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Politics is Local:
The drama that surrounded the election for the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council prooved once again that Eagle Rock takes its politics seriously. However, based on the participation in the presidential race, it would appear that Eagle Rockers may agree with Tip O'Neill who said in the 1930's, "All politics is local." Whereas a record number (600 - 800) of voters turned out for the Neighborhood Council, only 49.4% of CD14 registered voters cast their vote for president as compared to a participation of 58% on a state-wide basis. In local elections, especially when the council office is on the ballot, CD14 leads the voter participation city-wide. It is a sad commentary that less than half the registered voters participated in the process of choosing our next president. I do understand that many of those preferring Romney may have felt "why bother" since California is such a blue state. But there were many other candidates and issues on the ballot that deserved our collective attention. I encourage everyone, of all ideologies - for future elections at all levels, get informed, which one cannot do simply by listening to the political ads, and show up at the polls to cast your vote. Bylaw Update: TERA Bylaws were adopted on February 2000. Great credit goes to those who participated in the creation of the Bylaws. They have served TERA well over the years. Twelve years later and it is time to review the bylaws, ensuring that they respond to how the TERA organization can most effectively function for the future. Most changes are expected to be minor administrative tweaks. The most profound refinement may be a change to the board of directors' criteria. According to the current Bylaws candidates for the board must meet the following criteria: The requirement that a candidate be a resident of Eagle Rock deserves further consideration. TERA's membership base, as well as the volunteers supporting TERA's activities, includes many individuals who live in the surrounding communities, but not in Eagle Rock. Many residents in Glassell Park, Highland Park and Mount Washington and other adjacent communities routinely patronize Eagle Rock merchants and consider Eagle Rock to be part of their community. Responding to that reality, the board is considering refining the bylaws so that a specified number of Board of Directors' seats can be occupied by residents of adjacent communities. Although the board member criteria may become broader, our focus will continue to be fully directed to the Eagle Rock Community. If you have an interest in becoming more involved with TERA, I would love to hear from you. Please email me at president@tera90041.org Cirque du Rock:
Great appreciation is extended to all who supported TERA's annual fund raiser on October 27. I think all who participated would agree that the Women's Club looked great, the food was wonderful. Tarot card reading, an acrobat, an extraordinary flash mob dance performed by the TERA dancers, a costume contest and many other diversions were offered through the evening. Photos of at the event may be found at http://tinyurl.com/CirqueDuRock Mobile Homes - Not So Mobile:
From time to time I hear from residents who wake up one day with a new neighbor - a neighbor living in a mobile home that is parked in front of their immobile home. I have asked the Council Office to provide assistance in securing the regulations that detail what is allowed in this area. I am interested in knowing how much this situation has proliferated in Eagle Rock. If you have a mobile home at your curb that has been parked there for an extended time please send me an email. Include your address and how long the mobile home / trailer has been at your curb.president@tera90041.org  Bob Gotham, President
On behalf of the entire TERA board we extend our best wishes to you and a wish that your Thanksgiving Day will be a day of celebration for all the gifts that are part of our lives. "We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." Frederick Keonig
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 participating merchants (see list above.) 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.
Master Vision Document Status:
It is not unusual for someone ask "whatever happened to Take Back the Boulevard?" The answer is that it has moved into the next phase. Initially it was critical that the community be brought together and given the opportunity to express opinions regarding how Colorado Boulevard could be made to better serve Eagle Rock. Our efforts in that key - important phase of the overall initiative process, were very visible. The next phase, due to its nature, is less visible to the community.
We are now in the process of developing the components that will identify and secure solutions, often grants, to making community-supported improvements to the Boulevard. Probably the most important task at this stage is translating the hopes and desires of the community into a document often called a Vision Plan. The plan will contain content detailing our specific goals as well as renderings and other graphics that provide the reader with a visual depiction of the changes to the Boulevard. The strength of this document will have considerable impact on our ability to win grants and support from the Department of Transportation and other agencies and sources. Given the high standards that are essential for this work product, development is taking longer than we anticipated, but this is good progress to report. The text portion of the document is about 50% complete. Ecotone Studios / Joshua Link, a local graphic artist with an impressive portfolio in this area, has agreed to design and produce the overall document, integrating the text content now being developed with graphic content that he will create. Joshua has very generously agreed to do this challenging task for a token fee of less than 10% of his usual fee. His contributions are greatly appreciated. METRO Call for Project
Every other year, METRO (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority) issues a "Call for Projects." This call gives communities the opportunity to request funds for transportation-related projects in their area, including bicycle and pedestrian projects. The City of Los Angeles is the formal applicant, but often submits proposals developed by community organization such as Take Back the Boulevard. Proposals are subjected to a competitive process and ranked according to various pre-established criteria; funds are awarded to the project(s) emerging from the process with the highest rankings. Take Back the Boulevard has submitted a preliminary proposal for submission by the City, which includes pedestrian projects identified through TBTB's community planning process. Many thanks to Jeff Jacobberger - Civic Enterprises for developing what we hope will be a strong request for support.
