October 2007 Epian Ways

October-November 2007

Echo Park Improvement Association newsletter

Volume 14 Issue 5

Young EP Artists Prepare for Holiday Parade “Visions of Joy” by Margarita Fernandez, EP Holiday Parade Co-chair

Why were members of the Echo Park Holiday Committee camping out at the Echo Park Farmers Market every Friday since August 3rd? They were holding court for our future artists, the children of Echo Park, who were drawing pictures depicting the theme of the Echo Park Holiday Parade, Visions of Holiday Joy.

forward to coming to the Farmer's Market every Friday to draw.

The children arrived with their parents at the Farmers Market, saw the Echo Park Holiday Parade Committee table and gleefully picked their chairs, crayons and started drawing. During their shorts visits to the Farmers Market, onlookers saw the children engaged with one another, sharing crayons, talking with each another, having a wonderful time.

The members of the Echo Park Holiday Parade said so long to their little friends at the Farmers Market on September 28th, but look forward to seeing them again for the Echo Park Holiday Parade Kick-off on Friday November 30th, at 6:30pm at the Boat House, and then again at the Parade itself on Saturday, December 8th, at 12:00pm 3:00pm on Sunset Blvd.

Some children were chatty, others quiet, but one thing they all had in common was the beautiful smiles on their faces when they completed their art work. One could see the concentration the children put into their work; one 4 year old was so upset that he was unable to draw what was in his mind that he had a fit.

The mothers said the children eagerly awaited going to the Farmer’s Market on Fridays where they drew while their mothers bought fresh produce and afterwards they all went together to the park.

The Echo Park Holiday Parade Committee invites Holiday Parade Committee members encouraged everyone to save these dates for Visions of Holiday Joy, the child to try again; he did and from then on he looked The Echo Park Holiday Parade.

GEPENC Elections October 13 The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council (GEPENC) is an advisory body on issues of concern to the people represented by our neighborhood council and in the governance of the City of Los Angeles. This purpose is meant to be educational concerning local government and charitable as support for local community needs. On October 13, the community will elect two (2) representatives each for District 1 (Elysian Height), District 2 (Echo Elysian), District 3 (West Echo Park) and District 4 (Angelino Heights) and four (4) representatives for District 5 (Temple Beaudry). In order to cast a ballot in the election, a stakeholder must be at least 16 years of age on the date of the election. The election will take place October 13, 2007, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Logan Elementary School, 1711 W. Montana Avenue, Echo Park, CA 90026 For more information about GEPENC and the Governing Board Election visit the GEPENC website, www.gepenc.org, call (213) 413-0372 or email [email protected]

Echo Park Improvement Association Meets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

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October-November 2007

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Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

October-November 2007

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ECHO PARK LOSES ACTIVIST Larry Pickens, member of the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council Governing Board and a long-time resident of Echo Park, unexpectedly passed away at his home on Lemoyne Street on Saturday, September 22nd. He was in his early fifties.

youth, had been seen on TV dancing on the show “Soul Train”.

Larry worked at the Silverlake field office for Los Angeles City Councilmember Jackie Goldberg during her term of office in the nineteen-nineties, where his was the always welcoming face at the front desk.

organized the neighbors to install irrigation and to landscape the median with a variety of plants, successfully beautifying the block.

As a social worker for one of L.A.’s residential facilities, Larry made an effort to increase residents’ cultural awareness with programs on subjects as diverse as Filipino culture and earthquake preparation.

of Larry’s death.

Larry grew up in Los Angeles in a close-knit family with many brothers and sisters. Later he and his partner Jeff Horton had two sons, Dante, now 18 years old, and Lorenzo, 15. The boys were A popular member of the Council, Larry had the highlights of his life, according to friends. been re-elected regularly since its inception in Larry and Jeff’s family lived on one of Echo 2002. He brought not only his warm and friendly Park’s streets where the north and south bound personality to the board, but also years of lanes occupy different levels, separated by a bare, experience in public service. sloping median strip. A couple of years ago Larry

Another of Larry’s neighborhood projects was the family’s yearly Halloween show, when he Earlier Larry had been the office coordinator opened up the garage as a stage for the local kids and facilitator for the well-regarded after-school to put on skits and entertainment, always ending enrichment program known as LACER. Larry the evening with generous candy hand-outs. coordinated the programs for Hollywood junior Although in October 2005 the family’s home high schools King, Le Conte, Washington Irving and burned nearly to the ground, Larry and Jeff set Bancroft and for Fairfax and Hollywood high about re-building bigger, better -– and safer — than schools. ever. They were living in the new house at the time A memorial service will be held on October 6th at Inglewood Park Cemetery, followed by a celebration at Larry and Jeff's home. Donations may be made to the United Negro College Fund.

