THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION
The Best Investment You Can Make in Your Neighborhood
November 6, 2003
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In this issue:
A tip o' the hat to our neighbor on the hill (item
#1)
A day to make a difference (item #4)
Echo Park takes a walk (item #8)
Table of Contents:
1. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
EAGLE ROCK -- A COLLEGE TOWN
2. NEW EAGLE ROCK BUSINESS -- SMELLZGOOD FRAGRANCE BOUTIQUE
3. WOMEN'S HEALTH FAIR AT THE WOMEN'S 20TH CENTURY CLUB --
NOVEMBER 6
4. 14th DISTRICT DAY OF SERVICE: COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP -- NOVEMBER
8
5. OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE INTERCULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTER CELEBRATES
15TH ANNIVERSARY -- NOVEMBER 8
6. FREE SHADE TREES FROM THE DWP! WORKSHOP THIS SATURDAY IN
EAGLE ROCK -- NOVEMBER 8
7. AFTER THE FIRE: A BENEFIT FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRE VICTIMS
-- NOVEMBER 8
8. THE FIRST ANNUAL ECHO PARK HOME TOUR -- NOVEMBER 9
9. AVENUE 50 STUDIO PRESENTS ANGELENO SONGS AND POEMS -- NOVEMBER 9
10. LEARN THE SECRETS OF GREEN ARCHITECTURE -- NOVEMBER 13
11. THE LOS ANGELES CONSERVANCY CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF PRESERVATION --
NOVEMBER 13, 15
12. GET A JUMP ON HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT THE WOMEN'S 20TH CENTURY CLUB
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR -- NOVEMBER 15
13. SHOPPERS! DON'T FORGET THE DAY'S SECOND GIFT SHOW AT YOGINIS --
NOVEMBER 15
14. GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL ARTISTS ON THE ARROYO ARTS COLLECTIVE
DISCOVERY TOUR -- NOVEMBER 23
15. WE'VE GOT MAIL
16. THE LAST WORD -- A PROVERB
1. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: EAGLE ROCK -- A COLLEGE TOWN
Occidental College, one of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges, is
also one of the many wonderful and distinctive features of Eagle Rock.
Oxy has been a strong contributor to our civic life for decades:
investing in a storefront on Colorado Boulevard, hosting numerous community
events, supporting the ERNC website, and being part of TERA's second annual
home tour.
Oxy President, Ted Mitchell, and numerous faculty and staff, such as Paula
Crisostomo, Jan Lin, Scott Bogue, Anne Wolf and professor emeritus Tim
Sanders have invested countless hours of volunteer time toward improving
Eagle Rock. TERA is also proud to be featured on Oxy's website as part of
Eagle Rock's colorful "environs" (visit http://www.oxy.edu/community/environs.html).
I want to recognize two of Oxy's most recent examples of support of Eagle Rock.
First, on October 25th, 40 Oxy fraternity and sorority members picked up
trash along Eagle Rock Boulevard.
Second, the October 29th edition of the Occidental Weekly featured a
cover article entitled: "The Best of Eagle Rock: There is more to do in
this neighborhood than it seems." The article's lead paragraph
is worth repeating in its entirety:
"If LA is a sleek fashionista with
Gucci glasses and a Louis Vuitton [bag], Eagle Rock is her vintage-clad, sort
of funky, slightly eccentric cousin. But she's a cousin with personality,
a closet full of gems (so what if they are hidden?) and a whole lot of flair.
Eagle Rock is growing, and it's growing on students and residents alike.
An eclectic enclave of shops, cafes, galleries, and bars hidden behind shabby
exteriors on palm-tree lined streets, it's a welcome respite from the rest of
LA's increasingly chain-dominated over-priced and generic hot-spots. So
explore Eagle Rock -- its products, people, prices and places won't disappoint
you."
The article goes on to offer a list of local "Best of" awards.
