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Anniversaries:
Next year Eagle Rock will be 100 years old and TERA will be 25 years old. Our community is wearing its age well. New commercial development has happened over the years that has not perfectly but significantly respected and retained the history of this community. As the diversity of Los Angeles has grown, so has the ethnic, economic and career diversity of our community changed. Eagle Rock has aged well.
TERA's initial years were focused almost exclusively on land use and historic preservation. Those two goals continue to be the prime interest of TERA. But, as times have changed, we have broadened our focus. Issues such as community beautification, focus on marijuana issues, financial and administrative support for other community initiatives, public meetings, etc. are more significant parts of a broader agenda. Next year, when we celebrate our 25th anniversary, I think we will be able to say that we are the Eagle Rock community group with the largest membership and most extensive communication outreach. I hope we can continue to partner with other groups in Eagle Rock for the next 25 years.
Centennial Celebration:
One of the elements of our year long celebration in 2011 will be street-banners on light poles along Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards. TERA has made an initial donation to kick off the fund raising for the banners. We have also agreed to take a lead on the Banner Project. We are in the process of understanding what we need to do to make this happen. More to come in the future.
A second element is tree-planting. Early in the Centennial planning process a suggestion was made that something should be included in the celebration process that would provide a lasting benefit to the community, perhaps an infrastructure improvement. Jane Tsong's vision was to fill empty tree wells with new trees. It might seem that the job is simply to buy some trees and plant them. But, as with most community projects, there is also an administrative process that needs to complement the effort of those getting their hands dirty. TERA has agreed to partner with Jane's organization, providing the non-profit structure and administrative support necessary for this project. Gardeners, horticulturists and botanists will probably most enjoy Jane's article describing the project later in this eLetter.
Bike Rack at Center for the Arts: One of the responses I received to a recent eLetter was from a reader who wanted to ride his bike to the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock for our recent public meeting (State of the Town). However he dared not to since there is no bike rack, to which he could have locked his bicycle. Sara Jane Thies, one of TERA's board members, has taken on this task. At the outset, it looks like there might be a straight-forward way to submit the request to the City. However, if the City is involved, usually what seems simple rarely ends up that way. I will report our progress in the next eLetter. If you have any suggestions about other logical bike rack locations, please email me (president@TERA90041.org).
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - 2011: Do you enjoy giving dinner parties? If you do please consider supporting TERA by hosting a dinner as part of our 2011 fund raiser. The 2010 event was a huge success. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive with many hosts and guests saying "You must do this next year." For more information regarding the role of a host in this event for 2011, please send me an email (president@TERA90041.org) and we will provide more information.
Membership Has Benefits: Discounts for TERA Members at the following participating merchants: Please patronize these merchants, and show them that you appreciate their support of the community. If you are not a member, please consider becoming a member now. You will know that you are supporting the quality of life in Eagle Rock. Join now at http://www.tera90041.org/join-paypal.htm and begin enjoying the merchant discounts.
 Bob Gotham, President
Charlie Brown could have hit a home run with Sally if he had shown her Colorado Terrace at 2455 Colorado Boulevard, the Great Pumpkin in Eagle Rock. If you need a refresher, here is a link to the Charlie Brown episode we have loved for years. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiSIQzwIPzQ
The existing structure, now known as Colorado Terrace - Phase I, is painted an earth tone similar to the color of a pumpkin. The paint color contributes to the sense that the size and scale of this building is out of sync with the surrounding neighborhood. My understanding is that the development was completed with all the necessary approvals. In some cases, permits to deviate from the Specific Plan were secured (density bonus, lack of a setback, etc.). The end result is a fully permitted structure that visually appears out of scale to the area.
The owner, has now proposed a Colorado Terrace Phase II immediately adjacent to the existing structure. TERA is very appreciative that the owner has agreed to meet with us and discuss plans for Phase II. That meeting will have occurred by the time you read this eLetter. The style of the proposed structure is wisely consistent with the existing structure. Renderings provided (see above) imply that the Great Pumpkin may be growing. TERA's position on the new structure will be included in the next eLetter.
For almost a year, our team has been planning a planting of street trees to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Eagle Rock. We have a vision for the future of Eagle Rock that includes shade, beauty, and safe streets. Recommendations from local designers and horticulturalists have been gathered. It was agreed that new trees should be drought tolerant, and that their canopies should enhance the pedestrian experience. Existing trees will be preserved. New trees will fill empty tree wells where trees have been lost.
