September-November 2008 Echo Park Improvement Association newsletter Volume 15 Issue 3

A GARDEN STARTS WITH AN APPLE

by Susan Borden
Bettina Jeszenszky always enjoyed her regular honor of Heller Ehrman’s twenty years in Los Angeles
walks through her Echo Park neighborhood. Without a and the tenth anniversary of its community service
yard of her own, she liked the exercise for herself and commitment, the firm organized a workday at the site.
her child. Many gardens on her route attracted her Which was why, at nine o’clock in the morning on
with colorful flowers, fruit trees and thriving Saturday, August 9th, more than fifty men, women and
vegetables.
Bettina often noticed one particular neglected
sliver of land: a fenced-off lot on the local
elementary school’s property. It seemed a shame to
her, an area the size of a suburban backyard that no
one was caring for. Sophia, her little girl, had
chattered excitedly for a week after picking and
eating an apple growing on its tree. Sophia’s
wonder at nature’s simple act gave Bettina an idea.
Why not turn this overlooked space into a
productive garden for schoolchildren and nearby
residents?
Although Sophia was too young for school, last
fall Bettina approached the principal at Elysian
Heights Elementary School with her proposal,
explaining that she planned to enlist assistance
from the neighborhood as well as parents to help
the children raise vegetables and flowers that could
be sold and promising to organize a gardening club
to tend plots and instruct students.
Katia Kaplun, permaculture gardener, with newly planted flowers in Elysian
In December, with principal Sally Holguin’s Height elementary school’s new garden
blessing, Bettina began to organize friends, local
families, school parents, and even a few teachers, to
children converged on a dirt- and straw-filled patch of
create the garden she visualized instead of the unused
the Elysian Heights elementary school campus.
wasteland behind the chain link fence. Twenty
Teachers Martha Smith and Susana Villamarin, who
enthusiastic people attended the first meeting.
registered participants, were impressed by the
One of them was David Schnepp, father of a three- turnout. Sporting matching dark-green tee-shirts, the
year-old, who lived on a neighboring hillside street. Heller Ehrman employees and their families were all
David realized that the expenses of setting up the business as they joined local garden supporters to
garden were not going to be met by the financially whip the space into shape.
strapped school district. He successfully applied to the
After breakfast in the school lunch court, courtesy
San Francisco based law firm Heller Ehrman for one of
of Delilah’s Bakery and Starbuck’s coffee, group
its annual community service grants. The little garden
garnered the money it needed to get started and, in (Continued on page 9)

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

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835
Page 2 September-November 2008

Echo Park Film Center

“Your friendly neighborhood media arts organization!”

*cinema
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
SOLAR ELECTRIC SOLUTIONS
*store
The sun never sends a monthly bill! ©

MAKE YOUR OWN ELECTRICITY

ELECTRICITY *school
We help you with the LADWP rebates
call for a
1200 N. Alvarado St., Los Angeles, CA 90026
free site visit & estimate
213-484-8846 www.echoparkfilmcenter.org
(909) 865-8561
Hours: Wed/Thur/Fri 2 – 7pm, Sat noon – 5pm
*Thursday Night Cinema Series: 8 – 11 pm
www.eesolar.com
*50% off equipment rentals for EPFC Members
EXPERT • EXPERIENCED • ENVIRONMENTALY AWARE
*Free filmmaking classes for Seniors and Teens
EPFC is a 501(c)3: donations are tax deductible.

