Shoot-Out at Tommy's

by Tom Topping
On Tuesday evening May 3, at about 5:45 p.m., three blocks of Eagle Rock's business community was rocked by the sound of gunfire, sirens and police helicopters. Everyone for three blocks of the business district was out on the sidewalk trying to see what happened as police cordoned off the area. As the darkness fell, the sound of police helicopters droned on into the night, as they shone their searchlight through back yards and even into the hills and up on the 134 freeway.
Lots of rumors and reports have been circulating, but at a recent community meeting held at Toland Way Elementary School, officer Gina Chovan of Northeast Division gave us the straight scoop, along with a safety tip.
The shooting at Tommy's was between two rival gangs. One of which was HLP (Highland Park). What happened was that one person, a member of a rival gang, was in a car at the drive through at Tommy's getting some food. Two members of HLP, pulled in behind him to order food as well. As the rival gang's vehicles sat nose to tail, they apparently recognized each other. One of them started shooting at the other, and the other started shooting back. This was all caught on tape as the security cameras at Tommy's were rolling, recording everything.
The car in front took off, out of the drive through, and has not been seen since. The other drove out as well. When the detectives finally got there, they viewed the tape, and got the description of the cars to officers that responded. One alert officer spotted the car nearby, and a short car chased turned quickly into a foot chase through back yards, within one block of Tommy's.
That's when the helicopters were hovering and streets were being cordoned off. The two suspects were found hiding in the garage of a house on La Roda Ave. Neither of them had gunshot wounds. No other suspect or victim was found, so the suspects only face charges of gang member with a firearm, etc.
The safety tip that Officer Gina had to offer evolved from that day, where she was working to help keep the area safe during the hunt for the suspects. The situation is, that people, instead of staying inside during police activity, will come outside, and invariably will bring their child out with them. One man in particular, she reported, was very confrontive and refused repeated requests to take himself and his very young child back inside his house, out of harms way. This was the same house in whose garage the armed suspects were later found to be hiding in. Officer Chovan warns, "Please, when you see police activity, cooperate with them, be safe and if you have to come outside to see what's going on, please leave your children inside!"
 

Parking Problems Persist
Lot Owner Fed Up? Or Cashing In?

by Tom Topping
The progress of commercial development in Eagle Rock hinges greatly on whether a solution to the parking dilemma is ever realized. At the intersection of Townsend and Colorado, once considered the center of town, was located the local bank, market, drugstore and then, as now, Tritch hardware. This is the location of a rather infamous mini mall, where a donut shop, video store, hair salon and launderette, among others, are housed now. I refer to the location as infamous because it is best known to community members as the place where Kathleen Aberman stood on the roof of the Pink Halo dress shop, to try to save some quaint "Eagle Rock Midwestern" architecture from the bulldozers as demolition for the mall construction was beginning. (She was arrested that day and later was instrumental in forming the resident association.)
Recently, though, the intersection and mini mall is a site where the current parking dilemma has been brought into razor sharp focus. This focus is perfectly timed to coincide with and illustrate the challenges the newly proposed parking solutions for Eagle Rock's parking woes will have to face. About the only affordable and possible solution now is to embrace a concept known as shared parking, where daytime businesses, for compensation, allow their spaces to be used by patrons of neighboring night-time businesses.
The current controversy started last month, when patrons of the Chalet, a bar on the next block down from the mini mall, were returning from a night on the town to find their cars missing. Their cars had been towed away, in some cases, and in others they were able to rescue their vehicle by coughing up $220 cash on the spot in order to have the tow truck driver release it.
According to Clayton, the door man who works at Chalet, the towing started last month out of the blue. One night, tow trucks started arriving and removing Chalet patrons' cars, with no warning at all. Chalet representatives then went to talk to the mini mall owner, Sergio, to ask what they could do to stop the towing.
According to Sergio, a few weeks ago, the owner of Video 808 mentioned to him that at 10:00 p.m. the parking lot was full, right at the time the last of the businesses there were closing for the night. Sergio, figured that his lot was filling up every night with patrons from the Chalet, a near by high-brow night spot that at one time was the local neighborhood bar, Topper's Tavern.
His lot was being used when the businesses were closed, which is not much of a problem he admitted, but according to Sergio, the bar patrons used the parking lot not only for parking, but also for some very inconsiderate behavior.
He said every morning the lot was found littered with fast food wrappers from nearby Tommy's Burgers and Taco Bell. The stench and sight of empty beer cans and bottles, was joined by the even more putrid aroma of vomit and urine, as bar patrons consumed and evacuated before, during and after a night out on the town. Sergio says he went to talk to the owners of the Chalet, to ask them to at least send someone to cleanup every morning before his tenants arrived. The Chalet's owners were not helpful, and suggested to Sergio that it was his problem to deal with. The Chalet, however, tells a different story.
The Chalet says that it was they who approached Sergio to offer a solution to stop their patrons cars from being towed. They say he agreed to stop the towing if they would clean-up after their patrons every night, which they agreed to do. They cleaned one time, and their customers' cars were towed the next day. They cleaned again, but the towing did not stop. They are convinced that the mini mall is in cahoots with the towing company, possibly getting kickbacks out of the towing fees.
The doorman claims that the $220 is $100 over is the maximum legally allowable price a towing company can charge, and by forcing drivers to pay by cash only, there's no record of the transaction to provide any recourse. (We note that the Chalet does have its own lot that can hold 10 to 12 cars, but for some reason is blocked off, stopping anyone but employees from parking there.) Now, the Chalet has posted notice for their patrons to read as they come in, warning that cars parked in the mini mall parking lot will be towed.
Now, we have two local businesses at a standoff, one losing business for lack of parking, and the other not wanting to pick up other folks messiness, putting this situation to rest for now. The boulevard parking dilemma, though, is far from over.
The mini mall is not the only parking that is misused, as folks who live in the apartments above Tritch Hardware are often forced to park blocks away if they come home in the late evening hours. They find that patrons of the Chalet have taken every available space in their lot, or at least those not taken already by diners from Casa Bianca, a popular restaurant not required to provide any parking. (They are grandfathered in as a business instituted before modern parking requirements)
I tried to explain to Sergio about what the community is working on, trying to come up with a shared parking plan that will be good for all businesses, but he was not interested. "If their car is scratched they'll be calling me to make a claim to my insurance company!" he exclaimed.
I tried to convince him, "But what if you were released from that- it's a pilot program they're talking about and the city council makes new laws every day..." I tried to say that maybe the city can work out a legal way that would cover the liability, but I didn't get to finish, as he started on a tirade about how lawsuits often go after the deepest pockets available, and how he was saved from a false claim once by images recorded on security cameras that monitor another location of his where people park their cars.
In Eagle Rock, the concept of angle parking on the boulevard was finally put to rest once and for all, when an official city D.O.T. survey revealed a gain of only 31 parking spaces for the length of Colorado Blvd. The lanes would have to be reduced to two on each side of the Boulevard, and the islands narrowed and moved closer to one side, costing plenty for very little gain.
The possibility of a parking structure or two for the area is possible but unlikely as the cost is stratospheric. Shared parking is a concept that is physically and financially viable, but seems runs counter to the tendencies of human nature, as sharing territory or responsibility is not one of our strongest suits.
Luckily, tenacity is also one of our human qualities which is available in good quantity throughout Northeast L.A.
I'd say "Even money!" to describe the odds on whether any parking solution will happen in Eagle Rock, or the entire city of L.A., pilot program or not.

