View from the Top of
the Eagle Rock Canyon Trail

Eagle Rock Canyon Trail Event to be held
November 7, 7:30 p.m. at 20th Century Women’s Club

On Wednesday, November 7, 2007, at 7:30 pm, The Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful will present an evening at the Women's 20th Century Club to showcase the history and trailblazing of four acres of parkland surrounding the Eagle Rock. This presentation will coincide with the regular monthly meeting of the Kiwanis Club. The Collaborative welcomes all residents of Eagle Rock and surrounding communities to join us as we present a history of the four acres project and share the amazing progress of master trailblazer Peter Schaller and his coworkers. Many more volunteers are needed!
As of October 27, the trail was opened through to the top of the hill, where a reservoir for the city of Pasadena is located. The view from the top is spectacular, with unimpeded views to the south and the west. The first part of the trail contains eight switch backs and 52 curves as it winds its way up the hill. As I timed my 50 year old body, I made it from the bottom to the top in 11 minutes, stopping a few times to catch my breath. The trip back down only took me 8 minutes. It take longer than you would think.
At the top, you are literally looking over the top of the Eagle Rock itself, and you can see the intersection of Figueroa and Yosemite when you look over the top of the Eagle Rock. (LA Historical Landmark #10) You can get to the trail by parking on Eagle Rock View Drive, the cul-de-sac off of Patrician way, and walk into the Alatorre- Eagle Rock View Park there , then immediately make a right turn into the trailhead.
The trail building itself is a marvel to me, I can see why Peter and his friends like to do it. They are like miniature highway engineers, building a highway. The grade is not too steep, and there is enough shade to cool off halfway up. It's a lot of fun and good exercise to hike it, but I recommend that you spray yourself with insect repellent first, the flies seem to like buzzing around hikers like me!
This massive project encompasses the last remaining open space by the Eagle Rock and when completed promises to provide extensive hiking trails surrounded by a native and drought-resistant botanical garden in a magnificent setting with vistas to the sea for plein air painters, hikers, and sightseers.
The Women's 20th Century Club is located at 5105 Hermosa Ave., across from Colombo's. For further information call John Stillion at 323,254-6540 or Peter Schaller at 818, 957-7466.

EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 3, 2007

At the ‘07 Eagle Rock Music festival,
above, Chuchito Valdéz lights up the night. Below is Eagle Rock Rocker Chuck Clark Jr. banging it out in front of the Alma lodge. It was the biggest festival, so far, with an estimated 20,000 attending.

Coffee Table Lounge:
Is it Another Fat Dog?
Community watchdogs and local night spot patrons alike are paying close attention to incoming Coffee Table Lounge, the expansion of the Eagle Rock Coffee Table restaurant. Motorists passing by may have seen the neon sign go up in recent months advertising it, but few know what is happening there and what the progress is. Also not widely known is that a "Fat Dog" like controversy may well erupt over the expansion plans.
In a historic building that only ten years before housed an auto parts store, a liquor store, and a chiropractor's office a few years before that, restaurant owner Michael Zamiripa opened his second Coffee Table location, the first one being a success on Rowena Avenue in Silverlake. The Coffee Table has become a venerable part of the Eagle Rock culture, and now serves beer and wine as well. The lounge addition will expand further into the historic building, adding many more alcohol serving seats in a lounge-like atmosphere, but add no parking.
For those that remember the recent "Fat Dog Lounge" controversy, Eagle Rock loungers who wanted another local place to go to, relax, and have a few drinks ended up being pitted against nearby residents who wanted to preserve the peace and quiet of their neighborhoods, as well as their street parking. The Fat Dog had planned to serve a full line of liquor, and did not have any on-site parking, which some nearby residents feared would increase the current problems of parking congestion, along with increasing the number of noisy and thoughtless drunken patrons disturbing their quiet streets as they prepared to head home after closing time. They said this was already a problem due to the "Chalet," a nearby bar. In that case, community input and community consent were all important, as the Fat Dog project could not open without a "conditional use permit," a process that is both the bane of business and the life blood of a community activist.
The "Lounge" expansion of the Coffee Table may indeed stoke the flames of those passions again as the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Land Use committee will consider and make a recommendation on the proposed expansion of liquor sales into the new lounge area.
A few months ago, Mr. Zamiripa attended the Land Use Committee meeting of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council. He was there to show what he was doing with the lounge expansion. The floor plan showed that practically every available unused space in that building, and outside in the rear patio area, would be converted into the new alcohol serving "lounge".
Committee members asked him to return with his plan after notifying all the neighbors within 500 feet of the proposed lounge. They thought it would be important for neighbors to be given a chance to see the plan and comment on the project.
As the October meeting of the ERNC Land Use Committee neared, committee chair Bob Aranaga talked about the expansion and announced at the monthly Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce meeting that, "... buildings of historical significance do not have to comply with parking regulations." He confirmed that many seats and tables would be added without extra parking, but would not mention any particular number. He also said that the committee may look at asking them to provide valet parking, and added that they were being required to do an environmental impact report, but saying he did not know at what stage that process was presently at.
At the Land Use meeting two days later, Coffee Table Lounge owners were not present, but one nearby resident had seen the agenda, and did attend. Committee members discussed the issue and some expressed concern that it would create, on Shearin Avenue and Glen Iris streets, another sad situation like the one on Vincent Avenue, where that street has been plagued for fifty years by a one hundred capacity restaurant on their corner that has no parking at all. Vincent Avenue residents regularly complain about Casa Bianca patrons parking in front of their driveways, in their driveways and sometimes right on their front lawns to get their favorite pizzas.
There is a real, legitimate worry that this project will tip the scales, and bring Eagle Rock neighborhoods into a "permit only" parking program that will virtually end and even reverse the momentum of business area revitalization along Colorado Boulevard that all have enjoyed in the past few years. If customers and employees have no place to park, there won't be much of any kind of business that can survive here. The majority of the committee expressed they would like to see the project put on hold until the nearby residents have a chance to be heard, and until the parking issue is better addressed.
The local resident who showed up brought his concerns that the restaurant already was a big cause of congestion. He showed photos of delivery trucks that double-park there and block over half the street while making their deliveries. He talked about the currently existing parking congestion there as well.
It was decided that residents within 500 feet would have to be notified that they would have a chance to speak about the lounge at their next committee meeting, to be held on December 6. Persons wishing to chime in can also attend the next two meetings of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, to be held on November 6 and December 4. Or, they can write directly to the Director of Planning and Councilman Huizar's office if they wish to be heard. The case numbers are: (for reference) ZA-2007-4027-CUB and ENV-2007-4028.
Zamaripa, however, is apparently quite confident that his plan will be a success as the interior remodeling is almost complete. He has not waited to see what his neighbors in the community think about his plan, and is apparently going full speed ahead.

