Echo Park’s Missed Connections

“Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”

– Kahlil Gibran

September 7:

we stood close but no exchange of words – w4m – 22
you played drums at echo curio last night (9/6/10) and after your set you stood right next to me to watch the next band. i wanted to say hi because you were cute but i got too shy. i was wearing a white boat neck with blue stripes.

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September 5:

FYF Fest – During Cold Cave – w4m (Echo Park)
Dave at FYF Fest! I feel so creepy doing this.. but you seemed really cool and I left Delorean to catch all of Panda Bear’s set!

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September 3:

asian market shenanigans – m4w
We both had a chuckle when the cashier at the asian market in Echo Park wouldn’t let you buy your sweets because they had gone bad. Especially since you had eaten some of them already. You dressed like a painter and moved like a dancer. Would love to have more laughs, minus possible food poisoning.

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September 1:

Gold Room girl – m4w
We’ve run into each other a few times, and you told me once that you liked a particular peculiarity about my speech. I like your kind eyes and freckles. Last time I saw you you were with a guy– was he a boyfriend? I hope not. I’d like to learn more. If this is you, you’ll know what junk I’ve got my in my trunk.

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August:

Burning Girl at Vons – m4w – 40
You told me my Mercury was in retrograde!
Help!
😉

Laguna Ave – m4w – 46
To the pretty redhead with the beautifully curvy figure walking down Laguna Avenue Saturday morning about 9am……………..were you just passing through or do you live nearby? You were wearing jean shorts and had a cigarette in your hand. I had my dog with me, and had just got in my vehicle to leave when you passed by.

h/t Craigslist

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2010 CA Coastal Cleanup Day in Echo Park

Along with 80 locations at beaches, rivers and other Southern California neighborhoods, Echo Park Lake will be a site of the 2010 CA Coastal Cleanup day. Heal the Bay and the California Coastal Commission have teamed up for this event in Echo Park and need everyone’s help picking up trash and beautifying our community – 80% of trash found on beaches comes from an inland source, and last year 120 volunteers cleaned up 1,000 pounds of trash and over 6,000 cigarette butts around Echo Park Lake alone.

Signing up is easy! Just go to the Heal the Bay website and click on the “participate” button to the right. Click here to download the Echo Park cleanup PDF flyer to pass along to your neighbors and friends!

Saturday, September 25, 2010
751 Park Avenue (by Glendale and Park Avenue just north of the Lotus bed)
8:00 – 8:45 am registration
9:00 am – 11:00 am cleanup
11:00 am – noon trash count and snack lunch
Don’t live in Echo Park but want to participate? Inland neighborhoods like Silver Lake and Culver City, along with a slew of beaches will be cleanup site. Click here for the full list and map from Heal the Bay.
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Dodgers Lose Series to Giants, 2-1

It was a rough holiday weekend for the Dodgers, who blew a lead in Saturday’s game against the Giants and then were shutout in Sunday night’s series finale.

On Saturday, the Dodgers capitalized on a strong start by Ted Lilly and entered the ninth with a 4-3 lead over the Giants. All-Star closer Jonathan Broxton, who has been struggling since the break, was given the opportunity for the save. He promptly gave up a two-run homer, and the Dodgers were defeated 5-4. The loss was the final straw for Torre, who is officially pulling Broxton from save positions.

Kuroda pitched over seven innings in Sunday’s game, striking out eight, and giving up one in the second off a sacrifice fly by Pablo Sandoval then two more off a homer in the seventh. Despite a relatively solid start by Kuroda, Dodgers’ offense was once again nonexistent. Andre Ethier, currently on a one-for-19 streak, struck out three times, as did Matt Kemp, who is supposedly hitting clean up. Dodgers lost the game 3-0.

A look ahead

Tonight the Dodgers move south, with a three-game away series against the Padres. The Padres, who have been the division leader for the majority of the season, are on a 10-game losing streak. The Dodgers must put in a strong showing against the Padres if they are to keep their wildcard hopes alive.

Monday 9/6 at 7:05 pm – TV: KCAL, Radio: KABC 790
Dodgers v. Padres @ PETCO Park
Tuesday 9/7 at 7:05 pm – TV: KCAL, Radio: KABC 790
Dodgers v. Padres @ PETCO Park
Wednesday 9/8 at 7:05 pm – TV: PRIME TICKET/ESPN, Radio: KABC 790
Dodgers v. Padres @ PETCO Park

The buzz

What’s Next for Torre? The Dodgers’ manager, whose contract ends this season, had originally planned on announcing whether he’d return by Labor Day. But the holiday is here and still no word from Torre. Check out Helene Elliott’s column on the LA Times.

