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NELAart News Arts and Culture in the Northeast of Los Angeles
Book Issue
Volume 3 No.3
nelaart.org
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June 2015
YOUR SUMMER READING LIST
Books by Angelenos, About Being Angeleno WIDE AWAKE Poets of Los Angeles and Beyond, edited by Suzanne Lummis One hundred twelve L.A. poets in one volume! This is undoubtedly the largest and most diverse such collection ever. Everything changed when the freeway was built, concrete covered flowing water below; Arts & Crafts flourished in the Arroyo Seco, most of the time, the creek’s slow. --Mike Sonksen Beyond Baroque Books LATITUDES AN ANGELENO’S ATLAS, edited by Patricia Wakida Nineteen Los Angeles contributors show us what we can learn from maps. Northeast L.A. writer Dan Koeppel takes us along the Dobbins Cycleway, a Pasadena to Los Angeles bicycle freeway that almost was, and contrasts 1899 and 2015 NELA. There are stories of incarceration and freedom, of Lizard People below and space exploration above. It’s a book about how dreams were made manifest and about how the dreamers before us left a written record. “The City of Angeles has reinvented itself numerous times,” says L.A. Public Library Map Librarian and NELA resident Glen Creason, “and maps continue to seduce, chronicle and offer insight…” Heyday Some of the Los Angeles Poets of Wide Awake
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SAve the Southwest Museum Mural! Residents of Mount Washington and other Northeast Los Angeles communities have been highly distressed for several months over the condition of the mural at the base of the Southwest Museum hill. The popular 2004 work by local artist Daniel Cervantes is so covered with graffiti that its images of Native People of the Americas are no longer discernible. Local arts activists are conducting a fundraising campaign to restore the mural. Cervantes has agreed to oversee the work. The mural was originally funded through a grant from the City of Los Angeles. Cervantes and a team of young volunteers collectively spent thousands of hours on the project. The restoration fundraising effort was born with a pledge of $1,000 from the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council (ASNC) in January. Since then Friends of the Southwest Museum has matched that donation, and The Highland Park Heritage Trust and Mount Washington resident Ann Walnum have each contributed $500. Area residents Josef Bray-Ali and Louisa Van Leer organized a bike tour of area museums and other historic sites on Museums of the Arroyo Day, which raised another several hundred dollars. “The Museum Riders are a wonderful example of community people stepping Photo: Cheryl Johnson up,” says Martha Benedict, Recreation, Culture and the Arts Representative on the ASNC. As the community effort has unfolded, The Autry National Center, which owns the Southwest Museum and the property on which the mural is located, and the Office of Los Angeles City Councilmember Gilbert Cedillo have agreed to match the funds raised. Cervantes estimates that it will take $16,000 to bring the mural back. The ASNC and other involved organizations agree that there must be additional funds raised to support on-going vigilance and maintenance. Photo: Cheryl Johnson
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According to Benedict, the neighborhood council’s Outreach Committee has been encouraged by Peter Quezada of Aztecs Rising to establish a monitoring team. “We plan to take regular surveys of the mural after it is completed in order to handle any tagging as soon as it appears,” says Benedict. The mural sits in a key location in Northeast Los Angeles. It is sited not only in relation to the Southwest Museum and its important collection of Native artifacts and art, but also as visible from the Metro Gold Line, as a gateway to Mount Washington, and on a pathway among other historic communities of Northeast Los Angeles. “We would like to make this part of a community effort to bring more people and improvements into that section of Marmion Way as a recreational area for walkers and joggers,” says Benedict. The public is, therefore, asked to participate in the effort to save the mural, as a symbol of the area’s heritage and as a sun-drenched stretch of color on a well-traveled route. Avenue 50 Studio is acting as fiscal sponsor for the Save Our Southwest Museum Mural drive. Donation checks may be made out to “Avenue 50 Studio” with an indication to designate the donation to the “Save Our Southwest Museum Mural” effort. The address is 131 North Avenue 50, Los Angeles, 90042. The Avenue 50 Studio Federal Tax ID Number is 54-2088575. There is a PayPal link at www.avenue50studio.org/save-thesouthwest-mural.
Namaste Highland Park Yoga Studio | Art Gallery | Tea Shop www.namastehighlandpark.com
Vinyasa Flow| Power Lunch | Candlelight Flow | Prenatal Kids Yoga | Yoga Sculpt | Mixed Level Flow
5118 York Blvd | Los Angeles | CA | 90042 2
It’s Summertime! (Sort of)
STaff
Summer is here! Well, actually soon enough. Since Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, it’s here. It’s time for the beach and vacations and barbeques...
Publisher Cathi Milligan Creative Director Cathi Milligan Managing Editor Margaret Arnold Intern Anthony Garcia Advertising Sales Mark Reitman Contributors: Margaret Arnold, Cornelius Peter, Brian Mallman, Amy Inouye, Stuart Rapeport, Cathi Milligan, Mark Reitman, Jennifer Hitchcock, Traci Green, Jeremy Kaplan, Shoshona Stolove, Larisa Code, Harvey Slater, Dave Tourje, Florence Kaplan NELAart News is published monthly at the beginning of each month. NELAart News is available free of charge. No person may, without prior written permission from NELAart News, take more than one copy of each monthly issue. Additional copies of the current issue are available for $1, payable in advance, at NELAart News office. Only authorized NELAart News distributors may distribute the NELAart News.
So have you started planning what special adventures you’ve got in store for yourself? Vacations...staycations...maybe a music festival or two...or some art. Whatever you do, don’t forget your sunscreen, maybe one of the books in our reading list, and your copy of the paper. Cathi Milligan Executive Director NELAart, Inc.
Copyright No news stories, illustrations, editorial matter or advertisements herein can be reproduced without written consent of copyright owner. How to reach us NELAart News 5668 York Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90042 323-387-9705 Contributions cathi.nelaart@gmail.com Calendar information margaretnelaart@gmail.com Sales - info@nelaart.org info@nelaart.org nelaart.org Where’s Monica? continued from page 1
A photo provided by Highland Park resident, Terry Dean, at the AidsLifeCycle Ride, raising money for Aids Research. Go Terry!
