LA Eastside

I don’t know why I care. It actually makes me look bad, a so-called vegetarian succumbing to eating ground up shrimp powder? I mean, why not just go for some dolphin or tuna or shark or lobster instead of the roach of the sea? Cuz I’m an idiot, that’s why.

Yet here I am once again excitedly reminding you that during these few weeks of cuaresma you might consider trying that odd and irrelevant plate of Tortas de Camaron, a dish that will disappear for another year once the zombie Jesus squirms his way out of that tomb. It’s a strange seasonal option: the dish consists of tortas (or tortitas) which are fried shrimp-powder infused egg batter, topped with nopalitos and doused with a red chile sauce. Its the poor persons way of not eating land animals as an act of sacrifice (oh please!) meant to appease some Catholic tradition or other. I used to know, now I don’t care. It’s just a time of year with much more food options at Mexican restaurants for vegetarians. And bad vegetarians as well.

There’s something satisfying about the simplicity of this plate, its humble origins, and the pleasing contrast of textures. It just works.

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On Wikipedia, there’s a sarcastic take on the re-discovery of the Zanja Madre, the original water supply for the city of Los Angeles:
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Marcellino’s Cafe
323.221.5444
2119 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Has anyone been to Marcellino’s Cafe on North Broadway? All my years of living in Lincoln Heights, I’ve never dared to step foot in the place. I heard it’s a cop bar and they tend to be a bit territorial about their hangout spots. Another deterrent, they probably only serve Budweiser and other crappy bears.
A bunch of us from the local “Drinkin Heights” group once tried The Office on North Broadway but it was obvious we weren’t their desired crowd. The drink prices were astronomical, on purpose, just for us. We did get a kick out of the signs in the bathroom that warned in bilingual handwritten scrawl “No drug dealing in the restroom.” Even Bob’s Aguila Negra on Daly had more ambiance, although their advertisement of a “plush cellar” was totally misleading.
Le Blanc’s is another place I’ve been meaning to try. I’ve only been there during the day because it’s impossible to find a spot at night, it’s always packed. The draw must be “Las Chicas de Le Blanc’s”, they seem to be popular around these parts.
What is your favorite watering hole in Lincoln Heights?

Yelp guide to Nightlife in Lincoln Heights. (hate to link to Yelp but whatever)

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Early evening yesterday, two young teenage cousins were badly injured while crossing the street at North Broadway and Sichel in Lincoln Heights. There is a painted crossing walk in the intersection but it seems the cars that speed along North Broadway ignore the pedestrian right-of-way. According to local store owner and Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council Vice-President Erika Gallo, this is not the first time someone has been hit by a car in this intersection. Many years ago, a good friend of hers was also hit by a car in this very same intersection and suffered through a long coma. Fortunately, her friend recovered. She and her mother, owner of Sloan’s Cleaners have comforted many a pedestrian who have been through close-calls. Screeching tires and near misses are frequent occurrences on this busy thoroughfare.

For years, Ms. Gallo has been on a campaign to get a signalized crosswalk at this frequently used intersection. She has asked neighbors to come out to tonight’s Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council meeting to discuss the issue.

Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council Meeting
February 18, 2010, 6pm
Lincoln Heights Library (community room)
2530 Workman Street
Los Angeles, 90031

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The winds of educational change are blowing, but who the heck knows what’s going on? The LA Unified School District is holding elections where people can vote on different proposed plans to let private companies or the present public administration manage 36 underperforming LAUSD schools. It’s barely in the news. Is it because it affects almost entirely only working class people of color? (KPCC, Daily Breeze, The Wave.)

These votes don’t actually choose the plans, but, they will poll the stakeholders to get a sense of what they want to see at their schools. The school board makes the final decisions.

LAUSD has a web page with all the proposals. On that list are several eastside schools: new Esteban Torres HS, Garfield HS, Lincoln HS,

What do people think about this whole thing about bringing in outside management? Have you read any of the proposals? Are you voting?

[I added a link to the proposals and clarified who will run schools.]

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The Pink Shack and it’s looming neighbor, The Thrift Store Lofts

I’ve always admired this pink little shack, the way it’s persevered on it’s tiny bit of land, clinging to the pavement while the block around it gradually changed into a neighborhood of factories. It challenges the industrial zone with it’s small but mighty domesticity. Someone lives here! Many of these tiny cottages that dot the area were built for the railroad workers, the rails are just one block to the west, on the east side of the river.

In my opinion, this little home has just as much historical significance as the huge building behind it.

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Albion Dairy River Park Conceptual Plan – Option A


Albion Dairy River Park Conceptual Plan – Option B

Albion Park

Lincoln Heights is getting a new park and from the looks of it, a quite large one. The city purchased a large parcel of land adjacent to the Los Angeles River, formerly a distribution center for the Swiss Dairy Company and is now in the planning stages of the new park development.
I attended a community input meeting a few weeks ago where residents were invited to offer suggestions on park amenities and activities. Unfortunately, I missed most of the presentation but the conceptual plans look promising. I’m especially happy to see the inclusion of a stream through the park. Los Angeles has treated it’s natural waterways with a distinct lack of respect and any park sitting next to the river should pay homage to water that once flowed free.

Next meeting: Thursday, January 28, 2010 (6:30PM – 8:30PM) at the Downey Recreation Center 1172 N Spring St. Lincoln Heights

Please see Albion Park website for more info.

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