08-29-16 by Los Angeles Downtown News

Another Historic Core High-Rise : 6 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tattoo Time at JANM : 10

August 29, 2016 I VOL. 45 I #35

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Bunker Hill Resident Betty Markoff Hits a Milestone Birthday. Her Husband Morrie Is 102 SEE PAGE 8

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2 Downtown News

AROUND TOWN

Housing May Rise on Old Velvet Turtle Site

or years, the dilapidated site of the old Velvet Turtle restaurant in Chinatown was one of Downtown’s worst eyesores. Now, plans are underway to develop a housing complex on the lot at 708 N. Hill St. The restaurant was demolished in 2014, and a company affiliated with Avant Development is seeking entitlements to build a seven-story building on the 0.8-acre site. Avant Development Chief Operating Officer Joseph Chang said that plans call for 162 rental units. The project would also include 5,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, plus two levels of subterranean parking. There had been plans to build a housing project on the site four years ago, though nothing ever materialized. The project’s timeline and budget have not been announced. The plans were first reported on the website Urbanize.la.

Bar, Restaurant at Third and Main Could Become Parking

n May, a batch of businesses on Main Street north of Third Street received demolition notices from the L&R Group of Companies, the parking lot operator that had purchased the parcels in 2015. An uproar ensued, particularly over the potential shuttering of the all-ages punk club The Smell. L&R quickly backed off, saying no ac-

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS tion was imminent. Now, some plans are being revealed. Kevin Litwin, chief operating officer of Joe’s Auto Parks, a subsidiary of L&R, said the building at the corner of Third and Main is being considered for demolition and could be converted into a parking lot. The structure currently holds the Five Star Bar and the restaurant Shish Kabob, which would be displaced. Litwin told Los Angeles Downtown News that the exact plans for the site are still being determined. He added that permits are being sought and the goal is to start work by the end of the year. No plans have been announced for The Smell or the Downtown Independent movie theater. The owner of The Smell, Jim Smith, has been raising funds and searching for a new location.

August 29, 2016

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New Details Emerge for Broadway Hotel

ritish investment firm Ennismore of London released more details for its Hoxton hotel project this month. Ennismore bought the property at 1060 S. Broadway, also known as the Los Angeles Railway Building, for $30 million at the start of the year. The firm is in the process of transforming the more than 89,000-square-foot space into one its Hoxtonbrand boutique hotels. New renderings and details from Chicago-based GREC Architects call for a 164-room hotel in the 10-story building, with three restaurants. There will also be a rooftop pool and lounge. According to a project representative, the hotel is set to finish construction in 2018. The structure, built in 1922, was initially the hub of the Los Angeles Railway’s Yellow Cars, but in recent years had been vacant office space.

I7th

City Hall

City Council Chambers

Kobe Bryant Honored

South Park Tower Breaks Ground

et another long-awaited Downtown project is finally moving forward. On Tuesday, Aug. 23, prolific developer Holland Partner Group broke ground on a 28-story, 341-apartment tower at the southeast corner of Ninth and Figueroa streets. The South Park project is expected to take two years to build, according to Tom Warren, head of the developer’s Southern California division. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company anticipates an opening in late 2018. Designs by Preston

August 24, 2016

Partnership show a glass edifice with boxshaped clusters of balconies. Nearly 11,700 square feet of retail space would front the sidewalk along Figueroa and on Ninth. No budget has been revealed. The tower is the final piece of what was once developer Sonny Astani’s $190 million, multi-phase Concerto project. That led to the 30-story building now dubbed Apex and a seven-story annex still called Concerto, but a messy legal battle over financing and ownership left the final parcel untouched until Holland Partner Group acquired it last year. Continued on page 9

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August 29, 2016

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4 Downtown News

EDITORIALS

ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison @ DOWNTOWNNEWS ASSISTANT ARTTWITTER: DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa

CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles August 29, 2016 DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

©2016 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.

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Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

A Pivotal Moment in The Retail Scene

owntown Los Angeles residents and workers should expect a great deal of flux in the local retail scene. Some stores will succeed and others will fail, which is the normal ebb and flow of business. Yet we could see even more frequent changes than most retail zones might expect. Unusual market forces are at work. An argument could be made that the Downtown shopping scene is ready to explode. Consider: In recent years prominent national retailers such as Urban Outfitters, H&M and Zara have opened stores here. More price-conscious outlets such as Ross Dress for Less and Burlington have also arrived (the latter is currently expanding its space). Given that chains tend to follow each other, and given that more

EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris

GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim

STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard

RENTAL RATES MATTER, BUT SO DOES STORE SIZE, LOCATION, COMPETITION, S I N C E 19 7 2 CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS, A RISING Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 MINIMUM WAGE AND MARKETING. phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 facebook: L.A. Downtown News

facebook: L.A. Downtown News

ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon

web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles

DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

twitter: DowntownNews

S I N C E 19 7 2 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

twitter: DowntownNews ©2016 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.

than a million square feet of retail space is either under construction or in the planning pipeline, one could justifiEDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris EDITOR &that PUBLISHER: Sue Laris ably predict the area shopping options will soon exerything is changing and the models of the recent past may almatter, but so does store size, location, competition, changing GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin MANAGER: Dawn Eastin pandGENERAL significantly. ready be outdated. demographics, a rising minimum wage and marketing. Business owners have to analyze not just what exists now, but what is com However, someone subscribing to that view could also Los Angeles Downtown News last week reported on the state EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie be described as looking through rose-colored glasses. of the retail scene. It’s an undeniably exciting time, and area res- ing to the neighborhood in the next few years. SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim “For Lease” signs are ubiquitous, idents and workers have more choice than ever when it comes Downtown is about to experience a seismic shake-up in terms STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton splashed across vacant STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn storefronts in seemingly every Maese Downtown district, from to buying clothing, furniture and other goods. Retail brokers of supply, and a coterie of landlords and developers have all noCONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese CONTRIBUTING Favre, Greg Fischer Chinatown to theWRITERS: HistoricJeff Core to Little Tokyo to South have fielded a lot of calls from national companies wanting to ticed the same thing — more people with ample disposable inS I N C E 19 7 2 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer Park.ART Additionally, retail rents are spiking, and some tour the area and learn about the demographics and spending come are moving to the area. As the Downtown News story noted, DIRECTOR: Brian Allison Los Angeles longtime areaART realDIRECTOR: estate players are warning that landpower of the local market. there are at least 10 developments withDowntown a sizableNews retail component ASSISTANT Yumi Kanegawa ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 lords are seeking rates that will prove unsustainable in in the works. They include the Oceanwide Plaza, Metropolis and It may be hard for landlords and developers to restrain themphone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard the long term. When the big new projects open, supply Circa projects in South Park,web: as well as the Arts District’s At Mateo selves when they hear that a nearby retail space has rented for a DowntownNews.com Ashley Schmidt couldACCOUNTING: far outstrip demand. and the Broadway Trade Center in the Historic Core. Several of higher price than they are asking for — the impulse is to assume email: realpeople@downtownnews.com PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard these projects will have more than 100,000 square feet of space for the competing rent is the new normal, and to jack up the rates and The odds are that neither extreme is likely, and that as CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway facebook: need an anchor tenant expect tenants to come running. the new projects come online and the residential com-Michael Lamb ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt stores and restaurants, and each will likely ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, L.A. Downtown News as well as a few or even a few dozen smaller shops. Competition munity continues to Claudia grow, some retail spaces will be filled, A wiser move is to take the long view and to invest in market SALES ASSISTANT: Hernandez among landlords could quickly becometwitter: cutthroat. though not all of them, at least not right away. At the same research before any price hike is instituted. The worstADVERTISING thing that MANAGER: CLASSIFIED Catherine Holloway Danielle Salmon time,CIRCULATION: as we say, one could reasonably expect that some could happen is a landlord sets the bar high, finds EXECUTIVES: someone willing This is the moment when DowntownDowntownNews is outgrowing the old reACCOUNT Catherine Holloway, DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles Stevens, Michaelthe Lamb tail model. The new normal has not yet been established. existing stores will close, whether because of competition, to pay, and then the shop dies months or Brenda a couple years down DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla SALES and ASSISTANT: high rents, bad management or some other factor. line because traffic is not what was anticipated the rentClaudia can’t Hernandez The good news is the proverbial genie is out of the and ©2016 Civic Center News, Inc. bottle, Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center Newsfor be met. Failure in the form of a vacant storefront can be a hard This is an important and perhaps pivotal moment the residential growth in Downtown ensures that there is room ©2016 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Inc. All rights reserved. News Inc. Allscene, rights reserved. stigma to overcome — you have to convince the next occupant more stores selling more things. there News will be casualties in theCenter local retail and anyone looking to open a The LosHowever, Angeles Downtown is the must-read CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles for Downtown Los Angeles and is disamong those who misread newspaper the market. Landlords, shop owners store,andoris any developer preparing a project grounddistributed every Monday throughout the offices andwith residences of Downtownthat Los the space can succeed. DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles tributed every Monday throughout the offices and and business boosters needresidences to proceed carefully, do their research floorAngeles. or other retail space, should not assume that things At the same time, prospective independent shop owners and of Downtown Los Angeles. DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, and play for the long run. will proceed likeperson. they did even a couple years ago. Evthe chains have more to consider than ever before. Rental rates One copy per One copy per person. Gustavo Bonilla

EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin

S I N C E 19 7 2 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

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa

PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

One copy per person.

