LOS ANGELES
DOWNTOWN
NEWS
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A change at the top of Central Bureau, and other happenings Around Town.
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Looking at how prison and parole reform will impact Downtown.
W W W. D O W N T O W N N E W S . C O M
March 1, 2010
Volume 39, Number 9
INSIDE
Kids’ Films at REDCAT
A Distinct Collection Rail Line Gets Top Prize as Downtown News Recognizes 13 Projects From 2009 by Ryan VaillancouRt
The return of Jerry West.
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Urban Scrawl on dog licenses.
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Furnishing the Convention Center hotel.
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staff wRiteR
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t a time when headlines tend toward gloom, nearly 400 business, civic and community leaders gathered to celebrate more than a dozen standout projects that spurred investment, created jobs and brought people together in Downtown in 2009. The ninth annual Downtowners of Distinction Awards, presented by Los Angeles Downtown News at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Feb. 23, highlighted 13 key projects in the area, with the Project of the Year prize going to the Metro Gold Line
Eastside Extension. The $898 million light rail project topped a list of efforts that included residential developments, a new synagogue, restaurants, entertainment venues and community empowerment initiatives. “What’s important is the fact that we’ve built a community down here and a community that has articulated its needs, the spiritual needs, the needs to shop and buy food, to exercise,” said Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry. The 13 district winners were chosen by the Los Angeles Downtown see Distinction, page 10
The Sweet Sound of ‘Sold!’ A New Downtown Auction House Hopes To Spark Some Sunday Bidding Wars by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR
All the latest Health news.
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Reviewing ‘The Subject Was Roses.’
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Five great entertainment options.
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15 CALENDAR LISTINGS 17 MAP 18 CLASSIFIEDS
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ateen Saffari is a treasure hunter. On a recent Sunday afternoon, he was eagerly and thoroughly searching for his next big find. He investigated an old Victorian couch, inspected a box of antique silverware, closely observed an oil painting and caressed a Louis XV style vitrine, looking for imperfections in the dark wood finish. “If there’s workmanship, an antique quality to it, I’ll want it,” he said. Saffari knew that getting what he wanted photo by Gary Leonard would require more than Danny Shaoulian sells pipe organs and other whipping out a credit antiques to the highest bidder at the recently opened card — he would have to Tiffany Auction on Grand Avenue. Events take place be willing to outbid op- every other Sunday. ponents desiring the same item. Shaoulian, a partner in the real esSaffari was one of the customers at tate firm D&R Brothers, which owns Tiffany Auction, a recently opened, 10 buildings in the area. 7,000-square-foot Downtown busiThe first auction was held on Jan. ness that stocks hundreds of antique 24 and attracted about 150 people, and unique items that are put up Shaoulian said. He sold about 200 for auction every other Sunday. The items, everything from a $10 vase to next sale is March 7 at 11 a.m. (with a $5,000 Marc Chagall painting. previews starting an hour before). “It was very successful. We were The store opened in November very happy with the outcome,” at 1201 S. Grand Ave. It is owned Shaoulian said, though he would not by Downtown businessman Danny see Auction, page 7
photo by Gary Leonard
Officials who planned, prepped, oversaw and worked on the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension accepted the Project of the Year prize last week at Los Angeles Downtown News’ ninth annual Downtowners of Distinction awards.
Scooting Around Downtown Gets an Unlikely Business in A Little Tokyo Vespa Dealership by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR
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year lease on the space at Third Street and Central Avenue. The store opened in November with 40 Vespas on the floor. It also stocks accessories such as brightly colored half helmets and riding jackets, as well as a service station where customers can bring in their vehicles for maintenance. The dealership is a fashionable see Vespa, page 8
hen Caroline Le Duc’s car broke down, she decided she needed some new wheels. But the 27-year-old Historic Core resident had other considerations too: She wanted to zip through traffic and save on gas. So when Le Duc went out to dinner in Little Tokyo, she stumbled onto the perfect solution. “I walked past here and saw all the Vespas behind the locked gates and that was it for me,” she said. Last month, Le Duc became one of about 20 owners of a scooter purchased at Vespa of L.A., a 4,000-square-foot showroom and service center that owner and general manager Roger Miyakawa hopes will tap into the young urban market. He noted that his business is aiming at those frustrated by traffic and parking in Downtown Los Angeles, as well as tourists who are familiar with the scooter as a mode of transportation. “My goal is also to try to move people into alterative forms of transportation,” said Miyakawa. “Scooters, as a mode of transportaphoto by Gary Leonard tion, are going to lead the Downtown resident Caroline Le Duc bought way in the future.” a scooter from Vespa of L.A. Roger Miyakawa Miyakawa signed a three- opened the shop in November.
The Voice of Downtown Los Angeles