01-25-10 by Los Angeles Downtown News

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INSIDE

Hanging On by a Thread Changing Tastes and Increasing Competition Alter the Los Angeles Street Suit Scene by Ryan VaillancouRt

Is Los Angeles going bankrupt?

Urban Scrawl on all kinds of storms.

Changes coming to Chinatown’s plazas.

staff wRiteR

or decades in Los Angeles, men in search of high-quality suits at bargain prices knew to come to Los Angeles Street. These days, the street is still a menswear hub, with three blocks lined with suit clad mannequins, though finding top-notch threads is no longer so easy. Since the late 1950s, the stretch between Seventh and Ninth streets has been lined with haberdasheries. In the second half of the last century, the block was anchored by a quartet of standout shops: Max Levine and Son, Academy Award Clothes, Eisenberg and Eisenberg and Roger Stuart Clothes, plus numer-

The Big Takeover

Rents at Temporary El Pueblo Shops Add Fuel to a Long-Running Dispute

Looking at What Happens When Banks Foreclose on Troubled Properties

by RichaRd Guzmán

by anna scott

The food kings down at USC.

The Joffrey Ballet returns to L.A.

16 CALENDAR LISTINGS 20 MAP 21 CLASSIFIEDS

photo by Gary Leonard

Roger Keller owns Roger Stuart Clothes, the last of Los Angeles Street’s original discount suit stores. He has stayed in business only by altering the area’s traditional business model.

The ‘Puesto’ Puzzle city editoR

From Haiti to Downtown, before the quake.

ous other competitors. Today, Roger Stuart Clothes is the only one of the four still standing, and that’s because the founder’s son and current owner has significantly altered the area’s old business model. Academy Award Clothes shuttered in late 2008, following Max Levine about 15 years earlier, and Eisenberg and Eisenberg, which called it quits in the mid 1970s. Plenty of other shops are on the street, but if an old patron of, say Max Levine, returned to modern Los Angeles Street, the area’s inventory might make him choke on his martini. Though some shops still stock the high-quality wool see Suits, page 11

or decades, it has been difficult for entrepreneurs to open shops at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. Most of the businesses at the monument’s popular Olvera Street attraction, which sees about 2 million visitors a year, have been handed down through generations of family members. That is changing — on a small scale. A handful of new business owners are coming in to some of the puestos, the tiny kiosks that usually sell trinkets and other Mexican themed items, at El Pueblo plaza. While their stay is temporary, the rents they are paying are substantially higher than what longtime puesto owners shell out. That worries some of the permanent tenants, who for years have paid below-market rents. They fear the temporary rates could impact them during coming lease negotiations. “Cleary this is a benchmark. For the last [few] years there has been debate about what the current market value is,” said David Louie, a member of the El Pueblo Board of Commissioners. “It’s been debated and debated, but this time we got the appraisal and responses that are significantly higher than what the tenants are paying.” Six temporary puestos went up for grabs late last year. The four spaces that have been rented so far will bring in $1,100-$2,000 per month from business owners who signed

three-month leases with the city. It is a far cry from the average $300 a month that longtime puesto owners pay. Temporary Homes The puestos range from about 50 to 100 square feet. The six temporary spaces, which are roughly the same size as the permanent businesses, were built to house regular tenants while their kiosks were renovated by the city. Most of the renovations are complete, and puesto owners who vacated their temporary facilities returned to their permanent spots late last year. However, due to a delay in some electrical work, several puestos on the east end of the block still need renovations. In about three months, they will be relocated to the temporary facilities. After that work is done, the six temporary puestos will be removed, since the State Historic General Plan does not allow permanent businesses on the plaza of El Pueblo. To take advantage of the threemonth lag between renovation work, El Pueblo officials decided to rent the temporary puestos. They were pleased at the response. “What these figures suggest is that there is a business opportunity here,” said Robert Andrade, general manager of El Pueblo. “Certainly it suggests that the market rates are the facts, and at this point this is what some people are willing to pay.” Rents at El Pueblo have long been a controversial topic. Many see Puesto, page 8

staff wRiteR

f the bankruptcy process and its many permutations constitute murky waters, foreclosure is the financial Loch Ness. In Downtown Los Angeles, at least eight residential projects and one hotel have fallen into bankruptcy. Some of those projects, along with others in the area, have also faced foreclosure — an equally complex process with just as many possible endings. The question now — and in the future as other developers who began projects before the recession face a financial crunch — is what happens to the buildings once the lenders take over. Will there be a swift turnaround that adds to the residential momentum, or will the lenders sit on the properties, wait-

ing for values to increase, even if it means structures remain empty for months or years? Foreclosure, particularly involving large projects and in the current economy, is anything but a straight line from point A to point B. A number of scenarios can play out in the months after a lender initiates the process, and not every case ends with the borrower losing property. No less than five Downtown projects have been foreclosed on and sold, or are currently in foreclosure. At least one other has been quietly turned over to lenders, most likely in a transaction experts term “friendly foreclosures.” The developments range from projects that have not yet broken ground, like the L.A. Central mixed-use complex across the street from L.A. Live, see Foreclosure, page 10

photo by Gary Leonard

The Flat in City West was foreclosed on and sold last October by lender China Trust Bank. It is one of several Downtown buildings that encountered trouble after its developer was unable to pay back a loan.

The Voice of Downtown Los Angeles

2 Downtown News

January 25, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews photo by Gary Leonard

AROUNDTOWN L.A. Live Plans Next Phase

fficials with the Anschutz Entertainment Group, developer of the 28-acre L.A. Live entertainment district in South Park, are laying the groundwork for another, apparently more business-oriented phase of the project. The plan would add more than 600,000 square feet of office space and a broadcasting studio to the complex, and would reduce the number of hotel rooms that were part of the L.A. Live original master plan. The proposal was scheduled to be heard by the Community Redevelopment Agency last week, but the vote was postponed. The last element of the project’s current phase, a 54-story J.W. Marriott-Ritz-Carlton hotel tower, is scheduled to open Feb. 15.

Ringo Starr performed at the intimate Grammy Museum Soundstage on Tuesday, Jan. 19. He was joined by Ben Harper (left). His set list included the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends.”

Tough Talk on City Budget

inth District Councilwoman Jan Perry said last Thursday that Los Angeles faces a real threat of bankruptcy, and that the city should freeze all hiring, including police officers, to address a nearly $200 million budget shortfall. Perry’s remarks were delivered during a Downtown luncheon hosted by the Los Angeles Current Affairs Forum. “I have to laugh when I hear people thinking that it’s not real,” Perry said of the possibility of bankruptcy. Regarding LAPD hiring, she said, “In my mind, you don’t continue hiring people when you have people on furloughs.” The talk came the same day the Los Angeles Times reported on a letter signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and five City Council members (including Perry) and addressed to City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana, calling for the elimination of 1,000 city jobs in the next six months. “I’m very pleased that the letter is out,” said Perry, because now the city’s true financial predicament “is out there.” For more on the city’s budget situation, see the story on page 3.

Cedillo to Run for Assembly

tate Sen. Gilbert Cedillo announced last week that he will run for the seat in the 45th Assembly District,

which includes Chinatown and other northern portions of Downtown, in the November election. He made his announcement on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Termed out of his senate seat in the 22nd District, Cedillo said his decision to run is motivated by a desire to continue his work in the legislature, and the potential opportunity to serve under a Democratic governor in California. “Fortunately I have two more years and I’ll have an opportunity to continue my work,” Cedillo said. The 45th District is familiar territory to Cedillo: “The senate seat overlaps several assembly districts, including much of the 45th, so it’s already voted for me four times,” he said. Cedillo names education, veterans and health and human services among his priority issues. As a state senator, he authored Senate Bill 2, which required all municipalities to include zoning for emergency homeless shelters in their state-mandated housing plan. The seat is currently held by Kevin De Leon; De Leon is planning to run for Cedillo’s senate post.

University of Southern California

Basquiat, Opera Mix Tape – Live the Musical USC Thornton Opera

Love Is in the Air, and It’s Free

o you have a husband, wife, partner, special friend, pet or someone else who is the apple of your eye? Do you want to send them a message of love for Valentine’s Day? Do you want all of Downtown Los Angeles to read that message? If you answered yes to all three, then a Downtown Love Line is for you. Los Angeles Downtown News is inviting readers to submit a message sharing those special feelings (and those kooky nicknames). Love Lines will be published in the Feb. 8 issue. The best part: The first 12 words are free. After that, it’s $1 a word. To get a Love Line, fill out the form on page 19 of this week’s issue.

Downtown 7-11 Robbed

os Angeles police detectives are asking for the public’s help in solving a robbery that occurred at a Downtown see Around Town, page 8

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

presentsaasneak chocolate-box Snatch peek of sampler ofthe 10 new favorite scenes. Prodigy, rock musical. Friday, January 29, 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May Newman 28 and Recital 29, 8 Hall p.m. Alfred

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Enter the graffiti-splashed, hipIn the course ofof one hopped-up world theperformance, impossibly USC Thornton Opera master’s students gifted 1980s phenomenon Jean-Michel and undergrads present a cornucopia of Basquiat. From homeless drug addict opera scenes ranging from Baroque to to pampered darling of the New York Britten. The obscure will be represented cultural elite, the Haitian-American (Il Viaggio a Reims) as well as the oft-proiconoclast lived a fast and furious exisduced (L’Elisir d’Amore). Resident stage tence, intoincludes his orbitworks the likes directordrawing Ken Cazan outside of Andy Warhol and Madonna before the standard repertoire, such as Stephen his star supernovaed in ain“speedSondheim’s “A Weekend the Country” balling” accident at age 28. Don’t from A Little Night Music. A stripped-down miss this professional staged “can’t reading format means that performers rely on what scenery or be costumes to tellBroadway a story,” of may next year’s Cazan says.with “It’sbook all upand to them.” sensation, lyrics by Come early if you want a seat,Ken as these USC Thornton Opera director samplerand performances tend to be standing Cazan a rap-Latin-alternative room only. rock score by composer Billy Pace.

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LA Downtown News

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ForSchool the third year, USC’s Visionswork and Voices The of Theatre showcases by three program offers hands-on workshops art, up-and-coming playwrights – this year’s in graduphotography, theatre, dance, music, archiates of the MFA in dramatic writing program. tecture, cinematic arts and interactive media. Choose from About a forbidThe workshops areHarvest, open todescribing USC students and den love between an American and a community members ages 18farm and girl over.

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USC faculty members lead the workGerman POW working her family’s fields in the shops, teachingof how animated 1940s; Daughters Lot,toa make retelling of the biblical digital collages, swing dance, design paper story of the fiery flight from Sodom; and Tether, skyscrapers, create ceramic musical instruwhich relates strangeand taleplay of twin ments, drawthe a portrait thesisters drums, Lach and other Lam –activities. one black,Advance the othersign-up white. is among required. McClintock Building Admission:Free Free Admission: RSVP required at http://tinyurl.com/y8lf4fu (213) 740-2167

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Many Imitate, But None Compare!

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January 25, 2010

Downtown News 3

DowntownNews.com

City Officials Call Cuts for Public Safety Inevitable Panel Predicts Major Restructuring to Stave Off Bankruptcy by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

n the face of a $400 million budget deficit, the city of Los Angeles is going to have to make significant cuts across city departments, and the perennially untouchable realm of public safety can no longer be spared. Otherwise, the city may be headed toward bankruptcy. That was the overarching tone of a sobering panel discussion sponsored by the Central City Association on Thursday, Jan. 21. The event at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel featured a trio of key city budget officials, along with Julie Butcher, regional director of labor union SEIU 721, which represents public employees. Councilman and former police chief Bernard Parks, who chairs the council’s Budget and Finance Committee, said that cuts to public safety are inevitable. The LAPD currently accounts for 27% of the city’s budget, and the Fire Department

the labor unions. The letter also suggests devising publicprivate partnerships to minimize the city’s role in managing venues such as the Los Angeles Convention Center, the L.A. Zoo and public golf courses. Santana said the public-private partnerships would be part of a larger effort to fundamentally restructure the way the city does business, to scale back on initiatives that have not produced expected revenues, and boost efficiency in delivering services more central to city government’s mission. “Should the city be running the Convention Center?” Santana asked. “The Convention Center has been strug-

gling… and we don’t help it in being competitive.” Even with the proposed cost saving measures, Santana said the city will likely have to dip into its $225 million emergency reserve fund. Parks, along with the other panelists, acknowledged that bankruptcy is a legitimate concern, but said that it can be staved off with appropriate action. “I don’t think anybody wants bankruptcy on their resume,” Parks said. “Sometimes city government works best when it’s forced to move.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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(l to r) Councilman Bernard Parks, union leader Julie Butcher, Chief Legislative Analyst Gerry Miller and Chief Administrative Officer Miguel Santana discuss the city’s finances at a Jan. 21 event.

