epian ways april 2009

8/8/2019 EPIAn Ways April 2009

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When a loved one passes away, flowerstraditionally are offered in memory of the deceasedand to comfort the bereaved. Their delicate beautycan console the survivors while reminding them oflifes fragility. This custom is particularly poignantwhen a young child dies tragically.

Charupah Wongwisetsiri of Angelino Heights wasnine-years-old in December 2006 when a gang

members bullet ended her life. Community memberswho cherished the lively, sparkling little girl theynicknamed Zsa-Zsa decided to keep her memoryalive with an entire staircase of living, growing flowersand plants.

Theres a grimy stretch of Sunset Boulevard, justeast of the Elysian Park Avenue intersection. On thesouth side of the street a row of single-story brick-fronted stores seems to have done little but collect

dirt since being built in the 1920s. Between a coupleof these unprepossessing buildings, one sloppilypainted purple, the other white, and both sheltering aclutch of trash cans, a narrow concrete stairwaybegins its ascent to East Kensington Road.

Long time resident Patti Good and her neighborspicked these bleak stairs near Charupahs formerhome on East Kensington Road to clean and beautify.Unappealing from Sunset Boulevard, the flight ofsteps that starts at Innes Avenue was a stairway toavoid. Drearily covered in graffitigang stuff, not thecool kindand favored by tired-looking men drinkingout of brown paper sacks, it was not a neighborhoodasset.

The stairway stayed dismal for the two years ittook the neighborhood to plan and raise the money forits beautification.

Finally, onSaturday,February 21,2009, dozens oflocal residents

assembled at thetop of thestairway, ready,willing and ableto turn it into agarden spot.Days earlier,gardenersprepared the soilon each side of the stairs and mulched it ready forplanting. Graffiti was already painted out that morningby Central City Action Committee. Councilman Ed

(Continued on page 9)

April-May 2009 Echo Park Improvement Association newsletter Volume 16 Issue 2

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835

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

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

by Susan Borden

Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/

ZSA-ZSA: GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN


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Page 2 April-May 2009


NEWSLETTER CREDITSNEWSLETTER CREDITSNEWSLETTER CREDITSNEWSLETTER CREDITS

EDITORS:EDITORS:EDITORS:EDITORS:

LYNN BARBLYNN BARBLYNN BARBLYNN BARB

STEVEN M. ARTHURSTEVEN M. ARTHURSTEVEN M. ARTHURSTEVEN M. ARTHUR

ADVERTISINGADVERTISINGADVERTISINGADVERTISING

ROSIE BETANZOSROSIE BETANZOSROSIE BETANZOSROSIE BETANZOS

DESKTOP PUBLISHING:DESKTOP PUBLISHING:DESKTOP PUBLISHING:DESKTOP PUBLISHING:

S.M.ART SYSTEMSS.M.ART SYSTEMSS.M.ART SYSTEMSS.M.ART SYSTEMS

PRINTING:PRINTING:PRINTING:PRINTING:

DAVCO PRINTINGDAVCO PRINTINGDAVCO PRINTINGDAVCO PRINTING

ENERGY EFFICIENCYSOLAR ELECTRIC SOLUTIONS

The sun never sends a monthly bill!

We help you with the LADWP rebatescall for a

free site visit & estimate

(909) 865-8561

www.eesolar.com

EXPERT EXPERIENCED ENVIRONMENTALYAWARE

Steven Arthur, Efficient Energy Specialist

MAKE YOUR OWN ELECTRMAKE YOUR OWN ELECTRMAKE YOUR OWN ELECTRMAKE YOUR OWN ELECTRICITYICITYICITYICITY

Copyright by Echo Park Improvement Association 2008

Echo Park Film CenterYour friendly neighborhood media arts organization!

*cinema

*store

*school

1200 N. Alvarado St., Los Angeles, CA 90026

213-484-8846 www.echoparkfilmcenter.orgHours: Wed/Thur/Fri 2 7pm, Sat noon 5pm

*Thursday Night Cinema Series: 8 11 pm*50% off equipment rentals for EPFC Members*Free filmmaking classes for Seniors and TeensEPFC is a 501(c)3: donations are tax deductible.

