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April 5, 2010

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Cutting Edge Kitchens

INSIDE

photos by Gary Leonar d

How a Group of Chefs Are Creating ‘The New Gastronomy’ And Making Downtown the City’s Culinary Center Jump in the hot tub political machine.

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Situation eases for L.A. Central.

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Ilan Hall of The Gorbals (left, with his gefilte fish and chips) and John Rivera Sedlar of Rivera (with his mussels in an ahi- and brandy-based broth) are two of the chefs whose inventive approaches are drawing attention to the Downtown culinary scene. by RichaRd Guzmán

Building action at the Brockman.

city editoR

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t could be said that the only thing that unites them is their diversity. There’s Ilan Hall, the bespectacled “Top Chef” winner who sets tongues wagging with his bacon-wrapped matzoh balls. There’s Joseph Centeno, the soft-spoken 34-year old whose small plates lineup, including the bäcos, a mix of a gyro, pizza and taco, is drawing raves. There’s John Rivera Sedlar, a generation older than the other two, whose new Latin cuisine has drawn national attention not just for its quality but for the political

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Sampling Syrup’s decadent desserts.

messages in his spices. That’s just the beginning. There are chefs who challenge the concept of what should be stuffed in a sausage, and one not afraid to make deep fried pig’s ear a focus of his French menu. There’s a celebrity restaurateur pushing the envelope on Italian fine dining and one kicking at the limits of Latin cuisine from a food stand. Actually, in addition to the diversity, the chefs have another thing in common: They all work in Downtown kitchens. In the last five years, Downtown Los Angeles has seen an explosion of new restaurants, with scores

opening across the community. But since around the start of 2009, something else, something unexpected, has happened: A cutting-edge food scene has emerged, with a cadre of inventive chefs setting up shop and challenging each other. “This really is a defining moment of Downtown claiming its rightful place in L.A. gastronomy,” said Patric Kuh, a food critic for Los Angeles Magazine. Kuh, who last month was nominated for a James Beard Award for his coverage, recently penned an article about the 10 best new restaurants in all of Los Angeles: Four of them are in Downtown. see Restaurants, page 12

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Vocal Chords of Iron, Seasons of Pain Is Clipper Darrell, the Team’s Long-Suffering, Number One Fan, Finally Nearing a Breaking Point?

Chicago dance in Downtown.

by Ryan VaillancouRt

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staff wRiteR

18 CALENDAR LISTINGS 21 MAP 22 CLASSIFIEDS

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’m sitting a few rows behind the basket at Staples Center, watching the Los Angeles Clippers fall behind to the Oklahoma City Thunder. They’ll never catch up. I’m here to try to figure out Clipper Darrell, the team’s tireless, aisle-dancing, chant-leading and extremely forgiving number-one fan. The Inglewood resident’s story is simple: About 15 years ago, when he was just Darrell Bailey, he got fired from a job, and the guy delivering the bad news told Darrell he’d never

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amount to anything. That night, he flipped on the television and up came the Clippers. They too were being labeled losers by some commentator. He identified with their plight. This, he decided, would be his team. “I was going to ride or die with ’em,” he said. Years later, a lot has changed for Darrell. He now owns a business, customizing cars in South Los Angeles. He’s even tricked out rides for several former Clippers, including Shaun Livingston and Al Thornton. He pays $2,200 for his lower level season ticket. see Clipper Darrell, page 11

photo by Gary Leonard

“Clipper Darrell” Bailey is the undisputed number one fan of Los Angeles’ “other” NBA team. He hasn’t missed a home game in nine seasons.

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April 5, 2010

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AROUNDTOWN Pershing Square Readies Summer Concert Series

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idespread city budget cuts may have doomed last month’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and festivities at Pershing Square, but the annual summer concert series at the Downtown park will go on. Louise Capone, senior recreation director for the Financial District facility, said music and other events will take place this summer, though the schedule will be slightly diminished due to a budget that is down about 20% from last year. The normally sixweek series will go for five weeks this year, with live music on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, starting July 21 and running through Aug. 21, said Capone. Friday nights will again feature a free outdoor film series (the lineup is at pershingsquare. org). While the series is moving forward, the Department of Recreation and Parks is working with a budget that’s a bit more than $50,000. “I think we can get some good talent with the help of our sponsors and the music community,” Capone said, noting that the department is looking for additional private cash sponsors. Though programming information has not been released yet, Capone said Beta Records will coordinate the Wednesday night shows, and as in past years, Spaceland Productions will curate the Thursday night events.

