December-January 2008

Neighborhood Council Supports Rezoning of Spiritualists’ Tract

Most Locals Oppose It
by Ross Plesset
On November 27, the Greater Echo Park Elysian Jeb Brighouse, who “was appointed by Councilman John
Neighborhood Council voted to support rezoning the undevel- Ferraro to be the Chairman of the Citizens‟ Advisory Commit-
oped land at 2400 Allesandro Street (at El Moran), which is tee in the Echo Park-Silverlake Community Plan during the
part of a wildlife corridor that extends to Elysian Park. There cycle in which this property was dealt with”, described the
was only one dissenting vote. Those voting for it included current zoning of three homes as “proper and appropriate.
representatives of District 1. Developer Henry Nunez has Fifteen would be very much of an offense against the commu-
been seeking to get the property rezoned from three homes nity; an offense against the neighborhood.”
to 15. A final decision will be made by the city in mid- He, too, was at the January meeting, “and there were
December. about 100 people there—not one of them spoke in favor of
On November 14 at City Hall, Councilman Garcetti‟s office this, not one. So any claim that this has been passed through
publicly supported such a rezoning, even though “we would the community and approved by the community, I say is just
ideally like the entire site to remain as public open space as a flat out falsehood. The community meeting last night does-
it is one of the few large, undeveloped hillside areas that we n‟t speak for the local residence. I again encourage that you
have in Council District 13, and it is in a strategic location in not approve, not support an increase in density that will lead
that it is a part of a network of open spaces,” said Mitch to 15 rather than three units on this property.”
O‟Farrel, representing Garcetti. Ortiz reiterated her invitation for people to visit the site at
Several conditions have been attached, (which where Allesandro and El Moran.
largely “just fine” with Nunez‟s office). In addition to desig-
nating Parcel 16 “as public open space” that would be easily
accessible, an adequate drainage system, and access to pub- NEW BIRDS AT ECHO PARK LAKE
lic transit for residents, O‟Farrel said that “we want to make By Judy Raskin
sure that all the mechanical equipment on the roofs will be Two birds never before recorded at Echo Park Lake
hidden and would encourage the developer to think about excited the birders on the November bird walk. They
green roofs or any other idea they might have to make the are the Black-necked stilt and the Western Grebe.
roofs as attractive as possible.” The stilt (shown
Cheryl Parisi, one of the neighbors who has been fighting in a wonderful
this development, began by raising density issues. “This area photo by Lauren
is zoned for three homes. What‟s being asked for is a subdi- Townsend) is black
vision into 15 homes. There are obvious impacts of this den- and white, weighs
sity on the surrounding neighborhood, the quality of the about 6 oz., and
streets, and all of that needs to be given consideration. And I has extra long,
would argue that the density is too great to be sustained on skinny red legs. It
this hillside with the existing substandard infrastructure. feeds by picking in
“In addition, the architecture itself is completely violative the sand with its
of the character of the existing neighborhood. The neighbor-
long thin bill. The
hood is comprised of small houses built over 70 years.”
Western grebe, a
Cindy Ortiz, another neighbor, noted that at the January
diving bird, is also
„07 meeting at Allesandro School, “the roar of opposition
was deafening. This developer promised to come back, and black and white,
he has not done so.” weighs about 3 lb.,
At least one neighbor supported Nunez‟s project. “The has red eyes and
undeveloped land has been attracting vagrants into the long yellow bill.
neighborhood,“ she said. “The property is a dumping ground. Both birds were
There are tons of tires, furniture, and other debris that is seen for only a few
deposited on the lot on a regular basis.” She also mentioned days before departing.
burglaries in the neighborhood and neglect of trees.

Echo Park Improvement Association

Meets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month
in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park
 December-January 2008

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Copyright by Echo Park Improvement Association 2007
 December-January 2008

