THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION
The Best Investment You Can Make in Your Neighborhood

TERA

e.letter


September 18,  2003

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

Click on
http://www.TERA90041.org

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

Join TERA now!  Here's how:

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

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


In this issue:

Question Authority:
Submit a Town Meeting query to Councilmember Villaraigosa
(item #2)

Step Lively into Eagle Rock's newest business  (item #7)

Insomniacs alert (item #11)


Table of  Contents:


1.  A MESSAGE FROM TERA PRESIDENT HILARY NORTON OROZCO

2.  ANNUAL STATE OF THE TOWN ADDRESS BY COUNCILMEMBER ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA -- TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

3.  ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR ON THE HORIZON -- OCTOBER 19

4.  THERE'S STILL TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR

5.  CALLING ALL ARTISTS: A BREATH OF PLEIN AIR -- DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS, OCTOBER 3

6.  THREE LOCAL HEROES CITED BY STATE LEGISLATORS

7.  FOCUS ON BUSINESS -- STEP RIGHT UP TO EAGLE ROCK'S NEWEST BUSINESS, MILLER SHOE STORE

8.  EAGLE ROCK LIBRARY HOSTS A REALLY SCARY EVENT -- THIS AFTERNOON -- SEPTEMBER 18

9.  MEET EAGLE ROCK POLICE OFFICER JOE GALINDO AT THIS MONTH'S NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING -- TONIGHT -- SEPTEMBER 18

10.  NORTHEAST TREES HOSTS ARROYO SECO ORAL HISTORY NIGHT -- TONIGHT -- SEPTEMBER 18

11.  WHAT GOOD IS SITTING ALL ALONE IN YOUR ROOM? COME TO THE LACMA CABARET! -- SEPTEMBER 18 -- TONIGHT!

12.  NORTHEAST HOLIDAY PARADE PLANNING MEETING -- SEPTEMBER 24

13.  BE THERE AND BE SQUARE -- SEPTEMBER 24

14.  EAGLE ROCK BEAUTIFUL VS. THE WEEDS: WHO YOU PULLING FOR? -- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

15.  THE HIGHLAND PARK PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL IS BACK! -- SEPTEMBER 27

16.  GET READY FOR THE FIFTH ANNUAL EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL -- OCTOBER 4

17.  ENJOY A MUSICAL BRUNCH AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS -- SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

18.  THE ANNUAL DO-GOODERS BALL: A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL ACTIVISM -- OCTOBER 10

19.  WE'VE GOT MAIL

20.  QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- PHILIP LARKIN


1.  A MESSAGE FROM TERA PRESIDENT HILARY NORTON OROZCO

Make sure that you've marked your calendars for Tuesday night, September 23rd, to come to TERA's annual State of the Town event at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock (formerly the Eagle Rock Cultural Center) at 7:00 p.m.   

Our sincere thanks to the following businesses, who were kind enough to display a notice for the meeting in their shops, offices or restaurants:

All American Café
All Star Lanes
Angel Puss Rescue
Armonšs Restaurant
Boyer Cleaners
Café Beaujolais
Camilošs California Bistro
Catfish Bite
The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
Classic Thai Restaurant
Colorado Cleaners
Colorado Donuts
Colombošs
Curves for Women
Designer Framing
Dr. Music
Eagle Rock City Hall (14th District Field Office)
Elvirašs Restaurant
Ernie Jr.šs Restaurant
Eufloria
Fattyšs & Co.
Gallery Ophelia
The Eagle Rock Italian Bakery
Jimšs Burgers
Juice Exchange
La Petite Beaujolais
Owl Talk
Oxy Café

Panang Restaurant
Petešs Blue Chip Burger
Pizza Man
Ruby Bakery
Toros Pottery
Trader Joešs 
Tritch Hardware
Twerps
Sav-On Drugs (Eagle Rock Boulevard)
Sav-On Drugs (Colorado Boulevard)
Senor Fish
Stained Glass Supplies
Super-A Foods (Eagle Rock Boulevard)
Swork
Yoga Essence

We also thank the following area restaurants for graciously providing tasty refreshment and other services for this event:

Camilo's California Bistro
Cafe Beaujolais
Elvira's
Seņor Fish
Panang Restaurant
Michael Zamarripa and The Coffee Table

And, finally, a big thanks to 14th District Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa and his staff, as well as The Center for the Arts,  Eagle Rock, for their help in making this evening possible, and to Keith Louie of DBL Realtors, for his co-sponsorship of this event.    

