THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION
July
10, 2003
In this issue:
·
The
Shopping Bag Building Falls (items
2 , 3)
·
Meet
TERA's New Board Members (item 1)
Table of Contents:
1. TERA PRESIDENT HILARY NORTON OROZCO INTRODUCES OUR NEW BOARD
MEMBERS
2. SHOPPING BAG BUILDING COMES DOWN
3. LA TIMES' COVERAGE OF THE SHOPPING BAG DEMOLITION
4. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, CAMILO'S!--TODAY,
JULY 17
5. EAGLE ROCK FARMER'S MARKET THIS FRIDAY (AND EVERY FRIDAY)--JULY
18
6. LA PALABRA POETRY READING AT AVENUE 50 STUDIO--JULY 20
7. BARD UNDER THE STARS: PERSHING SQUARE SHAKESPEARE FEST--THROUGH
JULY 20
8. FREE ICE CREAM AND MUSIC AT MOUNT WASHINGTON SUMMER FUN
MEETING--JULY 20
9. EAGLE ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM--JULY 24
10. TERA WELCOMES DR. MUSIC TO EAGLE ROCK! -- GRAND OPENING JULY 26
AND 27
11. MUSIC OF THE 70's AND BEYOND AT THE NEXT EAGLE ROCK SUMMER
CONCERT--JULY 27
12. YODL-YOS: NEW EXHIBIT AT THE EAGLE ROCK CULTURAL CENTER--THROUGH JULY 30
13. "GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE TENORS" CONTINUE THEIR
SERENADE AT OXY--THROUGH AUGUST 23
14. SWORK GOES WIRELESS WITH HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS SPECIALS ALL
MONTH
15. MARK YOUR CALENDAR! THIS YEAR'S EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR SET FOR
OCTOBER 19
16. CLIP'N'SAVE 14th DISTRICT COUNCIL NUMBERS
17. HELP DECIDE EAGLE ROCK'S FUTURE--FILL OUT THE PARKING SURVEY
TODAY!--DEADLINE JULY 21
18. LETTERS AND E-MAIL
19. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: MOTHER GOOSE
1. TERA PRESIDENT HILARY NORTON OROZCO INTRODUCES OUR NEW BOARD
MEMBERS
Thank you to all who took time to vote for our incoming TERA Board
members. I think you will agree that they are a pretty fantastic
group:
Jeanine Colini (TERA Secretary) -- Jeanine is principal of her own
design firm, JCDA, which provides marketing communications for corporate and
institutional clients. She is also well suited in the areas of land use
and development, with an emphasis on historic preservation.
Pamela Lansden (TERA Historic Preservation Co-Chair) -- A fighter for
preserving history and character through good architecture, Pamela was featured
in the Northeast Observer recently atop the rubble of the Shopping Bag
Building, picket sign firmly in hand.
Keith Louie (TERA Public Meetings Coordinator) -- Keith is a realtor
with DBL Realtors, specializing in Eagle Rock, Los Feliz, Hollywood Hills, and
Silver Lake, who is also passionate about historic preservation and its
corresponding commercial and financial benefits for the business or home
itself as well as the surrounding community.
Fran Rzeznik -- Fran is a middle school history teacher at LAUSD, who
owns a 1910 house that will be featured in this year's Eagle Rock home
tour. Fran is also an avid gardener, who has incorporated native plants
and flowers popular at the turn of the last century into her home renovation
and preservation achievements.
Michael Zamarripa -- Michael is another Eagle Rock resident and business
owner, dedicated to bridging TERA and the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce.
Michael is opening the second branch of his phenomenally successful Coffee
Table restaurant and cafe in Silver Lake to create a Coffee Table Eagle
Rock at the Williamson Auto building in the historic Bell Commercial
block, once again demonstrating the importance of revitalizing historic
buildings into community gathering spaces. We look forward to the Coffee
Table's grand opening!
TERA's officers and Board members are as follows:
Hilary Norton Orozco -- President
Joanne
Turner --
President Emeritus
Kathleen Long --
Vice President
Liz
Wagner
-- Treasurer
Jeanine
Colini -- Secretary
Scott
Bogue
Pamela
Lansden
Keith
Louie
Esther
Monk
Suzanne Prieur
Fran
Rzeznik
Michael
Tharp
Mary Tokita
Michael Zamarippa
Congratulations, everyone!
