Boulevard Sentinel
VOLUME VIII ISSUE 12
News and Views
for Northeast
Los Angeles
April 2005
| Council President Resigns by Tom Topping  This tops off a year where about half of the council members elected last year have given up and walked away. Officially, the majority of them resigned for personal reasons. However, any reasonable observer could see the friction of the various personalities during the year's meetings. This, combined with the fact that very little was getting accomplished, would lead most anyone to reject wasting their precious time for such a dysfunctional community group. Anita said that she would not be participating with the Eagle Rock Council again, unless it was on behalf of the Collaborative (Eagle Rock Beautiful), an organization she feels if worth putting her effort into. She saw that people in the Collaborative were actually doing the things that she thought she would be doing in the Neighborhood Council. "In the Collaborative, we're all equal," she said. Her proudest accomplishment is the mural on North Figueroa St. Her biggest challenge was working with the L.A. City government which she described as "difficult." She said "I'm happy with the decision I made," and has felt a great sense of relief ever since. Does Anita have advice for others who might consider participating in the Neighborhood Council? "If you have the tenacity for it, it's good," she said. And wished anyone who might participate, "Good Luck!" Finally, to quell speculation that had been circulating that the strain of the Neighborhood Council had pushed her marriage to the brink of failure, and that she and her husband were now separated, she said, "I've been house sitting." Michael Nogueira, 5 time Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce President will have his plate full, discharging the duties of the remainder of the term of Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council President. He said he will accept those duties and responsibilities, and plans to expedite the elections, delayed two months now, and pay the many vendors that have done business with the council, who remain unpaid, some still waiting from last year. Jessica Wethington said of Anita's resignation, "It's been coming for a long time, she's a full time student. Her grades were slipping and she had to choose. I think she made the right choice for her." (Anita could not be reached to confirm or deny that) Jessica just kept talking about the resignation and said, "I know who she would point fingers at, but I'm not going to say. There would definitely be fingers pointed in every direction." She went on to comment that "It's a small board now and a lot of work to be done without any leader." Although it is clear that Mr. Nogueira is now the council president, effective on Anita's resignation, Jessica seemed unwilling to accept that. She mentioned that she was waiting to be told by D.O.N.E. (Los Angeles Department of Neighborhood Empowerment) of his authority, or at least to receive communication from him that he was accepting the position. Either way, it sounds like the difficulties are far from over for the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, with or without any finger pointing. Highland Park Crime Report by Tom Topping  Reporting to community members at the latest Highland Park Neighborhood Watch meeting was officer Chris Cooper. He is a veteran Los Angeles Officer and the Senior Lead Officer for the southern section of Highland Park. The biggest news was about the crack house on the border of Eagle Rock and Highland Park that had been shut down lately. It wasn't only that it was a crack house but also a hangout and flop house for local homeless people and drug addicts. The building at 7047 N. Figueroa Street has long been often a subject of curiosity to passers by as the facade of the long closed storefront is decorated with a variety of artsy looking items. An operation developed there that allowed if any person showing up at the door with drugs to share would be allowed to stay the night. The "house" has been a magnet for the homeless, druggies and local criminals, most being the folks that fit under all three categories. In an cooperative effort, inspector Ohaida from Building and Safety ordered the building red tagged as unsafe and had it boarded up. There was a shooting in the 100 block of N.Ave 50 (near Figueroa) where an argument between the apartment manager and 2 individuals took place. The manager returned with a firearm and shot them both. Police know who he is and are looking for him. The Vice squad will be working the catering trucks on Figueroa. (?) There are 'foot beats' working the area wherein the police do walking patrols. They are not effective at arresting for prostitution, but have picked up many "prop 36" violators (Prop 36 was a law that mandated minor drug offenders get drug diversion instead of prison). When they fail to show up for treatment they are violating the terms of their release. The "fillmore" tagger painted his moniker on the Arroyo Seco Library. The police knew who he was and after a judge sentenced him to 'camp', he was let out after he served his time, and a week later "fillmore" started appearing all over town again. Tim Brown, probation officer, did a home check and found a case of green spray paint in his bedroom, a violation of his parole and arrested him again. There was an "Ave. 43" gang-member that was shot at