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Last Paradise Lost?
Condo Con Job (Pt.1)
by Paul Thomas
First time visitors to the Hermon area used to comment that they never
knew there was so much green in the middle of Los Angeles. That was before
the Invasion of the Land Developers that has been devouring Hermon since
the middle of 2000.
Trees, hills, wilderness. This was what had attracted me to the area in
the first place, too. I beamed with pride as visitors marveled at the huge
Oak Hill area behind my humble house - acres of untouched fields, full of
trees and wildlife. No more. The green has been replaced by overpriced
cookie-cutter houses & condos.
From my front yard you could admire the beautiful Santa Fe Hill, a
curvaceous small mountainside full of 50-100 year old trees. Their
majestic shapes leaning ever downward as they grew up the hill made it
worth coming home every day. From it's peak you could peer down at a
breathtaking panorama of Downtown L.A. One friend who came to visit over
Spring told me, while admiring Santa Fe Hill from the driveway, "You don't
know how wonderful it is to come here after living in Santa Monica. I just
want to stay here and bask in the beauty."
"Enjoy it while it lasts," I quipped to her sarcastically. Some jerk will
probably build on every spare inch." I didn't really believe anyone would,
but sure enough, the jerk arrived. His name is Adam Pasori of Cedar
Properties.
It all started when word came through the grapevine of some more
overzealous land developers. They were applying for permits to build a
twenty-unit condominium complex, with a 50-car garage on Santa Fe Hill, on
Monterey Road. Oh no. This couldn't be happening. Not across from my
house.
Yes, a meeting was held at the end of March regarding the proposed route
for the hauling of dirt (from shaving off practically the entire side of
the hill) in which residents could speak their minds to the City of L.A.,
as well as the developers/site owner(s).
Only a small handful of astute and brave Hermon residents attended, owing
to the fact that they watched the City Planning websites and local
newsgroups like hawks and acted quickly. Like most of the neighbors, I
found out about the meeting only after the fact.
After learning of a short "extended" interim period in which residents
(within 500 feet of the site) were notified that they could view the
documents and comment thereupon, I seized the opportunity.
A first-time visit to the Department of Building & Safety to view and
comment upon documents regarding a proposed condominium complex that you
just learned of and know nothing about, is not a singularly pleasant
experience.
How was a neophyte to know that addresses and dates mean nothing to these
people? They work only in Case Numbers, with which I was not familiar. How
was I to know that I would have to pass through x-rays and metal detector
searches, when I had chosen this day to wear my rings, silver necklace,
watch, carry my I Ching coins, and hold my friend's antique pistol?
On top of this, I was sweating and agitated on account of the noon heat
and having to walk from the wrong train station. Needless to say, I was
delayed, and had some explaining to do. I held firm, and with
determination, I made my way through the security and up the elevator to
Building & Safety (or B.S., if you prefer). When I first got to their desk
the first thing I noticed was... no one. I leaned over the counter to try
to capture someone's attention. A lady soon breezed by, and perhaps
sensing my urgency, assured me, "He should be right back." "OK." Soon the
guy showed up and I explained that I was there to see and comment on the
documents for 6221 Monterey Road (puzzled look from guy). "It's a tract
that they are trying to build on... Los Angeles, 90042," I continued, as
he looked at me, bemused. "I need the Case Number." "I don't know anything
about a case number. I know the address, and here's an e-mail from my
neighborhood association that explains the situation." He looked over the
copy of the e-mail that I had, which contained the scant information that
I knew about the whole thing. While mulling it over he kept muttering
about needing a case number. I was losing patience rapidly and bluffed a
call from my cell phone. It worked. I had barely begun my little act when
he interjected, "OK! OK! I found it."
The next minute I was sitting at a cubicle going over a large folder of
maps, plans, legalese, copies of photos of the site, etc. Most interesting
was a long list of neighbors' names and addresses who would be affected
by, and notified of the proposed project. It was a few pages - three
columns deep, each.
Due to the number of houses, condos and apartments already on this section
of Monterey Road, there is a high density of people here. From what I have
gathered, none of them got sufficient notification or information about
this project. After gleaning what I could from the documents and returning
them to the nice man, I inquired about making an official comment in
opposition to the project. He told me to write a letter and send it to
their address, assuring me that the department takes everything into
consideration, provided that the case number is included, of course.
I went home and immediately drew up and sent off the most well-written
letter I could muster, expounding the dire consequences of building on
that hill. I cited the population density in the area, the ill effects of
dust, the infestation of neighboring properties with rodents and insects.
I pointed out that the hill is on a blind curve which causes car accidents
almost every week. The overuse of the street and traffic congestion is
already a problem. Confidant that my letter and all of the neighbors
comments' would be considered, and that no work could start until proper
permits were issued (none of which had been at the time) we all waited.
Little did we know our efforts would prove futile... (To be continued)
Friends of Fishing
by Tom Topping
The luxurious office suites of Topping Publishing had a "Gone Fishing"
sign on the door last month. This time I actually went fishing! I went on
a day trip with the ROCK (Reach Our Community Kids) teen center kids and
the Eagle Rock Sportsmen's club. The weather was beautiful and the kids
caught quite a few fish. They caught Mackerel, Ling Cod, a Catfish and an
experience they may not soon forget.
A few weeks before, I had gotten a call from John Hole, president of the
Fraternal Order of Eagles in Eagle Rock. "Hey Tom, how about sending a
reporter to cover our fishing trip? We're taking kids from the ROCK teen
center fishing next month, and we could use some publicity. All expenses
will be covered for your reporter."
It didn't take me more than a second to reply, "If your payin' I'm going!"
Weeks later, I had almost forgotten about the trip when I played my phone
messages. It was John Hole again, "Hey Tom, the trip is tomorrow. Be at
the club (Eagles Club) at 10 am so we can carpool down to the 22nd street
pier in San Pedro."
John Hole is also Past President of the Eagle Rock Sportsman's Club and
stays an active member. He has brought energy and vitality to both
organizations. "I've been wanting to do this for a while," said John. He
had hear about the "Friends of Rollo" at the Sportsmen's Expo at the
Convention Center last year.
