12-07-15 by Los Angeles Downtown News

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DECEMBER 7, 2015 I VOL. 44 I #49

CIRQUE

A Sidewalk Tour of Downtown : 8 Bridges of Madison County Becomes a Musical : 12

IS IN TOWN Cirque du Soleil Raises a Big Top at Dodger Stadium for The Show ‘Kurios’ SEE PAGE 13

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AROUND TOWN

Weigh In on Ideas to Redesign Pershing Square

he 10 semifinalists for the redesign of Pershing Square have been picked. Now, Downtowners get to weigh in on the concepts. As part of the Pershing Square Renew campaign, the city is presenting early ideas from each design team at four events this week. The teams have not yet completed designs, but their proposal boards will suggest various features and elements to give an overall sense of what they could look like. The public comment period kicks off at Thursday’s Art Walk, with the boards on view at Spring Street Park from 5:30-8 p.m. On Friday, Dec. 11, the proposals will be at Pershing Square, near the food trucks, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 12, they will be at Grand Central Market from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and they’ll be on display at the Spring Street Farmers Market on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. People will be able to text in their comments. Additionally, the proposals will be online and available for comments at pershingsquarerenew.com at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10. The semifinalists include a mix of local, national and international firms.

Massive Liquidation Sale at Hotel Figueroa

he historic Hotel Figueroa closed late last month for a renovation that will carry into

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS summer 2016. As part of the overhaul, hotel owners Green Oak and Urban Lifestyle are selling nearly every furnishing, fixture, artwork, architectural artifact and piece of equipment in the South Park structure. The liquidation sale kicked off on Thursday, Dec. 3, and runs through Dec. 31. Three floors of the hotel are filled with the items, and visitors can shop between 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday, and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. Cash, Visa or Mastercard are accepted and photo I.D. is required for all sales. The liquidation is being conducted by International Content Liquidators, which handled a similar sale at the original Wilshire Grand hotel in 2012. More information on the Hotel Figueroa sale is at (213) 222-3101 or iclsales.com, where there is a catalog of items with photos. The renovation of the 1925 hotel will change the longstanding Moroccan aesthetic to a Spanish Colonial design style with modern amenities and features. The renovated 285-room hotel will be managed by HHM Hospitality, which operates more than 100 hotels around the country.

Downtown Office Vacancy Rate Falls

espite the residential, restaurant and retail momentum Downtown has enjoyed, the office market has lagged. Now, that situation is improving — slightly. The Downtown Center Business Improvement District last week announced that the office vacancy rate in the third quarter of the year was 18.4%, down from 20.4% in the same period in 2014. Rates in Class A buildings also increased, to an average of $3.24 per square foot in the recent quarter;

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a year ago the average was $3.11, according to the DCBID. The statistics are part of the DCBID’s third quarter Downtown L.A. Market Report. “With the Downtown retail and residential markets driving Downtown L.A.’s record growth, our commercial office market continues to gain momentum and increasingly is attracting tenants from other markets,” said DCBID President and CEO Carol Schatz in a prepared statement. New arrivals include co-working company WeWork, which inked a deal for 44,500 square feet of space in the Fine Arts Building. Over at The Bloc, DLR Group, Studio One Eleven and Newmark Grubb Frank Knight filled a com-

12/1/2015

bined 53,000 square feet. More office options are about to come on the market, including 400,000 square feet in the Wilshire Grand replacement.

ULI Hosts Big Transit Event This Week

veryone in the region complains about gridlock. How to reduce it will be the topic of discussion this week when the Urban Land Institute Los Angeles hosts a conferContinued on page 7

December 7, 2015

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EDITORIALS

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December 7, 2015

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

In Tribune’s Hands, The L.A. Times Will Continue to Get Worse

photo by Gary Leonard

t’s clear what Tribune Publishing has in store for the Los Angeles Times, and we don’t like it. Neither should anyone who cares about our city. TPUB, as it’s known to investors, is the Chicago-based parent company of the Times, and it has gotten everything wrong since company head Jack Griffin’s unwise Sept. 8 decision to fire Times Publisher and CEO Austin Beutner. It’s been a disappointing and dismal three months, with the latest blow being the parade of informed reporters and editors who have taken buyouts as part of the company’s cost-cutting moves. It’s a devastating sight, the march of familiar and trusted names joining the exodus, which has been excellently chronicled by the website L.A. Observed. The loss of so many quality people means the loss of journalists who understand the depth of local issues, people who get the context of the stories they cover. The situation portends an ominous future for the most important civic voice in Southern California. In TPUB’s hands, the L.A. Times will continue to get worse. It is impossible to foresee things improving unless TPUB relinquishes its hold on the iconic publication and sells it to a local buyer who understands why newspapers are needed in the modern world. Clearly Griffin and his board do not. Griffin sees the Times as a cog in TPUB’s network of publications. He envisions a corporate machine in which all of its newspapers (they include the Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun and Orlando Sentinel) and their various electronic iterations look and sound pretty much the same. Think of it as USA Today lite. The bulk of the stories would be the same in each of the publications, requiring far fewer reporters. At first glance, it looks like a smart move. Trouble is, it misses the point. The approach leaves very little room for quality local coverage, and quality local coverage is the entire ball game when it comes to newspapers of the future. Most people now get their national and international coverage everywhere except newspapers — from their televisions, office computers, cell phones and their wrists. Griffin’s idea of centralizing all that for a chain of newspapers has come and gone. He and his board are living in the past, making judgments that are trailing the reality of what newspapers must become. Rather than be a spoke in a Chicago-centric wheel, the L.A. Times needs to be an extraordinary regional publication for Southern California, a shining example for newspapers across the country. Excellent local and regional newspapers are deeply engaged with the city they cover, serving roles as a chronicler of the community, as a watchdog and as the civic conscience. Under effective leadership, a local paper can express the soul of a city and help move it toward the best possible version of itself. The Times has just proved it can still accomplish this aim. The team reporting on last week’s shooting in San Bernardino was comprehensive and informed, producing more interesting and detailed coverage than television provided. Yet as resources are further diminished, it becomes hard to hope that this type of quality can continue. We do not begrudge Griffin’s efforts to make a profit. Profits, after all, keep newspapers alive and well. That said, he is going about making a buck the wrong way, in a manner that will necessarily gut the Times, the paper that is

the biggest fish in TPUB’s pond. In the company’s reductive quest to make its papers a distribution opportunity for national advertisers, its leaders overlook the fact that if there is a paucity of local information, then readers will abandon the product, which means advertisers will not be happy. On another important note, if the past few months have proved anything, it’s that Griffin and Tribune Publishing do not care about their relationship with the people of Los Angeles. They seem to be working at cross-purposes with themselves. The TPUB brass are betting their advertisers will care about getting seen by us, but they don’t seem to realize they won’t have our eyeballs on their customers’ ads if they don’t find some way to create a bridge between Chicago owners’ dreams and Los Angeles readers’ needs. In the past three months TPUB has been oddly missing in action when it comes to

Los Angeles. For a supposed communications company, its communication with Angelenos has been terrible. To start, the company never appropriately responded to the local uproar over the firing of Beutner, who many observers credited with helping begin a turnaround of the Times. Griffin probably expected the issue to die after a few days. Instead, the City Council, the County Board of Supervisors and scores of civic leaders protested the firing and began a vocal call for local ownership of the paper. Griffin could have conducted a public outreach campaign. If he really cared about the city (even if only for the potential number of eyes on ads), then he would have appeared at local town hall events, or booked appearances with influential area TV and radio broadcasters. Also missing in action is Beutner’s replacement as publisher and CEO, Timothy

Ryan. There are plenty of opportunities for Ryan to speak out — for instance, shortly after taking over, Beutner appeared at the public affairs forum Town Hall-Los Angeles, and the room was packed. Clearly the city is interested in hearing the plans from the man theoretically in charge of the Times. But Ryan hasn’t spoken. One of the most baffling things about Griffin’s strategy is that it does not seem to allow for a learning curve. He doggedly sticks to his plan while TPUB’s stock price sinks jerkily lower and lower. It hit $7.95 a share on Nov. 23, down from a high of about $25 just 15 months ago. Still, he makes no adjustments, no course corrections. The L.A. Times was not the only TPUB publication to reduce staff, and with quality expected to go down with the loss of so much institutional knowledge, it is almost impossible to predict better products and, thus, future success. Readership across the board should be expected to decline at a faster and faster rate under Griffin’s vision. Given the totality of the problem — it’s clear the Times under TPUB will get worse, the advertisers won’t be happy, the value of the company will decline, plus there’s no love lost between Chicago and Los Angeles — Tribune Publishing would do well to allow itself to be sold. Griffin et al. need to move quickly on this process, before they do more harm to the publication. We would like to assert that in the wake of the current debacles they owe the people of Los Angeles a sale to local ownership, but that would be naïve. Griffin should convince his board to sell merely because he’s responsible to TPUB’s stockholders and the company is going to continue to lose value under his leadership.

