Boulevard Sentinel - September 7, 2002
News and Views for Northeast Los Angeles
9-11-2001,
A DAY TO REMEMBER
National September 11 Commemoration
All Northeast community members are invited to
participate in the National September 11 Commemoration. Led by the Los Angeles
Police Post #381 of the American Legion, the Kiwanis Club of Highland Park and
the Los Angeles Police Historical Society the event will have three facets.
First the Commemoration Ceremony starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Los Angeles Police
Historical Museum at 6045 York Boulevard. At the times that the four hijacked
jetliners crashed in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., 8:45, 9:03,
9:43 and 10:00 a.m., local Churches are asked to ring their bells, to be
followed by a minute of silence.
Major General Peter Gravett, United States Army, Former
Commanding General 40th Infantry Division, will be the Honored Guest Speaker
attending.
At 11:00 a.m., Major General Gravett will lead a patriot walk
to Veteran's Memorial Square at the junction of York and Figueroa. All are
invited to participate.
To conclude the day's events, a candlelight vigil will be
held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Police Museum, at 6045 York Boulevard. For
more information, you can call Richard Ledesma at 323 344 9445.
Eagle Rock Commemorative Event
The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) and the Eagle Rock
Community Cultural Center (ERCCC) are proud to announce that they are
co-sponsoring a first year September 11th commemorative event at the Eagle Rock
Community Cultural Center (2225 Colorado Blvd.), on Wednesday, September 11th at
6:30 pm.
Warren Olney, veteran broadcast journalist and Host/Executive
Producer of radio's "To The Point" and "Which Way, LA?" will moderate a panel
discussion reflecting the events of September 11th and how it has impacted the
Eagle Rock Community.
Mr. Olney, twice named "Broadcast Journalist of the Year" by
the Society of Professional Journalists, has also received Emmy and Golden Mike
awards for his news reporting. His varied career included acting in feature
films and television productions, teaching broadcast journalism at USC,
television news reporting/anchoring, writing book reviews, columns and articles,
speaking at engagements and moderating panelists.
The discussion panelists include Jervey Tervalon, an award
winning novelist, playwright, screenwriter and California Arts Fellow. Mr.
Tervalon was the editor of "Geography of Rage." He has authored "Understand
This" and "Dead Above Ground." Of special interest, Mr. Tervalon was the
"writer-in-residence" at Occidental College during the September 11th, 2001
tragedy.
Other invited discussion panelists are: Dr. George Shapiro,
President of the ER Chamber of Commerce, Joanne Turner, President of The Eagle
Rock Association (TERA) and Eric Warren, President of the ER Historical Society.
The public will also have an opportunity to ask questions of
the panelists or to make public their sentiments.
Councilman Nick Pacheco, LA 14th District, Battalion Chief
Buschman, LA Fire Dept. Batt. #2, and Captain Kyle Jackson, LAPD, Northeast
Division, will also speak.
The Eagle Rock High School Choir and the Optimist's Youth
Choir are invited to sing. There are two commemorative "Walls of Remembrance"
now on display at the Eagle Rock Westfield Shoppingtown near the escalators for
the public to post their memorial thoughts. These "Walls of Remembrance" will be
transported to this event and a moment of silence will be observed. The event
will end with a reception.
All are invited. Parking is provided by the Bank of America, just west of the
Center. Please keep the ATM parking clear.
For further information, telephone ERNC at (323) 257-6381 or
ERCCC at (323) 226-1617.
Occidental Chorale - Pasadena Pops to Join
for Sept. 11 Concert
The Occidental-Foothill Master Chorale will join the Pasadena
Pops Orchestra in a performance of Mozart's Requiem at 8:46 a.m. Wednesday,
Sept. 11, on the steps of Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. The free
concert is being given in conjunction with a worldwide "Rolling Requiem" to
honor victims and heroes on the one-year anniversary of last year's terrorist
attacks.
The goal of the Rolling Requiem is to have choirs performing
in each time zone around the world,
beginning at 8:46 a.m., the moment of the first attack.
Performances of the Requiem will begin in New Zealand and the
Philippines, cross to Japan, Siberia and China, and continue in Africa, India
and Italy. Concerts will next be staged in Brazil, Guatemala and New York, then
across North and South America. The Requiem finally passes through Hawaii and
other Pacific islands to complete a 24-hour cycle of continuous singing. For
more information, please call Norma Navarro at (323) 2z59-2785, or visit the
Rolling Requiem website at www.rollingrequiem.org.