And, while I recommend that you track down a copy of this week's Occidental
Weekly to read for yourself the full text and clever descriptions of each
of their "Best of" picks, here's a brief summary:
Best Vintage Buys: Owl Talk on Eagle Rock Boulevard
Best Place to Find Imaginary Romance: Le Petit Boulangerie on Colorado
Boulevard
Best Place to Spend a Buck: The 99 Cent Only Store at
Figueroa and York Boulevards
Best Place for Wine in a Box: Super A on Eagle Rock Boulevard
Best Meal Under Five Bucks: The Oxy Cafe on Eagle Rock Boulevard
Best Place to Shop During Strikes: Eagle Rock Farmer's Market at Caspar
and Merton on Friday nights
Best Small Town Diner in the City: Auntie Em's on Eagle Rock Boulevard
Best Drunken Arts and Crafts: Mr. T's Bowl on Figueroa
Best Margarita: Villa Sombrero on York Boulevard
Best Retro Entertainment: All Star Lanes on Eagle Rock Boulevard
Best Place to Worship Francophones: Cafe Beaujolais on Colorado
Boulevard
Oxy and Eagle Rock are both (not so) hidden treasures, and we are fortunate to
have Occidental College as our neighbor. Thank you, Oxy, for recognizing
the gems in your neighborhood, and for being such a meaningful part of our
exciting and growing community!
On a different note, don't forget to help clean up York Boulevard this
Saturday, November 8th! Join Councilman Villaraigosa at the Big Lots
store on York Boulevard at 8 o'clock Saturday morning; and be sure to thank the
Oxy students, faculty, staff and alums that you see there!
--Hilary Norton Orozco, President, The Eagle Rock Association (TERA)
2. NEW EAGLE ROCK BUSINESS -- SMELLZGOOD FRAGRANCE BOUTIQUE
Eagle Rock has a new business called Smellzgood Fragrance Boutique,
just to the south of Curves for Women, at 4870 Eagle Rock Boulevard.
Business partners Ross and John locally hand-make beautiful and
wonderfully aromatic candles, soaps, bath salts, and more. Handmade
jewelry by a local artisan is also featured, and soon certain houseware items
will be offered. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m.
The Boutique has been here so short a time that there is no sign yet, but you
can't miss the pleasing bouquet wafting from the storefront, drawing you in.
Candles in all sorts of sizes, shapes, and scents are available, as well
as lovely and fragrant handmade and wrapped soaps and other bath items.
It's a great find, perfect for holiday gifts!
The Eagle Rock Boulevard block on which the Boutique is located is really
becoming a nice local shopping destination. From Yosemite south to
Addison Way, there are Curves for Women, Smellzgood Fragrance Boutique, Yoginis
Yoga Studio, and the Oxy Cafe. The Eagle Theater and adjoining storefront
at the corner of Eagle Rock and Yosemite have recently changed owners, so let's
see what's going on with that property, and we'll let you know as soon as we
know. We're hoping for tenants that Eagle Rock really wants and needs.
We encourage you to visit not only Smellzgood Fragrance Boutique, but Curves
for Women, Yoginis, and the Oxy Cafe as well. Please shop locally!
Remember, the more you patronize Eagle Rock, the more Eagle Rock
benefits.
-- Joanne Turner, TERA President Emeritus
3. WOMEN'S HEALTH FAIR AT THE WOMEN'S 20TH CENTURY CLUB --
NOVEMBER 6
Join sponsors LTC Home Health Care Services and Glendale Adventist
Medical Center at the Women's Twentieth Century Club for the first
annual free Health Fair for Women. Come and receive free
screenings for: blood pressure, body fat, bone density, cholesterol, diabetes
and skin changes.
Information will also be available on: arthritis, breast health, cancer facts
for women, cosmetic surgery, healthy heart, living smart, lowering your cancer
risk, mammograms, menopause and osteoporosis.
You'll be glad you took this important step towards good health!
