"Support the Grocery Workers"

Eagle Rock, CA Jan. 30. 2004 - Workers at the Occidental College sponsored Center for Food and Justice express themselves with window paint. They say that grocery store corporations have enough profit that the strike is not causing them any harm. Supporters will gather at Albertsons at 4211 Eagle Rock Blvd. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2:00 pm for a march up Eagle Rock Blvd.

ERNC Election Draws Fire from Within
Bylaws Change Right Before Elections
by Bob Thorpe
The election of ERNC Board Members, now postponed to Saturday March 27th, has brought critical comment from both current members and stakeholders, some of which were unsuccessful candidates for Board membership last year. The issues were the ability of the Board to conduct an election in violation of the ERNC bylaws, as posted on the official web site, and the adoption at the meeting just held January 27th of an 11 page revision of the bylaws which pertain to the 2004 election procedures.
Some highlights of the revisions include: Exclusion of write-in candidates - all nominees (or self-nominees) must complete a Candidate Registration Form and be vetted by the Election Committee; The restriction of the Religious Member (Faith-Based Representative) candidates to those who are members of institutions within the ERNC boundaries - this disenfranchises religious ERNC area stakeholders who attend institutions in Highland Park or Pasadena; and a unique solution to tie breaking "Ties will be broken by the toss of a two-side (sic) coin, flipped by the Third Party representative, in the presence of the tied candidates or their designated representative."
There is insufficient time before the election date required by the bylaws to appoint a nominating committee. According to Article VIII Paragraph H Item 1 of the ERNC bylaws, as posted on the official web site, the Board shall appoint an Elections/Nominating Committee to qualify candidates for election to serve as members of the Board at least ninety days before the date of any election of Directors. According to Article VIII Paragraph A, the election shall take place on the second Saturday in the month of February.
Robert Flores, a stakeholder who attended the meeting, pointed out the required 90 day lead time and pleaded with the Board to "take more time and do it right". The Board argument against further postponement concerned the issue of term limits, as all 1-year term officers are termed out in February. If the election is in March there will be less than 9 officers in the interim period.
Bill Markis, ERNC Secretary and Sub-District 8 Director commented that some communication needs to go out to stakeholders now so that as many candidates as possible can be attracted to run. Barbara Marbach supported Bill's comment and added that the committee has the right to set rules for the elections (and she is right - Article VIII Paragraph G practically gives the Rules and Elections Committee carte blanche to "interpret these rules and to create additional rules and procedures as necessary" providing "The Rules and Elections Committee shall be guided by the principles of fairness and democracy in creating such rules").
After a motion by Jessica Wethington- McLean, Subdistrict 2 Director, that the Election date be set for March 27 subject to approval by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) - the City agency under which the ERNC is chartered - the motion was passed and the date set.
Bill Markis then asked for a motion to extend the 1 year term of current officers to correspond to the new election date. A motion was made and passed. Before the meeting concluded, a motion was made to adopt the entire 11 pages of revisions to the bylaws, subject to approval by DONE. That motion also passed, over some vociferous objections.
After the meeting, one of the Board members who had participated in the last election voiced a concern over the fact that the revisions identified The League of Women Voters as the third party charged with oversight of the election. According to this member The League allowed candidates to be within the area where votes were being cast to supervise the counting. Another Board member confirmed the fact that two candidates were inside the polls.
According to this member, the counting took place at the same time as the voting because The League representatives had to leave at the time the polls closed. As part of the revisions the voting hours have been changed from 12-7PM to 10AM-4PM (although there is still a paragraph that states that the polls will close at 7:00 PM).
It is hoped that the League of Women Voters, which is being paid by ERNC for their oversight, will take steps to insure that no appearance of impropriety accompanies the coming election.
For the benefit of those interested in voting or becoming a candidate in the March 27 ERNC Board election, these dates are provided:
February 21, 2004
Candidate Workshop at the Eagle Rock Library 1:00 - 3:00 PM
March 6, 2004
First Candidate Forum at Toland Way Elementary School (4545 Toland Way) 10 AM - 12 Noon
March 11, 2004
Candidate Filing Deadline to be on the ballot.
Deadline for Stakeholders to mail a request for an absentee ballot.
March 12, 2004
Second Candidate Forum / Meet the Candidates and ER Farmer's Market 6:30 - 8 PM
March 27, 2004
Election Day at Yosemite Recreation Park from 10 AM - 4 PM

A proposed development for Colorado Boulevard near Eagle Vista street will consist of eighteen live/work spaces. The lot has been empty ever since Colorado was realigned deacades ago due to the adjacent unstable hillside that developers will be required to reinforce.

