Tag Archive for: echo park

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Gunshots: A common occurrence in Echo Park?

On Saturday, August 14, shots were fired near Echo Park Lake, injuring one man. That same night at 12:30 am, residents heard gunshots on Echo Park Avenue near Baxter. Then yesterday (Sunday, August 15), another round of shots were fired in the 7-Eleven parking lot on Sunset Blvd. and Rosemont, injuring one man. We are all starting to wonder, what the heck is going on?

The past couple of months, there have been a noticeable surge in gunshot reports. An ambitious reader of the neighborhood blogs has put together a list of those reports we’ve read about on our neighborhood forums and websites, a list that reveals just how often these things may be occurring in the neighborhood:

  • August 15 at around noon: 7-Eleven parking lot, one man injured, does not appear to be gang related.
  • August 15 at 12:30 am: Residents report shots new Echo Park Ave. and Baxter
  • August 14 at 1:00 pm: East side of Echo Park Lake, one man injured, likely gang related.
  • August 6, 10:30 pm: Northern Echo Park Avenue (Valentine or Avalon), no one injured but no evidence of a shooting.
  • July 27 at 3:30 am: Angelino Heights, 1400 block of Ridge Way.
  • July 25 at 3:00 am: Echo Park Lake vicinity (Montrose St.) – shot fired during bike robbery
  • July 24 at 4:00 pm: The Higher Path dispensary robbery and murder.
  • July 21 at 2:00 am: Shooting outside of The Echo, three people injured.
  • June 30 at 2:30 pm: Occurred Near Rosemont Elementary School, several shots fired.
  • May 18 at 4:00 pm: Edgeware and Court St., gang related (one block from where 4-year-old Roberto Lopez, Jr. was killed by a stray bullet in 2009).

h/t to The Eastsider LA for keeping all of us in the know about the shootings in our neighborhood, which we love so much. Has Echo Park changed in the past 10 years? If it hasn’t will it ever?

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Blue Collar in Echo Park helping families in need

Do you have a neighbor with dogs who just lost their job? Perhaps you’re familiar with a homeless person with dogs on your way to work? There are a lot of needy people who have pets that are also in need, and Blue Collar in Echo Park is here to help out those who are experiencing true financial hardship by providing a tw0-week supply of nutritious dog food.

They have a limited supply of food, so it’s a first come, first serve basis. They’ve been running the program for four months now, and do have people who are in need coming in for the food. There are no forms to fill out or proof of hardship needed, but the store wants you to know it wants to help those who truly need it, so if you know that your neighbor might need some help feeding their dog, this is the place to go!

Blue Collar also has a new round of basic obedience classes starting up on Sunday, August 15 at 3:00 pm. The course is six weeks and costs $150, all you need is $50 to hold your spot! To learn more about this course, click here.

BUT if you or someone you know has a dog with some SERIOUS behavioral problem and you can’t afford any training, talk to Blue Collar. They will help those in need to get a trainer to work with you for free, as long as you’re 100% committed to doing what the trainer advices.

Blue Collar is located at 1533 Echo Park Avenue.

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Learn about album production at Origami Vinyl

Ever wondered about how to make picture discs, custom vinyl or specialty record jackets? Plan on releasing a vinyl record soon? Origami Vinyl is offering up a FREE panel discussion on the basics of album production on Sunday, August 15 from 7:00-9:00 pm.

“Getting Your Record Made: A Step-by-Step Look at Album Production” is a panel discussion with Q and A led by Origami Vinyl owner Neil Schield. On the panel is: Christian Dwiggins (mixing and mastering engineer from Engine Rooms Studios), Pet Lyman (owner and chief mastering engineer from Infrasonic Sound Recording), Kevin Smith (owner of Bill Smith Custom Records), Jennifer Freund (owner and CEO Dorado Music Packaging), and Benjamin Heywood of Summer Darling.

Along with beer, the event will also include some special offers and discounts from panel speakers on their record production services.

You do have to RSVP no later than TODAY, August 12, by emailing RSVPOrigami@gmail.com

Origami Vinyl is located at 1816 W. Sunset Blvd.

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Echo Park Cleanup at the Triangle

On Saturday, August 7, Echo Park TAP ( Trash Abatement Project) and the Los Angeles Conservation Corp/Clean and Green cleaned up the “triangle” island on the corner of Montana and Glendale/Lake Shore. The 28 volunteers cleared up 65 trash bags, approximately 1,760 pounds of trash, keeping trash from entering storm drains that discharge into Echo Park Lake. The difference is incredible!

Some time in the future, this small area might just be developed. Word is developers are going to be building a restaurant structure, but no proposals for design have been submitted. We are hoping for a building that fits in well with the traditional Echo Park landscape!

