THE
EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION
The Best Investment You Can Make in Your Neighborhood
TERA
e.letter
June 24, 2004
Learn more about us
and how we are changing our community for the better.
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TERA
so that they, too, may enjoy the many benefits of membership, including
a complimentary subscription to the TERA e.letter.
This week:
Last night’s Inclusionary Zoning Meeting: you are there! (item #1)
Imagine that this is a yard sale sign (item
#4)
TERA member shindig (item #6)
Table of Contents:
1. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE —
LAST NIGHT’S INCLUSIONARY ZONING MEETING & OTHER UPDATES
2. OWL TALK ANNOUNCES A SALE EVENT FOR EAGLE ROCK’S WHO’S
HOO-HOO -- JUNE 25
3. CLEAN UP YOUR ACT! -- JUNE 26
4. THE BEST YARD SALE OF THIS OR ANY OTHER CENTURY — JUNE 26
5. ”ALTERATIONS INCLUDED” AND “PAINTINGS OF COLOMBO’S” HANGING AT
CENTER FOR THE ARTS — RECEPTION IS JUNE 27
6. TERA APPRECIATES YOU — JUNE 29, 2004
7. YOU’LL HOWL AT OXY’S "THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLFMAN"
— OPENS JULY 8
8. BE IN THE HOME TOUR BROCHURE!
9. THE ROCK TEEN CENTER INVITES EAGLE ROCK’S YOUNG A CHANCE TO
BUILD SKILLS AND HAVE FUN THIS SUMMER
10. WOMEN’S TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB RENOVATION: BIDS SOUGHT
11. WE'VE GOT MAIL
12. THE LAST WORD — CHINESE PROVERB
1. PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE — LAST NIGHT’S INCLUSIONARY ZONING MEETING & OTHER UPDATES
TERA has been hard at work improving Eagle Rock! Here’s what we are
doing…
Come hear more at our Member Appreciation Event on Tuesday, June 29th, 7 p.m
. at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock! We will have lots
of food, ice cream, and the opportunity to be a participant in numerous TERA
endeavors in our community. A huge thank you to Keith Louie, TERA
Chair of Public Meetings, for putting the event together.
The Eagle Rockdale Community Garden and Art Park
Last Saturday, at the lovely home of Lois Kern, about 23
neighbors and community garden enthusiasts met to initiate the community garden
process, adopt bylaws, and address community concerns. Mary Tokita,
TERA’s Chair of Community Gardens, ran a terrific meeting in which
we established ground rules and goals. Teague Weybright of the
Los Angeles Conservation Corps and Al Renner. Los Angeles Community Garden
Council President, came in support of the community garden providing beauty
and fresh food, as other community gardens have done throughout the City.
In the end, we all agreed that this garden and art park could be a wonderful
addition to Eagle Rock.
Congratulations, Mary, on your vision and tenacity!
Appeal to Walgreens DRB Sign Decision
On Tuesday, Kathleen Long on behalf of TERA, and private
citizen, Frank Parrello, filed separate appeals of the City Planning
Department’s approval, based on the recommendation to approve from our Colorado
Boulevard Specific Plan Design Review Board (DRB), to allow Walgreens to have
an on-site sign on the building “C” fronting Colorado Boulevard, which is not
connected to Walgreens. We will keep you apprised of this issue’s
progress.
Power Poles on Colorado Boulevard
DWP is meeting with the State of California to determine how the
undergrounding of the power will be paid for. We will keep you updated as
to their progress.
Last night’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Hearing
Before a standing-room-only crowd of over 200 people packed into the Los
Angeles River Center, a lively community discussion ensued last night about
the proposed Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance and how people of low income
are to live in the City of Los Angeles.
Councilman Ed Reyes stated that this proposed ordinance is but “one tool
in the toolbox” to provide affordable housing. Most importantly, he
stressed at the very beginning that he would REMOVE the part of Section 5.2
of the Ordinance entitled “Incentives and Offsets,” which stated that an
incentive for creating more affordable housing would be “Allow townhome
construction of affordable housing units in single family detached home
development.” After Councilman Reyes said that the provision would be
REMOVED, he was greeted with huge applause.