Downtown Gets Its Ritz

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he last piece of the $2.5 billion L.A. Live complex opened last week. On Friday, April 2, guests began checking in to the RitzCarlton at L.A. Live; the debut had been delayed about three weeks due to some late de-

liveries. The 123-room Ritz, part of developer Anschutz Entertainment Group’s $1 billion Convention Center headquarters hotel, will have a grand opening celebration at the end of the month, hotel officials announced. The first part of the hotel tower, the 878-room J.W. Marriott, opened Feb. 15. The hotel will include WP24, a restaurant operated by chef Wolfgang Puck that will open in mid-April. The Ritz is on floors 23-26 of the 54-story tower. More than 200 condominiums will be on the upper floor; an opening date for those has net been announced.

DCBID Launches Downtown Trivia Challenge

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owntown Facebook members may want to start studying up on their local history. The Downtown Center Business Improvement District will launch a threeweek trivia contest on April 5 focusing on the Central City. Two winners per week will receive hotel packages at Downtown locations. The trivia game will be comprised of five weekly questions posted on the BID’s Facebook page at facebook.com/DCBID on Mondays. Those who friend the BID can take part in the contest. People who get all five answers right will be entered into a drawing to win the hotel prizes. The questions will change every week.

Regional Connector Meetings Coming Up

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n February, the Metro board voted to approve studying a third alternative for the

proposed Downtown Regional Connector, placing the project entirely underground in Little Tokyo. Now, Metro is inviting the community to learn more about the underground alternative at a series of meetings. The first takes place Friday, April 9, at noon at the Central Library (630 W. Fifth St.). The sessions will include presentations highlighting the features of the new alternative, as well as comparisons with the other options being considered. The Regional Connector is a proposed two-mile transit link that would connect the Metro Gold, Blue and other lines. Its cost has been estimated at around $1 billion. Future meetings will be April 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena; April 14 at the Japanese American National Museum (at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m., 369 E. First St.); and April 17 at 11 a.m. at the Los Angeles Theater Center, 514 S. Spring St. More information is at metro.net/ regionalconnector.

Central City Association Names Treasures

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he Central City Association will present its 16th annual Treasures of Los Angeles awards on Thursday, April 8, at a luncheon at the J.W. Marriott at L.A. Live. The CCA, which each year honors key players in the city, is presenting its top prize, the Heart of the City Award, to former Music Center Chair Andrea Van de Kamp. The other Treasure honorees are Tom Gilmore, L.A. Live, The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, former Dodger Fernando Valenzuela, The Leavey Trauma Center at California Hospital Medical Center, James Worthy, Ralphs and the

Orpheum Theatre. City Council President Eric Garcetti will be the master of ceremonies. For more information, visit ccla.org or contact Joella Hopkins at (213) 624-1213.

Rowan Building Adding Wine Shop

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avid Bakhshi, owner of L.A. Café on Spring Street, has signed a lease at the Rowan Lofts to bring a wine shop to the corner of Fifth and Spring streets. The shop, which does not yet have a name, is targeting an early fall opening, said Scott Kamalski, a managing partner in the project. The store will feature more than 100 bottles and also stock a range of beers, Kamalski said. “It’s a unique, one of a kind retail venue, sort of wine geek experiential,” Kamalski said. The store will offer tastings and other winerelated happenings. “Our core customer is the new Downtown resident, the folks that have been here for the past eight years,” Kamalski said. The lease leaves one more open commercial space on the ground floor of Downtown Properties’ Rowan Lofts, said project manager Joji Dreyfus. He said he is in talks with potential restaurant tenants to inhabit the 5,500-square-foot Fifth Street space, which will be accessed via Harlem Place. Dreyfus envisions a restaurant fronting the alley, with outdoor seating and cobblestones in place of the existing pavement. That proposal, which would also close Harlem Place to vehicle traffic, is in a preliminary discussion phase, but would require various city approvals and would take one to two years, said Eva Kandarpa Behrend, spokeswoman for Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry.

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11th Street, and argue instead that the city center incorporated Figueroa, south to the University of Southern California and Exposition Park. To that end, Holter persuaded Central City Association head Carol Schatz to create and staff a standing committee called the Figueroa Corridor Committee. Then the Community Redevelopment Agency agreed to fund an economic study of the Figueroa Corridor published in early 1998. Both the CCA committee and the CRA study gave the fledgling new BID momentum. In the decade since the Figueroa Corridor Partnership’s formation, Holter has gone on to do other things to buttress its work — in particular, he is interested in initiatives that focus on South Los Angeles. “I’m Darryl Holter in 1996 very concerned with the uneven when the BID was development in the city. There’s formed. a lot of economic activity on the Westside and the Valley and the Downtown center, but on the other hand, there’s not much development going on in South L.A. except subsidized housing.” Holter was elected to, and now chairs, the Community Redevelopment Agency’s CAC (Community Advisory Commission) for Exposition Park and University Park. All new projects in those areas, from developers and stakeholders, go through the commission. “We listen to everything, whether it’s the University doing something or a guy who’s fixing his steps on a home he owns. We listen to all the things that go on and we approve them, or if we have questions, we demand more information and suggest that they make certain changes. We get into everything from landscaping to lighting to how nice it’s going to be when people walk by. We give people in the community some voice.”

