THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION

-- Invest in Your Community --


TERA

e.letter

June 23, 2005

Learn more about us
and how we are changing our community for the better.

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Now more than ever, please support your residents association --
well over 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 as well.

This week (June 25 is BUSY!):


1.  IMPORTANT! -- ERHS PRINCIPAL JUAN FLECHA TO MOVE TO JEFFERSON HIGH! -- TAKE ACTION!

2.  OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ROE MUZINGO

3.  GET YOUR OILCLOTH HERE AND HELP  TERA AT THE SAME TIME -- JUNE 25

4.  ART WALK IN EAGLE ROCK -- "INTERSECTION: AN INSTALLATION PROJECT" -- JUNE 25

5.  ROCK TEEN CENTER CELEBRATES MILESTONES -- JUNE 25

6.  HIGH-SPEED RAIL -- YOUR CHANCE TO WEIGH IN LOCALLY -- JUNE 25

7.  SOUTHWEST MUSEUM -- THE FIRST MUSEUM IN LOS ANGELES -- AUTRY, KEEP YOUR PROMISE!

8.  RESPECT OUR ENVIRONMENT -- RECYCLE USED MOTOR OIL -- JUNE 25

9.  "STREAM TO SEA" FAMILY FUN DAY -- CELEBRATE THE LA RIVER -- JUNE 25

10.  LEND HELP TO SELF HELP GRAPHICS -- JUNE 28

11.  TERA'S MEMBERSHIP/VOLUNTEER CHAIR REALLY DELIVERS!

12.  AND THE COLLABORATIVE AWARDS GO TO . . .

13.  LETTERS AND E.MAILS

14.  QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- WARREN BENNIS

1.  IMPORTANT! -- ERHS PRINCIPAL JUAN FLECHA TO MOVE TO JEFFERSON HIGH! -- TAKE ACTION!

Our local high school principal, Juan Flecha, is moving to Jefferson High in South LA.  Mr. Flecha has been a true asset to our high school and to our community, and we will miss him.  It is truly a loss for Eagle Rock.

HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS:  It is vital that our community and school stakeholders participate in the interview stage of finding a new principal worthy of the position.  It is important that candidates:

I spoke with LAUSD Board member David Tokofsky last week, and he completely agrees with this approach and encourages everyone's active participation.

It is important for all stakeholders to PARTICIPATE AND TAKE ACTION.  Please contact Superintendent Richard Alonzo at (323) 932-2266 to make your thoughts and concerns for this process known.  Thank you!

-- Joanne Turner
2.  OUR  DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ROE MUZINGO

Rosemary Muzingo, affectionately known to everyone in Eagle Rock as Roe, a long-time Eagle Rock community member, business owner, and one of TERA's earliest members, lost her beloved husband Bob last week.  Roe and Bob had one of the strongest marriages ever witnessed and a large, loving, and dedicated family to show for it, including great-grandchildren.  Roe, we offer you and yours our sincerest condolences, prayers, and support.
3.  GET YOUR OILCLOTH HERE AND HELP  TERA AT THE SAME TIME -- JUNE 25

Oilcloth International Biannual Warehouse Sale will take place Saturday, June 25, from 9am ­ 2pm, 134 N. Avenue 61, Bldg. 101.  Get your oilcloth here!  Tablecloths, totes, aprons, bibs, smocks, sit-upons, yardage.  Our seconds are your bargains.

Oilcloth International owner and TERA member Cardie Molina will donate to TERA 10% of TERA-specified sales.  All you have to say is, "I saw the notice in the TERA e.letter!"
4.  ART WALK IN EAGLE ROCK -- "INTERSECTION: AN INSTALLATION PROJECT" -- JUNE 25

You are invited to attend a unique, multi-venue art walk entitled "Intersection:  An Installation Project" on Saturday, June 25, from 3-6pm, beginning at Townsend Gallery, 1581 Colorado Boulevard.

The show's curator is Margaret Adachi, and it includes 12 installations in 12 businesses located near the intersection of Townsend Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock.  Stop by the Townsend Gallery reception to pick up a map of installation stops, then walk to the participating businesses to get a fresh look at creative works by local artists!

