Coyotl+Macehualli co-founders Brenda Contreras and Micah Haserjian stand next to local artist Pavel Acevedo outside the lending library on Eastern Avenue in El Sereno.
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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Topline:
El Sereno community organization Coyotl+Macehualli now has a new lending library and community space serving Northeast Los Angeles stocked with books, power tools, and much more.
Why did they do this: The organization has been doing land preservation work in El Sereno for years, but lacked a central location. Once they secured their own space they wanted to share the extra tools on hand and decided to open up a lending library.
Who can join: Anyone willing to volunteer their time or who wants to sign up for a paid membership can join.
Read on ... to learn more about this hyperlocal organization.
Everyone’s familiar with the concept of a public library. Sign up and you can check out thousands of books that would otherwise be inaccessible. But what if you need a sewing machine? Or plan to start a garden? Buying a tool just to use it once seems inefficient. So why not borrow?
That’s the idea behind the Coyotl + Macehualli lending library in El Sereno.
Lending library manager César Montero sits at the front desk of the library surrounded by items that can be checked out.
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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A need for the community
Coyotl + Macehualli, which means “coyote and Indigenous person” in Nahuatl, is a community organization dedicated to preserving land in Northeast L.A.
Listen
2:54
Books are just the start at this new community library in El Sereno
The lending library serves as headquarters for that mission, along with providing resources for the neighborhood and beyond.
Coyotl + Macehualli has been doing environmental justice organizing in the Los Angeles neighborhood of El Sereno for years. But executive director Brenda Contreras said the group lacked a central location.
Executive Director of Coyotl+Macehualli stands next to a bookshelf that was specially made for the library. The wood for the shelf comes from a Sycamore tree from Altadena and was hand crafted by local artist Ben Gonzalez.
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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A Coyotl+Macehualli lending library label on one of the books you can check out at the library.
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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“We were itinerant and we were also collecting tools and we were talking about different ideas. So the idea of the lending library kind of originated organically.” Contreras said.
The group began searching for a place to call home at the end of last year, and got their keys to their Eastern Avenue headquarters in January.
Lending Library Manager César Montero, Executive Director of Coyotl+Macehualli Brenda Contreras, and co-founder of Coyotl+Macehualli Micah Haserjian stand below a recreation of an ancient whale found in Northeast L.A. by the artist Sandra de la Loza.
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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How does it work?
Manager of the lending library César Montero sits behind his check out desk with a rack of items waiting to be checked out from the library behind him.
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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Then they went to work to reimagine the building into an inviting place for the neighborhood, filled with furniture and art by local artists.
The lending library was launched in June, operating between Thursdays and Saturdays.
“ Not everyone needs to buy a shovel. Not everyone needs to have a pitchfork,” said Contreras.
All of the library’s supplies come from donations. A wish list of items is taped on their outside window so people can see what they can donate – to add to their current inventory that includes musical instruments, megaphones, a sewing machine, and more.
One page of the wish list taped to the front window the Coyotl+Macehualli Lending Library
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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Another page of wish list items taped to the front window of the Coyotl+Macehualli Lending Library.
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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Befitting any library, they also have a large collection of books with a focus on those by authors of color. Genres ranging from children's lit, to cookbooks, social justice, and local history.
Contreras says the library is open to anyone in the community. There are two membership options: Pay a yearly fee or sign up as a volunteer that contributes 30 hours of time within a 12 month period.
Members of Coyotl+Macehualli stand in the lending library as a local street vendor enters to sell them some sweet bread.
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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Before the launch of the library, the group was already using the space to work with the community. According to Contreras, the organization helped with mutual aid during the fires, housed reading groups, and offered space for different organization meetings.
César Montero, manager of the lending library, said that the library also serves as a third space.
They offer free water, snacks and Wi-Fi for anyone that stops by. They also have an abundance of locally screen printed T-shirts available for purchase.
“You don't have to come here and buy something,” he said. “But I think just having people use the space and take ownership of it. I think that's beautiful.”
Executive Director Brenda Contreras poses with one of the many t-shirts Coyotl+Macehualli has made and has on site at the lending library. This shirt design was done by local Indigenous illustrator Samantha Morales Johnson (Tongva)
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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For example, they want to collaborate with the local middle schoolers to help decorate the space as part of a long-term community art project.
