Election Time Again

CD 14 Candidates take the stage at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights From left; Paul Gonzales, Ruby de Vera, Randy Carrillo, Brian Heckman, José Huizar, Juan Jimenez, Nick Pacheco, David Sanchez (behind Pacheco)

Council Candidates Debate
Organizers Try to Bar Female Candidate, Then Relent

by Tom Topping
Eight candidates for the 14th district L.A. City Council seat engaged in the latest candidate forum held Thursday, August 18 in Boyle Heights. Organized by the Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce and the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council, the format allowed each candidate equal time to give their answers to each of a panel of questions.
Although the event was scheduled to start at 5:30, it was almost 6:30 before all the candidates showed up. The stage was set with place cards marking each candidates seat. The organizers became a bit flustered, however,
when one candidate showed up whom they did not expect, or make arrangements to include.
Ruby deVera, former Field Deputy to Councilman Richard Alatorre, calmly and tenaciously sought to be included, as she believed she should. Organizers tried to deny her a seat, but eventually relented with the consent of other candidates and wanting to eliminate the possibility of bad press. Mrs. deVera was the only woman and only Asian candidate who came to contend.
If you have ever been to one of these forums, you know that many candidates bring their own cheering sections. Although organizers warned spectators to hold their applause, the warnings went unheeded as the José Huizar and Nick Pacheco fans cheered and booed alternatively.
Eagle Rock was surprisingly well represented with Pacheco, Brian Heckman, Randy Carrillo and Mrs. deVera all representing that community. At the other end of the district, Olympic Boxing Champ Paul Gonzales, Juan Jimenez and David Sanchez were there standing for Boyle Heights. Somewhere in the middle was LAUSD School Board Member José Huizar, hailing from El Sereno.
All the candidates spoke pretty well, but two of the candidates, each having previous experience as elected officials, were the best informed and most knowledgeable about what it takes to effectively do the job of being a City Councilperson. Nick Pacheco, with his "I'll hit the ground running" theme and a 4 year record of accomplishments has a good chance to get his old job back. Huizar, currently the School Board President, also has a record of accomplishments to showcase. That, along with his education in urban planning, and experience as a land use attorney gives him a depth of resources good for a position where these types of issues often must be decided on. He also has the endorsements of the Mayor and half the current City Council.
Ruby deVera has quite a bit of support from the growing Filipino community, and, as she reminded the audience, many of the current council members got their start working for the previous council member in their district. She has a good knowledge of City Hall, how things work, and how things get done there.
David Sanchez is the most overtly progressive candidate. His claim to fame is a student walkout he organized in 1968, a story soon to be released as a TV movie.
The following are a few select quotes from the evening.
"I'm against anything that has to do with our community, that affects the lives of our community." -Paul Gonzales
"I promise you I will not allow the City of Los Angeles to take your home, for big developers, for private interests downtown, so write it down, I promise..." - Nick Pacheco
"But I tell you, I congratulate the teachers, they are the best educators of our children..." -Ruby deVera
"When are we gonna get the state off our back?" -David Sanchez
"For a change we have to get somebody else in office... not the same old Golden Palominos we keep electing every year..." -David Sanchez
"Right now we do not have the time for our next council member to be someone having on-the-job-training. I'll tell you, we need someone who can hit the ground running..." -Nick Pacheco
"The fact of the matter is that we've got to fight this governor, who has taken away 2 billion dollars from education..." -José Huizar
"I will prove to you that women can do this man-sized job... I am a woman of few words but a lot of action." -Ruby deVera
"I've been an attorney for 23 years, noboby's perfect..." -Brian Heckman
"I worked my way through college I worked in a steel mill three or four years, I worked in a factory... I have a working class background, I have a business background"... -Brian Heckman
"I'll protect local businesses, I'm your council member, I will stand up, I will get things done..." -Jose Huizar
"I'm not such an egomaniac, that I'm not gonna recognize when another candidate says something... I agree with José Huizar, our former council member failed us"... Nick Pacheco
If I was your council member I would've told L.A.P.D., "you do not participate with CNN and have 'Homicide in Hollenbeck' give us a black eye, here, when this is our community! Hey, you don't do that!" -Nick Pacheco
"I need to be elected in order to make progress possible. If you vote for the same old Golden Palominos, shame on yourself!" David Sanchez.

The forum was interrupted quite a few times by Don Garza, a downtown resident and community activist who is the official Downtown Los Angeles "Town Crier." He kept screaming "Ask the questions!" from the back of the auditorium. When José Huizar was trying to make his concluding statements, Mr. Garza was able to shout him down, a good deal louder that the p.a. system. He turned out to be a Pacheco supporter.

Downtown L.A.’s official Town Crier- Don Garza

ERNC Elections! Oct. 1!
The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council is finally getting around to holding elections again. After losing their President, Treasurer, and their quorum, the funds for the council were locked by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (DONE), and no public meetings have been held since.
After neglecting to hold the required February elections for the second year in a row and getting bogged down in revisions in election procedures, the ERNC was put on notice that they must get their act together. After little notice and no public outreach, they plan to hold their election on Saturday October 1st.
The ERNC has been plagued with troubles from the beginning stemming from strong personalities intent on controlling every aspect of the group, with little regard for openness or inclusiveness required under the city charter. In fact, just the opposite is true, as the past president continues to act as if the board members are there to work for her, as she bogs them down with assignments and duties having nothing to do with making the city government in Los Angeles more open and responsive to the concerns of the citizens.
This latest "election" seems to fortify that position by narrowing the time that possible candidates have to be learn about and make a decision to run for the council. After repeated requests by this writer to find out what was going on with the ERNC and when their meetings were being held, there was never any answer offered.
What remains of the council is mostly Dalila Sotelo and Jessica Wethington meeting in private, apparently to determine how to keep their stranglehold on the ERNC.
At the August 25 candidate information workshop, only four candidate registration forms had been received so far, to fill sixteen empty positions.

