TERA Weekly e.letter June 28 2001
1. HATE CRIMES HERE IN EAGLE ROCK
Something
very disturbing has occurred in our town.
The following letter was submitted to us from TERA member Carl Matthes
of Uptown Gay & Lesbian Alliance (UGLA), also a TERA member, and explains:
"Thanks, TERA,
for your e.letter.
Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance
(UGLA) put a banner up at Eagle Rock City Hall on Friday, June 1. The banner
heralded Los Angeles City recognition of June as Gay and Lesbian Pride month.
By the next morning -- June 2 -- someone
defaced the banner by scribbling 'Fags' and 'Queers' in black marker on the
white banner. By Monday morning the
4th, 'Fairys' and 'Fruits' appeared on the banner with the other hate words
being darkened with additional black marker strokes. On Wednesday night a hate
call was recorded on UGLA President Carl Johnson's phone message. The one word message: 'Faggot.'
LAPD was called on three occasions
and these hate crimes reported.
On June 8, UGLA representatives at
the community leaders breakfast with Occidental College President Ted Mitchell,
brought the hate crimes to the attention of those attending. All expressed dismay and sympathy. Several organizations are sending letters of
support to UGLA and decrying hate.
These letters will be printed in
UGLA's July newsletter.
On June 9th and 10th, UGLA members
and some community residents, answered back the hate messages on the banner by
adding the words: 'mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters,
teachers, ministers, doctors, nurses,' etc. in black marker. One area resident wrote, 'Love not hate,'
and signed his and his lover's name.
At the UGLA mixer on Sunday, June
10, the UGLA membership voted to put up a new, larger banner and this was done
on Tuesday, June 12.
By Wednesday morning, June 13,
someone slashed the larger banner in many places leaving it in shreds and
hanging helplessly from its rope suspension.
With help from community members, UGLA members duct-taped the back side
of the banner and re-hung it. From the
sidewalk and street it looks amazingly unvandalized.
Perhaps TERA and its members would
send letters of concern to UGLA and its members as a show of support against
all hate crimes.
UGLA may be reached at: P.O. Box 65111, Los Angeles 90065, (323)
258-8842.
Thank you."
-- Carl Matthes,
Eagle Rock resident and TERA Member
The following is the letter of support submitted by TERA:
"Dear Friends at
UGLA --
We are saddened and dismayed by the
actions of a small minority of hateful, intolerant people who clearly are not
enlightened to the benefits of appreciation for the diversity that is Eagle
Rock. It is definitely a sign that
these few are desperate to hold on to an attitude that we know will eventually
be so marginalized as to be virtually nonexistent. We look forward to that day.
Eagle Rock is special because
of its diverse make-up. In fact, the
TERA membership accurately reflects this diversity. We have every walk of life, every income level, every political
opinion, every ethnic background, every Eagle Rock neighborhood -- you name
it. It is this diversity that makes
TERA the strong organization that it is, and it is what makes Eagle Rock the
wonderful community that it is.
We condemn the actions of these
few, but it is, in a very real way, what makes the world go around, whether we
like it or not. There will always be
naysayers, and there will always be a fight to fight -- it's what keeps us
activists going. Please don't let them
get to you.
Many of you are TERA members, and
we very much appreciate your support.
We are with you all the way!"
Editor's note: TERA
condemns any and all hate crimes directed at any members of the Eagle Rock and
wider Los Angeles communities. The
strength of our organization, and of Eagle Rock, lies in our diversity and our
ability to show tolerance toward those different from ourselves. We encourage all TERA members and our
readers to send letters of support to UGLA at the above address or to UGLA
President Carl Johnson at symfla@aol.com.
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2. GYM PROPOSAL AT
YOSEMITE PARK -- DISCUSSION
Below are the comments/letters that have been submitted by/to us
regarding the proposal to build a new gym at Yosemite Park:
"I would be happy to include
your response in the TERA e.letter as well as that of anyone else who cares to
join in the discussion. This subject is
definitely open to debate from my standpoint, and contrary to what you said
TERA did not [or has not yet] publicly oppose[d] the gym -- I am personally
opposed to the project, and I made it well known that it was only my personal
opinion in the brief statement before my commentary. As to the TERA Board, it is still unclear to me what the final
vote is, or would be, because more and more information keeps arising and
causing us to rethink our personal positions.
I also sent my opinion piece to the Board a couple of days before I
posted it asking for comments -- I received no responses.
