THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION

-- Invest in Your Community --


TERA

e.letter


September 29, 2005


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and how we are changing our community for the better.


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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.  TERA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE -- MICHAEL THARP

2.  CALL FOR ENTRIES -- "SCENES OF EAGLE ROCK" AND "LIVE ART' -- APPLY BY SEPTEMBER 30

3.  SEVENTH ANNUAL EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL! -- THIS WEEKEND! -- OCTOBER 1 AND 2

4.  DISCUSSION AND BOOK SIGNING AT IMIX BOOKSTORE -- OCTOBER 1

5.  FREE VALET PARKING AT CACTUS GALLERY & GIFTS

6.  EAGLE ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL ELECTIONS -- OCTOB ER 1

7.  MOUNT WASHINGTON HOMEOWNERS ALLIANCE FAMILY FUN PICNIC -- OCTOBER 2

8.  MARK YOUR CALENDARS! -- TERA'S ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR -- NOVEMBER 6

9.  DEMONSTRATE YOUR SKILLS AT THE ANNUAL TERA ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR!

10.  LETTERS AND E.MAILS

11.  QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- UNKNOWN


1.  TERA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE -- MICHAEL THARP

GRIPE NUMBER 1

We all have things that "bug" us, and Iıve got several that are gnawing at me.  Iım going to address them from time to time and Iıd be interested in hearing from our readers about your issues, what you think should be done about them, and what you are going to do.

Iım lucky enough to have two good-sized dogs, and during the course of a week I pretty much walk over most of Eagle Rock with them.  Before the e-mails start pouring in, Iım one of the people who picks up after his dogs and tries, with varying degrees of success, to keep them out of the way of other pedestrians.  And as we walk through Eagle Rock, I am noticing more and more broken glass and litter on the sidewalks on which we walk.  As much as I try to avoid the glass, Madison (Black Labrador mix) cut his foot (again) on a piece of glass this week.  Broken glass and litter seems to accumulate in Eagle Rock, in some places more than others.

The common theme that I notice is that the most debris seems to pile up in vacant, unoccupied areas.  The stretch of sidewalk on the south side of Colorado Boulevard between Sizzler and College View is frequently shiny with broken glass and knee-deep in litter in spite of the ongoing efforts of the Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful and ERNC District 6 and CD 14 clean-up days.  In addition, the sidewalk at the southeast corner of Colorado Boulevard and Ellenwood seems to get more than its fair share of broken glass.

Still, litter and broken glass arenıt just limited to major commercial streets.  The stretch of sidewalk where Live Oak View runs into Hill Drive, adjacent to the Caltrans right-of-way, is frequently a hazard to Nike Air Soles, flip-flop wearers, and pad-footed creatures alike, as is the sidewalk behind the mall, where Rock Glen, Delaware and El Roble all come together.  Once again, these are vacant areas, adjacent to the freeway, but there are also residents on one side of the street.

What Iıd like to see is a regular police patrol through these areas and the other similar areas throughout Eagle Rock and Northeast LA to move some of the people sitting in cars drinking liquids in glass containers out of these deserted areas.  Iıd also like Caltrans to police the areas adjacent to their rights of way as well as on their rights of way more often.  This should be done not only in Eagle Rock, but throughout Los Angeles.  The freeways that so many of us use and depend on to get from place to place shouldnıt and wouldnıt be such eyesores if the areas adjacent to them were cleaned up and policed on a more regular basis.

I am aware of these times of limited resources and the need to set priorities.  Also, Iıd rather have the police out preventing dangerous crimes than busting litter bugs, if a choice has to be made.  So, maybe Iıd ask the soon-to-be elected Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council to consider making an anti-litter education program, combined with neighborhood clean-ups, one of its priorities for the coming year.  Itıs easier to take pride in your community when youıre not walking through piles of litter to get from place to place.  For me personally, I guess Iıll add a whisk broom to all of the other dog paraphernalia that I carry around, and when thereıs broken glass, Iıll sweep it out of the way, into the fanny pack, and hope that maybe it will save your pet, child, flip-flop wearer, or Nike Air Sole from damage.

Whatıs bothering you; what should be done about it; and what are you going to do about it?  Iıd like to hear from you.  One of the things you should do is VOTE for the candidates of your choice for the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council election on October 1st.

2.  CALL FOR ENTRIES -- "SCENES OF EAGLE ROCK" AND "LIVE ART' -- APPLY BY SEPTEMBER 30

The Eagle Rock Association (TERA), in conjunction with our annual Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour on Sunday, November 6, presents the "Scenes of Eagle Rock" Art Exhibit + "Live Art" participatory opportunity for all interested artists.

