THE EAGLE ROCK ASSOCIATION
The Best Investment You Can Make in Your Neighborhood

TERA

e.letter


October 2,  2003

Learn more about us
and how we are changing our community for the better.

Click on
http://www.TERA90041.org

Now more than ever, please support your residents association --
more than 1,000 members strong, and growing every day!

Join TERA now!  Here's how:

Click on
http://www.TERA90041.org/teraform.htm

Please encourage interested friends and neighbors to send their email addresses
to us at e.letter@TERA90041.org so we can keep them informed, too.


In this issue:

Colorado Boulevard sings this Saturday night  
(item #2)

Spot the Eagle all over town
(item #3)

Home Tour artists deadline in plein sight  (item #6)


Table of  Contents:  


1.  A MESSAGE FROM TERA PRESIDENT HILARY NORTON OROZCO

2.  GET IN TUNE FOR THE FIFTH ANNUAL EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL -- THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

3.  ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK SHOWING UP ALL OVER TOWN!

4.  THE ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR IS RIGHT AROUND (YOUR) CORNER -- OCTOBER 19

5.  IT'S FUN TO BE A HOME TOUR DOCENT!

6.  CALLING ALL PLEIN AIR ARTISTS: DEADLINE FOR YOUR SUBMISSION IS TOMORROW -- OCTOBER 3

7.  HELP A TERA MEMBER DONATE MONEY  TO A GOOD LOCAL CAUSE -- AND CHOOSE THE CAUSE

8.  ENJOY A MUSICAL BRUNCH AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS -- THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

9.  HEY, DID'JA HEAR THEY'RE HOLDING A SPECIAL ELECTION? -- OCTOBER 7

10.  NORTHEAST HOLIDAY PARADE PLANNERS MEET EVERY WEDNESDAY -- OCTOBER 8

11.  AREA PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING ON McDONALD'S -- OCTOBER 8

12.  LOS ANGELES RIVER BIKE TOUR TO CROSS HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BRIDGES  --  OCTOBER  12

13.  THE ANNUAL DO-GOODERS BALL: A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL ACTIVISM -- OCTOBER 10

14.  THE UPTOWN GAY AND LESBIAN ALLIANCE CELEBRATES AT THE WOMEN'S 20th CENTURY CLUB -- OCTOBER 11

15.  INCA: THE PERUVIAN ENSEMBLE AT EAGLE ROCK LIBRARY -- OCTOBER 11

16.  SOLHEIM LUTHERAN HOME 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION -- OCTOBER 12

17.  EAGLE ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL DISTRICTS 6 AND 7 STAKEHOLDERS MEETING -- OCTOBER 22

18.  BUY A WREATH, SUPPORT EAGLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS -- THROUGHOUT OCTOBER

19.  WE'VE GOT MAIL

20.  QUOTE OF THE WEEK -- OSCAR WILDE



1.  A MESSAGE FROM TERA PRESIDENT HILARY NORTON OROZCO

 A Cautionary Tale

This weekend's Eagle Rock Music Festival should be wonderful!  Please read further in the e.letter to check out the fabulous groups and locations throughout Eagle Rock that are participating -- and don't forget to buy your Home Tour tickets while you are enjoying the mix of music.  All I ask is that you pay attention while you appreciate the sights and sounds.  Here's my cautionary tale...  

As I was eating dinner at Colombo's and listening to Monday's Jazz Night while working on my laptop computer, I smelled burning plastic, but kept on working.  It wasn't 'til the end of the evening that I realized I had blithely burned two holes in the cover of my laptop from the candle on the table.  D'oh!   Boy, did I have trouble explaining that at work the next day!  

So rock (and jazz, etc) on with ERCCA this weekend, but leave the laptop at home!    
 
Save Terry Speth!

Since 1996, our Northeast Planning Area has been truly blessed to have one of the best and most dedicated Planning Department professionals assigned to us: Terry Speth.  Not only does Terry posess a wealth of knowledge and history, he is bilingual, creative and truly hands-on.  Unfortunately, Terry is about to be assigned elsewhere if we do not speak up on his behalf.   Please write Con Howe, the Director of Planning in LA, and let him know how you feel.  Ask him to let Terry Speth continue working in the Northeast area.  (The first letter in our "We've Got Mail" section below offers a good boilerplate for your letter, as well as a list of the pertinent fax numbers.)  Terry is truly a resource, and it would be a real tragedy to see him leave.  Please write today!  
 
