Merchants Lose Parking-
Traffic Improved? NOT!

by Tom Topping
Highland Park merchants got a big surprise on Tuesday, January 17, when they looked out their front doors to find their curbs painted red, eliminating half of the parking from the street in front of their York Boulevard businesses. On one block after another in the busy commercial area between Ave. 50 and Ave. 56, parking meters stood silent behind curbs covered with fresh, bright, red paint.
The week before, street paving crews went through their usual routine of scraping and leveling the old asphalt surface, covering it with smooth layer of new. After that, striping crews arrived to re-mark where the new street lines would be painted. It sounds simple enough, but the D.O.T. (department of transportation), in their infinite wisdom, created a firestorm of anger and hurt feelings when they eliminated up to 400 feet of street parking at every intersection, taking away about 15 to 20 parking spaces per block. They did this to install left-turn lanes in that narrow segment of York Boulevard.
On the section of York between Avenues 50 and 51, where about 35 storefront businesses are located, the number of available street parking spots was decreased from approximately 26 to 15. Store owners saw an immediate drop in business, as their patrons, used to stopping right in front for a quick stop at the liquor store, or water store, dress shop, TV shop, pawn shop, etc., found it easier to take their business elsewhere.
Phones at the field office of Councilman Huizar started ringing off the hook with the calls of merchants and business advocates asking for help. E-mails were shooting back and forth between Highland Park Chamber and D.O.T. officials.
The rumor mill was in high gear as well as a local body shop owner was falsely identified as being involved a physical altercation with city crews trying to paint the curbs red. It seems clear that shouting matches and threats of calling the police did happen, elevating the anger, tension and anti-government sentiments among over taxed and under served merchants to dangerous levels.
One employee at a local market, parking his pickup truck legally in the morning, ended up being ticketed in the afternoon, after crews were able to work around his vehicle and do their red curb-painting. One local business owner was watching as the parking enforcement woman did her dirty deed, and crossed the street to tell her she was making a bad ticket.
"It looks all red to me," she said, then added, "Well, he's parked too far away from the curb anyway."
Later the ticket was removed, apparently by a supervisor who knew that it was given improperly.
On Friday morning, the 20th, CD 14 representatives Frank Aguirre and Efren Mamaril showed up to meet the affected merchants and hear their concerns. Attending were Alberto Dorado of Dorado Water and Ice Company, Doug Brown of Highland Park Pawnbrokers, Yolanda Nogueira of Nogueira Insurance, Bob McGibbon from McGibbon's Auto Body, Vic from Don's Auto Repair, Irene from Highland Park Animal Hospital, Nanette from Pets with Fez weaving studio, Jesus Garcia from York Auto Body, the owners of the TV repair shop and the Liquor store, and the manager and assistant from the local Citibank branch.
CD14 rep. Frank Aguirre was trying to figure out what to do, but was furiously writing on a pad, did listen to everyone there, and walked the two blocks from Ave. 51 to Ave. 53, to examine the situation first hand.
The predicament is going to be a tricky one to solve. An e-mail from Martha Stephenson, traffic engineer in charge of the local area describes the need for left turn lanes, quoting 13 accidents in the last 3 1/2 year history at the intersection of York Blvd. and Ave. 51. She wrote, "Additionally, in order to ensure that there is excellent visibility for those who may cross a street at unsignalized intersections, we are required to provide red curb on the approaches to all intersections and major roadways, (50' from the extension of the curb line)."
One factor that was not accounted for is the numerous bus stops along the strip in question. Now, instead of one traffic lane being blocked by motorists waiting to turn left, the newly defined curb lane is the one to get blocked every time a bus stops there, 4 to 6 times per hour. Some merchants forecast an increase in accidents rather than a reduction due to the new configuration.
At the intersection of Ave. 53, a left turn lane was installed for eastbound traffic to turn north, but none for westbound traffic turning south, the more heavily traveled route by a factor of ten. Here, if a west bound motorist want to go to the Super A market located there, he will block the traffic lane until it is clear to turn. If a bus stops at the same location, all westbound traffic on York will come to a complete standstill.
The merchants asked for a meeting with Councilman Huizar, but were not too disappointed when later that day, their phones rang informing them of another meeting with CD14 deputies, and D.O.T. representatives. At about 4:30 pm, they gathered again in front of Dorado Water and Ice Company, to hear the city's proposition.
"We can put back the parking but we'll have to make Avenues 51, 52 and 53 no left turn," was the message from city officials.
"Great- no problem," was the reply from merchants. The parking spaces were clearly more important to them than left turn lanes.
Skeptical observers considered that the offer might be little more than a persuasion technique to elicit agreement with the original program, in which case the scheme backfired. That, or the possibility that eliminating left turns would create a back lash from local motorists, splitting the community on the issue, allowing the city to decide and do what ever it wants.
Alberto Dorado, owner of the water store, was very happy with the response he got from the council office, and was considering how best to thank and acknowledge them for their help. After the meeting, he was left with the feeling that all would be put right. Others, more experienced in dealing with city officials, knew that they had to wait and see before celebrating the victory.
Almost two weeks later, the D.O.T. has still not made the decision of what to do, and the curbs are still red. Just days after the merchants met, a crew showed up to finish the removal of the now unused parking meter poles. A quick call by Doug Brown from Highland Pawnshop to D.O.T. engineer Martha Stephenson informed him that she had forgotten to send an e-mail to the work crew who was removing the meter poles. They had not been alerted to the change of plan.
As of Wednesday, Feb. 1st, there has still been no movement one way or the other. The curbs remain red and the temporary street lines remain temporary and all the merchants between Avenue 50 and Avenue 53 remain in a kind of "Traffic Limbo." They are all waiting for a sort of divine intercession from his holiness, Councilman Huizar, or maybe the Pontiff himself, Mayor Villaraigosa.