----Hilary Norton Orozco, TERA President
2. SHOPPING BAG BUILDING COMES DOWN
The wrecking crew hired to demolish the Shopping Bag building
started their job last week, and they began hacking away at the magnificent
pylon sign this past Tuesday, a sign that was considered significant to the
Route 66 era of Eagle Rock's history in 1948. For those of you who don't
know, Route 66 originally came west on Colorado Boulevard and turned south at
Eagle Rock Boulevard. Because of this, the Peterson Automotive Museum
wrote a letter in support of saving the Shopping Bag building and its marvelous
pylon sign, which was designed and built to attract the attention of drivers
travelling the famous route. One of the founders of the Shopping Bag
grocery chain lived in a lovely Colonial-style house at the corner of Hill
Drive and Eagle Rock Boulevard, a house now owned by Eagle Rock Chamber of
Commerce president Michael Nogueira.
The building had one of those lovely, quickly-disappearing, curved wood-trussed
ceilings, like you see in Fatty's, in Dr. Music (Pillers building), and other
earlier-era structures in Eagle Rock and throughout Los Angeles and other major
cities. Gee, smart people who get it are restoring such ceilings -- their
beauty and function are a good marketing tool and enhance their business,
because people are starving for artfulness in a society that is captive in such
fragile and chaotic times. Building a lifeless box in its place (or,
rather, a parking lot in its place with an awful building set way back) with
cheap and tacky materials only furthers the dumbing-down of our populace when
it comes to the true benefits of aesthetics and good design, a process which
erodes everyone's quality of life but plumps up the profits of the development
community. Such inferior design and construction is rightly characterized
by noted architect Stephanos Polyzoides as "megaterranean."
Well, the crew had trouble taking down the pylon, because it was so well
built in the first place. They had to change their approach and start over
on Wednesday. This building was full of rebar (reinforcing metal bars),
was structurally very sound, and was built AFTER the 1933 Long Beach earthquake
that caused Los Angeles to tighten its building standards throughout the
southland. The building withstood the 1971 Sylmar quake, the 1987
Whittier Narrows quake, was retrofitted in 1989, and withstood the 1994
Northridge quake. The building was designed by a civil engineer who also
was the designer of a building in Beverly Hills that was declared a historic
landmark, and this engineer was affiliated with a team working with the most
famous architect in the world, Frank Lloyd Wright. That's just a small
part of the architectural significance this building held.
The people who claim the building was not worth saving--such as the Los Angeles
Cultural Heritage Commission--or claimed that it needed to go through expensive
earthquake retrofitting and therefore wasn't feasible to restore--like the
developer--were wrong. Period. We know a developer who,
speaking from experience, told us it's always less expensive to restore a
structurally-sound building than to tear one down, haul all the debris away,
and build anew. This developer was also very interested in buying
the Shopping Bag building and restoring it, knowing that it was the right thing
to do.
We mourn the loss of such an important testament to quality, pioneer spirit and
originality in Eagle Rock. TERA hopes that a new vigilance to protect
Eagle Rock's heritage rises from the rubble of our beloved Shopping Bag
building. Thank you again to the many business- and commercial-property owners
who live here and continue to invest in preserving our historic character for
generations to come.
3. LA TIMES' COVERAGE OF THE SHOPPING BAG DEMOLITION
In case you missed it, The Los Angeles Times ran the following
piece last Saturday, July 12:
Despite Protests, Historic
Site Is Being Razed to Build Drugstore
By Hilda Muñoz, Times Staff Writer
©2003 Los Angeles Times
Demolition has begun on a historic building in Eagle Rock that residents had tried
to save.
"Some of us are extremely depressed about the building; we did everything
we could," said Mary Tokita, a board member of the Eagle Rock Assn.
Piles of lumber and scrap metal covered the property Friday, pounding
was heard through the building's broken windows and graffiti-covered
scaffolding lined the sidewalk.
A developer wants to replace the building with a new Walgreens drugstore.
The Streamline Moderne-style building once housed a Shopping Bag grocery store,
a 31-store chain in Southern California.
In January, the Los Angeles City Council approved a plan to build a
14,065-square-foot Walgreens near the corner of Colorado and Eagle Rock
boulevards.
Opponents say the design violates the area-specific plan, which calls for
storefront businesses that would increase pedestrian traffic. The intended
design for the drugstore includes a large parking lot that faces the street.
"The name of the game is 'Do it cheap,' and they don't even care how ugly
it is," said Pamela Lansden, 59, a 12-year Eagle Rock resident.
To the best of Walgreens' knowledge, the design complies with the area-specific
plan, a company spokeswoman said.
"Ultimately, what the City Council approved does comply with the specific
plan," said city Planning Director Con Howe.
He said the developer was also required to build a separate retail business
facing Colorado Boulevard on the same property.
Early in the morning Monday as a large orange crane pulled the structure apart
and piles of brick and rubble grew, demonstrators blowing whistles and carrying
"WalGREED" picket signs rallied on the sidewalk in front to stop the
destruction.
The demolition stopped momentarily because the contractor, CST Environmental
Inc., did not have a permit to wreck the building with a crane, said Bob
Steinbach, a spokesman for the Department of Building and Safety.