We discussed the pros and cons of existing tree species. Losing half-century old magnolias on the Colorado medians due to a glitch in the irrigation schedule showed us how important thoughtful tree selection is. All trees, even the most drought tolerant, will require regular water to become established. But after two or three years, a well-chosen tree that has been competently cared for should have roots deep enough to withstand some fluctuations in water availability.
The flowering pears on Colorado Boulevard look beautiful in the early spring, but they are prone to blight. We heard of other instances where tree populations have been decimated because of diseases affecting particular species. For this reason, some argue that a mixed planting is a safer investment in the future, rather than a single tree species throughout.
London Planes line the eastern end of Colorado Boulevard, and are one of the most time-tested street trees around. Adding more London Planes on Colorado wherever conditions allow will move us toward a cohesive streetscape.
Under power lines and in 4x4 tree wells (where the City will not allow London Planes) we need smaller trees that will harmonize well with existing trees. Several tree species are under consideration. Lavender Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia avellanedae) and Chitalpa tashkentensis 'Pink Dawn' are tough drought tolerant trees that will complement the existing palette while extending the flowering season throughout the year. Lavender Trumpet Tree has striking pink blooms. Young Lavender Trumpet Trees can be seen on Maywood by Eagle Rock Elementary.
Chitalpa tashkentensis 'Pink Dawn' is a hybrid of the desert native Chilopsis linearis. It has an airy habit and prolific light pink flowers that last from summer into October. Chitalpa will be practical where there are conflicts with signage or power lines.
Oaks and sycamores are favorite natives and thrive in our climate. They are not allowed in 4' x 4' tree wells, but perhaps the city can consider them for the medians. Other native trees, all of which have their own merits, did not have the height, structure, or growth habit that would fit our tree well selection criteria.
Thanks to all of our great volunteers, and to the Eagle Rock Association for providing administrative support. Completing the planting in the next year will require deepening partnerships with many individuals and organizations in our community. These relationships, a vision of our community's future, along with the legacy of beauty and shade we hope to establish, are what this planting is all about.
From Councilmember José Huizar: An invitation to join the Median Advisory Committee
Many residents have asked me what they can do to beautify our medians once the irrigation systems have been repaired. Due to this community response, my office has created a Median Advisory Committee and we would like to invite you to join! As a member of the Committee, you can participate in the creation of a long-term plan to for the eventual re-landscaping of portions of the medians. The committee will focus on the use of native and drought-resistant plants, water and power conservation, and green technologies to improve medians and reduce maintenance.
Our first meeting will be Wednesday Nov. 17th 6:30pm at the Northeast Office located at 2035 Colorado Blvd. in Eagle Rock. We hope you can join the committee.
To RSVP or for questions, please call Tricia Robbins at (323) 254-5295.
BULKY ITEM DROP-OFF PROGRAM Bring your bulky items (couches, stoves, etc.) on Nov. 27 to these dumpsters. If you are unable to, you can always call 3-1-1 to arrange a FREE future pickup. Please note that it is illegal to dump items on the street or sidewalk without making arrangements for collection.
As suggested by an eLetter reader, I am publishing the link for graffiti clean up: http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org It was pointed out how easy it is to report areas needing a clean up. The reader regularly reports graffiti on his iPhone as he walks his dogs. The wonders of technology. He also reported that response to the calls is usually very timely. Thanks to the reader for his suggestion.
The Occidental-Caltech Symphony Orchestra, under the musical direction of conductor Allen Robert Gross, begins its 2010-2011 season on November 13th and 14th featuring Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1 and Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony.
Concerts are free.
Reception after each concert is free and open to the public.
This is a very fine orchestra and should be a very exciting concert.
Opening Reception - FORM vs. THE ABYSS Parking available at Bank of America (located one block west of the Center).
FORM vs. THE ABYSS features work from Rose Masterpol and Joan Scheibel. Rose Masterpol is unshackled by the constrains that once held her in bondage. With this new work, she leaves her architectural renderings behind and pours the magic onto the canvas with unbounded passion, freedom, and conviction. The new paintings formulate moments occurring in nature. The viewer is taken on a journey of reckless abandonment through a dust of dandelions, a buttermilk sky, and into the depths of the abyss. Masterpol's brilliant palette and movement is felt like the flowing of blood through one's veins. The work is riveting, peaceful and soothing-simultaneously.
Joan Scheibel's series of paintings culminated from a singular morning in Palmdale, California. Taking images of her own shadow on her Blackberry cell phone, Scheibel conveys a perfect moment in which her androgynous form exhibits strength as well as vulnerability. Scheibel was inspired to return to her creative work after visiting Peter Max's studio, and uses a variety of mediums in her process.
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