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Los Angeles City
Councilmember Jose Huizar, representative of the 14th Council District
will be speaking at TERA's Public Meeting on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at
7:00 p.m. at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock. The address is 2225
Colorado Boulevard and parking is available on the street and in the Bank
of America parking lot. It is my understanding that Councilmember Huizar
will speak and then take questions from the floor. TERA welcomes all
community members to this event. Councilmember Huizar represents all of
the 14th Council District and we are glad to provide him a venue to
address and hear from his constituents. These community meetings are
organized by TERA Board member Keith Louie, who gets help from Michael
Zamarripa, TERA Board member and owner of the Coffee Table Restaurant, as
well as a host of community volunteers and from Eagle Rock businesses, who
donate food and materials for TERA's community meetings. I grew up around
local and state politics. My mother worked for Governor Edmund G. "Pat"
Brown in his Los Angeles Office and for State Controller and later U.S.
Senator Alan Cranston and my father, a WWII Vet who truly believed he was
fighting for democracy, delighted in lecturing me for hours about the
importance of informed voting and the evils of unchecked power. As a
result of my upbringing and my personal experiences, I have voted in every
election since I reached the age of 21 and I believe and know that the way
one makes changes for the better is by getting involved in the causes and
community tasks in which you believe and care about. I believe in that old
adage that "All politics is local". On the 21st, you have an opportunity
to involve yourself in local politics. Listen to what your Councilmember
has to say and then let him know what is on your mind. If you don't come
talk to him, chances are pretty good that he's not a mind reader and won't
know what you think is important in Eagle Rock. If you think his staff
hasn't communicated your message to him, this is a chance to tell him
yourself, so that he gets it right. And speaking of local issues, mail
delivery continues to be on people's minds. Below, my friend Loren writes
in with some positive suggestions that may actually help solve the
problem. Former TERA Vice President and East Area Planning Commissioner
Phil Barbaro provides interesting insight into the ongoing cell phone
tower controversy brought about by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
decision to limit the authority of local governments to regulate the
location of cell phone towers based on aesthetics alone. And thank you for
those of you who responded to Pauline's request for help with the
e-letter. I'll be getting back to you next week. Hope February 14th finds
you happy in the arms of your Valentine! 
Michael Tharp,
President
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CELL PHONE
CASE |
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Last week I reprinted a letter to the editor from the on-line
edition of the LA Times, submitted by TERA Preservation, Planning and
Development Committee member Patti Laursen. This prompted Eagle Rock
resident Phil Barbaro, an attorney representing one of the litigants in
the case, to write the following article, which he has given permission to
be reprinted here. The ability of local governments to regulate the
placement and design of cell phone towers is important and I think Phil's
article points out the problems caused by the 9th Circuit Court of
Appeal's ruling. It is my understanding that the City of La Canada has
decided to appeal this decision.
Sprint /La Canada Wireless Antennae Case
I was the attorney that represented one of the homeowners at the City
hearings regarding the Sprint case in La Canada. The project proposed on
Figueroa Street called for the installation of a microcell and two
antennas, each 28 inches tall by 11 inches wide. All three pieces of
equipment were to be attached to an existing utility pole located directly
in front of my client’s home. I cannot think of a more disturbing wireless
antennae situation for a homeowner than existed in this case. The
topography of my clients property was such that the ground level of their
structure was the garage and their front door and living area was on the
second floor. The proposed antennas were to be placed on the utility pole
approximately 24 feet above ground level. As a result, the antennas would
have been at eye level with the living area of the home. In addition, the
distance from the antennas to the front door of the home was less than 45
feet. So the aesthetics, as well as the health impact, could not have been
more pronounced.
Since the project was in a public right of way, the City’s wireless
facilities code did not apply to this project. Instead the case before the
City was pursuant to a permit process created under an emergency ordinance
of the City which applied to installation of above ground structures in a
public right of way. Therefore, Sprint had to apply for a permit and
satisfy the four findings required by that emergency ordinance. We
prevailed at the City commission hearings and the City council hearings
based on the fact that the project would have a substantial negative
aesthetic impact on the surrounding neighborhood. The City Council denied
the permit and Sprint then sued the City of La Canada.
