Neighborhood Council cleanup on Saturday

This corner definitely needs some love!

Your neighborhood council (GEPENC) is teaming up with Clifford Elementary School for a cleanup on the corners of Glendale Blvd. and Allessandro Street (right by the 2 Freeway Terminus) in Echo Park. The area is riddled with trash and needs some love!

Join your neighbors and help out your neighborhood on Saturday, October 23. Meet up at the cleanup site at 9:00 am – refreshments, lunch and tools will be provided by GEPENC!

Click here to download the flyer.

For more information about the clean up or to RSVP, please contact Jose Sigala at 213-308-2826 or by email at jose_sigala@yahoo.com

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Beer and Zombie pairing at City Sip

Yum, brains! I mean beer! Er, beer and zombies at City Sip on Halloween!

Get your trick or treat on for ages 21 and over – City Sip is hosting an evening of Zombies and Beer. Author Ben Tripp is launching Rise Again: A Zombie Thriller, and to get you in the creepy, Halloween mood will be reading an excerpt from the book while you enjoy a variety of delicious beers.

This all takes place on Halloween, on Sunday, October 31 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Here’s what to expect:

  • Seven delicious brews
  • Seven types of cheese, including head cheese
  • And possibly some offal meats (such as brains, liver, and things that you would HAVE to be drunk to try)
  • Come in a zombie costume and get a party favor!

Cost is $35 per person.

Space is limited! Email Alex@citysipla.com or call (213) 483- 9463 to RSVP.

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Sunday: Echo Park Share Fare take two

Join Echo Park residents and crafters for the second Echo Park Share Fair. Bring whatever you care to share: treasures you’ve outgrown, your keen wit, leading of a craft project, edibles… a bike maintenance demo perhaps? Or just go hang out and meet fellow residents!

Click here for the Facebook page and event info.

Sunday, October 17
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
1380 Echo Park Ave

Free and all ages!

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From our Neighbors: LA’s Best Health Fest

The 2007 Health Festival

This weekend is the Eighth Annual Health Festival put on by LA’s Best, a city-run organization that organizes after-school programs for children ages five through 12. The Health Festival is a fun fair for families held at East Los Angeles City College, and will offer free medical and dental screenings, healthy snack-making, fun physical fitness activities, arts and crafts and a wide-range of entertainment (including Ariana Grande, of Nickelodeon’s  Victorious and Cymphonique). Here’s the low-down from LA’s Best:

At a time when children’s health and nutrition across the nation is deteriorating and childhood obesity rates are at their highest, LA’s BEST has continued to make health and fitness education a priority in its programming. More than 5,000 children and their families from the lowest income communities in Los Angeles will come together for the 8th Annual Family Health Festival. LA’s BEST serves a predominantly Latino-heritage population.

That’s right, they expect more than 5,000 parents and kids to attend, so it should be a lot of fun for families!

2010 Health Festival
Sunday, October 17th, 2010
9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

East Los Angeles College – Weingart Stadium
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Weingart Stadium is located on the campus off Floral Drive
Stage program beginning at 9:00 a.m. and activities taking place throughout the day

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Echo Park Lake Restoration tour

Flickr Photo via avilon_music

On Saturday, October 23, we are heading to Echo Park Lake for a “Rehabilitation Pre-Construction Tour” to learn about the upcoming work on the historic lake. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the project, stormwater improvements, and what you can expect come April 2011.

Here are the dates of the tours:

Saturday, October 23, 2010
Saturday, November 13th, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – English
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon – Spanish

Meet at the corner of Park Avenue and Echo Park Avenue. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothes.

Sign up NOW! There are only 30 slots per tour and RSVP s are required.  Sign up today by emailing Olga.Morales@lacity.org or calling (213) 978-0329.

Click here to download the event flyer.

