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Taking over the Streets: CicLAvia on Sunday

How many things have you noticed about your neighborhood or other parts of LA when you drove through them, versus what you’ve noticed while walking or biking by?

Now’s your chance to experience parts of Los Angeles like you never have before. Coming up soon on Sunday, October 10 is CicLAvia – a walking/biking event that is closing down some of our Los Angeles roads to give us the opportunity to see and experience the city without any cars.

This event has had huge success outside of the U.S. (it started in Bogotá, Colombia) as well as in San Francisco and Seattle, but this is a first for Los Angeles. The goal of this event isn’t just to close down roads, interrupt traffic, and have an excuse to bike ride – it’s about temporarily reclaiming public space in order for us to “walk, bike, socialize, celebrate, and learn about new cultures and neighborhoods.” It will be a great opportunity to shop some of our local stores, try some new restaurants, and get to share the space with more people. I am looking forward to the event and think it will be a one-of-a-kind experience in Los Angeles when it comes to reclaiming public space.

The event starts in the “bicycle district” on Heliotrope (eg. where the Bicycle Kitchen is) and ends in Hollenbeck Park in East LA.

There will be a few road closures in the Rampart area, and while CicLAvia is new to Los Angeles, Rampart Officers aren’t too concerned about the new event and things should run smoothly. However, in addition to the newbie factor, the difference between this event and the LA Marathon also includes some “breaks” in the route (see above map), and, to be honest, people forget to move their cars on road closure days so there might be a few unhappy people trekking to the impound.

Event-wise, there are group rides planned (including a NELA one from Mt. Washington area), art events, rest stops, food and even yoga throughout the route, so make sure you click here to view the full events map and timeline.

Click here to visit the CicLAvia website to learn more about the event and view route maps.

CicLAvia
October 10 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Route Map | Events/Activities

This also brings to mind what I thought was some kind of old wive’s tale or something – a few years ago a big section of the Pasadena Freeway (that’s the 110 freeway for you newbs) was closed for cyclists and pedestrians for an event called ArroyoFest. You can read more of it from the LA Times blog by clicking here.

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Flashback Fridays: The Echo building and Sunset Blvd.

This week’s flashback is another fun photo find, this time along Sunset Boulevard. We’re not certain when these photographs were taken, but my amateur classic car knowledge places it around the 1920s or early ’30s (please let me know if this is inaccurate and we’ll happily revise!).

The photo above shows the building where The Echo is currently located. The original architecture on the left-hand side of the image, where the arches are, display what is now Two Boots and Origami Vinyl, the central entrance is now The Echo.

Makes you kind of wish the arches on the right-hand side were maintained, right now there’s the old Nayarit Restaurant sign.

The photo on the right is around, I believe, the same time. This is taken from Sunset Blvd. on the Bridge that crosses over Glendale Blvd.. Notice the wooden sidewalk along the left side of the street, and you can see the Jensen’s Recreation sign in the distance. And of course, the trolley lines zigzag across the sky.

Flickr photos via Echo_29

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Tonight: Art opening at the Echo Curio

The Echo Curio might be shut down for a little while, but tonight they are able to host an art opening for co-owner Justin McInteer. Check it out from 8:00 am – Midnight tonight, refreshments will be served.

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“A Night for the Buffalo” Fundraiser

2HeadedHorse Gallery is hosting a fundraiser for the Buffalo Field Campaign, an organization that work to protect America’s last wild buffalo. Check it out soon – it’s coming up on Saturday, October 9 starting at 7:00 pm.

From our friends at 2HeadedHorse:

Buffalo Field Campaign’s co-founder Mike Mease, and dedicated volunteer Noah, will be at the 2 Headed Horse Gallery in Echo Park as part of the Buffalo Field Campaign’s 2010 West Coast Road Show. Mike and Noah will share stories and video footage from the front lines
work with America’s last wild buffalo population and talk about ways you can join the efforts to help protect them, even from within your own community.  Mike has nearly two decades of experience in the company of wild buffalo, having lived in one of the coldest climates in the lower-48 to work in their defense, and he is an amazing storyteller, sure to inspire you to join the growing herd of wild buffalo warriors.

