FEBRUARY 4, 2019 I VOL. 48 I #5
Romance IN THE
RING Lucha VaVoom is on the List of Great Valentine’s Day Events See Page 11
Downtown center bid plots new course
photo by Samuel Hernandez
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a 100 years of life and death in Little Tokyo Page 9
THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. SINCE 1972
2 DOWNTOWN NEWS
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AROUND TOWN
Manufactory Finally Opens At Row DTLA
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ne of Downtown’s most-anticipated culinary additions is here: An outpost of the San Francisco-based Tartine Manufactory opened at the Row DTLA campus in the Industrial District last week. The Manufactory, the second location for Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson, partially debuted on Monday, Jan. 28, at 757 Alameda St.; the debut followed a series of setbacks and timetable shifts. The 40,000-square-foot project includes a number of elements. Currently, a bakery, a coffee and ice cream window, and the all-day eatery Tartine Bianco are open. Coming later are a 2,800-square-foot market and the dinner-only Alameda Supper Club. Beneath the first level is a test kitchen and coffee-roasting station. The Manufactory is open daily from 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Charges Filed in Three Incidents
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rogress has been made in a trio of separate Downtown crimes. On Tuesday, Jan. 29, Arka Sangbarani Oroojian of Syl-
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mar turned himself in following a Jan. 26 attack in which two women were punched in the face near Sixth and Spring streets. Oroojian has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and is out on bail. The office of District Attorney Jackie Lacey has filed charges in two other incidents. Max Verdi is facing four counts of attempted murder following a Jan. 23 Union Station incident in which he attacked multiple men with an axe, smashed two police cars and attempted to run over several Metro security guards. Verdi’s bail has been set at $4.18 million. If convicted, he faces 16 years to life in prison. Additionally, the DA’s office has filed a murder charge against Ricardo Macias for the December death of 89-year-old Jack Hernandez. Macias allegedly tried to shoplift from a Seventh Street pharmacy and got into a fight with a security guard. While fleeing the store, Macias allegedly crashed into the elderly Hernandez, who fell to the ground and hit his head; he was taken to a hospital but died. If convicted, Macias faces 25 years to life in prison.
Upgrade Planned for Campus Near L.A. River
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hicago-based real estate firm Bridge Development Capital last week announced that it has purchased The Box Yard, a 261,528-square-foot industrial campus. The price was not disclosed, but Bridge
FEBRUARY 4, 2019
said it plans to redevelop the property on a 7.54-acre site at 2445 E. 12th St. and will seek to attract e-commerce businesses. The property is south of the 10 Freeway and near the Los Angeles River. Bridge plans to upgrade the interior infrastructure, install new signage and lighting, and improve parking. “Industrial users have been displaced as a result of the large influx of residential, retail, hotel, and office development in the Arts District,” Brian Wilson, a partner with Bridge Development, said in a prepared statement. “The Box Yard is arguably the last pure industrial building located in such a proximity to the Arts District.” Work is scheduled to start in the coming weeks and Bridge expects to finish by summer. Mike Smith and Jim Halferty of Lee & Associates represented both the buyer and seller in the deal.
and 15,000 square feet of office space. The project would replace a surface parking lot adjacent to the Hotel Figueroa. According to the DLANC filing, the potential school component could also be split into restaurant and office space. Regalian is still seeking entitlements. No budget has been disclosed, but the developer previously said it hopes to start construction in 2020.
City Accepting Applications for Dockless Program
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ith electric scooters rolling in Downtown and other neighborhoods in Los Angeles, local leaders are struggling to catch up. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation last week began accepting applications for permits for the city’s one-year dockless vehicles program. More Details for Applications are being accepted through Figueroa High-Rise Feb. 15, with plans to award the first pilot permit on March 4. The program was apome fresh information is out for the proved by a City Council vote last Septemproposed 66-story Figueroa Centre. ber; that also set guidelines on the numDocuments filed with the Downtown Los ber of dockless bicycles and scooters each Angeles Neighborhood Council ahead of company can deploy in specific areas and this month’s Planning and Land Use Com- neighborhoods. Seven companies have mittee meeting reveal new details, includ- been operating under 120-day conditioning that 15,000 square feet in the project al use permits. To ensure that conditional at 913 S. Figueroa St. could be used for a permits do not expire before one-year lischool. The high-rise, from the develop- censes are awarded, the Council recentaerioconnect.com Broadband I Voice I WiFi I HDTV lifespan of the conditionment firm Regalian, would have 200800.900.5788 con- ly extendedI the dominiums, a 220-room hotel (on floors al permits by an additional 45 days, until 13-27), 29,080 square feet of retail space March 13.
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DOWNTOWN NEWS 3
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A Scene From the Streets Homeless Count Lures an Array of Volunteers, Providing an Eye-Opening Experience By Sean P. Thomas n Jan. 22-24, close to 8,000 volunteers flocked to locations across the county to participate in the 2019 Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Homeless Count. Few if any of them had a better understanding of the situation on the streets than Suzette Shaw. Shaw, 55, spent six years living in Skid Row. So when she set out to gather numerical and demographic information on residents in the area, she knew that she was not simply counting an anonymous homeless person, the faceless resident of a tent, or an overlooked inhabitant of a fogged vehicle. Shaw, who now lives in a permanent supportive housing unit in Skid Row, was counting someone that she considers a member of her community. “When I first came here I didn’t even know what Skid Row was,” said Shaw. “How does this place happen? How does it even exist?” As she participated in the count organized by LAHSA, Shaw reflected on her own story. She recalled how she had been working in the social services field in Mountain View, Calif. Then, she found herself without work, and eventually wound up on Skid Row, bouncing between living in her car and residing in shelters.
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Now that she is in permanent housing, Shaw said she felt the need to participate in the count, knowing an accurate tally is the best way to ensure that money and other resources find their way to the people who need them most. She was one of about 50 individuals who set out from the Downtown Women’s Center at 8:30 p.m. on a Thursday. The volunteers wore florescent vests and carried only a pencil, clipboard and flashlight. Shaw’s experience was instructive for others in her group, including a couple from the Montebello area. She gave tips and advice to Salvador Muñoz, a marketing executive, and Brittany Butler, who in 2019 won the title of Miss Los Angeles County. Shaw mentioned what might be going through the heads of community members as the teams fanned out. “You are going through people’s homes and you have to be respectful of that,” Shaw said. “This is still a community. People here deserve to be respected.” For the LAHSA count, volunteers inspect 2,163 census tracts across Los Angeles County. Demographic information is later extrapolated to provide a snapshot of the make-up of the homeless community, including breakdowns by race, age and
Great Friends
photo by Sean P. Thomas
Suzette Shaw (left), Brittany Butler and Salvador Muñoz were grouped together on Jan. 24 during the annual Homeless Count. They tallied individual living in the streets, in tents, and in cars in Skid Row.
