4.05.05: The New York Post describes San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood as a cross between Echo Park and Brooklyn’s Park Slope…while Hipsters Send Times Into Tizzies, and Gary Leonard loses his nest egg to the rain.

The Echo Park Film Center is looking for LA filmmakers under 25 to submit work for the First Annual EPFC Youth Film Festival to be held May 20, 21 and 22.

3.19.05: Memorial Tribute to Ron Emler (1940 - 2005)

In honor of the memory of Ronald J. Emler his friends in Echo Park request the pleasure of your company at a luncheon banquet on Sunday the third of April at half past twelve o’clock (*Daylight Savings Time) at Taix French Restaurant. Please bring your stories, reminiscences and photos of Ron. To RSVP click here.

3.09.05: Sunset Halls Red Twilight features longtime Echo Park fixture Luba Perlin.

While it looks like the incumbents have sailed to clear victories in the 1st and 13th we doubt they'll be celebrating the way some of the frat kids do in the photo booth at the Short Stop.

3.05.05: On Thursday morning Echo Park lost one of its hero’s when Ron Emler passed away. Founder of the Echo Park Security Association, cofounder of the Echo Park Improvement Association and co-author of The Ghost of Echo Park, Ron was a tireless advocate for Echo Park. We’ll all miss Ron and his great travel postcards.

Update: Per Ron's request no formal memorial will be held.

For additional memories of Ron click here.

3.01.05: Thursday night 1st District candidates will square off at the EPIA's Town Hall Meeting, 7PM at Williams Hall, Barlow Hospital.

Several weeks ago Blogging.LA changed there old dumpster banner with a new happy-city banner which I just noticed features an image of the Jensen's Recreation Center sign.

2.18.05: The Theodore Payne Foundations second annual Native Plant Garden Tour will feature the home of one of our Echo Park neighbors on the weekend of April 2nd & 3rd.

2.03.05: Whatever happen to...El Santo Nino Chapel at 1034 Effie Street; find out in The Tidings the weekly newspaper of the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

NPR's Day to Day visited Echo Park to interview reggae historian Roger Steffens about his vast archive of Bob Marley memorabilia. Previously on EP.Net

2.01.05: The LA Times reports today that our neighbors the Dodgers have scrapped pricy seismic upgrades to the stadium that were started by Fox News Corp. Meanwhile they are spending the little cash they apparently have on a $15 million renovation that will add 1600 high-priced seats. More at LAObserved.

1.30.05: Curious how the trails are in your own backyard; look no further than the Washington Post: The trails at Elysian Park near Dodger Stadium were also open for business last weekend, although rangers are still warning hikers away from the trails around the southwest side, or North Broadway entrance, of the city park.

1.28.05: Please join Congressman Xavier Becerra on Saturday February 5th, 11AM at the Edendale Branch Library for Coffee with your Congressman. Congressman Becerra is seeking the thoughts and views of those he represents in Washington, D.C. More info: 213.483.1425.

While you are at the library consider supporting the ELF'S (Edendale Library Friends Society) by purchasing a book or by simply joining the group for $15 individual/$25 family.

1.24.05: Gentrification, hipsters, and a blessed dog.

In the LA Times Turning a Lens Homeward chronicles Echo Park resident and high school junior Stephanie Cisneros video documentary of our changing neighborhood.

The Times also probes around Mr. T's Bowl and finds that hipsters are supposedly ruining the scene: Chavez blames the arrival of Silver Lake and Echo Park hipsters, obsessed with the coolest and the newest. "People from over there come out here to 'hang out,' " Chavez said, making sarcastic quotation marks in the air with her hands. "You know, the 'rough part' of town. The regulars feel intimidated." It's funny to hear some folks around here reminisce about the days when Echo Park was a rough part of town, not that most of LA County doesn't believe it still is.

On a miraculous note Councilmember Garcetti's Planning Deputy Alison has been reunited with her Wonder Dog Eugene who was swept into the raging Arroyo Seco near Hermon over 10 days ago. He was found by a trucker in Vernon where he must have made it out of the LA River to safety!

Meanwhile at the business booster Downtown News the counter at the Brite Spot is the place to be.

1.09.05: Tragic news this morning, a transient camping across the street from the Fire Department Training Center died when the hill below him slid and buried him. I drove by at 8 this morning, at the time all I'd heard was that someone was buried. Apparently he had a friend with him who must have called for help. Driving by you wouldn’t have noticed anything unusual; it appears that the hill didn't collapse but that the  topsoil sluffed down the hill carrying them with it.

The Scotsman.com has a new label for Echo Park, less-than-fashionable!

