"Eagle Rock: Where land use
planning is a contact sport"
THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION
February 27, 2003
In this issue:
1. TERA'S CANDIDATE FORUM A GREAT SUCCESS!
2. A GREAT ADDITION TO NORTHEAST NEWS COVERAGE -- NORTHEAST OBSERVER
3. McDONALD'S/GLASSELL PARK -- HELP NEEDED
4. A LOCAL CONTROVERSY EXPLAINED -- "THE BANNER"
5. ART EXHIBIT -- "TEMPERATE RAINS, CONDITIONS FOR LIFE" --
RECEPTION MARCH 2
6. GALLERY OPHELIA'S MARCH EXHIBITION -- KATE TURNING
7. ASSEMBLYMEMBER LIU HOSTS HOUSING FAIR -- MARCH 8
8. FIRST ANNUAL ROUTE 66 ART AUCTION -- MARCH 15
9. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) TRAINING -- STARTS MARCH
24
10. LETTERS AND E.MAILS
11. QUOTE OF THE WEEK
1. TERA'S CANDIDATE FORUM A GREAT SUCCESS!
On Tuesday, February 25, the Cultural Center was packed to the rafters like we
hadn't seen since we invited Chief Bernard Parks to speak at a TERA public
meeting about four years ago. TERA sponsored a Council Candidate Forum
for the 14th District, and two of the three candidates appeared. It was
the final candidate forum for this particular race.
TERA would like to thank Cindy O'Connor and the League of Women Voters for
moderating the event and for their expert guidance. We would also like
to thank the four people responsible for organizing and pulling off this most
successful candidate forum: Kathleen Long, Keith Louie, Suzanne Prieur,
and Jessica Wethington.
2. A GREAT ADDITION TO NORTHEAST NEWS COVERAGE -- NORTHEAST
OBSERVER
What was formerly the Arroyo Seco Journal is now the Northeast Observer!
As publisher John Edwards and editor Edward Rivera rightly note, there is
so much happening in Northeast Los Angeles that the major newspapers don't
cover, and we need a good variety of local news publications.
Well designed and written as the Arroyo Seco Journal was, the Northeast
Observer brings a welcome voice to our wonderful Northeast area. As the
LA Alternative Press (formerly Silver Lake Press) strives to fill the gap
overlooked by the LA Weekly and Highland Park News covers certain Northeast
issues and activities, the Northeast Observer will add to the mix and offer
real, unbiased news items often missed by major newspapers. And, it
continues to offer the "Eye on Eagle Rock" segment that the Journal
did so well.
Pick up your copy at the usual spot in town! We got ours at Fatty's.
3. McDONALD'S/GLASSELL PARK -- HELP NEEDED
The following is a message from friend and Glassell Park neighbor Tony
Scudellari:
Dear
Friends:
We are in the endgame on the McDonald's issue and it's time to get CD 13 to
make a decision since the Planning Department is about to give its go-ahead for
the McDonald's. Our best shot at stopping it is for CD 13to come out
against it. To that end, we need to have people contact Eric Garcetti (
garcetti@council.lacity.org ), Alison Becker (ABecker@council.lacity.org )
& Mitch O'Farrell (mofarrel@council.lacity.org ) saying that:
They request the Councilmember oppose the granting of a Conditional Use
Permit for the Drive-Through and the hours of operation (Sun - Thurs5am -
Midnight / Fri & Sat, 5am to 1am).
This is critically important and the only way we can succeed in convincing Councilmember
Garcetti. All other arguments are nice (and welcome), but we need to let
CD 13 know that we OPPOSE THE GRANTING OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE
DRIVE-THROUGH AND HOURS OF OPERATION. Please have people make that clear
in their emails.
Some reasons for opposition to the granting of the CUP:
·
Drive-through and hours of
operation will adversely affect traffic patterns
·
Drive-through and hours of
operation will impact nearby residents, including those at the Garden View
Apartments across the street
·
Drive-through and hours of
operation will put children who attend the charter school and the Rec Center in
harm's way
·
Hours of operation are too
early and too late for our community standards -- potentially attracting a
criminal element that we are trying to eradicate in the area
Please get the word out to as many like-minded souls as humanly possible.
It is the only way we will get Garcetti on board and defeat this once and
for all. So far, the e.mail count to Garcetti's office is50-1 against, we
have signatures from over two hundred people and 82.7% of the GPIA membership
voted to oppose the Conditional Use Permit. But, we still need a major
blitz to help get Councilmember Garcetti support us.
Any questions, please contact me.
Tony tscud1@earthlink.net
4. A LOCAL CONTROVERSY EXPLAINED -- "THE BANNER"
There has been a big to-do in recent days regarding a donor-acknowledgment
banner that was hung on the front of the Eagle Rock Community Cultural Center.
