and the walls came tumblin’ down

Eagle Rock, CA - July 16, 2002, 9:00 a.m. - The “magnificent” pylon sign was no match for the “claw” of the giant backhoe. Most adjacent businesses are happy to see the building go, along with the crime, homeless folks and graffiti. They anticipate crowds of shoppers to be attracted to the new development.

applied

approved

protested

appealed

denied

demolished

eyesore

crime-ridden

graffiti-laden

controversy
by Tom Topping
The Shopping Bag building is gone. After months of quarreling, a community divided over whether a vacant commercial building from the 40's should, could, or would be either restored or razed is, for the moment, at peace. At exactly 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, the "pylon" sign, described as "magnificent" was overpowered by the force of gravity and the force of the wrecking claw. Almost exactly two years had elapsed since developers first approached the city with their plans for a shopping complex that centered around a Walgreen's drugstore.
Preservationists argued that the "streamline moderne" architecture was significant enough to warrant saving it. Other community members considered it simply an eyesore and a magnet for crime and graffiti. The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission said it did not meet state criteria for historical landmark status. The city codes demanded that the alley be widened by 10 feet, no matter what.
Planning and Zoning approved the new plans for the site. The director of planning approved a modified plan after some community members objected to the first one. The resident association and two other preservation organizations appealed that decision. The East L.A. Planning Commission denied the appeal and upheld the approval. Then 14th District Councilman Nick Pacheco asserted jurisdiction over the project. Then, with a new modification to the plan, he supported it. The Los Angeles City Council approved it.
Now the Shopping Bag building is gone.
Nick Pacheco is also gone.
Also gone as President of the resident association is Joanne Turner. She had spearheaded the effort to preserve the building. Incoming President, powerful downtown lobbyest and former Chief of Staff to Councilman Richard Alatorre, Hillary Norton-Orozco said that it wasn't a loss for TERA. In their newsletter they said,"Because the battle has never been about a building. It's about development. Real development. Good development."
Looking forward to the completion of what they say is a really good development are the majority of adjacent business people, and local business leaders from the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce and NEAT (Northeast Awareness Team). It has been a long time since they celebrated a victory in a series of battles with the resident group over commercial development in Eagle Rock.

Museum Sign Dedicated
by Tom Topping
Last month, the landmark sign at the Los Angeles Police Historical Society Museum was dedicated. Community members, museum benefactors, volunteers and LAPD officials were on hand to celebrate the occasion.
The July 16 12:00 p.m. event was a well attended and well fed event, catered by Berrigans in Silverlake. Guy and Marion Martin, museum benefactors who paid for the majority of the sign, were recognized for their contribution. Mrs. Martin then christened the sign by breaking the Champagne bottle on the base of sign, which is also a planter.
The Los Angeles Police Historical Museum opened to public tours last March. Volunteer docents have been giving the tour every Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour, called "Behind the Badge: the LAPD Experience," is a work in progress with new exhibits being added regularly. The Police Historical Society has a huge collection of historical items and memorabilia, more than enough to fill the museum's future. Long range plans are to develop the back and side lots into a coordinated theme with the museum. In the back now are some vintage police vehicles, and a trailer to be a traveling "Behind the Badge" experience, reaching out to communities who may not be able to otherwise attend.
Currently, the Arroyo Arts Collective's art exhibition, "Without Alarm III" is on display in the jail rooms of the Historic Police station, open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The Police Historical Society Museum has become more and more an integral part of the Highland Park and Northeast Los Angeles communities, with the upstairs meeting room contributed for the use of both the Highland Park Neighborhood Watch and the Highland Park Neighborhood Council. The address is 6045 York Boulevard, and their telephone is (323) 344-9445.

