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How to get in Shape in Echo Park

Laveta Stairway

With over 20 stairways around Echo Park, who needs a stairmaster? Now that the weather has warmed up, it’s time to get in shape!

With the help from the Echo Park Stairways PDF map from the Echo Park Historical Society, as well as from a website called Community Walk which has a map of Los Angeles Stairways (not all Echo Park stairways are listed on there, but there are a ton of spots around all of L.A.), we have put together this nice Echo Park Stairways map just for you:


View Echo Park Stairways in a larger map

This was, of course, before we discovered the Echo Park Historical Society’s interactive Google map of the Echo Park Stairways, which you can always check out here (we were having some technical difficulties sharing and embedding the map within our site).

Remember to wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen!

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New and Returning Eats at Dodger Stadium

A press release yesterday unveiled Dodger Stadium’s new menu items you’ll be able to get all season, starting with the home opener on Tuesday, April 13. Some of the new items are enormous in size, and another even has a Facebook page calling for its return.

The new enormous pretzel, photo via LAist

Menu highlights include:

  • My Town Nights: features ethnic foods that represent the diversity of “Dodgertown,” such as Pabellon Criollo for a Venezuela night on May 23, and Spicy Korean-style BBQ chicken and kimchee for Korea night on August 18. There are more than 40 dates this season for My Town, so click here for a list of menu items.
  • The Victory Knot: This all-American gigantic snack first caught our eye on a related article published on LAist (see photo), and is supposed to be enough for FOUR people. Two pounds of dough, topped with sea salt, and three dipping sauces (chipotle honey mustard, sweet cinnamon crème, and beer cheese) accompany the monstrosity, which you can only buy at Campy’s Corner on the Field Level. No word on how much this puppy will set you back ($20 plus gym membership maybe?), be sure to let us know if you have some field tickets.
  • The Spicy Picante Dog: a somewhat popular Facebook fan page (with 58 members) may have something to do with the return of this Dodger favorite, which had disappeared from the menu last season.
  • The usual California Pizza Kitchen, Dippin’ Dots, and all the other tempting treats will be available on the Field and Reserve levels.
  • Kaiser Permanente Healthy Plate Carts will also be there to offer healthier alternatives like salads and fruit plates.
  • Bleacher Beach will now be open Friday through Sunday.
  • Mannywood will now have “five t-shirt options.”
  • All-You-Can-Eat Pavilion price will decrease $5 if you purchase tickets in advance.

Click here for the full press release.

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Warwick Vintage Shop Moves Down Sunset

Warwick, an Echo Park vintage store, has moved from its location at 1461 ½ W Sunset Blvd to a larger space at 1205 Sunset Blvd.

Tomorrow (Saturday, April 10) the store is holding a sort-of grand opening called “Flash Flea” in which local vendors will be featured. There will be a DJ, merchandise for sale, and good company, so check it out from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm. View the Facebook invitation here.

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Prepare Yourself for Opening Day in Echo Park

Noel Pallais, the Dodgers Neighborhood Relations Manager, sent out an email earlier today (Friday) about what the neighborhood can expect for Opening Day on Tuesday, April 13.

The night before Opening Day, maintenance lights will be on for the duration of the night in preparation for Opening Day Events.  We will make every effort to minimize the impact on our neighbors.

The pregame ceremony, which is scheduled to start at approx 12:35pm, will include a small fireworks display on the field and a military flyover approximately 10 minutes before the start of the game.

In an effort to minimize the impact on our neighbors due to the starting time being earlier than our regularly scheduled games we are working very closely with the Los Angeles Police Department, as well as the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation; additionally, as is our policy on special event games, all of our parking gates will open earlier than our normal 2 hour period prior to the start of the game.

Since safety is of paramount importance, security and lighting will be provided to the areas around the Stadium to safeguard all vehicles and all necessary traffic controls will be in place. Additionally, you may report any security concerns to our Neighborhood Focus line at 323.224.2636.

Finally, with regards to special events at the Stadium for the upcoming season, note that postgame firework shows are only scheduled for the following dates: Monday, July 5th (start of game will be 6:10 pm) and Friday, September 3rd (start of game is scheduled for 7:10 pm). Additionally, prior to the start of every Sunday game scheduled at the Stadium, there will be a small Viva Los Dodgers musical event in our outfield parking lot (Lot G) starting approximately 2 hours prior to the scheduled start of that game and ending right at game time.