December 7, 2015

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Tall Tower, Huge Changes Occupancy Rises at U.S. Bank Tower, While New Owner Powers Forward on $100 Million in Improvements By Eddie Kim he bumping curves and jagged crown of U.S. Bank Tower have defined the Downtown Los Angeles skyline for more than three decades. No other skyscraper in the city is as iconic as the building that, for about another year, will remain the tallest structure west of the Mississippi. Its status and location would seem to make it a top choice for white-collar firms, yet over the past decade a combination of reputed lax maintenance and unwieldy floor plans led businesses to flee the 1.4 millionsquare-foot edifice. As recently as 2013, the building still sometimes called Library Tower was nearly half empty. Things are changing. In 2013, Singaporebased OUE bought the 1989 skyscraper from beleaguered MPG Office Trust for a reported $367.5 million. The company has since begun an aggressive turnaround, highlighted by the attention-grabbing announcement of a new rooftop restaurant and viewing platform. Overlooked are some other elements of a renovation that will ultimately cost about $100 million, with $60 million dedicated to fixes at the top of the building and the lobby. Then there is the biggest inside shift: a serious uptick in occupancy. Early this year, law firm Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith took temporary space in the building after its offices at Figueroa Plaza (221

N. Figueroa St.) were damaged by an inferno at the neighboring Da Vinci apartments site in December 2014. The firm took 200,000 square feet — nearly 15% of the building’s floor space. That has since been converted to a long-term lease, said OUE Senior Vice President John Gamboa. That’s not the only addition. OUE’s leasing team has secured more than a dozen new and renewal deals, with key transactions including U.S. Bank (a 10-year renewal for 100,000 square feet) and Regus Office Space occupying 50,000 square feet. The net result is that the 72-story building is 75% occupied, according to Gamboa. “We’re still on the hunt to make sure we fully realize the potential of this asset,” Gamboa said. “We’re fixing the infrastructure. We’re upgrading our signage. We want to add some energy to the Maguire Gardens amenity. We’re considering new ideas for the 72nd floor when the current office tenant rolls over. This is just the start.” Top to Bottom Upgrades The work at U.S. Bank Tower starts literally on the ground floor. The lobby is being redone with more glass to open the space up to the street, and it’s getting a 130-foot-wide video wall that will be used in a variety of ways, including to show imagery depicting Los Angeles neighborhoods and culture. The elevators, meanwhile, are being upgraded with what is dubbed “destination dis-

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John Gamboa, senior vice president of OUE, is overseeing $100 million in improvements at U.S. Bank Tower. Since buying the building in 2013, OUE has boosted occupancy from around 50% to 75%.

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patch” technology that will mean fewer stops for each rider. While those elevators will speed workers to their offices, they will also connect visitors to a pair of observation decks on the 69th floor dubbed Skyspace. That will lead to a private event space and bar on the 70th floor. The 71st floor will hold a restaurant led by chef Vartan Abgaryan, formerly of Silver Lake’s celebrated Cliff’s Edge. Farther down, the 54th floor will host an array of interactive tech exhibits, including a virtual 360-degree “topography wall” with Los Angeles points of interest and an “infinity mirror” that seems to peer into the building’s core.

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“Skyspace is a big deal for us. We really think it’s going to redefine the building,” Gamboa said. All the activity is a major shift from when MPG Office Trust owned U.S. Bank Tower. The company began as Maguire-Thomas Partners, led by Robert F. Maguire and James A. Thomas. The powerhouse duo developed Downtown landmarks including U.S. Bank Tower (then dubbed Library Tower), Wells Fargo Plaza and Gas Company Tower. Eventually Thomas went out on his own and the company became Maguire Properties. Maguire ran the company, but in time was hammered by a string of poor investments. Continued on page 6

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TOWER, 5 He was forced out and the business, highlighted by the seven Downtown towers in its portfolio, eventually became MPG Office Trust. Yet MPG could not regain its financial footing and, facing a well of debt, began defaulting on a number of loans. It ultimately decided to sell its assets. National office giant Brookfield took on the biggest portion, snapping up four key Downtown skyscrapers for a reported $450 million. OUE was a more unlikely buyer. The company, which has roots in the hotel industry, saw potential for U.S. Bank Tower to become a destination for both tenants and the public, Gamboa said. With construction speeding forward on the $1 billion Wilshire Grand replacement, complete with its own rooftop deck, OUE opted to move aggressively and spend on upgrades to bring back U.S. Bank Tower’s luster. “MPG had not invested in the asset as much as they should have because they were capital-constrained,” Gamboa said. Price Potential OUE was also drawn by price. The U.S. Bank Tower deal worked out to about $260 per square foot, while trophy assets in Los Angeles were fetching $500 a square foot, Gamboa said. The company purchased it with cash and closed the deal within three months. “I don’t know if you can even find residential at that price. It’s a home run,” he recalled thinking. OUE has been “very opportunistic” in its leasing approach, especially with the Lewis Brisbois signing after the fire, said Michael Soto, research manager at real estate analysis firm Transwestern. Downtown’s office market is a game of musical chairs, in that tenants jump from building to building, he noted, adding that the key to success is having a proactive, well-funded marketing and leasing program that can consistently poach big tenants and court companies on the cusp of major growth.

“There’s more interest in that building now than there was under previous ownership,” Soto said of U.S. Bank Tower. “They’ve done a great job marketing the building, and the lobby upgrades and Skyspace are exciting developments.” Downtown as a whole still lags behind Westside office hubs. The local vacancy rate clocked in at 17.9%, compared to 13.4% in West L.A., in Transwestern’s thirdquarter 2015 report. Ditto pricing: Top office towers in Downtown are getting about $3 per square foot, compared to $4.19 in West L.A. Lower costs could lure tenants to Downtown, and a major boost will probably come when — or maybe that’s if — the Central City lands an “anchor” company like Yahoo or Buzzfeed, both of which sniffed around Downtown before landing in Playa Vista and Hollywood, respectively, Soto said. That said, improvements in MPG’s former portfolio will help the Downtown market, said Steven Marcussen, executive director of leasing at brokerage Cushman and Wakefield. “We’re in a phase of the market where those troubled buildings have cleared and have strong ownership behind them. If you look carefully, all the big empty space was in [MPG] buildings and they’re beginning to fill up,” said Marcussen, who is working on leasing about 350,000 square feet of office space at the Wilshire Grand. “A lot of capital is coming into the city, rail is being built, the L.A. Convention Center is getting redone, the new hotels in Downtown — it’s all helping.” OUE is prodding markets including Chicago, Boston, New York and Miami for its next big deal, but Gamboa said the company is focused on its single U.S. asset for now. “We’re a value-added investor. We’re not going to buy something that’s stabilized. We want upside, where we can add our mark,” Gamboa said. “That’s the U.S. Bank Tower.” eddie@downtownnews.com

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The building is the tallest structure west of the Mississippi, thought it will lose that distinction when the Wilshire Grand replacement is completed. As part of the upgrades, OUE is preparing an observation deck, restaurant and event space 70 floors off the ground.

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AROUND TOWN, 2 ence dubbed Transit-Oriented Los Angeles: Getting to Go. The event on Thursday, Dec. 10, runs from 7:30 a.m.-noon at the Japanese American National Museum (100 N. Central Ave.) in Little Tokyo. Speakers and panelists include Metro CEO Phil Washington, who will discuss a possible transportation tax ballot measure and the agency’s overall vision; Dan Rosenfeld, who has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors; and Jeff Morales, CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The closing keynote address will come from County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. Tickets and additional information are at la.uli.org.

Odd Market Lands Downtown

he holiday shopping season takes a turn to the odd at a pair of Downtown locations in coming weeks, and that’s a good thing. On Friday-Saturday, Dec. 11-12, more than 45 vendors will set up booths at FIGat7th, the outdoor shopping mall at Seventh and Figueroa streets. The Odd Market will offer jewelry, candles, clothing, chocolates, vintage goods, vinyl records and more from a collection of artists, designers and crafts makers. The vendors will be spread over all four levels of the mall, and the items will be on sale Friday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Just to make things, well, even more odd, there will be breakdancing demonstrations both days, and a breakdancing contest Saturday with a $500 first prize (registration begins at 1 p.m.). Those who have plans that weekend can check out another Odd Market at Wells Fargo Center Plaza (333 S. Grand Ave.) on Dec. 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. More than 35 vendors will be on hand that day. Both Odd Markets will also feature food and music. Additional information is at theoddmarket.com.

