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Sun Valley High’s Cyberpatriots

Exploring Our Youth’s Extracurricular Activities

If you’re a Sun Valley Jose Mier reader you know that we touch on a variety of subjects from cooking the politics to freeway construction on any given day our writers need choose one of thousands of subjects that are of interest to or impact residents of Sun Valley California. We haven’t touched on education for some time and so, I’m taking a look at our educational institutions, we looked over at the Sun Valley high school website.

Now, any student or parent Will tell you that the sun Valley high school teams are the Wildcats. High school sports are always popular and many of our students engage In sporting activities. But if you look a little deeper at the Sun Valley high school website you’ll find some of the extracurricular activities that students engage in. Please include groups like the debate club for leadership, but there’s one Group stands out because it’s quite different from the rest. That’s the AFA CyberPatriots. Unless you’re a member of this group you might not have heard of it before. We certainly did not prompted us to do Little more research. The AFA stands for the Air Force association in Cyber patriots are those who choose to learn and apply methods and techniques of cyber security. It used to be enough just to learn how to use a computer, especially when they were becoming popular in the late 70s or early 80s. Now with the advent of the Internet the myriad activities take place online it’s vital that we as a nation address cyber security.

Cyberpatriot website screenshot from Sun Valley Jose Mier
Cyberpatriot website screenshot from Sun Valley Jose Mier

The cyber patriot website gives its own definition of just what the cyber patriot is:

What Is CyberPatriot?

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air & Space Forces Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation’s largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks. Other programs include AFA CyberCamps, an elementary school cyber education initiative, a children’s literature series, CyberGenerations –a senior citizen cyber safety initiative, and a Tech Caregivers program designed to encourage cyber-savvy volunteers to give back to their communities.

Given that our country as vulnerable to cyber attack, the results of which could be devastating can result in the shutdown of just about everything we rely on from electricity to fuel to Food, having the team of cyber security experts it’s Not just a good idea it’s vital. That’s why we here at Sun Valley Jose Mier appluad the students in our own community are taking it upon themselves to learn how to address cyber security and take it with them into college and their careers beyond. We think this is an excellent extracurricular program and are extremely proud that our old high school in our community is part of this effort to electronically protect our country.

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Sun Valley Neighborhood Council

LA City Hall - Seat of City Council

Power to L.A.’s Districts

Readers of sun Valley Jose Mier’s blog know that we are dedicated to promoting this unique area within the city of Los Angeles. Even though we feel that we stand out among our San Fernando Valley neighbors, even some in this part of greater Los Angeles don’t know that we exist. That’s not the case with Los Angeles City government. Of course they know about us since they are in the business of governing sun Valley along with the rest of Los Angeles California.

LA City Hall - Seat of City Council
LA City Hall – Where Sun Valley is Represented via Neighborhood Council

The city of Los Angeles is broken up into several districts in each of these falls under the oversight one Of the city council members. However for an even more granular look at local government there are several neighborhood councils set up throughout the San Fernando Valley. The Sun Valley neighborhood Council is one of these.

Neighborhood Council such as ours meet on a monthly basis and discuss things of interest an important issues affecting our specific region. Results of these deliberations are then taken to the City Council itself and used in addressing problem specific to one geographic area or another. One case in point would how badly Sun Valley was affected by floodwaters in years past. Due to input from the neighborhood Council as well as citizens of Sun Valley this problem which affected neighborhoods within Sun Valley as well as five freeway was addressed and pretty much eradicated with the construction of underground flood water storage tanks and better drainage within Sun Valley. As an aside the excess water that we collect during the rainy season and which is now stored under some of our sun valley playgrounds and parks can be used for irrigation. This is a welcome change especially during our current drought crisis.

That is but one example of citizens and in government working in tandem to better the lives of residents of our community. Part of the success is due to neighborhood councils such as the Sun Valley neighborhood Council. For more details on this and other neighborhood councils visit SNANC.com.

This council meets every second Tuesday at the Villa Scalabrini retirement Center on Vinedale Street here in Sun Valley. Those wishing to provide input to the council can do so in person or by correspondence. The members of the council and their email addresses are listed on the website as well as the physical mailing addresses. Even though we are technically a part of the city of Los Angeles, having our own area neighborhood Council means that we have a certain degree of autonomy and say so on things that concern our specific area. We at Sun Valley Jose Mier encourage all residents of Sun Valley to Take an active part in the government of our community the Check out the Sun Valley area neighborhood council website.

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Freeway Construction in Sun Valley

Why Does It Look So Bad?