Councilman Reyes further challenged us to actively seek places for
affordable housing units in every community in Los Angeles. He ended with
the question, “How much is enough profit for these market-rate housing
developers? Is it fair that so many people live in the basements of their
parents homes? This ordinance should not be a fight or a debate --
this should be about justice. We judge our society on the ways we treat
the most vulnerable. Are we going to address this issue head-on? In
the end, we are one city.”
Councilman Eric Garcetti thanked us all for being concerned about
our communities. “I come here tonight very enthusiastic and
optimistic. We know how to say no very well. But the status quo is
not working. What I want to engage the City in is vision. We should
not play to fear, and allow prejudice to prevail.”
“We are not here to create housing without regard to character of current
communities. But without a concerted effort of developers,
community advocates, and those who need affordable housing, we will fail.
The National Association of Realtors did a poll and found that 76%
of people support affordable housing in their communities. Even 61%
agree that affordable housing can go next door. A solution exists –
let’s find it together.”
Councilman Garcetti also disputed the notion of throwing out Section 5.2
(referred to above), and stated that he would rather allow townhome development
in single family neighborhoods, but only where that provision already
exists. “Just know that, daily, there are people discussing
this issue and making the ordinance better. We will be discussing
this further at the East Area Planning Commission on July 7th,” he concluded.
Carol Schatz, panelist and President and CEO of the Central City Association
asked that the provision of the ordinance should be reviewed.
Essentially, developers would be mandated to pay for affordable housing in the
following percentages, as part of any new market rate development:
Questions for the panel:
1.
If not Inclusionary Zoning, then what vehicle or solution should be
proposed?
People generally saw this ordinance as but one tool in the toolbox.
2.
How will this ordinance affect current Specific Plan areas, Hillside
Ordinances and Community Design Overlays?
According to supporters, the ordinance will supercede these other
ordinances, but will be unlikely to change the zoning, as many of these areas
are protected. Those against the ordinance stated that there is no
guarantee that single family areas would be protected, especially if Section
5.2 is not removed.
3.
The matrix for the ordinance (a spreadsheet provided to the audience,
which can also be accessed at www.lacity.org/lahd/incllinks.htm)
is not yet finalized. What should change?
These ideas would be part of the ongoing debate we hope to have
throughout the City.
4.
How would you assure that low income families could live anywhere in
Los Angeles, rather than in only certain areas of the City?
Mechanisms are being discussed to require that in-lieu fees or
affordable unit development must happen within certain zones in the areas near
the new development. There is a fear that certain areas of the City
will bear all of the affordable housing development.
5.
How many units will be created under the new ordinance?
How many have been created already?
44% of the units created already are affordable, due to developer
incentives already in place. Opponents of the ordinance state that the
ordinance’s mandates will deter affordable housing construction, not encourage
it. Supporters of the ordinance could not predict the number of units created
under this ordinance, but were adamant that regulatory incentives and rezoning
as they stand are not currently meeting the huge need in our city.
The meeting concluded with final statements and questions from the
audience.
Beth Steckler of Livable Places stated that we did not build enough
affordable housing, but we need to use every tool in the toolbox in order to
create more housing in LA. The proposal was put together with the General
Plan in mind, to protect single family neighborhoods and focus affordable
housing in our transit corridors.
Carol Schatz challenged that “one size does not fit all.” Housing
leads our economies. Incentives make a difference. Citywide
mandates will drive away new development. Your property values will
diminish if our economy is injured. For-profit developers are
housing Los Angeles. They should not be the ones to bear the burden of
housing us all.
Tim O’Connell of Century Housing stated that regulation is the only way
to control costs of providing affordable housing.
Brian Paul of the Southland Regional Association of Realtors stated that
incentives work. Let’s streamline planning! Rehabilitate the 50,000
units that the Gas Company says are not currently habited due to rent control
and other issues. We also need to make sure that those who get the
affordable ownership units are able to realize equity in their homes, rather
than requiring it to be affordable in perpetuity.
