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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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Long-awaited Cookbook grocery opens in Echo Park

Cookbook, the grocery store spearheaded by our fellow Echo Park residents, opened its doors for the first time yesterday. Located along the same block of Chicken Corner and next to Mishka, the small shop is offering residents a daily selection of organic and locally grown fruits and veggies, dairy, and prepared foods that will put Whole Foods to shame.

You’ll find owners Marta Teegan, a chef, master gardener and owner of Homegrown, and Robert Stelzner behind the counter to answer your questions and ring up your goodies. Martha told us earlier this summer about what to expect behind the doors at Cookbook: “Not only will we offer delicious ingredients to cook with, but we will also have a great selection of cookbooks to choose from, along with a beautiful selection of fresh cut flowers each day… Organic herb and vegetable starts will be available each spring and fall. We will further offer a variety of events at cookbook, including classes, readings, and tastings throughout the year.”

While the cooking classes are still on the table, they aren’t offering those just yet. But we’ll let you know as soon as they do!

Farmers’ market veggies (sustainably grown and local) and fruit like hericot verts, carrots, herbs, incredible-looking heirloom tomatoes, avocados, melons and other fruit. From the gourmet pantry: Honey from California bees, teas, organic sugars, Fermin Jamon Iberico, Sightglass Coffee (from San Francisco), Cafe Fanny granola, Rustic Bakery sweets, Morning Glory Confections’ artisan brittles, and more!

In the freezer you’ll find Dr. Bob’s ice cream in a variety of flavors, along with a selection of Heirloom LA lasagnas, pasta sauces, and other fresh pastas. They looked really, really delicious – but I have to admit a little bit of sticker shock, though probably totally worth it!

It will be great to grab some free-range eggs (from Mill Road Orchard in Paso Robles) for those days I’ve skipped the Farmers’ Market, along with a really great selection of cheese that will make your mouth water.

In addition to some fresh breads behind the counter (get your fresh baguettes before they all get snatched!), they offer prepared foods by Heirloom LA to take home on those days you just don’t want to cook. When I arrived late yesterday, they had a limited selection after the day’s sales (it’s probably best to go earlier, but don’t let it stop you if you get off work late), but everything was mouth-watering. Among other dishes, I was eying the grilled corn, roasted asparagus and potatoes, and pints of tomato soup. I took home some roasted asparagus and a delicious grilled flatbread with eggplant, tomato and parmesan cheese for under $10!

Cookbook is open daily from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, and is located at 1549 Echo Park Avenue

Related articles:

  1. “Echo Park’s New Greengrocer: Cookbook.” Reservation for Three, August 30, 2010
  2. “Cookbook opens a new chapter in Echo Park food shopping.” Eastsider LA, August 21, 2010.
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EPIA Town Hall meeting tomorrow

For Thursday’s town hall meeting, the EPIA has invited officers from the Rampart Division to talk about the swap meet since the sweep, and, according to the website, to “appreciate our local law enforcement officers for the Echo Park flea market clean up. Show up and give thanks!”

Here’s the agenda for the meeting on Thursday, September 2 at 7:00 pm (in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital).

  1. Welcome and Introduction
  2. Council District 1 & 13 reports
  3. Dodgers report
  4. Northeast & Rampart Police Reports
  5. Select Patrol
  6. Recognition & appreciation to Rampart officers for EP flea market
  7. Update on Echo Park Lake rehabilitation project
  8. Treasurer report
  9. Fundraiser – EPIA Dodger night – October 2nd – Sat. 7:10pm
  10. EPIAn Way – next issue
  11. Neighborhood Issues committee report (NIC):
  • Echo Park Flats (old community garden site)
  • Echo Park / Avalon 8 unit-row housing project
  • Mohawk Brasserie restaurant update (old Ramona Theater)
  • Barlow Hospital update

REPORTS / ANNOUNCEMENTS:
To make an announcement, sign a card when you come in, giving your name and topic.  Cards are collected and given to the moderator.

ADJOURNMENT

See you there!

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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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Monday Menus: Mooi introduces brunch

Mooi
Gourmet Raw Vegan
1700 W. Sunset Blvd. (in the Jensen’s Rec Center building, right on the corner)
(213) 413-1100

Hours:
Breakfast and Lunch, Monday-Saturday: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Dinner, Wednesday-Saturday: 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Sunday Brunch: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Brunch just started yesterday (Sunday, August 29), so go check it out! Click here to view the entire Mooi menu.


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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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Flashback Fridays: A Brief History of Chavez Ravine and Dodgers Stadium in Photos

I sure hope you guys like photo posts, because I can not get enough of the photos of Echo Park in the USC Digital Library. The collection is full of awesome old photos, and I highly suggest you check it out.

Today, we are going to take a little photographic tour of Chavez Ravine and the early years of Dodger Stadium.

"They're playing ball in Chavez Ravine, 1957"

The text that goes with this photo reads, “Some day the Los Angeles Dodgers hope to be playing ball where Mrs. Barden Scott is playing with her three children, Richmond, 5; Matthew, 3, and Valerie, 18 months. She figures that when the Dodgers build their fancy new ball park in Chavez Ravine home plate will be just about where her home is. But first the Dodgers will have to buy up her place and a few others scattered through the area. Mrs. Scott is willing to sell, but some other owners aren’t.”

"Aerial shot of Chavez Ravine and surrounding area, 1959"

An aerial view of Chavez Ravine just before construction began on Dodgers Stadium.

“Dodger stadium (Chavez Ravine), 1961”

“Chavez Ravine Dodgers ball park, 1961”

Photos of Dodgers Stadium being built.

“Dodgers plant first tree in Chavez Ravine, 1961”

The text that goes with this photo reads: “The Dodgers will plant the first tree in the Chavez Ravine ball-park landscaping on Thursday morning March 9 at 9:30 am. The tree will be an ash — baseball bats are made from ash. Present will be Dick Walsh, Dodger Vice President, a bat boy in a Dodger uniform with a ball bat and Mrs. Carolyn Patterson, Chairman of Plant a Tree Week.” I want to know where this tree is!

“Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine at night, June 1, 1962”

A night game at Dodgers Stadium less than two months after it opened on April 10, 1962.

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Sunday: “LAB” at Fix Coffee in Echo Park

It’s that time again! Fix Coffee in Echo Park is hosting another Local Artisan Bazaar (LAB) Sunday (August 29).

Local artisans and crafters will be selling their wares, sidewalk chalk artists will be coloring up the area, and band African Cowboy will be playing starting at 4:00 pm. Bring your families, friends, and even dogs are welcome. For the kids, they have sidewalk chalk and a face painter.

The monthly bazaar is free, goes from 2:00 – 8:00 pm.

Fix is also holding a raffle for each bazaar, and are looking for a local and meaningful group to donate proceeds to. For more info, please contact Veronica screamingchica@mac.com

For more information, please contact Veronica Hunt at

Fix Coffee is located at 2100 Echo Park Ave (at Baxter).

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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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