accounts for 9%, according to a presentation by panelist Miguel Santana, the city’s chief administrative officer. But since another 48% of the city’s budget is tied up in restricted expenditures, such as debt obligations, public safety consumes close to 62% of the unrestricted budget. “I don’t think you can avoid [public safety cuts],” said Parks, who added that balancing the budget by focusing only on other city departments would be impossible. Santana and panelist Gerry Miller, the city’s chief legislative analyst, both said the city will have to make cuts everywhere and uncover efficiencies. They also fingered the city’s pension fund. “It’s impossible to get through the next three years without pension reform,” Santana said. Core Mission Heading into the home stretch of fiscal year 2009/2010, the city is facing a $200 million deficit. The projected deficit for the following year is $400 million. City projections indicate that without any cuts, the deficit would swell to $878 million by 2012/2013 and approach $1 billion the following year. The fiscal crisis did not arise overnight, and last year Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and others struggled with a deficit that for a time was north of $500 million. Still, the city’s budget crafters have repeatedly found ways to balance deficits while using credit to pay current bills. The problem, said Parks, “was that the council didn’t use those fixes as a means to also stay on course.” Now, the financial storm hovering over Los Angeles is exacerbated by the overall economy: High unemployment and reduced retail spending have combined to drastically reduce the city’s projected tax revenues. That has sparked a sense of urgency that has some officials talking insolvency. Indeed, the CCA panel was titled “Dollars & Sense: Is L.A. on the Road to Bankruptcy?” The city is on pace to generate $2.69 billion in tax revenues by July. That would mark a drop from $2.9 billion at the close of fiscal year 2009. Thursday’s panel coincided with the delivery of a letter, signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Parks, Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry and three other council members, to Santana, directing him to implement a series of cost cutting measures. Among those measures, the letter (first reported by the L.A. Times), directs Santana to devise plans to cut at least 1,000 jobs; re-open dialogue with labor unions; and authorize 363 early retirements, in addition to the 2,400 early retirements already authorized by an earlier round of negotiations with

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January 25, 2010

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EDITORIALS Parks for the People

he limited amount of green space in Downtown Los Angeles has long been one of the community’s most troublesome issues, as well as one of the most difficult to resolve. So it is not surprising that area stakeholders, spurred by the growth of the residential population, are taking a variety of steps to address the matter. Plans are in the works for at least four small new parks in Downtown. It is unknown how many will come to fruition — right now only one appears certain — but it is worth it for area activists and local leaders to focus attention and resources on the matter. Even in a cash-starved time, this is something where a relatively small investment can pay off for years to come with an increase in quality of life. As Los Angeles Downtown News reported last week, the park activity is spread across Downtown. The most likely of the four is in the Historic Core; last year the city used $5 million in Quimby funds (the fees assessed to residential developers to create green space) to buy a nearly one-acre parcel on Spring Street between Fourth and Fifth streets. Officials are examining potential designs for the property. They hope to open a new park there in 2011. Three other small spaces are only dreams right now. In two instances, in Chinatown and near the Fashion

Institute of Design & Merchandising, the Community Redevelopment Agency is leading the effort, and is looking at accessing newly available state funds to pay for the projects. Though both are in the early planning stage, they appear to be smart moves, and would serve the greater community. The final park possibility is both the most challenging and the most exciting. A group of residents is leading an effort to have the city purchase a current parking lot at Ninth and Hill streets and turn it into green space. The stakeholders have been aggressive and proactive, and like the CRA on the two parks referenced above, plan to pursue the state funds. This effort will not be easy, as the landowner has previously put an $8 million price tag on the site (before the market tumbled), according to one member of the community group. But as Downtown and other neighborhoods have seen many times before, when residents work together, unexpected things can result. In an uncertain real estate market, it would be foolish to call this impossible. This group of activists should continue their work, and hopefully will receive aid from the public sector. When talking parks in Downtown, it is important to understand the overall situation. There are large and wonderful

green spaces, though not in the Central Business District. Downtown has gems in the Los Angeles State Historic Park on the edge of Chinatown and the Vista Hermosa Natural Park in City West (we won’t count on the Grand Avenue plan’s civic park until we see it). Both are sprawling and are filled with plenty of green, and offer ample opportunity to stroll, picnic or get some exercise. However, both parks are probably underutilized, including by residents of Downtown. That is understandable, because the concept of getting into a car to drive to a park somehow defeats the purpose. Part of the importance of the new parks is that many people would be able to walk to them. Residents and workers on their lunch break could escape the urban rush. Aspects such as a dog run would attract people and enhance the sense of community — just check out how many strangers talk to each other at dog parks. All four park efforts, and perhaps some others not yet publicized, are worth pursuing and deserve public and private support at this point. The payoff could be magnificent for a community with relatively few places to come together and even fewer options to “get away.” There may come a time when, due to cost or other matters, the park plans are not feasible, but for now they are worth exploring.

Mayor’s Job Push Is Late, But Better Than Never

n the past month plenty of attention has been focused on the shake-up of staff in Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office, part of an effort to shift away from the generally unfulfilled promise of his first term. The most interesting and most important of the changes occurred Jan. 11, when Villaraigosa hired businessman Austin Beutner as his new capo for economic development. Beutner’s primary focus boils down to one word: jobs. Beutner has almost unprecedented leeway. Along with the big picture goal of revamping the city’s approach to economic development and business attraction, he’ll oversee the behemoths that are the Department of Water and Power and the Port of Los Angeles. To use a cliché, the mayor is putting a lot of eggs in Beutner’s basket, and is trusting the City Hall outsider not to drop it. This should not be construed as a bad thing: With the city unemployment level around 12%, and an actual unem-

ployment estimate at close to 20% (when people no longer looking for work and those severely under-employed are taken into account), room exists for a radical shift. Clearly the status quo has failed to change the situation. This move has the potential to be very good for Los Angeles. The biggest problem with it is that it comes many months, and perhaps even a year or more, after it should have occurred. The precarious state of local finances did not appear overnight, and unemployment and a nasty city budget deficit should have been getting critical attention and new thinking throughout 2009. Villaraigosa’s flirting with a gubernatorial campaign may have prevented a step like this from occurring previously. The problem is the time it will likely take Beutner to ramp up and effect change, especially in Los Angeles, where the City Council has ample power and is not known for welcoming new thinking, especially when it impinges on

individual council members’ fiefdoms. It is easy to say that everyone recognizes the dire situation and will come together in the effort to create more local industry and get people back to work. It is hard to make that happen when any big picture changes could force council members or others to take steps or cast votes that may raise the hackles of the unions or the business sector. Most council members did not have close working relationships with Beutner before his arrival, and in Los Angeles politics much proceeds from established and trusted ties. So in a way, this forward-thinking move from Villaraigosa comes later than it should have. On the other hand, late is much better than never. Hopefully the various players can quickly learn to work together. Too many people are out of work, and the Los Angeles economy does not appear close to a significant turnaround. A serious shift in government’s approach is necessary. We hope that this will be part of it.

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis 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

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Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie citY Editor: Richard Guzmán stAFF writErs: Anna Scott, Ryan Vaillancourt coNtributiNG Editors: David Friedman, Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Jay Berman, Jeff Favre, Michael X. Ferraro, Kristin Friedrich, Howard Leff, Rod Riggs, Marc Porter Zasada Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins ProductioN AssistANt / EvENt coordiNAtor: Claudia Hernandez PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard AccouNtiNG: Ashley Vandervort AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin sAlEs AssistANt: Annette Cruz clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Steve Epstein, Catherine Holloway, Tam Nguyen, Kelley Smith circulAtioN: Norma Rodas distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.

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January 25, 2010

Downtown News 5

Opinion

The Readers Take Over

worker, I’m so thankful that this case received the level of importance it did. —posted by Robyn, Jan. 14, 4:03 p.m.

Website Comments on Possible Parks, the L.A. Times and More

os Angeles Downtown News posts comments to stories on our website. Here are some of the most recent responses. Additional comments appear on downtownnews.com (comments follow individual articles). Further responses are welcome. Regarding the article “The Downtown Park Push,” about four small proposed Downtown parks, posted online Jan. 15, by Anna Scott

omething so small — does it really make much of a difference? What about vagrants, how is that gonna be patrolled? When these types of spaces are isolated and disconnected from everyday (or night) foot traffic, that sort of thing starts to occur. These are valid concerns. —posted by JS, Jan. 15, 6:54 p.m.

’m glad these parks are moving forward, since Downtown is quite lacking in that department. However, there is little for kids to do in the area. I’m assuming some of these parks will have playgrounds. What would be even better is to have a skate park, perhaps the city’s largest, to attract older and more daring kids while keeping them off office plazas. —posted by Numan Parada, Jan. 15, 9:13 p.m.

omething this small does make a difference. With the population of residents growing so quickly Downtown, green space is important. A one-acre park with a playground is not going to be underappreciated by any means. And vagrant behavior should not be a reason not to have a park. Otherwise why have any anywhere in L.A.? —posted by Downtownophyte, Jan. 18, 9:52 a.m.

he spaces that they are talking about are hardly, if at all, disconnected from foot traffic, day or night. I’m not sure what JS is referring to. Ninth and Hill is a busy intersection with the fully occupied Eastern Columbia Lofts next door, as well as the Orpheum and Union lofts nearby. Not to mention the Blackstone Lofts across the street that are soon to open

and Chase Bank right across the street. The other parks mentioned are also located near heavily trafficked sidewalks. —posted by L.A. Resident, Jan. 18, 2:48 p.m.

very green space makes a difference, especially in the concrete jungle that is Downtown L.A. The Ninth and Hill park should be heavily trafficked, as it’s at the junction of South Park, the Fashion District and the Historic Theater District. And once the Broadway streetcar is up and running (hopefully in 2014), this park should make one of the nicest stops. —posted by Gage, Jan. 18, 8:05 p.m. Regarding the Jan. 18 article “Going to the Dogs,” about a program that pays low-income men to train and socialize dogs, by Ryan Vaillancourt

find that Lori Weiss is not just an average dog rescue organizer. She doesn’t just flip the dogs for cash — she rehabilitates the high-danger, abused dogs and knows that some dogs will never be adopted, that they are hers to keep for the rest of their lives. She also pulls back to view the community as a whole and what an impact education and involvement can have as a massive trickle effect on the dogs. This story captures a small side of the incredible work she does every day. —posted by Lewis Kingsley, Jan. 16, 10:57 a.m. Regarding the Jan. 18 article “Beers and a Game,” about Downtown sports bars, by Ryan Vaillancourt

on’t forget Weiland Brewery in Little Tokyo. Great happy hour and excellent brews with a couple of flat screens! —posted by Joe, Jan. 15, 11:08 p.m.

Regarding the Jan. 13 web update “Arrest Made in Hotel Murder”

hank you LAPD and detectives Thacker and Lake. For such an unassuming hotel and for such an unassuming

Regarding the Jan. 11 column “Divorced From the Times,” about a failed attempt to pay a bill that led to a canceled subscription, by Jon Regardie

stopped the L.A. Times for the very same reason. And to quit the paper was a hassle too — can’t do it online, can’t do it easily by phone either. You have to talk to the “Let’s make a deal” cancellation rep. Took me a number of tries to cancel. Basically their customer care was not very good. Sad too, because I enjoyed reading the L.A. Times and was perfectly willing to pay for a year in advance — again. I’d been doing it a number of years too. —posted by Keith, Jan. 9, 5:48 p.m.

few years ago I decided that I no longer needed the actual paper delivered to my home as I could buy it cheaper at work or gratis on the Internet. I had been a subscriber for over 30 years. They took my information and thanked me. That was it. Nobody cared about why. Nobody tried to convince me. No follow-up calls to inquire as to my decision. If ya ask me, they just got too big and impersonal. —posted by Lee R., Jan. 11, 9:50 a.m.

’m quite surprised to hear this. I have been an L.A. Times subscriber for well over 20 years and we have missed having our paper delivered maybe 10 times during that period. Whenever there has been an issue with my account, I’ve always received excellent customer service. I really consider myself fortunate! I treasure having the actual Times to go over at my leisure. —posted by Coco, Jan. 12, 12:25 p.m. Jon Regardie notes: On the Monday the column printed, I received a call from a Times accounting department employee who had read the story on his lunch break. On his own (without direction from upper level executives) he decided to try to rectify the problem. He was friendly and efficient, immediately corrected the issue of the past high bills, and offered me a new rate that made me want to restart my subscription. I paid, and my first “new” L.A. Times landed on my doorstep two days later.