August 29, 2016

Downtown News 5

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

The Ultimate Power Outage DWP Reform, Political Meddling and the Quest to Find a Leader Who Doesn’t Bolt After Three Years

THE REGARDIE REPORT The DWP goes through GMs like the band Spinal Tap cycles through drummers who spontaneously combust. The department is now on its eighth boss since 2007. Compare this bit of anti-longevity with the iron-fist tenure of Brian D’Arcy, who has been the business manager of the powerful International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18, the union representing most DWP employees, since 1992. Edwards shuffled off the electrical coil on Aug. 16. She had arrived at the DWP as a clerk-typist in 1976 and spent 24 years rising through the ranks. She left to join Anaheim’s utility, then returned to the DWP in March 2014, a highlight hire by Mayor Eric Garcetti. She was making $350,000 a year, which means her pension is about the size of Mt. Everest. Into her hot seat comes David Wright, who’s got a couple decades of experience in the utility world and most recently served as the DWP’s chief operating officer. Will he be a long-term solution? One can hope, but given the afore-

mentioned turnover, he might want to ponder a next career as a Spinal Tap drummer. Why does this matter? Partly because 4% of Angelenos reported selling a kidney to pay their most recent water and power bill (I made that up; the real figure is 52%), and partly because we’re at a time of theoretical department “reform.” A measure that would alter some DWP machinations and oversight will appear on the November ballot, though how much real change it will propel is a question. The current situation is this: Edwards is out, Wright is in and the DWP remains the department Angelenos love to hate. Meanwhile, every effort by city officials to temper D’Arcy’s power has gone about as well as an attempt to kiss a cobra. Election Issue There’s another reason this matters: The DWP was a huge topic in Garcetti’s 2013 mayoral race against Wendy Greuel. D’Arcy’s union directed millions toward Greuel’s campaign, and Garcetti pledged that department reform would be a priority of his administration. The theme continued after the election: In his April 2014 State of the City speech, Garcetti proclaimed that he directed Edwards to “take a hard look at DWP’s rates and bring reform.” He added, “I will not allow the DWP to raise rates this year. The department must earn back your trust.” It’s a good thing he said “this year,” because

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this past March, city leaders signed off on a five-year boost of water and power bills — typical customers can expect hikes of about 3% a year, though some will see bigger spikes. The increases began in April. Edwards was the mayor’s change agent, but to date, what’s changed, beyond the person in the corner suite at DWP headquarters? Water mains still sometimes burst like Old Faithful, the department botched a billing system overhaul, and DWP governance is pretty much like it was a decade ago. The only thing that’s been reformed, it seems, is the amount customers pay. This feels like the bizarro world — first the powers that be reform

our bills upward, then they seek to change the department. I’m not trying to be Crusty P. Curmudgeon, and I get that the rationale for rate hikes is to provide money to pay for replacing aging infrastructure — Garcetti on Aug. 17 said the DWP has replaced more than 32 miles of water lines this year, surpassing a 2015-16 goal in large part because of the fee increases. That sounds good, but if everything is so peachy, then why did Edwards bolt just three months before voters weigh in on reform? This is the time, presumably, when a department head would stump hard for voter approval, Continued on page 16

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By Jon Regardie f there is any surprise about Marcie Edwards’ flameout as the general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, it’s that anyone is actually surprised. If you were to step back and look at history, then Edwards’ departure after two and a half years would seem inevitable.

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6 Downtown News

The Central City Crime Report

Take Two for Broadway Tower

This Week: Stolen Shades, a Mall Theft, Missing Cars and More

Chinese Firm Moving Forward With Previously Announced 34-Story Project

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

one stole a woman’s wallet from her purse while she was on a patio at the Wells Fargo Center. The thief proceeded to rack up $2,000 in charges on three credit cards.

Sunglasses at Night: Shortly before 6 a.m. on July 28, an unidentified individual threw a plastic traffic cone at the front glass window of the I Love Fashion store on Sixth Street. The thief got inside, then grabbed some sunglasses and fled.

Smash and Grab and Jam: In the early morning hours of Aug. 16, an unidentified individual smashed the window of a Mazda parked at Fourth and Los Angeles streets. The thief took musical instruments, equipment and clothing.

Security Alert: On the evening of July 29, a teenager entered the Macy’s department store at The Bloc. She picked up more than $950 worth of clothing, jewelry and other goods, then tried to leave without paying, walking past cash registers and out of the store. She was detained by security. Tool Time: One the afternoon of July 30, a man walked onto a construction site at Second and Main streets. He cut the lock for a box of tools and then fled with the pilfered items. Unwanted Charge: On Aug. 15, some-

August 29, 2016

Grand Theft Historic Core: Two Hondas were stolen from the intersection of Fifth and Spring streets on the night of Aug. 20. A third car, an Audi, was taken from a garage on Fifth Street south of the intersection sometime between Aug. 14-22. More Stolen Bikes: Thieves continue to steal bicycles in Downtown, and two were recently taken from outside the Central Library. The first was grabbed on the evening of July 25. Five days later, a lock was cut on a two-wheeler. On the morning of Aug. 17, another bicycle was stolen from the parking structure at the FIGat7th mall.

By Nicholas Slayton stalled Downtown project is taking a big step forward. Developer SCG America recently announced that it is moving ahead with a 34-story residential high-rise at Fourth Street and Broadway. SCG America, a subsidiary of China’s Shanghai Construction Group, acquired the nearly one-acre parcel at the southeast corner of the intersection last year for $32 million. The seller was Downtown landowner Izek Shomof. A one-story building with a collection of small stores on the site is being demolished ahead of the construction. Shomof originally announced plans to build a tower on the site in 2013. The initial project called for an 11-story podium that curved at street level, with a narrower, angled high-rise with 23 floors of housing set back 30 feet from the edge of the podium. Hamid Behdad, a representative of the developer, said the plan has been reworked, and that architecture firm CallisonRTKL has replaced HansonLA as the designer. However, he said the height will remain the same, and the development will contain 450 residential units. There would also be 7,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. No budget or renderings has been revealed.

