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June-July 2012 Volume 19 Issue 3

EPIAn ways

Cont: Bob Baker Marionette Theater up for sale

(Continued from page 1)

effort by fans to rescue the theater from closing. Baker, who is in his late 80s, is one of the nations most prominent puppeteers who began working with marionettes at age 7. The building contains 3,000 hand-made marionettes and has hosted shows followed by ice cream for nearly 50 years, making it perhaps the nations longestrunning puppet theater. Donations are still being accepted to support the theater. The theater was put for sale in 2008 for $1.5 million as Baker and his supporters struggled to keep the property from falling into foreclosure. A donation from a major benefactor kept the theater in business but the business has continued to struggle. Despite the current sales listing, its not clear if this is the end of the road for theater. The sales listing says the seller may consider leasing the

EPIAn
by Christine Peters

June-July 2012 Volume 19 Issue 3

Echo Park Improvement Association Newsletter

ways

Barlow Hospital: Preserving the Legacy

Rendering from Armet David/Loopnet via The Eastsider LA

back the property. What can you do with this property, which sits in the shadow of the First Street bridge as it crosses Glendale Boulevard? A rendering that is part of the listing shows how a new office building crowned with a puppet would look on the site of the existing theater and warehouse. For the full story and links, visit www. TheEastsideLA.com and for info about fundraising efforts visit www.bobbakerfund.com

We need your help

This year we had donations from printers, other community groups and residents that has allowed us to continue to product our newsletter. Due to the cost of printing we run a deficit with each newsletter produced. This is not something that the EPIA can sustain for a long period of time if donations stop coming in. Therefore we are attempting to raise funds for continued support of the newsletter. Thank you in advance for your Support.

It was early 1900, and Dr. and Mrs. Barlow spent endless hours driving all over the Los Angeles area in their horse-drawn carriage, finding and discarding one place after another until, in 1902 they discovered what looked like the ideal location. It was 25 acres, of untouched meadowland set amidst rolling hills and, even better, next to the city-owned Elysian Park on Chavez Ravine Rd. (now Stadium Way), a protective barrier against encroachment by any future development. (Expert from The Barlow Story-an illustrated History of Barlow Respiratory Hospital, 1992, Crown Printers) Dr.Barlow was a savvy and determined fundraiser: establishing an Endowment fund, soliciting Annual Memberships, along with his wifes Annual Garden Fete. His Board of directors read like a Whos Who of California Society. Torrance, Sepulveda, Carson, OMelveney. Many of those names are on plaques on

A rendering of Barlow Hospital with the proposed units.

the various historical bungalows, or set in the Libraries Stained glass windows. His was a formula for success. Dr. Barlow died Sept. 4, 1937 bringing a sorrowful end
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Bob Baker puts puppet palace up for sale

by Jesus Sanchez, via The Eastsider LA

Elysian Park Reservoir Updates

by Kelly Erickson

Donation Amount:
All contributions are appreciated equally

Name: Address:

Email:
Yes! Sign me up for the EPIA email notifications

In June 2009, the city declared the cinderblock building a historic cultural monument as part of an

SPonSored by Cd13
ECHO PARK IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

ECHO PARK

It appears that the legendary Bob Baker Marionette Theater on the southern edge of Echo Park is once again in trouble, with the building and surrounding property at First Street and Glendale Boulevard up for sale at $2.05 million, according to LoopNet. We just cannot keep the theater open on ticket sales anymore, said a posting on the theaters Facebook IMPROVEMENT page. Our donations are so far off as well we just cannot meet our obligations every month.
A S S O C I AT I O N

On Tuesday, April 17, 2012, the LA Department of Water and Power commissioners approved a plan to move forward with covering 55-million gallon Elysian Reservoir with a floating neoprene cover. This is a huge loss for Elysian Park activists who have been battling the LA DWP for over 20 years now, and a huge loss for the community as community members have been pushing for underground tanks that would provide new park space. The DWP is required by federal water quality guidelines to replace all above-ground reservoirs. The options on the table were below-ground tanks, an aluminum cover, or a synthetic rubber cover.
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www.epia-echopark.org P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA

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

EPIAn ways Continued: The future of Barlow Hospital

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June-July 2012 Volume 19 Issue 3
(Continued from page 1)