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Chinatown Plazas Look For Brighter Future Neon Lighting and Weekly ‘Night Market’ Could Highlight Area Improvements by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

community-oriented effort to revitalize the heart of historic Chinatown is picking up steam, as some 40 property owners have applied for up to $3 million in city grants to renovate their buildings. Since July, the Community Redevelopment Agency has been organizing property owners, merchants and other stakeholders in Central and West plazas and Bamboo Lane to come up with a plan to breathe new life, and commerce, into the area. Working with the New York nonprofit Project for Public Spaces, the CRA has hosted a series of workshops to generate ideas for improvements and win over

support from property owners who control the plazas. So far, so good, said Bibiana Yung, assistant project manager for the CRA. “The community is really excited because they see the potential,” Yung said. “They’re really involved.” Dozens of proposals have come out of the community workshops, said Yung. The most popular is the city’s longstanding façade improvement program, which grants up to $70,000 for physical improvements to historic properties. The grants, which require CRA approval of design schemes, will cover new paint, Chinese architectural features and neon lighting. One

image courtesy of Lewis/Schoeplein Architects

Proposed infrastructure improvements for Central Plaza in Chinatown include more lantern lighting and a redesigned playground.

of the first to take advantage of the program was Central Plaza property owner Richard Lu, who used the money to overhaul his three buildings, adding neon lighting and brightening other historic details. The façade improvement program offers $35,000 to individual properties, plus $10,000 for multi-story buildings and an-

other $25,000 for structures with historic or architectural significance. Public Vs. Private The CRA’s Chinatown efforts stem from a realization that the retail scene in the area has gotten quieter over the past few years. The primary commercial nooks of the neighborhood, see Chinatown, page 12

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Downtown News 7

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‘We’re So Thankful That He’s Home’ One of Downtown’s Littlest Residents, 2-Year-Old Luc Garwood, Was Adopted From Haiti Shortly Before the Earthquake by AnnA Scott

She’s single, she lives just up the mountain from Port-auPrince. We don’t know if they’re OK. I know that the adoption was hard for her because she visited him all the time. Then when we came to pick him up, it was the one time that they weren’t able to reach her. It’s hard to think about that, especially now. Who knows what family and friends she’s lost, if she’s OK, if his brothers and sisters are OK?”

Allison Garwood: “When we first heard about the earthquake we were just in such denial and shock. Three or four days afterwards, I started to get really emotional. At the TiGeorges fundraiser [on Jan. 14], it was crazy. We walked in and it was just full of cameras. After maybe five minutes, they all just one by one started turning around and filming Luc. Then this guy taps us on the shoulder and asks if he can interview us. I thought, OK, this is good, because if this gets out, people are going to start thinking about the children and the orphanages. Because at first you think, what can we even do?”

Reed: “The orphanage has a program where, once the adoption is complete, we can send the siblings to school, and we just started that program. Unfortunately, the earthquake destroyed all the schools, but that would have been another way for us to stay in touch. “When we went to bring home Luc, we spent three or four days at the orphanage. They have a guesthouse, you’re united there, and for the next three or four days you’re together as a family. From that point forward, we’d do everything, like feed him breakfast, change his diapers, put him to bed, give him baths. Then we went through Georgia on the way back to see family near Atlanta, then we got back to L.A.”

StAff Writer

n November, Historic Core residents Allison and Reed Garwood adopted a 2-year-old boy, Luc, from Port-auPrince, Haiti. The earthquake that struck the country Jan. 12 had particular resonance for them. In their own words, they discuss the impact it has had on their lives, and the questions it has sparked.

Reed Garwood: “Prior to that, it was just the three of us, reading about the earthquake and trying to process it. But then going to the TiGeorges event was good, because it was sort of a gathering place for other people who were concerned, so that helped it sink in.” Allison: “We’re just wrapping our arms around him tighter right now, we’re so thankful that he’s home. Fortunately the orphanage where he’s from, it’s called God’s Littlest Angels, is totally fine.”

Allison: “He did really well on the flight in to Florida. That was the most amazing feeling, when those tires touched down.”

photo by Gary Leonard

Downtown residents Reed, Luc and Allison Garwood in their Historic Core loft. The couple adopted 2-year-old Luc two months before a devastating earthquake struck Haiti.

Reed: “He has a good fake party laugh. If we’re all laughing, he just laughs too.”

Reed: “Because then he’s a U.S. citizen, when we landed.” Allison: “We were talking yesterday about how he is exactly who we thought he was going to be. He has such a strong personality. I’m surprised at how outgoing he is, how smart he is.”

Reed: “We brought Luc here November 1. We were very appreciative of that, that we had Luc home.”

Reed: “It’s amazing, in two months, the new words and how we see the attachment. When he says, ‘I love you,’ he seems like he kind of understands what it means.”

Allison: “His mother was 24 when she gave him up and she already had three other children. We don’t know very much.

Allison: “And then he’ll do something bad, I’ll call him on it, and he’ll go, ‘I love you’” [laughs].

Allison: “He is such a little adrenaline junkie. When all of those cameras were on him, he was totally fine. I think most kids would’ve cried. We go to the park a lot, and there’s a Downtown parents group, we joined that, and then there’s the Central Library; they read to the children every Tuesday at 11, so we go to that and we just walk around and eat at the restaurants and take him to Huntington gardens, the zoo. Basically the goal is just to expose him to as much as possible because he was in this one building, in this one location, for two years. He’s just eating it up.” Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

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Around Town Continued from page 2 7-11 just after midnight on Jan. 18. One clerk was behind the register at the store at 500 W. Seventh St. when the armed suspect, a male in his 20s, walked in yelling, “Open the register quick. Give me the money,” said Lt. Paul Vernon in a release. Another employee, who was stocking the drink cooler, heard the commotion. “He commanded over and over to open the register with the rifle pointed in the man’s face,” Vernon said. The gunman led the clerk to the cooler, but when neither employee could open the register, the suspect left without taking anything. Several witnesses saw him running, gun in hand, along Seventh Street, then south on Grand Avenue. Witnesses also described a second man who may have acted as a lookout at the door. The robber was identified as an African American man wearing a black night-watch cap. He also wore gloves, blue jeans and a gold watch with a black wristband. He is between 20 and 30 years old and approximately 5-foot-10. Anyone with information is asked to call Central robbery Detective John Arredondo at (213) 9721248. Callers can also phone the 24-hour number at (877) 527-3247.

No More Smoking in Outdoor Dining Areas

t’s getting harder and harder to find a place to smoke in Los Angeles. On Jan. 20, the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that bans smoking in the city’s outdoor dining areas. The ordinance, proposed by Councilman Greig

Smith, prohibits smoking within 10 feet of outdoor restaurant patios and entrances and within 40 feet of mobile food trucks. There will be a one-year grace period before the ban goes into effect, said Matt Myerhoff, communications director for Smith. Nightclubs, bars and private events that serve people older than 18 will be exempt from the new ordinance. In 2002, the city banned smoking within 25 feet of playground equipment and fields as well as picnic areas, and in 2004 the ban was extended to beaches. In 2007, a smoking ban took effect in all city parks, and state law bars smoking inside all restaurants.

Puesto Continued from page 1 merchants pay rates that are far below market value, with an average rent of $1.35 per square foot per month. Market rates for comparable retail spaces are $2.65-$6.75, according to a recent audit of El Pueblo by the City Controller’s office.

Stun Gun Bandit Caught

n December, Central Division police detectives reported a Fashion District boutique robbery, in which the suspect shocked the store clerk with a stun gun. Now, the “Stun Gun Bandit” is behind bars. Detectives arrested Lester Robert Evans, 68, on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Evidence found in Evans’ apartment helped tie him to the Dec. 19, 2009 boutique robbery. Last Tuesday Evans allegedly attempted to rob a bank where he had an account. Officers broadcast the suspect’s description over the radio, and soon learned about Evans, who was on parole for bank robbery. Detectives went to his Skid Row apartment within minutes and found Evans. They searched the apartment and seized evidence linking him to the bank robbery as well as the boutique theft. “We had a feeling this guy would surface eventually,” said Lt. Paul Vernon in a statement. “Two robberies in two months and a convicted bank robber to boot; we’ll be looking closely to see if he’s responsible for any other robberies.” Evans was booked for the bank robbery and no bail was set as he is on parole.

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Public Hearings On Bus Service February 3-10 Proposed Metro bus service changes for this coming June will be discussed at public meetings being held February 3-10 in the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley and the Westside. For details about the proposed changes along with the time, date and location of the hearing nearest you, check online at metro.net.

Breaking Metro News Online At “The Source” Now you can get instant updates on the issues and actions that keep LA County moving. Just go to “The Source,” a timely online news and feature service that is updated throughout the day on developments that a=ect Metro’s projects and services. Look for it today at metro.net.

I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Underway Motorists face road closures and construction delays on the I-405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass for the next few years – but with a big pay-o= in the end. Widening the freeway between the I-10 and U.S. 101 freeways will add a northbound carpool lane and reduce travel time on one of the busiest – and most congested – freeways in the nation.

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January 25, 2010

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photo by Gary Leonard

Tenants at the six temporary “puestos” on Olvera Street will pay up to $2,000 a month in rent. Longtime puesto owners pay an average of $300 a month.

A rent study commissioned by El Pueblo outlining what new rents should be was scheduled to be released late last week (after Los Angeles Downtown News went to press). That study will be used as the city prepares to negotiate new rents with the tenants. A Test Jesus Hernandez, who owns Hernandez and Sons, a longtime puesto that sells clothing, said some tenants think the rents paid by the temporary businesses are a test to see how much the city can charge at Olvera Street. He believes those figures will be used as a negotiating ploy with all tenants. “They’re trying to see how many people are willing to come in and see how much they are willing to pay, and then use that as a weapon against us,” Hernandez said. “But the rent they are paying is ridiculous and I don’t think they’ll be able to last even a month.” Hernandez pays about $400 a month for his space. He said at times he can make as little as $50 a day and can’t hire any employees to help with his business. “How are they going to be able to pay those rents? They think we’re here making millions, but I have $10 in my drawer right now,” he said. More than a half dozen other people manning permanent puestos refused to comment for this story. Andrade said that he will use the rent study, rather than what the temporary business owners pay, as a guide during negotiations. Louie said the study puts the high end of the puesto rents at about $1,200. Still, the true market value may be more in line with what the temporary puestos are paying, said Derrick Moore, vice president of brokerage services at real estate firm CB Richard Ellis. “Small kiosks like that at malls or similar places can draw from $1,200 to $2,500 a month,” he said. “It’s absolutely a fair rent to charge.” Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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10 Downtown News

Foreclosure Continued from page 1 to occupied properties such as The Flat, an apartment complex in City West. Lender takeovers have proceeded quickly in some cases, while other projects have languished in the process. “There’s no formula for why one lender isn’t acting like this other lender,” said Gary Painter, director of research at USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate. “In some cases it’s best to go into foreclosure, get what you can and close the books. In other cases, you might have a weak position as a lender so you might want to negotiate. Unfortunately, there’s not a simple story to be told.” Foreclosure Factors The foreclosure process, whether involving a single-family home or a billion-dollar project, typically starts with a simple warning: When a borrower misses enough payments on a loan, the lender will issue a notice demanding pay. Approximately three months after this “notice of default” in a normal foreclosure, the lender can take ownership of the project or property and auction it off to the highest bidder. But most often, things do not unfold according to that timeline. “The lender often believes that filing the notice sets the timeline, and then perhaps they can get down to negotiating with the borrower,” said Hal Reichwald, a partner at the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP and an advisor to real estate lenders. “No lender really wants to take the property into its own pocket. It adds a burden, because now they have to market this.” Borrowers can avoid losing projects by forking over more money, Reichwald said, or sometimes by otherwise restructuring their loans. In some cases, when a property is not worth much, lenders might be willing to work out a deal, he said. For example, in November Wachovia bank (now Wells Fargo) initiated foreclosure proceedings on an undeveloped former parking lot in South Park, slated for the $1 billion

photo by Gary Leonard

South Park’s Evo is one of the Downtown projects that was taken over in a process known as a “friendly foreclosure.” Though technically not a foreclosure, the transaction has the same end result — the lender gets the property.

L.A. Central. New York-based developer the Moinian Group owes the bank approximately $45.6 million, according to the original default notice. Moinian Group Director of Development Oskar Brecher last week said the company is still in negotiations with the bank and hopes to keep the land. The developer might have a chance, said Reichwald. “It’s less likely that the bank would want that property than a completed project,” he said. “There is no inherent value in that piece of undeveloped property, except its location. It has potential, but not in the near term.” On the other end of the spectrum, lender China Trust Bank moved aggressively last fall to take over the nearly fully occupied project The Flat, after owner 750 Garland LLC defaulted on a $23 million construction loan. China Trust sold the building to the private equity fund SA Properties for $20 million in October, just months after 750 Garland had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an attempt to hang on to the property.