ALL INVOLVED A novel by Ryan Gattis In 1992, the City was on fire. Multiple narrators tell what happened when, for six days, law and order ceased to be, and old scores could be settled. All Involved is a skillfully told story, bluntly violent, but filled with surprises as lives intertwine. Harper Collins PIPE BOMB FOR THE SOUL by Alice Bag Based on the Northeast L.A. writer’s experiences in revolutionary Nicaragua in 1986. A feminist punk rocker teacher activist artist visits the country that symbolized hope for U.S. lefties, but struggled with how to be a just-born new society. Alice Bag Publishing www.AliceBag.com CALIFORNIA LOCOS For a blast of California summer, the catalogue from the extremely popular Coagula Curatorial visit to Art Miami is available on line, featuring the works of Chaz Bojórquez, Dave Tourjé, John Van Hamersveld, Norton Wisdom and Gary Wong. Native Angelenos take on sun, surf, skate, and graffiti and create art that expresses Southern California from the 60s to the present. www.californialocos.com SECRET WALKS: A WALKING GUIDE TO THE HIDDEN TRAILS OF LOS ANGELES by Charles Fleming Still warm from the presses, this book provides easy to follow maps, instructions, history and minutia for journeys throughout the City. Fleming includes three Northeast Los Angeles walks--The Sousa-Lummis Walk, The Arroyo Seco River Walk, and the Peanut Lake & Debs Park Walk. There are also journeys through Griffith and Elysian Parks and along the Los Angeles River. Santa Monica Press
Formerly having worked for and in the office of Paul M. Fleiss, MD
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AN HISTORIC NORTHEAST L.A. FIGURE RETURNS HOME The Art of Duval Eliot at Rock Rose Gallery
A major figure in Northeast Los Angeles art history is celebrated at Rock Rose Gallery in Highland Park with an extensive retrospective exhibit entitled “Lost Classics of Duval Eliot.” Duval Eliot worked in a variety of visual media, in a variety of styles. Her art was shown in major institutions, and she was widely honored during a career that spanned nearly 60 years. Much of the work was produced at her home studio in the shadow of the Eagle Rock. Born Ruby Duval Bearden in Arkansas and raised mostly in California, Eliot began her art career as a fashion illustrator while studying and then teaching at The Art Center School in Downtown Los Angeles. She went on to work in charcoal, oil, watercolor, acrylics, and pen and ink. In 1934, Duval Bearden married fellow artist Don Eliot, beginning a long mutually-supportive artistic relationship. In 1940, the Eliots designed and built a contemporary house and studio on North Figueroa Street in Eagle Rock (where the freeway is now). Their land descended to a horse trail and stream near the famous rock. It was there that the couple’s daughter, Tamara Noel Eliot, was born in 1941. Duval Eliot at Rock Rose Gallery The family traveled the world. The travels became central to Eliot’s work, reflected not only in her subject matter but also in her style. She viewed petroglyphs in the Southwest, met with David Alfaro Siqueiros in Mexico, and she experienced the vibrant colors of Kenya. All of the experiences were made manifest in the execution of her subsequent art work. A second important influence was that of space. When freeway construction displaced their Eagle Rock studio, the Eliots moved it to La Crescenta and expanded it. This gave Duval Eliot room to add silk-screen serigraphs, forged copper and large enamel panels to the list of media in which she worked. Tamara Eliot remembers her mother as always painting, always creating. At her death in 1990, Eliot left behind an estate of hundreds of works. The art has survived theft from the studio, grueling recovery by Tamara Eliot, and, more recently, an unfortunate amount of time in storage. Four hundred of those works are now available for community enjoyment and for purchase at Rock Rose Gallery. The relationship between Duval Eliot and Rock Rose began when Tamara Eliot, who was looking for a suitable gallery space in which to present her mother’s legacy, telephoned Rock Rose director Rosamaria Marquez. Marquez says that she immediately understood the historic importance and the artistic quality of Eliot’s work. Showing the work at the North Figueroa Gallery represents a homecoming of sorts, as the works are brought out of storage and returned “Lost Classics of Duval Eliot” at to Northeast L.A. The event also presents an opportunity for a new generation to be exposed to the work of a great local Rock Rose Gallery talent. On NELAart Second Saturday Gallery Night, a large sampling of the pieces will be on the walls and the rest will be on stands for viewing. The large body of work has been painstakingly curated by Tamara Eliot. The works are on sale to art collectors. But the experience is meant for everyone. “Everyone benefits from this woman’s joy of living,” says Marquez. Rock Rose will also be presenting a series of opportunities related to the exhibit. Over the course of the summer, there will be figure drawing classes for both novices and master students. There will be field trips and special programming for youth. A lecture series is in the works in conjunction with Pasadena Community College. A documentary film is planned. Rock Rose was established in Northeast Los Angeles in 2000, as an arts incubator for artists of all disciplines. Its stated mission is “Bridging communities through the arts.” Rock Rose Gallery is located at 4108 North Figueroa Street. Facebook: Rock Rose Gallery News 323.635.9126
Rosamaria Marquez of Rock Rose Gallery examines a folder of works by Northeast L.A. artist Duval Eliot.
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Cultura Nouveau at the Autry The winner of the Autry National Center’s “High Five Art” contest was unveiled May 21. Carlos Nieto III’s “Cultura Nouveau” is featured on a 50-foot banner on the back wall of the Autry in Griffith Park. The location is visible from the 5 Freeway and the Los Angeles River. “Cultura Nouveau is comprised of old and new symbols which call to mind a variety of cultures, from African to Middle Eastern to Asian,” says Nieto. “It is a visual symbiosis of cultures that play off each other and echo each other, a reflection happening now in the American West.”
deb3321 3321 Pasadena Ave (Los Angeles 90031 Lincoln Heights – across from Mom’s Tamales)
deb3321.com deb3321@gmail.com
At deb3321 Every Saturday from 11:00 am--3:00 pm UNINSTRUCTED FIGURE DRAWING SESSIONS INSTRUCTED CLASSES with NICK BROWN 7-10pm Wednesdays 7-9pm Second Saturday of the month. Open for NELAartwalk
Crit-Artist Dialogue, Exhibitions/Artists Lectures/Performances/ • • • .
Go to deb3321.com «
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Government Notes MUSEUM MONTH May was California Museum Month in recognition of the role that museums play in education, preservation and culture in the State. The declaration was made by both houses of the State Legislature in response to a motion made by Assemblymember Ian Calderon. In presenting the resolution, Calderon pointed out that there are more than 1,400 museums in the State of California. The Assemblymember stressed the role of museums in serving children and older adults, as “trustworthy stewards of artifacts and facts,” as educators, and as reliable sources of historic information. Calderon also reminded his colleagues of the role that museums play in the tourism economy, saying that, “Visitors to cultural and historic sites stay 53% longer and spend 34% more money than other kinds of tourists.” 74 members of the Assembly signed on as co-authors of the resolution, including Northeast Los Angeles area representatives Jimmy Gomez and Mike Gatto.
Local educator Carmela Gomes at the Southwest Museum STATE BUDGET FOR THE ARTS The state budget is still being worked out, but Governor Jerry Brown’s May revision of his proposed budget, based on revised revenue estimates, now proposes $6.1 million for the arts--a figure still far below the national average, but up from the $1.1 million proposed in the initial draft a few months ago. CITY BUDGET FOR THE ARTS After more than 40 hours of public deliberation on the part of the City Council’s Budget Committee, the Los Angeles City Council has passed its revisions to Mayor Eric Garcetti’s proposed city budget, and the final budget has been signed by the Mayor. The Mayor’s proposed 12.2% increase for the Department of Cultural Affairs was enacted. During the final deliberations, Councilmember Gilbert Cedillo sought and received council support for his second Northeast Jazz Festival, but it was support in principle without a specific dollar figure attached. At the request of Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, the Department of Cultural Affairs will be reporting to the Council’s Arts, Parks, Health, Aging and River Committee in the coming weeks on guidelines for funding of cultural and community events, as well as on recommendations to increase support for performing arts and live theater activities in the City. NEA GRANTS Several local arts organizations are among the recipients of $74 million in funding awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts to community-based projects. The California Alliance for Arts Education received $100,000 to support “Create CA,” a coalition for collective impact in arts education in California schools. The Los Angeles County Office of Education received $90,000 to support Technology Enhanced Arts Pueblo pottery at the Southwest Learning (TEAL), a collective impact project for public school teachers and administrators working across Museum school districts in Los Angeles County. The Autry National Center of the American West received $30,000 toward its “Native Voices” series supporting the development of new theatrical works by Native Americans. The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs received $40,000 to support “LA Stage Advance,” to prepare theater and dance companies for regional and national touring. Friends of Griffith Park received $20,000 to support a public art installation by Alan Sonfist and related lectures and workshops about land art. The Independent Shakespeare Company received $10,000 to support the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival. Occidental College was awarded $20,000 to conduct research in conjunction with the Autry into viewers’ perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and physiological responses to American-Indian photographs from the 1860s to the 1930s. The Renaissance Arts Academy received $55,000 for a tuition-free after-school and summer program through which artists will teach music and dance choreography to middle and high school students.