James "Rollo" Heyn (1959-1999) was Captain on the long-range Sport fishing
Vessel Royal Polaris, a very experienced and loved fisherman who was known
for his ability to pass that experience along to others. He had started
fishing at the age of 9. The Friends of Rollo (http://www.friendsofrollo.com)
- is a non-profit organization that sends kids fishing. Though they
concentrate on inner-city children, they take kids from all walks of life.
Their goal is to introduce fishing to children who might not otherwise
have such an opportunity. They want them to experience a day of beauty and
nature on the water. To see Dolphins swim in the bow's wake, to watch
Whales surface for air, to witness Sea Lions at play around the boat.
These are a few of the pleasures a day at sea can provide. These
experiences can truly broaden a child's horizons.
They send 35 to 40 kids, with 5 or 6 chaperones, on 1/2 to 3/4 day fishing
trips. Rods, reels, hooks and sinkers as well as instructions, are
provided. It is the goal of Friends of Rollo to introduce as many children
as possible to the experience of fishing. They feel it is an experience
that could change their life. The boat, the equipment and meal is all paid
for. The kids just have to show up.
At 10:am on August 25, about 40 kids from Reach Our Community Kids, and
Hathaway Family Services boarded a big yellow school bus, graciously
provided through the help of our local LAUSD School Board Member, David
Tokofsky. Across the street, eight Eagles and Sportsmen's Club members
along with yours truly piled into a couple of cars and away we all went.
Although the morning was gray, by 11:00 a.m. the sun was shining in San
Pedro. After a quick trip to the tackle shop for a one day fishing
license, $11.00, we loaded up the boat with our snacks and beverages and
headed out.
Although the trip was intended to broaden the experiences of the youth on
board, I had never been sport fishing myself, so it was all new to me. "We
have to get bait first," someone said, and before long we were at the live
bait barge. This was quite a curiosity for the (us) kids. We crowded
around as scoop after scoop of live sardines were loaded into the bait
tank (a tank of circulating water built into the fishing boat to keep the
bait alive). Of course, the boys found this most entertaining and picked
up the few that had spilled onto the deck, and just as fast they would
slither out of their grip back to the deck again.
Soon we were on our way passing by the "Angels Gate" lighthouse at the end
of the breakwater. "Get your Burgers!" was the cry that had everyone lined
up to get in the galley. Y'know, there is just something about eating in
the outdoors- I've never had a burger that tasted so good. At this point,
most everyone seemed completely content with just the boat ride.
The breakwater was far in the distance when we finally dropped anchor at
our first fishing spot. The pilot circled around while a crew member threw
handfuls of bait over board, seeding the water to attract fish. After some
instruction on how to bait the hook, the fun began.
One young lady was horrified at the prospect of baiting her hook. "Please
can I just let it go?" she whined. (A hint of advice to would be
fishermen: you don't want to give names to the bait) One by one, the
experienced fishing gurus took them through step by step. Grab the bait.
Bait the hook. Drop the line. Bring it up. Lather- rinse- repeat. They all
were looking like experienced fishermen in no time at all. All except for
Louie, that is, a local teen who came with the ROCK center group. "Hey,
I'm just a spectator," he said, "I'm a Pisces." I guess he figured for
him, fishing would be like a pig eating bacon. (He later joined in and
gave it a try though.)
Soon, we heard a cry from the front of the boat. "Got one!" Sure enough,
11 year old Billy Harris was the first to catch a Rock Cod, a bright
orange fish with poisonous scales. "What's your secret?" I asked. He
looked up at me and said with a dead serious expression, "Love of
fishing."
Soon, another fish was pulled up, then another. A couple of Mackerels, a
few more Rock Cod, and a Ling Cod that had to be thrown back because it
was too small- less than the thirty inch requirement. After a while, the
crew raised anchor, and we headed for another fishing spot.
I noticed Elizabeth Argueta, who had come with the Hathaway group. She was
busy digging around in the bait tank, fetching another sardine for her
hook. Only two hours before she had refused to even touch them. Most all
were still busy baiting and dropping their hooks down into the depths.
What would she tell other kids about her experience? "They should try it-
It's fun," she said.
As the afternoon waned, and the wind came up, our crew headed us back to
shore. As we rode, a flock of seagulls and ocean ducks followed right on
our tail. We all watched transfixed as dozens seemed to just hang in mid
air, vying for position as Sportsman Bill MacClearn showed us how to toss
the bait sardines into the air so the big birds could catch them.
As we pulled back to the dock, everyone reflected on what a good time it
was. Sitting in rush hour traffic was a breeze after the day we had. I
know it was supposed to be for the kids, but I can't help but wonder if it
wasn't really the adults who had the best time of all. There is just
something so special about passing on knowledge and experience to a
younger generation; even more so when the kids are as eager and happy to
learn as these were.
Special thanks to Alex Melgoza, Erin O'Malley, Edgar Alvarez and John
Villaro for agreeing to help take photos of the day.
Highland Park Happenings
by Paul Thomas
Is it just me, or has this summer flown by like greased lightning? I
merely turned away for a moment and August disappeared before my eyes and
another deadline has arrived. Despite the apparent swiftness of Father
Time himself, some clever folks in Highland Park have managed to beat the
clock and milk the summer for all it's worth.
The first week of August Pisgah Church, the converted house on Echo
street, was off and running with their Vacation Bible School program. It
was sponsored by Youth Link of America and World Opportunities
International.
The school ran weeknights 6-8:30 p.m. from August 2-6. It attracted a
number of 2-6 year old kids out for games, crafts, songs, and bible
stories.
Saturday, August 7th was the 4th annual Highland Park Music Festival. This
year it was put on in conjunction with Rock the Vote, an organization that
encourages youth voting through participation in various pop culture
outlets.
This year the event was moved from Sycamore Grove Park to the increasingly
popular Hermon/Arroyo Seco Park. The free festival was headlined by local
rockers The Peak Show. There were also performances by local acts Ann
Likes Red, The Artichokes & PapaChango.
Arroyo Vista Health Clinic held it's Health fair over the weekend of the
21-22. The outdoor event attracted many people out for free blood pressure
checks and other free services and information.
