THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION

-- Invest in Your Community --


TERA

e.letter

July 7, 2005

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

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Join the "in" crowd now!  Here's how:

Click on

http://www.TERA90041.org/teraform.htm


Now more than ever, please support your residents association --
well over 1,000 members strong, and growing every day!

Please encourage interested friends and neighbors to send their email addresses
to us at e.letter@TERA90041.org so we can keep them informed as well.

This week:


1.  PETITION FOR EAGLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL -- PLEASE SIGN IT AND SEND!

2.  EAGLE ROCK DANCE COMPANY INAUGURAL PERFORMANCE -- TONIGHT! -- JULY 7

3.  TERA'S NEXT COMMUNITY GARDEN WORKDAY -- JULY 9

4.  "VISUAL REALITIES" AND MORE AT CARLOTTA'S PASSION -- BEGINNING JULY 9

5.  TERA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES -- SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL -- JULY 10

6.  NEW TERA MEMBER BENEFIT -- 10% OFF AT THE BLISSFUL SOUL!

7.  JAZZAMERICA OFFERS FREE MUSIC CLASSES -- BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY, JULY 9

8.  GREAT HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE

9.  UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT THE AUDUBON CENTER -- STARTING JULY 9

10.  BUDDY COLLETTE'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION -- MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW! -- AUGUST 7

11.  LETTERS AND E.MAILS

12..  QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- SPIKE LEE

1.  PETITION FOR EAGLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL -- PLEASE SIGN IT AND SEND!

The choice of who leads Eagle Rock High School will affect all of us in Northeast Los Angeles, whether we have kids in that school or not.

Please take a minute to copy ONLY the petition below into a new e.mail message.  At the bottom, type in the date, your name(s) and address, and any comments you might have.

Then, send your signed petition to roy.romer@lausd.net and rosamaria.hernandez@lausd.net, with a copy to e.letter@TERA90041.org.  Thank you!

PETITION


Dear Superintendent Romer and Director Hernandez:

The Eagle Rock High School candidate for Principal best qualified and most favored by students, parents, faculty, and administration is current Eagle Rock High School Vice Principal Mr. Jorge (George) Garcia. Below are just some of the reasons why:
1)     Continuity in the administration of the High School.

Mr. Garcia has been at Eagle Rock High School for 30 years.  Stability in the administration of our high school is essential for successfully educating our students.  There are generations of families that Mr. Garcia has taught and mentored, including members of the staff who have publicly cited him as a personal reason to come back to Eagle Rock High to teach and work.  There are teachers who have said they were inspired to become teachers because of him and his guidance.

2)     Discipline and personal responsibility.

Mr. Garcia has been fundamentally responsible for discipline and guidance for generations at Eagle Rock High.  Mr. Flecha is leaving Eagle Rock High because discipline broke down completely at another school, Jefferson High.  Even before he became the Dean of Students, Mr. Garcia's Metal Workshop class was a favorite among the student body, especially among our most ignored group of students -- kinesthetic learners -- those who learn by doing, touching, and making.  Mr. Garcia took these students out into the community and showed them the dignity of honest work and the practical reasons to learn accounting and public speaking through interaction with the community.  He has truly been an inspiration to generations of Eagle Rock students.

3)     Administrative ability.

Mr. Garcia has administered his position as Assistant Principal in a most excellent manner, something he has done under three different Principals.  He typifies the notion that if you have an important task, give it to the busy person and he will dispatch it most expeditiously.  As an example of his hands-on, innovative ability, Mr. Garcia had a dear ERHS friend, Gil Espino, pass away a few years back.  He decided to establish a fundraising golf tournament in his friend's honor.  The tournament has been a huge success, and Mr. Garcia administers it almost single-handedly.

Superintendent Romer and Director Hernandez, we want and need Mr. Garcia to lead Eagle Rock High School as our new Principal.  It would be the very best decision for the students, parents, faculty, and administration.  Thank you!