1577 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.478.9874 — contact@curvelinespace.com curvelinespace.com
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ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN L.A. Emphasizing the role that the entertainment industry plays in the local economy, Mayor Eric Garcetti has made protecting and expanding the industry a centerpiece of his administration. Following on the State’s tripling the tax credit, which he and other local representatives actively fought for, Garcetti has launched the “Greenlight Hollywood” campaign, led by Ken Ziffren, his senior advisor on entertainment industry issues, to work with production companies to take advantage of the tax credit. Garcetti also issued an executive directive to make City Hall more film-friendly and included in his budget proposals to invest in city services that would encourage filming and entertainment job creation. He also appointed Board of Public Works President Kevin James to serve as his Director and Chief Liaison of the Mayor’s Office of Film and Television Production to ensure that city processes are streamlined. MINI LIBRARIES Micro lending libraries have been popping up on public and private property across the City. Colorful and accessible, they have proven to be a way to promote literacy on a neighborhood level. When they are placed on a public right of way, however, they can trigger legal issues. As things stand, the City’s Bureau of Street Services only comes out in response to a complaint, and that has only happened A micro-library outside Good Luck Gallery once. That was enough, however, for the City Council’s Public Works Committee to recognize the need for in Chinatown clarification. A motion by Councilmember Paul Koretz, heard by the committee in April and passed by the full City Council in May, directs the Department of Public Works to study the feasibility of permitting micro-libraries. A report is to be brought back to the Council Committee within 45 days. The Glassell Park Neighborhood Council filed a Community Impact Statement in support of the measure on the grounds that reading and access to books is beneficial to residents and in the belief that meeting places, such a micro-libraries, enhance the sense of community in neighborhoods. STREET MEDIANS The Innovation and Performance Commission (IPC), created by the City of Los Angeles to give city employees, commissioners and the public the opportunity to submit ideas that can make the City work better, has unanimously approved $35,000 to fund the “Median Design Competition,” a concept submitted by Board of Public Works Vice-President Monica Rodriguez. The concept is to enlist the talent and creativity of landscape architects to design small and large scale median projects, which may then be considered by communities as neighborhood projects. Designers will create a “kit of parts” that includes blue prints, streamlined permitting and drought-tolerant technology.
Open house at State Senator Kevin de León’s office Nicaraguan dancers at State Senator Kevin de León’s open house Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez conducts sidewalk office hours outside Eagle Rock City Hall.
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Northeast Artists Out and About Two major exhibits are happening this month, outside of Northeast Los Angeles, but full of NELA art and culture. Both shows offer a smaller scale, more intimate understanding of artists whose work we may be more accustomed to seeing on a grander level. The studio work of some of L.A.’s established and emerging muralists will be the subject of an exhibit opening June 6 at Coururier Gallery on La Brea. In 1990, Couturier Gallery examined the studio work of five pioneering mural artists. Now, 25 years later, the gallery revisits those artists alongside a new generation of painters with “L.A. Muralists: In Their Studios II.” Featured artists include: Christina Angelina, David Botello, Pablo Cristi, Wayne Healy, Judithe Hernández, Alex “Defer” Kizu, Augustine Kofie, Lydiaemily, Kent Twitchell, John Valadez, and Richard Wyatt. 10% of all proceeds will benefit The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles. Couturier Gallery, June 6-July 18 Opening reception, June 6, 6-8 p.m. 166 North La Brea Avenue couturiergallery.com “Chicanitas: Small Paintings from the Cheech Marin Collection {size doesn’t matter}” opens at the Vincent Price Art Museum on June 13. The opening is on Second Saturday, but as the reception begins at 4 p.m., there will be time to get back to NELA for Gallery Night. The exhibit features 70 paintings by 29 artists. All of the works are from Cheech Marin’s famed collection of Chicano art. The pieces measure 16 square inches or less in size. According to the Vincent Price’s description of the show, “In contrast to other works in his [Marin’s] collection representing and promoting the Chicano art movement of the mid-60’s and 70’s, the content of many of these small paintings leans more toward the artists’ internal or personal statements rather than as a response to political, social or cultural situations. Chicanita artists include: Carlos Almaraz, Elsa Flores Almaraz, Jari “Werc” Álvarez, Carlos Donjuán, Ana Teresa Fernández, Diane Gamboa, Margaret García, Cici Segura González, Yolanda González, Jacinto Guevara, Roberto Gutiérrez, Adán Hernández, Leo Limón, José Lozano, Gilbert “Magu” Luján, Gronk Nicondra, Joe Peña, Sandy Rodríguez, Frank Romero, Sonia Romero, Ricardo Ruiz, Leigh Salgado, Marta Sánchez, Eloy Torrez, John Valadez, Patssi Valdez, Vincent Valdez, Sergio Vásquez, and Jaime “Germs” Zacarias. Vincent Price Art Museum, June 13-August 1 Opening reception, June 13, 4-6 p.m. East Los Angeles College, 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park vincentpriceartmuseum.org
Dwell on Design at the Convention Center by Cathi Milligan "Dwell on Design" is the largest design show, period. It was just held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It’s the Dwell magazine come to life with speakers and demonstrations and everything a designer and/or architect could want. You could tour pre-fab homes on site or sign up for outside home tours throughout the City. I have attended this show almost every year since it began 10 years ago. What a tiny show it started as! This year the people at Dwell are saying attendance broke records. I know I made my way over all three days, making sure I saw everything I could. I fell for a new product called Shapecrete, a moldable concrete product, which I get to try out before it hits the market. I also listened to Monkee Micky Dolenz, and his daughter Georgia speak about their furniture company and to Charles and Ray Eames' grand-daughter, Lisa Demetrios, speak about “Powers of 10." And Northeast Los Angeles was representing! Potted, the wonderful garden store in Atwater Village, had a booth, as did the Yarn Bombers, who were busy bombing away. Dwell on Design’s next stop is New York City in October. Potted’s booth
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THE NATURE OF SCULPTURE More than 80 sculptors--a number of them from Northeast Los Angeles--are participating in “The Nature of Sculpture, Art in the Garden” at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia. The artists selected their own spots in the gardens, and the exhibit covers much of the 127-acre site, while celebrating the diversity, and complimenting the beauty of the Arboretum’s botanic offerings. The works presented interface with their surroundings in a wide variety of ways-personal, communal, universal, cosmic. Collectively they bring a broad understanding of what it means to do site-specific work. The exhibit is curated by sculptor Patricia Ferber. Among the participating artists: Highland Park artist Raoul De la Sota’s chair sculpture carries myths and symbols from three indigenous cultures--The Chumash, The Anasazi, and The Aztec.
Margaret Garcia’s large mosaicked calavera, “La Dentuda,” brings a specific cultural expression that taps into universal themes to the gardens.
Los Angeles River artist and advocate Brett Goldstone’s “Water Engine With Birds” melds an understanding of function with an appreciation of beauty.
“Infanta en el Jardin” by Yolanda Gonzalez. Infanta is a term for the youngest in the Royal Court of Spain, and it was also the artist’s father’s term for her.
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THE NATURE OF SCULPTURE cont. continued from page 11
A Piñata by Lincoln Heights artist and mentor Oscar Magallanes. Magallanes’ works blend elements of popular culture and people’s movements.
