Proposed Lounge Brings 150 to Land Use and Planning Meeting

A crowd of about 150 tried to pack into the meeting room of the Eagle Rock City Hall on Thursday the 22 of March. People showed up to oppose or support a proposal for a restaurant that serves alcohol. Restaurateurs Richard and Susann Mandeville ( left) look on.

At last month's Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Land Use meeting, the property owner and the tenant/developer of "Fat Dog Lounge," a proposed restaurant wanting to offer alcohol, met with heavy opposition from nearby residents and business people. About 150 people showed up to air their views, with one restaurant supporter attending for every 7 to 10 people opposing it. The proposed use would be in the old "Economart" supermarket building, at 1581 Colorado Boulevard, most recently recognizable as an art gallery and art framing business, and before that an auto glass shop, at the Northeast corner of Colorado and Townsend Ave. in Eagle Rock.
It was quite a sight as the very small meeting room in the Eagle Rock City Hall quickly filled to capacity at least 15 minutes before the meeting was scheduled to start. At its peak, people were crushed in like sardines, and the meeting resembled more of an angry mob than a typically boring government meeting.
Randy Levine, co-chair of the ERNC Land Use Committee, apparently was ill prepared to handle such a large and unruly crowd, as he unintentionally fanned the flames of emotion instead of quenching them during the course of the meeting.
The crowd was generally not very polite, shouting out, applauding and booing the speakers with whom they agreed or disagreed. Levine, unfortunately, did little to help matters at times taking 45 seconds to reprimand attendees for a round of applause that took only 7 seconds out of the meeting. The residents of Townsend Avenue, many of them senior citizens living there 20 to 40 years did not appreciate this relatively young new resident trying to control them. At one time Levine said, "You know what? Could we, like, not applaud?" to which he received a resounding volley of boos.
The proposed restaurant is the brainchild of Richard and Susann Mandeville. They say they're trying to bring something really fun and enjoyable to the community. "We're not here to try to tear up your local community," Richard said.

Emotions and attitudes ran high at the Land Use Committee of the ERNC. Here, Land Use Advocate Elizabeth Peterson re-acts to Townsend neighbor Wolfgang Bodison, as he makes his case.

Elizabeth Peterson is a Land Use Advocate hired by the tenant to help get the restaurant's plans approved by the community and the L.A. City bureaucracy. She explained the facts of the proposed restaurant during the meeting. What they were applying for was a "Conditional Use Permit" to allow "full line" (hard liquor) alcohol consumption along with food sales. The restaurant plan called for 3773 square feet of floor space, seating for 150 people, and a D.J. She mentioned that they were the first to apply for parking credits under the new Colorado Specific Plan "Pilot Parking Program," of which they were asking for 33 of the spaces. She said that anyone who had questions about how the Mandavilles operated should visit their other restaurant, "Magnolia," in Hollywood. (Ron Marino, who said he was the owner of Magnolia, called after seeing this report and was not pleased. He said the Mandaville's only owned a minority interest in the Magnolia restaurant.)

She acknowledged that after hearing resident's concerns about the proposed seven night a week 2 a.m. closing time, that it could be changed to midnight closing on Sunday through Thursday.
Property owner Tim Yalta (who also owns the art gallery/ art framing shop) vouched for the Mandevilles saying, "My goal is to have something this community can come and exchange- talk about art- talk about politics- to have a creative exchange in the community. Not all of us go to bed at 10 o'clock at night. Some of us like to go out and have something to eat and have a drink at 10, 10:30, 11:00 at night. There are many people moving into this community- creative people that need a place to come and exchange ideas." He said he had gotten many offers, but turned them down because he thought that the Mandevilles would most likely fulfill what he has as his purpose for the community.
The residents who were there to oppose the restaurant came as a result of outreach required by the ERNC Land Use Committee. When committee members first considered the restaurant plans virtually no one showed up to comment. No one knew about it. They sent the restaurant entrepreneurs back to the streets to notify at least those within a 500 foot radius of the site. When residents received notice, they became greatly concerned, and local business persons did as well.
They busily went to work contacting neighbors, circulating petitions, researching laws, rules and regulations. At the meeting, resident Wolfgang Bodison showed up with a stack of papers, and announced he had 560 petitions opposing the "Fat Dog Lounge." He said it was the wrong use for that location, and that it was double the size of the average restaurant in Eagle Rock (actually only about 50% larger).
Others were concerned that Fat Dog Lounge was not really a restaurant at all, but a bar. They showed copies of the floorplan that seated 70% of the patrons in the bar area. They commented on the menu items that they thought were nothing more than bar food. They countered that the valet parking would not be used at all, and that Lounge patrons would be parking up the side streets as Casa Bianca customers have done for years on Vincent Avenue. "The name (Fat Dog Lounge) says it all!" exclaimed one resident.
Many also feared that the ill impacts near the Chalet, (a full alcohol bar that used to be Toppers' Tavern, now with high end decor and high end drink prices) would be amplified and spread throughout more of the streets and alleys adjacent to the intersection of Colorado and Townsend. They mentioned the disturbances of late night loud talking and cell phone use, as well as trashed beer and liquor bottles, urination, vomit and condoms that greeted their morning walks now on their streets, which they attribute to Chalet patrons.
Local business persons were concerned about the already marginal parking situation, fearing that their customers soon would not have any place to park.
There were those in favor of the Lounge.
Jenni Krusoe, director of the Eagle Rock center for the arts for the last five years, said "I guess I'm here to talk and plead with this community to be more decent to each other- I've been asked to sign this petition which has nothing to do with the facts of..." She was cut off before she could complain that those opposed to the restaurant were circulating petitions which misstated the facts. She added "This is not the Chalet. This meeting should be about how to deal with the problems of the Chalet- I've been to these community meetings and it's always about parking and it's always about people not listening to each other- I'd like to support the fact that Tim (owner of the property) is a good person and has been working for this community- volunteering for this community."
Dave and Helen Gustfason, promoters and creators of the first Eagle Rock Monument sign voiced support for any restaurant use that follows the Colorado Specific Plan.
Erica Grubert, a long time Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce Director, voiced her support for the project as well.

