1st Woman Exalted Ruler- & She’s from Eagle Rock!

by Tom Topping
Last month, the Pasadena Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E. #672) installed the first female leader in their club's history when Eagle Rocker Virginia Quintero was sworn in as Exalted Ruler.
She had first heard of the Elks after seeing the very large and fancy building on Colorado Blvd. near Orange Grove Avenue.
"I thought only rich people were allowed in," said Virginia, adding, "It (the building) looked like a mortuary."
When she and her husband Pepe were first invited to join by Tim Bragg (of Bragg Real Estate in Highland Park), she thought, "I don't think we're going to fit in that." Then she added, "But look what happened!"
After joining and attending the meetings at the Elks, she was picked by, back then, Exalted Ruler Frimbreas to be the Assistant Esquire, a post that leads to the head position. From there she stuck with it, going up the chain to Esquire, Lecturing Knight, Loyal Knight, Leading Knight and finally, Exalted Ruler.
Participating in a fraternal brother (sister) hood, was nothing new for Virginia, however, as she had been President, both of the Am-Vets in Irwindale, and more recently, the Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles here in Eagle Rock, which she presided over from 1999 to 2001. In her time at the Elks, she was most proud of bringing a "Basket Raffle" to the monthly breakfasts, where $1000 was raised the first time out.
Virginia's family and friends are all happy for her and exited, and she wants to make her mark at the Elks by getting more ladies involved in it.
Indeed, a new Exalted Ruler is not the only benefit Eagle Rock has provided to the Pasadena Elks lately, as Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful (CERB) chair, John Stillion, has been hard at work there as well, helping them remodel the "Coral" room.
"You should see it- it's beautiful," Virginia added.
She wanted people to know that they should not be afraid to come to the Elks. They should drop by to eat- and they can learn about what the Elks are. "And maybe they'd like to become a member," she said, then added, "That's what we need- new blood, like any organization."
You can contact the Pasadena Elks at (626)449-6010 for more information.

HHPNC Improving slowly- but Problems Persist

by Tom Topping

The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council was still struggling last month, after coverage in the Boulevard Sentinel exposed some personality conflicts and control issues getting in the way of them fulfilling their chartered purpose. At the April 2 meeting, no action was taken, and in fact, the meeting never got far enough to consider any action item listed on the agenda.
Board member Dr. Nicole Gatto left a message on my voicemail right after the meeting, complementing me on a job well done, then chastising me for neglecting to publish her community garden article, suggesting it must have been the control issues I was talking about in the article.
On April 16, they did much better, getting about halfway through the agenda, and even going into overtime, as acting chairman Vice President Stan Moore kept things rolling along. Bylaws changes were actually considered and voted upon, essential progress toward ensuring the council will not be de-certified later this year.
Unfortunately, there was still a lot of striking out and disruption, even by President Dr. Dyke, who somehow was compelled to add unnecessary negative comments directed at other board members to the end of his necessary comments. These comments, predictably, elicited an equally negative reply from the targeted board members, further bogging down the meeting, frustrating and disappointing those who were there in good faith trying to improve the community.
Mr. Mauro Garcia repeatedly interrupted the meeting as well, often bellowing "Point of order!" which caused further delay.
I received a report that a special meeting to consider funding for a certain project was to be held on April 19 at Carrow's. I received the report it was considerably more cordial and productive than usual for this council, although another board member alleged that he was called before the meeting by Ofelia Zuniga, who asked for his vote before the meeting started. If what this source alleged was true, Ofelia would be guilty of violating the California Open meeting law, otherwise know as the Brown Act, that prohibits such activities.
On April 22, Rick Marquez, the spouse of board member Gemma Marquez, sent a letter by e-mail to this paper asserting the coverage in the Sentinel was slanted and inaccurate, (elsewhere in this issue) but ignored a request to be interviewed about his working relationship with the HHPNC. He has worked for this council, videotaping its meetings and updating its website, which raises ethics questions due to the fact that his wife, Gemma, a very vocal board member may have voted on whether to do business with him.