gender. The 2018 count found that 52,765 people were homeless in the county, with 31,285 residing in the city. The findings impact how local, state and federal resources for homelessness are distributed. The count is completely visual, with participants marking down people, tents and vehicles. No interaction with the community is required and individuals are instructed not open tents or knock on car doors. The results of the 2019 homeless count are scheduled to be revealed in May. Ronald Gaines, who was not a part of Shaw’s group, also had an inside look into the issues. The 33-year-old currently resides at the Los Angeles Mission on Fifth Street. He
opted to join the count after a staffer at the mission asked for assistance. Having lived in the area for four years, Gaines said prior to the count that he had a strong idea of what to expect, despite having never previously participated or even heard of the count. “I was just going to be at home chilling at the crib anyway,” Gaines said. “So they asked and I said yes. Why not help? They need it and it brings help to the area.” The same was true for 42-year-old Oscar Moore. He found himself living in Skid Row almost 12 years ago. Now he has an apartment in East Los Angeles. Continued on page 16
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EDITORIALS
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TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD
A Forgotten Monument Is Back
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ega-projects have been changing Downtown Los Angeles for nearly two decades, from Staples Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall at the turn of the millennium, to the more recent Wilshire Grand Center and Metropolis. These massive developments continue, and construction will soon begin on yet another one — the approximately $1 billion The Grand, being designed by Frank Gehry. With all the attention these developments garner, it is easy to overlook smaller projects. Yet efforts with a far more limited budget and footprint can also have a notable impact on the look, feel and pedestrian experience in Downtown. A case in point is the renovation of the Fort Moore Pioneer Memorial, a 1958 monument at 451 N. Hill St. Over the course of decades the landmark with a waterfall and a terra cotta relief had fallen into disrepair. Like many of the old office buildings in the Historic Core 25 years ago, it was essentially forgotten. Los Angeles Downtown News last week wrote about the revival of the monument, and the quiet restarting of the water feature that took place in December. It is one of those projects that can easily escape attention until someone points it out, but once you see it, you notice it every time you pass. Indeed, a glance at the gurgling pools and cleaned-up panels injects a bit of life and a sense of comfort into the otherwise forgettable stretch connecting the Civic Center and Chinatown. The memorial helps humanize the city. It’s a project that took a while, but one that merits praise. The County Board of Supervisors in 2014 ponied up $4.1 million for the restoration, and the City Council later chipped in $500,000. Care and attention were taken throughout the process both to overhaul the infrastructure, such as retrofitting the pipes, and to adhere to city historic monument guidelines. The monument honors something few Downtowners know about — the raising of the U.S. flag in the recently acquired California territory in 1847 by the Mormon Battalion and the New York Volunteer American military forces. The relief pays heed to that and other elements of the region’s past. More attention grabbing is the restarting of the waterfall. The County shut it off in 1977 when the region was suffering a drought. With no water, attention to overall maintenance drifted, and the monument became the province of skateboarders, graffiti taggers and homeless individuals. Getting everything functioning again was no small feat — a Downtown-based company called California Pottery and Tile Works created nearly 300,000 small tiles for the restoration. It is wise that the water flow is now adjustable. A project representative noted that it can be turned up for “the full Niagara Falls effect,” but limited at other times to conserve resources — that’s the appropriate step in a region that, even with last week’s rains, still suffers from drought conditions in many years. It’s pleasing to know that, after 42 years, the water at the Fort Moore Memorial is flowing again. Hopefully people notice the monument, and hopefully others recognize how “small” street-level projects can enhance life in a busy neighborhood.
San Julian Street between 5th & 6th
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COMMENTS
Regarding the editorial “A Bike Project With Promise, and a Huge Price Tag,” about Metro’s proposed $365 million bike path that would run eight miles through Downtown along the Los Angeles River How about using some of those funds for fixing L.A.’s pothole-ridden, broken, cracked streets, the broken, raised/uplifted sidewalks, curb repairs, gutter repairs (standing water-breeding mosquitos), and the thousands of trees that only get serviced every 10-15 years? —Myra Walker I agree with the editorial. This seems like a good idea, but is much too expensive. Perhaps there is some compromise, such as a detour from the river and using Santa Fe Ave or another street through the Arts District and industrial area. —Mark Weiner Regarding the article “Downtown Groups Angry Over Rail Plan,” about the elimination of a Pershing Square stop from consideration in the West Santa Branch Transit Corridor, by Nicholas Slayton If it was possible to tunnel/construct the Red Line 900 feet under the mountain ridge north of Hollywood, then why not tunnel deep under Downtown and make use of EDITOR: Jon Regardie STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton, Sean P. Thomas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre
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Skid Row
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high-speed escalators at a deep underground light rail station to replace the Pershing Square parking garage? And then extend the line up to the Second and Hope station for the Regional Connector. Metro should make plans to eventually extend such a route up to Dodger Stadium, to Atwater Village and to downtown Glendale, which is the third most-populous city in L.A. County. There is such a lack of vision and long-range planning with this project. Pershing Square needs to become extraordinarily urbane, a highly favored and symbolic place in the heart of every citizen. Combine transportation and urban design. Let’s not overload the 7th Street/Metro Center stop. —John Crandell
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FEBRUARY 4, 2019
DOWNTOWN NEWS 5
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Eric Garcetti Just Says No
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On Tuesday, Jan. 29, Mayor Eric Garcetti said he will not run for president in 2020. He also quoted Taylor Swift.
By Jon Regardie never expected that Eric Garcetti would win the 2020 presidential election or even capture the Democratic party nomination. But I also never anticipated that he would pass on the chance to try. My doubt that he could win was based on numbers rather than ability. Only one person
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THE REGARDIE REPORT can ultimately be victorious, and a candidate needs everything to break right at precisely the right time. Plus, the opportunities are severely limited — we only get a new POTUS every four or eight years. In the case of Garcetti and 2020, the Democratic field is likely to be packed, with as many as two dozen candidates ready to slice and dice each other. The process could ultimately seem less like an election and more like a Hunger Games-style survival contest. A mayor with little national name recognition emerging victorious from the battlefield is highly unlikely. At the same time, it seemed natural that Garcetti would launch himself into the tumult, knowing that in an era where a businessman/reality TV doofus can win the White House, all the old rules are out. Sure, Garcetti is famously politically cautious, but he also possesses a wealth of attributes that could resonate in the modern age — he’s telegenic, bilingual and adept at social media. I mean, why not? Plus, as I have written before, a run for him
was all upside. Unless he embarrasses himself — and Garcetti is way too careful to do so — the worst that could happen might be that he flames out after early voting states such as Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina, and in that case he is still mayor of Los Angeles until 2022. That’s a heck of a job and gives him more than enough time to reset and refocus on future ambitions. Plus, even if he didn’t win but carried himself well, he could emerge from the primary circuit/circus with a higher profile, and could curry favor with the eventual Democratic party nominee — something that could pay off in myriad ways, ranging from a slot on the ticket as vice president to a Cabinet post if the Dem wins to tight relations with an incoming president. Yet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, Garcetti said no to it all. In a hastily called press conference on the third floor of City Hall he reflected on traveling the country and considering a run, but decided that in the wake of helping settle the teachers’ strike, Los Angeles is his kind of town. “I realized this is what I am meant to do. This is where I want to be,” he said. He soon added, “I believe whenever possible you should finish the job you set out to do.” As he said this, he actually looked relaxed and happy. The Blindside Garcetti said he had been leaning against running for a couple weeks, and finalized the Continued on page 10
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6 DOWNTOWN NEWS
photo courtesy the Downtown Center Business Improvement District
Building a Better BID
FEBRUARY 4, 2019
Suzanne Holley and Nick Griffin, Who Succeeded Carol Schatz at the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, Try to Propel the Neighborhood Forward
Suzanne Holley serves as president and CEO of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District and Nick Griffin is executive director. Downtown’s largest BID has a $7 million annual budget and provides clean and safety patrols in a 65-block area.
