06-02-14

Curious City Council Facts | 5 Brookfield Ponders the Future | 10

JUNE 2, 2014 I VOL. 43 I #22

Downtown’s Unlikely Soccer Champs How a Tiny School With a Blacktop ‘Field’ Scored a Three-peat SEE PAGE 8

Rene Diaz, the eighth grade co-captain of the St. Turibius Warriors, practices at the Industrial District school.

Watch City Living on DTTV New Episodes Every Monday @ 9am on DowntownNews.com

THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

MAP PAGE 17

photos by Gary Leonard

DOWNTOWN

2 Downtown News

DT

AROUND TOWN

Union Station Master Plan Meeting This Week

T

he landmark Union Station celebrated its 75th birthday in May. This month, property owner the Metropolitan Transportation Authority continues its exploration of how to position the station over the next 75 years. On Thursday, June 5, from 6-8 p.m., Metro is holding a public meeting about the master plan for the historic transit hub. The session, at Metro headquarters at One Gateway Plaza, will include a presentation of project cost estimates, development opportunities and a conceptual renovation design for the outdoor courtyard by the station’s main entrance off Alameda Street.

Metro is considering future changes not just for the site, but for 40 surrounding acres of land, and is looking at office, residential, retail and other additions.

Valley Hospital Pays $500,000 In Skid Row Dumping Case

A

nother case of alleged patient dumping in Skid Row has been documented and settled. Although San Fernando Valley-based Pacifica Hospital of the Valley did not admit wrongdoing, it has agreed to pay $500,000 to area homeless service agencies, and will adopt a new set of patient release protocols. City Attorney Mike Feuer on Thursday, May 29, an-

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS nounced the agreement, which stemmed from a January incident in which a homeless patient with a severe mental disability was allegedly discharged and taken to Skid Row without consent being given. Feuer declined to provide additional details on the case or the patient. “Patient dumping has no place in any society that wants to call itself civilized and certainly no place here in the city of Los Angeles,” Feuer said Thursday.

Deputy City Attorney Will Pirkey handled the case for Feuer’s office. The Downtown Women’s Center, Union Rescue Mission and the Midnight Mission are among the facilities that will receive some of the settlement money.

June 2, 2014

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Jade Enterprises Buys Figueroa Tower

T

he 25-story office tower above the Seventh Street/Metro Center station in the Financial District has been purchased by Jade Enterprises for an undisclosed price. Real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has been retained to handle leasing for Figueroa Tower, a 331,000-square-foot edifice at 660 S. Figueroa St. The 1989 building was designed

by A.C. Martin and features a style reminiscent of what Cushman & Wakefield in a press release described as “16th century French Renaissance” architecture. The design is highlighted by the property’s Italian marble exterior and a soaring two-story lobby. A Jade spokesman said plans for the building call for creative and professional office space. The property will be fully remodeled with upgraded elevator and ventilation systems. Jade has extensive holdings in the Fashion District and also owns the office building at 888 S. Figueroa St.

UNIQUE. LOCAL. HANDMADE.

SHOP UNIQUE PRODUCTS. BREAK THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS. TRANSFORM WOMEN’S LIVES. Visit us at 325 S. Los Angeles St. & 438 S. San Pedro St.

www.SHOP.MADEbyDWC.com

5th & Main

May 28, 2014

Downtown Breakfast Club Co-Founder Bill Feathers Dies

B

ill Feathers, a longtime marketing executive in the construction industry and a cofounder of the Downtown Breakfast Club, has died. He was 90. Feathers passed away at his home in Tarzana on May 10 after suffering a series of strokes. Feathers was known to many in Downtown for co-founding the DBC, which each spring attracts hundreds of business and community leaders to its Roses & Lemon Awards breakfast. He also helped found the Los

Angeles chapters of the Urban Land Institute and the National Association of Real Estate Executives. Born in Fort Scott, Kansas, Feathers grew up in Inglewood. He served in the Navy during World War II and, after the war, studied architecture and urban planning at the University of Southern California. He was a marketing advisor to prominent architects including Welton Becket, and started his own firm in 1979. Feathers was known for a self-deprecating manner that stood out among others in his field. “Bill’s ‘soft-sell’ approach continued to be successful even in the digital age,” said Patrick Continued on page 20

June 2, 2014

Downtown News 3

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Real People, Real Stories

DOWNTOWN LA MOTORS 1801 S. Figueroa St. 888-319-8762 mbzla.com

PORSCHE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 1900 S. Figueroa St. 888-685-5426 porschedowntownla.com

AUDI OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 1900 S. Figueroa St. 888-583-0981 audidtla.com

VOLKSWAGEN OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 1900 S. Figueroa St. 888-781-8102 vwdowntownla.com

TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 1600 S. Figueroa St. 800-399-6132 toyotaofdowntownla.com

Oscar Hernandez, Demolition Business Currently Driving: 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan

|

Customer Since: 2014

SCION OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 1600 S. Figueroa St. 800-560-9174 scionofdowntownla.com

Our salesperson, Pedro Lopez, made our car buying experience at FELIX CHEVROLET very easy. We got a good deal and were able to buy our choice vehicle, a Dodge Grand Caravan. We highly recommend FELIX CHEVROLET to anyone looking to buy a car!

NISSAN OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 635 W. Washington Blvd.

888-838-5089 downtownnissan.com

— Oscar Hernandez CARSON

Downtown L.A. Auto Group Family Owned & Operated Since 1955 W W W . D T L A M O T O R S . C O M

NISSAN

1505 E. 223rd St. 888-845-2267 carsonnissan.com

FELIX CHEVROLET 3330 S. Figueroa St. 888-304-7039 felixchevrolet.com

4 Downtown News

DT

EDITORIALS

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

June 2, 2014

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

Pick a New Sheriff (Just Not Tanaka)

R

esidents of Los Angeles County began casting vote-by-mail ballots a few weeks ago, and on Tuesday, June 3, more voters will visit the polls. We know, this seems to happen all the time, but it’s still important.

We worry how many people will turn out this week, and fear that it could tumble below the 21% of city voters who showed up in March 2013, when Angelenos had a chance to pick a mayor from five contenders. The runoff two months later was scarcely higher — just 23%.

The current election is not generating much heat, particularly for people who live in Downtown Los Angeles. Even with the new system, in which the top two finishers in state races advance to the runoff regardless of party affiliation, not a lot commands local interest. Incumbent Gov. Jerry Brown seems assured of another four-year term. The battles for attorney general and lieutenant governor also both feature established incumbents who seem unbeatable (Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom, respectively). More competitive races, such as the ones for Controller and Insurance Commissioner, seem to have little impact on most people’s lives.

In the most important local race, for First District County Supervisor, residents have essentially had their choice made for them — as this page opined last month, the coronation of Hilda Solis as the replacement for outgoing Gloria Molina is deplorable (she may be good; the lack of choice by freezing out other qualified contenders isn’t). Many other races are barely contested, and when it comes to judges — well, who knows why voters still have that responsibility. The citizenry is utterly unprepared to pick those who sit on the bench, and candidates don’t have the money for effective outreach. We think a system of appointments would be preferable.

The above are reasons to skip the polls on Tuesday.

Still, one race demands that voters do their duty.

County residents, for the first time in decades, have a real chance to shape the future of the Sheriff’s Department. The troubled incumbent, Lee Baca, resigned in January, wisely choosing to forego a fifth term. Now a diverse field of seven candidates is on the ballot.

About the only thing the contenders agree on is that new leadership is required. Although we believe that the vast majority of sheriff’s deputies care deeply about their jobs and the people they serve, the department has been rocked by a litany of scandals, including some shocking violence against inmates by deputies in county jails, and the rise of gang-like deputy cliques inside some stations and jails.

Should the next sheriff be a veteran of the department, or is an outsider more likely to effect change?

What sort of discipline philosophy should be employed? How much control over the sheriff should the supervisors have?

The candidates have varying opinions on these matters. Some information is available on the candidates’ websites. Or, just Google news stories on the race.

The only endorsement Los Angeles Downtown News has at this time is anyone but former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka. We fear a fresh start with Baca’s longtime number two would be impossible.

Go the polls on June 3. Pick a new sheriff. Just not Tanaka.

Forget Pay Dispute: Dodgers Owners Should Get Games on Free TV

O

n May 25, Josh Beckett tossed a no-hitter, the first time in 18 years that a Dodger pitcher had accomplished such a feat. Yet, like every memorable moment so far this season for the Blue Crew, only a small portion of the team’s fans were able to see Beckett’s masterful performance against the Philadelphia Phillies as it happened.

The reason for this is clear, and the complaints have come faster and harder than a Clayton Kershaw heater. The new Dodgers owners last year signed a mammoth $8 billion deal with Time Warner. That led to the creation of a new Dodgers television network, SportsNet LA. In the effort to recoup its costs, Time Warner has tried to work out deals with other satellite and cable TV providers, among them DirectTV and Dish Network, to carry the new network. However, the entities have been unable to come to terms — there’s a lot of gobbledygook over what the providers need to charge each subscriber to make the deal pencil out.

Most observers expected that agreements would have been signed within a couple weeks of the start of the regular season. After all, that’s what happened when the Lakers went down a similar path.

However, two months after the baseball season began the TV providers have dug in their heels, with the result that approximately 70% of local households are missing every highlight moment — this means every Beckett, Kershaw or Zack Greinke start, and every Yasiel Puig homerun. Numerous bars that rely on sports fans are also frozen out.

The inability to catch games live has sparked a lot of anger and handwringing for Dodger diehards who over the years have shelled out thousands of dollars for tickets and assorted extras. There has also been plenty of apportioning of blame. Many curse Time Warner, while some criticize Direct TV, Dish Network and the other providers.

Those complaints are valid, but we think the biggest culprit is the Dodgers ownership group. Mark Walter, Stan Kasten, Magic Johnson and the other partners in Guggenheim Baseball Management, who spent $2.15 billion to purchase the team from Frank McCourt, may try to distance themselves from the fracas and claim that it is an argument among TV businesses. However, the only reason things got to this point is the severe myopia from those in control of the product.

Obviously the team owners believed the current standoff was impossible. They were wrong, and because of it, people are missing games.

The solution now is simple: The owners should scrap the existing deal and make it up to the Dodger faithful by putting the team not on pay TV, but on free TV. The experts will run down all the reasons why this can’t happen, but there are 10 million reasons — the approximate number of people living in Los Angeles County — to make it happen. Those who say starting over is impossible are forgetting that the Dodgers are a special case. As we have been reminded with the recent Clippers/Donald Sterling hubbub, sports franchises have owners, but the team ultimately belongs to the people, to the fans.

Some will argue that the Dodgers’ 25-year deal with Time Warner has been signed and can’t be unsigned. However, if Walter, Johnson and the rest of the crew had enough money and acumen to buy the team, then we think they also have enough wits and financial sense to get out of a TV deal that doesn’t work in the best interests of Los Angeles.

We won’t get into the intricacies of terminating a contract — that’s why lawyers exist. Instead, we subscribe to the philosophy of where there’s a will, there’s a way, and right now there is plenty of will.

We understand the shift in sports economics, that teams are chasing the huge bucks being dangled by pay TV providers. However, for decades Dodgers games were a staple of local television.

Even last year people were able to watch some games on KCAL 9, and somehow the team made a profit.

Just because other sports franchises are going this route doesn’t mean the Dodgers have to follow. Not every family in Los Angeles can afford a hefty monthly cable bill.

Again, we’re sure that backers of the current system will run down a laundry list of reasons why this can’t happen. They’ll talk about the price of fielding a competitive team and other issues.

That said, the Dodgers still draw more than 3 million fans a year, fans who pay for tickets, parking, concessions, jerseys and other memorabilia. The stadium is chock full of sponsorships. A lot of money is flowing to the team.