The size of the banner, where it was placed, the name(s) on it and how
they were positioned and colored, and especially the timing of the hanging of
the banner, so close to the March 4 election, appeared to many to be
politically motivated. On the contrary, this was a Cultural Center Board
approved decision -- a business decision -- and nothing more.
Many people immediately jumped to conclusions (including ourselves) and called
to complain. Some callers actually threatened to withdraw their support
from the Cultural Center, which is something our community cannot afford.
Many people were out of line in the tone of their complaints, which is
very unfortunate. The Cultural Center's wonderful and hard-working
executive director, Jenny Krusoe, unfairly received the brunt of the negative
onslaught. Some callers were gracious enough to apologize for
misinterpreting the situation and overreacting. We urge all others to do
the same.
We had asked that the banner be removed at least for the TERA-sponsored
candidate forum, because we felt it would not be fair to have the name of only
one candidate displayed without the other two since TERA as an organization
cannot endorse any candidate. The Cultural Center kindly agreed and
removed the banner.
The day after, TERA Outreach Chair Suzanne Prieur and I sat down with Jenny to
discuss the matter, and we agreed that replacing the banner after our event
would be appropriate. The Cultural Center had already agreed to remove
the banner again the Friday before the March 4 election and keep it down until
after the election is over.
Below is an explanation of the Cultural Center's policy on acknowledgment
banners by Wanda Kuenzli, Chair of the Eagle Rock Community Cultural
Association. We hope any questions you might still have will be answered.
Dear
Joanne: First, I would like to thank you and Suzanne Prieur for taking
the time on Wednesday to discuss the Cultural Centeršs donor recognition banner
with our Executive Director, Jenny Krusoe. As you are well aware, the
town is a bit on edge. The fact that you both offered your support of the
banner after discussing it with her meant a lot to her. We would like to
take the opportunity which you kindly offered to explain the timing and the
wording of the banner.
It is standard practice for non-profit organizations to thank donors in
February as the government cut-off for year-end donations is January 31st.
Jenny presented the conception and location of the banner to the Cultural
Center Board of Directors at our February 12 meeting. The Board
unanimously approved the concept of hanging a donor recognition banner every
February. We also agreed on a change of location for the banner because
it would be more visible to traffic and therefore more effective. This
location, on the front of the building, will be used to announce our
events AS WELL. Therefore, in March the Center would always announce the
Route 66 Art Auction [see details, below], in May, Dahlia Days, and so
on.
The reason for listing Councilman Nick Pacheco and CAD (Cultural Affairs
Department) and not the City of Los Angeles is that those are the offices who
secured the monies for us. The Councilmanšs name is larger because he
secured $50,000 for the center. Of course, it is not his money, but
without the Councilmanšs efforts the Center would never have received those
funds. The Center was without an Executive Director for several months
last year. Months during which no fund raising and no grant writing took
place. The $50,000 has kept our doors open.
On July 1st of last year the Center Board of Directors hired Jenny Krusoe as
our Executive Director. We selected her because we knew she had the
skills and experience to lead us through of time of growth and change. We
will not be financially supported by CAD as of July 1st. We want the
community to know that the Center needs to reach out to corporations and
foundations to stay open. The decision to give visual recognition to our
donors was a business decision. We hope corporations and businesses in
Eagle Rock will want their names on the list. The banner does not
represent who the Center supports, it represents WHO SUPPORTS THE CENTER.
We hope this answers your questions, and the questions others may have had.
As you know, in this time of uncertainty, some of the organizations most
at risk are those involved in the Arts. If the Center is treating the
securing of funds in a particularly urgent manner of late, we hope you can
understand why, and we sincerely hope that the Center will continue to gain community
support. Once again, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Wanda M. Kuenzli
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Eagle Rock Community Cultural Association
Again, the Cultural Center belongs to all of us, and it needs the ongoing
support of all of us. If you have not done so, please become a member and
give as large a donation as you can. Help make our Cultural Center the
first-class center for the arts it deserves to be. Call (323) 226-1617
for information. Thanks -- Joanne
5. ART EXHIBIT -- "TEMPERATE RAINS, CONDITIONS FOR LIFE"
-- RECEPTION MARCH 2
The Eagle Rock Community Cultural Center
(ERCCC) is proud to present a solo exhibition, Temperate Rains, Conditions For
Life, a new series of paintings by Patricia Gonzalez. Her first solo show
in seven years, these long-awaited paintings are now on display and will be
exhibited through March 10th.