Gold Line Adventure
by Tom Topping

That Gold Line was packed the first two days it was open. It was SRO- standing room only for nearly the entire weekend.
I should have known it would be, though. The day before, the VIP/Press opening played on every TV station in L.A. That, along with the message, "Ride free the first weekend," made it a sure bet to attract droves of people wanting to have a little weekend fun.
O K, so I was one of those people too. I have taken a few "Joyrides" on the other sections of the Metro Rail transit system in L.A., and while it isn't too useful for getting me to where I need to go, it's been great for a day's outing to Long Beach,
or the airport, (Yes, you can get to the LAX on it) Universal City or Downtown L.A. I was on that VIP train the day before, but I wanted to do my job as a newspaper man (journalist?) and ride with the real people who were trying it out for the very first time.
I got to Avenue 57 Station about 5:30 p.m. after parking a couple blocks away. They were just closing up the various food and community booths at that time as I walked right up onto the platform.
Hey.. No problem, right? No crowds at all. "This will be great," I thought. Here comes the train now. What the... The trains were jammed with people like sardines packed in a can. I rushed from door to door and finally edged into the last car. Men, women, kids, elders, baby carriages, wheel chairs, you name it. I could barely take it, so when we rolled up to the first north bound stop, Mission Street in South Pasadena, and I saw many food and vendor booths along the streets there I thought, 'Oh this is great. I'll just stop at every stop, check it out and then go on to the next one." I didn't notice the line of about a hundred people waiting to get on the train there.
The door opened I was ejected out just like a slug from a vending machine. I looked around for a while and after I had my fill of South Pasadena, I went back to the platform. Whoa! Look at that line! Since my car was in Highland Park, I didn't have much of a choice. I had to get back on that train. It was 6:20 when I got in line on the southbound side. At 7:30 I reached the platform. Train after train went by. Not one had any room to get on. Then I noticed that the northbound platform was completely empty. So I rushed back over, and got right on the next train.
I had heard the horror stories of people waiting for three hours to ride at either end of the line, Union Station and Sierra Madre Villa, so I stepped off at Allen Street, right in the middle of the 210 freeway. The southbound train had just pulled up so I stepped right in and found plenty of room.
The sky was just turning purple as we headed back to L.A. Everyone was calm and cheerful as we rode along. I started to relax and decided to go past Highland Park and turn around at one of the further stations.
There was a slight problem with the doors. When we pulled into the stations sometimes they didn't open. Or the front would open and not the back. Or the left side would open and not the right. I think that might be a major problem if you were trying to get to work on time.
It's now completely dark outside and we are crossing the L.A. river. Knowing that Union Station had that long wait, I got off at Chinatown. There are only about half a dozen people on the platform, so I walked around a bit to take in the sights. Suddenly, I realize that I am only a short block away from my favorite spot in China Town, the Grand Star. They have live Jazz there three night a week. It's 8:45 now and I'm feeling a bit grungy and stinky and thirsty! Man, would a cold beer taste good right now.
Two minutes later I'm sitting at the bar. I reflect on the evening's journey and decide that I am definitely going to do it again on Jazz Night.

Concerts in the Park
August 10
SUMMER SWING FEST
This community-wide celebration hosted by the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) features music by Swing Inc., dancing demonstrations, swing dance and costume contest, BBQ dinner for first 300 guests, prize giveaways and more. Bring family and friends and swing on down between 5 - 6 PM to enjoy a free hometown BBQ dinner and grab a spot on the stage lawn. Music and dancing from 6 - 8 PM.
This is the largest community summer party and you are our guest. Dust off your dancing shoes, bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a wonderful summer evening of music, dancing, food and fun.
Brought to you by the ERNC along with the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce. For more information contact 323/257-6381 or via e-mail at ERNC_Outreach@earthlink.net
August 24:
Nostalgic Big Band
and closing ceremonies
6 - 8 pm

Protestors marched and chanted at the Gold Line opening. They say more money should be spent on buses.

LETTERS

RE: Burglar Alarm Policy
Dear Mr. Caruso:
We are writing to communicate our support for the Police Commission's and Chief Bratton's position that the Los Angeles Police Department should have the flexibility to deploy officers more efficiently to protect the people and property of this City and stop responding to unverified false alarms.
Statistics kept by the Police Commission show that 15% of patrol time is spent responding to burglar alarm calls, of which more than 90% are determined to be false. Those false alarms consume department resources that should otherwise be devoted to reducing response time and stopping real crime.
The Burglar Alarm Task Force, City Council and Mayor have reviewed this matter for several months and through their hard work developed numerous alternatives. While we appreciate their efforts, we do not believe that these alternatives are workable, and are concerned that they may impose an additional bureaucratic burden on the department.
Given the City's and State's current fiscal climate, we believe that the policy approved in concept by the Police Commission at its June 17, 2003 meeting is appropriate. The alarm industry should move toward providing the additional support needed to eliminate the tremendous burden the current system places on law enforcement and the City's budget. As technological improvements are made, the Commission can revisit the policy at a later time.
Thank you for your leadership on this important issue. Sincerely.
ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA
JACK WEISS