TERA might not have taken on Rec.
and Parks issues in the past, but this particular issue greatly, and
negatively, impacts the already burdened lives of residents in the immediate
area, which for TERA takes precedence.
The fact that it happens to involve Rec. and Parks really is
secondary. Because TERA represents
Eagle Rock's residents, it is naturally of great concern to us.
To say that 'it would be sad to see
[TERA's] first mark in that area to be the loss of funds to build a gym' is way
too black-and-white and narrowly focused an outlook. The gray areas here are vast, and one has to carefully weigh the
multitude of pros and cons, all of which exist on a huge variety of
levels. Besides, TERA built its
strength on risking its reputation by standing up for what we feel is right;
so, in this case, if the TERA Board votes to oppose the gym, so be it.
When you express surprise at the
high school principal's opposition to the building of the gym, I have to say,
without offense, that perhaps because you chose to send your children to
private school outside of Eagle Rock, you are not part of our local high
school's current day-to-day culture and really don't know first-hand how use of
the park affects the school, and vice versa.
It is a completely different situation from when you attended the school
some 30 years ago. I have received
e.mails from relatively recent ERHS alums who oppose the gym because the
parking problem was so prevalent even when they were there.
I further must say, also without
offense, that you don't live in the immediate area and can't know from
experience how the numerous problems surrounding the park would affect your
daily life and the lives of your family members. I don't currently live there either (although I did years ago),
but I have been hearing about the same City-neglected problems and parking
issues from people in the neighborhood over all the years I've lived in Eagle
Rock, and these are people whose word I trust.
So, you see, there is no black and white to this issue -- it's difficult
for all involved.
There is a great, alternative idea
-- properly plan, fund, and build a state-of-the-art sports complex, with
plenty of parking, on the Caltrans property at the 2 and 134 freeway
intersection (the LARTMC proposal is badly in violation of CEQA laws and the
Northeast Community Plan anyway, among others), and have it be the crown jewel
of Northeast Los Angeles that serves all area kids. I realize it's FAR easier said than done, but that would be
something I personally, TERA, and all in the community, could very strongly
support. In the long term, it
would be the FAR better solution.
If these Prop K funds are lost, it
wouldn't be anyone's fault but that of the City itself, which blew it big time
in a variety of ways. And, you're right
-- the process stinks and needs revision badly. I do know you tried your best under the circumstances to change
it, and I commend you for that. Still,
this is WAY too familiar a story. One
of these days, our government must learn to do things right."
-- Joanne Turner, President, The
Eagle Rock Association (TERA), in response to a letter from a member of the
Volunteer Neighborhood Oversight Committee (VNOC, or "gym" committee)
"I have no beef with [the gym
committee member] at all. Evidently [this
person] was blind-sided on this in several different ways, and tried his best
to set things aright. Few have been
more faithful to Eagle Rock or more energetic in strengthening the community.
But I have to look at the matter on
its merits. The process was so badly
flawed that the project itself became a detriment rather than a benefit to
Eagle Rock.
Why and how was [this person]
blind-sided? Why was the process not
opened up early? Why did the Council
office not demand that it be brought to TERA, the Chamber, etc., at the start,
as private projects now are (we hope)?
Why was the decision to build a gym right there, no matter what, never
opened to question from the ER community?
Why was the need for a variance not aired much earlier in the game and
worked through with the community? Why
would a developer (Rec. & Parks (R&P)) go to hearing with the absurd
request to delete 188 required parking spaces from the project, with no real
justification other than that the developer (R&P) wants it that way? Why should ER accept such high-handed
management of ITS affairs?
Moreover, why would a Zoning
Administrator be willing to produce such an outlandish decision document? Not only are the Findings outrageous, the
sheer number of conditions on the project is extraordinary! And the number of recommended conditions
rejected by the ZA or R&P is also exceptionally long. No legitimate project worthy of total
exemption from parking requirements for a new structure should require such
imaginative stretches of logic and
language (or so many desperately unimaginative ones that the accumulation of
them is quite novel). That this one
does is just one more sure sign that it is very, very seriously flawed. What would make it credible would be an
honest confrontation of the relevant facts rather than self-serving rhetoric
that ignores the facts. Which probably
explains why this has so many of the earmarks of a covert operation.
And then there is the credible
hush-up report, along with the attempt to threaten the high school with
R&P's reneging on the pool arrangements.
