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Feeding Birds Boutique experiences the storm firsthand

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Facebook update told us they were having some trouble with the heavy rain we’ve been having:

The flood has gotten too bad! We’re going to have to close early today to try and figure something out! Sorry for the inconvenience : (

The dressing room floor and walls are soaked, and water is trickling down from the back toward the front of the store, as well as from a corner near the mail slot. As they try and mop things up, Feeding Birds will be closed for the public, but they are taking private appointments by email.

Though we can expect rain through Wednesday, we’re hoping they will be able to open back up on Tuesday. Good luck guys!

Feeding Birds is located at 1825 Echo Park Ave.

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New to the ‘hood: Echo Park Patch

In early 2009, AOL started launching these small community websites called “hyper-local” news sites. Today, the Echo Park Patch launched, adding to the coverage of our little up-and-coming community. Hiring one local main editor to manage the site and freelancers to write most of the content, expect to see some freelancing writers running around Echo Park looking for your quote and your news.

There’s a lot of talk about AOL’s endeavors: Is it evil? Will it kill local newspapers? Is it sustainable? I’ve thought about the pros and cons of the site, and the pros outweigh the cons: It hires and pays local journalists and writers who are most likely out of work, it will bring to light a lot of community issues people need to know about, and did I mention it pays?

Echo Park resident Lea Lion has taken on the helm of Echo Park Patch, and so far we’ve met some pretty awesome local journalists writing for the site as well. Jenny Burman, who writes Chicken Corner for LA Observed, will also be contributing. It always amazes me how many creative and hard-working people like in our little community!

I will also be writing some articles for the site, specifically an opinions series called “Think Echo Park.” My first article is about the news-worthy Sunset Flats development, which I’ve written about before on this website. Hopefully you’ll enjoy my articles both on Echo Park Now and on Patch!

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Sunset Flats developer to visit EPIA meeting tonight

Though the developers of the Sunset Flats project didn’t attend last month’s Echo Park Improvement Association Neighborhood Issues Committee meeting as scheduled, they will hopefully be making it up to everyone at tonight’s meeting.

This may be your last chance to hear directly from the developers before the city makes a decision on the project variances on January 13, 2011. Residents who oppose the project will be particularly interested in attending the meeting, although we’ve heard the developer wasn’t so keen on budging at the last meeting with residents and CD13.

Nevertheless, join the EPIA (which, for purposes of full disclosure, I am a member of) tonight:

ECHO PARK IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
Neighborhood Issues Committee Minutes
Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 7 pm
Williams Hall, Barlow Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way

Click here for the full agenda.

Related Articles:

  • “Upcoming hearing on Sunset Flats Development in Echo Park.” Echo Park Now, November 19, 2010.
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Chinatown Express officially open for business

The owners and employees at Chinatown Express in Echo Park had something to celebrate on the weekend of December 4, 2010 – the local Chinese food restaurant finally reopened its doors after a fire broke out in the mini mall over a year ago in September of 2009. It looks like they had a blast at the opening!

More pictures after the jump. Photos via Chinatown Express Facebook page.

Read more

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Even Maria the Goose takes interest in Lake Rehab

A lot of us were at the Echo Park Community Parade on Saturday, but there was also another Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation Tour around the lake. This time, Maria the Goose joined in on the talk, raising the question: Where will the infamous goose go once the project starts?

Photo via LA Stormwater Facebook gallery.

Related Articles:

  • “Echo Park Lake Rehab EIR to go before City tomorrow.” Echo Park Now, November 22, 2010
  • “Echo Park Lake Restoration tour.” Echo Park Now, October 14, 2010
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Honoring teachers and principals in Echo Park tonight

Tonight, the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council (GEPENC), along with the Positive Energy Group, are hosting the 2nd Annual Echo Park Elementary Principal/Teacher Appreciation Reception. Though events have already started (at 3:00 pm), the reception/program will start at 5:30 pm.

The event was originally scheduled for October 7, 2010, but was rescheduled due to weather concerns.

Honorees include:

Mr. Lynn Andrews, Allesandro Elementary
Ms. Julie Gonzalez, Betty Plasencia Elementary
Ms. Armineh Alexan Papazian, Clifford Street Elementary
Ms. Veronica Herrera, Elysian Hts. Elementary
Mr. Luis Ochoa, Logan Street Elementary
Ms. Rosa Eshaq, Mayberry Elementary
Mr. Evaristo Barrett, Rosemont Elementary

This is a great opportunity to thank all the hard-working principals and teachers in Echo Park! Congrats to everyone involved!

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Miss the Elysian Park snowmen? Help bring them back!

Flickr photo via Non Paratus

This year was almost the first time since the project started a few years ago that the Elysian Park snowmen would not decorate the park’s entrances. But thanks to a few ambitious volunteers, the park might just have these happy recycled tumbleweed decorations after all!

The problem with installing the snowmen was due to, you guessed it, cutbacks. Put together by the Recreation and Parks staff, they face a 15% budget cut leaving them no time to put together the holiday decorations.