12.02.04: The weeklies have a couple things to contribute: First in the LA Weekly, Greetings From Echo Park captures an Elysian Park fixture Eddie. While over at the City Beat the fixations on cupcakes at Chango.

Meanwhile over at Blogging.LA today's focus is on the Edendale Post Office, the lack of cash accepting stamp machines and the lovely Plexiglas barrier.

12.01.04: Starting Friday and continuing through Sunday, the Echo Park Holiday Art Show and Gift Sale! Now is your chance to stock up holiday gifts while supporting local artist. Works by California artists, designers, and architects. Featuring handmade objects and art: painting, photography, works on paper, sculpture, ceramics, apparel, handbags, jewelry, mobiles, gift cards, objects for the home, and more.

1547 SUNSET BOULEVARD, ECHO PARK (between Echo Park Avenue and Laveta, across from Barragan’s).

FRIDAY from 6-9pm. Continues through the weekend, SATURDAY 12-9pm (Artists reception 6-9pm SATURDAY) & SUNDAY 12-5pm

Echo Park Film Center needs our help! The good folks at the Center have put out a plea, their rent is about to go through the ceiling so they are looking for an affordable location to move to and some letters of support. For more info stop by or contact them through their website: www.echoparkfilmcenter.org

As noted on 10.10.04 Hip would return, just a little later than I suggested.

11.20.04: Thursday's LA Times Home section featured several of Elysian Park and Echo Park's trees that deliver Those Gently Falling Jewels. For the in-depth classic guide to many of the most magnificent and unique trees in Elysian Park pick up a copy of Don Hodel's Exceptional Trees of Los Angeles. For a detailed guide to the trees of Elysian Park's 111-year old Chavez Ravine Arboretum check out the LA Dept. of Recreation and Parks website here.

The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council elections are almost upon us, Monday the 22nd at midnight is the filing deadline for candidates. The candidates forum will be held the following night at Logan Elementary School at 7.30PM and the elections being held on December 11th.

11.11.04: Don't forget, this Sunday is the Echo Park Historical Societies Hillsides and Hideaways Home Tour. Click for details.

10.19.04: The Fourth Floor Blogger(s) at City Hall have posted the results of their recent poll The Top Ten Hottest City Employees and Councilmember Eric Garcetti comes in at 8th while his Legislative Deputy Glen Gake comes in at 10th. Ah, congratulations...

10.15.04: Scott Wells of Wells Antiques on the Echo Park Antique Row of Sunset Blvd explains in The Tile Detectives why the tile in his shop is so expensive. To learn more about preserving California's unique tile heritage visit: TileHeritage.Org.

10.12.04: Councilmember Eric Garcetti interviewed at LAist.

10.10.04: Side by Side and Yet Poles Apart shows that yes Republicans do live in Echo Park (15% picked Bush over Gore in 2000). Also of note, this is week we're quirky, check back next week for the return of hip.

Pols to Public: Go Away puts in plain words how the public is turned away by the LAUSD School Board. When Neighborhood Council representative Christine Peters requested to speak at the commission hearing to discussion the hasty site selection and the pending emanate domain of 40 local homes she was turned away, told that the board would only hear from 7 speakers. Those that have dealt with local School Board Member David Tokofsky  tell us that he's particularly curt with the little people.

Don't forget, Saturday October 16 the ELFS will be sponsoring the Edendale Library Neighborhood Open House from 10AM to 5 PM.

10.03.04: Angeleno Heights resident Tim Choate was killed in a motorcycle accident last week. Tim, an actor, leaves behind his wife, Madalyne, and son, Flynn.

   His friends and family have set up a memorial fund to help with Flynn's education.  Checks should be made out to the "Tim Choate Memorial Family Fund" and sent to P.O. Box 861355, Los Angeles, CA 90086.

   Memorial services will be held at the Egyptian Theater on October 11 from 11AM-1PM

9.14.04: In bookstores now Scene of the Crime, Photographs from the LAPD Archive may be of limited interest to many but beyond the graphic crime scene photos are the eyes of some talented photographers and a view into Los Angeles' always crime ridden core. As many will recall the photos were first compiled by locals Merrick Morton and Robin Blackman for an exhibit at their now closed storefront gallery Fototeka.

In other news while I was away:

Longtime local and Reggae historian Roger Steffens is profiled in the Orion, Cal State Chico's online magazine.

In the New York Times the Insurance Premiums Take a Toll tells the story of Pioneer Markets recent closing.

9/11 Tribute at the Fire Department Academy adjacent to Elysian Park, where the largest steel portion of the WTC serves as a memorial.