“We are going to ask them to envision how they view their neighborhood,” said Contreras.
Ultimately, the library is meant to be a source of positivity, something the whole of L.A. needs particularly after the fires, and in the wake of the recent immigration raids.
”The space is here for anyone that wants to contribute to it and that wants to build,” said Montero.
Coyotl+Macehualli co-founders Brenda Contreras and Micah Haserjian stand outside the Tool and Book Lending Library on 3347 Eastern Avenue in El Sereno.
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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Details
Coyotl + Macehualli Tool and Book Lending Library Location: 3347 N. Eastern Ave, Los Angeles, California 90032 Hours: Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Josie Huang
is a reporter and Weekend Edition host who spotlights the people and places at the heart of our region.
Published April 5, 2026 12:24 PM
Jackie and Shadow's new chicks.
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Screenshot of footage captured by Friends of Big Bear Valley and Big Bear Eagle Next Cam
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Topline:
Jackie and Shadow have two new chicks this Easter Sunday.
Details: The first eaglet arrived last night around 9:30 p.m., the second around 8:30 a.m. this morning.
Read on and look at footage of the new chicks from the nonprofit, Friends of Big Bear Valley.
Congrats to Big Bear's celebrity bald eagle couple.
Jackie and Shadow have two new chicks this Easter Sunday. Thousands of fans have been watching their eggs hatch on the popular nest livestream that made the eagles famous.
The first eaglet arrived last night around 9:30 p.m., the second followed around 8:30 a.m.
The nonprofit that runs the livestream, Friends of Big Bear Valley, says dad Shadow showed up after the second hatch and saw his two chicks for the first time.
Mom Jackie is is showing a natural behavior that’s actually a good sign. The nonprofit says she's salivating more — which helps provide electrolytes and antibodies her chicks need.
The two eggs each showed signs of a pip — or first crack — on Friday and Saturday.
The Writers Guild of America has announced a tentative four-year contract agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents Hollywood studios, television networks and streaming services.
Why it matters: The new agreement spans four years, longer than the typical three-year deal. In a social media post, the WGA said the deal "protects writers’ health plan and puts it on a sustainable path, builds on gains from 2023, and helps address free work challenges."
In a statement posted on its website, AMPTP said, "We look forward to building on this progress as we continue working toward agreements that support long-term industry stability."
Why now: AMPTP and the WGA have been in negotiations since March. The announcement yesterday came a little under a month before the union's current contract was set to expire on May 1.
The backstory: In 2023, contract negotiations broke down between writers and producers, which led to a historic five-month writers strike. That strike ended with the WGA notching huge gains in compensation, streaming residuals and AI protections.
What's next: The tentative agreement still needs to be ratified by the full WGA membership. The union's negotiating committee said union members will receive detailed information in the coming days.
Topline:
The Writers Guild of America has announced a tentative four-year contract agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents Hollywood studios, television networks and streaming services.
Why it matters: The new agreement spans four years, as opposed to the typical three-year deal. In a social media post, the WGA said the deal "protects writers’ health plan and puts it on a sustainable path, builds on gains from 2023, and helps address free work challenges."
In a statement posted on its website, AMPTP said, "We look forward to building on this progress as we continue working toward agreements that support long-term industry stability."
Why now: AMPTP and the WGA have been in negotiations since March. The announcement yesterday came a little under a month before the union's current contract was set to expire on May 1.
The backstory: In 2023, contract negotiations broke down between writers and producers, which led to a historic five-month writers strike. That strike ended with the WGA notching huge gains in compensation, streaming residuals and AI protections.
What's next: The tentative agreement still needs to be ratified by the full WGA membership. The union's negotiating committee said union members will receive detailed information in the coming days.
Keep up with LAist.
If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.
A Southwest Airlines plane takes off from Burbank. Travelers are advised to arrive early.
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Mario Tama
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Getty Images
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Topline:
The Hollywood Burbank Airport is advising flyers to arrive at least two hours earlier than usual because of construction slated to begin Monday and last for 60 days.
What’s closed: One lane of traffic on the southbound side of Hollywood Way near Thornton Avenue will be closed during construction. The sidewalk and bike lane on the west side of Hollywood Way will also be closed.
What’s the alternative: Officials are advising passengers to use the Empire Avenue entrance, or enter the airport westbound on Thornton Avenue.
