Snow

As seen from our balcony last Wednesday.

A History Lesson

Did you ever wonder about about the history of our property before the current structure was here? I came across this fascinating article, which also contains a link to several more historic photos:

Victor Segno

I don't think I'll ever look at my home in quite the same way again.

After finding this well researched, informative gem I was inspired to renew my lapsed membership in the Echo Park Historical Society.

Sunset Over Lago Vista

From Angel's Point in Elysian Park, December 14 2008.

Who's reading?

As of now I'm resolving to use this blog more, to make it a living and breathing thing. Please comment if you're looking in, just to let me know you're out there.

I'm well aware that there's a lot of competition for your attention (and mine too), but if you have ideas as to how we can promote this site and make it something worth your time, I'd like to hear about it.

Maybe the picture above got you interested? More about that in the future.

A great blog--what we aspire to

http://www.theeastsiderla.com/

Anything to Sell?

If you have anything you'd like to sell, click on the word comments at the end of the line that begins "posted by diane jacobs..."
A window will open with a space to write whatever you want.

FOR SALE: Thermo Sensitive Memory Foam Car Seat Cushion

It's fantastically comfortable. My husband used it in his previous car, but doesn't need it in his current one. We got it from the FootSmart catalog (it retails for $50), but we'll take $20 or best offer. I thought I'd list it on the Blog before putting it on Craigslist.

Here's the link to the FootSmart description:





http://www.footsmart.com/P-Thermo-Sensitive-Car-Seat-Cushion-30187.aspx

Diane (213) 413-4607

What a great bird in Echo Park Lake! It chides you if you don't feed it, then it dives headfirst underwater:

American Coot

Paper Glut

Hi Diane,

I don't know if this is blog worthy, but perhaps I'm not the only one getting fed up with
the darn mass of paper ads and sale flyers from "shop local / redplum" (turns out,
it's through the LA Times). 

If anyone would like to get their name off the list, the number to call is 1.800.528.4637.
Direct your call to the operator, ask to be taken off the list, and they will transfer you to
a message center to leave your address for removal. It says it will take up to two weeks,
and then hopefully, fingers crossed, no more excessive paper waste :)

-Stacy

Barter Babies

An article about barterers in Echo Park--we should get involved:

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jul/27/image/ig-timebank27

Coming Soon: Photo Feature on Pets of the Lago Vista

Your pet can be a blog star! Email me your photos (or videos). Less web-savvy? Bring your photos to me (Unit 517), and I'll scan them.

More Jazz

The Elliott Caine Quintet performs at the Pasadena Jazz Institute as part of the KTLA Jazz Party and fundraiser for the Jazz Institute on Saturday, May 24, from 2-3pm. This is a weekend-long event, with many groups performing. Address: 260 E. Colorado Blvd., Su. 206 (@ 2nd level Paseo Colorado - west end). For more information, please phone 626-440-9002).
The Elliott Caine Trio (EC-trumpet, Jim Szilagyi-piano, Bill Markus-bass) perform later the same day (Sat., May 24) at Colombo's from 10pm to Midnight. Address: 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock. Phone: 323-254-9138.
The Elliott Caine Quintet (EC-trumpet, Carl Randall-tenor sax, Jim Szilagyi-piano, Bill Markus-bass, Kenny Elliott-drums) performs at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, in the Gallery Bar, 506 S. Grand Ave., Downtown LA, on Friday, May 30 from 8:30pm to 12:30am. Phone: 213-624-1011. No cover charge! Validated parking ($6.50).

Lago Vista Board Meeting

Our next Board meeting will be Wednesday, April 30, at 7:30 pm in Unit 517. We'll be discussing two very important topics:
Special assessment for unit numbers and signage;
Review of the budget and reserve study.

Upcoming music

The Elliott Caine Quintet (EC-trumpet, Carl Randall-tenor sax, Scott Oakley-piano, Bill Markus-bass, Quentin Dennard-drums) performs at The Millennium Biltmore Hotel in the Gallery Bar, 506 South Grand Ave., Downtown LA, on Saturday (tomorrow!), Apr. 26, from 8:30pm to 12:30am.
No cover! Validated (only $6 or so) parking.

The Elliott Caine Quintet performs at Jax, 339 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, on Wed., April 30, from 9pm to 12:30am (Kenny Elliott on drums), and returns to Jax on Monday, May 5, from 9-12:30, for a special Cinco de Mayo party (Fritz Wise playing drums on May 5). No cover!

Jazz Aficionados & Cognoscenti...

