Huizar Restores Parking

as York  Businesses Cheer

by Tom Topping
Merchants along York Boulevard in Highland Park breathed a sigh of relief last month when the city came in and gave back all the street parking in front of their York Boulevard businesses. Parking restored included not only the spaces lost in the past couple of months, but also the spaces lost about ten years ago next to Avenue 50.
Councilman José Huizar led the ceremony on Monday morning March 20th, as he literally took matters into his own hands, donning a pair of gloves and spraying the red curbs over with gray paint. He said, "The community of Highland Park and area merchants have spoken loud and clear. This is why I directed the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to fully restore parking along York Blvd. This action will not only increase pedestrian and motorist safety, but it will also improve traffic flow and enhance the economic vitality along York Blvd."
The area's merchants had been very active in their fight, ever since the street parking was removed without warning two months before. Activated by Doug Brown of Highland Music & Pawn, and Alberto Dorado of Dorado Water Company, the merchants turned out in force for the meetings held to discuss the subject. LADOT officials displayed a decided lack sensitivity and awareness of what the overall impact to the community would be, when they unilaterally removed the parking, and installed the left turn lanes. LADOT engineer Roy Kim was especially condescending when he said to the merchants, "I don't expect you to understand why we're doing this."
The whole problem started when the street was re-paved the second week of January. Apparently, LADOT had been directed by the City Council to always install left turn lanes when the street was being re-striped. The parking was removed because the street was just too narrow to have parking, left turn lanes and two lanes of traffic in each direction. Previously, there were only the traffic lanes and parking, and that took up the whole width of the street. To add left turn lanes, something had to go, and LADOT chose the parking.
In the final design, parking and left turn lanes are fully implemented, and the traffic lanes are reduced to one in each direction, making room for the other two. Immediately after re-striping to the new configuration some of the biggest problems were remedied. Cars turning left no longer blocked any traffic lanes. Busses stopping for passengers no longer blocked the traffic lanes, traffic on York was slowed by about five miles per hour and the frequency of street racing there has dramatically reduced.
All is not perfect, however. Cars pulling into parking spaces along York do hold up traffic for a few seconds here and there. Busses have a more difficult time merging back into traffic after a stop. And there was a lot of temporary confusion as motorists were not expecting the two lanes to merge into one.
The new single lane section of York Boulevard goes from Avenue 55 west to Avenue 50. The permanent striping is finished and the meter-maids are happy that the parking meters will be returning shortly. The configuration will continue west all the way to Eagle Rock Boulevard after the sewer construction if finished, in about three more months.

Window Painter Blows Whistle on Board & Care

by Tom Topping

This is a story about how one person's sacrifice can improve the lives of many.
I hesitated to do this article as I know that many residents of Eagle Rock would prefer the facility, and the people living there, would just go away. Personally, I have some sense of pride that my town can tolerate a facility that, let's face it, no community really wants. I feel that all our souls are a little better for it.
I didn't really want to call attention to it for fear of creating a new groundswell of opposition that might remove them all for good. Where would all those poor souls go? But Daniel Miranda wanted to tell his story and I listened. I decided it was more important for people to know the truth about the place and just let the chips fall where they may.
Daniel Miranda was featured in an article back in 1999, about his Christmas time work of painting holiday messages and motifs on local store front windows. A tropical mural he did still graces the wall inside Elvira's Mexican Restaurant on Colorado Blvd.
Due to a variety of circumstances, he found himself taking residence in the Alma Lodge, known by the community as the local "halfway" house located near Taco Bell on Colorado Blvd. He found very poor conditions in the facility and felt strongly for the other residents there who were not sharp enough or brave enough to fight for the right to have the livable conditions that all tenants deserve.
As you might guess, the world in general and the management at the Alma Lodge in particular do not take kindly to "whistle blowers." This is his story.

I reside at 1750 Colorado Blvd. Eagle Rock with 74 other tenants. Whenever I let my friends know I'm living at a Board & Care, I usually get the same response.
"What? You're not CRAZY!" is what they say. I tell them that because of my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other injuries, finding long term employment is hard to obtain. P.T.S.D. came about when a sexual predator took me away from everything that was good, safe and true. I was only 11 when the abuse occurred in 1972. I made suicide attempts, but that was the past.
Alma Lodge is owned and operated by Eduardo Yanson. I would like to say something good about my landlord, but I can't.
Alma Lodge is a state licensed board and care. I'm here because I'm 46 years old, disabled and on SSI and SSDI. I wanted to be near the people who have known me for the last ten years, as I painted their store front windows with holiday greetings. I would like to say that I'm living in the lap of luxury and that the state has this place under control, but they don't.
Many of the residents here are on medicare/ medical. SSI and SSDI only pays for some medications and I know that we have to pay a co-payment for medications, but the board and care takes most of our check and we are given only $117 for the whole month.
I'm not on conservatorship, but of those who are, some are not allowed to handle their own money, buying sodas and coffee and panhandling the whole month.
I moved into Alma Lodge on 1-11-2006, and I found the place filled with trash everywhere. Skunks, cats and possums were running over trash cans, and no one enforcing the no-smoking-in-rooms rule.
There were holes in the bathroom floor. There was no heat in my room. My front door would not lock. There was not enough food for everyone. If you had a medical appointment and missed lunch- too bad- you didn't get to eat.
I made many complaints and all of them went straight into the round file at Alma Lodge. Most of the residents are just too broken with fear, or too over medicated to care about the conditions they are forced to endure.
I took action and started calling the appropriate authorities such as "Board and Care Licensing," the city councilman's office, and patient's rights organizations.
My board and care responded by putting me on a 5150. A 72 hours in police custody ploy for being a danger to myself. All I was really, was a danger to exposing them. I went along with it twice to prove they had nothing on me.
After being here less than 2 months, my landlord contacted the L.A. County mental health department, and convinced the case worker to have me removed to the mental hospital. Neither my family nor my therapist, in nearby Pasadena, were notified.
I know that I was being punished for photographing their violations, and calling the authorities on them. They did a search for my private and confidential information.
Yes, I have called the L.A.P.D. They were here when Mr. Yanson made threats to have me arrested if I returned, saying he had documentation proving he had the right to evict me. L.A.P.D. officers Unana and Bernal accompanied me on February 17th to see if this documentation existed; and it did not, so I was allowed back into my room, which then was empty, as all my property had been packed up and moved out.
The next day I had to ask for police help again as Yanson refused to return my property to me. Officers Melendez and Chavez ordered Mr. Yanson to return my things, which he did. When the officers left, Yanson called the paramedics and the Police claiming I had injured him, and he wanted me arrested.
He made a citizen's arrest and I spent 4 days in Parker Center jail. When I returned, all my property had been stolen. Again the L.A.P.D. was called in. Although my roommate had told me who removed my things, he told the officers he did not know anything and they could only make a burglary report. Mr. Yanson moved my roommate out shortly afterward, and they are continuing their eviction proceedings.
Daniel Miranda

