|
Congratulations to the NEWLY ELECTED Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council
Board members who will be installed on Tuesday, May 1, 2007.
Thanks to all those who participated in the process including the poll
workers who gave up a large part of their weekend to assist in a well run
election.
The newly elected Board Members are:
Mr. Nick Keune, Youth Director
Mr. Mark Bolanos, Safety Director
Mr. Stephan Early, Education Director
Mr. Leo Olebe, Director, Sub-District 4
Ms. Meredith Brown, Director, Sub-District 6
Mr. Andrew Berk, Business Director
The new Directors will be sworn in at the next scheduled ERNC Board
meeting which will be held Tuesday, May 1, 7:00 pm at Eagle Rock Library,
5027 Caspar Avenue. The ERNC invites you to please come and congratulate
the new members and TERA urges you to come and participate in the most
local representative democracy operating today within the City of Los
Angeles structure.
Be sure to check out the link to the Eagle Rock Valley Historical
Society's web page below in the article about the ERVHS meeting. There are
some great photos and information there, with the promise of more to come!
Michael Tharp,
President
|
|
"The Mikado" at
Oxy |
 |
OCCIDENTAL THEATER DEPARTMENT TO STAGE GILBERT AND SULLIVAN’S “THE
MIKADO” APRIL 20- 22, 27-29, MAY 19
The Occidental College Theater Department will present “The Mikado,”
Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, at 7:30 p.m. April 20-22 and 27-28 at
Keck Theater. A matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 29, and a final
performance is set for 8 p.m. May 19.
Occidental is located at 1600 Campus Road in Eagle Rock. Directions and
a campus map can be found online at: http://w
ww.oxy.edu/MapsDirections.xml. The Occidental College Theater
Department will present “The Mikado,” Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera.
General admission tickets are $20. Student admission is $9, and tickets
are $15 for Occidental faculty and staff. To buy tickets, please call the
box office at (323) 259- 2922.
“The Mikado,” first staged in 1885, is arguably the most popular of the
comic operas created by librettist William Gilbert (1836-1911) and
composer Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900). “The Mikado,” together with “H.M.S.
Pinafore” (1878) and “The Pirates of Penzance” (1879) triggered a craze
for comic opera in the United States that was a primary influence on the
development of American musical theater.
The productions are being directed by theater Professor Alan Freeman
‘67, with music direction by Paul Vorwerk ’62. Scenic and lighting design
is being done by theater Professor Susan Gratch, and costume design is by
Tom Slotten, adjunct instructor of theater.
|
|
Eagle Rockdale
Community Garden Bench Decorating |
|
The TERA Eagle Rockdale Community Garden will be part of the Mayor's
Big Saturday and Sunday event on April 28th and 29th. Five benches have
been donated and installed in the garden. Each one will be decorated with
a quotation voted on during the garden's opening event. I am decorating
one bench with quote #3. We are looking for four additional artists to
design and help decorate one of the benches. The supplies will be provided
by the city. Please contact me if you are interested in being a part of
this project.
Thank you,
Kacy Treadway, 323-259-8132, Kacy Treadway@sbcglobal.net
|
|
Oxy Chorale
Concert |
|
Occidental Chorale Concert: "Divinity" Choral- orchestral music by
Jeffrey Bernstein
On Saturday, May 5th, at 7:30 pm, in Thorne Hall on the Occidental
College campus, the Occidental Chorale and Orchestra Camerata will present
"Divinity" a program of choral-orchestral music by Jeffrey Bernstein.
The 100-voice strong Occidental Chorale draws vocal talents from
Occidental College and the surrounding Los Angeles communities. The
Occidental Choruses enjoy regular collaborations with local professional
orchestras including Orchestra Camerata, The Glendale Symphony, Musica
Angelica Baroque Orchestra and The Pasadena Pops, and Pasadena Symphony.
Recently the Occidental Chorale has played a central role in the formation
of the new Los Angeles Philharmonic Chorus, singing Beethoven’s Ninth
Symphony at the Hollywood Bowl under Esa-Pekka Salonen and at the new
Disney Hall under Zubin Mehta.