The Elliott Caine Trio (EC-trumpet, Richard Tuttobene-piano, Bill Markus-bass) performs at the Wine Bistro, 11915 Ventura Blvd., Studio City 91604 (just east of Laurel Canyon) tonight! - Thurs., April 3, from 8-11pm. Phone: 818-766-6233.
Later this month....The Elliott Caine Quintet (EC, Carl Randall-tenor sax, Scott Oakley-piano, Bill Markus bass, Kenny Elliott-drums) performs at the Pasadena Jazz Institute, 260 Colorado Blvd, Ste.206 (2nd level-Paseo Colorado), Pasadena 91101, on Friday, April 11, from 8:30-11:30pm. Phone: 626-440-9002.
Also, The Elliott Caine Quintet (same personnel as above) performs at Jax, 339 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, on Wed., April 30, from 9pm - 12:30. Phone: 818-500-1604.

http://www.elliottcaine.com

DirecTV HD Issues

DirecTV has a new satellite, and we can no longer pull in the network channels in high definition.
Has anybody with a personal dish (not the shared one on the roof) upgraded their dish and DVR to receive HD channels CBS-WHD, NBC-WHD, ABC-WHD, and FOX-WHD? Was it free?
Please click on comments (below) to discuss this issue.

Do you need one sliding door for your balcony closet?

Steve in Unit 516 has one original-style sliding balcony closet door to give away. (The other door was damaged so he had a new set made.) It's in good shape and is already painted the new color. Any takers?
Steve's email is: scvato@hotmail.com

The Ultimate Timesink

http://www.stumbleupon.com/

"StumbleUpon is a brilliant downloadable toolbar that beds into your browser and gives you the chance to surf through thousands of excellent pages that have been stumbled upon by other web-users."

BBCWorld

Got Jazz?

Jazz Fans....
The Elliott Caine Trio performs at Colombo's Bar & Restaurant, 1833 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock on Saturday, March 22 from 10 - Midnight.
EC-trumpet, Rick Olson-piano, Peter Marshall-bass. For more information, please phone 323-254-9138.
The Elliott Caine Trio (EC-trumpet, Rick Olson-piano, Bill Markus-bass) again performs at Colombo's on Sat., March 29, from 10pm-Midnight.
The Elliott Caine Trio (EC-trumpet, Bill Markus-bass, Richard Tuttobene-piano) performs at The Wine Bistro, 11915 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, on Thursday, April 3, from 8-11pm.
Enjoy real, live musica!!!

http://www.elliottcaine.com

Dry Wood Termites

An Orkin inspection is scheduled for Thursday, March 27, but we should be vigilant ourselves, because the inspector can't see everything. Balconies are a favorite termite location, especially inside balcony closets and around sliding glass doors.

From Bob Vila's website:

Drywood termites infest dry, undecayed wood, including structural lumber as well as dead limbs of native trees and shade and orchard trees, utility poles, posts, and lumber in storage. From these areas, winged reproductives seasonally migrate to nearby buildings and other structures usually on sunny days during fall months. Drywood termites are the most typical termite in southern California, but also occur along most coastal regions, the central valley, and southern desert. Drywood termites have a low moisture requirement and can tolerate dry conditions for prolonged periods. They remain entirely above ground and do not connect their nests to the soil, but piles of their fecal pellets, which are distinctive in appearance, may be a clue to their presence. The fecal pellets are elongate (about 0.03 inch or 0.8 mm long) with rounded ends and have six flattened or roundly depressed surfaces separated by six longitudinal ridges. Winged adults of western drywood termites (Incisitermes minor) are dark brown with smoky black wings and have a reddish brown head and thorax; wing veins are black. These insects are noticeably larger than subterranean termites. Winged forms of the desert drywood termite, Marginitermes hubbardi, are pale. Soldiers of this species have a clublike third antennal segment that is almost as long as all the succeeding segments combined, easily distinguishing them from other species.

From the U.C. Davis website:

"During a visual inspection for drywood termites, inspectors look for feeding damage, shed wings, termite fecal pellets, and kickout holes, which are small holes the size of BB shot through which termites push fecal pellets out of the wood. Fecal pellets, hexagonal in shape, are diagnostic for drywood termites. However, whether the infestation is currently active or what the extent of the infestation is cannot be determined from pellets alone. Cleaning up the fecal pellets around a kickout hole and checking a few days later to see if new pellets have appeared can help to determine if an infestation is active. (Building vibrations/movements may cause some pellets to appear.) If an active infestation of drywood termites is found in your structure, you should have it treated."

Termite fecal pellets can look like small, sandy piles. We expect you to get out your magnifying glasses to check those fecal pellets. Are they hexagonal?

New Address and Unit Numbers

We have the new 12" tall address numbers, and we'll be ordering similar 2" tall unit numbers. They look like this, only not quite as deep (the style in the photo is "Deep Ribbon" and we're getting regular "Ribbon").
The 1701 address numbers will be offset from the wall by 1" spacers, and the unit numbers will be flush with the wall.

Reminder: Lago Vista Board Meeting

By the pool at 10 AM, Sunday March 16, 2008.

Welcome to our blog

This blog is intended for Lago Vista information sharing.
Do you have thoughts about the building? The neighborhood?
Want to introduce yourself to your neighbors?
Have a service, items for sale, or an upcoming gig?
Need something?

We welcome restaurant, club, gallery, and event recommendations.

Lago Vistans, start blogging.