Dodgers Call up Five from Triple-A Albuquerque, including 16-year minors veteran. It took 16 long years, but first-basemen John Lindsey will finally make his major league debut. Lindsey, who’s played 1,570 games in the minors, earned his Dodger blues by leading the Pacific Coast League in hitting (.356) and slugging (.663) percentage.  No current player has spent more time in the minors without receiving a call-up.

Pitcher John Ely, who started for the Dodgers in several games this season, is also back. Joining him is relief pitcher Jon Link, who has been called up three times so far this season, shortstop Chin-Lung Hu and infielder Russell Mitchell, making his major-league debut.

  • Read more about John Lindsey’s call to the Big Leagues from Eric Stephen on True Blue LA
  • Steve Dildeck’s take on why Lindsey’s call up is noteable on  the LA Times Dodgers Blog
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Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Monday, September 6 through Sunday, September 12

Monday
Kisses, Mystery Claws, Brittain Ashford, Blunt Mechanics (new band featuring Ben Barnett of Kind Of Like Spitting) @ Echo Curio
Monday Night Residency: Vanaprasta, Pacific Hurt @ Echo
Summer Darling Video Release @ Origami Vinyl
Nasa Space Universe, The Emotron, Terraform, Okie Dokie, Stag Bitten @ Pehrspace
Family of the Year, Hi Ho Silver Oh, Torches in Trees, Death Kit @ Bootleg Theater

Tuesday
Hipsters Who Heart Hip Hop presents: Mestizo, Offwhyte, Briefcase Scenario, Speak, Magick Orchids @ Echo Curio
Buzz Bands & Al Borde present Wait. Think. Fast: Album Release Show, Light Fm, Marvelous Toy, Future Ghost @ Echo
Little Teeth @ Origami Vinyl
KROQ Locals Only presents: The Funeral Party, My Pet Saddle @ Bootleg Theater

Wednesday
Michael Nhat Album Release, Halloween Swim Team, Pizza!, Tik//tik @ Echo Curio
Aquarium Drunkard Presents The Gories, Haunted George, Nice Smile @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Live Jazz every Wednesday night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
Graham Forrest, Red Hunter, Ecce (Emily Lacy And Ezra Buchla), Black Jesus @ Echo Curio
Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven @ Echoplex
We Barbarians, Superhumanoids, Tijuana Panthers @ Echo
KXSC Presents Daedelus “Acla 10x10x6” record release party, Teebs @ Origami Vinyl

Friday
Kevin Greenspon, Vehicle Blues, Little Teeth, Former Ghost @ Echo Curio
Echo & Club Underground present: Helen Stellar, Saucy Jacks @ Echo
Club Underground @ Echo
Telle Eyed Specs, The Natives @ Tribal Cafe
Chung Antique, traps, ps @ Pehrspace
The Watson Twins, Mini Mansions @ Bootleg Theater

Saturday
Heather Woodbury’s as the Globe Warms followed by Matt Salas Solo, Not An Airplane, Guests @ Echo Curio
Clientele, Lay Low, Gangi @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @ Echo
Robotanists @ Origami Vinyl
Special Guest TBA, Red Arrow Messenger, The Hundred Days @ Bootleg Theater
Instant Pussy, Stepfather Show (closing Reception Of David Yow “Solo” Show) @ Diy Gallery

Sunday
Ige*timer, Stls, Mimes of Wine @ Echo Curio
Grand Ole Echo with Kingsizemaybe, The Running Kind, Gentlemen Farmers, Skip Heller @ Echo
Mogwai Screening @ Echoplex
Part Time Punks with Wild Nothing, The Procedure Club, Sweater Girls, DJ Mike Schulman from Slumberland Records @ Echo

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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Menu Mondays: Xoia Vietnamese

Xoia
1801 West Sunset Blvd.
(213) 413-3232
Website

Hours (starting Tuesday, September 7):
Tuesday-Thursday: 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm
Friday: 12:00 noon to midnight
Saturday: 12:30 pm to midnight
Friday: 12:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Cash only!

Starters

Spring Rolls: Rice paper rolls w/ shrimp, pork, rice noodles, and fresh herbs served w/ peanut sauce. $5.75
Vegetarian Spring Rolls: Rice paper rolls w/ sautéed mushrooms, tofu, rice noodles, fresh herbs served w/ peanut sauce. $5.50
Pho Beef Tacos: Pho infused beef served on corn tortillas w/ cilantro, onions and house made red salsa. $5.75
Mi Quang Pork Tacos: Paprika and shallot spiced pork on corn tortillas w/ cilantro, onions and house made red salsa. $5.75

Read more

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Sea Nymph: A shipwrecked boat inside Machine Project, opening tonight!