HP Beautiful Poster Winners Honored at City Hall

After reviewing over one hundred renditions of a beautiful HP this year’s HP Beautiful poster contest, the winners were selected. Nine year old, Dianne Jamandron was the first place winner.
On January 27th she received honors at City Hall along with four other runners up. She had the city council in awe as the tiny 9-year old spoke about a beautiful Highland Park.
Councilmember Jose Huizar and Kiwanis President Heinrich Keifer greeted and thanked the winning contestants in Council Chambers and then took the winners and their parents into the pressroom for a photo shoot with the Councilmember.
The contest is sponsored by the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, Hathway-Sycamores Family Services, LA Bridges and the Kiwanis.
Councilman Huizar said, “We could all learn from these kids. They've realized at a very young age that their involvement in the community makes Highland Park a better place to live.”

Mayor Tells Local Leader: Fix Fire Dept. Failures!!!
by Tom Topping
Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles, last week sent this letter to local resident and Fire Commission President Dalila Sotelo, a former Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council President, and member of the Occidental College Board of Governors.

Office of the Mayor
City of Los Angeles
ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA
January 25, 2006

Dalila T. Sotelo, President
Board of Fire Commissioners

Dear Ms. Sotelo:
When I appointed you and your colleagues to the Los Angeles Fire Commission, it was with the mutual understanding that your charge would not be an easy one. The Commission must oversee a department that, through its line firefighters, provides heroic and exemplary service to the City every day, but whose internal structures to support firefighters are in need of careful review and modernization. The basic areas of necessary reform are not difficult to identify, but crafting more specific and detailed reform plans, and implementing those plans in the Department, are endeavors that require the strong and independent leadership that the Fire Commission provides. The City and I remain grateful to you and your colleagues for taking on this important responsibility.
As you know, the City Controller's recently-released audit of certain management practices at the Los Angeles Fire Department has shone a renewed public light on the internal structures of the Department. The City's residents are now more acutely aware of the need for reform in the Department. The audit's findings and recommendations are one more useful tool in the Fire Commission's ongoing efforts to continuously improve the internal functioning of the Fire Department. The Commission should make maximum use of this aid in continuing its reform efforts. Specifically, I believe the audit provides an appropriate and public structure to do so.
Therefore, I ask that you and your colleagues adopt a plan to address the recommendations contained in the Controller's audit in a timely fashion. The Commission should devote its meetings over the next ninety days to review the issues identified in the audit, determine whether each recommendation should be implemented, and establish appropriate benchmarks to track the Department's progress.
In short, at the end of ninety days, the Commission should present to me and to the public its plan to address each of the recommendations in the Controller's audit.
Strong and independent leadership of the Fire Department requires that we take advantage of the opportunity the Controller's audit presents to address longstanding concerns about the internal functioning of the Department. I look forward to the Fire Commission's timely effort to address this critical opportunity.
Very truly yours,
ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA
Mayor

The Audit the mayor was referring to was the most recent released by Laura Chick, Controller for the City of L.A. In it, she describes the L.A.F.D. as lacking strong leadership, and vision, creating problems in the areas of complaints, disciplinary processes, discrimination, harassment and hazing incidents
The report also tells of a lack of communication between the chief and fire fighters, a chain of command that retaliates against firefighters who make complaints, hiring recruits who have failed vital training exercises, and a disciplinary system that is inconsistent, subjective, and viewed by many firefighters as unfair.
The report acknowledges the excellent performance of the emergency response performance, but criticizes the leadership and work environment for women and minority firefighters.
In her news release she wrote, "We have a duty to provide a work environment free of harassment, free of prejudice and free of spiteful retaliation. The Department must give equal protection to all its employees regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. The Fire Commission and top management must lead the way."
Ms. Sotelo has her work cut out for her as the Mayor has called on her as Commission President to see to it that an action plan is created to address all the criticisms in the audit in 90 days.

Charles Fessler Rest in Peace

Charles Fessler, long time Eagle Rock resident and son of Bob Fessler, wholesale welding supply businessman, died late last year at Kaiser Hospital in Hollywood. He was well known for his target shooting proficiency, and gave marksmanship lessons in his spare time.
He had gone in and out of homelessness following the death of his father, but after conquering alcohol addiction, worked tirelessly as a courier, up every morning at 5am, delivering movie scripts, medications and everything in between, to the famous and powerful, as well as the ordinary. He learned the quickest routes to get back and forth to every place in the L.A. area, seldom needing use of the freeways.
"I gotta stay productive," he would often say.
He recently had sold a famous gun collection that his father had created, a set of Browning rifles of every caliber they made at the time, all engraved by master engravers, every one a work of art. The sale, rumored to be between 1 and 2 million dollars, was finalized just months before his death.
His ship had finally come in, and he was set for the rest of his life, only to have it cut short by chronic medical problems, left over from years of alcoholism. He is survived by his brother, Douglas Fessler, along with his nieces and nephews.

Philip R. Spurgeon
1920-2006
Phil Spurgeon, a life long Eagle Rock resident died on January 14, 2006. He came to Eagle Rock with his family from Pocatello, Idaho when he was just a baby and lived here ever since.
He was a graduate of Eagle Rock High School, summer class of '39, and went right to work at Lockheed Aircraft, where he eventually settled into a job at the famous "Skunkworks," where the newest and most secret aircraft were designed and built like the supersonic SR-71, the U-2 spy plane and where stealth anti-radar technology was refined and perfected.
He was a widower, previously married to his wife, Hazel, for 49 years. A staunch supporter of the Eagle Rock Historical Society and the Eagle Rock Alumni Association, he used his skills on the computer to create flyers, newsletters and brochures to assist these groups in any way necessary.
He is survived by his son Mike, and his brother and sister-in-law Dean and Lucy Spurgeon, who are still both active Eagle Rock community members.
Services were held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on January 21, 2006. He was well thought of by all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.

