Inside track on ERHS turf; Events

Hello neighbors,

The kids are back in school! The kids are back in school? Does Back to School seem to come earlier and earlier every year? Soon we’ll be seeing the Occidental College kids at Target, their carts stuffed with new bedding, towels, maybe a popcorn popper. That big corporate coffee chain will start sprinkling pumpkin spice powder hither and yon, and honestly, who isn’t ready for some autumn vibes after these last few weeks of heat and humidity? But pump the brakes on the cardigans because, 1) weather, 2) we’ve got three more Summer Concerts in the Park on Sundays at Eagle Rock Rec Center.

In news, we’ve got the exclusive story on how a new athletic construction project at Eagle Rock High School is kicking up a debate over turf between students and LAUSD.

Lots of events and meetings going on in Eagle Rock but I’m putting my Editor’s Pick on three: the most wholesome event of the week, the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society’s Annual Ice Cream Social at the Center for the Arts on Sunday; Mom Karaoke: Back to School at the Fable, also on Sunday; Programme 4, a retro-seventies, variety show-style compilation at Vidiots on Wednesday. Bonus pick for the civic-minded and public transportation-curious: Metro Open House Community Meeting: NoHo to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project in person on Tuesday in Glendale (there’s a Zoom meeting on Monday).

A hearty welcome to our new subscribers. If you missed last week’s update on construction of the rapid bus lane on Colorado Boulevard (part of Metro’s NoHo to Pasadena project), click here for the story and scroll down to the second main story. If you’d like to know a little about me and the genesis of Eagle Rock Pop click here and read the editor’s note up top.

I hope this week brings you cool breezes, good conversation, and excellent sleep.

Kathleen Craughwell
Editor, Eagle Rock Pop

As independent as journalism gets.

Eagle Rock Pop: News

The Inside Track: Students Question Artificial Turf at Eagle Rock High
by Kathleen Craughwell

Construction affecting Eagle Rock High School’s athletic facilities is set to begin next week, as some students and parents raise potential environmental and health concerns about the installation of artificial turf. LAUSD will hold a community meeting on Wednesday evening at the high school to address questions about the athletic facilities project.

According to a message from Principal Derek Steinorth to the school community, construction will start at ERHS the week of August 17. The school has arranged alternative practice locations for its varsity and junior varsity football and flag football teams while construction is underway, with LAUSD providing transportation to off-campus practice locations.

The district has scheduled a community meeting about the athletic project for Wednesday, August 19, the same week construction is set to begin. According to an LAUSD notice, the project team will respond to questions and concerns raised at a May 28 community meeting and provide updates on the project’s development and construction. The meeting will be held in the ERHS cafeteria at 6:00 p.m. and will also be available via Zoom (details at bottom of story).

A few parents who attended the May 28 meeting reached out to Eagle Rock Pop and said that among their frustrations were that the LAUSD representatives at the meeting could not tell them what materials were used to make artificial turf.

The students’ and parents’ objections and questions come as LAUSD is reconsidering the use of artificial turf districtwide.

Last year, the district’s Board of Education adopted a resolution citing concerns about artificial turf’s environmental and climate effects, including its tendency to absorb and radiate heat. The resolution, “prohibits new artificial turf at early education centers, elementary schools, and middle schools,” but does not extend that prohibition to high schools.

Instead, the district called for a study comparing synthetic and natural turf athletic fields. An earlier version of the resolution said the study would inform, “staff recommendations for a policy update pertaining to synthetic turf as part of high school competitive athletic facilities.”

That line, however, was struck from the resolution and replaced with language directing the district to, “complete this study, transmit the findings to the Board, and use them to update the Policy Bulletin . . .” The amended language contains no specific reference of a policy update for high schools athletic facilities.

A representative from LAUSD did not respond to questions from Eagle Rock Pop by publication time.

The students opposed to the artificial turf installation have started an .

Meeting Details: Eagle Rock High School Athletic Upgrades Project ERHS Cafeteria, Wednesday, August 16, 6:00 p.m. Zoom link for those who cannot attend in person: https://lausd.zoom.us/j/84168060651 (Webinar ID: 841 6806 0651)

News briefs:
You know it’s election season when the mayor comes to Eagle Rock.

