Merry Christmas

December 2, 2007 - Highland Park, CA
Santa Claus catches a lift from Fire Station 12, as there was not enough snow to ride his sleigh on, as the 63rd Annual Northeast Los Angeles Christmas Parade & Winterfest winds its way down North Figueroa Street.

Carl "Okie" Adams 1923- 2007

by Tom Topping

The 84 year old Carl Frederick "Okie" Adams, who died in an early morning fire at his Eagle Rock home last month, was well known for the custom made banjos he built and for his contributions to the early days of auto hot rodding.
Originally from Los Angeles, he made his fame building Hot Rods. In 1949, he had his own welding and auto repair shop in Wichita Kansas. In a letter he wrote to the Grant piston ring company at that time, (which was published in a Grant Piston Ring advertisement in Hot Rod magazine) he bragged about building a Hot Rod for Phil Weiand (of Weiand speed equipment), helping on many others, and building his own "quick change" rear axle. Later, when he returned to Los Angeles, he worked for Blair's Speed shop in Pasadena, where he built his own "dropped" axles.

Famous custom car builder Pete Chapouris gave a glowing testimonial to "Okie" Adam's early Hot Rod work. He told about a Hot Rod Roadster that featured an "Okie" Adams dropped axle that was available only at Blair's speed shop. Chapouris recalls, "He'd weld those flame-cut ends on a Deuce axle and they'd be aligned perfectly! (The) tires were worn absolutely even all the way across."

In the 70's, Okie turned his talents to making custom Banjos. He loved listening to Banjo players and traveled and participated in folk music events around the country. He made Banjos for famous Country and Folk music artists like "Doc" Watson, Roy Clark and others.
According to one folk music blogger, "Okie's philosophy in making banjos is '...the heavier the banjo the better it sounds.' I bought this one from him in 1969; at that time his heavy banjos were 20 pounds, however in later years some of his banjos went up to 50 pounds. I consider myself lucky not to have met him in his 50-pound phase. Anyway, it seems like the older I get the heavier this banjo gets, but boy, it sure does sound good."
Okie had a long and colorful second career history in the Southern California banjo building scene. He was seen at the Topanga Canyon Banjo/Fiddle Contest. Although hampered by old age and poor health, he was still active and happy, and still building banjos then.
Okie was described as a fun, generous, humorous, non-conventional person to know. He was a straight shooter, strong on clean living; hard, accurate work and faith. He helped many along as they were growing up in the banjo scene, leaving his mark permanently in their lives. He also is known for giving a helping hand to many of the homeless people in Eagle Rock, who described him as "a great man."
He was also known in Eagle Rock as a bit of an odd bird. He was a regular customer at Tritch Hardware store, and Merritt Tritch recalled that one day a water source below the hardware store sprung a leak and was flooding the parking lot. An underground river was rumored to be there. Okie had stopped by earlier that day and later returned with a divining rod to check for the underground stream.
"He walked around the parking lot and the divining rod just jumped at one point," said Merritt. "Then he said, 'Yep, there's water under there!'"
The graveside service was held on Wednesday, November 28 at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills.

Fresh & Easy Opening Draws Shoppers & Protesters

by Tom Topping

         All the Northeast L.A. communities were anxiously waiting for the opening of the new Fresh and Easy market. It promised to be a upscale market with groceries and prepared foods, and considering the way that local bloggers were talking, the community could hardly wait.
When it opened early in November, shoppers were greeted by crowds, long lines and near empty shelves. The rumor is that the store sold about five times more in the first week than management was predicting, and they just plain couldn't keep up.
A trip there just to take a look, ended in a shopping trip, as almost all the items on my list were on the shelves at some pretty darn good prices. The decor is rather stark and comparable to a warehouse type of store, but the many self serve check stands got the tech savvy customers like me out the door in record time.
Fresh and Easy definitely provides something that other local stores do not have. A reasonably priced and superquick way to go to the store. If you can deal with the self-checkout, that is. When I returned later for a second trip, I discovered another good thing after bringing home one of the prepared foods. The good thing is not about what is there, but rather what is not.
What I found was that the house brand of foods has a minimum of added artificial colors, flavors, trans fats, and preservatives added only where absolutely necessary. This will be a huge asset to those who are concerned about such things in their diet. Of course, that made my macaroni salad a little bland, but after I added a little garlic salt and salsa, it was just fine. It was about a dollar less than a comparable item at Super A, where I normally shop, and quite a bit cheaper than Von's who is always a bit pricey. It had kind of a home made taste to it.
Fresh and Easy is quick and reasonably priced. Fresh and Easy will not replace our local supermarkets or Trader Joe's but I think they're definitely going to feel it.
Another group who is feeling the presence of Fresh and Easy is the unions. And non-union Fresh and Easy was feeling the union's presence last month, too.
On Thursday November 29, union picketers from the food and drug coalition marched on Southern California Fresh and Easy locations, including the one in Glassell Park. The food and drug coalition has about 30 affiliates, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the United Food and Commercial Workers, the International Union of Operating Engineers and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. They are concerned about having another non-union player entering the industry alongside other non-union stores like Wal-Mart, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.
The food and drug coalition focuses on education campaigns promoting the benefits of working and buying union. On November 30th, shoppers seemed to be staying away, but it might have been due to the rain as much as anything.
Fresh and Easy Chief Operations Officer, Bryan Pugh, says this about their employee relations:
"We know that to be successful, we need a very motivated workforce. We're creating a positive, team-based culture, where everyone is treated with respect. All our store employees work 20 hours or more each week, and are offered affordable and comprehensive health care, with Fresh & Easy paying at least 75% of the cost. Entry-level positions start at $10 an hour in California, and include a quarterly bonus of up to 10%."
Overall, the new player in the grocery business has become a fast success in Northeast L.A. They sold 5 times more than they expected in the first week here, and they did this with only one store, or actually, half a store, as the other half of the former Glassell Park Albertson's location is empty and still available for rent.