EPIAn ways

Juen-July 2012 Volume 19 Issue 3

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Echo Park Animal Alliance pet adoption Spotlight: Rosie

Rosie is an about 1 year old, golden retriever/chow mix. She was abandoned in Elysian Park and after 2 weeks at the shelter remained unclaimed by owner. She was bailed out by a foster, who provided socialization and training (the EPAA helped raise the money). She now plays with other dogs at the center, hangs out with the trainers young daughter and has really blossomed. Rosie is now ready for the right forever home to step up and move her forward to the next level. For more info, email: info@ echoparkanimalalliance.org

to an era. Because of the strength of the foundation Dr. Barlow had built, his remarkable work of 34 years would continue without pause under the direction of others (also from the Barlow Story). Until Now. What changed? What in Barlows mission went awry? As recently as 2004 Barlow Hospital was on the cusp of breaking ground on the much needed Replacement Hospital. The endowment fund at that time contained more than $25 million. However with the damage sustained in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, and the mandates of CA SB 1953 (a mandate requiring that all acute care hospitals meet stringent seismic retrofitting or replacement standards), Barlow leaders knew they needed to undertake a major capital development program to build the new hospital. The price tag was more than $42 million for a new 80-bed hospital. FEMA would fund $7.8 million (excerpt Netzel Grigsby newsletter/Fall 2004). Which brings us to 2012. What happened? Where did the capital campaign veer off course? Where did the funds go? $25 million in an endowment fund over 8 years ago? Nearly $8 million in FEMA funds? A project cost of $42 million. With $33 million in cash equity, WHY did they not debt finance the balance? Why did the hospital not start construction in 2005? Why are we now looking at a Project Cost of $120 Million for a 56 bed Hospital, with only $25 million still in the endowment fund? Where did the nearly $8 million in FEMA funds go? These questions only bolster community concern that we are being asked to sacrifice a significant piece of our rich history, for yet another failed attempt by the Barlow Leadership to break ground on the New Hospital. How can the Echo/Elysian/Solano Community continue to support Barlow Hospital without sacrificing quality of life by allowing zone changes that facilitate encroaching development? By NOT supporting the proposals included in the Draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report). By itself, the plans to build the Hospital would require little or no review. Impacts other than the construction period would be nominal - with only an increase of 7 beds (currently 49, proposed 56), not much would change, certainly not to the degree the residential living community proposals

in the DEIR would. As a result of the extreme zone changes requested to maximize density and height on the proposed residential lots, the less than significant impacts made by the Replacement Hospital are erased. This proposal is a recipe for disaster. In an effort to finance the Diamond Jubilee of Boutique Hospitals, the consultants and as a result the Barlow leadership, have bought their own snake oil. We cannot as a neighborhood allow our Community Plan and the Citys General Plan, be amended to allow the future of development in the Silver Lake/Echo Park/ Solano Canyon area to be changed to accommodate the financial needs of speculative developers. Or even worse, land flippers. This may be perceived as harsh, but look at the facts. We, the community, are being asked to accept: 1. Massive zone changes 2. More traffic, congestion, and parking issues 3. Historic and cultural demolition 4. General aesthetic issues 5. Construction and project noise So, the question: Is all of this worth gambling on? What if no developer comes forward, one who is willing to advance $80 million for the right to develop 888 units in phases over the course of 9-10 years (pg. I-13, ES)? What if Barlow entitles the land then flips it and moves the Hospital/Foundation to another location? What if? We sure cannot balance our checkbooks with that attitude and neither should they.

EPIAn Ways Newsletter Credits

EDITOR: Kelly Erickson ADVERTISING: Darren Hubert PRINTING: Davco [email protected]
Copyright 2012 Echo Park Improvement Association

Subscribe to our online mailing list

Get meeting notices and announcements in your email inbox! Visit our website and click on sign up for our newsletter.

www.epia-echopark.org

To read the full article, visit www.epia-echopark.org GET INVOLVED: saveelysianpark.org

EIR comment deadline is June 11, 2012 at 4 pm. Address comments to: Michael LoGrande, Director of Planning: [email protected] Diana Kitching, Environmental Review Coordinator: [email protected] Susan Wong, CD1: [email protected] www.epia-echopark.org P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA

www.epia-echopark.org P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA

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June-July 2012 Volume 19 Issue 3

EPIAn ways
Location
Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way Email [email protected] for location Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way GEPENC Community room 1572 Sunset Boulevard Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way Taix Restaurant Hosted by EPSA. Call (323) 8609914 for meeting location. Call (213) 666-9651 for meeting location Call (213) 630-3032 for further information.

