THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION

-- Invest in Your Community --


TERA

e.letter


October 27, 2005


Learn more about us
and how we are changing our community for the better.


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Join us now!  Here's how:


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http://www.TERA90041.org/teraform.htm


Now more than ever, please support your residents association --
well over 1,000 members strong, and growing every day!

Please encourage interested friends and neighbors to send their email addresses
to us at e.letter@TERA90041.org so we can keep them informed as well.

This week:


1.  TERA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE -- MICHAEL THARP

2.  BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! -- TERA'S ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR -- NOVEMBER 6

3.  TERA'S HOME TOUR, AND EAGLE ROCK, ON TV!

4.  HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF MUSICAL BENEFIT -- OCTOBER 29

5.  SEVERAL EAGLE ROCK WOMEN HONORED

6.  EAGLE ROCK'S MORUSA RECORDS OWNER STARTS PET RADIO

7.  HOME DEPOT/SAN FERNANDO ROAD PROPOSAL UPDATE

8.  MARK YOUR CALENDARS! -- TERA'S ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR -- NOVEMBER 6

9.  LOCAL SATURDAY MORNING YOGA CLASS

10.  EDITOR'S NOTE -- JOANNE TURNER

11.  LETTERS AND E.MAILS

12.  QUOTE OF THE WEEK


1.  TERA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE -- MICHAEL THARP

For reasons unknown, last weekšs e.letter enjoyed only limited circulation, so portions of this weekšs Presidentšs Message will be familiar to some.  Somewhat like the Home Tour, this weekšs Presidentšs message is going to be more than a little bit eclectic.  A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about what might be a guyšs perspective on the Home Tour, and I picked up a little flack from some of my more artistically inclined friends about not paying proper homage to the artistic aspects of the Home Tour.  Now, I may not know a lot about art, but I know what I like and throughout my junior high school and high school career, I think I managed a C+ average in art, so Išve got some pretty heavy-duty credentials backing up my opinions and taste.  In college I discovered art history, which meant I didnšt have to create anything; I just had to remember who created what when, resulting in a much higher GPA without having to cop to the fact that I had no talent (except for a good memory).

For two weeks prior to the Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour, artists throughout Southern California are invited to paint, draw, photograph, or otherwise portray scenes indoors or outdoors in beautiful Eagle Rock.  This ainšt one of them thar snobbish, effete, exclusive opportunities for those artists who cater to people of discriminating taste.  This is an opportunity for the "everyman" (or woman) like me and my beer drinking, motorcycle riding, gear head buddies (or wife) to participate in an event with some real "culture" and to prove to my 10th grade art teacher that I really deserved a B- rather than that lousy C+, if for no other reason than I have developed a great appreciation for scenes of unsung beauty out of doors as well as indoors throughout Eagle Rock.

Take, for instance, Cruise Night at Jimšs Burgers . . . therešs some beautiful metal sculpture running around on two and four wheels that deserves to be photographed, painted, and otherwise immortalized. This would be a topic for an artist who wanted to paint or photograph life as art.  Maybe some artist could paint or photograph one of the many idiots running stop signs at a high rate of speed on Hill Drive on a Friday night after dark, or early in the morning, and manage to paint in an accurate license plate number, which could lead to their apprehension and possible incarceration, showing what a noble purpose has art in Eagle Rock.

Indoors, what could be better than a classic portrait of a connoisseur of fine wines committing one of the fine immortal Zins available at the Colorado Wine Company?  If you donšt like the painting, you can keep drinking the wine until it looks better . . . or vanishes from sight altogether.  There is also the opportunity to portray a still life of the great meals at Camilošs, Auntie Emšs or Davešs Chillinš and Grillinš and those enjoying them, but the problem for the artist is that the meals keep disappearing, leaving only happy, full patrons.  Hard to be a critical artist capturing scenes of great social relevance when your subject has that happy, sleepy grin that comes from massive gorging of delicious food.

In addition to the Scenes of Eagle Rock, there will also be "Live Art" on Sunday, November 6, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., during the Home Tour.  "Live Art" locations include the homes and gardens featured in the Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour or anywhere along the Home Tour route.  Now therešs a real opportunity for those of us C+ and worse art students to participate in creating "Live Art."  No, we may not be able to paint, or have an eye for photography, but we can pose, and pose, and pose.  After all, itšs a pretty short home tour route this year.  All that the untalented but participatorially inclined "subject" has to do is casually place him or her self in the sight line of the artist as s/he paints on "the day of."  If youšre included, why heck, man, you are ART!!!  What have you got to lose?