2007 Successes
Successful Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium with Councilman Garcetti attending and throwing first pitch
Instrumental in obtaining lights on Glendale Blvd and under the Sunset Overpass
Assisted with the new and improved mural on Glendale Blvd below the Sunset overpass
Helped with the graffiti removal on Lemoyne at Sunset Blvd
Helping to create Echo Park Film guidelines. Successfully negotiated $10,000 to be part of filming permit
process which will be re-invested into the neighborhood
Submitted for the Beatification Grant with CCAC for benches along Sunset for 2008 (cross your fingers)
Echo Park District is welcoming the holidays in big! Along Sunset Blvd (surpassing the EP Parade route) and
part of Glendale Blvd we are proud to be sponsoring the Holiday decorations (banners and festive lights going up
on the electric poles)- All thanks to the donations received from our major sponsors CD1, CD13 Councilmen,
EPCC members and the board of EPCC that contributed funds to make one of the many lovely traditions into
reality
Décor: working with Gibson Guitars and CD13 on Guitar Town LA in which 10' guitars will be installed along
Sunset Blvd as tourist attraction
Nearly 70 members are now part of the Echo Park Chamber. If you are not a member, or are not on a
committee now is the time! Become part of the legacy of building history in Echo Park.

Mon–Thur 11am–11pm • Fri 11am–Mid • Sat 8am–Mid • Sun 8am– 11pm

Brunch served 8am–3pm Saturday & Sunday
Free Delivery for Echo Park on $15 minimum order
1800 West Sunset Blvd • 213.989.1558

WWW.GEPENC.ORG
Read the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/home

(323)
 December-January 2008

Echo Park -• Since

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(213) 484-1265

Mon — Sat Saturday

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 December-January 2008

Sign up now for this year’s

Christmas Bird Count --
Be part of the Echo Park Lake Team

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Meet 8:00 a.m. at the Boathouse
Rain or Shine!

The Lake is a rest and refueling stop for many migratory birds, including cormorants, ring-necked ducks, American
wigeons, blue herons, great egrets, Canada geese, several kinds of gulls and other winter migrants. We also count the resident
birds, such as Mallards, coots, doves, and others. Over the years, we’ve counted more than 60 different species.

This is the 107th annual Christmas Bird Count. Over 50,000 volunteers across North America, Central America, the
Caribbean and the Pacific take part to help determine the health and diversity of local and migratory bird populations. The Echo
Park Lake team is one of many fielded by the Los Angeles Audubon Society, which compiles all the
local figures and sends them to the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, which does the master tally.

Beginners are welcome. Bring your binoculars. Participation fee: $5.00

Meet at the Boathouse, Echo Park Ave. near Laguna Avenue, Los Angeles 90026.
Directions: From N/B 101 Freeway, exit Echo Park Avenue and continue north about ½ mile to the
boathouse. From S/B 101 Freeway, exit Glendale Blvd./Union Ave., go left on Temple St., left on
Glendale Blvd., right on Bellevue Ave., then left on Echo Park Ave. to the boathouse.
For more information. Send an email to judycalifornia@yahoo.com . Write ―Christmas Bird Count‖ ‖ in
the subject line. Phone: 323-663-6767.

+ MEDI-CAL
 December-January 2008

ECHO PARK CALENDAR

Event Date Location Comments
st
EPIA Meetings 1 Thursday, 7:00 pm Williams Hall at Barlow Call EPIA message phone for
Feb 7, Mar 6 Hospital, 2000 Stadium additional information.
Way in Elysian Park
EPIA Steering 2nd Monday, 7:15 pm Call (323) 882-4835 for Take an active part in EPIA. Join
Committee Jan 14, Feb 11 location the Steering Committee
Meetings
Community 2nd Thursday, 2:00 pm LAPD Stop-In Center, Hosted by Echo Park Security
Safety Meeting Dec 13, Jan 11 Echo Park Avenue and Association. Call (323)666-3228
Sunset Boulevard for more info
Citizens 1st Wednesday, 7:00 pm Williams Hall at Barlow Call 213-666-9651 for meeting
Committee to Jan 2, Feb 6, Mar 5 Hospital, 2000 Stadium location
Save Elysian Way in Elysian Park
Park
Echo Park 3rd Thursday, 7:00 pm and Taix Restaurant. Call 213-630-3032 for further
Chamber of every Wednesday 1:30 pm information.
Commerce
Greater Echo 4th Tuesday, 7 pm Logan Street School Call (213) 413-3196 for info or
Park Elysian Jan 22, Feb 26 Auditorium, 1711 W. visit www.GEPENC.org
Neighborhood Logan Street
Council Meeting
Edendale 2nd Wednesday, 7 pm Edendale Branch Library Join the library’s support group
Library Friends Dec 12, Jan 8, Feb 12 Community room and find out how you can help
Society 2011 W. Sunset Blvd. your neighborhood’s branch.
>=> ELFS <=<
Positive Energy 4th Wednesday , 6 pm - 7 pm Edendale Branch Library For info : e-mail
Group of Echo Jan 23, Feb 27, Mar 26 Community room slsa@sbcglobal.net
Park and Silver or our blog
Lake Area www.positiveenergygroup.blogspot.com
Or call (323) 860-9914
Holiday Parade 4th Wednesday, 5:30 pm Central City Action 534 E. Edgeware Road (corner
Committee Committee Bellevue)
Deadline Saturday, January 26 Send submissions to EPIA, Attn:
February EPIAn Ways Editor
EPIAn ways
SPECIAL EVENTS
Echo Park Saturday, December 8, 2007 Route will be along Sunset
Holiday Parade from 12pm - 3pm Blvd. from Elysian Park
Ave ending at Park Ave