After the June 25 art walk, works will remain in place through July 23:  Carrie Paterson @ Dee's Gym; George B. Domantay @ Eufloria; John Currin @ Brown Properties; Jill D'agnenica @ Stephano's; Hillary Mushkin @ Haute Cuts; Mary Rose Mendoza @ Pizza Man; Arturo Romo @ Daybeak Health Foods; Barry Markowitz @ Tritch Hardware; Karen Reitzel @ Commercial Printing; John Sanders @ Sofas and More; Daniel Brodo @ Smokez Tobacco; Luiga Martelloni @ Haven's Reef.

In collaboration with the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock.  Call (323) 266-1617 for more information.
5.  ROCK TEEN CENTER CELEBRATES MILESTONES -- JUNE 25

The ROCK (Reach Our Community Kids) Teen Center is celebrating milestones this month as it approaches the end of its fifth year of operation.  On Saturday, June 25, 2005, 6 -8 PM, the ROCK Board of Directors will be hosting a ³Celebrating Milestones² Reception at the teen center to recognize the contributions of youth, volunteers, and Executive Director Donna Robey-Sullivan.

Ms. Robey-Sullivan will be leaving the organization in July after almost 5 years of service, first as a board member and Treasurer and since January 2002 as the Executive Director. During her tenure, annual contributions have been diversified and grown by 28% and the ROCK program has been expanded to include its Academic Mentor Programs, which incorporate after-school homework coach and tutoring, science and college mentoring, and daily computer challenges in the teen centerıs Community Technology Center. Ms. Robey-Sullivan and her family are relocating to North Carolina after 25 years in the Eagle Rock community.

ROCK is currently conducting a search for an Executive Director to replace Ms. Robey-Sullivan and a Managing Director, a new position made possible through a Congressional Earmark Grant, arranged by Congress member Xavier Becerra. The incoming directors will be introduced at the event.

Also during the eveningıs program, the winners of Revolutionize, an art contest that ends June 17th, will be announced and members of the Youth Leadership Council will receive their service awards.  Long-term ROCK volunteer, Josh Jacobs will be presented the Presidentıs Volunteer Service Award in recognition of his years of commitment to ROCK and its youth.

The ROCK Teen Center is located at 1597 Yosemite Drive in Eagle Rock. It provides the only drop-in, free, learning and skills development program within the community, specifically for teens.

For more information about ROCK, its programming, or the June 25th event contact their office at 323-257-6102 or through the website at http://www.rockids.org.
6.  HIGH-SPEED RAIL -- YOUR CHANCE TO WEIGH IN LOCALLY -- JUNE 25

From Assembly District 45 member Jackie Goldberg:
Dear friend:

In response to your request for more information on the California high-speed train system, I will be hosting a community workshop where Mehdi Morshed, Executive Director of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA), will present information about the overall project, the current alignment, and the planning and development process.

Many of you may not know that the California High-Speed Rail Authority was established in 1996 and is charged with planning, designing, constructing and operating a high-speed train system.  The proposed system will stretch from San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento in the north to the Antelope Valley, Los Angeles (Council Districts 1, 4, 13, and 14) Orange County, Inland Empire and San Diego in the south.

Come hear what potential impacts this project will have on the Los Angeles River Master Plan, Taylor Yard and Cornfield State Parks.   

This community workshop will be held Saturday, June 25, from 9 a.m - 11 a.m. at the Glassell Park Elementary School Auditorium, 2211 W. Avenue 30, in Los Angeles.  A question and answer session will also follow Mr. Morshedıs presentation.

Refreshments and childcare will be provided through my office and parking is free.  For more information, please call George Magallanes in my office at (323) 258-0450.  For more information about HSRA, log on to http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/

Sincerely,

JACKIE GOLDBERG, 45th Assembly District

High-speed Rail Community Workshop
Saturday, June 25
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Glassell Park Elementary School Auditorium
2211 W.  Avenue 30
Glassell Park
7.  SOUTHWEST MUSEUM -- THE FIRST MUSEUM IN LOS ANGELES -- AUTRY, KEEP YOUR PROMISE!

Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition Enlists Villaraigosa's Support In Preventing Development on
City Land, Obtaining Autry's Commitment To SW Museum's Mt. Washington Operations

The Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition, an umbrella group representing over 75 organizations (including TERA) , will seek to block the Autry National Center's plans for expansion in Griffith Park and has sought the assistance of Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa in preventing the Autry from further development on the city-owned property.

