THE
EAGLE ROCK
ASSOCIATION
The Best Investment You Can Make in Your Neighborhood
April 22, 2004
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to us at e.letter@TERA90041.org so we
can keep them informed, too.
This week:
Saturday is community service day (item
#4)
“Growing with Ghosts” is about to
vanish (item #11)
Don’t go into the attic! (Until you check
item 12...)(item #12)
Table of Contents:
1. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
2. PUBLIC RELATIONS HELP NEEDED FOR THIS YEAR’S ECLECTIC EAGLE
ROCK HOME TOUR!
3. AVENUE 50 STUDIO INVITES YOU TO OPEN PANDORA’S BOX — APRIL 23
4. JOIN COUNCILMEMBER VILLARAIGOSA FOR THE NEXT COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY
— APRIL 24
5. YA GOTTA HAVE FRIENDS (ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A LIBRARY) -- APRIL
24
6. WALK HISTORIC ECHO PARK — APRIL 24
7. EAGLE ROCK OPEN HOUSE TO BE ON HGTV! -- APRIL 25
8. BUNGALOW HEAVEN HOME TOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — APRIL 25
9. BUNGALOW HEAVEN HOME TOUR -- APRIL 25
11. "GROWING WITH GHOSTS" CLOSES
THIS SATURDAY! -- APRIL 25
12. EAGLE ROCK VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S EXPERTS PEEK INTO OUR
ATTICS AND TELL US HOW TO SAVE OUR STUFF — APRIL 27
13. WE'VE GOT MAIL
14. THE LAST WORD -- HUBERT H. HUMPHREY
1. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
TERA's Land Use Committee Meeting last night was very
productive. Not only did we make progress on the Commercial Building
Survey (read more about this important effort in TERA's upcoming printed
newsletter), and cataloguing billboards in Eagle Rock, we also took the
following actions:
Case # ZA 2004-0078 (ZAD) -4515 N. Eagle Rock
Blvd. (Philippine Village Center)
Request by Oscar Jornacion to permit shared parking of the existing 67 parking
spaces, in lieu of the 101 parking spaces required for conversion for an 1800
square foot office space into an 1100 square foot church use and 700 square
foot dance and banquet hall with alcohol sales.
It was a wonderful meeting, and thank you to all who attended!
With regards to the my message in last week's e.letter regarding the Alma
Lodge on Colorado Boulevard, thank you to all who have written to the
e.letter and to those who have voiced your concerns to Councilmember
Villaraigosa's office. My goal is to seek better management, and to
seek ways that TERA can work with the owners to be helpful in beautifying the
facade along Colorado Boulevard. I am not seeking to demonize those who
need help and are receiving services at the Alma Lodge; but more needs to
be done to help us all to peacefully coexist. TERA will be working with
the Council office and LAPD to create a solution, but it is important that we
continue to hear from you. Thanks again for all of your letters!
Finally, this weekend, please help participate in Community Service Day (Item
#4 below) and do not miss the last performances of "Growing
with Ghosts" at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock (see
Item #11 below). The musical is off-beat and incredibly creative, and a
real testament to the work of Jenny Krusoe and her Board of Directors.
Every nook and cranny of the old Eagle Rock Library is cleverly put to use.
It truly has to be experienced to be believed! It is amazing that
Eagle Rock could be blessed with such talent. If you can, consider
becoming a member of the Center, to support more such unique artistic
offerings.
Eagle Rock gets more exciting every day, and TERA is proud to play a role in
it!
Have a wonderful week...
-- Hilary Norton Orozco, TERA President
2. PUBLIC
RELATIONS HELP NEEDED FOR THIS YEAR’S ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR!
Here’s an update on plans for this year’s Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour,
submitted by Ellen Narver, one of the many volunteers already hard at work to
ensure that this year’s Home Tour is the most spectacular yet.
The Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour public relations (PR)
sub-committee is looking for a couple of reliable people to get the word out
about our fabulous home tour coming to Eagle Rock on Sunday, October 24!