The new owners messed up by signing a deal that has become a sinkhole. Now, they should make up for it by doing something significant and lasting for the fans. Figure out how to end this contract. Then, make games available to those who love and cheer for the Dodgers.

June 2, 2014

Downtown News 5

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Seven Curious Things I Learned About City Council Members From Their Websites Koretz and Cedillo Need Calendars, Price May Be a Spy and Someone Loves Chickens

By Jon Regardie eople in Los Angeles have a hard time connecting with government. There are many reasons for this, ranging from the Byzantine nature of dealing with City Hall to a feeling that politicians care little about the average Joe.

P

THE REGARDIE REPORT Some elected leaders try to resolve this with social media, using Twitter, Facebook and other platforms to connect with those who vote and the other 77% of city residents.

Each elected official also has an official website. I recently spent some time perusing what the 15 council members have posted online, and in addition to a flotilla of self-congratulations, I found some interesting tidbits. Several council members have impressive websites that engage the community. Others have, well, let’s call it something else.

Here are seven curious things I learned about city council members from their websites.

Paul Koretz Loves Animals, Needs a Calendar: Koretz, who represents the Westside’s Fifth District, is well known as a lover of animals. The top of his bio page asks visitors to “Adopt a Pet Today.” Scroll down and you learn that he has introduced “landmark” animal welfare initia-

tives related to banning cat declawing, outlawing puppy mills and stopping goat juggling (I made one of those up).

If only Koretz could keep track of dates as efficiently as he prevents cat declawing. On Thursday, May 29, the home page of his website, under “Recent Community News,” had the teaser, “Tonight, February 26: City Budget 101.”

As if to make sure that the budget info wasn’t lonely in being three months out of date, the line below warned visitors to be wary of Jamzilla… which took place Feb. 14-18.

Did I mention that this was on his front page?

Making Koretz Look Current: First District City Councilman Gil Cedillo is fairly active on Facebook and Twitter with community-oriented news. However, he seems to have forgotten his city website. The most recent item on his News page is from, egads, Aug. 15, 2013. Visit his Events page and you’ll be fully prepared for his “Listening Tour.” All you need is a time machine — the tour stop highlighted at the top of the page took place on Aug. 22, 2013.

What can you learn about the City Council by visiting the members’ websites? A lot! For example, to attend the top event on Gil Cedillo’s (left) Events page, you’d need a time machine — it took place last year. Or, you can watch a video in which Joe Buscaino talks about how great Dwight Howard will be for the Lakers. Oops!

Give Her a Year, Websites Take Time: Nury Martinez was sworn in to represent Siberia’s Sixth District (sorry, I meant the San Fernando Valley’s Sixth District) on Aug. 1, 2013. She must be incredibly busy doing government

stuff, because 10 months later her website has an introductory message, a bio, a contact page, one community-oriented page and, uh, nothing else.

I realize it takes about 273,000 programmer

photo by Gary Leonard

photo by Branimir Kvartuc

hours to create a website these days and that the city doesn’t have an Information and Technology Department, but — hey wait, none of that is true. Thanks to modern software, a drunk Continued on page 12

metro.net

We can’t go anywhere without you.

With over one million boardings a day, Metro moves a lot of people, including Elodia Diaz.

A Metro customer for 14 years, Elodia takes the Metro Gold Line every day to get her >ve children to and from school, the Farmer’s Market, and to family outings in East Los Angeles, Highland Park and Pasadena. Elodia chooses to Go Metro because she enjoys the frequent and convenient service.

“The Metro system takes me everywhere I need to go and eliminates the need for a car.”

– elodia diaz

Metro rail operator Running Wolf, who nominated Elodia for recognition, said, “Elodia is a dedicated mother and uses the system to get to every dentist appointment, school function and church service.”

14-1916jp ©2014 lacmta

Metro salutes Elodia and all of our valued customers.

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

6 Downtown News

June 2, 2014

Downtown Institutions Battle Over Metro Station’s Name Trade-Tech College and Orthopaedic Hospital Both Want Their Name on Expo Line Stop

By Donna Evans ore than two years after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Expo Line opened, a controversy has erupted as two Downtown entities are vying to have their name attached to a station at 23rd Street.

Orthopaedic Institute for Children tends to injured and mostly uninsured kids, so having its name on a Metro map and stop is critical, said Michael Sullivan, the facility’s vice president.

Less than 1,000 feet away is Los Angeles TradeTechnical College, where the bulk of the 20,000 students arrive to campus via public transit.

That means the vocational school should have station naming rights, said Larry Frank, TradeTech’s president.

Metro has rejected the idea of putting both names on the 23rd Street Station, Sullivan said.

He reasoned that because Orthopaedic Hospital gave up its driveway, moved its main entrance and changed its business address all to accommodate the station, the medical facility’s name should be on the sign.

Metro officials declined to comment on the situation.

Additionally, Sullivan said that when the hospital finishes the second phase of an ongoing construction project, patients will have direct access from the 23rd Street stop to the hospi-

M

tal’s Urgent Care building.

The 23rd Street Station is on South Flower Street between West Adams Boulevard and West 23rd Street. A related and complicating factor is another nearby station. A Blue Line stop, labeled Grand Avenue, is on Washington Boulevard between South Grand and South Flower Street. It is less than a quarter-mile from the 23rd Street stop.

Sullivan suggested a compromise, with Trade-Tech having its name affixed to the Blue Line Grand Avenue station, and the hospital’s moniker placed on the 23rd Street station.

Frank rejects that idea, saying it is a “wayfinding strategy” to have academic institutions’ names associated with Metro stops. Limiting Trade-Tech to the Grand Avenue stop, he said, would mean that students coming from the Westside and Crenshaw District via the Expo Line might not know where they are going and when to get off the train.

Frank also stated that the University of Southern California has a double signage situation, with its name on the Expo Line’s Jefferson/USC and Expo Park/USC stations.

“There are eight stops in the MTA list that are named after colleges or universities, so there is both internal interest and external interest for some recognition,” Frank said.

photo by Gary Leonard

Officials with the Orthopaedic Institute for Children and Los Angeles Trade-Technical College both say that a failure to include their name on signage for the 23rd Street Station will make it hard for people to find their facilities.

Longstanding Players The battle pits two longstanding but growing institutions against each other. Orthopaedic Hospital has been in Downtown Los Angeles for 103 years, and in addition to its coming Urgent Care building, it will break ground this year on a new surgical center.

Trade-Tech has been in Downtown for almost 90 years, and offers training in fields including auto mechanics and the culinary arts.

In 2010, it completed a $145 million renovation that created two five-story structures.

In an effort to accommodate both sides, the offices of County Supervisor Gloria Molina and Mayor Eric Garcetti met on May 20 with representatives from the school and hospital.

“We are determined to achieve a compromise and, given that all parties have longstanding working relationships, are confident

we can arrive at a solution that works for everyone,” said Roxane Márquez, senior communications deputy for Molina.

She added that the issue, postponed from May, is slated to be discussed during the June 26 Metro board meeting.

Metro’s station naming policy, according to its blog The Source, includes a procedure for seeking community input on station names, and requires that any changes to an existing station name be authorized by a two-thirds vote of the agency’s Board of Directors.

In an email to Los Angeles Downtown News, a Garcetti spokesman, Oliver DelGado, said Metro staff is assessing the issue before it is brought to the board. He said the mayor, a member of the board, looks forward to reviewing the staff’s recommendation.

While one suggestion is to place both names plus 23rd Street on one stop, Sullivan said caution should be taken when considering acronyms. He said something like 23rd/LATTC/OIC could be confusing to a family that uses English as a second language.

Sullivan said he appreciates Trade Tech’s mission and need for successful marketing, but he hopes that school officials will take the hospital’s patients into account.

“In the spirit of being a good neighbor, and of providing care to an underserved population, I hope they can come to the table with a bigger heart, and understand the importance of having our name on the Metro stop,” he said.

Hilary Norton, chairwoman of the board of trustees for Orthopedic Hospital, believes a compromise is possible, though she declined to state what a potentially agreed-upon name would be. donna@downtownnews.com

Late on Your Bill?

Get a Credit on 2014 Late Charges When you Pay in Full this June •

All customers with past due balances are eligible for a bill credit of all late payment charges incurred in 2014 when they pay their account balance in full in June 2014.

•

Offer only applies to late charges incurred since January 1, 2014.

•

Customers unable to pay in full can make payment plans, but will not be eligible for the credit.

•

Late payment credit will appear on your next LADWP bill.

•

Great opportunity to get current and save money!

Page 3

of 5

DATE DUE

Dec 2, Nov 12,

2013 DUE

E

BILL DAT

AMOUNT

2013

$ 244.29

T NUMBER

ACCOUN

000 000

ns abo

Questio

Y (Total

USAGE

HISTOR

950

om

adwp.c

www.l

Electric

Charges

760

ZONE DAYS

570 380

2 60 PERIOD 11/13 3 - 11/ Rate A ctric EDULE ntial Ele Reside R-1[i] R-1 and Service rd E DAT Standa D REA

BILLING

9/12/1 1-8 00 ww w.l

ad

m wp.co ration -

of ope Hours

7 am

-34 2-5

to 10 pm

39 7

RATE SCH

L CHAATE RGE

-5397 1000 00-342 s? 1-8 charge LANE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 SERVICE ADDRESS 1234 CUSTOMER ut these

190 0

kWh)

NOV JUL SEP

NOV JAN 11

MAY JUL JAN MAR

MAR MAY

SEP NOV 13

Tier 3

Tier 2 Tier 1 e

Nov 13

Total Usag

Prev Yr

558 9 684 12 60 used 59 Total kWhdaily kWh $1.43 period of electricity Average t billing Days in rage daily cos USED TOTAL Your ave = h kW 558 S READ PREVIOU

EDULED dard NEXT SCH folio Stan ble Port the costs 4 DEF Renewa 1/13/1 cting – (Capped ance, ge refle CRPSEA stment) a char ns and Mainten rams.

Adju Operatio Energy iency Prog minus d with RPS Energy Effic nt that 77.76 and associate 6510 an adjustme r service, T READ stment) CURREN othe kWh RPS debt Adju and t $77.76 13935/ energy nergy Cos 7068 h x $0.

ECA – (E variations of fuel, 558 kW 7.78 the NUMBER METER reflects a charge d costs.

34905 stment) or, 0.16 associate 06-003 sidy Adju including seni 000 Sub 10% x ctric idies , and kWh $77.76 ESA – (Elethe costs of subs control lighting 00029/ es ic Energy $ 85.70 h x $0. me, traff Tier 1 reflecting y Charg 558 kW , low inco Energ nt) a Charges Tax disabled zone. ic btotal ity Adjustme t ctr Su Util Cos e s ability ance and enterpris Total Ele Angele ental Reli and Mainten of Los ram cost ns rge (Increm – City Prog ratio A cha ty IRC 9. cting Ope rgy Sur er Reliabili 261480 charge refle related to Pow tion.

State Ene ber 104 ice debt serv RCA under-collec h electric ount Num cy s in whic watts of ed on Acc the unit and lega ls 1000 t-hour) usly bill kWh equa (kilo-wat s previo Tier 3 kWh – d. One . vice wa measure ge This ser usage is used for one hour nt) a char ty ge 3,000 kWh r Adjustme tional capital electrici t rgy usa Tie Cos More than by s of Our Future.