Steven Arthur, Efficient Energy Specialist

Los Angeles Citywide

Service Directory
a single toll-free phone number to contact
City of Los Angeles officials
non-emergency public service: Dial 311
for any non-

NEWSLETTER CREDITS
EDITORS:
LYNN BARBÉ
STEVEN M. ARTHUR
ADVERTISING
ROSIE BETANZOS
DESKTOP PUBLISHING:
S.M.ART SYSTEMS
PRINTING:
LYMAN PRINTING
Copyright by Echo Park Improvement Association 2007

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835
 September-November 2008 Page 3

Echo Park Curb Appeal notes on Echo Park Structures

by Lawrence Fried

Despite a slowdown in construction due to the floor is planned to complete it in its new space.
downturn in the market in recent months, there’s Questions or concerns regarding the Neutra
still a lot of activity in our area. Although many feel “Maxwell” house or the adjacent Carriage house
the Modern style of renowned twentieth century can be directed to Bob Goode, Chairperson of the
architect Richard Neutra is out of place in Angeleno Angeleno Heights Preservation Overlay Zone
Heights, the first half of his “Maxwell” house that (HPOZ) at 213-250-1112.
was built in Brentwood in 1941 arrived at 830 E. Grading work has begun on 20 live-work lofts
Edgeware in Angeleno Heights early on the with storefronts to the West of the Alvarado
morning of Thursday August 14th. The house was carwash at the corner of Sunset and Alvarado. The
removed from its previous Beverly Hills site to new units will be zoned for live/workspace to be
make space for a larger, new house on the large lot used by creative professionals such as Graphic
it was previously on. As EPIAN Ways goes to press, Designers, Visual Artists, Musicians and
the second half (including the garage) is scheduled Photographers who can live and work in their units.
to arrive the week of August 25th. Work to The developers, Alvarado-Sunset Ventures are
reassemble and restore the house in its new hoping to attract a new coffee shop as one of the
location will begin as soon as all the pieces arrivefirst floor retail tenants to serve patrons of the
here. Owner Barbara Behm is undecided as to adjacent car wash while they wait for their cars.
whether she will occupy the house upon The units will be available for rent when
completion. construction is completed. Questions or concerns
The Neutra house move called to our attention about this project can be addressed to Clyde Wood
a small 2nd floor of a house that’s curiously at 323-549-0787.
suspended adjacent to the Neutra house’s new Please submit any Echo Park area remodel,
environs. Unlike the Neutra house, the portion of rehab, improvement or construction projects you’d
the structure that’s sitting adjacent is consistent like to have included in Echo Park Curb Appeal to:
with the Angeleno Heights Victorian style. This [email protected]. Please include how we can
carriage house sat just West of Figueroa near Pico contact you and if possible include a contact name
Blvd. for decades and was moved to its present site for the project.
more than a year ago to make way for the Nokia
Theatre and surrounding development. A new first

Read the EPIAn ways online at http://echoparkimprovement.googlepages.com/home

(323)

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835
Page 4 September-November 2008

1800 W Sunset Blvd • (213) 989-1558 • www.masaofechopark.com

1911 SUNSET BOULEVARD

LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
(213) 484-1265

BROCK

BROCK REAL ESTATE

IDA POTASH
knows the neighborhood
[ph] 323.644.9081
[fx] 323.644.9387
[cl] 323.662.7656

2235 HYPERION AVE

LA, CA 90027

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835
 September-November 2008 Page 5