We mentioned last month that the Machine Project would be hosting Josh Beckman’s Sea Nymph – a series of nautical-themed events, workshops and performances along with a capsized hull of a ship inside the art space. There will also be a crystal cave!

The opening reception is tonight, September 5, from 5-10:00 pm. Performances by Clay Chaplin, Ambient Force 3000, Ecce, OK Music, Chris Kallmyer, and Colin Woodford.

Check out a couple of the photos from the Machine Project website of the ship being built:

Read more

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Cars of Echo Park: Honey Bee

Cute and yellow!

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New parking meters coming to a street near you!

Looks like the City of LA will be updating the parking meters along a few Echo Park streets as soon as September 13 or 14. No word on if there will be any price increases, but according to the announcement:

The new meters are being installed as part of an initiative launched last month by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, and LADOT General Manager Rita L. Robinson to install 10,000 new Card & Coin Meters this summer in high-demand parking spaces throughout the City. When the installation is complete at the end of August, a total of 33% of the City’s 40,000 metered spaces will accept credit card payments, and Los Angeles will boast the largest number of solar-powered parking meters in the country.

Gone are the days of failed meters (and free parking)? The meters will communicate using wireless and send instant text messages to parking meter technicians when the meters become jammed.

The map below highlights the areas of Echo Park that can expect to have updated meters:

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Flashback Fridays – Angeleno/Angelino Heights

"Exterior view of the first Kaspare Cohn Hospital at one thousand four hundred forty Carroll Avenue"

It was originally spelled with an E and a tilde over the second N. That is the original (Spanish language) spelling of the word. The sign just down the street from me at Sunset and Douglas reads “Angeleno Heights.” Somewhere along the way, some people began to spell it “Angelino”, but no one knows when or why although there are different theories. But the two different spellings do not connote any sort of difference in meaning. That’s just what happens over a period of 120 years.

Angelino Heights (see what I did there?) is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles second only to Bunker Hill. It was founded in 1886 by William W. Stilson and Everett E. Hall when they filed for the creation of a subdivision in this elevated part of Los Angeles. In the same year, the Temple Street Cable Railway was built. It ran from Angeleno Heights to downtown and allowed those living in this newly formed suburb to commute from home to work. This line was later electrified making transportation to and from home even easier for Angeleno Heights’ residents.

The first big building boom occurred when the neighborhood was first created which is where all the Victorian homes come from. Then, beginning in 1888,  a banking recession stopped all new construction. Another big wave of construction happened in the early 1900s resulting in Craftsman and California bungalow-style homes. Just after World War II, many older homes were split up into multiple apartments to accommodate more people.

In 1983, Angeleno Heights became Los Angeles’ first historic district. Several homes in the neighborhood are Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments and the entire 1300 block of Carroll Avenue is registered as a United States Historic District (and Michael Jackson’s video for “Thriller” was filmed there).

Unfortunately, I could only find one photo of old Angeleno Heights (see above) in our beloved USC Digital Library. But they do have a huge collection of filled-out census forms from 1939! One just has to search by street name to find them. Check out the census forms for Carroll Avenue, W. Edgeware Road and Calumet Ave. It seems there were a fair number of renters living in Angeleno Heights in the 1930s, and rent could cost anywhere from $25 to a whopping $35 per month.

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Restaurant and Business News Roundup

New restaurants and businesses:

  • Ballard’s Framing and Raven-Lily held a grand opening on Saturday, August 7 and officially opened on August 14.
  • International Playground opened up on August 12 in the old Mohawk Store location at 1102 Mohawk St.
  • Warwick opened up its new location 1205 Sunset Blvd.
  • Cookbook, the greengrocer, opened up on August 31 on Echo Park Avenue near Chicken Corner. Click here to read about the store!
  • A Mac computer repair store is rumored to open up this weekend next door to Beauty Box on Sunset Blvd. More details to come!

Other news:

Ongoing/Weekly Specials

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Mooi serves up some delicious vegan events for September

Mooi is offering quite a few treats for us in the month of September, including a raw food seminar, speaking events, and a guest chef night. Here’s the low-down:

Tonight is the first night for a free raw food seminar by Lou Corona to be held every Thursday of September from 7-10:30 pm (we’ve heard food will be served!). Lou’s seminar is about raw food and his 38-year experience as a “raw living foodist.” He’ll be teachin the “4 principles” that have helped transformed his life. You don’t need to RSVP, and it’s free!

On Saturday, September 11, Mooi will host a guest chef with BeLive (“gourmet raw living culinary artist and visionary”).

On Friday, September 17, Mooi will host an event called “Farm of Life,” where guest speakers Brian and Jody Calvi talk about healing sickness and disease through a raw food diet, as well as their experiences on a raw vegan organic farm in Costa Rica. There will be two showings, one at 7:00 pm and one at 9:00 pm. The event is free! Go to www.farmoflifecr.com to learn more.