63rd Northeast Christmas Parade
December 2, 2007
The 63rd Northeast Los Angeles Christmas Parade will officially bring in the holiday season on Sunday, December 2, 2007starting at 1 p.m. This year's Grand Marshals will be Omar Velasco and Argelia Atilano, KLVE 107.5 FM dynamic morning radio personalities, part of the Univision Radio family. They join a host of celebrities and community representatives, local middle and high school marching bands and drill teams, dancers, musicians, floats and equestrian units, bringing anticipated excitement to the city's longest consistently-running holiday parade. The Christmas parade will proceed from North Figueroa Street and Avenue 60, southbound to Sycamore Grove Park where festivities continue with Winterfest at 3 p.m. Parade award winng entries will be announced followed by live music provided by Ramona Hall student musicians as well as family rides and local vendors offering holiday arts and crafts.
This annual volunteer organized community parade is being presented by the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, Maximillian Vasquez, President and the North Figueroa Association, Misty Iwatsu, Exec. Director in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles Councilman Ed Reyes, Council District One.
In addition, there are Official Sponsors such as the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (Metro), The Coca Cola Company, KLVE Univision Radio and The Arroyo Seco Journal - joined by a host of local business and organizations that annually make this event possible. The parade committee consists of hundreds of dedicated people who welcome and direct everyone from VIPS to marching bands to horses. This year's Parade Chair is Rosamaria Marquez of Rock Rose Productions, Committee Chairs are Carmela Gomes (educational liasion), Tal Ben Zur, Adeline Miele, Ronn Payne and Kerri Stimson (sponsorship), Doris Lau and Robert Flores (VIPS), Yolanda Nogueira (volunteers), Heinrick Keifer (logistics); Maximilian Vasquez (entry judging), Amy Inyue/Future Studios (souvenir program production).
The parade also introduces visitors to the Northeast area, the home of many local cultural and historic facilities and unique shopping experience. Participants and spectators both are encouraged to ride the Metro Rail Gold Line and exit Highland Park station.
Parade Entry and Sponsorship applications continue to be accepted through November 5. For more information, call 323-222-4740, www.nelachristmasparade2007 or call (323) 919-4226 or write rockroseproductions@yahoo.com.

Tribute to John Rinaldo

It was practically an Eagle Rock High School Jazz Band class reunion, as the Eagle Rock Historical Society paid tribute to Eagle Rock High Jazz Band teacher John Rinaldo on October 23, 2007. In the photo in no specific order are: Joe Condrat '83, Peter Valenzuela '82, William Nuñez '82, Mike Samudio '82, Wayne Lomosad '82, Darian Sahanaja '81, Jim Bynum '82, Cari Norton '82, Amos Bracero '81, Kathleen Hansen '81, Larry Koonse '79, Dawn Rinaldo Stone '73, Yvette Sanchez '78, Dave Stone '73, Dean Montgomery '76. The award winning High School Band played the Monterey Jazz festival many times, and collected hundreds of trophies over the years. Many of his students became top class working musicians, working all around the world.

Eagle Rock 2nd Annual Veterans Parade
Event on Sunday, November 11, 2007

The Eagle Rock Veterans Parade Committee are gearing up for the best parade ever during the 2nd Annual Veterans Parade in Eagle Rock. The ceremonies will start at 11:00 a.m. in front of Eagle Rock City Hall where Councilmember Jose Huizar will lay the wreath to honor those who served so we can be free. All veterans and their families are invited to plant a flag on the lawn. Honor guards will grace the event together with the playing of the taps by Nathan Miranda, followed by a poem "For my beloved comrades" by L. Michael Black of the American Legion.
The Parade will begin at 1:00 p.m. from York Blvd., then north to Eagle Rock Boulevard and east to Merton Avenue. Parade participants include the Motorpsycho Drill Team, Aztec Dancers, Veterans of all Wars, Elected Dignitaries, Ballet Folklorico, Girl scouts, Boy scouts, Eagle Rock High drill and cheer team, Franklin High Marching Band, ROTC, cheerleaders, Unicycle, UGLA, ER Chamber, HP Chamber, ER Lions Club, HP Kiwanis, Fil Am Kiwanis of Glendale, Solheim Lutheran, American Legion, District 17 Veterans and Parents of Soldiers currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Part of the entertainment lineup are the Los Angeles Police Department Concert Band, St. Dominic's Quartet, Barbershop Chorale Group, Kids on Stage for a Better World, Viva Trombones and a surprise celebrity performance.
Robert "Bob" Cota is this year's Grand Marshall and will lead the parade with his wife Kitty and daughter, Carole Cota Gelfuso, 1966 Tournament of Roses Parade Queen.
The 2nd Annual Eagle Rock Veterans Parade is sponsored by the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, Office of Councilmember Jose Huizar and the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, contact Ruby de Vera at (323) 255-6351 or email:
rbdevera@sbcglobal.net.

EDITORIAL
Chamber President Denise Miller Aligns with Anti-business Forces-
Refuses to Listen to the Facts.
Last month, at the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce Board meeting, I spoke up rather loudly when a proposal to hire an former TERA President Joanne Turner as editor for the Chamber of Commerce newsletter came before the board. Nothing wrong with the Chamber having a newsletter of course. It helps keep the members informed about some local issues and when the meetings and mixers and other events of the Chamber take place.
I only had a problem with who was being proposed to do it. That person was Joanne Turner. I suppose you could say that Joanne and I have somewhat of a history. Actually, the whole community does, but those arriving more recently don't know about it. You, see, Joanne was the president of TERA a few years ago. In a way, they were good years for TERA. In that time they gained membership from 200 to 1200.
In a way, they were good years for me, too. I learned most of what I know about community activism from watching her and her associates during that period. But during that time, TERA, under her leadership created a well deserved reputation for being extremists. They were very effective during that time, too. Unfortunately, to the detriment of anyone opposed to their views, or even moderate by any reasonable person's standard.
Their mission statement is, and has been, a good one:
"The mission of this organization is to work for the improvement of the quality of life in the Eagle Rock Community in Los Angeles, California, by providing research and education about Eagle Rock, participating in land-use planning activities and promoting positive community growth and beautification," but in my, and many other's opinion, during the tenure of Ms. Turner, TERA continuously deviated from its mission by taking positions terribly unfriendly toward Eagle Rock business and commerce and anyone who dared to try to be in business.
Submitted below by former CD14 Eagle Rock Field Deputy Shirley Minser, are just a few examples of the TERA activities during that time:
1) Lead a long campaign objecting to the utilization by Rantz Auto Repair of the building initially constructed for auto repair on the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Shearin Avenue. The objection was over moving an interior wall 16 feet. This war on an existing business almost destroyed his business and cost the owner his home. TERA's argument (lead by Joan Turner) was that the 16 foot area represented a change of use, and there were already too many auto repair businesses in Eagle Rock. Only after getting the help of the newly elected Councilman Villaraigosa, was the city attorney persuaded to settle the lawsuit Rantz was forced to bring, and Rantz Auto Repair is now open and serving the people of Eagle Rock.
2) Objected to the Caltrans/CHP complex now at the intersection of the #2 and the #134 freeways on already-owned California State property. This unit is the regional communication center for monitoring and managing traffic on Los Angeles and Ventura freeway systems. The unit, now completed, serves the people of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. It should be noted that TERA previously objected to several other possible business uses of that same property.
3) Created substantial opposition to the current retail complex on the south side of Colorado Boulevard, west of Eagle Rock Boulevard, now anchored by the Wallgreen's Drug Store and Starbuck's. Among other things, TERA wanted the developer to save and use an aged rundown, and contaminated building previously existing on the property. Ultimately the developer demolished the old building and now a modern retail complex serves the people of Eagle Rock. TERA led by Ms. Turner worked hard to remove Councilman Pacheco who they blamed for that loss.
Alarmingly, what you also may not know about is the little private committee that used to meet with any business that wanted to come into town. Councilman Alatorre, fed up with being blindsided by these virulent activists, acceded to their wishes and set up a private committee that no member of the public was allowed to see in action. Corporate representatives would leave these meetings just shocked at the grilling and the many demands that were made of them in these meetings.
It even turned into a form of legal extortion as the Cell phone companies were forced to donate $60,000 to get permission to build their three flagpole towers by In and Out Burger. All of this was done with no public oversight, and no avenue for anyone, even TERA members, to speak out about it. And these are just the high points, believe me.
During these various battles, I clearly recall a certain arrogance and just plain mean-spiritedness that accompanied them. Other community activists in the city were also appalled. "They've got to pick their battles more carefully," said one experienced activist from Highland Park, upon observing how they alienated half the community with their shenanigans.
TERA, under the leadership of Ms. Turner was clearly an organization run by extremists, and they were nicknamed the TERA-ists during that time. I think that eventually, even TERA's own board saw the folly of Joanne's ways and squeezed her out. It's been a different TERA, and a different Eagle Rock ever since then.
So back to the Chamber Board meeting.
I saw the item on the agenda and I could not believe my eyes. As the President Denise Miller walked by, who created the agenda, I asked, "Are you out of your mind?"
Finally, the proposal came up. Joanne said she would write wonderful things about the local businesses and create a newsletter that the local businesses would be proud of. There was some discussion, and Anne Wolfe made a motion to spend up $650 dollars an issue for a newsletter, $250 of that would go to Joanne Turner.
Now as you may guess, I knew about all the history that Ms. Turner had with the community, and the fits she used to give the Chamber of Commerce leaders. She had forced them to expend so much time and energy over the years just to try and correct the damage she did. There were others there that knew this as well. And not one person had the stones to speak up. Except me.
I could have done it better. Maybe I could have educated the newer Chamber members about Ms. Turner's history with Eagle Rock without it sounding like I was personally attacking her. But I didn't. Hey, she made my friend lose his house. That's not OK with me. And it probably never will be.
After recounting a few of the TERA's anti-business projects, Shirley Minser concluded this: "From the above, it would appear that TERA, and its past president, Joan Turner, are not particularly business friendly. General logic would say that the ERCC would be better served to find a more business-friendly newsletter writer."
I agree.
I just couldn't figure out where Chamber President Denise Miller was coming from. I spoke to her after the meeting. I knew that, although she is originally from Eagle Rock, she spent many years away and was not present for any of the historic Chamber vs. TERA battles. I tried to explain.
"I don't care what happened in the past," she declared.
I countered with, "Would you hire a serial killer to babysit your niece or nephew?"
............. Of course, what we do in the past does stay with us. Just ask a prosecutor- or a politician.
Then I discovered what was going on. Somehow, for some reason, Denise had been meeting with Joanne Turner regularly during the last year. She freely admitted it. Why? I don't know. But you know I do love to think there's a conspiracy, right?
Well, I don't know, but there is obviously something wrong going on here that we're not aware of. That Ms. Miller is getting the wool pulled over her eyes is without a doubt. But literally refusing to even listen to the facts is inexcusable in my book.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR, I THINK IT'S TIME FOR A NEW EAGLE ROCK CHAMBER PRESIDENT.