As in previous years, please keep in mind that the City of Los Angeles will close the following streets on April 13th, from 2:00 am to 8:00 pm for staging purposes and game preparations.  These closures will also serve to accommodate employee parking, minimize the inconvenience to neighbors and facilitate traffic flow. Note that local and emergency access will be maintained at all times:

Scott Avenue between Stadium Way and North Boylston Street
North Boylston between Academy and Stadium Way
Lilac Terrace between Stadium Way and Lookout to Stadium

Hopefully this year’s Opening Day will run a little smoother – last year concerns were raised about tailgate parties outside of the stadium after the parking rates increased to $15.00. Parking rates stay the same, but hopefully the newly reinstated shuttle buses between the Stadium and Union Station will help alleviate some of the parking woes. The Eastsider also points out that “a spokeswoman for Councilman Eric Garcetti said there will be ‘additional deployment to address neighborhood concerns’ about tail gate parties and traffic but did could not provide details.”

Many residents have yet to receive the usual Resident placards from Dodger Stadium to help them get through the “local access only” street barricades. Noel Pallais said we should be expecting them on or before Opening Day.

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“Distraction” burglary on Glendale Blvd.

From the E-Policing newsletter, sent today at around 1:00 pm:

On April 6th, 2010 at 3:15 PM an elderly distraction burglary occurred at the 2200 block of Glendale Blvd. The victim was approached by a male white who stated he needed to examine a cable wiring to the rear of her residence. She accompanied the male to the rear of the property and while there, a second suspect entered her residence and removed U.S. currency from her purse. Both suspects then fled the location. No vehicle was seen. The vict describe the suspect as Male White, Brown hair, Brown eyes, 5’10, 170 lbs, 25-30 years old. He was wearing a yellow shirt with “Tom Cat” written on the breast pocket and dark pants.

Please advise your neighbors of this in case they are not signed up for E-policing.

There are several things that you can do to prevent being a victim:

  • Do not answer your door to anyone that you do not know, even if they say it’s an emergency and need help
  • If they say they are from a utility service or other entity, ask for ID and/or phone the company and verify if they are representatives
  • Do not leave a worker inside your home while another one leads you around your home or yard
  • Report suspicious activity or people loitering in the area.

For emergencies, call 911
For Non-Emergencies call 1-877-ASK-LAPD

Be careful out there!

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History of Echo Park Street Names

These videos were recently posted on YouTube by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, but we found them via LA Eastside. There are five videos and they each discuss the history and the individuals behind Los Angeles’ street names. Most of the videos discuss the streets that made up the the city of Los Angeles in her earliest incarnation. These include the streets surrounding El Pueblo de Los Angeles, Chinatown and Downtown. Videos number four and six talk a bit about the history of some Echo Park street names. Check ’em out!

Go here if you want to view NHMLA’s other videos.

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Another Option For The Stylish Dodger Fan

Here is something for all the female Dodgers fans out there. Victoria’s Secret has launched a baseball-inspired line of casual ware. Yes, other teams are included. Prices range from $22.50 – $54.50. Shop online here.

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Echo Park Film Center April Screenings (Part 2)

Friday, April 9 @ 8:00 pm – INSIDE TWIN PEAKS WITH ROBERT ENGELS
TWIN PEAKS NIGHT! Writer-Producer Robert Engels will show his favorite episode of the TV series plus numerous extras and surprises, and will be there in person for an insider’s take on what when on during the making of this cult and critical favorite. $10 admission. All proceeds benefit EPFC’s free youth workshops.

Saturday, April 10 @ 8:00 pm – FOLK NIGHT: LES BLANK MEETS 1921A
Join us for a very special evening as we rummage through the archive to bring you a double header of experimental folk music and films. Come for short films by Les Blank (Gap Toothed Women, Garlic Is As Good As Ten Mothers) and stay for the music, with a live set from The 1921A, featuring a screaming banjo and songs inspired by the old that sound nothing but the new.

Thursday, April 15 @ 8:00 pm – SOUTHERN EXPOSURE #2
A recent survey of short films from the American South curated by local filmmaker and EPFC teacher Will O’Loughlen. Topics include a filmmaker’s relationship with his mother through a recorded conversation between 8th grade students and astronauts aboard the international space station, a group of students who return to New Orleans after Katrina to graduate from high school with their friends, a student’s Oscars nominated story of a young couple who confront a burglar in their neighborhood in the midst of a hurricane, and much more!