"Scenes of Eagle Rock" Art Exhibit

For two weeks preceding TERA's 2005 Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour, artists throughout Southern California are invited to paint, draw, photograph or otherwise portray scenes indoors or outdoors in beautiful Eagle Rock, following in the tradition of such legendary artists as Conrad Buff and Hanson Puthuff or using your unlimited imagination.  This is all part of the annual Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour on Sunday, November 6.  This exciting event attracts hundreds of visitors to our historic neighborhood every year.

Framed finished artworks will be presented as an art exhibition at the breathlessly beautiful Carlotta's Passion Fine Art gallery, which is located at 2012 Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock.  Scenes of Eagle Rock will be displayed on Sunday, November 6, during the Home Tour and will continue to be shown until Sunday, November 13.  

All artwork entries must depict interior or exterior scenes within the community of Eagle Rock.  A list of suggested locations and picturesque sites is available upon request.  All styles and media are welcomed.  There is a limit of one submission per artist.  Mounted finished artwork must not exceed 26" in width and 32" in height and must be equipped for hanging.  Artists will receive 60% of any sales made during Scenes of Eagle Rock exhibit.  The artist's portion of the retail price cannot exceed $500.  A three-panel jury will choose work to be shown and award four certificates of merit.  The top winner's artwork will be prominently displayed in next year's Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour program, and all participating artists will receive free tickets to attend this year's Home Tour.

In addition to the above-mentioned certificates of merit, we are pleased to offer a purchase award this year.

"Live Art"

We also want to encourage artists to participate in our one-day Scenes of Eagle Rock "Live Art" on Sunday, November 6, from 10 am to 4pm during the Home Tour.  "Live Art" locations include the homes and gardens featured in the Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour or anywhere along the Home Tour route.  A list of the homes will be sent to participating artists.  The artwork produced on this day will be displayed at the volunteer appreciation party on Sunday, November 6, starting at 4:30pm at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock.

IMPORTANT DATES

September 30 -- Application Deadline
November 3 -- Take Finished and Framed Work to Gallery
November 4 -- Installation of Exhibition
November 6 -- Home Tour and "Live Art" Day
November 6 -- Artists Reception and Awards Presentation, 1:00 pm Carlotta's Passion
November 6 -- Volunteers Appreciation Party 4:30 pm, Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
November 13 -- Exhibition Ends at Gallery
November 14-20 -- Pick Up Work at Gallery

Please print and fill out the application below and enclose a $20 entry fee (check payable to TERA)

Mail to:

Lori Pond
5447 Dahlia Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Thursday, November 3, 12 noon to 4:00pm, is Delivery Date for Artwork!

For additional information call Lori or Mike Pond at (323) 256-1329 or e.mail fstop888@yahoo.com
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

"SCENES OF EAGLE ROCK" AND "LIVE ART" APPLICATION

Artist's Name
_______________________________________________________________________________

Address
_______________________________________________________________________________

City & Zip
_______________________________________________________________________________

Phone ____________________________ e.mail address________________________________

Medium
_______________________________________________________________________________

Check Events you wish to participate in:

O Scenes of Eagle Rock Art Exhibit

O Scenes of Eagle Rock "Live Art"

3.  SEVENTH ANNUAL EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL! -- THIS WEEKEND! -- OCTOBER 1 AND 2

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Council District 14, and the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, are proud to announce the Seventh Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival!

Classical, zydeco, jazz, blues, Tex-Mex, rock 'n roll, country western, swing, salsa -- more!  It's FREE and for the whole family!

October 1st & 2nd...@ 6pm
Along Colorado Blvd. and Eagle Rock Blvd.

Join us for a pre-party!
MUSIC FEST OPENING RECEPTION
September 30th
@ FATTY'S
1671 Colorado Blvd. 7pm-9pm
pick up your MusicFest MAPs here!

please visit: http://www.centerartseaglerock.org
---------------------------------
presented by:
Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Dept. The Glendale Association of Realtors, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, CitiBank, Michael Schlueter, Damon Dennis, The Women's 20th Century Club, TracyKing.com, Universal Savings Bank,
==============================================
BANDS SPONSORED BY: Paul and Leno Sislin, Hillary Norton Orozco, Occidental College, Solheim Lutheran Home, Bell-Warren Trust, Casa Bianca Pizza Pie, Paul Pagnone, Dilbeck Realtors, GMAC Real Estate, Washington Mutual, Bob Taylor, Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce, Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society, School Board member Jose Huizar, M.A.N. Insurance, Rockin' Baby Shop, Edna Shelton, Adam's Wilshire Engraving Inc. Dalila Sotelo
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
VENUES include: Women's 20th Century Club, Camilo's, Coldwell Banker/David Steven, Colombo's, Dr. Music Center, Eagle Rock Pilates, Impact Martial Arts, Jim's Burgers, Panang, Rantz, The Welcome Inn, The Coffee Table, IMIX Bookstore, Toros Pottery, The Renaissance Arts Academy, Starbucks, Silver Star Automotive
------------------------------
This festival is sponsored by the Los Angeles Arts, Commission and the Recording Industries Music Performance Fund through the assistance of the professional musicians union local 47.

