Pippin Pops Up
LOS ANGELES
DOWNTOWN
NEWS
A huge condo sale, utilizing the Tower, and other happenings Around Town.
3
It takes an army of volunteers to count the city’s homeless population.
W W W. D O W N T O W N N E W S . C O M
January 26 , 2009
Volume 38, Number 4
INSIDE
14
2
Station Identification Downtown Gets a New Firefighting Outpost by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR
Basketball tips from Phil Jackson.
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Urban Scrawl on the billboard battle.
4
Saying bye to two big stores.
6
V
isitors pulling up to the new Los Angeles Fire Department Station No. 4 could be forgiven for mistaking the two-story structure for an office building. It lacks many of the things one expects in a traditional fire station. There are no huge double doors anchoring a tall, narrow stone or brick façade. There’s no Dalmatian holding court outside, or anywhere on the premises, either. What Fire Station No. 4 lacks in traditional appearance, it makes up for in size and a design geared toward modern, efficient fire department operations, said LAFD Capt. Robert Smith, who with his 21-man crew relocated to the new station in mid-December
from the now retired station at Alameda and Main streets. The 40,000-square-foot building was designed with easily accessible front and rear entrances for the fire engines, trucks and ambulances. It is just one example of how the new station trumps the circa 1947, singleentrance firehouse in terms of efficiency. “At the old station, we had to get in the street, close traffic and cause a traffic jam,” said firefighter Aaron Carter, describing what would happen if one of the rear vehicles was needed for an emergency. “Now, with the front and the back door, it’s just in and out.” The $23 million station at 450 E. Temple St. was paid for with funds created by Proposition F, the $532.6 million public see Fire Station, page 9
All the News That Incentives to Be Key Helps Sell Tchotchkes In Housing Debate With Shrinking Staff and Readership, L.A. Times Looks for Profits With Obamamobilia
Mayor, Business Community And Low-Income Advocates Look For Common Ground on Divisive Issue
by Jon RegaRdie
by anna scott
executiVe editoR
staff wRiteR
Diana plates, porcelain dolls with blue deer-in-the-headlights eyes and hen you think of the Los frilly dresses and other supposedly Angeles Times, what is limited-edition items that we’re used 8 the first thing that pops to seeing in the Times, but in their to mind? (Please, no profanity.) Is it Sunday advertising fluff. The New the 38 Pulitzer Prizes its journalists York Times and Washington Post have captured? Is it the 128-year his- were also hoping to cash in on the tory that has made it a Downtown Obamapalooza, but their gear was mostly limited to books, posters and THE REGARDIE REPORT photos. The Los Angeles Times did Los Angeles institution? Is itSearchDowntownLA.com the not stop there. team-building and inspirational Want two coffee mugs with imagExprEss your amour in our romantic LovE LinEs Edition — February 9 A Chinese d — February 3 speeches of cuddly owner Sam Zell? es of Times covers from the day after New Year festival. Perhaps it is any and all of the the election and the day following A box of chocolates, a dozen roses and your message in Downtown News. 16 above, but last week, the Times was the inauguration? That’ll be $24.99, hoping that its readers would instead kind sir. A desktop paperweight? A think instantly of Barack Obama ho- steal at $29.99, my good lady. How lographic mouse pads. And com- about an entire “Election Souvenir The First 12 Words Are FREE! memorative T-shirts. And refrigera- Pack” featuring all of the above plus My ne Love Line Message: Valenti tor magnets. a copy of the Nov. 5 newspaper, a All these and more (much more!) poster and more? It was $259.94, but were on sale at store.latimes.com. taking a tip from the purveyors of In a week when the United States of the Ginsu knife set and the Pocket Time to send America was celebrating the inaugu- Fisherman, the price had already your Love Line. ration of the nation’s first African- been slashed without anyone asking 16 American president, the Times for it. “Save 25%!” trumpeted store. Just fill out the Love Lines form and mail, fax, email or deliver was clambering aboard the band- latimes.com, and apparently the pabefore Tuesday, February 3. The first 12 words are free. wagon by hawking tchotchkes with per’s marketing staff went down to Pay just $1 for each word exceeding the first FREE 12. All messages must be prepaid. CALENDAR L.A. Downtown News • 1264 W. First Street, L.A., CA 90026 • fax: (213) 250-4617 Obama’s• email: lovelines@DowntownNews.com likeness as seen• office in hours: M-F, 8:30-5 front- the Arts District to get sales advice 17 LISTINGS page reproductions. The Sunday, from Crazy Gideon. “Discounted Jan. 20, issue of the Times had a full- price: $194.99.” 19 MAP page ad (facing the Editorial page) Hmmm, a newspaper, a magnet, urging readers to pre-order their “a patriotic T-shirt set” and more for collectibles.” about two bills. I’m sure operators are 21 CLASSIFIEDS “inauguration Yep, “collectibles,” the same standing by now. word that brings to mind Princess see L.A. Times, page 11
Downtown’s Obama celebration.
photo by Gary Leonard
Capt. Robert Smith in front of the new $23 million Fire Department Station No. 4 at 450 E. Temple St.
W February 11, 2008
Love Means
Downtown News 1
LOVE LINES
EadLinE for EntriEs
Sistas!...We are loved, adored, desired, envied and don’t forget it…Dorothy
Hi Sexy!...Just wanted to say I love you so much!... Mary Carlos and Bonniem Calizo…Love and good care. Wedding congratulations, best wishes!...Love Mommy
LA Live…Will you marry me?…Downtown
Valentine, love you…Mommy
Economy…We’ll be together for better or for worse, we’ve seen the worse, now lets make it better…L.A. Consumer
Mr. & Mrs. Roberts…Wedding anniversary! Best wishes, Norman and Jona-Labaton Roberts!...Love, Titalib
Manny Ramirez…Please don’t leave me… Dodger Fan
Larry & Lucita Geronca…Kaitulari’s families by consanguinity, affinity and choice respect you… Love, Geronca Family
401K…I miss you…Everyone
Hector and Christine Barraza…You earned the respect & love of relatives and friends…LGV Porter
3YO HPCSG…You are the best secret partner ever…Love, JJ Joanie…Loves forever on Valentine’s Day, our Bea andper Lavireader.) DD…Thanks for all your support you Wedding Day…Love Sunny(Limited Day to one FREE message rock…Love, Boysie Jackie, My Sweetie Pie…I can never imagine my life without you. Your beautiful smile makes my C & H…Sugar and spice is nice, but your sauce is thrice…JS day. Happy Valentine’s Day!...Love, Mommy
Daisy, My Baby Cakes…Thank you for all your Print type and kisses! I look forward to them every love,or hugs day. Happy Valentine’s Day!...Love, Mommy Grandma Gloria…Es un orgullo tener una Abuelita tan especial como tu. Happy Valentine’s Day. We love you…Jackie y Daisy Mama…I love you! Let’s scare the cat and go to the park!...Vivian To the little one Catherine Navas…You are the only one!...Steven
Rodrigo…Te amo mucho papito. Tu me haces muy feliz…Tu Gaviota
Yvonne, Joie, Justine…Happy Valentine’s Day, you are my life…Love, Daddy LaDonna…Hi baby, love you much…Al
Free up to here
I want to be with you forever. Will you marry me, Crystal?...Adriane James…At last my love has come along…Not Etta Continue on another
Jimmo & Terry Moreno…You’re accommodating, loving and much loved by everyone…Me Citlalit Corona…You are my inspiration and shinning star, I love you…Wendy
Name
TB…I wanna singa with you, in the moon-a and the
June-a and forever…Your Owl Jolson Address
Baby girl!...Love your smiles, shrieks, heart and City Phone
Robert…the most loving husband…Pat
Mercy Anne…You are the best sister. Happy Valentine’s Day…Your sister Nicole
Landy, my husband…I can’t imagine life without you, love always…Aarion
Emily…You will always be my only Valentine, 1937 to eternity…Bill
LM…Be mine always, here in L.A. or anywhere…
Sara amount enclosed: $ Total
Mike…You and me forever we will be. Happy Valentine’s. XOXO…Diane
I can’t wait to be your husband this year! I love you Vanna Tran!...8.8.8 Mr. Full Marine…Spend Valentine’s Day/Court with little monkey?...Michelle Alex Santiago…Chris will always love you, hope you are well, God Bless.
(All messages must be prepaid)
Mr. & Mrs. Roberts…Wedding anniversary! Best wishes, Norman and Jona-Labaton Roberts!...Love, Titalib Larry & Lucita Geronca…Kaitulari’s families by consanguinity, affinity and choice respect you… Love, Geronca Family Jimmo & Terry Moreno…You’re accommodating, loving and much loved by everyone…Me Citlalit Corona…You are my inspiration and shinning star, I love you…Wendy
Landy, my husband…I can’t imagine life without you, love always…Aarion
Emily…You will always be my only Valentine, 1937 to eternity…Bill Disser…Forever you have touched my heart. Happy Valentine’s, Always…Disserette
Mike…You and me forever we will be. Happy Valentine’s. XOXO…Diane
I can’t wait to be your husband this year! I love you Vanna Tran!...8.8.8
James…At last my love has come along…Not Etta
Day…Your sister Mercy Anne
Robert Bodnar…Through good, bad, happiness and sadness, I still love you…Wendy
Denise Marie Kavialani…You will always be my
Robert…the most loving husband…Pat
are the xNicole…You $1 per word = $best sister. Happy Valentine’s
Denise Marie Kavialani…You will always be my Valentine, love you…Mommy
Love is spelled DAVID, Always…BK
Disser…Forever you have touched my heart. Happy Valentine’s, Always…Disserette
teeth…Mama and Daddy
Number of words over 12:
Nicole…You are the best sister. Happy Valentine’s Day…Your sister Mercy Anne
Love is spelled DAVID, Always…BK
sheet if necessary
Darling Sunny…Thank you for being my husband Robert Bodnar…Through good, bad, happiness (first 12 areI still FREE!) andwords sadness, love you…Wendy
Total Words in Joanie Message and rescuer…Love
Mercy Anne…You are the best sister. Happy Valentine’s Day…Your sister Nicole
G
ood Samaritan Hospital in City West, with its solid reputation and sprawling green campus, may not seem like the kind of place that would have trouble keeping workers. But the hospital’s director of employment, Angela Pelayo, has noticed a frustrating trend when it comes to nurses. “We are able to recruit new grads,” she said recently. “The trouble is, after two years, retaining them is a challenge. They start families and they need an affordable, bigger space.” Once those nurses move to places like Orange County, Palmdale and San Fernando, where hous-
ing is less expensive than in the Central City, Pelayo said, “There are hundreds of other hospitals closer to where they live.” Good Samaritan is not the only entity facing the dilemma. Other employers, as well as politicians, business leaders and activists, all seem to agree that the city needs more affordable housing, a catch-all term for everything from residences for those barely off the streets to units that teachers, police officers and other middle-income, working professionals can afford. What everyone does not agree on is how to get it built. Nearly four months have passed see Housing, page 10
Mr. Full Marine…Spend Valentine’s Day/Court with little monkey?...Michelle Alex Santiago…Chris will always love you, hope you are well, God Bless.
photo by Gary Leonard
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the October 2008 event where he laid out his initial plans to create more affordable housing in the city.
Since 1972, an independent, locally owned and edited newspaper, go figure.
2 Downtown News
January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com
AROUNDTOWN Downtown Condo Fetches $3 Million
in the Tower.” Tickets for the Edwardian Ball start at $25 and doors open at 8 p.m. Period costumes are encouraged. More information at edwardianball.com.
O
fficials with South Park developer the South Group announced last week that escrow has closed on the most expensive condominium ever sold in Downtown Los Angeles. The $3 million unit, which was paid for in cash, is a penthouse in Evo, the project at 12th Street and Grand Avenue that opened last October. The three-bedroom, 3.5bath residence, sold to an undisclosed buyer, has 3,630 square feet of interior space and a 3,500-square-foot terrace. The 23-story, 311-condominium project now has 30% of its units under contract and escrows have closed on 12 sales in the past two months, said a South Group spokesman. While the $3 million unit is the most expensive residence Downtown sold to date, it may not hold the record long: The 224 RitzCarlton Residences at L.A. Live, slated to open in 2009, will include penthouses costing up to $10 million.
Have a Ball at the Tower
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roadway’s historic Tower Theater, which has been closed for years, will open to the public this week for a decidedly unusual event. The Edwardian Ball, a turn-ofthe-20th-century style celebration featuring music, circus arts, DJs, ballroom dance, an absinthe bar and performances highlighting the art and stories of author/illustrator Edward Gorey, takes place on Saturday, Jan. 31. The Downtown event (which follows the ninth San Francisco incarnation, held Jan. 23-25) is hosted by local contemporary circus theater group Cirque Berzerk in partnership with Edwardian Ball co-creators Rosin Coven and the Vau de Vire Society. “No one city can contain this celebration,” said event founder and producer Justin Katz, “so we’re thrilled to bring the Ball to L.A.” Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Vice President Brady Westwater helped lure the festival to the 1927 Tower, which is owned by Broadway landlords the Delijani family. “It all came together real easily,” said Westwater, who has worked to draw productions to various Broadway theaters. “Each theater is so unique on Broadway, each one has to find its own niche. This is the type of production that works well
Fashion District Grows Again
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fter a protracted debate, leaders of the Fashion District Business Improvement District have gathered enough support to expand their operations, creating the largest Fashion District BID yet. Only a few months ago, BID Executive Director Kent Smith announced that the 94-block district would shrink its operations by one-third and reduce its budget from $3.3 million to $2 million. The move came after a group of disgruntled property owners who no longer wanted to pay for services refused to support the BID’s renewal for another five-year term in 2009. After shrinking the Fashion District BID, Smith said he would also pursue support for a second, smaller BID to encompass the defectors. On Jan. 16, Smith announced that his organization had gathered enough initial support through petitions — BID organizers must obtain signatures from more than 50% of property owners in a targeted area — to move on to the City Council for approval of the second BID. He expects to get a green light by April, at which point BID operators can begin providing street cleaning, trash removal and other services. The two BIDs will eventually combine, he said, into a roughly 115-block operation with a $3.9 million budget. “Considering all the challenges we had, we have a great sense of accomplishment,” said Smith.