while tagging in Cypress Park. "CP" gang members also shot at what they thought were rival gang members driving down Ave. 41. who turned out to be members of the L.A.P.D. vice squad. The traffic task force has been a regular visitor lately. They are cracking down on three major violations. One is not yielding to pedestrians. A crosswalk sting netted over ten violators on North Figueroa Street. Next, turning right or left on a red light without stopping, as well as pedestrians crossing on the "don't walk" will be targeted soon. VACATED - An storefront in the 7000 N. Figueroa was being used as a crack house/ flophouse/ homeless hangout. LAPD moved in and Building and Safety boarded it up. Getting Sideways in Eagle Rock? by Tom Topping The whole genre of wine tasting and wine connoisseuring received a huge boost last year as the movie "sideways" dependably filled theaters nationwide. The timing of that movie's release may have been very fortunate for entrepreneurs John Nugent and Jennifer Morgan, who have just recently opened "Colorado Wine Company," their wine business on Colorado Blvd in Eagle Rock. A Grand Opening held there on Wednesday, March 16, drew an amazingly huge crowd of very attractive and well dressed folks. We catered for 70 and about 250 showed up," said John. "We felt terrible that we ran out of food... we only sent out invitations to the people that dropped by and signed up to be on our e-mail list." For each four dollar ticket, patrons got a glass of one of the four wines featured that evening. There were two wine tasting stations that served throughout the event, so despite the crowd, the wine tasters had very short lines to wait, once inside. Although this reporter can barely go anywhere without seeing someone he knows, for an Eagle Rock business opening there were few people I recognized. I know the area is changing, but I was surprised by that. Even the tea drinkers will appreciate the fine job of remodeling John and Jennifer have done inside and out of the old storefront, located just a few doors down from Camilo's Bistro. Mr. Nugent said about the event, "I don't think I've ever been so stressed and happy at the same moment." The Collaborative Finds a New Home by Tom Topping After its humble beginnings meeting at the Oasis, and then the Cultural Center, the "Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful" has finally found a home. In a mutually beneficial partnership, the local Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, located at the corner of Yosemite and Townsend Avenues, has become the home of the beautification group. Lending their hall for the "Good Neighbor Awards" last fall, the Eagles have joined in to be an active participant in the work the collaborative does. What does the collaborative do? Reading their mission statement alone tells a lot. "The Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful, committed to the development of a better Eagle Rock through all agencies and volunteers working together." Although the emphasis seems to be on "developing a better Eagle Rock," those of us with first hand knowledge of the inner workings of the various agencies and volunteer groups know the real emphasis is (and should be) on "working together," which is something the community of Eagle Rock, historically, has rarely done. Earlier this month, the Collaborative held its first Champagne Brunch at the Eagles Club. It was a very successful event raising about $3000 for the "Trees for Eagle Rock" project. Eagles members barely recognized their hall after the beautification group finished with their decorating. The food was excellent by all reports and many diners enjoyed eating at the outdoor tables and chairs set up for the first time that day. The Collaborative continues with their community improvement efforts and is looking forward to installing new street trees along North Figueroa, Townsend, Eagle Rock Blvd., and in the center median of Colorado Blvd. as well. But that's not all. To reciprocate for the free use of the Eagles Hall, the group is spearheading a revitalization of the club itself. Collaborative organizer John Stillion has joined in committee with Eagle's President John Hole and past President Carmen Barba to remodel the club inside and out. Gone will be the plain stark inner walls that better complimented a prison or a hospital. Gone will be the glare of the fluorescent lighting, ill-suited for people who rent the hall to commemorate life's milestones, accomplishments, beginnings and endings. In its place will be warm inviting colors, indirect lighting to go with any mood desired, with planters and outside umbrella tables and chairs to add sidewalk cafe flair to an otherwise bare city intersection. Hopefully, they'll also make plans to ease the "bomb shelter sheik" look of the exterior architecture of the cinderblock building. For perhaps 50 years, the history of groups in Eagle Rock has been about who has the power, how can they hold onto it, and how to keep it away from everyone else. But the Collaborative, from it's very start, has invited and encouraged all to participate. So far, they done nothing but bring people together. The invitation still stands and is ongoing. They meet informally at the bi-monthly Eagles Club breakfasts, held on the first and third Sundays of the month, from 9: a.m. to noon. The Fraternal Order of Eagles is located at 1596 Yosemite Drive, corner of Townsend and