10-27-14

L A ST MINUTE

Happy City Hall-oween! | 5 What to Do on Oct. 31 | 18

OFFICE PARTIES PAGES 7 - 13

SPIRITED AWAY

OCTOBER 27, 2014 I VOL. 43 I #43

Over in the Industrial District, A Husband-and-Wife Team Runs L.A.’s Biggest Liquor Distillery

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THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

photo by Gary Leonard

SEE PAGE 16

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AROUND TOWN

Metro Begins Implementation Of Union Station Master Plan

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he Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s master plan to renovate Union Station, including building a new passenger concourse and bus terminal, has received a preliminary green light. The Metro Board of Directors voted on Thursday, Oct. 23, to move the plan into the implementation phase, which involves embarking on the environmental review process and meeting with private sector partners for a commercial development plan.

Metro is aiming to start the environmental review early in 2015, and it will likely take a year to complete, said Deputy Executive Officer Jenna Hornstock. The master plan also aims to upgrade the streetscapes around the transit hub, including transforming the parking lot off of Alameda Street into a public plaza with seating and outdoor dining. Additionally, Metro has secured $1.2 million to create a bike hub on the west side of Union Station, with parking for about 300 bicycles and a space for bike retail and repair services. It is expected to open in 2017.

Restaurants, Beer and Wine Store Headed to Chinatown

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lans are in motion to bring four restaurants and a beer and wine store with a

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS tasting room to the ground floor of Chinatown’s Jia Apartments. According to documents filed with the Department of City Planning, the five spaces total 13,803 square feet and will provide indoor seating for 366 people and another 87 patio seats. Kate Bartolo, a land-use representative for Equity Residential, which opened the $93 million housing complex at 639 N. Broadway in January, said the developers have been looking for a mix of high-quality restaurants to move into the spaces along Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue. Though Bartolo would not reveal the identity of the potential tenants, she said the spaces are intended to be a draw for residents of the building’s 280 apartments. Plans call for the businesses to close at midnight to minimize disruption to the tenants, she said. The spaces have floor-to-ceiling windows, which Bartolo said will help activate the street. A zoning administration hearing for the company’s conditional use permit is scheduled for Oct. 30.

Cantonese Restaurant Coming to Trader Vic’s Space

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hen the L.A. Live outpost of Trader Vic’s closed in the spring, it was unclear what would take its place. Now the reveal has come: A Chinese restaurant featuring dumplings and elegant stir-fry dishes will fill the space at 888 W. Olympic Blvd. Triple 8 China Bar & Grill is the latest venture from restaurateurs Kerry Moy and Michael Kwan, who opened Downtown’s Wokcano, Spear (formerly Le Ka) and Bunker Hill Bar and Grill. Triple 8’s menu will

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

October 27, 2014

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

The Emerson (Parcel M)

Project Team

Pankow Builders

revolve around Cantonese cuisine, from the southern portion of China, with a special focus on dim sum, said Moy. The goal is to open Triple 8 in December, Moy added. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, potentially staying open until 2 a.m. on weekends.

Learn Everything You Want To Know About The Bloc

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eveloper Wayne Ratkovich’s $160 million transformation of the former Macy’s Plaza is one of the most prominent projects in Down-

October 21, 2014

town. This week, the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles is inviting local residents and workers to tour the effort known as The Bloc and attend a panel discussion about it. The tour begins on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m., and the discussion, moderated by Emily Gabel-Luddy and featuring Brian Cornelius of the Ratkovich Company and a trio of designers and architects, starts an hour later. “Ratkovich’s commitment to investing in The Bloc and revitalizing this particular part of Downtown demonstrates a willingness to add value to a community as opposed to simply collecting from Continued on page 24

t h e

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State Assemblymember Isadora Hall III Supervisor Gloria Molina

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FAYE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT & CEO AND YWCA GREATER LOS ANGELES Recognize the Outstanding Contributions of this Year’s Awardees

Councilmember Curren Price Jr.

Jan Perry, General Manager of the Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department Jim McDonnell, Chief of Police for the Silver Achievement Award Long Beach Police Department

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October 27, 2014

Downtown News 3

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EDITORIALS

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October 27, 2014

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

Related’s Grand Avenue Perseverance

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his month, residents began moving in to the apartment building the Emerson. That may not seem notable, considering that housing complexes seem to open every week in Downtown Los Angeles. Some of them are much larger and more expensive than the 216-unit structure on Grand Avenue.

The $120 million Emerson, from developer Related Companies, is special for a couple reasons. First, it’s the most upscale project to come to the Central City in the current boom, but it retains something that most new residential developments lack: a 20% affordable housing component.

Additionally, the Emerson marks the first chance for Related to begin to recoup some of its investment in Bunker Hill. The New York-based company first committed to this area about a decade ago, and has spent untold millions trying to get a mega-project off the ground. Given the recession, government hurdles and additional factors, many other companies would long ago have cut their losses and dumped the site.

The Emerson was not part of Related’s original plan. In the middle of the last decade, the company won a contract to develop a collection of city and county-owned parcels on Grand Avenue. The most notable was the site of the “tinker toy” parking structure across the street from Walt Disney Concert Hall.

This is where Related planned to build a $2 billion mixed-use project designed by Frank Gehry.

That project faltered when the recession hit. In a strange twist, the only thing to materialize was Grand Park: County Supervisor Gloria Molina orchestrated a clause in the development agreement requiring Related to pay $50 million up front for the reworking of the public space between the Music Center and City Hall.

Another hurdle arose when local leaders applied pressure on Related to give one parcel the company had been awarded to Eli Broad for construction of a $140 million, self-funded art museum. Again, the developer saw a noteworthy project rise while its own vision sat unrealized.

It wasn’t until 2011 that Related was able to move forward with plans for a single housing tower. Yet even here the company had to defer to others, this time in terms of the building’s design. While company executives might have wanted to be audacious, they appropriately recognized that Disney Hall and The Broad, from New York architecture firm Diller, Scofidio + Renfro, dominate the street. The Emerson, designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica, is a 20-story tall structure that purposely tries to complement the other buildings, not equal them.

Related deserves recognition for staying with the program, and the residents of the Emerson will help activate the street. We’re also pleased that the developer is finally getting the chance to move forward with a revamped version of the Gehry project announced so long ago.

Once again, many other developers would have seen these struggles and walked away. In sticking to its vision and to Grand Avenue, Related shows how right the city and county were to select them in the first place.

LAUSD Politics Will Hobble The Next Superintendent

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fter three-and-a-half years, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy is out of a job, replaced by an interim head in former superintendent Ramon Cortines.

Though Deasy resigned and walked away with a financial settlement, don’t believe for a moment that he left of his own volition.

This was a putsch, and the powers that be couldn’t get him out of the building fast enough.

Deasy was a divisive figure, and we’ll get to more of that below.

But above all he was a reformer, with all the pros and cons that designation brings. He came into the job cognizant of the challenges and set out to effect change, no matter how uncomfortable that made certain parties, including the powerful union United Teachers Los Angeles. Deasy is comparable in style to another embattled reformer, ex-Washington, D.C., schools chief Michelle Rhee.

The seven-member LAUSD board had its reasons for working to remove Deasy, as do the local elected leaders who failed to come to his defense and play the kind of hardball that would have been necessary to keep him in his post. Now the board and those leaders will have to deal with the consequences of their action. The recent moves put to the forefront the issue of precisely what kind of leader is sought for the head of a school district with nearly 700,000 students.

One thing is clear: Any committed reformer à la Deasy or Rhee would be crazy to accept this job. The next superintendent will have studied what occurred during Deasy’s tenure, and we are hardpressed to see an independent thinker take the position when the school board gets involved in so many decisions. If there is a fantasy of hiring this type of head, then the bubble needs to be burst before any search begins. The current LAUSD-related politics would hobble any superintendent who hopes to shake the foundations.

We recognize that this sounds like a slap at the LAUSD board and allied interests, and it is, but slapping meddling board members around is not the point. Rather, it’s the reality of the situation, and it is to everyone’s benefit to understand what kind of system exists and where the fault lines lie.

Assuming there is no imminent change in the philosophy or the make-up of the board, the person most likely to succeed as LAUSD superintendent will be someone who, in the best case, already

holds many of the same views on education and reform as the board members. In the worst case, it will be a yes man or woman who can do nothing to keep the board majority from having its way each time, every time, a system that might well favor politics, not students.

As we saw during the Deasy years, the LAUSD board has the power and the willingness to involve itself in many matters. The relationship is different from, for example, that between the Los Angeles City Council and the mayor. Though the two parts of government have historically tussled, the mayor wields a lot of influence, particularly if he grasps the power of the bully pulpit. The mayor (and yes, it’s an elected position rather than an appointed one) doesn’t endure the same kind of micro-management from the council. More importantly, the mayor doesn’t have to submit to an annual review, as the superintendent does from the school board.

That, by its very nature, puts the superintendent at the mercy of the seven-member panel, where some of the members would do almost anything for a little ink or the backing of UTLA. We think Deasy made some important achievements, particularly in increasing test scores, raising graduation rates and reducing truancy across the district. Another accomplishment was psychological, as he managed to make people feel that positive change was happening in the LAUSD and that local schools were mostly improving. He was known as a tireless worker. No one doubted that he had the interests of students foremost in his mind.