Frogtown sculptor Michael Todd uses shapes found in steel scraps to explore Zen concepts, the cosmos and composition. “Grand Ikebanna,” sets the precision of Japanese flower arranging against the backdrop of the gardens.
Ordinance gone astray. “I have been interested in the many ways human beings invent to kill themselves in order to promote peace,” says Dan Van Clapp in his Artist Statement, “and the many ways they invent to try to keep others from killing them.” The Nature of Sculpture Art in the Garden Through August 1 The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia www.arboretum.org
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New Work from Teale Hathaway at Barbara’s at The Brewery
The Amgen Tour Rides Through Highland Park The Amgen Tour of California passed through Lincoln Heights, Cypress Park, Highland Park and Eagle Rock on its eighth and final day of competition. Here, the riders race up Monte Vista Street on their way to the finish line at the Rose Bowl. After 700 miles Peter Sagan won the race by a mere two millimeters.
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Northeast Los Angeles Arts Organization, Inc.
June 13, 2015 - 7pm - 10pm
(Individual Gallery Hours May Vary. CHECK Gallery web sites for individual information. Just because a gallery is listed does not mean it’s open this month)
42. Eklectomania 6152 York Blvd. facebook.com/EklectoMania
On the Secon Elysian Valley, art and eateri the updated l
43. State Farm Insurance (Haggus Society) 5683 York Blvd.
1. Avenue 50 Studio 131 No. Avenue 50 323. 258.1435 avenue50studio.org
21. The Market 1203 Avenue 50 www.themarkethp.com
2. Bike Oven/Flying Pigeon 3706 No Figueroa
22. Keystone Art Gallery 2558 N. San Fernando Rd.
45. The Slow Down Gallery @ Random Gallery 200 N. Ave 64
3. Namaste Highland Park 5118 York Blvd. www.namastehighlandpark.com
23. Cactus Gallery @ Treeline Woodworks 3001 N. Coolidge Ave
46. Curve Line 1577 Colorado Blvd.
4. Offbeat 6316 York Blvd www.offbeatbar.com
24. The York 5018 York Blvd.
47. The Glass Studio 5668 York Blvd. www.theglassstudio.net
25. Ball Clay Studio 4851 York Blvd. ballclaystudio.com
48. Rock Rose Gallery 4108 N. Figueroa St. 323.635.9125
26. Handcraft and Hart Hair 4733 Eagle Rock Blvd. handcraftandhart.com
49. All Star Lanes 4459 N Eagle Rock Blvd. 323.254.2579
27. Antenna Studio 1617 Colorado Blvd. antennastudioart.com
50. Boney Puppy Studio 5106 York Blvd.
5. Council District Office #1 Gil Cedillo 5577 N. Figueroa St. 6. Future Studio 5558 N Figueroa St. 323 254-4565 futurestudio.com 7. Slow Culture 5906 N Figueroa St. 8. Meridian 5007 1/2 York Blvd. meridianstorela.com
28. The Greyhound Highland Park Independant Film Festival 570 N. Figueroa St.
44. The New Seed Ave 34 & Verdugo
51. Apiary Gallery at The Hive Highland Park 5670 York Blvd. www.thehive.la
29. Urchin 5006 1/2 York Blvd.
52. Bookshow 5503 Figueroa St. www.bookshow.com
30. Sawhorse 5110 York Blvd.
53. Arroyo General 5028 York Blvd.
31. O & M Leather 5048 Eagle Rock Blvd www.ommleather.com
54. Rosie Bunny Bean 1309 N. Ave 51 rosiebunnybean.com
32. Vapeology 3714 N. Figueroa St. 323.222.0744
55. co-Lab Gallery 5319 York Blvd. www.co-Lab.com
33. Pop-Hop 5002 York Blvd. www.thepophop.com
56. The luxelust life Vintage Furniture 6095 York Blvd
13. Mi Vida 5159 York Blvd.
34. Social Studies 5028.5 York Blvd.
14. deb3321 3321 Pasadena Ave.
35. Nomad Art Compound 1993 Blake Ave.
57. Bob Taylor Properties 5526 N. Figueroa St. 323-257-1080
15. Antigua Coffee House 3400 N. Figueroa St. www.antiguacoffeehouse.com
36. Leanna Lin’s Wonderland 5204 Eagle Rock Blvd. www.leannalinswonderland.com
16. Align Gallery 5045 York Blvd. www.aligngallery.com
37. Good Eye Gallery 4538 N. Eagle Rock Blvd. www.goodeyegallery.com
17. New Stone Age Mosaics 1754 Colorado Blvd.
38. Highland Cafe 5010 York Blvd. 323.259.1000
9. Vapegoat 5054 York Blvd. 323.963.VAPE 10. Bearded Beagle 5926 N. Figueroa St. 11. Shopclass 5215 York Blvd. 323.258.2500 shopclassla.com 12. Matters of Space 5005 York Blvd www.mattersifspace.com 323.743.3267
18. Panorama Press House 4700 York Blvd. www.thepanoramapress.com 19. Evil or Sacred Tattoos 4524 Eagle Rock Blvd. 20. Toros Pottery 4962 Eagle Rock Blvd 323.344.8330 torospottery.com 14
39. CucuArt Gallery 4704-06 Eagle Rocl Blvd. 323.202.0672 40. Vintage Tattoo Art Parlor 5115 York Blvd. 41. Eagle Rock Hub of Arts and Culture 2012 Colorado Blvd. www.joseveraantiques.com
58. MAN Insurance Ave 50 Satellite 1270 N. Ave 50 323.256.3151 59. Possession Vintage 5119 York Blvd. www.possessionvintage.com 60. The Hunt Vintage 5317 York Blvd. www.thehuntvintage.com 61. Two Tracks Pola Lopez, open studio. 131 North Avenue 50 62. The U Space 2626 N. Figueroa St., suite C
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nd Saturday of every month galleries, businesses, and artists in Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Cypress Park, , and Lincoln Heightsopen their doors a little later in the evening and welcome visitors. Use this map for locations of ies, grab someone you love, get some dinner, and enjoy some art. Friend NELA Art Gallery Night on Facebook for last minute list.
Second Saturday Gallery Night map is sponsored by
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Second Saturday May 2015
Los Four and Richard Duardo at The Cypress Village Art Tunnel
The Cypress Village Art Tunnel
Eloy Torres, José Rodriguez, Ivan Renteria at The Cypress Village Art Tunnel
Maria Palacios at Councilmember Gilbert Cedillo’s office
INSURGENCY INC. at Gold Haus Gallery
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Barbara Horoshko Nichols at Bob Taylor Properties
Patrick Reidy for Brujeria Skateboards at The York
Stephanie Allespach and Michael Arata at Leanna Lin’s Wonderland
Happy 5th Anniversary Urchin!!
