Giving Thanks

November 14, 2009 - At the Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful "Giving Thanks" event, Greg Page and Shelly Kinder accept a certificate of recognition for the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2188 Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Angel Corral is the presenter. Also shown is Michael Nogueira presenting to Jack Goldhammer for his tireless maintenance of the commercial boulevards in Eagle Rock.

Parking Madness
Cured for Now-

Making a Goldline Dream Come True -
Supporting Residents and Businesses

by Tom Topping

In a long awaited development, the public parking rules adjacent to the Goldline Station in Highland Park have been changed. Commuters had long complained, since the opening of the Goldline in July 2003, that the metered parking did not allow enough time for them to make their commute to work and back, as the maximum time allowed was only 10 hours. They will finally be able to use the sparsely used lots for a real-world workday commute. (And for a real-world workday, too- how many of you folks out there work 10-12 hours a day or more?) cost only $.25 an hour, but for $1, you could park for 10 hours. I talked to one commuter soon after the Goldline opened who tried his best to make it to his job in Hollywood and back, and could never make it in 10 hours. The best he could do was ten hours and 42 minutes. Since he had received a pricey parking ticket, he was faced with having to find street parking every day near the station.
Claims of city officials saying folks should ride mass transit rang hollow by the reality of this problem, because they were doing nothing about parking rules preventing commuters from using this new mode of transportation. The problem was further exacerbated when all metered parking in the City of L.A. recently went up to a minimum of $1 an hour.
This got the attention of Councilman Ed Reyes.
He and his staff at Council District 1, where the parking lots lie, were dissatisfied after the meter rates skyrocketed to $1 an hour after being at 25 cents per hour for years. He was concerned and felt that although the city needs the money in the recent down economic times, it was wrong to transfer the burden to the poorest individuals and businesses in the city. He said on November 10th, after a lot of pushing and hard work, the new rates went in, which luckily included the all day term for $2.50, and said it would be significant to increasing pedestrian traffic as well as have multiplication effect on the economy of the local businesses.
"It wasn't easy, but we got the Department of Transportation to go along with it," the councilman added.
He was asked about the city's desire of getting people to take public transportation being prevented by not allowing enough parking time for them to get to work and back.
"That's the schizophrenic nature of our city," he said.
In November 2009, six years and 4 months after the Goldline light rail system opened, parking rules at public lots in Highland Park have finally cooperated. Not only has the maximum term been changed from 10 hours to all-day, but the rate is lowered to $.50 an hour, with a $2.50 all day parking rate to support commuters, employees, business owners and residents.
No longer will Marmion Way near the Highland Park and Southwest Museum Goldline stations be parked solid with commuter's cars every day, giving the vision and purpose of public transportation a big step toward being fulfilled for Northeast L.A.

Jonathan Veitch Inaugurated as Occidental's 15th President

Occidental College News Service

Occidental College President Jonathan Veitch laid out an ambitious agenda for his presidency and cited the careers of Jack Kemp '57 and Barack Obama '83 as the best evidence of the value of a liberal arts education in his inaugural address today before a crowd of several hundred in the Remsen Bird Hillside Theater.
Among a dozen specific goals he identified as essential for the College's success, Veitch called for a rethinking of the College's core curriculum "to provide our students a purposeful and thoughtful synthesis of what we value most as an institution. To do less is to abdicate our responsibility." He also emphasized the importance of global literacy and advocated "a vision for science in general education that will engender respect for scientific methodology and an understanding of the basic principles of science."
Taking advantage of its location in Los Angeles, Occidental also should further develop its program of civic engagement, and form new collaborations with the city's leading cultural institutions, said Veitch, who commissioned three new musical works from Occidental faculty that were performed during today's ceremony.
"Occidental must remain committed to [its] historic mission by enhancing its scholarship support for first generation students," he continued. "Colleges and universities have a crucial role to play in safeguarding upward mobility."
Despite the success of colleges like Occidental, the liberal arts are often little appreciated and often misunderstood, Veitch said. "If one wants to understand the value of the liberal arts, one need look no further than the stunning careers of Occidental's two most famous students: Jack Kemp and Barack Obama."
The books Kemp and Obama read, and the liberal arts education they received, "allowed two callow 18-year-olds to ask important questions about freedom and necessity, justice and inequality, the possibilities and limits of the market, the vanity of human wishes and the nature of tragedy," Veitch said. "What more can one ask for from an education than this? Are these not the questions that matter most? Surely, they are the questions we want our leaders to reckon with."
Eugene M. Tobin, program officer for The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and former president of Hamilton College, also addressed the issue of the underappreciated liberal arts. "Although the liberal arts college sector has had more obituaries written about it than any other segment of higher education, the real challenge facing Occidental and its peers is not extinction or 'relevance,' but rather the necessity of making difficult choices that allow it to remain true to its mission," Tobin said in his remarks. "Rest assured, President Veitch ... understands that the liberal arts college sector is a case study of how higher education has grown by adding new things without taking old things away."
Eugene Lang, founder and president of the Eugene M. Lang Foundation and namesake of the Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at the New School, also addressed the crowd. "Am I a philanthropist by presenting you with Jonathan as the new leader of Occidental College? Or am I a masochist who invited the painful concern of replacing him in New York?" Tobin asked, raising a laugh. "Well, no matter! ... Clearly, Jonathan has found a community after his own heart at Occidental, a community where students are challenged to see the connections between their studies and current social issues."