Delia Nogueira, did a great job organizing her neighbors to fight against the proposed restaurant. She is the owner of Stephano’s Hair Salon and the rental property next door to the proposed business. About 100 showed up to support her side.

Delia Nogueria, owner of Stephano's Hair Salon, who owns the adjacent residential properties (Delia Nogueira Trust) was one of the main organizers opposing the Fat Dog Lounge. She said, "You don't have the right to do this. You gonna destroy our peaceful life that we have here in Eagle Rock. We don't want you here. Our property value will go down. Your benefit- and us destruction. That's my retirement and my pride and joy. So that's your pride and joy. Take it to your neighborhood. I'm gonna have junky tenants next to you."
The Land Use Committee, after hearing all the speakers, decided to send the entrepreneurs back to the drawing board to modify their plan, to try and satisfy the concerns of the local residents and business folk. When they come back, they will have another chance to be approved.
Here is some additional information for your consideration:
The Parking Pilot Program, bragged about during the last city council campaign by Councilman Huizar as one of his accomplishments, does not allow restaurants over 2500 square feet to participate in the parking credit program unless the Colorado Specific Plan Design review board approves it. The plan allows businesses to purchase parking credits for spaces that may or may not exist within walking distance of the business that purchases them (I tried to warn everyone last year but no one thought it would impact them). ERCPR (Eagle Rock Community Preservation and Revitalization), the group most responsible for creating the parking plan, would not take either side of the Fat Dog Lounge issue, referring any questions to instead be answered by the legislation itself. CD14 Councilman Jose Huizar's office has adopted a "no position" position on the subject.

Coffee Shop Man Circumvents City Administrator

 

Scott Robbins (at right) goes to war with the Zoning Administrator (far left) who shot him down.

Coffeeshop owner and entrepreneur Scott Robbins was successful earlier this month when he gathered enough community support to overturn the decision of the L.A. City Zoning Administrator which had prevented him from selling beer or wine at his "Highland Perk" Coffee House on York Boulevard at the corner of Aldama and York. The conditional use permit he received is dependent on his satisfying about 50 conditions applied by the East L.A. Planning Commission, who granted his appeal.
Scott had come to Highland Park a few years ago, with an eye on an old triangle shaped building, that once was a local bar, restaurant and apartments, and later a drug hangout and crack house. He basically replaced the entire building stud by stud, to preserve the buildable rights which would have been lost by a complete demolition.
He went deeply into debt, turning a community eyesore into a community pride. He was crushed when the zoning administrator denied his application for beer and wine, seemingly condemning his investment to sure failure. (A restaurant without at least a beer and wine license has a tough time making any profit- especially when most of the nearby restaurants all do).
He could apply for a variance, which would be another $7000, but was encouraged when he discovered that by having a neighbor appeal the zoning administrator's decision to the East L.A. Planning Commission, he would have another chance to win for a minimal sum of $75.
About a hundred people showed up, predominantly in support of him. The local area planning commission was sympathetic, and despite Robbin's own stubbornness regarding the conditions they asked him to volunteer, they approved his beer and wine permit anyway.

Dear Highland Perk Fans,
The beer and wine permit was granted! We were very touched and filled with love and joy at the 55 people who showed up at Ramona Hall and sat thru a grueling 4.5 hour planning commission hearing. The 6 or so people in opposition had there opinions considered, so the system does work in the end. Most of the supports had passionate reasons for supporting our business. Many supporters were experts from various disciplines and they used their skills and expertise to logically explain how granting the beer and wine license would ultimately improve the quality of life for everyone in Highland Park. Many supporters I had never met and some supporters could not even get into the packed auditorium or sign up for a chance to speak due to the large crowd.
We sincerely appreciate everyone who helped us help our community.
Sincerely,
Scott Robbins

What remains to be seen is how he will be able to satisfy these conditions, and how costly it will be for him. He must acquire a lease agreement from a local parking lot owner for at least 18 parking spaces when he operates in the after 5 p.m. hours. Other conditions like not allowing alcoholic beverages to be consumed on the rear patio or for any customers to use the rear patio after 10:00 p.m. are not very costly, but do require a degree of discipline on behalf of the management and staff.
The Zoning administrator that denied the permit was at the hearing, and made her case but was apparently not familiar with the very sophisticated and vocal residents of Northeast L.A., or the local area planning commission that is made up of those same residents who for years have been pushing for more "upscale businesses" to inhabit the Northeast L.A. area.

 

Friday, March 30, 2007 - Smoke and ash drift over the 134 freeway toward Eagle Rock from a brush fire near Universal Studios. Over 200 firefighters from Los Angeles City Fire, LA County, and Burbank, along with 5 helicopters fought the blaze into the evening. It was immediately determined that the fire was purposely set by at least two juveniles who turned themselves in to Burbank police while the fire was still being fought. The juveniles are reported to be from Illinois and are visiting the area with their parents. (Dave Hill Photo)

Katie Smith
November 18,1924 -February 16,2007

 

Here, Katie Smith, center, Jim Beckham and Shirley Minser announce Eagle Rock’s 75th birthday to the Chamber of Commerce in 1986.

