Class at 826LA may take the worry out of the SATs

The SATs scared the bejesus out of me when I took the test (many, many years ago), but there are some great resources for kids these days to help them prep for the test.

Check out 826LA in Echo Park where they will host four classes in October and November taught by 826LA Director of Education Julius Diaz Panoriñgan. Having taught the SATs as a tutor before, he has said to have boosted a student’s score by 900 points.

Here are the details for the class:

This workshop is a comprehensive test-prep course, encompassing all three sections of the test: math, critical reading, and writing. We will begin by answering any questions and dispelling all myths about the SAT. Then we’ll cover general test-taking tactics, specific strategies for each question type, and ways to approach the essay.

826LA SAT prep

Ages 14 – 18
Every Tuesday starting October 12 (10/12, 10/19, 10/26, and 11/2)
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

826LA East is located at 1714 Sunset Blvd.

After you take the prep class, there’s an SAT Practice Test at the Edendale Branch Library on Saturday, October 30 at 10:00 am. There will be a followup after the practice test on Thursday, November 4 at 5:00 pm.

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Get your tickets for Eco Echo Park home tours

The 2010 Echo Park Historical Society home tour date has been announced for Sunday, November 14. The theme this year is “Eco Echo Park: Urban Sustainable Living.” The tour will feature properties that utilize “gray water systems, solar power, natural light and circulation as ways to reduce dependency on public utilities.” They will also be showcasing properties that use native and drought-tolerant plants, no-dig gardens and urban farmers that raise livestock and/or crops for personal consumption.

Renew your annual membership to the Echo Park Historical Society for a discounted price of $15 for admission to the home tour. They are also accepting $25 donations to help re-light the sign on top of Jensen’s Recreation Center in Echo Park (which has been left unlit for several years now).

Individual subscriptions are $15, $25 for households, $40 for businesses, and $250 for a lifetime membership.

Go to www.historicechopark.org to buy your tickets in advance. Save $5 if you buy your tickets by November 1!

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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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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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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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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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Neighborhood Crime Update for Echo Park

The following crime report about Echo Park comes from Captain Bill Murphy of the Northeast Division in an email today:

Echo Park

Had a few property crimes last week (BTFV/Car break-in). This week looks real good – only two BTFVs associated with Dodger Stadium. Pay attention to tow trucks. We have arrested several tow truck drivers who have taken vehicles without having proper paperwork/permission (say from an owner of a parking lot who posts no parking signs). This is a scam as the charge the vehicle owners $300 to get their car back.

Elysian Valley

Very clear since September 12th – no crimes.

Historical Crime Data:

Captain Bill Murphy’s email address is 26152@lapd.lacity.org

Other Northeast Division news:

  • On Saturday October 2, 2010, between 10 am – 2:00 pm, Please come and celebrate the renewal of the neighborhood – free food and entertainment will be provided.
  • On Saturday October 30, 2010, between 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, take a tour of the police station and see the many exhibits on display. They will have a “Halloween” theme with a pumpkin patch and a Halloween costume contest (prizes to the winners). The entire event is free so come on down with the kids and enjoy.
  • The Northeast Division will sponsor a carnival in November – date and times TBD. The proceeds from the carnival will support Northeast Youth Programs.
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Watch the moon rise at Vista Hermosa Park

2008 Flickr photo by Pixelflip

Last night I noticed the moon was crazy huge as it rose over Echo Park right around Sunset. Families have an opportunity check out this phenomenon close up – bring everyone out to Vista Hermosa Park for Double Delight: Sunset and Moonrise on Friday, September 24 at 6:30 pm.

Meet at the Grotto Amphitheater for the FREE 1.5 hour program. You’ll get to look through a telescope to see the differences between the sun and the moon right as the sun sets and the moon rises.

Sponsored by the Santa Monica Conservancy and presented by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

For information contact Judy Perez Soto at (213) 250-1100 and judy.perezsoto@mrca.ca.gov

Vista Hermosa Park is located at 100 N. Toluca Street (near Glendale and Beverly Blvd.)

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Ask the LA Planning Director: Tonight!

Tonight is the Town Hall meeting where residents can meet and speak to the new LA Planning Director, Michael LoGrande. Echo Park has some stake in this meeting – at least two developments in Echo Park are being criticized by neighbors for developing buildings that breach our community planning guidelines: Avalon Street and the Sunset Flats development on Sunset and Rosemont.This is a great opportunity to find out what the city has in store for our community.

If you’re not planning on attending tonight’s meting, you can still submit questions online by clicking here.

Mayberry Elementary is located at 2414 Mayberry Street

Click here to register for the town hall.

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Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium – Get your tickets now!

Support the EPIA and the Chamber of Commerce and enjoy a Dodgers game with your neighbors!

The annual Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium is coming up on Saturday, October 2 at 7:10 pm, the Dodgers play the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tickets are ONLY $11 each (for $18 seats!)

Get your tickets today! Email the EPIA at epiamail@yahoo.com with your name and the number of tickets you are committing to purchase, and instructions about delivery/pickup and payment will be emailed back to you. If you see the above flyer in the window of a business (like Masa!), inquire there as well! You might be able to buy tickets with your dinner.

Go to www.epia-echopark.org for more info or to download the event flyer.

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LA Beyond Coal Campaign coming to you

Park[ing] Day LA is tomorrow, so we’re feeling very eco-friendly lately!

This Sunday, if you live in Echo Park you might be visited by someone from the LA Beyond Coal Campaign. They are canvassing the neighborhood to reach “10,000 Angelenos to ask them to support a coal-free LA.” It doesn’t look like they’ll be asking for donations or anything, but each door-knocker will have a postcard to City Council, “asking them to make sure the City goes coal-free.” If you get a knock at your door between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm, you’ll know who it is.

After the canvassing, they’ll be holding a coal-free BBQ at Elysian Park, meeting at the picnic tables near the corner of Stadium Way and Scott Avenue. If you have questions about LABeyondCoal.org, want to help canvass, or join in some other way, contact Evan.Gillespie@Sierraclub.org.

If you’d like to attend this event, you can RSVP online.

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“Pocket parks” to take over parking spots on Friday

The fourth annual Parking Day LA will be taking over a few of the city’s parking spots all day this Friday, September 17. The goal? To transform our parking spaces into small pockets of parks, and to change the landscape of LA from one day from a car-infested city into a sustainable (and pretty!) public space. The Parking Day LA website further clarifies: “Additional parks will help reduce the heat-island effect of the City by converting our over-abundance of concrete and asphalt into green spaces that will inevitably promote the civility of the City by offering more spaces for the public to converge.”

In Echo Park, the Echo Park Time Bank Park will be at Echo Park Avenue and Delta (near Chicken Corner, the Durbin project that has been left vacant for so long) from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. They will be “PARK(ing)” front of the lot they hope to some day be, instead of condos, a public park. Time Bank members, Aaron Kuehn and Orchid Velasquez will be offering “‘PARK(infusion)’ – the ‘steepest’ park ever! Assorted aromatic blends of wild flora for you to experience, just add water and your own cup.”

Stop by and hear live music and celebrate time bank member, Alicia Beach’s birthday!

Parking spaces are being transformed all over Los Angeles – click on the map below to find a location near you:

Click on the map for more

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Townhall meeting with new LA Planning Director

Only two more days to register for the September 21 Townhall meeting at Mayberry Elementary School. You’ll have to chance to “meet” Michael LoGrande, LA’s new Planning Director, and/or “bring your questions via Twitter, Facebook, or online via email. All social media enthusiasts welcome.”

Mayberry Elementary is located at 2414 Mayberry Street

Click here to register for the town hall.

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