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There are many things one can do well in Eagle Rock. One of them is eating well. "Eating well" can of course be defined in many ways.
The big conundrum in my life is that most of what I like to eat is not what I should eat. The obesity in our country leads me to feel that I am not alone in my dietary challenges. Usually, I try to eat what I should on week days. When someone suggests we meet for lunch, I will usually suggest Four Café**. It is unique in that so much of what is on the menu is what I should be eating and it is tasty too! For the first time in years, last Saturday Mike and I had a weekend gastronomical celebration; lunch at Oinkster. The pastrami sandwiches were "to die for," a phrase that may have too much truth if we celebrate there too often. The place was busy-busy, in the middle of the afternoon. We were lucky to find a table in a prime outside area. My taste buds were in ecstasy as each slice of the pastrami, sometimes with just the right amount of fat, and the carb loaded bread took a nonstop flight from my lips to my waist. For the next few weeks it will be so much harder to deny my car's urge to take a right into the Oinkster's parking lot for a repeat performance.
As I was enjoying my moments of "Pastrami Paradise" I reflected on how rich our community has become in dining options. Little Beast, which is arguably the most high-end dining establishment, and one of the newest, judging by parking, is doing very well. We dined there once and were so happy that it has been rescued from the predecessor (Larkin's), which had declined in its waning days. Sundays, after church, we often go to Camillo's**. Great salads, unbeatable omelets and a tasty Cuban sandwich are some of my favorites. We also love Armon's Coffee Shop**. For me they make a mean club sandwich. Mike is addicted to their chicken chow mein. Sometimes I go there during the week (diet time) for an egg white omelet - no cheese, fresh fruit, and just one slice of dry toast. How I love Mexican food and it does not get better that at LaFuente. Sadly, that is another dining experience that delights the taste buds but makes touching my toes much harder the next day. Colombo's is another one of our favorite haunts. It is the place we most reliably bump into other familiar Eagle Rockers. Their gourmet burger is the best burger in town, by-far. It is even better if preceded by a cocktail. If you are careful there, and order a steak and veggies, salad dressing on the side and one glass of wine, you can even eat healthy at Colombo's. Sadly it is a theory I have not tested often enough. The more Italian side of the menu has never disappointed me, and that usually includes garlic bread and pasta. We all know what that means. Of course, we patronize many other Eagle Rock restaurants, too many to list here.
To move us further in the direction of an "embarrassment of riches" dining-wise, is Max City BBQ** which is having a grand opening on March 21 - probably just before this newsletter is sent. Pulled pork, mac & cheese and slaw will be my first meal there. Artisan cheese & wines, picnic baskets and other delicacies will soon be offered by Milkfarm on Colorado Boulevard, opening in Early April. Finally, for all the wings aficionados, and there are many, Rocking Wings will be opening on Eagle Rock Boulevard in two or three months. Of the many qualities that make our community great, an awesome selection of dining alternatives is certainly one of Eagle Rock's strong suit.
Have you been heard?
In the last newsletter I encouraged readers to become activists, to get out of the stands and onto the playing field, working for the things they believe in. Activism can take many forms. Some forms are very time consuming and others require more thought but little time.
A common feeling shared by my circle of friends is that government could work better. It's not a partisan issue; whichever party is in the driver's seat, there are numerous examples of decisions made and actions taken, all of dubious benefit to the community at large.
An excellent example of government ineptitude is found in the presence of illicit massage parlors found city-wide and especially in our community. While it is important for our councilmember to understand that we want illegal massage parlors gone, it is also important to understand where the fundamental problem lies.
In 2008, in order to minimize the presence of illicit massage parlors, California passed a law that established the California Massage Therapy Council, with a primary role of establishing professional standards and certifying legitimate massage therapists. They also had the ability to revoke certification for therapist who had violated professional standards. We all know that the 2008 law has not worked well. It has allowed the proliferation of massage parlors, many of them illicit, in Eagle Rock. Law enforcement has indicated that a major issue is that the existing law does not allow the use of zoning nor does it encourage a consistent local approach in managing the presence of massage parlors. In fact, they have characterized the existing statute as preventing the effective regulation of massage parlors. At the end of the year, unless further action is taken by the Legislature and the governor, the California Massage Therapy Council Management will no longer exist.
Here is an opportunity to be an activist that will require little time or effort. If you want the situation to change, take a few minutes, make your voice heard. Contact the governor and your representatives in the Legislature now! Express your support for a continuation of the California Massage Therapy Council Management and new laws, without loopholes, that will provide tools for effective and consistent control of massage parlors at the local level, minimizing the presence of illicit massage parlors in our community. Links for emails are provided below. With very slight change you could copy the text above (italicized). If you don't make your voice heard ...
Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez:
Senator Kevin De Léon:
Governor Jerry Brown:
http://govnews.ca.gov/gov39mail/mail.php
Hoping that this letter will inspire some readers to be more active in speaking their representatives, there is a simple solution to communicating on the national level. One alternative is to monitor the upcoming votes and votes made on our behalf by our Congressional Representatives. Let them know what positions you favor, and most importantly, let them know when they support positions that you do not support. Just sign up at http://www.congress.org/congressorg/megavote.
Each week that Congress is in session you will receive an email that details upcoming votes as well as votes cast by Senators Boxer and Feinstein and Representative Becerra. The weekly reports will include links making it easy for you to share your thoughts with your representatives in Congress.
The oft-repeated rationale for not doing any of this is the argument that "I am only one person, what difference can I make?" The reality is that unless an organized group with a specific agenda motivates its constituency to flood a congressional office with emails, very few people make the effort to have their opinions known. The rarity of these communications distinguishes them and gives them a unique importance. There is no guarantee that our voices will make a difference. But sitting in the stands rather than getting on the playing field is a guarantee that your hopes and aspirations will not be heard; they will not make a difference.
Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Elections - April 26
The deadline to apply to be a candidate in this year's election is now past. The slate of candidates will be known soon. To paraphrase the saying "You get what you pay for", you also "get what you vote for." On Saturday, April 26, you will have the opportunity to vote for new members of the Neighborhood Council. A few of the current members have indicated an interest in running for a second term. The experience they have gained in their first term is valuable and they should be seriously considered. There will also be many new-comers. A "Meet the Candidate" meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 22 at Eagle Rock City Hall. More details to come. This will be an opportunity for us all to become more familiar with the possible members of our 2014 - 2015 Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council and make better decisions when we vote. Any questions regarding the next election should be emailed to info@eaglerockcouncil.org.
New Community Meeting Space
Community meetings per se are an important component of connecting members of a community. What is not obvious to many is that meeting venue rental charges can be a significant part of meeting budgets. The good news is that there is a new, first class meeting space in town that is available to community associations at no charge.
Several months ago, when the owner of Colorado Terrace was submitting his plans for approval of Colorado Terrace - Phase II, he reached out to TERA for our support. It is definitely true that the size and color of the existing structure has caused many Eagle Rockers to feel that the building is very wrong for our community. However, it is equally true that the owner of the property has the right to expand the complex and build a Phase II component on the lots he already owns to the east of the current complex. TERA responded knowing that our support might be helpful but that even without our support, ultimately the new structure would be built. We asked for a few concessions that included no more orange paint, a building of a slightly smaller scale, and to make the existing community room more available to the community at no charge.
The meeting space, located at 2455 Colorado Boulevard is bright, pleasant, adjustable for various group sizes and nicely furnished. The space includes a commercial kitchen and, depending on the time of day, considerable parking. Users of the space should provide their own sound / video systems. Please be advised that the space is not to be used for commercial purposes. Groups who use the space will be expected to leave it in the condition as it was found. One community organization has already begun holding their monthly meetings at Colorado Terrace. To see the space and get further information contact Kurken Alyanakian (kurken@ddcm.net or 323.256.6060) or Debbie Garcia ( debbie@ddcm.net or 323.256.6060). State of the Town Meeting Presentation - On Line At TERA's State of the Town meeting in February Councilmember José Huizar delivered a message that described a community on the move, in most cases, in a very positive way. The PowerPoint presentation (as a PDF) supporting address is now posted on the TERA website at www.tera90041.org.
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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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Take Back the Boulevard Update
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Great Streets Initiative
Responding to the Mayor's initiative, TBTB sent a letter to the mayor and other city representatives, requesting that Colorado Boulevard, with a special emphasis on the segment of the Boulevard between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Sierra Villa, be considered as one of the 40 streets that will be chosen for streetscape enhancement.
The letter acknowledged the improvements made to the eastern segment of the Boulevard and suggested "It is now time to turn our attention to the segment of Colorado Boulevard west of Eagle Rock Boulevard, where there is a great unrealized potential for robust commercial growth, improved safety, and greater community identification." The major suggested changes to the Boulevard include new, landscaped medians and new crosswalks. These enhancements to the Boulevard would transform the character of the streetscape, more equitably sharing the sidewalks and the Boulevard, improving safety and enhancing the commercial appeal.
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Pillarhenge Looking Up
Finally the ugly and abandoned project that we affectionately call Pillarhenge has attracted a resident. Thanks to Keely Myers for sharing her photo of the stork that has taken up residence on top of one of the pillars. This is without question the most positive thing that has happened to this otherwise community disaster since the beginning of the project. Anyone knowing any stork relatives, that would be willing to share more about the story of the stork, please have them email me at president@tera90041.org.
Colorado Blvd and Eagle Rock: Appreciating the Past and Improving the Future - March 23 - 10am - 12:30pm
Join Walk Ambassador and Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council member Ashley Atkinson and LA Walks Steering Committee member Mark Vallianotos and explore the past and future of Colorado Blvd and beyond. This four mile roundtrip walk will travel along Colorado Blvd up to the Eagle Rock and back. Along the way you'll get to learn a little about the history of the Eagle Rock neighborhood; recent efforts by the neighborhood council, Council District 14, and Take Back the Boulevard to improve the boulevard; and can help identify opportunities for additional improvements.
When: Sunday, March 23, 10am to 12:30pm
Where: Meet at Swork Coffee at Eagle Rock Blvd & Colorado Blvd
Distance: 4 miles roundtrip, this is a stroller/roller friendly walk (families and wheelchair users encouraged).
Donation: $6.27 a person (this includes online fees). Our monthly walks help grow our organization and will range in price depending on the event.
RSVP here!
Peace Walk - March 29 
Center for the Arts - 12th Annual Art Auction April 12 from 5PM to 8PM
Eagle Rock Alumni Association - Soaring Eagles Gala
Saturday, April 26 at 5:30pm / Twentieth Century Women's Club
Honoring the 2014 Soaring Eagles
Tickets are $30 / deadline for ticket purchase is April 21
More information: Contact Mary Costa Denardo 323.256.1943
Eagle Rock High School Alumni Association
1st Annual Scholarship Fundraiser - Sunday, May 18 12:30 - 5:00pm
Santa Anita Park - Club Plaza 3rd Floor
Donations are $75 per person and include parking, entrance, program, gourmet buffet, no host bar, and an excellent view of the race track and the finish line.
More information: Contact Kaye Beckham (323.254.9163) or Rosemary Reader (818.343.8020)
The Great Gatsby - Camellia Fashion Show at the Women's Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock - Saturday, May 3, 11:30am - $30 per person
More information: Call 323-478-1883 or contact Sharon Gould at sharame8@att.net.
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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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