epian ways april 2005

8/8/2019 EPIAn Ways April 2005

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Echo Park lost a trusted friendwhen Ron Emler died last month.

Ron Emler and Echo Park werea team; Echo Parks worn charmsand overlooked virtues won Ronsheart years ago and, in return, hespent more than fifteen yearschampioning its preservation,fighting for its residents safetyand promoting its widespread

recognition. Without Ron anddefenders like him Echo Parksdistinctive character could havefaded away and become just amemory.

Ron grew up in Follansbee,West Virginia. A UCLA graduate,he became a county social worker,then taught high school biologybefore joining Torrance UnifiedSchool district to coordinate jobplacement for special needs

students. He retired from TorranceUnified after twenty-three years in1996.

Like many of us, Ron had notheard of Echo Park until he arrivedin 1968, a renter hoping toshorten a long commute. Sureenough, he found an airy DeltaStreet apartment with hardwoodfloors for $75 a month. More thanthat, Ron discovered a quietneighborhood of low hills, old-fashioned buildings and friendly,

hardworking families. Later heowned and took meticulouscare of the circa 1920structure. Ron traveled widely,

decorating his home withfurnishings from around the worldand creating a hidden, hillsidegarden inspired by his travels. Butthere were dragons lurking in thesunshine.

In the 1980s gangs and drugswere making life dangerous forresidents of Rons block. Hedecided it was time either to leave,

or to take a stand. Choosing thelatter, Ron contacted police aboutNeighborhood Watch programs.Characteristically, he threwhimself into making the Watchsucceed, knocking on doors to gethis neighbors involved and settingup card tables of brochures in thes t r e e t . H epestered LAPDt o e n f o r c erelevant laws,

and refused totake no for ananswer.

O t h e rresidents wereas alarmed asRon about thedeterioration ofEcho Park. Inthe summer of1990 Ron andthey formed agroup, the Echo

P a r kI m p r o v e m e n tAssociation, topaint out graffiti.

Soon Ron was spending weekendsrevitalizing his community,cleaning up trash in the streets,maintaining curbside trashcans,and planting hundreds of streettrees.

Ron realized that, for Echo Parkto flourish, streets needed to besafe as well as clean andattractive. Carrying a notepad to

record supporters names, hespoke regularly about his plan fora huge Echo Park NeighborhoodWatch that would hire a securitycompany to patrol the streets. InEcho Park this was a radical idea;some people equated it with BigBrother or feared minorities

(Continued on page 10)

Echo Park Improvement AssociationMeets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month

in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park

by Susan BordenRON EMLER, ECHO PARK CRUSADER PASSES ON

Ron made friends wherever he traveled. Here, on a trip to the

north of Thailand, he poses in local garb with a new friend .


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girls teen yoga

Pilates

It's been a busy month for the EPIA's Lake Support Group.Together they worked with Rec and Park's Chief Forester Teresa Prosciewcz to become part of a grant allo-

cating 18 trees to the Lake. The big question was "which trees?" as the group solicited input from the E.P. His-torical Society and our tree savvy residents Michael O'Brian, Mary Brooks, and Jessica Hall.

We all agreed that the Glendale Boulevard. westside of the lake is most in need of greening, but theentire lake looks bare. Along with trees, we areworking with Teresa and Peggy Kelly to try andmake the Lake's island a more beautiful, green andprotected area.

Then we attacked the issue of the 10 benchesthe group obtained through a Neighborhood Match-ing Grant almost 2 years a go. We had originally or-dered green, but the color got changed to "match"the other Lake cement furniture. The color was finefor the playground benches, but was a real disasteraround the lotus pond and at the City viewing point.So, the group got paint donated by PAR Paints, roll-ers, etc. from Reliable Hardware, and brushes fromCentral City Action. We hope you'll like the colorchange.

Echo Park Lake Support Group By Judith Hansen


4/12

1911 SUNSET BOULEVARDLOS ANGELES, CA 90026

(213) 484-1265

The Echo Park HistoricalSociety will celebrate the 110thbirthday of Echo Park Lake this

year with a series of events tohonor what is perhaps our mosti m p o r t a n t a n d b e l o v e dlandmark.

The park and lake in the heartof our neighborhood opened tothe public in 1895. No onebothered to celebrate the parkand lakes centennial. So, thehistorical society is making upfor that oversight by focusingattention on this valuable publicspace that has been enjoyed by

generations of residents.In order to recognize the

parks significance, the EPHSwill seek to have it designated anofficial cultural and historiclandmark by the City of Los

Angeles. The historical societyhas hired a consultant toresearch the application and

help steer it through theapproval process.The Greater Echo Park Elysian

Neighborhood Council and theBoard of the Angelino HeightsPreservation Overlay Zone havealready voted to support thenomination, and we are seekingthe backing of other groups andelected officials.