JANM Does Windows
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fficials with the Japanese American National Museum announced recently that the Little Tokyo facility has received a $150,000 grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation to restore windows in its historic building, the former Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. The 1925 brick and mortar structure at 111 N. Central Ave., which now houses the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, still includes the original windows, museum spokesman Chris Komai said. JANM is in the process of securing matching funds from the Community Redevelopment Agency to raise the estimated $300,000 project cost, Komai said. The win-
photo by Gary Leonard
About 400 avid Lakers fans got up an up-close tutorial from coach Phil Jackson on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Basketball 101. The fundraiser at Staples Center, organized by the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, also featured players Derek Fisher, Luke Walton and Jordan Farmar, who gave tips to the attendees and demonstrated how they make their favorite shots. The highlight was Jackson, who, when asked how he motivates the team said, “If players have to be motivated at this level, they’ve picked the wrong profession.”
dows will have to be removed so they can be repaired and restored. Museum staff has already temporarily moved out of the offices in preparation for the restoration. Komai said the museum expects to secure the matching funds and begin the project by the end of the month.
Walgreens a No-Show
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lans for a Walgreens at Seventh and Hope streets have been put on hold, said Derrick Moore, vice president of CB Richard Ellis’ Urban Retail Properties division. Moore said the store had been scheduled to open on Jan. 1, but due to the recession, Walgreens decided to hold off. Although there is see Around Town, page 7
University of Southern California
metro.net
Carmen Meets Naughty Marietta USC Thornton pays tribute to Jeanette MacDonald with a Whitman’s Sampler of opera and operetta.
Opera Scenes
Metro Briefs Now…Go Metro with TAP
Saturday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m.
Now you can Go Metro with TAP, the eco-friendly fare card you can use again and again. It’s still a Metro pass, but with a lot more ways to help you. You can reload TAP online, at Metro Rail ticket vending machines, or at Metro pass sales outlets. For more details, check metro.net/tap or call 1.866.TAPTOGO.
Alfred Newman Recital Hall Admission: Free www.usc.edu • (213) 740-2584
Public Hearings On Bus Service Feb. 4 -12 “FAVORITE ARIAS” DOESN’T BEGIN to con-
A L S O AT U S C :
vey the eclecticism of this year’s Opera Scenes program, featuring 19 vignettes – all staged and costumed – taken from such diverse sources as The Magic Flute and The Student Prince. Performed as a tribute to 1930s screen diva and USC benefactor Jeanette MacDonald, the program boasts selections from Sigmund Romberg’s The Desert Song and New Moon, Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow and Victor Herbert’s Naughty Marietta (including MacDonald’s signature aria, “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life”). Operetta buffs also will enjoy selections from Rudolf Friml’s Rose Marie, Imre Kálmán’s Countess Maritza and Pietro Mascagni’s L’amico Fritz, while aficionados of more serious opera will get quintets from Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Bizet’s Carmen, plus scenes from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville and Britten’s Albert Herring. Best of all, it’s free.
USC Thornton Chamber Orchestra Thursday, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. Christoph Wyneken leads USC’s stellar
Make A Resolution You Can Keep Forget about dieting. This year resolve to Go Metro. Join the employees at 335 worksites throughout LA County who are finding a better way to get to work through Metro’s Employer Pass Program. Find out more at 213.922.2811.
chamber orchestra in a performance of
Chinatown Firecracker Run/ Walk Feb. 8
Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony and
Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Ox at the 31st Annual LA Chinatown Firecracker 5k/10k Run/Walk on Sunday, February 8. Metro Rail’s Chinatown Station is an easy way to get close to all the action. Use the Trip Planner at metro.net for connections.
Schoenberg’s Transfigured Night, Op. 4. Before taking up conducting, the German violinist enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a soloist, concertmaster and chamber musician. In addition to concertizing the world over, he currently holds faculty positions at
TAP Ready For Reduced Fare Customers Metro riders with Senior, College/Vocational or Student K-12 discount passes need to submit an application for a new reusable TAP card. You can get applications at Metro Customer Centers or online. Check metro.net/reducedfares for details or call 213.680.0054.
conservatories in Freiburg, Germany, and in Tokyo. Alfred Newman Recital Hall General Admission: $18 (213) 740-2167
For more information visit www.usc.edu
LA Downtown News
If you’d like to know more, please call us at 1.800.464.2111, or visit metro.net.
GEN-FE-09-008 ©2009 LACMTA
USC your cultural connection
Christoph Wyneken, guest conductor
Proposed bus service changes will be discussed at five public meetings being held February 4 -12 throughout LA County. For details about the proposed changes along with the time, date and location of the hearing nearest you, check online at metro.net.
January 26, 2009
Downtown News 3
SearchDowntownLA.com
Homeless Count Takes Place This Week Army of Volunteers to Fan Out Across Skid Row and Other Neighborhoods by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR
K
eeping track of citizens with permanent residences seems hard enough for government demographic sleuths, so how does an agency count society’s most transient members? Enlist an army of volunteers. At least, that’s the plan for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which this week will utilize close to 3,000 volunteers to carry out a countywide homeless census. As the joint city and county agency that administers federal funds for area homeless service providers, LAHSA is mandated to conduct such counts. This year’s effort, the third since 2005, is more expansive than past attempts, with more volunteers — many recruited online — counting several hundred additional census tracts, said Leslie Wise, the organization’s director of policy and planning. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, those volunteers will be put into small teams and deployed throughout the county — from Skid Row to the Antelope Valley to the South Bay — with one task: count every homeless individual and family they lay eyes on. The primary purpose of the count, said Councilwoman Jan Perry, whose Ninth District includes Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles, is to demonstrate to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development the region’s need for homeless services funds. “There’s a direct correlation between the number of people we count and the money we get from the federal government for social services,” Perry said. “When people ask why there are so many people on the street, why there’s not enough housing or healthcare for people on fixed incomes, a lot of that stems from the fact that we have an undercount and we’re always playing catch-up.” Hitting the Streets In the 50-square-block area of Skid Row, teams of two to three volunteers will start pounding the pavement at 8 p.m. LAHSA expects teams throughout the county to finish between midnight and 2 a.m., but Wise said some areas, including Skid Row, could take longer to count. During a training session either the day of or before the shift, volunteers will be coached in how to use their best judgment in determining whether an individual is in fact homeless. LAHSA tries to prohibit direct engagement. “We’re very, very clear that this is a visual enumeration,” Wise said. “Multiple times we stress that the point is not to disturb somebody in their sleep.” When volunteers, or “enumerators,” come across one of the many makeshift shelters in Skid Row where it is often impossible to tell how many people are taking refuge, LAHSA instructions are simply to count individual encampments. The agency later plugs the data into a formula devised by biostatisticians from the University of North Carolina to estimate the number of individuals sleeping in encampments. Not Just a Count LAHSA’s 2005 count found that on any given night in greater Los Angeles there were 88,345 homeless people, including those sleeping on the street and staying temporarily in social service institutions such as shelters. That number fell 17% in 2007 to 73,000. The study, which includes individual counts for some cities and neighborhoods, showed a similar decline in the city of Los Angeles, from 48,103 in 2005 to 40,144 in 2007. The drop mirrored a national trend from 2005 to 2007. Skid Row, however, bucked that trend. LAHSA found that the number of homeless people in the area jumped from 3,668 in 2005 to 5,131 in 2007. The 2007 count resulted in $72 million in HUD funds being directed to LAHSA and the public agencies it partners with in 2008. Because so many factors affect the changing size of the homeless population on a short- and long-term basis, identifying what exactly drives that fluctuation is extremely challenging, Wise said. “It helps us get a better handle on who specifically is being impacted by homelessness,” Wise said. In addition to the street count, LAHSA will conduct a demographic survey to identify trends such as whether there are more women on the streets or more homeless families. That will begin in February and will be followed up a few weeks later with a telephone survey that seeks to identify the “hidden homeless,” people who may have taken up shelter in, for example, a carport, under a stairwell or in a car. Wise stressed that the entire project — the street count, surveys and an institutional count conducted by temporary housing groups — is geared toward achieving a more accurate figure, but not necessarily a higher number. But if the number is indeed higher, it could have a benefit, said Perry,
in that it would mean fewer individuals were missed. “With a more accurate count, we make a stronger and more quantitative argument to the federal government that our need is demonstrable,” Perry said. “Hopefully it’ll translate into a higher count too though, and it’ll be more thorough because, again, there’s a lot of people who have been missed.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.
photo by Gary Leonard
On Jan. 27-29, teams of volunteers will attempt to count the number of homeless people in Skid Row and other parts of Los Angeles County. A 2007 survey found that 73,000 people are homeless in the county on any given night.
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4 Downtown News
January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com
EDITORIALS Buying Park Site a Good First Step
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or well more than a year a chorus of Downtowners have been angry about the city Department of Recreation and Parks’ inability to use Quimby funds to acquire sites for green space. The money, garnered from assessments to housing developers, was sitting unutilized. The recent announcement that the department is buying a nearly one-acre parcel in the heart of the Historic Core is a hopeful and surprising turn. But while Rec and Parks has taken a positive step for Downtown Los Angeles, this is only one victory after an extended losing streak. Downtown needs to see more proactive moves to be confident that Rec and Parks has changed its ways regarding Quimby fees. There are some strong positives about the acquisition, which is expected to close escrow in March. The first is the location: The site, on Spring between Fourth and Fifth streets, is in walking distance to hundreds of condominiums and apartments and thousands of workers. It sits between two buildings that are being turned into housing, meaning there
will be users from day one as well as people who, from their windows, will literally be able to watch over the park to make sure unsavory acts after dark are promptly reported. (Drug use and other misbehavior are a feature of virtually all urban parks, but we remain hopeful this scourge is not a certainty forever.) We also hope plans will include spy cameras, like those in other Downtown neighborhoods, to help deter crime. The acquisition price of $5.6 million is significant but tolerable. A statement from Downtown Councilwoman Jan Perry noted that the figure is 12.5% below what the land was appraised for in September, meaning there are advantages to buying in the current depressed real estate market. Another positive is that steps are being taken to include the community in planning the park. During the coming months, the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council will host sessions where area stakeholders can communicate their park desires to city officials. This presents a risk — bring
200 people together and you’re likely to get 200 different opinions — but hopefully it will create a community consensus and lead to the park opening in the near future. It is worth noting that Rec and Parks has benefited from what appears to be a motivated seller. The land is being unloaded by Downtown Properties, a development firm that on Feb. 8 will stage an auction in the effort to secure enough buyers to open the massive Rowan lofts, directly south of the proposed park (the firm also is turning the old El Dorado building, north of the park site, into housing). By giving up the land, Downtown Properties both gets some cash and has a future amenity to dangle before potential buyers. Now, Rec and Parks needs to use the acquisition to build momentum. The department was rightfully hammered when it revealed that it had acquired tens of millions of dollars in Quimby fees but that it had no effective system to track or spend the money. As we say, one positive move does not erase the past. This effort to create new green space in Downtown is a good first step for Rec and Parks. Hopefully there will be more good news, and more new parks, soon.
Private-Sector Pros Can Give Back by Going Public
I
t is very easy, and very common, for those in the private sector to complain about the practices of government. Decrying inefficiency or waste is routine, as is the request that government do things better or, in certain cases, act more like a business. Often these critiques have merit, and few would deny that government, whether the city, county, state or federal varieties, could improve by employing at least some private-sector tactics. But it is a lot easier to complain than to try to better the situation. That is why the step taken by Dan Rosenfeld is at once unusual and inspiring. It shows that those in the private sector can make things better for the rest of us if only they’ll put their expertise in play. He’s not the only one to do so, but he is the most high profile in recent memory. Rosenfeld recently left Urban Partners, the Downtown Los Angeles-based development firm he co-founded nearly a decade ago, to serve as the planning deputy for new county Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. While his reason to shift from the private sector to the public may sound like idealism — “I believe that the privilege of serving the public is the highest honor to which a citizen can aspire,” he told Los Angeles Downtown News recently — the fact that he has done
Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis
so proves it is more than speechifying. In fact, this marks the second time he traded the private life for public good; in the 1990s, after developing office buildings, he went to work managing real estate for the state of California and then the city of Los Angeles. This is a man who had choices, even in a tough market, and he chose the public sector. The most exceptional thing about Rosenfeld’s move is that it is the exception. In actuality, all levels of government could benefit if some of the people who developed skills and relationships in the private sector were to occasionally “give back” by joining the public workforce. Imagining the opportunities is tantalizing, and some have actually happened, but at lower levels. Those who have advanced to high posts in the private medical field could lend all manner of expertise by working in the public health system. Other real estate developers, from Downtown Los Angeles and beyond, could help the Los Angeles Unified School District or the Metropolitan Transportation Authority make the best use of the billions they will receive in bond money for massive construction campaigns. (There have already been scattered examples of this in those agencies, but we’d like to see more.) Perhaps some Hollywood agents could spend a few years hammering out deals for the city, thus get-
ting money not for a single well-heeled actor or director, but rather benefiting millions of clients in the form of taxpayers. We know we’re idealistic here, but the list goes on. There are plenty of excuses not to jump. The public sector will probably pay less and move slower, and there will be certain grandstanding politicians to which the pros will have to kiss up. But the move does not have to be permanent. It also might be smart business, as today’s public-sector contacts could be business opportunities after a return to the private world. A few years here and there from some successful privatesector folks could produce great rewards. Putting one’s skills to the best possible use, as defined by thinking of the greater good, is an idea that is not as radical as it seems.
How to reach us Main office: (213) 481-1448 MAIL your Letter Letters to the Editor • L.A. Downtown News 1264 W. First Street • Los Angeles, CA 90026 Email your Letter realpeople@downtownnews.com FAX your Letter (213) 250-4617 Read Us on the Web DowntownNews.com
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 sAlEs MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin AssistANt sAlEs MANAGEr: George Caston sAlEs AssistANt: Annette Cruz clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Vanessa Acuña, Robert Dutcher, Catherine Holloway, 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. It is also distributed to the extended urban communities of Glendale, Hollywood, Wilshire Center, Los Feliz, Silver Lake & Larchmont Village.
One copy per person.
