Street Lamps on Backorder

At top left, new historic style light pole illustration. At near left is photo of much maligned border design of old poles. At  right, workers install new traffic signal pole right next to old one.
The old historic street lamps and the traffic signals along Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock are in the process of being replaced. The street lamps are to be replaced with more energy efficient ones, and the new traffic signals will be directly connected to the central traffic system downtown. The project has far surpassed the original two months it was scheduled to take because the new "historic style" street lamps are on back order.
You may be interested to note that the old street lamp "standards" are identical to the ones used in downtown San Diego's Gaslight district, and in fact, are in far better condition. You may also have heard over the years that the old standards incorporate Nazi swastikas in their design, and indeed if you look at the border on the base, you can pick out what appears to be the swastikas.
In 1995, similar 1920's era light poles caused quite a controversy in the City of Glendale. It was researched in detail by the Glendale City Attorney's office. They found that: "the design (was) commonly found on Greek garments as a fret or border, and also is found as a design on Navajo Indian rugs.
"Further more, years before the rise of Nazi Germany, the symbol dates back to the Third Millennium and had a rich history of use for thousands of years either as a symbol of the sun, of infinity, of continuing re-creation, as a symbol of spiritual significance, and as a common decorative motif.
"The symbol itself has also been found throughout the United States on petroglyphs, particularly in the Southwest as a Hopi symbol as evidenced by petroglyphs found in the I'aiute creek mouth, Glen Canyon area, Utah.
"Additional research has revealed that the symbol was not uncommon in Judaism. The symbol has been found to appear in ancient synagogues as well as being found as a symbol appearing on sarcophagus in Roman catacombs."
So the original use of the swastika, from the Indic word "svastika" which is Sanskrit, meaning "well and being", had an extremely positive connotation which is probably why Adolf Hitler, who was a genius politician, albeit an evil one, used it. He did however put his own "spin" on it as it was used at a forty-five degree angle for the Nazis.
The complaints of government sponsored anti-Semitism incorporated into light pole designs were found to be without merit in Glendale, and I'm sure they would be here as well.
We are still trying to find out who will take possession of the old light poles, as they are probably worth quite a lot.

Water Rate Hike Under Pressure
David versus Goliath? Truth versus fiction? Paper versus Plastic? An impassioned Neighborhood Council Member (not from ERNC) made a stirring presentation at the ERNC monthly meeting in opposition to a proposed DWP rate hike soon to be voted on by the Los Angeles City Council.
Speaking with a voice quivering with emotion, Jim Alger of the Northridge West Neighborhood Council was on the agenda following a presentation by Gerald (Jerry) Gewe (gee-wee), Chief Operating Officer of the DWP Water System. The contrast between the two individuals and their performances was remarkable.
The head honcho (hey folks, we have a $200K plus a year City officer addressing our NC!) of the Water System gave a slick Power Point presentation regarding the history of the system, new security issues, the new era of water quality, and the proposed surcharge increase. He caused not a ripple.
You could just see people nodding their heads – yes, there's been no raise since 1991, yes, security costs more, and yes, technology has changed. All good reasons to get behind the rate hike.
To give Jerry his due, and there is a reason he earns the big bucks, this reporter learned several things from the presentation. But details will have to wait for another story.
When Jim Alger got up to speak, there was no microphone, no fancy electronics, no pretty visuals. Just one rather diminutive person intent on getting his story told. And what a story it was.
According to Jim, this rate increase was due to take place January 1st – a time chosen so that little discussion of the need and the details of the rate hike would ever take place before the public. What DWP really wants is a heliport.
Jim's message was that the DWP is and has been a cash cow for the City, generating far more revenue than its cost of operation. Since the increased costs of operation mentioned in the DWP presentation could be covered by eliminating the give back to the City of $27 million this year alone, what we are talking about here is not a shortfall of cash, but rather the end of a subsidy of other departments by the revenue rich DWP.
The heliport issue came up when the Department bought 4 new helicopters to patrol water lines throughout the area, and then was told by Van Nuys Airport (also a City agency) that there was no room for the operation due to the expansion of facilities for other airport clients. According to Jim, the DWP wishes to build its own heliport above Granada Hills with funds made possible by the proposed rate increase.
Whether helicopters were even needed in the first place (the Police Department has a rather fine fleet itself) was not a topic that was brought before the public, at least not before the Neighborhood Councils, the organizations that by charter are in place to give stakeholders a say in City government.
To make a long story short, what Jim wants is to stop the rush to approve a rate hike long enough to establish a dialog between Neighborhood Councils and the DWP to address the real need for an increase.
To this end, he has been enlisting the support of other Neighborhood Councils and elected officials in his quest to get the dialog started.
In the final analysis, a water rate hike is a complex enough issue that not many ERNC board members were comfortable with the concept of rejecting it outright. A protracted discussion ensued, and the outcome was that the Neighborhood Council voted to send a letter to the City Council asking that the proposed hike be denied only so that time could be made available for a dialog on the merits to start. Watch this space for later developments.

Taking it to the Wall
Proposed Mural Stirs Lively Debate
by Tom Topping

AT Right, mural artist Roger Dolan demonstrates”Tai-Chi” move that is depicted in Mural.