Dear Tom,
I recently read in the Daily News (July 13.2003) a column by Dennis McCarthy entitled "Encino Woman Makes Mail Call Less Lonely. The article tells of the efforts of a very caring lady in Encino who sends letters and care packages to our military men and women in service in Iraq. What service person doesn't look forward to Mail Call when he or she is far away from home?
Realizing that some GIs seldom or never hear their name at Mail Call, Carolyn, a wife and mother of two teenagers contacted the director of the Bob Hope Hollywood USO and began her crusade. The USO gave her the names and addresses of those who could use a morale lift. Carolyn has sent out 295 packages since March to our service people. What a lady!!
I am reminded of Eagle Rock's own Katie (Karger) Smith who, like humanitarian Carolyn began sending homemade cookies packed in tins to our service men and women during the Vietnam War. Katie's son, Richard, served in that war and wrote to his mom regarding how lonely were some of our young men and women.
In sharing the cookies Richard's mom had sent to him, Katie would get thank you letters from the grateful men and women. So Katie recruited community volunteers to make and package cookies and write letters to help uplift the spirits of those who were serving our country.
Katie often tells stories of how many of our soldiers contacted her after the war to say thank you. Katie really gave a lot of herself during that time - - - Katie lost her beloved son Richard to the war.
Katie is now a resident of the Solheim Lutheran Home here in Eagle Rock. Her memory is somewhat clouded these days. but she can sure remember about her boys and girls in the service and those cookie making days.
God bless Katie of Eagle Rock and Highland Park. Old-timers like me will always be grateful for the service and generosity of our Dear Katie!!
Just a note: Katie and her husband~ J.P. Smith were in business together as owners of the former Bragg and Smith Reality.
Shirley A. Minser

Dear Mr. Topping,
Here is an idea for the "commercial district."
If we need to have slanted parking spaces to maximize parking space, while at the same
time raising extra revenue, the key is keeping traffic moving while people are parking.
The best way to accomplish that is to provide, along with enough automobile parking,
enough alternative ways of reaching here.
If you have driven down Brand Blvd. in Glendale on a friday night between the freeway
and Colorado Blvd., it can be quite an adventure, waiting for the car in front of you, while they
wait for someone else to leave. there are only two traffic lanes available, and not that much room to maneuver in and out of your parking space.
However, to succeed, Colorado blvd. would have to be reduced to two traffic lanes also, and I believe the resulting gridlock would not be met with a positive reaction from many residents.
Therefore, alternative transportation becomes a key to this plan. By providing a fun, useful, ecologically feasible means of reaching here, we will be able to maintain a small town feel, while still being far-sighted enough to realize that the continued popularity counts on being able to shift with the times.
If there are only going to be two traffic lanes and slanted parking spaces, then there also needs to be a bike lane available. This lane would not only be available to bicycles, but also other personal transportation, like motorized scooters, segways, skateboards, and the like. Mandate a helmet law, speed limits, reflectors, and better street lighting.
Looking at the Blvd., it's not as wide as Brand Blvd., so it might not be possible. We should not remove the center medians, they could be turned into community property, for vegetation only, nothing man-made.
Instead of decreasing the amount of bus stops along the Blvd., maintain or increase the amount, making sure to use the dash bus line as the central mode. Explore the option of a "resident" pass for a flat fee per whatever.
For the alternative transportation, requirements should include bike racks, charging stations for electric vehicles, theft security, and a comfortable walking around atmosphere.
As far as security, why not go overboard? House-arrest type locks for personal transportation, either in each business, a public parking lot, or both. While providing security personnel on the Blvd., unobtrusively. Or partner with the LAPD. Get them involved with the community.
What else? I'll leave that up to you. My job is to start the debate. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Glenn Tritch
P.S. I reserve the right to amend this letter any time I damn well please. Legally.