Happy in Hermon for Over 60 Years

by Tom Topping
94 year old Ester Cochran has lived in her home in the Northeast Los Angeles Community of Hermon since 1945, but her roots connect to the earliest settlers of Hermon.
"The story is they were having an old fashioned 'camp meeting' down here in the Arroyo," Ester said. "And two of the people came up here and God spoke to them and said, 'Put the Church here and the School up there,' and that was 1903."
(The 'Free' Methodists split from the Methodists because they were opposed to slavery, wanted to say 'amen' out loud, and were opposed to having to pay for the pew they sat on in church.)
It was these Free Methodists that would travel to Hermon every year that settled Hermon in 1903 naming it after the biblical Mt. Hermon, a sacred landmark at the Golan Heights headwaters of the River Jordan. They were the pioneers and settlers that built up Hermon in those early years. They built the Hermon Church, and the Los Angeles Pacific College, now a charter school.
Just a few years later, Ester came from Texas to Los Angeles on one of these "camp meeting" trips with her parents, both of whom were ordained ministers. It was 1921. The camp eetings were a regular event, where Free Methodists came from all over the country to camp out and attend services for 10 days. They made the trip to Hermon every July for years, and later combined the camp meeting with a conference as well.
The district leaders would sometimes appoint ministers attending this conference to outlying churches. It was during the depression years that Ester's mother was appointed to San Pedro and her father was appointed to a church in Long Beach. Ester was only sixteen, so they decided to have her attend the Free Methodist school in Hermon. Ester went there, and lived in the dormitory. After finishing high school, she then became a college freshman, still at the Hermon Free Methodist school.
Ester told how she met her husband. "When I was a college freshman, here appeared this tall, handsome man, and I didn't realize it, but he was looking for me. His boyfriend had graduated from (the Hermon school) several years earlier, and he looked through the annual and said, 'Let's find you a girlfriend.' So his boyfriend (pointed to Ester's picture in the school annual) said, 'Go for that one.' I wasn't even chosen by him, I was chosen by his boyfriend," Ester exclaimed.
They courted and she married that tall, handsome man. He was Harold B. Cochran, whose family already had roots in Hermon. His grandfather, also a minister, owned a big property there, part of which she lives on today.
She and her husband's family had lots of ministers in them. 9 altogether. Besides her mother and father, her grandfather, great- grandfather, great-great-grandfather and great-great-great-grandfather were all ministers of some kind or another. Her husband's father, grandfather, and uncle in-law were ministers as well.
"I've been connected with it ever since I was eight," said Ester, referring to the Hermon Free Methodist Church, still in operation, and still the religious and civic center of Hermon today. "I spent ten years being church secretary," she added.
She still remembers the old wooden Ave. 60 bridge that once was the only route into and out of Hermon. "This was like a little valley, protected by hills," she said. "People would come here from all over the United States to put their children in the school."
Easter lived with her husband near San Diego for a few years. Then, the war started and Ester's daughter was born the same day her husband was drafted. When Harold B. shipped out to India, Ester was on her own.
She said, "My parents were sent to Chicago, and I was actually homeless. This was the only home I knew, the Hermon area."
She moved back to Hermon with her baby, living in Hermon and boarding with various families and widows whom she rented rooms from.
"I've lived at the dormitory up there (at the school), and here, and at my father in-law's. He owned the house next to the church, and I have lived at nine different addresses in this little valley," she says, sounding more proud of that fact than anything else.
It was, and still is a pleasant, secluded community, and after World War II was over Harold came back home to Hermon.
Harold's grandfather owned a big lot on Avenue 60 near the Arroyo. He had a house on a part of it there. Ester said, "Grandfather needed the money and we needed the dirt." Knowing that would be home for them, they bought the back part for $300 and Harold's parents bought the front for $150. They built their home there starting with the garage.
"I was the businessman of the family and I said 'Let's build the garage and live in that until we pay for it and then add on the house. So we built the garage, we put a partition in and papered it and carpeted it and made it into two bedrooms. The two kids lived in one side and we lived in the other until we paid for it- it was $7000."
Later she found an architect to add the living room, two bedrooms and a bath, and has made it home ever since.
"We've been just very happy here," she said.
For a while, up to four generations called this hilltop home. Grandpa was up above, in laws in front, and Harold, Ester and their kids in back. Now, Ester's daughter lives in the front house, and grand-dad's house is now a group home for seniors.
94 year old Ester Cochran is still doing great in Hermon. She lives a mostly independent life in her home of 64 years. She is a little hard of hearing, but sharp as can be. With a ready smile, and a friendly spirit, you get the impression that getting old is not really so bad after all.
She no longer attends the Free Methodist Church in Hermon, but did have some advice for the current pastor.
"Somebody should tell him how to be a pastor. He's never even been up to see me, and I send him money all the time. You know you have to make contact with your members, have a cup of coffee with them," she lamented.
AJ? Are you listening? You better make time to go visit Ester. For if anyone in this community would know what a Pastor should do, Ester Cochran would!

Darryl Medeen 1945-2009

Darryl Medeen, a tireless volunteer and true friend of the Eagle Rock community, died last month of cancer. Community members knew him as the guy that always did whatever he was asked of for the community, and one who was a giver, not a taker.
Eagle Rock community members knew him mostly through his participation with the Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful effort, and also through his part time design work he did for a local realtor, David Toyama.
One of the people that knew him best was Collaborative leader and founder, John Stillion, who had known Darryl when he was a high school art teacher.
"He was the top model of what a high school art teacher should be," said Mr. Stillion. After his years as a teacher Darryl shared his skills with other art teachers and did some curriculum writing for the L.A. County Office of Education.
"He was not just the typical art teacher, but related his lesson to the student- he reached them where they were and took them where he wanted to take them. He was an innovator in education, he was a master teacher," John added.
He lived in Eagle Rock, and participated in the community, using his talents to help with many community projects. He helped David Toyama, doing some design work for his Eagle Rock location, as well as completely redesigning his Azusa location when he expanded. Through the Collaborative, he created design drawings of the proposed patio that the local Fraternal Order of Eagles wanted to build, from which the members chose the one they thought best.
After the Collaborative purchased the four and a half acres of native hillside, he volunteered his time again and again with his skills to acknowledge the help of volunteers and help put on the fundraisers.
Darryl was always positive and cheerful and never let on if he was in any discomfort due to his illness.
He leaves behind a sister, Darlene Beringhouse; a niece, Sindi Mcleod; a nephew, Garret Geuss; and his partner Thomas Pentecost. He also leaves behind dozens, perhaps hundreds of friends and admirers in the community life and civic life of Eagle Rock. At Darryl's request, please do not send flowers. Instead, please donate in Darryl's name to the Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful, made out to CERB, P. O. Box 411441, Eagle Rock CA 90041. Donations can also be made through Pay Pal by going to the CERB The Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful website at: http://www.cerb.us, or contact donations coordinator Ursula Brown at: CERB The Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful, Ursula@cerb.us, 323-255-9400
A memorial with a power point presentation of Darryl's life will be held on Sunday, May 17, at 2:00 p.m. at the Women's Twentieth Century Club, 5105 Hermosa Avenue, at the corner of Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock.