Los Angeles CitywideService Directory

a single toll-free phone number to contactCity of Los Angeles officials

for any nonnonnonnon----emergencyemergencyemergencyemergency public service: Dial 311


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April-May 2009 Page 3

(323)

Read the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.orgRead the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.orgRead the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.orgRead the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.org

Here is a quick update on some issues of concern to Echo Park residents:

Public safety. Earlier this year there was a string of robberies that occurred in Echo Park andSilver Lake. In all cases, the victims were single men walking alone. LAPD worked around theclock on this case and, thanks to their expertise and hard work, made arrests related tosome of the robberies. The department is still working on the other cases. Protect yourselfby walking with a friend, particularly at night, and staying in well-lit areas.

Foreclosure-related evictions. A new city ordinance that I authored now protects all tenantsfrom being evicted because their landlord falls into foreclosure. This applies to single familyhomes as well as apartments. If you have any questions about your rights as a renter, pleasecall the LA Housing Departments Renters Hotline at 1-866-557-RENT.

Echo Park Lake. The consultant working on the renovation and clean-up of this neighborhoodgem has completed a pre-design report that lays the groundwork for improvements to bemade using funding from voter-approved Proposition O. When the project is complete, thelakes water will be cleaner, the lotus will be back, and the lake will be beautified with vegeta-tion that will also help filter the water.

I also want to thank everyone who has volunteered their time to make Echo Park a betterneighborhood. Its because of the residents who care about our community that Echo Park wasnamed one of the top 10 Great Neighborhoods in America by the American Planning Associa-tion last October.

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1911 SUNSET BOULEVARDLOS ANGELES, CA 90026

(213) 484-1265

Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/Download the EPIAn ways at http://www.echoparkimprovement.org/

1800 W Sunset Blvd (213) 989-1558 www.masaofechopark.com

Echo ParkEcho ParkEcho ParkEcho Park

Chamber of ComercChamber of ComercChamber of ComercChamber of Comerceeeeprsentsprsentsprsentsprsents

Taste of Echo ParkTaste of Echo ParkTaste of Echo ParkTaste of Echo Park@ The Prado Part II@ The Prado Part II@ The Prado Part II@ The Prado Part II

1805 Sunset Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90026Monday April 13, 2009

7pm-9pm---- $12$12$12$12 ----


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Paris in the 20s. Greenwich Vil-lage in the 50s. Soho in the 80s. Now-- Echo Park at the turn of the 21stcentury. The art, the bobos(bourgeois bohemians), the coffeeshops, the Echo, the Short Stop, thenew Two Boots Pizzeria, even thenew awning of Happy Toms on Sun-set, you can hardly recognize thequickly gentrifying, trendy, but stillarty neighborhood. But ever since Imoved to Echo Park in 1993, I havebeen fascinated and enamored of itshistory of musicians, politicos, bo-hos, and evangelical gurus. And eversince I learned that my Lucretia Ave-nue neighbor, Marian Teeter, had ason who defended Sirhan Sirhan,Robert Kennedys convicted assas-sin, I wanted to get the historicalscoop from her. I always imagined,that Marian, now 90, had lived inEcho Park when it was still calledRed Hill, and that she knew MackSennett, Charlie Chaplin, Tom Mix,Gloria Swanson, Sister Aimee, JohnHuston, Leo Politi, Carey McWilliams,

Richard Neutra, Tom Waits and allof the boho celebrities who lived andworked in our pre-gentrifiedneighborhood

Well, I recently spent an after-noon with Marian, and what I foundout is that although her son, Law-rence, was indeed, Sirhans last law-yer of record from 1994 until his(Lawrences) death in 2005, what Ialso discovered is that Marian didntmove to Echo Park until 1973, about60 years after the Commies, social-

ists, and Bolsheviks left Red Hillfor the new LA suburbs shortly beforeWorld War I, as the growing Latinopopulation arrived and multiplieduntil their recently hastened exitfrom the barrios glaring gentrifica-tion. Still, hearing of Marians politi-

cal past and her still present activistpredilection, brought home to me theneighborhoods political history andits, still to this day, left-leaning, com-munity spirit.

Marian was born in Denver in1918 to two self-educated and liter-ate parents who were self-professedsocialists, long before the 1950sMcCarthy scares and HUAC investi-gations drove outspoken liberals farback into their political closets. Eventhrough the Depression, Marian re-

members her childhood fondly, tearscoming into her eyes as she recallsthe lilac bushes and wooden swingin the backyard, her since deceasedyounger brother, and the cherry piesher mother and German upholstererfather shared together before she lefton a scholarship when she was 17 forbohemian Black Mountain College inNorth Carolina. Perhaps thats why,after two married stints in New Yorkand Idaho, she gravitated to EchoPark in 1973, an independent andleft-leaning mother of two sons, Tonyand Lawrence. What still lights upsMarians eyes is her memory of theanti- Vietnam War movement in the60s and 70s, and the big LA marchshe attended in 1967 that she likesto think stopped Lyndon Johnsonfrom running for a second term in1968.

