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7-11 returns to the Echo Park Improvement Association tomorrow night

The Echo Park Improvement Association is holding itss regularly scheduled Neighborhood Issues Committee meeting tomorrow (Wednesday, December 21). The agenda includes a presentation by representatives from 7-11, who were also present at the last committee meeting. They’ll likely be addressing the same concerns by the neighborhood, including parking, the beer and wine permit, and traffic, among other issues.

With an approval by the neighborhood council, and the corporation’s willingness to work with neighborhood organizations means our magic ball predicts 7-11 will get the space. We’ll see what happens with the vote by the city after the start of the new year.

Also on the agenda are the developers from the Morton Village project, which has been left uncompleted for quite some time now.

Echo Park Improvement Association Neighborhood Issues Committee meeting
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Williams Hall, Barlow Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way
Agenda

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Mustache competition to benefit Silver Lake Library

Movember might be officially over, but for all you longer-term bearded fellows out there in Echo Park, Silver Lake and beyond, now’s your chance to show off those long facial locks at the first annual Beard and Mustache Competition at the Silver Lake Library.

Library staff member Johathan Pitre told the LA Times that he wanted to coordinate the event after learning that Jack Passion, two-time world beard champion, had recently moved to Silver Lake. Jack will be on hand at the event to talk about his new book, The Facial Hair Handbook, and Joel Stein will be the celebrity judge. Johathan hopes to introduce people to the fairly new Silver Lake library with the event.

And we’re predicting this event will be a popular one! Categories for entries include: Hipster, Santa Claus, Most Scholarly, Most Outrageous, and Go Big or Go Home. Prizes will be given to winners placing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Registration is free, email silver@lapl.org for more details or to register.

Sponsors include the Friends of the Silver Lake Library, Silver Lake Wine, Cha Cha Lounge, Rockaway Records, Red Lion Tavern, Relapse Records and Mane ‘n Tail shampoo. The Cha Cha will also be selling commemorative pint glasses to help raise funds for the library.

If you miss the competition, be sure to follow the many great events going on at the Silver Lake Library, including Sustainable Silver Lake’s monthly series Sustainable Saturdays.

See you at the competition!

The First Annual Beard and Mustache Competition
Tuesday, December 20 at 6:00 pm
Silver Lake Library located at 2411 Glendale Blvd.
Registration deadline: Monday, December 19 at 5:00 pm
Email silver@lapl.org for more details or to register

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LA Times reports a recent spike in violent crime for Echo Park

Echo Park is among a few LA neighborhoods where violent crime has spiked in the past week, according to the LA Times crime mapping report.

From December 1 through December 7 there were five violent crimes and 10 property crimes, averaging 3.4 crimes per 10,00-00 people (which is higher than surrounding neighborhoods like Silver Lake and Chinatown).

The report also indicates that the property crime reports were about average. However, we’ve heard before that there can be an increase in thefts from vehicles around the Christmas holiday – you should never leave your iPod and other valuables in the car, but it’s also risky leaving any clothing and other seemingly non-valuable items.

Stay safe out there! Consider subscribing to Select Patrol, which is not only a great deterrent for crime but a fantastic resource for the Echo Park community.

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Echo Park Community Parade in photos

We hate to admit this is only our second Echo Park Community Parade that we’ve been able to attend, but so far it’s our favorite!

There were over 60 entries in this year’s parade, themed “‘Tis the Season.” In addition to local schools, drill teams, cheer squads, and elected officials, there were a few Echo Park businesses and organizations participating in the parade lineup. Amongst those were The Echo Park Time Bank, Edendale Library Friends Society (ELFS), The Warehouse and The Classroom, Mi Alma, 826LA, and others. Maryanne Hayashi of the Central City Action Committee was accompanied by three generations of her family – her daughter, grand-daughter, and her two-year-old great grand-daughter!

Community members that have greatly contributed to our Echo park were give special recognition as ambassadors. Mitch O’Farrell from Eric Garcetti’s Office was honored as the Grand Marshal. Parade Ambassadors included Holly Calhoun of the Echo Park Farmers’ Market, the Echo Park Improvement Association, Masa of Echo Park Bakery & Café, and Albert Torres of Recreation & Parks.

