THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION
The Best Investment You Can Make in Your Neighborhood
TERA
e.letter
July 15, 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:
Go to
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!
And don’t forget to encourage interested friends and neighbors to
join TERA
so that they, too, may enjoy the many benefits of membership, including
a complimentary subscription to the TERA e.letter.
This week:
Eagle Rock is best: bar none! (item
#3)
A tale of two cities, two cones (items
#6, 7)
City council comes to us (item
s #8)
Table of Contents:
1. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
2. THE COFFEE TABLE IS POURING!
3. EAGLE ROCK BAR NAMED “THE
BEST OF LA”
4. THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EAGLE ROCK, SUMMER SESSION NOW
UNDERWAY
5. OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE TO DIGITALLY ARCHIVE MATERIALS FROM
JAPANESE-AMERICAN INTERNMENT CAMPS
6. 4TH ANNUAL EAGLE ROCK VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ICE CREAM SOCIAL AND
ORGAN GRINDER ENTERTAINMENT - THIS SUNDAY, JULY 18
7. MOUNT WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION PROMISES CHIASCURO AND CHOCOLATE
CHOCOLATE CHIP -- THIS SUNDAY, JULY 18
8. THE LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL PAYS A CALL! — JULY 21
9. A SPAGHETTI DINNER FOR YOU, A SAFE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM FOR OUR KIDS
— JULY 23
10. TAKE A WALK THROUGH HISTORIC ECHO PARK — JULY 24
11. WOMEN’S TWENTIETH CENTURY CLUB RENOVATION: BIDS SOUGHT
12. THE ARROYO ARTS COLLECTIVE’S OCTOBER SURPRISE — PROPOSALS DUE
AUGUST 1
13. WOLFMAN TAKES SPOTLIGHT IN NEW OXY KIDS SHOW! YOU’LL
HOOOWWWL WITH DELIGHT! — CLOSES AUGUST 21
14. ”REVISTING THE RED CAR” WITH THE FRIENDS OF ATWATER VILLAGE —
SEPTEMBER 10
15. WE'VE GOT MAIL
16. THE LAST WORD — STEPHEN CRANE
1. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Don’t miss the City Council meeting in El Sereno on
Wednesday, July 21st at 6:30 pm!
Top 10 Reasons why ALL of our e.letter readers should attend:
10. To show the other 14 Council members how
mighty the 14th District is.
9. To thank the City for bringing our City
government out of City Hall and into our community.
8. To visit the booths of all of the
organizations and projects in the 14th District, including TERA and the Eagle
Rockdale Community Garden and Art Park booths.
7. To publicly thank Councilman Villaraigosa for
restoring $50,000 in Cultural Affairs funds to the Center for the Arts, Eagle
Rock.
6. To publicly thank the City Council for keeping
the Cultural Affairs Department its own department (listed in Los Angeles
Magazine as the 101st of the 101 best things in Los Angeles.)
5. To publicly invite all in attendance for a
drink after the City Council meeting at The Chalet at 1630 Colorado Boulevard
(listed in Los Angeles Magazine as one of the 101 very best things in
Los Angeles)
4. To earn fifteen minutes of fame with a
potential appearance on Citywide Cable Channel 35’s live broadcast of the
Council meeting.
3. To support Councilman Villaraigosa as he
continues his fight for the 14th District’s fair share of the city budget and
city services.
2. To see your tax dollars at work!
1. To set the record for public attendance at an
out-of-City Hall City Council meeting!
In my past life as a City Council staffer (for almost 9 years,) I have attended
over 1000 City Council meetings. Few are as interesting as when the City
takes the time to travel out of City Hall and find out what is really going on
in this city!
Please try to take time out of your busy schedules to be part of this momentous
event. The more the City understands who we are, what we are doing for
this city every day, and what we need in order to do more, the more likely it is
that the full Council will support us in the budgets and projects to
come!
Please see Item #5 below for more details!
Swork is Beautifying the corner of Eagle Rock and
Colorado Boulevards!