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April 5, 2010

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EDITORIALS A Dodger Embarrassment

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ix years ago, shortly after the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. was completed, Frank McCourt put the acquisition in appropriate terms. “Here’s this storied franchise and we’re being allowed to be the stewards,” he told Los Angeles Downtown News in February 2004. His awe of his responsibility and his joy in embracing it were infectious at first. Observers saw pride for his opportunity and had hope for the Dodgers’ future. Today McCourt and his estranged wife Jamie, who may or may not be co-owner of the team (something the attorneys are arguing over), could use a reminder of that comment. As opening day arrives on April 5 (the Dodgers are in Pittsburgh; the home opener occurs April 13), the McCourts are proving themselves to be poor stewards indeed of one of the city’s most beloved and most unifying resources. Worse, they are becoming an embarrassment to the Dodger name and the millions of Dodger fans in Los Angeles and beyond. This is not a statement we make lightly. Certainly the McCourts had far worthier goals when they moved here from Boston after acquiring the team, its real estate and other holdings. However, the couple and their armies of respective lawyers appear intent on peeling back layers of decorum as they wallop each other with financial disclosures and nasty demands that sound absurd to the everyday fan. They are arguing about eight-figure houses and support payments of nearly a million dollars a month at a time of vast unemployment,

not to mention belt-tightening by virtually everyone else. In another time such decadence might be tolerated, but in 2010 it’s stomach-turning. There is a disconnect to which they are oblivious, and any assumption that fans will continue to attend games because they always have is both rude and unwise. While Dodger fans are generally diehard, there is only so much they will put up with before significant numbers find another pastime — especially with the hike in ticket prices in the past few years. There are a lot of problems with the situation. In addition to besmirching the Dodger legacy, the public divorce is creating a scenario of uncertainty, one where fans question what impact the off-the-field wrangling is having on their team. Dodger executives have stated that the marital rift does not impact payroll, yet few fans believe that, especially when they see a team that did not make a significant move in the off-season. It is hard to accept that this is a baseball decision rather than a budget decision, especially when it seems that the addition of one or two mid- to higher-priced players could have been the difference the last two seasons between losing in the playoffs or going on to contend for a World Series. To be fair, while the McCourts were welcomed by those tired of Murdoch’s ownership, they have not always been treated well by many in Los Angeles, including a baseball-savvy local media. Some of this came because of their early stumbles — fans witnessed a cascade of firings and replacements. For many it was too much, too soon, and perhaps not carefully done.

In addition, the McCourts still don’t seem to “get” the city (but then one wonders if they “got” Boston, the city and a life they left abruptly). There has also been a certain skepticism of these East Coast “outsiders,” perhaps not fair, perhaps welldeserved. Then there is the historical matter: Who could ever live up to the memory of the revered O’Malley family, especially in the short term? The McCourts tried, and for a while things seemed to be turning around. The Dodgers surprised many by making the playoffs two years in a row and trading for (and then paying for) Manny Ramirez. Then it all fell apart, as Ramirez went sour, the divorce became public, and the fighting became more fascinating than who will start on opening day. Of course, there is another direction to go. Although the lawyers may argue against it, Frank and Jamie could realize that the team means more to the city than it does to them. They knew this at one time. In the interview referenced above, Frank McCourt stated: “There’s a certain amount of responsibility that goes along with [ownership] as well. As someone who runs an old family business and represents the fourth generation, along with a couple of my brothers, we think in terms of those kinds of responsibilities. Our approach is really to get up every day and work as hard as we can and try to leave things a little teeny bit better than the way we found them that morning.” We’d like the McCourts to remember and to live up to those words.