Design Board Denies Developer
On August 22, Design Review Board members voted to not
approve the latest design modification of the proposed Walgreens based
development. The design (above) had featured trees, landscaping and a covered
patio on the Colorado frontage with tables and seating for pedestrians.
Board Member Scott Wilson of Northeast Trees (pictured at
left) said, “You’ve got trees but they’re in the wrong places, the trees are for
the cars! (in the parking lot?)”
After hearing the presentation from the new developer of the
project, advice of city staffers and voices of community members, the board had
three choices before them. (Since the project was already approved by city
planning last year, the modifications of the plan were all that were being
considered)
They could approve the modifications, approve them with changes or deny them.
None of the members seemed to want to make a motion one way
or the other. They missed the opportunity to creative changes that might make
the project something they could all live with. Dalila Sotelo moved to deny.
Voting against the project was Sotelo, John Stillion, Scott
Wilson and Phillip Chiao. Voting for it was Kaye Beckham and Vick Parrino. Linda
Allen of the ERCPR abstained from the vote.
The East L.A. Planning Commission will be the next step for
the project’s developers.
Minor League Football's New Home
The thing is, I could care less about football, but the LA Gunslingers is our
very own professional football team. Mark Williams, President and CEO of the
Gunslingers has created this professional minor league team dedicated to giving
young men the opportunity to continue playing football at a higher level once
their high school or college sports careers have ended. This will give them a
showcase for their talents leading to the possibility of continuing into the
NFL, Arena, Canadian or European football leagues. For football fans the games
will be close by, exciting and reasonably priced. Local players may get a chance
to play before a hometown crowd. The first game is this Saturday, 7:00 p.m. at
Franklin High School, Ave. 56 between York and Figueroa. Tickets are $7 for
adults, $3.50 for teens and 12 and under are free. "We have a great group of
young men who will play hard and make the city of Highland Park proud to call
this team their own," says Mr. Williams.
Neighborhood Council Needs Help
by Michael Acevedo
and Tom Topping
The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council is asking for help. Since
its certification, membership has been scarce.
"When we went to work on this, we had over 800 signatures
that wanted the (Eagle Rock) Neighborhood Council. Now that we have been
certified, members and volunteers are hard to find," stated Marlene Schmidt.
The evidence was clear-only 13 people were present at the
Tuesday, August 20th meeting. The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council was certified
on April 2nd of this year, and the board was assembled by members volunteering
for available positions, with members present at the time approving the
installation.
"It is really in the community's best interest to get involved. Our whole
intention is to have an organization that the community can come to when there
is a problem," Ms. Schmidt added. "The intention of the council is to represent
issues on the behalf of the community members." The council is currently
developing a strategy to gain active members.
Addressing another item of interest, and attempting to
counter a critical article published in the August 3 issue of the Boulevard
Sentinel, Council Board Members showed a letter from the Department of
Neighborhood Empowerment, addressed to the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council. They
claimed it released them from any obligation to comply with the Brown Act, the
State of California's Open Meeting Law that mandates a variety of requirements
of government entities to ensure a fair, open, and public process.
This, despite City Attorney James Hahn's (now Mayor) official
opinion on the subject, dated November 16, 2000 in which he states, "it is our
view that Neighborhood Councils, once certified, will be subject to the
provisions of the Brown Act," the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Leadership
remains defiant, and refuses to willingly comply.
"I think that is interesting to create controversy," said
board member Rob Shoop, who seemed to want to move past the subject. "But to
perpetuate it is going to create the wrong impression."
In an apparent contradiction, while contending they were not required to, board
members stated that they were taking steps to comply with the provisions of the
Brown Act. They have yet to comply with legitimate requests allowed under their
own bylaws, claiming they (bylaws) only apply once an elected board is seated.
In the September 3rd meeting of the ERNC, they reiterated
their contradictory stance on the Brown Act, and under gentle persuasion from
new community members attending the meeting for the first time, finally started
looking at the upcoming election process that will require registering
stakeholders as voters, and setting the time, place and process for board member
elections.