Legacy. ge iability your ene ort addi Our area Tier 2 bility in ws how RCA – (Relthe costs to supp ctric Usa n ph sho m/res_electric rove relia Your Ele reflecting needed to imp sion and generatio .co . This gra 0 kWh 3935/kWh nts you use t www.ladwp from pol up, Next 2,00 investme ibution, transmis much Tier 1 $0.1 visi ctricity re, how sign For mo ing on ge laces ele power distr e. re and depend in each tier. nt) a char purchase 0 kWh ctur gram rep . To learn mo t rates, First 1,00 er Adjustme pro paid infrastru ren gy er pow rate you ources d at diffe iable Ener non-RPS en Pow legacy is bille tiers, and the P’s Gre renewable res VEA – (Varthe costs of fuel, y purchases, ng from Usage nom -LADW g upli hese

S INITION

L.A. Aqueduct

Make payments online at ladwp.com, call 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397) and follow self-service options to pay by phone or visit any of our 15 regional LADWP Customer Service Centers to make payment by cash, check, money order or cashier’s check.

June 2, 2014

Downtown News 7

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Featuring the Movie Palaces of Downtown’s Broadway Historic Theatre District and The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

CLASSIC FILMS and LIVE ENTERTAINMENT in HISTORIC VENUES

inFo & TiCKeTs aT laconservancy.org

Los angeles Conservancy members

16

$

General public

20

$

June 2014

at the door (if any remain)

20

$

NEW FOR 2014: you will need to create a user account on our website to buy tickets. for details, visit laconservancy.org/accounts WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 8pm

SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 8pm

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 8pm

The Lady Eve

west Side Story

Footlight Parade

Los Angeles Theatre

The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

Orpheum Theatre

SPONSORED By

SPONSORED By

SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2pm

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 8pm

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2pm & 8pm

Back to the Future

Luis Buñuel’s El gran calavera

Citizen Kane

The Theatre at Ace Hotel

Palace Theatre

Orpheum Theatre

SPONSORED By

SPONSORED By

series sTar sponsor

HOLLywOOD FOREIgN PRESS ASSOCIATION ALL PROgRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANgE LRS_LADowntownNews2014_fullpage.indd 1

CO-PRESENTED By

series supporTinG sponsor

SPONSORED IN PART By

series sponsors

MATINEE SPONSORED By

EVENINg SPONSORED By

CATHy AND STEVE NEEDLEMAN

LINDA AND JERRy BRUCKHEIMER

series media sponsors

EST 1938

PHOTOS LEFT TO RIgHT By BARRy SCHwARTz, SPENCER LOwELL, ANNIE LASKEy/LA CONSERVANCy, AND STEPHEN RUSSO 4/23/14 4:52 PM

8 Downtown News

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

June 2, 2014

Downtown’s Unlikely Soccer Champs Tiny St. Turibius School, Which Practices on a Blacktop Playground, Notches Its Third Straight Catholic League Championship

I

“Being number one is a rare thing. That’s what I’ve always wanted to give these kids.”

Beware of Poles St. Turibius School, founded in 1949, sits on a small plot between Essex Street and bustling Central Avenue, with a frontrow seat to the cars roaring onto the 10 Freeway on-ramp. Dull razor wire loops over the tops of the chain-link fence that frames a corner of the schoolyard. A bright yellow Shell Gas sign winks from an adjacent block.

The campus, which serves about 180 students, is composed of a main school building, some bungalows for additional classes, an outdoor cafeteria, an adjacent church and the blacktop playground where the soccer team trains. As if to make things even harder for the players, two gleaming red basketball hoops rise from the middle of the makeshift pitch, and players have to be careful not to collide with the poles in the middle of their “field.”

Many other CYO schools practice on full fields, and some even have dedicated sports facilities. St. Turibius’ shortfalls, however, haven’t fazed the players, say the Warriors’ eighth-grade co-captains, Rene Diaz and Edwin Ocampo.

Diaz and Ocampo played together in their backyards when they lived in the same neighborhood near Dodger Stadium.

Both are used to improvising soccer games anywhere, anytime.

“Honestly, it’s on you to have the passion, las ganas, to play and win,” Diaz said. “My backyard was cement with rocks. You fell, you got hurt, you washed it off and you kept playing. Right here, it’s basically the same thing.”

The team bonds over the unconventional environment and small-school feel, Ocampo added. The 13-year-old said their connection gives them a competitive edge.

“We’re all so close and have great chemistry,” Ocampo said.

photo by Gary Leonard

The St. Turibius soccer team, coached by seventh grade teacher Raymond Moreno, last month won its third consecutive Catholic Youth Organization championship.

The team has been undefeated since May 2011.

“That’s the big thing.”

Their coach understands that closeness. Moreno, who was born and raised in East Los Angeles, is an alumnus of St. Turibius.

He fell into coaching 10 years ago when he began helping another parent/coach with the soccer team. Moreno soon took the seventh-grade teacher job and assumed soccer coaching duties, too.

Though he played soccer regularly in his youth, he almost sheepishly admits that he wasn’t very good.

“I tell the kids, I play through them because I never played soccer on a team. I loved it, but I didn’t have the opportunity to have that team bonding,” Moreno said.

Like Diaz and Ocampo, Moreno sees a silver lining in the blacktop pitch: The surface plays much faster than grass, which

more

smarts

Metro Briefs It’s Simple Science – Go Metro and Save Don’t let high gas prices drain your summertime activity budget. People who take transit rather than drive save more than $10,000 a year on average, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Plan your trip at metro.net.

Regional Connector Construction Contract Approved To give customers better rail travel options throughout the region, Metro has approved a $927 million contract for design and construction of a “Regional Connector.” The two-mile, fully underground project will connect the Metro Gold, Blue and Expo lines through Downtown LA. For more information visit metro.net/regionalconnector.

Crenshaw/LAX Light Rail Line Construction Progresses Metro crews are scheduled to begin foundation work for underground stations on Metro Rail’s Crenshaw/LAX line at Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Exposition Boulevard. The new line is slated to open in 2019. Check the latest project and construction schedules at metro.net/crenshaw.

I-405 Carpool Lanes Open The Sepulveda Pass Improvement Project has opened 10 miles of new carpool lanes on the northbound I-405. In addition, southbound on- and o=- ramps at Skirball Center Drive and >nal con>guration of north and southbound ramps at Sunset Boulevard will be completed this summer. More information at metro.net/405.

metro.net @metrolosangeles facebook.com/losangelesmetro

14-2014ps_gen-pe-14-012 ©2014 lacmta

By Eddie Kim n 2009, the middle-school soccer players from Downtown’s St. Turibius school lost their Catholic Youth Organization championship game in penalty kicks to the powerhouse American Martyrs team from Manhattan Beach.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise: St. Turibius, which primarily serves low-income students, practices on the school’s blacktop playground instead of a grass field. Their “goal” is a brick wall, with two knee-high benches shoved together at the approximate width of a real goal.

After the St. Turibius Warriors lost that game, Coach Raymond Moreno vowed his kids wouldn’t falter in penalty kicks again. So he made a slight modification to his goal, chalking a line up and across the benches to create a 2-D version of a goal’s uprights and crossbar. Each practice now ended with penalty kicks.

Things have certainly changed. On May 18, the Warriors traveled to Encino and took the CYO championship, winning 3-1 over Redondo Beach’s St. Lawrence Martyr. Incredibly, the victory gave the tiny K-8 school in the buzzing Industrial District its third consecutive league championship.

The Warriors, in fact, haven’t lost a match since May 2011.

They were 11-0 this season.

“It’s really remarkable. You can see how focused Coach Moreno and the team is,” said James McGoldrick, director of the Catholic Youth Organization. “But they don’t play with a chip on their shoulder or anything. They’re incredibly confident and talented.

They don’t let anything get in the way.”

Moreno, who also works as the school’s seventh-grade teacher, is urging the 15 members of the team to bask in the joy of their accomplishment.

“I tell the kids that this winning experience, that stays for the rest of your life, no matter what you go on to do,” he explained.

June 2, 2014 sharpens his players’ touch with the ball. The Warriors employ a pass-heavy style that aims to wear opponents out and consequently open up gaps to strike for a goal.

St. Turibius has benefited not only from Moreno’s acumen but also an influx of talented players, two such examples being Diaz and Ocampo. The former shined in the recent championship game. Although the score was 0-0 at halftime, in the second half Diaz surged through blisters, nausea and the Martyr defense to notch back-to-back goals. He completed the hat trick before the final whistle sounded.

No Assistant While he is proud of the Warriors’ success on the field, Principal Victor Serna still wishes the school could provide more funding and support for the team. Many of the students’ parents work long hours, he said, and that puts pressure on Moreno to figure out transportation, snacks and other essentials. The coach doesn’t have an assistant.

The lack of a practice field also is a constant reminder of how

different St. Turibius is from wealthier schools. Walking by the kindergarten play area, Serna recalled one class activity in which students did their own take on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. One sixth-grader stood up and proclaimed a dream that the school will have grass one day.

Whether the school can earn a four-peat won’t be known until next year. However, the days ahead appear to be bright for Diaz and Ocampo. They are graduating from St. Turibius this year and both will attend Cathedral High School near Chinatown, where they plan to try out for the soccer team as freshmen.

They won’t have to play on the blacktop there, of course, but maybe, given all they have accomplished, that’s a downside.

“I guess I’d rather practice on a horrible surface. If you can train on that, playing on a perfect pitch is easy,” Diaz said.

His longtime friend nods knowingly.

“As you can see, we have the power to beat the best,” Ocampo added. eddie@downtownnews.com

ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM KNEE PAIN? Have you been told that you need a total knee replacement?

DO YOU WANT A NONSURGICAL SOLUTION?

Start to Feel Good Again!

photo by Gary Leonard

The middle school team practices on a blacktop with basketball hoops and no real goals. They went 11-0 last season.

1100 Wilshire condos | a luxury high-rise residence

lifestylesLA.com

• Soaring 37 Stories Above Los Angeles • 17th fl. sky deck w/resort amenities • Incredible views from every unit • Concierge service

Quickly return to your daily activities with minimal risk or side effects.

Flexogenix Multidisciplinary Approach: • Free initial consultation.

• Advanced Image guidance.

• Thorough directed medical examination.

Most treatments provided • Cutting edge diagnostic medical imaging. are covered by Medicare & most medical insurance!

• Detailed treatment plan.

• Nonsurgical joint viscosupplementation & regenerative joint therapy.

• Advanced joint stabilization bracing techniques.

• Careful follow-up & evaluation in order to monitor therapeutic success.

219 W. 7th St., # 207

Downtown News 9

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Same day outpatient procedure with almost no recovery downtime.

1 Bedroom + 1 Bath | 680± sq. ft. | Skyline view

2 Bedrooms + 2 Baths | 1,600± sq. ft. | 270° view

Offered at $530,000

Offered at $1,200,000

Agnes FerreyrA Nonsurgical Treatment of Degenerative Knee Pain Using Advanced Image Guidance

| 1-800-695-6330 | healthyknees@flexogenix.com

100 year

The Midnight Mission has been providing meals and services to the homeless community every day since 1914.

A resource of revival and renewal for the homeless community, The Midnight has been offering a path to self sufficiency for men, women and children who have lost everything.

anniversary 1914 - 2014

This is the day... to get involved to start fresh to volunteer to accept help

to come home.

JessicA rObertsOn

Realtor

Realtor

213. 458. 0787 direct agnes@lifestylesLA.com

213. 249. 5760 direct jessica@lifestylesLA.com

CalBRE 01799633

CalBRE 01436045

TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN L.A. PROTECT YOUR TOYOTA with service designed by the people who made it.

3 Try Before You Buy 3 Personal Business 3 Service Replacement Vehicle 3 Insurance Replacement Vehicle

FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE

Drop Off & Pick-Up

FREE shuttle service drop-off & pick-up

NOT JUST A RENTAL... A TOYOTA Every TRAC rental comes with complimentary 24-hour Roadside Assistance, covering mechanical breakdown, fluid delivery, tire changes, jump starts, lockout service and towing.

