Grilled Cheese Sampler at AYC is Cheesylicious

AYC's Grilled Cheese Sampler

Guanabana with gin

Last Tuesday night was Allston Yacht Club’s first Grilled Cheese Night in honor of National Grilled Cheese Month, and we think they’ve got the right idea serving up a four grilled cheese sampler to gear up for the Grilled Cheese Invitational on April 24.

The happy hour drink of the evening was called something along the lines of a fruity gin concoction, consisting of guanabana nectar, gin and lime with a campari float. It was a really refreshing drink after walking around Echo Park earlier in the evening.

As far as the sampler went, I wasn’t surprised that it was delicious (most of the menu items at AYC are well-prepared). The samplers went like this: White cheddar cheese with green chili pepper, goat cheese with basil pesto, Swiss cheese with balsamic roasted onions, and feta cheese with olive tapenade and roma tomatoes, all served on a soft, buttery french baguette. My favorite was the feta with tapenade, and I was most surprised by the cheddar with green chili peppers (I don’t normally enjoy green chili peppers, but the balance between cheese and chili was just right). Overall, the experience was delightful, and the service excellent as always.

Don’t miss out – the next Grilled Cheese Night is on Tuesday, April 20. They’ve also revived some new happy hour specials: from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, house wine, imported beers and selected cocktails are $4, and four rotating snack selections for $4 each.

Allston Yacht Club is located 1320 Echo Park Ave.

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Sports and Recreation in Echo Park

via timothy.steingraeber's Flickr

We recently received a lovely letter from one of our readers:

I would love to be a part of a softball team in our area but there is little or no info out there.  I know Los Angeles has a recreational sports website but they don’t really offer anything local.  Elysian Park has fields that are usually open and if there is enough interest around town, maybe we could organize a Sunday league.  Do you have any thoughts, info, suggestions?

Why, yes, dear reader. We do have some thoughts, info and suggestions! The Echo Park Recreation Center is located at 1632 Bellevue Ave (across from the lake, on both sides of the 101 freeway). It has tennis courts, a baseball diamond, basketball courts and a lot more. The center is under construction, so some of its facilities (such as the outdoor pool) are not accessible at the moment. They also offer a bunch of classes and leagues for kids, but adult teams and leagues are a little more scarce. I recommend checking out their Facebook page for announcements. You can also call them at 213-250-3578 (the phone number on their Facebook page is incorrect) or drop in. Don’t let the scaffolding fool you, they are open right now. Their hours are 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday, Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm and Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:45 pm.

If aquatic activities are more your bag, I suggest checking out the Echo Park Deep Pool. There is a full-sized indoor pool and offer swimming and water exercise classes. It’s located at 1419 Colton St. The cost for adults is $2.50 to swim, but with your Library card it’s only $2.00.

Another suggestion we have is to look outside the borders of our neighborhood. The Silver Lake Recreation Center has an indoor gym, basketball courts and a baseball diamond. However, they offer mostly classes for kids.Your best bet for adult and senior classes is the Griffith Park Adult Community Center. They offer yoga, tai chi, cardio classes and more.

Another fun thing that you more adventurous types might want to check out: the Los Angeles Dodgeball Society. There’s a Silver Lake league that starts up on April 25th.

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Friday Night Sobriety Check in Echo Park

Schedule your designated drivers now, because tomorrow night (Friday, April 16) the LAPD will be conducting a sobriety check in Echo Park on Glendale Blvd and Effie Street from 8:00 pm – 3:00 am.

From the LAPD press release:

The purpose of the sobriety checkpoint is to reduce the number of traffic collisions involving intoxicated drivers and hit and run collisions. In 2010, residents residing in the Northeast Area have endured 32 driving under the influence-related and 280 hit and run traffic collisions. The checkpoint will educate the community to use designated drivers and not drink and drive. Our message is simple: If we catch you drunk, you will be arrested.

For more information, please contact Officer Don Inman, Traffic Coordination Section, at 213-486-0703.

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Opening Day!!

I woke up yesterday to the familiar tones of people alternately cheering and arguing while walking down my street. I knew this could only mean one thing: opening day. To be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with baseball season. I live right near Dodger’s Stadium, and it can get a bit rowdy. Which is a blast when the Dodgers do well. It’s nice to see everyone in the neighborhood with smiles on their faces. It’s less fun when someone asks me if they can park in front of my driveway. Really, dude?!?!

But I think this season is gonna be a good one. I can feel it in my bones… and in my liver. At about 1:00 pm, two of my friends came by my house already a bit tipsy and carrying foam cups full of beer. They had been tailgating since 8:00 am. I enjoy drinking in the middle of the day as much as any other red-blooded American. So, I put on my blue, and we all headed down to the Short Stop. And I brought my camera with me to document our adventures.

