Kristopher Fortin
Streetsblog California contributor, covering news in Orange County.
Recent Posts
Halloween in Boyle Heights Goes Late Into The Night
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A costumed Captain America along with other trick-or-treaters were resting at George’s Burgers on Cesar Chavez, young costumed witches were walking with their parents on the dimly lit Whittier Boulevard, and on First Street people in front of Andy’s Gift Shop near the Soto Street Gold Line Station were giving out free popcorn. Even though I […]
Creating Student Leaders for Food Justice
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Listening to Roosevelt High School students’ presentation on their Halloween-themed events to promote the Yash la Casa and Ramirez Meat Markets’ recent offering of healthy food options, there was no mention of how the public would get there. “It’s also about access and getting people out there in creative ways,” I said to the Ramirez […]
Incumbents Lose Seats, New Faces Win Big at Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council Elections
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More than 300 people voted in this year’s Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council elections — three percent of the Boyle Heights population — making it the first election since it was almost decertified a year ago. Only five incumbents are returning to the council, including Diana del Pozo Mora, Edward Padilla, and Margarita Amador. Five incumbents were not voted […]
Eastside Events Roundup: Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council Elections, Health Fair, Arts Workshops, Block Party
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Updated October 10, 1:46 p.m. Meet the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council candidates on Thursday, Vote for Them on Saturday With the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council elections on Saturday, people have a chance to meet the candidates from 6-8p.m. Thursday at the Puente Learning Center (501 S. Boyle Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90033) There are 33 […]
CicLAvia in Boyle Heights: Mariachi Plaza is a Party, Soto Street is a Snooze, Cars Get Towed on Boyle Avenue
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Passersby on the CicLAvia Eastside route on Sunday could have gone away seeing either a vibrant party, a vacant corridor, or both. But what passersby wouldn’t have seen were the automobiles towed during the road closures for the car-free event. Fourteen cars were towed between First and Fourth Streets on Boyle Avenue, said Jonathan Hui, […]
A Really Big Guide to CicLAvia on the Eastside
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Updated: 10/06/2012, 1:10 p.m. CicLAvia got a makeover this fall, and cyclists and pedestrians will definitely notice on the Eastside. While the Hollenbeck Park hub was cut, participants heading to the Eastside will come across restaurants, arts, and plenty of activities on the First Street Arts Corridor. Here are a few notable events, feeder rides, […]
Bike Journalist, Stopped by Bike Problems
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The pop sounded like a hollow gunshot. The sound came from behind me, and my bike immediately began slowing down. This is never a good sign, especially when I’m headed to a story. Riding around on a bike, collecting stories, is a challenge. Making sure the bicycle is in working condition, having enough time to […]
Resiclarte Project: Free Public Art Around Boyle Heights, If You Can Find It
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The photo’s caption that went out on Instragram (@naconico) that caught @elrandomhero’s (aka Streetsblog contributor Erick Huerta) attention said: “Here it is the piece that is going up right now, stay tuned for clue number one. Remember who ever gets to it first is the new owner #resiclarte #freeart” The photo, sent out by Boyle […]
Competing Visions for 6th Street Viaduct “Iconic,” but Residents’ Concerns More Practical
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“This is an era, a new chapter, a new opportunity to do something different,” said Mayor Antonio Villaragosa of plans to rebuild the 6th Street Viaduct. Replacing the crumbling bridge is one of the major infrastructure projects on the city’s plans for the next couple of years, and there’s no shortage of big visions. While […]
Eastside Events Roundup: Action Against Metro Tomorrow, 6th Street Viaduct Proposals Unveiling, Run For Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council
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Here’s a roundup of some actions, meetings and dates that are going on for the next two weeks that involve the neighborhood council, Metro, and the unveiling of the 6th Street viaduct design proposals. Take a look: Take Back LA – March Against Metro City and neighborhood groups will march from Downtown L.A. to Boyle […]
Getting Doored Leaves Marks on Body, Mind
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(When I found out that Kris was “doored” a little over a week ago, I asked him to write about it on Streetsblog. I didn’t push him to editorialize about it, something the reporter in him is loathe to do with his personal experiences. I think that it’s important for readers to understand where our […]
VIDEO: More Than 200 Women Ride For LA’s First Clitoral Mass
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The Ovarian Psycos Bicycle Brigade hosted the all-women bicycle ride Clitoral Mass this past Saturday after months of organizing, and weeks of activities leading up to the event. The ride is the first of its kind in Los Angeles, bringing women from all parts of Los Angeles, California, and even some riders from out of […]