PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Greetings

Wow how fast the year has gone! We’ve had a progressive year, once again doing our annual Luau fundraiser, Farmers Market every Friday evening, Concerts in the Park, [this was our first year hosting five concerts], the Spring Arts Festival [Dahlia Days], our Children’s Olde Fashion Christmas and the Northeast Christmas Parade.

I again want to thank our concert sponsors, and our monthly mixer hosts. My plans for next year is to do more networking with all our businesses throughout the coming year. Bank of America did a great job on our November Mixer, met a lot of new business representatives.

Our Chamber welcomes Starbucks Coffee and store manager Jessica Hiller to Eagle Rock. Our new member has already participated in events with her presence and donations. Our Children’s Olde Fashion Christmas was a great success, thanks to all who participated included our Council office and Kaye Beckham who chaired our annual event.

Our Christmas Mixer at LAFD Station 42 was very well attended, new and seasoned members came together raising over $600.00 for our fire Station. Thanks to all who participated and graciously donated.

I wand to thank my Board for re-electing me to another term as your President. I look forward to serving you in 2005. Happy Holidays and Prosperous New Year.

See You Around Eagle Rock

Michael Nogueira, Jr.

MIXERS

Next meeting January 25, 2005

There is no January mixer. The ERCC installation dinner dance is scheduled for Saturday, January 22nd.

February 22: R. K. Chetty, DDS, 2525 Colorado Boulevard Ste. A. Our hosts Dr. Chetty and his son Dr. Chethen Chetty, DDS.

March 22: Pilates Eagle Rock, 2121 Colorado Boulevard, host Jennifer Mathews.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

ERCC Farmers Market on the corner of Caspar and Merton will continue winter months

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

January 25, Unveiling of our new Wall Of Honor recipient. ERCC President and this year’s Grand Marshal Michael Nogueira Jr. at the Eagle Rock City followed by a short reception.

ERCC Installation dinner dance to be held Saturday, January 22nd at the Women’s Club. Invitations will be mailed the end of December, if you do not receive one and would like to attend please call Anne Wolf, event Chair at 323 259-2828 or e-mail her at awolf@oxy.edu

IN AND AROUND E.R..

OCTOBER [PHOTO}

Our October Halloween mixer, as always, was fun fun fun! Our hosts, LuLu Hizney and the Century 21 Crest staff combine their annual work related party with our mixer and like years past, out did themselves. Guests arrived in fantastic costumes to an area truly decorated for Halloween. Food, live music, and our bartender Vic Parrino, [Colombo’s Restaurant], a little rain and lots of good company brought us into the fall season. A special thank you to LuLu and staff for their generous hospitality and to all those that brought a door prize and purchased raffle tickets.

NOVEMBER MIXER [photo]

It is always a pleasure when Bank of America hosts a mixer. It is nice to “network” socially with the bank staff, including Anne Kelly and Sossy Semerdjian. Sossy, the Vice President and Branch Manager, certainly got into the swing of things taking pleasure in preparing, herself, the finger foods that were served. We appreciate the time and effort of Sossy, Anne and staff for hosting our November mixer.

November was our last business hosted mixer of the year. The Chamber Executive Board would like to mention Edna Shelton and Lucy Spurgeon who have faithfully sold raffle and drink tickets each month. And our infamous bartender Bob Cota and those who have filled in for him when he was not available, such as

Del Stapp, Bob Muzingo and Vic Parrino, most recently Sue Ann Miller and Lydia Corral. Thank you!

DECEMBER MIXER [photo] Michael Cathay, Field Deputy, A. Villiarigosa, Firemen, Terry Field Rep for Mayor Hahn, ERCC President Michael Nogueira

Our Christmas mixer once again was held at LAFD Station 42, hosted by Sir Michael’s Enterprises and the ERCC. Funds raised through the raffle and three auction items totaled over $600.00, all of which will be put into a fund to assist those at the station with niceties that the city does not provide. As of date we have helped purchase items such as window coverings, tools, washing machine, landscaping, freezer and miscellaneous items. We feel every little bit makes it more comfortable for our fire crew while at work and away from home, for we do appreciate everything that they do.

