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90042 is written and edited exclusively by me, Waltarrrrr, a Senior Highland Park Systems Analyst Fellow. Unless otherwise noted, all content is derived by me, and protected by a CC Attribution-Share Alike License.
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A pirate in Highalnd Park makes as much sense as a pirate in Pittsburgh.
Great blog! I live in 90042 and am happy to have a place to get lowdown on the neighborhood. Thanks!
Hey Waltarrrrrr,
I recently discovered your blog after moving to HP in January and I really enjoy reading it. As a longtime resident of this area, do you think the recent craziness (police closing 4+ blocks, nightly helicopter circles, gunshots) is unusual or typical of this area? There were tons of cops closing off Aves 53-57 this afternoon and it’s getting old. Ugh. I’m not sure all the other cool things about the neighborhood make it worthwhile. Thoughts?
Thanks Rachel, and welcome to the neighborhood.
The lockdown the other day was a bit unusual. From what I understand, someone made a prank 911 call, claiming the Avenues Gang had kidnapped somebody. The main problem with Aves 53-57 is the Dogtown Gang that seem to be particularly active, trying to step in where the LAPD took out the Avenues Gang.
Overall, I’m not especially concerned about personal safety. Like any place, one needs to be aware of their surroundings. The neighborhood is full of families. If you look on the street, that is what you see. Families going about their day, walking to the store, bringing home a box of Little Cesar’s Pizza, kids playing, vendors pushing carts, everyday things. It is by no means a quiet cul-de-sac in some far flung suburb. But on the other hand at night, after nine it is typically quiet and still. Before living here, I lived in Hollywood and heard the helicopter constantly, and it seem to be a crazier place with more break-ins, robberies, transients, car chases, drunks. Here, whatever problems may be, all seem to be local.
According to the LAPD, crimes are down in NELA. (gang related -16.2%, homicide -58.3%, shootings -58.3%, violent crime -13.7%, property crime -13.8%.) The only crime that is up, is robberies (+18.1%). I guess people are finding employment as robbers.
So things aren’t so bad. Give it some time. I think Highland Park is a unique place, but not for the faint of heart.
I forgot there were two lock-downs on Monte Vista. Luckily, I missed the latest one, which was apparently last Monday morning when two gunmen opened fire at eachother around Avenue 54. The gunmen got away.
Hey Waltarrrrrr, great blog. I’ve lived in this area about 25 years now, I’m 35 now. I just opened the Sports shop on the corner of 57 and York. My fulltime job is at FHS, so I am very aware of the escalated violence in the area recently. Swing by sometime, would like to meet you.
Thanks Eric, I’ll do that.
I’m too lazy to start a blog so here is something for you-
http://lapdblog.typepad.com/lapd_blog/2009/03/fatal-traffic-accident-in-northeast-area.html
Where is the 100k bounty and the outrage for this dude?
Great blog. You should have RSS capabilities for the stories on the main page, not just on the comments for this section (below) so peoplel can follow it better.
good luck
@GreggO, Done.
@D.F. Duck, thanks for the link. I’ve read elsewhere that pedestrian fatalities are way up this year. Being more of a pedestrian than a driver, this has me especially worried.
As far as 100K bounty, the USC Hit & Run reward was over 200K. If only every victim had that sort of financial backing…
Hi Walter,
Love your site/blog! I moved to Highland Park from San Diego County in January of 2008 and LOVE the area and have an even greater appreciation of my new home after reading your blog and articles. My boyfriend grew up on Ave 52 and now we live just a few blocks away from his family home, so I guess he is an HP lifer.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge of the neighborhood!
Thanks Pandora, you’re too kind. I bet he could tell you a story or two about his hometown.
Hey Waltarrrrrr,
Great blog! Your research to Highland park is awesome. I enjoy reading your reviews and editorials. Being a native to Highland Park born and raised I opened shop called Atomic Toys on Figueroa. Its a dream come true and the support of Highland Park locals is great. Goes to show that Highland Park still is a great town!
Gus
Waltarrr,
Greetings – Just wanted to introduce myself, I’m a 6 yr resident of HP, an avid cyclist, and parent proud just trying to enjoy life as much as possible…Would you be interested in listing the hpht.org on your website? We are trying to branch out more as an education and advocay non-profit group in HP and any help would be much appreciated. Thanks for your consideration and maybe I’ll see you on the road…ride on
Charly
534 N Ave 54
323-490-3029
Excellent blog!