Have a wonderful week!  



2.  GET IN TUNE FOR THE FIFTH ANNUAL EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL -- THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

EAGLE ROCK COMMUNITY CULTURAL ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
THE FIFTH ANNUAL (FREE)
EAGLE ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 4th
6:00 p.m. ­ 12:30 a.m.
Sunday, October 5th
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

At the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, (formerly the Eagle Rock Community Cultural Center), and
various other locations throughout Eagle Rock

The Eagle Rock Community Cultural Association (ERCCA) will host the Fifth Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival, Saturday, October 4th at 6:00 ­ 12:30 a.m. and then continue on Sunday, October 5th, 11:00 a.m. ­ 9:00 p.m.  The festival on Saturday is free with the first concert beginning at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, located at 2225 Colorado Blvd.  Festival goers will then walk eastward down Colorado Boulevard to hear a variety of musical performances.  

What makes this Saturday night music festival so unique are the 24 local venues, including restaurants, coffee houses, a floral shop, beauty salon, auto garage, real estate office, gas station and several other storefronts along Colorado Boulevard hosting performances.  A free shuttle service will be available throughout the evening until 10:00 p.m.  The evening will conclude with a final concert in an outdoor parking lot at Caspar and Merton, ending at 12:30 a.m.

Scheduled to appear on October 4th are Juan Oliva (Cuban Drumming), Bonne Musique Zydeco, Sam Robles Tango Band,  Eldad Tarmu Jazz Ensemble, Arohi Ensemble, and Randy Kovitz with Lies Like Truth.  On October 5th, beginning at 11:00 a.m., the Center for the Arts will host a brunch followed by a concert of classical music, directed by Carl Matthes.  At 3:00 p.m., the North Indian Classical Music with Rajeeb Taranath of Cal Arts will perform at the Center.  The festival will close with the Open Gate Eclectic Jazz concert at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for TERA's Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour will be available at the festival. Look for our table at the Center Saturday night, and buy your tickets at the reduced advance prices ($10.00 for TERA members & $12.00 for non-members).

The Eagle Rock Community Cultural Association is a non-profit organization, supported solely by grants and donations, providing low-cost art, music, dance and computer classes to children and adults of surrounding areas and communities.  The ERCCA also hosts two free festivals yearly and numerous concerts and exhibitions. For more information call Lui or Jenny at the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, (323) 226-1617.  The Center is located near the corner of Eagle Rock Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard at 2225 Colorado Boulevard.

Special thanks to Antonio Villaraigosa and his staff for helping make Eagle Rock's fifth annual music fest a reality!



3.  ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK SHOWING UP ALL AROUND TOWN!

The next time you're at Swork, look across Eagle Rock Boulevard at the bus bench shelter.  Also, look kitty-corner to the bus shelter on the north side of Colorado.  TERA's fourth annual Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour is advertised on a colorful 4' x 6' poster there -- and on about 17 other shelters in Eagle Rock, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake!  Thanks to the beautiful work of artists Rebecca Johnson and Jeff Klarins of Bughouse -- and Viacom, who graciously provided us advertising space in the shelters -- this year's home tour benefits from one terrific advertising tool!



4.  THE ECLECTIC EAGLE ROCK HOME TOUR IS RIGHT AROUND (YOUR) CORNER -- OCTOBER 19

The 4th Annual

Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour

Sunday, October 19, 2003
10:00 a.m.­4:00 p.m.

Here's a chance to tour some of the most lovely and interesting homes and gardens in our historic community, starting with The Women's 20th Century Club craftsman building, constructed in 1913.  The club, now celebrating its 100-year anniversary, was formed by the progressive women of Eagle Rock, which, at that time, was a small agricultural village.  Their purpose was "self-improvement along social and intellectual lines."

TERA will also be hosting an exhibit of plein air painting, an art form which celebrates the natural beauty of the outdoors and has historic roots in the community.

Tour goers will also have the opportunity to visit homes built over the course of the last century in the variety of styles which make Eagle Rock, "L.A.'s Hometown," so unique.

The Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour is co-sponsored by:


Advance tickets are $12.00 each, or $10.00 for members of TERA, and may be purchased at the Eagle Rock Music Festival on October 4.  Tickets are also available now at any of the following Eagle Rock businesses:


You may also buy your tickets at TERA's website,  http://www.tera90041.org/httickets-03.htm, or by sending a check (payable to TERA), to:

TERA
P.O. Box 41453
Eagle Rock, CA 90041

(Please make a note on the face of your check that it is for a Home Tour ticket purchase.)



5.  IT'S FUN TO BE A HOME TOUR DOCENT!

I've been a docent for the Bungalow Heaven Neighborhood Association's annual home tour a total of four times, and it's a blast!  I encourage you to do the same for our own upcoming Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour.  Not only do you get to meet a lot of great people and help boost Eagle Rock, but you get a free ticket to the tour and an invitation to the always-fun post-tour celebration.  We still need a few folks for the afternoon shift, which is from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Please volunteer to help your town!
-- Joanne Turner


The Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour
planners are still looking for a few more volunteers and docents to help organize this year's Home Tour as well as to help out on the weekend of the event.  Play an integral role in bringing one of our community's best-loved annual events to life.  As an added bonus, tour volunteers earn highly-sought invitations to the Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour Wrap Party, a highlight of Eagle Rock's social calendar.

If you'd like to help us make this year's Home Tour another smashing success, call Juliann at (323) 256-6767 or email her at  Julilanser@aol.com.



6.  CALLING ALL PLEIN AIR ARTISTS: DEADLINE FOR YOUR SUBMISSION IS TOMORROW -- OCTOBER 3

Artists from throughout southern California are invited to paint on location in Eagle Rock, before TERA's annual Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour on October 19, 2003.  The artworks will be displayed in the historic Women's 20th Century Club (5105 Hermosa Avenue, at the northwest corner of Colorado Boulevard and Hermosa.)  The Exhibit will be open at for viewing from October 20th through the 24th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day.  This is a superb opportunity to purchase one of kind Plein Air artworks depicting sites and landmarks in our community.

The Plein Air exhibit will be a delightful part of the Eagle Rock Eclectic Home Tour, which will begin at the 20th Century Women's Club.  Contributing artists are also invited to paint in front of the tour's featured homes on the day of the tour, and to bring their paintings to the traditional after-tour party for all tour volunteers to see.

The artworks featured in the exhibit are to be depict scenes from anywhere in the community of Eagle Rock.  Works will be limited to oil paintings, acrylic paintings, watercolors, and pastels.  Maximum size is 40 x 60 inches.  All participants will receive a complimentary ticket to the Eclectic Eagle Rock Home Tour and the post-tour celebration.

To be considered for this Plein Air exhibit, please submit one slide of each completed work clearly marked with your name, the title of the piece, medium, and size.  A self-addressed, stamped envelope is required for return of the slide(s).

Entries must be received by tomorrow, Friday, October 3.  Artists will receive 85% of any sales made through the exhibit.  Prizes will be awarded -- first place $750, second place $500, and third place $250.

We hope you can join us in this important event.  Please print out and fill in the application below and mail it, along with a $20 entry fee (payable to TERA,) to Beth Parker, 2419 Ridgeview Avenue, Eagle Rock, CA 90041.  For further information, please call Beth Parker at (323) 256-5701.

Name ___________________________________________

Address __________________________________________

City _____________________________________________  

State _________  Zip Code ______  Email _________________

Daytime Phone _____________________________________  

Evening Phone _____________________________________

Enclosed is $20 in Cash ______ Check _____ Money Order ______



7.  HELP A TERA MEMBER DONATE MONEY  TO A GOOD LOCAL CAUSE -- AND CHOOSE THE CAUSE

A loyal, hardworking TERA member would like to donate a percentage of his business proceeds to a local organization that benefits Eagle Rock, and he wants to know which organization the community would most like to benefit from his profits.

To which organization would you like to see the money go?  Perhaps you'd like to see a donation made to BLEND (Business for Law Enforcement Northeast Division)?  How about the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce?  The Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society?  Maybe TERA (The Eagle Rock Association), North East Trees, or R.O.C.K. (Reach Our Community Kids, a faith-based nonprofit)?  Feel free to nominate any one of these, or any other area nonprofit organization whose work benefits Eagle Rock and our surrounding communities.

