Neighborhood Council installs banner for 10th anniversary

The corner of Echo Park Avenue and Sunset Boulevard has a new addition – an approximately nine foot banner stretched across the intersection with the words, “Celebrating ten years of community service.”

The banner was installed in advance of the ten year anniversary celebration for the neighborhood council, taking place on Monday, April 16 at Taix Restaurant. The celebration has been a bit controversial because of the cost – they plan to spend $1,000 for the “outreach event,” and what one board member called “inappropriate and in bad taste, especially now in these times.” (The anniversary party is a free event that will feature founding members, and past presidents and members.)

The cost of the banner? Approximately $1,000 was allocated (they came “under budget” according to CIO Lisa Baca-Sigala), and while the city waved the installation fees, it’s a pretty penny for a tax-payer funded organization facing budget cuts.

But we don’t mean to complain outright – we don’t attend GEPENC meetings or participate in the neighborhood council (usually only two people show up to their meetings). Maybe it’s time for everyone to get involved so we can have a say in these types of expenditures?

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Happy Opening Day/50 year anniversary at Dodger Stadium

“Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine at night, June 1, 1962.″ From the USC Digital Libraries.

It’s a bittersweet anniversary, but today marks the 50th year Dodger Stadium has been open. The above photo gives us a little glimpse into the past – and though the cars a little different, the full parking lot and packed freeways aren’t too different from today!

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What to expect in Echo Park on Dodger Stadium opening day

The new season of baseball at Dodger Stadium (with new owners!) is also going to be it’s 50th year – that’s right, the stadium opened in 1962 after bulldozing a whole neighborhood in Chavez Ravine.

But we all know about that – so here’s what you can expect in Echo Park if you’re new to the whole Opening Day hoopla at Dodger Stadium, taking place on Tuesday, April 10 at 1:10 pm in a game versus Pittsburgh:

  1. Pre-gaming: Tailgating has started as early as 7:00 am, loud music for us neighbors to hear included. But the LAPD will be in full force, arriving as early as 4:00 am to the command post, to crack down on any debauchery.
  2. The Scott Avenue gate will remain open this season for outgoing traffic only on high traffic days (it was just re-opened a few years ago after being closed for a decade).
  3. Gates open at 10:00 am – which could be a good thing or a bad thing.
  4. Pregame ceremony starts at 12:30 pm, and will include a military flyover 10 minutes before the start of the game
  5. As in past years, the Dodger Stadium Express Metro service will run. Service will run from Union Station every 10 minutes, starting 90 minutes before the start of the game, after which it will run every 30 minutes. Ticket-holders ride free, or it’ll cost you a mere $1.50 (better than the $15 parking fee!).
  6. Traffic, traffic, traffic: Department of Transportation personnel will be deployed to certain intersections to help mitigate traffic issues. Since the game is pretty much sold out, the 50,000 fans that descend on Elysian Park will certainly cause some heavy traffic before and after the game, so plan appropriately!

As we mentioned, the LAPD will be out in full force to keep everyone under control – it’s been just over a year since Bryan Stow was beaten to near death by some trouble-makers in Dodger gear, so we hope the same tragedy won’t be made again.

Be sure to call the Neighborhood Focus line at 323.224.2636, or the command post at 323-344-5707 if you any issues.

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Bobbleheads and blankets: 2012 Dodgers promo schedule

Opening Day is upon us, make sure you mark your calendars and take advantage of the goody give-aways for kids and adults! We’ve definitely got our share of Dodger gear – the “sleeved fleece,” blankets, bobble heads, and more!

Friday Night Fireworks are also back – so every home game on a Friday there will be fireworks for everyone to enjoy (we have a super secret spot near our house where we watch the show!). There will also be fireworks for the 4th of July celebration.

A Dodgers "sleeved fleece." Yes please!

Opening Day / 50th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium
Tuesday, April 10 at 1:10 pm vs. The Pirates

Clayton Kershaw Cy Young Replica (Cy Young Award Presentation)
Wednesday, April 11 at 7:10 pm vs. The Pirates

Dodger Stadium Replica
Saturday, April 14 at 6:10 pm vs. The Padres

Kids Jackie Robinson Sweatbands
Sunday, April 15 at 1:10 pm vs. The Padres
Also: Kids Run the Bases, Viva Los Dodgers

Sleeved Blanket
Tuesday, April 24 at 7:10 pm vs. The Braves

Bobblehead #1: Don Drysdale and Maury Wills
Saturday, April 28 at 6:10 pm vs. The Nationals

Kids Clayton Kershaw Replica Jersey
Sunday, April 29 at 1:10 pm vs. The Nationals
Also: Kids Run the Bases, Viva Los Dodgers