Jeffrey Bernstein, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Director of Choral
Music, on special appointment, conducts the Occidental Glee Clubs and the
Occidental Chorale. He is also Assistant Conductor, Pasadena Symphony;
Founding Director, LAVA (Los Angeles Vocal Artists), and frequent guest
conductor and commissioned composer.
The concert will also feature tenor Robert MacNeil who first gained
attention after winning first place in the Metropolitan Opera National
Council Western Regional Auditions. Mr. MacNeil made his Carnegie Hall
solo debut in December 1998 in Britten’s The World of the Spirit. He has
soloed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in performances of Elijah, with
the Sydney Choral Festival in the Berlioz Requiem and in Orff’s Carmina
Burana with the Central Union Philharmonic in Beijing. More recently, he
could be heard in the role of Heinrich der Schreiber in the LA Opera
premiere of Richard Wagner's "Tannhauser."
Tickets for this concert are $11.00 (students get in for free) and will
be available at the door and through the Occidental College bookstore
website: http://www.oxybookstore.com/occolgleclub.html<
p>
|
|
Sing with the
Oxy Chorale in 2007-2008 Season |
|
Sing with the Occidental Chorale
The Occidental Chorale, the official chorus of the Pasadena Symphony,
seeks qualified singers of all voice parts to commit to an unprecedented
schedule of major choral works in the 2007-2008 season.
During the 2007-2008 season, the Occidental Master Chorale will be
singing three major concerts with the symphony under the direction of
Maestro Jorge Mester. These concerts include:
Beethoven: Symphony #9 - December 8, 2007
Mozart: Mass in c Minor - January 12, 2008
Verdi: Requiem Mass- April 12, 2008
The Chorale will be prepared for these concerts by its director, Dr.
Jeffrey Bernstein, who is Director of Choral Music at Occidental College
and Assistant Conductor of the Symphony. Most rehearsals will be at the
college on Monday nights starting in late August. Auditions will be held
on April 29th and June 10th. Alternate audition dates may be arranged if
interested and qualified singers are unable to make the scheduled dates.
To schedule an audition or for more information contact Susan Aldrich,
manager at:
Phone – 323-662-7062
Web Site – http://
departments.oxy.edu/choral/chorale/
Email – chorale1@mac.com
|
|
SW Hill Country
Lot Party and Movie Premier |
|
Sat, 04/14 Parking Lot Party and Sat, 04/21 Premiere of Western
Documentary
This Saturday, 04/14 West of Texas (1:00 pm),Well Diggers Banquet (2:00
pm), Old Bull (3:00 pm) and Los Duggans (4:00 pm)
Parking Lot Party, SW Hill Country Western Store, 1412 Colorado Blvd.,
Eagle Rock CA 90041
323.256.2500, www.swhillcountr
y.com
Music from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Call 323-256- 2500.
Bring your famous chili or munchies to compliment the BBQ for a
community potluck. All ages welcome. Plenty of street parking available.
For more info call 323-256-2500 or www.swhillcountry. com
April 28 & 29, Saturday/Sunday, All day, Santa Clarita Cowboy
Festival with Cowboy Nick from TWANG radio show, KCSN, 88.5 fm (www.kcsn.org)
at Melody Ranch. In the evening come on over for a Swing Dance hosted by
Cowboy Nick of KCSN.FM and SW Hill Country sponsoring a live broadcast
from the dance. Bring your dancing partner and two-step to the sounds of
The Lucky Stars on one of the best dance floors in the Santa Clarita
Valley. www.cowboyfesti
val.org
LOS ANGELES PREMIERE FOR WESTERN DOCUMENTARY: THE GUNS OF BILLY THE KID
THE GUNS OF BILLY THE KID gets its Los Angeles premiere on Saturday,
April 21, 2007 at A TRIBUTE TO THE OLD WEST – a celebration of all things
Western hosted by SW Hill Country in Eagle Rock from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
THE GUNS OF BILLY THE KID is a new documentary that examines the
legendary firearms used by the Southwest’s most famous outlaw. Hosted by
Western actor and historian Peter Sherayko (“Texas Jack” in the classic
movie Tombstone), THE GUNS OF BILLY THE KID investigates the history of
the guns favored by the outlaw, then takes them to the firing range to
compare them with today’s replicas.