They will be joined by powerful Native voices including Lakota musician and activist, the talented Good Shield of 7th Generation Rise as well as the incredible Phoenix AfterBuffalo!

Saturday, October 9 at 7:00 pm
Cost: Donation
2Headed Horse is located at 1770 Glendale Blvd.
About Buffalow Field | Videos
For more info, please email jvasic@msn.com

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Echo Curio shut down for lack of permits

Flickr photo via aileenrobot

The Echo Curio has been a long-time performance and art space, and a great space for local bands to play – we’ve been in the crowd for many of our friend’s performances and are grateful to have a place in Echo Park for great music to happen. But on Friday night (October 1), the LAPD shut down the Echo Curio during a show, even after they complied with the city to cease the BYOB policy last August.

“As you know,” said co-owner Justin Justin McInteer, “we have been a dry space for over 3 months now, so were a little confused as to why the police are spending time shutting down a community art and performance space.” They then learned that this time, the violation seems to be a lack of permits, specifically a Cafe-Entertainment license required for any business with any form of entertainment (including karaoke) on a regular basis.

With several shows coming up, including the Culture Collide fest and full schedules through November with local and touring bands, other nearby spaces are helping redirect shows while the shop is closed through October 18. In the meantime, the Curio owners are doing their research and are even meeting with Eric Garcetti to find out what they should do.

“…hopefully we’ll pass the class and get the info we need together that day and start the process… What would be great to find out is if we can get temporary permission to have shows while this period of waiting for the next step – the inspection and then vote by the commission to (hopefully) approve our license,” a recent post on the website blog says.

Other classes and workshops will continue to be held at the shop, and the art gallery will still be open (an art opening for Justin McInteer will take place either Thursday or Friday). We hope things happen smoothly for the guys at the Echo Curio, and look forward to seeing some great shows soon!

If you’re interested in showing your support for the Echo Curio, tell Eric Garcetti at councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

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Trail closed in Elysian Park

A part of the trail in Elysian Park is closed down for the time being while crews work on a leaking six inch irrigation line. The trail to avoid is the fire road below Park Drive at Academy Road (entrance is also next to Elysian Park Drive); expect the road to remain closed through October 8.

Please call (213) 485-3287 with any questions.

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Zooming in on Echo Park: LA Times crime map

The LA Times recently added a new facet to the website’s mapping project – a detailed map of daily crime reports for cities and neighborhoods that allows “users to analyze crime statistics, search historic crime patterns and receive alerts when several crimes occur in an area over a short period of time.”

The LA Times maps use data from the LAPD and the Sherriff’s Department to create report for cities and neighborhoods. This map comes after the LA Times criticized the LAPD crime map database for having quite a few errors that led to serious misinterpretations of crime data. Some time since the publication of the LA Times crime map, the LAPD crime map page says the following:

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Crime Map page is currently undergoing technical renovations in preparation for a new crime mapping system which will include expanded crime data from adjacent agencies, and will accommodate our growing viewer data base. Until such time as the new crime mapping system is fully functional, you may view Part One crime data provided to the Los Angeles Times by the Los Angeles Police Department at http://projects.latimes.com/mapping-la/crime/. We apologize for any inconvenience during this process and thank you for your patience and understanding.

No word on whether or not (and when) the map will be functional again on the LAPD website, but for now you can click on the map image above to scroll through the crime data for Echo Park. It’s supposed to be updated daily, so keep an eye out on the map and see if you can tell if everything’s being reported.

Authors note: the Echo Park map does not include the greater Echo Park/Elysian Park and Historic Filipinotown areas that many residents consider to be Echo Park boundaries. To learn more about Echo Park boundaries, click here.

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Try something new: Halloween Hoop-de-doo

I have yet to check out the Bob Baker Marionette Theater (I know, I know!), but when you mix puppets and Halloween, my interest is perked!

