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Making Sense of Murals | 6 Downtown Bars Got Games | 9

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 I VOL. 43 I #35

MAKING IT BIG ON BROADWAY Councilman José Huizar’s Ambitious Plan Hits a Pedestrian-Friendly Milestone

photos by Gary Leonard

SEE PAGE 7

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2 Downtown News

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AROUND TOWN

Hall of Justice to Open Oct. 8

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ne of Downtown’s most anticipated projects has an opening date. The 1925 Hall of Justice, at 211 W. Temple St., has been vacant since being severely damaged in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. After a lengthy $234 million renovation, the Civic Center building will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 8. A big group of county officials, including District Attorney Jackie Lacey and several Board of Supervisors members, will be on hand. The building will house the District Attorney’s office and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Although the ceremony will take place in just over a month, the Hall of Justice likely won’t start operating in full until early 2015, according to Kerjon Lee of the county Department of Public Works. In addition to the offices, the Hall of Justice will feature a gift shop and a display of some historic elements from the structure, including a cell block that once held Charles Manson.

Parking Program Success

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he city Department of Transportation launched L.A. Express Park in Downtown in 2012, hoping to see whether using sensors to track metered parking and adjust pricing could ease congestion while making transit more efficient. Two years later, it appears the effort, launched as a pilot program, is working: Parking occupancy is up and city parking revenue has

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS increased by 2.5%, despite average prices dropping, Express Park project manager Peer Ghent told KCET.com. The program tracked 6,000 street spaces and 7,500 stalls in city-owned parking lots and adjusted meter pricing based on demand. The average price before the program was $1.95 an hour, according to city data, but that figure has fallen to $1.76 an hour.

September 1, 2014

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Chinatown Walking Risks

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f you’ve walked around Chinatown only to be alarmed by a speeding car, possibly off the 110 Freeway, you’re not alone: A new analysis by the Asian & Pacific Islander Obesity Prevention Alliance suggests that pedestrians and cyclists face a higher-than-average risk of injury from reckless drivers in Chinatown. The key finding is that 76% of drivers were declared to be at fault in collisions with pedestrians in Chinatown. That is 10% higher than the average for Los Angeles County, according to the study. In addition, surveys conducted by the group show that nearly half the respondents said they experienced a near-accident with a car while walking in Chinatown. Predictably, many of the collisions happen at major intersections, including along Alameda Street, Broadway and Hill Street, which is where cars leaving the southbound 110 Freeway enter the community.

A Family Affair

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ngelus Plaza is the largest senior citizens’ complex in the United States. This week, it aims to bring families together. From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, the facility at 255 S. Hill St. will hold the inaugural Kinship Day. The event, which is free and open to the public, will

Why does this little burger stand attract over a million people a year?

The 14th Annual Senior Talent Show

Angelus Plaza

feature carnival games, activity booths for children and adults, a Zumba demonstration, food vendors and free family portraits. Free child safety and senior medical alert cards will also be available and members of the LAPD and Los Angeles Fire Department will be on hand. The event is sponsored by Good Samaritan Hospital. Additional information and family portrait reservations are at (213) 623-4352 ext. 317.

age and fight a disease. The national nonprofit Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which raises money to combat childhood cancer, will set up at The Wall, a farmer’s market in the Flower District, every Saturday in September. From 9 a.m.-2 p.m. starting Sept. 6, customers can sample lemonade made from locally grown fruit, and enjoy lemon-infused treats. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation grew out of a front yard lemonade stand that 4-year-old cancer patient Alexandra Scott started in 2000. The foundation has raised more than $75 million. Alex died in 2004. The Wall is on Wall between Seventh and Eighth streets.

Lemonade for a Cause

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Downtown News 3

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EDITORIALS

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September 1, 2014

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

An Arcade Comeback Pushes For the Unique

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n the past few years, Joseph Hellen has been one of the key figures in helping revive the Historic Core. The octogenarian businessman, who lives most of the year in Australia, has spent tens of millions of dollars turning a trio of aged and empty office buildings into modern residences. Today the Spring Arcade, Jewelry Trades and Chester Williams buildings house approximately 300 apartments. This has resulted in a large number of residents who activate the streets of Downtown Los Angeles. Now, Hellen and his company Downtown Management are taking a step that may ultimately prove even more important to the growing community: They are reviving the arcade portion of the Spring Arcade, and are transforming a former swap meet into what could be one of the most exciting dining destinations in Downtown. It’s a significant step, and one that we enthusiastically applaud. While there are plenty of potential pitfalls, chief among them creating a high-quality lineup and ensuring that early arrivals can survive until there is consistent foot traffic, this is a positive development. It’s the kind of big-vision thinking that we hope to see more of as Downtown evolves. Los Angeles Downtown News last week wrote about the transformation of the arcade, where three food spots have opened and at least five more are on the way. The process is slow and steady. It is also intriguing. At a time when national chains are rushing into the area, believing it’s a place to turn a profit, Downtown Management’s tenants are largely independent operations (the closest thing to a brand name is the convenience store Famima). It’s likely that, if he wanted, Hellen could lure a batch of unspectacular cookie cutter businesses. It seems a quicker way to generate rental income, and we’re grateful he’s not taking that path. Instead, there’s a push for the unique, and if this continues, the collective whole will truly be special. Already there is a crepes shop, Crepes Sans Frontieres, and the artisan gelato business Gelateria Uli. The biggest draw is also the most recent addition — heralded Boyle Heights-based taco shop Guisados opened in the Spring Arcade in August. This is something of a mini-trend in Downtown. The Grand Central Market is gaining attention for a roster of high-quality, mega-hip food stands, and people are lining up there for Wexler’s Deli, Eggslut and other businesses. In the Arts District, there may be a similar effort, with a collection of dining spots that will be part of the One Santa Fe complex. Still, the Spring Arcade is a different animal. It lacks the food background of Grand Central Market and, in fact, needs a full transformation from a place where vendors previously sold cheap socks, electronics and other goods. It may be years until the Spring Arcade becomes all of what Hellen hopes, but great strides have already been taken. There are now people strolling through the arcade connecting Broadway and Spring Street, sampling some new eats. We expect that soon bigger crowds will be doing the same thing.

Community Partnership Needed To Halt Drug Sales Outside Rite Aid

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he Historic Core is a caring, intimate community. The collection of old buildings gives the area a look and feel that no neighborhood in Los Angeles can rival, and the growing roster of independent retailers and eateries makes it a unique place to dine, shop and hang out. Given all that is happening, it is no surprise that every new apartment building that opens in the district quickly fills with residents. The neighborhood also faces challenges, among them its proximity to Skid Row. This gives the area a noticeable homeless population. That is something many local stakeholders handle with few complaints. It’s another, related issue that is more troubling: The drug dealers who prey on the homeless and the non-homeless of Skid Row, and who sell in that community and the Historic Core. It’s not acceptable in either location. Dealing is a particular and persistent problem in front of the Rite Aid at Fifth Street and Broadway. There, sales of Oxycontin and other prescription pills happen with impunity. Although the quick suggestion might be to deploy extra police to the intersection, that’s not a viable long-term solution. After all, the police have to be in many places in Downtown. If too many resources are dedicated to one corner, the dealers will just move elsewhere. The cops are only one part of the answer. Instead, changing the status quo will require a true community partnership, which could be a challenge given that some of the entities that need to be involved appear to distrust each other. Still, the only way to improve the corner is for Rite Aid management, area leaders and safety officials to commit to working together for the long haul. One of the most troubling aspects of the situation is that drug sales here are an old problem. As Los Angeles Downtown News wrote last week, a proliferation of sales led to a police crackdown in late 2012. At least 25 people were arrested in a series of undercover operations. Things improved in the short term. However, they have worsened again, and those who frequent the area know that people walking by the drugstore may be offered Oxycontin, other pills or illegal narcotics. There’s a complicating factor here: the behavior of Rite Aid management. Some stakeholders, including the office of 14th District City Councilman José Huizar, charge that those who operate the store have been poor community partners, and that a lack of atten-