Great Turnout at Business Watch
by Tom Topping
About 45 local merchants showed up at Colombo's Restaurant on Tuesday, May 17 for a "Business Watch" meeting. Like neighborhood watch, the business watch alerts attendees to recent local crime in the area, explains prevention techniques and informs the community of the progress so far in solving those crimes.
Business folks were introduced to the new patrol captain at the Northeast Division, Captain Perez, originally from Chicago. (Captain Morris Smith is still the captain of the division, Perez is captain of the patrol only) He said that one winter when it was three degrees outside, he asked his wife if she had had enough of that, and soon afterward, they moved to California. He brings with him twenty years of policing experience from Chicago. He is still getting to know the area of the division, as he admitted with some embarrassment having to be driven to Eagle Rock that day because he wasn't sure how to get there. The good news was that the perpetrator of the recent business break-ins, reported last month, was recently caught by Burbank police, who now had him in custody.
The second half of the meeting was to solicit interest for the hiring of a private security company. A representative from POST private security was there to discuss what would be available, and to give an approximate cost. He said the cost would depend on how many nights and how many hours per night the patrols would be needed. He gave a approximate range of $30 to $60 per month per business depending on what services would be wanted and how many signed up. He mentioned that if criminals were seen breaking into businesses that do not sign-up, they would call the police and report it, but could take no other action.
A pleasant array of finger foods was provided after the meeting, along with water, coffee and iced tea, although Carmen, the bartender, reported slow business at the bar with all the police around.

Eagle Rock Flag Day

by Tom Topping
After a process that has taken almost ten years since its start, the Eagle Rock flag will be raised over the intersection of the 2 and 134 freeways, next month, on Flag Day, June 14. The flagpole that will extend the flag is actually one of three that operate as cellular telephone towers, right on the border of Eagle Rock and Glendale. A water-tower with clock design that had the words "Eagle Rock" displayed on all four sides was one of the earlier designs that was eliminated, partially due to protests from Glendale community leaders, who historically look down on anything having to do with Eagle Rock.
The final design of the flag was chosen by ERCPR, the revitalization group representing a wide variety of Eagle Rock interests. The process has been excruciatingly slow, however. We thought the flag had been ready for the last six months, but was stalled, languishing in the hands of the Eagle Rock resident association, or so I thought, and I'll explain my theory about that at the end of this article.
The resident group was credited with acquiring $30,000 from cell tower developers, only half of what was originally promised. They had garnered the funds, to be spent in the community, by protested the towers successfully enough to block their construction, and later, when Nick Pacheco was councilman, traded their support for the commitments of cash to be paid to community groups, specifically the Chamber of Commerce, ERCPR, and the resident association. The last I heard, the resident group had received $30,000 and was holding it.
The community is invited to celebrate the historic raising of the Eagle Rock Flag on Tuesday, June 14, Flag Day. It will be at the cell-tower/flagpole site, in the parking lot of the Rusty Pelican and In-and-Out Burger, on Harvey drive, just north of the 134 freeway, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Smaller versions of the flag were promised to be offered for sale there, so come early if you want your own copy of Eagle Rock's first flag.
Now, about the long delay. The latest information, gleaned from two sources says that the flags, when first received, were not exactly right. Hillary Norton-Orozco, President of the group said, "There was nothing wrong with it, we just wanted it to be perfect." My guess is that once the flag was delivered and brought out into the light, it didn't look right.
The flag design, presented and discussed among many local groups before being settled upon, was not one that was symmetrical, like the U.S. flag, for instance, whose opposite sides are mirror images of each other. If the flag design had been printed on both sides so it read correctly, there may have been a problem. If viewed with light coming from behind, it would have appeared a jumble of text and images, impossible to read at all. If this was the case, I can imagine many red faces as the "experts" realized the mistake they had made, and the mad scramble to both correct it and make sure the word did not get out about it.
Of course, this is pure conjecture on my part. We will all get to see it on June 14, and I look forward to it being a happy, historic and memorable event for all who attend.

Battle Lines over Street Lines

 by Tom Topping

Ever since Colorado Blvd. was last re-paved, many in the community have expressed dissatisfaction and sometimes outrage over the street markings. Astonishment and confusion seem to be the norm. Where once was an intersection no problem existed, there now is a constant source of citizen complaints.
I refer to the intersection of Dahlia Drive and Colorado Blvd., where traffic flows in all directions, as drivers enter and leave both Trader Joe's parking lot and the mini-mall where Dee's gym is. This is in addition to the residents coming and going from Dahlia Drive. There are a few problems at the intersection there, but by far the biggest one is how often motorists find themselves facing oncoming motorists head-on.
The scenario is usually the same. A citizen traveling east on Colorado (toward Pasadena), who needs to turn left onto Dahlia Drive, must bring his car into the left-turn slot made for that. This 'slot' is positioned adjacent to the oncoming lanes, literally on the wrong side of the street. Another motorist, traveling west on Colorado, can see the large "Trader Joe's" sign as he approaches.
Now two conditions contribute to the following. First, as that driver approaches, the oncoming left turn lane markings at Dahlia are invisible. Why? Because the road elevation changes there and unless you are in a truck or a bus, you simply cannot see those markings. Secondly, after you pass Floristan (by Dahlia Heights), the center of the street is marked with double-double broken yellow street markings. These tell the driver that it is OK to use that area to initiate and complete left hand turns, which is true, but not for drivers wanting to turn left after they pass Dahlia.
The driver heading west who goes into the double-double area half a block before Trader Joe's, assumes he is right where he should be, when just at that moment another is approaching, wanting to turn left coming the other way. Wham! Two drivers are now approaching head to head, where only quick reflexes and instant correct decisions will avert a serious accident.
If you want some free entertainment on weekdays between the hours of 4 to 6 p.m., bring a lawn chair and set it on the sidewalk in front of Dee's Gym. There you will see some of the most disorganized traffic flow, near misses, and blatantly illegal moves you could ever want to witness.
As you watch the drivers enter and leave Trader Joe's parking lot, you will also see conditions that can best be described as gridlock. Cars and trucks unable to move at all, lined up across half the boulevard, completely blocking eastbound traffic at times.
While you're there, observe the flow of pedestrians in and out of the store, as well as on the sidewalk, and see how they add the problem. You will see that they, firm in their belief that they have the right of way, and just as firm in their obliviousness to what they are causing by abusing that right of way, will cross in front of cars entering the parking lot without any thought about what the results may be.
At a recent community meeting, Martha Stevenson, head of the division of the City's Department of Transportation that investigates the need for all traffic markings in the city of Los Angeles, admitted that yes, they know there is a problem there. They also are aware that before the repaving, and the replacing of the street markings, that everything worked fine. Unfortunately, however, whenever lines are to be repainted, they must be designed to comply with current standards. The DOT can only do new street markings that comply with current standards. They cannot go back to what worked before because it does not comply with the new standards.
Recently those marking have been removed, and were replaced with nothing for quite a while. Now, the lines are repainted again, changing nothing but the length of the left turn "slot" for drivers traveling east on the Blvd. who are turning left onto Dahlia. It is ironic indeed, that the decisions of city officials, probably made with the intention of covering the city's ass liability-wise, actually create a situation where it is much more likely people will get hurt. Does anyone out there have a solution?