Twitpic photo via josesigala

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Filmed in Echo Park: Mi Vida Loca

On my list of to-dos this weekend is to watch Mi Vida Loca, a film I haven’t seen in a long, long time. With Echo Park in the background, and a good movie overall, I’m looking forward to re-watching it now that I live in Echo Park. Here’s a little trailer/overview from the 1993 movie:

25 seconds into the video, you can see how big El Batey used to be at Chicken Corner on Echo Park Avenue (now Chango at the corner and a smaller El Batey shop next door).

UPDATE:

How silly for me to forget, the Echo Park Filmmobile is screening Mi Vida Loca tonight (Friday, August 6) at 8:00 pm, 1559 Echo Park Ave at Delta. Perhaps I will see you there!

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Ballard’s and Raven-Lily Grand Opening on Saturday

We wrote recently about Ballard’s Artwork Framing re-opening at its new home on Sunset, and we now know it is sharing the retail space with a fair trade gifts and accessories organization called Raven + Lily.

The grand opening event is coming up on Saturday, August 7 and includes drinks and cupcakes from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm followed by wine and cheese until 10:00 pm.

Ballard’s is located at 1568 Sunset Blvd.

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Echo Park Dispensary Shooting Update

Flickr photo via Walking Flower

News sources (including Echo Park’s own Eastsider LA) are reporting one arrest has been made and another suspect being sought for the robbery and shooting that took place on June 24 at the Higher Path marijuana dispensary in Echo Park. The LAPD held a news conference today to announce new developments in the case, specifically the arrest of 31-year-old Daniel “Scooter” Hinton. They are still looking for another suspect, 27-year-old Raymond Lemone Easter. Hinton is currently being held without bail.

The robbery resulted in the slaying of dispensary employee Matthew Butcher and the injury of the store’s security guard.

h/t The Eastsider LA for the scoop!

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Echo Park Film Center’s Filmmobile Screenings

The Filmmobile is back from its summer hiatus to bring you films on wheels screened in unusual outdoor locations. Here’s what’s coming up:

MI VIDA LOCA – Friday, August 6 at 8:00 pm
Mi Vida Loca tells the story of young Mexican-American women in Los Angeles and the struggles they have in a life of gangs, drugs, and personal betrayal. Mousie (Seidy López) and Sad Girl (Angel Aviles) are best friends from childhood, growing up in gang-infested Echo Park and remaining loyal to each other. But when Sad Girl sleeps with Mousie’s boyfriend (a drug dealer who is killed) and becomes pregnant, their friendship is ruptured. As the violence of their neighborhood erupts around them, they must try to stay together as friends despite their betrayals. This is an unforgiving look at a world where women seem to have no choice but to raise their children, deal drugs, and survive by whatever means available.

ROLLER BOOGIE – Friday, August 13 at 8:00 pm
“Roller Boogie is one movie you won’t want to miss! In addition to the roller skating scenes, the fantastic music, slapstick humor–and tender love scenes, you’ll find some of the cutest guys you’d ever hope to meet. Jim Bray stars as Bobby James, the skating champion (and Olympic hopeful) who sweeps pretty co-star Linda Blair off her feet (literally). In real life, Jim’s a skater, but now that he’s had a taste of acting, he really thinks he might like to make a career of it. And when you see Jim in the movie, you’ll have to agree he’s the cutest thing on wheels.” – Tiger Beat Magazine

All screenings are free and open to the public. The locations are secret until a few hours before the screening. You can call (213-484-8846), email (info@echoparkfilmcenter.org) or follow them on Twitter (http://twitter.com/EPFCfilmmobile).

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National Night Out – Tonight in Echo Park

The 5th annual Echo Park National Night Out block party is tonight, Tuesday, August 3. The event takes place at the Walgreens parking lot from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

FREE stuff includes: kids activities, cotton candy, eye mobile eye screening, hot dogs, kids face painting, and a bouncer/jumper. There will also be an Echo Park Community Parade drawing contest, and voter registration through Central del Pueblo.

Participating organizations include:

826LA
Barlow Respiratory Hospital
Central del Pueblo: Voter registration
Echo Park Animal Alliance: Dodger give-away
Echo Park Community Parade: Contest drawing
Echo Park Historical Society
Echo Park Improvement Association (EPIA)
Echo Park Farmers Market (SEE-LA)
Echo Park Recreation and Parks -face painting
Echo Park Security Association and Select Patrol
Gariella Axelrad Education Foundation
George D. Lim, DMD, Inc.
Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council
Innate Intelligence Works
L.A. Host Lions Club, Eyemobile eye screening
LAUSD: Mayberry School
Los Angeles Police Department: Northeast Police Division
Los Angeles Fire Department, Station 20
Student-International Travel Experience (SITE)
The Echo/Echoplex/Prado Food Area

See you tonight!