Backed by exhaustive research and on-camera tests, the hour-long DVD
reveals which guns the Kid preferred and why – from the .41 caliber Colt
Thunderer to the comparatively rare Whitney-Kennedy Repeating Rifle. The
film investigates the legend of Billy shooting a man with a shotgun loaded
with silver dimes by test-firing an actual double-load of silver dimes
through a 10-gauge shotgun! Finally, the filmmakers have uncovered a
handgun that may have been carried by Billy the Kid himself – lost to
history for over 100 years.
The premiere takes place at A TRIBUTE TO THE OLD WEST – a celebration
on Saturday, April 21, hosted by SW Hill Country Western Store in Eagle
Rock. In addition to the screening, there will be country music, western
memorabilia and stars of Hollywood Westerns. The filmmakers and stars of
THE GUNS OF BILLY THE KID will be available to answer questions and
discuss their upcoming projects. The celebration lasts from 1:00 pm to
5:00 pm – and cowboy costumes are highly recommended!
THE GUNS OF BILLY THE KID is produced by Varmint Media and is available
at SW Hill Country, Amazon, or www.gunsofbi
llythekid.com. For more information about this event, please call
323-256- 2500 or www.swhillcountr
y.com. SW Hill Country Western Store is located at 1412 Colorado Blvd.
, Eagle Rock, 90041
|
|
Friends of the
ER Library Biannual Book/Bake Sale |
|
Mona Field advises us that on Sat April 28, the Eagle Rock Library
Friends hold the biannual Book Sale/Bake Sale to raise funds to support
the library. The event is at the library. Bake sale 9:30 - 11 am
(volunteers needed; please contact Mona Field at
field4collegebd@hotmail.com) Book Sale: 10 am until 3 pm.
Come buy baked goods and books for bargain prices and help our library!
|
|
Health Fair,
Yosemite Rec Center |
|
CELEBRATE A SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY! HEALTH AND COMMUNITY FAIR AT
YOSEMITE RECREATION CENTER APRIL 19
Join us at Yosemite Recreation Center for our annual Health &
Community Fair set for April 19, 2007 from 3-7pm. We will have something
for everyone. Health Information, Medical Screenings and Community groups
will all be on hand to provide the community with useful information.
There will also be free food, giveaways, an inflatable play area and live
music throughout the afternoon. So come on down and get healthy with us!
For more information contact us at 1840 Yosemite Dr, or call us at (323)
257-1644. See you there! Karin Fox, Recreation Coordinator, Yosemite
Recreation Center, 1840 Yosemite Dr.
|
|
Eagle Rock
Valley Historical Society Mtg. 4-17-07 |
|
ERVHS MEETING asks, "What 'Cha Got? Treasures from the archives."
For one night only the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society will
showcase some of its most interesting holdings. On Tuesday April 17th at
7pm , our special collections and some surprises will be on view. Come and
see for yourself what we have, what you as members help to support and
sustain, and what the heck we all look at Saturday after Saturday. There
will be history at your fingertips, other interested neighbors to meet,
and refreshments to boot! These special selections will be on view, with
curators available to answer your questions at each of the themed tables.
The Buff collection Children¹s books by Conrad and Mary E. Buff with
memorabilia of their working lives. Today Conrad Buff II is a well-known
painter whose work brings high prices. During his early working life in
Eagle Rock he was a house and sign painter who even at one time had a
contract with the City of Eagle Rock to paint house numbers on curbs.
Later in his life his principal income was from printmaking, commercial
design and collaboration with his wife, Mary, on a successful series of
children¹s books.
Eagle Rock¹s Rose Parade Trophies awarded to Eagle Rocks Floats in the
Parade, photos articles and programs documenting Eagle Rock¹s
participation in this world famous event. The trophies have been in our
collection from the beginning and we have documented that they were on
display in the library for many years. Lately Fred Guapo has focused on
the Parade and has unearthed fascinating new material.
History in the Newspaper View significant Newspapers from the earliest
years of our town until recent times. Thanks to our members we have a very
good collection of Eagle Rock¹s papers throughout the years. We will
display papers documenting important events in our history and the history
of news publishing here. For the first time papers will be displayed from
newly acquired bound volumes of the Eagle Rock Sentinel.
