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EPIAn Ways August-September 2006
EPIAn Ways August-September 2006
EPIAn Ways August-September 2006
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August-September 2006
On Saturday May 13, 2006, El Centro Del Pueblo Conference satisfaction surveys were completed
held their First Annual Youth Leadership Conference by the youth at the end of the conference. The ma-
at their Youth Center on Lemoyne Street. Topics se- jority of the clients rated the conference at above sat-
lected for the Leadership Conference included Col- isfactory and stated that they would like to attend
lege Readiness, Fiscal Responsibility and Youth in the next year‘s conference.
Legal System. These topics were selected by the cli- El Centro Del Pueblo would like to thank the fol-
ents through a survey conducted prior to the Confer- lowing organizations or individuals for their support
ence. Forty youth participated in the all day Leader- of our First Annual Youth Leadership Conference:
ship Conference which also included college booths, Council members Eric Garcetti and Ed Reyes, the
food and Guest Speakers. Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council,
Council members Eric Garcetti CD 13 and Ed SPA 4 Council, Children‘s Planning Council, Hector
Reyes CD 1 attended and welcome the youth at the Ortiz, David Chan-Subway Catering, former clients
beginning of the Conference. Two former clients of El David Partida and Gabriel De La Garza, and City of
Centro, who have attended and graduated from col- Los Angeles CDD.
lege, served as guest speakers for the College Readi-
ness workshop.
(323)
Pilates
August-September 2006
Summer birds at the lake include Mallards, great-tailed grackles, robins, American
coots, sparrows, finches, great egrets, black-crowned night herons, green herons,
blackbirds, hawks and various gulls and doves. We will surely identify many others.
This is a fun walk, and beginning birders are encouraged to participate. Parents are
encouraged to bring their children. And it’s free! Take your binoculars, and a bird
guide, if you have one.
Conscientious Projector
Monthly Film Screenings in Echo Park
by Ross Plesset
Every month Neighbors for Peace and Justice In most cases the screenings feature guest speakers
presents enlightening documentaries accompanied by (i.e., the filmmakers and/or experts). For example, one
guest speakers. ―The concept of Conscientious Projector film, Back From Iraq, was attended by mothers of U.S.
is to bring truth where the newspapers and [other] soldiers who were either killed or injured in Iraq.
media have failed,‖ said Dorcas Tokes, an organizer. Future films will include: (August) Sir, No Sir, the
―We [don‘t] want to have it to speak to the choir, but much-acclaimed documentary about ―the suppressed
that‘s always very hard. So we‘re trying to get films on a story of the GI movement to end the war in Vietnam.‖
diversity of subjects, so it isn‘t always just anti-Iraq, or The movie also addresses the myth that veterans were
anti-this, or anti-that.‖ spat on by activists after the U.S. attack on Vietnam.
As an example, she cited a film called Favela Rising, (See: http://www.sirnosir.com/.). The filmmaker will be
which was shown earlier this year. ―[It‘s] the story about present. September: Rights on the Line: Vigilantes at the
a slum in Brazil—they‘re called favelas-- that had been Border, a film that ―exposes the ugly anti-immigrant
under the dominion of drug lords,‖ she said. ―There‘s no politics that lurk behind the Minuteman Project - and
hope for younger generations with any kind of ambition shows the continuum between official border
to find themselves. One man, who was a musician, lived militarization and vigilante action. This video was shot
in the favela and started working with the kids. Their by human rights activists and residents of border
dance and songs are so famous that Sony comes and communities. . . .‖ (Source: witness.org). Also in
discovers them. It‘s one of these Cinderella stories. Any September: Sweeping Dreams, an award-winning
money that the film makes goes back to the favela. [The student documentary from USC Film School. It concerns
revenue] has brought computers to their schools and all housekeepers Milca, Mered, and Rosa as they try to
these things. . . . [The filmmakers] weren‘t even from survive in L.A. October: Why We Fight. This Sundance
L.A., [but] they went out to Boyle Heights and talked to award-winning film ―launches a bipartisan inquiry into
gang leaders. They showed their film and had the workings of the military industrial complex and the
discussions. So we show films that show hope.‖ (More rise of the American Empire. Inspired by Dwight
info at: http://favelarising.com/.) Eisenhower‘s legendary farewell speech (in which he
Other past films have included Electile Dysfunction, a coined the phrase ‗military industrial complex‘).
comprehensive, yet entertaining look at the crisis in ― (Source: http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/.)