Remembering the Food Conspiracy

by Ross Plesset
A major chapter in Echo Park's long history of activism ganizing. “So you could get very good prices on most of the
is the Food Conspiracy, which according to veteran activist produce, and often if they had old produce, meaning it was
Art Goldberg, began in late 1969 and lasted about 10 a day or two away from going bad like ripe peaches, they
years. Recently, he shared some of his memories of it. would literally give you an entire crate for a dollar or some-
“Once a week we would set up this kind of farmers' thing,” he said. “That was really before soup kitchens in a
market,” Art recalled. “It was very similar except this was lot of ways because they didn't know what to do with it.”
only one source: the Food Conspiracy. And then, everyone Food was only part of the conspiracy's purpose, Art
in the group had to do work. It was a whole ideological po- said. Every week, the group would talk about politics and
sition of being a kind of socialist cooperative. So once a try to get people in the community to become active be-
month you had to do maybe two to four hours of work: yond the Food Conspiracy. “The Food Conspiracy was sort
pricing, selling the things, child care, doing the actual buy- of [similar to] the way the Black Panther Party did the
ing--there were many tasks. As a result, you saved at that breakfast programs with children,” Art recalled. “It was a
point about 25% overall on food. social activity in which you hoped to get other people po-
The Food Conspiracy sprang up in a period when a tentially politically involved.”
number of activists had moved to Echo Park – Art, some of Such political involvement included antiwar marches,
his friends from his activist days in Berkeley, and his sister which, Art noted, were much bigger then because there
Jackie, who went on to elected office in city and state poli- was a draft. Art described the end of the Vietnam Offensive
tics. For Art, the Food Conspiracy was a way to bridge as a key factor in the Food Conspiracy's decline. By the
some of the differences in the community. time Reagan was elected in 1980, the political environment
“You could buy food down at the produce market, and had begun to change – some participants in the conspiracy
they not only sold produce, but you could get cheese, and had had children, and some didn’t want to raise them in
nuts, quite a few different things. It moved around in the Echo Park. “My kids were getting older. I was spending
Echo Park-Silver Lake area.” At one point, the Food Con- more time with their activities in school and stuff. It was
spiracy had a store, which ironically, is now the location of just a different climate,” he recalled.
Art's law office on Echo Park Ave. and Scott. See more on Echo Park activism in “Bohemian Los Ange-
Art got to know the downtown produce buyers, some of les: and the Making of Modern Politics” by Daniel Hurewitz.
whom were progressive or liked the idea of community or-

Check out the Griffith Park Adult Community Center

by Stephanie Vendig

The Griffith Park Adult Community Center (GPACC) is at 3203 Riverside Drive, just south of Los Feliz Blvd., and has a
wide range of activities for the 50+ population in our community. The facility is open weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30
pm. Check it out and take advantage of a great place to “hang out.”
Housed at the facility is the Griffith Park Adult Community Club, formerly Silver Lake Senior Club. The club has monthly
trips for its members and raises money to support the programming at the center. The club’s general meeting, open to
the public, will run from noon to 3:30 pm on Sept. 17 at Friendship Auditorium. The Senior Ombudsman for the DMV
will speak, and lunch will be served.
The community center currently offers:

A nutrition program provided 5 days a week by Hollywood Multipurpose Center. You can sign up daily starting at
11:30 am with lunch served at noon. The cost is $1.75 for people 60 and over and $3.75 for all others.

Appointments with Shirley Ann Hoffacker, Case Management Supervisor from Hollywood Multipurpose Center.

One-on-one sessions for those who want to improve their computer skills – or learn for the first time

Guitar lessons, art classes, a book club, yoga and other activities

Games such as Mah Jongg, scrabble, tile rummy and bridge

Golf, tennis, walks in Griffith Park and swimming at the Los Feliz pool.

Lectures by retired professors, provided by the Osher Life Learning Institute Program at Cal State LA.
For more info on GPACC, contact Facility Director Mark Wilson at (323) 644-5579 or [email protected]. For Griffith
Park Adult Community Club information, contact Stephanie Vendig at [email protected] or (323) 667-3043.

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835
 Page 6 September-November 2008

