TERA

-- e.letter --

October 17, 2002

"Thanks for the TERA weekly update. I am continually amazed by the level of professionalism and technical detail your group is able to provide to your ever-increasing constituency. What an asset to a community buried in the LA bureaucratic shuffle. I've only seen such vigor and intelligence in Larchmont and Brentwood in LA, and even they don't compare. Keep up the fine work -- while frustrating -- very rewarding for the betterment of the community."

-- Tom Eidem, noted economic development advisor, San Clemente

In this issue:

1. SECOND MEETING ON SPECIFIC PLAN -- OCTOBER 17

2. ALL STAR LANES -- SAVE THE ALLEY RALLY AND PUBLIC HEARING -- OCTOBER 21

3. ER VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S POTLUCK/GAMBLE HOUSE EVENING -- OCTOBER 22

4. WHO IS YOUR LOCAL HERO? -- NOMINATE HER OR HIM -- DEADLINE OCTOBER 18

5. COMMUNITY DIALOGUE: "PARENTING, YOUTH AND FAMILIES" -- OCTOBER 19

6. NORTHEAST LA'S COMMUNITY LINKAGES MASTER PLAN MEETING -- OCTOBER 26

7. ASSEMBLY MEMBER LIU'S 2ND ANNUAL CANCER AWARENESS LUNCHEON -- OCTOBER 31

8. KITTY ADOPTIONS! -- NOVEMBER 2

9. HERIBERTO JUAREZ EXHIBITS AT TOWNSEND THREE GALLERY -- NOVEMBER 9

10. FREE RESUME WORKSHOP -- NOVEMBER 16

11. LETTERS AND E.MAILS

12. QUOTE OF THE WEEK

1. SECOND MEETING ON SPECIFIC PLAN -- OCTOBER 17

First of all, we have to apologize for (mis)leading all of you into thinking a real discussion was going to come out of the previous meeting. We were under the distinct impression that it would. It seems that for the Council member to just read through the Specific Plan to listeners with little or no discussion on how the Plan can be improved is not the best use of everyone's valuable time. After all, the Plan can be accessed from the Planning Department's Web site for everyone with Internet access to read at http://www.lacity.org/pln/general_plan.htm (click on "Specific Plans" and then choose "Colorado Boulevard"), and hard copies of the Plan should be available through our local field office.

In any event, the second half of the Plan will be presented on Thursday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the Eagle Rock City Hall.

2. ALL STAR LANES -- SAVE THE ALLEY RALLY AND PUBLIC HEARING -- OCTOBER 21

The following was submitted by Eagle Rocker Manuel Montano:

Hello Northeast Los Angeles Citizens,

As you may know, our beloved, historic and last bowling alley in Northeast Los Angeles, All Star Lanes in Eagle Rock, which opened to the public in 1960, when former President John F. Kennedy began his term in office, is in danger of being demolished.

A current proposal calls for the removal of All Star Lanes and the construction of a three-story Extra Space Storage facility. Clearly this a bad thing overall for Northeast Los Angeles and represents misguided and undesirable land use. We do not need another public storage nuisance in our neighborhoods.

Presently there are 37 self-storage facilities within a five mile radius of All Star Lanes. In sharp contrast, there are only 22 public libraries within the same five mile radius.

We must organize and unite friends, neighbors and families and concerned citizens now to stop this travesty from moving forward. Attached is a PETITION and the SAVE THE ALLEY RALLY FLYER currently being distributed. As a concerned citizen of Northeast Los Angeles please feel free to print and copy the petition and flyer and distribute to your friends, neighbors, families and co-workers. Signed petitions can simply be dropped off with any employee directly at All Star Lanes at 4459 Eagle Rock Blvd, 323/254-2579.

In addition, please attend the SAVE THE ALLEY RALLY on Monday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m. at All Star Lanes. As a group, we will travel together to City Hall for the Zoning Administration public hearing. Free transportation will be provided.