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino Visits Highland Park Businesses

Assemblymember Anthony Portantino walked Highland Park's York Boulevard business district today with Highland Park Chamber President Yolanda Nogueira, Immediate Past President Maximiliano Vasquez and Chamber Board Member Rosamaria Marquez. Businesses visited included Highland Park Pawnbrokers, Citibank, McGibbons Auto Body, and Galco's Soda Pop Stop. The variety of goods and services provided by these businesses allowed the Assemblymember to explore the depth and breadth of challenges faced by small business in this community.
The individual visits allowed local business people to discuss specific legislation as well as overall impacts of current economic conditions with the Assemblymember. "The opportunity to hear first-hand about the challenges that the Highland Park business community faces is incredibly beneficial to me in my duties as a legislator," stated Assemblymember Portantino. "Highland Park is a wonderful community and I'm grateful for the input of the small business people who shared their concerns with me today. I thank Yolanda and the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce for working with my office to make these visits possible."
Chamber President Nogueira expressed her appreciation to the Assemblymember for visiting businesses along York Boulevard. She stated, "We are honored to have Assemblymember Portantino visit our Highland Park businesses, particularly during these tough economic times."
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino was first elected to serve the 44th Assembly District in November of 2006 and is now serving in his second term. The district encompasses Altadena, Duarte, La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Temple City. It also includes portions of Arcadia, Monrovia, Mayflower Village and the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods of Glassell Park, Hermon, Highland Park, Mount Washington and Eagle Rock.

Eagle Rock Music Studio

Eagle Rock Music Studio is growing in students and instructors daily. Many of the instructors and students are working professionals who are currently involved in various musical exploits throughout the region.
Sharon Ray, the viola teacher, reports that she has a student who is playing the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante (for violin and viola), with the Pasadena Youth Orchestra in June. He is also participating in a viola master class with Richard Onjaie O'Neill; a world famous concert violist. The master class was last month at Santa Monica High School as part of ViolaFest; an event sponsored by the Southern California Viola Society.
Mark Ross, a piano teacher reported, " Hi Sue... Aside from the Emmys or any stuff from my bio, my wife and I do this gig about once a month at Vitello's in Studio City, which is becoming quite a popular place to play (Poncho Sanchez, Billy Vera, Peter Erskine, etc...) next gig is May 8th.
One of their trumpet teachers, Paul Litteral, has been on many top recording act CDs. He is music director for a successful show in LA currently running.
If you, a family member or friend is interested in first class music instruction, the Eagle Rock Music Studio has the best you will find.

Cruising with Mary

Happy May Day and Mothers Day to all you mothers! Last month I wrote about the ERR's "Ouster from Oinkster". Here's an update on that situation with a notation that this is the last time they get any free publicity by me mentioning that establishment by name.
In March, the club sent owner Andre Guerrero a registered letter asking him to clear up the misunderstanding that his manager Michelle seemed to have regarding our arrangement with him. The letter was firm but polite, and reminded him of our 16 year tradition in Eagle Rock as well as our charity work. He was also reminded that bad PR can result when a community group is treated poorly.
We asked for the courtesy of a response. No response was given by Mr. Guerrero. So I guess "no response" is his response. That, and letting a woman do his dirty work for him. I know he must have seen the letter because a copy was sent to his place of business and numerous other community organizations.
Many people have indicated that they will no longer patronize that place, citing issues such as high prices and slow service as well as lack of support for our club. It was an interesting thing though, because on cruise night a few hot rods showed up there and were told by Josh, the other manager, that the ERR's were still meeting there. I guess someone forgot to inform her staff.
In the meantime, we have been meeting one block east of our old location. The April cruise-in had a smaller showing of hot rods, probably because that was a weekend full of car shows all over L.A. The raffle was quite profitable despite approximately 30 or so cars throughout the cruise-in. Many thanks to our sponsors including Tritch Hardware, Sir Michael's Limousines, Pale Fire, La Abeja, and our newest sponsor, The Coffee Table.
After hearing of our ouster last month, Mike, the owner of Coffee Table, contacted us and offered not only a bit of community-spirited sympathy, but a "welcome mat" on cruise-in night for all ERR's and guests. If we mention that we are with the car club, the staff will give us 10% off of our purchases that night and we are welcome to use the restroom there as well. This was a very generous and unexpected surprise. Personally, I have patronized them for years and have always found the staff to be friendly plus I love the California Salad.
So for now, it looks like we will meet at this location until further notice. For good measure, we bring our own trash bags and leave the parking lot cleaner than it was when we arrived. With prom, graduation, and wedding season upon us, don't forget to look to Sir Michael's for all your limousine and party rental needs. Until next time, keep on cruising and drinking coffee!