ECHO PARK CALENDAR

Event Date Location Comments
st
EPIA Meetings 1 Thursday, 7:00 pm Williams Hall at Barlow Call EPIA message phone for
Oct 2, Nov 6, Dec 4 Hospital, 2000 Stadium additional information.
Way in Elysian Park
EPIA Steering 2nd Monday, 7:15 pm Call (323) 882-4835 for Take an active part in EPIA. Join
Committee Sep 8, Oct 13, Nov 10 location the Steering Committee
Meetings
Community 2nd Thursday, 2:00 pm LAPD Stop-In Center, Hosted by Echo Park Security
Safety Meeting Sep 11, Oct 9, Nov 13 Echo Park Avenue and Association. Call (323)666-3228
Sunset Boulevard for more info
Citizens 1st Wednesday, 7:00 pm Williams Hall at Barlow Call 213-666-9651 for meeting
Committee to Oct 1, Nov 5, Dec 3 Hospital, 2000 Stadium location
Save Elysian Way in Elysian Park
Park
Echo Park 3rd Thursday, 7:00 pm and Taix Restaurant. Call 213-630-3032 for further
Chamber of every Wednesday 1:30 pm information.
Commerce
Greater Echo 4th Tuesday, 7 pm Logan Street School Call (213) 413-3196 for info or
Park Elysian Sep 23, Oct 28, Nov 25 Auditorium, 1711 W. visit www.GEPENC.org
Neighborhood Logan Street
Council Meeting
Edendale 2nd Wednesday, 7 pm Edendale Branch Library Join the library’s support group
Library Friends Sep 10, Oct 8, Nov 12 Community room and find out how you can help
Society 2011 W. Sunset Blvd. your neighborhood’s branch.
>=> ELFS <=<
Positive Energy 4th Wednesday , 6 pm - 7 pm Edendale Branch Library For info : e-mail
Group of Echo Sep 24, Oct 22, Nov 26 Community room [email protected] or our blog
Park and Silver www.positiveenergygroup.blogspot.com
Lake Area Or call (323) 860-9914
EP Farmers Every Friday, 3pm - 7 pm parking lot #663 -- half a bock south of Sunset Boulevard
Market 323463-3171 x13
Community 4th Thursday, 5:30 pm Central City Action 534 E. Edgeware Road (coner
Parade Sep 25, Oct 23 Committee Belevue)
Deadline Sept Saturday, Nov 22 Send submissions to EPIA, Attn:
EPIAn ways EPIAn Ways Editor
Griffith Park Adult Wednesday, Sep 17, 12-3:30pm Friendship Auditorium Program featuring the Senior
Community Club 3203 Riverside Drive Ombudsman for DMV speaking on
Lunch will be served seniors and driving.
SPECIAL EVENTS
(Continued from page 12) blankets rewarded children who drew pictures of reindeer,
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Santa Claus, snowmen or Christmas trees. The kids’
crayon drawings were collected for a contest. The winning
Historical Society, Edendale Library Friends Society, Echo entries will decorate flyers and programs for the 2008
Park Security Association, Echo Park Animal Alliance, Christmas holiday parade.
neighborhood dentist Dr. George D. Lim and police I hope you didn’t miss it all—especially the blue cotton
outreach. candy. See you next year!
At another table Los Angeles Dodgers bobble-heads and

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835
 September-November 2008 Page 7

POLICE CLEAN-UP
Police Emergency: Need Police Car 911 Abandoned Vehicles 1-800-222-6366
Spanish Line 213-928-8222 Cars Parked in Yards 1-888-524-2845
Narcotic Hotline 1-800-662-2878
Fire Hazards 1-310-412-5350
Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-540-4000
Hazardous Waste Disposal Information 1-800-988-6942
Police Non-Emergency 1-877-275-5273
Overflowing Dumpsters 310-412-5350
LAPD Air Support Division 213-485-2600
Parkway Maintenance 1-800-996-2489
RAMPART DIVISION
Storm Drains 213-485-5391
Rampart Police Division Desk 213-485-4061
Rampart Vice Unit 213-485-4080 Trash and Bulky Item Pick Up 1-800-773-2489
FAX 213-847-2261
Rampart Division Watch Commander 213-485-4062 L. A. Fire Department Brush Clearance 818-374-1111
Senior Lead Officer Ford 213-793-0775
GRAFFITI RELATED ISSUES
Community Relations 213-847-1903
Central City Action Committee 213-241-0908
China Town Sub-Station 213-621-2344
Free Paint 1st District) 213-485-0763
NORTHEAST DIVISION
Northeast Desk 213-485-2563 Free Paint 13th District) 323-957-4500
Northeast Report Unit 213-485-2563 CITIZEN COMPLAINTS
Senior Lead Officer Bobby Hill 213-793-0760 Department Building & Safety 888-524-2845
Senior Lead Officer Al Polehonki 213-793-0763 Department of Health 1-800-427-8700
Northeast Detectives 213-485-2566 Department of Transportation 213-580-1177
Northeast Community Relations 213-485-2548
Department of Water & Power 800-342-5397
Northeast Gang Detail 213-847-4263
Parking Enforcement 866-869-2929
Northeast Youth Referral Program 213-847-3375
Northeast Records 213-485-2568 Loose/Stray Animals/Barking Dogs 888-452-7381

