downtown’s next housing boom is here Page 8
reviewing east west players’ fresh and funny ‘vietgone’ Page 15
November 5, 2018 I VOL. 47 I #45
Raising the Bar Meet Four of Downtown’s Top Drink Experts See Pages 11-13
photo by Gary Leonard
Kevin Lee of new arrival The Wolves pours a cocktail called Banana Cream With Some Herbs.
THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. SINCE 1972
2 DOWNTOWN NEWS
DT
AROUND TOWN
Metro Approves Arts District ‘Turnback’ Facility
L
ate last month, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board of directors signed off on the final environmental report for the Division 20 Portal Widening and Turnback Facility, clearing the way for the Arts District project to move forward. The effort will reconfigure the rail yard at 320 S. Santa Fe Ave., widening the rail tunnel in the yard and creating a “turnback” facility that will allow Red and Purple line trains to more quickly return to service, thus reducing wait times at Union Station. The EIR was released in September; the board’s approval means the project can move toward construction, which is expected to start next spring.
Free Public Transportation On Election Day
O
n Election Day, Los Angeles County voters will be able to get to the polls — or get anywhere — without spending a dime. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, which operates local DASH service, agreed to provide free subway and
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
bus rides all day on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The hope is that eliminating fares will increase voter turnout. In the June 2018 primary, just 28% of eligible individuals voted, the second lowest of California’s 47 counties. According to a motion from Metro, the move would bring Los Angeles in line with other metropolitan areas that offer free transit service on Election Day including Houston, Dallas, Kansas City and San Antonio. The offer includes gratis 30-minute Metro Bike Share rides.
New Details for Fifth and Hill Tower
T
he Fifth and Hill project, with its cantilevered pool levels resembling giant Jenga game pieces, is moving forward. The Department of City Planning released the draft environmental impact report for the 53-story effort that would rise near Pershing Square. The project comes from developer Jeffrey Fish and his JMF Enterprises. The developer is looking at two options for the project: One would have 160 condominiums, and the other would have 31 condos and a 190-room hotel. Both versions include a restaurant, bar and meeting rooms. The firm Arquitectonica is designing Fifth and Hill, with renderings showing a glass and steel high-rise with an open-air cutout space on the lower section. Private pools for condos on floors 3951 would extend the building. The budget and timeline for the tower have not been disclosed, although construction is expected to last 30 months.
Why does this little burger stand attract over a million people a year?
Find out at the landmark location near Downtown. Home of the original Chili-burger. Quality and value since 1946:
Chili Hamburger .............. $3.15 Chili Cheeseburger ........... $3.65
Many Imitate, But None Compare!
Art and the Air Raid Sirens
I
f you hear unexpected sounds filtering out of a quartet of Downtown locations at dusk this week, don’t be alarmed: It’s art. As part of a 10-day art and science celebration with the unwieldy name AxS Festival: City as Wunderkammer, a collection of decommissioned Los Angeles Civil Defense air sirens will be utilized by Australian sound artist Lawrence English. The 12-minute composition dubbed “Lawrence English: Seirá” will begin each evening at dusk through Sunday, Nov. 11. Four of the six sirens are in Downtown, at 125 S. Olive St., 298 N. Spring St. (at Temple Street), Eighth and Los Angeles streets, and 14th and Santee streets. “The etymology of the word seirá is from the Ancient Greek and refers to a cord or binding,” English said in a prepared statement. “In the context of this piece, the word recognizes that sound’s material properties bind together places and communities.” The full AxS Festival is put on by Fulcrum Arts. Additional information is at axsfestival.org/ Lawrence-english.
More Restaurants and Bars
T
he rush of restaurants and bars into Downtown Los Angeles shows no sign of letting up, as a pair of anticipated spots recently opened. Cassell’s Hamburgers, the offshoot of chef Christian Page’s Koreatown diner, debuted on Monday, Oct. 29, filling the former home of Pellicola Pizzeria at 421 W. Eighth St. Located next door to the bar Golden Gopher, it serves breakfast, burgers, sand-
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
wiches and shakes. Beer and wine will be added soon. Also new on the scene is cocktail bar Here & Now, which took over the former home of the train-inspired bar Westbound on Oct. 20. Ex-Westbound head Sarah Meade partnered with Va’La Hospitality for the spot at 300 S. Santa Fe Ave. in the One Santa Fe complex. Here & Now holds onto much of Westbound’s Art Deco aesthetic while offering a drinks menu that takes inspiration from L.A.’s past historical eras.
Insurance Company Jumps to a New Tower
T
he insurance company Lockton is moving its Pacific operations out of Ernst and Young Plaza, where it has been for 20 years. The new offices aren’t far away; Lockton inked a deal for 70,000 square feet of space in the adjacent 777 Figueroa tower, which is owned by Brookfield Properties (Brookfield also owns Ernst and Young Plaza). Lockton will fill the top floors of the 52-story Financial District building. Terms of the lease were not disclosed. “Brookfield continues to be an outstanding advisor to Lockton. It is well positioned to not only accommodate our space requirements but to help us realize our vision for a more adaptable, progressive workplace,” Timothy Noonan, CEO of Lockton’s Pacific operations, said in a prepared statement. Brokerage firm JLL represented Lockton in the transaction; Brookfield represented itself. A move into the new offices is expected in February.
DOWNTOWN L.A. AUTO GROUP
SERVICE WE MAKE CAR SERVICE EASY!
Reliable, Trustworthy, Award Winning
EXPERT CAR CARE By Factory Trained Technicians DOWNTOWN LA MOTORS MERCEDES-BENZ - 1801 S. Figueroa St. - 888-319-8762 - mbzla.com VOLKSWAGEN OF DOWNTOWN L.A. - 1900 S. Figueroa St. - 888-781-8102 - vwofdtla.com TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN L.A. - 1600 S. Figueroa St. - 800-399-6132 - toyotaofdowntownla.com
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
DOWNTOWN NEWS 3
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
Downtown L.A. Auto Group “Our Customers Say It Best”
The people are really friendly and courteous. They greet you like you are at their home. I love coming to Downtown LA Motors Mercedez Benz. My go-to dealer since 2006.
— Sonia Varguez
My experience with Toyota of Downtown was fantastic. The sales team made it happen – it was magic! My wife now has a new car. Thank you, Toyota of Downtown!
— Hector Razon
As a seasoned Realtor, I’m used to having clients in my car. Thanks to Volkswagen of Downtown L.A., my clients are always complimenting me on my beautiful car. Thank you Volkswagen of Downtown L.A.!
— Aviva Motavassel
DOWNTOWN
VOLKSWAGEN
TOYOTA
LA MOTORS
OF DOWNTOWN L.A.
OF DOWNTOWN L.A.
1801 S. Figueroa St. 888-319-8762 mbzla.com
1900 S. Figueroa St. 888-781-8102 vwofdtla.com
1901 S. Figueroa St. 800-399-6132 toyotaofdowntownla.com
W W W . D T L A M O T O R S . C O M
4 DOWNTOWN NEWS
DT
EDITORIALS
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD
Election Day Endorsements
V
oters will go the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Here are Los Angeles Downtown News’ endorsements in some races with a local impact. No on Charter Amendment B: City Council President Herb Wesson is pushing this measure that would amend the City Charter to allow Los Angeles to create a municipal bank. This would not directly establish a lending institution. Future state and federal approvals are required. While the idea of a bank that cares more about city residents and businesses than shareholders sounds positive, the devil is in the details, and in the case of Charter Amendment B, there are too few details to make this worth supporting. Plus, we’re skeptical that a city facing so many challenges has the expertise to pull this off. There are simply too many questions regarding operations and fiscal responsibility. Where would the money that would be loaned out to an assortment of local entities come from? Would millions in startup costs be needed? Billions? What parameters would exist for loan recipients and what safeguards would be in place when people or businesses default? Bank backers say those questions would be answered later. That’s not good enough. Public bank advocates say a local lending institution would save the city money in fees, spark community development efforts and pump a sense of ethics into municipal finances. Those are worthy aims, but they don’t make up for the lack of specifics and the concerns, including that city office holders might abuse the opportunity and steer loans with favorable terms to their supporters. Yes on Charter Amendments E and EE: In 2015 many Angelenos voted to align local elections with state and federal calendars. It turns out, the ballot language was poorly written and planned. Yes, voters approved holding a primary in June 2020 and a runoff that November. But when state lawmakers later shifted the primary to March 2020, there was no mechanism to alter the local voting date. It was a boneheaded move. Approving Charter Amendments E and EE will move the 2020 primary to March for city and LAUSD school board elections. It would also allow the City Council to shift dates in the future if the state again waffles. It makes sense. Re-elect Dianne Feinstein: Both incumbent U.S. Sen. Feinstein and challenger Kevin de León are Democrats. Each has a record of championing traditional California Democratic party values and is fiercely opposed to President Donald Trump. While we believe de León has a bright political future, Feinstein is the better choice. She is a longtime leader in pushing for common-sense gun control laws and has been an advocate for protecting environmental resources. Then there is her experience in Washington and her style of leadership: While some people advocate for the guns-blazing approach, long-term relationships and horse-trading still matter. Feinstein has deep connections on both sides of the aisle, and knows how to work with the Republican majority. California needs to secure resources and funding for key projects from Washington, D.C. With another two years in Trump’s term, Feinstein is best positioned to advocate for the needs of the state.