Yosemite. It is a fraternal organization perhaps best known for its organizing in the 1930's to help pass President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Social Security Act. Child Dies in Arroyo Seco On Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at 1:28 p.m., two companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, one Battalion Officer Command Team, two Helicopters, and one Brush Patrol, responded to a River Rescue near Avenue 45 and Arroyo Seco in the Lincoln Heights area. The individual that had made the 911 call of a child in the wash met the first units on the scene. Stating that the child in his care had wandered into the wash approximately forty-five minutes prior to his activating the 911 system. Ground units supported by LAFD Helicopters immediately initiated a down stream search for the child. Approximately twenty to thirty minutes after the search had begun; the helicopter spotted the child floating down stream near Olympic Boulevard and the Los Angeles River. Relaying this information to the second helicopter, a hoist operation was initiated and the child was expertly retrieved from the cold and murky waters in cardiac arrest. CPR was administered to the child and transported to Children's Hospital in critical condition. The staff at Children's Hospital continued the CPR process and performed other life saving techniques for the child but they were unable to revive the two-year-old female. No other injuries were reported and the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the incident. Highland Park Happenings by Paul Thomas Is it March Madness that has prevented me from crawling into my computer closet and hammering out another Highland Park Happenings column? Whatever it is, I've had a heck of a time getting started this month. Anyway, off we go... Tuesday the 8th was Election Day, and local ears were piqued for news of District 14 Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa's status in the runnings. His numbers looked good. The next morning I glanced at the newsstand and saw Villaraigosa's jubilant face on the cover. It was official: Villaraigosa Vs. Hahn in the May showdown. By March 22nd, Councilman Villaraigosa had secured the official endorsement of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. By some accounts this endorsement will greatly bolster his chances of making it to the mayor's chair. In an interesting sidenote, the local internet groups were abuzz at this time. About how to pronounce the name "Villaraigosa." It was in response to an L.A. times article on the 11th on that very subject. What the heck, let me throw in my own two bits. To the Spanish-impaired, I would sound it out like this: VEE-YAH-RYE-IH-GOH-SAH. As far as where to put the accents and emphasis, you're on your own. Try out a few and see which suits you best. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Another renowned Highland Park activist, Heinrich Keifer, has been keeping his plate full this month. First off, he helped organize and assemble work teams for another Clean & Green Your Parkway Day, and on Saturday the 12th, a group of volunteers met at Figueroa and York to begin gardening work. They rolled up their sleeves and pulled weeds, prepared soil, and did additional plantings in the area, including the Senior Center and near the library. Supplies, tools, and gloves were provided by Operation Clean Sweep. Then on the 17th, St. Patrick's Day (and Highland Park's large Irish component) nonwithstanding, Mr. Kiefer concentrated on two of his pet projects at once. How you ask? He was in charge of the Kiwanis meeting that night (held at the Police Museum), but the focus was on drumming up support for the upcoming skatepark, for which he heads the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council Ad-Hoc Skatepark Committee. How's that for killing two birds with one stone? The Garvanza area skatepark has run into another major setback. Blame it on communication breakdowns between architects, engineers, community members, and the generations. Whoever you wnat to hold responsible, the sad fact is about half of the designers thought they were building not a skatepark, but a Roller Skating Rink! It wasn't until the design plan was put up on the internet, that people stared to notice the error. Naturally, there were many embarrassed and angry people after the discovery was made. Unfortunately, it's now back to the old drawing board. The Spring Equinox came and went without much fanfare, other than the Spring Equinox Celebration held at La Culebra Park. This two acre park on Avenue 50, sponsored by L.A. ArtCorps, is home to a 500 foot long sculptural serpent, "La Culebra." It also incorpoprates 150 trees into its landscaping. The park also contains revolving art murals, a sculptural amphitheatre, a sundial, and a pond. These and other artsy touches are used for youth arts programming, cultural festivals, and various art projects. The annual Equinox celebration commemorates the coming of Spring, and the celebration at La Culebra Park featured a traditional Aztec blessing ceremony. There was also music, a cooking workshop, and a community gardening activity. There were art projects for the kiddies, a stencil workshop with artist-in-residence Carol Maldonado. After sunset, there was a cozy bonfire, plenty of food, and local vendors selling clothes, jewelry, and handmade items. Despite gloomy and precipitous conditions, many young people from the neighborhood and surrounding areas gathered to celebrate the arrival of Spring, individually and collectively. About this time, we were making the record books for the second wettest rainy season in L.A. recorded history. By Easter Sunday, however, there was a change in the weather. The sun came out, the flowers bloomed, and it looked like Spring in Highland Park without a doubt. Now, looking forward to May, there is an upcoming event that may be of interest to Highland Park residents. Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative's 3rd Annual Community Forum will take place Saturday, May 21, 2005 from 8am to 2:30 pm. It will be held at the USC Davidson Conference Center and is free of charge, and open to anyone. Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI) is a non-profit organization, which was formed in 1994. LANI strives to acheive a restoration of a sense of community ownership and identity to neighborhood main streets located along transportation corridors.This ground-breaking program, now replicated across the City and nation, is based on unprecedented community decision-making and public-private partnerships. LANI is a catalytic program designed to "jump-start" neighborhood revitalization in transit-dependent urban neighborhoods. They provide communities with seed funding for improvement projects,hands-on training in project planning and implementation, and technical assistance in the development and support of community organizations. So what does all this a have to do with Highland Park? Here's what LANI says: "Highland Park, in northwest Los Angeles about three miles from Downtown, became a "LANI neighborhood" in 1994. An early suburb of Los Angeles, this community is fortunate to retain many historical and architecturally significant buildings, including the Southwest Museum and Lummis House. Highland Park is equally rich in pedestrian activity along Figueroa Street, much of it drawn from the immediate community. However, the pedestrian experience is not altogether positive; decaying facades and infrastructure, and fear of crime drive many local residents to shop outside the area." In accordance with LANI's program design, the Highland Park Community Development Corporation (HPCDC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit was developed. Current HPCDC projects include a National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP). They also recently secured operational and organizational development support from the City of Los Angeles and Bank of America with assistance from the NTHP. In addition, the two organizations are developing residential guidelines for the Historical Preservation Overlay Zone. HPCDC attracted Bank of America low-interest loan program to Highland Park. CDC is under contract to perform community outreach for a low-interest loan program. Visit www.LANI.org for more information. Also, coming up in May is a special Boulevard Sentinel Fashion issue. Don't miss it! By the way, disregard all that I wrote above about the skate park. Everything is coming along just fine with the project. Just keeping everyone on their toes with a little seasonal joke. April Fools! Until the next issue, have a great Spring, everyone. Opera at Eagle Rock Library. On Thursday April 28 7p.m. the Eagle Rock Branch Library will be hosting an introduction to opera talk, led by Edmund L. Shaff. this talk will focus on opera as an art form and give people the opportunity to interact and ask questions. For further information on library project or any of Los Angeles Opera's community programs, please call (213) 972-7219. For information on Eagle Rock Branch Library's Opera Talk please contact Lois M. Shotlow at 323/258-8078. For information on upcoming productions at Los Angeles Opera please contact Los Angeles Opera Audience services at (213) 972-8001. Since the Company's inception in 1986, Los Angeles Opera has brought opera to many Los Angeles communities through its Education and Community Outreach Programs. Los Angeles Opera's Library Project, a community outreach program in its fourth year, features members of Los Angeles Opera's Speakers Bureau and Company staff members who lead "Opera Talks" on topics ranging from Opera 101; to "Behind the Scenes" previews of Los Angeles Opera's 2004-05 Season productions; to philosophical discussions on the role of opera throughout history. This season, 15 libraries will be hosting a series of talks throughout the Fall and Spring and additional libraries will be hosting a single visits. The goal of Los Angeles Opera's Library Project is to present opera in an accessible and conversational manner that highlights the diverse aspects of the art form. Opera incorporates theatre, symphony, dance and drama on a grand scale and holds its place as one of the preeminent art forms in history. These talks will illuminate opera for the novice and further educate more seasoned opera lovers. Yard Makeover Winner  I’m sure many of you are waiting for this shot of the “Free Yard Makeover” winner, sponsored by P.A.L. Landscaping Services. The design, grading, irrigation, plants and planting, were all included. Poetry Anthology: Open Windows The Arroyo Arts Collective announces publication of a new Poetry anthology: Open Windows. Selections from the winners of Poetry in the Windows, 1995-2003, translated into the languages of Los Angeles, edited by