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after developer MJW Investments backed out. Patriot subsequently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but according to court documents did not follow through with a reorganization plan to pay off senior lender Bank of America’s $47 million loan. The bankruptcy case was dismissed in October, and Bank of America now owns the property. One of the four buildings never opened and remains empty, and experts say it will likely stay that way for some time. Empty Nests Regardless of the behind-the-scenes machinations of Downtown’s lender-owned properties, experts say the local landscape is likely to remain dotted with empty or undeveloped projects for many months. The 12-story Brockman Building at Seventh Street and Grand Avenue, constructed as a condominium project, has been in the hands of a bankruptcy court-appointed trustee since developer the West Millennium Group defaulted on a $35 million loan and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last April. Lender Bank of America has yet to foreclose on the unoccupied building, though the institution is expected to in the second half of this year, said property trustee Amy Goldman, an attorney with Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP. Even after that, the bank is unlikely to rush to sell or lease units — a situation that is increasingly common in the current financial climate, experts say. “If you don’t know what the whole portfolio of that bank is, it’s hard to know” why Bank of America would delay foreclosure, said Painter. However, he said, “You’re definitely seeing banks and lenders holding on to properties. Banks don’t typically like to become landlords… when they do find a buyer, then they can have issues with rental rights and so forth, and that can snag a sale.” In short, Downtowners — like stakeholders in cities across the country — can expect to see many lender-owners sitting on assets for the time being, whether they are occupied, empty or undeveloped projects, until the time is right to sell to the highest bidder. Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

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The Flat’s reliable stream of rental income, Reichwald said, was likely a big factor in the bank’s swift action. “Access to value is the key,” he said. “How quickly can you extract value and get on with it?” Keeping It Friendly There is another piece of the foreclosure puzzle, distinct from forcible lender takeovers. Some Downtown developers have seemingly gone the “friendly foreclosure” route, handing their projects over to lenders in lieu of loan payments. These “deed-in-lieu” transactions are not technically foreclosures, but are usually preceded by the same situation (a borrower can not pay back a loan), and have the same result (a lender-owned property). The South Group, developer of the $141 million high-rise Evo in South Park, stepped away from the project last year, leaving it in the hands of lender Westport Capital Partners. The 311-condo project, completed in late 2008, continues to sell units. These types of deals can carry significantly more risk than a straightforward foreclosure, experts say. “The problem is the lender is then subject to everything that the owner might have been subject to, including mechanics’ liens and all kinds of other statutory provisions,” said Reichwald. “When you go through a foreclosure process, you essentially wipe out all liens that are junior to you.” Still, he said, deed-in-lieu can be an attractive option if a lender knows a buyer or borrower stands ready to make payments. In the case of Evo, Westport Capital is a secondary, or “mezzanine” lender. “What may have happened, and often does, is the mezzanine lender will take a property and then seek to renegotiate the senior loan,” said real estate attorney Lewis G. Feldman, chair of the Los Angeles branch of Goodwin Proctor. “Debt is trading hands.” Some projects with complex financing structures end up trading hands more than once. The Connecticut-based Patriot Group, a mezzanine lender for the Fashion District’s Santee Village complex, took over the project’s four condominium buildings in October 2008,

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Downtown News 11

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Suits

photo by Gary Leonard

A common sight on the street these days is shops offering two suits for $99.

what is known as its S number: The unit, generally printed on the sleeve, indicates the diameter of the threads of wool, and usually ranges from the Super 100s to the Super 200s. The thinner the thread (and the higher the S number), the higher the quality of the garment. On a recent afternoon, three stores near Roger Stuart boasted racks of suits labeled as Super 120s and Super 140s. They also had sewn-in labels with generic Italian names. But the interior pockets of those suits had tags detailing the fabric composition as 100% polyester, or sometimes a polyester and rayon blend. Another tag behind the collars proclaimed “Made in China” or “Made in Mongolia.” When questioned about the S number on the sleeve, shopkeepers at Marco Ferno, Romantic Fine Men’s Clothing and New York Town Clothing all claimed that the S number does not necessarily indicate a wool garment, and that it could refer to the quality of the alternative material. The federal act that regulates the labeling of synthetic textiles does not contain a reference to S numbers, said Steve Ecklund, an investigator in the Federal Trade Commission’s enforcement division. Nor is there a law prohibiting shops from attaching an S number to synthetic garments. The only thing that could bring about prosecution, he said, would be if

the

Continued from page 1 suits the street built its reputation on, now the block is peppered with bargain stores hawking polyester suits at toogood-to-be-true prices. Roger Keller, whose father Milton founded Roger Stuart Clothes in 1969, can point to a culprit from his shop at 729 S. Los Angeles St. Right across the street is a store advertising two suits for $99. Historically, Keller said, the street’s shops tinkered with the same basic business model: Buy quality garments from companies that sell at slightly less than wholesale price, so the merchants could make a profit selling at the real wholesale level. The Los Angeles Street stores targeted wholesalers who sourced their suits from reputable fabric mills and pattern makers in New York. The resulting product would be similar to well-known designer names, but cheaper because they were branded under a lesser-known moniker, he said. In the last 10 years or so, however, the two for $99 deal has become ubiquitous. For that price, the buyer gets garments fashioned from polyester or rayon (and sometimes mislabeled as wool), and at some shops the deal comes with a shirt, tie and pocket square. Most of those garments are made in China. The cutthroat competition isn’t the only reason for the change. Experts point to a general shift in men’s fashion, and like in most retail-oriented industries, the rise of the big box stores. Still, those who made a life in the Los Angeles Street suit corridor can’t help but express a sense of regret. “It’s a shame,” Keller said. S Factor The most direct challenge to the old way of doing business comes from the two-for-99ers. At least that’s how Keller sees it. He charges that the bargain hawkers amount to unfair competition because they market synthetic suits as wool — a practice he says is allowed by a loophole in the federal act regulating the labeling of wool imports. Consumers can usually identify the quality of a wool suit by

consumers were being misled by the inclusion of the S number label on synthetic suits. “If it’s deceptive, it’s illegal,” Ecklund said. “That’s really the bottom line.” Keller, whose suits range from $129-$950, harnesses some bitterness toward the competition. So does Max Simonian, who opened the suit store Tutto Italy Connection on the street five months ago (he owned another Los Angeles Street shop for 15 years before that). He charged that the apparent bargains are bad deals for consumers, who end up with a suit that doesn’t last. “They catch some of the better customers who don’t know any better,” Keller said. “My beef with it is a guy who wants a legitimate suit but doesn’t know the difference — I can’t fault a guy for being ignorant. He’s never had the education. Nobody has ever said this is synthetic, this is wool, and this is better and here’s why. And so he buys a piece of garbage.” But one shopkeeper at a store offering the two for $99 deal, who declined to be identified, brushed off the notion that shops like hers compete with Roger Stuart or the other stores selling higher priced suits. “If you buy it cheaper, you can sell it cheaper,” she said. “People who come to buy here have their budget, and we meet that. These people who come here aren’t going over there to pay $200 on a suit. It’s a different customer.” Offending Raymond Chandler In addition to the local challenges, there are changing fashions: The mannequins who live in Los Angeles Street’s windows used to sport mostly classic numbers, sometimes with a vest, maybe a hat too. Now, they also wear ruby red, pinstriped suits with double breasted coats and needle sharp, faux alligator skin shoes — the kind of ensemble that would make Raymond Chandler roll over in his grave. But the sharpest nail in the suit merchant’s coffin, said fashion historian Kevin Jones, who curates the museum at the Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising, is the simple fact that men hardly wear suits anymore, unless they work in an office tower or are attending a formal event. In mid-century Los Angeles and before, “The only time you wouldn’t wear a tie is if you were lounging at home or see Suits, page 12

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Suits Continued from page 11 at a seaside summer holiday,” said Jones. “Otherwise, you dressed appropriately according to where it was you were going to be. Today, what we consider appropriate is what we’re comfortable in.” Those who miss the suit and hat aesthetic can, in part, blame the Vietnam war and the post-Kennedy hippie movement it helped spawn, Jones said. With the onset of flower power and homemade sundresses, and sometimes a preference for no clothes at all, American youth saw the suit as a symbol of the establishment. These days, Jones said, America is a jeans society. Most men who need a suit for the big interview or their cousin’s wedding are more likely to go to big box stores such as Men’s

January 25, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews Warehouse or 3 Day Suit Broker. “It’s the take-out window mentality,” Jones said. “Our generation, what we’re used to is not going and having a suit made with our dad…. Now you can get everything taken care of for you in an hour and then they’ll mail it to you, and that can be anything from a formal tux to a sport suit.” Of course, the old guard has not completely gone away in Downtown. In addition to shopping malls such as Macy’s Plaza, many men, especially those who work in the Bunker Hill office towers, still patronize standbys such as GB Harb & Son or Brooks Brothers. Measuring the Future As Keller has watched his main competitors and colleagues on the street fold, he said he has survived in part by evolving. Instead of settling for the suits that the largest producers and distributors were offering, he basically created the store’s own line, branded as Emilio Yuste, contracting with fabric mills and pattern makers in Italy. His goods are manufactured

mostly in Italy and Spain. The company also created its own wholesale division, housed in the upper floors of a neighboring Los Angeles Street building, from which it ships suits, coats and slacks to some 250 stores nationwide. He sees Roger Stuart persisting, though he admits business is tough. Peter Kaplan, who ran Academy Award Clothes (his father, Jules Kaplan, opened the shop in 1950), shuttered the shop after more than a decade of declining sales. Plus, for the 70-year-old businessman, it was simply time to hang up his measuring tape. As for the prospects of the suit making a comeback, Jones, the FIDM Museum curator, sees a possibility. He’s observing more men in vintage suits, or new suits inspired by vintage designs, a trend he credits in large part to the influence of cultural vehicles like cable network AMC’s hit series “Mad Men.” “My thought is, how trendy is this going to be?” Jones asked. “Things continue to evolve, and Lord willing 50 years from now what we’re talking about will be irrelevant. It will have morphed into something else because that is life and that is fashion.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

Chinatown Continued from page 6 namely Central and West plazas and Bamboo Lane, are often sleepy and silent after dark, despite their concentration of restaurants, souvenir shops and bars. Physical improvements, along with proposed weekend and evening programming, are meant to lure pedestrians back to Chinatown. That would enliven the area and bring in additioanl retail dollars, Yung said. Taking cues from the community, the CRA and the Project for Public Spaces have identified a host of other proposed infrastructure and design improvements for the three areas. Those would be phased in over time, she said. The most immediate focus is to create a weekly “night market.” The concept, which arose in partnership with a steering committee comprised of about 30 individuals who participated in the workshops, would bring produce vendors, souvenir merchants and educational booths to Central Plaza, thereby attracting crowds. Yung said the market was deemed a priority by community members and that they hope to have it operating by early summer. Among proposed physical changes are a teahouse in West Plaza and a stage in Central Plaza to accommodate performances. A projection screen, also in Central Plaza, would show Chinese films and neighborhood announcements. The projection screen, proposed for the second-level façade of the Wonder Bakery, was largely embraced by workshop participants. But in order for that plan to proceed, it will require approval from building owner Tony Quon, who is also property manager for the L.A. Chinatown Corporation, which owns all the streets and walkways in Central Plaza. In fact, all of the proposed physical enhancements for Central Plaza, which also include refurbished public bathrooms, a new water feature, new benches and more outdoor picnic-style seating, will require approval from the L.A. Chinatown Corporation. The fact that Central Plaza, which has the feel of public space, is actually privately owned, has long been a wrinkle in efforts to change the area. But Quon and Yung both said that the recent workshops have helped improve relationships among area stakeholders. Quon said that, while physical upgrades need to be approved on a project-by-project basis, the organization is largely warm to the idea of beautifying the plaza. “We’re in complete support of this program,” Quon said. “It’s just a matter of figuring out the best use of monies available and how to pay for maintenance in the long run.” That issue is an important one, since the CRA funds for the project, which are about $3 million, will likely be dried up by the façade improvements, new bathrooms and seed money for the night market, said Yung. She added that the local stakeholders will have to get creative in coming up with additional funds. “We are going to fund some of it, but we don’t have all the money,” she said. “We need people in the newly formed steering committee to get involved in fundraising and grant writing, and using their own connections for sponsorships.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

Downtown News 13

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RESTAURANTS The Trojan KiTchen

photos by Gary Leonard

January 25, 2010

The Lab is one of four off-campus restaurants opened by USC last year. It has become a hangout for students and members of the community alike.

USC Hospitality Upgrades Cafeteria Food, With a Roster of 39 Restaurants by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

hen you consider all of the dining options available in Downtown, including the numerous establishments helmed by name chefs, eating at a school-run joint might seem out of the question. But at USC, stereotypical cafeteria food is what’s out of the question. Even non-students, including Downtown workers and residents just a short drive from the campus, are occasionally heading south for a quick bite or even a long dinner. USC Hospitality, which operates 39 restaurants under the school’s Auxiliary Services division, has been quietly building a respectable list of eateries. They focus on meeting the nutritional needs of hungry students as well as attracting regulars from beyond the campus. It’s not just meal service, but a veritable and vibrant business. Last year the group opened four off-campus restaurants near USC, and in 2010 will be adding to its culinary empire with several more eateries at an upcoming campus center. “We’re very, very excited to put a new stamp on what a college food operation is like,” said Thomas Moran, the executive chef for USC Hospitality. USC Hospitality is self-funded. It operates with a $50 million budget and has a staff of 518 employees, including seven sous chefs. “We really look to make sure we bring in some creative folks, chefs, and partner with people to help them design and create menus and spaces that we really believe will draw people in,” said Kris Klinger, director of hospitality for USC. Many of the spots are familiar brands. The campus has a Wahoo’s Fish Taco, Baja Fresh and a Wolfgang Puck establishment, among other options. But the department also has created original restaurants, particularly in the last year, aimed directly at the college crowd. They include McKay’s, a 160-seat restaurant dedicated to famed USC coach John McKay; Rosso Oro’s Pizzeria, a 45seat New York style pizzeria; and what university officials call their standouts — The Lab, and URBNMRKT. “Those define the direction we’re going,” Klinger said. “We’re renovating and redefining USC Hospitality as we move forward.” But before they redefine it, they must build it. In that regard, USC Hospitality officials continuously survey students and faculty about what they want.

