Atwater Village Newbie

The Median is the Message

2011-07-03T14:34:00.001-07:00

The Median is the Message, originally uploaded by Atwater Village Newbie.

Los Feliz Blvd., on the way into Glendale.

Thanks for the Order, Law & Order

2011-04-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

PRODUCERS FROM Law & Order: Los Angeles purchased my aerial photo of downtown LA (top) for the new season's main titles (middle, bottom), debuting last night and repeating throughout the season. They found me through a Getty Images group on Flickr. Have to say, it caps a lovely, dramatic, new opening sequence on the show. Quite an honor.

Winners Along LA River

2011-01-28T16:30:00.000-08:00

HERE'S MY SNAPSHOT of cyclists rolling north along the Los Angeles River bike path, gratefully receiving impromptu applause from the group of walkers touring Glassell Park and Atwater Village. (Tour led by LA's "stair master," Bob Inman.) As seen on The Source blog of LA County's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and my Flickr stream.

Coming to Casitas Row: ATX Eatery

2011-01-10T17:00:00.000-08:00

FARM-TO-TABLE restaurant coming to 3245 Casitas Avenue in Atwater Village, from the folks behind Atwater Crossing:

In early 2011, a new restaurant — the ATX Eatery — will warm the hearth of the complex with a menu built around the highest quality ingredients, a true passion for freshly prepared food, and a state-of-the-art Italian wood burning pizza oven.

Vegetables and herbs will be grown on an onsite linear farm, with meals served in a marvelous 4,000 square foot patio and a permeable indoor dining area.

In the evenings, this dining area will host an eclectic mix of live jazz and classical music, as well as curated film series and performances.

The Atwater Crossing complex already hosts creative spaces like Dark Dark Science Gallery and Blue Rooster Studios, all just a block down from Atwater Playhouse. As always, with interesting neighborhood news, email atwatervillagenewbie@gmail.com.

It's Not Your Backyard They're After

2011-01-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

DON'T FALL for it, Atwater Villagers. LAPD's latest news on recent "distraction" burglaries:

On January 5th, 2011, two elderly distraction burglaries were reported, one in Elysian Valley and the other in Atwater Village.

In both incidents, a male suspect posing as a contractor accompanied the victims to their back yards to discuss wall repairs. While there, a second unknown suspect entered the victims homes and removed cash and jewelry.

The primary suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 5'3" to 5'6", 185 to 200 lbs., 30 to 45 years old. The vehicle used is decscribed as a silver pick-up type truck.

Of course, report emergencies to 911, non-emergency police phone calls to 1-877-ASK-LAPD.

They Meet Again for the First Time

2010-12-27T10:48:00.001-08:00

NANCY RIGG, who lived on Valleybrink Road in Atwater Village in 1980, meets James Ventrillo 30 years later on the Sunnynook footbridge over the Los Angeles River in this photo from SCPR. Nancy's fiancé, Earl Higgins, died rescuing James from the river on this spot 30 years ago. Listen to the amazing story on today's Madeleine Brand Show.

Tweet Me Like a Newbie

2010-11-11T13:56:00.000-08:00

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS in 140 characters or less:

3156 Glendale Blvd, former home of Toni's Rolling Pin Bakery, coming next week: Proof Bakery; http://bit.ly/d9TL2q
Big Mista's BBQ, of Atwater Village's farmers market, on 2010 edition of Jonathan Gold's 99 essential restaurants: http://bit.ly/cTBQh9
Theater for short attention spans: http://bit.ly/9uLUJY

Theater for Short Attention Spans

2010-11-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

SORRY, WHAT was that? Oh, right. The Atwater Playhouse presents Puppies, Plays, Trains and Family Names, an evening of one-act performances at 3191 Casitas Avenue:

Friday Nov. 12, 8:00pm
Saturday Nov. 13, 8:00pm
Friday, Nov. 19, 8:00pm
Saturday, Nov. 20, 8:00pm

One-act plays include:

Puppies with Papers by Catherine Pelonero
What Play? by Franco D'Alessandro
Family Names by Catherine Pelonero
Night Train by Gena Acosta

Tickets are $15 each and reservations are required, (323) 769-5808.

Which Way Taco Stand?

2010-10-14T14:14:00.001-07:00

A READER writes: "I recently noticed that the taco stand on Fletcher and Larga hasn't been at its usual post. Do you have any information on what happened to them?" Anyone know, where did it go?

UPDATE: Chatter on the AVNC forum seems to indicate the late-night tacos have moved, possibly pursuant to neighborly nudging, to Ripple Street.

Tweet Me Like a Newbie

2010-10-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

STUFF AROUND the 'hood too good not Twitter about:

4th annual Atwater Village Woof Dog Howl-o-Ween parade & contest, Sunday Oct 17, 3pm, 3172 Glendale Blvd: http://bit.ly/a95ZYt
State Supreme Court Won’t Consider Case of Atwater Village Gang Leader, Timothy Joseph McGhee: http://egpnews.com/?p=21156
Well done or half-baked? LA Times covers controversy around Van de Kamp bakery development: http://lat.ms/cywO2R
Real-estate porn from the Beverly Hills of Atwater Village: http://www.3795valleybrink.com/

Best of LA in Atwater Village

2010-10-07T15:38:00.000-07:00

THIS YEAR'S Best of LA edition of the LA Weekly says:

Best Historic Restaurant: Tam O'Shanter Inn
Best After-Dinner Goodwill: Canele
Best Room to Move: Heartbeat House

The weekly also gives love to neighboring Griffith Park:

Best Timeless Childhood Classic: Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
Best Place to LARP an Episode of Scooby Doo: Old Griffith Park Zoo
Best Playground for All: Shane's Inspiration

Crime Time! New Map Gives Locations of Violations

2010-10-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

THE NEW-AND-IMPROVED LA Times crime map gives a quick glance at recent criminal activities in Atwater Village. For the week of Sept. 18-24, 2010, the rate of 5.8 crimes per 10,000 people in Atwater Village is higher than in nearby Elysian Valley, Glassell Park, Silver Lake and Los Feliz.

Location	Crime	Date and time
2900 block of Los Feliz Boulevard	Theft	Sept 21, 2:15pm
4600 block of Brazil Street	Theft from vehicle	Sept 21, 11:30 am
2900 block of Los Feliz Boulevard	Theft	Sept 20, 8:20 pm
2900 block of Los Feliz Boulevard	Grand theft auto	Sept 20, 5:00pm
3900 block of Glenfeliz Boulevard	Theft from vehicle	Sept 19, 8:10pm
Glendale and Revere	Robbery	Sept 19, 7:10pm
3500 block of Garden Avenue	Theft from vehicle	Sept 18, 7:30pm
2900 block of Los Feliz Boulevard	Theft	Sept 18, 4:00pm
2900 block of Los Feliz Boulevard	Theft	Sept 18, 1:05pm

Check out the LA Times crime map for Atwater Village.

Photos: Fletcher Drive Accident

2010-09-30T16:41:00.001-07:00

Fletcher Drive - Accident, originally uploaded by Luis Lopez.

LUIS LOPEZ has posted 45 new photos from this Sept. 9, 2010, accident. A Saturn sedan hit a curb and sped into the driveway of his automotive shop at 2751 Fletcher Drive, crashing into the building. Luckily no one was working in that section and no one was injured.

What Happened to Pounder Kone Gallery?

2010-09-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

A READER by the tell-tale name of "CC from Pounder Kone" leaves this comment about what happened to Pounder Kone Art Space, the gallery run by actress CCH Pounder ("The Shield," "Avatar") and formerly located at 3407 Glendale Blvd. in Atwater Village:

"We moved to Hollywood, 5825 Sunset Blvd., Suite 1102. A head shop moved into the carpet store next door, the landlord services had changed and times were getting tough so we had to get tougher. But we miss Atwater, Canele, Black Maria, Catherine Dent and son, and the potted garden we created out back. In exchange we have an amazing view of the city and many of the same wonderful customers who followed us to Atwater and now are following us to Hollywood."

Pounder Kone's former space in Atwater Village is now occupied by Dance Garden LA.

Tweet Me Like a Newbie

2010-09-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

ATWATER VILLAGE news too small to blog, too big to ignore:

leeleepitts: Hey everybody! We have so much fun planned for the Summer Nights event in @AtwaterVillage on Sep 23. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/bEQ8vV
themewsnews: Atwater Village Celebrates Summer Nights on The Boulevard! http://conta.cc/bli8yf
atwatervillage: Northeast LA's No Home Depot Coalition busily re-organizing itself into No Wal-Mart Coalition: http://bit.ly/b1Eb62
atwatervillage: Portrait of Lilly La Bonge of Atwater Village's Sweets for the Soul: http://bit.ly/cODL0L
atwatervillage: "If there was a heaven for bungalows it would have to be Atwater Village" http://bit.ly/dwQZbx

LA's Emptiest Freeway?

