Politics & Government

CD 14 Weekly Newsletter: Museums of the Arroyo Day, NELA Peacewalk

Community highlights of the week ahead.

Here are some of the key items on the Council District 14 weekly newsletter:

Vons Community Meeting and Development Update:

On Tuesday, April 30th, Vons, in partnership with the Office of Councilmember Huizar, the Eagle Rock Association, the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce, and the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, hosted a community meeting at the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock to discuss Vons’ proposed development on their land at the corner of Figueroa Street and La Loma Road in Eagle Rock.

The meeting came at the request of Councilmember Huizar and the leaders of Eagle Rock organizations. In 2009, Vons came to the community of Eagle Rock to request their support for an application to vacate a city alleyway next to their property. The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council and Councilmember Huizar expressed their support due to Vons agreeing to return to the community before any construction on the property commenced.

Earlier this year, constituents contacted the Council Office to alert them of construction at Vons. The Council Office reached out to the city departments associated with the project to inquire about the status of the development. Upon investigation of the matter, the city departments alerted the Council Office that Vons had not filed some critical paperwork correctly and informed the Council Office that they would have to put a stop work order on the project until the paperwork was filed correctly.

Council District 14 staff met with Vons to inform them of the problem and to reiterate that Vons was supposed to come back to the community before beginning any construction. At the meeting, Council District 14 staff informed Vons of the concerns the community had including: traffic flow on La Loma Road, abandoned Vons shopping carts, pedestrian access to the proposed building at the corner of La Loma Road and Figueroa Street, and a variety of other issues. After meeting with Council District 14 staff, Vons offered additional community improvements to address the issues brought up by the community.

Council District 14 staff asked Vons to host a meeting for the community where Vons would present an updated plan for the site that would include new proposals about how to address traffic on La Loma Road and the other community concerns. Before the community meeting, Council District 14 facilitated a meeting between the Vons project managers and Department of Transportation staff to discuss the entrance/exit to the Vons on La Loma Road and how the stretch of La Loma Road between Colorado Blvd and Figueroa Street could be made safer.

Councilmember Huizar is committed to promoting economic growth throughout the 14th Council District. He believes that any development process must have community input and be fair to the community and the developers alike. Council District 14 staff are working with Vons to help them submit their paperwork correctly and get the project started again in a timely fashion.

Community members are encouraged to submit their ideas and concerns about the project to Council District 14 staff.

Find out what's happening in Eagle Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

• City of Los Angeles Anonymous Gun Buyback Program:

Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Los Angeles Fire Department Academy, 1700 Stadium Way: The City of Los Angeles is holding an Anonymous Gun Buyback. You can receive up to a $100 gift card for handguns, shotguns & rifles. Also, receive up to a $200 gift card for assault weapons (as classified in the state of California).
 
Please transport your firearms unloaded and in the trunk of your vehicle.
 
If you have any questions, please contact the Northeast Community Relations Office at (323) 344-5717.

Find out what's happening in Eagle Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

• 2nd Annual Museums of the Arroyo Day, Sunday, May 5, 12 noon - 5 p.m.:

On May 19, the 24th annual Museums of the Arroyo (MOTA) Day invites the public to tour five museums located along the celebrated Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles and Pasadena for a free day of music, storytelling, art, crafts and entertainment. MOTA Day museums are open for free tours and festivities are scheduled at each museum throughout the day. 
 
With so much to do and see – and only a few hours to do it – visitors are encouraged to best plan their visits. MOTA Day takes place from noon to 5 p.m. with last entry at 4 p.m. 

Special events this year include:
 
The Gamble House
Visitors can tour the 1908 Arts and Crafts gem that is on the National Registry of Historic Places; children can do crafts in the backyard.

Heritage Square Museum
Guests can observe a Spanish American War encampment, watch traditional woodcarving demonstrations, listen to storytellers as well as enjoy music and traditional dancing. Children can play with Victorian toys, do crafts, and learn about plants and flowers in the Ford House Kitchen garden.

The Los Angeles Police Museum
 Visitors can tour the facilities which feature private collections and historical memorabilia that date back to the late 1800s, including the newly constructed vehicle shelter and the freshly restored 1955 paddy wagon. Kids can climb into a retired police helicopter, try on police gear and get “locked” in a real jail cell where adults can snap free police booking photos. Tour the limited engagement Gangster Squad exhibition as well as three other permanent exhibits: Onion Field murders, the Patty Hearst kidnapping, and the 1997 North Hollywood Shootout.

The Lummis Home and Garden
From its inception, the Lummis Home has been the place to see and be seen. Visiting and local dignitaries, artists, controversial public figures – all were guests of Lummis from 1897-1928. Using a newly developed computer application, historian Dennis Harbach will be able to finally give you an answer: Did my grandfather meet Theodore Roosevelt in this house? Did my grandmother dance the fandango with Lummis or Rudolf Valentino in this place? Also, browse through Harbach’s photo album of Lummis’ famous guests. In addition, self-guided tours of the home and garden will also be available on MOTA Day.
 
The Pasadena Museum of History
Guests can take a mini-tour of the newly remodeled Fenyes Mansion as well as the Finnish Folk Museum which is housed in a replica of a 19th Century Finnish farmhouse. Pasadena Society of Artists members will display their works; artwork will be for sale and artists will be actively working on new pieces during the afternoon. Check out two current exhibitions: I Do! I Do! Pasadena Ties the Knot features a stunning display of vintage wedding gowns. The juried art exhibition, Relationships, showcases art inspired by the vintage wedding gowns. Kids can take home three different art projects involving a rain stick, a Japanese brush painting, and a family colla. Visitors can purchase a meal from the Pie ‘n Burger truck that will be on site celebrating its 50th anniversary.

For more information visit www.museumsofthearroyo.com and “like” MOTA (museumsofthearroyo) on Facebook.

• Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Meeting:

Tuesday, May 7, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Eagle Rock City Hall.

The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council will be holding its monthly meeting on Tuesday! 

The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) is an official city organization, staffed entirely by elected volunteers and given a working budget of $37,000 per year. We consider issues relevant to our community, and make recommendations to the City of Los Angeles, City Council and the Mayor. Among our most important recommendations concern Land Use – any new building or change in use in Eagle Rock comes before our Land Use Committee.
 
We also fund or partially fund community projects. If it’s a good thing and happening in Eagle Rock, we probably had a hand in funding it. If you or your organization have a great idea for something that will improve Eagle Rock or the lives of Eagle Rockers, bring it to us and let’s talk about it.
 
All meetings of the ERNC Board of Directors and its permanent committees are open to the public. There is a public comment period on each agenda item, as well as for non-agenda items you may wish to speak about. These meetings are our chance to hear from you about the issues facing our community, and about things you want us to know. We want to hear from you, so please attend and participate!

Click here for more details.

• 6th Annual Peace in the Northeast Walk:

Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m - 1 p.m., Highland Park Recreation Center, 6150 Piedmont Ave: Join local community organizations and your neighbors at the 6th Annual Peace in the Northeast March! The Peace Walk originated as a way for the people of Northeast Los Angeles to come together to bring attention and awareness to the issue of gang violence. In its 6th year, the event has become one of the staple annual events in Northeast Los Angeles. 

This year's walk will feature:

  • Youth & Family Activities
  • Resource & Health Fair
  • Sports and Games
  • Food
  • Entertainment & more!

For more information, please contact the organizing committee at NEPeaceDay@gmail.com.


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