Previously Larry held a position in the medical field at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, and, as a

WWW.GEPENC.ORG Read the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/home

(323)

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

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October-November 2007

Echo Park - Since 1949 Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Late Night 1918 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90026 213.484.9800 • 213.484.5187 fax [email protected]

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Mon — Sat 11 am — 7 pm Sundays — Group of 10 or more by Reservation Wood Burning Rotisserie 309 N. Glendale Blvd We Roast Los Angeles, CA 90026 our own www.tigeorgeschicken.com HAITIAN Coffee

Saturday Special Typical Haitian Food

Email: [email protected]

BROCK BROCK REAL ESTATE

IDA POTASH knows the neighborhood [ph] 323.644.9081 [fx] 323.644.9387 [cl] 323.662.7656 2235 HYPERION AVE LA, CA 90027

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

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October-November 2007

EPSA Now On the Net The Echo Park Security Association is building a bigger Internet presence with its expanding website, www.EchoParkSecurity.org, and other online services. We've updated the website in recent months with new features, including a service agreement that can be downloaded and printed from your computer; a new online archive of our EPSA Security Alerts and an enhanced map showing our coverage area. We have also included links to the police department's Northeast and Rampart divisions and the LAPD's Online Crime Map, which allows you to track recent crimes in your part of the neighborhood. In addition, EPSA members can sign up to receive timely news about crime and other public safety information via email through our EPSA Security Alerts. All these online features are intended to make it easier than ever to promote our organization (just tell folks to go to EchoParkSecurity.org) and quickly distribute vital neighborhood safety information. If you are interested in finding more about EPSA, visit www.EchoParkSecurity.org or send e-mail to [email protected]. Of course, you can still always call (323) 860-9914.

+ MEDIMEDI-CAL

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

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October-November 2007

ECHO PARK CALENDAR Date

Event

Location

Comments

Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park Call (323) 882-4835 for location

Call EPIA message phone for additional information.

LAPD Stop-In Center, Echo Park Avenue and Sunset Boulevard Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park

Hosted by Echo Park Security Association. Call (323)666-3228 for more info Call 213-666-9651 for meeting location

3rd Thursday, 7:00 pm and every Wednesday 1:30 pm

Taix Restaurant.

Call 213-630-3032 for further information.

4th Tuesday, 7 pm Oct 23, Nov 27

Logan Street School Auditorium, 1711 W. Logan Street

Call (213) 413-3196 for info or visit www.GEPENC.org

2nd Wednesday, 7 pm Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12

Edendale Branch Library Join the library’s support group Community room and find out how you can help 2011 W. Sunset Blvd. your neighborhood’s branch.

st

EPIA Meetings

1 Thursday, 7:00 pm Nov 1, Dec 6

EPIA Steering Committee Meetings Community Safety Meeting

2nd Monday, 7:15 pm Oct 8, Nov 12, Dec 10

Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park Echo Park Chamber of Commerce Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council Meeting Edendale Library Friends Society >=> ELFS <=< Positive Energy Group of Echo Park and Silver Lake Area

1st Wednesday, 7:00 pm Nov 7, Dec 5

Holiday Parade Committee Deadline December EPIAn ways

4th Wednesday, 5:30 pm

2nd Thursday, 2:00 pm Oct 11, Nov 8, Dec 13

Take an active part in EPIA. Join the Steering Committee

4th Wednesday , 6 pm - 7 pm Edendale Branch Library For info : e-mail [email protected] Oct 24, Nov 28, Dec 26 Community room or our blog www.positiveenergygroup.blogspot.com

Central City Action Committee

Saturday, November 24

Or call (323) 860-9914 534 E. Edgeware Road (corner Bellevue) Send submissions to EPIA, Attn: EPIAn Ways Editor

