The Candidates Speak.

CD 14 Election March 6

by Tom Topping

I prepared a small list of questions for the Council District 14 Candidates. They all arranged their busy schedules and sat down with me for a 15 to 20 minute interview.
These were the questions:
1. What is the biggest challenge in CD14?
2. Is there any particular District need that you will be paying special attention to if elected?
3. If you were able to wave a magic wand that could fix just one problem or issue, what would it be?
Rating on a scale of 1 to 10, with ten being best...
4. 1 to 10; How would you rate the City of Los Angeles as to their accountability?
5. 1 to 10; How has the CD14 office performed in the last 14 months?
6. 1 to 10; How would you rate the job the Neighborhood Councils are doing in CD14?
7. What issue are you least looking forward to working on?
8. What is the message of your campaign.
I also followed up with an extra question here or there where I thought it was needed.
Unfortunately, I don't have the space to include everything the candidates said. (Jose talks really fast and it took four pages just to transcribe it) I will do my best to include the most important and interesting comments, as well as give each candidate an equal amount of space.
1. What is the biggest challenge?
Alvin Parra
The biggest challenge not only in the City of L.A. but the 14th district is high attrition of police officers. We are not recruiting officers fast enough. We're losing them at a rate of 10 to 1. And I think in a few years we'll see the biggest impact of that.
Juan Jimenez
The biggest challenge is cleaning up the mess of the side walks and streets. As I walk through the communities I was overwhelmed with cracked side walks and the repairs not of high quality.
Jose Huizar
The biggest challenge is public safety. Like the rest of the city we need additional police. Here is the Northeast I got 200 additional hours of over time- we're just short on police. We know we can't arrest our way out of the problem. we need to supply alternatives for youth.
2. Is there any particular District need that you will be paying special attention to if elected?
Alvin Parra
Public services, street services primarily. One thing I've noticed in the City of L.A. is that our surfacing of streets is way behind par, and our broken sidewalks are not being fixed. And the policies are antiquated and outdated and do not serve the city taxpayers. My commitment is to double the number of street miles and change the formula for fixing sidewalks. We only get 12 miles of sidewalks a year in CD14, which translates to 15 blocks. When they do a sidewalk they replace the whole thing on a block from corner to corner. If we change that to only fixing the broken parts, we can double the number of sidewalks.
Juan Jimenez
That's the problem. Every elected official has always done a little special service for certain parts of the 14th district, and that's pitting one community towards another. I want to do an equal balance as much as possible. I know it's like a juggler juggling fifteen to eighteen bottles without dropping one. That's the key. It's trying to find the formula to balance out the service equally. That's my intentions.
Jose Huizar
The gang problem. There's so much to do. We need to provide more youth programs. Period. We don't have as much as we need. Right now the city's going through a review of all its funding for its youth programs. For the advancement project- which I'll be taking the lead on, just like I took the lead on - with the mayor to provide funding to get 1000 new police officers going- to provide the leadership on council to find ways to better use our dollars. We actually have a lot of money to be used on youth programs, but we're not using them efficiantly or effectively. We really need to target them in those areas we need them the most.
3. If you were able to wave a magic wand that could fix just one problem or issue, what would it be?
Alvin Parra
One thing that creates conflict among people is the parking problem. Parking is becoming a real serious issue. It's not sexy, it's not something a candidate could run on, but it creates a lot of neighborly conflicts and a lot of anxiety. And it's going to get worse.
Juan Jimenez
Homeless.
Jose Huizar
I'd provide a number of service centers like the Boyle Heights tech center. It's a great model because you go after school- any kid- and be exposed to high level technology. For instance, they have a music studio, they want to learn that tech to create their music, CD's DVD's. We hooked up with Holly wood. Record executives to come and mentor these kids. When you touch into their interests they're gonna learn
4. 1 to 10; How would you rate the City of Los Angeles as to their accountability?
Alvin Parra - 3
Juan Jimenez - 3
Jose Huizar - 6
5. 1 to 10; How has the CD14 office performed in the last 14 months?
Alvin Parra - 5
Juan Jimenez - 2
Jose Huizar - 7
6. 1 to 10; How would you rate the job the Neighborhood Councils are doing in CD14?
Alvin Parra - 6
Juan Jimenez - 4 to 5
Jose Huizar - (after a long pause) 6
7. What issue are you least looking forward to working on?
Alvin Parra
I think the planning department, because I could never get a sense that they are doing just that. They're not planning. So I think its going to take a lot of effort on my part- and partnership with the community to get the Planning Department to understand what our needs are.
Juan Jimenez
I would say the cultural clash. We have a lot of things that we don't see eye to eye. I notice that when I meet people I walk through the 14th district, and they perceive something a vision of something that I don't see it that way. Their perception is different, and that's the least thing to be honest with you
Jose Huizar
(Jose took a long pause here, about 90 seconds) Here it is- It's a good one- re-paving side walks. It's not that I don't want to deal with it, the truth is, for the city to repair all the sidewalks it would take 80 years. Even when I put one on the priority list, the fact is that were not going to be able to get to all the ones we'd like to.
8. What is the message of your campaign?
Alvin Parra
Leadership is about making the tough decision. And we're not getting out money's worth in city services. I've seen many departments in my one year working in the council district, not be responsive and accountable to our community. The council member is, as Art Snyder once said, a glorified plumber, I call it a mechanic in a suit, and that means the councilmember needs to get his or her hands dirty, to solve the basic problems, whether it's a small pothole to a large economic development project, and transportation issues, and these may not all be the sexy issues but they need to be handled. and I'm someone that loves small and big issues and I'm a policy wonk, I love government and I believe that government is where it all happens, and I intend to be here for the long haul and I want to see it successful.
Juan Jimenez
Restoring community ownership. That is the goal I'd like to see where it used to be where the homeowners the neighbors all had a decision about what they wanted in the community. Employment was much higher because people who owned their own homes owned their businesses. And they ran their businesses and they employed the neighborhood. I'm looking for more of that to restore ownership and also to community homes, business upgraded mom and pops. If a big corporation want to come in they got to make the community its partner. Shareholders,. Because we have spent too much money out of our community. everybody goes out of the community to do their shopping, it's not spent here. We even contract out of our area. But if you were to contract more with people from our own back yard, and keep the money in our community, recycle it, keep employment going, that's the key. Home ownership has to also become affordable.
Jose Huizar
I've been in office one year and I've accomplished a whole lot. I've been keeping the community safer- greener- and cleaner. I think I could accomplish a whole lot more in the next four years and working with a team of people who have endorsed me, from community leaders to elected officials, every major elected official overlapping my district is endorsing me, I want to work with all of them. The district needs stability- this district has had three councilmembers in the last few years, we need stability, we've got it right now, we've got a lot of momentum, and hopefully the voters will vote me in and continue the momentum and progress we've achieved in the last year.

 