Los Angeles Citywide Service Directory

a single toll-free phone number to contact
City of Los Angeles officials
for any non-emergency public service: Dial 311
 December-January 2008

Elysian Park Ranger mayor@lacity.org

 December-January 2008

ECHO PARK LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

LIBRARY COMPUTER CLASSES Library Hours
Computer Classes to Go. Join us for Computer Comfort, Mondays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Computer Classes for Improving your English, and Introduction Tuesdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
to Beginning Web Design. Individual and group classes by Wednesdays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
appointment only.
For information call Nadine Flores at (213)250-7808.
Thursdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Computer Comfort Fridays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday, 4pm, Saturdays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Learn to use the Library’s electronic catalog to search for Sundays CLOSED
materials, renew items, and place your own holds. Learn the Library Address
basics of surfing the Internet. Introduction to various databases
and search engines. For adults only. Familiarity with the Echo Park Branch Library
keyboard and mouse is recommended but not mandatory. 1410 W. Temple Street
Reservations required. Please arrive 10 minutes before class Los Angeles CA 90026
begins.
Computer Class for Improving Your English Phone 213.250.7808
Tuesday, 4-5pm, 11/20 FAX 213.250.3744
―Rosetta Stone‖ An introductory self-paced class to begin or World Wide Web Address
improve your English language skills. Computer experience is http://www.lapl.org
mandatory.
24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL
FUN FOR KIDS
. Movie Madness Saturday 12/15, 1/26 2-4pm
Pre-school Storytime Tuesday 12/04, 12/11, 12/18, 1/8, Join us for a movie classic. Adults only. Refreshments served!
1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5 12:30pm-1:15pm Join us for stories, EP Crocheting Club Saturday 12/15 , 1/26 11am-12pm
songs, and fingerplays. For ages 3-5.
Read-A-Ton Book Club Monday 12/173:30-4:15pm
Work together with the rest of the group to reach our goal of
reading hundreds of pounds of books.
Art with LACMA Thursday 1/3/, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31 4-
5:30pm Who responds to your alarms?
Kids will learn about art from a local artist and create something
new each week
ADULT PROGRAMS
Homebuyer's Workshop Saturday 12/2, 10:30am-11:15am
Experience does matter.
Learn about financial literacy and how to prepare to be a first
time home buyer. This program will be presented in Spanish. With so much at risk why take chances?
Homebuyer's Workshop Saturday 12/2, 11:30am-12:15pm
Learn about financial literacy and how to prepare to be a first
time home buyer. This program will be presented in English. Count on the experience of Select Patrol.

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 December-January 2008

E DENDALE LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

Adult Events
Beginning computer classes are held once a week on a variety
Library Hours (starting March 1, 2007)
of topics. Call to find out what’s coming up. Mondays 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Holiday Book Sale Wednesday 12/12 & 12/19 2pm-5pm Tuesdays 12 noon – 8:00 pm
Book Club Monday 12/17, 1/19 6:30-7:30pm Wednesdays 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Get a little more out of the books you read by sharing your thoughts Thursdays 12 noon – 8:00 pm
and hearing those of others.
Fridays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Drama West Saturday 12/8 2pm-3pm Live theater in the form
of staged readings of new scripts, presented by Drama West.
Saturdays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Children’s Events Sundays
Weekly Children’s Programs CLOSED
Toddler Storytime Tuesdays, 10-10:45 Library Address
Future readers and their special grown-ups join the librarian for Edendale Branch Library
nursery rhymes, songs, finger play and more. 2011 W. Sunset Boulevard
Read To Me LA: Pre-school Storytime Los Angeles, CA 90026
Saturdays 11 am-11:45 am Phone (213) 207-3000
Edendale Puppet Theater Monday 12/5, 1/7, 2/4 6:30-7:15pm
Puppet show and stories: dogs, cats, & other animals
Read-a-Ton Book Club Thursday 12/13, 1/7 3:30pm- Just for Teens
4:15pm Work together to reach our goal of reading a ton of books Teen Council Thursday 12/6, 1/7, 2/7 5-6pm
by the end of the year. After-school fun and snacks. Make your voice heard, meet new people and eat tasty snacks at
Art Class for Kids. Thursday 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31 4-5pm the next Edendale Teen Council Meeting.
Kids will learn about art from a local artist and create something new LACMA Art Thursday 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7 5 pm - 6 pm.
each week Join an artist from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for fun