Please email your preference to artburn@earthlink.net, and we'll gladly pass it along.  Thanks!



8.  ENJOY A MUSICAL BRUNCH AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS -- THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

The Eagle Rock Music Festival
and
The Southwestern Youth Music Festival
present

Brunch at the Center

Sunday, October 5, 2003
11:00 a.m.
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock
2225 Colorado Boulevard
RSVP: (323) 226-1617

The Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock invites you to join them for a free musical brunch and complimentary Continental Breakfast.  Winners from the 2003 Southwestern Youth Music Festival and others will be on hand to regale you an array of classical selections titled, including works by Copland, Mozart and Grieg.

For more information, or to RSVP, dial (323) 226-1617.



9.  HEY, DID'JA HEAR THEY'RE HOLDING A SPECIAL ELECTION? -- OCTOBER 7

It's time to vote.



10.  NORTHEAST HOLIDAY PARADE PLANNERS MEET EVERY WEDNESDAY -- OCTOBER 8

From Misty Iwatsu, chairperson of the 2003 Northeast Holiday Parade comes the latest word on preparations for this year's Northeast Holiday Parade:

Organizing meetings for the
59th ANNUAL NORTHEAST HOLIDAY PARADE
will meet every Wednesday evening
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Faith United Presbyterian Church
115 N. Ave 53 (corner of Figueroa and Avenue 53)
Highland Park

The tradition of Northeast LA's grandest annual community celebration is renewed with this year's 57th Northeast Holiday Parade, which is set to roll at noon on Sunday, December 7th.  The theme of this year's parade is "Holiday Fantasies & Dreams," and there's still an enormous amount of work that needs to be done to make this holiday fantasy something other than a dream.  Please volunteer a few hours to help out, and  guarantee the continued success of this time honored community celebration.

The Northeast Holiday Parade is sponsored by the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce and the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce.  For more information, or to find out about volunteer opportunities, call Parade Chairperson Misty Iwatsu at (323) 255-5030.



11.  AREA PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING ON McDONALD'S -- OCTOBER 8

East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission Hearing
on Glassell Park McDonald's
4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 8
Ramona Hall, Main Hall
4580 North Figueroa
Highland Park

The East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission will meet on October 8 to hear the McDonald's Corporation's appeal to the Zoning Administrator's rejection of their application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to build a drive-through and have hours of operation of 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5:00 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday.

A full 82.7% of the GPIA membership voted to oppose the granting of the CUP at its November 2002 general meeting.

Councilmember Eric Garcetti supported the GPIA and the overwhelming majority of the residents who live within 500' of the proposed McDonald's who are opposed.

On July 18th, Zoning Administrator Al Landini rejected the CUP based on the "tortured" traffic pattern on Eagle Rock Blvd. which he felt would be exacerbated by a proposed drive-through and the "excessive" hours of operation that McDonald's was asking for.

The GPIA encourages its membership and other Northeast Los Angeles community members to attend this hearing and express their support of the Zoning Administrator's ruling as well as the stance made by Councilmember Garcetti.

For more information, e.mail ask.GPIA@earthlink.net.



12.  LOS ANGELES RIVER BIKE TOUR TO CROSS HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BRIDGES  --  OCTOBER 12

Quarterly Los Angeles River Bike Tour
Sunday, October 12
Departs at 10:00 a.m.
from the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens
570 West Avenue 26
Cypress Park

The Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, the Friends of the Los Angeles River and North East Trees invite area cyclists to tour some astonishing elements of Los Angeles architectural history on a tour that investigates over a dozen historic bridges that traverse the Los Angeles River.  The casual paced tour is less than 20 miles and will take between one to two hours.  Families are welcome.  The entire tour will be on older city streets along and adjacent to the river.  Although the road will be quiet on Sunday morning, please bring the proper bike and skill level.  A short safety and rules of the road refresher briefing will be held just prior to departure.  Please plan to arrive at 9:45 a.m. for a 10:00 a.m. departure.  And don't forget wear sunscreen and to bring water and a bike helmet.  There is no cost for this tour.  
 