A.C. Martin, Adele Yellin To Be Honored This Week

embers of two families with longstanding roles in Downtown Los Angeles will be feted this week. On Wednesday, Dec. 9, Project Restore, a nonprofit that works to preserve and protect historic city buildings and landmarks, will host its Heritage Awards gala. Architecture firm A.C. Martin, which has designed everything from City Hall to the upcoming Wilshire Grand replacement, will be honored, as will the Martin family, which for generations has run the firm. The event takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Tickets and information are at projectrestore.lacity.org. On Sunday, Dec. 13, attention turns to Grand Central Market, which has received tremendous notoriety for the new culinary tenants it has brought into the building. Adele Yellin, president of the real estate management and development firm the Yellin Company, will be honored by the Los Angeles arm of the Jewish advocacy organization the American Jewish Committee. Fittingly, she will receive the 2015 Ira Yellin Community Leadership Award, named for her late husband. The event takes place at 7 p.m. at the market at 308 S. Hill St. Additional information is at (310) 405-7556.

French Magazine Touts the Growth of Downtown L.A.

he revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles has been detailed by a bevy of publications including GQ, the New York Times and London’s The Guardian newspaper. Now add Le Nouvel Observateur, one of France’s biggest magazines, to the list. It recently published the story “Los Angeles: The New Capital of the World,” and Downtown figures prominently. In the story, writer Philippe Boulet-Gercourt mentions a number of important destinations, developments and people. Predictably, Walt Disney Concert Hall gets a mention, but so does the Eastern Columbia Building’s striking facade, Grand Central Market and its China Cafe, the Higgins Building and its Edison nightclub, Skid Row, the One Santa Fe apartment complex, and even USC media professor Josh Kun’s Central Library dining-history exhibit To Live and Dine in L.A. The story, as a whole, ponders the influence of a young, diverse population that’s pushing revitalization, green living and the arts. It also paints L.A. as a flattering contrast to a certain East Coast metropolis: “Welcome to the anti-New York,” reads the story’s subtitle. It is at o.nouvelobs.com.

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December 7, 2015

A Walk to Remember A Downtown Journey With ‘Sidewalking’ Author David Ulin

David Ulin recently published Sidewalking, which explores and ruminates on Los Angeles from a pedestrian standpoint. Downtown figures heavily in the book.

photo by Gary Leonard

geles Herald story from 1898 lauds its “reliable goods” and “courteous treatment.” We pause to take in the bustle at lunchtime: A gaggle of smiling people mill around the G&B Coffee bar, and dozens more stream into the market’s long, frenetic walkways. The market’s reliable goods and courteous treatment now come in the form of perfect egg sandwiches and artisanal ice cream served up fast, with a grin. “Grand Central Market is an interesting flash-

a bad thing. The symbolic value of an attraction like Angels Flight matters to the fabric of a city, especially a young one like L.A., Ulin argues. “Caricatures” like Boston’s Faneuil Hall or the South Street Seaport in New York City still remain important emblems of a different era, he says. We arrive at Grand Central Market, which has been around for more than a century. It first stood as the Ville de Paris, “the city’s finest department store,” as Sidewalking notes; a Los An-

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new growth and history quite like Downtown, Ulin says. So I asked him to meet me in the community, which figures heavily in the book, and to talk about it as we walked. He said yes, and we met up outside the Times building on a warm, sunny afternoon in early November to tackle a short, but diverse, Downtown trek. Lost and Found Walking along Second Street west of the Times building, Ulin points to Bunker Hill. He had read about the neighborhood in the novels of John Fante before arriving in L.A., but years passed before he realized where it actually was. Gazing at the glossy office towers of California Plaza, Ulin says it’s hard to imagine the stately Victorian houses that once filled the hill. “Bunker Hill is in Sidewalking because it’s an example of a place that’s lost its sense of continuity,” he remarks. “We erase the history or just don’t have any way to think about it.” We turn south onto Hill Street and Ulin gestures at the ruddy railcars of Angels Flight. It’s been closed for two years, ever since a derailment. But that came after the original Angels Flight was shuttered, only to reopen decades later in a new location. “Even Angels Flight, it was once a useful piece of transportation infrastructure. Then it was shut down, moved and reopened as basically a tourist attraction,” he says. “Bunker Hill is a good place for a funicular, but we’ve reduced it to a caricature.” He’s quick to add that this isn’t necessarily

By Eddie Kim os Angeles is a driving city — the metropolis of freeways, endless sprawl and rush hour, or so the mantra goes. That idea hung in David Ulin’s head when he relocated from his hometown of New York City to Los Angeles in 1991. Since then, he has observed other, less-heralded realities of Angeleno life: an appreciation of public transportation, distinct and dense neighborhoods and, shockingly, people walking as a means of getting around. About a decade ago, while living in PicoRobertson, Ulin began writing essays about walking in Los Angeles. “There were a lot of Jewish people walking to synagogue on the Sabbath,” Ulin, a novelist and book critic for the Los Angeles Times, recalled recently. “It was a community built around walking together.” Ulin, 54, lives in Mid-City today, and his thoughts on the city’s pedestrian culture have gelled into a 133-page book titled Sidewalking (University of California Press). It ruminates on not only the physical act of walking, but how it shapes and strengthens the way we understand Los Angeles. “The difference is between a public and private record, between a city’s outer and its inner life. This is why I walk, to root myself, to create a space, a history, a language,” Ulin writes at the beginning of Sidewalking. “I walk to remember, in other words, not to forget.” Few places in the city meld pedestrian life,

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point because it encapsulates both the best side of development but also its dangers,” he says. “They’ve done a pretty good job so far reimagining it. I know older vendors have gotten the boot and that’s problematic. So it kind of illustrates the Downtown conundrum, in a way.” Blight and Glitz We wander to Fourth Street and Broadway, where a low-slung building brutalized by fire several years ago now sits gilded with graffiti. Ulin grew up in 1970s New York City, where such scenes were common. Blight is nothing to glamorize, but a mix of lowand high-brow spaces helps keep an urban center’s personality diverse, he says. “If it becomes another urban theme park — if all there is are shiny hipster eateries and wine shops and art galleries and boutiques, then to me that’s a commercial space, not really a neighborhood,” he remarks. “It’s a mall existing in public space. These things are useful for drawing money and people and tourists, but I hope there’s thought given to Downtown’s personality and flavor.”

As to how that actually can happen, Ulin is unsure. “Once the money comes in, the flavor tends to go,” he says with a shrug. Ulin does touch on malls in Sidewalking, particularly with a long section on The Grove and its success as a private property with a public look and accessibility. Among other things, The Grove serves as an example of what Ulin calls “scripted space” (in its case, heavily scripted), which involves the interplay of architecture, density and pedestrian inspiration that makes an area feel multifaceted and alive. That comes into play as we stride dusty Los Angeles Street into Little Tokyo. The community is filled with strong visual markers that declare its Japanese-American legacy (“I like that it makes the idea of diversity explicit,” Ulin says). At the same time, some of its complicated history is obscured. He leads the way to tiny Azusa Street, which is less a street than an alley. It was one of the first streets in L.A. where blacks could be homeowners, Ulin notes. It’s also where Pentecostal-

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ism was born, led by a one-eyed black preacher, William J. Seymour. A tiny marker on the San Pedro Street side of the alley quietly proclaims it as the “Cradle of the Worldwide Pentecostalism Movement.” “It’s not just overlooked in Little Tokyo, it’s overlooked by the city and the state,” Ulin says. “I don’t know why it’s not more present, with more of a historical marker.” Sidewalking seems to answer that question, in a scene at the end of the book where Ulin and his son enter the State Theatre on Broadway to watch a Spanish-language church sermon. “For a moment, I feel as if we trespassing, as if we are somewhere we shouldn’t be,” he writes. “This is the history of Los Angeles, of California, in a nutshell: appropriation, usurpation, erasure of the past.” In that sense, Ulin’s declaration of intent at the front of Sidewalking remains the most cogent advice of all: We walk to remember, in other words, not to forget. eddie@downtownnews.com

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Another Try for the Triforium As the Much-Maligned Artwork Turns 40, New Supporters Step Up By Nicholas Slayton or 40 years, the Triforium has been one of Downtown’s biggest conundrums. Standing 60 feet tall, all colorful Italian glass and arches, it was meant to be a symbol of the future. More often, however, it has sat derelict, the butt of jokes. Now, the latest effort to update and utilize the oft-criticized artwork is at hand. On Friday, Dec. 11, members of an organization called the Triforium Project will hold a 40th birthday party for the sculpture at the Los Angeles Mall. It will run from 4-8 p.m. and there will be

tours of its control room and DJs from the collective dublab. A fundraising campaign will begin early next year. The Triforium was created in 1975 by Joseph Young, who was commissioned to design the artwork at the outdoor mall in the Civic Center. It combined lights and 1,500 colorful glass prisms with bells and the ability to play music through speakers. It quickly fell out of favor and into disrepair, and when it did play music in later decades, judges at a nearby courthouse occasionally complained about the noise. The design was

