epian ways august 2003

8/9/2019 EPIAn Ways August 2003

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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

What's this about a world premiere of a newmusical ... danced by the children of Echo Park? Andwhat's this about a free bus to see this free show atCentral Library??

Echo Park Branch Library's Summer Theatre

Workshop is world premiering selections fromSandra Boynton's swinging new musical ThePhiladelphia Chickens at Central Library's Mark

Taper Auditorium, Friday, August 22, at 5 PM. The

soundtrack features Kevin Kline, Meryl Streep, andLaura Linney. This is an all Echo Park production--the performers are children from the area, ages 7-12.They have been working very hard in rehearsals sincemid-June.

The show is directed and choreographed by JeniZambrano, former professional dancer/choreographer who is now the Children's Librarian atthe Echo Park Branch Library. She was assistantchoreographer for musicals such as CATS andOLIVER! for the prestigious Buckley School SummerMusical Theatre Workshop, and has danced on stage

and screen, including the movie "The MamboKings" (Warner) and several MTV music videos.

A free bus will transport you to the downtown Los

Angeles Central Library from the Echo Park BranchLibrary. Travel with the performers, then tour theCentral Library, and catch the show after wards at

Central Library's Mark Taper Auditorium. The buswill leave Echo Park Branch Library at 3 PM, Friday,August 22, and return to Echo Park at 6 PM.

Everything is free! What better way to support localyouth with your presence and applause? And a freetrip to the Central Library besides??If you are interested in joining the fun or if you have

questions, please call or leave a message with JeniZambrano at the Echo Park Library, (213) 250-7808,and let her know how many people are coming.Space is subject to availability.

ECHO PARK CHILDREN TO WORLD PREMIERE"PHILADELPHIA CHICKENS" AT CENTRAL LIBRARYS MARK TAPER

No, these are not the dancers in Philadelphia Chickens,they are Heather Woodbury and Robert Palazzoexchanging vows in their Italian-Renaissance-inspiredwedding at the Marion Harlow Memorial Grove in ElysianPark. See page 8 for full story.


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(323)

Echo Parks portion of Los Angeles GeneralPlan was completed in the late 1980s the lastone of the Citys 35 Community Plans. An up-dated version of the Community Plan has beenunder development for more than two years. Thenew version will help plan for nearly 2,000 morepeople to live, shop and work in Echo Park. Someof the changes may affect your property.

The Greater Echo Park Elysian NeighborhoodCouncil (GEPENC) and the Silver Lake Neighbor-hood Council jointly will hold a Community PlanForum on the morning of October 4 at Michel-

torena Elementary School.

You and your neighbors will have the opportu-nity to learn about the Community Plan andshare your views. The Neighborhood Councilswill present your opinions to the City PlanningCommission, the City Council and the Mayor. Itsimportant that you attend.

For further information, please watch theGreater Echo Park Elysian NC web page atwww.GEPENC.org or send an e-mail to BennettKayser ([email protected]) or a postcard toCommunity Plan Forum, c/o Bennett Kayser,P.O. Box 26514, Los Angeles, CA 90026.

girls teen yoga

Pilates

Silver Lake/Echo Park Community Plan Updateby Bennett Kayser


4/12

1911 SUNSET BOULEVARDLOS ANGELES, CA 90026

(213) 484-1265

=Greetings!!! Friends,On Saturday August 9th the Volunteers of the Echo

Park Library will be holding their third book sale tobenefit the children's activities being held at thelibrary. The sale will include some rummage items,and of course the books, which are always of aninteresting nature. We hope to surpass the previousamount of over $500 and so look forward to yourcontinued support.

It is always a pleasure to see the children, listening

to stories being read, participating in dancing, writing,in the company of their leader Ms. Jeni, Children'sLibrarian at the library. Jeni, certainly, has a way ofspeaking to them and they in turn relate to her.

It is important that the community continues theirfabulous support of our quarterly book sales, and thechildren will continue to have these super experiences.

Looking forward to seeing you at our book sale.

AUGUST 9TH

BOOK SALE FUNDRAISER FOR ECHO PARK BRANCH LIBRARY

by Margarita Fernandez, epVolunteer Co-ordinator

$ =

LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

=

WWW.ECHOPARK.NET


5/12

Echo Park Lake Support Group By Judy RaskinI have been watching the nest building of the

American coots in the lotus pond and at the stormdrain as well as the nest built by a pied-billed grebealong one of the blue-and-white marker chains nearthe island. There were at least 4 coots nests and onegrebes. Coot parents take turns building the nestand sitting on the eggs. From what I could surmise,there were at least eight chicks hatched over a 4 to 5week period, although as of the end of July, only 2seemed to have survived. Collectively there wereseven grebe hatchings; six appear to have survived.In addition, a pair of resident Chinese geese raisedone gosling to maturity while a pair of migratoryCanada geese raised another.

