T.A. Hendrickson

In face of the coronavirus, NELA is hunkered down yet pulling together and help is on the way.

Images of Highland Park during week one of the coronavirus emergency | Photos by T. A. Hendrickson

CORONAVIRUS: Northeast L.A. Confronts the Pandemic

03/28/202007/26/2021 T.A. Hendrickson24007

In face of the coronavirus, NELA is hunkered down yet pulling together and help is on the way.

Illustration by UCalifornia

The 2020 Census: The Time to be Counted is Now

04/09/2020 admin and T.A. Hendrickson194451 Comment

If you haven’t yet filled out the census for your household, here’s what you need to know and do.

March 2020 Primary Results: What the Voters Decided

03/28/202003/30/2020 T.A. Hendrickson19453

Here are the certified results of the voting on March 3. Results include election of officials, a school bond measure and a measure to expand oversight of the L. A. County Sheriff’s Department.

Guilty Plea in LA City Council Corruption Probe

03/19/202003/19/2020 T.A. Hendrickson19984

Here is the News Release issued on March 19, 2020 from the United States Attorney, Central District of California entitled “Fundraiser Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Corruption Charge for Delivering Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to Bribe Member of Los Angeles City Council” LOS ANGELES – A political fundraiser has agreed to plead guilty […]

Getting the Homeless Where They Need to Go for Help

03/16/202003/16/2020 T.A. Hendrickson17605

SELAH and VOALA each got a van from LA County to be dedicated to getting the Homeless Where They Need to Go for Help. To connect with SELAH and/or Volunteers of America, click here.

Metro Delays Report on BRT Route in Eagle Rock

03/04/2020 T.A. Hendrickson18253

Metro staff’s decision on BRT route through Eagle Rock is delayed until “late Summer”. Read on for details.

You can get a flu shot from your regular health care provider or at a local pharmacy.

Health Alert: The Flu Season Is Not Over

02/03/202007/26/2021 T.A. Hendrickson17956

Health officials recommend a flu shot for everyone 6 months of age and older.

The Hammer Museum and the Huntington are collaborating on Made in L.A. 2020.

NELA Artists to Participate in Major Exhibition

02/02/202007/26/2021 T.A. Hendrickson182701 Comment

Five artists who live or work in Northeast Los Angeles have been selected to participate in the fifth Made in L.A. biennial exhibition, which will take place at the Hammer Museum in Westwood and the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino from June 7 through August 30.

Photo courtesy of the San Joaquin Valley Sun

Teeing Up Another Vote to Keep Bars Open Later

02/01/202002/01/2020 T.A. Hendrickson17068

Another effort to keep bars open later is taking shape in the California state Assembly.

Eleven candidates are competing to represent Northeast Los Angeles in national, state and local elective offices.

NELA Voters to Weigh In on Four Key Races

01/31/202003/30/2020 T.A. Hendrickson21187

Incumbents Emphasize Experience, Challengers Say It’s Time for a Change

Cyndi Otteson

12/27/201912/27/2019 T.A. Hendrickson16802

Cyndi Otteson talks about the most important issues in the race for Los Angeles City Council, 14th District.

Raquel Zamora

12/27/201912/27/2019 T.A. Hendrickson180204 Comments

Raquel Zamora talks about the most important issues in the race for Los Angeles City Council, 14th District.

John Jimenez

12/27/201912/27/2019 T.A. Hendrickson18951

John Jimenez talks about the most important issues in the race for Los Angeles City Council, 14th District.

Mónica García

12/27/201901/16/2020 T.A. Hendrickson17127

Mónica García talks about the most important issues in the race for Los Angeles City Council, 14th District.

Kevin de León

12/27/201912/27/2019 T.A. Hendrickson17220

Kevin de León talks about the most important issues in the race for Los Angeles City Council, 14th District.

The contenders, from left: Kevin de León, Monica García, Cyndi Otteson, Raquel Zamora and John Jimenez.

Race Heats Up to Represent NELA in the City Council

12/27/201902/04/2020 T.A. Hendrickson20521

Professional Politicians and Grassroots
Candidates Qualify for the Ballot

The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Bungles the Metro BRT Issue

12/26/201912/27/2019 T.A. Hendrickson15624

Flawed from the start, Metro’s proposed BRT process divides Eagle Rock. We update this story here.