ADA Lawsuit Threats: Round #3
There is yet another round of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Lawsuit threats hitting Eagle Rock again. In the spring of 2006, disability advocate J. Cohan issued threats of lawsuit against at least 21 local businesses, and sued at least one in small claims court, winning $1000.
In August of this year, 34 Lawsuits were filed in L.A. Superior Court by plaintiffs represented by San Diego law firm Pinnock & Wakefield, a firm that has sued over 2000 businesses in the State of California. (see September 2007 Boulevard Sentinel)
Now, another round of threat letters has gone out to at least four Eagle Rock property owners alleging violations of the ADA, two of which have been previously sued, or currently are being sued already.
George Boiadjian, of George's Shoe Comfort & Repair, was one property owner to be sued last August, and is now being threatened with another suit. Both plaintiffs are represented by the same law firm, Pinnock & Wakefield. All violations mentioned in the August suit were corrected within a few days of receiving it, and the current one lists the same violations that have all been previously corrected, according to Mr. Boiadjian.One local business, who had to pay $1000 after losing a small claims ADA suit in 2006, is again being threatened after diligently going over their entire establishment to make sure they were ADA compliant.
Pinnock & Wakefield maintain they are only trying to achieve full compliance with ADA disabled access laws in order to help and protect the disabled.
At ADAabuse.com, Pinnock & Wakefield is described as filing over 2000 access lawsuits against California businesses. They say that that many question whether it's the access for the disabled or the multi-thousand dollar settlements that this law firm is mostly interested in. Especially so when a deadline of only a few days if imposed to respond to multitudinous settlement demands, and often (as in the latest round in Eagle Rock) around the Thanksgiving Holidays when many businesses and their attorneys are away on vacation.
For those that are interested there is a lot of information at ADAabuse.com, ADAlawsuits.com, and pinnockwakefieldlaw.com about ADA lawsuits and the problem of access for the disabled.
It is only in California where damages of $1000 per instance can be awarded under the anti-discrimination Unruh Act, which fortifies the ADA with such fines even where there is no other actual injury.
At a recent event in Eagle Rock, State Assembly Member for Eagle Rock and Pasadena Anthony Portantino was asked if the State legislature could get themselves together and fix the problems in California law that encourages these suits against businesses. He seemed uninterested and uninformed about the issue, and asked if the City could help these businesses.
According to California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (www.cala.com), the trial attorneys in California have an extremely strong lobby with lots of donations going to State legislators.
Also, a recent report cited by them, from the Center for Legal Policy at the Manhattan Institute, takes a close look at California's litigation industry, finding that "with more lawyers than any industrialized nation other than the U.S., California's legal system is in need of reform." They also report that a new U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey found California ranks 45th in the nation in terms of the fairness of it's legal system. That tells anyone looking to do business here one thing: Run away as fast as you can.

