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Restaurant and Business News Roundup

New restaurants and businesses:

  • Ballard’s Framing and Raven-Lily held a grand opening on Saturday, August 7 and officially opened on August 14.
  • International Playground opened up on August 12 in the old Mohawk Store location at 1102 Mohawk St.
  • Warwick opened up its new location 1205 Sunset Blvd.
  • Cookbook, the greengrocer, opened up on August 31 on Echo Park Avenue near Chicken Corner. Click here to read about the store!
  • A Mac computer repair store is rumored to open up this weekend next door to Beauty Box on Sunset Blvd. More details to come!

Other news:

Ongoing/Weekly Specials

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Mooi serves up some delicious vegan events for September

Mooi is offering quite a few treats for us in the month of September, including a raw food seminar, speaking events, and a guest chef night. Here’s the low-down:

Tonight is the first night for a free raw food seminar by Lou Corona to be held every Thursday of September from 7-10:30 pm (we’ve heard food will be served!). Lou’s seminar is about raw food and his 38-year experience as a “raw living foodist.” He’ll be teachin the “4 principles” that have helped transformed his life. You don’t need to RSVP, and it’s free!

On Saturday, September 11, Mooi will host a guest chef with BeLive (“gourmet raw living culinary artist and visionary”).

On Friday, September 17, Mooi will host an event called “Farm of Life,” where guest speakers Brian and Jody Calvi talk about healing sickness and disease through a raw food diet, as well as their experiences on a raw vegan organic farm in Costa Rica. There will be two showings, one at 7:00 pm and one at 9:00 pm. The event is free! Go to www.farmoflifecr.com to learn more.

And, of course, every Tuesday from 3-5:00 pm Mooi is the pickup location for CSA subscribers.

Keep your eyes peeled, Mooi is also planning some film nights art shows, and more!

Mooi is located at 1700 W. Sunset Blvd.

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Try some Delilah’s Bakery pies at KCRW’s Pie Contest

Flickr photo by LoveByte

Support Echo Park’s own Delilah Bakery and enjoy some of LA’s best pies at the KCRW’s 2nd Annual Good Food Pie Contest this weekend!

Delilah Bakery owner Genevieve Ostrander will be submitting some of the bakery’s delicious pies to be judged at the Pie Contest during the Taste of Beverly Hills event this weekend. She’ll be submitting three pies for the competition: peanut butter with chocolate cookie crust, pumpkin bourbon, and key lime. There are five categories for the pies: Fruit, nut, cream/chiffon/mousse, savory, and interpretive. Winners of the first, second, and third place ribbons for each category, as well as a Best in Show pie and a Best Crust award, will be announced at 5:30 pm.

Plus if you’re a pie and baked goods lover, bring your favorite apron to show off for the apron fashion show. Chris Douridas will DJ the event.  After the pies are judged, everyone will be invited to taste all the pies.

The event is free and takes place on Sunday, September 5 starting at 4:00 pm. Click here for more information about the event (including parking and directions).

KCRW’s 2nd Annual Good Food Pie Contest
Sunday, September 5, 4-6:00 pm
Pie contest begins at 4:00 pm
Taste of Beverly Hills event space behind the Beverly Hilton
9900 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills 90210

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September Programs at our Libraries

Both the Echo Park and Edendale Libraries have some FREE special programs for kids, teens, and even some for adults all summer long. Here are the September events for both libraries:

For Kids

  • Knight Time Reading at Echo Park Branch: Every Wednesday from 3 – 4:00 pm. Stories of dragons and other magical creatures. Create a fire-breathing dragon to take home.
  • Knight Time Reading at Edendale: Stories, jokes, crafts and snacks. Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 pm.
  • Summer Film Fest at Edendale: Mostly family-friendly films, plus popcorn! Tuesdays from 5-7:00 pm.

Other great activities:

  • Family Playtime at Echo Park Branch: Mondays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Bilingual Baby & Toddler Storytime at Echo Park Branch: Tuesdays from 12:30 pm
  • Making Books Fun at Edendale: Bilingual. Every Tuesday at 2:30 pm
  • ELFS Used Book Sale at Edendale: every Wednesday at 2:00 pm
  • Book Buddies at Echo Park Branch: Thursdays from 3 – 5:00 pm
  • Infant & Toddler Storytime at Edendale: Nursery rhymes, songs, and finger plays, for children 1-3 and their special grown-ups.  Wednesdays from 10-10:45 am.
  • Life Story Writing at Edendale: A writing class on memoir writing and fiction. Saturday, September 11 at 10:00 am.