America‘s voting system, and No Logo, based on Naomi November: Pharaoh‘s Streets, about homelessness in
Klein‘s book about world-wide oppression by L.A. and gentrification. The filmmaker will be present.
corporations--and resistance by common people. The screenings are held at the Echo Park Film Center
When selecting films for the program, the organizers at 4pm, usually on the last Sunday of each month).
like to draw on local talent. Divided We Stand, which was Precise dates are announced at: http://
shown in June, was made by Silverlake filmmakers Tom www.neighborsforpeaceandjustice.org. The Film Center
Drew and Michael Bloecher. An upcoming film, is at 1200 N. Alvarado Street, just north of Sunset.
Sweeping Dreams, was made by USC film students Requested donation: $5, but ―no one turned away for
Amber Denbleyker, Amy Lappen, and Josey Mangahis. lack of funds.‖
August-September 2006
2ND ANNUAL ECHO PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL BRINGS MORE GOOD SOUNDS
Now in it‘s second year, the annual Echo Park Nalbandian in an effort to increase visibility of
Music festival is set to sail the weekend of September performing artists and promote musical listening.
30 and October 1. The community-sponsored, free, For visitors, this is a chance to discover a unique
two-day event features an eclectic selection of local and thriving neighbourhood in the heart of Los
talent. From noon to 8:00 pm, on the north end of the Angeles. For locals, the festival offers an opportunity
lake, audiences are invited to picnic, hang out, lie on to celebrate its wealth of talent and gather as a
the grass and listen to live performances of classical, community.
jazz, R & B, rock en Espanol, country, blues, and
Festival attendees are encouraged to bring
more.
blankets. outdoor seating, sun umbrellas; don‘t forget
The Echo Park Music Festival is sponsored in part that sun block. Refreshments are available off-site.
by The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighbourhood
For more information on the Echo Park Music
Council and Los Angeles City Council Member, Eric
Festival contact—www.echoparkmusicfestival.com
Garcetti. The Echo Park Music Festival is the
brainchild of violinist and local resident Varujan
August-September 2006
mayor@lacity.org
August-September 2006
(Continued from page 1) It is doubtful that any effort has been made by Bar-
Historic Barlow Hospital low to advertise what potential exists for creative re-
rehabilitated. Williams Hall, a splendid and rare speci- use/rehabilitation there. Spearheaded by the Citizens
men of Craftsman style meeting hall, has over 2,310 Committee to Save Elysian Park (CCSEP), concerned
square feet and has served as a community meeting community members have launched a campaign to get
room loaned free of charge for decades. Bosworth the word out. If you would like to save Barlow Hospital
Hall, comprised of 9,336 square feet leased several from tear-down development, save open space, save
years ago to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, origi- the ambience of the entrance to Elysian Park, please
nally as an AIDS Hospice, is currently used for preven- sign and send the coupon below and/or call Council-
tion and testing programs. member Reyes to tell him (213)485-3451.
WWW.ECHOPARK.NET
Saturday
Has a new look Mon — Sat
11 am — 7 pm Special
Sundays — Typical
Group of 10 Haitian
or more by Food
WWW.GEPENC.ORG Reservation Wood Burning Rotisserie
309 N. Glendale Blvd
What’s Happening with the Los Angeles, CA 90026
Greater Echo Park Elysian NC www.tigeorgeschicken.com
Email: geo4u1@sbcglobal.net
by Susan Borden
Did you watch "Godzilla" and "The Three Stooges" stopped by to wish us well!