“Our project on Broadway and 4th Street is an important milestone in the ongoing transformation of Downtown Los Angeles’ Broadway District,” Behdad said in a prepared statement. “Our team will work in tandem with the city’s ‘Bringing Back Broadway’ initiative to revitalize this iconic neighborhood — while preserving its history. We’re excited to be part of such an important project, which will be tastefully designed to integrate with the surrounding streetscape, contributing to the area’s overall walkability and appeal.” The tower would by SCG America’s first project in Downtown Los Angeles, although the company has other developments in the city and Orange County. Not everyone is pleased with the plans. Architect and developer David Gray, who owns and has recently renovated a six-story building at 353 S. Broadway, worries that the coming structure would be “overwhelming” when compared to its shorter neighbors on the 300 and 400 blocks of Broadway. “It is way too dense and way too large for the Historic Core,” Gray said. Others support the development, including Blair Besten, the executive director of the Historic Core Business Improvement District. She added that the building’s commercial component would be a boon to the neighborhood. “Seven thousand square feet of retail is beneficial,” Besten said. “It sounds light, but it all depends on what it’s leased for.” Crews are now demolishing the building on the site. Another project representative said the plan is to break ground early next year and finish construction in 2020. nicholas@downtownnews.com

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August 29, 2016

Downtown News 7

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At One Corner, a Fence Is a Crime-Fighting Tool Police Look at Addressing ‘Environmental’ Factors to Reduce Law-breaking By Nicholas Slayton or several years, Downtown Los Angeles had an unlikely trouble spot: a three-by-six-foot brick stoop in front of the 7-Eleven at the southwest corner of Seventh and Olive streets. Aggressive panhandlers were known to gather there, and confronted store patrons and other passersby. The shop’s owner, Pamela Mattu, complained to police about crime at the corner. So did residents of the Mandel apartment building (the store is on the ground floor of the complex). Things changed last month, when a five-foot-high black metal fence was placed around the raised stoop. Right now the only thing in the enclosed space is a planter holding a small but bright palm tree. Perhaps the most unique thing about the fence is that it was put up not by a construction crew, but by a pair of volunteer Downtown police officers. Mattu paid $800 for the materials and LAPD Sgt. Jack Richter and his partner, Officer Aden Dilanian, did the work over three weekends, finishing July 24 — they were not on the LAPD clock when installing the fence. “It’s been a blessing,” Mattu said. “We had people panhandling and stealing. When we were open, I had planters and they’d take those away.” It’s a relatively small change, but it may be a precursor of things to come. Capt. Howard Leslie, who took over the LAPD’s Central Division in March, is embarking on a new campaign dubbed Environmental Crime Prevention. It involves, as the name implies, taking steps to change factors in the physical environment to not only stop ongoing crime, but prevent future incidents. It builds on other changes that Leslie has instituted. Since taking over, he has increased foot beats in neighborhoods such as the Historic Core. He has also dictated that officers walking foot beats do only that, with the aim of fostering greater interaction and trust with the community.

Leslie is pushing a collaborative working environment, and is asking his foot beat officers to suggest changes to areas hit by frequent crime; Richter and Mattu came up with the idea of the 7-Eleven fence after they discussed ways to address the problem. Leslie said that if a business or property owner is willing to pay for materials, then he and his officers will take the time to help with installation and assembly. “What can we do environmentally to help alleviate a problem? Is it as simple as a fence?” Leslie asked. “We have a place in the Arts District we’re looking at; we might increase the height of a cinderblock wall to prevent people hopping over it and doing property theft.” Richter, who has been with the LAPD for 18 years, with 12 of those in Downtown, said officers could be involved in other ways, such as working with the DWP to address lighting issues in dim areas. Leslie and Richter are aware that making an environmental fix in one place can just cause potential lawbreakers to move somewhere else, and they are trying to avoid the whack-a-mole syndrome. Leslie noted that when an area is brightened and cleaned up, criminals often return to previous gathering spots. Richter said the key is being proactive and improving those areas, too. Richter said the 7-Eleven stoop had been a problem for about eight years. Since the fence went up, Mattu said there have been far fewer incidents of panhandling and theft. Richter said that Mandel residents and nearby business owners have noticed the difference and reported feeling safer. Richter said there are other places where changes to the environment could help reduce crime. Central officers are working with the Department of Recreation and Parks to explore improvements around Pershing Square and the parks near Union Station where thefts have occurred. Other crimes have taken place near construction sites, and officers have spoken with developers about potential fixes.

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Richter said his goal is to get business owners to see the benefits of making changes, even if they have to dig into their own pocket. “We struggle in some areas of the city where businesses don’t want to spend money or the time, and that makes it very difficult,” he said. In a way, Richter noted, it’s a never-ending race: Downtown’s growing residential population leads to more people seeing area inhabitants as targets. The goal, he said, is to prevent a corresponding rise in crime victims. nicholas@downtownnews.com

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August 29, 2016

Downtown Couple Both Join the Century Club Bunker Hill Resident Betty Markoff Turns 100; Her Husband Morrie Is 102

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difficulty walking and poor hearing, the latter of which inspires his wife of 77 years to often hoot at him, impatiently, from across the room: “MOOOOrie!” As for Betty, she hit the century mark on Friday, Aug. 26. “We never wanted or tried to live this long. One hundred years old?” Betty remarked, scrunching her face in incredulity. She and Morrie moved from their four-decade home in Silver Lake to the Promenade West tower four years ago, and have since literally watched Downtown grow. The Broad was in its construction infancy when they first stood on the balcony of the condo, considering the purchase. So was the Wilshire Grand tower, which now pokes up on the skyline to the south. They are avid fans of Downtown Los Angeles, and cheerleaders for its renaissance. “The energy is infectious,” Betty says, simply. Betty was born and raised in College Point, in the Queens borough of New York City. She remembers her childhood with fondness, telling cheeky stories of playing hide-and-seek with neighbors and having the freedom to explore. When she turned 16, her mother snagged her a job working as a cashier at a variety store; as with most kids in middle-class families, the mid-teens were working ages. Morrie got an earlier start than Betty, shining shoes at the

photo by Gary Leonard

ripe age of 9 to help his family get by in roughand-tumble East Harlem. The two met at a wedding for Morrie’s cousin in 1938. Morrie was sat between Betty and another young woman named Rosa, who came from a wealthy family. Betty glanced at the sharp young man next to her and felt her pulse quicken. He was handsome, charming and confident in his sense of self, something Betty felt she lacked. Surely, she thought, he would be more interested in the glamorous girl next to him. Instead, Betty was the one to leave the party with promises for future meetings from young Morrie. He jokes today that it’s because “Betty ate less than Rosa,” but she knows the truth. “The real reason is that he did not like sophisticated women. He would not be interest-

ed in a woman with long nails or a lot of makeup. I thought it wasn’t so good of me, to lack those things,” Betty said. “But he liked that.” Ten months later, they moved to Los Angeles and got married, holding a small reception at La Casa Golondrina at Olvera Street. The couple had their first child in 1941, on the cusp of World War II. Today they have two children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. During the war, Morrie worked as a military machinist, and later grew an air conditioning and appliances business while Betty stayed home and raised the children. Their relationship ebbed and flowed, with Morrie sometimes disappearing for stretches of time, engrossed in his work. Betty admits she sometimes craved more affection from a man who cared for her but seemed too pragmatic.

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By Eddie Kim t’s rare enough for an individual to live to be 100 years old. A married couple both cracking triple digits is practically the stuff of legend. Meet the legends: Betty and Morrie Markoff, who on a Tuesday afternoon are sitting in the warm light of their sixth-floor condominium on Bunker Hill. Morrie is 102, in fine health other than some

Betty Markoff, photographed three days before her 100th birthday.

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Betty Markoff, who turned 100 last week, and her husband Morrie, who is 102, in their home on Bunker Hill. They have lived in Downtown for four years, after spending decades in Silver Lake. They have been married for 77 years.

Yet the marriage survived, and thrived, because of their loyalty to one other, Morrie said. “She still has a very special quality. It’s her complete faith in me,” he added. “Betty has always had this confidence in me. I’ve had to make tough decisions. She never wavered. I never forgot about that.” ‘Involved With the World’ Los Angeles Downtown News wrote about the couple before, in November 2013, when they celebrated their 75th anniversary. Two stories on people in such a short pe-

riod are unusual, but so are the Markoffs. Betty’s birthdays have usually been simple affairs (“Birthdays are nice, but they’re a necessary evil. They’re festive,” Morrie pauses, “like funerals.”). The Downtown Omni has become a special-occasion favorite for the couple, and Betty wants to return to a Hollywood Hills restaurant whose name escapes her. They went much bigger for Betty’s centennial celebration, with a 70-plus person guest list for a party at their son Steve’s home in Pacific Palisades a day after her birthday. Their daughter, Judith Hansen, 77, has gotten used to the years passing without incident. She pointed to her parents’ decades-long habit of waking up before breakfast to walk all around Silver Lake, greeting neighbors and soaking in the neighborhood. Beyond that simple physical act, though, what helped them live so long? “They don’t come from longevity; genetics are not on their side,” said Hansen, who lives in the same building as her parents. “But they’re involved with the world, so their minds have been very busy. They had their own lives, not just a focus on family.” If anything, Betty wishes they had moved to Downtown sooner (“10 years ago would have been lovely”) so she could explore more of it with Morrie, before walking became difficult. Other regrets, if they exist, don’t linger. One of the last wishes was crossed off the list about two years ago, Hansen says, when Morrie told Betty, with romantic earnest, that he loved her. “Dad always loved her, but he thought the care he gave was enough, not the words. It’s been a growing realization with Mom that she is truly loved,” Hansen said. “And she’s happy knowing that.” Her own words seem to carry that satisfaction. “Morrie and I have lived a very full life. I’m content, and now,” — she pauses, a smile wrinkling her eyes — “now, we’re tired.” Betty’s soft, wavering laugh rings out through the living room as Morrie smiles back. eddie@downtownnews.com

