eagle rock

Mar

05

Utah – What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been

stories  Posted by / 0 comments
Each day the sky surprises me
2010 11 30 10.40.25 1024x768 Utah What a Long, Strange Trip Its Been

Arriving in SLC

I love that song by The Grateful Dead, What A Long Strange Trip It’s Been. My life summed up by a song title. What does it have to do with food? Well, I’ll tell you.

You may have noticed there’s not been much on Dona Lupe’s in a while. A couple of months actually. That’s because I moved to Utah for work and it’s been an adjustment to say the least.

I’m a California girl through and through. I’ve lived all over these United States and even in Mexico, but L.A. Is my home. The sunshine, beaches, mountains, the hills of Silverlake all make me feel complete. I love the smog, the traffic, the crazy grittiness of Hollywood and the placidity and family feeling of the little town of Eagle Rock where my grandchildren live, where I lived for years.

I arrived in Utah on a cold December day. There was about five feet of snow on the ground and as I walked out to my taxi with my son Phillip, I looked around and thought to myself, “Oh crap what the hell did I do?” This was SNOW. It was pretty and certainly not the first time I’d seen it having lived in New York City, but damn this was a refresher course in COLD.

I’m older now too, joints hurt when its cold particularly my fingers and knees. Yes I am loading up on Glucosamine lol and stretching a lot, doing Yoga and walking, yes walking through snowy streets.

We’ve been staying in an extended stay hotel until I find an apartment and on days it is not snowing, I walk the mile and a half to work and back. I’ve come to love those crisp walks. It wakes me up better than any cup of coffee and it’s great exercise. The hotel boasts a kitchenette with two electric burners, a sink and a microwave. No oven. I feel the snowy weekends are going to waste with no baking. I’ve become an expert in what I call commando cooking: using only two burners, cooking on a dreaded electric stove (I prefer a flame to red glowing rings) climbing up on a chair to reach the microwave and trudging through snow to find Mexican ingredients.

I’ve learned that when I hear rumbling at 4 or 5 am, it means the snow plows are out clearing the roads, that I can walk around in 40 degree weather without a coat and think, “it’s a nice day today”, you CANNOT trudge around in Ugg boots in slushy snow, that salt ruins leather and that a scarf is my best friend. I have yet to solve the mystery of why in Utah, in the midst of incredibly cold days and snow, everyone goes out and gets ice cream. Seriously, I’m fascinated by the obsession with shakes, sundaes and other ice cream concoctions here. All I ever wanted was hot chocolate, but lately, I’ve been craving a milk shake lol.

There’s a big Latino population here in Salt Lake and I’ve found quail, delicious purple tortillas made from purple corn, strawberry tamale masa and lots of the comforts of home. Beyond that, I’ve fallen in love with the people here and the amazing sky. People are just incredibly nice, friendly and helpful and I’ve made some good friends in a short time.

2010 12 06 14.30.03 768x1024 Utah What a Long, Strange Trip Its Been

Each day the sky surprises me

In two weeks, I’ll have a real kitchen again because yay, I’ve found a nice apartment and will be moving soon. So stay tuned for more in a few weeks. I’ll be blogging my triumphs and disasters, locations to find good, authentic ingredients here in Salt Lake and stories about learning to live with the weather. There’s no snow on the ground these days in March, but we’re expecting some on Tuesday. The photos won’t be perfect, because I lost my camera along the way but I’m working to get a new one and hopefully, the photos will get better soon.

2010 11 30 10.42.02 1024x768 Utah What a Long, Strange Trip Its Been

Taken from the taxi to the hotel

*These photos were taken on my Samsung Galaxy 4G phone I won from The Posada Foundation, Sprint and LATISM.

Aug

02

Friday Farmer’s Market in Eagle Rock

foodie places  Posted by / 1 comments

p8010033 Friday Farmers Market in Eagle Rock

One of my Friday evening rituals is to head down to the local Farmer’s Market to see what goodies they have that I can play with.  I often, as in this case take the grandkids and have a blast with them.  This afternoon we packed up the stroller and headed out for adventure, fun and produce.  The Eagle Rock Farmer’s Market is small but fun.  We have an Elvis impersonator! Sorry, no pictures of him today – the kids were tired out before he came on.