on top of the Citibank parking lot last month? Around The Echo Park Chamber of Commerce is now
a hundred residents did, when the Echo Park Cham- meeting regularly on the third Thursday of every
ber of Commerce hosted its first "Movie Madness" month. Held at Taix Restaurant at 7:00 p.m., these
event on June 25th. The outdoor show will be re- meetings are open to the public. Members and guests
peated in August with a different slate of old-time hear from invited speakers such as Sandra Figueroa
movies under the stars. All ticket sales benefited May- of El Centro Del Pueblo who gave a talk on July 20th
berry School's All Circle program, and the upcoming about her non-profit organization's activities.
event will benefit Central City Action Committee. Under interim President Mitchell Frank, the
Our booth at the Lotus Festival boasted a colorful Chamber is shooting to increase its membership by at
new banner featuring the Chamber's new slogan--"Eat, least a dozen businesses in the next month. For an
Shop, Play Echo Park". We gave out scores of bro- application form, please call the Chamber's message
chures and members' advertising to folks at the festi- line at 213-630-3032.
val--maybe you were one of the neighbors who
August-September 2006
CAN THIS RELATIONSHIP BE SAVED? After four Two accomplished Echo Park activists got a little
years in business, it looks like the Greater Echo Park glory last month, receiving honors from Councilman
Elysian Neighborhood Council is in danger of splitting Ed Reyes at an unusual open-air meeting of the Los
up, or at least in two. Representatives of Historic Angeles City Council. Maryanne Hayashi, the head of
Filipinotown, which has five representatives and the youth-oriented non-profit Central City Action
covers a huge stretch of territory south of the 101 Committee, and meeting maven Isa Kae Meksin – an
Freeway, have been mounting a campaign to break outspoken advocate if ever there was one – were
away from Echo Park‘s neighborhood council. recognized for their work in the community at a
City leaders renamed a vast stretch of area council meeting held outdoors in nearby MacArthur
between Beverly Boulevard and the 101 Freeway as Park.
Historic Filipinotown in 2002, taking in Glendale
Boulevard and other streets long considered part of
Echo Park. Historic Filipinotown is so big that its
western edge goes all the way over to Hoover Street,
where residents might have cause to wonder what
they‘re doing in Echo Park‘s neighborhood council. AFTER FIVE YEARS OF BATTY real estate prices,
*** the Echo Park housing market may finally beginning
One of Echo Park‘s most famous residents – at to cool. Based on our highly unscientific scanning of
least, in intellectual circles – is profiled in a new real estate listings in the 90026, it looks like the tiny
book. Historian Carey McWilliams, who lived in Echo houses and duplexes of Echo Park are staying on the
Park for six years before heading to New York to edit market longer – much longer. One fix-n-flip on Avon
The Nation magazine, is the subject of ―American Street dropped in price by more than $100,000 – to
Prophet: The Life and Work of Carey McWilliams.‖ $749,000 -- even as it breathlessly promoted of
McWilliams lived on Alvarado Street north of Glendale granite countertops and Kitchen Aid appliances.
Boulevard in the 1940s, writing two of his most ***
important works, ―California: The Great Exception‖ Real estate agents aren‘t the only ones confused
and ―Southern California Country.‖ about where Silver Lake stops and Echo Park starts.
The Downtown News recently identified the Brite Spot
as a Silver Lake restaurant, despite its location one
block from Echo Park Lake. The Los Angeles Times
put the Echo Park bars Short Stop and Little Joy in
Silver Lake, and then misnamed the latter Lucky Joy.
And as usual, the Times incorrectly said Mack
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? The radio station on Sennett‘s Keystone Studios – which operated at
Alvarado Street continues to do its best to make Glendale Boulevard and Aaron Street -- were in Silver
telephone calls almost impossible in some sections Lake, not Echo Park.
of Echo Park, piping in its broadcasts over phone
Meanwhile, the lifestyle magazine Tu Ciudad
lines. Telephone repairmen have been making repeat
mentioning Echo Park four times, has a lengthy
visits, yet say there‘s nothing they can do about the
profile of Gustavo Santaolalla, the Echo Park music
towers.
producer who received an Oscar for his score of
―Brokeback Mountain,‖ and has produced albums for
Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers such artists as Café Tacuba and Juanes.
and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Echo Park
Improvement Association ***