Echo Park Now has been a joy and a pleasure, but with other jobs and busy lives we have been able to take the time to write full articles on EchoParkNow.com
Instead we invite you to join us on social media where we share news and information about all things Echo Park!
Central City Action Committee, which is a nonprofit organization here in Echo Park, is in dire need or repairing its facility’s broken elevator. The facility, which is the old fire station on Edgeware in Angelino Heights, is two stories and needs this elevator!
CCAC handles all the graffiti removal in the neighborhood and also organizes after school activities for our neighborhood youth. Funds are tight with city budget cuts, so now is the time to support this great program through their upcoming Zumbathon event.
Saturday, October 25, doors open at 9am
Tickets are just $10 each. Ages 12 and under are FREE
Good times, raffle prizes, smiles and encouragement
To purchase tickets, call Maryanne Hayashi at (213) 241-0908.
Echo Park resident Art Meza spotted a bear in a tree on Park Drive along Elysian Park earlier this week. Neighbors say it’s been around for a while.
As part of a series of community events and cleanups, Angel City Brewery is organizing a cleanup in Echo Park this weekend on Saturday, February 8.
The cleanup area will focus on Sunset Boulevard and adjacent streets in the area around the Short Stop (toward the eastish end of Echo Park).
Want to help out? Meet at 1:00 pm at Sunset Beer Company to pick up trash bags, gloves, trash grabbers, and a volunteer t-shirt. Angel City staff members will also be providing Trash BINGO boards for you to mark off what you find on the streets – the winner gets an Angel City gift certificate and goodies.
The cleanup will go until 2:30 pm, at which time we’ll end up at the Short Stop for some post cleanup up beer and snacks.
Email Emily at Emily@angelcitybrewery.com to register, and let her know your t-shirt size.
See you Saturday!
We’re pretty sure – pretty sure – Echo Park is in Pharrell’s music video, “Happy,” quite a bit. After all, there’s definitely Atwater Village, Downtown Los Angeles, Los Feliz, Highland Park…. And while we’ve only watched the short version of the music video shown below (there’s a 24 hour long version), a few months ago the video shoot was spotted in at least one spot. Here’s a couple from Baxter:
Notice the vintage boomboxes in the background of the RadioShack commercial aired during the Super Bowl yesterday? The items on the shelf in the background had to look a little more like the ’80s for the commercial’s throwback theme (remember those music playing devices called a “boombox”?).
A few of these items on the shelf came from Echo Park’s vintage electronics store Rewind Audio, the store said in a Facebook post. In addition to selling great audio equipment, some items are available for renting for things like video shoots (shameless plug: you’ll see one such Rewind Audio boombox in my husband’s own music video).
A wave of recent restaurant and storefront closures (Villainy, Barragans, and more) in Echo Park has many wondering about the changing face of the neighborhood. But there’s been some new activity in those sad, dusty storefronts that will hopefully make Sunset Boulevard feel a little less empty.
Photo via Villainy General Store
This restaurant space, formerly Nuvia’s and then La Botana, has been closed down for nearly two years. Located on the north side of Sunset between Laveta and McDuff, we thought we were getting a gastropub in the space back in 2012. But The Eastsider LA reports some new activity in the space – unfortunately the owners did not provide any details on what kind of restaurant. One things is for sure – we hope it’s not another pizza joint.
The owners expect to open in four months.
Owner of Cafe Stella in Silver Lake, Gareth Kantner, purchased the building on Sunset where E’Pack Family Clothing Store plus the Sunset Snack stand is. Well, was. Recently the construction wall (what the heck do they call those?) went up around the storefront, a sign that the transformation into new take-out and dine-in sandwich shop has begun.
Kantner told The Eastsider LA they expect to open in February of this year. In addition to sandwiches like Lobster Rolls and Po’boys, there will be grilled meats, vegetarian dishes, and oven-baked pizzas.
FINALLY something is being done to the former Save-A-Lot store next to the Walgreens at Sunset and Logan. The grocery chain shut down in March of 2011, and has been sitting vacant ever since. There were pipe dreams of a Trader Joe’s, and what appeared to be decent traction on a Fresh & Easy until the company went bankrupt.
Although we knew Lassen’s Natural Foods & Vitamins was taking over the location back in June, there is now some signage and a lot of activity in the building. We’re not sure when the store will open, however we’re not sure how well-received the location will be in Echo Park – the Lassen family has in the past made donations in support of Prop 8, which many aren’t happy about.