4.  DISCUSSION AND BOOK SIGNING AT IMIX BOOKSTORE -- OCTOBER 1

Imix Bookstore Presents "The Forbidden Book" with co-author Enrique de la Cruz Ph.D.

The Forbidden Book masterfully introduces several hundred political cartoons generated by the U.S. media during the inception of the lengthy U.S. war against the Philippine struggle for national sovereignty (the Philippine-American War, 1899-1914).  "The Forbidden Book" vividly and forcefully cuts through the morass of our national amnesia.

Join us Saturday October 1st at 5pm - 6:30 p.m. for a book signing and discussion with Enrique de la Cruz Ph.D co-author of "THE FORBIDDEN BOOK: The Philippine-American War in Political Cartoons" by Abe Ignacio, Enrique de la Cruz, Jorge Emmanuel, and Helen Toribio.

Imix Bookstore
5052 Eagle Rock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
323 257 2512
http://www.imixbooks.com

5.  FREE VALET PARKING AT CACTUS GALLERY & GIFTS

Hey there -- Just wanted to share the news.... The city of L.A., in conjunction with the construction company who is working in front of our store, has given us some free VALET PARKING to help with the parking disaster they've created.  Woo-hoo!  You pull into MARLY'S BEAUTY SUPPLY at the corner and the valet takes over.

Please check out MARKA'S mural on the corner at the PRODUCE HUT.  He is the graffiti artist who did the front of the CActuS.  He is amazing and will be doing a live mural for us in the coming weeks.  We'll invite you to the party!!!!

Also, as many of you know, we've taken over the space next door.  We've knocked down walls, opened up a door, etc....It will be painted and ready by this Saturday (we are keeping our fingers crossed).

Please visit us and check out our new line of affordable kid's clothes and funky bags by Colombian artist Carolina Zapata and our new lines of jewelry by Mexican artists Phaedra Torres and Graciano Barraza.  We also have beautiful wire wrapped jewelry by Armenian artist Vahe.  We still have the work of 25 different female artists up too!

If you read this far, you deserve a discount, so stop by, valet park, drink some mate, and get 20% off any item from Argentina or 10% on any consignment item.

Peace -- Sandra and Cristian

CActuS Gallery & Gifts
4534 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Eagle Rock, CA 90041
323.256.6117

6.  EAGLE ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL ELECTIONS -- OCTOB ER 1

VOTE!

Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Elections
THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
10am ­ 4pm
Yosemite Recreation Center
1840 Yosemite Drive (next to ER High School)
Five days and counting!  Stakeholders age 16 and older may vote and no pre-registration is required  

The elected ERNC board members serve as Eagle Rockıs voice to City Hall, so donıt miss your chance to have a say in who fills these seats!  Go to http://www.EagleRockCouncil.org for further information about elections and the ERNC.  Thanks for your participation!

7.  MOUNT WASHINGTON HOMEOWNERS ALLIANCE FAMILY FUN PICNIC -- OCTOBER 2

Don't miss the 5th Annual Family Fun Picnic hosted by the Mt. Washington Homeowners Alliance!  The picnic will be this Sunday, October 2nd, at the Southwest Museum at 4:00 p.m.

There will be great food, live entertainment, and fun for all.  Bring a bit of extra cash because there will be a silent auction raffle (lots of great goodies), and native wildflower seeds and Mt. Washington T-shirts will be for sale.

The picnic costs only $7 per person, and children under 5 are free.  Everyone is welcome, so bring a neighbor and bring a friend.  See you there!

8.  MARK YOUR CALENDARS! -- TERA'S ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR -- NOVEMBER 6

Be sure to attend TERA's Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour on Sunday, November 6!  This year we are featuring the Mt. Royal Drive neighborhood north of Colorado.  It's about five weeks away and is guaranteed to be great!