As you walk, pedal, roll or drive to swork this week, please take
the time to look at the incredible transformation of the Beauty Doll and
Best Flowers facades! Patricia Neal of swork helped design new
signs and added new awnings to these businesses, and they look great!
Thank you to the owners of Beauty Doll and Best Flowers for creating such a
pretty new look. And thank you to Eagle Rock Community Preservation
and Revitalization (ERCPR) for providing a matching grant for the
façade improvements!
Make sure you go into swork, Beauty Doll and Best Flowers to support them in
their efforts to beautify our most visible commercial corner!
Walgreens hearing on the hours of operation for
Starbucks and "Building C" along Colorado Boulevard
Yesterday, many of us went to the East Area Planning Commission (EAPC)
to weigh in on the request by Rich Development to allow Starbucks
and the adjacent "Building C" seating area to have the hours of 5 am
to 12 midnight apply for both of the buildings.
Michael Tharp, Chair of TERA’s Land Use Committee, TERA Board members Kathleen
Long, Liz Wagner and I went to present TERA’s position to support the hours
of operation request. We had voted to support the request, so long as the
other conditions for the site are adhered to (which were included in our
letter), and that it is clear which entity is responsible for security of
"Building C." Jim Schuemaker of Rich Development stated
that, although Walgreens will own and operate the seating area, that Starbucks
will maintain it. We think that the whole "Walgreens owns the
seating area" is just a gambit to allow "Building C" to be
Walgreens’ glorified monument sign along Colorado Boulevard.
More shocking was that Tab Johnson of Rich Development had failed to
respond to the ERNC Land Use Committee’s questions either by phone or e-mail,
forcing Jessica Wethington-McLean, Co-Chair of the ERNC Land Use
Committee to take the appropriate position against the request for expansion of
hours of operation for Starbucks and "Building C."
The EAPC agreed with both TERA and ERNC, and cautiously agreed to
the hours of operation expansion, with the conditions that there be a clear
posting on "Building C" of the phone numbers for Walgreens, Starbucks
and the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. If we see anything
amiss on the site, we need to report it right away, to make sure that the City
keeps a clear log of all of the infractions we see.
Thanks to Michael Tharp, the TERA Land Use Committee and the ERNC Land Use
Committee for being vigilant about this project, especially about safety.
Walgreens Part II – A Sign Before its Time is a VERY
Bad Sign!
TERA member Frank Parrello and TERA filed an appeal on Rich
Development’s proposal for a Walgreens sign on "Building C."
The appeal is being supported by the ERNC and Councilmember Villaraigosa
and will be heard some time in August. In the meantime, signs are not
supposed to be erected on the Colorado Boulevard frontage for Walgreens.
Let’s see whether Walgreens will respect Eagle Rock and the law enough to keep
its sign off the Colorado Boulevard frontage until the appeal process is
complete.
Concert in the Park – A Great Success!
I tip my hat to the Eagle Rock Chamber, Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa,
Washington Mutual and Michael Nogueira for putting on such a great
concert! Special thanks also to City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo,
who came to the concert with his family and mine. We had a great time
sitting with the Nogueira family and 200 other people of all ages and
races. It was truly Eagle Rock at its best. Also in attendance were
ERNC Past President Dalila Sotelo, Roe Muzingo of the Womens Twentieth Century
Club, Jenny Krusoe of ERCCA, John Miller of the Eagle Rock Valley
Historical Society, Kaye Beckham of the Chamber, and many more. It
was an uplifting community evening. Well done!
Renew Your Membership in TERA!
Thank you to everyone who has renewed their TERA membership! Your
support allows us to continue our hard work, especially on items like this
weekly e.letter.
For those who have renewed, please check your mail this week for your temporary
TERA Membership Cards. These temporary cards are about 4" x
6," but take heart: your official wallet size cards, designed by TERA
Board member Jeanine Colini of JDCA Design, will be mailed to you
the first week of August!
We still want to encourage people to snail mail or PayPal their TERA Membership
Renewal Dues. The response has been tremendous, but the more money we raise,
the more newsletters we can print, the more projects we can undertake, etc.
All the information you need to accomplish either method of payment
is available at our website, http://www.tera90041.org.