The Lake also hosted several birds we dont seehere very often. A Great blue heron, whose blue-grayfeathers allow the bird to blend in so well with itssurroundings, stayed around the storm drain and thenorth end of the island for a couple of days. A pair ofruddy ducksthe male is a ruddy brown, has whitecheeks, a dark cap and a blue billpaddled aroundthe deep end for several days.

Most exciting was the appearance of a pair ofCaspian terns, who are not from the Caspian Sea. Infive years of serious birding at the Lake, I had neverseen any, although their migration route passes

above us. They are a little smaller than the gulls andinfinitely more pleasing to the eye. One tern had athick, large red bill, a short black crest and a whitebody. (The other was an immature, from its coloring).It flew circles around the lake several times, hovered,

and plunge-dived into the water, focused on catching

a tasty fish treat. This bird does not submerge.Afterwards, it flew a few feet above the water beforegaining altitude and repeating this exercise severaltimes.

When at rest these birds are on the island, somake sure to take your binoculars with you. Dontdelay! These birds wont be around very long, and allthose chicks will grow up.


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ECHO PARK CALENDAREvent Date Location CommentsEPIA Meetings

1

st

Thursday, 7:00 p.m.September 4, October 2 Williams Hall atBarlow Hospital,2000 Stadium Way inElysian Park

Call EPIA messagephone for additionalinformation

EPIA Steering CommitteeMeetings 2

nd Monday, 7:15 p.m.August 11, September 8

Taix FrenchResaurant Take an active part inEPIA. Join the Steering

CommitteeChamber of CommerceGeneral Meeting 3

rd Friday, 1 p.m.August 15, September 19 Taix FrenchRestauant Echo Park C of Cinformation/message

213-630-3032Citizens Committee toSave Elysian Park Mtg. 1

st Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.,September 3, October 7 Call 213-666-9651 formeeting location

Greater Echo ParkElysian NeighborhoodCouncil Meeting

4th Tuesday, 7 p.m.August 25, September 22

Logan Street SchoolAuditorium, 1711 W.Logan Street

Call (213) 413-3196 forinfo or visitwww.GEPENC.org

Deadline for OctoberEPIAn ways Newsletter Friday, September 12 Send submissions to

EPIA, Attn: EPIAnWays EditorSPECIAL EVENTS

Temple-Beaudry KermsFestival Saturday, August 164 p.m. 8 p.m. Court Street betweenEdgeware and Bixel

Information: (213) 6173877

Barlow Foundation 4thAnnual Golf Classic Friday, August 22 Robinson Ranch,Santa Clarita Candidate Filing Forms &other Election Materials at:

Echo Park Library, EchoPark Methodist Church,Pioneer Market, Ojala ArtGallery and the Filipino/

American Service Center.For information or candidateforms call Suzi Rogers,213.250.3208 or TomSoong, 323.224.2321.

Candidate ForumGreater Echo ParkElysian Neighborhood

Saturday, Sept 20,11 a.m. 2 p.m. Logan Street SchoolAuditorium, 1711 W.

Logan StreetElections of theGreater Echo ParkElysian Neighborhood

Saturday, Sept 27,10 a.m. 3 p.m. Logan Street SchoolAuditorium, 1711 W.

Logan StreetUPCOMING EPIA TOWN HALL MEETINGS

September Town Hall MeetingOctober Film Production in Echo Park


7/12


8/12

The musicians played, the office towers ofDowntown LA stood like markers in the distanceand eighty guests, seated in the open air,waited. Dressed in flowing robes of red-goldbrocade over peach silk chiffon over saffron satinand crowned with a flower garland, the lady ofthe day stepped out of the grove and brought tolife the Botticelli painting, La Primavera. Herattendants held fruit and flower-laden branchesaloft as she glided through the arches theyformed toward her leading man. Although manyperforming artists participated in the May 24thevent, it wasnt a play or a movie shoot; it was

Heather Woodbury and Robert Palazzos Italian-Renaissance-inspired wedding at the MarionHarlow Memorial Grove in Elysian Park.

Heather, a performing artist and creator ofseveral living novels, which originate on stage

and later grow into book form, and Roberto, anartist who also runs America Rustica, adecorative paint and finishes business, followedtheir bent when planning their wedding. Wewanted to express something wonderful in aplace we love. We live next to the park and I walkthere every day, thought Robert. Why not getmarried there? said Heather.