Phones were ringing off the hook last month, after a picture of a proposed mural appeared in the Boulevard Sentinel. Some folks objected to the subject matter depicted, which was "Tai Chi," a form of Martial Arts. They complained that the subject of the mural had no connection to Eagle Rock, and they thought it should.
It all came to a head when a meeting to present the proposed mural design to the community was held. There, the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society was well represented. In attendance were Anita Hultman, neighborhood council vice president (in charge of the mural project); Roger Dolan, mural artist; Pat Topping, membership chair Historical Society, and Melody Peterson, Historical Society newsletter editor.
Roger and Anita went on to explain how the mural project came about and why the subject of Tai Chi was selected. The mural depicts a group of people standing in a park, performing a Tai Chi pose.
"The mural came about because we wanted to do something on that stairwell," said Ms. Hultman. She explained that she had gotten the approval to spend $3500 to $4000 in neighborhood council funds to pay for the mural. She contacted her friend Roger Dolan, a professional mural artist.
"Tai Chi is going on in Eagle Rock- Tai Chi is a community based activity," Roger said. "It brings people together," he added. He is a practitioner of the activity as well. He admitted they hadn't thought about the historical aspects of the area, though. (He lives in the Valley and Anita, although growing up in Northeast L.A., has only lived in Eagle Rock for six years.)
Murals are quite commonplace in the City of Los Angeles, but require a permit and approval from the Department of Cultural Affairs. Only a limited number are available every year. Was any research done to see how mural subjects have been selected in other sites within the city? No, they said.
"We are here to lobby for something more area specific," said Ms. Peterson. She and Mrs. Topping had brought historical photos to serve as possible mural subjects. One was of Chinese soldiers who were once trained for their revolution in the hills near the Eagle Rock. They also brought photos of trolley cars that once serviced the area. It seems that one of those trolley lines used to pass right by the stairwell on Figueroa Street that is to be the canvas of the proposed mural. The idea of painting a historic trolley car mural there seemed like a natural.
Although artist Dolan thought that a historical mural was a good idea, he wasn't personally interested in doing it. "We don't actually know that Tai Chi is not a part of this (community's history)," he added. He also exclaimed, "I'm doing this mural for $3500- my company would charge 15 to 20 thousand for it!"
"We're looking for something more specific," calmly said Ms. Peterson.
Finally, there was an idea to compromise, and to create a win-win mural. What if they used the subject of "Tai Chi practitioners in the park" and changed the park scene to one from Eagle Rock? By changing the background scene to one that would be recognizable as from one of the two local parks, Yosemite or Eagle Rock, the concerns of folks interested in Tai Chi and the ones interested in something area specific would both be satisfied. Everyone agreed it was an acceptable solution.
The new design, when completed, still has to clear the hurdles of the City's process for mural approval, which can take some time, and most likely, is still a long way off.

Local Funds in Jeopardy
by Tom Topping
In an innocently worded e-mail sent out to a list of his "friends", last week former 14th District Councilperson Nick Pacheco lit a firestorm of fear, anger and hostility when he brought attention to a city council motion, made by current Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa.
He wrote: "Dear Friends,
I have been asked by numerous community individuals if I know which local groups, that received money from the real property trust fund last year, don't have executable (sic) contracts and will lose their money? (sic)
I don't know and I would recommend calling the current Councilmember's office, if you have a concern, their number is (213) 473-7014.
Nick Pacheco"
To explain all about the real property trust fund would take a few paragraphs. But all you really need to know is this. Pacheco was telling us that money granted by him to various community organizations that has not been used yet could be taken away by Antonio Villaraigosa. Here is the meat of the motion he made:

"THEREFORE MOVE that, subject to the approval of the Mayor, the balance of all allocations made under Council File 03-1176 for which there are no executed contracts, in the Council District 14 Real Property Trust Fund No. 696 be transferred to the General City Purposes Fund No. 100-56, Account No. 0714 (CD-14 Community Services) for additional funding and support of neighborhood and community services efforts in Council District 14; and that the City Clerk be instructed and authorized to suspend further efforts to process those allocations inasmuch as the funds will be now utilized for more urgent needs in Council District 14."
In the original Pacheco motion was the listing of all the groups that were getting funds, with the amounts. Right away I saw the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce. I called Chamber President Michael Nogueira and asked him if the Chamber had gotten their $25,000 yet. They had received half of it and he was very concerned that the second half might not be forthcoming.
I called Clark Thomas, an ERCPR (Eagle Rock Community Preservation/ Revitalization) Board member and asked him if he knew the status of their $25,000. He said they had talked about it some, but there was no action on it so far.
I stopped by the Cultural Center to ask director Jenny Krusoe what the story was with their $125,000 from Pacheco. (amounts quoted from city clerk web site) She said that because of the budget crunch, Antonio had taken away $50,000. (It turned out those funds were not part of the real property trust fund- those were from a different source.)
ERCPR President Linda Allen, still recovering from a recent trip to the hospital called me the next day. No, the ERCPR had not gotten the funds yet, and neither had the 20th Century Women's Club.
She tried to explain the way the contracts work with the city, saying that they required the money be spent first before it can be reimbursed.
I called the City Clerk's Office to find out how these real property trust funds do get paid- what the process is. I pretended to be calling on behalf of the Women's Club (city employees are never very forthcoming with reporters). The nice gentleman said that all they had to do is fill out a request for payment, and that would get the money on its way. Acting confused (easy for me to do these days) I got him to explain that there actually are two types of contracts, reimbursement and advance payment.
Just as Linda Allen had said, they had to spend the money first and then get repaid once the documentation was received that the money was spent properly. (It sounds like they weren't told that any other type of contract was available though).
I finally had enough information to call Villaraigosa's office. I got the run around of my life. My patience was wearing thin by the time I got a hold of communications director Joe Ramallo.
He said, "I'm still new here, let me call you back."
"Wait!" I said. "This is my question." I read off the list of the three Eagle Rock organizations and included the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council who was supposed to get $50,000 for a copy machine. "Are any of these organizations are in danger of losing their funds?" I asked.
About an hour later he called back. "No," he said. "All the groups you mentioned are getting their funds."
It seems that if the organization has a contract in hand the funds will be safe. But on the other hand no one in the council office would answer the question of what exactly an "executed" contract was. Lisa Sarno did not return my call as promised. Jimmy Blackman did not return a call either. According to the dictionary, the term "executed" means that it has to have been performed or fulfilled or carried out, and that is the word used in the motion. It sounds like if you haven't fulfilled your part, and brought the contract into effect, it is in jeopardy.
Like Mr. Pacheco said, if you have a contract, but it has not been executed yet, you probably should call Villaraigosa's office to check on its status.
These groups with the funding amounts are copied directly from the original Pacheco motion:
Aztlan Running Group ($10,000)
Barrio Action Youth and Family Center ($100,000)
Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce ($25,000)
Roybal Youth and Family Center Computer Upgrade ($31,000) (East Los Angeles Community Corporation fiscal agent)
Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce ($25,000)
Eagle Rock Community Preservation/Revitalization ($25,000)
Eagle Rock Cultural Center ($125,00)
Estrada Courts Resident Management Corporation ($100,000)
Youth Opportunity Movement Community Fairs ($15,000) (Estrada Courts RMC fiscal agent)
Roybal Youth and Family Center Van Purchase ($20,000) (Estrada Courts RMC fiscal agent)
Greater Los Angeles Area Council on Deafness ($50,000)
Glassell Park Improvement Association ($10,000)
Hathaway Children and Family Services ($10,000)
Hollenbeck Explorers ($5,000) (Hollenbeck Boosters fiscal agent)
Northeast Explorers ($5,000) (Northeast Boosters fiscal agent)
Central Explorers ($5,000) (Northeast Boosters fiscal agent)
Highland Park Neighborhood Council ($50,000) (Historic Highland Park fiscal agent) Jovenes Inc. ($25,000)
Girls Today Women Tomorrow ($10,000) (Los Angeles Community Conservation Corp fiscal agent)
Library Foundation ($50,000)
National Association of Latino Elected Officials ($50,000)
Operation Y.E.S. ($50,000)
Proyecto Pastoral ($50,000)
Azteca Fire Crew ($20,000) (Public Health Foundation Enterprises Inc. fiscal agent)
Ramona Gardens Resident Advisory Committee ($10,000)
Salvadoran American National Association ($24,000)
Search to Involve Philipino Americans ($100,000)
Stevensen Middle School ($10,000)
TELACU Talent Search ($20,000)
Wilson High School ($20,000)
Wolf Pack Team ($20,000)
Women's 20th Century Club ($25,000)
East Los Angeles Sharks Swim Team ($10,000) (YMCA - Boyle Heights fiscal agent).