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In the fall the university will debut the 192,000-square-foot, five-story Ronald Tutor Campus Center that will house several alumni associations, student services and new restaurants helmed by USC Hospitality. Although details have not been released, the center will include a market and a 4,200-square-foot restaurant with a menu that Klinger described as California cuisine serving “farm to fork” food. Lab Partners One of the most popular restaurants on USC’s off-campus roster is The Lab, at 3500 S. Figueroa Blvd. The 264-seat restaurant opened in March and has become a popular hangout for students, faculty and tourists. It follows the gastropub concept, offering quick meals like burgers and sandwiches. A dinner menu includes entrees such as seared scallops with wild harvest grains and grilled flatiron steak. Being near a college campus, it offers a healthy selection of beers including Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap. There are also microbrews such as Green Flash IPA and Trojan Blonde, which is made exclusively for The Lab. “We wanted it to be a place where you can get beer and fries or grilled salmon and a glass of wine,” Moran said. “It’s a

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lunch spot, a date spot and a sports bar as well.” The look of the restaurant is also something most may not expect from a school eatery. The decor is reminiscent of a science lab, with white walls, slate-topped tables, beakers for beer mugs and bookshelves filled with science books. Communal tables and flat screen TVs also make it an attractive place for sports fans to socialize. “I come here for all the games, and I know that since it’s near the school it’s going to be fun and lively all the time,” said Andrew Carter, who works in the area and frequents The Lab, during a recent lunch. The clientele is expectedly filled with USC students and staff. Even on a rainy afternoon, about 20 people were hanging out at The Lab. “It’s a great way to get out of campus and relax while not really being that far away,” said Jasmine Bagley, a USC student. Off to the Market In September, the university opened URBNMRKT, at 3434 S. Grand Ave. Built out of a loading dock, it offers a more subdued atmosphere than The Lab. It is less frequented by students and attracts a healthy business crowd. The 77-seat restaurant has an industrial feel with high ceilings, steel panels, concrete floors, floor-to-ceiling windows facing the street and three booths made out of the original truck bays. The average check is $5-$7 per person. “It’s a place where you can grab a sandwich, chips and soda and leave, or get a roasted chicken, take it home for dinner or have breakfast and lunch there too,” Moran said. While USC Hospitality has no shortage of built-in customers, it still has to contend with the vibrant Downtown dining scene that includes restaurants helmed by well-known chefs, as well as a number of hip and stylish neighborhood spots. Even as the school’s offerings have grown, competition has risen a few miles up the Figueroa Corridor, where the glitzy L.A. Live has a roster of 12 restaurants. Klinger said they see their neighbors more as partners than competition. Indeed, in November the school teamed up with L.A. Live developer Anschutz Entertainment Group to provide free shuttle service between The Lab and the South Park entertainment and sports campus. “We considered it part of opening up the corridor and we believe it’s all about being a good part of this community,” Klinger said. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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CALENDAR Back to the Ball

The Joffrey Ballet Brings Cinderella and Her Glass Slipper to Downtown

by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

veryone knows the tale: A beautiful young girl is tormented by her ugly stepsisters and told she can’t attend the ball. But after a little magical help from her fairy godmother and a glass slipper, she sweeps the prince off his feet at the dance. Following some shoe-searching, they live happily ever after. In Downtown Los Angeles this week, the Joffrey Ballet plans on sweeping audiences off their feet. The renowned Chicago-based company will present five performances of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella. The company will bring a cast of 50 dancers and eye-catching costumes and sets to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Jan. 28-31. The Joffrey’s most sizeable production ever includes a working coach for Cinderella. “It’s a traditional telling of Cinderella, traditional ballet telling, not to be confused with the Disney version,” said Renae Williams, director of dance presentations at the Music Center. However, the essence of the story remains the same, Williams said. Performed in three acts with a score from Sergei Prokofiev, the ballet follows the story of a young girl who is taken advantage of by her stepsisters. But she dreams of falling in love and, in this case, she yearns to become a ballerina. Cinderella’s famous blue dress also gets a bit of a makeover. In the Joffrey version, it becomes a classic tutu. Meanwhile, the evil stepsisters become the ugly stepsisters — all are played by men. “It’s something that for decades male dancers have had so much fun with,” Williams said. Ashton, who is considered one of the leading storytellers in ballet, also had a lot of fun with the show that premiered at England’s Sadler’s Wells Ballet in 1948. He created the roles to be danced by men in drag following the style of English pantomime. In the ballet’s first production, he performed as one of the stepsisters. For the Downtown performance, one of the ugly stepsisters will be played by Willy Shives, an 11-year veteran of the Joffrey and winner of the 2003 Dance Achievement Award from the Chicago Dance and Music Alliance. The father of two girls said he recalled his daughters’ childhood love of Cinderella when preparing for the role. “They haven’t seen it yet, and I don’t prance around doing my steps at home, but I’m sure they will enjoy it,” he said. Men playing the role of the sisters isn’t just fun for the dancers. It also adds a dramatic element to the storyline.

photos by Herbert Migdoll

Victoria Jaiani is one of three dancers playing the title role in the Joffrey Ballet’s version of Cinderella. It runs at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Jan. 28-31. (top) Calvin Kitten plays the Jester in the show from the Chicago-based company.

“It makes Cinderella seem more petite, more innocent and at the same time so much more beautiful,” Shives said. A True Princess Of course, the belle of the ball is Cinderella. She will be played by three dancers who alternate performances. Victoria Jaiani, a 24-year-old who’s been with the company for six years, is one of the ballerinas handling the assignment. She realizes she is basically living every little girl’s fantasy, and she has allowed herself to become immersed in the role. “I really get involved and become Cinderella for the moment,” she said. “I feel young, and look forward to going to the ball and imagine how she would feel. As I’m dancing, I’m trying to be Cinderella. I’m no longer Victoria but Cinderella.” Jaiani, a native of the Republic of Georgia, credits the lighting, set design and costumes for helping her fall into the role. “The sets are gorgeous; just being in the carriage and feel-

ing what Cinderella would feel is pretty awesome,” she said. “I hope the audience also loses themselves in this world for at least a couple of hours.” When it comes to the dancing, the company sticks strictly to Ashton’s originally choreography, which for the Joffrey production is being staged by Wendy Ellis Somes. Shives said that means very detailed and quick work, with an emphasis placed on precision. “It’s very classical; arms are low, arms are rounded,” he said. Just as important as Ashton’s choreography is Prokofiev’s score. The composer began work on Cinderella in 1940, but put it on hold during World War II to write the opera War and Peace. He completed the music for Cinderella in 1944. “The music is so rich and perfectly matches the choreography,” Shives said. “It becomes a marriage, one in the same that really tells the story.” New Talent Founded in 1956 by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, the company is one of the most recognizable artistic organizations in the nation. It began with six dancers who traveled across the country in a station wagon pulling a U-Haul. Since then the troupe has performed at the White House at the invitation of Jacqueline Kennedy, was the first American company to visit Russia and has appeared on the cover of Time magazine. This season the Joffrey has some new faces, including nine dancers who are taking on prominent roles in Cinderella. It’s part of a rush of change — in 2007, the company named dancer Ashley Wheater as artistic director, the first person to fill the post after the death of Arpino. That means the company is familiar, but with some new additions, said Williams. “It’s the Joffrey we all know and love, but slightly different, and I think enhanced in so many ways,” Williams said. “We’ll see a lot of our favorite dancers that a good number of L.A. audiences have grown to connect with, but there’s also some real freshness happening in the company.” While there is sophistication and artistry in the company’s performance, there is also a lot of fun and a timeless story. Shives predicts it will impress a range of audiences. “Everyone can enjoy it, from a 5-year-old kid to a 50-yearold kid,” Shives said. Cinderella plays Jan. 28-31 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0711 or musiccenter.org. Tickets can also be purchased at ticketmaster.com or (800) 982-2787. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

January 25, 2010

Downtown News 15

DowntownNews.com

Return of the Man-Child Paul Reubens Has a Successful New Adventure With His Pee-wee Herman Reincarnation by Jeff favre contributing writer

verything is just as you remember it, from the trademark gray suit and red bowtie, to the overstuffed talking chair and wacky robot, to the whimsical fancies of childhood. For millions of fans older than 30, Paul Reubens’ Pee-wee Herman evokes a sense of playfulness and unbridled joy, thanks to a Saturday morning TV show and two feature films, including the 1985 hit Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (directed by Tim Burton). True fans know that the man-child first gained popularity in a live show that debuted in 1981 at the Roxy in West Hollywood. Now Pee-wee and his pals are back. The Peewee Herman Show, directed by Alex Timbers and written by Reubens, Bill Steinkellner and John Paragon, is playing an unprecedented 32-performance run in Downtown Los Angeles at Club Nokia, a replacement venue after high ticket sales prompted a move from the smaller Music Box in Hollywood. The show runs through Feb. 7. As Reubens — or rather Pee-wee — has advertised, this is an amalgam of “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which ran on TV from 1986-90, and the Roxy production, with new material sprinkled throughout the 80-minute, visually intoxicating escapade. But unlike the original live show, which was filled with adult humor, this is a PG production, raised from a G by a few double entendres. Regardless of its rating, Pee-wee fans — who have had little sight of their hero since

his 1991 arrest in a Florida pornographic movie house — will not be disappointed. Reubens may be 57, but his character looks and acts exactly the same. His humor remains both innocent and intelligent. Best of all, the funniest moments are the new ones, proving that Pee-wee can survive in 2010 without missing a beat. Still, most of this is vintage Pee-wee, whose Playhouse in puppetland looks much as you might remember. There are the animated objects, such as Chairry and Magic Screen (both voiced by Lori Alan), along with Conky the robot and Clocky (the voice of Josh Meyers). The human population includes Miss Yvonne (Lynne Marie Stewart), Cowboy Curtis (Phil LaMarr, in a role originated by Laurence Fishburne) and Jambi the genie (Paragon). A new character is Bear (Drew Powell), replacing Captain Carl, who was portrayed by the late Phil Hartman. Yes, there’s a secret word, which when spoken elicits screams from the audience, and there’s a cartoon presented by the King of Cartoons (Lance Roberts). While it’s hardly necessary, the show contains a barebones storyline concerning dreams — specifically Pee-wee wanting to fly, and Miss Yvonne’s desire to have Cowboy Curtis like her. Like a classic rock band playing the hits, Pee-wee dips into every one of his well-known bits, with the biggest shouts accompanying his famous dance to the song “Tequila.” The strongest of the new material involves

photo by Jeff Vespa

In The Pee-wee Herman Show, everything old is new again. The production at Club Nokia runs through Feb. 7.

Pee-wee wearing an “abstinence ring” that he believes will magically solve any boy-girl issues, and the Bear character, which communicates through pantomime. Timbers, who at 31 caught the show during its original TV run, recaptures the grade school tone and snappy pacing of the television program. Jokes that bomb are soon forgotten as the action keeps rolling. The cast works well together, with Paragon earning most of the laughs as Jambi and as the voice of Pterri the Pterodactyl. But the standout — after Reubens — is the set, designed by David Korins (Jimmy Cuomo, the original “Playhouse” creator, is listed as a consultant). Full of sharp angled, Technicolor walls and whimsical detail, the Playhouse is a cartoon come to life. It is complemented by Ann Closs-Farley’s wacky costumes and highlighted by Cowboy Curtis’ heart-adorned chaps. Hiring puppet guru Basil Twist as a consultant was an inspired choice. Each puppet

Ultimate Lifetime Experience

character has a strong sense of personality, in particular Chairry, who elegantly shares a romantic dance with Pee-wee. Clearly, though, the show rises and falls with Reubens, whose comic timing remains razor sharp. The veteran improv actor also understands that the key to Pee-wee is that he always be likable, even when he’s being annoying or rude. On the downside, The Pee-wee Herman Show occasionally drags and becomes repetitive, which could be solved by a bit of trimming. Also, it’s difficult to know if adults who aren’t familiar with Pee-wee Herman will appreciate the cornball jokes and playground name calling. But parents who grew up with Pee-wee should bring their children, because the same things that made 10-year-olds laugh 30 years ago will elicit giggles today. The Pee-wee Herman Show runs through Feb. 7 at Club Nokia, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or peewee.com/new/show.html.