This Is My Town

Short Stop

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826LA’s Dead Author Readings at Upright Citizens Brigade

This Friday, April 16 at 7:00 pm, 826LA will be hosting a show entitled “Dead Author Readings” at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. About the show:

Thanks to the miracle of science, very famous, extremely dead authors time travel to the present and are brought together to discuss their lives and works! But mostly, these dead authors fight like dead cats and dead dogs! And the audience gets to ask questions! That’s you! YOU are the audience! YOU get to ask questions! INTERACTIVE!!!
Moderated monthly by H.G. Wells (played by Paul F. Tompkins)

Tickets are $5 and all proceeds benefit 826LA. RSVP and learn more about the show here.

The UCB Theatre is located at 5919 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles 90028

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Summer Drumming Classes for Kids at Bedrock Studios

Bedrock in Echo Park is offering basic drumming classes for kids age 9 to 16 this summer. Presented in association with Dixon Drums, the two-week course is led by studio/live drummer John Montgomery, and takes place  from July 12-24. There is a morning group (9:00 am – 1:00 pm) and an afternoon group (1:30 – 5:30 pm). The classes themselves are not free, but a limited number of scholarships are available courtesy of the Los Angeles Performing Arts Foundation.

Bedrock is having a free open house on Saturday, April 24 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm for those interested in the summer session to meet the staff, play drums, and take part in a demonstration.

For more information, call Bedrock at 877-6BEDROCK (ext 7), 213-673-1473 (ext 7), or email them at lessons@bedrockla.com

Bedrock Studios is located at 1623 Allesandro St.

Here’s the full flyer:

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Possible LAPD Hiring Freeze

The E-Police Newsletter sent out yesterday contains a message from Captain Bill Murphy regarding the LAPD hiring freeze everyone is talking about. Here’s the message:

By now most of you are aware of the budget crisis facing the City of Los Angeles. Many city departments have all ready experienced cut backs resulting in a reduction in city services. Possibly tomorrow, the City Council may vote on a hiring freeze for the LAPD. If the motion passes, the Department may see an estimated reduction of several hundred personal by the end of the year due to attrition. We are all ready experiencing a reduction in the number of personal deployed in both detective and field officers due to the elimination of cash overtime. Officers are currently being compensated by compensatory time off. Once officers reach a designated amount, they are required to take extra days off, reducing our deployment. As of now, this is reducing the amount of officers in the field by over six percent. With a hiring freeze, this number will increase. Over the last several years, we have seen a significant decrease in gang activity and violent crime. The Department is dedicated to providing the best service possible. We do not want to take a step backward. It is hoped that the community shares my concerns. Please take an active part by contacting your councilperson and urging them to vote against a hiring freeze. Even though this message is being sent on short notice, if you can, please attended the council meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and let your voice be heard.

Related Links:
Investigations sit idle as LAPD detectives hit overtime caps – LA Times, April 12, 2010
Council’s budget committee recommends LAPD hiring freeze – LA Times, April 12, 2010
Is a LAPD Hiring Freeze on the Way? – LAist, April 13, 2010

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It Was a Nice Day for Baseball

We don’t want you to think that all we do is complain about Dodger Stadium and game days, so we’re going to enjoy this nice evening in Echo Park and end Opening Day 2010 on a positive note. That note being: it was really a gorgeous day for some baseball! And another one, for good measure, the Dodgers won against the Diamondbacks 9-5.

Getting through the Stadium parking lot

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DJs and Flatscreen TVs: Dodger Fans Party in the Park

Photo by The Eastsider LA

This is a little crazy, but they look like they’re enjoying themselves! The Eastsider LA has some great photos of the craziness going on in Elysian Park right now, click here to check it out.

We heard the fly-over from Atwater Village just a few minutes ago, and the Twitter word is that LeAnn Rimes will be singing the national anthem, then Will I Am will be tossing the ceremonial first pitch.

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Get Your Grilled Cheese on at AYC Tonight

AYC Grilled Cheese

In celebration of National Grilled Cheese Month, Allston Yacht Club will be hosting two Grilled Cheese Nights this month on Tuesday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 20. The restaurant will be serving a sampling of four different grilled cheese sandwiches for just $10. I’ll be headed over tonight for the first Grilled Cheese Night, and will be sure to let you know how it goes!

Also, Chef Mike D. will be creating a different grilled cheese sandwich every week—that’s 52 different grilled cheeses per year. The last grilled cheese sandwich I tried at AYC included an olive tapenade which, despite my date’s initial reservations, was incredibly delicious.

Allston Yacht Club will also be participating in the upcoming Grilled Cheese Invitational in Los Angeles on April 24, where some 300 competitors will vie for bragging rights for who makes the BEST grilled cheese sandwich. An estimated 8,000 grilled cheese fanatics are expected to attend.