Date:

Name(s) and address:

Additional comments:



2.  EAGLE ROCK DANCE COMPANY INAUGURAL PERFORMANCE -- TONIGHT! -- JULY 7

The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock proudly presents the Eagle Rock Dance Company in its Inaugural Season, performing at the Sylvan Amphitheather Fest in Yosemite Park.

The Eagle Rock Dance Company is a youth oriented ballet company.  Ballets to be performed include "Pas De Quatre" (original Dolin choreography courtesy of Henry Danton), "Waltz" from Swan Lake, Act One, and two contemporary ballets, "No Frills," and "Scherzo."  

July 7 through 10 and July 14 through 17
7:00 p.m.
FREE
Sylvan Amphitheater in Yosemite Park
1840 Yosemite Drive
Parking available on La Roda Avenue and neighboring Eagle Rock High School

The Sylvan Amphitheater Fest is a free nine-week performing arts festival running from July 1st through August 28th, at the beautiful outdoor amphitheater in Yosemite Park in Eagle Rock.  The festival features music, dance and theater groups ranging in various styles and tastes.  Come enjoy a night of ballet or a contemporary telling of Pinnochio, or indulge in a night of Mediterranean dancing, or wonder at the legend of White Snake as it comes to life.  All this for free.  Picnics are welcome.  Please bring seat cushions.

For full Festival programming please visit http://www.centerartseaglerock.org and click on Sylvan Amphitheater Fest 2005.
3.  TERA'S NEXT COMMUNITY GARDEN WORKDAY -- JULY 9

The Eagle Rockdale Community Garden and Art Park!

Join us as we transform a vacant lot into 24 thriving vegetable plots and a community gathering place!

Saturday, July 9
9:00 a.m. to noon
1103 Rockdale Avenue
On the old Los Angeles Railway Yellow Car right-of-way south of Lanark-Shelby Park

Rockdale Ave. is one block east of Figueroa, just across from Vons.  Parking available along La Loma, Lanark, or at Lanark-Shelby Park.


Information: (323) 259-TERA or communitygarden@TERA90041.org

SANA MAGKITA TAYO DOON!

The Community Gardenšs additional workdays will be held on the Saturdays below.  All participantsš work will contribute needed hours toward the $10,000 matching grant to complete Phase 1, which will create a space for local families to grow vegetables and connect with nature!

Those dates are:

Saturday, July 9
Saturday, August 13, and
Saturday, September 10

Mark your calendars, and join us!
4.  "VISUAL REALITIES" AND MORE AT CARLOTTA'S PASSION -- BEGINNING JULY 9

Carlottašs Passion Fine Art announces the opening of Visual Realities: An Exploration of Reality and the Subconscious

Carlottašs Passion Fine Art presents "Visual Realities: An Exploration of Reality and the Subconscious."  Visual Realities opens with a reception on Saturday, July 9th, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 pm.  The show runs until Sunday, August 28th.

"Visual Realities: An Exploration of Reality and the Subconscious"
Reception: Saturday, July 9
6:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Carlotta's Passion Gallery
2012 Colorado Boulevard
Eagle Rock CA 90041

Visual Realities focuses on fine original Surrealist and Photo-Realist works, including those by John Baeder, Jeff Cohen, Bob Deyber, Fei Lu, Johanna Girard, Douglas Gorsline, Karen Hollingsworth, Neil Hollingsworth, Kurt Larisch, and Michael Gullberg.

During the Visual Realities show, Carlottašs Passion will offer educational lectures that probe the origins, influences, and multiple manifestations of the Surrealist and Photo-Realist movements.  We will also examine the subjective nature of perceptions of reality. The lectures are open to the public and free of charge.

More events at Carlotta's Passion:

On Friday, July 15th, at 8:00 p.m., Caroline Putnam, a Los Angeles-based artist who was educated at the Rhode Island School of Design, will present a lecture on Surrealism at Carlottašs Passion.