A memorial service was held for Katie Smith, long time Eagle Rock resident, business woman, owner of Bragg and Smith Realty and community activist. Katie passed away while in residence at the Solheim Lutheran Home.
A memorial service attended by many Eagle Rock Community members, who shared tributes to Katie, was held at the Solheim Home on March 28, 2007.
Katie was well known and appreciated for her dedication to the Eagle Rock Community. She was president of the Eagle rock Chamber of Commerce 1979, 1980 and 1981. She was an organizer and President of BLEND a police support group helping police officers at the Northeast Station. She was president of the Soroptimist Club, a group of business women dedicated to helping young women become business oriented. She was president of the Eagle Rock 20th Century Club.
For more than forty years, Katie worked for special causes that would bring people together for improvement of the community. During the Vietnam War, Katie organized a group of women to bake, pack and send cookies to her son Richard's army unit. Many of the soldiers, upon return, found Katie to personally thank her for her devotion and kindness. When a developer applied to build condominiums at the base of the Eagle Rock, Katie was the primary mover and shaker to organize the Help Save the Eagle Rock Committee.
As a symbol of her dedication to the Eagle Rock Community she was one of the first persons to be acknowledged with her picture on the Wall of Honor in the foyer of the Eagle Rock City Hall.

Galco's Lawsuit Dropped
A lawsuit filed but not served on Galco's Soda Pop Stop was voluntarily dismissed last month. The suit had sought damages for violations of Proposition 65, a California Law that requires businesses to disclose the presence or use of chemicals known to the State of California to cause health problems like cancer or reproductive harm. Dr. Whitney R. Leeman had notified them that they are in violation of the California Law, and that she, "... seeks to improve human health by reducing hazardous substances contained in products."
John Nese, owner of Galco's had been upset for some time. He had no insurance to cover such an expense. No insurance is available to protect him from this. He said he felt as if a weight had been lifted from him, and looks forward to just getting back to a business he knows and enjoys.
He does not know why they dropped the suit, but an educated guess is that they knew they simply had no case, and since he was going to fight instead of offering to settle, they decided to look elsewhere for a quick buck.

Eagle Vista Seniors
April 3, Tues - The Eagle Vista Seniors in the spirit of the month will offer a contest for the best Easter hat, but nor until after the board meeting takes place at 9:00 a.m.
The Business Meeting at 10:00 a.m. is when the April Birthdays are celebrated with a decorated cake, and the Easter Hat Parade will begin. The judges will decide which lucky ladies will win the largest, smallest, funniest and moist original chapeaux.
Anything goes, so don't be shy - join the parade!
Another treat that awaits when the great band "Pieces of Eight" performs in person. Don't miss this one!
April 10, Tues - B-I-N-G-O Lou Agrati will caller.
April 17, Tues - One-Man-Band Ed Simpson will entertain us with his synthesizer instrument (Piano Keyboard) with Old Standards, as well as Rock and Roll.
April 20 - April 27 - The trip to Washington D.C. takes place. During this time, the April; 24 meeting is canceled.

Eagles
Buffalo BBQ
Success for Local School
The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #2188, had a successful "Buffalo Barbecue" last month, raising $1910 for the local Good Shepherd School. Those attending danced to two country western bands, and had a full course covered wagon meal of buffalo meat, beans and salad with all the trimmings.
This, just another example of the Eagles motto, "People Helping People." The Eagle Club is located at 1596 Yosemite drive and puts on community breakfasts twice a month on the first and third Sundays ($5) as well as the yearly Thanksgiving dinner which is free to all. They invite you to drop by and say hello and see about joining a community service organization that knows how to have fun! Feel free to inquire about hall rentals as well by calling (323) 257 8869.
That Yarn Store On The Road Again
21 months ago That Yarn Store quietly moved into a space in the Colorado Plaza. And this month, That Yarn Store will be quietly moving.
That Yarn Store's Grand Re-opening is April 15, from 11am - 5 pm, at 5028 Eagle Rock Blvd.
And in the usual That Yarn Store fashion, they are throwing a party. There will be munchies and lots of laughing, and knitting of course. For those who don't know how to knit they'll have a special Beginning Knitting class at 1pm.
There will also be a "welcome to the neighborhood" sale with 10-30% off selected items.
Everyone - knitters, crocheters, and admirers alike, are welcome to stop by.

Rummage/ Bake Sale and Soup Kitchen
The Women's Association of Occidental Presbyterian Church is holding their 43rd. Annual Rummage/Bake Sale and Soup Kitchen on Friday, April 13th. and Saturday, April 14th., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All money goes outside of the church for local and international good causes. The church is located on the corner of Eagle Rock and York Blvds.
Featured will be homebaked pies, cookies and candy . . . and homemade chili and soups with French bread and complimentary coffee. For more information call (323) 256-0584.

Motorist Messes Up
New Scion Scrambled

A motorist who lost control on Colorado at Eagle Vista also lost his engine- it was in the middle of the street! Luckily, there were no serious injuries reported.

