EPIAn Ways June-July 2006

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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

With a cupcake establishment setting up shop at thecorner of Echo Park and Lucretia avenues, we at theEcho Park Improvement Association got to thinking:How did we get so lucky? After all, Echo Park is filledwith establishments that know dessert, from the flakiestcroissant to the meanest mousse. With the Lotus Festi-val fast approaching, its nice to know that there aremore than a few places near Echo Park Lake where wecan stop off with a friend and indulge. Here, in no par-ticular order, are 10 desserts worth trying in Echo Park,plus a few other hints for satisfying those sweet crav-ings.MOCHA CAKE We could have suggested the browniesat the Brite Spot, which seem to be a popular take-outoption. Wemight havementionedthe mixedberry piehas a divinelattice-workcrust. But ina dinerstuffed withdessert op-

tions, wevedecided tosingle outthe mochacake, whichoffers fourtiers of deliciously moist chocolate cake, bound to-gether by a chocolate butter whipped mocha frosting.Any of these desserts work with a tall glass of milk, orany coffee on ice. Brite Spot, 1918 Sunset Blvd., (213)484-9800.CROISSANTS But which kind? Thats the dilemma atMasa, where you can choose from plain, chocolate and

a beautifully glazed almond croissant. While some es-tablishments skimp on their fillings, Masa gives you achocolate croissant with a serious wedge of meltychocolate, all encased in a small pastry wrapper per-

fect for eating while driving. Masa, 1800 Sunset Blvd.,(213) 989-1558.CHEESECAKE La Espiga hides in plain sight, sittingon busy Glendale Boulevard while remaining remarka-bly modest about the vast array of desserts within. Itslike the bakeries of your childhood, a place that reallysmells like a bakery, with a fridge full of soda pop inglass bottles and an enormous pastry menu rangingfrom pan dulce to pan au chocolat. One of the nicestsurprises is the cheesecake, exceedingly light chunks ofsweetness, which came in handy during a recentMothers Day celebration. Have a piece in air-conditioned comfort at the one table inside. La Espiga,1466 Glendale Blvd., (213) 483-3769.MINT LEMONADE Some lemonades say they havemint in them, only to cruelly disappoint. Thats whatmakes the frequently pea-green concoction, served overice at Chango, such a tonic on a hot summer day.Changos mint lemonade, part of a coffeehouse menuthat includes Italian sodas and blended coffees, is al-most a grade-school version of a mojito, simultaneouslyconjuring up images of Cuban cocktails and Midwestlemonade stands. The greener the better, we say.Chango Coffee, 1559 Echo Park Ave., (213) 977-9161.BREAD PUDDING Or to be more specific, Dakotas

Famous Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding, among themost sinful selections at the Downbeat Caf. Sliced likea torte, topped with whipped cream and sliced straw-berries, this bread pudding transforms yesterdayscroissant into todays even guiltier pleasure. DownbeatCaf, 1202 Alvarado St., (213) 483 -3955PAN DULCE To the uninitiated, pan dulce can be atad intimidating, what with its size and enormous den-sity. Yet the minute you dip some into a hot cup of cof-fee , i t a l l becomes per fec t ly c lear .Celaya Bakery, 1630 Sunset Blvd., (213) 250-2472.FRESH SQUEEZED JUICES It shouldnt come as ashock to learn that Rodeo Grill is a champion of the

heavy egg breakfast, the kind served with a small steakon top. But how about those juices?With choices such as orange, strawberry/orange and

(Continued on page 11)

ECHO PARK gets JUST DESSERTS


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June-July 2006

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June-July 2006

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girls teen yoga

Pilates

Spend this summer in the city exploring the historyof Echo Park on one of three guided walking tours.

The tours, sponsored by the Echo Park HistoricalSociety, are intended to raise awareness of Echo Parkhistory and of significant neighborhood landmarksand features. The tours are normally held onSaturday mornings at 10 am, but weekday tours ofEcho Park Lake can be arranged in advance for schooland other private groups.

The tours include:* Echo Park Lake: June 10, August 12 & September 9

The tour will include some of the neighborhoodsmost prominent landmarks, such as JensensRecreation Center, Angelus Temple and, of course,the lake. Starting Place: Echo Park Lake Boathouse,751 Echo Park Ave.