Looking toward future elections, interim President Sotelo
mentioned how "we will define our stakeholders," a discussion she had brought up
previously in June. She apparently was exposing her ignorance on this matter, as
the City Charter already defines stakeholders as everyone who "lives, works, or
owns property" in the area. Present City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo has also
stated in an opinion to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment this year,
that "the charter represents the supreme law of the city," and it "operates not
as a grant of power, but as an instrument of limitation," adding even more force
to his answer which denies the ability of Neighborhood Council's to define for
themselves the Charter's terms of "lives," "works," or "owns property."
She also faces criticism for using valuable meeting time
attempting to interrogate members of the public who attend the meeting on items
not on that evening's agenda.
Local Teen Earns Scouting "Eagle"
by Tom Topping
"Only 4% of scouts go on to earn the award of Eagle," said
Linda Patterson, mother of 18 year old Danny Patterson. "Eagle is the highest
you can earn," she proudly added. On September 29, 2:00 p.m., in the St.
Dominic's Community Center, Danny N. Patterson Jr. will add to his list of
scouting accomplishments when he accepts the badge of Eagle Scout.
Starting as a "Tiger" Scout in first grade, he worked his way
up. He has gotten a lot out of scouting, learning skills a city kid does not
normally get. He had a real winning streak going in Scouting's 'Pinewood
Derby'(miniature hand carved wooden race cars), winning numerous trophies over
the years.
"I'm proud of the kid... he's always been a positive guy," said dad Dan
Patterson. "He works hard and enjoys life."
He received both the 'Ad Altare Dei' and the 'Par Vuli Dei'
medals, Catholic Scouting's highest religious awards, the second being issued by
the Pope. This, along with graduating from NASA Space Camp in Alabama, and
playing Varsity Football at Loyola High School perhaps contributed to his
earning a full Scholarship to Marymount College, where he is a freshman now.
Probably the most impact scouting has had on his future is
the experience and skills he gained in leadership. "He attended lots of
leadership classes... very good skills," Mrs. Patterson noted. His faher Dan Sr.
said, "He did the complete planning, all on his own for (Boy Scout) Troop 199's
trip to Mt. Mc Kinley, maps, logistics, everything... he's just a natural born
leader."
The final project to earn his Eagle badge was to organize a
major community service project that benefitted the community and was also a
training exercise for other scouts. He chose to renovate a storage structure at
St. Dominic's and had to enlist the help of professionals and the donations of
businesses to complete it, which he did last year.
Along with the Eagle Badge have come letters of
congratulations and acknowledgment from the City Councilman, the Mayor, the
Governor and the President of the United States. Congratulations Danny! Way to
Go!
Rewards Increase to Erase Graffiti
The Los Angeles City Council recently approved an
increase in rewards as part of its efforts to curb graffiti. Under the proposal,
rewards offered to those who turn in graffiti vandals will increase from $500 to
$1,000. “One of the worst signs we can see in a neighborhood is graffiti,” said
Councilman Dennis Zine, who originally called for the increase. “This is one way
we can try to get people involved and keep our city clean.”
El Sereno Community Fair
The neighbors of El Sereno are pleased to announce the EL
SERENO COMMUNITY FAIR on Saturday, September 7 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM on
Huntington Drive (Between Van Horne & Barratt Road). Join us for Free Food, Live
Entertainment, and lots of Activities for the Kids. Meet Councilmember Nick
Pacheco and other City Representatives.
Come out and find out about the City resources available to
assist you. Area residents have worked very hard to plan this event. Please
bring your family, friends and neighbors to make it a huge success.
For more information contact: Berny Motto/Miguel Medina (323) 226-1646.
Dear Tom,
Your comments about the traffic striping in front of T-Joes are appreciated. In
fact, much to my dismay, I've caught myself in the wrong place a couple times,
either headed up Dahlia or turning into Joe's. Something needs to be done before
someone dies.
Speaking of T-Joes, I was appalled at your story of Julius and the management at
Joe's. Although I understand their concerns about safety and security for
employees and patrons, and every situation has two sides, it is unimaginable to
me that they would not address the situation immediately by meeting with Julius.
If I were the one tossed out, I would expect no less than a public apology from
the store and the corporation, along with a letter of apology posted in a
conspicuous place at the entrance, PLUS a nice settlement in cash or groceries -
maybe for life :)
By the way, I still see your old van, had known it wasn't you driving it for the
past few years, but now, I may just honk, wave, and give a thumbs-up to Julius.