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Joseph Young’s Triforium sculpture sits at the Los Angeles Mall. It was built in 1975.

frequently mocked — Los Angeles Times columnist Jack Smith famously described it as “three wishbones in search of a turkey.” Still, it has had its defenders. Then-Downtown City Councilwoman Jan Perry secured funds for a cleanup and makeover in 2006, but it never sprang back to life. The Triforium Project is the brainchild of Tom Carroll, the host of the web series “Tom Explores Los Angeles,” and Claire Evans and Jona Bechtolt, members of the musical group YACHT. They came together after the musicians saw Carroll’s video on the Triforium. They gained nonprofit status last month. They believe that Los Angeles, and more importantly, technology, has finally caught up with Young’s vision. The nonprofit wants to replace the sculpture’s light bulbs with cheaper

and more efficient LED lights, as well as completely overhaul the Triforium’s operating system with modern computer software. The group also wants to make the piece truly interactive. Bechtolt said they have an idea for a web app that would allow people to create compositions that could be played at the Triforium. Evans said the goal is to make it interactive like Young envisioned, but in an accessible and relevant way to modern Angelenos. “People will be more engaged if they can do it through the palm of their hands,” she said. The Triforium Project currently has eight members, and hopes to secure support from business leaders and city officials. Initial backing has come from 14th District City Councilman José Huizar, who said he sees it as another way to enable more public art. In an email, Huizar called Young’s sculpture “an important part of Downtown’s expansive art history.” He continued, “I support the efforts to restore it and allow a new generation of Angelenos to enjoy it for decades to come.” Now, Triforium Project backers hope to avoid one of the artwork’s original pitfalls: the lack of a long-term operations plan. “We realized through the last year and a half of trying to do this that we need to create a framework large enough to sustain it,” Carroll said. “It’s taken so long to get to this point. We don’t want people 10 years in the future to go through this again.” The group has not yet detailed plans for how much they hope to raise, or the schedule and costs of a revitalization. The Triforium birthday is Friday, Dec. 11, 4-8 p.m. at the Los Angeles Mall, at Temple and Main streets. More information is at triforium.la. nicholas@downtownnews.com

December 7, 2015

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Little Tokyo Stakeholders Rise Up to Protest Metro Construction Transit Agency Opts to Delay Work One Day Before Closures Were Set to Begin By Eddie Kim he holiday shopping season is an important time for most stores and restaurants, including businesses in Little Tokyo. More than 10,000 people descend on the community for annual New Year’s festivities on Jan. 1, according to the Little Tokyo Business Association. In December, the community is often crowded with people shopping in small stores and boutiques. So Little Tokyo stakeholders were dismayed to learn last month that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority planned to begin major construction in the neighborhood, including closing the Gold Line station near First and Alameda streets, for the $1.6 billion Regional Connector, on Dec. 4. Local stakeholders had always known the work would come, but had previously been told that it would not begin until 2016, after the holiday season.

That began a furious spate of meetings, protests and even legal maneuvers. It culminated Dec. 3, the day before construction was supposed to begin, when Metro opted to delay the start of work. The emotion was on display on Monday, Nov. 30, when about 40 Little Tokyo business and community leaders met with Metro officials at the Japanese American National Museum in hopes of pushing construction until the new year. Plans call for full street closures between Temple and Third streets, and Central Avenue to Vignes Street. Brian Kito, owner of the 112-year-old First Street confectionary shop Fugetsu-Do, said at the meeting that 25% of his annual revenue comes during December. Like many at the meeting, he was upset with the proposed earlier start of construction, which was only announced in mid-November.

“We’ve spent many months, many years, working with Metro,” Kito said. “I think that’s a little disrespectful to the community.” The Regional Connector, one of Metro’s biggest projects, will connect three area rail lines,

allowing passengers to travel from one end of the county to the other without multiple transfers. Three new stations, including one at First Street and Central Avenue, will be built. Metro’s Continued on page 20

The closure had been slated to begin last week, but will be pushed back until early 2016. During that time, Gold Line service between Union Station and the Pico-Aliso stop in Boyle Heights will be halted.

Upcoming Regional Connector construction in Little Tokyo will result in the temporary closure of the Gold Line station at First and Alameda streets.

photo by Gary Leonard

image courtesy of Metro

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CALENDAR

Bridges

Robert James Waller’s BookTurned-Movie Becomes a Love Story Musical

By Nicholas Slayton he Bridges of Madison County is a musical. It sounds odd to say, but it’s real, and this week it is coming to Downtown Los Angeles. Robert James Waller’s novel was a smash when it came out in 1992, and three years later it became a hit film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood (Eastwood also directed). Although many critics dismissed the syrup-y love story, huge numbers of readers and movie goers were captivated by the intimate tale of immigrant war bride and farm matron Francesca Johnson’s passionate but brief encounter with Robert Kincaid, a photographer who comes to Madison County, Iowa, to document the titular bridges. Waller’s novel jumped to the stage in 2013 with a hefty pedigree. Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman handled the book, while three-time Tony-winning composer Jason Robert Brown oversaw the music and lyrics. Bartlett Sher, another Tony winner, directed. Bridges opened on Broadway in 2014 and had a four-month run of 137 shows. A national tour began last month with a fitting first-stop in Des Moines, Iowa. The touring show, directed by Tyne Rafaeli, lands at the Ahmanson Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 10 (previews are Dec. 8-9). It runs through Jan. 17, 2016. The touring show doesn’t have the Hollywood stars that the film boasted, with Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky assuming the roles of farm matron and photographer, respectively. The actors acknowledge that some audiences might be perplexed by the musical format. After all, it’s hard to imagine Eastwood and Streep bursting into song and dance. That said, the show isn’t bombastic or flashy, Samonsky said, as that approach doesn’t fit the story. Instead, he called Bridges “one of those special musicals that is real and honest,” and lets people see that the art form can be intimate. Samonsky had an intriguing path to the role of Kincaid. The actor, whose resume includes parts in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, had never read Waller’s book or seen the movie. Instead, he just knew his parents loved the film. When he finally saw Bridges on Broadway, he found himself taken by it. Samonsky went on to read the book and watch the movie. He said the musical doesn’t try to replace or copy the other versions, but strikes its own path.

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Elizabeth Stanley and Andrew Samonsky star in a musical version of The Bridges of Madison County, based on the mega-successful 1992 novel by Robert James Waller. It opens at the Ahmanson Theatre this week.

“The movie is different from the book, and our musical is different from the movie and the book,” he said. “Marsha Norman wrote a script that is really of its own. There’s more investigation into the neighbors, the community and the family. It’s more fleshed out.” Stanley and Samonsky admit that Bridges deals with tricky material — affairs are still very much a touchy subject. For Stanley, however, the love story lends itself to being musicalized. She compared it to how many great love sagas and tragedies have taken on a new life in opera. “There’s something epic and deep about the emotions they’re going through,” said Stanley, who’s coming off a role in the Broadway romp On the Town. “In a movie perhaps there’d be a really in-depth scene. Because it’s a musical, there’s a song.” Much of the credit for the success goes to Brown, who may be familiar to Downtown audiences for 13, his 2006 youth musical that premiered at the Mark Taper Forum. Brown’s music for the Broadway run of Bridges won Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestration.

The score takes elements from country music and 1960s folk, while several of the songs touch on the nature of farm life and isolation. One early number, “You’re Never Alone,” allows Stanley to delve into Francesca’s joys and dismay about her community. Stanley and Samonsky get a big duet in the second act in the powerful ballad “One Second and a Million Miles.” Norman and Brown also give musical windows to other characters — Francesca’s husband, Bud (played by Cullen R. Titmas), gets a few songs to give his perspective and flesh out Francesca’s home life. The result, said Stanley, is a show that puts a new spin on Bridges while staying true to the core. “I think the story itself is so universal,” Stanley said. “The longing that everyone has for that sort of idea of a soul mate, that there’s someone in the world that gets you, is something of a universal desire. That resonates no matter where you live or where you’re from.” That universality helped, but the actors still needed to get into character. Stanley had a connection by virtue of growing up in a small

town in Iowa — she understood the feeling of living in a rural area. Samonsky and Stanley also were helped by knowing each other before being cast. They said this gave them a rapport as they rehearsed. While Bridges focuses on a fictional couple in the American heartland, Samonsky believes that audiences everywhere will be able to see themselves in the story, and imagine how they would behave in a similar circumstance. “I think it will make people ask questions about themselves,” Samonsky said. “What do you do? What do you do when two people realize they’re meant to be together?” Two decades after their affair took the country by storm, it’s clear that Francesca and Robert’s love story endures. There’s just more of a tune now. The Bridges of Madison County runs Dec. 10Jan. 17, 2016, at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org nicholas@downtownnews.com

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Curiosity Comes to Downtown Cirque du Soleil Sets Up Its Tent in the Dodger Stadium Parking Lot With a Steampunk-Era Show

Cirque du Soleil brings its breathtaking acrobats back to Los Angeles in a production dubbed Kurios. The steampunkfueled production opens this week and runs through Feb. 7.