For Teens

  • Teen Council: Make your voice heard at the Teen Council meeting on Thursday, September 2 at 5:00 pm at Edendale Branch.
  • Teen Book Club: Thursday, September 16 at 5:00 pm at Edendale Branch.
  • PSAT Practice Test at Echo Park Branch: Practice for the SATs as early as 8th grade. Call or sign up at the Reference Desk to reserve your spot. Saturday, September 18 at 11:00 am.
  • PSAT Practice Test Results & Feedback at Echo Park Branch: Follow-up session for those who took the test on September 18. Saturday, September 25 at 11:00 am.
  • Fall Film Fest: Thursday, September 30 at 5:00 pm at Edendale Branch.
  • Reading Club Book Buddies: Buddy up with kids to help them practice reading. Every Thursday at 1:00 pm at the Echo Park Branch.

For more information, Edendale Teens has a website! There’s a book club, film screenings, and teens get library bucks when they sign up and write book reviews (which they can use to bid on prizes at the Carnival). Click here to visit the website. Teens can sign up at the Library or by visiting the LAPL Teen Web page.

For Adults

  • Introduction to Computers at Edendale: Friday, September 10 at 2:00 pm.
  • Introduction to the Internet at Edendale: Friday, September 17 at 2:00 pm.
  • Introduction to Email at Edendale: Friday, September 24 at 2:00 pm.
  • ELFS Monthly Meetings: Join the Edendale Library Friends Society and support the Edendale Branch Library. ELFS meets once a month on the second Tuesday at 7:00 pm. Click here for the website.

Edendale Library is located at 2011 West Sunset Blvd. Click here to visit the LAPL website.

Echo Park Library is located at 1410 West Temple Street. Click here to visit the LAPL website.

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Labor Day Fireworks at Dodger Stadium

It’s been an exciting few days in Dodgertown: Manny was traded to the White Sox, the McCourts are battling it out in court, and we won 3-0 against the Phillies last night (take that!). We might be nine games behind in the NL West, but that’s not going to stop a fireworks show on Friday night!

The Dodgers will be up against the San Francisco Giants (commence the usual rivalry bickering) in a three-game series starting Friday night. To commemorate Labor Day and Labor Day weekend, the Stadium will be hosting a fly-over by an LAPD helicopter, as well as a 15-20 minutes fireworks show at the end of the game on Friday night.

Assuming the LAFD doesn’t request the Dodgers cancel the fireworks due to weather concerns, the show will go on. They have set aside some tickets for residents of the Echo/Elysian Park and Solano Canyon areas who are interested in attending the game – email Noel Pallais at noelp@ladodgers.com with your address and telephone number no later than 9:00 am on Thursday.

The Stadium Neighborhood Focus phone number is (323) 224-2636 if you have any questions.

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Sneak Peak: Echo Park’s best margaritas

AYC's Spicy Margarita

What makes a good margarita? How should you order one? Where in Echo Park has the best margaritas?

As a self-proclaimed margarita specialist, I have been touring the Echo Park bars for the strongest and most delicious margaritas our little community has to offer. Hopefully I’ll find my way home after drinking all that tequila and publish my finds later this week!

In the meantime, share your thoughts in the comments section below! What’s your favorite kind of margarita I should be sampling?

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Echo Park resident offering LACC jewelry-making classes

Ever wanted to learn how to make your own jewelry (that didn’t involve your little cousin’s plastic beading kit)?

Artist Gordon Wainwright has been making and repairing jewelry for a long time, and has called Echo Park his home and his studio since 1987. In addition to creating his custom jewelry (he is strongly influenced by 1960s designs, but also creates his own modern looks and classical styles), he does jewelry repair and even teaches aspiring jewelers, jewelry designers and silversmiths.

This year, Gordon is also teaching classes at his Echo Park studio through Los Angeles City College (LACC) for the Fall semester. To make sure each student gets individual attention, classes are limited to 9 students, and registration for LACC is now open (classes start September 25).

To register for Gordon’s jewelry and silversmithing classes, register by calling (323) 953-4000 ext. 2650, 2651, 2652, or 2653. The registration fee is $135, and a materials fee of $60 is due to the instructor (cash or check only) at the first class.

Class descriptions and class numbers are as follows:

Silversmithing: Learn to create jewelry from silver and other precious and non-precious metals. During the 5 week class students will create a simple jewelry project of their own design.