Last year we noticed the financial cut backs when the corner of Scott and Stadium Way (on our way home) went without its usual snowmen. Hopefully the volunteers will help bring a little cheer back to that corner as well!

Volunteers are meeting on Friday, December 10 at 10:00 am at the Elysian Park maintenance yard (between the Police Academy and Solano Canyon). They have already started collecting tumbleweeds and will teach volunteers how to make them. Just bring gloves and clippers, and wear long sleeves!

Maybe if you learn how to make these you’ll be able to have some inexpensive and recycled decorations for your own yard!

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Last night’s fire at Logan Street Elementary

There were few last night who didn’t hear the incredibly loud fire alarm going off at Logan Street Elementary in Echo Park. A lot of people came out to see what all the commotion was – some neighbors telling me they often hear the alarm going off when kids try to break in to the building. But this time it was different.

A little after 10:0 pm, a fire broke out near an electrical panel in the building. One firefighter told me it started in the basement, but other reports say it started on the second floor. Damage was minimal, and noone was injured.

We ran into The Eastsider LA’s Jesus Sanchez on the scene as well, and since we sabotaged WordPress last night we weren’t able to post anything until now. He had the story up right away, you can read that here.

It took 42 firefighters and 43 minutes to put out the fire.

Logan is still open for classes, but some classes will also be held at Gabriella Charter School.

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Hollywood dispute could affect the Echo Park Farmers’ Market

John Sweredoski helps customers at the Echo Park Farmers' Market

I wrote briefly about this yesterday on our sister blog, Atwater Village Now, in my article titled “Local Farmers Markets May Be Affected by Hollywood Dispute.” In the article, I write about a dispute between Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEE-LA), which runs many LA area Farmers’ Markets, and a company leasing its parking lot to the Hollywood Farmers’ Market on Sundays.

SEE-LA is concerned the loss of the parking lot will “displace” 150 vendors and will total a loss of about $130,000. This loss could affect other farmers’ markets under SEE-LA, the fear of shut-down of markets including Watts, Crenshaw, South Central, Echo Park, East Hollywood and Atwater Village.

The SEE-LA website recently posted more information about the dispute and how you can help. Please visit the website or read the information below:

We need your assistance to keep the Hollywood Farmers’ Market at its current location, where it has been for nearly 20 years. We will update this web page with new information about this breaking issue and the latest instructions for how you can help.

Under pressure from an adjacent business owner, City authorities have decided to revoke the legal authority to close Ivar Avenue on Sunday mornings which SEE-LA, the nonprofit operator of the Hollywood Farmers Market, has used for the past 19 years to serve up to 10,000 people every Sunday.

If the City follows through, most of the Sunday market vendors on Ivar Avenue between Selma Ave. and Sunset Blvd. – about 1/2 of the farmers – could be denied space to operate, or may be shifted to a new, not-yet-determined location less convenient or less safe than their current placement.

This action also jeopardizes the viability of SEE-LA, itself, and the 7 other farmers’ markets, major nutrition education program and Farmer-to-School program it operates throughout the City of Los Angeles.

Sign a New Petition if Necessary
Thank you to everyone who signed the petition and who helped publicize it. We gathered over 3,400 signatures in one day! The first round of petitions have been handed in, although we may do another round if necessary. We will let everyone know if there is another signing.

Spread the Word
Let other people know that the Hollywood Farmers’ Market needs their help. Encourage other people to sign up for our email announcements and stay tuned.

Keep Up-To-Date
Sign up for our email list, if you haven’t already. And check back here for new announcements and updates on what is happening.

Thank you for your support!

UPDATE:

LAist reports that interested parties met on Monday to resolve the issue of street closures and property access for the Hollywood Farmers’ Market. While it first seemed that the LA Film School would allow to continue access through January 9 in order to allow the city time to conduct studies on a new layout of the market, as it turned out the school will not allow continued access (we’re still unclear as to why exactly). Continue reading about this issue on LAist.

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La Espiga Bakery tagged… again

We noticed a worker painting over the remnants of overnight tagging on the front and sides of the La Espiga Bakery, located on the corner of Glendale Boulevard and Scott Avenue. We’ve seen it get tagged up before, but they really did a number on the bakery this time around.

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Echo Park Holiday Parade theme, grand marshal announced

The Echo Park Community Parade committee announced today the theme, grand marshal, and parade ambassadors.

The theme for Saturday, December 11 is “Echo Park: We are the World.” Parade-goers can view the event all the way from Elysian Park Avenue to Park Avenue (near Alvarado) along Sunset Blvd. from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Reverend David K. Farley of the Echo Park United Methodist Church will serve as this year’s Grand Marshal. Parade Ambassadors are Peter L. Lassen (who we just adore!), Walter and Sumiko Elmer, Dr. Fredy Perez, and Sallie W. Neubauer.

The Echo Park Community Parade Kickoff is this Friday, December 3 from 5:00 – 6:30 pm at the EcHho Park Farmers’ Market. Clifford Street School, Gabriella Charter School, along with salsa band On Time Quintet, will provide entertainment, and winners of the Echo Park Community Parade Art Contest will be recognized.

The parade takes place on Saturday, December 11, 2010 starting at 10:00 am, rain or shine!

