February

Senior citizens age 65 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in L.A. but the vaccine rollout has been dogged by fear, misinformation and practical obstacles, like difficulty navigating the appointment system. | Photo by Al Seib for the L.A. Times via Getty Images

‘A dose of truth’ to fight vaccine unease in NELA

02/10/202102/18/2021 1190Leave a Comment

By Zach Goodwin

Artists' sketch of the mural "Earth Mother" by Ernesto de la Loza and his sister, Sandra de la Loza

Artists selected to create new mural in Highland Park

02/21/202103/03/2021 Angela Guglielmino1594Leave a Comment

By Angela Guglielmino Winners were announced on Monday in the competition to paint Highland Park’s next major mural: Ernesto de la Loza, an esteemed Chicano muralist, and Sandra de la Loza, an artist, mural expert and Ernesto’s sister, will work together to bring Ernesto’s design, Earth Mother, to the side wall of the new Planned […]

Three home sales that prove NELA buyers have not gone mad

02/02/202102/02/2021 Jeffery Marino1646Leave a Comment

Pandemic. Economic uncertainty. Political turmoil. Through it all, the housing market in Northeast Los Angeles continues to break records. Have NELA homebuyers lost their minds? The answer, in a word, is “No.” The main drivers of today’s prices are limited supply and healthy demand, as explained here. Against that backdrop, the price of a house […]

Sources: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Pasadena Public Health Department, City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Census Bureau | The New York Times

The unequal toll of the pandemic in NELA’s neighborhoods

02/03/202102/17/2021 T.A. Hendrickson1333Leave a Comment

By T.A. Hendrickson

“Frankly horrifying.” That’s how Barbara Ferrer, the head of public health in Los Angeles County has described the evidence showing that low-income communities of color have been hit much harder by the pandemic than richer, whiter communities. Check the evidence here.

"Buy Local" raffle winner Monica Alcaraz (right), said the $150 gift certificate is the 'first time I've ever won anything." At left is Ace Aguilera, owner of Comics VS Toys, where Alcaraz chose to spend the money. | Photo by Bill Hendrickson / Boulevard Sentinel

Winner is chosen in “Buy Local” raffle

02/02/202102/02/2021 T.A. Hendrickson1155Leave a Comment

By T. A. Hendrickson
Monica Alcaraz, a resident of Highland Park, is the winner in the Boulevard Sentinel’s latest “Buy Local” raffle. The Sentinel awarded Alcaraz a $150 gift certificate to use at the local merchant of her choosing. For Monica: “This is the first time I ever won something!” Ace Aguilera, proprietor of Comics vs. Toys, got the $150 and immediately took out his first ad in the Boulevard Sentinel! There’s more here.

Kevin de León pushes for prefab housing for the unhoused in NELA as part of broad agenda on homelessness

02/17/202102/26/2021 168112 Comments

By Justin Martinez

NELA’s state senator Durazo champions Medi-Cal coverage for elderly, undocumented residents

02/03/202102/03/2021 Bill Hendrickson1085Leave a Comment

By Bill Hendrickson

Rendering of the 3-story proposed building spreading out from the corner of Ave 64 and Garvanza Street in the Garvanza section of Highland Park. Rendering supplied by the SKYA Ventures.

Garvanza development faces heated opposition as builder seeks to move the project forward

02/10/202102/22/2021 Bill Hendrickson13596 Comments

By Bill Hendrickson

Artwork by Boulevard Sentinel

Recent real estate sales in NELA

02/01/202102/02/2021 Jeffery Marino9744Leave a Comment

Here is the latest sales data for single family home sales in NELA. See what sales have been doing near you.

Jimmy Gomez navigates national politics and local issues

02/02/202102/03/2021 Bill Hendrickson9802 Comments

By Bill Hendrickson

A park for the soul

01/31/202102/03/2021 15253Leave a Comment

By Christopher Nyerges

Lani Tunzi checks out her vegetarian options. | Photo by Leslie Tunzi

Lani Says: Vegetable Man

02/02/202102/03/2021 Lani Tunzi11648Leave a Comment

By Lani Tunzi

The mural by Joerael Numina at One Down Dog yoga in Eagle Rock. - Photo by Bill Hendrickson

The Wider World Takes Notice of NELA

02/03/202002/20/2020 admin18288Leave a Comment

This month’s Picks from the people who bring you the Boulevard Sentinel highlights NELA entities in the news from elsewhere. Check out the standouts here.

