Eagle Rock High School Drill Team - 2011
Eagle Rock Park- August 28, 2011- During a break at the final
Concerts in the Park for the 2011 summer season, the Eagle Rock High
School Drill Team gets in practice for the new school year. The Jack
Lantz Big Band concert was well received with many folks getting into
to "Swing" of things with their dance partners.
Don't Take MY Boulevard
Back!
Editorial
by Tom Topping
On Wednesday, September 21, the general Eagle Rock
Community will have the chance to learn and comment on the latest in a
long line of efforts to "improve" the commercial corridor through Eagle
Rock known as Colorado Boulevard. One can only imagine what this
venture, coined the Take Back the Boulevard Initiative, consists of,
having been concocted behind closed doors, with a carefully selected
steering committee consisting of leaders of TERA, the Eagle Rock
Neighborhood Council, and ERCPR. No media has been allowed.
Some business owners, having heard the name alone,
are already on alert, as the effort's name implies someone has taken
the Boulevard, and someone else wants to get it back.
Who has it now? Why is someone trying to take it
back? Is someone trying to take away the part that I am depending on????
The cards have been held very close to the chest by
this Steering Committee, presumably so that any possible opposition
will be overwhelmed by the momentum the initiative has when it is
unveiled, whether warranted or not. As TERA President Bob Gotham put
it, "Take Back the Boulevard is definitely moving down the runway,
ready for take off soon." Obviously the plan is to have running at such
speed down the runway, that no one can stop it or even really
understand what it is or where it's going before it takes off.
This secrecy and need for momentum alludes to an
underlying fear that there will likely be losers in the process,
leading to some resistance from somewhere, and that it is assumed that
some parts of the community will be against it, delineating the need
for secrecy and momentum before the plan is opened up to public
scrutiny. Will all boulevard businesses be invited equally to chime in
on the plan, or will only TERA approved businesses get a say or at
least be given a head start to give their input before the lesser loved
businesses?
On the surface, I don't like it. Whatever the good
intentions may be behind the initiative, I've learned to be suspicious
of anything done behind closed doors that can directly affect the lives
of hundreds, (business folks on the boulevard) and indirectly affect
thousands more (residents, homeowners and motorists passing through).
Yes, I know I always think there is some sort of conspiracy going on,
but just because I'm paranoid, that doesn't mean that no one is out to
get me, right? You get my point.
It might be a good thing, and it might work out
fine. It might not. My understanding from what has been written and
released through the information disseminating activities of TERA, (who
by this activity is legally classified now as a news organization, and
who is also leading this effort- no problem objectively reporting
there, eh?) the initiative will, for one thing, focus on slowing down
Colorado Boulevard, which after the Cordova family deaths in the median
tree crash of 2008, will probably be welcome.
There have been a lot of studies and observations
regarding this point. A oft quoted one is to observe the traffic when
the 134 freeway gets shut down for one reason or other. It creates a
situation just this side of grid lock, and if it happens when parents
are taking kids to school or back, it means big time gridlock. Even
Hill Drive turns ugly as locals look for a clear route just to get from
one end of town to the other. Any plan to slow down the Boulevard will
most likely entail the reduction of traffic lanes from 6 to 4. Most of
the time, it will be fine, but once in a while, it will not.
Increasing public safety in an important objective
that no one could legitimately oppose. One way to increase pedestrian
safety that has been talked about is to create curb "bump outs" that
shorten the crosswalks at boulevard intersections. They did that on
Colorado Boulevard in Glendale and recently have done the same to
Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena. It's nice if you can find someone to pay
for it. It could happen. Maybe there are some stimulus funds not
committed yet.
It would be a help to local businesses if more
parking were achieved somehow. Angle parking is often talked about, but
the last time the Department of Transportation studied it, the result
was traffic being narrowed to two lanes each way, and the removal of
the traffic islands all for a net gain of barely a handful of parking
spaces. Is there something not yet thought of that can help? I'm
waiting to see it.
The effort may encompass the landscaping of the
medians, and include collecting rainwater to irrigate them during the
drier months. Any landscaping work is always nice, but often the kink
in the plan is the ongoing maintenance. That cost must also be
included, but seldom is. Let's wait and see what they can come up with.
Also any effort to improve an area will often be
accompanied by a way to pay for it, and that is often in the form of a
B.I.D., or business improvement district. The winners here are most
often the property owners who can see their rents increase as the
area's improvements make it more desirable. The losers are often long
time businesses, usually the ones that make up the heart of the
business community, that get forced out due to those increasing rents.
Any B.I.D. will result in higher rents and edging out of these mom and
pop businesses that make Eagle Rock what it is. It is a bad idea to do
that, and that's why I am against it.
So come one and all to the Take Back the Boulevard
Initiative community meeting scheduled for September 21, 7:00 p.m. at
the 20th Century Women's Club, 5105 Hermosa Drive (corner of Colorado
and Hermosa). If you are lucky to be one of the TERA blessed local
businesses, you are sure to be invited to the business owner meeting
where your concerns will be collected. If you're not so lucky a
business to be TERA blessed, you'll get to hear what they have decided
for you on the 21st.
You can be sure it will be a slick presentation,
taking off at speed and heading skyward. However, I doubt it will be a
real open forum where there is enough space and time for all opinions
and issues to be welcomed and addressed openly and fairly, because
that's not how it's done once the plane leaves the runway. You wouldn't
want it to crash, would you?
Latest Update
The meeting for the Business Community will take
place at the Coffee Table Lounge, 1954 Colorado Boulevard on Wednesday,
September 14 at 10:00 a.m.
According to
the committee:
The mission of the Take Back the Boulevard
initiative is to serve as a catalyst for the community-driven
revitalization of Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock. The Take Back the
Boulevard initiative seeks to utilize broad community feedback and
involvement to make this central corridor through Eagle Rock a safe,
sustainable, and vibrant street in order to stimulate economic growth,
increase public safety, and enhance community pride and wellness.
Redistricting Update - Boundaries are FINAL
by Tom
Topping
In the July Boulevard Sentinel, the latest draft
maps of the proposed new district boundaries that contain Northeast
L.A. for the U.S. Congressional, State Senate and Assembly Districts
were published and described. However, the final maps contain quite a
few differences. The differences are mostly not about what areas were
added, but about what areas were taken away.
The final borders are redrawn and identified by
their new number designations of Congressional District 34, Assembly
District 51, and Senatorial District 24. All three still contain
Northeast L.A. in its entirety, and all three have one thing in common.
One particular area has been removed from all.
Griffith Park and Los Feliz were part of all three
of the areas covered by the draft districts, but now are not in any one
of the final districts.
The Elysian Park, Rampart, Wilshire Center, Westlake
and Pico-Union areas are added to our Congressional District,
with South Pasadena and Silverlake taken away as well as Griffith
Park and Los Feliz.
For the Senate, Toluca Lake and Hollywood Hills were
removed, as well as Los Feliz, Griffith Park and half of Silverlake,
but all of East L.A. was added.
For the Assembly, part of Rampart Village was added
to make up for the loss of Silverlake, Griffith Park and Los Feliz.
It may be interesting to note that one big result of
the final maps is that the Autry National Center, locked in a conflict
with Northeast L.A. over Autry's plans to abandon the Southwest Museum,
was in the same districts as Northeast L.A in the draft maps, but is no
longer included in any of the final versions.
Having a Blast Sending the Kids
Back to School
by Jim Hughes
"Back to School." Cackling like a crazed witch, we
parents secretly delight in uttering those three words because we know
how much it makes the kids squirm. We also secretly delight in the
bliss that is summer, fondly recalling our carefree days before the
spectre of work, deadlines and mortgage payments.
While we like to annoy our children about the "end
of summer," parents can find creative ways to help prepare our
youngsters for life back in the classroom whether they are going to
experience kindergarten for the first time or entering their senior
year in high school.
Sure, we accompany them as they gather their
necessary school supplies (ka-ching! I just spent a third of my savings
for that new TV), and there's the customary trip to either the uniform
store or mall for school clothes as well as picking out this year's
backpack or lunchbox.
But there are many other ways us post-school parents
can help our young-uns make the transition from loafing on the couch in
front of the tube to sitting up straight in a desk, bright-eyed and
bushy-tailed.