This year’s mixer was no exception, those in attendance had a great time, the Italian food was delicious, some of it prepared by Eugenie Nogueira. The entertainment, Eagle Rock High School Choir and Elvis Impersonator [Donovan] was festive and fun. Lots of raffle gifts donated by those in attendance - thank you. Everyone enjoyed mingling with the many firefighters, Captains and Battalion Chief who graciously opened their door, and was glad for the opportunity to speak with those in the community.

The Executive Board also wants to thank Edna Shelton and Lucy Spurgeon for selling raffle tickets and Sue Ann Miller for handling our soft drink table.

WELCOME MONUMENT

Our long awaited “Welcome to Eagle Rock” monument is definitely in the process, and hopefully will be installed shortly after the first of the year. We thank the Save-On administration for honoring the community request and fulfilling their part of the agreement made prior to construction. We also want to thank the City for the funds, under past City Council member Nick Pacheco and our current Council member Antonio Villaraigosa and staff for following through. The funds were given to the Eagle Rock Beautification Collaboration specifically for this monument. The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council is looking into another Welcome monument [which will be of the same design as the original] in conjunction with Occidental College for the median strip at the intersection of Eagle Rock and York Boulevards. As in all improvements and additions to our community, we are taking “baby steps” but moving forward.

FYI

Demolished

Thanks to our LAPD and other city entities, along with your ERCC, the buildings on the Von’s/ Safeway property at La Loma, Colorado and Figueroa have finally been demolished. We are in hope this will eliminate the transient activity that was taking place at this end of Eagle Rock due to the vacated buildings. It is unfortunate, however, that mature trees were destroyed.

They’ve Arrived

Welcome to Starbuck’s Coffee and to store manager Jessica Hiller who officially opened for business on December 10^th. We wish our new business neighbor and ERCC member every success. Stop in and check it out!

Northeast Directory

Ben Brunk, ERHS alum is bringing back the Eagle Rock/York Valley Directory, the only Eagle Rock Directory the community has had for decades. Last year the directory was not printed. Ben is in hope with a little bit of luck and our support there will be a 2005 directory. So, don’t hesitate business owners, managers, etc. he needs your ads now. This is for our local phone book, you don’t want to miss out. You can reach Ben at 323 221-0500 or at ben@joyink.com, you will be glad you did.

Prayers & Thoughts

Our Prayers and Thoughts are sent to Bob Muzingo who has not been well for the past several weeks and is once again undergoing tests. Also to Bob Cota, who recently had some minor surgery and is recovering nicely.

CHRISTMAS PARADE [photo]

The 60^th Annual Northeast Los Angeles Parade & Winterfest was held Sunday, December 5, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. The parade, in all it’s glory, arrived with the rain storm, both followed the parade route down Figueroa, from Avenue 60 to Sycamore Grove Park. The cold, wet winter day did not deter determined families and community members and friends from lining the sidewalks, nor did it deter our marching drill teams, bands, and other participants including Santa Clause [Dean Spurgeon].......what troopers!

ERCC President Michael Nogueria Jr., [who stayed dry riding in his convertible with the top up - that wasn’t fun], was Eagle Rock’s Community Grand Marshal. Michael rode in the parade with his wife Eugenie, and their two sons Danny and Douglas. Despite the rain, Michael said he and his family had a great time and would not have missed the experience.

CHILDREN’S OLDE FASHION CHRISTMAS

Our 33rd. annual Children’s Olde Fashion Christmas was held December 3^rd at the Eagle Rock City Hall in conjunction with Council member Antonio Villaraigosa. Children brought their parents to count down the lighting of the City Hall “Christmas Tree,” by Council member Villaraigosa who welcomed and wished everyone happy holidays. And to watch the fabulous Patsy Metzger Dancers, a group of very talented young girls and boys, and the Eagle Rock High School Choir under the direction of Rachel Lee. While our entertainment was great, we know the real reason they braved the cold...why Santa of course! The children certainly were not disappointed, as LAFD Station 42 brought Santa on their “Big Red Fire Truck” , siren and all. The children and their parents of course come up on stage to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and to receive a little gift. The evening ended with hot chocolate and cookies for all.