This kind of stuff just does not
belong in Eagle Rock, nor in our Council member's repertoire of tolerable
agency behavior!
I know that [this person] will
provide credible arguments that the existence of other gyms in the area doesn't
meet the need. But I have been able to
find no evidence that R&P did anything approaching due diligence in seeking
to work out collaborative use of the various gyms. If it were to try, and met with unreasonable resistance, it
should take the matter to community groups like TERA! The Northeast Plan explicitly calls for cooperation in these
matters with, among other things, the preservation of open space for recreation
as an objective. R&P behaves in
many ways like LAUSD; check with Linda Herbert on the number of things other
agencies and private parties must do but R&P does not (e.g. 24-hr. graffiti
removal -- R&P gets 48 hours -- and even then does not comply).
The Council office should INSIST on
far better, more neighborhood-oriented management in R&P not only for ER,
but throughout the Northeast! (Even
LAPD is returning, at least in part, to community-based service; but not
R&P!) Maybe a new secession threat
all over the NE is needed to get suitable attention.
I hope no one suggests that I am
throwing a monkey wrench into a great project and then fleeing the scene,
although I am sure that will crop up at some point. [Tim and his wife Jane are soon moving to Carmel.] I think the more remarkable (and perhaps a
bit stupid) thing is that I am bothering to make any waves at all. But from a practical point of view I still
own property here, and from a sentimental point of view, I think this is a
great place and it needs to be saved from the many foolishly destructive antics
of the City of LA, the symptoms of which are so vividly illustrated in this
project!.
Well, it turned out to be more than
a couple of things, but this is some of the stuff that has been going through
my head, for whatever it's worth."
-- Timothy D. Sanders, Eagle Rock
resident, TERA member, and former TERA President
"Thank you for your eloquent
commentary on the situation with this [Yosemite Park gymnasium] project. It is sad to think that our community is
rendered so helpless by the bureaucracy that serves us! After reading the countless reports of the
parking requirements that new businesses must conform to, it is ridiculous that
the City is immune to the same requirements.
It could be disheartening, or maybe this situation will fuel us to
continue our united fight for our community.
Thanks again for your constant outreach to this community."
-- Christine Richards, Eagle Rock
resident and TERA member
"Dear Mr. Brown (Zoning
Administrator on the Yosemite gym project):
The testimonies at the May 29,
2001, public hearing brought into sharp focus the problems besieging Yosemite
Park: misuse, neglect of the southern portion, misbehavior, and parking.
Because of its configuration,
narrow but deep, there is not much view of the park from the only street it
fronts, Yosemite Drive. Buildings hide
activities, good and bad, behind them.
The Eagle Rock High School administrators spoke of their concerns and
asked that the gymnasium not be built in the proposed location.
The back half of the park vividly
illustrates the problems of obstructed view.
The park staff and rangers can't see past the swimming pool structure to
monitor it, so that area, though large, is virtually invisible. Vandals entering through the southwest gate
destroy picnic tables, benches, and barbecue grills whenever any are set out,
and bullies threaten foot traffic. As a
result, the area once known as the Sylvan Theater is unused by families and
neglected by the park services.
The Department of Recreation and
Parks needs to work with the residents of the street adjacent to the southwest
gate (Campus Road) where there have been serious problems with parking, runaway
cars, trash, late-night noise, vandalism, graffiti, threats directed at
residents and pedestrians, drinking, and drugs.
Another constant concern during the
hearing was parking. Teachers,
students, parents, service people, and park personnel all need places to
park. With the $1.2 million available,
would it not be in the best interest of the community to do first things first,
acquire land and build a parking lot to service the users of the park? LAUSD pays Rec. and Parks $175,000 per year
for the use of the pool, but where are the students to park? The new Walt Disney Concert Hall is not yet
complete, but the parking structure was in place before ground was broken. In the last case of construction at Yosemite
Park, though additional parking was promised, the swimming pool was built
first. So, of course, the parking never
materialized.
Perhaps it would be better to conserve
our few open spaces rather than to cover them with buildings. But if we are to build anyway, would it not
be best to locate the structure so as to preserve at least the illusion of open
space? In its currently planned location, the gymnasium would block all view of
the park from Yosemite Drive and destroy an area heavily used by families and
the younger children.
Thank you for taking our written
input under advisement. Respectfully
--"
-- Pearl and Patrick Wells, Eagle
Rock residents on Campus Road, adjacent to Yosemite Park, and TERA members (Mr.