By Nicholas Slayton scientist makes a literally world-changing invention. His machine can alter the laws of time and space, allowing a group of fantastical beings from another dimension to join him on an exploration of technology and creativity. That’s the plot in the latest Cirque du Soleil show, Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities. The production, part of Cirque’s 30th anniversary, opens Thursday, Dec. 10, under a blue and yellow tent — the “chapiteau,” in Cirque parlance — at Dodger Stadium. It runs through Feb. 7, 2016. Kurios has traditional Cirque elements such as acrobats who fling each other up in the air,

and an act that uses a net to launch performers like a trampoline. Yet it embraces a more industrial and mechanical aesthetic than the nature-dominated theme of most Cirque shows. It was written and directed by Michel Laprise, who has spent 15 years with the entertainment powerhouse. Laprise sat down with Los Angeles Downtown News to discuss the show’s origins and what audiences should expect. Los Angeles Downtown News: How did Kurios come about? Michel Laprise: The show is set in the second half of the 19th century, which was an important moment in human history. It’s the devel-

December 7, 2015

opment of the railway system. People were starting to travel a lot, not just by boat but even faster with trains. You had the gramophone, which meant that music could travel for the first time. You had the telegraph, which was allowing people to communicate over large distances in real time. The mood was, “All right, everything is possible.” It was a great age and I wanted to do a show that was the incarnation of “everything is possible.” When I started to write the show three years ago there was a lot of pessimism around. I thought no, come on, we’re humans, we have this limitless potential and creativity. Q: Kurios has a distinct steampunk element. Why did that appeal to you? A: What I love in steampunk is that’s it’s a composition of different elements that preexisted. This part has its own story, that part has its own story, and the union of these makes a new story. It’s similar to when a group of humans decide to make a show. Together, we combine those live experiences and perspectives on life and create a work of art that has its own DNA and nature. Q: Industrial and mechanical elements can come across as very distant. How did you address that? A: It’s mechanical, but it’s a very warm show. You enter the chapiteau and you feel good because it’s warm. It’s all copper, wood, bronze and some old leather, so it feels really welcoming. Q: This show premiered on the 30th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil. What challenges did that present? A: Gilles Ste-Croix, the co-founder of Cirque du Soleil, said, “I don’t want it to be a 30th anniversary show. It’s going to be around and running

for a long time.” So I said to the team that Kurios is not a show, it’s a mission. We have to reinvent Cirque. Let’s create a show that will go to the soul of Cirque de Soleil, but with expressions and forms that can be different. Q: What do you think Downtown Los Angeles audiences will get out of Kurios? A: It’s funny, because I think it’s a very urban show. If you want to talk about the urban reality, you don’t have to do cars and hip-hop dancing. Shakespeare used to talk to his contemporaries about his era by using another Continued on page 20

CALENDAR LISTINGS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St. or holidayicerinkdowntownla.com. Every Day: The skating rink at Pershing Square is back for its 18th year. Glide (or fall) in the shadow of palm trees and Financial District skyscrapers in the 110-by-60 foot rink. L.A. Kings Holiday Ice Opening L.A. Live, 777 Chick Hearn Court, (866) 548-3452 or lalive.com. The Pershing Square Holiday Ice Rink has a larger sibling at Microsoft Square. The ring with branding from hockey’s Kings measures 132-by-80 feet and is open seven days a week. It runs through Dec. 31. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 Disney On Ice: Frozen Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100, axs.com or disneyonice.com/frozen. 7:30 p.m.: Anna, Elsa, Sven and other characters from the film skate as they sing “Let It Go” and other numbers from the Frozen soundtrack. They’ll be joined by characters from Finding Nemo, Toy Story and other Disney films. A total of 13 performances, including numerous matinees, take place through Dec. 14. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 Downtown Art Walk Historic Core or online at downtownartwalk.org. 5 p.m.: Another day, another visit from thousands of people eager to eat food, drink drinks, buy stuff and check out art. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 Odd Market FIGat7th, 735 S. Figueroa St. or theoddmarket.com. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.: Local artists, crafty crafters, designers and more sell fashion, art, jewelry, vintage goods and other items. From 4-9 p.m. the shopping center holds one of its “Holiday Sessions,” with a performance by San Miguel Perez and the New Cuban Sound. The Odd Market continues Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 Ricardo Zarate at Central Library Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., (323) 663-5407 or chscsite.org. 10:30 a.m.: The well-known chef speaks on the subject “Peru: 5,000 Years of Fusion.” The event is sponsored by the Culinary Historians of Southern California. Admission is free. An Evening With Adam Carolla and Dennis Prager Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, (213) 623-3233 or acehotel.com. 7 p.m.: Advertised as “two free-thinking talkers,” tonight’s tandem promises humorous, non-PC takes on current affairs that will be an almost sufficient alternative to you researching the issues and formulating opinions of your own. Renegade Craft Fair Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8080 or renegadecraftfair.com. Dec. 12-13: A bevy of favorites from local artisans help you tick off names on your holiday gift lift without the stigma of reducing yourself to the status of “gift card giver.” SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 EBI 5 The Lightweights 842 Broadway, (877) 677-4386 or laorpheum.com. 5 p.m.: We assume Ayahuasca is the event promoter and not the pharmacological disposition of the 16 men duking it out for a possible $20,000 grand prize tonight. Continued on next page

By Dan Johnson I calendar@downtownnews.com

For a community with way too many 90-plus degree days, Downtown Los Angeles has a lot of ice. There are skating rinks at Pershing Square and L.A. Live, hockey’s L.A. Kings and, this week, a mega kid-friendly, skating spectacular. Disney on Ice: Frozen slides into Staples Center on Wednesday-Monday, Dec. 9-14. With 13 performances, including numerous matinees, you’re guaranteed an opportunity to “Let it Go” as a crew of dancers with blades strapped to their feet pirouette about. The expected Anna, Elsa, Sven and Olaf from the film will be abetted in their ice journey by characters from Finding Nemo, Toy Story and The Lion King. At 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100, axs.com or disneyonice.com/frozen.

4 Just in case you haven’t heard enough of the Fab Four, on Thursday, Dec. 10, the Grammy Museum trots out Hawaiian four-string wunderkinds Ryo Montgomery and Ryan Imamura (shown here) for Ukulele Beatles. If you are a walrus, if you’ve ever crawled off to sleep in the bath or if you’ve ever thought you were hot stuff while rocking a bowl cut, this will be the event for you. It’s more proof that ukuleles can rock. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

If you brought your kids to Disney on Ice, then please cover their eyes because Christmas is dead. Not literally. Unless, of course, the government isn’t telling us about a botched hostage rescue raid in the North Pole. No, we’re talking about the screwball farce Christmas Is Dead, playing at Loft Ensemble in the Arts District. In the show, the Murphy family gets into a little tussle when the eggnog rolls out, and next thing you know misadventure and eventual reconciliation make for one wacky Yule. You can get in on the fun every Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. through Dec. 20. At 929 E. Second St., (213) 680-0392 or loftensemble.org.

photo by Ryan Johnson

Arts Brookfield FIGat7th, 735 S. Figueroa St. or artsbrookfield.com Enjoy free weekly concerts Fridays at FIGat7th featuring contemporary Los Angeles musicians performing original music and a few surprise holiday covers during “Holiday Sessions.” Showtime 7:30-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, with one of the best Cuban Tres and guitar players, San Miguel Pérez & The New Cuban Sound.

Disney on Ice, an Arts District Christmas Farce, a Visit From Puscifer and More Downtown Action

photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment

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December 7, 2015

photo courtesy of Puscifer

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No, we do not know when the next Tool album is coming out. Still, if you’re among the many fans of the band, then you’ll likely be heading to the Theatre at Ace Hotel on Thursday-Friday, Dec. 10-11, to catch Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan as he performs with his oddity lounge electro group Puscifer. Keenan et al. will be delivering a main course of tracks from their latest album, Money Shot, spiced with the omnipresent irreverent, pottymouth humor. At 929 S. Broadway, (213) 623-3233 or acehotel.com.