Shooting Subject Stirs Huge Meeting Turnout

by Bob Thorpe
Over 80 local residents turned out to hear Captain Kyle Jackson, Commanding Officer of the Northeast Division of the LAPD, speak on an incident that took place around 2 PM Tuesday, January 27 at the Yosemite Park Recreation Center. Marlene Schmidt, ERNC Public Safety Director invited the School Police, the Principal of Eagle Rock High School, and a representative of Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa's office to talk about what happened and what can be done to improve public safety.
The first thing Captain Jackson did was to assure the audience that the incident was a very unusual occurrence for the area. A stable neighborhood and good Neighborhood Watch programs have put Eagle Rock, along with Franklin Hills, Los Feliz and Silverlake, among the safest communities in the Division.
What actually took place, according to Captain Jackson, was that gang members from out of the area had come to the park, and another rival gang had driven by and noticed them. Apparently the rivals drove by the park three times, and on the fourth time when they slowed and flashed gang signs, the gang members in the park opened fire on the car. No one was injured.
Lieutenant Jeff Crawford, head of the east area of the LAUSD School Police described their response to the incident, noting that Officers Juarez and Rios, the officers assigned to Eagle Rock High School, were on their way to the Park and arrived in one minute, almost preventing the incident from occurring. In addition to the one officer stationed on campus, there are two LAUSD officers on patrol in the Northeast area.
Juan Flecha, Principal of Eagle Rock High School, described the school's existing plan to protect the safety of students. According to him, the school is divided into quadrants, and within 3 – 5 minutes of an incident the school can be locked down and every area searched completely. On the afternoon of the incident, there was such a lockdown, and to him the school "looked like a ghost town".
Captain Jackson asked for assistance in crime prevention – reporting suspicious activity leads to a reduction in petty crime so that the police can concentrate on major incidents. According to him there are 98 police officers for the 250,000 residents in the Northeast Division. Budget constraints make it unlikely that more officers will be assigned.
Detective Bob Lopez of the Gang Detail was introduced, and asked residents to call him when they see suspected gang activity. His number is 213-847-4263 – not the number for emergency response – but he has a mandate to investigate all reports of gang activity.
According to Detective Lopez, there is a generational gang problem in the area south of Eagle Rock – a court injunction has been obtained against the Avenues, which makes possible arrests of gang members when they associate with one another. The police pressure put on this gang has forced it out of some of its traditional areas, and members of that gang were among those at Yosemite Park.
Bob stated that the members of his gang detail are very familiar with the individuals involved in gang activity, and when residents call his officers into an area, the gang usually feels the heat and moves on.
Bob noted that graffiti is also a problem to report (Call 311 for City services to remove graffiti) because taggers often graduate into gang members. It was pointed out that the High School uses the Park for PE activity, so it is important to report any suspicious activity at that location.
Other items on the ERNC agenda included the upcoming election of officers, scheduled for March 27; the Land Use Committee report, and a stakeholder update on the off campus housing situation around Occidental College and the impact it is having on the neighborhood.
Bill Markis, ERNC Secretary and Subdistrict 8 Director asked for volunteers for a nominating committee. The volunteers should not be people who intend to be candidates for office. As there was no response to his appeal, he asked that interested stakeholders contact him after the meeting. The 2004 election procedure bylaw revisions were moved and accepted by the Board.
Mo Oxford, a resident of the area near the Occidental campus appealed to the Board to write to the City Council regarding the use of single family homes as boarding houses in violation of zoning and Building and Safety codes. Adverse impacts include traffic congestion, reduced parking, noise, and an economic impact (rents are driven higher by this unauthorized housing density).
Rich Monk, Co-Chair of the Land Use Committee brought two projects to the board for conditional approval. In the first instance, Cingular Wireless is asking to put an antenna in the cupola on top of McDonalds at Colorado and Figueroa. Stakeholders within the district had fought heavily to defeat Cingular's previous proposal for a standard, ugly tower.
The new proposal is for an antenna to be hidden from view, although it will necessitate changing the height of the cupola. This new antenna will prevent some dropped calls and will expand capacity for Cingular. Rich asked for a motion to approve the letter to the City supporting the Cingular Wireless application. The motion was approved with one abstention.
The second project under consideration was a mixed use Live/Work development of 18 artists' lofts in a structure to be built across from the 134 onramp at Colorado Blvd. Other development in this area is multistory, multifamily or commercial.
Land Use recommended conditional approval subject to a lot of conditions – a parking study, impact on the Senior Center and single family residential area – and the developer is to propose landscaping, and to covenant no business use. Mylar coating is to be used on glass to prevent graffiti, and the developer is to provide security and noise abatement during construction period.
Mark Martinez, a stakeholder, questioned this use based on the Eagle Rock Specific plan. Issues included traffic and noise. Another resident questioned lack of dumpsters and problems with ingress and egress on Linda Rosa and Holbrook.
John Wagner, a member of the land use planning committee urged the board that in addition to the letter a parking and traffic study be done. The request for a study only mentions parking, so he advocates adding the word traffic to the request.
Paul Pagnone, the developer, responded that he has letters from the 5 closest owners – who support the plan – and he said that as to entry and exit, it is city law that the ingress and egress be on a side street. He has suggested that a traffic light be put at a corner – possibly at Holbrook – to improve the current situation.
Rich Monk commended the developer for being very cooperative in working on a problem property. In committee, it was overwhelmingly voted to recommend conditional approval to the Board. A motion was made and the recommendation passed – 6 for, none against, and 3 abstentions.

Neighbors Push for More Bus
by Tom Topping
Neighbors in the Mont Eagle Hills area (Sparklets Hill), have made the best of their new friendships to work for better public transportation in the Northeast Los Angeles Area. Thanks to former 14th District Councilman Richard Alatorre, the communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park and Garvanza are well served by the local DASH bus system, now about 6 years old.
The Mont Eagle Hills Association (MHA), recognizing this, has decided to work toward bringing more routes and more areas under this practical, convenient and economical system. They want Dash transportation coverage for the areas of Glassell Park, Atwater Village, Cypress Park and Mt Washington areas. This, and to connect all of them to the still new Gold Line Rail system, which will literally connect Northeast L.A. to the entire world.
(Now, if you live near the Eagle Rock, Highland Park and Garvanza routes, 25 cents for a dash fare and $3 for a Metro Day Pass will get you to L.A. International Airport- right to your choice of terminal).
"People don't realize how hard it is to get government to move, it's like pushing a boulder uphill," said Everett Sarabia, Mont Eagle Hills organizer. The group is still working on it after a year and a half, and has reason to be optimistic. Sharon Lowe, environmental justice deputy for 1st district councilman Ed Reyes, attended last months meeting. She said that the money is there to pay for the study, and it is up to the Mayor to initiate it. Additionally, Michael Davies, from the Department of Transportation, told them that their project was first on the list.
The proposed routes are all worked out, including the Eagle Rock Plaza, Occidental College, Division Street, Fletcher Drive, Cypress Ave, Avenue 50, Marmion Way and connections to the Gold Line at Ave 26, and the Southwest Museum.
Their Plan is to continue to gather signature support from local business and residents, develop their presentations for local officials, and activate other Northeast Community organizations to support their goals. If you want to help, you can call Mr. Sarabia at 323 254 3512.

TURNER APPOINTED TO PARKS COMMITTEE
Our heartiest congratulations to TERA President Emeritus Joanne Turner, who has been appointed by City Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa to serve on the Regional Volunteer Neighborhood Oversight Committee (RVNOC.) The RVNOC oversees the use of funds from Proposition K, which are earmarked to improve the city's parks and public lands. We have no doubt that Joanne will bring the same tireless energy and enthusiasm to her latest post that she displayed during her highly productive six year stint as TERA's President. Best of luck, Joanne!!

CERT Training
The L.A. Fire Dept.' s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training classes in disaster preparedness will start on Monday evening, March 1st at the Eagle Rock High School Cafeteria, from 7 PM to 9:30 PM. The school is located at 1750 Yosemite Drive.
Pre-Registration is required by Febrary 23rd. This series classes consist of emergency and disaster preparedness in cases of earthquakes, fires, floods, accidents, terrorism and other related hazardous incidents. . For pre-registration, please telephone Marlene Schmidt, (323) 257-3333 or e-mail at marlesch4cert@yahoo.com.!

