Boulevard Sentinel
VOLUME XI ISSUE 4
News and Views
for Northeast Los Angeles
August 2007
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GARVANZA SKATEPARK OPENS Highland Park/ Garvanza Skate Park Officially Opens
An experienced skater shoots the bowl at the grand opening of the Garvanza/ HP Skatepark. The park was made possible by the work of the so many people, including CD14 Councilman José Huizar, who secured the final needed funding. The long anticipated Highland Park / Garvanza Skate Park was officially opened to skaters on July 27, 2007. It was a beautiful day to go skate-boarding, as dozens of kids from the surrounding neighborhoods showed up to give it a try. City officials, neighborhood leaders, the Franklin High School Cheer Squad and, of course, the City Councilman were all there to join the opening festivities. The skate park was the culmination of more than 10 years of organizing and advocating by the community, who formed the Skatepark Coalition, some seven years ago. They were there to celebrate and receive acknowledgment for their efforts as well. It is a state-of-the-art facility, designed by skate boarding professionals, some who exhibited their skating skills on this day for the many photographers who attended. The skatepark is a 12,000 square foot facility, and includes a 2,600 foot children's play area and cost approximately 1.9 million dollars to complete. As I locked my car door and walked toward the scene, I was impressed by the number of kids there, mostly young boys. Most were carrying their skateboards and helmets, and wearing black jeans and t-shirts, like many skaters seem to do. About every one from the civic community in Highland Park was there to witness the opening, and the place was crawling with elected officials and their representatives. Brad Smith, Chief Deputy City Engineer explained about the project. "What you see in front of you is the culmination of about 4 years of planning, design, and now the last stage that everyone can see, the construction of an in-ground skatepark." He told me that these facilities are the most heavily used recreation facilities in the city aside from the use of summer time swimming pools. Rosa Rivas, a Garvanza parent, is the person given much of the credit for starting the push for the local skatepark. I asked her for her thoughts on this day. "I want to say thank you to the three councilmen that made this possible. Nick Pacheco called me in December 2000, and said, 'I found a site!' I met him out here and we looked and we kinda agreed to (build) it here. "Then we had Villaraigosa, he put more money into the Skatepark. And finally, thanks to José Huizar who worked on it last, we were able to accomplish this in a period of seven years. I also want to mention the (skatepark) Coalition, Heinrich Keiffer, Nancy Wyatt, Irene Alaniz, Linda Phelps and Michele Harnsberger. The neighbors had their ups and downs, but the majority agreed that it would be nice to have a skatepark here." CD 14 Councilperson José Huizar said, "I got elected to serve this community about a year and a half ago, and the week after I was sworn in, the (skatepark) Coalition walked into my office and said, 'Mr. Councilman, we've been waiting for this skatepark for years. I said, 'OK, what's wrong with that? We've got to support our kids and our community.' They said, 'We need additional funding. we're short about $452,000.'" "So, working with the coalition we were able to identify the funding from the city CDBG (community development block grants), and now here we are, ahead of schedule, seven months after the ground breaking." "I love ground breakings but ribbon cuttings are even better," Mr. Huizar said. He added, "I want to thank the coalition for their tenacity, their focus, and some of these community members, whenever I saw them, they reminded me every time, 'Where is the park? How are we doing? Let's move forward.'" Coalition member Michelle Harnsberger spoke and said it was, "An incredible combination," that brought the skatepark together. She talked about how, 25 years ago, she was one of the few girl skaters, and acknowledged the Tony Hawk Foundation who also helped in process to get the skatepark built. Brad Smith, Chief Deputy City Engineer added, "Kids, you're going to see this facility... it got here from engineers and architects doing it. 20 years from now, give back to the community! You be an architect, You be the engineer! You can do it!" The gathering moved over to the gated entrance of the facility. After I got inside I was mesmerized by the "swimming pool" portion of the skatepark. The sides go straight down. It's six feet deep at the shallow end. I am awestruck as the more experienced skaters tackle the vertical walls. They shoot around, and then up, hanging in mid-air. 35 years ago I would have wanted to try it. A lot of discussion and planning went into the Garvanza/Highland Park Skatepark. What was originally intended to be a lack luster above ground park that skaters would soon tire of and use no more, turned into a first class- state of the art place where even the most experience skater can find a challenge. Skater Ben Harris said, after he tried it out, "I give it a high 7 or an 8." The new skate park is number 8 in the City of Los Angeles. The rules on membership are typical. Membership must be obtained prior to participating in open skate. To obtain membership: • Skaters under 18 years of age must have a waiver signed by parent/legal guardian prior to participating. • Skaters 18 years and older must sign a waiver prior to participating. • Membership costs: - Under 18 years $1.00 a month (unlimited skating during open skate) - 18 years and older $ 5.00 a month (unlimited skating during open skate) * Skateboards and roller blades are allowed. ** Helmets, knee, and elbow pads must be worn by every skater-- otherwise, citations will be issued.
Reception for New Police Captain
A meet and greet to welcome Captain José Perez, as the new Captain of the Northeast Division L.A.P.D., was held on July 17, at the 20th Century Women's Club in Eagle Rock. The hall was decorated beautifully and was attended by community members from Eagle Rock and Highland Park and more. Captain Perez himself said, "I said to my wife, I feel like I'm at our wedding, because of the reception here, except I'm sober." It was a lot more than he expected, but everybody seemed to want to know the man they would be depending on for so much in the near future. He talked about how it was a great division to command and that it would be a good place to try out new ideas to reach out to the communities, because it was a changing area and the demographics were changing., He said, " I'm not going to write you a check I can't cash, and what I mean by that is I'm not going to tell you we'll be able to do something that we're not able to do." He also stated that although officers can't get there very quickly, he wants us to know that they still care. Councilman Huizar said, "We know and Captain Perez will be the first to tell you that we cannot arrest our way out of crime. It really takes the community to be involved, and it takes us supporting the youth development programs that help us show kids that there's better things to do in our community rather that get involved with gangs and rather that get involved with negative activity in our communities." Captain Perez is originally from Chicago, and moved to Los Angeles when he had had enough of the Chicago winters about twenty years ago.
Cindy’s-oops!