See you Tuesday!

-- Hilary Norton Orozco


2.  ANNUAL STATE OF THE TOWN ADDRESS BY COUNCILMEMBER ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA -- TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

TERA Presents
Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosašs

State of the Town Address

7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
2225 Colorado Boulevard
Eagle Rock

Los Angeles City Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa, District 14, will deliver his State of the Town address to constituents of Eagle Rock at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23.  The free public meeting, to be held at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, has been an annual September event of The Eagle Rock Association (TERA) for several years.  The meeting is co-sponsored by Keith Louie of DBL Realtors.

ŗWith his vast experience as the former Speaker of the State Assembly, Antonio promises to be one of our most effective City Council members yet. His innovative and collaborative approach to community issues complements our own passion for Eagle Rock and northeast LA,˛ said Hilary Norton Orozco, TERA president. ŗHe is fully capable of making District 14 a model for all of Los Angeles. We intend to join him in realizing his vision and helping him communicate with all stakeholders as often as possible.˛  With that goal in mind, TERA invites interested community members to submit questions for the councilmember in advance of the meeting.  

To submit your question for Councilmember Villaraigosa...

Simply email it to e.letter@TERA90041.org.  Be sure to include the phrase, "Question for September Meeting" in your email's subject line.  If time permits, additional questions may be taken from the audience floor during the meeting.

Recognition of President Emeritus Joanne Turner

Tuesday's meeting will also recognize the accomplishments of Joanne Turner, TERA's President Emeritus, who recently completed six years of public service to the community as TERA's longest-serving president.

For those of you gearing up for TERA's Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour in October, you'll be able to purchase advance tickets to that event at the State of the Town Address meeting as well.

Please note that, due to an editorial oversight, an earlier e.letter mistakenly stated that childcare would be provided at this event.   We regret that this is not the case, and apologize for any inconvenience caused by our error.  

The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is located at 2225 Colorado Boulevard, just west of Eagle Rock Boulevard. Parking is available on the street and at the nearby Bank of America. Complimentary food will be provided by The Coffee Table and other local restaurants.  Donations will be gladly accepted to offset the cost of the insurance for the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, for this event.

Additional information about the State of the Town address or other TERA activities is available by calling (323) 259-TERA or visiting http://www.TERA90041.org.


3.  ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR ON THE HORIZON -- OCTOBER 19

The 4th Annual

Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour

Sunday, October 19, 2003
10:00 a.m.­4:00 p.m.

Tour some of the most lovely and interesting homes and gardens in our historic community, starting with The Women's 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 "self-improvement along social and intellectual lines."

Tour goers will have the opportunity to visit homes built over the course of the last century in the variety of styles which make Eagle Rock, "L.A.'s Hometown," so unique.   TERA will also be hosting an exhibit of plein air painting, an art form which celebrates the natural beauty of the outdoors and has historic roots in the community.   

The Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour is co-sponsored by:


Advance tickets are $12.00 each, or $10.00 for members of TERA, and may be purchased at the Eagle Rock Music Festival on October 4.  Tickets are also available now at any of the following Eagle Rock businesses:


You may also buy your tickets at TERA's website,  http://www.tera90041.org/httickets-03.htm, or by sending a check (payable to TERA,) to:

TERA
P.O. Box 41453
Eagle Rock, CA 90041

(Please make a note on the face of your check that it is for a Home Tour ticket purchase.)