SPECIAL EVENTS

GEPENC Elections

Saturday, October 13 9am—5pm

Logan Street School Auditorium, 1711 W. Logan Street

Flights of Fancy: The Stairway Homes of Echo Park Echo Park Holiday Parade

Sunday, November 11 from 11 am to 4 pm

Self-guided tour starts at Williams Hall, 2000 Stadium Way. Tour visitors will pick up tickets, a program and map at Williams Hall and can then see the homes in any order they want. More information at HistoricEchoPark.org or call (323) 860-8874

Saturday, December 8, 2007 from 12pm - 3pm

Route will be along Sunset Blvd. from Elysian Park Ave ending at Park Ave

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Call (213) 413-3196 for info or visit www.GEPENC.org

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

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October-November 2007

POLICE

CLEAN-UP

Police Emergency: Need Police Car

911

Abandoned Vehicles

1-800-222-6366

Spanish Line

213-928-8222

Cars Parked in Yards

1-888-524-2845

Narcotic Hotline

1-800-662-2878

Fire Hazards

1-310-412-5350

Child Abuse Hotline

1-800-540-4000

Police Non-Emergency

1-877-275-5273

Hazardous Waste Disposal Information

1-800-988-6942

Overflowing Dumpsters

310-412-5350

LAPD Air Support Division

213-485-2600

Parkway Maintenance

1-800-996-2489

Storm Drains

213-485-5391

Trash and Bulky Item Pick Up

1-800-773-2489 FAX 213-847-2261 818-374-1111

RAMPART DIVISION Rampart Police Division Desk

213-485-4061

Rampart Vice Unit

213-485-4080

Rampart Division Watch Commander

213-485-4062

Senior Lead Officer Ford

213-793-0775

Community Relations China Town Sub-Station

213-847-1903 213-621-2344

NORTHEAST DIVISION Northeast Desk

213-485-2563

Northeast Report Unit

213-485-2563

L. A. Fire Department Brush Clearance

GRAFFITI RELATED ISSUES Central City Action Committee

213-241-0908

Free Paint 1st District)

213-485-0763

Free Paint 13th District)

323-957-4500

CITIZEN COMPLAINTS Department Building & Safety

888-524-2845

Senior Lead Officer Sonia Rimkunas

213-793-0760

Senior Lead Officer Al Polehonki

213-793-0763

Department of Health

1-800-427-8700

Northeast Detectives

213-485-2566

Department of Transportation

213-580-1177

Northeast Community Relations

213-485-2548

Department of Water & Power

800-342-5397

Northeast Gang Detail

213-847-4263

Parking Enforcement

866-869-2929

Northeast Youth Referral Program

213-847-3375

Loose/Stray Animals/Barking Dogs

888-452-7381

Northeast Records

213-485-2568

LA County Department of Consumer Affairs 213-974-1452

Release of Impounded Vehicles

213-485-2566

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Legal Aid Client Referral

1-800- 399-4529

Operation Bright Lights

1-800- 303-5267

Copies of Crime and Traffic Reports

213-485-4193

Street Lighting Repairs

1-800- 303-5267

Concerned Citizens Echo Park/Youth Empowerment Council — CCEC/YEC El Centro del Pueblo

323-662-2081

Professional Helicopter Pilots Association

213-891-3636

Echo Park Library

213-250-7808

1st District Ed Reyes

213-485-3451

Echo Park Recreation Center

213-250-3578

13th District Eric Garcetti

323-957-4500

Echo Park Chamber of Commerce

213-630-3032

Congressman Xavier Becerra

213-483-1425

Dodger's Security

323-224-1363

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard

213-628-9230

Dodger's Comunity Focus

323-224-2636

Dodger's Public Relations

323-224-1435

State Senator Gil Cedillo

213-612-9566

Central City Action Committee

213-241-0908

Assemblyperson Kevin de Leon

323-258-0450

North Central Animal Shelter

213-847-1416

LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina

213-974-4111

L.A City Department of Aging

800-834-4777

Mayor’s Office

213-978-0600

Los Angeles City Information website

www.lacity.org

City Attorney, Rocky Delgadillo

213-483-6335

POLITICAL

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

[email protected]

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

213-847-8045

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October-November 2007

ECHO PARK LIBRARY HAPPENINGS 10th Anniversary Celebration Saturday 11/3 10am-6pm Library Hours A celebration of the Echo Park community and its library. Event includes a film festival, a presentation by the Echo Park Historical Society, children's activities, and refreshments

LIBRARY COMPUTER CLASSES Computer Classes to Go. Join us for Computer Comfort, Computer Classes for Improving your English, and Introduction to Beginning Web Design. Individual and group classes by appointment only. For information call Nadine Flores at (213)250-7808.