By Nicholas Slayton ast September, Carol Schatz stepped down as the president and CEO of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District. She had helmed Downtown’s biggest BID since it was founded in 1998 and had a reputation as one of the community’s fiercest and most effective advocates and lobbyists (she also ran the Central City Association for more than two decades). Her contributions were so significant that the city named the intersection of Hope Street and Wilshire Boulevard as Carol Schatz Square. Schatz had some pretty big shoes, and for the DCBID to move forward, they needed to be filled. The BID board of directors responded with a sort of double-barreled approach. It promoted Suzanne Holley, who has been with the BID for five years, to the posts of president and CEO, and named Nick Griffin, who had four years with the BID, as executive director. They are in charge of leading the organization that has a $7 million annual budget and conducts cleaning, safety efforts and some marketing work in a 65-block area. Holley and Griffin said that the transition has been smooth, with BID staff mostly carrying on with programs already in play. The greater focus has been on addressing a changing Downtown with a much larger residential base and new needs. “There was no ‘there’ there when Carol started,” said Holley, who previously served as chief operating officer and executive vice president of the BID. “She built an amazing foundation that we’re building on.” Saying that Downtown has changed markedly since the BID debuted is an understatement. The residential population has surged from about 18,000 at the turn of the millennium to 72,000 today. According to the BID, more than $30 billion has been invested in
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Downtown since that time. In the early years, the BID’s goal was to help persuade people to come Downtown and invest. Today, it’s more of an effort to bring in smaller companies and fill vacancies in new residential and office buildings, along with addressing increasing levels of litter and crime. Holley, who previously served as chief operating officer and executive vice president of the BID, said she and Griffin view their job as not only promoting Downtown, but researching vacancy rates, emerging markets and business trends to spur economic development in the area. “We’re not just saying, ‘Hey, Downtown’s great,’” Griffin said during a joint interview in a conference room in the BID’s Financial District headquarters. “We need to work directly with residential and retail developers to see who they’re targeting. It’s about a much more sophisticated focus in each one of those areas.” That will be achieved in multiple ways. As in Schatz’s tenure, there will be market reports on various sectors. Griffin said there will also be efforts to help office building owners attract new industries, while not overlooking traditional Downtown tenants such as law and financial firms. The effort extends to the street level, as the BID will continue to try to lure retailers to the area, whether independent stores or well-known chains. Rising Budget Business improvement districts charge property owners to provide services beyond those delivered by the city. The DCBID, which has 11 people on staff (not counting contracted patrol and cleaning crews), collects assessments from approximately 2,000 property owners. The fees are based on square footage and can range from $100 to $100,000. By law, BIDs must be regularly renewed. The DCBID started a new 10-year extension
in 2018. Property owners representing 94.1% of the land in the area voted to renew. The DCBID’s current fiscal year budget is up about $300,000 from last year’s $6.7 million, an increase due in part to the opening of projects including the Wilshire Grand Center and Metropolis. Holley and Griffin said about twothirds of the budget goes to the clean and safe programs, with the remainder put toward marketing and economic development. Robert Cushman, who took over as chairman of the DCBID’s board of directors at the start of the year, said that no major changes in direction are expected under Schatz’s successors. “Carol was very instrumental in developing a strong organization under her leadership, and Suzanne Holley and Nick Griffin share her same vision for the city,” Cushman said. He said the supplemental services the BID provides are an essential part of the organization, but he expects to see more of an emphasis going forward on programs that draw in businesses by highlighting the now-bustling Downtown. Cushman pointed to a number of major events coming to Los Angeles in the next 10 years, including the 2028 Olympic Games. Downtown’s level of activity in 2019 versus 1998 means new challenges. Holley and Griffin said that one important task is trying to curb the perception that Downtown is growing more dangerous. Last year, according to LAPD statistics, there was a decrease in violent incidents in Central Division (which includes Downtown), but crime rose overall, and there was a notable spike in certain categories, including thefts from vehicles. Griffin said that BID safety officers meet with business owners in the area and offer advice and tips. Holley said the BID’s security team also works with outreach crews from the organization People Assisting the Homeless to help
individuals on the streets connect with service providers. On the economic development front, Holley said the BID is working to link the Class A office buildings, which have traditionally served law and financial firms, with new industries that are looking to come Downtown, such as design and technology. There will also be some different strategies and new endeavors. In late November, the BID launched “DTLA IRL,” a pop-up visitor center-meets-store in an empty retail space at Seventh and Olive streets. Over the course of three weeks it hosted or highlighted more than 60 Downtown businesses and hawked wares from more than a dozen retailers. The idea was to activate a dead corner, and use the space to introduce visitors to stores or businesses they might not know about, Griffin said. Griffin said that the goal is to do similar activations this year, even if the BID itself does not produce them. The BID has a program called “Pop-Up Connect” that seeks to link landlords who have vacant storefronts with people who could bring their businesses to Downtown. The BID’s leaders know the challenges are momentous, but said they are made easier by the work Schatz did. “Carol put together a team over the last several years that has gelled in such a way that made it possible for her step down,” Griffin said. Holley said that she and Griffin complement each other well, with each bringing “hare-brained schemes” and ideas, and then together they drill down to address specific issues. Cushman said he has seen them in action, and is confident they can use the BID’s resources to keep up the momentum of Downtown. nicholas@downtownnews.com
FEBRUARY 4, 2019
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
Homeless Housing Projects Get a Boost Skid Row Tower Is Approved, and City Pushes Ahead on Emergency Shelters By Nicholas Slayton ast fall, Downtown Los Angeles became home to the city’s first emergency temporary housing shelter when a 45-bed facility for men and women opened on a former parking lot near Olvera Street. Now, the city is moving forward on plans to potentially create three more sites in the Central City, along with another facility that would provide hygiene services. On Tuesday, Jan. 29, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of the move. It clears the way for city departments to begin analyzing the feasibility of the projects. Three would be part of the city’s A Bridge Home program, which creates temporary, transitional housing. The sites include 2426 E. Washington Blvd. and 540 Towne Ave. The former is an industrial supply lot and the latter holds a parking lot and storage space. The Downtown Women’s Center, at 442 S. San Pedro St., is also being considered. The city proposal could turn its day center into an overnight bridge housing location for homeless women, creating 24 beds. The fourth location, at 606 E. Sixth St., is a former church building. The city will seek to determine if it could serve as a hygiene center, which could provide services such as showers and laundry facilities. “I’ve often said Skid Row needs a triage-like approach to respond to this humanitarian crisis,” said City Councilman José Huizar, whose 14th District includes Skid Row, and who authored the motion to study the sites. The first Bridge Home shelter in the city, dubbed El Puente, opened near El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument in September. The project, budgeted at $2.4 million the first
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image courtesy the Weingart Center
The City Council recently approved the Weingart Center’s planned 18-story residential building that would create 278 apartments for homeless and low-income individuals. Construction is scheduled to start next year.
year and $1.3 million in each of the subsequent two years, has three trailers with beds, another with hygiene facilities and a fifth for case workers and staff. The goal is to help people get off the streets by first getting them a bed, and then ultimately moving them to more permanent housing.
DOWNTOWN NEWS 7
Mayor Eric Garcetti has launched plans to have A Bridge Home shelters in all 15 council districts. No timeline or budget has been determined for how long the study of the four spaces will last, or what it would take to convert them into shelters. The council vote followed the panel’s Jan. 25 approval of another area project: the Weingart Center’s planned 18-story residential building at 554. S. San Pedro St. The 278-unit project would have 220 supportive housing units, 55 very low-income residences and three apartments for managers. The project is scheduled to break ground early next year, according to Ben Rosen, the Weingart Center’s director of real estate development. Construction will last two years. Weingart Center Chief Operating Officer Tonja Boykin said the nonprofit, a longtime service provider in Skid Row, expects the building will make an impact on the neighborhood. “We believe a project of this size and scope gets to the heart of the crisis we are experiencing,” Boykin said. “We look forward to breaking ground and, more importantly, leasing up and moving individuals off the streets.” The city is also examining two other potential Downtown sites for Bridge Home projects. One, at the former Children’s Museum at 310 N. Main St., could house 100 beds. The other would be at 1426 Paloma St. in the southern end of the Industrial District; the city would have to acquire the site, and plans call for working with the County on the project. Huizar last week authored a motion calling for a lease to be finalized. The County would provide services through Measure H funds, which were approved by voters in March 2017. The project is in the second supervisorial district, represented by Mark Ridley-Thomas. “With the Paloma site, about 115 women and men who currently sleep on the streets of Downtown L.A. will be put on a path to stable and supportive housing,” Dhakshike Wickrema, Ridley-Thomas’ deputy for homeless policy, said in a prepared statement. nicholas@downtownnews.com
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FEBRUARY 4, 2019
Shop Hop: The Downtown Retail Roundup The Residential Amenities Continue,With More Furniture Stores and Clothing Outlets By Nicholas Slayton hat Voodoo That You Do: The Fashion District is home not only to a deep roster of clothing manufacturers and suppliers, but also an increasing number of clothing shops. The latest is Voodoo, a high-end Ninth Street spot carrying items for men and women from brands such as Sage and Rick Owens, as well as its own collection. The store opened on Dec. 15 and the brick building has the modern boutique look — think a minimalist display, with clothing on standalone racks and other items such as art books carefully placed on tables around the store (yes, the books are for sale). Much like the late Prince, the store favors the color purple. Expect to see the hue on its sign and on a number of apparel pieces. At 124 W. Ninth St. or voodoola.com.