Photo | Boulevard Sentinel

Crime Watch in NELA – January 2020

02/03/202002/03/2020 Laura Brady-Allen14519Leave a Comment

This month Laura Brady-Allen reports LAPD arresting man in shooting death of 15 year-old, a stand-off, and a push for more cops on the beat.

You can get a flu shot from your regular health care provider or at a local pharmacy.

Health Alert: The Flu Season Is Not Over

02/03/2020 T.A. Hendrickson16096Leave a Comment

Health officials recommend a flu shot for everyone 6 months of age and older.

The Hammer Museum and the Huntington are collaborating on Made in L.A. 2020.

NELA Artists to Participate in Major Exhibition

02/02/2020 T.A. Hendrickson162821 Comment

Five artists who live or work in Northeast Los Angeles have been selected to participate in the fifth Made in L.A. biennial exhibition, which will take place at the Hammer Museum in Westwood and the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino from June 7 through August 30.

Photo courtesy of the San Joaquin Valley Sun

Teeing Up Another Vote to Keep Bars Open Later

02/01/202002/01/2020 T.A. Hendrickson15912Leave a Comment

Another effort to keep bars open later is taking shape in the California state Assembly.

Rendering of proposed mixed-use development at 1332 Colorado Blvd.

Real Estate News: Eagle Rock’s Pillarhenge Is Up for Sale, Again

02/01/2020 Bill Hendrickson173572 Comments

Owner says he is keeping his options open as to whether to build or sell Pillarhenge. Things like that can “make you go, hmmm.”

On Gentrification: Renewed Clash Over Gentrification

01/31/202002/18/2020 17517Leave a Comment

Who Speaks for Highland Park? Here’s our update.

Photo from Youtube.com

Lani says: Walk a Mile in My Shoes

02/12/2020 Lani Tunzi3135Leave a Comment

Being thrifty, it turns out, is environmentally sustainable. There’s a mini-economy in resold goods – mostly clothing. Read Lani’s report here.

Kaya McLean - Actor, 3rd Grader at Dahlia Heights Elementary, making debut with LA's Kentwood Players.

Editor’s Notebook: February, 2020 – fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar

02/17/2020 admin5835Leave a Comment

This Editor’s Notebook contains fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar.

L.A. River Park: City Solicits Big Ideas for Big Project

02/08/201803/31/2018 Bill Hendrickson1671Leave a Comment

Eighty years ago this month, on Sunday night, Feb. 27, 1938, a light rain began to fall in Los Angeles, a welcome shower in a long dry stretch. But relief turned to shock over the next few days, as two monster storms hit the area, causing the Los Angeles River to overflow its banks in […]

Community Input Is Sought on Improvement Plan for Eagle Rock Blvd.

02/07/201803/31/2018 T.A. Hendrickson23831 Comment

The future of Eagle Rock Boulevard will be like the present, only more of it, as taller and larger residential construction replaces the corridor’s low slung commercial buildings. To believe otherwise is to not believe your own eyes. But in one way, the future need not be like the present. Eagle Rock Blvd. can be […]

Storage Facility in Eagle Rock Gets a Thumbs Down

02/08/201803/31/2018 Bill Hendrickson1197Leave a Comment

Forty-five residents of Eagle Rock turned out on Tuesday evening, Jan. 24 to say “NO” to the proposal to build an 85,000 square foot storage facility on the Ernie Jr’s site at the west entrance to Eagle Rock. The occasion was a meeting of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) that had to be specially […]

Armed Robberies in NELA: New Details Emerge

02/07/201803/31/2018 T.A. Hendrickson1404Leave a Comment

A preliminary hearing in criminal court on Jan. 19 determined that there is enough evidence to proceed in the case against Sean Thomas King, 36, the man accused of several armed robberies in NELA in November, and Sabrina Casillas, 44, who has been charged with driving the getaway car. The pair is due back in […]

Trash Complaints Pile Up in NELA

02/06/201803/31/2018 Mary Lynch1539Leave a Comment

First, the good news. Garbage is now being picked on schedule at apartment buildings in NELA managed by Mission Properties and at Galco’s Soda Pop Shop on York Blvd. in Highland Park. That’s an improvement from last November, when the Boulevard Sentinel first spoke with those companies about L.A.’s new trash collection system for commercial […]