To Individuals and Organizational Members of Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition

A diverse Coalition like ours only gets stronger after persevering through four years of stalling, delay, misinformation, and deception by the management of the Autry National Center.
Late last month, the leaders from each of our member organizations received a "decision already made" email update from Councilmember Jose Huizar. This came without the prior knowledge or input from the Coalition of a new "agreement" with Autry and the formation of a group called the "Southwest Society." We take it seriously that the Councilmember said he achieved what he said he could with this agreement, after his promise to engage the Autry.
All of us were kept in the dark, which seems to be in contrast to earlier this year when the Councilmember insisted that each Coalition leader meet with him to engage in a transparent and collaborative process. At that meeting in June, over 50 community leaders re-affirmed the importance of his fighting for the Coalition's long-held central goals.
The Coalition steering committee is concerned that the announcement came as a surprise and that our numerous Coalition leaders were not asked, in advance of the hurried press event, to come back together to be informed or discuss the negotiations with the Councilmember or his staff. Apparently though, time was offered to selected individuals who received advance knowledge that allowed them to agree to lend their names to the Southwest Society and to raise many millions of dollars.
The steering committee felt we had to continue to be transparent and held a meeting with our Coalition leaders to discuss this new announcement. We discussed the situation so as to better understand where our leaders felt the issue now stood in achieving the consistent and long-held position of the Coalition:
* Retain and create a world class Southwest Museum as the primary exhibition location of the Southwest Collection in its original location and
* Ensure that there is a viable future museum use for both the Southwest and Casa de Adobe. For this, an enforceable agreement, not a memo from the Autry CEO, would be needed.
Unfortunately, when one closely reads the "agreement," which is a simple memo from Autry CEO John Gray to Councilmember Huizar, the Autry Board absolves itself from accountability and shrouds itself, once again, in vague language that does not offer anything of great substance that was not previously offered last fall. The consensus is that attainment of our core position has not yet been achieved because the Autry continues to refuse to alter its misguided plans to convert the Southwest Museum to a vague cultural and education center.
At this time, the Coalition does not believe that this new "agreement" will achieve a successful museum future for the Southwest Museum or Casa de Adobe, especially when professional evidence from the Autry-funded Brenda Levin Rehabilitation Study shows that there is a way to achieve future success as a museum -- namely Option B of that study as a bare minimum.
The press announcement of the Mayor and Councilmember Huizar had two interwoven elements – the formation of the Southwest Society and the "agreement" with Autry on its future vision for the Southwest Museum site. Each deserves a bit of analysis to better understand why we have come to our conclusion.

New "Southwest Society"
It appears that the purpose of the formation of the Southwest Society is to raise funds for Autry's vision of a cultural center rather than a realistic vision for a vibrant world-class museum.
Positives:
* As you know, we've embraced the need for a larger effort to raise money for our historic museums and we actually asked for this type of mechanism. Councilmember Huizar listened, took our idea and then recruited other elected officials to lend their names to the effort.
* Money is always at the heart of a project so a way to raise it is critical to any future of the Southwest Museum site.
Negatives:
* Raising money to convert the Southwest Museum to a cultural center, rather than a full museum, does not achieve the Coalition's central concern.
* There are too many unanswered questions about the vagueness of the Southwest Society to give any real assurance of its viability, such as:
1. Why can't this group raise funds for a full museum use, such as Option B in Autry's own 2004 Brenda Levin Rehabilitation Study which was proven viable within museum industry norms? Or the Coalition's Alternative Plan?
2. Why would any sophisticated private donor give money to this group that has no Autry board members serving and no formal authority over the Southwest Museum site?
3. How much money is this new group going to raise? There are no big-name philanthropists on this list.
4. When will it raise this money in order to get the Southwest Museum re-opened in 2010/11 as Autry has previously claimed it would do?
5. Is it an independent nonprofit separate from the Autry?
6. Has each member of this new group donated or pledged a large donation that is a typical requirement for fundraising group members? Do they have the financial ability to make their own donation?
7. Is this a separate capital campaign from the Autry's $150 million Griffith Park effort to silently raise funds from the private foundation and donor community currently underway? Why should it be a separate initiative?
8. Where is the transparency in the actions of this organization, and who is its leader?
9. If someone wanted to be a member, what are the board requirements and minimum level of giving? Who accepts or approves participation?