Lost to "Progress":
The Modernization of Los Angeles

Opening May 2 to coincide with National Preservation Month, explore the controvertial evolution of Los Angeles through the examination of three lost neighborhoods: Bunker Hill, Palo Verde (Chavez Ravine), and the original Chinatown. Lost to Progress: The Modernization of Los Angeles runs through June 28th.
Beginning with its very early history, Los Angeles has been a city of constant reinvention and replacement. The original inhabitants of the area, the Tongva, were eventually usurped by the Mexican Californios, who were replaced by a large Anglo population after 1850 through a program backed by the United States Government. Yet throughout this history, large ethnic communities never went away, but formed ethnic enclaves such as Little Tokyo and Chinatown. Each community contributed its own social structure, architecture and economic system that both competed with and complemented LA's larger social fabric.
Lost to Progress begins its critical look at the first Chinatown. The "Last of the Great Railway Stations" in the United States, Union Station was built in 1939 and replaced the site of the first Chinatown. The "new" Chinatown was invented not far away, but many businesses did not return, nor did they look at it as the legitimate site of the Chinese community in Los Angeles. Visitors can view rarely-seen images taken from the archives of this first Chinatown and compare them with those of Chinatown today.
Continuing along the same theme, from the 1940s to the 1960s, massive public works projects would determine the fate of Bunker Hill and Chavez Ravine. As in Chinatown in the 1930s, both of these neighborhoods shared the characteristics of having large low-income, minority populations and being close to the City center. In the late 1940s, the once-stately Victorian-era dwellings began to have a high-rate of absentee land ownership, particularly as white flight to the suburbs began en masse. The resulting deteriorating conditions helped City leaders to justify creation of downtown as a civic and commercial hub.
The closely-knit Mexican-American communities of Palo Verde, La Loma and La Bishop made up Chavez Ravine. In 1962, these communities were forcefully replaced in what is one of Los Angeles' most well-known battles over eminent domain against a public-partnership consortium to create what is today Dodger Stadium. Lost to Progress takes you inside these battles and the communities the stadium replaced.
As the reinvention of Los Angeles continues, the public is often told it needs large-scale public works development projects and that eminent domain is a necessary means to achieving a positive end. Examining these neighborhoods, now forgotten or reduced to street names, visitors to the exhibit are asked "Was it worth it?"
Celebrating 40 Years of Preservation and Interpretation of the History of Southern California, Heritage Square Museum is a living history museum dedicated to telling the story of the development of Los Angeles.
The exhibit is included in the museum's admission fee: $10/Adults, $8/Seniors, $5/Children ages 6-12. The museum is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 to 5 PM. Admission is free for museum members.
Lost to Progress runs through June 28. Lost to Progress is co-curated by Jessica Maria Alicea-Covarrubias and Leticia Muñoz.
Heritage Square is located at 3800 Homer Street, off the 110 Arroyo Seco Parkway (110/Pasadena Freeway) at Avenue 43, just north of downtown Los Angeles. For further information, the public may call 323/225-2700 or visit our website at www.heritagesquare.org

Night out w/Steven E.

Music editor's note: Hope April wasn't as bad as it seemed & wished you didn't get too fooled. Easter, you party'd with the family/friends and you enjoyed a decent Earth Day. Hmmm! Okay if you have an upcoming event within the vicinity of Eagle Rock please send an e-mail to Steve Estrada at (entertainment@boulevardsentinel.com) thanks
So You Know For May: On the 1st. Kotolan@Cal-State SU@8:00, 2nd. Fuzzy Logic@Colombo's, 3rd.SANTA CECILIA ORCHESTRA@Oxy 4:00, 4TH. LatinKool@Colombo's, 13th. David Eastlee@Left Coast Wine Bar, 14th Fuzzy Logic@Cafe322, 22nd ROCIO SOLEIL@Colombo's, 29th Fuzzy Logic @Colombo's. For the Month: Sunday's Jazz Nite@the York. Monday's Jazz Jam@Colombo's, Last Tuesday of the month,80'sRetro@the Little Cave, Wednesday's Movie Night at 8:00@Coffee Table Lounge & Open Mike@the ER All-Star Lanes, Thursday's Casa Princesa Open Mike. Enjoy.
At Colombo's
State of the Union
Let me start by saying this band is not your typical funk band that has a roundhouse jazz posture. You hear echo's of Ohio Players, Funk-a-delic and early 70's Herbie Hancock. Definitely entertaining and not boring. Blair Sherrill (drums), Bart Broadnax (5-string bass), Logan Bacharach (sax) and Mikal Majid (keyboards) have been crossing paths for years. And it shows with their keen approach to question and answer that rotates through out the group at various times.
They each display their own awareness of their instrument and how they manipulate them in their own material. They performed at least six that leads one to wonder, when will the CD be released. Tunes like "Surrender", "Majik", & "In the Grove", but the one that stayed with me was "The Peddler's". It had a mid-eastern touch by way of John Klemmer with a hint of Harold Land that followed its path easily. They were all attention getting. contact: B-sherrill@sbcglobal.net Rhythm Generators-These guys know how to have a good time playing. And this brings the audience to the party. The music comes in different segments with some nice danceable blues(ala Van Morrison) to a very accessible Big Joe Turner.
Rick Del Carmen (guitar), Mike Taylor (keyboards), Dave Spiel (Bass) and Johnny Binder (drums) crossover into the realm of the Jazz Crusaders/Larry Carlton era. They also presented a unique version of "All Along the Watchtower" that got everyone's attention. The high point was the great inter-action between guitar and keyboard. They were even able to toss in a Michael Frank's song that sounded like John Mayer. They'll be back. contact: r_generators @yahoo.com
LatinKool
Sometimes it's just unavoidable; a group just needs a little time to get a comfortable read of its surroundings and the atmosphere of the crowd. This seemed a bit evident at the beginning of the evening. They started off the first half with a mild middle of the road jazz samba style of a few familiar tunes. But we were being set-up. In the second half they came out in their true colors.
They didn't turn up the volume, they bolstered the sound. They turned the MIR first half into forward straight ahead jazz with versions like "Carl's Reputation". David Victorino (sax/flute), Steve Correll (piano), Roman Kancepolski (drums), Mike Pacheco Jr. (congas) and Peter Varela (bass) shifted from 1st to 2nd and looking for when to put it in 3rd. A nice mixture of 60's jazz funk with some nice street sax. The evening didn't deny.
They ended the set with a great version of Eddie Harris's "Compared to What" done with verve. They will be back on May 5th. Contact:davevictorino @earthlink.net

