From WeiNeverSleeps Tweetphoto
At around 4:00 pm today, a fire broke out in a median near the corner of Douglas and Sunset Blvd. The Eastsider LA is reporting that firefighters do not yet know what caused the fire.
A traffic collision that occurred around noon today on Sunset Blvd and Lemyone in Echo Park has really backed up traffic – driving down Sunset we tracked the delayed cars to around Silver Lake Blvd. Quite a few Dodger fans were running late to the game as the tow trucks cleared out the vehicles about 40 minutes ago. Try an alternative route for a while, it looks like things are still a little slow on Sunset.
The Eastsider LA has reported that one of the vehicles ended up on the sidewalk, and “one nearby Echo Park restaurant owner said it appeared that a westbound vehicle ran a red light. The Eastsider is awaiting more info about the accident and any possible injuries from the LAPD Central Traffic Bureau.”
Be safe out there!
Echo Park Advisory Board Meeting Agenda
Monday, April 19, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Echo Park Recreation Center, 1632 Bellevue Avenue
Meeting called to order
- Roll Call
- Approval of Minutes – January/February/March 2010
- Mitch O’Farrell (Sr. Advisory, Special Projects, Office of Council President, Eric Garcetti): Echo Park Updates and Discussion
- Public comment of non-agenda items (10 minutes)
- Echo Park Recreation Staff Reports (5 minutes)
Old business
- Pending Business
- Lake Rehab – Construction projected for January 2011
- Boys & Girls Club – RAP Commissioners meeting projected for September 2010
- Sunday Flee Market Issue
- Follow-through on fundraising efforts for Spring/Summer 2010
- Follow-through on new PAB Member Recruitment
- Changing of the regularly scheduled meeting day and time
- 4th Monday of the month, motion to vote
New Business
- Secretary Duties – board member to temporarily facilitate
- Board member reports/remarks
Motion to Adjourn
- Next meet May 17 at 7pm (pending vote above)
According to an LA Weekly article, the California Community Foundation has found that one of Los Angeles’ least-counted areas in the 2010 Census includes the Echo Park/Hollywood communities.
“For the first time in census history, we have access to information that can really help us focus our outreach efforts,” said Antonia Hernández, president and CEO of the foundation. The early data gives groups like the CCF and its partners an opportunity to give underrepresented communities a second chance to be included in the census, according to the LA Weekly article.
As of early April, the Hollywood/Echo Park communities have a 42.8% participation rate, compared to a national average of 67% and a countywide average of 64%.
Other under-counted areas include Koreatown, 110 Corridor in South L.A. Long Beach, South West area, the North Valley and Boyle Heights.
While we will have to wait a few months (the Census data is supposed to be released to the government on or before December 31, 2010) to see exactly what the data reflects, here are some interesting Echo Park facts from the 2000 Census, provided by the LA Times Mapping LA Neighborhoods Project:
- The population of Echo Park from the 2000 Census was 40,455 (about average in comparison to the rest of the city’s neighborhoods), compared to an estimated 43,832 for 2008
- Echo Park consists of 2.4 square miles, but with 16,867 people per square mile is among the highest densities in the city
- Latinos make up a majority of the population with 64%, while 18.9% are Asian, 12.9% White, 2.3% Other, and 2.0% Black
- $37,708 median household income (low in comparison to the rest of the city) with an average of 3.0 people per household (which is high).
- 76.0% of households are renters (high in comparison to the rest of the city)
Click here to read more statistics about Echo Park in the year 2000 from the LA Times project.
New restaurants and businesses:
- The Recycled Electronics Store opened up at 1041 Alvarado
- Caban vintage goods on 1218 W. Sunset
- Rock Paper Scissors salon at 1515 W. Sunset
Other new news
- Buy: A Guide to the Public Stairways of Echo Park by Bob Inman aka “Stairway God” (buy here)
- The old Ramona Theater is to become El Camino, a restaurant and bar serving beer and wood-fired pizzas. The opening has been pushed back from Thanksgiving 2010 to some time in 2011 (probably)
- Warwick vintage store has moved to 1205 Sunset Blvd
Ongoing/Weekly Restaurant Specials
- 1/2 off Sundays at City Sip (applies to all open bottles after 9:00 pm)
- Mac n’ Cheese Mondays at Stories Books & Cafe
- Speakeasy Tuesday at The Park restaurant (3 courses for $15)
- Wicked Wednesdays at Allston Yacht Club at 5:30 pm ($5 plates)
- $5 Burger Night, Wednesdays at The Park restaurant
- $2.50 Margarita Wednesdays at Barragan’s
A resident posted on the Echo Elysian Neighborhood Council forum information this afternoon about the fruit cart vendor on Echo Park Avenue and Sunset Boulevard:
As we were driving down EP Ave. today, I was telling my son how excited I was that there was a fresh squeezed orange juice vendor on the corner of Sunset/EP. To my horror, we reached Sunset where police cars and Public Safety trucks were carting off the fruit vendors. As a public health nurse, I appreciate the health and safety concerns, but feel there should be a way to facilitate their presence. They really do provide a public good- people have access to fresh fruit with more selection than the bottled-in-plastic stuff you buy in the store. They are a part of what makes EP “old neighborhood,” and I think should be preserved. Does anyone know why they were carted off?