New "Agreement"
Memo from Autry CEO John Gray to Councilmember Huizar
Positives: It is vague but maybe two more rooms might contain some sort of displays, but they will never be artifact-based exhibitions from the Collection (according to John Gray).
Negatives:
* The memo is a re-statement of what Autry announced in September 2006 and continues with vague and non-binding words that signals a lack of concrete commitment from Autry, certainly unenforceable.
* The memo is from John Gray who is not a decision-maker like the Autry Board of Directors. It is addressed to Councilmember Huizar instead of the City of Los Angeles as a proposed enforceable agreement.
* Again, it raises more questions than it answers such as:
1. Where is a timeline, plan and factual economic assessment that this is more economically viable use than Brenda Levin's Option B? Last fall, Autry conceded that they had not conducted an economic feasibility study to show that the cultural center was a financially superior alternative to continued museum use.
2. Why does the name have to change? "Southwest Museum" is easy to remember and continues the 100-year heritage of LA's first museum.
3. Where will our school children actually experience an artifact-based learning of the Collection to achieve their school curriculum? Griffith Park?
4. If Autry were truly committed to this latest concept plan, why wouldn't it agree to simply make this a voluntary condition of its project approval for their proposed expansion in Griffith Park and have the City do the necessary environmental review of the entire project?
Our elected officials have already helped secure public money for the Southwest Museum and Casa de Adobe. To-date most of the "Autry's" investment in the Southwest Museum, $4.5-6.5 million depending on the memo, is actually public taxpayer funds, insurance claim payments, and grants that the Coalition has directly solicited or indirectly supported through critical letters of support. So, remember that the Coalition has been a true "friend" to the Autry when it comes to fundraising for the last four years already. Please thank our federal and state elected officials for most of this investment that Autry claims as its own.
Knowing the influence of Autry money and the lobbying muscle it has hired at City Hall, this is a classic case of moneyed interests trying to trump the will of people and the economic future of a community and region. The Coalition will continue to build and gain support for our cause to create a full and world-class Southwest Museum. Two new neighborhood councils, Greater Griffith Park and Hollywood United, just adopted positions supporting the retention of the Southwest Museum at its current location. The Oaks Homeowners Association recently joined our Coalition as did the Highland Park Kiwanis. Our resolve to seek a vibrant museum for our diverse community that reflects the full heritage of the Southwest, its cultural and economic future and for the children of Los Angeles must continue.
We need your continued support and leadership as a member of this Coalition. We ask for your assistance with upcoming events, help us broaden our contacts and support of this issue and for your organization to consider a financial investment to help continue this work. Everything costs money from the hiring of experts to flyers and postage. Thank you for standing in unity to take all necessary steps to achieve our common vision of an enhanced world-class museum. Our Southwest Museum, as envisioned by Charles Lummis, will shine on the Arroyo hillside once again.

BUSINESS OWNER PREVENTED FROM GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY BY L.A.F.D.!!
Durning the Eagle Rock Music Festival there were two inspectors from the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety office of the LA Fire Department who spent their entire time harrassing business people. One was Vincent Owens and the other guy with the blue sweater was Greg Frazier (the guys going around telling us to stop or I will close you down). That is funny because anyone who would be able to enforce his edict was already in the pool area from NE LAPD, including Captain Perez.
He came to my place, the Welcome Inn, and said loose the tiki torches. I said why and he said it is the law. I asked for the code and he said it is in his car. He never gave me the code and this Frazier guy come up to Kenny Henkle and me and started going off about too many people in the pool area. I told him to give me the code on how many people there should be in the pool area. He said read the pool sign it says 15 people. I told him that is the figure I placed myself. He said he was going to shut us down. He said he knows I am trying to make money here by selling food and drinks but I got to get a permit for the tiki torches. I said this is a private party and I am not selling anything. I told him I am trying to give back to my community to thank them.
Then this Frazier guy went and told me to close down early and he went to Columbos telling them they are going to be shut down if they do not clear the bar area by the stools. - It's a bar????
I hope you call this guy and demand the codes and explanation for his behavior. I felt bad about closing the pool gate and ending an Eagle Rock tradition since the Music Festival started. Since when did a private party become regulated? -Ray Patel

Parachutes in the Sky and Memories in the Park Nov 10 @10:30 a.m.
The Friends of Cypress Park Community Improvement Association together with the Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council will again host a special Veteran's Day observance in Northeast Los Angeles on Saturday, November 10, beginning at the Cypress Park Veterans Memorial with a brief memorial ceremony and then concluding -- for the first time -- with a Veterans Celebration beginning at noon at the nearby Cypress Park Recreation Center.
The ceremony to honor veterans -- living and dead -- begins 10:30 a.m. at the memorial site (at the intersection of Cypress Avenue and Pepper Avenue), then moves to the Recreation Center two block away (2630 Pepper Avenue) for a time of music, celebration, and displays of military and veterans memorabilia.
Part of the expanded two-part observance this year will include a repeat of the ever popular visit "from above" by a team of professional military veteran skydivers, the "Shooting Stars." This year, the air team will parachute its way onto the recreation center fields at approximately 12:30 p.m. to meet and greet those attending the celebration event, after circling the skies above the community.
Guest speakers are expected to include District 1 Los Angeles City Councilmember Ed P. Reyes and -- acting again as Master of Ceremonies -- L.A. County Military Veteran's Affairs commission chairman Bob Archuleta.
The veterans celebration events are open to all. Free food and drinks will be provided to those attending the ceremonies, hosted by members of the Friends of Cypress Park Community Improvement Association.
The Cypress Park Veterans Memorial is the product of volunteer work organized by the Friends of Cypress Park in 2002, funded by a Los Angeles Neighborhood Matching Funds grant -- converting a blighted concrete traffic median at the center of the community into a neighborhood garden and memorial site with new trees, flagpole and engraved bronze plaque honoring all local veterans. Last year, the Friends also re-landscaped the four year old memorial site and continue to help with maintenance as needed.
The Friends of Cypress Park Community Improvement Association, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit service organization that welcomes new. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month in the Los Feliz Room of the River Center in Cypress Park (570 W. Avenue 26, Los Angeles). The group oversees community improvement efforts working with Los Angeles city and county governments as well as other local community groups.

F.O.E.
Free Thanksgiving Dinner
On November 22, Thanksgiving Day, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, located at Townsend and Yosemite, will offer a free Thanksgiiving dinner to all who show up. It will be a complete dinner, with turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, assorted vegetables, salad and of course, pumpkin and mincemeat pies with whipped cream for a topping. The dinner will go from 1 to 3:00 p.m. Last year, the Eagles served 33 turkeys and over 300 meals.  

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY
at the Friends of Hermon Dogpark
Pet Adoption Fair.

There were cool skies, the sun peeking in and out of the clouds; the Hermon Pet Adoption & Environmental Fair was terrific! There were booths of rescued dogs and cats for adoption, beautiful pet birds, and majestic horses invited to trot around the entire fair.
The environmental and community groups showed us everything from how to fix your bikes for better legs-per-mile, ideas of how we could use native plants more "naturally," reminders to always clean up after our pets (not just at the dog park), to our very own Friends of Hermon Dog Park booth. The Neighborhood Beautification Grant project we have now applied for had its own booth, as well.
If you were lucky enough to meet the artist, Gerardo Hacer (so you can someday say, "I knew him when . . ."), and his amazing origami-inspired steel art sculpture we are hoping to place on the hillside above the Hermon Dog Park, you may have entered the contest to name the grant. Christine Boyd won the Friends of Hermon Dog Park T-shirt prize with her entry "Dogami."
You are all still invited to enter the other contest to have your dog be the model for the third dog sculpture. Gerardo is looking for a unique looking dog that will represent the Hermon Dog Park community of dogs, and even further, the community of their human companions that we enjoy at the dog park.
We encourage you ALL to enter by simply e-mailing your dog(s) pictures to us via HermonDogPark@netscape.net, for posting on our website www.HermonDogPark.com. Gerardo will make the final decision (if the city grant is awarded to us) and we will have the unveiling and naming of the three dog models at the February 2008 "Yappy Hour." Exciting. So send those pictures in!
BACK TO THE FAIR . . .
There were dog trainers, sitters, walkers, clothiers, collar makers, artists showing a variety of dog "art", and even a dog massage therapist. It was a hoot! We're still waiting for a final tally of the number of dogs and cats adopted out, but from the five groups reporting so far, we know of at least 16 dogs that found new homes -- many in our immediate area (and more than a couple to FHDP volunteers helping at the fair, who couldn't resist enlarging their already loving families by one more).
The largest number so far found homes from L.A. County Animal Care & Control, which brought nine dogs and took only two of them back to the county shelter . . . "call us again, next year, and we'll bring even more pets," they said.
We had about 50 percent more people in attendance this year than at our first adoption event in early 2006.
We'll keep you posted on our final adoption tally.