And now, the saga between the Alma Lodge, and a local window artist is at an end. As I write this, Daniel Miranda is still living at the facility, but not for long. He has had his day in court, and has agreed to a deal that the Judge recommended he take.
He will leave the facility, and be paid $700 for his missing property. But the heat now works in his room, and the rooms of others as well. The many holes in the floors, walls and ceiling have been repaired. Board and Care licensing has a long list of citations, and will be returning regularly to check on the Alma Lodge's progress.
This story ends here, or at least this chapter. The Alma Lodge continues, and the 74 people living there do as well. The ownership of the Lodge collects approximately $1000 per month per person. That's $888,000 dollars per year. Many of the tenants there still panhandle daily, hard hearted community members pass with looks of scorn, while the caring try to avoid looking at all.

Jimmy Van Dyke
Our Son Jimmy Van Dyke passed on to a better place on Friday March 10. We were all blessed to be with him at his bedside as he passed.
At 10 years old, Jimmy was full of life with a strong spirit and was loved by many. His bright blue eyes and contagious smile will never be forgotten. His kindness towards others, his sense of humor, and his friendship will always be a part of the lives of everyone he knew.
Jimmy loved St Dominics and his hometown, Eagle Rock, where he grew up. He played sports at Eagle Rock Park and excelled in school at St. Dominics.
Jimmy is survived by his Mom and Dad, Jim and Lisa Van Dyke, and his six brothers and sisers, Jennifer Hauser, Jeffrey Van Dyke, Sarah Papaioanu, Kelly Van Dyke, Janette Van Dyke and David Van Dyke.
We will love him and will miss him so very much. 

Seniors Beware!
Distraction Burglaries on the Rise
A relatively new type of crime targeting senior citizens known as "Distraction Burglary" is becoming more and more common lately in Northeast Los Angeles, as well as the city at large. Criminals posing as utility company workers, home repairmen, former neighbors, or a friend of the family come to the door, and keep the homeowner occupied as their accomplice sneaks in and goes through the house stealing valuables.
Although the methods differ slightly, they all work basically the same. A person knocks at the door, claiming they are a utility worker or home repairman. They lure the resident outside by telling them there is a problem with their gas, electric, cable TV or roof or plumbing, saying anything to coax them to come and look at the problem.
Once the victim is distracted, the accomplice goes in and grabs whatever he can. One group of thieves used walkie-talkie cell phones, and spoke in code to warn the accomplice when the victim was returning to the house. Another way is they get in is that a second person asks to use the bathroom or get a glass of water.
L.A.P.D. warns to not let anyone into your home that you do not know. If the requests of a utility worker seem authentic, call the utility or cable company first, get the name of the worker, check their ID and make sure they are legitimate before allowing them to enter. If you do step outside, bring your key and lock the door behind you.
If you are not sure call 911. It is better to be safe than sorry.

HP Council & Kiwanis

by Stan Moore
by Stan Moore
On Saturday, March 25, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC), the Highland Park Kiwanis Club, and the St. Ignatius Builders Club put in a new flag stone walk way at the entrance of the Arroyo Seco Library as well as landscaping. There were six members of the HHPNC, about the same number of Kiwanians, and about 25 members of the Kiwanis-sponsored Builders Club from St. Ignatius who gathered before 8 a.m. to about 9 a.m. to work together to improve the appearance of the Library. The HHPNC provided $790 toward the project, which purchased 900 lbs. of flag stones, about the same amount of sand, a 100 lb. bag of concrete, plants to replant the area, and drinks and pizza for lunch.
The occasion was the Kiwanis Club's "Total K Day," a day set apart for service to the community by Kiwanis Clubs all over the world. In November, 2004, the HP Kiwanis Club started a Builders Club at St. Ignatius. Builders Clubs are for sixth, seventh and eighth graders, and this year the St. Ignatius Club has grown to 49 members. Its parental advisors are Sonia Ledesma, who was at the Library very early that Saturday, Barbara Ramsden, who came with a camera to cover the work party, and Dr. Stanley W. Moore, the Kiwanis advisor to the St. Ignatius Club. About 25 members of the Builders Club came prepared to work, and, they worked hard and did an excellent job of preparing the path for the concrete flag stone walk way, mixing the sand and concrete, putting 100s of pounds of sand down as a base for the stones, helping to compact the sand, and then helping to place the stones for the new walk way.
There were six members of the HHPNC present: Heinrich Keifer, president of the HHPNC and the Kiwanis Club, Rose Cortez, chair of Human Relations, Education and Youth Development, Gloria Demeter, chair of Culture and Arts, Dr. Stanley Moore, chair of City Services and Transportation, and Nancy Wyatt and Dr. William Schenewerk, members at large of the Neighborhood Council. Keifer, Moore and Wyatt are also members of Kiwanis, and they were joined by Rev. William Cruver of the Pillar of Fire Church and principal of the Sycamore Grove School, Keith Curdy, board member, and Peggy Soto Keifer, president-elect of the Kiwanis Club. In addition, Rose Cortez brought her husband Miguel, and before they left to work on the southwest corner of Ave. 56 and York, Miguel swung a powerful and effective maddox—clearly the overlay of 4 inches to get down to a pretty solid base. In addition, Joe Matthews, one of Dr. Moore's students at Pepperdine University, also swung a mean maddox—making Dr. Moore's efforts look pretty puny. Finally, several parents of the St. Ignatius crew came to take pictures of the work party, as well as Venita Strange, chair of the HHPNC's "Clean and Green" committee.
It was hard work preparing the new pathway. A sprinkler system was discovered buried under dirt and a cloth covering. Heinrich Keifer dashed to Garvanza Hardware to get extensions that will now, it is hoped, allow the sprinkler system to operate. One St. Ignatius young lady worked very hard at preparing the concrete sand mixture, while several young men and women placed down the new clean sand and compacted it. Two young ladies helped Drs. Moore and Schenewerk place the flag stones on the prepared sand. It would have helped to have a jigsaw expert place the 900 lbs. of stones! But, in time, they were placed—and the reader can go and see how well the new path looks.
The dirt that was removed was used to form a slight 12 inch high mould that we hope will discourage "jaywalking." After Peggy Soto, Nancy Wyatt and Venita Strange determined where all of the plants should be placed, the St. Ignatius crew planted them—cutting through the once hidden cloth barrier with pointed shovels. At 10 a.m. Ed Reyes of CD 1 sent some water and refreshments that were appreciated by the hard working old and young people. Then shortly after 12 noon Italiano's pizzas arrived, to the joy of the St. Ignatius Club. Finally, after lunch and soda pop, Heinrich Keifer led the workers in placing the prepared concrete-sand mixture around the flag stones and then watered down three times the mixture. Everyone who participated in the project was pleased to see how much better the entrance to the Library appears, and, as the plants grow it should be even more beautiful.
The next project of the HP Kiwanis Club is to put in a sprinkler system along side of the curving concrete wall at the Senior Citizen Center and plant it with rose bushes, etc. Wouldn't you like to make a difference in our community? The twin mottos of the Kiwanis Club are: "We Serve," and "Serving the Children of the World." Join us every Thursdays at noon at the Police Museum. All are welcome! For more information, call Dr. Stanley Moore at (323) 256-1024. Join us in working to make HP better and more beautiful!

