Free Coffee at Tierra de la Culebra
Ξ January 21st, 2009 | → | ∇ 90042, Coffee, The Arts |
Arts Corps Los Angelesis trying to get some people through the gates of their public park and art space, Tierra de la Culebra, by offering free coffee and pastries Monday and Friday mornings from 6-9AM. They’re starting small, but if this is a hit, they may expand their hours to meet demand. My only bone to pick is that they’ve titled the event “Ghetto Grounds”. Why not “Cafe de la Culebra” or something that doesn’t allude to our neighborhood being a run-down slum? ACLA also runs free afternoon art classes for anyone interested.
The group took abandoned land after the Rodney King Riots and refurbished it with some colorful artwork and a large stone serpent in an attempt to “represent [Highland Park's] diverse cultures”. For those of you who haven’t seen it, the park reminds me of a small, urbanized, and amateur version of Barcelona’s Park Guell, which is to say I like it. Stop by, chat up the friendly artists who live next door, and enjoy one of the little spaces that makes Highland Park such a unique neighborhood.
Tierra de la Culebra 240 South Avenue 57
14 Responses to ' Free Coffee at Tierra de la Culebra '
on January 22nd, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Ghetto grounds really is a horrible name, but this is a great tip, thanks! I live nearby and had no idea there was even a park there. Hopefully I can check it out on my way to work next week!
on January 24th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
This is a place I will visit when I am in Highland Park this spring. Maybe someone will recognize the event name as inappropriate and rather depressing and give it a more heartfelt name. I have been enjoying your blog and look forward to some new eating establishments and of course, the taco trucks when we return to your “sweet” neighborhood.
on January 26th, 2009 at 10:44 am
i got a cup of joe here on monday, the mlk holiday. good stuff. good energy there. i sorta agree with the gripe against the name, mostly because the word “ghetto” has so much baggage.
on January 26th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
UPDATE: They also offer afternoon hours of 3-6 PM on Mondays and Fridays.
on January 27th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I had no idea this was on Ave 57, I can’t wait ot check it out before I jump on the train in the AM. And yes, agreed, the name is horrible.
on January 27th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I had not idea this was there! I will visit soon.I’m so glad that I found your website I had no idea Highland Park had so much to offer!
on January 28th, 2009 at 12:34 am
I was so excited to see La Culebra on your blog. I work and live at the park…and I read york blvd often. So, I guess I feel it is my duty to respond to all the buzz around the Coffee House’s name. First of all, it was coined by our teens who are very proud of their neighborhood and most recently this coffee shop. The word Ghetto for us simply means showing our pride and love for our “hood”. I wouldn’t live anywhere else, but I am not going to deny the issues that we face in Highland Park…this attitude drives my work and fuels the lives of our amazing teens everyday. Ghetto Grounds hopes to be a fully operational business within the next couple months, with of course a heavy component of community outreach and youth activism. For now, enjoy free Coffee Mondays 7-10am and Wednesdays/Fridays 3-6pm and be ready for all sorts of opportunities to support our amazing teens. Our park is of course open 24-7, with staffed hours M-F 11am-7pm. Come by to paint, cook, garden or take a guitar lesson with us sometime. We appreciate the buzz and support!
on January 28th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I too work at La Culebra and am happy to see people talking about it online. I want to thank our three amazing youth staff workers at the coffee shop who are doing a great job. I also encourage anyone concerned about the name to stop in and chat with them about it as they all are from the neighborhood and can share some good insights about the name. Again, we are happy to be on this blog and invite everyone to stop by!
on January 28th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
MY NAME IS ERIC I AM A YOUTH WORKER AT GHETTO GROUNDS. I CREATED THE NAME SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE COMING FROM AND WHERE WE AT. AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE FAKE ABOUT IT TO GET BUISNESS BECAUSE WE ARE HERE FOR US AND OUR COMMUNITY IT WOULD BE INSANE TO CALL IT “PARADISE CAFE” WHEN WE LIVE IN THE GHETTO SO IF U WOULD LIKE TO COME AND DROP OFF A SUGGESTION COMMENT WE WILL GLADLY CONSIDER IT BUT WE KEEP IT REAL AND DATS WUT THIS COFFE SHOP IS ABOUT….THANK YOU FOR UR COMMENTS AND WE ARE HOPINGTO SEE U SOON AND SERVE U DA WORLDS GREATEST GHETTO GROUNDS!!!!! DUCES
on January 30th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I am a youth worker at Ghetto Grounds, and as i’ve been reading people feel the term ‘Ghetto’ is horrible and harsh.I feel if you would come down and visit Ghetto Grounds you would see a new meaning in ghetto.The vibe in the shop is really chill it feels like coming into your home making a cup of coffee and chilling with your friends.People would see It like a “ghetto” version of a ‘real’ coffee shop.We have bulliton boards were we pin our ‘qoutes’ of the week, couches with fun pillows on them, and books on a table.Coffee shops now and days has been made a place where you rush in and out, and on the contrary everyone loves to enjoy there cup of coffee.Thats why we’ve made it a place where you share laughs, have great conversations, escape from reality for a while and just enjoy your cup of joe or organic tea =)
I’m extremely excited about all the fantasic comments i’ve read and I really hope to see you guys soon!
on February 2nd, 2009 at 10:44 am
I was fortunate to spend some time yesterday at La Culebra and I have to say that it has a positive energy provided by the staff and the parks unique beauty. The idea of calling the cafe ‘Ghetto Grounds’ is not only clever but an insight to the conditions of so called low income communities. This reality is one lived out on a day to day basis that of a Ghetto. Now the walls of this ghetto is one of having been vilified and kept socio-economically in despair. Folks need to educate themselves about how the community of color use words and reclaim them to empower themselves. I will definitely be returning to Ghetto Grounds to enjoy the positive space and definitely contribute to the family ambiance.
on February 2nd, 2009 at 5:08 pm
are dogs allowed in the park? on leash?
on February 3rd, 2009 at 12:09 am
In my experience, dogs are fine as long as they’re leashed and you clean up after them.
on February 4th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
@Eric
Word, but I think your caps lock key must be stuck.