With our daughter, we started a tradition of giving
her a "Back to School" gift, which she now, in the seventh grade,
eagerly looks forward to every year. This present certainly takes a bit
of the "sting" out of the September Blues, and it's our chance to offer
her – and us! – new experiences, since this gift is usually an event,
not something wrapped up in a box. In the past, she's gone aqua-biking
in Long Beach, took a trapeze class on the Santa Monica pier and most
recently, attended an author lecture and book signing of her favorite
writer, Rick Riordan, in Pasadena. It's usually a total surprise.
Parents in Northeast Los Angeles don't have to look
too far from our neighborhood for some unique experiences that can help
ease the "Back to School" dregs. How about a horseback lesson at the
Arroyo Stables or in Griffith Park? A fire-making workshop from
Christopher Nyerges? A bowling party for the student along with a
select number of classmates at All Star Lanes?
Still, once the school bells ring and the books are
cracked, there are other ways we parents can support our children who
are readjusting to new schedules, classes, teachers, etc.
First off, we all know that it's important that when
relearning new morning and evening rituals to keep stress levels under
control. It's easier than you think. First, cut yourself some slack at
dinner time and instead of trying to prepare that perfect, healthy meal
(which can leave the cook as a blithering mess) why not order take-out
to enjoy at the family table? Four Café offers local and
seasonal fare, you can phone-in for top-notch dinners at El Arco Iris
or select from a wide menu at Oinkster for pick up and go. Auntie Em,
the York and Casa Bianca are also all-time favorites that never go out
of style.
Another way to keep the stress level down is to, um,
keep the kids out of the house as long as possible! By that, I mean,
keep them active and engaged so by the time they come home, they will
be exhausted and satisfied with their day. Here in Boulevard
Sentinel-Land, enrichment and afterschool activities abound – enroll
them in music classes at Bloom Music and Eagle Rock Music where their
inner Bach, Jimi Hendrix or Don Ho can come out in full force. In
addition to the popular guitar, piano and voice classes, Eagle Rock
music offers this fall a beginning ukulele class for kids 7-12 as well
as one for teens/adults. Bloom Music has classes in beginning drums,
violin and keyboard classes for younger and older kids.
If music ain't their bag, there's dance classes also
at Bloom Music (Hip Hop, Creative Dance, Ballet and Tap) as well as
other toe-tapping choices at Patsy Metzger School of Dance where your
little Fred Astaire/ Ginger Rogers can learn ballet, jazz and tap
techniques.
Also, keep an eye on what's happening at the Center
for the Arts, who typically has fun things added as the year progresses
– it's centrally located, has great programs, and is a great resource
for everyone here in the area.
Finally, don't forget that our local recreation
centers offer sports and other weekly afterschool programs. The Eagle
Rock Recreation Center has the After School Club, which picks kids up
from school and offers homework help, crafts, sports and hobby time,
and starting in October, flag football. The Yosemite Recreation Center
also has the After School Club, and is offering a Karate-Do class in
September in those prime late afternoon hours. Most other Park and Rec
locations offer a variety of afterschool activities, so check their
online activity catalogue to see what is happening nearby.
As with anything, setting the tone and striking a
balance between extracurricular fun and homework is always a sticky
issue.
Yes, I've said it… the dreaded word... "homework."
Sometimes, it's just too hard to do at home, given all the distractions
that can pop up around your highly-focused child. I think we've all
heard these telltale signs: I need to look at that book again, I need
to pet the cat, I need to go find a piece of string cheese in the
fridge – if only you could harness the excuses for that next creative
writing project, you'd have an epic tale of grandeur. After
experimentation one year, we learned that sometimes you have to change
the environment to get results.
So instead of doing homework at home, we went to our
local library where the overall quietness, the lack of available
distractions, and the communal task experience was just the ticket for
a speedier completion time. It's just like a sensory deprivation tank,
but without the water and with a few more books. Ok, not so much. Could
the library as enticement carrot be made any sweeter? You bet. If you
choose the Eagle Rock Library, as soon as you finish the paragraph, the
equation, the hypothesis, you nod goodbye to the librarians (quietly,
of course) and head outdoors. Right there is your reward: ice cream
truck! Seventy five cents and bliss! And that, my friends, is one way
folks to make going back to school all the better!
So hang tight, get creative and we'll all survive
this together. Give a nod to those frazzled parents getting back to
carpools. Send your condolences to the kids that are going back to the
eight to three grind. But let them know they'll survive and have a
blast! Here's to a Happy School Year to Us All!!
A new gallery and art studio opened last month on Colorado
Boulevard. New Stone Age Mosaics creates fine mosaic art on order and
provides classes as well as having gift items on display.Here,
instructor Mary Clark-Camargo demonstrates how it’s done.
Mike Gatto Legislation to Save Circumcision
Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) announced today that he has
introduced Assembly Bill 768, a measure that would protect the rights
of California parents to make decisions regarding the circumcision of
their sons. The legislation states that no local jurisdiction shall
enact a law prohibiting the practice for boys, or a parent's right to
choose the procedure for their sons. The bill contains an urgency
clause that would allow it to take effect immediately after passage. It
would thus preempt municipal laws affecting circumcision, including the
initiative that has qualified for the November ballot in San Francisco
that seeks to ban the practice. A similar ballot initiative in Santa
Monica has been abandoned for the moment.
"To enact an outright ban on an expression of
personal, medical, and religious freedom is an affront to me and a
majority of Californians," said Gatto. "Such municipal measures are an
improper, frivolous use of the initiative process, and would result in
a confusing patchwork of regulations across the state that would leave
many Californians feeling unwelcome in certain cities."
For example, if Santa Monica passed such a measure,
a woman giving birth at Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center would have to
drive her newborn to another city to have the medical procedure
performed on her son. The procedure is therefore recommended by many in
the medical community, and furthermore has great significance for
several religious communities, including Jews, Muslims, and some
Christians. The proponents of the San Francisco ballot measure have
circulated a comic book about circumcision that was widely decried for
its anti-Semitic imagery.
"California cannot have a patchwork of extreme local
laws that criminalize doctors for performing medical procedures. There
are plenty of things that are against the law. And it takes all our
resources to enforce those laws. It seems that making circumcision a
crime is foolish, unenforceable, and a violation of religious and
parental freedoms," said Ma.
AB 768 was recently amended and is expected to be
heard in the California Senate's Judiciary Committee during the week of
August 15.
Mike Gatto is the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of
the California State Assembly. He represents the cities of Burbank,
Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Atwater Village, Franklin
Hills, Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley
Glen, and Van Nuys Website of Assemblyman Mike Gatto:
www.asm.ca.gov/gatto
Luther Burbank is Seeking Tutors
Want to Help Change a Student's Life? LAUSD's Budget
Crisis May be Your Opportunity!
by Stan Moore
Luther Burbank's new principal, Arturo Valdez, has
several major tasks before him this year. The first is the new
reorganization of Luther Burbank Middle School into two new pilot
schools and one or two academies—so that each student will be a part of
a new school with less than 500 students, a mostly new faculty of
teachers who had to reapply in order to be a Luther Burbank's two
smaller units, and, try to enhance the education of the new student
bodies with less funding that was available last year.
Over the past three years the LAUSD has suffered
major decreases each year in funding. Three years of successive
financial cuts has reduced the budget of the LAUSD by over S1.6 Billion
dollars. That is B, not M. Over $500 million dollars has had to be cut
from the budget of the LAUSD because of reduced revenues because of the
banking crisis, the collapse of the housing market, and the near second
major depression that we have been hovering near and barely avoiding
since the financial collapse of September and October of 2008. We have
been barely hanging onto the edge of the abyss. So, once again the
LAUSD budget for this year has been cut over $400 million dollars. Once
again teachers have been lost, librarians dismissed, and class sizes
increased.
Last year Arturo Valdez scrambled to get barely
enough money to maintain an after-school tutoring program. This year
there is no more economic margin to maintain a teacher-driven
after-school program. So . . . he wants to turn to YOU, to ME, to
anyone who is willing to give some hours after school once or twice a
week to help one or more students with their reading, with their math,
with their science class, with their social studies. Whatever your
background, it may be just what is needed at the new schools at
Luther Burbank. Are you willing to consider being a tutor starting in
late September? Willing to at least try to help? The Historic Highland
Park's Human Relations, Education and Youth Development Committee is
trying to enlist you in the effort to save the academic lives of some
willing students who want to stay after school and get help in order to
advance their abilities and move on toward high school. INTERESTED?
Call Dr. Stan Moore at (323) 256-1024 and he will help you make contact
with Luther Burbank's tutoring program as it restarts after school
reopens in September.