January 26, 2009
Downtown News 5
Opinion
LETTERS Think Smaller Dear Editor, nna Scott’s story “Ready for a Mega Year” (Jan. 5) illustrates the backward thinking about redevelopment in Downtown Los Angeles. L.A. Live and Grand Avenue are more of the same in Downtown’s misguided redevelopment strategy that pours billions of dollars into a handful of corporate-backed “mega” developments that will do very little to create a livable Downtown. What Downtown Los Angeles needs is not more “mega” developments, but attention to the smaller projects and details that make Downtown a real neighborhood. Imagine the transformation that would occur if the city made billions of dollars worth of strategic investments in pocket parks, street trees, bike lanes, L.A. River improvement/access and wider sidewalks. The lively, attractive and sustainable streetscape along South Group’s Evo/ Luma/Elleven development is a great example of the ability of small spaces to create a truly livable neighborhood. Tom Gilmore’s street cafes, tree planters and nighttime light exhibit are all very simple efforts that have had significant and transformative effects. Downtown’s “mega” boosters and mega-developers are oblivious to the fact that people are much more dazzled by lights crisscrossing Fourth Street than they are by 40-foot illuminated ads in Nokia Plaza. Like many other Downtown resi-
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dents and workers, I’d much rather see 2009 as a “micro” year than a “mega” year. —Jason Neville, Los Angeles
Walking Good, Tunnel Bad Dear Editor, love the idea of making Downtown more pedestrian-friendly (“Walkable by Design,” Jan. 12, by Anna Scott). I just hope somehow the Third Street tunnel can be made walkable. If one lives west of the tunnel, there is no easy way to get to the Grand Central Market except for traversing the netherworld of that tunnel. Scary in mid-day; out of the question after twilight. —Tobi Dragert, Downtown
I
Housing, Carrots And Sticks
the current carrot on a stick does not lead the horse to adequately deliver affordable housing, do you dangle a sweeter carrot or start swinging the stick? Much like the Green Building Ordinance, the city needs to mandate a baseline amount of affordable units to be provided as a requirement and provide incentives for established levels exceeding the bare minimum, such as expedited approvals, increased density, reduction or reallocation of parking requirements, waived exactions or other, sweeter carrots It would be foolish for the city to swing the stick without providing mechanisms for the economic viability of housing developments, especially in the current economic environment. If development costs rise, the cost of housing and rents will go up to offset the subsidy and the production of housing will slow down. No matter how you dice it, someone will have to pay and it’ll most likely be the consumers who are paying market rate. —Simon Ha
Dear Editor, he question of how or who to subsidize (“Affordable Housing Debate Returns,” Jan. 12, by Anna Scott) will always be open to passionate debate as long as those in need exceed available resources. Delivering an adequate amount of affordable housing is a daunting task that will take the efforts of many in various forms. Everybody must do their share. The hotly debated Mixed Income Housing Ordinance has the developers up in arms and vowing to fight. But if
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Los Angeles Downtown News encourages letters. They become the property of Los Angeles Downtown News and may be edited. All letters should be typewritten and include an address and telephone number for verification.
Please send them to: Letter to the Editor 1264 W. First St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 Fax to: (213) 250-4617 Email to: realpeople@downtownnews.com
Reader Reaction Website Responses to Downtown News Stories Regarding the article “Walkable by Design,” about a proposal to make Downtown more pedestrian-friendly, by Anna Scott, Jan. 12.
O
h yes, it’s about time they finally do that. L.A. has the ugliest Downtown among large cities, but I’m glad it’s about to change. By creating a true, urban, walkable environment in Downtown, L.A. will hopefully (one day!) transform into a new place, a great city to live, work and visit. —posted by Alek F., Jan. 11, 9:02 p.m.
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he best way to make it pedestrian-friendly is to add more retail and get rid of those long, cold, blank walls. —posted by Seb, Jan. 12, 10:09 a.m.
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walk in Downtown L.A. a lot. Living in the northwest corner, I can walk to Ralphs and Chinatown, Little Tokyo and Vista Hermosa Park, all within 20 minutes. Why go to the gym? Yet as much as I love the streets, there are only a few places really attractive to walkers. What distinguishes them as attractive, inviting and not sun-baked are the trees. In my time here (since 2004) I have seen more trees go down then go up. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s tree campaign was a joke. Wide sidewalks are nice (see the south side of Thom Mayne’s Caltrans building), but what makes the street lovely are trees. What makes all streets lovely are trees. Grand Avenue now stands as a disaster area: hot to walkers, without any attempt even to plant things as a stop-gap until development. It has very wide sidewalks. What it needs is green and shade and even a canopy in places. —posted by Judith Markoff Hansen, Jan. 14, 2:05 p.m.
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January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com
A Tale of Two Closings
Mitsuwa Replacement Announced
Deal Hunters Swarm in the Final Days of Mitsuwa Marketplace and the 7+Fig Macy’s
Independent Supermarket Will Move Into Little Tokyo Shopping Center by AnnA Scott StAff writer
by AnnA Scott StAff writer
O
n Monday, Jan. 19, a shopping frenzy hit Downtown Los Angeles. With two huge local stores facing their final days, many people spent Martin Luther King, Jr. Day combing the clearance sales. By early afternoon, a line of more than 100 people, shopping carts at the ready, snaked outside Mitsuwa Marketplace and through the Little Tokyo Shopping Center. Supermarket employees in white coats manned the entrance like bouncers at a nightclub, carefully monitoring the traffic flow in and out of the store. Mitsuwa was scheduled to close on Sunday, Jan. 25 (after Los Angeles Downtown News went to press), following a six-day
sale in which nearly everything in the store was discounted by 50%. News that the store might be replaced first surfaced last May, after a group of Korean-American investors purchased the LTSC. The new owners last week revealed that Mitsuwa will be replaced by a still unnamed, independently owned, Asian-themed market (see sidebar). Meanwhile, Macy’s in the 7+Fig shopping mall also did brisk business last week, with prices on everything marked down 30%-50%. On Monday the store was still reasonably wellstocked, though certain areas, like the women’s shoe department, looked decimated. On Jan. 8, Macy’s company officials announced that they would close 11 underperforming stores nationwide, including the 7+Fig location, though a Macy’s a few blocks east
photo by Gary Leonard
By Jan. 20, the shelves of Little Tokyo’s Mitsuwa Marketplace were almost picked clean.
A
new Asian-themed supermarket will replace the Downtown Los Angeles outpost of the Japanese chain Mitsuwa Marketplace in the Little Tokyo Shopping Center, a representative of the property owners announced last week. Jason Kim of Coldwell Banker, who handles leasing for the LTSC and acts as a spokesman for the group that acquired the mall in 2008, said last Thursday that a lease has been signed for the space that housed Mitsuwa, which was scheduled to close on Jan. 25. The new market, said Kim, is not part of a chain. A name has not been selected for the store, but will incorporate the phrase “Little Tokyo.� It will carry Japanese, Korean, Chinese and American food products, and will be operated by a group of lo-
in Macy’s Plaza will remain open. The 7+Fig store will close, said company spokesman Jim Sluzewski, when all the merchandise is gone. Though selling everything might seem like a difficult task when items on the shelves include picture-taking watches and “Family Feud� desk calendars, liquidation expert James Schaye said never to rule anything out. “There’s nothing that doesn’t sell,� said Schaye, CEO of Hudson Capital Partners, which is not involved with the liquidation of Macy’s or Mitsuwa. In the last days before a store closes, he said, retailers typically offer 90% discounts. “There is someone who will buy
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cal, Asian-American investors who have some supermarket experience, Kim said. The new store is expected to open soon, possibly within weeks, Kim said. The owners plan to spend up to $1 million renovating the space, and might roll the store out in phases while work is ongoing. Though the Korean grocery chain H Mart had been a contender to replace Mitsuwa, Kim said no deal could be reached. “H Mart demanded a very aggressive lease term,� he said. “We couldn’t accept it.� The mall’s owners, a group of local Korean-American investors who have not been publicly identified, plan to make their own renovations to the LTSC in the coming months, said Kim, to complement the efforts of the new market owners. Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com. whatever is on sale. It amazes me sometimes.� Of course, the Downtown stores are not alone. Numerous retailers nationwide announced that they will call it quits following a poor holiday sales season, The biggest crunch came when Circuit City said it would shutter all 567 of its remaining stores. Schaye (who is working on the Circuit City liquidation) said that in the current economy, some retailers are quicker to close underperforming stores than in previous years. “I think the smart ones are,� he said. But closing individual locations does not necessarily mean the chain as a whole is in trouble.
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Downtown News 7
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Prices on items in the Macy’s in the 7+Fig mall were up to 50% off last week as the chain prepares to close the store.
“For healthy retailers, I think it’s an evolution of a company,” said Schaye. “Wal-Mart, for example, probably has more empty stores than some have in their entire chain.” Where Mannequins Go to Die The most potent symbol of the Downtown Macy’s imminent closure last week could be found on its basement level. There, behind the kitchenware and vacuum cleaners, yellow caution tape cordoned off a corner of the room. Beyond that, at least 10 naked mannequins and mannequin parts, some partially stained a disturbing shade of red, were haphazardly strewn. On the ground level, steps away from the shopping center’s bustling food court, a few shelves showcased an odd assortment of gift items set out on display. All marked at 50% off, they included a $35 Animal House trivia game, a $30 talking
dart board and a $35 digital, coin-counting money jar. While everything usually goes in clearance sales, do not expect to see any unsold items move over to the Macy’s at Macy’s Plaza, said Schaye. “It makes no sense” for retailers to redistribute unsold merchandise after a store closes, he said. “The slow-selling items in that Macy’s store are the same slow-selling items in every other Macy’s store, so all you’re doing is doubling up on slow-selling items. It’s all about turnover; you want to turn your inventory quickly today.” Sea Vegetables and Green Chocolate After Monday’s feeding frenzy, by Tuesday afternoon Mitsuwa looked like a ghost town. Nearly all that remained in the produce section, amid long rows of empty shelves and displays, were several packages of dried kelp. Ima Kuroda, 28, with purple streaks in her hair, examined one of them. Her hand-held basket already contained
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Continued from page 2 a chance the drugstore could open there at a later date, Moore said he is already marketing the 16,000-sqaurefoot space, which is vacant, to other potential tenants.
Downtown Film Shoots Increase in 2008
T
he greater Los Angeles region experienced an 8.1% drop in the number of on-location filming days in 2008. But buoyed by a significant annual increase in television production, Downtown hosted 2,974 permitted production days in 2008, or 9.8% more than in 2007, according to FilmL.A., the nonprofit that coordinates film permitting in the city and parts of the county. “Downtown, as we have seen in the past, has been known to buck regional location production trends,” said FilmL.A. spokesman Todd Lindgren. Television production Downtown jumped 27% in 2008, propelled by a 104% jump in the fourth quarter. Lindgren attributed that quarterly leap to the low television numbers in the final quarter of 2007 that were the result of the writers strike. Mirroring the regional trend, feature film production dropped 15.5% Downtown and commercials fell 4%. Despite the decrease in commercial production, Downtown remains the most popular area in greater Los Angeles for those shoots, Lindgren said, accounting for approximately one-third of all permitted commercial production days.
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n Thursday, Jan. 29, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 120th annual Inaugural Dinner, during which Fran Inman, senior vice president of corporate development for Majestic Realty Co., will be installed as the Chamber’s 2009 Board Chair. The event at L.A. Live begins with a 5:30 p.m. reception, followed by a 7 p.m. dinner and program. During the ceremony, Automobile Club of Southern California CEO Thomas McKernan will receive the Chamber’s Civic Medal of Honor, Occidental Petroleum Corp. Chairman and CEO Dr. Ray Irani will be honored as a Distinguished Business Leader, and Woodbury University will be given the Corporate Leadership Award. Event organizers expect 1,100 business and civic leaders to show up, said the Chamber’s director of marketing and communications, Gwen Oldham. The event is open to Chamber members and the public; individual tickets are $500. Register online at lachamber.com.
a bottled soft drink, rice crackers, instant noodles and other items. She had been there Monday, she said, hoping to pick up some usually expensive Japanese herbal medicines, but left after seeing the line. On Tuesday, the products were gone. “Nothing’s left,” she marveled. “I didn’t find anything I want.” Looking at her cart, she admitted, “I probably spent more money today than I would have, but since it’s half-price…” On the opposite side of the store, Mitsuwa’s candy section held a few confections that had been noticeably ignored Monday, including many packages of wafers covered in green tea-flavored chocolate, licorice plums and Botan rice candy, whose packaging boasts, “Rice paper inner wrapping is edible.” Assistant store manager Tomokuni Seya said that the day before, the store completed 2,500 transactions. Sales figures, he said, are confidential. “But,” he added, “we should say we’re closing every month.” Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.
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8 Downtown News
January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com
JANUARY 20, 2009
photo by Gary Leonard
Nokia Plaza at L.A. Live was the site of Los Angeles’ largest viewing party for the inauguration of President Barack Obama. By the time he was sworn in, more than 1,500 people had gathered in front of L.A. Live’s massive video screen.
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January 26, 2009
Downtown News 9
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Fire Station Continued from page 1 safety bond approved by voters in 2000. The station is the first component to open of a three-stage development that will ultimately include a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center and a new fire dispatch center. The latter elements are under construction and not expected to open for “up to several years,” fire officials said. Evolving Neighborhood When Prop. F passed, the LAFD immediately started eyeing some of its oldest stations for renovation or replacement. The 61-yearold Fire Station No. 4 was a clear choice. Built in the years following World War II, the station initially served a 2.4-square-mile, primarily residential district. Currently, the district’s immediate service area spans the southern portion of Chinatown, Little Tokyo, the Civic Center, Olvera Street and Union Station. But as one of five stations in Battalion One, which spans the 9.2-square-mile area the LAFD considers to be Downtown, Fire Station No. 4 assists on calls from Chinatown to South Park, Smith said. The station, which fields an average of 28 calls per day, responds to brush fires in the Elysian Park area, structure fires in the Warehouse District, medical assistance needs in Skid Row and various fire safety issues in skyscrapers and loft buildings, Smith said. The former building’s aged infrastructure was deemed inadequate for allowing the rapid response expected in modern firefighting, especially in a district where the business and residential populations have grown so dramatically, Smith said. It was also too small to be renovated, according to a department press release.
photos by Gary Leonard
The new fire station is more than twice the size of the outdated facility it replaced. It features a handball court and a restaurant-quality kitchen.
