03-11-19

THE Paintings, the past & Leo Politi

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Italian American Museum Shows an Overlooked Side Of a Children’s Book Author See Page 12

a huge new housing project Page 8

st. patrick’s day fun in downtown Page 13

A painting of Third and Broadway is among the pieces on display in the exhibit Leo Paliti’s Los Angeles: Works of Love and Protest.

image courtesy the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

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AROUND TOWN

Restaurant Guide Lands Next Week

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ooking for a place to get a bite, but aren’t sure where to go? Then lucky for you, the Downtown Los Angeles Restaurant Guide, a glossy magazine published by Downtown News, comes out next week. The Restaurant Guide publishes Monday, March 18, and offers the latest information on dozens of Downtown Los Angeles dining spots, from cafes to casual lunch locales to fancy dinner destinations. Each entry includes pricing information, hours of operation and details on whether there is Wi-Fi, delivery, happy hour and more. Altogether 40,000 Restaurant Guides will be published with the issue, and another 40,000 will be distributed throughout the year at various locations. The guide will also be available at downtownnews.com.

State Park Gets Big Trees

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owntown’s largest green space is getting even more greenery. Crews at the 32-acre Los Angeles State Historic Park are installing more than two dozen large oak trees. So far 13 have been planted, and the latest, a 67-foot-tall oak, was installed with a large crane on Friday, March 9. That tree,

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which is 70 years old, went up on the top of the park’s main hill. The additions are funded through $2 million in the state Parks Department budget, according to California State Parks Superintendent Sean Woods. The remaining trees will be planted in the coming weeks, Woods said. When LASHP opened in 2017 it mostly lacked shade features. A ceremony for the trees on Friday also honored former state Sen. Kevin de León, who helped secure funding for the trees.

P.Y.T Shuts Down

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fter a little more than two years in business, chef Josef Centeno’s vegetable-focused restaurant P.Y.T has closed. Centeno could not be reached for comment, but told the Los Angeles Times that although the acclaimed Old Bank District restaurant wasn’t on the market, he was approached with an offer from an operator that he felt was worth accepting, calling it a “smart business move.”

Centeno opened P.Y.T. in late 2016 at 400 Main St., close to his other restaurants Baco Mercat, Orsa & Winston and Bar Ama. P.Y.T. specialized in farm-to-table green options. P.Y.T’s last day of service was Thursday, March 7.

EIR for Arts District Project

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he developer of the Arts District Center, a 12-story mixed-use project on the western end of the neighborhood, has released the draft environmental impact report for the proposed complex. The project would replace commercial spaces at 1129 E. Fifth

St. with 129 live/work condos, a 113-room hotel and multiple art production and gallery spaces. Plans also call for 58,698 square feet of restaurant and retail space on the first two floors. The development would span the block between Seaton and Colyton streets.

The complex comes from property owner Kevin Chen, who is developing Arts District Center in partnership with China Building Techniques Group. Renderings from architecture firm Togawa Smith Martin show the lower two levels wrapped in brick, and murals covering the upper floors. According to the EIR, construction would last 30 months, with “project operations” starting in 2021. No budget has been revealed.

Fake Search Warrant Robbery Suspects Arrested

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ederal authorities arrested three men on Feb. 21 for allegedly conspiring with a Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputy to steal more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana and over half a million dollars in cash and money orders during an armed robbery last year. Matthew James Perez, Daniel Aguilera and Jay Colby Sanford were arrested for allegedly taking part in a robbery staged to looked like the execution of a search warrant in a Downtown Los Angeles warehouse on Oct. 26. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, then-LASD Deputy Marc Antrim worked with the men to commit the crime. All three men dressed as deputies, and after Antrim allegedly detained the warehouse security guards, one

MARCH 11, 2019

man drove a rental truck into the building and loaded the marijuana and cash; the men then fled. When LAPD officers investigated, Antrim stayed behind to talk to police and showed them his sheriff’s badge. According to the criminal complaint, the trio was going to be paid a total of $45,000 for their part in the robbery. The three suspects were charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and could face up to 40 years in federal prison. Antrim and two other men were arrested in November and have since signed a plea agreement admitting to drug trafficking and gun charges.

Work Starts on LA Plaza Walkway

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here is more construction in the El Pueblo area, and for both Los Angeles history buffs and pedestrians, that’s a good thing. On Monday, March 11, work will start on the LA Plaza Paseo, a one-block pathway connecting the LA Plaza museum and the La Placita Church, and rising as part of the LA Plaza Village housing complex. The landscaped corridor will actually be the first phase of the Paseo Walkway, a four-block pedestrian stretch that connects landmarks including Fort Moore, Olvera Street and Union Station. LA Plaza Paseo will include information about early Los Angeles, with signage detailing Gabrielino-Tongva settlers and the years of rule under Spain and Mexico. The project is being designed by SWA Design Group and is expected to open in June.

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EDITORIALS

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MARCH 11, 2019

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Should We Pay to Drive in Downtown?

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t will be years until Los Angeles gets into a thorough discussion of congestion pricing, but drivers should be aware that the idea is rolling forward. When the talk begins in earnest, you can expect that just as Downtown is at the center of the region, it will also be at the center of the conversation.

Although some people will complain mightily about the concept of being charged to drive into the heart of the city, the current gridlock — in Downtown that’s no longer just a rush-hour condition — and air quality concerns make it a topic that demands an extensive analysis. Congestion pricing has been implemented in cities including London and Stockholm. It’s time to explore whether and how it would work in a metropolis as progressive and environmentally aware as Los Angeles.

The key word is “explore,” and as Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Phil Washington made clear recently, Angelenos will not soon be charged for where or how much they drive. “We’re not talking about starting congestion pricing tomorrow,” he said at a luncheon hosted by the Los Angeles Current Affairs Forum. “We’re talking about asking the [Metro] board to allow us to pursue congestion pricing.”

The board gave that approval on Feb. 28, allowing Metro to begin a feasibility study. This will take 12-24 months and should be viewed as an incremental step: The study ideally will detail where a pilot program could take place. That would involve some type of congestion pricing along with providing transit options such as (but not limited to) vastly increased bus service. That pilot study would inform any decision about a greater congestion pricing plan.

At this time there are more questions than answers, including how long a pilot study would last and which of three congestion pricing models would be implemented. There’s the Cordon Model (now in play in London), where drivers pay a fee for going into a certain area; the Corridor Model, with a price charged for traveling a specific path at a certain time (a version of this already exists on the 110 Freeway); and the Vehicle Miles Traveled Model, where a fee is incurred after a driver hits a set distance.