Grammy Museum
Colette Miller
Wings
DT
COMMENTS
Regarding the article “Massive Angels Landing Hits Big Delay,” about the project on the site once envisioned as the home of the Cal Plaza 3 tower, by Nicholas Slayton I remember when Cal Plaza 2 was built in 1987. Often at lunch I walked down Fourth Street. I wanted to see the grassy hillside between Olive and Hill developed with a series of indoor escalators. Putting Angels Flight back on the hill seemed a foolish waste of a few million dollars regardless of the history of the funicular. Also, I don’t particularly appreciate the setback from the corner of Fourth and Hill in the image. Additionally, it’s awkward that the writer describes a 24-story building not in the same sentence with the taller one, as I consider both to be towers! —Jay Heldman God, that rendering looks like an ugly mess! —Annie Reiniger Most people won’t have a problem with this development, including its scale. It looks great to me. One concern I have is that once the project is built, Angels Flight will operate directly against the north wall of this huge development. What’s the point of naming this project for the funicular, then hiding along a EDITOR: Jon Regardie STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton, Sean P. Thomas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre
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: 213-533-6990 web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com
facebook: L.A. Downtown News
twitter: DowntownNews
instagram: @ladowntownnews
October 2018
ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb, Carsten Coombs OFFICE MANAGER: Claudia Hernandez
wall? It would make more sense to relocate the railway to the corner of Fourth and Hill between the two buildings. More attention and use would occur. Writing Councilmember Huzar’s office, I was told Angels Flight can’t be moved due to its historic status. However, that didn’t prevent it from being moved from Third and Hill, its original location, to directly across the street from Grand Central Market. —Cary Adams Why are we one of the only cities in the country — and especially being the second biggest city in the country — where projects fail to get started and finished on time? No wonder everyone laughs at us. Don’t get me wrong — what’s been happening in Downtown these last few years is amazing. But why the freeze on certain big projects? It’s very frustrating. —Jason Aguirre
Hey You! Speak Up! Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like, or dislike, a story or editorial, let us know. Or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community. Participation is easy. Post a comment online at the bottom of any story, or go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, email regardie@downtownnews.com. DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Lake Trout
VICE PRESIDENT: David Comden PRESIDENT: Bruce Bolkin
©2017 Southland Publishing, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Southland Publishing, 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.
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
DOWNTOWN NEWS 5
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
Why I’m Done With ALOUD After Two Months, We Still Don’t Know What Happened With Louise Steinman and Maureen Moore, Who Ran L.A.’s Best Literary Series. That’s Not Right By Jon Regardie he news hit like an earthquake, shaking the heck out of the Los Angeles literary community. The first three sentences of an email sent on Aug. 30 were nothing less than stunning. “I’m writing to inform you of a change at ALOUD,” wrote Louise Steinman, who launched the adored series 25 years ago. The message was quickly forwarded to inboxes across the region.
T
Protesters in September held up signs and interrupted Library Foundation of Los Angeles President Ken Brecher after he eliminated the positions of Louise Steinman and Maureen Moore, who ran the ALOUD series.
THE REGARDIE REPORT “As of this week, my position as curator and that of my Associate Director, Maureen Moore, were eliminated. “We are no longer employed by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles.” This was mindboggling. Over a quarter century ALOUD staged somewhere in the vicinity of 1,500 events (it celebration its 1,000th program in 2010), bringing Angelenos a thrillingly diverse lineup of authors, poets, scientists, artists and thinkers. Strangers bonded over the power of the written word, and at ALOUD events a city too often disparaged as focused on flash instead revealed its depth. Steinman was the program’s heart, soul and brains, and in some ways a community’s unifier in chief. Then, suddenly, there was a shake-up. Inexplicably, she and Moore were gone. Why? Great question. The Library Foundation of Los Angeles, the nonprofit that oversees ALOUD (and which, many don’t realize, is not part of the Los Angeles Public Library system), has refused to offer details, falling back on the chestnut
of calling it a “personnel matter.” Requests for comment by reporters have been rejected. Frequently, bad news fades over time and public attention shifts to the next icky thing. That’s not happening here, as a cadre of local writers and academics have coalesced in the wake of a literary disaster. There has been a persistent demand for answers and transparency, as well as calls for the reinstatement of Steinman and Moore, with articles, opinion pieces and email chains. Protestors have interrupted ALOUD events. A petition has
been signed by nearly 1,000 people, including Pulitzer Prize winners and poets laureate. The Los Angeles Times has published a pair of Op-Eds decrying the situation. Author, journalist and Loyola Marymount professor Rubén Martinez has called for LFLA President Ken Brecher to resign. My guess is that, as in many instances where a popular leader is fired, Brecher assumed that there might be a minor kerfuffle, but that things would soon revert to business as usual. Yet two months in, the outcry continues. The LFLA Continued on page 10
Loved right from the start. Bringing your baby into the world is no small feat. Schedule your Dignity Health Birth Center tour, and know where to go on the big day. You’ll find information on classes and get to know the team that will be there by your side. To learn more, visit dignityhealth.org/californiahospital/baby. Let’s deliver humankindness—together.
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
6 DOWNTOWN NEWS
Look Sexier
MODEL
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
Shoe Store With Rooftop Basketball Court Opens
...because you can LA’S MOST CELEBRATED & FRIENDLY INJECTORS
‘FALL CLASSIC EVENT’
NOVEMBER 5TH - NOVEMBER 12TH, 2018 $50 OFF
&
DUET
FAMILY OF FILLERS
PURCHASE 24+ UNITS OF BOTOX AT $8.95 PER UNIT & GET 1 SYRINGE OF JUVEDERM XC AT
LOYALTY POINTS EARNED *
$20 $20* $30* $10* $30*
ULTRA XC .................. (1.0 cc) $370* ULTRA+ XC................ (1.0 cc) $370* VOLUMA XC .............. (1.0 cc) $545* VOLBELLA XC .......... (0.55 cc) $345* VOLLURE XC............. (1.0 cc) $445*
*REFLECTS $50 OFF INSTANT REBATE PLUS EARN LOYALTY POINTS TOWARDS YOUR NEXT TREATMENT. VISIT OUBEAUTY.COM OR CALL FOROF MINIMAL RESTRICTIONS FAMILY FILLERS
$125 TRIO
&
$20
+ Earn Restylane Bucks!*
FAMILY OF FILLERS
PURCHASE 60+ UNITS OF DYSPORT AT
Restylane-L (1.0 cc) Restylane Lyft (1.0 cc) Restylane Silk (1.0 cc) NEW! Defyne (1.0 cc) NEW! Refyne (1.0 cc)
$2.95**PER UNIT **3 DYSPORT UNITS EQUIVALENT IN STRENGTH TO 1 BOTOX UNIT VISIT OUBEAUTY.COM OR CALL FOR MINIMAL RESTRICTIONS
*GOOD TOWARDS YOUR NEXT PURCHASE OF RESTYLANE
PURCHASE 24+ UNITS OF
FOR JUST
$7
REG PRICE
1st SYRINGE
2nd SYRINGE
$395 $395 $395 $495 $495
$345 $345 $345 $445 $445
$320 $320 $320 $420 $420
AND GET
photo courtesy Jumpman L.A.
The new Jordan store on Broadway carries the latest footwear from the brand, and also sports a rooftop basketball court and a science lab.
By Nicholas Slayton roadway continues to emerge as a sort of “Sneaker Row” in Downtown Los Angeles. The latest addition ramps things up a notch — with a rooftop basketball court that is open to the public. Jumpman L.A., a 19,000-square-foot store from Nike’s Jordan brand, opened on Oct. 20 at 620 S. Broadway. The former Schaber’s Cafeteria building has been transformed into a modern retail space where the emphasis is on experience over product. It’s the third Jumpman store in North America, according to Scott Dixon, Jordan’s vice president and general manager for North America. The first floor stocks Air Jordan shoes, plus sportswear, T-shirts and backpacks. The second floor houses a custom print lab, where customers can get hoodies and shirts accessorized with various Jordan and
B
Jumpman patches. There’s also the Flight Lab, a space with a treadmill, weights and scientific equipment to measure an athlete’s performance. It is staffed by USC sports medicine students, who handle the assessment. The most striking part of the store is the regulation-sized basketball court on the roof. It is open to the public on weekends from noon-8 p.m. Players have to pass through the store to reach the court. “We want to be able to utilize this kind of flagship environment to deliver an experience well beyond the retail transaction,” Dixon said. “We have to. That’s the future of brick and mortar retail.” Jumpman L.A. is one block north of sneaker stores Shiekh and Footaction. A Vans flagship store is expected to open in the coming months at 806 S. Broadway. Jumpman L.A. is at 620 S. Broadway.
“1.5cc Jumbo Syringe”
95
Per Unit
1st Syringe ............ 2nd Syringe ...........
$395 $375
No Double Chin. No Surgery. No Kidding. OW
N FF 0 $2 0 O L A I V PER *Recommended 1-3 vials
for first treatment and 1-2 for second.
NOW
$395* PER VIAL
Maybe the best chemical peel you’ll ever have
FREEZE THE FAT AWAY PERMANENTLY • NEW Low Prices • CoolSculpting University Certified • All the New CoolSculpting Handles
PHENTERMINE WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
$195 $350
+ FREE AFTER-CARE KIT
FDA Approved Appetite Suppressant.
$89
NO EXAM FEE
Lightsheer™ Hair Removal
NOVEMBER SPECIALS
5ml BOTTLE
$119 60% OFF
PLUS $10 LOYALTY POINTS
**Loyalty points on next Botox, Juvederm treatment or Latisse, while supplies last.
UNTIL 11/30/18
Save up to $5,000* When you close a home loan with us, you pay: NO escrow fee
NO appraisal fee
NO title fee
NO admin/origination fee
SCAN ME
Limited Time only! Ask us about today’s rates. Fixed | Adjustable | Refinancing
The Industry Gold Standard for Laser Hair Removal
more specials at www.oubeauty.com • Botox Diamond Award
800-300-9728
NAMED BEST MEDISPA 10 YEARS IN A ROW 2009-2018
NOW 2 GREAT LOCATIONS
wpccu.org @wpccu
Dr. Kojian, Owner
818.551.1682 130 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 213.617.1682 125 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA
Oh You Beauty, Inc. Dr. Kojian
Celebrate the holidays in a new home
30-day Supply
$20 OFF
FREE NO SURGERY • NO NEEDLES NO DOWNTIME
CONSULTATION
REMOVE FAT PERMANENTLY
Open 7 Days a Week ‘til 8pm
*No cost, no fee promotion valid 10/1/18 - 12/31/18. Offer valid for new WPCCU home loans only and is not valid for refinancing existing WPCCU loans. Estimated fees will be waived up to $5,000 and reimbursed when the loan closes. Fees may vary based on the county that the trust deed records. Does not include impounds, homeowners insurance, or HOA fees and other third party fees will apply. Minimum loan amount $50,000. Mortgage subject to approval based on qualified credit and ability to pay. Restrictions apply. Offer may not be combined with any other promotion or loyalty program. Call us for today’s rates.