March and Rally to Support Grocery Workers
Community members will show their support for supermarket employees who have been on strike or locked out for over 100 days at a march and rally in Eagle Rock on February 7th.
Saturday, February 7th, 2004 at 2:00 pm Albertsons at 4211 Eagle Rock Blvd. Participants will gather at Albertsons for a march up Eagle Rock Blvd. Please bring a sign!
For more information please contact: Kitty Kroger Community Strike Support Network 323-258-9125 email: kkroger@sbcglobal.net

Stream Spirit Rising
Saturday Workshops,
Feb 28, March 6, and March 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Audubon Center in Debs Park off of 110 Freeway
Spring Equinox Event
On Saturday March 21 from
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at
Sycamore Grove Park
North East Trees is putting on a series of 3 mask and puppet making workshops leading up to an event on March 21, the Spring Equinox, called Stream Spirit Rising. The purpose is to promote stream restoration and the "daylighting" of buried creeks that are part of the Arroyo Seco watershed in Northeast Los Angeles.
We're inviting people of all ages to these workshops, which will include nature walks, storytelling and other activities as well as paper mache mask and puppet building. Each participant will make a mask of a stream spirit, and/or participate in creating a large dragon headed stream spirit.
So how do you fit in?
If you can donate your time we think we could pull off something really wonderful and fun. We are especially looking for someone who can lead drama games with kids.
If you have any questions please e-mail Jennifer Murphy at truffula_tuft@ hotmail.com

Mountains ConservancyEyes Flat Top
The January 26 meeting of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) was held at the Los Angeles River Center. It was well attended by local Homeowners Association and Neighborhood Council members, who were there to voice their opinions about the future of "Flat Top", an undeveloped area at the top of Montecito Heights.
It is one of the few remaining open spaces in Los Angeles, as one speaker put it, "Undisturbed grass land is very rare in Downtown L.A." Some claimed the land was sacred to Native Americans, and includes Native American cave paintings that were sealed up for public safety.
Although most of the speakers were in favor of the conservancy buying the property to turn it into park land, there were some folks living adjacent to the property who had concerns about that possibility.
They remember well the days when peaceful nights were constantly violated by late night youth drinking, using drugs, having sex or stripping or abandoning stolen cars. Fencing installed curtailed that activity and they fear that opening the area as a public park will bring back those days of disturbance.
After all were heard, SMMC employee Chuck Arnold said, "Now that the Conservancy is informed we will go about doing the business that we do. We will work to have the land protected."
Executive Director, Joe Edmiston said, "At this point there is no funding available, there will be no acquisition soon."

HHPNC Sends Students to Sacramento
by Stan Moore
The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC) voted in January to appropriate $800 to send eight juniors or seniors from Highland Park to the 50th. annual Sacramento Legislative Seminar. In 1955 four political science professors from Occidental, Loyola, U.S.C. and U.C.L.A. rented a bus and took students to Sacramento to study the California government. On March 7-9 the California Center for Education in Public Affairs, Inc., will celebrate 50 years of taking students to Sacramento. Two of the people who attended the 1955 event will again be in Sacramento. One, Dr. Bill Fitzgerald of Loyola-Marymount, was one of the four professors who started the annual trek to Sacramento; the other, Joseph Cerrell of Cerrell Associates, the fortieth largest political public relations firm in the nation, was a student in 1955 but now, as an adjunct professor of Pepperdine University, helps to arrange the annual Seminars.
Dr. Stanley Moore, chair of the Human Relations, Education and Youth Development Committee of the HHPNC, was president of the California Center for 20 years. At the annual board meeting in December Dr. Moore asked for permission to take eight high school students to Sacramento. The Board agreed and the HHPNC has appropriated the necessary money for rooms, the Seminar's fee, and some money for gas and oil for either a large van or SUV. Mr. Harley Haas, Asst. Principal of Instruction at Franklin High School, and Mr. John Smith, head of the Government and Economics classes at Franklin, are leading the selection committee for the now approved academic trip. The Hathaway Family Resource Center has nominated a student to be one of the eight. Students will have to write a 400-500 word essay on "If I had the Power, I would Improve Highland Park by Implementing…!" Students will have to raise $25 for food for the trip, but will get into the Pepperdine-U.S.C. Reception for legislators, staff and lobbyists free, and will get a free lunch on Tuesday from lobbyist Michael Kahl of Kahl-Pownell Associates.
The Sacramento Legislative Seminar begins Sunday night, March 7, with a Staff Panel in the Capitol. On Monday, March 8, the day will begin with a Lobbyist Panel at 9 a.m., followed by a "Politics 2004 Panel" at 10:30. Noon will find the students having lunch with a lobbyist, Ms. Villalobos, of the Association of California Independent Colleges and Universities. At 3:30 Dr. Moore will chair a panel looking at the major problems facing California that have not been seriously addressed: the state's tax structure that is causing the present crisis, energy, and water. At 5:30 the students will be part of the reception. Finally, at 7:30 p.m., the students will meet the key media people covering the state Capitol. Tuesday morning from 9 to noon they will hear a number of key "Legislative and Executive Leaders," including Attorney General Bill Lockyer and the President Pro tempore of the Senate, Senator John Burton.
At the moment the only problem facing Haas, Smith and Moore is selecting the students, finding a qualified woman teacher to chaperone and arranging for the transportation. We hope that this initial year's trip will become an annual opportunity for the junior and senior high school students of our community. Students attending private high schools in the area, but who live in Highland Park, are invited to call Dr. Moore at (323) 256-1024 and apply to be considered. Obviously, since Dr. Moore has been taking students to Sacramento since 1967 he believes this is an exceptional learning experience for the student interested in California politics and government.

Eagle Vista Seniors
On Feb. 3 (Tuesday) the Eagle Vista Seniors Board meeting will be held at 9:a.m., and the business meeting will be at 10:a.m. The speaker for this day will be Maria Lujan from Eufloria flower shop, and her topic is "Flower Design."
Feb. 10 brings an early celebration of Valentines' Day with a luncheon catered by El Pollo Loco, $5 for members, $6 for guests. Birthday cake will be served in honor of February birthdays.
On Feb. 17, attendees will hear from member Alan Miller on "Engineering Life During the Second Half of the 20th Century."
On Thursday, Feb. 19, the seniors will leave from the usual Eagle Vista site to bus to the Riverside County Fair & Date Festival. For members the cost is $25, and the deadline for sign-up and payment is Jan. 30, 2004. The bus leaves at 7:00 a.m., and returns at approx. 7:00 p.m.
Feb 24, (Tuesday) BINGO! Art Gibson, caller.