On Saturday, July 30th at 8:00 p.m., Johanna Girard, an Art Center College of Design graduate and practicing Photo-Realist, will present a lecture about her chosen mode of artistic expression.

Carlottašs Passion Fine Art is located at 2012 Colorado Blvd. in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles (the cross street is Maywood). Business hours are Tuesday through Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. ­ 9:00 p.m

For more information, additional photos, or to be added to the mailing list, please call 323.259.1563 or email rs@carlottaspassion.com.
5.  TERA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES -- SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL -- JULY 10

TERA is looking for volunteers to help staff our Summer Arts Festival Booth at the Eagle Rock Recreation Center on Sunday, July 10.  Two-hour shifts available from 8am to 5:30pm. Please contact TERA Volunteer Chair Pauline Mauro at (323) 259-TERA or via email at volunteer@TERA90041.org
6.  NEW TERA MEMBER BENEFIT -- 10% OFF AT THE BLISSFUL SOUL!

Present your TERA Membership Card for a new 10% discount at The Blissful Soul!

"The Blissful Soul is dedicated to helping you heal your spirit, nurture your body, and enhance your home.  We are proud to feature the creative works of local artists, jewelers, authors, and musicians.  We showcase their work at special events which often include live music, food, tea and/or wine (which we purchase from the Colorado Wine Company!).  The Blissful Soul offers very personal service, with free gift wrapping service and custom designed gift baskets.

Author and poet D.Light will be at The Blissful Soul this Saturday, July 9, from 1 to 6 p.m. signing copies of Treat Me Right and Goddess By Choice.  Each book will be dedicated with a gift poem created on the spot by the author."

The Blissful Soul
4870 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Eagle Rock 90041
323-258-6900
http://www.blissfulsoul.com

Join TERA or renew today to support TERA's advocacy of improving Eagle Rock!  Call (323)259-TERA or make it really easy and join via our website http://www.TERA90041.org/teraform.htm.

Other member discounts include:

7.  JAZZAMERICA OFFERS FREE MUSIC CLASSES -- BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY, JULY 9

JazzAmerica invites you to join our Free Saturday Jazz "WorkChops" for middle and high school students!

* Attention:  saxophonists, trumpeters, trombonists, bassists (upright preferred), guitarists, keyboardists, drummers (flute & violin are also welcome).

* Basic skills we require: music reading experience, ability to play scales, some recognition of chord symbols, and enough interest in Jazz to like hearing it and want to play it.

* Fees:  we are (and have always operated) tuition-free, no charge to students.  

* Instruction:  we bring in arrangements of tunes and "lead sheets" in the jazz idiom -- ranging from "When the Saints Go Marchin' In" to "Watermelon Man" -- and work on intonation, phrasing, reading, harmony/theory and developing solos.  

* Faculty:  working musicians, who are also professional, experienced teachers.  They respect students, and merely ask for respect in return.  

* Time:  Saturdays, beginning July 9 through September 3, 10am to 1pm.  

* Venue:   Skirball Center (2701 N. Sepulveda in Brentwood) - 405 freeway @ Skirball Center exit

* Transportation:  our grant from LA Dept. of Cultural Affairs will enable us to hire a school bus to bring kids from a central location to the teaching venue, and back again. Call us for transportation arrangements.  

* Performances: (a small stipend may be available for some performances)
(1) May 28 - Neophonic Impressions Jazz Festival, Four Points Sheraton, Los Angeles  
(2) July 28 - Lull school, San Fernando Valley, 10:30 am
(3) August 7 - Buddy Collette Birthday Bash - Catalina jazz club, Hollywood, 6:00pm
(4) August 14 - South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club - Manhattan Beach, 3pm
(5) September 4 - Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival, LAX Marriott hotel, 6pm
(6) February 2006 - West Coast Jazz Party, Irvine, CA

JazzAmerica was co-founded by jazz superstar Buddy Collette in 1994.  We're a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.   

Questions?