Eagle Vista Seniors
Sept. 06 (Tues.) begins the Eagle Vista Seniors' calendar with the Board Meeting at 9:00 am and the members meeting at 10:00 am. Birthday Cake will honor those born in the months of Sept. and Oct.
Sept. 13 (Tues.) Our speaker at 10:15 a.m. will be former councilman Nick Pacheco who is a candidate for the post recently vacated by Antonio Villaraigosa.
Sept. 14 (Wed.) Senior Day at the Los Angeles County Fair offers a special trip for $18. This includes lunch as well as a guided tour of several exhibitions. The bus will depart from Eagle Rock Park at 9:30 am and return by approximately 4:00 pm.
Sept. 20 (Tues.) BINGO! Art Gibson, caller.
Sept. 28 (Tues.) Board meeting at 9:00 am and business meeting at 10:00 am for the coming month of October.
NOTE: All meetings will take place at the Eagle Rock Recreation Center, 1100 Eagle Vista Dr. unless otherwise mentioned.NOTE: Final payment for the "King Tutankhamen & Golden Age of the Pharaohs" exhibit at MOCA is due by Sept. 27.

Summer Week in Review
by Tom Topping
The first weeks of August
were very in the Northeast. Saturday, the sixth, was the "Day of Service" in Council District 14. A day of clean-ups and fellowship for local community people. Mayor Antonio showed up, as well as John Schroder, Co-Chief Operating Officer from Westfield Shopping Centers, to kick it off. Attending as well were some of the candidates running for councilman in this area, Nick Pacheco, Ruby De Vera, and José Huizar.

The Eagle Rock Beautification Collaborative got the beautiful Peggy Baldwin with her cello for the Ladies Auxiliary breakfast at the Eagles Club. Even José Huizar showed up.

Sunday the 7th, Eagle Rockers started their day off with a Champaign Breakfast at the Fraternal Order of Eagle's Club, put on by the Ladies auxiliary. The Eagle Rock beautification collaborative contributed with some very tasteful decorating, as well as providing live music for the event. For a paltry fee of $5, diners were treated to a full breakfast, including champagne, fresh fruit and table service.

Later that day, the latest edition of the Concerts in the Park series, put on by the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce, was held. It was a packed house, as "A Hard Days Night," a Beatles tribute band, played their tunes. Everyone was singing along, and enjoying the young men's performance. They dress up in suits for the first part of the show, just like the Beatles in the early sixties era. Then, they come out in full Sgt. Pepper regalia. Finally, for the last set, they dress in the early 70's "White Album" style to conclude the show. It was really good; They do a great job if mimicking not just the music, but the physical movements as well. They even had screaming teenager girls to cheer them on.

“HARD DAYS NIGHT” A Beatles tribute band really rocked the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce’s Concerts in the Park series. Here, they are made up as the “early” Beatles.

The Eagle Rock Association held their public meeting on Tuesday the 9th, and speaking was special guest, Laura Chick, Controller for the City of L.A. She spoke about her efforts to clean-up city government. Her office is the only one in the city who asks, "How are we doing, and how can we do it better?" She said her office had done around eighty audits in her first term, which were all available on her web page. She describes her job as "taxpayer watchdog, to
improve city services, to open up the city's books to more public awareness and scrutiny, and eliminate waste and fraud where we find it."
She relayed that the different department heads are starting to learn that the only time she gets good press is when they fight her efforts to audit a city department. Of paramount importance is the working relationship she has with the Mayor's office. The support of the Mayor is critical, as he is the one with the power to change things. She gave one example of how that relationship works.
Chick had been getting many reports of misbehavior in the form of "Whistle Blower Complaints" from city employees about problems of discrimination within the L.A. Fire Department, against women and minorities. She announced she would be going in to audit them and immediately, the Fire Commission responded by announcing they would be doing an audit and they began to allocate the funds to do just that. The Mayor, within 24 hours, sent a letter to the Fire Commission, who serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. He instructed them that it did not make sense to have two investigations going at the same time and assured the Commission that the Controller was interested in incorporating their concerns into the audit.
She said it was her job to give the Mayor a "Roadmap" of what changes and improvement is needed and then it is up to the Mayor to carry out those changes. He has the power to call up department heads and bureaucrats and say "Do it!"
Wednesday the 10th, a film was shown in the Highland's Hall about the struggle of workers in the Philippines. The documentary film portrayed the striking workers of a sugar plantation. The poverty is extreme and the workers, during the milling season, only make 17 cents a day. The true life scenes were reminiscent of Hollywood movies of when Jimmy Hoffa and the Teamsters got started. Basically, striking workers are being gunned down by police and military forces in the Philippines.
The showing of the film was sponsored by State Assembly member Jackie Goldberg, and a surprise guest was in attendance. A young woman, who, at the end of the film stood up and promised the support of the United Farm Workers U.S.A. was none other than Christine Chavez, the grand daughter of U.F.W. founder Cesar Chavez.
Finally, on Thursday a meet and greet for José Huizar was held at Casita Verde, the Zeigler estate. Residents of the 14th district were able to ask many questions of the candidate for the 14th council district. A similar meeting was held there Monday for former Councilman Nick Pacheco.
Later that Tuesday, at the L.A. Police Historical Museum, the monthly Highland Park neighborhood watch meeting was held. The good news was that crime in that area is down to about one third of what it was 6 to 7 years ago. Highland Park Senior Lead Officers Chris Cooper and Mark Allen gave credit to all the diligence and hard work of community members who partner with the local police by being their eyes and ears.
They did have some bad news as well. It seems that homeless people are being put on the Goldline, reportedly by officials in L.A. and Pasadena, who are getting off in Highland Park. Of course, no one is admitting they do that, but the police have been asking these folks how they get here, and this is the answer they are told.