Whatever model is selected, whether for a pilot study or a permanent program, Downtown will almost certainly be the most impacted community. This is the jobs center of L.A. County and a growing residential, cultural and nightlife hub. Tens of thousands of additional people are projected to move here in future decades, meaning there is the potential for much worse traffic.

It’s worth noting that congestion pricing is about changing behavior rather than raising revenue. It relies on looking for the point at which it becomes economically difficult for someone to get into the car. That sparks concern about the impact on low-income drivers, a topic that also must be explored in the pilot study.

Many people won’t like the idea of being charged more to drive, but Los Angeles is not so special that we can avoid what is happening in other premier cities. It’s time to weigh the pros and cons of congestion pricing.

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COMMENTS

Regarding the column “Eric Garcetti Just Says No,” about the mayor opting not to run for president in 2020, by Jon Regardie I don’t care for him at all as our mayor, and I would never have voted for him for president.

—Peggy Wilkins I went to USC in December for the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Garcetti was to be the main speaker, but due to an admirably well-organized homeless-rights action at the event, he was unable to deliver his address. However, he handled the situation with a cool head and sounded sincere in his efforts to address homeless issues. If homelessness is solved equitably in Los Angeles within the next four years, he will be ready to run by popular acclaim.

—Charles Gilsinger Regarding the article “A Downtown Waterfall Is Flowing for the First Time in 42 Years,” about the upgrades to the Fort Moore Pioneer Memorial, by Sean P. Thomas I just found out that my grandma was working to get this fixed back in the ’80s. She passed away when I was a kid. Next time I’m in L.A., I’m definitely looking for this memorial just to see what she was working on.

—Matthew Farnsworth EDITOR: Jon Regardie STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton, Sean P. Thomas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre

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I noticed this, and it seems to be symbolic of a resurgence of life and hope for Downtown L.A. Suddenly I have noticed the large clusters of Angelenos walking the streets of L.A., taking me on a virtual convergence of New York and Los Angeles at the same time. Seeing a waterfall in the midst of an urban jungle like DTLA was indeed a magical experience, to say the least.

—Eliseo Art Arambulo Silva I think it’s so cool to have found a time capsule during the renovations, and to be able to plan for a new time capsule for future generations. It’s very interesting to know that part of restoring it involved learning about old techniques.

—Carmen N. Hector

Hey You! Speak Up! Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like, or dislike, a story or editorial, let us know. Or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community.

Participation is easy. Post a comment online at the bottom of any story, or go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, email regardie@downtownnews.com.

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 5

Tarnishing the Star It’s a Rough Start for Sheriff Alex Villanueva, And It’s a Situation of His Own Making

By Jon Regardie very so often, a newly elected official elevates the mood of the populace, capturing the emotion of the time and place. When everything goes right there is giddy enthusiasm and hope for a brighter future — Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration comes to mind, and on a local level, there

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THE REGARDIE REPORT was Antonio Villaraigosa being elected mayor in 2005 (even if AnVil later squandered his potential). People love to believe in possibility.

Then there is Alex Villanueva. I’m not sure what exactly the opposite of the above description is, but the dude is embodying it.

Most newly elected officials enjoy a honeymoon period. Villanueva seems intent on turning the honeymoon into a dumpster fire.

Villanueva was sworn in as the 33rd sheriff of Los Angeles County on Dec. 3, following a stunning upset of incumbent Jim McDonnell. What made this truly remarkable was that in his 32 years in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Villanueva plateaued at the mid-level rank of lieutenant. If the general public did not imbue deep hope in Villanueva, it was largely because few people had

any clue who the guy was.

Sure, he was savvy enough to run as a Democrat in a hard Blue county, but his campaign trail calls for reform of the department hardly made him different than any aspiring politician who stumps on the clichéd promise of change. Still, he figured out how to get elected. Give him credit for that.

Four months after being inaugurated, the public is getting a clearer picture of Villanueva, and it’s frequently bizarre. His first big step was removing virtually the entire command staff of the department and installing his own team. While one can comprehend wanting a fresh start, it can probably be achieved without flambéing everyone with institutional knowledge of a department that has 17,000 sworn and civilian employees.

More recently, Villanueva has been garnering headlines not for righting the department or embarking on bold new law enforcement initiatives, but for igniting a war with the County Board of Supervisors. It has gotten so bad that supes Mark Ridley-Thomas and Sheila Kuehl last week authored a motion asking county lawyers to investigate the legality of a new commission that Villanueva formed. They are scheduled to vote on the matter on Tuesday, March 12.

Alex Villanueva was sworn in as sheriff in December. He has found the terrain rocky.

photo by Gary Leonard

This is explosive, and it looks like the situation will get worse before it gets better. Power players often like to resolve things quietly, but on Tuesday, March 5, in the wake of introducing the motion, Ridley-Thomas tweeted, “This is clearly a regrettable situation, but we believe that the Sheriff acted outside of the law. We take this unprecedented and uncomfortable position because it is necessary. We cannot allow the last decade of reform and accountability to be abandoned.”

Read that closely. The line, “we believe that the Sheriff acted outside of the law,” speaks volumes.

Villanueva staunchly defends himself, but the really wacky thing is that the standoff — which could permanently poison the re-

lationship between the supervisors and the sheriff — is completely unnecessary. In a world where elected officials usually choose their battles carefully, you have to wonder: Why did Villanueva pick this one?

Calling Caren Carl The turmoil swirls around a Villanueva ally named Caren Carl Mandoyan. Three years ago, McDonnell fired Mandoyan from the sheriff’s department in the wake of domestic abuse allegations. The Los Angeles Times in January reported that a female department employee, who once had been in a relationship with Mandoyan, had alleged that he physically assaulted and stalked her. No criminal charges were filed, but the county CivContinued on page 11

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MARCH 11, 2019

Shop Hop: The Downtown Retail Roundup

Think Tank Gallery recently reopened on Fourth Street with the exhibit L.A. Is Trying to Kill Me exhibit (shown here).

A Menswear Space Returns, More Gyms and Some Art News

By Nicholas Slayton rts District Return: The menswear boutique Apolis: Common Gallery opened in the Arts District in 2011 and closed six years later when the building it was in began being converted to creative office space. Now, developer RYDA’s work on the three-story edifice is almost done, and Apolis plans to return to its original home this summer.

The store will again carry a range of casual and semi-formal outfits, with options including chinos for $98 and a bomber jacket that sells for $298. Although the shop had shut down, there have been occasional pop-up Apolis outlets in the area.

Returning to 806 E. Third St. or apolisglobal.com.