A very special thank you to LAFD Station 42 fire fighters and Captain Jones, our Northeast LAPD Explorer Scouts and Reserve Officer Tim Bragg, Santa [Dean Spurgeon], and Mrs. Santa [Lucy Spurgeon], Solheim Lutheran Home [for making the hot chocolate], our entertainers, volunteers and Field Deputy Michael Cathay for his assistance with the city entities. Last but not least my office staff for their assistance in counting over 6000 flyers for distribution to local schools, and to Del Stapp and Michael Nogueira for delivering them, and to Commercial Printing for their discount rate. You see, it truly does take a team. If I must say so myself, we made a great team! Happy Holidays to each and everyone of you. Kaye Beckham, Event Chair

WALL OF HONOR

The Eagle Rock Chamber Board of Directors unanimously voted to recognize Michael Nogueira for his many extraordinary accomplishments over the last two decades within the community, through the Chamber of Commerce, by placing his name, photo and accomplishments on the Wall of Honor in our Eagle Rock City Hall. The recognition and unveiling will take place Tuesday, January 25, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. This is an open invitation to attend.

The Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce Wall of Honor was established in 1985. A placement on the Wall of Honor is a very special tribute. This honor

n an outstanding person warrants top recognition. This tribute is not to be taken lightly–therefore when a nomination is made before the Board of Directors, the Directors are obligated to evaluate the candidates eligibility, with established criteria, prior to casting a vote. Candidates may be living or deceased, however, Directors must keep in mind this honor is not a eulogy, but the highest tribute for outstanding community service and leadership through the Chamber of Commerce, above and beyond the norm of volunteerism and community service. This honor/tribute is to be held with the highest regard.

Past Honorees

1985 - Lil Gentry - Gentry Realty and Pat Connors, Connors Plumbing

1987 - Katie Smith , Bragg & Smith and Carroll Evans - Florall Enterprises

1990 - Shirley Minser, Field Deputy for Council members Art Snyder & Richard Alatorre, and Robert X. Cota, Cota Construction

1995 - Jim Beckham & Kaye Beckham LTC Home Health Care Serice’s Inc.

More information on Michael to follow in our next newsletter, in the meantime, Congratulations Michael for a well deserved recognition.

The Northeast area covers the communities of Atwater Village, Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Elysion Valley, Franklin Hills, Highland Park, Glassell Park, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Mt. Washington. Northeast Community Crime Stats for the period November 7 - December 4, a four week period.

Basic Car 11A 19 - Eagle Rock

Robbery 45

Burglary 59

Burglary from vehicle 120

Grand Theft Auto 130

Agg. Assaults 38

Sex Crimes 16

includes 1 Rape & 1 Att. Rape

Total Arrests 503

The recent focus area for our Senior Lead officer Joe Galindo is Eagle Rock Blvd. between York Blvd. and Yosemite with regards to Burglary, Theft from Vehicle and Grand Theft Auto. Along Figueroa and Colorado Blvd. and College View and Colorado Blvd. - Grand Theft Auto. So please be cautious where you park your vehicle. Help our Senior Lead Officer and continue to keep your ears and eyes open. The Eagle Rock Plaza appears to be a very safe place to shop for the holidays so far, however, there has been several arrests of shop lifters from Target.

Please make our Police Officers’ job a little easier by taking a few simple steps to deter and assure your vehicle’s security. *Lock your car * Do not leave valuables in plain sight *Do not leave car phones and accessories visible * Do not rely on your vehicle trunk to secure valuable

Park only in well-lighted areas * Conduct occasional exterior checks on your vehicle * Remove old registration tags before putting on the new tag * Make 2-3 small cuts on your registration tab with a razor blade to make it harder to remove * If you see any suspicious activity, PLEASE call Northeast Police Station at 213 - 485-2563 or 877 - ASK-LAPD. .

BEWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS - DON’T BE A VICTIM!!!!

Call the front desk at Northeast 213 485- 2563 if you are not sure of a situation and call 911 in a true emergency. For non emergency situations or for General questions try the City access number 311 someone will assist you 24/7.

