"Pillarhenge", as it is unaffectionately known by Eagle Rockers, is the hot topic at the next Neighborhood Council meeting.

On the agenda for tonight's Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council meeting is a presentation from the developers of 1332 Colorado, known locally as "Pillarhenge," the empty concrete-columned lot at the eastern end of Eagle Rock (by the onramp to the 134 freeway, Found Coffee, and Craft Beer Cellar).

The developers will talk about the project they'd like to build, which is a 26-unit mixed use residential building, with commercial spaces on the ground floor, two affordable very-low-income units, and green space and parking for residents.

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The developers are asking the city for permission to increase the building floor area allowed for the narrow lot, so we'll hear all about their rationale for that, as well as the details of the density bonus that comes along with the affordable units.

If you can't make the meeting, the ERNC has put the full application online for you to read - you can check it out at this link.

The meeting is tonight at 7pm at Eagle Rock City Hall (2035 Colorado Blvd).

The more sustainable "Green Thinking" we do in LA's Northeast, the more beautiful - abd valuable - our communities will be.

The communities that make up Northeast Los Angeles have generally been seen to be progressive and environmentally conscious. More and more, we see homes in Highland Park and real estate in Mt. Washington and Eagle Rock and Glasell Park coming on the market with what is today known as "sustainable landscaping".

Landscaping that requires little attention and resources is seen by homebuyers as a positive attribute in a home for sale for many good reasons.

For instance, did you know that if you're a homeowner in Los Angeles, you can still get a rebate from the Department of Water and Power (DWP) for removing your water-guzzling lawn and putting in a sustainable landscape?

The community of Eagle Rock is a special one. Let's do all we can to keep it that way!

Believe it or not, I spend more time thinking about my home community of Eagle Rock than I do about Eagle Rock real estate. Homes for sale in Glassell Park occupy my thoughts less than my appreciation of the community itself. Keeping a clean, safe community, after all, is what makes a neighborhood great.

I’ve noticed that in the midst of the chaos of modern day life, it's easy to find one’s self grappling with issues such as what is my purpose? Why am I here? What can I do to make the world better? These questions can be overwhelming, even paralyzing.

Remembering the “broken window” theory made famous by former New York City police chief, Bill Bratton, I decided to stop being overwhelmed and took a single step towards improving my community—I started picking up litter. It isn’t easy to believe that this one small step can actually can make the world a better place, but this is a task that almost anyone can perform and immediately see a positive difference in one’s surroundings.

Eagle Rock real estate isn't the only hot happening in the area!

Eagle Rock businesses really stepped out for We Heart Eagle Rock Shop Small the last Saturday of November. There were 38 businesses on the map, all located along our main two commercial streets, Eagle Rock and Colorado Boulevards. Most of these businesses are "Mom and Pop," privately owned shops by people who live right here in Northeast Los Angeles.  I visited a few, mostly the new businesses that I hadn't seen before. I was so impressed by the individuality and quality of the shops we are so lucky to have in our community. I started my Christmas shopping today in earnest and found gifts that I wouldn't have thought of if I were just shopping on the Internet--not that you couldn't shop in most of these stores online, but it's so much more inspiring to see items in person.

Looking for a reasonably priced rental is a frustrating experience for many, and it is currently a world filled with unscrupulous people trying to steal your money. If you see a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in Eagle Rock listed for rent for $1200-1500 per month, ask yourself why would someone throw away at least $1,000 per month? Could this be a scam?

Lately the story has been a missionary in Africa who wants a good honest person to rent his childhood home, another is a missionary in Texas, and there's another one up in Oregon.

Live by this motto: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That means, as much as you want it to be true, it’s not!

I’ve spoken with dozens of people over the last few weeks who have seen ads in Craigslist, Hotpads, and now Trulia that are claiming to be rentals but they are actually my listings for sale. They tend to be vacant houses but not always. I am not the only listing agent with this problem, believe me.

Some of the people who have called me have argued that the house is really for rent. No, it’s not. I am not a disgruntled agent whose seller has decided to rent out the house for cheap rent instead of sell it for enough to get on to the next step in his life. Today, the calls were about a property that is actually in escrow and due to close in about a week. Why would I lie about that?

