The Echo Country Outpost - one of the coolest venues in the neighborhood - is becoming even more intimate. No fees for tickets or beers. They are now only hosting private affairs - and of course YOU are invited.

"Part of the difficulty of running a legally underground but aboveboard operation like the Outpost is that there are bound to be struggles with government bodies like the police," read an email sent to supporters yesterday from owners Erica Forneret, and Chris Hajek. 

The Echo Park County Outpost tried to work with city officials, permits cost money (sound familiar - the city's cost of doing business cost us another of Echo Park's best venues last year - the Echo Curio).

"The vice detectives at the LAPD have informed us that they will shut us down if we charge for events or charge for alcohol, therefore: Until further notice, all shows at the Outpost are FREE."

They'll still have drinks, music, art and workshops (like the upcoming Rethinking Glendale Boulevard Jan. 14), they just won't charge for them at this time even though they'll still have to pay for everything. So they are asking for donations. They are asking their neighbors to come and enjoy, and give a donation for what the evening is worth.

And remember you may be saving one of the coolest places in Echo Park.

"We know times are tough, providing even greater reason for us all to hold on tight to one another and dream that we can make something great outside of a system that is not working for any of us."

Sadly it doesn't sound like a long-term solution. But there are some non-profits out there and some cool business people. It sounds like a partnership is in order.

In an interview today, Chris explained in little more detail what happened.

"There is no nuance in the law that allows for a…

Helicopter noise in Los Angeles is now in the national spotlight, leading to a story in the New York Times about the introduction of federal legislation to require the FAA to establish rules on flight paths and minimum altitudes over residential areas.

The conversation was re-ignited after the four-part "Helicopter Hella Loud" series ran on KCET website and LeimertParkBeat.com.

The Times followed with this amazing interview by Adam Nagourney in light of two media events that put dozens and dozens of whirlybirds above LA -- the 405's Carmegeddon and the royal visit:

This is, for all intents and purposes, an unregulated industry, an increasingly frustrating realization for Los Angeles as it experiences what many people say is the most intense period of helicopter use in memory. One neighborhood leader said he was afraid of complaining too loudly for fear that the helicopter operators would retaliate -- legally -- by parking over his house.

"See how we are flapping right now?" said Esteban Jimenez, a pilot for Hollywood Helicopter Tours, as his four-passenger Robinson R44 Raven II circled at an unnerving 90-degree angle, barely 100 feet over houses below. "That is upsetting everybody. We are at a safe enough distance. But it makes people really upset. I get calls all the…

With 37 local teens, Echo Park artist Anne Bray created two two dozen films that will be shown on Metro Buses for five minutes each hour on this week  and again for two 45-minute sessions per day on June 18 and 19. They’ll return to Transit TV screens in October.

Echo Park Film Centerwas instrumental in the project, along with Silver Lake's Public Matters, and the REMAP unit at the University of California at Los Angeles.

The videos