It may be the Health Department conducting a “crackdown” of some kind on the food vendors in Echo Park. We’ll keep you updated if more information becomes available.
Schedule your designated drivers now, because tomorrow night (Friday, April 16) the LAPD will be conducting a sobriety check in Echo Park on Glendale Blvd and Effie Street from 8:00 pm – 3:00 am.
From the LAPD press release:
The purpose of the sobriety checkpoint is to reduce the number of traffic collisions involving intoxicated drivers and hit and run collisions. In 2010, residents residing in the Northeast Area have endured 32 driving under the influence-related and 280 hit and run traffic collisions. The checkpoint will educate the community to use designated drivers and not drink and drive. Our message is simple: If we catch you drunk, you will be arrested.
For more information, please contact Officer Don Inman, Traffic Coordination Section, at 213-486-0703.
The E-Police Newsletter sent out yesterday contains a message from Captain Bill Murphy regarding the LAPD hiring freeze everyone is talking about. Here’s the message:
By now most of you are aware of the budget crisis facing the City of Los Angeles. Many city departments have all ready experienced cut backs resulting in a reduction in city services. Possibly tomorrow, the City Council may vote on a hiring freeze for the LAPD. If the motion passes, the Department may see an estimated reduction of several hundred personal by the end of the year due to attrition. We are all ready experiencing a reduction in the number of personal deployed in both detective and field officers due to the elimination of cash overtime. Officers are currently being compensated by compensatory time off. Once officers reach a designated amount, they are required to take extra days off, reducing our deployment. As of now, this is reducing the amount of officers in the field by over six percent. With a hiring freeze, this number will increase. Over the last several years, we have seen a significant decrease in gang activity and violent crime. The Department is dedicated to providing the best service possible. We do not want to take a step backward. It is hoped that the community shares my concerns. Please take an active part by contacting your councilperson and urging them to vote against a hiring freeze. Even though this message is being sent on short notice, if you can, please attended the council meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and let your voice be heard.
Related Links:
Investigations sit idle as LAPD detectives hit overtime caps – LA Times, April 12, 2010
Council’s budget committee recommends LAPD hiring freeze – LA Times, April 12, 2010
Is a LAPD Hiring Freeze on the Way? – LAist, April 13, 2010
We don’t want you to think that all we do is complain about Dodger Stadium and game days, so we’re going to enjoy this nice evening in Echo Park and end Opening Day 2010 on a positive note. That note being: it was really a gorgeous day for some baseball! And another one, for good measure, the Dodgers won against the Diamondbacks 9-5.
Getting through the Stadium parking lot
Photo by The Eastsider LA
This is a little crazy, but they look like they’re enjoying themselves! The Eastsider LA has some great photos of the craziness going on in Elysian Park right now, click here to check it out.
We heard the fly-over from Atwater Village just a few minutes ago, and the Twitter word is that LeAnn Rimes will be singing the national anthem, then Will I Am will be tossing the ceremonial first pitch.
I haven’t even finished my first cup of coffee yet, and there’s already some drama going on with the Dodger Stadium home opener today (which doesn’t start until 1:10 pm). I’ll be posting some updates throughout the day as needed, but here’s the low-down so far:
- Matthew on Scott Avenue wrote on the Echo Elsyian Neighborhood Council Forum: “I was walking my dog in Elysian Park at 6am and the music coming from Dodger fans already parked in Chavez Ravine was deafing. I asked a policeman about it and he just ignored me. I saw police cars driving down Stadium way making announcements but the music kept up its deafening volume. So much for the start of the Dodger season and working with the neighborhood.” Other residents seem to have heard loud music as early as 5:00 am coming from Elysian Park. Click here to join the conversation on the forum.
- LA Now reported last night the LAPD will be cracking down on tailgate partyers in the Stadium parking lot. Last year we saw plenty of people getting tickets as their drinks were being poured on the asphalt, so be aware.
- There’s already a lot of traffic on the surrounding freeways right now (the 5 and 110 Pasadena freeways in particular), try to avoid leaving your house or work today. Just don’t go anywhere and you’ll be fine.
- Or ride the Dodger shuttle from Union Station and give residents and commuters a break.
- Residents have yet to receive the placards that allow local access to surrounding streets. No word from Neighborhood Relations Manager Noel Pallais why those haven’t come in yet (not that the placards really improve anything, but it’s the least they can do).
- Click here to read a little about how Dodger Stadium had “planned ahead” for this crazy, crazy day.
Send us your photos or comments about how Dodger Stadium is handling Opening Day 2010.
Noel Pallais, the Dodgers Neighborhood Relations Manager, sent out an email earlier today (Friday) about what the neighborhood can expect for Opening Day on Tuesday, April 13.
The night before Opening Day, maintenance lights will be on for the duration of the night in preparation for Opening Day Events. We will make every effort to minimize the impact on our neighbors.
