june 2007 epian ways

8/14/2019 June 2007 Epian Ways

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June-July 2007 Echo Park Improvement Association newsletter Volume 14 Issue 3

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

Its happening. The portables are ready for moving.

The sewer lines and the utilities are almost ready to beconnected. There is even a walkway from Riverside Dr.

onto the parking lot, so we wont be competing with cars

to get to the facility.

In case you havent heard, the Griffith Park AdultCommunity Center, the latest addition to the LADepartment of Recreation and Parks network of facilities

dedicated to the 50+ population, will be on the scene,

expecting to begin operations in September. The new

facility will be on the parking lot of FriendshipAuditorium on Riverside Drive just south of Los Feliz.The swimming pool and the tennis courts will be our

neighbors. Facility Director Mark Wilson will be workingwith all of us to provide the best programming possible.

The facility will serve the neighborhoods of Atwater

Village, Los Feliz, Franklin Hills, East Hollywood, Echo

Park and Elysian Valley, and Silver Lake.

What will this Center Offer?

The Griffith Park Adult Community

Center will naturally start small as we

get off the ground. The two portableswill have only 5200 square feet

configured into large, medium andsmall rooms. The key will bescheduling a variety of activitiesthroughout the day and sometimes in

the evening. Some of the plans and

ideas so far:

Fitness programs (Fitness

equipment has been ordered)

Collaboration with Griffith Park

Rangers and staff to organize hiking,nature walks, swimming and tennis

classes

Lectures, Forums, Community

meetings Art and craft activities

Collaboration with LAUSD to

continue classes such as Yoga, Thai

Chi, Strength Training and Life Story Writing

Volunteer program to match people wanting to

volunteer with appropriate places.

Computer Lab

A library

A nutrition program

Card and Table games

Interest and Support groups

Classes provided by community and university

programs

An extensive travel program Social services assistance provided by HollywoodMultipurpose Center

For more information contact Stephanie Vendig at (323)

667-3043 or [email protected] or Mark Wilson at

(213) 485-5652 or [email protected]

Introducing the Griffith Park Adult Community CenterIntroducing the Griffith Park Adult Community CenterIntroducing the Griffith Park Adult Community CenterIntroducing the Griffith Park Adult Community Centerby Stephanie Vendig

Portables Waiting to Move to the Parking Lot of Friendship Auditorium on Riverside


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Page 2 June-July 2007


NEWSLETTER CREDITSNEWSLETTER CREDITSNEWSLETTER CREDITSNEWSLETTER CREDITS

EDITORS:EDITORS:EDITORS:EDITORS:

LYNN BARBLYNN BARBLYNN BARBLYNN BARB

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

ADVERTISINGADVERTISINGADVERTISINGADVERTISING

FLORA KERPFLORA KERPFLORA KERPFLORA KERP

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MEMORANDUMS INVOICES LETTERHEADS/ENVELOPES BUSINESS CARDS PRICE CATALOGS ALL KINDSOF INVITATIONS COIN ENVELOPES

Lyman CommercialPrinting1201 N. ALVARADO (213) 413-5355

LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 (213) 413-5469 FAXSE HABLA ESPAOL

Los Angeles Citywide

Service Directorya single toll-free phone number to contact

City of Los Angeles officialsfor any nonnonnonnon----emergencyemergencyemergencyemergency public service:

Dial 311

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

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Copyright by Echo Park Improvement Association 2007


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June=July 2007 Page 3

June 1, 2007

Dear Friends:

We are continuously receiving emails of support and

concern regarding Griffith Park and its recovery. It isencouraging to hear so many voices speak up aboutwanting to be back in the park hiking, riding and bik-

ing.

Department of Recreation and Parks officials key con-cern is for the safety of park users as well as parkcrews working in the burn zones. We ask foryour patience while daily assessments are made to

evaluate whether affected areas remain closed to thepublic.

There are certain issues that have become prominent

in your queries and I thought it would be worthwhileto answer those of greatest concern:The Vermont Can-yon Tennis Courts remain closed and no date has

been set for reopening. The area directly adjacent tothe complex is where the fire began and it sufferedfrom severe fire damage that crews are still working toclear.

