EPIAn Ways February 2004

8/9/2019 EPIAn Ways February 2004

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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

On the morning of the Echo Park Holiday Paradethe weather was gray and gloomy, but inside WilliamsHall at Barlow Hospital near Elysian Park it was warmand merry as honored guests attended the paradesVIP reception, hosted by EPIA. Local representativesattending the reception included Council member EdReyes, Assembly member Jackie Goldberg, andCongressman Xavier Becerra; also present were EchoPark and Los Angeles dignitaries including Mary AnneHyashi of Central City Action Committee and ChiefWilliam Bamatree of the Los Angeles FireDepartment.

EPIA members, wearing aprons bearing the EPIAemblem, greeted guests and invited them to share inthe wonderful food prepared for the occasion. Foodfrom the neighborhood was featured and includedtamales, black beans, salsa, pan dulces, bagels andcream cheese, fruitplates, juices, pluscoffee, tea and finallychocolate candies.

Both guests andhosts had a wonderfultime. The receptionstarted about 11:00,just around the timethe sprinkles turnedinto rain. Rumorsstarted spreading thatthe parade would becanceled, but GailGreenberg, paradecoord ina tor anddeputy for XavierBecerra, assured all

that the parade wouldgo on.

Soon all the VIPs left for the parade and only EPIAmembers were left. All agreed that, although theymissed participating in the parade, theyd had awonderful time hosting the reception and lookedforward to next year. And considering the rain, it wasa good year to host a party.

Special thanks to the local businesses for theirgenerous donations: Pioneer Market for a large fruitplatter and other goodies, Celaya Bakery for pandulces, Brooklyn Bagels for, of course, pan brooklyn.And a special thanks to Maria for her wonderful homemade beans and salsa. Thanks also to the EPIAhosts: Steven Arthur, Lynn Barb, Kate Bernstein,Amanda Bordon, Susan Borden, Lawrence Fried,Maria Gonzalez, Suzanne Kimbrough, PhyllisLundine, Isa-Kae Meksin, Luiza Padilla-Marvropoulosand Jesus Sanchez.

EPIA Hosts VIP Reception Before Rainy Parade

Assembly member Jackie Goldberg joins EPIA members hosting VIP reception before parade.


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February 2004

NEWSLETTER CREDITS

EDITORS:LYNN BARBSTEVEN M. ARTHUR

ADVERTISINGFLORA KERP

DESKTOP PUBLISHING:S.M.ART SYSTEMS

PRINTING:LYMAN PRINTING

MEMORANDUMS

INVOICES

WARRANTIES

BUSINESS CARDS

PRICE CATALOGSAPPRAISAL CERTIFICATES

COIN ENVELOPES

Lyman CommercialPrinting1201 N. ALVARADO (213) 413-5355

LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 (213) 413-5469 FAX

(323) 634-0830

Los Angeles CitywideService Directory

a single toll-free phone number to contactCity of Los Angelesofficials

for any non-emergency public service:

Dial 311

for childrens partiesby

Echo Park and surrounding areas, good rates.all proceeds to benefit

the ECHO PARK YOUTH EMPOWERMENT COUNCIL

(323) 662-2081
http://www.lacity.org/http://www.lacity.org/http://www.lacity.org/


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(323)

girls teen yoga

Pilates

Alex Kahn, long time Echo Park resident andsupporter, died of natural causes at his home inSilver Lake on Saturday, January 10, 2004. Al was

born in Illinois and raised in Boyle Heights; hegraduated from Roosevelt High School where heedited the school paper. He was a graduate ofUCLA, where he was city editor of the Daily Bruinin 1929-1930. He served three years with the Navyduring World War II and was a lieutenantcommander upon his discharge.

Al worked for United Press International for 40years, including 15 years as its wire servicesSouthern California Sports editor. He continuedworking as a freelancer for UPI and AssociatedPress after his retirement from UPI in 1973,

covering major league baseball and horseracing atSanta Anita and Hollywood Park.Kahn was a lifetime honorary member of the

Baseball Writers Association of America and in1992 he received the Los Angeles chapters BobHunter Award for coverage of the sport. He also

covered Olympic games, World Series, Super Bowlsand championship boxing matches.