Four Years of Standing on the Corner for Peace

by Jennifer Murphy
Photo by Brian Frobisher
More than 50 protesters stood at the Veteran's Memorial on a cold Thursday night in January, opposing President Bush's decision to send additional troops to Iraq. The Highland Park vigil was one of 600 protests around the country that evening, organized via the internet by MoveOn.org.
The protesters, a mix of young and old, mostly white, carried signs saying "No War, No Empire, No Occupation", "Death is not liberation, stop the killing" and "No Bushit!" Many held candles flickering in paper cups. One young mom with a baby in a backpack had a sign pinned to her little one that said "Nursing for Peace." She kept an eye on two more children in a stroller while she held up the most poignant sign of the evening, "Who's mother is crying tonight?"
A long coffin-shaped box sat next to the sidewalk, draped with an American flag. Two drummers hammered out an energetic rhythm nearby.
"I am totally frustrated." said Brian Frobisher, who came from Glassell Park to join the vigil. "I want to know - how much, how long Mr. Bush? At what point will you have had enough?'"
Bob Rich, a neighbor who walked just a few blocks to get here, heard about it online. When asked why he came, he replied, "The whole city should be here. Escalation will only make this war a bigger disaster."
York and Figueroa is a busy corner. Buses pull up every ten minutes letting passengers on and off. Hundreds of cars zoom through the four-lane intersection. Many showed their support that night with loud honking. The line of protesters spread along the sidewalk on both sides of the corner and for a while even across the street. A couple of police officers kept a discreet eye on the event from their patrol car parked in front of the Senior Center.
A 30-foot flagpole dominates the triangular island that is the Veteran's Memorial. It's base is a pedestal of river rock that was once a working fountain. It made a good place to climb for the small gang of children who accompanied their parents to the protest. Around the monument are concrete benches. On warmer nights, homeless men sit there, many of them veterans.
The protest signs that were handed out showed evidence of wear and tear. The people who organized this vigil are no strangers to this corner or this struggle. Northeast Neighbors for Peace through Justice has been holding weekly peace vigils here every Sunday morning for almost four years. The first one was in response to another internet call by MoveOn. It was held March 16th, 2003, the evening before the invasion of Iraq. From Claremont to Laguna and up to Ojai, there are over 30 weekly peace vigils in Los Angeles still going. Two of the founders of the Highland Park vigil also go to one in Eagle Rock every Saturday.
Nina Zvaleko is one of those founders. A northeast LA native, she has been involved with peace and justice movements for decades. She had a warm but no-nonsense approach as she flowed through the crowd, asking people to sign her email list and telling them about the weekly vigils.
"Sundays at 11:00 am to 1:30, right here, and Saturdays from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the corner of Colorado and Eagle Rock. Exercise your rights or they might disappear!"
I asked what keeps her going after four years, and she shrugged. "Stupidity" she said with a wry laugh. "I wonder sometimes. I often ask the people who stop and talk to us -- 'Do you think we should be here?' 'Yes, yes, we need you here.' they say. But they can't fathom giving up their haircut or ballgame to be here themselves."
"Tonight it feels good to hear people say "We need to do this more often." Four years ago I came to the weekly vigils so people could see that dissent was possible and important. So much of what we were saying then has since been shown to be true. Now there is a healthy distrust of the government."
Ross Plesset is another one of the Highland Park vigil's founders. He is 39, tall and earnest. A writer by trade, he grew up in Echo Park. Ross regularly attends three weekly vigils. He even met his girlfriend at a vigil.
"Reactions from passersby can vary from one vigil location to the next.", he says. " I've found that in Echo Park, the pedestrians take quite a bit of interest in our signs and handouts. Some even join us for a while. At other locations, people tend to be more interested in cell phone conversations or just looking cool. "
For Nina the weekly vigils have become part of her routine. "It's a ritual, a church kind of thing. It's the place in my life where I address certain issues."
"For me it's gone way beyond stopping the war in Iraq. Peak oil, global warming, depleted uranium.... I vigil because I don't know what else to do. I'm biding my time until the rest of the world catches up. Nothing will really change until more of us are willing to risk a lot more - we need to declare a state of emergency, stop work, stop school..."
Many pedestrians looked surprised at seeing the crowd that night. Some stopped and talked to the protesters. Nina says this happens frequently at the weekly vigils too. People ask her questions or express their worry about the war. Some come back the next week to join them. But most don't. The Highland Park vigil has only four core people, and sometimes only two show up - Nina and Ross. The Eagle Rock vigil has eight to ten regulars. The numbers have not built as they had hoped. This doesn't seem to diminish their determination.
The regulars have a level of familiarity with this particular corner of sidewalk usually reserved for one's own living room. They know every lamppost and garbage can, how wide the sidewalk is and what surfaces will hold duct tape. They even planted tomatoes and peppers amongst the ornamental landscaping last summer. The plants got pretty big before the maintenance crew yanked them out. That was disappointing but they haven't given up on the idea of guerilla gardening. "Some people need food out here." says Ross.
They display a neighborly courtesy to the others who use this sidewalk. They make a point of not blocking the steady flow of riders getting on and off the Number 81 and 83 buses. They leave room for the skateboarding teens in black t-shirts to zoom around, and they have befriended several of the homeless men who hang out there.
Ross recalls, "When the Highland Park vigil began I didn't know any of the local homeless. Now I know many of them by name, and I talk to them on a regular basis, both at the vigil site and in my travels. As activists, our interactions with them have become extensive. We've served them meals, though not as much as we'd like, and provided supplies to help them through the winters. Many of them have interesting things to say. I recently interviewed one homeless man about his deep concern for the environment."
Over 30 homemade protest signs were spread out on the bricks that night, available for anyone to hold up. Over the years the group has amassed a great variety. Some are heartfelt scrawls done with marker on poster board; others are larger, more heavy-duty, with carefully painted lettering. A lot of creativity goes into the slogans.
"The ones that get the most response are my favorites." says Nina. "I test them each week and make changes. I try to make people scratch their heads and ask questions with phrases like "Impeach the corporate empire".
Ross says "The most important signs, I feel, are the ones that draw attention to consequences of military endeavors. Our culture is too full of what Gene Roddenberry called "dishonest violence". That is depictions of violence that fail to show any significant consequences. This needs to be counteracted. "
They have made several sets of themed signs. This month they will get out their big red hearts with lace edges for Valentine's Day, with slogans like "Love our Troops, Bring them Home now!", "Love Truth? KPFK 90.7" and "Love our Country, Stand up for Justice". They do an anti-war-toys theme in December with phrases like "Children learn what they live" and "Play is practice for life". For Easter they have one that says "Resurrect Peace". Their newest banner says "Stop Wars" in the style of the Star Wars logo. It was used at the last the Rosebowl Parade where George Lucas was the Grand Marshall. The group tries to translate as many signs as possible into Spanish.
Apparently there is a debate going on among the regular protesters about the tone of the signs. "Some vigil-ers are hypersensitive to offending or making people feel bad with their signs.", says Nina. "Ha!" She is now striving to make her signs more rude and hard hitting. One that has provoked ire from vigil-ers and viewers alike is "If you knew what I know you'd be out here too".
Her current favorite is "No Courage - No Truth; No Truth - No Justice; No Justice - No Peace" but she plans to remake it as "With courage we get truth; with truth we get justice; with justice we get peace."
" We can't always be against things – we have to be FOR the good things too."
One of the hardest hitting sets of signs is laid out near the benches that night. It is a display made originally for Hiroshima Day (August 6). There are disturbing pictures of victims of war, mostly children and babies, from Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Agent Orange strike zones and sites contaminated with depleted uranium. "These really make people stop and think." says Nina.
When asked what she would do to solve the crisis in Iraq, Nina replies quickly, "Oh that's easy! I would withdraw all our troops and turn the country over to the Iraqi government. All rebuilding of the country would be done by Iraqi companies and paid for by the US. The US would go before the UN and be made accountable for war crimes. The depleted uranium would have to be dealt with too."
Ross has been considering Dennis Kucinich's 12-point Iraq exit plan. "Overall, I agree with the plan, although, in my eyes, the U.N.'s ability to act as "peacekeeper" is being forever discredited by the current operation in Haiti."
When asked what keeps him going after four years, he replies, "To me, it's important to inform people about the root causes of our current imperialist adventure. People need to know that our invasion of Iraq is nothing new to U.S. history -- it's just more transparent at the moment."
Sometimes I dread going to the vigils, but it seems like a small effort when one considers the half-million Iraqis that have died as a result of our pre-emptive strike, the torture that's been taking place, and other atrocities we've committed."
When asked what gives them hope after four years of protest, Nina expressed pessimism. "I don't know right now. I have no hope for the new Democratic majority in Congress. A kinder, gentler capitalism won't help us. The richest corporations in the world are being subsidized by my taxes? It's surreal. You should talk to Ross. He's more optimistic than I am"
But Ross didn't have a lot to offer either. "It's becoming increasingly easy for me to feel hopeless. Even though global warming has become a household term, very few Americans appear to be changing their excessive lifestyles. But I do get hope from people who chose to live outside this dysfunctional system and partake in sane and sustainable ways of life. I don't believe in violent overthrows, but in parallel economies and communities."
The vigil began to wind down about 8:00 pm. People blew out their candles and returned their signs to the pile. Many thanked Nina for organizing the event.
"Come back on Sunday!" she called after them. "We need you out here."
As she started to pack up, she said "I guess my biggest motivation is that the vigils are an opportunity to interact, to speak and to listen to the unconverted, the REAL people, too tired to think about what's going on in Iraq, or even, 'How do I separate my recycling from my garbage?' That's why I'm here."
Ross was still standing there, holding the Stop Wars banner, with a far away look in his eyes. "Historian Howard Zinn says that change is the result of millions of actions. Our tiny vigils may not always seem so potent, but they are part of something massive and growing."