Release of Impounded Vehicles 213-485-2566 LA County Department of Consumer Affairs 213-974-1452

COMMUNITY SERVICES Legal Aid Client Referral 1-800- 399-4529

Operation Bright Lights 1-800- 303-5267
Copies of Crime and Traffic Reports 213-485-4193
Concerned Citizens Echo Park/Youth 323-662-2081 Street Lighting Repairs 1-800- 303-5267
Empowerment Council — CCEC/YEC Professional Helicopter Pilots Association 213-891-3636
El Centro del Pueblo 213-483-6335
Echo Park Library 213-250-7808 POLITICAL
Echo Park Recreation Center 213-250-3578 1st District Ed Reyes 213-485-3451
Echo Park Chamber of Commerce 213-630-3032 13th District Eric Garcetti 323-957-4500
Dodger's Security 323-224-1363 Congressman Xavier Becerra 213-483-1425
Dodger's Comunity Focus 323-224-2636 Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard 213-628-9230
Dodger's Public Relations 323-224-1435 State Senator Gil Cedillo 213-612-9566
Central City Action Committee 213-241-0908
Assemblyperson Kevin de Leon 323-258-0450
North Central Animal Shelter 213-847-1416
LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina 213-974-4111
L.A City Department of Aging 800-834-4777
Elysian Park Ranger 323-913-4688 Mayor’s Office [email protected] 213-978-0600
Los Angeles City Information website www.lacity.org City Attorney, Rocky Delgadillo 213-847-8045

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835
 Page 8 September-November 2008

ECHO PARK LIBRARY EDENDALE LIBRARY

Library Hours Library Hours
Mondays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Mondays 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tuesdays 12 noon – 8:00 pm
Wednesdays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Wednesdays 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursdays 12 noon – 8:00 pm
Fridays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Fridays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturdays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturdays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sundays CLOSED Sundays CLOSED
Library Address Library Address
Echo Park Branch Library Edendale Branch Library
1410 W. Temple Street 2011 W. Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles CA 90026 Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone (213) 207-3000
Phone 213.250.7808
FAX (213) 207-3097
FAX 213.250.3744
World Wide Web Address http://www.lapl.org • 24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL
Adult Literacy Center Now Open at Echo Park Library
by Lisa Hsia, Adult Literacy Coordinator
In October 2007, the Echo Park Library opened a brand- reach her life goals: getting her GED, passing the citizenship
new Adult Literacy Center to serve the communities of Echo test, or reading a picture book to her children.
Park, Chinatown, Edendale, and Little Tokyo. Now, adults Literacy opens up whole new worlds to students, and
living in these neighborhoods who cannot read English above teaching it is just as rewarding for tutors. Volunteer tutors
a sixth-grade level can get free, individualized help at their do not need any special skills or background, just compas-
library. sion, patience, and a desire to help. The Adult Literacy Pro-
When a student enrolls in the LAPL’s Adult Literacy Pro- gram provides the training and materials.
gram (http://www.lapl.org/literacy), she is matched with a The Echo Park Adult Literacy Center is in need of moti-
volunteer tutor, and the pair then decide on a regular time to vated students and good tutors! Please help us in getting the
meet at their nearest library branch. The tutor will work one- word out. If you are interested in tutoring, or would like to
on-one with the student for at least six months, helping her refer a student, drop by the library or contact the adult liter-
improve her basic reading and writing skills, and helping her acy coordinator, Lisa Hsia, at (213) 623-4078 x10890 or
[email protected].