Finally, therešs the location of the finished artworks, which, as described in a prior e.letter, will be presented as an art exhibition at the breathlessly beautiful Carlottašs Passion Fine Art Gallery (emphasis added).  I mean what red-blooded male can resist stopping by to see a breathlessly beautiful Carlotta and experience all that passion.  So, Boys and Girls alike, drop on by 2012 Colorado Blvd. between Sunday, November 6, through Sunday, November 13, as part of your Home Tour experience and see what turns you on at Carlottašs Passion Fine Art Gallery.  

I am including the following information from Cheryl Leutjen, owner of the Blissful Soul, located at 4870 Eagle Rock Boulevard, to inform the people of Eagle Rock, not to frighten them.  It is my belief that an informed public is a stronger and safer public.  Cheryl sent out an e-mail to the loyal customers of The Blissful Soul saying that she regretted to inform them that the Blissful Soul has instituted a no-cash policy at the store, for the time being.  They will gladly accept all credit and debit cards.  

This is due to the fact that the store was robbed in Saturday afternoon, in broad daylight, when the assistant manager, Pam, was alone in the store.  To protect the safety of employees and customers, they have elected to forego any cash payments while they institute some increased security measures.  They hope that this policy will help their patrons feel safer while shopping in their store, as well.  

Cheryl wrote "someone who was recently in the store asked me, 'But what do you do when confronted with the negative energies?'  I answered glibly, without batting an eye: 'Shine a light on them.  Darkness canšt exist in the presence of light.'   I never thought it would come back to me so quickly, but I'm trying now to put my words into action.   I'm so thankful that Pam is safe, and that we have so many caring and loyal customers.  Indeed, we have so much to be grateful for, and your friendship and patronage are at the top of the list."

Cheryl has provided the robber's description for the e.letter.  She said, "He was so casual, so unhurried . . . he seemed like he lived in the area . . ..  I think there's a good chance he's still around here.  He spent so much time chatting with Pam before the robbery, and he wore no disguise, so he doesn't seem to be overly concerned about being spotted or recognized."  

He is described as in his mid thirties, brown complexion, not very tall (maybe 5'3" ­ 5'5"), and he had a tattoo on his forearm (she thinks it was the left forearm).  Pam didn't get a good sense of what was pictured in the tattoo, but it covered most of his forearm.  He carried a small black trash bag, with the top rolled up like a handle.  He was polite and talkative.  He talked to her for several minutes about soap, looking for a certain soap with rose petals and cocoa butter.  Then he said simply, "I'm sorry, Ma'am, but I need to rob you."  Just as polite and casual as he could be.  Pam said, "are you kidding?"  Then he displayed a knife, and said, "No, I'm sorry, but I need to rob you."

On the positive side, there was no real violence, he didn't get much cash and it just seems like an isolated incident.

Cheryl spoke with one of the preschool teachers at Westminster Child Center (which is just a block south of the Blissful Soul), and she said she often sees a homeless man fitting the description of the robber.  He's clean, you would not know he's homeless, she said.  Brown complexion, not very tall, and he carries a black plastic shopping bag with him.  The teacher said she has seen him hanging around the southeast corner of Addison Way and Eagle Rock Boulevard, just outside the schoolyard fence.  So it definitely sounds like this guy might still be in the area.

Cheryl, thanks for such a full and comprehensive report.  Anyone seeing a man meeting the description given above is urged to exercise caution and contact the police.  It is important that we continue to patronize our local businesses and be out and about in our community.  To give into fear and stay away is to let the bad guys win.  By going out into our local shops, restaurants and other businesses, we can make sure that there are more of us than there are of "them" and ultimately, we will win and continue to have a safe and prosperous community.

In closing, I want to express my appreciation for all of the candidates who chose to run for a position on the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council and to give my congratulations to those who were elected.  The TERA Board looks forward to working with you and all of the other groups in Eagle Rock to continue to make this one of the best places to live in all of Los Angeles.

2.  BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! -- TERA'S ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR -- NOVEMBER 6

Be sure to attend TERA's Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour on Sunday, November 6!  This year we are featuring the Mt. Royal Drive neighborhood north of Colorado.  It's less than a two weeks away and is guaranteed to be great!  Tickets are being sold at various locations around town (see below) and on our Web site at http://www.tera90041.org.  Stop in at one of the ticket locations, buy your tickets, and take a look at all their fabulous offerings while you are there.

Buy your tickets ahead of time and save on the price!

Pre-sale prices:    
   TERA member    $15.00
   Non-member      $17.00
Day-of price:           $20.00*

Tickets are sold at the following locations:

Blue Heeler Imports                  5058 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Cactus Gallery and Gifts            4534 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Colorado Wine Company          2114 Colorado Blvd.