Davis & Davis at Leanna Lin’s Wonderland
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You say “leaf” I say “pad”
Hellooo NELA Families! It’s me Traci Green from The Green Bean Kid Shop! JUNE is Dad’s month (everyday) & full of all kinds of interesting, enriching, fun family activities…. Mondays 10-10:45am Baby Sign Language Class 6mo-3yrs Drop-in $11 The Green Bean Patio Thegreenbeangoods.com Learn basic words to communicate with your little Bean Mondays 3-4pm Spanish Immersion Class for K-2 Drop in $6 *Starts June 8 The Green Bean Patio thegreenbeangoods.com Each hour class focuses on animals, colors etc. thru Songs, Puppets, crafts, Stories Tuesdays 10:15 &11:15am FamilySong 0-5yrs FREE Kids/$8 per adult The Green Bean thegreenbeangoods.com World Music song circle for families since 2006
Whatever you call it, that ubiquitous cactus that is probably hanging out in more NELA back yards than many of us realize, is packed with superfood nutrition. The leaf or “pad” of the nopale is believed to support many aspects of health and well being such as weight loss, blood purification, maintaining blood sugar balance, and more. My personal philosophy is that nature designed the nopale to provide good, somewhat complete nutrition in climates where growing and cultivating food, and finding an abundant water source may be a challenge. In any case, I feel extremely lucky to have two nopale trees in my food garden. They are going crazy right now producing more nopales than we can keep up with. In the spirit of water conservation, food sustainability and good health, how about exploring how much usable nopales there are growing in your world? Here is a simple, very traditional egg recipe for enjoying fresh nopales from your garden. Be sure to cut the nopale when the leaf is still young and the thorns are still soft to the touch. Once the thorns have become woody and hard, the nopale leaf is too mature for culinary enjoyment. You can cut nopales, clean, and cut into “nopalitos,” basically cleaned and cut up nopales, and store them in an air tight bag or container for up to a week or two. huevos con nopalitos
Wednesdays 10:30-11:30am Storytime FREE with Teacher ART! The Green Bean thegreenbeangoods.com Pre-school teach shares stories, songs & art from the heart Thursdays 10:30-11am Storytime! FREE The Green Bean 5060 Eagle Rock Blvd thegreenbeangoods.com Join Ms. Jeannette for puppets, stories & songs Spanish/ English Fridays Starts* June 12 7-11pm FREE DJ Dance Party Downtown on the Plaza musiccenter.org Saturdays Wood Working Workshops 5+ $10 Drop-In Sidestreet.org Ck Schedule for Saturday projects and *Summer Camp Info June 6 Sanitation Dept Open House 9am-2:30pm FREE L.A. District Yard, 3990 Menlo Ave. lacitysan.org Explore Garbage trucks close up, food , prizes and Free Tree Giveaway June 6- 7 10th Annual Lummis Day! FREE Lummis Home, Heritage Square,& 3 other locations Enjoy music, dance, food, kid crafts, art exhibits
lummisday.org
June 6-7 9am-6pm CatCon (Like Comic-Con for Cats) $15 under 5 FREE The Reef LA, 1933 S Broadway catconla.com YUP! It’s a ComicCon FOR CAT June 13 10:30am-3pm Explore Big Trains at Travel Town! FREE Travel Town, 5202 Zoo Dr. traveltown.org A Rare chance to see the inside of the trains! Playtime, Docent tours June 18 3pm Cloth Diaper Class by The Cloth Menagerie FREE The Green Bean Back Patio thegreenbeangoods.com 3rd Thurs of every month Find out the how, what, wear, washing of cloth diapers June 20-21 5-10pm FREE Obon Festival Valley Japanese Community Center, 8850 Lankershim Blvd. Sun Valley Japanese-city.com Minyo Concert, Taiko drumming , Bon Odori dancing, food, Judo, Karate, Kendo exhibitions June 21 11am Legends of King Arthur $9 under 2 FREE 3-8yrs Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. theatricum.com Worth the drive* Amazing Interactive, theatre in-the-round under the trees for families June 24 8pm-10pm $20 All Ages Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Movie Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway laconservancy.org Classic movies in old theatres! pre-show organ music by 1928 Wurlitzer Organ, get $10 Sugarfina Giftcard,
Makes 2 servings 1 large or 2 small nopale pads 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed but still intact 1/2 medium onion, chopped 4 eggs 1 tbsp. healthy cooking oil of your choice Salt & pepper to taste Chopped cilantro, scallion, or other fitting green food for garnish Sliced avocado and salsa (optional) Working carefully not to prick your fingers, peel the thorns from the nopale using a pearing knife or potato peeler. Cut the stem end of the pad if it is rough and woody, so that there is just tender nopale pad left. Rinse briefly then cut into strips and then into cubes, about 1/2 inch or so. You now have “nopalitos.’ In a saucepan cook the nopalitos with enough water to cover, along with the smashed garlic, long enough for the garlic and nopalitos to become tender, maybe 10 minutes. Strain and rinse once with cold water. With your fingers, pick out the garlic, smash with your fingers or mince with a knife and add back into the nopalitos. This will add extra yummy flavor when you cook the nopalitos with the eggs. In a medium egg pan, heat the oil and sautee the onions and the nopalitos-garlic until the onions become tender. Add the eggs and scramble as you would with any scrambled egg & vegetable dish. Taste for salt & pepper, toss in the green garnish at the last minute, and serve with your favorite salsa, sliced avocado (optional) and tortillas. Harvey Slater is a chef and holistic nutrition & wellness coach. For more healthy recipes, visit his blog: www.thewholedish.wordpress.com
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Classes in NELA
Besides being a haven for artists and creative types, Northeast Los Angeles is the home of a fine array of arts classes, especially the industrial arts, but not limited to them. Below is a list of some of the businesses in the area that have classes. Do check with the facility to verify times and prices of their classes. As we find more places we will bring that information to all of you. Adam’s Forge 2640 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 Adamsforge.org You may email Nancy with questions at blacksmithclasses@gmail.com Discovery Days 2nd Sunday 9-1pm $60 Discovery Nights 2nd Thursday Night $60 Open Forge Every Tuesday from 7-10 pm, Once a month 2nd Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm, Every 2 months on the 2nd Sat. 1 pm – 5 pm, Every 2 months on the 4th Sat. 1 pm – 5 pm $40 Hot Forging series of 4 classes $80 per session CBA Level 1 Series New Series starts in June 20 First Sunday $80 Instructor Workshop Second Saturday of the Month $50 9 am - 3pm Forging for Woodworkers First Friday and Saturday of the Month $220 7 pm - 10 pm Chasing and Repoussé $190 Sat June 27 - 28 9 am - 3 pm The Glass Studio 5668 York Blvd. 323.387.9705 www.theglassstudio.net Jewelry Tuesdays June 2, 9, 16, 23 11-2 $250 Fused Glass Wednesdays June 3, 10, 17, 24 11-2 $250 Earrings June 12 6-8pm $60 Pattern Bars June 13-14 12-4pm $250 Hearts and Flowers Beads June 20-21 11-4 $250 Glass Blowing June 13 11-4pm space is limited $250 Glass Blowing June 14 11-4pm space is limited $250 Glass Blowing June 20 11-4pm space is limited $250 Glass Blowing June 21 11-4pm space is limited $250 O&M Leather 5048 Eagle Rock Blvd. 323-274-4640 www.ommleather.com Metal Stamping Jewelry Classes Ages 7 & up $100 Basic Leather Working Classes Leather 1 - Leather Basics $200 Leather 2 - Cutting and Skiving $200 Leather 3 - Hand Stiching $200 Leather 4 - Color, Finishes, and Leather $200 For information about scheduling call their store at (323)274-4640 or email them at ommeather@gmail.com
Molten Metal Works 2558 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 moltenmetalworks.net INTRO MIG: One Day Welding Sundays, 10am - 4pm Wednesdays, 10am - 4pm $180 INTRO to TIG Friday 6/5 4-10pm MIG, TIG, Oxy Taster Class Friday Night, 6/12 6-9pm $75 BBQ Grill Making 3 Saturdays 6/6, 6/13, 6/20 9am - noon $375 Wood & Metal: Live Edge Table Sat-Sun 6/27-28 9am - noon $275 Sign up for thru Community Woodshop Wood & Metal: Hair Pin Stool Sat-Sun 6/27-28 9am - noon $275 Sign up for thru Community Woodshop 6 week classes are also available. To register for all classes, and for more information, please visit moltenmetalworks.net Toros Pottery 4962 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.344.8330 Mon. 11:30am-2:30pm Adult Class Mon. 6:30pm-9:30pm Adult Class Tues. 6:30pm-9:30pm Adult Class Tues. 4:30pm-6:00pm Kids Class Wed. 6:30pm-9:30pm Adult Class Thurs. 6:00pm-9:30pm Adults Only Fri. 11:30am-9:30pm Adults Only Sat. 11:30am-2:00pm Kids and Parent Mandatory fee of $15 for tool use (not including brushes and trimming tools). Space 1506 Mission St. South Pasadena, CA 91030 626.441.47788 spaceartcenter.com Birthday Parties and Spring Camp available Tinker Studio Week #1 ages 5-10 Tues. and Thurs., June 23 & 25 2-4pm $50 Tinker Studio Week #2 ages 5-10 Tues. and Thurs.,June 30 & July 2 2-4pm $50 Check the schedule for upcoming kids art classes! Rock Rose Gallery 4108 N. Figueroa Street Highland Park, CA 90065 323.635.9126 rockrosegallery.com ARTIST MARKET during NELA Art Tour 6-10pm LIFE DRAWING with Jeanie Frias Instructed Figure Drawing (beginners welcome) June 23, 7-10pm $30 Master Workshop June 30, 7-10pm, $60 Nude model, closed doors, reservations required. Must be 18 years or older to attend. Bring your own drawing and painting materials. GUITAR for beginners (en Espanol) Saturdays in June 6,13,20, 27, 10am-11:30am $40 for series. Reservation required.