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Modern Styles: In the latest sign of the residential boom underway in Downtown Los Angeles, there is yet another new furniture store. A Modern Life opened on Palmetto Street in the Arts District in November, around the corner from the At Mateo office campus and near the Fourth Street Bridge. The shop, which is conveniently in the vicinity of a number of apartment complexes, features furniture and wall art, all modern in style, so expect sleek couches and streamlined tables and chairs. A Modern Life also carries lighting and some vintage items. At 1327 Palmetto St., (424) 372-7840 or amodernlifeinc.com. Glowing Faces: Downtown is slowly building a collection of hair and beauty salons, and another is about to arrive. The skincare bar and beauty store The Things We Do is coming to the 30-acre Row DTLA campus, and will share a space with the existing Nova Arts Salon. The Industrial District destina-
photo courtesy EōS Fitness
The gym chain EōS Fitness is opening a new facility later this year on Cesar Chavez Avenue.
photo by Nicholas Slayton
A new arrival to the Fashion District is the high-end clothing shop Voodoo, which carries a variety of brands.
tion founded by Vanessa Lee has its soft opening scheduled for this week. The Things We Do offers holistic treatments and modern practices, and customers can take advantage of facial treatments, acupuncture, cryotherapy, Botox injections and even cupping. At 787 S. Alameda St. or thethingswedo.com. Smile Big, Part One: After a holiday season full of sweets and rich foods, it’s probably time to get your teeth cleaned. Downtown has a number of dental offices, and just gained a new one. Tooth Shop Dentistry opened this month on the ground floor of the Ten50 residential building in South Park. It has four dentists on staff and offers one-hour exams for first-
time patients, along with cleanings, cavity filling and teeth whitening. It also provides services you may not want but sometimes need, such as tooth extraction, root canals and periodontics. According to Tooth Shop’s website, the office accepts most insurances. At 1050 S. Grand Ave., (213) 568-0008 or toothshopla.com. Smile Big, Part Two: Apparently the residential boom is creating a dental boom. Along with Tooth Shop Dentistry, Downtown has another new practice in Pearlique Advanced Dentistry. The office opened on Thursday, Jan. 24, at Ninth and Figueroa streets. Run by Dr. Jennifer Nguyen, it offers cleanings, checkups, periodontic treatment and oral surgery, as well as cosmetic dentistry options such as Invisalign, and bondings. Pearlique accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare. At 888 S. Figueroa St., (213) 340-3355 or pearlique.dental. Continued on page 13
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At Little Tokyo Mortuary, Death Is a Family Affair Neighborhood Business Marks a Century of Funerals and Five Generations of Fukui Family Leadership By Sean P. Thomas or 100 years, death has been a necessary part of life for the Fukui family. Fukui Mortuary may not be one of the better-known Downtown Los Angeles businesses, but it is one of the most enduring. Operating out of an unassuming building at 707 E. Temple St., it has provided traditional Japanese funerals for generations of Little Tokyo residents, as well as other people of Japanese descent from throughout Los Angeles. In an era of increasing corporatization in the funeral industry, it also stands out as a family-run enterprise. Gerald Fukui, the great-grandson of founder Soji Fukui, currently serves as president and funeral director. Plans are in the works for his nephew and the mortuary’s vice president, Eric Tanaka, to take over as the fifth generation of leadership when the time is right. Having Tanaka in the lead role would mark the first time that a person without the last name Fukui would steward the establishment. It’s a point Fukui has frequently mentioned to Tanaka. “I often joke that he is going to have to change his last name to Fukui,” Gerald Fukui, 65, said with a chuckle. On a recent weekday afternoon, Fukui and Tanaka, 36, sat in a meeting room at the mortuary. Teetering on the line between playful and solemn, they looked backward to the
mortuary’s long history, and to what the future may bring. They reflected on the family endeavor and a century of traditions that established the business’ reputation in Los Angeles’ Japanese-American community. Getting Off the Ground Records are incomplete, but the family operates under the belief that Soji Fukui founded the Fukui Mortuary in 1918, and that the business has always been at the same location. Soji Fukui, originally from Hiroshima, Japan, moved to Hawaii in 1885 to work the sugarcane fields. He later found his way to Seattle, where he had a son, before traveling down the coast to settle in San Francisco. At some time, the Fukuis found themselves in Los Angeles. The property had a history as a funeral home before Fukui took over. It was owned by a man who needed help communicating with the growing Japanese population settling in nearby Boyle Heights and what would become Little Tokyo. Eventually, the mortuary wound up in the hands of Fukui family and two other men. They renamed it the Japanese Undertaking Company. Later the other partners either dropped or were bought out and the business assumed its current moniker. “We don’t know what happened,” Gerald Fukui said. “Did [the original owner] decide to sell? Did he pass away? But my
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photo by Sean P. Thomas
The Fukui Mortuary historically specialized in Buddhist ceremonies, but there are far fewer of those today than there once were. The business offers almost everything one would need for a funeral, including a selection of caskets.
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Gerald Fukui (right) is the great grandson of Soji Fukui, who founded the Fukui Mortuary in Little Tokyo in 1918. His nephew Eric Tanaka is slated to become the fifth generation of the family to run the business.