Parking Plan Progresses
Businesses May Soon be Opening Under New Credit System
by Tom Topping
A new Eagle Rock parking plan is in progress and may soon be enacted. The plan, an out growth of the "Downtown Directions" effort, now known as revitalization group ERCPR (Eagle Rock Community Preservation and Revitalization), will help new businesses open up by providing them an alternative way to meet city parking requirements, a key condition they must meet before they are permitted to open.
The plan, started with the help of a state grant made possible through then assembly person Jack Scott's office, completed its first phase last summer, when city Department of Transportation workers surveyed the usuage of every available parking space, for every hour of the day and night in the Colorado Blvd. commercial corridor.
Now, they are hammering out the language of an ordinance, the first of its kind in the country, where credits will be logged for available parking, and sold to businesses needing parking in order to open.
In Old Town Pasadena, a similar system was developed, where large parking structures were first built, then businesses wishing to open could purchase the spaces. Here in Eagle Rock, no more parking will be created, but credits representing the available spaces identified in the survey will be sold in a similar fashion.
The idea so far, does come with a safety valve, as once the credits of available spaces are sold, then that's it. Once they're gone, unless more parking is created in the area, no more credits can be sold.
Parking can only be added, so far, in two ways. If more lots are purchased, or publicly owned parking structures built, then that will add to the parking credit bank so more can be sold. Also, if a private valet parking service contracts with the city, and is able to negotiate a deal with private lot owners to use their spaces, then those parking credits will become available for purchase by newly opening businesses.
The system is supposed to only sell parking credits if the actual spaces are not too far away, whether they are public or private.
The program, if enacted, will be under close scrutiny by people and politicians from all over the city, who are looking for an answer to the same dilemma in their districts.

Ready for Your Big Break?
Get Trained by Patsy Metzger!
by Tom Topping
Last month, another Eagle Rock store front was occupied by an artsy and fun business tenant. Patsy Metzger is the newest proprietor within the "super block" section of Eagle Rock Boulevard, adjacent to Colorado. At this location, she will be training some of the newest up and coming stars in the arts of dancing and singing. While that address is new for Patsy, she is no stranger to the community or the people of Eagle Rock.
Starting out in Kansas, she was only four years old herself when she started taking dance lessons. She and her sister would perform, and with a variety of tap dancing and tumbling moves, danced their way into the local's hearts.
They got a break when Patsy was 12, as the "Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour" TV show came to their neck of the woods. Patsy and her sister rode for hours on a Greyhound bus to make the auditions, and soon found themselves on national TV.
Years later Patsy got a taste of Musical Theater, and decided that was what she really liked. Soon she was a regular in Topeka, Kansas' "Warehouse by the River" theater. She performed in the shows and started choreographing them as well.
After a short time, she had two daughters and decided to start her own studio teaching kids the skills of ballet, tap, and jazz dancing.
Then Patsy had a little boy. She named him Rowdy. With his talent and mother Patsy's training, he shone brighter than the brightest star there. As he grew, he went as far as he could in the midwest. A talent scout saw him dance one day and told Patsy, "He's too talented for the midwest, he should be on the East Coast or the West Coast."
And so it was. Patsy picked up roots and came to California. Rowdy started working immediately, and Patsy got work as a choreographer. To provide some stability, she also needed something a little more steady. She opened the telephone book, saw the "Fine Arts Academy" in Eagle Rock, and called the number.
Long time northeast residents will remember the name "Fine Arts Academy" and know that it is synonymous with the Duffy family name and the matron of the Duffy family, Eleanor.
Patsy was looking for a dance instructor job, but Eleanor was looking for a manager for the academy, and soon Patsy was running the place. That was in 1980.
The roots run long and deep between Eagle Rock and Patsy Metzger. The next Christmas, she was the one preparing the young students from the Academy to perform for the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce's "Children's Old Fashioned Christmas." That tradition continues to this day as the "Patsy Metzger Dancers" have been the headline act for years.
After 8 years with Eleanor Duffy, Patsy had an opportunity to start her own school, and started renting space at the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in North Hollywood. Well, all her Eagle Rock students loved her so much that they followed her to her new location.
Meanwhile, her son Rowdy's career was taking off, he was always working in movies and performing ballet professionally. Patsy was working hard as well, working as choreographer of the "Blossom" show, Kid's Incorporated, and staged dance numbers for numerous TV shows and events all over the south land.
"The mistake I made was leaving Eagle Rock," said Patsy in an interview. She credits Eleanor Duffy for all her success. I should have stayed in Eagle Rock and done North Hollywood both."
"Now that I'm older and my son is married and lives in the area, it was time to come back," she added.
The new location, right next to Armon's Coffee Shop, will be where the next generation of local stars get their start. Son Rowdy will be teaching ballet, Patsy will teach tap, jazz and swing dancing. Donna, who teaches beginning Tap and Jazz has been with Patsy for 12 years. She also has various Hip-Hop dance teachers to fill in her faculty.
Patsy wants to make special note of the voice teacher, Mark Anton, who has performed with Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Julie Andrews, the Lawrence Welk stars, and sang with the Big Bands of Les Brown , Harry James, Billy May and Jimmy Dorsey to name but a few.
Also, Yoga classes will be offered with Olivia Rosewood, a lady who is an actress, dancer, yoga instructor and author of Yoga book, "Happy Yoga."
All in all, Patsy's life has come full circle, back to the place she can call home. She marvels at the fact that she is now teaching a second generation, mothers and daughters both her students.
Can Patsy and her team provide the training that a future star needs? Here is a partial list of some of her former students, now stars:

Tia & Tamara Sister Sister
Tahj Mowry Smart Guy
Mayim Bialik Blossom
Barry Williams Brady Bunch
Tatyana Ali Fresh Prince
Alexa Vega Spy Kids