Down the Pole While traditionalists may miss the old structure’s look, the new station incorporates some of the most timeless fire station features and pastimes. For one, the structure has a large kitchen and dining area, which is important because the room is the usual meeting place for eating and informal socializing among the force, said firefighter Steve Baker. “It’s the center of camaraderie,” Baker said. The new building’s kitchen is essentially a commercial, restaurant-level facility, compared to the smaller, more basic kitchen at the old station, Baker said. What won’t change, he added, is the gathering and eating tradition. Even though the building is more modern, the quickest way to get from the second floor
to the first is, of course, by sliding down a fire pole. The new station has three of them. The few seconds saved by those poles can make a big difference. Sleeping dorms for the firefighters, who work 24-hour shifts, are on the second floor and no matter when a call comes in, the expected response time — from bed to engine, fully dressed in firefighting gear — is 60 seconds, Smith said. One of the lesser-known fire station pastimes, the game of handball, is also taken into account in the new facility. It includes a court with a wooden floor for the game that is similar to indoor racquet sports like squash, but uses a larger, bouncier ball that players hit with their bare or gloved hands. The new facilities are generally welcomed by the firefighters who now call the building home, but like most moves, they are still
getting used to a larger space, different hallways and new traffic routes to the same sites. Some say the larger station has actually put a damper on the crew’s fraternity-like morale. “The old place was nice because there was a lot of camaraderie,” Baker said. “It was small and we were really packed in there and here there are so many places to go, so you’ve got guys studying, and if you’re in the kitchen you’re away from everybody else. Whereas at the old station the kitchen was centralized, so we’ve seen a little drop in camaraderie, but we’re still as tight. You just have to put in a little more effort.” Consider the transition like moving to a new house, Smith said. “But multiply it by 10,” he said. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.
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10 Downtown News
Housing Continued from page 1 since Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced a $5 billion, five-year plan to bring more affordable housing to Los Angeles. While nothing has been implemented yet, the debate over his proposal is ratcheting up. Most of the controversy revolves around a proposal to create a Mixed-Income Ordinance, which would require developers citywide to include some very low- to moderate-income units in their market-rate projects. It would be a marked departure from the past, as in most parts of the city such a stricture only applies to developments that use public funds from entities such as the Community Redevelopment Agency. While some in the development community have argued that enacting such a policy could dampen housing production in an already difficult market, affordable housing advocates have called for strong mandates. The discussion, which has simmered and occasionally boiled over the years, most recently in 2005 when a similar concept called the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance failed, is about to get hot again. This month a group of business officials unveiled a plan that, while not explicitly so, is essentially a counter to Villaraigosa’s proposal. Meanwhile, the Mixed-Income Ordinance is expected to make its way to two City Council committee hearings in the coming months. Heart of the Matter Villaraigosa announced his plan to create the Mixed-Income Ordinance last September as part of his Housing That Works initiative, an ambitious plan to build 20,000 affordable
housing units by 2013. Even before it was formally announced, however, housing and business leaders began arguing over what shape it should take. The question at the crux of the debate is whether such legislation would stifle market-rate housing development in an economy where few new projects are being announced and many just-opened complexes are having difficulties drawing residents. Questions are also being raised about whether the ordinance should be balanced by developer incentives. On Jan. 8, a handful of business groups led by the Downtown-based Central City Association stepped up their position with a press conference on the steps of City Hall. They unveiled a report calling, in part, for strong developer incentives to be part of the ordinance. “What the low-income advocates will never cop to is, somebody pays for it,” said CCA President Carol Schatz the week after the press conference. “The whole burden can’t be placed on the developers’ shoulders.” Incentives suggested in the CCA report include allowing increased density or height, reducing parking requirements and expediting city approvals for projects with an affordable component. These options are vital in the current economy, some say. “Any desire to create affordable housing should be offset by incentives for use by the developers, so it’s a balanced approach,” said Kevin Ratner, president of Forest City Residential West, developer of Downtown’s th and other th mixed-income projects. Met Lofts “If you just mandate affordable housing, that aM effect on PM will have a chilling development, especially now, when it’s already difficult.” Not everyone agrees. While very low-income units are more costly because of their
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smaller returns, the city and state already have sufficient programs in place to help developers cover that difference, said Beth Steckler, a spokeswoman for the affordable housing coalition Housing L.A. Steckler pointed to Senate Bill 1818, approved in 2005, and the city’s Downtown Ordinance, passed in 2007, which both provide density bonuses in exchange for building affordable housing, as examples. “We went through the last housing boom really looking at incentivizing the housing market,” she said. “We think there are enough incentives in place even to do the low-income housing.” Peter Dreier, chair of the Urban and Environmental Policy Program at Occidental College and the former housing director for the city of Boston, argues that a slowed development market is actually ideal for creating a new policy. “This is exactly the right time to impose new ground rules,” he said. “When there’s a lull in development, it’s the time to change the rules, so when the market heats up again the rules have been set in advance.” In the current market, Villaraigosa will have to walk a delicate line to create the consensus to pull his proposal through, especially when previous efforts have failed. To get there, said Helmi Hisserich, his deputy mayor for Housing and Economic Development, some incentives are being considered. “I think we want to use what’s already in place, and look at whether there are fresh ideas,” she said. She added that city officials may look at creating new incentives on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis. One offset that will be built into the policy, she said, will be a smaller requirement for developers who create very low-income units, which are reserved for households that earn up to 60% annually of the Area Median Income, which is about $60,000 per year. “The deeper the affordability, the fewer units have to be built,” said Hisserich. “The idea is to provide developers with enough flexibility that they can choose to provide more workforce housing if that works for them, or a small number of very low-income if that works for them. “The reality is that we have a lack of housing across the income spectrum.”
Going Through the Motions The proposal to create the Mixed-Income Ordinance is expected to go before the City Council’s Housing, Community and Economic Development and the Planning and Land Use Management committees by the end of March. In the meantime, a committee of city commissioners, department heads and private developers has been created and begun work advising Villaraigosa and the City Council on the financial feasibility of the ordinance. If approved by the Council committees, the proposal would go to the full City Council for approval and then to the City Attorney to begin drafting the measure. However, there is no timeline yet for implementation, as it will likely take months before the proposal even reaches the full Council. If it gets that far, depending on what goes into the measure, the debate may not end there. Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry, who represents much of Downtown and South L.A., where a significant amount of affordable housing already exists, has pledged to push for an ordinance that encourages construction throughout the city. She spoke at the press conference convened by the CCA. In fact, there is no certainty that anything will come of the effort. Six years ago, an attempt to create a citywide affordable housing mandate, the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, died in Council amid heated debate. It never even made it to the floor for a full vote. This time, however, supporters are counting on a shift in political will. “The last time around, [James] Hahn was the mayor; he was not in support of mixedincome,” said Steckler. “Mayor Villaraigosa has been, and now he’s put it in his housing plan and wants it to happen. That’s a big difference.” Indeed it is, though Villaraigosa also must grapple with obstacles not in play the last time the debate heated up. “There has been a seismic shift in the real estate market,” said Perry. “If we all have the objective of getting housing built at all income levels, we need to be realistic about how to do it.” Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.
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L.A. Times Continued from page 1 Want Something Lenticular? All this is not an effort to make fun of the Times, where the decimated newsroom has a morale only slightly better than the Clippers’ locker room. Like many, I’m disturbed by the hundreds of newsroom staff no longer employed there (including the dozens of good journalists), and worry that the loss of so much institutional memory is bad for the city and bad for keeping those in power on their toes. Anyone who loves Los Angeles knows that the city needs an exceptional daily newspaper. I’m also aware that Zell is desperate to boost revenues so he can pay the approximately $8 billion in debt he wound up swimming in when he bought Times parent the Tribune Co. But like many, I expected, and by “expected” I mean “hoped even though it was probably futile,” to see profits increase through smart management, more online advertising sales and a redoubled effort on the journalistic prowess that for years made the Times one of the nation’s best newspapers. Maybe those profits are coming. But right now, it looks like the strategy to get more money is to sell holographic mouse pads for $12.99. What exactly is a holographic mouse pad? I’m not sure, so I read the description and learned that it is a “mouse pad featuring lenticular views of the Los Angeles Times 1/21 and 11/5 front pages.” Maybe I’m in the minority here, but after four decades of reading a lot of stuff, I don’t think I have ever come across “lenticular,” and the description did not inspire me to click and purchase. So I looked in my Webster’s New World College Dictionary
and learned that it means “shaped like a lentil or biconvex lens.” Got it. Zell is ready to service the Tribune Co. debt by selling an Obama “collectible” mouse pad shaped like a lentil bean. Show Me the Coffee Mug Again, all of this is not an effort to make fun of the Times, where the path to profitability seems to be to axe people like Al Martinez, a septuagenarian columnist who, when they tried to fire him last year, proved so popular that many readers complained. That uprising forced the Times to reverse
Apparently the paper’s marketing staff went down to the Arts District to get sales advice from Crazy Gideon. course, realizing that people actually picked up the paper so they could read Martinez. Well, the Times forced him out anyway, and his farewell column appeared last Monday, the day after the full-page ad promoting the collectibles. I’m all for web-based innovation. Without the power of the Internet I’d never have been able to spend hours watching the video that mixes the lyrics of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” with footage from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance. But when it comes to innovation, I like things to be innovative. And if not that, then at least functional.
A screen grab from store.latimes.com last Monday, the day after the Los Angeles Times ran a full-page ad urging readers to pre-order “inauguration collectibles.” This page, for a set of coffee mugs, did not show images of the mugs.
That’s the other problem I found with store.latimes.com. Not only does it have things I don’t need and language I don’t understand, the entire site makes me want to seal my wallet tighter than the tomb that preserved King Tut for thousands of years. You know the line about how if 700 monkeys typed for 700 years one of them would come up with Shakespeare? Well, store.latimes.com seems to be what you’d get if six drunken interns typed for 19 minutes under the directive to slap up something that would wow the Internet audience of 1997. Last Monday, if you clicked the photo of the “Commemorative Coffee Mug Set,” it featured not a picture of the mugs, but rather a square with the Times logo and a message in red capital letters reading “BUY YOUR 11/5 & 1/21 FRONT-PAGE COFFEE MUGS NOW!” 2009 Forecast.qxp
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I may not be a marketing genius, but if I were trying to sell readers some $25 coffee mugs and had utilized a full-page ad in the Sunday paper to draw their attention, on Monday I might actually show them the coffee mugs. Perhaps I’m being too hard on the paper of record. After all, everything’s going kaplooey these days. The economy is in the toilet and, good gravy, the Arizona Cardinals are in the Super Bowl. But even with the understanding that the Times needs more money, this offering of Obamamobilia feels like scraping the bottom of the barrel. I’d expect to see these things being sold by stoned Venice Beach vendors, not one of the nation’s bastions of journalism. Then again, even if I went to Venice Beach I might not be able to find a lentil-bean shaped holographic Obama mouse pad. Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.
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12 Downtown News
January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com
RESTAURANTS The Mexican n o i t lu o v Re At Provecho, Gabriel Morales Offers Lobster Chile Rellenos, Kobe Beef Torta Sliders And Other Dishes With a Twist
by RichaRd Guzmán
everything was fine and perfect.
city editoR
D
ecember was a huge month for openings in Downtown Los Angeles, and much of the attention went to L.A. Live, the $2.5 billion complex that brought eateries including Fleming’s Steakhouse, the Farm of Beverly Hills and the ESPN Zone. Amid the hubbub, it was possible to overlook another arrival: Provecho, helmed by chef Gabriel Morales, opened on the ground floor of the building at 800 Wilshire Blvd. on Dec. 1. Morales has an impressive resume: Before coming to Downtown, he spent time at Boa Steakhouse, Republic and The Polo Lounge. The 5,000-squarefoot new establishment, he said, differs from those others in that the aim is to offer “Mexican cuisine, as opposed to Mexican food.” While that is more a clever slogan than an actual description, the menu reflects a creative spin on many traditional Mexican dishes. There are lobster chile rellenos, chorizo-crusted scallops, Kobe beef torta sliders, a variety of tacos including grilled snapper, as well as tamales and sopes. What may earn Provecho the most attention are two other options: It features a ceviche raw bar and a tequila menu with nearly 100 artisan and boutique brands. The 36-year-old Morales spoke with Los Angeles Downtown News about the eatery that seats 158, the fun of choosing tequila and the difference between food and cuisine. Los Angeles Downtown News: Why the name Provecho? Gabriel Morales: In Mexico City the waiters and servers say “buen provecho” when they deliver the food, which means bon appetit. I just liked the way Provecho sounded, so I took the “buen” off it and decided to use it. Q: This is a tough time for the economy and new restaurants. How has business been? A: It’s been ramping up steadily; every day it’s getting busier and busier. It was a slow start on purpose. I literally unlocked the door and didn’t tell anybody, I just started calling all my close friends and family and people that I knew that worked Downtown and let them roll in on their own so we could work the kinks out. Before I exposed myself to the masses I wanted to make sure
Q: What makes Provecho different from other Mexican restaurants in Downtown? A: Provecho is a very progressive modern Mexican cuisine. Basically what I’ve done is kept the Mexican cuisine very true to its roots as far as recipes go, but I’ve modernized the technique in which it’s plated and which it’s served. Some of the ingredients we’ve tweaked out. The quality of the food is all Grade A prime, number one everything.
photo by Gary Leonard
Chef Gabriel Morales opened Provecho, at Eighth Street and Wilshire Boulevard, on Dec. 1.
Q: What’s the difference between Mexican food and Mexican cuisine? A: Mexican food is basically all the street dishes and all the comfort food dishes and all that food that comes from the grandmothers. They’re just cleaned up, modernized and presented in such a way that shows it’s evolved rather than stayed the same. Mexican food for a long time now has been stabilized and set in such a way that nobody’s ever taken it to another level. So we’re trying to take that basic grandma’s cooking and show that there are ways to modernize even Mexican food and make it look nice and taste good.
Q: What are some of the dishes you’ve modernized? A: One is the machaca, which we’re doing with the scrambled eggs French style, very soft scrambled eggs, and we’re adding truffles to it and using Kobe brisket instead of some cheap sirloin. We came across other dishes like Pozole de Pato by tasting duck and then using pozole on the stove — we decided that it worked together. Usually you see pork with pozole or chicken once in a while, but being pork-heavy already we decided to pull the pork out and use duck. It flavored it up really nicely. Q: Why did you decide to create a ceviche bar? A: The idea behind the ceviche bar is people are used to seeing what they think is ceviche, which is actually not. Real ceviche is actually sashimi. It isn’t until it migrated north that we started throwing tomato sauce and marinating it and basically doing a drunken version of it.