A young man in a nearly new Scion Tc crashed violently on Saturday afternoon March 24, causing the engine and transmission of the Scion to fly out onto Colorado Boulevard and hit a passing pickup truck before coming to rest in the middle of the road. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup, who was traveling the same direction, saw the dark blue sport-compact pass him on the outside as they both approached the intersection of Eagle Vista while driving westbound on Colorado Boulevard. The car swerved, the driver tried to regain control but then it spun back the other way, hitting the traffic light pole right near the corner.
The engine assembly flew out of the car and bounced into the side of the passing pickup truck, denting in the fender and ripping the rear axle loose from the spring. The rear end of the Scion did not have a scratch, but the front was completely missing. Pieces of the car and traffic light were scattered everywhere. Crews arrived shortly after to repair the damaged signal, which had a plume of loose wires stretching across the sidewalk.
The driver of the car had minor injuries, according to witnesses, with only a cut elbow on his left arm. A country western performance was just wrapping up at SW Hill Country Western Store, across the street, when those gathered there heard the crash. They looked across the intersection just in time to see parts flying through the air and the extracted engine spinning around in the middle of the street still steaming and smoking as it sat there.
Saturday afternoon traffic was slowed for hours as Police, Fire and DOT crews repaired the signal and cleaned up the mess.

Cruisin' with Mary

It's April and spring has sprung in Eagle Rock. I know this to be true because my allergies are back with a vengeance, especially after the Barham Fire last month. The Eagle Rockin' Rodders continued our successful winning streak at the Glendale Kiwanis Car Show on March 18. Club member Michael Rickman won 1st place for his '51 Indian Chief Motorcycle. Hemi Tom Amrhein took a 2nd place award for his '31 Plymouth coupe for the "Under Construction" category. Amy Peters won a large trophy for "Ladies Choice" for her '68 SS El Camino. And yes, Amy does work on this car herself. This is the third year our club has done very well at this show. There were some nice guys from a new car show website called Livecarshows.com who were filming for the website. I had the chance to speak with them and direct them over to the Rockin'Rodders cars. They work on tv shows, and are in between jobs right now so they have time to work on this website. They built the rig and photo boom they used, and have a monitor so they can review what the camera is filming. Eventually they will be streaming car cruise nites live on the web. Our next big show as a club will be the Road Kings picnic on Sun. June 10. On July 8, we will again co-sponsor the custom car show at Concerts In the Park. Livecarshows.com have been invited as well. More info on this in future articles.
Our March cruise in had a slightly lower than usual attendance, and since the weather was lovely and warm, who knows why? The day of the cruise I saw a caravan of 5 or 6 vintage and original-looking Model A's parading through Eagle Rock. Ms. "Have Camera-Will Travel" pulled her Jeep over, whipped out her loaded camera and shot a few spur-of-the-moment photos at the corner of Yosemite and Figueroa. And that's why you should always have a camera with you…
We held our usual raffles with items donated from some of our generous sponsors like Tritch Hardware and Sir Michael's. Unfortunately, we lost one of our longtime sponsors, One Stop Tire and Wheel, due to "financial reasons." I can only hope this does not mean that another small business in Eagle Rock is failing. I'd like to express the club's sincere appreciation for past support.
As promised, we started our canned food drive last month. For such little notice, I consider it very successful: There were about 8 nearly full bags and several boxes of non-perishable items. For this month, the items were given to Victory Outreach to distribute to needy members. I want to thank everyone who participated. This is my "project" at least through November and I feel we got off to a wonderful start. To me, its easy to be generous during the holidays, but its also easy to forget those less fortunate the rest of the year. It's so heartwarming to again see both friends and strangers contribute to those less fortunate in our community, and one of the things I love about Eagle Rock. Next month, the plan is for the items to go to the Highland Park Sr. Center.
Again, thank you from my heart, and until next time, Hoppy Easter, and keep on cruisin'!!

Springtime in Eagle Rock
R. Chowdhury
It takes sunlight 8 minutes and 19 seconds to travel from the surface of the sun to Eagle Rock. When the sunlight arrives at the wispy edges of our Pacific atmosphere, it rains down through the ionosphere, diffused into the brilliant blue of our Californian empyrean, rarely impeded by cloud cover, and blasts down onto Colorado Boulevard.
The sunlight pouring down on Eagle Rock contains three types of energy – visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet radiation. The ultraviolet radiation blasts away at the chemical bonds called chromophores that create the impression of color by reflecting particular wavelengths of light. Thus do the colors of Eagle Rock restaurant signs, house paint, building murals, photos of houses for sale, billboards) fade away as they glow in the energy of the sun's fusion.
It's spring again in Eagle Rock. Although for a transplant from back east, the Southern Californian year sometimes feels like an endless summer with a week of rain, with time I've begun to appreciate the more subtle changes between seasons in Los Angeles.
It'll be my first spring as a resident here in Eagle Rock, and it seems like it's spring time in Eagle Rock generally. New book stores, new restaurants, new neighbors, new store fronts, new events, new trees in the medians, and more of our neighbors strolling with their children up and down Colorado and Eagle Rock.
It's a special time to be here in our community, and I think we all feel the excitement that comes with being part of something new, of being part of a community that's changing.
A year of sunshine and change lies in front of us. The new signs going up along Colorado and Eagle Rock will continue soon fade in the brilliant sunshine, the colors bleaching to match the well worn colors that have been here for years.