Still a work in progress, despite hopes to open in December, Trencher took over a former Mexican/Salvadorian place (before that Phnom Penh’ Vietnamese) on Portia and Sunset. Expect pulled pork sandwiches, open-faced sandwiches, tofu banh mi, sliders, and more. We’re standing by for the opening any day now.
Barragan’s held it’s farewell party in December, and the change of ownership notification lists The Lost Knight as the new business name under the control of Alan Moore. We’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about what this space will bring… what do you think? For now, the front doors of Barragan’s sit quietly in the shadows.
Join fellow bird lovers on Sunday, December 29 for the annual Christmas Bird Count at Echo Park Lake!
Bird lovers in Echo Park have identified over 70 species of birds over the last ten years. You can expect to find species such as mallards, great-tailed grackles, robins, American coots, sparrows, finches, great egrets, black-crowned night herons, green herons, blackbirds, hawks and various gulls and doves, and more.
Beginning birders, including children, are welcome to the free bird walk. Binoculars are strongly recommended along with a bird guide if you have one.
Meet at the Boathouse at 8:00 am for the two-hour count.
Following the Echo Park Lake bird count, at about 11:00 am, is the Vista Hermosa bird count. Vista Hermosa is a small park just a little west of downtown Los Angeles. Meet at the parking lot at 100 Toluca Street, just north of First Street. Time about 1.5 hours. Terrain mostly level, some slight elevation.
Coming from someone who just paid a very expensive expired meter ticket (a rare thing in my household), there’s nothing better than finding those sweet, sweet parking spots. Since today is Christmas Eve, you can avoid some tickets by parking a little smarter over the holiday – just not today. Official observance is on Christmas DAY – so be aware!
Always look at the signs – certain city parking regulations (such as state parking laws) are not enforced on national holidays. However, consider yourself free and clear on Christmas Day when there’s noone working to give you that ticket. Since this year Christmas Day falls on Wednesday, the holiday is observed that day. More info here.
The parking regulations/signs that are not enforced are:
The following safety violations are enforced on all days, including National Holidays:
Trash service will not commence on Christmas Day (December 25), but there will be a one day delay. So, in essence, Wednesday collection day will now be on Thursday. If you’re throwing away your Christmas tree already, consider recycling it.
Once again, Christmas Day (not Eve!) is the name of the game – as long as the sign says “Holidays Exempt” or something along those lines.
Get your snow gear ready – winter is coming to Echo Park!
Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell is bringing Winter Wonderland to the Echo Park Farmers’ Market TOMORROW, Friday, December 20 from 3:00-5:00 pm. Free snow play area for the kids – and for the kid in you!
Trees are indicated in the green are to be saved, if they have a yellow dot they are to be removed and replaced.
Sunset Boulevard along Echo Park is getting a makeover. As part of the $750,000 grant for the Echo Park Beautification Project, Sunset Boulevard from Rosemont Street to Everett Street will get some well-deserved attention when it comes to some much-needed sidewalk repairs, and more, including (but not limited to):
Ficus tree on Logan near Walgreens back in March 2013
For some, that “beautification” comes with a price – removal of the leafy green ficus trees that provide shade for the sidewalks along the main drag. So why remove the trees? The sidewalks.
Some of the larger trees that are being removed, the ficus in particular, are causing sidewalks to buckle and crack, making it difficult for pedestrian (especially handicap) use. Which is why two ficus trees on Echo Park Avenue were removed in March 2013 – which noone knew about (not even Council District 13) until it was done.
The board of public works is holding a public hearing on the removal of 35 trees along 1300 to 2100 West Sunset Boulevard (that’s from Alvarado to Elysian Park Drive) as part of this beautification grant. The hearing takes place tomorrow, on Wednesday, December 18 at 9:30 am (see below location). There are other items on the agenda, so we’re not sure exactly what time the Echo Park issue will be address.
To replace the 35 trees removed (there are various species, including ficus), the city will place 38 Chinese Pistache and 75 Australian Willow trees.
The Echo Park Improvement Association website has two documents available that both outline the locations of each tree removal and replacement – the color version (a small portion of which is shown above) is a version dated from April 2013, but the latest version should be the most reliable in terms of final construction plans.