A Church's Sign of All Times
by Connie Wong
A billboard at one corner screams "Stop the Killing: Justice for Murdered Children." Pock-marked telephone poles push upcoming yard sales on brightly colored fliers. Another corner advertises its mini-mall contents of Thai take-out, cheap haircuts and 98-cent bargains. Competing for the same eyes and souls of passing pedestrians and motorists is a four-by-six foot wooden board, locked behind glass, with four-inch tall, thin, black metal letters spelling out a different set of words every week.
This decidedly low-tech board offers health advice: "Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your bible." "Warning: exposure to the Son may prevent burning." Traffic directions: "U-turns encouraged here." "If you want to go nowhere, follow the crowd."
And even financial tips: "Never borrow sorrow from tomorrow." "To improve your memory, lend people money."
The messages and the southeast corner of York and Eagle Rock boulevards belong to Occidental United Presbyterian Church, a 100-year old fixture in this Northeast neighborhood. The words themselves have been teasing, beckoning and provoking passersby for more than 40 years. Not content to merely announce upcoming sermon topics or to list phone numbers and worship hours, various pastors and church staff have been putting up short quotes and clever questions over the years, in an effort to distinguish this house of worship from the 20-plus others that dot the local landscape.
The signboard of Occidental United emerged about a decade after a fire in 1950 destroyed the original wood sanctuary. In the 1960's Reverend Bill Walmsley inaugurated both the board and a lighted cross tradition at the church and attentive downtown-Los Angeles-bound drivers, bus riders and walkers have been treated to the simple, the subliminal and the sublime since then.
Recent postings seen at the corner included admonitions for risk-takers: "Those who live by the sword…don't," or for cellphone addicts: "You are a child of God…call home," and even a nod to Halloween: "Read the bible…it will scare the Hell out of you."
A few years back, some tongue-in -cheek self-reverence popped up: "If you like our messages, you may like our services too."
About 19 years ago, the signboard torch was passed from a church elder to Mabel Kershaw, a diminutive go-getter of a woman who started her affiliation with Occidental United as a cleaning lady and who then blossomed into being the church's secretary. She recalled being told "the bulletin board's all yours," along with its stock of letters and numbers. "That was it. I didn't have anything. I had to find my own sayings," said Kershaw.
She would find quotes from various sources, including church members who faxed and emailed their suggestions. Occasionally, members would mention how they liked the messages or recall what a particular phrase meant to them. "It makes them feel guilty sometimes," laughs Kershaw. For years, she drew both inspiration and a communal spirit from her interactions with local residents, religious and not, who would question her about the sayings as she stood outside the church to change them every week.
The task of tickling the ivories of spiritual thought was gradually assumed by Pastor Nancy Moore when she arrived at Occidental United seven and a half years ago. She finds that people in Eagle Rock don't always know the name of her church, or even that it is a church because of the lack of an obvious steeple. But they often connect with the signboard out front. "When they meet me, they'll say, 'oh yah, that's the church with the sign,' so it's the most distinctive thing that's here," says Moore.
Other churches in the neighborhood have larger congregations, more sizable physical layouts and burgeoning websites, but their entrance message boards have generally stayed on the straightforward and factual side. Reverend Moore, who also teaches at the Claremont School of Theology, recalls seeing slogans outside more secular sites like Twohey's Diner in Alhambra back in the 1950's. "We just thought that was so clever. It's not high tech…this idea has been around a long time."
Finding a way to stand out and remain a viable presence in the community is an ongoing concern for Moore, her staff and her flock. Eagle Rock has been trumpeted in local newspapers and regional magazines as a newly hip locale that is seeing its share of pricey real estate alongside growing numbers of wi-fi coffeehouses and multi-cuisine restaurants. In addition, the ethnic and cultural make-up of the town has evolved since the church's beginnings from being predominantly white, to significantly Filipino and Latino and everything in-between.
Occidental United has a core congregation of more than 30 regulars and their families, with some members "practically born here," says Kershaw. Their attempts at engaging a larger constituency reflect both the scale of the church's intimacy as well as its budget. For a number of years now, in an effort to draw new members inside, the church has conducted outreach outside, on the street corner itself. Offering fresh-grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and the promise of cold ice cream on sweltering days, Moore, Kershaw and church volunteers put faces and voices to the words behind their signboard.
With the rise of Internet-based churches and the installation of ATM machines outside some pews, Reverend Moore realizes that her church's approaches may seem quaint. However, she views the signboard as something that is appropriate in light of the increased isolation that a car-based and an increasingly dot com-based culture brings. "I like it. It does kind of connect the community," she says. "We try to make (the sayings) clever, maybe even make you smile. That's kind of universal isn't it? That doesn't change with our sophistication," adds Moore.
The task of coming up with new and different messages each week is made more challenging by the board's space limitations. This is coupled with the fact that most drivers who pass the intersection have but a few seconds to thoroughly read the words on their way to the central city. The church's phone number is a permanent line and so, often times, there is no room for the name of a quote's source. "So three lines and probably 20 max characters and that includes spaces and commas. It's not a lot, you have to be very succinct," says Moore.
Catchy phrases are not always the norm on the board. There have been plain old announcements of holiday boutique and bake sales as well as for the free munchies offered during street outreaches. But Moore strives to strike a balance between lay and religious food for thought. Some sayings are folksy in their inspiration: "Anything I can do, we can do better." Others are household hints with a spiritual twist: "I was going to waste but Jesus recycled me." Moore is clear in qualifying the words, noting "there's nothing we say out there that we don't affirm, but would know that people would affirm some of it, but not all of it. That's for you to decide."
For a number of weeks last summer, the church's messages disappeared from the view of the commuter crowd, to undergo a volunteer-driven and long-needed repair and repainting of the wood planks and slats. Upon its return, Moore and Kershaw were back with new sayings aplenty. "The Big Bang Theory…who lit the fuse?" "Heavenly forecast…may Jesus reign forever."
The sign "looks a little hokey but that reflects who we are," says Moore. "It's sweet, it's simple, it's not brainy." The sign's continued presence mirrors the persistent survival of a church ---and of faith---in a city and world fraught with change and challenge. For Pastor Nancy Moore, Mabel Kershaw and the members of Occidental United Presbyterian Church, the signboard's ultimate message is threefold: "we're here to stay, you're welcome and God cares about you."

Highland Park Beautiful Poster Contest
by Stan Moore
NINE HP school students have an opportunity to show their talent, help Highland Park become CLEANER, GREENER AND SAFER, AND win one of NINE GREAT PRIZES. The #1 poster being displayed in the windows of businesses in the HP community, and the top nine posters, and perhaps others, will be displayed at City Hall. All participants with receive certificates. Participating students will be judged in three age categories: Grades 3, 4 and 5 will be one category, Grades 6-8 a second category, and high school the third category.
There are five sponsors who are providing the resources for the nine great prizes:
LA Bridges I Gang Prevention Program
Kiwanis Club of Greater Highland Park
Hathaway-Sycamores Youth Leadership Council
Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC)
Highland Park Chamber of Commerce (HPCC)
The person heading up the POSTER CONTEST is Tessa Charnofsky, at (323) 257-9600 x116. Max Vasquez, president of the HPCC, heads up the Chambers efforts on behalf of the contest, and Heinrich Keifer, president of the HHPNC and the Kiwanis Club, heads up these organizations efforts on behalf of the contest (for information call 992-5175).
Posters will be on paper, cardboard, etc., measuring 11 inches wide by 17 inches
long. Water color, oils, colored inks, crayons, etc., may be used. THE DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 14—VALENTINE'S DAY. Judging will be a Luther Burbank Intermediate School on February 15. If you wish to be a judge, call Tessa Charnofsky at (323) 257-9600 x116. If you wish to contribute to the fund to reward our community's budding artists, call 992-5175.
The winners will be announced on February 22nd. at the LA Bridges Safety Event.
Hathaway-Sycamores Family Resource Center is located at 840 N. Ave. 66, LA 90042, and its phone number is 323 257-9600. This is the 3RD. ANNUAL HIGHLAND PARK BEAUTIFUL POSTER CONTEST. Dr. Stanley W. Moore, believing that every child should be rewarded for participating, has repeated asked CD 1 and CD 14 to get City permission to put all of the participants' posters on the telephone polls of York and Figueroa Blvds. for two weeks, since Hathaway can laminate the posters, but neither office has been helpful. Hopefully some day in the future every student's work will be exhibited.