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
DOWNTOWN NEWS 7
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
Second Former Staffer Sues Huizar Lawsuit Accuses Councilman of Harassment, Retaliation And Affair. Huizar Says Claims Are Politically Motivated By Sean P. Thomas second former staffer in as many weeks has filed a lawsuit against 14th District City Councilman José Huizar and the City of Los Angeles, alleging harassment, retaliation and “unethical behavior” by the councilman. Pauline Medina, who began working for Huizar in 2008, filed a suit on Wednesday, Oct. 31, charging that Huizar attempted to force her out of her position as office manager and lead administrator in 2017 after she complained to the councilman’s chief of staff, Paul Habib, that her boss was engaged in unethical behavior, including an extramarital affair with an office employee. A lawsuit filed last week by another former staffer, Mayra Alvarez, also alleged that Huizar had an affair with an employee. On Thursday, Huizar categorically denied Medina’s allegations, calling them politically motivated and “full of misrepresentations.” He previously denied the allegations in Alvarez’s suit. Both suits were prepared by attorney Terrance Jones and filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The new suit also accuses Huizar of giving preferential treatment to his alleged mistress and using city money to pay for personal expenses, as well as “funneling”
A
money to Huizar’s alma mater, Bishop Mora Salesian High School, and donations to nonprofit organizations and galas. Medina also alleges a “lack of boundaries” in the office. According to the lawsuit, Huizar frequently requested that staffers pick up his dry-cleaning, take his car to get washed, pick up and drop off his children from school, and move his wife’s car to avoid tickets during street sweeping days. Medina began working for Huizar a decade ago and in 2012 was promoted. In 2008, she had a son with Huizar’s brother. According to the lawsuit, her relationship with the brother helped her land her original position. The relationship, according to the lawsuit, ended in 2012, but did not impact her working relationship with the councilman. Huizar, in a statement sent by Robert Alaniz, a spokesman for his attorney, said the lawsuit is unfounded. “I deny all these crazy allegations,” Huizar said. “This is nothing more than a coordinated political attack by individuals who share the same attorney and have a vested interest in denigrating my name and supporting certain political opportunists. As a matter of fact, one of the accusers is a disgruntled former employee who left on her own accord after being confronted with an investigation
photo courtesy office of Councilmember José Huizar
A second lawsuit in as many weeks has been filed by a former staffer against 14th District Councilman José Huizar. It alleges harassment, retaliation and an extramarital affair.
that revealed her misconduct.” According to the lawsuit, the trouble began after Medina complained about an affair. The suit says Medina was reported to the city Personnel Department by Huizar this year, with a request for an audit into her attendance record. The lawsuit says that Medina took a leave of absence from Feb. 28-May 1 at her physician’s recommendation, due to stress and anxiety. She resigned from Huizar’s office on June 20. Previous Affair Many of the allegations in the lawsuit mimic those brought by Alvarez. Like Medina, Alvarez claims that she endured retalia-
NEW SUPER LOW NOVEMBER PRICING! FREE CONSULTATION!
tion from the councilman after complaining about an extramarital affair with an employee. That individual has not been identified. Huizar in 2013 acknowledged an affair with another former employee, Francine Godoy, who sued Huizar and the city, claiming sexual harassment. The case was settled, with the city paying no money. It is unknown if there was a private payment, though the city authorized spending up to $200,000 on Huizar’s legal fees. Jones said Medina felt compelled to come forward after hearing about Alvarez’s suit. “Ms. Medina reached out to me and explained that she had endured the same type of retaliation by the councilman and just couldn’t sit back and let Ms. Alvarez stand up to him alone — particularly since Huizar responded by effectively calling the victim a liar,” Jones said in a statement. Huizar dismissed Alvarez’s suit as “absolute nonsense” and a “hit piece orchestrated by political operatives.” He added that he found it “suspicious” that the claims surfaced shortly after his wife Richelle Huizar declared her candidacy to run for his seat when Huizar is termed out in 2020. Huizar was also the subject of a discrimination complaint filed this summer on the MyVoiceLA website, which was launched by Mayor Eric Garcetti as a way for people to file anonymous complaints of harassment, retaliation or discrimination against city employees. According to Jones, neither of his clients filed the MyVoiceLA complaint. sean@downtownnews.com
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
8 DOWNTOWN NEWS
The Next Housing Boom Is Here In Just a Few Months, Eight Projects Are Bringing More Than 3,300 Apartments to Downtown By Nicholas Slayton ecently, developer Mack Urban announced that move-ins for its upscale housing complex Aven will begin in January. The 38-story South Park tower will hold 536 studio to two-bedroom apartments, along with a collection of penthouses. Amenities will include two decks, a halfcourt basketball court, a lap pool, a dog park and, according to the project’s website, “the scent of citrus from our Orange and Lemon Tree grove.” The project at 1120 S. Grand Ave. will likely target high-income individuals who work in the Financial District, South Park and other nearby neighborhoods. Like other major projects to open in recent years, a heavy marketing push is expected. Aven will have plenty of competition. Downtown Los Angeles is in the midst of a six-month period in which eight major rental projects have opened or are scheduled to come online. This will add 3,307 residential units; all are market-rate. Even more intriguing, all of the buildings are situated in a relatively compact area. The mix of high-rises and lower-slung structures are bounded by Eighth, 11th, Flower and Spring streets.
R
The crush of projects raises several issues, including how the developers will compete for tenants, what incentives will be offered, and what impact this will have on rents in both the short and long term. “This will almost certainly cause a temporary spike in vacancies. It’s just hard to absorb that number of new units,” said Steve Basham, senior market analyst for real estate analytics firm CoStar. “So far though the indications have been good for Downtown. The projects delivered in 2015 and 2016 showed strong lease-up.” Downtown has been in this situation before. The vacancy rate hit 12% in the middle of 2017, Basham said. Yet, he added, very few developments struggled with perennially empty apartments. A vacancy spike is normal, according to Alex LiMandri, founder of the residential brokerage firm DTLA Life and an expert on the residential market in Downtown. Filling a building with 300 units doesn’t happen overnight, he pointed out. When the vacancy rate ballooned — which, some observers stated, was misleading, as the limited number of Downtown housing units means a couple projects can skew the occupancy level — developers re-
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
sponded with incentives. Basham predicted that will happen again with this wave, and that while asking rates for apartments might not change, property owners could dangle lures such a year’s worth of free parking, or up to eight weeks of free rent. In the recent surge these types of incentives were common. The last wave of openings was able to find tenants relatively quickly. According to CoStar the Downtown vacancy rate dropped to 6% this summer. Big Players The Downtown Los Angeles residential scene has been rocketing forward for years. The Central City popphoto by Gary Leonard The new projects coming online in Downtown include Circa, a $500 million ulation today is estimated twin-tower effort with 648 apartments. As with many recent arrivals in the at 72,000, according to the area, rates are in the vicinity of $4 a square foot. Move-ins started on Oct. 1. Downtown Center Business Improvement District. By comparison, there were approximately Grace on Spring, will deliver a total of 578 units to the intersection of Eighth and Spring 18,000 full-time residents back in 2000. The projects that are hitting the market streets. The Griffin arrived in October and the now are changing the look and feel of the Grace will follow Nov. 15. A third building from Holland Partner, Aliarea. One of the biggest players is developer Holland Partner Group, which is bringing 900 na, is a 28-story tower at 712 W. Ninth St. apartments online: Its pair of Historic Core Move-ins to the 341 apartments will start in towers, known as the Griffin on Spring and December.
Auto + Renters Auto + Renters = Savings = And those savings could add up to $600* Savings So put your Auto and Renters together with State Farm® and let the savings begin.
http://issuu.com/ladtn Follow Us on ISSUU
GET TO A BETTER STATE.® CALL ME TODAY Karla Greene, Agent Insurance Lic#: 0I67776
A clinical research study evaluating an investigational drug for agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease is now recruiting participants who: • Are between 65 and 90 years of age • Are experiencing agitation associated with Alzheimer’s disease
213-239-9675 Fax: 213-239-9679 www.karlagreene.com Karla Greene Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
*Average annual per household savings based on a national 2010 survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm.
Visit ADVANCEClinicalStudy.com or contact the participating doctor below to learn more and see if your loved one may qualify.
1203037 State Farm, Bloomington, IL
BUY PROPANE HERE! We Re-Fill Tanks (SAVE $$ OVER Exchange)
Ventura Clinical Trials 1835 Knoll Drive, Ventura, CA 93003 1-800-920-0016 Eligible patients will receive study-related care and treatment with either the study drug or the placebo for five weeks. Compensation for time and travel may be available to patients and caregivers.
Flip through the DT News print edition on your mobile device, with 6 plus years of past issues available!
TANKS 4 LESS ©
PROPANE, GAS & DIESEL 24 Hours/ 7 Days a Week
Fast & Friendly Service Se Habla Español
1800 E. Olympic Blvd.
A Winning Combination
213-627-5008
JUST NORTH OF THE 10 FRWY @ Olympic & Alameda St.
(On the corner of Olympic and S. Alameda St.)