'What If They Gave a Candidates Forum and Only One Side Showed up?'
On Monday, October 29, the only "Candidates' Forum" for the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council (HHPNC) election on NOVEMBER 10 was held at Franklin High School. Only one of the slates showed up. In fact, three-quarters of the candidates failed to appear. Neither presidential candidate appeared, but one, Dr. Richard Dyke, sent a letter of apology. Dr. Dyke, the "First Vice-President" for the past three years, teaches two courses at the College of the Canyons. Last week classes were cut short because of the Santa Clarita fire, and this week the College ordered all professors to make up their classes at designated times. So, Dr. Dyke was ordered not to come to the candidates forum, but he sent a written apology that was distributed to all of the attendees at the Forum. His opponent did not appear and sent no apology.
The candidates that attended were headed by Dr. Stanley W. Moore, the present "Treasurer" of the HHPNC, who is running for "First Vice-President." His opponent, a counselor at Franklin, did not choose to appear. Dr. William Schenewerk, running for "Second Vice-President" appeared and spoke even though he is running unopposed. He is presently serving as an "At-Large Director" of the HHPNC. The only candidates running for Treasurer and Secretary did not appear. Mr. Chris Smith appeared even though he is running unopposed for the chairmanship of "City Services and Transportation." Ms. Yvonne Sarceda was the only one of three persons running for the position of chair of "Arts, Culture and Architecture" at the forum. She has lived in Highland Park for about 33 years. Neither of her opponents attended. Maggie Godoy was the only candidate of four running for chair of "Human Relations, Education and Youth Development" to appear. She works with troubled youth for Sycamores-Hathaway and hopes that being on the Council will further the wellbeing of the many young people she deals with daily.
Dr. Nicole M. Gatto is the only candidate running for "Public Health and Safety chair, and she is trained in health services. She briefly introduced herself to the audience and said that she would work hard in the position. Enma Espinoza is the only candidate running for "Outreach and Communication," but she did not appear. Mr. David Baird appeared even though he is the only candidate running for Land Use chair. He has much experience in this area because of his work with the Highland Park Overlay Zone committee. Olga Lopez appeared even though she is the only candidate running for chair of Economic Development. Finally, neither candidate for chair of Housing appeared, but one, Gloria S. Demeter, presently on the Council as chair of Public Safety, sent an apology for her absence as she was out of the city. Demeter is a real estate agent and thus has experience in housing and its problems.
The HHPNC is unusual in that its by-laws permit candidates to run for two offices. Many of the above named individuals are running for "At Large Directorships" in case they do not succeed in winning the seat for which they are really most interested. Candidates present at the Forum who are only running for the eight "at-large directorships" included the following: Steve Crouch, Gemma Marquez, and Roberto Antonio Monico. Gemma Marquez is presently a valuable member of the HHPNC as an at-large director. Also running for the eight "at-large" and present at the Forum and mentioned about were: Dr. Stanley W. Moore, Dr. William Schenewerk, Ms. Yvonne Sarceda, Ms. Maggie Godoy, and Mr. Chris Smith. Since they are running unopposed, Dr. Schenewerk, Ms. Godoy and Mr. Smith are already elected to their positions unless someone fills by Nov. 9 as a write-in candidate against them. On Saturday, November 10, the polls will be open from noon to 6 p.m. at Franklin High School cafeteria. PLEASE VOTE ON NOVEMBER 10!

Highland Park Business Improvement District
I need to clarify a few item about the Highland Park Business Improvement District.
The Business Improvement District (BID) runs along North Figueroa st from Ave 50 to 61.? The North Figueroa Assoc (NFA) that manages the BID is a not for profit.?
The Annual budget is $250,000 not $2.5 million.? The property owners are assessed this money not the businesses. The majority of the money is spent on Street cleaning, graffiti removal, trash removal, bulky item pick up and security for the corridor seven day per week.? What little money is left is used for beautification projects like trash receptacles, holiday lighting, Northeast Los Angeles Christmas Parade and pressure washing, etc.? We are also branding and marketing the area "Old L.A." in Highland Park.? We also run the Old L.A. Farmers Market on Tuesdays from 3-8 pm at North Figueroa and Ave. 58.? Last year we picked up over 6000 bags of trash weighing approximately 75,000 lbs. We painted out over 1500 blocks of graffiti and picked up over 200 bulky item pieces.? For a budget so small we manage our money wisely and get a lot done.? The crews work hard to maintain the B.I.D., if your walking by one of the security or maintenance crews say "Hello or Thank You."? They really appreciate this and makes them feel like they are appreciated.
Councilman Reyes' office and the NFA held a meeting a few weeks ago to address some of the image issues on N. Figueroa St.? It was decided to revise the L.A.N.I. plan all ready in place and address other quality of life issues.? We will begin to meet once a quarter to get the plan done and work on other issues.? Our next meeting will take place in January and all are invited.
Misty Iwatsu, Executive Director
North Figueroa Association

Fire in Glassell Park
On Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 6:31 AM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 47 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Alberto Abarca responded to a Civilian Fatality Structure Fire at 3133 Division Street near Glassell Park.
Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke showing from the front of a well-secured one-story single family home. Firefighters made forcible entry with hand and power tools to do battle with intense fire within the home.
While attacking the flames, Firefighters discovered and rescued a pair of burned, unconscious and non-breathing female adults from separate rooms at the rear of the home.
Despite the advanced life support efforts of Firefighters, one of the women, who exhibited no vital signs of life, was declared deceased shortly after arrival at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.
Firefighters were able however, to restore and assist breathing for the other woman, who they transported in critical condition to the Glendale Adventist Medical Center. The 59 year-old woman, who sustained full-thickness (3rd degree) burns to her face, neck, hands and back, and thermal injury to her mouth and nose, was later
transferred to the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital.
The fire was skilfully confined to the front portion of the home and extinguished in less than 18 minutes. No other injuries were reported.
Firefighters found no evidence of functional Smoke Alarms within the home, as required by law. The two bedroom residence was fitted with code-compliant security doors and window bars, and there is no immediate indication that they or any other factor became an impairment to egress. The building was not equipped with fire sprinklers.
A positive identification of the deceased woman, as well as the exact cause, time and manner of her death will be determined by Coroner's officials.
Monetary loss from the fire is estimated at $85,000 ($60,000 structure & $25,000 contents). The cause of this early morning blaze is categorized as 'accidental' and remains under active investigation.

