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Power Pole
Power Play
 by Tom Topping
Last month, Eagle Rock neighborhood activists put their protesting
machine into gear after new wooden power poles (telephone poles) were
seen after being dropped off along Colorado Boulevard east of Ellenwood
Drive. In their weekly e-letter they wrote: "These power lines will
degrade the historic character of our neighborhood, reduce its quality
and property values, create more visual blight, and give our main
corridor the look of a shantytown." This triggered a flurry of e-mails
and was a topic of discussion at various community meetings.
The poles were left there to supply power to the new Caltrans/CHP
building at the intersection of the 2 and 134 freeways. The building is
nearing completion after five years of planning and construction and is
slated to be a major public service communications and response center.
In the past, community activists have been heard to mention their
desire to have underground utilities be the preferred alternative to
overhead wires. (In negotiations with Kurken, another local developer
along the same route, they got his agreement to "underground" all the
power lines along his Colorado Terrace project building's frontage
which is scheduled to take place soon).
Meanwhile, letters, e-mails and faxes were furiously being sent to
local elected officials, specifically City Councilman Villaraigosa,
State Assemblyperson Carol Liu, and State Senator Jack Scott. In a
response sent by Carol Liu's office, they wrote, "We have both made
calls investigating the installation of these power poles, connecting
to the new California Department of Transportation office building.
According to Doug Failing, Caltrans' District 7 Director, the Los
Angeles Department of Water and Power places power lines to the closest
power source. Neither Caltrans, nor the State, has jurisdiction over
where local power agencies choose to locate power sources." Although
the State elected officials offered to try and help, their response
seemed to indicate a position of, "It's not us (the State/Caltrans),
it's them! (the City/DWP)."
At this month's Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce board meeting, Michael
Cathy, field deputy to Councilman Villaraigosa, explained what he had
learned. He said that the State did run the lines underground, but only
to this side of the 2 freeway. At that point the State and the DWP
disagree on whose responsibility the power lines are. Both entities are
playing the finger pointing game and claim the other side is
responsible.
The stretch of Colorado Blvd. west of Ellenwood has had overhead power
poles forever. They bring electricity to the businesses and homes in
that section of Eagle Rock. The new poles that have been installed are
taller ones that replace the poles that were there before. Why are they
taller?
I asked a DWP line worker I met to explain it to me. I told him I
noticed that currently there were two levels of overhead wires there,
and the new poles stick up higher than that. He informed me that the
power lines are arranged with the highest voltage, or most hazardous,
at the top. The lowest level is the 120/240 volt feed that most homes
and business use. Above that are the 4800 volt lines that feed the
transformers that the 120/240 feeds from. Above that are the 34,500
volt lines that feed the various power distribution stations. (You can
see these lines along Eagle Rock Boulevard, and Yosemite Street as well
as on Ellenwood South of Colorado). A new connection at Ellenwood and
Colorado to bring the 34,500 volt feed to the Caltrans building is what
the new poles are all about.
I drove around the area, studied the poles and followed the lines all
across town. Almost all of Eagle Rock is overhead. The most conspicuos
exception is the Westfield Shoppingtown (Eagle Rock Plaza). There are
high voltage transformers all around the building but not one overhead
power line to be seen anywhere. That's because they are underground.
Can you guess where the power comes from? That's right, it comes from
the Ellenwood-south of Colorado line. (Two lines there actually,
officially named the Eagle Rock-Atwater and the Eagle Rock-Glassell
line).
When I told my new lineman acquaintance the situation with the
community, the city and Caltrans he said, "Any new feed is always paid
for by the customer." He also mentioned that running underground wires
costs perhaps ten times what overhead wires cost.
It didn't take me long to identify a variety of issues involved with
these poles. First, if over head lines are cheaper, the savings to the
state, (us taxpayers) is considerable. Besides, it's not like there are
no poles there now, they are there, and have been there for years. The
new ones are only taller.
Secondly, what about the underground lines that are there already? They
feed the shopping mall. Wouldn't that bring the underground power line
halfway there? Why couldn't the new service be connected to that?
Third, (and I just thought of this) does this latest controversy really
have anything at all to do with "historic character" and "visual
blight," or is it really about something else? Sometimes folks speak
fondly of the "good old days of the Eagle Rock Street Cars," and as a
train buff I appreciate that, but have you ever looked at historic
photos of the old street cars? Talk about visual blight- the skies
above L.A. streets back then were a virtual spider web of power lines
and the tethers attaching them. (If you really want to be historic,
maybe you really need more power lines, not less).
Finally, and I really hate to say this, but it is just too much of a
coincidence to let it go by. I think we should ask to what degree does
the complaining about overhead power lines have to do with the Colorado
Terrace Project? If Kurken, the developer, agreed to put the existing
wires underground along his street frontage, would he also be required
to pay for undergrounding the new 34,500 volt lines?
You may wonder, who would care about that? Well, Kurken has a long and
intricate history with his activist resident group in Eagle Rock. He
has fully cooperated with them, let them completely redesign his
Colorado Terrace project, and appeared at many public hearings to speak
in support of issues they have taken on over the years. Couldn't it
just be time to repay him?
And what about the fact that the resident association's President
Emeritus is now employed by Kurken, in a building that is right on the
power line's route?
Are resident association activists really looking out for the best
interests of the general community members, or are they simply
returning the favor to a developer that has scratched their back many
times? Or could it have something to do with his employing their former
president who was perhaps the most effective community activist Eagle
Rock has ever seen?
Naw... I'm sure it's just a coincidence.
Jim Beckham
 1938-2004
Born in Burbank 3/10/38. Raised in Glendale, attended Glendale schools,
graduated Hoover High School. Attended Glendale College, USC, Cal State
L.A. Earned a BA in business. Met his wife, Kaye, on a blind date, they
married in 1960; 4 children - son Jim, 3 daughters, Cynthia, Tammy;
Lori, and 7 grandchildren.
After 32 years with the Auto Club, Jim retired in 1993 as General
Services Manager. Has received numerous awards and recognitions from
city and state, including:
The Golden Anniversary Award from the Council on Boys Welfare for
outstanding service; a 1995 City of Los Angeles Resolution for
Outstanding Community Service from Councilman Richard Alatorre and City
Council President John Ferraro; 1995 Resolution for Outstanding
Community Service from Senator Richard Polonco, 22nd District; 2000
Certificate of Recognition from California State Assembly, signed by
Senator Jack Scott; Invaluable Service Award from Ed Roybal.
Has served as a Director, Secretary, Vice President and four times
President with Eagle Rock Chamber; been on Board of Directors for
Northeast YMCA, Los Angeles County Heart Association, Friends of the
Library-Los Angeles, Council for Boys Welfare, Community Civic Advisory
Council at Franklin Community Adult School just to name a few. He is on
the Wall of Honor at ER City Hall.
Jim loved history with a special interest in WWII, had, in fact, wanted
to be a history teacher. And he loved playing golf whenever he could.
Supported and played in the Northeast LAPD Celebrity Golf Tournament.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: The
Beckham Memorial Education Scholarship Fund for Eagle Rock High School
Seniors (for seniors who want a career in teaching) Please make check
payable to: Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce with a notation for Beckham
Scholarship Fund. Mail to: LTC Home Health Care Scholarship Fund, 1063
Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA 90041
Skate Park
Rolls Ahead
by Paul Thomas
Way back in my youth when I was a devout skateboarder, a highly
anticipated skate park called "Skateboard World" opened up about 25
minutes from my hometown. It was a really big deal at the time.