TWO GIGANTIC HOLIDAY BOOK SALES COMING TO EDENDALE LIBRARY

All of us know that ELFS stands for
Edendale Library Friends Society and
the neighborhood folks believe that
the key word is „Friends.‟ We friends
have fun, march in holiday parades,
make cookies and popcorn for our
little ELFS, help the librarians at
community events, raise money to
support critical library programs and
purchase books and equipment for
the library. We have a big cart of
books available during all library
hours for patrons to help themselves
to and leave a donation if they wish.
ELFS Sheila Anthony and Suzi Rogers
personally purchase books and tapes
to donate to an orphanage in Tijuana,
to a senior center in Echo Park, and
to the Echo Park Film Center.
Everyone is invited to Join Sheila
and Suzi for the final two 2007
blowout sales at the ELFS weekly
Wednesday events, Dec. 12th and
Dec. 19th, from 2-5pm, in the
Community Room of the Library. All
books will be Half Price as we must
clear them out and make room for
by Sheila Anthony
our 2008 donations. We will be generous neighbors. Remember your
closed for inventory on Dec. 26th. loved ones and their interests and
Children‟s books start at 10-cents; holiday shop first in the
hardback books at $1.00, and neighborhood. Ask for your free gift
discounts will be taken from these cards personally designed and home
already low, low prices. We made by Suzi.
encourage you to bring your own
boxes as we‟re certain you‟ll
be tempted to buy armloads.
We have books, videos, vinyl
LP‟s, VHS, and cassettes. The
books cover a wide array of
interests including art,
psychology, gardening, foreign
language, travel, decorating,
poetry, plays, and a great deal
of popular fiction and much
more.
We have approximately
5,000 different titles for every
age group, toddler to scholar,
and all are in very good to
excellent condition. We have
many collectible signed and
first editions. These make
wonderful gifts, and most
have been donated by our
 December-January 2008

A new face in the community

Professional Security COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Officers
Echo Park
Security patrols chamber OF COMMERCE