Eagle Rock High School Totems and Memorabilia Annuals, program
announcements and photographs from throughout our High School¹s history.
Interesting items including graduation photos, football, and theatre
programs from throughout the years. The first totem and one from each ten
years of our schools existence.
Panoramic Photos - Our superb collection of panoramas of Eagle Rock in
its first thirty years, probably our most requested material. These
panoramic views allow us to view the context of the town as it grew.
Houses and stores can be seen which are not individually photographed.
View the explosive development of Eagle Rock from farms to today's suburb.
An Introduction to Our New Website. We are proud to announce that we
are now online. Featured is a Calendar of events, Facts about Eagle Rock
History, and Historical Photos. Do you know who wrote the words to the
California State Song? We have the answer to that and other local tidbits
on our website. For an historic "Stroll Down the Boulevard" complete with
music view a video on our Photo Gallery page. We hope to have more videos
soon. We are regularly adding content so visit www.eaglerock
history.org often.
|
|
New ER Based
On-Line Business |
|
Hi Michael,
I’d like to let your readers know about a new business I have started
out of my home in Eagle Rock. Although not a brick and mortar store, I
have an online t-shirt business for dog lovers. The t-shirts are
high-quality and very soft, with messages about dogs (for women and
juniors). I also sell in retail stores in Santa Monica, West Hollywood and
Tarzana, and continue to look for more places to take my tees. I donate a
portion of the proceeds to animals in need and currently sponsor a dog
through New Leash on Life.
Please tell your readers to check out my site: www.skyeandclo
ud.com
I am able to give TERA members a discount if they contact me directly
at kathryn@skyeandcloud.com
We will also be selling the tees at the Nuts for Mutts event at Pierce
College at 6201 Winnetka Ave. in Woodland Hills on Sunday, April 22 from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kathryn Klingler, TERA member
|
|
Jack Smith
Trail Walk Sunday, 4-15-07 |
|
Jack Smith Trail Walk Set For Sunday, 4/15 The twelfth annual Jack
Smith Trail Walk, organized by the Mount Washington Association in honor
of the celebrated author and Los Angeles Times columnist, will take place
on Sunday, April 15. Walkers will depart in small groups between 9:00 a.m.
and 9:30 a.m. from the tunnel entrance of the Southwest Museum on Museum
Drive.
The walk consists of a four-mile loop through the Mount Washington
hillside. A rest stop, near the trail’s half-way mark in front of the
Mount Washington School, will provide hikers with complimentary water,
cookies and dog biscuits, courtesy of the Mount Washington Association.
The trail route, walked at a leisurely pace, takes between two and two
and a half hours. Guides will identify and explain and local points of
interest. Participation is open to the public and free of charge.
Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.
Despite our freakishly dry winter, the hills are green and bird life is
abundant. Birdwatchers are encouraged to bring binoculars.
Born in Long Beach, Ca, Jack Smith worked as a reporter for a number of
newspapers before taking a post as a general assignment reporter for the
Los Angeles Times in 1953. He began writing his regular column in 1958 and
soon became an icon to Los Angeles newspapers readers with daily reports
on everyday life as observed from his Mount Washington home.
Smith was known for a warm, unpretentious style that graced over 6,000
columns during an extraordinary 37-year run. He remained a Mount
Washington resident until his passing in 1996 and also authored ten books.
|
|
MorYork Gallery
Solo Exhibition |
|
The MorYork Gallery in Highland Park is pleased to present a solo
exhibition by Christian Tedeschi.
Christian Tedeschi¹s recent work is an interaction with found objects
that are characteristic of and from the streets of Long Beach and Los
Angeles. It began as an attempt to clean a neighborhood of corporate and
industrial flotsam and became something else.
To view an image visit:
http://www.nelaart.org/
ct/
Opening Reception: Saturday April 14th 7- 10pm
This show is in conjunction with NELAart.org Gallery Night
MORYORK Gallery, 4959 York Blvd. at York and Ave. 50., Los Angeles, CA
90042.