Gang Convictions Have Made Northeast L.A. Safer, Says Justice Department

12/01/201912/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson17538

Two more defendants were sentenced to prison in November in a major federal case against three street gangs in Northeast Los Angeles. There’s more. Read it here.

Services for the homeless coming to ER Rec Center aux parking lot? Photo | Bill Hendrickson

City to Evaluate Parking Lot on Figueroa for Homeless Services

12/01/201912/14/2019 T.A. Hendrickson16451

By T. A. Hendrickson An effort in Eagle Rock to create safer, more sanitary conditions for the homeless advanced on November 15, when the Los Angeles City Council told city agencies to study the use of the parking lot at 7541 Figueroa Street as a homeless-services staging area. Among the potential uses: Installing mobile showers […]

Tracy A Stone, Architect | Photo by Allen Anderson

Doing Well, Doing Good

11/29/201911/30/2019 T.A. Hendrickson14997

Tracy A. Stone, an architect in Elysian Valley and president of the nonprofit Elysian Valley Arts Collective, has been named one of the “Best Green Architects” in Los Angeles by L.A. Architects magazine. There’s more.

When you donate to local nonprofits, you make a difference in NELA.

Give to the Non-profits of Northeast Los Angeles

11/29/201912/05/2019 T.A. Hendrickson202741 Comment

When you donate to local nonprofits, your contributions stay in the area. Great places to Give to! Check them out here.

The 134 Freeway alternative Metro says it will study would bypass Eagle Rock, as shown in dotted line above.

Mixed Messages from Metro

11/01/201911/02/2019 T.A. Hendrickson191099 Comments

Supervisor Solis Weighs In on
Freeway Option

The Class of 2020 Looks to the Future

09/28/201909/28/2019 T.A. Hendrickson113421 Comment

For some high school seniors, summer internships before senior year have put college and career decisions in perspective. Here are a couple of seniors who were summer interns.

Health Alerts: Vaping Dangers Exposed.

09/28/201907/26/2021 T.A. Hendrickson110501 Comment

A recent warning from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health did not mince words: “STOP VAPING NOW!” it said. Here’s why:

Health Alerts: West Nile Virus Detected Near NELA.

09/28/201907/26/2021 T.A. Hendrickson10827

A sample of mosquitoes captured in Los Feliz tested positive on September 10 for West Nile virus.

New Recognition, Opportunity for NELA Art Scene

09/28/201907/26/2021 T.A. Hendrickson10698

L.A.’s eastside has always had a creative core. The wider art world is taking notice.

L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, speaking with a constituent at a Metro meeting in August, wants more input before deciding on route options. - Photo courtesy of Supervisor Solis

Decision Looms on Route Options for Metro BRT in Eagle Rock

09/28/2019 T.A. Hendrickson111301 Comment

Know the next step in Metro’s plan for a BRT express bus service for Eagle Rock.

Logo for the 6th Annual Highland Park Independent Film Festival - October 3 - October 5, 2019

Your Guide to the 6th Annual Highland Park Independent Film Festival

09/27/201907/26/2021 T.A. Hendrickson122041 Comment

With 50 films over three days, this year’s Highland Park Independent Film Festival is the largest and most ambitious in the festival’s six-year history. The screenings, at the Highland Theater (5604 N. Figueroa St.) include six world premieres, four Los Angeles premieres and an Academy Award-nominated short. There are films in virtually every genre: animation, documentary, sci-fi, action/adventure, noir and foreign. Here’s a moviegoer’s guide to festival:

Hilda Solis, L.A. county supervisor and Metro board member, spoke with attendees at a recent Metro meeting in Eagle Rock. Other top officials also attended. Photo of Hilda Solis provided by Supervisor Solis’ office.

Metro Debate In Eagle Rock Enters New Phase

08/30/201909/06/2019 T.A. Hendrickson114371 Comment

As County Supervisor and Metro Director Hilda Solis and Metro leaders and staff come to Eagle Rock to hear what the community has to say about Metro’s proposed BRT route on Colorado Boulevard, political decisions on Metro’s plan take center stage.

