The good folks from The Wall Las Memorias Project uploaded these two short videos of last Saturday's Peace in the Northeast March. There was a large turnout, and the march was well received. Sadly, even as the marchers were moving along York Boulevard, a shooting went down a few blocks away on Avenue 60. I am not naive enough to believe that the answer can be found in speeches, or meetings, or even marches. So what is the answer? Where is it found? Is it in ALZA's words: "Don't you care? Act like you care." How do you say "It's just not cool to shoot people." Yes, I am a real estate broker, and I have an interest in promoting my community in its best light. And the communities of Northeast Los Angeles are wonderful: Arty, funky, edgy, filled with spirit and vitality. But with difficult ... 08/21/2008

Featuring Music by:Maria Elena Gaitan, celloNailah, vocalsCurtis Robertson, Jr., guitar& Spoken Word by:Peter J. HarrisAmalia OrtizBryan SandersSaturday, August 23, 2008 starting at 7:00 pm"The Black/Brown Dialogues", featuring Inspiration House PoetryChoir, honors healthy and ethical cultural dialogue between the African and Latino communities, at one of Latino LA's most important independent galleries.  Using the Inspiration House PoetryChoir format, poets read their work while master musicians improvise musical responses to the poetry, blending words, intonations, audience responses, and dynamic silence into a sonic tapestry that's entrancing and exhilarating.  The poetry series is curated by Peter J. Harris, artistic director, Inspiration House, which produces work dedicated to lea... 08/20/2008

It's true.  Iconic Highland Park restaurant, Villa Sombrero, cop hang-out and home of amazingly potent Margaritas, has shuttered its windows, and closed its doors. The sign posted on the door reads: Los Angeles Times reporter Steve Lopez recounts a final visit here. As many locals here, I have fond memories of Villa Sombrero.  Meetings, celebrations, a few drinks, chance meetings, heart-felt conversations, good times. And to the servers and staff:  Vaya con Dios.  08/20/2008

Highland Park Walking TourSaturday,, August 30th, 10:00 am - 12:30 pmSponsored by the Los Angeles Conservancy http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.php4#holidayThis tour explores the rich and varied architectural and social history of the Sycamore Grove area of Highland Park, one of Los Angeles' oldest neighborhoods. Located along the Arroyo Seco, Highland Park was created in 1870 by developers who purchased theterritory from Spanish and Mexican landowners. Incorporated into Los Angeles in 1895, it quicklybecame a thriving part of the city, and was once home to both Occidental College and USC's School ofFine Arts. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Arroyo Seco was a center of the nation's emerging Arts and Crafts movement, and was home to one of Los Angeles' first gr... 08/20/2008

The intersection of Aldama Street and Milwaukee Avenue in Highland Park is primarily a residential area, a mix of apartment buildings and modest single family homes. There are, however, two small mom-and-pop style markets on Aldama.  The larger of the two markets is Los Paisanos on the corner of Milwaukee and Aldama. Until recently, Los Paisanos was painted white, and its owners, the Antonios,  state it was often a target for graffiti vandals. Then, in an effort to combat the tagging, the Antonios contracted with ALZA for a paint job and his trademark graffiti style signage.  Whatever else can be said of ALZa, young taggers do seem to leave his artworks alone. Here is the ALZA job, complete with a "Wild Style" tag message along the side of the building.  (More about Wild Style Grafitti ... 08/17/2008

The Churches of NorthEast LA present: PEACE in the NorthEast Community March and Resource Fair Saturday, August 16 10a-5p Gather: 10:00am Highland Park Senior Center, 6152 N Figueroa St March: 11:00am York Blvd just below Figueroa St Resource Fair: 12:00noon - 5:00pm Victory Outreach 4160 Eagle Rock Blvd http://www.myspace.com/peaceinthene Lead by the Churches of NorthEast LA the community will meet to march against violence in the streets. The march is down York Blvd to Eagle Rock Blvd and then down Eagle Rock Blvd to the Resource Fair. Snacks and bottled water will be served at the staging area. Bottled water will be available along the march route. Along with the Resource Fair there will be free food and Jarritos, live and DJ music and a Mini Car Show. Continue reading "Reminder: PE... 08/14/2008

The 100 Dollar Sale - A fundraiser for Avenue 50 Studio - Frank Romero, 2008 silkscreen One-of-a-kind small works by established and up-coming artists: Abel Alejandre, Linda Arreola, Chaz Bojorquez, Kay Brown, Irene Carranza, Peter Carrillo, Mita Cuaron, Raoul De La Sota, Judith Duran, Margaret Garcia, Pat Gomez, CiCi Segura Gonzalez, Daniel Gonzalez,Yolanda Gonzalez, Emelda Gutierrez, Roberto Gutierrez, Cidne Hart, Kevin Hass, Peter Hess, Leo Limon, Jose Lozano, Don Newton, Poli Marichal, Kathy Mas-Gallegos, Stephanie Mercado, Andres Montoya, Howard Swerdloff, Frank Romero, Sonia Romero, Victor Rosas, Herbert Siguenza, Hector Silva, Richard Valdes, Linda Vallejo, J. Michael Walker, Barry Wolfred & many others Opening event:  Saturday, August 16, 2008 from 7-10 pm *all proceeds will ben... 08/13/2008