Corolla ... $24.99/Day Camry .... $37.99/Day RAV4-EV $49.99/Day Must present offer when order is written. Not valid with any other offer.

Offer has no cash value. Offer valid thru June 30, 2014.

1-800-583-0972 Find out more at midnightmission.org/100 or call 213.624.4106

1600 S. Figueroa (at Venice), LA 90015

MON - FRI: 6AM TO 6PM SAT: 6AM TO 5PM

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

10 Downtown News

June 2, 2014

Brookfield’s View From the Top With Seven Central City Skyscrapers, Downtown’s Largest Office Landlord Looks to the Future

By Eddie Kim ast summer, real estate giant Brookfield Office Properties shocked Downtown when news broke that it would spend $450 million for four office skyscrapers owned by the struggling MPG Office Trust. In one fell swoop, Wells Fargo Tower, KPMG Tower, Gas Company Tower and 777 Figueroa became the assets of one of the country’s biggest landlords.

“It’s no secret that we were looking at MPG and its assets for several years,” said Bert Dezzutti, who oversees Brookfield’s Western U.S. properties as executive vice president. “This is no coincidence. We’ve been hot on the Downtown L.A. market for a while.”

Brookfield formed a new fund, DTLA Holdings, to acquire the seven high-rises that have a combined 8.6 million square feet of space.

The deal closed in October, and now comes a new challenge: Brookfield must devise a way to court new tenants amid a still-soft office market with double-digit vacancy rates.

Brookfield’s initial foray into Downtown Los Angeles came in 2006, when it acquired Trizec Properties for $4.8 billion. The national portfolio included Downtown’s Bank of America Plaza, the Figueroa at Wilshire tower, Ernst & Young Plaza (the office tower at 725 S. Figueroa St.) and the shopping center FIGat7th.

Brookfield spent $40 million upgrading the mall, and it has invested in its office buildings, too. Bank of America Plaza has a 90% occupan-

L

cy rate, while Figueroa at Wilshire is at 88% and Ernst & Young Plaza stands at 86%.

Wells Fargo Tower and the adjacent KPMG Tower are 83% and 86% full, respectively, but two newly acquired buildings stick out for their low occupancies: 777 Figueroa, which is 79% full, and Gas Company Tower, which is 72% occupied. Those figures lag behind the average occupancy across Class-A Downtown office towers — about 82%, according to market research firm Transatlantic.

Still, Dezzutti is optimistic about the future.

“The four MPG buildings are, really, crown jewels in terms of office towers,” Dezzutti said.

“Now it’s about restoring them to what they once were.”

Creative Outlook The first significant changes will come to Wells Fargo Tower at 333 S. Grand Ave. Brookfield will begin a remodel of the Bunker Hill building’s lobby at the end of this year and aims to finish by the close of 2015.

While Dezzutti said it is too early for definitive plans, Brookfield is also examining the three-story retail atrium between the two towers at Wells Fargo Center for potential aesthetic and storefront changes.

Brookfield is also looking at Gas Company Tower, on Fifth Street between Olive Street and Grand Avenue. Dezzutti said Brookfield is interested in courting creative office tenants, especially with traditional renters such as law firms

DOWNTOWN AFTER DARK the ultimate guide to nightlife in downtown

NIGHTCLUBS

RESTAURANTS

HOTSPOTS

THEATRES BARS

photo by Gary Leonard

Brookfield Office Properties now owns seven Downtown Class A office towers. However, two of the buildings it acquired last year from MPG Office Trust are lagging in occupancy: The Gas Company Tower (left) and 777 Figueroa are 72% and 79% filled, respectively.

and financial institutions using less office space than before the recession.

While historic buildings and smaller offices are popular with companies in the tech and entertainment fields in Downtown, Dezzutti said that more clients will be drawn to the top-ofthe-line amenities available in Class-A skyscrapers. The trend is occurring in San Francisco and Seattle, he pointed out.

Steve Marcussen, executive director of brokerage Cushman & Wakefield and a veteran Downtown player, tied together Brookfield’s power and its potential.

“Brookfield is simply the biggest competitor in the Downtown office market right now, and not only do they have some incredible assets, they have the capital to improve them in a way that can attract a variety of tenants,” he said.

“The ability to invest over time is a hugely important resource.”

Dezzutti stressed that improvements will happen on a relatively conservative, case-bycase basis, with decisions made when and where there is an opportunity for a strong rate of return on the investment. However, he noted that Brookfield’s business model emphasizes long-term ownership with capital improvements, rather than flipping properties or holding onto them as financial assets.

“We’re not a bank, and we’re not just a financial firm,” Dezzutti said. “We’re in the business of real estate, and most of our execs come from a leasing or brokerage background.”

Outside Worries Brookfield’s role as the 800-pound gorilla in the Downtown office market has prompted questions about its impact on other building owners.

Michael Soto, research manager at Transatlantic, pointed to a potential benefit: Brookfield’s big play could help stabilize rents during an economic downturn, he said, and its proactive management of the assets will preserve (or likely grow) their value over time.

On the other hand, he notes, diverse ownership drives the competition to lure tenants.

Tied to that is the concern that one owner can raise rents more easily, because it controls more of the market and those that want to stay in the area may not have another place to go.

Although those are valid concerns, they may not be front-burner issues in communities like Downtown where occupancy is lagging, said Eric Sussman, a senior lecturer and real estate expert at UCLA’s Ziman Center for Real Estate.

“When you’ve got a market that’s got double-digit vacancy, the competition is going to come down to who can honestly offer the most

HEALTHY TEETH FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

Let Downtowner’s know where the party’s at after dark.

Architectural and Altered Antiques Best of Antique Store 2012 — LA Weekly

Deadline to advertise: June 25, 2014 Publishes: June 30, 2014

For more information: 213-481-1448

“The Most Interesting Store in Los Angeles”

New Patient Offer**(for a limited time) 1264 W. 1st St., LA, CA 90026 213-481-1448 • FAX 213-250-4617

LADowntownNews.com

Thorough Exam • All Necessary X-Rays Personal Consultation • Professional Cleaning* $99 I Regularly: $276 I You Save $177 *Unless certain dental conditions exist. **Cannot be applied to insurance.

Healthy Teeth & Gums For Life! Ask As How!

213-634-2960

255 S. Grand Ave. #204, LA 90012

Handcrafted farm tables • Industrial chic • Building elements, some from famous buildings • All styles of lighting, including industrial • Handcrafted mirrors made from tin ceiling, copper, wood

oldegoodthings.com

1800 South Grand Ave. • 213-746-8600 or 8611 Mon - Sat 9 am to 6 pm, Sun 10 am to 6 pm

June 2, 2014

Downtown News 11

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Brookfield Executive Vice President Bert Dezzutti said the company had been eyeing a big buy. “It’s no secret that we were looking at MPG and its assets for several years,” he said.

LA CONVENTION CENTER

7 TH S

T

NTR

ST

PI

C

BL VD

S ALAMEDA

OL YM

A Winning Combination

also need to find a way to support families and a residential base that wants to work in Downtown.”

The future also holds a wild card. Although Downtown has not seen a new office tower in more than two decades, Hanjin International’s coming Wilshire Grand Hotel replacement will have 400,000 square feet of office space. Competitors, including Brookfield, are watching closely as the project moves toward a projected 2017 opening.

At the end of the day, however, Dezzutti appears confident that the Downtown office market is ready to change. Tenants want stability after the hardscrabble years of the economic crash, he said. He thinks Brookfield is prepared for the long run. eddie@downtownnews.com

JUNE 20-22, 2014

S CE

©

NOW OPEN!

urbs.”

Still, the Downtown office market is hardly out of the woods. Some iconic Central City towers, including Two Cal Plaza and U.S. Bank Tower, have occupancy levels hovering around 60%. The new (and well-financed) owners of those buildings, Hollywoodbased CIM Group and Singapore-based Overseas Union Enterprise, respectively, have vowed to make the same improvements that Brookfield promises, but it will all take time to truly affect the Downtown market, especially with overall job growth moving at a slow pace.

Dezzutti admits that the latter issue in particular poses a challenge.

“Job growth, or the lack thereof, is what really keeps us up at night,” Dezzutti said. “We

VISIT US AT DWELL ON DESIGN

AL A VE

photo by Gary Leonard

attractive deal terms with tenants,” he said.

Meanwhile, the shifts in office culture in Downtown could go a long way toward bringing Westside tenants to Downtown, say some observers. Brookfield’s financial flexibility means it has the resources to invest in non-essential amenities that, simply put, make people happier to be at work. Soto said efforts such as Arts Brookfield, an initiative to activate public spaces around office properties with arts and cultural events, are helping drive the larger revitalization of Downtown.

“Landlords like Brookfield are creating environments that have a sense of place and offer attractive atmospheres, and that’s huge,” Soto said. “It’s not the old idea of coming to work, working all day, and going home to the sub-

H

PROPANE, GAS & DIESEL 1800 E. Olympic Blvd.

24 Hours/ 7 Days a Week

Fast & Friendly Service Se Habla Español Commercial Office Space for Lease

(On the corner of Olympic and S. Alameda St.)

213-627-5008

The

Petroleum Building .com

Third Floor

400 to 20,000 Sq. Ft. Open Creative Space Available

Homelessness Has a Face

Build-Out Options Showroom Open Soon

E! BL A IL VA A S ION T OP G SIN A E L AT E GR

Second Floor

SUITES AVAILABLE

www.modernurbanplanters.com

Will Consider Division and Space Build-Outs

BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS Price Range $1.75 to $3.00 per Sq. Ft.

We embrace people experiencing homelessness with the compassion of Christ — giving hope and healing for a changed life — helping them find their way home.

6 Ways to Make a Difference Distribute Outreach Kits

Volunteer

Urban Experience

Donate

Conference Room

Your life will be forever changed after seeing the faces of men and women who live on Skid Row up close.

Parking Available

Start a 120 Fund

Involve Your Church

24 Hour Security On Premises Beautiful 239,000 Sq. Ft. 11 Story Building

714 W. OLYMPIC BLVD.

LOS ANGELES, CA 90015 213.746.6300 Ext.1455 Fax: 213.765.1910 ghollis@shammasgroup.com

Your simple act of passing out a kit can give hope and tangible help to someone in desperate need.

Your personal fundraising campaign is a great way to involve friends and family as partners in this life-changing work.

Your time and service is one of the most valuable and life-changing gifts you can give to people in need.

Your generosity provides meals, safe shelter and recovery programs with the power to transform lives.

Your church can be an example of God’s abundant love and grace for hurting souls here in our community.

To learn more about ways to make a difference please visit us at www.urm.org/help 545 South San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90013

213.347.6300 ~ www.urm.org/help 545 South San Pedro Street Los Angeles, CA 90013

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

12 Downtown News

The Central City Crime Report A Rundown on Downtown Incidents, Trends and Criminal Oddities

By Donna Evans n the Central City Crime Report, we survey the recent week in public safety. All information is provided by the LAPD’s Central Division.

I

Sandwich Scuffle: A man ordering a sandwich at a Financial District Subway, at 630 W. Sixth St., at 3 p.m. on May 20 became belligerent and threw the ATM pad at two employees. One employee jumped over the counter and fought back. The suspect pulled out a pipe and backed the employees into a corner. By the time the suspect lobbed a stapler at them, police showed up. The man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault.

Office Creeper: An unidentified man or woman got into a room in a building in the 500 block of West Sixth Street between 10 a.m. and noon on May 24 and swiped unattended purses and cell phones from 12 people who were down the hall attending a meeting.

Construction Heist: Between May

21 and May 22, copper wire, ladders and extension cords were stolen from an under-construction facility in the 700 block of Ducommun Street. Additionally, electrical boxes sustained $9,000 in damage.

Computer Problems: Police believe a thief entered a business in the 800 block of South Spring Street on May 24 using a duplicate key to the front door. The person stole 10 Apple computers.