Things cooled down toward the end of the month, with a couple of nights
and early mornings that were, dare I say it - chilly!
Now, I'm going out on a limb here, but did anyone else notice a strange
blinking light in the night sky of August 24th? It seemed to hover very
high somewhere over Eagle Rock (I'm guessing). It looked like a star but
was blinking different colors. Too high to be a helicopter, and no I was
not drinking or smoking anything funny that night.
OK, enjoy the rest of summer. Stick a fork in me. I'm done.
Silverwood Hilltop Development
by Tom Topping
A dozen alarmed residents showed up at the Eagle Rock Neighborhood
Councils Land Use and Planning Committee meeting last month to complain
about a proposed development in their neighborhood. These folks, who live
on or adjacent to Silverwood Drive on the south rim of the Eagle Rock
Valley, were concerned about a proposal to build three 1.5 million dollar
homes on one of the last buildable hilltops in the town.
The site would be an extremely desirable one as it offers a practically
unobstructed 360 degree view from the ocean to the mountains. Mr. Hayden
of Sierra Madre Development Company, though, has had to overcome a few
hurdles, not the least of which is satifying the requirements of the L.A.
Fire Department. (They need to make sure their fire truck can turn around
up there.)
Committee Chair, Jessica Wethington, explained that the property was
already zoned for residential and divided into six lots, so that legally,
the owner had the right to build the three houses there he planned to.
The lots in question are overlooking the "old" 5 point Ave 51 intersection
at the top of the hill. It is bordered by a sheer cliff on two sides, a
steep slope on the other and a house owned by Mr. William Brum to the
east. He, as it turns out, would be particularly affected because the
driveway that he has the sole use of now is actually the easement that
would be the only access road to the other three homes once they are
built.
He said that improving the access road for the fire trucks would require
taking part of his pool equipment. Developer Hayden promised that he would
do whatever it took to alleviate Mr. Brum's concerns.
The Meeker family from Ave. 51 was there in force. Mr. Meeker, obviously a
newcomer to the public process, could not hold back his frustration. He
was concerned that mud from construction would all be running down into
this yard. "The City was paid off!" he muttered loudly. "This is a
g___amed joke," and "They'll turn a million dollar house in to a rooming
house," he later added.
Neighbor Joe Berman sounded like he knew what he was talking about when he
asked for a "Geotechnical Investigation" of the hill top in question.
Jessica reminded that since the property owner had the right to build on
his property, he was not there to ask approval, but only to inform his
neighbors of the project; which she commended him for, as did the other
committee members.
I walked up to the lot and discovered that it indeed has spectacular views
of the Eagle Rock, Mt. Wilson, Downtown L.A. and the ocean beyond. I could
easily see that if I was Mr. Blum, I wouldn't want anyone building there
either. He has had those few acres of natural undeveloped hillside to
enjoy practically all for himself. I saw perhaps half a dozen mature
natural oak trees growing, the largest with a small chair under it where
one could read or relax with a nice cold ice tea.
The possible mudslide problem looks to me like it has been happening for
years, as there was noticeable dirt sliding down into the street near Mr.
Meekers house.
It was refreshing to see new faces attending one of the many meetings that
occur in Eagle Rock. It took me back to when I too was a neophyte at these
types of meetings. I remember the frustration I felt at not knowing 'how
things work' in this city. The seeming blindness of committee members to
see what, to me, seemed so painfully obvious and logical. Oh well...
that's life in the big city.
2004 State of the Town Meeting
Come hear Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa discuss his accomplishments
and goals for Council District 14, as well as his vision to be Los
Angeles' next mayor! Mark your calendars now! Tuesday, September 21st,
2004, 7:00 p.m. It should be a great evening!
It is our tradition to ask the community for questions to pose to the
Councilman in preparation for the State of the Town event. Please forward
suggested questions through this e.letter so that we can compile them for
the meeting. Of course, you are all welcome to come and ask your questions
on the spot!
Call for Talent: UGLA CABARET 2004
On Saturday, September 18, the Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance (UGLA) will
hold auditions for its 14th annual fund raiser, Cabaret 2004, in Eagle
Rock. Singers, dancers, comics, instrumentalists, illusionists, groups,
etc., are encouraged to try out. If interested, please call Carl Matthes
at (323) 254-2726 or Joan Potter at (323) 258-2555. Or e-mail UGLA at
UptownGLA@aol.com.
Cabaret 2004 will be held at the Women's 20th Century Club on October 16.
Funds raised by Cabaret 2004 will go to support UGLA's community
charitable, educational and visibility programs. For more information
about UGLA, visit http://www.ugla.org.
"REVISITING THE RED CAR"
with Friends of the Atwater Village
Friday, September 10th, 2004, 7:00 p.m., Los Angeles River Center &
Gardens
Join us for an evening along with Sky City Productions as we take a ride
back in time with The Red Car. Whether you rode Southern California's
legendary rail system in your past, or you simply would like to make a
vibrant connection with our city's colorful past, you will not want to
miss this event.
Tickets are $45.00 per person which includes: admission to our screening
of Sky City Productions' documentary, "This Was Pacific Electric," as well
as light fare by Netty's, a no host bar, a silent auction, coffee and
conversation with the film makers and area rail historians.
Visit us online at http://www.friendsofatwatervillage.org for tickets. Or
send to Friends of Atwater Village
3371 Glendale Blvd, Unit 110
Los Angeles, CA 90039
For more information, dial (323) 913-2999.
TROMPERLAND
Hello again everyone!
Our column is very special this month, for we are celebrating a birthday!
Get ready to sing along everyone. Ready?.. Happy- birth- day- to- you...
keep going!
September is a happy month for the Trompers of Eagle Rock, for our club
officially began in September 1945. Therefore the Trompers are 59 this
month, how about that! With this in mind we'd like to introduce our
founder John Gunderson. John, an Eagle Rock resident residing at 5422 El
Verano St., graduated from ERHS, was in the Navy during WWII, and as you
can see in the photo was tall, 6'3 inches tall, and very lanky.