30-Country World Tour

The Show That’s Leaving Millions In Awe

‘I will give this production 5 stars. That’s the top!’ — Richard Connema, Talkin’ Broadway Critic

‘Absolutely magical… you have to see it to believe it’ — Christine Walevska, Cello Virtuoso

‘Top—This is Top!‘

‘Incredible’ —MSNBC

hen Yun Performing Arts returns to the Los Angeles presenting classical Chinese dance and music in a lavishly colorful and exhilarating show. Its masterful choreography ranges from grand imperial processions to legions of thunderous drums, with gorgeously costumed

dancers moving in stunning synchronized patterns. Spectacular visuals take you to another world, with blossoming landscapes and celestial palaces appearing on beautiful animated backdrops. Groundbreaking music seamlessly combines the best of the East and West, giving each dance an unmistakable

‘Spectacular... gorgeous... a joyous celebration.’

flair. Ancient legends of virtue and modern tales of courage are brought to life by over a dozen dances and songs, making for one extraordinary, uplifting, and unforgettable experience. Shen Yun Performing Arts brings together over a hundred of the world’s foremost classically

— Theatre Scene

trained dancers, choreographers, and musicians. Based in New York, Shen Yun is independent of China’s political regime and proud to include artists who practice the Falun Gong meditation. It seeks to revive and breathe new life into traditional Chinese culture while providing an experience of sublime beauty.

‘The Best! The Best! The Best!

‘Brilliant Choreography... Extravagantly Beautiful’ — Broadway World

— The Chicago Tribune

Shen Yun

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16 Downtown News

January 25, 2009

DowntownNews.com

LISTINGS

EVENTS Tuesday, Jan. 26 Aloud at Central 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7000 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: T.C. Boyle discusses and reads stories from his latest collection, “Wild Child.” Subjects range from a California suburb terrorized by a mountain lion, to Napoleonic France where a feral child is captured naked in the forest.

THE ‘DON’T MISS’ LIST

Wednesday, Jan. 27 SCI-Arc Lecture Series 960 E. Third St., (213) 613-2200 or sciarc.edu. 7 p.m.: The school invites to the podium the duo behind experimental music group Matmos, M.C. Schmidt and Drew Daniel. In their recordings and live performances over the last 12 years, Matmos has employed such unlikely instruments as amplified crayfish nerve tissue, the turning pages of Bibles, a bowed five-string banjo, slowed-down whistles and kisses, and water hitting copper plates.

The prolific T.C. Boyle, author of 11 novels including The Women, The Tortilla Curtain and World’s End, plus eight collections of short stories, will appear at the Central Library on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. to discuss his work. The Santa Barbara resident is known for his biting satire, humor and ability to seamlessly blend realistic and magical story elements, as well as his skinny frame and goatee. He is also one of the rare vibrant authors, able to make readings something akin to performances. This week’s event, part of the Aloud lecture series, is sold out, but standby tickets are usually available at the door. At 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org.

Friday, Jan. 29 Farmlab Public Salons 1745 N. Spring St., Unit 4, (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. Noon: Artist Anne Bray, director of the media arts organization Freewaves, discusses the Los Angeles billboard fiasco and how artists are tackling it. saTurday, Jan. 30 Are You Smarter Than a Middle Schooler? California African American Museum, (213) 7442024 or caammuseum.org. 1 p.m.: If you have fond memories of middle school debate assignments, this event’s for you: The debate teams from Walton Middle School, Compton and Harvard-Westlake School hash out whether the United States government should pay reparations for slavery. RSVP. Art and Architecture Scavenger Hunt Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., (323) 799-1374 or outoftheboxevents.net. 2-5 p.m.: This Downtown scavenger hunt coordinated by Out of the Box Events leads to hidden gems and challenges your wit. Highlights include the building whose blueprint was a ouija board, littleknown passageways, art hidden in plain sight and the world’s largest abstract mural.

two

Three

After hosting a sold-out appearance by Ringo Starr last week, the Grammy Museum follows up this weekend with a change of pace. The museum’s second annual Children’s Music Celebration will take place on Saturday, Jan. 30, at noon, and features performances from all six nominees for the Grammy Awards for best musical and spoken word albums for children. The lineup includes Buck Howdy, Milkshake and Ziggy Marley (shown here). On second thought, perhaps it’s not such a far cry from Ringo — after all, he did loan his voice to “Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.” At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite A245, (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

photo by Steve Cohn

sunday, Jan. 31 Art + Science at the Natural History Museum 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-DINO or visit nhm.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: In this recurring series that explores the intersection of art and science, the museum presents a series of photographs of lifeforms normally hidden from the human eye, taken by a high-powered scanning electron microscope. Guest artist Jason Hackenwerth is on hand to create magamite sculptures. Kyokushin Karate Tournament New Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., (877) 662-7947 or karateuswc.org. 2 p.m.: The tournament is a display of the region’s

by AnnA Scott, StAff writer

courtesy of Code Ensemble

one

photo courtesy of the Grammy Museum

Thursday, Jan. 28 Town Hall Los Angeles Town Hall Clubhouse, 515 S. Flower St., Suite 1650, (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org. 6 p.m.: Richard Reeves, the bestselling presidential biographer, discusses his book “Daring Young Men,” about the airmen involved in the Berlin Airlift. MOCA Exhibition Walk-Through MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 6211745 or moca.org. 6:30 p.m.: MMIX Los Angeles Writers, cofounded by recipients of the 2009 PEN Center USA Emerging Voices Fellowship, read new work in response to the exhibition “Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years.” The group is comprised of eight members – poets, fiction and nonfiction writers. Aloud at Central 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7000 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: In her new novel “The Swan Thieves,” Elizabeth Kostova, the author of the bestseller “The Historian,” offers a story of obsession, history’s losses and the power of art to preserve hope. On The New Muslim Cool Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org. 7 p.m.: Take a trip through urban life in the post9/11 United States with Hamza Perez in the documentary “Common Ground.” The film follows Hamza’s journey from the recording studio to the mosque, from single fatherhood to married life, from street life to community activism.

The Writing Life, Movie Music, Tunes for Kids and More

The film The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, before being remade last year as a Denzel Washington-John Travolta vehicle, was a 1974 New York City subway caper featuring a crime-jazz score by composer David Shire. This weekend at REDCAT, the 14-member Code Ensemble delivers its own contemporary interpretation of the original movie soundtrack, utilizing everything from strings and horns to laptop samplers. Expect a high-energy blend of classical, jazz, funk and rock, as well as video and theatrical elements. Performances are Friday, Jan. 29, and Saturday, Jan. 30, at 8:30 p.m. The Saturday concert will be preceded by a discussion featuring Shire and Code Ensemble leader Steve Horowitz. At 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. Take a trip through urban, post 9/11 life in the United States on Thursday, Jan. 28, at Little Tokyo’s Japanese American National Museum. The museum will host a 7 p.m. screening of the documentary New Muslim Cool, which focuses on Puerto Rican rapper Hamza Perez as he moves away from street life and toward becoming a dedicated young Muslim. The film follows Perez from the recording studio to the mosque, from single fatherhood to married life and from street life to community activism. The screening will be followed by a discussion with filmmaker Jennifer Maytorena Taylor. At 369 E. First St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org.

he Los Angeles Master Chorale performs a rare, almost entirely a cappella program on Sunday, Jan. 31, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Aside from its lack of accompaniment, the performance will be distinguished by the West Coast premieres of two works by New York-based composer Nico Muhly, titled “Bright Mass with Canons” and “First Service.” The former, composed by Muhly in 1995, brings a modern twist to traditional Anglican choral music. The second piece, created in 2004, features some “anxious” organ playing. You’ll just have to hear it to believe it. KUSC’s Alan Chapman hosts a pre-concert talk at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7282 or lamc.org.

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

January 25, 2009 best practitioners of the martial art, from solo forms (“kato”) to sparring and block chopping.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ 2nd Street Jazz 366 E. Second St., (213) 680-0047, 2ndstjazz.com or myspace.com/2ndstreetlivejazz. Tuesdays: Jazz jam session. Music usually starts at 9 or 10 p.m. Café Metropol 923 E. Third St., (213) 613-1537 or cafemetropol.com. Jan. 29, 8-10 p.m.: The venue presents the Laurence Hobgood Trio, a 2010 Grammy nominee. Jan. 30, 8-10 p.m.: Pianist Josh Nelson. Chop Suey Café 347 E. First St., (213) 617-9990 or chopsueycafe.com. Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.: Live jazz on the patio of the restored landmark. Cicada Cicada Restaurant, 617 S. Olive St., (213) 488-9488 or cicadarestaurant.com. Thursdays, 8-11 p.m.: The velvet-voiced Max Vontaine recreates the sounds and styles of rat packers Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. His smoking jackets and tunes are vintage; his bawdy repartee is less so. Keep a close eye on the unlit cigarette. Sundays, 6-11 p.m.: The restaurant is transformed into a vintage, old Hollywood-style dance club every Sunday. Come out to appreciate the big band, swank costumes, dinner and cocktails. Visit cicadaclub.com. Conga Room L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic, (213) 749-0445 or congaroom.com. Jan. 28, 8 p.m.: Natalia Lafourcade (18 and over). Jan. 30, 8 p.m.: Rumbankete. Grammy Museum LA Live, corner of Olympic Blvd and Figueroa St., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. Jan. 28, 8 p.m.: Celebrate the musical legacy of Mississippi as David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Cotton, Dorothy Moore and The Williams Brothers perform and celebrate the state’s musical heritage. Jan. 29, 10 p.m.: The museum features the sounds of Hawaii with performances by Grammy nominees in the Best Hawaiian Music Album category: Tia Carrere, Daniel Ho, Amy Hanaiali’i, George Kahumoku Jr. and Jeff Petersen. Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com.

Downtown News 17

DowntownNews.com Jan. 29-30, 8 p.m.: Eddie Izzard is back on stage in his latest one-man show: “Stripped Too – The Big Intimacy Tour.” Orpheum Theatre 842 S. Broadway, (213) 622-1939 or laorpheum.com. Jan. 29-30, 8 p.m.: Pigs fly at the Orpheum for the Pink Floyd Experience. Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. Jan. 25, 10 p.m.: California-based fiddle, guitar and banjo player Frank Fairchild. Jan. 26, 10 p.m.: Captain Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss, with the New Rome Quartet and Lightnin Woodcock. Jan. 28, 10 p.m.: Blues queen Lady Dottie and her backing Diamonds. Jan. 29, 10 p.m.: Thee Makeout Party, Brendan Daniel and the Chics. Jan. 30, 10 p.m.: I See Hawks in L.A. blends folk sounds with psychedelia and mean three-part harmonies. They’re joined by Old Californio. Jan. 31, 10 p.m.: Lucky Stars. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., sevengrand.la. Jan. 25, 10 p.m.: The Robby Marshall Group. Jan. 26, 10 p.m.: The Makers. Jan. 27, 10 p.m.: Brenna Whitaker. The Smell 247 S. Main St., thesmell.org. Jan. 26, 9 p.m.: Guns N’ Broses, Stress Ape, Los Fantasmas Carmesi and I.E. Jan. 28, 9 p.m.: Abe Vigoda, Silk Flowers, Bronze and Tearist. Jan. 29, 9 p.m.: My Name is Dalloway and Magic Fingers. Jan. 30, 9 p.m.: Fell Free, Treasure Mammal and Neon Navajo. Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., visit musiccenter.org. Jan. 29, 8 p.m.: Backed by piano, bass and drums, Herb Alpert’s trumpet complements the vocals of Lani Hall in a concert blending classic American standards and jazz, with Brazilian music.

in a program that includes Bach’s Sonata in E Minor, Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet and Beethoven’s String Trio, Op. 9. Wednesday, Jan. 27 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 8 p.m.: Two of classical music’s biggest stars, YoYo Ma and Emanuel Ax, join forces to play a series of Schumann works, plus Chopin’s Polonaise Brillante and Sonata in G Minor. Friday, Jan. 29 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 11 a.m.: Piotr Anderszewski returns to play Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony. Vasily Petrenko conducts. (Also on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m.) Saturday, Jan. 30 Russian Strings Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., russianstrings.com. 7:30 p.m.: The Los Angeles Balalaika Orchestra features a program of Russian classical works, featuring some instrumental masters of the Russian domra and balalaika. Sunday, Jan. 31 Los Angeles Master Chorale Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave.,(213) 972-7282 lamc.org 7 p.m.: Three vocal works by Muhly, Martin and

Daniel-Lasur, including Martin’s “Mass for Double Choir,” anchor this concert. Colburn School Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., colburnschool.edu. 3 p.m.: Colburn performing arts students give an afternoon honors recital. Free.

FILM Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., downtownindependent.com for showtimes. Jan. 25: Eugene is a psychological thriller about a lonely bachelor who befriends a young hustler and his girlfriend, with disastrous results for all involved. The screening will include a Q&A with the director. Through Jan. 26: In Home, life for a French family in a rural town is upended when a highway is constructed nearby. Jan. 28: In Teenage Paparazzo, a 13-year-old paparazzi boy snaps a photo of actor Adrian Grenier, leading Grenier to explore the effects of celebrity on culture. Jan. 29-Feb. 9: In Bronson, a young man who was sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing a post office ends up spending 30 years in solitary confinement. During this time, his personality is supplanted by his alter ego, Charles Bronson. Flagship Theatres 3323 S. Hoover St., (213) 748-6321. Through Jan. 28: Legion (12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30 and 9:50 p.m.); The Book of Eli (11:30 a.m. and 2:15, 5, 7:45 and 10:30 p.m.); The Spy Next Door (noon, 2:20, 4:40, 7 and 9:20 p.m.).