Neighbors said that a truck with three inebriated passengers crashed into Cindy's Coffee Shop on Sunday, July 15 at about 3 a.m. It was reported to this paper that the driver left the scene and was later caught, but that had not been confirmed by press time. The wall, windows, booths and lunch counter at the west end of the restaurant were all destroyed in the crash. A single Lexus hubcap was left inside the business. Repairs to the building are nearing completion, which should re-open in another week or two. An unrelated accident days just 33 hours earlier damaged another local restaurant, Pete's Blue Chip, when a middle aged woman lost control of her car at around 6 pm that Friday evening, damaging the wall and two of the glass panels.
Thanks for Ten Years- but We're Not Done Yet! Thank you again to all my friends who joined me for the ten year anniversary party of the Boulevard Sentinel. It was all at once wonderful and embarrassing to be the center of attention. I cringed when I heard stories of my colorful adolescent past. And I cried when my mother gave me her journalism pin from High School. But I was touched by all the love and the nice things you had to say about me. Not many people ever get a day like that one I had. It was the greatest day of my life. I was a little upset when I saw that the invitations had gone out to "Honor Tom Topping" when I thought it was supposed to be an invitation to celebrate with me ten years of publishing the Boulevard Sentinel. But over 100 people joined me at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club anyway, some who really did want to honor me, I guess, so I'll just have to accept it. We had a couple of drinks and six different varieties of tacos, every one delicious, and got to hang out with some really good friends, each one of them delicious as well. Thanks again to all the people who helped put on the party, the crew from NEAT (north east awareness team). Dee Mc Donough of Dee's New Image Salon, Ursula Brown of Brown Properties, Ray Patel of the Welcome Inn, and especially Ricardo Antunez of RANTZ Auto. Thanks also to Maureen Blatt, Daryl Medine and John Stillion, who helped with inviting folks and decorating the Eagles Hall. Thanks also to the Eagles Club and the Ladies Auxiliary who made possible the use of the club. And thank you to our old friend Linda Herbert who, hands down, was the best mistress of ceremonies that a party could ever have. And thank you- everyone- for helping me in one way or another over the years. You just don't know how sometimes I really needed that word of encouragement you gave. You don't know how often that last ad you bought just barely put me over the top from losing money that month so I could break even. You were the ones who made the difference between success and failure that month. But I want to thank those who have criticized me over the last ten years as well. If you were one of the critics, and you criticized to help bring me up, you succeeded. If you criticized because you wanted to put me down, you failed because it ended up helping me anyway. But thanks all the same. Now we are entering a new phase in Northeast L.A. After ten years, we are no longer the upstart, the squeaky wheel, the fly in the ointment. We're now the establishment. We're now the mainstream. We are now the benchmark that others will try to meet or exceed. So the roles are reversing. But the commitment remains the same. The Boulevard Sentinel was started to protect and give voice to the small business community, first in Eagle Rock, and then all of Northeast L.A. It was, and is, our stock in trade. We are proud of that commitment, and are unapologetic about it. The name itself said it then as it does now. A sentinel is a guardian- it is someone who stands watch. We are the protectors of the boulevard merchants. We started to protect and fight for local merchants and we continue that no matter what. We do not do exposés on local merchants. We do not harm them. We DO take on their issues. We DO take their side. We DO walk the streets door to door to help them organize to fight any foe, from ADA lawsuit scammers, to misguided resident associations, to non-thinking city bureaucracies, tp myopic planning deputies. We are only here to help you. Businesses that have come in here in the last few years may not see the need or importance of doing that. They came here when the environment was pretty good for business. They don't know what it's like to be under attack, with no voice in the matter. They have not seen their best friend lose his home because of it. They have no idea how bad it can get. A handful of the newer businesses do know. They've seen the Boulevard Sentinel in action. They know how helpful we can be, and they do support us. They are the back bone that will support the Boulevard Sentinel through the next ten years. They know that as long as I'm here, they've got a friend. So please support the Boulevard Sentinel. Please help me so I can continue to help you. Sincerely, Tom Topping
Cypress Park Celebrates Graduating Seniors
The Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council (GCPNC) held a special session last month, to recognize and celebrate the Cypress Park Students graduating High School. The celebrated students were: Jose A. Cambero, Enedino Marquez, Enrique J. Guzman, Luis Alvarez, Francisco Javier Solis Raygoza, Marina Villarreal and Garnet Reyes. Cypress Park High School graduates received certificates from Ed Reyes & Kevin DeLeon and 2 books from the NC. The GCPNC Board also created 2 banners that will hang in the Cypress Park Library and at the Cypress Park Community Center. The banners will read: "The Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council recognizes you as an inspiration to the community," and lists all the graduate's names and the high schools they graduated from. They plan to do this every year and hope that younger kids will see the banners and desire to see their names up there when they graduate. The GCPNC feels that it's just one small thing, but all the small things add up - and hopefully, more kids will want to graduate because of it.