Open by appointment - 323-376-4428
|
|
Highland Park
Farmers Market |
|
Seth Budick writes:
High on the list of most maligned vegetables, forming perhaps an axis
of the inedible along with brussels sprouts and broccoli, is surely the
humble pea. Overcooked and mushy, with a lingering taste of the freezer or
can betraying its origins, who could be blamed for avoiding this casualty
of modern food preservation techniques? Hopefully I'll have an opportunity
to tell you soon how farmers market brussels sprouts can be a delicious
part of your diet, but in the mean time, I'll happily make the case for
peas.
This past week, along with the first artichokes and zucchini of the
season, Tamai Farms brought fresh Sugar Snap Peas to the market, giving us
all a jolt of Spring. Snap peas are a cross between the flat snow pea and
the full bodied English pea, with an edible pod and kernel. While snap
peas are fine raw, in a salad or as a snack, cooking them for just a
couple of minutes turns them a vibrant bright green and really lets their
flavor and sweetness blossom. After removing their strings, try throwing a
few handfuls in a pot of salted boiling water for about 3 minutes, until
they're just tender. Drain and toss them with some olive oil, salt to
taste, and fresh chopped mint or chives from Frog Dog Farms and you'll
understand why, in 17th century England, peas were said to be "both a
fashion and a madness." Perhaps more than any other vegetable, the quality
of peas declines very quickly after harvesting, so try to eat your fresh
picked peas as soon as possible.
Another interesting new item at the market this past week was edible
flower petals from Frog Dog Farms, perfect for decorating a cake or other
dessert. Excellent citrus, including tangelos and Murcott tangerines
continue to abound at the market, as well as three different varieties of
strawberries, at last count. Things are really starting to heat up at the
market, so take a look at http:
//www.friends4oldlafarmersmarket.org for a list of what you can expect
to find this week, along with recipes and nutritional info. While you're
at the market, also stop for fresh cheeses and fruit preserves and snack
on kettle corn, tamales, roasted corn and potatoes, and honey pineapple
chicken.
Please stop by the market for fresh, field-ripened, high quality
produce from local farmers and spend time with your friends, neighbors and
other community members.
The Highland Park Certified Farmers Market is located adjacent to the
Highland Park Gold Line station at Marmion Way between Ave. 57 & 58
and operates Tuesdays from 3-8PM.
|
|
Cactus Gallery
Calling, not Once but Twice |
|
1. Open Call: Artisans & Jewelers
Cactus Gallery is a unique space that sees jewelry as ART and jewelers
as ARTISTS. We are currently looking for handmade jewelry, not just hand
assembled, but items that have been cast, soldered, fused, riveted,
corrugated, stones that have been set, vitrofusion (glass fusing),
enameling, etc.
We are putting on BIJOU - A JEWELRY SHOW on Saturday, May 19th and
Sunday, May 20th, 2007. If you would like to participate, send jpegs and
info to semastroianni70@yahoo.com. Also interested in leather items.
Please check: myspace.com/cactusgallery
and also www.eclecticcact
us.com to see our jewelry lines.
You MUST BE present on the show dates to man your table and pimp your
art.
2. OPEN CALL: "DOG IS LOVE 2"
Cactus Gallery is seeking submissions of doggie inspired artwork. All
media will be considered: painting, mosaic, photography, collage, dog
clothing, leashes, movies, etc... DOG IS LOVE 2 is scheduled for Saturday,
June 9, 2007 from 5-10pm. Send jpegs to semastroianni70@yahoo.com by May
7, 2007.
Last year's event was a blast. People are encouraged to bring well
behaved dogs for a night out! Doggie treats, raffles, perhaps a fashion
show and human food/beverages too. Check our website to view last year's
show : http://www.eclecticcactus.com/showphoto
s/April22_06.htm.
|
|
April 14th
Roundtable Discussion on Public Education at Oxy |
|
April 14 Education roundtable at Occidental
“RETHINKING PUBLIC EDUCATION” ROUNDTABLE IS APRIL 14 AT OCCIDENTAL
COLLEGE
The chair of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Education Advisory Committee, the
innovative young principal of Franklin High School, and a Los Angeles
teacher- turned-professor will discuss “Rethinking Public Education” in a
roundtable presentation at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 14 in Bird Studio
of the Booth Music and Speech Center on the Occidental College campus.
