EPIAn Ways August-September 2007

8/8/2019 EPIAn Ways August-September 2007

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August-September 2007 Echo Park Improvement Association newsletter Volume 14 Issue 4

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

The success of the 35th annual Lotus Festivalprovides a vantage point to look at the investmentsour city has made in the recreational, historical,and environmental quality of Echo Park, buildingon our commitment to the people that use thepark everyday. Whether we come to rest or to run,to meet and talk or to sit and think, it is peoplewho make the park a symbol of Los Angeles.

RecreationalAfter rumors that the ubiquitous paddle boats

would be shut down due to budget concerns, my

office worked with the Department of Recreationand Parks to keep the blue and pink boats on thewater through the summer on Saturdays andSundays from noon until 6 pm. As acouncilmember, you have to make a few harddecisions. Keeping the boats on Echo Park Lake wasntone of them. The community has enthusiasticallywelcomed the boats back the boats have been rentedall weekend long each of the last several weeks!

Because of repairs to the Recreation Center, neitherEcho Deep Pool nor Echo Shallow Pool will be open thissummer. I have arranged for free buses to and from theboathouse to the newly renovated Glassell Park Pool

through August 23rd. Buses will run Tuesday throughThursday picking up participants at 10am from theBoathouse and leaving from Glassell Park at 1:30pm.Remember, you can swim at all L.A. city pools for freeby showing your library card.

HistoricalThe boat house, built in 1932, recently underwent a

nearly half-million-dollar restoration. We replaced thedock, shored up and sheathed the pilings of the pier,and replaced the roof with historic clay tiles. Congressmember Xavier Becerra helped win a $120,000 grant forthe roof. Theres still one final phase of the interiorremodel to be done, adding more historic windows, a

new floor, historic light fixtures and a fresh coat of paint.An additional $100,000 went towards the restoration ofthe nearby bridge, including the gate designed by artistMichael Amezcua.

Environmental

Echo Park is one of only two urban lakes in theentire city that captures urban runoff from thesurrounding area. The lake is so important to the overallquality of our water and has become so polluted that ithas it has a federal regulation known as a TotalMaximum Daily Load or TMDL and usually assigned toentire watershed assigned to it. With $85 million from

Proposition O, the half-billion dollar water-quality bondpassed by voters in 2004, were cleaning up the lakeusing constructed wetlands, bio-swales, permeablepaving and vegetated terraces that will improve theaesthetic of the lake while purifying our water. The lakewill be one of the biggest water quality improvementprojects in the citys history. We still have a lot ofplanning and outreach to do before construction starts,so look for stakeholder workshops to begin at the end ofthe summer; construction is slated to begin in 2010.

Councilmember Eric Garcetti serves the communities of Hollywood,East Hollywood, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Atwater Village, HistoricFilipinotown, Glassell Park and Elysian Valley. He is the President of theLos Angeles City Council. For more information, please go to

www.cd13.com or call (323) 957-4500. Go straight to CouncilmemberGarcettis Echo Park updates at http://lacityorgcd13.blogspot.com/

search/label/echo%20park.

Big Changes at Echo ParkBig Changes at Echo ParkBig Changes at Echo ParkBig Changes at Echo Park

CD13 Lotus Festival Dragon Boat racers with Council President Garcetti leading crew

by Eric Garcett, Council member CD13


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Page 2 August-September 2007


NEWSLETTER CREDITSNEWSLETTER CREDITSNEWSLETTER CREDITSNEWSLETTER CREDITS

EDITORS:EDITORS:EDITORS:EDITORS:

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

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Los Angeles Citywide

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

Dial 311

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Copyright by Echo Park Improvement Association 2007


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August-September2007 Page 3

(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

The Echo Park Holiday Parade Committee, which has been meeting since March is now in full swing. The Committeeformed by community members is dedicated to present an outstanding outlandish parade.

The Theme for this years Echo Park Holiday Parade will be Visions of Holiday JoyThe parade will be held on Saturday December 8th 2007 from 12pm - 3pm. The route will be along Sunset Boulevard

from Elysian Park Avenue ending at Park Avenue. The staging area will be between Sunset and Glendale Boulevards. TheCommittee is aiming to extend the number of entries from last years sixty one.

The Children's Art contest will again be held, as well as a new contest for teens a Banner contest. A third contest,for house decorating, is being considered . The committee is working hard to ensure that these activities happen. Pastentries such as The Lady of the Lake, Santa's Helpers and Santa himself will return. We had only one float last year andhope to have more this year.