Skate Park Progressing
by Tom Topping
After overcoming many hurdles, both financial and political, the Garvanza Skate Park is continuing to move toward completion. With the help and input of local skateboarders, skatepark coalition leader Heinrich Keiffer has been working with city officials to make the design of the park into one that will meet the needs of all; young and old skateboarders, spectators and bureaucrats.
On Thursday, August 25th, the latest meeting was held at the Harnsberger Real Estate offices in Highland Park. That night, coalition members were ironing out the final design for the actual working area of the park, specifically the humps, banks, bumps and the elevations and ramp angles that will make the final design for the skating area.
They will recommend to the city changes such as raising the height of a ramp, or changing its angle, re-shaping a "blob" in the center of the area, and comment on changing the color of the coping around the "pool" area from a very hispanic red, white and green to a more subtle cobalt blue.
Heinrich reminded coalition members that their participation is necessary to keep the city from "steamrolling" the process, which would tend to ignore community and skater's desires in favor of what is easier or more convenient for city workers to manage. He encouraged all to stay involved in the process.
Also on the agenda was to talk about fundraising efforts to close the funding gap to complete the park. There was good news as a skateboarding magazine has taken an interest in the "first" skatepark in the city of Los Angeles. They have commitments of "some" support from the Tony Hawk foundation, and ideas ranged from a bake sale to a skating exhibition to raise those funds.
Michele Harnsberger put out a call to find creative folks to design a good poster to help publicize the kick-off and fundraisers, and getting the word out in plenty of time.
Heinrich stressed the importance of attending whatever kick-off the local politicians may have. He said, "Whatever the politicals have as the kick-off for it, we have to come and support it."

Peter Vandruff
Peter Vandruff, resident of Eagle Rock for 45 years, passed away at his home with his wife and family around him, on Friday, August 26th.
Peter came to California from Canada after high school to attend UCLA Dental Tech. school. He had his own dental lab where he worked for many dentists in the Pasadena & Altadena area.
He was a 35 year member of Pasadena Elks, a 45 year member of the Eagle Rock Sportsman's Club, and also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, #2188 in Eagle Rock.
Peter leaves his wife of 53 years, Vi, four children; Tena Lewis of Tujunga; Diana Vandruff of Citrus Heights, CA; Deborah Bebonis of Sydney Australia; Daryl Vandruff of Rocklin, CA; a sister, Lida, in Oregon; seven grandchildren: Jennifer, Joanne and Shannon Lewis; Nikki and Alexi Bebonis; and Joel and Mitch Vandruff; and an aunt and numerous cousins in Canada.

Council Candidate Meet and Greet
September 6
All are invited to join the Eagle Rock Association on September 6 to help you choose the best Los Angeles City Council candidate to represent Eagle Rock and the rest of Council District 14 in the upcoming election on November 8.
The event will take place on Tuesday, September 6 at 7:00 p.m. The location is the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, 2225 Colorado Boulevard.
There are 10 certified candidates, and at least one write-in. There might be more by the time September 6 comes around. Come meet them!

CD 14 Certified Candidates
DIANA JILL NEWBERRY - Meatpacker
DAVID JOHN SANCHEZ - Educator and Author
BRIAN HECKMANN - Attorney-At-Law
JOSÉ HUIZAR - School Boardmember/Attorney
NICK PACHECO - Counselor
RUBY BAXTER DE VERA - Council Office Manager
RAMIRO MOSELEY - Educator CLIFFORD
CRYSTAL ARCEO - Businesswoman
PAUL G. GONZALES - Olympian Public Speaker
JUAN "JOHNNY JAY" JIMENEZ - Community Activist /Organizer

Thanks to Ed Reyes
I want to thank Councilman Ed Reyes for his generous support of the Highland Park Car Show, which was on June 26, 2005 in Highland Park.
The effort of making this event happen for the community is well worth it, as every summer, the community of Highland Park looks forward to the car show for a long time tradition of some fun and enjoyment. Thank you again Councilman Ed Reyes for waiving the permit fees and granting permission for this event to happen in the Highland Park Community.
I also want to extend my gratitude to Paul Sanchez, President of the Good Times Car Club, for his support and help with the Highland Park Car Show. Thanks again.
Jesse Rosas, Event Coordinator

Cypress Park Book Sale
Sale to Feature 100's of New Books for Teachers, Administrators
The Friends of the Cypress Park Library will hold its semi-annual Book Sale on Saturday, September 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hundreds of used and like-new books and some CDs, videos, and audiotapes will again be offered for sale at bargain prices (25 cents to $1) to help raise funds for special programs and other library needs.
In addition, this month's sale will include several hundred new professional development books for school teachers and administrators. The new books, valued at up to $50 each and recently donated to the library by a leading Southern California academic publisher, will be sold at the same low prices as used books.
The library receives and accepts regular contributions of used books (Spanish language books and books for children are among the most needed and popular).
The Friends book sale will be held in the library's Community Room at 1150 Cypress Avenue (at Alice Street), in the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhood of Cypress Park. 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.

Eagle Rock Flags On Sale Now!
If you've traveled west on the 134 freeway approaching Glendale in the late afternoon when the breezes are up, you've seen the Eagle Rock flag flying proudly alongside the California and United States flags on the Rusty Pelican property. The flag-raising event on Flag Day, June 14, was wonderful to behold!
Well, now you can have your own version of the Eagle Rock flag. The flag comes in two sizes: a small version in 4" x 6" for $5.41, or a larger version (to fly in front of your home, for example) in 3' x 5' for $54.13. Both prices include sales tax.
Both sizes of flags will be for sale at the Eagle Rock associations September 6 event, or you can order a flag by calling (323) 259-TERA.