Information obtained from NELAPD - reported by Kaye Beckham, Community Police Advisory Board {C-PAB}

BUSINESS NOTES

NEXT: HEALTH CARE.....TRAINING FOR YOUR BRAIN

Alzheimer’s disease now afflicts half of the U.S. population over 85, and every month another 50,000 people are diagnosed with some form of age-related dementia. There is no cure, but can it be prevented? A company called Neuroscience Solutions is designing video game-like software to help seniors build new brain synapses and perhaps stave off mental deterioration. This next summer Neuroscience will begin selling the software in the first of five versions, for hearing, eyesight, problem solving, motor control, and balance. Each takes about 35 hours in sessions over a six week period. The company will market a professional version for doctors ro administer [roughly $1,000] and a do-it-yourself version [$500]. Neuroscience Solutions is still conducting research into how effective the software is, with results expected to appear in medical journals in early 2005.

Fortune Small Business:; Dec.04/Jan.05 issue. Written by: Julia Boorstin

THE GRAYING OF SMALL BUSINESS

The next trend....More than 80% of baby-boomers plan to work beyond age 60 and 40% of all entrepreneurs are 50 or older. So what is this profound statement telling us? There will be less knitting and daily golf games for baby-boomers in their twilight years. The AARP expects their number of silver-haired entrepreneurs to rise in the coming years. How will this change the way we work? First, boomers will accelerate the growing acceptance of working from home, adding to the 25 million Americans already in bunny slippers. Second, a corporate brain drain could mean that small businesses will be able to tap into the expertise of some seasoned free agents at less-than corporate prices.

Fortune Small Business; Dec.04/Jan05

EAGLE ROCK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

The Neighborhood Council Youth Committee is at it again. On October 30, in a combined effort with the Key Clubs from La Canada, Los Feliz, and Eagle Rock High School, the Youth

Committee staged an 80 member clean up that covered Eagle Rock Blvd. from Norwalk to Colorado and Yosemite from Eagle Rock Blvd. To just past the ROCK teen center on Town- send. With tools supplied by Paul Racs of Operation Clean-Sweep, 60 bags of trash were cleaned off our Eagle Rock streets. Special thanks to Ladell Stapp, John Miller, and Paul Racs for assisting me in the accomplishment of this event.

Area resident and realtor Leti Vandensteen and representatives from Mayor Hahn’s office also participated and commented on the pleasure they had in participating in such a great community oriented event. The regard they had for beautification and its deterrence of crime was mutually felt by our ERNC crew. Thanks also to Colorado Donuts for feeding our volunteers. We have always been able to count on them as a business willing to support our community efforts.

We’re proud to report that as a result of presentations made at the ERNC Budget Priorities Forum hosted by Treasurer Mark Ryan in September, the ERNC has allocated more than $23,000 to community projects in the coming months. These include: new benches and trash receptacles along North Figueroa; new playground equipment for Eagle Rock Elementary School; metering equipment for the Eagle Rockdale Community Garden & Art Park which is coming soon; a mural on a public wall on Merton Ave. in conjunction with Solheim Lutheran Home; funding to pay for seismic retrofit work on one of Eagle Rock’s oldest historical landmarks, the Women’s Twentieth Century Club; and partial funding for an Eagle Rock monument at Eagle Rock Blvd. and York. This is on top of more than $30,000 already allocated for projects and initiatives from our 2003-2004 budget for tree planting and median beautification, a mural project at Buena Vista and Figueroa, new trash receptacles to be placed in every sub-district and much more.

The ERNC is working hard to maximize our annual $50,000 budget to make our community better and to respond to your needs. If you have ideas, we’d love to hear them!

Speaking of awards, the ERNC was honored to receive acknowledgment by The Center for the Arts Eagle Rock for our partici- pation and funding of the Rock’s summer programs, including Sylvan movie nights, The Rock is Art, and the Eagle Rock Music Festival. I was joined by ERNC Sub-District Two Director and Land Use Co-Chair Jessica Wethington McLean. Thanks to Camilo’s for graciously offering to host this to-be-annual event for the Center for the Arts. And kudos to The Center for the Arts for all the great programs and services they offer our lucky community.

Remember, Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council is a great way to get involved in the community. Twelve seats are expected to be up for election this February, including Sub-District Directors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; two Civic Directors; two Business Directors; Education Director and Public Safety Director. Stay tuned for more details.

Be Seeing You .......

ANITA HULTMAN

ERNC President