EPIAn Ways February 2005

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    That question urgently deservesan answer, now that outside realestate interests are aggressivelypursuing Echo Park as a place formassive, impersonal buildingprojects

    For most of us, Echo Park ismany things: a neighborhood withhistory and character, a communityblessed with beautiful parks and a

    pedestrian-friendly businessdistrict. To read the real estateads, however, youd think we werejust a tasty snack for developmentinterests. Or as the ads say,DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY.

    The latest cause for alarm camelast weekend, when a Westside realestate firm announced plans to sella half-block stretch of MortonAvenue for $4.8 million. Eventhough the property has ninebungalows -- most of them more

    than 90 years old -- and a smallapartment building that has adozen households, the property isbilled simply as LAND -- $4.8million, where a developer isencouraged to scrape clean anytrace of our neighborhoods past orits charm.

    The same day, another realestate firm listed four acres ofElysian Heights, not far from AvonStreet, for $1.5 million. And twodays earl ier, a developer

    announced it had approval for afour-story condominium down theblock from Chango, on Echo ParkAvenue just north of Scott Avenue.

    Many of us moved to Echo Parkbecause of its modest scale Spanish-style courtyards, intriguingpublic staircases, and bungalowson hillsides. It had the feel of oldLos Angeles, but it was alsointernational, with residents fromMexico, the Philippines, Cuba,Central America, Italy, SoutheastAsia, the Ukraine.

    Longtime residents worked hardto plant trees, pick up garbage andpaint out graffiti. Newcomers wereintrigued by what they found, andlaunched community events likethe Echo Park Arts Festival, theHistoric Echo Park Home Tour.

    Echo Park residents foundthemselves in a place that differedfrom impersonal suburban tractdevelopment on the outskirts of thecity, one that had largely beenspared from gigantic blocks of

    architectural ugliness, of thevariety so frequently approved bythe Los Angeles planningdepartment.

    That is changing. The localneighborhood council has beendeluged with proposals for projectsthat skate by without sufficientparking, ignore height limits andspecialize in higher density: 18units on Quintero Street, 38 unitsjust north of Chango on Echo ParkAvenue, 60-plus units next to

    Angelino Heights, 67 units next toRosemont Elementary.

    The Echo Park ImprovementAssociation spent 15 years working

    to improve the neighborhood sothat it was cleaner, safer and moreinterconnected. Now there is a new

    challenge, one that those of us wholove Echo Park ignore at our peril.You need only look south of BeverlyBoulevard or east of Echo Park atthe enormous blocks of multi-story

    projects many of them cheaplymadeto see that we are next.

    In short, Echo Park deservesquality planning, not the type thatshoehorns as many people aspossible into a modest series oflots. Echo Park deserves adevelopment process that allowsresidents to spell out exactly howtall is too tall, what is right for ourneighborhood.

    Last summer, the City Councilapproved a 10-year plan for Echo

    P ark t h a t p romis ed ou rneighborhood a series of newp l a n n i n g d o c u m e n t s a n d

    (Continued on page 11)

    Echo Park Improvement AssociationMeets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month

    in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park

    IS ECHO PARKJUSTONEBIGDEVELOPMENTOPPORTUNITY?by Lynn Barb

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    girls teen yoga

    Pilates

    The Volunteers of the Echo

    Park Library, had the final booksale of 2004 on Saturday,December 4, and thanks to youdear friends, it was a success.

    It was a beautiful, Saturdaymorning when we arrived at thelibrary, ready to sell books. It wasso pleasing to see people waitingoutside for the library to open andit was only 9:30 am. Yes, Jeni, dida great PR job, it was the sign of agood day.

    At 10:00 am., the doors

    opened and the people startedcoming in. Off they went to theirrespective tables, in search of thatinteresting book. We enjoyedmeeting and having conversationwith our new friends. We were

    especially pleased when a young

    student came to us all smiles, forhe had found an excellent WebsterDictionary, this was something heneeded and he had found it for abargain of a price - $1.00. Wewere pleased that he had donejust that. It is a joy to see youngteens, some of them accompaniedby their parents buying books.Educational books, they buy,plenty of Algebra, and biologybooks. The good part is that thebooks are in excellent conditions

    and at low price, our friends arehappy to make good deals and weare happy for them.