EPIAn ways
POLICE
Emergency .................................................... 911 Spanish Line ................................... 213-928-8222 Narcotic Hotline............................ 1-800-662-2878 Child Abuse Hotline .....................1-800-540-4000 Police Non-Emergency ....................1-877-275-5273 LAPD Air Support Division ................ 213-485-2600 RAMPART DIVISION Division Desk ..........................213-484-3400 ext 1 Vice Unit ........................................213-485-4080 Division Watch Commander .............213-485-4062 Senior Lead Officer Ford ...................213-793-0775 Community Relations ...............213-484-3400 ext 2 China Town Sub-Station ................... 213-621-2344 NORTHEAST DIVISION Division Desk .................................. 323-344-5701 Northeast Report Unit ...................... 323-344-5701 Senior Lead Officer Bobby Hill ..........213-793-0760 Senior Lead Officer Al Polehonki ........213-793-0763 Detectives ....................................... 323-344-5731 Community Relations ....................... 323-344-5712 Gang Detail ................................... 323-344-5754

Juen-July 2012 Volume 19 Issue 3

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Echo Park Community Calendar

Event EPIA Meetings EPIA Steering Committee EPIA Neighborhood Issues Committee Community Safety Meeting (EPSA) Date
Every 1st Thursday 7:00 pm Every 2nd Monday 7:15 pm Every 3rd Wednesday 7:00 pm Every 3rd Wednesday 2:00 pm

Community Resources
CITIZEN COMPLAINTS
Department Building & Safety .........1-888-524-2845 Department of Health.....................1-800-427-8700 Department of Transportation ............213-580-1177 Department of Water & Power ........1-800-342-5397 Parking Enforcement ....................................... 311 Loose/Stray Animals/Barking Dogs ....888-452-7381 Legal Aid Client Referral ................ 1-800-399-4529 Operation Bright Lights.................................... 311 Film LA .......................................... 213-977-8600

Comments
Email EPIA to get monthly reminders of meetings and to be on email list. Take an active part in EPIA. Join the Steering Committee.

COMMUNITY SERVICES
Report Graffiti/Free Paint................................. 311 Copies of Crime & Traffic Reports ......213-485-4193 Dodgers Neighborhood Focus .......... 323-224-2636 Dodgers Community Affairs ..............323-224-1435 North Central Animal Shelter ............ 213-847-1416 Elysian Park Ranger ......................... 323-913-4688 Health Information .......................................... 211 Los Angeles City Information ............................ 311 Neighborhood Prosecutor Program .... 213-847-8045

Citizens Committee to Every 1st Wednesday 7:00 pm Save Elysian Park Echo Park Chamber of Commerce Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council Meeting Edendale Library Friends Society (ELFS)
Every 3rd Thursday 7:00 pm Every 4th Tuesday 7:00 pm Every 2nd Wednesday 7:00 pm

GEPENC Community room 1572 Sunset Boulevard Edendale Library Community room 2011 W. Sunset Blvd. Edendale Library Community room 2011 W. Sunset Blvd.

Call (213) 250-3400 for info or visit www.GEPENC.org

Find out how you can help your neighborhoods branch.

POLITICAL
1st District Ed Reyes ......................... 213-473-7002 13th District Eric Garcetti...................323-957-4500 Congressman Xavier Becerra ............ 213-483-1425 Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard .. 213-628-9230 State Senator Gil Cedillo ...................323-225-4545 Assemblyperson Kevin de Leon ......... 213-612-9566 LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina .. 213-974-4111 Mayors Office................................ 213-978-0600

Positive Energy Group 4th Wednesday of Echo Park and 6:00 - 7:00 pm Silver Lake Area EP Farmers Market Edendale Book Club
Every Friday 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Every 3rd Monday 6:30 pm

For info: www.positiveenergy group.blogspot.com

CLEAN-UP
Abandoned Vehicles ....................................... 311 Cars Parked in Yards .....................1-888-524-2845 Hazardous Waste Disposal Info ......1-800-988-6942 Storm Drains ................................... 213-485-5391 Trash & Bulky Item Pick Up..............1-800-773-2489 LAFD Brush Clearance ..................... 818-374-1111

Parking lot #663 -- half a bock south of Sunset Boulevard (323) 463-3171 x13 Edendale Library Community room 2011 W. Sunset Blvd.