Now playing at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater: Halloween Hoop-De-Doo, a month-long celebration of all things Halloween going on now through October 31, 2010. Shows are every Tuesday – Friday at 10:30 am and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 pm.

Admission to this unique, one-of-a-kind show is $15 (includes a special October discount of $5), $15 for seniors, and children under 2 years are free. They also do private events, non-profit groups and birthday parties.

Reservations are required: Call the Box Office or purchase online at www.BobBakerMarionettes.com

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October Library Events in Echo Park

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

For Kids

  • 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.
  • Twinkle Time: Twinkle Time is a bilingual pop family musical that teaches children valuable lessons to original catchy tunes. Join us for this free performance. Children of all ages are welcome. Wednesday, October 14 at 3:00 pm, Echo Park Library.
  • LACMA Family Art Class: Learn about art and artists, then create your own masterpiece! LACMA hosts this weekly art workshop for school age children. Program is bilingual in Spanish and English. Thursday, October 7 and 14 at 4:00 pm, Echo Park Library.
  • Popcorn Pals: Enjoy a children’s movie with other kids and a bag of popcorn. Ending time is approximate. Tuesday, October 19 at 3:30 pm, Edendale Branch.

Other great activities:

  • Bilingual Baby & Toddler Storytime at Echo Park Branch: Tuesdays at 12:30 pm
  • Infant & Toddler Storytime at Edendale: Nursery rhymes, songs, and finger plays, for children 1-3 and their special grown-ups.  Wednesdays at 10:00 am.
  • GAB: Books come alive for kids when they share the fun of reading with GAB library volunteers. Tuesdays at 4:00 pm, Echo Park Branch.

For Teens

  • Teen Council: Make your voice heard at the next Teen Council Meeting. Choose materials, plan programs, and design publicly. Tasty snacks provided. Thursday, October 7 at 5:00 pm, Edendale Branch.
  • Student Smart Seminar, Getting Into the College of Your Choice: Do you know what it takes to get into the most competitive universities? Do you know what your competition is like for the most selective schools in the country? This workshop will cover details about the application process, Early Decision/Early Action, and how test scores are only a part of the college selection application process. Saturday, October 16 at 2:00 pm.
  • Teen Book Club: Read the horror book of your choice and we’ll meet up to discuss our terrifying selections. Gruesome grub provided. Thursday, October 21 at 5:00 pm, Edendale Branch.
  • Fall Film Fest: Catch a freaky flick on the big screen. Ghoulish grub galore! Thursday, October 28 at 5:00 pm, Edendale Branch.
  • Student Smart, SAT Practice Test: Princeton Review will administer the full-length test. Saturday, October 30 at 10:00 am, Edendale Branch. Followup on Thursday, November 4 at 5:00 pm.
  • Dia de los Muertos Sugar Skulls Decorating: Create your own folk art by decorating a Mexican sugar skull to adorn your own ofrenda, or to add to the library’s Day of the Dead altar. Snacks will be served. Wednesday, October 20 at 4:00 pm, 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

  • ILCSC Program: The Independent Living Center of Southern California will present a free informational program describing services available to the public. For information call 213-250-7808. Tuesday, October 19 at 2:00 pm, Echo Park Branch.
  • 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.
  • Game Day Saturday: Join us for fun and games in our community room on most Saturdays. We have many popular games; including chess, backgammon, scrabble, dominoes, and much more. This is a program for adults. Children must come with a parent or guardian. Call (213) 207-3000 for more information. Saturdays at 1:00 pm, Edendale Branch.
  • ELFS Used Book Sale: Join the Edendale Library Friends Society for their weekly used book sale. All sales support the library. Every Wednesday at 2:00 pm.
  • Life Story Writing: Turn your memories into vivid writing for inner exploration, to preserve family history or to prepare for publication. Try your hand at memoir writing and fiction. Warm, supportive atmosphere. No writing experience necessary. Saturday, October 9 at 10:00 am, Edendale Branch.
  • Introduction to Computers at Edendale: Tuesday, October 5 at 12:30 pm.
  • Introduction to the Internet at Edendale: Tuesday, October 12 at 12:30 pm.
  • Introduction to Email at Edendale: Tuesday, October 19 at 12:30 pm.
  • Online Job Searching & Resume Review at Echo Park: If you are a seasoned employee searching or a recent graduate looking for a job, this class will assist you in job searching, creating, and updating your resume. This class is by appointment. For information please call 213-250-7808.
  • Computer Classes to Go at Echo Park: Join us for Computer Comfort, Computer Classes for Improving your English, and Introduction to Beginning Web Design. Individual and group classes by appointment only. For information call Nadine Flores at 213-250-7808.