Naturally, I had to be one of the first to join up, get my photo ID,
and pay my membership dues (yes - you had to pay membership dues to
enter this skating haven).
One of my buddies or I would then nag somebody's mom or dad to drive us
to the park as often as humanly possible. It was a ton of fun &
certainly a young skateboarder's dream come true. For a few months.
Then, almost as fast as our parents tired of driving us, we tired of
the park.
As adolescence kicked into high gear, the familiar runs became
passé, and we searched for new uncharted, forbidden territory.
This usually consisted of skating in dry reservoirs, concrete drainage
runs, or dark underground septic systems, which we would shoot through
crouched down with flashlights. Mom would not have approved.
Occasionally we'd hit the jackpot and find an abandoned house with a
drained swimming pool. Though I'll always have my memories of "boinking
the half-pipe," my skateboarding days are long behind me. The sport has
lost none of it's popularity, though, and nowadays there are skate
parks in spitting distance of nearly every town in America.
Not just concrete parks but also modular designs (which feature
platforms above the ground). If you've been to South Pasadena you've
probably seen their modular skateboarding zone. So the time has come
for a skate park to be built in Highland Park.
The approximately 8,000 square foot area will be part of Garvanza Park,
which is bordered by Avenue 58 and Marmion Way. The $700,000+ budget
allotted for the project also includes new lawns, irrigation systems,
and drinking fountains in the vicinity. On May 18, an afternoon meeting
was held at Luther Burbank Middle School to discuss and vote on which
design to go with: concrete, modular, or a mix-and-match hybrid.
Apparently Highlanders are passionate about their skate parks because
half the town passed through, including most of the movers and shakers
in the community. 20-30 kids with skateboards, who would be the
ultimate beneficiaries of the skate park, also filed in and sat
patiently.
Designers representing both concrete and modular skate parks were there
to their discuss respective advantages. Jeff Spohn of Spohn Ranch, a
man clearly in touch with his Inner Child, explained that modular was
movable, upgradeable, and softer on falls. The material can wear out in
time, though, he admitted.
Charles Strawter, representing Lawrence Moss, Inc., summed up the
concrete advantage: attractiveness, dynamic lines, durability. Even
before he could finish his brief speech, though, a handful of restless
skater kids slinked out, rolling their eyes, already bored with the
proceedings.
After all the speakers had finished their brief synopses, the room was
broken off into smaller groups to review and discuss in detail, prior
to voting. Even as pens and notepads were being distributed, young
attention spans were dwindling. More kids carrying skateboards shuffled
out of the auditorium. Truth be told, not all the adults who traipsed
through the meeting remained for the voting pow-wows either.
When all was said and done, good old concrete had won by a landslide 48
votes. Completion of the project is set for March 2005. As I was
leaving the premises, I noticed a group of kids milling around outside,
holding their skateboards. While walking past, I overheard one of them
remark: "Oh, man! We left early. We were supposed to vote!"
That's right guys. Hope you like concrete. Enjoy your new skate park!
Council
Projects Prioritized
ERNC Treasurer takes new approach.
by Bob Thorpe
Facing City imposed deadlines at the end of the fiscal year, new ERNC
Treasurer Mark Ryan took a novel approach to data gathering and project
management. Members of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council were asked
to look at the proposed budget allocations, which ranged from security
cameras for the Yosemite Recreation Center to the purchase of trash
receptacles, and decide which could be quantified in terms of dollar
amounts by June 30, and completed by December 31, 2004.
Mark papered the walls of the conference room at the Eagle Rock Library
with posters identifying the projects under consideration, and asked
that board members indicate with colored post-it notes whether each
project was ready to fund, in need of further consideration - – but
likely to be funded, or in need of so much additional information that
completion by the end of the year was unlikely.
After the board members applied the green, yellow and red post-its to
the project posters, the projects were prioritized according to the
"green" votes received, and Mark asked for a Board volunteer to head an
ad-hoc committee for each project to determine cost and completion
date, and to return that information to the ERNC Board Meeting to be
held June 8th.
As the Board members walked around the room applying the colorful
pieces of paper to the project posters, some remarked that this was the
most fun they had ever had at an ERNC Board meeting.
The following projects had ad-hoc committees established:
* Surveillance Camera for the Yosemite Park Recreation Center
* A Mural installation on North Figueroa Street
* Neighborhood Watch Signs
* Printing and Mailing of an annual report
* Purchase of a Public Address System
* Web Page Design
* District 3 Median Improvement at Townsend and Yosemite
* Purchase of Trash Cans for each Sub-District
Each of the above were projects the ERNC Board had voted to fund at
previous meetings. What was necessary, according to Mark, was to
reaffirm that all were still desired in the dollar amounts that the
Board had previously voted.
Invoices for each project need to be paid by June 30, 2004. In the case
of those projects that will have to be paid after June 30th, a total
cost needs to be determined, and paperwork must be submitted to the
City to encumber funds. Such encumbrance must be done by June 16th and
paid by December 31, 2004.
A budget revision would be required for any changes in cost, and for
any additional projects to be considered. For each approved project, a
vendor would have to be identified.
In addition to the budget session, a review of the Land Use and
Planning Committee Report was provided by Jessica Wethington McLean,
Co-Chair of the committee.
Major topics discussed were the Caltrans 2005 plans for Eagle Rock, an
application for a cell tower by AT&T, power pole installation along
Colorado Blvd. for the new CHP Traffic Management Center, and the
Inclusionary Zoning being considered by the City.
Caltrans is scheduled to complete a 1.2 million dollar project in the
summer of 2005. Components include replacing broken asphalt in the 134
freeway median with stamped concrete, installation of raised planter
beds, and the planting of native and other trees, shrubs and plants.
Power poles are in conflict with the Colorado Blvd. Specific Plan which
states that all new power supply systems be installed underground.
Because the power is to be supplied to the State, the State does not
need to comply with local regulations. However, the State may not need
the power, which was provided by the DWP in anticipation of the needs
of the new building.
The cell tower application does not take into consideration the merger
of AT&T with Cingular Wireless, who has already been approved for a
cell location on Figueroa Street. A recommendation is being sent to the
City to require Cell Providers to list their current and anticipated
sites so that co-location can be considered.
Inclusionary zoning, while making available housing for low income
families, is proposed to be bundled with incentives to developers which
might result in the construction of apartments and/or condominiums in
areas currently zoned for single family residences. A recommendation
was sent to the City to have ERNC host or co-host a town hall type
meeting to analyze this proposal, and to provide case studies of
similar ordinances so that stakeholders can obtain a broader view of
what this would mean to our community.
Ebell Club:
Looking Good and Doing Good at 101! by Joan
Potter
Our local women's club, the Highland Park Ebell, was organized in 1903
for the purpose of cultivating the literary, philanthropic and
educational interests of the community. One hundred and one years later
it continues to do just that.
`At their Silver Tea, held Tuesday May 25th, the Ebell Club awarded
scholarships to twenty-two young people. This was a unique group of
scholars; not all ranking at the top of their class, but all with
purpose, ambition and a willingness to succeed with their education.
The youngest awardee was Bridgette Molina, age 13, already saving for
college. The oldest was Kathy Vardoulis, changing careers and training
to be a nurse, studying at the Los Angeles County College of Nursing
and Allied Health. Ebell President Frances Choate elected Naomi Rivera
Reyna, currently enrolled at Pasadena City College, to receive $300.
Naomi is the daughter of CINCO's Martha Rivera.