Eagle Rock 100th Plans
Rolling Along

by Tom Topping

At the November 17th meeting of the Eagle Rock 100th Anniversary planning group, about 25 people listened to a recap of the September 8 meeting and heard about the creation of the new Eagle Rock 100th web-site. Correspondence from other interested community members was reviewed as well, and Jim Omahan gave a report on what Jose Huizar's Council District 14 was considering to provide for the celebration.
One was donating the printing and creation of a Calendar to list all the events during Eagle Rock's Centennial year. It would include 12 images from Eagle Rock History to grace the calendar pages. Jose's office was also looking at "sprucing up" the old Eagle Rock City Hall, and repainting it, possibly the historically correct green color that was covered over shortly after Antonio Villaraigosa took over CD14. Another was to design, order and install street banners to be hung along the boulevards during the centennial year of 2011.
Omahan mentioned that any events would need to be set by November 2010 to make it onto the calendar by press time. They also envision a kick-off at the old City Hall with a open house and a ceremony to start the year's celebrations.
Next was discussion about restoring and reinstalling the historic trolley monument. The monument, consisting of a historic railroad tie with a brass plaque, was installed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Eagle Rock Historical Society in 1991. It signified the end of the trolley line on Colorado Boulevard at Townsend Avenue, which truly was the town's end when it was named. The monument was broken in a traffic accident and has been in the storeroom of Tritch Hardware ever since. Eric Warren brought of copy of the original city permit that allowed it to be placed in the median there.
Talk of the median turned to community beautification as preparation for the centennial year, with ideas to landscape in a way that honor the past, present and future of the community. With that discussion, a committee was formed of Jane Tsong and Mary Tokita, who would be willing to work together with the Eagle Rock beautification collaborative in achieving those goals.
Tom Topping of the Boulevard Sentinel (OK-me) offered to use his skills acquired from the docent group at El Pueblo to assist Historical Society President Eric Warren create a historical driving, walking or guided tour of the community.
The meeting was concluded with a plan to form a smaller core group that would be taking on the responsibilities of coordinating efforts with all entities involved. Those who want to be on that core group would contact Jim Omahan and express their interest.
The meeting was adjourned after a date of January 12 was set for the next meeting, with a call to reach out to all other community members and groups, especially the schools and churches, to bring them in for an inclusive and memorable celebration year. For the latest updates go to www.eaglerock100th.com, and to be added to the ed-mail list send a message to eaglerock100th@gmail.com.

Preparing the Feast

by Tom Topping

On Tuesday night, November 24th, dozens of bodies packed in cardboard cartons lay silent and cold beneath a white sheet. Tomorrow would bring them a fate they may well have never imagined.
Nestled next to them, rows of steel cans packed full of a variety of formerly living matters, awaiting the whims of their possessors. On the floor nearby, scores of other previously alive things, still fresh, lay silent and cold, packed in ice, some chopped to tiny bits.
No, this isn't the basement of a serial killer, or the back room at the L.A. Coroner's office. It's just a community group's way of getting ready to feed hundreds of people at the Eagle's yearly Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
Frozen turkeys thawing as far as the eye can see, waiting for their turn in the 6 deep fryers that will be steaming and percolating all day tomorrow. (63 were cooked this year) Canned yams vie for table space along with enough canned green beans to gag a swarm of grasshoppers. Nested in next to them, rest their complement of mushroom soup and minced onions, waiting to combine. So many cans of gravy, and cartons of mashed potato flakes, you can't see them all in one look. And giant ice chests, brimming with dozens of bags of fresh carrots, chopped celery, chopped onions, lettuce and tomatoes fill the room with a lovely, pungent aroma.
The cans of cranberry sauce are all lined up. The pies and pastries are waiting in the wings to make their grand entrance. Bags and boxes of napkins and plastic utensils look for willing hands to create a welcoming place setting.
The next day, the men return with jug after jug of cooking oil and propane. All are abated as they wait for the oil to reach optimum temperature. Finally, the first bird takes a dip.
Slowly and gently he is inserted- Oooh! Too quick- Back it out a little! Then he's all the way in, sizzling and steaming in a way that only can be described as YUM! Then he is pulled out, allowed to drain, and laid out on the counter to rest, while another enters the waiting vessel.
The men work expertly with their knives. Tray after tray is filled, wrapped in foil and stacked in the refrigerator for tomorrow, the big day when it all will come together. All day long, the turkeys go out cold and come in hot. The jokes fly, the camaraderie is thick and the beer flows freely.
Sampling is the order of the day, so no one leaves hungry.
At the end of the day the pots cool, the oil is removed, and the clean up is complete.
The ladies enter, preparing for tomorrow. They make the stuffing, and organize the kitchen. They arrange the tables and set up the chairs. On each table, a flower arrangement for decoration and salt and pepper for spice.
At the end of the hall, the banner goes up. "Uncle Max Memorial Thanksgiving Dinner." They all take a moment to gaze at it and reflect on the man who is not here this year. He was the guy who would have been running this show. He instituted the deep fryers for the turkey dinners. He knew what they needed to get, he knew how to get a lot of it for free and he knew how to get it done. They all learned a lot from him.
He looks down from above and smiles, happy to see his work continue.

Hathaway-Sycamores' Youth Council Boost Skills

Members of the Hathaway-Sycamores' Highland Park Family Resource Center's Youth Leadership Council recently attended a three-day seminar in Lake Arrowhead, Calif. The seminar, which was designed to further strengthen the students' leadership and interpersonal skills, was sponsored by Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, one of the largest, nonprofit, private children's mental health and welfare agencies in Los Angeles County, and the Highland Park Kiwanis member Stan Moore.
The Youth Leadership Council is a co-ed, community youth service organization membered by Highland Park middle-school and high-school students who are committed to bettering the community through volunteerism; enhancing self-character; and serving as role models for area youth. The Leadership Council meets every Friday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Hathaway-Sycamores' Highland Park Resource Center (840 N. Avenue 66) where they discus upcoming events and projects.
Over the course of the three-day seminar, Leadership Council members participated in photography classes, cooking classes, and nature walks. They also completed leadership exercises designed to highlight how individuals can best contribute to team efforts. Seminar participants included: Angela Arredondo (co-vice president); Jennifer Arredondo (group advisor); Marina Bellizzi (co-vice president); Andrew Cornel (treasurer); Raul Cruz (peace keeper); Christopher Escobedo; Vanessa Gutierrez; Genesis Marcia (secretary); Fernando Ochoa; Marjorie Rivas; and Juan Vasquez (president).
"We are very proud of the Youth Leadership Council and the fine example they set for other young people," says Hathaway-Sycamores' President and CEO William Martone. "Among our organization's goals is to expose youngsters to life-expanding and life-affirming experiences, and this Council—as well as this recent seminar—certainly contribute to that goal."
Council members were chaperoned by Danny Castro, Olivia Castro, Jose Hernandez, Elvia Ledesma, Richard Ledesma (Hathaway-Sycamores' staff member and seminar coordinator), and Yvonne Sarceda.
Area middle-school or high-school students interested in joining the Youth Leadership Council or learning more about the programs and services at the Hathaway Sycamores' Highland Park Family Resource Center can contact Janet Lester at (323) 257-9600, ext.7111.
Hathaway Sycamores' Highland Park Family Resource Center provides afterschool enrichment programs for children, individual and family counseling, adult-education classes, and access to community technology centers.
Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, one of the largest, nonprofit, private children's mental health and welfare agencies in Los Angeles County, provides a comprehensive continuum of services to more than 11,000 children and families annually through a network of facilities stretching across the greater Los Angeles area including the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and the Antelope Valley. Services include: a residential treatment center for youth ages six through 18; foster care and adoption services; a nonpublic school; school-based and outpatient mental health services; wraparound and in-home counseling services; a transitional living program for teens; a family resource center; and a grief and loss center for children. The agency is licensed by the California Department of Social Services, certified by the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, and accredited through The Joint Commission.
To learn more about the organization go to www.hathaway-sycamores.org.