The Holiday Parade Committee meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month at Central City Action Committee, 534East Edgeware Road (corner of Bellevue Ave.), at 5:30pm. We extend a warm greeting to everyone who has an interest inhelping put on a spectacular parade. Every little bit helps and we look forward to seeing you at our next Echo Park Holi-day Parade Committee meeting, Wednesday August 22nd.

Holiday Parade Committee Swings into Actionby Margarita Fernandez, EP Holiday Parade Co-chair

GEPENC, the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council, will holdtheir Annual Elections on October 13, 2007. The election will be conductedfrom 9am to 5pm at the Logan Street Elementary School. Information and filingforms will be available on the NCs website, www.GEPENC.ORG. Stephen M.Fox, trained and approved by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment,has been selected to serve as the Independent Election Administrator (IEA).

There are twelve Council offices available in total. Two DistrictRepresentative seats are available in each of Districts 1 (Elysian Heights), 2(Echo Elysian), 3 (West Echo Park), and 4 (Angelino Heights). District 5(Temple Beaudry/Historic Filipinotown) has four seats available. Candidates

must be Stakeholders (live, work, own property or represent a company ororganization based within the District boundaries) and be at least 16 years ofage. Deadline for candidate filing is September 13.

This year, unlike past elections, no write-in candidates will be accepted.Vote-by-Mail ballots will be available online at the GEPENC website or at theAugust 28th Board Meeting. The Vote-by-Mail ballots must be received by theIEA by the date printed on these ballots.. Candidate forums are beingscheduled as we go to press so be sure to go to www.GEPENC.ORG for thelatest information.

GEPENC Prepares for Annual Elections


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Echo Park Since 19491911 SUNSET BOULEVARDLOS ANGELES, CA 90026

(213) 484-1265

conceptual craftsmanover twenty years experienc

SaturdaySpecial

TypicalHaitianFood

Mon Sat11 am 7 pm

Sundays Group of 10or more byReservation Wood Burning Rotisserie

309 N. Glendale BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90026

www.tigeorgeschicken.comEmail: [email protected]

We Roastour ownHAITIANCoffee

The Downbeat Caf

suffered water damage

from a fire .

The EPIAn ways looks

forward to their rapid

reopening !


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Read the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/homeRead the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/homeRead the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/homeRead the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/home

+ MEDIMEDIMEDIMEDI----CALCALCALCAL

The Echo Park Historical Society has selected a theme for this year'shome tour: Flights of Fancy: The Stairway Homes of Echo Park.

The fifth annual Historic Echo Park Home Tour, which will be held onSunday November 11, will focus on homes located on our near the morethan 30 public stairways in Angelino Heights, Echo Park and ElysianHeights. For an online map of all our stairways, please visit the History &Landmarks section of www.HistoricEchoPark.org

The home tour committee, headed by Holly Hampton, continues tolook for houses and apartments that have retained their original architec-tural features or that have been remodeled in ways that complement EchoPark's historic character.

The tour is designed to generate interest in the preservation of old andhistoric homes as well as raise funds to support our ongoing preservationand historic research programs.

If you would like your home to be considered or would like to volun-

teer, please contact the EPHS at (323) 860-8874 [email protected].

Echo Park Historic Society Prepares for Home Tour

photo by Martin Cox


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ECHO PARK CALENDARECHO PARK CALENDARECHO PARK CALENDARECHO PARK CALENDAR

Event Date Location Comments

EPIA Meetings 1

st

Thursday, 7:00 pmSept 6, Oct 4 Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

Call EPIA message phone foradditional information.

EPIA SteeringCommitteeMeetings

2nd Monday, 7:15 pmAug 13, Sept 10, Oct 8

Call (323) 882-4835 forlocation

Take an active part in EPIA. Jointhe Steering Committee

CommunitySafety Meeting

2nd Thursday, 2:00 pmAug 9, Sept 13, Oct 11

LAPD Stop-In Center,Echo Park Avenue andSunset Boulevard

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

CitizensCommittee toSave Elysian

Park

1st Wednesday, 7:00 pmSept 5, Oct 3

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 pmAug 28, Sept 25, Oct 23

Logan Street SchoolAuditorium, 1711 W.Logan Street

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

EdendaleLibrary FriendsSociety

>=> ELFS


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

Computer ComfortThursday, 4pm, 8/21Learn to use the Librarys electronic catalog to search formaterials, renew items, and place your own holds. Learn thebasics of surfing the Internet. Introduction to various databasesand search engines. For adults only. Familiarity with thekeyboard and mouse is recommended but not mandatory.Reservations required. Please arrive 10 minutes before classbegins.