The LA Times Calendar Live (unavailable without paid subscription) ran another bohemian, hipster, softer-kinder-gentrification article that at least focused on all the great shops and clubs in Echo Park.

Speaking of new shops, Masa is now serving breakfast and Chango at Chicken Corner is now up and selling coffee, ice cream and other baked goods.

On another note I've posted some photos of the beast that is the new Caltrans Building, affectionately referred to as the Death Star, on Archinect where I'm a contributor. You can also find my comments on an article that ran recently about the architect Harwell H. Harris in the Los Angeles Times Home section. Harris' 1935 home still stands in Echo Park.

8.29.04: Echo Park Night at Dodger Stadium is Friday September 7th, $17.00 tickets are discounted to $10. Tickets available at Thursday nights Echo Park Improvement Association meeting or by calling 323.882.4835. 

8.28.04: Echo Park poet-extraordinaire Steve Abee along with actor Taylor Negron will be a part of the September 5th "Operation Artistic Freedom" fundraiser where all proceeds will  go to the Kerry/Edwards campaign's efforts in the battleground state of Arizona.

Masa Cafe & Bakery at Sunset and Lemoyne opened today. Stop in and check out this new locally owned business.

8.26.04: The new Edendale Branch library will finally open on Monday, September 13 at 10.30AM. The ELFS or Edendale Friends Library Society is working on a special all day community opening on an upcoming Saturday. If you are interested in joining and helping out contact Suzi: noelgr(at)aol.com

Check out today's LA Weekly cover for a excellent aerial-view illustration of Sunset and Echo Park by local artist Chandler Wood.

It looks like the longtime Sunset Blvd cop and lawyer eatery the Saratoga is closing this week and reopening as an El Compadre restaurant.

8.15.04: Echo Park landscape architect Andy Cao, who became famous for his Glass Garden (45 tons in the backyard of his rented house) has joined an admired group of designers and artist at the Cornerstone Festival of Gardens in Sonoma. Mr. Coa's entry "[Ninnananna] A Lullaby Garden," is described by the New York Times as: use[ing] almost no glass, and yet the garden has a glasslike quality thanks to miles of glistening nylon monofilament that was hand-knit into carpets by 60 Vietnamese villagers working for three months. The carpets, in tones of faded gold and orange, are draped over a wildly undulating sculptured landform that descends at one point into a midnight blue vortex, from which the sounds of a Vietnamese lullaby emanate. Removing your shoes and wandering over Mr. Cao's dreamlike landscape plays with the mind's sense of proportion — you feel like Gulliver striding across the Land of Lilliput.

8.4.04: Echo Park local and Grammy-winner Dave Alvin of Blasters, Knitters and X fame continues to make music and has a show at the Troubadour this Friday.

8.1.04: Lox, Stock and Pickle Barrel Go, the sad tale of the closing of Pioneer Market in the LA Times.

7.25.04: Councilmember Eric Garcetti reports from the Democratic Convention as special correspondent for the Los Angeles Independent.

7.25.04: While the debate rages on over what can be done to save us from Walgreen's once Pioneer Market closes on August 1st, the local arts community is bemoaning the loss of the first and now the last of the Chicken Corner galleries Ojalá. Please join Jesus and friends  for a closing reception on Saturday, August 7 from 7-9PM Ojalá Fine Arts & Crafts 1998-2004, 1547 Echo Park Avenue.

Also still available at the NY Times website is Elliott Smith's Uneasy Afterlife. *I completely missed that Echo Park neighbor and Los Angeles Magazine writer R.J. Smith wrote this article. I've also updated the link to another site where this article now shows up.

6.18.04: Opening tomorrow night, The Last Show at Ojalá, 'Sky Light' landscape paintings by Mary-Austin Klein. After a six year stretch Jesus Sanchez is closing his community gallery that single handedly began the revitalization of the Chicken Corner Building on Echo Park Avenue.

6.14.04: The Foamers in Angeleno Heights would like to introduce what commuters on Sunset Boulevard might euphemistically call a 'traffic calming element'. Community's Trolley May Roll Again, Residents of Angelino Heights hope to resurrect a rail link to downtown. More info at the Angeleno Heights Trolley Line (correctly spelled I might add).

