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 Hot or Cool
Is Eagle Rock "hot" or "cool" was one of the questions asked when I was recently interviewed by Rob Hayes from Channel ABC / Channel 7. He was interested in my comments as they related to the recent announcement by Redfin that Eagle Rock is the #2 hottest real estate market in the United States. My answer was that it was not an either or, but that Eagle Rock is both. It is "hot" because it has been identified as a very desirable place to buy a home. However, living here is very "cool" if I still remember what "cool" denotes. In response to his next question I indicated I was not surprised that Eagle Rock gained this prominence. He repeated the question a couple of times I think suggesting that not being surprised was not a reasonable answer. I had the advantage of living here and first-hand knowing what an incredible community this is. According to Redfin their "agents have found that the real trend in 2014 neighborhood popularity is a short commute at an affordable price. The trending neighborhoods offer a short drive to or easy access to a commuter rail line at prices that are not the most expensive in the city." Redfin also indicated that home buyers are frequently willing to make compromises in areas such as less desirable restaurants, homes requiring more renovation, etc. Obviously, being 11 miles from the center of the 2nd largest city in the nation, with bus lines to downtown running through the center of Eagle Rock, our community offers a hard-to-beat commute. Median price for 2013 was $539,000 - not exactly an easy threshold for first home buyers but still very attractive when compared to other similar neighborhoods with good schools, a great array of restaurants, a wonderful collection of interesting and unique boutique type establishments, and much more. It's hot, but being so cool is one of the reason it's hot. Welcome to Baker
Please join me in welcoming Baker Montgomery to the TERA Board. Baker moved to LA for graduate school over ten years ago. Attending Art Center just over the border in Pasadena, he quickly became familiar with Eagle Rock, and fell in love with the community. He and his wife Hilary finally took the plunge a couple of years ago and bought a little home just around the corner from Casa Bianca. Baker is a private art dealer. Baker's initial entry into activism in Eagle Rock began with his election to the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) in 2012. Since then, as a member of the ERNC, Baker has been very supportive of the goals of Take Back the Boulevard, and was very helpful in gathering support for the changes to Colorado Boulevard. Joining the TERA Board is Baker's way of continuing to work for our community once his tenure on the ERNC comes to an end in April, 2014. Baker is excited to continue TERA's passion for a livable, pedestrian friendly Eagle Rock. What's Your Question? Get there early because TERA's annual State of the Town meeting (February 13 at 7PM - see below for more info) is one of TERA's best attended public meetings. Change is inevitable, but change can be good or bad. Much has changed in Eagle Rock in the last year. My opinion is that most of it has been for the good.
Based on past meetings I expect that our Councilmember, José Huizar, will have a comprehensive and polished presentation for the community. If you have a question you would like the Councilmember to consider email it to president@tera90041.org with State of the Town in the topic line. How Does Your Garden Grow? Michelle Coulter has taken the lead in TERA's annual fundraiser. Plans for the event, which will feature a tour of gardens and a reception, are in the early formative stages. One of the best ways to make connections with other Eagle Rockers is to get involved on a personal basis. Become a member of the Fund Raiser and I promise you will meet great people, have fun, and be contributing to TERA's efforts to continue to work for the betterment of the community. If you would like to have your garden considered on the tour or would like to volunteer to work with Michele to put the event together, please send an email to Michelle at mecoulter@gmail.com. Eagle Rock Treasures We are fortunate to have Jay Platt, a professional preservationist, on the TERA Board. Jay would appreciate your feedback on any historical structures or other buildings of distinction in Eagle Rock that may be candidates for actions aimed toward historic preservation. Please send an email to Jay at jayplatt1@gmail.com highlighting the building(s) you feel are a special part of Eagle Rock. Walking the Streets
No matter how many times you drive by an area, I promise that walking the same route will give you different understanding of the area. My assignment was to walk the south side of Colorado from Figueroa to Shearin Ave., and document locations that qualified for new trees. I had never realized how much of the construction had already been completed on the DHM Lofts project before it was abandoned. The Montessori School has done a beautiful job of restoring the exterior of the geodesic dome structure that was in gradual decline for so many years. The interior of the re-purposed dome, as depicted by photos found on the Internet, is absolutely beautiful. I also noticed more of a residential presence on the Boulevard than I had realized. More details about the purpose of my trek are provided below in Take Back the Boulevard updates. Leave your car at home one day and try walking. You will be amazed at how much richer the experience of walking is. And you may lose an ounce or two in the process.
Another Reason
TERA recently voted to support the new trees initiative by providing a grant of $5,000 to assist in caring for new trees in the first two years. Judging by the eLetter responses, many readers are not TERA members and do not provide financial support to TERA. It is only through this important membership support that TERA is able to once again make a significant financial contribution that will lead to the betterment of our community. Thanks to all the TERA members who made this possible. If you are not a member, please take action now! Email me at president@TERA90041.org and I will send you a membership packet. Otherwise, please go to http://www.tera90041.org and join using PayPal. Become a member now! ________________________________________
Bob Gotham, President
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Membership Has Benefits! Discounts are available for TERA Members at participating merchants (see list below.) Look for the TERA Membership Decals at merchant locations. Just show your active membership card. Click on http://www.tera90041.org 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 e.letter, please email us at president@tera90041.org.
