THE EAGLE
ROCK ASSOCIATION
The Best
Investment You Can Make in Your Neighborhood
TERA
e.letter
May 13, 2004
Learn more about us
and how we are changing our community for the better.
What? You're not yet a member of TERA?
Join now! Here's how:
Click on
http://www.TERA90041.org/teraform.htm
Now more than ever, please support your residents association --
more than 1,000 members strong, and growing every day!
Please encourage interested friends and neighbors to send their
email addresses
to us at e.letter@TERA90041.org so we
can keep them informed, too.
This week:
Signs, gardens, poles and a farewell (item
#1)
Have you written your elected official about
caltrans? (item #2)
Our garden takes root! (item #3)
Table of Contents:
1. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE — TERA MAKES PROGRESS FOR EAGLE ROCK!
2. IS CALTRANS RUNNING OVER EAGLE ROCK?
3. A GARDEN GROWS IN EAGLE ROCK!
4. AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT EAGLE ROCK’S YOGA ESSENCE
5. THE ROCK IS ART: A CALL FOR PROPOSALS — ACT BY MAY 25
6. MORE THAN A PRETTY FACE: PHOTOGRAPHY LECTURE AT THE
CENTER FOR THE ARTS — MAY 15
7. GALLERY HOPPING AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EAGLE ROCK — MAY 1
THROUGH JUNE 13
8. VISIT THE MUSEUMS OF THE ARROYO — FOR FREE! -- MAY 16
9. EXPLORE HISTORIC ECHO PARK ON FOOT — MAY 22
10. TOUR PASADENA’S HISTORIC HIGHLANDS HOMES — MAY 30
11. VOLUNTEER A FEW HOURS AND PRESERVE GENERATIONS OF LOS ANGELES
HISTORY
12. WE'VE GOT MAIL
13. THE LAST WORD -- MOTHER GOOSE
1. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE — TERA MAKES PROGRESS FOR EAGLE ROCK!
I am so pleased to report some very exciting news about TERA’s latest
activities!
Eagle Rockdale Community Garden and Art Park
First, Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa called TERA to say that the Eagle
Rockdale Community Garden matching grant request was funded by LA
Department of Public Works for up to $10,000! Congratulations to TERA
Board member Mary Tokita for her vision and to TERA Board member Kathleen
Long for putting together the bulk of the grant application. Mary
describes more about the garden proposal in this e.letter, and there is a
feature on the garden in the newest TERA newsletter. Congratulations,
Mary! This garden will soon be an Eagle Rock treasure.
CalTrans Power Poles
I want to thank all of those who responded immediately to our call to action
regarding the CalTrans above-ground utility poles. We spoke to Councilmember
Villaraigosa, Assemblywoman Carol Liu and Teresa Acosta from
Senator Jack Scott’s office in person at Dahlia Days, and they quickly worked
to find out the situation. Our next step is with Councilmember
Villaraigosa’s office and the Department of Water and Power. We
are working hard to prevent further visual blight in Eagle Rock!
Here is the response letter from Senator Jack Scott and Assemblywoman
Carol Liu. Please see item #2 of this e.letter for the full action
alert on this issue, and please take action (if you haven’t already) to ensure
that the power poles will be put underground. TERA will also appear
before the DWP Board of Commissioners at its meeting on May 18th to request DWP’s action on Eagle Rock’s behalf!
Dear Eagle Rock Community Members,
Thank you for writing and calling us with your concerns about the installation
of power poles along Colorado Boulevard.
For several years, we have had the pleasure of serving you in the State
Assembly and State Senate, and we recognize what a valuable contribution Eagle
Rock is to our districts. We are both strong advocates for the
beautification of the Colorado corridor and join with you in the effort to
empower the community. For example, we have sought public and private
support for various Eagle Rock improvement projects. The scope of these
projects range from the $250,000 main street grant secured in 2000, to actively
organizing the Dahlia Days Spring Arts Festival this past weekend.
As your community partners, we are equally concerned about the power pole
issue. We have both made calls investigating the installation of these
power poles, connecting to the new California Department of Transportation
office building. According to Doug Failing, Caltrans' District 7
Director, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power places power lines to
the closest power source. Neither Caltrans, nor the State, has jurisdiction
over where local power agencies choose to locate power sources. However,
we note that this is an issue of significant concern for the community and we
will work with Mr. Failing, Councilmember Villaraigosa's Office, and the LA DWP
to address your concerns.