€ The job entails sending out
calendar listings and press releases (already written) -- mostly by e.mail,
some by mail -- then a following-up with an email or call close to the
"publishing" date to confirm that we're "in."
€ I already have sources
identified, so its just a matter of following through. Of course, you can
be creative and add to my list!
€ The work can be done on your
own time -- the subcommittee stays in touch by phone and e.mail, so you don't
have to attend meetings (although you are welcome to attend the organizing
committee meetings). Most of the postings are due weeks before the tour,
so there's no last-minute scrambling!
Contact Ellen Narver, 323/259-9903 or elneln@aol.com,
if you are interested. Thanks!
3. AVENUE 50 STUDIO INVITES YOU TO OPEN PANDORA’S BOX — APRIL 23
Jewels, gems and assorted treasures await those who venture to Pandora's Box,
a trunk show highlighting the handiwork of six local artists. If you are
looking for a gift for mom or a new bride, or you’re simply in the market for
something to perk up your spring wardrobe, you don't want to miss this show!
Featuring work from Susan Carson, Tai Carson, Renee Dominique, Max
Haberman, Tracy Parker, and Jennifer Rowland. Distinctive
necklaces, earrings, bracelets, bags, and other wearable art will be available
for purchase in this lovely art gallery setting. Light refreshment will
be provided.
For more information, dial (323) 258-1435.
4. JOIN COUNCILMEMBER VILLARAIGOSA FOR THE NEXT COMMUNITY SERVICE
DAY — APRIL 24
Here’s a message from Councilmember Villaraigosa’s office about this
weekend’s Community Service Day in El Sereno. What better way to
celebrate Earth Day than to volunteer a few hours weeding, painting, recycling
and generally spiffing up one of our most vibrant and activist sister
communities? If you’re planning to attend, please not that TERA is
seeking volunteers to represent the Eagle Rock community at this Day of
Service. To join us, contact Mary Tokita at mtokita@earthlink.net.
in El Sereno, Hillside Village, University Hills and Rose Hills
Meet at the El Sereno Recreation Center
El Sereno Area, Los Angeles
Free Lunch from Shakey's for all volunteers!
L.A. City Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa, in partnership with L.A.-32
Neighborhood Council , will host a community service day this
Saturday, April 24th from 8:00 a.m. to Noon, to benefit the communities of El
Sereno, Hillside Village, University Hills and Rose Hills.
Area residents are invited to join in the effort to beautify their
neighborhood at any of three cleanup sites along Huntington Drive, Valley
Boulevard, and Eastern Avenue. During the day of service, volunteers will
participate in repairing a neighborhood house, painting a mural, clearing
debris and bulky items, planting flowers and steam cleaning streets.
Volunteers are asked to meet at the El Sereno Recreation Center, 4721
Klamath St. Los Angeles, CA 90032, at 8:00 a.m.
The day of community service marks the seventh community cleanup organized by
Councilmember Villaraigosa since taking office last July and the third organized
in the El Sereno, Hillside Village and surrounding neighborhoods.
Thank you in advance for your support!
-- Jennie Carreon, Office of Councilmember Antonio R. Villaraigosa,
(323) 226-1646, jcarreon@council.lacity.org
5. YA GOTTA HAVE FRIENDS (ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A LIBRARY) -- APRIL
24
The Friends of the Eagle Rock Branch Library will hold its Spring
Used Book Sale on Saturday, April 24 from 10:00 a.m. To 3:00 p.m. A
bake sale will precede the event at 9:00 a.m. in front of the library. Children's
books as well as adult bestsellers are available at reasonable prices. Proceeds
benefit library programs. For additional information (or to join the Friends of
the Library,) call Kent Brinkmeyer, Branch Librarian (323) 258-8078.
6. WALK HISTORIC ECHO PARK — APRIL 24
Echo Park’s most prominent historic landmarks will be featured during a
walking tour of the neighborhood business district and Echo Park Lake on
Saturday, April. 24. The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. A Spanish-language
version of the tour will be offered at 12 noon. The 1-1/2 hour tour
organized by the Echo Park Historical Society will include the colorful
histories of prominent neighborhood buildings and institutions that have been
recognized by local and national agencies as historic and cultural treasures.