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Guest chef serves up raw/vegan Indian food at Mooi

Dinner in the Mythical Kingdom of Shambala (at Mooi)
Friday, October 15

This dinner is a collaboration between Mooi owner Stephen Hauptfuhr and Chef BeLive on Friday night; they are creating a special pre-set and pre-priced seven course Indian dinner that is completely vegan, gluten free and raw. The menu includes:

Curry Soup
Salad w/ Red Pepper Rose Vinaigrette
Samosas w/ Banana Tamarind & Pineapple Chutney
Indian Red Curry over Mock Rice
Pumpkin Curry Zucchini Pasta
Vegetable Korma
Coconut Yogurt
Chai Ice Cream w/ Cinnamon Chili Sauce
Served with Chamomile Jasmine Tea

Cost: $30 per person

RSVP is recommended but not required, email stephen@mooifood.com

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The Warehouse grand opening party Friday

Just a few months ago, owner Justin Warwick closed down his vintage store, Warwick, on Sunset Blvd. near the Short Stop. He took on a huge project remodeling and fixing up a warehouse space farther down the road, and is now ready to show off his hard work with a grand opening party on Friday, October 15.

Free Booze, piñatas on the patio, local DJs, DIY Class demos, sales! (15% off if you say the magic word, Seahorse), unique restyled vintage, dart painting, and much more…

Friday, October 15
8:00 pm-Midnight
1197 W. Sunset Boulevard (@ Marion)

Click here for the Warehouse Facebook page.

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Dia de Los Muertos with El Centro Del Pueblo

Join your neighbors and El Centro Del Pueblo at the organization’s FREE Second Annual Día de los Muertos commemoration. This year they are expanding the event with a special “Día de los Muertos” art exhibit inside the rec center. Set up your own free altar, organize your own booth for $100, and get registered to vote throughout the event.

El Centro Del Pueblo Día de los Muertos
Saturday, October 16 from 4:00 – 9:00 pm
Located at 1157 Lemoyne Street

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Shakespeare for Everyone: Hamlet at Bootleg Theater


Hamlet, Prince of Puddles, performed by theater group L’Enfant Terrible, has returned to Bootleg Theater for a short run in October after a successful run last Spring. Running every Saturday starting this weekend, October 16, through the 30th, the show promises to make adults laugh and tickle the kiddies at the same time.

Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark, but after the untimely death of his kingly father, his mother Gertrude hastily marries his uncle Claudius. When Hamlet learns who is to blame for his father’s death, he struggles to take revenge against his murderous uncle and becomes known as the Prince of Puddles! Find out why in this hilarious and family-friendly adaptation of the Bard’s classic.

Hamlet, Prince of Puddles

$9.99 for adults $5.00 kids (cash or card)
Saturday October 16, 23, and 30 from 12:00 noon – 12:45 pm
Bootleg Theater is located at 2220 Beverly Blvd.
For reservations call (213) 389-3856

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Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon to run through Echo Park

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles 1/2 Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 24, expect some road closures and delays as the marathon runs through communities including Echo Park. The race will start in Griffith Park, cross the Hyperion Bridge, go through Silver Lake down Sunset Boulevard, alongside Echo Park Lake, and end at LA Live in Downtown.

Expect some road closures along the 13-mile course, or just avoid leaving your house altogether except to check out the race along Sunset Blvd. and Echo Park Avenue. Our neighborhood council (GEPENC) will be hosting a water station along Echo Park Avenue (probably near the community center on the corner of Sunset) as well.

We met some of the guys from Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon a few nights ago at the Echo Park Improvement Association meeting, and it seems like everything will go smoothly under their direction (they’ve done this before – this race was formerly called the City of Angels Half Marathon). There will also be quite a few entertainment stages along the course, including live music every mile, and a post-race concert.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles 1/2 Marathon
Sunday, October 24 starting at 7:30 am
Go to the Rock ‘n’ Roll website for more details.
Click here to view a full map of the course.

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Apply for the 2010 Echo Park Community Parade

2007 parade photo by Paul via Picasa

We are a little jealous that Atwater Village has a big tree lighting event every year, but we in Echo Park do have a holiday parade!

The Echo Park Community Parade is currently accepting applicants for the 2010 holiday parade on Saturday, December 11.

To apply, you have a few options:

  1. Complete the participation form online at EchoParkCommunityParade.com
  2. Download a PDF Version of the form here. Print, fill out and fax back to Cindy at 213-483-5523, or mail to:

Cindy Ortiz
Parade Entry Coordinator
1157 Lemoyne Street
Los Angeles CA 90026

It’s free to be in the parade, but you must apply by November 1, 2010.

For more info, contact Parade Entry Coordinator Cindy Ortiz at 323-664-2412.

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Children’s Program at the Rec Center

From October through December 2010, the Rec Center will be hosting Sunshine Academy – a program for children ages 3-5 four days a week.

