Echo Park Hosts Candidates Forum for Assembly District 45

by Margarita Fernandez
Echo Park is once again at the
forefront by holding the first Candi-
dates Forum for the 45th Assem-
bly seat. On Saturday November
19, 2005 a Candidates Forum for
the seat was held at the Echo Park
Recreation Center. The present As-
sembly member for the 45th Dis-
the death penalty, Tookie Williams,
Transportation - 710 Connector
Extension, Air Quality, Open Space
and Commitments.
Questions from the moderator
and the audience had the Candi-
dates really thinking before giving
their answers. The audience sub-
really enjoying it. It was too soon to
end, as we were all engaged in our
forum. The feeling in the room was
excitement for this event and en-
couragement for another Candi-
dates Forum before the election.
The election will be held in June
and we look forward to hosting an-

Candidates from left, Christopher Arrellano, Gabriel Buelna, Christina Chavez, Kevin deLeon and Elena Popp with
moderator Margarita Fernandz in background.
trict, Jackie Goldberg, is terming mitted handwritten questions other Candidates Forum in the
out and will be relinquishing her which were asked to each Candi- Spring. The Forum had proven to
seat to the victorious candidate. date. By the nature of the ques- be both enlightening and interest-
The leading candidates, Christo- tions, the Candidates knew they ing and all had a wonderful time.
pher Arrellano, Gabriel Buelna, were in for a ride. The audience We thank everyone for participat-
Christina Chavez, Kevin deLeon, could be seen hastily writing the ing, not only the Candidates, but
and Elena Popp, were present. Af- candidates’ answers. One thing is also the audience for their excellent
ter each Candidate gave their open- sure, we here in Echo Park remind questions. A special thanks goes
ing statement, the Questions and elected officials of their promises. out to the Echo Park Recreational
Answer period began. Questions While questions were asked and Center for permitting us to host the
ranged from Eminent Domain - answered, it was soon time to end Forum.
Property Protection Act, SCA-15, the Forum, just as everyone was

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 2005-January 2006

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
SOLAR ELECTRIC SOLUTIONS (323) 634-0830
The sun never sends a monthly bill! ©