4. 14th DISTRICT DAY OF SERVICE: COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP --
NOVEMBER 8
Meet in the Big
Lots parking area
14th District Councilmember
Antonio Villaraigosa invites you to join him in a Day of Service / Community
Clean-Up along York Boulevard on Saturday, November 8th. This is one
in an ongoing series of community service days, each of which will target a
different part of the community. Bring your family and join the Eagle
Rock Neighborhood Council, school and community groups and individuals from
throughout the northeast area. Get to know your neighbors while doing a
good deed for your community. We especially need team leaders to head up
organizing efforts for a certain quadrant of the boulevard. If members
of your group would like to form a team together, please call to get set up!
Plenty of great food, water and other goodies will be on hand for all
volunteers during this event. So mark your calendars now and stay tuned
for more details!
For more information, or to volunteer as a team
leader, contact Michael Cathey at the Council District 14 Eagle Rock Field
Office, (323) 254-5295.
5. OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE INTERCULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTER CELEBRATES
15TH ANNIVERSARY -- NOVEMBER 8
The Intercultural Community Center at Occidental College (ICC) will
celebrate its 15-year anniversary in a campus celebration scheduled for this
Saturday morning on the President's House lawn. Featured speakers will
include ICC director Alice Hom and Occidental President Theodore R.
Mitchell. A cake reception will follow.
The ICC -- which sponsors programs that examine, celebrate and appreciate
identity, pluralism and democracy -- traces its beginnings to 1988, when
Occidental established the Multicultural Center (MCC) in conjunction
with campus initiatives that also brought about a multicultural residence hall
and the Multicultural Summer Institute. In 1991, the MCC changed its name
to the Cultural Resource Center (CRC), which provided resources and
programs for students and campus organizations interested in fostering a campus
community in which there is an openness, sensitivity, and eagerness to learn
about and derive value from all individuals, groups, cultures, and
perspectives. The CRC changed its name to the ICC in 2001, after
broadening its mission to become Occidental's primary co-curricular resource
for diversity education and social justice programming. The ICC trains
intercultural leaders in the art of informed dialogue and diversity research
with the intent of raising awareness and sparking discussion about the
relationship between multiculturalism and social justice.
For a map of the Occidental College campus, visit http://www.oxy.edu/welcome/.
6. FREE SHADE TREES FROM THE DWP! WORKSHOP THIS SATURDAY IN
EAGLE ROCK -- NOVEMBER 8
The Los Angeles Department of Power and Water/GreenLA is pleased to
announce the continuation of the Trees for a GreenLA residential shade tree
program, an unprecedented free shade tree program for the residents
of Los Angeles. Electricity customers of the LADWP are eligible to
receive up to seven free shade trees for planting on their property.
Participants are required to attend an informative two-hour workshop
offered by a professional urban forester. Topics covered in the workshop
include proper methods for planning, planting and protecting shade trees.
Workshop participants will also learn how to create a simple yard plan
for maximizing the effectiveness of their new shade trees. Although popular
with homeowners, the program is also open to renters who have
authorization from the owner of their property.
For more information, please visit http://www.ladwp.com/GreenLA.
7. AFTER THE FIRE: A BENEFIT FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRE VICTIMS
-- NOVEMBER 8
Hear local bands Flamenco!, Ann Likes Red, Adrian, and Fragile X
when they join forces at Sycamore Grove's historic band shell this Saturday for
a special live show to benefit victims of the recent California wildfires.
The event, sponsored by Morusa Records, will be free of charge,
but all monetary contributions donated at the show will be distributed to those
in need through the efforts of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council
of Los Angeles. "With your assistance," says St. Vincent de
Paul spokesperson Brian Pickering, "we can help lessen the grief for many
of these individuals while they begin to rebuild their lives."
For more information about the concert, call Morusa Records at (323) 646-6374.
To make a monetary donation to assist the fire victims, call the Society
of
St. Vincent de Paul at (323) 226-1762.
8. THE FIRST ANNUAL ECHO PARK HOME TOUR -- NOVEMBER 9
The Echo Park Historical
Society (EPHS) will mount its first-ever home tour on Sunday, Nov. 9,
opening the doors to housing styles that span more than five decades.