Your child will enjoy exploration into the visual learning of colors, shapes, letters, crafts, and music through creative movement and active play. Emphasis on socialization and cooperation in a fun and educational environment will also be covered. Activities are designed for Pre-K academics, and may also include arts and crafts, games, story time, and other socially stimulating activities.

Hours are Monday-Thursday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Cost is $40 per week. It’s a great way to support Echo Park programs and the Rec Center!

Children must bring their own lunch. It is mandatory that children are potty trained. No class will be held on all City observed holidays.

Click here to download the flyer for Seshine Academy

Echo Park Children’s Center is located at 515 Laveta Terrace. Call with questions: (213) 240-3006

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Taking over the Streets: CicLAvia on Sunday

How many things have you noticed about your neighborhood or other parts of LA when you drove through them, versus what you’ve noticed while walking or biking by?

Now’s your chance to experience parts of Los Angeles like you never have before. Coming up soon on Sunday, October 10 is CicLAvia – a walking/biking event that is closing down some of our Los Angeles roads to give us the opportunity to see and experience the city without any cars.

This event has had huge success outside of the U.S. (it started in Bogotá, Colombia) as well as in San Francisco and Seattle, but this is a first for Los Angeles. The goal of this event isn’t just to close down roads, interrupt traffic, and have an excuse to bike ride – it’s about temporarily reclaiming public space in order for us to “walk, bike, socialize, celebrate, and learn about new cultures and neighborhoods.” It will be a great opportunity to shop some of our local stores, try some new restaurants, and get to share the space with more people. I am looking forward to the event and think it will be a one-of-a-kind experience in Los Angeles when it comes to reclaiming public space.

The event starts in the “bicycle district” on Heliotrope (eg. where the Bicycle Kitchen is) and ends in Hollenbeck Park in East LA.

There will be a few road closures in the Rampart area, and while CicLAvia is new to Los Angeles, Rampart Officers aren’t too concerned about the new event and things should run smoothly. However, in addition to the newbie factor, the difference between this event and the LA Marathon also includes some “breaks” in the route (see above map), and, to be honest, people forget to move their cars on road closure days so there might be a few unhappy people trekking to the impound.

Event-wise, there are group rides planned (including a NELA one from Mt. Washington area), art events, rest stops, food and even yoga throughout the route, so make sure you click here to view the full events map and timeline.

Click here to visit the CicLAvia website to learn more about the event and view route maps.

CicLAvia
October 10 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Route Map | Events/Activities

This also brings to mind what I thought was some kind of old wive’s tale or something – a few years ago a big section of the Pasadena Freeway (that’s the 110 freeway for you newbs) was closed for cyclists and pedestrians for an event called ArroyoFest. You can read more of it from the LA Times blog by clicking here.

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Tonight: Art opening at the Echo Curio

The Echo Curio might be shut down for a little while, but tonight they are able to host an art opening for co-owner Justin McInteer. Check it out from 8:00 am – Midnight tonight, refreshments will be served.

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“A Night for the Buffalo” Fundraiser

2HeadedHorse Gallery is hosting a fundraiser for the Buffalo Field Campaign, an organization that work to protect America’s last wild buffalo. Check it out soon – it’s coming up on Saturday, October 9 starting at 7:00 pm.

From our friends at 2HeadedHorse:

Buffalo Field Campaign’s co-founder Mike Mease, and dedicated volunteer Noah, will be at the 2 Headed Horse Gallery in Echo Park as part of the Buffalo Field Campaign’s 2010 West Coast Road Show. Mike and Noah will share stories and video footage from the front lines
work with America’s last wild buffalo population and talk about ways you can join the efforts to help protect them, even from within your own community.  Mike has nearly two decades of experience in the company of wild buffalo, having lived in one of the coldest climates in the lower-48 to work in their defense, and he is an amazing storyteller, sure to inspire you to join the growing herd of wild buffalo warriors.

They will be joined by powerful Native voices including Lakota musician and activist, the talented Good Shield of 7th Generation Rise as well as the incredible Phoenix AfterBuffalo!

Saturday, October 9 at 7:00 pm
Cost: Donation
2Headed Horse is located at 1770 Glendale Blvd.
About Buffalow Field | Videos
For more info, please email jvasic@msn.com

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