6.11.04: With the loss of so many neighborhood homes to unkind remuddles or outright demolition it is nice to get this great news from the Echo Park Historical Society: Bungalow Rescue - The EPHS commends Alina Sanchez and her family for pledging to restore four bungalows, the earliest c. 1911, on Alvarado north of Montana St. The previous owner had planned to demolish the structures, across from Rite-Aid and a self-service car wash, for a new development, said Alina. But his plans fell through, allowing Alina and her family to scoop up the bungalows and launch what will be a dramatic transformation of this block. The welcome restoration of the Alvarado homes comes as many other historic properties in Echo Park continue to suffer from poorly conceived renovations or outright destruction, including a two-story bungalow on Avon Park Terrace that was demolished earlier this month. We hope that the restoration of the four Alvarado bungalows, located in such a well traveled location, will draw attention to the benefits of preservation and inspire others to take on similar efforts. If you'd like more information regarding the restoration workshops and neighborhood walking tours, sign up for the EPHS E-Mail News here.

6.10.04: According to local Michael O'Brien: "That's right, Pioneer Market, our local community institution, is closing. In its place will be a Walgreen’s in the southern (eastern?) half of the building, and an unidentified "retail space" in the other half. Building permits are in the process of being approved."

Also of note, Carmelo's on Sunset has sold again, this makes three times in two years, to a young local couple who plan on making it a cafe featuring artisan breads.

In the LA Times the painfully hip march continues through the hood, Poser Style to Make You Drool.

5.27.04: In today's LA Times Home section one of the Watch Me Watch You homes in the article was repeatedly refer to as being located in Echo Park when its true location, on Maltman Avenue, is clearly Silver Lake. Do you remember the days not long ago when anything east of Alvarado, all the way to Solano Canyon, was referred to as Silver Lake? Or even though some heinous crime was committed miles away in Mac Arthur Park or god-forbid Silver Lake the location was always described by the quaking news reader as Echo Park? Or when some brilliant event took place in Echo Park and the press always said it was in Silver Lake?

So what follows that rant? Coming Soon, the New To The Neighborhood (NTTN) Guide to Echo Park! With the help of some longtime neighbors, we'll inform those considering a move to Echo Park, in on the realities that make life here so fine. Just a couple to start: 1. This isn't the Westside, lose the attitude! 2. This is a do-it yourself neighborhood, so even though you paid some ridiculous amount of money for a turn-of-the-century shack, dogs do bark - a lot, and there is still graffiti (feigning dread and horror)! We may also point out some of the wonderful highlights of our astonishing community, like where to get the best breakfast or when Jesus' excellent tour of the Stairways is happening. Welcome!

On Newsstands Now! Speaking of stair tours, check out the latest issue of Backpacker Magazine for an article on the staircases of Echo Park and Silver Lake. Staircase tour guide Jesus Sanchez is featured prominently in the article.

5.18.04: Read Councilmember Eric Garcetti weeklong electronic journal at Slate.com

4.15.04: This Saturday Get Your Bake On! A Move On PAC Bake Back the White House Sale for Democracy in Elysian Park, check link for details.

4.07.04: Seeking Boffo Huevos: The Rodeo Grill on Sunset is highlighted and praised, "not just for it's beans; we love the chorizo and eggs"

3.26.04: LA Times reporter comments on the state of traffic on Glendale Blvd and all of Los Angeles.

3.09.04: Assemblywomen and Echo Park neighbor Jackie Goldberg marries Sharon Stricker her partner of 28 years in San Francisco.

2.08.04: Playgroup, a leading high-quality childcare center with 33 years of service, is in danger of shutting its doors to low-income families in Echo Park. To raise money, on February 19th, Playgroup is hosting a fundraiser dinner featuring Culture Clash’s Ric Salinas and The Eight Hand String Band. If you would like more information contact Elena de la Cruz.

2.03.04: Join the Audubon Societies Echo Park Bird Count on Sunday, February 15th at 8AM. For more information and to sign up send an e-mail to jayebea@earthlink.net.

1.26.04: Next Owner Should Hit Dodgers Out of the Park: "L.A. also has fewer parks than any major U.S. city, so a side benefit of abandoning Dodger Stadium could be an expansion of Elysian Park, which borders on all those barren stadium parking lots".

1.25.04: "Good things always seem to come in the small, neat editions packaged in the City Lights Noir series." So says the Sunday Book Review in the New York Times of Joe's Word: An Echo Park Novel.

1.24.04: Another View of Eliot Smith, was his death a suicide?

1.17.04: Echo Park photographer Martin Cox has a gallery of work featured in an upcoming WILL & GRACE episode called, "A Gay December Romance". It will air on January 22, it will include a gallery of color landscape photographs, about 11 works are included in the episode set in a New York Art Gallery. All of these works are for sale of course, and the pictures are online here!

12.20.03: Consciously Cloths-Minded, American Apparel's new Echo Park Community Store is featured in the LA Alternative Press.

