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Used book sale at Edendale Branch Library

The Edendale Library Friends Society (ELFS) is having its final Saturday book sale of the year!

New donated books include children’s books, cookbooks, how-to books, DVDs and CDs. All proceeds go directly to fund programs, activities and new materials to the Edendale Library Branch.

There will be the usual Wednesday book sale on December 7, 14 and 21, but the library will be closed on Wednesday, December 28.

Edendale Library Friends Society (ELFS) Book Sale
Saturday, December 3 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Edendale Library is located at 2011 West Sunset Blvd. 

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Tonight: First beer tasting class at Sunset Beer Company

We know this is last minute, but this should be the first of many beer tasting classes at Sunset Beer Company in Echo Park. The “Kinda-Sorta Holiday Beer Class” will feature delicious beers such as the Gouden Carolus Noel, Alesmith Yulesmith, Avec Les Bons Voeux de la Brasserie Dupont, and Port Santa’s Little Helper, among others (all excellent holiday beers). There will also be cheese – yes, cheese!

This inaugural beer tasting class takes place tonight, Tuesday, November 29, 2011 from 7-9:00 pm, and will only cost you $35 per person or $60 per couple. Be sure to sign up now before seats run out!

Also coming soon to Sunset Beer: Beer of the Month clubs, brewery nights, food trucks, and local delivery!

Sunset Beer Holiday Beer Class
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 from 7-9:00 pm
RSVP to info@sunsetbeerco.com or (213) 481-233
Sunset Beer Co. is located at 1498 Sunset Boulevard, #3

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EPAA pet photos with Santa

It’s that time of year again – the annual pet photos with Santa at the Peter Shire Gallery!

Dog-lovers gather year after year to get photos of them, their pets, and the big bearded for the Echo Park Animal Alliance fundraiser. The prints are $10 each or three for $25, and you can get a bag of home baked dog biscuits for just $10.

In addition to the Pet Photos with Santa, the Peter Shire Gallery is open for you to browse while your pups enjoy doggy Christmas treats!

This all takes place from Saturday, December 3 (12 noon to 6:00 pm) through Sunday, December 4 (12 noon to 5:00 pm). The Peter Shire Gallery is located at 1850 Echo Park Avenue.

Email info@echoparkanimalalliance.org for more info.

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Tonight: Stories Books & Cafe anniversary party

If you’re out an about tonight in Echo Park, stop by Stories Books & Cafe for its third year anniversary party! (Happppy Anniversary!)

The pre-Thanksgiving celebration includes complimentary turkey chili and “other surprises.” Tonight only (Wednesday, November 23) starting at 7:30 pm.

If you miss it tonight, swing by stories on Saturday, November 26 at 7:00 pm for live music by Graham Lindsay and Daniel Ahearn.

Also on Tuesday, November 29 at 7:30 pm, on hand will be Joseph Mattson, James Greer and Jerry Stahl (The Speed Chronicles) and Gary Phillips, Jervey Tervalon and Susan Straight (The Cocaine Chronicles). Susan Straight is one of our favorite LA writers, so we’re looking forward to the event! Click here for the info.

Stories is located at 1716 West Sunset Boulevard.

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Pet adoption spotlight: Cutie

This adorable pup came up on the Echo Elysian Neighborhood Council forum today – he’s so cute his temporary name is Cutie, and we just had to share his story with the hopes he’ll find a permanent home. Here’s the story of how Cutie was found:

I rescued this sweet young boy last Monday night in Echo Park. He was emaciated, starving and scared. He’s been at the shelter and no one has come to claim him. I’ve been visiting him everyday so now he recognizes my voice. He’s young (1-2 years old), healthy, super affectionate and sweet, and a quick learner! The staff are taking good care of him, giving him extra food and being very gentle with him.

This poor boy needs a home! His only draw back is that he is not leashed trained. But, I’ve been working with him, and he’s getting the hang of it. He wants to please, he wants affection – he loves to snuggle, get hugs, and he gives the sweetest kisses.

I’m going out of the country this Friday and I’m terrified that this cutie will be killed while I’m away.

Cutie is currently at the North Central Animal Shelter located at 3201 Lacy Street.

For more information about Cutie, all you need to do is visit www.laanimalservices.com and click on “ADOPT.” Enter his animal ID number, A1264972.

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Gil Cedillo running for Council District 1 seat

CD1 borders in Echo Park

Looks like we’ve got another candidate for the First District of the LA City Council – Gil Cedillo announced his aspirations two days ago in a press release to fill the seat of soon-to-be termed-out Ed Reyes in the 2013 elections, joining Reyes’ chief of staff Jose Gardea. Cedillo is currently our state assemblyman in the 45th district, a seat which he can’t run for again due to term limits.