She also remembers her firstclear view of downtown LA from herverdant and overgrown backyard in1973, beyond her sprawling eucalyp-tus tree, and she fondly remembersPioneer Grocery and Peerless Hard-ware, her two favorite neighborhoodstores, before they were replaced byour new immaculate Walgreens andEcho Park Public Library. These daysshe mostly remembers her sons,Tony and Lawrence, particularly Law-

rence who died in Conchitas, Mexicoon July 31, 2005, from lymphoma.She remembers his environmentallaw work, his representation of therights of the underserved, and hisongoing fight for a re-trial for SirhanSirhan, who to this day serves a lifesentence in prison for Kennedys as-sassination. That fight was lost withLawrences death, but Marian liveson, still optimistic and independent,helped by the families of her twosons. When I see the Meals onWheels truck pull up each day toMarians house across the street, Istill like to think of Marian as livingon Red Hill, and all of us, quicklybecoming gentrified neighbors, liv-ing and fighting for something westill believe in. something greaterthan our individual selves some-thing we still call community.

Meet Your NeighborsMeet Your NeighborsMeet Your NeighborsMeet Your Neighbors by Eric Trulesby Eric Trulesby Eric Trulesby Eric Trules

Marian Teeter

Eric Trules is a 16 year resident of Echo Park, a Senior Fulbright Specialist, and an Assistant Professor at USCs School of Theater. More info at: www.erictrules.com


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EventDate

LocationComments

EPIA Meetings 1st Thursday, 7:00 pm

May 7, Jun 4, July 2Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

Call EPIA message phone foradditional information.

EPIA SteeringCommitteeMeetings

2nd Monday, 7:15 pmApr 13, May 11, June 8

Call (323) 882-4835 forlocation

Take an active part in EPIA. Jointhe Steering Committee

CommunitySafety Meeting

2nd Thursday, 2:00 p.m.April 9, May 14

Edendale Branch LibraryCommunity room2011 W. Sunset Blvd.

Hosted by Echo Park SecurityAssociation. Call 323-860-9914for meeting location.

Citizens

Committee toSave ElysianPark

1st Wednesday, 7:00 pm

May 6, June 3, July 1

Williams Hall at Barlow

Hospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

Call 213-666-9651 for meeting

location

Echo ParkChamber ofCommerce

3rd Thursday, 7:00 pm andevery Wednesday 1:30 pm

Taix Restaurant. Call 213-630-3032 for furtherinformation.

Greater EchoPark ElysianNeighborhoodCouncil Meeting

4th Tuesday, 7 pm See Websitewww.gepenc.org

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

EdendaleLibrary FriendsSociety

>=> ELFS


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CLEAN-UPAbandoned Vehicles 311

Cars Parked in Yards 1-888-524-2845

Hazardous Waste Disposal Information 1-800-988-6942

Parkway and Median Maintenance 1-800-996-2489Storm Drains 213-485-5391

Trash and Bulky Item Pick Up 1-800-773-2489FAX 213-847-2261

L. A. Fire Department Brush Clearance 818-374-1111

COMMUNITY SERVICESCopies of Crime and Traffic Reports 213-485-4193

El Centro del Pueblo 213-483-6335

Echo Park Library 213-250-7808

Edendale Library 213-207-3000

Echo Park Recreation Center 213-250-3578

Echo Park Chamber of Commerce 213-630-3032Dodger's Security 323-224-1363

Dodger's Neighborhood Focus 323-224-2636

Dodger's Community Affairs 323-224-1435

Central City Action Committee 213-241-0908

North Central Animal Shelter 213-847-1416

L.A City Department of Aging 800-834-4777

Elysian Park Ranger 323-913-4688

Health Information 211

Los Angeles City Information 311

Los Angeles City Information website www.lacity.orgCongresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard 213-628-9230

