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e.letter )
The Eagle Rock Association 1 May 2011
In this issue...
  • Become a Member
  • Where's Dinner?
  • Featured Dinner Host
  • Land Use Updates
  • Candidates Forum
  • ER Trail Benefit
  • HPOZ Conference
  • Eichler Lecture
  • John Stillion Tribute
  • Summer Art Camp
  • Contrary to the usual expectation that as warmer weather returns life will slow down, that is not what is happening in our community. There are so many things going on that you need to know about, that I felt obligated to write another eLetter, even though one was sent very recently.

    Below you will find an invitation to come together as a community, to remember the life and generosity of spirit that Eagle Rock found in John Stillion. Thank you to the many who sent notes regarding the comments concerning my friendship with John included in the last eLetter. Please be part of the event on May 15 to remember and honor John Stillion.

    Finally, there is hope on the horizon regarding the abandoned loft project on Colorado near the 134 freeway entrance. Abandoned construction projects have plagued not just Eagle Rock, but the entire City of Los Angeles as a byproduct of the economic downturn.

    On a personal basis, I encouraged our council member to consider initiating a process that would require developers to purchase project insurance as part of the project approval process. The insurance would protect communities from being left with the blight presented by a moribund construction site, should a project be abandoned. Even though the economy is slowly recovering, I continue to feel there is still merit in providing greater development project protection to communities. Naturally, there would be considerable political push-back to insurance protection or any other legislation that provides further community protection. There are those who would say that I am tilting with windmills. But can we simply throw up our hands and concede there is nothing we can do? The negatives that the abandoned loft project has exerted over our community are huge and should not be allowed to repeat!

    Below you will find an invitation to participate in this year's fundraiser "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - 2011". As a further motivation for you to be part of this year's event, I would like to share the benefits derived from the 2010 fundraiser. Approximately $6,000 was earned from last year's event. $5,000 will be used to engage a consultant for the first phase of the Take Back the Boulevard initiative and $300 has been spent for a community kick off and collateral supporting the initiative. $500 was provided to the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce in support of the security camera project and $200 has been spent as TERA's share of the cost of a banner celebrating the centennial celebration. Please buy your tickets soon and help us continue to good work for a community we all love.

    Bob Gotham, TERA Pres.
    Bob Gotham, President

    Become a Member

    Not a TERA member? Join now at http://www.tera90041.org/join-paypal.htm . Memberships begin at only $15.

    Membership Has Benefits! Discounts are available for TERA Members at the following participating merchants. Just show your active membership card. Click on http://www.tera90041.org/benefits.htm to see the member benefits offered by each merchant.

    • Armon's Restaurant and Coffee Shop
    • Auntie Em's Kitchen
    • Bellissimo Cafe
    • Blue Dot Acai & Yogurt Parfait
    • Camilo's California Bistro
    • Coffee Table
    • Colorado Wine Co
    • Curves
    • Danny Reyes CPA
    • The Eagle's Nest
    • Four Caf�
    • La Fuente
    • The Loft Hair Lounge
    • Owl Talk
    • Sir Michael's Party Rentals & Limousine Service
    • Spitz
    • Swork

    Please patronize these merchants, save a little money, and show them that you appreciate their support of the community.

    Where's Dinner?
    GWCTD 2011

    Save the Date: Saturday, May 21 Seats are still available at most homes. Tickets will sell out. Act now before they are gone.

    Featured Dinner Host
    Nazario Home

    Don't let the modest fa�ade of this home fool you. Not only is Maria Nazario extremely engaged in the community (TERA Board Member / Previous TERA President, ERNC member) but she is a very talented designer. The transformation of her home from a modest 1948 bungalow to a spacious multi level residence is amazing. The architectural transformation is combined with Maria's sophisticated yet warm interior design. The home's d�cor is best described as a mix of elegant antique and sleek modern features, with art from around the world and from here in Eagle Rock. It's a home of extraordinary beauty and comfort.

    Hemingway's Havana hangout is Maria's inspiration the evening; smells, sounds and tastes of dinner under the stars featuring Cuban specialties, mojoitos, Cuba libres and Cuban music. Dinner will feature food from family recipes, including traditional Cuban-style roasted pig. Let dining outside at the communal table and dancing on the patio to Latin music transport you to another time and place.