tion to permits and conditions in front of the Rite Aid have harmed the neighborhood. Others defend Rite Aid, saying the store shouldn’t bear the brunt of the burden, and that drug dealing on the corner happened well before Rite Aid arrived in 2007. The bigger problem, they maintain, is that this section of Fifth Street is a path people use when going to Skid Row to buy drugs. There is something to the latter argument. However, Rite Aid does not appear to be without fault, and it is fair to ask if management is doing everything possible to be a good neighbor. Numerous Historic Core representatives said the store had been staying open later than its permitted closing time of 10 p.m., and that alcohol sales had continued past that hour. While a Rite Aid official would not discuss alcohol sales, she told Downtown News that the store is now in compliance with all requirements. Additionally, a sign recently posted at the store notes that, as of July 6, alcohol sales won’t be allowed after 10 p.m. Huizar’s office has been particularly outspoken. In April, the councilman wrote to the city Zoning Administrator questioning the store’s alcohol sales. In last week’s Downtown News article, Huizar’s spokesman Rick Coca said, “The store has turned a blind eye to its contributions to problems that are so obvious to everyone else.” While we can’t say for sure where Rite Aid has lagged, the criticism indicates that store management can do more for the neighborhood. That’s not a lot to ask. In fact, it’s the same thing we ask of every other business and resident. Given the criticism, we think Rite Aid management should be at the forefront of working to improve the area. We urge the store’s leadership team, and its corporate parent, to cooperate with Huizar’s office, the police and the local business improvement district. Rite Aid security should be trained in how to address illegal activity occurring in front of the business. Of course, store security officers are not police, and they should not put themselves or their customers in danger. However, Rite Aid and others in the area could learn from the cooperation among building managers on Bunker Hill, where security guards from multiple locations patrol the perimeters of their buildings and their blocks every hour. Changing the status quo won’t be quick or easy. Rather, it will require an enduring community partnership. That has to start now.


September 1, 2014

Downtown News 5

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Hospital to Pay $700,000 to Settle Skid Row Dumping Case Feuer Continues Crackdown and Sets Up Tip Line to Report Incidents By Jon Regardie lendale Adventist Medical Center will pay $700,000 to settle an investigation into multiple instances of alleged patient dumping in Skid Row, City Attorney Mike Feuer announced last week. It was the third settlement with a hospital for a dumping case this year, and the largest payout, eclipsing a $500,000 settlement announced in May. In revealing the agreement on Wednesday, Aug. 27, Feuer said his office will continue to work with area hospitals on adopting a series of protocols to discharge homeless patients. He also said that a tip line has been set up allowing people to call in suspected cases of dumping, and flyers with the number will be distributed throughout Skid Row. “Patient dumping disgusts me,” said a softspoken yet clearly angry Feuer during a press conference on the eighth floor of City Hall East. “Every discharged patient, whether they are homeless or housed, deserves the right to recuperate with dignity.” Though the legal settlement precluded him from providing details about the case, Feuer said the investigation was into more than one incident of dumping. At least one of those occurred in June, he said. He added that the investigation began after his office received a tip from a homeless services provider. Assistant City Attorney Tina Hess and Deputy City Attorney Will Pirkey prosecuted the case. Feuer said the hospital cooperated during the investigation. In a prepared statement,

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Glendale Adventist denied any wrongdoing. Still, in agreeing to the settlement the hospital will pay $500,000 in penalties, and $100,000 will go to reimburse the city attorney’s office for its investigation. The hospital will also donate $100,000 to homeless services provider L.A. Family Housing. “Glendale Adventist Medical Center has always been deeply committed to providing appropriate discharge options to all patients and we have adjusted our policies to further align with the City of Los Angeles’ specific protocols for the discharge of homeless patients,” said Kevin Roberts, CEO of Glendale Adventist, in the statement. The city attorney’s office has already been working with the California Hospital Association on discharge protocols, and Feuer said that Pirkey has held training sessions with dozens of representatives of regional hospitals on the matter. Feuer said that his office had not worked with Glendale Adventist on the issue before the current investigation. While the discharge protocols run 10 pages, Feuer said they boil down to never sending a patient to Skid Row unless the patient and a service provider have agreed on a plan for follow-up care. Feuer also announced the creation of the tip line, (213) 978-8340, and said that his office will “blanket” Skid Row with flyers bearing the number. He said it will be distributed to homeless services providers as well as individuals. “Any member of the public and any service provider, any individual can call,” he said. “Our of-

City Attorney Mike Feuer last week announced the third settlement with a hospital this year for allegedly dumping discharged homeless patients in Skid Row.

photo by Gary Leonard

fice is going to pursue every lead, every allegation that emerges from contacts to this number.” Patient dumping is not a new issue in Downtown Los Angeles. Although the practice may have been occurring for decades, it erupted into the mainstream in 2005 when Andy Smith, then the captain of LAPD’s Central Division, spoke out after witnessing two sheriff’s deputies take an apparently homeless man out of a squad car on Skid Row. Smith questioned the officers and learned that the man had been picked up in Lakewood, 20 miles away. He was taken Downtown even though he had not committed a crime and had not asked to come to the community. That opened a floodgate of dumping allegations, many involving hospitals, with discharged patients, some still in hospital gowns, transported to the community by van or taxi. In March 2008, Los Angeles Downtown News reported that a deputy city attorney had looked into 20

alleged instances in a two-year span. The subject eventually faded away, though Feuer has made it a focus since taking office last summer. In January, he announced that he had settled a case with the Beverly Community Hospital Association, and the hospital agreed to a $250,000 settlement, including a $200,000 fine. In May he announced a $500,000 settlement with Pacifica Hospital of the Valley. That case concerned a mentally disabled patient who was allegedly discharged from the San Fernando Valley institution and taken to Skid Row without his consent. Feuer would not discuss any ongoing investigations, though he said anecdotal evidence indicates that, despite the publicity the subject has generated, the practice of hospitals dumping homeless patients in Skid Row has not stopped. “It appears it is still happening,” he said. regardie@downtownnews.com

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6 Downtown News COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY AND PUBLIC MEETINGS LAC+USC MEDICAL CENTER CAMPUS MASTER PLAN DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT To: State Clearinghouse, Responsible and Trustee Agencies, and Interested Individuals Subject: Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the LAC+USC Medical Center Campus Master Plan Project Project Title: LAC+USC Medical Center Campus Master Plan Lead Agency: County of Los Angeles The County of Los Angeles (County), as the lead agency, has completed the Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the LAC+USC Medical Center Campus Master Plan. The Draft EIR is available for a 45-day public review and comment period starting September 5, 2014, and ending October 20, 2014. The Draft EIR can be reviewed on the County’s website (http://ceo.lacounty.gov/pdf/NOA_08-262014.pdf) and copies of the Draft EIR will be available for public review at the following locations: Chinatown Branch Library 639 N. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 620-0925

Lincoln Heights Library 2530 Workman Street Los Angeles, CA 90031 (323) 226-1692

El Sereno Branch 5226 Huntington Drive Los Angeles, CA 90032 (323) 225-9201

Malabar Branch Library 2801 Wabash Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 263-1497

Benjamin Franklin Library 2200 East 1st Street Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 263-6901

Anthony Quinn Library 3965 East Cesar Chavez Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90063 (323) 264-7715

City Terrace Library 4025 East City Terrace Drive Los Angeles, CA 90063 (323) 261-0295

LAC+USC Medical Center Inpatient Tower and Outpatient Clinic – Information Desks 2051 Marengo Street Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 409-1000

The proposed LAC+USC Medical Center Campus Master Plan Project (proposed project) consists of a master plan that is envisioned over a period of approximately 25 years, that would be used to guide future development of the LAC+USC Medical Center campus and would influence the delivery of health care services and health related community programs. The goals of the Master Plan are to: 1. Achieve a community-friendly campus 2. Promote healthy lifestyles and wellness 3. Maximize access to the Medical Center by the community 4. Provide opportunities for appropriate education and job training 5. Incorporate on-campus business opportunities 6. Plan for future program development The Draft EIR has identified potentially significant impacts that may result from the proposed project related to biological resources, geology and soils, hazards/hazardous materials, hydrology/water quality, public services, and utilities. Mitigation measures have been identified that could reduce many of these impacts to less than significant. However, unavoidable significant impacts would occur as a result of the proposed LAC+USC Medical Center Campus Master Plan in the following areas: air quality, cultural resources, transportation/traffic, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise and vibration. Interested parties may submit their comments on the Draft EIR to: Clarice Nash, Project Manager County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Project Management Division I 900 S. Fremont Ave. Alhambra, CA 91803-1331 E-mail: cnash@dpw.lacounty.gov Due to the time limits mandated by California law, comments on the Draft EIR must be sent at the earliest possible date but not later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2014. Questions regarding this notice should be directed to Ms.Nash at (626) 300-2363 or at the e-mail shown above Monday through Thursday, between 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Public meetings will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2014, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, to solicit comments from interested parties on the Draft EIR’s analysis of the proposed project. The public meetings will be held at the following location: LAC+USC Medical Center Inpatient Tower, Conference Room D 2051 Marengo Street Los Angeles, CA 90033 Please note that all visitors are subject to routine screening. Each meeting will be identical in terms of content and format. Free Parking in Lot 9D on Marengo Street, enter from Brittania Street. Served by Metro Lines 70, 71, 605, 751, and Boyle Heights and Lincoln Heights DASH. FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WELCOME! Refreshments will be served. Spanish and Chinese translation will be provided. Si necesita asistencia con la traducción al español, por favor comuníquese con el representante del departamento de Obras Públicas del Condado de Los Ángeles, Sr. Anaya al (213) 312-1772. Upon 72 hours’ notice, Public Works can provide program information and publications in alternate formats or make other accommodations for people with disabilities. In addition, program documents are available at our main office in Alhambra (900 S. Fremont Ave.), which is accessible to individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations ONLY or for more Americans with Disabilities Act information, please contact our departmental Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator at (626) 458 4081 or by TDD (626) 282-7829, Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

