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The Glassell Park Improvement Association was established in
1968 to promote pride in our community and further the interests of Glassell Park. We are a 501(c)(3),
non-profit, charitable organization. Our members donate their time and energy to plant trees, participate in
community clean ups and beautification projects in Glassell Park. We also advocate for needed improvements
to our infrastructure and strive to strengthen relations with local, state and federal officials for the betterment of
our Community.

We hold general membership meetings during January, March, May, September and November of each year at
the Glassell Park Community and Senior Center at Public Storage. In advance of those meetings we send out a
newsletter to members, bringing them up to date on news and issues that are vital to Glassell Park.
Membership dues are $25.00 per household or family, $15.00 per individual, $12.00 for seniors 60 or older and
$25.00 for businesses. (for more information see JOIN THE GPIA.)

Our community began as a subdivision around the turn of the Twentieth century when the Glassell family
subdivided lots on their estate. (see Our History).

(Saturday, March 17, 2007) At the GPIA Meeting on March 15th, we
celebrated our Schools. At the last GPIA meeting, members and guests were
treated to presentations by our local principals, Ms. Sandy Carter of Glassell Park
Elementary and Ms. Kimberly Noble of Washington Irving Middle School. Both of
these women are dynamic leaders who have a real handle on what is going on in
our schools> They exhibited a love of education and of children that came across
loud and clear. Sandy Carter showed a chart of increasing student achievement
and Kimberly Noble showed a PowerPoint presentation detailing the school's
numerous programs and activities for students. Myrian Magana, a Glassell Park
resident, who is the Parent Outreach Coordinator for Washington Irving, received
recognition for her great work in getting parents involved in their children's
education.

Council District 13's Alejandra Marroquin, field deputy for Glassell Park prepared a
two-page report on the Council Districts' activities on behalf of Glassell Park.
Council District 14's Paul Habib updated us on street improvements and
soon-to-be-made repairs to the sprinkler system on Eagle Rock Blvd., which was
brought to Councilmember Huizar's attention by the GPIA at our
September 2006 meeting.

(Sunday, May 13, 2007) Thursday, May 17th is our next General Membership
Meeting. All are welcome! Come meet Gloria Jeff, head of the Los Angeles
Department of Transportation.

A Michigan native, Ms. Jeff served in the U.S. DOT under President Clinton, and most
recently ran the Michigan State DOT. Los Angeles’s DOT is responsible for all the
traffic signals and traffic operations within the city of L.A. That includes everything from
the 4,300 signalized intersections to the most sophisticated traffic management system
in the nation. At our ATSAC (Automated Surveillance and Control) center, cameras can
see 3,400 of the 4,300 intersections in the city and most of the major bus routes. DOT
ha sthe ability to give buses priority and to modify traffic signals if needed, to help traffic
flow. DOT has more than 500 crossing guards who provide safety for children, and
almost 1,000 employees who work in traffic enforcement and traffic control. The
department is planning some $500 million worth of capital projects over the next few
years. Please join us and find out what plans DOT has to make our traffic flow
smoother and accommodate all the new residents and their cars who are expected to
make Los Angeles their home in the next few years.

(Sunday, May 13, 2007) - GPIA's Youth Job Fair attendance was overwhelming!

Over 100 young people from our neighborhood attended this job fair sponsored by the
L.A. City Attorney's Office, Council Districts 13 and 14 and the Jewish Vocational
Services' First Chance Program. Donna Wong from the City Attorney's office has been
working tirelessly to reduce crime and gang activity in the troubled Drew/Estara Area of
Glassell Park. Earlier this year the City Attorney's office used Eminent Domain to evict
a generational gang family that has spread misery and terrorized the neighborhood for
decades. Ms. Wong understands how important a job can be for young people as an
alternative to joining a gang, so she partnered with David Cons, Program Coordinator
of the Jewish Vocational Services' First Change Program. When GPIA president, Laura
Gutierrez heard about this, she didn't hesitate to ask the GPIA to sponsor the event at
the Glassell Park Community and Senior Center. Laura worked with Council District 13
and 14 to make sure the groups had what they needed to hold a successful event at
the center. Radio station KROQ broadcast live updates from the Center.

Employers who participated in the event were:
Appleone Employment Services, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire
Department, Los Angeles County Sheriffs, City of Los Angeles Personnel, City of Los
Angeles Rec/Parks, Universal Studios Hollywood, John Anson Ford Theatre,
Northeast Trees, Laidlaw Educational Services, Los Angeles Convention
Center, Toys R Us, JVS Bankworks, FedEx Express, TSA-Homeland Security,
Aztecs Rising, Warehouse Shoe Sale, Los Angeles Conservation Corp, City
Year LA, Renaissance Hollywood Hotel (Marriott), Universal Protection Service,
Verizon, Disneyland Resort, Roto Rooter, Wetzell Pretzell,
California Pizza Kitchen, Las Casa Realty, Jack In The Box, &
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino's office.

We heard that State Assemblymember Portantino signed up four young people to be
interns in his office. Thank you Anthony!!

(Sunday, May 13, 2007) Glassell Park Elementary Listed on the National
Registry of Historic Places! The National Register of Historic Places is the
Nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. The School, built
in 1924, is of Spanish Colonial Revival Style with Public Works Administration
Moderne-style modifi cations added in the 1930’s to repair damage following the
Long Beach earthquake and to comply with new state and local building
earthquake safety codes. The structure is made of concrete and steel with a
stucco exterior and a mission clay tile roof, designed by Edward Cray Taylor.
The preservation effort was spearheadedby Glassell Park Resident Alisa Smith.

Winning this designation caps a months-long effort and included many letters of
support from local residents, students and teachers; plus letters from Mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa and the L.A. Conservancy. “The school is a beautiful, stately
building and not only represents a signifi cant era in Los Angeles Architecture, but
that of the national Public Works Administration style as well,” said
Smith, who traveled to Placerville at her own expense to attend the hearing of the
nomination. “Glassell Park Elementary is a vibrant, active center of our community.
A listing on the National Register helps us recognize a jewel in our neighborhood
that has been appreciated by many generations of families.” The designation also
honors its excellent condition; which is maintained (at times with valiant effort) by
the principal of the school, Ms. Sandra Carter, who grew up in Glassell Park.

Thank you to all the community members and GPIA members who wrote letters in
support of this designation!