Saturday, August 16, 2008 starting at 7:00 pm -- A fundraiser for the Avenue 50 Studio featuring one-of-a-kind small works by established and up-coming artists: Abel Alejandre, Linda Arreola, Chaz Bojorquez, Karen Bonfigli, Kay Brown, Irene Carranza, Peter Carrillo, Mita Cuaron, Raoul De la Sota, Judith Duran, Kathy Mas-Gallegos, Margaret Garcia, Cidne Hart, Kevin Hass, Salomon Huerta, Pat Gomez, CiCi Segura Gonzalez, Yolanda Gonzalez, Emelda Gutierrez, Roberto Gutierrez, Peter Hess, Leo Limon, Jose Lozano, Don Newton, Poli Marichal, Stephanie Mercado, Andres Montoya, Jose Orozco, Howard Swerdloff, Frank Romero, sonia romero, Victor Rosas, Herbert Siguenza, Hector Silva, Richard Valdes, Linda Vallejo, J. Michael Walker, Barry Wolfred & many others.................... August 16 through S... 08/13/2008

First, let it be said that Los Angeles is a city of murals.  And Angelinos love their local murals. In Highland Park, Mexico-Tenochtitlan "The Wall That Talks", is one of the largest, and one of the most striking murals. The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles (MCLA) sets the date of its creation as 1996.  If you'd have asked me, I've have said it's been there for 25 or 30 years.  It is a fixture. In recent years, however, "The Wall That Talks" has been marred by taggers.   And then along came ALZA.  ALZA is a traveling sign painter.  He sells local small business owners on the idea of creating signage for their businesses in a spray painted, grafitti style.  EL CHAVO has documented some of ALZA's work here. The thing about ALZA, he adds a little philosophy to many of his signs.  Good, sol... 08/11/2008

There are definite opportunities in Monterey Hills right now for both first time home buyers and investors.  For the first time, we're actually seeing 2 bedroom and 2 bath condos fall under $300,000 thanks to short sales and hesitant buyers.  The inventory for condos remains pretty much the same.  Even though looking at the graph below, the number of total Monterey Hills condos dropped to 16, there were 8 condo listings that expired which suggests that they will be relisted and put back on the Monterey Hills real estate market shortly.  At today's rate of condo sales of about 5 per month, there's about 17 weeks of existing inventory available. Investor Recommendation:  Wait for condos to drop around $275,000 if you'd like to be at break even at about 25% down. Homeowner Recommendation: ... 08/11/2008

The second Saturday of every month is Gallery Night in Northeast Los Angeles:  Your opportunity to explore the Galleries, Shops, Restaurants and Nightlife in the historic and eclectic neighborhoods of Northeast Los Angeles.  Maybe even purchase art for your home or office.   Tour participating galleries this Saturday, August 9, from 7PM - 10 PM.   Wrap up the evening with food and drinks at La Casa Blue or Mr. T's Bowl.  August Highlights: @ drkrm.gallery The New York Underground Scene 1972-1977Photographs by Paul Zonedrkrm.gallery will have special hours Saturday August 9th, from 7pm to 10 pm as part of the Northeast Los Angeles Arts Organization (NELAart) Second Saturday Gallery Night. Photographers PAUL ZONE and LOUIS JACINTO will be in attendance.Featuring Punk Rock Brownies by BIGM... 08/08/2008

Developers McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS), are proposing to build condominiums, townhouses, and commercial space on the current site of public parking lots between Figueroa and the Gold Line between Avenues 56 & 59. The York Blog has some in depth coverage: http://yorkblvd.com/2008/04/20/highland-park-transit-village/ http://yorkblvd.com/2008/08/05/highland-park-townhall-update/ Copy of Waltarrrrr's brochure here: http://highlandpark.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/hptv.pdf   (Don't believe everything you read on the internet)  :-) If you'd like to voice your opinions or concerns, here is your chance: The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce & Kiwanis Club of Greater Highland Park invite you to attend a presentation on the new Proposed Highland Park Transit Village.McCormack Barron Salazar, the... 08/05/2008