The program comes on the heels of a bluntly worded, long-awaited
evaluation of California’s public schools released last month that
concluded the system is “broken,” plagued by bureaucracy, flawed policies
and misspent money, leaving it in need of sweeping reforms that could cost
billons of dollars.
Mitchell, charged by the governor with drawing up specific
recommendations for reform by late summer or early autumn, is Occidental’s
president emeritus and CEO of the NewSchools Venture Fund. He will be
joined by Luis Lopez, himself a graduate of Franklin and one of the
youngest principals in the Los Angeles Unified School District, and Ron
Solorzano, professor of education at Occidental and a veteran of Los
Angeles Unified classrooms.
The roundtable, which will be followed by a question and answer period,
will follow a 9 a.m. reception and continental breakfast. The cost is $10
per person. To RVSP, contact the Occidental Office of Alumni Relations at
(323) 259-2601 or alumni@oxy.edu. You can also register online at http://www.oxy.ed
u/alumni.xml.
|
|
Pre-Lummis Day
Fund Raiser |
|
Pre-"Lummis Day" Fundraiser (5/5) Features L.A. Weekly's "Best
Performer-Poet"
A Cinco De Mayo “Lummis Day” Fundraiser at Heritage Square Museum (3800
Homer Street) will feature wine and refreshments and the poetry and
performance art of Linda J. Albertano, recognized by the L.A. Weekly as
L.A.'s "Best Female Performer-Poet."
The fundraising event is scheduled from 6:30-9:00 pm on Saturday, May
5. Admission, which includes all refreshments, is $35 in advance and $40
at the door. All proceeds will help underwrite the second annual “Lummis
Day: The Festival of Northeast Los Angeles” on June 3, presented by
Occidental College with the support of the Mount Washington Association,
the Highland Park Heritage Trust, the Autry National Center, the Arroyo
Arts Collective, the Historic Highland Park and Arroyo Seco Neighborhood
Councils, over dozen other community organizations and City Council
Districts 1 and 14.
Linda Albertano, who was among five poets chosen to represent Los
Angeles in Amsterdam's "One World Poetry Festival," is a musician,
performance artist and poet who has appeared at the L.A.Theater Center and
The John Anson Ford Theater as well as Beyond Baroque, the Knitting
Factory, and other literary/spoken-word meccas. Ms. Albertano has also
toured with the performing groups, Nearly Fatal Women and Gynomite! Her
recent CD "Skin" is available on New Alliance Records.
To purchase tickets, email LummisDay@yahoo.com, log on to
LummisDay.org, or phone 818-535-9178.
On Sunday June 3, the musical, visual, culinary and literary artists of
Los Angeles will join to stage the second annual “Lummis Day: The Festival
of Northeast Los Angeles,” a free, public celebration of the multicultural
spirit and rich history of the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods. The
Festival will include events at Lummis Home and Sycamore Grove Park with
ancillary events staged at other locations in the Northeast L.A.
community.
“Lummis Day” is designed to foster cooperative efforts among the Arroyo
neighborhood community groups, strengthen linkages among cultural,
commercial and community resources and create a framework for civic,
creative and commercial growth in Northeast Los Angeles.
|
|
Letters |
|
Michael-
While it's great to read about our local businesses getting noticed,
announcements for home tours and art shows, it seems that what we're not
talking about (unless I missed it) is the 'elephant in the Eagle Rock's
living room'.
It's the graffiti- we see it exploding on our garages & fences,
sidewalks, driveways, walls and doors, on our libraries, bus stops, parks,
elementary schools, supermarkets. It’s on those hip restaurants that are
putting us on the map and it's on the old time mom and pop stores, auto
body shops and corner markets that some see as the heart of our town.
Recently I heard Steve Cooley on KPCC defending felony charges being
brought against taggers. Mind you, I'm as liberal as they come, but I was
in total agreement. Cooley pointed out how graffiti has the power to
dishearten & intimidate and I felt like he was talking about my own
recent trip to Eagle Rock park. Like you, I was walking my dogs at the
park and saw the results of the handiwork of the 'hoodies' you talked
about. Not just a name scrawled on a bench, but yards and yards of bright
blue tagging covering the new bleachers, railings and walkways that we
were all so proud of last year. I was intimidated, disheartened...and
embarrassed. I was glad I hadn't brought a visitor with me to show them
the park.