Fire Breaks out at east bound entry to 134 from the 2. Jumps the 134 heading North | Photo by Jennifer Hase

Fire Breaks out in Eagle Rock and Glendale

08/25/201908/29/2019 T.A. Hendrickson223121 Comment

FIRE: 4:40 p.m.

A brush fire near the border of Eagle Rock and Glendale, reported shortly after 4 p.m. today, continues to burn. LAFD making progress containing the fire. No injuries reported.

Ana Serrano inside her installation, Homegrown, which has been acquired by the L.A. County Musuem of Art | Photo by John S. Rabe

Artwork by Ana Serrano Acquired by L.A. County Museum of Art

07/26/201907/26/2021 T.A. Hendrickson143851 Comment

From the College of Art and Design to the LA County Museum, Ana Serrano evokes the look and feel of front-yard, window-ledge spaces in Latino neighborhoods. Read on for a view of the creative expression of what we pass by every day in NELA.

The proposed North Hollywood to Pasadena bus rapid transit line would run through Eagle Rock on Colorado Boulevard

Four Questions for Metro on Bus Rapid Transit in Eagle Rock

07/12/201907/12/2019 T.A. Hendrickson139777 Comments

Attention Eagle Rockers: Bring your comments and questions on Saturday, July 13, to a meeting with Metro about its Bus Rapid Transit plan for Eagle Rock. Here are four questions the Boulevard Sentinel is submitting for the record. The meeting will be at the Eagle Rock Plaza from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Kids Eat Free in the Summer at Schools and Parks in NELA

06/29/201907/05/2019 T.A. Hendrickson7762

Here are schools and parks in Northeast Los Angeles where free lunch is served on weekdays in the summer for kids and teens, ages 1 to 18.

Huizar’s Legal Problems Persist

06/28/201906/29/2019 T.A. Hendrickson7233

The hot water that José Huizar has been in for months is getting hotter. On June 24, a judge denied a request by Huizar to delay a lawsuit against him. More here. Read on.

Class of 2019: Final Tally of NELA’s College-Bound Grads

06/28/201906/29/2019 T.A. Hendrickson7070

Over 1,000 NELA high school grads are going on to college. Read here where they are coming from and where they are going.

Glassell Bark – Makes NELA a Better Place to Live

06/28/201906/29/2019 T.A. Hendrickson6471

Dog kisses, a watermelon eating contest (against your dog) and a happy day for NELA. Glassell Bark brings out the best in NELA.

Enjoying a "Taste of Eagle Rock" are, from left, Dr. Ralph Boyd, Dottie Boyd, LaDell Stapp and Lani Stapp | Photo by Bill Hendrickson

Taste of Eagle Rock – A Fund Raising Success

06/28/201906/29/2019 T.A. Hendrickson6922

The expansive lawn at the Hill Drive home of Michael and Eugenie Noguiera was the site of the 5th annual Taste of Eagle Rock on June 23 where some 300 visitors sampled specialties from 25 local restaurants.

Metro’s plan for bus rapid transit lanes on Colorado Boulevard has proved controversial. | Photo by Ted Amoroso

Battle Over Buses Continues

06/28/201906/28/2019 T.A. Hendrickson120942 Comments

The Battle Over Buses on Colorado Boulevard has heated up. Meeting to gather community input planned. Read this report for more.

Jack Goldberg addressing supporters

Jackie Goldberg Wins School Board Election. Voter Turnout Was Poor.

06/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson5512

Jackie Goldberg, a veteran local politician, won a decisive victory on May 14 over Heather Repenning, a former city commissioner, for the Board District 5 (BD 5) seat on the Los Angeles School Board, which includes Northeast Los Angeles. The task now before Goldberg, who was endorsed by the L.A. teachers union, is to find the money to deliver on her promise of smaller class sizes and more counselors, nurses and teachers aides.

Vielka McFarlane

Prison Time for Charter School Founder with Ties to NELA

06/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson7115

Vielka McFarlane, who founded the Celerity network of charter schools located in Eagle Rock and other parts of Los Angeles, was sentenced on May 20 to 30 months in prison for misspending public education money on luxuries for herself, including first-class plane travel, fine dining and high-end shopping.
McFarlane pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy to misappropriate and embezzle public money. The plea followed an investigation, starting in 2012, by the inspector general of L.A. Unified School District and federal authorities.