Beatrice Hsu of Councilmember Garcetti’s office rebutted that 107 cities
have inclusionary zoning ordinances. The conversation should not be about
whether or not to have this ordinance, but how to make this the best ordinance
possible. We have a 90 day comment period that ends in the fall.
Mark Handel, President and CEO of MWH Development Corporation reminded
the audience that pressures NOT to develop at all are the enemy of residential
development. Why not create specific zones that embrace residential
development, with all of the correlating benefits to those communities who
embrace density.
In all, it was a very informative discussion. Inclusionary Zoning,
and the correlated discussion of where we build housing for people who cannot
currently afford to live decently in Los Angeles, is the most important
discussion we can engage in about the future of Los Angeles and our
economy. I encourage you to follow this debate and participate in the
meetings coming up on this issue. The next discussion of this issue will
be at the East Area Planning Commission July 7th.
-- Hilary Norton Orozco, TERA President
2. OWL TALK ANNOUNCES A SALE EVENT FOR
EAGLE ROCK’S WHO’S HOO-HOO -- JUNE 25
Our friends at Owl Talk on Eagle Rock Boulevard (right next to swork,) tell
us that they’re going to be marking an important anniversary at the end of this
month and have decided to celebrate with a big sale. As regular e.letter
readers are no doubt aware, Owl Talk and their neighbors at Eagle Rock and
Colorado have recently suffered a string of very expensive acts of vandalism.
This sale offers our community the perfect opportunity to drop by
the store and show our support for ten years of watchful service from our local
Owl. (And while you’re in the neighborhood, don’t forget to drop in for a
cup of joe at swork, pick up something for the kids at twerps, and pay a call
on Beauty Doll, Best Flowers and all the other fine shops that call the
proud intersection of Eagle Rock and Colorado home.)
The Owl Talk Clothing Store is pleased to announce that we’re turning 10
at the end of this month. We are very excited, and appreciative of
all the support that this community has given us. We want to say thank
you by staging a special sale/event/party on Friday, June 25th from 5:00
pm- 9:00pm.
We’ll have refreshments, goody bags, and 25% off all clothing in stock!
And 20% off on selected jewelry. For more information, call us at
(323) 258-2465.
See you at the party!
-- Kathleen and Sharon Kroner, Owners, Owl Talk
3. CLEAN UP YOUR ACT! -- JUNE 26
From the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council comes this:
The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council and Eagle Rock High School Key
Club invite you to “Clean-up Your Act...by improving your
neighborhood!” Join us in our ongoing pursuit of a
beautifying Eagle Rock.
The City of Los Angeles Operation Clean Sweep will provide the tools --but we
need your fortitude!
We will meet Saturday, June 26th at
the corner of York Avenue and Eagle Rock Blvd from 9 am to 12 noon.
This is one of many clean ups in Eagle Rock so if you have an area
that is particularly bad area that you would like cleaned up, please
contact you Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Sub District Director (see map on www.EagleRockCouncil.org) or e-mail me at President@EagleRockCouncil.org or call (323)
257-6381.
--Anita Hultman, Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council President
4. THE BEST YARD SALE OF THIS OR ANY OTHER CENTURY — JUNE 26
Drawing on the amassed detritus of two centuries worth of overpacked garages
— imagine the stuff! Questions? Dial (323) 478-1883.
If you’d care to take this opportunity to clean out your own garage and
donate a few saleable items to this most worthy cause, you can drop off your
own stuff today, Thursday, June 24th from 4:00 p.m. To 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow,
Friday, June 25th from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
5. ”ALTERATIONS INCLUDED” AND “PAINTINGS OF COLOMBO’S” CURATED BY
CENTER FOR THE ARTS — RECEPTION IS JUNE 27
The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is busy again. Here’s the latest
on their two new exhibits:
Alterations Included:
A group of altered "thrift shop" paintings invented and commissioned
by Paul Zaloom and actually painted by the pseudonymous artist “Tandalaya
Zuckerman.” Exhibit will be on display at Colombo’s restaurant,
1833 Colorado, beginning Sunday, June 27. Opening night reception is this
Sunday, June 27, from 6:00 to 8 p.m. Call (323) 254-9138 for more information.