Keep up the good work, Tom, your paper is greatly appreciated... Dave Hill (60
year resident)
Moon Canyon Development
The Mount Washington Homeowners Alliance has had many requests to get more
information about the proposed Moon Canyon development project and in response
we have scheduled an information meeting for all interested parties to gather
information and exchange ideas. The meeting will be held on September 10 at the
Carlin G. Smith Recreation Center at 7:00 pm.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul seeks
donations
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is facing a severe shortage of usable donated
household items such as couches, chairs, tables, drawers, coffee tables and
major appliances.
Backpacks, notebooks, paper, dividers and writing instruments are also needed
for 20 disadvantaged children in OUR local area. School items should be marked
as ‘St Vincent de Paul Back-to-School Program’ and can be dropped off at Saint
Bernard Church located at 2500 West Avenue 33. Monetary donations can be sent to
Mr. Larry Sepulveda at Saint Bernard Church.
Item sold in St. Vincent de Paul’s thrift stores help find numerous outreach
programs to help improve the quality of life for disadvantaged and homeless
families in western San Bernardino County, Mira Loma and the counties of Los
Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The Society operates shelters, a camp for
low-income children and provides emergency assistance to families/individuals in
extreme need.
Donations are also sometimes distributed to families deemed at-risk and in need
of assistance. This done through the Society’s 1,300-plus volunteers (called
Vincentians) who assist the needy on a regular basis. Part of their work
includes home visits and teaching the needy new ways to improve their lives so
they won’t have to rely on charity to survive.
To have your usable furniture picked up, please call (800) 974-3571. You can
visit the Society’s web site at www.svdpla.org
Senior Events
September third brought together the monthly board meeting followed by birthday
cake.
Mel and Virginia Paulson, Program Chairmen have asked a Park Ranger to speak
about “Preserving Our Parks” at the September 10 meeting.
September 17 brings a special trip: “Summer Splash.” Members will enjoy a trip
to Newport Beach and Balboa. After lunch at the Shorehouse Café there will be a
boat cruise of the harbor and on returning to the bus, a drive to Balboa Island
will allow time for browsing through the shops. The cost is $44.00 and it
departs from the Eagle Vista Recreation Center at 10:00 a.m., returning at 5:00
p.m.
September 24 - BINGO - Lou Agrati, caller.
NOTE: Final payment for the trip to Oak Glen is due by September 27. Your check
for $40 should be made payable to Glassell Park and forwarded to Phyllis Mejia.
Meetings are always held at the Eagle Vista Recreation Center, 1100 Eagle Vista
Drive at 10:00 a.m. Tuesdays unless otherwise stated.
September 11 Concert
Eagle Rock Baptist Church celebrates America courage and commitment on the
One-year anniversary of September 11 with The Home of the Brave concert. There
will be two performances, one on Sept. 11 at 7 pm and one on Sept. 15 at 6 pm at
Eagle Rock Baptist Church, 1499 Colorado Blvd. Tickets are FREE and available
for pick up at church office. For information please call: 255-4611.
New ROCK Schedule
The ROCK Teen Center has recently announced its fall schedule. Steps 2 Success
is for students entering 7th and 8th grade, limited to a total of 24 students,
12 Mon. and Wed. and 12 on Tues. and Thurs. The free homework tutoring program
begins September 23.
An art class, taught by Ninfa Guzman, is Mondays at 4:30 starting September 9
and the computer center will start six week classes September 9 and October 28.
For additional information on the ROCK programs stop by at 1597 Yosemite Drive
or call 257-6102.
Square Dancing
Dancing is Healthy and Keeps you young. The Eagle Rock Square Strutters Square
Dance Club has been dancing in this area for more than 40 years. The oldest
member, Venita Picinich is 95 years young. She dances every ‘tip’, she line
dances, takes Spanish lessons, walks to the store and backpacks her groceries
home. The men in their 80’s still dance, do house repairs, volunteer work and
all are avid computer fans.
Club members range in age from 12 to 95 and are happy to help teach their skills
to new dancers. The older members no longer do high kicks or fast twirls but
could help the beginners learn all the fun things.
A donation of $3 is requested for an evening of fun. Classes are September 12
and 19. For more information call Frances Nourse at (818) 246-7748 or (626)
284-6747.
Garvanza Issues with Development
by Joe Walker
In Highland Park, a few hundred feet from the Pasadena
border, is a section of rolling hills that is almost completely untouched from
the days when cattle and sheep of the Verdugo Rancho grazed here 120 plus years
ago. If you don't know how to find it, you'd never even know it was there.