Free Backpacks
for the New School Year to be Distributed at Avenue 54
and Figueroa
Iglesia Pentacostal Esmirna, located at Ave. 54 and
Figueroa, is the site because of its highly visible location. The
Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC), some members of
the HP Kiwanis Club, and the NELA Ministerial Assn. will be giving out
approximately 1,000 FREE backpacks--funded in part by the HHPNC
($1,500), Rev. Duarte, who is providing 200 backpacks and several
churches of the NELA Ministerial Assn. which are participating in the
effort. A local barber college will be giving out free haircuts. There
will also be music, free food, and necessary school supplies such as
crayons, pencils, paper, etc., provided to prepare the children for
school. For additional information call Dr. Stan Moore at (323)
256-1024.
Occidental Welcomes the Class of 2015
This week Occidental College welcomes the lead guitarist of Disorderly
Conduct, a dozen black belts, an Intel Science Talent Search finalist,
31 Model U.N. participants, 20 three-sport athletes, a former aerial
circus member, and 0.08 percent of the population of Etna, N.H.: all
members of the Class of 2015.
The 539 students who make up the Class of 2015 join
44 transfers from such schools as Brown, Berkeley, and Bryn Mawr for
the start of Occidental's 124th academic year, which officially begins
on Wednesday, August 31, the first day of classes.
Typical of Occidental students, they are a talented
and diverse group representing 35 states, 21 countries, and hometowns
ranging from New York City (population: 8.1 million) to Etna
(population: 1,258). More than half come from outside California; 5
percent are international students from such places as the Dominican
Republic, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and Norway.
Ninety-one percent of the class was ranked in the
top 25 percent of their high school graduating class, with a median SAT
score of 1950 and ACT score of 29. Almost two-thirds come from public
high schools; 20 percent receive federal Pell grants for low- and
moderate-income families, and 14 percent are the first in their family
to attend college.
Thirty-nine percent of the class is made up of
students of color, including 21 percent coming from underrepresented
groups: African American, Latino, and Native American/Native Hawaiian.
Apart from their performance in the classroom, if
there is a single thread that unites the class, it is athletic
competition and community service: 66 percent participated in high
school sports, ranging from badminton and boxing to squash and
snowboarding. Some 63 percent participated in public service,
addressing everything from pediatric cancer and drunk driving to
international human rights and affordable housing.
More than half of the class plays a musical
instrument, sings, dances, or acts; another 9 percent paint, sculpt,
draw, or make films.
Occidental President Jonathan Veitch will officially
welcome new students at the traditional Convocation ceremony in Thorne
Hall at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31.
You Know You're from Eagle Rock if...
Social
Media Creates Virtual Re-union
by Tom Topping
An internet phenomena took off like a wildfire last month, when Eagle
Rock natives from all over the world read and posted to the "You Know
You're from Eagle Rock if..." group on Facebook (an internet social
networking site).
The site has gathered 1836 members of this writing,
most in the first week. Often focusing on the nostalgic, the group
brought out memories and photographs from as far back as Eagle Rock
goes.
All the posts were supposed to be a continuation of
the sentence, "You Know You're from Eagle Rock if..."
Some, like Judy Bertino Rojas, commented she was
really dating herself when she posted "You remember the old Bob's Big
Boy on Colorado Blvd." Others, like Chris Clark, class of '92, added to
the discussion with many old photographs that allude to his family's
long time roots in this community. I joined in and was flattered to be
the subject of one post when a person wrote, "You Know You're from
Eagle Rock if.., you know Tom Topping." Probably true.
Many of the posts focused on old favorite eating
places, like the Bucket when it was run by Julio, the most notable of
its owners.
Jeri Nelson added, "Yep I (remember). That guy would
have a fit if you asked for catsup for your fries!! One time I saw him
throw their fries on the floor yelling NO catsup on my fries!! Just
like the soup Nazi, he was the burger and fries Nazi!!"
Many chirped in as old but not forgotten eateries
were brought up such as "Pup n' Taco," "Jim's Burgers," and "Red Devil
Pizza." Others went back even further with the Eagle Rock Bob's Big Boy
on Colorado Blvd., the New Asia Restaurant which previously was
Barrister's Inn, and before that, the Martha Washington Tea room.
Lively back and forth discussions were created when
Ken Thurman asked, "Pizza: Casa Bianca or Julios???
Posts followed about the old bars and nightclubs
like the Blue Fox, Red Carpet (the Bloody Rug), Toppers and of course
the Riviera Club at Colorado and Figueroa.
Others like Steven Andrews, posted fond memories of
his neighborhood barber shop, George's, on Yosemite next to Rockdale
School, where stacks of Playboy magazines were free to peruse by anyone
waiting for a haircut. "I hated haircuts, but that place was great," he
wrote.
Some posts remembered all the fun things to do that
were so close by. Eric Manhart posted, "We used to slide down angels
slide under suicide bridge which is (under) the old Pasadena bridge to
the rose bowl. The slide was a wide section of concrete at like a 45
degree angle that moss had grown on. It had to be at least 150-200 ft
top to bottom where a pool of cool water was. The problem was the
concrete abutment in the center you had to miss but what a blast in the
summer."
Favorite places to party came up like the "stoner
stairs" in Yosemite Park, and "Sleepy Hollow" which was the name of the
Glendale Street taken by Eagle Rockers wanting to get access to the top
of the Eagle Rock foothills.
Discussions also ranged to the tragic side of
things, when the 1997 Mark Elkins triple murder incident was brought
up. He allegedly shot and killed his LAPD officer father, his mother
and his neighbor, Doug Bowles.
Another tragedy was talked about that involved a
bomb that went off on a porch on Norwalk Avenue in 1964, killing a
woman.
Other less harmful memories of local mayhem
included, from Mark Mundwiler, "You're driving in a car with 10 dozen
eggs on Hill Drive on Junior-Senior Night," leading to Rebekah FuQua's,
"When you Trick-Or-Treat Halloween night on Hill Drive and dodge the
egg fights..lol!!"
A post about the time a streaker streaking the
school assembly in front of the whole school was a fond memory of
harmless mayhem for most, except perhaps Debbie Gibson, who was caught
by Vice-Principal Curry when the waiting getaway car refused to start.
Still more memories were of the more productive side
of Eagle Rock life like Steven Andrew's, "You searched for a job at the
tiny unemployment office in the basement of Eagle Rock City Hall," or
Diane Noland Robles, who wrote, "You bought fabric for Cheerleader or
Pep Squad uniforms at Peters Fabrics on ER and Yosemite in the Mayfair
(now Super A) shopping center."
Old teachers like Greg DiConti and Edna Shelton were
fondly remembered, while ERHS Vice Principal Mr. Curry drew less fond
remembrances as Greg Leavitt wrote, "you ever had a 'private moment'
with Mr. Curry and his wooden friend," (the paddle he used to dole out
capital punishment with). More used to be businesses like May Company,
Montgomery Wards, and Yosemite Village Market were all recollected as
well.
In all, 5000 posts and counting within one month may
not set a world record, but it sure did bring a lot of people together
who love Eagle Rock and love their old memories of Eagle Rock. A huge
side benefit, was the dozens of historic Eagle Rock photographs that
are now publicly available to be seen for perhaps the first time ever.
You can see the latest in Eagle Rock memories and
join in if you are a member of Facebook (and who isn't these days) by
logging in and searching "You know you're from Eagle Rock if..."
 
-- Chris Espinosa (left) and Rafael Gonzalez (right) of the
Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa surround Friends of the Library
president Alexia Teran during a break from coordinating the recent
massive volunteer cleanup at the Cypress Park Library on August 20.
VOLUNTEER "ARMY" HELPS CLEAN & GREEN CYPRESS PARK LIBRARY
L.A. Mayor's Office Boosts Volunteer Work at "Friends"
Sponsored Event
Some 60 volunteers representing City departments, area work groups, and
the parents and children of the Cypress Park community gathered on
Saturday, August 20, at the local branch library, responding to an
appeal from the "Friends of the Library" group and mounted a
large-scale morning assault on overgrown shrubs, bare ground in need of
flowers and vegetation, and all-around grounds maintenance.
Volunteers were recruited by Chris Espinosa of L.A.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Energy & Environment Team and Friends
of the Library President Alexia Teran, cooperating with cleanup plans
and supplies coordinated through the office of District 1 Councilmember
Ed P. Reyes and his field deputy, Lynelle Scaduto.
