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This season is called Gypsy Summer (Bulgaria), Old Ladies' Summer (Russia) and Indian Summer (USA, UK) in various parts of the world. It's a period when we enjoy sunny and warm but not hot days, days that promise the cooler weather is just around the corner. Sweaters and jackets begin to creep back into our wardrobes. Fortunately, Eagle Rockers can anticipate many Indian Summer days. The etymology of the term "Indian Summer" is diverse. Even the attribution to American Indians has been argued. My preferred understanding is that the term refers to the time when American Indians harvested their crops. I chose to kick off this letter with a little Indian Summer diversion simply because the day was so glorious. And though I am a strong fan of real summer weather, I could not resist proclaiming that the last few days have been as perfect as they could be, morning fog and all.
The scariest part of Halloween is knowing that right after the ghosts and goblins go back into their storage boxes for another year, we must brace for the challenge of the "holidays". It was somewhat shocking when friends recently asked us about New Years, indicating it was not too early to make reservations at a spot we all like. When they asked that question, I knew that the season that creates expectations for every one of us, expectations that are often hard to meet, is just about here. Begin training for the Thanksgiving / Christmas Marathon right away; there isn't much time left before the starting gun goes off.
Another indication of the quick passage of time is that we are moving into the final year of Eagle Rock's Centennial Celebration. Initial eLetter reference to this celebration was made in November of 2010. A festive community-wide celebration at the Center for the Arts kicked off the centennial year. Many community groups, including TERA, were represented at this event. There were great hopes and plans of how we would note this milestone year, both through celebration and community projects. Fortunately, some of them have come true.
At the Centennial kick-off, TERA introduced the notion of a collaborative community effort to improve how Colorado Boulevard serves the neighborhood. That effort has turned into the community-wide effort known as the Take Back the Boulevard initiative. More information concerning the status of this initiative is provided below.
They are officially called the Urban Forest Collective. The group, led by Jane Tsong, with TERA providing administrative support, has established new trees throughout our neighborhood. The word "established" was chosen rather than planted since "planted" implies a simple process involving no more than digging a hole and placing the tree in that hole. The process is so much more than that. See Jane's update below where she describes the process and provides details of their great accomplishments.
It was only a year ago that portions of the median on Colorado Boulevard were filled with weeds, overgrown shrubs, dying trees, and other indications of a community in severe decline. Eagle Rockers quickly mobilized, making their voice heard. The Council Office responded by restoring maintenance services. Sadly, as a result of the period of neglect, a few long-standing trees were lost and some medians had gone too far into decline to recover through ordinary maintenance. Two public meetings were hosted by the Council Office. Our council representative, José Huizar, encouraged attendees to organize themselves and build a suggested median landscape plan for consideration by the Eagle Rock Community.
The Median Advisory Committee (MAC Team) was formed. As the meetings progressed a long-term dedicated team comprised of Jack Burnett-Stuart, Allen Compton, Helen and David Gustavson, Jane Tsong, and Michael Woodward emerged. Recently the team made a very impressive and well-received presentation to the Council Office. It should be stressed that the presentation was an initial recommendation, focusing on a limited area of the median. More analysis will be conducted and the community will be given the opportunity to comment before any final decisions are made.
A rendering from MAC Team is reproduced as an article below in this newsletter. TERA echoes the gratitude expressed by José Huizar in thanking these talented, generous, and caring Eagle Rockers for sharing their expertise with the community. Click on http://www.tera90041.org/documents/TBB_proposal_10.11.pdf
to review the entire median presentation.
Hopes expressed at the beginning of Eagle Rock's centennial was that some activities would leave a legacy of this celebration year. Take Back the Boulevard, the Urban Forest Collective and the Median Advisory Committee are examples of efforts that will meet that mark, leaving Eagle Rock changed for the better for many years to come. A huge thank you to all the special members of our community who not only have ideas of how to improve Eagle Rock, but who are that rare breed that rolls up their sleeves, making their hopes reality.
As we move into the final days of the centennial year, celebration becomes the order of the day. The Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society has invited its members to gather for a celebratory dinner at Fatty's. For those who prefer a more upscale style of celebration, a formal, black-tie dinner is planned at a Hill Drive estate (details below).
TERA is happy to be a sponsor of the Northeast Veterans' Day Parade on November 13. This event, which recognizes the contributions of veterans and the 100th birthday of Eagle Rock, welcomes the entire community to come together in this day of remembrance and celebration. The TERA Board extends an invitation to TERA members and the entire community to join us and be part of the TERA contingent in the parade. Please send an email to president@tera90041.org. Include your name and the number of people in your group. Additional details regarding the parade are provided below.
If you are not a TERA member, and you value what TERA does for the Eagle Rock Community, go to our website (www.tera90041.org) and join. Have you thought about getting involved beyond membership, perhaps supporting one of the TERA administrative functions or by becoming a board member? See more details below regarding TERA's search for a web developer. Please email president@tera90041.org for more information regarding involvement.
 Bob Gotham, President
Support TERA - Become a 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.
Please patronize these merchants, save a little money, and show them that you appreciate their support of the community.
Ruby DeVera writes: The 6th Annual Northeast Los Angeles Veteran's Day and
Eagle Rock Centennial Parade promises to be the biggest celebration as we partner with the Eagle Rock Centennial Committee to bring you a memorable event. In addition to the marching bands, school drill teams and local civic groups, we will be joined by the Golden State Harley Davidson Motorcycle Team, the Wells Fargo Stage Coach and a host of Veterans from all wars complete with military vehicles plus a surprise float.
The solemn ceremony at the Eagle Rock City Hall beginning at 11:00, Sunday November 13, will honor veterans who gave up their lives for our freedom. A wreath will be placed at the veterans' monument followed by the playing of taps.