Like you, we are troubled by the limited information shared with the
local residents and businesses that will be affected by the LA DWP decision.
Please know that we are working to obtain more information about the current
plan and are committed to facilitating immediate dialogue over the issue.
Again, thank you for diligently striving to make Eagle Rock a great place to
live and work. We will keep you informed of any breaking
developments. In the meantime, feel free to contact our local district
offices (626-683-0282 or 626-577-9944) should you have any additional comments
or questions.
Sincerely,
State Senator Jack Scott and
Assemblymember Carol Liu
21st Senate District
44th Assembly
District
Stay tuned for further updates, and please take time to write a letter of your
own! The addresses of our elected officials appear in the item
following this one, and there are sample letters from other e.letter readers in
this week’s “We’ve Got Mail” section below.
Colorado Terrace Update
On Thursday, May 6th, I went to the Community Redevelopment Agency
(CRA) to testify in support of Colorado Terrace, along with Linda
Allen, President of ERCPR and Jeff Samudio, architect for Colorado
Terrace, new ERNC Board member and TERA member. Colorado Terrace is the
70-unit senior housing and commercial project on the corner of Colorado
Boulevard and College View Avenue. This project has received the support
of numerous community organizations since 1997, when it first received a loan
from the CRA.
This project will be an asset to the community – underground power lines,
underground parking, a well-designed building, and much-needed senior
housing. Thanks to all of our testimony, the CRA board voted unanimously
in support of an increased loan to the project. As soon as the Los
Angeles City Council approves the loan, developer Kurken Alyanakian
(whose offices are now in one of the two homes on the property, and will be in
Colorado Terrace when completed) can begin construction. TERA eagerly
anticipates this development and its new commercial tenants to Colorado
Boulevard!
Coffee Table Anticipation
For those of you waiting for the Coffee Table to open, according to TERA
Board member and Coffee Table owner Michael Zamarripa, the waiting is
nearly over. They are in the process of doing finishes, and are really
trying for a June 1st opening date. They will announce a quiet opening
via the e.letter, followed by a major grand opening a few weeks later.
Michael also said that there would be some new items on the menu, as compared
to the Silverlake Coffee Table. Just a reminder, TERA members who present
their new membership cards will get a 10% discount at the Coffee Table!
Walgreens Signs Before Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan
Design Review Board Tonight!
Tonight at the Eagle Rock Public Library at 6pm, Jim Shuemaker
and Tab Johnson of Rich Development (developers of the Walgreens
site) will appear before the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan (CBSP) Design
Review Board (DRB). They have submitted plans for design review of
signage for three commercial buildings for identification of three separate
tenants. TERA will be there at the hearing, but will support their
request if the signs are in compliance with the CBSP.
Dahlia Days Update
This past Saturday’s Dahlia Days event was a lot of fun!
Congratulations to the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce in partnership with State
Senator Jack Scott, Assemblywoman Carol Liu, LA County Supervisor,
Gloria Molina and Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa’s office.
Pamela Lansden set up a fabulous environment for the TERA booth that
was artsy and eclectic and colorful and inviting. Since our booth was
next to the last on the runway, Pamela, Mary Tokita and I decided to take
the dead last booth and hook it into an "L" shaped affair which you
could see from way up Caspar. Last year’s beautiful Eclectic Eagle Rock Home
Tour poster, designed by Eagle Rock’s own Bughouse, was the focal
point for passersby. Thanks also to Jeanine Colini who made
striking posters that explained TERA’s new membership benefits. They
really helped sell the membership card idea and the discounts that come with
it. Thank you as well to those of you who kicked off our Membership Drive
by renewing your TERA dues and joining TERA at our booth.
Kudos for the Women’s Twentieth Century Club Camellia
May Day Fashion Show
On Saturday, May 1st, the Women’s Twentieth Century Club (WTCC)
put on a remarkable fundraiser event. I want to recognize Fashion Show
Co-Chairs Elda Ulmer and Robin Muzingo-Goodwin and Lani Stapp,
WTCC President, and all of the women of the WTCC for a tremendous
luncheon! The delicious food was provided by none other than Café
Beaujolais at 1712 Colorado Boulevard (owned by the Ulmers) and fashions were
provided by Bloomingdales in Beverly Hills and Michelle’s Bridal and
Formals at 1578 Colorado Boulevard (the corner of Colorado Boulevard and
Townsend Avenue). Numerous Eagle Rock businesses also were part of the
event, and TERA contributed one of our large Home Tour posters, which Eric
Ulmer bought for $400 (the proceeds went to WTCC). A wonderful
May Day!