Read more

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Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Monday, April 9 through Sunday, April 15

Monday
KXLU And KSPC present Monday Night Residency: So Many Wizards, LA Font, Dream Panther, Habits @ Echo
Neon Gold & Hit City present: Popshop West with Haim, Wildcat! Wildcat!, Ko Ko, Guns in the Sun, Captain Cut, Hit City DJs @ Echoplex
Monday Night open mic night hosted by David & Jayson @ Tribal Café
Sean Carnage presents: The Koreatown Oddity, Jon Barba, Johnnie Jungleguts, Walter Gross @ Pehrspace
Grace Woodroofe, Jenny O, Louise And The Pins, Tall Tales & The Silver Lining @ Bootleg Bar
Karaoke @ Lot 1 Café
Motown Mondays @ The Short Stop

Tuesday
Dante vs Zombies, The Hallucinations, New Life, Daybeds @ Echo
Check Yo Ponytail 2 presents: Oh Land, Blood Orange, Trust @ Echoplex
The Iron Giant open mic night  @ Tribal Café
Wreck of the Zephyr, TS and the Past Haunts, Neon Hymns @ Bootleg Bar
Buzzbands.LA: Ethan Gold, The Record Company, Laura Meyer, Boys School @ Lot 1 Café

Wednesday
Dorian Wood, Tommy Santee Klaws, Scott Matthew, Ghiant @ Echo
Dub Club @ Echoplex
Mike Doughty, The Book of Drugs (Reading, Concert, Q&A), Mike Viola @ Bootleg Theater
Derde Verde Residency with Tes Elations, Last American Buffalo @ Lot 1 Café
Live Jazz every Wednesday night at 7:00 pm @ Downbeat Café

Thursday
Echo & Dubfrequency present: J*Davey With DJ Duh Kid, DJ Funk The Fresh, Random Citizens, Def Sound @ Echo
Madeline Spooner open mic night @ Tribal Café
Woody Frank @ Taix Lounge
Sucre, Whispertown, The Honey Trees @ Bootleg Bar
Reese Richardson, Azniv, The Sweet Hurt @ Lot 1 Café

Friday
Acid Mothers Temple With The Phantom Family Halo, Pond, Hepa/Titus @ Echo
DJ Paul V. 30th Anniversary Mixtape Retrospective @ Echoplex
The Landers & Guests (tba) @ Tribal Café
Moris Tepper, Jon Wahl, The Amadans @ Taix Lounge
Boom Chick, Wake Up Lucid, Kera and the Lesbians @ Bootleg Bar
KXLU presents: Siddhartha, Tes Elations, L.A. Girlfriend @ Lot 1 Café
Old Time Jam @ Fretted Frog

Saturday
KXLU presents: Pontiak, All Tiny Creatures @ Echo
Funky Sole @ Echo
Stone Soup At The Tribal Cafe, Edgar Ruiz & Friends @ Tribal Café
Shaq Jizz: The Presence Group Art Show @ Pehrspace
Raerae @ Taix Lounge
Damien Jurado, Peter Wolf Crier, Churches @ Bootleg Bar
John Isaac Watters Music Video/ Newburg + Watters Art Opening, Backseat Bingo, John Carpenter, Bikos, The Sundowners @ Lot 1 Café

Sunday
Part Time Punks Presents: Minimal Wave Nite With Geneva Jacuzzi And Guest Dj Veronica Vasicka [Mw Founder & Dj] @ Echo
Tsunamedy Open Mic @ Tribal Café
Hand, Brent Rademaker (Of Beachwood Sparks), Amy Blaschke  @ Bootleg Bar
Snow Angel, Kit’n’tenders @ Lot 1 Café
Super Soul Sunday @ The Short Stop

Visit the venue websites for more information on the cost and times of shows. Feel free to add more events in the comment section. All events listed are subject to change at any time, and new events announced for the week after this posting may not be included. Visit our Weekly Events page for more neighborhood events, shows and specials.

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Mystery of the hanging bears: Cracked (somewhat)

Via Heart Street He(art) Tumblr site

Earlier this week we asked the question: What’s up with the bears hanging from power lines around the area?

Well some of you guessed it: It’s some hipster art/event/act promotion. The people behind it are called Hearts Revolution / Hearts Challenger – an ice cream truck turned music group turned bedazzled ice cream truck playing music… we think. Some of the bears on their Tumblr site bear the words (get it?) “Fuck the Hype” and “Ride or Die,” which probably has something to do with a new album or… something. Not sure how the bear thing comes in, but hopefully they’ll message us back and clue us in!

h/t Atwater Village Newbie

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Why you might want to avoid the Echo Park McDonald’s tomorrow

Photo via The Effervescent Vegan

PETA didn’t just moved its west coast headquarters to Echo Park last month  – they’re apparently going to start making their mark with a protest in the neighborhood.

