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Yesterday I wandered past this newly designated location -- that's two addresses orange-painted onto the plywood, on Park Drive across from Elysian Park. Behind the mailbox is a steep drop-off, a slope that has defied many ambitions to build. Below are many trees. It's one of those wooded areas that for some time have survived despite rising real estate prices and then bargain availability. One of the semi-accidental features that make the neighborhood special. Now it looks as though humans are claiming residence. Or at least claiming mail.

Speaking of the things that make the neighborhood special, one way to measure a community is by services provided. In Echo Park we have a free Astrology salon twice a month at Stories Books, 2nd and 4th Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tonight's topic will be phases of the moon.

Meanwhile, time travel is next door to Stories at 826 LA's Time Travel Mart. And a few doors down is the Casa de Empeno, or pawn shop as it is known in English. If it hasn't time-traveled into history to make room for a live food joint.