If you drive to Sun Valley Jose Mier, odds are you’re going to be taking the five freeway, most likely north from Glendale through Burbank. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last 10 years or if you’re new visitor to the area you know that the stretch of freeway construction for quite some time.

Sun Valley CA Freeway Interchange Jose Mier
Sun Valley CA Freeway Interchange

We’ve seen the freeway ripped up and repaved as well as the Entire Burbank Blvd., Bridge destroyed and rebuilt. New on ramps and off ramps have been constructed and a high occupancy vehicle Lane has been added. What was the reason for all this new construction? Part of it was the traditional back that occurred at the Olive Avenue offramp. This was a daily nightmare for anybody coming out of downtown Los Angeles and returning to their homes via the Interstate five north. Since most of the freeway construction has been completed, we can attest that in some part it bottleneck that occurred Olive Avenue.

The whitening and repaving of the Burbank Blvd., Bridge is also a welcome treat. Construction of The bridge actually went quicker than we expected. But on the whole, when looking at this whole new construction we have to ask, why doesn’t it look better? One of the staffers at Sun Valley Jose Mier recently took a trip to Denver Colorado an had to drive from the airport to one of the suburbs. According to our Staffer the freeways around Denver look brand-new. It looks like the asphalt was just laid down the day before. Why is it that our spanking new five freeway the Sun Valley area looks almost as bad as it did before construction began?

True, we don’t have to deal with the shattering potholes that were part of this stretch of freeway but the concrete that was used appears dingy dirty and scarred with tire marks. On top of that, depending on the time of day, it may be nearly impossible to see the lines separating the lanes of traffic. This is most notable when traveling southbound approaching the Alameda Avenue exit. For a new freeway to have invisible lines is an invitation to one traffic accident after another. It astounds us that a brand-new freeway doesn’t even have visible lane separation. Traffic may move more quickly but what’s the point if you can’t see what lane you’re in?

The Caltrans website the deals with this area of construction continually post updates and let’s southern California residents no what phase of construction work currently in, whether they’ll be the freeway shut down or detours or anything of that nature. However taking a look at their website there’s no mention of ameliorating these hazards that now appear on our roadways. We can only wonder how many millions of dollars had to the renovation of our freeway here in Sun Valley and why a little extra was not spent on a safety measure like clearly visible lanes. Drivers and up following the grooves in the concrete roadway which Interstate five drivers know, do not line the lanes. This causes cars to swerve in and out of Lane because I thought they were following correct line.

It would be ideal if Caltrans were to address this problem. That should be first and foremost. After that— And we know we’re dreaming—would be great to Hose down and scrub the entire freeway from Glendale to Sun Valley to make it actually look new, instead of the scuffed and used freeway we see now.

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Northern Neighbors: Sunland Tujunga

Sunland-Tujunga Information Website image

Sun Valley Jose Mier Explores

As you know Sun Valley Jose Mier is the number one proponent of life here in Sun Valley, California. The wealth of opportunities, landscapes and things like access to transportation make us unique among San Fernando Valley cities. We’ve talked about different neighborhoods within Sun Valley such as Stonehurst, which is a rural part of our community and we encompass part of the Verdugo foothills. Unfortunately, the availability housing is not unlimited and those looking for a more rural way of life—if they can’t find here—can find it very close by in the community of Sunland-Tujunga.

Sunland-Tujunga Information Website image
Sunland-Tujunga Information Website image

Now Sunland Tujunga is just a few minutes jaunt from Sun Valley but it has more rural aspects to it. For those looking for horse property in particular this might be a good option. The beauty of this area is that it borders the Angeles national Forest so it’s close to civilization on the one hand, but on the other your have access to a Forest close by.

What is living in Sunland Tujunga like? For one thing it’s a bit more expensive our Sun Valley community with studio apartments going for a round $900 per month. Those looking for two or three bedroom apartments should be prepared to spend between $2100 and $2800. Median home prices are also a bit pricier than Sun Valley with the three bedroom home averaging just under $500,000 and four bedroom homes going for about $620,000.

Those who live here need to be on the rugged individualist side of things since public transportation it’s not the greatest. Compare that to Sun Valley with our proximity to the Burbank airport, to train stations at the regional transport center in nearby Burbank as well as easy access to freeways and we beat our neighbors to the north hands-down. But as we said people that want to live in this area are most likely looking for more peace and quiet as opposed to the hustle and bustle of an urban metropolis.

The Closeness of The Angeles national Forest also means that our Sunland neighbors get to deal with critters that we in Sun Valley do not see, such as black bears. One of these was spotted in assignment home only a few weeks ago. Such is the situation when you live close to nature.