His friends nicknamed him "Bones". However, the name that really caught on
the best was "Gundy". This picture of John taken in his driveway in 1946,
shows John leaning against his pride and joy, a 1928 AV8 roadster with a
hopped up flathead for power. John enjoyed working on cars, taking Henry
Ford's original ideas and vastly improving it's performance. John, and 6
Eagle Rock buddies hung out together, worked on their cars, did some
street racing, but, most of all enjoyed each others company, and a
fondness for hopping up roadsters. So, John decided to form a hotrod club.
He named it the- Trompers!
His oldest sister Jean, hand painted on fiberboard, the very first Tromper
plaque the guys could hang on the back of their roadsters for club
identification. As his Sister would finish her handiwork, John would call
up each of his friends and have them come to his home, where they would
install the plaque on their roadster. This made it official, they were now
a- Tromper of Eagle Rock!
Just recently, we had one of the "founding' members present to the club, a
drawing he had made of his 1932 Ford roadster back in 1945. As luck would
have it, on the back of the roadster in the drawing, just below the
license plate, there is a drawing of the 'original' fiberboard plaque
John's sister had hand painted.
 We
had been hoping to find either the actual plaque, or a picture of one for
a long time, for it represents a piece of memorabilia about the very
beginning of our Tromper club.
Of the 7 founding members, the present day Trompers have been very
fortunate to have made contact with 6. Sadly however, our founder, John
Gunderson, passed away a number of years ago. It would have been a real
treat for the present day "kids" as we call ourselves, to have met John,
to tell him how much we appreciated his efforts in forming one of the
greatest hotrod clubs to ever come down the pipe!
So, to Gundy we say thanks buddy, a job well done! The " kids" want you to
know we are going to do our best to make you proud of our efforts to
continue the fabulous legacy you started back in September 1945. So, if
you see a Tromper driving around Eagle Rock this month, give him a wave
and wish him Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday Trompers! and, may you have
many, many more! Happy- Birth- day- to- you ! Good job singing the song
everyone, and thank you for joining in.
If, you would like to contact the Trompers, we meet every Monday morning
at 9 am at Jim's Burgers at 2005 Colorado Blvd. and we'd love to have
anyone with a real passion for hot rods join in the fun. One last thing.
We would like to inform everyone who enjoys nostalgia Drag Racing that
October 2nd & 3rd. up in Bakerfield at the Famoso drag strip, the
California Hot Rod Reunion is taking place... This will be the 13th
edition, and it gets bigger & better every year... A huge car show with
hundreds of fantastic cars, rat rods by the tons, a fabulous swap meet,
vendors galore on the midway, and exhibition runs by drag stars & race
cars from the 1950's & 60's, plus, a full drag racing program on the 1/4
mile Famoso drag strip.
Famoso was a training field for pilots during WWII, and for many years was
the site of drag racing's greatest race-the "March Meet" also known as the
"U.S. Fuel & Gas Championship". This was THE race everyone went to. For
years they would have a field of 64 Front Engine Dragsters ready to do
battle come race day! What a race!
For information call 909-622-8562. I'll personally guarantee you'll come
home with great memories. Here's some helpful hints, Saturday is the best
day, but, arrive there by 7 a.m., gates open at 8, prepare to stay until
around 9:30 p.m., and don't miss the cacklefest. What's a cacklefest you
ask? Let's just say that the cacklefest will be the highlight of the
evening! And, bring your camera! Ok, everyone, we'll see you next month.
Till then, as always, "Let The Fun Begin!"
School's Out Forever?
by Paul Thomas
On the evening of August 18th, a diverse crowd of about 40 people came out
to the Hermon Town Hall Meeting at the Fellowship Hall on Wheeling Drive.
The gathering was put together jointly by the Hermon Neighborhood
Association and the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council.
The focus of the meeting was to deal with the likely closing of Pacific
Christian School on the Hill. The school's principal, as well as a number
of it's board members and alumni, were on hand to speak about the issue.
2004 is a bittersweet year for Pacific Christian. They are celebrating
their 100th birthday this year, but will not be opening their doors for
the Fall school season.
A letter was circulated earlier this summer stating that the school needed
$750,000 to continue in the fall of this year. $400,000 of it went to
operating costs, $150,000 toward promotion and marketing. The remaining
$150,000 goes to a contingency fund that helps to hold students at the
school. Although parents and other contributors did what they could to
boost finances, their efforts fell considerably short.
When the Thursday meeting commenced, it seemed that the school's imminent
closure was a given, but as the night wore on, the idea of keeping it open
was revisited. "Wouldn't it be nice to have the school the way it was?
There are funds out there. Let's look into funds, grants," suggested Randy
Carillo of The Highland Park Ministerial Association.
The idea brought an enthusiastic round of applause, as it was a sentiment
shared by many in the room. After all, many of them were alumni, or had
parents who are alumni, or children who attend.
Dr. Richard Riesen, the school's principal seemed genuinely touched by the
show of support, but stated that were they to open this Fall, "50% (of
students) would be applying for financial aid." To counter any rumors,
real or perceived, of favoritism he stressed that the school does not
cater to privileged kids. The school's makeup, Riesen says, is "70%
Latino... average students (of) middle to lower income."
Being a private institution, Pacific Christian is dependent on
contributions and donations in order to survive. In addition, they have
the faculty's salaries to pay.
Dwindling enrollment has been another contributing factor. From 103
students last year, there would be 73 left by Fall.
There exists another hurdle to overcome besides the aforementioned. In
response to a question from a resident in attendance, the school board
confessed that they do have an outstanding debt. To the tune of about
$750,000. Yes, that's an additional $750,000.
Barring a miracle, the most likely outcome for Pacific Christian School
will be
1) Reacquisition of the property by the Hermon Free Methodist Church or
Conference.
2) Declare it a Historical Site. This option would make it eligible for
property tax reduction and federal grants.
3) Rent the property to one of several interested schools (although
apparently the schools interested so far may be more interested in the
property than the actual school).
4) They could merge with another school.
5) As a last resort, sell the property, which would leave it vulnerable to
the greedy hands of land developers - something no one wants to see
happen. Least of all the Arroyo Seco area, which has seen more than it's
share in recent times. "As soon as we start to see land developers
involved, we'll get out the torches and pitchforks," said Arroyo Seco
Neighborhood Council President Pat Griffith.