Q: What’s the deal with the tequila menu? A: Everything we do is pretty much boutique. We literally picked about 94 tequilas from very small companies. There’s one called Alkuimia, it’s absolutely amazing. I think we’re one of the only places serving it right now in Southern California. The tequila menu we designed has a legend on top of it and little symbols next to each tequila titled “rock,” “sip” or “swirl.” So we’ve taken the time, and the fun part of it was actually tasting it, to put the way you should drink it right next to it, so it’s almost idiot proof. Q: So you tasted more than 90 tequilas? A: I’ve tasted every single tequila, yes. Q: All at once? A: [Laughs] Oh no, it took us about 10 days. We got pretty wasted, but it was fun. The average price for the tequilas is about 10 bucks. Q: What are your plans for the future? A: We plan on starting delivery, and catering has started to take off. We also have a lounge attached to the restaurant called Remedy, which we just launched, and that’s starting off pretty good. We’re actually offering American bar fare at the lounge. At 800 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 489-1406 or provechorestaurant.com. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnew.com.
January 26, 2009
Downtown News 13
Restaurants Grub With Guzmán
♦♦♦
Find Your Lunch Spot, With Advice From an Expert by RichaRd Guzmán
I
city editoR
t’s one of the most important decisions you will make during the day, and with so many choices Downtown, it’s not an easy one: Where will you have lunch? Before you start stressing about where to go for your mid-day meal, here are a few Downtown Los Angeles recommendations that have appeared in the Grub With Guzmán column over the past year. Remember, I’m a professional, and have been eating lunch for more than 30 years. The Palm: My number one goal for 2009 is to somehow get my picture up on the wall at The Palm in South Park. It’s a place where the local elite go to wind down and where the really, really elite, or those that really, really go there a lot, get their caricatures on the wall. I’m nowhere near big-shot status enough to be
every bite and for $1 extra you can make any dog into a foot-long. At 500 S. Spring St., (213) 817-6002 or weeneez.com.
photo by Gary Leonard
Grub This Way
Korean BBQ House: One of the rules I live by is that if it sizzles, it’s probably good, and there’s no shortage of sizzling hot plates at this restaurant in Japanese Village Plaza. You hear the food coming from the kitchen as it sizzles on its way to your table. Once it hits your taste buds, it’s even better. The short ribs are always good and a side of kimchee is a must. Also strong is the BBQ pork and chicken. At 323 E. First St. in Japanese Village Plaza, (213) 680-1826.
in either group, so I’ll probably have to sneak in there and draw my own mug on some rare blank spot. But before I draw, I’ll be feasting on dishes including the Twin Tenderloin Filet and the delicious Thai Calamari salad. The signature Palm lobster is probably best saved for dinner. At 1100 S. Flower St., (213) 763-4600 or thepalm.com. Green Bamboo: The oddity of a Chinese sports bar is what first attracted me to this small spot in Little Tokyo, and the freshness of the food and huge portions is what keeps me coming back. It has the decor of a regular bar, but instead of peanuts and hot wings you can order BBQ Pork Lo Mein, Sweet and Sour Pork or the Slippery Shrimp, a crispy shrimp sauteed with ginger and garlic in sweet and spicy sauce. At 136 S. Central Ave., (213) 625-2228. Weeneez: No true hot dog fan can ignore this little
Time to Dine L.A.
Downtown gem. Weeneez, in the Historic Core, serves up great dogs in a variety of styles, such as the Chili Weenie, the Broadway Weenie with grilled onions and bell peppers, and the Chicago Weenie with relish, hot peppers, tomato and onions. The wieners snap with
night off on Jan. 31) at approximately 150 local restaurants. “L.A. has become one of the premier dining destinations in the world, and dineLA Restaurant Week offers Angelenos and area visitors the opportunity to experience L.A.’s talented chefs and original cuisine,” said Mark Liberman, president and CEO of L.A. Inc. The prix-fixe menus are broken down into three price categories: Deluxe Dining is $16 for lunch and $26 for dinner; Premier Dining is $22 for lunch and $34 for dinner; and Fine Dining is $28 for lunch and $44 for dinner. Customers can choose from two or three items per course. Last year an estimated 100,000 people were served at the 140 participating dineLA restaurants. For Mary Sue Milliken, co-owner of the Financial District’s Ciudad, dineLA is a way to get new customers and show off new
Blossom: There’s nothing a good bowl of soup can’t fix, so when I’m feeling under the weather, a little tired or just plain hungry, I often find myself at Blossom Vietnamese restaurant on Main Street. The Pho Ga chicken soup should have a medical license because of the way it can bring you back from the dead. The Pho Tai, with thinly sliced rare steak, is no slouch either and will jump-start your afternoon. At 426 S. Main St., (213) 623-1973 or blossomrestaurant.com. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.
and classic dishes. “We estimated last year a 15-20% percent increase in business during the event,” she said. Ciudad, at 445 S. Figueroa St., will serve a $22 lunch and $34 dinner. Other Downtown restaurants participating in the event include the Daily Grill at 612 S. Flower St., which is offering the $26 dinner; the new Drago Centro, at 525 S. Flower St., which is offering the $28 lunch and $44 dinner; Patina at 141 S. Grand Ave., which is selling the $28 lunch; Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar at L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., offering a $34 dinner; and Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine, at 800 S. Figueroa St., which has a $34 dinner. A complete list of participating restaurants is at dinela.com. —Richard Guzmán
photo by Gary Leonard
Patina is one of about two dozen Downtown restaurants offering prix-fixe specials as part of dineLA Restaurant Week. A three-course lunch at the Bunker Hill restaurant is $28.
I
f you have always wanted to try some of Downtown’s most exclusive eateries but didn’t think you could afford a threecourse meal, think again. Right now, about two dozen Downtown restaurants are offering specially priced prix-fixe menus, meaning
you could sup at Patina and other establishments for $44 or less. The deals are part of dineLA Restaurant Week, spearheaded by L.A. Inc., the city’s convention and visitors bureau. It began Jan. 25 and continues through Feb. 6 (with a
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14 Downtown News
January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com
CALENDAR
photo by Craig Schwartz
Ty Taylor (center) and the cast of Pippin.
Old Show, New Spin Deaf and Hearing Actors Collaborate in the Taper Revival of Pippin
by AnnA Scott StAff writer
W
hen it comes to the entertainment business, certain actors are known to brag about being a triple threat. Ty Taylor, while not a braggard, goes them one better. Thanks to his new role, he’s a quadruple threat: He sings, acts, dances and signs in American Sign Language. “I’ve only had two breakdowns the entire process,” Taylor said with a smile one evening last week. He nibbled on an early dinner of tuna tartare at Kendall’s Brasserie on Grand Avenue, below the Music Center, where he’d spent the previous five hours rehearsing for that night’s preview performance of Pippin. In the revival of the 1972 musical, Taylor plays a kind of narrator known as the Leading Player. The breakdowns, he said, were precipitated by “being overwhelmed and being a perfectionist, and feeling like I’m usually able to ‘wow’ people sooner. I didn’t like being a stumbler. But then I found the beauty in the stumble.” The show, which was slated to open at the Mark Taper Forum on Sunday, Jan. 25 (after Los Angeles Downtown News went to press), and runs through March 15, marks the third collaboration between Taper operator the Center Theatre Group and Deaf West Theatre. Based in North Hollywood, the 17-year-old DWT has produced 12 seasons of plays and musicals featuring deaf and hearing actors, all communicating through singing, speaking and American Sign Language. The integration of hearing and deaf culture should be seamless in Pippin, said DWT Artistic Director Ed Waterstreet. “Just as hearing people walk and talk, deaf actors walk and sign, and sometimes sing and dance too,” Waterstreet, who is deaf, said via email. “Ideally, you will lose conscious awareness of which modality of communication is being used.” The first collaboration between CTG and DWT came seven years ago with Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which was a hit at the Taper and went on to Broadway in 2003. In 2007, the companies came together again for a musical version of Sleeping Beauty at Culver City’s Kirk Douglas Theatre. Returning to the Music Center with Pippin, Waterstreet said he feels no inordinate pressure to duplicate the success of Big River. “We try to raise each ‘child’ as a person in their own right,” he said.
Looking for Meaning Pippin is a surreal pop musical created by composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. It premiered on Broadway, where it was directed and choreographed by the legendary Bob Fosse. The story follows a young man’s search for fulfillment, as told by a band of troubadours in the Roman Empire. The title character, the son of Charlemagne, braves battlefields, orgies and revolution, among other things, in his quest for meaning. Lately, Pippin has made a comeback of sorts in Downtown, with Little Tokyo’s East West Players staging an anime and hip-hop themed version of the show last spring. Waterstreet chalks that up to coincidence, though he added, “Pippin is the kind of timeless, universal story that adapts well to any cultural background.” For DWT, he said, Pippin is particularly relevant because the protagonist’s journey to find his place speaks to anyone born “different” in some way. On a more practical level, he added, “The style of the show and the lyrics lend themselves so magnificently to the poetry of ‘signing hands.’” When it comes to staging the show, the criteria for judging deaf and hearing actors are nearly identical, Waterstreet said, ticking off another four-pack of necessary qualities: talent, experience, skill and presence. Deaf actors’ musical abilities, he said, can be judged on many scales, including their sense of rhythm and overall body language. “Deaf audiences’ tastes for actors’ signing ability, both for dialogue and music,” he said, “are every bit as discerning as hearing audiences’ judgment of hearing actors’ acting and singing voices.” Months of Training Taylor, an exuberant man with tattoos up his arms and spiked hair, looks at least a decade younger than his 40 years. An accomplished musician who has toured with the likes of Robert Plant, Tina Turner and Eric Clapton and performed in several high-profile musicals, Taylor also brings a little small-screen glamour to the stage. In 2005, he competed on the CBS reality show “Rockstar: INXS.” When it comes to his latest venture, Taylor believes a little bit of fate was at play. “I did Pippin when I was in high school, I played the Leading Player, and it’s always been one of my favorite shows,” he said. When he heard that friend and collaborator
Jeff Calhoun (who previously directed Taylor in a Broadway production of Grease) had signed on to do Pippin at the Taper, Taylor wanted to be the Leading Player — originally played on Broadway by Ben Vereen — again. “I sent [Calhoun] a letter,” he said. “I said, ‘If for some reason you’ve chosen someone else, before they sign a contract I would like to dare you to let me go head-to-head with this person.’” Taylor auditioned two weeks later and got the part. He began sign language training in August to prepare for November rehearsals. Signing and working with deaf cast members has given new focus to his performing, he said. “I have no choice but to rely on other people during this show,” said Taylor. “I can’t just assume that someone’s listening to me for a cue. I have to look at them and make sure they see me give the cue. It’s made me, I think, a more caring performer.” The challenge has had an effect offstage as well. “I stepped into something that made me immediately aware that my communication skills were going to have to go up,” he said. “I like to have conversations while I’m jumping rope, typing and eating and playing the cymbals with my knees. To sit and have a conversation with someone who’s deaf, it’s a different kind of attention you have to pay; they’re looking at your eyes for the tone of everything you sign.” Taylor’s realization aptly describes the challenges of Pippin as a whole. In order to communicate things like tone, rhythm, rhyme and other musical elements to deaf audience members, Waterstreet describes a painstaking process: Every metaphor must be broken down to its most basic conceptual meaning, then translated into sign language. Choreographed physical movements punctuate rhythm, while rhyme is echoed by hand shapes. “There are essentially two completely separate ‘scripts,’ enacted simultaneously,” said Waterstreet. Aside from the incorporation of sign language, he said, this production of Pippin includes other new elements. But asked what they are he demurred, “lest I spoil the surprises.” Pippin runs through March 15 at the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.com. Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.
January 26, 2009
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Back to Bassics L.A. Phil Hosts an All-Star Tribute to Legendary Jazzman Ray Brown by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer
B
efore he died in his sleep in 2002, legendary jazz bassist Ray Brown told a friend that he hoped loved ones wouldn’t be too sullen when he passed on. Instead, he’d prefer them to be festive. On Jan. 28 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, an all-star group of jazz musicians who once played with Brown will give him a proper party. In separate interviews, Christian McBride, the L.A. Phil’s creative chair for jazz and the director of Wednesday’s program, and fellow bassist John Clayton discussed Brown’s legacy and previewed the one-night-only Downtown show.
Los Angeles Downtown News: Where does Ray Brown fit historically among jazz greats like Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald? Christian McBride: He’s right there in the pantheon with all those great legends. First of all, Ray Brown accompanied every single solo legend in jazz from Louis Armstrong, Ella, who he was married to, Frank Sinatra, Oscar Peterson. He’s
photo courtesy of the L.A. Phil
Christian McBride directs a Jan. 28 Los Angeles Philharmonic program dedicated to late jazz bassist Ray Brown.
not one of those marquee names simply because he played the bass. That’s the one and only reason. And it’s funny because I think in jazz the two most popular bassists that would come close to mainstream recognition — Charles Mingus and Jaco Pastorius — they aren’t necessarily celebrated only for being great musicians, but for being sort of controversial. That’s just how American culture is. Q: What made Brown a great musician, a great bassist? John Clayton: He’s one of those guys who stepped forward and wasn’t only one of the accompanying bass players. He also was a bandleader and did really progressive projects. He partnered with Quincy Jones, managed the Modern Jazz Quartet for a while. Normally if you’re a bass player, pianist or musician, you kind of just play your instrument. But to write songs like he did, play bass at the level he did, to also have a grip on the business aspects of the jazz music world, there really aren’t that many people that were like it. Q: You both played in SuperBass, the bass trio project that Brown spearheaded from 1997-2001. What was it like playing with him? McBride: As a player I got to know how it felt to have Ray Brown playing a bass line behind you, to feel that force, that power, the locomotive energy. It’s almost like a tank with a set of broken brakes going downhill. It’s just like, get out of the way. But that’s how he taught people to play. You got to play hard. Make people feel it. Make it rumble in their gut. Q: Each of you has played in a number of Ray Brown tribute concerts since he died. Why is it important for you to do a few shows a year? Clayton: Because we loved Ray Brown. This is our way of showing our appreciation for him and continuing what he said we have to continue. I used to thank him for everything he did for me, and one time he just said, “I did it for you,
someone did it for me and you’re going to do it for someone down the line.” That’s the credo that Ray Brown taught us all to live by. McBride: The whole Ray Brown family, consisting of everyone who is going to be there on Wednesday, the minute he died, we all kind of congregated together and made this vow to keep the Ray Brown legacy going. We realized that, because he was not one of those recognized marquee giant names, if we didn’t do it, nobody would. Q: As a bass player, how was Brown’s influence on you special? McBride: Once I really discovered the greatness of Ray
Downtown News 15
Brown, it was really hard for me to get away from that — not that I was trying to get away from that. But I think a lot of jazz writers and critics, the so-called know-it-alls, they know I had been so heavily influenced and so close to him I think even before they hear me play, it’s, “Oh, they play like Ray Brown.” Well, I play with Pat Metheny and Quincy Jones and I can’t play like Ray Brown in those settings, but there’s a certain momentum that comes from Ray and bass players like Ray that I’ve always kept in my blood. He was, I think, the closest bass player in jazz who had a real funk bass player’s mentality and that’s kind of backwards time-wise, because funk came after jazz, but I know that same kind of momentum, that drive that we have in funk, you could always find unequivocally in Ray Brown. The Ray Brown Tribute Concert is Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m. at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.