He and his wife Marion lived on Scott Avenue

from 1935 until being displaced by the constructionof Mayberry School. They then moved to AngelusAvenue in Silver Lake where they spent the last 18years.

Al was always a supporter of Echo Park eventsand non-profits. He always said yes when asked tohelp Central City Action Committee and El Centro.As a member of the press, he made sure thatgiveaways to the press were passed on to them.Hed even ask other reporters to give him their freegoodies, which he donated to support to localgroups.

Al and Marion Kahn were members of the EchoPark Community Coordinating Council for 25 years.Marion was on the board and Al was a supporterright until its last meeting in 2003 when EPCCCwas formally dissolved.

AL KAHN PASSES AWAY


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February 2004

1911 SUNSET BOULEVARDLOS ANGELES, CA 90026

(213) 484-1265

The purpose of these tours is to raise awareness ofEcho Park history and of significant neighborhoodlandmarks and features. Three different tours will be

offered on a rotating basis on the dates listed below.All tours in English begin at 10 AM and last about twohours.

A Spanish-language version of the downtown-EchoPark lake tour is available on the same day as the Eng-lish-language tour but starts at 12 PM.

Tours are outdoors only and do not include anybuilding interiors.

Tour Descriptions* Downtown Echo Park and Echo Park Lake. The tourwill include some of the neighborhoods most promi-nent landmarks, such as Jensens Recreation Center,

Angelus Temple and, of course, the lake StartingPlace: Southwest corner of Sunset Blvd & Lemoyne St.* Elysian Park. This tour, which is co-sponsored byCitizens Committee to Save Elysian Park, focuses onthe lesser known but historically rich eastern edge ofthe park. Starting Place: Fremont Monument at NorthBroadway and Elysian Park Drive.

* Echo Park Stairways. The walk includes the BaxterStairs (possibly the citys longest) as well as Fellow-ship Park, Red Hill and the modernist Harwell Harris

house. Starting Place:Elysian Heights Elementary1562 Baxter St. at Echo Park Ave.

2004 Echo Park Tour Schedule

January 24: Downtown Echo Park & Echo Park Lake*

February 28: Echo Park Stairways

March 27: Elysian Park

April 24: Downtown Echo Park & Echo Park Lake*

May 22: Echo Park Stairways

June 19: Elysian Park

* Spanish-language tour starts at 12 PM

The tour groups are limited to 20 people. A $3 do-

nation is requested for adults. There is no charge forchildren under 12 and members of the Echo Park His-torical Society. For more tour information please call(213) 482-4458.

The tours are sponsored by the Echo Park HistoricalSociety in partnership with the Citizens Committee toSave Elysian Park.

Historic Echo Park Walking Tours


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Excursines Historicos de ECHO PARK

Comenzando en enero de 2004, una versin del

excursin del centro y lago de Echo Park ser ofrecidaen espaol por la Sociedad Histrica de Echo Park.

Esta excursin incluir algunos de los edificios y

monumentos ms prominentes en Echo Park, comoJensens Recreation Center, Angelus Temple y, por su-puesto, el lago.

La primera excursin en Sabado, 24 de enero co-mienza a las doce de la tarde en la esquina sudoestede Sunset Blvd. y Lemoyne St. acerca la panadera

Carmelos. La excursin toma dos horas y suceder enlos das siguientes: Sbado, 24 de enero, Sbado, 24de abril, Sbado, 24 de Julio y Sbado, 23 de Octu-

bre.La excursin es una de tres ofrecidas por la Socie-

dad Histrica de Echo Park. El propsito de stas ex-cursiones es informar a los residentes la historia deEcho Park y los monumentos y caractersticas signifi-cativas de la colonia.

Se limitan a los grupos de la excursin a 20 perso-nas. Se requieren reservaciones. Una donacin de$3 se solicita para los adultos. No hay carga para losnios debajo de 12 y los miembros del Echo Park His-torical Society.

Para ms informacin, llame (323) 860 8874 ov i s t e n u e s t r o s i t i o d e i n t e r n e t :www.HistoricEchoPark.org

Echo Park Walking Tour Offered in Spanish

The Echo Park Historical Society will add a Span-ish-language version of its walking tour of EchoPark lake and the central business district startingin January.