LA Weekly reports that tomorrow PETA will take a stand against McDonald’s by staging a protest at the Echo Park location on Glendale Boulevard. The 5:00 pm protest (just in time for dinner) will bring out “hundreds” of young animal-loving demonstrators, including some wearing chicken costumes.

The purpose of the protest isn’t exactly about the “pink slime” we’ve all heard about on Facebook, but to demand McDonald’s start using more humane methods when it comes to killing chickens, which apparently European franchises already do. McDonald’s responded in the LA Weekly article:

We appreciate the chance to correct the inaccuracies of PETA’s campaign, and to outline the facts about McDonald’s animal welfare practices. McDonald’s expects humane treatment of animals by our suppliers in every part of the world where we do business. McDonald’s requires our food suppliers to do the right thing – for animals, for humans, and for the environment.

Who knows if a protest at the Echo Park McDonald’s will make a difference, but I guess you gotta start somewhere!

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Saturday: Echo Park Trash Abatement neighborhood cleanup

If you didn’t make it to last weekend’s Echo Park Improvement Association cleanup of Sunset Boulevard, tomorrow is your chance:  Echo Park Trash Abatement Program (TAP) is hosting a cleanup is tomorrow morning, so make sure to get up bright and early and help out!

You can also show up after the start of the cleanup and contribute for an hour, or more!

8:00 am – 12:00 noon

Meet at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Logan Street by Walgreen’s Parking lot. Dress for weather. Bring gloves if possible.

Also, save the date for:

Friends of the Los Angeles River Cleanup
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Check the Friends of the LA River website for details.

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Meet the Easter bunny at the Echo Park Farmers’ Market

Kids get a special treat today at the Echo Park Farmers’ Market for Easter!

Hide the carrots because the Easter Bunny will be entertaining kids starting at 4:30 pm. Younger kids get a head start on the egg hunt at 5:00 pm, while the older kids get to start at 5:30 pm.

The craft table will also feature bunny ear making with Cindy!

And, as always, make sure to stock up on plenty of tasty veggies from our local farmers. See you there!

 

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Echo Park and Edendale Branch Library happenings for April

Be sure to take advantage of all the great services offered by our local libraries – Echo Park is lucky enough to have two! Here are some great classes and activities that are ongoing as well as for the month of April:

Echo Park Branch Library

Where is it? How to use the library and website for school projects and reports. Call 213-250-7808 for an appointment.

Art Class for Kids: Kids will learn about art from an artist from LACMA and create something new each week. For hours please call 213-250-7808.

GAB: Books come alive for kids when they share the fun of reading with GAB library volunteers. Call 213-250-7808 for hours.

Computer Class: Introduction to Computers, Ten Week Series. 3:30 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays through April (started in March).

Edendale Branch Library

ELFS Used Book Sale: Wednesdays at 2:00 pm. Join the Edendale Library Friends Society for their weekly used book sale. All sales support the library.

Book Club: First Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm.

For Children

Infant & Toddler Storytime: Wednesdays at 10:15 am and 11:00 am. Children 1-3 and their special grown-ups join the children’s librarian for nursery rhymes, songs, finger plays, and books.

Legos Club: Saturday, April 21 at 10:15 am. Join other children for some creative construction. We’ll provide the Legos and Duplos, but donations are welcome to help build up our collection.

For Teens

Teen Council: Thursday, April 5 at 5:00 pm. Make your voice heard at the next Teen Council meeting. Help plan programs, design bulletin boards, and choose materials. Free snacks!

Teen Book Club: Thursday, April 19 at 5:00 pm. Visti edendaleteens.blogspot.com for more info.
Teen Cooking Club: Thursday, April 26 at 5:00 pm. Learn how to make delectible seasonal dishes, both savory & sweet.

Computer classes

Introduction to Computers: This class starts at the very beginning and provides a basic introduction to computers. Absolute beginners are welcome. April 7 at 2:00 pm.

Introduction to the Internet: This class offers an introduction to navigating the Internet and using a search engine. Students should already be able to use the mouse.April 14 at 2:00 pm

Introduction to E-mail: In this class students create a free e-mail account and learn the basics of sending and receiving e-mail messages. April 21 at 2:00 pm.
Introduction Word Processing: In this easy word processing class we cover the basics skills necessary for creating professional documents like letters and simple resumes. April 28 at 2:00 pm.