MAKE YOUR OWN ELECTRICITY

call for a
free site visit & estimate
(909) 865-8561

www.eesolar.com

EXPERT • EXPERIENCED • ENVIRONMENTALY AWARE

Steven Arthur, Efficient Energy Specialist

C-10/C-46 lic.#827074

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
MEMORANDUMS
INVOICES NEWSLETTER CREDITS
LETTERHEADS/ENVELOPES EDITORS:
BUSINESS CARDS
LYNN BARBÉ
PRICE CATALOGS
ALL KINDS OF INVITATIONS
STEVEN M. ARTHUR
COIN ENVELOPES ADVERTISING
FLORA KERP
Lyman CommercialPrinting
DESKTOP PUBLISHING:
1201 N. ALVARADO (213) 413-5355
S.M.ART SYSTEMS
LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 (213) 413-5469 FAX
PRINTING:
SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
LYMAN PRINTING
 December 2005-January 2006
After being gone last year and rained on the year
before, the Echo Park Holiday Parade is back!
Starting at 12pm Saturday, December 3, the
Holiday Parade will travel down Sunset Boulevard
from Lucretia to Lemoyne. This year the theme of
the parade is "Holidays Around the World". The
Grand Marshall of the parade is CD1’s Council
Member, Ed Reyes. Other VIPs scheduled for the
parade are Assembly District 45’s Assembly
Member, Jackie Goldberg; CD4’s Council Member,
Tom LaBonge and Council Member-Elect for CD14,
Jose Huizar. Also riding along in the parade will be
Assembly District 45 candidates for the June
election, Christopher Arrellano, Gabriel Buelna,
Christina Chavez, Kevin deLeon and Elena Popp
Our parade committee represents Greater Echo
Park Elysian Neighborhood Council, El Centro Del
Pueblo, Central City Action Committee, Echo Park
Improvement Association, Echo Park Youth
girl’s teen yoga
Pilates
Empowerment Council, FASGI, CD13, CD1, Da'hui
Man'gu_coop, Echo Park Recreation Center,
Concerned Citizens de Echo Park, Friends of the
Echo Park Library and community members Cindy
Ortiz, Margarita Fernandez and Christine Peters.
Christine Peters has graciously offered to provide
costumes for a number of the parade participants.
The costumes will greatly enhance the visual
appearance of the parade. We have worked LONG
hours and have quite a list of participants. We will
have volunteers to do such things as drive the
parade vehicles, walk the parade route and keep it
moving, work the sign-in table. We will have
convertibles for the VIP's and two stake-bed trucks.
It’s not too late if you would like to volunteer your
time and/or car for the parade. We could really use
your energy. Call Lidia Martinez at El Centro (213)
483-6335 or call Luiza Padilla- Mavropoulos,
Parade Chairperson at (323) 662-2081.
(323)
 December 2005-January 2006
by Judy Raskin
2005-6 Christmas Bird Count
MONDAY, January 2, 2006
Rain or Shine
You can be part of the Echo Park Lake count
team, identifying and counting the bird population.
What will you see?
The Lake is a rest and refueling stop for
cormorants, ring-necked ducks, ruddy ducks,
American widgeons, blue herons, great egrets,
Canada geese, and several kinds of gulls and other
migratory birds. Resident birds include Mallard
ducks, several types of doves, hummingbirds,
blackbirds, and many others.
The Echo Park Lake count, part of the 106 th
Christmas Bird Count that is conducted throughout
the U.S., Canada, many Central and South American
countries and Pacific islands, helps determine the
health and diversity of local and migratory bird
populations. Last year’s Echo Park Lake count team,
one of many fielded by the Los Angeles Audubon
Society, noted about 25 species and over 1,000
individual birds. LAAS compiles all local figures and
sends them to the Cornell University Laboratory of
Ornithology, which does the master tally.
2006 Echo Park Lake Bird Count
Approximate time: 3-4 hours
8:00 a.m. at Echo Park Lake Boat
house, Echo Park Ave. near Laguna
Ave.
Bring binoculars and bird guide, if
you have one
Participation fee: $5.00 per person
Make checks payable to National
Audubon Society
To sign up: call Judy (323) 663-6767
or email jayebea@earthlink.net
1911 SUNSET BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
(213) 484-1265
 December 2005-January 2006
WWW.GEPENC.ORG LAUNCHS
The long awaited website for the Greater Echo
Park Elysian Neighborhood Council is up, and it’s a
hit. Point your browser to www.gepenc.org and take a
look. The colorful website has been receiving rave re-
views from the community. The hard work of the GEP-
ENC, Information Exchange Committee has paid off.
This site will become the online communication center
for the Neighborhood Council.
Among the features of the well-organized site are
Meetings announcements for the GEPENC board and
all the NC’s standing committees. Within each com-
mittee’s area are the date and time, location and
agenda for the committee’s meetings. According to
Steven Arthur, the GEPENC CIO, a key feature of the
site is that each committee chair can securely manage
their own committee’s postings, which even include an
archive of Minutes for each of the meetings. A News
Alert feature on the Home page provides announce-
ments and details of happenings and postings of infor-
mation for the community. The site’s main menu al-
lows you to link to the WHAT’S NEW pages where more
complete articles with photos and other aids are avail-
able to provide a newsletter function.
Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
ELISABETH S. YOUN, D.P.M.
City of Angels Medical Center ProcCare Medical Center, Inc.
1711 W. Temple St #5606 4515 Eagle Rock Blvd #133C
Los Angeles, CA 90026 Los Angeles, CA 90041
Tel. (213) 483-6563 Tel (213) 483-6563
Fax (213) 989=6159 Fax (323 259=8835
Other features of www.gepenc.org are FAQ’s
(Frequently Asked Questions) page about the NC in
English and Spanish. If you want to decide how the
GEPENC works you can find the Council’s Bylaws, also
in English and Spanish. Also available are Links to a
myriad of sites relating to the City of Los Angeles, the
Neighborhood and Other Interests. The Contacts page
provides an easy way to send emails to reach the GEP-
ENC Executive board, your District representatives or
the Chair of any of the Committees.
The site was developed by SAS Netdesign, a web-
site production company that has been successful in
satisfying the demand for high quality websites for a
number of Neighborhood Councils. Steven Shmerler,
SAS Netdesign’s chief says, “the GEPENC site was one
of the most complex sites to create because of the
ease-of-management requirements requested by the
Information Exchange Committee.”
Take some time to visit www.gepenc.org. You’ll
find it a useful way to become engaged with the
Greater Echo Park Neighborhood Council.
§
 December 2005-January 2006