Cedillo has a couple of good things going for him, including the California Dream Act, which was recently signed by the Governor. We also saw him rubbing elbows with the general public and press in September at a Northeast LA foreclosure fair. Mostly, we hope if he wins the election, he’ll be an involved and responsive representative of the First District, which includes parts of Echo Park, Elysian Park, Highland Park, Mt. Washington, and other surrounding neighborhoods (click here for a full map).

In the press release, Cedillo said he was running “because we need bold and experienced leadership to strengthen and protect the Los Angeles Dream.”

“Gil began his crusade for change and social justice over three decades ago as a young student leader right here in Los Angeles,” said El Centro del Pueblo Executive Director Sandra Figueroa in the press release. “Since those early days, Gil has remained one of the most effective and passionate progressive advocates in Los Angeles.  Now is exactly the time to bring Gil Cedillo’s determined and forceful leadership to City Hall on behalf of the diverse neighborhoods that comprise City Council District 1.”

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Tuesday is Echo Park Time Bank karaoke night

Are you a karaoke fan? The Fun and Games Committee of the Echo Park Time Bank has organized a little Tuesday night social event at Home in Silver Lake. Everyone is invited to this free, all ages event full of karaoke, socializing, and snacks. Bring your friends!

Echo Park Time Bank Holiday Social
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
@ HOME Silver Lake, at the corner of Riverside and Fletcher (not the one on Hillhurst!)

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Countdown to Thanksgiving: Local volunteer opportunities

Gobble Gobble Give

This annual tradition brings lots and lots and lots of families in need out to The Echo for free turkey dinners, and they need lots of help. Bring a dish already heated (they’ll take any ‘giving sides but also need turkeys), five small toiletry kits, clothing and/or blankets on Thanksgiving Day starting at 8:00 am. Volunteers can show up starting at 7:30 am. Families in need start arriving at 10:00 am.

Go to gobblegobblegive.org for more information, or to donate just a few bucks to help buy turkey dinners for those in need.

A Place Called Home in South Central LA

Donate pies for the A Place Called Home Thanksgiving Dinner in South Central Los Angeles. Drop off pies on Tuesday, November 22 between 12:00 noon –  6:30 pm at 2830 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90011. Click here for info.

One Incredible Family in Playa Del Rey

Prepare and deliver meals for the homeless (along with other volunteer duties) at One Incredible Family in Playa Del Rey on Saturday, November 26. You can also volunteer to cook large turkeys the day before and deliver to the project site the day of. Click here for info.

Union Station Homeless Services

Thanksgiving Dinner-in-the-Park volunteers are needed both the day before and the date after Thanksgiving, at Union Station in Pasadena. Activities include event set-up, registration, food preparation, clean-up and more. For more information contact dinnerinthepark@unionstationhs.org. You can register online www.unionstationhs.org.

More opportunities

You can search for more volunteer opportunities on the LA Works website.

Did we miss anything? Please let us know in the comments below and we’ll be sure to add the information!

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Pilates & Arts grand opening celebration Saturday

If you haven’t checked out the new pilates studio on Echo Park Avenue, Pilates & Arts, now is your chance!

Join Echo Park resident and owner Tannis Kobrinsky, along with friends on Saturday, November 12 for a grand opening celebration. She’ll be hosting Pilates demos, a chance to “meet he machines,” Tarot readings, and an art exhibit with live music. Refreshments will be served and prizes give out!

The art show will feature “The Falling” group show, with live music by Little Red Lung and others.

Please RSVP to tannis@pilatesandarts.com or (323) 913-9460

Pilates & Arts Grand Opening
Saturday, November 12 · 4:00pm – 8:00pm
1844 Echo Park Avenue
Website, or check the Facebook page for detailed hours on classes, and costs.

Related links:

  • Time to get fit: Echo Park Avenue gets new Pilates studio. Echo Park Now, October 11, 2011.
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Hey bag lady! Unload those extra reusable bags in Echo Park

Flickr photo via Earth911.com

Flickr photo via Earth911.com

Find yourself with too many reusable bags in the cupboard? Perhaps you overdid the free bag give-aways at the last tradeshow? Maybe you just don’t need all 50 of those bags, and they’re cluttering up your space?

Echo Park resident Beth Zeigler (she’s the uber organizer who runs the local Bneato) has been collecting your extra reusable bags for a couple of months now at local drop-off points in Echo Park, Atwater Village, and Silver Lake. She plans on reusing the reusables by redistributing them (say that 10 times fast) for free on Saturday afternoon.

