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Having celebrated the day of Giving Thanks we now turn to the season of shopping. Black Friday is the starter's gun for the annual shopping frenzy that grips our nation. How interesting that the day that ushers in this period of joyous shopping is known as Black Friday, a phrase that does not exactly send out a message of joy. It appears that use of the term Black Friday began in the early 1950's in Philadelphia and was a response to the large number of employees not reporting for work the day after Thanksgiving, especially in the factory environment. About a decade later the term appears in a Philadelphia-based newsletter equating Black Friday to the large number of shoppers and the resulting traffic jams, the shortage of parking and the need for additional law enforcement on the streets. There are also those who believe the term was an update from a prior term of Red Friday, indicating that the large volume of business ensured that merchants would now be profitable and therefore in the black rather than in the red. Philadelphia merchants did not like the term Black Friday. However, attempts to adopt a more positive term such as Big Friday did not succeed. Eventually the use of Black Friday spread through the nation. It even thrust Eagle Rock into the limelight once again. The LA Times and TV news channels featured the Target located in Eagle Rock Plaza to demonstrate the special preparation that merchants make for this extraordinary shopping day.
Our life is made better by the many businesses that have chosen Eagle Rock as their location. Please make every effort to patronize the Eagle Rock businesses that make important contributions to the quality of life in our community. Beyond the act of gifts for those who are special in our lives I would like to suggest that we also include in our giving the act of giving to the less fortunate. One such business in Eagle Rock deserving a special note, a participant of TERA's Member Benefits Program, is Max City BBQ. On December 6th Max City BBQ hosted a benefit brunch donating all of the proceeds of the brunch to Recycled Resources for the Homeless. This is an extraordinary gesture of care for the under-privileged. If you haven't been there, you should go. If you are a TERA member you get a discount. All the food is awesome. My favorite lunch is the brisket and a coleslaw side. Try it, you will like it.
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 Bob Gotham, President |
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The Member Benefit Program has continued to grow in 2015. Please refer to this newsletter or go to www.tera90041.org for a full list of merchants and discounts provided to TERA members.
Your support is essential to sustain our efforts to preserve and improve the quality of life in Eagle Rock. We can't do it without you! To join or renew your membership online via PayPal or credit card, visit our website at www.tera90041.org, or mail the enclosed envelope with your check or credit card information today. We look forward to working together, continuing a tradition of over 25 years working for the betterment of Eagle Rock. If you would like to get more personally involved in TERA please send me a note indicating your interest ( president@TERA90041.org). Thank you for your past support.
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.
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Land Use - A Complicated Sport
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Recently developers, who hope to build a new structure on the land formerly occupied by Ernie's Jr., presented to the TERA Board their proposal to build a storage structure on the property. A spirited discussion by board members with many views ensued after the developers left the meeting. The jury is still out regarding whether or not TERA will support the project as currently conceived. What did emerge from the discussion was how complex land use issues can be. Years ago, Joanne Turner, a prior TERA President used the phrase "Land use is a contact sport." It certainly can be. But at times, the contentious spirit is unfortunately more visible than the complexity of land use issues.
TERA's decision process for the Ernie's Jr. Project, whatever that might ultimately be, will include many factors. Impact on those who live in the proximity of the development must be considered. Is the proposed project the best use for the property from a community perspective? Does the project require zoning changes that may precipitate a future and larger erosion of zoning protection? Does the proposed project project an image that is beneficial to Eagle Rock? Is it wiser to oppose a project, eliminating our ability to influence it or is it better to lobby for changes to improve a dubious proposal? Are we recognizing the rights of the property owner? Does the proposed development meet a need? Does it appear likely to succeed as retail, residential, or whatever use is planned? Is the current proposal, while far from ideal, the best that may be possible? There are these and many other considerations that are essential when making a land-use decision. Yes, it is true that land use can be a contact sport. But more importantly, it is a complex issue that first and foremost requires careful and thoughtful consideration.
As a follow-up to the Ernie's Jr. Project, TERA is reaching out to those living in the proximity of the development property to hear first-hand their opinions regarding the plan for a storage facility on the property.
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Shop Eagle Rock Merchants
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Max City BBQ
4729 Eagle Rock Boulevard
323.420.7764
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