Nestled on one side of where Ave 66 ends north of Meridian Street at Elder
Street is one of the last remaining privately owned open spaces in Highland
Park. If the developer gets his way, over 10 townhomes will be crammed into this
slice of a hillside, destroying the natural habitat and taking away the peaceful
nature of this quiet cul-de-sac.
Over 50 Garvanza area residents met on Wednesday, August 14
to discuss the pending development and to hear neighbor's concerns. Many of the
speakers expressed frustration and anger with what they perceive to be Pacheco's
bias towards the developer and what they feel is his lack of interest in
maintaining the open space.
The first speaker at the meeting, spoke about the work her
group had done in terms of rebuilding the historic walkway behind San Pascual
Elementary and explained how the DWP was working with her folks to get the area
landscaped and properly irrigated. The hard work of many volunteers was greatly
appreciated but, local vandals are waging their own local war of terrorism
against the stairway.
The main purpose of the loosely organized meeting was the
previously mentioned development, and most people at the Garvanza meeting were
very adamant in their opposition. Several people present explained that it was
pretty much a done deal, and the best they could hope for would be for the
project to be as scaled down as much as possible, with only a minimum amount of
disruption to the community. One
elderly resident of the area lamented the destruction of the hillside and urged
a fight be waged against the developer and against City Hall. The main advocate
of the "done deal" side told him that he was "living in a parallel universe of
unreality" and that his thoughts were totally irrelevant. Tensions increased for
a few minutes, and the meeting broke up shortly after without any sort of
conclusion or plans made for future gatherings.
Anyone who had questions about how a large development can
impact an area can drive less than a mile away. Go east on North Ave 60, past
where the Dragon Pearl Restaurant used to be in the quaint community of Hermon,
and make a sharp left on Pine Crest. Or, just follow the huge signs and
occasional human billboards, (and you thought there wasn't work in Highland
Park!) There they can witness firsthand what happens when tranquil open space
falls under the eye of outside developers.
Several years ago, this 20 acre site was populated by only a
few older houses and lots of native plants and animals. A series of developers
bought and sold the property with the idea of making it into an ultra-chic
expensive housing development with over 85 homes, similar to what you see in the
hills of Glendale. Of course, the Hermon Hills are not the Verdugo Hills, and
local residents quickly held the builders accountable to local laws regarding
noise and traffic regulations. Many neighbors learned the hard way that the far
away owners of the property had zero interest in how they impacted the
neighborhood, and it was not uncommon for workers to show up on the site at odd
hours and make a tremendous amount of noise. Meetings were held, promises were
made, and when the promises were expected to be honored, the local residents
would learn that the property was actually owned by a tricky structure of
corporations, none accountable to the agreements and contracts earlier signed.
The latest name for the tract of 89 homes is "Oak Hill".
Arroyo Seco NC Hearing Delayed
In a blow to the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council (ASNC), the Board of
Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC) at its August 28, 2002 public hearing
"...voted to take the ASNC item off the agenda of the September 12 public
hearing in favor of having a hearing that would be located in the Cypress Park/
Arroyo Seco community," according to a statement released last week by the
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. While no new date has been set for the
ASNC hearing, it may have to wait "...until the public hearing for the Greater
Cypress Park Neighborhood Council".
"I understand that the current ASNC leadership is under some pressure to get
certified," said GCPNC steering committee member, John Edwards, "but to accept,
even push for, a hearing on the other side of L.A., in Bel Air or Mar Vista or
some other distant location, is hard to understand. "While GCPNC supporters were
fighting to get the hearing moved back into our neighborhood, I was amazed to
hear ASNC supporters demand that the hearing take place in Mar Vista."
The Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council commended BONC for its ruling.
They say it would have been a tremendous hardship for many stakeholders to
participate in a public hearing so far away.
Friends of Neighborhood Endorses GCPNC
The Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council is pleased to announce that the
Friends of the Neighborhood (FoN) has endorsed it in its quest to become a
certified neighborhood council. This is the third endorsement for the GCPNC
within the last week.
"This is a very important endorsement for us," said the GCPNC interim chair, Art
Pulido, "Friends of the Neighborhood is an association of homeowners, renters
and small businesses and it has an accomplished record of getting better City
services to that part of Cypress Park."
Since its formation in May 2001, FoN has successfully lobbied for better City
services, including regular bulky items pick ups, a first class graffiti clean
up program, and, with the help of Councilman Garcetti, received many traffic and
stop signs.