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
DOWNTOWN NEWS 9
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
Tom Warren, head of development for Southern California for Holland Partner Group, does not seem overly worried. While he acknowledged that the plan was not initially to have its three towers open so close in time to one another, he thinks the buildings will quickly stabilize. He pointed to a pair of Holland Partner projects that opened in 2017: the Sofia, in City West, and Stoa, next to the former St. Vibiana’s cathedral, have almost 850 units between them. Both are nearly filled. The heart of Downtown continues to
grow with new destinations, and that keeps demand strong, he added. “The entire time we have been in development of Eighth and Spring, we have continued to see announcements of new retail and restaurants and amenities in the immediate vicinity,” Warren said. “We feel like this part of Downtown is the most exciting spot, the most rapidly changing spot.” Holland Partner will follow several other new arrivals. Forest City’s seven-story Axis on 11th opened in June, bringing 177 apart-
ments to the area (the project’s first phase, Axis on 12th, opened last year). On Sept. 5, move-ins began at developer CIM Group’s 888 at Grand Hope Park. The 34-story building just north of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising has 525 apartments. The two-tower Circa project at 1200 S. Figueroa St. was originally planned as condominiums and switched to rentals during the construction stage. Doors to the 648-apartment complex opened Oct. 1. Still to come is Onni Group’s 53-story high-
rise 825 South Hill, which will have 490 apartments. It has a late fall fall/early winter timeline. In predicting the future, Dean Zander, executive vice president with the brokerage firm CBRE, looked at previous opening waves and existing Downtown buildings. He noted that some properties offer concessions for new tenants, but not on renewals. The retention rate for buildings a year after opening was 60%, he said, higher than in Continued on page 20
The Next Batch of Downtown Housing Eight Projects That Opened Recently or Will Come Online Soon PROJECT
DEVELOPER
ADDRESS
HEIGHT
UNITS
OPEN
888 at Grand Hope Park
CIM Group
888 S. Hope St.
34 stories
525 apartments
Sept. 5
825 South Hill
Onni Group
825 S. Hill St.
53 stories
490 apartments
Late fall/early winter
Griffin on Spring
Holland Partner Group
755 S. Spring St.
24 stories
287 apartments
Oct. 1
Grace on Spring
Holland Partner Group
732 S. Spring St.
24 stories
303 apartments
Nov. 15
Alina
Holland Partner Group
700 W. Ninth St.
28 stories
341 apartments
December
Circa
Jamison Services, Hankey Investments
1200 S. Figueroa St.
Two 35-story towers
648 apartments
Oct. 1
Forest City
1200 S. Broadway
7 stories
177 apartments
June 2018
Axis on 11th Aven
Forest City
1120 S. Grand Ave.
38 stories
536 apartments
January
photo by Jon Regardie
Developer Onni Group’s 825 South Hill is slated to open in the coming months.
THE KECK EFFECT
It’s OK. Jump for joy. Now you can be there for all of life’s best moments, thanks to the female urologic care at the USC Institute of Urology. We’re ranked No. 9 in the nation, with internationally recognized expertise in treating incontinence, pelvic prolapse, UTIs and more. Life is short — don’t let urologic conditions steal another minute.
The USC Institute of Urology KeckMedicine.org/FEMDN | (213) 354-8358
© 2018 Keck Medicine of USC
USC-18233_Keck2-1_Female-Urology-Ad-SprtsMed_HP4C_DN_181031.indd 1
10/31/18 5:29 PM
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
10 DOWNTOWN NEWS
ALOUD, 5 seems to have misjudged the depth of affection and respect that Steinman and Moore had engendered. The nonprofit’s let’s-wait-this-out-in-the-bunker approach is failing. Many have called for Brecher to provide answers, but the answers don’t end with him, because there are two just-as-important questions: Where is the Library Foundation board of directors amid all this? And why are these business and cultural leaders remaining silent as Los Angeles’ most important literary institution is being ripped apart? Big Names, Free Entrance There was a time, before I had kids, that I attended ALOUD events regularly. I saw a litany of brilliant writers and speakers in the Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium. I caught T.C. Boyle, one of my favorite authors, multiple times. My wife and I enjoyed appearances by Simon Winchester, Geraldine Brooks, Chilean novelist Alberto Fuguet and many others. The ALOUD events were thoughtful and thought-provoking, and with the usually free entrance I felt like I had stumbled upon some great secret of Los Angeles (a feeling heightened when I’d see some of the same authors do Westside events where people paid for tickets). A reading was followed by an on-stage Q&A; these were uniformly incisive. It was clear that Steinman carefully chose her moderators, and that she had a killer Rolodex. I loved those events. But I won’t go back to ALOUD until there’s clarity on what happened to Steinman and Moore. I doubt Brecher and the LFLA Board will lose sleep over my decision. I also admit I’ve probably only been to one ALOUD event in the last decade (I blame the aforementioned kids; do you know what babysitters cost these days?). Still, I can’t support this series when those who gave it life appear to have been treated so poorly. Notice I said “appear,” because I don’t know what hap-
pened, and that’s the problem. Did Steinman and Brecher butt heads? Was this about money? Was there a dispute related to the recent Visualizing Language, an art exhibit in the library propelled by Steinman and Moore that displayed dynamic work by Oaxacan muralists? Did Steinman borrow Brecher’s red Swingline stapler and not give it back? It’s probably not the latter, but until the LFLA provides answers, the speculation will continue. The LFLA’s spin attempt has been clunky and unconvincing. A mass email on Oct. 10, about six weeks after the fracas began, referenced a broader agenda, stating in part, “We have created a new public programming department that includes programs such as Lost & Found at the Movies, special exhibitions, ALOUD, Teens Leading Change, and more. While we do not discuss confidential personnel matters, we greatly honor the legacy of ALOUD and the dynamic role it has played in the cultural life of Los Angeles and will continue presenting its vibrant conversations.” I’m not joking when I say that I got a couple emails after this was sent out, and both used the letters “B” and “S.” On Oct. 17 the LFLA announced the hiring of Jessica Strand, the Associate Director of Public Programming at the New York Public Library, as the LFLA’s first Director of Public Programs. Maybe Strand is amazing, the Michael Jordan of library programming, but it still doesn’t explain why Steinman and Moore were kicked to the curb. Besides, Steinman had already established herself as the Michael Jordan of library programming. We don’t need a replacement. A $487,000 Salary Change frequently rankles, especially when it involves a beloved figure losing his or her job. What sets this situation apart is the uproar from heavy hitters in the Los Angeles literary scene. These are the people who get behind anything promoting writing. Yet now they’re in attack mode. In addition to Martinez, who authored the letter demanding Brecher’s resignation, there is the Ad Hoc Committee in
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
Support of ALOUD (which put together the petition), including noted authors and journalists David Ulin, Héctor Tobar, Terry Wolverton and Lynell George. Those who signed the petition represent a nationwide who’s who of literature and learning, including Aimee Bender, Janet Fitch, Pico Iyer, Miranda July, Jonathan Lethem, Thomas McGuane, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Luis Rodriguez and so many others. Questions are being raised about the LFLA, too. The most striking is, why did Brecher make $487,582 in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2017? That’s $440,000 in base pay and the remainder in “other compensation,” according to publicly available tax forms. It’s also a hefty increase over the already astounding $407,500 in base pay he was awarded in the previous fiscal year, and the $370,000 in base pay he took home in the fiscal year that ended in 2015. If Brecher’s a 21st century alchemist who can turn tin foil into gold, then I get the overall compensation and the $70,000 raise in two years, but otherwise I’d like to hear the justification. This is a nonprofit, after all, not some bank or big-bucks development firm. Even Mayor Eric Garcetti “only” makes about $246,000. As mentioned above, not only has Brecher been publicly silent about the reason for the departure of Steinman and Moore, but the board of directors hasn’t made a peep. There are some heavy hitters here, with executives from big Downtown companies such as City National Bank and AECOM, and a U.S. District Court judge. Eleven board members signed the Oct. 10 email statement touting the new programming department, but do they care that the local literary community is rebelling? Amid the tumult, the ALOUD series continue, and whereas in the early days it was easy to walk up and get a seat at show time, now many events are fully reserved well in advance — this recurring, sold-out audience is a testament to what Steinman and Moore created and curated. The people may still come, but I won’t be there. I suspect I’m not the only one. regardie@downtownnews.com
TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN L.A. PROTECT YOUR TOYOTA with service designed by the people who made it. 3 Try Before You Buy 3 Personal Business 3 Service Replacement Vehicle 3 Insurance Replacement Vehicle
FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE
Drop Off & Pick-Up
FREE shuttle service drop-off & pick-up
IT’S NOT JUST A RENTAL ... IT’S A TOYOTA
Heroic Savings $400 Rebate
on qualified high efficiency clothes washers It doesn’t take much but it does take all of us. ladwp.com/save
Every TRAC rental comes with complimentary 24-hour Roadside Assistance, covering mechanical breakdown, fluid delivery, tire changes, jump starts, lockout service and towing.
Corolla SE $34.99/Day Camry SE $49.99/Day $49.99/Day Prius II Many Toyota Models Available.
Must present offer when order is written. Not valid with any other offer. Offer has no cash value. Offer valid thru November 30, 2018.
1-800-583-0972 1901 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90007
MON - FRI: 6AM TO 6PM SAT: 6AM TO 5PM
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
DOWNTOWN NEWS 11
Downtown After Dark meet four downtown drink EXPERTS BY NICHOLAS SLAY TON AND SEAN P. THOMAS PHOTOS BY GARY LEONARD
�N �
E � N M�RL� L N B R� M� �r T � �n n� � � � R L�: B�r M�n�g�r
B R� �l R L�: M�n�g�r
How She Got There: Strickland’s introduction to the craft beer scene came when she moved to Seattle in her early 20s. The city was home to a number of independent breweries, and Strickland became steeped in the world of craft brews almost through osmosis, soaking up loads of sudsy knowledge by working at area bars. After moving to Los Angeles in 2012, she began working at Beer Belly in Koreatown. Last November she was lured to the new brewpub at the southern end of the Financial District from the San Diego-based Modern Times. Strickland said that she had previously been a fan of its beer, but was particularly attracted to Modern Times’ take on craft brewing. “They take it serious, but not too serious,” Strickland said, which is made clear by the Dankness Dojo moniker. “They pay attention to the quality of the beer, but they are not too snobby about it.”