16 Downtown News
Party Like an Ox Chinese New Year Celebration Features Parade, Entertainment by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR
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t’s not every day that you see dragons walk the streets of Downtown or martial artists show off ancient fight moves. But once a year, these and other unexpected sights appear in Chinatown. They are part of the Chinese New Year celebration, which unfolds this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1. This year, the community will welcome the Year of the Ox — year 4707 on the Chinese calendar — with the 110th annual Golden Dragon Parade and festival. “This is the largest Asian celebration in Southern California,” said Michael Gin, chair of the Golden Dragon Parade, which is organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. More than 100 floats and marching bands will stroll down Broadway and Hill Street from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday. While the parade has strong roots in the area’s Chinese culture, it routinely attracts people from all backgrounds. “It’s not just Chinese or Asian people, it’s everyone celebrating. For a lot of people the parade is their understanding of what Chinese New Year is all about. It’s definitely a great time to come celebrate the history of Chinatown,” Gin said. Along with the usual dignitaries including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilman Ed Reyes, whose First District includes Chinatown, the parade will feature actors who starred in the musical The Flower Drum Song, which opened 50 years ago and was the first Broadway show to feature an all-Asian cast.
January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com Nancy Kwan, who starred in the 1961 musical film version, will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal. The Chinese New Year festival, which runs throughout Saturday and Sunday, will include about 100 booths serving food and cultural performances on two stages. “It’s a time when multiple generations of families all get together in Chinatown,” said George Yu, executive director of the Chinatown Business Improvement District, one of the event’s organizers. Yu said that after a lull in the 1990s, attendance has been steadily rising for the parade and festival. He expects more than 120,000 people will attend this year. Shaolin Moves One of the festival’s highlights will take place in Central Plaza, at 943 N. Broadway, where the Shaolin Warriors of Chinatown, a kung fu group established in 2006, will show off their acrobatic moves. They perform both days at 1 and 5 p.m. The group’s choreographed sequence of fight moves and dance steps is complemented by live music that will highlight themes from the Chinese zodiac, the concept of yin and yang and the arrival of the mythical Chinese ox. “They have been practicing their moves since December,” Yu said. “Even by our standards, which are pretty high, this will be a spectacular show.” The festival also features participation from other segments of Downtown Los Angeles. Chinatown will be lined with more than 150 banners created by students from the Southern California Institute of Architecture. Students Ryohei Koike, Hiroyuki Sugiyama and Yuan Tiaurman worked on the banners, which commemorate the Year of the Ox by combining historic facets of Chinatown with contemporary art. Along with Central Plaza, another stage will be set up at the corner of Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue. Yu said the organizers want to spread the crowd throughout Chinatown so that festival goers can appreciate all that the area has to offer. The Chinese New Year celebration is Jan. 31-Feb.-1. Festivities take place Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m-6 p.m. More information at chinatownla.com or lagoldenparade.com. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.
photos courtesy of the Chinatown BID
The 110th Golden Dragon Parade and performances by the Shaolin Warriors of Chinatown are among the festivities in the Chinese New Year celebration. Events take place Jan. 31-Feb. 1.
February 11, 2008
Love Means A box of chocolates, a dozen roses and your message in Downtown News.
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LOVE LI
ExprEss your amour in our romantic LovE LinEs Edition — February 9 dEadLinE for EntriEs — February 3
Sistas!...We are loved, adored, desired, envied and don’t forget it…Dorothy
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LA Live…Will you marry me?…Downtown
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Economy…We’ll be together for better or for worse, we’ve seen the worse, now lets make it better…L.A. Consumer
Mr. & Mrs. Rob wishes, Norman Titalib
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L.A. Downtown News • 1264 W. First Street, L.A., CA 90026 • fax: (213) 250-4617 • email: lovelines@DowntownNews.com • office hours: M-F, 8:30-5
January 26, 2009
Downtown News 17
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LISTINGS
T ’ N ’ O S ‘D MIS LIST
THE
EVENTS SPONSORED LISTING World Marriage Day Champagne Brunch Center at Cathedral Plaza, 555 W. Temple St., (213) 680-5273 or cbartlett@levyrestaurants.com. Feb. 8, 11 a.m. 3 p.m.: Levy Restaurants host the Annual World Marriage Day Champagne Brunch at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels. Celebrate love, family and friends with the church. Reservations required. For more information, contact (213) 680-5203.
Friday, Jan. 30 Farmlab Public Salons 1745 N. Spring St. #4, (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org Noon-1 p.m.: For its 100th Public Salon, Farmlab hosts eco-artists Newton and Helen Mayer Harrison, who have worked for almost 40 years with biologists, ecologists and urban planners to initiate collaborative dialogues and uncover ideas and solutions supporting biodiversity and community development. saTurday, Jan. 31 The Edwardian Ball Tower Theater, 802 S. Broadway, towertheaterla.com or edwardianball.com. 8 p.m.: This storied San Francisco tradition flies south, presenting an elegant, turn-of-the-20th-century Continued on page 18
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There’s only one spice on the L.A. Live rack on Thursday, Jan. 29, when the band Pepper comes to Club Nokia. Since leaving Hawaii’s Big Island 11 years ago, Pepper has toured virtually non-stop, amassing a large, loyal following for its funk-rock-reggae tunes. Enjoy the show, but don’t be the wise guy who stands in the back yelling “Where’s the salt?” 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or clubnokia.com. Tickets at Ticketmaster, (213) 480-3232 or ticketmaster.com.
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Long before the Jonas Brothers, there was another class of men with prepubescent voices who inspired widespread adoration. See them for yourself on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at REDCAT, with the first of five performances of Monsters and Prodigies: The History of the Castrati. The farcical musical about the castrati superstars of 18th-century opera is performed at 8:30 p.m. by the renowned Mexico City theater company Teatro de Ciertos Habitantes. The cast of characters includes Siamese twins who run a surgery ward out of their Naples barbershop and Napoleon, among others. Performances continue through Jan. 31 at 8:30 p.m., with the final show on Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. 631 W.Second St., (213) 2372800 or redcat.org.
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This year marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of scholar, artist and activist Michi Nishiura Weglyn, Weglyn whose acclaimed book Years of Infamy: The Untold Story of America’s Concentration Camps helped lead to reparations for more than 80,000 Japanese Americans interned dur during World War II. On Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m. a panel of educators, friends, artists and biographers will come together at the Japanese American National Museum to share memories of Weglyn. 369 E. First St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org.
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Two acclaimed local artists will hold a joint exhibit and sale this Friday and Saturday. Titled Doing Life in Downtown L.A., the event celebrates the artists’ three-plus decades of loft living and art-making. The one-name Gronk has, among other things, created stage designs and scenic works for organizations including the Los Angeles Opera and East West Players. Painter George Yepes’ work has graced everything from churches and freeway overpasses to album covers, including an award-winning one for Los Lobos. The exhibit/sale, which runs at the George Yepes Los Angeles Studio on Friday, Jan. 30, from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 31, from 2-5 p.m., will offer paintings, limited-edition silkscreen prints and more. 740 S. Olive St., Suite 6, (213) 627-5026 or georgeyepes.com.
photo courtesy of georgeyepes.com
Thursday, Jan. 29 ALOUD Business Forum Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., aloudbizforum.org. 7:30 a.m.: Author and innovation expert Ken Robinson gives a talk entitled “The Element: A New view of Human Capacity.” Robinson is an internationally recognized leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human resources. He has worked with governments in Europe, Asia and the United States, with international agencies, Fortune 500 companies and some of the world’s leading cultural organizations. The event starts with breakfast. Talk begins at 8:15 a.m. Thursdays at Central Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., Meeting Room A, (213) 228-7241 or lapl.org. 12:15-1 p.m.: Knitting and more at a craft oriented Thursday at Central. Cigar Tasting 2nd Street Cigars and Gallery, 124 W. 2nd St., (213) 452-4416 4-8 p.m.: The cigar shop will feature Gran Habano cigars and provide drinks and snacks to complement different smoke blends. Los Angeles Area Chamber Inaugural Dinner L.A. Live Event Deck, 777 Chick Hearn Ct., (213) 5807500 or lachamber.com. 6-10 p.m.: The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its 120th annual Inauguration Dinner. This year, the chamber will honor Fran Inman, Thomas McKernan and Ray Irani. Tickets are $500. ALOUD at Central Library 630 W. 5th St., (213) 228-7241 or lapl.org. 7 p.m.: Art historian and anthropologist Stephen Huyler seeks to dispel common Western myths about Indian women by introducing 20 inspiring Indian women and their creativity. He’s in conversation with Roy W. Hamilton, curator of Asian and Pacific Collections at UCLA’s Fowler Museum.
hance et the c ial, g u o y y that fluent very da t with an in xpert e t o n ’s s a It n e breakf ovatio ge on e n v n a i h d a to ne advant renow world- hor. So take ud Business t lo and au , when the A uthor of Out 9 , 2 n . n o a ay, Jan Ken Robins ative. Robinso d s r u h r e T i r ly S u C r s t e t “ of hos to B Forum inds: Learning and capacity 0 a.m. :3 l 7 M ia t t of Our ss the poten fast begins a ibrary’s u k L c a l e will dis sources.” Br 8:15. Centra ., (213) re at St human rogram starts 630 W. Fifth , p m and the per Auditoriu a . Mark T or aloudla.org 5 2 228-70
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photo by Jared Milgrim
Wednesday, Jan. 28 ALOUD at Central Library 630 W. 5th St., (213) 228-7241 or lapl.org. 7 p.m.: ALOUD presents Wallace Stegner and the “Shaping of the Environmental Consciousness in the West: A Panel Discussion.” Moderated by L.A. Times Book Editor David Ulin. Sci-Arc Lecture Series Sci-Arc, Keck Lecture Hall, 960 E. Third St., (213) 623-2200 or sciarc.edu. 7 p.m.: School director Eric Owen Moss sits down with Sam Nazarian, chief executive of the entertainment, hotel and restaurant company SBE, and Teresa Fatino, the company’s chief creative officer. The fast growing company is known for its partnerships with Philippe Starck and chefs Katsuya Uechi, José Andrés and Michael Mina.
by AnnA Scott, StAff writer
Photo courtesy of Sharon Yamato.
Tuesday, Jan. 27 ALOUD at Central Library 630 W. 5th St., (213) 228-7241 or lapl.org. 7 p.m.: Author and activist Sandra Tsing Loh interviews author and journalist Henry Alford about his recent work “How to Live: A Search for Wisdom from Old People.” The book itself is partly a collection of interviews with older celebrities like Norman Mailer and LSD pioneer Ram Dass.
A Week For Business and Remembrance, Peppered With Fun
18 Downtown News
January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com
But Wait, There’s More!
Listings for additional concerts, exhibits and more in Downtown Los Angeles can be found on our website. Go to downtownnews.com/listings for full information, including time and location, for all the happenings in Downtown.
Additional Event Information on the Web
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM/LISTINGS : EVENTS | ROCK, POP & JAZZ | CLASSICAL MUSIC | THEATER, OPERA & DANCE ART SPACES | FILM | BARS & CLUBS | MUSEUMS | FARMERS MARKETS | TOURS
Listings Continued from page 17 celebration of music, theater, dance, circus arts, ballroom dance and the art and stories of Edward Gorey. Performances by Cirque Berzerk, Helios Jive, DJ Xian, Jill Tracy, Miz Margo and Dark Garden Corsetry. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-DINO or nhm.org. All day: The museum’s Art Science series, which explores how science affects art, will focus on the art and science of mammals through diorama making, illustration, creative writing and storytelling. For a full schedule, contact the museum. Sunday, Feb. 1 Exposition Park Chess Tournament Exposition Park Regional Library, 3665 S. Western Ave., (323) 290-3133 or chess.expoparkla.com. 1 p.m.: The Exposition Park Chess Club hosts an open, free, unrated three-round chess tournament. Players of all skill levels, from beginner to rated Master, are invited to compete. Registration ends at 1:30 p.m. Downtown Tour with MOCA and L.A. Conservancy 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-1765 or moca.org. 1 p.m.: MOCA teams up with the Los Angeles Conservancy for a special guided tour of Downtown’s evolving skyline as part of the museum’s “First Sundays Are For Families” workshop series. The tour leaves promptly at 1 p.m. from MOCA Grand Avenue. Following the tour, return to MOCA’s Sculpture Plaza to create your own designs for the new millennium.
ROCK, POP & JAZZ 2nd Street Jazz 366 E. Second St., (213) 680-0047, 2ndstjazz.com or myspace.com/2ndstreetlivejazz. Music usually starts at 9 or 10 p.m. Tuesdays: Jazz jam session. 626 Reserve 626 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9800 or 626reserve.com. Tuesdays, 6 p.m.: Live music with Goh Kurosawa. Thursdays, 6 p.m.: More live sounds, this time with Jessie Torrez. Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382 or myspace.com/bar107. Tuesdays: A classic island mix of reggae with attitude. Jah! Wednesdays: The world famous (or at least in L.A.) Bar 107 Karaoke Gong Show. Come join the fun and help the judges vote for the best act of the evening. Sundays: DJ’s choice with 107’s Matt Dwyer, the comic-actor genius who plays music while serving the meanest drinks (in the nicest way) Downtown. Blue Velvet 750 S. Garland Ave., (213) 239-0061. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 p.m.: Live music and DJs. Café Metropol 923 E. 3rd St., (213) 613-1537 or cafemetropol.com. Jan. 30: The Josh Welchez Quartert, featuring Josh Welchez on trumpet, plays originals and standards.