In addition to having the parknominated as a landmark, theEPHS will launch a new, monthly

Echo Park Lake Walking Tourstarting on Saturday, April 9.The guided tour, which be heldon the second Saturday of everymonth through November, willstart at 10 a.m. and will leave

from the Echo Park Boathouse.The tour is free to EPHSmembers and children under 12;

we ask a $3 donation of allothers.We are also seeking to install a

temporary display of historicphotos at the Echo ParkBoathouse, and will focus ourHistoric Echo Park Home Tour inNovember on the residencesnear the lake.

More in-depth historicalinformation and news aboutEcho Park Lake can be found byvisiting the Celebrate the Lake

s e c t i o n o fwww.HistoricEchoPark.org.

The EPHS is a volunteer-runorganization. So, any volunteerhelp to assist these efforts areappreciated.

Echo Park Historical Society Celebrates 110th birthday of Echo Park Lake


5/12

Seak Veng Suy, the owner of the

Ms. Donuts shop at the corner ofGlendale Boulevard and MontanaStreet, died early on the morningof March 3. Known as John tohis customers, his untimely deathat age 50 brings great sorrow tohis family and the customers whohave gotten to know him duringthe almost three years he operatedthe Ms. Donuts shop.

My father was a simple,unselfish man who always put hisfamilys need and happiness

before his own. He came to theUnited States 21 years ago. Ms.Donuts was his American dreamaccomplished, said his daughter,Kanica, 21, a senior at UCLA.

Survivors of the Cambodiangenocide, John and his wife, LindaLam, emigrated to the UnitedStates in 1984, settling in SanFrancisco to be near a brother whohad preceded him to the U.S. Hisbrother was a baker and my fatherjust sort of fell into the same kindof work. But it was right for him.He was good with food and reallyenjoyed cooking. He was alwaysworking to make the perfectdonut, Kanica said.

Eventually, the family relocatedto Los Angeles; for the past severalyears they have been living in

Elysian Valley. When the Ms.

Donuts shop became available,Suy bought it. A seven day a weekbusiness, he could frequently beseen in the store in the wee hoursof the morning, mixing batter,filling, shaping, frying, baking andglazing donuts. By 6:00 a.m., heand his wife Linda were ready toserve early morning commutersand neighbors who came in forcoffee and a donut or a giantmuffin. Informed of his death, aregular customer of the shop

expressed her condolences, addingJohn really made the best donuts

anywhere, and I know because I

have eaten them at a lot of places.His were the best!

There wasnt much time in hisday for outside activities. Athome, he did a lot of reading,Kanica remembered. He loved topamper our little Pomeranian mixdog. Hed spend two hours justbathing and brushing her.

A Buddist memorial service forSuy was held on March 13. Inaddition to his wife and daughter,he is survived by 11 siblings and

two sons, Eng, 24 and Shelley, 19.

DONUT MANS CHEERY GOOD MORNING! WILL BE MISSEDBy Judy Raskin

THIS SPACE ISWAITING forYOUR ADCall the EPIA (323) 882-4835 for Info


6/12

Event Date Location Comments

EPIA Meetings 1st

Thursday, 7:00 pmMay 5, June 2

Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

Call EPIA message phonefor additional information

EPIA SteeringCommitteeMeetings

3rd

Thursdays, 7:15 pmApr 21, May 19

Call (323) 882-4835 forlocation

Take an active part in EPIA.Join the Steering Committee

Echo ParkSecurity

Association

2nd Thursday,April 14, May 12, June 9

LAPD Stop-in Center (onthe side of Bank ofAmerica)

Call (323) 666-3228 foradditional information

CitizensCommittee toSave Elysian Park

1st

Wednesday,7:30 pmMay 4, June 1

Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

Call 213-666-9651 formeeting location

Greater EchoPark ElysianNeighborhoodCouncil Meeting

4th Tuesday, 7 pmApril 26, May 24, June

Logan Street SchoolAuditorium, 1711 W.Logan Street

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

Edendale LibraryFriends Society

>=> ELFS


7/12


8/12

ECHO PARK LIBRARY LITTLE ONESBabies, Toddlers, Parents join us for 30 minutes of songs,

books, & bilingual fun.