Little League Back on Track
The future of Little League baseball for Eagle Rock and Highland Park looks bright again, as the troubled league will join with the Los Angeles Little League for the 2006 season.
As reported last year in the October issue of the Boulevard Sentinel, the Eagle Rock/ Highland Park Little League had more than its share of problems last year, the season ending with lots of frustration, yelling, threats and hurt feelings, the future of the league in jeopardy. All that ended, however, as the League's members voted to merge with the Los Angeles league at their annual organizing meeting, held earlier this year.
They had their opening day ceremonies on Saturday, March 25, 2006, at Garvanza Park, and launched the spring 2006 season.
The Los Angeles Little League had split off from Eagle Rock/ Highland Park about seven years ago. Now, reunited, they will boast about 300 participating youth from the local areas.
The Garvanza Little League Park, the reason for the split originally, will now be used by all the local Little League players, as well as the playing fields at Yosemite and Eagle Rock Recreation Center in Eagle Rock.
Their goal is to insure that the field at Garvanza Park, along with the fields utilized at Yosemite and Eagle Rock Recreation Centers are both safe and enjoyable for everyone. The leagues' programs and field at Garvanza are maintained by a group of volunteers made up of neighborhood parents, coaches, friends and the Little League players themselves.
The Los Angeles Little League is a non-profit organization under the 501(c)(3) which has been working with kids from the Northeast area of the City of Los Angeles for about seven years.

Cypress Park N.C. Blow Up
In a meeting of the Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council held last month to discuss the issue of youth and gangs, 1st District L.A. City Councilman Ed Reyes lost his temper and lashed out at Neighborhood Council President Art Pulido, referring to him publicly as someone who has killed a man and raped a woman.
According to sources who attended the meeting, a report by Councilman Reyes on his efforts to intervene and divert youth away from gangs was constantly interrupted by Mr. Pulido, who was described as being rude and disrespectful toward the councilman.
At one point Reyes said he had had enough and said he wouldn't take that treatment from Pulido, someone with those aforementioned past criminal activities.
Pulido responded by threatening to sue for slander, as Councilman Reyes left the building. Many of the attendees then followed Reyes out, leaving the meeting as well.
As Pulido milled around the auditorium, another stakeholder scolded him saying, "We elected you to a chair- sit in it."
To respond to the blow-up, the Cypress Park Neighborhood Council tried to organize an emergency meeting to decide what to do about Pulido, but decided they needed police to be present at that meeting, who were not available that day. The Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council bylaws allow Pulido to be removed from his Presidential position by a vote of the board, although they cannot remove him from the council without the signatures of 400 stakeholders.
A call to Ed Reyes' office offering a chance to comment was not returned within 24 hours.

Settlement of the
San Gabriel Valley
What do Eagle Rock and the San Gabriel valley have in common? When and why did their identities diverge? These and more questions will be answered at 7:00 on April 18, at the Center for the Arts. Eagle Rock, 2225 Colorado Blvd. The Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society will host Mic Hansen, local historian and representative of Pasadena Heritage. She will present "The Settlement of the San Gabriel Valley," a slide show followed by a question period. This early history of the area will apply to Eagle Rock as well as Pasadena.
Ms. Hansen is a former board member and long time supporter of Pasadena Heritage. She is extremely well versed in local history and is a key contributor to all of their educational programs, as well as advocacy issues throughout the city of Pasadena. She also currently serves on the Historic Preservation Commission in the city of Pasadena.
Pasadena Heritage has raised public awareness about the unique historic resources in our community and played a major role in such success stories as the revitalization of Old Pasadena and the restoration of City Hall, the Main Library, and the Colorado Street Bridge. The organization's mission statement is "to identify, preserve and protect the historic, architectural, and cultural resources of the City of Pasadena through advocacy, education, and oral histories."
Pasadena Heritage provides a strong and consistent voice at Pasadena City Council, city commissions, and by meeting with developers and participating in city planning where historic buildings need to be recognized and preserved.
Pasadena Heritage has a Preservation Easement program that currently provides permanent protection to nearly 70 of Pasadena¹s most important historic buildings. Throughout the organization¹s history, it has nominated buildings to the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register and as Pasadena Cultural Landmarks. More than 1,000 Pasadena buildings have been listed on these registers to date.
We are extremely pleased to present this opportunity to explore our common history with Pasadena, and to become further acquainted with this important and successful historic preservation organization.

