Langdon, one of the librarians at Edendale Library introduced a new children’s librarian at toddler story time this week. According to Langdon, Krista, the new librarian, arrives compliments of our Mayor V, who made it a campaign promise to expand library services. Toddler hour was packed this week – as usual since new year's -- not enough chairs, moms sitting on the floor. A beefed-up children’s program is more than welcome. Hours will be extended, too.

Then, just as I am getting over my amazement at seeing library services improve, I take my dog to Elysian Park and see that a good neighbor has provided hundred of “bio bags” – compostable, bio-degradable, doggy-doo bags – for free. Posted them on a tree at one of the popular foot trails that lead down to the official trail where we all walk. then on the path itself. (Not to overlook the thoughtfulness of other neighbors who have provided used grocery bags for the same purpose.) Thank you, neighbor.

On our walk I noticed a new bird -- a woodpecker, made of wood. The Bird Man of Echo Park (aka Leo) strikes again!? There has been talk that some of the other birds -- the condor, for instance -- have been moved. But no one is quite sure. It did seem to me the other day that the condor was roosting on a tree a bit farther into the "woods" than I was used to see him.

Sunday the Echo Park Historical Society had a breakfast meeting at Barragan’s on Sunset. Afterward, some of us wandered over to Echo Curio, a new gallery across the street from Barragan’s. It was the first time I had been inside the gallery. I found the left half of the space devoted to an informational presentation about worms who eat garbage – I didn’t need to read most of it because I knew all about good-works worms. A bit tipsy, I exclaimed. “Oh! I did a service piece, i.e., one paragraph, for Los Angeles Magazine about worms” – maybe three years ago. (If you are wondering, having worms eat your garbage is a great thing. Better than compost, some might say. And they make great pets.) The right side of the gallery was devoted to worm-related art, which was for sale. Honestly, I wish I had the money right now because I would buy a vermiculture-themed painting that someone else is destined to have and keep.

Echo Curio's postcard explains the gallery to newcomers: "Half of the space features revolvong monthly exhibitions ranging from outsider/fring and freak culture to local community-based historical exhibitions," it says. The other half is for sale, "affordably."

One of the gallery partners told me they have bands play at Echo Curio. But he declined to say if the musicians were The Worms, or otherwise.

About the snake at Laguna Castle, Martin Cox emailed me the following:

Snake at The Castle, the snake did not get walled in as some had thought and has scared the workers once more. Now a more organized attempt to rescue the huge animal is underway. It is believed to be in an area below my office which will mean cutting a hole in the floor to enter the space and provide enough room for removing a 200-400 pound snake. I still have not seen it and am eager to be there with camera when the serpent is removed. But this does explain the bizarre behaviour of my dog last October when she appeared to go mad every night, scratching at the walls and floor and running in circles. Her distressed nocturnal wanderings forced me to find another home or her, she was calm as soon as she was out of my house. No wonder!