The Federal District Court agreed with the City stating that there was
substantial evidence supporting the denial of the permit based on the
negative aesthetic impact. Sprint appealed the decision to the Ninth
Circuit Court of Appeals which rendered a decision that declared the
ordinance invalid. The court said that the City its regulatory authority
under state law and declared the City’s "wireless ordinance" invalid. This
was a confusing statement by the court since the City’s wireless ordinance
was not the subject of the appeal, the emergency ordinance regarding above
ground structures in a public right of way was the basis of the appeal. It
is therefore unclear whether the aesthetic component of the City’s
wireless ordinance, which was not discussed in this case is also affected
by this decision.
In light of this ruling, the use of aesthetics as one element in
approving any wireless facility under a wireless ordinance is now
questionable. It is now critical for Cities to review and determine if
their Wireless Ordinances can properly continue to include aesthetics as a
component. A proper balance must be found which allows the installation of
wireless facilities while protecting the communities from the negative
aesthetic impact that occurs.
Would the Los Angeles City ordinance regarding wireless facilities
withstand the analysis set forth in the Ninth Circuit decision? We need to
find out before it is too late.
Eagle Rock lifer, former TERA VP and former Northeast Area Planning
Commissioner
Philip Barbaro, Jr.
PALERMO, BARBARO, CHINEN & PITZER, LLP
301 E. Colorado Blvd. Suite 700
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 793-5196
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OXY PLAY
FESTIVAL |
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OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL FEATURES SIX ORIGINAL WORKS FEB.
23-26
The Occidental College Theater Department will feature staged readings
and workshop presentations of six student-written productions during this
year's New Play Festival, scheduled for Feb. 23-26 at the college's Keck
Theater. The productions are professionally directed with student casts
supplemented by a small number of professional actors. Admission is
free.
For a campus map and directions to Occidental, please visit http:/
/www.oxy.edu/MapsDirections.xml. For more information, call (323)
259-2922.
The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m.
"Out of the Vat and Into the Fire: A Mental Adventure in One Act"
(staged reading, Written by Brandon Baruch '07
An eerie meditation on the mysterious workings of the inner mind. Set
in the unconscious dreamscape of a woman in a coma, the reading explores
the philosophical underpinnings of free-will, our need for fantasy and the
actual nature of what we call "real."
Thursday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m. (also Saturday, Feb. 25, 5 p.m.)
"The Beauty Myth" (workshop), Written by Lisa Szolovit '06
This work turns upside-down the myths of Persephone and Aphrodite.
Using myths as metaphors for our culture's relationship to the ideals of
beauty, the author has recast the immortal goddesses in a modern context
as they struggle with expectation, self-image and the impossibility of
perfection.
Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.
"Naughty!" (reading), Written by Gabrielle Benoit '06
The reading takes a look at the role of gender in modern society.
"Naughty!" focuses on two transgendered individuals as they grapple with
their pasts, their families and their newfound love for each other. Using
humor, musical acts and bizarre theatricality, the play ultimately is an
exploration of unconditional love.
9 p.m. (also Sunday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m.)
"After Life" (workshop), Written by Alexander Brody '06
"After Life" takes an ironic wild ride into the depths of heaven and
hell. Complete with angels, demons, sinners and saints, the play careens
through the life of a bad man who must come to terms with his
goodness.
Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. (also Sunday, Feb. 26, 8 p.m.)
"Side Show" (workshop), Written by Jay Blair '06
"Side Show" captures the sweet, melancholy atmosphere of an old world
traveling circus. The circus' ringmaster, long estranged from his wealthy
family, finds his small kingdom crumbling when a lost relative shows up
with startling news.
5 p.m., "The Beauty Myth" (See Feb. 23 for description)
Sunday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m.
"The Tangled Bank" (staged reading), Written by Michael Linvill '07
This production explores biology, emotions and fate as a young student
of genetics is forced to re-examine long-held beliefs about the way people
behave and feel in this witty and sad play.
5 p.m., "Side Show" (See Feb. 25 for description)
8 p.m., "After Life" (See Feb. 24 for description)
The festival is being produced by Laural Meade '88, adjunct instructor
of theater, and Nate Genung '07. The event is paid for in part by the
Remsen Bird Fund.
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ERNC
ELECTIONS |
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ERNC ELECTION
Candidate Information Contacts:
Herb Larrimore 323-258-3668 for English
Everett Serabia 323-254-3512 for Spanish
EAGLE ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL SEEKS CANDIDATES WITH BIG IDEAS
The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) has launched a “Think Big”
campaign to attract candidates for 2006 elections. ERNC is asking the
local community to “Eagle Rock the Vote” on election day, March 25.
