Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council – Get Involved! The Historic Highland Park NC will host a mini forum in response to the preliminary draft of the new Los Angeles City Council districts. A guest speaker representing the City of Los … Continue reading
Los Angeles–On Sunday, February 5, 2012 Heritage Square Museum and Yale Cabaret Hollywood join forces to share the captivating “Tales of the Old West”. Performed inside the magnificent 1876 Perry Mansion parlor, join fourth-generation storyteller, playwright, and actress Barbara Bragg, … Continue reading
At Range View and 50 by Caroline Aguirre On late Sunday afternoon, 01-29-2012, at approximately 4:20 pm, several of us were having a dinner meal. We observed a Black and White police vehicle traveling north on Avenue 50 at Rangeview … Continue reading
Councilmember Huizar’s proposal to ban all medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles was unanimously approved by the City Planning Commission Thursday. The Councilmember attended the meeting in Van Nuys to speak in support of the proposal. In light of a … Continue reading
So many important community issues were aired at the January 2012 Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce Board meeting, that it may well be a preview of what the new year has in store for the community of Eagle Rock. On … Continue reading
How L.A. City Council Got Those Huge $178,789 Salaries – Page 1 – News – Los Angeles – LA Weekly.
Gomez gets 59% of vote for Democratic Party endorsement near super-majority of Democrats prefer him for official party candidate On Sunday, nearly 60% of Democratic Party delegates in the 51st district voted to make Jimmy Gomez the official candidate of … Continue reading
Abode Communities Teams with LAUSD on Landmark Project that Combines Living and Learning WHEN: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 3:00 p.m. WHERE: Rio Vista Apartments 3000 Verdugo Road Glassell Park, CA 90065 WHAT: Abode Communities, LAUSD, Los … Continue reading
Jan, 17, 2012 – Eagle Rock, CA – Allen Compton tells about the Colorado Boulevard Median Pilot Project at the Eagle Rock Historical Society Meeting
The January 17 meeting of the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society was an unusual one, as custom of looking at Eagle Rock’s past was foregone for the present, and future of Eagle Rock. The meeting billed as “What Now?” was a play on the “Then and Now” mantra of historians and featured presentations from the leaders of various efforts to improve the community, and “…continue our history of innovation and activism,” as the pre-meeting announcement read.
First up was Allen Compton, who is working on the Median Planting Committee sponsored by Councilman Huizar. They are working on a pilot project on Colorado Blvd. The Historical Society members got to hear and see what types of plants and landscaping design the committee has recommended for the Median between Hermosa Avenue and Argus Drive. They have suggested drought resistant plants and a oak and sycamore trees as well as well as special drainage strategies to make use of stormwater.
Bob Keith of Occidental College talked about the desire of Occidental College to develop relationships with the local Historical Societies, and talked about a couple of projects that they are working on. The preservation and digitization of the collection of old community newspapers from Eagle Rock and Highland Park is in progress. They had accepted the offer of Kirken Alanakian of the big ugly orange senior housing development to store these old newspapers and to work on converting them into an electronic format.
Another interesting effort already underway related to the “WayBack” machine, the Internet archive project that saves and provides access to everything that has been on the world wide web. They purchased a subscription that will search out and specifically archive everything relating to the local communities history on the internet and Occidental College’s as well. He also talked about a Google “History Pin,” which is a virtual place where people come together to share their historical pictures and stories and allows visitors to explore Google Maps through an extra dimension which is time. Locations show up on a google map going back into time. Fascinating. I need to look into that a bit more.
Next we heard from Bob Gotham, President of TERA, the Eagle Rock Association. He told about the progress of the Take Back the Boulevard effort, and invited all to come to the formal meeting on the subject this Thursday at 7:00 p.m., also at the Center for the Arts.
Finally, Carmen Castillo, who has accepted the responsibility of leading the organization founded by John Stillion, the Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful. She talked about their progress and latest plans for the beautification of Eagle Rock, including the median and parkway plantings on Eagle Rock Boulevard. Also given was an update of the 4.5 acres of wilderness that the Eagle Rock Canyon Trail is on. A fun video of the trail including the directions of how to reach it was shown as well.
Carmen finished with a plea for volunteers and donations from community members.
President Eric Warren finished the meeting by announcing the meetings to follow this week, the High Speed Rail presentation organized by the ERCPR group on Wednesday at Eagle Rock City Hall, and the Take Back the Boulevard workshops to be held Thursday right back at the Ce nter for the Arts Eagle Rock.
Posted in Arts and Entertainment, CD14, COMMUNITIES, Eagle Rock, Events, PEOPLE
Participate in Mayors Villaraigosa’s budget survey by clicking here:
Mayor’s Budget Survey, City of Los Angeles.