ECHO PARK CALENDAR

Event Date Location Comments
EPIA Meetings 1st Thursday, 7:00 pm Williams Hall at Barlow Call EPIA message phone for
Jan 5, Feb 2. Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way additional information. Dec.
in Elysian Park meeting is Holiday Potluck. Bring
a gift for a CCAC child.
EPIA Steering 2nd Monday, 7:15 pm Call (323) 882-4835 for Take an active part in EPIA. Join
Committee Dec 12, Call for Jan meeting location the Steering Committee
Meetings date
Community 2nd Thursday, LAPD Stop-In Center, Echo Hosted by Echo Park Security
Safety Meeting 3 pm, each month Park Avenue and Sunset Association. Call (323)666-3228
Boulevard for more info
Citizens 1st Wednesday,7:30 pm Williams Hall at Barlow Call 213-666-9651 for meeting
Committee to Dec 7, Jan 3 Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way location
Save Elysian in Elysian Park
Park
Greater Echo 4th Tuesday, 7 pm Logan Street School Call (213) 413-3196 for info or
Park Elysian Dec 27, Jan 24 Auditorium, 1711 W. Logan visit www.GEPENC.org
Neighborhood Street
Council Meeting
Edendale Library 2nd Wednesday, 7 pm Edendale Branch Library Join the library’s support group
Friends Society Dec 14, Jan 11 2011 W. Sunset Boulevard and find out how you can help
>=> ELFS <=< in the Community room your neighborhood’s branch. New
members always welcome.
Deadline Saturday, January 22, 2006 Send submissions to EPIA, Attn:
December EPIAn Ways Editor
EPIAn ways SPECIAL EVENTS
Echo Park Holiday Saturday, January 22, 2006 Along Sunset Boulevard Volunteer to help with VIP
Parade from Lucretia and then reception by leaving your name &
down Lemoyne to the Park number on the EPIA hotline.

The EPIAn ways would like to thank our contributors for their continued hard work and support in the past
year. We know that it would be impossible to create this newsletter without the generous contribution of your time
and energies. This newsletter is dedicated to providing a communication platform for the members of our
community. This voice of the Echo Park Improvement Association allows us all to join together towards the interest
of bettering our community.
We would also like to thank our readers and members. Without your continuing interest in what is printed on
our pages, this newsletter would cease to exist. In the twelve years that we have been publishing the many projects
and works that EPIA has undertaken have contributed to a marked improvement in the quality of life in Echo Park.
We have seen over 600 trees planted along our neighborhood streets and boulevards thrive and add to the greenery
and color which contribute to the character of Echo Park. We have also seen the seed of community pride inspired by
large-scale community involvement programs grow to make Echo Park one of the safest and most vibrant
neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
To all a heartfelt thank you. We wish you and yours a peaceful and healthy New Year.
December 2005-January 2006

