VOLUNTEERS, COUNCILMAN CLEAN UP PANORAMA CITY STREETS.

Byline: Rick Coca Valley News Writer

Panorama City volunteers turned out in force recently with Los Angeles City Councilman Tony Cardenas to clean up Blythe Street - a road that seldom gets good press.

Including surrounding areas, Cardenas' cleanup day was part of an ongoing program aimed at ridding San Fernando Valley streets of litter and large pieces of rubbish, such as discarded sofas. Area residents also were encouraged to telephone the city's 311 service number to ask that bulky items be picked up.

Micaela Ramirez, a Blythe Street resident and cleanup volunteer, came out with her 6-year-old daughter, Cindy Zaragoza.

``We have to show the children that they have to help clean up the neighborhood they live in,'' Ramirez said. Ramirez, who has lived in the neighborhood for 12 years, said it can still be a tough place, but is much improved from years past.

``Before it wasn't clean at all,'' Ramirez said. ``It's much better.''

Before volunteers hit the streets, they gathered outside the offices of Casa Esperanza, a Blythe Street nonprofit organization that offers a variety of services to area residents. Casa Esperanza acted as host for the event.

Cardenas addressed the crowd to thank the volunteers and city workers who showed up. He said the cleanup was just one part of a multifaceted approach needed to improve the lives of residents in the densely populated area. Cardenas was pleased to see so many people - particularly area residents - out to help in the largely immigrant Latino neighborhood.

``Teaching them how to be part of the system is going to make it a cleaner and safer community,'' Cardenas said.

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Since 2003, Councilman Cardenas' cleanup effort has resulted in the removal of 4,600 tons of bulky items and trash from Valley streets. Doing their part on Blythe Street are, from left, Casa Esperanza workers Raquel Rojas and Maria Gutierrez, and area resident Micaela Ramirez and her daughter Cindy Zaragoza.