Carol Tharp
It is with great sadness that I let you know of the passing of a great woman, community leader, and TERA member Carol Baker Tharp. She is survived by her husband Michael Tharp, TERA's immediate past president.
A memorial service will be held for Carol, an Eagle Rocker who loved all of Los Angeles and proudly called it home, on Saturday, December 15 at 11:00 a.m. at Pasadena Presbyterian Church, located at 585 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91101.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish, contributions can be made in Carol's honor and memory to Coro, the nonprofit civic leadership organization she so ably led for a decade. Direct the contribution to the Coro Legacy Endowment, 1000 N. Alameda St., Suite 240, Los Angeles, CA 90012, or online via www.coroLA.org
A Tribute to Carol's life -
Carol Baker Tharp was born on May 13, 1952 in Charleston, South Carolina and came to Los Angeles by a circuitous route that took her from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Eugene Oregon, where she met her Los Angeles born husband to be, Michael, who dragged her to Los Angeles in 1986. When they moved into their circa 1925 house overlooking Eagle Rock, she declared herself home at last.
Carol began her love affair with Los Angeles while working as General Manager for the Los Angeles Theater Center at 6th and Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. She took the job of Executive Director of Coro, Southern California, following in the footsteps of Michael Roos, Andrea Van de Kamp, Robin Kramer, and Peter Taylor, working to provide leadership training for tomorrow's leaders. After 12 years, Carol left Coro to finish her doctoral dissertation, earning a Ph.D. in public policy and ethics from Claremont Graduate University, during which time she served on the Formation Committee for the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council. Her dissertation studied neighborhood councils and the common characteristics of those who serve.
She became a faculty member and deputy director of the Civic Engagement Initiative at the School of Public Policy and Development at the University of Southern California, somewhat to the consternation of her "bleeds Bruin Blue" husband. There, she continued to assist in research projects on civic engagement and to teach ethics to undergraduates, allowing her to bring together many aspects of her professional, scholarly, and spiritual journeys.
When Carol was appointed by Mayor Villaraigosa as the General Manager for the Department of Neighborhood, she exclaimed, "This is a job I have spent my whole life preparing to do!" She threw herself into the job with a passion, continuing her efforts throughout her career to move us all towards an active, participatory democracy, working as a teacher, administrator and civic activist to build a better Los Angeles. Cancer cut short the time in which to accomplish those things but did nothing to diminish the passion and commitment to her work.
Maria Nazario, TERA President (from 11-27-2007 TERA e-letter)

Southwest Museum Protestors at the Autry Museum.

This is the second year the Intertribal Market took place at the Autry, they thought it was a good time to make their presence known. They met in front of the Autry Museum, where the crossing from the Zoo to the Autry is.

Oldest Veteran Recognized

at Solheim Lutheran Home
Lloyd "Mike" de Gregorio joined the US Navy as an 18 year old lad. He served on the U.S.S Lexington from September 1928 - Sept.1932 as Electrician Mate Third Class (EM 3/c). During his years on the "Lady Lex" he toured the Panama Canals twice, the Virgin Islands and Naval bases. The high point of his Navy career was the month the U.S.S. Lexington supplied power to the city of Tacoma in Washington. From Dec. 17, 1929 to January 16, 1930 Lloyd feels proud to have been at the switchboard making sure that the city's needs were being met. He rode in the Eagle Rock Veteran’s Day Parade and lives at Solheim. Making the presentation are Jim Omahan and Ruby deVera.

Former Occidental Quarterback Joins L.A. Avengers
Quarterback Andy Collins, a three-time Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference "Offensive Player of the Year," signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Avengers on Thursday.
Collins (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) was 491-of-745 (64.9 percent) for 6,394 yards and 71 touchdowns during his three-year career at Occidental College (Eagle Rock, Calif. ). While with the Tigers, he never lost a conference game (18-0), led Occidental on a 26-game regular-season winning streak and advanced to the NCAA Division III West Region final in 2004. He was also a threat on the ground, rushing for 349 yards and four scores as a senior in 2006.
"Andy had a dominant career at the Division III level and we're interested in having him grow in our system," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "We're also looking into the possibility of him being a running quarterback down in the red zone and even a 'jack' linebacker on defense. He's that kind of athlete."
This past summer, Collins participated in a mini-camp with the New York Giants.
After graduating from Zillah ( Wash. ) High School, where he was a member of the football, basketball and track & field teams, Collins spent his freshman season at the University of Oregon in 2003, before transferring to Occidental.
This past season, the Avengers finished second in the Arena Football League's Western Division, compiling a 9-7 regular-season record before defeating the Utah Blaze, 64-42, at STAPLES Center to register the franchise's first postseason victory.
Avenger 2008 season tickets, which include nine games played at STAPLES Center , are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or www.laavengers.com.

Eagle Rock Veteran’s Day Parade Grand Marshal - Bob Cota
Robert X Cota, long time community member and volunteer, stops to pose with his daughter Carol Cota (Eagle Rock’s only Rose Queen- at left) and his wife,at right.