The citys Forestry Division has cleared more than

800 dead or damaged trees in the burn zone, whichremain off-limits until further notice. Lingering fire

threats in the bases of tree trunks remains a concernas does the danger of falling trees.

In regard to replanting, over 95% of the park will be

left to grow back on its own without any intervention.Non-natives plantings that have long distinguished theshady gardens such as Dantes View, Captains Roost,

Amirs Garden and the Bird Sanctuary will be allowed.

We have an ever-growing list of people who would liketo volunteer for the recovery effort. As soon as the

burned areas are deemed safe, we will organize volun-teer days to start the restoration process of Dantesand other unique park treasures. We will notify you ofthe dates. We are looking at a multi-year effort andwelcome your involvement.

If you would like to make a donation toward the resto-

ration efforts, please go to www.laparks.org and clickon the Griffith Park link. The Rec. and Parks website

also contains the latest updates about park openingsand the remaining closures.

I look forward to working with you as the restorationprocess moves forward!

Sincerely,

TOM LABONGECouncilmember, Fourth District

(323)

BROCK

BROCK REAL ESTATE

IDA POTASH

[ph] 323.644.9081

[fx] 323.644.9387[cl] 323.662.7656

2235 HYPERION AVELA, CA 90027

knows the neighborhood

Council Member Tom LaBonge on Griffith Park


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Echo Park Since 1949

Read the EPIAn ways online atRead the EPIAn ways online atRead the EPIAn ways online atRead the EPIAn ways online athttp://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/homehttp://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/homehttp://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/homehttp://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/home

Saturday

SpecialTypicalHaitian

Food

Mon Sat11 am 7 pmSundays Group of 10or more by

Wood Burning Rotisserie309 N. Glendale Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90026

www.tigeorgeschicken.comEmail: [email protected]

1911 SUNSET BOULEVARD

LOS ANGELES, CA 90026(213) 484-1265

conceptual craftsmanover twenty years experience

We Roastour ownHAITIANCoffee


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Echo Park Lakes 3rd Annual Fun Bird WalkSunday, August 12, 2007, 9:00 a.m.

During recent years, Echo Park Lake Birders have identified more than60 birds that call Echo Park their home for all or part of the year.

Summer birds at the lake include Mallards, great-tailed grackles, robins, American coots,sparrows, finches, great egrets, black-crowned

night herons, green herons, blackbirds, hawksand various gulls and doves. We will surelyidentify many others.

This is a fun walk, and beginning birders areencouraged to participate. Parents are encouraged to bringtheir children. And its free!

Take your binoculars, and a bird guide, if you have one.

Sign up by telephoning (323) 663-6767. Or send an email to

[email protected]. Write summer bird walk In the subject line.Please include your name and phone number.

Meet at Echo Park Lake Boathouse(Echo Park Ave. & Laguna Ave.) Park along Echo Park Ave. or Laguna Ave

+ MEDIMEDIMEDIMEDI----CALCALCALCAL


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ECHO PARK CALENDARECHO PARK CALENDARECHO PARK CALENDARECHO PARK CALENDAR

Event Date Location Comments

EPIA Meetings 1st

Thursday, 7:00 pmJuly 5, Aug 2 Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

Call EPIA message phone foradditional information.

EPIA SteeringCommitteeMeetings

2nd Monday, 7:15 pmJune 11, July 9

Call (323) 882-4835 forlocation

Take an active part in EPIA. Jointhe Steering Committee

CommunitySafety Meeting

2nd Thursday, 2:00 pmJune 14, July 12

LAPD Stop-In Center,Echo Park Avenue andSunset Boulevard

Hosted by Echo Park SecurityAssociation. Call (323)666-3228for more info

CitizensCommittee toSave ElysianPark

1st Wednesday, 7:00 pmJuly 4, Aug 1

Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

Call 213-666-9651 for meetinglocation

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 pmJune 26, July 24

Logan Street SchoolAuditorium, 1711 W.Logan Street

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

EdendaleLibrary FriendsSociety

>=> ELFS


7/12



CLEAN-UP

Abandoned Vehicles 1-800-222-6366

Cars Parked in Yards 1-888-524-2845

Fire Hazards 1-310-412-5350

Hazardous Waste Disposal Information 1-800-988-6942

Overflowing Dumpsters 310-412-5350

Parkway Maintenance 1-800-996-2489

Storm 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

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

Department of Health 1-800-427-8700

Department of Transportation 213-580-1177

Department of Water & Power 800-342-5397

Parking Enforcement 866-869-2929

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

LA County Department of Consumer Affairs 213-974-1452Legal Aid Client Referral 1-800- 399-4529

