Except for my horrible farmers tan, I love summer. Hot days, cold drinks, long evening bike rides through Los Angelestitlan. The electricity in the air, waiting to spark a blaze of social upheaval. You can literally feel it in the air. Social unrest, riots waiting to happen. Not too worry though, we all need to relax and have a good time every once in a while, por que si no, it get’s ugly. So even though the week isn’t over, the weekend is already getting started.
Each day we witness matters that mesh in our subconsciousness, swim around, merge and become ideas. Anyway, maybe that’s the way I think. Yesterday was difficult.
When I went to collect the mail at work yesterday morning, I noticed that the small bakery & cafe across the street was empty. I was not a frequent customer, but had a 13 year neighborhood relationship with the owner. Although a 4 lane street separates us on the 6000 block of Pico, we know each other and wave hello through the traffic and noise. We are a Jewish temple, a nightclub, a cafe, a new age store, a Yeshiva School, a home decor shop, an Indian grocery store, a Muslim cultural center, a beauty shop, a Gypsy psychic, a glass store, a hamburger stand and a cleaners. A typical block of mom & pop businesses in LA, with our neighborhood gossip, occasional fights, shared joys, emergency network, and 9-5 friendships.
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The first of weekly Friday farmers markets at Boyle Heights’ Mariachi Plaza launched last week to the sounds of boleros and sweet scents of fresh produce. Vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables from Oxnard, roasted peanuts by the Tiny Peanut Factory, homemade soaps and oils, Chicano-themed art, aguas frescas and coffee were accompanied by live mariachi music and a deejay from 92.3 The Beat. The vendors were small in number but the liveliness of the homegrown crowd were enough to keep the market in residence at the corner of 1st and Bailey. Market organizer, Juan Romero, who also owns and operates Primera Taza coffeehouse – a pebbles throw from Mariachi Plaza – says number of vendors will grow in the next few weeks. The market offers a great family atmosphere and an alternative in grocery shopping. Check it out!
What is a Quesadilla Omelette? Well that’s exactly what I was wondering! So let me do you a favor and get you two acquainted. Siganme los curiosos!
I mean really, who has money to go anywhere these days? The fake ass economists keep talking up the fact that stocks rich people own are doing slightly better, like it has any bearing on our miserable lives. Woohoo, GM turned a profit after they were showered with tax dollars! Fucking Yay! The surge of employment due to the temporary I’ll-take-anything-now Census jobs is suddenly a harbinger of good times ahead! Reading the news is inspiring.
Yet at my job there’s talk that they will close up shop, or at least get rid of some of the expendables. (And we are all expendable.) It’s all worries and rumors about the impending doom. Better start saving my nickels. And so my weekends are reduced to finding amusing things to do a bit closer to home, things that will keep me distracted from the precarious nature of our current means of survival. Hmm, now I understand why my parents brought me to this place all those years ago.
I present to you this cheap distraction, an institution that doubles as an old friend: Golfland!
Hey my people – I been on the food blog tip lately, and today I present a good spot for all you marisco lovers. Mariscos 4 Vientos is a food establishment located on the Eastside. This spot is interesting mainly because there are about five, 4 Vientos locations within blocks of each other. Why? I am not sure, but I am guessing it is because the crowds of people that go get their marisco fix daily.
More after the jump
Job Announcement
Boyle Heights Living Streets Initiative. Job Description: Green LA Coalition (GLA) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Project Coordinator for the Boyle Heights Living Streets Initiative. This position is expected to run through March 2012. Boyle Heights Living Streets Initiative: The Boyle Heights Living Streets Initiative will increase people’s ability to safely and pleasantly cycle and walk in Boyle Heights by implementing 3 prototype Living Streets near the Mariachi Plaza and Soto Gold Line stations. Currently, City of Los Angeles ‘ standard street improvement projects do not give any special consideration to cyclists and pedestrians. This Initiative will take advantage of the opportunity afforded by approximately $25 million allocated through various grants and funding programs to design and install street improvements near these Gold Line stations according to Living Streets principles. GLA is partnering with the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) to lay the groundwork for 3 prototype Living Streets designed with strong community participation. This Initiative will additionally develop a Blueprint document and pass necessary policies so that Living Streets can be replicated throughout the city. An inter-agency task force and community stakeholder task force will be created. For more information on Living Streets see website
Interested candidates please send cover letter and resume to: Green LA Coalition, 1000 North Alameda Street, Suite 240, Los Angeles , CA 90012, ATTN: Stephanie Taylor, Interim Managing Director, staylor@greenlacoalition. org.  By: Friday, May 7, 2010
For More Information contact: Stephanie Taylor, Interim Managing Director, staylor@greenlacoalition. org
The Guelaguetza (from the zapotec word “guendalizaaâ€) between the villages in Oaxaca means “mutual help†or “Shared Offeringâ€
I first went to this spot last year, my homie knew that I really liked mole, so he recommended Guelaguetza because he said the mole there was really good. I am used to more pipian style mole because it is spicier, so I wasn’t sure how I would like a sweeter Oaxacan style mole. To my surprise the mole, and everything else was delicious.