photo by Sean P. Thomas
great-grandfather and two other men took it over. Somewhere, they dropped out and now it’s Fukui Mortuary.” The mortuary specialized in servicing the Buddhist Japanese community. Services were typically held in Japanese, but as the years passed, more and more of their customer base (including the Fukui family) converted to Christianity. The number of Buddhist ceremonies would shrink, but today remain a part of their offerings. When World War II arrived, the funeral home, like thousands of businesses across the country owned by people of Japanese descent, was thrown into uncertainty as Japanese Americans were rounded up and shipped to internment camps, where they would stay for years. That included Gerald Fukui’s father, Soichi, and grandfather Hitoshi Fukui. They had taken over the mortuary after Soji Fukui died in 1940. The interment camps were particularly difficult for Hitoshi Fukui, who had served in the U.S. Army during World War I, running messages between trenches. “Every Armistice Day he would wear his Doughboy uniform,” Gerald Fukui said, referring to the uniforms worn by American soldiers during World War I. “He was very proud of that.” While the mortuary’s owners were being held in camps, Gerald Fukui said that someone was back in Los Angeles, ensuring that the business continued. Yet as with much of the past, the identity of that individual has been lost to time. “Everyone lost their businesses,” Gerald Fukui said in a quiet voice. “Why did we keep our business in the same spot? Someone had to be maintaining it for our great-grandfather. We just don’t know who it was.” After the war ended, the members of the Fukui family returned to Los Angeles. Gerald Fukui’s father, Soichi Fukui, worked in Tokyo until 1949, when he was called back by Hitoshi Fukui to help run the business. Hitoshi Fukui died in 1958, leaving the business in the hands of Gerald’s father, who would eventually pass the mortuary to the next generation. As the leadership changed, so did the building. Once simply a red brick structure, the façade was later renovated, and the chapel, which original took up space near the
mortuary’s garden, was moved to the original brick building. A Changing Neighborhood When Gerald Fukui joined the business in the mid-1970s, he admits to not exactly enjoying the work. Hours were long and a significant chunk of the services were traditional Japanese Buddhist funerals. These in large part occurred during the evening. Additionally, a traditional Japanese-style Buddhist funeral could be an elongated multi-day process. It was often performed in multiple languages. As the years went by, and the Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) and Sansei (third generation) began to die off (many of whom were put to rest by Fukui Mortuary), the number of traditional Buddhist ceremonies began to shrink, said Fukui. Today, most of the services are performed in English alone, with festivities that are completed in a day. The funeral home has 17 employees, from bilingual preneed counselors to accountants. The mortuary still organizes traditional Japanese Buddhist services when requested, but Tanaka said those are dwindling, in part because more people are marrying outside of their ethnicity. Increasingly, customers come not because of a particular service that can’t be found elsewhere, but because of Fukui’s longevity in Little Tokyo. “There are a lot of funerals where there are only a few Japanese people there,” Fukui said. “Everyone else is a mixture. For those families, they don’t see a need to come to a Japanese mortuary. There are a lot of families that come here because this is where mom went, or this is where grandma went.” The mortuary offers everything one would typically need for a funeral. There is hearse usage, caskets, urns and embalming services. There are also smaller items like thank you cards and funeral registries. Gerald Fukui said the mortuary does 50-60 funerals a month. He added that business often slows down during the summer. “You may be unaware, but there is a time for dying,” Gerald Fukui said, pointing to higher rates of allergies, pneumonia, depression and inclement weather during the cooler season. Continued on page 16
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GARCETTI, 5 decision the morning of his announcement. Yet the public proclamation was totally unexpected, the political equivalent of an M. Night Shyamalan blindside. That’s because seemingly everything Garcetti had done for more than a year portended a POTUS swing. He traveled to 17 states in 2018 and steadily chiseled a national presence. He had been the subject of cushy articles in glossy magazines and appeared frequently on cable TV political shows, where he became adept at sidestepping questions about running for president while disarming with his smile. Just the week before the switcheroo he was in Washington, D.C., appearing at the meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and on Jan. 24 he delivered a speech on, no kidding, the future of America. When reporters asked afterwards if he would run for president, he responded, “Stay tuned.” So why did Garcetti, who is 47, just say no to chasing the highest office in the land? At the City Hall press conference he cited several factors, including a crowd of already announced or likely candidates ranging from California Sen. Kamala Harris to New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker to former Vice President Joe Biden to South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg; he thinks at least one of them could take down Trump. He also said he still believes in his hashtag mantra #MayorsGetThingsDone, that like governors, mayors are in charge of running things and responding to large numbers of constituents. “I do think there’s room for an outsider who hasn’t been stuck in Washington,” he said. He didn’t come close to endorsing anyone and made all sorts of nice comments about all sorts of people. He noted that Booker is a former mayor and called Buttigieg “a big sleeper who is going to surprise people.” He was effusive about Harris, reminiscing on how the two of them were early supporters of Barack Obama.
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least a half-dozen future career paths, though it also might be arranged in a literary choose-your-own-adventure style. You can be sure that he is well aware of his strengths and weaknesses, and that during his remaining time as mayor he will seek to add to the former while addressing the latter. Some of his victories are quite compelling. He led Los Angeles’ efforts to land the 2028 Olympics and the Lucas Museum that is rising in Exposition Park. He rode herd on the effort to boost the minimum wage in the city. He was the face of successful ballot measures to raise funds for new Metro projects, as well as housing and services to address homelessness. He got a lot of credit for helping settle the six-day teachers’ strike, though it would have been more impressive had he been able to prevent the walkout in the first place. Whatever the next chapter is, it will require Garcetti to make headway on the homelessness crisis. It’s the albatross around his neck that will be used by anyone he runs against in the future — you can already envision the grainy TV ads that frame both tent encampments and City Hall. If Garcetti can reverse the situation on the streets, then he’ll score a political win and help the city — double bonus! Sitting out 2020 affords the mayor time to focus on that effort, as well as other issues impacting Los Angeles. And as he spoke in the conference room, he didn’t seem unhappy about skipping the run for the White House. As he noted, that gave him time to go home and read a book to his 7-year-old daughter Maya before she went to bed. Garcetti looked relaxed and at ease with the decision. He smiled, made some jokes, and when a reporter speculated on a future political appointment, he responded by referencing a pop star. “Taylor Swift says ‘haters gonna hate,’” he said with a grin. “Speculators gonna speculate. You guys can speculate.” I’m not sure if quoting Taylor Swift is good or bad for one’s political future, but it’s very Garcetti. Chapter four should prove interesting. regardie@downtownnews.com
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to Iowa and took steps such as delivering a commencement speech at Southern New Hampshire University, he would need to crush it in California to secure the nomination. But out here, Harris has the better weapons and the clearer path. Pondering Chapter Four Political careers tend to have chapters. In Garcetti’s case, the first was his election to and early years on the City Council, the second was his time as president of the body, and he’s 5 1/2 years into chapter three — the mayoralty. Due to the shifting of Los Angeles election dates he’s got a super-sized second term, with four more years in office. With a 2020 presidential run off the table, the fourth chapter is unknown at this time, though I’d wager that Garcetti has a secret PowerPoint presentation that intricately maps out at
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If you’re looking for a reason why he is skipping the race, it may involve Harris. When Garcetti was asked if the initial overwhelming response to her candidacy prompted his decision to opt out, he said that was not the case. Still, it’s hard to discount her presence — she is raising loads of dollars and is positioned to gobble up California delegates like they’re Ms. Pac-Man pellets. Although Garcetti made multiple visits
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y a D s ’ e n i t VaEVleENnTS IN DOWNTOWN
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By Sean P. Thomas o matter what your relationship status, the lead-up to Valentine’s Day can be stressful. If you’re in a couple, there can be immense pressure to find new ways to demonstrate adoration for your significant other. If you’re single, the cavalcade of gooey sentiment can be downright annoying. In Downtown Los Angeles, the entire week leading up to Feb. 14 serves as an extension of the holiday. Fortunately, there are elements anyone can enjoy, whether they are in a romantic relationship or not. Below are 14 events, parties, meals and more taking place in the community.
in advance or $18 at the door. TomGeorge is also offering a three-course prix-fixe dinner for $65 per person on Valentine’s Day proper. At 707 S. Grand Ave., (424) 362-6263 or tomgeorgela.com.
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Walk in the Park: Can romance be sparked amid hundreds or thousands of strangers? Find out at Grand Park on Valentine’s Day, when the 12-acre destination hosts a free open-air reggae concert. The event dubbed Grand Park Lovers Rock will run from 6-11 p.m., and DJs from Dub Club will supply the evening’s soundtrack as attendees kick back and take in the atmosphere. Picnics are encouraged, and the bright pink tables and other park furniture is available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Food trucks will sell desserts and there will be a free photo booth. At 200 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8080 or grandparkla.org. Love and Lucha: Who knew that a heaping helping of body slams can be the base for romance? Lucha VaVoom knew, that’s who! The Downtown favorite is returning to the Mayan Theatre on Feb. 13-14 for another Valentine’s Day extravaganza. This year’s show is dubbed “Amor Prohibido,” and will feature the traditional mix of comedy, burlesque and pulse-pounding professional wrestling from some of the best luchadors
photo by Javier Guillen for Grand Park/the Music Center
Grand Park is offering a scenic outdoor option for couples from 6-10 p.m. on Feb. 14 with the “Grand Park Lovers Rock” event. DJs will spin reggae music and food trucks will sell sweets.