4.  THERE'S STILL TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR

The Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour
planners are still looking for a few more volunteers and docents to help organize this year's Home Tour as well as to help out on the weekend of the event.  Play an integral role in bringing one of our community's best-loved annual events to life.  As an added bonus, tour volunteers earn highly-sought invitations to the Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour Wrap Party, a highlight of Eagle Rock's social calendar.

If you'd like to help us make this year's Home Tour another smashing success, call Juliann at (323) 256-6767 or email her at Julilanser@aol.com.

Volunteers are also needed to help create the Plein Air Exhibit
TERA's Plein Air Committee welcomes art lovers to help us create this exciting exhibit.  Participate in this fine art event and help the arts flourish in Eagle Rock.  Call Beth Parker at (323) 256-5701 to find out more about volunteering for the Plein Art exhibit.


5.  CALLING ALL ARTISTS: A BREATH OF PLEIN AIR -- DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS, OCTOBER 3

Artists from throughout southern California are invited to paint on location in Eagle Rock, before TERA's annual Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour on October 19, 2003.  The artworks will be displayed in the historic Women's 20th Century Club (the Women's Club, 5105 Hermosa Avenue, northwest corner of Colorado Boulevard), with an opening date and reception on Friday, October 17, and closing on Friday, October 24, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

The Plein Air exhibit will be a delightful part of the Eagle Rock Eclectic Home Tour, which will begin at the Women's Club.  Contributing artists are also invited to paint in front of the homes featured on the tour the day of the tour and bring their paintings to the traditional after-tour party for all tour volunteers to see.

The artworks featured in the exhibit are to be painted of scenes anywhere in the community of Eagle Rock.  Works will be limited to oil paintings, acrylic paintings, watercolors, and pastels.  Maximum size is 40 x 60 inches.  All participants will receive a complimentary ticket to the Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour and the post-tour celebration.

To be considered for this Plein Air exhibit, please submit one slide of each completed work clearly marked with your name, the title of the piece, medium, and size.  A self-addressed, stamped envelope is required for return of the slide(s).

Entries must be received by Friday, October 3.  Artists will receive 85% of any sales made through the exhibit.  Prizes will be awarded -- first place $750, second place $500, and third place $250.

We hope you can join us in this important event.  Please print out and fill in the application below and mail it, along with a $20 entry fee (payable to TERA,) to Beth Parker, 2419 Ridgeview Avenue, Eagle Rock, CA 90041.  For further information, please call Beth Parker at (323) 256-5701.

Name ___________________________________________

Address __________________________________________

City _____________________________________________  

State _________  Zip Code ______  Email _________________

Daytime Phone _____________________________________  

Evening Phone _____________________________________

Enclosed is $20 in Cash ______ Check _____ Money Order ______


6.  THREE LOCAL HEROES CITED BY STATE LEGISLATORS

Eagle Rock residents Elda Ulmer and Dr. Anita Britt are among the recipients of this year's Women in Business Awards, an honor bestowed on outstanding women business leaders by State Senator Jack Scott (D-Pasadena), Assemblymember Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) and Assemblymember Carol Liu (D-La Canada Flintridge.)   Elda Ulmer, best known as an owner of Eagle Rock's Cafe Beaujolais and Le Petit Beaujolais, has been recognized as Small Businesswoman of the Year, while local resident Dr. Britt, who serves as the Executive Director of the Child Development Center at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, has been recognized as Non-Profit Executive Director of the Year.   Also among the list of honorees is Glassell Park resident Ruby De Vera, President of De Vera Air Conditioning in Glassell Park, but perhaps best known in these parts as the onetime 14th district Field Deputy for Eagle Rock.  Ms. De Vera has been honored with the Most Inspirational Award.

The winners will be honored by the community at a special luncheon hosted by Scott, Frommer and Liu on October 17 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank.  For more information about the event, please call Teresa Acosta at (626) 683-0282.

TERA congratulates all three of our local heroes, as well as the other recipients of this year's Women in Business Awards.