Saint Dominic's Health Fair

Saint Dominic's Church Health Ministry is sponsoring a Health Fair on Sunday, May 17th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Parish Hall and Adult Education Center. Free gift packets for the first 500 people, raffle prizes, and healthy snacks are available. Resources and take home materials are available on various health issues. Cancer, heart health, blood pressure screening, diabetes assessment, wound assessment, body fat analysis, senior services, home health and long-term care, mental health, and drug and alcohol treatment are some of the areas represented.
Participants include: AARP, Filipino Association of Nurses, Glendale Adventist Medical Center - Cancer Resources, Glendale Memorial Hospital - Diabetes and Wound care, LTC Home Health Care, and Solheim Lutheran Home. Various local providers are: Dr. Dante Banta - information on health care coverage, Dr. Kevin Martin -chiropractic services, Dr. Mascari, podiatrist - foot care, Lilia Luna, registered dietician - diet and nutrition, and Rupert Domingo, Esq., lawyer - advance directives and estate planning.
In addition to these ongoing presenters, the following speakers are presenting in the adult education center. At 10:30 AM, Marta Alquijay, PhD, clinical psychologist, is speaking on "Stressed or Depressed? Strategies to Manage Mental Health in Today's World!" At noon, the presentation, available in Spanish, is "Diabetes: What you Really Need To Know" with Socorro Hernandez, RD, clinical dietician and diabetes educator, Glendale Memorial Hospital. Carmen Reznak, nurse practitioner, presents "Hot Topics in Women's Health" at 1:45 PM. The final presentation of the day is "Man-to-Man: Prostate Health", available in Spanish, presented by Deacon Michael Finochiarro, MD, urologist at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital.
St. Dominic's is located in Eagle Rock at 2002 Merton Avenue. The mission of the Health Ministry is dedicated to empowering individuals to improve health and wellness in body, mind, and spirit. It endeavors to act as a presence to provide hope and to facilitate healing especially during difficult times. For further information contact (323) 254-2519.
 

Spoke(n)
Art Ride

The Spoke(n) Art bicycle ride is a free, once-a-month, bicycle tour of art galleries in North East Los Angeles. The ride takes place on the second Saturday of each month - a special night in North East Los Angeles. Area art galleries open their doors late into the night as part of NELAart's "Gallery Night".
The ride typically (there have been a few excepetions) starts at the intersection of Figueroa Street and York Boulevard in Highland Park, at a flagpole commemorating the area's war veterans. The ride leaves the flagpole at 6:30 p.m., when everyone rides, en masse, at a slow pace, towards the first gallery of the night.
The last gallery is usually visited around 9 or 10 p.m. By that time, bicycle riders that have joined in the middle of the ride have swollen the ranks to about 40 people.
There is usually an after party at the Bike Oven (located at 3706 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065). After parties in the past have been fueled by cheap beer, flaming pinatas, kiddie bike races, and anything else anybody on the ride decided would be a good idea.
If you miss the start and want to catch up, call 310.902.5439
This ride is organized by the Bike Oven http://bikeoven.com
 

The Dichotomy of Hope

Lewis Mauk uses found items and collected ephemera—both personal and tertiary—to explore compulsion, addiction, self-doubt, and the search for inspiration. Lewis works primarily in photography, printmaking, and digital media.
Artist's Opening:
Saturday, May 9 • 7-10 pm
part of NELAart.com's Second Saturday Gallery Night
Open through June 6 by appointment
Future Studio Gallery
5558 N. Figueroa St. • Los Angeles 90042
(aka Home of Chicken Boy on Historic Route 66)
(323) 254-4565 • futurestudio@sbcglobal.net
 

Bringing the Past to Light: New Art from Old Images

Visitors to the Lummis Home, Charles Lummis' hand-built house in Highland Park, are often drawn to the photographs on glass that surround the three windows in the main room of the house. Lummis, in addition to being a journalist, a poet, the founder of the Southwest Museum, was an avid photographer. Drawing on this legacy, an exhibit of new artwork in the buildings and on the grounds of the Lummis Home.
In preparation for this show, artists were invited to tour the Lummis Home and asked to choose an image that had special meaning to them. Working with these images, artists have created new work in a dazzling variety of forms.
Installations at the home include video pieces that recreate scenes from the Home's history, sculptures, handmade books, sound pieces that allow the listener to overhear voices from the past, live original music and puppet shows.
Live performances will take place one time only, on the exhibit's opening date, May 17, from 10:00 to 4:00, as part of the celebration of Museums of the Arroyo Day. Stationary installations will remain in place for viewing through June 14, during the Home's normal operating hours of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 to 4:00.
Bringing the Past to Light: New Art from Old Images
Lummis Home - 200 E. Avenue 43 - Highland Park, CA 90031
Opening: May 17, 10:00 to 4:00
Closing Reception: June 14, 1:00 to 4:00
For information:323-850-8566
www.arroyoartscollective.org
www.museumsofthearroyo.org
 