In a letter delivered to the Autry's board, the Coalition restated demands for legally binding commitments to the continuing permanent operations of Mount Washington's Southwest Museum of the American Indian, Los Angeles's oldest museum, as well as two related institutions, the Braun Library and the Casa de Adobe, all acquired by the Autry in a 2003 merger that allowed the Autry to assume control of the Southwest Museum's collection of over 250,000 rare artifacts, artworks and objects of archaeological interest.

The Coalition has demanded that any further Griffith Park development be tied to the Autry's obligatory assumption of responsibility to maintaining and operating the Mount Washington facilities and asks that the Autry seek alternatives to the construction of its proposed new 100,000 sq. ft. building.  In restating their demands, the Coalition members cited research conducted by three outside consultants, two commissioned by the Autry and one by the Coalition.  The findings of the three studies indicate that the restoration, maintenance and continuing operation of the historic facilities can be accomplished on a sound economic basis.

The Southwest Museum is located within the boundaries of Villaraigosa's Council District 14, and the Mayor-elect has continually affirmed support for the Coalition's objectives of retaining the Southwest Museum as a key cultural anchor for the City in Northeast Los Angeles.  Addressing a public meeting held during his recent election campaign, Villaraigosa backed the Coalition's goals and vowed he would hold the Autry to commitments made by the Griffith Park museum to the Mount Washington facilities at the time of the 2003 merger.

The Coalition's demands were detailed in a position paper delivered to the Autry board.  Text of that paper follows:
Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition Position Statement

The Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition (hereafter "the Coalition"), which represents 75 organizations with membership totaling in excess of 100,000 persons, takes the following positions regarding the future of the historic Southwest Museum, the Braun Library and the Casa de Adobe (collectively hereafter referred to as "the Mt. Washington Campus").

1.    In recognition of the enormous investment of public funds to construct the Gold Line's Southwest Museum station and because the Autry National Center (hereafter "ANC") pays only $1 per month rent for city-owned land at the Griffith Park site, the ANC Board must make a legally-binding commitment to take responsibility for the Mt. Washington Campus, in perpetuity, as a condition of developing any new facilities at the Griffith Park site.  

2.    The Coalition's strongly held position is that the Mt. Washington Campus must remain as a museum and an on-going public destination.  We recognize that other revenue enhancements that encourage incremental public use may need to be added to the museum component, such as a restaurant, amphitheatre, expanded retail, additional parking and site rental for non-museum related events.  Under no circumstances are these other uses to be done as a replacement for the museums at the Mt. Washington Campus.

3.    The ANC must officially recognize its post-merger legal and moral obligations to maintain and revitalize both the Collection and the Mt. Washington Campus, which play an integral role in the cultural and economic future of Los Angeles.  Any fundraising by ANC must include sustainable and equitable funding for the Mt. Washington Campus and the Collection.

4.    The Coalition rejects ANC's interpretation of the Brenda Levin Study.  The Study actually supports the view that the Mt. Washington Campus is economically feasible (also corroborated by a peer-to-peer review commissioned by the Coalition).  The Coalition asks ANC to accept the Levin study as a basis for a real Master Plan.

5.    The Coalition must take part in any decision-making process for future uses of the Mt. Washington Campus.  We insist that a comprehensive ANC Master Plan be developed which includes the Mt. Washington Campus.  ANC must adhere to its past agreements to hold a public process as part of the Master Plan.

6.    As part of the Master Plan process, ANC shall conduct a programmatic study that details what ANC needs to fulfill its vision for the Mt. Washington Campus and the Griffith Park site.  This should include viable attendance goals for both locations.

7.    The Mt. Washington Campus and its priceless art and artifacts (hereafter "the Collection") are vital resources to the City of Los Angeles.  The Collection is an inherent part of the Mt. Washington Campus and it shall remain culturally identified to it.  ANC cannot divest of the Mt. Washington Campus without the complete Collection being a part of any such divestiture.

8.    The Southwest Museum in Mt. Washington must be ANC's primary location for the exhibition, for education and activities related to the Collection.

9.    ANC must engage in consumer research, consistent with institutional standards and foster the development of programs to enhance the continued public appeal at the Mt. Washington Campus.

10.    Innovative museum activities that present the Museum in a new dynamic way are welcomed as long as they remain connected to -- or based upon the Collection.  Successful, signature events on the Mt. Washington Campus must continue to be presented.  These include (but are not limited to) the Intertribal Marketplace, Las Posadas, the annual rug sale and the Museums of the Arroyo Day.