mayor@lacity.org
 December 2005-January 2006

ECHO PARK LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

January Library Hours
Library Computer Classes Mondays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
12 Thurs. 4pm Computer Comfort Learn to use the
Library’s electronic catalog to search for materials, renew Tuesdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
items, and place your own holds. Learn the basics of surfing Wednesdays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
the Internet. Introduction to various databases and search Thursdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
engines. Bring your library card. Adults only. Familiarity Fridays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
with the keyboard and mouse is recommended but not Saturdays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
mandatory. Reservations required. Please arrive 10 minutes
before class begins. Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch.
Sundays CLOSED
17 Tue. 4pm Rosetta Stone An introductory self-paced Library Address
class to begin or improve your English language skills. Ideal Echo Park Branch Library
for ESL students. Computer experience is mandatory. Call 1410 W. Temple Street
213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, .
31 Tue. 4pm. Introduction to Basic Web Design Learn
Los Angeles CA 90026
about HTML codes to create a simple web page. Computer Phone 213.250.7808
experience is mandatory. Call 213/250-7808. EP Branch. FAX 213.250.3744
Events World Wide Web Address
14 Sat. Movie Madness Join us for a movie classic. Adults
only. Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4pm.
http://www.lapl.org
28 Sat. Tarot Reading Program Come and receive short 24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL
mini-tarot readings. Sign-ups are required. Adults only. Call
213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4pm. Daily GAB. Echo Park Branch, call 213/250-7808 for times.
 December 2005-January 2006

EDENDALE LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

Edendale Library Friends Society __________________________________________

E L F S W I S H L I S T __________________________________________________
Database Designer Volunteer to Develop Membership Gift Certificates to Office Supply Stores
Database Gift Certificates to Bookstores
Custom Business Stationary Printing Clear Plastic Locked Donation Box
US Postage Stamps (Rolls And Rolls) Cardboard Boxes with Secure Lids
Gift Certificate For Copying Ink Jet color Cartridges
30 Gallon Plastic Tote Bins Plain Paper Fax Machines X 2
Case of 8 1/2 X 11 Color Printer Paper Custom Business Card Printing
Heavy Duty Plastic Milk Crates X 40
2 Layer Book Shelf X 2
Rolodex and Cards
Petty Cash Box
Heavy Duty Paper Cutter
Newsletter Editor Volunteer
Wall Clock (Battery Operated)
Calculators Printed Application Envelopes
Writers For Web Site Copy Case Of 8 1/2 X 11 White Printer Paper
8 1/2 X 11 Color Construction Paper Plastic Literature Holders X 8
Portable Microphone System Library Rolling Carts X 4
Rubbermaid Storage Shed Model #3667 Easels X 3
Metal Bookend Pairs (24) Avery Labels #8164
Telephone Answering Machine Christmas Tree Ornaments
Lightly Used Books
Who responds to your alarms? Especially Best Sellers And Audio Books
Bring donations to the library Monday – Friday
12:30 PM to 5 PM.
Experience does matter. Any library staff person will accept them on
behalf of the ELFS.
The ELFS are pleased to welcome new Edendale
With so much at risk why take chances? adult librarian Niels Bartels and new children's
librarian Langdon Faust.
Count on the experience of Select Patrol.
Library Hours
Mondays 12:30 pm – 8:00 pm
For more information about our 24 - hour Tuesdays 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
alarm response service, call us today. Wednesdays 12:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursdays 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Fridays 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Saturdays 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Sundays CLOSED