The Paintings of Colombo’s Restaurant:
A group of paintings collected throughout the 50 years of Colombo's
existence. On view at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock. Opening
reception on Sunday, June 27, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 2225
Colorado. (323) 226-1617.
Both exhibitions run through August 1st.
Guest curated by Cindy Ojeda for the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock.
6. TERA APPRECIATES YOU — JUNE 29, 2004
Meet your neighbors and find out what great projects TERA's working on.
Come to our Member Appreciation Event this Tuesday at the Center for the
Arts, Eagle Rock! Great refreshments. Great
company. Great projects. And if you’re not yet a member, this event
is a great time to sign up!
See you Tuesday!
7. YOU’LL HOWL AT OXY’S "THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLFMAN"
— OPENS JULY 8
The critically acclaimed Occidental
College Children's Theater will present "The Boy Who Cried
Wolfman," conceived and directed by Jamie Angell, for an
extended run starting July 8 and closing on August 21st. Performances
will be in the Remsen Bird Hillside Amphitheater outdoors on the
Occidental campus.
In about an hour, a cast of Occidental students, alumni and professional actors
will perform without props, sets, or costumes, relying only on their acting and
physical skills. "This dynamic company of talented actors ... is as fresh
and entertaining as ever," the Los Angeles Times says.
Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under. Group
rates are available.
For ticket information, call the Occidental Box Office at (323) 259-2771.
As is the case every year, the script for "The Boy Who Cried Wolfman"
will be the result of cast improvisation, said Jamie Angell, the theater's
artistic director since its inception. "We work in the round,”
notes Angell, “so the audience is right on top of the action. The
unconventional material and the absence of props or costumes force both the
actors and the audience to rely on their imaginations. It's remarkably
different from most anything else you see in children's theater today."
Occidental College is located at 1600 Campus Road, in the Eagle Rock section of
Los Angeles. For a campus map and directions to the college, please visit
http://www.oxy.edu/oxy/welcome/directions.
The Occidental College Children's Theater is inviting applications for
its Summer Institute of Fun, weeklong workshops in July and August that
will teach children techniques in physical theater, group improvisation,
tumbling and movement. Participants must be between 7 and 12 years old.
Enrollment is extremely limited, so sign up as soon as possible.
Children's Theater actors will offer individual attention in a positive and fun
learning environment. All children will receive a T-shirt, and each week
concludes with an informal folktale performance.
For more information, or to have an enrollment form sent to you, call (323)
259-2771.
8. BE IN THE HOME TOUR BROCHURE!
Plans for TERA's fifth annual Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour are
in full swing, and we are currently accepting ads for our Home Tour brochure.
Our tour will take place Sunday, October 24, 2004, in the
south-of-Colorado neighborhood of College View Avenue and adjoining streets.
We expect about 1,000 people or more to attend our tour and view our
brochure, and we'd like you to be a part of it and benefit from it.
If you are interested in placing an ad, please contact our ad coordinator, Maedale
Gongora, at maegongora@aol.com.
9. THE ROCK TEEN CENTER INVITES EAGLE ROCK’S YOUNG A CHANCE TO
BUILD SKILLS AND HAVE FUN THIS SUMMER
From our friends at the ROCK Teen Center at 1597 Yosemite Drive
Yosemite comes word of a summer brimming with opportunity for Eagle Rock kids:
The ROCK (Reach Our Community Kids) Teen Center announced its summer
schedule and programming this week. Highlights of the summer program,
which is available July 7 through August 17th, from 12:45 PM to 5 PM, Monday
through Friday, include a ten-session academic skill-building and science
activity program for middle school students, a martial arts class, chess club,
computer challenges and Youth Leadership Council (YLC). Recreational activities
include weekly pool and foosball tournaments, fieldtrips, and a talent show.
