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THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

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DECEMBER 30, 2013 I VOL. 42 I #52

Farewell

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JANUARY

ews, Business and Politics: The Downtown Los Angeles building and development scene was just as heated at the start of 2013 as it was at the end of 2012. Related Cos. broke ground on a 19-story apartment building on Grand Avenue on Jan. 10, just two days after The Broad art museum, immediately north of the housing tower, had its topping out. On Jan. 28, Canadian firm the Onni Group began construction on a $100 million, 32-story rental structure at 888 S. Olive St., and executives with City Market this month revealed the first details of a planned $1 billion Fashion District complex that would feature housing, office space, hotel rooms and a college campus.

In other fronts, then-Central Division Capt.

Horace Frank revealed that local LAPD staffing had been shifted following a 12% jump in serious crime the previous year. Police said a state policy change that resulted in shorter jail stays for certain nonviolent offenders led to more local property and drug-related crimes.

Also: The Los Angeles Dodgers announced plans for a $100 million overhaul of Dodger Stadium; the last 150 cops in beleaguered Parker Center finally moved out of the 1955 building; people began paying attention to the strangest tree in Downtown, a 12-foot ficus growing out of the side of a five-story Broadway building; and beloved public television host Huell Howser (1) passed away on Jan. 7 at the age of 67.

Restaurants: The Downtown restaurant boom

December 30, 2013

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

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photo by Gary Leonard

continued, as the Mgaieth family spent $2 million to open the gorgeous Les Noces du Figaro (2), a 16,000-square-foot establishment at 618 S. Broadway. The arrival came around the same time as the shuttering of Babycakes, a once popular vegan bakery in the Historic Core.

It had opened three years earlier, but a lack of

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photo by Gary Leonard

foot traffic led to its demise. Additionally, the insta-neighborhood fave Maccheroni Republic opened at 332 S. Broadway.

Entertainment: At El Pueblo, the Chinese American Museum gained attention for Origins, an exhibit that explored a century of local

photo by Craig Schwartz

Chinese and Chinese American history. Grand Park hosted a big Inauguration Day concert, while Downtown was filled with tweeners for two Lady Gaga shows. It was music of a different type when Backbeat (3), about the early days of The Beatles, opened at the Ahmanson Theatre.

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4 Downtown News

December 30, 2013

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

A Year of Urban Scrawl Highlights From Our Editorial Cartoonist

D

owntown and Downtowners were extremely busy in 2013. That was good news not only for the community, but also for Los Angeles Downtown News editorial cartoonist Doug Davis. In his weekly Urban Scrawl cartoons, Davis found inspiration in everything from outgoing Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s relationship with Charlie Sheen to the challenges presented by giving student iPads. He even fondly recalled the late television host Huell Howser. Here are six of the year’s standout cartoons.

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

January 14

July 1

January 21

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December 30, 2013

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December 30, 2013

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

February

ews, Business and Politics: One of Downtown’s most charming destinations became the site of a bitter battle this month. On Feb. 5, the city ordered merchants at St. Vincent Court (1) to remove the tables and chairs in front of their businesses.

The restaurant and cafe owners in the alley off Seventh Street, which has an old Europe feel, were targeted after two area property owners were unable to resolve a fight over truck parking and loading access at the Los Angeles Theatre (the theater backs up to the rear of the alley). The merchants saw their profits shrivel once the exterior seating disappeared.

Other activity in Downtown was more positive. Longtime developer Izek Shomof announced plans to build a 22-story apartment tower at Fourth Street and Broadway, while another veteran real estate player, Geoff Palmer, said he intends to create 686 units of housing in two structures at Broadway and Olympic Boulevard. Over in Chinatown, developer Meta Housing opened the $43 million Metro at Chinatown Senior Lofts (2). Interestingly, the 123-apartment complex for people 55 and over near the Gold Line station lacks parking.

Also: A last-minute financial reprieve prevented Skid Row’s Gladys and San Julian parks from closing on Feb. 1; a pair of tiny “parklets,” including one with a curious exercise bike, opened on Spring Street in the Historic Core; following a $1

Entertainment: Downtown celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Stravinsky/Najinsky ballet The Rite of Spring. L.A.’s Rite: Stravinsky, Innovation and Dance (3) included performances by the Joffrey Ballet, as well as symposiums and a photo exhibition. In Chinatown, huge crowds came out to celebrate the Chinese New Year and to welcome the Year of the Snake. Over in South Park, the FIDM Museum and Galleries debuted its annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibition.

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photo by Gary Leonard

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photo by Herbert Migdoll

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million donation, SCI-Arc created the Gilmore City Chair, named for developer Tom Gilmore; and Korean Air announced plans to make the replacement for the Wilshire Grand Hotel taller than U.S. Bank Tower.

photo by Gary Leonard

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Downtown News 7

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MARCH

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ews, Business and Politics: Downtown got rocked on March 14, when Tim Leiweke (1) suddenly, stunningly left Anschutz Entertainment Group. The president and CEO of the company, and the face of AEG’s Farmers Field effort, departed after clashing with founder and owner Phil Anschutz. It put the football stadium plan in doubt and deprived Downtown of one of its most effective salesmen. Leiweke would eventually take a new job in Toronto.

The other big happening of the month was the mayor’s race, and in the weeks leading up the election, the proceedings became truly nasty, with the five candidates launching bombs and flinging mud, not necessarily in that order.

After the ballots were counted on March 5, Eric Garcetti advanced to the runoff against Wendy Greuel. Former Downtown Councilwoman Jan Perry finished fourth, just behind attorney and ex-radio host Kevin James.

Also: Move-ins began at the $60 million 1111 Wilshire apartment complex; a Ross Dress for Less (2) opened on March 9 at 719 S. Broadway; Macy Liquor, which Chinatown area residents and business owners had protested as a nuisance establishment, quietly closed; a fight erupted over filming fees at Grand Park; a spate of tuberculosis cases on Skid Row sparked concerns and community meetings; and March Madness returned to Los Angeles, with the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament taking place at Staples Center.

Restaurants: Downtown gained some and lost some in March. Fancy cupcakes became avail-

2

photo by Gary Leonard

3 photo by Gary Leonard

able when Sprinkles opened at the FIGat7th shopping center, and the equally delicious Fatburger began serving March 1 at 888 S. Figueroa St. There was also a two-for-one deal, with a Little Tokyo spot opening as the Sandwich Smith during the day, and then changing at night to the more upscale Fickle L.A. On the downside, Towne Food & Drink closed March 9. The $4 million South Park restaurant had opened just eight months before. photo by Craig Schwartz

Entertainment: Actress Tracie Bennett (3) may be tiny, but her big voice and killer performance as Judy Garland won raves at the Ahmanson Theatre in End of the Rainbow. Also this month, the film Dorfman in Love opened.