As one whose alma mater was once closed, rented out, then subsequently
reopened a few years later, I know that all is not necessarily lost.
Keeping a school on this property is most important to the community, for
more than just sentimental reasons. November 20th is Pacific Christian's
100th year celebration and fundraiser. Let's stay educated.
Eagle Vista Seniors
On Sept. 07 the Eagle Vista Seniors' calendar starts with the 9 a.m. Board
meeting, followed by the 10 a.m. business meeting. September birthdays
will be celebrated with cake and coffee. A trip to Germany is the subject
of a craft talk by Ally Frey. Sept. 11 (Saturday) A trip to the Wasco
Festival of Roses takes place. This outdoor fair includes booths for arts
and crafts, also food vendors. Cost of the trip is $23.00. The optional
barbecue beef lunch is $4.50.
Sept. 14 starts the fall season with a fashion show given by "Diane's
Accessories" of Ontario, CA. (Volunteer models: call Pat Miller) Afternoon
tea will be served. One teapot should be supplied for each table and all
attendees are asked to bring a special tea cup. Pecan tarts, cream puffs
and tea sandwiches will be provided.
Sept. 21 welcomes our speaker Mary Helen Cruz, Commissioner of Los Angeles
on Aging.
Sept. 23-:24 (Thurs.& Fri.) brings the overnight tour of Catalina Island,
departing at 7 a.m. from the Eagle Vista site, and returning the following
day at 5 p.m. The tab is $170.00. Single-supplement $63.00.
Sept.28 BINGO' Lou Agrati, caller.
PLEASE NOTE: UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE ALL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT RAMONA
HALL, 4580 NO. FIGUEROA, AT OUR REGULAR TIMES.
(Bus trips will continue to leave from the Eagle Vista site.)
optimist foster family & adoption
services invites prospective
foster parents to
september 11
orientation
(LOS ANGELES) – Optimist Foster Family & Adoption Services welcomes
prospective foster parents to an orientation Saturday, September 11 (9
a.m. – 12 p.m.) at its main campus in the Highland Park section of Los
Angeles (7003 N. Figueroa St., 2nd floor).
The meeting provides an overview of the process and requirements of
becoming a foster parent and the need for safe, nurturing environments.
The agency, which offers childcare services to parents during the meeting,
formally trains participants through a series of subsequent classes and
also provides follow-up services and resources to foster parents, who
receive financial support for the child's food, clothing, medical care and
other needs.
Optimist Foster Family & Adoption Services, a division of Highland
Park-based Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services, has placed more than
5,000 children in loving and caring foster homes throughout Los Angeles
County since 1993.
For additional information and to enroll in the orientation and classes,
please call (800) 454-5561 and ask for a foster care coordinator or email
certification@oyhfs.org. It is important for participants requiring
childcare to make a reservation since space is limited.
Future HHPNC
Events
Stanley W. Moore
On Saturday, September 11, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Arroyo Seco
Library, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council is sponsoring a
PEACE PUPPETS WORKSHOP. Using recycled materials, paint, stories and
creativity the children will make puppets of the peacemakers in their
lives. This is a FREE workshop led by local artists and is funded by the
HHPNC. Ofelia Zuniga, chair of the Culture and Arts Committee, and board
members Enma Espinoza and Sonia Sanchez have arranged this special
opportunity for the children of our community. The library is located at
6145 N. Figueroa. To participate please call (323) 344-9440 to register a
child or children.
On Friday, October 8, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. the Clean and Green Campaign,
led by Ms. Venita Strange, chair, and funded by the HHPNC, will have a
Clean and Green Happening at the York Nursery, 3015 York Blvd. Board
members Carmella Gomes, Jane Kaplan and Rudy Guevara are working on this
event. Help beautify OUR COMMUNITY.
The HHPNC and the Highland Park Kiwanis Club are planning to seek a grant
to put in a sprinkler system and plant the concrete wall that borders the
parking lot of the Senior Citizen Center at the corner of Figueroa and
York. Do you have any ideas to make our community more beautiful? If you
do, then share them with the HHPNC on the 1st. and 3rd. Thursdays at
Franklin High School cafeteria next to the tennis courts.
On Saturday, July 31, nearly 100 people, according to board member
Carmella Gomes, attended the HHPNC-sponsored workshop on how to get into
the housing market. Home ownership is the key to building assets. HHPNC
board members Enma Espinoza, Angelica Frias, Jayne Kaplan, and Sonia
Sanchez worked hard to put this event together. Institutional participants
included New Economics for Women, 379 South Loma Drive, L.A. 90017 (213)
891-6408, Bank of America, Capital One, the Fannie Mae Foundation and
Coldwell Banker. New Economics for Women does workshops on home ownership
frequently, so if you want to get into the housing market give them a
call.
9/11: Remembering to
Restoration
Rev. Nancy C. Moore
Occidental Presbyterian Church
On September 11, 2001 our country was shaken to its core not only by
terrorist events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, but also by the
fear and confusion launched forth from our capital. Three years later the
confusion and the fear continue, though hopefully to a lesser extent.
Still we continue to ask ourselves: What happened? Who is to blame? Can we
'fix' the problem, and what exactly is 'the problem'? As elections draw
near the political rhetoric heats up and so in light of the terrorists
again we hear condemnations of the situation, the solutions, and the
leaders. In the midst of all this, is there something we can do? Is there
any way of comprehending such a foundation-shaking horror and moving
forward?
Each year on the anniversary of the '9/11' events several congregations in
the Eagle Rock/Northeast Los Angeles community have gathered to worship
under the banner of 'Remembering, Reconciliation, Restoration.' The
service has offered the worshippers an opportunity to reflect on what has
happened to us, collectively and individually; to put ourselves back
together in new, helpful ways; and to move on refreshed, restored. You are
invited to be a part of this year's event at the Eagle Rock Presbyterian
Church, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, AT 6:00 P.M. There will be a time of
collective and for private prayer, reflection, comfort, and gathering
courage to move ahead into whatever God is calling us to do.