in the business. The frantic Rey Fénix, Pentagon Jr., Taya Valkyrie and the always-sleazy Joey Ryan will headline the action in the ring, while the dancers will include Michelle L’Amour and Kristina Neykyia. The shows often sell out. General admission tickets are $40 and doors open at 7 p.m. At 1038 S. Hill St., (213) 746-4287 or luchavavoom.com. Dance the Night Away: Shake things up on Valentine’s Day with a party at one of Downtown’s swankiest spaces. The Edison is hosting the Modern Love Ball on Feb. 14, with dancing, aerialists and live music. There will also be an opportunity for guests to share their worst dating stories, or to take a peek at what the future has in store by visiting a tarot
card reader. The evening begins at 5 p.m. and advance tickets start at $35. At 108 W. Second St., (213) 613-0000 or edisondowntown.com. Playing Cupid: The Financial District Mediterranean restaurant TomGeorge is playing matchmaker for 30- and 40-somethings. A singles mixer will take place on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. The event will start with a few icebreaker games, and there will be raffle tickets for some end-of-the-night prizes. Whether or not you hit if off with another guest, you can indulge in the establishment’s cocktails and enjoy the pretty patio. It is also five days before V-Day, so if you connect, then you and your new paramour can enjoy more romantic activities. Tickets are $15
Celebrate Cinematically: Is there a more traditional date than dinner and a movie? Cinespia, which hosts screenings across the city, has the movie part covered with a pair of films. The first is the classic age-doesn’t-matter comedy Harold and Maude, playing at the Palace Theatre at 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 9. Tickets are $18 or $40 for a reserved seat. Then, on Valentine’s Day, the mood turns pulpy with True Romance at the Los Angeles Theatre. Doors open 7:30 p.m. and there will also be bars, a free photo booth, live music and a DJ dance party. If anything, you’ll leave the theater thankful that your relationship isn’t nearly as chaotic as that of Clarence and Alabama’s. Tickets for True Romance are $30 or $80 for a reserved seat. Harold and Maude is at 630 S. Broadway; True Romance is at 615 S. Broadway or cinespia.org. New Millennium Concert: If you want to spend Valentine’s Day listening to music from a simpler time, when the most controversial thing was who made your MySpace top 8 list, then head to The Novo for a concert fit for 2002. Rapper Ja Rule and songstress Ashanti moved records during the early 2000s with collaborations including “Mesmerize” and “Always on Time,” and are co-headlining a Feb. 14 show. Expect to hear a nice mix of hits and a few lesser-known songs. Make sure to tell Ja Rule you saw him in the new documentaries about the Fyre festival! The concert begins at 8 p.m. and tickets start at $47. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., thenovodtla.com. Continued on page 12
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VALENTINE’S DAY, 11 French Quarters: Forget the couples! The Little Easy is welcoming the unattached for an evening of dancing on Feb. 14. The festivities at the New Orleans-themed Historic Core establishment begin at 9 p.m., when DJ CC Love of iHeartRadio starts spinning tunes. The space in the Alexandria Hotel has an extensive cocktail list, and the first drink purchase comes with a 25-cent shot (one per person). Entry is free before 10 p.m. and $15 afterwards. At 216 W. Fifth St., (213) 628-3113 or littleeasybar.com. V-Day Tease, Part 1: If you’re used to spending Valentine’s Day watching a burlesque show at the Globe Theatre, you
can still pencil that into your schedule, but this time with a new act. The Beauty of Burlesque is stepping in on Feb. 14 with an evening hosted by burlesque queen Miss Tosh and a lineup of prominent dancers. Kicking off at 7 p.m., the dancers will pay homage to burlesque’s Hollywood golden era, so expect revealing outfits and sultry moves. Tickets start at $45 for general admission; $28 standing room tickets were sold out at press time. At 740 S. Broadway, (213) 489-1667 or globetheatre-la.com. V-Day Tease, Part 2: If you fondly recall Tease, If You Please performances at the Globe, don’t fret — they are still in play, but at a new location. Tease moved to Exchange LA. and on Feb. 16, organizers promise new dancers and an upgraded show. More than a dozen performers who are well versed in the burlesque arts are scheduled. The festivities begin at 8 p.m. and tickets start at $65. At 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or teaseifyouplease.com. Brunch and Burlesque: Seventh Street’s Brack Shop Tavern is getting a jump on Valentine’s Day on Feb. 9 with yet another burlesque show, this one a brunch dubbed A Very Vaudeville Valentines. Modeled after 1930s cabaret, guests can indulge in holiday-themed cocktails and a brunch menu as period-appropriate dancers saunter through the space. The event runs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and tickets are $50. At 525 W. Seventh St., (213) 232-8657 or brackshoptavern.com.
photo courtesy Tease, If You Please
One of Downtown’s favorite burlesque shows, Tease, If You Please, is back, with a performance at Exchange LA on Feb. 16.
South Park Love: Sometimes, all you need for Valentine’s Day is a romantic dinner. The Luxe City Center hotel’s Stafford + Mathis is serving a four-course prix-fixe meal for $69 per person ($89 with a wine pairing) on Feb. 14. Diners will have the choice of Skuna Bay salmon or bone-in New York steak for the main course, with chocolate hazelnut tart for dessert. Reservations are required. At 1020 S. Figueroa St., (213) 743-7606 or sandmkitchen.com. Charity Concert: How about a different kind of love for Val-
Thinking about proposing? New love in your life? A special valentine for mom?
LOVE LINES Express Your Love
in our romantic Love Lines section publishing February 11.
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• Email your message to lovelines@downtownnews.com • 20 words or less • Include your contact info (name, phone and email) • Don’t forget the name of the person you are sending the love line to • Limited to 1 FREE message per reader (don’t try to be sneaky, we know)
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photo courtesy Lucha VaVoom
Lucha VaVoom mixes professional wrestling with burlesque and comedy acts for an evening unlike any other. The program dubbed “Amor Prohibido” is at the Mayan Theatre on Feb. 13-14.
entine’s Day? The Teragram Ballroom is hosting Panache’s Valentine’s Day Village of Love, a benefit concert supporting Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles. The show starts at 6 p.m. on Feb. 14 and will include appearances by singer Kathleen Hanna and Adam Horovitz (aka Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys), indie rock outfit Amen Dunes, and more than 10 additional acts. Tickets start at $35. At 1234 W. Seventh St., (213) 689-9100 or teragramballroom.com. Come One, Come All: If you need a clue that Angel City Brewery isn’t entirely keen on Valentine’s Day, check out
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its Broken Hearts Circus. In addition to the name, the brewery’s “festival of the broken hearted” is on Feb. 17, three days after V-Day. Starting at noon, the brewery will be filled with live comedy, music from the Vignes Rooftop Revival, a juggling show and a special guest appearance at 6 p.m. Fitting the circus theme, stilt walkers and snake charmers will wander throughout the venue. At 216 Alameda St., (213) 622-1261 or angelcitybrewery.com.
SHOP HOP, 8 Get Fit in the New Year: One of the surest ways to know that the Downtown Los Angeles residential population continues to grow is to look at the roster of gyms, which also continues to expand. One of the next additions will be an outpost of the chain EōS Fitness, which has 30 locations and is soon moving into Los Angeles. The chain will open a facility at 701 W. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue near Union Station. It will have weights and cardio equipment, as well as an Astroturf area where strong men and women can pull weighted sleds and work with ropes. The gym will also include a basketball court, kids’ activities and an indoor pool. No opening date has been set, but a fall arrival is anticipated. Coming to 701 W. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. or eosfitness.com.