7th Annual Art Auction

Admission Paid by May 1st gets in for the Discount Price!
A Fundraiser Benefiting Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
Join us for an evening of notable artwork, live music, and delicious food in Eagle Rock's historic former Carnegie Library to celebrate and support Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock - the largest non-profit community arts center serving Northeast Los Angeles!
* Silent auction of artwork from over seventy established and emerging artists
* Performances by acclaimed French-Latin American-gypsy jazz chanteuse Jessica Fichot
* A sampling of local nibbles including savory Cuban-style hors d'oeuvres by Porto's, international sweet treats
by Glassell Park bakery Butter Tart, and coffee from Swork
* No-host wine and martini bar by Colombo's
Saturday, May 9, 2009 7-10 pm
Preview Week: May 5 - May 8
$50 per person at the door
$40 for non-members
$30 for current members
Reservations and payment can be made by calling Renee Dominique 323.226.1617 ext 5621

EAGLE ROCK NEWS

Suspects Charged in
Sheriff Deputy Killing
others still sought

On December 16, 2008, two suspects were charged with the murder of Deputy Escalante; 24-year-old Carlos Velasquez and 20-year-old Guillermo Hernandez, both residents of Los Angeles.
On April 15, 2009, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed charges on one additional suspect, 18-year-old Jose Renteria, who is currently in custody.
A fourth suspect, Armando Albarran is at large. He is a 26-year-old Hispanic man, black hair, brown eyes, 5 ft. 11 in. tall, and 180 lbs.
Robbery-Homicide Detectives are asking for the public's help in locating Albarran. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Daniel Jenks or Detective David Holmes at 213-485-2531. After hours or on weekends, call a 24-hour toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapdonline.org.

Local Business to take on “Puppy for Marques” Project

by Tom Topping

A few years ago, local residents Maria and Max Briseno decided to adopt a child. They knew that the majority of kids in foster care were "special needs" kids, and seeing that the need for good homes was so great, they kept an open mind. Even though the doctors that delivered little Marques determined that he showed symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, they saw Marques and fell in love with him.
Max and Maria have embraced the axiom that says a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for, and little Marques filled all three categories for them. Marques has come a long way from the time he was a toddler when he had to have up to nine (9) appointments a week with physical therapy, occupational therapy, aquatic therapy, speech therapy, infant stimulation, and various other doctor's appointments. However, Maria and Max always knew he was a smart cookie and that he would survive and succeed.
Although Marques is quite a handful, they discovered that dogs sometimes have a calming effect on those kids that are hyperactive like Marques, autistic or have other challenges. Max and Maria were thrilled to see how well he reacts and interacts with dogs.
They became acquainted with the North Star Foundation, a non-profit that specializes in bringing assistance dogs to children, and who are leaders and innovators in bringing new research to this area. They believe Marques having a North Star special assistance dog will greatly enhance his opportunity of succeeding in life.
North Star dog placements cost $5,000 for one year of training without the additional public access training and $10,000 for two years of training with public access. The Brisenos are aiming for the placement and training that costs $10,000, so that Marques may have full access to all public areas with his dog. It is a more expensive undertaking than they can readily do by themselves.
Max and Maria had been getting their vehicle serviced at One Stop Auto Care for many years. When owner Jerry Vicario heard their dilemma, he wanted to do something more than just donate a hundred dollars or so. After talking it over with wife Debbie, he decided to offer a free oil change to anyone who donates $25 or more toward a North Star special assistance dog for Marques.
The Brisenos want everyone to feel free to email them if they have any questions about their fundraising efforts for a North Star dog at mrsbriseno@mac.com.
One Stop Auto Care at 4695 Eagle Rock Boulevard encourages all the good and generous folks of Northeast L.A. to contact them at 323-257-5876 to make an appointment or just stop by and purchase a voucher that can be used later, when their oil change is due.
They invite all to visit Marques' website at http://web.mac.com/mrsbriseno, and also read about Marques' puppy's progress and his training at www.irishpuppyblog .blogspot.com.

Herbert V. Hoelzel 1923-09

Herbert V. Hoelzel passed away on the morning of Good Friday, April 10, 2009. He was born in Los Angeles to Willy and Klara Hoelzel on December 15, 1923 and lived in the Eagle Rock/Glassell Park area his entire life. He attended Washington Irving Junior High and Eagle Rock High School, and served in the United States Navy during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Julita, son Steve, daughters Michele Lear and Georgine Zillman, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and brothers Harry Hoelzel and George Hoelzel.
The funeral Mass was on Thursday, April 16, at St. Dominic's Church. Fr. Raymond Finerty, OP was the celebrant.

California Republican Party Says NO
to Prop. 1D & 1E

Opposition to Props 1D & 1E Continues to Grow

Last month, the Executive Committee of the California Republican Party voted to oppose all six special election ballot initiatives, which include Propositions 1D and 1E. Props 1D & 1E raid voter approved funds designated specifically for children's and mental health programs.
The California Republican Party adds its name to a growing list of high profile organizations including the California Nurses Association, California Federation of Teachers, Health Access, and a wide range of healthcare groups and children's advocacy groups who understand the deceptive nature of props 1D & 1E and the long-term, adverse affect these propositions will have on children and people living with mental illness.
The California Democratic Party holds its statewide convention next week where they'll take positions on propositions 1A -1F.
Proposition 1D will divert $268 million a year for the next five years from voter approved children's programs and Proposition 1E will raid $230 million a year for the next two years from voter approved mental health programs. Together, these programs provide little in terms of a budget solution but the negative impact they'll have on children's and mental health programs will be devastating and have long term consequences that will cost California taxpayers for more money than the expected savings.
For more information about Props 1D and 1E, visit www.noprop1D1E.com.