New Librarian at Eagle Rock Library
Mr. Rolando Pasquinelli took the helm as Head Librarian at the Eagle Rock Library this month, after serving for 25 years in the Central Languages Department at the Los Angeles Central Library. Kent Brinkmeyer, who served as the head Librarian at the ER Library for the past two years, has retired (Congratulations, Kent!) Mr. Pasquinelli is a long-time Eagle Rocker, who says he loves the community and has lived less than two miles from the library since 1979! Be sure to say hello to Eagle Rock's own Rolando Pasquinelli the next time you're at the Eagle Rock library!

Eagle Rock Lions Club has an Opportunity for You!
Here is your chance to participate in a local project that can make a huge difference in people's lives around the world. The Eagle Rock Lions Club recognizes community needs and develops means to meet them, either through the Club's own effort or in cooperation with other agencies. Their main concern is to eradicate preventable blindness worldwide.
One of their ongoing projects is collecting used eye glasses and hearing aids, for recycling and distributing to those in need. Every year, Lion's Club members who are vision care professionals travel to distant third world countries at their own expense. These optometrists and opthamologists give vision tests and distribute donated eyeglasses free of charge to those in need. This year, Lions members traveled to, and fitted eyegasses in Nepal. Last year they did the same in Africa.
This is your chance to be a part of that effort. By taking just few minutes of your time to find and gather up your old eyewear, you can make a huge difference in the quality of life for countless others. The Eagle Rock Lions Club hopes to surpass last year's record of about 150 eyeglasses, and finally break the 200 barrier!
Make it a family project! Get the kids to join in and help! Find all those old glasses you don't need anymore and bring them to the local Lion's Club's eyeglass collection center at Tritch Hardware Company, 1620 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA 90041. Don't forget, they are collecting old hearing aids as well, so bring them all to the center and leave knowing someone on the other side of the globe will be receiving the precious gift of vision. A gift that you gave.

Rainbow for Girls
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (called IORG, or Rainbow) is a non-profit, fraternal youth service organization for girls between the ages of 11-20.
Do you have a daughter, granddaughter or know of a girl between the ages of 11 and 20 who would benefit from being in an organization that teaches lessons of humanity and encourages girls to help others. Many Rainbow Girls grow up to be leaders in their communities. Did you know that Lee Meriwether (our first televised Miss America) was a California Rainbow Girl, so was Marilyn Monroe. Many other community leaders got their start in Rainbow.
Joining Rainbow gives girls a wonderful opportunity to make lifelong friendships and meet girls from all over the United States and even the world. There are many scholarships available for Rainbow Girls through the various Masonic organizations. There are many, many reasons to join Rainbow, but the number one reason is to have fun. If you are thinking about joining or just curious about our group, we are having an installation of officers on Saturday, October 1, 2005 at 7PM, at the Glendale Masonic Center, 244 N Maryland, Glendale, Ca.
Rainbow is open to all girls, regardless of race or religious beliefs. Upcoming Events for September
9/17/05 Nickles Nickles trip (video arcade)
9/24/05 Rainbow University
We meet the 2nd and 4th Mondays, at 7PM at the Glendale Masonic Center. If you are interested in joining or want more information about our group, contact Angie Eckart, Mother Advisor 323-255-0285

Kiwanis & HHPNC Clean & Green Day
A community beautification day will be held on Saturday, September 17th, at the Highland Park Senior Center, on Figueroa at York Blvd. The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Highland Park in collaboration with the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council. Join members of the Kiwanis and Neighborhood Council as they clean up and beautify Highland Park.
They will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the pipeline excavation for a new irrigation system bordering the senior center parking lot. Then, they will continue with tree planting along the parkways of Highland Park's streets. If you know someone who would like to have a tree planted on that day please contact Heinrich Keifer, Club President at 323-258-7920.
As part of this Clean & Green Day, organizers need your suggestions for alleys, parkways, streets and other neglected areas to see if they can be included in the effort to beautify Highland Park. Tools and equipment will be provided by the City of Los Angeles' Operation Clean Sweep. Bring good shoes, gloves and a positive community spirit and you're all set for a day of making a difference in our community.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided by the neighborhood council and supporting businesses in the community. Meet at the Senior Center located at York & Figueroa Street, for tools and instructions.
For informationt: Heinrich V. Keifer 323-258-7920 HKeifer101@aol.com
Kiwanis Club Joins Neighborhood Council to host Community "Clean & Green Day"
The Glassell Park Neighborhood Council - Public Safety Committee, along with the Glassell Park Improvement Association, NELAPD SLO Robert "Red" Falconer, Glassell Park Recreational Center and Councilman Eric Garcetti and his office, is hosting their first Public Safety Festival TOUCH-A-TRUCK. Not only will attendees be able to receive all types of free information regarding safety, but TOUCH-A-TRUCK is an opportunity for children to explore a variety of Fire trucks, Police cars and other working trucks, as well as to "drive" an obstacle course.
There will also be hand craft and food vendors, demonstrations, face painting and lots more. They still have spaces available for any craft vendors, if interested, please contact Rev. Susan Skommesa at 323-828-8295 or via e-mail at psc@gparknc.com.
Everyone is welcome Saturday, September 24, 2005, 9:00am-2:00pm at the Glassell Park Recreational Center, 3726 Verdugo Road.

