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August 6, 2026

Hello neighbors,

There’s lots of Eagle Rock news in the hopper but today we’re going deep on two stories:

Remembering Erick Sandoval, a coach, mentor, and familiar presence in Eagle Rock youth sports.

Metro’s bus lane project: Construction on Colorado Boulevard could begin in October, and two community meetings are now on the calendar

Events: Kickball Tournament Fundraiser for Erick Sandoval’s family, a free Pancake Breakfast at LAFD Station 55, a fine art and photo exhibition inspired by Eagle Rock’s “Fiji Hill.” See all Events below and don’t forget to take our weekly poll at the end.

Kathleen Craughwell
Editor, Eagle Rock Pop

Eagle Rock Pop: News

Local Coach Erick Sandoval Remembered After Fatal Crash

Erick Sandoval, a local youth sports coach who worked with athletes at Eagle Rock High School and Yosemite Recreation Center, died over the weekend in a car crash on  Colorado Boulevard.

Sandoval, 46, previously coached football at Eagle Rock High School and most recently coached baseball at Yosemite Recreation Center. He also worked as an umpire for the CIF Northern League. A 1998 graduate of Marshall High School in Los Feliz, he was known to local families for his dedication working with young athletes.

The most recent baseball team Sandoval coached, the Rays, played their last game of the season on Tuesday. Two Eagle Rock High School students whom Sandoval had been mentoring as assistant coaches stepped up to coach the game. The young players all wrote their coach’s initials, ES, on their blue jerseys and wore black armbands. Sandoval’s son Kevin, a team member on the Rays, played in the game. 

“He had a huge impact, on and off the field as a coach,” said close friend Tony Perez who got to know Sandoval as a fellow coach at Yosemite Rec Center. “He spoke to kids continuously about the importance of grades, character, and home responsibilities. He had close relationships with many parents and was trusted and admired.” 

Sandoval is survived by his wife, Laura, his sons, Frank, Bryan, and Kevin, and daughter, Angie.

Flowers and candles now mark the site of the crash on Colorado just east of Wiota, where friends and family have created a roadside memorial in Erick’s memory. 

Friends and community members are organizing a fundraiser on Sunday, August 9 at Yosemite Recreation Center to help support his family. The fundraiser will include a kickball tournament, a raffle, and more. Please see the Events listings below for more information. 

There is also a GoFundMe established to help pay for funeral expenses and provide financial support to the family.

Information about a funeral or memorial service was not immediately available. 

Metro Eyes Mid-October Start for Colorado Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit Construction

by Kathleen Craughwell

Construction on Metro’s long-planned North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit project could begin on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock in mid-October, although final plans and traffic-control measures still require City of Los Angeles approval. 

Metro told Eagle Rock Pop that final design plans have been submitted to the city for review and approval, including roadway layouts, landscaping, bus stations and traffic engineering. Construction permits are still being coordinated with city agencies, including the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

“We are targeting a mid-October start for construction on Colorado Boulevard,” Metro said in a response to questions from Eagle Rock Pop. However, the agency added “the exact start date remains dependent on securing the necessary City approvals for our final design and traffic-control packages.” 

The project, which will connect North Hollywood to Pasadena, sparked fierce debate among Eagle Rock residents and business owners when it was first proposed a decade ago, largely over plans to reconfigure Colorado Boulevard and reduce the number of general traffic lanes. 

The boulevard, which is the main east-west corridor in Eagle Rock, currently has two general traffic lanes in each direction. Under the BRT plan, most of the corridor would be reduced to one general traffic lane in each direction to accommodate a dedicated rapid bus lane.

What will happen during construction on Colorado Boulevard?

Construction work will begin near the 134 Freeway Colorado Boulevard on-and-off ramps and will continue in sections from east to west. Metro says construction will proceed in phases around future BRT stations, with work at individual locations expected to take approximately four to six weeks. The entire Eagle Rock stretch of construction will take about six months to complete.

Work between proposed hours 7 a.m. through 5 p.m. would include demolition of curbs, sidewalks, and medians, and possible nighttime work would include paving and striping, according to Kevin Ocubillo, planning director for Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office. 

According to Metro, existing medians will generally remain in place, although portions may be modified or removed where necessary for bus stations and roadway improvements. Metro also said no sidewalks will be removed as part of the project, although limited sections may be reconstructed for station improvements, ADA upgrades, drainage and utility work.

Temporary lane restrictions are expected during construction. LADOT is currently reviewing traffic detours designed by Metro. 

Metro does not currently anticipate a long-term closure of the 134 Freeway Colorado Boulevard on-and-off-ramps, although construction is expected near the ramp and temporary restrictions are possible. (In Pasadena, the route will run largely on the 134 Freeway.) Final traffic-control plans remain subject to agency approval. 

Metro has contracted with Myers-Shimmick, a joint venture, to build the project, with additional work being performed by subcontractors.  

Residents and business owners Eagle Rock Pop spoke with still have lots of questions, particularly about what possible traffic detours will look like and how traffic and pedestrian safety will be enforced, especially if traffic is rerouted through residential neighborhoods. Business owners are concerned about access, parking, noise, and other disruptions to business. 