Valery, You'd be Stunned to See all the Changes! An old friend of mine from Eagle Rock found the Boulevard Sentinel website, e-mailed me to say hello and asked about the deterioration of Eagle Rock, as she had last been here about ten years ago. As I started to reply about all the positive changes in Eagle Rock in the last five years, I realized it would make an interesting article. Dear Valery, You'd be surprised, no... stunned, at the amount of change to hit Eagle Rock in the last ten years and especially the last five. Gentrification is in full swing, and it's generally regarded as a positive thing. There are so many new businesses that have come in. Coffee houses are so in abundance now that two of the lesser ones had to close due to the competition. The first to come in was privately owned SWORK coffee house, which occupies the old Rexall Pharmacy space right at the corner of Eagle Rock and Colorado. Our old neighborhood bar, Topper's, is now the higher end "Chalet", and the old "Harley House" is now the top rated "Cafe Beaujolais" French restaurant. The owners of Beaujolias opened Beaujolias Bolangerie, a French bakery (now called La Petite) where they served foo-foo coffee, pastries, breakfast and lunch. Right up from there, the old Stapp's auto is now "Fatty's" which started as a coffee place and now is another high end restaurant. A fun spot is the Colorado Wine company on Colorado near Eagle Rock, where they have wine tastings on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. The tastings come complete with a selection of interesting crackers and cheeses at no extra cost. Jim's Burgers is now the "Oinkster". It's a medium priced high end fast food place (lunch and dinner) with house cured pastrami, angus burgers, rotisserie chicken and "Belgian" (?) fries as well as a beer and wine license to go with it. Luckily, the owner of Oinkster allowed the popular monthly "Eagle Rockin' Rodders" hot rod cruise-in to continue their regular last Saturday of the month car culture event, as Jim's had for so many years. After a handful of private coffee places opened, Starbucks moved in- and now there's two. The other is inside Von's Market up on Figueroa. Another is planned to go in near Sparklett's Water Company by York and Eagle Rock Blvd's. Two new Vietnamese restaurants have opened, first the Blue Hen and just recently Lemongrass - both very good. This may be hard to believe, but Eagle Rock now has its own Sushi restaurant, "Mia Sushi" is located down near the old "Pat and Lorraine's coffee shop", which is still doing well itself. Rudy Martinez, the owner of "Mia", recently purchased the old "El Chubasco" bar on York Boulevard, and made it into "Marty's" a super classy bar that serves $13 kobe burgers, salads and other treats put together by a gourmet chef, complete with white uniform, French accent and all. Every Friday night is the Eagle Rock farmer's market located by the American Legion right next to St. Dominic's. They have fresh organic produce, crafters and gourmet international food vendors. It's a great place to hang out on a Friday evening. Newer street trees have now taken good root along Colorado Blvd. and are looking nice. Every summer since 1997 brings an outdoor "concert in the park" series at Eagle Rock Park. This year they put on 7 Sunday evening performances through July and August. 50's, 60's, and 70's rock, Latin Jazz Salsa, a Santana cover band, a Beatles look-alike sound-alike band, and two big bands fill out the program. New retail businesses include a few interesting gift shops, vintage women's clothing, the extreme fitness work out gym (think urban boot camp), a pottery studio where people take lessons, and of course, the Old Library, which is now the "Eagle Rock Center for the Arts" where all kinds of great art music and culture stuff is going on. WHEW! All this has occurred mostly in the last five years, and new improvements are making their way into Highland Park as well. They recently got their first coffee house, and just last week a million dollar top-flight skateboard park was opened with the appropriate hoopla to go with it. Oh yeah, also every month is the second Saturday of the month art gallery night stretching from Eagle Rock to Cypress Park and back up through Highland Park. About 12 to 18 galleries participate. (it's the perfect cheap date with plenty of free food!) There's even an organized Gallery bicycle tour that goes along with the Gallery Night. Near the new Marty's on York is the re-modeled Dragon, now called the "York", which is now about the hippest nightspot around, and as much a "meat market" as any 20-something or 30-something could ask for. Over on Figueroa, the Gold Line light rail has given the old downtown Highland Park area a boost, as well as the venerable Mr. T's (the old T-Bowl), where people come from all over the place to hear 4 to 8 live bands on any given night. Close by over there is the "Little Cave", which is one of those super dark bars in the latest style. As I have taken a liking to Jazz in my mid-life, my favorite spot is the old Colombo's Italian Steakhouse, (I live nearby) where I can listen to live Jazz 7 nights a week. The best night is the Monday Night "Celebrity Jam" session with Erik Ekstrand and his friends. It's always good, but sometimes the most incredible Jazz musicians and singers show up and it is just magic what happens... musically speaking, too! Luckily, there are still places to go for us old Eagle Rockers, as Cindy's restaurant, Pete's Blue Chip, Tommy's Taco Bell and Ernie Jr's are still going strong. We also have a new donut shop near Trader Joe's that has a variety of croissants, bagels, sandwiches and ice cream. It has become the hub of the community. Perhaps the most awesome event in the old town is the yearly Eagle Rock Music Festival. Usually scheduled for the first Saturday in October, (October 6 this year) they actually close off Colorado Boulevard for six blocks and set up stages right in the street, as well as having bands playing inside the 20 or so participating business locations. Last year was the biggest ever, drawing approximately 15,000 for the one night event. If you're thinking of visiting, you should come to visit for that event. I'll connect you with my friend Ray, who runs the constantly upgraded "Welcome Inn", (the Old Travel Lodge) who can get you a room there, (high speed internet in every room!) where everything will be in walking distance on Music Festival night. He usually has the Zydeco Cajun band performing there that is tremendously popular with those wishing to dance. You may not know that the Eagle Rock Plaza is also being constantly upgraded, now with a Target store occupying the space where Montgomery Ward's once was. Where May Company once was is now Macy's department store. The growing Filipino community likes the "Jollibee" fast food place, (big in the Philippines) and the "Seafood Market" that are now tenants there. Parents of small kids can bring them to our own "Chuck E. Cheese" located right in the middle of our landmark shopping plaza. If you come early enough to Music Festival Night you may get an appointment to pamper yourself at the "Garden Spa-t", where my friend Tanis provides the most scientifically and organically correct skin treatments- I even tried a facial as a promotion for her! It was OK! Hey Val, thanks for giving me the opportunity to look back at all the changes in the last few years in Eagle Rock and Northeast L.A. I'm amazed myself at how much is changed for the better. It's sure been great to connect with you again, Valery. Don't forget to call me if you make it into town for a visit. Sincerely, Your old friend, Tom
Cypress Park Author Margo Candela to Speak Friends of Cypress Park invite northeast native to talk with to area young adults about writing careers. Cypress Park-raised author Margo Candela will be the featured speaker at a youth-oriented talk and question-and-answer period at the Cypress Park Library on Wednesday, August 29, starting at 1 p.m. The celebrated Northeast Los Angeles author's audience will include teens from the library's youth reading programs, but the event is also open to any young people interested in learning more about careers in creative writing. Raised in Cypress Park, Ms. Candela graduated from some of the same local schools as the young people who will attend, including Nightingale Middle and Franklin High Schools. She also attended Glendale City College and earned her B.A. in journalism from San Francisco State University before launching her writing career. In addition to novels, Ms. Candela has written two screenplays and articles for many magazines. She is currently developing a young adult series set in Los Angeles. Publisher's Weekly magazine described Ms. Candela as an "engaging writer" when profiling her first novel, "Underneath It All." in January of this year. Her second novel "Life Over Easy," is due for publication in the fall, and a third is in development. Ms. Candela’s motivating talk to Northeast young people will take place in the library's Community Room at 1150 Cypress Avenue (at Alice Street), in Cypress Park. Light refreshments will follow. Contact (323) 224-0039 for general library information. The Friends of the Library group meets regularly to plan fund-raising and volunteer support activities for the library. New members and book and monetary donations, are always welcome.