The downside is that he could be abrasive and wanted to do things his way, and while this sort of Steve Jobs approach works at a company such as Apple, it didn’t fly in the LAUSD, where Deasy’s attempted crackdown on what he saw as underperforming teachers drew the ire of UTLA. He also didn’t help himself with the troubled iPad purchasing plan, and while that was by no means a fatal flaw, and though the idea to get technology into the hands of all students is laudable, he could and should have handled the process much better.

Now Deasy is gone and the positioning for his successor begins.

The LAUSD board and other power players need to understand just what type of leader can succeed as superintendent. We’d like it to be a real reformer, but given the current politics, that won’t be possible.

October 27, 2014

Downtown News 5

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Happy City Hall-oween VII Can You Survive the Most Frightening Building in Los Angeles?

By Jon Regardie avigating City Hall can be tricky and, sometimes, downright scary. You’re never quite sure who is friend and who is foe, and alliances can change faster than they do on an episode of “Survivor.” It’s the rare person who enters the building and comes out unscathed.

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THE REGARDIE REPORT Things get even spookier on Halloween. In honor of the holiday and the administrations of Eric Ghoulcetti and Council President Herb Witchin, here lies the seventh annual, 100% made-up guide to the building. Abandon hope all ye who think you can change the system. #Hashtag: You enter City Hall off Main Street, pass through the metal detectors and see a giant sign reading #HalloweenInCityHall. Funny, you don’t remember seeing that before. You walk to the elevator and find another sign, this one reading #1Halloween. The doors open and, kablam, it’s yet another sign with yet another hashtag, this time reading #BasicMayorHalloweenFun. On no! You realize that all the hashtags Mayor Eric Garcetti uses on social media have banded together and become sentient.

Signs pop up reading #HackTheDrought, #RaiseTheHalloweenWage and #Garcetti4Gov2K18. You wonder: If an action happens in City Hall and doesn’t involve a mayoral hashtag, then has it really happened? The thought makes you pass out.

Caught in the Web: You wake, rub your eyes and see something in the distance. You walk closer and, golly, it looks old and unloved. Could it be? Yes, it is Sixth District Councilwoman Nury Martinez’s website. You poke at it, hoping for any sign of life, but although Martinez has

been in office almost 18 months, the site has no news or usable information. How could a website from a city official in 2014 be so skeletal? You shake your head and walk away.

Chair Affair: You hear the pounding of footsteps. You look up to see a mid-40s man running down the hall.

For some reason he’s holding a chair. What is he running from? It looks to be a woman. She approaches and tries to wrest away the chair. The man picks up something and looks like he’s going to throw it at her — is that mud? It is! “You can’t have my seat!” he exclaims. Now it seems as if she is ready to throw mud back. Hey, the man trying to hold on to his seat is 14th District Councilman José Huizar and the woman is County Supervisor Gloria Molina. You watch them fight but want to turn away, feeling this will get ugly.

Seven Heads to Slay You With: You enter a room and see a seven-headed hydra. It is holding a ring. “Come forward,” hisses one head. “Tell us all you have done in your job,” commands another. You recite the groundbreaking achievements you have made, detail the widespread community support you have engendered. “Lips up,” orders the hydra, but you ignore it and go on, explaining how those around you perform 137% better than they did before your arrival. “Lips closer! Now pucker!” demands the hydra. “I refuse to do your bidding,” you say, but as soon as the words escape your lips, a guillotine blade slams down, barely missing you. What’s happening? You look down and, noooooooo! You see the head of former LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy on the floor. Suddenly it’s clear: The seven-headed hydra is the school board and demands Continued on page 6

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October 27, 2014

hall-oween, 5 that all who come before it, no matter how accomplished, kiss the ring, and if they don’t, CHOP! Quick, run!

The Dead Zone: Out of breath, you dart into another room. It’s silent. At a far table you see an aged woman sitting alone. The only decor is a bunch of upright cardboard partitions. You spend an eternity here but no one enters. Finally, you look closely at the partitions and realize you’re in L.A.’s true dead zone: a city polling place on the day of an odd-year election. You ask the air if would make more sense to have city votes coincide with state and federal elections. You get no answer to your very logical question.

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Money Changes Everything: You’re back in the hallway when the mid-40s man from before runs by again. This time he’s being chased by a much younger woman, and boy does she look angry. She throws something at him. Is that a suit? Yes. He dodges it, then tosses an absurdly large, albeit unspecified, amount of money at her. Poof! She disappears. What’s happening? Hey, that man is Huizar and the woman is his former Deputy Chief of Staff Francine Godoy. Interesting, you think: She brought a suit toward him, he flung a pile of money at her, and she went away.

You have no idea what any of this could possibly mean.

Not Even Kickoff: Still scratching your head, you enter another room. It’s deadly quiet inside. You spy a marble marker. You peer closely and it says “Coliseum I.” Another marble marker reads “Dodger Stadium Parking Lot.” Still another marker says “Coliseum II: Fumble.” Suddenly, like Kurtz in Apocalypse Now, you recognize the horror: The markers are all tombstones for failed efforts to bring pro football to Los Angeles. They go on and on, and some are almost 20 years old! At the end of the line is an open grave. You look up and see that it already has a tombstone, and it reads “Farmers Field.” You shrug and walk out.

Follow the Leader: Back in the hallway you hear music. You see a line of individuals dancing happily down the hall while a man in front blows something that looks like a whistle. You think the tune is familiar and hear the people warbling, “It’s not about me, it’s about we!” The man in front blows his whistle, veers left and the whole line leans left. He veers right and so does the line. Up, down, around the town, goose step, walk like an Egyptian — they all follow wherever he goes. Suddenly you recognize the man as Council President Herb Wesson, but why is he dressed as the Pied Piper? You count 13 people following him and notice a resemblance to City Council members. Gosh, you wonder, how come the council is following the Pied Piper, doing whatever he wants and going wherever he leads them?

Then you spy something even stranger. At the end of the queue, Councilman Bernard Parks is strolling along but ignoring what the rest are doing. Instead, he just lights a bunch of fires.

You also see a figure next to him hitting a snare drum. How curious: Parks is ignoring the line and instead is marching to the beat of his own drummer. You wonder why no one else does this.

Dealing With the Past: You’re pondering the line when, zoom!

For a third time the man in his mid-40s races by you down the hall. What’s chasing him this time? No, not a former employee or someone who wants his seat. Instead, his very own past is following him and, if you look from the right angle, it seems to be looming over him. He speeds along and you wonder, can Huizar outrun his past?

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Water Music: You’re exhausted, hungry and thirsty. Suddenly, a man in a $6,000 suit approaches. “Would you like wine and dinner?” he asks, and you say yes. In exchange, he requests one small favor: He hands you a pail and asks if you would please carry this water for him in council chambers. You say yes, but as soon as you do what he asked and put it down he hands you another pail. Then another and another and another, and for some reason you’re powerless to stop carrying water for the man in the expensive suit. This seems to go on for years, with the only interruptions being the occasional wining and dining.

Then, for unknown reasons, it just stops. The man takes the pail of water you’ve been carrying for him, kicks you in the backside, and you find yourself outside City Hall, left all alone in the cold.

You have no idea what this could possibly mean. regardie@downtownnews.com

October 27, 2014

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Downtown News 7

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Office Parties Tips From the Party-Planning Experts and a Rundown of Great Downtown Options

8 Downtown News

October 27, 2014

LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES

Giving a Party the X Factor Bowling Is Just the Start of the Fun at Little Tokyo’s XLanes

By Jacqueline Fox ou probably know XLanes LA as a bowling alley, but that’s just the start of what can be found in the 18-month-old business on the third floor of the Little Tokyo Galleria. In addition to the 24 bowling lanes, the 50,000-square-foot venue boasts a 150-seat Italian/American restaurant, a sports bar, three private karaoke rooms, a nine-table billiards room and a full-throttle video arcade with roughly 80 games.

All of which means there is plenty of flexibility when it comes to holding an office party there. Jenny Wong-Li, the XLanes LA events specialist, ran down the options.

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Los Angeles Downtown News: What kinds of dates and times are still available? Are the weekends all gone?

Jenny Wong-Li: Most Thursdays and Fridays in December are booked but a couple remain open. We also have some weekends available.

We don’t book or hold any dates for holiday parties until we’ve received a deposit, so it’s all on a first-come, first-served basis.

Q: How big a group can you accommodate?

A: We have a lot of room for different sized groups. We can accommodate small groups of 10, a full-capacity buyout at 955 and everything in between.

Q: How much should you expect to spend per per-

Jenny Wong-Li puts together special events at XLanes LA. In addition to bowling, guests can sing karaoke in a private room, play pool or check out the offerings in an 80-game arcade.

son on a party at XLanes?

A: Prices vary widely, depending on the package. We can offer a pizza and bowling package for small groups of 15 or 20 for as little as $20 a person. At the top end, there’s a full buffet from the restaurant which can come in as high as $100 per person.

Q: What kind of menu do you offer for parties?

A: We can offer appetizer platters for smaller groups, or can start a larger party with items such as charred chicken quesadillas, pizzas, wings and sliders. Or we can do a full buffet with cocktails and wine, which might include herb chicken skewers, fresh pasta and our drunken chicken chipotle, our most popular dish.

Q: How do you accommodate vegetarians, vegans or people with dietary restrictions?

A: We can handle most vegetarian requests upon special order. As for vegans, we can create a spaghetti marinara, sautéed veggies, and with enough notice, create some specialty dishes. We also have gluten-free dough for pizzas.

Q: In addition to bowling, what other forms of entertainment do you offer for a party?