AROUND TOWN, 2 More Co-Working Space Coming to Financial District

owntown L.A. has a number of “co-working” spaces, where people can rent temporary office space without signing a big lease. Now, the likes of WeWork, Blankspace and Cross Campus have a new competitor: New York-based Industrious is coming to the market next month. The company is opening 84 private offices and a handful of group spaces at 600 Wilshire, filling nearly 19,000 square feet of space on the fifth floor. The opening will be on Sept. 15. The Downtown location is Industrious’ first West Coast play, and the brand touts a “luxury” experience with amenities such as a cafe and high-end furnishings, plus regular member events with perks like a “parfait bar” and Bloody Mary happy hours. Memberships run from $500-$4,800, ranging from a seat in a communal space to a large private office with up to seven desks. More information is at industriousoffice.com.

Downtown Community Plan Draft Nearly Done

he Department of City Planning is approaching a milestone in its years-long effort to rewrite the city’s sorely outdated zoning code. Part of that process is updating each of the city’s community plans, which lay out standards and recommendations for what kind of building uses should be emphasized in a neighborhood; they also outline incentives, mandates and design details for developers. It’s been a long time coming, but the draft Downtown Community Plan will arrive at the beginning of October, according to City Planner Bryan Eck. City Planning is hosting an open studio session on Oct. 3-8 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.) at the Bradbury Building to gather feedback from Downtown stakeholders (more information is at dtla2040.org). The environmental review process for the entire zoning plan will take place over the course of 2017, and City Planning aims to implement both the new zoning code and the community plans in early 2018.

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August 29, 2016

The Power of Ink New JANM Exhibit Explores the History and Longevity of Samoan Tattoo Art

By Nicholas Slayton attoos may be omnipresent today, but the taboo around them hasn’t quite faded away. They were long considered uncouth in the western world and some Asian cultures still see tattoos as the marks of a criminal. Yet even this was not always the rule: For people in some other Pacific Rim countries, tattoos were a part of cultural expression and a rebellion against European and North American colonialism. Tatau: Marks of Polynesia, now at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, looks at one of the oldest and most active tattooing traditions. With nearly 180 images from photographer John Agcaoili, plus artifacts and tattoo instruments, Tatau examines both the cultural history of Samoan tattoos and the designs in modern times. The exhibition runs through Jan. 8, 2017. Samoan tattoos, known as tatau, date back roughly 2,000 years. In addition to decorating the body, tatau historically had a societal role, signifying rank and identifying chiefs and clans. Tatau masters were of great importance to the culture, according to exhibition curator Takahiro Kitamura. Thus, part of the exhibit focuses on the Sulu’ape family, master tattoo artists who have helped keep the tradition alive and give it international acclaim. The family has been doing tattoos for more than 60 years. The exhibition is a sequel of sorts to Kitamura’s first collaboration with JANM in 2014. Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World looked at tattoos in Japanese culture. It was part of an ongoing effort by JANM to expand its audience and attract younger guests. The effort succeeded, said Kitamura, bringing in young men who previously had not been coming to JANM in large numbers. After the Little Tokyo stop, Perseverance traveled to Baltimore and Sydney, Australia.

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Kitamura’s work brought him into contact with Samoan tattoo artists. He saw a connection between that community and Japanese artists, and pitched a new show to the museum, which gave him the go-ahead. When assembling the exhibit, Kitamura worked with advisors from within the culture. “Given the history of colonization in Polynesia, the exhibition needs a Polynesian speaking,” he said. Once JANM signed on, Kitamura recruited Agcaoili to photograph the Sulu’ape family, other tattoo artists and people with body art in Hawaii and American Samoa. The photos are either large, color profiles, or black-and-white candid shots. Some show the tattooing process and others depict inked Samoans in daily life. Most are arranged in groups of four or six with accompanying text. The photos are augmented by past and present tattoo instruments, including tools made from boar tusks and, more recently, stainless steel. Other items are on display, including bowls and tools used for tatau-related ceremonies and a Samoan headdress. “We also have a chief’s staff, which is part of this matai chief structure,” said Kitamura. “There’s a strict social order, and tattooing plays into that. And it looks better when the high chief has tattoos.” Another element is still to come. Filmmakers interviewed the Sulu’ape family and documented their life and the tattooing process. It will yield a 25-minute documentary on the history and modern practices of Samoan tatau. Kitamura expects it to be ready in the fall. Koji Sakai, JANM’s vice president of programs, acknowledged that an exhibition on Samoan tattoos might seem like an odd choice for JANM, but he said it continues the effort to mix up programming and bring in new audiences. In that regard, he said, it, it fits with exhibits on Japanese icon Hello Kitty and shows orchestrated by the founder of the Asian-American hipster culture bible Giant Robot. The goal of the museum is to promote Pacific Islander culture, Sakai said. Kitamura noted that there was an opportunity to fill a void. “When we were first having meetings about this, the museum said there is no Samoan American national museum or cultural center, so until then we open our doors to you,” Kitamura said. Sakai particularly likes the way that that Tatau presents the tattoos as art. The photographs, he pointed out, allow for an appreciation of detail that is missed when seeing a tattoo on someone’s body while they pass by on the street. Kitamura and Sakai said they have fielded questions from curious guests as to why JANM is staging this exhibition. They said that once visitors see the photographs in the greater context of the museum, the connection to JANM and the message becomes much clearer. “In the case of Samoan tattoos, it’s about a huge resistance to colonization,” Kitamura said. “Missionaries drove most of it underground. What we’re seeing now, specifically with the Sulu’ape family, are people leading revivals to take back their culture.” That culture is on display everywhere. Kitamura said that when he met with elected officials in Samoa, a number of them were sporting tattoos. Tatau: Marks of Polynesia runs through Jan. 8, 2017, at the Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave., (213) 6250414 or janm.org. nicholas@downtownnews.com

photos by John Agcaoili

John Agcaoili took more than 180 photographs for the new Japanese American National Museum exhibition Tatau: Marks of Polynesia. The body art display continues through next January.

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The Downtown Taco Revolution Two New Arrivals Continue Changing How We Eat the Street Food By Eddie Kim he first time I ordered a fried fish taco at the newish Chicas Tacos near Seventh and Olive streets, I couldn’t help but chuckle. There it was, a candy-bar hunk of golden mahi-mahi, nestled in a charred corn tortilla and showered in… Caesar salad? One big bite quickly led to another, partly because I was hungry, but mostly because it was addictive. I also should’ve remembered the cultural connection: Both the fried fish taco and the Caesar salad were invented in Baja California around the middle of the 20th century. Everything old is new again, as the saying goes, and it’s a thesis for the taco revolution underway in Downtown Los Angeles. The two big Downtown taco debuts of 2016, Chicas Tacos and Sonoratown, couldn’t be more different. I had my doubts about the former — it’s backed by a big-time hospitality group, BLVD745, that also worked on the Ace Hotel and the upcoming Soho House in the Arts District. Its menu appeared to stick to a generic lineup of beef, chicken, pork or fish tacos despite talking up “regionality” and eye-rolling references to the flavors of “mi abuela.” Then there was the price: $4.50 a taco, or more than three times what you’d pay for a street taco around L.A. Those concerns fade when you pick up your tacos from the wooden counter in the retrocute little shack. Each charred corn tortilla comes packed with a fistful of fillings devised by chef Eduardo Ruiz, and they all serve as a re-

Though pricey at $4.50 a pop, Chicas Tacos’ offerings are hefty and use the kind of high-quality ingredients commonly found in more formal restaurants.

photo by Aliza Sokoloff

photo by Eddie Kim

The tacos at the Fashion District’s Sonoratown feature handmade tortillas and meat grilled over mesquite coals.