Democracy, what are you ready to do for it? On Monday August 6th from 7:00 P.M.- 9:00 P.M. at the Highland Perk Coffee House, 5930 York Blvd. you are invited to a local democracy discussion and Democracy Declaring Our Power book signing. Some of the topics will include: How do we get our city government to pay greater attention to our needs? What is the meaning and vision democracy? What will it take for us to revive our democracy? Democracy at the most fundamental level is demos, the people, and cracy, empowered or the people empowered. Beginning in the city state Athens Greece, some 2500 years ago, democracy has now become the most popular form of government throughout the world. After the Age of Enlightenment and the scientific advancements, the American soil was fertile ground for the spread of democracy. Our nation was birthed through bold civic leadership and the powerful Declaration of Independence, declaring our equality and creative powers. As President Lincoln later proclaimed democracy is, "Government of, by and for the people." A recent AP poll has found that 75% of Americans believe our country is moving in the wrong direction. As the campaign consultant to City Council candidate Alvin Parra and a former Los Angeles City employee, it is clear the disconnect between the city residents and the government is at an all time high. During the March 2007 Council and School Board campaign, many people said, "why does it matter, they are all the same." Not too surprisingly the final citywide voter turn out was 11%. What does this say about our democracy? By applying the law of attraction to democracy, it is evident that humans get what they focus on. By not focusing on democracy we get less of it. For instance, in the United States of America over the past century special interests have focused their attention and resources on democracy, financing campaigns and lobbyists, and thus the government is now serving their interests well. It is possible that once citizens take responsibility and focus on democracy, then democracy and government will be of service to the citizens. As someone who has been actively involved in political issues, campaigns and government service for the past twenty eight years and a campaign consultant for the last four years, it saddens me to witness the outcomes of a dysfunctional democracy. As most of you know, we have allowed our current political system to be dominated and designed for big money, large egos, negative campaigns, war profiteers, voting irregularities, leading to an overall distrust in our government, politicians and ultimately ourselves to the benefit of those in power. These special interests have created and funded a political system that drives our national government to represent their specific interests, with our general interests taking a political back seat. Through our collective neglect and national divisions special interests have taken over or at least dominate our democratic institutions. The two most glaring examples of our dysfunctional democracy are the ongoing war in Iraq and the state of our healthcare system. The United States of America is now the only country in the world with an antiquated Electoral College system, which has three times prevented the candidate with the most popular votes from becoming President. The Electoral College system was created as a compromise to the slave owning states, offering greater electoral power without requiring them to extend voting rights to African-Americans. Currently voters in smaller states like Wyoming and Delaware have more than four times the voting strength for President as do Californians and New York voters. With most states either strongly Democratic or Republican, this divisive system leaves only a hand full of states, or swing states, to determine the final outcome of the election. During the 2004 presidential and congressional elections, $1.78 billion went to about 600 consultants, according to a new study by the non-partisan Center for Public Integrity. It is anticipated that special interests will spend over two billion dollars influencing the outcome of the 2008 Presidential election. Taking the special interest money out of the political system has proven to be very difficult. The recent 2007 Supreme Court decision gave the big corporations, wealthy individuals, and Political Action Committees even greater influence over the outcome of the 2008 Presidential election. In dissent Justice David Souter warned, "This kind of corporate and union spending seriously jeopardizes the integrity of democratic government." The 2008 presidential results could end up like 2000, with the popular vote winner not being the Electoral College winner. According to most polling, similar to the period of the founding of our nation, the majority of Americans are ready for new alternatives to the current political system. What will it take to make the changes? Will it take a Constitutional crisis for us Americans to act to revive democracy? Let's talk about this and more on Monday, August 6th at Highland Perk Coffee House.
PLANNING PANEL DISCUSSION SERIES - THIS AUGUST & SEPTEMBER! Please save these dates! Councilmember Jose Huizar will be hosting a series of four planning-related panel discussions for the community in August and September. The panel discussions will lead up to planning charettes which will kick off this fall in El Sereno, Eagle Rock and Highland Park. Each panel discussion forum will include presentations by subject matter experts from the public and private sectors. Anyone interested in planning and economic development will not want to miss this summer series! Weds. Aug. 8 (Forum #1) Planning 101 - How planning really works in L.A. and how to get involved TIME: 7pm LOCATION: El Sereno Senior Center 4818 Klamath Place, 90032 Weds. Aug. 15 (Forum #2) Smart Growth, Urban Design & Transit TIME: 7pm LOCATION: Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock 2225 Colorado Blvd. 90041 (parking at Bank of America) Weds. Sept. 19 (Forum #3) Business Development & Encouraging Mom & Pop Businesses TIME: 7pm LOCATION: El Sereno Senior Center 4818 Klamath Place, 90032 Tues. Sept. 25 (Forum #4) Historic Preservation and Revitalization TIME: 7pm LOCATION: Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock 2225 Colorado Blvd. 90041 (parking at Bank of America) Eagle Vista Seniors The Eagle Vista Seniors August Calendar begins on August 7 with the usual Board meeting at 9:00 am followed by the general meeting at 10:00 am At this time the "Birthday Cake" of the Month" will ber served to celebrate those members with August birthdays. The speaker for the day is Randy Botsch, and the agenda also includes information about the convalescent Aid Society, a non-profit organization that supplies equipment for anyone whose illness calls for such articles. Tuesday, August 14 - B I N G O! Saturday, August 18 - Those who have their tickets to see "WICKED" at the Pantages Theatre will meet at Eagle Vista Park at 1:00 pm to board the bus. Dinner is at the "Sizzler" (your responsibility). At 8:00 pm the bus returns to the park after the enjoyable evening with Glinda (the good witch) and Elfaba (a rascal). Guess who wins. Tuesday, August 21 - SILENT AUCTION! Be sure to bring all the things you want to sell. Your old treasures then become new treasures for everyone else. Tuesday, August 28 - B I N G O
For Whom the Bell Tolls? A controversy in Cypress Park that just won't settle itself is the one between Divine Saviour Catholic Church and a neighbor by the name of Susan Rocha. Susan has complained about the electronic bells at the church for over a year, and has not had any luck getting the church leaders to turn the volume down. She has been told by City officials that the Churches are exempt from noise ordinances, and that there is nothing they will do. At a Cypress Park Neighborhood Council meeting in July, the issue again came up as Ms. Rocha was there to protest the Churches plans for their 100 year anniversary festival. A trio of men were there to support the churches festival plans, and did not hesitate to accuse the single mother of possibly criminal activity, saying that she has been harassing them and the church they love. Susan has claimed all along that the electronic bells are excessively loud, much louder than what is necessary, even for the Churches purposes, and people supporting the church have not yet offered any evidence supporting why the bells need to be at the volume they are. Susan has not come up with anything objective that shows the bells are louder than they need to be either. Neither has offered to try and come up with a solution. The last we heard, the church seems determined to just keep the