We cannot thank you enough for your support!
-- Hilary Norton Orozco, TERA President
2. THE COFFEE TABLE IS POURING!
Congratulations to The Coffee Table
Eagle Rock for what looks to be a smashing first week of operation on Colorado
Boulevard! Here’s a note that Coffee Table co-owner (and TERA board
member) Michael Zamarripa asked us to share with you:
“I
want to thank everyone who paid us a visit opening weekend! As with any
opening, there were some minor hiccups. Thank you for your patience.
“Overall I hope all of you were pleased with your experience at The Coffee
Table. It was nice to hear all the compliments. Everyone seemed to
appreciate all the hard work that went into opening. Some loved the
photos of old Eagle Rock, others loved the floors (done by Jeremy Hapner
of Eagle Rock,) while others loved the beautiful tables that were crafted for
us by Furthur. Most everyone had nothing but great things to say about
our staff and food--both of which I am very proud of.
But the one thing everyone seemed to say as they walked through
the door was ‘Finally, you’re open!’
“We were overwhelmed by the response.
“Personally, I want to say that I am proud to be part of the Eagle Rock
community. I believe that this is just the beginning of a great
partnership between business and residents. In the years ahead, we will
strive to make everyone's experience a great one. If it isn't, please let
me know how we can make it better. I welcome constructive advice.
“Finally, if you haven't been in, please pay us a visit. For those of you
that have been so kind as to be part of our opening weekend I once again want
to say thank you!
-- Michael Zamarripa, Eagle Rock resident, Coffee Table co-owner, Tera
board member
P.S. I almost forgot. If you are a TERA member, please
remember to bring in your TERA membership card. It is worth 10% off each
visit to The Coffee Table. If you are not a member, this just one more
good reason to join TERA!
Thanks, Michael, for the gracious
words. Thanks also for the generous offer of a TERA member
discount. Paid up TERA members who didn’t pick up their temporary
membership card at the most recent TERA Public Meeting will find their new
permanent TERA membership card in their mailbox shortly. We’ll keep
you posted.
3. EAGLE ROCK BAR NAMED “THE BEST OF LA”
Good news! August’s “Best of LA” issue of Los Angeles Magazine cites Eagle
Rock’s own Chalet among its top picks.
“Best New Bar: Chalet (1630 Colorado, 323/258-8800) "..everything drops
into place like a fresh icecube. The bar is a woodsy descendent of West
Hollywood's north, with a mile-long couch set before a fieldstone fireplace,
medieval lighting exuding a rusty glow, and heavy, ceililng beams that look
freshly torn from a 19th-century Provincetown tavern. The quiet
hideaway's peace is never broken by its populist crowd, the same group you'd
expect to find at closing time at Trader Joe's" art students, teachers,
struggling musicians, landscape designers and hot-rod mechanics. It's a
place of the American imagination, with Gentleman Jack on tap and Johnny Cash
on the jukebox."
Also included in the magazine’s honor roll is Galco’s, which earns commendation
as your source for LA’s Best Soda. If you haven’t been to Galco’s
yet, make it a must see on your next trip to Highland Park. One of
Northeast LA’s oldest continuously operating shops, it’s also one of our most
unique: a one stop shop that stocks more soda pop brands than you’re likely to
see in any one store anywhere. They’re at 5702 York, between Figueroa and
Eagle Rock Boulevard. Call them at (323) 255-7115, or visit them on the
internet at http://www.sodapopstop.com.
Finally, Los Angeles Magazine also lists one of our areas mountain trails as
the Best Easy Hike: The 3-mile trek up Mt. Wilson’s Toll Road to Henniger
Flats.
Thanks and a tip o’the e.letter hat to eagle (Rock) eyed correspondent (and
TERA board member) Mary Tokita for bringing those items to our attention.
4. THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EAGLE ROCK, SUMMER SESSION NOW UNDERWAY
The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
began its six week summer session this past Monday, with offerings that
include children's classes in Painting, Ceramics, Drawing, Clay Sculpture,
Puppet Making and Adult workshops in Sign Language, Computer
Graphics, Figure Drawing and Puppet Making.