Valedictorians: From left, Tina Wu of Franklin High School, Carlson Marquez of Eagle Rock High School and Cittlalli Torres of PUC eCALS.

Most of the Area’s Graduates Are College Bound

05/31/201906/22/2019 T.A. Hendrickson89981 Comment

The high school graduates of 2019 in Northeast Los Angeles have earned the pomp and circumstance that surrounds Graduation Day.
The highlights are in our story . . . . . . .

Will Voters Approve Proposal EE Tax to Fund Schools?

04/28/201904/28/2019 T.A. Hendrickson5784

Known as Measure EE, the proposal is for a 16-cents per-square-foot parcel tax on “habitable structures” within the L.A. Unified School District (LAUSD), including houses, storefronts and commercial buildings. The tax would fall most heavily on businesses and corporate landlords

Los Angeles County is the hardest-to-count county in the nation.

Countdown to the 2020 Census

04/27/201905/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson66003 Comments

By T. A. HendricksonAt a recent rally downtown in Los Angeles to urge everyone to be counted in the 2020 census, city and county officials did not mince words: The obstacles to participation in the census are high, they said. But failure to get a full and accurate count would be devastating, financially and politically.

Jackie Goldberg and Heather Repenning are competing to represent NELA and other areas in Board District 5

Runoff for School Board

03/29/201905/14/2019 T.A. Hendrickson6136

The runoff election for School Board District 5, which includes Northeast Los Angeles, is underway between Jackie Goldberg and Heather Repenning.

School News: Renaissance Arts Academy Is Honored. Another Area School Needs Improvement.

03/02/201903/02/2019 T.A. Hendrickson4279

Renaissance Arts Academy, a K-12 charter school in Glassell Park, has been designated a “California Distinguished School” by the California Department of Education. The school is one of 162 middle and high schools in the state to receive the honor, which recognizes exceptional student performance or consistent progress in closing the achievement gap. It is […]

Marcos Juarez, a realtor, and Alex Lozano, a broker associate, both with Compass Real Estate in Highland Park, showing a rendering of Frank Romero's next mural, 'Going to the Olympics Again.' -Photo by Bill Hendrickson

Frank Romero Mural Coming to Highland Park

03/02/201907/26/2021 T.A. Hendrickson68921 Comment

By T. A. Hendrickson

When Frank Romero painted the mural “Going to the Olympics” for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, he was already famous as a founding member of Los Four, the artist collective that put Chicano art on the art-world map.

L.A. County Supervisor for NELA, Hilda Solis, (center in colorful scarf) pictured at the rally for striking teachers today in Grand Park in downtown L.A. with Randi Weingarten, (in rain poncho), president of the American Federation of Teachers and other strike supporters.

Where NELA’s Elected Officials Stand on the Teacher Strike, Day One

01/14/201903/03/2019 T.A. Hendrickson4425

The Boulevard Sentinel emailed NELA’s elected leaders – local, state and federal – asking whether they support the teachers, the LAUSD or are neutral. Here are the replies: L.A. City Councilmember Gil Cedillo, Council District 1: “Councilmember Cedillo is with teachers and hopes both parties can reach an agreement as soon as possible to minimize […]

NELA Real Estate in 2018: High Rents Have Cast Nearly One in Five Californians into Poverty

11/03/2018 T.A. Hendrickson3522

California prides itself on being a prosperous state. But California has the highest poverty rate of all the states, 19%, according to a measure by the U.S. Census Bureau that looks at the costs of living in each state and the federal aid available to help cope with those costs. Over all, the census figures, […]

Charter School Founder with Ties to Eagle Rock Pleads Guilty to a Felony

12/29/201806/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson4169

Vielka McFarlane, the founder and former chief executive of Celerity Educational Group, a Los Angeles charter school network, has pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to misappropriate and embezzle public funds. In her plea, reported by the L.A. Times on Dec. 21, Ms. McFarlane admitted that she had misspent $2.5 million in public funds intended for Celerity students.