Caltrans to Detail 110 Upgrade

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will host two meetings in December to provide information about the Arroyo Parkway (SR-110) Upgrade, a $17 million project from the Golden State Freeway (I-5) in Los Angeles to Glenarm Street in Pasadena that will replace the existing metal beam and temporary barriers with decorative concrete median barriers and side barriers that mirror the stonework architecture seen throughout the surrounding communities.
Caltrans personnel will describe the project, projected freeway closures, detours and traffic impacts and answer questions.
The first meeting will be Wednesday, December 9, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the City of South Pasadena Civic Library, 1100 Oxley Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030.
The second meeting will be Wednesday, December 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ramona Hall Community Center, 4580 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90031.
For further information about the meetings or the project, please contact Caltrans Public Information Officers Judy Gish, (213) 897-3487 or Kelly Markham, (213) 897-0303.

ASNC Just Says "No" to 710 Tunnel

Also Files "Community Impact Statement" with L.A. City Council on Related Garcetti/Huizar/Reyes-sponsored 710 State Legislative Program Resolution

At its last regular monthly meeting, the Board of Representatives of the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council (ASNC) adopted two motions having to do with the possibility of several-mile-long tunnel being constructed to complete the 710 Freeway, involving underground construction within the ASNC area.
A subject of recent meetings and growing speculation and discussion in the Northeast and nearby cities, the possibility of extending the 710 other than by surface roads is central to a "route neutral" geotechnical study started early this year under the joint supervision of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). The study included borings around the greater L.A. area, as well as geophysical line testing. Further details on the study, its zones, and its draft findings -- released just days before the ASNC Board vote -- are available at (http://www.710tunnelstudy.info/).
In its overwhelmingly approved statement, the ASNC said it is: ". . .opposed to any form of an extension to the 710 Freeway through the ASNC area if it will result in: the loss of homes, businesses, or any existing amenities in our communities; devastation or diminished use of any remaining open areas or green space enjoyed by ASNC stakeholders within our boundaries; any compromise of the geological stability of our area; further delays in the realization of improved public transportation options for ASNC stakeholders; increased traffic on our communities' primary feeder streets as a result of any such extension, whether after any proposed construction or for extended periods during construction; more congestion on existing freeways that serve our area's residents, workers, etc.; heightened noise levels related to re-configured traffic flows; placement of ventilation devices that deface the landscape or concentrate pollutants in any of our communities, negatively affecting constituent health; or, any other environmental or aesthetic degradation that cannot be mitigated successfully."
The council's now-formal position went on to urge elected officials to consider: ". . . alternatives to the 710 'gap closure' that address more precisely the current and future needs of our constituents as well as the rest of Southern California – reducing congestion, improving air quality, increasing connectivity for pedestrians, making our cities more livable – such as: Trip Reduction and Transportation Demand Management for autos; low-build options to facilitate traffic movement within 'the gap'; a more comprehensive transit network, providing seamless connectivity; (and) heavy rail taking freight to more remote hubs for transfer to trucks."

COMMUNITY IMPACT STATEMENT

In a separate but related action, the ASNC Board also voted to file an official "Community Impact Statement" (CIS) in support of Los Angeles City Council File #09-0002-S189 -- submitted jointly in September by Councilmembers Eric Garcetti, Jose Huizar, and Ed P. Reyes and now working its way through Council committees. In their proposed City resolution, the three Northeast area City councilmembers said Los Angeles should oppose any extension of the 710 via tunnel through Caltrans' identified Zones 1 and 2, while calling for any portal opening for such a tunnel in the more central Zone 3 to be south of Valley Boulevard (the current end of the freeway).
The zones referenced are three of the five defined by the Caltrans/Metro SR-710 technical study, for use in determining the feasibility of constructing a tunnel. The zones fan out in generally north/south configurations from just northwest of Dodger Stadium (the beginning of Zone 1), to as far east as the city limits of Baldwin Park (the end of Zone 5). In its just-released draft report, the study sponsors declared a tunnel through any of the five zones to be geologically feasible. Together the five zones encompass much of Northeast Los Angeles and the western San Gabriel Valley.
The neighborhood council's CIS states that the ASNC supports the Garcetti/Huizar/Reyes motion: ". . . insofar as the resolution opposes as impractical and costly any completion of the 710 Freeway underneath our ASNC communities, contained almost completely in Caltrans Zones 1 and 2. As good neighbors in the City NC system, ASNC defers to the LA32 Council, representing El Sereno, regarding any construction there. Within Los Angeles City, LA32's area would bear the major portion of any potential negative effects from a possible tunnel extension through Zone 3."
CIS filings are reserved for City-certified neighborhood councils, and follow a specific council motion through the various committees and the City Council's own agenda as representations of a community's official voice before City government. The City Council's proposed resolution includes a discussion of the best means of analyzing other environmental conditions, such as "traffic, tunnel configurations, and air quality" -- not covered by the current study, and says that "proposing that the I-710 be expanded through Zones 1 or 2 in the City of Los Angeles seems to be impractical and not cost-effective based on distance alone. . ." (The full text of the resolution may be obtained from www.cityofla.org, through the City's Council File Management System).

