Located on the border between Silver Lake and Los Feliz, Rowena Reservoir is a park right out of a fairy tale; palm tree lined pathways, freshly mulched shrubs, and posted signs warning to not feed the ducks.

Originally part of the extensive reservoir system in Silver Lake, which includes both Silver Lake and Ivanhoe Reservoirs, Rowena was a 31 million gallon reservoir, which at one time, supplied the city with water.

After months of negotiation, in December 1991, LADWP and local residents agreed on a plan to replace the reservoir with a camouflaged tank after it was initially drained, rather than to refill it.

10 years later, as of July 19, 2001, LADWP opened the new Rowena Reservoir pond for a brief tour of facilities which featured a new 10 million-gallon underground storage tank that cost $14 Million.

Thanks to Take Sunset, for this great aerial shot of how the Rowena Reservoir used to look like:

Today, unfortunately the Rowena Reservoir looks different:

In August 2011, LADWP drained the lake, much like they did at the Echo Park Lake.

And, according to the posted signs encircling the reservoir:

Rowena Reservoir Lake is undergoing maintenance to address algae growth and sediment buildup. The pond is a water feature and does not contain potable water. These repairs will not impact LADWP water service or water quality.

LADWP crews will drain the pond to remove the algae and sediment from the bottom of the pond. While the pond is drained, LADWP will also repair cracks in the concrete liner and make improvements to the pond’s filtration system. The pond will be refilled once repairs are completed in September 2011.

Well, they’ve missed deadline because it’s now October 20^th 2011, and the water is yet to be restored.

Another troublesome issue which remains is that even though the pathways are pristine and well kept up; LADWP in its wisdom finally finishes the refill the pond–to be restored to its original beauty.

But now there’s a large green fence that currently surrounds the entire pond, along with no public access.

To state the facts, the LADWP spent all of the original $14 million, plus up-keep, including its draining — and people still aren’t able to enjoy the Rowena Reservoir.

Why?

From my research, it appears that the problem is two-fold:

First, according to Curbed LA, said there is some high voltage electrical equipment around the site that will have to be removed, and second, there’s the legitimate worry–about keeping out bathers.

So until a solution is found, the public has no choice but to wait for the completion of the Rowena Reservoir restoration — until then, it doesn’t look to to be a pressing matter for the LADWP; but it’s one for the people who would like to frequent Rowena Reservoir pond.

Lastly it is indeed a tending matter and needs immediate attention — it’s a crying shame that the water around it is still missing.

It’s sad that people on the Westside don’t look Eastward, and visa versa. Because I publish Travelin’ Local, I’m able to see the best of both worlds and explore and write about all areas of our multi-cultured and multi-layered city.

In case you haven’t noticed yet, things are changing everywhere here and changing fast as gentrification and population influxes from all over are forcing once sleepy towns into seas of change, new construction, and new people with overtones of hipness, colorfulness, changed neighborhoods, and frequently changes in housing prices. During the last few years, most sections of the city have made great strides to make them over, so to speak.

Here are three videos, that although were produced a couple of years ago, highlight three areas of the city that previously used to go unnoticed–until now:

Silverlake, Leimert Park, and Echo Park.

The next time you’re in a open-minded and exploring point-of-view, get in your car, hop on your bike, or plan a trip via Metro and check these quickly changing area out.

You’ll quickly find out that they’re quickly becoming a mixture of new and old, with plenty of bohemia, culture, and ethnicity as the next layer of their Raison d’être.

I can’t tell you how much my body, at times, aches. After all, being the publisher of an all online lifestyle magazine is fun and exciting; but sitting for hours at the computer slowly takes its toll on my body and mind.

Typically, a knee-jerk reaction for many might be to take a hot shower, go outside for a walk, or even relax for a power nap, but none of these alternatives will feel and treat the body’s symptoms and aches, as rejuvenating or re-energizing as a Swedish massage.

To be sure, having a full body massage from a professional to alleviate the aches and pains that build up over time is heavenly. Also, a full body massage assists to help eliminate the kinks and knots out of my back, neck, and arms.

After doing a little research and my homework, the Massage for Healing Spa, in the stylish community of Silverlake, caught my eye.

For many, a massage is considered a luxury, but you’d be surprised at how affordable and important having the proper massage therapy can be for your health, body, and mind.

What can a massage do for you?

Let me count the ways:

1. Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.

2. Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.

3. Ease medication dependence.

4. Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.

5. Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.

6. Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.

7. Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.

8. Increase joint flexibility.

9. Lessen depression and anxiety.

10. Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.

11. Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.

12. Reduce post-surgery adhesions and swelling.

13. Reduce spasms and cramping.

14. Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.

15. Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.

16. Relieve migraine pain. Source: Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals

Now, that’s what I call a lot of ways to make one feel better. If you have any of these symptoms or ailments, and you’re seeking treatment to alleviate them, chances are a massage treatment is something that would be a good idea for you to have.

Win a pair of free massages at the Massage for Healing Spa

If you’d like to win a free massage at the Massage for Healing Spa, Cameo, the owner/operator of Massage for Healing, generously gave me a pair of massages to give away for Travelin’ Local’s readers–one for you and one for a friend.

So, if you’re up to winning a wonderful relaxing hour of “therapeutic treatment that releases chronic patterns of tension in the muscles,” just leave a comment below and tell us why you want one or need one. Feel free to share your aches, pains, and other ailments with us. After all, sharing is caring. And if you’re so inclined, the Twitter button is always available. The comments will be open until the end of the month and the prize winner will be announced the first week of March.

Oh, I almost forgot about telling you about my visit to the Massage for Healing Spa, but I thought that would make for a compelling story independent of this one. Therefore, I’ll be sharing my entire experience with you in another story that I’m currently working on.

To keep up to date with the contest, subscribe to Travelin’ Local’s RSS feed, or follow me on Twitter for updates on the Massage for Healing Spa Contest. I’m really looking forward to reading your comments, so what are you waiting for, let’s get started.