Titled "Repaired, Remodeled and Remade," the 2003 Historic
Echo Park Home Tour will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature nine
homes that have undergone changes that are major and minor -- from restored
windows and repaired chimneys to dramatically reinvented kitchens and
bathrooms. Craftsman bungalows, Spanish casitas, modest clapboard
cottages and other home styles will be featured on the tour, which stretches
from Historic Filipinotown to northernmost Echo Park.
The tour will serve as the EPHS's main fundraiser for this year, an event that
aims to promote the neighborhood's past and encourage preservation and
restoration initiatives. Some homes retain their original character,
while others have been remade in ways that are interesting and intriguing.
Because the homes are in Echo Park, none are grand mansions. Instead,
they represent the more modest buildings that dot the neighborhood's streets
and avenues. Most are no larger than two bedrooms in size, yet all have
interesting, original qualities.
The EPHS has long supported preservation and restoration initiatives that
protect our neighborhood's natural spaces and architectural past. The
organization has conducted workshops on stucco removal and wood window repair,
published educational information and even prevented the demolition of some
noteworthy structures.
Tickets are $12.00 in advance, or $15.00 on the day of the event. The
staging area will be at Barlow Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way, where ticket
holders will obtain maps and routes.
The EPHS is still seeking volunteers, researchers, docents, ticket sellers and
other talented people to help make this event a success. For more
information call (323) 860-8874, or visit the EPHS website at http://www.HistoricEchoPark.org.
9. AVENUE 50 STUDIO PRESENTS ANGELENO SONGS AND POEMS -- NOVEMBER 9
Join folk chanteuse Lysa Flores, poets Ariel Robello, Mixpe,
Mari Hashimoto, Vincent Kobelt, and Rubén Funkahuatl Guevara for
an afternoon of Angeleno soul in words and music.
For more information, call (323) 258-1435. Or go to http://www.funkahuatl@azteca.net.
10. LEARN THE SECRETS OF GREEN ARCHITECTURE -- NOVEMBER 13
Facilitated by Ryan Ihly from the Office of Sustainable Architecture,
this workshop offers a provocative look at a topic -- using sustainable
materials to create new housing and workplaces -- that should be of keen
interest to all in these times of ever-dwindling natural resources.
For more information, call (323) 441-8634.
11. THE LOS ANGELES CONSERVANCY CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF PRESERVATION
-- NOVEMBER 13, 15
The Los Angeles Conservancy announces two events to be held in celebration
of their 25th anniversary:
Panelists will explore the issues and architecture that pose the greatest
challenge to preservationists over the next twenty-five years. Featured
speakers include:
Margaret Bach, one of the founders of the Conservancy, will serve as
moderator. This program will be held in the auditorium of the Unocal
Building, a modern gem that is now part of the LA Center Studios complex
in downtown. A reception will follow. This program is sponsored by Robins,
Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, LLD.
The Summit will include the unveiling of a "Preservation Report
Card" on the state of preservation in all 88 of Los Angeles County's
municipalities. Keynote speaker for the event will be noted author Anthony
Tung, a former New York City Landmarks Commissioner and author of Preserving
the World's Great Cities. Also on the agenda for the afternoon
summit are panel discussions on the challenges and triumphs of local government
and preservationists across Los Angeles County. A meet and mingle reception
will follow. Come compare notes with other preservation advocates and
professionals and learn more about crafting successful government preservation
programs! This special event will be held at the Skirball Cultural Center
in West Los Angeles.
Tickets are required for the panel discussion and preservation summit, ($15 for
the panel, $20 for the summit, or $30 for both) and can be ordered via the web
at http://www.laconservancy.org
12. GET A JUMP ON HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT THE WOMEN'S 20TH CENTURY CLUB
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR -- NOVEMBER 15
The Women's 20th Century Club is hosting a Holiday Boutique and Craft Fair,
the ideal opportunity to celebrate the season by having a bite to eat and
purchasing holiday gifts and baked goods.