ASNC DUE DILIGENCE

The Los Angeles city-certified ASNC represents the historic, distinct Northeast communities of Montecito Heights, Hermon, Mount Washington, Sycamore Grove, and Monterey Hills in land use and other local governmental issues. Since March, the ASNC and its committees have hosted informational presentations by Caltrans and its representatives on the progress of the Tunnel Technical Study at posted public meetings held in the Hermon community and at Mount Washington Elementary School, and members of the board have also attended other forums held in El Sereno and at Ramona Hall. In addition the ASNC has been visited by local residents -- primarily of Mount Washington, Highland Park, and El Sereno - representing "Stop the 710," who provided extensive public comment at several monthly meetings.
In August, a working group led by ASNC Montecito Heights Representative Tom Marble and made up of a small number of members of the ASNC Board began meeting to consider and suggest a position statement for the full board's consideration in October. The ASNC said it also plans to host additional public forums to present all sides of the debate and offer a venue for all concerned constituents to become involved. Certified as a City neighborhood council in the fall of 2002, the ASNC has since held six annual open elections for all stakeholders, selecting representatives of the communities and their interest groups to serve on its board. The neighborhood council's five member communities are estimated to include 30,000 possible stakeholders, and registration with the neighborhood council has increased each year since certification by an average 15 percent.
The ASNC's regular Board of Representatives meetings are held the fourth Monday of nearly every month at various public locations within the five member communities. Several committee and "Local Issues" meetings for individual communities are also held each month, with details regularly posted online and in numerous physical locations.
For additional information on the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, visit www.asnc.us online, e-mail ASNC_Outreach@earthlink.net, or leave voicemail at (323) 550-8105.

Alan Shields, Janice Lum, Larry Ramsey Inducted into the ER High School Sports Hall of Fame

by Gale Fullerton

On October 31, three alumni were inducted into the Eagle Rock Sports Hall of Fame.

 They were Alan Shields S'58, Janice Lum 1987, and Larry Ramsey S' 58. The Hall of Fame attendance was the largest ever with over 165 attendees. Below is a summary of Alan, Janice and Larry's athletic contributions which Gale Fullerton S-62 provided at the ceremony.

Janice Lum - The Best

Last Winter I asked Sonya Most, former 38 year ER Girls' Physical Education Teacher what three alumni she would nominate for the 2009 Sports Hall of Fame. She immediately recommended Janice Lum and stated that Janice was the greatest tennis player she has ever coached. Coach Most must be a good judge of athletes because she also indicated that she could not decide among Tim Alexander, Larry Ramsey, and Alan Shields for the other two spots. Her choice mirrored the alumni voting, and a summary of Janice's athletic accomplishments clearly supports Janice's inclusion.
Janice attended Eagle Rock High School from 1984-87. As a member of the Girls Tennis Team she was undefeated at #1 singles each year and won the L.A. City Championships three years in a row. She may have been the only ER athlete to have never lost an event in any sport! Coach Most states that "there may never be another player/leader like Janice, and that Janice was an accomplished player when arriving at ER. Furthermore, of greater importance was her influence on the other players - motivating, encouraging, teaching, and inspiring them."
What happened before her arrival at ER. Janice hit her first tennis ball at the age of 3 while accompanying her tennis-playing mother to Shatto Park courts in Los Angeles. At 10 she won the very first tournament she entered, the Griffith Park D (novice) tournament, and thus began her tennis career.She began playing Southern California Tennis Association junior tournaments, ranking in the top 8 singles the majority of each year. Her last year in Southern California Junior Tennis, she ranked #1 in doubles, with her partner, Linda Lee. She represented Southern California in USTA National junior tennis tournaments, with a National singles ranking as high as #32 and a doubles ranking of #8.
After graduating from Eagle Rock High, Janice attended the University of Southern California, and played on the Womens Tennis Team from 1987-91. She began as a walk-on and played several singles matches, but saw much success as the #3 USC doubles team, with Tricia Laux. Her very first match against rivals, UCLA, the Laux-Lum team won the deciding match for victory. Janice also won the Intercollegiate Singles championship at Ojai, CA to end her first year on the team. After her freshman year, Coach Dave Borelli recognized potential and awarded her a full tennis scholarship for her remaining years.
At the beginning of her sophomore year, Janice's tennis career looked promising as she reached the quarterfinals in a prestigious pre-season College singles tournament at Irvine, CA. Unfortunately due to a serious back injury, Janice was unable to play her sophomore year and struggled to play matches in the remaining years as she was not fully fit.
Upon graduating from USC with a BS Business Finance degree, she served as Assistant Coach for the USC Womens Tennis team for one year. She then decided to use her business degree by joining Aon Risk Services where she has worked for over 17 years. She has enjoyed her last four years as the West Region Finance Director. While working at Aon, Janice obtained her MBA Business degree at Pepperdine University in 2002. Her accomplishments (both athletic and professional) are remarkable, but Janice indicates her proudest "accomplishment" is her nine year old daughter, Elise. Janice told me she is very proud to be inducted into the ER Sports Hall of Fame, but Elise is just as excited.
 