Saying “No” to Yet Another Anti-Immigrant Proposal

02/04/201903/03/2019 T.A. Hendrickson2841

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has received 216,102 public comments on a Trump administration proposal that would make it harder for legal immigrants to obtain green cards or permanent residency if they use Medicaid, food stamps, housing subsidies or other common federal benefits. The comments were overwhelmingly against the proposal. It’s safe to say […]

Mike Kelly Memorial: Art that Unites Past and Present, Here and Elsewhere

02/04/201902/17/2019 T.A. Hendrickson3815

Seven years ago, an abandoned carport at the end of Tipton Way in Highland Park became a community memorial to the artist Mike Kelley, who had his studio down the street and had died by suicide on Jan. 31, 2012. All through the month of February, 2012, visitors filled the space with farewell messages in […]

Smoke in the Huizar Investigation, but Still No Fire

02/04/201902/04/2019 T.A. Hendrickson3235

In the three months since the FBI raided the home and two offices of NELA City Councilmember José Huizar, no official explanation has been given for the raids and no related arrests or charges have been made. But the issue continues to generate a lot of smoke. The L.A. Times reported on Jan. 12 that […]

The Troubles of Mr. Huizar, Continued

12/29/201801/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson3628

As of press time for this issue of the Boulevard Sentinel on Dec. 27, there was no official word from the FBI as to why it raided two offices and the home of José Huizar last November. There have been no charges and no arrests in connection with the raids. Recent reporting from the L.A.Times, […]

L.A. Bars to stay open until 4am?

12/29/201812/29/2018 T.A. Hendrickson8074

Not Taking “No” for an Answer State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has re-introduced legislation to let bars in Los Angeles and eight other California cities stay open until 4 a.m., two hours later than the current closing time of 2 a.m. The latest bill (SB 58) is basically no different […]

A Park Grows in NELA

10/06/201810/06/2018 T.A. Hendrickson2199

The results are in for a survey by the City of L.A. to find out what the public wants at the Taylor Yard G2 River Park, the swath of land along the L.A. River in Cypress Park that is being re-developed into a park. Nearly 60% of the 1,312 people who took the survey were […]

Rules May Be Coming Soon on Short-Term Rentals

10/06/201810/06/2018 T.A. Hendrickson25621 Comment

On any given day, about 500 rentals in Highland Park, Eagle Rock and Mount Washington are on offer through Airbnb and other short-term rental sites. New rules proposed in September by the City Planning Commission could affect many of them. The proposed rules, if approved by the City Council, would limit short term rentals […]

Business Openings in NELA and a Closing

08/31/201909/01/2019 Bill Hendrickson, Mary Lynch and T.A. Hendrickson735

Judson International School 1495 Colorado Blvd. | Eagle Rock After 28 years in Pasadena, Judson International School, a private, non-denominational K-12 Christian school, has relocated to the school building on the campus of the Eagle Rock Baptist Church. Nearly a third of the school’s 100 students are international and its curriculum, taught by 19 faculty […]

NELA neighborhoods are in or surrounded by a "very severe hazard" fire zone

New Data Suggest Vast Devastation in a NELA Wildfire

12/28/201803/03/2019 T.A. Hendrickson4298

While it’s no secret that Northeast Los Angeles is vulnerable to wildfire, it’s hard to fathom the scale of possible destruction. New data released in December give a sense of just how devastating wildfire in NELA could be. Consider: Five NELA communities rank in the top 20 of L.A. neighborhoods with the most buildings in […]

Local Leaders Ask for Your Help to Stop the Latest Anti-Immigrant Proposal

10/29/201811/30/2018 T.A. Hendrickson2881

Hilda Solis, the Los Angeles County Supervisor for Northeast L.A., has joined Mayor Garcetti in opposing a Trump Administration proposal that would make it hard for legal immigrants to become permanent residents if they or their families receive Medicaid, federal housing aid or food stamps. “We are doing everything possible to stop this proposed rule […]

Shop Locally. Boost the Community. Have a Great Holiday.