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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Class at 826LA may take the worry out of the SATs

The SATs scared the bejesus out of me when I took the test (many, many years ago), but there are some great resources for kids these days to help them prep for the test.

Check out 826LA in Echo Park where they will host four classes in October and November taught by 826LA Director of Education Julius Diaz Panoriñgan. Having taught the SATs as a tutor before, he has said to have boosted a student’s score by 900 points.

Here are the details for the class:

This workshop is a comprehensive test-prep course, encompassing all three sections of the test: math, critical reading, and writing. We will begin by answering any questions and dispelling all myths about the SAT. Then we’ll cover general test-taking tactics, specific strategies for each question type, and ways to approach the essay.

826LA SAT prep

Ages 14 – 18
Every Tuesday starting October 12 (10/12, 10/19, 10/26, and 11/2)
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

826LA East is located at 1714 Sunset Blvd.

After you take the prep class, there’s an SAT Practice Test at the Edendale Branch Library on Saturday, October 30 at 10:00 am. There will be a followup after the practice test on Thursday, November 4 at 5:00 pm.

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Construction making progress at the new Mohawk Brasserie

Owner Tony Yanow posted this little sneak peak on Facebook today, with the caption: “It looks like a total construction zone, but there is a lot of stuff brewing at Mohawk. Stay tuned for updates.”

It does look like there’s a lot going on! From how things are now, it’s hard to imagine how everything will be put together, but based on the initial layout concepts Tony showed us at a recent Echo Park Improvement Association meeting, there will be restaurant seating near the front, and bar seating in the middle and in a garden area in the back. I’ve always wondered what it looked like in there – it’s nice to get a peek inside!

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2nd Annual Echo Park Elementary Appreciation reception

The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council (GEPENC), along with the Positive Energy Group, are hosting the 2nd Annual Echo Park Elementary Principal/Teacher Appreciation Reception on Thursday, October 7th, 2010 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm.

Join your fellow neighbors to help honor the hard working teachers and principals of our community! Food and refreshments will be served.

The event is open to the public – please RSVP to Lisa Baca at 323-660-7234 or by email at bacasigala@eartlink.net by Tuesday, October 5.

2nd Annual Echo Park Elementary Principal/Teacher Appreciation Reception
Thursday, October 7th, 2010 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm
El Centro del Pueblo located at 1157 Lemoyne Street

Click here to download the flyer.

UPDATE:

The event has been rescheduled due to weather conditions tentatively for Thursday, November 4 from 3-6:00 pm.

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Echo Park’s Week in Music

For the week of Monday, October 4 through Sunday, October 10

This week is also the Culture Collide Fest, we’ve included some shows but for a complete schedule click here.

The Echo Curio is also closed down for the time being, stay tuned for more info on that!