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minder of how good tacos can be when pricier ingredients come into play. Intense and meaty pepper steak mingles with crunchy fried potatoes in Chicas’ unorthodox beef taco, while grilled chicken gets a jolt from a crunchy Baja-Mediterranean slaw and little pebbles of salty feta. My favorite may be the shredded pork version, garnished with dark caramelized onions and a sprinkle of crunchy chicharron, or fried pork skin. It’s a platonic ideal for how a modern taco should taste: respectful of the origin, but with a little culinary flair and finessed technique. Then there’s Sonoratown, Jennifer Feltham and Teodoro Diaz-Rodriguez’s Fashion District tribute to Sonoran-style carne asada and handmade flour tortillas. It’s a minimalist closet of a

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space, with a few skinny counters along the walls and a small patio along Eighth Street, just east of Los Angeles Street. A large black charcoal grill sits in the corner of the room behind the counter, expelling sweet mesquite smoke into the air. Feltham and Diaz-Rodriguez are longtime Downtown residents who met while working at chef Josef Centeno’s Baco Mercat. In the blink of an eye, their first restaurant has become one of the Central City’s best. The hand-stretched flour tortillas have a delicate chew, almost like dumpling skins, and the carne asada ranks among the best in Downtown (so does the meaty chorizo, made by the famous “Chori-Man,” Humberto Raygoza). Beyond that, Sonoratown is a blueprint for what smart young independent business owners should be able to pull off in this rapidly changing market: a stripped-down restaurant with a focused concept, no pretention and an inclusive price point — tacos are $2. Chicas and Sonoratown join Guisados and B.S. Taqueria in the royal court of new-school Downtown taquerias. The revolution isn’t finished,

though: Word broke recently that chef Wes Avila, who got his start slinging modern tacos on the sidewalks of the Arts District before winning raves with his food truck, will open a brick-andmortar location in the Arts District. This is great news, as Avila’s Guerilla Tacos is a riot of unconventional flavors (think wild boar and sea urchin) that surprise and ultimately thrill. I do worry about those less-famous taquerias that dot Downtown and provide cheap eats without any glamour, because rising rents inevitably means turnover. The city’s tangled politics of sidewalk vending also need to be resolved, if only so I can buy a clutch of birria tacos from a man on the street without concern that police will arrive in 15 minutes and confiscate everything (something that used to happen to Avila, by the way). The optimism for Downtown’s taco future, though, is obvious. Or maybe that’s just the meaty smoke getting to my head. Sonoratown is at 208 E. Eighth St. or (213) 2905184. Chicas Tacos is at 728 S. Olive St., (213) 8960373 or chicastacos.com. eddie@downtownnews.com

EVENTS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 After 5 at Hauser Wirth & Schimmel 901 E. Third St., (213) 943-1620 or hauserwirthschimmel.com. 5 p.m.: Tonight’s party planner, Moon Uterus, promises “queerly conceptual” celebrations. The evening includes a tour of the galleries with Paul Schimmel.

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Ozomatli’s Back, Storytelling Champs And Some Powerhouse Singers

By Dan Johnson | calendar@downtownnews.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Dance Downtown Disco Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0777 or musiccenter.org. 7 p.m.: It will be difficult to discern who is hustlin’ to free disco music out of love for the genre and who is there merely for the opportunity to scream the chorus to “Disco Inferno” in the middle of a crowded square. L.A. Fight Club 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com. 5 p.m.: Tonight’s boxing bout is a great opportunity to further chastise your 11-year old for letting his hands drop in that embarrassing youth league soccer dust-up last weekend.

At the intersection of musical theater, confessional performance and motherhood, you’ll find Mama Bares, the song-strewn revue that this week ends its mini-run at Little Tokyo’s East West Players. Built into the name is a potent double entendre by which the ultra-protective matron par excellence of the animal world takes on a vulnerable, autobiographical quality. That’s apropos, given that the four veteran Broadway performers — Joan Almedilla (shown here), Ai Goeku Cheung, Deedee Magno Hall and Jennifer Paz — started spitballing ideas for a brutally honest career retrospective during a play date for their children. Shows this week are Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 1-3, at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. At 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 or eastwestplayers.org.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 The Rock ‘N’ Roll Flea Market 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheater.com. 11 a.m.: Beyond a treasure trove of new and used rock memorabilia, maybe you’ll get to meet the vendor convinced he’ll get a grand for a lock of David Cassidy’s hair.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

Four

One

Go ahead, come up with a musical term, any term — chances are it has been applied to Los Angeles’ own Ozomatli. The band has been tabbed as “rock,” praised for its “Latin” strains and applauded for its delves into “hip-hop.” Dig deeper and you’ll find the words “salsa,”“jazz,”“funk” and “reggae” applied to the group. You get the picture, and now you also get to check out Ozo in Downtown Los Angeles. On Tuesday, Aug. 30, the band plugs in at the Belasco Theatre alongside fellow sonic borrowers La Santa Cecilia in an evening guaranteed to merge music forms from all across the sonic spectrum into something that feels like Los Angeles. Tickets were still available at press time. At 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com.

Two

photo courtesy East West Players

Hate him or love him, The Game is back. The Compton-raised Dr. Dre acolyte and onetime G-Unit disciple burst into the mainstream with 2005’s Documentary, in which he expounded on the proper procedure for doing what it is that he does. From ’hood figure to Justin Timberlake collaborator, The Game has lived a fruitful if varied career. On Wednesday, Aug. 31, he’ll be on stage at The Novo at L.A. Live. Take note: The Game has apparently mended fences with 50 Cent, though don’t expect an on-stage tea party. That’s not how The Game rolls. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or thenovodtla.com.

photo courtesy The Broad

Ace Hotel 929 S. Broadway, (213) 623-3233 or acehotel.com. Aug. 31, 8 p.m.: Orchestral augmentation pulls The Echo Society: V into unlikely territory with the likes of Chelsea Wolfe, Clark and many others. Au Lac/Café Fedora 710 W. First St., (213) 617-2533 or aulac.com. Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m.: Marv Robinson does a tribute to Lou Rawls. Belasco 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com. Aug. 30, 8 p.m.: Ozomatli & La Santa Cecilia give canister blasts of musical forms found on the proverbial foundry floor of L.A. sound. Sept. 3, 10 p.m.: We were going to research Masterbeat Presents: Hard Labor, but then we remembered Edward Snowden’s advice not to access anything on the Internet we might regret the entire world knowing about. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Aug. 29: Los Angeles Jazz Collective Residency. Aug. 30: TCD Trio. Aug. 31: New West Guitar Group. Sept. 1: John Beasley’s Monkestra. Sept. 2: See if you can decipher the music from Codes. Sept. 3: Lee Morgan Tribute. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Aug. 29: Knox Hamilton are soon coming to an 18-25-yearold-oriented Scion ad near you! Aug. 30: Paul Bergmann sounds like a tripped-out John Phillips with a more wholesome home life. Aug. 31: Fun game for tonight’s audience: See if you can make Phebe Starr crack a smile. Sept. 1: Andy Frasco and the U.N. do not appear to be international. Sept. 2: Papa Residency is a weekly show from a band named Papa. Go ahead, yell “Who’s your daddy?” again and again and again. Sept. 3: The Flamin’ Groovies are back mostly to satisfy their vintage haircuts. Caña 714 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 745-7090 or 213dthospitality.com. Aug. 30: Sitara Son. Aug. 31: Bobby Matos. Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com. Aug. 29: Actually, Skip Spiros & His 10 Piece Jazz Band contend

August 29, 2016

photo by Jon Coulthard

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photo courtesy The Moth

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Are you fatally attracted to bright sources of light, and do you lust for cotton and other tasty fabrics? If so, wrong moth. Of much more interest is this week’s Moth Grandslam happening at The Regent. Not only is it a master blast of stand-up storytelling that reveals catastrophically endearing humanity, so too is it the culminating contest in a grand sequence of Moth events. On Monday, Aug. 29, at 8 p.m., 10 Moth champions return to duke it out. Who will reveal the most about his or her childhood? Who needs years of unqualified psychotherapy? Who is damaged in all the same ways you are? Come and find out. At 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheater.com.