If you look for rentals on these websites, be careful. I wish I had some good alternative places for you to look for a rental. Maybe the time has come for Realtors to list rentals because prospective tenants can’t trust regular prospective landlords. You can at least be certain that a rental listed by a Realtor is for real.

Many callers have thought that I should do something about this. Well, the police don’t want to hear about a scam unless you have actually lost money on it. Would you like to do that? So this blog post is my doing something about it. Don’t send a deposit check to an absentee landlord. Don’t believe that a person who texts and emails with you is the real owner of the home if he can’t meet you at the property and show it to you. Do feel free to call me if it’s my listing and check if it’s really for rent. I don’t want you to lose your money. I want you to save up and eventually buy one of my listings!

Our fabulous assistant, Athena, will be going on maternity leave soon and so we are looking for someone to join our team.  Job description is below, if you are interested please email cover letter and resume to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We have an opening for a Full Time (40 hours per week) Executive Assistant for a Top Producing Residential Real Estate Team in North East Los Angeles/Pasadena. We prefer you have at least 2 years of experience supporting a Top Producing Real Estate Agent and you should be a Licensed Real Estate Agent in California.

You will help facilitate communication on all levels -- with all business associates, agents, clients, and prospects. You will act as a combination project coordinator and systems administrator, helping manage the systems that are in place or generating new systems when and where needed. You will supervise and guide the listing process and the escrow process from start to finish, including driving forward on all action items on the listing/escrow checklist necessary to complete a successful transaction, and coordinating all marketing efforts for listings.

Other general duties include:

• Handling phone calls, voicemails, and email
• Preparation of correspondence (email, eFax, post)
• Preparation of all pre-listing packages
• Assisting with coordination of transactions
• Assist in managing agent's schedule
• Maintaining and updating various contact databases (Wise Agent, Top Producer)
• Assist with social media marketing efforts (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
• General office management

Necessary Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Strong capabilities with Top Producer 8i and real estate-related software and websites (MLS, Zipforms, WiseAgent, National Showings, Realtor.com, LATimes.com, Craigslist, Trulia, Zillow, etc.) – a plus, but not required
• Excellent Communication skills (English Fluent; bi-lingual a plus)
• Ability to work with contracts

Personal Qualities & Attributes

• Efficient and fast with a strong desire to "get the job done"
• Superior organizational abilities
• Calm and cool under pressure
• Pleasant demeanor; professional and polished with a positive attitude
• Complete trustworthiness and confidentiality
• Attentiveness to detail

REQUIREMENTS

• Licensed Real Estate Agent in California
• 2+ Years of Experience for Top Producing Residential Real Estate Agent (preferred)
• Reliable vehicle with current auto insurance – light travel required
•  Need to be available and willing to work some weekends.

Highly desirable candidates will display a comprehensive blend of these skills and abilities as well as a thorough "can-do" attitude.

There's a lot of great food to try throughout Northeast LA and it is our mission to make it to every spot for a personal taste test.  We have just updated our Restaurant Guide to include a few of the recent additions to the neighborhood.  Looking for a new place to try out for dinner tonight?  We've got you covered - just click here to download a PDF copy, or you can scroll through the list here.

Have you tasted something great in Northeast LA?  Let us know by emailing us at tracy[at]tracyking[dot]com.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Click here for a PDF copy of our latest restaurant guide for Eagle Rock, Northeast L.A. and occasional forays into Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena.

The first quarter issue of our newsletter is available online now!  Click here to get the latest news on Northeast LA real estate, including:

• The Big Seller Question: Why won't they just make an offer?


• Current state of the market


• Northeast LA real estate by the numbers


• Is cash always king?


• Shadow inventory: What the heck is it? Will it even affect our local market?

Click here to download a PDF copy.  If you would like to receive a hard copy via snail mail, email us your address - it's free!

Have you been thinking about converting your home to solar-powered electricity? As both a homeowner and a Realtor with the EcoBroker and Green Realtor designations, I’ve thought about it for a long time. I want to reduce my dependence on fossil fuels, I want to do my part to End Global Warming, I want to save money on my utilities. Quite honestly, though, the high cost of the equipment, even with generous rebates, has stopped me.