Pacheco... Guilt by Association?

Editorial by Joe Walker
Former City Councilman Nick Pacheco, no doubt still stinging from his defeat last year by Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, has made a quiet and in many ways, very odd political move. He has thrown his hat into the ring for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's race. He is challenging incumbent D.A. Steve Cooley, who, while not widely known around the county, is expected by all polls and pundits to have an easy re-election race.
I follow county races more carefully than L.A. city races, and part of the reason I do this is that they attract so little attention from the general public. There are only six countywide political office holders, the five Board of Supervisors and the D.A. An elected County Supervisor incumbent hasn't lost their seat since 1980 when the very moody Baxter Ward lost his 5th district seat to the enthusiastic and friendly Mike Antonovich. (Poor Baxter Ward.. when he passed away several years ago, the board of supervisors couldn't even find an address to send flowers to. That's how much he was forgotten)
The D.A. races are another matter. Given the nature of lawyers, and the competitive nature of their jobs as prosecutors, many D.A. races become nasty inter-office battles when the second man in charge gets mad at his boss and decides to get him kicked out. Imagine Colin Powell deciding he had enough of George Bush, and he decides to unseat him. That has happened in just about every District Attorney race in many years, and with a couple of exceptions, most people that have won the D.A. seat did it by knocking out the guy before him. Cooley did this with Garcetti, who did this to Ira Reiner, who did this to Robert Philibosian, and so on.
Indeed, every D.A. going back 40 years has either been appointed to the job by the board of supervisors when the incumbent D.A. died or was elected to higher office. It is not a job that guys retire quietly from.
I'm really not sure why Nick Pacheco decided to run for this seat. He is not well known outside the 14th district. Now, as a caveat, I have never met Mr. Pacheco. I heard he did a lot of good things for Highland Park, Garvanza in particular where I grew up and still have family and friends. However, the stigma of being the only local councilman to lose in several generations, and the long memory of his involvement in phony phone bank calls and nasty mailers still haunt him and his image. Recently, as he announced his campaign staff, he telegraphed the message that more of the same was taking place.
John Edwards, a highly controversial Cypress Park resident, has recently been appointed former councilman Pacheco's campaign manager. As a independent candidate, Pacheco certainly has every right to assemble the staff that he feels can best serve him and get him elected. But Edward's negatives far outweigh his positives. Dozens of local neighborhood council members witnessed him make threatening remarks at a public meeting on September 29, 2003, and the Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council that he took control of earlier that year has refused to hold elections or allow itself to be accountable to the many needy stakeholders in the area.
Why did Pacheco choose Edwards? People I know say Edwards is smart and aggressive, qualities that are important when you are running a decidedly uphill race. But it seems that anyone I talk to, and anywhere I go in NELA, the main topic of the Pacheco race is.. "Why did he choose Edwards?" Playing the devils advocate, I pondered as to whether there might be some racism here.
Edwards has a thick English accent, and while he is a voting U.S. citizen, he obviously isn't from "around here". NELA, being a very heterogeneous area, should welcome potential leaders no matter where they are born, whether it is across the Rio Grande, or across the Atlantic.
Just how polarizing John Edwards is to the Pacheco campaign can be seen in the recent Northeast Democratic Club Meeting. Held at its longtime home at the El Arco Iris restaurant, a solid Democrat can pretty much be assured of getting the NE Dems endorsement for local offices. With D.A. Cooley being a Republican, any observer would assume that it would be a cake walk for Pacheco to get the groups endorsement. And that observer would be wrong.
Rather than focus on Pacheco's strong qualifications and his long experience in public life, all attention went right back to, you guessed it, John Edwards.
According to one person who attended the meeting, "After Pacheco's representative confirmed Edwards' role as campaign manager, club members expressed outrage in light of his past behavior in local civic activities, including Edwards' disruption of a September 29th community meeting and threatening to physically harm audience members."
He continued, "One Northeast Democratic Club member identified himself as one of those verbally threatened by Edwards at the September 29th meeting. The club member described Edwards behavior at the September meeting as "thuggish."
With all of Nick Pacheco's experience in politics and public service, what exactly was he thinking when he assigned someone with such high negative feelings to a prominent role? Maybe he thought that people would confuse Edwards with the well known television psychic and host of the now cancelled show, "Crossing Over", also named John Edwards?
Maybe he thought people would confuse him with North Carolina Senator who is running for president?
If I were having a cup of coffee with Mr. Pacheco at Swork or sharing a beer with him at the Kopper Keg, I'd tell him, "Nick, I am going to vote for you because you are a Democrat, a liberal, and you did well for Garvanza. But I have a strong feeling that a lot of local Democrats are going to do something they have never done in their lives.. vote Republican."

What's Next at Southwest Museum?
From Ann Walnum,
Uncertainty is what's next in the long term. In the short term, the "Autry National Center" two-month calendar offers four events at the "Mt. Washington Campus" versus twenty-two at the "Griffith Park Campus". Also announced are monthly free admission days on January 13, February 10, and March 9, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Two dates initiate a monthly program of art, music, and exploration for 3-to-5-year-olds and their caregivers: January 14 and February 11, from 11 AM to noon. Admission is free for members, $3 for children aged 2 to 12, $5 for seniors and students, $7.50 for adults.
A Mata Ortiz pottery show and sale on the weekend of January 24-25 reconnects the museum to its long tradition of honoring Juan Quezada. Mr. Quezada revived an ancient pottery tradition and taught the techniques to others in his northern Chihuahua village. Many of us have traveled to Mata Ortiz for pottery classes and shopping trips in museum-led tours.
On February 21, at 2 PM, Dr. James Snead will discuss and sign copies of his book Ruin and Rivals: the Making of Southwest Archaeology, which details the roles of Charles Lummis and others in archaeological discoveries. The book helps to explain Lummis's choice of the Southwest Museum locale as the site of the first museum in Los Angeles. The scientific prominence of our local institution was demonstrated over many decades of important excavations, field trips, and resulting publications.
Finally we urge you to inform others about the free admission days. For many, this will be a chance to revisit the Museum after many years. For all of us these next two months offer an opportunity to visit before galleries are "reconfigured", possibly never to open again.