Sara Hanan, former college counselor at Benjamin Franklin High School,
recommended that Ruben David Alvarado Renteria and Fernando Portillo be
awarded scholarships. Current College Counselor, Sally Conway, selected
graduating seniors Erin Garcia, Adam Diaz and Jennifer Fukutomi to
receive awards.
The Explorer Post at the Northeast Police Division has outstanding
young men and women in their program. Officer Marjan Mobasser
recommended Brittany Garza, Pedro Flores and Gustavo Guevarra because
of their outstanding attendance in the line of duty.
Southeast Explorers Melanie Parker and Jose Chavez were scholarship
winners as well as Julie Wray, currently in college studying the
science of forensic evidence. Two graduating seniors from the Optimist
High School, Sabrina Gregorio and Ricky Troupe, are highly motivated to
advance their studies and the scholarships were much appreciated.
The Center for the Children of Incarcerated Parents, an agency located
in Eagle Rock, highly recommended Anthony Martinez. Executive Director
Denise Johnson told how this young man donated hours of volunteer time,
and ranks tops on her staff.
Project 10, a dropout prevention program aimed at keeping gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender youngsters free from harassment in our
schools, nominated Maria Cruz. Maria is an outstanding graduating
senior attending Animo Leadership Charter School.
County Commissioner Mary Helen Cruz, appointed to the Commission on
Aging by Supervisor Gloria Molina, recommended Jenika Miller, Jessie J.
Magee, Christina Rodriguez and Valeria Alaniz for scholarships.
This was a joyous event for scholarship winners, their families, and
friends of Ebell. Over 100 in attendance were entertained, moved and
amused to hear the plans and dreams of the young recipients. A
bountiful and delicious lunch followed the awards and no one went away
hungry. Ebell plans a repeat performance at 102. Hope you can be with
us for the fun.
Asian-Pacific
Celebration
by Paul Thomas
On a sun-drenched Saturday May 15, Highland Park held its anticipated
Asian-Pacific Heritage Month celebration. The five-hour event commenced
at 11 a.m. in the vicinity of Avenue 58 and Marmion Way, adjacent to
the Metro Gold Line station. A stage, chairs, and vending booths were
set up, partly in the shadows of movie production trucks that were
supposed to be long gone before then. Nevertheless, the show must go
on, and go on it did.
The idea for the whole event came from Highland Park Neighborhood
Council President Manny Hernandez, who learned that May was
Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month at a city hall meeting earlier
this year. Aware of the cultural diversity and talent in his district,
particularly in the Filipino community, he put forth the suggestion of
a celebration in Highland Park to the other members. The baton was then
put in the hands of Tina Zabala, a perky young Filipina who is head of
Health & Safety on the council. She has been a Highland Park
resident for 10 years, and this was the first event she has chaired.
Despite a relatively short time to prepare, she secured the
participation of artists, entertainers, and merchants to share their
goods with the community. Her enthusiasm spilled over to the other
participants of the day, and ensured that a good time was had by all.
People began meandering in at the 11:00 a.m. kick-off time to browse
through the clothing, curios and artwork that were displayed in
open-air tents.
The rich scents of craftwoman Dea's homemade incense mingled with the
spicy aroma of grilled Oriental dishes, creating a sense of the exotic.
On the center stage at 1 p.m., long time Highland Park resident Ruby
DeVera was presented a certificate for her outstanding service to the
community. Then the show was taken over by Thai dancers who wowed the
crowd with their exotic moves and costumes.
For the most part, the rest of the afternoon was for the various booths
and vendors to display their wares, while D.J. Armando Carlin provided
background music over the sound system. Representatives from the
Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council were out in full force, as
were the Asian-Pacific Women's Center, The Chinese Historical Society,
Occidental College, Bank of America, and numerous others.
All had come to celebrate their ties to the Asian-Pacific community in
Highland Park, however loose some of those ties may have been. For the
hungry, there were plates of rice, spicy noodles, and other treats to
tantalize the palate. For the kids, there was face painting, which had
them lined up most of the day. The Chinese Historical society had a
number of remarkable original hand painted portraits for sale, which
drew the crowds.
One of my favorite booths was Angel Awuma's, who demonstrated her
collection of unusual traditional Polynesian drums, such as the
double-gourd Ipu Heke. Along with her drums, she had a colorful array
of Pacific Island artwork and hand-crafted gifts that evoked that good
old tropical feeling for the passerby. When all was said and done, a
weary, but content Tina Zabala told me : "I enjoyed doing it, and I'm
really looking forward to next year." From what I can tell, so is the
public. So until the next time, I bid you "aloha."
HHPNC NEWS
by Stan Moore
On Thursday May 20th. City Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa's staff
led a two hour discussion of four major options for a skate park in
Garvanza Park: a modular park, a hybrid park, a poured concrete park,
and a bowls park. The latter two were combined for the voting that took
place, and a concrete park received 48 out of the 51 votes cast. So,
Highland Park's young people will be getting, hopefully by July, 2005,
a concrete skate park. Of the $ $910,000 to be spent on Garvanza park,
only $225,000 will be available for the actual skate park. But, glory
be, Heidi Lemmons, president, Skate Park Association, USA came forward
after the meeting with a possible additional $120,000 from a commercial
skate park organization, and the HHPNC is planning on contributing to a
fund to bring the amount for just the skate park to, hopefully,
$400,000. If the HHPNC and the Highland Park Skate Park Coalition are
able to raise the additional money, then Highland Park will have a
really top flight skate park for the skating youth and the young at
heart who will be willing to try to learn. So, go out a purchase a
skateboard and start practicing, but be sure to wear a helmet and elbow
and knee pads! Dr. Stan Moore of the Council has called a former
student who is one of the four Cabinet Secretaries to the Governor and
asked whether we can get a grant from the Governor's sports foundation.
Time will tell . . . . But, at the moment the HHPNC is rejoicing in the
May 20th. decision.
The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council is cosponsoring with
the Friends of Arroyo Seco Library a CHILI COOKOFF on Saturday, July
31! There will be a Salsa band and other entertainment. So, please put
this event on your calendar, AND START WORKING ON YOUR RECIPE FOR THE
WINNING CHILI. To enter the contest and fun will cost $10, with the
money going into a fund for sending Franklin High School students to
Sacramento in February 2005. This past March the HHPNC sent seven
students plus Franklin High School AP Government teacher Monica Whalen
to Sacramento to attend the 50th. annual Sacramento Legislative Seminar.
On Saturday, May 22 most of the members of the HHPNC attended the
Congress of Neighborhood Council held at the L.A. Convention Center.
There are now 80 neighborhood councils function, with another 24
planned. The HHPNC is one of the few to have had a second election and
to have been functioning for nearly 15 months. The first five months
were very difficult, but now a more experienced Council is beginning to
really have an impact. On Saturday Mayor James Hahn addressed the
Congress, and both City Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa, a rumored
candidate for Mayor in 2005, along with Robert "Bob"Hertzberg, a
declared candidate for Mayor, attended parts of the Congress. Both of
these possible challengers, Villaraigosa and Hertzberg, served as
Speaker of the Assembly of California.