Rowland Royce Breeze
1938- 2006
Roy lived in the same house from his birth until his recent death. He graduated from Eagle Rock High School in the summer of 1955. He then attended and graduated from Cal State Los Angeles. His parents both taught at Luther Burbank Jr. High School. His Mother also taught Art at Eagle Rock High School. For quite a few years Roy worked in the Auto Transporting business. He loved to travel and did so frequently. One of his favorite states was Idaho where he made many friends.
At a very early age Roy passed the test for a Radio Broadcasting License. The unusual thing was Roy got his license as a Morse Code operator. He used his telegraph key to talk to short wave operators all over the world. Key operators are very rare today.
In the last few years Roy's health declined. He had stopped driving his car because it was involved in an accident. Then because of failing eye sight he had to let his driver's license expire last year.
In January his conditioned worsened and he was taken to the Emergency Room. He was admitted to the hospital for three days. Roy was then transferred to the Solheim Nursing home here in Eagle Rock. He was suffering from extreme malnutrition and dehydration. They were unable to get him eating again and he died two weeks later.
Roy was a kind and gentle person. He always seemed to think of others before himself. He loved a simple life and said his house and yard was his "Walden Pond." He knew he was dying for quite some time. He never complained or was angry. He never expressed self pity. He stayed strong and clear headed to the end. Roy described himself as "Marching to a different drummer. How true that was.
As a friend and neighbor Roy will be missed.
A GRAVE SIDE SERVICE AND GATHERING WILL BE HELD AT
Forest lawn Glendale
1712 Glendale Avenue
Glendale, California
April 9, 2006 At 2:00 PM

Plein Air Exhibit at Carlotta's Passion
opening April 1, 6-9 pm
For the month of April, Carlotta's Passion springs into two exhibits: California Plein Air in our Gallery One and Florals in Gallery Two.
The California Plein Air exhibit offers works by some of the most highly regarded contemporary California plein air artists, including Paul Chamberlin, Margaret Garcia, Sergio Hernandez, Jose de Juan and Trish Kertes. The Floral Exhibit features works by Margaret Haase, and others.
Please join us for the opening reception on Saturday, April 1, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.
Finally, on an ongoing basis, Carlotta's Passion offers well authenticated and referenced works by Latin American masters, such as Jose Luis Cuevas, Wifredo Lam, Roberto Sebastian Matta, Lucia Maya, Carlos Merida, Gustavo Montoya, Jose Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Francisco Toledo, Francisco Zuniga, and others.
We are also honored to regularly offer works by top tier artists, such as Alfredo de Batuc, Mari Cardenas, Diane Gamboa, Margaret Garcia, Sergio Hernandez, Leo Limon, Gilbert "Magu" Lujan, James Osorio, Hector Silva, J. Dudley Slay II, and Patssi Valdez.
Carlotta's Passion Fine Art
2012 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Tel: 323.259.1563

ERNC
Election Results
President (1)
Brian Heckmann 265 elected

Treasurer (1)
Donna Tubbs 186 elected
Thelma Quindipan 85

Civic Director (1)
Alfredo Bernardo 223 elected

Business Director (1)
John Cheng 79
Jim Perry 188 elected

Education Director (1)
Susan Zabala 80
Leo Olebe 81
David Montoya 108 elected

Faith-Based Director (1)
Ruby De Vera 239 elected

Sub-District Director 2 (1)
Jessica Wethington McLean

Sub-District Director 3 (1)
Dr. Randy R Burt 15

Sub-District Director 5 (1)
Cherryl Weaver 39 elected

Sub-District Director 6 (1)
Martin Tolosa 25
John Acevedo 30 elected

Sub-District Director 7 (1)
Robert C. Arranaga 32 elected

Sub-District Director 8 (1)
Vince Antonino 32 elected
Mark Richter 19

St. Bernard School Decathalon

On Saturday, March 18th, Glassell Park was again represented in the 16th Annual Los Angeles Archdiocese Jr. High Academic Decathlon competition by St. Bernard School on W. Avenue 33 and Verdugo Road. The competition was held at the L.A. Sports Arena and attended by 104 schools each represented by a team of 10 students.
As in past years, St. Bernard School made a very favorable showing in the competition. The school, known for its Academic and Athletic programs, as well as numerous public speaking tournament awards, finished in the Top Quartile of all 104 schools, many from the most affluent neighborhoods in Southern California.
Individual students placing within the Top Ten in specialized categories were:
Tiffany Lao, 4th place English
Marc Gonzales, 6th place Current Events
Andrei Sibal, 4th place Science
Nathaniel Ziomek, 8th place Music/Fine Arts
Aurora Doreza, 10th place Math
Families interested in applying to St. Bernard School should contact the school office at (323) 256-4989.

The True Story of Chicken Boy
Three days after I moved to Los Angeles, I discovered Chicken Boy. He was then the sign for the restaurant that gave him his name (a restaurant that specialized in garlicky deep-fried-at-least-once-and-sometimes- rumor-has-it-twice chicken). He stood atop a three-story building on Broadway, downtown. Back then, Los Angeles was truly the land of the fruits and nuts. Now it's the land of the fully-documented police-and-chopper chase. We miss the nuts though we often enjoy a high-speed chase. There was still a lot of weird, strange, and unusual stuff decorating the So Cal landscape. Since then, we’ve lost so much of it, and with it, the wacky personality of this town. Anyhow, Chicken Boy was built of dimensionally stable fiberglass, and, as I later came to find out, stood 22-feet tall. A rather beefy man/boy with the head of chicken, he looked down on the bustling street below with a goofy yet knowing countenance. He was clearly in touch with his inner, umm, whatever. Don’t get me started on the chicken-headed mutant hawking fried chicken moral dilemma--I only know that he communicated to me that if he could be okay living in LA, I could be okay living in LA. As the years rolled by, he remained an oddly comforting constant in my life. I would tour out--of-towners past him late at night. I would look up and greet him on my way to Grand Central Market. People were starting to ask me how he was. One evening I drove by and the restaurant was boarded up. I took down the number of the realtors and called them to find out what would be the statue’s fate. At first they were suspicious--why was I asking and who exactly was I? The more I called, the chattier they got. Ultimately, they called me--We've got to do some construction work on the building and the statue has got to come down. If you want it so badly, come and get it. So, a deal was struck and we hired a stealth sign mover to go and get Chicken Boy. At the time, I thought I would save this historic bit of roadside LA and find the statue a new home in a lovely sculpture garden at a local museum. How hard could that be? Let’s put it this way--some many years later, I am still in possession of the statue and a stack of polite form letters giving me copious reasons why Chicken Boy wouldn’t be suitable for [museum-name-here]. Along this twisty-turny path, I started the Chicken Boy Catalog for a Perfect World--a catalog of gift items including Chicken Boy logo merchandise and things Chicken Boy would be proud to have in his home or give as a lovely hostess gift. I gained a certain kind of fame, and a particular kind of non-fortune. And I am resigned to the fact that my obituary will read “Chicken Boy’s mom” no matter what else I may manage to accomplish. Not that I’m complaining. Saving Chicken Boy was a pretty interesting thing to have done. As all this has evolved, so has my understanding of what Chicken Boy is about, and what he is trying to tell us. Which is this: we all need to play the cards we’ve been dealt. Some of us are vertically- challenged, and some are born with chicken’s heads. It may not be fair, but that’s how it is. We all have our troubles after all...we hear Cindy Crawford is often unhappy. Really. We heard that. Chicken Boy thinks we need to try really hard to be a good whomsoever. To quote one Dr Lizardo--Character is what you are in the dark. To quote Chicken Boy--It's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice.