But demolition complying with the hand-wrecking permit has resumed and an
additional machine-wrecking permit has been granted, CST site manager Francisco
Morales said Friday. He said the building should be leveled within two weeks.
Now, some residents hope to convince the developer to design a Walgreens that
fits in with the look of the community.
Los Angeles City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa said he plans to meet with
officials from Rich Development Co. later this month.
"I want to sit down with developers and encourage them to work with this
community," he said during a telephone interview Friday.
Officials from the development firm in San Pedro were unavailable for comment
Friday.
4. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, CAMILO'S--TODAY,
JULY 17
Happy Anniversary to Camilo's
California Bistro and Catering Company!
July 17th marks the first anniversary of Camilo's California Bistro in Eagle
Rock! Come by today and congratulate them -- and enjoy one of the
best restaurants in Los Angeles! Camilo and Amelia Gonzalez, who are
also Eagle Rock residents, took over the old Harnsberger's cafe and gift
shop a year ago, and created a beautiful tea room and dining
delight. They are also looking into preserving and nominating
their historic early 1900's building, located at the corner of Caspar Avenue
and Colorado Boulevard.
In addition to their currently terrific menu (my favorite is the Spring Salad
-- gorgonzola, green apples, and candied pecans -- ordered with chicken),
Camilo and Amelia are adding three new appetizers and new items such
as lamb chops. This is a great place to try new things -- I have always
had fantastic meals there. Camilo's California Bistro can now serve
beer and wine, and will feature an evening of live music each week.
Camilo's Fine Cuisine, the catering section of the business, is ready
to serve any of your needs.
Please join me in thanking Camilo and Amelia for investing in and beautifying our
community! And they are not alone. Each week, I will use this space
to celebrate the tremendous job that our local business owners and citizens are
doing to enhance Eagle Rock as an eclectic, historic and dynamic town. Cafe
Beaujolais, Colombo's and Casa Bianca features are coming soon!
--Hilary Norton Orozco, TERA President
5. EAGLE ROCK FARMER'S MARKET THIS FRIDAY (AND EVERY FRIDAY)--JULY
18
Don't forget to pick up your farm fresh fruits and vegetables and other
surprises at this week's
Eagle Rock Farmers Market
Friday, July 18, 2003
5:00PM - 9:00PM PDT (GMT-07:00)
Merton and Caspar Avenues in Eagle Rock
The Eagle Rock Farmer's Market is held every Friday evening, sponsored by the
Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call (323)
225-5466.
6. LA PALABRA POETRY READING AT AVENUE 50 STUDIO--JULY 20
The ever busy curators at Highland Park's Avenue 50 Studio send us word of
their
La Palabra poetry reading
Sunday, July 20
3:00 pm
at the Avenue 50 studio
121 N. Avenue 50
Highland Park
Hosted by Jessee Munos. Featured poets include Annette Cruz, Dennis Cruz
and Auggie Bravo.
Open reading and open mic sign up begins at 2:30 pm, reading starts at 3:00 pm.
For more info, call Avenue 50 at (323) 258-1435.
7. BARD UNDER THE STARS: PERSHING SQUARE SHAKESPEARE FEST--THROUGH
JULY 20
The annual Shakespeare Festival takes place at the Pershing Square
outdoor theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Bring a picnic, a blanket and
chairs. Dress warmly to cozy up and enjoy an evening of lively theatre
under the stars. The 2003 Summer festival marks the 18th year of
presenting professional, union contracted productions for the people of Los
Angeles and the visiting public.
The company's production of Merry Wives of Windsor transplants
Shakespeare's merry wives to a 1950's sitcom, offering audiences a fresh look
at one of the bard's best loved comedies.
PERSHING SQUARE SHAKESPEARE FEST
July 2-20, 2003 (except Mondays)
8:00 pm (with a 7:30 pm curtain raiser)
Pershing Square
532 Olive Street
Downtown Los Angeles
Admission is free with the donation of at least one canned food.
For more info, go to:
http://www.shakespearefestivalla.org
http://www.laparks.org
Or call (213) 481-2273 or 888-LA PARKS (527-2757)
8. FREE ICE CREAM AND MUSIC AT MOUNT WASHINGTON SUMMER FUN
MEETING--JULY 20
Free Ice Cream, Music and
Entertainment!
Mount Washington Association's Annual
"Summer Fun Meeting"
Sunday, July 20, 2003
3:00-5:00 pm
at the Southwest Museum
Award-winning ice cream, live music from neighborhood bands, world-class
storytelling, rare and unusual soft drinks and neighborly good cheer will all
be served at The Mount Washington Association's annual "Summer Fun
Meeting" at the Southwest Museum, Sunday, July 20 from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M.
with free admission and refreshments open to all Mount Washington residents as
well as residents of neighboring Northeast Los Angeles communities.