49 Students Installed
St. Ignatius/
Kiwanis Builders Club
by Stan Moore
In November of 2004 a teacher at St. Ignatius, Betsy Savant, and two parents, Barbara Ramsden and Sonia Ledesma, formed with the Highland Park Kiwanis Club a Builders Club at St. Ignatius. The Kiwanis Club had already formed a Builders Club at Luther Burbank Intermediate School under the direction of Suzette Torres, a Dean at Luther Burbank, and Richard Ledesma, an member of the Kiwanis Club and an employee of the Hathaway Family Resource Center.
Kiwanis's motto is "Serving the Children of the World." The local chapter in Highland Park has only 18 members, but what it lacks in numbers it makes up for in enthusiasm. Mr. Heinrich Keifer, owner of Northwestern Plumbing Company in Highland Park, is the president of the local club. Builders Clubs serve sixth through eighth grades; Key Clubs serve high schools, and there is a Key Club at Franklin High School. These Clubs attempt to develop leadership skills in the participants, to help the students gain an appreciation for democracy by electing their own leaders and choosing their own projects, money making projects, etc., and, to develop a desire on the part of the students for service to their community and to the world.
Last year the St. Ignatius Builders Club had 35 members and got started in early November. During the days before Christmas they created gifts for the people living at two living facilities, including Amberwood on York opposite Carrows' Restaurant. They then sang at the two homes. Then after Christmas occurred the tragedy of the TSUNAMI in Indonesia and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. When the students got back from Christmas vacation at their very first meeting of 2005 they decided that they had to help. Over the next two weeks, selling food after school, a bake sale, a car wash, they raised over $575 dollars. So, at the second meeting in January, 2005, they voted to send $500 to World Vision (out of five possible groups to help) because it was focused primarily on helping the child victims of the tsunami. They chose their work projects and they chose, by themselves, democratically by a vote, where the money was to go. Dr. Moore, their Kiwanis advisor, was very proud of their caring concern for the children of Indonesia.
This year the Builders Club has grown to 49 students, and Thursday evening, January 26, members of the Highland Park Kiwanis Club joined with the 49 students and their parents, and the three adult advisors of the St. Ignatius Builders Club in a festive potluck dinner and installation. The evening began with four young ladies leading all of those present in singing that national anthem and saying the Lord's Prayer. The three advisors and Dr. Stanley Moore welcomed all those present and some special guests were introduced. After dinner Heinrich Keifer, president of the Kiwanis Club, spoke and lead the ceremony installing both officers and members of the Club. The new president is Stephanie Ramsden, while the vice president is Gladys Sanchez, Alyssa Avila is Secretary, and Liliana Alvarez is the elected treasurer. Aurora Aguirre is the 6th. Grade representative, while Nerisse Tolentino is the 7th. Grade rep and Patty Medina is the 8th Grade representative. Olivia LaFarge is the elected Sergeant At Arms.
The evening ended with an inspirational talk by Sister Georgette, O.P., the principal of St. Ignatius. St. Ignatius is indeed fortunate to have adult advisors as competent as Betsy Savant, who teaches kindergarten at St. Ignatius, and Barbara Ramsden and Sonia Ledesma. The next project of the Club is "Special K Day," Saturday March 11, when the local Kiwanis Club, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, and, hopefully, other local organizations, along with Ed Reyes, and Jose Huizar, City Councilmembers of the 1st. and 14th. CCDistricts, do a work project at the Arroyo Seco Library and the Senior Citizen Center on north Figueroa near York. ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE INVITED TO COME OUT AND HELP BEAUTIFY THE LIBRARY AND THE SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER.

Concrete Originals

by Tom Topping
Within Jeremy Hapner beats the heart of an artist. Not only does he look like one, he can back it up with a vast portfolio of his works all over the city. No, he isn't a sculptor or painter or muralist. He stains concrete.
"I just finished a floor in Ontario at somebody's house," he says. "It looks gorgeous- It's like a sunset orange pattern with olive browns- people are just going toward this- other than marble & terrazzo floors- 'cause it's cheaper and it looks just like it."
A native of New York (don't hold it against me, he asks), Jeremy came to L.A. to pursue a career in Hollywood. "It was getting harder to sell," said writer and producer Jeremy, about the film and television industry, so he started helping his wife, working together doing some concrete staining.
"I just started pitchin'- pitched Swork, and just kept on going down the line. Coffee Table, Dante's, Spitz. Jeremy's enthusiasm is infectious as he shows the inside of his store front, soon to be his showroom. "Over there it's like baking- when you apply it to concrete, and you do the right thing- what you're doing is letting the stain react to the lime stone and calcium- and it just reacts and bakes into that- and them it just comes up a completely different color, it's fabulous man!"
Jeremy has made a good business out of staining that concrete, and as Eagle Rock is in the accelerated throes of its revitalization, the success of Hapner and his Stained Concrete Originals business has benefited by it, and contributed to it as well.
The benefits of staining concrete over the other types of floor finishing or coloring are mostly low maintenance. "Since it gets into the life of the concrete it stays there- when it's sealed up properly- even pet stains wipe right up," says Jeremy.
"Once it's laid down you never have to worry about it- people can walk on it, dance on it- they can move chairs around, it's not gonna scratch it," he brags. "You never have to worry about the floor being ruined."
He recently rented one of the historic store fronts on Eagle Rock Boulevard, and is in the process of transforming that space into a showroom and retail outlet for his stains and his services. He plans to further beautify the exterior by removing the iron bars from the windows, installing an awning, and repainting the trim. "We're gonna make this inviting for people who live in this area," he said.
I watched as he and his helper worked on the floors, Jeremy applying the stains, and his helper applying the industrial grade sealer.
"Why did you choose Eagle Rock as your place to live," I asked.
"We found Eagle Rock was comfortable- friendly people, and only a few miles away from everything."
If you are interested in the art or the practicality of stained concrete floors for the inside or outside your home or business, just stop by the Coffee Table, Swork or check out Jeremy's new showroom on Eagle Rock Boulevard. I think you'll find that what he does with concrete is something you'll really like.