Class #99524A: Saturdays, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon

Class #99524B: Saturdays, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Class #99524C: Mondays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Metal Casting: Learn the technique of metal gravity casting using cuttle bone, French sand, clay, centrifugal and vacuum casting using the lost wax process. Class #99523A  Tuesdays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Monday, August 30 through Sunday, September 5

Monday
Monday night residency: Fol Chen, Sister Crayon, Evan Voytas @ Echo
Ilo Mar, Emily Lacy, Sleepwalkers Local, Team Andrew (free) @ Echo Curio
Hypercolors (debut of new Mae Shi Band), Nicole Kidman, Generation, Dimples, So Many Wizards @ Pehrspace

Tuesday
Bobby Bare Jr., Blue Giant, Stephen Brower and the Silent Majority @ Echo
Drop for Version Mary Prepare the Ones You Love! @ Echo Curio
Open mic night at 7:30 Pm @ Tribal Cafe
The Submarines, Obi Best, Sea Of Bees @ Bootleg Theater

Wednesday
The Spring Standards @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex & Echo
Open mic night at 7:00 Pm @ Tribal Cafe
Seven Saturdays Record Release, Helen Stellar Tape Deck Mountain @ Bootleg Theater
Live Jazz every Wednesday night at 7:00 Pm @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
Marijuana Deathsquads (Featuring P.O.S., Ryan Olson Of Gayngs, Har Mar Superstar, Isaac Gale, and former members of Cows), Holloys, Woah Hunx @ Echo
Katherine Sheehan Art Opening @ Origami Vinyl

Friday
Southern Culture on the Skids, Lynda Kay, Jeremiah and The Red Eyes @ Echo
Version Mary Prepare the Ones You Love Opening @ Echo Curio
Stereo Total, Hawnay Troof, Kisses (Live), Allister Izenberg @ Echoplex
Media Blitz, Summer Vacation, Imperial Can, Roman Candles @ Pehrspace
Education, Other Bands TBA @ Tribal Cafe
Sky Parade, The Quarter After, The Dolly Rocker Movement, DJ Tami @ Bootleg Theater
Digital Aspergers Presents Echopulco #4: Poly Wave Experiment (PWE), Horse Thieves, HEP/Horse Intermediary Fukkk Orchestra, Hepa/Titus @ Sancho & DIY Gallery

Saturday
Bootie LA with DJ Tripp, DJ Paul V., R.A.I.D. @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @ Echo
Heather Woodbury’s As the Globe Warms, Kris Special, Barrie Rose, Worker Bees, Ugly Winner @ Echo Curio
George Glass, Off Campus, Geisha Boys @ Pehrspace
The Elite Entropy Hive Mind Night @ Tribal Cafe

Sunday
Part Time Punks – Smiths/Morrissey Nite with Guest DJ Jose Maldonado @ Echo
Cobalt Cranes, Night Beats, Boom Chick, The Myonics @ Echo Curio
Trestles – Electronic Music @ Tribal Cafe

For more information on weekly musical events like club nights, see our community resource pages.Visit the venue website for more information on the cost and times of shows. Venue information can be found in our community resource pages.

This list may not represent all the musical events happening in Echo Park this week – feel free to add more events in the comment section. All events listed are subject to change at any time. New events announced for the week after this posting may not be included.

Monday
Monday night residency: Fol Chen, Sister Crayon, Evan Voytas @ Echo
Ilo Mar, Emily Lacy, Sleepwalkers Local, Team Andrew (free) @ Echo Curio
Hypercolors (debut of new Mae Shi Band), Nicole Kidman, Generation, Dimples, So Many Wizards @ Pehrspace

Tuesday
Bobby Bare Jr., Blue Giant, Stephen Brower and the Silent Majority @ Echo
Drop for Version Mary Prepare the Ones You Love! @ Echo Curio
Open mic night at 7:30 Pm @ Tribal Cafe
The Submarines, Obi Best, Sea Of Bees @ Bootleg Theater

Wednesday
The Spring Standards @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex & Echo
Open mic night at 7:00 Pm @ Tribal Cafe
Seven Saturdays Record Release, Helen Stellar Tape Deck Mountain @ Bootleg Theater
Live Jazz every Wednesday night at 7:00 Pm @ Downbeat Cafe

Thursday
Marijuana Deathsquads (Featuring P.O.S., Ryan Olson Of Gayngs, Har Mar Superstar, Isaac Gale, and former members of Cows), Holloys, Woah Hunx @ Echo
Katherine Sheehan Art Opening @ Origami Vinyl

Friday
Southern Culture on the Skids, Lynda Kay, Jeremiah and The Red Eyes @ Echo
Version Mary Prepare the Ones You Love Opening @ Echo Curio
Stereo Total, Hawnay Troof, Kisses (Live), Allister Izenberg @ Echoplex
Media Blitz, Summer Vacation, Imperial Can, Roman Candles @ Pehrspace
Education, Other Bands TBA @ Tribal Cafe
Sky Parade, The Quarter After, The Dolly Rocker Movement, DJ Tami @ Bootleg Theater

Saturday
Bootie LA with DJ Tripp, DJ Paul V., R.A.I.D. @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @ Echo
Heather Woodbury’s As the Globe Warms, Kris Special, Barrie Rose, Worker Bees, Ugly Winner @ Echo Curio
George Glass, Off Campus, Geisha Boys @ Pehrspace
The Elite Entropy Hive Mind Night @ Tribal Cafe

Sunday
Part Time Punks – Smiths/Morrissey Nite with Guest DJ Jose Maldonado @ Echo
Cobalt Cranes, Night Beats, Boom Chick, The Myonics @ Echo Curio
Trestles – Electronic Music @ Tribal Cafe

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Cars of Echo Park: American

I’m a sucker for a classic car that can rock a kiddie car seat!