Occidental College is installing a 1-Megawatt solar array on its campus. This is enough to power about 11% of the campus electrical needs, according to Patch.com news (http://eaglerock.patch.com/articles/oxy-offers-2000-solar-rebate). A public meeting was held last night to announce the plan to help neighboring residents and businesses save costs on installing solar by offering a $2,000 rebate that is in addition to any other rebates offered by government and utility providers. Oxy Physics professor Dan Snowden-Ifft gave an overview of the project and introduced representatives from SunPower, the manufacturer of the solar panels, and from Martifer Solar, the dealer who is responsible for the installation on the campus.

Residents and small businesses throughout the Northeast Los Angeles zip codes 90041, 90042, and 90065 qualify for the rebate, plus Oxy alumni, faculty and staff, students and their parents who live in Sunpower dealer areas and own a home.

Check out www.sunpowercorp.com/asp/Occidental for a good summary of the plan with links to registering for a free home evaluation and how to figure out the financial benefits of going solar.

I was pleased to see several past clients of mine in the audience along with other community members who are involved with such groups as the Eagle Rock Community Garden and TERA. If you missed the meeting last night, they are holding another one on September 14. You can RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Those of us who attended last night were able to sign up for a free home evaluation, but you can also sign up on the Sunpower website. In order to apply for the rebate, you have to have the permit from the City of Los Angeles for the installation, which can take several weeks to obtain. Why hurry? Because rebates come and go and if the government or utility that offers the rebate runs out of the allotted funds, you lose out.

If you don’t want to invest in a solar system right now, they even have a lease program that still qualifies for the $2000 rebate!

This is a positive outreach from Oxy to the community. This is the kind of partnership between government, business, and educational institutions that can make our community better and greener while it benefits individual homeowners. Save Money! Go Green!

Hi Everyone!  My restaurant guide has been updated with some great local spots - check it out!

July 2011 Restaurant Guide

Celebrating Eagle Rock’s 100th year, the free fireworks display at Eagle Rock Park brought the community together with a big lovely bang. It seemed like the whole town turned out--we had to park many blocks away and hike in to the park. Ronny and the Classics played some good old Rock and Roll. There were booths staffed by the various Eagle Rock civic groups from TERA to the Chamber of Commerce to the Eagle Rock High Boosters. Classic cars parked on the field provided more browsing opportunities. There were food booths for everything from funnel cakes and kettle corn to Chinese food. We had some very tasty Argentinian grilled sausages spiced with ChimmiChurri sauce served in a roll with fresh salad and rice.

The weather couldn’t have been better: not too hot yet clear and balmy.

The crowd was mellow and friendly with lots of kids, lots of families. We all oohed and aahed at the fireworks which were at least 15 minutes of colors and swizzles and sparklers and booms. The crowd cheered and celebrated and then we all walked back to our cars. Happy 3rd of July, Eagle Rockers!

ERHS Tennis Team Fundraiser -- Order Your Christmas Tree
It's time to preorder your Christmas tree, wreath, or garland to help the boys' tennis team at Eagle Rock High School. Both Noble Fir and Douglas Fir Christmas trees from five to eight feet tall are available, and delivery to your door (for $5) is available in the Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, and Highland Park areas.

All trees are 100% guaranteed, or your money back, to be the freshest and most beautiful you've ever had. This fundraiser has been around for 10 years now! Orders are accepted only in the month of October, so act fast.

Please call boys' tennis coach Eric Jacobson at (323) 340-3571, or complete and mail the order form below to order your Christmas tree item today.

I've bought one of their trees for many years now, and they are the best! And how convenient that they deliver!

Click on this link to view and print order form:                           

EPSON003

and then you can fill it out, write a check to ERHS Boys Tennis, and send it all to:

Eric Jacobsen, Counseling Office

Eagle Rock High School

1750 Yosemite Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90041

And you'll have a fragrant, merry holiday and feel so good that you're helping out Eagle Rock High School.