Happy One Year Anniversary to Spitz
Come celebrate the one-year anniversary of Spitz – Home of the Döner Kebab, Eagle Rock's hippest new restaurant! On Saturday, April 14 from 11-5, Spitz will be serving up their famous gelato for free with any purchase to commemorate their first year of business.
Spitz is the first in Southern California to serve true European-Style Döner Kebab, a unique and delicious sandwich that has made the restaurant an overnight sensation. Featured in Los Angeles Magazine's Annual Restaurant Awards issue as one of the "Best New Restaurants in LA", and in CitySearch as one of the "Top Ten Quick Serve Restaurants in Los Angeles", Spitz's commitment to fresh and delicious food paired with outstanding customer service has not gone unnoticed. Spitz offers Döner Kebab sandwiches, salads, and wraps, as well as falafel, mouthwatering sides, premium coffee, tea, and Italian gelato and sorbetto so good it was named "Best in the Universe" by Time Magazine.
Bryce Rademan and Robert Wicklund, 05' alumni of Occidental College, found donor kebab while traveling abroad in Europe during college and realized that a food so delicious needed to be brought to Los Angeles. Döner Kebab, a distinctively spiced mixture of minced beef and lamb or chicken is a widely popular and delectable street food throughout the world. Created by Turkish guest-workers, the Döner Kebab sandwich originated in Germany and has spread through Europe and is also popular in Canada, Asia, and Australia.
After ten months of design, renovations, and cooking, Spitz opened its doors in Eagle Rock on April 12, 2006. Spitz has put its own spin on Döner Kebab, serving a healthier version with fresh-cut vegetables, refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce, and hand-baked focaccia or lavash bread. Fresh salads and homemade falafel are also available along with fantastic sides such as their famous lightly fried pita-strips and hummus and amazing sweet potato fries.
As Spitz grows, Bryce and Robert remain dedicated to providing customers with outstanding food, a unique and stylish atmosphere and excellent service at an affordable price. They are honored to celebrate their first year in Eagle Rock with the community and look forward to sharing Döner Kebab with the greater Los Angeles area in the years to come.

MOTA Day 2007 -

Experience Life in the “Past Lane"
Mark your calendars for Sunday May 20 when you can experience great architecture, music, history and family fun for free when you attend the 18th annual Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day.
On MOTA Day, visitors can check out six museums located along the celebrated Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles and Pasadena for a free day of tours, storytelling, art and entertainment. Free shuttles will take guests to all museums.
This year, the MOTA museums welcome the Los Angeles Police Historical Museum to its family which includes the Gamble House, Heritage Square Museum, Lummis Home and Garden, Pasadena Museum of History and the Southwest Museum.
Getting to MOTA Day is easy -- guests can take the Gold Line and jump off at the Heritage Square station, where free shuttles will escort you to MOTA Day. Or park your car once and shuttle to the museums of your choice.
MOTA Day is from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Special events this year include:
. The Gamble House. Visitors can enjoy a performance by Grammy-awardingR winning musicologist Ian Whitcomb and his Bungalow Boys; children can do crafts in the backyard.
Heritage Square Museum. Guests can observe a Spanish American War encampment, watch traditional woodcarving demonstrations and listen to historical storytellers as well as enjoy music. Children can play with Victorian toys and do crafts. Costumed docents will lead tours of the houses; visitors can also create freehand sketches of live horses, courtesy of the Arroyo Arts Collective.
. The Los Angeles Police Historical Museum. Visitors can tour the facilities which feature private collections and historical memorabilia. Kids can climb into a real police helicopter, try on police gear and get "locked" in a real jail cell. Screenings of historic police footage and an exhibit on police portraiture will also be offered.
. The Lummis Home and Garden. Tours of the Lummis home and gardens will be available.
. The Pasadena Museum of History. Guests can tour the museum's current exhibition "African American Quilts" as well watch quilting demonstrations. Children can check out art workshops, play African American games and hear storytelling Sunny Stevens. The nearby Fenyes mansion and Finnish Folk Art Museum will be opened for tours.
The Southwest Museum. Visitors can hear enjoy Mariachi music and folklorico dancing from Mariachi Ceilo Nuevo. Families can take an "archaeological" dig to find out about the past; children can do crafts. Guests can also take tours of the botanical gardens as well as director's tours of the construction and current renovation process of the museum. Historical films will be shown in the Braun Research Library.
For more information call the MOTA hotline (213) 740-TOUR (8687) or go to www.museumsofthearroyo.com.
 