Eagle Rock Soldiers Plaque
Dear Sir:
There is a plaque in the auditorium at Eagle Rock High School commemorating the men and women who were killed in action during the Vietnam War. It appears there were six name plates on the plaque at one time. Three of the name plates are still on the plaque:~ Ronald F. Rice (5'54), Richard T. Karger, (W'54), and Michael G. ' Brancatto (5'72). We have since learned that George Myrick (W'64) was one of the names on the plaque. We would like to know if any of your readers might be able to provide us with the other missing names so we can order replacement name plates. Anyone who has information on this can call Steve Calhoun at the school at (323) 254- 6891 ext.129.

CONTINENTALS
Eagle Rock Hi, Class of Summer 1954
This is the year! The 50th reunion will be held Saturday, October 2nd , 2004, at the La Canada Flintridge Country Club. Sunday, October 3rd, 2004 brunch at the Tam O'Shanter. Don't miss it. It will be an elegant two day affair.
For information please contact: Shirley Adams (323) 257-0823
Or write to: Continentals at 4960 Ellenwood Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90041.

Joe Northrop
1918 - 2003
Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society lost a good friend and longtime member with the death of Joseph Northrop on November 7, 2003. Northrop, elected to a term as President of the Historical Society in 1969, was more than a historian. He was, as his Lengthy genealogical pedigree certifies, a very direct link with history itself.
Born February 20, 1918 in the town of Olive (now part of Orange in Orange Country), Joe could trace his family back to sixth great-grandfather Juan Carrillo and to subsequent generations of grandfathers who played lntegral roles in California history.
These included fifth great-grandfather Andres de Cota, who came to Alta California in 1769 with Don Gaspar De Portola and Father Junipero Serra; fourth great-grandfather Pablo Rodriguez, who came as a 1781 poblador for the founding of El Pueblo de los Angeles; and second great-grandfather Andres Duarte, the original grantee (1841) of Rancho Azusa de Duarte.
Another fourth great-grandfather, Manuel Nieto, received a Spanish land grant of 300,000 acres in 1784. Upon his death Los Nietos was divided into the ranchos los Alamitos, Palo Alto, Cerritos, Coyotes and Santa Gertrudis.
Third great-grandmother, Dona Eulalia Perez de Guillen, was mayordoma at Mission San Gabriel in the 1820s where she taught Indian women to cook and sew and served as a mid- wife. She is buried in the Campo Santo there.
Joe's interest in history never waned. In addition to ERVHS, he was an active member in the Historical Society of Southern California; the California Historical Society; Los Compadrinos de San Gabriel; Native Sons of the Golden West; and Los Californianos: Society of History and Ancestral Research. He also served terms as director and president of both the Los Angeles City Historical and Los Pobladores 200. Professionally, Joe went to Newport Beach in the 1930s and began a career in the fishing industry where he would serve in various capacities through the 1980s.
Interests other than history included swimming, golf, and service as a Boy Scouts Scoutmaster from 1958-64.
Joe married Marie E. Elsebusch (who pre-deceased him) while serving in the Army Transportation Corps in 1944. He is survived by wife Elma Northrop, a brother, two sisters, and children Duke, Larry, and Gary Northrop and Coby Northrop Macdonald.
For additional information on Joseph Northrop and a look at the formidable pedigree assembled by first wife (and certified genealogist) Marie Northrop, please inquire at the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society Archive.

Eagle Rock Scraps L.A.
High School Basketball
by David Crocket
The Eagle Rock High School boys' basketball team scrapped their way to an impressive 58-48 victory at home against Los Angeles High School on the afternoon of Friday, January 23, before a raucous crowd of Eagles supporters. The showdown, preceded by a rousing 36-34 come from behind win for L.A. High's JV squad against the Eagles JV team, began auspiciously for the Northern League home team Eagles.
Their relentless full court press applied substantial pressure against the visiting Romans, who committed early turnovers which helped Eagle Rock jump out to an early 9-0 lead. Both teams employed a fast paced run and gun style of play early on in the contest, and the Romans snapped out of their early funk in time to carry a 19-18 advantage into the second quarter. Both teams caught fire on offense in the opening quarter, but, predictably, the hot streak soon turned cool for both schools.
The home team proceeded to outscore their opponents 18-10 in the second quarter; Los Angeles' offense began to lag, and turnovers and foul trouble plagued the Romans. With 4:01 remaining in the half, the Eagles were in the bonus as a result of the seven personal fouls committed by the Romans. Solid free throw shooting from Eagle Rock's formidable guard tandem paced the hosts throughout the game. Eagle Rock, who persisted in pressing for the duration of the entire game, exploited Los Angeles' tendency to cough up the basketball, which gave the Eagles much needed fast break points.
Fans of high school basketball were entertained at half-time by the Eagle Rock High cheer leading squad and by the soulful melodies of Britney Spears, which forcefully permeated through the gymnasium loud speakers. Both teams were stagnant throughout the third quarter, but Eagle Rock was able to preserve their lead through hustle, second chance opportunities on offense, and their vicious press. The Eagles confidently entered the final period of regulation with a sturdy 45-37 lead.
Outstanding rebounding by the Eagles on both sides of the court steered Eagle Rock to victory over the Romans, who held a slight size advantage over the home team. What had been a sluggish quarter was given a momentary jolt at the 3:14 mark, when the game was delayed by an injury sustained by a player for Los Angeles High. When action resumed, the Romans turned in a late inspired performance but wilted under the pressure of Eagle Rock's resilient defense and free throw accuracy. The final score was 58-48, as the Eagles dominated their opponents after the first quarter.

From Controller Laura Chick
On February 10 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 1050 of City Hall, the City's Ethics Commission will consider recommending a ban on Commissioners fundraising for political campaigns.
It is a simple change which does so much. It strikes an immediate and effective blow at the widespread perception that we have a "Pay to Play" environment in Los Angeles. In relieving Commissioners from the onerous burden of raising money you take a giant leap in restoring the public's confidence in its City government.
Just yesterday, our District Attorney Steve Cooley called for an end to City Commissioners participating in political fundraising. He joins an ever increasing chorus of those who deeply care about changing the culture of politics in the City of Los Angeles.
The Ethics Commission consideration of this proposal is only the beginning. If the Commission passes the proposal it will then be forwarded to the City Council for action, and if passed by the Council, will go to the Mayor. It is critical that we show a strong force of support for this ban at the Ethics Commission meeting on the 10th. I will be speaking in favor of this proposal and hope that you will join me at the meeting.
I hope you can join me on the 10th. Please call Miriam Jaffe, my Director of Government and Community Affairs, at 213-978-7207 or e-mail her at mjaffe@ ctr.lacity.org to arrange for your parking.