The outdoor tour features Angelus Temple, Jensen’s Recreation Center and
the restored "Lady of the Lake" statue. The tours leave from
the southwest corner of Sunset and Lemoyne Street. The tour group is limited to
20 people. A $3.00 donation is requested for adults. There is no charge
for children under 12 or for Echo Park Historical Society members.
For tour information and reservations, please call (323) 860-8874.
Or visit the Historic Society’s web site at http://www.HistoricEchoPark.org.
The business district and lake tour is part of the Historic Echo Park Walking
Tours program organized by the Echo Park Historical Society. The tours are held
on the fourth Saturday of every month and rotate among three different routes:
Elysian Park, Echo Park stairways and the business district.
7. EAGLE ROCK OPEN
HOUSE TO BE ON HGTV! -- APRIL 25
Everyone is invited to an open house on Sunday, April 25, from
2:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Eagle Rock home of Marcia and Tony Cunha, 5179
High Crest Avenue (off Hill Drive, east of Eagle Vista.) The
Cunhas have purchased another Eagle Rock home, and we're very glad that they'll
still be part of our wonderful neighborhood. Their current home will be
featured on the new HGTV show, "Designed to Sell," and
some of the filming for the show will take place during the open house.
The air date will be sometime in the coming months, and we'll let you
know when. Join us this Sunday and grab your 15 minutes of fame!
See you then!
8. BUNGALOW HEAVEN HOME TOUR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — APRIL 25
Here’s an important update from TERA President Emeritus Joanne Turner on this
weekend’s Bungalow Heaven Home Tour in Pasadena:
Our friends at Pasadena's Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association
(BHNA) are having their 15th annual home tour this weekend, Sunday, April 25,
(see item 9 below.) Their members were instrumental in helping TERA get started
on our own home tour almost five years ago, which is now one of Eagle Rock's
greatest events.
Each year I personally reciprocate BHNA's helpfulness by volunteering to be a
docent on their tour. They are still in need of some volunteers, and I
would strongly encourage you to give them a call and offer to help. It's
fun, it's only three hours of your time, and you get two free tickets to the
tour, which is one of the best around. The houses this year are really
varied in style and quite amazing!
Please volunteer -- our neighborhood associations ought to support one another
as much as possible.
BHNA currently needs:
5 afternoon docents (1:00-4:00)
4 afternoon greeters (same time)
1 Jr. docent afternoon (mostly to direct traffic)
1 souvenir salesperson - morning (10:00-1:00)
Any interested parties should call Karen Sugars (626) 398-4547. Thanks so
much!
-- Joanne Turner, President Emeritus, The Eagle Rock Association
(TERA)
9. BUNGALOW HEAVEN HOME TOUR -- APRIL 25
Celebrating its fifteenth year, the Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood
Association is proud to present Pasadena's premier historic home tour on Sunday,
April 25, 2004, showcasing eight outstanding examples of early twentieth
century architecture, many of which have never before been open to the public.
Hours of this walking tour are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The 2004 Historic Home Tour will feature homes within the Bungalow
Heaven Landmark District of Pasadena, California, which has been featured
in Sunset magazine, USA Today and most recently in the new books Bungalow
Nation and California Cottage Style. Each of the homes on tour is a fine
example of period architecture and style, and docents will be on hand to answer
questions as visitors enjoy this rare and intimate look through the interiors
of these unusual homes in this beautiful, tree-lined district.
From about 1905 to 1920, Bungalow Heaven saw the construction of hundreds of
Craftsman-style homes, and today Pasadena's first official landmark district
contains one of the largest collections of these homes in the nation. Many of
the homes will be decorated in authentic Arts & Crafts-era furniture and
appointments, and tour organizers have once again invited prominent antiques
dealers to furnish the homes in period style. A lecture, "Bungalow Heaven
and the Arts and Crafts Movement," will be presented. Lecture tickets are
$5.