Brown can be reached at nbrown@planning.lacity.org)
"I congratulate you for
standing up to those around you on the gym.
Supporting the residents of the neighborhood on issues that impact them
is one of TERA's basic and historic duties.
And, in fact, it gives TERA the moral authority to say we represent the
community. Your letter to [the gym
committee member] is right-on -- I support each and every position you
took. And as always you were
diplomatic. I agree with you that TERA
should support the residents living near the gym. We must maintain constant vigilance on City processes since they
were almost all created to skirt the scrutiny of citizens when necessary. Yelling when the process threatens our
community is just a given for TERA.
With great respect -- you go, girl!"
-- Gale Cohen, Eagle Rock resident,
founding TERA Board member, and current TERA Board member
"Your letter regarding the
Yosemite gym is right on. Are you
taking co-signers of the letter? If so,
you can add my name to it."
-- Gary Mayeda, Eagle Rock
resident, TERA member, and ERHS Class of '81
"Thanks for the e.letter. I am in shock about the proposed gym at
Yosemite."
-- Gail Stanley, Eagle Rock
resident and TERA member
"The information you shared in
this week's TERA e.letter about the proposed gymnasium at Yosemite Park is
extremely upsetting. Could you please
print contact information in the next e.letter for the appropriate city
officials so that Eagle Rock citizens can express our concern and outrage? Please include the head of Parks & Rec.
and members of the Gym Committee, if you have them."
-- Karen Germaine, Eagle Rock
resident and TERA Member
"You shouldn't feel too
bad. I know your frustration. The City screws up, tries to ramrod
something through, and TERA gets egg on its face when we raise logical objections. Same old story -- it's not always nice being
a community cop. From experience, the
neighbors are making rational arguments, but just be sure that they are
represented in the commentary about the problems in the area, especially with
parking. You shouldn't be the only one
quoted."
-- Jeff Samudio, life-long Eagle
Rock resident, ERHS graduate, and founding TERA Board member
"I just received a phone call
from Lucia Rivera (ERHS) . . . she said that they are now considering replacing
the tennis courts and playground or the swimming pool for the new gym. (Didn't we just get the pool set up for year
'round so the ERHS swim team could use it?)
I am totally opposed to this destruction. Look for a new spot if need be, but let's not pedal backwards. Now that Nick Pacheco is a member of the
Eagle Rock Community he needs to speak up against this project. Let it be known that he will never be
supported by TERA if he lets this go through."
-- Esther Monk, TERA Board member
"Another great newsletter!
Can we send e-mails,
faxes, etc. to someone regarding the Gym issue, both as TERA members and Eagle
Rock residents? To whom do we raise the
objections? Is there a form letter, or
something similar going around that can be signed by ER residents? It would certainly facilitate and expedite
letters, faxes, etc. throughout the appeal process.
Thanks."
-- Tamara Lobaco, Eagle Rock
resident and TERA member
"[To] Timothy [Sanders]:
I support your
proposal that TERA file an appeal of the variance granted by the Zoning
Administrator to Recreation and Parks for the proposed Yosemite gymnasium.
As a new TERA member,
I want to thank you for your informed newsletter entry concerning the zone
variance discrepancies.
-- Teresa Grenot ,
Eagle Rock resident and new TERA member
Editor's note: Thanks
to all of you for your letters of concern regarding this issue.
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3. EAGLE ROCK HIGH
SCHOOL SENIOR JAZZ BAND -- THEY'RE HOT!
Have you ever had the pleasure of hearing the ERHS Senior Jazz
Band? If you have, you know what it's
like to be BLOWN AWAY. They are
phenomenal! We attended the concert
held on Thursday, May 31, in which my son played piano in the Junior Jazz Band. Junior Jazz is well on its way, but Senior
Jazz is where it's at! I am told
"they win every competition they enter," and I believe it. They competed at the Monterey Jazz
Festival this year (not a bad venue) and WON.
CDs of the concert are for sale at the high school for only
$7. Besides Senior Jazz, the recording
includes the pieces performed by Intermediate Orchestra, Senior Orchestra, and
Junior Jazz. Help support the
first-rate music program at ERHS! Call
the school at (323) 254-6891 and order your copy now!
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4. COMMUNITY
WEB-RAISING WORKSHOP -- JULY 11
The Communications Task Force of the NECRCC presents.....