The Hollywood Burbank Airport is advising flyers to arrive at least two hours earlier than usual for the next 60 days because of construction slated to begin Monday.
Road closures: One lane of traffic on the southbound side of Hollywood Way next to Thornton Avenue will be closed during construction. The sidewalk and bike lane on the west side of Hollywood Way between Winona Avenue and Thornton Avenue will also be closed.
When: Construction will occur Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through June 6.
Why: Airport spokesperson Mike Christensen told LAist crews are building a retaining wall as part of Hollywood Burbank's passenger terminal construction project.
Alternatives: Officials recommend passengers use the Empire Avenue entrance or take Thornton Avenue to get to the airport.
Suzanne Levy
is a senior editor on the Explore LA team, where she oversees food, LA Explained and other feature stories.
Published April 5, 2026 5:00 AM
LAist senior editor Suzanne Levy details her encounter with the iconic Joshua tree
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Mario Tama
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Courtesy Suzanne Levy
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Topline:
LAist senior editor, Suzanne Levy, who grew up in the UK, tells the story of the first time she went to Joshua Tree and experienced the desert's strange, out of the world landscape.
On seeing a Joshua Tree: "What? Wait, stop the car. There’s an actual Joshua Tree? It looks like an alien to me!"
On seeing a desert sunset: "I marveled at the gorgeousness of the sunset, the morphing colors and the vastness of the sky."
While living in L.A., I’d been hearing about this thing — “the desert.” Seemed a bit odd to someone who lived on the Westside next to the ocean, but OK, you can also see mountains from my house, so why not throw in an entire landscape food group?
A few years ago, I figured it was time to try it out, and my family and I headed to Joshua Tree for the weekend.
We began driving east and were soon in that vast no man’s land around the 10 Freeway. On one side, I could see a moving train, with all those boxcars. I was watching, entranced, waiting to see it go past. And it kept going. And going. It was like a vibrant desert serpent, wending its way through the landscape, each boxcar a different hue. It seemed so romantic, and then I thought “in each one, there’s a whole load of hanging car air fresheners, dental floss and Japanese waving cats” and suddenly the spell was broken. Ah well.
The eerie, alien Joshua Tree.
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Sean Gallup/Getty Images,
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Getty Images North America
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As we got nearer, I said “Huh, what's that weird thing that looks like an alien?” and my husband said, “Yes, that’s a Joshua Tree.”
What? Wait, stop the car. There’s an actual Joshua Tree? First, who knew, and second, that is no tree. That, sir, is a weird misshapen cactus, with multiple crooked arms reaching into the air, each with its own spiky fur muff. Kinda like one of those waving inflatable guys if they were static. (Ah, I've been in L.A. too long).
Bougie smores
The vast desert sky.
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Steve Holtzman
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Courtesy Suzanne Levy
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We finally arrived at our destination, a campsite — OK, a glamping campsite, a whole bunch of airstream trailers laid out with firepits. I knew it was bougie when I went to buy a smores kit from the shop and came back with 70% dark chocolate, artisanal graham crackers and single origin marshmallows. (I made that marshmallow one up, but it really is just a matter of time).
We made a fire, marveling at the gorgeousness of the sunset, the morphing colors and the vastness of the sky. I sat afterwards watching the flames, the cold air on my skin, under a blanket of stars. Tears pricked my eyes.
About this story
LAist Senior Editor Suzanne Levy writes about her experiences as a Brit in the U.S. in her ongoing series: American As A Second language.
In the morning we headed to Joshua Tree National Park. When we got out of the car, the vista hit me, with that bright, bright sun, strange looking rocky outcrops, and nothing but Joshua trees as far as the eye could see. I thought: I have never seen anything like this. I couldn’t have even imagined something like this. In London, if you go on a day trip, you can go back in time, say to the thatched roofs of the Cotswolds — but not to a different planet.
What an extraordinary continent this is, I think. I am awestruck by its endless, varied landscapes — the plains, the Rockies, the oceans and the forests. And there’s something particular about the desert — its simplicity, its reduction to just three or four elements, which relaxes you, chills you out.
I remember heading back to L.A. after the weekend, happy and mellow, smiling as we drove west into the setting sun. It’s a cliche, but the desert does call you back. And I hope to get back there very soon.