The members of the HHPNC who attended the Congress were presented with
some difficult choices, because there were nearly 20 seminars spread
between the two seminar periods of one-and-one-half hours. The
Convention halls opened at 7:30 a.m. (it was hard for this writer to
get up a 6:10 on a Saturday morning!!!) and ended at almost 3 p.m. in
the afternoon. I attended a seminar to creating a citywide network of
neighborhood council—so that united we might have a greater influence
on the budget priorities and policies that are constantly unfolding and
flowing out from City Hall. About 60 people attended the 90 minute
session and it was agreed to meet again after the next bimonthly
Neighborhood Alliance meeting in July. The members of the HHPNC who
participated in this seminar were Daniel Andalon, 1st. Vice President,
Heinrich Keifer, Treasurer, and Stan Moore, Chair of Human Relations,
Education and Youth Development.
The second session that I attended was the Los Angeles Neighborhood
Initiative (LANI) program. LANI helps areas of the city raise money and
achieve a project that that area wishes to see implemented—like pocket
parks, beautifying the entrances to the area with, for example,
"Welcome to Highland Park," etc. On August 14 LANI will be offering at
U.S.C. a free five hour training session for interested groups on fund
raising, planning systematically for small scale development in a
group's area, etc. It was a very worthwhile session that hopefully will
provide a foundation upon which to build some beautification projects
and developments that might trigger economic improvements in Highland
Park.
Eagle Vista Seniors
For the Eagle Vista Seniors the first day of June begins with their 9
a.m. Board meeting, followed by the members meeting at 10:00 a.m. June
birthdays will be celebrated with cake and coffee.
On Tues., June 8 there will be fun and games, accent on games, so come
prepared. There will be no meeting on Tues; June 15 because a busload
of, interested seniors will be on a tour of the newest downtown
buildings; the Cathedral or Our Lady of the Angels and the Walt Disney
Concert Hall. Lunch will be on your own at the time-honored Philippes.
On June 22 BINGO! Art Gibson will call.
One of the major fund raisers takes place on Tues., June 29. This
Silent Auction is always popular, especially with Lupe and Carlos Cruz
in charge. Please participate! NOTE: The deadline for sign-up and
payment of the July 15 trip to Quicksilver Ranch, Solvang and the
Chumash Casino is June 29.
Key Club.
by Ted Ashby
On Sunday, May 16, 2004, the Eagle Rock High School Key Club held a
fund raising car wash at Rantz Auto Center, 1941 Colorado Blvd., Eagle
Rock. Over 50 members of the Key Club showed up to wash cars. Even
though the line of cars stretched up Colorado Blvd. there was hardly
any wait time due to the number of car washers available. Rantz Auto
Center donated their location, hoses and water to the worthwhile event.
The Kiwanis Club of Eagle Rock sponsors the Key Club and Club President
Ted Ashby is seen here with Key Club President Heather Enciso and her
Club's officers after giving a super car wash to Ted's little truck.
TROMPERLAND
by Richard Miazga
Hello again everyone!..
Well, June is here, the weather is nice, and everyone's very busy. The
Trompers of Eagle Rock are no exception. June is a good time to update
everyone on the car projects the members are working on, for many
Trompers are very busy. However, let's begin with acknowledgments of a
few Tromper members and their latest accomplishments.
Ken Keyes has put the finishing touches on a 1932 Ford roadster that
he's been working on for 2 1/2 years! Ken's car has a chromed Chevy
engine, teal blue paint, and great upholstery. At a May 15th. car show
in Monrovia, Ken's efforts paid off! Ken won the "Show Stopper" award
that day!
Tromper Ron Jorgensen's 1953 Ford pickup began 2 years ago as a "needs
everything" project. Ron has since given it "everything": a new Ford
engine, leather interior, and a beautiful lacquered wood bed. Recently,
he added the finishing touch-- a multi-coated red paint job-- making
Ron's '53 Ford an outstanding classic winner. To both Ken and Ron, your
fellow Trompers are very proud! Would we have expected less? Of course
not-- after all, they're Trompers!
Now for the " Car of the Month." Don Zabel, one of the Trompers'
original members back in 1945, won this distinction in May from the
Valley V8 club for his 1948 Ford F1 staketruck. Don began from scratch
on this truck years ago, and it's a beauty! Detailed to the max inside
and out, with a polished flathead engine, brightly polished wood &
metal bed, and a knockout red paint job. Don rightly deserved the "Car
of the Month"! Congratulations Don!
Now, here's the latest on the Trompers' ongoing projects. Tromper Vic
Lupica has nearly completed his restoration of a 1964 Avanti, a project
which began with a factory installed supercharged engine, a rarity
these days. Vic's almost finished detailing the engine, and it
shouldn't be long before we see this sharp classic car on the road.
Trompers Carey Delzell and Chuck Gage are both working on 1956 Ford
pickups. It's a toss-up who'll finish first, but we look forward to
seeing both trucks side-by-side at the Jim's Burgers cruise-in!
Tromper John Van Eps continues work on his 1927-T lakes roadster with a
full house V8 flathead engine, 3 carbs, Evans heads, and dual exhaust.
When it's finished, it'll be a good looking, powerful classic hot rod!
Robert Aquayo just finished putting a huge 454 cu. in. powerhouse Chevy
engine in his 1940 Willy's coupe. With all the right stuff in this
engine, this Willy's is a FAST car, but it even looks fast when it's
parked.
Tromper Bob Bean has his hands full with a 1949 Plymouth custom,
powered by a Chevy straight six engine, that he's been working on for
some time now. Bob's idea is to present something we've never seen
before-- give him six more months, and then look for this one-of-a-kind
classic on the streets of Eagle Rock! Also, Bill Johnson is coming
along on his 1937 Ford 2-door sedan. John Farhmeier is working on a
1932 Ford pickup. I'm working on a 1950 Ford pickup with a Dodge
engine. (Why a Dodge engine in a Ford? Who knows!) 
Finally this month, we give a special acknowledgment to Terry (Moe)
Wilcox, a founding member of the Trompers back in 1945, who's had his
same hot rod, a 1928 AV8 Ford roadster, since 1946..and has decided to
get it back on the road after having it garaged for over 25 years! With
the help of Chuck Gage, Terry's debut of the finished product will be
the June 19-20 Father's Day L.A. Roadster Show in Pomona. The entire
Tromper membership has plans to be there, and the unveiling of Terry's
roadster will be the highlight of the weekend! The show is a Father's
Day tradition, but this year, Terry's '28 will make it a special year.
Make plans to attend the show and join us!
Keep in mind that we hold a weekly get-together every Monday morning at
Jim's Burgers, 2005 Colorado Blvd., starting at 9 a.m. You're cordially
invited to join in the fun! Needless to say, everything is great here
in Tromperland! The Trompers are busy behind-- and in front of the
scenes. We're very proud of our fellow Trompers and their enthusiasm
for making the Trompers of Eagle Rock "the best hot rod club" there is
or ever will be! With that, we say "See you next month, everyone!...
Let the fun begin!
Hermon Sign Completed
 by Paul Thomas
On May 1st the community of Hermon, which borders Highland Park,
unveiled its stunning new monument, which sits on the meridian strip on
Monterey Road between Avenue 60 and Via Marisol.
The "Hermon" sign was a volunteer effort on the part of the community,
specifically The Hermon Clean Team, Hermon activist Wendi Riser, and
Bushnell Way School. It features beautiful artwork specially designed
and donated by local artist Sandy Cruze. The structure is supported
with native arroyo stone.
The sign's dual artwork can be viewed when traveling either direction
on Monterey Road. Hopefully it will slow the speeding commuters down
enough to appreciate its visual beauty.
Hermon, for the uninitiated, is a 100+ year old Northeast L.A.
community which has recently undergone a number of beautification
projects, including tree plantings and cleanup days.
