Forgotten treasures in Echo Park

I was pleased to see Valli Herman’s piece on Echo Park (“A Real L.A. Character,” Sept. 2), where I live. I was surprised that the accompanying guide omitted several good local restaurants, including Costa Alegre, Happy Tom’s Burgers and one of my favorite inexpensive neighborhood places, Cafe La Paz, on Echo Park Avenue just north of Sunset.

Emily Goldknopf

Los Angeles

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Ms. Herman seemed to have done her legwork, catching the latest in this jewel of a neighborhood. So I wonder how’d she miss the big green and yellow structure near the corner of Alvarado and Sunset -- perhaps the most important cultural institution to come to Echo Park in a while?

It’s the new Edendale Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. On Monday at 10:30 a.m., Mayor James Hahn, council member Eric Garcetti and others will gather for its grand opening, which is open to the public.

The Edendale Library features $1 million worth of new, never-touched books, audio books, periodicals, CDs, videos and DVDs. The library has free public computers and Internet access, a children’s section and a community room, as well as a beautiful mural painted by an Echo Park artist.

Anthea Raymond

Los Angeles

Anthea Raymond is a member of the board of directors for the Edendale Library Friends Society