*The starting point is the southwest corner of Hill Drive and Mt. Royal, 5277 Mt. Royal Drive.

3.  TERA'S HOME TOUR, AND EAGLE ROCK, ON TV!

TERA's Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Co-chair Joanne Turner was filmed for a spot on a cable station based in Santa Monica called City TV.  The program is called Get Out, which encourages people to "get out" of their own neighborhood and visit other neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles.  And, they chose our town.

The show wanted to showcase our Home Tour and Eagle Rock, since it is an area of LA unknown to some on the west side of town.  One of our tour homeowners was available to show his home for the camera.  We were able to talk about Eagle Rock and TERA, give contact information for the tour, and everything.  Fun!

The spot will air in our area Thursday, November 3, at 8:30 p.m. on LA36.  Even better, it will air for about seven days, every two hours, in Santa Monica.  We hope to get some of those Westsiders to visit our neighborhood!

4.  HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF MUSICAL BENEFIT -- OCTOBER 29

Saturday, October 29 @ 8:00 pm until 12:00 midnight

The Avenue 50 Art Complex
131-135 No. Avenue 50
Los Angeles, CA  90042
(323) 258-1435

Music, refreshments, face painting, art

The Arroyo Arts Collective, Avenue 50 Studio, Inc., Culture Vulture, the Mexican Cultural Institute, and Riganetti Productions are gladly coming together to present a musical benefit for the victims of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Stan.  We will feature two up and coming local bands, Timbaloo and the Nightmares, and encourage you to wear a costume and dance, dance, dance. The suggested donation is $10.00, with 100% of the proceeds at the door going to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Relief.  

"Timbaloo"- Chicano Cumbia with a side of Salsa.  The rich rhythms of this dynamic group fronted
by vocalist/songwriter Eddika Organista is sure to make even the wallflowers dance.  

Members of Phatso, The Stellas, and Highland Park's own La Flota make up "The Nightmares," which is anything but.  This eclectic, super charged configuration known for the sweet but strong vocals of Johanna Moore and Cindy Martin will make you hope you never wake up from this dream.

Sponsored by the Arroyo Arts Collective, Avenue 50 Studio, Inc., Culture Vulture, Riganetti Productions, and the Mexican Cultural Institute

Special thanks to Councilman Ed Reyes and his staff.

5.  SEVERAL EAGLE ROCK WOMEN HONORED          

SIXTH ANNUAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS -- LEGISLATORS HONOR AREA BUSINESSWOMEN
          
An orchestra conductor, two rocket scientists, preservationists and a 16-year-old designer were among the local businesswomen honored today at a luncheon given by area lawmakers to highlight women's achievements in business.

State Senator Jack Scott (D-Pasadena), Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) and Assembly member Carol Liu (D- La Canada Flintridge) were on hand to congratulate the women on their accomplishments and their contributions toward empowering women.

"For over 6 years I have been proud to sponsor the Women In Business event," stated Senator Scott.  "I am continually amazed at the dedication to community, family, and business that these extraordinary women have.  Indeed, I feel it is an honor and a privilege to represent these outstanding women from the 21st Senate District.  They have truly shown us what it is to be remarkable citizens."

"This is a great opportunity to applaud the fabulous women who have continued to keep our business community strong," Assembly member Carol Liu said. "These women are role models that we can all learn from."

Assembly Majority Leader Frommer added, "It is critical to recognize the women in our communities who have not only used their successes to give back to the community but who also work continuously to open doors for other women."

KNBC TV General Manager, Paula Madison kicked off the event with her keynote speech on making it to the top in broadcasting. The WAVE's (94.7) Keri Tombazian handled the job as host for the 2-hour luncheon and awards ceremony.

In the end, it was the 25 honorees who took center stage and talked about what brought them to this place in their lives and their careers.

