Eagle Rock 22 Year Old-
"A Cut Above the Rest"
Rides Rose Parade Float
by Tom Topping
            When Maria Betania Alsina was a little girl in Paraguay, she loved to watch the Rose Parade on TV. She, her friends and family would marvel at the beautiful floats, and pick their favorite ones. She never imagined that one day she would be riding one.
            But, after growing up in California, (Eagle Rock since 2002) she will indeed be riding that float in the 2010 Rose Parade. She and her family are so excited (as well as dozens of her relatives back in Paraguay), and her mother and sister will be there to see her on the first float of the parade with the 2010 Rose Parade theme, "A Cut Above the Rest."
            When Maria (she goes by Betania) was attending Eagle Rock High School, her friends and family recognized her gift of physical beauty, and pushed and coaxed her to pursue modeling. Eventually her mother, Carmen, discovered the William Adrian Agency in Pasadena. Bill Adrian liked her, and her part-time modeling career got off to a good start. She appeared on some runways and designer shows, and modeled a gown for a magazine shoot among other work.
            She still kept up her classes at Eagle Rock High, and worked on the school newspaper there. After graduating High School, she took time off from her modeling to concentrate on college work, but soon returned to pursue her fledgling modeling career. She still continues her journalism studies at Pasadena City College.
            Bill Adrian thought she should try for a spot on the "A Cut Above the Rest" float, so she

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John Potter, Retired
Dahlia Heights Teacher
Succumbs in Eagle Rock Fire
by Tom Topping
            On Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 6:23 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 5 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Wade White, responded to a Structure Fire at 4838 North Maywood Avenue in Eagle Rock.
            While in route to a structure fire, firefighters heard the dreadful radio transmission, "Possible victim trapped" and quickly ordered additional companies. They arrived to a one-story, wood-sided single family dwelling engulfed in flames.
            Neighbors frantically tried to help with garden hoses while declaring that someone was inside, thus confirming the previous radio transmission. Firefighters sprinted into action, making an attack with hose-lines while simultaneously cutting holes in the roof for ventilation. An immediate search and rescue operation commenced in this 1200 square-foot non-sprinklered home. Firefighters were disheartened to find the lifeless body of a 77 year-old male in his bathroom. (click here to continue)

Canine Tragedy on Eucalyptus Lane
by Tom Topping
            On December 14, the Eucalyptus Street neighbor heard a ruckus and looked out to see a mass of growling, snarling, and howling teeth and flying fur. She realized right away that Larry and Wolfgang, the neighbor's pit bulls had gotten through the fence into the other neighbor's yard where they were attacking Merlyn, her next door neighbor's dog. She watched helplessly as the two bulls reverted to "pack" mentality, completely overwhelming the 17 year old Merlyn on his own turf. As he breathed his last breath, the poor dog fell silent and the attack subsided.
            The sole witness was the only one to see, and called the authorities to intervene.
            By the time help arrived, it was all over. L.A.P.D. and L.A. Animal Control were on the scene as Christopher Wall, Merlyn's owner, arrived home from work.
            "I lost my best friend," said Wall.
            The pit's owners were not bad people. They treated their dogs well, walking them daily, keeping them out of the cold at night. But they had known their dogs had a penchant for trying to burrow through and under the fence. They took action when and where they needed to, but alas, this time it turned out to be a little too little and a little too late.
            On the surface, it seems (click here to continue)

