Tag Archive for: echo park

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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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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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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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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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Rock Paper Salon Opens its Doors

Today (Monday, April 5), Echo Park’s newest salon is opening its doors. Rock Paper Salon will be offering hair cutting and coloring services in what looks to be a very elegant atmosphere. The salon’s basic offerings include cuts for men starting at $40 and cuts for women starting at $60. A little more about their hair philosophy:

We just want to make you look good and walk out happy. We know what is in style but aren’t trying to make you look like a hot topic catalog model, or some band that is so hot on pitchfork.com right now. No matter what your age or taste is we can point you in the right direction with your look.

Nice. Also, they have a community bookshelf from which you can borrow a book if you bring in one that you’re finished with. No word on their exact hours yet, but you can give them a call at 213-250-0900 or go here to make an appointment online. The store is located at 1515 W. Sunset Blvd.

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Echo Park Avenue Art Walk

Echo Park Ave. Art Walk is back! Join local businesses, artists, and musicians on Saturday, April 3 from 12 noon – 6:00 pm. Participating businesses are located from Blue Collar to Fix Coffee on Echo Park Avenue.

While we don’t have a complete list of businesses, vendors and activities yet (check back later for details) there will be quite a few activities, including art, performances, music, sidewalk chalk, and more. This time, all business are responsible for booking artists and entertainers, so anyone interested in submitting artwork should contact Echo Park Avenue businesses directly.

What: Echo Park Avenue Artwalk
When: Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 12 noon – 6:00 pm
Check out the Facebook page for contact info

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GEPENC Elections Tomorrow

The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council (GEPENC) Elections are tomorrow – Saturday, March 20, 2010.

You can vote at the Central City Action Committee at 534 E. Edgeware Road from 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Here’s a run-down of the candidates:

Chief Information Officer: Lisa D. Baca, Mo Najand

President: Lester Quijano, Jaime C. Salazar, José Sigala

First Vice President: Francisco Torrero

Treasurer: Gustavo Moreno

District 1 Representatives: Dinora E. Ventura, Efren Mojarro Jr.

District 2 Representatives: Agustin Cebada, James D. Lopez, Nora Elieth Sanchez, Justin G. Mcinteer, Jeremy R. Mann, Cheryl L. Ortega

District 3 Representatives: Juan Godinez, Connie M. Acosta

District 4 Representatives: Leonel A. Ledezma, Yolande Beckles, Stephen H. Stickler

District 5 Representatives: Jeffrey G. Kontorovsky, David Lugo, David “Rockello” Rosen, Phyllis M. Daugherty, Erlinda L. Sorati, Jorge L. Prado, Patricia R. Mendoza

Read more

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E.P.I.C. (Echo Park Independent Co-op) Opens It’s Doors

Readers, you will be proud to know that I ingested one too many caffeine and guarana infused vodka drinks on Friday night all in the name of bringing you in the inside scoop on the Echo Park Independent Co-op. You’re welcome. Of course, I didn’t do it alone. Kelly and Faith and I all put on our Friday night best and headed down to the swanky affair that was their grand opening.

The Echo Park Independent Co-op (E.P.I.C.) is the creation of Tristen Scott and Rhianon Jones. It’s located in a big beautiful space on Sunset within the confines of the Jensen Recreational Center Building. The interior design of the store is stunning. Very grand and elegant but simple enough in it’s decoration to let the artwork and the clothing really stand out. Admittedly, it is their goal to present everything in the store in “a gallery-like setting.”

Half of the store is dedicated to one-of-a-kind clothing pieces created by L.A.-based designers. I’m not going to lie about the prices. They range from $60 to $1,000 and on average are somewhere between $100 and $300.  When I asked Tristen about this, he admitted that this was not affordable to most people. His goal is not to provide cheap, ready-to-wear fashion to everyone but to support local artists many of whom have no other venue in which to display their work. They also eventually plan on “taking artists and designers under their wing to create in-store products that are unique to the market place.”

The other half of the store is to be used as a gallery space. On Friday there was Post-It Note art on display created by a variety of artists and friends. Each display was priced at $10 and all of the proceeds went to Million Trees L.A. In addition, 10% of all the proceeds from Friday night’s sales went to the same organization.

The Echo Park Independent Co-op is located at 1712 Sunset. Their website (http://www.shopepicla.com/) is not fully-functional yet, but we’ll be sure to let you guys know when it is.

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Saturday: Elysian Heights Elementary Snow Day Fundraiser

Well both the Echo Park Beautification/Cleanup and the Elysian Heights Elementary Snow Day Fundraiser were canceled twice due to heavy rain over the past couple of weekends, but for Snow day we are back on schedule for this weekend.

The 1st Annual Snow Day Fundraiser at Elysian Heights Elementary will take place on Saturday, March 13th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Click here for more information about the event.

The Echo Park Beautification has been postponed until further notice – keep your eye out for an update as it looks like the event will take place some time in April.