Sacramento Legislative Seminar Spots Still Open
The HHPNC is still seeking Franklin High School students to apply for and go to the Sacramento Legislative Seminar, February 25-27. Students need to write a 500 word essay on how they would improve Highland Park if they had the power to do so. For more information, please call Dr. Stanley W. Moore at (323) 256-1024, or Mr. Luis Lopez, Principal, Franklin High School.
April 28 and 29 is Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's "Big Sunday" day or days of service. The Mayor's Office is looking for groups to be the leaders on projects that will improve the City of the Angels. The groups can suggest projects that, if selected, would be targeted by many other groups, in a collaborative effort to beautify or improve the City. Please send your ideas to the Mayor's Office. You can call 311 to get connected. All of us working together CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Eagle Vista Seniors
February Calendar
On February 6th, the Board meeting will be held at 9: a.m. and the Business meeting begins at 10. The guest speaker for this day will be well-known Eagle Rock resident Tracy King. As a member of the Coldwell-Banker organization she is well versed on community interests, especially housing.
February 13 is, of course, a Valentine Party! A catered luncheon ($6 ), including a special cake celebrating February birthdays greets the holiday, as well as a "no-names" Valentines card exchange.
On February 20th- BINGO! The caller will be Alan Miller.
On February 27, no meeting will be held due to the Seniors' Monday Bus Trip to Death Valley. The tour begins at 8 a.m., when the bus will leave the Eagle Vista Recreation Center area. The return trip will be on the 28th.

QUALITY
CANDIDATES NEEDED
It has been nearly a year and a half since I became a board member of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council. I joined because I seen an opportunity to use my knowledge and experiences to help improve our community, specifically sub-district eight, where I live. I have actually been able to make some headway in community improvements and I am encouraged that through the remainder of my term I can accomplish more.
However, the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council is at a crossroad. We need some more volunteers; we need more mature volunteers.
To me volunteerism means giving one's time providing value to a project or organization that in turn is providing value to the community. It is something that you should enjoy doing. And, if you are going to give your time freely, simply getting satisfaction in what you do is the minimum return on your investment that should be forthcoming.
I have often heard the phrase that he/she is seeking power and that is why they are joining the council system. Trust me; there is not any power in the sense of political power if that is one's intent.
The power that does comes out of volunteerism is that, if you do the best you can for the community you will gain the respect and confidence of your neighbors and community leaders. That is the power! But sitting on a board whining, complaining, and being basically useless, will not get you anything.
What is the litmus test to decide if the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council is for you?
1. A desire to make your community better.
That's all folks.
What is the litmus test to decide if the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council is NOT for you?
1. A conspiracy theory attitude whereby government is against you.
2. A proclivity to threaten lawsuits if you don't get your way.
3. A bad attitude whereby every discussion is viewed as a "hostile work environment."
We need volunteers with professional attitudes and a desire to contribute to the betterment of Eagle Rock, not themselves. If that is you, please register as a candidate.
Vince Antonino
Communication and Government Relations Office
Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council

Local Couple Confronts Violence in America
by Stan Moore
Long before Dr. Stanley W. Moore and his wife, the Rev. Nancy C. Moore, moved to Highland Park in 1992 from Thousand Oaks the couple were very concerned about injustice and poverty in the United States and around the world. They both considered injustice and poverty violence to individuals. Two of their four children are adopted, because having no one who loves and cares for you is a form of violence— just as much as guns and bullets can also do violence. Not respecting the full value and worth of each individual is also, in their opinion, violence to the dignity and worth of God's children.
Consequently, when their children were all in school, Nancy went to Fuller Theological Seminary— driving daily from Thousand Oaks to Pasadena— in hopes of making a difference in this world and country. Both joined Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE), believing discrimination against women and ethnic minorities is simply not biblical: Then in 1990 she became pastor of Faith United Presbyterian Church in Highland Park, and then eight years ago she became pastor of Occidental United Presbyterian Church of Eagle Rock— at the corner of Eagle Rock and York Blvds.
All of God's children are equally valuable. In 2002, when Peace and Safety in the Christian Home (PASCH) was formed, both Dr. Moore and Rev. Moore joined the organization—since statistics indicate that so-called Christian homes have as much spousal abuse and child abuse as non-religious homes do.
When Nancy was chosen to be a part of a two year training in conflict transformation based on the south African model, that included a required three week experience in South Africa, she leaped at the opportunity. Twenty individuals were chosen: five Anglos, five African Americans, five Latinos, and five Asians. A five year commitment was required. That was more than 10 years ago. Out of this came Christians Empowering for Reconciliation with Justice (CERJ), which is now affiliated with Fuller Theological Seminary.
Now these three organizations, CBE, PASCH and CERJ, are doing a half-day
Conference on "Confronting Violence" at Fuller Theological Seminary on Saturday, February 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rev. Nancy Moore will begin the day with a Bible study on the woman caught in adultery, John 7:53 to John 8:11 She will be followed by Dr. Catherine Clark Kroeger, the founder of both CBE and PASCH. Then the seminar will a three-tract event, with each of the three organizations doing a tract. This conference, "CONFRONTING VIOLENCE IN HOME, CHURCH AND COMMUNITY" is open to all. Dr. Stanley Moore is the program chair. The conference only costs $20 a person (including coffee and donuts), $10 for students and $15 a person if you are part of a group of three. IF YOU WANT MORE INFORMATION CALL Dr. Moore at (323) 256-1024. The Christian Church needs to get serious about all types of violence and injustice being done to God's creation.

Congressman Becerra Votes to Negotiate Drug Prices
The House of Representatives last month passed H.R. 4, the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007. Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker and the only member of Congress from Southern California on the House Ways and Means Committee, voted for this critical legislation.
Upon Senate approval and the signature of the President, H.R. 4 will improve access to prescription drugs by mandating that the secretary of Health and Human Services negotiate for lower drug prices and requires the secretary to issue regular progress reports to Congress.
The bill is supported by dozens of organizations, including AARP, National Community Pharmacists Association, Association of Community Pharmacists, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Medicare Rights Center , Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, Families USA, and the Consumers Union.
Shortly before passage, Rep. Becerra spoke in favor of the bill on the floor of the House. Below are highlights from his speech:
"From the sound of it coming from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, you would think that prescription drug prices were a great deal. I did some research. I took a look at a couple of popular drugs, Lipitor, which is for cholesterol; Clarinex, which is for allergies; and I figured out the average price you could get out there from any pharmacy and it turns out to be $733 per gram for Clarinex and $279 a gram for Lipitor.
"If these are such good prices, how do they compare to illicit drugs you can find on the street? According to a U.N. report on drugs and crime, cocaine has a street value of $112 per gram and $95 per gram for heroin. If you take a look at what's going on today, it's a greater price that you pay – four, five times to help save a senior's life – than a drug that you abuse on the streets. Let's try to negotiate the price down and fix this broken system."
To view Rep. Becerra's entire floor speech, please visit http://Becerra.House.gov and click on the Videocasts section of his home page.