For a peek at their full schedule, visit them online at
http://www.centerartseaglerock.org. To find out about openings in
workshops, stop by the Center, or call (323) 226-1617.
5. OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE TO DIGITALLY ARCHIVE MATERIALS FROM
JAPANESE-AMERICAN INTERNMENT CAMPS
Occidental College has received a $29,875 grant from the Los
Angeles-based Haynes Foundation to help the school’s library analyze,
preserve and digitally store letters, documents and newspapers relating to the internment
of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The college is completing
an inventory of materials and organizers hope to publish an online archive by
spring 2005.
The work is part of a nearly $75,000 effort - with the balance being paid for
by the college - to create an online archive that tells the story of Japanese-American
college students and the forced relocation that affected the lives of so many
West Coast citizens during World War II. At Occidental, six
Asian-American students or graduates were relocated. Three others were planning
to enter the college in 1942 when their plans were disrupted.
"It is our goal to publish and promote the availability of this material
as a scholarly resource and as a means of furthering the educational and
community service mission of the college," said Occidental librarian Shirley
Hallblade. "This is also an opportunity to collaborate with other
library archives in the L.A. area. Most importantly, the project will
help ensure the preservation of and access to documents relating to the history
of Los Angeles and California."
Occidental's archival collection contains about 2,000 letters and other
documents, and almost 20,000 pages of newspapers and newsletters produced in
internment camps, several of which were located in Southern California.
Included in the collection are copies of the Manzanar Free Press and the
Topaz Times, produced at internment camps in California's Owens Valley
and in Utah. The material is accompanied by files from Occidental
President Remsen Bird (1921-1946) relating to his activities on behalf
of Japanese-American students and the National Japanese-American Student
Relocation Council.
Some microfilming of camp newspapers has been done by the Library of
Congress, and "in our project we will seek to clarify how our
resources complement those materials that have already been microfilmed or
digitized," said Hallblade. "We want to make use of that national
resource to strengthen our own local archive, which itself is an important
resource for our city and region, as Los Angeles and Southern California contain
vital centers of Asian-American culture in general and Japanese-American
culture in particular."
The importance and potential research value of the materials, most of which had
never been inventoried, was brought to the attention of the college last year
by Norman Cohen, Robert Glass Cleland Professor of American History
emeritus. Since he retired in 1998, Cohen has been researching certain aspects
of Occidental history.
6. 4TH ANNUAL EAGLE ROCK VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ICE CREAM SOCIAL
AND ORGAN GRINDER ENTERTAINMENT - THIS SUNDAY, JULY 18
Take
a break from the heat and join your friends and neighbors at the 4th Annual
Eagle Rock Ice Cream Social.
Sponsored by the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society, this
old-fashioned event is a community favorite and fun for the whole family.
Enjoy ice cream sundaes at just $1 per scoop with endless toppings,
home-baked goods and lemonade as you are entertained by Peter Breede, the
Organ Grinder Man. Peter will be performing and is happy to answer
questions about "busking" and building instruments.
There is no charge to attend. Tickets for ice cream and other treats can
be purchased on the spot. Raffle tickets will also be available with gift
certificates and prizes donated from local businesses. All proceeds
contribute to the preservation and education funds of the Society.
For more information on Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society membership,
call Pat Topping at 256-4258.
7. MOUNT WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION PROMISES CHIASCURO AND CHOCOLATE
CHOCOLATE CHIP -- THIS SUNDAY, JULY 18
Ice cream, eye catching plein air artwork and neighborly good cheer will be
served in equal portions at this weekend’s Annual Summer Fun gathering
of The Mount Washington Association, which convenes at the Southwest
Museum on Sunday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m. Admission and refreshments are
free for all, and the event is open to all Mount Washington residents and our
friends from neighboring Northeast Los Angeles communities.
Local artists from the Mount Washington Plein Air Painting Association
will have their work on display and will be on hand for discussion.
Carrying on a painting tradition that thrived in the Arroyo Seco during
the earliest years of the area’s development, the Mount Washington plein air
artists interpret the interplay of shadow and natural light to find the essence
of their subject.
