Tag Archive for: echo park news

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Video of Echo Park stabbing from last week released

Two people were stabbed late-night last week (Wednesday, May 23, 2012) near the corner of Echo Park Avenue and Montana Street, in what may have been a hate crime. Blogger of “Your Friend, Savannah” said the two victims, one of which was stabbed in the hip and one in the stomach, were called “faggots” by the suspects just before the attack.

The Northeast Division of the LAPD released two videos on its You Tube account yesterday, showing the suspects stabbing the victims (via LAist):

The caption reads: “In this first video, the Suspect tells the Victims, “You guys are fucking faggots!” He walks away with his 2 associates, then runs back toward the Victims waiting for a bus and stabs Victim-1 in the abdomen. The LAPD is trying to identify the Suspect and his associates.”

The caption reads: “In this second video, the Suspect had just stabbed Victim-1 and is running south on Echo Park. He stops, takes a fighting stance, and as Victim-2 approaches, stabs Victim-2 in the midsection, striking the hip bone. Suspect flees on foot.”

If you can identify any of the suspects, you can submit your tips anonymously by calling 800-222-8477.

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How did a car end up smashing into Echo Park Ave. gas station?

Photos by Charles Toots

Resident Charles Toots emailed over some photos and a description of a car accident that took place on Saturday night at around 1:30 am. According to The Eastsider LA, the driver, who was not intoxicated, was taken to the hospital for her injuries. And even though there were no signs of another vehicle at the scene, the driver kept asking, “Who hit me?”

Charles describes the scene as they approached:

The area was caution taped off and people were milling about. The car was on its side against the fence. The driver had already been taken off. The police and firemen were just standing around too, talking or doing paperwork.

We started to talk to the people and walk about, trying to reconstruct what happened.

People said that a woman had been driving and that she had not been seriously injured (the airbags had obviously been deployed). No one had suggested that any other car was involved but then we spoke to no actual witnesses. We could see no skidmarks anywhere but then, we didn’t go and hang out in the middle of the street to thoroughly check.

The trash bin that was knocked over was on the other side of the fence that was hit and traveled across the sidewalk and was stopped by a parked car (which seems to have only sustained a broken taillight and maybe a scratch in damage). One gas tank nozzle laid on the ground and the last 3 or 4 inches had been broken off, still barely attached to the rest. One of the red posts surrounding the tanks had paint missing and if you look at the back of the car, you can see that red paint. There was also a trail of fluid along the lane in front of those tanks and it when I stuck my finger in it, it seemed to be a gas/oil mix.

At the corner by the air hose and phone, the little concrete island was seriously cracked and broken. I strongly suspect that the oil pan of the car hit that since it would be about the only thing strong enough to win a battle against that concrete. That ripped the pan open – as well as causing other damage – and this was what caused the streak of fluids along the ground.

Basically, the car did not negotiate the turn at Morton, avoided hitting the stop sign in the middle of the street, hit the concrete island on the corner and got somewhat airborne, went through the gas station between the bus bench and the tanks, shearing a nozzle and hitting the post, continued until it hit the fence (pushing the bin on the other side across the sidewalk) which, being at an angle to the cars path, then deflected it onto its side where it finally came to rest.

Like Charles, we are wondering if the lack of street lines painted on Echo Park Avenue and that intersection had anything to do with the car wreck.

Photos by Charles Toots

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Blogger says friends were stabbed in Echo Park last night

The blogger of “Your Friend, Savannah” has a startling post today about two friends who were stabbed on the corner of Echo Park Avenue and Montana Street last night:

Two friends of ours were out last night and were on their way home. On MONTANA and ECHO PARK they were approached by a man (possibly 2?) who is described as a gang member. He began yelling at them and calling them “faggots” and saying really awful homophobic slurs. (Neither are gay, but are straight allies, are vocal for gay rights, and wear rainbow patches and buttons on occasion.)

They were both stabbed and all of their stuff was stolen.

My friend Brian is a bike rider in LA and his bike is BLACK, has a predominate RAINBOW STICKER down the side of a tube, and it has a BIG, FAT SEAT. His back pack is orange and his helmet is grey. (He is sometimes known as BRAINZ LA)

Brian was stabbed in his stomach, right above his belly button. He is alive and discharged, as this luckily didn’t hit anything vital. Our other friend (name withheld) was stabbed in his hip, so hard, it fractured his pelvis. He is still recovering in the hospital.

We’ve inquired for some more information, including the time of the incident. One of our Twitter friends heard a multitude of sirens last night at about 12:30 am, so we’re wondering if it’s related.

Stay safe out there!

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Echo Park Avenue street paving completed, no lines painted (yet)

Intersection of Echo Park Avenue and Scott Avenue

It’s like déjà vu from last year’s Sunset Boulevard street paving project, in which the asphalt was laid down but it took about three weeks to get street lines painted. This time – it’s Echo Park Avenue.

The Bureau of Street Services paved the long strip of Echo Park Avenue a couple of weekends ago, and while there are markers placed in the center lanes and cross walks, it’s for the most part a free-for-all.

Residents complained on the Echo Elysian Neighborhood Council forum recently, mainly in regards to stop sign at Effie Street and Echo Park Avenue. Those residents have noticed more people blowing through the stop sign, probably because they can’t see the sign and there are no lines painted for the intersection.

Representatives from Council District 13 told me they are keeping an eye out. Director of Communications Julie Wong said:

The re-striping is typically done within 2-3 weeks of the completion of the resurfacing project, which means that it will likely be done in the next week or two.  Our office is monitoring the situation and will continue to push DOT to make sure it gets done in a timely manner.

In the meantime, drive slowly and carefully along Echo Park Avenue.

