Crawfish in Echo Park Lake?!

Martin Cox photographed the sneaky Echo Park crawfish while hangin' with Jenny Burman

Up in the mountains in northern California, we call them crawdads, but whether you call them crawfish, crawdads, or crayfish – they are pretty much the same. One thing I never expected was for them to show up in the murky waters of Echo Park Lake, but Jenny Burman of Chicken Corner has the proof.

This fancy-looking guy or gal showed itself yesterday while Chicken Corner was taking a walk around the park with her pal Martin Cox, dog Chyla, and for a little while Dave Foster, who manages the park on site for Park & Rec. The crayfish stayed in view for about 40 seconds, then hastened into the crack in the cement (mid-ground in the photo), exactly where it was headed at the moment Martin snapped the photo with his cell phone.

A little bit of research revealed perhaps, just maybe, could it be the crawfish found in Silver Lake back in 2005 by LA Weekly columnist Joe Donnelly? Nicknamed Iko, the crawfish was found on a sidewalk in Silver Lake, and transported to Echo Park Lake, where it “quickly disappeared into the murk.” I don’t know how long crawfish live, but perhaps it is an Iko sighting?

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El Centro’s voter registration drive Saturday

It’s almost time to vote this year, as we know with the all-important gubernatorial elections on November 2. El Centro Del Pueblo here in Echo Park is helping people get registered to vote by holding a voter registration event specifically for Latino voters on Saturday, October 2 at 9:00 am.

If you’re interested in helping out, Barragan’s is providing your free lunch! The drive is located at 1157 Lemoyne Street. Make sure you are registered to vote!

Leran more and RSVP by visiting the El Centro event Facebook page.

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More photos from yesterday’s bizarre weather

Because we can’t get enough of them! All photos are from Echo Park area. Email us if you have some amazing shots to share.

Photo by Mary-Austin Klein

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Start out your October at the Echo Park Film Center

That’s right – October is coming soon! Time flies by when you’re having fun, so have some more fun and start out your October with some great local film screenings (we’re excited about the Irwin Swirnoff screening, he’s a fellow Pitzer College alumn!):

Saturday, October 2 – STOP AND GO RIDES AGAIN – 8:00 pm
Curated by San Francisco filmmaker and visual artist Sarah Klein, Stop & Go Rides Again follows a tremendously successful European and American tour of the stop-motion animation series Stop & Go. Catch a diverse collection of stop-motion animations by local and international artists as they unveil their most recent experiments in animation and comment on everything from the simple beauty of a rubber ball to the history of evolution. In these films, the artists and filmmakers delve into the labor-intensive process of stop-motion animation by manipulating everyday materials by hand—such as colored paper, photographs, toys, cardboard, fabric scraps and even facial hair—to create optical experiences, cardboard creatures, shadow puppets, and a handy how-to on making homemade hooch. Curator Sarah Klein in attendance!

Sunday, October 3 – FILMMOBILE & GHOULA present HAUNTED FILMS IN HAUNTED PLACES – 7:30 pm
Join us for a month of Spooky Sundays as the Filmmobile teams up with GHOULA to present Haunted Films In Haunted Places. Tonight’s film is Haunted Honeymoon, a 1986 comedy starring Gene Wilder, Gilda Radner, Dom Deluise and Jonathan Pryce. Ghost Hunters Of Urban Los Angeles (GHOULA) is a social club dedicated to the preservation of greater Los Angeles’ rich haunted history, and the promotion of this local lore through ghostly gatherings, events, and publications. More info. Call, email or follow @eEPFCfilmmobile on twitter for the screening location.

Tuesday, October 5: I WANTED EVERY DAY TO LAST FOREVER: SHORT FILMS BY IRWIN SWIRNOFF – 8:00 pm
A collection of short films shot on super 8 by San Francico-based filmmaker and KUSF DJ and co-music director Irwin Swirnoff. Irwin’s films daydream into the sky & sun, finding small moments in the everyday that leave lasting impressions and allowing the viewer to drift in and out of their own memories, desires, longing and the pleasure that can come from being present in the everyday. His deep love of music has lead to collaborations with musicians who have created original score’s for his work, including Tomo Yasuda (Tussle, Coconut, Hey Willpower) and Preston Swirnoff (The Shining Path, Monosov/Swirnoff, Habitat Sound Sysytem). Also screening is a work by Los Angeles based filmmaker John Palmer. Filmmakers in attendance!