Mayor Karen Bass made an appearance at the Summer Concerts in the Park event on Sunday August 9. Also at Sunday’s concert, Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, State Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, candidate for State Senate, Sarah Rascón, and former state assemblymember, Wendy Carrillo.

Catalytic converter thefts in Eagle Rock continue, this time with what appears to be two thefts on Merton caught on apartment building security footage and, alarmingly, a man pointing what appears to be a rifle at a person in the apartment building. KTLA News has the report and security video here of the thefts which took place early Monday morning.

In other crime news, LAPD has confirmed that an arrest was made in the July 28 One’s Liquor Store robbery. 

David vs. Goliath David-and-Goliath-Decide-to-Play-Nice The Eastsider reported that the Eagle Rock Barber Shop on Eagle Rock Boulevard across from Sprouts, will remain in place, and the two-building, 64-unit housing development slated for the rest of that block will be built around the shop. “It’s almost like a planted courtyard. The barber shop is like a building in this courtyard,” architect Stephen M. Albert told the Eastsider. Read the full story at the Eastsider.

The Half-Million-Dollar-Plus ADU NELA couple Joshua Leibner and Katherine Henninger were quoted just over $300,000 to build an ADU. The total cost was almost $600,000. The story is behind the LA Times paywall but you can see pics and read a bit on the LA Times Instagram account.

Tailor, Tinkerer, Solderer, DIY: Lend your skills at the upcoming Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Repair Fair

Eagle Rock Pop: Events

Friday August 14

Young Frankenstein (1974) Mel Brooks’ utterly quotable comedy classic stars Gene Wilder as the grandson of the infamous doctor, Peter Boyle as the “new” monster, and a great supporting cast including Teri Garr, Marty Feldman, and Cloris Leachman. Vidiots, Eagle Rock Blvd., 4:00 p.m.

DJ Languid Machinations spins on all vinyl set of New Wave, disco, AOR. The Fable, 1630 Colorado Blvd. 9:00 p.m.

Saturday August 15

Aion Personal Training will donate the proceeds of the 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. workout sessions to the Power of Sight Foundation which provides free eye exams and glasses at its pop up clinics throughout LA County. $10 minimum per session. Aion Personal Training, 2777 W. Broadway. (323) 370-0396.

Chicken Little Shop of Horrors Occidental Children’s Theater presents another of it’s fun story  mashups. Occidental College, Remsen Bird Hillside Theater, 1600 Campus Road. Adults, $16; children ages 2-12, $12; children under 2 are free. Buy tickets here. Parties of 15 or more can get a discount by contacting [email protected] before purchasing. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 10 a.m. through August 22. Will call opens at 9:30 a.m.

Scarlet Street (1945) Director Fritz Lang’s remake of a Jean Renoir picture stars Dan Duryea and Joan Bennett as a double-crossing criminal couple that sets its sight on a gullible Edward G. Robinson.  A favorite of TCM’s Noir Alley host, Eddie Muller. Vidiots, 3:15 p.m.

An Evening With Edgar Wright Only limited walk-up tickets are available for the 6:30 p.m. screening of director Wright’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), which will be followed by a discussion with Wright and Scott Pilgrim creator, comic book artist Bryan Lee O’Malley, and the 9:45 p.m. showing of the Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970), which Wright will introduce. Also making appearances at BTVOTD will be director Russ Meyer and actress Erica Gavin. Vidiots.

Sunday August 16 

Plant Swap and Trans / Queer Community Fund For its second anniversary, the coffee shop cum nursery is celebrating with a plant swap and support for the trans and queer immigrant community. “Bring your extra seeds, cuttings, or plants, and leave with something new. Swap table will be running all day.” The Trans / Queer Community fund will run from 8:00 a.m. until noon. Creature’s Plants and Coffee, 4958 Eagle Rock Blvd.

Dads Group Meet and hang out with fellow dads. PlayLab, 1431 Colorado Blvd. 9:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m. 

Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society’s Annual Ice Cream Social Ice cream is $2 per scoop with “endless toppings.” Entertainment by Fifth Friday Folk Band and folk dancers and Americana tunes by Mighty Good Road; games; baked goods; raffle sponsored by Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Admission is free. Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, 2225 Colorado Blvd. 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Raffle drawing at 1:45 p.m.