Operation Bright Lights 1-800- 303-5267

Street Lighting Repairs 1-800- 303-5267

Professional Helicopter Pilots Association 213-891-3636

POLITICAL

1st District Ed Reyes 213-485-3451

13th District Eric Garcetti 323-957-4500

Congressman Xavier Becerra 213-483-1425

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard 213-628-9230State Senator Gil Cedillo 213-612-9566

Assemblyperson Kevin de Leon 323-258-0450

LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina 213-974-4111

Mayors Office [email protected] 213-978-0600

City Attorney, Rocky Delgadillo 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 213-485-4061

Rampart Vice Unit 213-485-4080

Rampart Division Watch Commander 213-485-4062

Senior Lead Officer Ford 213-793-0775

Community Relations 213-847-1903

China Town Sub-Station 213-621-2344

NORTHEAST DIVISION

Northeast Desk 213-485-2563

Northeast Report Unit 213-485-2563

Senior Lead Officer Sonia Rimkunas 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 213-485-2566

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Copies of Crime and Traffic Reports 213-485-4193

Concerned Citizens Echo Park/YouthEmpowerment Council CCEC/YEC

323-662-2081

El Centro del Pueblo 213-483-6335

Echo Park Library 213-250-7808

Echo Park Recreation Center 213-250-3578

Echo Park Chamber of Commerce 213-630-3032

Dodger's Security 323-224-1363

Dodger's Comunity Focus 323-224-2636

Dodger's Public Relations 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

Los Angeles City Information website www.lacity.org


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LIBRARY COMPUTER CLASSESComputer ComfortThursday, 4pm, 6/12, 7/17Learn to use the Librarys electronic catalog to search formaterials, renew items, and place your own holds. Learnthe basics of surfing the Internet. Introduction to variousdatabases and search engines. For adults only.Familiarity with the keyboard and mouse is recommendedbut not mandatory. Reservations required. Please arrive10 minutes before class begins.

Computer Class for Improving Your EnglishTuesday, 4pm, 7/10

Rosetta Stone An introductory self-paced class to beginor improve your English language skills. Computerexperience is mandatory.

Introduction to Basic Web DesignTuesday, 4pm 6/19, 7/24Learn about HTML codes to create a simple web page.Computer experience is mandatory.

FUNFOR KIDSKnitting Club Tuesdays 4 - 5pm

6/12, 6/19, 6/26I Spy Mondays Reading Club Monday 7/2, 7/9, 7/23,7/30 3:30PM - 4:30PMJoin us for a different weekly Summer Reading Clubstorytime, performance, activity or craft program.

I Spy Magic with Rafael and Katia Monday 7/16 3:30PM

4:30PMChildren will take a magical ride into books, culture,magic, and reading.Mother Goose Storytime Tuesday5/1 2:30 - 3:30 PMFathers Day Storytime Saturday 6/15 2:303:30pmArt with LACMA Friday 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13,7/20, 7/274 - 5:30pmKids will learn about art from a local artist and createsomething new each week

ECHO PARK LIBRARY HAPPENINGSLibrary HoursLibrary HoursLibrary HoursLibrary Hours

Mondays 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 pmSundays CLOSED

Library AddressLibrary AddressLibrary AddressLibrary Address

Echo Park Branch Library

1410 W. Temple Street

Los Angeles CA 90026

PhonePhonePhonePhone 213.250.7808

FAXFAXFAXFAX 213.250.3744

World Wide Web AddressWorld Wide Web AddressWorld Wide Web AddressWorld Wide Web Addresshttp://www.lapl.org

24 Hour Renewal:24 Hour Renewal:24 Hour Renewal:24 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. PP0-9229

ASTROLOGY CLASSby astrologer, Malcolm Schenot

Saturday, June 16 1pmSign-up by June 12. All birth information required for chart For questions about this free program, call Nadine Flores at(213) 250-7808

SONIC ROOTS

ATHENA LEGRAND

Hairstylist

3233089417


9/12



Adult Events:Monday, June 18th, 6:30 p.m.