Community Woodshop 2558 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles CA 90065 626.755.4202 www.community woodshopla.com These guys offer a wonderful selection of classes from beginner to advanced, membership, and private lessons. Please check their web site for more information and a list of classes. New Stone Age Mosaic Studio 1754 Colorado Blvd Eagle Rock They offer mosaic classes on Mondays and Tuesday. All classes are on going and open to all skill levels.We also do mosaic birthday parties. Call Mary at (323) 547-2021 for more information. Little Knittery 3195 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039 thelittleknittery@gmail.com Beginning Crochet Saturdays 3:30-5:30 Tuesdays 1:00-3:00 Beginning Knitting Sundays 3:30-5:30 Wednesdays 1:00-3:00 Check schedule for new macramé classes Ball Clay 4851 York Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90042 310.954.1454 ballclaystudio.com Intermediate Ceramics Pottery Class 6 class sessions Check web site for start date $240 Deb3321 3321 Pasadena Ave. Los Angeles, CA email: deb3321@gmail.com Uninstructed Figure Drawing Saturdays 11:00am - 3:00pm $5.00/hr Strictly Charcoal 11am - 1pm First two Saturdays of every month. Christine Haenen Artists Crit Saturdays Starting at 3:30 $5/session Crit with Karen Stained Glass Supplies 2104 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.254.4361 Stained Glass Class Tues. 9-12 or 6:30-9:30 Wed. 9-12 or 6:30-9:30 Thurs. 9-12 or 6:30-9:30 Sat. 9-12 $95 - 8 weeks Tools - $45 - $125 Materials - $45 - $100 Classes are ongoing
DECLAMACION (Recitation en Espanol) with Anna Garcia Emphasizes the use of voice and subtlety of gesture. Wednesdays, June 10, 17, 24. 7 p.m. $30 for series Reservation required. CROCHET, beginners/intermediate. Thursdays, June 11, 18, 25, 7pm-8:30, $5ea Supplies and crochet needles available for use and purchase. Reservation required.
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June 2015
Nelaart News
Healthy Backs Yoga -The journey is the Goal Written by Shoshana Stolove Yoga teacher / Designer / Creative Lady I crave deep soul fulfillment, yet I often find myself falling for the illusion that externals will bring me wholeness. I’ve spent many years chasing the ephemeral dangling carrot, believing I will finally be happy when… I’m successful, beautiful, have this or that. I was often very restless. I remember when I was a little girl, I would desperately want something - jeans, sneakers, toys, a certain friend. I gave these things magical powers, truly believing that once I had them I would be happy and fulfilled. Fulfillment never came, just more yearning and emptiness. I was always future tripping, the present was never good enough. It’s great to want more, to keep growing and evolving, but just not at the expense of the present. I need to remind myself to appreciate all the steps on the journey. No one moment is more valuable or more important than another. It all matters, life is now, and it’s time to stop missing it. There will always be the next thing to work towards. We are never done. The challenge is to stay present with the wanting, turn it over, and enjoy the ride. To have the desire, the dreams, the vision and feel content right where I am. Ahh… patience, trust, letting go of outcome, space for mystery, space for life, and gratitude every step along the way. “All things as they are happening, are happening in perfect order. And if you will relax and begin saying, ‘everything in its perfect time. Everything is unfolding. And I’m enjoying where I am now in relationship to where I’m going. Content where I am, and eager for more’ that is the perfect vibrational stance.” --Abraham-Hicks Desire and passion are wonderful, especially when balanced with breath, spirit, and presence. It’s when I abandon and reject the present and get lost in the future fantasy that causes pain. True soul fulfillment lies in arriving fully in the present moment just as it is, just as we are, letting go of the idea that life is better somewhere else. What is happening now is what really matters. It’s courageous to fully arrive… to have the willingness to slow down and feel. ‘Change me into someone who truly arrives, who can truly receive all the gifts of this moment.’ (Change me prayer, inspired by Tosha Silver) Come align our spines and spirits! Namaste Highland Park shoshanastolove.com
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Plant of the Month Larisa Code
Note: Create peace, one garden at a time. Featured Plant: Basil/Ocimum Edible Summer Annual Full Sun/slight shading with taller plants helps in severe heat Regular water for lovely growth The other day I took the subway into downtown LA. I used to ride the subway all the time when I could walk to the station, but now, the bus takes too long and driving there seems odd, so it is an unusual occurrence. One time when I was riding, this dude got on (I have to call him ‘dude’ based on his entire demeanor). He was wearing a sweat suit, complete with a head band and Walkman. Once the train started moving, he did an entire dance set, crouching down, jumping up, spinning around. It was amazing! This inspired me to create an entire skit. It involved a cheerleader outfit, a fanny pack (my friend says everything is funnier with a fanny pack), dance moves and a friend. One of us would wear the outfit, get on the subway, do a dance/cheer, real serious like, maybe even spelling something out, ‘give me an S, a U, a B,’ you know all the way to subway or spell out Red Line, but pure improv. The other would secretly film not only the skit, but the people’s reactions. Then we would return another day, roles reversed. It was so exciting, and my friend and I planned it for weeks. I even found an old cheerleader outfit in Venice. We never did it. It was a fleeting idea, but, it was so fun, so pleasurable, and it brought me so much joy, all that went into my little scheme. Basil is like that. It takes effort and work, but every experience with it is so delicious and then, just like my skit, it is gone, maybe due to severe heat, but usually it succumbs to the cold. There are many benefits to basil. It improves the flavor of your tomatoes, if you are willing to open your mind to companion planting. It deters some pests, like mosquitos (but grasshoppers and snails find no problem with it and enjoy it quite wholeheartedly), it smells wonderful, it is so good in a large variety of foods: tomato and basil salad, Yum, a sandwich with olive oil, salt, pepper, cheese and basil, Yum again! With our severe sunlight and heat, like I do with lettuce, I plant my basil close to taller plants, where it receives a bit of shade from its bedmates. Sweet basil is my favorite, but the visual impact of large leaf is stunning. If, like me, your vegetable garden has to be not only productive, but aesthetically pleasing, mix in the purple leaf, the variegated, Thai, all types in a row, jammed together, in front of your tomatoes. That is pretty and pragmatic! Basil can re-seed itself, but I pinch off the flowers as soon as they start to develop, to extend my production time. Two years ago, my sweet basil was massive and re-seeded everywhere. It was the first time I had experienced that, and it was so exciting, like a treasure hunt. Basil is an annual, though. I have heard stories of it returning every year, but that’s suspect. Include it with your veggies, as it prefers regular water, like your other edibles. Then, just as soon as basil has become an all-consuming idea, included in every meal, it will become the skeleton of a plant after a few too many cold nights. I leave a few plants for the birds and replace the others with a new crop. Plant basil, do a cheer on the subway, enjoy the short, small bursts of pleasure that add up to joy.