    Overall, we made over $355.00on this date and have beenpleased that we have raised over

    $500.00, all for the Echo Park

    Library. We look forward to havingmore sales and our next one willbe on Saturday March 20, 2005,and like always, we look forwardto seeing you. Remember thedate, come and enjoy, we will belooking for you.

    VOUNTEERSOF ECHO PARK LIBRARY END 2004 WITH SUCESSFUL BOOKSALEby Margarita Fernandez, epVolunteer Co-ordinator

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    1911 SUNSET BOULEVARDLOS ANGELES, CA 90026

    (213) 484-1265

    by Judith Raskin

    The annual Great BackyardBird Count will be sweepingthrough the nation from Friday,February 18 through Monday,February 21 and everyone, youngand old, can get involved. No ex-perience is necessary. All youneed is a pair of binoculars and abird guide, if you have one.

    There will be two backyardsin Echo Park. The largest is EchoPark Lake, where you can be partof the fun on Sunday, February20, at 9:00 a.m. The group meetsat the Boat House; the count will

    take 1-2 hours. In previous years,counters have seen about 20 dif-ferent birds, including blackbirds,doves, egrets, herons, warblersand grackles.

    The second backyard is yoursa real backyard, a balcony, ter-race or patio, a street locationwhere you think you will findbirds, a school, business, or any

    place you choose. These placesare missed during the more for-mal Christmas Bird Count, butthey are valuable locations to dis-cover more Echo Park species.You are likely to see a number of

    species that dont hang out nearthe Lake, such as finches, jays,black phoebes, wrens, hawks andmockingbirds. You can choosethe day and time, but you willneed at least 15 minutes to doyour count, more if you like.

    To take part in the count atEcho Park Lake, please contactJudy Raskin at (323) 663-6767 or

    [email protected] (use Back-yard Birdcount in the subjectline). If you want to count on yourown, go to www.birdsource.org todownload the instructions andchecklist for California birds.

    HOW BIRDIE IS YOUR BACKYARD?FIND OUT DURING FEBRUARY 18-21 BIRD COUNT

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.birdsource.org/http://www.birdsource.org/http://www.birdsource.org/mailto:[email protected]
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    Toddlers, babies andexpecting parents, as well asgrandparents are welcome toparticipate in a lifetime journey of stories & rhymes,followed by activities andgames. It is a place wherememories are made withthose little bundles of joy, aplace where children arepositively bonded with theirgrown-ups. A fun place todevelop social skills at nocost.

    Every Friday from 8:30a.m. to 9:30 a.m. atAllesandro Elementary School,2210 Riverside Drive. LosAngeles, CA. 90039Telephone Mrs. Hubbard at(323) 666-7162

    Storytime for Toddlers

    On Saturday afternoon of April 16 from 1pm-4pm,

    the Center for Non-Violent Education and Parentings(CNVEP) will host its 6th Annual Street Festival ofChildhood. Reservoir Street in Echo Park (betweenAlvarado and Glendale Boulevards., one block north ofSunset), will be closed off and filled with local artistsand musicians entertaining children and their parents.

    We are planning our annual Festival of Childhoodin conjunction with the Day of the Child andInternational Spank Out Day, where we create a streetart fair for children and parents. As we all know, thereis virtually no visual arts, music, or dance in theschools in this community. We see our festival as away to offer a free creative space for an afternoon

    where children and their parents can go from table totable enjoying the rich art and music experiences. Wehave a stage where we provide music entertainmentand booths for community artists to participate forwhom we provide the supplies needed for theactivities.

    We are seeking performers, food donations,monetary donations, and raffle prizes for adults andchildren. Please pass the word. All artists donate their

    time and many volunteers help bring the event

    together. The food and refreshments are sold atreasonable prices to allow low-income families to beable to afford to eat. The event is free and open to thepublic.