You can also send letters and/or e-mails in opposition to this development prior to the 10/21 hearing to:

Victor Vallejo
Department of Planning
Los Angeles City Hall
200 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
vvallejo@planning.lacity.org
Case No.: ZA 2002-35769(CU)(ZAA)

You must include the case number on all communications. The public hearing will take place on:

Date:           Monday, October 21
Time:          1:00 p.m.
Place:         Los Angeles City Hall, Room 1020

Let's unite and work together to stop another self-storage facility from entering our neighborhood. You have the right and power to stop this. Act now:

1. Print the attached petition and flyer
2. Make copies of the petition and flyer and distribute to your friends, neighbors and families
3. Have friends and family sign the petition(s)
4. Drop off signed petitions with any employee at All Star Lanes
5. Spread the word... spread the word... spread the word... spread the word
6. Attend the SAVE THE ALLEY RALLY on 10/21 at 10:00 am at All Star Lanes
7. Attend the City of Los Angeles public hearing and speak-up on 10/21 at 1:00 p.m. in room 1020

Working together as a community we will win this fight and stop this development. We must save All Star Lanes. For more information contact Manuel Montano at 323/255-8676 or via e-mail at montanoman@aol.com.

Thank you.

3. ER VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S POTLUCK/GAMBLE HOUSE EVENING -- OCTOBER 22

You are cordially invited to attend the ERVHS Harvest Potluck to be held on Tuesday, October 22, at the Eagle Rock Community Cultural Center, 2225 Colorado Blvd. The Potluck begins at 6:30pm -- please bring a main dish, salad or dessert that will serve eight, and enjoy dinner with friends and neighbors.

At 7:30pm, Saverio Bono of Pasadena's Gamble House will present a 40-minute program "The Ultimate Bungalow," on the famous Greene and Greene 1908 house. Mr. Bono has completed an exhaustive 18-week Gamble House training program, and been active as a docent there since 1992.

This promises to be an extremely fun and fact-filled evening. Please come! If further information is needed, call Pat at (323) 256-4258.

The ERVHS welcomes new members to its Society, which meets at the Cultural Center on the third Tuesday of the months of October, January, April and July at 7:30pm.

4. WHO IS YOUR LOCAL HERO? NOMINATE HER OR HIM -- DEADLINE OCTOBER 18

LA County Human Relations Commission and LA City Library Dept sponsor --

The Power of One. People who make a difference. 300 words to describe a person's story and why they make a difference. Winners get honored at a special event in November and their stories get displayed at LA libraries next spring.

Deadline: Oct. 18, 2002. http://www.facinghistory.org for examples of entries. For more information, call 626 744-1177.

5. COMMUNITY DIALOGUE: "PARENTING, YOUTH AND FAMILIES" -- OCTOBER 19

United Communities to Stop Violence presents "Parenting, Youth and Families; raising a community" ... the second in a series of community dialogues.

Saturday, October 19th, 10 am (registration starts at 9 am)

The venue will again be Bravo High School, adjacent to County USC Medical Center

The first event, on June 1st, was a community dialogue on "Gangs and Drugs; understanding the issues" and resulted in a number of "action items" ... ideas, concerns and issues ... many of them involving youth and families.

The topic of this second event, "Parenting, Youth and Families; raising a community," came directly out of the action items from June 1st.

It's all FREE:
Free breakfast
Free lunch
Free childcare

Here's a complete description:

United Communities to Stop Violence

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Parenting, Youth and Families;
raising a community"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WE INVITE YOU TO A DAY OF DIALOGUE

Issues OF the community - Solutions BY the community

A free community event ä the second in a series of dialogues

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bravo High School

1200 N. Cornwell Street

(at County / USC Medical Center)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday, October 19th - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

(registration from 9:00 am - 10:00 am)

Provisions for our Spanish speaking residents

Free breakfast
Free lunch
Free childcare

Bus service to and from the school from several local neighborhoods - Delores Mission, Estrada Courts, and the Senior Centers of Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights and El Sereno - departing at 8:30 am

Discuss your concerns and share your solutions !!! In a spirit of partnership we can reduce crime and improve the quality of life.

For more information call: (213) 978-1667, or (323) 224-3168 (9am - 5pm)

For even more details please go to: http://www.LACP.org article: Raising A Community

6. NORTHEAST LA'S COMMUNITY LINKAGES MASTER PLAN MEETING -- OCTOBER 26

Councilman Ed Reyes invites Northeast Los Angeles stakeholders to the First Community Workshop on Northeast Los Angeles' Community Linkages Master Plan Study for our Phase 3A Segment - Marmion Way between Avenue 50 and Figueroa/Pasadena Avenue Intersection.

When: Saturday, October 26, 2002, 10 am to 1 p.m.