Steps 2 Success is offered to students entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade
and is limited to 10 students. This program meets Monday through Thursday at 2
PM and includes the “Advanced Skills for School Success” curriculum and ROCK’s
Science Mentor program, a summer must for younger teenagers. In addition,
the Homework Coaches are available to all students throughout the summer
session for tutoring. All students who participate in ROCK’s academic and
growth programming receive incentive points redeemable for prizes through the
ROCK Teen Bank.
At 3 PM on Mondays, pool tournaments will be held and on Wednesdays, there will
be a foosball tournaments, in addition to the academic programming.
Tuesday activities include weekly computer challenges, for building technology
skills, Chess Club, and a volunteer-led Martial Arts class. The YLC,
which is a service-learning initiative for teens, will continue to meet on
Thursdays at 5 PM. Newcomers are welcome. Also, on two Fridays, July 16 and 23,
youth who are interested in sound engineering and event production may join an
instructional class on running ROCK’s new sound equipment, purchased with grant
funds from the Kiwanis Club of Eagle Rock. The students will then
have an opportunity to try their new skills at the ROCK’s 1st Talent & Open
Mic Show at 2 PM on August 6th. Two fieldtrips are also planned this
summer.
ROCK, which was originally organized in 1999, is a volunteer organization born
out of the community’s need for teen services. We are a Christian
faith-based organization dedicated to improving the lives and character of
community youth, between the ages of 12 and 19, through the teen center
and its programs. The center, located at 1597 Yosemite Drive in Eagle
Rock, provides the only free, off-campus, learning and skills
development programs within the community, specifically for teens. To
register for Steps 2 Success, apply for YLC, sign-up for the classes and
activities, or obtain more information about the center and volunteer
opportunities, contact their office at (323) 257-6102 or through the website at
http://www.rockids.org.
-- Donna Robey-Sullivan, Executive
Director, Reach Our Community
10. WOMEN’S TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB RENOVATION: BIDS SOUGHT
The Women’s Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock (WTCC) is
undertaking a renovation and restoration project of its historic
building, located at 5105 Hermosa Avenue. The WTCC would like to employ local
contractors to participate in the project. We are currently accepting bids
from carpenters, plumbers, masons, tree trimmers, glazers, roofers, drywallers,
painters, floor refinishers, and general contractors.
Please contact Roe Muzingo for details about the renovation
jobs that are open for bid and to be scheduled in August 2004 at (323)
478-1883 or ROEMUZ@webtv.net. All bids
must be presented in writing, addressed to the attention of the Restoration
Committee and mailed to PO Box 41-2218, Los Angeles, CA 90041.
11. WE'VE GOT MAIL
“I was amazed while reading comments in a recent TERA e.letter about
the radio tower adjacent to the newCalTrans/CHP Building going up at the city
limits, above our freeways. My question was: why is anyone surprised [to
find out that towers would be a part of this building]?
“I've yet to see a CHP center that does not have a radio tower! How else
are they supposed to stay in touch with their officers? It was announced
that this would be the CHP Los Angeles Communication Center. That's why
they put it high on a hill. They also needed the added height of a tower
so their radio signals could go over the hills between Eagle Rock and
Glendale/San Fernando Valley, between Eagle Rock and Pasadena/San Gabriel
Valley, and between Eagle Rock and downtown Los Angeles. All of this should
have been reasonably foreseeable.
“And, given the spottiness of cell phone service in Eagle Rock [owing] to our
hilly terrain, having more sites for cell antennas would, I think, be a
"plus" for our community. The CHP tower would be there anyway,
even without cellular antennas. Why not use that as a way for those of us
who live in the community to improve our cell phone service without yet another
structure being built?
“There are REAL issues to be addressed in Eagle Rock that I wish TERA would put
its collective mind to, instead of tilting at windmills--er--CHP radio towers.