Chicken Boy’s mom, Artist Amy Inoye, provides a sense of scale as she stands next to the giant Chicken Boy feet in back of “Future Studio” located in Highland Park.

Cruisin’ with Mary

by Mary Amrhein
Greetings again from the planet known as Eagle Rock! Well, due to the unpredictable weather, the Kiwanis Car Show scheduled for Mar.19 got rained out and rescheduled for Apr. 2 at Verdugo Park (if it doesn't get rained out again) I hope to have victory news next month if the Rockin' Rodders win any awards.
We are still cruising in to Auto Zone on the last Saturday of the month. The March cruise had a smaller turnout, probably due to the weather. A lot of car buffs don't like to bring their rides out in the rain plus a good number of them don't even have windshield wipers. We dedicated our cruise to the memory of former member Mary Dawson, and president Kirk Munday made a touching speech honoring her. We are waiting anxiously for the opening of Oinkster, which was recently mentioned in the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Newsletter.
My pick of the month is an orange 1972 Chevy Luv truck owned by former president 'Hemi' Tom Amrhein. The truck features a built 350 small block Chevy engine putting out an estimated 400 hp. Coupled to this is a manual shift turbo 350 trans. and a narrowed Dana rear end. It also has a roll bar and safety harnesses. It's definitely one scary ride.
One of the things that goes hand-in-hand with hot rodding is rock 'n roll. If you haven't been to the Petersen Museum lately, or ever, for that matter, now is a really good time to go. The current exhibit on the rotating exhibit cycle is called "Cars and Guitars". For those of us who grew up on MTV rock videos during the 80's, you may remember hot rods being an important part of some music videos, such as Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" and ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man." The images of these cars, the music, and videos can burn in your memory whenever you hear one of those songs. Anyway, these are just a few of the customized cars on display at the Petersen, located at 6060 Wilshire Bl, thru July 30.
I haven't been to this year's version of "Cars and Guitars" yet, however when the exhibit was here in 2001, there were several Barris vehicles, at least one original Ed Roth, and the Monkee's car!! If you like the display at the Hard Rock Cafe (guitars, stage costumes, awards, and other collectibles and memorabilia, you will LOVE this exhibit. (Personally, I just want to LIVE in the Hard Rock Cafe,,,) Last time, there were Fender guitars owned by Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, as well as a Pantera owned by Elvis that has bullet holes in it from when he shot at it. One of my favorites was a guitar which was completely covered in red, white, and blue rhinestones in the pattern of the Union Jack, and it was just dazzling. If I remember, there were also various areas where the music videos were running, to show you the nearby car and the video it was in.
One of the other things about music videos- most car guys already know this but other folks may not be aware of: video production companies pay pretty good money to use a car in a video, commercial, TV show, or movie. A few guys in the Rockin' Rodders let their cars be used in an 'N Sync video a few years ago. The song was called "Girlfriend", and was filmed in the now-trendy artist loft area of downtown L.A. They used some fake cars at the front where the band was singing (because they jumped up on the hoods and roofs of the cars), but there were maybe 100 real hot rods in the background. The feel of the video was sort of a modern version of the street gangs in West Side Story. Car owners had to meet downtown around 4:00 in the afternoon, and most stayed with the cars thru the shoot, until about 4:00 AM the next morning. A long night, but they were welcome to enjoy the catered food throughout the night. But that's a long time to baby-sit a car! The shoot paid $200.00. The money paid is not really the object of this; it's the fun of having your car on TV, in a rock video. Video scouts are always looking for special cars and motorcycles. There are several agencies which keep files/pictures of prospective cars just for that purpose. A person could make some spare change and get his or her car famous at the same time! Until next time, keep on rockin'!
 

The Huron SubStation
Meike Kopp, Owner/ Guardian of the Huron Substation (a local landmark and 100 year old train substation at the corner of Huron and Avenue 28) announced that she will participate in the nelaart Second Saturday Art Walk (see nelaart.org for a map of all galleries) beginning March 11th.
Every second Saturday of the month she will open up the SubStation and its garden as a gallery from 5 PM - 10 PM along with a wine bar and music. She hopes to gather a collective to sell antiques, furniture, and vintage clothing as a kind of local flea market from noon to 5 PM on each second Saturday as well. Anyone wanting to participate in the flea market should contact her directly.
The substation gallery premieres with well known Mt. Washington artists Christopher Meike continues to rent out the building for photo shoots (the building was recently photographed by world reknown photographer Bruce Weber for the February issue of GQ), film shoots, private events (a popular venue for weddings) and cultural events.
A full Dj sound system comes with the rental as well as a small photo booth which is currently in construction. The photo booth will allow that whether it be gallery night or wedding guests, people can wander into the booth and leave their photographic mark. Gallery guests can check the website to see if their pictures have been uploaded. Private parties will receive a private upload.
Check out the website at www.huronsubstation.com for upcoming events such as Scotch Tastings and Cinema at the Station.
Call or write Meike at 323.225.8909 or meike@huronsubstation.com if you'd like to be added to the events mailing list or have any inquiries.
The Huron SubStation
2640 Huron Street
Los Angeles, CA 90065
323.225.8909

Aerosol ArtPark
The ArtStorm Aerosol ArtPark in Silverlake – a demonstration of evolved graffiti-prevention programming – will see the public viewing of 20 aerosol artists painting on canvas during a 2-month, 4-event run - April 2, April 16, May 7 and May 21 at the Triangle Park in Silverlake – at the intersection of Sunset and Griffith Park Boulevards.
A pilot project involving the Silverlake Neighborhood Association, the ArtStorm Aerosol Art Park is a graffiti reduction effort designed to harness the raw, natural talent of local aerosol artists and leverage the modern urban aerosol art into benefits for the artists.
Those benefits include big colorful artistic creation, jobs from local business and property owners, diversion from - and reduction of - illegal graffiti, community involvement, peer respect, bigger self-esteem, fame, glory and if the art is sold, economic opportunity.
The ArtStorm Aerosol ArtPark in Silverlake is the effort by ArtStorm and the community to build the full-fledged ArtPark – a ThemePark of Aerosol Art – complete with 54 painting stations, a custom paint delivery system, a restaurant, retail art supply store, classrooms, a performing arts stage, executive offices and an indoor/outdoor gallery – all dedicated to the Art Form.
The ArtStorm Themepark is designed by noted award-winning architects SPF:a, whose work includes the Getty Villa and other notable Los Angeles architectural projects.
While sometimes ridiculed and looked down on, the Art Form and the Aerosol Art community in Los Angeles is a vibrant, active sub-culture, full of aerosol art entrepreneurs opening businesses, providing jobs, creating murals, canvas artworks and providing educational opportunities.
ArtStorm was recently awarded a contract with the Los Angeles Unified School District to provide pro-art graffiti prevention programming in 10 high schools.
ArtStorm, a project of Community Partners, enjoys corporate non-profit status and is recognized by LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, President of the LA City Council Eric Garcetti's office, LA City Human Relations Director Rabbi Allen Freehling, LA County Human Relations and the heads of other notable civic organizations.
 