How He Got There: Jeu got his start in the hospitality business 30 years ago in San Francisco. He worked in a number of restaurants and bars before coming to Los Angeles. Jeu eventually wound up at Hollywood’s famous Chateau Marmont, and managed the hotel’s Bar Marmont for eight years. “I started working as a waiter, then moved behind the bar. Along the way I was getting interested in wine,” Jeu said. “Little by little, I worked my way up.” Jeu later moved to Bar Covell, owned by Eastside bar impresario Dustin Lancaster. Lancaster was looking to launch a new wine bar in Chinatown. “We knew each other and chatted, and the rest is history,” Jeu said. The result is Oriel, which opened on Alameda Street near the Chinatown Gold Line station in 2017. The cozy, intimate space is patterned after a French bistro, and almost every wine and aperitif is French.
What She’s Pouring: The Dankness Dojo features 30-32 beers on tap on a seasonal rotation, as well as a few wine and guest brewery options. It also serves as Modern Times’ regional test brewery. “We have beers that we make all year round, but we also have a ton of seasonal stuff,” Strickland said. “We’re the research and development location for L.A., so we have a bunch of little batches that we brew to test out what works and what doesn’t.” These days, Strickland said she’s pulling the tap on the Palmanova, a light and crisp lager that draws its name from a massive, star-shaped fort in Northeast Italy. “If I was going to walk in and only have one beer, it’s the Palmanova,” Strickland said. “It’s an Italian lager that is perfect right after work. It’s really refreshing.” Modern Times Dankness Dojo is at 832 S. Olive St., (213) 878-7008 or moderntimesbeer.com.
What He’s Pouring:: Oriel’s wine list is heavily focused on varietals from the Loire Valley. Jeu said the summer brings lighter wines such as Gamay, Cabernet Franc and other fruitier vintages. But that changes with the season. “Now that it’s getting a little colder, we’re getting into more robust wines. In the winter we’ll even have mulled wine,” he said. Current popular options at Oriel are a pair of wines from Sancerre, which is in the Loire Valley. There’s a red, a Pinot Noir; and a white, a Sauvignon Blanc. The latter is what the region is most known for. Jeu said Sancerre’s light-bodied Pinot Noir has a berry-heavy flavor and light amount of tannins that sets it apart from the more famous Pinot Noir from the Burgundy region of France. “Whenever people come in and aren’t sure what to get this fall, my staff recommends the Sancerre,” he said. Oriel is at 1135 N. Alameda St., (213) 253-9419 or orielchinatown.com.
12 DOWNTOWN NEWS
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
DOWNTOWN AFTER DARK
B�r� T�e M�r R�l�: � � e
L R E E E �L
K T�E K
How They Got There: Roldan and Kildow took markedly different paths to Little Tokyo’s The Mermaid, which opened in August. Kildow got her start in the hospitality industry at 14, working in a Wisconsin restaurant. Eventually she ended up bartending in Milwaukee before moving to Los Angeles. She had stints with the Blind Donkey and the Verdugo Bar, and eventually became co-owner of Glassell Park’s Lemon Poppy Kitchen. Roldan, meanwhile, owned the now-shuttered Bar One Tap Room in North Hollywood for 10 years, and also started and sold the Steampunk Coffee Bar and Kitchen in the same neighborhood. After Bar One closed, she wanted a new venture. Kildow was also looking to open a bar, and the two connected and focused on the Central City. “I wanted to have that opportunity to do it again in Downtown,” Roldan said. “Our main objective was to be a neighborhood bar — great cocktails at an affordable price, where every drinker is welcome.” The result is The Mermaid, in the former Bar C space at Second and Alameda streets. It has a bright blue neon sign and, as the name suggests, a nautical look. Defining Drink: Despite the sea-focused theme of the bar, the drinks at The Mermaid are not tiki- or rum-oriented. Kildow and Roldan seek to bring in spirits from women-run distilleries, such as Appleton Estate in Jamaica. One unlikely menu favorite is the Drink Your Vegetables, a twist on a martini using pickled vegetables. But the most popular drink is the Mermaiden Voyage. Roldan and Kildow acknowledged that the name might have something to do with it, but said that customers keep coming back for the concoction that pairs two rums — an Appleton Estate Signature Blend plus a Real McCoy 3 Year — with lime juice, a lime cordial, mint and a hibiscus syrup. The drink is shaken and served in a coupe glass, with a sprig of mint and star anise on top. “It’s really tasty but also really photogenic, thanks to the bright red hue,” Kildow said. The Mermaid is at 428 E. Second St., (213) 947-3347 or themermaidla.com.
You’re Invited
FREE PARKING an innovative Indian food experience
No Work, All Play
A Place where Families & Friends can Enjoy a Menu Full of Variety and Have Fun!
701 W Cesar E Chavez Ave. • 213-372 5590 • http://KAPOORSAKBAR.com
WE DELIVER!
Open for Lunch Mon-Fri & Dinner 7 Days a Week!
http://issuu.com/ladtn Follow Us on ISSUU
DT News on your mobile device, with more than 6 years of past issues! 333 South Figueroa Street | Los Angeles, CA 90071 213.617.1133 | thelahotel.com
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
DOWNTOWN NEWS 13
DOWOWN AFTER DARK
B�r� T�e W�l�e� R�l�: B�r M�n�g�r How He Got There: Kevin Lee started at the bottom of the restaurant ladder — as a dishwasher. But he quickly worked his way up, building his knowledge. In 2012 Lee, who is now 27, partnered with his brother to open the La Mirada cocktail bar Puzzle. During its five-year run, Puzzle drew acclaim for a drinks program powered by house-made ingredients, shaved ice cubes and cocktails. “I don’t think there are a lot of bars doing what we were doing,” he said. “I figured this would be the new philosophy of the cocktail world. We would sort of follow the kitchen and follow the artisan route.” Lee soon met Al Almedia, Daniel Salin and Isaac Mejia, who were looking for someone to run the bar at their soon-to-open Downtown space. The partnership clicked, and Lee sold Puzzle to launch The Wolves. The establishment in the Alexandria Hotel opened in September. “At the time, I wasn’t planning to go to L.A. But they convinced me to come to DTLA to check out the spot and I fell in love with the space and the vision,” Lee said.
N � V � K
L�E
Defining Drink: Lee’s affinity for a house-made approach is fully realized at The Wolves. From liqueurs to bitters, nearly everything features seasonal ingredients. “Hopefully people will be able to taste the difference between homemade liqueurs and commercial products like a lot of places use,” Lee said. “You can pretty much replicate their drinks by going to a grocery store. I can go to a bar in Downtown and replicate 90% of their menu, but the Manhattan at our bar, you can’t find it anywhere else because it’s made with in-house products.” Lee currently recommends the Banana Cream With Some Herbs, a drink with fermented bananas, house-made rose lavender vermouth, orange crème fråiche, bourbon and homemade bitters. “It’s not too heavy, it’s not too light. It’s almost like yogurt,” he said. “It’s a very complex drink that tastes fantastic and it’s great for the fall. But that will be different or completely off the menu come winter.” The Wolves is at 519 S. Spring St., (213) 265-7952 or thewolvesdtla.com. sean@downtownnews.com
Downtown’s Premiere Urban Eatery featuring local craft brews on tap and daily happy hour specials
Outdoor Patio I Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner I Beer, Wine & Cocktails Open Every Day from 6am to 11pm
120 S LOS ANGELES ST., DTLA • 213-253-9235 • JUSTICELA.COM
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
14 DOWNTOWN NEWS
DT
photos courtesy Art at the Rendon
CALENDAR
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
An Old Building’s New Stories
This weekend, the run-down Rendon Hotel in the Arts District will be filled with actors and performers playing out a series of vignettes as part of Art at the Rendon. The sitespecific project will activate the entire four-story building.
40 Rooms in Dilapidated Rendon Hotel Will Come Alive for Weekend Performance Event By Sean P. Thomas n a small, bedraggled room on the third floor of a dilapidated hotel on the southeast corner of Seventh Street and Santa Fe Avenue, two police officers stand bickering as they try to solve a murder. A few doors down, a woman paces while listening to the down-and-out musician next door. She slowly caresses a bag of flour she believes to be her child. These are just two of the scenes that will play out this weekend within the walls of the 106-year-old Rendon Hotel in the Arts District. They are part of Art at the Rendon, a site-specific project that turns the entire four-story building into a canvas for a collection of local artists. The effort comes from husband-and-wife team Ralph Ziman and Maria Greenshield-Ziman, who purchased the shuttered hotel almost five years ago. The event taking place on Friday-Sunday, Nov. 9-11, is titled Stories, and follows a similar one-day activation of the
I
(l to r) Ralph Ziman and Maria Greenshield-Ziman purchased the Rendon Hotel about five years ago. They are working with Cindy Schwarzstein on the weekend event.
photo by Sean P. Thomas
building in June. The duo are partnering with Cindy Schwarzstein, who runs the Arts District tour company Cartwheel Art, to stage Art at the Rendon. The goal is to show off the vitality of the area’s arts scene, as well as provide a space for local artists to meet and collaborate. “We thought in the long run the best idea was to pull this together as a place for artists to come, to show their work and to have residency,” Ziman said. The June Art at the Rendon was dubbed Hidden Rooms and involved more than 60 local artists creating site-specific works including murals, paintings, sculptures and live performances. It drew over 3,000 people. This week’s iteration pivots away from visual art and focuses on musical and dramatic performance. Stories involves approximately 60 actors. Attendees move freely through the hotel, where most of the 40 rooms are filled with actors or musicians assuming the
identities of residents and other figures inspired by the Rendon. Each room is uniquely decorated to reflect a fictionalized story of the person or people inside. Visitors will encounter myriad tales. There are musicians and comedians. One room features a down on his luck boxer furiously practicing his craft. Another holds a Sid and Nancy-inspired couple. Greenshield-Ziman said each performer was given a generic role, which they developed by adding backstories and creating the room aesthetics. “We would just kind of sit in the room with them and ask them how they felt about the room,” Greenshield-Ziman said. “They would all come up with these fantastic ideas about what their character could be. So it was truly a collaborative effort.” Tickets for Art at the Rendon start at $25 and proceeds benefit Inner City Arts, a Skid Row-based youth arts education organization, and Cornerstone Theater Continued on page 16
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
This Is Not a War Story
DOWNTOWN NEWS 15
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
‘Vietgone’ at East West Players Is Fresh, Funny and Wholly Original
photo by Michael Lamont
Tong (Sylvia Kwan) and Quang (Paul Yen) meet in an Arkansas relocation camp in the 1970s in Qui Nguyen’s Vietgone. It is at East West Players’ David Henry Hwang Theatre through Nov. 18.