The inauguration ceremony for the new monument drew an impressive
turnout, including councilman Antonio Villaraigosa. As keynote speaker
for the event, he pressed the flesh, posed for photos, and shared
Hermon anecdotes. Several faces from the surrounding communities of
Monterey Hills, Mount Washington, and Highland Park appeared, as well,
to see what all the fuss was about.
A photo of residents in front of their new monument was attempted at
the closing, however, the sign and its artwork were completely obscured
by the herd of happy Hermonites. No matter. The smiling faces said it
all.
Teen Center Celebrates
The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council will sponsor a reward party, pool
tournament and open house for area teens at the ROCK (Reach Our
Community Kids) Teen Center on Friday June 11, 2004. Food, games and
prizes for teens and other attendees!
The ROCK Teen Center is a non-profit organization which offers local
teens a place to come after school to socialize, get tutoring, use the
computer lab, play games and take part in programs all geared to
channel energies towards positive endeavors and keep them off the
streets. The teens also organize to do community service throughout the
year.
Playing pool is a popular pastime for teens at the ROCK, but the worn
and tattered pool table leaves a lot to be desired. At the party the
ERNC will unveil a newly covered, perfectly playable pool table surface
and sponsor an inaugural pool table tournament with great prizes to the
top three teen winners!
Please join the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council in celebrating all of
the ROCK's accomplishments!
The June 11 ROCK reward party and open house will take place at the
ROCK Teen Center 1597 Yosemite Drive (at Townsend) from 3:00-5:30pm.
So you think Math is hard…
Steven Kezian does not.
Steven Kezian loves mathematics and the challenges that it brings. He
is an 11 year old, born and raised in the Eagle Rock community and has
the proud distinction of being one of the youngest students enrolled at
Pasadena City College. He has been attending college since the age of
10 at which time he successfully completed a four unit college Algebra
125 course with a grade of an A. This young scholar is currently
enrolled this semester in a college Geometry 139 course and is doing
just as well. When asked why he likes going to college and studying
advanced mathematics, Steven quickly responds "the kids are really cool
in class and they're really nice to me... math is like one big puzzle
and we are constantly trying to solve the problem and once you get it,
it feels great!". "Everyone is my friend in my college classroom but
when they first meet me they always ask " How old are you?" "I tell
them I am not old enough to drive a car but old enough to want to".
Steven's desire and talent in numbers was evident at the young age of
five when he was taught long division by his older brother. He mastered
the concept of division so quickly that he was ready for other advanced
topics in elementary mathematics. Math was a challenging and satisfying
game that peaked his curiosity and lead to academic accomplishments as
the years progressed.
Steven is currently in elementary school attending Eagle Rock Highly
Gifted Magnet program sponsored by the Los Angeles City Unified School
District.
He is officially in the fifth grade with a group of 16 similar mined
students "I love my teacher, Mrs. Scher, she is really great, she is a
little strict but she teaches us so much and treats us like high school
students." Steven was very fortunate to be admitted to this program
which requires a teacher's recommendation and the evaluation and
certification by a state certified psychologist. The student must
achieve an IQ score of at least 140 and exhibit a desire for
accelerated education to be considered for admission. Identification,
differentiation and acceleration are the hallmarks of the Eagle Rock
Highly Gifted Magnet program which offers individual attention to
students that require a higher degree of challenge.
"I love this school because I'm not bored anymore, the classes are very
interesting and fun," emphasizes Steven. The program has a wonderful
extracurricular enrichment program which includes a one week expedition
to Olympic Park Institute Rainforest in the state of Washington,
concerts at the Disney Concert Hall, tours of Hospitals, and poetry
sessions.
A major advantage of this individualized approach to teaching allows
Steven to attend Pasadena City College 2 days per week enrolling in
Mathematics courses. The counselors at PCC and the faulty at the
Department of Mathematics have been very supportive to this young
scholar's goals of excelling in math. His current geometry teacher, Mr.
Beirch describes Steven… "It's a pleasure to have him in my class, he
is a very bright and enthusiastic student who is doing very well in
class work but he is also a typical 11 year old who always forgets to
sharpen his pencils before tests."
Playing the Piano, computer graphics, digital presentations and playing
tennis are a few of Stevens extracurricular activities. Reading has
also been a favorite pastime as well.
The entire Kezian family is very proud of Steven's accomplishments,
especially his father and mentor, Dr. Arthur Kezian, who speaks very
proudly of his son and states "I don't like the label of "genius or
gifted." Steven is a normal energetic 11 year old kid, but he has an
extraordinary degree of passion towards his endeavors. He gives that
little extra each time to all of his challenges and when summed up over
a period of time leads to his success. That little twinkle of passion
can lead to greatness".
20 Years, 47 Homes, 76
Neighbors
NA5A- The North Avenue 57 Association
It starts with a simple, "Hello" from one neighbor to another and the
sharing of common concerns and the comfort of knowing we are not alone.
That's how it started 20 years ago in a neighborhood that came together
one by one over the years to form an active, vibrant and productive
group dedicated to each other's safety and quality of life in their
neighborhood.
That neighborhood is a half mile stretch of Avenue 57 in Historic
Highland Park. Two private roads and intersecting Burwood and Highgate
streets complete the boundaries of what today's Neighborhood Councils
are striving to build--a grass roots level involvement for the overall
safety and beautification of the neighborhoods in which we live.
Regular meetings and guest speakers on topics of Safety, Landscaping,
Emergency Preparedness and City Services are conducted in accordance
with a newly adopted set of By Laws governing the group. A committee of
traditionally six neighbors acts as a guiding force, coordinating tasks
and concerns of the neighborhood and placing them into the form of
action items to be discussed at the next general meeting. Each General
Meeting produces a candidate and winning neighbor who will receive the
NA5A Beautification Award. An ongoing part of the neighborhood is
continuing to beautify its hillsides, parkways, and individual
properties.
This July 18, 2004 NA5A will celebrate 20 years as a continuously
active neighborhood association. Visit their website and start talking
with your neighbors. NA5A maintains an outreach committee currently
active in assisting other neighborhoods to develop their own
neighborhood groups. Current outreach projects exist in Altadena and on
several of the Avenues here in Historic Highland Park.
NA5A neighbors share a respect for each other's privacy and an ever
vigilant concern for each other's safety and well-being.
Thinking about making your neighborhood a better place, contact the
NA57A Outreach committee at www.NA5A.org the beginning of your own
neighborhood group is only a "Hello Neighbor" away!
Public Safety Report
We have had 10 homicides so far this year; last year there had only
been 5 homicides by this date. Most of the homicides have been in the
Highland Park area. Five were very recent and are under investigation.
Robbery is down 35% and has been going down for 3 years. We had one
stranger rape recently.
In general, violent crimes are down 20%. As usual, Burglary Theft From
Vehicles and Grand Theft Auto are up. Hondas and Toyotas are the car
models most stolen. Here is what you can do to help prevent these types
of crimes: · Do not leave anything in your car. · Equip
your car with an alarm and use a Club. · A kill switch is also
helpful to prevent auto theft. · Keep your car in your locked
garage at night. And here is what the police are doing:
· Increasing the presence of officers on the night watch (when
most of these crimes occur). · Implementing Operation Red Zone.
· Sending officers on bicycles to patrol areas where these
crimes are frequent.
· Sending Z cars to hot areas – they just patrol and do not
answer calls.
· Having the Narco Task Force hit hard in these areas.
· Using a "bait car" to lure in criminal activity.