Thursday, October 7 – 9TH ANNUAL INDIE MUSIC VIDEO FESTIVAL – 8:00 pm
The 2010 edition of IMVF is a one-night festival featuring a crop of 20 independent music videos from all over the world, showcasing brilliant cinematography, astonishing animation and the most precise and artful editing that is sure to rock each of your senses. Rarely seen, ever seen and must be seen – an eye-popping, ear-blasting, heart-pounding audio/video extravaganza. More info.

Friday, October 8 – CINEKINK PRESENTS: WAXIE MOON – 8:00 pm
What happens when a classically-trained dancer/actor decides to pursue the low-brow art of stripping? “Boylesque” sensation Waxie Moon takes the world of neo-burlesque by storm in this hilarious and thought provoking portrait of one artist’s unlikely journey. Directed by Wes Hurley, 2009, USA, 70 minutes. PLUS… other assorted CineKink favorites! More info.

Saturday, October 9 – MEDIA ECOLOGY SOUL SALON: JOHN FRENCH & CROW’S MILK – 7:00 pm
The public is invited to this engaging Gerry Fialka interview of drummer John “Drumbo” French, who will address the metaphysics of his callings and the nitty-gritty of his craft. French revolutionized drumming with Captain Beefheart and recently authored the book entitled Beefheart: Through The Eyes Of Magic. The evening will kick off with Crow’s Milk, a rare 2003 Magic Band documentary. “Nearly twenty classic Beefheart compositions are rejuvenated on stage by five of the finest musicians who ever performed in The Magic Band. The playlist ranges from storming versions of such crowd-pleasers as ‘Moonlight On Vermont’ and ‘Big Eyed Beans From Venus’ to the intricate guitar work of ‘Evening Bell and the melodic ‘Alice In Blunderland’. Especially interesting are the instrumental versions of songs such as ‘I Wanna Find A Woman That’ll Hold My Big Toe Till I Have To Go’, ‘My Human Gets Me Blues’ and ‘Steal Softly Thru Snow’. Without Don’s voice, for Don is no longer performing, these compositions can be clearly heard as the mind and finger bending riddles they are.” More info.

Check the schedule of events on the EPFC website for more events in October!

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Local fresh cut flowers now at Cookbook

Photo from Cookbook

We love a good deal on pretty things – and these flowers at the new Cookbook are definitely one of those!

New bouquets come to Cookbook every Wednesday from a garden slash farm run by North Hollywood High. They are organically grown and arranged by high school students, and they are just $5 a bouquet!

Sales benefit the high school garden/farm, a seven-acre lot with a vineyard, dahlias (which you can see in the bouquets in the photo above), and even farm animals like chickens. Produce from the garden/farm also go toward “green” restaurants and farmers’ markets throughout Los Angeles.

Get your bouquets at Cookbook, open daily from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, and is located at 1549 Echo Park Avenue

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Photo: Rainbow over Echo Park

It's a double rainbow!

Another beautiful evening in Echo Park – you’d almost forget it’s 85 degrees outside!

There are rumors of lightning as well – anyone else see it?

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Taco Truck date night in Echo Park?

This week, Daily Candy recommended a couple of hot spots in Echo Park to take your sweetie to – El Prado and Taco Zone. While I’ve never been to a Taco Truck for a first or second date (and I’m not the adventurous type when it comes to eating cow mouth parts), you might have a different experience. Where do you go date night in Echo Park?

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Grow your own garden courses at the Echo Curio

Want that green thumb all your Echo Park neighbors seem to have? Now you get a chance to learn how to grow your own vegetables in your very own garden. The Echo Curio will be hosting weekly courses led be Grow LA: Victory Garden Initiative starting this weekend!

Every Sunday in October, the workshop will teach you how to start your own garden for your backyard in containers or at a community garden site.

The initiative brings together local families and neighborhoods to share their experiences, skills and produce. Participants are able to turn this new interest in gardening into successful, productive gardens that will generate positive changes in their homes by helping to lower grocery bills and enhance opportunities to eat healthy food.

Sounds like a great idea! Classes are $20 each, or $70 for all four classes.

October 3, 10, 17, 24 at 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Email Justin McInteer justinmcinteer@yahoo.com or (213) 247-3296
Echo Curio Gallery is located at 1519 W. Sunset Blvd.