In Memoriam: Jim Beckham
My final note is in memory of Jim Beckham, longtime Eagle Rock resident,
four-time President of the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce, and most
importantly, married 44 years to Eagle Rock activist Kaye Beckham.
Jim passed away on May 6th, and I attended his very moving funeral services
yesterday at St. Dominic’s Church, along with about 300 other people, including
community leaders, former Councilmembers Richard Alatorre and Nick Pacheco,
as well as many other family members and friends. The services were a
loving tribute to a man who gave much of his life to Eagle Rock. Our
thoughts and prayers go out to Kaye Beckham and her entire family for their
loss.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Beckham
Memorial Education Scholarship Fund for Eagle Rock High School Seniors
(for seniors in high school who want to go into teaching). Please make
checks payable to Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce with a notation for
Beckham Scholarship Fund. Mail to: LTC Home Health Care,
Scholarship Fund, 1063 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA 90041.
-- Hilary Norton Orozco, TERA President
2.
IS CALTRANS RUNNING OVER EAGLE ROCK?
By now most of you have probably seen the new wooden poles that have
been lying along the sidewalks of Colorado Boulevard between College View
Avenue and the Glendale freeway. You might have asked yourself what they
were for.
We recently discovered that they are for new aerial power lines to feed the new
Caltrans building that is nearing completion on that lot that lies just off the
2 and 134 freeway junction.
As anyone who’s spent any time in Eagle Rock knows, there is a strong community
here dedicated and committed to beautifying and transforming our town,
especially Colorado Boulevard's business corridor. These power lines will
degrade the quality of our neighborhood, create more visual blight, and give
our main corridor the look of a shantytown in one of the core business areas
surrounding the Westfield Shoppingtown mall.
Only a couple of years ago, as a community, we required that the pending
Colorado Terrace development underground all aerial power lines surrounding the
development site with a cooperative developer. We were able to accomplish
this. Within the next couple of months existing power lines east of
College View Avenue will be buried underground at a tremendous expense while
the state and city are foolishly installing new aerial power lines to the west
of College View.
The new aerial power lines are to feed a state entity. The state should
pay for the undergrounding, and because the power feeds are located on city
property, the city can demand that the state pay for it. Please write an
e.mail immediately to Governor Schwarzenegger, State Senator Jack Scott,
Assemblymember Carol Liu, Mayor James Hahn, and Councilmember Antonio
Villaraigosa and ask that this farce be stopped.
Here are the pertinent contact numbers and addresses (you may want to print out
a copy of this list for future use):
State & City Officials:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
Email: governor@governor.ca.gov
California State Senator Jack Scott
State Capitol, Room 2057
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-5976 Phone
(916) 324-7543 Fax
Email: senator.scott@sen.ca.gov
California Assemblymember Carol Liu
California State Assembly
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0044
(916) 319-2044
(916) 319-2144 Fax
Email: assemblymember.liu@assembly.ca.gov
Mayor James K. Hahn
Los Angeles City Hall
200 North Spring Street, Room 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213/978-0600
213/978-0656 Fax
Email: mayorhahn@mayor.lacity.org
Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa
City Hall
200 N. Spring Street, Room 425
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7014
(213) 847-0680 fax
villaraigosa@council.lacity.org
Department of Water and Power
Dominick Rubalcava
President
City of Los Angeles
Board of Water and Power Commissioners
Room 1555-H, 15th Floor
111 North Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
https://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/comment/EmailComments.ladwp?act=show&contentId=LADWP002263
3. A GARDEN GROWS
IN EAGLE ROCK!
Eagle Rock’s own master gardener, Mary Tokita sends us this bit of good news
on the progress of her proposed Eagle Rock Community Garden, which looks like
it just got one giant step closer to reality. Here’s Mary to fill us in:
Eagle Rock's City Council Field Deputy Michael Cathey just called to let us
know that the city’s Operation Clean Sweep has approved our Neighborhood
Matching Fund Grant for the Eagle Rockdale Community Garden & Art
Park! TERA will be eligible to receive $10,000 to start the project!
My deep gratitude goes out again to TERA Board Member Kathleen Long for
putting the grant together in a last-minute swoop. She did a tremendous
job; we are among the 30 percent of applicants who will receive funding
this year. And that success is also due to the the many community
activists and supporters who provided letters of support for our application.