    This year we aspire to expand our musicians toinclude local groups such as Gwendlyn, MariachiDivas, and the Peace Squad from the Evidence Room.We have been fortunate to receive CouncilmanGarcettis office support providing tables and chairsand other auxiliaries. Last year, over 300 peopleattended the festival and hope to significantly increaseoutreach this year and double attendance. We areasking you to donate your services if you would like to

    set up a booth, monetary donations to cover our costs,food, or items for our raffle.

    While celebrating children, the festival alsoprovides an opportunity to bring together theneighborhood with all of its diversity.

    Center for Non-Violent Education and Parenting,213.484.6676, [email protected]

    www.nonviolentparenting.org

    Annual Festival of Childhood: Creating a Peaceful WorldSaturday, April 16th 2005

    mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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    Event Date Location Comments

    EPIA Meetings 1st

    Thursday, 7:00 pmMar. 3, Apr. 3

    Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

    Call EPIA message phonefor additional information

    EPIA SteeringCommitteeMeetings

    3rd

    Thursdays, 7:15 pmFeb. 17, Mar 17

    Call (323) 882-4835 forlocation

    Take an active part in EPIA.Join the Steering Committee

    Echo ParkSecurity

    Association

    2nd Thursday,Feb. 10, Mar 10

    LAPD Stop-in Center (onthe side of Bank ofAmerica)

    Call (323) 666-3228 foradditional information

    CitizensCommittee toSave Elysian Park

    1st

    Wednesday,7:30 pmMar 2, Apr 6

    Williams Hall at BarlowHospital, 2000 StadiumWay in Elysian Park

    Call 213-666-9651 formeeting location

    Greater EchoPark ElysianNeighborhoodCouncil Meeting

    4th Tuesday, 7 pmFeb. 22, Mar 22

    Logan Street SchoolAuditorium, 1711 W.Logan Street

    Call (213) 413-3196 for infoor visit www.GEPENC.org

    Edendale LibraryFriends Society

    >=> ELFS

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    FEBRUARYLibrary Computer Classes

    Computer Comfort Tuesday 1, Thursday 17

    Learn to use the Librarys electronic catalog to search for

    materials, renew items, and place your own holds. Learn the basics

    of surfing the Internet. Introduction to various databases and search

    engines. Bring your library card. Adults only. Familiarity with the

    keyboard and mouse is recommended but not mandatory. Call

    213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4pm

    Introduction to Basic Web Design Thursday 10 & 24

    Learn about HTML codes to create a simple web page. Computer

    experience is mandatory.

    Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4pm.

    EventsSaturday 26. Tarot Reading Program Come and receive short

    mini-tarot readings. Sign-ups are required. Adults only. Call

    213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 1pm & 4pm.

    Fun for KidsDaily Grandparents and Books For days and time call 213/250-

    7808. Echo Park Branch.

    Monday 14 Valentines Crafts & StoriesJoin childrens librarian,

    Jeni Zambrano for Valentines Day stories and crafts. For all ages.

    Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 3pm

    ECHO PARK LIBRARY HAPPENINGSLibrary HoursMondays 10:00 am - 8:00 pmTuesdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pmWednesdays 10:00 am - 8:00 pmThursdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pmFridays 10:00 am - 6:00 pmSaturdays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Sundays CLOSED

    Library AddressEcho Park Branch Library

    1410 W. Temple Street

    Los Angeles CA 90026

    Phone 213.250.7808FAX 213.250.3744World Wide Web Addresshttp://www.lapl.org24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

    Who responds to your alarms?

    Experience does matter.

    With so much at risk why take chances?

    Count on the experience of Select Patrol.

    For more information about our 24 - houralarm response service, call us today.

    Select PatrolA superior level of service since 1984

    323.644.1014 Lic. PP0-92292150 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 90026 CA

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    It appears as though the holiday season came andwent so fast; I barely can remember what

    happened. Every day our December calendar hadinvolved a project.