Carlos Ortega, a small business owner and a founder of FoN, said, "We are very
happy to endorse the Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council because we have
worked very successfully with its leadership in getting things done in our
neighborhood. "There is a lot (of) support for the GCPNC in this area."
Metro Gallery
Joyride: Hot Rods and Fast Cars comes to a stop on September 22
A continuing exhibition of ink drawings by Dan Quarnstrom, well-known
illustrator and special effects designer in Los Angeles. The detail drawings
depict “hot rods and fast cars” in warped motion. An expertise with perspective,
knowledge of engines, and a reverence for work of Ed Big Daddy Roth, and Ron
Williams are apparent.
The Metro Gallery is open Friday through Sunday from Noon to 5:00 p.m. at 64
North Raymond Avenue in Old Pasadena. For information call: (626) 440-7379.
The Hischier Collection
Traveling by longboat from village to village, trekking in the land of the tree
house people, paddling up river, being shot at with bows and arrows -- this is
the life of collector and trader of Asmat art, Phyllis Hischier. Her collection,
like the perilous collecting trips, is rich with mystery and tribal magic.
Following the ancient traditions, virtually every item is made and named for an
ancestor -- stressing the spirit power of each ritual and utilitarian object
from the Asmat carvers.
Erasing the myth that only the pre-1960 pieces reflect true Asmat Art, the
Hischier collection of soul boats, spirit figures, ancestor poles and ceremonial
masks and more awakens the inner connection to the primal heartbeat of our own
ancient beginnings. It makes one's heart beat faster just being in the presence
of these intriguing artworks.
Townsend Gallery is located at 1581 West Colorado, on the north corner of
Townsend Ave. and West Colorado Blvd., in Eagle Rock, California. Hours are
Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 11a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday by
appointment. For further information and images, please call (323) 478-9513.
The Censored
Stories at Avenue 50 Studio
The Avenue 50 Studio is proud to present a new series of drawings by public
artist/muralist Roberto Delgado and collage artist Deborah Krall - two
politically charged Los Angeles based artists. The opening reception will be
held on September 7 from 7 to 11 pm.
INCA Performs
at Eagle Rock Library
INCA, one of the leading South American music ensembles, will perform at the
Eagle Rock Library on Saturday, September 21, at 4 p.m. Last year's performance
was a smash - practically SRO!
Performed in their original format, INCA's music illustrates the variety found
in Peru's mountains and jungles. The traditional string, wind and percussion
instruments include bamboo panpipes, a guitar made on an armadillo shell, and an
Afro-Peruvian percussion instrument made from a donkey's jaw.
INCA's concert is made possible with grants from the Los Angeles County Arts
Commission and the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department. Don't miss
this free family concert on Saturday, September 21! The Eagle Rock Library is
located at 5027 Caspar Avenue. For more information, call (323) 258-8078.
Art Word Song Dance
Another great Art/ Music/ Performance Event is on the horizon - and it's free!
September 8th is the date and the venue is a 300-seat amphitheatre tucked into
the hills behind Occidental College. The amphitheatre has been dormant for many
years and this is the first event that the organizers hope will bring the arena
back to life. I visited the space with them last weekend and I am very excited
to be involved in this event. The line up of musical and performance acts is
very good and for those of you who may have missed the performances of GLANK at
Gallery Figueroa, this is another chance to see them again for free (before they
go big time and start charging exorbitant sums of money for their shows!). I
will be there for the entire duration of the show, slinging paint and creating a
"live action" mural. We are also suggesting that you make an afternoon of it and
bring a picnic basket along with you - the seats are built into the hillside and
have plenty of room to spread out your picnic goodies.
Colombo’s JAZZ
Monday Night Jam Session at Colombo’s is getting an interesting and varied
turnout. Eric Ekstrand on Piano is joined by other local musicians. On stand up
Bass is 17 year old Jeff Wall, Grandson of Roe Muzingo.
The folks attendng are decidedly a Jazz audience, laid back, cool and friendly.
You never know who might show up next Monday. Music starts at 9:00 p.m and goes
until late.
Women’s Work Call for Entries
The 2nd Annual Juried Exhibit sponsored by Women in Design Los Angeles, appears
soon at the Eagle Rock Cultural Center, & Gallery Ophelia.
