EPIAn Ways December - January 2010

8/8/2019 EPIAn Ways December - January 2010

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December 2010-January 2011

Volume 17 Issue 5

Echo Park Improvement Association Newsletter

Echo Park Improvement Association meets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Monthin Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park

Unemployment and under-water housing have made this

year challenging and created hardships for many Echo

Park residents. These challenges are expected to continue

into the upcoming year. The Echo Park improvement

Association (EPIA) has consistently worked to improve the

quality of life for its residents. We are always seeking input

on agenda topics to continue to adapt to the needs of the

community.

We have focused on both technology and grass roots

organizing to help get residents connected this year and

will continue to do so in the upcoming year. We understand

it is difcult to get to meetings so we have focused on

an improved website, email communication as well as a

forum dedicated to community issues. If you want to stay

connected on work we are doing just add your name to our

mailing list by subscribing at www.epia-echopark.org.

Our Neighborhood Issues Committee (NIC) has done

some amazing work this year. We have discussed and

had major inuences on many land development topics,

Year-end Review from the EPIA

EPIAnways

ECHO PARK IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

INSIDE

Christmas Bird Count ........ PAgE 2

Echo Park Animal Alliance

fundraiser...........................PAgE 5

CCAC updates...................PAgE 4

Echo Parks

Community Calendar .........PAgE 6

Get to know the Sunset Flats

development project ........ PAgE 11

Echo Park and Elysian park issues of use and access, SR

Terminus project, business development and use, histo

preservation, schools, and much more.

In addition we have continued to provide education

topics at our town hall meetings and access to importa

by Kelly Smith

On Tuesday, November 23, the LA

City Energy and Environment Commit-

tee approved the nal Environmental

Impact Review for the Echo Park Lake

rehabilitation project. The $84 million

project, due to start construction as

soon as April 2011, is will be fundedthrough the citys water cleanup proj-

ects under Proposition O.

by Andrew Garsten, EPIA Secretary

This year, I had the privilege to be part of an annual

event, the give-away of hundreds of complete turkey

meals given to the neediest families of our community

thanks to the Dodgers, the ofces of Councilmember

Ed Reyes and Eric Garcetti, local community

organizations, and many, many of their members.

The City Council is expected to vo

on the nal EIR within two weeks aft

the November 23 vote by the Ener

and Environment Committee.

Construction will last for appro

mately two years. During the constru

tion, they will drain the 13 acre la

and haul out approximately 50,0cubic feet of soil from the botto

City committee approves Lake EIR

givin and thanks in 2010

(Continued on page 1

(Continued on page 8)

The new EPIA Website: www.epia-echopark.org

(Continued on page


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December 2010-January 2011 Volume 17 Issue 5

www.epia-echopark.org

P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA

EPIAnways

by Judy Raskin

Ech Pa Lae Cnt: Sun-

day, January 2, 2011, 8:00 a.m.

Meet at the Boathouse (EchoPark Ave. near Laguna Ave.)

Time: about 2 hours. Terrain:

level, easy walking.

Ech Pa Lae: Over the years

we have counted more than 70 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 111th annual Christmas Bird Count. Join

more than 50,000 volunteers across the U.S., Canada

Central America, the Caribbean and the Pacic to helpdetermine the health and diversity of local and migratory

bird populations. The Echo Park Lake and Vista Hermosa

teams are among those elded by the Los Angeles

Audubon Society. It compiles the local gures and sends

them to the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, which

does the master tally.

Participation fee: $5 per person (for one or both counts)

Make checks payable to National Audubon Society.

Vsta Hemsa Bd Cnt: Sunday, January 2, 2011

11:00 a.m. (time approximate). Meet at the parking lot

100 Toluca St., just north of First St. Time: about 1-1 hours. Terrain: mostly level, some slight elevation.

Binoculars recommended, bird guide too. Take along

a snack or water for between-walks. Beginners and

children welcome!

Information: (323) 663-6767. On count day call (213)

361-7273. Or email [email protected].