Large numbers of volunteers came from several
groups, making the work move along that much faster, including: Los
Angeles Conservation Corps, led by Bruce Saito; the Lincoln Heights
Tutorial Program, under coordinators Dennis and Trinh Do Ortega; and
the Instituto de Education Popular del Sur de California - Day Laborer
Program led by Jorge Nicolas.
Also lending helping hands and assisting with
volunteer coordination and clean-up supplies delivery were: from Mayor
Villaraigosa's office, Mike Fong and Rafael Gonzales; from the City
Dept. of Transportation, Nathan Baird; from L.A. Public Works, Virginia
Valencia (Office of Community Beautification), and Bladimir Campos
(Bureau of Sanitation); and from the Library staff, Alicia Rodriguez
and Patrick Xavier;
Thanks to the several hours of work of the numerous
volunteers, many dozens of new ground cover and flowering plants were
added, trees and shrubs on all sides of the library building were
trimmed and pruned, and dozens of large bags of plant refuse were
collected and hauled away -- making the library a more beautiful, as
well as educational, place to visit.
The Cypress Park branch library is located at 1150
Cypress Avenue (at Alice Street), in the Northeast Los Angeles
neighborhood of Cypress Park. Contact (323) 224-0039 for general
library information and hours.
The Friends of the Library group also plans and
staffs fundraising activities for the library -- including used book
sales, usually twice each a year -- to support youth reading programs
and other library needs. New members, used books for future resale, and
cash donations, are always welcome.
“Still Cruisin" with the Eagle Rockin' Rodders
This month's pick of the month is this
1967 Pontiac GTO owned by Roy Fonseca. Roy got this car as a graduation
present from his mom when he graduated from ERHS in 1972. This is his
daily driver and as a kid Roy worked on it himself. In later years he
has a lot of great memories working on it with his good friend Scott
Rader (RIP) who he met in auto shop.
Greetings hot rod fans! Maybe we should change that
to "cool rod fans"? Not funny? Sorry, it's just been way to hot lately.
We are so looking forward to our 15th Anniversary Celebration this
month. The date is set for Saturday September 24th at the Coco's
Restaurant in Highland Park. The address is 6040 York Blvd. The time is
4:00 pm.
At this car show we will have trophies, a raffle,
and CAKE! Trophy winners will be announced at 7pm. We will have a
trophy girl and a few surprise judges. The Rockin' Rodders will not be
judging.
Please note: this event is open to all classic cars
finished or in progress. Entries will be accepted until 5pm and all
proceeds from $10.00 entry will be donated to charity at our November
2011 cruise in at Tommy's Burgers. We'll be at the Trompers car show on
September 3rd and you can pick up an entry form there (the back of our
flyer) or call 323-258-3364 and we'll see that you get one.
This month's pick of the month is this 1967 Pontiac
GTO owned by Roy Fonseca. Roy got this car as a graduation present from
his mom when he graduated from ERHS in 1972. This is his daily driver
and as a kid Roy worked on it himself. In later years he has a lot of
great memories working on it with his good friend Scott Rader (RIP) who
he met in auto shop. Not only does this car sound healthy with its 400
Pontiac engine, turbo trans, 390 posi traction rear differential,
Edelbrock 750 carb, and ITC cutoffs it has a marvelous history.
In his youth Roy took it to Lyons Drag Strip, where
he met some of the greats like Mickey Thompson, Jake the Snake, and Don
Prudhomme. Roy never thought to ask for an autograph and just recently
his buddy Dean Ferrari got him some of those autographs and he said "he
felt like a kid again". He dated his lovely wife Julia and enjoyed the
Pickwick Drive-in while driving this car, attended college, and even
brought their children home from the hospital in this car. Roy told us
a funny story about a retired LAPD officer recognizing him recently not
because of his face but because of his car. Now that's history. Roy and
his wife are owners also of the family owned business La Abeja Mexican
Restaurant est. in 1969. Thanks Roy for hanging out with us we are
always happy to see you.
That's it for this month hope to see you all
on the 24th for our 15th anniversary car show. Till next month happy
cruising!
EPAZOTE: THE MAYAN SPICE
An aromatic Central American spice, said
to be "Nature's Bean-O."
[Nyerges, the author of "Guide to Wild Foods," has led Wild Food
Outings since 1974. He writes a regular blog at
www.ChristopherNyerges.com, and broadcasts a weekly podcast at
Preparedness Radio Network. He can be reached via his website.]
Anyone who uses beans as a significant part of their
diet – such as vegetarians -- should know about epazote.
I first learned of the remarkable gas-relieving
effects of epazote in 1975 while studying Mexican and Central American
herbalism. Once my instructor had introduced me to this herb, I
immediately recognized it as the common plant of so many of the streams
I'd hiked along in the hills above my Pasadena home.
My Costa Rican instructor shared with me his family
secrets: Add a few leaves of epazote to a pot of beans for a delicious
flavor and to render the beans gas-free.
As the years progressed, I was astounded that
virtually no Americans I'd talked with were familiar with this herb,
let alone its anti-gas effects. Yet, this common, inconspicuous herb
had been known and used in Southern Mexico and Central America for
centuries!
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
In the recorded literature of Europe and North American, epazote
(Chenopodium ambrosiodes) is known for it efficacy in expelling
intestinal worms. For dogs and cats, add one teaspoon of the seed (or
herb) to their meals `til the worms clear up. The herb is said to be
less effective against tapeworms. The Natchez Indians used epazote to
expel worms in children. The Chinese used the herb as a diaphoretic
(promotes sweating). The anthelmintic and vermifuge qualities of
epazote are well recognized, and the herb is cultivated in parts of the
Soviet Union for this use. Herbalists believe that epazote was also
used by the ancient Mayans both as a spice and medicine. (It is
referred to in Mayan texts as lucum-xiu).
But here in the United States, epazote is being
re-discovered mostly for it's anti-flatulent properties. It is believed
that epazote's effectiveness in removing the "gassiness" of beans is
due to the presence of oil of chenopodium, which is found in
concentrations of 10% in the seed, and one percent in the leaf.
Remember that excess flatulence is a symptom, and
that epazote only deals with that symptom. The gas problem will
continue if the cause is not eliminated. Some methods to eliminate the
cause of gas are eating slowly, chewing your food thoroughly, proper
food combination, etc.
Epazote can be found fresh at the Highland Park
Farmer's Market, and occasionally the dried form can be found in health
food stores.
The seeds (for growing) and packets of the dried
herb can be purchased from Survival Services, P.O. Box 41834, Los
Angeles, CA 90041. Seeds are $2; herb is $3.50 a packet. There is also
a unique booklet entitled What Causes Gas? ($5.10), which describes the
many dietary and non-dietary causes of gas, as well as practical
solutions.
COOKING WITH EPAZOTE
Cooking with epazote is easy! Add approx. one
tablespoon of the herb -- both the chopped stems and the leaves -- to a
pot of beans. You can use it fresh or dried. The epazote herb can also
be added to soups, stews, and made into tea. The powdered leaves can be
added to salads, such as potato and bean salads.
Here are some simple recipes I've developed for
using epazote.
LENTIL SOUP
1 cup lentils; 1 bay leaf;
5-6 cups water; 2 tsp. dried epazote;
1 diced red onion; 3 cloves of garlic;
2 diced carrots
Wash the lentils, and then simmer for an hour and a half. Add the other
ingredients when the beans are nearly soft. Simmer `til the vegetables
are soft. (Add salt or kelp to taste, if desired.)
MIXED BEAN SALAD
1 cup cooked/sliced green beans; 1 cup cooked kidney beans;
1 cup cooked garbanzos
Dressing
equal parts olive oil and apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. dried/powdered epazote; 2 diced cloves of garlic
1/2 tsp. dill; Salt and pepper, to taste, if desired
Marinate the beans in the dressing, preferably at least eight hours,
but no less than 30 minutes.
MAYA BLACK BEAN SOUP
1 cup black beans; sage, pinch
water; oregano, pinch
3 onions; epazote, two tsp.
3 small potatoes; salt and pepper, to taste
Cook the beans with the onions and potatoes. When the beans are tender,
add the seasonings. Let simmer on low temperature for 15 minutes before
serving.
A motorhome caught fire on a very warm August 18th day on
Yosemite Drive. Witnesses said the motorhome had just left the curb,
when the engine caught on fire. The flames quickly engulfed the entire
vehicle sending a cloud of black smelly smoke over half of Eagle Rock.
Welcome to Heritage Square Museum News
Preservation Seminar
Heritage Square
announces an opportunity for the public to learn some of the skills the
military veterans participating in Preservation through Practice are.