It boasted a serious Downtown pedigree — it was produced by local developer Leonard Hill and was shot almost exclusively in Downtown.

On a louder front, electronic dance music returned to Los Angeles State Historic Park on

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ews, Business and Politics: Once again, Downtown was dominated by activity in the real estate sector.

The business community was shocked when Brookfield Properties announced plans to purchase the portfolio of the faded MPG Office Trust, including four Central City skyscrapers — that gave Brookfield seven Downtown high-rises. On the residential front, the community welcomed both the long-awaited opening of the Beacon Lofts at Fourth and Alameda streets, and also in the Arts District, the April 18 groundbreaking of the second phase of the Barker Block. In South Park, meanwhile, Lincoln Property Company announced plans to turn the Desmond Building into creative office space.

Still, the most exciting development may have been Saeed Farkhondepour’s proposal for a second phase of the Medallion project at Fourth and Main streets (1). He revealed his intention to turn underperforming retail space into a collection of restaurants with an Alamo Drafthouse. However, the movie house plans soon lost steam, and no start of construction has been scheduled.

Speaking of plans, the city in April revealed its intention to merge the Planning and Building and Safety departments. Although desired by the development community, the initiative would be spiked later in the year by new Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Also: The Dodgers began a season filled with high expectations, and fell flat on their collective faces in the early part of the campaign; a ruckus was raised over the exact shade

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of green for the Spring Street Bike Lane, as film crews complained that the original color (2) messed up their shoots; bike advocates got into it again, battling with business interests over the future of the Figueroa Corridor through the MyFigueroa plan; and Old Bank

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photo by Gary Leonard

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APRIL

December 30, 2013

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

copyright Urs Fischer. Courtesy of the artist and Gavin Brown’s enterprise, New York

8 Downtown News

cluding a life-sized house with surfaces covered by bread loaves (3). Nearby, REDCAT hosted Villa +Discurso, a pair of political plays

by Chilean writer Guillermo Calderon. The always-wonderful Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre returned to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, presenting the signature work “Revelations.” In a completely different vein, the defunct Devil’s Night Drive-In was resuscitated.

It was purchased by new owners, renamed the Electric Dusk Drive-In, and moved to the Fashion District.

DVD co-owner Mark Schumacher died on April 4. He was 53.

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ews, Business and Politics: Nearly two years of political wrangling came to a close on May 21 when Angelenos hit the polls. City Councilman Eric Garcetti (1) thumped Controller Wendy Greuel in the mayor’s race, capturing 54% of the vote; Garcetti bested Greuel despite the millions spent on her behalf by organized labor. The balloting also brought in a new city attorney, Mike Feuer, who defeated incumbent Carmen Trutanich. Additionally, political newbie Ron Galperin beat Councilman Dennis Zine to become City Controller. Downtown also got two new council reps: Gil Cedillo claimed the First District seat formerly held by Ed Reyes when he beat Reyes’ chief of staff, Jose Gardea. In the Ninth District, Curren Price held off Ana Cubas to win the post previously held by Jan Perry.

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The election wasn’t the only thing that shook Downtown. On May 10, Superior Court Judge Robert H. O’Brien ordered the dissolution of the Arts District Business Improvement District, ruling in favor of opponents of the BID who questioned how the funds were being spent.

That led to a rise in trash on the streets and a bitter fight as two groups eventually each sought to create a replacement organization.

The development scene remained busy as well. A groundbreaking for Chinatown’s long-delayed Blossom Plaza took place May 20. Over in the Arts District, Legendary Development announced plans to erect a 472unit apartment project at 950 E. Third St. Also: The $6 million bowling alley/arcade X Lanes (2) opened May 17, adding life to the moribund Little Tokyo Galleria; and bar impresario Cedd Moses clashed with Arts District denizens over a plan to create a massive bar/ restaurant/skeeball emporium in the old Crazy Gideon’s space on Traction Avenue.

Restaurants: Downtown got a newfangled Indian gastropub when Badmaash opened on Second Street.

Another arrival was Chego!, a Chinatown joint from acclaimed restaurateur and Kogi food truck operator Roy Choi. It wasn’t all happy news, however: On May 24, Downtown said goodbye to French Garden. Owner Benoit Lesure left the Arts District after 15 years when the landlord raised his rent.

photo by Gary Leonard

Entertainment: One of the year’s theater highlights came this month, when the Mark Taper Forum played host to a scintillating production of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (3). Other cultural highlights included performances by pianist extraordinaire Lang Lang at Walt Disney Concert Hall May 2-5, and a Motorhead show at Club Nokia May 14. Yes, that roar you heard was the raucous crowd screaming along to “Ace of Spades.”

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photo by Gary Leonard

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Downtown News 9

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photo by Craig Schwartz

December 30, 2013

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December 30, 2013

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

JUNE

from its home in the Bamboo Plaza complex after business slowed. On June 30, it was joined in gone-but-notforgotten land (near Fresno… not really) by Weiland’s Brewery, which left its Little Tokyo space in advance of the construction of the Regional Connector.

ews, Business and Politics: The Historic Core received a long-awaited green space with the June 17 debut of the Spring Street Park (1), on Spring between Fourth and Fifth streets. The $8 million, nearly one-acre attraction was celebrated by area residents, who rejoiced over having a clean space with outdoor seating and a children’s play area. However, it wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops — many pet owners let their dogs run free on the grass, and the lawn soon withered. Dog owners were told to keep Fido on a leash or risk a citation, but not everyone complied.

The park wasn’t the only big debut of the month. On June 28, a 27,000-square-foot Sport Chalet (2) opened on the ground floor of the FIGat7th shopping center.

Another arrival came at the Alameda Square complex.

The fashion brands Splendid and Ella Moss moved into 82,000 square feet of space, the biggest advance yet in landowner Evoq’s effort to turn the campus at Seventh and Alameda streets into a thriving office hub.

Also: The city paid $7.5 million for the graffiti pit across from City Hall and announced plans to turn it into a park; new Mayor Eric Garcetti was sworn in on the evening of June 30, with a public ceremony and party at Grand Park; the city launched a rewrite of the complex 1946 Zoning Code, starting with changes in how it impacts Downtown; and the Central City said a heartfelt goodbye to councilmembers Ed Reyes and Jan Perry, who represented the First and Ninth districts, respectively, for 12 years (Perry would get a job as GM of the city Economic and Workforce Development Department under Garcetti).