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Another Return: Another Downtown mainstay is back after time in the wilderness. Think Tank Gallery left its Fashion District home last year but has reopened on Fourth Street, on the northeast edge of Skid Row in a space previously used for film shoots. Think Tank returned last month with the exhibit L.A. Is Trying to Kill Me, featuring more than 60 artists and immersive installations. Gallery leaders plan to have some immersive elements and ticketed art events.

At 516 E. Fourth St. or thinktank.gallery.

Yet More Art: Over in the Row DTLA complex, another art space recently opened. The experimental bitforms gallery started in New York City in 2001 with a focus on new media, and has now expanded to Downtown Los Angeles. The gallery is actually split between two spaces in Row DTLA’s Building 2, in suites 158 and 162. The gallery opened Feb. 12, and the inaugural exhibition runs through March 17. The show,

with works from a dozen artists, is built around immersive, time-based pieces. Currently the space is open Thursdays-Sundays or by appointment.

At 787 S. Alameda St. or bitforms.art.

photo by Nicholas Slayton

Health Depot: Downtown’s gym options keep growing. One of the latest is Depot Crossfit, which opened in December in the Olive Street space formerly occupied by The Well. This is the gym’s third outpost in Los Angeles County, and customers can find traditional crossfit options such as Olympic lifting, high-intensity circuits and rowing machines.

The gym offers classes in monthly packages or punch cards (with $239 buying unlimited classes for a month, or a 10-class pass for $220). Individual classes are $25.

At 1006 S. Olive St., (213) 220-0076 or depot.fitness/downtownlosangeles.

Drink Up: Good news for home bar connoisseurs: You’ll soon be able to stock up from a high-end liquor store. Culver Citybased Hi-Lo Liquor is opening a location in the Arts District, inside the Aliso residential complex on Third Street. The store, just under 2,500 square feet according to filings with the Department of City Planning, will include a 360-square-foot patio and a beer and wine tasting area inside the shop. No opening date has been set, but if it is like the original Culver City location, expect a strong selection of craft spirits, amaros, bitters and local craft beer and wine.

Coming to 950 E. Third St. or hiloliquor.com.

Doggie Day Care: Downtown Los Angeles just cannot seem

to get enough pet services. The latest arrival is the puntastically named Duke’s South Paw in South Park. Originally announced in 2017, the Olive Street business opened in late February, and offers grooming and boarding services for cats and dogs. The 9,632-square-foot facility features multiple rooms for daycare and overnight boarding, plus private suites for pets who don’t mix well with other animals. Grooming services depend on the size and breed of the pet, while boarding rates go from $60 per night.

At 1243 S. Olive St., (213) 743-3853 or dukessouthpaw.com.

See What Condition Your Condition Is In: With all of the gyms opening in Downtown, people will likely be super buff by the end of the year. South Park got another option in January, when Metcon Method Fitness debuted in the Axis on 12th apartment building. The space focuses on high-intensity conditioning workouts, such as boxing. Classes range from straight fighting techniques to endurance-specific offerings that utilize vertical climbing machines, fan bikes and other cardio equipment. Packages include a monthly unlimited pass for $115, and a single class is $26.

At 1200 S. Broadway or climbdtla.com.

Heard about any store openings, closings or other retail news?

If so, contact Shop Hop at nicholas@downtownnews.com.

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Thunderbirds Soar Over Los Angeles On Monday, March 4, Angelenos got a sunset show as the Air Force Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Thunderbirds, flew in formation across the area, and from the right angle it looked like they were passing above the Downtown skyline.

The Thunderbirds took flight as part of the Hollywood premiere of the new film Captain Marvel, whose protagonist is an Air Force pilot. The six jets flew over Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood before landing.

photo by Gary Leonard

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MARCH 11, 2019

Mack Urban Looks Up With New Building Aven, a 38-Story Complex With 538 Apartments, Continues the Developer’s $1.2 Billion Vision in South Park

By Nicholas Slayton number of developers have set their sights on South Park, seeing significant profit potential in the neighborhood that includes Staples Center and L.A. Live. Few, however, have made as aggressive a play as Mack Urban Real Estate Development.

In 2012, as Downtown was still recovering from the depths of the recession, the developer paid $80 million for six lots along Grand Avenue and Olive Street. It laid out a vision for a $1.2 billion master plan, with a total of five buildings rising in phases. The proposal included creating approximately 2,000 residential units.

Phase one came in 2017, when the 362-apartment Wren opened at 1230 S. Olive St. The seven-story project immediately boosted the housing stock in South Park, but the mid-rise design was similar to a number of other projects in the area at the time.

Phase two is grander in size and ambition.

Move-ins at the 38-story Aven (created in partnership with AECOM Capital) began Jan. 2. The steel-and-glass high-rise with 538 market-rate apartments is currently 18% leased

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and 10% occupied, according to the property’s leasing director, Merci Lim. Paul Keller, chairman of Mack Urban, said Wren has found its market, though the developer would not reveal the building’s occupancy level.

“When you think of the submarket west of the central business district, and you think about it in the context of affordability, the central business district continues to be a bargain,” Keller said. “Since we opened about seven weeks ago, we’re ahead of plan on the lease-up, as we were on Wren.”

Aven offers studio to two-bedroom apartments priced at approximately $4.50 per square foot, which puts it at the upper range of the Downtown rental spectrum. A two-bedroom unit on the 18th floor, with 1,110 square feet of space, goes for $5,150. A 690-square-foot one-bedroom on the ninth floor is $3,050.

Units have wood cabinets and flooring, tile backsplashes, gas ranges and washer and dryers. Nearly half of the residences offer balconies.

The building also has three penthouses on

photos by Nicholas Slayton

Developer Mack Urban’s Aven stands 38 stories and has amenities including a pool, outdoor decks and a gym. There will also be a park that is open to the public.

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the 35th floor. One, which spans the entire western side of the tower with 2,930 square feet of space, gives an almost full panoramic view of Downtown and South Los Angeles. It rents for $19,588 per month.

Although Downtown is seeing a number of new projects, Stephen Basham, managing analyst for the real estate brokerage firm CoStar, said that Aven, along with the similarly priced and recently opened Circa, are not a “new normal” for Downtown.

“There’s still only a handful of properties Downtown asking north of $4 per square foot, and all of those are recently opened luxury high-rises,” Basham said.

Aven includes two furnished units that are designed for short-term stays. The idea with the one-bedroom on the 31st floor and a two-bedroom on the 18th is that people visiting Aven residents can have a place to stay on site, according to Lim. As with many other Downtown apartment buildings, Aven is using incentives to lure tenants, including up to six weeks of free rent. That is comparable to what other new residential structures are offering, according to Alex LiMandri, a Downtown-based residential broker with DTLA Life.