E
I tried emailing based on an address you left on our site, but I’m not sure if it went through. I can’t tell if this month’s Boulevard Sentinel stole your article on the Midnight Ridazz shooting or whether you submitted it to the paper. If you have a comment, I’d love to hear it. (Good work with that article BTW!)
Hey Waltarrr..
Really great blog!! I am currently a freshmen in CSUN but I grew upp in highlAnd pArk (Meridian/Branch)..I barely got into blogs and I was amazd to find out that there is a blog on my hometown..Its good that i can still find out whats going on in my community.. but yeah great blog and keep up the work!!
Please take a look at a new article (part 1 of 3) about Highland Park I’ve posted under the Travel section of the Los Angeles page at Examiner.com.
Find the article here: http://www.examiner.com/x-12746-LA-Unique-Travel-Examiner
Further articles will describe the history and significance of the neighborhood’s artistic contributions and will identify several historical sites of interest to both Angelenos and out-of-towners.
GREAT article Paul, I can hardly wait for the final two. Thank you so much for writing about our wonderful neighborhood neighborhood. I’m fortunate enough to live in one of the older homes of Highland Park across the street from Sycamore Park and my partner grew up here on Avenue 52. Thanks again!
Well, from researching Highland Park, I’ve learned what a “State Picnic” (sometimes called a “Home-State Picnic”) is and who Antonio Corsi was. Glad you enjoyed the first article.
I think we have a common interest… Highland Park!
Check out my blog linked to the hpht.org website:
historichighlandpark.blogspot.com
It is about all the historic happenings of good ole’ Highland Park!!!
-Justine Leong, VP of HPHT (Highland Park Heritage Trust)
Hi Waltarrrrr,
I hope I got all the “r”s in there correctly.
I have been reading your blog for a while now and I just wanted to say thank you for putting so much effort and enthusiasm into this blog. My parents moved us to Highland Park about 20 years ago this month. I grew up there, went to school there (Monte Vista, Burbank and Franklin) and eventually left there to attend UCLA. I currently live in the West LA area and it feels comforting to know that someone is keeping an eye out on all the happenings. Definitely keep up all the good work. It must be hard to do so, but you do it so excellently.
-A Highland Parker away from home.
Hi Walterrrr,
This is a wonderful blog.
I wanted to tell you and your readers about something very exciting that’s happening in our neighborhood. A group of parents from the neighborhood are in the process of developing a Waldorf-inspired open charter public school for the Northeast Los Angeles area. A Waldorf-inspired education seeks to integrate the arts and imagination into academics, and tries to present much of the information for the children in story-telling form vs. as just information from a textbook. The school is called el Rio Charter School. The goal is to open by 2012. For more information about el Rio, please visit:www.elriocharterschool.org
There will be a public meeting Saturday October 17th at the Audubon Center at Debs Park. This meeting will focus on Waldorf teaching approaches as applied to public education in Los Angeles. The special guest speaker will be Tamar Kern, a teacher at Ocean Charter School in Los Angeles. Doors will open at 2pm. The meeting will begin at 2:30pm.
This is very exciting.
Many years ago, when I was in Switzerland, I met a woman from Japan who was intensely interested in Rudolf Steiner. Her dream was to establish a Waldorf school in her homeland. This was the first I’d heard of the movement.
I will check out the website!
This blog is a fantastic resource for us- we moved here in March and have loved being here. You inspire me to get involved with my neighborhood. Thank you.
This is a fantastic blog.
Thank you so much for starting this and keeping it going.
We’ve been in HP for 10 years now and love it.
Best wishes…
Hi Waltarrrr,
A friend forwarded me your link to the un-official Highland Park flag pic. So glad you posted it! I wanted to let you know the flags are now available at one of my favorite 90042 business’ Future Studio, AKA Home of Chicken Boy. Amy Inouye can hook you up with banners, miniature flags and bumper stickers all sportin’ both my favorite neighborhood Chihuahuas “York” & “Fig,” a large humanoid chicken creature and other fine Highland Park un-monuments.
Cheers,
Louisa Van Leer
http://www.chickenboy.com/
http://futurestudio.typepad.com/gallery/
pics of flag here:
http://www.louisavanleer.com/projects/flag.php
The flag is wonderful, thanks so much for designing it. And yes, I have already bought by flag swag from the Future Studio gift shop. One is on my car and a flag that hangs over the computer I write this from!
I just moved to 90042 and love it. I’m very happy to find your blog!
