Good buddy Nate is riding his bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles as part of the annual AIDS Lifecycle. As part of his fundraising efforts, he threw a neighborhood carnival, with “an AMAZING levitation artist and a HILARIOUS clown troupe, and FUN games!”
The Levitation Artist, Special Head.
Will Wright. In jail.
Not only did this neighbor win the hula-hoop contest, she also won teh $50 gift card to Velo Love.
Cookin’ With the Koos. The Douglas House hosted a small gathering of non-Coachella bound neighbors. Marcus fired up the grill, and projected the live stream of the concert in the backyard. There was a banjo, guitar, lots of tambourine, and the Postal Service.
It all ended with Game of Thrones.
Iglesia Ni Cristo _ N. Union Ave., Historic Filipino Town
Edware Road / 101 Freeway _ Angeleno Heights
McDuff St / Scott Ave. _ Echo Park
Laveta Terrace Steps _ Echo Park
Chung King Rd _ Chinatown
Mozart St. 5 Freeway Overpass _ Lincoln Heights
Fortune Cookie Dumpster _ Secret Location
Hot Dish is an “often-quarterly reading series featuring comfort food, wine, and readings by some of LA’s most talented writers and artists.” And endless mimosas.
Jonah hard at work at 826LA. When I moved to the neighborhood back in 2007, I remember hearing about this creative writing tutoring space that was opening down the street. And though the space wasn’t quite ready to accept students yet, they needed volunteers to help put the finishing touches on the interior, including painting book shelves and setting up IKEA furniture. It’s rewarding to see that 5 years later, the space is still going strong, with an army of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. It’s also great to see that the space plays a larger role in the community, hosting readings and events such as Hot Dish which featured buddy LaMuff performing. Need a formula for non-intrusive gentrification: look to 826LA.
Did you know that loneliness is the most pervasive feeling? And it gets lonely biking solo in the asphalt streets of Los Angeles, especially trying to take up a whole traffic lane. That’s why one of my favorite activities is to bike in a group - safety and fun in numbers. If you’ve ever been on CicLAvia or a Critical Mass ride, you know what I mean. I’ve been lucky to be taken into the Echo Park Bike Posse, a local group of passionate, like-minded, and adventure-hearted kids in the neighborhood. And what better way to celebrate their one-year anniversary than with a ride through Downtown Los Angeles.
At the new Spring Street Parklets in Downtown Los Angeles.
At Grand Park.
We ended the ride at the EPBP headquarters, with a slide show and bonfire in the backyard, in the middle of winter. I love LA.
EPBP memorial red velvet cupcakes.
Kickball at one of the greatest public parks in Los Angeles. And in true Angeleno spirit, the park is hidden, out of sight from the main street. Who says LA doesn’t have any parks? They’re just not looking hard enough.
With the Echo Park Bike Posse & Bodacious Bike Babes.
Happy Birthday, Lowbrow!
You know that one scene where Ferris Bueller hijacks a parade float in the Von Steuben Day Parade in downtown Chicago, and rocks the crowd out to “Twist and Shout”? Yeh, this wasn’t like that.
But it was, and still is, one of my favorite events to participate in here in Los Angeles. This was my third time being part of the annual Echo Park Community Holiday Parade. This year, I corralled my friends from the Echo Park Time Bank and Bodacious Bike Babes, strapped on our capes, and paraded down Sunset Boulevard, which was lined with spectators. This slow-moving parade celebrates the local community with school dance groups, historical societies, friends of the Edendale Library, the Derby Dolls, and even a senior citizens group marching/wheelchairing through downtown Echo Park. When else can you say that you’ve participated in a parade down iconic Sunset Boulevard?
Every group that participates receives a trophy! Reason enough to join!
Went on a bike ride from Silver Lake to a castle in the Hollywood Hills. But first, we had to ride through the streets of Hollywood, on a Friday night.
Echo Park after-party party and bonfire.
By the end of the night, Pepsi Spirit had passed away. It was an epic, beautiful last ride together. Be well, my friend.
CicLAvia V. This year, my parents came into town to partake in the festivities. And since neither of them have bikes, I decided to walk the majority of the route with them. But first, a ride to Boyle Heights with the Bodacious Bike Babes.
The Mayor’s press conference.
Ashley!
Kelly and Andrea of BBB on the 4th St. Bridge.
Mariachi Plaza
I then took the Gold Line to Union Station to pick up my parents, who took the Metrolink in to Los Angeles from Orange County.
First stop, the 5th Annual Feria de Los Moles Festival at the Olvera Street.
On the 101, before a photo.
Amy Kim and Ryan Upton!
Airi!
My parents and I, after walking from Union Station, down Spring, then west on 7th, ended up meeting up for walkLAvia with Los Angeles Walks. We walked from 8th and Figueroa all the way to the terminus at Exposition Park.
Figueroa and the 10 Freeway!
AAA on Figueroa
Exposition Park. I bought my parents a bacon-wrapped hot dog here. They liked it.
After the 5 mile walk, my parents requested ramen. So we took the Expo Line to the Red Line, and exited Civic Center at the Grand Park where they are re-constructing the exit plaza. Then walked to Little Tokyo for my favorite ramen place, Koraku!
My dad loves the Popeye Ramen at Koraku. He had two bowls.
After seeing my parents off on their Metrolink train back to Orange County, I headed to the LA State Historic Park for Nat’s birthday party!
Gretchen’s bike can hold 30 beers!
Katherine!
Grilled Cheese Cart, on the back of a bike.
Happy Birthday Nat.
Cyclocross Race Course at the LA State Historic Park.
Velodrome!
Cat’s handle bar air plant.
Gas-free day! Everyday!
Alexis on Sunset Blvd.! We biked from the LA State Historic park in Chinatown to the free Culture Collide block party in Echo Park.
Ashley!
Bodacious Bike Babes dance party in the beer garden!
Ending the night at the El Flamin Taco Truck. Epic day. I love LA.
Molly Arevalo had a post-Tour de Fat birthday gathering at Barbara’s at the LA Brewery. Lots of randomness going on. Like 3 identical steel blue Peugeot bibycles (Lora Hall, Thad Graham, and this guy).
Or this guy who walked by, juggling.
Or the costumed Echo Park Bike Posse.
Or Molly, wearing a Wonder Woman costume.
Happy Birthday, Molly!