BOOM Cars
Dear Friends:
My friend Marianne heard me talk so much about the bargains to be found in the Highland Park shopping district, she met me on Figueroa Blvd. one bright sunny afternoon, ready to part with some of her hard-earned tax refund. About twenty minutes into our excursion, we'd had enough. The boom cars literally chased us away.
I know boom cars can be found all over town. But, in Highland Park, along Figueroa Blvd. especially, they are such a constant and ubiquitous source of noise pollution, one cannot escape them, even in the Arroyo Seco library. There's a long laundry list of health problems associated with boom car noise, from hearing loss to strokes. Some boom cars come equipped with a very low frequency that's been used by the U.S. government as a weapon. Talk about terrorism!
This is a problem recognized in municipalities all over the country and many cities are cracking down. Youngstown, Ohio, for instance, impounds boom cars and jails offenders. But, what about Los Angeles? We have adequate noise ordinances on the books. Yet, I've never seen an officer stop a boom car and write a ticket, have you?
Sometimes I think if this were another part of the city, police would be up and down the main artery writing tickets. That won't happen here until Highland Park gets off its apathy. Residents concerned about their health and quality of life, homeowners concerned about property values, and merchants concerned about attracting more business all have a stake in this issue.
Some in our community want to capitalize on Northeast L.A.'s history to make it part of the multimillion dollar heritage tourism industry-a brilliant idea which could be an economic bonanza for the area. But, first we have to do something about those boom cars.
Sandra Malone
Los Angeles

Why Ask Questions Now?
City Councilman Ed Reyes Raises Questions About
The Prestigious Highland Park Show.
By Paul Sanchez
Ed Reyes the City Council Member is questioning the Prestigious Highland Park Car Show all of a sudden when it is only a month away. The Highland Park Car Show has been an event that has brought a community together every summer to view and spent time with their families enjoying the fascinating world of Low Rider Cars and their individual car clubs.
This event has been going on for twenty-one years in the Highland Park community and has not had any complications as of yet. Jesse Rosas is the coordinator of this prestigious event and for the past 21 years he has worked diligently every year to bring this event together for the whole community to enjoy during the summer.
Questions have been speculated about profits from this car show. To assure the City Councilmen this is a public event, there are no fees to the public, it is absolutely a community event that everyone and anyone can enjoy for free. There are no profits made at this event, and why question now, Councilmen Reyes approved the street closures for last year's Car Show in Highland Park.
Why is Councilmen Reyes asking questions now? In the history of this prestigious event, no other Council member has given any problems in the past, but why now. Is there some kind of grudge here or animosity?
The Highland Park Car show brings people from all over Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County, not to exclude Low Rider magazine which does a short cover story on the event.
Many people in the community will be disappointed this year if the car show does not go through. Jesse Rosas is a leader of the Highland Park community and conducts business as legitimate as possible so that the event can be an enjoyable one for everyone in the community.
Questions raised by Ed Reyes are uncalled for, because the people of the community voted for him to be a leader and make changes to the community, not to take something away that has been part of a tradition for twenty years, and hopefully more to come.

The Collaborative
Please join THE COLLABORATIVE Eagle Rock Beautiful for our Spring/Summer 2005 Meeting to be held Saturday, June 11, 9am to 11am at The Eagles Hall, Corner of Townsend and Yosemite Avenues.
The Collaborative, with the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, will present this year's Golden Eagle Awards. These awards are presented to homes and businesses that best exemplify an exceptional effort towards beautifying and improving the unique ambiance of Eagle Rock.
Also being presented is the annual Good Neighbor Award, and for the first time, The Good Business Person Award. A Continental breakfast will be served, and as always the meeting will be concluded promptly at 11am.
Come and join the Collaborative as we honor our friends and neighbors committed to the beautification of Eagle Rock.
For questions or further information call:323. 255.9400 or
emonk@earthlink.net

Dancefest for Literacy
Kiwanis Fil-Am of Glendale presents Dancefest for Literacy to benefit Glendale School District
On Saturday, June 25, 2005, KIWANIS FIL-AM of GLENDALE is proud to present DANCEFEST for LITERACY at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, to benefit students of the Glendale Unified School District.
Five international folkloric groups - Kultura Philippine Folk Arts, The Korean Dance Academy, Plaza de la Raza Mexican Folklorico, Zvartnots Armenian Dance Ensemble and the Flamenco Dancers, will show off a stunning spectrum of cultural diversity in a burst of movement, color and sounds, to make one unforgettable concert!
This festival sponsored by the Kiwanis Fil-Am of Glendale is for the benefit of elementary schools of Glendale, which have a majority of immigrant students with English as their second language. A Glendale News Press article in November 2004 indicating that fourteen of 29 Glendale schools did not make their API growth target for the year, marked the impetus for Kiwanis Fil-Am’s strategic plan to make youth education as the target beneficiary of their fundraising and volunteer efforts.
In keeping with Kiwanis International Club mission of serving the children of the world, Kiwanis Fil-Am of Glendale is dedicated to reaching out to the needs of the children in the school district. Their efforts are geared towards providing technology tools, equipment, books, tutoring and mentoring especially to underserved minority and youth in elementary and middle schools in Glendale and surrounding communities.
Since December 2004, the members have embarked on various fundraising endeavors. In May, Adel Luzuriaga, President, and other members of the Kiwanis Fil-Am presented a check for $750 to Franklin Elementary School for the purchase of books for the school's library. In February, a check for $1,500 was donated to the Cerritos and Edison Elementary Schools to likewise purchase books for their libraries. The club also arranged for a 25% discount for the schools at Borders Books & Music when they purchase the books.
"It is our intention that the books and equipment we provide will offer opportunities to the students to help raise their learning abilities, and up their scores in the California Standard Tests," notes Kiwanis Fil-Am President Adel Luzuriaga. "All of us are immigrants," says Luzuriaga, "so we understand the difficulties of adapting to a new culture on top of learning."
Proceeds from the Dancefest will go towards accomplishing the goal of Kiwanis Fil-Am of helping raise children to become productive and contributing members of society.
"All the dance troupes, volunteers and participants know that this project is for a good cause," says Celia de Fato, Director of Kultura Philippine Folk Arts. "They were very happy and willing to donate their time and talent."
DANCEFEST FOR LITERACY: Saturday, June 25, 2005 at 7:30 pm, Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 No. Verdugo Road, Glendale, CA 91208; Tickets: Adults $25 Children (10 years old and under) $10.
For tickets and information, please call: Marlene Cagatao; Email: mcagatao@aol.com Tel. (818) 731-9420 or Ami Bautista, E-mail: amihomelife@aol.com Tel. (818) 548-5050.
Tickets available at Max Restaurant, 313 W. Broadway St., Glendale, CA Tel. (818) 637-7751 and Homelife/Five-City Realty, 330 North Glendale Ave., Glendale, CA Tel. 818-548-5050