Coffee Table Correction
by Tom Topping
Last month in our story about the "Coffee Table Lounge" it was reported that the Coffee Table expansion into the lounge will come before the ERNC Land Use Committee at the December meeting. This was incorrect. The "Lounge" expansion into the former Chic's Liquor space will not be considered. The expansion of the Coffee Table into the rear patio which will add about 30 more seats is what is being considered, as well as the alcohol sales for the new LaVie restaurant adjacent to the Lemongrass.
The Lounge expansion (into the former Chic's Liquor space) was considered and approved in 2005 when the conditional use permit for beer and wine came before the ERNC and its Land Use Committee. However, the expansion into the Chic's Liquor space, although approved for liquor sales in 2005 as part of the Coffee Table, is still under construction and not open yet, hence the confusion. We assumed incorrectly that since it was just lately being completed, it was part of the new permit being sought.
Interestingly, some Land use committee members from that time were surprised to learn they had approved an expanded space back then. At the time, they thought they were only approving the alcohol sales for the Coffee Table space already in operation.
There is a disagreement between Mr. Zamirippa of the Coffee Table, who says the LaVie is an expansion of the Lemongrass, and Ray Nyugen, owner of the Lemongrass, who says it not an expansion, but is a new restaurant not connected to the Lemongrass. However, according to floorplans submitted to the city, the Coffee Table, the Lounge, and La Vie will be connected by their common use of shared restrooms.
At the latest Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce Board meeting, Mr. Zamirippa expressed that he thought the extra seating and restaurant would benefit the community more than it would be hurt by compounding the area's already overparked residential streets adjacent to the property.
We were notified of our error by ERNC Land Use committee chair Bob Arranaga, who requested the correction be published so the community would not have the wrong idea about the project. His business is business consulting and often provides land use applicants with advice on how best to proceed through his committee. He declares he does not do business with anyone whose project comes before the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council.

Memorial Dedicated to Late Mt Washington Activists Lucy Lemmon and Pat Samson
Mount Washington Association members and other community residents gathered recently (Saturday, November 17) at a site overlooking Elyria Canyon Park to dedicate The Lucy Lemmon-Pat Samson Memorial Bench Project in honor of two inspirational members of the Northeast Los Angeles community.
Former Mount Washington Association president Lucy Lemmon activist led community efforts to save Elyria Canyon from the developers and preserve it as a great open-space resource for Northeast L.A. Pat Samson, known as the historian of Mount Washington, was active in many organizations including the Mount Washington Association and the Highland Park Heritage Trust. Her extensive records of the community have been preserved at area libraries.
The Memorial Project, initiated by Mount Washington Association board members Rob Schraff and Lynnette Kampe, was funded through a $700 grant from the MWA and with additional support and labor from the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, the Self Realization Fellowship (which also provided heavy equipment), the Highland Park Heritage Trust and the Mount Washington Homeowners Alliance.

Highland Park Harvest Festival
Dia de los Muertos celebration for community
Over a thousand children and families attended the Hathaway-Sycamores Family Resource Center Harvest Festival in celebration of Dia de los Muertos held on Friday, November 2 in Highland Park.
The event was supported and sponsored by many local groups including Councilmember Jose Huizar's office, Nestle, Hathaway-Sycamores Family Resource Center, Highland Park Kiwanis Club, Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, American Legion 17th District, and the Greater Highland Park Neighborhood Council, whose efforts enabled all activities to be free of charge. The activities included storytelling, face painting, arts and crafts for young children, and carnival booths. Entertainment was provided by Mexitlan, performing Mexican Ballet Folklorico, Teatro De La Realidad reading Journey to Xibalba, Senorita Talk Dance Group, Aztec Dancers performing Iztac Cuauhtli, the Burbank Middle School Drum Squad and Drill Team, Martial arts by Victor Garcia, magic show by "The Amazing Sean," and Hathaway-Sycamores' chorus group and Hip Hop dance group.
Beautiful and intricate altars for Día De Los Muertos "Day of the Dead", created by members of the community as well as Hathaway-Sycamores staff, were on display in honor of this world-wide holiday which honors the lives of the deceased, and celebrates the continuation of life.
The Hathaway-Sycamores Family Resource Center provides comprehensive family services to individuals residing in Northeast Los Angeles. The center is a "second home" to the community—a safe, healthy place for children and youth to play, learn and grow; and for adults to improve themselves and their community. It is a meeting place for neighborhood groups, and a marketplace for free resources, information, and ideas.

Cruizin’ with Mary

Happy Holidays and a politically incorrect Merry Christmas to all! Thank you to the Eagle Rockin' Rodders outgoing 2007 club officers: Kirk Munday, Richard and Anita Gonzales, Amy Peters, and Michael Rickman. Being an officer and conducting meetings isn't always easy, even when your heart is in it. Our new officers for 2008 are: Richard Gonzales (President), Michael Rickman (Vice President), Terrye Munday (Secretary), Anita Gonzales (Treasurer) and Sgt-at-Arms to be assigned.
We did our usual holiday donations and toy drive at our November cruise in. Hot rod participation was low, and the weather was seasonably brisk. Despite this, we had a nice selection of toys which were given to Haven House, a nearby shelter for abused women and their children. Teresa and Christina from that organization graciously accepted the toys and made a presentation describing what Haven House does. Beside providing secure shelter, counseling, legal aid, and help finding new housing, they also have undertaken the huge task of reaching out to grammar and high school kids. Christina goes to local schools and talks to classes about domestic violence, date rape, and other unacceptable behaviors and relevant issues to try to break this cycle.