Roddin’ with Mary

Hello again, loyal readers! Has it been hot enough for you? I can hardly wait for Fall - my favorite time of year. Besides Halloween, my all time favorite holiday, I love October in Eagle Rock. We still can have some hot days in the 80's and 90's but often we get an afternoon breeze that will blow right through the nooks and crannies of our town that can actually bring chills. Check it out sometime. The contrast is amazing. A few new cars, as well as old friends showed up for the Eagle Rockin' Rodders August Cruise-In at Jim's Burgers. I'm going to call this part of my column, Mary's Pick of the Month:
A new friend, Robert, showed up with his 1976 Turbo Porsche Carrera. Aside from it being a Porsche, the most striking and obvious thing about this car is its hot purple paint job. It's not just purple or lavender; it's an irridescent purple with undertones of red and blue that change the tone of the purple depending on how the light hits it. There is nail polish that does the same thing.
This is not that newer paint that goes blue, purple, red, lavender, or the orange, yellow, green that you see on some hot rods. This is an older 'anniversary' color that Porsche put out, and they call it Blue-Violet Metallic. Robert calls the color "pimp purple". I think Prince would really love this! Decals of 40's style pin-up girls decorate each fender. Soon the decals will be removed and pin-up girls in the style of airplane art will be airbrushed on instead. Many of us have names for our cars (No, not the ones you use when you're throwing wrenches on the garage floor!) Purple Porsche is nick-named Christine.
One of the things I appreciate about hot rodding is the history and stories that go along with some of the cars. Most car guys can give you specifics and details about the customizing, but I like to dig a little deeper when interviewing for the column. Robert told me that only 525 of these Turbo Porsches were imported into the U.S. Twenty of these were 'race cars', and all the others were street vehicles. Within 2 weeks of the cars going out onto the road, 13 of them ended up in repair shops due to accidents or crashes. I asked Robert what was the fastest he's driven this car... his top speed was 170 mph between here and Las Vegas. (Don't try this!)
Some of you may remember a few years ago we were encouraged to do a letter writing campaign to the state of CA. regarding impending smog law changes. There was a proposal to put smog sensors at freeway on-ramps all over Southern CA. in an effort to catch gross polluters. I recently read an article in the L.A. Times which states that after much going back and forth and lobbying, it looks like these sensors are going to be installed after all. The sensors will have a device that can register emissions and a camera to take a picture of the vehicle license plate. Offenders will be cited and notified by mail.
It won't be that hard to see the devices at on-ramps and avoid them. After all, how much do we take our hot rods on the freeway anyway? One trick that will be put into effect is that the devices will not be permanently stationed; they will be portable with locations being changed periodically. We'll just have to keep our eyes open for them!
Until next time, keep on roddin' !

Miss Mindy’s Reviews

Hey, Eagle Rockers! This month, I want to introduce you to a band that's been blazing its way through the N.E.L.A. music scene for just about 10 years now.
Kill Rabbit Kill is a grunge rock band that "all started in a sixth grade bungalow over rock and roll." Morgan DeRouen (singer/songwriter/drums), Daniel Guzman (guitar) and Greg Sariemento (bass) have generated quite an underground following since starting out in 1996. Front woman, Morgan even landed a demo deal with V2 (an offshoot of Virgin Records) at the age of 13!
Years have passed and though V2 couldn't "market" Morgan as they pleased, Kill Rabbit Kill is still putting out amazing albums and rocking the pants off local venues!
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Morgan and finding out, one on one…what really makes Kill Rabbit Kill tick.
Miss Mindy: First of all, I must know…where did the name Kill Rabbit Kill originate?
Morgan Rabbit: We were trying to come up with a band name for several months…I woke up out of a dead sleep and shouted "Kill Rabbit Kill", and so it goes.
MM: Who are a few of your musical influences?
MR: I love the early 90's Seattle grunge era. Something about male vocalists that can really sing turns me on. I also loved that they still played guitar solos back then. Sound Garden, Mud Honey, the riot grrrl movement, Depeche Mode. To tell you the truth, I love all good music in any genre.
MM: I know you consider yourself a guitarist before a drummer, so how did you come about playing such a wicked drum?
MR: When I was 12, I joined a Korean church and they noticed that I was very musical. Me and some of the kids would jam sometimes and I thought the drums were fun, so I fooled around. The pastor heard and asked me to play drums in the worship band, so I took him up on his offer. After that, I didn't really fool around much until our drummer left. I still had a wicked rhythm and rocked out with the band. I can do anything musically, if I put my mind to it.
MM: So, how hard is it to simultaneously sing lead vocals and play the drums?
MR: It's not hard at all…the only thing that is a must is a high energy level. A large lung capacity helps as well. I've never found musical multi-tasking to be a challenge. Obviously, playing the guitar and singing is not much different than drumming and singing. It simply requires practice and concentration.
MM: After almost 10 years together, how has Kill Rabbit Kill musically evolved?
MR: I wouldn't say "evolved" so much as I would say "fine-tuned." Our music has always been rock. I've always been the songwriter but I'd say as a band, we've not only honed our abilities as musicians but have tried to become a unit…not just a band.
MM: Could you name us a few of your personal favorites off this album?
MR: My faves are "Longing For A Star", "Near" and "U2 Reminds Me Of Me And You", just to name a few.
MM: You've been a part of the N.E.L.A. music scene for quite a while. What are a few of your favorite local venues?
MR: Mr. T's Bowl is like home. Honestly, some of my favorite places have been unique and hidden lofts and spaces downtown.
MM: You've been singing for most of your life. How did you "discover" your voice?
MR: As a child, I would sing R&B tunes that were on the radio, like En Vogue and Boys II Men…strange but true.
MM: So what was it like being courted by the music industry at such a young age?
MR; It was like a dream… no end and no beginning. If only I would have kept more phone numbers and wrote down names, I would still have the connections. I learned a lot about the recording end of the business… these experiences are treasures I will keep with me forever.
MM: What are your feelings about "today's" music industry?
MR: The market is sex, not music, when it comes to female music artists. That saddens me because as women, we have so much more to offer. Women are emotional creatures. We have every ingredient to write strong and meaningful songs.
MM: Honestly Morgan, how many times have you gotten the Janis Joplin comparison and what do you think about being linked to such an awesome musical icon?
MR: I take it all with a grain of salt because I'm me and I'll landmark my own reputation.
MM; What are your thoughts on the blossoming N.E.L.A. music scene?
MR: I think it's great…let's hope people catch on.
MM: Does Kill Rabbit Kill have any upcoming shows or projects?
MR: We are currently recording an album and polishing some rough edges.
MM: And finally, what so you see in the future for Kill Rabbit Kill?
MR: Fame, success, fortune… always living for the truth and in the present.
You can check out Kill Rabbit Kill's tunes at www.myspace.com/killrabbitkill. This is a voice that must be heard. Support your local musicians and rock on, Eagle Rock!