Following the wedding, the guests walked tothe couples Elysian Height home for a backyardwedding party that stretched well into the night.The newlyweds left the following day for ahoneymoon in Ireland.

We wish Heather and Roberto the best, andlook forward to the birth, in book form, of herfirst living novel, Whatever a Living Novel toappear sometime this summer.

Saturday

SpecialTypicalHaitian

Food

Mon Sat

11 am 7 pmSundays Group of 10or more byReservation

Wood Burning Rotisserie309 N. Glendale Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90026

www.tigeorgeschicken.comEmail: [email protected]

Couple Exchange Vows in Marion Harlow Memorial Grove


9/12

Remember a few issues ago I told you about the"stuff" the kids and the staff were spreading aroundin CCAC's garden? Do you remember the picture of

Sam and the kids with shovels and rakes? Well, takea look at the picture now. The "Stuff" has made itpossible for a mere small space with old dirt tobecome the beautiful and bountiful garden you seein the picture.

In case you can't recognize all the plants, heresa rundown. There are muskmelons (haven't seenmany of these since I ran a keel boat down the riverin ole Kentucky with Uncle Abe), lots of cucumbers(we'll be making a lot of pepinos with lemon andchili), and radishes both white and red.

There's still more--a tomato plant, there's somelettuce underneath, some beans, peas, carrots,arugula and a few beets. Overwhelminglysurrounding the garden is watermelon, cantaloupe,mustard and we cant forget the final touch ofherbsParsley, Sage Rosemary and Thyme. Ofcourse there is a sprinkling ofmarigolds, sunflowers and cacti. Ifyou look along Boston Avenue,theres corn, morning Glorys, andmore sunflowers. Starting in July,Amy (our master gardener) hasbeen teaching the kids how tomake delectable dishes with

vegetables grown from the garden.We have sampled guacamole, freshsalsa, pasta with red peppers,carrots and broccoli. This weekthey are going to make a plumcobbler. With a little vanilla icecream, Ill be delighted.

The kids have become so goodat gardening that Alicia Brownasked us to come up and help herweed her garden plots at theSolano Garden. While I showed thekids the difference between a bad

plant and a good plant, Alicia wenthome and cooked us a mostdelicious lunch. The kids helpedher bring it to the Solano Gardenwhere we relaxed and ate under ahuge shade tree.

Thanks for having us.

With this intensely hot weather, we are alwayslooking at new ventures for our kids. Were takingour off-track group on a trip to the Hansen Dam

using public transportation. Public transportationhas become vital to our program, as we no longer

have a passenger van. Using public transportation iseconomical, relaxing, and also allows us to teach theyouth how to get around our fine City. Later thisweek we are taking about 30 kids on the Gold Line.All of our staff is becoming more user friendly withpublic transportation.

Central City Action by Gloria

Gardeners at Central City Actions Committees new urban garden.


10/12

Orders for Bulky Item Pick up or Trash Cans Goes OnlineIf you want to have the Sanitation Department make a bulky item pick up or to order new or replacement

trash cans, you don't have to sit and wait on hold any more. Now you can fill out an online request formyourself! Complete your e-mail information and you will get a confirmation e-mail with-in a couple of days.

Just point your browser to http://www.ci.la.ca.us/SAN/service_request.htm Type in the same informa-tion in 60 seconds that you used to wait 20 minutes to tell an operator. Telephone hours have been ex-tended for Bulky Item Pick Up, too. Call (800)773-CITY / (800)773-2489 to schedule a Bulky Item Pick Upand find out the hours for the new service.

Vecinos de Spiraling Orchard invites you to attend

Kerms1st Summer Festival

Temple-Beaudry Community

Saturday, August 16th, between 4pm and 8pmCourt Street between Edgeware and Bixel

Traditional Food, Games, Contests, and a band stand with Live MusicFREE

For More Information (213) 617 3877, Alex Cott / Desiree Aspiras

Sponsored by Councilmember Ed Reyes, Echo Park Library, El Centro del Pueblo, Angelina Pre-school, Echo Park Boys

& Girls Club, Quisido, Planned Parenthood, The Echo Park Pool Kids Dental, Kid Watch LA, and The Greater Echo Park

Elysian Neighborhood Council & more!

the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood CouncilWWW.GEPENC.ORG


11/12

S.M.ART Systems, Inc.Comprehensive Computer AssistanceWE CAN HELP YOUTraining & Tutoring

Upgrades & Installations

Flyers & Newsletters

Network Systems Design

Internet AssistanceWeb Design & PrescenceCall Us at 323-660-2839

[email protected]

On July 3, 2003 Viola Redondo, past Presidentof the Echo Park Chamber of Commerce, passed

away. Viola was born in Clemenceau Arizona onJune 29, 1925. Her family moved to Los Angeleswhen she was a young child. As a teenager Violawon many swimming metals, but she loved to playbaseball. At the age of 18, Viola was selected tojoin the only professional female baseball league inthe country, later to be known as A League of TheirOwn. Ms. Redondo play 2nd base for 3 years.