Marty's
From Rudy Martinez, the owner of Mia Sushi, comes a new night club that's quickly gaining the reputation as the "Place" to go for Eagle Rock and Highland Park night owls. Like a Phoenix, rising from the ruins of the El Chubasco Club on York Boulevard, the mild, yet tasteful facelift on the outside barely gives a clue to the contemporary and spacious luxury on the inside.
You step inside past the ever present doorman who greets you, into the near perfect not-too-light, not-too-dark atmosphere. A series of inviting low rise leather couches, ottomans and coffee tables are on the left as you enter, with a row of tall stools bellied up to the beautifully finished wood bar to your right. Not too light, not too dark, and not too loud and not too quiet either.
The music choices are definitely pleasing to the 30 and up crowd, (except on OXY student night) as well as the images on the big flat screen behind the bar. Unexpected are the two rows of high-rise upright community bar tables and stools, giving another 12 to 18 people a bird's eye view of the people at play in Highland Park.
The staff is welcoming and friendly, and doesn't take too long to get to you, even on their busiest of evenings.
True to the latest style of gastro-pubs, and exceeding them, is the gourmet bar food available at Marty's. If you're hungry you'll want to try the kobe beef burger. A huge patty with melted blue cheese on top, served with sweet potato fries (substitute salad- no problem). If you're like me you'll need some extra napkins because it is jui-oooo-cy. You can also get a nice Caesar salad with or without chicken, as well as a variety of other sandwiches, but everyone raves about Marty's "Mac & Cheese". I tried it and I'll have to say that I never knew what home made macaroni and cheese was like. It's just delicious. And it is HOT! You'll want to nurse that drink a little while before digging in, but in the meantime you'll notice the nicely colored browning on the top of the dish- it just came out of the oven after all!
Some of the other dishes are:
Hand-cut Steak Tartar
Crispy Calamari with Spicy Tomato Chutney
Tabla de Queso with Black Olives and Apple Butter Sauce
Charcuterie Plank, Whole Grain Mustard Black Olives and Tiny Pickles
Caprese Salad with Aged Balsamic
Classic Ceasar Salad
Classic Ceasar Salad with Chicken
Pizza Du Jour
T-Bone Steak, Roasted Tomato with Green Peppercorn Sauce
Broiled Chicken Sandwich with Green Apple Slaw and your choice of Fries
Shoestring Fries (Regular, Sweet Potato or Garlic and Herb)
It's a really nice place, just right for getting out into the late night community to see who's with who and what's do'in what. If you're determined to get drunk on call drinks or martinis, you're gonna spend a few bucks, but no more than at the other new, hip nightspot places that are opening up in Northeast L.A.
It's a great place to impress a date with a fancy local spot, or to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or holiday eve with the spouse, sibling, or even a parent or two.
Valet parking is available on the busy nights. You'll want to use it if you're a woman visiting alone (the neighborhood hasn't quite caught up to upscale Marty's yet), but I've never had a problem finding street parking there yet.
I hear they have happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m. They are open Monday through Saturday until 2 a.m. One fun thing is that Rudy is very well connected, his mother, Juanita, has worked for most of the local CD 14 councilmen in the last 15 years and you never know who you're going to see there, from the highest elected officials in L.A. to well known actors who live in the area, to the OXY student who serves you coffee at Starbucks.
Marty's
5137 York Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Phone: (323) 256-2400

Ave. 50 Studio Opening:
Leigh Salgado and
Abel Alejandre
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 10, 7-10 pm
Avenue 50 Studio in Highland Park proudly presents new work by Leigh Salgado and Abel Alejandre, two Los Angeles artists who share devotion of their respective medium and attention to exquisite detail. Alejandre's carefully woven layers of graphite cross-hatching on paper compliment Salgado's stunning hand-cut paper sculptures. The trance-like quality of their art, combined with their dedication to process and ritualistic patterns, bridge the mediums of each artist's work to create a unified and powerful statement.
Leigh Salgado's artwork depicts the experience of femaleness as an eruption of raw texture and delicate gouging passion. Her recent work alludes to feelings or essences of feminine archetypes from her memories and subconscious. References to the female body, the wrappings of femininity, female eroticism and empowerment inform the art. Pushing the bounds of traditional objectification is the constant throughout her work. Her depictions of net stocking, abstracted lingerie and patterned bodies are sensual meditations on casual yet essential experiences, poetic beyond the verbal, physical beyond the body.
In his work Abel Alejandre examines and redefines interpersonal relationships within the context of the immigrant experience. Themes and nuances of love, passion and lust are woven like delicate, precious threads through the graphite line work that is heavily influenced by the old world masters, yet very much Alejandre's own. On the one hand, the body of work acts as a reflective personal journal, cataloging past insecurities, insults, and painful memories. Each piece carries the weight and depth of an oversized blanket, at once comforting and yet nearly suffocating at the same time. It is, at the same time, an optimistic roadmap that depicts the struggle for salvation against hatred and betrayal and ultimately, redemption. Alejandre's graceful and haunting work is unapologetic in its honesty.
November 10 through December 2, 2007
Avenue 50 Studio
131 N. Avenue 50,
Highland Park, CA 90042
323.258.1435
ave50studio@sbcglobal.net
www.avenue50studio.com

The “BOY” Has Landed!      

Chicken Boy is finally lowered onto his permanent new home in Highland Park, atop the future studio on North Figueroa near Ave. 56. He was last seen gracing the roof of a take out chicken joint in downtown L.A. over 20 years ago.
Artist Amy Inoye got permission to do this permanent “art installation” on her building, with lots of community support.

VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS ON BEING I-PODDED

The Technological Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Nyerges is the editor of Wilderness Way magazine, the author of How To Survive Anywhere and other books, and an outdoor field guide. He can be reached at Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041, or www.christophernyerges.com
It was hot – beastly hot – so I went to an Eagle Rock coffee shop to drink iced tea. Maybe I would meet someone and engage them in good old-fashioned conversation. I purchased my iced tea from the new and shiny counter of the new and shiny coffee house. I sat in a comfortable chair and read my newspaper. I hadn't paid attention to the other patrons in the coffee shop but I noted it was very quiet.
Looking up from my cool beverage, I saw that there was only one person per table, each wholly engaged in their laptop world. There was some light jazz playing in the room, but I seemed to be the only one tapping my foot to the music of Dave Brubeck. Everyone had wires in their ears extending to some hidden source. Everyone was tuned into something else, somewhere else, and no one was tuned into the here and now. A full room of lonely, separated, non-communicating people. No conversation would be possible.
I went outside to enjoy the cool evening breeze and maybe make conversation with fellow sojourners. One man sat alone outside but spoke in hushed tones as he waved his arms. No, not a crazy man, but a man who was elsewhere on his cell phone. The other person outside was a woman, also alone and yelling into the abyss of her phone. I would be making no conversation out here, I realized. Everyone was somewhere else.
I felt disoriented, like a stranger in strange land of techno-toys. I got in my vehicle and drove away.
I went to Trader Joes, did my shopping, and noted that nearly half the shoppers were not here now, but chatted away on their cell phones to people somewhere else. Some had wires extending from their ears.
One man entered with a silver device wrapped around his ear, Star Trek-like, and he was obviously elsewhere as he talked to unseen recipients. I hailed him with my hand, and inquired about the object.
"It's my I-pod," he said enthusiastically. "I couldn't live without it."
A friend told me a story about his cousin who plays on a sports team at a local college. The team takes a school bus to the other school, plays the game, and then all the students sit in their own private I-podded musical worlds as they bus home.
"Don't you all talk?" the student was asked.
"We don't do that," was the reply.
What a depressing world we've devolved into. I can recall bussing home from high school track meets, listening to "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" and all us boys sang along in comraderie, whether we lost or won. How have we descended to the point where it is regarded as better to reside in a safe little podded world.
It would be instructive for today's over-teched youth to go watch the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and replace "pod" with "I-pod." We are all being podded, and without a fight.
Later, during a blackout, I sat outside in the cool darkness of the evening with no cell phone, no lights, no TV, no telephone, no e-mail, no electronic gadget which would pod my mind and rob my time. It was a deep pleasure to be alone with myself, to think about life, and life's important questions, with no chance for google or wickipedia to presume to know my inner answers.
Though I marvel at our technological advances, I cringe with sadness to realize what all of us in Eagle Rock have all lost.

New Gallery on York and Ave 50
We have another great gallery opening on York! Kristi Engle will be having her first opening on November 10th in conjunction with the next NELAart Gallery Night. Now we have David Patton Los Angeles, Sea and Space Explorations, MorYork and Kristi Engle all within walking distance! Add this to the existing list of HP galleries and we officially have a great art scene in Highland Park! Kristi Engle Gallery 5002 York Blvd.