Dear Sir,
The City Council voted Friday to approve the transfer of $177 million from the Department of Water and Power to the city general fund, an annual action that allows the public utility to help balance the city budget. City activists said the transfer, including $27 million from the water fund, raised questions about the need for the DWP's proposed 18% increase in water rates over the next two years."
This transfer of DWP funds, however laudable, seems to me unfair to burden DWP customers with. It appears the City of Los Angeles is using the DWP as a cashcow. Therefore, is this 18% raise a fee for service or a tax that should be voted on?
Regards, Charles Inman Mt. Wash.

ER Council Elections
It's election time again in Eagle Rock! The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council will be filling the seats of directors who were elected for a one-year term. The following is a list of the open positions:
President, Treasurer
8 Director Seats that represent:
Youth
Faith-Based Organizations
Business
Civic Organizations
Sub-District 2, 5,7, 8
The election will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2004. Please
look for more information in the upcoming weeks.
"If you are interested in running for one of the seats mentioned above, please contact Bill Markis, Chair, at (323) 257-6381.

HHPNC Lecture Series:
Black History

by Stan Moore
The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC) is inaugurating a quarterly lecture series at Highland Park's new Arroyo Seco Library at 61st. and Figueroa Blvd. The first lecture, honoring black history month, will feature Dr. David G. Holmes, Associate Professor of Literature at Pepperdine University, on Saturday, February 28, at 10 A.M. Dr. Holmes address, "The Color of Language: Literature, Oratory and the Myth of Color Blindness," will be based on his just published book, Revisiting Racialized Voice: African American Ethos in Language and Literature, by the Southern Illinois University Press (February, 2004). Dr. Stanley W. Moore, Professor of Political Science at Pepperdine and a member of the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, declares that Dr. Holmes is a strong voice on the Pepperdine University campus for racial and social justice. Dr. Holmes is Director of English Composition and has been both a Lilly Fellow and an Irvine Fellow since 1993. He has published three articles analyzing the role that race plays in literature and education. Dr. Holmes will speak and then answer questions from the audience.
The second lecture in the series will be given by the Distinguished Professor of Religion at Pepperdine, Dr. Richard Hughes, whose most recent book was published in the Fall of 2003: Myths America Lives By. Dr. Hughes is one of only four professors at Pepperdine to be honored as Distinguished professors. He has published six books and has a national reputation for his studies on the "American Civil Religion"—the theory that for more than 200 years American politicians have attempted to use religion to support and legitimize their politics and policies.
The September lecture will be by actor John Delancy of Star Trek fame. The December lecture has not yet been arranged by Dr. Moore, chair of the "Human Relations, Education and Youth Development" committee of the HHPNC. If the "Highland Park News's" readers have some suggestions, please call Dr. Moore at his office at Pepperdine and leave a message on his answering machine (310) 506-4377.

HP Council to Buy Benches and Tables
by Stan Moore
In this quarter's budget (January through March) the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council has allocated $3700 for benches and tables for our parks. We have two parks, Garvanza and the Ave. 60 Park (accessed by almost getting on the 110 freeway to L.A. at 60th. and Benner, but instead turning north and entering the park), that have no benches or tables for the Highland Park citizens to use. Mothers watching children play at the respective play areas at each park have no place to sit. Apparently 10 years ago they did, but some people complained and the parks were "lost" to the general citizenry of Highland Park. Presently the plan is to place four benches at the childrens' play areas so that tired mothers will have a place to sit while they watch their children. Each bench costs $500, so this quarter's funding allocation will barely cover the eight benches.
Los Angeles has less green space and parks than any other larger city in the U.S. It is almost a crime that we have two parks that are severely underutilized because of a lack of benches and tables. The Arroyo Seco Park, on the east side of the 110 freeway, accessed by Via Marisol, only has five tables, with a sixth table in "the island" closest to the freeway. However, since that park is outside the bounds of the HHPNC it will have to be improved by the Hermon Improvement District or some other body. If you are interested in serving on a "park committee" for the HHPNC please call Dr. Moore or write him at 132 N. Avenue 56. Join the HHPNC in working together for the improvement of Highland Park

Drive By Shooting
from LAPD
On Monday, January 19, 2004, at about 8:00 p.m., Northeast Area Police Officers responded to a radio call of, "Shots Fired" in the area of the 5600 block of Monte Vista Street. Upon the officers arrival, they discovered three victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They were transported to a local hospital were 17 year old, Ruben Antonio Patino died from his injuries, the other two victims are listed in stable condition.
Preliminary reports indicate the victims were walking southbound on the 5600 block of Monte Vista Street when an older model, black, Honda with tinted windows traveling northbound on Monte Vista Street stopped next to them. The right rear passenger of the vehicle described as a male Hispanic, 16-19 years of age, produced a handgun and fired several times out of the vehicle window, striking the three victims. The vehicle fled the location northbound Monte Vista Street.
The motive for the shooting appears to be gang related and the suspects identities are unknown at this time. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call Northeast Area Homicide Detectives at 213-846-4261. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL

Hermon Elects Community Representives
COUNCIL-TO-COUNCIL - January 2004 - 14th District Los Angeles City Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa (left), meets and counsels John Acosta and Margaret Barto, the new, unanimously elected Hermon community representatives to the first board of the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council (ASNC), of Northeast Los Angeles. Councilmember Villaraigosa formally intro-duced the new council representatives to the Hermon community at a recent celebration sponsored by the Hermon Neighborhood Association. Acosta and Barto, whose terms of office began January 1, will join 17 other ASNC geographic and at-large representatives newly elected by residents and other stakeholders from nearby Montecito Heights, Mount Washington, Sycamore Grove, and Monterey Hills. All 19 board members of the ASNC will meet for the first time at 7 p.m. on January 26 at the Montecito Heights Senior Center to elect officers, set priorities for community concerns, and begin work officially as one of L.A.'s more than 80 certified advisory councils. The ASNC will provide input and advice on local affairs to Villaraigosa and Councilmember Ed P. Reyes, whose 1st District includes portions of the five-community area. The Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council was certified in October 2002 by the City's Board of Neighborhood Commissioners, and has been working towards official elections since then. After certification hearings began in 2001, all but one of the many distinct communities that make up Northeast L.A. was organized into interconnected neighborhood council areas (averaging 36,000 residents per council), became certified by the "BONC," and held formal elections. The historic Hermon community of Los Angeles, one of six neighborhoods around the arroyo to originally help form the ASNC, is located between El Sereno and Highland Park on the east side of the 110 Freeway. Hermon was established as an unincorporated neighborhood outside city limits in 1903, and joined Los Angeles in 1912. Based on 2000 census figures, city planning documents estimate the community is now home to more than 3,300.