2010-09-20T17:38:00.001-07:00

Empty Lanes, originally uploaded by Non Paratus.

NOT QUITE. Here's how the photographer explains this photograph of I-5 in Atwater Village: "This is a fun little trick. With my neutral density filter I can take long exposure shots that make moving objects vanish. I will probably never seen the I-5 freeway empty like this. Actually, there are a few ghostlike trails if you look closely."

LAPD Advice for Atwater Village: "Keep Your Doors and Windows Locked at All Times"

2010-09-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

THIS JUST IN from the Los Angeles Police Department's Senior Lead Officer Gina Chovan:

"I just wanted to send out a community announcement regarding increase police presence as well as police perimeters in the Atwater Village communities. Northeast gang units have been conducting enforcement due to increase of gang activity in the area.

"The good news is that after several gang operations, multiple local gang members were taken into custody pending Firearm violations. I can not disclose details at this time due to the ongoing investigations.

"I do want to remind folks that it is important that you keep your doors and windows locked at all times. As these gang members flee on foot they may attempt to enter through open windows and doors that are unlocked.

"I also want to caution folks that if you see police activity in your area involving the police helicopter hoovering over property, stay inside your homes."

Emergency call 911
City-wide directory 311
Non-emergency 1-877-ASK-LAPD

Many neighbors have noticed increased police presence lately, especially helicopters in the wee hours of the night. How is it on your block?

(On the other hand, at least, graffiti has been reduced by 75%!)

Tweet Me Like a Newbie

2010-08-31T10:41:00.000-07:00

RECENT NEWS too small to blog, too big to ignore, from the Atwater Village Newbie Twitter feed:

Atwater Village Neighborhood Council considering whether "anonymous" online forum users need to be vetted in person: http://bit.ly/ct3wl5 (They'd never approve this blog, eh?)
"Pick up a fresh baguette, flaky croissant and shot of espresso... plus the doughnut muffin" ... Village Bakery & Café: http://bit.ly/dj8Je0
25 years ago Atwater Village residents petitioned to close ""smelly, dangerous" tunnels ... Now, are some re-opening? http://bit.ly/d5Pl4P
Sat what? Deaf tourists have car towed from Hollywood to yard in Atwater Village: http://deaftimes.com/usa-l/is-anyone-listening/
What it's like in the kitchen at Canelé, by one of the "friends" who "cook," J. Paul Higgins, on the Bon Appetit blog: http://bit.ly/9TIAqm

Who Lets the Dogs In?

2010-08-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

A NEW WEBSITE for reviewing dog-friendly establishments has only one restaurant listed for Atwater Village. Dogs are welcome at the outside tables at Hugo's Tacos, 3300 Glendale Blvd., the site says. But it's missing at least one other: The Village Bakery & Cafe, 3119 Los Feliz Blvd., where pooches are often perched next to sidewalk diners. Any place else in AV that's this canine-friendly?

This Week's Neighborhood Deals

2010-08-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

FROM ONLINE coupon aggregator The Deal Map:

55 Degree Wine, 3111 Glendale Blvd. - $50 gift certificate for only $20 at Restaurant.com (Valid only at wine bar and tasting cellar, not wine and beer store; minimum purchase of $100, 18% gratuity added prior to discount)
Indochine Vien, 3110 Glendale Blvd. - $25 gift certificate for only $10 at Restaurant.com (Dine-in food only, minimum purchase of $45, 18% gratuity added prior to discount)

Block Party! Thursday, Aug. 26

2010-08-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

ONE OF THE top 10 reasons to live in and/or visit Atwater Village is happening again: Summer Nights on the Boulevard, Thursday, August 26, 6:00pm to 10:00pm in the 3100 block of Glendale Blvd., with fun stuff including:

Community organization booths
Businesses open late
DJ and live music all along Glendale Blvd.
Ice cream social at Hugo's Tacos, 3300 Glendale Blvd.
Handwriting analysis at Revo Cafe, 3134 Glendale Blvd.
Dog-treat bake sale at Woof Dog Boutique, 3172 Glendale Blvd.

Considerate Vandals? Paint on Garden Ave.

2010-08-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

FROM A READER in South Atwater Village today:

I wanted to give you a heads up about vandalism this morning on Garden Ave between Tyburn and Glendale.

It looks like the house on the corner of Tyburn and Garden was being repainted, and someone took a roller of paint and tagged the wall of that house, then went up the block and painted over several car windows.

Seems fairly random, but looked like they got 5 to 10 cars on the block. They only painted over the windows, so I guess they were considerate vandals?

Anyone else spot the mess? Anyone leave their paint supplies out overnight?

More Good Places for Atwater Village Updates

2010-08-07T14:54:00.000-07:00

JUST IN CASE things are too ... slow ... here on the Newbie blog, here are a few other good places to get updates on Atwater Village:

Atwater Village Now [New!]
Friends of Atwater Village news blog
Atwater Village Chamber's Facebook page
The Eastsider LA's Atwater Village feed: (Also consider the rest of The Eastsider LA)
Google News feed for Atwater Village

Citysearch: Best Atwater Village Restaurants

2010-08-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

ACCORDING TO a hyperlocal review at Citysearch (re-published on Huffington Post), these are best places to eat in Atwater Village:

Atwater Grill, 3143 Glendale Blvd
Tacos Villa Corona, 3185 Glendale Blvd
Canele, 3219 Glendale Blvd
Baracoa Cuban Cafe, 3175 Glendale Blvd
Viet Noodle Bar, 3133 Glendale Blvd
Sweets For The Soul, 3169 Glendale Blvd
Village Bakery & Cafe, 3119 Los Feliz Blvd
Kaldi Coffee & Tea, 3147 Glendale Blvd
Tam O'Shanter Inn, 2980 Los Feliz Blvd

Hit-and-Run Accident in Central Atwater Village

2010-07-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

ACCORDING TO this eyewitness, a driver hit a parked car yesterday, July 11, on Valleybrink Road in a heavily residential area of central Atwater Village. See the full-size photo here. Los Angeles Fire Department arrived on the scene, but the witness says the injured driver took off, and no one else was hurt. Still, looks like a mess.

New Pedestrian Bridge Over Untroubled Waters?

2010-07-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

ALTHOUGH ITS precise location has yet to be planned, and its precise cost could range from $2 million to $30 million, depending on designs, Glendale City Council wants to connect its city with LA's Griffith Park by building a new pedestrian bridge over I-5. LA Times reports:

Residents from Glendale, Burbank and Atwater Village — especially local equestrians and bicyclists — have also expressed support for the proposed bridge.

The bridge is planned as a future third phase of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk along the Los Angeles River. (With any luck, it'll connect the industrial east bank with the well-tread bike path across the river.) The riverwalk's first phase breaks ground this summer, upstream from Atwater Village, just past Flower Street, behind ABC-7 and Dreamworks studios.

Download Glendale's 33-page riverwalk presentation, with photos and detailed plans.

Tweet Me Like a Newbie

2010-07-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS too small to blog, too big to ignore, from the Atwater Village Newbie Twitter feed:

Grab the kayak! EPA declares LA River "traditional navigable waters" @LATimescityDesk
"Tam O'Shanter in Atwater Village... as ersatz as can be, a Disney version of a Scottish inn" @laweeklyfood
On newly expanded Trader Joes in Silver Lake, Katie from Atwater Village says: "It seems huge" @TheEastsiderLA
New studio in Atwater Village, it's called Brazilian Yoga and Pilates, 3191 Casitas Ave.
Marijuana shop at 3153 Glendale Blvd may be violating zoning ordinances and regulations by also offering classes

Follow Sasha's Story, From the End

2010-07-06T09:45:00.000-07:00

TRAGEDY STRUCK an Atwater Village family last week when 15-year-old Sasha Rodriguez, a high school student and drill team member from the neighborhood, died after attending the Electric Daisy Carnival rave. While funeral services are planned for today, July 6, 2:30pm at Forest Lawn Glendale, the LA Times has been following the aftermath of Sasha's death, including policy changes at LA Coliseum. Catch up here:

June 30 - Girl, 15, dies after weekend rave at LA Coliseum
June 30 - LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky calls for moratorium on raves at LA Coliseum
July 1 - Overload from Electric Daisy Carnival - Coliseum officials suspend raves after teen girl's death.
July 2 - Girl's rave death raises questions whether such parties are getting too big to handle
July 3 - Girl who died after LA rave didn't tell family she was going, spokesman says
July 5 - Electric Daisy Carnival: drug-infested all-nighter - All law enforcement officers know that the whole idea behind raves is to take Ecstasy. Whoever approved the use of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for this event should be held civilly responsible.
July 5 - Four girls touch the world, two in death and two in life

Friends and family have organized a funeral fundraiser on Facebook and a fundraising dinner Saturday, July 10, 5:00pm.