ERNC Election Coverage
2/24/04 Elections Committee Meeting, with updates as of 03-02-2004
As of the ERNC Elections Committee's scheduled meeting Tuesday, February 24th, only three candidates had registered to run for office, less than half the number of seats up for election March 27th. The ERNC has been making a concerted effort to provide information, training and public forums available to prospective candidates.
According to Bill Markis, ERNC Secretary, only 7-9 people showed up for the Candidate Workshop held Saturday, February 21st. The offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer as well as several Subdistrict Directors, a Youth and a Faith-Based Representative are up for grabs.
Workshop attendees were given a red notebook containing the ERNC bylaws pertaining to the election, a voter information pamphlet that is being mailed to all stakeholders, voter and candidate registration forms, and an application for an absentee ballot. Everett Serrabia, a stakeholder present at the meeting, suggested that a second workshop be held.
Following the discussion of the workshops, the topic turned to the Candidate Forums, the first of which is set for March 6th, 10AM – 12 Noon at Toland Way School. The meeting will be in the auditorium. Jerry Kvasnicka of the League of Women Voters talked about the physical format of the meeting.
At the school it will be possible to set up tables in front facing the audience. Jerry suggested providing a microphone for soft spoken candidates and having the candidates stay seated at the tables so that people can see them at all times. A podium will be in the center.
Jerry, who will act as Forum moderator, will call the candidates to speak and suggested a 2 minute limit.
Bill Markis countered that with 2 hours to fill and only 12 candidates, more time could be given. Jerry responded that from his experience more than 2 minutes will give the candidates time to ramble – which won't look good. Some won't take 3 minutes if the time is given them.
Everett suggested that a question and answer session follow – with only questions that all candidates have the opportunity to answer. Jerry recommended written questions to allow the elimination of duplicates and to take out personal attacks. As moderator, Jerry may reiterate or paraphrase the question for clarification.
Everett then asked if there could be a translator present. The response was that there could be equipment and a translator available from the Department Of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE) – on 3 weeks notice.
Bill Markis suggested that when multiple candidates run for a particular office, all candidates should be introduced as a group, in the order shown on the ballot.
Jerry then restated the schedule – the Candidate Forum is on the 6th, last day to file is on the 11th, and no write in candidates are allowed per the revised ERNC bylaws. On the 11th, at noon, filing is closed. If someone shows up on the 6th and has not filed the form, Bill suggested that they be allowed to speak at the Forum. Jerry suggested identifying the speakers who have not been verified.
Marlene Schmidt, an Elections Committee member commented that the ERNC fax, phone, and P.O. Box all are in control or at the house of Dalila Sotelo, the current ERNC President. Jerry responded that if Dalila is running for an office, she should be talked to about not touching candidate forms or registration forms.
Bill asked Anita Hultman, ERNC Vice President and Outreach Chair about publicity – he would like a general mailing to encourage participation at the Forum. Anita said that an ad will be taken out in this paper for March 5th distribution, one day before the forum. Everett suggested other publications for advertising the Forum – including the Glassell Park Improvement Association newsletter.
Jerry wanted to know how absentee ballots will be sent out – who will send them and where are they going to be received? Bill recommended that the League of Women Voters handle the absentee ballot process. Jerry responded that the LWV can receive and count, but DONE should send out the ballots. If the LWV receives the ballots using the prepaid envelopes, the cost is 60 cents per return. The whole cost to ERNC would be $60.00 if 100 absentee ballots are requested and sent back. Bill suggested that such an amount of money would be OK.
Bill then moved that we ask the LWV to receive the absentee ballots; Everett seconded the motion. The motion passed. Bill also said that pre-registration must be taken out of hands of Dalila.
Tom Topping, publisher of the Boulevard Sentinel was still concerned about the candidate filing forms, or to be more specific, who was in charge of receiving them.
The situation is this: Prospective candidates who wish to file must return their filing forms by mail, fax or e-mail.
His concern was two fold. First, if the ERNC President, the person in charge of the p.o. box and e-mail account, was going to run again, it would be a conflict for her to be the one receiving those documents. Secondly, because many in the community and on the council have questioned the integrity of Dalila in the past, it would be simply good policy to avoid even the slightest appearance of impropriety and make sure that someone else handled the forms.
Tom asked if the committee was going to adjourn without creating specific actions to address these concerns. They decided that was not a good idea and came up with a plan. Dalila would have to hand over the key to the p.o. box and give the e-mail access to another who would change the password. (As of the regular board meeting on March 2, these actions had not yet been taken.)
Jerry responded that Bill, as elections chair, has the duty to guard the information turned over to him.
Robert Flores, a stakeholder, expressed an interest in obtaining a copy of the file of registered voters so that he would know to whom to address a campaign, mentioning that only one person has that file now.
According to Jerry, lists are considered to be Council assets, not the property of individual office holders. Tom responded that the State Public Records Act makes all public information or knowledge available to everyone.
A lively discussion ensued between Robert and Anita as to whether some candidates had access to the list last time. Jerry suggested that hard copy, not software, be given to people who want a mailing list.
Tom noted that there was still no plan to keep the faxes out of reach of Dalila. Art Casillas said the faxes could be forwarded to another fax machine, a proposal that satisfied Mr. Topping. (At the latest board meeting, Dalila said the Fax is at DONE {Department of Neighborhood Empowerment})
The meeting concluded with an announcement by Anita Hultman that 400 to 500 people would be at Eagle Rock High School the day of the election for a basketball event. This event would reduce parking and possibly participation in the election. A convoluted motion to move the election venue to either the Philippino Village or City Hall passed with 4 in favor, 2 opposed and one abstention.
At the March 2 Board Meeting, by majority vote of the entire council, the election location was moved back to Yosemite Recreation Center. Some parking spaces would be set aside for use by voters only, and since community members claim they mostly walk to places like local restaurants anyway, not much parking would be needed. As of press time, the election is back at Yosemite Park Recreation Center, March 27th, from 1 to 4 P.M.