Richard Simon:  call (310) 836-2277 or e-mail:  ufobass@aol.com
Bobby Williams:  call (323) 939-5740
8.  GREAT HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE

A terrific and highly recommended housekeeper is available to work every other week on Thursdays and Fridays.  Rosa can be reached at (323) 224-8627.  For references, call (323) 259-8897.
9.  UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AT THE AUDUBON CENTER

Come see the animals!

Saturday, July 9
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Nature of Wildworks
Peppertree

Join the Nature of Wildworks as they bring some special live animals to Debs Park. You will get an up-close view of some of the wild animals that live in our neighborhood and maybe even pet a few too!  Live birds, mammals and reptiles will be on hand as a naturalist describes what makes them so part of our ecosystem.

Call to reserve your spot today!  Children 10 years and under $2.00 all others $4.00.

Let's take a night hike!

Sunday, July 17
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Family Night Hike
Courtyard

Spend time with your family hiking at night, searching for nocturnal critters, and looking at the city lights.  Wear warm clothes and bring a flashlight.

Audubon Center at Debs Park
4700 North Griffin Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90031
Tel: 323-221-2255 ext. 11
10.  BUDDY COLLETTE'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION -- MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW! -- AUGUST 7

Join us at Buddy Collette's Birthday Celebration on August 7 at the classy, infamous Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood.  It's a performance to benefit the JazzAmerica program, a nonprofit corporation (EIN #95-447-5965), which was co-founded by Mr. Collette in 1994 to offer jazz education and professional instruction tuition-free to music students.  Mr. Collette will be there.

JazzAmerica currently relies on donations and grants (from LA's Cultural Affairs Department, for example).  There are many more interested students, and the program needs to expand to serve as many kids as possible.

General Admission is only $20, and preferred seating ("Buddy's Buddies," close to the stage, including gift) is $75.  All admission sales benefit the JazzAmerica program.  Tickets for sale at the door, but reservations are suggested.

Performances by the JazzAmerica Big Band, the Hour Trio, and special guests, including the following jazz greats: drummer Jeff Hamilton, trumpeter Jack Sheldon, and pianist Ross Tompkins.

Parking is $6.00, and there is a two-drink minimum.  Dinner (great food!) is available for purchase.

For reservations, please e.mail amrominre@hotmail.com.  Or, send your check to JazzAmerica Benefit Celebration, 10457-4 Larwin Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311.

For more information about JazzAmerica, please log onto http://www.jazzamerica.org.

Buddy Collette's Birthday Celebration
Sunday, August 7, 2005
6:00 p.m.
Catalina Bar & Grill (an establishment Mr. Collette helped found)
6725 Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood CA
$20 General Admission
$75 Preferred Seating (be "Buddy's Buddie" -- close to the stage and receive a special gift)
Reservations strongly suggested.  E.mail:  amrominre@hotmail.com or call (818) 718-0835

SEATING IS LIMITED.  Make your reservations now!
11.  LETTERS AND E.MAILS

"I am a teacher in this community as well as a parent and community member.  I am aware that there is a limited talent pool to choose from but it is not fair to our community to use it as a training ground and then take competent administrators to troubled parts of the city after they have developed.  We deserve stability and the opportunity to develop our secondary schools into outstanding quality schools.  We have the potential. Many outstanding students from our community return to public schools as teachers after they finish their education. A friend of mine, Ronni Solman, teacher and UTLA Chapter Chair at Alessandro EL has a son who just graduated from Cal Tech.  He is a graduate of  Eagle Rock High School. He had an interview with the District Intern Program this week and his dream is to return to Eagle Rock High School as a teacher.  Obviously with a degree from Cal Tech he had many choices, but he chose to return to his community. It is a big district, a big city, and it is easy to forget the importance of community.  Eagle Rock is a place where people value their community.  We respectfully ask you to reconsider your decision and respect the commitment and efforts of this community to develop and improve our public schools.