On Thursday, Dec. 10, local favorite the Downtown Art Walk coincides with VisionLA Fest, a breakout arts celebration raising awareness and ginning up support for the U.N. Climate Change conference in Paris. For those unacquainted, world governments are trying to reach an accord on potentially catastrophic changes in earth’s temperature (shhh, don’t tell the GOP frontrunners). In solidarity, the Art Walk Lounge (at 634 S. Spring St.) hosts “This Is Where We Belong: Local Perspectives On the Effects of Climate Change,” featuring the work of over a dozen L.A. Times photographers (or ex-photographers) in the era of global warming. As is customary, the Art Walk begins around dusk with vendors lining up since the wee hours of the morning In the Historic Core or at downtownartwalk.org.

photo courtesy of Grammy Museum

14 Downtown News

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

December 7, 2015

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Rock and Roll Flea Market The Regent, 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheater.com. 10 a.m.: With the holidays right around the corner, now’s your opportunity to try and score an obscure Ted Nugent shirt for your aunt in Utah.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

Ace Hotel 929 S. Broadway, (213) 623-3233 or acehotel.com. Dec. 10-11, 9 p.m.: Puscifer, featuring Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Dec. 7: Evil Genius is probably not an actual evil genius. Probably. Dec. 8-13: Steve Coleman Residency. That means he is playing the Blue Whale, not living here for a week. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Dec. 7, 8:30 p.m.: If their origin story about meeting a hyperopic soothsayer named Fig is true, then Figs Vision is short an apostrophe. Dec. 8, 8 p.m.: Jonny Fritz plays country music. Dec. 9, 8:30 p.m.: Indie generica from longstanding band The Dears. Dec. 10, 8:30 p.m.: Not only is Cavanaugh a feverish hip-hop collab between Open Mike Eagle and Serengeti, so too is it a concept project telling a narrative about a dual-use development blending the tensions of luxury condos and low income housing through the lens of their superintendents, Cavanaugh maintenance. Dec. 11, 8:30 p.m.: MC Jay Prince seems admittedly low key. Dec. 12, 8:30 p.m.: I guess you could say we prefer Sam Outlaw’s brand of country music because it pivots off of his life experience in Southern California, and not a Nashtucky obsession with appealing to a canon of corporatized honkytonk from Central Tennessee. Dec. 13, 8:30 p.m.: Demonic grime boogie from Kim & the Created. Club Nokia 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or clubnokia.com. Dec. 10, 8 p.m.: It’s been a huge year for hometown hero Kamasi Washington. The jazz man returns from a lengthy tour with one final 2015 date in his native City of the Angels. Dec. 11, 8 p.m.: Here’s the score on Kalin and Myles: The newly post-pubescent originators of “hip pop” formed a lasting bond and have seen fit to compare themselves to Simon & Garfunkel and Method Man & Redman, which is fine if I can play John Steinbeck. Dec. 12, 8 p.m.: It’s the Kidz Bop Kids: Make Some Noise Tour, which you know about if you have kids of the appropriate age. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Dec. 11: Don Diablo. Continued on page 16

TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

NEW ’15 NISSAN SENTRA SV

EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin

PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard

LEASE FOR ONLY

159

$6,999 $8,999 Gold/Beige, Auto, FWD, 1 Owner. N151453-1/70157531 2013 Ford Focus ...................................... $10,499 Wht/Blk, 4 dr, Auto, FWD, 1 Owner. N152817-1/DL263953 Silv/Char, V8, Auto, Run Boards, LOADED! N150916-1/1S050957

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One copy per person.

Certified, Yellow/Black, Auto, 2 door. T152357D-1/704752

©2015 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 Downtown Los Angeles. 2007 Toyota Highlander .......................... 2015 Scion ofFr-S ......................................

2013 BMW 3 Series 328i ....................... Pre-Owned, Black/Black, Auto, 2 door. T152021-1/106796

twitter: DowntownNews

EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla ©2015 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.

$18,788 $28,988 $28,788

VOLKSWAGEN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

DOWNTOWN L.A. MOTORS MERCEDES BENZ

VW JETTA S 1.4T Signthen NEW ’16LEASE FOR ONLY DriveEvent per month $

NEW ’15 MERCEDES CLA 250

*Lease for $159 + tax per month for 36 months. Based on MSRP of $19,870. Residual Value $11,325.90 $5,565 total of payments. Security Deposit Waived. $0 due at signing, $0 down, $0 first month payment, $0 security deposit + $1,000 Conquest Bonus due from customer (To be eligible, a customer must have his/her name on the proof of ownership documentation of a non-Volkswagen vehicle. Acceptable proof of ownership documentation includes: Unexpired official state vehicle registration, Current lease agreement, Unexpired vehicle insurance documentation) excludes: $625 Acquisition Fee, $80 Documentation Fee, Sales Tax, Title, and License Fee. 30,000 total miles, with $0.20 per excess mile. Closed-end lease offered on approved above average credit with VCI, excludes TDI and&Hybrid Models. Five (5) at this offer. Offer Laris Expires 12/13/15 EDITOR PUBLISHER: Sue

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

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$ DOWN PAYMENT*

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Mercedes Benz C250 .................... $26,989 $10,986 2013 Certified, Nav System, Must See! 8517C/DF971091 EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie 2011 Mercedes Benz GL450 .................. 2011 Ford Escape XLT ......................... SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim $41,781 $12,449 Certified, Prem Pkg 1, Only 19k Miles. 8483C/BA719290 Gray, 4 Dr, Auto, MPG 23 City / 28 Hwy. V151225D-2/B46670 STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese 2014 Mercedes Benz S550 S..................... I N C E 19 7 2 2007 Honda Pilot EX-L ........................ $14,856 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, GregCertified, FischerPrem Pkg 1, Keyless Los Go. 150345D-1/EA021048 Black, 4 Dr, V6, Auto, MPG 18 City/24 Hwy. V151225D-2/024448 Angeles Downtown News $77,981 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 CARSON NISSAN AUDI OF DOWNTOWN L.A. ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa web: DowntownNews.com 2008 Volkswagen GLI Turbo ............... GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin Wht/Blk, 6 Spd Man., MPG 21 City/28 Hwy. V150775-2/188030

888-845-2267 PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard 1505 E. 223RD ST., CARSON • CARSONNISSAN.COM

LEASE FOR ONLY

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway

facebook: L.A. Downtown News

199

per month

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie for 36 mos SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, STAFF Nicholas Michael Lamb One atWRITER: this price. $159 Slayton plus tax per month for 36 months on approved Plus tax and license. Security deposit waived. Model 2546. $0.15 per mile for above average EDITOR: credit. MSRP $19,495. all mileage Claudia over 12kHernandez miles/yr., $24,890 MSRP. $1,999 Drive Off, Credit available CONTRIBUTING Kathryn Maese $2,399 down plus tax, license and SALES ASSISTANT: fees. $0 security deposit.Jeff 12kFavre, miles per year, 0.15 per mile in excess. VIN# through Toyota Financial Services to qualified Tier 1+ credit customers. 3 at this CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Greg Fischer CIRCULATION: Danielle SalmonT150555/877542, T150757/881692. Offer ends 12/13/15. FL633625. Offer expires 12/13/15. price: T150482/875717, ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles 2001 Toyota Sequoia ................................. 2014 Toyota Camry SE .......................... ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt

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

LEASE FOR ONLY

per monthACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt $ for 36 mosCLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway

NEW ’15 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S

S I N C E 19 7 2

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149

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for 36 mos

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email: realpeople@downtownnews.com

NEW ’16 AUDI A3 1.8T facebook: L.A. Downtown News

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for 36 mos

is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rights reserved. 2 Aavailable, model #13115. C151162/395208, C152528/498499 The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newsClose end lease for 2015 Nissan Altima 2.5S for $149 per month plus tax for 36 months on above average approved Plus Tax, 36 month closedpaper end for lease on approved credit. $1800.00 CIRCULATION: Salmon Downtown Los Angeles and is distributedcash everydown credit. Payment net of $1950 Nissan Lease Cash Rebate and $500 Nissan Customer Danielle Bonus Cash Rebate. $2999 cash title, license,the fees, andand $695.00 acquisition fee. $0 Monday throughout offices residences of Downtown or trade equity, plus tax, license and registration fees due at lease signing. No securityMANAGER: deposit. 12,000 Salvador miles per year, Ingles plus first month payment, tax, DISTRIBUTION Los Angeles. Security deposit.Must qualify for the Audi Loyalty of $750.00. $0.25 per miles 36k total miles with 15 cents per mile thereafter. Subject to availability and charges for excess wear and tear. Not all DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla One copy per person. over 7,500 miles/year. One at this offer #G1003596 lessees may qualify, higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. Offer expires 12/31/15.