Women in Business Honors - 2005:

BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

o     Amelia Cordova-Gonzales, President, Camilo's Restaurant - Eagle Rock
o     Susan Kinney, President-owner, The Castle Press - Pasadena
o     Laura Stewart, owner, Wellspring Therapy - Glendale
o     Toi Vanasin, owner, Min's Kitchen - La Caņada Flintridge

CORPORATE WOMAN OF THE YEAR

o     Anita Quiņonez Gabrielian, Vice President of External Affairs, SBC - Pasadena
o     Gwen Matthews, Sr. Vice President, Glendale Adventist Medical Center - Glendale
o     Pegi Matsuda, Publisher, San Fernando Valley Business Journal - Studio City

EMPOWERMENT AWARD

o     Kathy Kroner & Sharon Kroner, owners, Owltalk Women's Clothes, Eagle Rock
o     Linda Johnstone Allen, President, Eagle Rock Community Preservation and Revitalization, Eagle Rock
o     Valley Economic Development Center, Van Nuys (a non-profit business development center)

JUNIOR BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

o     Annette Vartanian, Executive Dir., Armenian-American Chamber of Commerce, Glendale
o     Courtney Marie Sarian, designer, The Beaded Bookworm, La Caņada Flintridge

NON-PROFIT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

o     Jasik Jarahian, General Accountant/Controller, Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S., Glendale
o     Jane P. Wood, Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Wescom Credit Union, Pasadena

NON-PROFIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

o     Elyssa Nelson, Executive Director, Child Education Center, La Caņada Flintridge
o     Sandra Sternig-Babcock, President & CEO, Dubnoff Center, N. Hollywood
o     Tahra Goraya, Executive Director, Day One, Pasadena

TAMI GINSBURG EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

o     Lucy Orton, medical assistant, Temple City

WOMEN IN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT AWARD

o     Sonia Marie De Leon de Vega, conductor, Santa Cecilia Orchestra, Los Angeles
o     Susan Pascale, Director, South Pasadena Strings Program, South Pasadena

WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD

o     Dr. Joy Crisp, Project Scientist, Mars Exploration Rover, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, La Caņada Flintridge
o     Dr. Ayanna Howard, Former Senior Robotics Researcher, Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Associate Professor - Georgia Institute of Technology

MOST INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

o     Lori Hartwell, Founder, Renal Support Network, Glendale
o     Pamela Mims, Owner, In A Word/In Its Place, Altadena

6.  EAGLE ROCK'S MORUSA RECORDS OWNER STARTS PET RADIO

Radio Station for Pets Has America Wagging Its Tail!

Yes, you can believe your ears, there's a new online radio station for pets that is having pet owners tune in from all across America even as far away as New Zealand and Australia.  DogCatRadio.com, based in Los Angeles, was launched in June of 2005 by music label, Morusa Records, and already the station has listeners tuning in daily to hear DJ Jane Harris chat with pets and play soft rock music.

"If youšre like most Americans, your pet is part of the family," says Adrian Martinez, founder of DogCatRadio.com [and Eagle Rock resident, TERA member, and former law-firm colleague of this editor]."That is why we've had so many listeners tune in and send us pictures of their furry ones."

The station decided to broadcast exclusively online so as to reach the entire pet-community.  They recently reviewed the new Nintendogs game by Nintendo -- part of their daily role as a radio station for pets.

"We expected just a few people to tune in, but the numbers have been great," says Jane Harris, On Air Personality. "Needless to say, we are very pleased."

For more information, visit: http://www.dogcatradio.com  or contact: Adrian Martinez (323) 646-6374.

7.  HOME DEPOT/SAN FERNANDO ROAD PROPOSAL UPDATE

After a flood of petitions, emails and surveys declaring a resounding 3no2 to the 3invasion2 of our community Home Depot will be presenting their plans for the Old Kmart site on San Fernando Road.

Save the Date!

Thursday, October 27, 2005
Glassell Park Community / Senior Center
3700 Verdugo Road <http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&amp;q=3700+Verdugo+Rd,+Los+Angeles,+CA>
Los Angeles, CA 90065
7:00pm to 9:00pm


Make this meeting 3the-must-attend2 meeting of the year, a good turnout from concerned residents and small business owners is critical. Let your voices be heard!

http://www.atwatervillagenews.org/

8.  MARK YOUR CALENDARS! -- TERA'S ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR -- NOVEMBER 6

Be sure to attend TERA's Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour on Sunday, November 6!  This year we are featuring the Mt. Royal Drive neighborhood north of Colorado.  It's only two and a half weeks away and is guaranteed to be great!

The starting point is the southwest corner of Hill Drive and Mt. Royal, 5277 Mt. Royal Drive.

Volunteer to serve as a docent or fill another volunteer position and get a free ticket to the tour as well as an invitation to our famous and always-fun after-party.  Please contact the following:

To serve as a docent:  Kathleen Goldstein at goldleroux@aol.com
To volunteer in another capacity:  Teri Aranguren at tacpa@pacbell.net


9.  LOCAL SATURDAY MORNING YOGA CLASS

a.  Increase vitalaity
b.  Improve flexibility
c.   Boost Immune System
d.  Relieve Stress
e.  A peaceful start for your weekend

Mary Frances Spencer, Certified Yoga instructor since 2001, formerly of Yoginis and Yoga for Everyday Living, is now offering an all-levels Hatha Yoga class at Avenue 50 Studio every Saturday morning from 8:30-9:45 a.m.