PAGE 2

Newsletter Credits

EDITOR: Kelly Smith

ADVERTISINg: Darren Hubert

PRINTINg: Davco

Copyright 2010 Echo Park

Improvement Association

ECHO PARK IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Michelle Vargas (left) and Hala Titus discuss proposed

improvements to Echo Park Lake on a walking tour with residents

on November 13, 2010. Photo by Judy Raskin

Christmas Bird CountContinued:Echo ParkLake Rehab moves forward

replace the lake liner, rebuild the wetlands, and replant

other vegetation (including the lotus bed). They ltration

systems will also be updated, as the lake does collect

water runoff from the city, and will help reduce the amount

of city water used to keep the lake levels high.

Wildlife activists and bird lovers have been concerned

with the state of the migratory birds once the lake is

drained. It seems that maybe a compromise has been

reached, and the engineers will include four temporary

pools for migratory birds.

Residents are also concerned about the harmful con-

taminants that will be released into the air while the bot-

tom of the lake dries before being trucked out. Apparently

hydrogen sulde in the lake and soil will make quite a

stink a rotten egg smell for nearby residents.

Throughout last November and some of December, the

city is holding some walking tours at the Lake to help resi-

dents navigate through the issues with the project. The

next meeting as of this newsletters press time is Decem-

ber 11 at 9:30 am, meeting at the northeast corner of the

Lake on Park and Echo Park Ave. To reserve a spot, email

[email protected] or call (213) 978-0329.

The question we will have to ask ourselves during this

process: Is this worth it?

(Continued from page 1)


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EPIAnways PAGE 3

Lots of stuff going on in

Echo Park, and we try to

keep an eye out on those

new, moving or closing

businesses, as well as

some new stuff going on.

TNSEN has taken over

the space once occupied

by thrift store Millenium.

The vintage clothing,

jewelry, records and

antiques store is located

at 2118 Berkeley Avenue, across from the AM/PM.

Owners/husband and wife team Cindy and Jason are

Echo Park residents, and also own Local in Silver Lake.

Grand opening is December 4.

Bld s the New Blac is a pop-up shop opened on

November 23, 2010 and ran by owner/curator Mitra

Around town: Whats new in Echo ParkKhayyam. It features clothing, gifts and accessories at

the temporary store at 1825 Sunset Blvd. They will be

open through December 30.

Aej Ddde opened up in October at 1832 W. Sunse

Blvd., taking over for vintage shop The Clinic. They have

affordable vintage clothing, hats, and accessories for

men, women and even children.


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EPIAnways

Have fun playing sports because I cannot do it

when I am in school. - Jorge Aviles

I like to go to the river zooza. - Marcos A.

Have to nish my homework and then play

Xbox360. - Rudy A.

Play video games. - Itzel T.

Hang out with my friends and eat.

- Esmeralda F.

Read chapter books. - Kimberlin M.

Play sports. -Arturo E.

Play sports. - Richard H.

Work, work, work. - Lynnette C.

Sports, sports and work. - Leo P.

Work, play and work. - Sara

Play video games, basketball. - Patty

PAGE 4

CCAC gearing up for the holidays

Holidays! Holidays! What shall we do? Since the kids

will have a longer holiday vacation this year the staff at

CCAC will try to arrange activities that they enjoy. I asked

a few kids what they would like to do and hear is how they

replied:

With just a sampling of kids I feel I know what will be

planned for the holiday vacation. Only one of the kids

mentioned food. All indications are that they kids wilhave plenty to do and plenty to eat. If it is warm maybe

we will go camping???? Sometimes the kids just like to

talk. Oftentimes they come into my ofce to share thei

experiences with me. I appreciate their company.

By Gloria Sohacki


213-440-2140


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EPIAnways PAGE 5

Echo Park Animal Alliance winter news

Echo Park Now is a local source for news,music, history and events in Echo Park.

Email us your stories/ideas/tips: [email protected]

www.

echoparknow.com

The annual Echo Park Animal Alliance fundraiser, Pet

Phts wth Santa, takes place on Saturday, December

4 through Sunday, December 5.

Bring your pets to take a photo with Santa, and get aglossy photo in a festive holiday card printed while you

wait. Cost is $10 each or 3 for $25. Pick up stockings

lled with homemade dog cookies for $10.

Frankie is a miracle dog! He was found after ananimal attacked him in Echo Park. He had to endure

a tough surgery stitching him back together again.

Then he was taken to the shelter and, sadly, no one

claimed him.