Computer Class for Improving Your EnglishTuesday, 4-5pm, 8/28

Rosetta Stone An introductory self-paced class to beginor improve your English language skills. Computerexperience is mandatory.Introduction to Basic Web DesignTuesday, 4pm 8/14,Learn about HTML codes to create a simple web page.Computer experience is mandatory.

FUNFOR KIDSI Spy Mondays Reading Club. Monday 8/13, 8/203:30- 4:30pm

Author Program Monday 8/6 3:30-4:30pmMeet the author of a funny and wise picture book, The DogChild. Simon Black will delight children of all ages with sillysongs and a dramatic reading from his book.

Read-A-Ton Book Club Monday 9/10, 9/17, 9/243:30-4:15pmWork together with the rest of the group to reach our goal ofreading hundreds of pounds of books.

Art with LACMA Friday 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, 8/31, 9/7,9/14, 9/21, 9/28 4-5:30pmKids will learn about art from a local artist and createsomething new each week

ADULT PROGRAMSDoc Day Saturday 8/4, 9/1 2-4pmJoin us for a documentary. Adults only. Refreshments served!

Movie Madness Saturday 8/18, 9/15 2-4pmJoin us for a movie classic. Adults only. Refreshments served!

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

SONIC ROOTS

ATHENA LEGRAND

Hairstylist

3233089417


9/12



Adult EventsBeginning computer classes are held once a week on avariety of topics. Call to find out whats coming up.Used Book Sale Saturday 8/11 10:30am-2:30amYoga Class Monday 8/13, 8/27 6:30-7:30pmAn introduction to yoga for beginners. Bring a mat andcomfortable clothes.

Book Club Monday 08/20 6:30-7:30pmGet a little more out of the books you read by sharing yourthoughts and hearing those of others.

Childrens EventsGraphic Novels Author Monday 8/6 6:30-7:15pmMark London Williams, the author of the Danger Boys series,will talk about his experiences writing graphic novels and videogames.

Weekly Childrens ProgramsToddler Storytime Tuesdays, 10-10:45

Future readers and their special grown-ups join the librarian fornursery rhymes, songs, finger play and more.

Read To Me LA: Pre-school Storytime Saturdays 11:00AM - 11:45am

Just for TeensDesign Your SRC Bag! Thursday 8/16 5pmGet crafty and creative with your SRC bag this summer. Snacksand supplies provided.

End of Summer Party & Art Show Thursday 8/23 5pmCelebrate summer's end, eat pizza, hear music, win PRIZESand select the top two most creatively designed SRC bags ondisplay.

MOCA ART WORKSHOPSThursday, 8/9 5-6:30 pmJoin artists from the Museum of Contemporary Art for thishands on creative art workshops.

EDENDALE LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

It's Wednesday afternoon at the Edendale Library. The small white-hairedhead librarian is pacing in three directions at once, checking on the latestdonations to the Friends group, wondering aloud about the set up in thecommunity room for the next days program, and ordering her new roundaboutsthat the Neighborhood Council just authorized and will pay for.

Outside the library, the ELFS are also running in various directions, puttingout banners and sandwich boards announcing the days sale to theneighborhood, and chatting up the various persons, some old-timers, and manynew-comers, about what we just uncovered in this weeks donations. Oneregular, John, who sometimes arrives even before the ELFS, is eager to helpwith the large crates or even schlep out the easels, just to share in the joy of astolen first glimpse at the just donated books.

Inside the library the easels have been placed announcing the 2pmopening, and the crowd is getting bigger, queuing up to be early to discoversome obscure and unknown treasure that has heretofore been hidden away insome dark Echo Park attic or garage. Every Wednesday its like this. The veryyoung head for our childrens section, with our little three-cornered blue stools,and our fluffy turquoise carpet and pillows. There most of the books are 10-cents, and the lack of a dime has never stopped the ELFS from making sureevery child can leave with a book. The regulars come in nearly every week withannouncements of the neighborhood goings on. Joe L. comes every week withhis Harmonica and has been known to give impromptu lessons right there inthe community room. Maryanne is there faithfully for her romance novels, andthe ELFS are busy culling old VHS tapes for the neighborhood shut-ins wholove the old classics.