The Book Club will hold a potluck and discuss Diet fora Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappe.Beginning computer classes are held once a week on avariety of topics. Call to find out whats coming up.

Childrens EventsRafael & Katia the Mariachi Magicians returnMonday, June 25, 6:30 p.m.Readers Theater and other patriotic funMonday, July 2, 6:30 p.m.Canine Detectives meet a real snoop houndMonday, July 9, 6:30 p.m.Opera Kadabera A hilarious, magical introduction toclassical operaMonday, July 16, 6:30 p.m.Harry Potter Party games, prizes, refreshmentsSaturday, July 21, 2-3

Ernesto de la Loza, artist spy local sights in the librarymuralMonday, July 23, 6:30 p.m.

Disguises spot the spy behind the disguise & the animalin the camouflageMonday, July 30, 6:30 p.m.

Weekly Childrens ProgramsInfant & Toddler Story timeTuesdays, 10-10:45

Knitting & Craft Club, especially for elementary schoolkidsTuesdays, 4-5pmJune 5, 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24& 31.

Read-a-Ton Book ClubImprove your reading skills, have fun, & help your friendsmeet the librarys goal of reading 1,000 pounds of booksthis summer. Starts June 14.Thursdays, 3:30-4:15

Summer Music ConcertsEdendale is one of LAPLs few branch libraries to offer

live music. Following the concerts, the musicians areavailable to answer questions and chat with the audience.This year the series welcomes back some of Edendalepatrons favorite orchestras and introduces a presentationnew to the audience.The Observatory Orchestra Brass Quintet and TheAvenal Chamber PlayersSaturday, June 9th, 1 p.m.Aztec Stories The culture of ancient Mexico is explored

through music, spoken word, and audience participation.Saturday, June 16th, 3 p.m.

MOCA ART WORKSHOPSThursdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26 & August 2, 9 5-6:30 pm

Join artists from the Museum of Contemporary Art for this6 part series of hands on creative art workshops.

EDENDALE LIBRARY HAPPENINGSLibrary HoursLibrary HoursLibrary HoursLibrary Hours (starting March 1, 2007)Mondays 10:00 am 8:00 pm

Tuesdays 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 CLOSED

Library AddressLibrary AddressLibrary AddressLibrary Address

Edendale Branch Library

2011 W. Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90026PhonePhonePhonePhone (213) 207-3000

FAXFAXFAXFAX (213) 207-3097

24 Hour Renewal:24 Hour Renewal:24 Hour Renewal:24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

The EPIAn ways newslettercan now be seen on the web at

http://http://http://http://

echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/

homehomehomehome


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PERON ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

Open Seven Days

One To Five

2213 Sunset Blvd. Echo ParkMonMonMonMonThur 11amThur 11amThur 11amThur 11am11pm11pm11pm11pm Fri 11amFri 11amFri 11amFri 11amMidMidMidMid Sat 8amSat 8amSat 8amSat 8amMidMidMidMid Sun 8amSun 8amSun 8amSun 8am 11pm11pm11pm11pm

Brunch served 8amBrunch served 8amBrunch served 8amBrunch served 8am3pm Saturday & Sunday3pm Saturday & Sunday3pm Saturday & Sunday3pm Saturday & SundayFree Delivery for Echo Park on $15 minimum orderFree Delivery for Echo Park on $15 minimum orderFree Delivery for Echo Park on $15 minimum orderFree Delivery for Echo Park on $15 minimum order

1800 West Sunset Blvd1800 West Sunset Blvd1800 West Sunset Blvd1800 West Sunset Blvd 213.989.1558213.989.1558213.989.1558213.989.1558

Echo Parks long and impressive tradition of activism

is celebrated in the 2006 documentary Red Hill. Accord-ing to the film, the community became known inter-

changeably as Red Hill and Red Gulch between the two

world wars because of its activist population, which in-cluded communists.