Saturday, August 9, 2008 from 7-10 pm Universal Struggle" -- Nathanial Bustion Continuing with our Black/Brown Dialogues:  "Lives at the Intersection" art opening Mely Barragan · Nathaniel Bustion · Pamela Davis · Jan Jackson · Jacobo Ramirez · Oscar Sanabria Curated by Dr. Gerda Govine Ituarte, Ed.D. Opening Night Reception:  Saturday, August 9, 2008 from 7-10 pm The Avenue 50 Studio is proud to present "Lives at the Intersection," an exhibit featuring multi-media works of art by six Los Angeles artists.  The works are as diverse as the artists.  Many of us live at the intersection of bi-racial, bi-cultural, intra-cultural and immigrant realities.  Black/Brown relationships are stretched across a racialized domestic and international landscape sprinkled with preconceived stereotypes. O... 08/04/2008

On Thursday, July 31 (doors open at 4pm), The Susie Hansen Latin Band  will play an outdoor concert at the Heritage Square Museum in northeast Los Angeles. The Susie Hansen Latin Band plays from 6:30pm to 8pm. The opening act, Groove Session, plays 4:30pm to 6pm.     The address is 3800 Homer Street, on the east side of the 110 Freeway (Pasadena Fwy) at the Avenue 43 exit. Tell your friends who want to "go green" that they can take the Gold Line, and Budget Rent-a-Car, a co-sponsor of the event, will provide free shuttle service all evening from the Heritage Square stop on the Gold Line to the front door of the museum. Concert is free and open to the public.Call 323-225-2700 for more info. Dance floor provided! 07/30/2008

Mission Accomplished!   The George Wolfe Expedition successfully navigated the Los Angeles River from its beginning to its end. Here are the official LAist Photos of the Los Angeles River Expedition In depth coverage from LAist   07/29/2008

  On July 25, 2008, a group of hardy adventurers will embark on an extraordinary expedition of the Los Angeles River by kayak and canoe, to demonstrate to developers and the Army Corps of Engineers that the LA RIVER is indeed a navigable waterway that should be protected and owned by the people of Los Angeles. A mighty river in previous centuries, Los Angeles River is now one of the most hydraulically modified urban rivers in the world. Nearly seventy-five  percent of the fifty-two mile long river is enclosed in concrete. Channelization of the river  was initiated in 1938 by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of a massive flood control project  which continued until the late 1950s.  Interest in returning the river to a more natural state has developed in the last few decades. Here is... 07/24/2008

5840 Benner Street, #106, Highland Park - Offered at: $272,500 Great 1st floor unit with view balcony in the Award Winning Arroyo Seco Village. Sits on a 7+ acre hilltop with gorgeous landscaping in a safe gated community. Updated kitchen and baths, lots of closets and storage, secure parking. Outside common area amenities include: pool, jacuzzi style spa, new BBQ's in BBQ area, sauna, picnic areas, recreation room, extra on-site laundry room, koi pond, fountain, large grassy areas, trees, gated children's play area, sport court, elevators dog run & visitor parking area: all are well maintained for you. 07/23/2008

As I was searching researching the history of my little commmunity of Northeast Los Angeles, I came across this gem in the Southern California Quarterly.   It was written in 1889, two years after the Great Southern California Real Estate Boom of 1887.  Here's the conclusion of the article: When the boom had become a thing of the past, those who had kept aloof from wild speculation, pursued the even tenor of their ways, building up the real cities and improving the country.  Those who had invested recklessly in paper cities plowed up the sities of prospective palace hotels and massive business blocks, and sowed them in grain, or planted them with trees, or they sought some other employment by which they could earn their bread and butter, sadder, and it is to be hoped, wiser men.  There w... 07/23/2008

For anyone who wondered just what was being filmed last week on the corner of Avenue 56 and North Figueroa It was a new TV series for TNT .... More here http://www.turnerinfo.com/newsitem.aspx?P=TNT&CID01=6ae1a382-b047-458b-8f12-8c3278b9e85b http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980871.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 The Figueroa Street Business District could become a "Living Backlot" ®   Read Robert Mendel's proposal.  Mendel proposes that creating a an organized, film-friendly corridor along North Figueroa would stimulate tourism to the area, create business for the local shop owners, and begin generating funds necessary to restore the building facades along the corridor.     07/22/2008

In 1903 an influential group of women formed the Highland Park Ebell Club, and when the elite women's organization opened a clubhouse ten years later, more than 20,000 people attended the colorful ceremonies. One of the first causes championed by the local women was the preservation of the land around the Arroyo Seco as a park, and it remains a park today. Illustration from Highland Park by Charles J. Fisher, Highland Park's Historian for Hire Would you like to see the Ebell Clubhouse? Easy! This Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 7pm, you could attend an LAFD Earthquake Preparedness Workshop being held at the Ebell Clubhouse.  The workshop is being sponsored by  the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and City Council  Districts 1 & 14. The Ebell Club is located at 131 South Avenue 57... 07/22/2008