Community residents are invited to bring their families, construct their own
ice cream sundaes and root beer floats, and mingle with their neighbors,
elected representatives and members of the fire and police departments.
Mount Washington Association board member Grayson Cook, a noted practitioner of
the storytelling art, will lead the telling of tales. Information on
community activities and issues will be available at booths manned by a variety
of community groups.
"The Association is extending a special welcome to new Mount Washington
residents as well as to our friends and neighbors from adjoining
communities," said Carol Jacques, Mount Washington Association president.
"The summer meeting is all about having fun, getting to know each other
and making use of one of our great community resources: the grounds of our
historic and beautiful Southwest Museum."
Ice cream and root beer connoisseurs will note that frozen treats for the event
will be the purveyed by Fosselman's Ice Cream Company, the Alhambra-based ice
cream maker that has been serving the Arroyo area since 1924. Galco's of
Highland Park, which boasts the world's largest retail selection of root beers
and other traditional soft drinks, will provide exotic soft drinks, including a
selection of rare, premium root beers.
Community groups are invited to participate by manning a booth at the event.
(Organizations wishing to take part may call Natalie Seaman, Mount Washington
Association activities chair, at 323-223-0996).
9. EAGLE ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM--JULY 24
PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM
THURSDAY, JULY 24
6:30 PM
OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE
On Thursday, July 24th at 6:30 pm, the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council
(ERNC) will sponsor a Public Safety Panelist Forum at Occidental College.
The College is hosting the event by offering the community its lovely
Branca Patio of the Johnson Student Center.
As the public arrives, they will find public safety information tables with
representatives from the LAPD, LAFD, CERT, BLEND, Neighborhood Watch, and
emergency preparedness. Special representatives from 44th District State
Assemblywoman Carol Liu's office and 21st District State Senator Jack Scott's
office will also sponsor information tables.
Join our invited Public Safety Forum participants for a frank discussion about
the state of public safety in Northeast Los Angeles: Newly elected14th
Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa; Deputy Chief Gary J. Brennan, a 30-year LAPD
veteran and Commanding Officer, Operations, Central Bureau; Captain Kyle
Jackson, head of local northeast LAPD; Fire Chief William R. Bamattre, head of
the LAFD; local Battalion 2 Chief Arbuthnott; and, Prosecuting Deputy City
Attorney Jeanne Kim.
The panel will be moderated by TV/Radio personality, Jon Beaupre, who will read
questions submitted by the public during the opening portion of the event.
Some of the topics which are expected to be covered in the Forum are:
crime statistics and trends in the city and the Northeast; how our
neighborhoods are affected by criminal laws; the Police and Fire Department's
recommended needs for new police and fire fighting personnel, equipment,
technology and programs, and how their delay will affect our communities;
suggestions for local emergency preparedness, and much more.
The panel discussion will be followed by a Meet and Greet reception, where the
public will be able to personally speak with the invited guests and city
representatives.
Access to the Branca Patio in the Johnson Student Center is equally easy from
the Alumni Street campus parking lot, as well as those parking lots from Baer
Road and Byrd Road. From Eagle Rock Boulevard, go east on Alumni,
Westdale or Ridgeview Streets. From York Boulevard, go north on Armadale,
left on Campus road and right on Alumni Street. There will be signs and
volunteers to guide you.
The ERNC is a locally elected volunteer organization that serves the community
of Eagle Rock. Its goal is to work with the Mayor, Council Office and City
General Managers to help bring city services to the community and to bring
stakeholder concerns to the City. For more information about how you can
get involved with ERNC, visit the information tables at any of our events.
For further information on the ERNC or this event, call at (323) 257-6381 or
visit us at: http://www.EagleRockCouncil.org . You may also e-mail
us at info@EagleRockCouncil.org.
If you'd like ot volunteer for this event, call (323) 257-3333 or send an
e-mail to: PublicSafety@EagleRockCouncil.org.
10. TERA WELCOMES DR. MUSIC TO EAGLE ROCK! -- GRAND OPENING JULY 26
AND 27
Grand Opening
Celebration
Saturday, July 26th, Sunday, July 27th
10:00 am-7:00 pm
Pillers Building on Colorado Bl.
Please join Eagle Rock's newest business, Dr. Music, for their grand
opening and official ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, July 26, from 10:00 a.m.
to 7:00 p.m.. Grand opening festivities will continue on Sunday, July 27,
from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Music specializes in all kinds of sheet music, and sales of both
acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitars, drums, violins, various music
accessories, and music lessons.
Brother-and-sister owners Derek and Pat Reymer were located in Pasadena for 30
years and needed more space. The wonderful Pillers building became
available just in time! The space is really magnificent, and the
great old high wood-trussed ceiling is exposed, including skylights. They
have enough space to build a stage for musical performances, which is now being
constructed, just like the infamous McCabe's in Santa Monica. There will soon
be even more nightlife in Eagle Rock!