Jan. 31: Root System, which features Robbie Marshall on reeds, Christian Wunderlich on guitar, JP Maramba on bass and Zach Harman on percussion, describes their music as “chamber jazz.’ Casey’s Irish Bar and Grill 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com. Fridays: Live Irish music. 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. Club Nokia Corner of Olympic Blvd. and Figueroa St., clubnokia.com. Jan. 29: The dancehall, punk, surfer music trio Pepper headlines a show that will also feature Shwayze, The Supervillains and Passafire. Jan. 31: Now that Bush is out of office, what’s Michael Franti (and his band Spearhead) going to rant about? Come find out. He’s supported by Cherine Anderson with The Aggrolites and Solillaquists of Sound. Conga Room L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic, (213) 749-0445 or congaroom.com. Thursdays: “Azucar” features tropical rhythms from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays: “The Beat Down” features global beats and dance groove starting at 9 p.m. Saturdays: “Plata” brings an upscale Latin flavor from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. e3rd Steakhouse and Lounge 734 E Third St., (213) 680-3003 or myspace.com/therhythmsectionla. Second Saturdays: The Rhythm Section brings in DJs and live acts to this Arts District restaurant, playing eclectic selections in nujazz, soul, rare groove, soul and hip-hop. Grammy Museum L.A. Live, Corner of Olympic Blvd and Figueroa St., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. Jan. 28, 8 p.m.: The museum will close out the Recording Academy Los Angeles Chapter’s 50th year with a panel discussion that celebrates the academy’s work. The conversation will be moderated by board chairman Jimmy Jam and will include five former chairs. J Restaurant and Lounge 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com. Tuesdays: Live acoustic performances in the lounge. Wednesdays: Salsa in the City features complimentary salsa lessons at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., a batch of live musicians takes over for a jam session. Fridays: Live bands on select dates. La Cita 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111 or myspace.com/lacitabar.
Mondays, 9 p.m.: Mustache Mondays is a gay/ mixed theme night with the best in electro, dance and live performances. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Cheap Souls, featuring DJs spinning funk, soul, old school and electro dance. First and third Wednesdays, 9 p.m.: Mucho Wednesdays are dance nights with Latin music. Second and fourth Wednesdays, 9 p.m.: Full Frontal features big-time DJs from LA and beyond. $5 cover. Thursdays, 9 p.m.: Dance Right, voted Downtown’s best dance night. Free if you RSVP, $5 otherwise. So duh, RSVP. Fridays, 9 p.m.: Punky Reggae Party. That’s right: punk plus reggae equals party. Free before 11 p.m. After that, it’s $5, Saturdays, 6 p.m.: Hacienda Nights features live tejano, norteno and cumbia music. Cover $10. Sundays, noon-10 p.m.: Hacienda Nights again, $8. Mountain Bar 475 Gin Ling Way, (213) 625-7500 or themountainbar.com. Every Tuesday “Broken Dreams” is DJ’ed by China Art Objects’ Steve Hanson and the Red Krayolas’ Tom Watson. Jan. 31: The bar hosts “Double Standard,” the seventh annual lunar new year party, with live rock upstairs from bands including Thomas’ Apartment and Junkypie and a DJ downstairs. Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com. Jan. 29: An evening with living legend songstress Patti Labelle. Jan. 31, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.; Feb. 1, 11 a.m.: All aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine and friends are on stage. Orpheum Theatre 842 S. Broadway, (213) 622-1939 or laorpheum.com. Pete’s Café and Bar 400 N. Main St., (213) 618-1759 or petescafe.com. Tuesdays, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.: Pablo Calogero and Fabiano Nacimento play Brazilian jazz. Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. Jan. 26, 10 p.m.: Jake LaBotz, praised by Tatoo Magazine for his “sadder than hell balladry, razor sharp testifying, storied takes on loneliness, beatnikon-the-Mexican-border music, coffeehouse chic.” Jan. 27, 10 p.m.: Deep-rooted country from Mike Stinson and Dave Gleason. Jan. 28, 10 p.m.: Captain Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss. Jan. 29, 10 p.m.: Violinist turned rocker Quetzal Guerrero and the Warriors. Jan. 30, 10 p.m.: London born rockabilly man Levi Dexter and his band Hot Rod Lincoln are known for their sweat fest of a show. They’re supported by Truly Lover Trio. Jan. 31, 10 p.m.: Masuimi Max’s Hard on for Trouble, with the Beat Killers. Rerax Fridays at Señor Fish 422 E. First St., (213) 625-0566 or senorfishla.com. Fridays, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.: Music, art, VJ performances, silk screening and photos. Royale 2619 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 388-8488 or royaleonwilshire.com.
Mondays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A live musical showcase with bands, a DJ and an Eastside vibe. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: An acoustic live set in the historic Royale lounge. A DJ spins between sets. Wednesday (second of every month), 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A fusion of spoken word and acoustic musical melodies. Sundays, 9 p.m.-midnight: Rat pack protégé Max Vontaine. Standard 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotels.com. Nightly DJs at both the lobby bar and rooftop lounge. Wednesdays, 8-11 p.m.: DJs spin in a swank, but still comfy, lobby. And yes, there’s a bar right there. Saturdays, noon-8 p.m.: Local DJs unleash indie, rock and electronica at “Diss.” Suede Bar and Lounge 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 489-3590 or suedebarla.com. Nightly DJs and pop music in this upscale lounge at the Westin Bonaventure. Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. Jan. 28: Bassists Christian McBride and John Clayton lead an all-star cast of jazz musicians in a tribute concert for one of the genre’s most storied and legendary bassists, Ray Brown.
CLASSICAL MUSIC Monday, Jan. 26 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 8 p.m.: Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas leads pianist Garrick Ohlsson and the San Francisco Symphony in a program that includes Thomas’ “Street Song,” Prokofiev’s Piano Concert No. 5 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Tuesday, Jan. 27 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 8 p.m.: Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony perform works by composers Copland, Berg and Brahms. Thursday, Jan. 29 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 8 p.m.: Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and violinist Christian Tetzlaff play Mozart, Brahms, Janacek and Schubert. Friday, Jan. 30 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 8 p.m.: Conductor Leonard Slatkin, rising star violinist Hilary Hahn and the L.A. Phil perform Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Overture from “Romeo and Juliet” and Alexander Glazunov’s Violin Concerto. Saturday, Jan. 31 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 8 p.m.: The Phil presents a repeat of the Friday concert with Leonard Slatkin and Hilary Hahn, but
Continued on page 20
A HAndy MAP RefeRence To food, ATTRAcTions & enTeRTAinMenT F
Where to Eat
_
Where to Shop
§ Where to Live
§F § §
C5 C5 B5
Grand Tower • 255 S. Grand Ave. Museum Tower • 225 S. Olive St. Promenade Towers • 123 S. Figueroa St.
229-9777 626-1500 617-3777
§
B8
The Metropolitan Apartments • 950 S. Flower St.
489-3300
7+FIG • 7th & Figueroa Sts.
955-7150
Ernst & Young • 725 S. Figueroa St.
955-7100
EF m C6
The Millennium Biltmore Hotel • 506 S. Grand Ave.
624-1011
FF_ C6 E#
California Plaza II • 4th St. & Grand Ave. • Watercourt • 4th St. & Grand Ave.
687-2001 687-2190
#
• Angels Flight Railway • 4th St. & Hill St.
626-1901
F m B7 F F F
Wilshire Grand Hotel • 930 Wilshire Blvd. • Cardini Ristorante • Seoul Jung • Kyoto
688-7777 896-3822 688-7880 896-3812
P
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☞ C5
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Points of Interest
Downtown Dental Office • 255 S. Grand Ave., Suite 204
620-5777
☞ Services E ☞ C8
Kyoto Grand Hotel & Garden • 120 S. Los Angeles St.
629-1200
F# C4
Frying Fish Restaurant • 120 Japanese Village Plaza Mall
680-0567
F C5
Uptown Drug & Gift Shop • 444 S. Flower St.
612-4300
The Los Angeles Athletic Club • 431 W. 7th St.
630-5200
§ P
B3
F NA
E Entertainment
P Free Parking with Validation
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM FIDM Museum Galleries & Shops • 919 S. Grand Ave.
624-1200
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels • 555 W. Temple St.
680-5200
El Pollo Loco • 260 S. Broadway
626-7975
Orsini Apartments • 505 N. Figueroa St. Gus’s Drive-In • 1657 W. 3rd St.
877-267-5911 483-8885
§☞
B5
Bunker Hill Real Estate • 800 W. 1st St., #401
680-1720
§
A7
Glo • 1050 Wilshire Blvd.
866-216-2101
☞
B6
Dr. Silvia Kasparian DDS • 601 W. 5th St., Suite 1110
892-8172
§
A7
Medici • 725 S. Bixel St.
888-886-3731
F C2
CBS Seafood Restaurant • 700 N. Spring St.
617-2323
§ m D7
Cecil Hotel • 640 South Main St.
800-896-5294
F C7
Clifton’s Brookdale Restaurant • 648 S. Broadway
627-1673
F C5
FF_ C2 P
F NA
Far East Plaza/Wing Hop Fung • 727 N. Broadway
626-7200
Tommy’s • 2575 W. Beverly Blvd.
389-9060
☞
B7
Carl’s Jr. • 254 S. Broadway
625-1357
PIP Printing • 700 Wilshire Blvd.
489-2333
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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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Listings Continued from page 18 the program will include two more pieces: Stucky’s “Son et Lumiere,” and Schuman’s Symphony No. 3. Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., colburnschool.edu or zipperhall.com. 8 p.m.: Faculty recital featuring violinist Henry Gronnier with fellow School of Performing Arts faculty member, pianist Rina Dokshitsky. Sunday, Feb. 1 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 2 p.m.: See Jan. 31 listing.
THEATER, OPERA & DANCE
7+Fig Art Space 735 S. Figueroa St., Suite 217, (213) 955-7150. Tues.-Friday, through Feb. 18: Rehearsals for “A Material World,” a seven-week site-specific residency and public art project culminating in a dance performance of “liquid architecture” on Feb. 18, are open to the public. The final performance will stretch 200 feet of bright blue fabric and 10 dancers throughout the topography of 7+Fig. Public rehearsals are from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Noon-3 p.m. Wed.-Thursday and 1-4 p.m. on Fridays until Feb. 18. 99 Cent Only Calendar Girl Competition Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 bootlegtheater.com. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.: For the sixth year in a row, the theater presents a production with all the sets and other materials purchased from 99 cent stores. In this year’s edition, 12 bold beauties compete for the audience’s favor in Ken Roht’s “99 Cent Only Calendar Girl Competition.” The show is an interactive R&B beauty pageant with the audience crowning a new winner every night. Through Feb. 1. Bob Baker’s Marionette Nutcracker Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. Tuesday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.; Saturday, 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.: Bob Baker brings back an old favorite, “Something to Crow About,” on Jan. 31 which will continue according to the above
January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com schedule. Festival de Latinas Bailando Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 bootlegtheater.com. Feb. 8 and 9, 8 p.m.: The Latina Dance Project presents “Embodying Borders,” featuring solos from Licia Perea, Eluza Santos, Juanita Suarez and Eva Tessler with musical guest Lysa Flores and her trio. Lovelace: A Rock Opera The Hayworth Theatre, 2509 Wilshire Blvd., (323) 960-4442, thehayworth.com or lovelacerockopera.com. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.: “Lovelace, the Rock Opera,” written by Charlotte Caffey of ’80s pop band the Go Gos, is the story of “Deep Throat” star Linda Lovelace. Through Feb. 28. Minsky’s Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 6282772 or centertheatregroup.org. Jan. 27-30, 8 p.m.; Jan. 31, 2 and 8 p.m.; Feb. 1, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: Burlesque and catchy tunes collide in Minsky’s, a world premiere musical at the Ahmanson Theatre (the official opening is Feb. 6). Based on the 1968 film The Night They Raided Minsky’s, the 1920s-set musical involves a legendary nightspot and a burlesque king who falls in love and gets busted by the cops. Through March 1. Monsters and Prodigies: The History of the Castrati REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org Jan. 28-31, 8 p.m.; Feb. 1, 3 p.m.: Internationally renowned Mexico City theater company Teatro de Ciertos Habitantes combine “off-the-wall humor and musical aplomb” in their exploration of the castrati, those superstars of 18th century opera whose prepubescent voices were their bittersweet calling card. It features a hoof-stomping centaur, Napoleon and even Napoleon’s horse. The Neo-Sacred Revival Art Share LA, 801 E. 4th Pl. (213) 625-1766. Friday-Sunday, 8 p.m.: Padua Playwrights’ Actors Lab presents three short plays examining sex, God and death in Los Angeles. The shows are in conjunction with a painting exhibition by Matt Aston that is inspired by the texts. Through Feb. 15. Pippin Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 6282772 or centertheatregroup.com. Jan. 27-30, 8 p.m.; Jan. 31, 2:30 and 8:30 p.m.: Tony Award-winning musical Pippin is the lively coming of age story of King Charlemagne’s oldest
son. Director Jeff Calhoun and Deaf West Theatre transform this classic into a wildly theatrical musical event featuring deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing actors, as voice and American Sign Language are interwoven with music, dance and storytelling. Through March 15.
ART SPACES Opening/Closing Crewest 110 Winston St., (213) 627-8272, crewest.com or thelabellab.com. Opening reception Feb. 7, 6-9 p.m.: “The Sharpe Show” celebrates what for many acclaimed graffiti artists was the first tool he or she acquired in their journey to becoming a street artist: the Sharpie marker. Through March 1. George Yepes Los Angeles Studio 740 S. Olive St., suite 6, (213) 627-5026 or georgeyepes.com. Jan. 30, 5-8 p.m. and Jan. 31, 2-5 p.m.: Acclaimed Los Angeles artists Gronk and George Yepes present “A 35 Year Celebration of Downtown L.A. Loft Living and Making Art.” The two-day sale features “loft-size” original paintings, limited edition silkscreen prints, works on paper and hand-painted giclee prints. Phantom Galleries L.A. 411 W. Fifth St., (213) 626-2854 or phantomgalleriesla.com. Two venues at 610 Main St. and 601 S. Los Angeles St. Jan. 31, 6-10 p.m.: Closing reception for the Lilli Muller curated show (at 610 S. Main St.) “Change is the Only Constant.” The event will feature performances, music and spoken word from exhibiting artists including Amy Kaps, Lilli Muller, Mrs. Hobbs, Milo Martin and the Onyx Hour poetry slam, plus the Beast from the East book launch with Jim Marquez. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org Opening reception, Jan. 30, 6-9 p.m.: Tokyobased architecture studio Atelier Bow-Wow is known to have developed the term “pet architecture,” a style of small, multifunctional structures that make the most of limited space. Their new installation does just that inside REDCAT, with an installation that also responds to contemporary models for housing in L.A. Through Mar. 29. Sam Lee Gallery 990 N. Hill St. #190, (323) 227-0275 or samleegallery.com. Opening Jan. 31, 6-9 p.m.: The gallery presents Flesh + Bone, the first solo gallery exhibition in California by Nevada-based artist Rebekah Bogard. Flesh + Bone is a metaphoric title that references both the colors of the artist’s latest series of ceramic sculptures and also her exploration of under-theskin complexities in human relationships. Ongoing 01 Gallery 530 S. Hewitt St., Suite 141, (213) 689-0101 or 01gallery.com. 2nd Street Cigars and Gallery 124 W. Second St., (213) 452-4416 or laplatacigars.com. 410 Boyd 410 Boyd St., (213) 617-2491. Through Feb. 12: An exhibition of abstract paintings by Kris Cahill. Closing reception is Feb. 12, 6-9:30 p.m. 626 Gallery and 626 Gallery at Studio B 626 S. Spring St., (213) 614-8872 or 626artgallery.com.