Issues such as:
1) We have two main boulevards that serve as ‘linear downtowns’ and yet we want
to maintain the ‘pedestrian-friendly atmosphere’ of Eagle Rock. To do that
means that we have to increase areas for parking for those who live at one end
of either ‘downtown’ and want to do business at the other end, too far to walk
and carry home our purchases. Yet those boulevards are substantially fully
developed. Where are we going to put the parking, what business buildings will
be torn down to accomplish that, and how are we going to pay for it?
2) Just how many boutique-y latte' houses can one community support?
3) In an era where people now stay up later, or do their shopping after they
come home from long commutes from work, is 9:00 p.m. still a realistic time to
expect businesses on Colorado Blvd. to close?
4) What would be an appropriate balance of *kinds* of businesses to have in a
self-contained community, and how can we move toward attracting more of the
kinds of businesses which are in short supply?
5) As some residential streets have become "thru streets" (i.e., they
empty out onto Colorado Blvd, Hill Drive, Eagle Rock Blvd., Yosemite, or
Townsend), can we continue to allow parking on both sides when those
residential streets are less than 30 feet wide, curb-to-curb?
6) How do we attract more students from Occidental College to become active in
our community, and to spend their money at stores in our community?
I'm sure there are more such issues--all of them far more worthy of discussion
and/or space in the newsletter, than worrying about a radio tower on a
CalTrans/CHP building.”
-- Tom Griffith, Eagle Rock
Thanks for taking the time to outline your thoughts, Tom, which certainly
offer grist for a number of in depth conversations. To kick off just one
of them, I shared your letter with TERA board member Jeanine Colini, who
responded with the following thank you before sounding the call to action:
“Thanks for writing, Tom! Since you are clearly
passionate about your ideas, I wonder if you’ve ever considered becoming more
involved in TERA? The opportunities to effect real change in our
community are really endless -- perhaps you could start by serving on one of
our committees? We could certainly use the help! So often
when I read the letters that people send to the e.letter, I start to wonder if
people in our community assume that TERA’s board members are the only ones that
need be actively involved in carrying out the work that TERA must accomplish.
That’s certainly not the case. I invite Tom and anyone else who’d
like to roll up their sleeves and become a working part of TERA to join me at
Tuesday’s TERA meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Center for Arts, Eagle Rock.
There you’ll have a chance to meet some of TERA’s current
volunteers, to find out what your association has been up to, and to help us
plot our goals for the future. And that’s where you and all the other
wonderful, thoughtful, articulate and passionate members of our community come
in. Hope to see you Tuesday.”
-- Jeanine Colini, TERA Board member
* * *
“I was not able to make it to the Neighborhood
Watch Meeting on Thursday because I work until 7pm. Although, I don’t
think it would have done any good. Today on my way to work I noticed the house
on the corner of Hill Dr. and Townsend Ave., had their new fence tagged.
This is appalling. I have dealt with Officer Galindo and the NE Gang Unit
in the past and have not had any luck. There are unconstructed lots above
Kincheole Dr. and Maemurray Dr. These lots are a gang haven. These
“people” drive up Townsend Ave. to Kincheole Dr. and up Dahlia Dr. to
Maemurray Dr. every night to access these lots. I tried to get the gang
unit involved however; I couldn’t even get them to look at these lots during
the daylight to see this mess. I tried to get a street light, to no
avail, at the top of Dahlia Dr. where there is a freeway retaining wall covered
with gray patches that I painted myself. I have brought this to the
attention of Pacheco’s/Villarigosa’s office as well. This problem is
getting worse. As long as there are sights like this in our neighborhood
and no one is going to help, we will have our homes tagged. I respect
TERA and know how lucky Eagle Rock is to have them. So, maybe TERA’s energy
could go towards this problem for awhile rather than Walgreens and electric
poles.”