Where: Gold Line's Northeast Community Center, French Avenue and Pasadena Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Community input is wanted and needed in this planning process. Thank you and see you on the 26th at the Northeast Community Center (across from French Avenue Station site).

Sharon M.Y. Lowe
Office of Councilmember Ed Reyes, Council District 1
Environmental Justice Deputy
213-473-5890
213-485-8907 [Fax]
slowe@council.lacity.org

7. ASSEMBLY MEMBER LIU'S 2ND ANNUAL CANCER AWARENESS LUNCHEON -- OCTOBER 31

Assembly member Carol Liu's Second Annual Cancer Awareness Luncheon Oct. 31st/ 11:30-2:00pm/ Luncheon is Free/ @ the the Pasadena Hilton,168 South Los Robles, Pasadena. For reservations to attend & info. contact Lena Kennedy @ Assembly member Liu's office 626/577-9944 or emaillena.kennedy@asm.ca.gov

The purpose of the luncheon is to discuss the prevention, detection, and cure of gender-related cancers. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and Wells Fargo, there will be local health organizations and clinics to assist women with information. The Assembly member especially encourages women of color to attend the luncheon as they are often in most need of information.

Women in Design is also providing art pieces from its current exhibit "Women's Work" at the E.R. Community Cultural Center and Gallery Ophelia during the month of October. These works are related to cancer and women's health issues and some artists are cancer survivors.

8. KITTY ADOPTIONS! -- NOVEMBER 2

Saturday, November 2
11a.m.-4:30p.m.
Angel Puss Rescue
1578 Colorado Boulevard #6
Eagle Rock
One block west of Trader Joe's
626-442-4477

9. HERIBERTO JUAREZ EXHIBITS AT TOWNSEND THREE GALLERY -- NOVEMBER 9

Eagle Rock CA --Townsend Gallery specializing in fine art from Latin America, will open its 4th consecutive exhibition with internationally acclaimed sculptor and artist, Heriberto Juarez, on Saturday, November 9th. On view through January 26, the exhibition presents a series of 25 works on paper, paintings, and sculptures that profile Juarez' love for the spectacle of the bullfight. The Gallery offers the public collectable contemporary and cultural art, ethnographic antiques, distinctive jewelry and folk art. Through its collections and exhibitions, it embraces the diversity of cultural art from Africa, Afghanistan, China, Guatemala, India, Mexico, New Guinea and Peru.

Juarez began his youth as a bullfighter and since those early days has continued to be a captivated avid fan. This experience forever influenced his artistic perceptions to profile the essence of this historic game and its encounter between the animal and human. Working in various media, of gouache, ink, pastel, watercolor, bronze or marble Juarez' obsession with this subject profiles the duality of life and death, the ceremony of humor and tragedy, and the movement, energy and rhythm of the fight. Juarez wraps his leading figures in a palette of warm colors, often stoked or drawn with a gestural composition of abstraction and spontaneity. Deep rich lines of black ink or paint often outline the figures creating powerful and vital images.

The art of Juarez is rich in the tradition of Mexican cultural practices and folk tradition often distinctive of the national spirit of Mexican art. Drawing upon these Mexican roots, Juarez also infuses his paintings, drawings, and sculptures with the traditions of Picasso, Chagall, Henry Moore, and Auguste Rodin. Heriberto Juórez, born in San Juan Teotihuacan, in the State of M‰xico has actively exhibited his art in solo and group exhibitions internationally since the 1960s. Juarez lived in Paris in 1964 and New York in 1966, and then returned full time to Mexico. Most recently, Juórez was honored with a permanent installation of his large-scale sculptures of animals on the campus of the University of the Americas, Puebla, M‰xico, curated and dedicated by Paul Rich of the Hoover Institution, Stanford, California. Both Juórez and Rich are awarded members of the Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts in London. His most important exhibition was a solo retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art, Mexico City in 1988, and his art is included in significant private and public collections world-wide.

Townsend Three Gallery is located at 1581 West Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock, at the corner of Townsend Avenue. Call (323) 478-9485 or e.mail townsend3gallery@hotmail.com for more information.