10/29/201811/30/2018 T.A. Hendrickson29891 Comment

The small businesses of Eagle Rock will roll out a collective welcome mat on Saturday, Nov. 24, with retailers and service businesses up and down the boulevards offering some of their best deals of the year and sponsoring special events. The occasion is Shop Small Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when small businesses nationwide showcase […]

Panel to Investigate Councilmember Huizar for Discrimination, not Harassment or Retaliation

10/08/201810/29/2018 T.A. Hendrickson41711 Comment

by T. A. Hendrickson On Oct. 2, the spokesperson for the City Personnel Department, Bruce Whidden, said he had erred in September when he stated that a complaint filed against Mr. Huizar dealt with allegations of harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Responding to questions from the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Whidden said that the personnel department’s […]

Voter Guide to the Issues

09/29/201810/29/2018 T.A. Hendrickson30311 Comment

When Sean Starkey, field deputy for Councilmember José Huizar, gave an update recently on Rock the Boulevard, an initiative to improve the safety and appearance of Eagle Rock Boulevard, he noted that passage of Prop. 6 on the November ballot would cut into the money available to carry out the improvements. Prop. 6 is the […]

Local Nonprofit Receives $200,000 to Help Refugees

08/31/201809/29/2018 T.A. Hendrickson30411 Comment

Miry’s List, an organization founded by Miry Whitehill of Eagle Rock to help refugees resettle in Southern California, has received a $200,000 grant to expand its work. The money, in the form of an LA2050 “Connect” grant from the Goldhirsh Foundation, will be a game-changer for the organization – and for the refugees, asylum seekers […]

Vacancy on School Board Creates Challenges for NELA Schools

07/27/201808/31/2018 T.A. Hendrickson5728

Ref Rodriguez’s guilty plea to charges related to political money laundering marks the end of his career in the Los Angeles school system. But it is the beginning of challenges for NELA schools in Board District 5, the area Mr. Rodriquez represented on the school board. The job of a school board member is to […]

Get to Know: Jan Lin

12/28/201803/03/2019 T.A. Hendrickson4558

Jan Lin, a sociology professor at Occidental College, has written a book about Northeast Los Angeles. Released in December and entitled Taking Back the Boulevard: Art, Activism, and Gentrification in Los Angeles, it is the story of Highland Park and Eagle Rock, a biography of a place – and like all good biographies, it tells […]

Las Chikas - Courtesy Photo

Art and Performance in Northeast L.A. – Gilbert Cedillo’s Latin Jazz and Music Festival

09/28/201909/28/2019 T.A. Hendrickson7557

Picks from the people who bring you the Boulevard Sentinel By Mary Lynch Gilbert Cedillo’s Latin Jazz and Music Festival, now in its 6th year at Sycamore Grove Park in Highland Park, is a two-day, day-and-night celebration. The music is nonstop: There are seven bands each day – basically a band an hour — starting […]

Photo from MoMA PS1 retrospective -Mike Kelley/October 13, 2013–February 2, 2014 - This piece was one of over 200 works, from early pieces made during the 1970s through 2012. The exhibition occupied the entire museum.

Art and Performance in Northeast L.A. – Mike Kelley Foundation For The Arts

08/31/201909/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson68461 Comment

The Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts, headquartered in Highland Park, preserves and promotes the legacy of Mike Kelley (1954-2012). Kelley, regarded as one of the most influential American artists of the late 20th and early 21st century, had his studio on Tipton Way in Highland Park. Influential? Check some of his art here.

Rendering of the new therater for the Bob Baker Marionettes at 4949 York Blvd. in Highland Park.

Art and Performance in Northeast L.A. – Bob Baker Marionette Theater

08/31/201908/31/2019 T.A. Hendrickson6843

The preview season gets underway on September 15 at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Here’s how to get tickets and more about this beloved theater company.

Photo of the Compass Rose exhibition at the Oxy Arts building on York. | Photo is from Occidental College web site.

Art and Performance in Northeast L.A. – Oxy Arts

08/31/201909/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson6812

Oxy Arts is opening on York Blvd on September 15th. We present some highlights from the Fall run at the new facility. Have your calendar ready. The events are groundbreaking.

Playing Tourist in Your Own Hometown: Where to eat, drink, shop and take in the sights in Northeast L.A.

07/31/201908/31/2019 T.A. Hendrickson6134

For summer fun close to home, here’s what popular Los Angeles travel guides say about where to eat, drink, shop and take in the sights in Northeast L.A.