Continued on next page

CLASSICAL MUSIC Tuesday, Jan. 26 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 8 p.m.: Pianist Piotr Anderszewski is featured

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18 Downtown News

January 25, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Listings Continued from previous page Regal Cinema L.A. Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (877) 835-5734 or lalive.com. Through Jan. 21: The Book of Eli (1:20, 2:20, 4, 5, 6:50, 7:50, 9:50 and 10:50 p.m.); The Lovely Bones (1:10, 4:20, 7:30 and 10:40 p.m.); The Spy Next Door (1:50, 4:10, 6:40 and 9:10 p.m.); Daybreakers (12:20, 5:20 and 10:10 p.m.); Extraordinary Measures (noon, 2:30, 5:10, 7:40, 10:20 and 11:50 p.m.); Youth in Revolt (11:50 a.m. and 2:10, 4:30, 6:50 and 9:20 p.m.); Legion (11:20 a.m. and 12:10, 2, 2:50, 4:40, 5:30, 7:10, 8, 9:40 and 10:30 p.m. and 12 a.m.); The Tooth Fairy (2:10, 4:50, 7:20, 10 and 11:30 p.m.); Sherlock Holmes (1:20, 4:20, 7:30 and 10:50 p.m.); Avatar in 3D (11:40 a.m. and 2:40, 3:20, 6:20, 7, 10:10 and 11 p.m.); Up in the Air (2:40 and 7:40 p.m.).

BARS & CLUBS e3rd 734 E. Third St., (213) 680-3003 or eastthird.com. This Asian-style steakhouse with an artsy flavor features a sleek

THE ANSWER TO JAN. 11 PUZZLE

lounge with low, circular tables and a long psychedelic bar that changes colors like a mood ring. There’s a full bar, inventive cocktails (including soju) and a reasonable wine list. DJs spin. Edison 108 W. Second St., (213) 613-0000 or edisondowntown.com. Downtown history has come full circle in this former power plant turned stunning cocktail bar. The Edison is perhaps Downtown’s hottest hotspot and draws an eclectic crowd, including jaded Hollywood types who can’t help but gawk at the preserved bits of machinery, the huge generator and the coal box that now houses the jukebox. Far Bar 347 E. First St., (behind the Chop Suey Café), (213) 617-9990 or chopsueycafe.com. Tucked behind the Chop Suey Café is the Far Bar, where intimacy and a sense of noir L.A. collide. If you can find the place, which you enter through the back of the cafe or via a skinny alley a few doors down, you can throw them back in the same spot author Raymond Chandler is rumored to have done the same. Figueroa Hotel 939 S. Figueroa St., (213) 627-8971 or figueroahotel.com. The Moroccan-inspired Figueroa Hotel a block north of Staples Center manages the unique feat of making you feel like you’re in the heart of the city and removed from it at the same time. The light-filled Veranda Bar is just steps from the clear, glittery pool, and it’s common to see suit-clad Downtowners a few feet from swimsuit-wearing Eurotourists. Gallery Bar Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles, 506 S. Grand Ave., (213) 6241011 or millenniumhotels.com. This elegant lounge in the Millennium Biltmore Hotel is known for its martinis, wines and vintage ports. Genji Bar Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens, 120 Los Angeles St., (213) 253-9255 or kyotograndhotel.com. The Genji Bar offers a hip, private karaoke room that you and a dozen or so of your friends can rent for about $10 apiece. It’s got new songs, old songs, odd songs and songs that you wish no one would sing. It also means you can warble “Sweet Home Alabama” all you want without the agonizing wait. Golden Gopher 417 W. Eighth St., (213) 614-8001 or goldengopherbar.com. This stylish, dimly lit space with exposed brick walls, chandeliers and golden gopher lamps has a rockin’ jukebox, cheap Pabst Blue Ribbon and an outdoor lounge for smokers. Best of all, it also has Ms. Pac Man and Galaga. The bar also has a rare take-out liquor counter. Grand Star Jazz Club 943 Sun Mun Way, (213) 626-2285.

Firecracker club heats things up every other Friday atop the Quon Brothers’ Grand Star. Start the evening at the latter, where the lapu lapus are wicked strong. There’s usually alternating karaoke and a good jazz trio. Upstairs you’ll find the hip-hop haven known as Firecracker, a longtime dance club with good music and an eclectic, lively crowd. Hop Louie 950 Mei Ling Way (Central Plaza), (213) 628-4244. This is old school Chinatown, on the ground floor of the Hop Louie Restaurant, with slightly indifferent bartenders and décor — it’s actually a relief. J Restaurant & Lounge 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com. Once the site of the historic Little J’s, this South Park lounge a stone’s throw from Staples Center offers signature cocktails, cigars, beer and about 20 wines by the glass. The sprawling space is highlighted by a 10,000-square-foot outdoor patio featuring cozy cabanas, a glowing fire pit and a 30-foot granite bar. Happy hour is from 5 p.m. until sunset all summer long. La Cita 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111. Everything in this former Mexican ranchero bar oozes red, from the vinyl booths lining the wall to the glowing light fixtures. Hipsters, Latino regulars and artists mingle as DJs get their groove on during the week. Saturday and Sunday bring Hacienda Nights with traditional ranchero music. La Fonda 2501 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 380-5053 or lafondala.com. The Mariachi Monumental de America plays nightly at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Library Bar 630 W. Sixth St., (213) 614-0053 or librarybarla.com. This dimly lit bar is more upscale than your typical pub, which means you won’t find a boisterous USC crowd here. A very busy happy hour draws associates from the law firms across the street, as well as bankers, secretaries and other professionals for the grown-up beer and wine selections. There’s a full bar, but the main attractions are the seven craft beers on tap. Magnolia 825 W. Ninth St., (213) 488-0400 or magnolia.com. Located within steps of Staples Center, this skylight-lit bar is the sister location of the popular Hollywood hotspot. Friendly service, great appetizers, and — this is rare — two hours free parking. Mayan 1038 S. Hill St., (213) 746-4287 or clubmayan.com. A multi-level nightclub in the refurbished Mayan Theatre features Latin dance, Spanish rock, house and tropical music on the main floor. Upstairs, it’s ’80s music, KROQ selections, disco, hip-hop and R&B.

Downtown News errantly ran the Jan. 11 puzzle twice (on Jan. 11 & 18). Here are the puzzle and answers that should have appeared in the Jan. 18 issue.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

January 25, 2009

Downtown News 19

DowntownNews.com

But Wait, There’s More!

Additional Event Information on the Web

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM/CALENDAR : EVENTS | ROCK, POP & JAZZ | CLASSICAL MUSIC | THEATER, OPERA & DANCE ART SPACES | FILM | BARS & CLUBS | MUSEUMS | FARMERS MARKETS | TOURS McCormick & Schmick’s 633 W. Fifth St., Fourth Floor, (213) 629-1929 or mccormickandschmicks.com. With a bar, adjoining dining rooms and patio where patrons can take in the dazzling skyline, this is a longtime Downtown happy hour scene, and one of its most festive. The drinks come quick, and the food specials are unbeatable — formidable burgers and appetizers for mere dollars. Moody’s Bar and Grille Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, 333 S. Figueroa St., (213) 617-1133 or marriott.com. Located in the lobby of the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, Moody’s is a traditional sports bar, serving pub grub from steaks to sandwiches. Morton’s The Steakhouse, Bar 12·12 735 S. Figueroa St., (213) 553-4566 or mortons.com. Sinatra croons and cocktails chill. And during Power Hour, bar bites are $5, Mon.-Fri. from 4:306:30 p.m. and 9:30-11 p.m. Mountain Bar 475 Gin Ling Way, (213) 625-7500 or themountainbar.com. There’s something to be said for a spot that’s a bit tricky to find. No matter. Your hard work will be rewarded with an extra strong drink at this artsy Chinatown haven decked out with stunning light fixtures, red bleeding walls and post-modern decor. The second level features a dance floor. There’s usually an art show every month, and weekly DJs. The Must 118 W. Fifth St., (213) 627-1162. The Must offers a creative bar list, artisan beers on tap, sangria plus great happy hour and food specials. You can get everything from Bosnian wine to bottles from small California producers to a bottle of Colt 45 for two (it comes in a bucket of ice with two champagne flutes). O Bar & Kitchen O Hotel, 819 S. Flower St., (213) 623-9904 or ohotelgroup.com. Surrounded by warm orange walls and exposed brick, try California-inspired Mediterranean tapas

and relax with a house cocktail or specialty martini. Oiwake 122 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, (213) 628-2678 or oiwake.com. The first karaoke restaurant and bar in Downtown boasts a monster songbook. Point Moorea Wilshire Grand Hotel, 930 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 8335100 or wilshiregrand.com. Step into the South Pacific at this casual bar. The gathering spot features a grand bar, a martini bar, the Harem Room and a daily happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. This maritime-inspired tavern is decked out in nautical gear, including fishing nets and floats, weathered wooden planks and the stumps of dock timbers. A rusty anchor and reproductions of pirate flags adorn the ceiling of the entryway. DJs spin in a back room while a high-tech jukebox churns out everything from the Clash to Frank Sinatra. Royal Clayton’s Pub 1855 Industrial St., (213) 622-0512 or royalclaytonstavern.com. This stylish Gothic-Industrial restaurant on the ground floor of the Toy Factory Lofts has a laidback vibe and no Hollywood scene in sight. Drinks are strong, the lighting is soft and the short ribs are insane. There’s a tavern menu after 10 p.m. to keep you going as you play pool or listen to the nightly DJs spin everything from Euro grooves to ’80s anthems. Royale 2619 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 985-0676 or royaleonwilshire.com. Set in the historic Wilshire Royale Hotel on Downtown’s western fringe, Royale has created a Roaring ’20s cocktail lounge with a modern twist. During the week, check out Happy Hour Remixed (5-8 p.m.), where a bar menu features items from $4-$9 including crispy pork spareribs, sea bass carpaccio and a beefy Royale burger. There are also $4 well drinks and draft beer, and delicious $5

Love Means

martinis. Sabor 847 S. Union Ave., (213) 388-3311, saborlounge.com. This neighborhood watering hole hosts hardcore metal music, cheap beer and a smoky patio outside. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la. A neon stag head near Seventh Street and Grand Avenue marks the entrance to this highend whiskey lounge. At the top of a staircase you’ll find a diorama with a gun-toting hunter, one of several quirky elements. More than 120 whiskeys are displayed behind the stunning backlit bar. A smoker’s patio is onsite. The action around the pool table is always lively and there’s a nice lineup of live music. Standard Hotel 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotel.com. From buttoned-up office workers who flock to the space for happy hour drinks to the swankedout late-night crowd, the place is always buzzing. Floating amid the surreal skyline, the mod lounge features pod-shaped cabanas, vibrating waterbeds, super hot bartenders and lots of beautiful people. Suede Bar and Lounge Westin Bonaventure, 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 4893590 or suedebarla.com. This crimson-toned pocket has a happy hour Monday through Friday from 4-8 p.m. There are small plates, cigars and a smoking patio. Takami & Elevate Lounge 811 Wilshire Blvd., 21st floor, (213) 236-9600 or elevatelounge.com. This former 1960s office suite is split between the 130-seat restaurant on the east and a stylish lounge on the west. The modern Japanese aesthetic with warm wood tables, leather floors, low lounge seating and striking sculptural pieces makes an immediate impression, though not nearly as much as the wallto-wall windows and endless views. Tapas and Wine Bar C 428 E. Second St., winebarc.biz. In this Little Tokyo establishment, indulgence

Listings for additional concerts, exhibits and more in Downtown Los Angeles can be found on our website. Go to downtownnews.com/calendar for full information, including time and location, for all the happenings in Downtown. is the word: Sultry waitresses strutting in French Maid outfits serve up sake and Bordeaux reds to go with exotic tapas and main courses. The interior is decked out in faux fur and black lace curtains. And if watching sports is your indulgence, the Lakers are on TV too. Tatou 333 S. Boylston St., (213) 482-2000 or tatouclub.com. The dance club is pure indulgence, with multiple VIP nooks (some with PlayStation3 systems), a bit of Cocoanut Grove glam in the form of four 15-foot palm trees and vintage circular booths. The 40-foot stage jumps with DJs and go-go girls, while a large bar stretches across the opposite end of the wall. The Varnish 118 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, (213) 622-9999 or thevarnishbar.com. Like a modern-day speakeasy, this little den is located sans glaring signage, in the back of Cole’s. Inside, you’ll find vested bartenders who take perhaps the most care with your drink in all of Downtown. Weiland Brewery 400 E. First St., (213) 680-2881 and 505 S. Flower St., (213) 622-1125 or weilandbrewery.net. This Brewery with two Downtown outposts hosts one of the friendliest happy hours in town from 3-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.-close.