Metro’s Eat Shop Play team will be canvassing Colorado Boulevard before construction begins “to engage with local businesses,” according to Ocubillo.

What will the BRT lanes and stations look like?

Through Eagle Rock, the BRT buses will travel in dedicated lanes alongside the center median rather than along the curb. Stations will also be located in the center of Colorado Boulevard. 

Metro provided Eagle Rock Pop with this rendering of the planned center-running station at Colorado Boulevard and Mount Royal Avenue.

The location raises a question, however. A map currently displayed on Metro’s project website indicates an Eagle Rock station approximately one block east, near Townsend Avenue. 

Eagle Rock Pop has asked Metro to clarify whether the station has changed during the design process or whether the online map is outdated. 

The entire project will stretch 19 miles from North Hollywood to Pasadena and include 22 stops, including a stop near the Eagle Rock Plaza, the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Eagle Rock Boulevard, and either Townsend or Mount Royal Avenue. 

Community meetings scheduled for August

Metro has scheduled two community meetings this month to discuss upcoming construction, including construction schedules, typical work hours and effects on traffic lanes, parking and pedestrian access. 

A virtual community meeting will be held Monday, August 17 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. 

An in-person meeting will be held Tuesday, August 18 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Adult Recreation Center, 201 E. Colorado St. in Glendale. 

Both meetings will cover the same information, according to Metro. The Glendale meeting will use an open-house format, allowing attendees to speak directly with members of the project team. 

The overall project is forecast for completion at the end of 2027, with passenger service anticipated before the 2028 Olympic Games.

Eagle Rock Pop: EVENTS

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. 

Friday, August 7
Chicken Little Shop of Horrors Occidental Children’s Theater presents another of its fun story mashups. Occidental College, Remsen Bird Hillside Theater, 1600 Campus Road.  Adults, $16; children ages 2-12, $12; children under 2 are free. Parties of 10 or more, $10 but contact [email protected] before purchasing. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 10 a.m. through August 22. Will call opens at 9:30 a.m.

Live Music Standards performed by local jazz musicians presented by The Green Room. Rock Coffee House, 4808 Townsend Ave. 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Opening Reception “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. 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Choo Choo Revue Bob Baker’s Marionette Theater, 4949 York Blvd. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. $25. Children 2 and under get in for free.

Saturday, August 8
LAFD Eagle Rock Fire Station 55 Pancake Breakfast and Car Show Free pancake breakfast (but donations are welcome), vintage Volkswagen car show, DJ, Station 55 merch, helicopter flyover, and more. Meet the firefighters and tour the fire station. LAFD Station 55, 4455 York Blvd., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DIY Publishing and Printmaking Bradley Riot will lead the interactive workshop. Suggested donation of $25. All guests must RSVP. Eye for Sound Gallery/Kavat Coffee, 1638 Colorado Blvd., 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  

Backyard Movies: Encanto (2021) Women’s Twentieth Century Club, 5105 Hermosa Ave. $10 teens and adults; $5 kids 12 and under. Movie starts at sundown. 

CatVideoFest 2026 The hard-core feline fans already have their tickets to the cinematic event of the year. Limited walk-ups only. Vidiots, 4884 Eagle Rock Blvd. Noon.

Sunday, August 9
Kickball Tournament Fundraiser for Erick Sandoval’s Family In addition to the kickball tournament there will be food for sale and raffles with some great prizes donated by local businesses. $25 donation appreciated for the tournament. Yosemite Recreation Center, 1840 Yosemite Dr., 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Rashomon (1950) Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s classic thriller about the murder of a samurai famously shows the crime recounted differently by four witnesses. A must see. Vidiots, 4:15 p.m.

Eagle Rock Summer Concerts in the Park Are you ready for Hot August Nights? This Neil Diamond tribute performer is a favorite of the annual series. Bring a blanket or beach towel. Eagle Rock Recreation Center, 1100 Eagle Vista Drive. 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, August 11
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.

Eagle Rock Community Fridge Meeting If you would like to get involved and learn how you can help with the Eagle Rock Community Fridge, send a direct message to this user on Instagram to get the Zoom link. Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Relentless Comedy Comedians Steven Castillo, Leslie Liao, Melissa Stephens, Andrew Caudill, and the awesomely named Ollie Roos. Relentless Brewing, Colorado Blvd. $5 suggested donation. 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 12
Baby and Toddler Play Open playtime for babies, toddlers (ages 3 and under), and their adult caregivers. Eagle Rock Library, 5027 Caspar Ave. 10:30 a.m.-noon. 

Board Game Night Play from a game in the coffee house’s collection or bring your own. Players of all levels welcome. No cover but please help support the business by purchasing food or drink. Rock Coffee House, 4808 Townsend Ave. 6:30-9:30 p.m. 

Microdose Comedy Host: Danny Ledsinger. The Fable, 1630 Colorado Blvd. 8 p.m.

Save the Dates!

Sun. August 16: Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society’s Annual Ice Cream Social at the Center for the Arts. Live folk band and folk dancers. Games. 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Sun. Sep. 13: Repair Fair at Eagle Rock City Hall. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Thank you for reading. If you want to reach me with news, events, or suggestions, please email [email protected]

I wish you all a lovely week. Keep being kind.

KC