Social Change: How You Can Make a Difference

06/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson52801 Comment

Picks from the people who bring you the Boulevard Sentinel

The problems of the world are also local problems. Here are several ways in and near NELA to learn more about the issues and work toward solutions. We list ways for both children and adults. They include courses exhibits and programs by the Audubon Center, Eagle Rock Library, The Wall Las Memorias Project and the Museum of Social Justice.

If Poets Ruled the World…

04/28/201904/28/2019 T.A. Hendrickson58461 Comment

Three free poetry workshops are yours for the taking, thanks to the Institute for the Study of Los Angeles at Occidental College and the Lummis Days Community Foundation, which has made poetry a main attractions of the annual Lummis Days Festival in NELA, to be held from May 31 to June 2.

Observe, Experiment, Learn, Participate

04/01/201904/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson4638

Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, once said, “Science is fun,” and who are we to argue? Schoolkids through senior citizens can “do” science, attend a science fair and listen to science lectures at these free events in and around NELA in April:

Solheim Senior Community 2236 Merton Avenue Eagle Rock, CA 90041

Easter Eggs, Spring Concerts: Seven Ways to Enjoy the Season

03/31/201903/31/2019 T.A. Hendrickson4489

Picks from the people who bring you the Boulevard Sentinel

Artists’ Achievements Bring Honor to the Area

06/29/201807/27/2018 T.A. Hendrickson125503 Comments

To select the 32 artists whose work is now on display in the Hammer Museum’s blockbuster Made in L.A. exhibit, the curators visited more than 200 studios and numerous galleries and museums. When all was said and done, eight of the 32 were artists who live or work in and around Northeast Los Angeles, including […]

Meet “Zed,” a Columbia mammoth skeleton from the tar pits displayed in the George C. Page Musuem. The museum is free on Tuesdays.

Editor’s Notebook: Happy New Year, 2020 – fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar

12/24/201901/05/2020 T.A. Hendrickson6066

This Editor’s Notebook contains fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar.

Editor’s Notebook: HOLIDAY EDITION, 2019

12/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson5953

This Editor’s Notebook contains fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar.

Goings on in NELA: November 2019

12/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson5583

This Editor’s Notebook contains fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar.

Goings on in NELA: November 2019

11/02/201912/01/2019 T.A. Hendrickson5508

This Editor’s Notebook contains fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar.

Editor’s Notebook: October 2019

09/28/2019 T.A. Hendrickson5158

The Editor’s Notebook contains a calendar of fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar. Kudos Los Angeles City Councilmember Gil Cedillo and the L.A. Dodgers recently donated five ping pong tables to nonprofit agencies serving youth and seniors in Cedillo’s Council District 1 […]

Editor’s Notebook: September 2019

08/31/201909/02/2019 T.A. Hendrickson5567

The Editor’s Notebook gives you a calendar of nine August Events in the NELA communities of Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Highland Park and Mt. Washington. Plus info on what do to if power goes out. And kudos for The LA County Department of Public Health and The Wall Las Memorias.

Editor’s Notebook: August 2019

07/27/201909/02/2019 T.A. Hendrickson56671 Comment

Editor’s Notebook: July 2019

06/29/201909/02/2019 T.A. Hendrickson6009

The Editor’s Notebook contains fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar.

Editor’s Notebook: June 2019

06/01/201909/02/2019 T.A. Hendrickson5747

The Editor’s Notebook contains fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar.

Editor’s Notebook: May 2019

04/28/201909/02/2019 T.A. Hendrickson48731 Comment

The Editor’s Notebook contains fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar.

Editor’s Notebook: April 2019

03/31/201904/28/2019 T.A. Hendrickson4445

The Editor’s Notebook contains fun things to do, important things to know, ways to get involved and events to put on your calendar.

Will Abuse Scandal at Shambhala International Affect Local Outpost?