Far and Away: Little Tokyo’s Far Bar is providing a little something for both couples and singles on Valentine’s Day. The First Street space with the sky-lit patio will offer a three-course meal for $45 featuring lobster bisque, white bass or flank steak, and red velvet cake. The unhitched can grab a seat at the bar and guzzle one of 34 craft beers on tap and order one of chef Visoth Tarak Ouk’s menu selections. At 347 E. First St., (213) 617-9990 or farbarla.com. sean@downtownnews.com Fitness Goes and Comes: There’s twopronged action on the Downtown fitness front. First, the laser tag-focused parkour gym Lazrfit on Pico Boulevard and Grand Avenue has closed. The high-intensity workout space in which participants jumped over barriers and shot beams of light at each other had opened in April 2017. However, it won’t be empty for long. Hardcore Fitness, a chain based in San Diego, will take over the facility and is expected to open in the coming weeks. The gym will have the requisite squat racks and free weights, though Hardcore Fitness is built around boot camp classes where groups do a variety of high-intensity movements in a short period of time. Unfortunately, none involve laser tag. Coming to 400 Pico Blvd., (213) 476-2122 or hcfdowntownla.com. Heard about any store openings, closings or other retail news? If so, contact Shop Hop at nicholas@downtownnews.com.
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700 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Free Parking Next to Restaurant Tel: 213.617.2323
226 E. 9th St. , 213-623-5091 • 213-327-0645, Tel/Fx: 213-623-9405
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Open 24/7 | Free Wi-Fi | Free Parking Drive Thru | Breakfast Served All Day
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FEBRUARY 4, 2019
photo by JB Rowland
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CALENDAR LISTINGS
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
photo by Steve Rose
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EVENTS
SPONSORED LISTINGS Experience the Labyrinth: A Walking Meditation Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens, 3500 W. Adams Blvd., (323) 737-4055 or peacelabyrinth/events Jan. 26 and Feb. 23, 1 p.m.: Experience peace with an afternoon of guided meditations and labyrinth walks at the beautiful Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens, a spiritual oasis in Los Angeles.
ROCK, POP & JAZZ
Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E.S. Onizuka St. Suite 301, (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Feb. 4: Tribute to Hermeto Pascoal. Feb. 5: Jam session hosted by Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Ensemble. Feb. 6: Miro Sprague Quintet. Feb. 7: Martin Diller Group. Feb. 8-9: Mark de Clive-Lowe has an album release show so big it takes two nights. Continued on next page
the don't miss list BY SEAN P. THOMAS
The musical chameleon David Bowie may have left us in 2016, but the men and women who shared the stage with him over the course of 40 years still keep a flame lit in his honor. Alumni from his bands are coming together for A Bowie Celebration: The David Bowie Alumni Tour, a concert salute to the Thin White Duke. Coming to the Orpheum Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 7, the evening will feature songs from Bowie’s massive collection of hits. The 9 p.m. show includes notable Bowie collaborators such as guitarists Earl Slick (pictured here) and Garry Leonard, producer Mark Plati and singer-songwriter Bernard Fowler. At 842 S. Broadway or (877) 677-4386 or abowiecelebration.com. photo courtesy Music Center
MONDAY, FEB 4 That’s Gold! Comedy Show Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. or bootlegtheater.org. 7:30 p.m.: Karl Hess and Nick Rutherford host a free evening of stand-up comedy. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6 Alexandra Leykauf at SCI-Arc 960 E. Third St., (213) 613-2200 or sciarc.edu. 7 p.m.: The photographer explains her artistic approach and how interior design plays a role in her work. Eater Talks: Is Instagram Ruining Restaurants? Segovia Hall, Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway or acehotel.com/losangeles. 6:30 p.m.: Eater’s restaurant editor leads a panel to see if hip food photography is making the dining experience unbearable. Compose L.A.: The Future of Music in Los Angeles Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. or bootlegtheater.org. 12 p.m.: This symposium examines the current state of music in the city, and how best to foster the musical community going forward. THURSDAY, FEB. 7 Trumpcast: Live in L.A. Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway or acehotel.com/losangeles. 7:30 p.m.: Slate’s podcast covering the Trump administration is doing a live show, with guests including author Virginia Heffernan and journalist León Krauze. Future Perfect with Victoria Loustalot The Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com. 7:30 p.m.: Loustalot discusses her new memoir, in which she dives into the world of mysticism. SATURDAY, FEB. 9 Golden Dragon Parade Throughout Chinatown, lagoldendragonparade.com. 1 p.m.: A Chinatown tradition returns and crowds will come out to mark the start of the Year of the Pig. Pro tip: The crowds are big, so take Metro and arrive early. Sleepless Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0711 or musiccenter.org/sleepless. 11 p.m.: The Music Center once again turns the home of L.A. Opera into a hipster haven with a late-night event that includes music and bars.
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The Music Center’s late-night celebration Sleepless is returning to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Saturday, Feb. 9, with a party borrowing themes from Latinx quinceañeras. Starting at 11:30 p.m. and ending at 3 a.m. Sunday morning, the event dubbed Quinceañera Reimagined includes performances by the all-women mariachi collective Las Colibrí, quince dances from choreographer Leslie Ferreira, jazz and mariachi music from singer-songwriter Nancy Sanchez, local punk rock luminary Alice Bag and other acts. Cocktails and small bites will be available. Don’t forget to grab your tiara before heading out. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0711 or musiccenter.org/sleepless.
Is it still fair to categorize Atmosphere as underground hip-hop? The duo, consisting of Slug and Ant, has steadily pumped out music for 20 years, quietly putting together a case for hip-hop royalty through a collection of studio albums, almost endless touring and their prolific Rhymesayers independent label. No matter how they are defined, the pair has made an indelible mark on the hip-hop landscape via albums such as God Loves Ugly, Overcast and When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That [Expletive] Gold. Slug and Ant are coming to Downtown Los Angeles, visiting The Novo on Thursday, Feb. 7. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 8 p.m. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or thenovodtla.com.
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photo courtesy Rhymesayers Entertainment
When it comes to country icon Dolly Parton, her fashion sense is as memorable as the twang in her voice. This week the Grammy Museum will showcase costumes from Parton’s collection in the exhibit Diamond in a Rhinestone World: The Costumes Of Dolly Parton. The singer and actress will be on hand for an opening night ceremony on Monday, Feb. 4, and will tell stories from her almost 60-year career in the entertainment industry. Highlights include costumes from The Backwoods Barbie album cover, and outfits from her Live in London 2009 and Red Rocks concerts. The exhibit will remain open through March 17. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.
Thousands of men, women and children, many dressed in colorful and/or cultural outfits, will march down Hill Street and Broadway in Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year on Saturday, Feb. 9. For the 120th year, the Golden Dragon Parade will bring together cultural groups, floats, marching bands, dignitaries, martial arts troupes and more. The parade starts at Hill and Ord streets at 1 p.m. There will be loads of confetti canyons and other gear to welcome the Year of the Pig. Pro tip: Take Metro and get to the parade route early to stake out a spot. On Hill Street and Broadway in Chinatown or lagoldendragonparade.com.
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photo courtesy Chinatown Business Improvement District
Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.
FEBRUARY 4, 2019
Feb. 10: Wayne Horvitz and Sarah Schoenbeck are WHSS. Guess how they came up with that moniker and win an invisible prize. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Feb. 4: Ken Wakan will use his residency at the Bootleg to spin nothing but unsettling yet catchy ambient electronic music. Feb. 5: Bernice is nice. Feb. 6: Rapper Chill Moody and singer Donn T are &More. Feb. 7: Moody West Coast singer-songwriter material from Alice Crow Buckley. Feb. 8: Ural Thomas and the Pain will show why Thomas has been a part of the soul and blues scene for decades.
The Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com. Feb. 8: Blind Pony, Idle Joy. Feb. 10: June Clivas Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Feb. 8: Duke Dumont. Feb. 9: Drezo with i_o and Madeaux. Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or grammymuseum.org Feb. 5: Country songstress Kacey Musgraves stops by. Feb. 6: It’s a showcase of Hawaiian music for the new exhibit “Music of Waikiki.” Ham and Eggs Tavern 433 W. Eighth St. or hamandeggstavern.com.