Join us on Saturday, September 10, from 9:00 a.m. until approximately
1:00 p.m., to learn about "Wood Window and Door Repair and
Refinishing". The class's focus will be on means, methods, and
practical solutions in the repair and preservation of historic windows
and doors. The seminar is being given in conjunction with Preservation
Arts, and will cover issues related to wood identification and
properties, stripping and refinishing, unit rebuilding and joinery, and
other repair techniques.
This ½ day seminar will take place at
Heritage Square Museum. Previous experience is not a prerequisite, and
donations to the Museum's Preservation Through Practice Program will be
welcome. Participants are encourage to wear clothes that can get dirty,
sunscreen, hats, and bring plenty of water as this class will be
outdoors. Contact Heritage Square Museum at 323-225-2700 x 223 to RSVP.
9/11 Commemoration Opportunity
In remembrance of the tenth anniversary of 9/11,
Heritage Square Museum will mark the day of remembrance offering
visitors to donate $25 that will go towards the museum's Preservation
Through Practice program. This program, which launched in 2010, has
made a significant impact on the lives of military veterans as they
have received hands-on training in the techniques of historic
preservation and restoration. All visitors who donate will receive an
American flag that they can place around the museum's box car to honor
the veterans, as well as those lives that were touched on that day.
In addition, the museum is partnering with Volunteer
Center of Los Angeles and New Directions to honor the anniversary with
a Day of Service by cleaning up the museum's parking lot before it
opens for business. The Day of Service clean-up will be held from 9
a.m. to Noon. To join the clean-up crew or provide them with water and
snacks, contact the museum office's at educator@heritagesquare.org.
Join the Circus & Support a Great Cause!
On Saturday, September 17, 2011, the museum will
host the Longfellow, Morgan & Shaw Circus Jubilee, a fundraising
event that celebrates the Victorian Circus. This event will raise
critical funds to move the museum forward as we continue with
significant projects and programs including Preservation through
Practice and A Golden Vision.
We thank Hansen's, Hubert's Lemonade, Davis Blue
Print Co., and the Los Angeles Hollywood Wax Museum for their generous
contribution to the event. Invitations are to be mailed shortly.
Individual tickets are $125.00, and sponsorship opportunities of $1,000
or more are still available. Cannot attend this fantastic event? You
can still make an impact by purchasing a ticket for a volunteer or
military veteran for only $50.00. Proceeds from the Longfellow, Morgan
& Shaw Circus Jubilee will be distributed between A Golden Vision,
Preservation through Practice and museum infrastructure needs.
Not a member or need to renew? Email development@heritagesquare.org or
call (323) 225-2700 ext. 221.
Unlock the key to history at Heritage Square Museum
Cultural Heritage Foundation of Southern California | 3800 Homer Street
| Los Angeles, CA 90031
Van de Kamps Coalition Files Formal Request with DA &
Civil Grand Jury
For Independent Investigation OF Los Angeles Community
College Districts Bond Program- Request Grows Out Of Heated August 17,
2011 LACCD Board Meeting When State Controllers Office Auditors
Recommended Independent Investigation Of Possible Malfeasance In
Hiring (Los Angeles, August 23, 2011)
The Van de Kamps
Coalition today submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney
and the Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury a formal letter requesting that
they open investigations of the troubled bond program of the Los
Angeles Community College District (LACCD), including the awarding of a
$3.25 million contract to an unqualified firm to act as Inspector
General to police the bond program.
The Van de Kamps Coalitions request is a follow-up
to the very same recommendation made by State Controller John Chiangs
auditors to the Board of Trustees at an August 17, 2011 special Board
meeting. Board President Miguel Santiago called the meeting when, on
August 10, 2011, the State Controllers Office publicly released a
blistering audit report finding that LACCD had so mismanaged its bond
program as to unlawfully spend over $140 million or 5% of the monies
spent thus far in the $5.7 billion bond construction program.
Additionally, the Controller found that LACCD
substantially deviated from its own procurement rules in elevating a
low-scoring firm, Policy Masters, Inc., to give it an interview, and
ultimately, to award the multi-million dollar Inspector General
contract to it. The Controllers audit said:
"The fact that the Inspector General, whose qualification is
questionable and may have been selected through a flawed bidding
process, raised questions, at least in appearance, about the ability of
the OIG to carry out these functions. These circumstances led to
questions about possible malfeasance in the selection of the Inspector
General."
The Controllers Office was polite. At the time of
the contract award, Policy Masters, Inc. had been formed just prior to
release of the Request for Proposals for the contract, had no clients,
and its President, Christine Marez, had no training or experience in
inspector general work. Ms. Marez worked for five years for Gateway
Science, Inc., whose principal owner, Art Gastulem, was previously
investigated by local law enforcement officials for bribery of public
officials. Apparently Ms. Marez is now receiving on-the-job training as
she studies for an inspector general certificate.
The LACCD Board ignored the advice of Controller
Chiangs office and appointed an Ad Hoc Committee of its own members to
investigate the procurement of the Inspector General and implement the
Controllers recommendations. The Ad Hoc Committee will include new
Trustee Steve Veres, old timer Mona Field, and a third trustee to be
announced later. Because of the way the committee was appointed, its
meetings will not be subject to the states opening meeting laws
enabling the Ad Hoc Committee to meet in secret. This is the second
secret committee formed in recent months by LACCD in connection with
the controversy swirling around its bond program. Previously,
Chancellor Daniel LaVista formed an advisory group to himself that
meets in secret about improving the bond program.
We watched in amazement as the LACCD Board of
Trustees ignored the State Controllers recommendation for outside and
independent review of misconduct in the procurement of the Inspector
General, said Laura Gutierrez. Mona Field sat on the interview
committee for the Inspector General. Does anyone think that Field will
make public findings that there was anything wrong with her own work?
Its a classic case of setting up another committee to whitewash the
underlying corrupt contracting processes of our community college
district.
Beyond the heated discussion where Chancellor Daniel
LaVista claimed that John Chiangs auditors themselves were guilty of
retaliation, numerous issues regarding the LACCDs lack of transparency
bubbled to the surface. Visibly angry Trustee Tina Park, stated that
she believed a Brown Act violation occurred when all 3 members of the
Board Audit Committee conducted a teleconference with the Controllers
Office before the audit became public. The Brown Act generally forbids
a quorum of a covered body, such as the Community College Board or its
committees, to meet without proper public notice or allowing the public
access to monitor the meeting.
Public commenters reminded the Board how District
officials, including General Counsel Camille Goulet continued to
stonewall disclosable public records including the original report
prepared by Capstone Advisory Group that may include a report of more
serious wrongdoing. "You have to ask yourself, if the District turned
over documents so damning that resulted in a scathing audit and
recommendation for criminal investigation - what must be in the
documents they won't hand over? What happened at Van de Kamps and what
does the Capstone report reveal that is so radioactive they are
withholding them and willing to take the heat for their baseless
refusals to disclose records?" said Coalition member Miki Jackson.
For more information or to view letter with exhibits
please go to: www.VandeKamps.org
Miki Jackson
Van de Kamps Coalition is an alliance of 22
community organizations and members of the public working to open the
long-promised community college satellite campus at the historic Van de
Kamps Bakery site at San Fernando Road and Fletcher Drive.
Santa Cecilia Orchestra
prepares for its 2011-2012 season
by Ted Ayala
Summer is often a time
for leisure for many people--but not for Sonia Marie de León de
Vega. For nearly a quarter of a century, she has been the engaging and
energetic music director of the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, whose home is
Occidental College's Thorne Hall in Eagle Rock. Over the summer she was
the keynote speaker at Latina Style Magazine's Business Series in
Anaheim, organized concerts of the Santa Cecilia's youth orchestra, and
appeared on television. Last July, de León de Vega appeared on
KABC's Vista LA where she spoke about her commitment to opening
children's minds to the world of music.
Now her hard work has borne fruit with the
announcement of the orchestra's 2011 - 2012 season and a premiere of a
work by one of Mexico's most popular composers.
"This is going to be our 19th year," said de
León de Vega in an interview earlier this week. "We're so happy
and excited to nearing our big 20th anniversary."
Sunday, November 6 will open the season with music
by Mendelssohn, Bruch, and Brahms. One of the orchestra's great virtues
is the musicianship and quality of its individual members, a facet that
is featured every year in a concert exhibiting their talents. Violist
Lauren Chipman and clarinetist Michael Arnold will join together in a
performance of Max Bruch's Concerto for Clarinet, Viola, and Orchestra.