Rock ‘n Egg to Be Managed by Local Boxer

02/05/201803/31/2018 Reina Esparza23461 Comment

In September, 2016, when the Boulevard Sentinel first wrote about Carlos Morales, he had just become the North American Boxing Association Super Featherweight Champion. Since then, the 28-year old Mr. Morales, who lives in Highland Park, has won three of four more fights in some of boxing’s premier locations, including the MGM Grand in Las […]

Eagles Finish Second in Football Academic Challenge

02/04/201803/31/2018 Mary Lynch1490Leave a Comment

The Eagle Rock High boys’ football team came in second in the 2017 Football Academic Challenge, a competition held by the Los Angeles Rams and L.A. Unified School District to see which of four boys’ football teams would end the season with the highest grade point average. The winners, with an average G.P.A of 2.85 […]

Pillarhenge Project Moves Forward

02/03/201803/31/2018 Bill Hendrickson1313Leave a Comment

The proposed housing/commercial development at the Pillarhenge site in Eagle Rock was approved on Jan. 11 at a meeting of the City Planning Commission. At the meeting, the developer accepted additional conditions asked for by José Huizar, Eagle Rock’s City Councilmember for metered parking and additional lighting along Colorado Blvd. and a U-turn going west […]

Camilo’s Bistro in Eagle Rock Closes

02/02/201803/31/2018 T.A. Hendrickson1766Leave a Comment

Camilo and Amelia Gonzalez, the owners of Camilo’s Bistro in Eagle Rock, announced in an email on Jan. 19 that they had closed the restaurant. The email said that rising operating costs, personal illness and complications and the decline in business income had forced the closure after 18 years in business.

Fire Updates for NELA

02/01/201803/31/2018 T.A. Hendrickson12651 Comment

The cause of the fire on Dec. 14 in the hills near Occidental College is “undetermined,” according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. An “undetermined” label means that no specific cause can be established from two or more possible causes, though none of the possibilities indicate a fire intentionally set by someone. The LAFD has […]

Residents at Arthur K. Snyder Apartments Ask for Help

02/08/201803/31/2018 Mary Lynch14961 Comment

When Leonna Patton, a tenant at the Arthur K. Snyder affordable apartments in Eagle Rock, called the Boulevard Sentinel on the morning of Jan. 7, the trash at the complex, uncollected for a week, was overflowing the interior trash chutes and stacked nearly to the ceiling in the collection closet on the ground floor. I […]

NELA Real Estate in 2018: No Slowdown in Sight

02/08/201803/31/2018 Jeffery Marino2077Leave a Comment

It’s cliché at this point to say that the real estate market is “hot” in Northeast Los Angeles. It has been five years since Redfin, a real estate firm, ranked Highland Park as the nation’s hottest neighborhood and four years since Eagle Rock came in second in that same ranking. 2017 was yet another blockbuster […]

Remembering: Sister Dolores O’Dwyer

02/22/201803/31/2018 Mary Lynch24491 Comment

Sister Dolores O’Dwyer, the principal of St. Bernard Catholic School in Glassell Park for 36 years – from 1968 to 2004 – passed away peacefully on Dec. 16, 2017, age 94. Sister Dolores, who entered the religious order of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) in 1941, grew up in San […]

Remembering: Aileen Albrecht

02/19/201803/31/2018 admin2454Leave a Comment

Aileen Albrecht, who passed away in Newport, Wash., on Dec. 6, 2017, just shy of her 92nd birthday, spent the longest stretch of her long life in Eagle Rock, where she lived from 1957 to 1999. Eagle Rock was a long way from the Midwestern dairy farm where Aileen grew up, but shortly after […]

Remembering: Bill Westbrook

02/19/201803/31/2018 admin16741 Comment

When William G. Westbrook, III moved from Tampa to Eagle Rock in 2013 to be closer to family, it wasn’t just his family but his new community that benefitted from his relocation. “Bill,” who passed away on January 6 at age 74, brought with him his irrepressible creative spirit expressed in a love of […]