Every 2nd Thursday of the month, 11-11:30 AM!

A COMPUTER COMFORT CLASS for beginning adult

computer users. Thursday, April 21st, at 4 PM.

A SPRING RUMMAGE SALE will take place to benefit

Echo Park Library and local youth athletic programs

Saturday, April 23rd from 10 AM5 PM.

We are currently taking donations of clothing, furniture, and

other items in good condition that will sell.

Also on April 23rd, dont miss excellent TAROT READER

NADINE FLORES as she explores your future with cards. This

adult program is at 1 PM and 4 PM. Reservations are required.Call 213-250-7808 for details.

Introduction to BASIC WEB DESIGNThursday, April 28th, at 4 PM.

Learn basic html codes to create a simple, yet effective personal

webpage. Computer experience is mandatory.

CINCO DE MAYO SURPRISE program at Echo ParkLibrary will take place on May 5th, commemorating the Battle

of Puebla.

What will it be?! Find out soon!

Mothers Day Origami & Stories May 10th.

Make a beautiful little gift for the Mom in your life, and find

out about this very interesting holiday.

There are many events in MAY yet to be announced for the

Echo Park Library. Please visit or call us for details at 213-250-

7808. We are on the corner of Temple & Douglas Sts.

ECHO PARK LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

Library HoursMondays 10:00 am - 8:00 pmTuesdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pmWednesdays 10:00 am - 8:00 pmThursdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pmFridays 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturdays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Sundays CLOSED

Library AddressEcho Park Branch Library1410 W. Temple StreetLos Angeles CA 90026Phone213.250.7808FAX 213.250.3744World Wide Web Address

http://www.lapl.org24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

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 - houralarm response service, call us today.

Select PatrolA superior level of service since 1984

323.644.1014 Lic. PP0-92292150 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 90026 CA


9/12

Library Computer ClassesComputer Basics Wednesday April 6, 6:30-7:30pm;

Friday April 22, 2-3pmAn introduction to Computer usage. Topics covered include the

use of the keyboard and mouse, computer concepts and naviga-

tion skills, and basic internet navigation. Sign-ups are recom-

mended. Edendale Library

Kids Path Computer Class Monday April 4 & 18, May 9 & 23Kids and parents learn how to use the Kids Path section of the

librarys web site for homework help and fun.

3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Edendale Library

Introduction to Word. Saturday April 16 10:30-11:30am;

Wednesday May 4 & Friday May 20 6:30-7:30pm

An introduction to word processing. Come learn the basics in-

volved in preparing an editing a document.

Sign-ups are recommended. Edendale LibraryIntroduction to the Library Web and the InternetWednesday May 25

Topics to be covered include using the librarys electronic cata-

log to locate items, renew items, place holds, and use a database

effectively to find what youre actually looking for on the Inter-

net. Sign-ups are recommended. Edendale Branch, 6:30-7:30pm

Fun For Kids

Terrific Tuesdays for Toddlers & Teethers Tuesdays

Babies, toddlers, and their special grown-ups join Miss Lisa for

nursery rhymes, songs, finger-plays and more.

10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Edendale Library

Terrific Tuesdays Tuesdays

Share seasonal stories, songs, and activities with Miss Lisa.3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Edendale Library

EventsCelebrate Your Library! Saturday April 16

Mark the end of National Library Week with stories and activi-ties about the importance of reading and libraries. Edendale

Branch 2-3 pm.

Used Book Sale Saturday April 9 & May 14Featuring paperbacks & hard covers, CDs, videos, DVDs, etc.

Sponsored by the ELFS.

Edendale Library Branch. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Paper Flower Construction. Monday April 11

Come learn how to create a variety of flowers from colored

paper. Origami and paper cutting techniques will be used. Pre-

sented by Danli Bayne. Edendale Branch, 6:00-7:00pm

Pajama Night Storytime. Monday May 25 & April 16

Kids can wear their pajamas and listen to stories with Miss Lisa.

Edendale Branch, 6:30-7:30pmMothers Day Party. Hear mother and daughter storytelling

team Vicky and Molly read stories together, then create a

mothers day card and gift, and enjoy refreshments. Reserva-

tions recommended. Edendale Branch

5/2 Monday 6:30-7:30 pm.

Charlie the Magician. Saturday April 7

Come witness amazing feats of magic.

Edendale Branch, 2-3 pm.