Alan Shields - A Legendary Running Back

During the nominating/voting process Alan's name kept appearing with such comments as "The best ER running back I ever saw", "The quickest and most savvy runner ", "the best ER running back of the 20th century', "a record setting hurdler", "a very versatile athlete", and "highly recruited ". These admirable comments are supported when reviewing his athletic records.
Track & Field - In the Spring of 1958 Alan set school records in the varsity 120 yd. high hurdles (14.8), the 120 yd and 180 yd low hurdles (12.6 & 19.6 ), and the eight man mile relay. His school records in the low hurdles were never equaled, and he is still rated as one of the top high hurdlers. He was Northern League Champion hurdler in both his junior and senior years. Alan could also have been a top sprinter, but the team needed his gifted talents in the hurdle events. During those years, ER was blessed with outstanding sprinters - Dean Balzarett and Bob Johnson. Surprisingly, he was also the top team shot putter in 1958..
Football - As a varsity football player, he made his greatest accomplishments. In his Jr.& Sr. years, he was an All Northern League running back and Player of the Year in 1957. He was also first team all city in 1957 and set numerous rushing records ,including an LA City playoff record of 256 yds against Fremont in the LA Coliseum. Many alumni are probably not aware that he was also an outstanding defensive back who had eight interceptions in 1957. One "pick" was for a touchdown against Wilson in a 7 -0 victory. His offensive skills were phenomenal; but without his defensive acumen, the famed ER 19 game win streak would have ended much sooner.
He was heavily recruited by the USC Trojans (a USC Asst. Coach named Al Davis even attended ER's football banquet to assure that Alan would become a Trojan). Yes, that is the same Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders. Alan chose USC, and during the summer he was one of the very few Eagles who ever played in the California Shrine All-Star game. In that game he was the starting running back for the South and the leading ground gainer. He was also recognized as a Helms High School All American. At USC, he scored two touchdowns in his first varsity game including a 62 yard punt return. For this, he was featured in the Sports Illustrated Magazine dated October 12,1959.
Unfortunately, a knee injury near the end of his sophomore year, and a separated shoulder just prior to the second game in his senior year limited his opportunity to fully demonstrate his remarkable football skills. Some sports writers had predicted that he would become the next Jon Arnett, a USC All- American who was a NFL back with the LA Rams.
After graduation, Alan worked for IBM, Xerox, and World Savings from 1963 - 2007. His 43 year very successful business career utilized many of the things he gained from sports - discipline, competition, and dealing with setbacks. The alumni praises mentioned prove to be very accurate . Also, Coach Roy Jae during a 1957 interview also agreed when he said "That boy needs no coaching. All he needs is the ball." In boxing, Muhammad Ali was referred to as the greatest. That same characteristic describes Alan Shields - ER's greatest running back.
 

Larry Ramsey - Leadership Unsurpassed

Most alumni of the late 50's and early 60's already know most of the athletic accomplishments of Larry Ramsey. They remember him as the quarterback leading the legendary 56' and 57' football teams to a 19 game win streak and two NL Championships. We remember his All League and All City football honors. We remember him as the All League centerfielder , and as a valuable member of the Championship 56', 57', and 58' varsity track teams. Those who attended Glendale CC probably recall him as the starting quarterback, the number one long jumper, and a leader of the baseball team.
But did you know that Larry played baseball for the Eagle Rock Merchants on Sunday at Yosemite Park. It was at Yosemite Park where he smashed a towering home run to right field. A young ER student, Dwayne Phillips, observed this phenomenon and immediately ran home and told his father Harold "Lefty" Phillips , an LA Dodger scout. Lefty attended the next Sunday's game, observed a few more blasts and immediately signed Larry to a minor league contract. For several years, he batted over 300 while advancing from Reno NV, to Salem OR, and finally to Albuquerque NM. He played during Spring Training for the Dodgers with such legendary players as Sandy Koufax, and Don Drysdale. His batting instructor was Duke Snider (the leading home run hitter of the 1950's). Unfortunately, the Dodgers were loaded with outfielders, and he did not make the giant step to the majors. However, he will always be remembered as the "luminary lefty who lifted legendary blasts."
The above very briefly summarizes some of his athletic feats, but I want to share something that I have personally observed. When the Alumni Association decided to honor the 56' football team, I tried to contact every member. When I called Larry, he was excited and wanted to know if he could help. Stupidly, I thanked him and thought that I could find everyone and convince them to attend. Unfortunately, I could not locate all team members and a few that I found said "who would want to see an old geezer like me." I called Larry back and suddenly all of the team mates had a youthful attitude and wanted to attend. I do not know what he did, but I immediately had everyone's email, phone number, and address. In our subsequent contact over the last three years I discovered some of his magic. He cared about Eagle Rock, his teammates and friends. He remembered nearly everything about the people he met, and magically recalled the names of spouses, siblings, and children. His spirit is infectious.
What do these personal characteristics have to do with this Hall of Fame presentation. It shows his leadership and how other athletes, other students, and persons in later life would follow him and be inspired by him . He is a leader and "get things done" kind of guy. He is also someone you can trust. If he says he will do something, he will certainly try and most likely succeed. In summary the letters of his last name match some of his wonderful characteristics - R is for Rare, A is for amiable, M is for Magic, S is for Spirit, E is for Energetic, and Y is for Yes - (yes I can, yes you can, and yes we can - in sports & life. Larry demonstrates the best of sports as a contributor, a communicator, and competitor with all the "right qualities",
The three honorees join the 2008 honorees (Tom Meyer W'53, Dean Balzarett S'57, and Dave Brown S'68) as the first six members of the Sports Hall of Fame. Their names are on a plaque which will be on permanent display at the school.

Cruising with Mary

Hello, Eagle Rock, happy holidays and shall I say a non-politically correct "Merry Christmas?!" The holiday season is off to a rockin' start with our Thanksgiving cruise-in, annual charity fund, and toy-giveaway. This year we also held a canned food drive for the L.A. Regional Food Bank. We had a small turnout of cars and visitors, probably due to the predicted rain, which never happened, and the bitterly cold weather. Oh well, the hale and hearty braved the elements for a good cause. Since a lot of hot rodders don't like to bring their rides out in the rain (some have no windshield wipers), we even had drive-thru guests who dropped off toys on the run.
Toys were donated to Hillsides, a local residential home for abused children. Check them out at www.Hillsides.org. Hillsides originally was a Pasadena orphanage in 1931, but currently focuses on kids who have been the victims of extreme mental and physical abuse and have already made the rounds of the multiple foster care placements. The main focus is to give the kids a safe place to live, while receiving medical and psychiatric care as well as individual and group therapy, and developing skills for a future "normal" life. They depend on private donations as the government subsidies are not enough to support the diverse needs of the kids.
Jackie Broxton, fundraiser for Hillsides, was able to visit and collect 50-some toys of all sorts. She spoke briefly, explaining some of the horrific traumas these children have seen and been victims of. The Eagle Rockin' Rodders are proud to support Hillsides this Christmas season. We have been invited to bring out hot rods up to Hillsides so the kids can see them, and plan on doing this in 2010.
A cash donation was made to the St. Dominic's hot dinner program. Cheryl Ibarra was on hand to collect the money, and told us that the $320 we donated will provide at least 120 hot meals for local people in need. A special thank you goes to Fred Cairo who handed us a $20 bill towards this donation. He is a good man, with a generous heart.
As I stated last month, a donation was made to a friend of the club who has been battling a serious illness. Our thoughts, prayers and good wishes go out to him and his family for hopefully a little brighter holiday season. Also a donation was made to the Eagles Lodge for the Thanksgiving dinner. They feed anyone who shows up on Thanksgiving.
The canned food drive was a success, with several large boxes of canned items collected. Unfortunately, the people at the LA Regional Food Bank did not show up on cruise night for a presentation of food and cash. The communications between them and our liaison was poor, with no call-backs or follow-ups after numerous inquiries on our part. Personally, I attribute this missed-connection to the fact that large food drives were being held all over L.A. this past weekend, including truckloads of food being delivered by radio station KLOS.
I guess our piddly boxes didn't interest them. And this was after mass advertising on TV and radio the past few months, stating that the need was serious this year due to the economy, etc. So, the Food Bank will still be the recipient of the food collected, but the money has been earmarked for a different charity, and that information will follow next month.
The Eagle Rockin' Rodders held club elections, with 2010 officers as follows: Amy Peters, President; Adam Salcedo, Vice President; Maggie Ray, Treasurer; and Martha Moren, Secretary. A big thank you to Amy, Mary, Tom, Martha, and Anita for serving this past year, as well as Terrye for conducting the raffles every month. For 2010, we plan to beef up our membership and participate in more community activities.
There will be no cruise-in for December. See you in January, at our usual location, have a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Years, and keep on cruising!