You know, I was in Pasadena the other day and was talking to a cop
about an outdoor Art space near their City Hall and jokingly asked ' wow,
why haven't they graffitied it yet?' The cop said- 'Graffitied? Where do
you live?'
Ed Mapes
Thanks for writing, Ed. I think I have written numerous times about
graffiti, including the number to call (311 or the Eagle Rock Council
Office at 323-254- 5295) to have City crews remove the graffiti. I've also
thanked the Park staff for calling to have the mess removed from the
restroom walls so quickly. I noted this morning that the blue paint on the
bleachers you mentioned had pretty much been removed. As has been
discussed before, the important thing is to call and report the graffiti
to have it removed or, if it's on your property and you have the ability,
to remove it yourself. We can all complain about the graffiti and curse
those who do it, but the important thing is to get rid of it. The elephant
should not be allowed to hang around the living room any longer!
___________________________________
Dear Michael,
I am an avid reader of your e-letter, and although I currently reside
in Glendale, my heart belongs to my home town of Eagle Rock!
Your response to Lisa's letter about the loitering teens was beautiful.
I have lived and worked in a number of "questionable" areas, and while I
try to use good judgment, I refuse to give up my right to inhabit these
areas. Once we let go of these public spaces, they will only get worse.
I also agree that many people stereotyped as "shady characters" by the
way they look can be surprisingly friendly and sociable. I make it a
personal practice of saying hello to people as I walk by on the streets.
The vast majority are surprised by my friendly greeting, and return the
greeting with a smile! When I was a kid I traveled a lot on public
transportation. I ended up having so many interesting conversations on the
bus that sometimes I would miss my stop! I may be at first perceived as
slightly odd, but I have met some really wonderful people this way, folks
of all ages and backgrounds. I am also proud to have raised my kids to be
"cautious but not paranoid" when interacting with strangers. When they
were young, I encouraged them to talk to strangers when I was around. Now
that they are older, they too have had good experiences interacting with
people they don't know.
I believe contact made between strangers brings us all together,
whereas ignoring and avoiding people who are different will only further
drive us apart and make our town less of a "community".
Feel free to print this or not, I just want you to know I support what
you wrote!
Cheers,
Escott O. Norton
Thanks Escott. Now, follow your heart home to Eagle Rock and bring a
paint brush, and after we've painted out some graffiti, I'll treat you to
ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery.
Hi Mike:
In regards to Lisa's letter about the teens hanging out in the
Walgreen's parking lot(s) and your response, I would just add that Lisa's
hesitations are understandable. However, I think you are on to something
in your thoughtful response. Being closer to a teen myself, I know that it
is natural for teens to want to "sport a look" or attitude to make oneself
look scarier than one really is....it's tough to "find yourself" as a teen
and where you fit in. I would keep in mind that the Walgreen's parking lot
is open, well lit, busy and relatively graffiti free (not the case for a
lot of other areas in ER unfortunately.) It is probably better to have the
teens hanging out there than at the park or in some alleyway or somewhere
else which might lend itself towards more mischief-making.
Your idea about just saying hello is a winner....and the well lit and
busy parking area of the Walgreen's complex is probably the safer place do
just that. Let the kids know you know they are there and are valued and
"recognized" (in every sense of the word) by the adults in the community.
Thanks and kudos to Lisa for writing with her concerns and starting a
discussion. It has made me think this morning about how I respond to the
teens and others generally in our community who are different than myself
and ask myself if there are better ways I could relate with them (I
confess I rarely say hello, they may think I'm a nutter, but I will try it
out!).
Thanks again Mike and Lisa.
Mike Grosskruger
Good work, Mike. Better to be a friendly and non- threatening nutter
who can enjoy the whole community even as a post-teen. Thanks for writing
and after Escott comes home and we're done painting out graffiti, you and
Lisa are welcome to join us at Cold Stone.
___________________________________
| Quick
Links... |
|
|