    Starting the first Monday in December, wehelped Councilman Ed Reyes with his annualChristmas party held at Elysian Park. Some of thestaff and youth painted holiday object such as

    candy canes, holly, Christmas trees and lop-sidedsnowmen on the faces of kids attending the party.Guess who painted the lop-sided snowman?

    Upon our arrival back to the center, anunexpected invitation was waiting for us. A friend ofMaryannes, Laima Leko, had just purchased achalet in Lake Arrowhead. She called to invite theyoungins to come up and play in the snow. Well shedid not have to ask twice. Within a few hoursMaryanne and Paul and Sam had everythingplanned for a sleepover... Off they went up to themountains.

    Kids not only got to play in the snow but alsohelped Laima make cookies. They even broughtsome back for me to sample. Also, while up themountain the kids had their choice of playingoutside or sitting by a huge fireplace with a bigscreen TV, pool table and DVDs to watch. Thesleepover was not complete until they went intotown to see the holiday decorations and do somesouvenir shopping.

    The troop came back on Friday and the next day,Saturday, some of our same staff had to take thekids to Magic Mountain. It was warm and the skywas beautiful and everyone had a wonderful time.

    December is probably one of our busiest monthswith events going on almost everyday. Sam,Maryanne and other staff members workeddiligently planning the Centers Christmas Party.The next week, the kids held a rummage sale andsold some ceramic Christmas tree ornaments. Theymade enough money to take themselves to themovies and also go to eat at Hometown Buffet. This

    restaurant is one of their favorites. They can eat,and eat and eat and then still have some room in

    their bottomless stomachs for ice cream.For our annual party we served Tamales, rice,beans, and cookies. We put all the gifts into oneroom. One by one we called the youth into theroom. Each kid was allowed to pick out a gift as wellto receive many little generic items. Some of thekids brought their little brothers and sisters. Thesmiles on their faces are memory makers for ourstaff. I am enclosing a picture and special messagefrom Central City Action Committee

    Central City Action by Gloria

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    FEBRUARYLibrary Computer Classes

    Computer Basics Wednesday 2, Friday 25An introduction to Computer usage. Topics covered include the

    use of the keyboard and mouse, computer concepts and naviga-

    tion skills, and basic internet navigation. Sign-ups are recom-

    mended.

    6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Edendale Library

    Kids Path Computer Class Monday 7, Monday 28

    Kids and parents learn how to use the Kids Path section of the

    librarys web site for homework help and fun.

    3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Edendale Library

    Fun For Kids

    Tuesdays: Terrific Tuesdays for Toddlers & Teethers

    Babies, toddlers, and their special grown-ups join Miss Lisa for

    nursery rhymes, songs, finger-plays and more.10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Edendale Library

    Tuesdays Terrific Tuesdays

    Share seasonal stories, songs, and activities with Miss Lisa.

    3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Edendale Library

    Valentines Night Storytime Monday 14

    Kids can wear their pajamas, bring their Valentines, and listen

    to heart-felt stories with Lisa.

    6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Edendale Library

    MARCHLibrary Computer Classes

    Introduction to Word. Wednesday 2

    An introduction to word processing. Come learn the basics in-

    volved in preparing an editing a document.

    Sign-ups are recommended.

    6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Edendale Library

    Kids Path Computer Class. Monday 7

    Kids and parents learn how to use the Kids Path section of the

    LAPL web site for homework help and fun.

    3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Edendale Library

    Computer Basics. Saturday 12

    An introduction to computer usage. Topics covered include the

    use of the keyboard and mouse, computer concepts and naviga-

    tion skills, and basic Internet navigation.

    Sign-ups are recommended.

    10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Edendale LibraryIntroduction to the Library Web and The Internet

    Wednesday23

    Topics to be covered include using the librarys electronic cata-

    log to locate items, renew items, place holds, and use a database

    effectively to find what youre actually looking for on the Inter-

    net. Sign-ups are recommended.