HHPNC Installs 06-07 Board;
Former Members Saluted
Former 14th District Councilmember Nick Pacheco installed the 2006-2007 Officers and Directors of the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council January 5 at the Franklin High School Student Cafeteria.
Installed for the 2006-07 term of office were President Heinrich Keifer, 1st Vice President Dr. Richard Dyke, 2nd Vice President Linda Phelps, Secretary Tina Zabala, and Treasurer Sonia Sanchez.
Pacheco also installed the following Committee Chairs: Public Health & Safety Gloria Demeter; City Services & Transportation Dr. Stan Moore; Land Use Sam Mistrano; Outreach & Communications Edward Rivera; Economic Development Manny Lazado; Arts, Culture & Architecture Carmen Tornero; Housing Enma Espinoza; Human Relations, Education & Youth Development Rose Cortez
The new HHPNC at large directors are Nancy Wyatt, Ofelia Zuniga, Jesse Rosas, William E. Schenewerk, Miriam Escobar, Vanessa Ruiz and Mauro Garcia
President Heinrich Keifer outlined the four main goals for the Neighborhood Council as, "Organizing the neighborhood, holding elected officials accountable, improving city services and taking the political action necessary to steer the decisions made by our elected officials to help meet the needs of our community."
Keifer also said that he hopes to achieve those goals through education, planning and action, adding, "We can achieve great things to improve our quality of life and become the envy of every neighborhood council. Lets make it our goal to be the best in all that we do."
All of the 2004-05 Board members were provided with a signed Certificate of Appreciation from First District Councilmember Ed Reyes. Staff members from the 14th Council District and the Mayor's office also passed along their best wishes.
Former President Manny Hernandez officiated the distribution of certificates and was also awarded a framed picture of now Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa and himself taken at his installation two years ago. Hernandez thanked the assemblage for their support over the last two years during an illness, and wished the new board must success in the new term.
The council meets on the first and third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., at the Franklin High School Student Cafeteria. The public is encouraged to attend. Food and refreshments are provided, along with Spanish translation. Interested residents may visit the HHPNC website at www.historichighlandpark.org or call 323-258-7920 for more information.

The Rhythm Project at
Rock Rose
by Jonnie Summers
If a parent were to say to me, "Why would I want my kid to bang on drums with his hands? It sounds so primitive!" I would respond, "Do you want your child to have the ability to focus, listen, share, cooperate, contribute, and inter-act with others? Do you want your child to be self- expressive through his or her own creativity? Wouldn't you be comforted knowing that your child can relieve stress without hurting himself, or herself, or others?"
Educators and wellness groups are finding all of the above to be true for participants of drum circles.
What we are offering every Sunday, from 12:30 to 1:30, at the Rock Rose Gallery and Performing Arts Studio, is free instruction to students, ages 10 to 16. They will become familiar with African and Cuban rhythms by clapping hands and playing on drums, cowbells, and sticks.
Mr. Blue, the instructor, an enjoyable yet firm artist and teacher from New York is making this happen. Although there is no charge for the children, a donation is appreciated from the adults involved.
Rock Rose Gallery, 4108 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, 90042, 323-223-4740

Eagle Vista Seniors
February 7 begins another busy for the Eagle Vista Seniors with Board meeting at 9:00 am, business meeting at 10:00 am, and birthday cake for all the February babies.
February 14 (Tues.) Valentines day, of course, and the seniors will enjoy a Valentine's luncheon catered by Dinah's. Lou Agrati and his accordion will entertain. Please bring a signed Valentine to exchange with another member. Cost for the luncheon will be announced later. Stay Tuned.
February 21 (Tues.) The speaker will be Elena Morales, from Glendale Memorial Hospital, whose subject will be "Activity and Exercise Programs" available to seniors there.
February 28 (Tues.) B I N G O! Lou Agrati, caller.
NOTE: The Glassell trip on Thursday, March 23, 2006 to the Pechanga Casino costs $15. We leave at 8:00 am and return at 5:00 pm. Please make reservations with Ann Wheeler or Phyllis Mejia.

 

El Pueblo Docent Training
Starts Feb. 7
New docent training classes for walking tours of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, the city's birthplace in downtown Los Angeles which includes world-famous Olvera Street, will be held for eight consecutive Tuesdays Feb. 7, 2006 to March 28, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The classes will be held at the office of Las Angelitas del Pueblo, located on the Plaza of El Pueblo, next to the old Firehouse, directly across the street from Union Station.
Las Angelitas del Pueblo is the volunteer organization serving the 44-acre historic section of Los Angeles for the past 40 years. Las Angelitas is comprised of 70 men and women from throughout the Southland who share a knowledge and commitment to the history of the City of Angels.
"Volunteer docents will learn about the historical roots of our great city, how it developed from before the first Spanish expedition to the present day in addition to how to give a great tour," said Las Angelitas president Frank Damon, who also leads the training sessions.
Docent training includes lectures by El Pueblo's curators and other expert speakers on the history of Los Angeles, powerpoint slide presentations, a how-to on giving a tour and visits to the historic buildings and sites around El Pueblo.
Once the training is completed, a docent's commitment to Las Angelitas de Pueblo is to give two weekly morning tours a month or one Saturday morning tour a month. The 50-minute tours are given at the top of the hour from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Saturdays.
Las Angelitas del Pueblo, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2006, is the oldest walking tour organization in Los Angeles. "Our purpose since the beginning has been to provide educational and historically accurate walking tours of El Pueblo," said Damon. More than 12,000 students, local residents and tourists are given free guided tours every year that showcase 27 historic buildings, five museums, Olvera Street and La Plaza, heart of the city's birthplace.
For more information, including the class agenda, and to sign up for the Las Angelitas docent training classes, contact Jeanne Conklin at (310) 398-0269 or log onto www.lasangelitas.org and click on "Be A Docent."