· Using high illumination of problem areas.
· Taking more prints.
Violent crimes are still the first priority of the officers; crimes
against property have lower priority, especially when resources are
stretched. The best help for the officers/LAPD is to get information
from the public to solve crimes. Always report anything suspicious
and/or get a license number.
Fires, Fires and More Fires Yes, the fire season is here again. Please
clear your lots ASAP. If there are any lots in the vicinity of your
home that are not cleared, please report them to the LAFD or call 311
to report. Let's keep Mt. Washington safe from fires. There has already
been one arsonist setting 5 fires in the Northeast area this season.
Neighborhood Watch Neighborhood Watch Programs are very effective
against crime. If you are interesting in a Neighborhood Watch meeting,
please contact Public Safety Chair at (323) 222-0410 or ctuno@
pacbell.net
New Phone Numbers for Senior Lead Officers (SLOs)
The Mount Washington area has two SLOs. They are Officer Rangel at
(213) 793- 0713 and Officer Cooper at (213) 793-0761). Officer Cooper
covers the Northeast section of Mt. Washington – east of San Rafael,
Moon and Crane. Please contact your SLO to follow up on any crimes
reported or quality of life issues for your area.
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS CAR? The Northeast Station is looking for an early
90's black Thunderbird with black tinted windows. If you see this car,
report it immediately to Northeast LAPD at (213) 485- 2563. If you have
seen this car in the past or know where its owner may be, please
contact Officer Cooper with that information.
This is a person of interest to the police in connection with
burglaries in our area. The semi-annual Basic Car Meeting will be held
on June 10, 2004, at 6PM, at the Los Angeles Police Department Museum
on York Blvd. Meet your Senior Lead Officers for the Mt. Washington
Area. See the museum, if you haven't already seen it.
Police Appreciation Day is June 23, 2004. Please place blue ribbons in
the front of your business or home. August 3, 2004 will be National
Night Out – location to be determined. Contact Officer Rita Vallejo,
(213) 485-2548, for further information.
Clean & Green Your
Parkway
The Clean and Green Your Parkway campaign has been busy working on
beautification projects in Highland Park. It is a grassroots effort
that is currently developing.
The eighteen students from Franklin High School had so much fun at the
12th Annual Arroyo Parkway clean up that they and their teacher, Dinah
Consuegra, decided not just to clean behind Ramona Hall (their assigned
area), but the entire Sycamore Grove Park. Clean & Green your
Parkway committee members Gina Dodet, Al & Venita Strange, Highland
Park Trust member Ann Waltham, Historic Highland Park Neighborhood
Council Board Member Agustin Fuentes, and a community stake holder,
Adam Huerta all joined the enthuastic students.
San Pascual parkways were highlighted with pictures at the HHPNC
meeting on May 20. Many of the parkways are unique in that valley with
the urban forest and sacred Indian areas, in that many have no
sidewalks. Barbara Lopez was the guide and Venita Strange took the
pictures.
The three C&GYP campaign banners, designed by graphic artist
Emerson Terry, have been received and one was first displayed at the
Asian Pacific American Heritage festival developed by HHPNC member Tina
Zabala. By all accounts they are beautiful. Judge for yourself as one
will soon be installed in the front of the Arroyo Seco Library.
The C&GYP web site can be reached by going to
historichighlandpark.org. The Spanish translation is by committee
member Carrie Kelso, ckelso@sbcglobal.net. You can also send beautiful
parkway pictures to hpcleangreenyourparkway@yahoo.com or to PO Box
50905, Los Angeles 90050.
The HP Heritage Trust hosts a reception at the Avenue 50 Gallery at the
end of each LA Conservancy tour of Highland Park. The tours are always
sold out and Jonnie Summers and Jose Martinez cleaned twenty chairs for
the gallery.
Channel 34 will be airing the C&GYP public service announcement
that was filmed by Al Strange concerning the proper way to green your
parkway.
During the next month two of the parkways in front of the Police Museum
will be greened to enhance the tree that was planted there during the
filming.
NA5A (North Avenue 57 Assn.) members will lead the project.
The parkway at Meridian & Figueroa was cleaned and greened by over
fifty community members from various organizations. Tessa Charnofsky of
Hathway, and Rosa Rivas were two of the many leaders involved in the
project. The cement was also cleaned when the graffiti was removed.
The Optimist Home has cleaned their four significant community
parkways. Three of them are at gateways into our community.
The Jackson Federal Bank is at a significant intersection in our
community, and the excessive graffiti is a topic of much conversation.
The out of state owner is being contacted. The Bank has always been a
good neighbor, now we have to get the attention of the owner.
Misty Iwatsy of the North Figueroa Association is leading their very
effective efforts to keep their parkways clean. The north Figueroa
business section is cleaned daily, security is present at night, trash
cans are promptly emptied, and Post Security, hired by them, caught 10
of 20 people who were painting graffiti.
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Letters
Decision Defender?
Dear Mr. Topping,
Thank you for covering in the May issue of the Boulevard Sentinel, the
recent discussion of the ERNC's Land Use & Planning Committee
regarding the application by Oscar Jornacion of the Philippine Village
Center for a shared parking variance.
I write to clarify a few inaccuracies in your article.
First, the ERNC Land Use & Planning Committee did not "approve" the
application. The LUPC is an advisory committee to the ERNC Board has
the discretion to approve, decline or amend recommendations of an
advisory committee before issuing recommendations to the City of Los
Angeles.
Second, your article only mentions that the LUPC voted in favor of the
application. It does not mention the series of very important
conditions upon which the LUPC's recommendation to approve were based.
These conditions are of paramount importance to the overall decision,
because without them, and without the voluntary agreement of the
applicant, the LUPC was not satisfied that the shared parking
application would solve the parking dilemma which may have resulted in
a recommendation for denial.
The LUPC does, however, endorse the following conditions of approval,
as does the applicant, as do even the stakeholders who attended the
meeting to speak against the applicant. In short, this represents what
the LUPC considers to be a very reasonable and acceptable resolution.
At its May meeting, the ERNC Board voted to support these LUPC
recommendations and issue them to the City of Los Angeles.
These conditions are:
* The applicant will implement an attendant-supervised tandem parking
system anytime and each time there is a church use or banquet / dance
hall use. This would effectively turn the 67 spots available for single
parked cars into more than 120 tandem spots--- more than would be
required even without a shared parking variance.
* On the rare occasion that both the church and the banquet hall are in
use at the same time, the applicant agreed that he would contract with
another business to out-park any overflow cars onto other lots so as
not to place a parking burden on adjacent lots or public streets. The
applicant has since instead offered to stipulate that concurrent uses
will not be allowed at all, thus relieving that burden.
* The applicant has agreed that a requirement will be added to all
leases and contracts for use of the facilities that all use must be
completed (tail-lights out of the lot) by 12 midnight, nightly.
* The applicant has agreed to submit to a formal review of the
implementation of these conditions in six months and at recurring
intervals thereafter.
* These conditions would be covenants on the land which would pass from
owner to owner.
Further, as was discussed at the meeting, please note: The city
provided incorrect information in some of its notices. There is no
alcohol permit being sought, nor is the applicant seeking an adult
entertainment license.
The "dance hall" is a banquet hall facility, used for private parties,
dance lessons, etc. It is not for use as a nightclub, bar, etc.