Parking Study Unveiled
The Eagle Rock Commercial District Parking Study will be unveiled this month at a public meeting to be held at the 20th Century Women's Club. The purpose of this study is to assess the parking issues of the commercial district and community, look for solutions and eventually create a plan to address them.
The study was made possible through a state grant to the ERCPR of $300,000, the majority of which was to fund the storefront improvement program that has been successful.
A limited number of copies of the plan will be available at the meeting which will be held on Saturday, March 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served and VIP's State Senator Jack Scott, and City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa are scheduled to attend.
If you are in business on the Boulevards in Eagle Rock, or live adjacent to those commercial areas you may want to be there as it may ultimately have a huge impact on you, your business and your home.

Boulevard Sentinel California History Project

Pio Pico- 2 time Governor of Mexican California

On a trip down to Olvera Street to cover a protest last December, I did a little sight seeing. I journeyed the two blocks up Temple St. to the Our Lady Queen of Angels Cathedral to have a look inside. I recommend it to you. It is worth seeing. As I left, I walked by the Fort Moore Memorial. It is on Hill Street Across the freeway from the Cathedral. Inscribed in the stone (concrete?) was mention of the Mormon Battalion and the Gadsden Purchase.
I wasn't the best student in my High School history classes, but I think I would have remembered something about that. It intrigued me. I felt something had been kept from me. Ah yes, another cover up! I would soon discover that in the years that I went to school, the history of the conquest of Mexican California was completely absent.
That weekend I searched the internet for the "Gadsden Purchase" and found my self starting on a journey into early California history. That afternoon I drove to the San Gabriel Mission and toured the Mission for the first time since I was 7 years old.
Since then I have found myself traveling to three historic California cities, three more missions, two history museums, a presidio, a pueblo, numerous historic adobe structures, a battlefield and a house where a two time Governor of Mexican California once lived.
In the meantime, I learned a little about the Rancho system that helped settle the state, one of which once included the area that most of my readers call home. I also learned about a people who were conquered, and a little about "La Raza."
As I learn, I will share with you what I find. I invite you to join in and correct me when I get it wrong, or share your knowledge of the roots of the Southern California paradise we all call home.
Since I mentioned the Gadsden Purchase, I'll fill you in. James Gadsden was a railroad magnate in New England. He was sent by the U.S Secretary of War, Jefferson Davis, to negotiate a price for the purchase of land ceded by Mexico in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. (That was the treaty that ended the U.S-Mexico War in 1848.) He was authorized to pay up to $50 million for the territory that now includes California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, most of Colorado and part of Wyoming. He paid only 15 million for it (or was it 10 million? or 5?) He and General Antonio López de Santa Anna (yes, that Santa Anna) signed the Gadsden purchase on December 30, 1853.
You might be asking "U.S.-Mexico War?" Next month, I'll talk about that- or maybe about a Mexican Soldier named Jose Maria Verdugo.
Pio Pico - Twice Governor of Mexican California

High School to get Black and White
Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce President Michael Nogueira had an important announcement for the students, parents and teachers of Eagle Rock High School this month. He has been serving on the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for a few years now and just recently became the chairperson.
Last month, he was concerned to hear about a gang related shooting at Yosemite Park, right next to the High School, and about the delay in response, even though an officer is stationed at the school full time. He announced that the Housing Authority had recently disbanded their police force, and still had six black and whites (patrol cars) in their possession.
As chairman he was able to get the cars donated to the LAUSD, with the stipulation that one car would remain at the school permanently, for use by the school police officer that is stationed there.

New Captain for Northeast
Captain Kyle Jackson is leaving the Northeast Division of the L.A.P.D. He will be replaced by Captain Maurice Smith from Southwest Division. Actually, Captain Smith and Captain Jackson are trading precincts.