January 15, 2012 – Highland Park, CA – AD51 Candidates, Luis Lopez, Arturo Chavez and Jimmy Gomez at the AD51 Northeast L.A. Candidate Forum.
by Tom Topping
The middle of the day on Sunday, January 15th, didn’t seem like the usual time for a candidate forum, but the Northeast area event turned out to be informative and well attended. As it was organized by members of the Stonewall Democratic club, and members of the Democratic Central Committee and the Democratic State Central Committee, the candidates were, of course, all democrats, and just happened to be all latino as well.
It was not easy to differentiate one from the other when it came to their positions on issues like taxation and supporting labor unions, education and healthcare. However, the life experiences of the three candidates, and their individual abilities to communicate are what set them apart most.
The 51st Assembly District is completely new since the redistricting commission finished their work last year, and encompasses all of Northeast L.A., East L.A. Silver Lake and part of Downtown. It is a predominantly Latino district.
The first candidate to speak, Luis Lopez, was appointed by Mayor Villaraigose and has served on the East L.A. Local Planning Commission for the last few years. He came out hard for public workers saying, “Public workers are the pathways to opportunity that I will fight for.” He added that, if elected, he would work to implement the Federal Health Care Reform, to eliminate the 2/3 majority now required to raise taxes and tax the wealthiest of Californians.
Arturo Chavez, who came from his roots as a middle school teacher, was in business for 15 years, until workers comp reform put him out of business. He then worked for CD1 Councilman Ed Reyes for a few years before joining the office of State Senator Gil Cedillo.
He claimed partial credit for his efforts in passing the Dream Act, which pays for the College education of illegal immigrants as well as the latest legislation aimed at preventing the impounding of unlicensed driver’s cars when they are stopped by police.
I have to say I was subtly impressed with Jimmy Gomez, who started out by working at both Subway and Target. He worked his way up to an education at UCLA where he earned a BA in Political Science and a minor in urban planning. He went on to earn a master in public policy degree from Harvard’s School of Government. He went on to work for L.A. City councilman Mike Feuer’s office and Congresswoman Hilda Solis.
He said he had witnessed people trying to make ends meet at $6.20 an hour, and that, as Assemblyman, he wanted to make sure that health care companies put people ahead of profits. He said he was endorsed by Councilmen Garcetti and Reyes and and Congresswoman Judy Chu.
When asked what the candidates thought of the Governor’s tax initiative, they all were in favor of it and Chavez added that we should also vote for the severance tax on every barrel of oil that is removed from California soil. Luis Lopez chimed in with his desire to remove the Proposition 13 protections from commercial properties. Jimmy Gomez added that the oil severance tax should be 25% and that he was in favor of closing loopholes on corporations as well.
On criminal system reforms, they all were opposed to the death penalty because it coast so much due to all the appeals that it brings, eliminating the three strikes law that ties can impose a lifetime sentence on misdemeanor offenders and that more investment in early intervention was needed.
The next issue was how to help the unemployed. Jimmy Gomez vouched for greater tax credits so that film and television production would stay in the state (In favor of a sort of corporate loophole… odd, right after he had just vouched for closing corporate loopholes a few minute earlier.)
Luis Lopez wanted to “grow” health care jobs.
They all were for public transportation and against the 710 freeway extension, with Arturo Chavez taking some of the credit for legislation under Gil Cedillo prohibiting an above ground option for the 710, and for managing the 710 Caltrans properties.
Overall, my impression was that Luis Lopez was well spoken, but came off as a heartless bureaucrat. Arturo Chavez, who by-the-way was not endorsed by his former boss Ed Reyes, was knowledgeable, but his speaking style was hard to hear and hard to follow. I thought I might have picked up a hint of resignation or weariness in his tone, but maybe that was just his gray hairs talking.
Jimmy Gomez was pretty good; smart, energetic and with some life experiences that Sacramento just might need. Of course, it always worries me when I think a politician is good, because it is really a double edged sword. Sometimes, the better they are the worse they are but for the democratic candidates in the newly drawn 51st, it’s about as good as it’s going to get.
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! On behalf of Councilmember Huizar and the entire Council District 14 staff, we want to wish you all a happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Please note that in observance of this great American, … Continue reading
The investigation will be held on Saturday, February 4, from 7:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The night will begin with a brief orientation and welcome by the staff of Heritage Square and Haunted Orange County. Guests will then be divided … Continue reading
Please join North East Trees for a memorial to celebrate Scott Wilson’s life and legacy. The event has been scheduled for Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at 1:00 pm at the Herrick Memorial Chapel and Interfaith Center at Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041. Please join us and other North East Trees supporters who make Scott’s vision possible.