State Senator Gil Cedillo 213-612-9566

Assemblyperson Kevin de Leon 323-225-4545

LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina 213-974-4111

Mayors Office [email protected] 213-978-0600

Neighborhood Prosecutor Program 213-847-8045

POLITICAL1st District Ed Reyes 213-485-3451

13th District Eric Garcetti 323-957-4500

Congressman Xavier Becerra 213-483-1425

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard 213-628-9230

State Senator Gil Cedillo 213-612-9566

Assemblyperson Kevin de Leon 323-225-4545

LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina 213-974-4111

Mayors Office [email protected] 213-978-0600

Neighborhood Prosecutor Program 213-847-8045

POLICE

Police Emergency: Need Police Car 911

Spanish Line 213-928-8222

Narcotic Hotline 1-800-662-2878

Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-540-4000Police Non-Emergency 1-877-275-5273

LAPD Air Support Division 213-485-2600

RAMPART DIVISION

Rampart Police Division Desk 213-484-3400 ext 1

Rampart Vice Unit 213-485-4080

Rampart Division Watch Commander 213-485-4062

Senior Lead Officer Ford 213-793-0775

Community Relations 213-484-3400 ext 2

China Town Sub-Station 213-621-2344

NORTHEAST DIVISIONNortheast Desk 213-485-2563

Northeast Report Unit 213-485-2563

Senior Lead Officer Bobby Hill 213-793-0760

Senior Lead Officer Al Polehonki 213-793-0763

Northeast Detectives 213-485-2566

Northeast Community Relations 213-485-2548

Northeast Gang Detail 213-847-4263

Northeast Youth Referral Program 213-847-3375

Northeast Records 213-485-2568

Release of Impounded Vehicles 213-485-2566CITIZEN COMPLAINTS

Department Building & Safety 888-524-2845

Department of Health 1-800-427-8700

Department of Transportation 213-580-1177

Department of Water & Power 800-342-5397

Parking Enforcement 311

Loose/Stray Animals/Barking Dogs 888-452-7381

LA County Department of ConsumerAffairs

213-974-1452

Legal Aid Client Referral 1-800-399-4529

Operation Bright Lights 311

Street Lighting Repairs 311

Professional Helicopter Pilots Association 213-891-3636

GRAFFITI RELATED ISSUES

Report Graffitti 311

Free Paint 311


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ECHO PARK LIBRARYLibrary HoursLibrary HoursLibrary HoursLibrary Hours

Mondays 10:00 am - 8:00 pmTuesdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Wednesdays 10:00 am - 8:00 pmThursdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pmFridays 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturdays 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSundays CLOSEDLibrary AddressLibrary AddressLibrary AddressLibrary Address

Echo Park Branch Library

1410 W. Temple Street

Los Angeles CA 90026

PhonePhonePhonePhone 213.250.7808

FAXFAXFAXFAX 213.250.3744

EDENDALE LIBRARYLibrary HoursLibrary HoursLibrary HoursLibrary Hours

Mondays 10:00 am 8:00 pmTuesdays 12 noon 8:00 pmWednesdays 10:00 am 8:00 pmThursdays 12 noon 8:00 pmFridays 10:00 am 6:00 pmSaturdays 10:00 am 6:00 pmSundays CLOSEDLibrary AddressEdendale Branch Library2011 W. Sunset BoulevardLos Angeles, CA 90026Phone (213) 207-3000FAX (213) 207-3097

World Wide Web AddressWorld Wide Web AddressWorld Wide Web AddressWorld Wide Web Address http://www.lapl.org 24 Hour Renewal:24 Hour Renewal:24 Hour Renewal:24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

by Lawrence Friednotes on Echo Park Structures

On the South Side of Sunset Blvd at Portia, a new fivelive/work loft project is being completed in what wasplanned to be a new location for Art Goldbergs WorkingPeoples Law Center but instead was excavated and thensat and served for years as an open space for occasionaleye-catching large scale environmental art projects includ-ing a memorable display of a motor boat perched on itsbow!

The current design and almost complete constructionincludes three units in the front-portion of the site on Sun-

set along with two units at a higher level towards the rear ofthe site. All parking is also accessed from the rollercoasteralley behind the site between Sunset and Allison Ave.

The developer is architect Greg Chasen who is already

familiar to Echo Park for designing the contemporary verti-cal hillside house at 1525 Duane near Echo Park Avenue acouple years ago. Hes also designed aesthetically pleasingcontemporary hillside projects in Hollywood and Silverlake.Although designed as condos, as of presstime, the Portiaunits are likely to be offered as rental units when construc-tion is complete in early summer. For further informationvisit www.ChasenArc.com or call Chasen architecture at310-899-6965

Thanks to Andrew Garsten for assistance on this months column.

Please submit any Echo Park area remodel, rehab, and improve-ment or construction projects for consideration to: [email protected]. Please include how we can contact you and ifpossible include a contact name for the referred project. Thanks!