An obscure work by a composer that has remained on the periphery of the
repertoire, de León de Vega explained why she chose to conduct
this work.
"I'm always looking for great music that isn't often
performed. When I came across this concerto, I knew it was just perfect
for us. It's a beautiful work; very accessible."
Each year a concert devoted to Latin American
composers closes the season, and 2011 - 2012 is no different.
Closing the 2011 - 2012 season will be a concert of
Latin American composers, with one work a Los Angeles premiere. Leyenda
de Miliano by Arturo Márquez, Mexico's most often performed
living composer, is a new work that depicts the life of Mexican
revolutionary Emiliano Zapata.
"Emiliano Zapata was called 'Miliano' by his family,
which explains the title," explained the Santa Cecilia's music
director. "The orchestra is very happy and proud to be asked to perform
this premiere."
Gershwin and Dvorak also rear their heads in the
season with a pairing of Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F--the
orchestra's first performance of a work by Gershwin--and the Bohemian's
Symphony No. 7. Bryan Pezzone is the guest pianist in the Gershwin.
With a season that looks to be the orchestra's best
yet, de León de Vega reflected on the orchestra's quality and
mission.
"We do all we can to introduce people to culture; to
bring beauty into their lives."
For more information, please visit the orchestra's
website at www.scorchestra.org or call (323)259-3011.
Eagle Rock Band Leader Gets Recording Contract
DANCE HALL PIMPS
signs with Lakeshore Entertainment
by Ron Singer
Vic "Baron" Migenes,
drummer and local Eagle Rock resident for over 25 years, signed a
recording contract with Lakeshore Records-the music and soundtrack
division of Lakeshore Entertainment. Migenes is the drummer for the
recently-formed DANCE HALL PIMPS, a 6-piece swamp rock band that are
sometimes described as New Orleans Vampire Rock. The release of their
Debut LP is anticipated later this year.
This band of middle-aged locals has broken every
rule of conventional wisdom. Their average age is 50. The only member
ever signed to a recording contract is Jeff Jourard formerly of the
Motels. Besides not being youngsters, their unique sound is so diverse
most would think it impossible to succeed. Instead these "boys"
got noticed, courted by two indie labels and were signed before only a
handful of shows. They have played to packed houses in Sunset Strip
venues like the Viper Room and the Roxy Theater.
This Eclectic mix of musicians can take you from
Garage Rock to New Orleans all in one show, and get you dancing in the
aisles in the process RJ, lead singer and banjo player explains, "we're
a little dark, but we're dark in a playful kind of way. There is much
truth in our lyrics and the whole band plays a major part of
interpreting lyrics into stories into song." Somewhere in the show
you're going to hear banjo, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, and the core
of a hard-hitting rock band. RJ says "I think we were the first band in
a long time, if ever, to put these instruments on the Viper Room stage
to create our unique blend of music"
Eagle Rock resident drummer Vic says of their
recording contract, "Now that we are signed our fantasy is less
romantic and more practical, we know we have the song writing
capability to be considered for movie sound tracking right out of the
gate. "We would be tickled to death if somebody heard our music and
said, "hey, that's the theme song to this show or that movie!" " I
would love it if James Bond trashed yet another expensive sports car
while the Dance Hall Pimps are rockin in the background. True Rock n
Roll!"
For more information and show dates go to:
www.dancehallpimps.com
EAGLE ROCK
NEWS
|
|
NEWS IN BRIEF
Burned Body In Cypress Park
Identified
As reported
last month, fire crews responding to a reported trash fire in the early
moening hours in a Cypress Park, found a burned body in the Alley near
Cypress Avenue and North Figueroa. The body has been identified as
Ralph Jimenez, a 65-year-old homeless man that had family in the area,
who cared for him. Police have not yet ruled the death was a homicide
or otherwise.
Stabbing on the Gold Line
A fight on the Goldline train while en-route to Pasadena led to
the stabbing of a Monrovia man. Jose Paul Vasquez Flores, a 36 year old
Los Angeles resident, was arrested at the Memorial Park Gold Line
station after passengers pointed him out to Pasadena Police waiting
there. The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition, and
the police found the weapon in the Los Angeles man's pocket.
Freeway Crash Kills Infant
On August 26th, Friday afternoon around 5:30, a flat tire led to
a car stopping on the southbound 110 freeway near the York Boulevard
exit. A oncoming SUV could not see the stopped vehicle sooon enough to
stop and ran into it, causing it to burst into flames.
Onboard and strapped into the child safety seat was
an 11 month old infant, as well as her mother. The mother was assisted
by residents who all tried to free the infant from the car, but were
unsuccessful as they were repelled by the flames.
The infant, later identified as 11-month-old Leiana
Ramirez, died at the scene. The mother and would be rescuers were
transported to local hospitals to treat the burns they garnered as they
tried to free the child.
The tragedy has started locals talking again about
the dangers of that local freeway, the first in the country when
completed, with its blind corners, high speeds and treacherous offramps.
"True Blood" Bungalow Site
Sold
After going through the public processes necessary to demolish
the Ellenwood "True Blood" bungalows, Heyday partnership has sold the
planned townhouse development to Pulte Homes, one of the nation's
largest home builders.
Heyday partnership, who are the developers of the
Rock Row units on Yosemite Drive, had at least partially gotten
approval to tear down the historic bungalows by convincing the
community they would be replaced by a very green, energy efficient, and
sustainable townhouse development. With the sale to the new developer,
those assurances are gutted, and no one yet knows what the new owners
may have in store for that lot.
Pulte Homes website shows a large variety of
different layouts they do across the country from 3500 square foot
mc-mansions to apartment style condominiums. There are no "green" or
"sustainable" developments featured on their website.
Suspicious Package Closes Colorado Boulevard
A suispicious package discovered next to the wall that seperates
Fire Station 42 from the Eagle Rock City Hall caused Colorado Blvd. to
be shut down for a couple of hours on Saturday morning, August 13.
Police evacuated the fire station and local
businesses as the bomb squad rolled in to check out the package.
Gingerly approaching the package, bomb squad
personnell determined the package was not a threat and re-opened the
Boulevard.
Shooting at Colorado and
Figueroa
The robbery of a worker who left Von's after cashing his paycheck
in July was followed up by a shooting in August in the same area,
marking the intersection of Colorado and Figueroa as a high crime area.
On August 12, at about 12:45 p.m., a 40 year old man
was shot in the face while seated in a parked car by an unknown suspect
who fled on foot. The victim survived the shooting, and police are
still investigating.
Eagle Rock Baptist Church to
Host Financial Guru Dave Ramsey
FINANCIAL HOPE PROVIDED
TO MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION FAMILIES
Nearly one and a half million families have been
able to positively change their financial situation through Financial
Peace University (FPU), the 13-week course taught by Dave Ramsey on
DVD. FPU teaches families and individuals common-sense principles like
how to make a plan with their money so they are able to free themselves
of debt and build lasting wealth. FPU is available for churches,
military, non-profit agencies, and businesses. FPU will be held in Los
Angeles and surrounding areas at:
* Eagle Rock Baptist Church located at 1499 Colorado Boulevard in Los
Angeles. The classes will begin Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 3:00 PM.
Contact Jordan Schumacher at (323)255-4611 for more information or to
register.
Dave Ramsey knows first-hand what it is like to be
broke and hopeless. Because of his experiences, he decided to help
other people change the way they handle their money and began teaching
FPU in 1994.
"Because of the lessons we learned in FPU, we have
been able to pay off $36,000 in just 17 months!" says Christine Cohn, a
former FPU participant. "Debt had caused us to stop dreaming because we
couldn't look into the future without feeling stressed. Now we have a
plan for our money and working together for our future."
After each lesson there is a small group discussion
that provides accountability and encouragement. Topics include saving
for emergencies, budgeting, relationships and money, and getting out
debt.
"FPU is a fun and easy to understand program.
Whether you are deeply in debt or financially secure, FPU will help you
gain a new perspective on how to handle your money," comments Ramsey.
"These lessons are especially essential right now as people are trying
to regain control of their finances."
The current economy has people feeling more hopeless
than ever when it comes to their money. In an effort to recover the
economy from the ground up, Ramsey has begun The Great Recovery that
challenges individuals to take personal responsibility for their
finances and leaders to educate others about finances through programs
such as FPU.