* Elysian Park: June 24 and September 23

This tour, which is co-sponsored by Citizens

Committee to Save Elysian Park, focuses on the lesserknown but historically rich eastern edge of the park.Starting Place: Fremont Monument at NorthBroadway and Elysian Park

* Echo Park Stairways & Elysian Heights: July 22

The walk includes the Baxter Stairs (possibly thecitys longest) as well as Fellowship Park, Red Hill andthe modernist Harwell Harris house. This is amodestly strenuous tour that includes one longstairway and several steep hills. Starting Place:Elysian Heights Elementary School, 1562 Baxter St.at Echo Park Ave

The tours are free for EPHS members and childrenunder 12; we ask a $5 donation of all others.Reservations are required. For more tour informationplease call (323) 860-8874 or visit the Walking Toursection of www.HistoricEchoPark.org

Echo Park Historical Society Summer Walking Tours


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June-July 2006

1911 SUNSET BOULEVARDLOS ANGELES, CA 90026

(213) 484-1265

How do you decide who to vote for in theupcoming primary elections? You read newspapers

and the candidates literature, watch him or her ontelevision and, of course, ask your neighborsopinions. To make up your mind however, nothingbeats meeting the candidate live, in person. Gettinghis or her unrehearsed response to your questionscan be an eye-opener.

To give voters in Echo Park that chance, lastmonth the EPIA sponsored two forums for 45thCalifornia State Assembly district candidates.Interested residents attended the first forum atBarlow Hospital on May 4th to find that, out of thefour candidates who had accepted the invitation, onlyone candidateDemocrat Elena Poppshowed up to

tell us about her experience and positions on housing,the environment, parking, etc. The candidates made abetter showing at the forum on May 27th at the EchoPark Recreation Center when Elena was joined byfellow Democrats Gabriel Buelna and Kevin DeLeon ata flag-decorated and orchid-bedecked table in front ofabout forty members of the public. (Christine Chavezsent regrets).

The moderator posed prepared questions to thepanel of would-be assembly members and then

members of the audience had an opportunity to querythe candidates before closing statements wrapped upthe discussion. To the listeners surprise, whencandidates were asked about past misdeeds, oneadmitted to an unpaid speeding ticket and another todozens of arrestsfor non-violent political protests.Other responses were more predictable; all supportimproved education, more open space and parks,affordable housing, and same-sex marriage, whileopposing the prospect of losing Barlow Hospital.

Volunteer Margarita Fernandez did a highlyprofessional job as moderator, assisted bytimekeeper Lucio Fernandez; Aurora Ramirez and

Cindy Ortiz constituted the greeting committee;Barbara Hernandez organized refreshments; JamesAlvarez also helped. The group hired a Spanishinterpreter and CD13 supplied translation equipment.

We hope that forum attendees came away with abit more information about the folks who want torepresent us in Sacramento. (Remember to vote onJune 6th).

JUNE PRIMARY ELECTION FORUMSby Susan Borden


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June-July 2006

Sue Kunitomi Embrey, an Echo Park resident formore than 50 years, died on May 15, 2006 after a

long illness.Embrey was born Sueka Kunitomi in Los Angeles

on January 6, 1923. After President Franklin D. Roo-sevelt issued Executive Order 9066, calling for theinternment of Japanese Americans living on theWest Coast, Embrey, her seven siblings and her wid-owed mother were forced to leave their home andthe small market they owned and relocate to Man-zanar, California where she was interned with thou-sands of other Japanese Americans

At the camp, Embrey became a reporter andthen the editor of the Manzanar Free Press, thecamp newspaper, a position that introduced her to

progressive thought.A friend encouraged Embrey to leave the camp

and move to a region of the country where intern-ment of Japanese Americans was not required. Shemoved to Wisconsin, where she applied to the Uni-versity of Wisconsin-Madison but was rejected be-cause the school had a war-related project andJapanese Americans could not be on campus. Later,she moved to Chicago and worked at a library.

Embrey returned to Los Angeles after the war,became involved in progressive politics and through

that met Garland Embrey. They married in 1950and later divorced after having two sons, including

Gary, who died this year. They lived on Curran streetand the children went to Elysian Heights School.