And, as parade committee members told me today, everyone was a winner! All entries received a trophy for participating. It would have been hard to pick any winners, all the entries were fabulous!

Check out our photos below:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer


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Anti-litter banners return to Echo Park

Photo via the LA Stormwater website

While you’re enjoying this weekend’s Echo Park Community Parade, you may notice some new-ish signs donning the light poles around Echo Park. Lotus flower-themed anti-litter banners have returned to the community, reminding you to “Love Echo Park Lake, Don’t Litter.” The signs will be around for about 60 days, and are the same ones that were installed back in 2009.

A beautification grant from Council District 13 Eric Garcetti’s office has given grassroots organization Echo Park Trash Abatement Program (TAP), led by Ida Talalla, the tools to keep beautification of the neighborhood on the forefront. TAP just recently unveiled the neighborhood’s first solar trash compactor (Big Belly) this Fall. And last Saturday morning, TAP organized a community cleanup of Sunset Boulevard, an effort which received a matching grant from Garcetti’s office for the banners.

The Eastsider LA asked the question in late October when the banner proposal came up in the City Council: Is it too late for Echo Park Lake? For one thing, the lake is in the middle of a $65-80 million renovation project that literally unearthed a plethora of muck-covered goodies. But one thing that Echo Park TAP will always remind us is that trash on Sunset Boulevard, on Echo Park Avenue, or even up on Glendale Boulevard ends up in the lake, drained or not. Keeping the neighborhood clean is one positive step toward keep Los Angeles watersheds clean!

And it helps – according to the LA Stormwater Blog, TAP and Los Angeles’ Conservation Corps’ Clean and Green collected more than 60 bags of trash last Saturday. Let’s hope the signs help deter some littering so that the next TAP cleanup (on January 7, 2012) volunteers don’t have to work so hard.

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Echo Park Community Parade on Saturday!

It’s time for the annual Echo Park Community Parade! The parade takes place on Saturday, December 10, and starts at 10:00 am (ending at about 1:00 pm) and goes along Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, starting at Elysian Park Avenue and ending at Park Avenue.

This year’s theme is “‘Tis the Season.” Each year, young students from the area participant in art contests held at different venues such as the Central City Action Committee (CCAC) and the Echo Park Farmers’ Market, and a panel of judges chooses three winners from varying age groups to have their artwork displayed on the parade flyer, poster and banner. So keep your eye for all the different contributions from area students on these pieces!

In addition to local schools, drill teams, cheer squads, and elected officials, we’ve got a few Echo Park businesses and organizations participating in the parade lineup. Amongst those are The Echo Park Time Bank, Edendale Library Friends Society (ELFS), The Warehouse & The Classroom, Mi Alma, 826LA, and more!

We know that Mi Alma will be bringing in a lot of color to the parade with a piñata-themed float. And The Warehouse LA/The Classroom LA will be sporting a nice big trailer with a live jazz singer and back up dancers. And of course there will be Santa!

Also in the parade lineup, Mitch O’Farrell from Eric Garcetti’s Office is this year’s Grand Marshal. Parade Ambassadors include Holly Calhoun of the Echo Park Farmers’ Market, the Echo Park Improvement Association, Masa of Echo Park Bakery & Café, and Albert Torres of Recreation & Parks.

You might find us sipping mimosas at either The Park Restaurant at Douglas and Sunset, which has a reallllly pretty brand new look to the patio, or keeping a seat warm at Lot 1 Cafe drinking mimosas, where they’ll also be offering hot chocolate and cinnabons.

After the parade, be sure to support your local businesses and shop local! The annual holiday Echo Park Shop Hop is going on, as well as lots of holiday parties at Mi Alma, Tavin, and more!

And lastly my shameless plug: We are so excited to be participating a little bit this year by designing all the new graphics for the flyer, parade program, and all those festive, red posters in the windows around town (hey, it’s our day job!).

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Jesus Sanchez of The Eastsider LA earns “Distinguished Journalist” award

Major kudos goes to Jesus Sanchez of The Eastsider LA! It was announced yesterday he’s being honored by the Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists as one of five “Distinguished Journalist” winners of the year. His work in the category of “Distinguished Work in New Media” earned him this top spot, and is among other fine honorees in different categories, including Lisa Bartley (ABC7 investigative producer), Bob Moon (radio’s Marketplace), Bob Pool (LA Times), and Howard Fine (LA Business Journal).