Hi, Waltarrr-
Hi, Waltarrr-
A new friend just sent me a link to your sight. I’ve lived in Highland Park for 65 years now, and my family for even longer. It’s so nice to see it “gentrifying” again with the advent of young families and the return of the artists to the area.
My great-grandfather, Bernard Healy, was the first City Councilman for this district, and was instrumental in getting Highland Park “attached” to Los Angeles. There used to be outlaw gangs at a roadhouse near what is now Sycamore Grove Park, and the good people of the area needed the protection of the L.A. city constabulary. That’s why we have one of the oldest police substations in L.A. on York Boulevard. People should check out their museum.
Hello Walter et al,
To my shame, I am late to this blog. It’s a terrific site, but here’s the thing: I saw that the Arroyo Seco Journal is listed in your blog roll, with the description: “Print is dead, but the Arroyo Seco Journal lives on on the Internet.” That’s not quite right. We never stopped publishing. The Arroyo Seco Journal has been a glossy magazine since March of this year. You can order it and have it sent to your home through http://www.magcloud.com, or you can download it at scribd.com. Past issues will soon be available at our home website, http://www.asjournal.net, which is alive and well, and being expanded to include breaking news and video. We are also partnering with http://www.pasadenanow.com to create Elsewhere magazine, a print and online travel compendium.
The Arroyo Seco Journal/Pasadena Now 2009 Holiday Gift Guide will be available December 1.
I’ve been out of the country for the last four months or so, but we never went away. Please spread the word.
Thanks,
Eddie Rivera, Editorial Director, Arroyo Seco Journal
Glad to see your still publishing. I read your paper every month until it stopped being available at news racks. I guess technically it can be printed via Magcloud, but I wouldn’t say its still in print. Just as I could print the la times from my computer every day but wouldn’t say I get the newspaper. Regardless, I always have found your publication in whatever form, to be reliable, enjoyable, and informative.
Thanks Carolyn for commenting.
This blog is awesome! I grew up in Highland Park and lived there all my life until I went to school in Chicago. I live in the Chi now, but keep going back to Highland Park. Nothing beats Los Angeles! Thanks for giving me something to stay in touch with Highland Park!
Hey! been having plenty of great free music events at a local independent coffee shop CYCLEWAY COFFEE.
Just across the 110 from Figueroa, on Monterey rd 5536. 90042
Live music is usually on MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHTS sometimes DJ sets on TUESDAYS
from 6:30pm-9pm
Cycleway Coffee this monday night 6:30pm-9pm
Jeremy Gill’s BLUE-ORANGE trio
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=203432564933&ref=mf
Hi Walter! Just happened across your blog and so glad I did! I grew up in Mt. Washington and moved to HP a few years ago and absolutely love it. Looking forward to reading more posts. Keep up the good work!
Megan
Hi Walter,
I wanted to let your readers know that the Board members of El Rio Charter School invites everyone to our next public meeting on Saturday, March 6th at the Audubon Center at Debs Park, 2:30pm to 3:30pm. Doors will open at 2pm.
We have a few goals in mind for this meeting. We will give an update of where we are in the process of forming the school, and then break into groups for a “Conversation Cafe” process to plan el Rio Charter School. (conversationcafe.org)
We also are looking to build our Board with people who can offer specific skill-sets: We need:
• Teachers
• an accountant
• a CFO/treasurer
• fundraisers, grant writers
• Spanish speaking community members
• community organizers
If you are a person with any of these skill sets, please make yourself known to us in an email to elriocharter@gmail.com or at the meeting.
Children are welcomed. Bring a friend!
Snacks are being donated by Blue Hen Vietnamese Kitchen. (www.eatatbluehen.com)
Visit our website: elriocharterschool.org
Yippee!
Where’s all the noise and hoopla about the Franklin High School Academic Decathlon Team competing in Sacramento this weekend?
Yippee!
This is the first Team in the history of the school!
Kudos to Raymond Rivera, Mayra Fuentes, Juan Cuadra, Omar Carrillo, Andy Vuong, Jossue Vega, Ruby Escalante, Klariobaldo Zavala, and Richard Cao who make up the team.
Yippee!
The
Hallelujah! for the teacher, Samuel Kullens, who has faith in the students, and the parents who support their children.
Take heart, folks, and pay attention to what is going on at Franklin. It’s good teaching.
So how did that young man get killed while tagging, who was there, time? That’s crazy!
thank you for taking your time to give all us hlp ppl our local news..there were things i didnt know about and whats around hlp. And i like the local new because i would have never heard or read about it anywhere else.. thank you very much
p.s. I lived in hlp all my life !