On the positive side, someone posts 12 schools, 19 grocery stores or markets, 72 restaurants four banks. Also level of crime is lower in this area compared to other regions of the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles in general.

As we said earlier, sun Valley Jose Mier is first and foremost the primary proponent of Sun Valley California, but we feel like someone qualifies as part of Sun Valley–the northernmost part. For those moving to California from other states or from other parts of our state, Sunland-Tujunga maybe just the place you’re looking for.
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Sun Valley Demographics

Sun Valley Jose Mier demographics report image

SVJM Investigates

SunValley Jose Mier Is at the forefront of promoting our community. It’s been a while since we talked about the demographics of our city, so we thought we’d take another look. This time it’s been over two years gone through a pandemic. Hopefully we’re on the other side of the Covid 19 virus, but whether or not the residents of Sun Valley continue to suffer the effects of this virus or not, it has no effect on who they are or where they’ve come from.

Sun Valley Jose Mier demographics report image
Sun Valley demographics report image

We occasionally check different sources for demographic information, but this time your humble reporters in Sun Valley José Mier found the website point2homes.com. This is yet another real estate related website providing information to people who are considering moving into one community or another. In this case is our community, sun Valley California.

What is most striking about this report is that the median age in our community is 36. That means we have a very youthful population. It makes perfect sense in that Sun Valley has a lower median housing price compared to other areas of the San Fernando Valley. That means that Young people just starting out with their first home for younger families perhaps who are earning as much as others in the Los Angeles area choose Sun Valley starting point. It’s not a bad idea since us we’ve says from time to time that Sun Valley has a lot going for it at the top of the list is the access to transportation, be it by automobile, train, airplane or bus, getting from point a to point B anywhere in the Los Angeles basin is easy with Sun Valley starting point.

The other salient factor that week took from this report is that Half of our population is Born in United States. The other half is made up of United States citizens we’re not born in this country as well as a significant percentage of noncitizens. The fact that Women are is about equally distributed in Sun Valley it’s not surprising mention it only to confirm our already held suspicions.

These are the statistics as of October 2022. The demographics for our Little community really haven’t changed that much in the last two years, despite an exodus from California that has resulted in a loss of one congressional seat for the first time in history. Regardless our community of Sun Valley continues to thrive and those of us who enjoy living in California and all the fringe benefits in California living provides do like living where we are. We can see from this demographic report that so many of our neighbors feel the same way.

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Is Sun Valley A Good Place to Live?

Sun Valley Jose Mier Verdugo Foothills

SVJM Gives Two Thumbs Up

SVJM promotes all things having to do with their community there’s a reason for that. We think the Sun Valley California can compete with any other City Community San Fernando Valley. Our purpose it Is to promote Business and commerce within the confines of our community. Part of business his customers and customers of course come from the areas closest to businesses. That means the more people in a certain area, the more potential customers a business has.

Sun Valley Jose Mier Verdugo Foothills
Verdugo Foothills overlooking Sun Valley, CA

We’ve continually sung the praises of Sun Valley, but we’re not the only ones. Others besides ourselves also want to draw attention to sun Valley that’s a good place to Live work and shop. A quick check of YouTube reveals more than one local real estate agent has produced a video showing the good points of our community. We’re going to include that on this page

. As we said before, sun Valley has a number of things to offer and wish separated from other San Fernando Valley communities. At the top of this list is the fact that the median price for housing in Sun Valley is slower than other areas. Our location, also, is unique. We have access to several Southern California freeways, two different train stations and being close to North Hollywood, it’s only a few minutes drive to the nearest metro station. For those who need to get from point a to point B the Los Angeles area, sun Valley makes it easy.

We’ve gone over different businesses, especially restaurants in the various cuisines that can be found in our city. This article is just an overview and we’re not going to go into minute detail about every single restaurant nor pick out one that stands out amongst the others in our city, but suffice it to say the high percentage of Latinos in Sun Valley means that we have some of the finest Mexican food around.

In addition to realtors that want to promote this area and who knows reviews be inclined to take with a grain of salt, you can also check out what Sun Valley residents say of themselves and their community. Website such as niche.com contains reviews of various communities and ours, Sun Valley California, gets very positive reviews. In fact most residents say that this is a great place to live. So with those two positive recommendations as well as from us, Sun Valley Jose Mier, we ask you to come visit, shop and Even live in this tremendous community we call home.
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Easy Travel With Sun Valley Jose Mier

Jet flying over Sun Valley Jose Mier

Our Airport is Better!