-- Frank Di Stefano, Eagle Rock resident and TERA member
Thanks for the note, Frank. In response, we turn the floor over to
TERA President Hilary Norton Orozco, who wanted to address your thoughts
personally:
“Thank you so much for writing to us, Frank, about the
growing graffiti problem in Eagle Rock. We agree that graffiti is a
blight on our community. But solutions to the graffiti problem require a
team effort beyond merely TERA, and should include the LAPD’s Northeast Division, BLEND, and the Neighborhood Watch program. A great deal of work is being done
already throughout Eagle Rock on this issue, but
much more certainly can and should be done. Eradicating
graffiti requires significant time, coordination and focus.
“When you join us on Tuesday for the Member Appreciation Night, I hope you will
sign up to lead or contribute your energies as a volunteer on the task force
that will be organized to eradicate this blight in Eagle Rock. Thank you
again for being such a responsible and concerned citizen.”
-- Hilary Norton Orozco, TERA President
* * *
“In response to the letter about individuals who consume alcohol on
the premises of the Savon parking lot: Is there not a law against open
alcohol beverages being consumed on public property? How about loitering?
Or, worst of all, what about drinking to the point of being so drunk that
you disturb paying customers? Panhandling is against the law, and if we
continue to give these people money, they will keep asking for it.
“As far as Walgreens, Savon or any other Mall development that might attract
that kind of thing. The problem isn't just limited in one type of
environment. Old Town Pasadena has the same problems on Colorado Blvd.
and they don't have a Savon or a Wallreens. Maybe we can get some advise
from the police dept.
-- Roe Muzingo, TERA resident and past business owner
* * *
“Again, thank you for all your diligent work in Eagle Rock. I wish I
lived closer to the area, because I would have loved to have been able to
attend the Graffiti meeting last week. This is a terrible blight on the
area. The Eagle Rock Library still (as of 6/15, when I was visiting the
area) has graffiti in the female restroom and etched on the front door of the
place. I reported this some time ago, you very kindly responded, but
no action was taken on the part of the individual who was supposed to look into
it.
“The letter from retired LAPD officer Richard Ledesma you ran expressed my
views exactly. Power to him and to all of you fighting graffiti.
You don't see it in Beverly Hills.”
-- Nancy Shannon-Sinclair, Currently in Torrance, but Eagle Rock home
owner since 1978
Thanks, Nancy, for writing. Readers will no doubt recall that the
letter from Richard Ledesma to which Nancy refers appeared in last week’s
e.letter, and said, in part, “It will take an area wide movement to
track and motivate progress for the Northeast Area Graffiti
problem... What we have done in the past is to apply a super Band-Aid on
the problem when what we need is a full scale operation that allows us to hold
various agencies and local representatives accountable for reporting on progress
toward dealing with this plague.”
* * *
“A word about skunks...
“Last week I found that a family of skunks had moved in under the house.
I guess a crawl space gate had been left open during a recent repair
under the house. Orkin no longer handles skunks, and I was desperate to
find a service. I came across All City Animal Trapping, (877)
724-5314. Friendly, courteous, and prompt. For a nominal fee, traps
were set and several skunks caught in the next few days. It was great. Since
Eagle Rock seems to be a melting pot for the critters, having that number handy
may prove helpful for others in the area. All animals are moved humanely
and relocated to a more hospitable environment.”
-- Michael Schlueter, Eagle Rock
* * *
“I received information from the Glassell Park Neighborhood Council regarding a
zoning change for Northeast Los Angeles that would allow, among other things,
townhouses to be build in R1 zoned neighborhoods! This proposed zoning
change appears to be some misguided attempt to provide more affordable housing
for low-income residents. Have you heard anything about this? Will
this affect Eagle Rock? I am very concerned; could you please look into
this?”
-- Nancy Asmus, Eagle Rock
Thanks for asking! A meeting on that very topic was held last night,
June 23. TERA President Hilary Norton Orozco attended the gathering and
filed an extensive report that appears in her President's Message above.
(See item #1.)
That’s it for this week’s e.letter. See ya’ in seven!
* * *
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.
12. THE LAST WORD —
CHINESE PROVERB
“Outside your home, only speak one-third as
much.”
-- Chinese Proverb
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