Aven is being marketed to young professionals working in the Downtown central business district. LiMandri said that makes sense given the price point and trends of people who are relocating to Downtown.

While Mack Urban ultimately envisions more people with children setting up in Downtown, Keller said the demand is not there yet.

Aven apartments rent for approximately$4.50 per square foot, which puts it on the upper end of the Downtown price spectrum.

photo by Nicholas Slayton

“We’re not seeing families in any numbers moving into Aven, and we didn’t intend for that to be occurring,” Keller said.

Public Park Aven sports an extensive amenities deck on the seventh floor. It has residential lounges, a large co-working space, as well as a gym that can be opened up for outdoor classes. A pool, basketball court and dog run take up the southern end of the deck. The building has 801 parking spaces and 589 bike stalls.

A second deck, on the 32nd floor, has a wide view of Los Angeles, as well as orange and lime trees.

LiMandri said that in the current Downtown market, potential tenants are seeking amenities beyond just a pool and a gym. He said the co-working space, which includes conference rooms, printing equipment, and private nooks to work in, is a particularly savvy move by the developer.

The project includes one unique feature:

The 13,000-square-foot Aven Park on the north side of the structure has trees, gardens on the edges and a hardscaped walkway. Benches line the walkway, which connects to Margo Street, the road between Grand Avenue and Olive Street. The park is set to debut late this month and will be open to the public.

Keller said that given the size of Mack Urban’s investment in South Park, it made sense to add something that would benefit the wider community, and cited the lack of green space in the neighborhood. The development team hopes to bring a restaurant to a ground-floor commercial space that abuts the park, and create some outdoor patio space, he added.

Aven’s debut comes as the Downtown housing market is rapidly expanding. In the last several months, Holland Partner Group’s Grace and Griffin towers opened at Eighth and Spring streets, while the developer’s

third project, Alina, came online on Ninth Street. The luxury twin-tower Circa complex began move-ins in the fall. The CIM Group’s 888 at Grand Hope Park added another 525 apartments to the area. The Onni Group is scheduled to open the 53-story 825 South Hill project in the coming weeks.

LiMandri said that many of the new arrivals offer similar features, so location could be a deciding factor for prospective tenants. He said that with the park and the siting, Aven offers a quieter experience than developments such as Circa, which is across the street from Staples Center.

Although Downtown has evolved significantly since Mack Urban acquired the sites, Keller said the developer’s strategy has not.

He acknowledged the massive residential growth in Downtown and specifically South Park — “while we’re not enthusiastic about the competition, we welcome it,” he said — but added that the scope of Mack Urban’s plans set its projects apart from others.

That includes the developers who may look to flip buildings shortly after they are completed.

“Our intent is to own these assets long term,” Keller said.

Mack Urban is currently in the planning process for the next phases of its mega-project. They include a 60-story, 713-unit tower at 1120 S. Olive St. and a 536-apartment, 51-story high-rise at 1115 S. Olive St. Keller said that both projects are in the site plan review phase, and anticipates them opening around 2025-2026. nicholas@downtownnews.com

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MARCH 11, 2019

Council Votes to Limit Property Seizures on Skid Row

A City Council vote to settle what is known as the Mitchell case has prompted complaints from Downtown business leaders who charge that it will allow encampments to grow in Skid Row. Others say it will protect the Constitutional rights of homeless individuals.

‘Mitchell’ Case Settlement Sparks Divide Among Downtown Groups

By Nicholas Slayton he City Council last week voted to settle a legal case concerning the property rights of homeless individuals. The 10-2 decision, made in closed session on Wednesday, March 6, after more than three hours of deliberation, stands to impact city policies on sidewalk cleaning and the seizure of belongings at encampments in Skid Row. The decision in the case of Mitchell v. City of Los Angeles gives City Attorney Mike Feuer permission to negotiate a deal with the plaintiffs. The issue has roiled Downtown for years, with many business stakeholders urging the city to take the case to trial, and a number of homeless rights advocates pushing for a settlement. A trial had been scheduled for June.

The two dissenting votes came from Joe Buscaino and José Huizar. Huizar’s 14th District covers Skid Row and much of Downtown Los Angeles.

“I am disappointed that an action has been taken to move forward with this settlement,” Huizar said in a prepared statement following the decision. “The settlement continues the approach where we allow litiga-

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tion to drive policy on homelessness instead of proactive policy as we have been doing since we adopted our Comprehensive Homeless Strategy. It further continues to treat Skid Row and Downtown different than the rest of the City, allowing conditions to worsen for our population of people experiencing homelessness.”

Approximately 100 people turned out for the council meeting and about 20 testified for or against a settlement before the council went into closed session. A spokesman for Feuer’s office said that the settlement agreement has not yet been finalized. As the decision was not unanimous, there will be a second, procedural vote this week, where only a simple majority is needed.

The case began in March 2016, when a group of homeless individuals and activist groups, represented by the Legal Aid Foundation, filed suit against the city, charging that personal belongings, including legal documents and medicine, were being seized and destroyed by city sanitation workers and police.

One plaintiff, Carl Mitchell, claimed in the suit that after he was arrested in December

photo by Eddie Kim

2015, his property was taken. When he was released soon after, he did not have any identification or the medicine he needed.

In April of that year, United States District Judge James Otero issued an injunction in the case preventing the city from seizing and removing a homeless individual’s property on Skid Row without issuing advance notice of a coming area cleanup. The only exceptions were if the items posed a danger to public safety or were evidence in a criminal investigation. The injunction itself was limited to Skid Row and “adjoining areas.”

“To put it bluntly, Plaintiffs may not survive without some of the essential property that has been confiscated,” Otero said in the injunction.

The community dispute has been going on as long as the case. Those in favor of a settlement argued that the issue is about Constitutional property rights, citing the Fourth and 14th amendments. Those pushing for a trial argued that Mitchell would create one set of rules for Skid Row and another for the rest of the city, and thus would be unconstitutional.

Shortly after the Mitchell case was filed, the city approved ordinance 56.11, which limited the amount of property that someone could have in a public space in Los Angeles to what could fit in a 60-gallon bin. It also required advance notice of any neigh-

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borhood cleanup, and the storage for 90 days of items seized during those sweeps.

Otero’s injunction prevented 56.11 from going into effect in the Skid Row area. That resulted in people being able to keep more belongings in the community than in other neighborhoods.

Those wanting Feuer to go to trial also expressed concern that a settlement could eventually mean the rules for Skid Row would function as a precedent and could spread to cover all of Los Angeles. That would make it difficult to keep sidewalks clear in other areas, they argued.