More juice after the jump!
Silver Lake’s Sunset Junction may hold world titles in hipster density and most trafficked trendy businesses but who wants to gamble with parking enforcement and wait in twenty-minute lines for a freakin’ cup of coffee just to sport Intelligentsia’s logo?
Gamble not and wait not for Cafecito Organico has arrived next door, literally. Well, at least for those who do live next door and in walking distance from the cafe in the mostly residential area of Silver Lake. Nestled on the corner of Hoover and Bellvue, Cafecito Organico is the newest cafe in the area and only a two-minute drive from the hip Sunset Junction block. Reminiscent of a typical Italian coffee bar, the cafe struts a standing counter inside for those customers in for a quick espresso stop. The backdoor patio lets the loungers sip on lattes and check their email.
A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, Cafecito offers quite the opposite experience from neighboring often-overcrowded gourmet coffee shops. Customers will usually be greeted by the owners, Mitch Hale and Angel Orozco – both awesome baristas and the nicest, most humble people on the planet – and their friendly staff. Mitch, Angel and their staff can also be found at the Silver Lake and Hollywood Farmers Markets on Saturdays and Sundays, where their business started two years ago and has become so successful that they had to open a shop to supply the demand of their loyal customers.
Cafecito’s menu is traditionally simple with a couple of house originals – the Cafecito (hot drink) and Global Warming (cold drink), both made with Cafecito’s orignial espresso blend, choice of milk and raw sugar cane juice. Their coffee, all hand-roasted by Angel and staff near downtown, is ground and brewed one cup at a time.
Cafecito Organico has raised the bar in quality coffee, excellent service and a most genuine welcoming environment. It is soon to be a stop Angelenos will not be able to live without.
Cafecito Organico
534 N. Hoover Street (corner of Bellevue)
Los Angeles, 90004
Macy’s Department store has acquired a small department store which had been struggling for many years and finally closed its doors in December of 2007. The First Street Store aka La Primera at 3640 East First Street, was the only department store in East LA for 70 years and (according to business sources) way over due for a make over. Xavier von Dido, Regional VP of Marketing for the Macy’s stores, was quoted as saying, “I am so proud to be part of the team initiating this mega deal for the community of East LA.â€
Macy's of ELA will be a beautiful contribution to the community. Architect's rendering above.
According to von Dido, Macy’s is planning a fresh array of Hispanic feeling products that will have mass appeal to the forward looking East LA consumer. “If these products go well in East LA,†von Dido said, “we will look towards a national and international saturation campaign of similar products.â€
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A few days ago I caught a link by LA Observed that mentions some of the supposed worst “eyesores” in El Centro. Well I happened to be downtown on that very day, and I’d like to submit the following location to the list of eyesores. Yes, LA Live. A most inappropriate name. Well, unless you were trying to zap some sort of “life” into a monster. But at least the icon of a pole dancing stripper seems to work. They’ve bothered to make a map, not that you’ll ever need to refer to it.
Click ahead for some pics of this so called “Living.”
Boyle Heights Paranormal Project at Linda Vista Hospital
As I mentioned previously, I was too chicken to attend BHPP’s meet and greet/website launch party at the creepy Linda Vista Hospital but a LA Eastside reader attended and gave this review:
“The meet and greet was really interesting and informative. From the big crowd outside to the standing room only inside… One could feel the chills just being in line outside…Once inside you sure felt this creepy feeling alright. They held their main event inside the chapel of the hospital. I couldn’t help but wonder how many people sat in there with their health fears at hand.
It was pretty overwhelming for me. You got a few jerks in line of course cracking jokes..They quickly shut the hell up once they made their way in. I was pretty mad at myself for not bringing my camera. Also for wearing heels…So not recommended by the way. Never the less the fact that I was actually inside Linda Vista made it all worthwhile. There’s some pretty cool pics on BHPP’s Facebook page.
From the music, they played (Ink Spots) to the BHPP cookies they made to the wannabe meds (mints) they served, all was well thought out.
As I walked down the hallways, I peeked through the lonely rooms and noticed an old school baby incubator. Boy I’ll tell ya, that was an intense moment for me. But if I were to be asked to go back, I sure would. Don’t know why…but I would.”
-Pistol Pack’n Momma
Boyle Heights Paranormal Project has been getting some good press lately including features on KNBC TV and KPCC. Hope it inspires them to investigate more places on the Eastside!