7.  FOCUS ON BUSINESS -- STEP RIGHT UP TO EAGLE ROCK'S NEWEST BUSINESS, MILLER SHOE STORE

Miller Shoe Store
2221 Colorado Boulevard
Eagle Rock CA 90041
(323) 256-0068

Got shoes?

Miller Shoe Store opened just a few weeks ago in the building next to the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock (formerly Eagle Rock Community Cultural Center). The store offers a welcome alternative to the shoe departments of our local department and discount stores, with a wide variety of men's, women's and children's shoes to choose from.  They even carry shoes the size of this writer's clodhoppers (10)!

Miller Shoes is open seven days a week -- Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
--Joanne Turner, TERA President Emeritus


8.  EAGLE ROCK LIBRARY HOSTS A REALLY SCARY EVENT -- THIS AFTERNOON -- SEPTEMBER 18

A Super Scary Storytime
with author Q.L. Pierce
Eagle Rock Library
5027 Caspar Avenue
Thursday, September 18
3:30 p.m.

Thrill seekers of all ages will want to be on hand when children's book author Q.L. Pierce (Scary Stories for Stormy Nights)  arrives to scare the socks off us at the Eagle Rock Library's special Scary Tales Workshop, 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 18.   For more information, dial (323) 258-8078.


9.  MEET EAGLE ROCK POLICE OFFICER JOE GALINDO AT THIS MONTH'S NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING -- TONIGHT -- SEPTEMBER 18

Eagle Rock Neighborhood Watch meetings are held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month (except August and December) at the Eagle Rock City Hall building, 2035 Colorado Boulevard, at the corner of North Maywood Avenue.  (The scheduled meeting dates remaining in this calendar year are today, September 18, October 16 and November 20.)   Eagle Rock's Senior Lead Police Officer Joe Galindo presides at all meetings, which are open to all.  The Neighborhood Watch goal is to have every block in Eagle Rock participating, so if your street isn't yet chartered, these meetings represent a great way to find out more about this vital community-building program.  


10.  NORTHEAST TREES HOSTS ARROYO SECO ORAL HISTORY NIGHT -- TONIGHT -- SEPTEMBER 18

Our friends at Northeast Trees invite you to an open discussion tonight:

Arroyo Seco Oral History Night  
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
September 18, 2003
Northeast Trees
570 West Avenue 26, Suite 200
Los Angeles

Join Jessica Hall, Design Associate, for a moderated discussion that focuses on oral histories of the Arroyo Seco watershed.  Learn about what was, and participate in a discussion of what will be again!

No registration is required for this special Workshop.

For more information, contact Clair Robinson, executive director of Northeast Trees, at (323) 441-8634.  Or visit Northeast Trees online at http://www.northeasttrees.org.


11.  WHAT GOOD IS SITTING ALL ALONE IN YOUR ROOM? COME TO THE LACMA CABARET! -- SEPTEMBER 18 -- TONIGHT!

From TERA member Jim Rawitsch comes this enticing invitation:

TERA members are invited to attend "Cabaret LACMA," a FREE, all-night celebration, tonight, September 18th, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.  The event, which begins at 9:00 p.m. tonight and ends at 7:00 a.m. Friday morning, September 19, is free to all as the museum's way of saying thank you to the people of L.A. for making summer 2003 one of the most successful seasons in years.  Information is available at www.lacma.org.  The event offers:


It all happens tonight at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, (just east of Fairfax.) For more information, go to http://www.lacma.org.


12.  NORTHEAST HOLIDAY PARADE PLANNING MEETING -- SEPTEMBER 24

From Misty Iwatsu, chairperson of the 2003 Northeast Holiday Parade comes this latest word on preparations for this year's Northeast Holiday Parade:

Attend the next organizing meeting for the
59th ANNUAL NORTHEAST HOLIDAY PARADE
Wednesday, September 24th
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Faith United Presbyterian Church
115 N. Ave 53 (corner of Figueroa and Avenue 53)

This year's Northeast Holiday Parade is set for December 7, 2003 starting at 12:00 p.m. (noon.)   This year's theme is "Holiday Fantasies & Dreams."   There's still an enormous amount of work to be done, so please consider volunteering some time to make this gala community tradition a continued success.  