September 1, 2014

Mural Momentum in the Central City A Year After Mural Ordinance Was Passed, Downtown Artworks Are Beginning to Fill Walls By Eddie Kim n Aug. 1, a mix of street art and music fans were in an uproar when a mural involving the band Foster the People was whitewashed from the south-facing side of the Santa Fe Lofts in the Historic Core. Although the work, dubbed “Supermodel,” appeared on the cover of the band’s latest album and had been “saved” by Mayor Eric Garcetti three weeks before, an agreement between city officials, the band and the building owner resulted in it being covered. The fracas shined a light on a slowly shifting public art situation. Although the City Council last October approved an ordinance that allows murals to go up on private property with the owner’s approval, in Downtown more artworks have been whitewashed than have been approved. “Peace and Justice,” a mural on Central Avenue and Sixth Street painted by Shepard Fairey and Kelly Graval (better known as Risk), was covered in the spring. An untitled piece at Seventh and Mateo streets by David Choe and Aryz was painted over in May. “Urban Bigfoot,” Ron English’s colorful rendition of a Yeti-like creature, was whitewashed in July despite being billed as L.A.’s first legal mural. The tide may finally be shifting as more works make their way through the approval pipeline. A city-approved depiction of a faux Skid Row “City Limit” sign and an adjacent map of the community has appeared on a wall on San Julian Street. Last week, a mural of flying swans was completed on a wall at South Park’s Flower Street Lofts at 12th and Flower streets (see sidebar). Other works are up for city approval. Still, some say the slow progress is the result of a confusing administrative process. The city Department of Cultural Affairs’ applications for new and “vintage” (painted before the ordinance was passed) murals require basic information

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“Supermodel,” a mural commissioned by Mark Foster of the indie-pop band Foster the People, was whitewashed in July after failing to secure approvals from the city. Despite the city approval of a heralded mural ordinance last year, nearly as many works in Downtown have been whitewashed as have been painted. photo by Gary Leonard

and signatures from the building owner and applicant. But other factors can trigger additional permit requirements from entities including City Planning, Building and Safety, the L.A. Fire Department and Public Works. Not securing those additional permits is partly why “Supermodel” was covered. The applicant, Daniel Lahoda of the mural initiative group L.A. Freewalls, maintains that he received the go-ahead for the artwork from the local City Council office and the city Department of Cultural Affairs. The Santa Fe Lofts at 121 E. Sixth St., however, is a historic building, and thus the work required the signature of the city Office of Historic Resources. That was never secured, and other factors also posed a problem, according to Felicia Filer, director of the public art division at Cultural Affairs. “There were multiple issues, including incomplete paperwork, no approvals from the Office of Historic Resources, the height of the mural was a problem, and it was a commercial image,” said Filer. “The mural

was the cover image of Foster the People’s album. The ordinance only protects unique works of non-commercial art.” Attention to Detail Lahoda has made a business of brokering deals between building owners and high-profile artists, particularly in Downtown, and was part of the group that helped develop the mural ordinance. He claims that he had fewer issues with murals before the law passed. “I’m a proponent of strong public policy, but I don’t think the city is putting forward a good-faith effort to protect works when administering the ordinance,” he said. He pointed to Choe and Aryz’s untitled piece at La Reyna restaurant at Seventh and Mateo streets. In that case, the city Department of Building and Safety issued a noncompliance notice to the building owner without clarifying that the mural could be allowed via the grandfathering process. But other murals that Lahoda arranged, including “Supermodel,” “Peace & Justice” and “Urban Bigfoot,” were not registered Continued on page 16

A South Park Mural Bounce

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ollaborations between communities and art advocates are helping connect artists to new canvases around the city. One such partnership, between local nonprofit Do Art Foundation and the South Park Business Improvement District, has led to a new mural. “The Preciousness of the Hunt,” by South Africa-based artist Faith47 (born Liberty Du), went up last week on the Flower Street Lofts at 12th and Flower streets. It depicts a flock of swans taking flight. “The image sort of embodies the revitalization of Downtown and South Park specifically,” said South Park BID Executive Director Jessica Lall. The idea was hatched after Lall and Do Art Executive Director Carmen Zella met during an event for business improvement districts at City Hall. Zella recruited Faith47, who was in Los Angeles and offered to paint the mural for free. “Public art can really reflect the spirit of a neighborhood and give it branding, too,” Zella said. “We want to work with the community to create a sensitive expression that’s inspiring.” The two organizations paid about $2,000 to cover paint and other materials, but were aided by sponsorships from

photo by Gary Leonard

“The Preciousness of the Hunt,” by South Africa-based artist Faith47, went up on the Flower Street Lofts last week.

Blick Art Materials, Hertz and other companies. A mural that size would normally cost about $18,000, Zella said. Lall said the goal is to work with Do Art to create two more murals in South Park this year. They are also exploring locations for public sculptures and the installation of a pop-art art walk. And yes, “The Preciousness of the Hunt” has all necessary city permits. —Eddie Kim


September 1, 2014

Downtown News 7

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Broadway’s Big Changes Begin Pedestrian Areas Added as Traffic Lanes Are Trimmed on Historic Street

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al” that will allow city officials to see what works and what doesn’t. Huizar acknowledged that trimming vehicular lanes has resulted in what he termed “growing pains.” A problematic turning radius at one intersection had to be adjusted, as did some traffic-slowing curb extensions at Sixth Street and just south of Olympic Boulevard. Southbound drivers also have had to adjust to a prohibition on making left turns on the street. Additionally, the granite has confused some motorists, with drivers trying to parallel park between the planters on the edges of the new areas. Despite the hiccups, Huizar said he is “ecstatic” with the outcome, and expects that people who are worried about slower traffic on Broadway will ultimately be won over by an Continued on page 16

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southbound bus routes off Broadway and relocate them to Spring and other nearby streets. Huizar envisions people who are shopping or working in the area will use the spaces to meet with friends or relax. In that regard it is similar to projects in Times Square in New York, San Francisco’s car-free Market Street and Sunset Triangle in Silver Lake. In those instances vehicular lanes were removed to improve the pedestrian experience. Seleta Reynolds, the newly hired general manager for the LADOT, said the project, designed by Melendrez Partners, is about creating a safe space for people to traverse the city. “It’s about transportation and public health and building strong, resilient communities,” she said. Growing Pains The current work is billed as a “dress rehears-

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making it more pedestrian friendly.” Over the last six months, the city Department of Transportation removed a car lane and added pedestrian space along 10 blocks of Broadway, from Third to just past 11th streets. In creating “plaza” areas where cars once drove, workers installed nearly 50,000 square feet of decomposed granite and added 5,500 plants. The plan is eventually to move from the dress rehearsal stage, which uses temporary materials, to permanent changes. In that instance the west sidewalk, which has expanded from 12 to 20 feet, will become concrete. Sidewalks on both sides will ultimately get eightfoot “curb extensions,” which will create scalloped areas for protected parking lanes and loading zones. The curb extensions will shorten street crossing distances at intersections and mid-block locations. In all, the former six lanes on Broadway (four were primarily used for traffic, with two often dedicated to buses or loading) have been reduced to two northbound and one southbound lane from Third to 11th streets. If the proposed Downtown Streetcar arrives, it would also use the southbound lane. Also to come are 30 tables and umbrellas and 90 chairs that businesses along Broadway will set up each morning in the new plaza sections and bring in at night. Additionally, the city is working with Metro to pull some north and