Schedule: Atwater Village Outdoor Movies

2010-06-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

SEE SOME CLASSICS this summer under the stars of Atwater Village. The annual movie series takes place at the Los Feliz Municipal Golf Course, 3207 Los Feliz Blvd., where blankets and picnics are encouraged, but tall chairs, pets and smoking are rightly shunned. Gates at dusk, showtimes at dark.

July 9 - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
August 13 - Young Frankenstein (1974)
September 10 - E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Summer of Food Trucks and Wine

2010-06-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

BASED ON THE round-the-lot blockbuster success of a recent visit from the Grilled Cheese Truck, 55 Degree Wine announces a summer month's worth of gourmet food trucks coming to the parking lot at 3111 Glendale Blvd. above, with wine and beer pairings in the cool basement tasting room below.

Crepe'n' Around: Wednesday June 30, 7:00pm to 10:00pm
FrySmith: Saturday July 3, 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Grilled Cheese Truck, Wednesday July 14, 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Nom Nom Truck, Wednesday July 21, 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Cupcakes a GoGo: Wednesday July 28, 7:00pm to 10:00pm
LA FuXion: Wednesday August 4, 7:00pm to 10:00pm

New Short Film Shot in Atwater Village

2010-06-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

SHOT IN Atwater Village, the new fiction short film, "Through the Window," is written and directed by Regina Gomez, and features the song "Pray for Death" by Pawz1. The cop, played by Gomez, shows up at the 4:30 mark to deliver the twist ending.

Reporting Graffiti? There's an App for That

2010-06-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

NO FLYING CARS just yet, but Los Angeles city government is at least going futuristic with its latest citizen reporting mechanism: iPhone apps. So reports the LA Times:

"It's like having a city official in your pocket," said John Chuldenko, who recently used the app to report graffiti he spotted while strolling through his Atwater Village neighborhood. He was floored when the graffiti was gone a week later. "I've never been the type to report all these things," Chuldenko said. "But now that it's so easy, I do it all the time."

In addition to council district 13 residents using the "Garcetti 311" iPhone app, citizens all over LA can report graffiti and other city government issues the old-fashioned way by calling 311.

(Council district 2 has similar apps for iPhone and Android.)

Tick Tock, Food Truck

2010-06-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

THE GOURMET FOOD truck Vizzi (menu, tweets) rolls into Atwater Village for pre-show dining before the Saturday night performance of "Tick Tock" at Atwater Playhouse, 3191 Casitas Ave. Truck's at 6:30pm, play's at 8:00pm (tickets $15).

Jamming in South Atwater Village

2010-06-16T04:42:00.000-07:00

A VICTIM OF the United States Postal Service posts on the AVNC forum: "Is anyone else having problems with our mailman (south Atwater)? Today I arrived home to find our mailbox completely destroyed inside the house. This is because he continues to forcibly jam as much mail as possible into the small mail slot at once, rather than a few pieces at a time (like a normal person would). I get that he has a lot of houses to visit, but a little patience on his part would have saved me from having to replace my mail slot and fix the interior wall. I'm going to complain to the postmaster (for whatever good that'll do), but wonder if others have a similar experience so I can be armed with more information."

And She Doesn't Look a Day Over 80

2010-06-12T17:38:00.001-07:00

Tracks Into Atwater Village, 1927, originally uploaded by Atwater Village Newbie.

REMINDER: The Atwater Village Centennial Street Festival, marking 100 years since a field of poppies became a genuine subdivision (named after Harriet Atwater Paramore), is Sunday, June 13, 2010, 11:00am to 4:00pm in the 3100 block of Glendale Blvd. Expect the usual: food, music, dance, arts, crafts, family fun, entertainment, all your neighbors out and about.

All Worth the Wait

2010-06-09T22:12:00.001-07:00

Grilled Cheese Truck, originally uploaded by Atwater Village Newbie.

THREE LINES tonight: one to order @grlldcheesetruk, two to pickup @grlldcheesetruk, three for table @55degreewine.

June Events in Atwater Village

2010-06-03T15:55:00.000-07:00

NOT ALL is gloom in June in our slice of northeast Los Angeles:

Wednesday June 9, 7:00pm to 9:00pm: The Grilled Cheese Truck is parking at 55 Degree Wine, 3111 Glendale Blvd.
Saturday June 12, 8:30pm: Famous actor Joel McHale introduces a performance of Violators Will Be Violated, Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., and hosts a party to help send the show to the New York International Fringe Festival this August.
Sunday June 13, 11:00am to 4:00pm: Atwater Village Street Festival, celebrating neighborhood's centennial, 3100 block of Glenadale Blvd.
Sunday June 13, 11:30am: Return of the Homemade Cookie Contest (check out 2007's winner) during the Atwater Village Street Festival, 3100 Block of Glendale Blvd. Prizes awarded at 1:30pm.

World Premiere of "Tick Tock" at Atwater Playhouse

2010-06-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

OPENING THIS weekend: Atwater Playhouse, 3191 Casitas Ave., presents the world premiere of Tick Tock, written by Roland Allen and directed by Jamie Paolinetti, running Fridays and Saturdays, June 4 to July 10, 8:00pm. (Extra matinee Sunday, July 11, 3:00pm.) General admission tickets are $15 each, $10 each for seniors and students.

Tom Hanks is Filming in Atwater Village

2010-05-28T16:38:00.000-07:00

AS NOTED elsewhere, including the mega-star's own Twitter feed, Tom Hanks is shooting night scenes this week in front of Club Tee Gee on Glendale Blvd. He's directing and starring in Larry Crowne, a 2011 release with Julia Roberts and Brian Cranston, among others. One neighbor noted the production has given the vintage Atwater Villlage bar some "weird awesome windows."

Not all's rosy in Hanksville, though, as reports came in last night that the production is "in the middle of Glendale Blvd causing traffic." (See the director's own kvetching about night shoots here.)

Hanks is also causing traffic this week along Los Feliz Blvd., at locations including the "Hollywood landmark" Tam O'Shanter Inn.

Photo of the Week: Traffic Trails on the I-5

2010-05-25T09:28:00.001-07:00

Traffic Trails on the I-5, originally uploaded by Non Paratus.

THE PHOTOGRAPHER writes: "Traffic on the Golden State Freeway snakes around the hills of Griffith Park (on the left). The freeway marks the border between the neighborhoods of Atwater Village and Los Feliz. Taking this at twilight, I was able to capture the traffic trails and the deep blue of the sky."

Tweet Me Like a Newbie

2010-05-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

NEWS TOO small to blog, too big to ignore, from my Twitter feed:

Rainbow Place? Marshmallow Place? Cotton Road? Renaming gang-ridden Drew Street in Glassell Park
Wordspace writing studio now open at 3191 Casitas Ave #156
Review of Gourmet Lites cookies, available at Kaldi Coffee in Atwater Village
Atwater Village resident raising $$$ for his sci-fi short film, "Vessel"
44 photos of LA River cleanup in Atwater Village
New location of Alias Books, now open at 3163 Glendale Blvd in Atwater Village, gets itself a Twitter feed: @AliasEast

Welcome, Forbes Readers

2010-05-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEK Forbes published an article on America's most expensive homes, using my photo of the Spelling Mansion in Los Angeles. (With Creative Commons permission, I might add.)

The magazine was kind enough to give me credit and link to my Flickr page. So far more than 2,400 Forbes readers have clicked through to see my original photo, shot on a helicopter tour of Los Angeles. A good portion of them have also clicked through to my May 2009 post about Candy Spelling's listing of the mansion for sale.

So, welcome Forbes readers. This blog is primarily about Atwater Village, an 8,000-resident neighborhood in northeast LA. We have a Costco. And a wine bar. You might also be interested in 280 more photos from the helicopter tour. Stay a while, look around. Enjoy!

The House That Goes Boom

2010-05-14T16:59:00.000-07:00

COULD THESE be the same parties responsible for those screechy fireworks displays in the LA River in Atwater Village on May 6, May 1, April 22, April 23 and 24?