Eagle Rock’s very own HOT DOG spot! Colorado Blvd. La Roda Ave.
Parking
Argus Dr.
Taco Bell
1740 colorado blvd. los angeles, ca 90041 323.285.4850 mon-sat 11-9 sun 11-7
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June 2015
Nelaart News
HIghland Park Community Softball The Highland Park Community Softball Game, May 31, sponsored by the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, Aztecs Rising and Councilmembers Cedillo and Huizar. Final results: everybody won.
MOTA Day
Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council President Monica Alcaraz and her daughter Noelani at Charles Lummis’ roll top desk--in it’s original location in the Lummis House for the first time in 113 years. Museums of the Arroyo Day, May 2015.
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Take It To the Bank TEATRO ARROYO // Theater Stream and the Arroyo Arts Collective’s evening of art, music and comedy inside the historic bank building on North Figueroa Street. Cheech, by Stuart Rapeport, visits the bank vault
Luis Perez-Ixoneztli and Christopher Garcia Comedy with Danielle Perez
The Evangenitals
Art by Cathi Milligan and Pola Lopez
Freak - Ritual Death (self-released) This motor-psycho trio came roaring on the scene recently with a self-released, pro-dubbed cassette EP made available for FREE, if you were quick on the draw. I, for one, hope there's a wider release (hopefully on the almighty vinyl) planned for the near future. These guys truly have a sound of their own, well as much as anybody since Elmore James has anyway. The songs are short and sour, noisy yet melodic, punishing yet groovy. The singer sounds like the bastard-child of Ross Knight, which is somewhat odd, since he's Californian, but welcomed. Fans of Venom P. Stinger, Feedtime, Onyas, and the Cosmic Psychos will definitely want to get acquainted. These are truly blokes you can trust. Permanent Records - LA 5116 York Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90042 Ph./Fx. - (323)739-6141 Sign up for our weekly email update at: permanentrecordsla.com Sample releases from the Permanent Records label at: soundcloud.com/permanentrecords Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter too! facebook.com/pages/Permanent-Records-Los-Angeles/279666765383595 instagram.com/permanentrecordsla twitter.com/Permanent_LA
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June 2015
Nelaart News
Tyco on the hifi RIP BB King
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SUMMER LIST
By Jen Hitchcock It is right about now that every magazine, newspaper and blog publishes a list for summer. More than any other time of year, summer seems to be the top season for making lists--best beach reads, top vacation spots, exciting tourist destinations, road trip routes, foods to barbecue, best sunblocks, top beaches. It goes on and on all summer long. And this is completely understandable because who wants to read anything more weighty than a list during summer? After a long, very mild threeweek southern California winter, I know I am spent! I don’t know about you dear reader, but it got to the point this past winter that if I had to watch one more news report showing east coasters shoveling snow, I was going to shut off the TV, put on a light jacket and go sit outside! Yes, this winter was exhausting. And the last thing I want to do after that kind of winter is drag my eyes over a full paragraph when SUMMER HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! To celebrate, I have crafted my own summer list. Enjoy! TOP TEN WORD COMBINATIONS YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE IN A SUMMER LIST: 1. Outdoor music and medical festival. 2. Glory hole popsicle. 3. Cement floatation device. 4. KOA Kabin fever. 5. Flypaper bikini. 6. Barbecued Lifeguard. 7. Corns on the crabs. 8. Prison road trip. 9. Manson family vacation. 10.Vacation Bible Camp Oh and hey… do you need a good beach read? Come visit me at my bookshop in Highland Park. Book Show is located at 5503 N. Figueroa St right at Avenue 55. www.bookshowla.com
Then and Now Chaz Bojórquez, the “godfather of graffiti art,” grew up near Avenue 43 and the Arroyo Seco in Highland Park. It was here that he began his dialogue with gang and street iconography, including graffiti in the Arroyo Seco tunnels dating back many decades. Though not a gang member himself, the powerful self-expression and black/white aesthetics struck a chord with Chaz, who had a fascination with Asian lettering forms as well. It was while studying art at the renowned Chouinard Art Institute, which Chaz was in the last graduating class of in ‘73, that the legendary Abstract Expressionist and Sumi Ink master Matsumi Kanemitsu saw Chaz’s lettering and suggested he continue that work. It was the first time Chaz was told that this work was “art,” and the advice stuck with him. Since then, Chaz is credited with elevating graffiti art to the gallery and museum walls, as well as being the first to use stencil tags, a full 30 years before Banksy made it a career. - Dave Tourjé
art on the wall
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June 2015
Nelaart News
“Raising the Rent” by Florence the Dog READ Books “Dos Casas” I am a dog like other dogs. I have homes on both coasts: Eagle Rock and Highland Park. My day home is a couch in a store where my bipeds sell their books and frequently fall asleep while gazing at a computer screen. My evening home is a couch in an old house where my bipeds drink from bottles sheathed in brown bags, prior to passing out beside me on my couch. Mine. In between naps, we walk. I am a dog who walks like other dogs. I meet other dogs in parks, on urban sidewalks, and precipitous staircases. Sometimes we chat vociferously, other times we serenely sniff one another’s butts. I have very few complaints. I am also a dog who is not so different from your average biped. When you bipeds want to interact with your species, but there are none of them around for you to bark at, no riveting butts to sniff, then you procure information by reading, yes? Books, newspapers, computer screens? On days when I walk northeast L.A. and do not encounter my species, I cull information from urine strategically sprinkled by my brothers & sisters. This is The News, and it can be found in the grass, the base of a lamppost, on the cozy stoop where bipeds sit. “A Beagle’s Tale” ‘Twas a year or two ago when the poop began to change in Highland Park. Where once sat pleasing pellets of asada-infused Chihuahua stool, I encountered shih tzu excrement smelling suspiciously of vegetables. In kind, my encounters with yipping Chihuahuas, pugnacious pit bulls, and various mutts grew infrequent. In their stead I began to notice the vegan shih tzus, oddly coiffured poodles, and cartoonishly bearded corgis. Some of them snuffled & barked; others were ostensibly aloof. They were okay enough, though I missed my old, indigenous neighbors. Where had they gone? Then I remembered the beagles. They’re a yappy lot, teeming with information that is largely trifling, lowest common denominator stuff. But they inundate the airwaves with sheer volume, thus tractable canines tend to listen to them more than necessary. Last year I’d encountered myriad beagles proclaiming that Highland Park was