EDENDALE LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

Library HoursMondays 12:30 pm 8:00 pmTuesdays 12:30 pm 5:30 pmWednesdays 12:30 pm 8:00 pmThursdays 12:30 pm 5:30 pmFridays 10:00 am 5:30 pmSaturdays 10:00 am 5:30 pmSundays CLOSED

Library AddressEdendale Branch Library2011 W. Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90026Phone (213) 207-3000FAX (213) 207-309724 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL


10/12

Saturday

SpecialTypicalHaitian

Food

Mon Sat

11 am 7 pmSundays Group of 10or more byReservation Wood Burning Rotisserie

309 N. Glendale BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90026

www.tigeorgeschicken.comEmail: [email protected]

being targeted. Ron convinced them that the patrolwouldnt interfere with the free-spirited diversity heand they valued. In 1991 he launched the Echo Park

Security Association (EPSA) with hundreds ofmembers.Ron and the EPSA helped authorities close

notorious crime spots such as Suku-Suku Club onEcho Park Avenue and Hollyway Lounge on SunsetBoulevard. He assisted landlords to rid themselves ofcriminal tenants who terrorized the neighborhood. Hetaught fearful residents how to stand up for their rightto a peaceful existence without endangeringthemselves. Ron watched the patrols assistance bringcrime in Echo Park down to the lowest level in LAPDsNortheast Division.

As crime fell, Echo Park was able to widen its

interests. Ron was an early supporter of the Echo ParkHistorical Society, founded in 1995 to promoteinterest in and preserve the areas architectural andsocial heritage. He enthusiastically participated in therevival of the Echo Park Christmas Parade. Heapplauded the tiny art galleries that began opening onEcho Park Avenue. No-one who was there can forgetthe performance of the outdoor mini opera he

commissioned under the stars on the Delta Streetstairway.

Rons next project, inspired by a brochure he foundon a trip, was to produce a brief, illustrated bookletabout Echo Parks past. That modest idea grew into a

glossy pictorial history, Ghosts of Echo Park, whichsold thousands of copies and appeared on the LosAngeles Times Bestsellers list in 2001.

As a retiree, Ron earned his real estate license andworked harder than ever as word of Echo Parksrebirth spread. However, he took some of the months-long vacations he always enjoyed. Although he had awonderful time in Thailand and the Far East, Ron wasalways glad to come home, to Echo Park. In anunpublished article, Ron wrote:

Whether it was the hills, the old houses, a studio topaint in, a new beginning in a new country, a secondchance, a spare roomsomehow (people) chose Echo

Park or Echo Park chose them. They brought theirenergy, their passion and their obsession with lookingat life as an opportunity to live differently fromeveryone else.Maybe they just had no idea orperhaps they didnt even want to live in Echo Park but they came anyway. And Echo Park changed them.

Ron Emler changed Echo Park. Thank you, Ron.

(Continued from page 1)

Crusader Ron Emler

Toddlers, babies and expecting parents, as well as grandparents are welcome to participate in a lifetime

journey of stories & rhymes, followed by activities and games. It is a place where memories are made with thoselittle bundles of joy, a place where children are positively bonded with their grown-ups. A fun place to developsocial skills at no cost.

Every Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Allesandro Elementary School, 2210 Riverside Drive. LosAngeles, CA. 90039. Telephone Mrs. Hubbard at (323) 666-7162.

Storytime for Toddlers


11/12

Spring is upon us at Central City ActionCommittee. I can hear the birds singing along withthe children playing and laughing outside my

window. Happens every year about the same time.

The rains from winter have come and gone andwe are left with a wet garden. Despite the rain,CCAC kids managed to have a few rummage saleswhich helped finance trips to the movies, bowling,biking and restaurants. Our kids really like to go torestaurants which are all you can eat. The kidsmake out like kings when we go to HometownBuffet. They like eating the french fries with a sideof vanilla ice cream. They swear it is the best treatever. Try it dip your French fries into the icecream, swizzle around and plop them into yourmouth. You will be experiencing the taste of yourlife!

Several of the kids went to Knotts. If Knottswould stay open all night, so would our kids. Theyjust love all the rides.

On Valentines Day we had a party. There wascake and candies. Talk about a sugar rush!

March brought everyone at the center togetherplanning Maryannes 70th birthday party.

The party was a huge success. For those of youwho did not attend, we had so much food that itappeared as if people were waddling as they left.CCAC staff and youth would like to thank all whohelped contribute to Maryannes special day.

Our reading club has the kids reading specificbooks and making a report for every couple ofchapters. If they succeed in finishing the book theywill be awarded a special prize.