A: We have 24 lanes for bowling and two VIP rooms with four lanes in each room. We also have the billiards room for standing receptions, three private karaoke rooms and a large ban-

photo by Gary Leonard

Q: Can you handle short-term notice for events?

A: Typically by December we are close to 80% booked. I’d recommend booking as soon as possible, but we will accommodate a last-minute booking based on our availability.

Q: What can people do to help out their budget?

A: Being flexible is key. We have pizza packages discounted for groups of 15 or more at $29 a head. These come with two large, one-topping pizzas to serve eight guests. Two of those can serve about 16 people and that comes in at around $60, not including tax, tip, drinks or the bowling fees.

Q: What’s your advice for people who are planning at the last minute?

A: I would recommend being open to off times, such as 9 or 10 p.m. for bowling. There may be someone booked in the prime spot for bowling at 7 p.m., but they may have a two- or threehour limit. So while guests are waiting for lanes, a group could book the karaoke room for a few hours or do the billiards room, have appetizers and drinks, then slide into bowling on the other side.

Q: What can people do to make party planning easier for the restaurant?

A: I’d recommend going onto our website, filling out the form for special events inquiries to tell me your dates and more about your needs and what you’re looking for. That way I can get a date locked in and details about your event before I talk with you on the phone or in person.

XLanes LA is at 333 S. Alameda St., (213) 2298910 or xlanesla.com

quet room with space for up to 70 people. We also have the video game room.

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October 27, 2014

LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES

Downtown News 9

An Event With Tradition Office Parties at Morton’s The Steakhouse Come With Classic Food Options and Decor

By Jacqueline Fox hen it comes to the annual holiday office party, some prefer to stick with the classics: a boardroom setting with dark walls, traditional steakhouse fare and a layer of elegance that only a table set with crisp linen can produce.

This and more is what’s in store at Morton’s The Steakhouse, which opened in 2001 at Seventh and Figueroa streets.

Tradition dominates here, with menu items such as steaks, lobster bisque, fresh market vegetables and award-winning wines. Still, Lori Guerra, Morton’s special events, sales and marketing manager, said the staff works hard to keep things fresh, especially for holiday office parties. “We truly are a classic venue, but we offer our own contemporary version of everything you think of when you ponder the traditional steak house,” she said.

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Los Angeles Downtown News: What kinds of dates and times are still available? Are the weekends all gone?

Lori Guerra: I still have lots of dates available, although we are receiving calls just about every day with inquiries for our rooms.

Right now we have both lunch and dinner reservations available, but they are filling up very fast.

Q: How big a group can you accommodate?

A: Morton’s has different rooms for private parties with mahogany walls, Persian rugs and fresh linens. One seats 48, two seat 32 and we can combine two of our rooms to accommodate 80 seated guests or 100 standing reception-style.

Q: How much should you expect to spend per person on a party at Morton’s?

A: We have minimums in our banquet rooms during the holidays. However, generally we will work with different budgets, starting in the range of $25 a head.

Q: What kind of menu do you offer for parties?

A: We have different prix-fixe packages that include options for all of the classics from our menu, such as our steaks, fresh fish, crab cakes, scallops, lamb chops, Caesar salad and chicken for a main course. These would come with one potato option and one vegetable. Usually diners select the mashed potatoes and asparagus. The prix-fixe packages may include the double chocolate cake, a house favorite. We also have party platter options with shrimp cocktail, mini cheeseburgers, steak sandwiches and other items that can be customized, depending on the group and size.

Q: How do you accommodate vegetarians, vegans or people with dietary restrictions?

A: We offer a beautiful Mediterranean plate with a lot of roasted vegetables, our baked potato or mashed potatoes and salads and sides. We have no problem accommodating vegetarians.

For vegans, we can eliminate the butter and cream and dairy and offer the same veggies, baked potatoes, salads with vegan dressings and fresh berries for dessert.

Q: What kinds of entertainment do you offer for a party?

A: We don’t offer entertainment but we have piped-in music. If customers want to bring in their own music to one of the banquet rooms they can certainly do that. I always tell people just to bring in an iPod. Q: Can you handle short-term notice for events?

A: Absolutely, unless the board or banquet rooms are fully booked. In those cases we can put them at tables on our main floor if they are willing to sit at separate tables but near one another. Our main dining room and large board room can seat 250 total, so there is space.

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photo by Gary Leonard

At Morton’s The Steakhouse, office parties usually mean steaks, potatoes, fresh vegetables, wine and an elegant setting. Events and marketing manager Lori Guerra said last-minute bookings are possible.

Q: What’s your advice for people who are planning at the last minute?

A: Be flexible with dates and times. Don’t hesitate to call and ask us what we have. We’ll always try to accommodate.

Q: What can people do to help out their budget?

A: I would say tell me what they want and what they need and I can help them move in the right direction. If they want to do limited wine and beer only, I can do pre-ordered wine to fit their budget. For food, it’s possible to customize a menu to keep the costs within their means.

Q: What can people do to make party planning easier for the restaurant?

A: It’s important to have clear communication of what their expectations are so we can offer perfect execution. If you have vegetarians or guests with food allergies, tell us at booking so our team is able to meet your needs.

Morton’s The Steakhouse is at 735 S. Figueroa St., (213) 553-4586 or mortons.com

10 Downtown News

October 27, 2014

LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES

Prime Time for Office Parties Need a Last-Minute List of Spots for Your Downtown Soiree?

This One Goes to 11

By Eddie Kim he passing of Halloween marks the start of the manic holiday season. On the downside, that means shelling out big bucks for presents for everyone you know and love. On the upside, it means loads of holiday parties.

Actually, the upside isn’t for everyone. Party planners working in Downtown offices have the gargantuan task of arranging an event that is actually fun for employees and doesn’t

T

feel like a requirement. The other hard part is that, even though it is only late October, some people began their work more than a month ago, and many prime spots have already been booked on the most popular November and December weekends.

Fortunately, Downtown is so big and diverse that there remains a lot of unique places to bring an office crowd together. The Central City is stacked with restaurants and event spots that can accommodate big groups or even be bought

photo by Gary Leonard

Old Bank District stalwart Pete’s has a new look and a new menu, just in time for the holiday party season.

out for a private soiree. It’s just a matter of finding the right place with a strong menu and a cool environment, one that fits your particular crowd.

Here are 11 diverse options to get you started on the office party hunt.

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It’s a Briks House: Party planners looking for an intimate atmosphere with eclectic eats may be intrigued by The Briks, which opened in South Park during the summer. Chef and owner Mario Christerna, an East L.A. native, has put together a menu that smashes influences from Spanish, North African, French and Chicano cuisine. Check out the restaurant’s namesake, briks, which are fried pastries stuffed with sa-

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Far-Away Flavors: Across the street from the Seventh Street/Metro Center station sits 10e, a new restaurant with two levels of dining space and loads of Mediterranean small plates. Located in the Fine Arts Building, the bright, elegant spot has a modern vibe, and 10e’s menu offers more than 50 different options. The food ranges from lighter bites such as the mujadara (a black lentil puree) to bigger plates featuring meats, seafood and vegetables. Wash it down with some of the dozens of wines (including varietals from Lebanon and Israel), cocktails, and draft and bottled beers. Feel like being authentic in your drinking revelry? Share a bottle of arak or ouzo, anise-flavored liquors from the Middle East and Greece, respectively. Cool fact: The restaurant comes from power lawyer Mark Geragos and longtime L.A. restaurateur Jacques Darakjian.

At 811 W. Seventh St., (213) 488-1096 or 10erestaurant.com.

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Larger groups can be accommodated on the patio, in the main dining room or even the whole restaurant.

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October 27, 2014

Downtown News 11

LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES

party spots, 10

CATERING

gentinian food. That’s just part of the reason why the recently opened 1810 is unique. The spot in the southern part of the Historic Core specializes in grilled meats, and the price is right to accommodate a large crowd. The restaurant has around 60 seats and a warm, inviting interior lined in brick and dark wood; it also offers a variety of seating options. The menu focuses on simple preparations of steak, chicken and fish. There are also prix-fixe options, potentially better for an office party, and even combo platters. It’s a great opportunity to offer workers a choice of meats including steak, short ribs and sausages.

At 105 W. Ninth St., (213) 623-1810 or 1810restaurant.com.

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The new Historic Core Argentinean restaurant 1810 is a great destination for those who like meat.

Justice for All: Another new spot, this one in the Civic Center, is Justice Urban Tavern, which happens to be perfectly geared for a private event. The gastropub has event packages starting with 25 people, and party spaces include the outdoor patio, a section of the main dining room, and two private dining rooms. Food can be ordered à la carte or guests can be served prix-fixe meals For private parties, a 10,000 sq. ft. 9th floor space ranging from $15-$35 per person. The menu features tweaked that was once home to the Jonathan Club, is availtakes on classics such as burgers, salads, sandwiches and appeable for the asking. Pricing on request. View our tizers; highlights include the house-smoked wings and the tuna group dining options and see why the Artisan tartare tacos with wonton shells. The bar, meanwhile, serves House can be yours anywhere you want to be. craft beers and cocktails such as the Beet the System, with local twitter.com/ArtisanHouseLA instagram.com/artisanhouseLA white whiskey, fresh beets, St. Germain liqueur and apple bitters.

At 120 S. Los Angeles St., (213) 253-9235 or justicela.com.