Computer Comfort Thursday, 4pm, Learn to use the Library’s electronic catalog to search for materials, renew items, and place your own holds. Learn the basics of surfing the Internet. Introduction to various databases and search engines. For adults only. Familiarity with the keyboard and mouse is recommended but not mandatory. Reservations required. Please arrive 10 minutes before class begins.

Computer Class for Improving Your English Tuesday, 4-5pm, 11/20 “Rosetta Stone” An introductory self-paced class to begin or improve your English language skills. Computer experience is mandatory.

FUN FOR KIDS .

Mondays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Tuesdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesdays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Thursdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Fridays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturdays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Sundays CLOSED Library Address Echo Park Branch Library 1410 W. Temple Street Los Angeles CA 90026 Phone 213.250.7808 FAX 213.250.3744 World Wide Web Address http://www.lapl.org 24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

ADULT PROGRAMS Doc Day Saturday 10/13, 2-4pm Join us for a documentary. Adults only. Refreshments served! Movie Madness Saturday 10/27, 11/3 2-4pm Join us for a movie classic. Adults only. Refreshments served! EP Crocheting Club Saturday 11/3 ,11/17 11am-12pm

Halloween Wednesday 10/31 3:30-4:30pm Join us for scary stories, games, face painting and treats. Costumes encouraged. Dia de Los Muertos Starts 11/1 Echo Park Community Dia de los Muertos Altar. Live flowers and community mementos grace this festive Day of the Dead altar as part of an important Latino tradition. Read-A-Ton Book Club Monday 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/19 3:30-4:15pm Work together with the rest of the group to reach our goal of reading hundreds of pounds of books. Art with LACMA Friday 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 4-5:30pm Kids will learn about art from a local artist and create something new each week

Who responds to your alarms? Experience does matter. With so much at risk why take chances? Count on the experience of Select Patrol.

For more information about our 24 - hour alarm response service, call us today.

SONIC ROOTS ATHENA LEGRAND Hairstylist 323•308•9417

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Select Patrol A superior level of service since 1984 323.644.1014

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

Lic. PP0-9229

October-November 2007

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E DENDALE LIBRARY HAPPENINGS Adult Events Beginning computer classes are held once a week on a variety of topics. Call to find out what’s coming up. Used Book Sale Saturday 11/10 10:00am-2:30pm Book Club Monday 10/15, 11/19 6:30-7:30pm Get a little more out of the books you read by sharing your thoughts and hearing those of others.

Children’s Events Spooky Cartoon Fest October 31 4-5:30pm Celebrate Halloween with terrifying toons and goulishly good grub. Costumes encouraged. Weekly Children’s Programs Toddler Storytime Tuesdays, 10-10:45 Future readers and their special grown-ups join the librarian for nursery rhymes, songs, finger play and more. Read To Me LA: Pre-school Storytime Saturdays 11:00 AM - 11:45am

Edendale Puppet Theater Monday 11/05 6:30-7:15pm Puppet show and stories: dogs, cats, & other animals Just for Teens Teen Council Monday 11/1 5-6pm Make your voice heard, meet new people and eat tasty

Library Hours (starting March 1, 2007) Mondays 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Tuesdays 12 noon – 8:00 pm Wednesdays 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Thursdays 12 noon – 8:00 pm Fridays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturdays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Sundays CLOSED Library Address Edendale Branch Library 2011 W. Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90026 Phone (213) 207-3000 FAX (213) 207-3097 24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL snacks at the next Edendale Teen Council Meeting. Student Smart: SAT Practice Test Saturday 11/17 10am-2:30pm SAT Follow-up Thursday 11/29 5-6pm Discuss your SAT Practice Test with a Princeton Review Instructor.

WEDNESDAY ELFS by Sheila Anthony

If you were passing by the Edendale Library on a Wednesday afternoon and it happened to be between 25pm, you wouldn't need to come inside to see that something intriguing was taking place. You would have looked at the banner or hand-lettered sign boards beckoning you to the community room, and as you approached you would see easels and more artistic graffiti enticing you to just look around a minute or two prior to getting your real work done at the library or nearby in the "hood”. And as you walked through the big double glass doors, you would be astonished by rolling cart after rolling cart crammed with first editions, antiques, signed collectibles, and the latest best-sellers. On the six center tables you would see all the newest donations that just arrived that week usually numbering in the many hundreds.