As the days get longer, so do the outdooractivities. During the next few months our youngerkids will be in a basketball league for those under12 years old. They are so cuteall about the samesize. Ill keep you posted of their efforts.

Central City Action by Gloria

White and maroon balloons arched festively above thepatio entry; sizzling meats sent savory smells aloft; bou-quets of colorful roses and spring flowers brightened table-tops; music and laughter filled the air; Croatian dancers inembroidered folk costumes skipped to traditional tunes;crowds of well-wishers embraced a smiling, flower be-decked Maryanne Hayashi. The much loved director of Cen-tral City Action Committee celebrated fifty years of serviceto the community on March 19th with an outdoor party be-hind the groups headquarters at 534 N. East EdgewareRoad.

The event also marked another milestone for Maryanne

her seventieth birthday. To observe the occasion, relativesfrom around the country traveled to Echo Park. Cousins,aunts, nieces, grandchildren (even Maryannes look-alikesister)they were all there for the festivities, complete withcommemorative photo albums chronicling the family his-tory.

Congratulations, Maryanne, keep up your good work!

MARYANNE HAYASHI CELEBRATEDFOR HALFA CENTURYOF SERVICE


12/12

After months of neighborhood complaints, it lookslike Insite Development has sold off Chicken Corner,the vacant lot at Echo Park Avenue and Delta Street.Insite planned to build a 38-unit affordable housingproject but was besieged with questions about thelack of parking.

With land prices soaring, Insite cashed out,selling the land to a condo developer seeking toconstruct around 55 units. Surveyors were on thecorner in late March to determine the exact size ofthe site, which is expected to incorporate not just thevacant lot but also the entire convalescent home andthe 1911 bungalow.

THE CHICKEN CORNER PROJECT GENERATEDmore mail for Council Member Eric Garcettis officethan any other topic. Thats what Garcetti told theneighborhood council a few months back.

Meanwhile, the neighborhood council continues tosupport some form of short-term moratorium on newdevelopment. Neighbors near Chicken Corner arecirculating a petition calling for new rules to restrictdevelopment on Echo Park and Morton avenues.

SPEAKING OF COUNCIL FOLK, elections for LosAngeles City Council came and went, with Garcetti

facing no opposition and Council Member Ed Reyeswinning easily. Even so, Reyes managed to disappointone crowd in Echo Park.

Although he had RSVPed, Reyes canceled at thelast minute his appearance at a EPIA candidateforum held March 3. Audience members were initiallyforgiving, until they learned he had skipped another

forum one day earlier and a third in Lincoln Heights.*******

The LAPD said a 20-year-old man was killed inElysian Park at the end of March, just as one of thoseenormous car shows on Stadium Way was windingdown one Sunday afternoon. Police described thatincident as gang related but did not know if it waslinked to the car show.

IN ECHO PARKS EVER-CHANGING world ofboutiques, Sirens & Sailors just moved into the cutelittle blue and white Victorian house on MohawkStreet north of Sunset Boulevard. Meanwhile,someone is doing a good job of showing off the brickon the old Vegas Market building, which is next to

Peter Shires studio. Who knows what it will house!

NOTES FROM THIS LOTUS PAD are usuallydesigned to inform and entertain. But its hard not tobe discouraged by the rough patch that Echo Parkhas gone through in the past three months

Neighbors said farewell to Ron Emler, a respectedcommunity volunteer who died in early February aftera long illness. Emler was the co-author of Ghosts ofEcho Park, and had rallied Echo Park to fight crimeand plant trees.

STILL, THATS ONLY PART of the gloom.

Rainstorms wreaked havoc with the home of Isa-KaeMeksin, causing her retaining wall to collapse and herhome to be red-tagged. Rain also damaged thearchive kept by Echo Park photographer GaryLeonard and sent mud into the homes of otherneighbors.

Father Jon Bruno, who heads St. Pauls EpiscopalChurch Center next to Echo Park Lake, has battledillness for months. Finally, Evelia Pack, the owner ofEl Batey on Echo Park Avenue, lost her father-in-law.Pedro Pack, 85, sat with his daughter-in-law insidethe market for nearly two decades.

The Lotus Pad offers warm thoughts about Ron

Emler, Pedro Pack and everyone else who has madeEcho Park such an interesting place to live.

Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers

and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Echo Park

Improvement Association

LOTUSPAD NOTESNEWSAND ITEMSOF INTERESTFROM ECHO PARK & ANGELINO HEIGHTS by E.P. Lagoso

epian ways april 2005

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