I'd also like to thank my Lanark and Rockdale Avenue neighbors for their
unwavering assistance, generosity, kindness and enthusiasm. Eagle Rock is
blessed because you all live here.
Please watch for a notice about our Garden's next steps -- and how you can get
involved -- in our e-letter and elsewhere.
Hee-yaw! Let's get this party started!
-- Mary Tokita, LA Master Gardener '01, TERA Board Member, Publicity
Chair/Beautification Co-Chair, and Director, Eagle Rockdale Community Gardens
& Art Park
4. AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT EAGLE ROCK’S YOGA ESSENCE
We just heard from local business owner Krista Neumann, proprietor of Yoga
Essence, 1577 Colorado Boulevard (near Trader Joe’s), that she was planning to
leave day to day operation of the studio soon, and is currently looking for
someone to purchase this vital Eagle Rock business. We wish Krista all
the best in her future endeavors, and urge any of our readers who might have a
lead to contact Krista directly at the number below.
It is with great difficulty and a heavy heart that I need to leave Yoga
Essence and the business is for sale. Due to some significant changes
in my life, I find it impossible to manage and run a business. The studio has
had such a positive impact on the community that it is my hope that someone
will be interested in acquiring it and continuing it’s growth.
Please call me, Krista, for more info: (323) 550-8182. Thanks!
-- Krista Neumann, Yoga Essence
5. THE ROCK IS
ART: A CALL FOR PROPOSALS — ACT BY MAY 25
The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is seeking artists or artist-teams
to submit proposals for temporary art installations on and around the actual
Eagle Rock. One proposal will be selected and funded. This project
is geared toward California artists who have experience with public art
installations. The use of lighting and projections is encouraged, but not
a prerequisite.
The Rock Is Art project was launched in 2003 with the purpose of funding
one artist or artist team every other year to create an installation at the
Eagle Rock. The Rock Is Art follows a tradition of providing alternative
exhibition opportunities for artists by locating temporary public art in
community spaces. The Eagle Rock towers monumentally over the 134
freeway, marking the gateway from Northeast Los Angeles to the San Gabriel
valley. Each day, more than 216,000 motorists pass this distinctive
landmark. By creating an installation on the site, The Center for the
Arts seeks to celebrate a spirit of innovation and delight that are unique to
Los Angeles.
The artwork must be installed by the opening date of September 14th, 2004, and
will be removed (including complete site restoration,) between November 1st and
8th, 2004.
Artists wishing to participate in this competition must attend a briefing
session on May 25th at 5 PM at Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock. At
that presentation, the Center will provide guidelines and physical constraints
that must be adhered to in working in a City-owned space.
Eligibility
The Rock is Art is open to professional artists who live and/or work in
Los Angeles County.
For questions please call/email the Project Director:
Lui Sanchez
323.226.1617
centerartseaglerock@hotmail.com
6. MORE THAN A PRETTY FACE: PHOTOGRAPHY LECTURE AT THE CENTER
FOR THE ARTS — MAY 15
From the Center for the Arts comes this word of an upcoming
photography lecture, co-sponsored by Antiouch University, Los Angeles:
Photographic portraits attempt to represent individual character, as well as
some aspect of the human condition. But there is more to a photographic
portrait than meets the eye. The genre encompasses an intriguing range of
approaches: from the most conventional shots of celebrities to innovative and
often subversive images which challenge the idea of truth in representation
itself. In this workshop, we will view and discuss examples of
portraiture by a wide range of photographers, from the most unusual and
celebrated historical practitioners to active contemporary artists. We
will explore some of the aesthetic and conceptual underpinnings and assumptions
behind the images, as well as the social and ethical issues surrounding
representations of ethnicity, class and gender. Students will receive a crash
course in photographic aesthetics.
This workshop is co-sponsored by the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
Program at Antioch University, Los Angeles (AULA). Antioch's emphasis on
community involvement and experiential learning inspired this collaborative
event with the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock. For more information
please call 1-800-7ANTIOCH or visit www.antiochla.edu.
The instructor, TERA member Audrey Mandelbaum, is an exhibiting local
artist who lives in Eagle Rock. Her photographic art work is in the collection
of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Photography. In
Southern California, she has shown her work at the Millard Sheets Gallery in
Pomona, The Watts Towers Art Center in Los Angeles, Nicole Dintaman Gallery,
and the Kellogg Art Gallery at Cal State Pomona. She has received grants from
the Friends of Photography, the Ragdale Foundation, and the Chicago Department
of Cultural Affairs. She earned a Master of fine Arts in Photography from the
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and has taught photography and photo
history courses at Antioch University, Columbia College, Chicago, The University
of Illinois, Chicago, and the College of DuPage. Visit her website at
http://www.amandelbaum.com.