10. FREE RESUME WORKSHOP -- NOVEMBER 16

The Computer Technology and Education Center (CTEC) located at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens will be holding a FREE one-day Resume Workshop. November 16, 2002 9am-4pm. For more information contact Melanie Guerrero at (323) 233-0604 x29. This is a good class if you are looking for a job and need help with creating or formatting a resume the way most employers like to see them. Thank You -- Melanie Guerrero

11. LETTERS AND E.MAILS

"Very nice. Good to get the update on Eagle Rock and know that there are group of creative, energetic people who are taking action on the encroaching blight. I hope to write some letters to key people, since I live too far away to attend the meetings. I feel very passionate about upgrading the area. It has been in a decline for years, since I bought my house there in 1978. Keep up the good work.

-- Nancy Shannon-Sinclair, Eagle Rock Home owner, esthetic, environmentalist and concerned citizen

"October 10, 2002

Eagle Rock Boulevard Sentinel
P.O. box 41726
Eagle Rock, CA 90041
editor@boulevardsentinel.com

Re: Can We All Get Along?
Arroyo Seco Council Certified Despite Overwhelming Opposition

http://www.boulevardsentinel.com/10-2002a.htm <http://www.boulevardsentinel.com/10-2002a.htm>

Dear Mr. Topping:

Please note that the article on the ASNC Certification contains several errors. I have listed the errors below:

1. The title of the article refers to ASNC opposition as overwhelming. Apparently, the opposition was not overwhelming, or it would have overwhelmed the ASNC and stopped certification. Perhaps the lazy author, who wisely did not reveal a name, meant abundant opposition. If the incorrect usage of language were not part of the title, I would not criticize it; I do not normally stoop to arguing semantics. But since the title is all that many people read, such improper language usage here creates an erroneous impression in people's minds, and is sloppy journalism.

2. You stated, "Luis Quiarte (sic - properly spelled Louis Quirarte) and Jim Thompson, had prepared everything they wished to say in advance and completely ignored the request to tell about what the ASNC had done since the first hearing." This is incendiary and untrue. A large part of what ASNC leaders had been doing since the last meeting involved retaining the Mt. Washington community as ASNC members, and that was a large part of what Jim and Louis discussed. This can be confirmed by BONC's invitation to Mt. Washington representatives to make a formal presentation at the hearing.

3. The organization opposed to SRF expansion is called CANDER, not CANDOR. It is an acronym for Conditional Use Permit of 3880 San Rafael Ave. (Owner: Self-Realization Fellowship Church), Analysis, Negotiation, Dissemination, Enforcement and Roundtable. Check their website, http://www.savemountwashington.org. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.

4. Rodney King's question was erroneously reported as 'Can we all get along?' He actually said, 'Can't we all just get along?' When you use quotes, get it right. If you want to paraphrase, that's fine, but don't use quotes.

5. ASNC President Jim Thompson was called Bill Thompson in the paragraph beginning 'The commission asked the ASNC representatives . . .' Obviously a stupid mistake. Didn't anybody edit this piece?

I would like to further note that such petty comments as 'Then, there was a lot of fumbling around with paperwork, maps and a display stand that didn't want to stay up,' were mean-spirited and unnecessary. Can anybody out there say they have never had an uncooperative prop? Hard-working, effective ASNC supporters may now be less inclined to assist arrogant, spiteful, sloppy Eagle Rock in any of their numerous development and revitalization battles. And in a developing North East community where we all need all the help we can get, that's a real shame. Sincerely --"

-- Donnette Thayer, Montecito Heights Improvement Association

"I don't know, maybe we should throw up a lot of buildings now that we no longer have all that floating 'storage' off Long Beach. Here is another point of view from another side of the tracks and around a corner from Glassell Park:

Regarding the points against the proposed McDonald's: I agree that there are enough fast food restaurants in the area already, and the wastefulness of over-packaging is appalling, but these businesses provide many first-time jobs in a well-regulated atmosphere. As well, it is specious and harmful to your argument to blame the business for litter rather than the people who frequent it. When I see my 'neighbors' (Figueroa, south of Highland Park) seemingly deliberately, possibly purposefully, cast unwanted items to the ground, or tuck a dirty paper diaper under their car in the grocery store parking lot when there is a trash can not fifty feet away, I think, maybe I don't want those people here!

Now, if you're saying that your constituents are giving the wrong kind of s**t about how they feel about their community, then just say so!