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Drug Rehab Planned for Eagle Rock Street
by Tom Topping

Residents on Glen Iris Street in Eagle Rock were alerted last month of a plan to convert an existing apartment complex on their street into a drug rehab facility, and have pleged to do everything they can to prevent it from happening.
Mia Barry, long time Eagle Rock resident who lives just across the street was alerted to the plan when a neighbor who was living in the apartment complex gave her a copy of the eviction notice. It was from owner, Hector Garza, and read, "I am giving all tenants a NOTICE OF 60 DAYS to vacate the apartments, because I am converting the building in (sic) a drug rehab facility called SPRING HEALTH HOUSE."
The apartment building, located at 5091 Glen Iris Avenue, is less than twenty years old and appears to be in good shape. The owner, Hector Garza, is an Eagle Rock resident.
The history of drug rehab centers like this one started with proposition 36, which mandated that drug offenders be given treatment instead of jail time. Prop. 36 remains controversial four years after it was passed by 61 percent of the voters in the year 2000. Opponents, including many law enforcement officials, say there are better ways to spend the $120 million the state appropriates annually to counties to run their programs.
The licensing program, run by the California Health and Human services agency, Department of Alcohol and Drug programs, has a vast website with step by step instructions on how to open a non-medical drug rehab facility. Included is information on how to overcome community opposition to a prospective facility, how to drum up community support, and how to identify areas of community support and opposition. Advice on how to get support from local media is there as well. There is apparently no public process required, and these facilities can generate from $900 to $3500 per month per bed for the owners.
The information of the vast website advises new rehad owners to pay attention to the proximity of liquor stores (7-11 is 1 block away) and schools, (St. Dominic is two blocks) when selecting a site for a facility. State Law created these facilities, and they may be funded by the county with medicare/medical funds. The only local approval mentioned is by the local fire authority, in this case the L.A Fire Department, who will determine the maximum number of beds allowed, that will comply with local fire regulations.
The Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce has gotten involved, circulating a petition at their latest board meeting opposing the drug rehab facility. Chamber members living nearby have pledged to take on the fight as well, concerned that family members will be in danger when passing near the facility.
Meanwhile neighbor Mia has been calling her state and city representatives, and having her neighbors call as well. The City Councilman's office asked them to stop calling, saying they already knew about the problem, and the State Assemblyperson, Carol Liu, and State Senator Jack Scott's office have not responded yet to their calls.
Former Chamber President Michael Nogueira has tentatively scheduled a meeting on April 11 at the 20th Century Women's Club, where resident's can voice their concern's, if the proposed facility is not stopped soon. The city and state representatives will be invited and encouraged to attend, as well as the candidates for the 44th Assembly district, which Carol Liu now represents.

SUSAN PRAGER NAMED
PRESIDENT OF OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE
Former UCLA Law School Dean Susan Westerberg Prager, a distinguished legal scholar, teacher and academic leader, has been selected by the Occidental College Board of Trustees as Occidental's 13th president. She succeeds Theodore R. Mitchell, who resigned last September to head the NewSchools Venture Fund in San Francisco.
Prager, a 1964 graduate of Stanford University who received her law degree at UCLA, served as dean of UCLA Law School for 16 years and spent 14 years on the Stanford board of trustees before taking the post of provost (chief academic officer) at Dartmouth College. She returned to UCLA in 2001, where she is the Arjay and Frances Fearing Miller Professor of Law. She will take office at Occidental July 1.
As one of the country's longest-serving law school deans, Prager expanded the size of the faculty, developed new academic programs, and raised standards while increasing the diversity of the student body and faculty. At UCLA she was responsible for building the law school's first major gifts program, which made possible a dramatic new law library. In 1985 she became the second woman to serve as president of the Association of American Law Schools, the leading professional organization in her field.
She received numerous awards for her work as dean, including the Legal Services Award from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund; the Madrina Award from the UCLA Latino Alumni Association; the Maynard Toll Award for Distinguished Public Service from the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles; and the highest honor bestowed by the UCLA Alumni Association, the Edward A. Dickson Alumnus of the Year Award.
Prager served on the Stanford Board of Trustees from 1976-1980 and 1987-1997, including four years as board vice president. As a Stanford trustee, she chaired the board's Academic Policy Committee and was a member of the Presidential Search Committee that recommended the appointment of Gerhard Casper.
She has served as a member of the California Commission on Campaign Financing, the California Community Colleges Commission on Innovation, and has testified before the U.S. Senate, the California state senate and other governmental bodies on a wide range of issues. She is a longtime director of the Newport Beach-based Pacific Mutual Holding Company, which owns Pacific Life. A staunch preservationist, she and her husband have restored two historic Victorian houses in the Angelino Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles and have played an active role in historic preservation.
Founded in 1887 as one of the first institutions of higher learning in Southern California, Occidental College is one of the few nationally ranked liberal arts colleges located in a major city. Its student body of 1,839 students, drawn from 45 states and 26 countries, combines a remarkable diversity – more than a third are students of color; almost 20 percent are the first in their family to attend college – with a traditional commitment to academic achievement. Occidental students regularly win many of the nation's most prestigious awards. Particular strengths include its superb faculty, a top-ranked undergraduate research program, extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary, overseas and independent study, a historic commitment to community-based learning, and a beautiful 120-acre campus designed by architect Myron Hunt.