At 1:00 p.m., the parade will start at the Glassell Park Recreation Center, proceed to Eagle Rock Boulevard, and finish at the Eagle Rock High School for live entertainment featuring the Glendale Community College Jazz Ensemble, Carolee Mayne, Genesee Hall and Patsy Meztger Dance Troupe. In addition to the stage show, the entire family will enjoy tasty snacks from Farmer's Market food vendors and the performance of an acrobat from Ring Ling Bros.
Come one, come all! Everyone is welcome to watch the parade and honor our veterans who served so we can be free. Please come out and support our veterans on this special day of remembrance, gratitude, and celebration.
For more information, contact Ruby de Vera at rbdevera@sbcglobal.net
Eagle Rock Centennial Gala - November 19, 2011 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.: Cocktails & Hors d'Oeuvres - No Host Bar around the swimming pool with music provided by the Eagle Rock Sr. High School Jazz Band. On the Bistro Terrace, overlooking the Croquet Court, violin music will be provided by Sergio Daae. Take a self-guided tour of the beautiful grounds & gardens of this magnificent 3 acre estate during the daylight hours
6:30 - 10:00 p.m.: Sit down dinner, formal attire suggested, black tie optional, period dress welcome. Dinner choices include salad, a choice of beef, chicken or a vegetarian entrée. A no host bar and dancing to the Jack Lantz Orchestra are included during dinner.
Please note: Due to Insurance & Alcohol Beverage Control - adults only (21 yrs). There will be golf carts for those who need assistance. However, there will no handicapped accessible restrooms.
More information: Call (323) 254 9163 or email: eaglerock100thgala@gmail.com
Survey: This survey (link below) is your chance to participate in the dialogue regarding how Eagle Rock's Colorado Boulevard can be improved to better serve the community.
The voice of the community is a crucial foundation of this effort. The first community meeting on September 21 was a great success-the turnout, participation and ideas we heard were fantastic. Now is your turn to provide additional feedback that will influence the process as we move forward. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey found at the following link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TakeBacktheBoulevard
Thank you for your participation and we look forward to seeing you at the next meeting on January 19.
Environmental Impact Report:
Otherwise known as an "EIR", Environmental Impact Reports are required when a proposed change could have significant environmental impact. One of the alternatives discussed at the first general meeting was the potential of removing one lane of traffic in each direction. Another consideration is the potential addition of bicycle lanes. It has been determined that these proposals would require that an EIR be conducted, in which the precise impacts would be analyzed and alternatives / mitigations considered. The good news is that Colorado Boulevard will be part of the first "EIR Package" for Los Angeles streets, with contracts to conduct the studies projected to be awarded by the time this eLetter is published. This action will avoid a delay of a year or more for the studies to begin. No decisions regarding any changes to the boulevard have been made at this time. However, should the final plan include a desire for bike lanes and/or the removal of traffic lanes, having the Environmental Impact Reports already completed will be of considerable benefit.
New Supporter - Solheim Lutheran Home:
Many thanks to the Solheim Lutheran Home for being the latest supporter of the Take Back the Boulevard initiative. Safety is certainly one of the considerations that the Take Back the Boulevard initiative considers. Safety for our senior citizens needs to be included in future conversations. We welcome Solheim's support.
The above rendering was part of the presentation recently made at the Council Office by the Colorado Boulevard Median Advisory Committee (MAC Team).
Jane Tsong writes: We are pleased to report that all but one of the 26 trees have survived their first brutally hot summer! One casualty, due to confusion over watering responsibilities, will be replanted this winter. Three trees suffered from vandalism soon after planting, but have enthusiastically recovered over the summer. This winter, they will be pruned to correct their structure.
Tree planting day is always a fun and photogenic event. But much preparation precedes the planting itself. Initial outreach, applying to funding sources, managing the stringent funder requirements, consulting with experts to choose species which will thrive under our local conditions, ensuring treewells meet current city requirements, and negotiating with property owners to enlarge or shift treewells when necessary are all part of the up-front work. Once trees are planted it is critical to arrange for property owners to water the trees.
The biggest challenge remains decades ahead-- making sure property owners understand how to receive each tree's full benefits. By pruning only to enhance (not alter) the trees' natural structure, business owners will profit from reduced energy bills, enhanced street life, better business, and higher property values. With enough volunteers, we can plant more trees this spring, on sections of Colorado that lack tall trees. Please contact us, whether your skill is using a shovel on short notice, making phone calls, driving a truck, or charming property owners with your enthusiasm for a more livable city. To volunteer, please contact
urbanforestcollaborative[AT]gmail[DOT]com
Anyone can play a big role by thanking the businesses who have agreed to plant and water new trees. These folks are the visionaries of our neighborhood. Let your favorite businesses on Colorado and York Boulevard know how important shade and greenery are to you.
For updates, photos, and blog:
http://www.urbanforestcollaborative.wordpress.com
For an interactive map of trees planted and planting sites targeted for the future: http://www.eaglerockcentennial.com/#!tree-planting
Biggest thanks to Marcos Trinidad, Yuliana Parada, Claudia Clemens, Mark Reback, Mike Woodward, Robert Powers, Ysidro at Renaissance Arts Academy, Jack Burnett Stuart, Dave Gustavson, Pam Wegner, Sarah Lieving, Allen Compton, Tom Yang, Rich and Esther Monk, Scott Wilson, and the late John Stillion.
We are in the process of revamping the TERA website and are seeking a web developer to help code the website. An understanding of HTML, CSS, ajax and the ability to develop for Wordpress would be helpful. Please email president@TERA90041.org if you can give us a hand.
TERA Members - Show your active membership card
and
save 10% at the Owl Talk.
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