Looking Back by Joe Walker
100 years ago this month-January,1910
            Complaints about public transit are nothing new. On Jan 18, 1910, the Highland Park Protective League organized a visit to City Hall where they lodged a complaint about street car service. They asked that the Monte Vista Street Car Line be required to stop at Ave 28 so that passengers could transfer to the Eagle Rock line. Apparently there was no stop for quite a distance from where the Eagle Rock Street Car could be picked up.
90 years ago this month-January, 1920
            The Highland Park Presbyterian Church at Ave 53 and Figueroa St. was slated to have a "modern three story temple" to be built for $50,000 according to the pastor of the church, Dr. Campbell Coyle. At a meeting held on January 16, 1920, Pastor Coyle outlined that half of the building fund had already been raised and he expected the remaining funds to arrive shortly. Founded in 1900, the church was originally attached to nearby Occidental College.
            The church got its own building in 1908, which the 1920 remodeling added considerably to.
70 years ago this month-January, 1940
Jan 2, 1940, Eagle Rock
            Mrs Rae Holland of 2228 1/2 Yosemite Drive did not heed the advice to use caution with portable heaters, or such warnings weren't issued way back then, but she found out the hard way when while attemping to light a gas heater an explosion occured, severely burning her and sending her to the hospital.
            When Roger Warren Bell, 6, and his 78 year old grandmother, Mary Bell, went for a walk on Jan 20, 1940 near their home at 2020 Hill Drive, they crossed the street at 2970 Broadway, off Colorado Blvd, where they both were hit ... (click here to continue)

NEWS FLASH!

Start planning NOW for Eagle Rock's 100th Birthday! Go to EagleRock100th.com for the latest information

2009-2010 Rants and Reflections
(mostly rants)
by Tom Topping
            Eagle Rock, and all of Northeast L.A. has been and is a wonderful place to live. I'm not saying it's perfect. There are definitely a few areas where I'd like to see some changes made. Most contentious of all is the medicinal marijuana places that are quite the ongoing subject at recent L.A. City Council meetings.
            And although I completely support legalizing and taxing the medicinal and recreational use of Marijuana, I sure don't support these little hole in the walls that are open all up and down the Boulevard. It doesn't take a genius to see the majority of these places cater to the "young dopers" (hey I was once young) in and out of this community. It didn't bother me at first, but when a young guy, all pumped up from weightlifting and steroids is making it uncomfortable for me to walk down the streets, I don't like it, and I want him gone.

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CRIME UPDATES: Whatever Happened To...?
by Tom Topping
Tragic Colorado Blvd. Crash Trial Update
            The trial of Rostilov Dimittryi Shnayder, who was allegedly involved in the crash of a black Nissan Maxima that killed four youth, (and all three children from the Cordova family) on August 27, 2008 is continuing.
            As you may remember, Shnayder was driving a white Mistsubishi Eclipse and was allegedly racing the Nissan that crashed into the tree in the median on Colorado Blvd. right in front of the Women's 20th Century Club. Another car was also reported as being involved in the high speed race, chase or road rage incident, but fled the scene and was never identified. Shnayder stopped to try and give aid after he saw the crash, and was over-heard at the scene trying to explain to police how he was not involved. Shnayder was charged with four counts of vehicular manslaughter and was released on $200,000 bail on September 8, 2008.
            His passport and I.N.S. card were taken by authorities as he was deemed a flight risk (he is a citizen of the Ukraine). He was arraigned and pled not-guilty on March 5, 2009 in Dept. 117, presided over by Judge Barbara R. Johnson....

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David Del Toro Update
            One question I hear most often is, "Whatever happened to
the fireman who dragged his girlfriend through the streets of Eagle Rock?" Well here you go.
            L.A.F.D. Fire Captain David Del Toro faces felony murder charges after his girlfriend, Jennifer Flores' mangled and naked body was found on Floristan Avenue on the Morning of August 16, 2006. He is still in jail, and the wheels of the Criminal Justice System are slowly turning.
            Famous O.J. Simpson Judge Lance Ito is presiding over the case. The docket print-out indicates that there has been a pre-trial hearing about every month for the last three years, since the grand jury returned an indictment on November 7, 2006. His "house arrest" was revoked shortly after, and bail denied. He is represented by Joseph A. Gutierrez Esq.
            A notice that the death penalty was no longer being sought was signed and filed on March 15, 2007.
            Legal wrangling over motions to set aside the indictment known as a section 995, as well as motions to suppress evidence took up most of 2007, with a defense motion to suppress evidence known as a "1538.5 Penal Code". It was eventually denied on January 8, 2008.
            However, the (click here to continue)