The first Spanish-language tour was held on Sat-urday, Jan. 24 at 12 pm. The tour leaves from thesoutheast corner of Sunset Blvd. and Lemoyne St.The tour will also be held on Saturday, April 24; Sat-urday, July 24; and Saturday, October 23.

The tour includes some of Echo Parks mostprominent and significant buildings and landmarks,including the Jensens Recreation Center, AngelusTemple and, of course, Echo Park Lake.

The tour is one of three offered by the Echo ParkHistorical Society. The purpose of these tours is toraise awareness of Echo Park history and of signifi-cant neighborhood landmarks and features.

The tour groups are limited to 20 people. A $3donation is requested for adults. There is no chargefor children under 12 and members of the EchoPark Historical Society. Reservations are required.

For more tour information please call (323) 860--8 8 7 4 o r v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e a twww.HistoricEchoPark.org

BOOK SALESaturdayMarch 610 am 5 pm

at theEcho Park BranchLibrary1410 Temple Street

Call 213 250-7808For informationBy volunteers of the Echo Park Branch


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February 2004

ECHO PARK CALENDAREvent Date Location CommentsEPIA Meetings 1st Thursday, 7:00 p.m.

March 4, April 1Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

Call EPIA message phonefor additional information

EPIA SteeringCommitteeMeetings

2nd Monday, 7:15 p.m.February 9. March 8

Taix French Restaurant Take an active part in EPIA.Join the Steering Committee

Chamber ofCommerceGeneral Meeting

3rd Friday, 1 p.m.February 20, March 19

Taix French Restaurant Echo Park C of C informa-tion/message 213-630-3032

Citizens Commit-tee to Save Ely-sian Park Mtg.

1st Wednesday, 7:30p.m.,March 3, April 7

Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

Call 213-666-9651 for meet-ing location

Greater EchoPark ElysianNeighborhoodCouncil Meeting

4th Tuesday, 7 p.m.February 24, March 23

Logan Street SchoolAuditorium, 1711 W.Logan Street

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

Deadline for MayEPIAn waysNewsletter

Friday, March 19 Send submissions to EPIA,Attn: EPIAn Ways Editor

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fruit TreeGiveaway

Sunday February 8 LAPD Stop-in Center inEP Bank of America

Info call EPIA hot line withname & phone #

BOOK SALEEcho Park LibraryVolunteers

Saturday March 6th10:00am., -5:00pm.

Echo Park BranchLibrary,1410 Temple St.

Robert T. Meyersoil on canvas andJutta Ribotsphotographicwork

February 25 March 3 Silverlake Gallery, 3032Sunset Blvd.

Lioness Production 818-252.7168

UPCOMING EPIA TOWN HALL MEETINGSEcho Park Lake; New Edendale Branch Library; Whats Happening With the L.A. River Project?

WWW.ECHOPARK.NET


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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 1-800-773-2489

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

Central City Action Committee 213-241-0908

Free Paint 1st District) 213-485-0763

Free Paint 13th District) 213-485-3353

Graffiti Hotline/Operation Clean Sweep 1-800-611-2489

Department Building & Safety 888-524-2845

Department of Health 213-250-8055

Department of Transportation 213-580-1182

Department of Water & Power 800-342-5397

Parking Enforcement 213-485-4184

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

LA County Department of Consumer 213-974-1452

Legal Aid Client Referral 1-800- 399-4529

Operation Bright Lights 1-800- 303-5267

Potholes 213-473-8410

Street Lighting Repairs 1-800- 303-5267

Professional Helicopter Pilots Association 213-891-3636

1st District Ed Reyes 213-485-3451

13th District Eric Garcetti 323-913-4693

Congressman Xavier Becerra 213-483-1425

State Senator Gil Cedillo 213-612-9566

Assemblyperson Jackie Goldberg 323-258-0450

LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina 213-974-4111

Mayors Office Community Representative, 213-847-3626


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February 2004

LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

S.M.ART Systems, Inc.Comprehensive Computer AssistanceWE CAN HELP YOU

Training & Tutoring

Upgrades & Installations

Flyers & Newsletters

Network Systems Design

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

EVENTSBook and Rummage SaleSaturday, March 6 10am-5pm.