Echo Park Curb AppealEcho Park Curb AppealEcho Park Curb AppealEcho Park Curb Appeal


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SaturdaySpecialTypical

HaitianFood

Mon Sat11 am 7 pmSundays

Group of 10or more byReservation Wood Burning Rotisserie

309 N. Glendale BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90026

www.tigeorgeschicken.comEmail: [email protected]

We Roastour ownHAITIANCoffee

EPIA can be contacted at [email protected]. Ofcourse, you can continue to reach us through the EPIAmessage phone at (323) 882-4835.

We Pourour ownHAITIANCoffee -Try some!

Reyes donated T-shirts and hats for the participantsas well as money for plants. The Department ofPublic Works supplied tools. Organizer Patti andYan Sum made sure there was plenty to eat anddrink. Funds for hundreds of plants were donated by

BarbaraBeim,Pattiand BobGoodand theAngelinoHeights

Community Organization (AHCO). Senior LeadOfficer Louis Ford, another of Zsa-Zsas friends,showed up to give his strong support for the cleanup of the notorious location.

The lovingly chosen flowers planted thatmorning included lavender, rose bushes,bougainvillea, hydrangea and draping rosemary, aswell as a large variety of other plants. Volunteersfrom all over Angelino Heights planted ficus vines todiscourage graffiti and colorful bedding plantsbeside the walkways. George Fierro, who lives in anadjacent home, showed his daughter how to digholes for the flowers. In the absence of an irrigationsystem, George watered the new plants by hand.Volunteers included Martha Delgado, Tom andPricilla Morales, Gil Jaffe, and dozens more.

Today the stairway remains clean, the plants are

growingnone appears to have been stolen,residents with their dogs are using the steps, andplans are afoot to improve the lighting. Later thisyear, according to Patti, there may be a party andinstallation of a plaque dedicating the garden shenever saw to a little girl who is still missed.

Flowers for ZsaFlowers for ZsaFlowers for ZsaFlowers for Zsa----ZsaZsaZsaZsa(Continued from page 1)

Patti Good, SLO Ford and Councilman Ed Reyes


10/12



THIS SPACE ISTHIS SPACE ISTHIS SPACE ISTHIS SPACE IS

WAITING forWAITING forWAITING forWAITING forYOUR ADYOUR ADYOUR ADYOUR ADCall the EPIA (323) 882Call the EPIA (323) 882Call the EPIA (323) 882Call the EPIA (323) 882----4835 for4835 for4835 for4835 for

InfoInfoInfoInfo

PROFESSIONAL SECURITY

OFFICERS

SECURITY PATROLS

OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICERS

LOSS PREVENTIONDEDICATED

MANAGEMENT & STAFF

24 Hour Dispatch Center: (213) 403-0111

Office: (213) 384-3643 - Fax: (213) 384-3652

3470 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 885Los Angeles, CA 90010

The Griffith Park Adult Community Center(GPACC) at 3203 Riverside Drive justcelebrated its first birthday with a CommunityCelebration on March 7th raising funds tosupport the activities at the center. GPACCfocuses on the 50+ population serving thecommunities of Atwater Village, Los Feliz,Franklin Hills, East Hollywood, Echo Park,Elysian Valley, and Silver Lake. Operated by LADepartment of Recreation and Parks under thedirection of Monty Sutherlin, Facility Director,the center is located on the parking lot next toFriendship Auditorium across from MulhollandFountain.

The Griffith Park Adult Community Club(formerly the Silver Lake Senior Club) with acurrent membership of over 800 members,works closely with the Facility Director toprovide quality programming, arranges fortrips for its members and supports the facilitywith fund raising and volunteers. Membershipdues are only $10/year.

At GPACC, you can have lunch provided byHollywood Multipurpose Center for $1.75

donation if you are 60 years and above or$3.75 below 60 years. A Case Manager fromthe Hollywood Multipurpose Center is availabletwice a month to consult with you on resourcesyou may need. You can hang out to watchmovies, play table games, be coached in thecomputer lab, join a class in writing, linedancing, folk dancing yoga, art, learn guitar,piano or digital photography and more. Andyou can sign up for day trips. GPACCs missionis to provide a variety of recreational activitiesand services for people to maintainindependence, dignity, and health as they agein their own communities.