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Holiday parking in Los Angeles tips

Holiday parking regulations get a little relaxed on days like today (Thanksgiving Day!). While you may have noticed no tickets are being doled out for those street cleaning sides, and the 1-2 hour parking rules relaxed, tomorrow is back to business so park appropriately!

Here’s the low-down from the LA City Department of Transportation, click the image below for the full PDF:

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Echo Park Lake Rehab EIR to go before City tomorrow

View from the top of the Clinton Stairs

April 2011 is just around the corner, and you know what that means – the beginning of a two-year long and very stinky Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation project.

Tomorrow is the day the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) goes to the City Council Energy and Environment Committee for review. It’s difficult to tell whether or not the final EIR makes Echo Park activists happy -the nearly 500 page EIR is quite complicated and difficult to interpret (to fully understand everything you’d probably need a degree in City Planning, Architecture, and Environmental Policy of some sort). Residents with concerns had until August 30, 2010 to submit comments for review prior to the final EIR.

You can download the Final EIR (if you dare, the file is quite large) by clicking here.

Pollution and much-needed updates to the filtration systems are behind the Prop O funded rehab project, which is scheduled for April 2011. They will drain the 13 acre lake and haul out approximately 50,000 cubic feet of soil from the bottom, replace the lake liner, rebuild the wetlands, and replant other vegetation (including the lotus bed). They filtration systems will also be updated, as the lake does collect water runoff from the city, and will help reduce the amount of city water used to keep the lake levels high.

Wildlife activists and bird lovers have been concerned with the state of the migratory birds once the lake is drained. A compromise has been reached, and the engineers will include four temporary pools for migratory birds.

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Upcoming hearing on Sunset Flats Development in Echo Park

Rough outline of where Sunset Flats will be built according to a city hearing notice

Last week, we wrote about the Sunset Flats development – a 60+ unit apartment complex planned for the form Echo Park Community Garden site along Sunset Blvd. and Rosemont. Coming up on Monday, November 22, the city will hold a hearing on the requested variances for the project, including a density bonus. Echo Park Now has learned that there will be no actual decision made on the project, but will just be a meeting with the hearing officer. A decision will be made on January 13, 2011.

Everyone is still encouraged to submit letters for the record as well as show up to the hearing (to protest or support the project) as every little thing does make a difference.

For those not familiar with the project, here’s the low-down (and some updates from previous reports):

  • 12 total buildings with 62 total units (one-two bedrooms) and commercial storefronts
  • 10-11 low-income units will be provided, which is the minimum required for this project
  • Existing structures (approximately 6 buildings with 11 units) will be removed
  • Project is a mixed-use project where the developer is applying to combine residential zoning with commercial zoning under SB 1818
  • 113 parking spaces (101 are required) with 12 of those being guest parking
  • Front of project, along Sunset, will be five stories if the developer gets approval from the city (the developer is arguing for 12 extra feet, making the project five stories at a total of 57 feet)
  • Back of project, along Elsinore, will be two stories
  • All parking will be access through Elsinore street, which will be a terrible impact on that small neighborhood

The bottom line is, the problem with this development is that although the developer can legally build a structure this size, it’s not going to serve the community. In addition, the issue has blown up because of the developer’s lack of communication with the community (including even those living in houses they plan to demolish), and there’s a sense that they are pretty hot-headed. For instance, at the neighborhood council meeting last month, architect Jay Vanos told everyone he could build a bigger, 127-unit complex if he wanted. This was right before the committee voted to approve the project (despite objections by residents), so it seems the threat worked. We do have one office on our side – Garcetti has said publicly that he remains on the community’s side.

In fact, it’s gotten quite nasty. On the comments section of an Eastsider LA, someone who identifies himself as “Al” and has some relationship with the developer (perhaps a consultant?)  writes, “If the proposed building will not be acceptable then we will build what is by RIGHT and then it will be bigger.” Seems a little threatening for someone trying to get the neighborhood’s support.

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Hear from the Sunset Flats developers tonight!

The Echo Park Improvement Association is finally getting a chance to speak with the developers behind the proposed Sunset Flats project, the site of the old Echo Park Community Garden on the west side of Echo Park on Sunset and Rosemont.

Tonight’s Echo Park Improvement Association Neighborhood Issues meeting will not be the first time the organization (which Echo Park Now is a member of) has taken up the issue, but this will be the first time the developer has agreed to attend a meeting.

The city has scheduled a public hearing for Monday, November 22 to discuss the variances involved in the project, so this will be your last chance to hear from the developer and get yourself educated. You are also encouraged to send a letter to the City with your comments for public record, more information here.

Everyone is invited to attend the meeting, taking place at Taix Restaurant in the back room at 7:00 pm tonight (Wednesday). Click here for the full agenda.

This story will continue to develop here on Echo Park Now, stay tuned as we learn more!

Echo Park Improvement Association Neighborhood Issues Committee
Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 7 pm
Taix Restaurant, 1911 West Sunset Boulevard

UPDATE:

The developer is no longer coming to tonight’s meeting, but EPIA members will still discuss the project in detail.

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