Always Lock Your Bike: A man, who apparently doesn’t read this column, left an unattended and unlocked bike worth $600 against a building at Fifth and Maple streets on May 19. When he returned to the bike later in the day, it was gone.

Locked But Lost: An unidentified person cut off a lock from a $2,240 Tri-cross touring bike that had been secured in an underground parking garage in the 800 block of Figueroa Street on May 19.

June 2, 2014

CITY COUNCIL, 5 chimpanzee can build a website in a couple of hours, and even if an inebriated ape isn’t available, the city has a lot of highly paid technical staff.

On the bright side, her bio states, “Nury helped clean up a former toxic waste site and turn it into the Pacoima Plaza shopping center.” This is fantastic, because when people ponder which mall to visit, the first thing they want is to find one built on top of land that was formerly terribly polluted.

I can just picture the sign: Going from hot toxic to Hot Topic, thanks to Nury!

Felipe Fuentes’ Fowl Play: What does Seventh District rep Felipe Fuentes do for fun? If you guessed yachting or lawn bowling, you’re wrong. Instead, his website states that, “Felipe likes to spend time with his family working on their garden, tending to their chickens and sharing home-cooked meals.”

I don’t know why this strikes me as fascinating, but it does, and I’m curious how many chickens Farmer Fuentes has, if he ever brings them to work, if he has a favorite chicken, if he first got a chicken or an egg, and if any of them are named Antonio Villaraigosa.

His Name Is Price, Curren Price: Curren Price took over Jan Perry’s Ninth District seat last year. His website, which favors the shade of green reminiscent of medical marijuana signs across L.A., is pretty well put together, with maps, information on district priorities and a fair amount of community news. It even has bios of 17 members of Price’s office staff.

Still, the most interesting sentence on the site is buried in Price’s own bio. My interest was piqued when I read the line: “He later relocated to Washington, D.C., where he was active for ten years in the satellite communication industry.”

Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but when I see D.C., 10 years and the satellite communication industry all in one sentence, I’m thinking spy or NSA eavesdropper. It raises all

sorts of questions: Can Price track your whereabouts using your cell phone? Does he control sleeper agents? Does he know Edward Snowden or Jack Bauer? Has he actually been sent here to go undercover and gather intelligence on José Huizar?

Joe, You Might Not Want This for Posterity: The thing about the Internet is, once something goes up online, it’s pretty much there forever. Still, 15th District Councilman Joe Buscaino might want to hire the cleaner from Pulp Fiction to get rid of all traces of the video on his YouTube page — linked from his official page — titled “Dwight Howard Day in Los Angeles.” This is a painful reminder for Lakers’ fans — and an amusing one for Clippers fans — of how even the city council tried to get the star center to commit to Los Angeles. Now that Howard is a member of the Houston Rockets, purple and gold supporters can only cringe at the Nov. 14, 2012, video, in which Snoop Dogg introduces the resolution while standing next to Councilman Bernard Parks (seriously!), a gospel chorus serenades Howard, and a hugely grinning Buscaino gleefully proclaims, “He’s going to do great things for the Lakers! We’re really proud of him.”

No Ties That Bind: Anyone who has seen 11th District Councilman Mike Bonin in public knows that he favors blue shirts and avoids the tie. But only by reading his bio will you truly understand why. “He loathes neckties,” reads a passage, and who knew he feels the way about ties that so many people do about Donald Sterling. If you thought you could put Bonin in a Box — which I think is a popular Christmas item alongside the Elf on a Shelf — then consider the next passage, which says he “shows up for many neighborhood functions in shorts.” I think that’s a fact and not a threat.

Still, the scariest four words come in the last sentence. It reads, “A former newspaper reporter...” Hey, I’m a newspaper reporter! Maybe I should run for — uh, never mind. regardie@downtownnews.com

City Living THIS WEEK CHECK OUT

}

Music Center’s Active Arts program stages a free event called Dance Downtown.

Laughter With A Mission, showcases the wit of local comedians at Midnight Mission.

WATCH IT ON DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM,

NEW EPISODE EVERY MONDAY AT 9AM

June 2, 2014

Downtown News 13

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Bodytraffic, a Los Angeles contemporary dance company, will perform in and on Gustavo Godoy’s large-scale installation on the Music Center Plaza. It is one of the key events in Dance Camera West’s Dance Media Film Festival. The festival runs June 6-8 and 13.

DT

CALENDAR

photo by Erich Koyama

Dance Dance Revolution Downtown Festival Features Dance and Films About Dance

By Donna Evans sually, when artist Gustavo Godoy creates a large-scale installation, the work takes center stage. For Dance Camera West’s 13th annual Dance Media Film Festival, which arrives in Downtown Los Angeles this week, his work is the stage.

Godoy’s 1,000-pound sculpture, fashioned from wood, screws and bolts, will serve as a place in which performers from the contemporary dance company Bodytraffic will climb, crawl and twist. The 30-foot long, 18-foot deep and 20-foot tall structure is full of spaces, ramps and ladders. It will be on display at the Music Center Plaza throughout the festival, which runs Friday-Sunday, June 6-8, and again June 13.

Tonia Barber, the festival’s executive director, said changes have been made since the last installment. Whereas the 2013 version offered screenings and dances all over the city, this week’s festival takes place entirely in Downtown, with events at Music Center venues, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Park, REDCAT and Union Station (see sidebar).

U

JUNE 2 MOBILE CLUB

Barber was heartened recently when a Santa Monica resident told her she’d be getting a hotel room Friday and Saturday nights so she could attend multiple events over two days. That way, she can walk from Bodytraffic across the plaza to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for an 8 p.m. foreign film, then still have the rest of the night to poke around the Central City.

“Downtown has become a destination,” said Barber. “For people looking for the opportunity to explore the area, this is a great way to sync dance and art while getting a flavor for Downtown and all it has to offer.”

Barber said the goal of Dance Camera West is to present the visual language of dance on screen in a way that stretches the imagination and changes the way people think about dance. To accomplish that task, there will be several free live performances featuring modern, postmodern, world, tap, ballet and hip-hop dance. Additionally, there will be an outdoor movie screening, a family-friendly dancealong and more than 20 short and long-form films and documentaries.

Continued on page 14

ile Club!

Join OurIEMtoob 55678* Text DTNMOV

Text DTNMOVIE to 55678 to Join Our Movie Club and be Entered to Win Movie Tickets! *Carrier msg & data rates apply. Reply HELP for help. STOP to quit. 4 msgs/month max.

Check Our Website for Full Movie Listings DowntownNews.com

Dance Media Film Festival Highlights June 6 Bodytraffic, 7:30 p.m. Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave. Admission is free.

International Short Films, 8 p.m., Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave. Admission is $15.

June 7 Bodytraffic, 2 p.m., Music Center Plaza.

Admission is free.

International Dance Films, 2:30 p.m., Museum of Contemporary Art, 250 S. Grand Ave. Admission is $12.

L.A. Contemporary Dance Company performs Prite Oef Stringh, 7 p.m., Grand Park. Admission is free.

Lester Horton Dance Awards, 8 p.m., Grand Park

Now Playing/Starts June 6

Outdoor Screenings of Beneath Our Own Immensity and Miss Hill: Making Dance Matter, 8:30 p.m. Grand Park. Admission is free.

Sunday, June 8 Bodytraffic, 2 p.m., Music Center Plaza.

Admission is free.

Afternoon Program and Screenings, 2:30 p.m., REDCAT, 631 W. Second St. Includes YouTube Choreographers Discussion. Admission is $15.

Evening Screenings, 7 p.m. REDCAT. Admission is $15.

Friday, June 13 Dance-A- Long and screening of La Bamba, time TBA, Union Station. Admission is free.

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

14 Downtown News

June 2, 2014

Bunker Hill’s Fiery Celebration Annual Hope for Firefighters Event Offers Contests, Muster Games, Food and More

By Eddie Kim he sound of a wailing fire engine roaring through the city is something Los Angeles residents take for granted. Behind the noise, however, are the firefighters who put their lives on the line.

The 17th annual Hope for Firefighters event, which takes place from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, on Hope Street between Third Street and Hope Place, celebrates firefighters and their courage. It also raises money for the Los Angeles Fire Department Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen’s Fund.

Los Angeles Downtown News talked with event co-chairman Stephen Robinson to get the lowdown on what to expect.

T

before hydrants were put in. And there’s an oldfashioned hose pull — just unfurling a hose, attaching it to a hydrant and knocking down a cone with the water. Last year’s winner was Muir Chase, a plumbing company, and they’re back-to-back winners. They’re talking smack for a three-peat.

Q: What else can attendees expect?

A: There’s live music, demonstrations, raffle prizes and a lot of food. More than 25 fire stations are cooking for this event, everything from grilled tri-tip to gyros. There’s also a competition between the stations for best food, best dessert and best themed decoration.

Q: What are the muster games, exactly?

A: There’s the “suit up and life net” event, where people suit up in firefighter gear and use a life net to catch a falling dummy. Then there’s the “bucket brigade,” where teams form lines and pass down buckets of water like they used to

Q: The event raises money for the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen’s Fund. What does that do?

A: If a firefighter is killed while on duty, the fund can offer a widow money so that she can support her family while coping and trying to

any Order Of $15 Or mOre

*

*Exp. 6/30/14. Bring in ad for discount.

213 213-228-8999 | farmerboysla.com 726 Alameda St. (Bay & Alameda)



Dim Sum

Lunch and Dinner • An Extensive Seafood Menu including Dim Sum at Moderate Prices • Relaxed Dining in an Elegant Ambiance • Live Lobster Tank

700 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Free Parking Next to Restaurant Tel: 213.617.2323



20% Off



Q: There’s always been a connection between firefighters and good cooking. Why is that?

A: These guys spend 24-hour shifts together, so they eat, sleep and drink together. They can’t go out so they have to make meals, and so you typically find a couple guys that can cook and everyone pitches in to do what they can in the kitchen. And they’re all naturally competitive, so they throw the gauntlet down for our contest.



Los Angeles Downtown News: What are some of your favorite aspects of Hope for Firefighters?

Stephen Robinson: I love the interaction between firefighters and the people who come out, because people don’t get to connect with firefighters like this, usually. The corporate muster games are also great, because you get to watch business people try to be firefighters.

★OPEN 24/7★ ✔ Free Wi-Fi ✔ Free Parking ✔ Drive-Thru ✔ Breakfast All Day

The 17th annual Hope for Firefighters event takes place on Thursday, June 5. The fundraiser features food, music and corporate muster games, in which teams take on firefightertype challenges.

Art Meets Architecture Presents

Angels on MAin street Gary Leonard, Photographer May 8 – June 8, 2014 Fine Arts Building

811 W. 7th Street • Los Angeles, CA 90017 The lobby of the Fine Arts Building is open to the public at all times

contAct inFo Lisa Ames, lisa@artmeetsarchitecture.com Gary Leonard, echobark@aol.com

photo by Gary Leonard

get back into the job market, for instance. Or it can even be as simple as giving an injured firefighter a wheelchair. It helps cover things not typically included in city insurance. Last year we raised about $100,000 for the fund. We also take donations online.

Q: Why was this event created in the first place?

A: It started in 1998 after a horrible helicopter crash in Griffith Park, where they were trying to airlift a young girl. The chopper lost its tail rotor and the crash killed the girl and several firefighters. The operations manager for 333 S. Hope St. [Bank of America Plaza] came up with this event idea to support LAFD, and I think maybe about 800 people came out for the first

dance, 13 The festival is funded in part by the Country Arts Commission, the city Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Barber said she hopes to surpass last year’s attendance of 7,000.

‘Restructure’ Bodytraffic’s performance takes place at the Music Center Plaza at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. International short films and dance films, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Museum of Contemporary Art, respectively, will follow both performances.