“The Association is extending a special welcome to new Mount Washington
residents as well as to our friends and neighbors from adjoining communities,”
noted Mount Washington Association president Natalie Seaman. “The
summer meeting is all about having fun, getting to know each other and
reacquainting ourselves with one of our community’s greatest resources, our own
beautiful and historic Southwest Museum.”
8. THE LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL PAYS A CALL! — JULY 21
El Sereno
Councilmember Antonio R. Villaraigosa and the full City Council
will be meeting in Council District 14 on July 21 at the Los Angeles Christian
Presbyterian Church, where there’s plenty of free parking on-site.
For more information, please call: (213) 473-7014. Or
visit http://cd14.lacity.org
9. A SPAGHETTI DINNER FOR YOU, A SAFE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM FOR OUR
KIDS — JULY 23
From our friends at the Eagle Rock Elementary Education Foundation comes
this mouth watering announcement:
The Eagle Rock Elementary Education Foundation (EREEF) is a new parent and community driven
organization that hopes to raise funds and develop other resources to obtain,
maintain, and strengthen needed and desired programs, services and improvements
at Eagle Rock Elementary. Our ultimate goal is the establishment of a
certified, supervised and safe After-School Program for the 1,100 students
on the Eagle Rock Elementary School campus. And you can help us
reach that goal by accepting our invitation to our Spaghetti dinner on the
23rd. Your $5 ticket also gets you a chance at our raffle. See you
there!
Tickets now being sold every Friday evening at the Eagle Rock Farmer's
Market.
For more information, please visit our website at www.ereef.org
10. TAKE A WALK THROUGH
HISTORIC ECHO PARK — JULY 24
Explore Echo Park’s most prominent historic landmarks during a walking
tour of the neighborhood’s business district and Echo Park Lake on
Saturday, July 24. The 1 -1/2 hour tour, organized by the Echo
Park Historical Society, will include the colorful histories of prominent
neighborhood buildings and institutions, including many that have been
recognized by local and national agencies as historic and cultural treasures.
The outdoor tour features Angelus Temple, Jensen’s Recreation Center and
the restored "Lady of the Lake" statue.
The tour group is limited to 20 people. A $3 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 the historic society’s web site at www.HistoricEchoPark.org.
11. 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, glaziers, 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.
12. THE ARROYO ARTS COLLECTIVE’S OCTOBER SURPRISE — PROPOSALS DUE
AUGUST 1
This is our city, let's live in it!
October Surprise is calling on all Artists, Activists, Social
Interventionists, Architects, Gardeners, Solar Engineers and others to
submit proposals for site-specific projects that celebrate the past, present
and possible futures of Northeast LA. Projects may be situated
throughout Northeast LA: along the boulevards and arroyos, as well as in other
public spaces and even private homes.
Projects will be on exhibit over the long weekend of October 8, 9, and 10,
2004. Documentation of the events will remain in the gallery through
October and into the first week of November and Election Day. (Ongoing
projects are encouraged.)
The Arroyo Arts Collective at 135 N. Ave. 50 in Highland Park will serve
as a meeting space where participants can present and discuss their work.
Please submit your proposal by August 1st. We’re not looking for a fancy
resume--just articulate your ideas and tell us how you connect to this place called
Northeast LA. Contact us with questions and proposals via email at opencall@theoctobersurprise.org. Or you can
call us at (323) 449-9019 (English,) or (323) 227-5861 (Español.)
You may also mail your proposal to:
October Surprise
c/o Flor y Canto
3706 N. Figueroa Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90065
This is a non-juried exhibition, but we would like to have a basic participants
list for organizational purposes (including fundraising, publicity, and a
possible catalogue.)
Questions? Stop by Flor Y Canto any Friday night and ask for Jennifer.
13. WOLFMAN TAKES SPOTLIGHT IN NEW OXY KIDS SHOW! YOU’LL
HOOOWWWL WITH DELIGHT! — CLOSES AUGUST 21
The critically acclaimed Occidental College Children's Theater
presents "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.