Eagle Vista Seniors
The 9 a.m. Board Meeting of the Eagle Vista Seniors on March 2 will be followed at 10 am by the usual business meeting. Birthday cake for March "babies" will be served. Kyle Jackson of the LAPD will speak to members about community problems in the area. March 2 is also the deadline for the deposit of $100 toward the upcoming Branson trip. March 9 Francine Walton will inform the group about an HMO called "SCAN" and what it offers seniors.
St. Patricks Day brings a luncheon catered by Eastside Market - but on March 16, not 17-for all Irish, and would-be Irish revelers.
The cost is $78 for members, $8 for guests.
Johnny Ace Palmer, World Champion Magician, (only one other American has held this title) will entertain the crowd.
On March 23 members Barbara Williams and Lou Agrati will share their separate stories of the busy lives they have led.
March 30 - BINGO! Mel Paulson, caller. This date is also the deadline to sign-up and pay for the Citrus Singers program coming in May.
The Eagle Vista Seniors meet at the Eagle Rock Recreation Center every Tuesday morning, unless noted otherwise.

DASH Meeting
The people who are trying to get a new DASH route in the Northeast area are having another meeting. They invite all who live in the areas to be served by the proposed bus service that includes Eagle Rock, Glassell Park and Cypress Park, to attend and show their support. The Meeting will be Monday March 8, 2004 from 6 to 8 pm. Refreshments will be served, childcare will be provided as well as translation services. Representatives from L.A. City Council Districts 1, 13 and 14 have been invited to attend. For more information, you are invited to call Alexia at 323 223 6840 or Everett at 323 254 3512.

SAVE THE DATE: GP CHAMBER MIXER - 11 MARCH
You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of Glassell Park's newest business and join the Glassell Park Chamber of Commerce. Arbor Plus Company is new, but it is run by an old friend and one of Glassell Park's favorite businessman - Tony Macias.
Glassell Park Chamber of Commerce Mixer
Arbor Plus Co. 3279 Eagle Rock Blvd. Thursday, 11 March 2003
5:00pm to 7:00pm
Parking is free; hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be provided.

YOUNG "TREE-HUGGER" IN HERMON - February 2004 - "Tree-huggers" start at an early age in the "clean and green" Northeast Los Angeles community of Hermon, as shown by a tiny member of one of the several local families helping to plant 16 new trees on the Monterey Road median there. More than 30 volunteers of all ages took part on a recent Saturday, with Hermon residents getting helping hands from other families and friends joining in from nearby Arroyo Seco-area communities Montecito Heights, Cypress Park, and Highland Park. The three different varieties of colorful blooming trees placed in the median were provided by L.A.'s Department of Water & Power "Trees for a GreenLA" program and volunteers received instruction, tools, and support from Los Angeles Conservation Corps workers. The corps earlier in the year also added more than 30 new parkway trees along business and residential streets in the community. The median planting was sponsored by the Hermon Neighborhood Association as part of an ongoing beautification program involving several public areas, including this large traffic median on Monterey Road between Avenue 60 and Via Marisol. Since July 2003, volunteer workers' time has also been "matched" by L.A.'s Neighborhood Matching fund program that will add a permanent community marker to the grassy median. The 101-year-old Hermon community of Los Angeles borders the east side of the Arroyo Seco, north of El Sereno and Montecito Heights and across the Historic Arroyo Seco Parkway from Highland Park. -- Hermon Neighborhood Association Photo Press Contact: Wendi Riser HNA,

 Tromperland

by Richard Miazga

The Trompers are always smiling!
Here, from left, Mike Mancillas, Bob Bean, Tim Dodd, Carey Delzell, Richard Miazga - Car Owner Gordie Chamberlin enjoy a monday morning at Jim’s Burgers.

The current members of Eagle Rock's Hot Rod club, the "TROMPERS," have the honor of continuing the legacy of a car club that started way back in 1945. In this new monthly column, it will be our pleasure to relate the latest chapter the "New Kids" are adding to this very colorful legacy.
LET THE FUN BEGIN!
We would like to begin by announcing that the Trompers hold their weekly get-together every Monday morning at Jim's Burgers, located at 2005 Colorado Blvd. in downtown Eagle Rock starting at 9:00 A.M. If you enjoy hanging out with 25 guys who are really into road racing, drag racing, dry lake racing, hot rods, and, collectively, have well over 1000 years of hot rodding experiences to share, then make plans to join in the fun. We encourage of all our members and guests to bring their hot rods for display. Every week there's a great assortment of roadsters, coupes, trucks, and sedans present with lively discussions always taking place.
So, what's on tap in the immediate future for the TROMPERS? Well, on March 7th, the club is forming up at Jim's with their hot rods and driving out to Santa Paula Airport to spend the day. The airport has interesting shops, museums, and lots of vintage airplanes. Plus, we will be meeting hot rod clubs from other areas who also are invited, giving us the opportunity to see what other hot rodders have to offer in their latest wheels.
Then, on March 13th, the TROMPERS are adding their support along with three other hot rod clubs-- the Golden Oldies, Good Times, and the Old Memories--to present the first of what will be a monthly Cruise-In at Jim's. With a combined membership of over 70 members, these Cruise-Ins will have a very colorful collection of hot rods on display each and every month. Then, on March 21st, many of the TROMPERS will join in the fun at the 11th Kiwanis Car Show held each year at Verdugo Park in Glendale. It's safe to say that the "New Kids" are really keeping busy, and many members are also busy working on their individual projects. One member just towed home a `37 Ford, another a `56 Ford pickup, two members continue to rebuild a super-neat `33 Chevy coupe racecar, and one of our newest members, Gordie Chamberlin, (pictured) just purchased this show-winning `23 T-Roadster. What a car! I'll guarantee that Gordie will trophy with this at the Kiwanis show!
So that's it, at least till next month when we invite you to read what the "New Kids" from the TROMPERS are up to. It will be interesting, rest assured. But, as we say, "Let the Fun Begin" in Tromperland.
See you next month! Richard Miazga
 