Cinco De Mayo

"Lummis Day" Fundraiser
Los Californios, Poet Linda J. Albertano and Author Mark Thompson To Appear At Cinco De Mayo "Lummis Day" Fundraiser, Saturday, May 5 at Heritage Square, 6:30-9:00 pm.
A Cinco De Mayo "Lummis Day" Fundraiser at Heritage Square Museum (3800 Homer Street) will feature wine and refreshments, the music of Los Californios, who play and sing early Califonia music collected by Charles Lummis, Lummis biographer Mark Thompson and the poetry and performance art of Linda J. Albertano,
recognized by the L.A. Weekly as L.A.'s "Best Female Performer-Poet."
The fundraising event is scheduled from 6:30-9:00 pm on Saturday, May 5. Admission, which includes all
refreshments, is $35 in advance and $40 at the door. All proceeds will help underwrite the second annual "Lummis Day: The Festival of Northeast Los Angeles" on June 3, presented by Occidental College with the support of the Mount Washington Association, the Highland Park Heritage Trust, the Autry National Center, the Arroyo Arts Collective, the Historic Highland Park and Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Councils, over dozen other community organizations and City Council Districts 1 and 14.
Guests who wish to take a short tour of the historic Heritage Square Museum should arrive before 5:45 pm for a complimentary docent-guided walk through Los Angeles' most historic homes.
Los Californios, who perform in period costumes, have a lively and extensive repertoire that includes
elements of the Spanish music familiar to the original settlers of the Southwest and incorporates influences
from the European and American folk music that residents of old Alta California learned from the frequent visits of trading ships. Much of the group's material--waltzes, polkas and songs about old rancho life-- was gleaned from transcriptions of recordings made by Charles Lummis in the early years of the last century.
Linda Albertano, who was among five poets chosen to represent Los Angeles in Amsterdam's "One World Poetry Festival," is a musician, performance artist and poet who has appeared at the L.A.Theater Center and The John Anson Ford Theater as well as Beyond Baroque, the Knitting Factory, and other literary/spoken-word meccas.
Mark Thompson is author of the acclaimed Lummis biography "American Character: The Curious Life of Charles Fletcher Lummis and the Rediscovery of the Southwest," honored as "Best Biography of 2002" by the Western Writers of America. An avid urban-backyard farmer, the Kentucky-born writer maintains and edits the website "Seasonal Chef" providing amateur and professional chefs with information about seasonal produce and farmers' markets. As a freelance writer, he has contributed to a broad range of publications ranging from The New Republic to the Thai International Airlines inflight magazine.
To purchase tickets, email LummisDay@yahoo.com, log on to LummisDay.org, or phone 818-535-9178.
On Sunday June 3, musical, visual, culinary and literary artists of Los Angeles will join to stage the second annual "Lummis Day: The Festival of Northeast Los Angeles," a free, public celebration of the multicultural spirit and rich history of the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods. The Festival will include events at Lummis Home and Sycamore Grove Park with ancillary events staged at other locations in the Northeast L.A. community.
"Lummis Day" is designed to foster cooperative efforts among the Arroyo neighborhood community groups, strengthen linkages among cultural, commercial and community resources and create a framework for civic, creative and commercial growth in Northeast Los Angeles.

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Topping Wins in Court
Tom Topping, editor of the Boulevard Sentinel, successfully opposed James L. Perry's motion to make Topping pay for his $17,000 in attorney fees resulting from a lawsuit he filed against Topping. Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Vice President Perry had sued Topping and the Boulevard Sentinel for defamation and libel after an article that told about Perry's activities on the Neighborhood Council was published last year.
After dismissing the case voluntarily, Perry filed a motion to make Topping pay his attorney fees after Topping put up a good defense.
In court papers, Defendent Topping, referring to Perry's actions, argued that, "Plaintiff filed this action in bad faith, used deceptive statements and false evidence to support it, and continued the case solely to harass Defendent."
The judge ruled that Topping's filing of a special motion to strike (a motion allowed by California law that protects freedom of speech from frivolous lawsuits, and forces frivolous plaintiffs to pay the Defendant's legal fees), was not done solely to harass Perry, and denied Perry his motion for fees on that basis.
Topping is still left with an over $40,000 debt for his own legal fees incurred defending against Plaintiff Perry's original lawsuit. Topping said after the ruling, "I did nothing wrong. I reported everything true." Topping has filed an appeal, that, if successful, will have the court reconsider Topping's special motion to strike, which may get his legal fees paid for by Mr. Perry.

Huizar

Re-elected
Voter Turnout Lowest in Years
In an election marked by negative campaigning on both sides, Jose Huizar was re-elected councilman of CD14 with the lowest voter turnout in years. While claiming 65% of the vote, Huizar only managed 8,785 votes out of 13,376 votes cast. The turnout was a paltry 17% of the 78,426 registered to vote in the 14th district.
Although the L.A. Times credited the campaign of Alvin Parra with making Huizar a better and more responsive councilman, reports are coming in already that Mr. Huizar has slipped back to his previous ways, cutting staff at field offices and generally being Missing In Action again.
At the Alvin Parra election night party it didn't take long for the reality of his defeat to set in. In his concession speech he said, "Four months ago, when I decided to leave the council office I took a big risk. Why did we do that, and why did I take a chance? Because I believe government is about people- and I believe the council office and the current leadership wasn't focusing on people, and we got to give folks an alternative, a different vision of what government should be like. And I believe people were getting it. We were out spent three to one.
"As a result of our candidacy, the councilmember actually increased his field staff almost double. “He actually canceled a couple of vacations to stay in the district. The L.A. Times gave him a weak endorsement, they said he was off to a slow start but had the potential to be a good councilman. Mickey Mouse has the potential to be a good councilmember, too. It doesn't mean he's going to be a good one."
As the results trickled in, hope for a late night surge began to fade. Parra thanked all who worked for him and helped his campaign, and held back any indication of disappointment of being on the losing side.
Huizar 8,785
Jimenez 617
Parra 3,974
Note: Nick Pacheco was elected in 1999 with about 9,600 votes. In 2003, Villaraigosa received a bit over 13,000, and Huizar won with over 16,000 votes in the election 16 months ago.