We found dragonfruit at the booth of Teo and Otillio, which though I love the color – I was slightly under whelmed at the taste.  They tasted like tunas to me, or prickly pear in English.  Still, the color was brilliant and I wanted to dye yarn with it as soon as I saw it.  I also thought mmmm it would make a brilliant cheesecake and I could sugar the petals to decorate the sides….

p8010028 Friday Farmers Market in Eagle Rock

There were my summer favorite, squash flowers for a dollar a bag.  The ones I found had tiny little squashes attached and they will make excellent quesadillas or a budin.  We also found huge nectarines, peaches and avocados.  I mean like Godzilla-sized.  Seriously.  Check out the gallery.  Huge.

Bacon-wrapped, Mexican-style hot dogs, aguas frescas, black grapes, peaches, apricots and gorgeous nectarines the choices were as endless as summer seems to be.  The sun was shining, the smell of fruit and flowers filled the air and mixed with the smoky smell of chicken roasting over wood.  Kids were playing and everyone was eating.

p8010079 Friday Farmers Market in Eagle Rock

I found strawberries so big and sweet in rows and rows that had me singing that Beatle’s song to the kids.  Jasmine now knows the words to Strawberry Fields Forever.

p8010045 Friday Farmers Market in Eagle Rock

Jasmine wanted me to buy balot because they are dyed pink, but I draw the line at eggs with baby chicken embryos in them.  Ick.  Sorry folks, I will get my protein elsewhere.

We stopped and bought jamaica (hibiscus flower drink), sat down at a table in the shade and met the cutest little baby named Maria Elena and her family.  Two-year Aiden did tricks on his skateboard he takes with him everywhere (he calls it his game and even sleeps with it) and Jasmine twirled her sun hat.

p8010071 Friday Farmers Market in Eagle Rock

Refreshed and cooler, we set off to take pictures of the men making pollos al brassa and I knocked over the wrought iron divider they had set up.  Always graceful, me.  After that, I had had enough and the kids were getting cranky so we rolled over to That Yarn Store and visited with David and other Yarn Store regulars.  I fell in love with this gorgeous Rio de Plata hand-dyed turquoise yarn but didn’t buy it.  Being unemployed prohibits buying yarn these days but that one has my name on it and it will be a shawl for me soon.  We shared dragonfruit and stories and had a great time before walking out into the cool night air and heading home.

Jul

17

A Taste of Eagle Rock/Interview with Dr. Patricia Hughes

interviews  Posted by / 1 comments

toer flyer A Taste of Eagle Rock/Interview with Dr. Patricia Hughes

My friend Rachel Braver is very involved in putting together the very first Taste of Eagle Rock event, and being that it involves both food and community service, I was interested to find out more.  Rachel very kindly facilitated an interview with Dr. Patricia Hughes, CEO of GLAD for me, which proved very insightful. I’m happy to include it here on Dona Lupe’s Kitchen and hope that my foodie friends and readers will pitch in to help make this event a successful one that will encourage future events like it.

GR:     What is Taste of Eagle Rock and how is GLAD involved?

PH:    The Taste of Eagle Rock will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2008 from Noon-6pm.  This much anticipated event will bring together diverse restaurants and community based businesses in support of our non-profit organization known as the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, more commonly known as GLAD.  It will showcase local restaurants that will provide delicious samplings of selected menu items and is sure to draw residents of all ages from the local and surrounding areas for a fun filled and informative day.

GLAD in conjunction with the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce will proudly present this first ever event.  GLAD has been improving the lives of the deaf and hard of hearing since its creation as a volunteer organization in 1969.  The mission of GLAD is to ensure equal access of the deaf and hard of hearing community to the same opportunities afforded their hearing counterparts. The organization’s general purposes and powers are directed around the promotion of the social, recreational, cultural, educational, and vocational well being of its deaf and hard of hearing consumers.  GLAD is proud to be housed in the former Women’s Christian Temperance Union building, an Eagle Rock historical landmark and is a 501c3 Non-profit organization Tax ID Number 95-2677094.

GR:    What do you feel are the key ingredients of a rocking good food event

PH:    Great food, entertainment and FUN!

GR:    What local restaurants are participating

PH:    We have secured 13 restaurants for this first time event.