 

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Señor Fish’s soft opening today in Echo Park

You wouldn’t know it from the outside, other than a vinyl banner and a couple of colorful but crudely-drawn signs on the windows, but Señor Fish’s new location in Echo Park had its soft opening today. It still smells like fresh sawdust inside, the walls are bare, and there is likely a bit of furniture yet to be moved in – but the kitchen is 100% ready!

We snuck in not too long before the 9:00 pm closing tonight and snagged a couple of Ensenada Fish Tacos with mayo spread and guacamole. At $3.50 a piece, it’s not your cheapest deal in town. But the tacos are so freaking delicious that it’s worth every penny!

A+ for crispiness, the tangy mayo, a smokey salsa, and super fresh cabbage and guacamole. We honestly left wishing we had ordered about 10 more!

Señor Fish is open at 8:30 am tomorrow morning for breakfast and close at 9:00 pm. Although Echo Park Patch reports they are not serving any alcohol, our server behind the counter confirmed our inquiry by pointing out a display of beer including Corona, Modelo and Negro Modelo. Perhaps some day they’ll get a full liquor license for some margaritas to go along with those delicious fish tacos!

Señor Fish is located at 1701 Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park.

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Found dog on Echo Park Avenue

This adorable munchkin was found on Saturday, April 21 near Fix Coffee at Echo Park Avenue and Baxter. The owners must miss this one – don’t you just want to pinch those cheeks?

Contact us if you know anything about this found dog.

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How many 7-11s can you fit in Echo Park?

Apparently a lot!

Glendale Boulevard at Berkeley is getting a new 7-11, and a presentation at the last week’s neighborhood council Planning & Land Use Committee revealed plans for another location at Alvarado Street and Beverly Boulevard. The map above is a screenshot of several 7-11 stores in Echo Park and the immediate area, with the purple dots showing locations for the  twonew stores.

The Beverly Boulevard and Alvarado Street 7-11 location will be part of a larger demolition and rebuild of a service station at 2041 Beverly Boulevard. It sounds like the state of the existing building is pretty bad, and could use a serious boost. But even committee members at the Planning & Land Use meeting asked if there would be alternative vendors other than 7-11, especially since there’s one on Beverly Boulevard just down the road. A quick search on the franchise’s website for our zip code, and there are at least six 7-11 stores within a two mile radius (not including the new ones).

However, it looks like the deal is done, and the property owners have already negotiated the establishment of a 7-11 store at the revamped location. But permits still need to be granted, and the neighborhood council has asked for hours of beer and wine sales to be reduced just as the Glendale Boulevard location has done.

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Brite Spot closed for film shoot, celebrity sightings ensue

Instagram photo via applesauce9mm

Echo Parkians who crave the late-night diner food at The Brite Spot are out of luck for a couple of more days – filming continues on Stand Up Guys, a comedy starting Christopher Walken and Al Pacino. The Daily Mail describes the film as a comedy where “the legendary duo have come together to play ageing criminals on one last nefarious bender, with the tasty twist that one has been hired to kill the other.”

Al Pacino and Christopher Walken sitings in Echo Park have been hitting Twitter, and we have to admit wanting to catch glimpse of the super stars ourselves. As our Twitter follower Marc Vieira tells us of catching Al Pacino, “Definitely my celebrity sighting highlight.”

The Brite Spot will reopen on Thursday, April 19 at 7:00 am.

Follow us on Twitter for film notifications when they come in.

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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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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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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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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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Neighborhood Council defends $1000 anniversary party

Yesterday The Eastsider LA published a story about the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council’s plans to celebrate its ten year anniversary with a party – with a cost of $1,000.

This not only raised concern from community members who attended the Tuesday night meeting – but also members of the governing board itself, according to the article:

One board member suggested cutting $1,000 approved for another project to pay for the party. Another spoke about reducing the scope of the event into a smaller and cheaper affair.

Spending $1,000 would “be  inappropriate and in bad taste, especially now in these times,” said one board member. “I could not attend such a thing.”

Despite opposition, seven members voted in favor, two opposed, and two abstained.

Then the flurry of comments (which are always entertaining, depending on how civil it remains) range from “Who cares?” to more overall condemnation of the neighborhood council’s behaviors at meetings (not a new thing). One commenter suggested the neighborhood council president Jose Sigala, who is hoping to replace Eric Garcetti’s seat in Council District 13, is taking advantage of the opportunity to campaign.

Today, Lisa Baca-Sigala (CIO of GEPENC and wife of Jose Sigala) sent out a mass email to stakeholders on the issue:

Read more

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Livin’ La Pizza Loca no more

When we first moved to Echo Park, the only restaurant that would deliver to our sketchy apartment complex was La Pizza Loca. We were a little loca to eat the barely digestible pizza, but was at one point the cheapest meal in town.

This weekend the Glendale Boulevard pizzeria at Berkeley Avenue closed its doors for good – the sign is gone, and some window graphics remain, but a call to the old number and you’ll be redirected to another location.

It’s not the first place to close down in the strip mall – there was once a Cash Express storefront, a flower/bike/tobacco kiosk, and a Dog Grooming business. It might be a sign that the storefronts are being squeezed out as the strip mall prepares for a 7-11 to open up, which was approved last October by the neighborhood council and is undergoing review by the city for a beer and wine license.

The 7-11 plans include making improvements to the whole strip mall (cleaning up the parking lot, removing the old, ugly wall, improving signage), and thus the strip mall owner may be able to ask for higher rent. We’ll see if the Tacos Mexico and the other remaining tenants can stick it out, or if we’re looking at a high-end makeover on Glendale Boulevard and Berkeley.

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