Secret School?

Good Shepherd School
An Excellent Academic Education

"The best kept secret in Highland Park! " That's the phrase parents and friends use to describe Good Shepherd School, located just a block from the intersection of York Blvd. and Figueroa. This small Christian school, founded in 1961, has a 48 year history of excellent academic education that is delivered in a safe and secure Christian setting.
Students at Good Shepherd enjoy all the benefits of small classes, excellent teachers, and a wide range of enrichment activities. Educational field trips regularly take place at The Getty Museum, the LA Brea Tar Pits, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Discovery Science Center. Younger students have visited The Farm, gone on a trip to the snow, hiked in the Arroyo, visited the dinosaurs at Exposition park, and all classes enjoyed the LA County Fair. The school offers music classes for all grades, and recently engaged the Jubilee Dance Academy to come to the school and hold classes in jazz and praise dance. A performance was given for parents and the congregation, and plans are being made for another session in the spring
Good Shepherd is proud of it's high test scores, with students consistently testing at or above grade level in all areas. Many students test 2-4 grades above their current level. This is the result of a highly qualified staff and also of participation by parents who want the best education possible for their children. With small classes, individualized attention is given to each student. It is like each child having their own private tutor. The school curriculum is guided by California State Standards. Good Shepherd also participates in the Los Angeles Unified School District non-public schools program. LAUSD provides a reading specialist to provide extra help for students who need individual tutoring in reading and language arts. Free of Charge!
Students use computers in the classrooms and visit the computer lab weekly for instruction in various programs. Students may borrow laptops to take home and use for class assignments. They also have use of a great school library for reading for pleasure and research.
Excitement is mounting as the pre-school prepares to open a third classroom. The child development center grew from one classroom to two last year, and a third classroom is ready to open after the Christmas holidays. Pre-school staff is happy to be able to accommodate more 2.9 to 5 year olds! Current enrollees have a great time while Mom and Dad are at work, and included with play time and nap time are many age appropriate academic skills. At the first Chapel of each month, teachers announce a Student of the Month. Criteria for selection include effort, cooperation, demonstration of Christian values, kindness, enthusiasm, and acceptance of responsibility. Proud parents are in attendance at the presentation and see that students are honored for their development of positive personal traits, and are rewarded for being a good student and friend to others.
Parents seeking quality instructional programs taught in a Christ centered atmosphere will find them at Good Shepherd. In a loving, safe and orderly environment, students strive to reach their greatest potential, learn to demonstrate mutual respect, work cooperatively to achieve clearly stated goals, and value the learning process. All teachers and staff at Good Shepherd School are skilled professionals and are participating Christians committed to quality education. The staff employs teaching techniques that convey respect, caring, and high expectations for student behavior and achievement.
Good Shepherd School is open from 7 am to 6 pm offering before and after school day care. After school day care includes arts and crafts, homework help, and structured activities as well as supervised free time. Good Shepherd is also host to the Eagle Rock – Highland Park 4-H club which enriches children in the fields of plants, arts and crafts, animals, rocketry and culinary arts. The school is located just a block from the intersection of York Blvd. and Figueroa near the 110, 134, and 2 freeways.
Visit the website at goodshepherdla.org for more information about the school. Tuition is reasonable, and financial aid is available. Parents are welcome to tour the school and see what wonderful opportunities await their children! Call the school office at 323 255 2786 for directions and best times to visit. All are welcome.

Looking Back by Joe Walker

100 years ago this month-December, 1909

Otto Lockwood, an Eagle Rock grocer, took his horse and carriage downtown on December 11, 1909, to stock up on supplies. He made his last purchase and when he returned to his horse and buggy, which was tied up at Los Angeles and Market Street, he found that someone had stolen everything, including the horse.

90 years ago this month-December, 1919

A fundraiser was held of the Lark Ellen Home For Boys in Eagle Rock, which raised enough money to pay off the remainder of their $800 mortgage. The home accepted homeless boys up to the age of 14. Back then homeless boys made earnings by selling newspapers, and the word "newsboys" was synonymous with being homeless. Not all newsboys were homeless, but all homeless boys sold newspapers. Funded and supported by Ellen Beach Yaw, a hugely popular American singer, she lived in Covina for many years and has a street named after her-Lark Ellen.