Suzanne Lummis. Publication Party, Poetry Reading and Book Signing Sunday, April 17, 2005 1-4 PM at the Acorn Gallery, 135 N. Avenue 50 (between Figueroa and Monte Vista). Looking for poems refreshing as licuados, vivid as scarlet fingernails, solid as work boots? Between 1995 and 2003, the Arroyo Arts Collective hosted five juried poetry competitions, with more than 100 Southern California poets submitting work for each contest. Well-known poets served as jurors, selecting 25 to 30 poems each year for Poetry in the Windows. Winning poems were printed on posters in two languages and displayed in the windows of small businesses along Figueroa Street in Highland Park. This project, like many of the Collective's projects, sought to exhibit art, in this case poetry, in unique spaces. Poet Suzanne Lummis has selected a sampling of 42 of these poems, along with a special selection of poetry by students from northeast Los Angeles, for inclusion in a new anthology, Open Windows - Selections from the winners of Poetry in the Windows, 1995-2003, translated into the languages of Los Angeles, published by the Arroyo Arts Collective. Open Windows includes work by well-known local poets Richard Beban, Ron Koertge, Ellyn Maybe and Terry Wolverton. The book, with its handsome letterpress cover and evocative illustrations by artist Carol Colin, is a fine introduction to lively, contemporary poetry. All the winning poems are printed in two languages, as they were on the original posters. The 15 languages chosen, including Spanish, Armenian, Korean, Yiddish, Farsi and Tagalog, reflect the many languages of northeast Los Angeles. The publication party for Open Windows will feature readings by many of the poets, as well as a book signing and reception. Copies of Open Windows will be available at a special publication party price of $12 at the Acorn Gallery on April 17 only. After April 17 they will be for sale at the regular price of $15 plus shipping and handling from the Arroyo Arts Collective, P.O. Box 50835, Highland Park, CA, 90050-0835. Free to the public. Details available at www.arroyoartscollective.org or call 323.258.5292. The Acorn Gallery is located at 135 N. Avenue 50 in Highland Park, between Figueroa Street and the Gold Line tracks. From downtown Los Angeles, take the 110 Freeway (Avenue 52 exit, then left on Figueroa). From the Valleys, exit the 134 Freeway at Figueroa going south, then turn right on Avenue 50. Street parking. Slingin' Babies Since ‘02 by Tom Topping Mt. Washington moms, Natasha Walsh and Lisa Mc Daniels never thought they would one day be running a thriving, growing business. But necessity being the mother of invention changed all that. 
They met each other when both were first time mothers of newborns in Mt. Washington. They became friends and one day in the summer of 2002 at a rented beach house they started talking about the "slings" they were using to carry their babies. Almost as old a concept as giving birth, the "sling" was a simple device where a mother (or father) could carry their baby, and keep their hands free at the same time. Natasha and Lisa were dissatisfied with the slings available at the time, which were bulky and ugly. They put their heads together and came up with simple yet attractive design for a baby sling that they liked. It worked wonderfully, and from then on, they were always "wearing" their little ones. They carried them around the house, in the market, you name it, their home made baby slings were a perfect fit for the new mother’s lifestyles. Immediately, other mothers started noticing the baby slings and would ask them where to get one. "I have one right outside in the trunk of my car," was the reply, and the "Rockin Baby Sling" company was born. Now selling all around the country and Europe and Japan as well, the baby slings are made out of designer fabrics with many colors available. By this time, the garage based business was getting to be too big for the garage it was in, so Lisa and Natasha started looking for a new location. They had heard about the move of Eagle Rock Pharmacy owner Steve Saylor, and shortly after finding the landlord, signed the lease. Everything seemed to be falling into place. They heard about the small business development center, and stopped by to get information. That's when they met local small business consultant Andrew Barrera. "We got so much help from Andrew," said Natasha. "We signed up for the business class offered by the VEDC... we wouldn't have been able to do what we're doing without him." In addition to their line of Rockin' Baby Slings, the Rockin' Baby Shop will carry Natasha and Lisa's new children's clothing line. The shop will also be stocked with a variety of established children's clothing brands, baby t-shirts (from sweet to punk), diaper bags, baby care products, goodies for the new baby, and a selection of shoes, toys and books. A special play area and offering of "Mommy & Me" classes during the week and a "Daddy & Me" art class on the weekend will make the Rockin' Baby Shop the place to go for both parents and children alike. They will also offer baby wearing workshops where new parents and parents-to-be can learn how to use baby slings and the benefits of baby wearing. The Rockin' Baby Shop offers a range of stylish options and gifts for parents, parents-to-be, babies and children. Natasha and Lisa's "Rockin Baby Shop" will be a welcome addition to the Eagle Rock