At the November Cruise-in we were visited by Steve Messinger and Rocket Basset, who arrived in this classic souped-up 1963 Corvette split window!

Cash donations were given to two local families from the Eagle Rock Victory Outreach, as well as Angel Puss Cat Rescue. An additional donation will be made to the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society,
The club will hold our holiday dinner at the Burbank Black Angus on Dec. 15. This is a "buy your own dinner and drinks" party, but any car enthusiast is welcome! Just contact Terrye Munday at 323/258-3364 to reserve a spot, preferably by Dec. 6.
I want to again thank our raffle queens: Anita Gonzales and Terrye Munday for doing such a great job this year. Even though cruise in participation was a little low this past year, they managed to collect more money for our charitable causes than any previous year. They worked very hard, in the cold, heat, and sometimes without a break. Also many thanks to my friend Amy Peters, who took over the delivery of our canned food drive items, delivering them to the Highland Park Senior Center. She helped me enormously this past year.
Our regular sponsors Oinkster, Tritch Hardware, Verdugo Hardware, Sir Michael's Limousine, Nestle Corp, and the Blvd. Sentinel also deserve a great big thank you for their ongoing generosity this past year. They have consistently supported us with wonderful raffle items. Please remember to patronize them this holiday season- we need to shop, eat, and otherwise spend our money right here in good old Eagle Rock!
In closing, I feel honored to be able to write for my club, and Mr, Tom Topping, who has given me creative license, and pretty much does not edit me! I thank my readers, many of whom are complete strangers, who have approached me this year, to comment on my articles. I appreciate the feedback, suggestions, and help, as well as knowing when I have ruffled a few feathers! I wish everyone a Happy Christmas, but especially to all my friends in Eagle Rock and Highland Park. Have a safe New Year and keep on cruisin'!
(Author Mary Garson grew up in Eagle Rock, graduated from ERHS, and still lives in our community)

Tony's Auto Care

by Tom Topping
There once was a television show based on the premise that you can find an interesting story by picking any name at random out of the telephone book. I've learned you can also find an interesting story by walking into any business on the boulevard. Tony's Auto Care at 4057 Eagle Rock Boulevard is no exception.
Now at first glance, it may not look like much, just a former gas station turned into an auto repair shop. But when you take a closer look, what you see at Tony's are lots of old Volkswagens. There's a good reason for this. For over 50 years Tony Delazeri has loved old Volkswagens, and from this love affair Tony got a career, a country and a good life.
Growing up in Brazil, where Volkswagen had a factory, he always liked the Volkswagen when he was a kid. He started working on them as a teenager, helping out at a neighborhood garage. The garage owner didn't like Volkswagens, so he had Tony take care of all the Volkswagen customers. Later, after a 3 year stint in the Brazilian calvary as a mechanic, he went to work at a dealership and got factory VW training in Brazil. Not satisfied with the way the country was run in Brazil, when he got a chance to go to the United States or Germany, he took it.
After entering the country through New York, he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He went to work again on Volkswagens there after a bit of training on how the dealership repair system works in the United States.
"And then it was too cold for me," said Tony. "And then I went to St. Louis Missouri; I said, 'Too cold still here.' And I see on TV, 80 (degrees in) Los Angeles, Minneapolis; near zero, St. Louis similar to that; so I said this stuff here is not for me, let's go to L.A. So I drove to California and came to L.A."
He had driven out here in a Volkswagen microbus, and found his way to the VW dealership in East L.A., Atlantic Volkswagen.
It was in April 1968, and the first six months here he had terrible headaches every day from the smog. After working there and at Highland VW in Highland Park and Allred Brothers VW in Glendale, Tony started looking for a place to open his own shop.
"I like this place, the Glassell Park area, because it reminds me of when I was a kid- where it was all mountainside (in Brazil). Here, it looks like (back home)."
On January 2, 1974, he opened Tony's Auto care on Eagle Rock Boulevard. "I put the word out I was looking for a place, and I came here."
What's the best thing about being here?
"I love it," said Tony. "Everything is close by; the markets, the freeways. I live about a mile away so I can walk. I like the area- the people, too."
Tony worked fixing anything that came to him for years, and then decided he wanted to do what he liked to do best- working on Volkswagens. Now, he's working for a third generation of Volkswagen owners.
You may have noticed that you don't see too many Volkswagens driving around like you used to, but many are kept as toys, a pleasure car kept in pristine condition in a garage and brought out in nice weather for special occasions. Some have been passed down from grandparent to grandchild, and in these days of rocketing gas prices, they're starting to come back out, getting about 25 miles to a gallon.
Does Tony have any particular favorite part of a Volkswagen he likes working on?
"My specialty is the front suspension and the electrical," said Tony. "And I love the restorations," he added.
Indeed, Tony will tackle about any job on a Volkswagen, even the most tedious ones like replacing rusted out body panels and floor pans. One project there that day was in for replacing the rear wheel openings on a 21 window safari van, that were once crudely cut out to fit oversize tires.
He also routinely repairs the rusted out floor pans on Beetles, damaged by the acid from the battery mounted there.
Although it is a challenge to get parts to fix some of these older cars, his biggest challenge is keeping up with the many levels of government regulation imposed on repair garages. "It's caused a lot of my (auto repair) friends to close their doors," he said. "But everybody needs a repair shop," he added.
Tony showed me a couple of cars he was fixing. One would not move, due to a possible broken clutch or transmission. Another restoration needed some wiring TLC. He finished by saying, "I love it- I'm still going to stay here- I'm not ready to retire."
Tony's Auto Care, 4057 Eagle Rock Boulevard, (323) 257-2339.