Master Harpsichordist
June 5th at 4:00 pm
Please join us for a concert presented by master harpsichordist Wm. Neil Roberts to be held at Carlotta's Passion Fine Art and Interiors, 2012 Colorado Blvd. The concert is free of charge.
Wm. Neil Roberts has concertized in the United States, Central Europe, Taiwan, Tahiti, Mexico, and the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico. He has been heard frequently on National Public Radio in solo and chamber music ensembles from the Frick Museum in New York, Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, and on National Public Radio's "St. Paul Sunday Morning".
Mr. Roberts has numerous solo recordings covering a wide range of composers and styles, from Byrd to Bach to Scott Joplin. He is president of the Southern California Baroque Association, which fosters performances on historical instruments. He is also the harpsichordist for the Los Angeles Baroque Players, a four-member ensemble which was established in 1983.
Mr. Roberts is a harpsichord instructor at Occidental College, has an active teaching studio in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, and is co-owner of the Harpsichord Center.
(Be sure to review Neil's website. He constructs and decorates new instruments and restores original ancient instruments.)
Wm. Neil Roberts is exceptionally gifted both as a musical and visual artist. His watercolors show is presently on display and continues until Sunday, June 5th at 9:00 pm. Mr. Roberts's work has been widely collected and is held by several institutions. Still, his prices are quite reasonable.
Bob Squires www.carlottaspassion.com http://www.harpsichordcenter.com

Eagle Vista Seniors
On June 01-02 (Wed. & Thurs) the usual Eagle Vista Seniors first of the month meetings will be postponed a week due to the overnight trip to the Gold Strike Casino. The bus departs from Glassell Park at at 8:15 a.m. and from Eagle Vista at 8:15 a.m., returning the following day at approx 6:00 p.m.
June 07 (Tues.) The aforementioned meetings will occur at their usual 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. hours. A musical presentationby the Henry Mancini institute follows, and birthday cake will be served.
June 14 (Tues.) The motivational speaker, Jimmy Weldon, will explain "The truth about reverse mortgages" -more exciting suprisingly, than one would guess, and especially valuable to seniors.
June 21 (Tues.) Another timely investigation will be shared when Alan Miller takes on the topic, "The truth about oil."
June 25 (Sat.) The Glendale Center Theater, 324 N. Orange Street, will be the site of the seniors' trip to see that lively musical "The Pajama Game." (Sorry, all tickets are sold)
June 28 (Tues.) B*I*N*G*O! Art Gibson, caller.
NOTE: Final Payment for the July 18 - 22 trip tp Monterey, San Francisco and Reno is due June 14, 2005.

Hermon Picnic
3rd Annual
Hermon Neighborhood
PICNIC IN THE PARK
June 18th -6 – 10 pm
Hermon Park in the Arroyo Seco 5568 Via Marisol
Back again for the 3rd year in a row is our summer sensation – the Hermon Neighborhood Picnic in the Park. The inaugural centennial celebration held two years ago continues to inspire us to share time with friends and loved ones in our beautiful Hermon Park in the Arroyo Seco.
Hot dogs and drinks will be provided, and feel free to bring your own snacks, salads, or desserts. Our evening in the park this year is being supported by donations from Hermon businesses and individuals. Raffle prizes from local businesses will be awarded to lucky winners.
As in prior years, Los Angeles musicians will entertain us. This year come hear David Morales and his group, as well as our featured band "Nothing to Lose", a youthful original rock trio who plays monthly at Rock Rose Gallery. D.J. and Hermon Church pastor, A.J. Mora will also provide music throughout the event.
The feature film of the evening will be The Incredibles, winner of 2 Academy Awards and billed as "an instant classic" and "the year's wittiest, zippiest adventure". Buttered popcorn will be provided by Northeast Mental Health as we continue a Hermon tradition in front of the big screen between the sycamores. No need to RSVP, but mark your calendars for June 18th and come visit with your neighbors on what promises to be a perfect summer evening under the stars in Hermon.

ROCK Teen Center Celebrates Milestones
The ROCK (Reach Our Community Kids) Teen Center is celebrating milestones this month as it approaches the end of its 5th year of operation. On Saturday, June 25, 2005, 6 -8 PM, the ROCK Board of Directors will be hosting a "Celebrating Milestones" Reception at the teen center to recognize the contributions of youth, volunteers, and Executive Director Donna Robey-Sullivan.
Ms. Robey-Sullivan will be leaving the organization in July after almost 5 years of service, first as a board member and Treasurer and since January 2002 as the Executive Director. During her tenure, annual contributions have been diversified and grown by 28% and the ROCK program has been expanded to include its Academic Mentor Programs, which incorporate after-school homework coaching and tutoring, science and college mentoring, and daily computer challenges in the teen center's Community Technology Center. Ms. Robey-Sullivan and her family are relocating to North Carolina after 25 years in the Eagle Rock community.
ROCK is currently conducting a search for an Executive Director to replace Ms. Robey-Sullivan and a Managing Director, a new position made possible through a Congressional Earmark Grant, arranged by Congressman Xavier Becerra. The incoming directors will be introduced at the event.
Also during the evening's program, the winners of "Revolutionize," an art contest, will be announced and members of the Youth Leadership Council will receive their service awards. Long-term ROCK volunteer, Josh Jacobs will be presented the President's Volunteer Service Award in recognition of his years of commitment to ROCK and its youth.
The ROCK Teen Center is located at 1597 Yosemite Drive in Eagle Rock. It provides the only free drop-in, learning and skills development program within the community, specifically for teens. For more information about ROCK, its programming, or the June 25th event contact their office at 323-257-6102 or through the website at www.rockids.org.