All things Cindy Sherman are in high regard at The Broad right now as the artist’s Imitation of Life exhibit continues. In support of Sherman’s march toward even bigger crowds comes another installment of the “Doll Parts” film series. On Thursday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m., cinemaphiles can bask in all six minutes of Mathias Muller’s 1990 TV screen/16mm combo Home Stories. That’s an appetizer before the 80 minutes of Ida Lupino’s intriguingly titled 1953 feature The Bigamist. Tickets run 12 bones and provide access to all of The Broad’s galleries. At 221 S. Grand Ave., (213) 232-6200 or thebroad.org.

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

August 29, 2016

Downtown News 13

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that size does matter. Aug. 30: Bootleg Sunshine picked a band name with an interesting if inconvenient acronym. Aug. 31: Pretty Polly does not want a cracker, you savages. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Sept. 2: And the award for best paradoxically hashtagged event name goes to #Keepitpure. Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. Aug. 29, 7:30 p.m.: One time Black Crowes co-founder Rich Robinson has at least one carpet-print guitar strap. Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m.: R&B singer Corinne Bailey Rae has as many Grammy Awards as you do liens on your home (the answer is two). Ham & Eggs Tavern 433 W. Eighth St., (213) 891-6939 or hamandeggstavern.com. Sept. 2: The Anti-Job, Ruby-Throated and Blackberry Tongue. Sept. 3: Jurassic Shark, Moondreamzzz, Justus Profit and Extra Spooky. Las Perlas 107 E. Sixth St., (213) 988-8355 or 213dthospitality.com. Aug. 30: Bijon Watson’s Latin Jazz Syndicate. Aug. 31: La Victoria. Orpheum Theatre 842 Broadway, (877) 677-4386 or laorpheum.com. Aug. 30, 8 p.m.: Yes commands you to “shake yourself — you’re every move you make.” Duly noted. Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or theredwoodbar.com. Aug. 30: Ryman Rails. Aug. 31: Nato Coles & The BDB and The Plurals. The Novo 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or thenovodtla.com. Aug. 31, 8 p.m.: The Game would prefer you not know that he lives in Calabasas. Sept. 1, 8 p.m.: Ja Rule & Ashanti are back touring together as if the past 11 years never happened. Sept. 2, 8 p.m.: As I plan on telling my grandkids, “Back in 2004 (pronounced ‘twentyaught-four’) Bush the Second was chancellor and people cared about Killswitch Engage.” Sept. 3, 8 p.m.: Soulection promises the Sound of Tomorrow, which is hopefully not an AOL dial-up tone. Sept. 4, 7 p.m.: After months of being sworn to secrecy, we can finally confirm that Show Me the Money Season 5 features Kush Gill and Mad Clown. The Regent 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheater.com. Aug. 29: The Moth Grandslam is a big night of storytelling. Aug. 31: Red Bull would love for you to come on down and see Tortoise, a band faster than advertised. Sept. 2: Anyone who would think to name an event “The Biggest ’90s Party Ever” clearly does not remember the ’90s, which were, in fact, the biggest ’90s party ever. Sept. 3: Havana hip-hop from Orishas. Resident 428 S. Hewitt St. or (323) 316-5311 or residentdtla.com. Aug. 30: With You: A Warm Summer’s Night. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la. Aug. 29: Michael Starr and the Yard Dogs, or MSYD to those who have taken the oath of allegiance. Aug. 30: The Makers would love to see audience members with “The Makers” face tattoos. Aug. 31: Rick Taub’s Midnight Blues Review would like to remind you that speaking loudly about your Roth IRA, like smoking, is best done outside in a soundproof car. The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org. Aug. 31: The Rosewaters, Kief Season, No Chill and Pat & Ty. Sept. 1: Injury Reserve. Teragram Ballroom 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com. Sept. 1, 8 p.m.: By delightful coincidence, swing band revivalists Squirrel Nut Zippers also have a single named “Hell.” Sept. 3, 8 p.m.: Russian Circles sound like the Explosions in the Sky of post-metal.

FILM

Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com. See website for schedule. IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org. Journey to Space 3D brings audience members along on an E-ticket ride of exploration to the red planet. Ewan McGregor is the voice of Humpback Whales 3D. Not that the whales aren’t significant enough in their own right, but Obi-Wan narrating means we’re dealing with serious power brokers here. Power brokers who know a good whale story when they see it. Continued on next page

NISSAN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

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TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

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2 or more available, model #12016 Lease 36 mo - $1,999 due at signing, excl. first mo. payment, taxes, title and license. No security deposit required. Valid only when finances through Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation. Subject to residency restrictions and availability to well-qualified lessess. $16,645 MSRP incl. destination charge. Incl. a $595 non-refundable acquisition fee. $0.15 per mi. over 12k miles per year. Must take from new dealer stock. See dealer for details. Exp. 9/6/16

$12,999 2014 Nissan Sentra S ............................ $14,999 Certified, CARFAX 1-Owner, Keyless Entry. N162009-1/223772 2012 Nissan Rogue S ............................. $16,499 CARFAX – Clean Title, MP3, Keyless Entry. N160136-1/272749 2011 Nissan Altima ............................... CARFAX-Clean, Auto Keyless Ent/Start. N160926-1/173496

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2016 Prius Two Liftback, Model #1223 1.8L 4-Cyl Hybrid with FE, CF Equipment. All New Toyotas come with no cost maintenance plan w/roadside asst. On approved credit. $80 doc. fee. Security deposit waived. Plus tax and license. Individual dealer prices vary. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excess wear and tear, and pays $0.15 per mile for all mileage over 12,000 miles per year. Lessee to pay $ 229 a month for 36 months with $ 1999 drive-off. Payment reflects $500 lease cash applied from Toyota Financial Services. Payment may vary depending on model, equipment choice, and final transaction price. Lease cash, if advertised, is only valid in combination with lease program through TFS. Must be leased from new car dealer stock by 9/6/16.

$14,288 2011 Avalon Limited .............................. $21,588 Black/Light Gray, Auto, 4 Dr. TU1642/388014 2014 Tundra LTD ..................................... $36,988 Certified, White/Gray, Auto, Double Cab. TU1659/157770 2012 Prius C Two ..................................... Certified, Blue/Gray, Hatchback. T154495-1/000579

VOLKSWAGEN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

DOWNTOWN L.A. MOTORS MERCEDES BENZ

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$0 DOWN Lease Deals!

$13,999 2015 Ford Fusion SE ........................... $14,399 Gray, FWD, 6 Speed Auto, 1 Owner. ZV3921/207551 2015 VW e-Golf SEL Premium ............. VW Certified, Electric, Auto, Beige w/Leatherette. V161242-1/902021 $21,699 CARSON NISSAN 2014 VW Jetta Sedan SE ..................... Silver/Blk, Turbo, 6 Speed Auto w/OD. ZV3895/225492

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$9,888 2011 Buick Lacross Sedan CXL ........... $14,888 Leather Seats, Alloy Wheels, On Star. CU2366P/331382 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS ..... $20,888 4WD, 1-Owner, Excellent Condition. CU2334P/306597 FELIX CHEVROLET 2013 Nissan Leaf ................................... Low Mi, Charger Pkg, Rearview Monitor. CU2332P/405730

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Available only to qualified customers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Not everyone wil qualify. MSRP of $35,375 less the suggested dealer contribution resulting in a total gross capitalized cost of $33,376. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect your actual lease payment. Includes Destination Charge and Premium 1 Package. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep and additional options. Total monthly payments equal $10,764. Cash due at signing includes $2,549 capitalized cost reduction, $795 acquisition fee and first month’s lease payment of $299. No security deposit required. Total payments equal $14,108. Exp. 9/6/16.