Dr. Music, 1812 Colorado Boulevard (Pillers building), Eagle Rock, (323)
258-9010.
11. MUSIC OF THE 70's AND BEYOND AT THE NEXT EAGLE ROCK SUMMER
CONCERT--JULY 27
The Eagle Rock Summer Concert
Series rocks (and swings) on!
It's summertime in Eagle Rock, time to gather the family together and
head on down to the park for the one of the season's open air concerts, a
program of local businesses and the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce.
This year's concert season got off to a rockin' start last Sunday, when the
festivities included a 50's and 60's rock and roll band along with a vintage
car show courtesy of the Eagle Rock Rockin' Rodders. Councilmember
Antonio Villaraigosa, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and LAUSD Board member
David Tokofsky were part of a very happy park full of rockin' Eagle Rockers.
Congratulations to Eagle Rock Chamber President Michael Noguiera
for such a tremendous inaugural event.
Concerts take place on selected Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. in the
area behind the Eagle Rock Park Recreation Center, at 1100 Eagle Vista, just
this side of Figueroa Boulevard. All are invited. The music
is sizzlin', and the company couldn't be better. We'll see you there!
Here's the schedule of this year's upcoming summer concerts:
music from the 70's to the present, sponsored by Dilbeck/GMAC
Realtors.
returns with that great dance music from the 40's, 6 - 8 p.m.
Nostalgic Big
Band
and closing ceremonies, 6 - 8 p.m.
12. YODL-YOS: NEW EXHIBIT AT THE EAGLE ROCK CULTURAL
CENTER--THROUGH JULY 30
The Eagle Rock Community Cultural Association presents
Yodl-Yos
works on paper
by Alexandra and Daniel Wiesenfeld
Through July 30, 2003
2225 Colorado Boulevard
The Eagle Rock Cultural Center invites you to join us celebrate these artists.
Our Center is located at 2225 Colorado Blvd, near the corner of Eagle
Rock Blvd. and Colorado. For more information, call Jenny or Lui at (323)
226-1617.
13. "GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE TENORS" CONTINUE THEIR
SERENADE AT OXY--THROUGH AUGUST 23
Goldilocks and the Three
Tenors
The critically acclaimed Occidental College Children's Theater continues this
summer's "Goldilocks and the Three Tenors," an original tale, plus
three unique adaptions of traditional folktales for a seven-week outdoor run
ending on August 23, 2003. Performances are presented in the Remsen Bird
Hillside Theater on the Occidental campus.
In just over an hour, a cast of six Occidental students, alumni and
professional actors perform the show 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.
"Goldilocks and the Three Tenors" will be performed outdoors in the
Hillside Theater every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. through Aug.
23. All seats are shaded from the sun. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5
for children aged 12 and under. Group rates are available.
For ticket information, call the Occidental Box Office at (323) 259-2922.
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
www.oxy.edu/oxy/welcome/directions.
14. SWORK GOES WIRELESS WITH HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS
SPECIALS ALL MONTH
Web surfers who've got a laptop with an internal or external wireless card
might want to consider dropping into Swork this month to take advantage
of the cafe's July Wireless Internet Special. For the entire month,
the coffee house is offering laptop users free access to their high speed wireless
internet connection with a beverage purchase. They have plenty of outlets
throughout the cafe, as well as three new Dell computers for visitors who want
to take advantage of Swork's high-speed internet at a nominal cost.
Swork is located in the heart of Eagle Rock, where Eagle Rock Boulevard crosses
Colorado.
15. MARK YOUR CALENDAR! THIS YEAR'S EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR SET
FOR OCTOBER 19
TERA is pleased to announce the
The 4th Annual
Sunday, October
19, 2003
10:00 am4:00 pm
Tour some of the most lovely and interesting homes and gardens in this historic
community, starting with The Women¹s 20th Century Club Craftsman building,
constructed in 1913.
The club, now celebrating its 100 year anniversary, was formed by the
progressive women of Eagle Rock, which, at that time, was a small agricultural
village. Their purpose was ³self-improvement along social and
intellectual lines².
TERA will also be hosting an exhibit of plein air painting, an art form which
celebrates natural beauty and has historic roots in the community.
Tour goers will also have the opportunity to visit homes built over the course
of the last century in the variety of styles which make Eagle Rock, ³L.A.¹s
Hometown,² so unique.
Volunteers and docents are needed the day of the event. Your participation
earns you an invitation to the wrap party, a highlight of Eagle Rock social
life.
If you'd like to volunteer to help make this event a success, send an e-mail
reply to this e.letter with the subject heading, "Home tour
volunteer." Be sure your e-mail includes your name and phone number.