Eagle Rock MUSIC
FESTIVAL
In its seventh year, the Eagle Rock Music Festival has set the precedent for bringing eclectic music to people of the greater Los Angeles area. The October 1st and 2nd festival is free and is a crossroads between commerce and the arts, as the venues in which the musicians perform are the storefronts located along Colorado Boulevard and Eagle Rock Boulevard in the community of Eagle Rock. Historically, the music has included Jazz, Latin Jazz, Cajun, Zydeco, Classical, Rock, Pop, Blues, Swing, Indie, Country Western, Afro-Cuban, and Tex-Mex.
The event starts Friday evening this year with a kick-off concert at Fatty's on Colorado Blvd. at Vincent Ave. Then, on Saturday, the whole event goes into full swing staring at around 6 p.m. Saturday's festival goers will circulate from the Center for the Arts at 2225 Colorado, across from Starbucks, to Ballroom Blitz dance studio on Eagle Rock Blvd. near Yosemite Dr. Then they will go all the way up to Dr. Music on Colorado, near Argus, stopping at 15 to 20 spots in between.
Last year the festival drew thousands of visitors from distant communities such as Long Beach, Venice, Oxnard and Whittier. The festival appeals to young children, teens, senior citizens, and to people of all walks of life and culture.
The festival organizers welcome any help the community has to offer. As the festival grows and changes, the work and input of volunteers becomes essential to the process. The sponsoring organization, The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, especially welcomes anyone who is interested in volunteering at the festival.
Over the past decade, Northeast Los Angeles has been reinventing itself and is now one of the most vibrant areas in Los Angeles.
For seven consecutive years the festival has fostered collaborations among the communities of Northeast Los Angeles. The festival presents a common ground for interaction among the culturally diverse communities of LA, and offers a wide variety of musical entertainment. Attendees of the festival come every year because the festival has consistently offered quality musical entertainment in an exciting and unique environment.
Anyone who has been before is bound to return this year, and if you have never been, you don't know what you've been missing. It is, without a doubt, the most fun and exciting night of the year to hit the streets of Eagle Rock.
 

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Metro Test w/Mr. Mayor

Our new Mayor has made a monthly habit of inviting the media to ride public transportation with him. This month, I decided to go, too. What better way to join Mayor Antonio as he sought to increase rider ship on the Gold Line than connecting to it by bus? I found I was the only media representative who showed up using public transportation as well. I tried to act like a commuter who was heading to work downtown, like so many do, and see just how well or poorly it worked.
Mayor Villaraigosa has made a habit of riding the Goldline to work once a week, traveling downtown from his home in Mt. Washington. Now, with the price of gas soaring, he is spotlighting the concept of saving money as an extra incentive to get commuters out of their cars and into public transportation.
My plan was to take the bus from my apartment in Eagle Rock to the Highland Park Goldline station near Figueroa and Ave. 57. From there, I would take the Goldline to the Southwest Museum Station, wait for the Mayor to show up there, and join him (and the crowd of reporters, photographers and TV crews) on the ride to downtown L.A.
From past experience with the bus and metro system, I expected to spend more time waiting for the bus than riding it, so I allowed for a twenty minute wait at each stop. I was pleasantly surprised when the bus showed up within five minutes after I got to the bus stop. It was 7:55 A.M.
Thirteen minutes later, I was getting off the bus at Avenue 59. With thirty minutes to go before the Mayor was to arrive at the Goldline Station, I was pleased with my progress so far (of course if I had drove I would have been downtown by now). I walked down to El Pavo bakery for a cup of coffee to go.
Just as I was approaching the Station, I could hear the crossing bells ringing three blocks away at Figueroa street. I was still half a block away as the train whisked into the station. I started to run, but figured I'd never make it in time and besides, I was still early, plenty of time until the next one.
I continued walking toward the platform, and to my great surprise the operator had seen me and waited an extra minute for me to get on board. It was now 8:17.
As soon as the train pulled into the Southwest Museum station, I could tell the Mayor had yet to arrive. Numerous TV cameramen and reporters milled about. I went from one to the next asking if any had taken public transportation there. Like I said, I was the only one actually giving it a real-life test.
Mayor Antonio showed up right on time, being dropped off by a black SUV (It's a fifteen minute walk to his home at the top of Mt. Washington). He greeted reporters and answered their questions.
He said, "This line needs more rider ship. The red line, which originally was estimated to have about 69,000 riders now has 120,000 plus riders a day. The Blueline which was originally scheduled to have 37,000 riders now has 75,000 riders a day, so this is the Goldline and this one needs a little push. That's why... I live here on top of the hill and I thought we'd come down and encourage people to come, get on a train, get on a bus... and give people a sense that, you know that you can get from (point A to B using public transportation.)"
It was a zoo on the train, with all the TV and still camera-persons vying for position.
After we arrived at Union Station, I ditched the crowd and walked down to the end of the platform to see where the Goldline would be extending across the Hollywood freeway, through Little Tokyo and then into Boyle Heights. The support columns were well in progress, webs of re-bars wrapping around each other and sticking out, marking a path that parallels the freeway before turning south on Alameda Street.
I took a short walk through Olvera Street, and up Alameda to the Chinatown station. There, my wonderful experience with public transit came to a screeching halt. It was 10:15 A.M. You see, during rush hour the trains run every ten minutes. But after that, only fifteen to twenty separate them (more like thirty I think). I waited and waited. Two trains passed going toward L.A. Finally, one came heading my direction, and I got on. A few minutes later I was back in Highland Park. It was now 10:45.
I guess the buses must run less between rush hours, too, as I waited on Figueroa for the #81 to take me home to Eagle Rock. Finally, it arrived and no sooner had I got myself settled in, when I heard "Everybody off!" You see, some of the #81 buses only run as far as York and Figueroa; like this one. I could have took the DASH, but I couldn't find the stop.
Everyone headed for Eagle Rock got off and waited another 20 minutes. Finally, our bus arrived and I was back in Eagle Rock at 11:23 A.M.
My ride was over and the experiment was complete. I discovered that public transportation for Northeast L.A. commuters works pretty well, as long as it's during rush hour. The wait times are very short. But if it's not rush hour it can waste a lot of time. ALso, unfortunately, I found that if I was a downtown commuter from Eagle Rock, it doesn't make any sense to ride the Goldline. The wait to transfer from bus to train is a big waste of time, and Union Station is still quite a walk from most downtown destinations.
The #81 bus makes more sense. The rush hour buses run frequently, and you don't have to walk four blocks once you're there, just to get to City Hall.
If your destination is within walking distance of the Goldline or Redline, another option is to park at the Goldline station in Highland Park. For $1, you can park there for ten hours, saving the exorbitant parking fees of Downtown L.A., as well as the aggravation of the traffic. Make sure you get back within those ten hours though, or you will find yourself a parking ticket when you return.
Now this just does not make sense. Considering the time that travel can take on public transportation, you would think the city would institute a time limit of 12 hours, a much needed cushion when travel time to a 9 to 5 job can easily exceed an hour each way. I guess the D.O.T. (the Department of Transportation) just doesn't want commuters to park there. (Maybe it really means the "Deterrent of Transportation")
For me, if I have the time to spare, I like to ride metro if I have to go City Hall on business. I have to set aside two to three hours for an errand that could be completed in under an hour driving. Of course, if I have to pick up something bulky or heavy, public transit is out of the question. I mainly use it for entertainment, like going on a roller coaster. It's fun and exciting. Sometimes a little too exciting if you end up riding with some huge mentally off person, a group of kids that look like gang members or someone badly in need of a shower and deodorant.
But for $3, a day pass will let you ride all day from Long Beach to Pasadena to LAX, Hollywood, Universal City and North Hollywood.
Scheduled for completion in 2009, is the six mile Eastside extension of the Goldline, connecting Boyle Heights and East L.A.
Still in planning and funding process is the proposed Foothill extension that would extend east the line from Pasadena 24 miles to include the cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont and Montclair. Recently about 35 million dollars has been allocated for that process. The foothill extension is estimated to cost $1.37 billion (That's Billion with a "B").