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By Donna Evans n the past several years, major changes have come to Broadway. In the wake of the Bringing Back Broadway initiative that 14th District City Councilman José Huizar launched in 2008, the street has seen the arrival of all manner of stores and restaurants. The activity has been particularly pronounced south of Sixth Street, and the once sleepy stretch now has businesses including the Ace Hotel, Urban Outfitters, Umami Burger, the Los Angeles Brewing Company and upscale Swedish retailer Acne. Still, a new component unveiled last week may ultimately have a much bigger impact on Broadway. On Thursday, Aug. 28, Huizar unveiled the “dress rehearsal” of a major streetscape plan. The goal is to enhance the pedestrian experience, a task that involves eliminating lanes for cars. The dress rehearsal cost $1.5 million to implement, and making the program permanent will cost $5 million-$6 million per block. Huizar’s office has pulled together $4.6 million, and his spokesman Rick Coca said that commitments from developers who are building new housing projects on the street will cover sidewalk work on three additional blocks. “We were taking a very busy street and prioritizing people over cars,” Huizar said Wednesday, the day before the ribbon cutting outside Grand Central Market for the dress rehearsal. “It appeared to be counterintuitive, but eventually people began to see the vision we have of

City Councilman José Huizar was joined by dozens of area stakeholders last Thursday to celebrate the completion of the first phase of a major streetscape improvement program on Broadway.

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8 Downtown News

September 1, 2014

For Downtown Parents and Students, It’s Back to School Metro Charter Elementary Begins Year Two With a New Principal and Twice as Many Students By Eddie Kim he days before the start of school are a hectic time for any educational institution. Last year, though, the parents and staff at Metro Charter Elementary School had a bit more than supplies and curriculum needs to contend with. The school’s final inspection from the city Department of Building and Safety was scheduled for 6 a.m. the morning that classes started. For Metro Charter board member Simon Ha, things were literally down to, and even beyond, the wire. “I joke now that the school was operating illegally for two hours,” Ha recalled with a chuckle. “But opening the school for its first year was seriously very, very difficult.” Ha will actually get to see his daughter Zoe off for her first day of school day this year, but it’s not as if the challenges have dissipated. When year two begins on Tuesday, Sept. 2, there will be about 160 students in Metro Charter, up from 80 last year. The school is also switching up its after-school and lunch programs, as well as tweaking the curriculum. The biggest change is a new principal: Maricela Barragan resigned after just one year. She has been replaced by Kim Clerx, who arrives after spending 12 years as a teacher and administrator in the small Lawndale School District in the South Bay. “I’m really excited to help this campus move

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forward,” Clerx said. “We want to become the school for people who are looking for something different. It’s just starting to grow.” A Year of Lessons Metro Charter was founded by a group of Downtown parents who met over South Park play dates and were dissatisfied by the local available educational options. With strong support from the business community, they raised $250,000, found a location and recruited a student body. Going the charter route meant the school received funding from the Los Angeles Unified School District, but had some freedom in terms of staffing and curriculum. For year two the school is in the same 12,000-square-foot space in California Hospital Medical Center on Grand Avenue. However, like most new charter schools, it added a grade, and now offers a third-grade class. Also new this year is a “transitional kindergarten,” which helps prepare children for the move from preschool to kindergarten. The increase in the student population is a stress that the staff of 12 teachers and administrators are ready to handle, Ha said. All the teachers from the inaugural year have returned. “Kim has a good support staff that understands what they have to do after the first year. Now we know what to expect,” Ha said. “Now we want to engage parents a lot more, so school staff doesn’t have to do everything.”

photo by Gary Leonard

Principal Kim Clerx will lead Metro Charter Elementary School. She replaces a principal who resigned after one year.

Metro Charter founding parent and board member Dave Chun, whose son Everett will be in first grade this year, said that there were a fair share of bumps as parents and staff acclimated to the needs of a new school. Just seeing the doors open and kids flood into the classrooms, however, was a huge moment for Chun, and improvements continued throughout the year, he said. “I was really happy with what I saw and the progress my son made,” Chun said. “It’s about seeing the little things, too, like seeing them put on a holiday show and go on a field trip.” Also returning this year is Scott Bytof, a Downtown resident whose daughter Alexandra will start first grade this week. Bytof and his wife Amaany Samaan said they experienced some initial problems, including communication with the school, but that proceedings soon became smooth. “Toward the end of the year, they were really going at light speed, putting on a science fair, a spelling bee, just a lot of progress,” he said. “The good thing about a charter school like this is they were very open and nimble and made changes quickly.” About 50% of the student body last year qualified for free or reduced-cost lunch, Ha said, and only about half the students lived in the Downtown area. The rest had parents commuting to Downtown jobs from the San Fernando Valley, West Covina, South L.A. and other locations. One big change this year for those working parents is the cost of the after-school program. A new vendor was hired and the 2:30-6 p.m. plan, which was $300 a month, has been cut in half. In addition to the change in cost, tweaks to the after-school program include more field trips and enrichment activities such as Spanish-language classes. The school also has a new lunch provider. Ha said a computer lab and a library will open sometime during the school year. Honing An Identity An audit of the school from LAUSD’s Charter Division had many positive things to say about Metro Charter’s first year, including the high attendance numbers and the implementation of the curriculum. The biggest critiques concerned the space constraints of the campus and the lack of flexibility in the budget. The most significant shift this year is in the principal’s office. Barragan was a critical part of making the school’s first year a success, Ha said, but the pressures of dealing with classroom issues as well as operational tasks and communicating with the LAUSD resulted in her departure.

photo by Gary Leonard

Metro Charter this year is adding “transitional kindergarten” and third grade classes. The school will have 160 students, up from 80 last year.

“Everybody loved her, and we were sad to see her go,” Ha said. “Maricela was not an administrative person before, and it was a lot to deal with.” Clerx, who was a vice principal for a year in the Lawndale School District, hopes to emphasize a project-based curriculum that pushes practical problem solving. She also wants to have the students exploring the city more often. “We don’t believe in just reading out of a book and learning something that way,” Clerx said. “We want to bring in hands-on lessons or take them outside.” A goal this year, she added, will be crafting an identity that sets Metro Charter apart. She also hopes to keep class sizes around 25 students, even as the school grows. Although the year is just beginning, the school’s parents and backers are already looking well into the future. California Hospital was always seen as an interim location, and the board wants to find a site in Downtown that could hold a new building. It’s a process that could take five years, during which time the school might have to make another location jump. “We might be able to stay one more year at the existing location, but we’re growing out of it fast,” Ha said. Still, that’s a future challenge. This week, parents have to get the school running. Then, they need to set aside time to help with homework. eddie@downtownnews.com


September 1, 2014

Downtown News 9

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CALENDAR

THE BAR BECOMES A PLAYROOM

Drinking Is Nice, But Downtown Nightspots Increasingly Offer Trivia, Game Nights and Other Entertainment

photo by Gary Leonard

A figure known as Hipster Satan leads a very politically incorrect version of Cards Against Humanity each Wednesday evening at Wolf and Crane in Little Tokyo. Prepare to dig deep into that dark place.

By Donna Evans owntown Los Angeles is filled with all manner of bars. There are dive bars and upscale cocktail joints. There are happy hour destinations and tricked-out lounges where you might get a little too comfortable. Many of these drinking establishments deliver more than just challenges to your liver. Increasingly, Central City watering holes are offering games, contests and other forms of creative socializing. Here is a list of eight Downtown destinations where there is plenty more to do than just sip suds.

