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On the Road: It was great to get away for a couple of weeks. However, after two weeks of different cities, torrid temperatures in the northeast, and hotel rooms of varying comfort, there was a big smile on my face as we approached JFK for the flight back home. Since I have been out of town the last couple of weeks, this eLetter will, by necessity, have a more personal slant.
My hometown, Boston, is the first city we visited. It is remarkable how Boston has welcomed new development that respects the historic nature of the city. A good example was a contemporary complex that at the street level, and several floors up was red brick, with decorative elements that reflect the historic nature and style of the neighborhood. At a certain point, high above the street, the structure morphs into a pristine glass structure with smooth but not harsh perspectives. It reminds me of those wonderful relationships that sometimes happen between an extremely conservative person and a free soul who sees no limits. Together, they create a joyful partnership. Equally important to the character of Boston is how historic structures continue to function, not just as "nice to look at" but as an integral part of city life. These glorious buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries continue to function as residences, offices, stores, schools, etc.
It is a severe culture shock to go from a hotel in Boston across from historic Faneuil Hall to a hotel located a few steps from Times Square in New York City. Whereas Boston is dedicated to growing without losing the character of prior centuries, New York has been transformed, nowhere more dramatically than around Times Square. In a prior time this area was X-rated - not now. Some of the alternatives mentioned as part of Take Back the Boulevard initiative have been implemented in Times Square. Selected areas of streets have been reclaimed for parklets. The tables and chairs located in these areas were occupied day or night. Pedestrian areas have been increased; bicycle lanes are present in this area that is arguably one of the most traveled in the country. The only X-rated aspect of our visit to Times Square is a photo on the street of me with a "nude" guitar player, a transplant from Los Angeles who said Los Angeles didn't appreciate her talents but New York does. She was probably the only New Yorker who didn't mind the temperatures in the high 80's. Generally speaking the streets were clean and there were no homeless individuals in sight. We felt safe walking from our hotel to restaurants and theatres. One thing that has not changed is Broadway being the center of theatre in the USA. We saw a different show every night - and all were wonderful.
Our final stop was Hyde Park in upper New York State. Many people wrongly characterize the entire state as resembling New York City - one huge urban metropolis. That could not be farther from the truth. Northern New York state and especially the Hudson River Valley is very green, much of it rural and all of it beautiful. We spent the 4th of July with friends at a family gathering. Several generations of a loving family enjoyed hearty snacks, tasty treats from the grill, adults chased the ice cream truck for dessert and wrapped up the evening with modest fireworks next to the pool. It was truly a Norman Rockwell moment. We felt privileged to be there.
Saturday evening we very happily returned to Eagle Rock. Our first impression, when we walked into our home, was how much we appreciated being back in Eagle Rock. Sometimes you have to go away from what you have to truly appreciate it all. We loved being back in our own home and we loved reconnecting with Eagle Rock friends at dinner that night. "Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home." John Howard Payne
As a final important comment - please note opportunities below for you to get involved. The effort to bring marijuana dispensaries under control could use your support. Also, there is an opportunity for you to chime in regarding the EIR (Environmental Impact Report) regarding bike lanes on Colorado.
 Bob Gotham, President
Support TERA - Become a Member
It's that time of year - the time we request our supporters to renew their memberships. Requests for renewals have been mailed to all those who have expiring memberships. Please let me; know if you did not receive your renewal request. To all of our supporters, we could not do this work without your financial support. Please support TERA for another year.
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. Look for the TERA Membership Decals at merchant locations. Just show your active membership card. Click on http://www.tera90041.org/benefits.htm to see the member benefits offered by each merchant.
If you are a merchant and would like to participate in this program, which includes free advertising in the eLetter, please email president@tera90041.org.
TERA has taken a position of support as it pertains to the ban on medical marijuana dispensaries as proposed by Jose Huizar. Therefore, it was with considerable despair that I recently read in Patch (July 5) that "A state appeals court affirmed the legality of medical marijuana dispensaries under California law and rejected bans imposed by municipalities." It should strike no one as a surprise that all is not as it seems to be in the saga of Medical Marijuana dispensaries.
My latest understanding, as clarified by Jane Usher of the City Attorney's Office, is that the "...the appellate court struck the County (not the City's) MM law." The aspect of county law that exposed it to the court's latest ruling is that it banned any and all distribution. A total ban is precluded by state law. The City ban, currently being proposed by the Council Office, shrewdly includes the ability for "dispensaries" or groups of patients, comprised of not more than three patients / caregivers to continue to meet the needs of its patients. Jane Usher further explained "The appellate court went on to hold that allowing distribution by collectives of 3 or fewer is not a ban and is not preempted by state law."
There are indications that the latest proposed ban has been more carefully crafted than were earlier efforts to bring this situation under control. Let's hope it was so that when the inevitable litigation begins, the judge it will quickly conclude that the ban is enforceable.
Marijuana - Your Role: There is a role for you to play! It is likely that the City Council will consider the ban during the final week in July. Support from Eagle Rockers regarding the proposed ban will be very helpful. Please send me an email president@tera90041.org, indicating your support of the ban. Please include your name and address. Emails without the name and address information will not be processed - one email per individual please. I will ensure that all qualified responses, including those that may not be supportive, will be provided to the council office. Responses must be received no later than Sunday July 22.
Funding Support: This initiative is moving into the phase where it will be necessary to develop applications for grants, funds that will allow us to make the desired changes to Colorado Boulevard. TERA has granted another $1,000 to Take Back the Boulevard. It is our hope that the Neighborhood Council and our councilmember, Jose Huizar, will continue to provide much needed financial support.
City Seeks Community Input Regarding Colorado Boulevard Bike Lanes: The City of Los Angeles is exploring whether to install bicycle lanes along Colorado Boulevard, similar to those that exist on Eagle Rock Boulevard south of Westdale Avenue, and on York Boulevard. Take Back the Boulevard supports this study; bike lanes can not only make it safer for bicyclists, but also make it safer for pedestrians to cross Colorado and reduce speeding. A final decision will not be made and bike lanes will not be installed until the City completes an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to analyze potential impacts of the bike lanes. The City has begun the formal EIR process, and seeks community input about potential impacts the EIR should study. Comments must be submitted to the Planning Department by July 30, 2012.
If you are unsure whether you support bike lanes on Colorado, what do you want to know before making up your mind? For example, you might want to know if bike lanes are likely to increase traffic congestion and, if so, on what stretches of Colorado and at what times of day. Some have expressed concerns that traffic might be diverted to Yosemite Avenue or Hill Drive, or that on-street parking might be affected. At this stage, the focus is not whether you support or oppose bike lanes, but what should be studied. The formal notice about the EIR is available on-line at http://planning.lacity.org/eir/nops/ENV-2012-1470-eir.pdf. Send your comments to David Somers, David Somers, Department of City Planning, 200 N. Spring Street, Room 667, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or e-mail him at David.Somers@lacity.org.
The annual Concerts in the Park series returns again this year! Concerts will be held in the band shell at Eagle Rock Recreation Center, located at 1100 Eagle Vista Drive at 6 p.m.
TERA could not exist without the support of our membership. Many thanks are extended to the following individuals who have recently become TERA members or renewed prior memberships. We couldn't do it without you!
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