He is now a big kisser and cuddler (and a great y

catcher), while at the same time, he loves to play

and be chased. He loves the dog park & the dog

beach. Hes great with other dogs and doesnt seem

interested in cats at all. Hes about 2-3 years old

and weighs about 15 lbs (maybe Chihuahua/Jindo

or Shiba Inu mix).

He has been neutered, vaccinated and

microchipped. An adoption contract, home check

and adoption fee is required.

If interested please email:

[email protected]

Pet Spotliht: Frankie

Pet Phts wth Santa

December 4-5, 2010

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

1850 Echo Park Ave.


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EPIAnwaysPAGE 6

Event Date Location Comments

EPIA Meetings

EPIA SteeringCommittee

EPIA NeighborhoodIssues Committee

Community SafetyMeeting (EPSA)

Citizens Committee to

Save Elysian ParkEcho Park Chamberof Commerce

Edendale LibraryFriends Society (ELFS)

EP Farmers Market

Edendale Book Club

Greater Echo ParkElysian NeighborhoodCouncil Meeting

Positive Energy Groupof Echo Park andSilver Lake Area

Every 1st Thursday7:00 pm

Every 2nd Monday7:15 pm

Every 3rd Wednesday7:00 pm

Every 3rd Wednesday2:00 pm

Every 1st Wednesday

7:00 pm

Every 3rd Thursday7:00 pm

Every 2nd Wednesday7:00 pm

Every Friday3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Every 3rd Monday6:30 pm

Every 4th Tuesday7:00 pm

4th Wednesday6:00 - 7:00 pm

Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 Stadium Way

Email [email protected] location


GEPENC Community room1572 Sunset Boulevard


Taix Restaurant

Edendale LibraryCommunity room2011 W. Sunset Blvd.

Parking lot #663 -- half a bock south of Sunset Boulevard(323) 463-3171 x13


GEPENC Community room1572 Sunset Boulevard


Email EPIA to get monthly remindersof meetings and to be on email list.

Take an active part in EPIA. Join theSteering Committee.

Hosted by EPSA. Call (323) 860-9914 for meeting location.

Call (213) 666-9651 formeeting location

Call (213) 630-3032 for furtherinformation.

Find out how you can help yourneighborhoods branch.

Call (213) 250-3400 for info orvisit www.GEPENC.org

For info: www.positiveenergygroup.blogspot.com

Echo Park Community Calendar


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EPIAnways PAGE 7Community Resources

POLICE CITIZEN COMPLAINTS

COMMUNITY SERVICES

POLITICAL

More info also available at our website, www.epia-echopark.org

CLEAN-UP

RAMPART DIVISION

NORTHEAST DIVISION

Emergency ....................................................911Spanish Line ................................... 213-928-8222

Narcotic Hotline ............................ 1-800-662-2878Child Abuse Hotline .....................1-800-540-4000Police Non-Emergency ....................1-877-275-5273LAPD Air Support Division ................ 213-485-2600

Department Building & Safety .........1-888-524-2845Department of Health.....................1-800-427-8700

Department of Transportation ............213-580-1177Department of Water & Power ........1-800-342-5397Parking Enforcement .......................................311Loose/Stray Animals/Barking Dogs ....888-452-7381Legal Aid Client Referral ................ 1-800-399-4529Operation Bright Lights ....................................311Street Lighting Repairs .....................................311

Report Grafti/Free Paint.................................311

Copies of Crime & Trafc Reports ......213-485-4193Dodgers Neighborhood Focus .......... 323-224-2636Dodgers Community Affairs ..............323-224-1435North Central Animal Shelter ............ 213-847-1416Elysian Park Ranger ......................... 323-913-4688Health Information ..........................................211Los Angeles City Information ............................311Neighborhood Prosecutor Program .... 213-847-8045

1st District Ed Reyes .........................213-485-345113th District Eric Garcetti...................323-957-4500Congressman Xavier Becerra ............213-483-1425Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard . 213-628-9230State Senator Gil Cedillo .................. 213-612-9566Assemblyperson Kevin de Leon ..........323-225-4545LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina ..213-974-4111Mayors Ofce................................ 213-978-0600