Get to Know: Angelina Sáenz

02/07/201810/27/2018 Reina Esparza2347Leave a Comment

When the mic opens this month at La Palabra, the long running poetry reading series at Avenue 50 Studio in Highland Park, the new host will be Angelina Sáenz, an award-winning teacher at Aldama Elementary in Highland Park, a published poet and children’s author, an L.A. Eastsider who overcame obstacles to become a master of […]

A Voice in the NELA Wilderness: Camping on Zero Dollars a Day

02/20/201803/31/2018 2060Leave a Comment

Camping in the hills of NELA was a big deal when I was a boy and looking back, I realize it was a no-budget activity. Today, I don’t mind spending money on an item if I know it’s the best and if my life may depend on it. But I still like to go as […]

Ask Lionel: Fearlessness in a Time of Fear

02/07/201803/31/2018 21501 Comment

My 11-year old son’s school hosted a day of service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January. Current events cast a shadow on the event. President Trump had just tweeted that the Dreamers program was “probably dead.” Immigration agents had launched new raids. I read a news story about a Latino father of three […]

Lani Says: Who Are You? Who? Who?

02/08/201803/31/2018 admin2551Leave a Comment

Naima Corea,16, a student artist and musician who is my classmate at Eagle Rock High, has an exhibit on Feb. 3 at the Cactus Gallery L.A. in Elysian Valley. The exhibit will showcase the results of a project of Naima’s on self-image, in which she encouraged her peers to portray their self-image in poems, paintings, […]

Elysian Valley: A Riverside Community in Flux

02/08/201803/15/2018 88134 Comments

Elysian Valley, a neighborhood in Northeast Los Angeles between the Los Angeles River and 5 Freeway, is being transformed by the prospect of river redevelopment. The once isolated enclave, a.k.a. Frogtown, has been home to generations of generally lower-income Latino families, living in small bungalows on small lots (photo at upper left). Parts of the […]

Kudos

02/08/201803/31/2018 admin1938Leave a Comment

Kudos to Amy Inouye, the artist and community activist based in Highland Park, who has been selected to receive the 2018 “Noisemaker Award” by the organizers of NELA’s acclaimed Lummis Day Festival. The award is presented annually to an individual whose work and contributions to the community reflect the mission of the Lummis Day Community […]

Restore Nature

02/08/201803/31/2018 admin1773Leave a Comment

The first native plant nursery in NELA, the Los Nogales Nursery, was established in 2014 as a joint effort of the Audubon Center at Debs Park in Montecito Heights and the National Park Service. Today, the nursery grows more than 30 different native plant species from seed collected in Debs Park and then uses the […]

Ride for a Reason

02/08/201803/31/2018 admin1679Leave a Comment

The Cody Waters Foundation, established by the parents of a nine-year old who died of brain cancer in 2009, will hold the annual Cody Waters Off-Road Ride to Survive fundraiser on March 10. The ride, which is open to motorcycles, quads, side by sides, buggies, trucks and any other type of off-road vehicle, begins in […]

Create a Digital Archive for Your Family Photos

02/08/201803/31/2018 admin1844Leave a Comment

If you have photographs in a photo album or slides in a slide reel, you can learn how to digitize them at an upcoming meeting of the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society (ERVHS). The presentation, by David Dellinger, the new president of ERVHS, and Ann Mar, Assistant College Archivist/Metadata Specialist at Occidental College, will cover […]

Trim Your Property Tax Bill

02/20/201803/31/2018 admin1833Leave a Comment

Los Angeles County has just wrapped up an initiative to make homeowners more aware of a property tax breaks that go unclaimed each year. The figures are stunning. For example, some 435,000 families across the county could trim their tax bills by $70 a year by claiming the Homeowner’s Exemption. The largest number of unclaimed […]

Cute Enough for You?

02/20/201803/31/2018 admin17711 Comment

Four hospitals near NELA – Glendale Memorial, Huntington, USC Verdugo Hills and White Memorial – are participating this month in Little Hat, Big Hearts, in which every baby born in February will receive a red hat knitted by volunteers. The program, by the American Heart Association, is intended to bring awareness to heart disease and […]

February 2018

02/08/201804/01/2018 admin1198Leave a Comment

NELA seems to be looking to the future these days, with the launch of plans to revitalize the Los Angeles River and to refurbish Eagle Rock Blvd. rising to the top of our news coverage this month. In an era when public improvements, large and small, seem impossible to get off the ground, it is […]