Women in Design Los Angeles are proud to present its second annual juried art
exhibition "Women's Work". This year, Gallery Ophelia & The Eagle Rock Community
Cultural Center will jointly host the event. Both have beautiful exhibition
spaces, within a block of each other, in Eagle Rock.
This show was conceived as a forum for women working as artists and designers in
Los Angeles to show their works together, to generate a dialog about women and
work, and to give women an outlet to voice their creative passions. Through
painting, collage, assemblage, photography, installation and sculpture, Women's
Work is a show about the multi-dimensional lives women lead.
Submission deadline
Sept 12th, 2002
Show dates Oct 2nd - 31st
Reception date October 5th
The ERCCC and Gallery Ophelia receive a 35% commission on all artwork that is
sold.
Eligibility & Media: Open to artists of all ages working in painting, collage &
assemblage, photography, sculpture and installation. Sculpture must be
accompanied by own pedestal. All artwork must be for sale. Art in private
collections will not be accepted.
Submission Requirements:
a. All entries must include a submission form and slides or professional quality
photographic prints.
b. Slides and photos should be marked clearly with name, title, medium and slide
orientation direction.
Questions of submission of work can be directed to:
Gallery Ophelia, Candace Allen, 2114 Colorado Boulevard. Eagle Rock, CA 90041,
323.982.9945
Newest Attraction at the Townsend Gallery
Once again, the Townsend Gallery is our window to the world. One of Mexico's
finest contemporary artists shares his gift in the shadow of the famous Eagle
Rock. Presenting a bold collection of over 30 paintings entitled "Cera y Ceriza"
("Wax and Ashes") through November 2nd, Javier Cortes presents his remarkable
homage to the elements of nature -- the evolutionary cycle of life, death and
rebirth. Carefully, in almost ritual fashion, Cortes technically applies and
layers iridescent mineral colors with nature's castoff materials. Leaves from a
secret walkway, dust from the rafters of a church, a crumpled broadside --
mundane ingredients bonded magically together by layers of wax, infusing the
paintings with the smell of fire, the crunch of fallen leaves, the dampness of
morning dew. The rhythms are subtle, without beginning, without end. The genius
of Javier Cortes infuses them with the elements of life. Ashes and dust, birth
and death.
Born in Zacatecas in 1965, Javier Cortes studied at the Universidad Autonama de
Zacatecas and the Escuela National de Artes Plasticas in Mexico City. Cortes was
honored with a solo exhibition at the Museo Francisco Gottia, Zacatecas, in
1998, featured in a group exhibition of Mexican artists in Los Angeles in 1999,
and most recently, in 2001, at Boudreau-Ruiz Gallery in Newport Beach,
California.
The artist will be in attendance at the opening events. The open reception will
be held Saturday, September 7th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Gallery Figueroa Presents
What Price Freedom?
A group show exploring what freedom means - and to whom.
The image of the jet hurtling into the World Trade Center is branded into the
American conscience like an insidious tattoo. Memories of those who lost their
lives continue to haunt us. It is for those lives we’re told by our leaders,
that we are now in a state of war. It was for those 3,000 mothers, fathers,
daughters and sons that we sent troops to Afghanistan. It is for those who died
that we accept as facts that everyone with a Middle Eastern name is suspect, and
anyone who questions our government is a traitor.
As we stagger toward the one-year anniversary of 9/11/01, a group of artists
dares to ask, "What price have we paid for our freedom? Who has paid that price?
And just who among us is truly free?"
Who: Los Angeles artists Abel Alejandre, Xian (Cindy) Suriyani, Joseph Beckles,
Jennifer Murphy, Manuel Martinez, and Daniel Velazquez.
Exhibition dates: Now through September 29
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 7, from 7- 11 p.m.
Special event: Saturday, September 21, 7 - 11 p.m. featuring speakers,
performance, and poetry.
Where: Gallery Figueroa, 6122 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park 258-5939
"What price freedom?" explores what it means to be free in both personal and
confrontational terms. Using oil paint, sculpture, and installation, the artists
challenge viewers to see beyond political rhetoric and to question what is right
and what is wrong. Is our freedom to consume worth the price of battle? Is our
right to use a seemingly endless supply of oil worth hundreds of civilian
deaths? When is our need for revenge satiated, and what is the cost for that
revenge?
The time for tears and memorials has passed. As 9/11/02 approaches, we must now
ask the tough questions-and demand answers.
Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and by
appointment. For more information, contact Gallery Figueroa at (323) 258-5939.