So, check us out. For more informationabout the center, contact Monty Sutherlin,Facility Director, at [email protected] at (323) 644-5579 or just walk in the doorMonday Friday, 8:30 4:30 pm. Forinformation about the Griffith Park AdultCommunity Club and to get on the mailing listfor a newsletter, contact Stephanie Vendig at

[email protected] or at (323) 667- 3043.

Griffith Park Adult Community Center Celebrates 1st Yearby Stephanie Vendig


11/12



Central City Action Committee is up and running.There is never a dull moment at CCAC. We are beingaffected by the change from tracks in the school to

the traditional school year. This track has about 6kids from King Jr. High but when they graduate, they

will enter schools that are now on the traditionalschool year. We expect to have about 50 kids in andout of the center this summer. The majority of thekids coming out in the summer will be working for uson the graffiti removal program. This will enhanceour program. The kids will be taught safety on thejob from our experienced crews. They will be ex-pected to fill out time cards, call when they are sickand to be prompt and ready for work each day. Ofcourse at CCAC there is a policy that hard work de-serves rewards. Im hoping that Ill be making weeklytrips to Hansen Dam for swimming. A little play timeis good for all of us. If you should see us working inthe neighborhood, stop and say hello, tell the kidsyou appreciate their hard work. This means a lot toCCAC staff as well as the kids.

The Chinatown 10K run was a huge success. Ithink there were over 6,000 runners. That is a lot of

water to pass out to the runners. All of our kidshelped as well as some of our good friends from theneighborhood. There are two runs, one a 5K and theother is a 10K. I was at the 5K and was astonished athow our first time kids pitched right in to help passthe water. I have never been in the middle of thatmany runners. As the race continued we ran out ofcups so poured water into the runnershands. We

really worked hard that day. Later after the race wewent to a luncheon in Chinatown at the Dragon Inn.Ida T. joined us in the work as well as the luncheon

where she instructed a group of kids how to usechopsticks. A good time was had by all of us. Thepurple T-shirts were the bomb.

Rummage sales are an important part of our lifeat CCAC. The kids who are off track plan what theywant to do and set a goal for the money needed. Inonly two days, a group of kids can make enoughmoney to go to Six Flags, Knotts, movies, and eat atHometown buffet. Spring is noted for being a time toclean out your closets, if you find some things youbelieve we could sell, please drop them off or give usa call to come and get them. There is a lot of foot

traffic in front of the station so it enables us to makemoney. We even have regular customers. They keepcoming back. We have great sales!

The kids are happy now that the weather is a lit-tle warmer. They have able to go to the park andplay basketball. It is important for them to play out-side. I even had a kid tell me the only way he could

control his anger was to play basketball. I am gladthe kid recognizes his anger and pleased that he hasfound an outlet. The kids need the exercise; we allneed to exercise so lets play basketball!

Remember the door is always opened at CCAC so

stop by and visit us when you are in the neighbor-

hood.

Central City Action by GloriaGloriaGloriaGloria

ECHO PARK SECURITY ASSOCIATIONJoin us for a safe, secure and crime-free

Echo Park and Angelino Heights.Since 1 991 . Alarm response included (24-hour)

Low cost. Lowered crime rate

Endorsed by EPIA. Close relationship with police

Volunteer run Founded by EPIA members.

Dedicated patrol allows an officer to patrol Echo Park

and Angelino Heights exclusively (during patrol hours)To sign up, send name, address, phone, to:

ECHO PARK SECURITY ASSN.

P.O. Box 26201 , L.A., CA 90026

Or call 323-860-9914


12/12



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

Echo Park Improvement Association

On Saturday, March 14, 2009 a handful of

community members joined Senior Lead Officer:Bobby Hill with a friend and his son, and theNortheast LAPD Teen CPAB, and took the MayorsDay of Service, also known as Echo Park CommunityClean-up, to a new level. The volunteers cleanedseveral neighborhood streets while SLO Bobby Hill

and his crew cleaned up Duane St at Echo Park

Avenue. The SLO brought his friendly jackhammerwith him to open perfect holes on the concrete alongthe Echo Park Mart to prepare for vines. With anotherfriendly gadget he water pressured as much of thegraffiti as possible off the street and driveway onDuane St. This is community service.

Cleaning the Community on Mayors Day of Service

Due to increased printing costs the EPIAn Waysis losing money on every issue. We dont havethe funds to run a deficit for very long. While itsimportant to keep the rates reasonable for ourvalued advertisers, our readers deserve a

newsletter thats more than all ads. If sufficientdonations are received, well be able to continuepublication without altering the content andwithout interruption.

epian ways april 2009

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