Paradise Regained: at ER Center for the Arts
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock is pleased to present "Paradise Regained: Visionary Ecology and the Terrain of Ideals" a group show featuring the work of artists Deena Caparelli, Andreas Hessing, Deborah F. Lawrence, Kathryn Miller, Marc Pally and Kim Stringfellow. The exhibit is curated by artist and environmental arts activist Helen Lessick.
Addressing green, environmental, and community contexts, six contemporary California artists harness diverse strategies and participatory practices to revision and improve local environments as physical and conceptual works. Tempering idealism with activism and the land at hand, each artist makes the potential for improvement the core of their practices, often teaching and creating public art as a natural segue to studio work.
Artists Caparelli, Lawrence , Pally and Strigfellow will each display three to six artworks addressing the curatorial theme, in drawing, painting, design and photography. Hessing and Miller, who work as a team on public art projects, will present documentation of their recent landscape art enchancement of a Ventura booster pump station lot, in addition to solo works.
The exhibit takes place in the historic 1914 Mission Revival building, a former Carnegie Library, which houses Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday. Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, 2225 Colorado Blvd.

Parallel Vision-work by Ruth DeNicola and Cidne Hart at MorYork Gallery
Ruth DeNicola and Cidne Hart will show their work at MorYork Gallery from December 8, 2007 to January 5, 2008. The opening reception will be held Saturday, December 8 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. as part of the NELAarts gallery night when many fine Northeast Los Angeles galleries are open on the second Saturday night of the month.
In Parallel Vision, DeNicola and Hart reprise their successful 2006 Shared Vision exhibition. DeNicola and Hart share a passion for expressive personal statements evoked through the human face and figure. Using the human figure as their spiritual and artistic focus, both artists create their work by incorporating images and pieces of sculptures, dolls and mannequins often originally made by unknown but masterful artists.
Ruth DeNicola is compelled to rescue ruined fragments of dolls and mannequins, a legacy of her early museum work. She then transforms them into spiritual totems and protectors. Her art takes the form of assemblage mounted on elaborate wire pedestals or interred in boxes, effigies with strong shamanistic overtones.
Cidne Hart is a photographer and digital artist who explores with her camera and experiments with print media. This year she has been printing her photographs on fabrics, including vintage damask, which produces provocative results. She also prints cyanotypes-an early pioneer photographic process using chemicals that make Prussian blue images that can be toned to interesting shades of brown. The exposure is made with a contact negative in sunlight. She is combining cyanotypes and large format color inkjet prints as a startling installation in MorYork's entrance.
DeNicola and Hart have become close friends and collaborators, enjoying proximity on their Highland Park hill. They were happy to be invited back for their second December exhibition at the magical MorYork Gallery, located at 4959 York Boulevard. An art reception at MorYork also includes the opportunity to explore the ever-evolving studio and marvelous collections of Clare Graham.