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Oh the Humanity: No answer is too inappropriate in the game known as Cards Against Humanity. Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. at Wolf and Crane, a figure known as Hipster Satan (he’s actually Dan Johnson, who doubles as Los Angeles Downtown News’ Listings Editor) takes the game from the box to the bar. He poses a series of questions from a set of black cards. Players look for the most outrageous (read: frequently the most sexually explicit) answer from the batch of white cards in front of them. Example: Instead of coal, Santa will now give bad children… hormone injections. That answer is about as tame as the evening gets, so prepare to reach into that dark, demented place. First prize is a $50 bar credit with end-of-round winners receiving gems like flicks on VHS or a Walter Mondale T-shirt. At 366 E. Second St., (213) 935-8249 or wolfandcranebar.com. Backyard Fun: What do you get when you

photo by Gary Leonard

Downtowners come out to sing to a room full of friends and strangers during the Tuesday evening Rockaroke at the Down and Out. A live band knows 300 songs, including hits by Prince, Michael Jackson and Rage Against the Machine.

set up a plywood platform sporting a six-inch hole and four bags filled with corn? Cornhole, naturally. In some parts of the country it’s a summertime backyard tradition. At Angel City Brewery it’s a daily complement to drinking. The game is so popular that management had to order additional boards, said Eric Kaizer, director of public house operations. Local artists decorated the platforms, giving each a unique look. The object, though, remains the same: Toss the bag into the hole, earn three points. Get the bag onto the platform, earn one point. First team to 21 wins. At 216 S. Alameda St., (213) 622-1261 or angelcitybrewery.com. Candyland Crush: At The Must, Game Day Sunday has nothing to do with football. It’s more of a Monopoly and Malbec situation. Or, if you’re into easy street, try Candyland with a side of cuvee. Whatever your board game fave, The Must offers it all day Sunday, from 10 a.m.2 a.m. Uno is another option, and there’s always the childhood throwback Connect Four. If that kind of math is too much for a Sunday brunch, grab some java and bring out the Jenga. At 117 Winston St., (213) 628-2000 or themust.com. Seeking Pinball Wizards: EightyTwo has plenty of seats. However, with a rotating collection of 40 restored arcade and pinball machines that date to the 1970s, sitting would definitely hamper your ability to shoot the aliens or rescue the princess. Periodically, EightyTwo also hosts pinball tournaments. They’re a bit spur

of the moment, and often happen when a new machine joins the ranks, said co-owner Scott Davids. The arcade enthusiasts post info about the impromptu tournaments on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Additionally, every six to eight weeks, a new season begins for the Los Angeles Pinball League, giving every Downtowner the chance to prove they’ve got more game than the deaf, dumb and blind kid who sure plays a mean pinball. At 707 E. Fourth Place, (213) 626-8200 or eightytwo.la.com. The Voice of the People: If you’re wary of karaoke because you’re not sure the background music in that little machine can drown out an off-key voice, relax. Grab the microphone at the Down and Out and unleash your inner rock star. This Historic Core dive bar features a live band every Tuesday starting at 9 p.m. The band, Tres Aliens, wants you to be their lead singer, and they know 300 songs. Highlights span hits from Prince, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson to Muse, Metallica and Rage Against the Machine. The only thing you need to fear at Rockaroke is the potency of your beverage. At 501 S. Spring St. or downandoutbar.com. Brain Games: A number of Downtown institutions have trivia nights. And why not? You get to impress friends and strangers with your vast knowledge of the web-footed albatross and Coleridge. While King Trivia at Pour Haus on Tuesdays is one of the fun options, a standout these days is Crane’s. Every Monday, the Historic Core bar presents Brains at Crane’s and

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projects seven rounds of trivia onto the wall. Categories include general knowledge, pictures, matching and lists. You can play solo or team up to compete for prizes. The questions start at 8 p.m. At 810 S. Spring St., (213) 239-0047 or cranesbardtla.com. Sketching and Swilling: They say creating art is therapeutic. We’re not sure who “they” are, but we imagine an evening of drinking and drawing at Casey’s Irish Pub is cheaper than a session on the shrink’s sofa. Every Thursday starting at 8 p.m., animators, illustrators, tattoo artists and all manner of creative types sketch while imbibing a beverage or four. Members of the original Drink and Draw Social Club will share tables, tools and stories. At 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or 213nightlife.com. Grand Variety: At Grand Central Market, diners have several options if they want a glass of beer or wine, among them Belcampo Meat Co., Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria and Horse Thief BBQ. Add eight more eateries to that list and you’ll have all the vendors who participate in Game Night, every Thursday at 9 p.m. Game choices run the gamut, from Scrabble to Jenga to Uno. You can practice your precision with a game of Cornhole or take it to the table with ping pong. Head over to the Hill Street platform. At 317 S. Broadway, (213) 624-2378 or grandcentralmarket.com. donna@downtownnews.com


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10 Downtown News

September 1, 2014

Restaurant Buzz Middle Eastern Tapas, A New Bakery And More Food Happenings

To the Point: Le Ka, the restaurant and lounge at 800 W. Sixth St., is no more. The ownership team has decided to overhaul the look and cuisine of the eatery, and it returns on Sept. 5 as Spear. Out is the fusion of French and Cantonese flavors. Instead, expect straightforward steaks and chops, as well as an assortment of Asian-hued seafood dishes. The steaks, by the way, will be served with the hottest ingredient of the year: bone marrow. There’s a revamped cocktail menu, and while in-

Lunch Rush: Historic Core wine bar and eatery The Must has begun serving lunch. There’s a new menu from chef Drew Coleman featuring a mix of light seasonal plates and heavier comfort-food favorites. Dishes include a grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with fried green tomatoes, a vegetable salad with house-made ricotta cheese, and a Sloppy Joe prepared with duck meat. In addition, The Must is offering a “bottomless” lunchtime bar for $15, featuring a choice of red, white and sparkling wines as well as a pilsner (all picked by co-owner/head sommelier Coly Den Haan). The lunch menu is available from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. every day. Try not to imbibe too much on that “business lunch.” At 117 Winston St., (213) 628-2000 or themust.com. That’s Sweet: Downtown’s got a new purveyor of baked goods. Big Sugar Bakeshop, at Wilshire Boulevard and Flower Street, is celebrating its grand opening on Tuesday, Sept. 2. It’s the second location for the business that opened in Studio City in 2007 and quickly won fans with an assortment of cakes, pies, cookies, confections and more. Check out seasonal specials including fresh lemon curd cheesecake and handmade ice

photo by Gary Leonard

cream sandwiches. Big Sugar Bakeshop is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. It’s closed Sundays, because even bakers need a day to rest. At 612 S. Flower St., (213) 489-1201 or bigsugarbakeshop.com. Here’s the Beef: Argentinian restaurant 1810 has begun serving in the Fashion District. The second outpost of the popular Old Town Pasadena eatery features a big menu of regional appetizers (like the chubby empanadas filled with meats and vegetables), salads, sandwiches, pasta and more. The real stars, however, are the simply prepared cuts of beef, chicken and fish. These range from around $15-$23. Those who want to share a little bit of everything can opt for the parrillada mixta, a massive platter of grilled skirt steak, short rib, Argentinian sausage, morcilla (or blood sausage), sweetbreads and half a roast chicken for $52.

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terior renovations are largely cosmetic, a second bar has been added. Spear will have live music later in the evenings, particularly on weekends. Coming to 800 W. Sixth St., (213) 688-3000 or spearrestaurant.com.

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By Eddie Kim rom Beirut to L.A.: A new joint in Downtown is slinging up a big assortment of Mediterranean small plates. Located in the Fine Arts Building, 10e features a menu of mezze, or shared plates of snacks, salads and vegetables, and heftier seafood and meat dishes from the Middle East. Highlights include the lamajun, or flatbread dotted with beef, pine nuts and earthy Aleppo pepper; arnabeet mekle, or fried cauliflower with yogurt and mint; and kibbeh nayyeh, or raw beef mixed with spices and crunchy bulgur wheat. The eatery comes from longtime L.A. restaurateur Jacques Darakjian and lawyer Mark Geragos, who also co-owns the nearby Engine Co. 28 and the Fine Arts Building. “I’m Lebanese-Armenian and Mark is American-Armenian, so this is the food of our culture. It’s the recipes of our great grandfathers and grandmothers,” Darakjian said. At 811 W. Seventh St., (213) 488-1096 or 10erestaurant.com.

The new Fine Arts Building eatery 10e offers a selection of small plates and entrees from a variety of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.

At 105 W. Ninth St., (213) 623-1810 or 1810restaurant.com. Briks House: The hot South Park district has another culinary option. The Briks opened this month in the space formerly occupied by Italian eatery Il Mare. It’s the debut restaurant from chef Mario Christerna, who channels globetrotting flavors and cooking techniques from North Africa, Mexico, Spain and beyond. One menu highlight is the eatery’s namesake, briks, which are small fried pastries with roots in Algeria and Tunisia. They’re filled with a choice of savory ingredients, including roast pork, shrimp scampi and chicken curry. Also on the menu are cocas, or Spanish flatbreads, cooked in a roaring brick oven. Entrees include a braised lamb shank flavored with figs and lavender. The eatery began lunch service in mid-August and will start a weekend brunch soon. At 1111 S. Hope St. or thebriks.com.