13. SHOPPERS! DON'T FORGET THE DAY'S SECOND GIFT SHOW AT YOGINIS --
NOVEMBER 15
(south of Yosemite, next to Curves for Women)
If you have any cash left after a whirlwind day at the 20th Century
Women's Club Craft Fair, you might want to mosey on down Eagle Rock Boulevard
to Yoginis, where jewelry, textiles and other original handcrafted items
will be offered for sale by artisans from 4:00 p.m. 'til 9:00 p.m. As an
added enticement to early holiday shoppers, Yoginis promises a festive
reception with free hors d'oeuvres. Please note that cash and checks only
will be accepted at the sale. For more information, call (323) 258-5935.
14. GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL ARTISTS ON THE ARROYO ARTS COLLECTIVE
DISCOVERY TOUR -- NOVEMBER 23
Explore the artistic underpinnings of our diverse Northeast communities with
this self-guided tour of artists' studios in Highland Park, Eagle Rock
and Mount Washington. Over 100 artists and artisans will take part in the
tour, which begins at the Lummis Home in Highland Park. Tickets are
$10.00 in advance, or $15.00 on the day of the tour.
For more information, go to http://www.ArroyoArtsCollective.org or call (323)
850-8566.
15. WE'VE GOT MAIL
"What will become of the Eagle Theater? After letting it sit
dormant for more than a year, is Fred [Eric] planning to sell it?"
-- Bruce Froehlich, Eagle Rock
As reported in the October 16 e.letter, local restaurateur Fred Eric's
ambitious plans to refurbish the Eagle Theater have, alas, fallen through.
The property was recently sold to a new investor who, we've been told, is
interested in properly renovating the building and leasing or renting it out.
Rest assured that the e.letter will keep you informed of any new developments
as we hear of them. Meanwhile, let's all cross our fingers and hope that
Eagle Rock Boulevard's Big Blue building will soon be restored to her former
glory.
* * *
"Just want to tell you what a great job you're doing, and how much I -- as
a Montecito Heights resident -- enjoy keeping up with the news from my
'Sister City,' Eagle Rock. Keep up the great work; as an editor, I can
well imagine how much work this is for you!"
-- Rena Thorstensen, Montecito Heights
Thanks for the kudos, Rena! We trust you'll keep us up to date on
what's happening in your neck of the great Northeast.
* * *
CORRECTION:
An item in last week's e.letter incorrectly indicated that the Eagle
Rock Neighborhood Council holds regular board meetings on the first and third
Tuesdays of each month. In fact, that information is out of date.
The ERNC board meets only on the first Tuesday of every month, and not on
the third Tuesday. For a full list of the ERNC's scheduled monthly meetings,
visit: http://www.eaglerockcouncil.org/meetings.htm.
* * *
As always, we welcome your comments, complaints and/or compliments on the
e.letter or any topic of interest to greater Eagle Rock. Please address
your message to e.letter@TERA90041.org,
and include your full name, along with your city, neighborhood or professional
affiliation. Opinions expressed in the e.letter's "We've Got
Mail" section do not necessarily reflect the views of The Eagle Rock
Association (TERA), the e.letter editor, or The Eagle Rock Association Board of
Directors, who reserve the right to publish letters or other materials
submitted to the e.letter at their sole discretion. Letters or other
material chosen for publication may be edited for style, clarity and brevity.
Please let us know if you do not wish to have your comments appear
in the e.letter.
16. THE LAST WORD -- A PROVERB
"Clean out the drainpipes while the
sun shines."
-- Chinese Proverb
The TERA e.letter is distributed weekly to more than 1600 subscribers with an
interest in Eagle Rock and Northeast Los Angeles. Please encourage
interested friends to send their full name and email address to us at e.letter@TERA90041.org so we can keep them
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TERA -- The Eagle Rock Association -- YOUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION -- 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)
Edited by Vince Waldron
e.letter@TERA90041.org