Session 1: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (slide show and discussion; no reading
required.)
Session 2: 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (more slides and discussion; prior reading
assignment required.)
There are a limited number of free spaces for Center members/Eagle Rock
community members. Please contact the Center for the Arts to sign up.
7. GALLERY HOPPING AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EAGLE ROCK — MAY 1 THROUGH
JUNE 13
Denise K. Seider’s play on words, Some of the Parts, deals with
the idea that the completeness and wholeness of anything is elusive.
Walter Cotton’s Systems consists of four separate series of black
and white and color photographs that document what seem to be abandoned sites
-- holes that lead to darkness, dead ends and history
The ERCCA 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. The ERCCA also
hosts two free festivals yearly and numerous concerts and exhibitions.
For more information call the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, (323) 226-1617.
8. VISIT THE MUSEUMS OF THE ARROYO — FOR FREE! -- MAY 16
Lummis Home and Garden
Join thousands of Southern Californians on Sunday, May 16 for the Fifteenth
Annual Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day, where five museums stretching from
Los Angeles to Pasadena will open their doors to visitors free of charge
from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This year's special, one-day only event will celebrate art, architecture, music
and history,with free admission at all five arroyo museums: The Gamble
House, Heritage Square Museum, Lummis Home and Garden, the Pasadena Museum of
History and the Southwest Museum. This year’s theme is "Literary
Los Angeles," so be on the lookout for local authors, historians,
regional storytellers, book-making crafts for the kids and more.
Getting there is easy. Take the Gold Line to MOTA Day and jump off at either
the Southwest Museum or Heritage Square station, where members of the Metro Art
Docent Council will welcome you. From there, free shuttles will escort
you to every museum. Or, if you choose to drive, park your car once and
shuttle to the museums of your choice.
For more information, call the MOTA hotline at (213) 740-TOUR (8687) or visit
http://www.museumsofthearroyo.com.
9. EXPLORE HISTORIC ECHO PARK ON FOOT — MAY 22
The heart-pounding public stairways and scenic hillsides neighborhoods of Echo
Park and Elysian Heights will be featured on a morning walking
tour of the area on Saturday, May 22. The two-long hour tour
organized by the Echo Park Historical Society will include one of the
city’s tallest public stairways—the 240-step Baxter Stairs—and will provide
insights into a neighborhood rich in history and architecture.
Other tour highlights include Fellowship Park and the house designed by
modernist pioneer Harwell Harris (building interiors are not included).
The tour begins at 10 AM at the entrance of Elysian Heights
Elementary School, 1562 Baxter St. at Echo Park Avenue.
The tour group is limited to 20 people, and a $3.00 donation is requested for
adults. There is no charge for children under 12 or historical society
members. For tour information and reservations, please call (323)
860-8874. Or visit http://www.HistoricEchoPark.org.
The 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 downtown Echo Park and the lake.
10. TOUR PASADENA’S HISTORIC HIGHLANDS HOMES — MAY 30
Six character homes in a wide range of architectural styles - many of them
never before open to the public -- will be open for viewing during Pasadena
Historic Highland's Tenth Annual Home Tour on Sunday, May 30, from noon to
4 p.m.
Architectural styles featured on this year's Memorial Day Weekend tour will be
Spanish Colonial Revival, Craftsman, English Revival, Colonial Revival, and a modern
interpretation of the Craftsman style. All of the homes on the tour are
clustered on or near Topeka Avenue, one of Historic Highlands' loveliest
tree-lined streets.
Built on land originally owned by two prominent Pasadena pioneers, Historic
Highlands contains an eclectic mix of almost 120 years of residential building
styles. This unique blend has made it a favorite location for commercials,
television, and movies, including "Multiplicity," "Dr.
Doolittle," "The Wedding Singer" and "Tuesdays with Morrie."
Advance tickets may be purchased for $12.50 online at www.historichighlands.com
<http://www.historichighlands.com> or by sending a check payable to
"Historic Highlands Neighborhood Association" and a stamped,
self-addressed envelope to HHNA, c/o Rex Barry, 1436 N. Michigan Ave., Pasadena
CA 91104. Tickets also are available at Motif, 1389 East Washington Blvd.,
Pasadena, or may be purchased for $15 on the day of the tour at the corner of
Topeka and North Michigan avenues. For more information, call (626) 797-1910.