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835
 September-November 2008 Page 9

Elysian Heights Elementary School Garden

(Continued from page 1) Laboring through the hot afternoon, volunteers
were surprised to discover a large boulder with a
members dug irrigation channels. Others pulled commemorative plaque near the garden’s back gate.
weeds, cleared away rubbish and lugged lumber for The inscription read: “Beverly D. Mason. Garden And
eighteen planter boxes. Some built and assembled the Animal Center. In Recognition Of Her Many Years Of
trapezoidal wooden boxes designed by a team of four Devoted Service To The Children And Community Of
permaculture garden students. Volunteers mixed Elysian Heights School. Dedicated May 22 1983”. Until
compost and hauled dirt to fill planters. In August’s her retirement, long-time principal Beverly Mason
heat, it was hard work, but the only complaints were maintained a student vegetable garden and a barnyard
about the flies. of goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits and other farm
A three-piece bluegrass band, seated on straw animals on the site. If she were alive today, Miss
bales under the bougainvillea, filled the air with Mason would surely approve of the new garden that
traditional Appalachian dance tunes. Fiddler Joe Black, little Sophia’s apple inspired.
an Echo Park resident, and banjoist Steve Lewis have
played together for fifteen years. Professional classical To volunteer in the garden, contact principal Sally Holguin,
flute player Laura Osborn strummed the guitar. Elysian Heights School, 1562 Baxter Street, 323-665-
6315. To be part of the Garden Committee, call Bettina
During a lunch provided by the Los Angeles
Jeszenszky, 323-665-6594. To get in touch with Joe
Dodgers, a clown, balloon animals and a tug-of-war
Black’s band, call 213-413-4240. (The Echo Park
entertained the kids. District 13 City Councilman Eric
Improvement Association is the fiscal agent for the Heller
Garcetti walked over from his nearby home to plant a
Ehrman school garden grant).
sprig of ceremonial sage in a freshly-filled planter box.

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
We Roast Los Angeles, CA 90026
our own
HAITIAN www.tigeorgeschicken.com
Email: [email protected]
Coffee

EPIA can be contacted at [email protected]. Of

course, you can continue to reach us through the EPIA
message phone at (323) 882-4835.

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835
 Page 10 September-November 2008