Tom,
Did you see the misinformation in TERA's recent e-letter regarding the Walgreen's development?
They tell people that the One Day building is going to be replaced by a parking lot, when in fact there is going to be a Starbuck's sitting on Colorado Blvd. according to what I hear.
Are you going to challenge them on that and you should point out that the development has been completely approved by the City and Councilmember Villaraigosa can't change it for TERA.
Your Neighbor
Moses Arteaga

Hey Moses,
I have found it to be ill-advised to challenge such a powerful and prestigious organization, so I most definitely would not want to do that. But the truth is that you are only partly right and the e-letter info is also partly right.
Most of the footprint of the old building will be part driveway, part parking lot. A small section of the new building that will face Colorado Blvd. will be on the old building's footprint.
Also, as far as I've heard, while there are many prospective tenants interested in that space, no tenants are confirmed yet. It is true that Councilmember Villaraigosa cannot reverse prior City Council approval of a project. But he has met with developers and asked them to be open to community input when it comes to architectural and landscaping details, which they agreed to.
But you may want to consider another claim in a recent e-letter about the Shopping bag building. They wrote, "...the magnificent pylon sign, a sign that was considered significant to the Route 66 era of Eagle Rock's history in 1948. For those of you who don't know, Route 66 originally came west on Colorado Boulevard and turned south at Eagle Rock Boulevard."
This is also only partly true. Because I have received much Route 66 information from my membership in the National Historic Route 66 Federation, I can tell you that Route 66 did come west on Colorado Blvd and turn south on Eagle Rock Blvd. But it was only a temporary alignment during the thirties. It was not the original route. It followed that path for about a year during the revamping of the intersection of North Figueroa and Colorado Blvd on the eastern edge of Eagle Rock. The intersection of Eagle Rock and Colorado ceased to be Route 66 long before Shopping Bag was even thought of. (In its history Route 66 had about 7 different alignments between Pasadena and Los Angeles. Most of the time the route was on or near Pasadena Avenue, North Figueroa and the Arroyo Seco Parkway.)

Robert Shoop 1956-2003
On July 6, 2003, Robert Shoop, son of Byron and Doris Shoop, an Eagle Rock native, passed away in his sleep. Robert became well-known to the community after being part of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Formation Committee. He is survived by his mother Doris, wife Karen, two brothers, Randal and Richard, sister Claudia Laveny, son Brandon and daughter Kristin.
He had gone to Dahlia Heights and Eagle Rock Elementary Schools, and graduated from Eagle Rock High School. Later, he graduated from UCLA and then attended Southwestern Law School, before becoming a lawyer. We all appreciated Robert's calm and thoughtful demeanor as well as his training as an attorney in helping craft the By-Laws as well as procedures for holding elections for the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council.
His wife of ten years, Karen, remembers him as a wonderful person - a wonderful husband and father. He loved outdoor activities, like camping, snow skiing and water skiing. He used to go to San Diego every year to watch the boat races. He also developed a love for Hawaii, vacationing there many times.
I had never met Robert before he joined in to help the Neighborhood Council. But after seeing him in action in a group I normally have only wavering confidence in, I was much relieved. The bylaws he helped create truly reflect the theme of "Responsible and Inclusive" that all Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils are supposed to follow, and we have him to thank for that. He was 47.

Friends of Cypress Park
When Marcus Gutierrez stopped at the Cypress Park Community Garden to pull a few weeds that sprang up, Celia Ramirez and Manuel Castro saw him, and stopped to help.
The intersection of Pepper and Cypress has never looked so friendly. Manuel is a Police Explorer from Northeast Division and Celia and Marcus are with the “Friends” of Cypress Park group.