Entertainment: The Project Bronzeville festival in Little Tokyo recalled the time during World War II when Japanese Americans were placed in internment camps and African Americans took over their local homes and businesses. Things were completely different June 7-8, when Los Angeles State Historic Park was the site of the gory sleepover the Great Horror Campout. In South Park, meanwhile, the Grammy Museum opened an exhibit dedicated to Ringo Starr (3). It wasn’t nearly as scary as the campout.

3

photo by Gary Leonard

2

Restaurants: The Downtown food scene this month was dominated by two departures. On June 2, the 600-seat Empress Pavilion closed after 24 years. It was evicted

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Downtown News 11

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JULY

2

ews, Business and Politics: In July in Downtown, it was all about the grocery store. Ralphs’ six-year run as the only big name in the Central City ended on Independence Day, when Urban Radish (1), an 8,200-square foot upscale market complete with a big cheese section, opened at 661 Imperial St. in the Arts District. On July 18, it was joined by Smart & Final Extra; the 24,000-square-foot outpost at 845 S. Figueroa St. has traditional supermarket staples in addition to the chain’s bulk goods.

The supermarket sweep continued July 31 when Texas-based Whole Foods and developer Carmel Partners announced that they had inked a deal to open a 42,000-square-foot supermarket in Carmel’s 700-unit apartment complex under construction at 770 S. Grand Ave. The Downtown Whole Foods is scheduled to open in 2015.

Central City cats and dogs got a local doctor this month when DTLA Vets (2) opened in the Historic Core. That was minor com-

1

3

photo by Gary Leonard

pared to the sale of One Wilshire. GI Partners paid $437.5 million for the building filled with few people but lots of Internet and datatransmission technology. It was the highest price per square foot — $660 — ever paid for a Los Angeles County office property.

Also: After turning down the gig twice, Kim Bruno accepted the position as principal of the Ramon C. Cortines School for Visual and Performing Arts; on July 24, MOCA announced that embattled director Jeffrey Deitch would step down after three years at the top.

Restaurants: Over the weekend of July 13-14, ESPN Zone at L.A. Live suddenly closed to make way for three new eateries.

After operating as a pop-up inside Tiara Café for the better part of the year, Nguyen and Thi Tran’s Starry Kitchen landed a new home on July 20 inside the Grand Star Jazz Club at 943 N. Broadway. Terroni welcomed customers to the National City Bank Building at Eighth and Spring streets on July 16. The following week, Dr. J’s Vibrant Café began serving its all-vegan options in the Medallion at Fourth and Main streets.

photo by Gary Leonard

Entertainment: The Natural History Museum marked the final

image courtesy Los Angeles Public Library Sheet Music Collection

element of its $135 million transformation July 14, opening the permanent exhibit Becoming Los Angeles and debuting a 3.5acre garden. Over at the Central Library, the city’s musical past was celebrated in Songs in the Key of L.A. (3), an exhibit (and accompanying coffee table book) culled from the library’s 50,000page sheet music collection. Speaking of music, Transatlantic gypsy rock band Fleetwood Mac electrified a multigenerational crowd on July 3; the Staples Center attendees pledged never to stop thinking about tomorrow.

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To qualify for the plush pony, customer must be a new Wells Fargo consumer or business checking customer, open and fund a new eligible Wells Fargo Checking Package checking account, Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account (where available), or Wells Fargo Business Services® Package checking account with a $50 minimum opening deposit. All Wells Fargo Checking Packages®, the Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account, and Wells Fargo Business Services Packages are eligible for this offer. See banker for account details. Offer valid from 11/18/2013 through 12/31/2013 only, or while supplies last, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one plush pony per customer. Customer will receive the plush pony at the time of opening and funding the new Wells Fargo Checking Package® checking account, Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account, or Wells Fargo Business Services® Package checking account.

Offer is only available at participating Wells Fargo banking locations. Wells Fargo team members are not eligible for this offer.

To qualify for the plush pony, a new Wells Fargo consumer or business checking customer must present a referral card (photocopies cannot be accepted) and open a new eligible Wells Fargo Checking Package checking account, Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account (where available), or Wells Fargo Business Services Package checking account with a $50 minimum opening deposit. All Wells Fargo Checking Packages, the Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account, and Wells Fargo Business Services Packages are eligible for this offer. See banker for checking package details. Offer valid from 11/18/2013 through 12/31/2013 only, or while supplies last, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one plush pony per customer. Referring customer must be an existing Wells Fargo consumer or business checking customer. If all eligibility requirements are met, new customer will receive a plush pony at the time of opening and funding the new Wells Fargo Checking Package checking account, Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account, or Wells Fargo Business Services Package checking account, and the referring customer will be contacted within 30 days to make arrangements to receive a plush pony. All accounts must be funded during promotional period. Offer is only available at participating Wells Fargo banking locations. Wells Fargo team members are not eligible for this offer. © 2013 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Materials expire on 12/31/2013. ECG1016961

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

photo by Gary Leonard

AUGUST

December 30, 2013 photo by Gary Leonard

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ews, Business and Politics: An ugly hole got a brighter future Aug. 8, when local and federal officials broke ground on a $400 million Federal Courthouse (1) at First Street and Broadway. The 600,000-squarefoot facility will not only include 24 courtrooms and 32 judges’ chambers and modernize local judicial proceedings, it will eliminate one of the Civic Center’s most notorious blight spots.

Downtowners also perked up their ears on Aug. 27 when 14th District City Councilman José Huizar announced the formation of a 21-member task force to look at redesign, infrastructure improvements and additional programming for Pershing Square. The other big news of the month came when Downtown’s Urban Partners joined the Mack Real Estate Group to create Mack Urban. In October, the new company announced that it had purchased six acres of Downtown land for $80 million and is planning a $750 million development.

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On the education front, the Ninth Street School on the edge of Skid Row reopened Aug. 13 after a $54 million renovation (2). The makeover turned the former collection of aged bungalows into a modern, state-of-the-art campus.

Also: Community members came together in the Historic Core for a healing walk in memory of three Downtown deaths, including the passing of bluesman Artwork Jamal; a spate of illegal turtle sales in Chinatown left many shell shocked; and a city analysis of the proposed Downtown Streetcar revealed it would not cost $125 million as announced, but rather up to $327 million. Oops!

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accolades for chef Ari Taymor. The Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, complete with 125 chefs, set up temporary stoves on Grand Avenue from Aug. 22-25.