Cypress Park Memorial Weekend Observance May 23

"And, Watch Out for Low-flying 'Birds'"
The Friends of Cypress Park Community Improvement Association, supported by the Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council, will host a Memorial Day observance on Saturday, May 23, at the Cypress Park Veterans Memorial, complete with the now-traditional military Black Hawk helicopter fly-over down Cypress Avenue.
Last year's stunning, low-level Black Hawk flyover is expected to take place once again this year, and organizers have requested and are expecting an even more thrilling 3-helicopter "missing man" formation for the event, pending pilot availability.
Public officials and community leaders will once again honor the area's many veterans of military service and combat, and observe the solemn "Missing in Action" (MIA) ceremony with the help of members of the National Guard in attendance.
The 2009 Memorial Day weekend event begins this year at 11 a.m. at the memorial site (the intersection of Cypress Avenue and Pepper Avenue). Guest speakers are expected to include City Councilmember Ed P. Reyes and returning master of ceremonies Bob Archuleta, Chair of the Los Angeles County Commission of Military Veteran's Affairs.
During the ceremony, local youth organizations -- including area high school ROTC cadets -- will take part and help lay a wreath of remembrance at the memorial site. Veterans who live in the Cypress Park area, or who have made their home there in the past, are encouraged to take part in the ceremonies and be honored for their service.
The memorial event is open to all. A luncheon will be served for veterans and their families and friends in attendance, following the ceremonies, at the nearby Cypress Park Recreation Center (2630 Pepper Avenue, L.A. 90065).
The Cypress Park Veterans Memorial is the product of volunteer work organized by the Friends of Cypress Park in 2002, funded by a Los Angeles Neighbor- hood Matching Funds grant, and completed in 2003 -- converting a bland concrete traffic median at the center of the community into a neighborhood garden and memorial site with new trees, flagpole, and engraved bronze plaque honoring local veterans.
The Friends of Cypress Park Community Improvement Association, Inc. – a 501(c)3 non-profit service organization -- welcomes new volunteers and meet at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month in the Los Feliz Room of the River Center in Cypress Park (570 W. Avenue 26, Los Angeles). The group oversees community improvement efforts working with Los Angeles city government and other local organizations.
 

Arroyo Seco Bikeway

Have you seen the new improvements to the existing Arroyo Seco Bike Path? The existing bike path has recently been cleaned up, a yellow center line and white shoulder lines have been painted, and signage added to lead users onto the path.
This existing bike path, which is placed mostly in the Arroyo Seco channel, runs for only two miles from southern boundary of South Pasadena to Montecito Heights Recreation Center parking lot. The bike path has long been neglected, but someone in L A City government has take the lead to get us these enhancements. The problem is this is only at start of what could be a much longer and user-friendly bikeway The bike path is only two miles long, there is little signage to tell you where you are once in the channel, and no signage to direct you to how to get to many of the attractions (museums, parks, etc.) along the Arroyo Seco or to link to other bike routes.
Of course, as many NELA folks know, the L A County has tried to extend this bike path southerly as a sole purpose, commuter bikeway. And as many of you know, the County has failed to get us a project that we can support.
The Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council will have the topic of the Arroyo Seco Bikeway as the main item on the agenda of the joint meeting of its Environmental and Recreation, Arts, and Culture committees on this Monday, April 27, starting at 6 pm. The meeting will be at the Jack and Denny Smith Community Room, Mount Washington Elementary School, 3981 San Rafael Avenue, L.A. 90065. The ASNC Board meeting follows this meeting at the same location starting at 7 pm, and a resolution calling upon County and City officials to pursue funding for the Arroyo Seco Bikeway project will be on their agenda.
For more information you can attend the meetings on Monday, April 27, or visit the ASNC web site at www.asnc.us.
Jerry Schneider
 

Dear Community Members,

I've been informed by our Senior Lead Officer Craig Orange that there have been two reported incidents of carjacking occurring in Eagle Rock. The incidents are not related and the suspects are working alone.
The suspects description are as follows:
1--Male white 6 feet tall, 25-26 years of age, 180 lbs. Shaved head. Wearing a grey hoodie and blue jeans. He approached the victim outside their home at approximately 12 midnight. He threatened them with an unknown caliber gun.
2--Male black using a revolver handgun. Approached the victim at around midnight.
Officer Craig Orange will provide more information once he receives any from detectives.
If you have any information or questions, please contact Northeast LAPD at 213-485-2563
Darryl Hunter
Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council
Public Safety Committee
CPAB--Eagle Rock

Highland Park Community Garden
by Nicole Gatto

Highland Park recently added their own community garden to the growing list of those in and around Los Angeles, when the Milagro Allegro Community Garden broke ground on February 21, 2009. The project is being spearheaded by two neighbors and community members, Oscar Duardo and Nicole Gatto, who happened to speak of their mutual dream of building a garden one day about two years ago when walking by the lot where the garden will be located.
The idea was not a new one: at least two other efforts had preceded Duardo's and Gatto's over the last decade; the lot is the property of the City of Los Angeles and had been vacant for 30 years.
"We have plenty of liquor stores and fast food restaurants in our neighborhood," says Gatto, an Epidemiologist and Public Health professional, "... but not an equal number of options to access fresh fruit and vegetables." "Our mission is to be a center of peace and beauty in the community where the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flowers as well as creative ideas, artistic expression and neighborly values may take place," Gatto explained.
After a year of building community support by talking to neighbors and stakeholders in the community, speaking with local community organizations and working with Councilman Ed Reyes, Gatto and Duardo signed a lease for the Milagro Allegro Community Garden on February 5. "We approached the Councilman, and he made it happen," Gatto said.
Duardo and Gatto attribute some of the success of their efforts to a heightened awareness of environmental issues among the general public, a greater interest in health, and a political climate that is more conducive to making green issues and education priorities. The garden will integrate urban farming, art and education at its 10,000 square foot site, located at 115 S. Ave. 56 behind the Highland theater. The garden will feature raised bed garden plots that will be available for interested community members. Plans for the garden also include a community gathering space where classes, workshops and events may be held. Gatto and Duardo will also encourage local schools to incorporate the garden into curriculum or after-school activities.
For more information, please check the Milagro Allegro Community Garden website: www.hpgarden.org.