Meet in the parking lot of the beautiful Los Angeles River Center and Gardens, (Thomas Guide, page 594, grid J-6), a community center owned and managed by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.  

For more information e-mail Chuck Arnold at: arnold@smmc.ca.gov or call (323) 221-9944 x183.



13.  THE ANNUAL DO-GOODERS BALL: A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL ACTIVISM -- OCTOBER 10

The Do-Gooders Ball

starring Carlos Guitarlos,
Marcy Levy and Friends,
Ann Likes Red and others
7: 30 p.m.
Friday, October 10
Los Angeles River Center and Gardens
Cypress Park

LA blues legend and guitar slinger Carlos Guitarlos returns to his old neighborhood October 10, 2003, when he headlines the first annual Do-Gooders Ball at the River Center in Cypress Park.  The event is a salute to the wealth of local community activists and the unheralded work they perform throughout Northeast Los Angeles, from Cypress Park to Eagle Rock and beyond.

Guitarlos grew up in Cypress Park, a hardworking low-income section of LA set hard against the Southern Pacific rail yards and the LA River. In the late 70s and 80s, he was a fixture in the LA rock scene with the band, Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs, who held down the fort every Monday night at Hollywood's Cathay De Grande.  It was a boozy mix of blues, rock and soul, heavy on the booze. In fact, it was the drinking life that finally took Top Jimmy, and found Guitarlos on the streets of San Francisco for the last 5 years, playing for change in the Mission District.

Newly clean and sober, Guitarlos has recorded a new CD with the help of some friends, and teamed up with former Eric Clapton partner/singer Marcy Levy for a new band and hopefully, a new tour. Guitarlos will be performing tunes from the new CD, "Straight from the Heart," and should be joined on stage by a few of his special musical friends.  Also on the bill are local rockers Ann Likes Red, "Highland Parkıs House Band" and a long time fixture at LA community events.  They have played everywhere from the LA Marathon to the ArroyoFest to the Bay to Breakers 10K in San Francisco.

Proceeds from the Do Gooders Ball will be awarded to one local community group in a drawing at the close of the evening.  Producers of the event are expecting anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people at the event, so the proceeds could bring a healthy award to one local group.  The evening is sponsored by The Observer, serving Downtown and Northeast LA.

Tickets are $15.00 at the door and may be reserved by emailing Gene Evans at Gene@northeastobserver.com.  

For more information on the event, call (323) 243-0005.



14.  THE UPTOWN GAY AND LESBIAN ALLIANCE CELEBRATES AT THE WOMEN'S 20th CENTURY CLUB -- OCTOBER 11

Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance
presents

CABARET 2003


Saturday, October 11
Cocktails and Dinner:  6:00 - 7:45 p.m.
Silent Auction:  6:30 p.m.
Show at 8:00 p.m.
Womenıs 20th Century Club  
Hermosa & Colorado
Eagle Rock

The Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance celebrates their 20th anniversary with a grand evening of cocktails, food and exquisite music on October 11 at Eagle Rock's Women's 20th Century Club.  Following a full course salmon or chicken dinner, revelers will delight to a full evening of music and comedy provided by trailblazing comic Jason Stuart, musicians David McNutt and Carl Matthes, and magician Gary Frank, among many others.   

For more information, call Joan Potter at (323) 258-2555, or visit the Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance website at http:// www.UGLA.org



15.  INCA: THE PERUVIAN ENSEMBLE AT EAGLE ROCK LIBRARY -- OCTOBER 11

INCA:
The Peruvian Ensemble

2:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 11
Eagle Rock Library
5027 Caspar Avenue

Inca, the popular Los Angeles-based band of musicologists and music makers, makes a rare appearance in Eagle Rock for a matinee performance of enchanting Peruvian music in the Eagle Rock Library's public meeting room, 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 11.  For more information, dial (323) 258-8078.