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Nuvia’s Restaurant has a New Look

Have you eaten at Nuvia’s Pupuseria lately? Have you EVER eaten there? You should. They offer some very tasty homemade Mexican and Salvadorean food on the cheap. I went there the other day and got two delicious bean and cheese pupusas and some fried plantains. We were served by Maria who was a gas: “If you need anything, you just yell at me. Say, ‘Mariaaaa!'” They must have JUST re-decorated the interior because you could still smell the drying paint. There wasn’t anything wrong with their decor before, but the new color scheme makes the restaurant feel… cooler. Literally, cooler. It will be a welcome, dark, air-conditioned oasis in the coming summer months. I’ve also heard that they offer really stellar breakfast at a good price, so I’ll have to check that out.

Nuvia’s Restaurant and Pupuseria is located at 1525 W. Sunset Blvd. They’re open seven days a week from 7:30 am to 12:00 am!

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Echo Park is in Bloom!

Glendale Blvd

Douglas St

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Get your Summer Books at the EPLCG Book Sale

Shop for your summer reading books! The Echo Park Library Community Group is having a book sale on Saturday, April 10 from 12 noon – 4:00 pm.

Enjoy some complimentary coffee and donuts while shopping for your 25 -50 cent books! Specialty books are priced under $5.00. You can also support the EPLCG by becoming a member for just $10 a year.

Echo Park Library in the Community Room
Saturday, April 10
12:00 noon – 4:00 pm
1410 West Temple Street

General hours are:
Mondays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesdays: 12:00 noon – 8:00 pm
Wednesdays: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursdays: 12:00 noon – 8:00 pm
Fridays: 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sundays: Closed

For more information, contact Lisa Baca at bacasigala@earthlink.net or Lisa Palombi at (213) 250-7808

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Goodbye, Fried Chicken – Hello Pizza

Photo by David Eng via The Eastsider LA

I thought things looked a little different last night when I drove by the new Little Caesars location on Echo Park Avenue. Yesterday the last remnants of Pioneer Chicken were removed and documented by Echo Park residents (posted on The Eastsider LA).

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Chicks with Knives Supper in Echo Park

Chicks with Knives, which holds supper club events across Southern California, will be hosting its next supper club in Echo Park on Sunday, April 11. We’re new to Chicks with Knives and the supper club phenomenon, but it sounds incredibly delicious! The company hosts private dinner parties and other food events for what is sort of a social organization that includes dinner (so it’s like an underground restaurant at a private residence, for members only). Every event features food made from “sustainable, organic, local and ethical ingredients.”

A total of 16 spots are available for members. For membership consideration, you can check out their website here.

Price is $64 per person

www.ChicksWithKnives.com for more information.

If you want to bring Chicks with Knives back to Echo Park this year, they are also looking for homes in July and August for upcoming events.

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Echo Park Film Center Workshop: In-Camera Editing

On Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25 the Echo Park Film Center will be teaching a new class called “In-Camera Adventures.”

This two-day workshop will introduce students to the history and theory of in-camera editing as it has been utilized by the avant-garde through screenings and discussions, as well as basic camera operation and hand processing. Each student will conceive and complete their own 3-minute, in-camera edited Super 8 film. All materials and equipment supplied by EPFC.

The limit class size limit is 6 students, so call or email them to reserve your spot. Cost is $100 or $80 for EPFC members.

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Will the New D13 App Help Improve our Neighborhoods?

“Our 311 app for iPhone and Blackberry to launch soon—we had the training today and will announce a big download day for everyone when we hit the streets!” reads a post from Eric Garcetti’s Facebook page.

What exactly is a 311 app? Constituents in District 13 (which includes Echo Park, parts of Hollywood, Thai Town, Little Armenia, Silver Lake,  Atwater Village, Glassell Park and other neighborhoods) will be able to submit “concerns” to the district. Users can submit report problems via the “Garcetti 311” app, including photos of graffiti, reports of deceased animals on the street, illegal dumping, potholes, etc.

The question is whether or not these submissions will actually be read (and by whom?) and if it will improve city efficiency for graffiti removal and filling in those pesky pot holes. According to Garcetti’s blog post, the application uses “geo-tagging technology to automatically provide the problem’s location, simplifying the reporting process for users. During the year-long pilot program, my staff members will submit the requests to the appropriate city departments for action.”

It’s unclear as to whether or not Blackberry will be included in the end-of-the-month release (as mentioned by Garcetti’s Facebook post), but it looks like other platforms (like Google Android, Palm, and Windows Mobile) will be released in the next three months. I don’t have an iPhone but I’ll be happy to test out the Blackberry app when it comes out!

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