$22,980 2015 Mercedes GLK350 ......................... $29,990 7k miles only, 1.99% APR Available. 9044L/FG431007 2014 Mercedes E350 .............................. Certified, Prem Pkg1, Nav Syst, 2 Yr Free Maint. 8988C/EA875284 $34,981 AUDI OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 2013 Mercedes C250 ............................. Certified, Sport Pkg, 99% APR Available. 8929C/DA809334

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2 Available, Model #13116: C160574/177170. C160314/317165 Close end lease payment plus tax for 36 months on above average approved credit. Payment net of Lease Cash Rebate $1,650 and Holiday Bonus Cash Rebate $500. $2,999 cash or trade equity plus tax, license and registration fees due at lease signing. No security deposit. 12,000 miles per year, 36k total miles with 15 cents per mile thereafter. Subject to availability and changes for excess wear and tear. Not all lessees may qualify. Higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. Offer Expires 9/6/16

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*Lease for $169 + tax per month for 36 months. Based on MSRP of $19,870 for Automatic Transmission. Residual Value $10,332.40 $6,084 total of payments. Security Deposit Waived. $0 down Excludes: First Payment, $80 Documentation Fee, Sales Tax, Title and License Fee. Based on 30,000 total miles, with 20¢ per excess mile. Closed-end lease offered on approved above average credit with VCI, excludes TDI and Hybrid Models. One (1) at this offer GM271966 **0% Available on 0-60 month terms. On approved tier 1 credit. Not all buyers will qualify. 0% may not be combinable with other offers. ***Offers include $1,000 Volkswagen Bonus** and $500 Labor Day Bonus*** both not available for cash. Offer Expires 9/06/16

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36 month lease. $2,499 due at signing. 7,500 miles per year. $0.25/mile over for miles driven in excess of 22,500. Must qualify for Audi loyalty rebate or conquest rebate. Excludes tax, title, license, registration, options and fees. $0 security deposit. G1067899. Offer ends 9/6/16.

$29,895 2014 Audi TT Quattro .......................... $32,895 Certified, Navi, Lo Mi. E1000461/ZA11310 2013 Audi S4 Quattro .......................... $38,895 Sprt Pac, Blk/Blk, Adp Sus. DA080663/ZA11328 PORSCHE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 2012 Audi A6 3.0 Quattro ................... Prestige, 53k Mi, and More. CN050608/ZA11312-1

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Stock#P16874 $3,999 Down Payment. 39 months, 10k miles per year, VIN#GKA37852, residual $42,504.80, 1 at this price. Down payment excludes tax, dmv fees, $995 Bank Acquisition fee, first payment and document fees. Rates based on approved Tier 1 credit through Porsche Financial Services

$7,995 2012 Nissan Versa .................................. $9,995 Auto, Pwr Doors, Pwr Locks. F17859-1/885278 2014 MINI Cooper Clubman ................. $15,995 Orange/Black, Auto, 2 Dr Wagon. UC2298R/492882

2013 Panamera Platinum Ed. ..............

2014 Chevy Spark ..................................... Auto, Pwr Doors, Pwr Locks. F17597-1/443513

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2013 Cayenne Turbo ............................. Blk/Umb, CPO, 63K Mi, Prem. Plus, 21” Whls. ZP2030M/A90208

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TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

14 Downtown News Continued from previous page Regal Cinemas LA Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive.com/movies. Through Aug. 31: Don’t Breathe (11:50 a.m., 12:30, 2:10, 3, 4:30, 5:30, 7, 8, 9:30 and 10:50 p.m.); Hands of Stone (1:40, 4:40, 7:40 and 10:30 p.m.); Mechanic: Resurrection (12, 2:30, 5, 7:30 and 10:10 p.m.); Southside With You (11:55 a.m., 2:20, 4:50, 7:20 and 10 p.m.); Ben-Hur (12:45 and 6:50 p.m.); BenHur 3D (3:50 and 9:50 p.m.); Kubo and the Two Strings (1 and 6:30 p.m.); Kubo and the Two Strings 3D (3:45 and 9:20 p.m.); War Dogs (12:40, 3:40, 6:40 and 9:40 p.m.); Hell or High Water (12:05, 2:40, 5:20, 8:10 and 10:55 p.m.); Pete’s Dragon

LAST WEEKS ANSWERS

(12:20, 3:30, 6:20 and 9 p.m.); Sausage Party (12:55, 3:20, 5:40, 8:20 and 10:40 p.m.); Suicide Squad (1:10, 4:20, 7:50 and 11 p.m.); Jason Bourne (12:10, 3:10, 6:10 and 9:10 p.m.).

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE

Bob Baker’s Sketchbook Revue Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. Sept. 3-4, 2:30 p.m.: The Sketchbook Revue promises a cast of marionettes that will alternately delight and terrify. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0777 or

5 OFF $

LUNCH

SPECIAL

August 29, 2016

musiccenter.org. Aug. 30-Sept. 3, 8 p.m. and Sept. 4, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: Phylicia Rashad directs Greg Bryan, Keith David and Lillias White in a theatrical biography of a tremendously forceful voice of American roots music, Ma Rainey. It’s another Taper tackling of August Wilson. The show is in previews this week. Through Oct. 16. Mama Bares East West Players, 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 or eastwestplayers.org. Sept. 1-3, 8 p.m., Sept. 3, 2 and 8 p.m. and Sept. 4, 2 p.m.: Broadway comes to Little Tokyo in this musical revue featuring Joan Almedilla, Ai Goeku Cheung, Deedee Magna Hall and Jennifer Paz.

MORE LISTINGS@

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EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT

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LEGAL NAME CHANGE SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME NO. ES020600 Petitioner (name of each) Brian Allen, 5921 Rhodes Ave., Valley Village, CA, 91607, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: BRIAN ALLEN Proposed name: BRIAN ATKINSON 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 objec-

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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. tion 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: 09/30/2016 Time: 8:30AM Dept.: NCB-A The address of the court is 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA, 91502. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in LA DOWNTOWN NEWS, 1264 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county. Prepared by: Sherri R. Carter, Executive Office/Clerk. Superior Court North Central District 300 East Olive Avenue Burbank, CA 91502 Date: June 10, 2016 Hon. Mary Thornton House Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 08/15, 08/22, 08/29, and 09/05/2016. LEGAL NOTICE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR NOTICE OF DIVIDED PUBLICATION OF THE PROPERTY TAX-DEFAULT LIST (DELINQUENT LIST) Made pursuant to Section 3371, Revenue and Taxation Code Pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code Sections 3381 through 3385, the Notice of Power to Sell TaxDefaulted Property in and for Los Angeles County, State of California, has been divided and distributed to various newspapers of general circulation published in the County. A portion of the list appears in each of such newspapers.

I, Joseph Kelly, County of Los Angeles Tax Collector, State of California, certify that:

COLLECTOR COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Notice is hereby given that the real properties listed below were declared to be in tax default at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2014, by operation of law. The declaration of default was due to nonpayment of the total amount due for the taxes, assessments, and other charges levied in the 201314 Tax Year that were a lien on the listed real property. Nonresidential commercial property and property upon which there is a recorded nuisance abatement lien shall be Subject to the Tax Collector’s Power to Sell after three years of defaulted taxes. Therefore, if the 2013-14 taxes remain defaulted after June 30, 2017, the property will become Subject to the Tax Collector’s Power to Sell and eligible for sale at the County’s public auction in 2018. All other property that has defaulted taxes after June 30, 2019, will become Subject to the Tax Collector’s Power to Sell and eligible for sale at the County’s public auction in 2020. The name of the assessee and the total tax, which was due on June 30, 2014, for the 2013-14 Tax Year, is shown opposite the parcel number. Tax-defaulted real property may be redeemed by payment of all unpaid taxes and assessments, together with the additional penalties and fees as prescribed by law, or it may be paid under an installment plan of redemption if initiated prior to the property becoming subject to the Tax Collector’s power to sell.

Assessees/taxpayers, who have disposed of real property after January 1, 2013, may find their names listed because a change in ownership has not been reflected yet on the assessment roll.

All information concerning redemption of tax-defaulted property will be furnished, upon request, by Joseph Kelly, Treasurer and Tax Collector at 225 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, California 90012, 1 (888) 807-2111 or 1 (213) 9742111. I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed at Los Angeles, California, on August 19, 2016.