the place to be, the hottest neighborhood in Los Angeles, even America. Many of them had yelped the same thing about Eagle Rock the previous year. Beagles, I figured, are village idiots with impressive vocal range, and thus I ignored them. Story of my life; the trends I resolve to ignore are the ones every other dog latches onto & humps like a tantalizing biped leg. Suddenly there were pallid poodles practicing hot yoga poses in the park; shaggy corgis eating overpriced donuts & pizza crusts left on the street, yet still producing sweet smelling stool compliments of their fancy-pants doggy laxatives. Which is cool. I respect yoga, would happily eat bacon on my donuts if I could afford such luxuries, and I wish poop flowed from my tush like peppermint ice cream. But what happened to my old friends I used to talk to on the street, or bark at from my couches? Or hell, my old nemeses that kept me up all night with their incessant howling? I decided to go outside and smell the pee that carried the news. “The Oracle at Excreta” My capable nose sniffed out some facts that my eyes already saw—the displacement of my neighbors by a more affluent breed—as well as a few facts with a decidedly acrid bouquet. Wolves. No, it was not their excretion I detected. Such creatures rarely dwell in my neighborhoods; they prefer sequestered hills, and such places do not come cheap. This is what my nose told me. Wolves are investors. They listen to the loud, influential yapping of beagles, and then descend upon the relatively low-rent communities that they have proclaimed the next hip locale. Wolves tell property owners: “See that couch where that mutt sits? How much you charging that mutt to sit there? Well, if you kick that mutt off his/her couch, I will bring you a better breed of dog that will pay more to sit on the same damn couch. My pooches eat $5 donuts; those mutts eat $1 tacos. Do the math, dog.” And the wolves get their commissions, which they take back to their secluded homes in the hills. Many of my renter neighbors were priced off their couches. Some of my neighbors that owned their couches saw an economic opportunity and sold them to hipster dogs with relatively deep pockets. Me? I rent my couch in Eagle Rock. What if one of these wolves offer my landlord a sweet financial upgrade? Then where will I sit? Where will I put all these books? Innumerable wolves constantly pester me with proposals for the couch that I own in Highland Park. To them I suggest that they sniff my butt, and then I attempt to do just that to theirs. Win win. Some of the stories I have sniffed suggest that dogs who lose their couches should simply move on, presumably— if this brand of economics-driven culture is to prevail—to a less affluent neighborhood where the whole scene can repeat itself. Except this time, if I am compelled to move, it will be I usurping another dog’s couch, another breed’s sidewalk. But what if one dog, like me, can find a way to move into another dog’s neighborhood and just, I dunno, appreciate the culture that already exists there? With patience, maybe after a few years in which a dog like me commits himself to the neighborhood, perhaps the better parts of my culture can amalgamate with the one that already exists there? It’s a difficult task in a world where we are led by the strident whimsy of beagles, when we pay off wolves for their dubious services. Some of us just want a decent couch on which to lay our heads. Follow Florence on Instagram @readbookseaglerock, or access her with #readbookseaglerock & #readwithflorence.
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tracy estate tracy do do real real estate #1 in sales on the Eastside and voted “The Best” in Silver Lake. In the last 12 months we handled over 100 successful transactions in Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Highland Park, Mt. Washington, Eagle Rock and Atwater Village. That’s more than any other real estate team, and our results were better, too.
Knowledge, service and dedication to getting you what you want. Go with who’s proven. Work with the best.
FOR SALE 1852 Deloz Avenue, Los Feliz 1132 Le Gray Avenue, Highland Park 1010 Sycamore Ave.,103, S. Pasadena 1624 Allesandro Street, Silver Lake 12321 Ocean Park Blvd #4, West LA 444 Museum Drive, Mt. Washington NELA Union, Glassell Park
RECENT SALES SINGLE FAMILY HOMES 1822 Lucile Avenue, Silver Lake 1901 Apex Avenue, Silver Lake 4033 Tracy Street, Los Feliz 4860 Wicopee Street, Eagle Rock 3353 Jeffries Avenue, Cypress Park 2318 Lyric Avenue, Los Feliz 6222 Bertha Street, Highland Park 1718 N. Occidental Blvd., Silver Lake 4911 Malta Street, Highland Park 2445 Riverside Place, Silver Lake 3145 Atwater Avenue, Atwater Village 2862 Palmer Drive, Eagle Rock 1312 El Paso Drive, Glassell Park 5715 Briarcliff Road, Los Feliz 1444 Murray Drive, Silver Lake 1428 Laveta Terrace, Echo Park 1933 Redcliff Street, Silver Lake 1913 Wollam Street, Mt Washington 4909 La Roda Avenue, Eagle Rock 4848 Algoma Drive, Eagle Rock 3933 Clayton Avenue, Los Feliz
839 E. Kensington Road, Angelino Hts 1530 Braeburn Road, Altadena 1315 Calumet Avenue, Angelino Hts 2703 W Bellevue Ave, Silver Lake 711 S Avenue 60, Highland Park 2210 E. Dudley Street, Pasadena 3145 Carlyle Street, Glassell Park 5656 Tuxedo Terrace, Hollywood Hills 1263 East Topeka Street, Pasadena 2985 Swan Place, Silver Lake 3106 Scotland Street, Silver Lake 1119 W. Kensington Rd, Angelino Hts 1243 Westerly Terrace, Silver Lake 847 Kodak Drive, Silver Lake 2052 Mayview Drive, Los Feliz 1196 Innes Avenue, Echo Park 1622 Griffith Park Blvd, Silver Lake 1926 Mayview Drive, Los Feliz 4969 Ambrose Ave., Los Feliz 1007 Laveta Terrace, Echo Park 4770 Glenalbyn Dr., Mt. Washington 4241 Gateway Avenue, Silver Lake 584 N. Calle Rolph, Palm Springs 5412 Kincheloe Drive, Eagle Rock 2765 Silver Lake Drive, Silver Lake 6021 Meridian Street, Highland Park 2153 Ewing Street, Echo Park 1448 Randall Ct, Mt. Washington 1911 Bellevue Avenue, Echo Park 331 & 327 Crane Blvd, Mt. Washington 1690 Las Flores, San Marino 1215 Stanley Avenue, Glendale 1231 Eagle Vista, Eagle Rock
2765 West Silver Lake Dr., Silver Lake 2437 Meadow Valley Ter., Silver Lake 440 Canyon Vista, Mt. Washington 6618 Church Street, Highland Park 4164 West Avenue 41, Glassell Park 1113 Green Street, Glendale 1714 N. Benton Way, Silver Lake
LOFTS & CONDOS 4005 Monroe St., #4, #6, #7, #12, Silver Lake
4111 Sunset Blvd., #233, Silver Lake
Barker Block, #401, Downtown LA Barker Block, #418, Downtown LA 645 9th Street, #339, Downtown LA 420 San Pedro St., #612, Downtown LA 4321 Los Feliz Blvd, #101, Los Feliz Vineland Metro, North Hollywood 1126 N. Central Ave., #308, Glendale 709 Micheltorena Street, Silver Lake NELA Union, Glassell Park, Units 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
INCOME & COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES 3165 & 3167 Cazador Street, Glassell Park 3143 & 3145 Ettrick Street, Los Feliz 1139 & 1145 Cole Avenue, Hollywood 2318 Echo Park Avenue, Echo Park 1748-50 Silver Lake Blvd, Silver Lake 1500-1502 Murray Avenue, Silver Lake 1456 Calumet Avenue, Echo Park 2516 Elsinore Street, Silver Lake 3520 Council Street, East Hollywood
www.tracydo.com • 323.842.4001 • tracy@tracydo.com John Aaroe Group CalBRE #01350025