Eagles Events
Ladies Breakfast Aug 3
The Ladies Auxiliary will have their monthly breakfast on August 3. This month’s menu includes Eggs any style, bacon, sausage, ham, hash brown potatoes, biscuits & gravy. It will be served from 9 AM - Noon and the cost is $5
The Mens Breakfast will be on Sunday August 17, also from 9 to 12
The Fraternal Order of Eagles is a great place to make friends. Call us at 323 257-8869 to find out about becoming a member. The Eagle Rock club is at 1596 Yosemite Drive at Townsend in Eagle Rock.

Community Clean-Up
Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council invites all stakeholders to join in an impromptu clean-up of the Southwest corner of La Loma Road & Figueroa Street Saturday, August 2, from 8-11am.
The part of La Loma Road that runs between Von's and Sav-On, just west of Figueroa has become a dumping ground and a real eyesore and the intersection has gotten significantly worse in the past couple of weeks.
Operation Clean-Sweep will deliver rakes, shovels, hoes, garbage bags, paint &
brushes (for graffiti covering) etc., all we need is YOU!
Coffee & Donuts provided, please bring your families and some gardening gloves if you prefer to wear them. Please pitch in this Saturday - it is short notice, but a few hours will make a huge difference and your community needs your help.

National Night Out
Please join your neighbors at the National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5, 6:30 p.m. It is America's night out against crime. The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council in partnership with Eagle Rock Neighborhood Watch and Occidental College host this national event which takes place on a local level to promote safe streets through drug free and crime free neighborhoods. They will meet at Eagle Rock City Hall.
At this free family and community event, 14th District Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa and other invited speakers will provide suggestions and resources on how to make Eagle Rock streets safer. Free fingerprinting for children, crime prevention demonstrations, casual dinner, and music will be provided.

Eagle Vista Seniors
On August 5, the Eagle Vista Seniors Board meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m., followed by the regular meeting at 10 a.m. Birthday cake will be served to honor members who have August birthdays.
August 12 brings a trip to the Lawernce Welk Resort Theatre. After lunch members will enjoy a live performance of "Sound of Music." The bus will leave from Eagle Vista Recreation Center at 9:00 a.m. and will return approximately at 6:30 p.m. The rip will cost $59.50.
On August 19 Glyniss Anthony, one of the members, will give a talk about a craft she enjoys. These occasional talks by members are reminders of how diverse the club is and what interesting people belong to it.
Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in the Eagle Vista Recreation enter, 1100 Eagle Vista Dr. unless otherwise noted.

Highland Park Resident, David Hall was recognized for his masonry work at the sign dedication ceremony. He worked on the planter that he is standing on. A champion surfer, he also builds custom skateboards. Here he shows off his award along with his craftsmanship.

Happy Fiftieth

Charles Sr. & Eileen Hall
On July 18th, Charles Sr. and Eileen Hall celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. They got married while attending Franklin High School in 1953. Eileen is a true native of Los Angeles having been born on Drew Street in Glassell Park. Eileen was the youngest of eight children.
In 1941, Eileen's Mother Goldie, and her father H. F. Bailey, with their five children moved to Highland Park and purchased their home at 5717 Baltimore street where Eileen grew up. She attended Yorkdale Elementary, Luther Burbank Middle School, and Franklin High School.
Charles grew up in the Cascades in Washington State. Charles's mother Bernice had family living here in Los Angeles and talked them into moving to Highland Park in October of 1951.
While living at 5736 Baltimore Street he met his bride-to-be right at his front door. Since they got married they have lived in three different houses on the 5700 block of Baltimore Street. After being married three years they started their family of six children. Charles worked at Lockheed in Burbank and then spent some 22 years in the moving industry for Lyon Moving and Storage Company here in Los Angeles.
Later he worked for Calif. Fresh Pac as a night supervisor and then Dixon Boiler Works to run the shipping department. While working there he attended LA Trade Tech College to study Steam Plant Engineering. Later, he taught classes in boiler safety and on manufacturing boilers. He retired as sales manager to write engineering bulletins for steam plant personnel and to coach basketball at Christian Schools in Highland Park. In his spare time he preaches at Emmanuel Baptist Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles.
As a housewife, Mrs. Hall sewed all of the clothes for the children until the boys were in junior high she continued to sew most of the girl's dresses through high school. While the children attended Yorkdale, Eileen served in the PTA. She also served as a den mother for the Cub Scouts and later Patrol mom as her boys became Boy Scouts. She went on to work in PTA at Luther Burbank and Franklin High. For her many years of service to the PTA she was awarded Life membership.
After her oldest daughter graduated from high school she went to work as a receptionist at Northeast Newspapers. While there, she worked in classified and legal ads and the layout department. When the paper was sold she was invited to work for the Glendale News Press.
After working there three months as the secretary to the Asst. Publisher she was honored as the employee of the month. She became the layout person for the paper and when the LA Times bought out the paper she was recruited to transfer to California Community Newspaper's, a company that is owned by the Times. After working there about two years she was promoted to office manager.
Today Eileen is working at the new plant in customer service in Irwindale. In Eileen's spare time on Sundays you can find her singing in the church choir or singing in a woman's quartet or trio at Grace Baptist Church in San Gabriel. During the week, after work, you will find her working in her yard. Her pride and joy is her seven grand children and one great grand daughter... so far.
Congratulations Charles and Eileen Hall on fifty years as Husband and Wife. May you have many more.