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Dodger Home Opener Off to a Rocky Start

I haven’t even finished my first cup of coffee yet, and there’s already some drama going on with the Dodger Stadium home opener today (which doesn’t start until 1:10 pm). I’ll be posting some updates throughout the day as needed, but here’s the low-down so far:

  • Matthew on Scott Avenue wrote on the Echo Elsyian Neighborhood Council Forum: “I was walking my dog in Elysian Park at 6am and the music coming from Dodger fans already parked in Chavez Ravine was deafing. I asked a policeman about it and he just ignored me. I saw police cars driving down Stadium way making announcements but the music kept up its deafening volume. So much for the start of the Dodger season and working with the neighborhood.” Other residents seem to have heard loud music as early as 5:00 am coming from Elysian Park. Click here to join the conversation on the forum.
  • LA Now reported last night the LAPD will be cracking down on tailgate partyers in the Stadium parking lot. Last year we saw plenty of people getting tickets as their drinks were being poured on the asphalt, so be aware.
  • There’s already a lot of traffic on the surrounding freeways right now (the 5 and 110 Pasadena freeways in particular), try to avoid leaving your house or work today. Just don’t go anywhere and you’ll be fine.
  • Or ride the Dodger shuttle from Union Station and give residents and commuters a break.
  • Residents have yet to receive the placards that allow local access to surrounding streets. No word from Neighborhood Relations Manager Noel Pallais why those haven’t come in yet (not that the placards really improve anything, but it’s the least they can do).
  • Click here to read a little about how Dodger Stadium had “planned ahead” for this crazy, crazy day.

Send us your photos or comments about how Dodger Stadium is handling Opening Day 2010.

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The Week In Music

April 12th – April 18th, 2010

Monday
Walking Sleep, The Union Line, Goldenboy, Big Whup at The Echo
Crystal Castles, DJ Paul V. at Echoplex
Nuexpe, The Monolators, The Seizure, NaNa & the Happy Cats at Pehrspace
One F (7pm) at Origami Vinyl

Tuesday
Psychedelic Horseshit, Wounded Lion, Residual Echoes, Suededriver at Echo Curio

Wednesday
The Ruby Suns, Toro Y Moi, Pepper Rabbit at The Echo
Nick Jaina, Eliza Rickman, Liz Pappademas at Echo Curio
Craig Wedren, John Carpenter at Bootleg Theater

Thursday
We Are The World, Sir Heffington’s Fingered at The Echo
Black Church, I.E., Ghost to Falco, Ezra Buchla at Echo Curio
Buffy Sainte-Marie, Jonathan Wilson at Bootleg Theater

Friday
Autolux, Franz Nicolay at Bootleg Theater
Mau Maus plus guests at Echoplex
Whisper Kid, Odnila G, Blue Tape Red Tape, White at Echo Curio

Saturday
jj, Delorean, Bachelorette at Echoplex
Dum Dum Girls, Male Bonding, The One AM Radio, Adam Harding, Lou Barlow + the Missing Men (Record Store Day 2pm-7pm) at Origami Vinyl
Timonium, Radar Brothers, Young Hunting at Echo Curio
SISU, Katie the Pest, Maraca Mouths at Pehrspace
Nevenka at Bootleg Theater

Sunday
Part Time Punks feat. Love Is All, Weave!, Love Grenades at The Echo
Dum Dum Girls, Ramona Gonzalez, Tan Dollar at Echo Curio

(Club nights not included with one exception this week for Part Time Punks)

Thanks to LAist
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Showers Bring… April Flowers

Photo by Richard Dickey

This is your reminder to, well, not complain about the recent rain fall in Los Angeles – April showers sure do bring some beautiful scenery to the nearby desert. Michael O’Brien, a regular contributor to the Echo Elysian Neighborhood Council Forum, shared some photos of Antelope Valley taken by photographer Richard Dickey over the weekend. According to the post, the beautiful poppies should last another two weeks, which makes me want to head over to the desert soon! Click here to check out some more photos on the forum.

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Mailboxes: Safe From Netflix Bandits

Map screenshots via Mailbox Map

I know most mail carriers will pick up your mail if you leave it in your box or outside your house. If you are like me and have had run-ins with Netflix bandits, you might feel more comfortable finding your closest mailbox. This might come in handy if you don’t want your outgoing mail sitting outside all weekend, since Saturday mail delivery may end soon. Ending Saturday mail delivery would save billions but would also cut jobs, so it’s certainly controversial. Read more about it here. Find more mailboxes here.

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Menu Mondays: El Compadre

El Compadre
1449 Sunset Boulevard
(213) 250-4505
Hours: 11:00 am-1:00 am

Menus are subject to change.

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