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LEGAL NAME CHANGE Superior court of California, County of Los Angeles ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER: 19TRCP00009 Petitioner (name of each)
DOWNTOWN NEWS 15
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JODY PFAFFMANN, 6457 West 81st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90045 filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: a. JODY PFAGGMANN Proposed name: a. JODY MICHELE THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of hearing Date: 03/15/2019 Time: 8:30 AM Dept.: B Room: 340 The address of the court is: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503. Branch Name: Southwest A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in LA DOWNTOWN NEWS, 1264 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county. Prepared by: Sherri R. Carter Executive Office/Clerk.
Deputy: M. Loretto Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 825 Maple Avenue Torrance, CA 90503 Branch Name: Southwest Date: January 17, 2019 Hon. Ramona See Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 1/28, 2/4, 2/11 and 2/18/2019. CIVIL SUMMONS Summons (DISOLUTION OF MARRIAGE WITHOUT CHILDREN) Maria E. Pfister 505 W. Baseline Road, #1032 Tempe, AZ 85283 Petitioner Pro Se Katie DeYoung AZCLDP NO. 81226 IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF MARICOPA NO. FN2018-092100 In the matter of: MARIA E. PFISTER, Petitioner and SAUL DE JESUS aka SAUL ACEVEDO, Respondent, FROM THE STATE OF ARIZONA TO: SAUL DE JESUS 18603 E. Colima Road,
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Notice is given that proposals for Annual Financial Audits will be received by the County of L.A. Dept. of AuditorController, 500 W. Temple St., Room 525, Los Angeles, CA 90012. An RFP may be obtained by accessing the following link:
(http:/file.lacounty.gov/SDSInt er/auditor/portal/1050864_LA Coun_tyFinancialAuditRFP20 19.pdf) CN957177 02-01-19 Feb 4, 2019
Feb. 4: Teen Models, Looner, Shiro, Broken Hearts Club. Moroccan Lounge 901 E. First St., (213) 395-0610 or themoroccan.com. Feb. 5: See SOAK’s early show and then get to sleep before it’s late. Feb. 6: Indie folk singer Dan Croll is not comedian Nick Kroll. Feb. 8: Radar State is an indie rock supergroup with members of The Get Up Kids, The Anniversary and The Architects. Feb. 10: Vikesh Kapoor and Matt Dorien dual-headline this show. Resident 428 S. Hewitt St. or residentdtla.com. Feb. 7: Come meet My Friend Alan.
Apt. E Rowland Heights, CA 91748 1. A lawsuit has been filed against you. A copy of the lawsuit and other court papers are served on you with this Summons. 2. If you do not want a judgment or order taken against you without your input, you must file an Answer or a Response in writing with the Court and pay the filing fee. If you do not file an Answer or Response, the other party may be given the relief requested in his or her Petition or Complaint. To file your Response or Answer, take or send the Answer or Response to the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court, 201 W. Jefferson Street, AZ 85003-2205, along with the appropriate filing fee. Mail a copy of your response or Answer to the other party at the address listed on the top of this Summons. 3. If this Summons and the other court papers were served on you by a registered process server of the Sheriff within the State of Arizona, your Response or Answer must be filed within TWENTY (20) CALENDAR DAYS from the date you were served, not counting the day you were
served. If this Summons and the other papers were served on you by a registered process server or Sheriff outside the State of Arizona, your Response must be filed within THIRTY (30) CALENDAR DAYS from the date you were served, not counting the day you were served. Service by a registered process server or the Sheriff is complete when made. Service by Publication in complete 30 days after the date of the first publication. 4. You can get a copy of the court papers filed in this case from the Petitioner at the address at the top of this paper, or from the Clerk of the Superior Court at the address listed in Paragraph 2 above. 5. Requests for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities must be made to the office of the Judge or Commissioner assigned to the case five days before your scheduled court date . 6. ADA Notification. Requests for reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities must be made to the court by parties at least (3) working days in advance of a scheduled court proceeding. 7. Interpreter Notification. Requests for an interpreter for
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MORE LISTINGS Hundreds of listings of fun and interesting things to do in Downtown Los Angeles can also be found online at ladowntownnews.com/calendar: Rock, Pop & Jazz; Bars & Clubs; Farmers Markets; Events; Film; Sports; Art Spaces; Theater, Dance and Opera; Classical Music; Museums; and Tours.
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persons with limited English proficiency must be made to the office of the judge or commissioner assigned to the case by parties at least ten (10) judicial days in advance of a scheduled court proceeding.
SIGNED AND SEALED THIS DATE: JANUARY 2, 2019 CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR COURT: Chris Derose DEPUTY CLERK: H. Gearhart Pub. 1/14, 1/21, 1/28 and 2/4.
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MORTUARY, 9
TRILOGY
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On-Site: Convenience Store / Café / Beauty Salon / Private Fitness Training Apartment Amenities: Floor-to-Ceiling Windows City Skyline Views Solarium and/or Balconies
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Community Amenities: 24 hr. Manned Lobby Resident Concierge Heated Pool & Spa Fitness Center / Yoga Studio Outdoor Patio Gas BBQ Grills Recreation Room State-of-the-Art HD Theater Rooftop Patio with Views
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Rev. William Briones of Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple on First Street in Little Tokyo has worked closely with Fukui Mortuary and has officiated at many services there. He said that much of the older generation respects the mortuary for its kind and informed touch during a difficult period. “It’s a landmark,” he said. “People know that it is a place for great service during a difficult time.” While the Fukui Mortuary has a long history, it is in a community that is seeing immense change. Hip new shops and restaurants have sprouted across the neighborhood, and formerly vacant lots are filled by new housing complexes, where only a small fraction of the renters are of Japanese descent. Little Tokyo still has a collection of family-run businesses that have operated for generations, but increasingly the owners are contemplating their future, questioning whether the next generation will take up the reins and if the traditional customer base will exist. Gerald Fukui called the phenomenon “part of the demise of Little Tokyo.” “A lot of the longtime businesses, their kids do not want to take it over,” Fukui said. “But that is part of our culture. It was our grandparents that told our parents, ‘Go to college, get an education, that’s the only way that you will succeed.’” Fukui acknowledges that he has been in that situation. He was in a pre-pharmacy program at USC and received a degree in Biological Science in 1971. Tanaka also didn’t have plans to enter the family business — he received a marketing degree from Cal State Fullerton in the early 2000s. He understands the questions about the future. “As of right now, it’s still in the family, which is great,” Tanaka said. “Is it a concern for me? Not right now. Will it be a concern 20 years from now? Possibly.” Fukui said that no matter what happens with the family, he doesn’t expect business to slow down. After all, everyone dies. sean@downtownnews.com
HOMELESS COUNT, 3 “I could be one of those people we’re going to count tonight,” Moore said before starting. “That’s never left my mind.” According to the 2018 count, the number of homeless individuals in the county fell by 4% from the previous year, while the figure in the city decreased by 6%. In Skid Row there was 7% dip, to around 4,200 people. Still, the community was full of tents and makeshift encampments, as well as men and women on the sidewalk. The counting group methodically made its way through the streets. It was a powerful experience for Munoz. “The tents have been more and more eye-opening for me,” he said. “When I was younger, I didn’t see as many tents. Now it’s more in your face.” Butler, who volunteers at the DWC every Wednesday, said she was hesitant at first about participating in the count because she knew so little about the area, but was put at ease after being in a group with Shaw. “I wanted to be paired with people who knew the area and knew what they were doing,” Butler said. “Thankfully I was paired with Suzette.” As they came to the end of their nearly two-hour trek through Skid Row, Shaw continued to inform the group about the ins and outs of the community. As they approached the DWC, an elderly woman politely asked the trio, “Excuse me, what are you doing?” “Just the homeless count ma’am,” Shaw responded. Muñoz and Butler nodded in agreement. sean@downtownnews.com