Cultural Center Events
reception for Roberts/Ulrich
The Eagle Rock Community Cultural Association (ERCCA) invites the public to a reception celebrating the most recent work by artists Wm. Neil Roberts and Christopher Ulrich. Both of these artists specialize in creating narrative visual forms, and the exhibition will include portraits, botanicals, landscapes, and abstract landscapes. An accomplished harpsichordist and harpsichord teacher, Mr. Roberts brings a sense of musicality to his work. Mr. Ulrich's work plays with symbols, both contemporary and mythic to illustrate both ancient and modern conflict.
The reception will feature harpsichordist, Suzanne Shapiro, and flutist, Anthony Brazier. Refreshments will be provided. Please come and join us in celebrating these artists! The event is on August 3rd, from 1 to 4 pm.
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 Lui or Jenny at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, 323.226.1617. The Center is located near the corner of Eagle Rock Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard at 2225 Colorado Blvd.

Art Luck Exhibition
The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is having its third annual Art Luck Exhibition featuring "Contemporary Art Works Honoring Hispanic Heritage." All artist are invited to showcase their artwork. This exhibition is a fundraiser for the center. All fees will benefit the Center's Arts Programming for children and adults. The exhibition is open to all artists. there is a fee of $15 donation per artwork. The theme is Hispanic Heritage. Please submit artworks that reflect your artistic understanding of the Hispanic/Latino culture that has influenced the United States. It is open to drawing, painting, photography, mixed media and assemblage.
Hand deliver artwork to the Center at 2225 Colorado Blvd., on August 28,29, or 30th 11:00-6:00pm. Submitted work must remain in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition. 100% of all sales of artworks will go to the artist.
Work can not be larger than 24x24 inches in any direction. All 2D work must be ready for hanging. If you have any further questions, please contact Ms. Alex Carrillo at (323)226-1617 Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00pm.

Oiga- Emerging Voices
from L.A.'s visual art scene
The Avenue 50 Studio and the 4th Annual Latin Alternative Music Conference ("LAMC") will team up to present fresh visual art and Latin music for an event entitled, Oiga. This celebration of youthful L.A. style features the quirky, comic inspired work of emerging visual artists Aaron Martinez, Ronald J. Llanos, Brendan Monroe, and Robert Bellm —and a free concert by East L.A. Sabor Factory and Domingo Siete.
· LAMC concert: Saturday, August 16, 3 – 6 p.m. East L.A. Sabor Factor, Domingo Siete, followed by spinning by DJ Phillip Charles.
· Artists' reception: follows concert on August 16, from 6 – 9 p.m.
· Exhibition dates: August 2 – August 31. Jennifer Rowland, formerly of Gallery Figueroa, has curated this show.
· Address: 131 N. Avenue 50, Highland Park, CA 90042
· Gallery phone: (323) 258-1435
· Hours: Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For artist line-ups, schedules, online information, and Conference registration, go to www. LatinAlternative.com. For sponsorship and registration, call (818) 763-1397