Mayor Villaraigosa Appoints Local Residents
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa appointed residents from across Los Angeles to city commissions and boards on Monday. Appointments to over two-dozen boards and commissions ranged from the Affordable Housing and Planning Commissions to the Fire and Board of Zoo Commissioners.
"I am excited and grateful that so many talented and experienced Angelenos from across the city have agreed to serve in my administration," said Mayor Villaraigosa.
Slightly over half of the appointees announced by the Mayor are women and almost two-thirds are African American, Asian Pacific-Islander or Latino, reflecting the composition of America's most diverse city.
The Mayor's appointees are subject to confirmation by the Los Angeles City Council.
The Appointees from Northeast Los Angeles, are:

Commissioner Theresa deVera

Commission on Disabilities
Theresa deVera of Glassell Park, a person with a disability; an activist and recent graduate of Loyola Marymount University.
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument Authority
Tony Scudellari of Glassell Park, a music industry executive working at Sony Pictures Television.
Environmental Affairs Commission
Misty Sanford of Mt. Washington, an environmental activist and attorney at Munger, Tolles and Olsen.
Fire Commission
Dalila Sotelo of Highland Park, Sr. Vice President of McCormack, Barron, Salazar, a developer of affordable housing.
Los Angeles City Planning Commission
Robin Hughes of Mt. Washington, executive director of the LA Community Design Center, a non-profit architecture, planning and affordable housing development corporation.
East LA Area Planning Commission
David Marquez, a community activist and consultant living in Mt. Washington.

Mid Life Career Change?
"A Holistic Approach to Mid-Life Career Transition," a career conference aimed at baby boomers, is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Sept. 17 at Thorne Hall on the Occidental College campus. The event is being co-sponsored by the Occidental College Alumni Office and Seasoned PRO.
Richard Bolles, author of the bestselling "What Color is Your Parachute?" will be the keynote speaker. The title of his talk is "How to Make Decisions About Your Life."
The college is located at 1600 Campus Road in the Eagle Rock section of Los Angeles. For directions and a campus map, please go to www.oxy.edu/mapsdirections.xml.
The conference will feature experts from a variety of fields, including human resources, career development, leadership training, outplacement, executive search, employment law, financial planning, psychology, business consulting, entrepreneurship, and education. The event is designed to motivate participants to take positive steps toward achieving their mid-life, work-balance goals.
The registration cost is $125 if payment is received on or before Sept. 9 (Occidental Business Associates are $90 and Occidental students and alumni are $110). Registration is $150 after Sept. 9. The cost includes continental breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon coffee breaks, speaker handouts, attendee-authorized networking e-mail list, door prizes, a 30-day subscription to the Seasoned PRO Internet Job Search Quick Reference Guide and membership to SeasonedPRO@home, a career transition and job search Web site resource for baby boomers.
To register, please go to www.seasonedpro.com. For more information, contact Shon Jones at (310) 855-1064 ext. 101 or s.jones@hrms.net.
Under its HRMS parent company, West Hollywood-based SeasonedPRO seeks government and foundation grants to help those facing mid-life career challenges who are receiving services under the government's workforce development system.