The documentary consists primarily of interviews(about 17 altogether), conducted by teenage students of

the Echo Park Film Center. It was actually suggested to

us by Jesus Sanchez at the Echo Park Historical Soci-

ety, says instructor Lisa Marr. They had just starteddocumenting, through oral histories, the Red Diaper Ba-

bies [i.e., children of communists]. It sounded like aninteresting project.

One interviewee, Suzanne Kimbrough, recalls being

very active in protesting the

Vietnam Invasion, and thencame the farm work-

ers [movement], she says,

and a lot of us here sup-ported the farm workers in

the lettuce boycott and the

grape boycott. Their move-ment was to unionize, and

with it came boycotts of head

lettuce. At that time I had

fundraisers at my house, spa-ghetti dinners, and wed go

and pass out flyers trying to educate people and get

them to boycott the lettuce. That went on for a while,and there was the grape boycott, and we did pretty

much the same thing.

Also profiled is Ruth Beaglehole, whose pathbreakingwork in child daycare is depicted through a recent inter-

view and impressive historic footage circa the early

1970s. Ruth recalls : What did we want? Free, universal,

quality childcare, and the most important word was

NOW! We were really passionate. . . . We broke downgender: we had a volunteer man every day working with

the kids, and that didnt happen back then. We had dollswith penises. That just about freaked everybody out. We

really pioneered an activist curriculum to children.

Ava Hess was the filmmaker for this segment, andshe attended the daycare center decades after its found-

ing. Thirty years later, the co-op seems to have lost itsactive mentality towards the community, she observes.Although it still provides free daycare to working par-

ents, its missing the very ideologies it was founded on.

Even though Red Hill is two hours long, quite a bit ofinformation had to be edited out. Everything was really

interesting, says Hess, so it was hard to decide what tocut and what not to, but you cant make a seven-hour-long movie.

One segment that required a lot of condensing con-cerned activist lawyer Art Goldberg, who moved to Echo

Park in the 60s, partly because of its tradition of activ-

ism. Among the topics dropped was his involvement inthe Food Conspiracy, an Echo Park-based food co-op

circa the early 70s. It was like a farmers market, ex-

plains filmmaker Lucien Unruh. People would bring

their produce, and they would exchange food, and makefood for each other, and make group meals.

Fortunately, the Film Center tells me that theyve

saved all the raw footage for Red Hill, a potentially valu-able resource for historians. (Also, The Echo Park His-

torical Society has oral histories by other activists, in-

cluding, reportedly, one made some years ago with LubaPerlin, formerly of the Echo Park Communist Club.)

Red Hill to be Shown in July

Red Hill will be shown at the Edendale Library on July 20 at 6:30pm. More information:www.Neighborsforpeaceandjustice.org.The film can also be purchased from the Echo Park Film Center (phone: 213/484-8846).

by Ross Plesset


11/12



The last few months at Central City have beenprosperous at our rummage sales. These rummage

sales have helped finance a lot of extras for our

youth. In March we were able to take about 15 kidsto Arrowhead Lake for three days. We stayed in asuper huge chalet owned by one of Maryannes longtime friends, Liama.

The chalet has 8 bedrooms, recreation room,dining room, huge kitchen, three bathrooms and ahot tub. It also comes with a big screen TV, pool

table, video games and lots of space for justlounging around. There was no snow but the kidswere treated to a boat ride around the lake. The tourguide gave everyone a brief history of the area whileshowing them the beautiful dwellings around the

lake. They also went hiking somewhere up in themountains (cant get a precise location) along acreek (or river). The view was outstanding. Theywent into town to spend some money on souvenirs.

The kids enjoyed the little shops all around the

town. Most all agreed they would love to spendmore time up at the chalet. Looks like we will be

planning a few more trips to the mountains.