Jessica Lall, president and CEO of the business advocacy group the Central City Association, told Los Angeles Downtown News prior to the City Council vote that the public has not been briefed on the details of a potential settlement. She said before a decision, the public should hear about the potential repercussions from the Los Angeles Police Department, the Bureau of Sanitation and other entities.

At the council meeting, Carol Schatz, former head of the CCA and the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, called on the city to “take a stand” and avoid a “temporary peace with activists” by settling.

“We will not be able to confine [tents] to Skid Row. Already there are permanent encampments spread across an entire city,” Schatz said.

Steve Diaz, deputy director for organizing for the Los Angeles Community Action Network, a homeless rights group that advocated for settling the case (in which it was plaintiff), rejected Schatz’s claim.

“The business community has done a great job at confusing this issue, and making it seem that this is about citywide, and if you move for a settlement, you’ll allow for encampments to go up throughout the city of L.A.,” Diaz said. “Encampments do not come because people have Constitutional rights.

Encampments come because of the lack of housing, and the lack of affordability in Los Angeles.”

After the public comment period ended, 13th District-Councilman Mitch O’Farrell said that once a decision was made the Council would fully explain the rationale for its choice. nicholas@downtownnews.com

MARCH 11, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 11

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

SHERIFF, 5 il Service Commission reviewed and upheld McDonnell’s decision.

Mandoyan was part of Villanueva’s campaign team, and shortly after the new sheriff was sworn in, he reinstated the former deputy. The story instantly blew up. The supervisors fiercely objected.

There are many layers to the proceedings, including Villanueva proposing to create a new “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” to look into cases of workers dismissed during McDonnell’s four-year tenure.

But McDonnell was widely viewed as a reformer whose mission was to clean up the mess the department had become under disgraced former Sheriff Lee Baca and equally disgraced Undersheriff Paul Tanaka. (The two were snagged in a corruption scandal and Tanaka went to prison, while Baca will likely wind up there soon.) McDonnell’s disciplinary moves rankled many longtime deputies (the union for deputies backed Villanueva in last November’s election), but LASD watchers generally applauded his efforts.

Villanueva has asserted that the reinstatement of Mandoyan was vetted, and news reports feature remarks from Mandoyan’s attorney defending his client.

But the supervisors remain resolute. Hence a situation that is the equivalent of the supervisors and Villanueva both climbing into facing semi-trucks, slamming the gas pedals and hurtling toward each other.

I can understand Villanueva wanting to come out of the gate strong and position himself as a change agent willing to confront power, but good gravy, is Mandoyan really the guy he wants to go to the mat for at this time? The January L.A. Times report said the deputy alleged that Mandoyan grabbed her by the neck, and later tried to break into her home (again, attorney have disputed that in published reports).

Even if Villanueva believes that the allegations against Mandoyan are 129% wrong, and that the female deputy overstated the incidents, the new sheriff should recognize that in the wake of Harvey Weinstein and the exposure of unseemly behavior by too many men in power, the public looks at abuse complaints in a completely different light. In the Mandoyan case it wasn’t just vague ideas

tossed into the air, but something that came with evidence that prompted a respected Los Angeles Sheriff and the Civil Service Commission to make a ruling removing Mandoyan. You can’t just flip that and expect the populace to go, “Okey dokey! You know best!”

Villanueva doesn’t look heroic by backing his buddy. Maybe he doesn’t care.

Mid-Level Perspective Should we be surprised by Villanueva’s move? Yes, because it’s shortsighted and completely out of touch with the time. But if you peer closely, you can also see the seeds of where the action may have come from: One LASD observer pointed out that, after a three-decade career that never surpassed the middle ranks of the department, it’d be foolish to expect Villanueva to operate with a top-tier perspective. He doesn’t think that way.

We’ve seen new arrivals have trouble in similar situations. Carmen Trutanich surprised everyone when he was elected City Attorney in 2009, upsetting then-City Councilman Jack Weiss in the race. Trutanich arrived with an agenda and an aggressive vision, but was never able to navigate City Hall effectively. Instead he clashed repeatedly with the City Council and the mayor, and saw his department’s budget slashed. In 2013 he lost his re-election bid.

It’s hard to tell where the current proceedings will go. The county lost a court ruling last Wednesday when a judge refused to overturn Villanueva’s reinstatement of Mandoyan. Still, the supervisors have this week’s motion, and have sought to have Mandoyan turn over his badge and gun and halt his pay.

They are not backing down.

This is, as the expression goes, a marathon, not a sprint, though it should be neither. Given crime concerns, there are a million other places where the sheriff could focus his energy. He could easily walk this back, eat a little crow, then seek to implement his agenda.

While the sheriff is elected, the supervisors control the county’s budget and bureaucracy, and they can make Villanueva’s life very difficult. He has to deal with them for at least the next 44 months.

Villanueva might win the Mandoyan battle. He might not. But as he wages this war, the sheriff’s star is being tarnished. regardie@downtownnews.com

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MARCH 11, 2019

DT Another Side of Leo Politi

CALENDAR

Artist Was Known for His Children’s Books, But Italian American Museum Exhibit Looks at His View on the City’s Evolution

By Nicholas Slayton he late artist Leo Politi is best known for his children’s books. He wrote and illustrated more than a dozen, featuring characters such as the wide-eyed, mischievous kids Pancho and Rosa. The stories frequently took place in Los Angeles.

There was another side to Politi: He was also a prolific painter who time and again turned his eye to the city that he loved. Politi’s views of Los Angeles, and his concern over how the metropolis changed during the 20th century, are on display in a new exhibit at the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles.

Leo Politi’s Los Angeles: Works of Love and Protest showcases 39 pieces, including some previously unseen works, that span Politi’s career from 1930 to the mid 1990s. It opened Feb. 12 and runs through May 19 at the museum at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. Admission is free and the museum is open Tuesday-Sunday.

Set up in two rooms, the pieces are loosely arranged, with no grouping by style or subject. Collectively they showcase Los Angeles’ transformation, particularly around Bunker Hill, as a neighborhood of old Victorian homes gave way to steel-and-glass skyscrapers.

“As we were reviewing some potential work to be exhibited, I realized that what I was looking at was like a portrait of L.A. at a specific time,” said Marianna Gatto, executive director of the Italian American Museum. “He

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captured communities in the 1960s when everything was in a state of flux; places that no longer exist, communities that have changed tremendously. He asked, what is the future of Los Angeles? Can we really call it progress when we’re destroying so many of these landmarks?”