Regular weekly customers like Daniel and David from Elysian Heights Elementary School never leave without more kid's books and a few fistfuls of hot popcorn; Joe Lee always adds new graphic artistry to our oversized whiteboard, and local musician Bobby Matos rarely misses a Wednesday armload of books. The ELFS have been known to blast old time rock 'n roll, wear oversized Elf hats with funny ears, and flaunt their fake pearls, but take my word, they can help find the perfect book for the discerning bibliophile, can counsel a local gangbanger on the merits of arts and literature, and can provide the neighborhood with a wonderful exchange place to donate gently used books and leave with others, fulfilling reading urges for yet another week.

Inside, running around like Elysian Park coyotes, you will find the ELFS, Suzi, Patricia, Sheila, and sometimes others darting back and forth from the office to the storage shed to the community room to the library office, fretting about the line of customers outside and attempting to ready over 4,000 books in a presentable and orderly display. Pretty high school girls are sitting outside on the benches, usually waiting to enter after 4 o-clock, after the handsome high school boys leave for sports or part-time jobs. Young parents with toddlers come in after nap time to enjoy our cozy Kiddie Corner while carefully choosing their 10-cent storybooks.

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

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October-November 2007

EPHS Readies Flights of Fancy Take a step back into the past by exploring our Admission is $20 and $15 for EPHS members. neighborhood's unique network of public stairways During the month of October, the general public can that will be featured on the upcoming 2007 Historic purchase $15 discount tickets online and through the Echo Park Home Tour. mail. "Flights of Fancy: The Stairway Homes of Echo Park", will highlight homes located on or near the public stairways that scale the hills of Echo Park, Angelino Heights and Elysian Heights. Find out what "stairway living" is all about by taking the tour on Sunday, Nov. 11 from 11 am to 4 pm. The approximately eight properties on this year's tour range from a 1920s era Spanish-Colonial compound overlooking Echo Park Lake to nearly century old Craftsman bungalows in these hills of Elysian Heights. For the first time, the tour features a newly constructed structure, a post-and-beam style house that is one of the few homes to be built on an Echo Park stairway in decades. The public stairways that scale Echo Park's sometimes ridiculously steep hills are relics of the days before the automobile began to dominate the landscape and culture of Los Angeles. They reflect a time when most residents traveled either by horse and carriage, trolley or (gasp) on foot. Now in its fifth year, the Historic Echo Park Home Tour, chaired by Holly Hampton, is designed to generate interest in the preservation of old and historic homes as well as raise funds to support our ongoing preservation and historic research programs. The self-guided tour starts at Williams Hall, 2000 Stadium Way. Tour visitors will pick up tickets, a program and map at Williams Hall and can then see the homes in any order they want.

Mon– Mon–Thur 11am– 11am–11pm • Fri 11am– 11am–Mid • Sat 8am– 8am–Mid • Sun 8am– 8am– 11pm Brunch served 8am– 8am–3pm Saturday & Sunday

Free Delivery for Echo Park on $15 minimum order 1800 West Sunset Blvd • 213.989.1558

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

October-November 2007

Central City Action Ding dong or buzz buzz, or is it beep beep? Whatever it is the kids are back in school. Most of the schools have changed to a traditional school year spanning over 9 months. Only King Jr. is on the year-round schedule. Of course this means we do not have as many kids off school during the year so our planning is changing to meet the needs of the kids enrolled in traditional schools. The past summer has been good to our kids. About 8 kids worked a total of 5 weeks in a special program funded by UCLA. The kids were an added asset to our graffiti removal program. Some of the kids worked three days a week at 8 hours a day and others worked 5 days at 6 hours per day. Our graffiti crews were able to complete a whole block of light poles in one day instead one week. The youth are missed now that school has begun. The kids earned approximately $900 for the 5 weeks. Yes, they bought a lot of clothes and shoes which was a big help for their families. Some of the kids even gave money to their parents or treated them to a dinner.