16.  SOLHEIM LUTHERAN HOME 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION -- OCTOBER 12

From our friends at the Solheim Lutheran Home comes news of their upcoming 80th anniversary celebration:

Solheim Lutheran Home
Fall Festival and Annual Meeting
October 12, 2003
2:00 p.m. -- 5:00 p.m.
2236 Merton Avenue
Eagle Rock

Celebrating our 80th Anniversary this year, the Solheim Lutheran Home invites you to take part in our annual Fall Festival and Annual Meeting.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Solheim's dynamic ministry, providing abundant living to older adults.  Solheim has been at the same Eagle Rock location since its inception, growing from a 12 room cottage to a 2 and 1/2 acre facility providing four levels of care.  Solheim is currently home to 189 residents and employs a staff of 185, practically a one to one ratio.  The Annual Meeting will highlight the year's achievements and will include election of new directors to the Board.  To mark our anniversary, 80 white homing doves will be released at 4:00 p.m. in the Breezeway.  Come share the fun and meet some of your Eagle Rock neighbors.  

For more information, contact Nancy Ackerman at (323) 257-7518.



17.  EAGLE ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL DISTRICTS 6 AND 7 STAKEHOLDERS MEETING -- OCTOBER 22

From Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council District 6 director Cheryl Leutjen comes word of this important community meeting:

Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council
Districts 6 and 7 Stakeholders Meeting
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 22
Eagle Rock Library
5027 Caspar Avenue


District 6 Stakeholders,

Please note the date of the next meeting of stakeholders for Districts 6 and 7 will be on Wednesday, October 22 at the Eagle Rock Library from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.   I will provide updates on all our outstanding issues, including my contacts with the management of the Westfield Shoppingtown and Target.  We can also discuss any new issues of concern and the schedule for future events.  

I look forward to seeing you on the 22nd.  As always, you can reach me at 323-256-5733 or by email at District6@EagleRockCouncil.org.  I tend to respond more quickly to email, but feel free to contact me either way.  

Cheryl Leutjen
Sub-District 6 Director
Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council



18.  BUY A WREATH, SUPPORT EAGLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS -- THROUGHOUT OCTOBER

From ERHS Tennis coach and counselor Eric Jacobson comes this announcement of the tennis team's holiday fundraiser:

Dear Eagle Rock Friends and Neighbors:

Iım writing to ask for your help in supporting the Eagle Rock High School boys tennis team by pre-ordering a Christmas tree, wreath, or garland in the month of October.  This, our biggest fund-raiser, comes at a time when the school budgets of every sports team at ERHS were decreased by one half.  This occurrence has put extra financial pressure on all coaches and athletes to fund-raise for their teamsı needs during the season.  Our team is raising money for two overnight trips (to see professional tennis at Indian Wells in March, and to train for city playoffs at the Big Bear Tennis Ranch in April).  Each team member needs to raise $300 to pay for those two activities, along with his uniform, the banquet, and trophies.
 
We are selling Christmas trees of three sizes (5-6 foot, 6-7 foot, and 7-8 foot) and of three varieties (Douglas, Grand, and Noble Fir), as well as two sizes of wreaths and garland.  Prices for trees are competitive with those of any fresh-tree lot ($33 and up), and the quality of the trees is guaranteed or your money back!  Small wreaths (24² diameter) are $22, large wreaths (28² diameter) are $27, and a 10-foot-long garland is $21.  Christmas tree stands (with and without water bowls) are a few dollars extra.  All trees are cut only TWO days before shipment to the school on December 12.  All trees will be delivered (at no cost if you live near Eagle Rock!) or need to be picked up from the horticulture area in the middle of campus on Saturday, December 13, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  

If you were planning to buy a live Christmas tree (or wreath or garland) this year, please buy through us and receive a holiday item of the highest quality.  Iım certain that you will be as pleased as were our customers from last year, all of whom enjoyed their fresh and fragrant trees, wreaths, and garland.  To order, simply call Eric Jacobson at one of the numbers below.  Pre-orders are being taken in the month of October only, and a deposit of $20 per tree is due upon ordering.  Wreaths and garlands, may I add, make wonderful gifts for a friends, relatives, or neighbors in the area.

If you donıt plan to have a tree this season, please consider helping us with a donation (made out to ³ERHS Boys Tennis²) which will go straight to one young, hard-working tennis player at our school.  Everyone on the #4-ranked tennis team in the city (highest in ERHS history!) thanks you tremendously for your generous support.  