Abandoned Vehicles .......................................311Cars Parked in Yards .....................1-888-524-2845Hazardous Waste Disposal Info ......1-800-988-6942Storm Drains ...................................213-485-5391Trash & Bulky Item Pick Up ..............1-800-773-2489LAFD Brush Clearance ..................... 818-374-1111

Division Desk ..........................213-484-3400 ext 1Vice Unit ........................................213-485-4080Division Watch Commander .............213-485-4062Senior Lead Ofcer Ford ...................213-793-0775Community Relations ...............213-484-3400 ext 2

China Town Sub-Station ................... 213-621-2344

Division Desk .................................. 213-485-2563Northeast Report Unit ...................... 213-485-2563Senior Lead Ofcer Bobby Hill ..........213-793-0760Senior Lead Ofcer Al Polehonki ........213-793-0763Detectives ....................................... 213-485-2566Community Relations ....................... 213-485-2548Gang Detail ................................... 213-847-4263


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EPIAnwaysPAGE 8

Continued:givin and thanks

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Get updates on meetings, newsletter

publications, and events in Echo Park.



My part of the process was to get invitations to 22

families that had been identied up front, through people

I knew in the community

that interacted with these

families. I was a thread in

a web of relationships that

identied and connected

to the individual families

who would get these

gifts. I was a middleman.

But as circumstances

happened, nine more

families surfaced at the

last minute.

I worked to fulll these

requests, and I succeeded.

I was hugged. I was thanked profusely. I was confused.

I didnt do anything is how I felt. But this is not how the

people I worked with felt about me. A day later I shared

my feelings with one of the people I connected with, who

knew the families and personally delivered invitations -

after she was profusely thanking me. She told me she

felt the same way like she had not done anything. This

disconnect set me thinking.

Dedicated community activists believe in the power of

individuals coming together to shape and improve the

environment of the community sometimes through

productive activity like tree plantings and clean-ups, and

sometimes by confronting the activities of others that

might impact the community negatively. I have been

doing this for 15 years or so, and a byproduct of this work

is the connections the relationships developed with my

neighbors, the people whose jobs result in them touching

the community many different ways, with other community

activists like myself, and with the elected ofcials and

their hardworking staff

These are more than

connections. They

embody trust and mutua

respect, based on a

history of actions.

All I had done was

tapped the people tha

I knew that could make

it happen. The fact that

could do this though, was

the result of the years o

work I have been par

of, the collaborations

with so many in the community, the failures as well as the

successes.

I still dont feel like I did anything. But the ability to do

the simplest of things for me, and everything that this

embodies, leaves me grateful that I can take part in having

a profound impact on others.

Happy Holidays Echo Park!

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2010


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EPIAnways PAGE 9

Accurate values by

local professionals

FREE!FREE!

w w w . U R B A N H I L L S I D E S . c o m

Echo Park Holiday Parade 10 YEARS AGO...in the 2000 issue of EPIAn Ways

The Chamber of Commerce named Flora Kerp

as the recipient of its Soaring Eagle awardin November of 2000. The plaque recognizes

a person whos made a positive difference in

Echo Parks community life. The article in the

December-January issue

of 2000 reads: Its one

of the ways we honor

those who dig in and

accomplish something

in this often-contentious

neighborhood. A senior

citizen with steel behindher charm, Flora has

been a number one

booster where it counts.

Go to our website for

our newsletter archives!

The Echo Park Community Parade is an annual street

Holiday themed parade along Sunset Blvd. This year

the parade takes place on Satda, Decembe 11th,

2010, between the hours ofnn t 3:00 pm.

The parade starts near the corner of Elysian Park

Avenue and Sunset Blvd, and ends at Park Avenue and

Sunset.

This is a great Echo Park tradition, where children,

families, local government, businesses, and other

community members all get together for some holiday

magic.

The parade will go on rain or shine! Look out for the

EPIA booth at the parade and say hello!

After the parade, join local businesses for the annual

Echo Park Shop Hop and shop locally! Check out 826LA,

the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, City Sip, The Echo and

Echoplex, EPIC, Masa, K9 Loft, Origami Vinyl, Stories,

Two Boots, and other Echo Park neighbors for a day of

shopping and fun.

Proceeds from the Shop Hop will benet 826LA.