Colorado and El Rio:
There has been considerable community feedback asking for a pedestrian crosswalk at Colorado and El Rio. This request has been submitted to the DOT. The date on which they will schedule a survey (count the number of pedestrians crossing at that location) has not yet been established. The purpose of the survey is to determine if a cross walk is justified. Wait for notice of the date; we will need your participation. Bike Lane Update:
Colorado Boulevard is included in the city-wide master plan for bike lanes. In order to move closer to the plan being finalized for the Boulevard an EIR (Environmental Impact Report) must be completed by the city. This report examines the likely impact on traffic if one travel lane in each direction were eliminated to make the presence of bike lanes more practical. Originally the EIR was to be completed mid-year. It was subsequently rescheduled to December 2012. Results of the study will be shared as soon as available.
DHM Lofts:
It is with cautious optimism that I report that the due diligence process between the current interested developer and the City has progressed farther than the process has with prior interested investors. At this key milestone the city has provided a detailed document to the developer indicating those remedial actions that must be taken in order for the project to be resumed and proceed on a prudent and compliant basis. The document includes significant focus on the important topic of grading requirements. The developer is in the process of proposing alternate approaches to satisfy the city's grading concerns more economically. The Council Office, and especially Zenay Loera, deserve kudos for understanding the importance of getting rid of this signature blight and prioritizing the need to work closely with all parties to move this forward. Corner Pizzeria No More:
In the almost three years that this establishment existed in Eagle Rock it had grown into a very popular eatery. Owners of Corner Pizzeria met with the TERA Board about a year ago. They discussed with us their plan to expand into the adjoining retail space creating a bar / restaurant called "5 Line" in memory of the trolley cars that once ran between Eagle Rock and downtown.
The establishment is now known as Big Momma's and Big Papa's Pizzeria. Based on a simple Google exercise, this appears to be the second location for what is apparently a franchise strategy. It is rare and unfortunate when a successful business owner in Eagle Rock is here for such a short time. But business is business. The new owners continue to have a long term strategy to open the adjacent bar / restaurant. On a strictly personal note, I have a highly discerning palate for thin crust pizza. Corner's Pizzeria's was some of the best! I will try BM and BP's soon. Colorado Wine Company is Moving:
(I asked Jennifer at Colorado Wine to tell me the story behind their relocation and here it is --)
"Colorado Wine Company began to look for a new location here in Eagle Rock a few years ago, when the terms of our lease at 2114 became untenable. We were approached by Paul Sislin about his space at 2305 Colorado Boulevard, next to Planet Tobacco and one block west of the Bank of America. We loved the art deco façade of the block and the plentiful street parking, and began renovating the space entirely. The newly exposed beams of the high open ceiling and the muted lighting of the space make for a cozy bar atmosphere and warm retail space. We also added a feature Wineco regulars had long been asking for - beer on tap. A rotating list of 6 artisanal ales and lagers now complement the expanded offerings of wines by the glass on a daily basis. Our weekly tasting schedule will remain the same, but we have begun scheduling food trucks out front of the space to coincide with our Friday night flight tastings. We have also added a line of gourmet coffees, chocolates, olive oils, salts and many other hard-to-find culinary items. Our website and phone numbers remain the same - http://www.cowineco.com, and
323-478-1985." Best of luck to the Colorado Wine Company at their new location. More information regarding business hours, etc. will be found below.
Marijuana Update:
The day that this topic no longer a topic of conversation in our community may be coming. The LAPD has acknowledged that House of Kush and American Eagle have been closed. I am hearing from others that there are several other dispensaries now closed, perhaps voluntarily. Those that remain open are less willing to accept new clients.
68th Annual Northeast Los Angeles Holiday Parade The parade begins at Avenue 60 and Figueroa St. and ends at Avenue 50 and Figueroa St.
Join Councilmember Huizar this holiday season at Northeast Los Angeles' Annual Holiday Parade! This year's theme is "People Helping People." The parade is sponsored by the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce.
Come celebrate with us! There will be ridiculous wine and draft specials, nibbles, and a food truck or two. TURKEY HOURS:
As always, we're open on Thanksgiving morning for last minute shopping and we'll be armed with tons of pairing options for everything from the most traditional meals to the really weird stuff. You know who you are.
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