Sanchez’s background includes 25 years in the journalism business, and was one of the LA Times newsroom’s first online reporters. And of course, he lives in Echo Park!

All the award winners will receive their honors in the spring.

Click here to read more about the awards and its winners on LA Observed.

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Echo Park holiday shop hop, weekend sales, and more

The holiday Echo Park Shop Hop is the big shopping event this weekend, in which Echo Park businesses are offering killer shopping deals along with libations, live music, and other fun events for the family. So before, during, or after the annual Echo Park Community Parade along Sunset Boulevard from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 10, make sure you support local businesses and do all your shopping locally!

Some of those businesses include (more may join up later):

  • Ballard’s Artwork Framing
  • The Echo Park Time Travel Mart
  • Rewind Audio
  • Bluecollar Working Dog
  • Origami Vinyl
  • K9 Loft
  • Echo Park Independent Co-op
  • Masa of Echo Park
  • Two Boots Pizza
  • Stories Books & Cafe: 15% all used books, 25% off Christmas cards, PLUS Laura Ann’s Jams
  • Backside
  • iam8bit
  • deKor
  • Lemon Frog Shop
  • Villainy General Store
  • Kellygreen Home
  • Anejo Duddery
  • PIlates & Arts: discounts, art, and holiday treats

In addition to the promise of “killer” deals, more Echo Park businesses are offering up some holiday parties and sales this weekend. Here’s the low-down:

Read more

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Red Hill could open as early as next week

The old Phoenix Bakery on Echo Park Avenue and Montana has few remnants of the old bakery days left – just a sticker-covered “free parking for Phoenix Express” remains. Although the magnificent mural on the Montana side is still there, a fresh coat of a burnt-orange paint is an indication that things are moving along for the upcoming opening of the much anticipated restaurant, Red Hill.

LA Weekly has the grand opening pegged as early as next week, on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, which also happens to be owner Jason Michaud’s birthday. Jason is not only an Echo Park resident, he and his wife own vintage store Tosen in Echo Park, the restaurant Local in Silver Lake, and a new restaurant in downtown called Local Express.

When we spoke to Jason last January, Red Hill was primarily going to focus on American cuisine, and would be open for brunch, lunch and dinner, with a primary focus on dinner. They also applied for a beer and wine license this year, which received the support of the neighborhood council.

The name Red Hill refers to a part of Echo Park/Elysian Heights history much older than I – the area was known to be a secluded and safe hub for artists, radicals, socialists and free-thinkers of all sorts. Communists joined them in the 1920s during the first Red Scare (a lot came from Boyle Heights), earning Echo Park the nickname of Red Hill (as well as “Red Gulch”).

Red Hill is located at 1325 Echo Park Avenue. Follow them on Twitter.

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Echo Park TAP community cleanup on Saturday

Trash from the EPIA community cleanup in November

The Echo Park Trash Abatement Program (TAP) organization that brought us the Big Belly Solar trash compactor to Echo Park Avenue and Sunset Boulevard is organizing a couple of neighborhood cleanups for you to join. The first is tomorrow, Saturday, December 3, just in time after the “big winds.” The hours dedicated by volunteers like you will be used to meet the required “Match on Grant” (possibly the Clean & Connected Communities grant) awarded by CD13 for the anti-litter banners that will soon adorn area light poles.

Here are the details for both cleanups:

Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Meet on Sunset by Metro Bus Stop between Echo Park Avenue and Logan
Dress for weather. Bring water as needed.

Saturday, January 7, 2012 from 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Meet on Sunset by Metro Bus Stop between Echo Park Avenue and Logan
Dress for weather. Bring water as needed.

See you there!

UPDATE:

Unrelated to TAP but related to community cleanups Elysian Heights Elementary School will also be cleaning up the post-storm madness on Saturday morning. The school doors will open at 7:00 am with Mr. Maldanado at the helm and Friends of Elysian Heights Elementary working along-side. Bring the whole family (and some coffee) and help the cleanup efforts!