Hi Walter,
I wanted to let your readers know that el Rio Charter School’s next public meeting in on June 5th at the Audubon Center at Debs Park – 4700 North Griffin Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90031 – from 2:30 – 3:30pm. Kids are welcomed.
We’re thrilled to have Daniel Balderama, former principal at 49th Street Elementary, speak about his experiences with “Whole Child Education” in a public school setting.
Inspired by the Waldorf educational philosophy, El Rio Charter School’s mission is to create a Kindergarten through 8th grade neighborhood public school in northeast Los Angeles that fosters children’s natural love of learning through an art- and science-infused curriculum.
Working together, administrators, teachers and parents will nurture students’ holistic development by encouraging intellectual exploration, cultivating independent thinking and instilling a strong collaborative work ethic.
Please visit our website and sign up for our mailing list to keep in touch!”
Hi!
Your site is great not only for the residents in the neighborhood to keep up on the comings and goings and get another prospective but also for visitors or people interested in the area. I notice front yards too, there was a house down the street from my house in college that I would show people and thought that it belonged in a magazine!
I am working with a client that I believe would benefit your followers, e-mail me to discuss if you are interested.
Best,
Nicole
Waltarrrrr,
I concur: Great Blog. Thanks!
I have a request / question / suggestion (for blog post): Why does Highland Park have the ugliest L.A. MTA Gold Line Station (the ones on the 210, notwithstanding) in the system? Why is the Mt. Washington station a lush, delightful art installation full of while HP’s is ugly and dessicated? What is up with that bald amputated tree “sculpture” ( and how can we get it torn down)? Why Does South Pas have two platforms while Highland Park only has one, as Highland Park could have had one (and needs one, as well)? Do you have answers to these questions? I hope you do.
And what’s happening to the parking lot in front of the Gold Line Station in Highland Park? Is it in fact slated to be sold to a developer who will turn it into more high-density housing, when it could be turned into a much needed garden/pocket park ?
Alas: What Highland Park could have been if it weren’t part of the City of Los Angeles…
I meant to write: “art installation full of INTRICATE DETAILS”….
Hello Waltarrrrr and Everybody,
I am part of a diverse group of friends made up of members of the LA Cacophony Society, Art of Bleeding, and downtown artists, writers, etc. Since 1993 we have done several formal haunted houses usually called The Museum of Mental Decay. We twice used the basement of the Crocker Building at 453 Spring, now called the Spring Arts Tower. In the last efforts, we guided as many as 500 people over 2 evening through the rooms of our interactive theater. Some of the favorite rooms included a Zombie Bordello, Fifth Grade Classroom, Flesh Taco Counter, Matha Stewart in Jail, Civil War Surgery Room, Sad Nursing Home among many other bizarre exhibits. Our purpose has been to provide an alternative Halloween experience at a reasonable cost to the community of Los Angeles.
We have been looking for a while for a haunted building but are having problems finding a good location. Ideally we need something with multiple rooms, hallway access, and enough exits. Unfortunately, too many empty building downtown are set up for film shoots which means thousands of dollars a day rental. The Highland Park area is actually quite central and has plenty of character and other attributes. An old lodge, large basement, abandoned offices, or warehouse is what we are looking for.
Any advice? We would certainly appreciate your help. Thank you very much,
Ivan Kasimoff
Facebook
Waltarrrrr,
thanks for documenting the neighborhood… so good to have a reporter on the local beat! Highland Park has a beautiful future. Keep up the good work!
Walterrrr,
My home made it to your spooktacular 90042 homes!!!
Awesome!!
is there a nela christmas parade this year?
Next Sunday, December 5. I usually do the TV hosting for Channel 35, but I’ll be away this year. Merry Xmas!
The 66th Northest Los Angeles Christmas Parade is on Route 66 (Figueroa Street) December 5th, 2010 at 1pm.
Hey there Waltarrrrr!
Do you have any pictures of the old toy store that was on Pasadena Avenue where the Metro parking lot now stands? Your blog totally rocks btw!
Thanks. Wish I did. Seems to be big gaps in the photographic history of that area.
Hey Waltarrrr, I just found your blog. It’s great, I live in Glassell Park and am a big fan of all things NELA. In fact I made it a point in December to do all my shopping at mom and pop places in the NELA area. I didn’t set foot in the Galleria or Target but instead shopped Fig and Eagle Rock.
hi – can you please subscribe me to this blog? thanks!
Great blog!
