Los Angeles Times Neighborhood section

Below are comments that I and others have made about Eagle Rock in The Los Angeles Times online neighborhood pages.  I thought you might find interesting. Feel free to join the discussion by following the link back to the original section of The Los Angeles Times. The articles are posted from the most recently posted, followed by previos postings.

I have lived, worked and gone to school in Eagle Rock for over 30 years now. I am proud to be here, I love this town now more than ever. If Eagle Rock has lost anything, it was the bigotry, and ethnic intolerance it once had. I am proud to be an American of Japanese and Mexican descent, and I am elated that I can use both my identities freely now without fear of reprisal. Yes, Eagle Rock has changed... for the better. It is easy for some to see the past with rose colored glasses, but I don't. I was not here in the 1920's 30's, 40's and 50's. So I speak to what I have lived.


There are a few other things I don't miss about Eagle Rock. I do not miss the gang resided on Alumni Avenue. Nor the blighted, neglected homes south of the boulevard, the runaway apartment development from out of the area property owners. I certainly was not fond of the empty and dying boulevard that attracted the homeless, and drug users for lack of viable retail tenants. Although, I am glad the Taco trucks have remained. "Yum."

What I do love about this place is exactly the microcosm of this country that Eagle Rock is. It is a melting pot of the best of all the cultures in this country, and a reflection of this beauty in our cultural and music centers. So what if a Korean is running a French restaurant. That is amazing... Would you like some Kimchee with that??
I am proud that Eagle Rock has managed to embrace the changes that have come to the betterment of the neighborhood. So if I have to pay a few dollars more for a cup of Joe, and if I want to pay $100 dollars for a sushi lunch, then so be it. A small price to pay for improving the area. I might add that the Cindy's, Armon's, Pat and Lorraine’s, and Colombo's are still here, and doing fine. As long as they have business they will go on. As for Coldwell Banker David Steven Company, despite the worst real estate market since the great depression, we are still here!
— David Steven Toyama

October 22, 2009 at 11:36 a.m.

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Well, Once Upon a Time Eagle Rock was that special place.

..Now if you want to see a perfect example of gentrification "screw up" a nice neighborhood... go to Eagle Rock.

After living there for 20 years,we are "outta there",leaving it to these spoiled Yuppie pest and their lot,with Yuppie demands for high priced and trendy "here today gone tomorrow" $12 pulled pork sandwiches, and $100 sushi roll lunches, with "valet parking"? Come on,while theres a Taco Truck parked across the street?

Real French food at Cafe Beaujoliais,

operated by the new Korean owners..the real frenchman got smart and moved to South Pasadena in 2005!

Fattys? please...what do you call that soul-less place,yes fat wallets is about it.
Eagle Rock used to be a special place,but thats all in past.You really can love something to DEATH.

Hell, even the longest comments on this page are from David Toyama, formerly David Stevens (guess in the New E.R. its now cool to use your real last name)..turns out to be just Advertising for his depressed real estate business.
So,go there now, and watch the prices go up

and the Yuppies wallow in their newly aquired illusions of grandeur,the New Eagle Rock, a town with out pity.
— Rudy

October 21, 2009 at 9:50 a.m.

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Eagle Rock has been The Mayberry community for a long time, apple pie, good neighbors and an old fashioned community feel not easily found in the sprawling city of L.A. I went to Eagle Rock High School, and lived there for ten years, I run a business on Colorado Bl. To this day the pace is much slower than most of Los Angeles; just fine when you get home from the hustle and bustle of work. A type of community that people hate to leave and generations pass down their homes.
Changes have come slowly, not a bad thing. The businesses here tend to be independently run, and entrepreneurial. Fresh with new concepts energy and ideas. The cafes, shops, restaurants and bars are top shelf. They range from the old fashioned gut busters that fill you up like Casa Bianca Pizzeria, Colombos Italian, Pat and Lorraines, Senor Fish, and Cindy's Cafe to name a few. Yes we now have the Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Coldstones, and Panda's of the world, but Eagle Rockers love that independent, adventurous edge. That is the flavor of this town.
New and exciting spots are numerous, from The Coffee Table restaurant with fresh California Cuisine in a retro building, to Oinksters across the street. There is Fatty's located in a converted mechanics building, Classic Thai on Colorado, Mia Sushi, The Taco Spot, Spitz - vegetarian kabobs, and The Wonderful Peteit Beaujolais which hosts fresh baked goods, amazing coffee, and authentic french accented staff...yum.
For some fine dining try Cafe Beaujolais, across from Peteit Beaujolais. Right next door to me is Camillo's Bistro a fresh california menu and relaxing environment. Can't forget Swork Coffee shop, one of the brave, bold, innovators that help start it all. They were an early comer to the scene by boldly going where no new shops dared to go. Coming Soon is FOUR cafe. Opening up in November. They will be bringing fresh, locally grown food to us at a reasonable price. All meals will be prepared by a well established Beverly Hills Chef. Follow them online as they build their new cafe.
Finally there are the amazing public facilities like the schools, parks, cultural center. Top performing elementary schools that compete with any private schools. I know, I sent my kids to both Eagle Rock public schools, and private. The Eagle Rock park is a hidden gem, and the Eagle Rock Chamber sponsors annual music in the park, as well as dozens of other community events there. Trails galore here and nearby, as well as open fields, and children’s play grounds. The cultural Center has also become a lynch pin to showcase the deep musical, and artistic talents and roots of Eagle Rock. One of the best showcase events in Los Angeles, they host the annual Eagle Rock Music Festival, shutting down the boulevard each fall to host mostly newer, independent bands, performers and musician. I am the local real estate broker/owner for our boutique office - Coldwell Banker David Steven Company. If you want to know more, just come and see me.

— David Toyama

October 19, 2009 at 10:56 a.m.

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I grew up here and didn't realize just how lucky I was to be in such a truly diverse environment until I left. I always wished, though, that it was more typical of a "college" town with more cafes, bars, bookstores, etc. to cater to the high school and Oxy students. There does seem to be more development along these lines now, I've noticed, when I return to visit the parents.

— Aileen

September 22, 2009 at 9:18 a.m.

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Just bougt my first house and i decided to do it in ER.. wasn't too sure what to expect and was incredibly surprised by the "neighborly" atmosphere thats so lacking in most LA. I really love it here, one of the best decisions ive made so far. I also wasnt expecting to be so central and how easy it is for me to get anywhere..traffic seems to be a non issue around here.

— NR

September 17, 2009 at 6:01 p.m.

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I have beautiful memories of ER. My family and I had lived in ER for 23 yrs. We saw it change and grow over the years. It was a good place to raise our 3 young daughters.

We moved out of ER less than a year ago to move into a bigger house and to be near my elderly parents. Now my daughter and son-in-law live in our old, beautiful Craftsman house. The neighborhood has always been nice (pride of ownership) and everyone looks out for one another. The downside for our family, at the time when our girls were school aged, were the schools. We sent all 3 daughters to private schools as we wanted smaller classroom sizes.


My husband and I are glad our eldest daughter and her husband are enjoying our old house and neighborhood.

— Malena

September 5, 2009 at 11:07 p.m.