Please do join us; your presence would be an affirmation of this
community's wish to move out in healing and in justice for all!
Toyota picks Debs for
Public Lands Day --
September 18.
Once again, Friends of Debs Park has been honored by environmentally
friendly Toyota Corporation to partner in cleaning up the Arroyo! Debs
Park will be their one and only official NPLD site in the entire Los
Angeles area.
This means that of all of Toyota's local efforts in promotion (and in
recruiting volunteers) will again be directed this year at further
burnishing our local jewel.
For more info on Public Lands Day (and what you can do to help) stay tuned
for updates from FDP, and go to www.npld.com
Louis Quirarte
El Pueblo Historical Monument
recruiting docents
Las Angelitas is recruiting for a new docent class Sept. 21. Please visit
the website listed at -- www.lasangelitas.org This intensive class lasts
seven consecutive weeks, every Tuesday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. This is an opportunity to become well versed in the history of Los
Angeles. Once completing the class you are asked to volunteer two weekday
mornings or one Saturday morning per month . See website for details.
20th Century Club Craft Fair
The Women's 20th Century Club of Eagle Rock is in the planning stages of
their upcoming Holiday Boutique & Craft Fair, which will be held on
November 6. For a vendor spot, please contact Roe Muzingo (323) 255-4438,
or email her at Roemuz@webtv.net.
Miss Mindy's Music Musings
Electronica, folk, jazz, hip-hop, rock and classical. All great musical
styles in their own right but fuse them together and what happens is like
a chemical reaction!
Introducing Emily Wells,
 "Music
for Geek Love". A classically trained musician who seems to have wandered
off the beaten path and found herself in a completely different universe.
Just trying to classify this music is a feat unto itself.
Emily began her music career at age four when she began playing the
violin. Since then she has also taken up the guitar (acoustic and
electric), bass and piano. Being quite skilled with a drum machine, Emily
layers drum tracks, live music, vocals and more onto an 8-Track. What she
creates is a blended, textured sound that fits together beautifully yet
still manages to retain an unexpected and experimental quality. Emily also
writes, records, produces and performs all her own material. Not many
artists in today's music industry can say that.
Emily had a brief "flirtation" with Epic Records but after two years
decided she would rather produce her own albums than perform the pop music
they wanted from her. She much preferred acquiring her own sound and
gaining inspiration from a vast array of musicians that span a wide
spectrum of musical genres. Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, Aphex Twin, Bjork,
Outkast and Jimi Hendrix to name a few. Emily's eclectic taste is most
apparent in how she transforms from electronic mistress to blues-y folk
singer to classical pianist to spoken word poet. Though, it's when she
melds it all together that it really gets interesting.
"Afternoon" pairs a simple, child-like piano melody with a quirky drum
pattern that buzzes and claps. "Jimi James and the Blue Flames" which is
obviously Hendrix inspired, has a great electric guitar riff, scattered
bass and electronic looping. Emily offers us "Church" which brilliantly
blends drum patterns with crazy solos on a church organ and "Saga", a song
that feels like a rotating bicycle chain. Chugging along to a
clickety-clackety drum loop, a punchy down tempo and a classically
orchestrated piano melody.
Emily's songs that include her vocals can take on an altogether different
"vehicle" for her creativity. Lyrically speaking, Emily Wells is a
fantastic poet. Reading through her album cover is a journey all on its
own. Some lyrics are sung sweetly, some hauntingly. Some lyrics are spoken
gracefully, some are proclaimed powerfully. Either way, Emily Wells is
going to get her message across.
"No Way Am I Going" features a soulfully melodic acoustic guitar with
lyric sung in a sweet, jazzy manner. "Blame" has a nice down home goodness
to it with airy, lullaby vocals.
While "London Bridges" comes off more as a protest song, with the lyrics
"London Bridge is falling down, Iraq has already fallen down, New York
City's falling down, ashes to ashes we all fall down... capitalism is
coming down, imperialism is coming down, this feudal system gotta come
down and us peasants we got to rise...".
Emily Wells has undoubtedly found her own voice with this album. A sound
that is inventive and edgy, saturated with lyrics that tell more than a
story, they let you see the soul. Emily writes on her web site, "Music: a
drive so strong that it pulls me out all over the road in a furious
passion of sound and concept. Documenting my times, the times, as I see
them frozen in sudden past and present".
To check out Emily Wells, go online (www.emilywellsmusic.com) where you
can purchase "Music for Geek Love" and previous albums, read Emily's
travel diary, see photos and find out where to catch her live performances
at. Spice up your music collection with Emily Wells. Whatever musical
styles you're into, you ain't got nothin' like this!
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Poster Contest Winner
The Highland Park Beautiful Campaign is the result of a collaborative
effort to combat blight in Highland Park. The group spearheading the
campaign is comprised of community residents, businesses, the faith based
community, non-profit agencies, schools, and city government.
One of the first events promoted as a result of the campaign was a poster
contest. The "Highland Park Beautiful" poster contest encouraged young
people from local schools to consider what constitutes a Beautiful
Community.
Is it tree-lined streets? Thriving businesses? Plenty of safe recreational
opportunities for youth?
102 Elementary, Middle, and High School youth submitted poster entries
that depicted their personal vision of the type of community they hope to
live in and create in Highland Park.
The winning entry, created by Luther Burbank Middle School student
Diyaneyth Corona, reveals a safe, clean, and green Highland Park filled
with residents who contribute positively to their community. The second
place winner is Kevin Sanchez, and third place Anna Lansang.
Miss Corona's beautiful artwork will be made into a poster, which shall be
placed in shop windows throughout Highland Park in the near future.
For more information about this and other Highland Park Beautiful Events,
please contact Tessa Charnofsky at Hathaway Family Resource Center: 323)
257-9600 x116
SPONSORED BY: Kiwanis Club - LA Bridges - Hathaway Youth Leadership
Council - Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council - Luther Burbank
Builder's Club
Highland Park Happenings
by Paul Thomas
Is it just me, or has this summer flown by like greased lightning? I
merely turned away for a moment and August disappeared before my eyes and
another deadline has arrived. Despite the apparent swiftness of Father
Time himself, some clever folks in Highland Park have managed to beat the
clock and milk the summer for all it's worth.