14. ”REVISTING THE RED CAR” WITH THE FRIENDS OF ATWATER VILLAGE —
SEPTEMBER 10
The Friends of Atwater Village asked us to pass along word of an exciting
event they’ve got planned for the fall, a gala benefit that promises to
transport you back to the glory days of the Los Angeles red cars! The
Friends were formed in 2000 to battle the planned demolition of the historic
Van Kamps Bakery building, and since then they’ve been a dynamic force in the
Northeast community. Among their other good works, the Friends have
provided vital assistance to TERA on a number of occasions. We urge you
to mark the date of their fundraising gala in calendars, and to plan on attending
what promises to be a worthwhile event.
7:00 p.m .
Join us for an evening along with Sky City Productions as we take a ride
back in time with The Red Car. Whether you rode Southern
California’s legendary rail system in your past, or you simply would like to
make a vibrant connection with our city's colorful past, you will not want to
miss this event.
Tickets are $45.00 per person which includes: admission to our screening of Sky
City Productions’ documentary, "This Was Pacific Electric,” as well
as light fare by Netty's, a no host bar, a silent auction, coffee and
conversation with the film makers and area rail historians .
Visit us online at http;// www.friendsofatwatervillage.org to purchase
tickets. Or make your check payable to Friends of Atwater Village and
mail it to:
Friends of Atwater Village
3371 Glendale Blvd, Unit 110
Los Angeles, CA 90039
For more information, dial (323) 913-2999.
15. WE'VE GOT MAIL
We got lots of positive feedback on the news in this weekend’s e.letter
Update, especially on Hilary Norton Orozco’s announcement that Eagle Rock
boosters will soon be able to fly our town’s colors outside their homes or
places of business by ordering the new Eagle Rock flag. We’ll have more
details on the flag in our response to the second letter below. But, to
start, here’s a letter from a reader who was impressed with TERA President Hilary
Norton Orozco and TERA President Emeritus Joanne Turner’s joint statement to
set the record straight on TERA’s handling of the funds that we set aside to
pay for the design and creation of Eagle Rock’s flag.
“Kudos to [TERA President] Hilary [Norton Orozco] for addressing a very
sensitive issue, [TERA’s handling] of the money [that had been set aside
for the design and manufacture of Eagle Rock’s new flag.] The matter was
handled with great effectiveness, while maintaining a professional and
conciliatory approach. It was a perfect example of Hilary’s ability to
direct her incredible community advocacy energy and expertise toward solutions
which can only boost Eagle Rock's development.”
-- Tamara and Alexis Lobaco, Eagle Rock
And thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for the statement, which was -- we
hasten to reiterate -- composed jointly by current TERA President Hilary Norton
Orozco in full collaboration with TERA’s most recent past President and
President Emeritus, Joanne Turner. Any kudos should be shared by both of
these tireless community activists.
* * *
“Can you tell me the dimensions
of both the small Eagle Rock flag as well as the banner flag [that were
mentioned in your recent e.letter update]?”
-- Kathy Hirsh, Eagle Rock
Glad you asked, Kathy. For the answer, I’ll turn the floor over
to Hilary:
“Thanks for asking about the new Eagle Rock flags,
Kathy. As I mentioned in our recent TERA e.letter Update, Linda Allen,
President of ERCPR, Michael Nogueira, President of the Eagle Rock Chamber of
Commerce, and I have agreed to purchase two 15' x 25' Eagle Rock flags, one to
put on the pole at a dedication ceremony at the end of this summer, and the
other as a replacement flag, as one will likely be required within the next
three years. To fund this endowment, the three organizations are also
purchasing 1,000 small flags and 100 limited edition house or business flags
for sale to the community. We have agreed to sell the smaller 4” by
6” flags for $5.00 each, and to offer the larger banner flag kits (which
include an approximately 3’ x 5’ flag and a 6' aluminum pole and wall bracket)
for $50.00.
The order for these flags just went in last week, so we can expect the flags
will likely be ready for sale toward the end of August or beginning of
September. In the meantime, there’s a black and white illustration of the
flag’s design in the latest copy of TERA’s quarterly newsletter, which you also
find on the TERA website at http://www.tera90041.org.”