Saturday brings several free screenings at Grand Park, among them a 10:05 p.m. presentation of Miss Hill: Making Dance Matter, an 80-minute documentary about Martha Hill, who fought to make dance a legitimate art form in America. Sunday brings more screenings and a REDCAT performance.

The festival wraps up on June 13 with the third annual Dance-A- Long and a free screening of La Bamba at Union Station. Attendees will dance to the tunes of artists including ill-fated 1950s rocker and Pacoima native Ritchie Valens.

One of the aspects Barber likes most about the festival is its diversity. Dance Camera West, she said, connects multiple cultures and environments by exploring dance, art and dance on screen. Dance and film, she pointed out, cross cultural, geographic and socioeconomic lines to engage audiences.

The theme for this year’s festival is “Restructure,” with a highlight being Godoy’s installation. Many of his sculptures are made

event. It’s grown a lot — last year we had about 7,000 people.

Q: Why do you think Hope for Firefighters continues to be so popular?

A: It’s just a great way to thank the firefighters, which doesn’t happen enough. When we’re running out of a building in an emergency, they’re running in. That’s huge. Not to mention that the firefighters taking part in the event, they’re giving their day off to spend time with the public. That’s precious free time, so we appreciate it.

Hope for Firefighters is Thursday, June 5, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., on Hope Street between Third Street and Hope Place, or hopeforfirefighters.org.

largely with materials recycled from his other artworks. Godoy has been working on this year’s piece for three months, and described the abstract minimalist construction as looking like “jumbled wreckage.” The ramps and stairs serve as invitations to the viewer, giving them points of access, he said.

Barber said his work is meant for audience participation. While he has created heavier and larger works — think a cement object that weighed 6,000 pounds — this marks the first time he has made something to serve dancers.

Admittedly, Godoy said, it is an odd feeling to build something and then give it to a choreographer, who can take it in a different direction than initially intended.

“It’s like handing over your child and letting someone else dress them up in their style and their sensibility,” he said, adding that he trusts choreographer Victor Quijada and is at peace with it. “You have to allow it to happen.”

Godoy said he comes from a long line of construction workers. He enjoys the melding of high art and formal training with basic construction skills.

Yet not too basic, he said, as he has to be sure that the piece can support the dancers cavorting on it. A mere week before the festival, he was doing some final tweaks, making sure every bolt was tight and every screw secure.

Dance Camera West’s Dance Media Film Festival is June 6-8 and 13 at various venues.

Tickets and a full schedule are at dancecamerawest.org donna@downtownnews.com

photo courtesy De Lux

DT

CALENDAR LISTINGS

The Don’T Miss LisT

EVENTS

SPONSORED LISTINGS

The Final First Fridays, an Opera Departure, and a Mobile Homestead Rolls Into Downtown

By Dan Johnson | calendar@downtownnews.com

TWo

June is upon us, and while everyone welcomes summer, it also brings about the end of the Natural History Museum’s ever-lively First Fridays. The final installment of the monthly gathering is June 6, and on the docket are lectures on Los Angeles wildlife and urban beekeeping. Although, something tells us you’ll likely attend for the robust lineup of music from the likes of squirrelly indie outfit Unknown Mortal Orchestra, De Lux (shown here) and Tobacco, as well as a few cherished KCRW DJs. The action begins at 5 p.m., but be smart and buy tickets in advance. At 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 762-3466 or nhm.org.

photo by Robert Millard

TuESDay, JuNE 3 Edward St. Aubyn at Aloud Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org.

7:15 p.m.: Somewhere between English dandy and scathing literary figure sits Edward St. Aubyn. The author will be discussing his latest bit of semi-autobiographical fiction with KCRW’s Michael Silverblatt.

Where Do Food Fads Come From?

Grand Central Market, 317 S. Broadway or zocalopublicsquare.org.

7:30 p.m.: Event organizer Zocalo Public Square could not have a picked a more appropriate venue for this discussion of novelty in food service. Journalist David Sax will be talking kale, cupcakes, cronuts, quinoa and whatever other recent infatuations you’ve crammed down your throat.

3

ThuRSDay, JuNE 5 Keith Ferrazzi at Live Talks Business Forum Gensler, 500 S. Figueroa St., or livetalksbusiness.com.

8:15 a.m.: Today’s breakfast lecture features Keith Ferrazzi discussing his pseudo-theory on networking entitled Never Eat Alone.

Religious zealotry, dark undertones of suppressed lust and copious singing: sounds like a lost weekend in Salt Lake City, but alas, we’re talking about the final performances of L.A. Opera’s staging of Thaïs. On Wednesday, June 4, and Saturday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m., Plácido Domingo shares the stage with Nino Machaidze (shown here) in three hours of Jules Massenet’s tale of ancient Alexandria. Just in case you’re put off by the promise of an entirely French program, the opera will be subtitled in English. The reviews for the show at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion have been effusive. Come see why. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8001 or laopera.org.

SuNDay, JuNE 8 Art Talk: Janet Bergstrom at MOCA MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org.

3 p.m.: Straight from UCLA, professor Janet Bergstrom discusses the relative merits of European cinema.

FoUR

photo by Gary Leonard

one

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

For more than a century, Little Tokyo has been an immensely vibrant community of citizens, businesses and, above all, culture.

It’s been tied into Downtown, yet has never lost its distinct flavor.

On Saturday, June 7, at 2 p.m., at the Central Library, the Los Angeles City Historical Society hosts the discussion “Little Tokyo: 130 Years of Struggle.” Hosts Michael Okamura and Bill Watanabe will discuss the neighborhood’s historical legacy and its prospects as a thriving district in the heart of Downtown. At 630 W. Fifth St. or lacityhistory.org.

Of all the curiosities that Mike Kelley indulged, orthodoxy was not one of them. The late artist is the focus of a huge exhibit anchored at the MOCA Geffen Contemporary in Little Tokyo. This week, the show will gain Kelley’s “Mobile Homestead,” a roving clapboard façade approximation of the artist’s boyhood home up in the mitten state (a tricky way of referencing Michigan). The “Mobile Homestead” will be the site of numerous upcoming talks and events, including a run of free Saturday night viewings each week in July. Stop by. You may just gain a new appreciation for contemporary art. Or RVs. Your call. At 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org.

Mobile Homestead on site at Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, 2010. © Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts, photograph by Corine Vermeulen.

Friday Night Flicks by Pershing Square 532 S. Olive St., (213) 847-4970 or laparks.org/ pershingsquare Catch a free screening of Gone in 60 Seconds at Pershing Square on Friday, June 6. Nicholas Cage plays Randall “Memphis” Raines in the tale of a speedy car theft ring forced to go for their biggest haul ever: 50 exotic vehicles that have to be put on a container ship in four days. The movie will begin at 8 p.m., and well-behaved dogs are allowed. Parking can be found in the Pershing Square garage.

L.A.’s Largest Mixer XVI 700 W. 32nd St., (323) 230-5656 or lamixer.com Join Los Angeles area chambers and business organizations from 5-9 p.m. on July 17 at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center for L.A.’s largest and longest-running business-to-business networking event. The 16th annual L.A.’s Largest Mixer is a great opportunity to reach small to large companies, meet new clients and learn how the different chambers of commerce and business organizations can make your business grow. Admission is $20.

Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org.

June 2, 8 p.m.: Until The Ribbon Breaks just got back from touring the world opening for Lorde. Starstruck? Wait til I tell you about the time I served French fries to Jake Gyllenhal.

June 3, 9 p.m.: Allow us to translate record label lingo into the vernacular. When Electric Wire Hustle’s bio describes them as “modern soul” they really mean that two white guys are casually singing over electro.

June 5, 9 p.m.: Beaty Heart is the sonic equivalent of being dosed on a strong hallucinogenic while shopping at Osh Kosh B’gosh.

June 6, 9 p.m.: Following the tradition of his forbearers, Joe Purdy specializes in Eagle Rock’s number one export: overly nostalgic Americana.

June 7, 7 p.m.: The $50 ticket for tonight’s Down the Rabbit Hole Bootleg Carnival seems steep until you realize a) all proceeds benefit charity b) the event is hosted by John C. Reilly and c) the price includes free booze.

June 8, 7:30 p.m.: Contrary to our previous screed about deceptive labeling in the music industry, Moonchild’s self-given neo-soul label might actually be true.

Continued on next page

Downtown News 15

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

FiVe photo by Ken Hively

June 2, 2014

The last 50 years of the Los Angeles Master Chorale sure have flown by. As the group concludes its golden jubilee, the resplendent voices will gather on Sunday, June 1, for one more triumphant blowout. Featuring the world premiere of “Iri da iri” by composer Esa-Pekka Salonen and work from Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Lang, the 7 p.m. show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall promises to set the LAMC off on another grand 50 years. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7282 or lamc.org.

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

16 Downtown News

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

Continued from previous page Club Nokia 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or clubnokia.com.

June 6, 9 p.m.: Bro, do you like accessible hip-hop with non-confrontational lyrics, a message about alternative conformism and a few Grammys behind it? Then you’ll love Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

June 7, 9 p.m.: Newport Beach hardcore outfit Saosin.

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

June 2, 9 p.m.: Monster Mondays: jazz unrelated to the recent Godzilla reboot.

June 3, 10 p.m.: Bunny West and Boom Boom Boom are a hoot and a half.

June 4, 10 p.m.: Chicken Karaoke, perfect for degenerates and alcoholics alike.

June 5, 10 p.m.: Paper Planes will float past before The Get Down Boys have their way with the stage.

June 6, 9 p.m.: New blood hits the Escondite with Ruby Sue and the Ethereal Brothers and Skin and Bones.

June 7, 10 p.m.: Penny & Sparrow prep the house for Charlie Chan and the SOBs. June 8, 10 p.m.: Honky Tonk Sunday is RT N the 44s’ second home.

Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com.

June 6, 10 p.m.: Adrian Lux. Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

June 2, 8 p.m.: Former Four Seasons frontman Frankie Valli drops by for a conversation and maybe a couple of tunes.

June 3, 7:20 p.m.: Marvin Etozi hosts a listening of “The Beatles Second Album” in mono.

June 4, 8 p.m.: The beard is gone, but rest assured that Matisyahu is still holding it down for Hassidic reggae.

June 5, 8 p.m.: An evening with John Mayall promises to include jazz guitar and maybe a romantic candlelight dinner. Expect the former, yearn for the latter.

Honeycut 819 S. Flower St., (213) 688-0888 or honeycutla.com.

June 5, 8 p.m.: DJ Mathieu Schreyer.

June 6, 10 p.m.: Jack of All Tracks.

Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or theredwoodbar.com.

June 2: Yours Cruelly, The Fever and Danger Friends USA. June 3: Steppe People, Wet & Reckless and Laundry.

June 4: Burn Burn Burn, Lysolgang, Toy Guitar, Baron Bandini and Casual Climex.

June 5: Thursday Night Booty.

June 6: Fartbarf, Feral Kizzy, Stalins of Sound and The Do-Its. June 7: Gibraltar, Glaare and Ghost Noise.

June 8: Revolution’s Pride, Isolated Victim and Lady Heat.

Continued on page 18

NISSAN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

June 2, 2014

TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

888-838-5089 635 W. WASHINGTON BLVD. • DOWNTOWNNISSAN.COM

800-574-4891 1600 S. FIGUEROA ST. • TOYOTADOWNTOWNLA.COM

NEW ’14 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S

NEW ’14 TOYOTA PRIUS II

LEASE FOR ONLY

LEASE FOR ONLY

189

$

249

per month for 36 mos

$

Two (or more) at this price. $189 plus tax per month for 36 months on approved above average credit. MSRP $23,720. $1,999 down plus tax, license, and fees. $0 security deposit. 12k miles per year, 0.15 per mile in excess. Model #13114.