An "American" in the Vons parking lot

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Fun find: Echo Park street in Coke commerical

Just to prove to you that I can spot an Echo Park street from a mile away, here’s a video of a recent Diet Coke commercial with a brief shot of Academy Road (near Morton Ave. and Sargent Pl.) in Echo Park. Take a look at about 17 seconds:

There actually used to be a huge mural painted along each side of the corridor on Academy, but has been painted white for some time now.

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Happy 6th Birthday Masa!

A birthday celebration from a couple of years ago

It seems like yesterday we had just moved into the neighborhood and Masa had just opened its doors. It’s already be six whole years, and a lot of great stuff has happened: They serve awesome beer and wine, are very involved in the community, and recently introduced vegan pizza options to the menu. Happy birthday Masa!

As part of their traditional celebration, stop by Masa and grab a piece of Devil’s food cake with buttercream frosting tomorrow (Saturday, August 28)!

Masa is located at 1800 W. Sunset Blvd.

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Echo Park resident takes home the Comedy crown

This actually happened earlier this month, but I’m finally getting caught up on my TV-watching and I am very stoked for the winner of Last Comic Standing. Felipe Esparza was born and raised in Boyle Heights, but he now calls Echo Park his home. He’s hilarious and we look forward to seeing him around Echo Park!

Felipe is also a former Homeboy, and will be donating a portion of his winnings to Homeboy Industries!

Speaking of seeing him around Echo Park… Felipe, if you’re out there, tell us your favorite places you eat and drink in Echo Park so that we can stalk you for an interview, and get drunk together at the same time (wink, wink).

Felipe performs tonight in Los Angeles at the Ricardo Montalban Theater, but you can click here for other tour dates and places.

If you’re like us and don’t leave Echo Park much, you can check out some stand-up comedy at nearby Taix restaurant in the Lounge on Sunday nights. French Toast takes place every Sunday at 8:30 pm, and features comedians from Los Angeles, New York City, Comedy Central, HBO, and more. The best part? It’s FREE!

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Photo: Echo Park sunset

There was a real nice sunset tonight you can see from, well, Sunset Blvd! You probably saw the huge thunderheads over the mountains earlier today. Other areas didn’t fare as well as we did – a flash flood warning in parts of Southern California actually resulted in some crazy storms, including the following video from Lake Elsinore, which was also featured tonight on KTLA. Hard to believe that’s So Cal in August!

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Lit Crawl2 at The Echo

There’s no better way to meet fellow Angeleno book-lovers and authors, and participate in a bar crawl at the same time!

Lit Crawl 2: It’s a F@cking Read-Off is an event put on by Pen Center USA and Stories Books (and in association with LitQuake and Good Reads). It starts at The Echo on Saturday, August 28th at 6:00 pm, where 11 authors will read their 8-minute compositions and the audience judges the work’s “originality, spirit and lyrical transcendence.” The louder the audience, the better the chance that author wins the read-off.

After the main event (which has no entry fee, by the way), the bar crawl starts and you’ll head to El Prado, The Gold Room, The Little Joy and The Shortstop. But you’ll need to know where to go and when, so follow PEN’s Twitter to get live crawl updates.

Stories Cafe is also hosting a couple of different things if you need a break from the crawl. Also at 7:00 pm they are hosting a “Why He’s My Ex” (by Krishna Devine and Jessica Hill) party, signing, photo taking, and Colt 45. At 8:30 pm the Lit Crawl 2 gang swings by for some beer, books and an open reading,

MCs are Laurie Ochoa and Joe Donnelly (editors of Slake Literary Journal) and Carolyn Kellogg of the Los Angeles Times.

Authors:
Katie Arnoldi
Allison Burnett
Gabrielle Calvocoressi
Dennis Danziger
Samantha Dunn
James Greer
Edan Lepucki
Joseph Mattson
Graham Moore
Neal Pollack
Rachel Resnick

Stories Books and Cafe is located at 1716 West Sunset Blvd.

The Echo is located at 1822 West Sunset Blvd.

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