The Volunteers of the Echo Park Branch Libraryinvite you to the book and rummage sale. Plenty ofinteresting books and good items will be available ata great bargain. Call 213/250-7808.

Tarot Reading ProgramSaturday, March 6 3-5:30pm.

Come and receive short mini-tarot readings. Sign-upsare required. Adults only. Call Echo Park Branch.

Spring Stories with JeniTuesday 3/16 3:30pm.

Celebrate Springtime with stories told my Jeni. Call

213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch.LIBRARY COMPUTERCLASSES

Internet para Principiantes! En Espanol. Las Clasesempiezan en Enero, dos Sabados por mes, a las 4 dela tarde; llame para confirmar las fechas. Las clasesson para principiantes solamente y cubren lo basico.Call 213/250-7808 for hours. Echo Park Branch.Internet Classes En Espanol Internet classes inSpanish. Classes begin in March, two Saturdays amonth at 4pm. The classes are for beginners only andcover the basics of the LAPL webpage.Computer ComfortTuesday 2/3, Thursday 2/19, Thursday 3/18,Tuesday 3/30 4pmLearn to use the Librarys electronic catalog to searchfor materials, renew items, and place your own holds.Learn the basics of surfing the internet. Introductionto databases and search engines. Bring your librarycard. Adults only. Familiarity with the keyboard andmouse is recommended but not mandatory.

Introduction to Basic Web DesignThursday 2/25 4pm.Learn about HTML codes to create a simple webpage.Computer experience is mandatory.Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch

FUNFORKIDS

Daily Grandparents and Books For days and time call213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch.2/10 Tuesday Valentines Stories and Crafts withJeniCelebrate Valentines Day with awesome storiesand crafts. 3:30pm.

SaturdaySpecial

TypicalHaitian

Food

Mon Sat11 am 7 pm

Sundays Group of 10or more byReservation

Wood Burning Rotisserie309 N. Glendale Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90026

www.tigeorgeschicken.comEmail: [email protected]

Library HoursMondays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Tuesdays 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 Address1410 W. Temple Street

Los Angeles CA 90026Phone 213.250.7808FAX213.250.3744

World Wide Web Addresshttp://www.lapl.org24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL


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CCAC would like to thank everyone who donatedpresents, food and other items during the Holidays.Chie surprised us with homemade goodies just in

time for our Christmas party. Of course, our partywas a huge success. We were not only able to giveout gifts to our participants but their entire family aswell. Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters left thecenter that day beaming with smiles and laughter.

Earlier in December we participated inCouncilman Reyes Christmas Party. We have beenthe official face painters for 10 years. We use staffand older members to help paint snowmen, stars,Santa boots, and candy canes on many little facesand little hands. It is quite an undertaking butsomehow we always manage to paint 200 childrenquickly so they can go on to visit Santa and receivea present.

As I have mentioned before, if there is somethinggoing on Echo Park, you will probably seerepresentation from CCAC. Despite the rain wehelped with the Echo Park annual Holiday Parade. Itis so cute seeing all the little kids marching upSunset Blvd. The day before the parade, we had a

fullbusload of youth going to Magic Mountain. Thisis an annual event. Each kid takes a $10.00 toy forfree entrance to the park. Our daredevil youth

challenge each other as to how many times one cango on a ride and not get sick.

I know they get wet on the water rides andunfortunately they do not dry out too easily so thatsome are still wet when we catch the bus home at6pm. Yes, many are sick the next week.

This year for the very first time, we had a NewYears party at the center. It was on New Years Evefrom 1-4 pm. There were about 50 kids. Some camedressed up, others came casual. We served fingerfood, cake, cookies and sparkling apple cider for a

toast.There was also freshfruit thanks to SharonLow from Councilman EdReyes Office. We had

streamers, confetti,hats, horns and othernoisemakers.

Well, the parties areall over and the NewYear has begun. We havea big group of kids whoare off track until March.They have already hadthree rummage sales.Their goal is to raiseenough money to go toSan Diego, stay in a

motel and go to SeaWorld and the San DiegoZoo, so if anyone hasitems they would like topart with, just bringthem on down to CCAC.