15th Annual Discovery Tour
The Arroyo Arts Collective, a grassroots community artists' organization in Northeast Los Angeles, presents "It's Time for the 15th annual Discovery Tour" -- a self-guided auto tour of artists' homes and studios in Highland Park, Eagle Rock and Mount Washington.
Come spend your day exploring the amazing artists of Northeast L.A. You'll be able to visit Susan Moss' funky storefront on York Boulevard, Linda Lyke's aerie studio, Raoul de la Sota's wonderful craftsman in the heart of Highland Park, Heather McLarty's backyard teepee blacksmithing forge, Gwen Freeman's historic Mt. Washington hilltop craftsman, J. Michael Walker's "All the Saints of Los Angeles" and Maggie Haase's intimate paintings of flowers in her studio, which overlooks her raised bed 30 fruit tree backyard orchard in downtown Eagle Rock, and much, much more.
This year, with clocks the traditional 15th anniversary gift, the theme of the Tour is time - on Sunday, November 18, tour goers are invited to stop clockwatching and have a good time visiting artists' homes and studios.
They will have the opportunity to discover work by over 100 local artists, featuring such diverse work as paintings, sculptures, ceramics, collage, assemblage, computer graphics, photography, letterpress, printmaking, fiber arts and Native American beading. View the homes and studios of real live artists! Where else can you see a woman blacksmith, the fabulous Chicken Boy, discuss Mejica cosmology, and ponder photo shopped versus old school photography on the same day? In time for the holidays, artist-made clocks will also be available for sale at the Lummis Home.
Tour tickets can be purchased in advance ($10) online at www.ArroyoArtsCollective.org and at Galco's Old World Grocery, 5702 York Boulevard, Highland Park. Tickets the day of the tour ($15) will be available at the Charles Lummis Home located at 200 E. Avenue 43 in Highland Park. Tour ticket holders will receive a comprehensive map of artists' studios and homes; studios and homes will be open between 10 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
A preview party showcasing Tour artists and their work will be held in conjunction with NELAart Second Saturday Gallery Night on Saturday, November 11 at the Acorn Gallery, 135 N. Avenue 50, Highland Park. Artist images and links will also be posted at www.ArroyoArtsCollective.org prior to the Tour.

Eagle Rock Arts Center on NELAart Night
On November 10th from 7-10pm 225 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90041 for NELAart Night with the Paradise Regained Art Exhibit.
There will also be music played by a DJ. This is our first 2nd Saturday evening event inconjunction with NELAart, so if you want to put in the Calendar section, might be a good time for people to stop by that can't come in during the day time hours.

EAGLE ROCK NEWS

Talk of the 'Rock
Find out about the latest hot issues being talked about on the local "blogs."

Diagonal Parking Again?
On local blogs, again the subject of slowing down Colorado Boulevard by reducing the number of lanes from three to two, and adding diagonal parking was discussed. It was acknowledged that although a city D.O.T. study had determined that it was not feasible, and that it would require narrowing or removing the islands and only gain a small number of parking spaces, bloggers were not convinced that this is the case.
But the fact is that the study was independently verified by hand with tape measure. If you don't believe me, do it yourself. Take your own tape measure down to Colorado, and then go over to Brand Boulevard, the street that is often used as a local example of diagonal parking. (Never mind that the City of L.A. does not seriously consider any examples outside their jurisdiction to be persuasive). Brand Bl. is somewhat wider, but what really matters is that L.A. has different requirements of how much room is needed for diagonal parking, and they say it's about 30 feet. This would take all but one traffic lane away from Colorado Boulevard if the islands were left alone. Now count all the spaces there currently, add the diagonal ones, and then take away an extra space at each busstop, drive way and intersection that's needed by an suv or a pickup truck to navigate, and you'll find precious few diagonal spaces left.
Diagonal parking advocates are welcome to make an effort to change the policies of L.A.D.O.T., (even the Councilman has a tough time with them) but if the left turn action in front of Trader Joe's is any indication, (they changed it to match their new policy, screwed up a system that worked fine before and refuse to change it back) it could turn into a life long effort to try.
By the way, this was just the latest study. A previous one done around 1998 concluded that diagonal parking was possible if all the islands were completely removed, along with reducing the lanes to two each way.
Ugliest Building in L.A.?
Everyone wants to know how that big orange "Colorado Terrace" building (called the ugliest building in L.A. by Los Angeles Times Magazine) could have been built in Eagle Rock. Well, I hate to tell you that that is an example of a "TERA approved" development. I'm not talking about the "community supporting, great Home-Tour event organizing" TERA that we have today, I mean the previous "stop everything-anti-business extremist" TERA we had just a few years ago. It was also the quid-pro-quo TERA as it turned out.
It's possible it might have been even worse if they had not been involved, but the building was allowed, in part, because Kirken, the developer, became a huge supporter of the previous TERA, showing up at many public hearings to join in opposing anything TERA did, speaking against projects such as the Walgreens-Starbucks and others. He even had Joanne Turner, the President of TERA, on his payroll for a short time. She worked in his office. He was one smart developer and he got his big orange building done.
Although architectural designer (don't call me an architect) and former TERA board member Jeff Samudio did a pleasant re-design of the original plans that actually gave a nice terrace-like appearance to the project, somehow that all disappeared when it was built- and in its place appeared an extra floor giving the imposing appearance today.
But all is not lost- when tenants finally fill in the spaces they can improve the building tremendously by filling in their planter boxes with appropriate greenery.
SW Hill Country to Revert to Restaurant?
The SW Hill Country western apparel store is selling their location. They finally determined that their western store and Eagle Rock were just not that good a match. They are looking for a another place to re-open, possibly in North Hollywood or Burbank, closer to the regional center of equestrian activities. They have a few people interested in their location. Two are thinking restaurant and the other- a coffee house.
Many think they know about the previous "biker bar" that was there in the 70's, but few know that it originally was a German-Bavarian restaurant, before becoming the "Blue Fox."
Not a biker bar, initially, the Blue Fox was THE neighborhood bar at the time. It was started by Eagle Rock locals "Uncle" Max Norris (Trompers Car Club/ Eagles Club/ ER Sportsman's Club member) and Al Scolfield.
When they were starting it they hadn't decided on a name yet. The folks involved agreed to put all the names they came up with into the safe, and at the end of the month would pull them out and choose one.
"At the end of the month we opened the safe and pulled out the only two names- I had put in both," said Uncle Max by telephone. The two names were "Skunk Hollow" and "Blue Fox". He had liked the Skunk Hollow name because, as he had grown up in Eagle Rock, the town itself was nicknamed Skunk Hollow for there were simply a lot of skunks in Eagle Rock then. (now, too- yes?)
"We chose the name Skunk Hollow, but ABC (alcoholic beverage control) wouldn't give us a license for it, so we named it after the Mexican whore-house, the Blue Fox; or the fancy restaurant in San Francisco by the same name, depending on who you talk to," he added.
Later, Scolfield bought him out and after a while, retired motorcycle cop Dick Post rented and ran it until it closed. (He later opened the Hofbrau on North Figueroa, now the Little Cave) It was sort-of a Biker bar when he owned it.
One interesting note is that Pat Stone, one of the founders of Pat & Lorraine's coffee shop, got married there to Keith Langbecker, and it was broadcast live on local TV that day. 'Local couple marries in a bar,' was the lead.
After that, the building was used as a headquarters for the local L.A. Times distributor who had the local Times home delivery contract, and later, his son took it over and did auto repair there, before renting it out to the American Stereo car radio shop for a few years after that.
I forget that as a lifelong native of Eagle Rock, most people have no idea about the people and the history that came before, even of fairly recent events. I could make this column a regular one. Maybe I will. -Tom Topping

Sam Mayortorana 1924-2007

Sam Mayortorana, founder of perhaps the most famous restaurant that ever has been or will be in Eagle Rock, Casa Bianca, died last month at the age of 83. He started the restaurant with his brother in 1955, and it's still going strong today at the same location, 52 years later.
Everybody has something to say about Casa Bianca, from the signature way the pizzas are always cut, to the unrepentant ban on substitutions or credit cards, to all the local young people that got their first restaurant training working there. It has been an anchor and an institution for all those years. Oh, and for years folks claim it makes the best pizza in Los Angeles, and judging from the lines outside the door every night, it probably does.
The restaurant will continue as always, with Sam's widow, Jennie, and his son and daughter directing the operation as they have been during the last year while Sam was suffering a brain tumor. Besides his immediate family, Sam is also survived by four grandchildren and two sisters.