Volunteer to serve as a docent or fill another volunteer position and get a free ticket to the tour as well as an invitation to our famous and always-fun after-party.  Please contact the following:

To serve as a docent:  Kathleen Goldstein at goldleroux@aol.com
To volunteer in another capacity:  Teri Aranguren at tacpa@pacbell.net

9.  DEMONSTRATE YOUR SKILLS AT THE ANNUAL TERA ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR!

The Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour, sponsored by TERA, is being held this year November 6.  Do you have a home restoration or decorating skill you'd like to demonstrate that day?

We would like to have a few volunteers to do their demonstrations along the tour route. If your business is restoring items or anything related to preserving or celebrating our great character homes, you are welcome to have cards and brochures and publicize yourself.  Do you know how to restore old windows?  Refinish furniture?

Please contact Tracy King at 626-844-2256 or tracyking5@cs.com.

10. LETTERS AND E.MAILS

"Open letter for publication in the TERA e-letter.

During the last few months, and more so, during these last few weeks, I have become increasingly alarmed as to the size of the incredibly intrusive and obtrusive multi-purpose building being built on Colorado Blvd, west of Ellenwood. As I drive by, specially heading east bound, I can not help but gasp with amazement as to what this out-of-proportion and overwhelming structure is doing to the now gone picturesque, small town scenery of Eagle Rock.........I also ponder about the negative changes which will surge upon its completion.

How does this gargantuan new complex meet the provisions of the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan in reference to height, density, and capacity circulation?

I am for change and growth, but a project of this magnitude has no place in our small town, specifically at that location, so close to the street -- what a shame -- it has changed forever the flavor of our community -- I know it is too late for these questions and comments, but can not help wonder as to how the builder got endorsement from the ever watchful (TERA) 'eagle eye.'

I seem to recall that, some time ago now, TERA endorsed the location of this humongous project......I don't recall the details but it seems that it was stated that the construction was great for Eagle Rock and that the futuristic concept would become some type of model for other communities. Well, all of that is fine and dandy, but what about the impact on the community? We have ranted and screamed about the impact that Starbucks, Walgreens, McDonald's, and the Communication Center would have on the boulevard, specifically when it came to traffic flow, building sizes, street accessibility, signage, etc., but I don't seem to hear a word about what the opening of this building will do to traffic on Colorado.  

What is so different about this project? I am truly puzzled.......How is it compatible with the surrounding residential community and with the capacity of the circulation system? How is it consistent with the character of the Eagle Rock Community?"

-- Tamara Lobaco, Eagle Rock resident and TERA member

[Editor's note:  Hello, Tamara.  Thanks for writing.  My experience with this project has been the following:

I was on the TERA Board when this project first was presented.  I was the president of TERA during the majority of the time this project evolved.  When it was first presented to the community, it had twice the number of units and was of a design that was straight out of bad 1970s architecture.  A committee representing all factions of our town (business, residents, neighbors) was gathered, immediately asked the developer to fire the architect and hire one of our choosing, which he did, and to work with us on a compromise solution.

Yes, the project is big.  The design, however, is reminiscent of the Mediterranean-style architecture of Occidental College, designed by Myron Hunt.  The intersection is scheduled to be signalized to help slow traffic and provide a safe crossing for pedestrians -- something that was demanded by the community.  The bottom floor will furnish commercial space for retail businesses, making this a mixed-use project, a concept that has been gaining more and more support from the urban planning community.  More parking in the building is supplied than is required by code and will be accessed via College View, not Colorado.  Telephone lines will be relocated underground to remove that source of visual blight.  Antique street lights emulating old Los Angeles are scheduled to be installed on both sides of Colorado, helping make this area of the boulevard an "entrance" to Eagle Rock.

The project falls within Subarea 1 of the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan, where there are less restrictions.  Even so, the project was reviewed by the Northeast Community Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) and found to be consistent with the Northeast Los Angeles Community Plan.  Density bonuses were awarded because the project will provide low-income housing for seniors.  It is an all-senior project, which places less burden on our infrastructure than would a multi-family building.  There is a 50-year covenant ensuring that the project will remain seniors-only.

The bottom line is that this parcel would have been developed eventually.  I feel the community is fortunate to have had a say on how it was to be developed, which hasn't always occurred here in town.  It is a project where all parties involved came away with something positive.  Both the developer and the community had to concede things they wanted, but they also got things they wanted.  It's called compromise.  It's a process by which all development projects in Eagle Rock should be generated.

The difference between this developer and the developer on the Walgreens project is that this developer was willing to work with the community that his project would affect.  The Walgreens developer refused at every turn to work with the community and completely dismissed our history.

-- Joanne Turner

QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- UNKNOWN

"One who works with his hands is a laborer; one who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman; one who works with his hands, his head, and his heart is a master."

Got graffiti? Contact the City of LAıs 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.

İ2005 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