Peekaboo Playland

When Nancy Montgomery was invited to a party in Eagle Rock 8 years ago, she never dreamed that one day she would consider it her home. Now, she and husband (and guitar instructor) Marcel Wittfeld call Eagle Rock their home, and they'll be taking it to the next level this month when they open "Peekaboo Playland" a business specifically tailored to serve Eagle Rock Kids and their parents.
I was curious when they first called me so I dropped by for a visit. First thing I noticed was the colorful trompe l'oeil murals covering the inside walls. They were bright, cheery and playful, and the room itself was airy and spacious. It was quite a surprise as I had never seen the rear of the Martin Chiropractic building before and had no idea there was an almost warehouse sized structure back there.
A closer inspection revealed the wall-to-wall rubber-padded inside play area, the mini bouncer castle complete with slide, and the toddler area designed with the smallest toddler in mind. I saw numerous toys, kiddie cars, giant toy block and alphabet block cushions and a kiddie house perfect for amateur or professional puppeteers. All of this was drenched in natural light as well as climate controlled to cope with both the coldest January or the hottest August day.
On the sound system will be soothing nature sounds and music both parents and children can enjoy. It's turned into a full family effort with Marcel's parents coming all the way from Germany to help with the construction and artwork.
After having her daughter and driving almost daily to a variety of these type of playgrounds in neighboring cities, Nancy felt that Eagle Rock was definitely in need of such a place. Nancy said, "I was going to other playground places in Pasadena and Silverlake, and I'd often meet other mothers from Eagle Rock. I thought, 'I can't believe we don't have one here, in Eagle Rock.'"
One thing she loved most about going to these places was the opportunity to meet and socialize with other parents, (I understand that's a biggie for parents) and she saw that giving her little one the experience of interacting with the other kids there was a great benefit as well.
So, for Nancy, the big wheels started turning and her passion soon turned into vision. She thought that she and husband Marcel had what it took to open up their own Playland right here in Eagle Rock. She knew that her vision to create a safe, clean and, most importantly, fun environment for kids and grown-ups to meet and socialize could become a reality.
Nancy and Marcel have done a first class job on the place and it should be a hit, located conveniently close to the Eagle Rock Plaza, right across the street from the Sizzler and Spitz restaurants.
They've included everything one would expect, and a few things that might be a surprise. For instance, how about free wireless internet? Yes, that's right. You can spend your time playing like your child, or browsing, shopping, working or simply being entertained using your own laptop and the free internet connection at Peekaboo Playland. And all this, of course, well within sight, reach and voice of your little one. All of this for $6 entry per child.
Peekaboo Playland expects to serve children from infant through 11 year olds. It is not a baby sitter though- all kids must be accompanied by a parent. Still in the works are plans to offer healthy, organic snacks, something extremely important to Nancy and most parents today.
When I thought about all the young Eagle Rock mothers getting together, meeting each other and networking, it's clear to me that some day soon, Peekaboo Playland may become the next "power center" of not only Eagle Rock, but all of Northeast L.A.
But for now, Marcel can continue in his Eagle Rock Studio, providing professional music services, and Nancy can be a stay at home mom, and run a local business as well. Their opening day will be February 6 with the Grand Opening on February 10th.
Peekaboo Playland
2513 Colorado Blvd.
Eagle Rock, CA 90041
323 255 1400
http://www.peekabooplayland.com

Cruizin' with Mary

The tank pictured was done by the late, great Indian Larry, and is a metal flake Rat Fink Tribute. You've heard of a think tank? This is a fink tank.

My pick of the month is our own Charlie Fisher's 1963 convertible which he bought for $25.00 in 1972. Originally black, the car was painted 1968 Cadillac San Mateo Red and had a white top installed in 1973. Charlie was able to get the DMV to reassign the original black plates to the car after 25 years with personalized plates.

Greetings Eagle Rock. Well it finally looks like the delayed winter is upon us. Thanks to the cold and rainy weather we had a predictably low hot rod turn out for our January cruise-in at Oinkster. Several hot rods (mainly club cars) showed up despite the wind and rain, but as there are some cars who cry when they get wet, they had to stay home. Haha - you know who you are. Everyone who did come out in the rain jammed into Oinkster, filling it to capacity for much of the evening. We decided to forgo the raffle prizes for this month, and instead just do a cash 50/50 which was almost as good.
We gave out certificates of appreciation to a couple of our sponsors that evening, namely Joanne Baray of Joanne's Hair Design, and our very own Tom Topping of the Blvd Sentinel.
I had the pleasure of attending the Easy Riders Bike Show held at Fairplex. There were some of the most beautiful paint jobs I've ever seen, and some of the most radical choppers ever. So clean, you know they really don't get ridden. It appears that metal-flake, in various forms of sparkles, hues and brightness, is making a huge comeback. Some of the choppers look totally modern and customized with some very unique shaped gas tanks, but the metal flake adds a touch of old-school to the finished product. The tank pictured was done by the late, great Indian Larry, and is a metal flake Rat Fink Tribute. You've heard of a think tank? This is a fink tank. Haha.
Have any of you ever heard of "driving fever?" This is a phrase a friend of mine made up while we were in high school, and even though we were legally old enough (16), to have a driver's license, neither of us did. So her dad, who was a local rodding guy, taught her to drive. That feeling of freedom behind the wheel when you are a teenager is unbeatable, and can be addictive. We started calling it "driving fever" and many times when we got it, we either borrowed cars from guys we knew, or occasionally from our unwitting parents… She taught me how to drive in our friend Coolio's Mustang, and one time I ran it up over someone's parkway on Hill Drive (no damage to car or property). She got her license at around the age of 17 but I was a "late bloomer" and even though I had been driving for years illegally, I didn't get my license until I was 20.
My very first car was something the Little Old Lady from Pasadena should have had - it was a Plymouth Valiant, and in fact, a little old librarian at the Eagle Rock Library owned the same exact car as me, beige paint and all. Except the librarian's name was Daisy and she duct taped a plastic daisy to her antenna. Speaking of Valiants, my pick of the month is our own Charlie Fisher's 1963 convertible which he bought for $25.00 in 1972. Originally black, the car was painted 1968 Cadillac San Mateo Red and had a white top installed in 1973. After 100,000 miles the slant six was rebuilt. The Valiant was parked inside in 1988 after the top was ruined by malathion spraying. In 2003 the car was taken out of storage and mechanically reworked. Charlie had "The Shop" at Ave. 50 and Figueroa cherry it out and put it back to the original black. Julio's Auto Upholstery redid the red tuck and roll interior to factory specs. and installed a new black convertible top to match the original. As a final touch, Charlie was able to get the DMV to reassign the original black plates to the car after 25 years with personalized plates.
Very cool….Until next time, keep on rockin'.

Local Officials and Residents Colaborate to Rehab Mt. Washington Stairway
Persistence and teamwork have turned a long-neglected neighborhood hazard into a useful community resource-- thanks to the efforts of Councilmember José Huizar, District 14, a group of concerned Mount Washington stakeholders and the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council.
The steep wooden stairway, which connects Mount Washington's Cleland Avenue and Frieda Drive has been
repaired and is now open to local residents and visitors. A day of celebration was held on Saturday, January 27, at nearby Cleland Bicentennial Park when the community came together for the Grand Re-Opening Ceremony.
The Cleland Stairway, one of many wooden stairways that connect the winding streets of the steep-sloped Mount Washington community, is a pedestrian gateway to Cleland Bicentennial Park, a pocket park that serves the community with playground facilities and an open lawn for casual active recreation. After the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council called the Councilmember's attention to the stairway's neglected condition, the CD 14 staff acted to engage city agencies in clearing brush, shoring up the structure, replacing rotted timbers and re-painting the steps and railings.