JOSEPH KELLY TREASURER AND TAX

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Downtown News 15

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ASSESSOR’S IDENTIFICATION NUMBERING SYSTEM EXPLANATION The Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN), when used to describe property in this list, refers to the Assessor’s map book, the map page, the block on the map (if applicable), and the individual parcel on the map page or in the block. The Assessor’s maps and further explanation of the parcel numbering system are available at the Office of the Assessor. The following property tax defaulted on July 1, 2014, for the taxes, assessments, and other charges for the fiscal year 2013-14: LISTED BELOW ARE PROPERTIES THAT DEFAULTED IN 2014 FOR TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND 0THER CHARGES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014. AMOUNT OF DELINQUENCY AS OF THIS PUBLICATION IS LISTED BELOW. ECHEAGARAY,VICTORIA L SITUS 800 W 1ST ST APT 0807 LOS ANGELES CA 90012-2460 5151-027-036

$3,106.57 GARCIA,WALTER AND IRENE 5538-005-019 $713.51 LOCKWOOD INVESTORS LLC SITUS 4411 LOCKWOOD AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90029-2757 5539-004-031 $39,168.49 SITUS 4421 LOCKWOOD AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90029-2758 5539-004-032 $39,104.66 SIMANIAN,DAVID CO TR BBJ TRUST SITUS 4401 MELROSE AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90029-2513 5538-015-028 $49,382.30

SPENSLEY,NINA TR SPENSLEY FAMILY TRUST AND SPENSLEY,NINA SITUS 731 N HARVARD BLVD LOS ANGELES CA 90029-3313 5535-030-002 $19,993.26 SUEYOSHI,HIDEKO SITUS 609 N VIRGIL AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90004-2317 5539-025-013 $2,672.79 WOO,HELEN D ET AL WOO,NORMAN P SITUS 831 N HELIOTROPE DR LOS ANGELES CA 90029-2521 5538-017-024 $22,264.28

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LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF LOS ANGELES ENVIRONMENTAL NOTICE. Notice is hereby given to the general public of the availability for public review and comment on the Universal Waste Systems, Inc., 24th Street Transfer Station Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Notice of the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Local Enforcement Agency’s Intent to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) on the following project: The proposed project entails construction of a one-story, 30,000 square foot (sf) solid waste transfer station building and application for a 1,000 ton per day (TPD) Solid Waste Facility Permit (SWFP) on approximately 1.3 acres located at 2440-2460 E. 24th Street and 2465 E. 25th Street in the City of Los Angeles. The project site is currently used for parking company refuse collection vehicles, compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling of those vehicles, vehicle maintenance, offices, and operation of a 150 TPD Direct Transfer Facility (DTF) solid waste facility (reference SWFP 19-AR-1251) and a 15 TPD Limited Volume Transfer Operation (LVTO) solid waste facility (reference SWFP 19-AR-1253). The existing solid waste facility permits will be combined into the new 1,000 TPD permit. The transfer station building will include food waste processing equipment, a covered, at-grade, load-out area, push-walls, a tipping area which can accommodate multiple collection vehicles, and separate ingress/egress points for collection and transfer trucks. A 45-foot long automated truck scale, offices, a break room, restrooms, and parking are also proposed. Printed copies of the IS/MND are available for review at the following locations: City of Los Angeles Local Enforcement Agency, 3550 Wilshire Blvd, 18th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010, and the Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library, 803 Spence Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023 tele. (323) 268-4710. Comments on the IS/MND may be mailed to: City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Local Enforcement Agency, 3550 Wilshire Blvd., 18th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010, Attn: Jose Gutierrez, LEA Program Supervisor, or sent via email to jose. gutierrez@lacity.org. The review and comment period will end on September 30, 2016. Questions may be directed to Jose Gutierrez, LEA Program Supervisor at (213) 252-3348.

Freedom Day 2016 is September 8th (Thursday). Environdental will be offering two FREE packages for active or retired members of the military on that day: 1. Exam, Xrays and Prophy (Dental Cleaning) or 2. Limited Exam, Xray if needed and 1 Filling

Flip through the DT News print edition on your mobile device, with more than 5 years of past issues available!

We are asking that those who wish to take advantage of these offers call our office at 213-534-6856 to schedule an appointment. We are also asking that military members bring a valid military ID with them to the office on the day of the event.

Matthew a. Caligiuri, DDS • 740 S. Olive St., #105, Downtown L.A. 213.534.6856 • environdentalla.com

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

16 Downtown News

August 29, 2016

DWP, 5

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.

Re Ne no wl va y te d

255 GRAND

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

On-site: ~ Dry Cleaners / Dental Office / Restaurants Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove,Microwave & Dishwasher (most units) ~ Central Air Conditioning & Heating ~ Balconies (most units)

PROMENADE TOWERS

123 South Figueroa Street Leasing Information 213 617 3777 www.THEPROMENADETOWERS.com Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Pool / Spa / BBQ Grills ~ Fitness Center ~ Covered Parking

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

On-Site: ~ Convenience Store / Beauty Salon

MUSEUM TOWER

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

TOWERS

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

T H E

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knowing it would lead to change. Instead, she’s got her afternoons free to see matinees of Suicide Squad and Sausage Party. It’s hard to see this timing as coincidence. Does Edwards’ departure mean she didn’t buy in to the ballot measure? Did it mean she was sick of the job stress past GMs had cited? Do I have to keep inserting questions into this column? Meet the Bruiser As we look to the future, the big issue is whether Wright can succeed. That prompts yet another question: Can he keep his City Hall bosses smiling and get along with D’Arcy? The labor head is a political bruiser, and makes no qualms about it. Consider: In the February 2003 edition of The Surge, an online newsletter, D’Arcy cheerfully wrote, “In the time-honored and generally successful tradition of organized labor, we support our political friends and oppose our foes at every opportunity.” A few paragraphs below that Trump-like line, he wrote of tangles with former Mayor Richard Riordan and the importance of having enough juice with council members to overturn a mayoral veto. “That’s when we had to rely on a ‘blocking coalition’ of council members who saw things our way,” he wrote. The blocking allusion is fitting, as D’Arcy recently fiercely fought attempts by city leaders to audit a pair of controversial DWP training trusts. D’Arcy, who negotiates DWP contracts with the city every few years, has seen his power grow in part because of the executive churn. He’s been the embodiment of the Woody Allen line that 80% of success in life is just showing up — he’s shown up for 24 years, and when department leaders are constantly recycled, it’s the union boss who knows everything and has a sense of history and consistency. And yes, I get 50 points for comparing D’Arcy to Woody Allen. Fictional scoring aside, there’s a more important issue concerning reform — that’s whether the November ballot measure, if it passes, will lead to the type of executive consistency that alters the status quo. There have long been complaints that the mayor and the City Council micro-manage the DWP. It’s an unenviable situation: You’re the boss of a massive utility, but have to jump through hoops whenever the politicians, who may know very little about water or power, raise a ruckus. Add in that D’Arcy’s posse also contributes to council campaigns and things get hella sticky. Department GMs also deal with distressing minutiae. During a recent address to the Los Angeles Current Affairs Forum, Edwards stated, “You hire a GM, you really should invest in them the ability to buy electrical tape. I have four layers of approval for that.” The proposed reforms would make some spending easier and also streamline hiring practices. By most accounts those are good things. Whether Wright will be empowered is another matter. The ballot measure would expand the DWP Commission, the appointed panel that also oversees the department, from five to seven people, and while this is supposedly to increase diversity, it’s a squishy argument — the Los Angeles Police Commission is one of many panels with five people, and no one is asking for it to grow. Meanwhile, it looks like there will still be plenty of opportunity for council and mayoral meddling. It remains the mayor, not the board, who would ultimately select the GM, and the mayor and other city leaders, not the GM, would continue to negotiate contracts with the union. There are arguments for this set-up. However, this still leaves the GM with relatively limited power. Imagine if the head of, say, GM, wasn’t in charge of the most important happenings at the automaker. Maybe, in examining the top-level turnover, one could conclude that the problem lies not with the people who have been hired, but rather the system itself. The department has had a string of well-regarded executives, including Edwards, Ron Nichols, Austin Beutner and Ron Deaton. Yet none of them stuck around very long — perhaps there’s a reason they keep leaving. Imagine if the city had to find a new police or fire chief every three years. That would hobble consistency at those departments. Real change requires a strong leader, and a strong leader must be someone who sticks around a while and has the backing and autonomy to do the job. Right now, that doesn’t seem to exist at the DWP. regardie@downtownnews.com