAPD detention facilities.
During this year’s especially difficult budget process, sufficient funding was not allocated to keep all three clinics operating. As a result, a proposal was put forward to consolidate services into a single site at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
However, thousands of individuals rely on medical care provided by professionals at these facilities. Closing two of the three clinics would have severely reduced access to care and compromised the quality of medical services available to detainees.
The proposed closures also would have required officers to transport arrestees across the city —regardless of where an arrest occurred — diverting police resources away from patrol duties and emergency response. For example, an arrest made in the Valley could have required transport downtown to the only remaining clinic. At a time when we face staffing shortages and smaller recruitment classes, it is critical that our officers remain focused on the work that only they can perform.
Ensuring continuity of medical care is essential to the health and safety of those in custody, and to upholding our commitment as a City to a fair and humane public safety system.
Following Council’s vote, the City Administrative Officer has been directed to identify funding to maintain operations at the 77th Street and Van Nuys LAPD Detention Facilities open with adequate staff to maintain service.
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CONNECTING WITH RESIDENTS AT BACKYARD CHATS ACROSS THE DISTRICT
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At the home of Josh Sautter in Encino
Between busy schedules, childcare, and the tasks of daily life, I know engaging with your elected officials at City Hall is not always easy or possible. With that in mind, my team and I have been reaching out to constituents across the district to bring City Hall to *you*. Over the past few weeks, we’ve hosted several backyard (and living room!) chats where I’ve had the opportunity to meet many new faces and hear about the issues that are most important in your neighborhoods.
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At the home of Liza Bercovici & David Axlerad in Studio City
These events have also provided an opportunity for me to share in greater detail about the work I’m doing in City Hall — particularly around improving data collection for our homelessness response system through the Homeless Oversight Bureau and ensuring that every dollar we invest is as impactful as possible. Additionally, as I spoke about in our last newsletter, I have been pushing the City to create a single, citywide unarmed crisis response system to respond to non-violent, non-emergency situations — an effective and proven solution for filling in gaps in our public safety system and keeping Angelenos safer. And last, but not least, I’ve shared the legislative interventions I’ve been working on to spur the production of much-needed housing, including establishing a self-certification program to speed up permitting. Too often the big procedural hurdles to building stem from excessive red tape, and I believe that we have to make it easier for the City to get out of its own way.
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With the Temple Beth Hillel Community
Connecting with residents who don’t always feel they have a voice at City Hall has been my goal since I took office. I’d like to thank Josh Sautter, Liza Bercovici & David Axlerad, and Rabbi Sarah Hronsky for opening up your homes and Temple, and inviting your community to meet with me. If you’re interested in hosting a backyard chat in your neighborhood, reach out to our office at contactcd4@lacity.org!
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CELEBRATING LATINO HERITAGE MONTH AT OUR FALL CONCERT IN THE PARK
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Hosting free concerts at the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park has quickly become one of my favorite CD4 traditions. For three years running, we’ve partnered with the Valley Cultural Foundation to bring live music to the community, kicking off our latest season earlier this month with local act, Adelaide Pilar. In celebration of Latino Heritage Month, Adeleide and her band – dubbed the “Latino Consulate” for their wide representation of Latino heritage – performed Latin top 40 hits and had the crowd on their feet!
Hosting regular events here has been such an exciting way to bring the community together, offering an opportunity to listen to music, dance, be in nature, and meet new people – all for free!
If you missed this one, don’t worry, we’ll be back on Sunday, October 27th from 3 – 6PM with a tribute to Taylor Swift! Bring your friends, neighbors, and a picnic blanket to sit on — this event is free and open to all! For more information and to RSVP, click HERE.
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STEPPING INTO THE ROLE OF PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY AT CHANDLER ELEMENTARY
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Every year, LAUSD offers the opportunity for elected officials to take on the role of Principal for a day at an elementary school in the district. This year, I spent the morning at Chandler Elementary in Sherman Oaks, shadowing Principal Skoll and witnessing just how thoughtful he is when it comes to creating a supportive learning environment.
We spent the morning preparing for a school site council meeting, visiting a classroom for students with special needs, and learning about words that start with the letter “T” in a TK classroom. All in all, it was an insightful look at the incredible range of responsibilities our educators take on each day to support their students. From principals to teachers, our school staff have so much to juggle and I am grateful for the care and heart they bring to fostering our next generation. Thank you Principal Skoll, for allowing me to “take over” duties for a day, and everyone at Chandler Elementary and LAUSD for your tireless work day in and day out.