Monday
Monday Night Residency: Evan Voytas, Telegram, Blank Blue @ Echo
Kevin Blechdom, Universal Studios Florida, Byron Westbrook, Wah Wah Exit Wound, Back to the Future: The Ride @ Pehrspace

Tuesday
First Aid Kit, Ferraby Lionheart, Basia Bulat @ Echo
Filter and Echo Present: Talvin Singh, Ariana Delawari @ Echoplex
Back To The Future: The Ride, Universal Studios Florida @ Origami Vinyl
Francoiz Breut, Marianne Dissard @ Fretted Frog

Wednesday
Dub Club @ Echoplex & Echo
Tera Melos (Sargent House), Skinwalker (Feat. Members of the Locust), Capulets @ Bootleg Theater
Hooray For Earth @ Origami Vinyl

Thursday
Filter Magazine’s Culture Collide Festival: Casiokids, Harry’s Gym, Kordan, Slang Chickens @ Echo
Filter Magazine’s Culture Collide Festival: The Black Lips, City Riots, Kamp, Lexicondon @ Echoplex
Andy Ristaino Art Opening @ Origami Vinyl

Friday
Filter Magazine’s Culture Collide Festival: Boxer Rebellion, White Lies (Dj Set), Amusement Parks on Fire, The Witness Protection Programme (Dj Set), Club Underground Djs @ Echo
Filter Magazine’s Culture Collide Festival – Klaxons, Land of Talk, Besnard Lakes, Suuns, Baby Monster @ Echoplex
Azure Vault, Mad Knight, The Victor Ship  @ Pehrspace
AM @ Origami Vinyl

Saturday
Filter’s Culture Collide Festival: White Lies, Voxhaul Broadcast, Battle Circus, L.Stadt, Zebra And Snake @ Echoplex
Funky Sole @ Echo
Art Opening: Alejandro Ivan Fuentes @ Pehrspace
LA Font @ Origami Vinyl
Fundraiser For Buffalo Field Campaign @ 2HeadedHorse Gallery

Sunday
Grand Ole Echo With Jason Heath And The Greedy Souls, Johnny Angel Wendell And The Wasted Knights, Patty Reese, Madame Pamita @ Echo
Echo & Filter Present Tom Tom Club, Paul Ryder, Fool’s Gold Djs @ Echoplex
Ana Caravelle, Dntel (Jimmy Tamborello), The Long Lost (Feat. Members Of Daedelus & Laura Darlington) @ Bootleg Theater

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. 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.

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Get ready for Echo Park’s Culture Collide Fest

Get your tickets for this week’s first annual Culture Collide Fest, where venues large and small in Echo Park, Silver Lake, and downtown will host a variety of music and food trucks over four days. Echo Park will be hosting the majority of the shows at the Echo, Echoplex, Taix Lounge, and even 826LA (Echo Curio was on that list, but it’s not looking like they’ll be open due to permitting issues).

Headliners include the Black Lips, Klaxons, Monotonix, Cass McCombs, The Besnard Lakes, and El Guincho.

We’ve got quite a few local shops and restaurants participating in the event, including:

  • The Downbeat Café: Wristband holders receive a Free Latte with Sandwich purchase
  • Chango Coffee: Wristband holders receive 1 free small drip coffee to enjoy in house or to go
  • The Fretted Frog: Wristband holders receive 10% off strings and accessories
  • Echo Curio: no longer able to participate
  • Origami: Wristband holders receive 10% off all records
  • Delilah Bakery: Mention the Culture Collide Special and receive a Free Cupcake with a purchase of $10 or more
  • Vacation Vinyl (Silver Lake): Wristband holders receive 10% off all vinyl
  • Blue Collar, For Working Dogs: Wristband holders and dog lovers receive 15% off everything (with the exception of canned food)
  • Masa of Echo Park: Wristband holders who dine at Masa will receive 10% off their meal (excluding beer + wine)
  • City Sip La : Wristband holders who dine at City Sip will receive 10% off (dining only)
  • Happy Tom’s – Restaurant: Wristband holders receive a 10% discount
  • Rodeo Mexican Grill: Wristband holders receive a 10% discount
  • Feeding Birds Boutique: 10% off purchases up to $99.99. Free “Feeding Birds Original Organic Crew Neck Print Tee” for purchases over $100.00 (while supplies last).

Culture Collide Fest goes on from Thursday, October 7 through Saturday, October 9 with a free Toyota Antics Block Party on Sunday the 10th.

Click here for the full schedule.

Click here to buy tickets – $20 for the whole fest.

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