business and residential community, as Natasha and Lisa will be. Located at 5048 Eagle Rock Blvd, Rockin' Baby Shop's store hours are: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days a week. For more information, please visit http://www.rockinbabysling.com/ or call 888 645 BABY. Highland Park Homicides by Paul Thomas Sadly, during one single weekend in March, two young men were gunned down and killed, in two separate incidents. Hollenbeck Police Division is seeking the public's help in finding answers to these senseless acts. Hollenbeck Homicide Detectives are investigating what they are calling the gang related shooting death of a male Hispanic, approximately 29 years of age. To quote from the official police statement: "On Saturday, March 12, 2005, at approximately 1455 hours, the victim was seated behind the steering wheel of his vehicle a 1999 Ford Explorer which was parked in the Montecito Heights Recreation Center parking lot located at 4545 Homer St. The suspects approached the victim and engaged him in conversation. Moments later the suspects shot the victim for unknown reason then fled the location and continued in unknown direction. Los Angeles City Fire Rescue Ambulance No. 01 responded to the scene and provided the victim with emergency medical treatment. The victim failed to respond to the medical treatment and died at the scene. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Investigator responded and took charge of the decedent's body. After a visual examination the coroner's investigator determined the preliminary cause of death was attributed to a single gunshot wound to the head. The decedent was transported to the coroner's office for a further postmortem examination." Hollenbeck Police Division is requesting the public's assistance in piecing it all together. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Hollenbeck Detectives Smith or Ricard at (323) 526-3679 during normal business hours or the Hollenbeck Area Watch Commander at (213) 485-2942. If that weren't bad enough, the very next day, there was another fatal shooting. It involved a traffic altercation on Glenn Avenue. To quote from the official details from this incident: "Hollenbeck Homicide Detectives are investigating the gang related shooting death of a male Hispanic, approximately 25 year of age. On Sunday, March 13, 2005, at approximately 2240 hours, the victim was traveling westbound in the 3000 block of Glenn Avenue in his white, GMC Safari Van. The victim stopped and became involved in a conversation with possibly two unknown male suspects driving an unknown black type vehicle. During the conversation the occupants of the suspects vehicle fired approximately four rounds from an unknown type handgun at the victim, striking him multiple times. The suspect's vehicle then left the location and continued in unknown direction. Los Angeles City Fire Department, Engine Company 25 responded to the crime scene and attempted to provide the victim with emergency medical treatment. Subsequently the victim succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene. Fire personnel pronounced the victim dead at 2251 hours on March 13, 2005. Los Angeles County Coroner's Investigator responded to the crime scene and took charge of the decedent's body. The coroner's investigator preliminary examination revealed the cause of death was attributed to multiple gunshot wounds to the head and upper body. The decedent was transported to the coroner's office for further postmortem examination." The public's assistance is also requested in solving this second murder. If anyone has information concerning this incident, they are asked to please contact Hollenbeck Homicide Detectives Ricard or Preciado at (323) 526-3680 during normal business hours or the Hollenbeck Area Watch Commander at (213) 485-2942. These incidents are tragic in that they were so avoidable and sensless. The "gang-related" shootings almost inevitably involve males in their 20s. What is it about youth that prevents it from acknowlegding its own mortality? Will "Highland Park Homicides" have to become a regular colum? How about "Murder of the Month?" "Murder of the Week??" No, no. I don't want to write those columns. Let's all just come to our senses and respect each other. Let's go over the facts: Life: good. Death: bad. OK, any questions? Do the Right Thing: Oil Recycling Keeps the City Clean Quentin Dodson, owner of WestCoast Customs, customizes and renovates luxury and classic cars for entertainers, athletes, and general car lovers. As president of WestCoast Car Club, he brings together car owners to share ideas on car upkeep and the new and hip trends in automobile renovations; and now they talk about safely and cleanly disposing of used car oil. "Car lovers come in all ages, races and creeds," says Quentin. "They love to roll out a classic and cruise slowly down the street. They care for their cars like it's a member of the family. I have learned that new and young car enthusiasts take care of their cars beautifully, inside and out, and under the hood. However, it's 'under the hood' that can be a problem – the dreaded changing of used dirty oil. This is where WestCoast Car Club enters the education arena to encourage individuals who care for their own cars to recycle used oil rather than dump the oil in the trash can or down the street." Quentin and the WestCoast Car Club have participated in the City of