Born in Fresno in 1908, Politi studied art in Europe. He returned to California in 1931, witnessing the impact the Great Depression had on the state. Settling in Los Angeles, he started drawing and painting scenes of daily life in the city.

He regularly worked on Downtown’s Olvera Street, painting passersby and people he saw working in the shops. He later began creating children’s book, including Pedro: The Angel of Olvera Street, which describes the Las Posadas procession that takes place in El Pueblo every Christmas season. He also earned notoriety for Song of the Swallows, in which a child entertains a friend with tales of birds and their annual migration to Southern California.

Works of Love and Protest reflects Politi’s affection for his adopted home. Yet it also reveals his dismay at what was lost amid that change.

Gatto said Politi’s paintings frequently sought to preserve places that were changing due to displacement or redevelopment.

The Bunker Hill works show bustling life from above, with early model cars speeding by

photo by Nicholas Slayton

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12 DOWNTOWN NEWS

Leo Politi: Works of Love and Protest includes 39 pieces from the artist, covering diverse parts of Los Angeles in a variety of styles. Politi frequently focused on Downtown.

image courtesy the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

The exhibition includes Politi’s portraits and sketches of different neighborhoods, including Little Tokyo.

high-peaked Victorian homes and old hotels and tenements.

The show reveals Politi’s artistic range; few works are aesthetically similar. Impressionist takes on Third Street and Broadway and the Watts Towers adorn the wall alongside a crisp drawing of Bunker Hill. There’s a painting of a dancer in Little Tokyo done in the style of Japanese art and a heavily inked depiction of San Pedro’s old fishing boats.

Leo Politi’s son, Paul Politi, said that the

works emerged from a deep familiarity with the neighborhoods.

“My dad didn’t drive. He took public transportation and walked,” Paul Politi said. “He knew all the nooks and crannies of the city.

He just loved L.A. If he had had a car, he wouldn’t have seen as much as he did.”

A View of Progress Politi spent nearly 70 years in Los Angeles, and over the course of his career he also Continued on page 16

MARCH 11, 2019

DOWNTOWN NEWS 13

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Eight Ways to Get Festive for St. Patrick’s Day Downtown’s Lineup Includes Everything From a Huge Street Festival to a Tiki Party

CATCH SOME OF OUR DOWNTOWN OFFERINGS AT THE THEATRE AT ACE HOTEL THIS SPRING!

photo by Gary Leonard

Casey’s Irish Pub on Grand Avenue is again holding an outdoor block party on Sunday, March 17. The St. Patrick’s Day event will include 550 kegs of beer plus Irish fare and DJs, and the street will be closed to vehicles.

By Nicholas Slayton n Downtown Los Angeles, St. Patrick’s Day starts early and goes late. Expect that to continue this year, in large part because March 17 is a Sunday.

Over the years Downtown has emerged as a destination for St. Patrick’s Day revelers.

This year’s lineup is packed, with options that range from traditional Irish fare to Americanized twists featuring copious amounts of green beer. There are also some unconventional offerings.

Below, Los Angeles Downtown News runs down eight of the best events in the Central City. Please drink responsibly.

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A Block of Festivities: The biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration takes place at Casey’s Irish Pub on Grand Avenue. The bar opens at 6 a.m. on Sunday, and a full-on street festival (with the road closed to cars) starts at 11 a.m. The party involves 550 kegs of beer and 1,200 bottles of Jameson, plus a large Astroturf stretch of Grand Avenue that will hold outdoor revelry and lawn games. Beverages will include green Guinness Blonde American Lager and IPAs. Visitors can enjoy all of the pub’s full menu, including shepherd’s pie and corned beef. There is a $20 cover after 11 a.m.

At 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or caseysstpatricksday.com.

Try Something New: Casey’s isn’t the only Irish game in Downtown. The former Rock ‘n’ Reilly’s space in the Financial District is still an Irish pub, now called Limericks. The bar with a street-facing patio was still determining its specials at press time, but expect discounts on Irish whiskey shots, Guinness and some appetizers. Limericks’ other locations in the Los Angeles area are known for their extensive tap list and Irish-American food, so expect something similar.

At 615 S. Flower St., (213) 537-0554 or limerickstavern.

AN EVENING WITH LETTUCE & JOHN SCOFIELD

Harder, Better, Faster, Irish-er: What does Daft Punk, a French house band that might be two robots, have to do with St. Patrick’s Day? Absolutely nothing. Despite that, the Arts District’s Resident is doing a St. Patrick’s Day edition of its semi-regular Daft Brunch party. The venue’s two bars will have a number of Irish-themed cocktails, and hungry partiers can grab some grub from an onsite foot truck. This will all happen while DJs spin Daft Punk and other dance acts. Resident also has an extensive beer list full of options from Downtown breweries to help get you dancing to “Get Lucky” and “Around the World.”

At 428 S. Hewitt St. or residentdtla.com.

Wed, Mar 20 @ 8pm

Musical Showcase: Another Downtown St. Patrick’s Day mainstay is The Escondite. The Toy District spot will once again do a full day of live music and food and drink specials.

Sunday will offer bands from noon-midnight, including regulars such as Jet Dread Stone and Joe Thalman & The Burden. The kitchen will have its regular burger options, plus corned beef dishes. Instead of green beer, grab something off The Escondite’s extensive draft and bottle list. There will also be plenty of Jameson, in case shots are your thing.

At 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com.

Sat, Mar 23 @ 8pm

Seventh Street Specials: At Seventh Street’s Brack Shop Tavern, St. Patrick’s Day is not just a Sunday celebration. Starting on Friday, March 15, the Financial District spot will offer $5 pints of green beer, $12 Guinness-battered wings and, in a very Los Angeles-fusion move, $10 Irish nachos.

There are also $9 Jameson shots and $12 Irish Car Bomb shots. On St. Patrick’s Day proper, Brack Shop will have live bagpipe music starting at 1 p.m. There will also be music from local club mainstays the Vignes Continued on page 16

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A LISTING:

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EMAIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com

Email: Send a brief description, street address and public phone number. Submissions must be received 10 days prior to publication date to be considered for print.

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PARKING IN REAR

THREE How much Johann Sebastian Bach is too much Bach? That’s a good question, and while we don’t know the answer, you can get your fill of the composer on Saturday, March 16, when, for the fifth year, the Bach Marathon takes place at Union Station. Organized by Metro Art Los Angeles and See/Hear L.A., the event features 10 hours of nonstop Bach in honor of the legendary composer’s birthday. It runs from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at locations across the station, including the ticket concourse and the lobby, and will feature performances from local schools as well as members of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. The event is free and open to the public. Pro tip: You do not have to stay for the entire 10-hour performance, but we’ll be impressed if you do. At 800 N. Alameda St. or unionstationla.com.