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EPIAnwaysPAGE 10

EDENDALE LiBrAry2011 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90026Phone: (213) 207-3000Fax: (213) 207-3097

SErViCE HourS:Sunday: ClosedMonday: ClosedTuesday: 12:30 pm - 8:00 pmWednesday: 10:00 am - 5:30 pmThursday: 12:30 pm - 8:00 pmFriday: 10:00 am - 5:30 pmSaturday: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

ECHo PArk BrANCH LiBrAry1410 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, 90026Phone: (213) 250-7808Fax: (213) 580-3744

ECHO PARK LIBRARY INFO

www.lapl.org

Continued:Year-end review from the EPIA


community organizations like council ofce 1 & 13 as well as both Rampart and

Northeast police. A few of our speakers were the Sierra Club, LA city planningdepartment, Echo Park Time Bank and CICLE Los Angeles. Our town hall meetings

are the rst Thursday of each month at 7:00pm at

Barlow Hospital.

We continue to support and have cohesive

relationships with other community non-prots

such as: Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park

(CCSEP), The Echo Park Chamber of Commerce,

Echo Park Historic Society, Echo Park Time Bank,

Central City Action committee (CCAC).

Our goals for the upcoming year will be to

continue to identify and help resolve issues thataffect our community and way of life. We will

address issues of cleanliness of our streets, safety

of our residents, appropriate building for the community, schools, and much more.

Happy Holidays to all from the Echo Park Improvement Association.


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EPIAnways PAGE 11

Relihtin the Jensens Sin Continued:CCAC updates

Sunset Flats development updates

The 86-year-old Jensens Recreation sign has been

dark since 2005, but there has been some headway

recently to get the sign relit and maintained.

The Echo Park Historical Society received $5,000

from an LA County Historic Preservation Society

grant. Echo Park residents, fans of history, and Echo

Park Improvement Association members have alsoprivately donated. The Greater Elysian Echo Park

Neighborhood Council also approved the allocation

of $2,500 to the Historical Society for the restoration

of the sign.

For more information or to donate, go to

historicechopark.org.


Thanks to a generous donation of ofce furniture, Sam

has been very busy putting together desks, cabinets

tables and chairs. He is now known as Mr. Handyman oCCAC. He better give me back my tools. I wonder if he

watched Bob the Builder for his training??

During November the kids helped collect food for the

food bank at the Kings Game. In the past, it has always

been a somewhat blistery evening but this year is was

more like balmy. The kids and I watched as the ice rink

was installed. In December we will tackle the ice with our

fantastic ice skating moves. Hopefully not coming back

with any scars. OMG I forgot about the Holiday Parade

WOW our little elves and Santa Claus will make their

presence down Sunset on December 11, 2010.Wonder what the New Year will bring. Supposed to be

health and wealth? Cant say for sure about either one

Guess we all will have to wait patiently. The staff and youth

of CCAC are thankful for the communitys friendship and

support during the past year.

The Sunset Flats development is a mixed use project(combines both commercials and residential spaces) set

for 2223-2235 Sunset Blvd., the site of the old Echo Park

Community Garden. In November 2010, the Neighborhood

Council approved the project, and later in the month was

introduced to the Citys planning department. A public

hearing on the project is scheduled for January 13, 2011.

This has been a controversial project for the community,

especially those who live on Elsinore street near the site.

For those who arent familiar with the specs, heres a brief

run-down of what is being proposed:

62 total units (one to two bedrooms) and

commercial storefronts

10-11 low-income units will be provided

Existing structures (approximately 6 buildings with

11 units) will be removed

Project is a mixed-use project where the developer

is applying to combine residential zoning with

commercial zoning

113 parking spaces (101 are required) with 12 ofthose being guest parking

Project measured from Sunset will be considered

5 stories. FAR averaging between residential and

commercial lots is being used to establish this

request.

Back of project, along Elsinore, will be two stories

The majority of the residential parking will be

accessed through a single lot on Elsinore street

The EPIA has addressed specic concerns abou

the Sunset Flats development, though has not taken a

specic stance on the matter since we will be meetingwith the developers for the rst time in December 2010

Those concerns, however, include:

No ofcial EIR has been completed to determine the

full environmental impact the project might have on

the land and surrounding area.



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