Los Angeles' Used Oil Recycling Public Education Program and done outreach to inner-city youth who save money by purchasing used cars, rehabilitating the cars, and changing the oil and oil filters. Quentin and the WestCoast Car Club teach that recycling used oil is a small task to perform in exchange for the large return of a clean and healthy environment. Most individuals are in their driveways caring for their cars and do not realize that the used motor oil dumped down the street into the sewers or improperly buried in a backyard can find its way into local waterways. Urban pollutants such as motor oil, trash, and pet waste get into gutters and are carried along by water into the municipal storm drain system on a path straight to the ocean. This polluted urban runoff receives no treatment as it flows to the ocean and collectively totals over 100 million gallons a day. Used oil dumped in a trash container ends up in a landfill and has the potential of seepage into Los Angeles' underground water supply. One gallon of used motor oil can pollute a year's supply of drinking water for 50 people. According to Cynthia Ruiz, City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works Commissioner, "Individuals like Quentin Dodson and the WestCoast Car Club, who are car lovers and also care about the health and welfare of their community, are helping the City of Los Angeles send out the message that recycling used oil will help to decrease the contamination of our water resources." The message is: Take your used motor oil back to the place where you bought it. Most major auto parts stores, like Kragen, Pep Boys, and Auto Zone, all take used oil from their customers. The City also has permanent collection facilities called SAFE Centers for used oil and other household hazardous wastes. Recycling used motor oil will help keep our communities and environment clean. To locate the used oil recycling collection center nearest you, call (888) CLEAN LA or visit www.LAStreetTrash.org TROMPERLAND ...by Richard Miazga Hi Everyone! Welcome to Tromperland. This monthly column follows the latest chapter the Trompers Hot Rod Club of Eagle Rock are adding to the clubs fabulous legacy which began way back in 1945. For our new readers we have this month, we'd like everyone to know 2005 marks our 60th Anniversary year, and we have plans to celebrate this historic event in a big way. In October, we are planning a huge dinner party with many of the 'original' members from the 1940's joining us. Because this is an 'once in a lifetime event', we are also contacting local newspapers, car magazines, even local TV, to see if they would like to cover this "Diamond Anniversary"! We intend to invite all interested parties to join us, so we'll keep you posted as we draw closer with updates, so be sure to read our column each month, so you too can enjoy this symbolic occasion. In addition to the dinner party, we are also marking our 60th Anniversary by publishing a "Commemorative Pictorial Biography "with over 200 photos, and the complete story about the club from 1945 all the way to the present day.We are working on this right now, and we intend to make this approx.96 page biography available for public sale right around Labor day. So look forward to getting your copies, so you will know all about the Trompers of Eagle Rock! Mother Nature struck a blow a few weeks ago. We had mentioned that we would have pictures from the Glendale Kiwanis car show in this months column. Rain, and too muddy at the park was the word as the show was cancelled, but take heart, for they re-scheduled the 300 + car show for April 10th. This will be at the Verdugo Park in Glendale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a great car show, with silent auctions, food and entertainment, fun for the entire family, and it's admission free to the public! Mother Nature didn't get her way on everything however, as the Trompers took part in the Hot Rod Swap Meet held at Jim's Burgers on Saturday March 12th. As the pictures show we had some fabulous hotrods join us to add to the great atmosphere,. In fact, we had a number of super looking hotrods drive all the way from Victorville to take advantage of the bargains there at the Hot Rod Swap meet. And, as you can see, even the vendors came with some very classic rides. There were many bargains, and we had a great day! One of the Trompers just finished putting together a fabulous 1950's era flathead motor. But, this is not just any motor! Rick McCrae, one proud Tromper, went the whole nine yards with this one and spared nothing, and here's what he ended up with. A fabulous bored and stroked 289 cu.in. gorgeous, chromed up, slick looking, detailed, drop dead engine, topped off with a supercharger, a 6:71 blower, with a Holley 4 barrel double pumper carb, making this a fabulous piece of art! That's really the best way to describe it! They ran it on a dyno, and at just 4500 rpm's the powerful flathead V8 registered 252 horsepower with no end in sight! Congratulations Rick, this is period perfect artistry in it's finest form! The Trompers are very envious. Rick's future plans for this art work is to install it in a 1930 model A Ford Roadster that Rick has owned since his high school days in Temple City back in 1961. We look forward to showing all our readers the finished product in the future. And, by the way we'll have a knockout picture of the engine in next month's