•    Big Mama’s & Papa’s Pizzeria
•    Colombos’s Italian Steakhouse
•    Colorado Donuts\
•    Dave’s Chillin’-N-Grillin’
•    Jamba Juice
•    Lemongrass
•    Marty’s
•    Senor Fish
•    Swork
•    The Capri Restaurant
•    The Oinkster
•    Tommy’s
•    Trader Joes

GR:     What can people do to contribute to both the event and GLAD to insure that this is worth the effort and time you put into it?

PH:    Participation will not only benefit a crucial social service agency serving the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community, it will also serve as an introduction, establishment or re-establishment of relations with the community at large.  The community can support the event in the following ways:

Become an event sponsor to help underwrite production costs- visit www.gladinc.org for sponsorship opportunities

Restaurant vendors still being accepted- visit www.gladinc.org for restaurant participation

Entertainers looking to share their talents- contact Vic Parrino at Colombo’s restaurant if you would like to perform- 323-254-9138

Raffle Items are always accepted- send donated items with item description/value to GLAD, Attn Taste of Eagle Rock, 2222 Laverna Ave. Los Angeles, CA  90041

Spread the word to increase ticket sales- tickets on sale now—www.gladinc.org

GR:    Are there any particular foods that you are excited about?

PH:    ALL OF THEM!  The GLAD staff loves to eat at these Eagle Rock establishments.

GR:    How well received has this event been? Do you still have need of donations in terms of food-related items and/or money?

PH:    The Eagle Rock community and Northeast LA are excited!  We have a wonderful planning committee and the event host committee consists of elected officials Congressman Xavier Becerra, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, Senator Jack Scott, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Supervisor Gloria Molina, and Councilmember Jose Huizar.  Additional supporters include the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, Time Warner Cable, Sir Michaels Party Rentals, People Connectors and KRLA radio.   This is a great way for the community to come together.

YES- we are still in need of financial assistance to ensure the success of the event.  Contributions can be sent to GLAD, 2222 Laverna Ave. Los Angeles, CA  90041 or online at www.gladinc.org

GR:    For future events, do you think the idea of having famous foodies, critics and food bloggers would be invited to speak or otherwise participate?

PH:    Without a doubt- there are endless opportunities for future events.   Peter Dills, son of Elmer Dills, is currently helping with the promotion of this event.

GR: I’ve taken part in blogging events to benefit a particular cause that were very successful.  Have you considered a food blog event such as A Taste of Yellow – (a food blog event benefiting cancer research), or other type of blog-wide event would be of something that would benefit GLAD?  Food bloggers raising money in a worldwide blog event benefiting the deaf and hard of hearing community?

PH:    GLAD is open to any and all fundraising ideas especially with the current status of the State’s financial situation.  GLAD receives 80% of its funding from the Department of Social Services and is facing a 10% cut.



About Chief Executive Officer – Dr. Patricia A. Hughes
Patricia Hughes is responsible for the administration of GLAD programs and services, and working with the Board of Directors for long and short range planning for GLAD, policy and procedure development, establishment of programmatic goals and objectives, program analysis and evaluation. CEO oversees fiscal and budget of the agency, public relations including community education and deaf advocacy statewide and nationwide.

Hughes joins GLAD with a well-rounded career with work experience within government, the public and private non-profit sector and for-profit corporations. Hughes’s extensive educational background includes; Bachelor of Arts Degree in American Studies from Gallaudet University, Washington DC, Master of Public Administration Degree from Seattle University, Washington, and Doctor of Philosophy degree emphasizing on Organizational Development from the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.

About Rachel Braver:

Rachel didn’t send me a bio but I can tell you that I’ve watched her coordinate these events over the time I’ve known her and she is an amazing and completely tireless dynamo who attacks these events with joy, compassion, her exuberant energy and unbelievable sense of organization. Any event organized by Rachel is bound to be classy, tasteful, fun and successful. Her efforts are what make these events shine.

Thank you to both Dr. Hughes and Rachel for this informative interview. 

Please take the time to visit the GLAD website and learn of the tremendous service they provide for the deaf and hard of hearing community in Los Angeles.  If you live in L.A., please visit the Taste of Eagle Rock to ensure its success and help it to grow for next year.

.