Entertainment: FYF Fest, a nomadic frenzy of indie music, returned to a packed Los Angeles State Historic Park Aug. 24-25 with more than

50 bands and DJs. The X Games thrilled Downtown for the last time, filling L.A. Live Aug. 1-4. Next year the extreme sports festival will move to Austin, Texas. It was X (3) without the games on Aug. 17, when an enormous crowd converged on Pershing Square to scream the praises of the stalwart L.A. punk band fronted

by Exene Cervanka and John Doe.

December 30, 2013

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ews, Business and Politics: On Sept.

5, Angels Flight had another mishap, when one of the trouble-plagued funicular’s cars, Sinai, derailed about 100 feet from the base (1). No one was injured, but the railway was immediately shuttered, and has yet to reopen.

Things were far brighter on Sept. 3, when Metro Charter Elementary School (2) opened at 320 W. 15th St. The debut came after more than two years of work by a group of parents. It offered space for more than 100 kindergarten through second graders and filled a void for young urbanites unhappy with the area’s educational choices.

Perhaps the most controversial opening of the year occurred Sept. 13, when the 34,000-squarefoot Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market debuted at 701 W. Cesar Chavez Ave. near Chinatown. The chain’s arrival was a blow to labor activists and politicians who had sought to keep Wal-Mart out of Downtown. Some area stakeholders welcomed it, saying it offered new shopping opportunities.

Also: Prolific developer and Holocaust survivor Joseph Hellen on Sept. 10 told Downtown News that he plans to erect a 40-story tower at 527 S. Spring St. in the Historic Core; Councilman José Huizar filed a motion Sept.

10 that would put a moratorium on new lowrise buildings in certain areas of Downtown; and the City Council on Sept. 4 voted unanimously to name Fifth and Los Angeles streets John Parkinson Square after the architect who designed some of the city’s most notable buildings.

photos by Gary Leonard

SEPTEMBER

Downtown News 13

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

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Restaurants: The Arts District/Coffee District celebrated the opening of Portland-based Stumptown on Sept. 10. Hoping to end the curse of businesses before it, Ebanos Crossing opened at 200 S. Hill St. on Sept. 6. Former “Top Chef Seattle” contestant Micah Fields announced Sept. 18 that he had left the kitchen of the Standard Downtown to be the executive

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chef of L.A. Chapter, which will open inside the Ace Hotel in January.

Entertainment: Exxopolis was no ordinary bounce house. From Sept. 13-15 a 175-foot long, 95-foot wide inflatable structure that designers called a “wondrous luminarium” brightened the lawn at Grand Park. The walk-in attraction treated

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participants to light, color and music. Over in Little Tokyo, a revival of Robert Harlang’s play Steel Magnolias filled the East West Players’ theater.

On Sept. 17, billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad gave Downtowners a sneak peak inside The Broad (3), his $140 million museum. Arguably the best part: He announced that admission will be free when it opens in late 2014.

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OCTOBER

December 30, 2013

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

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ews, Business and Politics: Jaws dropped when news broke this month that 14th District City Councilman José Huizar (1) was facing a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by former Deputy Chief ws of Staff Francine ebo Godoy. The suit allegesnNe that Fac ok.com/L.A.Downtow Huizar engaged in a “campaign of sexual harassment and retaliation” against Godoy when Like his Downtown News Facebook she rebuffed sexual advances.

He on denied & Be Entered Win Movie the allegations, but shockto ratcheted higher Tickets! when Huizar, who is up for re-election in 2015, acknowledged having had an “occasional and consensual relationship” with Godoy.

More controversy came when the National Transportation Safety Board issued an emergency report stating that operators of Angels Flight, which derailed in September, had been photo by Gary Leonard using a tree branch to override a safety feature.

A number of other questionable practices were plans to build mid- and high-rise structures. On Oct. 17, the $15.7 million Hope Street Margoalso detailed. lis Family Center opened at 1401 S. Grand Ave. There was also plenty of development buzz It offers child development programs and afteras MacFarlane Partners announced it was purE-NEWS s.com NewFifth ntown at Dow school care to low-income families. chasing site of the failed Park project n up SIGN UPtheSig Also: The City Council on Oct. 9 approved just north of Pershing Square. The company

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a five-year contract for Anschutz Entertainment Group to operate the Los Angeles ConStarts Dec 13/Dec 20 vention Center; developer Sonny Astani announced his partnership with private equity firm Wolff Company on the $245 million, 640unit G12 project in South Park; and the Historic Downtown Los Angeles Business Improvement District installed three artificial-turf “pet potties” (2) around the Historic Core.

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Restaurants: Italian eatery The Factory Kitchen, headed by owner Matteo Ferdinandi and former Valentino chef Angelo Auriana, opened on Oct. 31 in the Arts District. Downtown stalwart Josef Centeno, meanwhile, opened his buzzed-about fine-dining establishment Orsa & Winston on Oct. 2 in the Historic Core. Other debuts were Cedd Moses’ hip Honeycut, which sits in an alley off Eighth and Flower streets, and gastropub Peking Tavern, which offers Chinese street food and spirits along with beer and wine.

photo by Donna Evans

Danny DeVito and Judd Hirsch starred in Neil Simon’s vaudevillian comedy The Sunshine Boys at the25 Ahmanson Theatre. Over in Little Tokyo, Starts Dec 20/Dec the Japanese American National Museum Entertainment: The innovative opera Invisible debuted Marvels and Monsters. The exhibit Cities (3) opened, giving headphones to explored racism and stereotypes in U.S. comic attendees in Union Station — they had the books. freedom to wander around during the show.

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image courtesy Gehry Partners

ews, Business and Politics: Downtowners were pleasantly stunned on Nov. 25 when developer Related Cos. announced that architect Frank Gehry was back on the Grand Avenue project. The proposed $650 million development would rise across the street from Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall and the upcoming Broad museum. Early designs (1) show two towers — residential units in one, the other a hotel — flanking a central plaza with space for restaurants and retail.

That wasn’t the only news on the development front. Lennar Multifamily and The Hanover Company revealed plans for separate seven-story housing complexes on a single block of Olympic Boulevard between Grand Avenue and Olive Street. Two affordable housing developments in Skid Row also debuted this month: SRO Housing Corp.’s Gateways Apartments and Skid Row Housing Trust’s Michael Maltzan-designed Star Apartments.

In more prurient news, Los Angeles Downtown News discovered that the Central Library had somehow transformed into a sexual cruising zone.

The LAPD acknowledged making nine arrests this year during undercover sting operations in the building.

Also: City Club Los Angeles reopened on Nov. 23 after a $10.3 million renovation and relocation to the top of 555. S. Flower St.; the $1.1 billion Wilshire Grand replacement project hit the lowest point of construction on Nov. 20 (2) ; and the Metro board of directors voted to support a countywide bike share program, throwing the city’s own negotiations with bike-share provider Bike Nation into question.