Mt Washington CD
The Mount Washington Elementary School Chorus has produced their first CD!
There are 10 memorable songs that are fun to sing along with: "DO RE MI", "YOU'VE GOTTA HAVE HEART", "SHALOM CHAVERIM", "HELLO MUDDAH, HELLO FADDAH" to name just just a few. The chorus, under the direction of Lia Hayes and Mary Gaillard, is open to all the children of Mount Washington - and is famous for its interpretations of jazz standards by the likes of Ella, Mingus and Ellington by strong young voices!
The price for the CD is $10.00 All profits from the sale of the CD will go to fund afterschool activities for all the children.
Please contact Mary Gaillard at 323/223-9071 or Lia Hayes at 323/224-1835 to purchase CDs. You can also contact Mary at her E-mail address m.gaillard@ mindspring.com to place your order.
This is a PTA sponsored project and all checks should be made out to
THE MOUNT WASHINGTON PTA.
 

20th Century Fair
20th Century Women's Club is sponsoring a Holiday Boutique and Craft Fair on November l5, 2003. It will take place at the Women's Club House located at 5l05 Hermosa Ave. in Eagle Rock (corner of Hermosa Ave. & Colorado Blvd.) Reserve your space early and save. Call Lois Shilts at (323) 257 5262 for information. Tom, call me if you have questions.
Thanks,
Lois Shilts
 

"Flor y Canto" Events:
Thursday July 31st: A discussion with Sylvere Lotringer "If you missed last month's Art Talk Art lecture and discussion with Sylvere Lotringer, you have a second chance to talk with him, and in a more informal setting. Lotringer is one of the founders of the seminal Semiotext(e) press collective, and has been regarded as the person who, with his translations, brought post-structuralist thought to America. We will be discussing the reissue of Autonomia: Post-Political Politics (1980) and Paolo Virno's Grammar of Multitude."

Career Day at Optimist
From medical industry practitioners to home improvement store managers, Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services is seeking a broad range of business professionals to participate in its Career Day Thursday, August 14 (10 a.m. – noon) at its Highland Park campus (6957 N. Figueroa St.).
About 200 at-risk teenagers from Optimist's residential treatment program and community youth involved in its day treatment will participate in the two-hour event, which is designed to provide youngsters with valuable and insightful information that will help them formulate their career goals once they leave the agency's care.
"Giving our youngsters the best shot at becoming successful adults has been part of our mission for 97 years," Silvio John Orlando, executive director of Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services. "We hope that the business community will come out and support our efforts by exposing these kids to the wide variety of opportunities available to them."
Organizations confirmed to attend include: Art Institute of California, Chase College, Glendale Fire Dept., L.A. Job Corps Center, Right Management/Consultants, Ross Business Institute, Spectrum Yarn Sales, U.S. Army and Vanguard University.
Interested businesspeople should contact Roberta Iannazzo at (323) 443-3128 or exeoffice@oyhfs.org <mailto:exeoffice@oyhfs.org> to participate or received more information.

Optimist at-risk-youth Program
A new Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services (OYH&FS) monitoring and support services program is beginning to pay dividends for the at-risk youth who have graduated from the agency's comprehensive care and treatment.
Through a contract with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, OYH&FS is able to stay connected with its former wards, providing individual and family therapy, employment counseling and job placement, and equipping them with the tools to become self-sufficient adults.
Promising new data from the program's first 18 months show that 84% of the emancipated youngsters have finished high school, are continuing their education and securing and retaining jobs in the community.
Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services is one of the region's largest private agencies that treats troubled youngsters in probation systems from throughout California. Accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services, it provides comprehensive treatment, specialized education and support services to abused, neglected and at-risk youngsters.
Currently 80 youngsters ages 12 to 18 years participate in the voluntary program that works to keep them in school, developing healthy family relationships and avoid recidivism. They live in Los Angeles County and were formally in the agency's residential treatment, group homes, day treatment and foster care. OYH&FS's goal is to eventually reach 120 annually.
"The first 90 days after leaving Optimist's care and being released from the probation system holds the greatest risk of slipping back," said James Gibson, who leads the program. "So I am filled with pride every time one of our kids secures a job in the community, continues schooling and most importantly, stays in contact with us so we can provide a continuum of care and services."