The pregame ceremony, which is scheduled to start at approx 12:35pm, will include a small fireworks display on the field and a military flyover approximately 10 minutes before the start of the game.
In an effort to minimize the impact on our neighbors due to the starting time being earlier than our regularly scheduled games we are working very closely with the Los Angeles Police Department, as well as the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation; additionally, as is our policy on special event games, all of our parking gates will open earlier than our normal 2 hour period prior to the start of the game.
Since safety is of paramount importance, security and lighting will be provided to the areas around the Stadium to safeguard all vehicles and all necessary traffic controls will be in place. Additionally, you may report any security concerns to our Neighborhood Focus line at 323.224.2636.
Finally, with regards to special events at the Stadium for the upcoming season, note that postgame firework shows are only scheduled for the following dates: Monday, July 5th (start of game will be 6:10 pm) and Friday, September 3rd (start of game is scheduled for 7:10 pm). Additionally, prior to the start of every Sunday game scheduled at the Stadium, there will be a small Viva Los Dodgers musical event in our outfield parking lot (Lot G) starting approximately 2 hours prior to the scheduled start of that game and ending right at game time.
As in previous years, please keep in mind that the City of Los Angeles will close the following streets on April 13th, from 2:00 am to 8:00 pm for staging purposes and game preparations. These closures will also serve to accommodate employee parking, minimize the inconvenience to neighbors and facilitate traffic flow. Note that local and emergency access will be maintained at all times:
Scott Avenue between Stadium Way and North Boylston Street
North Boylston between Academy and Stadium Way
Lilac Terrace between Stadium Way and Lookout to Stadium
Hopefully this year’s Opening Day will run a little smoother – last year concerns were raised about tailgate parties outside of the stadium after the parking rates increased to $15.00. Parking rates stay the same, but hopefully the newly reinstated shuttle buses between the Stadium and Union Station will help alleviate some of the parking woes. The Eastsider also points out that “a spokeswoman for Councilman Eric Garcetti said there will be ‘additional deployment to address neighborhood concerns’ about tail gate parties and traffic but did could not provide details.”
Many residents have yet to receive the usual Resident placards from Dodger Stadium to help them get through the “local access only” street barricades. Noel Pallais said we should be expecting them on or before Opening Day.
From the E-Policing newsletter, sent today at around 1:00 pm:
On April 6th, 2010 at 3:15 PM an elderly distraction burglary occurred at the 2200 block of Glendale Blvd. The victim was approached by a male white who stated he needed to examine a cable wiring to the rear of her residence. She accompanied the male to the rear of the property and while there, a second suspect entered her residence and removed U.S. currency from her purse. Both suspects then fled the location. No vehicle was seen. The vict describe the suspect as Male White, Brown hair, Brown eyes, 5’10, 170 lbs, 25-30 years old. He was wearing a yellow shirt with “Tom Cat” written on the breast pocket and dark pants.
Please advise your neighbors of this in case they are not signed up for E-policing.
There are several things that you can do to prevent being a victim:
- Do not answer your door to anyone that you do not know, even if they say it’s an emergency and need help
- If they say they are from a utility service or other entity, ask for ID and/or phone the company and verify if they are representatives
- Do not leave a worker inside your home while another one leads you around your home or yard
- Report suspicious activity or people loitering in the area.
For emergencies, call 911
For Non-Emergencies call 1-877-ASK-LAPD
Be careful out there!
“Our 311 app for iPhone and Blackberry to launch soon—we had the training today and will announce a big download day for everyone when we hit the streets!” reads a post from Eric Garcetti’s Facebook page.
What exactly is a 311 app? Constituents in District 13 (which includes Echo Park, parts of Hollywood, Thai Town, Little Armenia, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Glassell Park and other neighborhoods) will be able to submit “concerns” to the district. Users can submit report problems via the “Garcetti 311” app, including photos of graffiti, reports of deceased animals on the street, illegal dumping, potholes, etc.
The question is whether or not these submissions will actually be read (and by whom?) and if it will improve city efficiency for graffiti removal and filling in those pesky pot holes. According to Garcetti’s blog post, the application uses “geo-tagging technology to automatically provide the problem’s location, simplifying the reporting process for users. During the year-long pilot program, my staff members will submit the requests to the appropriate city departments for action.”
It’s unclear as to whether or not Blackberry will be included in the end-of-the-month release (as mentioned by Garcetti’s Facebook post), but it looks like other platforms (like Google Android, Palm, and Windows Mobile) will be released in the next three months. I don’t have an iPhone but I’ll be happy to test out the Blackberry app when it comes out!
Edendale Branch
Free full length SAT practice test administered by The Princeton Review
Saturday, April 10th
10:00am – 2:30pm
Free snacks will be provided.
Edendale Branch of the LA Public Library: 2011 W. Sunset Blvd.
Call 213 207 3000 or stop by the library to sign up. Space is limited.
Library Hours:
Mondays 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesdays: Noon – 8:00 pm
Wednesdays: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursdays: Noon – 8:00 pm
Fridays: 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sundays: Closed