The Northeast Holiday Parade is sponsored by the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce and the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce.  For more information, or to find out about volunteer opportunities, call Misty Iwatsu at (323) 255-5030.


13.  BE THERE AND BE SQUARE -- SEPTEMBER 24

The Spellbinders Square Dance Club of South Pasadena sends us this announcement of their upcoming classes:

Square Dancing For Fun and Exercise


Spellbinders Square Dance Club of South Pasadena is sponsoring beginning square dance classes on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the War Memorial Building, 435 Fair Oaks Boulevard, South Pasadena (across the street from Kinko's.)   

At one time square dancing was limited to a few patterns which could be easily memorized during one evening of dancing.  Contemporary square dancing utilizes a number of basic movements.  The caller uses these movements in a variety of patterns and the dancer follows the commands moving to the beat of country and/or pop music.  Once taught the basic terms of square dancing a person is able to dance anywhere in the world following the standard movements called in different arrangements.  Square dancing is good exercise, a chance to make new friends, and most of all -- fun.  Give it a try.

Classes start on September 24 and continue for three weeks.  $4.00 per person.  For more information, call 323 255-2410.


14.  THE COLLABORATIVE EAGLE ROCK BEAUTIFUL VS. THE WEEDS: WHO YOU PULLING FOR? -- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

From our friends at the Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful comes this important announcement of the group's upcoming volunteer work day:

The Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful

Center for the Arts Spruce-up Day

Saturday, September 27
8:30 a.m. - Noon

Please join us with your weeding tools and at least one amusing anecdote for your fellow volunteers when the Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful once again takes on the ever-growing weeds outside the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock.  Yes, we know it's the start of Rosh Hashanah and not everyone can attend.  But those who can will enjoy refreshments and our deepest appreciation.

The Center is located at 2225 Colorado Boulevard, one block west of Eagle Rock Boulevard.   If you have questions or need information, contact Mary Tokita at mtokita@earthlink.net.


15.  THE HIGHLAND PARK PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL IS BACK! -- SEPTEMBER 27

The 2003 Highland Park Music Festival

Saturday, September 27
Noon to 8:00 p.m.
Historic Sycamore Grove Bandshell
Sycamore Grove Park
4901 N. Figueroa Street
Highland Park

Presented by the Sangeet School of World Music and The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, through the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the 2003 Highland Park Music Festival offers live entertainment from noon to 8:00 p.m., encompassing musical styles from jazz to soul, blues and rock.

The program is free to all.

Musical artists currently scheduled include:

Arohi
Elliot Caine
Anne Likes Red
Gregor Walnum
and
Timbaloo


16.  GET READY FOR THE FIFTH ANNUAL EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL -- OCTOBER 4

EAGLE ROCK COMMUNITY CULTURAL ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
THE FIFTH ANNUAL (FREE)
EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 4th
6:00 p.m. ­ 12:30 a.m.
Sunday, October 5th
11:00 a.m. -- 9:00 p.m.

At the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
(formerly the Eagle Rock Community Cultural Center)
and various other locations throughout Eagle Rock

The Eagle Rock Community Cultural Association (ERCCA) will host the Fifth Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival, Saturday, October 4th at 6:00 ­ 12:30 am. and then continue on Sunday, October 5th, 11 am. ­9m.  The festival on Saturday is free with the first concert beginning at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, located at 2225 Colorado Blvd.  Festival goers will then walk eastward down Colorado Boulevard to hear a variety of musical performances.  

What makes this Saturday night music festival so unique are the 24 local venues, including restaurants, coffee houses, a floral shop, beauty salon, auto garage, real estate office, gas station and several other storefronts along Colorado Boulevard hosting performances.  A free shuttle service will be available throughout the evening until 10:00 pm.  The evening will conclude with a final concert in an outdoor parking lot at Caspar and Merton, ending at 12:30 am.