This house in the 3400 block of Lambeth Street, across from Mulholland Fountain, is just blocks from the River, and was visited this morning by LAFD, haz-mat and bomb squads responding to an explosion. (With news helicopters circling till at least 9:00am.)

KTLA reports that authorities expect to make arrests in connection with an illegal fireworks operation in the house. Let's hope this puts an end to the riverbed tests.

New Parenting Center on Glendale Blvd.

2010-05-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

AN ATWATER VILLAGE resident is out to heed the needs of breeders with The Cradle Company at 3042 Glendale Blvd. Brandi Rouse, MSW, runs the baby boutique and parenting center, offering pediatric sleep consultations, doula and nanny placements, mommy and me groups, childbirth education, and more.

Photo of the Week: Eat!

2010-05-11T08:22:00.001-07:00

Eat, originally uploaded by Non Paratus.

GREAT NOTE from the photographer: "The sign for the Los Feliz cafe in Atwater Village couldn't be any more direct. It seems to be a throwback to cafe signs of half a century ago."

City Shuttering 4 Marijuana Dispensaries on Atwater Village's Glendale Blvd.

2010-05-07T16:36:00.000-07:00

OF THE 439 medical marijuana dispensaries being shut down under a new Los Angeles City Council ordinance, 4 are in Atwater Village:

Accurate Services Medical Dispensary, 3429 Glendale Blvd.
Friendly Collective, 3405 Glendale Blvd.
LA Collective, 3401 Glendale Bl.
Atwater Alternative Care Collective, 3106 Glendale Blvd.

LA Times reports they must close by June 7. Also on the list: Tender Love Collective, just over the freeway at 2439 Riverside Drive.

Not on the list: America's first "cannabis college," Oaksterdam University, 3153 Glendale Blvd., former home of the casket store.

Neighbor Goes Solar, Eliminates Electricity Bills

2010-05-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

A 10-YEAR RESIDENT of Atwater Village recently converted his house to solar electricity. This is his story (and his photos):

"Last week I had 20 solar panels put on my roof that cover 100% of my electrical usage! DWP [Los Angeles Department of Water and Power] covered half the cost! I would love it if you could blog about it as I think there are loads of houses in this neighborhood that would be perfect for solar. You cannot even see them!

"Basically I generate enough electricity that I cover my electricity needs - so I will no longer have an electricity bill! I will only be paying for natural gas which is next to nothing. I have no batteries. The current goes into the neighborhood grid. The meter spins one direction when current flows in from the grid and the opposite direction when I am putting power back on to the grid. I only pay if I generate less than I use. My system is designed to generate 110% of my average usage based on my bills for the last two years.

"The company who did my install [Mimeos Sustainability Consultants] was great. They did all the paperwork for the rebates, handled the contractor and made the whole thing completely painless and transparent."

LAPD Responding to Shots Fired, Possibly Machine Gun, at Glendale-Hyperion Bridge

2010-05-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

TONIGHT THE Los Angeles Police Department is responding to shots fired from Glendale-Hyperion Bridge in Atwater Village. Up to 4 cycles of what sounded like machine-gun fire, 8:45pm Sunday.

UPDATE 8:50pm: LAPD helicopters, cruisers, searching LA River bed. Police vehicles racing toward River along Sunnynook Drive.

UPDATE 9:10pm: Still activity around Glendale-Hyperion bridge. Police lights on Riverside Drive. Neighbors tracking events on AVNC forum: "at least 15 police vehicles and lots of suspects in handcuffs."

UPDATE 9:15pm: Lights, sirens, choppers gone. Nobody else reporting. Time to finish Sunday night TV shows. Y'all are on your own.

Second round:

UPDATE 9:50pm: Great, 4 more shots and/or pops and/or explosions. Maybe guns, maybe fireworks. Does it matter? Are we really going to let them have Atwater Village?

UPDATE 10:25pm: Helicopter returns, spotlight on River.

May Day at the Rally: First 12 Photos

2010-05-02T00:16:00.000-07:00

BACK FROM a day downtown, where Los Angeles rallied for May Day in favor of legal immigration and against Arizona's new "show your papers" policy. See the first 12 photos from the rally, with many more to come.

Arrests and Explosions Do Not a Pattern Make

2010-04-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

DESPITE HIGHLY visible arrests this month on Sunnynook Dr., Glenfeliz Blvd. and Los Feliz Blvd., and despite multiple neighbor complaints of at least 3 fireworks explosions in or around the LA River, the latest Northeast LAPD email newletter proclaims:

Atwater Village: Looks pretty good. Only a few property crimes - no patterns or trends.

Photo of the Week: More Than Meatballs

2010-04-29T16:19:00.001-07:00

Live Music at Atwater Village Farmers' Market, originally uploaded by djjewelz.

EVERY SUNDAY from 10:00am to 2:00pm it's not just about the bacon-wrapped meatballs at the Atwater Village Farmers Market, 3250 Glendale Blvd. Sometimes we get a little music with our meat.

Tweet Me Like a Newbie

2010-04-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS too big to ignore, too small to blog, from my Atwater Village Newbie Twitter feed:

Watch out, Atwater Village, bacon wrapped meatballs in a blueberry chipotle sauce
"We are provide you with professional massage"
PDF map of Atwater Village shows where City of LA has been testing 150-watt equivalent LED streetlights since Nov 09
Third time this week with the screeching fireworks over LA River! April 22 at 5:50am, April 23 at 11:30pm, April 24 at 10:30pm
Chicken on the loose in Atwater Village! A photo essay
Lisa at new Glendale Thai Massage, 3206 Glendale Blvd, gets "strictly legit" review on this slightly NSFW site

More Heartbeat, More House

2010-04-23T22:05:00.000-07:00

THE ANTICIPATED studio expansion opens next week at Heartbeat House, 3141 Glendale Blvd. The neighborhood dance and exercise studio opens an expanded lobby and studio floor, adding 450 square feet where Black Maria Gallery once kept its Under the Table store. Heartbeat House improvements include a new bathroom and shower, and new sound-proof windows and doors. The studio will be closed April 29-30, with a grand re-opening Saturday, May 1. For the big event, Saturday classes will be $5 each. Expect raffles and heart-healthy snacks, too.

Arrest at Del Taco Parking Lot

2010-04-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

AN EAGLE-EYED READER reports: "Hey Newbie, I just passed by the Chevron Gas Station on Los Feliz today [April 22] around 7:45pm. I saw a police crackdown. I saw a Latino getting arrested in the Del Taco parking lot [3020 Los Feliz Blvd]. Unfortunately I could not take a picture because it was dark." First Sunnynook Drive, then Glenfeliz Blvd., now a fast-food joint on Los Feliz Blvd. Increased LAPD presence? Or just more obvious?

On Camera: More LAPD Action in Atwater Village

2010-04-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

JUST A WEEK after dozens of officers took over Sunnynook Drive, yesterday a reader caught a more limited LAPD action just around the corner on Glenfeliz Blvd., sending along photos and this eyewitness account:

"Newbie, around 3:35pm today [April 21] I drove by this arrest and car search going on on the corner of Glenfeliz and Ingledale Terrace. The guy was cuffed sitting on the side of the road with tattoos on his neck and looked Hispanic with a thin mustache. Not sure what he did but for the cops to search his car they must have had probable cause. Thought you might like to know... At least the cops are doing something!"

See something our Atwater Village neighbors should know? Send it to the Newbie, atwatervillagenewbie@gmail.com.

Northeast LA: Lock Your Doors, Windows, Bicycles

2010-04-21T21:58:00.000-07:00

DUAL WARNINGS tonight from Northeast division of the Los Angeles Police Department:

During recent review of "Hot Prowl" burglaries in the areas of Los Feliz, Franklin Hills, Silverlake and East Hollywood, it was determined that burglary suspects entered several homes during early hours of the morning (2:00am to 3:30am). The burglars entered while home owners were at home sleeping. Victims were awaken by noises in their homes and actually confronted suspects as they fled from their residents. The method used to enter the homes were open garages, open windows and open sliding doors. We strongly recommend that you check your windows and doors prior to going to sleep.
The bicycle thefts are still occurring. Suspects are removing bikes from open garages and cutting chained locks. Please keep them in locked homes and garages.

As always, report emergencies to 911, non-emergencies to 1-877-ASK-LAPD.

Photo of the Week: Gotta Get Around

2010-04-21T16:13:00.001-07:00

Atwater Village, originally uploaded by Girl, Narration.