Los Angeles' 224th Birthday!
The City of Los Angeles is Celebrating its 224th Birthday (1781 - 2005) !!
We would like to invite you to join us in San Gabriel on Sunday, September 4, 2005 at 6:00 a.m. when we lace up our walking shoes and join the descendants of the original founders of Los Angeles, the Pobladores, to re-enact the nine mile trek from the San Gabriel Mission to the Plaza at El Pueblo Historical Monument, where walkers will be greeted with a warm Los Angeles welcome and various birthday festivities. (This is optional, you can start at La Placita after 9, but it is a 3 day event in San Gabriel.)
The post-walk celebration will take place at El Pueblo Plaza from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 4, 2005. Historic Re-enactment "Walk to Los Angeles" from San Gabriel Mission to El Pueblo Historical Monument (walk begins at 6:00 a.m., San Gabriel Mission)
For more information call: (213) 485-8372 or (213) 485-9769
San Gabriel Mission, 428 S. Mission Drive
The events are free. For information and to REGISTER for the walk, call 213/485-8372, or visit: www.lacity.org/ELP or www.sangabrielcity.com.

That Yarn Store
That Yarn Store, a recently opened Eagle Rock business at 1578 W. Colorado Blvd. has a few events you might want to consider for your knitting or crocheting enjoyment.
Knit Around the Radio- Sundays 11am - Join us as we sit around the radio and listen to A Prairie Home Companion.
Crochet Circle- Tuesdays 6pm - If you've just learned or been doing it all your life, this is the time to sit down and compare notes and maybe learn a thing or two.
Knitter's Klatch- Wednesdays 6pm - Sit and Knit, show off your project, get advice on your yarn overs, and all that good stuff that happens when knitters meet.

Quilting at Carlotta’s Passion
A Century of American Quilting opens with a reception on Saturday, September 10th, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm. The show runs until Sunday, October 30th. The exhibit includes a splendid collection of fine antique and vintage quilts in our front gallery. Anne Copeland curates this show. Contemporary art quilts created by members of the Southern California-based Quilts on the Wall: Fiber Artists, appear in our back gallery. This show is curated by Jamie Fingal, a long-time, nationally renowned fiber artist. Carlotta's Passion Fine Art is located at 2012 Colorado Blvd. (at Maywood). Tues.-Sun., Noon-9pm. 323-259-1563 or email rs@carlottaspassion.com
During the show, Carlotta?s Passion will offer educational lectures and special events, including the following:
Saturday, September 24th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Anne Copeland will offer free verbal quilt appraisals to the public at Carlotta's Passion. Reasonably priced fee-based written appraisals will also be available.
Sunday, October 16th at 2:00 p.m., Anne Copeland will present "One Hundred Years of Comfort" a fascinating lecture about quilt origins and symbology, and the evolution of American fiber arts.

ERCPR Board to be Feted
The Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce, the business community of Eagle Rock and the Women's Twentieth Century Club invite you to a reception honoring Linda Allen and the Board of E.R.C.P.R. (Eagle Rock Community Preservation and Revitalization) on Tuesday September 13th from 6-8pm at the Women's Twentieth Century Club, 5105 Hermosa Ave. Ten years ago a small group of people, led by Linda, envisioned Eagle Rock business corridor improvement. This group eventually became E.R.C.P.R. and with money granted by the state through Senator Jack Scott, 45 businesses have been improved through the E.R.C.P.R.'s "Storefront Improvement Program", which has enhanced and improved Eagle Rock's business district and encouraged new business growth in the community. Linda and the Board of E.R.C.P.R. volunteer their time and efforts working with consultants and the state to improve Eagle Rock for everyone. Please join in recognizing and honoring their commitment at the reception on Sept. 13.
 

Transits/
Passages
An Overseas Exchange of 6 French Artists
Guest-Curated by Monique Frobert-Adamo Galerie Par-ci Par-la, Lyon, France
Exhibition Dates: September 1-30, 2005
Artists' Reception, Saturday, September 3, 2005, 7-10 pm
If you could not make it to France this summer, de rien (that's okay), because a little bit of France is settling into LA this fall, as Avenue 50 Studio, in Highland Park, welcomes six artistes from Galerie Par-ci Par-la in Lyon, for their first-ever stateside exhibition.
From the flowery psychedelia of Michael Relave's Kama Sutra suite to the atmospheric landscapes of Lyon after dark by Josette Aschenbroich-Bordet, Galerie Par-ci Par-la's curator Monique Frobert-Andamo brings us paintings and photographs alive with the joie de vivre of her six emerging artists.
Montaged photographs of flora and fauna by Dominique Le Pen; petites emblematic hand paintings by Patricia Belbachir; and woman-centered works on paper by Emilie Teillaud round out the show – with a surprise artist yet to be announced.
Please join us, s'il vous plait, on Saturday, September 3, from 7 to 10pm, for la réception d'ouverture (the opening reception) - a night of French art and musique, conversation and cinéma, wine and cheese (mais naturellement) – and the start of a new bond between the Latino artists of Los Angeles and the emerging French artists of Lyon.
Quand / When: Saturday, September 3, 2005, 7-10 pm
Où / Where: Avenue 50 Studio, Inc., 131 No. Avenue 50, Los Angeles, CA 90042 (323) 258-1435

Concert at Blissful Soul
On Sunday Sept. 11, Eagle Rock resident Rob MacMullan offers soulful, original music about the mysteries of love and life. Join your friends and neighbors for an evening of peaceful remembrance and the joyful celebration of love. Rob will gladly sign copies of his CD purchased at this event. Picnic: 5:30-7pm (bring your own or purchase from Oxy Café) Concert: 7-8:30pm; Candlelight blessing: 8:30 pm. All are welcome!

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