11.    Should there be an extension of the Southwest Museum in Griffith Park, the Mt. Washington Campus shall be marketed as a distinct entity from the Griffith Park site.  The identity, content and programming of the Mt. Washington Campus must remain consistent with the original vision of its founder, Charles Lummis.

12.    ANC and the City of Los Angeles must perform due diligence in seeking other options/sites for the   proposed 100,000 sq. ft. facility at Griffith Park.  Options explored might include building on the Mt. Washington Campus as well as other cost-effective alternatives including sites in the Northeast business corridors of Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park and Highland Park.
8.  RESPECT OUR ENVIRONMENT -- RECYCLE USED MOTOR OIL -- JUNE 25

Recycle your used motor oil in our neighboring community of Montecito Heights.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Montecito Heights Recreation Center
4545 Homer Street
Los Angeles, CA 90031
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
55 gallons maximum

City will take your used motor oil and oil filters FREE OF CHARGE!

Questions? Call 1-800-98TOXIC / 1-800-988-6942. Sponsored by the City of Los Angeles and funded by a grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
9.  "STREAM TO SEA" FAMILY FUN DAY -- CELEBRATE THE LA RIVER -- JUNE 25

The City of Calabasas and the Mountains Restoration Trust co-Sponsor the EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, June 25, 1:00 to 4 :00 p.m.
Headwaters Corner
3815 Old Topanga Road, Calabasas             
(818) 591-1701 ext. 186

Streams in Calabasas are important headwaters of the Los Angeles River that end up in the Pacific Ocean.  The City of Calabasas and the Mountains Restoration Trust are co-sponsoring a "Stream to Sea" family fun day where all ages can learn about water quality and the intricate connection of land and sea through hands-on fun.

Many local environmental agencies will be participating in the event, which will offer the following:

*  The River Project will be present to share the significance of the Los Angeles River in our environment.  

*  Among featured activities is a presentation by Captain Charles Moore of Algalita Marine Research Foundation who will be navigating for attendees the travels of trash from Dry Canyon Creek into the Pacific Ocean.

*  Nature of Wildworks will be bringing out critters that live in streams joined by Pepperdine University's Natural Sciences Division exhibiting invasive critters that live by them.

*  Kids can help Calabasas High School students create a mosaic trash sculpture.  

*  Demonstrations include water quality sampling by Heal the Bay and how watersheds work by Cold Creek Docents.  

It is a Celebration of the Earth Day.  We hope that people of all ages will come see what's up with water.

Shuttle Parking at Calabasas High School.
Participants:

Heal the Bay -- Las Virgenes Municipal Water District -- Algalita Foundation -- Cold Creek Docents -- The River Project -- Mountains Restoration Trust -- Pepperdine University's Natural Sciences Division -- Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains -- Nature of Wildworks -- State Department of Water Resources -- City of Calabasas.

Questions or comments, please call (818) 591-1701 ext. 186.
10.  LEND HELP TO SELF HELP GRAPHICS -- JUNE 28

The Board of Self Help Graphics and existing staff are working extremely hard keep open the doors at Self Help Graphics.  There are artists on our Board, and this dilemma affects them as well as many other artists.  The community members who use our parking lot and the cultural groups who use the building for events are affected as well.

But there are times when extreme measures must be taken for a number of reasons.

We would like to discuss this with you and fellow artists, and are proposing an Artist Meeting on:

TUESDAY, JUNE 28 at 7:00 PM
AVE 50 STUDIO
131 N. AVE 50 (FIGUEROA)
HIGHLAND PARK
(323) 258-1435

Please spread the word about this meeting.  We welcome help from those who love Self Help Graphics as we do and hope to work together to open the doors and move forward with new leadership.

Thanks -- Self Help Board of Directors  

Get involved.  Attend this and other meetings.  Call elected officials.  Insure the survival and growth of Self Help Graphics and other independent Latino arts and cultural institutions.

For more information, contact Jay Moreno at bheights_theatre@sbcglobal.net.
11.  TERA'S MEMBERSHIP/VOLUNTEER CHAIR REALLY DELIVERS!