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By Dan Johnson | calendar@downtownnews.com

EVENTS

Have you been waiting all summer for Ukrainian folk acolytes and musical innovators DakhaBrakha? Then wait no more, for on Friday, Sept. 5, they take over the California Plaza Watercourt with a performance that highlights the musical textures of their native and in-the-news land. Expect theatrical elements, pounding drums, some mad cello playing, crimson beads and towering black lamb’s-wool hats. What does it sound like? We’re not quite sure, but DakhaBrakha dubs its sound “ethno-chaos.” We’re intrigued. Showtime is 8 p.m.

SPONSORED LISTINGS Friday Night Flicks by Pershing Square 532 S. Olive St., (213) 847-4970 or laparks.org/ pershingsquare Catch a free screening of The Breakfast Club at Pershing Square on Friday, Sept. 5. A group of high school kids who spend a Saturday together in detention discover that the adult world sees each of them as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal. The movie will begin at 8 p.m., and well-behaved dogs are allowed. Parking can be found in the Pershing Square garage.

photo by M Palma Photography

WEDNESDay, SEPTEmbER 3 Maria Contreras-Sweet at Town Hall LA City Club LA, 555 S. Flower S., 51st Floor, (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org. 11:30 a.m.: Pop in for lunch and learn something useful from Maria Contreras-Sweet, the head of the federal government’s Small Business Administration. FRIDay, SEPTEmbER 5 Dance Downtown, Disco Night Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7211 or musiccenter.org. 6:30 p.m.: Guests at this free dancing extravaganza are reminded to use designated smoking areas and keep the fire lanes clear so we can avoid a disco inferno. SaTuRDay, SEPTEmbER 6 Drum Downtown Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8080 or grandparkla.org. 10 a.m.: The park for everyone will again be open to everyone now that Kanye is gone and the Budweiser ads have been taken down. Feel free to come out of hiding and bring your family to this West African-themed morning of percussion lessons and group play suitable for all skill levels. No ticket necessary.

Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Sept. 2: Ultrasound CD Party. Sept. 3: Dylan Ryan Sand. Sept. 4: Learn to count to three with the Scott Amendola Trio. Sept. 5: Jamire Williams Presents: 3 Dark Browns. Sept. 6: Jamire Williams Presents: System to the Red. Sept. 7: Chris Wabich Group. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Sept. 2, 9 p.m.: Local electro standouts Evan Mellows bring their vibey downtempo to Beverly Boulevard’s favorite stage. Sept. 3, 9 p.m.: Leslie Stevens has recorded a new album. Wethinks you shall hear some it. Sept. 4, 9 p.m.: The onslaught of indie rockers touting their “eclectic” influences continues with Hunny. Honestly though, does any successful band have just one single musical influence or are we all a product of immense cultural diversity? Sept. 5, 9 p.m.: The Baseball Project is a super-group, by which we mean their guitarist Peter Buck was in R.E.M. Sept. 6, 9 p.m.: Their EP features an irreverent collage of ideas facilitated by feedback guitars and digital noise, but it’s Sex Helicopter’s machine that really has our minds spinning with possibilities. Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m.: New Zealand’s Kimbra hosts “Space Jam,” a semi-regular improvisational free-form night with special guests. Exchange LA Continued on next page

It’s difficult for most small business owners to justify the $32,000-a-plate cost of meeting President Barack Obama at one of his L.A. fundraisers. On Wednesday, Sept. 3, you can have the next best thing, or one of the next best things. Even better, you’ll learn something. That’s because the organization Town Hall-Los Angeles is bringing Obama’s Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Association, Maria Contreras-Sweet, to Downtown. She’ll stop by the City Club for a lunch-time discussion on how the City of Angels can improve the lot of the hardworking folks who fuel our economy. Tickets are still available. At 555 S. Flower St., 51st floor, (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org.

Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

On Friday, Sept. 5, at 6:30 p.m., the Music Center Plaza will echo with the swishing of bell-bottom jeans and the static charge of Afro wigs. No, it’s not one of L.A. Opera’s new productions moving outdoors, but rather the Dance Downtown program delivering disco night. Hustle on down and grab a spot for the free dance lessons and a night of well-curated disco tunes. BTW: Things have changed vastly since the ’70s. Wild dancing Tony Manero is actually a well-respected private pilot named John Travolta, and cocaine turns out to be truly awful for your health. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7211 or musiccenter.org. photo courtesy Souls of Mischief

SuNDay, SEPTEmbER 7 Sunday Studio at MOCA MOCA, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org. 1 p.m.: The Sabbath art gathering focuses on short films this week with work from John Baldessari, Wallace Berman and Bruce Conner.

photo by Yevhen Rakhno

Some Dance, Some Business, Some Blues and a Bit of the Ukraine

photo courtesy U.S. Small Business Association

September 1, 2014

The hip-hop gods smile upon us once again on Thursday, Sept. 4. That’s because A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammed will be DJing at the Mayan Theatre as his low-end colleague Phife Dawg MCs a night featuring Souls of Mischief (shown here), Adrian Young and the Pharcyde. If you’ve listened to any hiphop over the past 21 years, you’ve likely heard the trippy bounce that is Souls of Mischief’s anthem “93 Til Infinity.” Or maybe you’re familiar with L.A.’s own Pharcyde and their notorious all-backwards, Spike Jonze-shot video for “The Drop,” which was shot entirely in and around Fifth and Spring streets circa 1995. Either way, myriad lyrical pleasures will be yours to behold. At 1038 S. Hill St., (213) 746-4287 or clubmayan.com.

If you’re interested in electric blues, you surely recall that musical flood down in Texas round about 1983, when an unassuming bandit-styled guitarist named Stevie Ray Vaughan made his six-string Stratocaster sing. Vaughan is long gone from this world, but his music and style endure at the Grammy Museum as a first-time glimpse of the musician builds around a collection of personal possessions, photographs and his favorite “number one” guitar (shown here). Pride and Joy: The Texas Blues of Stevie Ray Vaughan will be open until next July, but this little paradise is well worth taking in today. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

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


TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

12 Downtown News Continued from previous page 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Sept. 5: Aly & Fila. Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. Sept. 2, 8 p.m.: When we say tonight’s guest performer got big singing a song named “Sail Away,” we are of course referring to David Gray and not Enya. Sept. 3, 8 p.m.: Free spirit and ad song writing extraordinaire LP drops her first major label LP. Grand Performances California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., (213) 687-2159 or

LAST WEEKS ANSWERS

grandperformances.org. Sept. 5, 8 p.m.: Straight from the contentious Ukraine come DakhaBrakha. Sept. 6, 8 p.m.: Yuna, the Malaysian sensation, drops by to share her Trans-Pacific pop. Sept. 7, 3 p.m.: Conjunto Los Pochos prove that music is delightful in both English and Spanish. We are truly a melting pot city. Honeycut 819 S. Flower St., (213) 688-0888 or honeycutla.com. Sept. 1, 10 p.m.: TGIM. Sept. 3, 8 p.m.: Actual Disco. Sept. 5, 10 p.m.: Jack of All Tracks.

5 OFF $

LUNCH

SPECIAL

Gourmet Fast Casual Restaurant Since 1973 7 Days-7am to 10pm • FREE Parking • We Cater 1657 W. 3rd St. at Union Ave. • 213-483-8885

*ANY PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE. 1 COUPON PER CUSTOMER, PER VISIT. EXPIRES 9/30/14

CROSSWORD

*

September 1, 2014

Sept. 6, 8 p.m.: DJ Aaron Castle. Mayan 1038 S. Hill St., (213) 746-4287 or clubmayan.com. Sept. 4, 8 p.m.: Get straight for Souls of Mischief, and also enjoy Adrian Young and the Pharcyde. Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6030 or nokiatheatrelalive.com. Sept. 5, 8 p.m.: Hear the voice that scored a go with J. Lo as Marc Anthony sings his eternal classic “I Need to Know.” Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la.

Sept. 1, 10 p.m.: The Brian Swartz Sextet promises copious trumpet pleasures. This is not a metaphor. Sept. 2, 10 p.m.: The Makers are already all a-twitter planning out this year’s Halloween costumes. Sept. 3, 10 p.m.: With a nice two-hour margin beforehand, you’ll be able to catch Rick Taub’s Midnight Blues Review for a good 120 minutes before Satan arrives to purchase souls in exchange for proficiency at slide guitar. Sept. 4, 10 p.m.: The Greasy Beats offer up years of collective funk experience and a great attitude! The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or

City Living THIS WEEK CHECK OUT WATCH IT ON DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM,

NEW EPISODE EVERY MONDAY AT 9AM

Broadway Dress Rehersal Unveiling: A major upgrade to the streetscape.