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Contact Cartifact for the full-color, every-building version of this map and others. Available as a poster and in print, web, and mobile media.

700 S. Flower St, Ste. 1940 Los Angeles, CA 90017 213.327.0200 maps�cartifact.com

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January 25, 2010

Downtown News 21

DowntownNews.com

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FOR RENT

L.A. Downtown News Classifieds Call: 213-481-1448 Classified Display & Line ads Deadlines: Thursday 12 pm REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL Acreage/Lots ARIZONALAND.COM Arizona’s best selection of wilderness Ranches & forested cabin sites. Photos, Maps, Weather Charts, Pricing, Monthly Payments. Properties statewide. 1st United Realty. 1-800-966-6690. (CalSCAN)

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Buying, Leasing or Selling a Loft?

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Condos/Townhouses BEST VALUE in Hollywood. New construction. 4 townhouses. 5936 Barton Ave. Starting at $588,000. 3BR, 3BA, HDWD flrs., fireplace, vaulted ceilings. OPEN HOUSE every Sat./Sun. til sold. 12-4 (818) 430-1314

“Be wary of out of area companies. Check with the local Better Business Bureau before you send any money for fees or services. Read and understand any contracts before you sign. Shop around for rates.”

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.

Retail Store Front $1000 gross rent Downtown LA 1240 sq.ft., 20ft ceiling, water included, central AC w/private restroom. Call Pierre or Terri at 818-212-8333 or 213-744-9911

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

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Free Rent Specials! Nice 1 Bdrms from $775 Gated entry. All new decor. North Hollywood

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FREE RENT SPECIALS (O.A.C.) Brand New Resort Apartments. Granite kitchens, washer/dryers, pools, spas, saunas, fitness ctr, free tanning beds & much more! 866-690-2894. Free ReNT SPECIALS @ the Medici. Penthouse 1 & 2 bdrm apts. Granite kitchens, washer/ dryers, business center, 2 pools, spa! Visit TheMedici.com for a full list of amenities. Call 888886-3731.

FREE RENT SPECIALS (O.A.C.) New downtown luxury apartments with granite kitchens, marble baths, pool, spa, saunas & free parking. 888-736-7471.

Milano Lofts Now Leasing! • Gorgeous Layouts • 10-15’ Ceilings • Fitness Center • Wi-Fi Rooftop Lounge • Amazing Views 6th + Grand Ave. • 213.627.1900 milanoloftsla.com

Homes/Unfurnished HOUSE: LARGE 3 bdrm. 1bath, New kitchen, windows, carpet & paint $1300 Downtown, West 8th Street/Garland Ave. 213-383-9082

LA Live Loft 1500 sq.ft., 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, Hardwood, Bar, AC, Sauna, Greenhouse, all appliances, Was./Dryr., Secure, Garage. $1795 • (213) 747-0523

Computers/IT ATTN: COMPUTER WORK. Work from anywhere 24/7. Up to $1,500 Part Time to $7,500/ mo. Full Time. Training provided. www.KTPGlobal.com or call 1-800-330-8446. (Cal-SCAN) General

Old Bank District The original Live/Work Lofts from $1,100 Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, Parking adjacent. Pets no charge Call 213.253.4777 LAloft.com

EMPLOYMENT Drivers CDL A TEAMS DRIVERS with Hazmat. Split $0.68 for all miles. O/O teams paid$1.40/mile. $1,500 bonus. 1-800-835-9471. (Cal-SCAN)

Loft/Unfurnished

DRIVERS - REGIONAL CDL-A, Experienced 11 Western States. STABLE Family owned 35 yrs+ Andrus Transportation. Good Pay! Good Routes! Good People! 1-800-888-5838 or 1-866806-5119 x1402. (Cal-SCAN)

REAL ARTIST LOFTS 14001700 Sq. Ft., $1800-$1875/mo. High ceilings, hardwood floors, fireplace, pool/spa, gated parking, laundry, sorry no dogs, Open House Sundays 12-3pm @ 1250 Long Beach Ave. 213-629-5539.

REGIONAL DRIVERS NEEDED! More Hometime! Top Pay! Up to $.41/mile company drivers! 12 months OTR required. Heartland Express 1-800-4414953. www.HeartlandExpress. com. (Cal-SCAN)

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

HELP WANTED, Movie Extras. Earn up to $150/day. People needed for background in a major film production. Exp. not required. 888-366-0843 STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM Seeks Local Coordinators Passionate about your community? Help us expand! Unpaid but monetary/travel incentives. Must be 25+. Visit effoundation. org or call 877-216-1293. (CalSCAN) Health Care ACUPUNCTURIST - CA license req’d. Mail resume to Insulwon Acupuncture, 2104 Crenshaw Bl, #101, Los Angeles, CA 90016 Professional PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MGR- Mail resume: Thibiant International Inc, Attn: HR, 20320 Prairie St, Chatsworth, CA 91311. (818)709-1345. Continued on next page

22 Downtown News

January 25, 2010

Twitters/DowntownNews Continued from previous page

PUBLIC NOTICE BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, IN CONFORMANCE WITH SECTION 33490 OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA’S HEALTH & SAFETY CODE, REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF THE FIVE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (FY2010-FY2014) OF THE PICO UNION No. 1 AND No. 2 REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA OF COUNCIL DISTRICT 1. NOTICE is hereby given that the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California (CRA/ LA) will hold a public hearing on the Five-Year Implementation Plan (FY2010-FY2014) for the Pico Union No. 1 & 2 Redevelopment Project Area of Council District 1, Hollywood and Central Region on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Redevelopment Agency, of¿ce located at 354 South Spring Street, 6th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013. A map showing the location of the Project Area is attached to this notice. The public hearing being conducted to hear testimony of all interested parties regarding the Five-Year Implementation Plan (FY2010-FY2014) for the Pico Union No. 1 & 2 Redevelopment Project Area of Council District 1. Any person desiring the opportunity to be heard at the meeting will be provided an opportunity to do so. At the above stated time and place, any person(s) having any testimony regarding the proposed reporting of the Five-Year Implementation Plan (FY2010-FY2014) for the Pico Union No. 1 & 2 Redevelopment Project Area of Council District 1 may appear before the CRA/LA Board of Commissioners and be heard. The hearing may be cancelled or set for another time in the future at any time until the scheduled hearing-time.

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Copies of the Implementation Plans are available for public review at the following locations: CRA/LA Records Of¿ce 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 354 South Spring Street, 5th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 977-1925

CRA/LA Hollywood Regional Of¿ce 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 3055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 520 Los Angeles, CA 90010 (213) 977-2633

Of¿ce of Council District 1 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 200 N. Spring Street, Room #410 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 473-7001

Pico Union Public Library 1030 S. Alvarado Street Los Angeles, CA 90006 (213) 368-7545

Tel: 213-383-7676

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Any and all persons having any objections to the proposed reporting, or who deny the regularity of this proceeding or wish to speak on any issue raised by the proposed report, may appear at the public hearing and will be provided an opportunity to state their objections. If any person desires to challenge in court the adoption of the proposed report or any proceedings in connection therewith, they may be limited to raising only those issues that they or someone else raised at the hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the CRA/LA, or prior to, the hearing. Written correspondence on this matter may be addressed to the CRA/LA at the above noted address. The public hearing is being held pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 33490 and is open to the public.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES IN ACCORDANCE WITH HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 33490 ON THE ADOPTION OF THE FIVE (5) YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (FY2010-FY2014 FISCAL YEARS) FOR THE EAST HOLLYWOOD/ BEVERLY NORMANDIE EARTHQUAKE DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROJECT AREA. Notice is hereby given that on Thursday, February 18, 2010 beginning at the hour of 10:00 AM, the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (“Agency”) will conduct a public hearing at the offices of the CRA/LA, 354 South Spring Street, Suite 600, Los Angeles, California 90013, on the adoption of the Five (5) Year Implementation Plan (“Implementation Plan”) for the East Hollywood/ Beverly Normandie Earthquake Disaster Assistance Project Area. The hearing also may be cancelled or set for another time in the future at any time until the scheduled hearing time. Any person desiring the opportunity to be heard will be afforded an opportunity to do so. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to hear testimony of all interested parties for the purposes of reviewing the Implementation Plan for the Project Area. A copy of the Implementation Plan is available for public review at the following locations CRA/LA Main Office, Records Center 354 S. Spring Street, Suite 500 Los Angeles, California 90013-1258 CRA/LA Hollywood Regional Office 6255 W Sunset Blvd., Suite 2206 Hollywood, CA 90028-7423 (323) 960-2660 Council President Eric Garcetti Council District 13 Field Office 5500 Hollywood Blvd. 4th Floor Hollywood, CA 90028 Council Member Tom LaBonge Council District 4 Field Office 6501 Fountain Avenue Hollywood, CA 90028

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Any and all persons having any objections to the proposed Implementation Plan, or who deny the regularity of this proceeding or wish to speak on any issue raised by the Implementation Plan, may appear at the hearing and will be afforded an opportunity to state their objections. If any person desires to challenge in court the adoption of the proposed Implementation Plan or any proceedings in connection therewith, they may be limited to raising only those issues that they or someone else raised at the hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the CRA/LA at, or prior to, the hearing. Written correspondence on this matter may be addressed to the CRA/LA at either of the above noted addresses. The meeting is being held pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 33490 and is open the public. CNS#1768165

ADOPT (OR FOSTER) your forever friend from Bark Avenue Foundation. Beautiful, healthy puppies, dogs, cats and kittens available at Downtown’s largest private adoption facility. Call Dawn at 213-840-0153 or email Dawn@BarkAvewLA.com or visit www.Bark Avenue Foundation.org.

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January 25, 2010

Downtown News 23

DowntownNews.com

HERNIA REPAIR? Did You Receive A Composix Kugel Mesh Patch Between 19992008? If the Kugel patch was removed due to complications of bowel perforation, abdominal wall tears, puncture of abdominal organs or intestinal fistulae, you may be entitled to compensation. Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800-535-5727. (Cal-SCAN)

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NOtiCE is hereby given that The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California will hold a public hearing for the above-referenced redevelopment project on Thursday, February 18, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., or soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at The Community Redevelopment Agency Offices, 354 South Spring Street, 6th Floor Board Room, Los Angeles, California 90013-1258.

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At the above-stated time and place, any and all persons having any testimony regarding the proposed Five-Year Implementation Plan may appear before the Agency and be heard.

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Copies of the proposed Five-Year Implementation Plan and other pertinent documents are on file and are available for public inspection during business hours at the following locations: CRa Main Office, Records Center 354 south spring street , 5th Floor los angeles , Ca 90013-1258 Mondays through Fridays: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

877-267-5911

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The public hearing is being conducted to hear testimony of all interested parties regarding the proposed Five-Year Implementation Plan for the Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project.

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24 Downtown News

January 25, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

We Got Games The Local Teams Have a Boston Three-Party Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/lakers. The Lakers continue their monster road swing, otherwise known as the Grammy tour (when the awards show takes over Staples Center). First up is a visit to Washington (Jan. 26) to take on the league’s most embarrassed franchise, the Wizards. Then it’s on to Indiana (Jan. 27) and Philadelphia (Jan. 29). The final game in the week is also the main event: A showdown in Beantown against the Celtics (Jan. 31), who expect to have Kevin Garnett back in the lineup. Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/clippers. Last year, the Clippers upset Boston at Staples Center and then, in the rematch at the TD Garden, the Celtics restored

order to the world. This year, the Clips beat Boston again at home, and so the Celtics will again look to get revenge (Jan. 25). Then Baron and the boys swing through New Jersey (Jan. 27), zoom up to Minnesota (Jan. 29) and finish the week in Lebron’s house in Cleveland (Jan. 31). Speaking of revenge, the Clippers will be seeking just that after the Cavs snatched a late victory from them in Staples the other week. Los Angeles Kings Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., 1 (888) KINGS-LA or kings.nhl.com. Also temporarily evicted from Staples Center by Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, the Kings take their reign through Toronto (Jan. 26), Columbus (Jan. 28) and, just like the local hoops teams, Boston (Jan. 30). The Kings finish off the trip against the New Jersey Devils (Jan. 31). —Ryan Vaillancourt

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

Grand Tower 255 south Grand avenue Leasing Information 213 229 9777

Promenade Towers 123 south Figueroa street Leasing Information 213 617 3777

Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Concierge ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Gas BBQ Grills ~ Recreation Room

Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Pool / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Covered Parking

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

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

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museum Tower 225 south olive street Leasing Information 213 626 1500

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

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

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)

It’s our business to make you comfortable... at home, downtown. Corporate and long term residency is accommodated in high style at the Towers Apartments. Contemporary singles, studio, one 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 with kitchen. Beautiful views extend from the Towers’ lofty homes in the sky. Mountain vistas and slender skyscrapers provide an incredible back drop to complement your decor. Far below are a host of businesses 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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