Embrey, who spent a decade as a teacher in theLos Angeles Unified School District, also workedwith a group of American-born children of Japaneseimmigrants called the Nisei Progressives and sup-ported women's rights, the United Farm Workersunion and efforts against the Vietnam War.

In 1969 she and others made headlines with apilgrimage to Manzanar. At the time, there was asplit in the Japanese-American community betweenolder people who did not want to discuss the intern-ment and younger people who felt it was important

to publicize the treatment of their people.She helped form a committee that began a dec-

ades-long campaign to have Manzanar recognizedofficially. In 1972, it was declared a California his-toric site and 20 years later became a national his-toric site.

"It's important for children to learn that somethings happened in America that we are not soproud of. It's important to examine these things,"she once told the Los Angeles Times.

Longtime Echo Park Resident Sue Kunitomi Embrey Dies

Victoria Gerschbacher, self-proclaimed chef-goddess of Echo Park, has passed away early in May. A recentresident of Echo Park, she quickly became involved in the community. Victoria was GEPENC District 3representative and was on the GEPENC Childrens committee until she became ill and could no longer serve. Shealso participated in the VIP reception for the 2005 Echo Park Holiday Parade hosted by EPIA.

Victoria was enthusiastic, optimistic and brought light, happiness and joy to our community. She will be wellremembered and missed.

Echo Park Activist Victoria Gerschbacher Dies


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June-July 2006

ECHO PARK CALENDAREvent Date Location Comments

EPIA Meetings 1

st

Thursday, 7:00 pmJuly 6, August 3 Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 Stadium Wayin Elysian Park

Call EPIA message phone foradditional information.

EPIA SteeringCommitteeMeetings

2nd

Monday, 7:15 pmJune 12, July 10

Call (323) 882-4835 forlocation

Take an active part in EPIA. Jointhe Steering Committee

CommunitySafety Meeting

2nd

Thursday,3:30 pmJune 8, July 13

LAPD Stop-In Center, EchoPark Avenue and SunsetBoulevard

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

CitizensCommittee toSave ElysianPark

1st

Wednesday, 7:30 pmJune 7, July 5, Aug 2

Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 Stadium Wayin Elysian Park

Call 213-666-9651 for meetinglocation

Greater EchoPark ElysianNeighborhoodCouncil Meeting

4

th

Tuesday, 7 pmJune 27, July 25 Logan Street SchoolAuditorium, 1711 W. LoganStreet

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

Edendale LibraryFriends Society

>=> ELFS


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June-July 2006

[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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June-July 2006

LIBRARY COMPUTER CLASSESComputer ComfortThursday, June 1 & July 6, 4pm.Learn 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, June 6 & July 11, 4pm.

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

Introduction to Basic Web DesignTuesday, June 13 & July 25, 4pm.Learn about HTML codes to create a simple web page.Computer experience is mandatory.

EVENTSMovie MadnessSaturday, June 3 & July 1, 4pm.Join us for a movie classic.Adults only. Call (213) 250-7808 for information.

Tarot Reading ProgramSaturday, June 17 & July 15, 4pm.Come and receive short mini-tarot readings. Sign-ups arerequired. Adults only. Call (213) 250-7808.

JUSTFOR TEENS

OngoingEcho Park Branch holds many teen activities and

programs, including film screenings, art workshops,readings and skills-building activities. To learn about thecurrent schedule of events, call or email Wendy at

(213) 250-7808 [email protected].

College ClubTuesdays, 4-6pm.

For high school students who want to go to college.Topics covered during these informal sessions includefinancial aid options, how to choose a college, study skills,and important things you should be doing NOW in highschool to get yourself into college. Refreshments alwaysserved. Call Wendy for information at (213) 250-7808.

FUNFOR KIDSDAILYGAB. Call Echo Park Branch, (213) 250-7808 fortimes.

Summer Reading Club ProgramThursday, July 20, 3:30pm.

Create your very own book with artist David OrozcoCall (213) 250-7808.

ECHO PARK LIBRARY HAPPENINGSLibrary 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 AddressEcho Park Branch Library

1410 W. Temple Street

Los Angeles CA 90026Phone 213.250.7808FAX 213.250.3744World Wide Web Address

http://www.lapl.org24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

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June-July 2006

Book SalesWeekly Preowned Book Sale. Each Wednesday from 2pm until 8 pm in the Community Room.