Sincerely,                                                                                                                              
Eric Jacobson     
ERHS Alumnus (OE89), Tennis Coach, & Counselor
Work:  (323) 254-6891,  Ext. 192
Home:  (323) 550-1902    



19.  WE'VE GOT MAIL

"We in Northeast Los Angeles may soon suffer an unnecessary loss:  the city planning department is moving our Northeast Area Community Planner, Terry Speth.  We need to generate as many letters as possible,  and as soon as possible, to prevent or reverse this action.

"To make it easy on everyone who may have 10 minutes and the interest in planning issues, here's a copy of the letter I've just written to Con Howe, the city's director of planning:

Mr. Con Howe
Director of Planning
City of Los Angeles
200 N. Spring Street, Room 525
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Via Fax: (213) 978-1275

Dear Mr. Howe,

I have recently heard that the Planning Department is going to move Terry Speth out of the position of Northeast Community Planner.  If this is true, it would have a terrible impact on the revitalization of Northeast Los Angeles and I urge you to immediately reverse this decision and keep Mr. Speth in this current position.

If a decision has not yet been made, please do not bring this reality upon these communities. The simple fact is that Mr. Speth provides everyone with an in-depth and knowledgeable history of planning issues here, having worked for many years on the creation, adoption and implementation of the Community Plan and various Specific Plans, CDO's and other planning department tools.   Everyone has benefited -- developers, homeowners, community groups, elected officials, etc. -- and having consistency in key planning staff is absolutely needed at this time in Northeast Los Angeles.

Thank you for your consideration.

cc: Councilmember Ed Reyes, District 1  (fax: 213-485-8907)
  Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa, District 14  (fax: 213-847-0680)
  Councilmember Eric Garcetti, District 13  (fax: 213-613-0819)
  Gerry Gubatan, Planning Deputy, Councilmember Reyes Office  (fax: 213-485-8907)
  Krista Klein, Planning Deputy, Councilmember Villaraigosa Office  (fax: 213-847-0680)
  Alison Becker, Planning Deputy, Councilmember Garcetti Office  (fax: 213-613-0819)

"The most important thing is for individuals and concerned organizations take action as soon as possible.  Much thanks."
-- Nicole Possert, Highland Park

* * *


"Not only am I disappointed to hear that Lee's Kitchen has closed, I'm sick about it.  Lee's Kitchen provided an invaluable service in our community.  You could feed a large number of people for a very reasonable cost.  Not to mention, the food was really good.
 
"I know it's not the 'upscale' type food that a lot of the new Eagle Rockians tend to want, but what about all the longtime residents?  So a chicken and ribs place is coming in?  If I want chicken and ribs, I can go to Colombo's.  Where is my chinese food?  (And I'm not talking Thai.)  
 
"When I told my sister (who lives in Pinon Hills) that Lee's Kitchen was closing, she and her husband decided to come down Saturday night instead of Sunday as they had planned, just so we could order from Lee's Kitchen.  I told her to call me 15 minutes before they were to arrive, so I could phone in our order.  To my horror, when I called Lee's Kitchen, the number had already been disconnected!"
-- Manijeh Nava, Eagle Rock

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"I appreciate having the weekly updates about our community.  But it concerns me that our e.letter sometimes gives free advertising to big national chains and then neglects to give similar promotion to small local businesses.  For example, in promoting Curves, why not also give some info about Yoginis Yoga Studio, two doors south of Curves on Eagle Rock Boulevard?

"Yoginis has been in Eagle Rock for  three years and offers low cost, excellent yoga instruction for all ages.  The Friday afternoon Teen Girl class (for ages 10 - 15) is especially good for our girls struggling with body image, social pressures, and so forth.  There are Parent/Toddler classes as well, and a full range of adult yoga classes.