Support TERA - Become a Member: Join now at http://www.tera90041.org. Memberships begin at only $15.
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 Milkfarm is Coming: One of the characteristics of great residential communities is the presence of a great business community. Wisely, one of the important goals included in the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan was the goal of being most welcoming to locally owned businesses. Recently I met Leah Parker Fierro, owner of Milkfarm, an artisan cheese shop that will open soon in Eagle Rock, and asked about her decision to locate her new business in Eagle Rock.
A combination of her familiarity and affection for Eagle Rock, the attractive demographics (great diversity, young, family oriented) and the close proximity to her family all played a role in choosing Eagle Rock. The opportunity to bring a unique and sustainable business to the community that she considers a hidden gem was another factor. As she has done in her Silverlake position, Leah hopes to get to know her Eagle Rock customers by their first names and see their children mature. She and her husband also hope to raise their family in Eagle Rock.
Following is the recently released Milkfarm press release. Welcome Milkfarm!
Milkfarm, the first artisan cheese shop in Eagle Rock's thriving downtown district, will be opening in the first quarter of 2014. Located at 2106 W. Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock, Milkfarm will feature the finest selection of gourmet cheeses, charcuterie, and artisanal LA-based products, along with a carefully-selected collection of wines and craft beers (ABC license pending). Milkfarm aims to bring a shared experience and neighborhood feel to Eagle Rock, which will be centered around the store's communal table. Here, customers can enjoy cheese plates, quick bites, sandwiches, pastries, local beer and wine. Milkfarm will also host wine and cheese classes, "meet the maker" nights, private parties, offer catering services and custom gift baskets.
Milkfarm is owned and operated by Leah Park Fierro, who has spent the past six years as a manager of The Cheese Store of Silverlake. A native of Los Angeles, Leah is a graduate of The California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, and spent several years in the pastry department for the Ritz-Carlton, L'Ermitage, and Four Seasons hotel chains. An avid traveler, she spent a year traveling around the world sampling each country's culinary differences, further emphasizing her love for food.
"l'm so excited to open my first small business venture in downtown Eagle Rock," says Fierro. "Eagle Rock is a growing, diverse community and the downtown area is filled with an amazing and supportive community of small businesses. I hope Milkfarm can serve the needs of local residents beyond just providing artisan cheese, beer and wine, but additionally expose the community to other local hidden gems."
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Take Back the Boulevard Update
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Following is an update on the major goals being pursued for 2014.
Greening Colorado Boulevard:
As previously report, since the City has the resources to provide new trees beyond Colorado Boulevard, the focus has been broadened to include Eagle Rock Boulevard and selected public areas adjacent to residential locations.
Although there are several blocks of the Boulevard that are tree lined, it was surprising how many areas have few if any trees, and the number of stumps and dead trees that have been identified during the inventory process. I was personally responsible for completing the inventory for the southern part of Colorado Boulevard from Figueroa to Shearin Ave. Other volunteers from Take Back the Boulevard, TERA, the Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful (CERB), and the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council have inventoried other areas. Kudos again for a wonderful collaboration between several community organizations.
CD14 is now consolidating the information gathered by many volunteers. The consolidated information will be provided to the City of Los Angeles - Street Services / Urban Forestry Division where final decisions regarding tree locations, species, etc. will be made. Once those decisions are made a schedule of planting will be developed. Many thanks to all of those who have come together in support of "greening Eagle Rock."
One of the criteria required by the City is evidence that the trees will be cared for in the first two years must be provided. The TERA Board has voted to provide $5,000 to help with the watering and other tree maintenance over the first two years. New Colorado Medians from Eagle Rock Boulevard to Sierra Villa:
This is the most aggressive goal. It will be very costly and complex but it will also have a profound impact on the Boulevard experience to the west of Eagle Rock Boulevard. It is very likely that this goal, because of its magnitude, will require a multi-year effort
Included in the construction of a new median is considerable study regarding the impact to traffic. Overall medians have a traffic-calming effect, which is good. However, the ability to make left turns must be studied and preserved at some locations. The placement of pedestrian refuge areas must also be resolved. Depending on the landscaping scheme, an irrigation system is typically required. Allen Compton, a member of the TBTB team is in the process of developing a hypothetical median landscape design.
Funding will be a distinct challenge for this very costly initiative. The TBTB Team, with the assistance of Civic Enterprise has begun the process of searching for future governmental funding opportunities.
Light Historic Boulevard Buildings - Eagle Rock City Hall:
Lighting historic buildings along the Boulevard at night will create a warmer, more pedestrian friendly environment. Better lighted areas tend to be safer areas . Eagle Rock City Hall is an iconic building, already registered as a historic structure. A letter writing campaign is under way, encouraging the City to improve the maintenance of Eagle Rock City Hall, especially the façade, and to provide lighting in the evening.
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- State of the Town Meeting - February 13
 - Women's Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock Centennial Concert - February 8
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TERA could not exist without the generous support of its members. Thank you to all listed below as new members or those who have renewed their memberships.  |
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