Men With Telescopes

Astronomy Meets Astrology
by Barbara Ferrara
On January 26, my family and I had the privilege of attending an astronomy demonstration in the parking lot of Eagle Rock Library presented by four men with homemade telescopes. Collectively known as sidewalk astronomers, this group included Robert Eklund, who is on the board of directors at Mount Wilson Observatory Astronomy Association, his son Dana Eklund, who was moonlighting -no pun intended - as librarian at Eagle Rock Library, and Bob Albozzian, whose telescope was trained on Saturn. *
I had attended a demonstration like this about ten years ago at Eagle Rock Elementary school and half expected that my experience would be similar. But instead of looking through shiny and probably very expensive telescopes, these men were the proud owners of what looked like large cardboard mailing tubes with lenses stuck in the side. Well, you can't tell a book by it's cover, and you certainly can't tell a telescope from the outside - especially when you look through it and are magically transported beyond this rather worrisome world to the craters of the moon, Saturn's rings and the silent beauty of space.
John Dobson, the founder of Sidewalk Astronomers was born and raised in China, and having worked as an engineer in America's 1940s atomic program, dropped out of the system to become a monk in the Vedanta school of philosophy. Still an engineer at heart, Dobson would make homemade telescopes from used lenses and grind his own mirrors using sand at the monastery. Determined to bring the wonder of the solar system to everyday people, Dobson would donate his telescopes for public use at schools, parks and Indian reservations. Before long, the folks at the monastery suspected that his forays into the night involved questionable pursuits and they ejected him, which was a blessing in disguise as it freed him to lecture and give demonstrations all over the world. Besides inventing the well known "Dobsonian Mount" - something to do with mirrors and lenses - Dobson is perhaps most well known for his controversial ideas about the cosmos. He rejected the "Big Bang" theory and espouses a kinder, gentler explanation of creation having to do with Yin and Yang and matter being recycled - at least that's the way Dana tried to explain it to me at the library.
As an astrologer I'm always on the lookout for an "as above so below" demonstration of how the planets correlate with life on earth, and this seemed to fit. Uranus, planet of scientific technology, liberation and social causes is in Tropical Pisces, sign of imagination, compassion, volunteerism and spirituality. Here we were, gazing at the universe surrounded by schools, churches, a library and other institutions of humanity's quest for why we are here. By the time Uranus has completed its seven year sojourn in Pisces, and by the time Pisces' ruler, Neptune, is half way through its complementary trip through Uranus's sign of Aquarius, I suspect that science will have become very spiritual, and spirituality will include more technology. And contrary to President Bush's plan to send more men and junk up into space, a better plan might be to work on cleaning up the mess down here first. Sidewalk astronomers are already part of this vision - they built a telescope for Eagle Rock Library through which we can all travel the solar system, for free.
*Saturn is presently astronomically in the constellation of Gemini, near the twin stars of Castor and Pollux. However, astrologically, it is in the Tropical sign of Cancer. The two zodiacs are about a sign apart due to the phenomenon known as Precession.
For more information visit the www.sidewalkastronomers.com website at which are details of upcoming events, party demonstrations and information on building a homemade telescope.

Traditional Passover
Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock again this year will have a full Passover celebration, with a delicious dinner and a joyous Seder service at 6:30 PM, Tuesday, April 6, 2004 (Second Seder). Cantor Ken Rothstein will lead the service from the hagaddah, the traditional text that recites the history of the Exodus from Egypt led by Moses. Advance reservation with payment is required. The Temple can be contacted by mail at P.O. Box 421186, Los Angeles, CA 90042, by e-mail: tbi@tbila.org or voice mail at (323) 255-5416. Reservations are requested before March 23.

Be on the lookout
for a 1990-95 black Ford Thunderbird being driven by a male Caucasian. The driver is approximately 35-45 years old, weighs between 130 and 140 lbs, is approximately 5'8" tall, has a light complexion and brown hair, and was last seen with a thick moustache. He is suspected of crimes in Montecito Heights and Hermon

OXY Spanks La Verne
David Crockett
The Occidental College men's basketball squad spanked the University of La Verne 94-81 on Monday, February 23, to boost their record to 16-8 overall and 9-4 in league play with one game remaining on their schedule. The La Verne Leopards dropped to 12-12 on the season, 4-9 in SCIAC action.
The Tigers' high scoring attack was engineered by senior guard Dan Murphy, who scorched the Leopards for a game high 27 points. Murphy's hot hand was complemented by junior Dallin Wilson's 19 points and 8 rebounds; Wilson was s first team all selection during Occidental's 2002-03 campaign. Freshman Sam Betty contributed nicely with 16 points and 7 rebounds of his own in the winning effort.
The Leopards dug themselves into a hole early on, playing catch up with Oxy for virtually the entire contest. Oxy torched La Verne by shooting 56% from the field, and converting 19 out of 24 attempts at the free throw line. La Verne's undersized players were manhandled on the boards all evening, losing the rebounding battle to the Tigers 38-23. La Verne had a significantly harder time matching up against Occidental than they did in their previous outing against the Cal Tech Beavers, then they humiliated Cal Tech with a 64-12 shellacking. In their first match this season against the Beavers, La Verne cruised to an even easier 108-16 triumph. Against the Tigers, La Verne was led by the 18 points of Marc McCoy and the 16 points chipped in by Danny Stephens.
The victory leaves Occidental, ranked 24th nationally in the official preseason Division III poll, in a three way tie for second place in SCIAC along with Cal Lutheran and Claremont McKenna. Cal Lutheran, a team led by reigning first team all-leaguer Zareh Avedian, is slated to play the Tigers on February 26 in Thousand Oaks. The Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, SCIAC leaders with a 10-3 conference record, are almost guaranteed a post season appearance considering that their final game is against lowly Cal Tech. The league champion each year automatically receives an invite to the Division III tournament, but runner ups in the conference are rarely selected.

from David Tokofsky
The recent shooting near Eagle Rock High School reminds us all that we must be vigilant and support each other in keeping our neighborhoods safe. These days no community is immune from gun and gang violence. I quickly learned this in October when a stray bullet from a gang shooting came through my office window at LAUSD headquarters.
The following are phone numbers that you might put to use. Remember though, your first call is always to "911" in a true emergency. If you have any questions about the incident in Yosemite Park or for any other safety concerns, please contact any of the following LAUSD resources: Sergeant Randy Glymph supervises the Eagle Rock area of District E for the Los Angeles School Police (LASP) and may be reached at (213) 742-8248. The Los Angeles Unified School District Police Department's Watch Commander's number is (213) 625-6631. Eagle Rock Junior and Senior High School's Principal Fletcha may be reached at (323) 255-3398. As always, you may reach me at my Board office at 213-241-6383. Thank

From TERA President Emeritus Joanne Turner:
“Someone deliberately cut down the tree in the parkway in front of my home last night. Trash from El Pollo Loco was left in the street, and yesterday evening around 10:30 my neighbor across the street spotted a late-model white SUV parked there with a light inside flashing intermittently.
Whoever you are, you won't win. Shame on you.”