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photo by Robert Millard

Restaurants: Chef David Bartnes began serving plenty of offal and East Asian flavors at his noseto-tail restaurant b.o.s, which opened in Little Tokyo on Nov. 1. The Financial District also gained a high-end omakase sushi joint dubbed Q. Helmed by longtime Tokyo sushi chef Hiroyuki Naruke, the 26-seat restaurant opened Nov. 12. And for anyone looking for a sweet treat on Figueroa Street, Pazzo Gelato opened at FIGat7th on Nov. 25.

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Entertainment: Perhaps the most interesting stage production of the year arrived when L.A. Opera mounted British company 1927’s cutting-edge twist on Mozart’s Magic Flute (3) — it combined live singers and a background of animated projections. Also on the unusual side, the Arts District’s Cornerstone Theater Company tapped Skid Row actors for its Love on San Pedro; it was staged in the Los Angeles Mission. The Ahmanson Theatre, meanwhile, hosted British choreographer Matthew Bourne’s acclaimed dance-theater adaptation of Sleeping Beauty.

photo by Gary Leonard

NOVEMBER

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Downtown News 15

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e s T T ’ h s s n i i T o M L D

EVENTS

Tuesday, december 31 New Year’s Eve at Grand Park Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8080 or grandparkla.org.

6 p.m.: Ring in the New Year with art installations, Dublab DJs, a bar, East Coast/West Coast countdowns and 3D imagery projected right onto City Hall. All free of charge for well-behaved Angelenos. OK, it’s free even if you’re nasty.

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photo by Barry Roden

Fear not Downtowners, Room to Live is the latest MOCA exhibit of newly acquired works, and not a fresh decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding homeless possessions. What controversy is connected to the exhibit extends only as far as the traditionally robust discourse on the nature of modern art and of the probing creations of artists such as Nan Goldin and Rodney McMillan. Featuring numerous installations (including William Leavitt’s “Warp Engines,” shown here), paintings, multimedia and video works, the exhibit is an ongoing testament to the Downtown museum’s vast archives. So stop by on your holiday break. At 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org.

Few things broadcast the optimism and cheer of the holidays quite like a play chronicling the last days of a mentally deteriorating former Dublin police officer living in a mental asylum. OK, it’s not full of New Year’s cheer, but Center Theatre Group does deliver some darn fine acting from Brian Dennehy in the final full week of The Steward of Christendom. The play by Sebastian Barry at the Mark Taper Forum closes Sunday, Jan. 5. It may be the best chance you have in all of 2014 to learn everything you need to know about Ireland in two hours and 40 minutes. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 6282772 or centertheatregroup.org.

photo by Javier Guillen

On Sunday, Jan. 5, the modernist curvature of the Walt Disney Concert Hall will rumble with a tribute to that classical city astride the Danube. The Salute to Vienna event brings a bevy of orchestration and dance to celebrate the Austrian capital, the legacy of its most famous composer, Johann Strauss, and his lasting gift to music, the waltz. Budapest’s own Andras Deak will conduct the Strauss Symphony of America and Viennese vocalists Alexandra Reinprecht and Martin Piskorski in pieces by the famous maestro. For good measure, Ukraine’s Kiev-Aniko Ballet will add its grace to the bill. It all goes down at 2:30 p.m. at 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.com.

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

Dec. 31: The L.A. Jazz Collective New Year’s Eve will be, uh, jazzeriffic.

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

Jan. 3, 8 p.m.: Zongo Junction is in fact a New York afrobeat band and not a plaza where you can buy prescription meds mere blocks from the venue.

Jan. 4, 8 p.m.: Curiously constructed world indie tunes from Oakland, California’s own Bells Atlas.

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

Dec. 31, 9:30 p.m.: Happy Endings is advertising itself as “L.A.’s Biggest New Year’s Eve Party.” With big bill names like 102.7’s DJ Drew, who can argue with that?

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

Dec. 30, 10 p.m.: It’s the final Monster Monday of 2013, so shake Yonatan’s hand and request a bluesier version of Auld Lang Syne.

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

Dec. 30, 9 p.m.: Sander Van Doorn will be twisting knobs for your listening pleasure.

Dec. 31, 9 p.m.: No New Year’s Eve is complete without vivid light trails and a sore jaw, so head on down to check out John Digweed and electro lurker Claude Vonstroke.

Jan. 3, 10 p.m.: Singularity, the name of tonight’s DJ and the ultimate fate of humanity in the Sky Net era.

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

Dec. 31, 10 p.m.: There will be rousing fits of laughter on this New Year’s Eve as Katt Williams hits the stage for a late show.

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

Dec. 30: The Page Rippers and Sector 7 G. Dec. 31: Have an amazingly rock and roll New Year’s Eve with legendary local rockers The Blasters. Also on the bill are Prima Donna and Schitzophonics.

Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la.

Dec. 30: Celebrated bassist Brandino will be joined by “friends” who are hopefully not imaginary.

Dec. 31: The Makers are so over 2013.

Shrine Auditorium 665 W. Jefferson Blvd., (213) 748-5116 or shrineauditorium.com.

Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m.: Celebrate the dawning of 2014 with OMFG! NYE, Goldenvoice’s evening extravaganza featuring Boys Noize, Madeon, GTA and DJ Snake.

The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org.

Jan. 3: Moses Campbell, Michael Vidal, TraPsPs, Nico Turner, Hex Horizontal and Post-Life.

photo by Brian Forrest

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

By Dan Johnson calendar@downtownnews.com

photo by Craig Schwartz

saTurday, January 4 The Undiscovered Chinatown Walking Tour Chinatown, (213) 680-0243 or chinatownla.com.

10:30 a.m.: One of Downtown’s most storied neighborhoods opens its doors to new insights and old legends in this pedestrian tour. Reservations accepted online.

Vienna Travels Downtown, and Saying Goodbye to One Year And Hello to Another

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CALENDAR LISTINGS

December 30, 2013

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CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

Civic pride and boisterous revelry mingle yet again on New Year’s Eve, as Grand Park hosts a year-end blowout to help you forget 2013 and remember the splendor that is Los Angeles in winter. The lawns of the park will host art installations, food trucks, a bar and DJs from local spinning outfit Dublab. More impressive are the immense 3D projections that will be broadcast onto 200 vertical feet of City Hall. For the East Coast traditionalists and Brooklyn sycophants among us, the event will simulcast the ball drop in Times Square. There’s a PST countdown at our midnight. The free event begins at 6:30 p.m. at 200 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8080 or grandparkla.org.