Walking With Dinosaurs at Staples Center & Natural History Museum host a pre-show.


September 1, 2014

Downtown News 13

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

thesmell.org. Sept. 4: Peter Cho Band, biice and Terra Firma Dinosaur. Sept. 5: Finding X, Negro Galacticus, Bodysnatchers and Del Sesto. Sept. 6: TraPsPs, Courtaud & Bobtail, Cthtr and Psychic Driving.

NISSAN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

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.

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

NEW ’14 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S

FILM Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com. Sept. 5-11: Expedition to the End of the World chronicles a group of scientists and artists who venture toward the Arctic in an old-fashioned sailing schooner. Ahoy! IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org. Island of Lemurs: Madagascar 3D is an eye-popping journey full of, you guesses it, lemurs. Forces of Nature promises a panoply of nature’s worst destruction. Flight of the Butterflies is visually stunning. Experience the gripping story full of hope, crushing disappointment and triumph in Hubble 3D.

TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

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

NEW ’14 TOYOTA RAV4

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.

$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 2008 Nissan Versa 1.8SL Hatchback ...... Winter Frost, Auto. N141721-1/8L355173

Plus tax & license. Security deposit waived. Models 4430, 5 to choose from, $.015 per mile over 12k miles per year. $999 drive off. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excess wear and tear. OAC on approved above average credit.

$22,690 2012 MINI Cooper Countryman ........... $25,675 Silver, AWD, 4dr., T140395-1/WM14231 2013 Toyota Avalon XLE ........................ $25,999 Black, Carfax, 1 owner, 25k Miles, TU0829R/041243 2014 Honda CR-V .................................... Silver, 5dr. LX, Auto,10k miles T142206-1/700464

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

2YOUR 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.

329

* per month for 36 mos

$

EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT

*$3,349 due at signing. Based on all with MSRP of $17,715 (including destination charges), amount due at signing excludes title, tax, options and dealer fees. Monthly payments total $3,564. Acquisition fee of $625 excluded in amount due at signing. Purchase option at lease end for $9,388.95. At lease end lessees responsible for $0.20/mile over 30,000 miles and excessive wear and tear. VIB 230880. Offer ends 9/30/14.

$8,153 2007 VW Jetta 2.5 Sedan ....................... $9,245 Gray, 5L, 6-Speed Auto w/Tiptronic, FWD, V141159-1/199369 2007 VW GTI 2.0T Hatchback ............. $12,360 Gray, Auto, 4L Turbo, Alloy Wheels, Sunroof, ZV2923-1/055480 CARSON NISSAN 2006 VW Jetta 2.5 Sedan .......................... White, 5L, Pkg.1 w/Sirius Radio, Auto, Sunroof V141422-1/623189

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

$

$26,889 2011 Mercedes C300 .............................. $26,971 Certified, Prem. Pkg.1, Only 18k Miles! 7515C/177166 2012 Mercedes E350 .............................. Certified, Prem.Pkg. 1, Nav. Syst., 2 Payment Credit, 7516C/651010 $37,981 AUDI OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 2011 Mercedes C300 ............................. Certified, Nav. Syst., Free Maint., 2 Payment Credit, 7523C/183536

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

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

299

©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.

315

$

$

$8,888 2006 Mazda 3s .................................... $10,888 GT Stock, Leather, Alloy Wheels, Rear Spoiler. CU1530P/516945 2011 Nissan Armada SV ..................... Nissan Certified, Third Row Seat, Alum. Wheels. CU1547P/611626 $24,888 FELIX CHEVROLET Carfax, Special Edition, 1-Owner. C141653-1/397338

PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard

AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt

$23,995 $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., Bluerealpeople@downtownnews.com Tooth, A150039D1-1/045947 facebook: 2010 Cadillac SRX SUV .......................... L.A. Downtown News

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. FIGUEROA ST. • FELIXCHEVROLET.COM 1900 S. FIGUEROA ST. • PORSCHEDOWNTOWNLA.COM distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

NEW ’14 CHEVY VOLT

LEASE FOR ONLY

AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt

circulAtioN: Danielle Salmon distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

LEASE FOR ONLY

ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie per month per month stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie Kim for 36 Maese mos for 42 mos coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn coNtributiNG writErs: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, S I N C E 19 7 2 Plus tax 42 month closed end lease on approved credit. $2199 down, plus first month payTwo at this price. $299 plus tax per month for 36 months on approved above avKristin Friedrich, Kylie Jane Wakefield Los Angeles Downtown News ment, tax, title, licensing fees and $695 bank acquisition fee.$0 Sec. Dep. Must qualify for the erage credit. MSRP $32,545. $2999 down plus tax, license, and fees. $0 security 1264 W. First Street, Los 90026 Audi Loyalty or Audi Acquisition Rebate of $1,000. $0.25 perAngeles, miles over CA 10,000 miles/year. 1 dirEctor: Allison deposit. 12k miles per year, 0.15 per mileArt in excess. Model Brian #41114. Serials 636951 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 / 636098. AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa at this offer EN022577. web:Prem. DowntownNews.com ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins2011 Audi A4 2.0T 2006 Nissan Altima 2.5 S ProductioN ...................... Front Trak ...

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

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 14 NISSAN 370Z COUPE

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

per month for 36 mos

$

129

$

per month for 36 mos

Plus tax 36-month closed end lease on approved credit. Total Customer Cash Down is $4,669, which includes the first payment plus the first payment tax. Includes $2,240 Cash Incentive plus $750 USAA discount. $0 security deposit. $0.25/ mile over 10,000 miles/yr. Based on Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris MSRP of $34,995. Everything subject to Mfg. changes. 1 at this price EU142543. GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin

2011 Chevy Cobalt .................................

$10,998 $11,998 $18,998

NEW ’14 PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS LEASE FOR ONLY

1,099

$

per month for 48 mos

$9,995 CAP REDUCTION

10k miles per year, residual $40,971, 1 at this price. Down payment excludes tax, dmv fees, $895 Bank Acquisition fee, first payment and document fees. Rates based on approved Tier 1 credit through Porsche Financial Services. P14673/VIN#ELA77393

$78,894 $102,895 $106,897

2014 Cayenne S ......................................

Jet Blk/Blk, CPO, Nav, 21” Whls, Prem. Pkg plus, 6kmiles (ELA55177) ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie Kim 2011 Chevy HHR ..................................... 2013 Panamera GTS ............................ coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese CPO, Bose, Pk Assist Camera, Full Lthr, 17kmiles (DL075593) Gray, F15351-1/560891 coNtributiNG writErs: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, 2014 Chevy Impala ................................ 2014 Carrera S ...................................... S I N C E 19 7 2 Kristin Friedrich, Kylie Jane Wakefield White, UC1629R/107554 CPO, PDK, Chrono, Prem.Pkg plus, Park Assist, 4kmiles (ES120603) Los Angeles Downtown News Art dirEctor: Brian Allison 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 Silver, F14605-1/178839


TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

14 Downtown News

September 1, 2014

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


September 1, 2014

DT

CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL home for sale

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EMPLOYMENT FOR RENT General

homes/unfurnished

3093 Knob Drive Mt. Washington 2BR/ 2.5 Ba 2000sq. ft. Brand new. Panoramic views

Rene: 213.304.7004 $3,650/mo.

rene@vaughanbenz.com loft/unfurnished

old Bank District The original Live/Work Lofts from $1,295 Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, Parking adjacent. Pets no charge Call 213.253.4777 LAloft.com

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.

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.

home improvement RUBEN GARCIA: Experienced painter of interiors and exteriors. Does very good work. Reasonable prices. Call for a quote 323 - 622- 9583. housekeepinG Green Loft/Apt cleaning starting @ $65. Insured and bonded, background checks on maids. No surprise charges or supplies fees. Book a deep cleaning as low as $99 and get $10 off your 1st order with code “IGET10” (310) 734-9892

ITEMS FOR SALE collectaBles Rare 1976 Marimekko. Hot primary colors. $275. Call 213-5051431 for picture.