Giant Book Sale. Sat. June 10, 10:30 - 3PM. Checkout the new first editions section and the wonderfulcollection of Pre-owned books, CDs, videos and more.EventsCooking Contest. Monday, June 5, 6:30-7:30. Willyour recipe please the judges? Bring it and see.Sample all the other entries too!Magic Show. Wednesday, June 28, 6:30-7:30. AllenOshiro will amaze and astound you with his feats ofmagic.Summer Reading Club.Saturday, June 17 to Wednesday, August 8, 2006.Read for fun and take part in exciting activities andprograms. Get a colorful reading folder and a plasticbook bag, weekly prizes (stickers, pencils, toys) and acertificate of participation.Edendale Branchs Kick-Off Day. Saturday, June 17,10 am 5:30 pm. Come to the library to sign up forthe club and receive your reading folder and book bag.Collect a new prize each week of the program.Weekly Activities:Family Storytime. Monday at 6:30 7:30 p.m. (June26 July 31). Stories, puppet shows, and crafts forthe entire family. Over the summer, well build paperairplanes, musical instruments, wacky animals, castles

of cards, puzzles, and puppet theaters.Storytime for Babies and Toddlers. Tuesdays at 10-10:45 (June 20 August 8except June 27).Nurseryrhymes, songs and stories for caregivers to share withbabies and toddlers.

Special Events for all children:Bubble-Ology with Full Spectrum, Monday, July 10, 2-3 pm. The science, technology and fun of bubbles.

See a child inside a bubble.Meet the Author: June Sobel (B is for Building)Saturday, July 22, 2-2:45.Mariachi Magicians. Monday, August 7, 6:30-7:30.Rafael and Katia put on a lively show for a summerevening!Build a Cake Summer Reading Club culminationparty. Wednesday, August 9, 2-3 pm.. Participantsreceive certificates, final prizes, and refreshments.

EDENDALE LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

Library HoursMondays 12:30 pm 8:00 pm

Tuesdays 12:30 pm 5:30 pmWednesdays 12:30 pm 8:00 pmThursdays 12:30 pm 5:30 pmFridays 10:00 am 5:30 pmSaturdays 10:00 am 5:30 pmSundays CLOSED

Library AddressEdendale Branch Library

2011 W. Sunset Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90026Phone (213) 207-3000FAX (213) 207-309724 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

Now in its second year, the annual Echo Park Mu-sic festival is set to sail the weekend of September 30and October 1. The community-sponsored, free, two-

day event features an eclectic selection of local talent.From noon to 8:00 pm, on the north end of the lake,audiences are invited to picnic, hang out, lie on thegrass and listen to live performances of classical, jazz,R & B, rock en Espanol, country, blues, and more.

The Echo Park Music Festival is sponsored in partby The Greater Echo Park Elysian NeighbourhoodCouncil and Los Angeles City Council Member, EricGarcetti. The Echo Park Music Festival is the brain-child of violinist and local resident Varujan Nalbandian

in an effort to increase visibility of performing artistsand promote musical listening.

For visitors, this is a chance to discover a unique

and thriving neighbourhood in the heart of Los Ange-les. For locals, the festival offers an opportunity tocelebrate its wealth of talent and gather as a commu-nity.

Festival attendees are encouraged to bring blan-kets/outdoor seating/sun umbrellas. Refreshmentsare available off-site.

For more information on the Echo Park Music Festi-val please contactwww.echoparkmusicfestival.com

2ND ANNUAL ECHO PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL WILL MARCH IN


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June-July 2006

Saturday

SpecialTypicalHaitian

Food

Mon Sat

11 am 7 pmSundays Group of 10or more byReservation Wood Burning Rotisserie

309 N. Glendale BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90026

www.tigeorgeschicken.comEmail: [email protected]

The volunteers of the Echo Park Historical Societywill be spending much of the summer preparing for a

variety of major events, including a historic home tour,silent art auction, restoration workshops and bookreadings.

In what has become an annual tradition, the EPHSwill present its popular and practical Summer Restora-tion Workshops series to help you maintain and restoreyour old home (or commercial building).

The workshops, headed by EPHS President KevinKuzma, include: Wood Window Repair on Sat. Aug. 12at 10 am; Shopping for Salvage, on Sat. Aug. 19 at 10am; and Hardware Care on Sat. Aug. 26 at 10 am.