Gang Awareness Series
by Everet Sarabia
The Eagle Rock Valley Association's Neighborhood Watch along with the Northeast Los Angeles Police Department is sponsoring a series of seminars at local public schools. The seminars focus on Gang Awareness and will target 5th Grade Classes and their parents. The first in the series took place on Monday, May 23, at Toland Way Elementary School Auditorium, 4545 Toland Way.
President Everett Sarabia, of the Eagle Rock Valley Association opened the session by greeting parents and giving a brief history of his personal involvement at the School and his concern for young people. Senior Lead Officer Gina Chovan then addressed the group and introduced Detective Bob Lopez who oversees the Gang Unit at Northeast Division Headquarters.
Det. Lopez touched on many aspects of the youth culture today and warned parents that they have that final responsibility when it comes to their children's welfare. He encouraged the parents to take an active role in their child's scholastic and social life.
Mid-way through the meeting the 6th Grade classes were brought into the auditorium. Det. Lopez shared with the youngsters his 24 years of experience as an officer and told of a gang involved incident that kept the class at the edge of their seats. Principal Manzur commended after the meeting that she has never heard the class keep so quite.
Other local officials who were in attendance were Jeannie Kim, our local Neighborhood Prosecutor and Senior Lead Officer Mark Allen.
The second session addressed the parents group from Nightingale Middle School. This seminar was held on Thursday, May 26th at the Boys and Girls Club on Pasadena Avenue.
The Parent Group was mostly Spanish speaking but their concern for their children was quite intense. Det. Lopez once again encouraged the parents to be more proactive in their children's lives. The parents seemed frustrated in dealing with their teenagers but Det. Lopez gave them good insight on how to reign in their children.
For more information on Neighborhood Watch, to schedule a Gang Awareness Seminar at your school, or to receive email updates regarding the police related activity and monthly NW meetings in the Toland Way area, please send an email to ERVANWatch@adelphia.net or call 323-254-3512.

Brush Fire Snuffed Out
On Thursday, May 19, 2005, at 12:21 p.m., twelve companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, one Assistant Chief Officer Command Team, three Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, one LAFD Rescue Ambulance, one Battalion EMS Supervisor, three LAFD Helicopters, one Arson Unit, and other LAFD support personnel, under the direction of Assistant Chief John Ware, responded to a Greater Alarm Brush fire at 807 West Isabel Street in the Cypress Park area.
First units on the scene reported approximately two acres of grass and light brush burning on a hillside and moving in the direction of several homes. Firefighters using handlines and aided by helicopter water drops aggressively attacked the fire and confined it to approximately three acres of brush and grass.
The fire threatened five homes, but quick defensive action by Firefighters prevented fire spread to the structures. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is listed as under investigation.
Street Trees get Permits
The Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful has been raising funds and organizing volunteers for their Trees for Eagle Rock project. They have recently received the necessary permits to plant the following trees: 15 London Plane, Jackaranda, Grape Myrtles on Eagle Rock Blvd. and 22 Magnolias and Grape Myrtles on Colorado Blvd.
Collaborative member Daryll Medeen and City of Los Angeles Street Services personnel have marked and identified where these plantings are supposed to be placed, so look for them very soon, and watch them grow through the years! The Collaborative wishes to thank all who have contributed and continue to support this very worthwhile investment in our community's green future!

Leo Limón
Roberto Delgado
Exhibition Dates: June 4 2005 – July 4, 2005
Artists' Reception, Saturday, June 4, 2005
The Avenue 50 Studio is pleased to announce an exhibition of contemporary paintings by artists Leo Limón and Roberto Delgado. Viewing the world as theater of life, Limón and Delgado, create compositions of intriguing stories painted in Chicano voice.
Leo Limón graces us with a magical theater of mezoamerican cosmic symbols. Rich in narrative, each piece tells a story of the "world we live in and the spiritual world that surrounds us".
Rebel artist Roberto Delgado, brings to the forefront a storyboard of socio-political issues set in a world stage. Confrontational in style, spiritual in his use of color, Delgado has the ability to grab our attention with his intensely painted canvases.
The Avenue 50 Studio invites all to join them for what will prove to be an evening of intense color and intriguing Chicano stories.
Artist Reception:
Date: Saturday, June 4, 2005
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Place: Avenue 50 Studio, 131 N. Avenue 50, Highland Park, CA 90042, 323/258-1435

Jazz Under The Stars
Join us for a night to benefit our early childhood care and education programs - Sat. June 4th, 2005 from 6-10pm Historic Ziegler Estate - 4601 N Figueroa, LA CA 90065
Semi-Formal Attire- Silent Auction, Dinner & Dancing
To benefit the Programs of MWPCCC, La Casita Verde, Harry Pregerson Child Care Center, Joy Picus Child Develpment Center, NE LA School Readiness Project.
Tickets are $65.00 per person.
mail: MWPCCC, 4601 N Figueroa, LA CA 90065

Arroyo Seco Eco Ride
Sunday, June 26 9:00 am to 1:00 pm - Meet at the Heritage Square/Arroyo Gold Line station (3545 Pasadena Ave. Los Angeles) 7 mile ride where you'll learn about local sustainability issues and explore NELA open space. Ends at Path to Freedom, an urban homestead in Pasadena, near the Gold line. Bring a lunch.
As we head into a future of global warming and diminishing supplies of cheap oil, it's high time to create and support sustainable transportation in our car crazy city. NELA Bikes! seeks to inspire and promote solutions, and have fun along the way.

Intersection: art walk in Eagle Rock
You are invited to attend a unique, multi-venue art walk entitled: "Intersection: An Installation Project" on Saturday June 25 from 3-6pm, beginning at Townsend Gallery, 1581 Colorado Blvd.
The show's curator is Margaret Adachi, and it includes 12 installations in 12 businesses located near the intersection of Townsend Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock. Stop by the Townsend Gallery reception to pick up a map of installation stops, then walk to the participating businesses to get a fresh look at creative works by local artists! After the June 25 art walk, works will remain in place through July 23

Childrens Reading Club goes Citywide
Summer spells fun, especially for kids who join the Los Angeles Public Library's citywide Children's Reading Club, "JamboRead," where free activities await them at their local branch library. The events include storytelling, animal and magic shows, and other exciting programs with surprises galore at each branch. The reading club was designed to encourage children of all ages to read for pleasure and strengthen their literacy skills.
The Eagle Rock Branch, 5027 Caspar Ave., will participate in "JamboRead" with a variety of programs. Children may sign-up beginning Monday, June 27. Highlights of the club at the Eagle Rock Branch will include Wonderworld Puppets "Peanut Butter and JamboRead", an interactive puppet and magic show on Thursday, June 30 at 3:30 PM. Programs continue every Thursday afternoon at 3:30 PM until the Awards Culmination on August 25. Other programs during the summer include The "Reptile Family"(July 14), "Traveler's Tales" with author/storyteller, Katy Rydell (July 28),"Malimba", an interactive jazz presentation (August 18).
Special story time/craft programs are offered for preschool-aged children and their parents or caregivers on alternate Tuesday mornings at 10:30 AM before the library opens to the general public.(June 7 & 21, July 5 & 19, August 2 & 16). Children who join the reading club receive a Certificate of Membership. The citywide reading club kicks off at the L.A. Kids Read Festival on Saturday, June 4, 12 noon – 4 p.m., at Central Library, downtown Los Angeles.
For more information about the Children's Reading Club and the L.A. Kids Read Festival, call Children's Librarian Mary Wynton at the Eagle Rock Branch, (323) 258-8078, or visit lapl.org.

Notice!
Tromperland will not be appearing in the Boulevard Sentinel. The club's board has withdrawn their minimal yearly support of the paper. Thanks guys, for the support you have given in the past.
The Eagle Rock'n Rodders, a car club that serves the community, has gladly accepted the space vacated by "Tromperland." Their yearly charitable donations as well as their help over the years with various community events more than qualifies them to be beneficiaries of the considerable value of the Boulevard Sentinel exposure.