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Echo Park’s Annual National Night Out

The 5th Annual Echo Park National Night Out block party is coming up on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 5:00 pm in the Walgreens Parking Lot.

The free event will host activities for kids, free eye screenings (the Lions Eye Mobile will be present), free hot dogs, and more family-friendly activities.

Click on the graphic to the right to download a flyer to distribute in your neighborhood.

Organizers are collecting funds to purchase backpacks and school supplies for  give-aways to children and teens. If you would like to contribute, contact Rosie Betanzos directly at rcbetanzos@yahoo.com

Volunteers are also needed for helping: in the kids area, maintaining control on passing food, supervising the jumpers (I’m assuming for a bounce house), clean-up and set-up tear down, information booth, and ambassadors to direct crowds. If you are interested, please email Rosie at the email address listed above.

The event is hosted by the Positive Energy Group/Crime Prevention.

Representing Northeast Police Station

Sponsors are: City Council District 1 and 13, Echo Park Trading Post, Select Patrol, The Echo/Echoplex, El Prado, GEPENC, LA Host Lions, Dodgers and many more…

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Elf Cafe Reopening After Renovations

Elf Cafe is re-opoening tomorrow, July 28 (according to the sign on the front door), after a week-long closure for renovations. While we haven’t gotten the final word from the restaurant about what exactly is going on with renovations, they told the Huffington Post last February of plans to expand the restaurant into the space next door (perhaps Branche Boutique, pictured above), which they had just acquired.

We’ll have to see what happens when Elf Cafe re-opens tomorrow!

Elf Cafe is located at 2135 W Sunset Blvd. Click here for the menu.

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Midsummer Flock Block Party

While it looks like the Echo Park Art Walk may be on hiatus, Feeding Birds still wants Echo Park residents to get out and enjoy the community (and the great weather!) this summer. And so came forth the “Midsummer Flock” block party, located in the area around Feeding Birds from 1825-1830 Echo Park Ave. So far, there will be food trucks, live music, art, sales, and maybe even some silkscreening or stenciling at Feeding Birds. Booked so far is:

  • Summer Fling Truck (print t’s, phone cases and Cool Haus)
  • Over The Moon Cookies (Echo Park baked cookies)
  • I ♥ EP merchandise from artist Bill Rangel
  • Musical guests: DefSound and others, Miles Moore (Earthman)
  • Large photography displays and other art to come

Click here for the Facebook event info as they will be updating it as more activities come up.

Midsummer Flock
August 8, 2010
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
1825 – 1830 Echo Park Ave.

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Newcomers Guide to “Local Treasures”

While exploring Feeding Birds Boutique yesterday (they have some great vintage glassware), I picked up this nicely designed map of local businesses and services in Echo Park (Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and Atwater Village are also included) by MapHawk. The map includes, according to the cover, “hand picked local treasures” in the neighborhood, from accommodations and restaurants, to clothing and beauty spots.

While the seasoned Echo Park resident may not find this useful, newbies to the area would want to stick this up on the fridge to help them discover all the little spots to check out in Echo Park.

You’ll probably be able to pick up the map at other locations like Masa and Delilah’s, but I know for a fact Feeding Birds has a stack. Enjoy!

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Flashback Fridays – Room 8

All this talk about the oil spill and approval ratings is turning me prematurely gray. Let’s discuss something lighthearted and fun this Friday, shall we?

Once upon a time, way back in the early 1950s, there lived a cat called Room 8. He was a stray tabby that wandered into Elysian Heights Elementary School one day in 1952. He lived there throughout the school year only leaving when the children did at the beginning of the summer. And every year for over fifteen years he would return in September in time for the start of class.

The children of Elysian Heights loved him dearly as did people across the country. He is said to have received thousands of fan letters in his lifetime and was featured in both Time and Look magazine. Leo Kottke even wrote a song about him. Wait. Really?! Leo Kottke is awesome!

According to the Wikipedia entry (yes, he even has his own Wikipedia page), “as he got older, he was injured in a cat fight and suffered from pneumonia, so a family near the school volunteered to take him in. The school’s janitor would find him at the end of the school day and carry him across the street.”

Room 8 passed away in 1968. He received a lengthy obituary in the Los Angeles Times and in publications as far away as Connecticut.  Today, a mural outside of the school still bears his likeness. And every new class is read the book A Cat Called Room 8 by Virginia Finley and Beverly Mason.

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Loney Bobblehead Night at Dodger Stadium

Things are a little hectic out there on the roads and freeways in Echo Park – tonight is James Loney Bobblehead night, and the fans go crazy for those promotional items. It’s also game two of three in the series against the Giants, which means the Scott Avenue gate will likely be open for exiting traffic.

Stay clear of Stadium Way, Sunset Blvd., and, well, all the other roads and freeways. Surprisingly, the 110 doesn’t look that bad! Go Dodgers!

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