The first week of August Pisgah Church, the converted house on Echo
street, was off and running with their Vacation Bible School program. It
was sponsored by Youth Link of America and World Opportunities
International.
The school ran weeknights 6-8:30 p.m. from August 2-6. It attracted a
number of 2-6 year old kids out for games, crafts, songs, and bible
stories.
Saturday, August 7th was the 4th annual Highland Park Music Festival. This
year it was put on in conjunction with Rock the Vote, an organization that
encourages youth voting through participation in various pop culture
outlets.
This year the event was moved from Sycamore Grove Park to the increasingly
popular Hermon/Arroyo Seco Park. The free festival was headlined by local
rockers The Peak Show. There were also performances by local acts Ann
Likes Red, The Artichokes & PapaChango.
Arroyo Vista Health Clinic held it's Health fair over the weekend of the
21-22. The outdoor event attracted many people out for free blood pressure
checks and other free services and information.
Things cooled down toward the end of the month, with a couple of nights
and early mornings that were, dare I say it - chilly!
Now, I'm going out on a limb here, but did anyone else notice a strange
blinking light in the night sky of August 24th? It seemed to hover very
high somewhere over Eagle Rock (I'm guessing). It looked like a star but
was blinking different colors. Too high to be a helicopter, and no I was
not drinking or smoking anything funny that night.
OK, enjoy the rest of summer. Stick a fork in me. I'm done.
DOT Holds Citywide Meetings to
Determine DASH Need
On Wednesday August 4, the Department of Transportation (DOT) sponsored a
public meeting at Ramona Hall in Highland Park. More than 80 community
members were in attendance. The DOT has hired a firm Melia Consulting (A
transit planning management company) to assist in a city-wide study to
access which communities have the greatest need for new DASH routes. The
purpose of the meeting was to explain the procedures and criteria that
will be used to prioritize community needs and to solicit public comment
and gauge community interest. The City currently has funding to start only
one new DASH line this year for the whole city.
In October of 2001, members of the Eagle Rock Valley Association Celia
Soto, Maritza Medina, and Suyapa Hernanez, first started a petition drive
to ask for a DASH route to cover the Eagle rock, Highland Park, and
Glasell Park areas of Los Angeles. As they gathered signature support they
discovered that there was a great need in the whole of the northeast
community for more effective and affordable transportation. From these
efforts the Northeast Transportation Coalition (NET-C) was born. NET-C has
been convening public meetings about this issue for over two years. These
meetings have demonstrated that the issues of effective transportation is
important to the residents of Northeast Los Angeles.
Students, families, working adults, teens, and seniors all have needs for
better public transportation. There has been broad agreement and thousands
of signatures on petitions that indicate a strong and growing need for
additional DASH routes that would serve all the Northeast and surrounding
communities.
Highland Park Neighborhood Council
News
Stanley W. Moore
On Monday, August 23, four concrete tables, each weighing 3680 pounds, and
eight concrete benches, each weighing 1200 pounds, were delivered to the
Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC) from the San Diego
Pre-Cast Concrete Company. The HHPNC used $6805 of its 2003 budget to buy
these benches and tables for the Garvanza and Sycamore Grove parks. Two of
the benches were placed at the children's' play area of the Sycamore Grove
Park so that mothers and others watching their children play would have a
place to sit. The four tables and the remaining six benches were placed at
Garvanza Park. Prior to these being placed in the Park there were no
tables and benches, period.
Welcoming their delivery were Manny Hernandez, president of the Council,
Heinrick Keifer, treasurer of the Council, Dr. Stanley Moore, chair of the
purchasing committee, the Human Relations, Education and Youth Development
Committee, and two of the Committee's members, Nancy Wyatt and Linda
Phelps.
The Human Relations Committee is spear-heading the HHPNC's effort to get a
skate park for the youth of Highland Park. All of the HHPNC's "extra"
money will be going to the new proposed skate park for Garvanza Park. But,
the HHPNC recognizes that at least 20 more tables are needed in our local
parks, and it is aware that the City is virtually broke. In future years
we hope to purchase more tables and benches for the use of our community.
Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, following up on the efforts of his
predecessor, Nick Pacheco, has authorized $900,000 to upgrade Garvanza
Park and build a skate park. The problem: only $226,000 was authorized for
the skate park, when a good park costs $400,000. What the City planned to
do was put down a flat concrete pad 100 by 110 feet and place modular
units on top of the pad. These units wear out in 4-5 years and must be
replaced, plus, they are not challenging enough to keep young people using
them after 4-6 months. So, the HHPNC requested that Councilman
Villaraigosa hold a meeting at let the community vote on the type of park
that they wanted. This was done, and the vote was 48-3 for a concrete park
with bowls, etc. NOW, the problem is to raise the amount of money to be
spent on the skate park to the range of $350,000 to $400,000. The HHPNC is
working hard to raise addition funds. Community organizations such as the
Highland Park Kiwanis Club, which has pledged a $1,000 matching grant
fund, are joining in the effort to provide our kids with the best skate
park possible. Any contribution, of any size, will be gratefully received.
Please call Dr. Stan Moore at 256-1024, or come to a HHPNC meeting on the
1st. and 3rd. Thursdays at Franklin High School cafeteria (the building
closest to the tennis courts).
Eagle Rock Council
Budget Priorities Forum
Tuesday Sept. 14th
7:00pm, Eagle Rock Library
How do YOU want public funds spent for the good of Eagle Rock? Do you have
ideas for Eagle Rock improvement projects or community events? Does your
group or organization wish to make a presentation to request funds or make
suggestions for spending? The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council invites you
to attend and participate as we discuss priorities for our 2004-2005
budget.
This is your chance to tell your neighborhood council how you want public
funds spent in Eagle Rock, so give it some thought, mark your calendars
and we'll see you there! All stakeholders & groups are invited to bring
ideas and participate! To have your presentation put on the agenda, please
submit your summary / proposal by August 31 to Mark Ryan, ERNC Treasurer.