Big Bunny's Spring Fling at L.A. ZOO
Come have fun with Big Bunny at the Los Angeles Zoo! For three days, families can participate in festive springtime activities. Children can get their faces painted, make bunny ears to wear, take pictures with Big Bunny (at nominal cost), and plant carrot seeds to take home. There also will be live rabbits to pet as well as a puppet show and musical entertainment by Dan Crow. Enjoy these activities and visit many of the Zoo's 1,200 exotic animals.
The event will be April 14-16, Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Los Angeles Zoo.
The Zoo is in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 2 to 12. Big Bunny's Spring Fling activities are free (excluding pictures with Big Bunny) with paid admission to the Zoo. For information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the L.A Zoo Web site at www.lazoo.org.
Raising Funds for the Neighborhood
On April 22, 2006, the North Highland Neighborhood Watch will host a large neighborhood garage sale on North Avenue 52, just north of Coringa. The garage sale will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.. Individuals in search of that interesting household gem and other accessories for the Northeast Los Angeles home are welcome.
The proceeds will support the group's upcoming headline event—a street festival on neighborhood safety on June 10, 2006. The festival will pay special attention to fireworks safety, as local families prepare for summer holidays and activities.
Established in 2002, the North Highland Neighborhood Watch brings together residents, community leaders and law enforcement to improve life, promote health and safety, and preserve Highland Park's cultural diversity. The group meets once a month at the offices of Council District 14.
Please contact Tommy Dodson at (323) 259-5900, if you should have any questions regarding the garage sale or the North Highland Neighborhood Watch.

International Kids Day
Stan Moore
The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC) will for the third year fund the International Kids' Day Festival on Meridian in front of Yorkdale Intermediate School. The HP Kiwanis Club will read books to the participating children, hopefully at 2:30 p.m., and will give childrens books to all the children as in previous years.
Instead of giving sweets to the children, the Kiwanis want to encourage them to love reading—which is absolutely necessary if they are going to prepare themselves to survive economically in the future in Southern California. The Kiwanis will be approaching all the local libraries asking for discarded children's books, as well as Occidental United Presbyterian Church (at the corner of York and Eagle Rock Blvds.)—which last year provided over 100 books for the event.
Ofelia Zuniga, Vanessa Ruiz and others from the HHPNC, as well as the Yorkdale School Association, will be planning the event. The HHPNC will be providing $2,000 for the food and musical bands that will entertain the participants. Last year the Kiwanis read stories to the children at two or three times during the day but found that the music from the bands was so loud that it interfered with the story reading. This year it is hoped that the committee planning the event will provide a 30 minute break from 2:30 to 3:00 so that the story readers will be able to introduce the children to the exciting world of books. Last year, thanks to the libraries and Occidental Presbyterian, more than 800 books were given away. In addition, the L.A. Times published a special section on reading skills at all age levels and its absolute necessity in today's world. The special section was published in conjunction with the U.C.L.A.'s "Weekend with Books." Again this year that event coincides with International Kids Day and the HP Kiwanis Club is hoping that the L.A. Times will again publish a supplement on the importance of reading.
PUT SATURDAY, APRIL 29, ON YOUR CALENDER. COME HEAR THE MUSIC, EAT THE FREE FOOD, VISIT THE BOOTHS, AND, MAYBE, VOLUNTEER TO READ TO THE CHILDREN. As the Kiwanis declare, "they are changing the world, one child and one community at a time." For additional information call Dr. Stanley Moore at (323) 256-1024, or email him at revdrmoore@sbcglobal.net.

Spring has Sprung for the Eagle Vista Seniors
April 4th begins with the Board Meeting at 9: a.m., and the members meeting at 10: a.m. These will be followed by our Congressman Xavier Becerra speaking about what important issues are are in process in Washington D.C.- vital to our lives and our votes.
April 11 (Tuesday) The big Tea Party and Easter Parade will take place (wear your favorite bonnet- best one wins!) Please bring your own special tea cup. Someone at your table will bring a tea pot. (Donations for tea sandwiches are needed- sign up with Anne Au.) April Birthday cake will be served.
April 18 (Tues.) Our speaker Jimmy Welden will tell us about "Fire in the Sky."
April 25 (Tues.) BINGO! Caller, Lou Agrati.
April 29 (Sat.) The trip to the Ramona Pageant departs from Eagle Rock Park at 11:00 a.m. and will return about 8:30 p.m.
(Recommendation: Bring your own seat cushion, sun hat and sun screen.)
Lunch at the Hometown Buffet before the play (on your own).

Used Book Sale
The Friends of the Eagle Rock Library will hold a used book sale on Saturday, April 22, from 10 am to 3 pm, at the library, 5027 Caspar Avenue. Coffee and baked goods will be sold from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Most book prices are $1.00 or less. Only softback and hardback book donations will be accepted on April 21 at the library; no magazines, please. Call 323-258-8078.
 