When the league was dismantled, Viola went towork for the Los Angeles Times. After working forthe Times for 6 years, she became a real estateagent. She lived and worked in the Echo Parkc o m m u n i t y f o r o v e r 4 0 y e a r s .

Ms. Redondo served as President of the Echo ParkChamber of Commerce for 4 years. She wasinstrumental in putting waste containers on thesidewalks, planting trees, and getting the LosAngeles Marathon to go through Echo Park. Voilareceived many plaques and commendations for her

contributions to the Cityof Los Angeles and Echo

Park. Councilman Ferrarowrote, Ms. Redondo hasa never ceasing spirit ofd e d i c a t i o n a n dwillingness to helpothers.

T h r o u g h o u t h e rlifetime Ms. Redondomaintained her athleticprowess and interest insports. She loved to laygolf and became a semi-pro golfer. Even when ill

with cancer, she playedgolf every morning at theLos Feliz Gold Green in Los Angeles.

Viola will be greatly missed by everyone.

Past Echo Park Chamber President Remembered


12/12

Echo Park hub of the political universe! Okay,not really, but our neighborhood has had a coupleappearances from some big names this summer. Thebeleaguered Gov. Gray Davis fending off a recalleffort that is getting weirder and weirder spentpart of a weekend at Echo Park Lake at a rallydesigned to boost his chances of avoiding a recall.And Vermont Govenor Howard Dean whosepresidential campaign has been raking in onlinecampaign contributions stopped off at the EchoPark home of Councilman Eric Garcetti.

ONE LOCAL POL MADE BIG headlines outside of

the neighborhood by speaking her mind. Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg, a fixture in Echo Park,started talking in Sacramento about how there couldbe hidden political benefits if California went evenlonger without a budget not knowing she wasspeaking into a Capitol intercom system. Once sheknew her comments made during a politicalstrategy session were being broadcast, EchoParks former city councilmember was fuming,according to the L.A. Times.

BACK AT ECHO PARK LAKE, the Lotus seemed tobloom later than normal this year, not that it keptpeople from coming by the thousands to the Lotus

Festival. Things also felt a little bit different at thefestival itself, what with the lack of amusement parkrides and the decision to keep visitors away from theisland. Word on the street is that the lakes bridgehas structural problems severe enough that Rec andParks didnt want people walking on it.

People are still steamed over the proposal for amotel on Alvarado Street just south of Sunset. Butthat drama may soon be eclipsed by anxiety over theEcho Park Silver Lake Community Plan.Neighborhood leaders fear the plan would allow muchlarger buildings on the Sunset-Alvarado-Glendale

Boulevard corridors. At a recent meeting on the plan,one neighborhood council member said he fears theproposed rules could allow buildings as tall as sevenstories on Alvarado south to the 101 Freeway. Plansare under way for an October 4 th communityworkshop on the issue.

A PHOTO EXHIBIT THAT started in Echo Park istaking San Francisco by storm. "To Protect and To

Serve," a show from the LAPD archive, was launchedby Fototeka on Echo Park Avenue but is now at itsthird national venue the Yerba Buena CulturalCenter, across from San Francisco's Museum ofModern Art. The show, which has been substantiallyincreased in size, has generated a book deal.Although Fototeka closed as a gallery months ago,work continues on the book.

The too-hip-for-words nightclub known as the Echo

long known in our neighborhood as the Nayarit is getting a bit of a make-over. Workers were out onSunset Boulevard painting the faade bronze. Anarchitect involved in the project said there were noplans to attempt to restore the building to itsprevious glory. The only sign of the buildings lovely

arched storefronts can be seen next door to the Echo,where an arch peeks out from behind all the plasticand concrete.

SPEAKING OF FACADES, El Centro del Pueblo gota nice modern upgrade of its Lemoyne Street officebuilding. The outdoor playing fields at El Centro delPueblo opened have finally opened, with a volleyballmatch between El Centro and Central City ActionCommittee days planned for late July.

ONE OF THE MOST DRAMATIC changes to hitEcho Park this summer was the departure of GladysRice, who moved out of her Morton Avenue home

after 92 years. Gladys was born in the front house at1704 Morton featured in the movie "LA Confidential"and lived in Echo Park her whole life. Gladys movedback east to be closer to her son Robert, who grew upin the neighborhood and is now a college professor.

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 august 2003

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