The series depicts a combination of real and magical images, lush and sensuous
in their use of texture and color. Denise K. Seider, a Director at
the Amory Center of the Arts, describes Ms. Gonzalez's work as follows:
"There is always a surprise -- a figure hidden in a landscape, and
suddenly you see it and you feel like you are observing something personal and
private." Among her many awards, she has received a National
Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in painting. Her work is widely
collected and is featured in Hispanic Art in the United States: Thirty
Contemporary Painters and Sculptors.
On March 2nd, 1 to4 p.m., the ERCCC will host a reception for Ms. Gonzalez.
The public is invited. There will be a live Tango band and
refreshments.
The ERCCC is a non-profit organization, supported solely by grants and
donations, providing low-cost art, music, dance and computer classes to children
and adults of surrounding areas and communities.
Eagle Rock Community Cultural Center
2225 Colorado Boulevard
Eagle Rock, California 90041
323.226.1617
323.226.0949 (fax)
erccc@hotmail.com
6. GALLERY OPHELIA'S MARCH EXHIBITION -- KATE TURNING
KATE TURNING:
"NOSEJOB"
March Exhibition at Gallery
Ophelia
Gallery Ophelia is proud to present the creative works of photographer Kate
Turning. This one-woman exhibit, titled "NoseJob," will be on display
from March 1st through the 30th, 2003, and features a series of photo
illustrations examining myth and transformation, using images of clowns as her
inspiration.
In the style of Pictorialism, Turning captures her subjects (professional
clowns from around the world) in an elegant and compelling way - revealing
mythic situations and tapping into our darkest fears.
Kate Turning's compelling and beautiful photographs have appeared world-wide in
magazines, album covers, advertising art, and at galleries.
Please join us for an artist reception Saturday, March 15th, 6-10pm.
For more information about this show, please contact Gallery Ophelia at
323.982.9945 or visit the gallery's website at http://www.galleryophelia.com.
Gallery hours are Friday through Saturday 12-6pm or by appointment. We
hope to see you!
CONTACT: CANDACE ALLEN 323.982.9945
7. ASSEMBLYMEMBER LIU HOSTS HOUSING FAIR -- MARCH 8
Assemblymember Carol Liu (D-La Canada Flintridge) and the City of Los
Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks are inviting the local community to
attend an Informational Housing Fair on Saturday, March 8, 2003. The fair
will feature: information sessions on how to become a first time homeowner and
finance home improvements; vendor exhibits; information tables sponsored by The
Social Security Administration and local police and fire departments; as well
as activities for children.
The event will take place in Eagle Rock from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the
Yosemite Recreation Center, 1840 Yosemite Drive, Los Angeles. Admission is
free.
Liu encourages all persons interested in owning a home or rehabilitating their
current home to attend the event and learn more from the various homeownership
experts who will be present. Participants can attend information breakout
sessions explaining the home buying process, first time buyer programs, home
improvement loans, and programs for senior citizens. Information on Los
Angeles City and County homeownership and rehabilitation assistance programs
will also be available. Local businesses, including realtors and
contractors, will offer information on numerous housing related services and
products.
The March 8th Housing Fair is the first in a series that will be conducted
throughout the 44th Assembly District. The series is organized in
partnership with the Montebello Housing Development Corporation, a
not-for-profit organization that assists individuals and families of modest
financial means to find affordable housing opportunities, and Wells Fargo Home
Mortgage, Inc.
For more information on the March 8th Housing Fair, please call Valerie
Cuevas of Assemblymember Liušs District Office at (626) 577-9944.
8. FIRST ANNUAL ROUTE 66 ART AUCTION -- MARCH 15
Edith
Abeyta, Salvador Anguiano, Candace Allen, Linda Allen, Mindy Allen, Rebecca
Bailey, Vincent Bantinelli, Eddy Bello-Sandoval, Holly Boruck, Carol Caley,
Charlotte Chamberlain, Joanne Chase-Mattillo, Walter Cotton, Karen
Michael Crawford, Margi Denton, Kim Dingle, Elsa Dorfman, Richard Espinoza,
Patty Espiritu, Gwen Freeman, Patricia Gonzalez, Sebatiano Grasso, Laurel Hall,
Cidne Hart, Kevin Hass, Heather Hoggan, Deborah Hosking, Diana Jacobs, Frany
Kelly, Nancy Kyes, Wendy F. Lang, William Leidenthal, Ladislao Loera, Linda
Lyke, Madame X, Mark Lindquist, Lynne McDaniels, Julie McManus, Robert Morris,
Lisa Y. Murray, Joseph William Oliver, Mary Louise Ordway, Laura Owens, Marc
Pally, Michael Provart, Neil Roberts, Lui Sanchez, Elizabeth Saveri, Denise
Seider, Michael Sheehan, Tim Steele, Zolita Sverdlove, Toros Tngrian,
Christopher Ulrich, Philip Vaughan, Bill Vida, Jocelyn Webb, William Wegman,
Benjamin Weissman, Daniel Wiesenfeld, Alex Wiesenfeld, Michael Woodcock,
Lynette Yetter, and many, many more.