The council seeks intelligent, forward-thinking candidates who wish to
work collaboratively for the betterment of the Eagle Rock community. “The
ERNC is evolving every year and we are looking forward to new vision, new
energy and new goals that will be brought to the table by people with big
ideas”, says VP/Acting President Jim Perry.
Positions available are: president, treasurer, education director,
civic director, business director, faith-based director and several
sub-district directors (SD 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8).
Stakeholders who wish to run for ERNC office may attend a candidate
workshop to find out more about the ERNC. Workshops will be held Monday
Feb. 13 at 6pm and Saturday Feb. 25 at 1pm at the Eagle Rock Library (5017
Caspar Avenue). Detailed election information is also available on the
ERNC web site: www.EagleR
ockCouncil.org and is available by calling 323- 268-3668 for English
and also (323) 254-3512 for Spanish.
A candidate filing form and 125-word candidate statement is required of
each candidate and materials must be received by the 5pm deadline on
Saturday February 25.
All ERNC board members must qualify as Eagle Rock stakeholders. A
stakeholder is someone who lives or owns property, works or owns a
business, attends school, is a member of a faith-based organization, or is
a member of a community group in Eagle Rock. The ERNC serves about 32,000
stakeholders in zip codes 90041 and parts of 90042 and 90065 in Northeast
Los Angeles. All ERNC board members are volunteers.
Certified in April, 2002, the ERNC is one of more than eighty
neighborhood councils designed to empower constituents and bring city
decision-making to a grass-roots level, advocating local concerns to the
City of Los Angeles, city council and the mayor.
The ERNC receives a $50,000 annual budget from the City of Los Angeles.
In its four years as an elected neighborhood council, the ERNC has funded
community improvement initiatives, hosted local and regional forums on
education, public safety and land use and planning, begun efforts to
embark on a community master plan process, and coordinated efforts with
other neighborhood councils and groups to leverage better city services
and government collaboration for the community.
2006 ERNC elections will be held on Saturday March 25 from 10am - 4pm
at Eagle Rock City Hall, located at 2035 Colorado Boulevard near Eagle
Rock Boulevard. Stakeholders age 16 and older may vote and no
pre-registration is required.
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2nd SATURDAY
GALLERY NIGHT |
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SECOND SATURDAYS
Celebrate the Arts in Northeast L. A. with SECOND SATURDAYS Gallery
Night
WHEN: February 11, 2006 5:00-10:00p.m.
WHERE: Art Galleries throughout Highland Park, Eagle Rock,
Glassell Park
Second Saturday Gallery Night: Local galleries and arts organizations
are open to the public 5:00 pm til 10:00 pm. Complete gallery information
and printable maps can be found at http://www.NELAart.
org
NELAart consists of galleries, artists and arts related organizations
located in Northeast Los Angeles who are dedicated to increase the
visibility of the thriving arts community in the area.
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OXY'S STEVE
COLL |
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PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR STEVE COLL '80 TO SPEAK AT 2006
OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE COMMENCEMENT
Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Steve Coll '80, a staff writer at The
New Yorker magazine, will be the featured speaker at Occidental College's
124th commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 21 in the Remsen Bird Hillside
Theater on the Occidental campus.
Coll's latest book, "Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA,
Afghanistan and Bin Laden," won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for general
nonfiction, as well as the Council on Foreign Relations' Arthur Ross Award
for the best book on foreign affairs during the last two years. The work
also won the Overseas Press Club Award and the Lionel Gelber Prize for the
best book published on international affairs during 2004. While a staff
writer at the Washington Post, Coll also won a Pulitzer Prize for
explanatory journalism for his 1990 series, with David A. Vise, on the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Coll became a staff writer at The New Yorker in September 2005, after
having served as a foreign correspondent and editor at the Post for the
prior 10 years. In 1989, he moved to New Delhi to become the newspaper's
South Asia correspondent. For three years he covered India, Pakistan,
Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
In 1992, Coll was appointed the Post's first international
investigative correspondent, based in London, from where he traveled
widely to cover emerging transnational subjects such as terrorism, nuclear
proliferation, and global economic integration.
Coll's South Asia correspondence won the 1992 Livingston Award for
outstanding foreign reporting. In 2000, he received the Robert F. Kennedy
Memorial Award for his coverage of the civil war in Sierra Leone, as well
as the Overseas Press Club Award for international magazine writing.
