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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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P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA
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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December 2010-January 2011 Volume 17 Issue 5
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P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA
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
(Continued on page 11)
213-440-2140
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P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA
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:
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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December 2010-January 2011 Volume 17 Issue 5
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P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA
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
Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 Stadium Way
GEPENC Community room1572 Sunset Boulevard
Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 Stadium Way
Taix Restaurant
Edendale LibraryCommunity room2011 W. Sunset Blvd.
Parking lot #663 -- half a bock south of Sunset Boulevard(323) 463-3171 x13
Edendale LibraryCommunity room2011 W. Sunset Blvd.
GEPENC Community room1572 Sunset Boulevard
Edendale LibraryCommunity room2011 W. Sunset Blvd.
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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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 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.
www.epia-echopark.org
(Continued from page 1)
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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December 2010-January 2011 Volume 17 Issue 5
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P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA
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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P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA
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
(Continued from page 1)
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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December 2010-January 2011 Volume 17 Issue 5
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P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA
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.
(Continued from page 4)
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.
(Continued on page 12)
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