* * *
“I remember reading several months back
about a ‘Welcome to Eagle Rock’ sign that was to be erected in the Savon
parking lot [at the intersection of Colorado and Figueroa.] What ever
became of that venture?”
Stephanie Rush, Eagle Rock resident
A great question, Stephanie, and one that can be best answered by TERA Vice
President Kathleen Long, who’s been involved in that project from the very
start. Here’s Kathleen:
“Thanks for your question, Stephanie. Many
people have asked about the status of this proposed project.
“The tip of the triangle at the corner of Colorado
Boulevard and Figueroa Street was identified more than a few years ago, when it
was a vacant lot (now a Savon location), as a perfect location for an Eagle
Rock identification monument for the east side of town. The lead
organization on that beautification project was The Collaborative, Eagle Rock
Beautiful, a committee of TERA.
A design, initiated by Bill Stutz, was finalized and
approved by the members of The Collaborative and a request was made to then
Councilmember Nick Pacheco for an allocation of City funding to execute the
design. John Stillion, The Collaborative Co-Chair, and Kaye Beckham,
Chamber of Commerce rep in The Collaborative, were two of approximately a half
dozen (I think) sub-committee members directly involved in seeking this grant.
In March 2002, Nick Pacheco, via his then Chief of
Staff, Lloyd Monserrate (now deceased), authorized the Bureau of Accounting to
expend $15,000 from the Transit Shelter Fund to cover the cost of the Eagle
Rock monument.
In June 2002, TERA issued a detailed Invoice in the
amount of $15,000 to the City of Los Angeles for the materials needed to create
the structure, including concrete, river stone, structural footing, metal
sculpture of an eagle, engraved lettering, lighting installation, drip
irrigation and landscaping. These were figures compiled by Bill Stutz and
the Monument sub-committee. Labor was to be donated.
In September 2002 the City of Los Angeles issued its
Purchase Order.
In February 2003 the City of Los Angeles issued the
$15,000 check to TERA to fund the monument.
The snag in the progress, though, is that in the
interim, Savon purchased the property and built their store and parking lot at
that site. Even though a verbal agreement was established between Savon
and The Collaborative that Savon would allow space on that corner for the
monument, there has been no official permission from Savon to actually begin
building the monument to date.
-- Kathleen Long, TERA
Vice President
* * *
“I noticed in the most recent e.letter
that swork is offering a discount to TERA members upon presentation of a TERA
membership card. I paid new dues at the Dahlia Days festival, but
have not still not yet received the card. Any word on when these might be
sent out?
“One final thought. Has anyone ever talked about rallying our local
businesses to support a regular ‘First Friday’ or ‘Second Saturday’ event in
Eagle Rock? The idea would be that Eagle Rock’s shops and galleries stay open
into the evening one night a month, drawing new clients and customers into the
area. I know that other cities that host such events, like Palm Springs
and Sacramento seem to do very well with them.
“Thanks again! And Yay! that the Coffee Table is finally open!”
-- Apryl Lundsten, TERA member, Eagle Rock resident
We second your yay about The Coffee Table’s arrival on our thriving
commercial scene. Thanks for asking about the TERA membership cards.
AS Hilary Norton Orozco mentions in her President’s Message (item #1 above,)
TERA will be sending temporary cards out to paid members this week, with
specially designed wallet sized cards to follow as soon as they are printed.
We’ll keep you posted here as news on that front arrives.
Your idea of a regular monthly late hours event for Eagle Rock’s business
district certainly has promise, so we’ll throw it open for discussion.
What do you think about Apryl’s suggestion, Eagle Rock? Would there
be enough interest to offer such an event monthly? As always, we invite
you to share your thoughts on this (or any other topic of interest to Eagle
Rock community,) by sending us an e.mail to e.letter@tera90041.org.
To help us keep track of your comment, please include the phrase,
“reader comment,” (or words to that effect,) in the topic line of your email.
And that wraps it up for this week. See you 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.
16. THE LAST WORD —
STEPHEN CRANE
”Swift blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold...”
-- Stephen Crane (1871–1900)
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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