Scheduled to appear on October 4th are Juan Oliva (Cuban Drumming), Bonne Musique Zydeco, Sam Robles Tango Band, Eldad Tarmu Jazz Ensemble, Arohi Ensemble, and Randy Kovitz with Lies Like Truth.  On October 5th, beginning at 11 am, the Center for the Arts will host a brunch followed by a concert of classical music, directed by Carl Matthes.  At 3 pm, the North Indian Classical Music with Rajeeb Taranath of Cal Arts will perform at the Center.  The festival will close with the Open Gate Eclectic Jazz concert at 7:30 pm.

Tickets for TERA's Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour will be available at the festival. Look for our table at the Center Saturday night, and buy your tickets at the reduced advance prices ($10.00 for TERA members and $12.00 for non-members).

The Eagle Rock Community Cultural Association is a non-profit organization, supported solely by grants and donations, providing low-cost art, music, dance and computer classes to children and adults of surrounding areas and communities.  The ERCCA also hosts two free festivals yearly and numerous concerts and exhibitions. For more information call Lui or Jenny at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, (323) 226-1617.  The Center is located near the corner of Eagle Rock Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard at 2225 Colorado Blvd.


17.  ENJOY A MUSICAL BRUNCH AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS -- SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

The Eagle Rock Music Festival
and
The Southwestern Youth Music Festival
present

Brunch at the Center


Sunday, October 5, 2003
11:00 a.m.
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
2225 Colorado Boulevard

RSVP (323) 226-1617


The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock invites you to join them for a free musical brunch and complimentary Continental Breakfast.  Winners from the 2003 Southwestern Youth Music Festival and others will be on hand to regale you an array of classical selections titled, including works by Copland, Mozart and Grieg.

For more information, or to RSVP, dial (323) 226-1617.


18.  THE ANNUAL DO-GOODERS BALL: A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL ACTIVISM -- OCTOBER 10

The Do-Gooders Ball

starring Carlos Guitarlos,
Marcy Levy and Friends,
Ann Likes Red and others
7: 30 p.m.
Friday, October 10
Los Angeles River Center and Gardens
Cypress Park

LA blues legend and guitar slinger Carlos Guitarlos returns to his old neighborhood October 10, 2003, when he headlines the first annual Do-Gooders Ball at the River Center in Cypress Park.  The event is a salute to the wealth of local community activists and the unheralded work they perform throughout Northeast Los Angeles, from Cypress Park to Eagle Rock and beyond.

Guitarlos grew up in Cypress Park, a hardworking low-income section of LA set hard against the Southern Pacific rail yards and the LA River. In the late 70s and 80s, he was a fixture in the LA rock scene with the band, Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs, who held down the fort every Monday night at Hollywood's Cathay De Grande.  It was a boozy mix of blues, rock and soul, heavy on the booze. In fact, it was the drinking life that finally took Top Jimmy, and found Guitarlos on the streets of San Francisco for the last 5 years, playing for change in the Mission District.

Newly clean and sober, Guitarlos has recorded a new CD with the help of some friends, and teamed up with former Eric Clapton partner/singer Marcy Levy for a new band and hopefully, a new tour. Guitarlos will be performing tunes from the new CD, "Straight from the Heart," and should be joined on stage by a few of his special musical friends.  Also on the bill are local rockers Ann Likes Red, "Highland Parkšs House Band" and a long time fixture at LA community events.  They have played everywhere from the LA Marathon to the ArroyoFest to the Bay to Breakers 10K in San Francisco.

Proceeds from the Do Gooders Ball will be awarded to one local community group in a drawing at the close of the evening.  Producers of the event are expecting anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people at the event, so the proceeds could bring a healthy award to one local group.  The evening is sponsored by The Observer, serving Downtown and Northeast LA.