Coll graduated Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude, from Occidental with a degree
in English and history. He received an honorary doctor of humane letters
from the college in 2000.
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BLISSFUL
SOUL |
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The Blissful Soul
It’s Our First Birthday Party!
The Blissful Soul invites Eagle Rock to come celebrate our One Year
Anniversary on Saturday, February 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. Please give us the
opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has made our first year so
amazing. We’ll be serving refreshments, including wine from the Colorado
Wine Company and hors d’oeuvres from Goya Café. We’ll have live music
performed by Asela Wehrey, and we’ll be giving away free gifts to express
our gratitude. We’ll also showcase Artist Linda Ternoir and Jewelry
Designer Barbara Paul. Come and be thanked!
The Blissful Soul, 4870 Eagle Rock Blvd. (Next to
Curves)323-258-6900
www.blissulsoul.co
m
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CActuS |
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CActuS Start your collection now! Check out some artwork...
paintings, drawings, ceramics, pottery, jewelry. Network with other cool
artists. Try some mate. Did you know that Northeast L.A. is growing in
incredible ways... galleries, restaurants, cafes, boutiques...? Come check
us out! Help promote NELAart.org's SECOND SATURDAY gallery walk. Pick up
maps here or at NELAart.org.
Peace--Sandra
4534 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA 90041, 323.256.6117
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LETTERS |
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POST OFFICE LETTERS
The letter written by Ivette Soler of Townsend Ave. expresses exactly
the situation my husband and I have experienced with our mail delivery. I
sometimes feel that my neighbors and I should be on the USPS payroll as we
deliver mail almost as often, and always more accurately, than the regular
service. A letter I erroneously received last week, however, was too far
for me to deliver by foot--it was addressed to someone in San Dimas!
One of my neighbor's went on vacation, and while gone, received several
important, time-sensitive letters addressed to me. She was so apologetic
when she got home, as if it were her fault that I did not receive my mail
on time. It would be nice if the postal service were as concerned!
I, like Ivette, hope that someone has a solution to this problem.
Nancy Asmus, Hillmont
Ave.
_____________________________________
Regarding the letter raising concern about correct postal delivery,
seems to me our Congressman should be able and willing to express serious
concern to the appropriate USPS officials (and I don't mean the ER Station
manager). That's what Congressman Waxman did when his constituents had
problems. I don't know if it got results but it sure got headlines for the
complaining west side residents. Certainly Xavier would be as willing as
Mr. Waxman to join the fray.
Loren
P.S. I must say that we do not seem to have the same problems with our
delivery service (knock on
wood).
_____________________________________
And some thoughts on good food at Mia Sushi
Hi Michael-
I happened to drive by the new sushi bar MIA on eagle rock blvd this
evening. I believe it's their opening night. One word...."packed". Thought
maybe they can use a little word of mouth through the e.letter. I
personally haven't had a chance to try it out but I'm sure it's bound to
be delicious. Finally a real sushi bar in eaglerock. Gosh....what's next
to come.........Eagle Rock is making history. Rock on!
Christopher
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GIFTS OF
LOVE |
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Love For Sale, Gifts of Eros and Agape
Romantically Themed Fine and Functional Art
February 11, 2006, 5-10pm
The Arroyo Arts Collective and Avenue 50 Studio invite you to indulge
your sentimental side with creative gifts and pamper your palate with
scrumptious treats at our first ever Valentine's Day inspired fund-
raising sale. We have assembled a little something for everyone, with:
BodyGirl Handmade Body Products by Tifni Brown; Unique Adornments,
one-of-a- kind jewelry by Renee Dominique; Photography/Collage by Cidne
Hart; Love/No Love Dolls by Heather Hoggan; Really Good Food by Douglas
Johnston; Candle Lust, all natural soy candles by Maria Rinaldi; Hand Dyed
Silk Scarves by Jake Sifford.
When: Saturday, February 11, from 5 -10 pm, Where: The Acorn Gallery,
135 No. Avenue 50, Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 850-8566
Love For Sale is sponsored by The Arroyo Arts Collective and the Avenue
50 Studio, and is held in conjunction with NELAart (Northeast Los Angeles
Arts Organization) Second Saturday Gallery Night. The Acorn Gallery is a
project of the Arroyo Arts Collective.
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