TWO

photo courtesy Audible Treats

Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s love letter to the Lake Erie boarding house where he grew up is the focus of his one-man show opening at the Mark Taper Forum this week. In Lackawanna Blues, Santiago-Hudson (pictured here) plays more than 20 characters — from hustlers to philosophers — in a peek into his 1950s upbringing. Performances are Tuesday-Saturday (Tuesday is a preview) at 8 p.m., with matinees at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The music was written by the late composer Bill Sims Jr. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.

FIVE

The title “punk rock pioneer” has been thrown around quite a bit, especially now that most of the early generation has turned gray. For many the title is arguable, but for Billy Idol and his frequent collaborator, guitarist Steve Stevens, the moniker certainly fits. The duo, responsible for hits including “Dancing With Myself,” “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell,” are leaving the amps at home in favor of an acoustic sound for their “Turned On, Tuned In and Unplugged Tour.” It lands at the Theatre at Ace Hotel for two days this week. The Friday, March 15, concert is sold out, but at press time tickets were still available for the Saturday show. Doors open at 7 p.m. At 929 S. Broadway, (213) 235-9614 or theatre.acehotel.com. © Michael Muller

Despite its 1780s origin, something about the themes of political intrigue and collusion found in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera Clemency of Titus feel so 2019. The opera follows the story of Roman emperor Titus (played by Russell Thomas and pictured here) as he uncovers an assassination plot against him. The work is rarely performed, which makes the ongoing L.A. Opera production at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion something special. There are two chances to catch Titus this week, with 7:30 p.m. performances on Wednesday, March 13, and again on Saturday. It runs until March 24 and James Conlon conducts. At 135 N. Grand Ave. or laopera.org.

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.

ONE

photo by Cory Weaver/ LA Opera

TUESDAY, MARCH 12 The Afrofuturism Book Club with Tyree Boyd-Pates The Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com.

7:30 p.m.: This month the club dives into N.K. Jemisin’s “The Fifth Season.” There are also snacks.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13 Bar Wrestling: The Trouble with Tribbles Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. or bootlegtheater.com.

8 p.m.: What does wrestling have to do with “Star Trek”? We have no idea. But it’s happening anyway.

Elena Manferdini SCI-Arc, 950 E. Third St. or sciarc.edu.

7 p.m.: The artist and architect discusses the influences on her work and how her two fields intersect.

Ottessa Moshfegh at Aloud Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St. or lfla.org.

7:30 p.m.: The acclaimed author sits down to discuss her latest novel and her recently reissued breakthrough novella.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16 Bach Marathon Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St. or unionstationla.com.

9 a.m.: A collection of classical musicians get together for a nonstop show of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. True champions catch all 10 hours.

Risk! Live Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. or bootlegtheater.com.

7 p.m.: True stories are told in person at this live podcast taping.

Freaky Tiki’s St. Patty’s Party Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd. or bootlegtheater.com.

9 p.m.: Why is there a tiki-themed St. Patrick’s Day party? Why is it headlined by a ’90s cover act? We don’t know, just go.

THE DON'T MISS LIST

It’s hard to gauge what Action Bronson enjoys more: Diving into the world of good eats or stringing together lyrics. When he’s not in the studio or performing at music festivals, Bronson is the quintessential foodie, filling his social media accounts with sizzling meats worthy of his next cookbook. So expect food to be a topic of choice when the rapper, known for his aggressive lyrics and a Brooklyn flow reminiscent of Kool Keith, comes to The Novo on Saturday, March 16. The tour is in support of his latest album, White Bronco, and yes, that’s a reference to O.J. Simpson. Roc Marciano and Mayhem Lauren will join Bronson at the 8 p.m. show. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or thenovodtla.com.

photo by Benedict Evans

EVENTS

MARCH 11, 2019

photo by Johan Persson

DT

CALENDAR LISTINGS

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14 DOWNTOWN NEWS

Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.

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To place a classified ad in the Downtown News call 213-481-1448 FORplease RENT

All submissions are subject to federal and California fair housing laws, which make it illegal to indicate in any advertisement any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income or physical or mental disability. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

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213.598.7555 LEGAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019 039460 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) FUTUR SOCIÉTÉ, 111 N EUCALYPTUS AVE #23, INGLEWOOD CA 90301 LA COUNTY are hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) JI YOUNG SILVIA KIM, 111 N EUCALYPTUS AVE #23, INGLEWOOD, CA 90301 LA COUNTY. This business is conducted by an Individual. Registrant(s) began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 02/2019. This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on February 14, 2019.

NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was

filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 2/25, 3/4, 3/11 and 3/18.

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019 049249 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) DARKLIFE PUBLISHING, 548 S SPRING ST #406, LOS ANGELES, CA 90013 LA COUNTY are hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) DARKLIFE PUBLISHING, 548 S SPRING ST #406, LOS ANGELES, CA 90013. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Registrant(s) began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 01/2019.

This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on February 27, 2019.

NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a

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DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code).

Pub. 3/4, 3/11, 3/18 and 3/25.

NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to Sections 21700-21716 of the Business & Professions Code, Section 2328 of the UCC, Section 535 of the Penal Code and provisions of the Civil Code.

The undersigned will sell on the 12th day of March 2019 at 11: 00 A.M. on the premises where said property has been stored and which are located at Thriftee Storage Company LLC, 1717 N. Glendale Blvd. in the city of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, State of California, the following: Name of owner: Space number Description of goods Amount Mary McChesney D-75 Personal effects $356.00 Antonio Arellano C-49 Personal effects $235.00 Bienvenido Quino D-72 Personal effects $385.00 Adam Tamberg A-29 Personal effects $247.00

Joshua Mark Spafford A-4 Personal effects $615.00 Naked Faces U-8 Personal effects $259.00 Purchases must be paid for at the time of purchase in cash only. All purchased storage units with the items contained herein are sold on an “as-is” basis and must be removed at the time of sale. Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between Thriftee Storage Co. and obligated party.

Thriftee Storage Company LLC Dated at Los Angeles, CA by Felipe F. Islas / Manager March 4, 2019.

LEGAL SUMMONS SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES Case No. BD 656574 Petitioner’s Name is: SAIDA BEN-YAIR Notice to Respondent: RAFAEL BEN-YAIR NOTICE TO RESPONDENT: RAFAEL BEN-YAIR You are being sued. PETITIONER’S NAME: SAIDA BEN-YAIR. Read the following information. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-110) The respondent cannot with reasonable diligence be served in any manner specified in Code of Civil Procedure sections 415.10 through 415.40 based on the declaration below Declaration: Describe how you tried to find the respon-

dent. This search may include checking with respondent’s last known address; respondent’s friends and family, respondent’s current and past employers and any unions, internet research, and the tax assessor records in the county of respondent’s last known address or any county in which you think the respondent may live. List all steps, the date you took each step, and the results. a.