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Bird’s-Eye View: There is a lot to like at Nest at WP24. Start with the space, which is on the 24th floor of the Ritz-Carlton at L.A. ** Live. Nest is one of the most photogenic dining rooms in Downtown, with loads of swooping, sculptural dark wood and views Discount available through January 2015 of the Central City’s skyscrapers and the Harbor Freeway. Unlike e gives you endless the full WP24, specializes in modern Chinese food exclusively Coffeewhich and Babycakes, Artisan House gives youand endless ** For any catered event on Partnering or off site, booked beforewith Intelligentsia only serves prix-fixe meals, the lounge-like Nest offers a menu to go or join us coffee andfrom breakfast options to get your day started right. Grab something to go or join us November 14, 2014. Alcohol excluded offer. ofArtisan shareable plates.

There crowd-pleasing appetizers such as Partnering exclusively with Intelligentsia Coffee and Babycakes, House gives youare endless at our indoor/outdoor market café. the sweet and spicy coffee and breakfast options to get your day started right. Grab something to gochicken or join wings us or Chinese spare ribs, along with Intelligentsia Coffee and Babycakes, House gives you endless with lighter dishes including the hand-cut sushi rolls and tematArtisan our indoor/outdoor market café. st options to get your day started right. Grab something to go or join us pura green beans.

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Old Classic, New Look: For more than a decade, Pete’s Café was the place in the Old Bank District where everyone went. The crowds will keep showing up, but the spot has changed. It recently closed for a month as new chef Josef Centeno (who owns Baco Mercat and two other OBD restaurants) gave the menu and the room a makeover. It’s just Pete’s now, and the interior is a striking mix of white and black tile work. The menu, meanwhile, has revamped American classics such as Waldorf salad, pot roast and smothered pork chops. Though it has a large bar and reconfigured seating, when it comes to office celebrations twitter.com/ArtisanHouseLA instagram.com/artisanhouseLA Pete’s is best suited for smaller parties. Guests will no doubt apinstagram.com/artisanhouseLA preciate the outdoor patio, which is illuminated at night by the neighborhood’s longstanding string lights.

At 400 S. Main St., (213) 687-7015 or petesla.com.

Continued on page 12

12 Downtown News

October 27, 2014

LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES

party spots, 11 Check It Out: The gastropub Plan Check opened this month in City West, giving Downtown residents and workers another joint with a stacked craft beer and cocktail list and a menu full of modern comfort-food favorites. Don’t miss the Plan Check Burger, a reengineered patty with homemade American cheese (infused with Japanese kelp for an umami punch) and “ketchup leather.” Other favorites include the smoky fried chicken with pickled okra and a pastrami sandwich with kimchi mustard. The interior is a casual but chic place to hold a party, featuring lots of concrete, wood and steel accents to play off the construction-inspired name.

At 1111 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 403-1616 or plancheck.com.

Eye on the Pie: Who says only kids get to have pizza parties?

There are plenty of Downtown restaurants slinging crowd-pleasing pies, but one of the best is Pizzanista!, located in the Arts District next to Tony’s Saloon. It’s a small space with only a smat-

tering of tables and some bar seating, but it could be the perfect spot for an intimate get-together where everyone mills around.

Pizzanista! serves all the classic options as well as some overthe-top creations, namely a mac-and-cheese pizza that might be best consumed after several drinks. There’s also a selection of salads and a few appetizers, including some addictive garlic knots and tender meatballs in marinara sauce.

At 2019 E. Seventh St., (213) 627-1430 or pizzanista.com.

Games On: Is inter-office competition a good thing? It is when it takes place at EightyTwo. The Arts District barcade opened this year and the industrial space with high ceilings, concrete floors and a few dozen pinball machines and arcade games can be rented out, though the staff says the best times for parties are during off hours, which are generally before noon on weekends or before 5 p.m. on weekdays. EightyTwo offers two rooms and an outdoor patio, and drinks draw from video game lore — think Wizard Mode (rye whiskey, coffee and vanilla black tea) or

the Tempest (tequila, lime, agave, mint and bitters). Of course, the highlight is the games, and options include Centipede, Donkey Kong, Galaga, Tron and the Addams Family pinball machine.

At 707 E. Fourth Place, (213) 626-8200 or eightytwo.la.

Feeling Arty: The Arts District’s Eat.Drink.Americano has become a favorite on the strength of its slick industrial space, a diverse selection of domestic craft beers and wines on tap, and flat-out delicious food. Don’t miss the selection of cheeses and cured meats, and the flatbreads also stand out. Larger entrees include a braised pork cheek with polenta and mushrooms, a soft shell crab sandwich and steak tartare with savory homemade Dijon mustard ice cream, which is a much better combination than you might expect. Eat.Drink.Americano may not be the right destination for a large and raucous party, but it’s one of the coolest Arts District spots for a smaller get-together.

At 923 E. Third St., (213) 620-0781 or eatdrinkamericano.com. eddie@downtownnews.com

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October 27, 2014

Downtown News 13

LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES

Getting to the Point of Party Planning New Restaurant Spear Offers Asian-Influenced Steak and Seafood in a Variety of Settings

By Jacqueline Fox n Sept. 5, the former Le Ka restaurant was reborn as Spear Steak & Seafood House. But don’t expect the staff to ease into things: They are already deep in holiday party planning mode.

Spear serves Asian-influenced, steak, seafood and raw bar delicacies, and the restaurant team can customize a party menu for an intimate group of 10 or a crowd of 200. General Manager Jeff Midlam can offer customers patio spaces, private alcoves, a glassed-in banquet room and more depending on whether the desire is a sit-down affair or a casual standing reception.

O

Los Angeles Downtown News: What kinds of dates and times are still available? Are the weekends all gone?

Jeff Midlam: We are starting to book quickly and some areas have been completely reserved for December. But because of the way our space is laid out, we can accommodate late bookings.

Q: How big a group can you accommodate?

A: Our maximum is about 200. With 9,000 square feet we cover a lot of ground. We have two private VIP rooms that hold 12 guests in one and 20 in the other, banquet style. The lower patio holds 150 reception-style and has a bar and an 80-inch TV for presentations. The upper patio holds 40-60 people. I don’t recommend sit-downs for the patios. The main dining room seats between 70 and 80 people, and then we have a private banquet room with windows that seats 30.

Q: How much should you expect to spend per person on a party at Spear?

A: We can do a nice event for $50-$60 a head and we can also go as high as $300 a head. It just depends on the customers’ needs.

We can offer a standing reception-style event with tray-passed appetizers and drinks, or a full buffet and open bar. Everything can be completely customized and I also have multiple entrances for customers who want a private space with exclusivity.

Q: What kind of menu do you offer for parties?

A: Our menu is Asian-infused and we are very chef-driven, so everything is made from scratch for every event. We can customize any menu and it may be appetizers or steaks and seafood and other items ranging from our herb-marinated shrimp or calamari to filet mignon, pork chops and lamb shanks. We have a terrific salad section and delicious, carefully crafted sides. It’s all customizable.

Q: How do you accommodate vegetarians, vegans or people with dietary restrictions?

A: No problem at all. We have many salads, veggies and sides available for platters and appetizer passing. Again, we can customize any menu.

photo by Gary Leonard

Spear Steak and Seafood House opened in the former Le Ka space last month.

General Manager Jeff Midlam can organize parties in the Sixth Street restaurant for anywhere from 10 to 200 people.

Q: What’s your advice for people who are planning at the last minute?

A: Tell us exactly what you’re looking for and we’ll be very honest with you about what we can do. We can pull off amazing things at the last minute. We are very customer-driven and we know last minute happens. It’s the business we’re in.

Q: What can people do to help out their budget?

A: Because we are a large company with about 16 restaurants we can often get a wide range of excellent products at very good prices. But keeping the bar tab contained helps, and we caution on over-buying on food.

Q: What kinds of entertainment do you offer for a party?

A: We have an entertainment license so we can accommodate a live band if a customer wants to hire one for an event. Right now, we have a piano in house and we can offer live jazz. We also have a very nice sound system built into every space. So bring the iPod.

Q: What can people do to make party planning easier for the restaurant?

A: Be flexible on a couple of dates and have details sketched out before you call. If you have a nice foundation already in mind it makes it easier for us.

Spear Steak & Seafood House is at 800 W. Sixth St., (213) 6883000 or spearrestaurant.com.

Q: Can you handle short-term notice for events?

A: Yes, usually, if we have at least 48 hours notice. Because we are Asian-influenced, we seat family style and have large communal tables in our main dining area, which allows us to accommodate big parties with little notice. Other spaces may be tougher to book at this point, but we will do our best.

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14 Downtown News

October 27, 2014

Puppet Theater Could Be Nearing the End of Its Run With Property Sold and Apartments Planned, Future Is Uncertain for Bob Baker’s Marionette Space

By Eddie Kim or more than half a century, Bob Baker has entertained children and adults alike with joyful marionette shows at his theater, located on a dusty street corner in City West.

Today, the puppeteering legend is 90 years old and in hospice care. Meanwhile, a developer who purchased the theater last year is pursuing plans to build an apartment complex on the property at 1345 W. First St. The move is certain to usher in change, starting with the closing of the theater, possibly in the next six months. Beyond that lies a transformation of the property.

However, that proposed change is igniting debate about how to preserve the legacy of Baker and the theater, which was designated a Historic-Cultural Monument by the city’s Office of Historic Preservation in 2009.

Initial plans from developer Eli Melech call for 104 apartments in a five-story structure that bridges over the existing theater building, which would serve as a lobby and hold photos and memorabilia of Baker’s work.