    6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Edendale Library

    More Fun For KidsTuesdays Terrific Tuesdays for Toddlers and Teethers.Babies, toddlers and their special grown-ups join Miss Lisa for

    nursery rhymes, songs, finger-plays, and more.

    10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Edendale Library

    Tuesdays Terrific TuesdaysShare seasonal stories, songs, and activities with Miss Lisa.

    3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Edendale LibraryPajamas Night Storytime. Monday 14

    Kids can wear their pajamas and listen to bedtimes stories with

    Miss Lisa.

    6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Edendale Library

    EventsRead Across America. Saturday 5

    Celebrate Dr. Seuss birthday with a special guest rader from

    the Screen Actors Guild.

    2:00 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Edendale Library

    Used Book Sale Saturday 12

    Featuring paperbacks & hard covers, CDs, videos, DVDs, etc.

    Sponsored by the ELFS.

    Edendale Library Branch. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Cartoons That Didnt Make It. Saturday 12

    Come enjoy a presentation of Academy Award nominated car-

    toons from the middle of the 20th century.

    Presented by Tom Safer.

    2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Edendale Library

    Library HoursMondays 12:30 pm 8:00 pmTuesdays 12:30 pm 5:30 pmWednesdays 12:30 pm 8:00 pmThursdays 12:30 pm 5:30 pmFridays 10:00 am 5:30 pmSaturdays 10:00 am 5:30 pmSundays CLOSED

    Library AddressEdendale Branch Library2011 W. Sunset Boulevard

    Los Angeles, CA 90026Phone (213) 207-3000FAX (213) 207-309724 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

    EDENDALE LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

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    Saturday

    SpecialTypicalHaitian

    Food

    Mon Sat

    11 am 7 pmSundays Group of 10or more byReservation Wood Burning Rotisserie

    309 N. Glendale BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90026

    www.tigeorgeschicken.comEmail: [email protected]

    Thank God 2004 is finally over. It was hard and longyear for sure! If, as my college track coach used to say,no pain, no gain then 2005 should bring a lot of gainhere in Echo Park. It was painful that all the hard workwe put into the Presidential race including trips to swingstates and all the calls we made did not change thecourse of this great country.

    Lets hope the supreme court justices can find a mira-cle and stay alive four more years. If not, all the gains wemade in civil rights and other movements may go downthe toilet.

    Here in Echo Park we had our hands full with land-lord/tenant problems. Since 2000, property value hasgone up on the average 30% a year. With rent control onolder buildings, a number of property owners are tryinggames to get rid of long time Latino residents. One bigcon-game of some property owners is calling the Depart-

    ment of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and forcingthe families to relocate or lose their children because offalse allegations by the property owner's. Concerned Citi-zens of Echo Park is networking with other child advo-cacy groups to fight this injustice to the Latino commu-nity. The L.A Weekly, on 12/31/04, had a great articleon this injustice "an American Family" by Celeste Fre-mon. The actions of the DCFS, we predict, will be the

    next major lawsuit to hit the city. Father Greg Boyle(Homeboy Industries) stated to the L.A Weekly "DCSFhas done more damage to Latino children than a lifetime of injustices, oppression, and torture.

    During the recent toy giveaway, I took a poll with com-munity members, the number one need was for a unionbacked Market, as many of our members use publictransportation to get around. Suggestion, on Echo ParkAve there is a vacant mini-market, why can't theNeighborhood Council start a food-Co-op, this would beof great help to people in Echo Park.

    A very big thanks goes out to George (Jorge) Ortozarof Churchill Downs home of the Kentucky Debby, he wasthe reason Churchill Downs donated Christmas trees forour low income members. Big THANK YOU'S TO Channel7 and the L.A.F.D-SERTOMA club. It's great to see localjockey Patrick Valenzuela volunteer his community time

    and buy tons of gifts for low income children.C.C.E.P hopes all in Echo Park have a great year. The

    next event C.C.E.P hopes to be involved in is the electionof Antonio Villarigosa as the next mayor of Los Angeles.With his election the for sale sign at city hall will be laidto rest and our future will be enhanced

    William MavropoulosCitizens of Echo Park AKA Cuidadanos Involucrados Echo Park

    LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR

    mechanisms to shape the design and development of

    new buildings.The city promised a pedestrian-oriented design

    district for Sunset Boulevard and Echo Park Avenue. Itpromised a historic resources survey for the entireneighborhood one that would determine whethersmaller historic districts should be created around EchoPark Lake and elsewhere. It promised a new designoverlay for Glendale Boulevard that would shift it fromindustry to other uses.

