Echo Park Lake is under fire once again after a 40 million dollar renovation, and a two year hiatus, less than a year after it’s reopening. Like many public spaces in Los Angeles, vendors of various goods have begun to set up shop in any location possible. Places with open areas such as public parks are the most susceptible, as it contains no roads, and draws a great deal of foot traffic. Though many residents have expressed support for the lower income vendors trying to make a living, many people who live closer to the park have taken an opposite stance. “My fiance and I live right on Park Ave. at Echo Park Lake and this has definitely been a major issue since the lake reopened. We agree that vendors should be allowed to come and make an honest income but over the summer the explosion of vendors has become too much since there is no regulation. It is not uncommon to see 6-8 vendors circling the children’s playground – making it difficult for parents to monitor their children while they play. One vendor even brings two shetland ponies and offers children rides at a cost. The ponies eat the grass and defecate close to areas where food is prepared and children are playing. its disgusting and very unsafe.” From Pony rides, to un-refrigerated goods being prepared on top of shopping carts, there seems to be no regulations in place. However, many residents, patrons, and families are seeking help from the city, who put so much into fixing the park to keep it regulated. As of late, there was a proposed ordinance in place, but has been rejected. As of late there is no regulation enforcement and the issue is being sent o city...
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Los Angeles is getting more bike friendly than ever before. Cyclists are being given a three foot buffer zone legally or drivers could face penalties if seen breaking the law. Over the last few years road rage incidents, and bike to car accidents have risen, despite the 200 miles of new bike lanes painted in. Road rage is no foreign concept to any angelino, as many police reports, sometimes upwards in the thousands, involve some element of road rage, reckless driving, and overall carelessness behind the wheel. The new law involves a $120 fine for crossing that buffer zone and endangering cyclists. In 2012 more than 150 cyclists lost there lives in auto related accidents, prompting further action state wide. Localized action took place beginning with the “every lane is a bike lane” slogan. The new law is already in effect and will enforced strictly. Automobile Commuters and cyclists must learn even more to share the road as bicycles are considered vehicles with the same rights, rules, and regulations as a normal...
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Los Angeles has been hit with a heatwave this week, with blistering temperatures over 95 degrees to the 100s on a consistent basis. Over 4000 homes have been left without power, with temperatures spiking into triple digits. California’s mountain ranges have also been issued a red flag warning for forest fires, while a heat advisory for the city is under way. If you’re one those who has lost power, make sure you are taking precautionary measures to keep you and your loved ones safe during the heatwave. Heatstroke can easily cause confusion and make people disoriented, incapable of good judgment. In every case prevention is the best step to take. 1. Eliminate excess heat sources. This means the oven, desktop computers, laptops, heavy machinery, etc. Anything giving off heat can contribute to rising temperatures inside ones home. Keep the lights off in rooms you’re not using, and make sure you’re using only whats necessary. After all, the excess consumption of power thru air conditioning units is what caused the power outages to begin with. 2. Drink More Water than normal. The recommended serving is eight 8oz glasses a day, but if caught in a heatwave you’re going to be stepping that up. Add electrolyte supplements or consume drinks that contain electrolytes that have been lost due to excess sweating. Do not consume alcohol, excess coffee, or energy drinks (despite them claiming to be full of electrolytes) as these act as diuretics and promote dehydration. Remember, if you’re thirsty, you’re actually already dehydrated. 3. Recognize heat related illness such as heat rash, heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion. These can be serious medical emergencies if left untreated. 4. Take advantage of Water to keep cool. If you afford it, take cool showers, run through the sprinkler, wet your hair, your forehead, wrists, and neck. These points on the body can keep the rest of your body cool if kept cool. Your body has cooling spots all over which you can apply cold compresses, ice packs, and wet cloths to. 5. Prepare your home. Keep the windows shaded as to not let sunshine heat up the room. Use Box fans to circulate air and push hot air out of your...
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6 parks across Los Angeles are now equipped with free wifi. People can now connect with tablets, smart phones, and tablets in Cabrillo Beach, Echo Park Lake, Griffith Observatory, Pershing Square, Reseda Park and Venice Beach. This huge step in city communications was made this summer. Globally, internet access is being regarded as more than a commodity but as a necessity. Playing a vital role in social change, worldwide announcements, and social networking, access to wireless internet is gaining more traction as a part of our everyday life. Cities like Santa Fe already have city wide wifi, distributed in timed increments. The wifi’s intention is to draw more families, friends, and patrons to the park. The internet development was funded by Toyota, with LA’s Department of Recreation and Parks & American Park Network. The network named, “Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi” has been in the testing stages since earlier this summer and is finally up and running. Announcements have been made to launch further wifi expansions in other parts of LA. ...
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Quentin Tarantino is one of the most celebrated and widely famous directors of a generation, so when he said he was going to be taking over a movie theater in Los Angeles, many ears were listening with full attention. Tarantino had been a long time owner of the New Beverly, yet he was never curating or putting in any work regarding the theaters content. The New Beverly, a onetime vaudeville theater, turned XXX theater, and back to normal again has somehow survived many decades. While other theaters were floundering, Tarantino was putting the money up front to keep the new Beverly Cinema alive. Now after years of debates, complications, and a declining film industry Tarantino has vowed to transform the space and set the opening date for October this year. With an expansive collection of 35 mm films, shorts, trailers, and cartoons, Tarantino will certainly be catering a vintage feeling atmosphere. He plans to gather further remaining films from avid film collectors and showcase those on a weekly basis. Opening week features a whole week of Pulp Fiction as it’s reached its 20th anniversary. The biggest factor in the theaters original take on it’s shows would be Tarantino’s lack of interest in profits. “I want people to show up, and we’re going to give them a good show,” Tarantino said. “But I also want some of these movies to just get another chance at a projector, to get the chance to be shown again. If people show up, great. If they don’t, too bad. They’ll be playing anyway.” ...
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Silverlandia Art Report: MOCA’s new director Philippe Vergne is gaining alot of positive momentum, this time for announcing a new performance series at the MOCA this september. The performance series titled “Step and Repeat” is featuring artists including but not limited to rapper Le1F; internet and video artists Yung Jake, Jacolby Satterwhite, DJ Ashland Mines; comedians Heather Lawless, Neil Hamburger, the Power Violence collective, performance artists Dynasty Handbag and Wu Tsang with Boychild, artists/musicians Geneva Jacuzzi and Brendan Fowler ,and bands The Jicks, Nguzunguzu and Stephen Malkmus. The MOCA event will be featuring noise/experimental music, performance art, poetry readings, stand-up comedy, and live bands / DJ’s. Moca refers to the event as a gathering that “celebrates all kinds of artists”. With ambitions to make step and repeat as a reocurring event, with Vergne stating “In a way, yes, it sets a tone — and that is to be a platform for innovation across disciplines. For many artists working today, disciplines as they were constituted at the end of the 20th century are simply irrelevant; so many works now exist above and beyond traditional, even modernist and avant-garde traditions. The tone of Step and Repeat, as well as the tone I want to instill in the museum, is one of freedom and artistic independence. I want MOCA to be fearless.” STEP AND REPEAT will be at the MOCA Geffen Contemporary Space, 152 N. Central Ave., dwntwn. Sept. 13, 20 & 27 and Oct....
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