From 2-5pm every Wednesday, nothing stops for a second at the EdendaleLibrary. The ELFS work their magic and raise enough money to help support

and purchase prizes for the summer reading program, help purchase veryscarce supplies and new books for the library, and help the community recycleits treasures. We were recently asked if its true the library no longer wants oldbooks. Well nothing could be farther from the truth. If the library cant use it,then its sold by the ELFS, and if the ELFS cant sell it, (which is quite rare)then we box it up and sell it to charities for $2.00 a box that support literacyprograms in Mexico.

Come visit and support us. You will be surprised by the incredibletreasures we have We also have a large book cart inside the library near theback door full of donated books. Any time the library is open, just help yourselfto a book or two, and leave a small donation there in the donation box.

Your Wednesday ELFS; Sheila, Suzi, and Patricia

WWWWEDNESDAYEDNESDAYEDNESDAYEDNESDAY ELFSELFSELFSELFS

Library HoursLibrary HoursLibrary HoursLibrary Hours (starting March 1, 2007)Mondays 10:00 am 8:00 pmTuesdays 12 noon 8:00 pm

Wednesdays 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) 207-309724 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

by Sheila Anthony


10/12



MonMonMonMonThur 11amThur 11amThur 11amThur 11am11pm11pm11pm11pm Fri 11amFri 11amFri 11amFri 11amMidMidMidMid Sat 8amSat 8amSat 8amSat 8amMidMidMidMid Sun 8amSun 8amSun 8amSun 8am 11pm11pm11pm11pmBrunch served 8amBrunch served 8amBrunch served 8amBrunch served 8am3pm Saturday & Sunday3pm Saturday & Sunday3pm Saturday & Sunday3pm Saturday & Sunday

Free 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 order1800 West Sunset Blvd1800 West Sunset Blvd1800 West Sunset Blvd1800 West Sunset Blvd 213.989.1558213.989.1558213.989.1558213.989.1558

The Semi-Tropical Spiritualists Tract is a hidden

oasis amidst a civilization thats smothering our planet.This is an uninterrupted space from Elysian Park all theway through to our hill, says Cheryl Parisi, a resident of25 years. So all the wildlife is able to traverse fromElysian Park; up along the ridge, which you can see[from] Riverside Drive; and they just come straight intothis whole open area. So its really magnificent: thereare hawks, owls (We have an owl in theneighborhood.) The area also has protected trees,including California Black Walnuts.

However, this wildlife corridor would be interrupted ifa developer and landowner based in Arcadia implements

plans for 15 two-story

homes on two acres atAllesandro and El Moranstreets. This project hasfaced harsh opposition byneighbors, and thedeveloper has presentedcompromises by scalingthe number of plannedunits down from twentyone, eliminating a road thatwould have cut into thehillside, and minimizing aretaining wall. Yet, during a

public presentation ofthese plans last January,one audience memberlikened the proposedhomes to Orange County;

another said the retaining wall was like a medievalfort. Go away, said a Spiritualists Tract resident,evoking applause.

Despite the landowners talk of donating it to the

Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy, Cindy Ortiz,another long-time resident, is afraid he could alsodevelop the third acre that he owns which featuresprotected Coast Live Oak trees,

There is also some controversy about the density ofthe project. He wants to distort small lot sub-division,says Parisi. Small lot subdivision was created to allowfor the development of small houses on small lots, buthe wants to develop a condo-like development, but usingsmall lot sub-division, so therell be like an inch betweeneach structure, but [with] the same roof.

Parisi points out several drawbacks to adding newhousing in this area: the close proximity to the 2

freeway; tagging in the vicinity; narrow, substandardstreets on the hill; risk of fire; and possibly unstableearth, which for now is retained by tree roots.

Many Echo Park residents, including some long-timers, have been unaware of this mostly untouchedwilderness, which is obscured by eucalyptus trees onAllesandro at Rosebud Ave., but more and more arediscovering it--whereupon they feel compelled to join thefight. I would suggest writing Council President Garcetti[and] Mitch OFarrel and let them know how you feel,says Ortiz, who has been impressed by Garcettis officeand hopes the land can be purchased by the city. Ithink there are some propositions out there, [for which]

the funds will be ready in a year or so.

Parisis ideal solution is for the acreage to be heldas park land for the community. Maybe the trails couldbe developed a little bit more, so there could be a walkfrom Elysian Park all the way to here. Ortiz underscoresthe lack of green space for the children of thecommunity, a community that has two elementaryschools.