Proceeds from previous Home Tours have funded local renovation efforts, such as
the award-winning MacDonald Park playground. Money raised by the 2004 Home Tour
will continue to fund neighborhood revitalization efforts and community events.
Bungalow Heaven is located north of the 210 (Foothill) Freeway in the heart of
residential Pasadena between the Lake and Hill exits. Home Tour tickets can be
purchased the day of the event at MacDonald Park at the intersection of Mar
Vista Avenue and Mountain Street in Bungalow Heaven. Tickets are $15 the day of
the tour and advance tickets are available for $12 by writing BHNA Tour, P.O.
Box 40812, Pasadena, CA 91114-7812. For recorded information call (626)
585-2172 or visit http://www.bungalowheaven.org
11. "GROWING WITH GHOSTS" ENCHANTS — CLOSES SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Hey, it’s the last weekend to see “Growing with Ghosts,” the 65 minute
multimedia performance extravaganza now playing at our very own Center for the
Arts, Eagle Rock. If you haven’t yet made your reservations, now is the
time! Here are the details:
-- Los Angeles Times
Playwright Ken Roht's Newest Work,
Please keep in mind that the audience for this
event is limited to 50 people per performance. To avoid disappointment,
please call first to make a reservation.
For additional information regarding Mr. Roht and his company, Orphean
Circus, please check their website, http://www.orpheancircus.com.
For more information on the Center for the Arts, go to http://www.centerartseaglerock.org.
12. EAGLE ROCK VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S EXPERTS PEEK INTO OUR
ATTICS AND TELL US HOW TO SAVE OUR STUFF — APRIL 27
Here’s an Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society event that will be of vital
interest to anyone with an attic overflowing with precious —and rapidly
deteriorating — photos, scrapbooks, paintings and other artifacts of fondly
remembered times past:
It’s summer time and your attic is hot and full of bugs, with scattered boxes
spilling over with heirlooms. Or it’s winter time and your garage is
damp, your photographs jammed into already stuffed scrapbooks sitting on
shelves or on the floor. And then there’s that new leak in the back of
the hall closet where your grandmother’s wedding dress is stored. The
front cover of your favorite book has fallen off, and you’ve noticed that the painting
on the wall that you adore has been changing colors as the years pass.
Sound familiar?
Caring For Your Family Treasures, the subject of the Historical
Society’s next public program, features a panel of art conservators from the
Getty Research Institute’s Research Library offering advice on how to preserve
your personal collections.
Bring your photographs, books, paper ephemera, objects and artifacts for the
expert panel to view and discuss with you one-on-one, as time permits. Any
owners of items reflecting the history of Eagle Rock are especially encouraged
to attend so that the public can view these treasures normally tucked away.
Please keep in mind the panel will not be assessing the value of your items.
Rather, they will choose an exemplary few to discuss with the group at
large. After the general program the panel will break into a one-on-one
format to specifically discuss how you might stabilize, store, and extend the
life of your important pieces.
Where and how to find local conservators will also be addressed. The goal is to
empower you with the basics of preventative conservation and a sense of when to
seek a professional. You can help the history of your family and of Eagle
Rock live on, not just in memory, but in tangible, visible form!
The Panel:
Katie Taylor
When not volunteering at the Eagle Rock Historical Society, Katie can
be found working on her home with husband Zach and their two cats. She
specializes in book and paper conservation. Katie has been an Eagle Rock
resident for 4 1/2 years and never plans to move!
Teresa Mesquit
Teresa specializes in photograph conservation. She, too, has boxes
and boxes of old photos! Teresa loves to camp, explore highway 395, and
feed her 1980 vintage sourdough starter.
Albrecht Gumlich
Albrecht was born in Germany and trained as a cabinetmaker in Portugal.
He became interested in object conservation at the age of 35.
Albrecht loves living in Topanga Canyon and is a tireless activist in his
community.