Writer's Response to Candide
I would like to respond to Michael Candide's Op-ed letter about my February article "Four Years of standing on the corner for peace".
It sounds like Mr. Candide would like to see our community get more involved in supporting our troops and the people of Iraq. I'd like to see that too. Since, as he pointed out, most of us can't fly fighter jets (nor would we want to), and he doesn't think exercising our right to protest is enough, I'm wondering what practical steps he would suggest? One thing he mentions is supporting the contractors and NGOs helping to rebuild Iraq. I think Halliburton and friends have sucked up enough of the spoils of war through our taxes. They don't need support; they need prosecution. But sending donations or volunteering for organizations like www.Nomorevictims.org is a great idea. They find medical sponsorships for war-injured Iraqi children and to forge ties between the children, their families and communities in the United States.
Mr. Candide pointed out "If you care about gas, we have to be involved in the Middle East. There isn't enough corn power to power everything running on Colorado and Eagle Rock." So true. The United States consumes 25 percent of all the oil produced in the world, yet we control just 3 percent of the world's oil reserves. This makes us vulnerable. By far the cheapest and easiest way to use less oil is conservation. There are so many ways to conserve: walk or bike to do errands and commute, carpool, turn down the thermostat, change to fluorescent bulbs, use reusable shopping bags not disposable plastic ones, purchase food grown locally, support the Farmers Market. This is a great way to support the troops – giving them less reason to fight wars for oil.
I have to disagree with the statements "We didn't start the war" and "it went beyond weapons of mass destruction". To me it was a clear preemptive first strike, illegal by the Constitution, the UN Charter and the principles of the Nuremberg Tribunal. The invasion was based on outright misinformation put out by our president and his team. Mr. Candide looks back to the 1990's, pointing to Sadaam Hussien's brutality against the Kurds, but if you look even farther back you see that we helped create that situation. US intelligence helped Saddam's Party seize power in 1963. In the 1980s, the US and Britain backed Saddam in the war against Iran, giving Iraq arms, money, and intelligence. It goes all the way back to 1917 when Britain set up a colonial regime in Iraq. In response to Iraqi resistance, British forces battled for more than ten years to pacify the country. Journalist Robert Fisk said that "Britain's 1917 occupation of Iraq holds uncanny parallels with today - and if we want to know what will happen there next, we need only turn to our history books."
Western history can be seen as one long series of wars, empires and occupations. But there have always been those who chose a different path and worked non-violently for peace and cooperation. Standing on the corner every week with candles and signs is one way to do that. Listening and dialoguing with an open heart is another. The most important point I tried to make in my article is that there are many of us on that path right here in NELA.
Jennifer Murphy
 

Anti-American Infiltrators?
Your story about the protestors on the corner, and Michael Candide's op-ed, both take a rather benign view of the anti-American sentiment infiltrating our community. These organized protests give support to more and more radical fringe groups. and ultimately can lead to violent action.
I have flown the flag on my car for the last four years. I occasionally have been harassed, or been given the finger while driving, but it seems the anti-patriotic sentiment in Eagle Rock has escalated. During the last three weeks someone has driven by at night and thrown eggs on my car. I drove three blocks each way, and my car, the only one flying the flag, was the only one vandalized. On Saturday someone broke the flag off and threw it on the ground.
I wish I could make some dramatic political statements about this, but the truth is I am so heartsick and sad that things have come to this, in the neighborhood where I have lived all my life, that I am without words. I filed a police report, and I hope that if anyone else experiences similar vandalism they will bring it to the attention of the police and our Council Member.
Anita Britt

New Eagle Rock Field Deputy
Dear Friends,
It has been a great experience to work in the community of Boyle Heights for the past 11 months. This area and people are dynamic and I will miss the activism, passion for the community, culture and so much more. I have been presented the opportunity to work in my own neighborhood of Eagle Rock, so effective tomorrow, I will be working out of the Council District 14 Eagle Rock Office.
My email will remain the same, however, my new work address is:
2035 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 254-5295
(213) 485-8788 fax
I won't forget Boyle Heights and I look forward to continuing to visit during future community events.
Best wishes & please keep in touch,
Denise Campos
PS: Paul Vizcaino will be the new Boyle Heights Office Director.

What-cha Got?
Treasures from the archives.
For one night only the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society will showcase some of its most interesting holdings. On Tuesday April 17th at 7pm, our special collections and some surprises will be on view. Come and see for yourself what we have, what you as members help to support and sustain, and what the heck we all look at Saturday after Saturday. There will be history at your fingertips, other interested neighbors to meet, and refreshments to boot! These special selections will be on view, with curators available to answer your questions at each of the themed tables.
The Buff collection Children¹s books by Conrad and Mary E. Buff with memorabilia of their working lives.
Today Conrad Buff II is a well-known painter whose work brings high prices. During his early working life in Eagle Rock he was a house and sign painter who even at one time had a contract with the City of Eagle Rock to
paint house numbers on curbs. Later in his life his principal income was from printmaking, commercial design and collaboration with his wife, Mary, on a successful series of children¹s books.
Eagle Rock¹s Rose Parade Trophies awarded to Eagle Rocks Floats in the Parade, photos articles and programs documenting Eagle Rock¹s participation in this world famous event.
The trophies have been in our collection from the beginning and we have documented that they were on display in the library for many years. Lately Fred Guapo has focused on the Parade and has unearthed fascinating new material.
History in the Newspaper
View significant Newspapers from the earliest years of our town until recent times. Thanks to our members we have a very good collection of Eagle Rock¹s papers throughout the years. We will display papers documenting important events in our history and the history of news publishing here. For the first time papers will be displayed from newly acquired bound volumes of the Eagle Rock Sentinel.
Eagle Rock High School Totems and Memorabilia Annuals, program announcements and photographs from throughout our High School¹s history. Interesting items including graduation photos, football, and theatre programs from throughout the years. The first totem and one from each ten years of our schools existence.
Panoramic Photos
Our superb collection of panoramas of Eagle Rock in its first thirty years, probably our most requested material. These panoramic views allow us to view the context of the town as it grew. Houses and stores can be seen which are not individually photographed. View the explosive development of Eagle Rock from farms to today¹s suburb.
An Introduction to Our New Website.
We are proud to announce that we are now online. Featured are a Calendar of events, Facts about Eagle Rock History, and Historical Photos. Do you know who wrote the words to the California State Song? We have the answer to that and other local tidbits on our website. For an historic "Stroll Down the Boulevard" complete with music view a video on our Photo Gallery page.
We hope to have more videos soon. We are regularly adding content so visit www.eaglerockhistory.org often.