I last saw or had contact with the respondent on (date): 01/01/2009 at (location): 146 South Mansfield Ave., Los Angeles CA 90036 b.

The last address I have respondent is: 448 North Alfred Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 c. The last work or business address I have respondent is: 448 North Alfred Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 d. I have taken the following steps to try to find the respondent: The previous attorney hired Calwest Attorney Services to locate and serve the respondent, Calwest Attorney Services attempted to serve the respondent at 246 S. Mansfield Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036 on September 12, 15 and the 19th unsuccessfully- current occupied said the respondent does not live there.

Calwest then conducted a skip-trace to locate the respon-

dent and found an address at 448 North Alfred Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Calwest server attempted service of the respondent on September 23, 26, 29, also in October 2, 5, 8 and 11, and was unsuccessful, occupant notified that the respondent does not reside there and there is no other address pulling up for the respondent., attached copy of the previous skip tracing report that was declined by the court for publication in the newspaper.

My name is Esther Knafo from Legal Buzz Inc 15928 Ventura Blvd., #233, Encino, CA 91436.

In January 02, 2019 I pulled up from Truthfinder Official Report on the respondent including possible relatives list. I did contact some of the relatives and the neighbors and I was told there is no information about him for years and no address or any other contact information that they can give me.

Respondent phone number is disconnected. I did search the social media for any information about the respondent unsuccessfully.

In 01/02/2019 I emailed the respondent at (yairrafi@netvision.net.il) and the email address was not found. I have tried to contact him through Face Book and Twitter and Instagram with no luck.

I Esther Knafo declare under penalty of perjury under laws

of the State of California the foregoing is true and correct.

Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courts.ca.gov/selfhelp), at the California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association. NOTICE: Restraining orders are on page 2: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of it.

The name and address of the court is: LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT – FAMILY LAW DIVISION 111 N. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012-3117 Case Number: BD 656574 Dated: January 16, 2019 Sherri R. Carter, Executive Officer/Clerk By: Carmen Mehaffle, Deputy The name, address, telephone number, and fax number of the petitioner’s attorney or petitioner without an attorney are: Esther Knafo Legal Buzz inc.

15928 Ventura Blvd., #233 Encino, CA 91436 Pub. 3/4, 3/11, 3/18 and 3/25

LEGAL NOTICE MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from consultants wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a firm that will provide consultant services at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at:https:// goo.gl/forms/wtNFjZSlIhXMZI903. Completed forms are due on or before close of business by April 2, 2019. Submissions received after 5:00pm on April 2, 2019 will be rejected.

LEGAL NOTICE

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EMPLOYMENT IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR a Part-time Administrative Assistant. Must be personable, friendly and have great communication skills. Must be flexible with schedule, strong work ethic and Very organized.

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MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from consultants wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a firm that will provide consultant services at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at:https:// goo.gl/forms/H23RYtG7Dl5qjpVI2. Completed forms are due on or before close of business by April 2, 2019. Submissions received after 5:00pm on April 2, 2019 will be rejected.

LEGAL NOTICE MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from general contractors wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a firm that will provide construction services at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at:https://goo.gl/forms/DOiT3OiJJPyffo2i1. Completed forms are due on or before close of business by April 17, 2019. Submissions received after 5:00pm on April 17, 2019 will be rejected.

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MARCH 11, 2019

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served as art editor of Script magazine. He had two children and died in 1996.

Works of Love and Protest includes a collection of children’s books and magazine illustrations Politi did, also in an array of styles. Gatto noted that the characters in his work were never caricatures, and instead were inspired by people he encountered. Gatto thinks he was ahead of his time.

“Not only did he capture these communities at a certain time, but his work predated the multicultural movement by decades,” Gatto said. “This was in an era when children’s books were dominated by those Dick and Jane archetypes.”

The show’s title stems from a Politi quote displayed at the exhibit entrance. In it, he criticized the idea of progress built on eliminating the history of the city; he framed his work as part of preserving that story.

Paul Politi said his father’s focus on trying various genres, topics and styles was intentional. He added that Leo Politi was not focused on acclaim. He likened his father to a Major League Baseball player who purposely stepped back to the minors.

That outlook includes his reputation. Paul Politi said that his father knew his children’s books were not seen as high art by his peers, but that they provided other kinds of benefits that Politi enjoyed. Paul Politi added that his father saw that children were less jaded and stuck in their ways than adults, and he could better get his message across by creating art for them.

Those messages live on in the books. Now, with the Downtown exhibit, so does another side of Leo Politi.

Leo Politi’s Los Angeles: Works of Love and Protest runs through May 19 at the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, 644 N. Main St., (213) 485-8432 or iamla.org. nicholas@downtownnews.com

ST. PATRICK’S DAY, 13 Rooftop Revival from 3-6 p.m.

At 525 W. Seventh St., (213) 232-8657 or brackshoptavern.com.

Island Flavor: Since apparently everything is random and nothing matters, the Bootleg Theater is doing… wait for it… a tiki-themed celebration. The Freaky Tiki St. Patty’s Party takes place on Saturday, March 16, and features live music from ’90s cover band the Foo Flannels. There will also be acrobatic performances from Elevation Aerial and a plethora of specials, including, of course, some tiki drinks. Tickets are $15 and there will be a taco cart.

At 2220 Beverly Blvd. or bootlegtheater.com.

Dublin Down on Pizza: Little Tokyo’s Baldoria is not exactly a place that screams “St. Patrick’s Day,” but the pizzeria is getting into the revelry. On Sunday, diners can enjoy a corned beef hash pizza, plus drink specials including Irish Old Fashioneds for $8 and Jameson shots for $3. That’s on top of the bar’s many bottled cocktail options. So grab a slice, get a shot, and avoid traditional approaches to the holiday.

At 243 S. San Pedro St., (213) 947-3329 or baldoriadtla.com.

Irish Angels: The massive Angel City Brewery is again throwing a St. Paddy’s Day party. It runs from noon-8 p.m. on Sunday, and the Kilgary Mountain Band will perform a selection of Irish music from 3-6 p.m. Angel City is also bringing out its Imperial Irish Red Ale (aged in Jameson barrels for even more holiday-appropriateness) for one day on tap.

At 216 Alameda St. or angelcitybrewery.com. nicholas@downtownnews.com