This 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.
Honoring NELA’s Veterans
The 14th annual NELA Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 3 includes a ceremony at the Eagle Rock City Hall at 11 a.m followed by the parade at 1 p.m. The parade begins at the corner of Eagle Rock Boulevard and York Boulevard and travels north to the hall of the American Legion Eagle Rock Post 276 on Merton Avenue, where there will be live music, vendors and food trucks starting at 2:30 p.m.
Five local military veterans will be Grand Marshals of the parade. From Eagle Rock: Albert Reyes and Simon Holguin, Army veterans of the Vietnam War. From Highland Park: Ben Felix and Jose Felix, Navy veterans of the Vietnam War. From the LAPD Northeast Division: Senior Lead Officer Fernando Ochoa, a Navy veteran.
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Councilmember Gil Cedillo plans to re-dedicate the newly refurbished Veterans Memorial in Highland Park at Figueroa Street and York Boulevard, though details were not available as of press time
Clean Out Your Closet, Help a Firefighter
Drop off donations of new, used and gently worn shoes at the Firefighters First Credit Union in Eagle Rock now through November 30. For each pound of shoes, 40-cents will be donated to the Fire Family Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial support to firefighter families in need. The goal is to collect 2,500 pairs of shoes, worth about $1,000. The shoes will be shipped to micro-entrepreneurs in developing nations who sell them to earn money.
Drop off is in the lobby of the Firefighters First Credit Union / 815 Colorado Blvd. / Eagle Rock / Monday through Friday / 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Please bind the shoes together (rubber bands are in the collection box) / For questions, call 323-550-2208.
Art “From the Heart” for Holiday Shoppers
From Saturday, Nov. 9 to Saturday, Dec. 7, the Arroyo Arts Collective and Avenue 50 Studio will host From the Heart, a combination exhibition and holiday market of original painting, drawing, sculpture, jewelry and other creations by local artists. As items are sold, artists will restock their displays, so new works will be added throughout the exhibition. / Avenue 50 Studio / 131 N. Avenue 50 / Highland Park / Opening night, Saturday, Nov. 9 is 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. / Gallery hours: Tuesday – Thursday and Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 pm. / For more information, visit: arroyoartscollective.org / Free admission
Free Legal Help to Clear a Criminal Record
On Tuesday, Nov. 12 and Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles will offer free help to eligible low-income individuals who want to clear their criminal records.
To register for a session, you must call 800-399-4529 to be pre-screened for eligibility. Eligible participants will be given an appointment; sessions are by appointment only between 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the L.A. County Law Library (301 W. 1st Street in downtown L.A).
To participate, you must not be on probation or owe fees, fines or restitution and you must have a copy of your criminal transcript from the court or a criminal history report (“RAP” sheet) from the California Department of Justice. You can request a criminal history report by doing a fingerprint scan at locations that can be found at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations.
More information on the free legal programs at L.A. County Law Library can be found at www.lalawlibrary.org.
Life, Laughs and Puppets
Comedienne April Hava Shenkman, pregnant and turning 40, throws herself a baby shower with puppets in the comedy special “Flocked Out,” at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater (4949 York Blvd.) on Saturday, Nov. 16. The show — part stand up, part theater of the absurd, part artistic collaboration with marionettes – is from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. / $20 / For tickets and information, visit: bobbakermarionettetheater.com
Music in the Air
The fall concert of the Occidental College Chorus will feature an eclectic music mix, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. Selections will include songs by Simon and Garfunkel and Rollo Dilworth, a gifted American choral composer, plus traditional Jewish, German and African spiritual music. / Sunday, Nov. 24 / 4 p.m. / Herrick Chapel on the Occidental campus / 1600 Campus Road / Eagle Rock / Free
Help with Putting Food on the Table
If money is tight this holiday season, you can turn to local food banks for groceries. Be sure to call to check on times and any requirements.
In Eagle Rock: Central Filipino Seventh Day Adventist Church / 777 Colorado Blvd. / 323-255-7718 / 3rd Tuesday each month / Nov. 19 and Dec. 17 / 8 a.m. to noon
In Highland Park: Iglesia de la Communidad Presbyterian Church / 115 N. Ave 53 / 323-257-4352 / 1st and 3rd Thursday each month / Nov. 7 and Nov. 21 / 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m; Esmirna Pentecostal Church / 5414 N. Figueroa St. / 323-254-0191 / Every Friday / Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22. / 4 p.m. on; Hathaway Sycamore Family Resource Center / 840 N. Ave. 66 / 323-257-9600 / 2nd and 4th Saturday each month
For more food bank locations, click the “Find Food” tab at lafoodbank.org.
T.A. Hendrickson, a native of Eagle Rock, is the editor of the Boulevard Sentinel and a former member of the Editorial Board of the New York Times.