Plus tax, 24 Month closed end lease on approved Tier 1 credit through Toyota Financial Services. $999 drive off Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep, acquisition fee and additional options. Based on MSRP of $25,235. No security deposit required. 15¢ per mile over 12,000 miles/year. 1 at this offer T140412/E1745492

$9,499 2007 Nissan Altima 2.5S ....................... $10,999 Winter Frost, Only 80k miles. N141561-1/7N464819 2012 Nissan Sentra 2.0 .......................... $13,999 Certified, Black, 14K miles. N132228-1/CL746295

2013 Nissan Sentra Sedan ....................

2008 Nissan Versa 1.8SL Hatchback ......

Winter Frost, Auto. N141721-1/8L355173

$16,999 2012 Mini Cooper Countrymen .......... $24,999 Silver/Silver, Leather, 31MPG. T140395-1/WM14231 2012 Toyota Tacoma 4TD ...................... $29,988 4.0L V6, Gray, Auto, 11K Miles. T141298/M137879 White/Gray, 39MPG, Only 16K Miles. T141018D-91/647507

VOLKSWAGEN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

DOWNTOWN L.A. MOTORS MERCEDES BENZ

NEW ’14 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA S 2.0

NEW ’14 MERCEDES CLA 250

888-319-8762 1801 S. FIGUEROA ST. • MBZLA.COM

888-781-8102 1900 S. FIGUEROA ST. • VWDOWNTOWNLA.COM

LEASE FOR ONLY

LEASE FOR ONLY

99

$

329

per month for 24 mos

Plus tax 24 month closed-end lease, $2,999 due at signing. Based on MSRP of $18,640 (including destination charges) for a 2014 Jetta S 2.0L with Automatic transmission, excluding title, tax, options, acquisition fee and dealer fees. Monthly payments total $2,376. Purchase option at lease end for $11,370.40.$0.20/mile over 30,000. VIN 387459 Tier “A” by Volkswagen Credit offer Ends 06/30/2014

$11,935 2011 Volkswagen Golf Hatchback .......

Certified, White/Black, 4-Door, Tiptronic, Low Miles! ZV2758/258174 $17,043 2014 Volkswagen Beetle Coupe ...........

Certified,Yellow/Black, 6-Speed Auto, 8 Speakers. SL2690/602673 $21,731 CARSON NISSAN 2008 Volvo C30 Hatchback ...................

Red/Gray, 5L Turbo. ZV2583/68676

888-845-2267 1505 E. 223RD ST., CARSON • CARSONNISSAN.COM

$

$21,480 2011 Mercedes C300 ............................. $26,580 Certified, Low Miles, 1.99 APR Available 7364C/BF648635 2012 Mercedes E350 Coupe ................. $37,881 Certified, Prem. Pkg. 1, Nav System 7368C/CF145648 AUDI OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 2009 Mercedes C350 .............................

Sport Pkg. Moon Roof. Must See! 7319-1/9R075150

888-583-0981 1900 S. FIGUEROA ST. • AUDIDTLA.COM

NEW ’14 AUDI A4 2.0T

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin

LEASE FOR ONLY

NET PRICE AS LOW AS

Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com facebook: L.A. Downtown News

twitter: DowntownNews

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie Kim coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Kristin Friedrich, Kylie Jane Wakefield Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Steve Epstein, Catherine Holloway sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez circulAtioN: Danielle Salmon distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla ©2014 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rights reserved.

The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.

One copy per person.

per month for 36 mos

Plus tax, 36 Month closed end lease on approved credit through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. $2,499 CAP reduction, $795 acquisition fee. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep and additional options No security deposit required. 25¢ per mile in excess of 30,000 miles. Offer good on all with MSRP $33,925.

NEW ’’14 114 NISSAN VERSA NOTE

S I N C E 19 7 2

per month for 24 mos

11,395

315

ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie per month stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie Kim for 42 mos coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese MSRP - $14,975 coNtributiNG writErs: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, S I N C E 19 7 2 AFTER $600 CARSON NISSAN DISCOUNT - $1,980 Plus tax 42 month closed end lease on approved credit. $2199 down, plus first month payKristin Friedrich, Kylie JaneNISSAN Wakefield Los Angeles Downtown News COLLEGE GRAD CASH FACTORY REBATE - $500 ment, tax, title, licensing fees and $695 bank acquisition fee.$0 Sec. Dep. Must qualify for the 1264 W. First Street, CA 90026 Art dirEctor: Brian Allison NMAC CAPTIVE CASH - $500 Audi Loyalty or Audi Acquisition Rebate of $1,000. $0.25Los per Angeles, miles over 10,000 miles/year. 1 2 To Chose From. Stock C140525, Vin 399663 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 SALE PRICE: $11,995 Stock C140539,Art Vin 400327, ModelYumi #114545 AssistANt dirEctor: Kanegawa at this offer EN022577. web:Prem.

DowntownNews.com ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins2011 Audi A4 2.0T 2004 Mercedes CLK 320 Coupe ............

Front Trak ...

$

$

$9,888 2007 Hummer H3 ............................... $17,888 3.7L 1-5 cyl, Adventure Package. CU1359P/125927 2008 GMC Yukon XL1500 Denali ........

Quad Bucket Seats, Third Row Seat, PWR Liftgate, CU1452P/250920 $25,888 FELIX CHEVROLET Carfax,1-Owner, Premium Sound, Alum. Wheels, C141552-1/091586

PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard

AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt

$23,995 facebook: 2010 Cadillac SRX SUV ..........................

L.A. Downtown News $26,703 Bronze, Low Miles! Reduced! ZA10815-1/608818 twitter: 2013 Audi Q5 2.0T SUV .........................

DowntownNews $36,995 Certified, Silver/Black, ZA10808/064686 PORSCHE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. email: Meteor Gray/Black, Sports Pkg., Blue realpeople@downtownnews.com Tooth, A150039D1-1/045947

clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Steve Epstein, Catherine Holloway sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez

©2014 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rights reserved.

The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.

One copy per person.

circulAtioN: Danielle Salmon 888-304-7039 888-685-5426 distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles 3300 S. FIGUEROAdistributioN ST. • FELIXCHEVROLET.COM 1900 S. FIGUEROA ST. • PORSCHEDOWNTOWNLA.COM AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

NEW ’14 CHEVY VOLT

NEW ’14 PORSCHE BOXSTER PDK

LEASE FOR ONLY

129

$

LEASE FOR ONLY

479

per month for 36 mos

Plus tax 36-month closed end lease on approved credit. Total Customer Cash Down is $4,699, which includes the first payment plus the first payment tax Includes $2,240 Cash Incentive plus $750 USAA discount $0 security deposit. $0.25/Editor mile over & 10,000 miles/yr. Based on Laris MSRP of PublishEr: Sue $34,995. Everything subject to Mfg. changes. 2 at this price EU1425453, EU163476.

GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin

$

per month for 24 mos

Plus tax 24 month closed end lease. Rates based on approved Tier 1 credit through Porsche Financial Services. $5995 down payment excludes tax, dmv fees, $895 Bank Acquisition fee, first payment and document fees. .30 cents per mile over 5,000 miles per year. No security deposit. 1 at this price ES120906.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo .............. $6,995 2011 Certified, Silver/Blk, Nav, 37K Miles, Prem Pkg. ZP1733/ BLA83036 $74,898 stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie Kim 2012 Chevy Impala ................................

2012 Porsche Panamera S .................... $15,995 coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese Certified, Carbon Gray, 19K Miles, Bose, 20” Whls. ZP1702/ CL061983 $75,987 3.6L, V6, Bluetooth. UC1653R/C1183923 coNtributiNG writErs: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan ................

2011 Porsche 911 Carrera S IGTS N C E............

19 7 2 Kristin Friedrich, Kylie Jane Wakefield $19,995 3.6L, V6, Tinted Side Glass, UC1646R/CR204764 Certified, Blk/Blk, Spyder Whls, 25K Miles, Bose. ZP1731/ BS720923 $80,898 Los Angeles Downtown News 2004 Chevy Aveo SVM Sedan .................

1.6 L, 4 Cyl., Low Miles, Great MPG. F14485-1/4B136890 ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie

Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa

1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617

June 2, 2014

Downtown News 17

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Map © 2014 Cartifact

DWP

DOG PARK

SPRING STREET PARK

THE BLOC

FUTURE KOREAN AIR WILSHIRE GRAND

COURTYARD

BY MARRIOTT

L.A. LIVE DOG PARK

METRO CHARTER SCHOOL

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

18 Downtown News

LISTINGS, 16 Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la.

June 2, 10 p.m.: The Katisse Buckingham Oddsemble is peculiar, but not quite disturbing.

June 3, 10 p.m.: You would have found a lot of great improvisational gear at The Makers’ yard sale, BUT NO, you were too busy to attend.

June 5, 10 p.m.: Bruce Foreman’s Cow Bop is a lovely evening of country western styled music.

June 8, 10 p.m.: Nora Germain. Violin. Whiskey.

The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or

LAST WEEKS ANSWERS

CROSSWORD

thesmell.org.

June 5: Lorelle Meets the Obsolete, Gun Outfit and Laundry.

June 7: Bastard Noise, Scaphe, To the Point and Cave State.

FILM IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org.

Follow scientists to the brink of erupting volcanoes and into the paths of deadly lava flows in Forces of Nature.

Morgan Freeman informs us all about nature’s greatest explorers, the lemur, in Island of Lemurs: Madagascar 3D. Follow the tracking of monarch butterflies that leave Canada for their mysterious Mexican winter haven in Flight of the Butterflies 3D. Experience the gripping story full of hope, crushing disappointment and triumph in Hubble 3D. Pershing Square 532 S. Olive St., (213) 847-4970 or laparks.org/pershingsquare.

June 6, 8 p.m.: Just like Nicholas Cage’s time as a star everyone cares about, tonight’s film is Gone in 60 Seconds.

REDCAT 631 W. 2nd St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.

June 8, 2:30 and 7 p.m.: Dance Camera West proves the only thing better than watching live dance is watching dance on film.

Regal Cinemas 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive.com/movies.

Through June 5: Edge of Tomorrow (11 p.m.); Edge of Tomorrow 3D (8 p.m.); The Night Before Our Stars (5:30 p.m.); Maleficent (1:40, 4:20, 7 and 9:50 p.m.); Maleficent 3D (1, 3:40, 6:20 and 9:10 p.m.); A Million Ways to Die in the West (11:20 a.m., 1:10, 2:10, 4:10, 5:10, 7:10, 8:10, 10:20 and 11:10 p.m.);

Blended (1:50, 4:50, 7:50 and 11 p.m.); X-Men: Days of Future Past (12, 1:20, 3:20, 4:40, 6:40, 8, 10 and 11:10 p.m.); Godzilla (12:50, 3:50, 6:50 and 10:10 p.m.); Godzilla 3D (12:50, 3:50, 6:50 and 10:10 p.m.); Neighbors (12:30, 3:30, 6:30 and 9:20 p.m.); The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (11:50 a.m., 3, 6:10 and 9:30 p.m.).

Street Food Cinema Exposition Park, (323) 254-5068 or streetfoodcinema.com.

June 7, 8 p.m.: If you have yet to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show, we’ll bet you have a well-adjusted life.

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE Beijing Spring East West Players, 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 or eastwestplayers.org.

June 4-6, 8 p.m. and June 8, 2 p.m.: The 25th anniversary of the upheaval in Tiananmen Square gets the musical treatment as East West Players produces an 80-minute musical helmed by Tim Dang.

Bob Baker’s Fun With Strings Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 2509995 or bobbakermarionettes.com.