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Sunday’s Arrests on Duane and Echo Park Ave

via andysternberg on Flickr

We recently noticed this Flickr photo in our Echo Park Now Flickr group, uploaded on Sunday, March 6. Well, thanks to the Eastsider, we think we know what this was all about. According to this post:

“…in Echo Park on Sunday afternoon, police detained some males near the intersection of Echo Park Avenue and Duane Street as part of an investigation into a potential burglary. But Murphy said the ‘investigation determined no burglary and they were released.'”

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Bug tacos? hmmm…

The Machine Project in Echo Park is giving you the opportunity to… Eat bugs! Not my cup of tea, but if you’re interested, read on:

Come on over to a CRITTER Salon at Machine Project on March 12th to try out some edible insects, featuring the delectable wax moth larvae, which have the flavor and texture of crispy fried bacon!!! At this event we’ll be serving wax moth larvae in the form of gourmet tacos, with fresh pressed tortillas, cream, and spicy green salsa. Wash it down with a sip of sweet, cold mead, a refreshing wine that is made from honey, and check out our other insect edibles! Come on over to try a low trophic treat, and find out just exactly what your life has been missing.

The cost is $5, which covers all bug-eating supplies including mead and taco fixin’s. Limited to 40 bug-eaters, so sign up today!

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Allston Yacht Club $5 Wednesdays + new brunch items

$5 Wicked Wednesdays has officially arrived to AYC! Everything on the food menu on Wednesday nights is just $5. Such delicious items include: Braised short ribs, Pork belly, Artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches, Fried feta with marinated tomatoes, Duck confit on goat cheese crisps, Ginger & lemongrass chicken skewers, and more!

Think that sounds yummy? In addition to their new $5 Wednesdays, they’ll also be expanding their brunch menu. From the owners:

“Allston Yacht Club is also introducing an expanded Sunday brunch menu with new additions such as brioche French toast, waffles, create-your-own omelettes, tofu scramble, and of course, the usual AYC brunch suspects such as duck confit hash, house-cured Gravlax and Croque Monsieur. Also new: French-Vietnamese drip-coffee served in a traditional metal filter with condensed milk & tangerine mimosas, along with AYC’s house special cocktails such as  bacon-infused Bloody Mary and the Ramos Fizz (gin, egg white & orange blossom water).”

See you there!

Allston Yacht Club is located at 1320 Echo Park Avenue.

Check out their website for a full menu and to make a reservation, or call (213) 481-0454

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Dodgers raise ticket prices for low-end seats

According to a press release, the Dodgers are planning for an increase in price for 35% of the seats for single-game ticket starting March 6, 2010.

They’ll be increasing some low-end tickets $2-3 for Friday and Saturday games, making Top Deck tickets $15, left-field pavilion seats are up $5 to $18, and other various increases for the cheaper tickets (these numbers appear to be the price for advance purchase tickets – those purchased at the stadium are generally a couple of bucks more).

Additionally, the All-You-Can-Eat Right Field Pavilion price will decrease $5 per ticket (advance purchase), and rows X-Z on the field level between the bases will drop $20 per seat.

Parking at Dodger Stadium, currently at $15 per vehicle, will remain the same price (a good thing for us community members who live right by the stadium).

LA Observed also points out that the Yankees series coming up in June won’t be included as those tickets can only be purchased as part of a 14-, 21-, or 28-game mini plan, and cannot be purchased individually.

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Echo Park Cleanup/Beautification on Saturday

Join the office of Council President Eric Garcetti for the first Echo Park Clean Up Effort of the year on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 8:45 am.

Council President Eric Garcetti’s Office and staff would love your participation, enthusiasm and action on as we prepare to do a nice clean up and beautification effort of “downtown” Echo Park.

If you would like to participate, meet up at the Echo Park Walgreens at 8:45 am for refreshments and instructions followed by 2 hours of some beautification labor all for the purpose of continuing to make Echo Park a little brighter and welcoming for our friends, neighbors and patrons.

Please contact Field Deputy Alejandra Marroquin of the LA City Council at Alejandra.Marroquin@lacity.org, or call 323-957-4500 for more information.

UPDATE:
This event has been postponed due to rain, we will let you know when it has been rescheduled.

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Annual Echo Park Christmas Bird Count

The annual Christmas Bird Count will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at the Echo Park Lake at 8:00 am. Led by Echo Park’s chief birder Judy Raskin, the Bird Count helps identify and record the different bird species that visit the Echo Park Lake.

“Over the years we have counted more than 60 different species of birds that call the lake their home for all or part of the year. They include cormorants, ring-necked ducks, American wigeons, blue herons, great egrets, and Canada geese. This is the 110th annual Christmas Bird Count. Join more than 50,000 volunteers across the U.S., Canada, Central America, the Caribbean and the Pacific to help determine the health and diversity of local and migratory bird populations. The Echo Park Lake and Vista Hermosa teams are among those fielded by the Los Angeles Audubon Society. It compiles the local figures and sends them to the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, which does the master tally.”

Time: about 2 hours. Terrain: level, easy walking.

Participation fee: $5. per person (for one or both counts). Make checks payable to National Audubon Society.

Binoculars recommended, bird guide too. Take along a snack or water for betweenwalks. Beginners and children welcome!

Information: (323) 663-6767. On count day call (213) 361-7273. Or email judycalifornia@yahoo.com.

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