“We’re trying to save the theater in some way, that’s our goal,” said Melech. “Our idea is to maybe have a show once a month in the space, whatever it may be, to keep up Bob’s legacy.”

That’s not enough for some observers, who charge that leaving the theater without an active artistic use would be meaningless. Instead, they want Melech to incorporate a marionette studio or workshop in the new complex.

Melech’s plan was presented to the city’s Cultural Heritage Commission on Oct. 16. Commission President Richard Barron noted that Baker’s theater, which opened in 1963, is more significant for its cultural impact than its architectural one, calling it a nondescript, warehouse-style building.

While most buildings with Historic-Cultural Monument status need to be protected and preserved, Barron argued that the

F

rendering courtesy of The Albert Group Architects

Developer Eli Melech plans to build 104 apartments on the City West site of the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre.

The existing building could become the new structure’s lobby.

developer and architect Steve Albert could find a more effective way to include a public arts use than leaving Baker’s theater as “a dusty lobby for residents.”

“What’s the real value of doing the architectural gymnastics to create a 60-foot span over the existing building?” asked Barron, an architect. “Could we take that money, save it by demolishing the building, and spend it to make a public puppeteering use in the building? Maybe we could put that money toward an endowment to continue the theater’s work.”

Melech and Albert said that they are open to redesigning the project, which has been in the works for about eight months. Albert said ideas could include creating a workshop, pocket park or a small amphitheater. He said multiple meetings have been

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held with city officials and preservationists, and the discussion will continue.

Some in the preservation community, however, have hesitations about demolishing Baker’s theater. The Los Angeles Conservancy “hasn’t taken a firm stand” on whether the building should stay or go, said Director of Advocacy Adrian Fine, who attended the commission meeting. But Fine said that the challenge is determining whether the building is significant because of what happened within its walls.

“The building itself, it tells the story of Bob Baker. Hundreds of thousands of kids, now adults, have a story there,” Fine said.

“We want the development to have some integration with the Continued on page 24

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Downtown News 15

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16 Downtown News

Kindred Spirits Husband-and-Wife Team Find That Distilling Liquor Is Big Business

By Eddie Kim all, slender and wrapped in gleaming copper, adorned with gauges and chunky bolts, the contraption looks like something out of a steampunk fantasy. The machine costs $400,000 and has one purpose: to take fermented liquid and transform it into liquor.

The long continuous fractionating still, as it’s called, is the heart of Greenbar Craft Distillery. The mom-andpop (or husband-and-wife) business run by Melkon Khosrovian and Litty Mathew at 2459 E. Eighth St. in the Industrial District is the only major working distillery in the city (a micro-distillery dubbed Loft & Bear is in the Arts District).

The soft-spoken Khosrovian comes alive when discussing his still, which he says can extract specific flavors at precise temperatures in a way standard stills can’t.

“The expense is high and you really need to know what you’re doing,” he remarked. “It’s basically like an exotic sports car, right?”

Greenbar, one of only about 30 independently owned distilleries in the state, moved to the Industrial District three years ago. Khosrovian and Mathew spent $1.6 million to buy and renovate the property.

The equipment, including fermentation tanks, multiple stills, infusion tanks and bottling equipment, set them back another $2 million.

Greenbar produces 15 varieties of spirits, including vodka, rum, gin and whiskey. Its goods are distributed to bars and shops in all 50 states, and the Downtown Los Angeles location is capable of pumping out 100,000 cases (each with 12 bottles) a year. The company claims to

T

have the biggest portfolio of organic spirits in the world.

It also now has a new facet: serving samples to the public. Thanks to a change in state law, people can taste Greenbar’s products on-site (though direct sales are still prohibited). A new tasting room opened this month, and tours are available by reservation.

“We never intended to go into this business together,” Mathew said. “But it’s been an amazing learning experience. We just love this stuff.”

Glasses Up Mathew, 44 and Khosrovian, 45, met as journalism graduate students at the University of Southern California in 1992. At the time neither had an interest in distilling spirits full time. Khosrovian worked at a Downtown software company, while Mathew took on freelance writing gigs. For a while she attended the Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in France, but dropped out.

The turn toward liquor began 14 years ago, when they got engaged. Celebratory meals with Khosrovian’s Armenian family involved sucking down shots of the harsh fruit brandies found throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. That was fine by Khosrovian, but Mathew wasn’t a big fan.

“We decided to make all these different infusions, mixing grain alcohol with fruits and herbs and stuff, so I could enjoy drinking with everyone else,” Mathew said.

Over time, family members started asking for the couple’s infused liquors. The requests started flowing in from friends of family members, then friends of friends, and soon strangers. That’s when Mathew and Khosrovian realized that an “out of control home project” could be something more.

As they scaled up their infusions, they stuck to using only whole fruits, vegetables and spices. They soon decided everything would be organically produced as well.

“Using whole ingredients creates less consistency and is a lot more work. Imagine zesting 2,000 lemons by hand,” Khosrovian said with a laugh. “But the flavor is just so much better. We also found that organic prod-

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Melkon Khosrovian and Litty Mathew are the founders and head distillers of Greenbar Craft Distillery on Eighth Street in the Industrial District.

They manufacture 15 kinds of liquor, including vodka, rum, gin and whiskey.

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Downtown News 17

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ucts from local farms tasted better.”

They spent about $500,000 to open a facility in Monrovia 10 years ago, where they produced infusions using purchased grain alcohol. They had to leave because of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Gold Line extension, and wound up in the Industrial District with some help from former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s green initiatives team.

They decided the transition was a good time to delve into distilling.

“We just knew that, with L.A. having no distilleries, it would be interesting for us to stake our claim here,” Mathew said.

Whiskey Business Greenbar sits on a dead-end street in the Industrial District, amid a soundtrack of freeway noise and the odor of days-old trash. Step into the clean brick building, however, and the outside fades away. Up the stairs is the tasting room, adorned in warm, handsome wood and concrete. Floor-toceiling windows provide a view onto the immaculate distillation and distribution floor downstairs.

It is on this floor that Khosrovian and Mathew create bright, natural-tasting spirits with enticing aromas and flavors.

One of their highlight products is the organic gin, which is infused with 14 kinds of flavorings and shines with a light amber hue.

As opposed to the ubiquitous London dry style of gin, which can be astringent and one-note in its pine-tree flavor, Greenbar’s version has a heady, floral aroma with touches of vanilla and chamomile. It hits the palate with a supple, herbal sweetness before releasing its juniper berry heart.

“Cocktails are what really inform our liquors and how we make them,” Khosrovian said. “A lot of cocktails don’t taste like the spirit. We want ours to be balanced and flavorful in a drink without being overpowering.”

The latest Greenbar product is an aged version of their “Slow Hand” white whiskey. It’s a smooth, spicy liquor with a smoky nuttiness unlike that of many whiskies, thanks to an infusion involving a variety of charred wood blocks.

The quality of the spirits is obvious, said Ryan Sweeney, owner of the Arts District gastropub Little Bear, which car-

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Khosrovian in Greenbar’s new tasting room, which is open to the public. Tours require a reservation.

ries several Greenbar products and uses them in cocktails. An equally big draw for Sweeney was supporting a local company that has a strong vision and a cut-no-corners philosophy.

“Honestly, there’s a lot of good spirits out there,” Sweeney said. “But there’s something about seeing people in L.A. being real pioneers and taking a step that others weren’t willing or unable to take.”

Mathew and Khosrovian now hope to ramp up production. The business, which employs 16 people, is adding new equipment over the next few months with the goal of more than tripling its volume to 350,000 cases a year.

One other thing is changing: Greenbar will soon have some more competition. A new venture, The Spirit Guild, is under construction at 586 Mateo St. in the Arts District.

That’s all the more motivation for Khosrovian and Mathew to keep pumping out innovative elixirs. As Khosrovian puts it: The perfect batch can never be made, but they’re getting closer each day. eddie@downtownnews.com

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Shock to the System: A pregnant parking attendant in the 500 block of South Hill Street was approached by a man brandishing a knife just before 4 p.m. on Oct. 5. The man demanded money, at which point the woman used a taser on the suspect, who then ran away.

Robbers Thwarted: Two people were walking along Sixth Street at Grand Avenue at 3:20 a.m. on Oct. 5 when two men, holding a rifle and a hammer, jumped out of a van, robbed them and drove off. A short time later, police arrested the suspects after they failed to rob someone else. Police returned the stolen goods to the first victims.

Unprovoked Attack: A man walking near Fourth and Hill streets at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 was attacked from behind by

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Rusty Nail Fight: Two people were arguing at Sixth and Spring streets at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 when one of the men struck the other in the head with a rusty nail. The victim stopped the man from leaving, and police arrested him.

Key Ring Caper: A man who lives in the 600 block of West Ninth Street thought it was his wife opening and closing the apartment door at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 5. It wasn’t, and the intruder stole Maserati, Range Rover and Corvette keys valued at $755. The thief also swiped the couple’s apartment keys.

Don’t Leave Stuff in Your Car: A woman parked her car in the 800 block of New Depot Street in Chinatown at 4 p.m. on Oct. 8, and returned at 8:30 a.m. the following morning to find her window had been pried open and her iPod stolen.

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October 27, 2014 photo by Gary Leonard

18 Downtown News

CALENDAR

14 Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Downtown

OCT 6 ✔ Sign Up for Daily Headlines!