Horizons Expands
For Franklin Students
Stan Moore
The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC) for the third year sent Franklin High School students to the Sacramento Legislative Seminar (SLS) on Feb. 26 to 28. The Sacramento Seminar has been sponsored since 1954 by the California Center for Education in Public Affairs, and two members of the Board of Directors have been involved since 1955. This year six seniors from Franklin joined about 150 college students from all over California for the three day event.
Pablo Gutierrez summed up his experience by writing: "The most significant experience that resulted from this trip was the realization that the world of politics is not only a tangible entity but, in terms of a future career path, is also entirely feasible. It had always seemed to me that any form of public policy formation was out of my grasp and the my influence upon humanity would be
perpetually condemned by the existence of an ever looming glass ceiling." "But by coming to Sacramento I've seen that the nature of government (service of the people) is not only intact within modern politics, but that the glass ceiling once thought to stifle ambition is nothing more than frivolous formalities and ceremony that can be easily bypassed by credentials and persistence."
The students had dinner on Sunday night with two of Dr. Moore's former students who are now on staff, and a third who had served for four years on staff of the New York State Legislature, and they ended the trip with lunch on Tuesday with the same staffers plus one other. On Sunday night they listened to 8 members of the Capitol staff, most less than 27 years of age, tell how they got to Sacramento. One of the Franklin seniors, Rosio Lopez, said "I learned that I have to focus on one certain issue and follow through with it before engaging another issue." The same lesson was also part of the message of the four legislative advocates, "lobbyists," on Monday morning. Monday evening's Press Panel had the media representatives stating that the lobbyists were the most honest and trustworthy people in Sacramento—because their word is their bond. If they ever lie to an elected official and get caught their careers are essentially over, since to be effective advocates they have to be trusted.
Two teachers accompanied the groups: Ms. Monica Whalen of Franklin and Carmela Gomes, just retired from Nightingale Elementary School at Ave. 30 and Figueroa, who was a member of the HHPNC for 5 years. Ms. Gomes spelled Dr. Moore on Sunday by driving two hours. On Monday afternoon the six seniors, plus Ms. Whalen and Ms. Gomes and Dr. Moore spent 25 minutes with Assemblywoman Carol Liu in her office. All were impressed with Ms. Liu who, sadly, is "termed out" after six years in the Assembly, but who plans to run for Senator Jack Scott's seat when he is "termed out" in 2008. Ms. Whalen declared, "the best way to learn about politicians is to actually meet them. It's much more engaging than learning about them in a book."
On Monday the students met six members of the California Legislature, including the President Pro Tem of the Senate, Don Perata. Yvette Rivera, another senior on the field trip, wrote: "It was eye opening to see politicians involved and passionate about certain topics. Every person had a different opinion relating to education and its problems. It was a very interesting and biased issue. It has also encouraged me to pursue a degree in political science." This warmed Dr. Stan Moore's heart, since he is a political scientist who is retiring this Spring from 43 years of teaching political science at the university level. Brandin Engersbach, who plans to major in Business Administration starting in the Fall, wrote "Politics never appealed to me. This trip, however, help resurrect much of my past interest in issues that are important to the State of California and the United States. I've realized and learned that the works and bills in politics share a parallel relation, not only with my interests, but with my career and endeavors I choose to pursue in the long run."
The students got to hear a panel discuss the 8 initiatives on the ballot last November from a "Republican" perspective, since two of the panelists, Democrats, had to cancel at the last minute, and late in the afternoon on Monday, Feb. 27, they got to hear a very partisan analysis of this year's Governors race, since the two invited Republicans had to cancel at the very last minute. This panel was moderated by Dr. Fernando Guerra of Loyola Marymount, a graduate of Franklin High School. Then from 5:30-7 p.m. the students got to attend a reception on the sixth floor subsidized by Pepperdine University, U.S.C. and Loyola Marymount. There they got to mingle with about 20 elected members of the legislature, a number of staff personnel, and a few lobbyists.
Evelyn Zepeda, who plans to attend U.S.C., noted that "Our trip to Sacramento was a great learning experience and a great way to learn and understand our government. It's very important to know the politicians and the policy making process that determines the laws by which we abide. I was very grateful to have been able to attend this trip for the second year, because it is insightful and educational in a way that I would have not seen illustrated on the pages of a book."
Hopefully the HHPNC will be able to fund next February the "fourth annual" Sacramento Legislative Seminar. The first two years first 8 and then 9 students went from Franklin to Sacramento. This year only 6 students in Ms. Whalen's AP Government class were willing to write the required 500 word essay on how they would improve Highland Park. And, sadly, there were only 3 men in Ms. Whalen's class, two of whom were Pablo and Brandin. Hopefully next year there will again be 8 or 9 juniors or seniors who want to go and are willing to write the essay. It is through opportunities like this trip that the future leaders of our state and nation are developed. The six who went have already been accepted into good colleges and universities and are taking the steps to be leaders for their coming generation. Our thanks go to Ms. Whalen, who worked very hard to encourage Franklin students to go, and to Dr. Moore who, because he ran the Sacramento Legislative Seminar for 20 years, is able to get the Board of the California Center to allow the students from Franklin to participate in the otherwise all college conference.

To Contact

Your State Representatives

Jack Scott,

21st Senate District
senator.scott@sen.ca.gov
Pasadena Office
215 N. Marengo Avenue, Ste. 185
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 683-0282
(818) 558-7940
Fax (626) 793-5803
State Capitol, Room 2082
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 651-4021
Fax (916) 324-7543

Carol Liu,

44th Assembly District
Assemblymember.Liu@assembly.ca.gov
Pasadena Office
215 N. Marengo Avenue,
Suite 115
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 577-9944
(626) 577-2868 fax
State Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0044
(916) 319-2044
(916) 319-2144 fax

"Intimate Geography- getting to know a place"
at the Acorn Gallery
This thought provoking group show offers a collection of imaginative and personal perspectives on how one relates to a particular locale. Edith Abeyta invites viewers into an arrestingly literal archeological scenario by constructing a fanciful neighborhood scavenger hunt in which she fabricates, hides, and maps the locations of small, earthenware plates bearing a bitten imprint of her mouth and teeth; Daniel Marlos engages the theme of navigation by means of a mix of the conceptual and the personal in photographic streetscapes and in the intricately crafted handmade quilt. Deborah Thomas and Linda Anne Hoag create a memory map of Los Angeles using juxtaposed fragments of maps, old photographs and miscellaneous memorabilia reconstructing Hoag's West Hollywood childhood. Jennifer Murphy's virtual quilt explores contradictions between nature and cybertechnology by superimposing spam phrases on locally gathered leaves.
April 8 through May 6, 2006
Artists' Reception
Saturday, April 8, 2006 5-10 pm
at THE ACORN GALLERY, 135 N. Avenue 50, Highland Park, 90042
Opening reception: April 8, 5 - 10 p.m.

Western Band at
SW Hill Country
Robert and Pat from SW Hill Country invite you to a very special performance featuring The Ronstadt Ramirez Santa Cruz River Band visiting here from Tucson, AZ. The Ronstadt Ramirez Santa Cruz River Band have "all saddled up" to bring a musical journey about the great Southwest to Eagle Rock. The event happens on Saturday, April 8, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at SW Hill Country Western Store, located at 1412 Colorado Blvd., in Eagle Rock.
It wil be a beautiful, intriguing and powerful musical program filled with the history and mystical lore of the Great American Southwest. The Ronstadt Ramirez Santa Cruz River Band music is authentic and original – as it is rooted in the traditional styles of the United States and Mexico. Their original music is inspired by personal experience, often exploring their amazing personal family histories as passed on to them by their illustrious forefathers.
They generate excitement and always create a strong bond with their audience. Their music will touch the heart and bring out a smile. They present an authentic look at American Indian, Spanish, Mexican and American Cowboy heritage and culture.
They create a uniquely beautiful sound with outstanding solo vocals, harmonies and powerful acoustic instrumental sounds. Their music captivates and elevates the consciousness of every audience.
A $20 per person ticket includes Cowboy Coffee, Mexican Hot Chocolate and desserts. Seating is limited, so please call 323.256.2500 to reserve your seat.

AD 44 Candidiates
These are the candidates for Assembly District 44, which goes from La Crescenta, to Eagle Rock, Hermon and out to Temple City and Duarte.
Scott Carwile, Republican
Brian Center, Democratic
Ricardo Costa, Green
Philip Koebel, Green
Adam Murray, Democratic
Diana Peterson-More, Democratic
Anthony Portantino, Democratic
Barron Yanaga, Libertarian