Audi A4 2.0T Quattro ................. $13,888 2013 $22,895 Xenon, Conv Pkg, Ht Seats. DN003599/A151173-1 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro .................... $14,888 2010 $23,995 Navi, Rear Cam, Lo Miles. AA023114/A160447-1 2010 Cadillac CTS Sedan ................... Audi S4 3.0T Quattro .................... EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie $19,888 2013 $39,995 Carfax Avail, Performance Trim, Excellent Cond. SENIOR CU1968R/123809 Prm Plus, Sprt Diff, Lo Miles. DA046939/ZA11142 WRITER: Eddie Kim STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton FELIX CHEVROLET PORSCHE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese 2012 Nissan Altima ...........................

CARFAX 1-Owner, Certified, Exc. Cond. CU1842R/518083 EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris 2009 GMC Acadia SLE1 ...................... GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin 5 Star Safe, RV Monitor, OBC Syst. CU1949R/174616

888-304-7039 888-685-5426 S I N C E 19 7 2 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer 1900 S. FIGUEROA ST. • PORSCHEDOWNTOWNLA.COM 3300 S. FIGUEROA ST. • FELIXCHEVROLET.COM Los Angeles Downtown News

NEW ’16 CHEVY CRUZ

ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa

LEASE FOR ONLY

PHOTOGRAPHER: Garyper Leonard month

for 27 mos

ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt

NEW ’’16 116 PORSCHE CAYENNE

1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 LEASE FOR ONLY web: DowntownNews.com email: realpeople@downtownnews.com per month

799

facebook: L.A. Downtown News

for 48 mos

1 at this lease/price (F17148) per month plus tax for 27 mos, Lease O.A.C through $2,999 due at lease signing P16172. 48 months, 10k miles per year, VIN#GLA10178, residual GM Financial, zero down plus $4,275 in qualifying rebates $0 security deposit,MANAGER: $0.25/ CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Catherine Holloway $35,136.35,1 at this price Down payment excludes tax, DMV fees, $995 Bank Acquisition fee, twitter: mile over 22,500 miles. Based on MSRP of $20,270. *Program subject to change. first payment and document fees. Rates based on approved Tier 1 credit through Porsche ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, DowntownNews See dealer for details. Financial Services. Excludes tax, title, and license fees. No security deposit required.

Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb

$9,988 Black/Black, CPO, clean Car Fax, Must See! P16090-1/ CS780071 $47,898 2010 Nissan Sentra .............................. 2013 Cayenne .......................................... CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon $13,888 $47,898 4 Dr Sdn, Auto, Pwr windows and locks. F16792-1/L612799 Certified, Wht/Blk, Well Equipped, Like New! ZP1987/DLA08158 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles 2014 Chevy Impala .............................. 2015 Panamera 4 .................................... DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, $74,898 Gray/Blk, Auto, Sdn, 3.6L, Beautiful Vehicle. UC2083R/1149790 Silver/Black, CPO, 4K miles, One Owner. P15149L/ FL001395 Gustavo Bonilla $15,888 2013 Dodge Dart ...................................... SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez 2012 Cayman S ....................................... ©2015 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown 4 Dr Sdn, Pwr Windows and Locks. F16904-1/D319960

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.

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16 Downtown News Continued from previous page Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.: The Band of Merrymakers are a rotating crew of world-class producers, songwriters and musicians that apparently dress as Santa Claus. Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.: Coleopterologists take note: Ukulele Beatles with Koaloha is a music experience. Microsoft Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6030 or microsofttheeatre.com. Dec. 11, 8 p.m.: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox takes contemporary pop classics and issues them with the flare of a ’20s jazz age band. Dec. 12, 8 p.m.: Alejandro Fernandez is here. Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.: Won’t you please join host Boney James, Eric Benet and others for the 94.7 The Wave Soulful Christmas. Orpheum Theatre

842 Broadway, (877) 677-4386 or laorpheum.com. Dec. 8, 8 p.m.: Billy Gibbons and the BFG’s pick up where ZZ Top left off — in the cassette player of my dad’s 1994 Toyota Carolla. Dec. 10, 8 p.m.: Death Cab for Cutie returns with introspective indie soft rock that will help you calibrate your ever-so-fragile soul. Pershing Square 532 S. Olive St., (213) 847-4970 or laparks.org/pershingsquare. Dec. 9, 3 p.m.: It’s afternoon music you can skate too, as Lucas Last Trio performs at the outdoor ice rink. Dec. 11, 3 p.m.: Sean Wiggins and Lone Goat might be a musical tribute to the most cherished of obscure Adam Sandler audio bits. Dec. 12, 3 p.m.: Platinum Groove, an ode to metallurgy and body shaping. Dec. 13, 3 p.m.: Lisa Haley owns a violin. Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or theredwoodbar.com. Dec. 7: Rubber.

Enjoy an unforgettable homegrown dining experience for breakfast, lunch & dinner.

20% OFF

For Orders Over $15

(before taxes) With this coupon. Expires on 12/31/15. 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.

726 Alameda St. (Bay & Alameda) 213-228-8999 | farmerboysla.com Open 24/7 | Free Wi-Fi | Free Parking Drive Thru | Breakfast Served All Day

Dec. 10: Heartless Folk. Dec. 11: Wooly Bandits, The Hellflowers, Kevin Daly. Dec. 12: Shirley Rolls, Sean Gospel & The Nightstalkers, The Black Jacobi’s and TKO. Dec. 13, 3 p.m.: Fools on Stools. The Regent 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheater.com. Dec. 10: Best Coast headline tonight’s free Spin: Year In Music gig. Dec. 12: Bootie L.A. with a ground shattering ’80s vs. ’90s mashup night! Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la. Dec. 8, 10 p.m.: What if we told you The Makers were a set of highly sophisticated audio-animatronics? Would you be impressed? The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org. Dec. 9: Rexx, Trenton Velarde and Wyatt Blair.

December 7, 2015 Dec. 11: Nana Grizol, Celebrity Crush and TraPsPs. Dec. 12: Hex Horizontal, Repoid and Cinder Cone. Teragram Ballroom 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com. Dec. 11, 8 p.m.: Americana nostalgia by committee with Dustbowl Revival. Dec. 12, 8 p.m.: Health, a contradiction in terms.

FILM

The Broad 221 S. Grand Ave., (213) 232-6200 or thebroad.org. Dec. 10, 8:30 p.m.: This installment of ARRAY brings the 1961 silver screen gem Paris Blues, featuring the likes of Sidney Poitier and Paul Newman. Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com. See website for schedule.

December 7, 2015



IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org. Journey to Space 3D brings audience members along on an E-ticket ride of exploration to the red planet. Ewan McGregor is the voice of Humpback Whales 3D. Not that the whales aren’t significant enough in their own right, but Obi-Wan narrating means we’re dealing with serious power brokers here. Power brokers who know a good whale story when they see it. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. 

Downtown News 17

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM



Dim Sum

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

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

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CROSSWORD

Dec. 7, 8:30 p.m.: Grimy cinema verite in Ben Rivers: Film Portraits. Regal Cinemas LA Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive.com/movies. Through Dec. 10: Krampus (12:05, 1:30, 2:40, 4:20, 5:10, 7, 7:50, 9:40 and 10:20 p.m.); Creed (12:20, 1, 3:30, 4:10, 6:40, 7:20, 10 and 10:40 p.m.); The Good Dinosaur 3D (1:50, 4:30, 7:10 and 9:50 p.m.); The Good Dinosaur (12:50, 3:40, 6:30 and 9:20 p.m.); The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 2 (12, 12;40, 3:20, 4, 6:50, 7:30, 10:10 and 10:50 p.m.); The Night Before (11:55 a.m., 2:30, 5:20, 7:55 and 10:30 p.m.); Secret in

why Cook? 10 PieCe sPeCiaL

thighs & Legs now accepting Credit Cards

Party Paks available

with Tortillas & Salsa

Their Eyes (12:40 p.m.); The Peanuts Movie 3D (1:10 and 9 p.m.); The Peanuts Movie (3:50 and 6:20 p.m.); Spectre (11:50 a.m., 3:10, 6:35 and 10:05 p.m.); The Martian (11:55 a.m., 3:25, 6:35 and 9:55 p.m.); Sicario (12:10, 3, 6 and 8:50 p.m.).

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.

5 OFF $

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2 YOUR EVENT INFO

EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT

✔ WEB: LADowntownNews.com/calendar ✔ 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.