Hearing on Echo Park tree removals
Wednesday, December 18 at 9:30 am
City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works Public Hearing Room
200 N. Spring Street in room 350
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Could it be true? Only a year and week (to the day) after Cookbook owners Marta Teegan and Robert Stelzner opened Cortez in Echo Park, our rumor mill reports that it could be closing for good.
It seams like yesterday the culinary duo took over the 1,000 square foot upscale, American restaurant on Allison Avenue near Sunset Boulevard. The reviews over Yelp! are pretty darn fantastic, but perhaps it could have been the January 2013 review by the esteemed Jonathon Gold that did them in when he wrote in the LA Times:
Tiny portions are great in principle and on tasting menus, but there may be a reason so many of the regulars at Cortez fit nicely into skinny jeans. And by the time you finish ordering, you are going to have spent a shocking amount of money.
Pricey, perhaps – but delicious from what we’ve heard. Echo Park Now has reached out to Cortez for comment and to confirm the rumor… in the meantime, we hope it’s not true and we wish Cortez nothing but the best!
UPDATE:
You’ll have a chance to check out Cortez after all – Owner Marta Teegan responded to our email, saying it is NOT closing. Glad to hear!
Flickr photo via Erica Farglow
Big smile in a fierce camo green polo – m4m – 25 (Echo Park Lake) – September 23
This is so embarrassing, I really should have approached you. I feel like such a coward.
But yesterday around 5 I was strolling around the lake, half-heartedly walking my dog, Mr. Buttersworth.
You are white, tall, and had a deep and charismatic voice. Your whole self was charismatic. Your friends were a little rough around the edges- there were two other guys and a girl. One was wearing a hat, I think. The other was small with a mustache. The girl had dark hair. You have dark hair, and a wide smile. Oh, that smile.
You were a roudy bunch, so I think I was a bit scared to approach you. But you seem really put together, clean, confident… just my type. I’d love to go dancing with you. I’m a bit of a homebody, but I’d L-O-V-E to see you again…
taco truck at vons – w4m – 26 (silverlake / echo park) – September 23
i was wearing a dodgers jersey at the taco truck
you were with a guy and a girl, your complexion was darker
you had two line tattoos on your arm
i wanted to say hi because your laugh made me feel safe
like i was slowly covered in a bean and rice burrito
sinking into it
i couldnt say anything because i was with my brother
who does not like me talking to other boys
my romeo in echo park by the boathouse – w4m – 34 (Echo Park Lake) – September 23
You were with some friends having a weird loud conversation. I was captivated by your presence. You had your hat on backwards. I liked your arm band tatts. I feel like our stars are aligned, do you?
Me: skinny… long dark hair… full sleeve. Did you see me?
w/b with what your friends looked like so I know its you.
-juliet
The Frogtown Artwalk returns on Saturday, September 28 for its eighth year in a row.
One of our favorite annual events, the artwalk is family-friendly event in neighboring Elysian Valley, just a hop, skip and a jump from Echo Park. It’s never crazy crowded, you meet lots of neighbors, and there’s always a little bit of wine and local craft beer flowing.
This year, the “river pavilion” will feature live music along with info on the river restoration efforts. Creator of the “LA River Catz,” Leo Limon, will be at RAC Design Build along with Mary-Austin Klein (the artist whose work is featured at the top of the The Eastsider LA website). There are a lot of youth events, including a youth art show on River Ecology. And for the first time at the Artwalk is Bookshow LA at the NOMAD art complex, featuring a selection of books in an interactive retail space.
There are a ton of great events throughout evening, click here to view the Frogtown Artwalk map with full event details.
We posted some photos of past Frogtown Artwalk events on our Facebook page, click here to check it out!
8th Frogtown Artwalk
Elysian Valley – Coolidge Avenue to Blimp Street
Friday, September 28 from 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Visit frogtownarts.com for more info.
The annual Echo Park Community Parade is just around the corner, but before we get to enjoy the holiday jingles along Sunset Boulevard on December 14th, the deadline for submitting your application is on Monday.
Some general guidelines to follow when considering what super awesome Echo Park-themed float you’re going to have in the parade:
The parade is on Saturday, December 14, 2013, starting at 11:00 am and runs along Sunset Boulevard from Elysian Park Avenue to Park Avenue. The theme this year is “Neighbors Make Echo Park Beautiful.” Visit the Echo Park Community Parade website for more information and to submit your application!
Last year we had a blast at the parade – check out the photos!