By Jeff Favre or most Americans, Vietnam evokes not a country, a culture or a people, but a controversial war. Its effects live on for many, and it has been replayed frequently in books, film and theater. In a number of those stories, Vietnamese people are used as the backdrop for an American tale — think Platoon. Or, their fate depends on a U.S. solider, as was the case in Miss Saigon. Qui Nguyen is having none of that, which is what makes Vietgone his most personal play and one of the more original stories about the impact of the war on the Vietnamese people. The opener of East West Players’ 53rd season, Vietgone, running through Nov. 18 at Little Tokyo’s David Henry Hwang Theatre, will take most everyone by surprise — unless you saw Nguyen’s Krunk Fu Battle Battle in 2011. One of the clearest, albeit wackiest, voices in modern theater, the playwright and founder of New York’s Vampire Cowboys theater company writes about what he loves, namely comic books, video games, hip-hop culture and martial arts-style stage fights. Nguyen’s style is playfully adolescent, but Vietgone, which premiered in Orange County in 2015, is also a mature and fully realized story. It has sharper characters and bigger laughs than Krunk Fu, plus a touching final scene that completes the tightly wrapped two-and-a-quarter-hour package. Director Jennifer Chang understands the need to drive the pace and push for laughs, because the absurdity of Vietgone is what bulks up its meaning. That absurdity begins with opening announcements from the Playwright (Albert Park), a surrogate for Nguyen. He explains
F
the play is definitely not about his parents, even though that’s clearly untrue, as it reflects several historical details of their meeting at Camp Chaffee in Arkansas. That’s where many South Vietnamese people were sent after escaping their country and winding up in the United States at the end of the war. Quang (Paul Yen), a pilot in the South Vietnamese military, is forced to go without his wife and two children. He comes with longtime pal Nhan (Scott Ly). The foul-mouthed, acerbic Tong (Sylvia Kwan) makes it to the camp with her mother Huong (Jane Lui), leaving behind a fiancé and a younger brother. Tong hopes to make a new home in America, while Quang and Huong want to return to Vietnam. It may sound like a straightforward tale, but it isn’t. Asians, the Playwright explains in the opening, will not be speaking in typical racist vernacular, by saying “Herro! Prease to be meeting you! I so Asian!” Instead, it will be Americans who use nonsensical mishmash, such as “Hamburger, freedom, monster trucks,” spoken with exaggerated Southern accents. Also, while it’s not exactly a musical, there are several hip-hop songs, backed by driving, thumping tunes composed by Shammy Dee. Most of these dig deeper into the anger and frustration Tong and Quang are feeling. Nguyen is known for his strong female characters, and Tong is no exception. With a sharp, sarcastic wit and frankness about her physical passions, Tong battles internally with her desire to move on and her sadness about leaving her brother. Kwan, who also shined in Water by the Spoonful at the Mark Continued on page 16
UNCABARET
25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW & CELEBRATION Featuring: Bob Odenkirk, Maria Bamford, Julia Sweeney, Janeane Garofalo, Andy Kindler, Greg Behrendt, Byron Bowers, Justin Sayre, Rebecca Corry, Alex Edelman, Allee Willis, Julie Goldman, plus special guests!
Sun, Nov 18 @ 7pm The Theatre at Ace Hotel cap.ucla.edu 310 825 2101
JOIN THE CONVERSATION >>
@CAP_UCLA #CAPUCLA
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
16 DOWNTOWN NEWS
Downtown L.A. Auto Group BUY A NEW 2019
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA S BUY FOR
$19,395
MSRP
FINANCE AS LOW AS:
$327
/ MO*
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
RENDON, 14 Company, a community theater troupe that in June left its longtime home in the Arts District. Some of the actors involved come from Cornerstone. The Rendon, which is at 2055 E. Seventh St., opened in 1912 and has served many different roles. In its early years the hotel was a stop for day laborers and transients. It was sold in the 1960s. Later, the experimental art gallery Two Bucks opened there. In recent years it has served as a location for film crews. The Stories performances run from 7-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 6-9 p.m. on Sunday. Each evening begins with opera singer Rachel Staples Guettler, who will sing while gliding down the hotel’s fire escape. Attendees will then wander into the building. There is no suggested route through the hotel. The adjoining Licha Bar and Grill will operate as a Prohibition-era speakeasy for the event. Jazz band the Vignes Rooftop Revival will perform at the bar. Outside, video projections developed by Ziman and filmmaker Nolan Silverstein will be screened on the side of the building. The Zimans acknowledged that it’s a big undertaking, but one they feel is fitting for the neighborhood that struggles to hold on to its artistic past as a wealth of big-budget projects are rising. “We’re just really passionate. We want to do something really amazing,” Ziman said. “We’re putting everything we have into this. It’s challenging on a lot of levels. The project is a lot more complicated than we imagined, but we’re really excited.” The owners hope to keep the artistic element going on long term. They have launched a renovation of the building, which they anticipate will be complete within two years. The plan is to convert the hotel and have an artist-in-residency program within the building. Art at the Rendon runs Friday-Sunday, Nov. 9-11, at 2055 E. Seventh St. or artattherendon.com. sean@downtownnews.com
VIETGONE, 15
VOLKWAGEN OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 1900 S. Figueroa St.
888-781-8102 |
VWOFDTLA.COM
Stock # V9005463, 3VWN57BU1KM005463, Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 1.4 L/85 engine, Manual, BLACK UNI exterior All pricing and details are believed to be accurate, but we do not warrant or guarantee such accuracy. The prices shown above, may vary from region to region, as will incentives, and are subject to change. Vehicle information is based off standard equipment and may vary from vehicle to vehicle. Call or email for complete vehicle specific information. Car pictured is not the actual vehicle, only a representation of the model. * Monthly payments will vary based on applicants credit score and apllied interest rate. All tax, title and vehicle registration fees are additional. Plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, $80 dealer document processing charge, any electronic filing charge and any emission testing charge may apply.
DTLAMOTORS.COM
Taper Forum, gives Tong an edge that provides plenty of laughs without resorting to mugging. Likewise, Yen balances the sensitive and macho sides of Quang. Lui gets the biggest laughs of all with the deadpan barbs she directs at her daughter. Nguyen’s signature is stage fighting, which he taught, and the second act has a comical doozy of a battle, choreographed by Thomas Isao Morinaka and Aaron Aoki, which derives much of its humor from references to classic video games. Likewise, he inserts a montage of two men trying to woo Tong by copying famous moments from popular movies, including Dirty Dancing and Titanic. The set is minimal, but a projected design by Kaitlyn Pietras and Jason H. Thompson floods the background with images of icons and locales relevant to the story. While it succeeds as a comedy, the lasting impact of Vietgone comes from its climax. Director Chang allows for a gradually paced partial blackout as the time period shifts forward. It’s there that Nguyen, without resorting to soapbox declarations, offers context that is complex, refreshing and unlikely to show up in most American stories about Vietnam. Much of Nguyen’s canon is plays that might seem out of place at East West Players. Credit producing artistic director Snehal Desai for bringing the playwright back to Little Tokyo. Vietgone runs through Nov. 18 at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 or eastwestplayers.org.
DT the DON'T MISS list ival of Zoot Suit, then you or the 40th anniversary rev al gin ori the r he eit saw week, Valdez returns to If you r pioneer Luis Valdez. This ate the no ica Ch h wit r ilia art. Written and directare fam rum with his Valley of the He Fo r pe Ta rk Ma the of ge Mexican American imthe sta the Japanese American and through World War ps rla ove y pla the , dez Val ed by d on ke of the Great Depression an migrant experience in the wa young lovers, played by Melanie Arii Mah (shown two ntry steamrolls toward II. What ensues is a story of loyalties are tested as the cou h shows this week ose wh , dez Val kin Lan d an here) v. 7, wit art opens on Wednesday, No World War II. Valley of the He . There is also a Saturday matinee at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m At 135 N. Grand Ave. on Wednesday-Saturday at 0 p.m. It runs through Dec. 9. 6:3 d an 1 at s nce ma for per Sunday or centertheatregroup.org. their dgson, Michael J. Nelson and Over their 30-year run, Joel Ho Theater 3000 have turned riffence robotic friends at Mystery Sci ng its . Now, the group is celebrati ing on bad movies into an art 42-show tour across the United ty, 30th anniversary with a 29-ci Novo on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The e Th at p sto a ing lud States, inc tflix’s by Jonah Ray, the host of Ne the original crew will be joined on ry nta screening and comme s wa “MST3K Revival,” for a live vie mo e ion film The Brain. Th g tin 1988 Canadian science fict cut the vides ample fodder for universally panned and pro begins at 7:30 p.m. At 800 W. ce MST3K crew. The performan thenovodtla.com. or 0 00 5-7 76 3) (21 d., Olympic Blv
3
2
photo cour tesy of Mystery Scie
nce Theater 3K Live!