The biggest event for the summer was a three day camping trip to the San Bernardino Mountains. In order to participate in the camping trip all kids had to do volunteer work at the Center. The kids who did the most volunteer work were able to go on the trip at a reduced rate. It was the first time they had gone to this camping ground. Even Maryanne went on this trip. Kids and staff spent all day in the water. Sam, our resident cook, prepared waffles and fritos beans, eggs and fried beans, hot dogs and

Page 11

by Gloria re-fried beans, salads and dried beans, hamburgers and pork and beans of course canned ravioli (his favorite meal) with garbanzo beans. Anyone know about fuel-injection?

Sometime in August a few of our kids started helping out at Councilman Ed Reyes’s Office at City Hall. The kids enjoy going down to City Hall and, from what I hear, the deputies enjoy having the kids help stuff envelopes and other clerical duties. Rummage sales are profitable. We are trying to get the rummage down to a manageable level. Please call first before dropping off items at the center. It seems that as soon as school starts, the kids begin to whisper and talk about Halloween. Yes, Captain Rollo has been sited. Captain prefers the cooler weather so I suspect we will be seeing more of him. Many items have been moved around for no apparent reason so I assume the Captain is doing a little house cleaning. CCAC would like to express its gratitude to those of you who attended our ART Show last month. Two ladies from Angelino Heights, Patti and Peggy deserve a wave of applause as they set up a sweet table fit for a king and queen. Some of the pieces on display were actually sold. Our kids were dressed up to the nines and profoundly eager to discuss their pieces with those who were attending the show. A few of the kids were even commissioned to paint new art pieces. The art work is still up if you would like to stop by and see it. A special thanks to Nancy for your patience with all of us at CCAC.

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

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October-November 2007

LOTUS PAD NOTES NEWS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM ECHO PARK & ANGELINO Echo Park is no stranger to the crime blotter, dating back to the days when the Los Angeles Independent covered neighborhood news. Then Echo Park started showing up in the real estate section, with stories about our over-the-top home prices. But here’s a first: last month, Echo Park made its way onto Page 6 of the New York Post, a gossipy venue more suited to sightings of Britney, Lindsey and Paris than neighborhood doings on the other coast. Page 6 recently followed two industry types as they walked around Echo Park Lake at 2 a.m. while discussing their next film project. Partway through their conversation, a coyote sauntered by, grabbed a duck and walked off with it still in its mouth! More proof that L.A. really is tougher than the Big Apple. *** SPEAKING OF NEW YORK, Echo Park photographer Martin Cox went to Central Park and found that that New York, unlike Los Angeles, manages to offer boats to the public available at its parks. Disgusted that the L.A. parks department recently canceled boat rentals at MacArthur Park and Echo Park Lakes, Cox teamed up with folks in Westlake to hold a photo show on the two lakes.

The photo exhibit opened in October at Mama’s Hot Tamales in MacArthur Park, where a reception is planned for October 15. The show then moves to the Downbeat Café in Echo Park in November. The show’s title, naturally, is “Without a Paddle.”

Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Echo Park Improvement Association

HEIGHTS

by E.P. Lagoso

PERHAPS ONE SILVER LINING IN THE WHOLE AFFAIR is that, months after its building was scorched by fire, the Downbeat Café has reopened and looks better than ever. The owners have mopped up the water damage created by the fire department hoses, put in new floors and even got air conditioning.

Downbeat has been followed by the soft opening of 15, a restaurant just north of the House of Spirits. Brite Spot reopened after its disastrous visit from the health department. And it looks like El Autentico, at the corner of Sunset and Douglas, will be replaced by a new eatery that serves bistro fare. *** What will our city planners dream up next? A company recently got the go-ahead to build dozens of condos next to the mouth of the 2 Freeway, right where thousands of cars pour onto Glendale Boulevard every morning. Neighbors were baffled, wondering who would want to live near such a concentrated mass of car exhaust. The builders of Silver Lake Terraces cleared the site, ripping out an enormous tree. But the icing on the cake came weeks later, when even the monument marker to Echo Park’s silent film era was damaged, defaced and vandalized. For those who haven’t heard, Glendale Boulevard was the first place that movie studios were concentrated before they migrated to Hollywood. The monument marker honored the old Mack Sennett studios, which created the Keystone Kops and the Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties. *** Neighborhood council elections Saturday, October 13. Don’t forget to vote!

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Message Phone (323) 882-4835

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