Sun Valley Jose Mier reports on everything that we feel is of interest to residence of our community as well as visitors. One thing we stress over and over again is the ease of navigating our Burbank airport. Compared to the monstrosity that is Los Angeles international Airport, our airport is about 99% less stressful.

Jet flying over Sun Valley Jose Mier
Jet flying over Sun Valley Jose Mier

Living in Sun Valley California we have the opportunity use are nearby Burbank airport almost exclusively. Writers this website authentic flights to the bay area over the Pacific Northwest directly from Burbank without having to spend 45 minutes for more driving to Los Angeles international and then dealing with the traffic jams around the terminals there.

A lot of business people also prefer to fly into her Bank airport Borders on the Community of Sun Valley making incredibly easy to get to. Business people can then stay in one of our sun Valley California hotels or a nearby Burbank ensure their business take them into downtown Los Angeles it’s only a short drive. Of course Southern California is known for us freeways which can become a lot like parking lots during rush hour or if there’s an accident but with no traffic and visitor to Sun Valley can make it to downtown Los Angeles in about 10 minutes.

The same is true for tourists. If you’re visiting Southern California and flying into are Sun Valley – close airport, you are also literally just minutes away from attractions like Universal Studios, Hollywood or the Griffith Observatory.

We have to note, however, that it’s usually more expensive to fly into or out of the Burbank airport compared to larger house the airports like Los Angeles international. However, the ease-of-use the Inconvenience of this airport is well worth the extra cost. Daily parking it Is cheaper in the frequent shuttles that pick people up from the parking lots arrive hey Burbank airport’s two terminals it only a few minutes. If you’re using a taxi ride sure service like Uber, pick up area is also much more convenient then the larger Los Angeles international Airport. Sound it saves you time stress and After all, that’s worth a lot.

All this is to say that for Us as residents of Sun Valley California, we’re proud of our location and all it has to offer. Near the top of the list is our beloved Burbank airport. So whether you’re visiting us the Business or pleasure take advantage of the Burbank airport. We’ll see you soon in Sun Valley.

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Weather Tracking Software

Sun Valley Jose Mier weather tracking hurricane image

Sun Valley Jose Mier Keeps Tabs on Weather

Sun Valley Jose Mier is one place you can come for information about everything going on in and around Sun Valley California. While our neighbors in Florida have just endured some catastrophic weather in the form of hurricane Ian, Southern California still in the midst of an Indian summer.

Temperatures have gone down from the triple digits a week or two ago two more comfortable temperatures. Sun Valley is now experiencing highs in the 80s And nighttime and early morning hours are actually chilly. All this brings us to subject weather forecasting. The staff here at Sun Valley José Mier our group of jacks of all trades and since we cover topics ranging from cooking to automobile insurance to travel to, yes, weather, we need to be conversant with aspects of a number of different things.

Sun Valley Jose Mier weather tracking hurricane image
Sun Valley Jose Mier weather tracking hurricane image

The average Joe, using a weather tracking website such as AccuWeather.com or weather.com or even looking at the weather app on your iPhone is sufficient. However there are some of us—and you maybe one of them too–who likes to dig a bit deeper into the weather and maybe even make some prognostications yourself. If you’re one of those who likes to track High pressure systems, low pressure systems and barometric pressure there are applications that You can use to give you even more insight into the upcoming weather for your area or any other Area you may be interested in.

Of course having one of these apps isn’t really a substitute for firm grounding in the basics of meteorology but you Can give you a leg up over other sites or apps that just give you the temperatures for the next 10 days. We here at Sun Valley José Meyer like the weather.com radar view we can view storm systems as they progress toward our area here in the Los Angeles basin. You may have another preference and that’s why we’re including this YouTube video whether tracking apps they’re available for you.

Some of these apps and websites offered or bells and whistles you have a premium subscription– That means you pay—as opposed to just the free version. If you are a weather aficionado it May be a worthwhile investment. The choice is yours.

With all that said, we still feel thankful that, and Living here in Sun Valley, we don’t have to deal with the extreme type of whether the Floridians just had to live through. Sun Valley and indeed the rest of Southern California does have its own unique problems and dangers—we’re thinking specifically of earthquakes–so we rarely have to deal with hurricane force winds or driving rain.

Sun Valley, in the not-too-distant past, was subject to its share of flooding even in Times when the rainfall is not extremely significant. But, thanks to recent innovations including underground storage tanks in the Sun Valley area much of the previous flooding has been eliminated our area.