Sentinel. With Spring finally arriving , the weather hopefully getting warmer, sunny and cloudless days due anytime, our current replica of Seattle can say so long anytime it wants too, and allow the Trompers to bring out those hot rods and get ready to hit the road again. Quite a number of the Trompers have ongoing projects getting real close to realization. The best part is, you'll read about them and see them right here in our Tromperland column each and every month. Events coming up in April include another Kiwanis sponsored car show taking place in Burbank at the Johnny Carson Park, right next to NBC on April 24th, 9:30 a.m. to 3p.m., and, just like the Glendale show, this show will also feature 300+ cars, so mark that calendar. Before that, on April 14 the Trompers invite you to join us at Jim's Burgers, 2005 Colorado Blvd. for our Thursday night cruise in starting at 6 p.m.. Well, that about does it for this month everyone, thanks for joining us, and till next time..."Let the Fun Begin!" rm Front Line: Glassell Park Planning & Land Use Committee by Tom Topping It was only a house. Actually it wasn't yet a house. It was a plan- a proposal, a forecast of future construction. The developer thought he was complying. He thought he knew what to do. After all, he lived in nearby Mt. Washington. But the committee had to make their recommendation. Was it really a problem project, or was it a problem committee? Did they feel it was their mandate to scrutinize and criticize every project that was put before them- necessary or not? It was only my first visit to the Glassell Park Neighborhood Council Land Use and Planning Committee. I had a report that some recent committee meetings had descended into chaos and various unpleasantries. No such luck. For the entire meeting everyone was on their best behavior. Maybe it was because I was sitting there writing furiously on my yellow pad. Anyway, the developer showed some frustration but kept his head and stayed calm while the committee hammered out the conditions of approval for their official recommendation. "I can't understand, are you saying I'm not in compliance with the specific plan?" he said at one point. There seemed to be no answer to that. Probably because it was the wrong question. Because Neighborhood Councils act in an advisory role only, all they really can do is recommend. Lately, however the city government is cooperating more than not with them. (It is an election year!) The committee continued working to add all the conditions on for their recommendation letter. I wondered how much of it was actually needed and how much was just because "they could." The agenda item consumed the bulk of the meeting and while it did touch on some interesting issues, it seemed to create more questions than it answered. Should the fire and police departments be notified when the street may be blocked temporarily during construction? If more than one construction site is happening in the same area, could the street be blocked at both ends at the same time, and how can that be monitored and prevented by emergency officials so that it doesn't happen? No one knew or mentioned whether or not current laws exist to address those situations. It seemed like overreaching to add those elements as conditions for approval of the project, however. Luckily, the planning department is pretty well versed in the laws that govern such city requirements- some things you can do- and some things you can't. They'll get it straightened out. The meeting lasted until almost ten o'clock. The remaining many agenda items were tabled until next time and as I made my way home I hoped my VCR had worked successfully to catch the latest episode of "West Wing." It did. A proposed hillside house in Glassell Park seems to be quite ordinary. Best Wishes to Manny Hernandez... Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council President, who is scheduled for a biopsy and surgery for prostate cancer next month. He said, "I'm feeling good, I'm losing weight- but I needed that anyway." Consent Decree Meeting Earlier this month the LAUSD Board of Education voted to name Taylor Yards Parcel F2 (23 acres opposite the intersection of San Fernando Road and Division Street in Glassell Park) as the preferred site for New Central Region High School #13 and authorized the LAUSD Real Estate Branch to close negotiations for the friendly purchase of the property. Preliminary negotiations with the owners had been ongoing and LAUSD staff had no reason to believe that terms couldn't be agreed to in good faith. An offer was made and the seller's representative took it to his principals. Last Wednesday March 23rd the sellers' agent informed LAUSD staff that they had accepted a previously undisclosed offer from one Robert Morales, escrow had closed and Mr. Morales was now the owner of the property. There are unsubstantiated allegations that Mr. Morales has a reputation for stepping in and purchasing land subject to eminent domain proceedings as a profit-making/ arbitrage venture. Senior LAUSD Facilities Staff assured me today that the LAUSD still intends to purchase the subject property though apparently they will be forced into eminent domain proceedings against Mr. Morales. This will undoubtedly add to the purchase price and legal costs and will probably delay the eventual construction of the school at least six months. |
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