MOTA Day Happens on May 17, 2009

It's fun, it's festive and it's only one day a year! Join us for the 20th anniversary of Museums of the Arroyo Day, where the six museums located along the Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles and Pasadena open their doors free of charge from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 17, 2009.
Each year, thousands of Angelinos have experienced the diverse mix of art, architecture and history of the Arroyo Seco area found in the six unique history-based museums that preserve and perpetuate early Los Angeles life. The public can visit the MOTA museums during the day at no charge.
This year promises to bring bigger crowds, so visitors are advised to arrive early. We've added additional parking and you can easily use the Gold Line to get to MOTA Day, so click here for more information. Free and continuous shuttle service will also be available between museums.
We look forward to seeing you. http://www.museumsofthearroyo.com/
 

MOTA Day 2009 Visit MOTA museums FREE from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 17, 2009!

The twentieth anniversary of Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day promises to be special, and we invite the public to tour the six museums located along the celebrated Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles and Pasadena for a free day of fun! Hours: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
 

The Gamble House:

* Tour The Gamble House
* Visitors can enjoy cookies and lemonade and Jamba Juice smoothies
* Children can make crafts
Heritage Square:
* Guests may observe a Spanish American War encampment
* View a Civil War doctor as he mends soldiers' injuries
* Watch traditional woodcarving and ironsmith demonstrations
* Listen to historical storytellers
* Hear live music
* Children may play with Victorian games and make period crafts throughout the day
* Costumed docents will be available in each building to answer questions
* Visitors may also view "Lost to : The Modernization of Los Angeles", an exhibit looking at the significant changes that led to the eventual destruction of three distinct Los Angeles Communities: Chinatown, Bunker Hill and Paolo Verde Chavez Ravine)
* Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase
 

The Los Angeles Police Historical Society Museum:

* Visitors can tour the facilities which feature private collections and historical memorabilia that date back to the late 1800s
* Kids can climb into a retired police helicopter and try on police gear
* Guests can use their own cameras tocreate their own "Booking Photo" of their favorite "crook" in the historic jail
 

Lummis Home and Gardens:

* Hear folksingers Gigi and Mike entertain children and adults with turn of the century folk songs and sing-alongs from 11 am to 12 pm
* At one and three pm. historian Daniel Lewis will present "Charles F. Lummis in Chautauqua," a historical characterization of the home's creator
* In the El Alisal garden, the Arroyo Arts Collective will present a multimedia display, "Bringing the Past to Light: New Art from Old Images" featuring an innovative mix of past, present and future visions of the Arroyo area
* Tours of the Lummis Home and self-guided garden tours will be available
 

Pasadena Museum of History:

* Special emphasis at this year's MOTA Day will be placed on telling stories from the 1920s. The exhibition Family Stories: Sharing a Community's Legacy chronicles the lives of six different families representing the largest population groups in early Pasadena. All had settled in Pasadena by the 1920s
* Several times throughout the day hear "Travels with Babsie", a dramatic monologue near a 1920s Model T car, all about Leonora Curtin's adventures by car throughout the Southwest and beyond based on postcards sent to her grandmother in the 1920s
* Children can also make paper dolls in the style popular with children of the 1920s and learn about famous people who have lived, worked, or studied in the Pasadena area
 

Autry's Southwest Museum of the American Indian:

* Visitors can enjoy Native American performers
* Craft making will be available for children
* Guests can take tours of the ethnobotanical garden, as well as learn about the museum's recent major repair projects
* Video presentations will be shown in the Braun Research Library
Please Note: The galleries at the Southwest Museum are closed to the public at this time due to extensive rehabilitation of the building and conservation of its rare collection of Native American artifacts.
 

Touch
the Water -
A River Play

Under the City of Angels runs a fierce river flowing from the mountains to the ocean. But do you know it's there? Once an unpredictable and mighty stream, a bountiful life source subject to raging floods, the Los Angeles River has lived under a shroud of concrete for the past fifty years. Today, having been tamed and transformed into an industrial flood channel, the river is at the center of much debate. What happens when we change Nature? Should we free the river from her concrete corset and let Angelenos finally touch the water?
This play was created in collaboration with local river residents, engineers, biologists, environmentalists, activists, advocates and patrons who walk, fish, bike and ride horses on the Los Angeles River.
Part of Cornerstone's ongoing Justice Cycle, a four-year series of plays exploring how laws shape and disrupt communities, Touch the Water takes on environmental justice as seen through the lens of the LA River and the people who live, work and play there.
May 28 - June 21, 2009, Wednesdays-Sundays at 8pm, performed along the bank of the Los Angeles River at the Rio de Los Angeles State Park - Bowtie Parcel entrance adjacent to 2800 Casitas Ave, LA 90039