16. CLIP'N'SAVE 14th DISTRICT COUNCIL NUMBERS
With City Council's new term in full swing, we offer the following
clip'n' save guide to the District 14's various offices.
Council District 14
City Hall Office
200 N. Spring Street
Room 425
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 485-3335
(213) 847-0680 fax
Council District 14
Local offices:
El Sereno District Office
5150 N. Huntington Drive, Space 111
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 226-1646
(323) 226-1644 fax
Eagle Rock/Highland Park District Office
2035 Colorado Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 254-5295
(213) 485-8788 fax
Boyle Heights District Office
2130 E. First Street, Suite 202
Los Angeles, CA 90033
(323) 526-3059
(323) 526-3066 fax
Monica Garcia is the new field deputy for Glassell Park and Mt. Washington.
Michael Cathey is the field deputy for Eagle Rock.
Welcome to Michael and Monica!
17. HELP DECIDE EAGLE ROCK'S FUTURE--FILL OUT THE PARKING SURVEY
TODAY!--DEADLINE JULY 21
If you haven't already done so, please be sure to fill out the appropriate
Eagle Rock Parking survey(s) below, and mail, drop off or e-mail it to one of
the addresses below by July 21.
The Eagle Rock Community Preservation
and Revitalization Corporation
Parking Surveys
The ERCPR has engaged the services of the Valley Economic Development Center to
conduct a parking study of the Eagle Rock commercial district.
To thoroughly address the need for adequate parking solutions along our
boulevards, while engaging high quality businesses to continue to locate in
Eagle Rock, we need to hear from a wide variety of Eagle Rock stakeholders.
Our goal is to seek alternatives that have the most support from all
facets of the community. To do this, your participation is crucial.
The ERCPR is asking that you participate in this survey by completing one, or
more if applicable, of the following questionnaires.
If you are a business owner in the commercial district outlined above, please
complete the "Business Questionnaire," if you have not previously
done so through the VEDC office.
If you live in the town of Eagle Rock, particularly in the areas adjacent to
the business area described above, please fill out the "Resident
Questionnaire."
If you are a patron and customer of the commercial district outlined
above,whether you live in Eagle Rock or not, please fill out the "Customer
Questionnaire."
All three of these questionnaires appear below. To fill one or more of
them out, simply print this e.letter and mark your best answers in the
appropriate section.
You may print the survey(s) below and fill them out on paper, or, if you
prefer, you can simply use your computer to enter your answers directly into
the text of an e-mail reply, which you may then send to
mconstantinou@att.net
(If you e-mail your survey, please enter the phrase "Completed Parking
Survey" in the subject line of your message.)
If you complete your survey on paper, you can drop it off at the VEDC office,
which is right next door to Eufloria on Colorado Boulevard.
Finally, you can also mail your completed questionnaire(s) to:
Northeast Los Angeles Business Assistance Center
1578 1/2 Colorado Blvd.
Eagle Rock, CA 90041
The ERCPR thanks you for your interest and participation.
ERCPR PARKING SURVEY #1: FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
Name of Your Business:
What is the square footage of your business:
Address of your business:
How many off-street parking spaces does your business have:
Your Name:
What are your peak parking hours:
What is the square footage of your building:
Are your parking needs being met: YES or
NO
(In the following questions, "The Commercial District" refers to
the portion of Colorado Blvd. between Loleta and Ellenwood Dr.)
1. The Commercial District should be a regional destination spot for people
outside of the neighborhood to visit.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly agree
5=strongly disagree.)
1
2 3 4 5
2. Bus stops along Colorado Blvd. should be consolidated/moved to increase the
number of parking spaces available to patrons of the Commercial District.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly agree
5=strongly disagree.)
1
2 3 4 5
3. There is adequate lighting to encourage pedestrian activity in the
Commercial District and side streets where patrons park.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly agree
5=strongly disagree.)
1
2 3 4 5
4. Restaurants in the Commercial District should have valet parking during peak
hours.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly agree
5=strongly disagree.)
1
2 3 4 5
5. If permitted, business owners should be able to purchase residential property
adjacent to the Commercial District and build well-designed and landscaped
parking areas.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly agree
5=strongly disagree.)
1
2 3 4 5
6. The Commercial District should serve only people in the neighborhoods
surrounding it.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly agree
5=strongly disagree.)
1
2 3 4 5
7. I would be willing to share the cost to create more parking in the
Commercial District by constructing a parking garage.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly agree
5=strongly disagree.)
1
2 3 4 5
8. Angled parking should be instituted along Colorado Blvd. to increase the
number of parking spaces available to patrons and employees of the Commercial
District.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly agree
5=strongly disagree.)