Hidden Oasis of Echo Park Threatened by Developmentby Ross Plesset


11/12



Did everyone see us at the Lotus Festival? Wewere happy to be back in our same spot selling ourflower and silk leis. It seems like we prepare for this

great event at Echo Park Lake just so we can visitwith all the wonderful folks from the neighborhood.It sure is a pleasant way to spend a hot summer day(I mean two days).

Aside from the above we are still busy with ourrummage sales. If I could make a list of the events,trips, lunches, movies and other perks that thesesales enable us to participate, it would go 10 timesaround Echo Park. Did I ever tell you about thewindy rummage sale we had in the spring? It was sowindy that I thought it was a tornado as it picked upa TV and smashed it to the ground. Its getting

dangerous out there in front of the station.On August 17 we are planning a special event.

Several of our youth have been working with NancyLissaman, a local-well known artist. She has been

exposing the kids to all types of media in the artistsworld. They have worked with clay, metal, paint,photos and other artistic materials. Each kid willhave their art displayed throughout the fire station.

The work they have performed is far above what Ican do with a little yarn and coat hangers. Thegrand opening of our art display will be held on

August 17th at around 5 p.m. We will have it ondisplay for several weeks after that date. Mark yourcalendars so you wont miss this spectacular event.

Last year we discovered a place called HansenDam. The kids loved it so much that we havemanaged to go back twice this year. Unfortunately, Idid not go. We went camping once this year withkids who were still off track. Now that all theelementary schools are going to a traditional year,we have an abundance of kids off for the summer.Eight of our kids are working on our graffiti projectvia UCLA and the City of Los Angeles andCouncilman Ed Reyes. They are making a significantincrease in the amount of graffiti we can remove in asingle day. We are able to take them to a specific

block and take care of all the poles for a whole blockin less time than it would take one crew member toremove graffiti. The kids will also be treated toseminars at UCLA discussing careers, applying forcollege and get a tour of the campus. Thanks to allwho made this project available to our kids!

Central City Action by GloriaGloriaGloriaGloria


12/12



ECHO PARK IS MOURNING the death of a 15-year-oldboy who was gunned down on Baxter Street near Echo ParkAvenue. Many in the neighborhood knew the boy, and wereaware that his family desperately wanted to keep him fromjoining a gang.

The shooting happened eight months after a 9-year-oldgirl was killed in her home on Kensington Road. She wasstruck down during a shootout between gang membersoutside her home.

***

The Downbeat Caf on Alvarado Street closed downtemporarily last month after a fire tore through theapartment upstairs. Neighbors actually saw flames leaping

out of the second floor window as fire fighters ripped openthe roof of the building.

Even though the fire fighters deluged the building withwater, the nearby Echo Park Film Center and the Machineart gallery suffered minimal damage. But the next doorvintage clothing store wasnt so lucky. Most of its contentswere ruined.

Angeleno Heights saw an even more severe fire destroymuch of a century-old house at the corner of Calumet andEdgeware a few weeks earlier.

THE REGIONS REAL ESTATE MARKET is definitelystarting to shift. How can you tell? Just look at the EchoPark-Silver Lake section on www.mls.com. In the categoryfor properties with two or more units, at least a half dozennow include a special item: Theyre owned by the bank.

***

Echo Parks obsession with all things canine will soonhit a new peak. The furniture store at the corner of Sunsetand Mohawk now has a new business opening up: K-9Lofts. But will they have doggie facials?

***The Lotus Festival was once again a big success. With

the festival celebrating its 30th year, there were not one but

two big fireworks shows: one on Friday and one onSaturday. The latter show was bigger than any of thefireworks shown in the last few years.

THE SCOTT AVENUE EXPERIMENT being carried outby the L.A. Dodgers has so far yielded mixed results. Thatseems to be the consensus after the stadiums ownersdecided to reopen the Scott Avenue gate for game-goersexiting the games with more than 40,000 visitors.

On the one hand, the traffic isnt nearly as bad as itwas in the 1990s, when drivers would sometimes try tomake Scott Avenue a one-way street by driving the samedirection in every lane. On the other hand, the trafficcontrol officers havent always been deployed to as manyintersections as necessary.

***

Rumor has it that an Echo Park resident iscontemplating plans for opening a wine shop on SunsetBoulevard. Now weve heard these rumors before, but justin case it turns out to be true, remember: You read it firston the lotus pad.

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

The EPIAn wa

thanks CD-1

Councilmemb

Reyes for his

generous

recognition.

Documents

EPIAn Ways August-September 2007