Sincerely,"

-- Janet Davis, Teacher and UTLA Chapter Chair, Toland Way Elementary School

"We feel the Mr. Garcia can address the needs of the whole school and the whole student.   While we are sorry to see Mr. Flecha go, we would be very happy to have Mr. Garcia lead our school forward."

-- Nancy King and Carl Fischer, Glassell Park residents

"The school is going downhill fast.  I think the continuity issue is important and the policy of shifting principals here and there is one I never thought did any school any good."

-- Cardie Molina, Eagle Rock resident and TERA member

"Thank you for taking our consideration to heart."

-- Brent and Kirsty Morris, Eagle Rock residents and TERA members

"Dear Friends,

I am certain that you have received many copies of the petition being circulated by The Eagle Rock Residents Association, and I strongly endorse what they have had to say.  You must know that the Eagle Rock community is very concerned about the proposed change in this most important post of our community.

The challenges facing Eagle Rock in the last years are not terribly different from those that have faced the school to which he is proposed to be assigned.  Strong and continuing ethnic change, involving multiple ethnic groups, have challenged the entire community, but particularly those in leadership positions in our schools.  We are very fortunate (and I believe that the school administrators are as well) that the Eagle Rock community and those who manage the public institutions, particularly our schools, have worked so closely together to meet those challenges.

The picture is presented now--when our problems are ameliorated, but could re-appear at any time -- a person who has been a critical part of the working group providing local leadership is about to be moved to replace one which has not been a leader in a community that has not felt enough for its own future to stand with their schools to solve the problems.

I hope that you will reconsider your present plans and allow our Principal to stay.  Very truly yours,"

-- Arthur K. Snyder, Member of the City Council, 14th District, 1967-1985, Retired

"Done [signed the petition], and glad to do it.  Thanks."

-- Monica Vasquez, Eagle Rock resident and TERA member

"We have two (2) children in Eagle Rock Junior/High School and they will be in the 7th and 8th grades in September.  My youngest will be joining them in two years.  Our priority is the having the best possible education for our children, and we believe that Mr. Garcia is well qualified for the position."

-- Rommel and Aclita Velasco, Eagle Rock residents

"Mr. Garcia has devoted his career to Eagle Rock HS, and should be given the opportunity to continue to work at Eagle Rock HS."

-- Alberto Valdivia, Eagle Rock resident and TERA member

"When my sons were attending Eagle Rock High School in the 80's and I served as the chair of the School-Community Advisory Council for five years, Mr. Garcia was a well-regarded and admired teacher.  His continued service has only enhanced his reputation."

-- Bob and Marjorie Fairman, Eagle Rock residents and TERA members

"This is truly a 'no-brainer,' since the solution to the replacement of the departing principal is so obvious."

-- Stephen P. Watkins, J.D., Eagle Rock resident

"I graduated from Eagle Rock High School in 1995 [and signed the petition]."

-- Laura Oviedo, Eagle Rock resident

"I've been a resident of Eagle Rock for 35 years.  There is marvelous community activity and support in the Eagle Rock area.  My son attended ERHS and remembers Mr. Jorge Garcia well.  Please appoint Mr. Garcia to the position of Principal of ERHS."

-- Eileen Mendoza, Eagle Rock resident and TERA member
12.  QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- SPIKE LEE

"Do the right thing."

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

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

POLICY ON SUBMITTING A NOTICE:  If you have a press release, letter of comment, question or other notice that you feel might be of interest to the Eagle Rock community, send it to e.letter@TERA90041.org.  Your announcement -- in the form of an e.mail text message, (no attachments, please) -- should be in our hands by noon on Tuesday to be considered for inclusion in that week's issue.

Š2005 The Eagle Rock Association

TERA -- The Eagle Rock Association -- INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY  -- http://www.TERA90041.org
-- P. O. Box 41453, Eagle Rock, CA 90041 -- (323) 259-TERA -- a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation

The TERA e.letter
A publication of The Eagle Rock Association (TERA)
Joanne Turner, Editor
e.letter@TERA90041.org