Candidate Interest Low at ERNC
by Bob Thorpe
The ERNC Nominating Committee held a meeting February 17 in the Eagle Rock Library on Caspar to discuss and plan for the Neighborhood Council Elections to be held March 27th. Only five stakeholders and no announced candidates appeared to hear the discussion of the upcoming Neighborhood Council election.
Jerry Kvasnicka, Elections Manager of the League of Women Voters was present to assist the committee with ideas on Candidate Forums, vote counting, and the procedure for absentee ballots. According to Jerry, the League has been instrumental in organizing Neighborhood Councils since they were first chartered by the City of Los Angeles. The League has participated in organizing 45 of the Councils, and Jerry has personally been involved with 18, with 6 more in the wings for the coming two weeks.
He will oversee the ERNC election so that there will be no errors or problems – and he would like to work with the Board on the development of the ballot. Jerry also will supervise counting of ballots, will take all registration forms, ballots, tally sheets, etc. offsite after the election, and will deal with any provisional ballot issues – provisional ballots exist when someone can't show that they are stakeholder.
The Bureau of Neighborhood Councils (BONC) has election procedures working group that is trying to come out with a template for Neighborhood Councils to use for their elections. In the meantime, each NC is pretty much on their own to develop policies and procedures, subject to oversight by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE), the City agency that charters the Councils.
Bill Markis, ERNC Secretary and Subdistrict 8 Community Director called the meeting to order and asked for stakeholder concerns and comments. Everett Serrabia brought to the Committee's attention an error on the cover of the Election Flyer mailed to ERNC Stakeholders – the Candidate's Workshop on Saturday February 21 at 10 AM until Noon had been postponed to the afternoon. Bill asked Everett to post a notice at the meeting location informing candidates of the change.
The final day to submit a candidate registration form (available at the ERNC table at the Eagle Rock Farmer's Market every Friday night) is March 11 at noon. Completed forms, with a 100 word or less statement for the Voter Guide, can be mailed to ERNC Election Committee, P.O. Box 41005, Los Angeles, CA 90041 or faxed to 323-224-2312.

MAGIC AND
MYSTERY AT THE EAGLE ROCK LIBRARY --
MARCH 6, 18 The Eagle Rock Branch Library will be hosting two events of interest to families with children during the month of March. On Saturday, March 6 at 2:00 p.m., a "Mystery Guest" will help us celebrate "Reading Across America" by sharing wonderful tales of Dr. Seuss. Then, on March 18, Tony Daniels, Master Magician, returns to the library to present his own "Magical Tales." That's Thursday, March 18, at 3:30 p.m. For more information, call Kent Brinkmeyer at the Eagle Rock Branch Library (323) 258-8079. -- Mary Wynton, Eagle Rock Library, Children's Librarian

CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EAGLE ROCK
proudly presents Life Through My Eyes Sat., March 27 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. Los Angeles, CA-(March 1, 2004)
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, will present "Life Through My Eyes," a tantalizing poetry and spicy spoken word extravaganza, directed and hosted by City of Los Angeles Artist in Residence Lisa Marie Sandoval.
"Life Through My Eyes" will feature Northeast L.A. youth, ages 14-21, performing original works about life in the barrio, side by side Sandoval as she presents her powerfully poignant slices of life from "The Yowling & Other Sounds from Highland Park" on Saturday, March 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Center for the Arts is located at 2225 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles, one block west of Eagle Rock Boulevard in Council District 14, represented by Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa, whose council office will be in attendance.
For those interested in what the next generation has to say, this is the event to attend. Sandoval began her search and development of young talent by conducting poetry workshops tied to California state academic standards and curriculum to over 1,000 students at Franklin High School. "She captivated them [the students] immediately with her poetry presentations," said Mentor English Teacher and GATE Coordinator Maria Soldevilla. "Students could relate to the local community inspired poems." From there Sandoval selected only the cream of the crop youth poets to develop their written technique and performance style more intensely at classes specifically designed for them at Center for the Arts.
"We're proud to be the host venue for such a talented and cutting-edge poet," said Jenny Krusoe, Executive Director of Center for the Arts, former Poetry Editor of the Santa Monica Review, "Her performance style is unique and adds an exciting new element to our curriculum. She targets the talent of high school students, which is a new area for the center."
The event is also sponsored in part by a City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs grant awarded to Sandoval for 2003 -2004 purposed to bring art into local communities. "My aim is to bring healing and hope and to show people, youth in particular, that they can make beautiful art from the brokenness of real life," said the nationally published poet and Cultural Affairs grant recipient. "My poetry is a song I wrote, because I heard it resonating from the hearts of the people in my neighborhood."
Sandoval's unique style of contemporary drama and dance in her poetic performance intimately brings to life the immigrant experience, welfare mothers, homelessness, gangs, and families with poverty-stricken dreams. "'Life Through My Eyes'," adds Sandoval, "is an opportunity for youth to share in their own words what we all read in books or see in the news but might never want to get close to. It's what these kids live day in and day out."
Admission to the show is free. Music and refreshments will be served. For more information, please call (323) 226-1617 or e-mail poetryarts@truevine.net.


Audubon Center
Saturday, March 6
Family Pictures-Cuadros de Familia
11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, Casa de Adobe, Mt. Washington
We'll explore family traditions in Carmen Lomas Garza's book, Family Pictures-Cuadros de Familia. Afterward, we'll search the Southwest Museum's Casa de Adobe to find out where family members slept, cooked, and played in the past. Free with museum admission.

