On this week’s “Postcards from SoCal,” the web team visits the Echo Park Time Travel Mart on Sunset Blvd. The store sells products that one might find if they traveled waaaay back in time: canned mammoth meat, chain mail, leeches and donuts from 1985. But the kitschy store is really a way to support a non-profit tutoring and writing center housed in the same building, called 826LA. Time travel and tutoring all in one postcard.
To volunteer at 826LA, check out their website.
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Wonderful postcard. Check out Dave Eggers speech at last year's Ted Conference on his wish for the community to engage with the public schools. He talks about how his 826 Valencia tutoring center inspired others around the world - like this incredible place in Echo Park - to open. Inspirational.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/dave_eggers_makes_his_ted_prize_wish_once_upon_a_school.html
Thanks for the story. I've been to the Time Travel Mart a couple of times, shopping for weird, stocking-stuffer kitsch. But I was clueless about its important work with neighborhood kids. Very cool and an "Only in L.A." kind of place.
I like it. It is very cute, esp. the advertisement on time travel products. ;)
If I ever decide to come to LA, I will volunteer to help local kids with their writings...
So fantastic to see this store and 826LA featured here! They are truly an inspirational cause and doing a fine job bringing creativity into young lives in many different ways. The store is amazing, I highly recommend a visit.
Ha ha! I've been wondering forever what was up with this place every time I went past it. Now I'll have to stop by next time I need some Mammoth Chunks. Great!
And I thought the Pirate Store in SF was cool! Such a great place for kids to learn to write, and for adults to volunteer some time.
It's a fantastic (and free) resource for local students -- they also have a branch in Venice, and will often bring workshops and projects to area schools & museums.
And, even if you are unable to volunteer, you can still help them out by buying Mammoth Chunks.
I have worked with 826LA on several projects that combine digital video and creative writing. I have worked with many school and community groups, and 826LA is one of the best.
They are very busy, which I think is a sign of their professionalism and organization. They seek collaborative projects and work diligently to follow through to completion. They also have a reflective/evaluative component to their workshops which really impressed me. It shows that they want to improve on what they are offering kids in terms of writing experiences. Fantastic.
By degrees, I believe 826LA is building confidence in their skills with the writing process. From the daunting blank page and sharpened pencil, to the mic stand and eager audience of an author's reading, 826LA guides young people along each step. And this is invaluable.
Where else does buying Mammoth Chunks directly help students with writing? Actually, where else can you buy Mammoth Chunks (don't say Trader Joe's).
Brick Maier
Founder
Tabletopmedia, LLC
www.tabletopmedia.org
Great organization and a wonderful place to shop. If you get a chance, check out the Yosh Han Timeline scents.
826LA is the coolest place I went but not yet. Time travel rocks.
Now I that I know how hard it is to make a video, I'm really impressed. It was great. And I'm even more impressed with 826
One thing, though -- how do I cook Mammoth Chunks?
Thanks so much for that taste of 826LA and Time Travel Mart. I can see I'll have to hurry on down and stock up on bottles of Latin and Greek for my sixth graders...as soon as school is out!