Eagle Rock Resident
Celebrates First Novel
Eagle Rock resident Thomas H. Griffith is celebrating the February 15 publication of his first mystery novel, THE BURGER BARN ON SUNSET. This novel, which Griffith bills as "a male romantic suspense novel of faith," is a story which grapples with the question of how one can deal with both the legal and moral crimes that surround and impede upon one's life. The story is set, for the most part, in a fast food restaurant on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard.
The author, in his 'day job,' is pastor of a local church in the San Fernando Valley. He wrote this story as a way of setting the issues of the Biblical Book of Job into a modem setting. 'When I started writing this novel, eight years ago," said Griffith, "I thought I was writing a mystery novel. It became apparent, though, that I was writing a romantic suspense story-- except that it had a male protagonist instead of the usual female protagonist in such stories.
THE BURGER BARN ON SUNSET is a story about a man who lost everything that gave value to his life: his wife, his money, his job, his house. He took a job working night shift in a fast food restaurant, just to survive. That led to a job in managing a fast food restaurant. On the first day he was assigned to manage his company's restaurant in Hollywood, the police attempted to arrest, and ended up shooting and killing, one of his employees for selling drugs. Further, the police were considering shutting down his restaurant as a 'public nuisance' as this was the sixth drug bust the police had made there in five months. The hero was totally unprepared to deal with this. It was only as he found his way back to his faith, and met a woman whose life story paralleled his, that the two of them were able to reestablish the grounding of their own lives. In the process, they were able to solve the crime of massive drug sales moving through the fast food restaurant.
Thomas H. Griffith and his family moved to Eagle Rock in 2001. His wife teaches in a local elementary school. They have two sons, one in high school and one in college. He has been an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church for almost 33 years.
The book is being published in hardback format by VirtuaIBookworm.com. It is available on Griffith's web site, www. thomashgriffith, can be ordered through local bookstores, or ordered on Amazon.com or on barnesandnoble.com. The hardback version (ISBN 1-58939-444-5) retails for $25.95.
 

Local Inventor Sees Solution

Gary Tamborino’s “Zip String Eyeglass Holder” keeps his glasses close at hand when working or relaxing

by Tom Topping
"I always had trouble keeping my glasses with me," said life long Eagle Rock resident Gary Tamborino. "I tried buying several cheap glasses so that I could find at least one pair when I needed 'em."
Those of us in our forties and up know that keeping that pair of reading glasses handy is a necessity. Gary thought that there must be a better way for an active person to keep those glasses close at hand. After a few tries, he came up with the "Zip String Eyeglass Holder." A device simple in concept, it clips to your shirt, with a 'Zip' string that pulls out as needed. The string stays out until you push the release button, retracting your glasses to your lapel, shirt collar or pocket.
He has been working with Advent Product Development, a company that specializes in providing services to both inventors and manufacturers. They can help the inventor determine through their market research:
- how large the market for a product is
- if the market is rapidly growing or slowly disappearing
- what is the most appropriate selling price for a product
- whether that selling price allows a profit to be made
- what type of profit margin can be realized
They also check to determine the legal rights of an inventor. For instance, has the idea already been patented? And how should the inventor protect his idea to make sure that others interested in making the product pay the inventor a royalty?
The company claims to serve the inventors and the manufacturers looking for new products. They can register at Advent and shop for possible new inventions to make and sell.
Product idea development companies like Advent are often criticized for taking advantage of inventors by making big promises and charging big fees for their services. Gary has spent $14,000 with them for the patents and the marketing work. It was a slow process, taking over 12 months with little action. "I was disappointed at first," he said, "but once it was patented they started working on the marketing- it's moving along now."
We wish you good luck Gary Tamborino, fellow Eagle Rocker, and try to remember us back in L.A. when your invention pays off.

Dudley Sawyer Thompson
age 81 of Grass Valley, CA died in Grass Valley, CA on November 23, 2003. According to his wishes, no services will be held. Dudley was born October 16, 1922 to Reuben Frank Thompson and Cornelia Elizabeth Thompson and attended Eagle Rock High School in Eagle Rock, CA as well as St. Mary's Academy. He served in the US Navy and was a WWII Veteran. Married November 5, 1945 to Marie Thompson of Colfax, CA . Dudley worked as an electrical advertising salesman, enjoyed piano playing, song and story writing, jogging and weight lifting as well as card games. Survivors include daughter Gayle Jeffrie Thompson of Grass Valley, CA 'daughter Joyce Sortland of Colfax, CA and former wife Marie Thompson of Colfax, CA, granddaughter and husband Sarah Marie and John Biebl of Truckee, CA, grandson Jon Lee Sortland of Truckee, CA, granddaughter and husband Gretchen Laura and Seth Kielas, niece and husband Andel and Leroy Kobus-Sheard of Santa Rosa, niece Lisa Baney of San Francisco, nephew and wife Chris and Carol Haben, nephew and wife Ron and Millie Morgan , niece Lynda Morgan, nephew and wife Tom and Brenda Morgan and nephew Mark Thompson. Burial was held at Fernley, Nevada, United States Veterans Cemetery.
 

When Clay Sings
February 11, 2004. 11 a.m. – 12 noon
Southwest Museum
Discover what happens in Byrd Baylor's book When Clay Sings. Search for stories in the exhibition Four Centuries of Pueblo Pottery, and make your own pottery piece to take home!
When Clay Sings is available for purchase in our store 234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065