80 years ago this month-December, 1929

On Dec. 10, 1929, 94 students at San Rafael Elementary school in Eagle Rock were stricken with a violent sickness that required them all to leave school. Health officials were stumped as to the cause, but suspected some sort of bacteria that came from the nearby Sagamore reservoir that had recently been cleaned. San Rafael Elementary, located at 2803 Broadway, Eagle Rock, was built in 1927. Roughly where Ernie Jr's is now, it was demolished in 1960 after the buildings were found to be unsafe and not meeting new and updated earthquake standards. Since it was in the proposed route of an upcoming freeway, there were no plans to rebuild it. Students from San Rafael transferred to Eagle Rock Elementary.
Tahan, a Native-American member of the Kiowa Tribe, spoke at the Southwest Museum in the second week of December, 1929, about his life as a captive of the tribe. He was the subject of a 1915 book that is still in print on now uploaded into Google's massive archive of digitized books. The title of his lecture was "My life as a savage". While his speech would be considered offensive in today's enlightened environment, his book and speeches were a counter to the faceless Native-Americans portrayed in books and movies at that time and for years to come.

75 years ago this month-December, 1934

Cleo Haskins and Kenneth Touschner, 18 and 21 respectively, had known each other for four years when they met at Touschner's home at 116 S. Ave 56, Highland Park. They were examing a .25 caliber pistol when it accidentally went off, killing Haskins. Haskins had just returned from his job with the Civilian Conservation Corps when the incident occurred. A coroner's jury ruled the incident accidental and no charges were filed.
The princely sum of $1802 was allocated by the city on December 23, 1934, to improve the Greek Theater seating of the Sylvan Theater and facilities at Yosemite Park. This is equal to about $25,000 in today's prices.

65 years ago this month-December, 1944

Two Highland Park Navy families, the family of Coxswain Robert A. Campbell and the family of PFC Leo Walsh of 5016 Echo St., both received word that their son's had been wounded in the Pacific, shortly before Christmas, 1944.
Eagle Rock ace Lt. William Erskamp of 2341 Fair Park, Eagle Rock, shot down two German planes in Europe in the month of December, 1944. (See last month's column for more info on this amazing Eagle Rock resident)

60 years ago this month-December, 1949

Registering for the draft was still required for all men from the ages of 18-25. Although all inductions had stopped in January, 1949, Franklin High School and Eagle Rock High School were local registration locations. The draft remained in effect until 1973.
On Dec.10, 1949, Clyde Marshaw of 210 N. Ave. 55 was reported to have the largest private collection of sheet music in the world. A Kansas City native, he once played in a band and almost hired future President Harry S. Truman to be a piano player for him. With more than 50,000 sheets of music, his collection was called the largest private collection in existence. He planned on leaving it to his family when he passed away.
Now the craftsman inspired Jack-in-the-Box at 4228 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park, in the 1940's it was a business called "Avenue Pharmacy". On the afternoon of Dec. 18, 1949 store clerk R.R. Peat and store owner R.P. Goddard were tending the store when a man entered the store, brandished a .45 caliber pistol, and demanded cash and drugs. He forced them into the back room and fled on foot with stolen narcotics and the day's receipts.
On December 27, 1949, Mrs Thelma Latham, 35, of 5028 N. Figueroa St., was driving her car over the train tracks at Ave 51 and Marmion Way when the Santa Fe train hit her vehicle, sending it into a ravine. Although trapped for an hour, she suffered only minor bruises. 60 years later, those old tracks are now replaced and being used by the MTA Gold Line. The particular train that Latham was hit by was the #23 train and was known as the Grand Canyon Limited. The train traveled regularly between Los Angeles and Chicago.

50 years ago this month-
December, 1959

On December 5, 1959, a hearing was held at Glendale High School to discuss the extension of the Ventura Freeway into what was called the Colorado Freeway. Residents were divided on whether the freeway we now know as the 134 would be north or south of Colorado Blvd, and residents of Eagle Rock opposed the extension north of Hill Drive. Ultimately, a number of homes above Hill Drive were indeed razed for the construction.
Tragedy hit the home of Donald and Lupe Brown at 4352 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock on the Christmas Eve, 1959. Brown, the father of two children, Donna, 6, and Louis, 5, disagreed with his wife filing for divorce and waited for them in their small rented cottage. When Lupe and Donna returned from their rounds of delivering presents, he used his revolver to kill both his wife and daughter, and then himself. His son Louis was safely at the grandparent's home and survived.
The Eagle Theater at 4884 Eagle Rock Blvd. was showing the movies "Hound Dog Man" and Disney's classic film, "Bambi". "Hound Dog Man" was named to capitalize on the popular Elvis Presley song, but the movie starred teen idol "Fabian". Recent on-line reviews say the movie was pretty hard to watch, but Fabian wasn't so terrible as an Elvis impersonator.

40 years ago this month-
December, 1969

Work crews were busy during Christmas vacation, 1969, and for long after that as they worked on the $3.5 million construction project at Eagle Rock High School. Slated to finish a year later, it created the administration and classrooms that are there today, added classrooms, and added parking.
The Home Savings and Loan at 5700 N. Figueroa, Highland Park, paid a generous 5 1/4% interest rate on savings accounts in December, 1969. 40 years later, after becoming a Washington Mutual and then a Chase Bank, the same savings account would give less than 2% interest.

Windows into Eagle Rock Here, Eagle Rock Historical Society President Eric Warren inscribes copies of his book, Windows into Eagle Rock at the Eagle Rock Center for the Arts on November 29, 2009. The Arcadia Historical Series book contains many photos never seen publicly from the Frackleton collection. An extensive chapter on Eagle Rock High School is sure to please any Eagle Rock Alums with fond memories of their old alma mater. The book is available at Read Books bookstore on Eagle Rock Boulevard, where Eric will be signing on Saturday, December 5, at 1:00 p.m. He said, "I'm delighted to have produced this book and I hope people will enjoy it." Anybody who thinks they love Eagle Rock simply MUST GET it!