The Mayor of Elysian Park

by Eric Trules

drove him to Huntington Park High,

There he is. Gravel voice. Boxer’s
pug face. One eye. Laugh like a happywhere Eddie was the football team’s
machine gun. Eddie “El Gato” galloping halfback and twice class
Gasporra. Echo Park resident since president. The “black sheep” of the
family, he also dabbled in weekend
‘81. Or was it ’85? Or ’89? He’s not so
clear about it these days. But he’s lunch room burglary and once even
punched out his choir teacher. Eddie
sitting on “his” bench in Elysian Park
in the Marion Harlow Memorial Gar- sang second tenor.
den, just beneath the Atwater prop- After putting Julian Velasquez into
erty at the northeast end of Park a one day coma in the ring, Eddie lost
Drive. Eddie’s got his dogs with him,his next three fights, along with his
Lucky, Nano, & Glory, who have re- passion for professional boxing, and
placed Randy, Girlie, and Duke over in 1959 he joined the Teamsters. First
the years. Eddie’s been sitting here he worked the docks, then trucked,
every day holding court with his and then became the notorious Danny
DeVito-like dispatcher for “Los Ani-
neighbors, who like to refer to him as
“The Mayor of Elysian Park”. males”, the rough and ready Monte-
Eddie’s a neighborhood kinda guy.bello truckers of Local Teamsters remember, but they’ve been here ever
Friendly, smart-ass, mouth like a 208. since. Eddie retired from the Team-
sewer. A people person. Born in 1935, It was 1970, during the wildcat sters in 1991 after 32 years, and
he grew up in Huntington Park, de- Teamsters strike, when Eddie met Alana just retired from her elementary
fending the underdog ever since ele- Alana, a 23 year old UCLA SDS stu- school teacher’s job at LAUSD. Now
mentary and high school … with his dent, on the strike line. Pumped up they like to go to Pizza Buona on Sun-
fists. Maybe that’s how he became a by strike line adrenaline as he was set once a week for authentic Italian
professional boxer in the late 1950s,being hauled off to jail, Eddie man- food and to Barragan’s on Sunset for
aged to ask Alana for her phone num-
a fly then lightweight, trained by Joe the best Mexican comida in town.
Frazier’s trainer, Eddie Futch, man- ber. Days later, he called her right Eddie meets his Mexican “homies”
aged by the infamous Jackie McCoy, after his release and was surprised to most mornings at the donut shop at
fighting at the legendary Hollywood find the phone number “actually real”. Echo Park and Montana, and the
Eddie’d been married twice before,
Legion on El Centro just south of Hol- homies greet him with a welcoming,
lywood Boulevard. father of Eddie Junior from the first “Don Gasporra”. Eddie likes it that
One of six boys and a girl, his marriage, father of Tony and Robin way because he’s a big fan of the
mother was born in El Paso, Texas, from the second. Alana had always “Godfather” movies, and what better
been attracted to boxers, and as soon
his father, the macho patriarch of the way to show “a little respect” for a
family “who never spared the rod”, inas she heard Eddie’s deep guttural man who stands up for neighbors,
Chihuahua, Mexico. The family moved intonations en Espanol, she was than with a Corleone-like salutation.
to Watts during Eddie’s teenage hooked. In fact, if you want a friendly enforcer
years, but Eddie’s older brother still They moved in together in 1970, to stand up for you sometime, just
and they found walk over to the bench in Marion Har-
PROFESSIONAL SECURITY their “little bun- low Garden in Elysian Park, and ask
OFFICERS galow with rustic for “The Mayor of Elysian Park.”
SECURITY PATROLS charm” at 1879
OFF DUTY POLICE OFFICERS Lucretia in Echo Eric Trules is a 15 year resident of Echo
LOSS PREVENTION Park in 1981. Or Park and a Senior Lecturer at USC’s
was it ’85? Or School of Theater. More info at:
DEDICATED
’89? Neither can www.erictrules.com
MANAGEMENT & STAFF
24 Hour Dispatch Center: (213) 403-0111
Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the
Office: (213) 384-3643 - Fax: (213) 384-3652 writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the
3470 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 885Los Angeles, CA 90010 Echo Park Improvement Association

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835
 September-November 2008 Page 11