Collecting Rain is a Viable Survival Skill in the Desert
-- And We Live in the Desert!
by Christopher Nyerges
[Nyerges is the author of "How to Survive Anywhere" and other books. He is the editor of Wilderness Way magazine, and has conducted wilderness trips since 1974. For more information, contact him at www.ChristopherNyerges.com or Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041]
Rain is a viable way to get much of your water supplies, but it has largely been ignored by most urban dwellers, city planners, and even wilderness travelers. With an ever-growing population here in this "coastal desert plain," we should seriously address the viability of residential rain collection.
Some of the old homes built around Los Angeles nearly 100 years ago had rain cisterns. These were usually hillside homes, with a large underground reservoir made of fired clay or cement. Such rain cisterns were built by people who experienced hard times, and who knew that you can't always depend on outside sources for your needs. They knew that rain falls sometimes – even in the desert – and that if you plan appropriately, you can collect and use that rainwater.
With today's technologies, it would be an easy matter to build rain catchments into every home in all the western and southwestern states – though it is rarely done.
Fred Fryling, then living in Venice, California, once showed me his simple system for collecting his own drinking water. Once it began raining awhile, he spread out a large sheet of plastic (approximately five feet by four feet) over some bushes in his yard.. The plastic was secured in placed with clothes hangers. He then positioned the plastic so that it would collect rain, and the rain would run into the spout of a nearby Sparkletts water bottle he'd placed nearby.
Fred said that he could fill the bottle in as little as 30 minutes during a downpour. He said that during every rainstorm, he collects much of his coffee water and drinking water this way.
When it's done, he folds up the sheet of plastic and clothes hangers and keep them in a bag. "It's just as easy to carry this in my pack while camping, and collect rain water in the woods." Fred pointed out that if camping, he would fill his cookpot and canteen with rainwater, when the streams often become muddy.
I have routinely collected rain water in five gallon buckets that flows off the roof. I have collected as much as 400 gallons in a single storm by this method.
When collecting rain for personal consumption, you should not begin collecting until after about a half hour of heavy rain so that the dirt and bird droppings are washed off your roof. Though "acid rain" is not a serious concern in most areas of the West, you can purchase ph paper and test the acidity of the rain water.
Of course, you don't need to take these precautions if you are collecting rain water for irrigation or washing.

"Read Books" Now Open
After years of community requests for a literary hangout, Eagle Rock will finally have a used bookstore and newsstand: Read Books, scheduled to open Feb.1 at 4972 Eagle Rock Boulevard.
According to owners and local residents Jeremy and Debbie Kaplan, the bookstore will carry an extensive collection of literature (classics, popular novels), nonfiction (historical, holocaust, boxing, and cookbooks), children & young adults, first editions, and signed books.
Read Books will also stock a newstand with more than 500 titles. The initial selection includes specialty magazines for a broad range of interests, local periodicals, and titles in business and finance, technology, fashion, entertainment, gaming, gambling, home and garden, comics, lifestyle, politics, music, sports, travel and more.
In the coming months, the store will offer reading groups, workshops, and a variety of community based activities.

Councilman Huizar Speaks at Kiwanis
by Stan Moore
On Thursday, January 10, the HP Kiwanis Club had a "candidates' forum" attended by only two of the three invited candidates, Alvin Parra and Juan "Johnnie Jay" Jimenez. City Councilman Jose Huizar was unable to attend on that date. Twenty-five local leaders were at the Jan. 10 event, including, for example, Brian Heckmann, the president of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council. Alvin Parra emphasized his previous government experience, which is extensive, while Jimenez emphasized his work with young people and gangs. Both were well received, and both promised to listen to the people of the 14th. City Council District.
Now on February 8, at the POLICE MUSEUM directly opposite Carrows Restaurant on York, City Councilman Jose Huizar will speak and answer questions for all who wish to attend. The meeting will be at NOON, and lunch costs $5 a person. If you wish to attend and plan to have lunch, please call Dr. Stanley Moore at (323) 256-1024. Kiwanis needs to know how much food to purchase, so the Club would appreciate not only your presence but a RSVP.
One of the issues that may be addressed on feb. 8 is Huizar's effort to establish a "business team" for York Blvd. On Wednesday, January 17, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Huizar met with about 20 members of the HP Chamber of Commerce and the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC) to begin to develop a business improvement district (BID) for York. Figueroa Blvd. already has a BID—the North Figueroa Association (NFA) headed by Misty Iwatsu. The NFA cleans the Blvd. five days a week, and also sponsors the Farmers' Market on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. York Blvd. is also in need of a business improvement district, and Huizar is encouraging its formation.
Since Huizar was only elected to serve out the remaining year of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's term, there will be an election in March. Voters need to hear ideas and commitments of the three candidates (Huizar, Jimenez and Parra) in order to vote intelligently.

click on ads to enlarge

Boulevard Sentinel Endorsement for CD14 is ...

Alvin Parra

Alvin Parra

Alvin Parra almost beat incumbent Richard Alatorre in a protest campaign in 1995. In 1999, he missed the runoff by about 200 votes. In 2003, he stepped aside to be a team player and supported his friend Antonio Villaraigosa for councilman. In 2005, he took one for the team again and stepped aside again as Villaraigosa overlooked him, and threw his support to Jose Huizar. He supported Huizar 100% in that race.
All that team spirit did land him a job in Huizar's council office. While working for Huizar, he didn't like what he saw, and didn't feel that Huizar was giving the staff enough support or direction. He quit a solid job to run against his former boss because he thought the community deserved better. Although he is out-spent, out-endorsed and out-gunned by incumbent Jose Huizar, he has a good chance to win because there is huge dissatisfaction with an incumbent who is perceived as missing in action in CD14.
Parra has lived in the 14th district his whole life and has shown no desire to leave the community he loves. He has worked for several levels of national and local government. He knows how government works. He believes in government and has a pragmatic sensible outlook toward making it work better and more efficiently. He knows policy and he knows people.
When he was working for Jose Huizar last year, he was the only person I talked to that both made sense and sounded like he knew what he was doing. I never felt like I was being lied to when talking to him. Not once. When he promised to try to help, he always came through, and he kept us informed of his progress along the way.
There is nothing wrong with Jose Huizar. He is an extremely talented politician. I have no problem with him if he is re-elected. But, I have asked him about things I'm sure I heard him say, only to be informed by him with convincing certainty that what he really said was something different. This has happened more than once. I know I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack. It's possible I could have misunderstood him each one of those times.
That doesn't happen to me with all politicians. When I recall something Alvin said- he admits he said it. I always know where I stand with Mr. Parra. He's never made a promise to me he didn't keep.
Jose, you're a nice guy and I have nothing against you, but I just have to endorse the candidate that I believe in the most. I'm endorsing Alvin Parra for City Council, District 14.

Representative Xavier Becerra meets with United Nations Secretary General
Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker and the only congressional member from Southern California on the House Committee on Ways and Means, last month joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-8), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-5) and other members of the House leadership in a meeting with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
The day marked the secretary general's first visit to Washington , D.C. , since being sworn in on December 14, 2006.
Among the issues discussed by the leaders were the crisis in Darfur, the Middle East , and U.N. institutional reform. Rep. Becerra also urged the secretary general not to neglect another important region of the world: Latin America. Recent developments in Latin America and prospects for strengthening democracies in the region deserve the attention of the U.N. to prevent progress toward democratic institutions becoming a victim of inattention and other priorities.
"Today's meeting with the secretary general was certainly time well spent in furthering the U.S.-U.N. partnership," Rep. Becerra said.
The secretary general was kept busy that week meeting with congressional leaders in the House and Senate as he planted his feet in his new role as leader of the United Nations.

Another CD 14 Election ?
or ...
Searching for Mr. Fixit ?
by Tom Topping
It's election time again. Oh, I love to hear the speeches, watch the debates, meet the candidates as they walk the precincts. That exciting time has come 'round again. It's back already. Wow, did that four years go by fast. It's seems like barely more than a year.
Oops. It WAS just last year. Well, it was fifteen months. I guess we should be happy. This kinda balances out those people in the world who never get to vote. We get to vote more than we want to.
Please pardon my cynicism. It really does matter. Of all the elections we're called upon to attend, the city council race in the City of Los Angeles, potentially, can have the greatest impact on the voters. Why? Because the city councilman, so aptly described by former CD14 Councilman Art Snyder, is not much more than a "Glorified Plumber."
This position is the one that affects your daily life more than any other. From sidewalks to speedbumps, and from cops to developers and other criminals, your city councilman is Mr. Fixit.
Ideally, Mr. (or Ms.) Fixit represents you to the City of Los Angeles, the big behemoth of a government entity that can build you up, and turn right around on the next breath and crush you to dust. In fact, residents that have had problems with the city or just need help with something, find that the various city agencies are no help at all. Usually, it is only the good will and help of the City Councilman that can bring the city agencies to deliver anything to the citizens of Los Angeles. A good relationship with your councilman can make a world of difference.
So the question is, how do we pick a good one? Slick looking mailers? Promises of the moon on a string? Endorsements of community leaders or other well known elected officials? Maybe you like the nice smile on that handsome boy. Maybe he knocked on your door and no one else did. Maybe his name is the same as someone you once loved. Maybe you just closed your eyes and pointed.
I think that what it takes is to be a good talker, and have the understanding of how government entities work. (A good Mr. Fixit knows how things work). It requires above average communication and verbal skills. (That's why we get so many lawyers). A good Councilman needs to be likable and able to build good relationships with hundreds if not thousands of people.
But above all those skills and talents I've mentioned, a really good councilmen needs to care, and not just about himself. A good heart and a desire to help people will not substitute for the above mentioned skills, but without that, all you end up with is an powerful shell concealing a rotten core.
I've thrown everything I've had behind them in the past. Big mistake. The people who liked the guy you went against stay mad at you a long time. The people who liked the guy you helped only stay happy a week or so. If the candidate you helped wins, he says thank you, and promptly forgets you. The guy you went against holds a grudge forever. No upside here- only down.
So when you go to the polls on March 6, be mindful of what makes a good councilman. And for those of you who really don't know much about them, I have interviewed all three candidates and asked them all the same questions. Some talked about themselves, and some talked about others. You read it and you decide.