07/29/2018 T.A. Hendrickson2306

The Shambhala Center in Eagle Rock is an outpost of Shambhala International, one of the largest Buddhist meditation organizations in the West. Last month, Shambhala International was rocked when its leader, Mipham Rinpoche, took a leave amid allegations that he had sexually abused some women in the organization. The governing council of the organization, headquartered […]

Summer Trips to Write Home About

06/29/201807/02/2018 T.A. Hendrickson37291 Comment

Summer vacation for some of NELA’s brightest high schoolers includes travel to enrich their intellectual lives. Mia Bella Pardo, 17, of Eagle Rock, just returned from the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Massachusetts, a three-day program of medical lectures, academic advice and networking with physicians, scientists, deans and fellow high school students who aspire […]

The Park After Dark

06/29/201806/29/2018 T.A. Hendrickson1874

The Park After Dark There’s free fun for the entire family at Summer Night Lights, a public/private program that keeps L.A.’s parks and recreation centers open, well-lit, well-patrolled and full of activity from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. during the summer. In addition to organized sports, there are arts and crafts, games and recreation as […]

Union Blues: A Victory for Local Labor, Then a Setback

07/28/2018 T.A. Hendrickson1980

When unionized service workers at public schools in Los Angeles won a hard-fought new contract in May, their leader, Max Arias, of El Sereno, told the Boulevard Sentinel that the union could not rest on its laurels. Union members had to remain united and active, he said, because anti-union forces were strong and getting stronger. Sure […]

Good News for Community College Students

07/28/201807/28/2018 T.A. Hendrickson1916

The University of California has offered admission this fall to 28,750 transfer students, a record number, UC officials said in July. Most of these students are California residents transferring from community colleges. That is an encouraging development for the large share of students who start college at the community level. In NELA, for example, 300 […]

On the College Front

06/30/2018 T.A. Hendrickson2190

Tally of NELA’s College-Bound Seniors Increases The Boulevard Sentinel’s tally in June of high-school graduates found that 654 out of 901 were college bound from four local high schools: Eagle Rock High in Eagle Rock, Franklin High in Highland Park, and Renaissance Arts Academy and Alliance Environmental Science and Technology, both in Glassell Park. Since […]

Gang Member Is Sentenced for Racist Attacks in Highland Park

06/30/2018 T.A. Hendrickson2798

Merced Cambero, Jr., a member of the Avenues gang, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for hate crimes committed against African Americans in Highland Park from 1997 to 2000. The gang’s crime spree included two murders. The sentencing, on June 4, was a long time coming. Mr. Cambero was charged in 2004, […]

Activists in NELA Continue to Take On the NRA

06/02/2018 T.A. Hendrickson19062 Comments

Drain the NRA, the anti-gun violence group co-founded by Laura Mannino of Highland Park, has notched another success: On May 9, the $225 billion California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) adopted a gun-control policy developed by John Chiang, the California state treasurer, and promoted by Drain the NRA. Under the new policy, CalSTRS will pressure […]

Shootings Rattle Highland Park

06/02/2018 T.A. Hendrickson2402

NELA Councilmember Gil Cedillo and the Los Angeles Police Department will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, June 5 to discuss concerns and issues in Highland Park. The meeting will be at St. Ignatius Catholic Church at 322 N. Avenue 61 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a lot to talk about, […]

The Ref Rodriguez Chronicles

06/02/2018 T.A. Hendrickson2084

The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) has added its voice to the chorus calling for Ref Rodriguez to resign his position as NELA’s representative on the Los Angeles school board. In a letter sent to Mayor Garcetti on May 14, the ERNC said it had lost confidence in Mr. Rodriguez to fulfill his duties and […]

A Tally of NELA’s College Bound Seniors

06/02/201806/29/2018 T.A. Hendrickson2733

For the first time in its long history, Benjamin Franklin High School in Highland Park will have two valedictorians in a graduating class. Henry Gomez and Raymond Hernandez have tied for the honor this year, based on their grade point averages and the rigor of their coursework. Mr. Gomez will attend UC, San Diego in […]

Guilty Plea in Racially Motivated Murders in Highland Park Nearly 20 Years Ago

04/29/2018 T.A. Hendrickson2807

A violent chapter in Highland Park history is coming to a close. Merced Cambero, Jr., 39, who was captured last year after almost 15 years on the run, recently pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes stemming from attacks on African Americans in Highland Park, including two murders, from 1997 to 2000. Mr. Cambero, a member […]