Located on the Pasadena-Altadena border just five minutes north of the 210
Foothill Freeway, Historic Highlands is bounded by Washington Boulevard on the
south, New York Drive on the north, Lake Avenue on the west and Hill Avenue on
the east. The neighborhood includes the landholdings of David McPherson,
designer and engineer of the Mt. Lowe railroad, and Ezra Dane, an orchardist
who settled in Pasadena in 1883.
Tour proceeds benefit neighborhood street beautification and improvement funds for
Longfellow Elementary School, the local public school whose original building
(still extant) was designed in 1911 by famed architects Greene and Greene.
11. VOLUNTEER A FEW HOURS AND PRESERVE GENERATIONS OF LOS ANGELES
HISTORY
We thought it might be a good idea to reprise last week’s dispatch from the
Los Angeles Conservancy about the precarious future of the Ambassador Hotel,
the historic Wilshire Boulevard landmark that may fall under the wrecker’s ball
unless concerned preservationists step forward now. Here are the details,
including the Conservancy’s urgent call for volunteers to help anchor this most
worthy effort.
Thank you for your continued interest in the fight to save Wilshire
Boulevard's historic Ambassador Hotel. The Ambassador is the most
significant Los Angeles building to be threatened with demolition since St.
Vibiana's Cathedral in 1996, and we need you to get actively involved as
this moves toward a final vote in the coming weeks. We need volunteers
to help with the Ambassador issue every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
evening, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Conservancy's office, 523 W. Sixth St.,
Suite 826. Please contact Ben Golombek at (213) 430-4217 or
bgolombek@laconservancy.org to schedule an evening when you can help.
The A+ Coalition -- "The Ambassador PLUS Option -- A Better School for
Our Kids" -- now has 45 member organizations including TERA,
and ranging from entertainment industry groups such as the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences and the Screen Actors Guild (a new
coalition member) to the Latino Urban Forum and California Latina
Coalition Political Action Committee, from business groups such as the
Miracle Mile, Silver Lake and Crenshaw Chambers of Commerce to labor
unions such as SEIU Local 347, AFL-CIO and the Professional Musicians
Union, Local 47, AFL-CIO. See the Conservancy's web site,
http://www.laconservancy.org, for a full list of A+ members and for the
coalition's materials, and please let us know if your organization will join
our growing list.
The decision date by the Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) Board
of Education continues to slip back, and it now appears that the Board's
final vote may not occur until June. Last week, Steve Lopez of the Los Angeles
Times wrote a column expressing some sympathy for preserving the Ambassador,
but arguing against preservation if it cost any more than new construction. But
LAUSD's spin on the cost doesn't tell the whole story. It is important to point
out that:
Finally, you may want to read a lengthy, atmospheric feature article on the
Ambassador that ran in a recent Washington Post Style section:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20943-2004Apr17.html.
We hope to see you as an Ambassador volunteer in the coming days and weeks:
again, please contact Ben Golombek at (213) 430-4217 to set up a time that you
can help.
12. WE'VE GOT MAIL
“Greetings! Speaking about the Colorado Terrace, wasn't the
project scheduled to begin two years ago? Also, when will coffee table
open it's doors? It was scheduled to open its doors two months ago.”
-- Christopher Lee, Eagle Rock
Thanks for asking, Christopher. For the latest news on the Colorado
Terrace project, see Hilary Norton Orozco’s President’s Message above. As
for the keenly awaited Coffee Table Eagle Rock, we forwarded your query to
Coffee Table co-owner and TERA board member Michael Zamarripa, who reports that
he and his associates are currently in the process of putting the finishing
touches in place, and are now waiting only for the final round of city
inspections. Assuming all goes well, he tells us, he hopes to open
his doors on Tuesday, June 1st.”
* * *
“Thank
you for the updates concerning the new Walgreens development on Colorado
Blvd. It is nice to be continually updated on the progress.
“I understand [TERA President Hilary Norton Orozco’s] disappointment with
having a Starbucks patio instead of an actual storefront along Colorado
Boulevard. But I’m confused about [her] security concerns. I
haven't seen the final plans, but it seems that a patio along Colorado Boulevard
is a very nice way to build foot traffic on the street and encourage people to
visit Starbucks, as well as other Eagle Rock businesses. Keeping glass
roll-down doors closed after sundown would actually close off the patio from
the street, especially on nice summer evenings. Also, keeping the
Starbucks open until 11 p.m. would seem to increase safety for that area.