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Suspect shot and killed by police in Echo Park

Photo from the NBC LA website

The Eastsider LA is reporting that a suspect was shot and killed by police at around 4:30 pm today on the corner of Temple Street and Union Avenue.

Police were pursing the vehicle after a check on the license plate determined that the occupants were armed and dangerous. After being cornered by police, the suspect got out of his car and started firing the rifle at officers, [LAPD spokeswoman April] Harding said. She had no other details about the incident.

No police were injured, but reports are saying the suspect shot at police with an AK-47, and the car may have been stolen. KTLA is reporting the police were following a “convicted felon” through the Downtown LA area.

UPDATE:

Don’t try to drive up Temple in Echo Park tonight – Temple Street is closed at Glendale Blvd. all the way to Burlington, and traffic has gotten a little messy in those areas.

In addition to the AK-47 (“or a similar weapon”), LA Now is reporting the suspect also had a handgun in his back pocket. The name has not yet been released, and it’s not yet known whether or not officers were fired upon.

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Over 300 in Echo Park left without power (or AC!)

Doesn't this just make you want to go swimming? (Flickr photo by R.G.T.)

The LADWP issued a report today, announcing that as of 2:30 pm today approximately 8,170 electric customers are without power. Of those, 349 are in Echo Park.

The other communities impacted include:

Hollywood: 965
Mar Vista: 925
Los Feliz: 879
Cypress Park: 535
Brentwood: 393
Bel Air: 372
Mount Olympus: 356
Cheviot Hills: 317
Pacific Palisades: 301

The announcement also suggest some ways to help out that over-worked power grid:

LADWP continues urging all customers to conserve electricity wherever it is possible and safe to do so. Ways to reduce power usage include running major appliances in evening hours after dark, setting air conditioner thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and turning off all unnecessary lighting and equipment. Conservation is recommended only where doing so does not jeopardize one’s own health or safety.

What are you doing to stay cool in Echo Park?

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Zooming in on Echo Park: The racial mapping project

Photographer Eric Fischer was inspired by a Chicago map created by Bill Rankin that displayed the city’s racial and ethnic divides. He created maps of other cities like New York City, Houston, and Los Angeles using the same techniques Rankin did, applying date from the 2000 census. I took the Los Angeles map and zoomed in on the  Echo Park area. Red is White, Blue is Black, Green is Asian, Orange is Hispanic, Gray is Other, and each dot equals a total of 25 people. For some perspective, the little empty round area near the middle of the above graphic is Dodger Stadium.

You can check out the rest of the Los Angeles map by clicking here or on the image below. You’ll notice… there are a lot of white people on the west side!

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16 species counted at the Fall Bird Walk

Photo by Judy Raskin

The Autumn Echo Park Bird Walk took place recently, on Sunday, September 26. Ten bird lovers met up at the Echo Park Lake to document the many species of our local birds that hang out around the lake – 16 in all.  Those species include:

Pied-billed grebe
Double-crested cormorant
Black-crowned night heron
Ross’s goose
Canada goose
Mallard duck
Ruddy duck
American coot
California gull
Western gull
Rock dove
Common yellowthroat
Brewer’s blackbird
Great-tailed grackle
Brown-headed cowbird
House sparrow

The yellow-chevroned parakeet were also heard, though not seen, from high up in the trees. More bird species are expected around the lake in the coming months as this is just the beginning of the migration season.

The next walk is the annual Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, January 2, 2011.

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Final Dodger Stadium fireworks of the season

Our last fireworks show at Dodger Stadium (which used to happen every Friday home game last season) is coming up on Friday, October 1. Get your tickets and show up early – these special events are usually packed!

Also, if you’re an Echo Park resident, make sure you get your free tickets soon! They always run out within hours.

Here’s the details from Community Relations Manager Noel Pallias:

As we advised and discussed with members of the Solano Community and the Community Advisory Group, we have added for our fans and neighbors a final fireworks show for the season.  As you are hopefully aware, the Friday fireworks show creates a wonderful family environment and we know our fans appreciate this late season gesture.

On Friday, October 1st, a 10-15 minute fireworks show will take place after the conclusion of that evening’s game against the Arizona Diamondback, which is scheduled to start at 7:10PM.