June 3-6, 10:30 a.m. and June 7-8, 2:30 p.m.: Whimsy knows no bounds as Bob Baker’s 54th season continues with a journey through a monkey circus, a vast winter landscape and Paris.

Bright Light City Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., (213) 4890994 or thelatc.org.

June 5-7, 8 p.m. and June 8, 3 p.m.: The dusty back rooms of Las Vegas are the setting for this dark comedy about hitmen with a soft spot for a woman.

Hit Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., (213) 489-

June 2, 2014 0994 or thelatc.org.

June 5-7, 8 p.m. and June 8, 3 p.m.: A hit and run sparks an unlikely romance that sends shockwaves through a network of friends, associates, educators and casual acquaintances. Through June 8.

The Last Confession Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.

June 7, 8 p.m. and June 8, 6:30 p.m.: Contrition, guilt and power jockeying at the highest levels of ecclesiastic power all collide in this tale of a papal murder. Through July 6.

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.

2

EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR

EVENT INFO

4 WEB: LADowntownNews.com/calendar 4 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.

June 2, 2014

DT

CLASSIFIEDS

FOR RENT

REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL

To place a classified ad in the Downtown News please call 213-481-1448, or go to DowntownNews.com Deadline classified display and line ads are Thursday at 12pm.

FORfor 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.

AUTOS & RECREATIONAL

home for sale

pre-oWned

WHAT’S YOUR LOFT WORTH? Free Online Home Evaluation

LALOFTPRICE.COM

loft/UnfUrnished

DoWNtoWN l.a. aUto groUp

old Bank District The original Live/Work Lofts from $1,295 Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, Parking adjacent. Pets no charge

Over 1000

Call 213.253.4777 laloft.com

lofts for sale

TheLoftExpertGroup.com Downtown since 2002

Bill Cooper

213.598.7555

apartments/UnfUrnished SENIOR APARTMENTS 62 + Studio $881 1 Bedroom $937.

Balcony, Full Kitchen, A/C, Clubhouse, BBQ, Resource room, Laundry, SEC 8 O.K. Visit GSL SAN LUCAS.com 213623-2010.

vehicles on Sale Now! Visit us online

dtlamotors.com

General

Your number 1 source for Loft sales, rentals and development! downtownnews.com Children’s Performing Group

Sunshine Generation Singing, dancing, performing and fun!

For boys & girls ages 3 and up!

909-861-4433

U.S. GOVT JOBS NOW HIRING Civil Service / Postal Clerks No Experience. Job Security. $20-75 an hour and Benefits CALL NOw! (855) 631-0850

For Sale Albuquerque, New Mexico

Seven Acres Los Ranchos

CleaninG

ACUPUNCTURIST. MASTER’S degree in Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine & CA acupuncture license required. Send resume to employer: Nazareth Clinic Corp, 2140 W. Olympic Blvd. #321, Los Angeles, CA 90006 Attn: Gwang Choi.

CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants.

Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818-409-9183.

ITEMS FOR SALE

professional Business Operation Analyst.

Bachelor’s in International Business or Trade plus 1 yr exp in job offered required. Send resume to employer: It Closet, 3335 E. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023 Attn: So Young Jung.

Buffer tanks for chilled, hot water storage. System tanks with/without insulation, horizontal, vertical types. Hanson Tank pressure vessels for commercial, industrial use. www.hansontank.com.

213-747-7514

SERVICES ANNOUNCEMENTS

BeaUtY and nUtritional prodUCts Lose weight. Get fit. No tricks!

Join Team Beachbody the nation’s fastest growing health and fitness company - Home to Insanity, P90X, Brazil Butt Lift, etc. The program is simple: Fitne ss+Nutrition+Support=Success!

If you’re interested in becoming a part of the Beachbody team, reply with your name and email. jamistew15@gmail.com 323244-8629

• 5 minutes from shopping • 9 miles from downtown Albuquerque • 8817 4th Street, NW

For appointment call Alex Sanchez 505.898.3934 or cell 505.362.6488 One of the few remaining property of this size in the North Valley

http://issuu.com/ladtn Follow Us on ISSUU

notiCes THE WEST LOS ANGELES FAMILYSOURCE CENTER is requesting proposals from qualified Nonprofit organizations to provide Legal Services to residents of the City of Los Angeles (West Region). To request a Bid Package please email jsoto@latinoresource.org 310.578.6069

Corporation Bldg. For Lease Creative Office Space

LEGAL name ChanGe SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE – CENTRAL DISTRICT ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. BS148806 Petitioner (name of each): Virginia Claire Russell, 446 1/2 South Detroit Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: VIRGINIA CLAIRE RUSSELL Proposed name: VIRGINIA CLAIRE CAVALLETTI 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: 03/12/2015 Time: 10:00 a.m.

Dept.: 20 Room: 310 The address of the court is 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Stanley Mosk Courthouse – Central District.

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 CIVIC CENTER NEWS, 1264 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county.

Prepared by: Sherri R. Carter LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT 111 North Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Date: May 20, 2014 Hon. Kevin C. Brazile Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 06/02, 06/09, 06/16, and 06/23/2014

the LOFT expert!

TM

724 S. Spring St. LA

Please call (213) 627-6913 Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly rate $275 inc.

Monthly from $600 utilities paid.

(213) 612-0348

Thomas E. Rounds Attorney at Law

DT News on your mobile device, with more than 5 years of past issues!

To William E. Auer, you are the beneficiary of a divided interest in the estate of Corinne Auer.

You are hereby notified and have 30 days to respond. If you do not respond the balance will be distributed to the four remaining beneficiaries. Call 909-2862693.

BUildinG/sUpplies

• 900 to 1500 sqft.

• Elegant tiled flooring and polished concrete floors • Brand new A/C, bathrooms in each unit • Spectacular views of Downtown • Great Location, restaurant on the ground floor • Beautiful view of Sandia mountains • Great for large homes • Alfafa field with irrigation

SunshineGenerationLA.com

health Care

Nearly Every Make & Model

EMPLOYMENT

LOFT LIVING

Downtown News 19

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

825 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 109, Santa Monica, CA 90401

(424) 234-6381

trounds4esq@gmail.com lawofficeofthomaserounds.com.

5B#268274

Downtown since 2002

Bill Cooper 213.598.7555 TheLoftExpertGroup.com

Bill Cooper 213.598.7555

TheLoftExpertGroup.com BRE #01309009

DRE # 01309009

Voted BEST Downtown Residential Real Estate Agent!

Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator.

Full bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

is your teen experiencing:

• School problems?

• Conflict at home or with friends?

adolescent support group now forming ages 13-17 low fee Call marney stofflet, lCsW

(323) 662-9797

4344 fountain ave. (at sunset), suite a los angeles, Ca 90029

Monthly from $695 utilities paid.

(213) 627-1151

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

20 Downtown News

June 2, 2014

AROUND TOWN, 2 Spillane, a former president of the Downtown Breakfast Club and senior vice president of IDS Real Estate Group.

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

It’s our business to make you comfortable... at home, downtown. Corporate and long term residency Call Now Fo is accommodated in high style at the Towers Apartments. Contemporary singles, studio, one r bedroom and two bedroom apartment homes provide fortunate residents with a courteous full service lobby attendant, heated pool, spa, complete fitness center, sauna and recreation room Move-In Spec with kitchen. Beautiful views extend from the Towers’ lofty homes in the sky. Mountain vistas and ial slender skyscrapers provide an incredible back drop to complement your decor. Far below are a host of businesses s ready to support your pampered downtown lifestyle. With spectacular cultural events nearby, even the most demanding tastes are satisfied. Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore. Visit the Towers Apartments today.

Grand Tower

255 South Grand Avenue Leasing Information 213 229 9777 Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Concierge ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Gas BBQ Grills ~ Recreation Room

Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave & Dishwasher (most units) ~ Central Air Conditioning & Heating ~ Balconies (most units)

On-site: ~ Dry Cleaners / Dental Office / Restaurants

Promenade Towers

123 South Figueroa Street Leasing Information 213 617 3777 Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Pool / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Covered Parking

Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove & Dishwasher ~ Central Air & Heating ~ Solariums and/or Balconies

On-Site: ~ Convenience Store / Coffee House / Yogurt Shop / Beauty Salon

museum Tower

225 South Olive Street Leasing Information 213 626 1500 Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Concierge ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Gas BBQ Grills ~ Recreation Room

Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave & Dish washer (most units) ~ Central Air & Heating ~ Balconies (most units)

8 7 7 - 2 65 - 714 6

TOWERS T H E

A PA RT M E N T S

www.TowersApartmentsLA.com MAID SERVICE • FURNITURE • HOUSEWARES • CABLE • UTILITIES • PARKING

RESIDENCES: SINGLES • STUDIO • ONE BEDROOM • TWO BEDROOM

Zara to Open at FIGat7th This Week

T

he last big retail hole at the FIGat7th shopping complex is expected to be filled this week. Last week, signage at the outdoor mall owned by Brookfield Office Properties announced that Spanish clothing brand Zara will debut on Wednesday, June 4. The 27,000-square-foot store will serve as the flagship outlet for the chain and will be the fifth company store in Los Angeles.

Zara, which fronts Figueroa Street at the southern edge of the mall, signed a 10-year lease and is expected to employ 60 people.

The brand offers sleek clothing and accessories for men, women and children and follows the recent openings of H&M and Victoria’s Secret in the complex at Figueroa and Seventh streets.

The Arts District BID Is Back

T

he Arts District Los Angeles Business Improvement District launched Sunday, June 1, ending a year in which the thriving community lacked an organization that provides private security and cleaning patrols. The BID has an annual budget of $1.12 million, and has contracted with Chrysalis, which employs formerly homeless individuals, to handle cleaning and maintenance efforts, said Dilip Bhavnani, board chairman for ADLA. Urban Place Consulting Group, which helped form the BID, has been tapped to provide interim management services, and Street Plus will provide the security detail starting June 9, Bhavnani said. The security team, he added, will be on foot, bike and Segway, and will work with the LAPD to provide crime prevention and help address quality of life issues such as panhandling and public intoxication. The Safety Team will operate seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The Clean Team will work seven days a week, eight hours a day. The launch of the ADLA follows a long battle in which two different groups sought to operate the replacement for the former BID.

Fashion District Building Slated for Residential Renovation

A

90-year-old Fashion District building is getting a makeover.

The South Park Group recently purchased and is launching a renovation of the 1924 Grether & Grether building at 730 S. Los Angeles St. The six-story structure will hold 72 live/work lofts with high-end finishes, with units averaging about 750 square feet, according to South Park Group President Jack Ravan. Amenities including a dog run, Jacuzzi and yoga space will be built on the roof, and plans call for the basement to become parking with 30 stalls. South Park Group is bringing in new tenants for the street-level retail space along Los Angeles Street, as well as making space for retail on the back side of the building, which shares a courtyard-like area with several apartment properties in the Santee Court complex. Construction is slated to start in July and last about 18 months. South Park Group has tapped David Gray Architects to design the renovation.

High-End Grand Avenue Apartments To Open in October

A

lot of people are watching Grand Avenue, where Eli Broad’s $140 million art museum is under construction and Related Companies’ mixed-use mega-project The Grand is in the planning stage. However, the next addition to the street will actually be a 19-story luxury apartment tower. Bill Witte, president of Related California, said the 271-unit rental building, dubbed The Emerson, will open on Oct. 1.

The $120 million edifice just south of The Broad will set aside 20% of its residences as affordable housing. Amenities in the building designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica will include high-end finishes, a rooftop pool and a full business center.

There will also be a dog run in the rear of the property. Officials previously said that the building will contain a ground floor restaurant, an offshoot of the Beverly Hills Italian eatery Ago. Emerson residents will also have easy access to the coming restaurant that will be in The Broad’s public courtyard. No rental rates have yet been revealed.