What's in a Name? Neighbor Disappointment

2010-04-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

A READER OF my post about a new massage joint moving into the Silver Lake Video space in Atwater Village has a geographical grievance:

The Thai Massage place located at 3206 Glendale Blvd. has put up a sign that says Glendale Thai Massage. I'm really disappointed with the name chosen for this establishment. Although it is on Glendale Blvd., I find that the name of the place will confuse people who are not from Atwater Village, implying that they are in the city of Glendale. Atwater Village is actually part of Los Angeles, with its own rich history and thriving community.

On local TV news, I've heard reporters often call Atwater Village "Glendale." Not that I have anything against Glendale, but we have a really good chance at making Atwater a very special place in Los Angeles. A small town neighborhood in the big city of Los Angeles.

I feel a better name for the business might be Atwater Village Thai Massage. I know that the business owner has every right to call it whatever he/she wants, but if the name is bothersome to you, the way it is to me, why not mention it to them in a nice way. Maybe it will do some good.

More Photos from LAPD Raid on Sunnynook Drive

2010-04-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

IN THE CHAOS of yesterday's Los Angeles Police Department raid on Sunnynook Drive yesterday, I managed to snap a few photos:

3 plainclothes officers subdue a suspect at Griffith View and Sunnynook. Suspect seems to be resisting. Hasn't watched much TV, apparently.
Uniformed cops walk suspect up Sunnynook
Staging area, Valleybrink & Sunnynook

Eventually at least 6 suspects were lined up, seated, in cuffs. Though another witness said, "the handcuffs were removed and they all just wandered off through the neighborhood." Sunnynook was closed for at least an hour while neighbors looked on. See all my photos of the raid.

Major Police Action on Sunnynook Drive This Afternoon: My Eyewitness Account

2010-04-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

WHAT LOOKED a raid that started with plain-clothes officers subduing at least 2 suspects turned into a complete takeover of Sunnynook Drive in central Atwater Village today by dozens of Los Angeles Police Department officers. It happened suddenly, this afternoon just before 6:00pm, involving undercover vehicles, LAPD cruisers and helicopter support.

And guess what house was at the center of the action? Yup, the so-called Sunnynook Meth House, the same one police raided back in summer 2007.

Your humble Newbie was there, unintentionally, literally caught in the middle, driving up Sunnynook when one undercover officer brandished his weapon and told me not to move, lest my vehicle get in the way of an arrest in progress. (More of my photos here.)

Could this finally mean the end of the Sunnynook Meth House menace?

UPDATE: Other eyewitnesses counted 13 LAPD units and, 3 hours later, saw a half dozen more arrests elsewhere in the neighborhood.

Where the Streets Have No Slurry

2010-04-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

REMEMBER ALL the street closure signs posted in central Atwater Village last week? The City's closures and crews have come and gone, and left behind a nice smooth resurfacing (one might call it a slurry coat seal) on streets that, frankly, already seemed quite smooth and resurfaced. Now, how about some love for these remaining bumpy concrete lanes in south Atwater Village, something neighbors have been asking for 4 years? (Sorry, make that 10 years.)

Yes, Lots of Neighborhood Businesses Do It

2010-04-14T17:37:00.000-07:00

IN REACTION to my post about Los Feliz Car Wash and its policy of demanding $8.99 minimums on credit-card transactions, here's a gentle bit of criticism on the AVNC Forum:

"Newbie conveniently didn't mention several other businesses in Atwater that have minimums for credit card charges. Whether or not their practices are legal, I won't mention them here by name because I like them and, from reading the posts on these forums, so does everybody else."

Yes, many businesses in Atwater Village and Southern California, especially non-chain, mom-and-pop shops, post credit-card minimums. And yes, I've mentioned others, like El Buen Gusto on Glendale Blvd. and Marlene's Beachcomber in Santa Monica, for enforcing them. Baracoa Cuban Cafe does it, and I love me some Baracoa. I bet the majority of retailers in Atwater Village, outside mega-chains like Best Buy and Starbucks, do it.

But no, credit-card minimums are not illegal. They send no one to jail. They simply violate merchant agreements with credit card issuers, like the agreement with Visa:

"Visa merchants are not permitted to establish minimum transaction amounts, even on sale items. They also are not permitted to charge you a fee when you want to use your Visa card."

(In 10 states, California included, a credit-card surcharge or card checkout fee is flat-out against the law, and should be reported. Los Feliz Car Wash at one time charged a $1 checkout fee. Word is Kailyn Nail Spa still does.)

It's our choice to patronize businesses that violate agreements and laws. If our desire for cheap tacos outweighs our need for consumer protection, then go for it. If we don't mind not knowing how much stuff we'll have to buy ($5? $10? $8.99?) before our credit cards become valid forms of payment, then keep supporting these bad business habits.

Otherwise, like I'm doing with my car washes, go elsewhere!

Or just pay cash.

Gang Member Girlfriends, You're on Notice

2010-04-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

ACCUSED GANG member Vincent J. Vigil filed an appeal yesterday in a case convicting him of misdemeanor assault, felony assault with a deadly weapon, and 2 counts of corporal injury. One conviction involves gangs from our little neighborhood of Atwater Village and an injury to Vigil's girlfriend, Adelita Telles. From the prosecution's case:

On February 18, 2008, Dr. Thuc Bach treated [girlfriend Adelita] Telles at the Huntington Memorial Hospital for a six-inch, superficial, "bleeding" cut that was "very clean" and "very precise" and that was probably delivered in a "straight slashing action." ...

Telles said that she did not want to talk to the police about her injury and that she afraid of the person [appellant Vigil] who hurt her because he was an Avenues Gang member. Telles was with appellant who accused her of dating and having sex with someone from the Frog Town gang in Atwater Village.

Vigil's appeal was filed in Court of Appeals of California, Second District.

Landlords Strike Again! Casket Store Moving

2010-04-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

IN WHAT SEEMS to be a post-recession pattern, another Atwater Village retailer is relocating to avoid higher rent.

Last month the Violet Willow boutique left its space at 3127 Glendale Blvd., and the space was subsequently offered at $1,450, about $2.07 per square foot, per month.

Now, California Casket Company has wheeled its coffins a block away, from 3153 Glendale Blvd. to 3229 Glendale Blvd., to avoid an alleged rent hike to $4,500 a month.

Are retail landlords seeing signs of recovery that lead them to believe richer tenants are just around the corner? They may be right: Alias Books is a big get. But they may not: The old Violet Willow space has been discounted, and is now listed for $50 less per month.

UPDATE April 19: More about casket store move on AVNC forum.

Sirens, Helicopter Respond to Accident, I-5 at Glendale Blvd. in Atwater Village

2010-04-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

LAFD reports traffic accident with possible fatality, 10:54pm, southbound I-5 at Glendale Blvd. in Atwater Village. "Major traffic blocking all lanes, 4 patients total, 2 kids (6-year-old girl with burns), CPR on one of the patients." Rescue vehicles and helicopters converge after 11:00pm. Southbound I-5 issued SigAlert, lane closures north of Fletcher Drive, 11:29pm. Glendale Blvd. on-ramp also closed. Blow by blow from SigAlert.com:

Green BMW Possible in #2 Lane 10:32 PM
Reporting Party Called to Advise His Vehicle Was Blocking Lanes and to Ascertain If Assistance Was En Route 10:51 PM
Party Was Holding for Spanish Translator; Sound Like Vehicle May Have Been Hit, Line Went Dead 10:53 PM
Vehicle Has now Been Hit 10:54 PM
Message Delivered LA Fire Department 10:54 PM
CHP Unit on Scene 11:00 PM
Possible Fatality 11:02 PM
All Lanes Closed for now 11:03 PM
CHP Unit on Scene 11:04 PM
CHP Unit on Scene 11:22 PM
CHP Unit on Scene 11:23 PM
Glendale On Ramp Will Be Closed for Unknown Duration 11:26 PM
Sigalert for All Lanes with Traffic Only Getting Thru in #1 Lane for Unknown Duration 11:26 PM
#1, 2 Lanes Open 12:21 AM

UPDATE 12:12am: LAFD offers news on the 4 patients: 40-year-old female in cardiac arrest, 35-year-old male in serious condition with possible head injury and burns, 6-year-old female with leg burns. All transported to hospitals. 22-year-old male, minor injuries, not transported.

Video of the Week: Atwater Village, 1971

2010-04-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

THIS HOME movie, Up the Pool in the Petito's Backyard, comes from Atwater Village, Los Angeles, 1971. Nice basketball moves in second half. Commenter says this might've been on Seneca Ave.