Posted in CD14, Eagle Rock, Education, Events, PEOPLE
Northeast Community Newsletter: Friday, January 6th, 2012 UPCOMING EVENTS Christmas Tree Recycling Program The City of LA Bureau of Sanitation has expanded curbside collection for Christmas trees. All trees will be recycled into compost … Continue reading
Police searching for gunman in Highland Park
via Police searching for gunman in Highland Park — The Eastsider LA.
Posted in CD14, Highland Park, NEWS
Folk Art Everywhere locations & art currently on view Artists, lenders and object titles listed below locations (check location hours here) http://www.cafam.org/folkarteverywhere.html 24th St. Theatre, near USC Anonymous, The Object Pictured Here Cinnamon Vegetarian Restaurant, Highland Park Sonia Romero, Untitled … Continue reading
Highland Park, CA (January 2, 2012) – Fitness studio Anatomy Fitness had let all their members know that they would be closing their doors. Throughout the two years of operation, Anatomy had developed a strong following and many were sad to hear their beloved neighborhood fitness studio would be no longer.
Upon hearing this news Nancy Corrales approached the owners to see if the business was for sale. Nancy had left the corporate world and began working at a yoga/dance studio over a year ago. She enjoyed the environment at the studio so much that she made it a goal to open one of her own some day. When she heard the news about Anatomy she saw this as an opportunity to fulfill her dreams.
A deal was made and Anatomy Fitness will remain in Highland Park. When local residents found out that Anatomy would stay open there was much excitement and congratulations. Nancy plans to continue the great environment that was created over the past two years. It officially opened on December 27, 2011. The Open House/Grand Opening is set for Saturday January 7, 2012 from 11:00am to 4:30pm.
About Anatomy Fitness:
Anatomy is a fitness studio offering classes such as yoga, mat pilates, Zumba, kickboxing and strength and tone. Personal training will be available as well.
5215 York Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90042
www.anatomyla.com
ncorrales@live.com
Posted in CD14, Highland Park, LOCAL BUSINESSES, NEWS
Like cities and states across the country, Los Angeles continues to face significant economic challenges. While the City has made progress in recent years towards cutting costs and operating more efficiently, additional steps must be taken to achieve long-term financial sustainability. The Mayor’s Office and the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates believe that the input and participation of local communities and Neighborhood Councils in the budget development process is critical to the adoption of a spending plan that reflects the needs and priorities of Los Angeles’ diverse communities.
In each of the last six budget cycles, the Mayor’s Office, with help from the Budget Advocates, has facilitated a structured process for gathering budget input, primarily through an annual community budget survey. This year the budget survey will be released by January 15. In order to get input from all Angelinos and Neighborhood Councils. The Mayor’s Budget Survey will be available for input between January 15 – February 15. Survey hardcopies will also be available in English and Spanish. The deadline for submission of survey responses is February 22.
The Mayor’s Office would like to hear from as many stakeholders in our local communities as possible. Once the survey is released, please help share the opportunity to participate with your neighbors. The survey will be hosted on the city’s website at: LACity.org Look for the Mayor’s Budget Survey link.
A Budget Forum is also being planned for NELA on Monday, January 30th, 6pm, location to be determined.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Joseph Hari, Neighborhood and Community Services, at joseph.hari@lacity.org, or Heinrich Keifer, Neighborhood Budget Advocate for the East Area at Hkeifer101@sbcglobal.net or call 323-385-4935.
ARTIST-ON-THE-JOB NAMES DOG PARK SCULPTURE “HERMON ON THE BALL” December 29, 2011 — Local artist Jolino Beserra has named his sculptural mascot for Hermon Dog Park appropriately and cleverly, “Hermon on the Ball.” Over the last decade the small, historic … Continue reading
Property crime reports are up significantly. Latest complete week Dec. 16–Dec. 22 0 violent crimes 8 property crimes 5.9 crimes per 10,000 people * In the seven days between Dec. 16 and … Continue reading
The DWP’s intends to raise Water and Sewer prices again and continue to do so over a ten year period, if we do not try and stop it. If you are a DWP customer, you must get involved. Sewer Rates … Continue reading
Montecitans;
Many of us live in Montecito Heights for what is not here — houses everywhere. For all of us, it is just a short walk to open space with the attendant views. The San Gabriels, snow, dusky sunshine, thunderheads, our almost close-enough-to-touch downtown skyscrapers and the iconic city hall, the Hollywood sign seen backwards from the way the world knows it above the Griffith Observatory, sun glinting on water off Santa Monica, the Vincent Thomas Bridge and the harbor’s gigantic Praying Mantis container gantries, city lights, stars overhead, Catalina Island. The city and the mountains. Not only are there not many cities with similar first-class views, not many people in Los Angeles have what we have.