Eagle Vista Seniors Calendar
for November 2007
On Tuesday November 6th, the Board meeting will be held at 9 a.m. and the business meeting will be at 10 a.m. The November Birthdays Cake will be shared, and the Election of Officers for 2008 will take place today.
On November 10, Saturday, those lucky members who have bought tickets for the Glendale Centre Theatre, Saturday Matinee will enjoy that popular show, "The Mouse Trap."
On November 13, B.I.N.G.O.! Alan Miller is the caller.
Tuesday November 20, the Thanksgiving Luncheon will be catered by Eastside Market - Cost $9. Ed Simpson will contribute musical entertainment on the accordian.
On November 27, B.I.N.G.O.! Lou Agrati is the caller.
NOTE: All seniors are welcome to join this organization. Meetings take place at the Eagle Rock Recreation Center On Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. (Call 323-256-4258 for further information)

F.O.E. Ladies Auxiliary #2188
Breakfast and Holiday Boutique, November 4
Breakfast will be held from 9:00a.m.--12:00p.m.
Boutique will be from 9:00--2:00p.m.
Breakfast Menu ($5.00): Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Potatoes, Toast, Biscuits and gravy, Fruit, Sweet Bread, Tomato Juice, Orange Juice, Coffee, Hot Chocolate or Tea
Boutique: Homemade bakery, handcrafted, handpainted items, jellies and jams. And lots of holiday cheer, music. Come and enjoy a great breakfast and do some Holiday Shopping. The Breakfast and Holiday Boutique will be held at the Eagles Club, 1596 Yosemite corner of Townsend and Yosemite.

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
This year 37,170 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and approximately 33,000 will die. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. For all stages of pancreatic cancer combined, the five year survival rate is only 5%; the lowest survival rate of all major cancers.
Pancreatic cancer affects both men and women of all race and varying ages. Men, however, are at a slightly higher risk and pancreatic cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in men ages 40-59. African Americans are 40% -50% more likely to develop cancer than any other race.
While the country's investment in cancer research over the last 20 years let to a slight drop in 2006 in overall deaths due to cancer, the lack of progress in pancreatic cancer research proves that we must continue to make federal funding of cancer research a priority.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you can obtain helpful information and educational materials all at no charge from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan) by called toll free (877) 272-6226 or visit www.pancan.org.
Join the Protest
My name is Olga Hall and I am one of the coalition members for The Friends of the Southwest Museum .
Thank you very much to those sixty participants that joined us in our first protest in front of the Southwest Museum last Sunday.
For several years we have been listening to Autry, then to Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilman Huizar. Nothing has been gained by working with them instead Autry has had time to sell its agenda. So we feel it is time to come out in the open and declare the truth of what Autry is doing. To all of you that are True Friends of the Southwest Museum and want to protect this city treasure and history this is the moment to raise your voices. We hope you can join us at one or all of these protests:
Friday, November 2, 2007 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 3, 2007 10.00 a. m. to 12.00 p.m.
Sunday, November 4, 2007 10:00 to 12:00 p.m.
This is the second year the Intertribal Market will take place at the Autry, so we think it is a good time to make our presence known. We will meet in front of The Autry Museum, where the crossing from the Zoo to the Autry is. If your have any questions please call me at (323) 254-1713 or send an e-mail to yosemite3231@yahoo.com
Please spread the word.
Olga Hall

Dear Councilmember Huizar:
The Arroyo Arts Collective joins with the Highland Park Heritage Trust and other community groups in urging you to take the lead in demanding that AT&T take full responsibility for re-storing the historic Judy Baca mural on their building at Meridian & Avenue 56 in Highland Park.
In 1977 Judy Baca was commissioned to create this mural as a community mitigation measure when the phone company converted an historic conforming structure to a windowless switching station. Her commission was to create a mural to last 20 years. After much research she responded with the tableau in sepia, least subject to fading over its life. Partially due to an insensitive coating application by the phone company and partially due to outright neglect, the mural, rather than the source of pride it should be, is now a disgrace to the neighborhood, the artist and AT&T.
Judy Baca has offered to restore this mural, one of her earliest, bringing together the original team which includes AAC member Joe Bravo, who still lives in that neighborhood, and the Arroyo Arts Collective feels strongly that AT&T should be held responsible for this undertaking. The $45,000 negotiated cost estimate represents a miniscule percentage of the phone company's annual marketing budget and they should be proud to provide the remedy and restore this important historic and cultural amenity. In an otherwise unadorned landscape this mural can inspire our children to achieve their dreams and AT&T could (and should) generate enormous goodwill from its restoration.
American Dreams, a new book by George Torres coming out the end of this year, will feature this very mural on its cover. How grand for AT&T to be able to feature a restored mural in connection with the book's release.
We look forward to your leadership on this important community issue. If there are any services we can provide in assisting the council office in preparing its presentation to AT&T please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Laurie L. Arroyo
Co-President
Arroyo Arts Collective
 

Cruizin’ with Mary

Fall greetings, my friends in Eagle Rock! The Halloween cruise-in at Oinkster was festive but with a fairly low number of hot rods. We again had a lively raffle conducted by yours truly. Thanks to ticket seller Terrye Munday and president Kirk Munday for assistance in the raffle. I decided to shoot black and white pictures for the cruise in, it gives a slightly different and old fashioned look to Halloween.
The Eagle Rockin' Rodders will hold officer elections in November for 2008 at our monthly meeting in November. This is a reminder to all members that if you don't vote, then you don't get to complain about the way things are run next year! Your input and participation is critical!
The club decided not to participate in a car show for this year's ER Music Festival. We had some logistical and scheduling conflicts with the Festival's proposed car show set-up. Most of us did not want to leave our hot rods for 10-12 hours possibly unattended and unprotected along the center divider on Colorado Blvd. We'd been told that due to safety concerns the cars would not be allowed to move until the festival was completely over. We were extremely grateful for the invitation, however. In hindsight, it was absolutely the correct decision for us. Any of you who enjoyed the diverse music also probably had the unpleasant experience of dodging skate boarders and a few bicyclists, many of whom flew down the Blvd. with no regard for the elderly, families with kids and strollers and folks with dogs on leash. I have no axe to grind with skate boarder kids, but the rudeness, lack of respect for others as well as lack of security to slow them down was irritating and at times downright dangerous. I heard lots of people complain about the wild atmosphere. It's not a far stretch to imagine a skate boarder losing his toy, having it fly up and accidentally hit a car, possibly damaging an expensive custom paint job, vintage part or chrome. We hot rodders put a lot of time, money, and love into our cars, and try to protect them as much as possible… I hope that this aspect of Festival security will be addressed in the future. Aside from that, those of us who attended had a good, Eagle Rockin' time, including stopping in to dance at Posh2 for some rock n'roll.
The Nov. 27 cruise will feature holiday toy drop off as well as charity presentations for this year. Our raffle profits are at an all-time high this year, and donations will be divided and given as follows: two needy families from the local Victory Outreach, Angel Puss Cat Rescue & Associates, and the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society.
Toys tentatively, are scheduled to be given to Haven House, a local shelter for women and their children. Please bring AS MANY new unwrapped toys as possible for kids ages 5-15 to help. Thank you! In closing, thank you also to our many members and guests who dug into their pockets so deeply this year to support The Club That Gives Back to the Community: Oinkster, Sir Michael's, Tritch Hardware, Verdugo Hardware, Nestle Corp.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and I'll see you in November. (About the author: Cruizin's Mary Garson grew up in Eagle Rock, an alumni of ER High, and currently lives here with husband Hemi Tom).