Our kids participated in the Keep AmericaBeautiful kick off in Echo Park. We all met at the

lake and then CCAC groups, along with SusanBorden, went up to Sunset to weed around the tree

wells. After we pulled the weeds and got to know

Susan a little better, one of our staff planted seeds.The seeds were native California wild flower mix.Still waiting for the flowers. Perhaps they will bloom

next year, or perhaps we will plant more flowers.Anyway, all of us had a great time with Susan.

We are starting to make plans for the summer. It

appears we will be having a few kids help us outwith the graffiti program for the summer. We arealso planning an art exhibition for sometime in June.

Our kids have been taking an art class with NancyLissaman from Echo Park. She is an accomplishedartist and has been instructing our kids how to usedifferent mediums to express themselves. Some willhave their own section to display their art work. We

hope to invite the community and parents to this

exhibition.Yes, for those who want to know, we are going to

have a booth at the Lotus Festival. We will continueour tradition of making hakus and leis. Hope to seesome of you at the festival.

Central City Action by GloriaGloriaGloriaGloria


12/12



WHUMP! Does that noise sound familiar? If so,you might be standing at the corner of Echo Park

Avenue and Grafton Street, just south of the brick DelMor apartment building.

That's because right next door to the Del Mor is WHUMP! -- a gray industrial shed that houses a ringfor Lucha Libre, the Mexican-style of wrestling wherefellas wear masks, capes and tights while tossing

people onto the mat. Lucha Libre is a pastime ofSergio, the Del Mor's building manager, who uses thering to train would-be wrestlers in the sport.

Sergio has even been known to hand out a fewfree passes to Mexican wrestling matches to tenantsin the Del Mor.

SPEAKING OF ECHO PARK AVENUE, the bakeryknown as Delilah has gotten plenty of play in the

news media. Los Angeles Times columnist SteveLopez devoted an entire column to the bakery'snightmare in dealing with the Building and Safety

Department, which pushed her to install a greasetrap, underground parking, etc., etc. before itopened.

Delilah also showed up in the New York Times

style section in a story on L.A.'s newfound fascinationwith cupcakes. In the style story, Delilah ownerGenevieve Ostrander said she found baking afterrealizing she no longer wanted the "soul sucking" lifeof a publicist.

That decision led to a new career and some

considerable debt.

"I don't eat out. I don't shop. I even had to cancelmy cable. But I love it," the bakery owner explained to

New York's big daily.

***Echo Park got a glimpse of something that has

been hidden for decades on Sunset Boulevard. Theowners of the Echo nightclub, working hard to createtheir newly expanded Echoplex disco, pulled away

some plastic 1960s signage in preparation for a newpizza parlor and found the original 1920s brickstorefront complete with terra cotta arches!

The brick still looks beautiful. Here's hoping the

Echo keeps going, showing off the building's originalfeatures. Photos of the old storefront, located onSunset just east of the Brite Spot, can be found in the

news section of www.historicechopark.org.

***

WHAT ONE HAND GIVETH in Echo Park, anotherhand taketh away. Further west on Sunset, theowners of American Apparel building recentlyuncovered their own brick faade, including a modest

arch doorway.

Last week, they decided to cover it all up

sealing it in under a smothering layer of stucco.

***

Where have all the Lotus gone? Just when youthought last year's showing at Echo Park Lake wasdiscouraging, this year's crop of lotus looks even

more anemic. Is it really just the dry, dry weather?

In other, equally weird Echo Park news, a groupof artsy types decided to float a large boat made of

wax essentially, one big boat-sized candle out intothe lake. The boat, sent out into the water on aSunday night, quickly burst into flame. One of themany spectators standing onshore quickly dubbed itthe "Echo Valdez."

Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers

and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Echo Park

Improvement Association

LLLLOTUSOTUSOTUSOTUSPADPADPADPADNNNNOTESOTESOTESOTESNNNNEWSEWSEWSEWSANDANDANDAND IIIITEMSTEMSTEMSTEMSOFOFOFOF IIIINTERESTNTERESTNTERESTNTERESTFROMFROMFROMFROMEEEECHOCHOCHOCHOPPPPARKARKARKARK& A& A& A& ANGELINONGELINONGELINONGELINOHHHHEIGHTSEIGHTSEIGHTSEIGHTS by E.P. Lagoso

june 2007 epian ways

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