Roddin’ With Mary

Hello Eagle Rock! This is a new article about the Eagle Rockin' Rodders, the 'other' car club in Eagle Rock. I'd like to introduce myself to you, and tell you about our club. We were founded in 1996 by some local rodders, and have the longest running-consecutive car club history in Eagle Rock. We will be 10 years old in 2006, and plan to have a year long celebration and special events in honor of that anniversary.
My name is Mary Garson Amrhein, and I grew up in Eagle Rock. My husband Tom, you may know him as Hemi-Tom, is the current president of the Eagle Rockin' Rodders. We are a family oriented club, and meet the last Saturday of the month at Jim's Burgers. Most of our members live in the northeast L.A. area. We participate in community events, including toy donations during the holidays to local churches and the fire station, as well as make cash donations to local charities. We are not just about our cars, although we do have some fine vehicles. We are a club that gives back to the community.
As Father's Day approaches, I've been thinking about the club members and some of the losses we've had the past couple of years, specifically family members that have passed on. Terrye Munday, Charlie Fisher, and Skip Kagan, all lost parents in the last 24 months. As I reflect on this, it brings up memories of my own father, Bullet Joe Garson. Mar. 27, 2005 marked the 21st anniversary of his death. When I think about this, and how much I miss my dad, there are some things I'd like to share with you, since my love of loud, fast cars originated with him...
As most of you probably know, my dad was a midget car race driver from the 1930's on into the 1970's. He was very good at what he did. Good enough in fact to win the West Coast Midget Championship in 1948, 1950, and again in 1958.
Racing fans may remember that when the Inglewood Forum first opened, the then-owner, Jack Kent Cook decided that indoor midget racing would be a good idea. They installed a temporary wooden track on the floor. There had not been any indoor midget racing in Southern California for some time. (with good reason, i.e. the fumes!) My dad won the main event of that first race, and this was exciting as he was quite a bit older than most of his competition. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Cook decided that indoor racing was not such a great idea, and there was no more racing at the Forum.
There is an interesting racing website called Worthy of Honor. The website address is www.worthyofhonor.com This is a kool website that has pages on a lot of the older drivers like Parsons, Andretti, Foyt, and Unser.... guys my dad raced with and knew. Racing was a lot different back then. Even though the cars didn't go nearly as fast as they do now, the sport was actually more dangerous due to the fact that there were not as many safety precautions and technology as we have today. Did you know that early helmets were made of cloth !!!? 'Driving suits' as my dad called them, did have some sort of fire-proofing which resulted in special dry cleaning issues in order to get the uniform clean without removing the fire retardant. Real old midgets did not even have roll cages, thus making an accident much more dangerous. Also did you know that in the 'old days'. women were not even allowed in the pits during races. Wives and girlfriends had to sit in the grandstands until after the races were over. Wow, we've come a long way, baby!
In closing, I'd like to tell you about our big July event: Concerts in the Park and the Eagle Rockin' Rodders Custom Car Show at Eagle Vista Park on Sun. July 10. There will be a live 50's band, crafts, and food vendors. The car show and music are free. We hope to see everyone there. Until next time, keep on rockin' !! Happy Father's Day - I miss you, Dad.

National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Hall of fame in 1990.
"Bullet" Joe Garson was originally from the East Coast and won the 1938 Eastern Midget Racing Alliance title before heading West.
Inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1990, Garson was one of the most successful AAA Midget drivers in the immediate post-war years when the sport was at a peak of popularity. In the 1939 150-mile race at Roosevelt Raceway he placed 2nd before a crowd of 61,256.
He won the AAA Pacific Coast title in 1948 and again in 1950. He was fifty years old and USAC had replaced AAA when he had perhaps his greatest season, winning the 1958 "Turkey Night" classic and the Pacific Coast Midget title for the third time.
One of his famous rides was the Rex Mays Offy. Joe Garson died on March 26, 1984

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¡El Alcalde Nuevo de la Ciudad!
Villaraigosa Wins Mayoral Contest
Antonio Villaraigosa won the mayor's race in a landslide victory, winning with a 17% margin over Mayor James Hahn. Although the two align on most issues, the charm, charisma, energy, endorsements and overall better campaign waged by Antonio heavily influenced the voters, as he won in all but two of the city's council districts.

Nick Pacheco to Try Again

Former 14th District City Councilman Nick Pacheco wasted no time this week after the landslide election of Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa to Mayor. Thirty six hours after Villaraigosa's victory speech on Tuesday night, Pacheco held a press event in Boyle Heights at the site of the under construction Boyle Heights Youth and Technology center located on the southeast corner of 4th and Gless, in Boyle Heights.
Nick Pacheco was joined by about three dozen family members and supporters as he outlined his agenda for his coming campaign, as well as offering congratulations and a promise of support to Mr. Villaraigosa, who will move into the Mayor's office on July 1st. He will, however, have to postpone any fundraising activities until the city council passes a motion to hold a special election.
Pacheco occupied the CD 14 seat from 1999 to 2003, and presided over an administration that was marked by animosity and polarization
between various groups in his district, which stretched from Boyle Heights to Eagle Rock. If elected, he could rule for another 6 years, as term limits only apply to full terms of office.
Pacheco has already assembled a team of workers and operatives led by Eric Hacopian, (of EDH and associates) to run the 2005 campaign. He may be considered damaged goods, however, as his the response to his bid for District Attorney last year, was shamefully low, and made him a two in a row loser in electoral politics.
Either way, he won't have a free pass back into the council seat, as the list of CD 14 hopefuls include School Board President Jose Huizar and El Sereno publisher and Neighborhood Council President Alvin Parra, among others. At the press conference I asked him what, if anything he would do different if he was elected than when he was councilman before.
He replied, "I'd have more fun."

Huizar Announces for CD 14
School Board President Jose Huizar begins with support of Rep. Roybal-Allard, Senator Romero, Sheriff Baca and former Mayor Riordan
Jose Huizar, President of the Los Angeles Board of Education, announced his entry into the contest to succeed Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa as the 14th District Councilmember. Huizar, an attorney, is a resident of El Sereno and was raised in Boyle Heights – two neighborhoods of the 14th Council District. He was first elected to the Board in 2001 and has served as President since July 2003.
"Los Angeles – and the 14th Council District in particular – is facing many challenges and opportunities," Huizar said. "My interest in serving on the City Council is a continuation of my commitment and dedication to improving our community. I would be very proud to represent my neighborhood, the neighborhood where I was raised and all the neighborhoods of the 14th Council District – and I believe I have important experience to offer. My work to reform our schools and improve neighborhood safety on the Board helps prepare me for the challenges and opportunities ahead."
In addition to his work on the School Board, Huizar has served his community by serving on:
· Eastside Project Area Committee, to create jobs and economic development opportunities
· Board of ELA Community Corporation, to assist first-time home buyers and community development
· MTA Residents Advisory Council, to improve local transportation with completion of the extension of the Metro Rail
· East Area Planning Commission
· Board of the White Memorial Center Charitable Foundation, an important health care provider in Boyle Heights.
Huizar enters the race with the support of many leaders, including Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Sheriff Lee Baca, Senator Gloria Romero, and former Mayor Richard Riordan. Roybal-Allard and Romero have represented large portions of the Council District 14 for many years.
Huizar, 36, earned his BA from U.C. Berkeley, his Master's degree in Public Affairs and Urban and Regional Planning from Princeton University, and his law degree from UCLA. He and his wife Richelle have two daughters, Emilia and Isabella.