Home Depot Totally Ignores Communities' Fletcher Square Vision
by Laura Guterrez
Home Depot is circumventing the efforts of the Glassell Park and Atwater Village communities to determine the future of the vacant Kmart site.
During 2006 the communities of Glassell Park and Atwater Village held a series of meetings with the Los Angeles City Planning Department to determine how Fletcher Square should be developed. At these meetings residents and business owners vocalized their preferences for the types of businesses, design overlay and landscaping which would meet the needs of the communities and keep the development attractive and pedestrian friendly. At these meetings it was strongly and unequivocally expressed that the communities did not want another Home Depot store in Fletcher Square or along this stretch of San Fernando Road Boulevard.
In December 2006, based on the communities' expressed desires, the Los Angeles City Council passed the long awaited Fletcher Square Community Design Overlay (CDO) ordinance. The Fletcher Square CDO gives the community an important tool to improve the San Fernando Road and Fletcher Drive area by promoting more community friendly commercial development thru established guidelines.
Home Depot had previously sought to fully demolish the vacant Kmart building and construct a new version "mega" store from the ground up. The proposed "mega" store would be the third such store within a six mile stretch of San Fernando Road. However, there was strong community opposition to such a plan. Home Depot representatives at these meetings clearly heard that the communities wanted a more pedestrian friendly commercial development at the site with businesses which would meet the needs of the communities.
What Did Home Depot Do Instead?
Home Depot has decided not to work with the communities to find a better option for the vacant Kmart site than another Home Depot store. Home Depot is now seeking to install a second-rate mini "mega" store at the site and completely undermine the Fletcher Square Community Design Overlay (CDO) with Big Box sprawl.
Home Depot has obtained building permits to install a third Home Depot along San Fernando Road at the vacant Kmart site. The permits obtained by Home Depot allow them to move into the vacant Kmart building "as is" and circumvent the communities' strong objections to having another Home Depot store,
whether "mini" or "mega", or any "big box" store in the Fletcher Square area (San Fernando Road / Fletcher Drive).
Home Depot's decision to move into the site is viewed by the community as a deliberate attempt to thwart the communities' long term efforts to improve Fletcher Square which includes the San Fernando and Fletcher Drive area. The communities of Glassell Park and Atwater Village have repeatedly expressed disapproval of having a Home Depot or any other "mega" store at the site and have made Home Depot fully aware that they are not welcome in the community.
In response to the Fletcher Square CDO, Home Depot representatives recently met with LA City Council President Eric Garcetti to discuss other options for the vacant Kmart site. Council President Garcetti urged Home Depot to engage the community to find a better option.
We wonder at the sincerity of Home Depot to look for other options for the property which would comply with the CDO and to honor the expressed wishes of the communities when it has already applied for and received permits to move into the building "as is".
The No Home Depot Coalition Needs Your Help to protect the Approved CDO for the San Fernando Road and Fletcher Drive Area!
Call/Email the following City Officials and tell them…
No to Home Depot!
No to any "Big Box" or "Mega" store in the area
No to a lost opportunity for a better Fletcher Square area!
No to more traffic on San Fernando Road / Fletcher Drive !
No to a dangerous pedestrian environment!
Yes to compliance with the CDO and all its guidelines
L.A. City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti
L.A. City Councilmember Ed Reyes
L.A. City Councilmember Jose Huizar
L.A. Department of Building & Safety, General Manager Andrew Adelman
L.A. Department of Planning, Director Gail Goldberg
No Home Depot Coalition - Northeast Los Angeles
http://www.nohomedepot.org

Change in Eagle Rock: Old Becomes New
by Scott Bright
An auto garage changes into an eatery with roll up door intact. The bowling alley closed down. An insurance office regenerates into a unique shop with cool things, some made on the premises. The bank at the heart of town closes but a national video rental chain moves into the empty shell. An art gallery pops up in a storefront that had been vacant and supports local artists but closes. The Library moves into a new building. The post office moves into a new building. A new gallery opens.
Eagle Rock has seen its businesses change over the years. From the strawberry farm of the early 1900's to the evolving Route 66 town to the opening of the 134 Freeway in 1971 to present day unpretentious metropolitan enclave. Throw in the change in demographic with the meteoric rise of housing costs and begins the collection of original and eclectic businesses that once choose neighborhoods like Larchmont, Melrose and Montana Street.
The bakery moved down and across the street.
The present chapter of store front turnover deservers the credit of improving the cosmetic make up of the boulevard while offering a wide range of unique goods, foods and services that make one wonder the limits of this colorful trend already documented by the local glossies and newsprint alike.
An old bar becomes a new bar.
The economic pillars have been in place within our special section of Route 66 between the 2 Freeway and Figueroa for years. The strong growing community with solid schools in one of the safer parts of Los Angeles with long serving businesses like the famous burger place, historically recognized jazz restaurant and bar and numerous family owned businesses. Don't forget it is a college town. Spoiled with a Trader Joe's for nearly 30 years and more good food choices than one deserves. A community rich in must-haves and empty storefronts for those with the original finds we might like to have.
Unique art and clothing stores, boutiques, bistros, kitchens, sushi and wine bars, a pilates studio and coffee/food spots x 5 to name a few have sprung up from vacant, discarded or available spaces to form a new generation of stores and businesses that offer unique and classy items in a modern and fresh setting. Sprouting from the ashes of the burned out businesses of yesterday comes tasty cutting edge offerings in stylish packaging that says volumes about their commitment to the demographic tastes that has garnered this attention and has also significantly improved the look and attraction of local business areas.
The therapy center that helped my bad back is in the place were my tires were rotated.
Many have been able to inhabit buildings that were often used for a much different purpose without losing the old school charm and feel. The form the recycled space takes often is more inviting than some of the newly planned and constructed sites.
The battle to overcome the unsightly look and number of strip-malls is a tough one but these new merchants have brought there stylish ways with them which is a great by product considering the mix has helped give the area something special.
It appears famed U.K. artist Banksy whose Los Angeles show was a sold out hit that drew thousands last year has apparently added to Eagle Rock's facade. His style of outdoor art like Shepard Fairley (OBEY) has sprung up on buildings around the Los Angeles area and it looks he created a chalk mural on a purple painted brick wall outside a newer art establishment and fountain alley.
My Mom loved the chocolate fondue at the place were they used to fix her car.
The transformation of the Stapp's Auto Service building into a trendy tasty food place is one example of retaining the buildings quirkiness while creating a new entity with much style and success. Does anyone remember the Blue Fox? My Dad used to hit that place when I was a kid when family friends owned it. Pup n Taco used to sell the best hot dogs and coldest slushes around which were usually followed by a game of miniature golf across the street. A different brand of tacos is sold there now and a strip mall is where the golf course once was. Natural change expected anywhere.
The scene appears to be working best near the corner of Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards at the heart of town with its more mature and attractive buildings and foot traffic. It bustles more than I can remember before and these vital businesses are offering things you had to go somewhere miles away to find until recently. What next?
Hopefully the cycle stays this way a while before it becomes something new again.. Maybe a strawberry farm?
My buddy loves to eat where the auto parts store used to be.
A local storeowner whose international products and fine things may not have fit the aesthetic before; she now defines it. She found a place on Eagle Rock Boulevard just south of Colorado two years ago after spending a year looking all over L.A. for a place with the right feel.
"I saw what was happening to the community here and had to be a part of it," she said.