-- Greg Pearce, Eagle Rock
Thanks for taking the time to express your thoughts on this vital topic,
Greg. We passed your comments along toTERA Board Member Mary Tokita, who
volunteered the following clarification and context:
“I suspect that Gregory has not borne witness to the long history of this
project. If he had, he would know that the ‘glass house’ that Starbucks
is getting from Rich Development is really the latest in a series of egregious
errors and acts of disrespect this project represents to our community.
“We see the possible security hazards due in part to the fact that this
Starbucks will be just a few feet from a major bus stop. We wonder how the
proprietors will keep weary riders from sitting on their property or using
their facilities. Also, we wonder how the ‘glass house’ will be able to survive
the attacks of taggers and vandals suffered by others in the area. Rich Development
has said that they will ‘look into security,’ but it will be ‘Starbuck's
problem.’ In other words, nothing will be done to maintain
the property once it is there. It could become a major eyesore if neglected.
“As I understand it, the ‘glass house’ is a negotiated improvement on what
started out as a supposed ‘wall’ (two poles and a stretch of glass/plastic) to
comply with the Colorado Specific Plan. That "wall" -- a complete
travesty and insult to anyone's intelligence -- was supposed to act as the
street-facing facade required by our local law.
“That wall was added to avoid admitting a mistake in the City's approval of the
project. Anyone in their right mind could see right through it --
literally and figuratively -- to the parking lot. A view of parked cars
is exactly what the Specific Plan was designed to avoid. We have enough
mini-malls already. Eagle Rock deserves better. As a result of this action, the
Specific Plan is at risk of becoming meaningless. (Yes, we should have sued the
City, but TERA didn't have the money. We are working to build our
war chest to protect our town from similar arrogance in the future.)
“Furthermore, I gag at the notion that Starbucks was invited to set up shop
across the street from swork, an independent store that took a huge financial
gamble on Eagle Rock three years ago.
“It adds insult to injury that Walgreens would tear down an historic building
at the very heart of town, propose a huge parking lot on our main boulevard in
direct violation of the Specific Plan, then invite the nation's most predatory
coffee chain to take residence across the street from a beloved local business.
(Not to mention Eagle Rock Pharmacy right down the street, and the many other
pharmacies doing business here already.)
“I am sick at heart every time I see the construction site. I understand why
communities want to secede from Los Angeles. We got screwed. For myself, I will
never, ever shop at this development. Folks at Rich Development,
take heed: Walgreens and Starbucks do not give a damn about Eagle Rock.
In my view, they are ANTI-Eagle Rock businesses. Why should we give
them a cent?”
-- Mary Tokita, TERA Board Member
* * *
“I just noticed a sign on the front of the Pillers building for a Public
Hearing about the proposed Artist's Lofts they want to put in there. Any info?
“Also, did you all see the article in Thursday’s may 6th Los Angeles Times
about the Ambassador Hotel giving away the Bungalow buildings? The School
board will pay for asbestos removal/abatement. The person who takes the
building(s) just has to pay for transporting it/them. Two were
designed by Paul Williams and four by Myron Hunt.
Of course, transporting them can be very expensive -- they are 2 story
[structures,] and would have to be carved up for transportation and
reassembled. Here's hoping some preservation-minded folks with access to
some extra $ will be able to find a new home for these great buildings.
“The other note was, on driving west on the 134 from Pasadena, I looked over to
Eagle Rock thinking about the Sound wall and realized that the Westbound side
of the freeway is elevated. It doesn't appear that the westbound view would
really be compromised too much. It seems like just the view as one
travels East would be affected (and just in some portions).
“Any update on the Coffee Table?”
-- Thomas Craig, Eagle Rock
Good questions, Thomas, and nice observations. The transformation of part
of the old Pillers store on Colorado boulevard into artist’s lofts has been on
the drawing board from some time now. The sign you saw undoubtedly
indicates that the project is at last moving forward. For the
latest on the Coffee Table Eagle Rock, see the first letter above.
As for the soundwalls on the 134, TERA President Hilary Norton Orozco spoke to
Senator Jack Scott about that issue a few days ago, and specifically requested
that the Senator schedule another communitywide hearing on the topic.
Watch the e.letter for more news on that as it develops.