Central City Action by Gloria

Since I just found out the EPIAN was going to be Want to tell you about this past week. Let’s go back-
published this weekend I am not at a loss for reporting wards from today. While I am sitting here typing away,
events happening at CCAC, it’s just that I have to com- the kids are all downstairs sliding down a water slide
pile them quickly so the paper can go to print. which is in the back yard of the fire station. One of
In the last newspaper, I told of the trip to San Fran- them called me in the morning to ask if he needed a
cisco. A wonderful, educating, entertaining time was change of clothes and I old him it was entirely up to
enjoyed by the 10 kids who made the journey. A few of him. Sam is setting up the BBQ for hamburgers and
them had never flown before so that alone was the hot dogs. This will be the finale for the week. What a
highlight of the trip. The youth were in awe of the archi- way to go. Thursday the kids decided to do something
tecture. Natalie told me she likes the way people that was air-conditioned so they went to see Batman.
dressed. They ate in Chinatown, Haight Ashbury and on Wednesday was a night beach trip. The kids all went in
the wharf... the water, even I waded in a little bit. After we started
the fire, out came the hotdogs. Everyone was eating
So what do we do for an encore? Can’t tell you right
them except something was wrong with mine—it tasted
now, it’s a secret.
like salt—everyone was laughing at me. I think they put
sea salt on my hot dog, it was the strangest tasting dog
I ever ate. Anyway, after the fire got going Sam fell
asleep and snoring so loud that the other people on the
beach could hear him.
This summer we had 10 kids working with our graf-
fiti crews. Not only did these kids make money, but
they definitely enhanced our graffiti removal services.
The crews were able to do whole blocks of light poles,
instead on one at a time. The kids have worked their
On Tuesday, Sam, Maryanne and I took the kids to
last days and will get their final paycheck the first week
Hansen Dam. We had a picnic lunch provided by Mary-
of school. Thanks to all the kids who worked—Maria,
anne’s daughter Chrissy. The water is great and every-
Andres, Arturo, Sarah, Richard, Yonathon, Marcos,
one had a good time. On Monday, Sam took the kids to
Lynnette and David. The crews will miss your help.
Venice beach. Some of our kids are like dolphins in the
The kids who were not old enough to work had a water, especially Arturo who I nicknamed Flipper. Is
great time this summer. Only thing, I felt the summer the staff tired? Just a little bit. Are the kids tired? No,
was too short. I had so much fun going to Hansen Dam they want more.
three times that I would like to be permanently as-
Okay so next week is school. Several of our older
signed there. It appears as if the kids favorite game is
kids have moved on to college so we will not be seeing
keep the ball away from Gloria. Aside from hitting me
them as often. Now we have the younger brothers and
in the face a couple of times, I enjoyed my time with
sisters coming to the center.
the kids. Even with movies, eating at hometown buffet
and the beach we still all manage to play our Wii game. Thanks for the community support of our agency.
I now know all the words to I Love Rock n Roll.

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Page 12 September-November 2008

Echo Park Celebrates

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
by Susan Borden

I hope you didn’t miss Echo participation in local

Park’s version of National Night Out anti-crime programs;
this year. If you weren’t one of the third, to strengthen
hundreds of revelers in the neighborhood spirit and
Walgreen’s parking lot on August police-community
5th, you missed a free evening of partnerships; last, to
food and fun. send a message to
An annual nation-wide crime and criminals letting them
drug prevention event, National know that neighborhoods
Night Out has been sponsored for are organized and
twenty-five years by the National fighting back.
Association of Town Watch. Rosie Betanzos of
According to the group’s website, Positive Energy was the
the festivity has four purposes. The lead planner for the local
first is to heighten crime and drug celebration. She put
prevention awareness; second, to together quite a show. Three Generations - Vicky, baby Jessica and Jesusita
For a start, no one went
hungry! Staff of Select Patrol parking lot Teen Community Police
grilled fresh, locally made Advisory Board members painted
sausages and hamburgers for bright designs on little faces.
the crowd and served them up Youngsters could also win pet
with all the fixings. After their goldfish by playing a simple game.
families finished eating, the A good many fish went to a new
kids could enjoy cotton candy, home in a plastic bag at the end of
prepared right on the spot. the evening.
Did I tell you it was all free? The council districts were
The Northeast L.A.P.D. was represented by several staff
out in force, with Captain Bill members, as well as elected
Murphy introducing the officials themselves who visited,
dignitaries, as he stood next to shook hands and met their
a popular monster kiddie constituents. Tables were set up
Captain Bill Murphy, Northeast LAPD with Noel bouncer. The colorful play where visitors could find out about
Rogers and Susan Borden at EPSA table apparatus was almost never local groups such as the Echo Park
without a line of waiting Chamber of Commerce, Echo Park
generate support for and children. On the other side of the
(Continued on page 6)

Mail for EPIA: P.O.Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone (323) 882-4835