The workshops are free to EPHS members and $5for all others. Reservations are required and can bem a d e b y s e n d i n g a n e m a i l t o

[email protected] or calling (323) 860-8874.We will reply with location information.

Also in August, the historical society will presentabout a dozen books on history and historic preserva-tion to each of our two neighborhood libraries (EchoP a r k a n d E d e n d a l e b r a n c h e s ) .You can help us defray the cost of the book purchasesby donating to the Ron Emler Memorial Book program.

Contact us for details or visit the home page ofwww.HistoricEchoPark.org and click on the "Donate a

History Book" link.August is a busy month for us! On the evening ofSaturday, August 19, the EPHS will hold its first-eversilent art auction at the Metro Gallery in Silverlake. Pro-ceeds from the auction will help finance the society'songoing preservation and historical research programs.The auction will feature the work of neighborhood art-ists working in all media. If you are interested in donat-ing work to the auction, please contact us at (323) 860-8874 or send email to [email protected] .

Finally, the EPHS will be looking for homes to featureon the 2006 Historic Echo Park Home Tour, which isscheduled for Sunday, Nov. 12. The theme of this year'stour, "The Bohemian Havens of Elysian Heights," is fo-

cused on the hilly, northern edge of the neighborhoodbetween Elysian Park and Alvarado Street.Contact us if you would like to have your home consid-ered for this year's tour. We are interested primarily ineither homes that have retained much of their historicarchitectural features or have been remodeled in such away that complements the property's scale, architec-ture and history.

Echo Park Historical Society Prepares for Major Events

WWW.ECHOPARK.NETHas a new look

WWW.GEPENC.ORGWhats Happening with the

Greater Echo Park Elysian NC
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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June-July 2006

CCAC is sooo busy that sometimes we dont knowif we are coming or going, stopping or starting, andwhos on first, second or third, waiting to come on to

home plate.Easter has always been a fun time around the

center. We have a picnic and Easter egg hunt, eggtoss, crafts and a big bouncer for the kids to jump.This year, due to the rain we did not have our outsideparty. Instead on the Monday after Easter, we hid allthe candy in the center and let the kids run around andlook for the candy. We also promised to host a Cincode Mayo party in the park with a BBQ. Even thoughMaryanne and staff went to a funeral for a dear friend(Chi Muy, Mayor of Alhambra) of the Center thatmorning, the picnic was a huge success. We car-pooled the kids to Elysian Park. Sam and Gloria

started cooking hamburgers and hot dogs, while Mikeran the shuttle. The kids had so much fun that we didnot leave until 8 p.m. that evening. Being one of thefirst really nice days as far as weather is concerned, noone wanted to leave.

Mike loves to have sleepovers at the Center. Bothgirls and boys enjoy the tall tales that are spun in theevenings. Of course, they play basketball until all hoursof the night. The last sleepover, the kids got hungryaround 2 a.m. after basketball, so they got dressed instreet clothes and walked over to Jack in the Box onSunset.

Our beautification team can still be seen working

their way west on Sunset Blvd. The team is cleaningSunset. This month we are concentrating on cleaning

the meridians and tree wells. If you should happen tosee them, stop by and say hello, I know they wouldappreciate words of encouragement from the

community.David Bermudez, Coordinator of our Graffiti

Program has been instructing our kids on safety, use oftools and how to tell the difference between a weed and

a flower. He has given about 6 workshops, training atleast 20 kids. Only after the kids complete the safetyworkshops can they go out along Sunset. The kids

receive a stipend for their efforts once a month. Alongwith tool usage and safety policies, the kids are taughthow to fill out a timecard and the value of goodattendance on the job.

I have started a reading club with 5 youths. Fourkids are in high school and one is in the 7 th grade. Weread out loud to each other. We read two times a weekfor 1 hour. Afterwards, we discuss what we have beenread and try to figure out what will happen next in thebook. The goal of CCAC is to have 15 youth read threebooks during the year, ultimately, improving their self-confidence by increasing their reading levels.

Hopefully, we will see everyone at the Lotus Festival

this year. I wanted to let you know that we were askedthis year.