Silent and Live Auction
Entertainment and Refreshments
Theater,
theatre directors
Nicolette Chaffey and Jeff Murray will be mistress and master of ceremonies.
For more information please call Jenny or
Lui at 323.226.1617 or e.mail (erccc@hotmail.com).
9. COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) TRAINING -- STARTS
MARCH 24
Protect loved ones! Learn earthuake, terrorism, disaster skills.
L.A.Fire Dept.'s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training course
now in Eagle Rock. Eight weekly FREE classes start 7 pm, Fri., March 24.
Pre-registration required by 3/7. Call Marlene at (323)257-3333 or
e-mail: marlesch@hotmail.com
Thank you,
Marlene Schmidt
Eagle Rock Community Neighborhood Watch Block Captains Group, (See above
contact info.)
10. LETTERS AND E.MAILS
"Thanks for the responses of the three candidates to your questions.
I'm amazed that Nick Pacheco has written to you that he's a supporter of
the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan and that crime in Eagle Rock has gone down
when we know the truth is to the contrary. I guess he thinks something is
true simply by virtue of it being said by him. So far Mr. Villaraigosa is
looking better and better to me."
-- Kathy Thomas, Eagle Rock resident
"You have our support -- we think you and the Board do a terrific
job."
-- Dick and Jackie Hinson-Roberto, Eagle Rock residents and TERA members
"While this may seem belated, it is sent after enough time has passed to
put things into perspective. You fought the best possible fight on behalf
of the community of Eagle Rock. You kept up the fight over the whole
course and did not fail to use your best efforts at each point along the way.
Losing always hurts, but that pain and its duration is always slight-to-nothing
when compared to the feeling you would have had had you failed to have acted at
all.
Passing to another point. I do not know if you would be comfortable with
the following suggestion. It is true that the TERA membership was not
unanimous, but it was largely behind the position that Walgreens was a terrible
idea as proposed (and passed). If someone, well informed on
Villaraigosa's good points generally, could write an email urging a
Villaraigosa vote in March, and then with access to the TERA e.mail list, send
it to all, it would be a good start. Add a footnote to the e.mail asking
that the recipient forward it to anyone they know in the 14th CD. It
could not hurt the cause.
I have seen these chain e.mail letters make a difference in elections in
limited areas. As we are close to the election day that would be even
better.
Thank you again for your leadership and zeal in the face of a hard and unfair
fight. You truly were our champion and are a winner."
-- Bob Fairman, Eagle Rock resident and TERA member
"First, let me thank TERA for co-sponsoring last night's candidate forum.
It was a great opportunity for both candidates to voice their vision for our
community and the 14th district.
This morning, while walking my dog, I suddenly noticed the absence of all the
Villaraigosa campaign signs in our neighborhood. I have also heard from
our neighbors that their Pacheco signs had been removed, so this goes both
ways. WHY CAN'T WE ALL GROW UP AND STOP ACTING LIKE CHILDREN - RESPECT
YOUR NEIGHBORS' WISHES TO VOTE FOR AND SUPPORT THEIR CANDIDATE OF CHOICE.
I love this community we live in most of the time, and at times like
this, I am ashamed to think of the immature acts that we are capable of and ashamed
of our community.
Let's not forget the golden rule (apparently, some of you need a reminder).
Treat others as you would like others to treat you. Respect each
other. Sincerely,"
-- John Wagner, Eagle Rock resident, TERA member, and Eagle Rock Community
Cultural Center Board member
"We pledge to never make the use of our land into a contact sport."
-- J. Alzamora
"Haven't stopped to say thank you for all you and the team at TERA do for
all of us. Your dedication has been fantastic. Whatever you and the
group do, DON'T STOP... Walgreens will pay the price in the long run.
You gave much more than was expected. Job well done. The
final answer will be written in election results and finally in sales at
Walgreens. Thanks again and keep 'em honest.
-- Roger Peyton, Eagle Rock resident and TERA member
11. QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"It's
a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"
--
Mr. Rogers
[Editor's note: Sadly, Fred Rogers passed away last night at the age
of 74. He was the epitome of everything good in the world, and he was
committed to teaching children to be good and thoughtful citizens through his
program, "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," which was part of public
television for 30 years.
May all of us in Eagle Rock and throughout the world remember the things that
are important and truly meaningful in life, and may we treat each other with
kindness and respect. May we all strive to do the right thing, make
a positive difference in our community, and leave the world a better place, as
Mr. Rogers did.]
We welcome your comments. Please include your name.
Joanne Turner
<artburn@earthlink.net>
President, The Eagle Rock Association (TERA)