Non-agenda ideas & comments will be taken from the floor as time allows.
Contact: Mark Ryan, Treasurer@EagleRockCouncil.org or 323-217-4481.
The Rock
Is Art Project
Jane Tsong Selected To Create Artwork The Rock Is Art Project Beginning
September 25, 2004
Grant Gershon will conduct an original piece by David O at the opening
reception September 25, 6 pm Hosted by Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa
August 24, 2004 Los Angeles: The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is
pleased to announce the selection of Los Angeles artist Jane Tsong as the
first to create an artwork installation for The Rock Is Art project site,
located at the Eagle Rock landmark, at the intersection of Route 134 East
exit and Colorado Avenue. On the evening of September 25, history will be
made in the city of Eagle Rock as the rock will be lit for the first time
in its history. Beginning at 6pm, Grant Gershon, artistic director of the
Los Angeles Master Chorale, will conduct a choir of 300 from throughout
the community; a commissioned work by David O will be performed as a
prelude to the Jane Tsong's installation of light and projections, Time by
the Rock which will debut at dusk. This will be a night to remember in Los
Angeles Northeast!
The Rock Is Art project began in September 2003 when the Center for the
Arts, Eagle Rock formed a coalition led by Councilmember Antonio
Villaraigosa, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, local
community organizations (most notably the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council)
and numerous art organizations. The Rock is Art installation inaugurates
the first in a series of biannual events -- every two years an artist will
be chosen to create a temporary art installation which features the
monumental rock formation said to resemble an eagle's beak, and for which
the town Eagle Rock is named. The installation will begin on the evening
of September 25th. This opportunity will enable the passengers in
approximately 216,000 cars that pass in front of the Eagle Rock each day,
to view a unique work of public art, highlighting the cultural growth of
the community of Eagle Rock, and the important role that the Center
provides.
Open to all artists in the Los Angeles area, this year's submissions were
juried by Los Angeles independent curator of media art, Carole Ann
Klonarides, and Joy Silverman, The Center for the Arts Eagle Rock Board
member, former Executive Director of the Los Angeles Contemporary
Exhibitions and founder of Onramp Arts. Kim Dingle, Carole Ann Klonarides
and Felicia Filer are advisors to the project. Center for the Arts, Eagle
Rock Program Director Lui Sanchez is project coordinator.
Jane Tsong's proposed installation, Time by the Rock, is a projection onto
the rocks face of an animated sequence that connotes time and place. The
shape of the shadows cast by the eagle's beak that appear on the rock
during the day are projected on the rock in the evening. Eight hours of
the sun's daily progress will be accelerated, condensed into about sixteen
seconds, calling attention to both time passing and the timeless nature of
the rock itself. In her proposal, Tsong writes, Every day, the movement of
the sun enacts a moving picture over the face of the rock which is as
constant as the rotation of the earth itself The native people who used
the rock as a sacred site would certainly have been aware of this most
primitive of movies. Who can guess by how long this movie predated even
their civilization? Jane Tsong has created work for the Armory Center for
the Arts, The Arroyo Arts Collective, and The Irvine Fine Arts Center. Her
work has been included in exhibitions nationally and abroad. She received
an undergraduate degree in film from Yale and has an MFA from UCLA.
Technical assistance will be provided by Staging Techniques of Los
Angeles.
The Center for the Arts 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. For
more information call the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, 323.226.1617 or
check our website, www.centerartseaglerock.org for updates. The Center is
located near the corner of Eagle Rock Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard at
2225 Colorado Blvd.
New Director for Mt. Wash Preschool
Mt. Washington Preschool and Child Care Centers,
Inc. (MWPCCC) is pleased to announce the hiring of a new Executive
Director. Debra Orman, who will assume her management role on August 9th,
replaces Founding Executive Director, Judy Nygren who recently retired.
Debra brings a wealth of experience in early childhood care and education
to her new position with MWPCCC. She served as Executive Director of the
Oregon Child Care Resource & Referral Network and led the development and
implementation of a statewide health and safety initiative for young
children for the Oregon Health Division in Portland. More recently, Debra
has taught multi-media and library sciences to elementary aged children at
Rockdale Elementary School in Eagle Rock, CA and is a Certified Trainer
for the National Institute of Child Care Health Consultants, developing
training for in-home family child care providers and center-based staff.
MWPCCC, founded in 1993, is a community-based nonprofit organization in
Northeast Los Angeles serving nearly 2,000 children, families and child
care providers with a broad range of early childhood development programs
from high quality child care to parent and provider training, school
readiness programs, family literacy events and a Mobile Resource Library
stocked with books, toys, dramatic play materials and curriculum
resources.
The agency's four day care centers, located in Northeast and Downtown Los
Angeles, serve infant through toddler-aged children with high quality
programs based on accepted theories of child development involving
learning through play and creativity. In a five-year study of quality
child care centers in the region conducted by the UCLA Department of
Education, MWPCCC's Highlands Children's Center was chosen as one of ten
"best practices" sites in Los Angeles County.
Si Se Puede! Chicano Music Scene
The Autry National Center Invites You to a Fandango Chicano Chicano Greats
Lalo Guerrero, Quetzal, and Candela Perform at Scenes Sí Se Puede! Concert
Saturday, September 18, 2004, 7 to 11:30 p.m.
Los Angeles (July 6, 2004) — As part of the Autry National Center's
musical "Scenes" program, Sí Se Puede! Bailar, Cantar, Perdurar will
feature the "father of Chicano music," Lalo Guerrero, and grass- roots
activist band Quetzal. The grand finale will be a special Fandango Chicano
where everyone will be invited to sing and dance— led by the all-female
jarocho group Candela and featuring the student dance group Son Del
Centro.
Artist Jose Ramirez will project his artwork on a large screen during
Quetzal's performance and will display his original works in the theater
lobby. In addition, community-provided images of concerts, protests,
marches, festivals, and celebrations will be compiled into a slide
presentation that will be projected on the building wall beginning at
sundown.
Admission to this event is $8 for Autry National Center members, $15 for
nonmembers. For tickets, call TicketWeb at 866.468.3399, or visit
www.ticketweb.com.
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