Off duty police officers Positive energy group

Loss prevention Business & Bar

3470 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 885 Security association
Dedicated Los Angeles, California 90010
management & staff Office: (213) 384-3643
24 Hour Dispatch Center: (213) 403-0111
Fax: (213) 384-3652
EchoParkSecurity@martinassocsecurity.com
 December-January 2008
Central City Action
Halloween came around with only one sighting of
Captain Rollo. One of our fireman friends was doing some
work downstairs and came up to ask me if I saw someone
walking around the building. He told the kids it was
Captain Rollo wandering around checking on them. Glad
to know there is someone else who sees Captain Rollo.
Because it was Halloween and it was sort hard to
differentiate between who was a ghoul and who was not, all
of us agreed it could have been an imposter.
Our basketball team has actually won several games
this year. Good team work and basketball practice makes
for a good team. Thanks to our coaches, staff member
Miguel Zamarrippa, head coach and assistant coach, Eddie
Santiago for their patience and guidance during the
season.
Now that the holiday season is upon us, we have to
make many adjustments to our daily routines as it feels
like we are being pulled in many different directions. Most
of our kids are on the traditional timeframe for school so
they will be off for three weeks at Christmas. Trips to
hockey games, ice skating and amusements parks are
among the hottest activities that the kids pick out for field
trips. Of course it takes money, so we have rummage
sales to finance these adventures. Some even suggested
camping in the cold.
I have to tell you about Gloria‟s little clerical
workers, a phrase Maryanne uses when she comes into
my office and I have three or four kids sitting on the
floor sorting out graffiti requests by date. It is a job
that has to be done but something I cannot always get
done so I started showing the kids. If it is not sorting
then I usually find something else for them to do. The
other day I asked Rudy to help shred some old papers.
There were a lot of papers. After about an hour he
needed a break. When he came back he brought
by Gloria
someone with him, then another kids appeared, then
another and another. At one point I became a referee as
they were getting upset with each other as to whose turn it
was next to feed the paper into the shredder. I think I had
8 kids all taking turns feeding one paper at a time into the
shredder. It sure was comical. What enthusiasm they
showed. Needless to say, after they were done shredding,
there was a big mess on the floor. David B sneakily left
the vacuum so I took that as a message for us to clean up.
Only Rudy helped with the cleaning, the fun had gone out
of the project quickly. Thanks to all — Rudy, Angel H,
Angel O, Santiago, Arturo, Fernando, Noel and Juan for all
their assistance in shredding.
For the Thanksgiving holiday I made a cornucopia
asked the question—What Am I Thankful For? The kids
helped me draw and cut out pieces of fruit and vegetables.
On these pieces of paper the kids have written what they
are thankful for. Surprisingly, many were quick with their
answers. For others, it took a few minutes. I am proud of
their answers and thankful that the kids took time to
participate.
December will be here in a few days and I know that
between our hectic schedules and yours we might not be
able to see all of you. That is why we like to invite all of
you to come and see us all year long so the happiness of
the holiday season can be with us all the time.
Echo Park Film Center
“Your friendly neighborhood media arts organization!”
*cinema
*store
*school
1200 N. Alvarado St., Los Angeles, CA 90026
213-484-8846 www.echoparkfilmcenter.org
Hours: Wed/Thur/Fri 2 – 7pm, Sat noon – 5pm
*Thursday Night Cinema Series: 8 – 11 pm
*50% off equipment rentals for EPFC Members
*Free filmmaking classes for Seniors and Teens
EPFC is a 501(c)3: donations are tax deductible.
 December-January 2008

LOTUS PAD NOTES

NEWS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
FROM ECHO PARK & ANGELINO HEIGHTS by E.P. Lagoso

Builders are having their way with Echo Park this MacArthur Park Lake. A special thanks goes out to
winter, taking down and ripping up plenty of places Martin Cox, the photographer who kept the issue
around the neighborhood. alive since last summer.
The latest to go was the 1911 farmhouse at Echo Just when you thought that Echo Park wouldn't
Park Avenue and Delta, which was demolished in drink any more java, a new spot called Cafe Mariposa
November so that 36 town homes can be built in its opened up on Sunset Boulevard near Laveta Terrace.
place.
The same builder took down the vacant
convalescent home just up the street. And that
builder will soon raze an old bungalow on Morton
Avenue so that 18 more condos can be constructed.
In a word, yikes!
***
MEANWHILE, over at Sunset Boulevard and
A little bit further west, the empire owned by
Quintero Street, a super ugly set of town homes
American Apparel — best known for its multicolored
sparked a big debate on the real estate web site
underpants and scary looking unitards — continues to
la.curbed.com. With the real estate market heading
expand, with the mega-chain opening a small vintage
into the toilet, the developer decided to rent instead
clothing shop next to its flagship store.
of sell.
***
On curbed, there was plenty of jeering at the
And what‟s going on with our local Neighborhood
whole project, with more than 50 comments arguing
Council, GEPENC? Despite a record turnout for the
back and forth about the whole situation.
October elections as we go to press the election has
still not been certified. Seems like the grievances
filed with DONE have still not been resolved. That
sure is empowering!

EPIA ANNUAL FRUIT TREE GIVEAWAY

Hooray! Echo Park finally got back its paddle
boats! The city, thanks in part to Councilmembers
Eric Garcetti and Ed Reyes, brought back the sparkly
pink and blue boats to Echo Park Lake and
Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers
and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Echo Park
Improvement Association
Once again the TreePeople will be
distributing bare root saplings to plant at your
home. This year the EPIA will be receiving
Apple, Apricot, Nectarine, Peach and Plum
bare root trees. As we go to press the date is
not set but it will be in January before our next
issue of the EPIAn ways.
To reserve your trees - limit of two - call
the EPIA at (323) 882-4835. Leave your name,
phone number where we can reach you and
the variety of trees you would like.
You can also join us at the Pruning,
Prepping & Pickup events. We can always use
your help with this annual community event.