Get Yer Ya-Yas!
From January 15th through February 14th, Carlotta's Passion Fine Art invites you to "Get Yer Ya-Yas Out!," an erotic art exhibit by and for people of all sexual orientations.
The exhibit begins with an opening reception on Sunday, January 15th, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
This adults-only exhibit features a rich blend of the high and low brow art worlds. The artwork includes paintings, mixed media, drawings, etchings, photography, and limited edition lithographs by Alfredo de Batuc, Joe Bravo, Mario Calvano, Steven Corry, Carlos Flores, Roger Fojas, Diane Gamboa, Margaret Garcia, Emilie Harvey-Zeug, Tom Hernandez, Radhika Hersey, Jose L. de Juan, Christine Karas, Stacy Lande, Fei Lu, Gilbert "Magu" Lujan, Louie Metz, Terry McGinnis, Minoru, Roberto Munguia, Angela Ortiz, Gregory Prescott, Ramon Ramirez, John Rand, Hector Silva, Scott Spencer, Janna Stern, Francisco Toledo, Roland Topor, Jacobo Walker, and P. Williams.
These artists hold top-tier status in the erotic art world and in other genres. Widely regarded as Mexico's greatest living artist, Francisco Toledo unites humans and animals as one with nature. Toledo is playful and has a penchant for emphasizing the sexual anatomy of his creations.
While Alfredo de Batuc's artwork explores many frontiers, his pieces are often informed by profound spiritual and sexual energies. Ramon Ramirez offers provoking complementary works that question the nature of American sexual mores and eroticism.
Stacy Lande has an international following for her darkly sensual, Expressionistic portraits that capture the larger-than-life presence of Los Angeles nightlife performers of all genders.
Steven Corry, Jose L. de Juan, and Hector Silva are prize winners in the highly competitive international Tom of Finland Foundation art competition; their imagery is the source of arousal for many a gay man throughout the world.
If a Felliniesque interpretation of Botticelli appeals to you, then you will appreciate the work of Mario Calvano! Magu, an esteemed member of the legendary Chicano art group "Los Four" will offer a new, humorous erotic work. Margaret Garcia and Diane Gamboa, both at the peak of the Chicano/a art mountain, present brilliantly executed works, each in their own much-celebrated styles.
Ever evolving genius Ray Cirino offers fine functional sex art, including his handmade "One Night Stand" night tables. Costumer designer Paul Hersey makes great complementary contributions to the functional erotic fun!
Carlotta's Passion carries artwork by Latin American and Chicana/o masters on a permament basis. In fact, we carry six centuries of art, four centuries of antiques, and much more...at reasonable prices. Ours is an impressive (if we do say so ourselves) destination.
Carlotta's Passion Fine Art
2012 Colorado Blvd. (the cross street is Maywood)
Los Angeles (Eagle Rock), CA 90041
Telephone: 323.259.1563
Email: rs@carlottaspassion.com
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 12:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: All events at Carlotta's Passion are free of charge unless otherwise specified. Carlotta's Passion is a fine art gallery. They do not offer interior design services. They are not a museum.
For more information or to be added to the mailing list, please call 323.259.1563 or email rs@carlottaspassion.com

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Edna Butler Shelton - 1914-2006

Edna Butler Shelton was born on November 18th, 1914 to Minnie and John Butler on a farm just outside of Eldon, Missouri. Edna had one brother, Bud. When they weren't in school, Edna and Bud helped on the farm where Dad raised hogs and dairy cattle. Dad took Edna and Bud in a horse and buggy to school which was located about six miles away from their home in Eldon.
Edna met her sweetheart when she was in her early twenties and married Clifford Shelton against her parent's better judgment. Edna's mother felt that Clifford was too "worldly" for her daughter but didn't protest on their wedding day. For entertainment, Clifford took Edna to a couple of different "Roadhouses" between Eldon and The Lake of the Ozarks. There, they drank bootleg beer, danced and carried on into the wee hours of the morning; after all, there was no 2:00 a.m. curfew back then!
Edna and Clifford moved to California during the war. Clifford worked for Southern Pacific Railroad and Edna took a job at Douglas Aircraft as a riveter on planes being produced for our military. She began studying for her teaching credential at Cal State Los Angeles and took her first teaching job in the inner city where she developed a deep compassion for the underprivileged.
Edna and Clifford moved to Eagle Rock in the early 50's and bought a house on Hartwick Street that they paid a whopping $16,000 for! Edna transferred to Dahlia Heights Elementary School in Eagle Rock where she taught for more than 30 years, Kindergarten through 2nd grade. She was also known as the school dentist because if a student had a loose tooth the other teachers would send them down to Room 2 for Edna to pull it out for them. She was trusted and loved enough by all that she could calm even the most panicked child. Her teaching peers and past students report, that Edna was a nurturing and affectionate teacher, who retained control over her classroom. She was an excellent source of information, as she always knew what was going on at the school.
In later years, Clifford eventually moved back home to tend to the farm and Edna retired to become the busiest retiree on earth. She took on enormous tasks as a proactive member of many clubs, societies, guilds and philanthropic organizations with the Women's Twentieth Century Club as her personal favorite. Edna felt a deep sense of belonging and responsibility to its very existence and was a dedicated member having served as President (1987-1991, 1993-1995 and 2001-2003) for many years. When membership was waning in 2001, Edna reached out to the women in our community and this was the beginning of the Club's renewal. Edna set a great example for other members with her involvement, generosity and commitment to Women's Club projects and philanthropies. Her vitality was contagious and she will be dearly missed by the members. As well, Edna was very involved with the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce. She was a Director for many years and has maintained her support and presence by helping at the Chamber's monthly mixer. Edna always had a place in her heart for animals. She contributed to many organizations that catered to their care and protection.
Edna became ill this past December and departed this earth on January 4th, 2006. She is survived and will be tremendously missed by all who loved her and her feisty personality, driven by her unbelievable vitality that carried her through to the end. The world has lost an amazing women who will never be forgotten and whose spirit will live on forever.