Select Patrol Library Address

Edendale Branch Library
A superior level of service since 1984 2011 W. Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone (213) 207-3000
323.644.1014 Lic. PP0-9229 FAX (213) 207-3097
2150 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 90026 CA 24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL
 December 2005-January 2006
AUDITORS GIVE TOP MARKS TO EL CENTRO del PUEBLO
El Centro del Pueblo received kudos from the State
of California Department of Community Services and
Development as part of a regular bi-annual Commu-
nity Development Department (CDD) audit. The city
also recommended El Centro del Pueblo’s Family De-
velopment Network program be filmed in a documen-
tary that will portray their FDN as a model program.
This filming took place on Thursday, October 27.
Each year, the Human Services and Family Devel-
opment Division (HSFD) of CDD administers approxi-
mately $7 million in state block grant funding. Those
funds, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG),
are part of a national anti-poverty program to provide
a range of services to address the causes and condi-
tions of poverty. The Community Development De-
partment is part of a national network of agencies
that administer CSBG funds and the only agency in
the City of Los Angeles.
During their stay, HSFD staff took the auditors to
two program sites that are funded through the Com-
munity Service Block Grant. They had a first hand
look at New Economics for Women in the downtown/
Westlake area and El Centro del Pueblo in the Echo
Park section of Los Angeles. Both programs are part
of the Family Development Network, a group of agen-
cies that receive state funding administered by CDD.
These programs provide comprehensive services to
families including financial literacy, youth advocacy,
information and referral, health services, computer
learning centers, English proficiency classes, GED
classes, sports and recreation programs, after-school
tutoring classes, parenting classes, legal assistance
and licensed counseling.
At the conclusion of their visit, the monitors gave
the Community Development Department's Human
Service and Family Development Division high ratings
for efficiency, vigilance in following all guidelines and
the quality or programs provided to communities by
contracted agencies.
Mon — Sat Saturday
11 am — 7 pm Special
Sundays — Typical
Group of 10 Haitian
or more by Food
Reservation Wood Burning Rotisserie
309 N. Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
www.tigeorgeschicken.com
Email: geo4u1@sbcglobal.net
 December 2005-January 2006

Central City Action by Gloria

First of all I want to inform everyone that
Maryanne is back from her knee operation. Early in
October she has a complete knee replacement. After
several weeks of therapy, she has returned to the
office. Maryanne thanks all of you who sent cards
and greetings while she was recovering. A little note
from me, Maryanne is now a bionic woman!
October is a favorite month for the staff and the
kids. The staff enjoys planning scary events and
showing scary movies to the kids during this month.
Michael chaperoned a sleepover with about 12 kids.
An unexpected ghoul made a visit around 2 a.m.
and literally scared the kids out of their sleeping
bags. A few days before the sleepover, I
mysteriously received a note indicating that an
image was seen in the front windows early that
morning. The person said the image was silver and
sort of floated from window to window. Perhaps it
was the unexpected ghoul making an expected visit?
Hmm!!!!!
Our annual Halloween Party was a huge success.
We gave out so much candy that the kids were on a
sugar high for days afterwards. Actually they had to
play games to receive candy. We also had hot dogs,
cookies, cake, and more candy. For those kids who
were exceptionally skilled at the games, a genuine
ghost figure was won as a prize.
Our capoeria class is still going on. We have had a
few days off due to illness but we are going strong.
We now meet two days a week, Tuesdays and
Fridays at 5 p.m. Our goal is to be able to perform
in front of the parents and invited guests in the near
future. For those of you who still do not know what
is capoeria, please feel free to come to the center on
Tuesdays or Fridays and take a peek at our practice.
Do you see the picture? It is from one of our
classes. We will be able to have this program for
another three months. It not only teaches structure
and discipline but also is great for building muscle
and losing weight. Now all I have to do is keep the
kids away from the candy, cookies, cake and junk
food.
As I am writing this, the staff is getting ready for
CCAC’s annual turkey dinner. After Thanksgiving,
the holiday season will be upon us. Our calendar for
the month of December is quickly being filled up
with activities. CCAC staff and youth want to wish
everyone a wonderful holiday!