Sincerely,
Jessica Wethington McLean
Co-Chair, Land Use & Planning Committee
Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council
Dear Mr. Topping,
I just read the article on the demise of Bob's Jr. at the mall. After I
saw that it was closed some time back, I remembered telling the manager
at Bob's a few years ago, that one of these years, the monthly rent
will increase too much and that will be it. He agreed with me on that
and was prepared for it.
I hope I am wrong but I think before 2010, Westfield will try to unload
it and if a buyer is not found, it will end up being demolished. I kind
of doubt that it will be turned into something like the old Pasadena
mall. My bank there is gone also and now with a hearing problem I have
to talk thru bullet proof glass across the street. I think they might
have received a too high monthly increase also.
I have no idea how the "New Exciting Stores" (Westfield's words) will
fare. I hope they get it in writing that there can be no rental
increases for a number of years down the road. If Westfields goes crazy
and raises the rates too high on the anchor stores, they will really
have a problem then. Of course, they own plenty of malls and would say
that the mall was not productive enough and never take the blame. Tom
Davison
Editor:
I was employed by Los Angeles County in Graphic Arts from 1955 to 1987.
While there I worked on making the colorful rendering of the County
seal by artist Millard Sheets into a 4-color version necessary for
multi-use printing.
The cross, now in question, simply indicated the site of the Pilgrimage
Theater, one of the two open-air theaters in John Anson Ford's
district. With the Hollywood Bowl, also symbolically shown, these two
historic sites were easily identified.
Of all the things currently wrong in the County it is unbelievable that
the ACLU would not have done their homework before choosing to spend
their money on such a frivolous and wrong-headed matter, let alone
robbing the County of funds for things that are really needed.
Patricia Topping
arts and enter- tainment
THE BIG RED BALL
June 5th, 2004 8:30 PM
Live Music, Raffle and Silent Auction, midnight buffet
On June 5th, 2004, The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, will present
"The Big Red Ball: the Second Annual Beaux Arts Ball." The Party of the
Year will begin at 8:30 p.m., and a memorable evening of revelry will
ensue. Featuring the fabulous chanteuse Morganne and the rocking
rhythms of the John Brown Band. There will also be a silent auction,
raffle and midnight buffet. Costumes and festive attire are certainly
encouraged, but not required.
Admission is $20, and proceeds will support the Center for the Arts,
Eagle Rock.
The Center is pleased to be working with local artists to transform
this Carnegie library into a vision in red. The décor will
feature multiple special effects and designer lighting. The Center will
glitter and glow, adding steam to this red-hot night.
Morganne, a globetrotting artist, most recently gave a dazzling
inaugural gala performance at L.A.'s landmark Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The chanteuse has also been heard at the House of Blues, Montreal Jazz
Festival, and opened for megastar Barbra Streisand at the Kodak
Theater, as well as for The Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood
Bowl.
Following Morganne's concert will be the John Brown Band. The John
Brown Band has been performing in and around Los Angeles, the Valley
and the South Bay for over 20 years, and has played just about every
venue in the area. Joining lead singer, John Brown are Korey Mall, Bob
Gross, Bobby Mostol, and John Thomas. Their lively concert
covers an impressive array of rock and roll classics, plus a sprinkling
of standards, and will have the crowd rocking the night away.
A scrumptious "midnight" buffet will be served. The Coffee Table will
host this magnificent spread, which will feature pastas and salads
galore plus a dessert of red devil cake. This event is sponsored by
Adelphia Communications, Capital Group Companies, Bank of America,
Pagnone Realty and Bob Taylors Properties. Come and join us to
celebrate the arts! As an added bonus you will be helping keep our
Center open to serve the northeast communities of Los Angeles.
The ERCCA is a non-profit organization, supported solely by grants and
donations, providing low-cost art, music, dance and computer classes to
children and adults of surrounding areas and communities. The ERCCA
also hosts two free festivals yearly and numerous concerts and
exhibitions.
For more information call the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock,
323.226.1617. For reservations call 323.226.1230. The Center is located
near the corner of Eagle Rock Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard at 2225
Colorado Blvd.
Third Annual Ice Cream Social
New members and community volunteers are always welcome At the Eagle
Rock valley Historical Society. Plans for the remainder of 2004 include
the Third Annual Eagle Rock Ice Cream Social and the celebration of the
50th birthday of The Eagle Rock Recreation Center, creation of famed
architect, Richard Neutra.
Ice cream socials mean eats and entertainment. On Sunday, July 18th at
2 the music of Peter Breede, "the organ grinder man" will draw
community folk into the Center for the Arts. Once inside, ice cream
sundaes, baked goods, fresh lemonade, A raffle of donated items and
gift certificates from local businesses, and more music wait.
History buffs can look forward to a special appearance by a diverse
panel of Eagle Rock "old timers". Their stories, enlightening,
heartwarming, and humorous, bring a new dimension to the word
"hometown". Admission to the social is free. Proceeds from food and
other concessions contribute to the preservation and education funds of
the Society.
Plans are now in the works for the golden anniversary of the Rec Center
in October. Appearances by a variety of civic and architectural
luminaries are expected. The Society's collection of photographer
Julius Shulman will be displayed. More details soon. To volunteer some
of your valuable time or donate raffle prizes for the Social, please
call Melody Peterson at 258-1647. To join the Society and help preserve
the history of then and now, call Pat Topping at 256-4258. Single
memberships are $15; family or business memberships just $20. Lifetime
memberships are $300 (never worry about a renewal again!).
ABSOLUT CHALK
Making its' annual appearance at Pasadena's civic center, ABSOLUT CHALK
will place over 25,000 sticks of pastel chalks in the hands of
approximately 600 visual artists to create spectacular murals for the
2004 street painting festival. The one-of-a-kind public art event takes
place on Saturday, June 19th and Sunday, June 20th, 10:00am to 7:00pm,
at the Paseo Colorado shopping village.
ABSOLUT CHALK is free-of-charge, and visitors will also be able to
enjoy a variety of restaurants, shops, theatres and activities as they
watch the unique artworks come to life. Hundreds of "Madonnari," the
Italian word for street painter, will come from all over Southern
California and points beyond to create works of every style imaginable
on pavement the size of two city blocks!
Affordable small painted canvases by the artists will be available at
the ABSOLUT ART GALLERY. And the public can get into the creative act,
too, by painting their own murals at CHALKLAND, a specially-designated
area for kids and families. Live music representing many cultural
influences will also add to the village-style atmosphere over the
two-day weekend.
At the conclusion of the event, participating visual artists will
select the outstanding murals of the festival, including Best Overall
Mural, Best Technique, Best Use of Color, Best Use of Humor, Best
Rendering of a Masterpiece, et al.
The Paseo Colorado shopping village is in the Pasadena civic center,
adjacent to Old Pasadena (on Colorado Blvd., between Marengo and Los
Robles Avenues). Plenty of convenient parking is available. ABSOLUT
CHALK benefits the community arts programs of Light Bringer Project, a
Pasadena-based nonprofit organization.
For centuries artists have painted beautiful images on the boulevards
and squares of great cities, using the pavement as their canvas. After
World War II, scores of itinerant artists made their living from the
unique art of street painting. Currently, prestigious cultural
festivals in Europe, North and South America celebrate this traditional
art form and have become popular attractions for artists, art lovers
and people from all walks of life. In its 12th year, the ABSOLUT CHALK
Street Painting Festival is the largest of these gatherings by sheer
numbers of participating artists. In fact, previous ABSOLUT CHALK
events have attracted artists and design teams from many regions of the
country, across Southern California, and virtually every Los
Angeles-area community. Leading art schools, museums and cultural
centers are also represented at the festival. For More information call
(626) 440-7379 or visit our website at ww.absolutchalk.com
OXY Theater Fun for
Children
The Occidental College Children's Theater is inviting applications for
its Summer Institute of Fun, weeklong workshops in July and August that
will teach children techniques in physical theater, group
improvisation, tumbling and movement. Participants must be between 7
and 12 years old. Enrollment is extremely limited, so sign up as soon
as possible.