LAST WEEKS ANSWERS *

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

18 Downtown News

December 7, 2015

N F

Casa Italiana

O A

Los Angeles State Historic Park

AIN ST

Cathedral High School

CHAVEZ RAVINE

12 10

Elysian Park

LAFD Training Center

STAD IU 14

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Dynasty Center

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Castellar Elementary School

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Central Plaza

Pacific Alliance Medical Center

Kaiser Mental Health Center

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Factory Place

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Greyhound Bus Terminal

Skid Row Housing Trust

Inner City Arts

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7th & Central Produce Market

WALL ST

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Flower Market

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8TH ST

23RD ST STATION

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LA Mission

6TH ST

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LUCAS Garland Building

Downtown Women’s Center

New LATC

The Bloc

777

4TH ST

5TH ST

7TH ST / METRO

725

Museum of Neon Art

Metrorail Maintenance

ARTS DISTRICT

Little Tokyo Market Place & Woori Market

3RD ST

TOY DISTRICT

One Santa Fe

Sci-Arc

Art Share 4TH PL

Aratani Theater Jaccc

OLD BANK DISTRICT & GALLERY ROW

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

FIGAT7TH

ST D 2N TRACTION AVE

Noguchi Plaza

PERSHING SQUARE STATION

Gas Co Tower

FUTURE KOREAN AIR CENTER STATION 1000 WILSHIRE GRAND Wilshire

VD IRE BL

Loyola Law School

California Plaza

WILSHIRE BLVD

WILSH

M JAMES

US Bank Tower

Citigroup Center

Figueroa At Wilshire

Grand Central Market

CBRE

YMCA

City National Jonathan Plaza Calif. Club Club The Standard

Good Samaritan Hospital

Water Angels Court Flight

Bradbury Bldg Ronald Reagan Biddy State Mason Bldg Park

4TH ST

Maguire L.A. Central Library Gdns

CITY WEST

7TH ST

Westin Bonaventure Hotel

Union Bank Plaza

Wells Fargo Center

GRAND AVE

Los Angeles Center Studios

HOPE ST

BEAUDRY AVE

Miguel Contreras Learning Complex

Chamber of Commerce T 4TH S

The L.A. Hotel Downtown

FLOWER ST

T 3RD S

BA Plaza

3RD ST

Japanese Village Plaza

2ND ST

Little Vibiana Tokyo Library

Downtown Independent Theater

ST 1ST

Colburn School of Perf. Arts MOCA Omni 3RD ST TUNNEL Hotel

LAUSD HQ

LITTLE TOKYO

Caltrans HQ Doubletree by Hilton

Lapd HQ

2ND ST

CROWN HILL

Japanese American National Museum

3R D

Los Angeles Times

GELE S

BUNKER HILL

Union Center for the Arts

City Hall South

1ST ST

Walt Disney Concert Hall & Redcat

LITTLE TOKYO/ ARTS DISTRICT STATION

Geffen Contemporary @ MOCA

Parker Center

L. A. County Courthouse

LOS AN

FWY HARBOR

2ND

CIVIC CENTER STATION

Music Center FIGUEROA ST

Shakespeare LA

Los Angeles City Hall

E AV

1ST ST

L.A. Downtown News

Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

City Hall East

CIVIC CENTER

Grand Park

Emergency Operations Center

Vista Hermosa Park

Dept. of Water & Power

Dept. of Building & Safety

Hall of Criminal Records Courthouse

Edward R. Roybal Learning Center

Mark Taper Forum

Federal Bldg Roybal Federal Bldg

Los Angeles Mall

N SA

110

TEMPLE

Hall of Administration

ALISO PICO DISTRICT

Ahmanson Theater

SANTE

TEMPLE BEAUDRY

Federal Courthouse

Cathedral of Our Lady of The Angels

UNIVERSITY EXPO PARK WEST

History Jesse Museum Brewer Park

Exposition Park Memorial Coliseum

L.A. Sports Arena LK

N BLVD INGTO WASH

SAN PEDRO STATION

VD BL

December 7, 2015

CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL

To place a classified ad in the Downtown News please call 213-481-1448, or go to DowntownNews.com Deadline classified display and line ads are Thursday at 12pm. FORfor RENT All submissions are subject to federal and California fair housing laws, which make it illegal to indicate in any advertisement any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income or physical or mental disability. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2015275259 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: PROCESS EXPRESS, 171 S COMMONWEALTH AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90004 are hereby registered by the following registrant(s): JEFFREY ALAN LOPEZ, 171 S COMMONWEALTH AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90004. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant has not begun to transact business

under the fictitious business name or names listed above. This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk, and by TIFFANY SHIH, Deputy on October 28, 2015. 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. 11/23, 11/30, 12/7, and 12/14/2015.

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P UBL I C N OT I C E NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS OR ENTITIES WHO BELIEVE THEY HAVE CLAIMS AGAINST OR ARE OWED MONEY BY HICKS/PARK LLP, A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a claims procedure has been established pursuant to an order of the Los Angeles County Superior Court in the matter entitled Hicks/Park, a limited liability partnership; and The Estate of James B. Hicks v. Gary W. Park, aka Won Ki Park, et al., Case No. BC 458632. The Court has ordered that all persons having claims against Hicks/Park LLP, a limited liability partnership (“HP”), must be received by Byron Z. Moldo, Trustee for HP on or before March 8, 2016, or be forever barred from participation in the distribution of assets by the Trustee. In order to receive a Court-approved claim form, please contact Byron Z. Moldo, Trustee, 9401 Wilshire Blvd., 9th Floor, Beverly Hills, California, 90212, or by email to bmoldo@ecjlaw.com.

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20 Downtown News

December 7, 2015

LITTLE TOKYO, 11

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.

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

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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

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goal is to begin service in 2020. The impact in the community has already been felt, as restaurants including Spice Table and Weiland Brewery were forced to close at the end of the 2013 to make way for station construction. During the upcoming work, Gold Line service between Union Station and the Pico/Aliso stop in Boyle Heights would be shut down — the Little Tokyo/Arts District stop, which is next to the Japanese American National Museum, is the only station between the two. Metro has proposed a temporary bus that shuttles riders between the stations, with a stop at First and Judge John Aiso streets. At the Dec. 1 meeting, Metro CEO Phil Washington said the construction and full street closures were moved up in anticipation of the opening of the Gold Line Foothill extension on March 5. Metro wanted to finish the Little Tokyo work by then so there could be uninterrupted service on the Gold Line. Washington acknowledged that Metro pushed up the construction schedule without holding significant advance meetings with Little Tokyo stakeholders. The March 5 opening date for the Gold Line Foothill extension was announced Oct. 22, according to the agency. Metro changed the Little Tokyo construction start date from early spring 2016 to December in the following weeks, with a press announcement on Nov. 10. “I take full responsibility for not discussing this with you sooner,” Washington told the crowd. After hearing criticisms in the Nov. 30 meeting, Metro offered to provide an additional shuttle to circulate people within the community and part of the Arts District, with four stops, along with a parking validation program with free parking for two hours at three lots. Those measures were not enough to offset the losses of a December-February street closure, said Ellen Endo, president of the Little Tokyo Business Association. That led the organization to file a Dec. 3 legal motion that sought to prevent Metro from closing streets and beginning construction the next day. A county superior court hearing was scheduled for the following morning. The Metro Board of Directors moved quicker, deciding at its Dec. 3 board meeting to delay construction until January 2016, subject to an agreement from the LTBA that it will not file a court challenge. That afternoon, Endo said the LTBA will withdraw its challenge. For some Little Tokyo stakeholders, fighting Metro was more than a financial move — it was a matter of principle. Chris Komai, chairman of the board of directors for the Little Tokyo Community Council, told Washington and other Metro officials at the Nov. 30 meeting that the agency’s attempt to speed up construction is another instance of “our community being pushed around.” He referenced a portion of the community being lost to Parker Center development decades ago, and the impacts of the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II on the Little Tokyo community. “Are we going to move forward together, or are we going to have to fight the rest of the way through this? I’m hoping we don’t have to do that,” he told Washington. “But our community will fight if we need to.” With Metro’s delay, the fight appears to be over. eddie@downtownnews.com

KURIOS, 13 era. Anthony and Cleopatra is the first that comes to mind. It’s been working in downtowns. I think it’s because the show celebrates creativity, and creativity is an element that urbanites really enjoy. Q: What’s the connection between the Victorian and steampunk setting of the show and the modern world? A: The second half of the 19th century was a great moment in humanity when technology, science, arts and humanities were meeting. This is exactly what Apple is doing, this was Steve Jobs’ motto. In the era of the show, there was an obsession for inventions that would connect people and make them closer to one another, make information shared. I like to say that Kurios is a preamble of the Internet. Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities runs Dec. 10-Feb. 7 at Dodger Stadium’s Parking Lot 1, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., (877) 924-7783 or cirquedusoliel.com/kurios. nicholas@downtownnews.com