Tickets are $15.00 at the door and may be reserved by emailing Gene Evans at Gene@northeastobserver.com.  

For more information on the event, call (323) 243-0005.


19.  WE'VE GOT MAIL

Still more community commentary this week on the recent felling of trees on Occidental College's Mount Fiji:

"I am,  of course,  bothered any time trees are cut down, but even more disturbed by the concept of cutting trees without knowing what the future development will be.  I hate to be cynical,  but I do not believe there is no plan for the area.  The more likely situation is that the plan is not going to be popular with the community, so they are avoiding the discussion and working behind the scenes to get rid of obstacles.  By the time the bulldozers arrive, it will be too late to do anything.  Sounds familiar,  doesn't it?  There is more at stake than just happy neighbors.  This great institution is digging its own grave.

"I grew up within sight of Mt. Fiji, and my family has a 90 year history with the college: my grandfather went there in 1914; my parents met there, and were students and employees there; my brother was a student, and most of my childhood was closely associated with the college.  I spent many happy hours on the hill as a child, and I brought my kids to the top many times over the years.  The open space here is crucial, and the preservation of it is very important to me.  I am shocked and hurt by the disregard of the natural area, and the treatment of the college's neighbors.  The rapid expansion, without any apparent "master plan," of what used to be such a lovely college campus must be making Myron Hunt (original architect of the campus, as well as the Huntington Library,  among other notable landmarks,) roll in his grave!  I can't count how many naturally beautiful spaces within the campus have been removed for development in my lifetime.  Is the plan to develop every square foot?  If the motive is to increase enrollment, that will eventually backfire, because one of the draws of Oxy is the lovely campus.  If students want a concrete campus in the middle of the city, there are plenty of other choices.  Oxy should be preserving its unique environment as the asset it is, rather than as a blank canvas for more development."
-- Escott Norton, Glendale (I may not be currently living in Eagle Rock, but my roots are still firmly planted there!)

* * *

"Councilmember Villaraigosa and his staff were right in allowing Occidental College to cut their trees.  Our land use laws protect a private owner's right to do what they think is in their best interest.   Those trees were planted by Occidental College and belonged to them.  Maybe the Councilmember didn't realize they were on private property when he made the promise to keep them there."
-- Moses Arteaga, Eagle Rock

* * *

"Many of the trees were planted by Northeast trees about 13 years ago, (I helped.)  Many were native oaks, which are protected once they reach 8" in diameter, whether growing on private land or not.   [The trees recently cut by Occidental College] had not attained such girth and were unprotected.  So, legally, they could be removed without permits.

"For me, though, I think the question is more philosophical.  It's whether a respected, local, private educational institution--such as Occidental College--is better advised to take the high road by leaving the trees to grow and provide benefit to the community and wildlife and then, later, to bite the bullet and apply for construction permits to comply with the requirement that the trees be replaced; or to act like an outside developer, with an eye for only the bottom line and no consideration for the community, by ripping out the trees before they have to be accounted for.

"Sadly, it seems to me that Oxy has behaved poorly."
-- Clare Marter Kenyon, Mount Washington


As always, we welcome your comments, complaints and/or compliments on the e.letter or any 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 don't wish to have your comments appear in the e.letter.


20.  QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Autumn has caught us in our summer wear..."
-- Philip Larkin (1922-1986)


The TERA e.letter is distributed weekly to more than 1600 subscribers with an interest in Eagle Rock and Northeast Los Angeles.  Please encourage interested friends to send their full name and email address to us at e.letter@TERA90041.org so we can keep them informed, too.  

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

If you have a press release or other notice that you feel might be of interest to the Eagle Rock community, send it to
e.letter@TERA90041.org.  If possible, please send your announcement in the form of an email text message, (not as an attachment.)   All submissions must be in our hands no later than 3:00 pm on Wednesday to be considered for inclusion in that week's issue.

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


The TERA e.letter
A publication of The Eagle Rock Association
(TERA)
Edited by Vince Waldron
e.letter@TERA90041.org