Mt. Washington Meeting Updates Red Flag Foulups

by Tom Topping
At a public meeting held January 11, 2006, at the Carlin G. Smith recreation center in Mt. Washington, about 50 northeast residents showed up to discuss problems with the City's new Red Flag parking restrictions. Complaints ranged from lack of outreach and an insufficient red flag day notification system, to charges of "big brother-ism" and a malevolent, authoritarian attitude on the part of the L.A. City Fire Department.
Fire Department officials as well as Council District 14 representatives were there to sell their plan and create solutions for the program's problems. Chief Craig Fry wasted no time before using the propaganda ploy of fear to dissuade angry residents and persuade the undecided. He again used the talking points of "public safety" and the graphic descriptions of last year's fire evacuees near San Diego, burned to death in their cars as narrow roads became blocked, to elicit compliance from those who would listen.
The fear factor quickly turned to guilt, as Fry pulled out all the stops. "How would you feel if it was your parked car that led to 15 people dying?" he asked. The mostly sophisticated Mt. Washington crowd, however, did not swallow the blatant attempt at textbook propaganda. There were, however, some positive aspects.
Some new ideas came out during the meeting to address the complaints of how residents would be notified about when a day is declared to have "Red Flag" status. Using relatively high tech methods such as e-mail and text messaging to cell phones, people living in the red flag zones would have more methods of being notified. Another idea was to hoist the red flags at the local metro station, schools and recreation centers, to minimize the possibility of someone missing the red flag message, which could lead to their car being towed away and impounded.
Chief Fry also reminded that some red flag streets have been completely or partially removed from the program, acknowledging that errors have been made. He and CD14 deputy Alvin Parra promised to personally work with residents who believe that their street was flagged in error. Chief Fry said he has gotten an avalanche of calls to his 213 485 6275 city number and instead advised those needing to contact him to use his e-mail: caf2761@lafd.lacity.org. The number for the Mt. Washington CD14 deputy is 323 254 5295.
In a related story, residents living in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles came out to see tickets on all their cars on the city's first red-flag warning day since the programs inception. They were never notified at all of the program and were completely caught by surprise.
Apparently no autos were ticketed or towed within CD14 on that Monday, January 23, when the red flag warning was first called.
House Party Ends in Shooting
Just a few months after the Halloween party tragedy on Loleta Ave, another out-of-control house party had ended with a shooting.
On Sunday morning January 30, at about 1 AM there were shots fired during a house party at a house on Phillips Way near Ave. 52. The result is 2 people dead. What happened was the daughter living there was turning 18 and her folks agreed to allow her to have a party and invite some friends over. One person told another and so forth until it turned out there were people showing up that they did not even know. Instead of doing the right thing and turning unknown kids away, they just let the party progress and get out of control.
Highland Park Senior Lead Officer Mark Allen said it was not racially motivated. Some kids got into a fight and the fight turned into a gun battle. Suspects have not been arrested. He said this is perfect example of parents letting parties get too large and out of control. .
 

Temple Beth Renovation
On February 26, starting at 9:00 a.m., Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock will holding another in its series of plantings to improve its front garden. The temple commenced its renovation project in November 2004, with a decision to replace its unmaintained lawn with drought-resistant and native plants. The congregation will be joined by the Coaltion on the Environment and Jewish Life of Southern California (CoejlSC), a Jewish environmental and ecology group. A sale of native plants, with instructions on sustainable gardening, will be part of the event. You can talk to experts and find out how to use California native plants to reduce your garden's requirements for irrigation, lawn mowing, and pruning while increasing the wildlife such as birds and butterflies.
The renovation project has been undertaken under the direction of temple member Jerry Schneider, who has a long-time interest in sustainable landscaping and sits on the board of the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants. Extensive new plantings and a new mulch path have resulted in a two-thirds reduction of the lawn and a corresponding reduction in water use, maintenance, and expense. Today the garden, planted mostly with drought-tolerant California native plants and succulents, provides new visual and sensory experiences with yearlong color of foliage and blooms. Flowers with colors ranging from the cool blue of wild lilac to the yellow-orange of monkey flowers and white (later brown) buckwheat attract myriad birds, bees, and butterflies. These beautiful new plantings are a way for the temple to give back to the community.
Another distinctive feature of the new landscaping is a spiritual pathway, a metaphor for the journey of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt to the Land of Israel, as recounted in the book of Exodus. Gray rush, a California low-water native reed, represents the bulrushes of Egypt. The succulent garden and drought-tolerant natives provide the desert experience of the Exodus. Finally, new olive and pomegranate trees and an existing orange tree represent the bounty of the Promised Land and the end of the journey at the temple's side-yard patio.
The planting day is scheduled to coincide with Jewish festival of Tu B'Shevat. Tu B'Shevat is known as the New Year of the trees. It celebrates the new growth of plants and trees in springtime in Israel, and often involves community planting projects.
Temple Beth Israel is located at 5711 Monte Vista Street. Call (323) 255-5416 or consult the website at www.tbila.org or send e-mail to tbi@tbila.org for more information.

Albertsons to be "Superior"
The new store that will occupy Albertsons will open next month. They will be an upgraded and fancier Food for Less type of store. They will have an in-house bakery and, I believe, the general thought is that it will be remodeled, improved and cleaner inside. The new owners have appeared before HPOZ for a review of their plans for the facade.
They are to return with finalized plans next meeting. The recommendation of the board is that they maintain the 50's style building front, for those fronts are prized by modernists and are disappearing. The store will be a "Superior" store.