Feeling Restricted

2010-04-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

A READER WANTS to know: "Any idea why there are loads of parking restrictions on this upcoming Monday, 6:00am to 6:00pm? All over Griffith View, Sunnynook, Glenfeliz." Good question. Could it be street resurfacing? Speed hump installation? Alien invasion?

Something Pink and Brown on the Sidewalk

2010-04-09T16:39:00.000-07:00

PERHAPS PREPARING to be a tasty neighbor to that new indie bookstore coming soon to central Atwater Village, dessert shop Sweets for the Soul set up some sidewalk seating in front of its window at 3169 Glendale Blvd. "Our new pink and brown outdoor chairs and tables," the shop posted. "Aren't they so ... sweet?" Sweet as a $4 brownie.

UPDATE: Sweets for the Soul follows up: "We got those fabulous chairs and tables from Pot-ted, right here in our neighborhood on Los Feliz Boulevard."

Tom Hanks: As Seen in Atwater Village

2010-04-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

AS MENTIONED in his Twitter feed, Tom Hanks was hanging in Atwater Village, hunting locations for a new movie. Dude has 14 movies in development, including one called How Starbucks Saved My Life, which might explain this photo he posted Monday night around 7:30pm. He's across the street from our local Starbucks on Glendale Blvd., and it looks like he standing in front of the Artology 101 gallery or, perhaps, the medical marijuana dispensary next door. Hey, no one's judging.

UPDATE: Other Hanks photos seems to indicate he's scouting for Larry Crowne, co-starring Hanks, Julia Roberts, Brian Cranston; due out 2011.

Eat, Play, Sip at Atwater Playhouse

2010-04-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

IT'S AN ITALIAN combo Friday night in Atwater Village, starting April 9, 6:30pm, at Atwater Playhouse, 3191 Casitas Ave.

Vesuvio, LA's first and only Italian food truck, serving grandma's Southern Italian recipes like $3 arancini stuffed with smoked mozzarella and $7 sandwiches
Two Rounds, the acclaimed Italian play brought to the US by Atwater Playhouse, tickets $15
Trilussa Wine, importer from Northern California, with tastes of their Italian wines

Found: Dog Wandering Central Atwater Village

2010-04-04T00:05:00.000-07:00

DO YOU RECOGNIZE this dog? Maltese mix, seen wandering central Atwater Village for at least the last 3 days, white fur, quite matted. Nervous but friendly. Definitely someone's pet! Please pass along.

Contact info on this Craigslist post.

Los Feliz Car Wash Has $8.99 Minimum Charge on Credit Cards; Don't Like It? No Wash for You!

2010-04-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

THEY OFFER a $5.99 express service as Los Feliz Car Wash, 3013 Los Feliz Blvd. Exterior only, no vacuum, no dash, but they hand wash and dry. Seems like a deal. But this Atwater Village establishment insists on cash.

"Is the credit card machine down?" I ask yesterday. No, I'm told, Los Feliz Car Wash enforces a minimum charge of $8.99 for credit-card transactions. I tell the cashier his demand violates credit card merchant policies and would be reported. Then I relented, offered cash. (Hindsight? Should go elsewhere. But my car's in the queue.)

Car Wash Guy takes my $10 bill, gives me change, but then suffers an abrupt about face. He tells me Los Feliz Car Wash would not be honoring my transaction, even with cash. And recognizing the physical manifestations of a man becoming unhinged, I start shooting video. Mostly as protection and eyewitness, though I see how someone might be antagonized by the business end of a cell-phone lens.

He starts to explain:

Car Wash Guy: I just don't want your business, that's all.

Me: How come?

CWG: It's a free world and it's a free business.

Me: You don't want my business because of the credit card policy?

CWG: No sir, I just don't want your business. It's because I don't like your attitude.

Me: You don't like my attitude, you said?

CWG: Yes sir. I'm an entrepreneur. I've got that right.

Indeed he does have a right to refuse service. But it gets more personal. About me. And about my camera phone:

CWG: Get that thing off my head before I knock it off.

Me: Did you just threaten to damage some property of mine?

CWG: All right, so let me get your money back, sir. Go check your head.

Me: What do you mean, like with a psychiatrist or something?

CWG: I don't know, I'm not in psychiatry business. I'm in car wash business.

Debatable. He refunds me $6 on the $5.99 car wash. Then, personal gets weird:

Me: Thanks for the extra penny.

CWG: I know you need it. I can tell.

Me: You can tell?

CWG: Yes sir. Have your car out of here or I'll have it towed.

Me: Are you the owner?

CWG: No. I'm an illegal alien.

Me: Oh, you are?

CWG: Yes. Go report that to immigration.

On it goes, 3 or 4 minutes. CWG calls me a "f***ing son of a bitch." Without seeming to enter a phone number, he reports to his cell that there's a "disturbance" by someone with a "junky" car.

Then some beefy security guy shows up wearing a badge that looks like a toy. He's not employed by Los Feliz Car Wash, just wants to call me a "f***ing idiot." (And let me know my camera doesn't intimidate him; he's been on TMZ!)

Alas, I take my "junky" car a few blocks up to California Car Wash, 3940 San Fernando Road. Express service: $6.99. Credit card: accepted. No questions asked. No obscenities hurled.

ARCHIVE: Back in September 2008, Los Feliz Car Wash charged $1 to run credit-card transactions of $8.99 or less. A practice like that seems to violate merchant policies and possibly California law.

Video of Police Chase in Atwater Village: March 30

2010-04-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

THIS INTREPID videographer captures a police chase in Atwater Village, as it passes the post office at Glendale Blvd. and La Clede Ave. on March 30. Not sure whom they're chasing, other than someone who saw fit to jump off a motorcycle and try to escape on foot.

Retail Rumors Along Glendale Blvd.

2010-03-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

IT'S NOT ALL about the indie bookstore, folks. From a tipster:

Former home of This or Die Boutique, 3205 Glendale Blvd, ~~looks like it's becoming~~ is already re-opened as a salon (and is keeping the This or Die moniker, according to a commenter)
Former home of Yoga Lab, black and white building at 3362 Glendale Blvd, may have new tenant; U-Haul spotted this weekend
New signage at old Silver Lake Video location, 3206 Glendale Blvd., looks like a place to get an hour's worth of massage for $45

City Dump? Let Those Eastsiders Have It

2010-03-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

THERE WAS this bit of awkward ad-libbing this morning on ABC7's Eyewitness News, the 2 Los Angeles anchors commenting on a cheeky piece about a themed restaurant called The City Dump in Scranton, PA.

Subha Ravindhran: "I don't think that restaurant would do so well in Los Angeles."

John Gregory: "Not on the west side, anyway."

Club Tee Gee: As Seen on Tee Vee

2010-03-26T15:07:00.001-07:00

RFSL & friends @ club tee gee - 3.15.09, originally uploaded by Radio Free Silver Lake.

ABOVE: The neon sign for Atwater Village's Club Tee Gee, 3210 Glendale Blvd.

BELOW: Club Tee Gee's facade with a new name, Latham's, for its appearance as a location on this week's episode of ABC TV's FlashForward. See it at the 2:20 mark on the "Blowback" episode.

(Pretty sure the interior is a different bar, though.)

What 2 Kids Dreamed Up for Charity Brunch Menu

2010-03-26T13:54:00.001-07:00

CANELE SIGNAGE, originally uploaded by cathydanh.

AS PART OF its Friends Cook series, Canele Bistro, 3219 Glendale Blvd., turns the menu over to 2 young friends. A 6-year-old and an 8-year-old developed special dishes, drinks and menus, and will be on hand to meet, greet, serve, bus and cook for the one-time brunch, Saturday, Marcy 27, 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Sweets: $7.50
Owen's berry bread pudding
Housemade granola (add chocolate and bananas $2.50)
Bowl of berries and banana
Savories: $10.50
Violet's cheesy baked shells
Eggs in a hole
Soft scrambled eggs with herbed cream cheese
Fried egg sandwich with braised leeks, bacon and romesco market soup
Sides: $4.50
House cured or apple smoked bacon
Pan roasted potatoes
Market lettuces with crème frâiche
Just eggs (soft scrambled, omelet, fried)
Ginger scone
Toast: $2.50
Toast and homemade jam (baguette, buckwheat or seeded pullman)
Sips:
Owen's hot chocolate with whipped cream
Violet's pink rhubarb lemonade
Chado teas, LAMILL coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte
Mimosas
Wine by the glass and bottle
Tomato juice, orange juice
San Pellegrino mineral water, limonata, aranciata

Saturday's brunch profits will be donated to the American Red Cross, as the 2 young chefs specified, to benefit relief efforts in Haiti. No reservations. First come, first served.