Community Web-Raising Workshop
Connecting Northeast L.A. Neighborhoods to the World!
FREE! Volunteers will walk you through building a website for
your business, community group or organization!
RE-SCHEDULED!!
Wednesday, July 11th
11:30AM-2PM
Hathaway Family Resource Center
Professional Development Center
840 N. Avenue 66
Lunch will be provided
Please RSVP-- Space is limited!
Visit the Northeast L.A. Community Website at http://www.nelanet.org
To RSVP, contact Nancy Blaine at 323-257-9600 x208 or
nancyblaine@hotmail.com
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5. POETRY READING --
JUNE 30
POESIA POR PAPI -- A Chicano Ode to the Father
-- Join the Avenue 50 Studio on Saturday, June 30, 2001 from 8:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. for this event:
In conjunction with the Vatos month-long photographic
exhibit by Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Jose Galvez,, the Avenue 50
Studio will host a poetry reading.
Please join poets Sandra C. Munoz, Abel Salas and Adolfo
Guzman Lopez in paying homage to the father.
Sandra C. Munoz, born and raised in
East LA, was nourished on political activism.
She currently works as an attorney fighting for worker rights in Los
Angeles. Sandra co-wrote the widely-acclaimed
"Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Pinata Woman and Other Super Hero Girls
Like Me_."
Abel Salas, a 35-year old rogue
wordslinger, inherited his father's wanderlust as they crisscrossed the
Southwest along I-10 from Houston to LA, through innumerable cantinas and
cathouses from Crystal City to El Paso.
As a once and further periodista, he has published extensively in a
score of dailies, alternative weeklies and national monthlies. Abel lives in East LA and earns a living as
a flack in Hollywood.
Adolfo Guzman Lopez is a poet-journalist. He has tempered his word skills in taco
shops from Tijuana to Spanish Harlem in New York. Adolfo is currently a public radio reporter in Los Angeles.
The Avenue 50 Studio, 131 No. Avenue 50, Highland Park, CA 90042
, (323) 258-1435.
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6. ROCK (REACH OUR
COMMUNITY KIDS) OFFERS SUMMER CLASSES
ROCK is offering a workshop, "Using Computers to Get a
Job," starting July 9 on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 to 6:00
p.m.
The instructor, Gerald Lacy, will cover how to put together a resume,
use e.mail and Internet to research jobs, how to dress and present oneself at
an interview, and cover types of jobs/careers available in computers. We have another class coming up, "Building
Your Own Computer," taught on Saturday mornings, 10:00 to11:45 a.m. July
14 to August 4, among others.
We will be open during the summer for teens (12 to18 years) to
drop in and hang out from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursdays.
For more information and a full schedule of classes offered,
please call Reach Our Community Kids at (323) (323) 257-6102, by e.mail at
admin@rockids.org, or visit http://www.rockids.org.
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7. SWORK NEWS
THE AIR CONDITIONING IS HERE!
THE KIDS MENU IS COMING -- wait to see our new exciting sweet
and health drinks for the little ones.
SATURDAY NIGHT starting at 8:30 with Sleepy James, original
blues, and finishing up at 9:30 something for the teenager in you, and NEED
(the band have fantastic melodies and energetic tone).
We'd like to thank Joanne Turner for including our newsletter in
conjunction with the TERA e.letter.
We are still looking for a host for storytime on WEDNESDAY
mornings at 10:00
We also need a host for "spoken word" on Wednesday Nights
at 8:30
We have new fresh sandwiches and the most fantastic pastries you
will ever experience, specially picked out for you by our resident food snob,
Cynthia Cargill.
AS ALWAYS WE WELCOME YOUR REQUESTS AND CRITICISMS. WE EXIST TO SERVE YOU, AND WE APPRECIATE
YOUR BUSINESS. THANKS FOR ALLOWING US
TO EXIST IN EAGLE ROCK.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE EACH WEEK.
We love you. If you
haven't already, stop by, grab some great joe, enjoy good company, and sign our
e.mail list. Or, e.mail me at
thisisart@aol.com or sworknews@yahoo.com so you, too, can receive Swork
News. Thanks!
Sincerely,
Kristen Matson
co-owner
music director
and resident goddess
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8. QUESTIONS ABOUT
MARRIAGE (AS ANSWERED BY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS)
This is one of the most hilarious things I've read in a long
time. Relax and enjoy.
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO
TO MARRY?
"You got to find somebody who
likes the same stuff. Like, if you like
sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips
and dip coming."