Ken Roht's Growing wih Ghosts
April 2 through April 25, 2004, Los Angeles, CA: The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is especially pleased and honored to sponsor Ken Roht's theater-dance-arts extravaganza, Growing With Ghosts. This production will be a grand scale assemblage of professionals and community participants, in a historical setting, and utilizing various art genres. In June 2003, Mr. Roht began to work on this site-specific work, a progressive music theater piece that uses every inch of the Center and its grounds. The actual stage will be the Center itself, a restored 1915 Carnegie library, a National Historic Landmark. The piece takes place in seven different theatrical installations. As the audience walks through each, they will witness stages of human growth, from before birth to after death. Books will supply the context for each installation of this modern masque.
Ten men dressed like the original head-librarian, Mrs. Blanche A. Gardiner, will lovingly guide the audience through dioramas that depict the important stages of a person's development. Long-time collaborator, Keith Mitchell, will be the designer, overseeing many specialty artists creating this unusual landscape. John Ballinger, an accomplished composer, will create an extensive, orchestral sound collage. The brilliant literary interviewer, NPR's Bookworm, Michael Silverblatt will serve as dramaturge. Literature, theater, music, dance and the visual arts will combine to create this masterwork.
Growing With Ghosts is a walk-through show, lasting fifty-minutes. The audience for each performance will be limited to 100 people. In this way, the experience will be more personal to each audience member. The piece will be presented for one month (from April 2-25), Friday through Sunday, 7:30 pm and 9 pm.
What makes Ken Roht's work unique? The answer is simple: his work is both cutting-edge and stunningly beautiful. Theatrical productions are rarely innovative, entertaining, and broadly accessible at the same time. This combination is compelling and distinctive. Mr. Roht has a singular vision and only now is beginning to get recognition for years of dedication to his work. On December 21st, 2003, the Los Angeles Times described Mr. Roht as an anarchistic visionary whose time is now.
For additional information regarding Mr. Roht and his company, Orphean Circus, please check their website, www.orpheancircus.com. For more information on the Center for the Arts, their website is www.centerartseaglerock.org. The Center is located near the corner of Eagle Rock Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard at 2225 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90041.

music
aztec dancers
art workshop ceramics art
art vendors
February 4th- March 2nd, Los Angeles, CA:
The Eagle Rock Community Cultural Association, now doing business as The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, will present its Fifth Annual Aztec New Year Festival. Macuilli Tecpatl means Five Knife and is the name of the Aztec New Year we have entered. The Center will recognize and celebrate the ancestral roots that have determined and influenced the Latino cultures of the Los Angeles County. Therefore, the Center will open the festival on February 4th with an exhibition of Latina photographers, Olivia Barrionuevo, Sandra de la Loza, and Kathy Gallegos. On February 8th, from 1 - 4 PM, the festival will feature Aztec dancers, art vendors, a family arts workshop, and a reception for the artists. The Center will also feature ceramic artworks from the youth of the Los Angeles Theatre Works' (LATW) Arts and Children Project. This project is one of the Youth Outreach programs of LATW, and is approaching its 20th year providing arts education to at-risk and high-risk youth in Greater Los Angeles. At 6:30 pm the Center is pleased to present the music of Esteban Leon, a Mexican vocalist, singing classical and contemporary Mexican music. The festival events are free and open to the public. Donations, however, would be greatly appreciated.
Why an Aztec New Year celebration? The Aztec New Year was historically a time of great ceremony and tradition, in which the Mexicas attempted to preserve their heritage, forestalling catastrophe by appeasing the gods with rituals and sacrifices. Today the ceremonies have significantly changed, though their spiritual substance is lovingly revived. The Center would like to be part of this revival and celebration of Latino tradition.
The ERCCA 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 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. The ERCCA's federal tax identification number is 95-4689576.

Santa Cecilia Orchestra free concert
Under the baton of Music Director / Conductor Sonia Marie De Leon de Vega, Northeast Los Angeles based and nationally renowned, Santa Cecilia Orchestra will give a free concert at Occidental's Thorne Hall.
Program includes Flute & Harp Concerto by W.A. Mozart - performed by Salpy Kerkonian, flute, Andrea Puente, Harp. Violin concerto in a minor by J.S. Bach - performed by Limor Toren, violin.
When: Sunday, February 8, 2004, 4:00pm
Where: Occidental College, Thorne Hall, 1600 Campus Road, Eagle Rock. For more information call Santa Cecilia Orchestra at (323) 259-3011.

Liberation Doll Parade
Edith Abeyta
The Liberation Doll Parade was conceived as an exhibition to celebrate radical, revolutionary, anti-authoritarian individuals, rebels, movements, moments, ideas, theories, imaginations, fantasies, utopias, and more through dolls made by artists and others who do not define themselves as such. The dolls will be installed on the walls around the space at Flor Y Canto in a parade like formation. Additional props such as banners, signs, and floats can also be submitted.
Open call to all to submit dolls, stuffed figures, or action figures for the Liberation Doll Parade at Flor Y Canto, a community center in Los Angeles.
Mediums and working methods are open but dolls/ figures should be ready to hang. Some possible suggestions are contemporary or historical revolutionary figures, musicians, Zapatistas, hippies, Black Panthers, regular folk, French philosophers, artists, feminists, and so on.
Flor Y Canto was chosen as the site for the first exhibition because of its role in the community. It is a warm, comfortable, welcoming space where one can go, hang out, and be in a social setting without having to consume. It is a space where people have ideas that lead to action in attempts to make our world a more hospitable place. It is also a great place to play foosball, see films, read radical books, and get really cheap Internet access. All work must be ready to hang.
Flor Y Canto is located at 3706 N. Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA 90065. For more information or for entry form call them at (323) 276-8350.

Poetry Workshop
Beginning January 29, every Thursday at 4 p.m.. . . A poetry workshop for youth ages 14-24 will be held at Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, located at 2225 Colorado Blvd, one block west of Eagle Rock Blvd. Youth will learn how to write, polish, practice, and perform their spoken word. Nationally published performance poet and City of L.A. Artist in Residence Lisa Marie Sandoval will lead the workshops. Her poems have appeared in Blue Collar Review, Wilshire Review, Sheridan Edwards Review, among others. Currently she performs from her collection, The Yowling & Other Sounds from Highland Park. She has taught at USC, University of La Verne, and as a guest at Franklin High School. Poetry workshops will culminate in a blow-out Youth Poetry Jam on Saturday, March 27, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m., in which youth will perform their poetry in a community wide event.
Refreshments will be served. Cost is free for workshops and performance.

ERNC TO HIT THE WALLS – WITH ART
Anita Hultman, Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council District 3 director and newly elected Vice President has been working with Dr. Roger Dolin of Mural Environments Inc., to come up with ideas for what hopefully will become a series of murals in the Figueroa Corridor. The murals are to be painted using volunteer and student labor to keep the costs down, although Mural Environments Inc. will provide the artistic design and oversight at a much reduced rate.
The City will sandblast and provide mural paint and supplies. Students from Oxy will help with the labor. Prep work will be what is needed from volunteers. Due to safety concerns and the proximity to the street, only two students at a time could assist with the mural painting.
The first mural is proposed for a staircase at Buena Vista and Figueroa. The images are from photographs taken on World Tai Chee day. The final proposal will be made to the City on Saturday, February 7, 2004.