Kevin de Leon Fundraiser, December 10 At Marty's
A fundraiser for Kevin de Leon will take place from 6:00pm -9:00 pm on Monday, December 10 at Marty's, 5137 York Boulevard. The event will serve as a birthday celebration for the California Assemblymember and will be hosted by Rudy Martinez, owner of Marty's and Mia Sushi Restaurants. Food and liquid refreshment will be served.
Donations are requested at three levels:
Compadre/Comadre at $1000, Padrino/Madrina at $500 and Amigo at $100.
For further information and to arrange attendance, please contact Sandra Figueroa-Villa at 213/215-7551 or Carol Jacques at 323-225-0501.
The fundraiser's sponsors include Maria Elena Durazo, Herbert Siguenza, Al Nodal, Eliot Sekuler, Carol Jacques, Sandra Figueroa Villa, Paul Vizcaino, Rose Cano, Richard Zaldivar, David Sandoval, Margaret Hoyos, Bill Rumble, Natalie Seaman, Dalila Sotelo, Marcos Aguilar, Liz Heron, Clare Marter Kenyon, Mark Kenyon, Al Ballesteros, Tim Martella, Richard Mireles, Juan Rodriguez, Coleen Colson, Susan Baldwin, Jennie Krusoe, Paul Ahrens, Keith Rohman, Bob Farran, John Cleary, Mario Ceballos, Fredy Perez, Elva Yanez, Steve Veres, Jorge Nunez, David Diaz, Pat Lake, Cesar Portillo, Pat Griffith, Scott Burleigh, Fernando Chacon, Gabriel Buelna, Andre Schoorl and Warren Christensen.
Spitz to offer Student Discount
Take advantage of the new student discount at Spitz Restaurant.
Step out of the cafeteria line and come into SPITZ! Beginning this fall, Eagle Rock's hippest new restaurant will offer a student discount. Effective this week, the ten percent discount will be offered to students with a valid school ID card for any item on Spitz's delicious menu.
As recent college graduates themselves, the owners of Spitz are excited to give back to students in the Los Angeles area. Named one of the best new restaurants of 2006 by Los Angeles Magazine and voted number one quick-serve restaurant in Los Angeles by CitySearch, the restaurant is quickly becoming a Los Angeles institution. Owner Bryce Rademan says, "The response to Spitz has been truly phenomenal. Our customers have always been our first priority, and offering this discount is a way to thank the many students that have helped Spitz thrive over the past year."
Spitz is Southern California's home of the Döner Kebab – the mouth-watering European street food that Bryce and his business partner Robert Wicklund discovered while traveling abroad during college. The chic hotspot offers Döner Kebab sandwiches, salads and wraps, as well as homemade falafel, savory sides and Italian gelato so good TIME Magazine named it "Best in the Universe."
Great food, a beautiful outdoor patio, late hours and this new student discount make Spitz a perfect place to take a study break! Spitz is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
About Spitz
Spitz Restaurant opened in Los Angeles on April 12, 2006 by owners Robert Wicklund and Bryce Rademan. Spitz aims to redefine the quick-service food industry by serving fresh, healthy and tasty cuisine in a warm and distinctive setting at competitive prices. This vision is achieved through unique specialty sandwiches, wraps, salads and sides made with the highest quality ingredients. Spitz is dedicated to maintaining exceptional customer service, high employee morale and community-enriching business practices. For more information visit www.eatatspitz.com.

Future Studio
Future Studio Gallery and Chicken Boy's Souvenir Stand (inside the gallery) are open on Second Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 4 and also by appointment. All proceeds from the souvenir stand go toward the CB Maintenance & Lighting Fund. If we can afford it, we're getting disco lights. We can safely say that some of the items we carry are available nowhere else.
Saturdays & Sunday Dec 1 to 16: "Cash & Carry" at the Acorn Gallery
135 N. Ave. 50 • Open 12 to 4pm
The Charles Phoenix Holiday Jubilee at REDCAT
Dec. 17, 18, 19, 20
More info at charlesphoenix.com
2008 Stuff in the Works
"I Know You" an interactive low-tech installation by Amy Inouye
Chicken Boy Lighting Ceremony & Block Party
"666 on 8/8/08 & 8/9/08 at 5558" by David James
"Wall 4 All #2" by members of the Arroyo Arts Collective
"Trading Dirt"--by Ave. 50 Studio, a part of the Allen Kaprow tribute
Disco at the Triforium
"The Tacos of Highland Park"
Paradise Promoted book release (Future Studio's latest greatest design)