Acuna-Hansen Gallery 427 Bernard St., (323) 441-1624 or ahgallery.com. Andlab 600 Moulton Ave. #303, (323) 222-2225 or andlab.com. Art Slave 216 S. Spring St., (213) 598-3155 or artslavegallery.com. Automat 936 Chung King Road, (213) 617-0422. Bailey Gallery Located inside Pussy & Pooch, 564 S Main St., (213) 438-0900 or pussyandpooch.com/bailey. Bank 125 W. Fourth St. #103, (213) 621-4055 or bank-art.com. Bert Green Fine Art 102 W. Fifth St., (213) 624-6212 or bgfa.us. Through Feb. 28: Three solo shows by Jessica Cutaz, Sandra Yagi and Doug Cox. Samples of the artists’ work at bgfa.us. Bonelli Contemporary 943 N. Hill St., (213) 617-8180 or bonellicontemporary.com. Box Gallery 977 Chung King Road, (213) 625-1747 or theboxla.com. BOXeight Gallery 1446 E. Washington Blvd., (213) 631-0560 or boxeight.com. Café Metropol 923 E. Third St., (213) 613-1537 or cafemetropol.com. Charlie James Gallery 975 Chung King Road, (213) 687-0488 or cjamesgallery.com. China Art Objects 933 Chung King Road, (213) 613-0384 or chinaartobjects.com. Chinese Historical Society of Southern California 415 Bernard St., (323) 222-0856 or chssc.org. Ongoing: An exhibition about the history of immigration from China to the United States. Chung King Project 945 Chung King Road, (213) 625-1802 or chungkingproject.com. Cirrus Gallery 542 S. Alameda St., (213) 680-3474 or cirrusgallery.com. Coldsprings Fine Art 215 W. Third St., (213) 617-8508 or coldspringsfineart.com. Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2200 or colburnschool.edu. Ongoing: Work from three artists whose oeuvres are influenced by music: photographer Jenny Okun, sculptor and author Sarah Perry and photographer Barbara Strasen. It is installed throughout the lobby and hallway areas of the school.
Please Email Your Event Info To submit events for this section, please email a brief description, street address and a public phone number to calendar@ downtownnews.com. Web addresses are welcome. Listings are due 10 days before publication date. Because of time constraints, submissions without full information cannot be considered for publication. Inclusion in the listings is at the discretion of the L.A. Downtown News. Sorry, we cannot accept follow-up calls about event listings.
Clothing art aCCeSSorieS
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Winter Art SALe 6th @ Spring crackgallery.com | (213)622-3493
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Downtown News 21
CLASSIFIED
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22 Downtown News
January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com
Continued from previous page
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legAls COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA NOTICE THAT THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA WILL REVIEW AND CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS AND ADOPTION OF THE DESIGN FOR DEVELOPMENT ESTABLISHING THE DOWNTOWN DESIGN GUIDE AND DOWNTOWN STREET STANDARDS IN THE BUNKER HILL, AMENDED CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, CITY CENTER, AND LITTLE TOKYO REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREAS, IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Notice is hereby given that on
NOTICE OF PUBLIC
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*subject to change without prior notice.
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Thursday, February 5, 2009, beginning at the hour of 10:00 A.M. or as soon thereafter, the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California (“CRA/LA”) will conduct a meeting at the CRA/LA Board Room located at 354 S. Spring Street, Sixth Floor, Los Angeles, California 90013, to consider the adoption of the Design for Development establishing the Downtown Design Guide and Downtown Street Standards in the Bunker Hill, Amended Central Business District, City Center, and Little Tokyo Redevelopment Project Areas, in accordance with applicable sections of the respective redevelopment plans. The CRA/ LA will also review and consider the environmental effects of the Design for Development. The meeting may be continued from time to time until completed. Any and all persons having any objections to the proposed amendment to the Design for Development, who deny the regularity of this proceeding or wish to speak on any issue raised by the amendment, may appear at the meeting and will be afforded an opportunity to state their comments or objections. If any person desires to challenge in court the proposed adoption of the Design for Development or any proceedings in connection therewith, they may be limited to raising only those issues that they or someone else raised at the meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the CRA/LA at, or prior to, the meeting. Written correspondence on this matter may be addressed to the CRA/LA, c/o of the CRA/LA, Downtown Region, 354 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90013. 1/26, 2/2/09 CNS-1509867#
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Do you have something to sell? t results! ,000, our classifieds ge With a circulation of 49 All ads run for 2 weeks. Ads may be renewed after two weeks for 50% off the original price of the ad.
Ad prices
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• Items under $300…12 words, 2 weeks FrEE! • Items $301 to $500…15 words, only $11.50 • Items $501 to $1200…15 words, only $14.00 • Items $1201 to $2000…15 words, only $16.50 • Items $2001+…15 words, only $19.00 Restrictions: Offer good on private party ads only. Ads must be pre-paid by cash, check or credit card. Certain classifications excluded. Deadline: Thursday at noon for next issue. Name: Address: City Phone: Cash $ Credit card #: Exp. Date:
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January 26, 2009 HEARING BY THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA REGARDING THE FIVE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (FY2005-FY2009) MID-TERM REPORT FOR THE CHINATOWN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT NOTICE is hereby given that The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California will hold a public hearing for the Chinatown Redevelopment Project on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, at The Community Redevelopment Agency Offices, 354 South Spring Street, 6th Floor Board Room, Los Angeles, CA 90013. The public hearing is being conducted to hear testimony of all
Downtown News 23
SearchDowntownLA.com interested parties regarding the Five-Year Implementation Plan Mid-Term Report for the Chinatown Redevelopment Project. At the above-stated time and place, any and all persons having any testimony regarding the Mid-Term Report may appear before the Agency and be heard. 1/26, 2/2, 2/9/09 CNS-1507795# 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 MID TERM REPORT FOR THE FIVE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (FY2005-FY2009) OF THE PICO UNION NO. 1 AND PICO UNION NO. 2 REDEVEL-
OPMENT PROJECT AREAS OF COUNCIL DISTRICT 1. NOTICE is hereby given that the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California (CRA/LA) public hearing on the Mid Term Report of the Five-Year Implementation Plan (FY2005-FY2009) for the Pico Union No. 1 and Pico Union No. 2 Redevelopment Project Areas of Council District 1, Hol-
lywood and Central Region to be held on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Redevelopment Agency office located at 354 South Spring Street, 6th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013 has been CANCELLED and re-scheduled to FEBRUARY 19, 2009 . 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26/09 CNS-1491852#
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Jenny Ahn (213) 996-8301 jahn@regentBC.com www.regentbc.com
Premiere Towers:
2 bdrms/2 bath, $1600/mo. • 3 bdrms/2 bath, $2000/ mo. • Rooftop garden terrace/GYM w/city view • 24 hr. doorman • free (1) parking
city Lofts:
880 sqft, 13 ft ceilings, $1600/mo. • Granite marble top • Stainless steel appliances/refrigerator etc. • Pet friendly We are located in a prime area in Downtown LA nice neighborhood w/ salon, market, café etc. Wired for high speed internet & cable, central heat & A/C
Please call 213.627.6913 www.cityloftsquare.com
Move-in Special 1/2 Month Free Single rooms starting from $550/mo.
Includes utilities, basic cable channels, laundry room on site, street parking, 1 yr lease. 208 W. 14th St. at Hill St. Downtown L.A.
For English Call Terri or Pierre 213.744.9911 For Spanish call Susana 213.749.0306
THAI MASSAGE SPECIALIST VIP Room Available. The Best Way For Business Meetings & Entertainment
Professional massage for men & women. Services include Thai Massage, Shiatsu Massage, Swedish Oil Massage, Foot Massage, Sauna, Steam, and more. Lounge area.
HealtH Dept. rank a for 7 ConseCutive Years
SAKURA HEALTH GYM & SAUNA, INC. 111 N. Atlantic Blvd. Ste #231-233 Monterey Park, CA 91754 (626) 458-1919 [Corner of Garvey Ave.]
HBODY
MASSAGEH
First Professionally Licensed Massage Shop in L.A. County.
3386766 0119
Rent
Bunker Hill real estate Co, inC. For reNT: EstablishEd 1984 ❏ Prom. West-2 Bed. 2 Bath. 7th Floor. Elegant Upgrades. Green House. Pride of Ownership. $3,200 Furn. $3,000 Unfurn. ❏ Prom. West-2 Bed. 2 Bath. 5th Floor. $2,200 Month ❏ Bunker Hill Tower-2 Bed. 2 Bath. N/W View. $2,200 Month ❏ LA Fayette PK. PL.-2 Bed. 2 Bath. 3rd Floor. $1,750 Month ForecLosures-Los ANGeLes ❏ 4 Bed, 2 Bath. Pasadena. Semi Circular Driveway. Price $411,900. ❏ 3 Bed, 2 Bath. Pasadena. Great For Growing Family. $409,900 ❏ 3 Bed. 2 Bath. Pasadena. Upgrades. 3 Car Gar. Big Lot. $594,900 ❏ 3 Bed. 3. Bath. Lawndale. Tri-Level Townhouse. Large $329,900 ❏ 2 Bed. 2. Bath. Altadena. 18,500 sq.ft. Lot Needs Some TLC. $412,000
Promenade West Condo
2 Story Townhouse. West Facing With Downtown City View. Upgrades. Large Patio. Very Elegant. Asking $599,900
Mirza alli
Broker/Realtor Leasing-SalesLoans-Refinance
(213) 680-1720 e-mail us: Info@bunkerhillrealestate.com
Call us for other condos for sale or lease Dwntwn & surrounding areas!!
www.Bunkerhillrealestate.com
Los Angeles Downtown News is offering a once-a-year opportunity to reach more than 180,000 potential customers with its 2009 Los Angeles Restaurant Guide. 25,000 copies of this attractive magazine will be “outserted” around Los Angeles Downtown News. We also print 55,000 extra copies that are requested throughout the year by visitors, concierges, meeting planners and hotel and convention organizers. Don’t miss out. Your review-style ad includes an inviting, upbeat story and a color photograph of your restaurant. The Restaurant Guide will be online throughout 2009 at DowntownLADining.com.
Take Your Game to the Next Level Learn Course Management
3 Learn while you play 3 Shot visualization 3 Mastering club selection
3 Driving strategies 3 Mid/long iron techniques 3 Short game fundamentals
In golf, its you versus the course. Learn to manage the entire game, not just the mechanics of your swing. Learn course management and improve your game.
Steve Andelich Professional Golf Instructor
818.618.2099
Catering to Intermediate/Advanced Players
Last years guide was a hit... Don’t miss out! The 2009 Los Angeles Restaurant Guide Publishes March 30, 2009. Deadline is February 2, 2009. Reserve your space today. Call (213) 481-1448.
24 Downtown News
January 26, 2009
DowntownNews.com
We Got Games Clippers Struggle and the Lakers Can Relax Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or nba.com/lakers. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 7:30: After a tough two-week stretch facing some of the top teams in the NBA, the Lakers can relax a bit as they host the struggling Charlotte Bobcats, then begin a six-game road trip with stops against the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves (Jan. 30) and Memphis Grizzlies (Jan. 31). Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or nba.com/clippers. Monday, Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.: Despite having one of the worst records in the league, the Clippers still seem to have some fight in them. With rookie Eric Gordon playing point guard and Coach Mike Dunleavy forced to start three guys who are used to warming the bench, the team’s ability to stay in games has been impressive. These
junior varsity players are not strong enough to contend with the elite of the league, but they’re playing their hearts out. Then again, it would be nice to get those starters back to face Portland and Chicago before travelling to take on Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers (Jan. 30) and the Washington Wizards (Jan. 31). Los Angeles Kings Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or kings.nhl.com. Thursday, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m.: The last time the Kings won more than two consecutive games was in early December, when they notched four straight victories. In order to finish the season above .500, they’ll need to put a few streaks together. They can get one started when the Chicago Blackhawks come to town, and keep it going in Montreal when they face the Canadiens (Jan. 31). —Ryan Vaillancourt
photo by Gary Leonard
The Clippers have one of the worst records in the NBA, but rookie Eric Gordon refuses to go down without a fight.
Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!
G r a n d To w e r 255 South Grand Avenue
Promenade To w e r s 123 South Figueroa Street LEASING INFORMATION
LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N
M u s e u m To w e r 225 South Olive Street
(213) 229-9777
LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N
(213) 617-3777
(213) 626-1500
It’s our business to make you comfortable...
sauna and recreation room with kitchen.
Far below are a host of businesses ready to
at home, downtown. Corporate and long term
Beautiful views extend from the Towers’ lofty
support your pampered downtown lifestyle.
residency is accommodated in high style at
homes in the sky. Mountain vistas and slender
Even the most demanding tastes are satisfied
the Towers Apartments. Contemporary singles,
skyscrapers provide an incredible back drop to
with gourmet dining, shops, theatres and
studio, one bedroom and two bedroom
complement your decor.
the cultural events that make headlines.
apartment homes provide fortunate residents with a courteous full service lobby attendant,
Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore.
heated pool, spa, complete fitness center,
Visit the Towers Apartments today.
SINGLES, STUDIO, ONE BEDROOM & TWO BEDROOM RESIDENCES
MAID SERVICE FURNITURE HOUSEWARES CABLE UTILITIES PARKING WWW.GKIND.com