    Now is the time for the city to fulfill its promises.None of these plans has even been started, yet thedevelopment is here. Its time for the city to roll up its

    sleeves, help us have a conversation about what wewant, and finish those plans.

    Until that plan is finished, developers should not keeptrying to beat the clock and get their new, huge projectson Echo Park Avenue in under the wire. The city has notshied away from imposing moratoriums on building inLincoln Heights, Glassell Park, MacArthur Park andelsewhere until planning documents were completed.That idea is now ripe in Echo Park as well.

    (Continued from page 1)

    Development Opportunity

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    How do you know your neighborhood is changing?Heres one clue: theres a party on your street, and it

    has a VALET.Recognizing that Echo Park is one of the hardest

    places in the city to find parking, two young womenwearing modified tuxes were hired to help usher carsto an available if distant curb. Near the twowomen was a sign: Valets of the Dolls.

    SPEAKING OF CHANGE, the Los Angeles Timesdid a nice feature on a young woman who created adocumentary on the issue of gentrification. The piecepleasantly presented multiple points of view and didnot allow unfounded rumors to go unchecked likethe one going 'round that gentrification killed PioneerMarket.

    The article also resulted in a letter to the editor afew days later, from a Temple City resident whorecalled Echo Park in the 60s, and its problems withgangs and grafitti. To her, Echo Park has not changednearly enough.

    ONE EVENT MENTIONED in the newspaper storywas the December 11 anti-gentrification march. Theevent, which shut down parking on Sunset Boulevardfor about five hours, caused some spectators to think

    it was the Echo Park Holiday Parade!One of the 25-or-so marchers carried a signinforming the neighborhood that gentrification killedthe holiday parade.

    IT SEEMS LIKE A DISTANT memory, those 15

    days of near monsoons that pounded Echo Park withrain before and after New Years. But at the time, itfelt like everyone in Echo Park had a leak somewhere in their garage, living room, dining room or eventhe rare basement. One retaining wall at Scott andPortia avenues is looking especially precarious, with ahuge split and yellow police tape around it.

    Even more frustrating than the leaks were therepeated blackouts. Some streets lost power on fiveseparate occasions.

    One despairing Sunset Boulevard merchant,waiting anxiously for electricity, reported that he hadbeen on the hold with the Department of Power folksfor 90 minutes without any opportunity to speak witha live human.

    HOW MUCH COFFEE can one neighborhood gulpdown? We may soon get the answer.

    Now that Echo Parkians can get their caffeine fixat the Downbeat, Chango, Masa and Starbucks aswell as eateries like Brite Spot and Rodeo Grill astorefront on Sunset Boulevard looks poised tobecome yet another java joint.

    The space, just east of Crown Shoes, is vacantand has a small sign bearing the words CafMariposa. Whether they can get the citys permissionis, as always, an open question.

    A BIG SHAKEUP MAY BE IN STORE for theplanned 38-unit affordable housing complex on EchoPark Avenue. In remarks to the NeighborhoodCouncil, Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcettisaid the developer, Insite, is thinking of selling theproperty to another interested buyer.

    Residents near Chicken Corner had voiced theirdismay over the need for more parking, as well as theloss of a 1911 house on Delta Street. No other issue

    in Echo Park has produced as much mail as theChicken Corner project, the councilman revealed inhis remarks.

    Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers

    and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Echo Park

    Improvement Association

    LOTUSPAD NOTESNEWSAND ITEMSOF INTERESTFROM ECHO PARK & ANGELINO HEIGHTS by E.P. Lagoso