Winter is upon us and before we know it, February will be here and EPIA, will once again participate in giv-
ing away free Fruit Trees to members of the Community. The selection of trees to be given out are Apple,
Apricot, Nectarine, Peach, Plum, and this year we will be giving out citrus trees of Orange, Lemon, and Tan-
gerine. The Give Away is set for Sunday February 5, 2006, at 9:00am., at the LAPD-Stop In, 1572 Sunset
Blvd, entrance is on Echo Park Ave. You must call EPIA at 323 882-4835 to reserve your tree(s), a limit of 2
per residence, leave your name, phone # and your selection of Fruit Trees.
As always, a call for volunteers goes out. EPIA will visit the Tree People on Saturday February 4, 2006
around 9am to prepare the trees for distribution and here is where your help is needed. If you are able to
participate in the preparation of the trees, then we would like to hear from you. In addition, on Sunday, the
day of the give away, a few volunteers are also needed. Remember, you must call EPIA at 323 882-4835 to
reserve your tree(s) and to let us know if you would like to volunteer.
To those of you who have been recipients of fruit trees in past, we are sure you have enjoyed the fruit your
tree has given you. So friends, start thinking and preparing the soil where you will be planting that tree in
your back yard. As always we are looking forward to hearing from you.
 December 2005-January 2006
LOTUS PAD NOTES
NEWS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
FROM ECHO PARK & ANGELINO
Echo Park seems to show up more and more in the
Hollywood spotlight – serving as the backdrop for
everything from Volkswagen commercials to the cops-
gone-bad flick “Training Day.” But even we were
taken aback that our hillside neighborhood had made
its way into ABC-TV’s “Lost” – a television show set
on a deserted island!
Apparently, one of the characters stranded on the
island is an LAPD cop traumatized by a controversial
shooting in Echo Park – an experience made real to
viewers through the magic of flashbacks.
SPEAKING OF HOLLYWOOD, a location shoot in
Elysian Park is working the last few nerves of some
Echo Park residents. The third and latest installment
of “The Fast and the Furious” has brought car
chases, revving engines and low-flying helicopters to
the park. The screeching tires after midnight was
extra grating for those within earshot.
***
Echo Park’s business district took a happy turn
this month when the rooftop sign on Jensen’s
Recreation Center rooftop blazed back to life. The
bold green, white and red letters – situated below the
world’s slowest-moving bowling ball – once again
dazzled the pedestrians on Sunset Boulevard.
Because the sign has been so troubled, we knock
on wood every time we see it lit up. Still, the owners
of the building deserve praise for their attempt to
revive one of the most magical features of our
business district.
Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers
and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Echo Park
Improvement Association
HEIGHTS by E.P. Lagoso
THE 1924 LANDMARK ALSO HAD a starring role
at this year’s Historic Echo Park Home Tour, as one
of 10 sites that drew 300 people to Echo Park Lake.
Equally impressive was the battalion of more than
100 volunteers – all of whom made it a fun,
interesting way to see and experience the
neighborhoods on each side of the lake.
By the way, the lake will get more attention on
December 1, when the Cultural Heritage Commission
will decide whether to make the lake a cultural-
historic landmark. That nomination was prepared on
behalf of the Echo Park Historical Society.
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE holidays, Echo Park’s
social season has kicked into high gear. But perhaps
we can sum it up in a single, abbreviated paragraph.
Here goes: EPIA Holiday Potluck on December 1.
Holiday Parade on December 3. Garage Sale
Fundraiser at Chicken Corner on December 10. Echo
Park Historical Society Potluck on December 10. And
the Peter Shire ceramics sale on December 11 –
complete with entertainment and holiday gift booth
from the Echo Park Animal Alliance.
See how easy that was?
AND FINALLY, DARE WE EVEN MENTION the
neighborhood council elections? No less than six
challenges were filed after the balloting on Oct. 29 –
leaving the results up in the air until the city’s Human
Relations Commission makes a decision.
Bad behavior was on full display on Election Day.
One particularly low moment came when candidates
outside Logan Elementary School tried to persuade
last-minute voters that the polls had already closed –
even though several minutes remained in the
balloting. Very classy.