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16 Downtown News

New Year’s is a time for fresh starts. For those who spent Dec. 31 at the bottom of a bottle or by setting unattainable forecasts of breaking bad habits, perhaps a stop through Little Tokyo’s Oshogatsu celebration could do some good. Beginning with the roll of taiko kick-off drums at 10:50 a.m. on New Year’s Day in Weller Court, the free family-friendly event features traditional dance, crafts, entertainment and even a samurai action show. The event runs until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, so pop some Advil and head on down. At 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St. or (213) 617-3696.

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

December 30, 2013

Downtown News 17

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Go ing On No w!

Jan. 4: Chain & The Gang, Vice Cooler, The Shivas, Pizza! and cthtr.

Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0777 or musiccenter.org.

Dec. 31, 7 and 10:30 p.m.: The spirit of Carnival is alive and well with Sergio Mendes and Latin styled pop vixen Sheila E. Carnival as the Hall drops not one, but two shows on New Year’s Eve.

FILM Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com.

Dec. 30, 4 and 9:40 p.m., Dec. 31, 5:30 and 11 p.m., Jan. 1, 10:30 p.m., Jan. 2, 5:15 and 10:40 p.m.: In a crimeless era, law enforcement is left to the skewed ennui of Steve Little, Marilyn Manson and Eric Wareheim in Quentin Dupieux’s Wrong Cops.

Dec. 30, 6 and 8 p.m., Dec. 31, 7 and 9 p.m., Jan. 1, 2 and 8:30 p.m. and Jan. 2, 7 and 9 p.m.: If you dug Chekov’s The Seagull, you may just enjoy director Michael Guinzburg’s reimagined film Hollywood Seagull.

IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org.

Explore the remnants and wisdom of an ancient empire in Mysteries of Egypt.

Ice and polar bear enthusiasts will likely dig To the Arctic 3D. Experience the gripping story full of hope, crushing disappointment and triumph in Hubble 3D. Regal Cinemas 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive.com/movies.

Check website for schedule.

CLASSICAL MUSIC Sunday, January 5 Salute to Vienna Disney Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0777 or musiccenter.org.

2:30 p.m.: With a full orchestra and accompanying waltz dancers, the music of Johann Strauss Jr. (including “Blue Danube”) comes to full kinetic fruition before your eyes.

BARS & CLUBS The Association 610 S. Main St., (213) 627-7385.

Carved out of the area that used to belong to Cole’s, the bar in front, the Association is a dimly-lit, swank little alcove with some serious mixologists behind the bar. Look for a heavy door, a brass knocker and a long line.

Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382 or myspace.com/bar107.

Inside the keyhole-shaped door, tough-as-nails Derby Dolls vie for elbowroom with crusty old bar guys and a steady stream of Old Bank District inhabitants. Velvet señoritas, deer heads with sunglasses, a wooden Indian and Schlitz paraphernalia plaster the red walls. There’s no shortage of entertainment, with the funky dance room, great DJs and the occasional rock band. In the photo booth, you can capture your mug in old-fashioned black and white. Open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.

Big Wang’s 801 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2449 or bigwangs.com.

Wings, beer and sports: That’s the winning recipe at this sports bar. The Downtown outpost, the third for the Hollywood-based bar, has everything the other locations have, plus a comfortable patio with outdoor flat screens.

Bonaventure Brewing Company 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 236-0802 or bonaventurebrewing.com.

Where can you get a drink, order some decent bar food, sit outdoors and still feel like you’re Downtown? It’s a tall order to fill, but this bar in the Bonaventure Hotel does it admirably. Come by for a taster set of award-winning ales crafted by Head Brewer David Blackwell. Sure, the hotel is vaguely ’80s, and you’ll probably encounter some convention goers tying a few on, but it only adds to the fun.

Bottlerock 1150 S. Flower St., (213) 747-1100 or bottlerock.net.

Situated on the ground floor of the Met Lofts in South Park, this wine bar features a vast range of bottles from around the world and a price range equally as wide. Wines by the glass Continued on next page

LA MOTORS 1801 S. Figueroa St. 888-319-8762 mbzla.com

PORSCHE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 1900 S. Figueroa St. 888-685-5426 porschedowntownla.com

AUDI OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 1900 S. Figueroa St. 888-583-0981 audidtla.com

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE Bob Baker’s Holiday Spectacular Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. 1st St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com.

Jan. 4-5, 2:30 p.m.: This seasonal classic brings the true meaning of Yuletide cheer to new dimensions as puppets dance through a winter wonderland and into your memory forever.

Peter and the Starcatcher Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4444 or centertheatregroup.org.

Dec. 30, 8 p.m., Jan. 2, 2 and 8 p.m., Jan. 3, 8 p.m., Jan. 4, 2 and 8 p.m. and Jan. 5, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s epic novel prequel to Peter Pan finds its way to the stage. Through Jan. 12.

The Steward of Christendom Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4444 or centertheatregroup.org.

Dec. 30, Jan. 2 and 3, 8 p.m., Jan. 4, 2:30 and 8 p.m. and Jan. 5, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: This week marks your last chance to see Brian Dennehy star in a moody drama about an outcast Roman Catholic in the days of the struggle for Irish Independence. Through Jan. 5.

DOWNTOWN

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FELIX CHEVROLET 3330 S. Figueroa St. 888-304-7039 felixchevrolet.com

18 Downtown News

LAST WEEKS ANSWERS

Continued from previous page start at around $8, but if you’re feeling overcome by oenophilia (or just deep-pocketed) there are some first growth Bordeauxs for more than $1,000 for the bottle. And if you don’t get your fill while at the bar, which also features a rotating crop of artisanal beers and a full dinner menu, the bar also sells bottles at retail.

Broadway Bar 830 S. Broadway, (213) 614-9909 or broadwaybar.la.

Located next to the Orpheum Theatre in the Platt Building, the Broadway Bar’s blue neon sign beckons patrons inside to its 50-foot circular bar. The casual-chic spot is based on Jack Dempsey’s New York bar, with low lighting and a dose of ’40s glam. There’s a patio upstairs with nice views, and a jukebox.

Caña Los Angeles Downtown News 714 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 745-7090 or canarumbar.com.

1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 In the Caribbean, “caña” is slang for sugarcane. Rum is made phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 from sugarcane. Therefore, Caña serves premium handcrafted web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com facebook: L.A. Downtown News

CROSSWORD

December 30, 2013

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

twitter: DowntownNews

rum cocktails in an intimate, elegant environment featuring live Caribbean and tropical Latin music.

Casey’s Irish Pub 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com.