Alias Books Opening in Atwater Village

2010-03-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

HERE'S THE SCOOP about the bookstore coming to the old Salt storefront at 3163 Glendale Blvd., from LAist:

The Westside's Alias Books on Sawtelle Boulevard is expanding, opening a second location in Atwater Village, the store announced today. Expected to be open by May 1st, the store will emphasize its collection on film, literature and the arts. "Even in the age of the Kindle there's no substitute for holding a book in your hand and flipping through the pages," said Co-owner Patrick Paeper. Alias Books East will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

The address seems one door off, doesn't it? The neighboring property, 3161 Glendale Blvd., has been undergoing construction lately. Perhaps it's adjoining space and the bookstore will use 3163 as its street number. Stay tuned.

"Two Rounds" of Matinees Added

2010-03-25T10:53:00.000-07:00

TWO MATINEES have been added to the current run of the American premiere of "Due Partite (Two Rounds)" at Atwater Playhouse, 3191 Casitas Avenue in South Atwater Village. The theater adds 2 afternoon performances, April 11 at 3:00pm and April 18 at 3:00pm, to the run, which is Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm through April 17. General admission ticket is $15, senior or student $10.

Northeast LA Dives posted a review on Facebook.

New Tower May Serve Neighborhood Dead Zones

2010-03-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

CELL WARS: As AT&T threatens to hoist a new cell phone tower in Atwater Village (at Glendale Blvd. and Casitas Ave., where a city park has also been promised), this network signal map from CNET shows why some neighborhood iPhone users might like a new transmission "tree" nearby.

The Casitas tower location is adjacent to a pair of cell-phone dead zones in central Atwater Village. CNET says AT&T customers have "no bars" there. As in, they suffer from "failure to establish a data connection" and live in "areas likely to have hand off errors between phones and cell towers."

See, it's not just in your imagination. But if waiting for AT&T to improve things won't cut it, the CNET data shows Sprint leads the way in average signal strength in Atwater Village:

Sprint: 85% average signal strength
T Mobile: 75%
AT&T: 65%
Verizon 61%

Tasty Weekend Events in Atwater Village

2010-03-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

GET YOUR DRINK (and eat) on at a few tasty events coming this weekend to central Atwater Village:

Saturday, March 27, brunchtime: "Kids in the Kitchen" brunch fundraiser for Haiti relief, Canele bistro, 3219 Glendale Blvd.
Sunday, March 28, 11:00am to 2:00pm: Champagne brunch, with bagels and bacon, among other goodies, 55 Degree Wine, 3111 Glendale Blvd.
Sunday, March 28, 11:00am to 3:00pm: Best Friends Pet Adoption, Revo Cafe, 3134 Glendale Blvd.
Sunday, March 28, dinnertime: Friends Cook series with LA City Council President Eric Garcetti and family, Canele bistro, 3219 Glendale Blvd.

And next week, get ready for a 3-hour food truck convention at the nearby Americana at Brand. It's Tuesday, March 30, 6:00pm to 9:00pm, with truck grub from Frysmith, Buttermilk, Komodo, Coolhaus and more.

Vote! Atwater Village Neighborhood Council Election is Saturday, March 20

2010-03-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

POLLS ARE OPEN today, Saturday March 20, 10:00am to 4:00pm, at Christ's Church at Griffith Park, 3852 Edenhurst Ave., for the 2010 Atwater Village Neighborhood Council election.

Eligible to vote: Residents, merchants, students and anyone else age 16 and up with a stake in the neighborhood of Atwater Village. No advance registration required; just show a drivers license or other ID.

See the list of AVNC candidates and read their statements (PDF file).

Rent the Former Violet Willow Space for $1,450

2010-03-19T10:14:00.001-07:00

WHEN THE OWNERS of Violet Willow announced the boutique's closure last week, they said the shutdown happened after they couldn't negotiate new lease terms. What in the world is the landlord asking for? About $2.07 per square foot per month, it turns out. (Four storefronts over, at 3131 Glendale Blvd., asking monthly rent is $2.40/sf.) From a Craigslist ad posted yesterday:

$1450 / 700ft² - Atwater Village Storefront

"Very seldom does an oppurtunity for a prime Atwater storefront come by. Property is located on busy Glendale Blvvd. With plenty of visibility by foot traffic, and passing cars, this storefront is perfect for a shop/office. Property is located at 3127 Glendale Blvd. In the heart of Atwater Village. Parking is included. Available March 20th . For more information, or to schedule a viewing, please contact John at 213-200-7234."

Baum Bridge is LA's 6th Busiest Bike Intersection

2010-03-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

Alex Baum Bicycle Bridge, originally uploaded by councildistrictfour.

IN STUDIES conducted last September, LA Bike Count tracked bicyclists at 50 intersections around Los Angeles, including the Alex Baum Bicycle Bridge over Los Feliz Blvd., here in Atwater Village. The study lists Baum Bridge as the sixth busiest location in the study, just behind Sunset and Hyperion. (Complete PDF here.) Volunteers noted 369 cyclists over the course of 13 hours on Sept. 22, 23 and 26, 2009. The breakdown:

Weekday AM: 110 cyclists (12 female, 98 male; 79% helmet use)
Weekday PM: 164 cyclists (17 female, 147 male; 65% helmet use)
Midday Weekend: 95 cyclists (15 female, 80 male; 64% helmet use)

Also interesting: only 105 pedestrians crossed Baum Bridge in the same timeframes. More analysis at The Eastsider LA.

That Smell on Hollydale? City's Working On It

2010-03-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

View Hollydale Sewer Project in a larger map

A READER POINTS to an "odor control" project by the City of LA's Bureau of Engineering (PDF here) designed to quell the smell in South Atwater Village. "This part of Atwater has been smelly," she writes, "kicks up when it's hot. We actually call this place Ass Water Village. It's baaaad. Got a word from our landlord after he bugged the city."

The Hollydale Drive Local Sewer Addition project started in August 2008 and is scheduled to be complete in June 2010. Construction cost: $1,071,180. More from the City:

This project will build approximately 3,100 feet of 8-inch diameter sewer in Hollydale Drive between Glendale Blvd and Silverlake Blvd, parallel to the existing 42-inch diameter North Outfall Sewer (NOS). Approximately 80 house connections along this alignment will be re-connected to the new 8-inch line. Existing 8” sewers adjacent to the new sewer will be retrofitted with trap maintenance holes or will be reconnected to the new sewer.

Sorry, ABC7, That Ain't Los Feliz

2010-03-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

ON LAST NIGHT's evening news, Los Angeles TV station ABC7 broadcast live from the Tam O'Shanter Inn, 2980 Los Feliz Blvd. While it's easy to forgive hosting one of the city's biggest Irish parties at a Scottish restaurant, it's harder to overlook ABC7's geographical misplacement. The Tam is not in the neighborhood of Los Feliz, as indicated. It's in Atwater Village. Otherwise, revelers, party on!

Bookstore Coming to Central Atwater Village?

2010-03-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

TIPSTER REPORT: "Walked past 3161 Glendale Blvd today. Nancy M. King M.D has gone. Construction taking place inside, was told possibly a book store. Glad that huge horrible sign will be taken down soon! Anyone have any more info?" Indeed, does anyone?

Other scuttlebutt indicates the casket store, a couple of storefronts away at 3153 Glendale Blvd., might be passing on, with the space also interring a bookstore soon. Comment or email.

March 20 Opening at Smooth n Purdy Gallery

2010-03-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEKEND marks the opening of an exhibit by Michele Mikesell at Smooth n Purdy gallery in Atwater Village. The Evangenitals supply live background music.

chapter 2: Quotidian life
Opening Reception
by Michele Mikesell
Saturday, March 20, 7:00pm
Smooth n Purdy Gallery
3015 Glendale Blvd. (The Complex)

The gallery, in case, like me, you'd never heard of it, is curated by photographer Greg Cohen to show "emerging local artists working in a variety of mediums" and "raise awareness and funds to benefit the many charities our artists support."