More info also available at our website, www.epia-echopark.org

www.epia-echopark.org P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA

www.epia-echopark.org www.U R B A N H I L L S I D E S .com P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA

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June-July 2012 Volume 19 Issue 3

EPIAn ways

ECHO PARK LIBRARIES - UPCOMING EVENTS

ECHO PARK BRAnCH LIBRARy
Teen Chess Night: Call for date Where is it?: How to use the library and website for school projects and reports. Call 213-2507808 for an appointment. Art Class for Kids: Kids will learn about art from an artist from LACMA and create something new each week. For hours please call 213-250-7808. GAB: Books come alive for kids when they share the fun of reading with GAB library volunteers. Call 213-250-7808 for hours. Computer classes: For info call 213-250-7808 Online Job Searching & Resume Review: This class will assist you in job searching, creating, and updating your resume. By appointment. Computer Classes to Go: Join us for Computer Comfort, Computer Classes for Improving your English, and Introduction to Beginning Web Design. By appointment only.

EPIAn ways Cont.: Elysian Reservoir

(Continued from page 1)

Juen-July 2012 Volume 19 Issue 3

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EDEnDALE BRAnCH LIBRARy

ELFS Used Book Sale: Wednesdays at 2:00 pm. GED class: Thursday, June 14 and June 21 at 2:30 pm. Get prepared to take the GED test in this free, weekly drop-in GED class. For Children Infant & Toddler Storytime: Wednesdays at 10:15 am. Children 1-3 and their special grownups join the childrens librarian for nursery rhymes, songs, finger plays, and books. Legos Club: Saturday, June 16 at 10:15 am. Join other children for some creative construction. Well provide the Legos and Duplos, but donations are welcome to help build up our collection. Danza Azteca Xochipilli: Tuesday, June 26 at 6:30 am. Schools out and the Summer Reading Club gets off to a rousing start with Aztec dances performed in multihued headdresses and regalia, accompanied by live music played on authentic wind and percussion instruments. Join the troupe for a special friendship dance. For Teens Teen Council: Thursday, June 7 at 5:30 pm Teen Cooking Club: Thursday, June 21 at 5:30 pm. We Own The night TRC Kick-Off: Sign up for this years Teen Summer Reading Program & partake in some gruesome gaming, creepy cupcakes, and devlishly good giveaways! Thursday, June 28 at 5:00 pm. Computer classes: Introduction to the Internet: This class offers an introduction to navigating the Internet and using a search engine. Students should already be able to use the mouse. June 9 at 2:00 pm Introduction to E-mail: In this class students create a free e-mail account and learn the basics of sending and receiving e-mail messages. June 16 at 2:00 pm.

A committee composed of dedicated EPIA and community members have been long supporting a plan that would ensure the maximum amount of open space. With underground tanks, we could have seven acres of open land on a canyon area of 40 acres in beautiful Elysian Park. Its not an unusual request Rowena Reservoir got this Rendering of floating cover - for more visit our website treatment a few years back. But the DWP doesnt like the price tag the floating neoprene cover (dubbed a rubber mat) is about $15 million. A below-ground reservoir, according the DWP proposal, would cost $110 million over 60 years (the money will be obtained by ratepayers, and possibly loans and grants). Time-wise, the rubber mat will take 2.5 years, versus 5.5 years for the buried reservoir. We all know the value of preserving our open, natural space in Elysian Park. Its unfortunate that all the DWP can see are dollar signs.

SErVICE HOurS: (both branches)

Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday-Saturday: Closed 10:00 am - 5:30 pm 12:30 pm - 8:00 pm 10:00 am - 5:30 pm 12:30 pm - 8:00 pm 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

For details: www.lapl.org

www.epia-echopark.org P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA

www.epia-echopark.org P.O. Box 261021, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Message Phone 877-860-EPIA