    Act now before your favorite home(s) are sold out. Go to http://www.TERA90041.org where you will find photos and descriptions of all host homes. Act now before your favorite home is sold out!

    Land Use Updates

    Lofts on Colorado / Unfinished Project at Entrance to 134 Freeway: In the last couple of years I have received more concerning emails regarding this project, a major eyesore and a picture of blight for our community, than for any other reason. The negative influence on our community was amplified by the fact that it is located at a major entry to Eagle Rock. I do subscribe to the notion that the appearance of the front door to a home is critical in establishing a perception of what the remainder of the home will be. The same principal applies to the entrance to a community.

    As you might imagine, the sale of this property will be a very complex transaction. The listing broker, Kristina Kaminski (The Kaminski Group at Rodeo Reality Fine Estates), explained to me how extensive the buyer due diligence process must be in order to sell this unique property. Simply by looking at the property, its proximity to the hillside, and columns that are now leaning a little this way or that, it doesn't take a construction expert to understand that whoever buys the property will spend considerable time to fully understand the challenges of resuming the project before making a final decision. My hope is that Kristina's prior experience in the sale of distressed properties makes her well qualified to add this to her list of sales.

    I have shared with Jose Huizar the community's frustration with this abandoned project. He assured me that his office would do everything possible to expedite the process whenever potential buyers were identified. To this point, for the very best of reasons, his office has assisted but not been asked to intervene. Kristina assured me that the City of Los Angeles, including representatives of the Council Office, have been very cooperative and supportive in attempting to move this forward. That is the way it should work.

    Let's keep our fingers crossed that one day this location will transform into a spectacular front door to Eagle Rock.

    Blockbuster - What Next? Many years ago Security Pacific Bank was located in the building recently vacated by Blockbuster. Why not a bank again? Several folks have told me that Chase Bank will be occupying the building in the future. However, my contact in the public relations department of Chase Bank indicated that they are in the process of considering the location, but that no final decision has been made regarding a Chase Bank at the Blockbuster location. My contact did promise to share the information as soon as they have made a final decision.

    Candidates Forum
    Candidate Forum Flyer


    ER Trail Benefit
    ER Canyon Trail Benefit Flyer


    HPOZ Conference

    Ninth Annual Historic Preservation Overlay Zones Conference - Saturday, May 7
    Los Angeles Conservancy
    Saturday, May 7, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    McCarty Memorial Church
    4101 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles
    $20, includes continental breakfast and lunch

    Join the Conservancy and the Los Angeles Department of City Planning for a day of workshops, tours, and networking to learn more about how to protect the unique character of Los Angeles' historic neighborhoods. The conference is open to anyone interested in the City's Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs).

    More information: https://secure2.convio.net/lac/site/Ecommerce?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=8981&store_id=2141&JServSessionIdr004=n2liznqua5.app202a

    Eichler Lecture

    Gamble House Lecture Series Friday, May 13, 7:30 p.m.
    "Joseph Eichler and His Architects: The Men Behind Eichler Homes"
    Ahmanson Auditorium, Art Center College of Art and Design, 1700 Lida St., Pasadena.
    $12, free to Friends of the Gamble House (FoGH) members.

    Writer David Weinstein presents a "behind the scenes" look at how famed real estate developer Joseph Eichler created quintessential residential subdivisions in the 1950s. Tour of Eichler homes in Balboa Highlands is offered 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. Lecture tickets: $12, free to Friends of the Gamble House (FoGH) members. Tour tickets are $35 FOGH and $45 public. Reservations are required. (626) 793-3334 ext. 52 or visit http://www.gamblehouse.org.

    John Stillion Tribute
    Stillion Flyer


    Summer Art Camp
    Summer Art Camp

    Center for the Arts Summer Art Camp 2011 registration forms are now available! Weeks fill up fast! Register now! Join the fun at our Summer Art Camp! If you are 6-11 years old, love art, dance, yoga, theatre, crafts, cooking and being creative, sign up for our art camp! Local contemporary artists will teach you new ways to create and collaborate, as well as explore art history.

    For more information go to: http://centerartseaglerock.org/index.php/classes/artCamps

    Quick Links...

    phone: 323-799-1190