In my neighborhood, since I moved here a little less than twenty years ago, we've had a Jack-in-the-Box, Burger King, and probably that McDonald's come in. I'll admit that that is not experiencing the 'glut' of ticky-tack development that you fear in Eagle Rock, but seeing those solid businesses built really lifted my spirits. Whether or not a community can support so many purveyors of something we all know we shouldn't have anyway, these stores keep their surrounds clean and orderly. The stretches of Figueroa on either side on Nightingale Middle School with the exception of some fast-food oases, are and have always been, in my time here, shabby, dirty and depressing with a sticky grime that couldn't be burned off in a nuclear blast. I'd probably swoon if Walgreen's wanted to put a store around here (not that we need it) just for the lovely swath of asphalt that would be kept swept up.

The Gold Line construction has provided a ray of hope. I savor each new development in anticipation of the line finally opening. Sound your horn, (San) Gabriel (Valley bound)! However, at a recent open house, landscape plans were displayed featuring native trees, shrubs and thorny, low-lying trash catchers. The "fancy" elevations made me laugh. Someone got paid to place and trace in those little trees? Did they come over here and take a look around? Didn't they have any templates for old sofas, tires and shopping carts? Still, when one gets out of the car, next to the French Street station, and can raise their eyes above the roof lines, the mountains on one end of the arroyo and downtown vista on the other side are inspiring.

No doubt many have considered that there might be business potential here. As long as we are tolerant and allow those who spoil our environment to remain comfortable, it will take a long time to realize. All I am saying is: If you want to see how things could be worse, come around here!"

-- Julie Wiant, Mt. Washington resident

"Hello TERA -- We are a fairly new community group called FRIENDS OF ATWATER VILLAGE (FAV) and we've started an e.newsletter modeled after your fabulous e.newsletter. We forward yours out to our list and wondered if TERA would be interested in doing the same. It seems that we are facing some the same issues in our neighborhood such as fighting inappropriate developments and losing historic surroundings that are replaced with things that are of the generic strip mall mentality. We must stand united in preserving what's left. FAV is envious of all the park, cultural and community centers that Eagle Rockers have, and we aspire to possibly get a community center for our little village. FAV looks forward to communicating with our northeast neighbors so we can become aware and send out action alerts and be cohesive in our efforts to protect our communities. Thanks, and Ciao --"

-- Netty Carr, Atwater Village resident and TERA e.letter reader at friendsofatwater@worldnet.att.net

"I was at the meeting the other week and have been a member of the GPIA and lived in the area for 11 years. I have been sickened by the way our mutual communities have been pushed further and further into the industrial limbo that some business will bring if permitted.

I truly appreciate organizations like TERA and hope that you vote to oppose this public storage type development where the bowling alley is today [we did vote to oppose it].

I am an American who believes that the owner should be allowed to sell but I also believe that we, as the people who live nearby, should have some say in what should take its place. I would rather have coffee houses and tactful thrift shops than have another empty industrial type building. We in Glassell Park were blind sided by the eye-sore on Verdugo and Eagle Rock and now it is there to stay. I hope that this never happens again.

I would plead with you to oppose the new proposal and not let them build that on Eagle Rock Blvd. or anywhere else near by.

I have a hope that both our towns can grow into a nice family type place where we can walk the street and enjoy our communities.

I lived in Pasadena in the late eighties. I saw the town planners take a nasty, run down part of town and turn it into a beautiful place that is pro-business and pro-neighborhood. Now Old Town Pasadena is one of the premiere spots to enjoy in all of Southern California.

I hope that we can do the same with our area and see no reason why not -- except that the City can't seem to adopt the same vision as we who live here have.

Please know that everyone I know in Glassell Park hopes that you stop this exploitation of our communities and deny them the required permit. Please send them on their way and keep them out of our towns.

I would also request that you please let me know the outcome when there is one. Sincerely and with best regard --"

-- Robert Boothby, Glassell Park resident

"You are really fighting the good fight, but since I don't live in Eagle Rock, it would be better if you took me off the emailing list. Keep it up -- you are doing a great job and I like your 'contact sport' slogan. So true."

-- Roberta Actor-Thomas

"Hello. Please include me on your e.mail list for TERA. Someone forwarded to me a recent e.mail that you had sent out. I didn't realize so many things were going on around here. Thank you."

-- Philip Eng, Eagle Rock resident

12. QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Smart growth advocates a density of use. Historic residential and commercial neighborhoods are built to be dense."

-- Donovan Rypkema

We welcome your comments. Please include your name.

Joanne Turner <artburn@earthlink.net>
President, The Eagle Rock Association (TERA)