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‘WICKED’ MOVIE NIGHT IN RESEDA | OCT 25
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It’s going to be a WICKED night in Reseda! Join us on Saturday, October 25 at 3PM for a Halloween-themed movie night featuring Wicked. As always, this event is FREE and open to the public!
DATE: Saturday, October 25
EVENT TIME: 3PM
MOVIE TIME: 6PM
LOCATION: Reseda Park, 18411 Victory Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335
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FALL CONCERT IN THE PARK | OCT 26 | MORE INFO
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Join us this weekend for our next FREE Concert in the Park!
We’re following up our joyous first show, with fan-favorite Taylor Swift tribute band, New Romantics! Join us *this* Sunday, October 26 from 3 – 6PM at Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park.
Bring your friends, neighbors, and dancing shoes – these events are free and open to all! For more information and to RSVP, click HERE.
Taylor Swift Tribute Band: New Romantics
DATE: Sunday, October 26
TIME: 3PM – 6PM
LOCATION: Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Park, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
RSVP HERE
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‘REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE’ AT THE GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY | OCT 27 & NOV 3 | MORE INFO
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This year not only marks the 90th anniversary of the Griffith Observatory, it is also the 70th anniversary of the theatrical release of Rebel Without a Cause. One of the most iconic films ever filmed in Griffith Park, Rebel Without a Cause launched the career of legendary Hollywood star, James Dean. To celebrate this milestone, the Griffith Observatory invites you to attend a special presentation of the film in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater. Plus enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the Observatory!
DATE: Monday, October 27 & Monday, Nov 3
TIME: 6PM – 10PM
LOCATION: Griffith Observatory
TICKETS: $45 Member Admission/$50 General Admission
Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets!
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Are you a small business impacted by recent federal immigration enforcement activity? If so, you may qualify for $5k in financial assistance through DEO’s Small Business Resiliency Fund.
The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity has launched the Small Business Resiliency Fund, providing up to $5,000 in direct cash assistance to eligible small businesses in LA County experiencing financial hardship due to immigration enforcement activity beginning June 6, 2025.
Click HERE for more information and to apply! Applications are open now through Friday, October 31 at 5PM.
*Multilingual application support is available to ensure all eligible applicants can access the program.
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LA CITY PARK NEEDS ASSESSMENT PUBLIC COMMENT | MORE INFO
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The City of Los Angeles is entering the third phase of The Park Needs Assessment and wants to hear from you! This Assessment will be a roadmap to just and fair capital investment in parks and recreation and equitable connections to quality parks and recreation, to meet current and future needs of residents!
The Draft Park Needs Assessment (PNA) was released this month and the Department of Recreation & Parks (RAP) wants to hear from you! Your feedback will directly inform how LA addresses park needs, today and in the future.
To provide public comment, click on the “Submit a Comment on the PNA” at the bottom right of the Park Needs Assessment page. While all of the draft PNA content is on this website, if you would prefer to comment on a PDF instead, click here.
For more information, visit the Park Needs Assessment website, download the presentation slides, or watch a virtual meeting recording.
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Our Office:
Services + Resources
- Food Pantry Locator — Get connected to food resources near you.
- StayHoused LA — Workshops and resources to help renters stay in their homes.
- MyLA311 — Submit a request for services including graffiti removal, pothole repair, and bulky-item pickup.
- LA-HOP Homeless Outreach Portal — Assist or self-input an outreach request from the LA Homeless Services Authority to unhoused residents.
- LA City Sanitation — Submit a service request for metal/household appliance disposal.
- MyChildCarePlan — Free resource website for childcare providers and families listing every licensed provider in California.
- Adopt or Foster a Shelter Pet — Find pets for adoption and a list of local shelters.
- Gas Assistance Fund – The Gas Assistance Fund (GAF) offers a one-time grant to help customers pay their natural gas bills.
- Ready Your LA Business Workbook — City of LA’s FREE workbook to help business owners prepare their business for any emergency. Available in English and Spanish.
Alerts
- NotifyLA — Sign up to receive urgent notifications about local emergencies by phone, email, and/or text message.
- LAFD Alerts — Sign up for alerts on fires and evacuations in your area.
- LADWP Outage Info — Sign up for outage alerts in your area.
- StreetsLA Street Sweeping — Register for notifications about sweeping in your neighborhoods.
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