Central City Action by Gloria

Marryanne, Santa, families and friends of CCAC enjoy Annual Christmas party.


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February 2004

Greetings and Salutations fellow Echo Parkians.Hope this last year was a blast and that you all got

that special something from Santa Claus. For someodd reason it seems like last year just blew on by.

We at E.P.Y.E.C got our wish to hold our 10thannual Christmas party and toy giveaway. We had afew glitches on the way but then those we call ourspecial friends came and helped out by donating whatwas needed to make our dream a reality. Ourcommunity event represented every districtrepresented by our neighborhood council. We had aturnout of over 300 folks, whew I thought I wasloosing it for a while!

The party held at St. Paul's Cathedral (thank you

to Fr. Medina) was a great success. Catered foodprovided by the church, beverages curiosity of Mr.Mike Leum of Pioneer Market (who's not on strikebecause Pioneer is union all the way) the L.A.F.D-SERTOMA CLUB. Thank you for all your support. Andto our mystery lady Christine (last name unknown)who held a Christmas party at her home andrequested that her guests bring a toy surprised usmore than you will ever know. In she walked with abag full of toys and a great big stuffed pink pig, whichwe raffled along with a remote control robot, ascooter and a skateboard, free to our communitykids.

WHY? Because we love em.

The kids of our community are our future, we

must invest in them in order for them to beproductive members of society in the future. Wehelped create a memory for some kids that will not beforgotten for a long time, and as I've always said,"there is nothing so special as the smile of a child."

Entertainment was provided by the ElysianHeights and Logan St. drill team girls who reallystrutted their stuff, those long hours of practice reallypaid off as both schools where awarded 1st place.Logan St. for original costuming and movement,Elysian Heights for best original use of modern dancewith drill team movements and of course beautiful

costuming. Trophies to both schools will be given outnext month. At this time we are working on creatingan original piece of artwork that will be given to ourdonors as our way of saying THANK YOU!

We are now looking forward to the L.A Marathon,also our fund raiser for this year will be face paintingfor childrens parties, so if your interested please callus at (323) 662-2081.

Until we meet and read again, this is Luizasigning off with a great big smile :-)

Luiza Padilla-MavropoulosEcho Park Youth Empowerment Council

5th ANNUAL

Barlow Foundation

GOLF CLASSICFriday, May 14, 2004Robinson Ranch, Santa Clarita

27734 Sand Canyon RoadRegistration fee of $275 per golferincludes:

Tee PrizesGreen and Cart FeesLunch and DinnerSilent AuctionFree Golf Shoes and much more!

To register or for more information,Please contact Margaret Gross at

213.250.4200x3202

Play on a world class courseContribute to a good cause:Barlow Respiratory Hospitaland community programs

Pick up tips from our long balldrive demonstration

Compete for prizes, including:$10,000, a new car, travel get-aways, and golf equipment


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Birding the modern term for bird-watching isone of the nations fastest growing hobbies. Indeed,

its been reported that more money is now spent bypeople going out to look at birds than on hunting.

So we are happy to report that this years Echo ParkLake bird count team had eleven participants spottingand counting our local and migratory bird populationas part of the Christmas Bird Count, an annual eventthat helps determine the health of bird populationsaround the nation.

Members of this years team were Jonathan Bines,Susan Borden, Jane Bowers, Mary Brooks, BettinaFederici, Alexandra Jacobs, Janos Jeszenszky, LeslieLum, Denise Petersen, Judy Raskin, and MarySteffens.

It was a cold and clear morning as we made oursojourn around the lake and the park. Binoculars werefocused and refocused, and bird books were con-stantly thumbed. In total, we counted 35 species and1248 individual birds. The 2003 count was similarhaving 37 species with 1273 individuals. Of course,we didnt see all the same species in both counts.

Can you guess which were the most numerousbirds? This years top three were the rock dove (theplain old pigeon, to most people), 515, the Americancoot, 250, and the Mallard duck, 70. Last years topthree were the American coot, Brewers blackbird, andthe rock dove.

Many other familiar birds were spotted, includingdouble-crested cormorants, ring-necked ducks, west-ern gulls, and house finches. We were also delightedto see a few that dropped into the park for at least aday, including a white pelican, great blue heron, Cas-pian tern (really scarce around here!) and gadwalls.