For more on whether check out weather.com and keep logging in to Sun Valley José Mier.com for updates weather and anything else that is of interest to our residents.

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9 Ways To Jazz Up Your Sun Valley Bath

Jose Mier Sun Valley Bathroom

SVJM Makes It Easy

SVJM knows the bathroom has progressed over the past decades from a strictly helpful and functional space to one that is similar to a spa. And just because there aren’t thousands of dollars readily available for embellishing doesn’t indicate that a bath can’t be distinct, remarkable and thoroughly pleasing. Here are 9 frugal methods to spice up any restroom.

Most of us here in Sun Valley are not in the ultra rich category so trying to spice up a bath on the cheap is something we think our readers would be interested in.

Collections of economical mirrors include both light and space to any restroom. They show colors, faces and other designs and add character and interest.
2. Pictures or prints can be massed on a wall. For optimal effect hang them closely together instead of separated. Photos can be striking if they have a ‘style’, such as:

* Black and white pictures – no color
* Older shots – from the 1930s or 1940s
* The frames are all a similar color
* The images or frames have an originality in common – oval shapes, females only, animals

This embellishing strategy works best in a powder room, instead of a full restroom, since of the high moisture.

3. Crochet can make a striking accent piece for your wall. Try-before-you-buy patterns from Colonial America are rapidly available and a couple of samplers grouped on a wall develop a totally unique bathroom.

4. For color and appeal, toss a carpet on the flooring. In a drab or dull bathroom, a rag carpet or oriental carpet will add beauty and charm. Simply be certain to utilize a non-skid pad below, particularly if anyone will be getting out of a tub or shower.

5. Collections can spark interest and affection. Pottery is an uncommon accent piece for any restroom. Or you might want to try things like old atomizers (from perfume bottles), bottles, coffee cups or other pseudo antiques. One especially exciting restroom consisted of replicas of antique bottles replete with genuine stoppers fashioned from silver and made into old-timey designs.

6. In a restroom, make certain there is adequate space to display your collectibles, like a large, lipped shelf or a roomy window sill. You don’t want accidents to happen with fragile articles. Broken glass or pottery shards aren’t helpful in any space – but it’s particularly damaging in a bathroom.

7. Uncommon colors on a bathroom wall, like melon, chocolate brown or peach, will add drama. Accents like brightly colored towels in a monochromatic bathroom will supply an exceptional accent.

A piece of beaded or crown molding halfway up the wall or near the ceiling can change a room, particularly if it’s painted a cool color. Even a shelf or image rail includes interest.

8. Include living color with plants or newly cut flowers. The energy of plants is relaxing and develops a zen-like environment that is extremely favorable to relaxation and letting go of stress.

9. A piece of furniture, area allowing, can include unusual detail to any bathroom. Many Goodwill or Salvation Army shops will have a battered piece of furnishings that can be restored with sanding, paint and some unusual and sophisticated handles or knobs.

Jose Mier Sun Valley Bathroom
Jose Mier Sun Valley Bathroom

Of course, all nine of these ideas may not fit every person’s bathroom, nor do they have to. Simply pick one or a couple, as your budget allows, and begin gradually adding information. And do not forget the ‘before and after’ pictures!

And remember, sample needlework patterns from Colonial America are always handy and a simply using a couple of samplers organized on a wall produce a bath area that’s completely unique.

To reiterate, colors are, of course, the quickest, and cheapest way to alter any bathroom. Unusual colors on a bathroom wall, like green, caramel or salmon, will add a dramatic flair. Accents such as bright towels in an otherwise drab bathroom will supply an exceptional accent.

A piece of furniture, area permitting, can add unusual detail to any bathroom.

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Sun Valley Jose Mier Celebrates Cooler Temps

SoCal Heatwave is History

Sun Valley Jose Mier has its finger onf the pulse of our community and we’ve been hoping for some time for a break form the heat that’s been plaguing us. For the last two weeks at least Sun Valley and the rest of Los Angeles has had to endure triple digit temps. It’s been extremely bad given that Califorinia has been in the midst of a drought. On top of that, our stat’s electrical grid is on shaky ground and we were facing blackouts during the high temperatures. Luckily a bout of rain last week has ushered in cooler temps and it looks like the excessive heat has dissipated.

We encourage SUn Valley residents to contact their state representatives to urge them to keep existing power stations and add more, including hydroelectric power. Sun Valley is not a bastion of ultra-rich; we’re working people who can ill afford high electrical costs or the absence of power should the grid go down during another hot spell.

Jose Mier takes shelter From Sun Valley heat
Jose Mier takes shelter From Sun Valley heat

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