 

 

Heritage Square Museum News

Fundraiser Raises $15,000

Our 40th Anniversary Fundraiser raised $15,000 for Heritage Square Museum. We thank Master of Ceremonies Al Downing, Councilman Ed Reyes, US Bank, Southern California Gas Company, Pankow Builders, Davis Blue Print, the Arroyo Monthly, our Fundraiser Committee, our honorees and all of our attendees for helping us raise those important funds for the museum's operation.
Holiday Home Tour opens November 27th
Be among the first to experience the Holiday Home Tour. Led by Sarah Barnard Design, the Karamia Design Group, J.A.Z. Designs,and Design Peel Studio, the tours interpret different eras to coincide with the museum's annual Lamplight Celebration, the William Perry Mansion will be decorated in classic 1890s Victorian style, the Hale House&nbs p;into a 1910 movie space and the Valley Knudsen Garden Residence to reflect the essence of the year 1930. Regular admission applies.
Don't miss out! Order your tickets now for the 15th Annual Lamplight Celebration .
On December 5 and 6, witness as the past becomes the present among the beautiful glow of lamplights for this annual living history event. Guests will dance and experience spectacular holiday festivities in three of our historic homes Immerse yourselfe in the years 1890, 1910 and 1930, as our costumed hosts transport you from house to house. Warm apple cider and tasty treats await you at the end of the tour.
Evening tours begin at 4:00 PM and continue until 8:20 PM. Advanced reservations are required as space on the tours is limited. Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 for children 12 and under. Museum members receive a 25% discount on ticket prices. (Number of member discounts incremental by level.) Tickets are non-refundable. The program not suited for children under 6 years of age.
Not a member or need to renew? For questions on membership, email development@heritagesquare.org or call (323) 225-2700 ext. 221. www.heritagesquare.org

 

 

Red Rabbit Art & Craft Market at Descanso Gardens - December 6

After a successful debut at Descanso Gardens in 2008, the Red Rabbit Holiday Art & Craft Market returns on Sunday, December 6. Red Rabbit artists are not commercial vendors who mass-produce artwork, but are instead artisans who create handmade original art, craft, and upcycled items ideal for holiday gift giving.
The 2009 Red Rabbit Holiday Art & Craft Market features 30 artisans from the Los Angeles area, Orange County, Inland Empire, and Northern California. For some artists, this will be the first public showing of their craft and for all Red Rabbit artisans it is the opportunity to share their creative passion with the public.
Besides being a unique shopping experience, Red Rabbit offers visitors the opportunity to see art created, meet the artists, and best of all, explore the arts with free craft workshops: Upcycled Soda Can Pins, Wire Wrapped Rock/Glass Ornaments, and Whirling Soda Can Pinwheels to be held throughout the day, open to all ages.
Red Rabbit Holiday Art and Craft Market takes place Sunday, December 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive in La Cañada Flintridge. Admission to the craft market is free with paid Descanso Gardens admission of $8 Adults, $6 Seniors/Students, and $6 Children. Plus, the first 100 visitors receive a complimentary Goody Bag.
For more Red Rabbit Workshop artists, contact Coordinator, Carmen Flores Tanis at 818-243-7326 or visit www.RedRabbitWorkshop.com.
 

 

EAGLE ROCK NEWS

 

3000 Attend Autry's Native American Event

Nearly 3,000 visitors enjoyed a weekend of Native American history and culture at the Autry National Center. The weekend featured three major events including the annual Intertribal Arts Marketplace; the opening of the much-anticipated exhibition, The Art of Native American Basketry: A Living Tradition; and the kick-off of the 10th Anniversary season of Native Voices at the Autry with the play Carbon Black by Terry Gomez (Comanche).
"It is extraordinary to see the vast amount of support the Native American community from around the country has shown for the Autry and our programs. We are fortunate to celebrate Native American culture and heritage during the Intertribal weekend and to provide several platforms for the diverse Native voices to be heard by all," said John L. Gray, President and CEO of the Autry National Center.
A special blessing by the Gabrieleno/Tongva Tribe of San Gabriel opened the festivities at Friday night's exclusive reception and preview of the exhibition, The Art of Native American Basketry: A Living Tradition. The event was attended by a crowd of over 500, comprised of Intertribal artists, Native Voices cast and crew, Autry members, and several of the Basketry exhibition's basketweaver consultants from around the country. The Friday evening festivities included the presentation of juried artist awards. The Jackie Autry Purchase Award was given to Mohawk artist Sosakete for his traditional Mohawk pottery. His piece will now be accessioned into the Autry's permanent collection. Best in Show and Best Textile were awarded to TahNibaa Naataanii (Navajo) for her woven kilt.
A packed early-morning members-only preview of the 125 Intertribal Arts Marketplace artists representing approximately 52 tribes kicked-off a busy weekend with lines forming promptly at 10am. Over 1,500 families and a diverse crowd of people from all over Los Angeles watched traditional dances by the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe, hoop dancing by Terry Goedel and family, Pow Wow dances by the Wild Horse Singers, and listened to the peaceful sounds of Native flute by Ed Kabotie. Storytellers Jacque Nunez (Acjachemen) and Robert Greygrass (Lakota) entertained children and adults alike with their traditional tribal stories. Hands-on family activities included making ledger art, basketry, and arrowhead necklaces. A full-sized Lakota tipi brought by Rex "Wambli Sapa" Carolin (Cheyenne River Sioux) wowed visitors as they gazed at the towering tipi featuring painted buffalo.
A special treat was watching basketweaver Ruby Chimerica (Hopi) who demonstrated the making of piki bread. The blue corn mixture was thinly spread across a flat black rock sitting atop a fire of cedar wood. Visitors were able to sample and purchase a bundle of piki bread and roasted blue corn to take home. Sunday at Intertribal Arts Marketplace saw a crowd of over 1,200, many of whom were first-time visitors and shoppers purchasing everything from turquoise and silver jewelry, Pendleton coats, large and small-scale paintings, to buffalo-hide art, and animal sculptures.
Saturday night's world premiere of Native Voices at the Autry's play, Carbon Black by Terry Gomez (Comanche) was attended by over 100 theater-goers. The Autry's Wells Fargo Theater witnessed powerful performances by veteran actor Sheila Tousey (Menominee, Stockbridge Munsee), rising-star Tonantzin Carmelo (Tongva, Kumeyaay), the young up-and-coming star Michael Drummond, and solid actor Stephan Wolfert. Celebrating their 10th Anniversary season, Native Voices continues to expand and raise the bar of their selected plays through year-round workshops, retreats, outreach, play-readings, and productions.
The Art of Native American Basketry: A Living Tradition continues on display through May 30, 2010, and Native Voices at the Autry's play Carbon Black by Terry Gomez (Comanche) ends November 22. The 2010 Intertribal Arts Marketplace will be held November 6 and 7. For more information, visit www.autrynationalcenter.org