from Canada, Police Club. One, they hail o ky To for e com s ha e on no ed the veterthat cal correctness, it’s surprising personnel (how dare they?). But none of that has stopp liti po d an n tio ria rop app al law enforcement In this age of cultur the group’s four members are y not Japan, and two, none of er the ie-rock ladder, and in Octob an act from scaling the ind gang is album, TPC. This week, the can released their fifth studio roc Angeles for shows at the Mo stpo dropping into Downtown Los ar he to ect Exp . 7-8 rsday, Nov. yo Lounge on Wednesday-Thu Tok . album, as well as older tracks . At punk singles from their new ece the psychedelic rock act Fle Police Club will be joined by m. .co 901 E. First St. or themoroccan
n
Ace Hotel 929 S. Broadway or acehotel.com/calendar/los-angeles. Nov. 5: “Glee” fans are in luck, as Lea Michelle and Darren Criss perform together. Nov. 6: The Milk Carton Kids have a name perfect for an indie folk duo, which is good because they are an indie folk duo. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Nov. 5: Maksim Velichkin, Sabine Pothier. Nov. 7: Slow & Steady Records Presents. Nov. 8: See if you can spot Invisible Bird. Nov. 9: Daniel Szabo Large Ensemble. Nov. 10-11: Mark Guiliana’s Space Heroes. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Nov. 5: Motor Sales are taking over the Monday residency spot. Good news for used-car salesmen. Nov. 6: Rapper MC Chris is on the “MC Chris Is Dead” tour. We’re not sure how this works. Is his ghost rapping? Nov. 7: Retro-style pop-rock group Grand Canyon has an album release show. Nov. 8: Glam rocker Kyle Craft hails from Sub Pop Records, so that’s a mark in his favor. Nov. 9: The Goon Sax, by their own admission, sing about teen angst. But it’s in an indie pop format, so don’t worry about feeling down. Nov. 10: Punk rock and palindrome purveyors Tacocat. The Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com. Nov. 9: Hello Lady, The Tens. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Nov. 8: Plan B. Continued on next page
ONE
photo cour tesy the Morocca
ROCK, POP & JAZZ
aw is touching down fever dream, Camp Flog Gn and rides. Taking al niv car t par al, tiv fes sic Part mu sic, food Stadium for two days of mu ings from the wild and on the grounds of Dodger spr ing en pp v. 10-11, the ha No ay, nd Su ayurd Sat on (shown here). The festiplace founder Tyler, the Creator coure Fut d Od of nd mi rs AP Rocky, Earl Sweatbonke -hop chart toppers, with A$ hip of eup lin g on str a es tur t Malone headlining val fea bies, Lauryn Hill, SZA and Pos e the stage, and Zom sh tbu Fla , ith Sm en Jad shirt, led to tak re than 35 artists are schedu the weekend. Altogether mo carnival games and more. At 1000 Vin Scully Ave. or eel, there will also be a Ferris wh campfloggnaw.com.
photo by Joanna DeGeneres
TUESDAY, NOV. 6 Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live The Novo, 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or thenovodtla.com 7 p.m.: The cult comedy show is on its 30th anniversary tour with current host Jonah Ray and creator Joel Hodgson joining the ’bots for skits, stories and plenty of riffing on some of the worst films ever made. Election Reform Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, 1717 E. Seventh St. or theicala.org. 6 p.m. The art museum is hosting an election results viewing party and giving away special shirts from featured artists to those who voted. THURSDAY, NOV. 8 Subverting Power: Cartoons, Comics, and Culture Bovard Auditorium, 3551 Trousdale Pkwy. or visionsandvoices.usc.edu 7 p.m.: The Pulitzer-Prize winning comic creator Art Spiegelman, New Yorker art editor Francoise Mouly and KCRW’s Michael Silverblatt discuss the intersection of popular art and politics. The Un-Private Collection at The Broad 221 S. Grand Ave., (213) 232-6200 or thebroad.org. 8 p.m.: Musical mastermind Yuval Sharon and artists Neo Rauch and Rosa Loy discuss an opera production of “Lohengrin” that they staged. SUNDAY, NOV. 11 We’re All Going to Die! Dystopian Book Club The Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com. 7:30 p.m.: Celebrate the end of election season with an uplifting discussion of Emily St. John Mandel’s post-apocalyptic “Station Eleven.”
BY SEAN P. THOMAS photo by Mark Peckmezian
CALENDAR LISTINGS EVENTS
DOWNTOWN NEWS 17
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
FOUR
world of taking a deep dive into the starts is tra es ch Or r be am Ch sations series. It The Los Angeles grams in the Baroque Conver baroque music, with four pro per Hall (at the Colburn School) on Thursday, ’ Zip Brazeau. in Downtown Los Angeles principal oboe player Clair CO LA ing tur fea ce an rm rfo the 2017 Nov. 8, with a pe re after taking a top prize at he -sp oe ob the in ion nit og en oboe Brazeau drew rec the docket is a program of sev On n. itio pet Com oe Ob x -Fo n Gottlieb International Gillet nata in G Major” and Johan (213) “So s i’ rtin ma Sam ni van Gio sonatas, including At 200 S. Grand Ave., rn.” Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Graun’s “Trio for Violin and Ho 622-7001 or laco.org.
photo by Jordan Kirschner
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
5
Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
18 DOWNTOWN NEWS
LISTINGS, 17 Nov. 9: Magician. Nov. 10: Charlotte De Witte, Pan-Pot, JIA. Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. Nov. 6: Lea Michelle is doing another show in Downtown this week. Expect to see “Glee” fans freaking out. Ham and Eggs Tavern 433 W. Eighth St. or hamandeggstavern.com Nov. 10: Fade Fellas, Solitary Friends, Exploding Flowers, Kid Planet. Microsoft Theater 777 Chick Hearn Ct., (213) 763-6030 or microsofttheater.com. Nov. 9: 1980s hair metal holdouts are in luck as Foreigner performs the hits.
Nov. 10: Maxwell is on his “Night” tour. Moroccan Lounge 901 E. First St., (213) 395-0610 or themoroccan.com. Nov. 5: Start the week off with Emily Warren’s pop sounds. Nov. 6: Acoustic pop from Anna Clendening. Nov. 7-8: Tokyo Police Club do two nights in the Arts District. Nov. 9: Brooklyn-based rapper Thutmose. Nov. 10: City of the Sun specializes in instrumental postrock. Nov. 11: Cub Sport plays, naturally, indie pop. Resident 428 S. Hewitt St. or (323) 316-5311 or residentdtla.com. Nov. 6: Yes it’s the midterms, but don’t forget to celebrate what would have been the late Charles Bradley’s 70th birthday with a preview of his upcoming final album, “Black Velvet.” RIP to the Screaming Eagle of Soul. Nov. 7: Paranoid punk from Big Data, whose name is making us want to get some pitchforks and torches against the tech
BUSINESS INTERNET SERVICE 1000Mbps/$499.95
gods who watch our every move in order to advertise to us. Nov. 8: Riz La Vie, SWSH, Valley Hush. Nov. 9: Anna of the North hails from Norway and performs dream pop. Nov. 10: Soul and dance from Ginger Root. Nov. 11: Enjoy a night of dancing to pop music at this edition of Bootie L.A. It’s glitter themed. Consider yourself warned. The Novo 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or thenovodtla.com. Nov. 7: We’re guessing that Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley will be playing country music. Nov. 8: Go back to the ’90s with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The Redwood 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. Nov. 5: Forward, Long Knife, Foza Comun. Nov. 6: Keeping with the blade theme of the week, it’s
WHY COOK?
Regent China Inn Authentic Chinese Cuisine in Chinatown
Dim Sum
Live Lobster and Crab Delivery, Minimum Order $15 Lunch Special From $6.00 – Mon.-Fri. 11-5, Sat.-Sun. 11-3 Party Tray Available
739-747 N. Main St. I Voice I LosBroadband Angeles, 90012
WiFi I HDTV
213.680.3333
PARKING IN REAR
LUNCH AND DINNER • An Extensive Seafood Menu including Dim Sum at Moderate Prices • Relaxed Dining in an Elegant Ambiance • Live Lobster Tank
800.900.5788 I aerioconnect.com 700 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Free Parking Next to Restaurant Tel: 213.617.2323
10 PIECE
Delivery Available through Postmates, Grubhub and Uber Eats Party Paks Available
SPECIAL
Some Daggers, Laura Latkis, Schlomi Bagdadi. Nov. 9: The Last, Hellbent Bastards, Electric Howlers. Nov. 10: Blue Shadows, The Greasy Gills, Tiki Creeps, Blackball Bandits. Nov. 11: Dark Rituals 4 includes acts Shrouds, Vidmasce, and Wick End. The Regent 448 S. Main St., (323) 284-5727, or theregenttheater.com. Nov. 9: Dance and electronic maven Tokimonsta. Nov. 10: NPR Tiny Desk Contest winners Tank and the Bangas brings a mix of soul, rap and funk. The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org. Nov. 9: Sweet Reaper, Die Group, Thriller Party. Nov. 10: Raul Garcia. Nov. 11: Jonathan Snipes, Fielded, Lana Del Rabies, Why Boy Scream.
http://issuu.com/ladtn Follow Us on ISSUU
Thighs & Legs
with Tortillas & Salsa ONLY
12.99
$
+
TAX
2 Downtown Locations CORNER of BROADWAY & 3rd
Flip through the DT News print edition on your mobile device, with 6 plus years of past issues available!
260 S. Broadway, 213-626-7975 • 213-626-8235, Tel/Fx: 213-626-4572
FASHION DISTRICT at CORNER 9TH/SANTEE 226 E. 9th St. , 213-623-5091 • 213-327-0645, Tel/Fx: 213-623-9405
BUSINESS PHONE SERVICE $9.95 Pricing starting from
Broadband I Voice I WiFi I HDTV
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
800.900.5788 I aerioconnect.com
HOME INTERNET SERVICE 1000Mbps/$14.95 *
* Speeds up to
Broadband I Voice I WiFi I HDTV
**
** Pricing starting from
800.900.5788 I aerioconnect.com
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
DOWNTOWN NEWS 19
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
Teragram Ballroom 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com. Nov. 6: Rubblebucket is in that art-pop scene, so go hear some indie-pop-influenced sounds and feel worldly. Nov. 8: Robotaki is a DJ, not a robot. Nov. 9: Guided By Voices is still going strong. Nov. 10: Spafford, in the band’s own words, jams.