1
2 3 4 5
9. My business has parking spaces not needed after 5:00pm and I am
willing to make those spaces available to patrons of businesses operating after
5:00pm.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly agree
5=strongly disagree.)
1
2 3 4 5
10. Check the space that best reflects your thoughts on demolishing commercial
buildings on Colorado Blvd. or cross streets to create parking (assuming lots
would be well-maintained with fences and adequate landscaping):
____Commercial buildings should never be demolished.
____It would be acceptable to demolish commercial buildings that are in poor
condition.
____It would be acceptable to demolish commercial buildings that are vacant.
____It would be acceptable to demolish a few commercial buildings if it is part
of a comprehensive plan.
____It is acceptable to demolish a few commercial buildings as parking needs
dictate.
11. Check the space that best reflects your thoughts on demolishing houses to
create parking (assuming lots would be well-maintained with fences and adequate
landscaping):
____Houses should never be demolished.
____It would be acceptable to demolish houses that are in poor condition.
____It would be acceptable to demolish houses with little or no historic value.
____It would be acceptable to demolish a few houses if it is part of a
comprehensive plan.
____It is acceptable to demolish a few houses as parking needs dictate.
ERCPR PARKING SURVEY #2: FOR EAGLE ROCK
RESIDENTS
Name:
I live on the __00 block of_________________ (Example, I live on
the 2200 block of Loleta)
(In the following questions, "The Commercial District" refers to
the portion of Colorado Blvd. between Loleta and Ellenwood Drive.)
1. The Commercial District should be a regional destination spot for people
outside of the neighborhood to visit.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly disagree
5=strongly agree.)
1
2 3 4 5
2. Bus stops along Colorado Blvd. should be consolidated/moved to increase the
number of parking spaces available to patrons of the Commercial District.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly disagree
5=strongly agree.)
1
2 3 4 5
3. There is adequate lighting to encourage pedestrian activity in the
Commercial District and side streets where patrons park.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly disagree
5=strongly agree.)
1
2 3 4 5
4. Restaurants in the Commercial District should have valet parking during peak
hours.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly disagree
5=strongly agree.)
1
2 3 4 5
5. If permitted, business owners should be able to purchase residential
property adjacent to the Commercial District and build well-designed and
landscaped parking areas.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly disagree
5=strongly agree.)
1
2 3 4 5
6. The Commercial District should serve only people in the neighborhoods
surrounding it.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly disagree
5=strongly agree.)
1
2 3 4 5
7. Angled parking should be instituted along Colorado Blvd. to increase the
number of parking spaces available to patrons and employees of the Commercial
District.
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= strongly disagree
5=strongly agree.)
1
2 3 4 5
8. What is your comfort level with patrons and employees of the Commercial
District parking on residential side-streets. (Please
circle a number on the scale. 1= comfortable
5=uncomfortable.)
1
2 3 4 5
9. Check the space that best reflects your thoughts on demolishing commercial
buildings on Colorado Blvd. or cross streets to create parking (assuming lots
would be well-maintained with fences and adequate landscaping.)
____Commercial buildings should never be demolished.
____It would be acceptable to demolish commercial buildings that are in poor
condition.
____It would be acceptable to demolish commercial buildings that are vacant.
____It would be acceptable to demolish a few commercial buildings if it is part
of a comprehensive plan.
____It is acceptable to demolish a few commercial buildings as parking needs
dictate.
10. Check the space that best reflects your thoughts on demolishing houses to
create parking (assuming lots would be well-maintained with fences and adequate
landscaping.
____Houses should never be demolished.
____It would be acceptable to demolish houses that are in poor condition.
____It would be acceptable to demolish houses with little or no historic value.
____It would be acceptable to demolish a few houses if it is part of a
comprehensive plan.
____It is acceptable to demolish a few houses as parking needs dictate.
11. In the space below, list any ideas you have to improve parking in the
Commercial District.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
ERCPR PARKING SURVEY #3: FOR CUSTOMERS of
Eagle Rock Businesses
Customer Name:
Establishment you are visiting:
(In the following questions, "The Commercial District" refers to
the portion of Colorado Blvd. between Loleta and Ellenwood Dr.)
1. I liveŠ
____within four blocks of the Commercial District.
____outside of the Commercial District.
What is your zip code ____________________?
2. I visit the Commercial DistrictŠ
____This is my first visit.
____1-3 times per month.
____Less than once per month.
____4-7 times per month.
3. Typically, how easy is it for you to find a parking space in the Commercial
District?
(Please circle a number on the scale. 1= Difficult
5=Easy.)
1
2 3 4 5
4. If you park on a side street when visiting the Commercial District, how far
into the neighborhood are you willing to park?
____Not past the businesses
____1-2 houses into the block
____half a block
____1 block or more
5. If you visit multiple establishments in the Commercial District during the
same trip, do you park your vehicle in more than one location?