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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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Holidays bring the traditional Elysian Park tumbleweed snowmen

Flickr photo via Non Paratus

Hard to believe it’s Christmas time again, and the only thing that really makes us feel like it’s the holiday season are the neighborhood Holiday decorations!

The Eastsider LA reminds us that Elysian Park staff members are ready for yet another season, and are organizing volunteers to help put together the traditional tumbleweed snowmen/women for the park’s entrance on Stadium Way. We almost didn’t have the decorations last year when city budget cuts left Elysian Park without the money for staff and decorations. But volunteers stepped in and the snowmen were up!

While we do miss the snowman that frequented the corner of Scott Avenue and Stadium Way, but we know it takes a lot off effort – volunteers help to trim and put together the whole outfit made from recycled materials for each one.

If you’re interested in volunteering, snowman assembling is on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 10:00 am at the park maintenance yard (Academy Road and Solano Canyon Drive). Email hello@TheEastsiderLA.com for schedule changes.

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Screenings and celebrations for the Echo Park Film Center 10 year anniversary weekend

“Sell your TV and come to the cinema” is the defining phrase on the Echo Park Film Center website, and while we’re keeping our TV (just got rid of cable) we are very excited for its upcoming 10 year anniversary weekend, which takes place from Friday, December 9 through Sunday, December 11. In celebration, the Film Center is organizing some live music, food, receptions, speeches, selling new merchandise, and of course hosting a lot of film screenings in various locations (including the Vons parking lot!).

Here’s the scoop from the website:

Friday, December 9 from 8–11:00 pm
Libations, live music and films at Stories Books & Cafe, 1716 Sunset Boulevard.

Saturday, December 10 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Family filmmaking workshops and open house at Echo Park Film Center, 1200 N. Alvarado Street.

Saturday, December 10 from 7–10:30 pm
Filmmobile silent films screening in the Vons Parking Lot, 1342 N. Alvarado Street.

Sunday, December 11 from 2–6:00 pm
Punk Rock Songs & Cinema at The Smell, 247 S Main Street.

Sunday, December 11 from 6:30–10:30 pm
Reception and the Premiere of City of Angels 11: An EPFC Youth Film Project at Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main Street.

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Help find “Lola,” lost in Echo Park

Lisa is desperately looking for her lost dog Lola, who escaped on Thanksgiving. Via email, Lisa told us the following about Lola:

PLEASE HELP. I lost my dog “LOLA” on Thanksgiving evening while entertaining guests, someone let the door open and she got out. Maybe scared with all of the cooking rustle and bustle.  I am very upset, i cant sleep or eat. I have done as much as i humanly can for her and i am hoping you can help also. She is snow white. No marks. Smooth coat, pink ears. Female fixed. Around 10 lbs. She had a pink collar with rhinestones on with tags, and microchip information attached. Please let me know if i am sending the appropriate information. Last seen on Echo Park Avenue and Donaldson Street.

Please contact us if you’ve seen Lola, and we’ll make sure Lisa gets her loved one back!

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What they found at the bottom of Echo Park Lake

Photo from Above The Lake blog

We’re a few months into the Echo Park Lake rehab project, but besides the torn up sidewalks and construction vehicles, you wouldn’t really be able to tell the lake had been drained after the recent heavy rains. In addition to a few photos by Angelino Heights resident Steve (who took the above photo and posted it on his blog, Above The Lake), we have the official list from the city of what (and how many) was found in the lake after the draining. We’re not really surprised they found a couple of guns, but a telephone booth?! Check out the list below:

Park Trash Cans – 20
Construction cones – 36
Shopping Carts – 7
Portable Stereos/Boombox – 3
Pay Telephone – 1
Skateboard – 6
Parking Enforcement Boot – 1
Toilet – 1
Glass bottles – Hundreds
Model Boat – 2
Frisbee – 20
Weapons (guns) – 2
Office Chair – 6
Miscellaneous toys, Trash, Debris – Hundreds

Of course you can’t count every single thing, and once they start dredging the lake, they’ll probably find more items in the muck.

Check out more photos of the Echo Park Lake rehab project on our Flickr set.

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