TERA's Membership and Volunteer Chair Pauline Mauro gave birth to a daughter, Sofia Rae ("Sofi") Mauro, on Thursday, June 16, 2005, at 3:38 p.m.  Sofi weighed in at 6 pounds and was 20-1/2 inches long.  (Wow, it sounds like Sofi could be one nimble basketball player!)  The TERA Board sends our heartiest congratulations to Pauline, her husband Pete, Sofi's older sister Zelia, and their extended family.  Another TERA member in the making . . .
12.  AND THE COLLABORATIVE AWARDS GO TO . . .

The Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful proudly gave its 2005 Golden Eagle 2005 Awards to the following:

Golden Eagle Home Awards were presented to:  Yvette Soler, Sue Fox, Jose and Victoria Pascua, Martine Bednarski, Robert Rubio, Maria Nazario, Liberty Castillo, and The Hsu Estate.

Golden Eagle Business Awards were presented to:  Psychic Laura's Revelations, Eric's Creative Wrought Iron, Christian Assembly Church, and Thai Eagle Rox Restaurant.

The Golden Eagle Good Business Person Award was presented to two:  Jack and Merritt Tritch, Tritch Hardware.

Congratulations to all!
13.  LETTERS AND E.MAILS

"The flag unfurling was extremely emotional -- how lovely it looks up there.  My personal thanks to everyone who worked on that very worthwhile endeavor."

-- Anne Whelan Riney, Eagle Rock resident and TERA member

"Hi Joanne,

Regarding #5:  With as much amazing work as you have done . . . please still don't forget it's the tacky bars (and mechanic shops) that made Eagle Rock what it was for many, many years!!!  As much as they still seem to be the bane of some people's existence, they are what paved the way for what there is to work with now.  If nothing else, in the most unromantic sense (yes, some of us have romantic notions of the Eagle Rock filled with car places and funny bars), they have to be seen as the reason why so much has been able to be rediscovered, restored, reused.  Since they were not mainstream/hot properties, located in this "eclectic" part of town, they were left alone and not updated, subsequently bulldozed, re-modeled, etc.  In essence, they were left just waiting for all the wonderful work you have facilitated.

The multi-generation families who lived/live here (including from my great-grandmother down to me) patronized, utilized, and adopted these places as did many other long-time locals!  Yay for the new, beautiful tack shop!  But yay for the undeniable, blue-collar kitschy aspect of Eagle Rock history, too!!

I'm not disputing your use of the word "tacky" one bit.  It's just that I smiled when I read your description (I remember the sign exactly as you mentioned, even though I was very, very young the last time I saw it) as opposed to feeling annoyed.  I hope you did too.  I know you know this, but I just felt very protective of the "tacky" bar for some reason...  :)  Thanks for listening."

-- Galeen Roe, loyal Eagle Rock resident and TERA member

[Editor's note:  "funky" instead of "tacky" would have been a much better and more thoughtful adjective.  And I, like you, remember the blinking-nose fox sign with a smile.  Thanks, Galeen.]  

"Hi.  Thanks for the great e-letter, but I have sold my house in Eagle Rock and no longer need it.  Enjoy the summer!"

-- Bonnie Barrett, former Eagle Rock resident
14.  QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- WARREN BENNIS

"The manager administers; the leader innovates.  The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.  The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.  The manager has his [her] eye on the bottom line; the leader has his [her] eye on the horizon.  The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it."

-- Warren Bennis
Got graffiti? Contact the City of LAıs Operation Clean Sweep Graffiti Removal Hotline:  3 - 1 - 1.
Distributed weekly via e.mail and as a regular feature on various Internet discussion groups, the TERA e.letter is read by well over 2,000 readers (and probably more) with an interest in Eagle Rock and Northeast Los Angeles.  Please encourage interested friends to send their full name and e.mail address to us at e.letter@TERA90041.org so we can keep them informed, too.

If you have changed your e.mail address or would like to be removed from this list, send us an e.mail to e.letter@TERA90041.org with the word(s) "remove" or "address change" in the subject box, as appropriate.

POLICY ON SUBMITTING A NOTICE:  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 e.mail text message, (no attachments, please) -- should be in our hands by noon on Tuesday to be considered for inclusion in that week's issue.

İ2005 The Eagle Rock Association

TERA -- The Eagle Rock Association -- INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY  -- 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)
Joanne Turner, Editor
e.letter@TERA90041.org