"I hope TERA will make sure to acknowledge and encourage businesses like Yoginis, a woman-owned local business at 4866 Eagle Rock Boulevard."
-- Mona Field, Eagle Rock

Thanks for reminding us about the other fitness studio on Eagle Rock Boulevard, Mona.  We haven't had a chance to mention Yoginis since we ran a blurb about the studio's group art show a while back, so we're glad to have this opportunity to shine a light their way once again.  As for your concern about our favoring national chains over the little guys, rest assured that the e.letter's commitment to supporting local business in every shape and size remains as strong as ever.  In fact, a quick search of the locally owned and operated businesses that we've featured in past issues of the e.letter (and our sister publication, TERA's quarterly newsletter) reveals our ongoing commitment to the independent spirit that makes Eagle Rock's commercial district the envy of communities twice our size:

Dr. Music, The Coffee Table, Le Petit Beaujolais, Cafe Beaujolais, Fatty's & Co., Swork, Juice Exchange, Miller Shoes, Oxy Cafe, Camilo's, Colombo's, Eagle Rock Montessori School, Catfish Bite, Yoga Essence, Designer Framing, Passionfruit, Senor Fish, Sir Michael's, LTC Home Healthcare, Jordinelli & Associates, Dante's Chicken and Ribs (soon to come), Toros Pottery, Solheim Lutheran Home, Western Automotive, Sicha Siam, Eufloria, Gallery Ophelia, Classic Thai, World Glass Co., Robin's Beauty Studio, Eagle Rock Flowers, Auntie Em's, The Italian Bakery, Fred Eric's Airstream Diner and Theatre (soon to come), Games and Cards.com, Casa Bianca, Daybreak Health Foods, Alpha Structural, Eagle Rock Appliances, Welcome Inn, Bateman Engineering, Eric's Creative Wrought Iron, Owl Talk, Savvy, Twerps, Xica, Another World Comics, Cindy's Restaurant, Argus Court, Glenrock Car Wash, Yoginis, and A.J. Interiors.   

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"I am compelled to respond to the 09/25/03 TERA e.letter's announcement of the pending appellate hearing re: McDonald's application for a Conditional Use Permit (C.U.P.).

"The announcement described the July 18th decision of Zoning Administrator Albert Landini to decline McDonald's C.U.P. application on the grounds that the traffic flow on Eagle Rock Boulevard would be "tortured" and the proposed operating hours would be "excessive."  Having received a copy of the entire 70-page decision, and having read it seven or eight times, I can categorically state:  (1) it contained a number of gross factual inaccuracies about the traffic and road conditions in and around the area of the proposed restaurant, and (2) it made a naked assertion that the proposed operating hours were "excessive" without any factual basis or analysis to support that conclusion.  If one of my students made such an unsubstantiated conclusionary allegation, I would mark his/her paper with an 'F.'

"Please note that I am an 'interested party' in that my colleagues and I have signed a contract with McDonald's to buy a portion of the parcel in question.  We have conducted detailed feasibility studies, including traffic flow; market conditions; demographics; and the like, so we are in a better position than most to evaluate conditions in the vicinity of the proposed McDonald's."
-- Stephen P. Watkins, J.D., Eagle Rock

Thanks for weighing in, Stephen.  Just for clarification, the references to "excessive" operating hours and "tortured" traffic flow in our original announcement were Zoning Administrator Landini's phrasings, not ours.

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As always, we welcome your comments, complaints and/or compliments on the e.letter or any topic of interest to greater Eagle Rock.  Please address your message to e.letter@TERA90041.org, and include your full name, along with your city, neighborhood or professional affiliation.  Opinions expressed in the e.letter's "We've Got Mail" section do not necessarily reflect the views of The Eagle Rock Association (TERA), the e.letter editor, or The Eagle Rock Association Board of Directors, who reserve the right to publish letters or other materials submitted to the e.letter at their sole discretion.  Letters or other material chosen for publication may be edited for style, clarity and brevity.  Please let us know if you don't wish to have your comments appear in the e.letter.


20.  QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people."
-- Oscar Wilde (1854­1900)


The TERA e.letter is distributed weekly to more than 1600 subscribers with an interest in Eagle Rock and Northeast Los Angeles.  Please encourage interested friends to send their full name and email address to us at e.letter@TERA90041.org so we can keep them informed, too.  

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e.letter@TERA90041.org with the word(s) "remove" or "address change" in the subject box, as appropriate.

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TERA -- The Eagle Rock Association -- YOUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION --
http://www.TERA90041.org --
P. O. Box 41453, Eagle Rock, CA 90041 -- (323) 259-TERA -- a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation


The TERA e.letter
A publication of The Eagle Rock Association
(TERA)
Edited by Vince Waldron
e.letter@TERA90041.org