12.16.03: Apparently an hour-long action show for NBC's soon-to-be sibling USA about a Latino bounty hunter who lives in Echo Park is in the works.

A little more press for the Echo Park Film Center at IndieWIRE

The Echo Park Buddhist temple is mentioned in a LA Times article about meditation.

Echo Park's longtime gang EXP shows up in a Las Vegas Mercury article about the extensive hidden economy in Nevada's prison system.

12.05.03: This too in the LA Weekly, Cinetheque Paradiso - The Echo Park Film Center is film school, microcinema

12.01.03: On December 7th at 5.00PM the Echo Park Film Center is hosting MoveOn.Org's new documentary Uncovered: The Whole Truth about the Iraq War

11.25.03: Jesus has brought a new Echo Park based book to our attention; Joe's World, An Echo Park Novel by Elizabeth Stromme who also has a L.A. Centric article in the LA Times today titled Courtyard Housing: Mythology Come to Life (thanks to Kevin for the link).

11.20.03: The Big Score-Has capitalism failed, or have you? takes a little different view of last weeks article, An Urban Pioneer's New Claim

11.18.03: Something Sweet and Low-down is going on at the Brite Spot.

What's in an accent? A different career. The new owner of Grace Simons house is featured in the International Herald Tribune and below on 5.29.03.

11.11.03: Finally a balanced look at the changes that have come to Echo Park, An Urban Pioneer's New Claim

11.06.03: Don't forget, this weekend the Historic Echo Park Home Tour featured in today's LA Times: A Working-Class Neighborhood With a Rich Past

10.23.03: Songwriter and Vocalist Elliot Smith commits suicide in his Echo Park home.

10.22.03: Well, before I went on vacation I couldn't upload news to the server and since returning I haven't had a chance to update the news.

Not that there has been much Echo Park news except that Echo Park neighbor Gary Leonard placed 125th in his run for Governor of California! Gary also has a new book out, Symphony in Steel documenting the 16 year saga of the construction of Disney Hall. Dawson's Book Shop will be hosting a reception/book signing this Saturday from 2.30-5.00. 535 North Larchmont.

Well it looks like after a years hiatus that the Echo Park Holiday Parade is returning this year on Sunday December 14th at 1.00PM!

The Echo Park Historical Society has a new website at www.HistoricEchoPark.Org and a Historic Home Tour on Saturday, November 9th from 11AM to 4PM. Featured are 10 (count 'um 10!) houses for only $15 ($12 if you buy by mail before the day of the tour).

8.23.03: At 22-Tons, the largest piece of the World Trade Center on the west coast was installed as a memorial today outside of the Fire Department Training Center at the end of Chavez Ravine (the real Chavez Ravine and on the former Chavez Ravine Road). It should also be noted that the site was formerly the home of Los Angeles' first Jewish Cemetery (1855-1910) Photos.

8.23.03: Our first place in Echo Park some 15-years ago was an amazing 1914 4-family craftsman a block up from Sunset and Alvarado. After our landlord died we became the de facto managers for a couple of years and rented one of the units to the author of the this piece about our old neighbor Juana who had been there forever when we moved in, A Failure of the Heart Worsens Housing Crisis in the LA Times.

8.22.03: Getting the Slant on L.A.'s Steepest Street in the LA Times, while in the NY Times local Silver Lake restaurant Alegria is where Strip Mall Food Is Way Cool.

8.18.03: Hum, it seems the neighbors have prevailed over the Big Red Blinking Lights!

8.17.03: Local boutique Show Pony on Echo Park Avenue is listed in the Sunday LA Times Guide to Independent Boutiques.

8.14.03: Photos of today's tragic fire in Angeleno Heights. Helicopter photos too at NBC4.

8.05.03: And imagine a governor from Echo Park. How cool would that be?

7.24.03: The Dog Hill Palm Tree in Elysian Park is featured in the LA Times Home Section.

Personal note: One of the reasons I attended a school formerly housed in a leaky warehouse in Santa Monica.

7.14.03: Dodger Stadium, while players still think its the best Sam Hall Kaplan thinks it should go.

7.06.03: Park2ParkLA reports on the Flashing Red Lights in Your Window above Echo Park.

6.22.03: Gregory Fischer and April Eckfeld wrassled their SAAB through Echo Parque on their way to Los Feliz on Saturday, June 21, after visiting downtown Los Angeles, with no mechanical failure.

6.20.03: The saga of the Jose Marti plaza ends in a new local, Florida. One important issue not mentioned when discussing the size of the plaza, is that most of Echo Park is Lake!

In the LA Times Calendar: Sip without the snootiness...wine tasting comes to the Echo, where The Fall plays this evening!

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