And, of course, every Tuesday from 3-5:00 pm Mooi is the pickup location for CSA subscribers.

Keep your eyes peeled, Mooi is also planning some film nights art shows, and more!

Mooi is located at 1700 W. Sunset Blvd.

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Holiday weekend sobriety checkpoint in Echo Park on Friday

It’s Labor Day weekend!

Don’t party too hard – Friday night (September 3) is another Sobriety/DUI checkpoint in Echo Park and all over Los Angeles, reports LAist. You’ll find it on Sunset Boulevard and Sutherland Street by the Short Stop (a pretty typical spot for these things) from 8:00 pm to 1:30 am.

Be safe out there!

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Try some Delilah’s Bakery pies at KCRW’s Pie Contest

Flickr photo by LoveByte

Support Echo Park’s own Delilah Bakery and enjoy some of LA’s best pies at the KCRW’s 2nd Annual Good Food Pie Contest this weekend!

Delilah Bakery owner Genevieve Ostrander will be submitting some of the bakery’s delicious pies to be judged at the Pie Contest during the Taste of Beverly Hills event this weekend. She’ll be submitting three pies for the competition: peanut butter with chocolate cookie crust, pumpkin bourbon, and key lime. There are five categories for the pies: Fruit, nut, cream/chiffon/mousse, savory, and interpretive. Winners of the first, second, and third place ribbons for each category, as well as a Best in Show pie and a Best Crust award, will be announced at 5:30 pm.

Plus if you’re a pie and baked goods lover, bring your favorite apron to show off for the apron fashion show. Chris Douridas will DJ the event.  After the pies are judged, everyone will be invited to taste all the pies.

The event is free and takes place on Sunday, September 5 starting at 4:00 pm. Click here for more information about the event (including parking and directions).

KCRW’s 2nd Annual Good Food Pie Contest
Sunday, September 5, 4-6:00 pm
Pie contest begins at 4:00 pm
Taste of Beverly Hills event space behind the Beverly Hilton
9900 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills 90210

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Long-awaited Cookbook grocery opens in Echo Park

Cookbook, the grocery store spearheaded by our fellow Echo Park residents, opened its doors for the first time yesterday. Located along the same block of Chicken Corner and next to Mishka, the small shop is offering residents a daily selection of organic and locally grown fruits and veggies, dairy, and prepared foods that will put Whole Foods to shame.

You’ll find owners Marta Teegan, a chef, master gardener and owner of Homegrown, and Robert Stelzner behind the counter to answer your questions and ring up your goodies. Martha told us earlier this summer about what to expect behind the doors at Cookbook: “Not only will we offer delicious ingredients to cook with, but we will also have a great selection of cookbooks to choose from, along with a beautiful selection of fresh cut flowers each day… Organic herb and vegetable starts will be available each spring and fall. We will further offer a variety of events at cookbook, including classes, readings, and tastings throughout the year.”

While the cooking classes are still on the table, they aren’t offering those just yet. But we’ll let you know as soon as they do!

Farmers’ market veggies (sustainably grown and local) and fruit like hericot verts, carrots, herbs, incredible-looking heirloom tomatoes, avocados, melons and other fruit. From the gourmet pantry: Honey from California bees, teas, organic sugars, Fermin Jamon Iberico, Sightglass Coffee (from San Francisco), Cafe Fanny granola, Rustic Bakery sweets, Morning Glory Confections’ artisan brittles, and more!

In the freezer you’ll find Dr. Bob’s ice cream in a variety of flavors, along with a selection of Heirloom LA lasagnas, pasta sauces, and other fresh pastas. They looked really, really delicious – but I have to admit a little bit of sticker shock, though probably totally worth it!

It will be great to grab some free-range eggs (from Mill Road Orchard in Paso Robles) for those days I’ve skipped the Farmers’ Market, along with a really great selection of cheese that will make your mouth water.

In addition to some fresh breads behind the counter (get your fresh baguettes before they all get snatched!), they offer prepared foods by Heirloom LA to take home on those days you just don’t want to cook. When I arrived late yesterday, they had a limited selection after the day’s sales (it’s probably best to go earlier, but don’t let it stop you if you get off work late), but everything was mouth-watering. Among other dishes, I was eying the grilled corn, roasted asparagus and potatoes, and pints of tomato soup. I took home some roasted asparagus and a delicious grilled flatbread with eggplant, tomato and parmesan cheese for under $10!

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

Related articles:

  1. “Echo Park’s New Greengrocer: Cookbook.” Reservation for Three, August 30, 2010
  2. “Cookbook opens a new chapter in Echo Park food shopping.” Eastsider LA, August 21, 2010.
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