With its worn brick staircase, tin ceilings and dark wood decor, it’s easy to see how this neighborhood bar and grill still works its Irish charm. Regulars cozy up to the 60-foot mahogany bar with a pint of Guinness and a plate of bangers and mash. Casey’s has a full menu with six beers on tap and a selection of Belgian ales and microbrews.

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris Cole’s GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin 118 E. Sixth St., colesfrenchdip.com.

This beloved restaurant saloon has been renovated under new ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie ownership.

The great leather booths andKim dark wood bar of the coNtributiNG Maese old spot remain,Editor: but nowKathryn the glasses are clean. Draft beer, hiscoNtributiNG writErs: Jeffis Favre, Fischer, toric cocktails, including what probablyGreg the best Old Fashioned Kristin Friedrich, Kylie Jane Wakefield in town, and a short wine list.

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

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin

AccouNtiNG: Tara LaPlante

ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie Kim coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Kristin Friedrich, Kylie Jane Wakefield

AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Josie Damian, Catherine Holloway sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez

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

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

PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard

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.

2 YOUR EVENT INFO

EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT

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

Email: Send a brief description, street address and public phone number. Submissions must be received 10 days prior toLos publication dateDowntown to be considered for print.

Angeles News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com email: realpeople@downtownnews.com facebook: L.A. Downtown News twitter: DowntownNews ©2013 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rights reserved.

The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.

One copy per person.

AccouNtiNG: Tara LaPlante AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Josie Damian, Catherine Holloway sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez circulAtioN: Danielle Salmon distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie Kim coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Kristin Friedrich, Kylie Jane Wakefield

©2013 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.

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

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin

Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com facebook: L.A. Downtown News

twitter: DowntownNews

ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie stAFF writErs: Donna Evans, Eddie Kim coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Kristin Friedrich, Kylie Jane Wakefield Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard AccouNtiNG: Tara LaPlante

Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com email: realpeople@downtownnews.com facebook: L.A. Downtown News twitter: DowntownNews ©2013 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.

AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Josie Damian, Catherine Holloway sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez circulAtioN: Danielle Salmon distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla ©2013 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.

December 30, 2013

DT

CLASSIFIEDS

To place a classified ad in the Downtown News please call 213-481-1448, or go to DowntownNews.com HolidayFOR deadline RENT scHedule for all classifieds: Issue 1/6/14, Deadline 1/2/14 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

REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL

EMPLOYMENT General

lofts for sale

U.S. GOVT JOBS NOW HIRING

loft/UnfUrnisHed

TheLoftExpertGroup.com

old Bank District The original Live/Work Lofts

Downtown since 2002

Bill Cooper

from $1,295 Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, Parking adjacent. Pets no charge

213.598.7555

Civil Service / Postal Clerks No Experience. Job Security. $20-75 an hour and Benefits CALL NOw! (855) 631-0850

AUTOS & RECREATIONAL

Call 213.253.4777 LAloft.com

Homes for sale NEAR DODGER Stadium. 3 bdrm. 3 bath 1680 square feet.

Built in 2008. $679,000 call Paxton agt. 626-201-3464.

pre-oWned apartments/UnfUrnisHed $1,250/MO 2bd/1ba in Chinatown. Minutes from Downtown.

Newly paint, range, refrigerator, carpet. Laundry on-site. One parking space. 433 Cottage Home Street 818-716-7297.

REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL real estate for sale For Sale: 7 acres in the beautiful North Valley of Albuquerque, NM Small home (needs remodeling) Almost half a mile long. Great for development of approximately 12 high end homes. Water, electricity, gas, and sewer on the property. May also be used for businesses. Price reduced to 4 million dollars. Great view of the Sandia Mountains. One of the last properties available in the North Valley. 10 minutes from shopping centers or downtown Albuquerque Call Alex Sanchez at 505 898-3934 or 505 3626488.

SENIOR APARTMENTS 62 + Studio $873 1 Bedroom $929.

Balcony, Full Kitchen, A/C, Clubhouse, BBQ, Resource room, Laundry, SEC 8 O.K. Visit GSL SAN LUCAS.com 213623-2010.

DoWNtoWN l.a. aUto groUp

Over 1000 vehicles on Sale Now!

dUpleXes

dtlamotors.com

the LOFT expert!

Singing, dancing, performing and fun!

For boys & girls ages 3 and up!

Bill Cooper 213.598.7555 TheLoftExpertGroup.com DRE # 01309009

Bill Cooper 213.598.7555

TheLoftExpertGroup.com BRE #01309009

Ad Prices

Name: Address: City Phone: Cash $ Credit card #: Exp. Date:

All ads run for 2 weeks.

Ads may be renewed after two weeks for 50% off the original price of the ad.

With a circulation of State Check $

Zip Credit Card $

2009 CHEVY MALIBU HYBRID 4DR. Gray/Gray, Great Mileage, AC, Loaded F13074-1 / F131890 ONLY....$13,995 Call 888-3047039 www.felixchevrolet.com 2009 MERCEDES CLK350 AMG Certified, White Stone, 3.5L, low miles 5940C / F270087 ONLY....$25,991 Call 888-3198762. www.mbzla.com

47,000,

our classifieds get results!

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

Restrictions: Offer good on private party ads only. Ads must be pre-paid by cash, check or credit card. Certain classifications excluded. Deadline: Thursday at noon for next issue.

misC. items

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CleaninG CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants.

Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818-409-9183.

LOFT LIVING Your number 1 source for Loft sales, rentals and development!

Downtown News.com

HealtH SPECIALS! 4 Mani’s & Pedi’s for ONLY $99! 3 Facials or 3 Massages for Only $99. Buy our specials tomorrow but use them when you want! Enjoy yourself more than once! 818-574-9882 Downtown Los Angeles.

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Massage, Steam, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Jade Room, Gift Certificate Available, Open Holidays

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(626) 369-8484

Open 7 Day A Week 10am-12am

Open 7 Day A Week 8am-11pm

Your “One Stop” Loft Design Specialist!

•16,000 square foot architectural salvage warehouse open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays 10am-5pm (Just 5 mins.

From Downtown LA) • $500,000 of architectural and antique merchandise at Fair Prices and Good Value. Large inventory of salvaged wood, doors and windows in stock!

• Custom fabrication service offered on site.

Is your teen experiencing

WE SPECIALIZE IN SALVAGED WOOD TABLES WITH AN INDUSTRIAL ATTITUDE AND SLIDING LOFT DOORS!