____yes
____no
6. Have you ever left the Commercial District because you could not find
parking near your intended destination?
____yes
____no
7. Would you pay for parking with an attendant in a lot or garage?
____yes
____no
8. While visiting the Commercial District, would you park in a parking garage
off of Colorado Blvd.?
____yes
____no
9. While visiting the Commercial District, how far would you be willing to park
from:
A restaurant
____right outside the door
____3-4 blocks
____less than one block
____more than 5 blocks
____1-2 blocks
A shop
____right outside the door
____3-4 blocks
____less than one block
____more than 5 blocks
____1-2 blocks
10. Would you park your vehicle in a parking garage (well-lit and secured) 4 or
more blocks from the Commercial District and take a shuttle bus to your
destination?
____yes
____no
11. There is adequate lighting in the Commercial District and side streets
where I might park.
____yes
____no
12. How useful is the public parking lot, located on Casper St. just south of
Colorado Blvd., during your visits to the Commercial District?
(Circle a number on the scale. 1= useful 5=not useful.)?
1
2 3 4 5
13. In the space below, list any ideas you have to improve parking in the
Commercial District.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
18. LETTERS AND E-MAIL
"My family and I are 6 1/2 year Eagle Rock renters. I really
love this town! I know this will be an unusual request, but we are in
desperate need of a two bedroom house to rent in Eagle Rock. We can pay
between $900.00 -$1000.00. We are very nice people and our daughter
really wants to stay at Rockdale elementary. She has gone there
since kindergarten and will be entering third grade this fall. If it is
at all possible to post something, I would appreciate it! Time is running
out for us as we have to move by the end of August. Our landlady
desires to sell the place. And we really don't want to go to
Tujunga/Sunland!"
--Leslie O'Leary-Stickney
OStickney@webtv.net
"Is it possible to list a "looking for a place" item?
If so:
Stable, single mom with adult daughter looking for house or duplex with
character for long term rental.
Must have garage or storage space. Great credit and job history.
Willing to pay $1000 - 1250/month.
(626) 791-1722 H, or (323) 783-3865.
Thanks, (this is for a friend)"
--Miri Day Hindes,
Eagle Rock
EDITOR'S NOTE: Far be it from us to sit idly by while loyal Eagle Rock
residents are forced to contemplate a move to Sunland. If any
e.letter reader has a lead for either of our correspondents, please contact
them directly. Thanks!
"I saw the reference to Dr. Music [in last week's
e.letter.] Do you know when it will open? We were Dr. Music patrons
in Pasadena and now look forward shopping there closer to home in Eagle
Rock."
--Jean Rosenbluth
Highland Park, TERA member
EDITOR'S NOTE: We're pleased to announce that Dr. Music is now
open for business in the Pillers Building on Colorado Boulevard. And we
can't wait to see what the good doctor has in store for the official Grand
Opening Bash at the end of this month. (See item number 10 above.)
Finally, the e.letter heard from another fan of Eagle Rock's new
music store, and her comments are included below.
"Dr. Music is a wonderful addition to Eagle Rock. Owners
Derick and MaryAnn--and other efficient, thoughtful, and courteous members of
their staff--have already helped me immensely (even as they continued
installing excellent displays of percussion and a thorough repertoire of vocal
and instrumental literature). Space will be added for music studio
lessons as well as a stage for performances. This is a significant
addition to the cultural heritage of Eagle Rock. Not just another chain
store, but a one of a kind, exemplary source for serious musicians of all
genres."
--Lynda Sue Marks-Guarnieri
"I found your site when searching "Walgreens, corporate
greed." I'm a board member of, and of very late, webgeek for a
grassroots environmental and quality-of-life group in the Florida Keys called
Last Stand (www.last-stand.org). We (and several other groups) are
heavily involved in land use planning, habitat preservation, tourism impacts,
etc. I really like your page-header slogan about land use planning being
a contact sport!
"We are currently fighting a Walgreens on Big Pine Key in the Florida
Keys, an island with a small population within the Key Deer National Wildlife
Refuge, and right next door to an existing drugstore (a statewide chain).
Several local businesses will likely be killed if Walgreens bullies its way in,
as they seem determined to do. Just wanted to say hello and see if
you discouraged the Walgreens you were fighting."
--Dennis Henize,
Cudjoe Key, FL
EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks for the kind words, Dennis. We'll
forward a copy of this week's e.letter to you, which contains the latest news
about our ongoing preservation work in this neck of the woods. Keep up
the good work!
19. QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"And all the King's horses,
and
all the King's men,
Could not put Humpty
together again."
--Mother
Goose Nursery Rhyme
The TERA e.letter
A publication of The Eagle Rock Association (TERA)
Edited by Vince Waldron
e.letter@TERA90041.org