By Jon Regardie n the old Downtown Los Angeles (read: before 2000), Halloween was pretty much dead. Not dead as in cool-because-it’sOct.-31-and-scary, but really dead.

Except for a few scattered EWS E-N wnNews.com at Downto n up District N UP and SigArts barSIG events loft parties, there was little to do.

What a difference a huge wave of housing, retail and Up for Our E-News Blasts & nightspotsSign makes.

In 2014,Be Downtown andMovie residents don’t have to Enteredworkers to Win Tickets! travel far to find something fun on Oct. 31. There are some events for families and others specifically reserved for adults.

You can do something participatory or sit back and enjoy the entertainment.

Even better, the action isn’t limited to Halloween night.

Particularly with All Hallow’s Eve falling on a Friday this year, there is plenty to do in the days before and the weekend after.

Here’s a rundown, by no means complete, of this year’s Halloween choices in Downtown.

I

former Oingo Boingo frontman won’t be alone — the set-up will feature sketches, drawings and storyboards from the films and Elfman will be joined by the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra and L.A. Philharmonic alumnus John Mauceri, who will conduct the Page L.A. Choir.

At 777 Chick Hearn Court or nokiatheatrelalive.com.

Starts October 10

The Central City’s biggest family-friendly celebration on Oct. 31 is at Grand Hope Park. The Downtown Center Business Improvement District’s Halloween Party for Downtown Kids offers games, jugglers, balloon animal artists and trick-or-treat doors.

Theater of Pain: What’s the scariest theater experiCheck Our Website for Full Movie Listings DowntownNews.com ence imaginable? Probably a one-man musical of Sis-

OCT 13

Another Use for Masks: Lucha VaVoom isn’t scary. It’s much more about being fun and funny, and pretty saucy, too. Still, the Lucha crew goes all out at their annual Halloween extravacom/L.A.DowntownNews ebook. ganza, and this Fac week’s two-date visit to the Mayan Theatre is no exception. The shows on Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 29-30, Like Downtown News Facebook are dubbed Night of the Vampire.

Whileon that’s more decoration than definition, the lineup of masked Mexican features & Be Entered to Win Movie wrestlers Tickets! grapplers such as Diamante Azul, the Zombie Chickens and the “mini” wrestler Piñatita. The burlesque performers include Kitten Deville and Vampiro Blanco. There are also a couple bonus guests in musician Peaches and comedian Bobcat Goldthwait.

At 1038 S. Hill St. or luchavavoom.com.

Like Us and Win!

terhood of the Travelling Pants (it doesn’t exist… yet).

The second scariest may be Will You Save Them? Bree Pavey’s horror play is receiving its world premiere at the Loft Ensemble theater on Second Street in the Arts District. The plot is built around someone waking in a strange place and finding three strangers: one weeps, one bleeds and one is out cold. After that bit of fun, Will You Save Them? explores why some people inflict pain and what allows others to endure it. This marks the last week of the 90-minute show. There are performances Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 7 p.m.

At 959 E. Second St., (213) 680-0392 or loftsensemble.org.

Starts Oct. 10/Oct. 17

Eight Legs to Hold You With: Here’s the thing Check Our Website for Full Movie Listings DowntownNews.com about spiders: They’re not really scary. Most of them

Doing It for the Kids: The Downtown Center Business Improvement District was ahead of the curve when it hosted its first Halloween Party for Downtown Kids seven years ago.

Now the annual family gathering at Grand Hope Park in front of FIDM is a huge undertaking, and the DCBID goes all out. On the lineup this year are bounce houses, games and a bunchSof trick-or-treat doors at which the wee ones can E-NEW ombe jugglers, balloon ntownNew knock will s.c also at DowThere UP receive Sign upcandy.

SIGNand animal artists and face painters. The best part, of course, is the costumes. askOur the kids and they’ll say it’s SignThough Up for E-News Blasts &the candy. Admission is $5, or $8 at the door. The fun runs 5-8 p.m.

Be Entered to Win Movie Tickets!

At 919 S. Grand Ave. or downtownla.com.

OCT 20 ✔ Sign Up for Daily Headlines!

photo courtesy Stan Lee’s Comikaze Stan Lee’s Comikaze brings horror, sci-fi and superhero-themed festivities and fun to the Convention Center on Oct. 31-Nov. 2. don’t bite and they’d rather avoid you than bother you. That said, spiders still frighten a lot of people.

All that makes this a good week to check out the Spider Pavilion on the front lawn of the Natural History Museum. A highlight is the palm-sized Malaysian Nephila, which can spin a web six feet in diameter. Altogether hundreds of orb weavers are on display, and visitors can get close to the eight-legged creatures and the webs they weave. There will be local and exotic arachnids, as well as educational opportunities and even spider feedings. Don’t dally though, as the Spider Pavilion closes Nov. 2.

Starts Oct.24/Oct. 31 At 900 Exposition Blvd. or nhm.org.

Strikes, Spares and Scares: Very few people wake up Halloween morning and proclaim, “Hey, I want to go bowling tonight!” Lucky Strike Lanes at L.A. Live is out to change that, with an Oct. 31 celebration dubbed, appropriately enough, Bowlloween. The 21-plus event starts at 9 p.m. and attendees are urged to come in costume. There will be a DJ, dancing, drink specials and a costume contest. Please, don’t go as The Dude or Jesus from The Big Lebowski — those are

Check Our Website for Full Movie Listings DowntownNews.com

When Burton Met Elfman: Filmmaker Tim Burton has always leaned toward the dark side. He’s been abetted in his cause

by Danny Elfman, who 16 times has created the music for Burton’s movies. On Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Elfman takes the stage at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live to perform music from films including Batman, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice.

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Big Fish and Alice in Wonderland. The

OCT 27

photo cour tesy Lucha Vavoom

Lucha VaVoom returns lesque and comedy that is bur ng, stli wre n xica Me d .

The combination of maske bed Night of the Vampire . 29-30. The spectacle is dub to the Mayan Theatre on Oct

! dtowWnNein s/L.Aan U e k Li ws wn .Do com Facebook.

Like Downtown News on Facebook & Be Entered to Win Movie Tickets!

Check Our Website for Full Movie Listings DowntownNews.com

Starts October 31

Freak Your Mind II: At the haunted house Alone, most everything you need to know is in the one-word title. Attendees wander through all by their lonesome. Details are sparse, but the 30-minute trek promises to be dark and bereft of vampires, zombies and fake blood. Instead, like Blackout, Alone aims to wig out visitors psychologically. Perhaps the best description of what the event delivers is on its website: “You will move and be moved through our space.” The Downtown location is only revealed after reservations are made. Alone is open Oct. 29-Nov. 1.

At thealoneexperience.com.

Up on the Altar: The always-awesome Grand Park continues to give locals plenty of free entertainment. Up through Nov. 1 in the 12-acre Civic Center attraction is a collection of 50 Dia de Los Muertos altars. Presented in collaboration with East L.A. arts stalwart Self Help Graphics, the altars

It’s a Stan Lee Joint: It’s fitting that Stan Lee’s Comikaze opens on Halloween. After all, the event that runs through Nov. 2 at the Convention Center is a massive celebration of horror, fantasy, sci-fi and anime. As with all of these types of conventions, some of the best entertainment will come from wandering about and checking out the costumes people don. Beyond that is a wealth of fun, as guests of honor include Elvira and the original TV Batman and Robin, Adam West and Burt Ward, respectively. Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy from “Game of Thrones”) will be there, as will Troma Films’ Lloyd Kaufman. There are loads of panel discussions, after-parties and even a “Geek Fashion Show” on Halloween at 6:30 p.m.

At 1201 S. Figueroa St. or comikazeexpo.com.

With Teeth: Long before Twilight, long before “True Blood,” long before Near Dark (do yourself a favor: find it and watch it), vampires were haunting the mass media. One of the most frightening was the title character in F.W. Murnau’s 1922 silent film Nosferatu. The original creature feature get a mainstream screening at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Halloween night. Is there a twist? Of course. While it plays on the big screen, Clark Wilson will jam on the monstrous Disney Hall organ.

The show starts at 8 p.m., but there’s a 7 p.m. prescreening talk with Alan Chapman. By the way,

we’re serious about Near Dark.

At 111 S. Grand Ave. or laphil.com.

The Lovely and Entertaining Bones: Sometimes L.A. Live’s holiday celebrations get overlooked. That’s a mistake, because they are loads of fun and frequently free. On Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, Anschutz Entertainment Group teams with Target to turn Nokia Plaza into Skeletown Square. The family-friendly festivity is a celebration of Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos, with games, face painting, a huge altar and even a cemetery. The fun runs 4-10 p.m. on Halloween and 2-10 p.m. on Saturday.

At 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or lalive.com.

More Happy, Less Scary: What’s the least scary Halloween-oriented thing to do on Halloween?

That would be Halloween-Hoop-de-Doo, the current show at the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre. This visual symphony in strings features more than 100 Halloween-themed puppets, everything from a Purple People Eater to the Invisible Man to the collection of Roaring ’20s Skeletons. Shows are followed by ice cream in the venerable City West institution’s party room.

Performances this week are Thursday-Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday-Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

At 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com.