13. WE'VE GOT MAIL
In last week’s e.letter TERA President Hilary Norton Orozco described
TERA’s efforts to work with local authorities to address incidents related to
the Alma Lodge residential facility at 1750 Colorado Boulevard (“A Call to
Action on Alma Lodge” April 15 e.letter,) including one incident in
which a resident of the facility who appeared to be medicated made threatening
gestures as she walked past the Lodge with her son. The item prompted a
number of replies, including the following:
“I have been concerned about the situation at Alma Lodge for years.
The residents are often on the streets, panhandling at Taco Bell and
other places. In addition to the problems this causes for the community,
it is inexcusable that the managers of Alma Lodge are allowing the residents to
be unsupervised. I don't know who manages this program, but it is clear that
they are not providing a safe and secure place for the residents. I would
like to know who owns and manages Alma Lodge, its purpose, and which official
agency they report to. The residents I have seen on the street are
unwashed and confused. Who is responsible for their living conditions?”
-- Anita Britt, Eagle Rock
* * *
“I agree that Alma Lodge does not
belong in the community. People on psychiatric drugs are often prone to
violence and it is unsafe to have this center at the heart of our community, so
close to our schools. It represents a danger and should be relocated
somewhere else.”
-- Bill Markis, Eagle Rock
* * *
”I absolutely, positively agree that this
Alma Lodge needs to be refurbished! As I look down Colorado Blvd. at all
the new and exciting storefronts, I have been wondering what was holed up
in that place. There's no sign, no lighting, not even a real ‘front door’
that I could spot. I had no idea it was a halfway house, until
recently. If there are ‘highly medicated’ people in there, the facility
needs to take responsibility for their care when they are outside the facility,
and the place needs to be better maintained. It's really rundown,
and, frankly, I thought it was abandoned. It certainly doesn't project
the image of the ‘new downtown Eagle Rock’ that we're trying to promote.
I support your efforts to work with the management in seeking better security
and better maintenance for this facility.”
-- Cheryl Leutjen, Eagle Rock
* * *
“I am very sorry that Ms Orozco’s son was
accosted by someone from the Alma Lodge and had a bad experience. There
probably needs to be some ‘looking into’ to make sure there is no threat to the
community and that the residents are getting the care they need. Lest all
the residents of that facility be tarred with the same brush, however, I’d like
to report a different experience.
“In the three and a half years I have walked past that lodge, usually with my
daughter along in her stroller. I have never had a negative encounter
with the denizens of Alma, and, in fact, can recall some very pleasant
exchanges and kind words with these folks.
“They also should not be lumped in with the scurrilous street pirates who
congregate on a corner not far away, nor with the homeless people who appear to
live on the corner of Mt. Royal and Colorado near the moving company.
Drunks and lawbreakers need to get the message that they are not welcome
Eagle Rock. But I hope we can be compassionate with folks who are
struggling with their mental health. A community is strongest which cares
for its weakest.”
-- Katy Hickman, Eagle Rock
* * *
“Thanks
so much for mentioning our Historic Preservation District Overlay Zone Tour in
last week’s e.letter. We really appreciate it.
-- Cindy Olnick, Los Angeles Conservancy
You’re welcome, Cindy. And thank you and the Conservancy
for continuing to shine a light on the hidden (and sometimes not so hidden)
treasures of our city.
* * *
We
welcome your comments, complaints and/or compliments on the e.letter or any
other 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.
14. THE LAST WORD --
HUBERT H. HUMPHREY
“Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of
discussion, dissent, and debate.”
-- Hubert H. Humphrey (1911-1978)
Distributed weekly via
email and as a regular feature on various internet discussion groups, the TERA
e.letter is read by well over 2000 readers 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 informed, too.
If you have changed your email address or would like to be removed from this
list, send us an email to e.letter@TERA90041.org
with the word(s) "remove" or "address change" in the
subject box, as appropriate.
If you have a press release, letter of comment, question or other notice that
you feel might be of interest to the Eagle Rock community, send it to e.letter@TERA90041.org. Your announcement -- in the form of an
email text message, (no attachments, please) -- must be in our hands by noon on
Monday to be considered for inclusion in that week's issue.
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
The Eagle Rock Association (TERA)
Vince Waldron, editor
e.letter@TERA90041.org