* * *
“Regarding your call to action about the utility poles that are going up on
Colorado Boulevard (see item #2 above,) could you please send out a small
form letter that we
can use to send off to the various parties?”
-- Bonnie Tanaka, Eagle Rock
Thanks for asking, Bonnie. Here are a couple of the letters on this
topic that e.letter readers were kind enough to send us for inclusion in this
week’s e.letter. Perhaps these will serve to inspire you and any other
e.letter readers who have yet to express their thoughts to the powers that be
on this important topic. (A full list of names, addresses and numbers of
our local and state leaders is included under item #2 above.)
“An Open Letter:
“We are very concerned about the Caltrans/Eagle Rock matter discussed in the
TERA e.letter. As constituents, we would ask for direct responses from
our representatives - rather than form letter replies. Please tell us how
you stand on this and what you are doing to help Eagle Rock. Caltrans has
been running roughshod over this area (see the monstrosity they have
built by the 134.) Please help!
-- Loren Mark and Steve Bjerke
“An Open Letter:
“Dear Governor Schwarzenegger, Senator Scott, Assemblymember Liu, Mayor Hahn
and Councilman Villaraigosa:
“I write in reference to the Caltrans building under construction at the
intersection of the 134 and 2 freeways in Eagle Rock. I ask each of you
to use your authority to stop the installation of these power lines overhead
and require that they be undergrounded by the state.
“I live just a few blocks away from this building and drive by it every day to
and from work. I was very concerned to read that the large utility poles
lying on the sidewalk on Colorado Boulevard are planned to bring power to this
building. I am outraged that the state would build a new building
and put in ugly overhead utility lines when our community has been working so
hard to clean-up the neighborhood.
“In addition to being an Eagle Rock resident, I am a real estate developer.
When doing new development, municipalities require the developer
to put new and existing utilities underground at the developer's
(considerable) expense. If I refused to do this on one of my projects,
the city in question would not give me a permit. It is unconscionable to
me that the state would proceed on a project in a way that a private developer
would not be allowed to do. What do my taxes go for if not to projects
such as this? How can you look me and other Eagle Rock residents in the
eye and say, ‘Thanks for all of your work to make your community a better and
more beautiful place to live, but we just need to run these ugly power lines
down your street to our monstrous building by the freeway.’
“Please don't misunderstand. I am not an anti-tax citizen. I
believe heartily that each citizen should contribute to make roads, bridges,
schools and social services that all citizens can use. But it absolutely
fries me that a brand new building is going up in this way when this is
absolutely not necessary. I have had to endure several weeks of
construction on Broadway under the 2 freeway for what I assume is the
undergrounding of the power lines in that location; I would happily endure
further trenching in the short-run to put the other lines underground as well,
instead of looking at the lines overhead for years and years in the future.
“Please stand with Eagle Rock as we continue to improve our neighborhood and
don't work against us.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
-- Victoria Deise, Eagle Rock
* * *
“I am going to write our elected officials about the power line issue; however,
I noticed that you only provided email addresses in last week’s action alert.
As advocacy is part of the work that I do every day, I just wanted to
request that you include the fax numbers and mailing addresses of all of these
officials and ask people to fax or mail their message if they can. If
they don’t have the time, email is better than nothing at all, but definitely
not as effective as fax or snail mail.
“Thanks for all your hard work!
-- Ursula Hessenflow, Eagle Rock
Good point, Ursula. We’ve expanded the contact list in this week’s
action alert on this topic. (See item#2 above.)
Thank you all for sharing copies of your letters with us. We’d also like
to share the letter we received from City Councilmember Villaraigosa’s 14th
District Field Deputy Michael Cathey, who wrote:
“Thank you for your letter and informing us of your
concern. As Caltrans is a State entity, I am copying both Teresa Acosta
in Sen. Jack Scott's office and Valerie Cuevas in Assemblymember Carol Liu's
office on your email. Teresa and Valerie will be able to get more
information regarding the poles. I will work with them to see what effort
we all can make to ensure the beauty of Eagle Rock and that all zoning laws are
enforced.”
-- Michael Cathey, Field Deputy for Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa,
District 14
And with that, dear readers, we bid you good week. See you next
Thursday morning!
* * *
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.
13. THE LAST WORD --
MOTHER GOOSE
“Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
“With silver bells and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.”
-- Mother Goose Rhyme (Traditional)
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
A publication of
The Eagle Rock Association (TERA)
Vince Waldron, editor
e.letter@TERA90041.org