Killing on the Court: Have you ever seen a zombie in basketball shorts? You will on Oct. 31 if 40-year-old Steve Nash changes his mind and decides to play when it’s Lakers vs. Clippers at Staples Center. This has all the makings of a Halloween night massacre, and though blood presumably won’t flow, purple and gold tears of sadness just might as the ancient and

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Freak Your Mind: A lot of haunted houses echo slasher films and go for scares by way of shock treatment — think guys and gals in gory makeup with chainsaws and other props jumping out from dark corners. The Blackout haunted house is different. It seeks to freak your brain with visual and psychological creepiness. Blackout has moved from the Variety Arts Center to a home on Mateo Street in the Arts District this year, and attendees can take the tour Oct. 28-31. Those who traipse through — and you must be 18 or older — are required to sign a waiver.

At 500 Mateo St. or theblackoutexperience.com.

honor the dead with colorful and personal decorations that in some cases touch on themes of education and immigration. Sunday, Nov. 1, the actual Dia de Los Muertos, brings a big concert and celebration, with a hefty lineup of music, dance, food, four-foot-tall sugar skulls, face painting (free for those 12 and under) and more. The event runs 3-10 p.m.

At 200 N. Grand Ave. or grandparkla.org.

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too easy. Instead, dig deeper. Why not be Bill Murray’s Ernie McCracken or Dennis Quaid’s Amish pin crusher Ishmael from Kingpin?

At 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or bowlloween.com.

Downtown News 19

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

photo by JD Ramage

This marks the last week to check out Will You Save Them?

The horror play by Bree Pavey at the Loft Ensemble theater in the Arts District explores the afflicting and the endurance of pain.

undermanned Lakers take on the ascendant Clippers. What will be the scariest sight of the night? Probably Blake Griffin or DeAndre Jordan seeming like death from above as Lob City posterizes Jordan Hill or Robert Sacre. Tipoff starts at 7:30 p.m. at the designated Lakers home game.

At 1111 S. Figueroa St. or lakers.com. regardie@downtownnews.com

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20 Downtown News

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DT

October 27, 2014

CALENDAR LISTINGS EVENTS

Bye to Bountiful, Some Big-Name Speakers and People Who Love Hello Kitty Fill Downtown

SPONSORED LISTINGS

By Dan Johnson | calendar@downtownnews.com

7th Annual Halloween Party for Downtown LA Kids 919 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-2146 or DowntownLA. com/Halloween The property owners of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District invite Downtown L.A.’s children and their families to attend this annual party held on Halloween night at Grand Hope Park at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Enjoy puppet shows, bounce houses, crafts, video games, hot dogs, and “trick-or-treat doors.” Tickets to the event, which is Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m., are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. Tickets are free for children younger than 2 years old.

A Play, “Day of the Dead,” at the Breed Street Shul 247 N. Breed St or yalecabarethollywood.com Dyanne Asimow’s one-act play “Day of the Dead.” An old Olvera Street candlemaker chooses between immortality and love. Anything can happen. A project of the Pasadena Arts Council’s EMERGE Fiscal Sponsorship Program.

Saturday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m. and Nov. 2, 2 p.m. Reserve at (323) 342-2276. $10 donation.

TuESDay, OcTObER 28 Ashley Swearengin at Town Hall-LA City Club Los Angeles, 555 S. Flower St., (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org.

11:30 a.m.: The mayor of Fresno and candidate for State Controller discusses fiscal responsibility in the Golden State.

WEDNESDay, OcTObER 29 Hitoshi Abe at SCI-Arc SCI-Arc, 255 S. Santa Fe Ave., (213) 613-2200 or sciarc.edu.

7 p.m.: The renowned SCI-Arc alum returns to discuss the boundary-dissolving rhetoric of informality in the practice of architecture.

Lucha VaVoom Mayan Theatre, 1038 S. Hill St. or luchavavoom.com.

8 p.m.: The return of the combination of masked Mexican wrestlers, burlesque performers and comedians. Highlights at the “Night of the Vampire” include musician Peaches and comedian Bobcat Goldthwait. Also Oct. 30.

ThuRSDay, OcTObER 30 Hello Kitty Con 2014 MOCA Geffen Contemporary, 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 621-1710 or moca.org.

Oct. 30-Nov. 2: The first official Hello Kitty convention brings panel discussions, commemorative exhibits and copious consumerist outlets for those who fiend after this whiskered character.

FRIDay, OcTObER 31 Acme Crawloween King Eddy Tavern, 131 E. Fifth St., Beelman’s Pub, 600 S. Spring St., Spring St. Bar, 626 S. Spring St., Sixth Street Tavern and Library Bar, 630 W. Sixth St., (213) 622-0113 or acmehospitalitygroup.com.

7 p.m.: Drink specials and theme parties are the name of the game as the Acme bars swing open their doors for a night of ghoulish revelry. There’ll be a Zombie Prom at Sixth Street Tavern, a Villains bash at Library Bar, Day of the Dead at Spring Street, Sideshow antics at Beelman’s and a healthy Warriors theme at the King Eddy.

Halloween Night at Angel City Brewery 216 S. Alameda St., (213) 622-1261 or angelcitybrewery.com.

4 p.m.: Silent horror flicks screen on the wall as Blackwater Jukebox performs and those with standout costumes hope to snag prizes in the Angel City costume contest.

Halloween Party for Downtown Kids Grand Hope Park, 919 S. Grand Ave. or downtownla.com.

As the Center Theatre Group’s production of The Trip to Bountiful concludes its run this week, we doff our caps to Cicely Tyson. The Academy Award-nominated actress has wowed Los Angeles in her role as Mrs. Carrie Watts, which really isn’t surprising considering that Tyson won a 2013 Tony for the part. A bigger surprise is that the cast is strong all the way around, including co-stars Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood. They have only seven more shows at the Ahmanson Theatre, as the curtain for the Horton Foote classic comes down for the final time on Sunday, Nov. 2.

Performances are at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday, and finally at 1 p.m. on Sunday. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.

Peek behind the curtain in the magical land of Sacramento and you’ll find an elected official known as a “Controller” managing California’s budgetary apparatus. On Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 11:30 a.m., Town HallLos Angeles hosts Ashley Swearengin, who is both Fresno’s mayor and the Republican candidate for State Controller in the Nov. 4 election. Perhaps the brightest star on California’s GOP roster, Swearengin will be at the City Club in the Financial District. If you’d like to know what bugaboos are in the future for your pension, or if you’d just like to hear someone talk intelligently about finance over lunch, then this is for you. At 555 S. Flower St., 51st Floor, (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org. photo courtesy Ashley Swearengin

photo by Stanley Staniski

rbed itty were distu Fans of Hello K “news” broke hen this summer w , in fact, not a is ar at that the av creators Sanrio ty it cat. Hello K l paraaage this painfu will help to assu o Kitty Con, which ell digm shift at H day-Sunday, Oct. 30rs u Th porary takes place effen Contem Kitty G e th Nov. 2, at lo first official Hel at MOCA. The t fans take in Hello le convention will ssions, buy all sorts cu is d el up Kitty pan erch and cuddle of Hello Kitty m r those unable to Fo to each other. Con, don’t fret: itty K lo el Hello attend H p by Hello!, the ro d ill st at You can r nning next doo Kitty exhibit ru erican National m the Japanese A N. Central Ave., 2 15 t A . m Museu or sanrio.com/ 22 62 6(213) 62 hellokittycon.

photo by Craig Schwartz

MONDay, OcTObER 27 Dia de los Muertos Altars at Grand Park Grand Park, 200 N. Spring St., (213) 972-8080 or grandparkla.org.

Oct. 27-Nov. 1: The Mexican folkways surrounding the Day of the Dead are yours to explore as the “ofrendos” are laid out.

Librarians have been telling you that books are the gateway to the world since you first checked out a Boxcar Children novel back in the first grade.

This week, the Aloud series reminds you of that with a pair of events at the Mark Taper Auditorium in the Central Library. On Monday, Oct. 27, MacArthur Grant-winning Washington Post staff writer David Finkel joins the L.A. Times’ Tom Curwen to discuss the social reintegration of veterans in an event dubbed “The Warriors Return: From Surge to Suburbia.” On Thursday, Reading Lolita in Tehran author Azar Nafisi (shown here) explores the topography of the American psyche. At 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org.

On Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 1-2, the courtyard of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center will play host to the inaugural Japan Fair. Thanks to a collaboration with the Japanese consulate, a meaty lineup from old Edo will anchor a weekend of performances, artistry, cuisine and a wellstocked Asahi beer garden. The festivities run each day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at which time you’re invited to stroll down to Japanese Village Plaza for some sushi or wander into Bar C for a Galvatron. Tickets are $3 in advance and $5 at the door. At 244 S. San Pedro, (213) 626-3067 or japanfair.org.

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

October 27, 2014 5-8 p.m.: The Downtown Center Business Improvement District goes all out for its seventh annual party for the wee ones, with bounce houses, games, jugglers, balloon animal artists and a bunch of trick-or-treat doors.

Hipster Satan’s Costume Contest at Wolf & Crane 366 E. Second St., (213) 935-8249 or wolfandcranebar.com.

9 p.m.: Weekly Cards Against Humanity host Hipster Satan makes a special All Hallow’s Eve appearance to adjudicate a costume contest offering cash prizes for the top two men’s and women’s costumes, the best couple’s get-up, most creative outfit and, of course, most offensive costume.

Saturday, November 1

Japan Fair JACCC Plaza, 244 S. San Pedro St. or japanfair.org.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.: A $3 advance ticket or $5 at the door buys access to this exhibition of Japanese culture, art and beer. Also Nov. 2.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com.

Oct. 28: Rebecca Kleinmann Trio and SK’s Band.

Oct. 29: Trifield Quartet with Vardan Ovsepian.