Kudos
Kudos to you Tom for your success in publishing a home-town newspaper. You were born and raised here in Eagle Rock and not a transplant from some other area. You and your staff have a deep concern for the welfare of the Eagle Rock Community and adjoining areas. Through your newspaper, the voice of the people is echoed throughout the district.
May the Boulevard Sentinel continue to grow and operate at full speed ahead.
Subscribers: Wayne and Shirley Minser

Not Eagle Rock’s Image?
Can you please shed some light on how something like "Stop Suffering" can open its doors in the historic theater? Doesn't this seem completely against the image of Eagle Rock? Thanks
Well, you know "image" is not something present in the city code, it's not relevant in a legal sense. And it's tenant is a church, so freedom of religion enters into it. That site is a problem one as it was built before modern parking requirements, (it has none) so the possible uses are highly restricted (restaurant? almost impossible!) Why don't you buy it and do something with it you like? -editor

Retiring Worn Flags
A ceremony to properly retire worn American Flags will be held on June 14th,, at the American Legion Post 276, 2109 Merton Ave, Eagle Rock, at 7pm. If you have any questions, please contact the post commander, Ray Manning, at (323) 550-1407.

Miss Mindy’s Reviews

by Mindy Jones

Wisconsin is said to be famous for their cheese, but in my eyes (and many others) it's really the music that matters.
Wisconsin has been "home" to many great bands over the years, but this month we're going to focus on just one…Naked Aggression.
Naked Aggression is a "political punk band" that was born in Madison, Wisconsin and is now flourishing in our very own Highland Park.
Naked Aggression got their start way back in 1990, as a protest against the first Gulf War. The band was formed by guitarist Phil Suchomel and singer Kirsten Patches, who were both classical music students at the University of Wisconsin. After 2 years (and 2 E.P.'s), the band picked up, moved to California and nested in L.A.
Within 8 years, the band had released 3 full length albums ("Bitter Youth", "March March Along" and "The Gut Wringing Machine"), a live album and several compilations. Naked Aggression has toured the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico and has played benefits for many progressive organizations.
In 1996, Naked Aggression was featured in "The Decline of Western Civilization: Part III", a documentary about punk culture by Penelope Spheeris. The film went on to receive the Freedom of Expression Award at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.
While preparing for a tour in 1998, Naked Aggression came to a tragic end when Phil passed away due to complications from his chronic asthma. For five years, Kirsten mourned and tried her hands at other projects (like her previous band, Meet the Virus), but Naked Aggression was always her soul.
In 2003, when the second Gulf War began, Kirsten rose up and reformed Naked Aggression "in order to continue carrying on the message started over a decade ago under astoundingly similar geopolitical circumstances".
Naked Aggression is Kirsten Patches (Shirley Temple's Twisted Twin and lead vocals), Matt Florence (black leather pants and guitar), Aaron Austin (the 'fro and the drums) and Meghan Mattox (tattoos, dreads and bass). Since they've reformed, Naked Aggression has toured the U.S. and are currently working on a new and highly anticipated full length album.
This month, we will be going over some of Naked Aggression's "greatest hits" on a compilation entitled "Naked Aggression Recordings 1991-1994" which was released in 1998 on Broken Rekids.
This album contains 20 of the most raw, powerful and prophetic songs I've ever heard. Crashing cymbals, rolling drums, maniacally melodic guitar riffs, earth-moving bass and some of the greatest lyrics ever written. Kirsten's voice is like a sign of the times, warning us about the evils of the world and educating us about the abuses of the government…and everyone should listen up!
Here are just a few samples:
"They Can't Get Me Down"-"These are the best days of your life, Savor each moment, be glad to be alive, Make the most of the time you have left, You may never have it this good again…"
"Right Now"-"So much war, so much destruction, Lives are wasted for production, So much anger, so much hate, If things don't change the human race will end…"
"Plastic World"-"People are so quick to judge me, I do not care, I will not change for them, There's so much pressure to conform, I'd rather be dead than act fake and end up like them…"
"Silent War"-"You're being used by the rich, In order for the ruling class to keep power, The lower classes must be kept under control, They keep us uninformed and make it hard to survive, So we drown in apathy and don't question why…"
"Mind Control"-"If you think that you are free, You're only free to follow lies, Question all their propaganda, Don't let them control your mind, I know there are no easy answers, To all the problems that we must face, As the new world order sets in, The mind control will escalate…"
"Stop The Hate"-"The leaders promote this racial hatred, So we fight amongst ourselves not against them, Divided our cause is much weaker, If you want freedom racism must end, Stop the hate, Now…"
To find out more about Naked Aggression, visit www.nakedaggression.com and www.myspace.com/nakedaggression. Discover the truth for yourself.

Pushing for DASH
On Wednesday, May 25, the LA City Council's Transportation Committee met and continued to take testimony from area residents on the proposed expansion of DASH service in Los Angeles. The City Clerk's Office arraigned for the Committee to use the John Ferraro Council Chamber to accommodate the anticipated high turn out for this meeting. Again the North East Transportation Coalition was well represented at this meeting.
Chairman Villaraigosa presided over the meeting with Co-Chair Greig Smith. Committee member Tom La Bonge was absent. Others present were Adam Lid, Legislative Analyst for the Transportation Committee, Council Policy Staff Angela Ovalle.
Chairman Villaraigosa asked to hear Public Comment before he heard from the DOT. Several community members gave comment and opinion. West Joe (Silverlake Improvement Association), thanked the Survey Group for including their route in the list of recommended routes. Ronni Solman, gave reasons why the committee should give more weight to the recommendation from the community than the potential index indicator used by the DOT. Alicia Avalos, Parent Leadership Trainer for Nightingale; Gloria I. Arredondo, L.A. Bridges, Safe Passages Nightingale; and parents from Nightingale; spoke of the need for reliable and safe transportation for their students.
Steve Zimmer, Gloria Moya and other community members from Elysian Valley restated the dire need for the DASH service in their community. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation and Survey Group submitted their supplemental report which added two more routes to the proposed list of recommended routes.
Michael Davies along with Mary O'Melia presented the supplemental report and its recommendations to the committee. At one point during Mr. Davies presentation the Chair asked him directly if he had heard the concerns of the resident and that there must be a way found to make the route viable. Chair Villaraigosa directed the DOT to meet with and come up with a resolution by the next meeting which will be held on June 8.
During the final comments period, Everett Sarabia, Presidnet, Eagle Rock Valley Association, asked the Chair, "If the criteria for the potential index indicator had been altered by DOT to include 2 new routes then should not the Butterfly route be included as well?"
Mr. Sarabia gave assurances that his organization would help to promote and advertise the proposed northeast DASH system if only the committee would seriously consider recommending to the Full Council the northeast DASH Plan. Ronni Solman closed the session by reiterating recommendation that the Eagle Rock/Glasell Park Route be created first.
After the item had been continued, Mr. Davies and Ms. O'melia met briefly with Mr. Sarabia to discuss the issue of the Butterfly Route's viability. The result of that meeting was that the Survey Group would send to the Northeast Transportation Coalition 5 variations of the butterfly map for their consideration. Those maps have been received. The route variation that would have the best score would completely leave out the community of Cypress Park. Northeast Transportation Coalition has contacted Mr. Davies with a 6th alternative. We should know be June 1st if the DOT will give this alternative due consideration.
The community can still give input and offer opinion into the process. The date for the final hearing on DASH Routes is June 8th. The Northeast Transportation Coalition has recommended to the Chair's Office that the scheduled time of 2 pm, be changed to 4 pm. This would give parents from local schools an opportunity for come before the committee in person. We are waiting on a response from Council Policy Staffer Angela Ovalle of Councilmember Villaraigosa's office.
You can still send letters of support for the DASH PLAN to: The Transportation Committee Attn: Adam Lid, City Clerk Office Room 395, 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90012-4801 or fax your letter to:(213) 978-1079 For more information call (323) 254-3512 or email:net-c@adelphia.net