Coming up February 13-16 is the Great BackyardBird Count. You are welcome to join the Echo Lakecount team for this event by sending an email to Judy

Raskin, [email protected], or call (323) 663-6767for more information as to the day and time we will bedoing our count. You can also do this count on yourown, in your backyard, place or work, or any other lo-cation. If you can spare 15 minutes, you can partici-pate! For details and printable checklist, go towww.birdsource.org.

ECHO PARK LAKE JANUARY COUNT COMPLETE, FEBRUARY COUNT COMING UPBy Judy Raskin
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.birdsource.org/http://www.birdsource.org/http://www.birdsource.org/mailto:[email protected]


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February 2004

CHICKEN CORNER MAY SOON GO the way of thedodo. Thats the word from our local City Council of-fices about the big empty lot across the street fromMagic Gas at Echo Park and Morton avenues.

The lot named in part because of the chickensand roosters it contained was put on the market,along with the adjacent convalescent home, forroughly $3 million. Multiple bids were submitted, in-cluding one for housing and another for a mini-mall.

Neighborhood wags have said that whatever isbuilt there could make or break Echo Park Avenue. Itcould be a disaster of Orsini-like proportions or itcould provide a boon to the stores and galleries that

are right next door.Just south of the lot, work finally began on

Chango, the corner caf space next to El Batey. Theproject has had a rocky road in recent months, butworkers were rapidly erecting the wall needed to cre-ate a new coffee-oriented space.

If Changos owners reopen the window on theircaf, it could mean the demise of the Chicken Cornermural, painted in homage to the birds residing rightacross the street.

NEED A LITTLE OFF the top? A new hair salonopened on Echo Park Avenue inside the Del Morbuilding where Chango is planned. Its name is Lucas,as pop singer Suzanne Vega would say, but it isnt onthe second floor.

IF THERE WERENT ENOUGH development newsthis month, the company that built the mega-apartment project at Sunset Boulevard and AllisonStreet is coming back for more. Sources in AngelinoHeights say the builder well known for his bargainbasement construction choices and refusal to alterhis work for the community is planning 64 units atSunset and Elysian Park Avenue.

The project appears to have some level of supportfrom Councilman Ed Reyes, who represents the east-

ern end of Echo Park. Neighborhood activists say thedeveloper has a track record of hideous, bargainbasement projects. Design standards, anyone?

ECHO PARK MADE THE NEWS in January, thanksto a surprise inspection of an apartment building onEcho Park Avenue near Sunset. The drama was cap-tured in La Opinion, which found a way to misspellCouncilman Eric Garcettis name not once but twice.

Apparently, the stinky smell that pedestrians no-tice whenever they walk to and from House of Spiritshas something to do with the rotting plumbing andsewage issues at the apartment.

THE LOGJAM WAS FINALLY BROKEN at theneighborhood council over the Echo Park SilverLake Community Plan. Two months ago, the Echo Elysian council deadlocked 8-8 over a proposal in thecommunity plan to double the size of buildings al-lowed on Sunset Boulevard and Alvarado Street.

After considerable debate and weeks of work on acompromise plan, the neighborhood council voted tokeep the existing rules on the size of buildings inEcho Parks business district. Such a move, it wasargued, would make it less likely that 80-and 90-year-old storefronts on Sunset Boulevard would be razed.

Whether the neighborhood councils recommenda-tion will be adopted by City Hall is unclear. The EastLos Angeles Planning Commission will soon get avote on the plan.

RESIDENTS ON EWING STREET report that one oftheir longtime neighbors, Mr. Martinez, passed awayrecently. At 103, Mr. Martinez may have been theoldest person residing in Echo Park. He has manyrelatives still living here. Condolences to his family.

Lotus Pad notes has already marked the passingof Elliott Smith, the 34-year-old musician and per-former who was found dead in his home. But thereappears to a mystery about his death, according toan article published in the L.A. Weekly.

A coroners report completed weeks after Smiths

death raised the possibility that the death could havebeen a homicide, not a suicide as first reported.Smith was best known for his musical work on thesoundtrack of Good Will Hunting.

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

Documents

EPIAn Ways February 2004