bells the way they are, because they can, and Susan shows no signs of giving up her protest of those bell's volume level. We assume that because the bells are electronic the church is equipped with some big speakers or a bull horn with an amplifier and volume control connected, and we wonder exactly how loud they actually need to be to fulfill the purpose they were built and installed for. Susan Rocha had a glimmer of hope last month however, as another neighbor, Rodolfo Santana, has joined her fight agreeing that the church should tone down their amplified bells. His sway may be limited though, as he commented that the problem was because of a "typical, typical, Spanish-Mexican style" which drew criticism from some in the audience who called it racist remark, which was odd because Mr. Santana was latino himself. This controversy is a long from over, and we'll update you next month on any new developments. Handcuffed Suspect Attempts Escape On July 29, 2007, at about 12:20 AM, Northeast patrol officers made a traffic stop of a vehicle that was being pushed by the suspect, Bruno Aguilar, 30, and his friend, near Mesa Avenue and Avenue 61. Officer Fernando Salcedo, 40, 9 years with the Department, was handcuffing Aguilar when he suddenly ran from the Officer in an attempt to escape. After a short foot pursuit Officer Salcedo caught up to the suspect and attempted to take him into custody. Their momentum carried them forward, causing them to fall to the ground resulting in injury. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Officer Salcedo needed stitches to close a laceration to his head and was subsequently sent home. Aguilar received a broken jaw and was admitted into the jail ward of USCMC. Officer's recovered a loaded handgun from Aguilar's vehicle and he was booked for being in possession of a loaded firearm. Force Investigation Division personnel responded and are investigating the incident. LA Collage - The Show! Acorn Annex Los Angeles artists Ginger Mayerson and K. Mas-Gallegos have been collaging on paper Wednesday nights since September 2006. What started as a weekly project to explore collage and catch up on their busy lives, became a sly record of their thoughts and views on fashion, dreams, culture, and living in Los Angeles. The 100+ collages at this show are for sale unframed for $25 each. August 5 through August 30, 2007. Opening reception is August 11, from 7 to 10PM, and takes place at the Acorn Annex, 135 No. Avenue 50, Highland Park.
Cruisin' with Mary Hello again Eagle Rock! Even though July was a very busy month for the Eagle Rockin'Rodders, I am going to begin this month's editorial, I mean article, with one big word: Disappointment. We had a somewhat poor showing at both our car show at Concerts in the Park as well as our July cruise in, AND our canned food drive. We only had ONE measley bag of canned and dry items donated. Do I have to remind everyone again, that this is a charity activity for 2007, and everyone, club members as well as guests, are encouraged to participate? I'm going to try one more time, for the August cruise in, and if donations don't pick up, I'll suspend this activity for the rest of the year. I don't know, maybe people are burned out on giving… We had approximately 30 hot rods and customs at Concerts in the Park, which is somewhat lower than in past years. Again the blistering heat and limited shade may have had something to do with the low car participation. Ronnie and the Classics played their popular oldies set. The concert was kicked off with an excellent guitar solo version of the Star Spangled Banner by none other than Eagle Rock's own Louis Metoyer. It was reminding me a lot of Jimi Hendrix's SSB at Woodstock (not that I was there, too young…)
I had the pleasure of meeting Louis and his lovely family and was told that he has applied to play at the Eagle Rock Music Festival in August. I certainly hope he met the criteria and will be able to entertain us again. You can check him out on his MySpace, or at LouisMetoyer.com. Thanks to Charlie Fisher who diligently shot over 100 pictures at the car show for me when both my camera and camcorder died that day. This month's photos are graciously provided by Charlie. For a full view of all Charlie's photos, check out our MySpace at www.myspace.com/eaglerockinrodders Some of our club members participated in Brand Blvd. Cruise Night in Glendale on July 21. There were approximately 400 cars, many of them with just gorgeous paint jobs and much love and attention to detail. I always find this car show goes by so "fast" even though we are trapped there for close to 7 hours. It seems that every ten minutes or so, someone you know stops by to say "hi" including old friends. It's a lot of fun and a great way to catch up and bench race. I just want to congratulate editor Tom Topping on his 10 year anniversary of the Blvd. Sentinel, and to sincerely thank him for being the eyes and ears of Eagle Rock, even if some of us don't always agree with him. He has given me a creative opportunity to write, to print my photos, and help the Eagle Rockin' Rodders be the premier club in Eagle Rock as well as the club that gives back to the community. Don't forget to patronize our generous sponsors: Oinkster, Tritch Hardware, Verdugo Hardware, Sir Michael's Limousines, and Power Ford. Hopefully I will be in a better mood next month, and don't forget your canned food items. Thanks!!! I love Eagle Rock!!
Murdered Man Found Beneath Freeway Overpass Police are investigating the death of a 56-year-old man whose body was found underneath a freeway overpass. Shortly before 10: 15 a.m., on June 21, 2007, officers were dispatched to a death investigation call at the Riverside Drive off ramp, just south of the Golden State Freeway. CHP, who initially responded to the scene for a traffic accident, directed officers to the body of a Hispanic man lying on the ground. According to investigators, the victim had become involved in an argument with another man, later identified as Oswaldo Mangas, 38. Mangas had become angry, picked up an unknown object and struck the victim on the head. The victim suffered severe head trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim's name is being withheld until a family member has been notified. Anyone with information is asked to call Northeast Homicide Detectives Larry Burcher or Harrold DiCroce at 213-847-4261
FREE NOONTIME PRESENTATIONS SPOTLIGHT HISTORIC PASADENA THROUGH IMAGES AND STORIES Events Held in Library at the Pasadena Museum of History This summer, the Pasadena Museum of History spotlights its Speakers Bureau in a series of 10 free noontime presentations in the Archives/ Library in the Museum's History Center. Each hour-long lecture features projected images of historic photos from the Museum's collection of over one million photographs that illustrate the history of Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley. Admission: Free entry; Reservations are requested due to limited seating. These presentations are suitable for adults and mature teens. Please do not bring small children. The Pasadena Museum of History is at the corner of Orange Grove Blvd. and Walnut Street (470 W. Walnut St.); free parking is available in the Museum lot and on Walnut Street. Summer Speaker's Bureau Presentations, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm in the Pasadena Museum of History Library Wednesday, August 8 - History of Early Pasadena Thursday, August 9 - The Mount Lowe Railway and Hotels Friday, August 10 - Sports and Pastimes in Early Pasadena Wednesday, August 29 - Science and Innovation in the San Gabriel Valley Thursday, August 30 - The Grand Old Resort Hotels of Pasadena Friday, August 31 - The Mount Lowe Railway and Hotels Saturday, September 1 - The Fenyes/Paloheimo Family of Pasadena and the World Sunday, September 2 - Old Pasadena Then and Now Wednesday, September 5 - The Raymond Hotel Thursday, September 6 - History of Early Pasadena The Speakers Bureau is comprised of trained volunteers and Museum staff who present little known facts and intriguing narratives to accompany historic images of the region. As part of its community outreach, the Pasadena Museum of History provides speakers to clubs and other organizations in the San Gabriel Valley. Speakers Bureau volunteers will go to a group's meeting location or provide free programs for private group luncheons and events at the Museum. Planners for groups that provide programs for their organizations are especially invited to preview these presentations and book one or more for their group for the upcoming year. Information on bookings will be available at each presentation and is also available by calling 626 577-1660, ext.