Each class participant needs a kit that includes a
lifetime family membership to FPU, an FPU workbook, an FPU envelope
system, 13 audio lessons, bonus CD, budgeting forms, debit card
holders, and Ramsey's best-selling book – Financial Peace. Special
rates are regularly available on daveramsey.com or by calling
888-227-3223.
Visit www.daveramsey.com to locate the nearest class.
"Big Al" Miller
"Big Al" Miller passed away August 6, 2011 at
Glendale Adventist Medical Center surrounded by his family, a room full
of love and great music!
Albert Frank Miller was born April 3rd, 1935 to
Consuelo Garcia de Alba and Benlar Miller in Los Angeles, CA. He was
the 5th born of their 7 children. He attended Lincoln Heights High
School. In June 1953 at 18 years of age he enlisted in the Navy. He was
always proud of his service to our country. Recently in June 2010, he
joined other veterans living at Scholl Canyon Estates and was honored
by the Glendale Police Department.
March 22nd, 1956 he married Veronica Therese
Morrissey. Together they have 5 wonderful children: Kathleen, Steven,
John, Denise and Kevin. Additionally, his greatest blessings include
their nine grandchildren.
Al's true love was coaching his son's baseball teams
from Little League through High School. He coached many all-star teams
and is still affectionately referred to as "Big Al" by his former
players. He was a sports enthusiast, a true competitor and had a great
knowledge and love of baseball. He could solve any crossword puzzle
with ease and he always believed that one day, he would win the lottery.
Nothing was more important to Al than his family and
friends. He always enjoyed family gatherings, impromptu dinners out and
holiday traditions. He was lovingly referred to as "Uncle Al the
Kiddie's pal". His quick wit and comedic timing always made him a
popular guest at any gatherings with family & friends.
We were all so blessed to love Al. He was a man of
pride, faith and humor. His quick wit, courage and feisty spirit will
live on in all of us forever. Dad, Papa, Big Al… We sure will miss your
smile and laughter!
Curt Clinite, Steve Wahl, and Rhuben Williams are New
Members of Eagle Rock's Sports Hall of Fame
The ten members of Eagle Rock's Sports Hall of Fame
committee had a difficult time selecting this years' inductees. The
list of nominees included 27 truly great athletes and the committee was
presented the task of choosing one inductee from the early era (1927 -
53), the middle era (1954 - 83), and 1984 to the present. To
demonstrate the caliber of the nominees not selected, some included
Olympians, a Major League baseball player, and a Track & Field NCAA
record holder. Others were an NAIA All American football player, top
American on the US Modern Pentathlon Team, an American weightlifting
record holder, and many more.
Curt Clinite W'53 (a remarkable quarterback,
defensive back, pole vaulter and punter) will represent the first era.
Steve Wahl W'69 (quarterback, baseball player, and ER coach) edged out
many remarkable athletes from the middle era. Rhuben Williams 2000
(ER's greatest Track & Field athlete, and a star football player)
will ably represent the younger generation. The Hall of Fame ceremony
including food, and the Homecoming football game will take place on
Friday October 28th at the school. If you would like more information
or wish to attend Call Mary Costa Denardo at 323/256-1943.
Music Together
Program
Music Together is an international, research-based,
music, rhythm, and movement program for infants, toddlers, young
children and their parents or caregivers. Foothills Music Together has
been bringing musical fun to families in the area since 1997.
Center Director Jeanina Quezada, along with several
trained instructors, run year-round series of classes during 10-week
sessions. Classes are primarily Mixed-Ages. We additionally offer
Infants & Crawlers classes for families wanting a more intimate
experience as well as Musician Attended classes for children 3 Years
and older.
The instructional style is an informal
non-performance oriented atmosphere: children may or may not
participate as they choose, at their personal developmental and comfort
level. A typical class might include parents and children becoming a
"train" and riding their way around the room "up a hill" and "down to
the station", chug-a-chug chugging with castanets in hand, and singing
a toddler train song. Squeals and giggles mix with favorite songs while
the foundations of basic music competence—the ability to sing in tune,
keep a beat, and take pleasure in music—are supported.
Additionally, parents are educated to various
musical concepts and are guided in experiencing their child's musical
growth both during class and at the Parent Education Evenings held
throughout the year. Always a family favorite Parent Ed Night is our
Winter Jammie Jam: a jumbo-sized interactive Music Together circle led
by our Center Director (assisted by all of our teachers) with kids and
babies jammin' in their jammies!
CDs, a Songbook, and a DVD-Parent Guide are provided
as part of the tuition for the classes, and link the group activities
to home interactions and playtimes. The emphasis is on family bonding
and family music.
Foothills Music Together is truly excited to debut
two new locations, convenient to the local NE Los Angeles community. We
are thrilled to be offering classes that specifically serve both the
Eagle Rock and Highland Park neighborhoods.
Situated in the heart of downtown Eagle Rock is our
Xtreme Training Center (2131 Colorado Blvd) location. This September we
will begin holding Tuesday morning classes for the Fall 10-Week
Session. We invite you and your child to join our free Eagle Rock
demonstration on Tuesday, September 13th at 10 am (RSVP required, see
below).
Or visit our Highland Park location at the groovy
local gem, Sprout Creative Arts at Studio Root 66 (5917 N Figueroa St),
set just three blocks from the Metro Gold Line. This month, will offer
brand new Highland Park Fall classes on Monday mornings. We invite you
and your child to join our free Highland Park demonstration on Monday,
September 12th at 9:30 am (RSVP required, see below).
We also offer classes (Monday through Saturday) in
Glendale, La Canada, Pasadena, San Marino and South Pasadena.
Registered families are more than welcome to take makeup classes at any
of our locations.
For more information on experiencing the wonderful
music-filled world of Music Together or to schedule your free demo
class call 626-398-4159 or visit www.foothillsmusictogether.com.
6th Annual Veterans Parade
The 6th Annual Northeast Los Angeles Veterans Day
Parade is scheduled for Sunday, November 13, 2011. The parade will also
celebrate the Centennial of Eagle Rock. Solemn Ceremony will begin at
11:00 a.m. in the front lawn of City Hall. All of veterans are
encourage to plant an American flag around the Veterans Monuments.
The parade will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. from the
Glassell Park Recreation Area. There will be a float celebrating the
Eagle Rock Centennial, marching bands, drill teams, convoy of Army
trucks and other participants. It will culminate at the Eagle Rock High
School Auditorium with entertainment.
Sponsorships are still available to be included in
the Commemorative Book being published by the committee.
Our Grand Marshall this year is Hugh Crooks,
California Commander, American Legion.
For more information, contact Ruby de Vera at (323)
258-0776 or email: rbdevera@sbcglobal.net
FREE DOG TRAINING SEMINAR AT HERMON DOG PARK
Need a little help getting Fido to behave? The
Friends of Hermon Dog Park will present a FREE seminar "Bringing Out
Your Dog's Best Behavior," with professional dog-trainer Erica Lake on
Sunday, September 25 at 6 p.m. at Hermon Dog Park. You'll learn about
basic socialization, obedience and the importance of proper feeding for
your dog.
Erica has been training professionally in Los
Angeles for eight years. In addition to private training, she's worked
with local rescues and shelters to provide training services to rescued
animals in order to increase their chances for successful adoption and
reintegration into a loving home environment.
Her philosophy is that training is in everyday
living. Her three key points of dog training are consistency,
motivation, and feedback. She believes that no one has a right to hurt
any animal just to get them to do what we want -- so no choke chains,
no pinch collars, and no shock collars.
When you can find your dog's motivation, whether it
be food, toys, or praise -- and use that particular motivation to keep
training fun and interesting for him, you can help your dog be a happy,
confident, and well-mannered member of your family. The seminar will
include a question and answer time, door prizes, and refreshments (for
you and your dogs). Dogs are welcome to attend. Just bring them a
little early and let them run around in the dog park first.
Then they'll probably be happy to just snooze right through the
seminar.
With financial assistance from the Arroyo Seco
Neighborhood Council, Hermon Dog Park's original support group has
sponsored other "Pet Ed" seminars this year on topics such as "Pet
Emergency Preparedness," and "Pet Loss" -- each taught by experts in
those fields. The dog park is located at the end of the Hermon Park
driveway at 5568 Via Marisol, L.A. 90042. From the 110/Arroyo Seco
Parkway take the Via Marisol exit. Turn right on Via Marisol and left
into the park.