ANNOUNCEMENTS volunteer opportunities

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

SERVICES donation pick-up ST. VINCENT de Paul Thrift Store. For free pickup by truck of your donations 1-800-974-3571. 210 North Avenue 21, Los Angeles 25% off w/ this ad. Expires 10-1-14. computers/it IT COMPUTER/REPAIR SERVICE, Wifi, Routers, DSL, MAC & Windows, Free diagnostic; Onsite or remote technical help on phone/online. Call for free quote/ consultation. 213-923-9349

Downtown News 15

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Need homestay family for Indonesian male 17 who will attend local high school, can help with rent, guardian is retired local. Contact Gordon. 213304-7972

LEGAL fictitious Business name Fictitious Business name statement File no. 2014195310 The following person is doing business as: 1) THE STANDARD, DOWNTOWN 550 South Flower Street at 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071 2)THE STANDARD, DOWNTOWN LA, 23 East 4th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003, are hereby registered by the following registrant: STANDARD DOWNTOWN LESSEE, LLC, 23 East 4th Street 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name or

names listed herein on September 1,2013. This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on July 18, 2014. NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 08/11, 08/18, 08/25, and 09/01/2014. Fictitious Business name statement File no. 2014201608 The following person is doing business as: New Energy Design Group, 1250 Long Beach Ave, Loft #115, Los Angeles, CA 90021, are hereby registered by the following registrant: Michael Ulmer, 1250 Long Beach Ave, Loft #115, Los Angeles, CA 90021. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed. This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on July 25, 2014. NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 08/18, 08/25, 09/01, 09/08/2014. Fictitious Business name statement File no. 2014210304 The following person is doing business as: LA Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, 545 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013,

are hereby registered by the following registrant: Union Rescue Mission, 545 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on AUGUST 01, 2014. NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 08/18, 08/25, 09/01, and 09/08/2014 leGal notice

DePaRtment oF tHe tReasuReR anD taX collectoR notice of Divided Publication notice oF DiViDeD PuBlication oF tHe PRoPeRtY taX DeFault (DelinQuent) list made pursuant to section 3371, Revenue and taxation code Pursuant to Sections 3381 through 3385, Revenue and Taxation Code, the Notice of Power to Sell Tax Defaulted 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, Mark J. Saladino, County of Los Angeles Tax Collector, State

of California, certify that: 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, 2012, 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 20112012 tax year that were a lien on the listed real property. Property upon which a nuisance abatement lien has been recorded and non-residential commercial property shall be subject to sale if the taxes remain unpaid after three years. If the 2011-2012 taxes remain unpaid after June 30, 2015, the property will be subject to sale at public auction in 2016. All other property that remains unpaid after June 30, 2017, will be subject to sale at public auction in 2018. The name of the assessee and the total tax, which was due on June 30, 2012, for the 2011-12 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. All information concerning redemption of tax-defaulted property will be furnished, upon request, by Mark J. Saladino, Treasurer and Tax Collector, 225 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, California 90012, 1(888) 8072111 or 1(213) 974-2111. I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed at Los Angeles, California on August 14, 2014.

MARK J. SALADINO TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES STATE OF CALIFORNIA Assessees/taxpayers, who have disposed of real property since January 1, 2009, may find their

names listed for the reason that a change in ownership has not been reflected on the assessment roll. 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 in the Assessor’s Office. The following property tax defaulted on July 1, 2012, for the taxes, assessments, and other charges for the fiscal year 2011-12: LISTED BELOW ARE PROPERTIES THAT DEFAULTED IN 2012 FOR TAXES, ASSESSMENTS AND 0THER CHARGES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012. AMOUNT OF DELINQUENCY AS OF THIS PUBLICATION IS LISTED BELOW. CREHAN,THOMAS M CO TR CREHAN FAMILY TRUST SITUS 121 S HOPE ST APT 0602 LOS ANGELES CA 900125020 5151-002-158 $7,942.87 DEIRMENJIAN,RAFFE SITUS 4270 MELROSE AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90029-3541 5538-029-002 $7,302.71 LANDAVERDE,JUANA D SITUS 925 N VIRGIL AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90029-2911 5539-008-003 $3,027.14 LYNCH,MARGUERITE M ET AL KASDEN,MARGUERITE SITUS 800 W 1ST ST APT 2009 LOS ANGELES CA 900122429 5151-027-156/S2010-010 $6,793.58 PATTILLO,THELMA TR THELMA PATTILLO TRUST AND PATTILLO,DARRELL SITUS 5255 VIRGINIA AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90029-1211 5537-010-026 $13,274.97 SEVIAN,SUSAN DECD EST OF SITUS 833 N RIDGEWOOD PL LOS ANGELES CA 900384327 5535-001-017 $9,359.15.

the LOFT expert!

For SALe

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Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Bill Cooper 213.598.7555

Casaloma L.A. Apartments Clean unfurnished bachelor rooms with shared bath at $600/mo. with private bath at $745/mo. Includes utilities, basic cable channels, laundry room on site. Gated building in a good area. 208 W. 14th St. at Hill St. Downtown LA

For English Call Pierre or Terri 213.744.9911 For Spanish Call Susana 213.379.4743

TheLoftExpertGroup.com DRE # 01309009

Bill Cooper 213.598.7555

TheLoftExpertGroup.com BRE #01309009

Voted BEST Downtown Residential Real Estate Agent! • Beautiful view of Sandia mountains • Great for large homes • Alfafa field with irrigation

• 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

Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA.

Monthly from $700+ utilities paid. (213) 612-0348

Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator. Full bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

Monthly from $795 utilities paid. (213) 627-1151


TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

16 Downtown News

September 1, 2014

Broadway, 7

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

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enhanced pedestrian experience. “Eventually, we’re going to see thousands of people strolling on Broadway,” he said. “People will sit with their coffee at tables surrounded by these beautiful buildings. That’s good for Downtown, good for business and good for the city.” The project has generally drawn praise from Broadway stakeholders, even as those in favor of the effort worry about the slicing of traffic lanes. Steve Needleman, a longtime property owner whose 2001 makeover of the Orpheum Theatre was a precursor of the current wave of investment on the street, ardently supports Bringing Back Broadway, but admits to being a little reticent about losing vehicular lanes. Needleman hopes the DOT keeps close tabs on what works and what doesn’t during the dress rehearsal. “The transition on Broadway has been phenomenal. When you look at the whole program overall, I think it’s a team success,” he said. For Adele Yellin, owner of Grand Central Market, the work has been a net positive. Yellin, whose office is in the Bradbury Building, sees the slowing traffic every day. Although that makes longer commutes for drivers, she hopes it leads to people noticing shops or eateries they didn’t know existed. The timeline for moving from the dress rehearsal to permanent streetscape changes has not fully been determined. Huizar has secured $4.6 million from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which has been earmarked for work on Broadway between Fourth and Fifth streets, and Eighth and Ninth streets. Coca said that developers Forest City, G.H. Palmer Associates and Izek Shomof, who are building housing complexes on the southern portion of the project area, will cover sidewalk improvements near their projects. Huizar continues to look for funds to cover permanent improvements throughout the project area. donna@downtownnews.com

Murals, 6 properly, according to the city. With English’s “Urban Bigfoot” at Imperial and Jesse streets, for instance, the approval signature came from a building tenant, not the owner. The city later received a call from the owner saying the work had not been authorized, Filer said. Isabel Rojas-Williams, executive director of the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles, which also helped shape the ordinance, sees it as a situation in which artists and fixers need to be more aware if they want to create a legacy of art in the city. The city and community leaders should hold meetings to clarify rules and encourage local artists and building owners, she said. She also emphasized that the registration process is simple: Pay the $60 fee, secure the paperwork, and the art stays. “By not complying with the ordinance’s requirements, people are going against the spirit of the law we all helped create,” Rojas-Williams said. “Everybody knows the rules. Breaking the law is breaking the law. We agreed.” Fourteenth District City Councilman José Huizar, a leader in crafting the mural ordinance, is optimistic about the progress. A number of new Downtown murals, including one from artists who go by the names Saber and Zes at Seventh and Mateo streets, are in the approval pipeline, Huizar noted. He also dismissed most confusion with registration as resulting from people who are trying to permit commercial advertisements as original public art. “There have been more applications than [Cultural Affairs] used to permit in a given year prior to the ban, so we’re encouraged by that,” Huizar said in an email. “We fully expect more murals on buildings to happen in Downtown in the coming months.” In the middle of it all are artists familiar with the ramifications of street art. When asked how it feels to have one of his works whitewashed because of improper registration, “Urban Bigfoot” painter English responded demurely, saying he has gotten used to seeing murals disappear “all the time.” “I never thought anyone had animosity toward my murals,” he said. “If you’re a bureaucrat, you need the paperwork signed. That’s just your job.” Still, the notion that murals in L.A. can finally have legal protections is an exciting thought for English. It’s a historic moment, he said, and that means that glitches and a slow start are to be expected. eddie@downtownnews.com


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