-- Alan, age 10
"No person really decides
before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who
you're stuck with."
-- Kirsten, age 10
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET
MARRIED?
"Twenty-three is the best age
because you know the person FOREVER by then."
-- Camille, age 10
"No age is good to get married
at. You got to be a fool to get
married."
-- Freddie, age 6
HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO
PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
"You might have to guess,
based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids."
-- Derrick, age 8
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
"Both don't want any more
kids."
-- Lori, age 8
WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
"Dates are for having fun, and
people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough."
-- Lynette, age 8
"On the first date, they just
tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a
second date."
-- Martin, age 10
WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE
THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
"I'd run home and play
dead. The next day I would call all the
newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns."
-- Craig, age 9
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
"When they're rich."
-- Pam, age 7
"The law says you have to be
eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that."
-- Curt, age 7
"The rule goes like this: If
you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do."
-- Howard, age 8
IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR
MARRIED?
"It's better for girls to be
single but not for boys. Boys need
someone to clean up after them."
-- Anita, age 9
HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF
PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
"There sure would be a lot of
kids to explain, wouldn't there?"
-- Kelvin, age 8
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
"Tell your wife that she looks
pretty even if she looks like a truck."
-- Ricky, age 10
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9. MEXICAN
TORTILLA CASSEROLE -- A FAVORITE RECIPE
I have been making the following recipe ever since I was in high
school (not that I'm going to tell you when that was). It always receives rave reviews and
determined requests for the recipe.
It's embarrassingly easy to make -- in fact, most of the ingredients
come out of a can or package of some kind, which I know pleases busy
people. It can be doubled, tripled,
etc. for a crowd, and it can be made without meat if you're a vegetarian. I hope you enjoy it as much as I always
have.
1 package Lawry's spaghetti sauce mix
1 can tomato paste
vegetable oil
half an onion, diced (optional)
1 lb. ground beef (or two cans of Trader Joe's vegetarian chili)
1 can chopped tomatoes (can be regular, stewed, Italian-style,
or whatever you want)
1 package chili seasoning mix
flour tortillas (I use the fajita size)
1 lb. shredded jack cheese, more or less (buying pre-shredded
cheese makes it far easier)
1 small can diced chiles
sour cream (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Make spaghetti sauce using package directions. While the sauce is simmering, and if you
wish to use them, saute onions in a bit of oil until golden. Add ground beef and cook until browned (or
add canned chile and heat through). Add
spaghetti sauce, canned tomatoes, and chili seasoning mix. Blend well and let simmer for a few minutes.
Cut a stack of tortillas into quarters and place one layer in
the bottom of an approximately 2-1/2 to 3-quart round casserole. Over that, place one layer of the meat/chili
mixture. Then layer on the shredded
cheese, and last, sprinkle some diced chiles.
Repeat these four layers until all ingredients are used up. Bake for approximately one hour. If desired, place a dollop of sour cream on
each serving (I recommend it).
This is certainly not diet food, so make it when you want
to indulge. You can adjust the amount
of cheese and/or chiles however you want.
Can be made ahead and/or frozen in batches for great, home-made
microwave dinners.
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10. LETTERS AND E.MAILS
"Great newsletter.
Just an idea on the design competition for the Eagle Rock mall
-- it would probably make sense to have the owners informed about the
competition so that some partnership evolves between the competitors and the
owners and ultimately the community.
But, perhaps they are already aware, and that's terrific. The owners might want to offer up some
guidelines to the competitors.
All for now. Great to
meet you recently."
-- Jeanmarie Hance, planning deputy for former Council member Richard
Alatorre
"Hi Joanne! My
mother and I appreciate all the work you're doing on the newsletter and enjoy
reading it. You did transmit it
correctly; we received just one copy each!"
-- Carla Fallberg, South Pasadena resident and Art Center College
of Design colleague of yours truly (what a small world!)
"Thanks [for adding me to the e.letter list]! I live in 90042, about 6 blocks away from
Occidental College, and am very much interested in what's going on in the Eagle
Rock area."
-- Susie Morelos, Highland Park resident
"I just got the recent TERA e.letter. It's wonderful to see all the the new coffee shops and stores (TARGET!) opening in Eagle Rock. It's amazing to see some of the ideas and dreams we just talked about a few years ago now coming true for our Eagle Rock community. I know it's to the credit of many dedicated residents worki