As always, the safety of those attending the event, our neighbors, the surrounding community and the firefighters themselves is of paramount concern to us. Therefore, as has been our policy, should the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) request that we cancel the fireworks due to weather concerns, or any other concern for that matter, we will comply. Decisions on this will be made right up until the time of the show.

LAFD personnel (including a water truck as is required by the fire safety code) and, as an added precaution, we will wet down the hillside closest to the demonstration area. Stadium management will be on site to manage the event.

Additionally, as has been our standing offer to closest neighbors, we have tickets available for our members of the Echo/Elysian Park and Solano Canyon residents who are interested in attending the game. Therefore, if you are a resident of either community and are interested in attending the game as our guest, please contact me at noelp@ladodgers.com with your interest, your address and telephone number (*additionally, since these tickets will be left under the name of the person making the request – THEY ARE NOT TRANSFERRABLE*). Your request must be received by Wednesday, September 29th.  Please understand that these tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis and that this offer is only for game tickets.

A confirmation email will be sent by noon on Thursday (9/30) indicating the time, as well as the location where the tickets will be available for pick-up on Friday.

Should you have any concerns relative to this event, please call our Neighborhood Focus Line at (323) 224-2636.

Can’t make it Friday? Make sure you support the Echo Park Improvement Association and the Echo Park Chamber of Commerce and purchase tickets for Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, October 2. There won’t be fireworks, but you get to watch a game some cool Echo Park people! Click here for more info on how to buy tickets for Saturday.

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Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Monday, September 27 through Sunday, October 3

Monday
Monday Night Residency Pacific Hurt, Vanaprasta, Chasing Kings, Kissed Her Little Sister @ Echo
Sean Carnage and Folktale Records Present: M31, Upsilon Acrux, Moment Trigger, Violence & Negativity @ Pehrspace
Torche, Mountains of Blow @ Bootleg Theater
Vanaprasta ‘Minnesota’ 7″ Release Party @ Origami Vinyl

Tuesday
Oneohtrix Point Never, Sun Araw, James Ferraro @ Echo
KROQ Locals Only and The Fold Present: The Funeral Party, Useless Keys, Canyons @ Bootleg Theater

Wednesday
An Evening with The Felice Brothers @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Young Hunting Release Party with The Black Apples, Ex-detectives @ Echo Curio
Hooray For Earth @ Origami Vinyl

Thursday
Jukebox The Ghost, Hooray For Earth, Ab and The Sea @ Echo
Biffy Clyro, Seaspin, Empires @ Bootleg Theater
Live Jazz every Wednesday Night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
Jamie Lidell, Twin Shadow @ Echoplex
Friday 10.01.10: The Echo & Club Underground Present: Foster The People, Superhumanoids @ Echo

Friday
KCRW, Echo & FYF present School of Seven Bells, Active Child, Healamonster & Tarsier @ Echoplex
The Echo & Club Underground Present: Foster The People, Superhumanoids @ Echo
The Last Learning Music Residency Show @ Echo Curio
Animal Eye, Green Screen Door, Trapsps, Rare Grooves @ Pehrspace
The Baroness Dianaea’s Wastoid Wonderland & Apothecary Feat. Mucca Pazza, Secret Guest Musicians from Across The Astral Tundra @ Bootleg Theater

Saturday
Funky Sole with Music Man Miles, Clifton AKA Soft Touch @ Echo
The Final Heather Woodbury Performance Of “As The Globe Warms” @ Echo Curio
Bootie LA: VJ Brewski, Adrian & Mysterios B, R.A.I.D. @ Echoplex

Sunday
Grand Ole Echo and Part Time Punks @ Echo
Green Machine Studios Presents: TBA @ Echo Curio
He’s My Brother She’s My Sister Farewell Party, Amanda Jo Williams @ Bootleg Theater
Dead Meadow, Exploding Flowers @ Echoplex

For more information on weekly musical events like club nights, see our community resource pages.Visit the venue website for more information on the cost and times of shows. This list may not represent all the musical events happening in Echo Park this week – feel free to add more events in the comment section. All events listed are subject to change at any time. New events announced for the week after this posting may not be included.

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Photo: Car overturned in Glendale Ave. accident

A couple of cars were involved in car wreck yesterday afternoon at the corners of Glendale Blvd. and Montana Street by the KFC/Taco Bell. According to The Eastsider LA, no one was injured (thankfully!).

Be careful out there!

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