HP Students Get Chance to go on Sacramento Trip
by Stan Moore
For the past two years the HHPNC, cooperating with Franklin High School, has sent first eight students to Sacramento and last year nine students. The Sacramento Legislative Seminar is sponsored by The California Center for Education in Public Affairs, Inc., (CCEPA) consists of 18 colleges and universities whose students annually spend three days in Sacramento. For 20 years the president of the organization was Dr. Stanley W. Moore, Professor of Political Science at Pepperdine University, and now a member of the HHPNC since 2002. The CCEPA's Board is permitting Dr. Moore to bring 8 or 9 students from Franklin High School to the annual Seminar. This year the dates are February 26 to 28 (Sunday to Tuesday).
The students must write a 500 word essay on "How I Would Improve Highland Park," and submit it to either Ms. Monica Whalen, who teaches AP American Government at Franklin, or to Dr. Moore (323) 256-1024. The deadline for submitting the essays is Wednesday, February 15. The HHPNC will pay for all but about $30 for the students to attend—paying for the rooms at the Holiday Inn Express, the ride up and back, the cost of the Seminar and the cost for attending the Monday night reception in the Capitol on Monday evening, Feb. 26. The students will pay for their food up and back on the 15 passenger van, and for their dinner Sunday night and their two lunches on Monday and Tuesday. Last year the HHPNC allocated almost $1,400 for the trip, because the HHPNC wants the young people of Highland Park to gain confidence, leadership skills and an interest in civic involvement and believes they the Sacramento Legislative Seminar will give them a vision of possibilities for their educational and occupational futures.
The Sacramento Legislative Seminar consists of a Sunday evening Staff panel chaired by Dr. Tim Hodson of California State University, Sacramento, and a Lobbyist Panel at 9 a.m. Monday morning, followed by a panel at 10:30 on "Politics 2006, chaired by Fernando Guerra of Loyola-Marymount University, himself a graduate of Franklin High School. Lunch will be with Dr. Moore's Pepperdine students as they talk with and listen to Dr. Jonathan Brown, president of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), who has spent almost 30 years lobbying Sacramento for the 72 independent, private colleges and universities of California. Between 2 and 4 p.m. the students will explore the Capitol and meet with Assemblywoman Carol Liu, whose Assembly District takes in part of Highland Park.
Monday evening the CCEPA hosts a reception for the elected representatives of the Senate and Assembly, staff members of the Legislature and Lobbyists and Executive branch representatives in the rotunda area of the Capitol. The day ends with a Press Panel between 7:30 and 9 p.m. chaired by a professor from San Francisco State University.
Tuesday morning from 9 to noon is devoted to Legislative and Executive leaders, led by Prof. Joseph Cerrell of Cerrell Associates and Pepperdine University. Last year the students heard and asked questions of Senator Don Perata, President Pro Tem of the Senate, from Steve Westley, Secretary of State and candidate for Governor this year, and Bill Lockyer, Attorney General of California and candidate for Lt. Governor of the State of California this year. There are usually six leaders who speak on Tuesday morning to the students.
After lunch on Tuesday in the Capitol with two of Dr. Moore's former students who are now members of the Democratic and Republican staff in the Capitol, the van will return to Franklin High School, arriving about 9:15 p.m. Ms. Monica Whalen and Ms. Carmela Gomes, a retired teacher and former member for 5 years of the HHPNC, will chaperone the students, along with Dr. Moore. The latter will drive the students up and back as he has for the past two years.
So, parents encourage your high school children to write a 500 word essay on "How I Would Improve Highland Park" and submit it by February 15 to either Ms. Whalen at Franklin or Dr. Moore. The first year a Hathaway-Sycamores' Child and Family Center participant wrote an essay and went to Sacramento. Students do not have to attend Franklin High School, but they must live in Highland Park. SO WRITE AND ESSAY FOR A CHANCE TO ATTEND THE SACRAMENTO LEGISLATIVE SEMINAR.

Cruisin'
with Mary

Hello again, Eagle Rock. For those who thought I was gone, Surprise! I'm back after a one month break, and have plenty to write about. The Eagle Rockin' Rodders held our January Cruise In at Auto Zone on Eagle Rock Bl. since Oinkster is now undergoing serious remodeling. We hope to be back there to celebrate the grand reopening in a few months. In the meantime, Auto Zone is our new temporary home. They graciously agreed to let us hold our cruise-in in the parking lot after we were turned down by several burger and pizza fast food venues on Colorado and Eagle Rock Blvds. I don't have a problem naming names, but I do have a problem giving out free publicity to business owners and managers whose reasons range from lame and stupid to down-right rude.
So, no freebies here...
As the car club that "gives back to the community", we expected a little more respect and consideration, but I guess an extra $700 in revenue on a Saturday night in Eagle Rock is pocket change to some of these places. Needless to say, I won't be buying my burgers or pizza there in the future... Furthermore, who wants to eat stale food at a place with a "B' rating. By the way, you know who you are.
We had about 25 hot rods and custom cars to welcome in 2006 and our new E-board: Kirk Munday, Tom Amrhein, Amy Peters, Anita Gonzales and Louie DeLaRosa. It was kind of nice to have a choice of dinners and places to eat in the nearby shopping center and we were able to kick-start our charity money this year with our usual raffle. Great prizes were again donated by Tritch Hardware, One Stop Tires, Verdugo Hardware, Sir Michael's, and of course, Auto Zone.
My Pick of the Month isn't a car at all this time- its a small motorcycle otherwise known as a mini-chopper. This is a replica of the famous "Black Widow" chopper. The mini-cruiser sports a 110 cc 4-stroke engine and a 4-speed trans. The red jewel-like body features spider web fenders, tank cover and foot pegs. Although it's much lower to the ground than a full size chopper, it is almost as long as the real thing! I can hardly wait to learn how to ride it, and hopefully won't fall off and break my typing hand.....
Sincere Thanks again to the folks at Auto Zone, and don't forget to patronize our sponsors, and spend money in Eagle Rock. Until next month, keep on rocking!

Taylor Yard
High School
Last week the Board of Ed voted to approve the EIR and staff and community driven plan - supported by ASNC, Glassell Park and Greater Cypress Park NCs - for a high school @ Taylor Yards Parcel F over the counter proposal "scheme" of the landowner - following an acrimonious food fight and some very heavy and heavy-handed power politics.
The current owner is now asking $69 million for a parcel he bought out from under LAUSD (and our children) last year for $30 in what on the face of it looks to be a blatant arbitrage -- apparently leveraging political connections, deep pockets and greed against the public good. In a parting shot last night he warned that in a similar action against the MTA over a "disputed parcel" litigation has dragged for years. This is not the last act.

Oinkster Opening
Slated for
Mid-March
by Tom Topping
Local food lovers will soon have a new place to try as remodeling construction of the "Oinkster" is progressing steadily at the former location of Jim's Burgers. Although rumored to be another BBQ place to cash in on Dante's clientele, owner André Guerrero says that is not true, and provided an early copy of his menu to prove it.
The fare will consist of a variety of sandwiches, with burgers and house cured pastrami, as well as a BBQ'd pulled pork sandwich, the only BBQ item on the menu.
Rotisserie chicken, and salads will fill out the offerings, with many serving sizes, varieties and different choices of side dishes and desserts. He reminds that even the condiments will be made in-house, with the chipotle ketchup and the dijon-horseradish mayonnaise being notable favorites.
André Guerrero, who also has Señor Fred, and Max Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, is an award winning chef known for upper rung food and atmosphere at his establishments.
Local car club members will be happy to hear his pledge to continue to allow his place be used for the Eagle Rockin' Rodders last Saturday of the month Cruise-in.