Her class integrates Pranayama Breathing, a series of sun salutations, triangle, warrior, and balancing asanas, as well as floor stretches including hip-openers with variations for the beginning student as well as the more seasoned practioner.  Her intention is to encourage the student to build flexibility, strength, increase clarity, and release blockages.

Where: Avenue 50 Studio, Inc.
131 No. Avenue 50
Highland Park, CA 90042

When: Every Saturday, 8:30-9:45 am.

Donation: $10 suggested donation per class

For more information, call 323/258-1435

(Fenced parking in rear of lot)

10.  EDITOR'S NOTE -- JOANNE TURNER

The November 3 edition of our e.letter will be my last.  If you wish, feel free to send any communication to me personally at artburn@earthlink.net.  In the meantime, please join me and all of Eagle Rock for our Home Tour on November 6.  See you there!

11.  LETTERS AND E.MAILS

"Hi Joanne - thanks for the weekly email.  I always look forward to Thursdays . . . you always give me a laugh or two!

Ever since I have lived in Eagle Rock (7+ years and counting), I have thought how wonderful it would be to have some kind of community resource exchange to find the best painters, electricians, gardeners and other home-related service providers in our area.  If such referrals came to me straight from TERA members who had hired and liked these folks, it would make hiring for home improvement projects SO much easier!

Your mention of the housekeeper in this week1s newsletter triggered me to finally put this idea to (digital) paper.  Heart-felt referrals like that are incredibly valuable.  It would be fantastic if there was some way we could organize such referrals on a larger basis.  (Obviously we wouldn1t want to crowd the newsletter - but maybe a community forum could be set up for such exchanges?)

I have a fabulous electrician in Eagle Rock that I1d love to tell everyone aboutS on the flip side, I have long sought a painter who can actually paint my house well for a fair price!  I1m sure many others are in my boat as we work to make our eclectic Eagle Rock homes as nice as they can be.

Just an idea that1s been rattling around in my head for a long, long time.  Thanks for all the info,

-- Susannah Scott, Eagle Rock resident and TERA member

[Editor's note:  I referred Susannah to the nelalist at nelalist@yahoogroups.com.]

"Hi --

Please add my new e-mail to your newsletter list.  Thank you --"

-- Chris Kraft, Eagle Rock Resident/TERA Supporter

"Hola Gente --

On behalf of East LA Rep, the cast(s), the crew(s), and playwrights (dead or alive), Muchisimas Gracias for making our 2005 season a success!

We would be nothing without you!!

Please keep an eye out for THE REP SHEET for info on upcoming events and announcements and visit us at:
http://www.eastlarep.com.  Sincerely --"

-- Jesus A. Reyes, East Los Angeles Repertory Theater

12.  QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- E. M. FORSTER

From the 1984 Merchant/Ivory film "A Room With a View," novel by E. M. Forster, as interpreted by screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala:

"If Miss Honeychurch ever takes to live as she plays [Beethoven], it will be very exciting -- both for us and for her."

Got graffiti? Contact the City of LAšs Operation Clean Sweep Graffiti Removal Hotline:  3 - 1 - 1.

Distributed weekly via e.mail and as a regular feature on various Internet discussion groups, the TERA e.letter is read by well over 2,000 readers (and probably more) with an interest in Eagle Rock and Northeast Los Angeles.  Please encourage interested friends to send their full name and e.mail address to us at e.letter@TERA90041.org so we can keep them informed, too.

If you have changed your e.mail address or would like to be removed from this list, send us an e.mail to e.letter@TERA90041.org with the word(s) "remove" or "address change" in the subject box, as appropriate.

POLICY ON SUBMITTING A NOTICE:  If you have a press release, letter of comment, question or other notice that you feel might be of interest to the Eagle Rock community, send it to e.letter@TERA90041.org.  Your announcement -- in the form of an e.mail text message, (no attachments, please) -- should be in our hands by noon on Tuesday to be considered for inclusion in that week's issue.

Š2005 The Eagle Rock Association

TERA -- The Eagle Rock Association -- INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY  -- http://www.TERA90041.org
-- P. O. Box 41453, Eagle Rock, CA 90041 -- (323) 259-TERA -- a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation

The TERA e.letter
A publication of The Eagle Rock Association (TERA)
Joanne Turner, Editor
e.letter@TERA90041.org