The Friends of Hermon Dog Park exist to enhance the
Hermon Dog Park, keep its environment safe and healthy, teach
responsible pet ownership and further humane education, encourage dog
training efforts, organize pet adoption events, and support other
organizations that provide for the care of animals. For info and
membership details, go to www.HermonDogPark.org
2011 Community Police Academy
Do you know a community member that loves to be
involved? Someone you have met that has the community at heart?
The Los Angeles Police Department is looking for
candidates to attend the summer session of the Operations-Central
Bureau (OCB) Community Police Academy. This eleven week course will be
held at the Elysian Park Academy each Thursday night between 6:00 and
9:00 pm. The last day will include a graduation ceremony. The summer
Academy begins August 25, 2011 and ends November 3, 2011.
Candidates must be over 18 years old, live, work or
go to school in an OCB area, and have no felony convictions. Applicants
may contact Sgt. Danny Roman Northeast Community Relations Officer at
(213) 485-2548. Applications are available in both the Senior Lead
Officer and Community Relations offices.
VOICE IN THE EAGLE ROCK WILDERNESS
Organizing a Better Society
An Interview with Vine Deloria, Jr.
by Christopher Nyerges
[Nyerges can be reached at Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041, or
www.ChristopherNyerges.com, or www.wtinc.info. He is the author of 10
books who blogs regularly and broadcasts a weekly podcast at
Preparedness Radio Network.]
I was in an Eagle Rock Mexican restaurant enjoying
my chile relleno on a quiet Friday afternoon when I overheard a
conversation by two men at the next table. One, who I would label a
"survivalist," said that he'd like to see the collapse of society so
that we all could start over from scratch. Really? I wanted to jump up
and ask him a few harsh questions, but I chose to chuckle to myself at
his naivete.
Why would someone sitting behind a computer, driving
a truck, and buying what he needs at the local grocery store want
things to "fall apart"? Though such persons are usually clueless as to
what it actually takes to start a society "from scratch," such
sentiments do reveal a deep discontent with our current state of
affairs.
History is full of folks who attempted to create a
breakaway society, usually in search of a better, more idealistic,
maybe even utopian, way of life. That's how our American experiment
began, at the expense of the Native Americans. This is how and why the
Amish live they way they do, and persevere despite the ridicule of
their neighbors.
Hippies of the 1960s and '70s also tried to create
separate communities, "communes," where they could farm, dance and
sing, and attempt to put into practice whatever religion and politics
they developed. Let's examine the hippies.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to interview
Vine Deloria, Jr. for Wilderness Way magazine. Deloria was named by
Time magazine as one of the greatest religious thinkers of the 20th
Century. Among his approximately two dozen books, he wrote "God is
Red," which Wilma Mankiller (former Principal Chief of the Cherokee
Nation) called "the flagship book of Native American spirituality."
(Deloria passed away at age 72 in November of 2005).
Among other things, I spoke with Deloria about how
hippies presumed to imitate Native Americans in both look and practices.
The reason that the hippie movement failed, Deloria
told me, was not just because of drug use, though that was a
significant factor. Hippies failed, said Deloria, because they failed
to grasp the value of organizing tribally, and they ignored the value
of customs. "I think they failed for lack of discipline and lack of
commitment," he said. "People tried to create communities from scratch
and it didn't work. People were sincere, but they often lacked anything
in common except a rebellious spirit. And in fact, a lot of Indian
communities today have the very same problem. Extreme individualism is
chaos and unjust to everyone."
Deloria also blames television and popular media for
presenting a false picture of what traditional Indian culture was and
is all about, so those who do sincerely try to pursue that end up
pursuing a counterfeit.
"In the world of ideas," continues Deloria, "Indian
culture becomes a kind of deli where people pick and choose what they
want to practice. Much of the appropriation is the projection of
wishful thinking on different Indian symbols, such as the vision quest,
sweat lodge, using the pipe, etc. My fear was that with so many Indians
living in the cities with no experience with reservation communities,
some of them would begin to think that the frauds actually represented
the true tribal cultures. I can remember how popular the Billy Jack
movies were and many Indian youths thought the 'ceremonies' in that
movie were what people actually did. A lot of it sounded good to people
who knew nothing about Indian culture. And simply being an Indian in
the urban area does not somehow magically mean you know anything of the
traditional tribal culture."
It was an insightful interview with Deloria on a
variety of topics where he shared – if you read between the lines – how
to succeed at making a meaningful community, based upon following
certain patterns from the past.
Deloria was an "equal opportunity" criticizer,
criticizing what he saw wrong in both Native American practices,
Christianity, and elsewhere.
For example, he harshly criticized televangelists
such as Oral Roberts who once told his followers that he needed about
$10 million for his new building or "God would take me home." He
analogized televangelists to mainstream Christianity as the travelling
pop shaman to traditional tribal religion.
"Except the televangelists are much worse," he
explained. "They thirst for political power whereas the medicine men,
even the phoneys, simply want some public recognition and status."
There is no shortage of guidelines from the past or
present for "the right ways to live." It is silly to think that
everything must be destroyed in order to create a higher and better way
of life.
Deloria brought up just a few of the principles that
anyone can work to put into practice: Discipline, organizing within a
community of like-minded people, and valuing your traditions and
customs.
Additionally, whenever anyone brings up "The Old
Ways," it usually refers to such things as valuing family, home,
respect for elders, respect for your surroundings, cooperation with
others, and the ability to adapt.
Anyone wishing to seek the meaning of Real Survival
cannot go wrong by beginning to apply these simple principles into your
daily life.
FREE WHOOPING COUGH SHOTS AT EAGLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL
SEPT. 10.
The California state legislature and governor have
mandated that all school children must be vaccinated against Whooping
Cough or they cannot attend school starting on October 3, 2011. The
LAUSD and Eagle Rock H.S. are providing these required shots on
Saturday, Sept. 10, between 8 a.m. and 12 noon, for all children 10 and
up FREE of charge. Eagle Rock H.S. is located at 1750 Yosemite Blvd.
and La Roda Ave. There will be people to direct parents and students to
the Auditorium. Students must have at least one parent with them and
must fill out the immunization form required by the State of California
and the LAUSD. There will be music and some community booths at the
location.
Innovation Through Collaboration to Showcase at the 13th
Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival
Los Angeles City
Councilmember Jose Huizar
and Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock present the 13th Annual Eagle Rock
Music Festival, the yearly music festival with a unique and independent
neighborhood vibe. The festival will take place on Colorado Blvd.
between Eagle Rock Blvd. and Argus Dr. in Eagle Rock, on Saturday
October 1, 2011, from 4:00-11:00pm.
The Center's innovative programming is showcased
throughout the
year, culminating with the Eagle Rock Music Festival. The festival is
built upon strong partnerships with sponsors, programming partners,
musicians and the community. Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
collaborates with Dublab, FYF Fest, Low End Theory, Kingsize Soundlabs,
The Ship Studios, LA Record, KOXY Radio, Razorcake, and Zocaloc to
create the diverse lineup the Eagle Rock Music Festival is known for.
Musicians perform at 10 unique venues along Colorado Blvd. that include
auto shops, formal stages, and even a motel balcony. The growing
line-up of artists and a complete schedule will be announced in early
September on the Center's website: www.cfaer.org as well as the Eagle
Rock Music Festival blog and Facebook.
The festival will also feature a family friendly
kids corner on
Caspar Ave. with activities including learning to play the ukulele,
comic book making, clay projects and more. The programs, all taught by
the Center's instructors, will give a sneak peek of the Fall Education
programming at Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock.
Foodies rejoice! The festival will offer an eclectic
blend of
international foods at the Eagle Rock Farmers Market as well as a
variety of food trucks including the Poutine Truck, Greasy Weiner,
Slice Truck, Fresh Fries and more. This adds to the diverse array of
delicious restaurants along the festival route such as the just opened
Halong Bay, fresh & flavorful Four Café, music festival
venues
Colombo's Italian Steakhouse and Camilo's California Bistro, and the
always popular Coffee Table & Lounge, Taco Spot, and Oinkster!
A five-dollar suggested donation can be made at the
main entrances
and throughout the festival. This contribution supports Center for the
Arts, Eagle Rock, the non-profit that produces the Eagle Rock Music
Festival. A free shuttle service to and from the festival will be
available from the Eagle Rock Plaza, where limited free parking will be
available for festivalgoers.
The Eagle Rock Music Festival is presented with
generous support
from Macy's, Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, Eagle Rock Plaza, and the
community and businesses of Eagle Rock. Stop by the sponsor booths for
amazing discounts, coupons, and samples!
For more information about the Eagle Rock Music
Festival please visit: www.cfaer.org.
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