Tesco
Update
(Courtesy Glassell Park Improvement Association)
At the February GPIA Board meeting, Mr. Walter "Wally" Cathey of Tesco made a presentation about the new store. The new chain of stores will be called, "Fresh & Easy." Their model will be similar to a Trader Joes, not a 7-11. They will carry a full range of household products and fresh foods. Since they are smaller stores, they just won't carry as many brands as say, a Vons or a Ralph's might.
They will focus on providing "Home Meal Replacements." What this means is they will be selling pre-packaged, pre-cooked meals prepared daily at their fifty-thousand square foot commissary at their one-million square foot distribution center in Riverside, CA. They will be cooking lots of samples of these homey-type meals in their stores, for customers to try while shopping. They will also sell beer, wine, liquor and fresh cut flowers. There will be an ATM, but most likely not the same B of A machines that were in Albertson's.
They have promised to do attractive landscaping facing Eagle Rock Blvd. Yes, yes, yes, they will be offering some organic foods! Since all products will come from Tesco's Riverside facility, only one "Fresh & Easy" truck per day will visit the store, not multiple trucks from many suppliers. F&E will occupy only one half of the former Albertson's building. Tesco is looking for a sub-tenant for the other half of the building and has approached Pet Store chains, and a fitness franchise, but so far no deal has been inked. Construction by Evergreen Development Co. of Glendale may begin as early as April or May and the store may open sometime between September an November of this year.

Friends of Eagle Rock Library
The Friends of Eagle Rock Library will hold a used book sale on Saturday, April 28, 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 am. Most book prices are $1.00 or less. Only softback and hardback book donations will be accepted on April 27, no magazines. Call 323-258-8078 for more information.

Brush Fire Task Force to Arrive Early
Record high temperatures and recent brush fires demonstrate need for additional fire safety measures, says Villaraigosa
In an effort to prepare the City and its residents for an early brush fire season, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced the deployment of the Brush Fire Task Force two months early.
*Our warm and dry weather makes Los Angeles the envy of the nation, but it comes with the constant threat of brush fires,* said Mayor Villaraigosa. *Given the record drought, high temperatures and strong winds, we are deploying our Brush Fire Task Force now*earlier than ever before.*
The Brush Fire Task Force (BTF) is a 40-member crew of Firefighter Inspectors used throughout the City to provide comprehensive and consistent inspections in the City*s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and local brush areas.
Each member of the BTF receives special training on brush characteristics, clearance requirements, codes, map reading and identification of hazardous vegetation. As part of their responsibilities, BTF firefighters thoroughly inspect apartments, homes and businesses, offering recommendations on ways home owners, residents and landlords can best protect their property and neighborhoods from a brush fire.
The BTF recently updated the technology they use to inspect at-risk areas allowing them to better estimate brush fire threat levels throughout Los Angeles. The new technology includes a device called the SPT 1500, which enable firefighters to compile comprehensive data in a centralized computer system and fight brush fires more effectively.
These advances will also save the City $123,000 in inspections and data entry costs per year.
On Monday, members of the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a brush fire near the Griffith Park Observatory. The blaze lasted for nearly three hours and destroyed ten acres of land. The Observatory suffered no structural damage and one park ranger was transported to a nearby hospital with minor heat-related injuries.
Over the past few months, Los Angeles and neighboring cities have confronted record high temperatures, low rainfall and unseasonably dry weather. Despite the Los Angeles Fire Department*s planned deployment of the Brush Fire Task Force in May, Mayor Villaraigosa activated this vital fire safety tool in March to combat the growing threat of brush fires.

Senator Scott Receives "SERVICE TO EDUCATION AWARD"
The School Employers Association of California (SEAC) has honored State Senator Jack Scott (D-Pasadena) with its Service to Education Award for 2007.
The award was given in recognition of Senator Scott¹s leadership in education legislation, specifically SB 1655, Senator Scott¹s innovative bill aimed at giving school principals more control over hiring and staffing of teachers.
SEAC board chair, Dr. John Roach explained, "We are especially grateful for your courageous leadership in ensuring that local teacher transfer rules no longer interfere with the ability of schools to make timely job offers and staff their classrooms with the best possible teachers."
"I am very pleased to have the SEAC recognize the important work of SB 1655," stated Senator Scott. "Together we can develop legislation that makes a difference in the lives of our students and ensure that all California¹s children have access to fully prepared and effective teachers."
SB 1655 is intended to help low performing schools by giving those principals the right to refuse the voluntary transfer of any teacher that is not acceptable to the school. The bill came about after studies identified voluntary teacher transfer policy ­ the so-called "dance of the lemons" - as a major reason for hiring delays and unsatisfactory teachers being placed in our most needy schools.

Eagle Rock Historical Society

Now On-line
The Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society is proud to announce that it is now online. Featured are a Calendar of events, Facts about Eagle Rock history, and Historical Photos. For an historic "Stroll Down the Boulevard" complete with music view a video on our Photo Gallery page. We hope to have more videos soon. Do you know who wrote the words to the California State Song? We have the answer to that and other local tidbits on our website. We are regularly adding content so visit www.eaglerockhistory.org often.