I just stumbled upon it when looking for the full zip code to my uncle’s house in order to sign an online petition. Having typed in the full address, the first link my search directed me to was… your blog featuring my uncle’s house during the holidays! The house is featured in the joyeux noel edition. So great! And yes, that’s the Salvadoran flag and it is solar powered!
I’ve been arguing for years that if the gang tags “HLP,” you have to respect it and abbreviate HighLand Park with HLP and not HP. Thanks for your insight on these and other current issues (i.e. Rudy Martinez).
But, your latest post makes it seem as though you will stop writing the blog? Is this true?
I hope not!
Wonderful blog!
I enjoyed reading it a lot.
I live in Mt. Washington for about 10 years, and recently started my own blog about the neighborhood. English is my second language and writing is still difficult, but I wish someday my blog look like yours. Great work.Thanks.
Walter,
You and yours are invited to a San Gabriel Valley bloggers picnic in Altadena, at very cool Farnsworth Park (the north/east end under the wooden canopy and next to the historic river rock house) March 19…starts around 11am-ish until 5 or ? Potluck! Please come and join us!
more info: altadenablog@gmail.com
Thanks for the invite. Unfortunately, I will be out of town on Saturday. Maybe someone can live-blog / webcast it, and I can be there virtually? Cheers!
No updates, beautiful old pictures or news since January? Where did you go? Love this page very much and love checking up frequently. Hope you’re doing ok waltarrrrr!
Los Angeles International Charter High School is now accepting new students for fall 2011. We are a free of charge, college preparatory high school with approximately 200 students. If you are interested in having your child attend LAICHS, please visit our website at http://www.laicharter.org for more information or to acquire an enrollment form.
You can also contact LAICHS at 323-257-1499.
Hi
I’ve been looking for blogs from people in my neighborhood as well as blogs of people who may make wine locally or have a home vineyard.
I have a 1/10 acre of vines in Mt. Washington and would like to connect with those who share my interest in winegrowing and winemaking – especially in my vicinity.
Hey Waltarrrrr!
I just found your amazing blog! I recently moved to Highland Park near Ave 50 and a blog like yours is a great introduction. I also noticed that there’s a lot of fruit trees with excess fruit that go to waste. I work for Food Forward, a non-profit that harvests fruit and donates 100% of the fruit to local food pantries to feed the hungry. So I just wanted to know if you can do a nice shout out to your followers to contact me (fruit line: 818.530.4125) if they have excess fruit to donate (only if the fruit tree can produce over 300 pieces of fruit). Generous actions such as volunteering to pick fruit and to donate one’s excess fruit can bring neighbors together and tie a community together. I want Highland Park to become a community of culture and generosity. I am also trying to focus on my art and hope to see your artwork soon!
Thanks Waltarrrrr!
Why aren’t you blogging anymore?!! This is great. Just came across it today!
Hello Waltarrrr, you have created a great resource for this neighborhood. Though it must have been a lot of work, it is a shame that you have left, for good reason though (art). I think this blog has helped change this neighborhood to what it is today helping business and residents alike. I hope that in the future, you will continue to post from time to time. I am currently starting an art studio business on York where there used to be an old yellow tire shop. Originally it was an old gas station that looks to have been built in the 20s or 30s and while trying to find an old photograph of the building, is how I have found what you have done. Great job!
I know this site provides quality depending articles or reviews and other data, is
there any other site which gives these stuff in quality?
Thank you for providing this blog which still provides information to the internet. I found your blog on the cycleway and have printed it.
Mix health care for desire
Hello! I just discovered your blog and I love it! I moved to Highland Park in Feburary and I love this neighborhood! I’m excited to raise my kid here. Thanks so much for all information and history you share. :)
Thank you for your excellent blog – I’m a huge PE and LARy/LATL enthusiast and appreciate the information you post. I also learn a lot about the surrounding areas and topics that add to my knowledge base. Any thoughts for a book ? I’d love to share any of my photos, post-cards or other resources.
90042,
Thanks for all that you do. Our community needs and deserves validation.
Much love,
N.E.L.A. Clothing Company
—————————————————————————————————————————
N.E.L.A. Clothing Company is the first of its kind as a brand to represent the unique and culturally diverse Northeast Los Angeles area. Our clothing is called “NEO-Classic L.A.” referencing working class, utilitarian and subculture styles from the 40’s, 50’s & 60’s inspired by N.E.L.As historical contributions to art, fashion and music.
Official Website/Store:www.nelaclothingcompany.com
Like Us: https://www.facebook.com/nelaclothingcompany