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Sunset Beer Company debuts beer mirror slash “mascot”

Sunset Beer has some new artwork on the walls – mainly a vintage-looking, awesome beer mirror behind the taps. The new installation serves as both a kickass piece of artwork on the walls as well as the bar’s new mascot – they’ve even named it “Platy:”

Bud has their Clydesdales on a hill. Miller, some snow covered wolves on a bluff. And so, may we introduce: Platy – the Sunset Beer Company beer mirror.

Designed by Rebecca Johnson and Jeff Klarin of Bughouse Design, Platy hangs amidst other pieces of art by the creative duo. It features Echo Park Lake (before the construction, obviously), a platypus (which are not native to the lake, but hey, they needed a mascot!), and the downtown skyline emerging from the distance.

Why all the fuss about a new piece of artwork in a beer bar?

Why, the party of course! They’ll be celebrating the debut of Platy on Saturday, April 7 from 6-8:00 pm, with half off draft beers and munchies.

Please RSVP on the Facebook page, to 213-481-BEER email info@sunsetbeerco.com if you want to join in on the festivities. See you there!

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What will an “improved” 2 Freeway Terminus look like?

Imagine what it would be like if the 2 Freeway, right where it dumps onto Glendale Boulevard, were a smooth flow of traffic each day, from the freeway itself and down Glendale Boulevard. Exiting the freeway, cars would slowly make their way (at a reasonable speed) into Echo Park.

Sound wall mockup along Allessandro Street, via the "Green Echo Park" Facebook page

As if!

When they first started building the 2 Freeway way back in 1959, it was intended to continue all the way through Echo Park to the 101 Freeway. The community said no to extending the freeway, and the flyover that was initially supposed to be a temporary flyover remains today.

Unfortunately, there is an incredible amount of unplanned-for congestion. For decades now, Metro and community members, groups and activists have been planning and re-planning what to do with the SR2 Terminus. The Echo Park Community Action Committee (EPCAC) and the Echo Park Improvement Association have long been a part of the design process for the terminus, coordinating the council office, distributing petitions, and offering community-supported recommendations for the renovations.

However, last year Metro decided to go its own route with a “hybrid” design despite community opposition. The plan would remove all parking on the west side of Glendale Boulevard south, creating a big parking and access issue for businesses along that corridor. It’s also a silly proposition – existing no-parking restrictions during high-traffic times don’t solve the congestion problem.

The hybrid plan includes removing the left turn lane from the off-ramp on the east side of Glendale Boulevard, so no more access to Glendale Boulevard south from that ramp.

In case you’re not horrified enough, they are also proposing putting up a few sound walls, including around the St. Teresa of Avila school, and along Allesandro Street (pictured) – to the dismay of neighbors.

The bottom line is the project (the “hybrid” version) is not an improvement to what we have now.

Tonight, LA Metro will be the guest speaker at the Echo Park Improvement Association town hall meeting, hopefully providing the community with some updates since we last heard from them in 2011. This is an issue that affects all of Echo Park, so be there!

Echo Park Improvement Association town hall
Thursday, April 5 at 7:00 pm
Williams hall at Barlow Hospital (2000 Stadium Way)

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Echo Park Quinceañera mural restored to its former glory

Retouching the mural. Twitter photo via @andresjcruz

Andres Cruz on Twitter sent us the above photo yesterday, showing the progress made on the Quinceañera mural on the former Pescado Mojado building. The mural, painted in 1996, was being sanded off for the new Señor Fish restaurant when the neighborhood protested. Work stopped immediately, and the new restaurant owners hired an artist who had worked on the mural before to begin the retouching immediately.

Before restoration started. Photo via KCET

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Origami Vinyl anniverary celebration at tonight’s Record Club

If we could make a cake for Origami, this is what it'd look like. (Flickr photo via Sugar&Lace)

Origami Vinyl is turning three!

The record store/music venue is celebrating at tonight’s weekly Record Club across the street at El Prado. Bring some cupcakes and some 45’s to spin on the record player any time from 9:00 pm – 12:00 midnight. Perhaps you’ll make some vinyl record themed cupcakes for the occasion?

if you can’t make it tonight, mark your calendars for Record Store Day – a nation-wide event celebrating, you guessed it, record stores – on Saturday, April 21. Origami plans on throwing a grand fiesta with eight bands at The Echo, DJs at Origami Vinyl, giveaways, and we’re sure much much more.

Read more about Origami Vinyl on just-published interview on LAist.

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Have you seen a lost Siberian Husky named Ghost?

“Ghost” is a white male Siberian Husky with light blue eyes lost on April 1. He was last seen on Coronado and Sunset Boulevard in the Silver Lake / Echo Park area.

Please contact us if you have any tips on the whereabouts of Ghost – he is missed terribly by his owners!

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