Teacher of Magic

by Tom Topping
Local Martial Arts Instructor Cultivates Youth with Skill and Philosophy
In my years of living in this community, I have had the pleasure of meeting many people. Still, it never fails to amaze me how many really competent, really tops-in-their-field folks I meet in Northeast L.A. Some, I've only met in passing, and others I've known for years.
I first heard about Mr. Michael Pecina when some good friends of mine were taking martial arts classes at his studio in Eagle Rock. There was really nothing much I remember about what they said about him, but it was clear they had the greatest amount of respect, admiration and affinity for him.
One of these friends was the youngest brother of a girl with whom I went to High School, and later became good friends with. He was always kind of a chubby kid, and good-natured to boot. Well, I noticed one day that the widest part of his body was moving. Yes, that big belly and hips were moving up into his chest and shoulders as the regular martial arts workout schedule was trimming the chubbiness and creating muscle where before there had been none.
He seemed happier, and more confident than ever. At that time, he was still a teenager, working as a box boy at Safeway market. One day, as the story goes, a criminal tried to rob the place. I don't know exactly what happened, but soon after Danny stepped in, the police were hauling away a criminal that had a broken arm, and I knew that Danny had put his training into use. I was fascinated at the transformation I was a witness too.
The other guys, more my age, in his class also seemed to always be healthy, happy and in good shape as well.
Their teacher, or Sensei, as they called him, turned out to be a man I got to know just a little. He often came to my apartment building to visit his girl friend, and we would exchange pleasantries as we'd pass in the hall. I knew he was a Martial Arts instructor, but to me he was quiet, polite and soft spoken Mike.
A few months ago when he called me to advertise his new location, I was absolutely shocked to learn what a giant he was in the field of Martial Arts. He trained Martin Kove for his role in the Karate-Kid. He worked with Steven Seagal. He's been featured in many martial arts publications, Inside Karate and Black Belt to name only two. Not just for show, but to inform those readers about some real ground-breaking work he had done in the discipline. "Wow!" I thought, "This guy is really famous!"
We sat down to talk the other week and, to tell you the truth, I understood very little of what he was talking about. Okinawa-Te-Budokan and Pentjak Silat are but two of the disciplines he had studied and now teaches. Don't ask me to pronounce it. Shihan Gordon Doversola and Guru Besar Rudy TerLinden, were but two of his teachers. Michael described TerLinden as a walking dictionary of Martial Arts, but to me, the walking dictionary of Martial Arts was the man I was sitting across from.
Finally, the conversation came around to something I understood. Young people, and the satisfaction one gets from being a positive influence on them.
I was riveted as Michael told his story about kids he trained in Highland Park. "I made all of them into champions," he declared, motioning toward the picture he keeps on the wall of his office showing a group of kids posing with trophies, some taller than they were. "I took them off the street and gave them an identity," he said. "Some of them, their families couldn't afford to pay tuition... I trained them anyway."
Well, maybe it's just me, but I had to fight back the emotion as he talked about the children he had helped before. I then started to realize that I was truly in the presence of a giant. A giant of an intellect, a giant in his profession and having a giant heart as well.
He explained that what he teaches is a combination of skills and disciplines. He teaches that there are many ways to achieve success at it. "Think of it like how many ways there are to get to ten by adding two numbers. The important thing is that you get there, it doesn't matter how." If I was ever to be interested in martial arts, I would be so thankful and proud to find people like Michael Pecina, tops in his field and so nearby, too. He takes students from eight to eighty, he said, and to try it, the first class is free.
There could be no better place than the Southern California Martial Arts Association for a parent to take their child to give it a try, because Michael, when he was only 7, ran out of his first Karate class as upset as a 7 year old could be. It was years before he stepped back into another one, and you can bet he'd never let that happen to of "his" kids, or to yours.

Airborne Asbestos Alert
by Doris Lau
I am Doris, President of York Hills Homeowners & Renters Association. I am advising all of our neighbors from the Northeast area to be careful. This weekend at a house located at 3921 W. Avenue 42, in the Eagle Rock Area, the new owners who bought this house decided to remove asbestos materials from it.
They did not pull the required special permit, or any permit at all. They just got a regular hauling truck to take all the asbestos to a landfill. They may have figured that since it was memorial weekend, none of us would be in town, so probably no one would report it, and by then, all the removal work would be done.
I was away, and when I came back and found out what was going on, that the owner thought that because it was the weekend no government office would be open to report this matter. On Sunday I contacted AQMD and within couple hours I had an inspector come and red tape the place.
Later that evening the owner showed up, removed the tape, and on Monday morning came back with the truck to try and finish removing the remainder of the tile. Robert, my husband, contacted the AQMD, the Los Angeles Fire Dept. Haz-mat Unit and the Los Angeles Police Dept. to come down and stop him from working. The AQMD was back on Tuesday, and they again red taped the property.
Now the truck has been impounded, and is sitting on the property. Also, the owners have been fined. I had Building and Safety come out to post notice on their property. The York Hills Homeowners & Renter Association will be holding a meeting this Thursday June 2, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at one of our neighbor's houses at 3920 W. Avenue 42 in Eagle Rock, to discuss this issue along with other crime and burgary in our area. I will have the representative from AQMD, L.A.P.D. Officer Galindo and Michael Cathey from CD 14 in our meeting. Anyone concerned or interested in attending please send me an e-mail.
Doris Lau - lau2001@webtv.net

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