(323) 662-9797

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2009 AUDI A5 2.0T QUATTRO Certified, Turbo, Gray/Black, AWD, 35K Miles A13424D-1 / AA065553 ONLY....$32,995 Call 888-583-0981 www.audidtla. com

Call marney stofflet, lCsW

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2008 VW JETTA PASSAT 2.5S Certified, 5cyl PZEV., Gray/Blk, Only 10,115 miles ZV1959 / CC059045 Only...$18,980 Call 888-781-8102 www.vwdowntownla.com

SERVICES

TM

Do you have something to sell?

• Items under $300 • Items $301 to $500 • Items $501 to $1200 • Items $1201 to $2000 • Items $2001+…

For a complete list of our pre-owned inventory, go to www.DTLAMOTORS.com

UPCOMING FESTIVITIES call for a unique entertainment idea?

Reward your hardworking employees! Southern California Office Oasis offers on site chair massages for all occasions.

Therapists are licensed and insured. Affordable group rates available. Servicing Downtown www.socalofficeoasis.com (818)-602-2446

adolescent support group now forming ages 13-17 low fee

Voted BEST Downtown Residential Real Estate Agent!

(Marketplace and Automotive Categories ONLY)

2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS Certified, Sand White/Black, 4.8L V8, Low Miles ZP1556 / 8LA73049 ONLY....$50,898. Call 888-685-5426 www.porschedowntownla.com

ITEMS FOR SALE

HealtH & fitness

• School problems?

• Conflict at home or with friends?

Downtown since 2002

sunshineGenerationla.com 909-861-4433

2011 NISSAN SENTRA 2.0S SEDAN Certified, Red Brick Pearl/Silver, 30mpg, CU0827R / L651168 ONLY....$11,995 call 888-845-2267 www.carsonnissan.com

Visit us online

Children’s Performing Group

Sunshine Generation

2005 NISSAN ARMADA SE 5.6L V8, Silver/Blk, Leather, Only 38K Miles. NI4111 / 5N706134 Only...$15,999 call 888-8385089 www.downtownnissan. com

Nearly Every Make & Model

GLASSEL PARK Duplex, 1 bdrm / 1 bath, completely remodeled, garage parking, $1200 month, 3321 Andrita Ave. (562) 634-4067.

Downtown News 19

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

4344 fountain ave. (at sunset), suite a los angeles, Ca 90029

Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator.

Full bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

Silverado Salvage and Design

2401 E. 27th Street / Vernon, CA 90058 • 323-277-4771 • www.silveradosalvageanddesign.com

Monthly from $695 utilities paid.

(213) 627-1151

For SALe:

7 acres in the beautiful North Valley of Albuquerque, NM Small home (needs remodeling) Almost half a mile long Great for development of approximately 12 high end homes Water, electricity, gas, and sewer on the property May also be used for businesses Price reduced to 4 million dollars Great view of the Sandia Mountains One of the last properties available in the North Valley.

10 minutes from shopping centers or downtown Albuquerque call alex sanchez at 505 898-3934 or at 505 362-6488

corporation Bldg. for lease Creative Office Space 724 S. Spring St. LA • 900 to 1500 sqft.

• Elegant tiled flooring and polished concrete floors • Brand new A/C, bathrooms in each unit • Spectacular views of Downtown • Great Location, restaurant on the ground floor

Please call (213) 627-6913 Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly rate $275 inc.

Monthly from $600 utilities paid.

(213) 612-0348

20 Downtown News

December 30, 2013

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

DECEMBER

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

1

It’s our business to make you comfortable... at home, downtown. Corporate and long term residency Call Now Fo is accommodated in high style at the Towers Apartments. Contemporary singles, studio, one r bedroom and two bedroom apartment homes provide fortunate residents with a courteous full service lobby attendant, heated pool, spa, complete fitness center, sauna and recreation room Move-In Spec with kitchen. Beautiful views extend from the Towers’ lofty homes in the sky. Mountain vistas and ial slender skyscrapers provide an incredible back drop to complement your decor. Far below are a host of businesses s ready to support your pampered downtown lifestyle. With spectacular cultural events nearby, even the most demanding tastes are satisfied. Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore. Visit the Towers Apartments today.

Grand Tower

photo by Gary Leonard

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

2

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

On-site: ~ Dry Cleaners / Dental Office / Restaurants

Promenade Towers

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

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

On-Site: ~ Convenience Store / Coffee House / Yogurt Shop / Beauty Salon

museum Tower

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

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

8 7 7 - 2 65 - 714 6

TOWERS T H E

A PA RT M E N T S

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

RESIDENCES: SINGLES • STUDIO • ONE BEDROOM • TWO BEDROOM

photo by Gary Leonard

N

ews, Business and Politics: This was a good month for Broadway. On Dec. 19, Urban Outfitters (1) opened a 10,000-square-foot store inside the former Rialto Theatre at 812 S. Broadway; retail experts predicted plenty of other chains would follow. The debut came one day after Swedish retailer Acne Studios opened across the street, on the ground floor of the Eastern Columbia Building at Broadway and Ninth Street. More Broadway buzz came when developers Frank Stork, Channing Henry and the Kor Group announced their purchase of the historic 13-story Case Hotel at 1106 S. Broadway. They plan to turn it into a four-star boutique hotel.

Not everything was jolly, however. The Los Angeles Police Department began cracking down on jaywalkers in Downtown, issuing tickets for up to $250. The fines don’t only stem from crossing against a red light — simply stepping into the crosswalk after the flashing countdown begins could get you zapped.

Also: The city on Dec. 12 unveiled the Historic Commercial Reuse Guidelines to spur development on the upper floors of buildings along Broadway; URS Corporation was hired as the project manager for the Downtown streetcar; Qathryn Brehm was named permanent director of Art Walk; and Union Station introduced a policy that allows only train ticket holders to sit in the main concourse’s comfy leather chairs. It resulted in a de facto crackdown on homeless individuals who had been gathering there.

Restaurants: Little Tokyo’s The Spice Table (2) prepared for a Dec. 31 closure; the neighborhood fave from Bryant and Kim Ng is being displaced by construction on the Regional Connector. On the bright side, a couple of joints debuted: Downtown favorite The Must reopened at The Jefferies lofts at 117 Winston St., and highball bar Wolf & Crane arrived at 366 E. Second St. in Little Tokyo.

Entertainment: The quirky Peter Pan “prequel” Peter and the Starcatcher opened at the Ahmanson Theatre. Virtuoso 26-yearold pianist Yuja Wang performed Rachmaninoff’s notoriously difficult Piano Concerto No. 3 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Down at the Natural History Museum, Traveling the Silk Road opened Dec. 22, giving Angelenos a look into the golden age of the famous trade route.