Hotel Owners Fight Unfair L.A. City Law
An association of hotel owners called upon over 200 of its members last month to protest a meeting at which the Los Angeles Police Department and the city attorney will describe their plans to enforce a recently adopted ordinance that imposes extensive record keeping requirements upon motel and hotel operators. Any violation is a misdemeanor.
"Many of our members and employees speak English as a second language. It is unfair to impose criminal penalties for inadvertent record keeping errors or an inability to understand the nuances of a side conversation between hotel guests," said Ray Patel, the President of the association and owner of a small motel in Eagle Rock.
The Ordinance in question was adopted by the Los Angeles City Council in October 2006, and requires hotel and motel operators to maintain detailed information on each guest, including name, address, driver's license number and expiration date, vehicle make, model, and license number. These records are then required to be kept for 90 days, in sequential order, and available for immediate inspection by police, without notice.
"If a single piece of information is missing, or just written hastily, or if a single card is out of order, our members are subject to criminal prosecution. What other business is subject to such harsh penalties for paperwork?" asked Patel.
Association members also complain that they have been unfairly targeted and cited by Los Angeles vice squads. One owner of an Eagle Rock motel has twice been cited by "sting operations" run by LAPD vice squads.
"Her English isn't very good," said Patel, "so she keeps getting cited."
The dispute over LAPD sting operations centers over "side conversations" by vice officers, one male, one female, who are posing as a male "john" and a female prostitute. While the "couple" is checking in, they follow a "script" involving a side conversation between them in which sex for money is discussed.
"Speaking English as a second language shouldn't be a crime. But in Los Angeles, our members are cited for it," said Patel. Many small hotels also have security glass that makes listening difficult.
"Are we supposed to stop working and start snooping on our guests' conversations? But even if we do, it's impossible to be a proficient snoop when you speak English as a second language."
"Our members are hard working American families. We believe the ordinance has excessively harsh penalties, and that we are being unfairly discriminated against," said Patel.
The Association is lobbying for a change to the Ordinance, to reduce the penalty from a crime to an infraction and a fine. "We appreciate the support of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce, Assemblywoman Nell Soto, and Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar," said Patel.

Bike Winter 2007
"Bike Winter", Los Angeles' only homegrown, grassroots, bicycle festival is set to begin again - and everyone is invited! The festival will get rolling on Friday, February 2, 2007 with a nighttime party in Santa Monica following the Santa Monica Critical Mass ride. After the opening night party, the festival will continue across Los Angeles with daily bike events for nearly two-weeks. A full schedule of rides is available at http://bikela.org
Bike Winter is organized by an eclectic mix of Los Angeles based cyclists who aim to spread their love of cycling with others. The bicycle events range from relaxed neighborhood tours to adrenaline fueled hill climbs.
Some rides have whimsical themes, like the "Tandemonium" ride scheduled on Valentine's Day (a "tandem" is a two-seated bicycle) - perfect for couples! Other rides are more politically motivated, like the "Take Me To Your Leader!" ride scheduled for Tuesday, February 6, 2007 - the ride ends at the City of Los Angeles' Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) hearing, and riders are encouraged to fill out a speaker card and have their voices be heard.
Whatever the theme, or the motivation, everyone is welcome to join in the fun! In addition to rides created by the Bike Winter committee, individual cyclists are invited to post their own rides and events. Go online, to http://bikela.org to add your own ride, and to see what rides others have planned.
Bike Winter, now in it's second year, got its start in the summer of 2005 – when L.A. became the temporary home for the globe-trotting, month-long, bicycle festival "BikeSummer". BikeSummer travels every year, building cycling communities in cities that host the festival. BikeSummer in Los Angeles was met with great success, and a group of cyclists decided to follow up on that success with the Bike Winter festival.
Over the past two years, cycling events like Bike Winter have become increasingly popular in Los Angeles. Reasons for this popularity have included: high gas prices, anti-war sentiment, a desire for a healthier way of life, the devious fun of rides like the "Midnight Ridazz", as well as the joy that comes from simply riding a bicycle.
This Bike Winter, hop your bike and join us! Discover for yourself how much fun cycling in Los Angeles can be! To find out more about Bike Winter, or to add your own Bike Winter ride to the schedule, visit http://bikela.org
MORE INFO: Josef Bray-Ali at bikewinter@gmail.com or (310) 902-5439

That Yarn Store Helps You Do-It-Yourself!
Eagle Rock just got a little more DIY. You can sew super cool bags out of old t-shirts, design unique necklaces, and make a pair of pants that actually fit. These are just a few of the hands-on projects offered at the newly restructured That Yarn Store. In a neighborhood that already has classes for unleashing your creativity, like Toros Pottery and Stained Glass Supplies, That Yarn Store is knitting up a storm and beginning February 7, 2007, will be offering even more classes to give you the power to just do it yourself.
Sugarbutterbex, in Highland Park, was once the home to these classes and more. This month, Sugarbutterbex is closing its doors, and moving some of its services to That Yarn Store. "We're not going away," says Becca, owner of Sugarbutterbex. "Our physical space is closing, but we'll still be doing web-based services. We're glad to know the spirit and classes of Sugarbutterbex will still be around at That Yarn Store. We love the store and have great affection for what they are doing, and the great service they are giving to the neighborhood and community."
That Yarn Store in Eagle Rock is located at 1578 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles. It is a family-owned, community-oriented gathering place. Knitters and crocheters will find comfy couches, music nights, men's nights, knitting and crochet classes, and great yarn. For more information about That Yarn Store and to learn about workshops for everyone from the absolute beginner to the experienced fiber artist, please visit www.thatyarnstore.com.

New L.A.
Anti-Noise Ordinance
In an effort to curb excessive noise and other nuisances caused by construction sites, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilmember Jack Weiss today announced the implementation of the Good Neighbor Initiative.
Under the new initiative, authored by Councilmember Weiss, builders are required to publicly display a construction notice that will help with the enforcement of work hours, anti-noise practices, and other rules that apply at that job site to minimize the disruption that construction causes in residential areas. The construction site notice empowers residents to stop violations of city codes by directing them to 311 to report problems.
"At some time in our lives, we've all been inconvenienced by the noise, dust, and traffic delays caused by construction in residential areas," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "This new ordinance will step up enforcement of these disturbances and encourage good relationships between residents and builders. We all need to take the necessary steps to be good neighbors, wherever we live or work in this City."
"Throughout my district and the City people are investing to build their dream homes," said Weiss. "This construction doesn't have to disrupt otherwise peaceful neighborhoods if developers and builders are good neighbors. By informing builders and residents about the rules, I hope we can reduce nuisances during construction and ensure that City laws are followed."
"We have been waiting a long time for stronger enforcement of laws at construction sites, and we are hopeful that making the rules known to builders and residents will help everyone get along," said Jules Feir, a community activist and local resident. "We are so grateful to Councilmember Weiss and Mayor Villaraigosa for putting this ordinance into effect."
The new initiative helps with enforcement of laws which include (among others):
Minimizing construction noise
Avoiding street closures during peak traffic hours
Parking construction vehicles on site rather than on neighborhood streets
Ensuring safe pedestrian access
Promptly cleaning up sidewalks and concrete spills and other debris
Avoiding interfering with trash pickups
The Mayor and Weiss talked with residents outside a Sherman Oaks custom home development where the developer worked well with the neighborhood and even changed the design to aesthetically coordinate with the neighborhood homes and in keeping with the community's consensus.

Invitation to Eagle Rock Stakeholders-

Speak Out!
This is a discussion and information sharing forum for Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) stakeholders. We will be discussing, applauding and criticing our elected ERNC board members, the ERNC activities and anything else of interest to the Eagle Rock Community!
You can pop in for a visit at http://groups.google.com/group/eagle-rock-stakeholders. (or just go to Google Groups and seach for "Eagle Rock Stakeholders."
Here, you can read current information about the activities of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council and the people who participate, and post your own messages as well.