Acoustic Sundaze: Sierra Levesque Also, did you see that Kavat organic coffee is now being carried at fancy schmancy Erewhon? Kavat Cafe/Eye for Sound Gallery, 1638 Colorado Blvd. 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Walt’s Mart (get it?) Vintage clothes, handmade jewelry, weird stuff, gifts, and more. Walt’s Bar (out back), 4680 Eagle Rock Blvd. 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Eagle Rock Summer Concerts in the Park Calling all Parrot-heads: enjoy a vintage car show before dancing the evening away to the party tunes of Jimmy Buffet tribute band, Buffet Beach Band. Bring a blanket or beach towel. Eagle Rock Recreation Center, 1100 Eagle Vista Drive. Car show at 5:00 p.m. Concert, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Mom Karaoke: Back to School Eagle Rock madres, call your girlfriends, put on your mom jeans and some lipstick, and let’s hear your best Hollaback Girl. The Fable, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. (So mom will be home on time for bedtime and backpack check.)

Monday August 17

NELA Walking Club Join the club on a different walk every Monday. Check their Instagram for location and pics from previous walks. 5:30 p.m.

Metro Virtual Community Meeting re NoHo to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project Metro says the meeting will cover: “when and where construction will occur; common construction activities and typical work hours; temporary impacts to traffic lanes, parking and pedestrian access; how Metro will keep the community informed.” Webinar Link: https://bit.ly/NoHoToPasadena Webinar ID: 873 1936 2247; call in number: 213.338.8477. Meeting: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday August 18

CD 14 Food Distribution Every Tuesday at Eagle Rock City Hall from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Available on a first come, first served basis and while supplies last.

Metro Open House Community Meeting re NoHo to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project Metro says the meeting will cover: “when and where construction will occur; common construction activities and typical work hours; temporary impacts to traffic lanes, parking and pedestrian access; how Metro will keep the community informed.” Adult Recreation Center, 201 E. Colorado Blvd., Glendale. Free parking. 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Relentless Comedy Relentless Brewing, Colorado Blvd. $5 suggested donation. 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday August 19

For Kids: Make a Paper Circuit Students will learn how to add real lights to their artwork by learning to use electronics and making “paper circuits.” Eagle Rock Library, 3:30-4:30 p.m. 

Community Meeting: Eagle Rock High School Athletic Upgrades Project Representatives from LAUSD will give updates and answer questions about the plan to replace the current dirt and gravel track with synthetic turf. ERHS Cafeteria, 6:00 p.m. Zoom link for those who cannot attend in person: https://lausd.zoom.us/j/84168060651 (Webinar ID: 841 6806 0651)

Programme 4  Look, we don’t know exactly what this is, but based on the trailer, it’s an early 1970s-style variety show compilation film with thoroughly modern acts like Aimee Mann, Bill Janowitz, Michael McKean, and many more. From the Vidiots website: “Hosted by Masters of Ceremonies the Sklar Brothers, with pre- and post-show cocktail lounge entertainment. Plus Programme 4 creator Rachel Lichtman, special guest stars, complimentary matchbooks, and more.”  Wear your leisure suit and/or halter dress. Vidiots, 7:30 p.m.

Microdose Comedy The Fable. 8:00 p.m.

Thursday August 20

1926 Book Club From the website: “In celebration of the Central Library's centennial, the Eagle Rock Book Club is participating in the 1926 Book Club [and] will be reading and discussing the short story collection The Incredulity of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton.” Eagle Rock Library, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Ongoing: 

Armenian-American artist Krikor Tchay’s Collective Noise gallery show. Kavat Coffee/Eye for Sound Gallery, 1638 Colorado Blvd. Through August 21. Regular gallery hours. 

“The View from Fiji Hill” Art Exhibition Read more about local artist Gary van der Steur’s photographs, paintings, and exhibition in this Eastsider story. MorYork, 4959 York Blvd. 

Enroll now: Horror Writing Class with teaching artist Sandy Grossman. Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. Sundays in October from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. $125 for non-members; $113 for CFAER members. Register here.

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