Tweets Are Alive with News of Earthquake

2010-03-16T04:21:00.000-07:00

GOOD MORNING Los Angeles:

atwatervillage: USGS has a 4.4 at 4:04am near Pico Rivera: http://bit.ly/bcqtm0
SquashBlossom: Woke me up in NoHo but seemed quick & rattly.
seanbonner: On the 3rd floor, didn't feel anything but heard the glass of the shower door rattling!
lesleyLA: Earthquake. Decent shaker. Thanks insomnia
SquashBlossom: Looking forward to day full of news reports showing loops of footage of shampoo bottles on floor of drugstore in Whittier.
danceralamode: I'm telling you all this DST business upsets mother earth. She just didn't want to wake up an hour early to bring up the sun.
leeleepitts: Well, that was scary. Gave me a contraction!
HLP90042: Quake was on the Puente Hills Fault. Same one as Whittier Narrows in 1987. (that one knocked down 1/2 the chimneys in 90042.)
wildbell: A tsunami alert has been issued for portions of Silver Lake reservoir

So far, 22 responses on the USGS shake report from here in the 90039, with a "mild" intensity of 3 out of 10.

Crime Fighting Weekend in Atwater Village

2010-03-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

SEVERAL REPORTS of police action in Atwater Village this past weekend, March 13 and 14. Witnesses at The Griffin saw 8 police cruisers at Los Feliz and Brunswick. Then, helicopters early Sunday morning and late Sunday evening. Anything to do with that bizarre pillar of sparks on the LA River around 1:00am Sunday? Spring ahead, indeed. More discussion on the Atwater Village forum.

Fail Means Free: Good News for Glendale Blvd.

2010-03-12T14:35:00.000-08:00

GOOD NEWS for folks shopping and dining along Glendale Blvd. in central Atwater Village. You know how sometimes half the boulevard's parking meters are out of order? (The ones that actually display "Fail," not just handwritten "out of order" notes.) You don't have to put money in them. Really. No kidding. Even though last year the City of Los Angeles issued 550,000 tickets for expired meters, City Councilman Tom Labonge assures you:

"If someone says 'I got a ticket,' henceforth, 'from a failed meter,' we want to know about that, because we don't do that."

Well, they do do that, but it turns out you don't have to pay for the ticket. The LA Times clarifies in a quote from Amir Sedadi, assistant general manager of the Transportation Department, that "the policy of the Department of Transportation is not to issue any citations to broken meters."

Of course, your meter may suddenly click to life while you're away. Sedadi said: "Somehow due to vibration, coins being stuck, somebody putting a paper clip [in] it may come out of that state and be acting normal." In that case, pay up.

RIP: Violet Willow Boutique (2008-2010)

2010-03-10T12:29:00.000-08:00

ANOTHER BOUTIQUE along central Atwater Village's main drag calls it quits, this time over lease negotiations. Retail landlords, where are your heads at? Violet Willow, 3127 Glendale Blvd., sent the bad news to customers yesterday:

"I am very sad to tell you that Violet Willow will be closing in Atwater Village. It has been a great 2 years and I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to know all of you. I feel that you are not only our customers but also our friends.

"We tried to negotiate new lease terms, but unfortunately we could not. We fought a good fight until the end but all negotiations fell through and we had to close our doors suddenly. We are on the search for a great new location and plan to open hopefully in the near future.

"The internet site will be available and I will be doing the Glendale and Pasadena flea markets. You can also give me a shout out on my blog."

Northeast LA Burglary Ring Busted! Us Next?

2010-03-10T10:59:00.000-08:00

CONGRATS TO our neighbors in Eagle Rock and Highland Park for getting on the good end of the nightstick. From LAPD Northeast Captain Bill Murphy:

"Last Friday I sent out a newsletter that described a very serious burglary problem we were experiencing in Eagle Rock and Highland Park. We have been working this problem very hard and on Friday night we arrested one suspect. On Saturday we arrested the second suspect and recovered property taken from some of the burglaries. We are also working the fence that was responsible for selling the stolen property.

"So far we have tied 20 plus crimes to them (burglaries, robberies, and thefts). Should clear up crime in this area."

Any chance this crime-fighting wave will trickle across the freeway into Atwater Village? We've endured some 30 burglaries, robberies and thefts in this neighborhood since the beginning of 2010.

Thursday: Neighborhood Council Candidates

2010-03-10T10:41:00.000-08:00

CANDIDATES FOR the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council election March 20 are shaking hands and soliciting votes at Thursday's candidates forum. Check out the candidate statements (PDF file) and come ready with questions. Or just with handshakes. Refreshments will be served:

AVNC Candidates Forum
Thursday, March 11, 8:00pm
Christ's Church Griffith Park
3852 Edenhurst Ave

Photo of the Week: Atwater Village Sunset

2010-03-09T10:59:00.001-08:00

Atwater Village Sunset, originally uploaded by Non Paratus.

Wine Tasting, Silent Auction for Atwater School

2010-03-05T10:37:00.000-08:00

TO BENEFIT THE Atwater Avenue Elementary School field trip program, Friends of Atwater Elementary are hosting a wine tasting and silent auction fundraiser this weekend:

Atwater Avenue Elementary School Field Trip Fundraiser
Saturday, March 6
6:00pm to 10:00pm
55 Degree Wine
3111 Glendale Blvd.
$30 per person

Silent auction items include: Dodgers tickets, dance classes at Heartbeat House, El Capitan movie passes, gift certificates for Fabiolus Cafe, Tiki Ti and Revo Cafe, and Dtox Day Spa certificates and more.

RIP: Under the Table Store (2007-2010)

2010-03-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

ANOTHER CASUALTY of the recession, perhaps, is the Under the Table store, 3139 Glendale Blvd., part of Black Maria Gallery next door. The Franklin Avenue blog reports 50% off of Under the Table merchandise "while it lasts." No word on the economic health of Black Maria Gallery itself, but the neighborhood hasn't been kind lately to other art galleries. (See LittleBird Gallery and Pounder Kone Art Space.)

Grand Opening: Eagle Rock Brewery

2010-02-26T14:36:00.001-08:00

Three types of beer., originally uploaded by ubrayj02.

JUST THE OTHER side of San Fernando Road from Atwater Village comes a welcome addition to northeast Los Angeles. Eagle Rock Brewery has been serving at area establishments a while, and now opens its own doors:

Grand Opening Celebration
Eagle Rock Brewery
Friday, Feb. 26, 4:00pm to 10:00pm
3056 Roswell Street, LA, CA

They'll tap 8 of their own beers, along with a few special guest beers, and the french fry truck Frysmith will be on hand to help soak it in. (And maybe some of the All My Children kids; Andrita Studios is a block away.)

One Thing to Eat in Atwater Village Before You Die

2010-02-25T15:20:00.000-08:00

EVERY SUNDAY at the Atwater Village Farmers Market (3250 Glendale Blvd.) is a chance to try one item from Jonathan Gold's 99 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die. Bigmista's Pig Candy is from Bigmista's Barbeque, of course, a mainstay at our neighborhood's Sunday market. Here's what Gold says in the LA Weekly:

"Pig candy is the vernacular name for a snack made out of smoky, thick-cut bacon baked with lots and lots of brown sugar until it transforms itself into demonically fragrant slabs that bear more than a passing resemblance to pork-belly terrine. You want some of this stuff. Really you do. And if you should happen to be in Atwater on a Sunday morning, you should probably swing by the barbecue concession 'round the back, because Bigmista and Mrs. Mista will set you up with the best."

New Reviews of The Mews Housing Development

2010-02-25T10:04:00.000-08:00

AFTER ITS grand opening last weekend, The Mews housing development in Atwater Village (4254 - 4310 Perlita Avenue) is getting some rave reviews.

Housing Watch reports, "A weekend open house brought out not only young couples but empty-nesters looking to downsize."

About the design: "Clean lines define the Mews' boxy shape outside; inside, the townhomes are light filled from numerous clerestory windows and large sliding doors that lead to small courtyards. Green building attributes include solar power panels that provide up to 1,000 kilowatts of electricity, bamboo flooring and driveways that are paved with grasscrete that allows for rainwater to return to the ground rather than into storm drains."

Any downsides? Maybe price: "List prices at The Mews start at $599,000, for the 1,500 to 1,600 square foot, three bedroom, two-and-a-half bath homes, with attached two-car garage, and reach up to $669,000, which is above comparable prices within the surrounding area."

And perhaps some of the immediate neighbors would deter homebuyers: "The neighborhood is dotted with 1920s bungalows, some behind iron bars and gates, some restored and updated. While close-in to Griffith Park (Beacon peak is in view), the neighborhood is mixed with well kept and tidy homes sited next to shoddy, stuccoed multi-family units."

LA's New Modern-Home Subdivision (Housing Watch)
Modular Green Solar Homes Open in LA (Jetson Green)
The Mews Indoor/Outdoor Housing (official site)