THEATER
Dear Evan Hansen Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or musiccenter.org. Nov. 6-9, 8 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Nov. 10, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Nov. 11, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.: The Tony Award winner for Best Musical, and the most-talked about Broadway show in the
wake of “Hamilton,” comes to Downtown as part of a national tour. It follows teenager Evan, who gets caught in a lie that spins out of control. Through Nov. 25. Desert Rats Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., (213) 489-0994 or thelatc.org. Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m., Nov 9-10, 8 p.m. and Nov. 11, 3 p.m.: Two brothers end up in Barstow and plan a kidnapping in this dark comedy. Through Nov. 18. Lizzie Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m.: The punk rock, all-women musical about noted accused-murderer Lizzie Borden is back with a special “Whack the Vote” show in City West. Be there for ax-wielding drama and songs such as “The House of Borden” and “Forty Whacks.”
Enjoy an unforgettable homegrown dining experience for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Members Only Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., (213) 489-0994 or thelatc.org. Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m., Nov 9-10, 8 p.m. and Nov. 11, 3 p.m.: A gay Latino boxer struggles to keep going in the 1980s in a new play by Oliver Mayer. Through Nov. 18. Pura Entraña REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. Nov. 9-10, 8:30 p.m.: Experimental vocalist Carmina Escobar sings in this surrealist multimedia show, which features a suspended piano floating above the stage. Satyagraha 135 N. Grand Ave. or laopera.org. Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 11, 2 p.m.: The life of Mahatma Gandhi is explored in this production of Philip Glass’ opera. It
draws from Gandhi’s early life in South Africa and the development of his nonviolent protest ideology. Through Nov. 11.
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.
TO SUBMIT WEB: LADowntownNews.com/calendar
A LISTING:
EMAIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com
Email: Send a brief description, street address and public phone number. Submissions must be received 10 days prior to publication date to be considered for print.
SIGN UP FOR
FREE
TICKETS! @DowntownNews.com
20% OFF With This Coupon. Expires 12/31/18.
For Orders 726 Alameda St. (Bay & Alameda) Over $15 213-228-8999 | farmerboysla.com (before taxes)
No substitutions. Limit one offer per coupon. One coupon per transaction. Los Angeles Alameda location only. Not valid with any other coupon, advertised special or offer. State sales tax applicable. Copies or replicas of this offer will not be accepted.
Open 24/7 | Free Wi-Fi | Free Parking Drive Thru | Breakfast Served All Day
DT
CLASSIFIEDS
To place a classified ad in the Downtown News please call 213-481-1448 Deadline for classified display and line ads are Thursday at 12pm.
FOR 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.
FOR RENT
LEGAL NAME CHANGE
ROOMS
ROOM FOR RENT
Daily and weekly excellent location. Furnished. Daily from $60, weekly from $250. 1214 W. 8th Street.
Call Sal at 323-875-6767 ROOM FOR RENT SMALL 1 BEDROOM with kitchenette, microwave,small refrigerator, sink, private bathroom, private entrance, small proch, parking, wifi and utilities paid. $950/Month. First/Last/ security. Call 323-223-9178.
Sign up for our E-News Blasts and be entered to win movie tickets showing at
Superior court of California, County of Los Angeles ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME No. 18BBCP00013 Petitioner (name of each) Guadalupe Correa, 6009 Morella Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91606 filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: GUADALUPE CORREA Proposed name: LUPIE REYES THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be grant-
ed. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of hearing Date: 11/30/2018 Time: 8:30 AM Dept.: A The address of the court is: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 300 East Olive, Burbank, CA 91502, Burbank Courthouse. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in LA DOWNTOWN NEWS, 1264 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county. Prepared by: Sherri R. Carter Executive Office/Clerk. Deputy: Melody Scott Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 300 East Olive Burbank, CA 91502 Burbank Courthouse Date: October 17, 2018 Hon. Darrell Mavis Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 10/22, 10/29, 11/5 and 11/12 Superior court of California, County of Pomona ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME No. KS021511 Petitioner (name of each)
Francisco Jaime Herrera, 15902-A Haliburton Rd #307, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: FRANCISCO JAIME HERRERA Proposed name: FRANCISCO CHANG THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of hearing Date:11/30/2018 Time: 8:30 AM Dept.: O Room: 543 The address of the court is: Superior Court of California, County of Pomona, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in LA DOWNTOWN NEWS, 1264 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county. Prepared by: Sherri R. Carter Executive Office/Clerk. Superior Court of California,
bohemian rhapsody
Starts November 2
County of Pomona 400 Civic Center Plaza Pomona, CA 91766 Date: OCTOBER 4, 2018 Hon.Peter A. Hernandez Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 10/22, 10/29, 11/5 and 11/12. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2018245316 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) CHAIDEZ SUPPORT SERVICES,4907 GLACIER DRIVE, Los Angeles CA 90041 LA COUNTY, are hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) FLOR CHAIDEZ, 4907 GLACIER DRIVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90041 LA COUNTY. This business is conducted by an Individual. Registrant(s) began to transact business under the fictitious business name or
halloween
Starts November 9
names listed above: N/A This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on SEPTEMBER 26, 2018. 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. 10/22, 10/29, 11/5 and 11/12. Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2018265686 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) MUNGUIA’S PROMOTIONS, INC., 311 EDENFIELS
OM FR 75/ * ,9 $2 NTH MO
AVE, AZUSA, CA 91702 LA COUNTY, are hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) MUNGUIA’S PROMOTIONS, INC., 311 EDENFIELD AVE, AZUSA, CA 91702 LA COUNTY. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Registrant(s) began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 9/2018 This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on OCTOBER 19, 2018. 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. 11/5, 11/12, 11/19 and 11/26.
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS
20 DOWNTOWN NEWS
NOVEMBER 5, 2018
HOUSING, 9
TRILOGY
Downtown...It’s Not Just Big Business Anymore! 255 GRAND 255 South Grand Avenue 213-229-9777 www.255GRAND.com Community Amenities: Expansive Outdoor Terrace Heated Pool & Spa Custom-Designed Interiors 24 hr. Manned Lobby Resident Concierge Fitness Center / Yoga Studio Wi-Fi Lounge State-of-the-Art HD Theater Gourmet BBQ Areas / Gas Fire Pits Contemporary Lounge with Gourmet Kitchen
Apartment Amenities: Breathtaking Views Spacious Floorplans Central Air & Heating Balconies / Urban Patios (Most Units) Deep Soaking Tubs Luxury Stainless Appliances & Finishes Sky Level 27th Floor Penthouse Units: Complimentary Wi-Fi & Basic Cable Waterfall Countertops Bosch Appliances Nest 3rd Generation Thermostats Up to 2 Parking Spaces Included On-Site: Dry Cleaners / Dental Office / Restaurants
PROMENADE TOWERS 123 South Figueroa Street 213-617-3777 www.THEPROMENADETOWERS.com
Community Amenities: Expansive Outdoor Patio with BBQ Grills Heated Pool & Spa 24 hr. Manned Lobby Fitness Center Parking Garage
On-Site: Convenience Store / Café / Beauty Salon / Private Fitness Training
many other parts of Los Angeles. Zander said the vibrancy of Downtown, including a busy nightlife scene, is keeping many new inhabitants in the neighborhood. “What’s kind of exciting about it all is when developers try to out-amenitize each other,” Zander said. The current collection of new projects has a variety of elements intended to entice renters. Many buildings include dog play areas, and also offer outdoor gathering spots with deck and grills. Axis on 11th has a fitness center and a residents’ lounge. Griffin on Spring provides a gym, rooftop lounge, business center and even a dry cleaning and laundry service. Circa boasts pool cabanas and a cycling studio, plus a lounge for pets. These new projects often have rents in the vicinity of $4 a square foot, on the higher end of the spectrum. A 516-square-foot studio at Griffin goes for $2,160, and Axis on 11th offers a 514-square-foot studio for $2,187. At Circa, a one-bedroom unit on the 20th floor is 800 square feet and rents for $3,800. Meanwhile, 888 Grand Hope Park has a 497-square-foot studio starting at $2,540; a 1,198-square-foot two-bedroom apartment begins at $4,460. The proximity of the new projects is exciting for Ellen Riotto, executive director of the South Park Business Improvement District. She said the BID has been preparing for this wave of openings and will expand its street cleaning and safety patrols in the neighborhood. “We’re evaluating, and seeing if our deployment matches the rate of growth,” she said. “I don’t expect us to be overly taxed.” LiMandri said that if the past residential openings is a precedent, then Downtown will see the market stabilize and vacancies return to normal within three or four months. The good news, he added, is that demand remains strong in Downtown, even with so much supply. nicholas@downtownnews.com
Apartment Amenities: Floor-to-Ceiling Windows City Skyline Views Solarium and/or Balconies
MUSEUM TOWER 225 South Olive Street 213-626-1500 www.THEMUSEUMTOWERAPTS.com
Community Amenities: 24 hr. Manned Lobby Resident Concierge Heated Pool & Spa Fitness Center / Yoga Studio Outdoor Patio Gas BBQ Grills Recreation Room State-of-the-Art HD Theater Rooftop Patio with Views
Apartment Amenities: City and Mountain Views Luxury Appliances & Finishes Central Air & Heating Balconies (Most Units) Basic Cable *All Amenities Under Renovation
RESIDENCES STUDIO • ONE BEDROOM • TWO BEDROOMS PENTHOUSE UNITS • CORPORATE HOUSING photo by Jon Regardie
New to the scene is 888 at Grand Hope Park. The 34-story South Park tower has 534 apartments. It opened in September.