Children's Theater actors will offer individual attention in a positive
and fun learning environment. All children will receive a T-shirt, and
each week concludes with an informal folktale performance. Sessions,
which will cover different material each week, are scheduled for 1-4
p.m. Monday through Friday.
The schedule is as follows: Session 1: July 19-23
Session 2: July 26-30
Session 3: Aug. 2-6
Session 4: Aug. 9-13
Fees are as follows: $150 for one session $280 for two sessions $410
for three sessions $520 for four sessions (There is a 10 percent
discount for each additional sibling.) For more information, or to have
an enrollment form sent to you, call (323) 259-2771.
80’s Punk Scene
Dive into the Los Angeles punk scene of the late '70s and early '80s
with live performances by TSOL, The Dickies, D.I., and Channel 3! A
local amateur band, selected from entries judged by Greg Ginn (SST
Records and member of Black Flag), Joe Escalante (Kung Fu Records and
member of The Vandals), and Robbie Fields (Posh Boy Records), will open
the show. Rhino Records, Amoeba Music, SST Records, Kung Fu Records,
and Posh Boy Records will have booths at the show with punk memorabilia
and displays. Raymond Pettibon, the artist who created many Black Flag
album cover designs, will have a display that includes original
drawings and flyers. Punk Rock portrait artist Mark Vallen will show
some of his work. Tony Kinman from the Dils, Keith Morris of the Circle
Jerks, and Dix Denney of The Weirdos will introduce the bands.
Admission is $8 for Autry National Center members, $15 for general
admission. For tickets, call TicketWeb at 866.468.3399 or visit
www.ticketweb.com. For additional information, call 323.667.2000, ext.
354.
El Pueblo
Statement by Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa Regarding Audit of El
Pueblo Department
LOS ANGELES,CA (APRIL 29, 2004)
L.A. City Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa released the following
statement today, regarding the recently released audit of El Pueblo de
Los Angeles by City Controller Laura Chick. "Today the City Controller
released the much anticipated audit of the El Pueblo Department. This
audit confirms what some of us have suspected for some time now – that
this Department is having extreme difficulty with management and
accountability.
"The El Pueblo Department is charged with oversight of our city's
birthplace. Each year tens of thousands of tourists and native
Angelenos alike come to Olvera Street to celebrate the rich history and
culture that has made Los Angeles the city it is today. As such, it is
imperative that this Department, like all city departments, is held to
the highest standards in all of its day to day operations.
"I take the issues raised in the Controller's audit very seriously.
Tomorrow, I will be introducing a motion directing the El Pueblo
Department to implement the recommendations contained in Controller
Chick's audit. In addition, the motion will direct the department to
provide quarterly reports to the full city council on the status of
vendor lease negotiations, financial updates, and progress reports on
implementation of the audit recommendations. These reports will provide
the Council with the opportunity to more closely monitor the department
and ensure full compliance and greater accountability.
"I thank City Controller Laura Chick for putting forth a fair and
impartial audit. As the Councilmember from the 14th District
representing El Pueblo de Los Angeles, I intend to make every effort to
work with the Mayor and my colleagues on the City Council to correct
the issues that have been raised in this audit."
Reyes Asks for Audit of
Rec Centers
Councilmember Cites Use By Other Municipalities and Sub-leasing of Park
Space "at the Expense of Our Kids"
Concerned that the Los Angeles' recreational facilities have become
money-making ventures for some at the expense of local children, today
Councilmember Ed P. Reyes asked that the City Controller audit the
Recreation and Parks Department permitting process.
"It's disconcerting to think that people might be making money from a
public facility at the expense of our youngest residents," said
Councilmember Reyes who noted that he is responding to concerns from
local residents.
Reyes also asked that the audit investigate reports by local residents
that neighboring municipalities are making widespread use of the City's
recreation facilities and that some have even discontinued their
respective recreation programs in reliance of their residents using Los
Angeles City recreation programs.
"There is no question that lack of active park space is a regional
issue, but Angelenos must take priority especially in communities such
as those I represent," said Reyes whose district includes communities
such as Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights as well as Pico Union, Westlake
and MacArthur Park.
Reyes also asked that the audit include a comprehensive review of the
adequacy of fees charged and the feasibility of charging higher fees
for non-city residents.
Occidental College Garners
1.5 mil Grant
A new $1.5 million, four-year grant from the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute will fund the expansion of Occidental College's acclaimed
undergraduate research program, its science outreach programs to high
school and community college students and faculty, and the creation of
a new scientific literacy curriculum.
"The challenge is to enable more students to participate in research at
greater length - or at an earlier stage - in their undergraduate
career, and to provide more opportunities for interdisciplinary
scientific study and research that will lead to greater scientific
literacy for all our students," said chemistry Professor Chris Craney,
associate dean at Occidental and director of the Undergraduate Research
Center.
"HHMI support will play a vital role in making it possible for
Occidental to continue its efforts to create new interdisciplinary
collaborations, to improve scientific literacy, and encourage women and
minority students to pursue careers in science," said Occidental
President Theodore R. Mitchell.
A portion of the grant will fund a new science literacy program that
includes objectives and various strategies for developing new
graduation requirements. New courses or interdisciplinary course
modules will be developed that integrate science literacy objectives
with broader college objectives involving critical thinking, analytical
writing and cultural literacy.
Occidental was one of 42 institutions - from the 170 that submitted
proposals - to receive a grant from a $49.7 million fund. The award
amounts ranged from $500,000 to $1.6 million. In their review of
proposals, HHMI's review panel noted initiatives that reflected
recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences publication "BIO
2010: Transforming Undergraduate Education for Future Research
Biologists."
Occidental science students have a longstanding record of academic
excellence, as they regularly publish research results in professional
journals and present their work at scientific conferences. At the
Southern California Conference on Undergraduate Research, Occidental
students have presented more papers and posters than students from any
other college or research university in the region over the past seven
years.
New High School?
LAUSD facilities will officially announce it's preferred site
recommendation for Central Region High School #13, present a profile of
the site, and explain why the site is more suitable/preferable than the
rest.
Myriam Magana, Judy Kagan, and Alisa Smith from the Glassell Park
Neighborhood Council's Youth & Education committee, along with
their committee members from the Drew/Estara area joined in a unique
relationship with LAUSD last year. This was the first time a
Neighborhood Council worked directly with the LAUSD Outreach Dept. to
represent the needs and desires of their community.
Along with the efforts of Boardmembers Jim Kiehl and Mike Gealer, the
GPNC held Community Forums, produced surveys, walked petitions, and had
open dialogues with neighboring communities to establish the need and
location of this high school.
I want to thank all those mentioned above for applying the tools of
commitment and advocacy in guiding the effort to this point. However,
it is now time for the community to speak up for itself.
We need everyone who has a stake in this high school and it's suggested
location on Parcel F2 in Taylor Yard to be present at this meeting and
let their voice be heard. Our individual recommendations matter and are
placed on record before a final vote.
It all will take place on Tuesday, June 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Irving
Middle School, Main Auditorium, located at 3010 Estara Drive.
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