Vaudeville Returns! Big Night of Fun and Frolic With 5 live 5 acts of music, magic, comedy and thrills! Plus Laurel & Hardy on the Big Screen! On Saturday, September 15, at 8 pm, the Alex Film Society opens its 14th season with the 8th annual VAUDEVILLE EXTRAVAGANZA! at Glendale's historic Alex Theatre, located at 216 North Brand Boulevard. The most anticipated family event held annually at the grand theatre, the show is a "hurricane of fun and frolic" paying tribute to the Alex's vaudeville roots. The one-night-only event is an eclectic mix of the sort of variety acts that made vaudeville so beloved by a generation of fans. Opening the show will be the enchanting gentlemen: The Night Blooming Jazzmen playing nostalgic music from the vaudeville era. Our show of shows continues with: Reid & Faversham A Tribute to Stan & Ollie; Farrah Siegel America's Award-winning Yo-Yo Champion; Griff & Rusty The syncopated Swells, and Eric Buss, the Master of Foolology. True to the vaudeville genre, the evening concludes on the big screen with a Disney cartoon, MAGICIAN MICKEY (1937), a vintage newsreel and two shorts: Laurel and Hardy's THE MUSIC BOX (1932) and Larry, Moe and Curly in AN ACHE IN EVERY STAKE (1941). Special priced tickets are $25 general admission; $17.50 seniors/kids; AFS members $12.50 (join at the box office and save). This is an evening of family entertainment at its best; don't miss it! From the late 1800's through the early 20th Century, vaudeville was the common people's theatrical experience. Across America and around the world, the wildly popular genre featured variety acts of countless descriptions and later included film programs. The Alex Film Society's annual recreation of the nostalgic genre is the only vaudeville/classic film show produced regularly in Los Angeles. Built in 1925, the lovingly restored Alex Theatre (www.alextheatre.org) was reopened in 1994. It stands today as one of the most important surviving examples of grand Vaudeville and movie palaces of the early 20th century and one of the very few extant theatres with an open forecourt. VAUDEVILLE EXTRAVAGANZA!, Saturday, September 15, at 8 pm, is presented by the Alex Film Society, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to the preservation and presentation of classic movies as they were meant to be seen: on the Big Screen. Next on the AFS schedule, (October 27) will be in 3-D Creature From The Black Lagoon starring Richard Carlson and Julia Adams. November 24, our 10th annual Thanksgiving tradition, Three Stooges Big Screen Event!, brings the hilarious antics of Larry, Moe and Curly back where they belong, on the big screen.
Attempted Murder of Police Officers On Sunday, June 17, 2007, around 2:15 a.m., police were patrolling a known gang area in the vicinity of Weldon Avenue and Drew Street. As officers drove west on Weldon approaching Drew, they heard several rounds of semi-automatic gunfire. Police stopped their marked police car on Weldon and saw the suspects, 3 male Hispanic gang members with shaved heads, in their late teens to early 20s, drive by in a small black 4-door vehicle. As the suspects drove past, they fired several rounds in the officers' direction. Police Officer II Richard Priest, 33, five years with the department, returned fire. The suspects sped away. A perimeter was immediately established and a search for the suspects and their vehicle conducted. Neither the suspects nor the vehicle was located. No officers were injured. The suspects remain outstanding. Force Investigation Division personnel responded to the scene and are conducting the OIS investigation. Robbery Homicide is investigating the attempted murder of police officers. Questions are directed to Media Relations.
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Galco's Acclaimed
Franklin Cheer Seniors showed up to celebrate the Galco’s recognitiuon for over 100 years in business. The girls are: (left to right) Sandrely Haro, Gabriela Carrillo, Crystal Ramirez, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Karina Cruz and Jennifer Tzi. The top girl is Yadira Gonzalez
When Italian immigrant, Mr. Galioto, joined up with younger partner Mr. Cortopassi to do business in late 1800's Los Angeles, he probably never dreamed that the store they founded, named Galco's, would survive over 100 years. It has not only survived, but it has thrived. From life as neighborhood market, to an old world specialty grocery store with a submarine sandwich shop, and now a specialty soda pop store, Galco's has survived and grown. One hundred and ten years later on Saturday, July 28, 2007 Galco's Soda Pop Stop was honored with an official city historic sign identifying that the Los Angeles business was established in 1897, and was congratulated by L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar, and California State Assembly Representative Kevin DeLeon (AD45), who both personally attended. He was presented with certificates from them and also from Anthony Portantino (AD44), who sent his representative. It was a warm summer morning, and as Councilman Huizar said, was "A good day for having a soda pop." Community leaders showed up to congratulate owner John Nese, who is really one of the strongest pillars of the Highland Park community, participating mainly with the Highland Park Heritage Trust, the historical preservation group in Highland Park. The Franklin Cheer Squad was there to liven up the festivities and helped begin the ceremony by chanting, "Let's go Gal-co LET’S GO! Let's go Gal-co LET’S GO! Let's go Gal-co LET’S GO!" John Nese reminded that it was fighter Rocky Marciano who named their sandwich, when he ordered one after leaving the theater one day, and couldn't get it in his mouth. He said, "Man that's a BLOCKBUSTER!" and the name stuck ever since. The original Galco's was on Western Avenue, and then moved to North Broadway and Alpine. It was there that John Nese's dad sold newspapers in front of the store. Galioto was long gone by then and Cortopassi took Nese on as his new partner. In the 1950's, Cortopassi died and the business was split up. Nese got the name 'Galco's' and Mrs. Cortopassi got the liquor license. "I think she got the better end of the deal," joked John. After the business split is when Galco's came to its present location in Highland Park. "We came here fifty years ago when my nose was just over the brick," he said, referring to the front wall. As he spoke, he mostly just wanted to acknowledge the community that has supported him through their ups and downs. Both of his parents died just in the last few years, which is rough for anyone. He struggled through the settling of their estate with not-so-generous relatives, and almost lost the business when he tried to get a loan to pay them off. Then, he had to defend against a volley of legal threats from unscrupulous law firms that target small businesses. "One day a lady came in, and we were really having a tough time, and she looked at me and said, 'What can I do to help you?' and that meant all the world because we were able to make it another minute, another day, and another five years and another ten years! So we'll have to see what the next 100 years holds." John had two kinds of creme sodas and root beer on tap for the people who came to celebrate that day, and sold his original Blockbuster sandwiches for a mere 50 cents each. Three generations of the family were there that day to celebrate with the community, with the youngest needing to leave early for her afternoon nap.
VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS A conversation in Eagle Rock about mental communication By Christopher Nyerges [Nyerges is a manager of the Highland Park Farmers Market on Tuesdays, and author of How to Survive Anywhere. For more information, contact him at Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041, or www.ChristopherNyerges.com In the recent YouTube Democratic "debates," someone asked whether or not people would one day be able to communicate directly mind-to-mind without the use of electronic devices. I don't remember the answer, but the question made me realize how primitive we remain, despite the marvelous new toys that are cranked out just in time for each Christmas. Despite lots of intriguing circumstancial "evidence" that people of ages-past communicated this way, we still laugh when we hear such questions. Isn't mental communication in the road of human evolution, something we should aspire to? Not long ago, Todd Pike and I were having a burger at one of the popular eateries on Colorado Blvd. in Eagle Rock. I was leaning towards a chile relleno at Evira's, but Todd won out and went to Tommy's instead. Pike and I had just finished running a few laps at the Eagle Rock High School track, attempting to perfect something called "effortless running," a method of long-distance running that is clearly not "effortless," at least not until the many nuances of the method are perfected. Anyway, after we finished our burgers, Pike and I began a fascinating conversation about "mental communication." Pike, a television producer, told me about his visit to a port city on Mexico's west coast a few years earlier. He was walking through the small picturesque town when he felt "pulled" to a small church. Pike entered and began looking at the various pictures and statues. "I was trying to determine what had attracted me there," explained Pike. One stone bust caught his attention. The inscription stated, in Spanish, that this was a statue of Saint Thaddeus. Pike wanted to know the purpose of that statue, and so he attempted to communicate with whatever the statue represented. He emphasized that he wasn't trying to communicate to the stone, but to whatever the statue represented. He explained that he had been taught a method for such communication which he then employed. Facing the statue, he mentally asked what was its purpose. Pike said that he didn't vocalize, but just mentally focused on the question. Then, "the answer came into my mind," stated Pike. "Or, you could say that it was received into my mind." Pike said that he learned in this manner that Saint Thaddeus was the guardian of the portal to the church. So then Pike asked, "How would you guard the church?" Pike then learned that if someone came into the church who was possessed by strong thoughts of mockery, assaultiveness, hostility, or disruptiveness, that person would then be "tagged" by Saint Thaddeus. Pike said that this would be just like when a child is playing "tag" and someone tags you and says "you're it." The tagged person was described to Pike as being "tagged with a thought." The person so tagged would then be impelled to either be quiet and orderly, or to go outside. The thought might come in the form of extreme agitation, impatience, or anxiety, and that person would be impelled to depart. Of course, the person so impelled would fully believe that it was his or her own thoughts and ideas that they were following. "These invisible guardians will 'tag' you and you'll just be impelled to go. If you came with someone, you might feel very impatient and tell your friend that you'll wait outside. This form of guarding is not done with swords and spears, but with a mental tag," explained Pike. Pike then warned me against this form of communication with things and entities unless I was carefully guided in so doing, because of the many possible dangerous ramifications. Pike told me that after he had this experience, he sat outside the church, wondering if there was anything else he should do before departing. He realized that he'd received a valuable lesson and so he went back into the church and put some money into the donation box as a way to remunerate for the statue lesson. As we finished our conversation , he told me that he believed that all genuine religious and spiritual centers have guardians of this sort. "I believe this is particularly true at those spiritual centers where nearly everyone who goes there senses a special presence and atmosphere, " he told me. I wanted to discussion the many reputed haunted houses, churches, and restaurants of Highland Park and Eagle Rock with Pike, but it was getting late and we had to depart.
Correction/ Addition for Cypress Park Last month we covered the Glassell Park - Cypress Park walkabout, when members of both of those communities took to the streets to survey the sidewalks and other pedestrian accommodations. We need to add that the funding for the Walkabout was not from the currently dysfunctional Glassell Park NC Board, who reneged on an earlier promise. The majority of the funding for the Walkabout was from the Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council, who voted to fund the project for up to $10,000. Gus Lizarde, GCPNC President said, "A lot of people in Cypress Park walk and take mass transit, and it's important that they have that walkability as they go to their destinations. We have funds and volunteers; they have structure and volunteers and the communities have a long history of working together."