Saturday, March 13
Highland Park/Craftsman Walking Tour
1:00, 1:15, 1:30, and 1:45 p.m., Casa de Adobe, Mt. Washington
This docent-led tour features visits to the Southwest Museum's Casa de Adobe and La Casita Verde. Reservations are required. Call the Los Angeles Conservancy at 213.623.2489 or visit www.laconservancy.org/tours. $10

Saturday, March 20
Twelfth Annual Book Sale
10:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m., Casa de Adobe, Mt. Washington
Peek through hundreds of rare books at the twelfth annual Braun Research Library Friends Group Book Sale. Proceeds from the book sale go to the library's acquisition fund. Members may preview books beginning at 9:00 a.m. Free to the public.

JAPANESE CERAMICS SYMPOSIUM
Occidental College will host "Japanese Ceramics as Transnational Culture: A Symposium" at 7 p.m. Monday, March 8 in Johnson Hall, Room 200. Featured speakers include Morgan Pitelka, Luce Assistant Professor of Asian Studies at Occidental, and 1979 alumnus John Wells, who has been making pottery in Japan for the past two decades.
The symposium is free and open to the public. Occidental College is located at 1600 Campus Road in Eagle Rock. For directions and a campus map, visit www.oxy.edu/welcome..

CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EAGLE ROCK
proudly presents Life Through My Eyes Sat., March 27 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. Los Angeles, CA-(March 1, 2004)
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, will present "Life Through My Eyes," a tantalizing poetry and spicy spoken word extravaganza, directed and hosted by City of Los Angeles Artist in Residence Lisa Marie Sandoval.
"Life Through My Eyes" will feature Northeast L.A. youth, ages 14-21, performing original works about life in the barrio, side by side Sandoval as she presents her powerfully poignant slices of life from "The Yowling & Other Sounds from Highland Park" on Saturday, March 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Center for the Arts is located at 2225 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles, one block west of Eagle Rock Boulevard in Council District 14, represented by Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa, whose council office will be in attendance.
For those interested in what the next generation has to say, this is the event to attend. Sandoval began her search and development of young talent by conducting poetry workshops tied to California state academic standards and curriculum to over 1,000 students at Franklin High School. "She captivated them [the students] immediately with her poetry presentations," said Mentor English Teacher and GATE Coordinator Maria Soldevilla. "Students could relate to the local community inspired poems." From there Sandoval selected only the cream of the crop youth poets to develop their written technique and performance style more intensely at classes specifically designed for them at Center for the Arts.
"We're proud to be the host venue for such a talented and cutting-edge poet," said Jenny Krusoe, Executive Director of Center for the Arts, former Poetry Editor of the Santa Monica Review, "Her performance style is unique and adds an exciting new element to our curriculum. She targets the talent of high school students, which is a new area for the center."
The event is also sponsored in part by a City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs grant awarded to Sandoval for 2003 -2004 purposed to bring art into local communities. "My aim is to bring healing and hope and to show people, youth in particular, that they can make beautiful art from the brokenness of real life," said the nationally published poet and Cultural Affairs grant recipient. "My poetry is a song I wrote, because I heard it resonating from the hearts of the people in my neighborhood."
Sandoval's unique style of contemporary drama and dance in her poetic performance intimately brings to life the immigrant experience, welfare mothers, homelessness, gangs, and families with poverty-stricken dreams. "'Life Through My Eyes'," adds Sandoval, "is an opportunity for youth to share in their own words what we all read in books or see in the news but might never want to get close to. It's what these kids live day in and day out."
Admission to the show is free. Music and refreshments will be served. For more information, please call (323) 226-1617 or e-mail poetryarts@truevine.net.
 

Assembly Member Carol Liu To Co-Reform “Unfair” Bill
Sacramento - Following up on her promise to end abuse of the state's Unfair Competition Law, Assemblymember Carol Liu (D-La Cañada Flintridge) announced that she will co-author a new bill to reform that statute. The Unfair Competition Law, which is codified in Business and Professions Code section 17200, came under scrutiny after it was used by corrupt attorneys to extort small business owners in Southern California.
"This law was designed to protect the public from dishonest business practices, but instead became a tool for unscrupulous attorneys to 'shakedown' small businesses," Liu said. "The new bill adds safeguards to the law to prevent this from happening again."
AB 2369 was introduced by Assemblymember Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) on February 18th. Among the bill's provisions are those requiring plaintiffs to notify regulatory and law enforcement officials when filing a suit, disqualifying attorneys with clear conflicts of interest, creating finality for properly adjudicated suits to avoid duplicate actions, applying sanctions against attorneys who file frivolous claims, and requiring a court to review and approve settlements to weed out coercion and exploitation.
Liu last year voted against measures that purported to reform the Unfair Competition Law, which she believed were likely to do more harm than good. "I'm committed to meaningful reform," she said, "that is what AB 2369 is all about."

FROBISHER DOING AIDS/LIFECYCLE
From Glasssell Park Activict and Neighborhood Council Representative Brian Frobisher
“I will be riding in the AIDS/LIFECYCLE ride this coming June 6-12th 2004. It's a 7-day, 585-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to make a world of difference in the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS.
I will be proudly representing the Northeast as I pedal my way down the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles
I am really working hard training to make the 585 mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I am looking for your support to help me meet my minimum goal of $2,500.00 and would really like to get to $5,000.00, that is not even $10.00 per mile. Look below at my homepage for my training journal and I will keep you posted on my progress. Please assist me in helping out people in Los Angeles that are in need.
Help me support the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV/AIDS services of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. Click the blue "Make a Donation" button and give what you can. We'll keep riding until AIDS and HIV are a thing of the past.
URL for my donation page: http://www.aidslifecycle.org/6359
Tax Deductible of course! Thank you so much for your support, it is for a very good cause.
Brian Frobisher - Rider # 6359
P.S. If you are not comfortable paying via the www please let me know and I will get you a donation form and SASE so you can make your donation in a more conventional way.