This is a good time to think about how much we value what we have.
Fencing off access to the open area between Montecito Drive and Lincoln Heights is a demoralizing blow. Some of us will find a way in anyway (my wife and I have), some will be dissuaded, and others will bemoan the loss of what they simply knew was there (something like loving LA for its museums and music, but going to neither). We thrive on the proximity of art and music and open space.
Some will write this off as a private property issue. Perhaps it is, but I doubt it. The same was thought of the path at the end of Montecito Drive, but, lo and behold, it proved to be a public easement!
Here’s the question for the holiday season: Is access to our neighboring Flat Top (which needs a better name, since it’s only a tiny knob in about a hundred open acres) worth lifting a finger to preserve? How much do you value it?
For the sake of providing some historical perspective, let’s remember that the wall and gates on Montecito Drive are the consequence of efforts of this community, not the church that owns the adjacent forty acres, to deal with a very serious problem of outsiders, including gangs, who made it impossible for homeowners on Fenn and Thomas to come or go. Summer weekend nights were especially problematic. There were sexual assaults, drugs, gatherings of hundreds of cars, vandalism and thefts on Montecito. The LAPD could not cope. It was we who lived here who worked for several years to get unanimity among the residents beyond Flat Top to agree to a locked vehicle gate. Then the church had to be persuaded. Once the wall and gates were built, members of the community had a work party to paint the wall. But at no time were neighboring pedestrians meant to be kept out. If that had been the aim, we would not have advocated for the wall and gates in the first place. Only this week, 24 years after the wall and gates went up, are we being locked out.
I maintain we have a prescriptive easement over Radio Rd., Gilig, Fenn, Thomas, et cetera. Since Aimee Semple McPherson had the curbs poured to delineate the streets for her proposed tabernacle more than eighty years ago, the residents of Montecito Heights have had routine access in the same way residents on Fenn and Thomas clearly have an easement right over the church’s roads. All these years of de facto access may equal de jure!
What’s the point in living here if, at least, the views can’t be yours? Please give this some thought.
Good holidays for all,
Jack Fenn
Posted in Arroyo Seco, CD14, Montecito Heights
President’s Message Hi, Fellow Northeast Democrats! I want to thank the club for reelecting me and the Board to another term. We are looking forward to a productive year as your team. The holiday party, food drive, and fundraiser were … Continue reading
1. ERNC meeting attendance- 2. Agenda-Executive Comm. Mtg. 12-26-11 Dear Board members and other interested parties, 1. The underwhelming response to my email survey of board members appears statistically very insignificant and so, in the absence of any clear showing … Continue reading
Wednesday, January 4th
9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
2222 Laverna Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90041
GLAD, the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, is hosting a free electronic waste collection and recycling event. Unwanted electronic items are toxic to the environment if improperly disposed, and this event offers you an opportunity to safely recycle them instead and also give back to your community by supporting the vital services that GLAD provides to deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Southern California.
Items that are accepted include the following: monitors, TVs, LCD monitors, mice & keyboards, cables & cords, computers, printers, shredders, and fax machines. Household and kitchen appliances and fluorescent bulbs are NOT accepted. Full data security and data destruction services are provided.
For more information, please contact Global e-Recyclers, Inc. at 562-321-9313 or visit www.gladinc.org.
Posted in CD14, Eagle Rock, Events, NEWS
Tom,
I was surprised to see this scene near my home in Highland Park yesterday. Apparently the guys at station 12 on Figueroa were kind enough to use their rigs to repair the cross on top of Grace Presbyterian Church’s steeple. It had become precariously tilted by the recent wind storm. How’s that for PR? …and maybe a bit of training in the process.
Photo John Minger
Posted in Arroyo Seco, CD14, Highland Park, NEWS
Protesters from Carpenters Local 944 put up their banner to protest the hiring of sub-contractor Temecula Valley Drywall, who they say does not meet area labor standards for all their carpentry craft workers. A call to Occidental College Communications seeking comment was not immediately returned, nor was a call to the local 944 seeking clarification
Posted in CD14, Eagle Rock, Education, Highland Park, NEWS
Northeast Community Newsletter: Friday, December 16th, 2011 Update on Wind Storm Tree Debris and Cleanup Thanks to the continuing hard work of thousands of Los Angeles City workers from DWP, Bureau of Street Services, and Bureau of Sanitation and many … Continue reading