The idea being that people who just can’t afford to buy them, or maybe haven’t thought about using them, will have the opportunity to get free bags. “While many folks take reusable bags with them to shop at my local Vons and Trader Joe’s, I’d love to see more people getting excited about using them,” Beth said in a press release. And she’s got a TON of them to give out.

I’m pretty good about using them at the Farmers Market and even a clothing store, but perhaps Beth can convince the hubby to start carrying them?

Reusable bag collection drive: Bags for Bneato
Vons in Echo Park and Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake
Saturday, November 12, 2011
12:00 noon to 4:00 pm
Contact Beth Zeigler at info@bneato.com for more info

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Echo Park Farmers’ Market pumpkin contest for kids

The Echo Park Farmers’ Market is celebrating Halloween during Friday’s market with a pumpkin decorating contest for kids!

The Fifth Annual Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Contest starts at 3:00 pm, with free pumpkins provided to the first 100 kids. Judging starts at 5:30 pm.

The Echo Park Farmers’ Market is located at Parking lot #663 , at 1146 Logan St. (half a block south of Sunset Blvd.). It runs every Friday from 3-7:00 pm.

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Sunset Beer Grand Opening Party tonight!

Sunset Beer is hosting its grand opening party today just a month after it opened, the beer bottle shop and bar celebrating with, what else? Beer! They’ve recently added Golden Road Brewing Hefeweizen and the Golden Road Point the Way IPA (which I’ve had and it’s tasty!). There will certainly be some other beer-related shenanigans and some elbow rubbing with the staff and owners, so check it out!

Sunset Beer Grand Opening Party
Saturday, October 15 from 6-10:00 pm
Music by Mr. Cocoon
Sunset Beer Co. is located at 1498 Sunset Boulevard, #3

Also be sure to walk across the street to Villainy for its grand opening today!

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Celebrate Día de los Muertos at El Centro Del Pueblo

The annual commemoration of Día de los Muertos along with the Echo Park Mariachi Festival takes place at El Centro Del Pueblo on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Entrance to the festival is free!

Everyone is welcome to create a free altar in commemoration of Día de los Muertos at the center, which goes on from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Vendor booths are $50.

The Mariachi Festival (from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm) features LAUSD Middleton Elementary School Mariachi and Flocorico Dancers.
Join your neighbors, family and friends for altars, culture, food, free arts and crafts for kids, and plenty of entertainment – including an art exhibit.

This event is co-sponsored by GEPENC, State Senator Kevin De Leon, Assemblymember Gilbert Cedillo and Los Angeles Council President Eric Garcetti.

El Centro Del Pueblo is located at 1157 Lemoyne St.

Contact Lidia Martinez at lmecdp@yahoo.com or 213-483-6335, if you’d like a space for your free altar or vendor booth.

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The Warehouse vintage store celebrating one year anniversary

One of our favorite vintage shops in Echo Park is celebrating its one year anniversary! Though owner Justin Warwick isn’t new to the store ownership thing in Echo Park (his first establishment was called Warwick Vintage at a couple of different locations on Sunset Boulevard), he and his team have done a fabulous job turning an empty warehouse into a thriving vintage store called, appropriately, The Warehouse. They also opened The Classroom LA down the street this year, where you can take classes on sewing, jewelry, terrariums, and more crafty things.

And what would be a one year anniversary without a celebration?

Drop by The Warehouse on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Starting at 7:00 pm, there will be live music, beverages, and Delilah’s Bakery cupcakes (uhm… YES!)

The Warehouse is located at 1197 West Sunset Boulevard. Contact events@thewarehousela.com for more information.

Also be sure to check out the store’s monthly events, including Movie Nights every third Tuesday, Comedy Night every third Wednesday, and the Echo Park Art & Design Fair every third Saturday. Click here for details on events!

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Explore old secrets at the “Haunts of Angelino Heights” scavenger hunt

The Irey House, built in 1887, now on Carroll Avenue

Too old for trick or treating? Gone are the days of booze-filled costume parties? Well even if those don’t exactly apply to you, here’s another way to celebrate the spooky Halloween holiday this month: The 3rd Annual Haunts of Angelino heights!

Taking place on Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, the event is a “haunted” scavenger hunt in the old neighborhood filled with century-old Victorian homes. There’s a lot of history in the neighborhood besides the old houses – after all, the “Thriller” music video was filmed there, along with the “Charmed” television show.

Hosted by Out of the Box Events and the Los Angeles Conservancy, the event promises to explore the “spirits, secrets and legends of one of the oldest neighborhoods in LA.” Perhaps you’ll capture something spooky, so bring a camera! Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the LA Conservancy. Tickets are $30.

3rd Annual Haunts of Angelino Heights
October 22 and 23, 2011
4:00 – 6:30 pm
Click here for tickets

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