VOICE IN THE EAGLE ROCK WILDERNESS

Christopher Nyerges
[Nyerges is a manager at the Highland Park farmers market every Tuesday. He is the author of "How to Survive Anywhere" and leads wilderness walks every weekend. He can be reached at Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041, or www.ChristopherNyerges.com.]
"Have you done your shopping yet?," an acquaintance asked. I gasped, feeling the despair that descends upon me when I witness the scurry run-around that so many folks engage in during the Christmas season. Giving is good, yes. Receiving is good too.
Like the ancient native potlatch where tribal members tried to outdo each other in their givingness. But have we moved too far from meaningful giving? Have we accepted the propaganda that the "Christmas shopping splurge" should somehow "save" the retail industry? Have we lost our resistance? Have we given in the fiction that it is socially necessary to buy lots of stuff (that we'd not buy otherwise) for people who we don't particularly like, when we really can't afford to do so?
The way to end the insanity is simply to end it. End the pointless buying.
What are we celebrating, after all? Santa Claus-who-brings-us-toys day? The Winter Solstice? The birth of the Sun? The birth of the Son, Jesus?
Most American Christians say it is the latter. So then why the gift splurge? Some say this is because the three Magi brought gifts to the promised One. The Magi gave symbolic gifts, nothing that was in any way useful to an infant. They did not exchange gifts among themselves.
Nor was this Jesus born on December 25. Recall, if you will, that animals and shepherds were in the fields, and it was the time of a census that required much travelling. It was definitely not in the dead of winter, as all historians agree.
Let's get out our encyclopedias and learn that the "birth of the Sun" celebrations were pre-Christian. These so-called "pagan" traditions were part of the holy days of Mithraism and other pre-Christian religions. Exchanging gifts was part of that tradition.
In the early days of the new cult of Christianity that arose from Judaism, there was the desire to "hide" the new Christian commemoration of the birth of Jesus when others were also celebrating the birth of the Sun. Some credit the Roman Emperor Aurelian with this clever idea. Eventually, when Christianity was the official religion of the empire in the 4th century, no such hiding was necessary as nearly all the pagan holidays became Christianized.
Still, our pointless profligate buying and giving is a relatively modern invention of the advertising industry. Gone are the days of making something to give to another – a cake, cookies, a wooden bowl, a pipe, a toy, a hand-written card. Gone are the days of personally handing a thoughtfully-made or acquired object to a person, as both parties exchange the gift of their time, and Selves, to one another, as they examine the physical object. Or is such a day gone?
It is only by our choice to be a lemming that we continue the mindless buy and gift command from our marketing masters.
I'm not particularly concerned that most of the modern Christmas symbols can be traced back to the pre-Christian days – the wreath, the tree, the yule log, December 25, the birth of a saviour at the time of least light, the cards, and yes, gifting. What matters most is the level of thinking and thoughtfulness that we inject into our observation of what should be a High Holy Day. "Buying stuff" is anathema to this day. We don't have to choose to be a part of the cattle drive at the local mall. Rather, choose something else.
Plan to be with close friends. Plan thoughtful songs to sing. Plan special movies to watch – I never get tired of "It's a Wonderful Life." Plan thoughtful readings about the meaning of the day. And if you choose to give gifts, avoid the animalistic urge to wildly rip through the packagings of gift after gift. Make each one special. Tell the person why they were given the gift. Let them open it and examine it. Discuss how the gift will enhance their life.
I remember a scene in the book "Less Than Zero." It's Christmas time and the author is at home when his father visits. The father is divorced from his mother, so he visits on holidays. As he sits there on Christmas, he pulls out his checkbook and writes a check to his son. The author – the son – lamented that his father didn't take the time to at least write the check ahead of time, put it in an envelope, and include a note. It was just done rather casual. It was a classic "less than zero" moment.
In this time of least light, when the sun is about to start on the path to more light and longer days, when so many of us are scrambling at the malls for "good buys," we can choose to eschew "less than zero," and choose instead the Light.

New Docent Training Starts at El Pueblo
This is a terrific opportunity to learn to give historical guided one-hour tours of El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Docent training lasts for only eight weeks and you will learn about the historical roots of your great city and how it has developed from before the first Spanish expeditions to the present time. Volunteer docents will learn from interesting lectures, powerpoint slides, knowledgable guest speakers and training handouts, not only on our history and culture, but also on how to give a great tour.
The new docent training class will begin on February 12, 2008 and will last for eight consecutive Tuesdays. The actual dates will be announced as we get closer. The classes are held in the office of Las Angelitas del Pueblo, located right next to the historic Firehouse on La Plaza of El Pueblo de Los Angeles in downtown Los Angeles. The classes begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. In addition to the weekly training for eight weeks, there are meetings which are held throughout the year designed to assist the trainees in becoming proficient and confident in their docenting skills.
Come and join a great group of wonderful people and history buffs and learn about the history of Los Angeles. The training is fun (lectures which include eye-popping and jaw-dropping Powerpoint slides, interesting readings, dynamic guest speakers and tours around El Pueblo de Los Angeles) and the rewards are numerous as you learn about the beginnings of our great city and how to share this interesting information with others. You will receive a class training schedule in addition to many other materials to assist in your training.
TO SIGN UP: Call Jeanne Conklin at (310) 398-0269 or email at info@lasangelitas.org
 

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