Melanie Winter Hip Replacement Fund Most of you know Melanie Winter. She runs The River Project, a small non-profit organization, and for the past 11 years she has been tirelessly working with communities to re-imagine the Los Angeles River and realize a better future for our children. For the past two years she has been suffering with a progressively degenerating hip. She's been getting around with the help of a cane and occasional injections of steroids, but the pain has become unbearable. She needs a hip replacement. Melanie has no health insurance and with this pre-existing condition, she can't get any. We believe the victory for a state park at Taylor Yard - Rio de Los Angeles State Park- could not have been achieved without Melanie. She filed the original opposition to the City's proposed industrial warehouse project, worked to secure the funding to buy the land and develop the park, organized the lawsuit, and worked with a community steering committee to create a diverse and powerful Coalition to make our collective dream a reality. Even before we won the fight to acquire the property, she brought our communities together and developed consensus vision for a sustainable park that has something for everyone. That plan formed the basis for the park we all enjoy today. Her courage to speak truth to power, her stamina and persistence to overcome every obstacle, her passion to fuel a dream was contagious. She ignited an energy within our community to create unity around the fight for something greater than ourselves for the future. She did all of this selflessly, for no pay. And our community is forever the better for it. In our gratitude for the strength of one that inspired the unity of many, we so desire to do something beyond just thank her. We are writing to ask you for your support. Please contribute whatever amount you possibly can to the Melanie Winter Medical Fund. We have established an account that will accept funds, 100% of which will be paid directly to the hospital and the medical professionals who will be providing her care. You can send checks in any amount to the address below, payable to "Melanie Winter Medical Fund" or process a credit card contribution through a website we've set up for this purpose: www.hip4mel.net. These contributions are not tax-deductible. If you have any questions, please visit the website or send an email to help@hip4mel.net. Sincerely, ' Friends of Cypress Park Community Improvement Association Mt. Washington Association St. Ann Youth Ministry Elysian Valley St. Bernard Glassel Park Youth Ministry Please send contributions to: Melanie Winter Medical Fund c/o 304 S. Broadway #498 Los Angeles, CA 90013 If you would like to support the continued efforts of The River Project, you can now make tax deductible contributions directly through their website: www.theriverproject.org.
Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival OCTOBER 6, 2007 Enjoy Live Local Music In a Variety of Genres and Check Out the Streets and Eats of Eagle Rock at a Free Festival That Welcomes Music Lovers of All Ages from Across Los Angeles (July 25, 2007)- Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock and Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar will present the 9th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival, a free community street music festival, on Saturday, October 6, 2007, from 5p.m.-Midnight. The 9th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival is a crossroads between local commerce and the arts where musicians perform in the intimate venues of beauty salons, galleries, and restaurants up and down six blocks of Colorado Boulevard, which will be closed to vehicular traffic between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Argus Street. Businesses stay open late to accommodate the milling crowds of families, teens, students, senior citizens, and all Angelenos who love to dance, explore the city, and have a good time. In addition to the 10 showcase venues, there will be two outdoor main stages. The festival will feature 30 plus bands in genres ranging from world and pop, to jazz and rock- as always, all FREE of charge! Since its inception in 1998, the Eagle Rock Music Festival has become one of the preeminent music and cultural festivals in the city of Los Angeles, and a major showcase for emerging talent. Though this year's lineup is yet to be disclosed, musical surprises are in store! In 2006, headliners included legendary Afro-Cuban jazz percussionist Francisco Aguabella and Echo Park indie favorites Monsters are Waiting. Artist updates and information can be found on the Festival MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/ eaglerockmusicfestival. The 2007 Eagle Rock Music Festival is being presented with the generous support of Councilmember Jose Huizar, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Time Warner, Eagle Rock Plaza, Women's 20th Century Club, Bank of America Foundation, the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, and the community of Eagle Rock. The Eagle Rock Music Festival is a centerpiece event in the free arts programming of Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, one of the last remaining arts and cultural programming non-profit centers in Northeast Los Angeles. Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide multicultural and innovative arts programming to the communities of Northeast Los Angeles. Programs include art exhibitions, public arts projects, free community festivals, after school classes, a Summer Arts Camp, and more. The Center is located at 2225 Colorado Boulevard in the Los Angeles community of Eagle Rock, close to the intersection of Eagle Rock and Colorado Boulevards. For more information on Center for the Arts, and its creative community programs, visit: www.centerartseaglerock.org.
First of its Kind "Green Street" in Los Angeles Completed A National Model of Sustainability That Cleans Water Before Entering the Los Angeles River North East Trees and Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, joined by project partners and the neighbors, officially dedicated the first "Green Street" in Los Angeles on Oros Street at the Los Angeles River in Elysian Valley. The Oros Green Street Project was designed to capture stormwater runoff from private homes and a residential street and clean it through a series of soil filtration and vegetative bioretention treatments before it ever gets into the Los Angeles River, while simultaneously improving and beautifying a neighborhood with new infrastructure and greenscape. It is an eco-friendly and innovative model of sustainability that manages and cleans storm and dry weather runoff and pollutants that traditionally went directly to the stormwater system (or the Los Angeles River). "This project marks the first time that a neighborhood can say that it is contributing no pollutants to the Los Angeles River because the Oros Green Street Project will clean water from this neighborhood before it enters the River," said Larry Smith, Executive Director of North East Trees. "This project is the new gold standard for how North East Trees and our project partners can transform and complete the cycle of restoring nature's services in an urban environment." "We need green streets to have a clean river," said Council President Eric Garcetti. "Today we're demonstrating that a major goal of the LA River Revitalization Master Plan is within our reach, thanks to the collaboration between our city and North East Trees." The Oros Green Street Project was a collaboration mobilized by North East Trees with the City of Los Angeles, county, state and federal agencies as well as neighborhood resident stakeholders. It was funded from the California Water Quality Control Board (over $500,000) and the City of Los Angeles' Proposition O Bond Act ($385,000) with close coordination and services from the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of Street Services, Bureau of Sanitation and Bureau of Engineering. This project also marks the first Proposition O-funded project to be completed. North East Trees is a nonprofit environmental and youth education organization with a mission to restore nature's services to improve the quality of life in resource-challenged communities. Founded nearly 20 years ago, North East Trees has planted over 30,000 trees, created over 35 pocket parks and other landscape improvements along the Los Angeles River and engaged, trained and employed thousands of local youth to achieve this mission.
Monster Drawing Rally Outpost for Contemporary Art is pleased to announce "Monster Drawing Rally" on September 23, 2007, from 4pm-9pm at the Women's Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock. This live drawing and fundraising event will feature 75 artists and four bands and will raise funds for the continued expansion of Outpost for Contemporary Art, a non-profit organization devoted to bringing together artists and art audiences from around the world through a variety of innovative partnerships and programs. Outpost recently expanded operations in its headquarters in Highland Park, in northeast Los Angeles. The event will consist of four one-hour shifts with approximately 20 artists drawing simultaneously each hour. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to watch art come to life and purchase completed drawings for $50 each. Live music will be performed by roots-inspired bands, Triple Chicken Foot, Careless Hearts, Bucksworth, & Sam Mellon and the Skylarks. The event¹s venue is the historic Women¹s Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock, a beautiful craftsman-style landmark established in 1914 and located at 5105 Hermosa Ave (at Colorado Blvd), LA, CA 90041 Food and beverages are being provided by The Oinkster, slow fast food and Eagle Rock¹s newest culinary sensation, and New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers. Admission is $5 and up.
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