Central City Action by Gloria

carrot, these juices serve as a nutritional counterpoint to anything slathered in ranchero sauce, yet are tastyenough to stand on their own as a late afternoon pick-me-up. Rodeo Grill, 1721 Sunset Blvd., (213) 483-8311.CHOCOLATE MOUSSE Dont let Taix Restaurant bully you with its pastel-colored sherbets. The real prize is thedark chocolate mousse. Taix, 2011 Sunset Blvd.BIRTHDAY CAKE Do you remember the sheet cakes of your past, the ones where the frosting was so sweet you

had a sugar buzz for hours? Kien Giang Bakery does. Known in many quarters for its supply of moon cakes, thekind filled with red bean paste and served for the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, Kien Giang sells cakes guaran-teed to send a seven-year-old into orbit chocolate cakes with cherry filling, photo cakes, cakes adorned witheye-popping fruit slices and flowery frosting. Their mini croissants served occasionallyarent too bad either.Kien Giang Bakery, 1471 Echo Park Ave., (213) 250-0159.PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES We know, we already mentioned the Downbeat. Even if peanut butter does not topyour dessert repertoire, you really must try these cookies, which are deceptively light and flaky despite their sizeand density. Is it magic? Is it 98 percent butter? You wont know for sure unless you have one. Downbeat, 1202Alvarado St., (213) 483-3955.

JUST DESSERTS(Continued from page 1)


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June-July 2006

PITY THE ECHO PARK VOTER. It was only threemonths ago that we were asked to pick a schoolboard member. That election came only four monthsafter we were asked to approve another $4 billion forL.A. Unified. And here we are, under siege yet again,with all of the would-be replacements for Echo Parksvery own Assembly Member Jackie Goldberg. Can weget a break?

The assembly hopefuls have been knocking on ourdoors, leaving pre-recorded messages and stuffingour mailboxes with unwanted gifts and glossymessages. Who, precisely, wants a Mothers Day cardfrom a politician? Or yet another evening chat with anout-of-state pollster?

The drama ends on June 6, which happens tocome five months before we review yet another raft ofso-so candidatesa ballot topped, of course, by Gov.

Arnold Schwarzenegger.SPEAKING OF PRODUCT PLACEMENT isnt it

jarring to see our own community as the backdrop forthe pitching of so many products cars, drugs,alcohol. When did Echo Park become the hot spot forHollywoods commercial shoots? Perhaps youvealready the ad with the guys walking piggyback upthe Laveta Terrace steps an advertisement for hardliquor or the one for running shoes that zips pastthe mural at Echo Park and Sunset.

The trend really began four or five years ago withVolkswagen, which used Scott Avenue as the

backdrop for a Jetta commercial. That ad wasamusing, since it reminded us of the endlessamounts of furniture dumped on Echo Parks curbs

and sidewalks. (Two guys pick up a chair on the sideof the road, put it in the back of their amazinglyroomy Jetta and then decide its too stinky, dumpingit again on another cornerin Echo Park).

The piece de resistance showed up on television afew weeks ago. The spot shows a young womanwalking her dog past Chango, the coffeehouse onEcho Park Avenue, and then into the little marketnext door known as El Batey. The street looksunusually clean and beautiful, the lighting a littlemore flattering than normal. But of course, our littleshopper has been taking Ambien, the popular new

sleeping pill.

WHILE WERE ON THE SUBJECT ofpharmaceuticals, Walgreens came before theneighborhood council a few weeks back with its latestpitch for a drive-through at its building on SunsetBoulevard. The out-of-state Walgreens representativedelivered a surprise to a couple of people in theroom, informing its own tenants, Pioneer Chicken andPhoenix Bakery, that it intended to knock theirbuildings down to build a new retail center.

Getting a drive-through is tricky for Walgreens,since the latest Echo Park community plan, which

governs new development in the neighborhood,prohibited new drive-throughs on Echo Park Avenue --an effort to encourage pedestrian activity and lessauto dependency. Since Pioneer Chicken already hasa drive-through, Walgreens is looking at relocatingthe drive-through to the main building.

Walgreens, you may recall, took over the spacethat once held Pioneer Market a neighborhoodinstitution with insanely low-priced produce. Thecompany heard from community members who areunhappy with the garbage littering the sidewalks andparking spaces outside the pharmacy.

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 June-July 2006