Oct. 30: Sara Gazarek and Josh Nelson.

Oct. 31: Max Haymer Quartet.

Nov. 1: Eric Revis Quartet.

Nov. 2: Ethio Cali Sunday Night Residency.

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

Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.: Magic Giant conclude their October residency and depart to a strange, foreign land called Venice, Calif., where the ghosts of the past intermingle with lithe, self-describing free spirits.

Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m.: We would love to tell you more about London Richards, but his personal website dedicates more space to his Instagram than his “infectious” R&B. Oct. 28, 7 p.m.: Paper Route once toured with Imagine Dragons, which is apparently not enough to necessitate a full quarantine.

Oct. 29, 8:30 p.m.: The Blind Date indie showcase returns with The Soft White Sixties and Turtle Giant.

Oct. 30, 9 p.m.: The Stone Foxes bring no-frills rock down from ’Frisco. Yes we know ’Frisco is offensive to people from ’Frisco, but is it any more offensive than watching the Giants play in a World Series?

Oct. 31, 8 p.m.: No single member of Copenhagen’s Baby in Vain is old enough to drink legally in these United States and yet they still know how to rock.

Oct. 31, 9 p.m.: Spaced: A Battlestar Spectacula is a costume dance party featuring the likes of DJ Siik, DJ Mike III and ThatKidCalhoun.

Nov. 1, 8 p.m.: Honeyhoney’s hearty folk Americana music is a lovely introduction to fall and the inherent confrontation of mortality and roots that such a season facilitates.

Nov. 2, 8 p.m.: We’re not sure where the lies stop and the truth starts with Frankie Rose’s bio, so we’ll just invite you to attend this enigmatic evening and hope it pans out.

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

Oct. 30, 8 p.m.: T.I. neophyte and accomplice B.o.B. drops in.

Oct. 31, 9 p.m.: Elaborate visuals and pulsing music make strong bedfellows for your Friday trip. Did we say trip? We meant dignified evening of responsible Halloween-ing.

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

Oct. 27, 10 p.m.: For those keeping track at home, the Kat Koren Trio has three members.

Oct. 28, 10 p.m.: Ye Old Salt Dynamic Duo is an Americana band that is apparently prejudiced against pepper.

Oct. 29, 10 p.m.: Smooth Hound Smith feels like a euphemism.

Oct. 30, 10 p.m.: Battle of the heartland sound as Wicklow Atwater and the Get Down Boys fill up the stage.

Oct. 31, 11 p.m.: Spend Halloween with the ever-spooky Vibrometers.

Nov. 2, 10 p.m.: RT N the 44s will, per usual, offer a dose of level-headed reasonability to help moderate the system of carnal desires that governs your every decision.

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

Oct. 30: DoctorP. Oct. 31: Andrew Rayel.

Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

Oct. 27, 8 p.m.: The only thing lackluster about tonight’s evening with Guster is that it, like American politics, is all sold out.

Oct. 28, 8 p.m.: Fans of Leon Russell will be disappointed to discover that all the tickets to stare into his craggy face are long gone.

Oct. 29, 8 p.m.: The cool thing about OK GO is that even though tonight’s preview of their new album is sold out, you can still go home and watch their superlative music videos.

Nov. 1, 4 p.m.: Hey, don’t get us wrong. We’re jazzed that Anthony Valadez is coming to DJ. We’re just saying that a pun of an event like Donna Summer Nights feels like it fits better in July or August.

Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m.: Celebrating Rodney Dangerfield kicks off the late comedian’s tribute exhibit with an evening of celebrity commentary on the funny man’s life and spirit.

Ham and Eggs 433 W. Eighth St. or hamandeggstavern.com.

Oct. 27: I am Love.

Continued on next page

Downtown News 21

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TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

22 Downtown News Oct. 28: Miss Elle!

Oct. 29: Charlie Wadhams & Send Machine.

Oct. 30: Cretin Amor.

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

Oct. 27, 10 p.m.: TGIM. Oct. 31, 10 p.m.: Jack of All Tracks.

Nov. 1, 8 p.m.: DJ Aaron Castle.

Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6030 or nokiatheatrelalive.com.

Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 8 p.m.: Oddball composer Danny Elfman urges

an orchestra through music from the films of Tim Burton.

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

Oct. 27: The Steady 45s, The Kaygle$ and Black Monroe.

Oct. 28: The Fall of Me, The McNaughstys and Recnamorcen.

Oct. 29: Buddy Jackson.

Oct. 30: The Vooduo, No Small Children, Children of the Grave and Dogteeth.

LAST WEEKS ANSWERS

S I N C E 19 7 2

ople@downtownnews.com twitter: DowntownNews

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.

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie Kim coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Kristin Friedrich, Kylie Jane Wakefield Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Steve Epstein, Catherine Holloway sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez circulAtioN: Danielle Salmon distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

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

©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.

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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

spaper for Downtown Los Angeles and residences of Downtown Los

Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Steve Epstein, Catherine Holloway sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez circulAtioN: Danielle Salmon distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin

72

wn News geles, CA 90026 : 213-250-4617 eople@downtownnews.com twitter: DowntownNews

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

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.

5 OFF

LUNCH

SPECIAL

twitter: DowntownNews

CROSSWORD

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4 WEB: LADowntownNews.com/calendar 4 EMAIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com

$

ne Holloway n, Catherine Holloway

Gustavo Bonilla

2 YOUR EVENT INFO

EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT

facebook: L.A. Downtown News

AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt

scher, Kristin Friedrich,

October 27, 2014

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 twitter: DowntownNews ©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.

AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Steve Epstein, Catherine Holloway sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez circulAtioN: Danielle Salmon distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins

©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.

PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard

One copy per person.

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October 27, 2014

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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.

File no. 2014276314 The following person is doing business as: LODON, 621 S. Spring, PH1210, Los Angeles, CA 90014, are hereby registered by the following registrant: William Scott Cordray, 621 S. Spring ST., PH1210, Los Angeles, CA 90014. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant has not commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above.

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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. 10/06, 10/13, 10/20, and 10/27/2014.

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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).

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5647 ADOBE RD #57, TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, 92277, This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 09/03/2014.

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24 Downtown News

October 27, 2014

puppet theater, 14

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

New Plans Revealed For Huge South Park Development

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 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

A PA RT M E N T S

arOuND tOWN, 2 the efforts of others that are working toward making Downtown a more livable place,” Will Wright, AIALA’s director of government and public affairs, said in an email. “We’re proud that an otherwise unsightly fortress will be transformed into a more permeable space that emphasizes an aspirational aspect of the new town commons.” RSVPs are required, For free admission, email Wright at will@aialosangeles.org. Additional information is on the AIA website.

123 South Figueroa Street Leasing Information 213 617 3777

T H E

existing building. But ultimately it’s meaningful preservation we want to see. What that might be is unclear.”

Melech said the theater’s 18-month lease ends in April and will change to a month-to-month arrangement after that. Construction on the development will not start until the end of 2015 at the soonest, he said. No budget has been revealed.

Whether and how long puppet shows will continue in the theater or a different venue are unclear, said Alex Evans, a Baker puppeteer. He noted that costs figure heavily into the discussion.

“There is some hope that somebody could support us financially to keep the theater going indefinitely, but that hasn’t happened yet,” Evans said.

For now, the theater’s staff continues putting on several shows a week to crowds of happy kids, and has no plans to move, Evans said.

Melech and Albert have been asked by the city to figure out the cost differential of building the apartment complex with and without the theater structure, and whether an endowment or nonprofit could be funded by any savings. The Cultural Heritage Commission plans to revisit the case again before the end of the year. eddie@downtownnews.com

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

RESIDENCES: SINGLES • STUDIO • ONE BEDROOM • TWO BEDROOM

L

ast December, Beijing-based Oceanwide Real Estate Group bought the long-stagnant, 4.3-acre Fig Central site from New York’s Moinian Group. An updated proposal recently filed with the Department of City Planning indicates that Oceanwide does indeed have big plans for the parcel: The documents show that the company intends to build three towers on top of a five-story parking and retail podium bounded by Figueroa, 11th, Flower and 12th streets. The north tower would be 49 stories tall, while two south towers would be 40 stories. Plans for the north tower call for 164 residential units above a hotel with 183 rooms. The south towers would have 170 housing units each. Below the towers would be a galleria with two levels of retail space comprising nearly 167,000 square feet. The project would include 1,444 parking spaces and have two subterranean levels. The design from architecture firm RTKL features towers with clean, sharp lines contrasting with a curving podium trimmed with a huge ribbon of LED signage that would light up Figueroa Street. The project’s budget and timeline have not been revealed.

Restaurant and Dancing At the Top of U.S. Bank Tower

L

ast year, Overseas Union Enterprise acquired 72-story U.S. Bank Tower, and during the summer they announced initial plans to make the top of the skyscraper a tourist attraction. Now some details are coming into focus. OUE has filed documents with the Department of City Planning indicating its aim to open a restaurant, bar and lounge on the 69th and 70th floors. Along with an outdoor observation terrace and a dance floor on the 71st floor, the project spans more than 19,000 square feet. A new portal will be built on the second floor of the building for restaurant/deck visitors and elevators will be improved for greater speed and efficiency, according to OUE. No timeline for construction has been revealed. The skyscraper, currently the tallest building west of the Mississippi, will face competition in 2017 with the completion of the taller Wilshire Grand replacement. The Wilshire Grand will also feature an observation and pool deck and a restaurant at its peak.