Power, Water and Power

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n the past few weeks, the city endured the latest in a line of messes related to the Department of Water and Power. Once again, a large portion of the blame falls on Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. As in the past, it seems that worthy goals have been torpedoed by a rush to action, a lack of homework and a silly expectation that citizens will not be paying attention. The first fracas occurred last year, when Measure B was shot down at the polls. Measure B was a DWP-centric, extremely expensive solar power initiative that the mayor had strongly backed, but it was badly conceived in many ways and it drew the ire of

the general public, who were, as we say, actually paying attention. Its defeat was a blow to those who thought they could pull the strings and believed that big spending and the cult of personality would win the day. Now comes the bungled “carbon reduction surcharge” and an associated flotilla of rate hikes. The first major problem was the cost — big increases for residents and possibly bigger ones for businesses were floated at a time when people already have difficulty paying their hefty water and power bills. The second problem was worse: Once bubbles of opposition surfaced, it became a situation bordering on blackmail — City Council

members were told that either they approve the measure or the DWP would withhold a payment to the general fund; doing so could potentially lead to the city becoming insolvent — in another word, the dirty word, bankruptcy. In this case, the Council did the right thing, asserting its jurisdiction over the matter in an unusual 15 to zero vote (the mayor used to be able to depend upon at least eight votes). That led a divided Council to adopt more limited hikes, though the DWP Commission then approved its own larger increase. Afterwards, a miffed Council voted to quash any increases for the time being.

It’s a mess any way you look at it The mayor has the right to pick his fights and use the bully pulpit. It can be an effective tool when employed judiciously. However, that was not the case here. Instead, we witnessed a second try where a measure was nearly shoved down the gullets of the city and the DWP customers. The sad part is, the controversy overwhelms the admirable goal of weaning the department off its reliance on coal. The ends don’t justify the means in this case. We hope the team intent on bringing advancement to the DWP recognizes that reality before their next go-round. People will be watching.

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

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April 5, 2010

Downtown News 5

Opinion

Hot Tub Political Machine How Would City Leaders Use a Magic Jacuzzi to Change History?

THE REGARDIE REPORT

Be that as it may, Hot Tub Time Machine really does have ties to what’s going on in our budget-flustered city. The concept of traveling back in time raises questions about what our leaders would change were they given the opportunity to hop into a magic Jacuzzi and check out life, politics and swing votes a few weeks, months, years or even decades ago. If they got a second chance to cast a different ballot, make another alliance, throw a certain ally under the bus or go belly up for a union or business group if it meant personal advancement, then would they? Yes, I realize the idea may be far-fetched, but sometimes the impossible seems normal in politics. After all, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa once convinced us that he could plant a million trees in Los Angeles. Down the List Before looking at what city leaders might change, it’s important to picture them in a hot tub. I know, this just created some mental images that will require therapy to deal with, but that’s the role of the American journalist, to uncover corruption and other things we might otherwise never consider. Well, that and to keep the world informed on what’s transpiring with Lindsay Lohan, Tiger Woods, Jesse James and other addled celebrities, which I’m sure is what the framers of the Constitution had in mind when they took up freedom of speech. So, who can you picture kicking it in a hot tub? It’s not a question of physical attractiveness, of who, male or female, has the best bathing suit body. Rather, it’s about attitude and style, about the way someone carries him or herself. The best way to proceed is by using the roster of elected officials, starting with the City Council and going by order of district. Ed Reyes would climb in, assuming the water in the hot tub was reused from the L.A. River and would somehow help increase affordable housing in his district. The very measured Paul Krekorian would test the temperature before going in, while Dennis Zine and Tom LaBonge would both cannonball into an open hot tub in about two-tenths of a second. Paul Koretz would wait to hear what union leadership wants him to do. Tony Cardenas would but Richard Alarcon wouldn’t, unless the boundaries of another council district could be redrawn to move the hot tub into his territory. Would Bernard Parks climb into a hot tub? Not if ex-Police Chief William Bratton had been there first. Jan Perry would if her instincts tell her that doing so would help forge a Tom Bradley-esque women/African-American/Valley/Westside Jewish voting bloc in the 2013 mayoral election. Herb Wesson is a no, though he could flip to a yes if it creates an adoption of the pet of the week he brings to City Hall. Bill Rosendahl is a likely yes, Greig Smith is a probable no, and Eric Garcetti would if it means he gets to continue his tenure as Council president. José Huizar would probably wait for an extensive study to tell him whether going into a hot tub would be in the best interests of the city, and Janice Hahn would do whatever makes Gavin Newsom, her competitor in the lieutenant governor’s race, look worse. As for the citywide electeds, is Controller Wendy Greuel the hot tub type? Only if she first audited the Jacuzzi and found that it is being run in a fiscally responsible manner. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich? He’s probably in a hot tub as you read this. Villaraigosa? Heck, he’s likely spent more time in a hot tub in his first five years in office that he has in his actual office. C’mon, can’t you picture him in a Jacuzzi, grinning as warm bubbles pop to the surface around him, lifting a flute of champagne and in James Bond-mode stating, “Villaraigosa. Antonio Villaraigosa.” Opening the Wormhole To be honest, I haven’t seen Hot Tub Time Machine. I also haven’t read a single review of the movie. But it’s one of those films where the title says everything. Sort of like Hotel for Dogs. And I swear I don’t mean anything by using the word “dogs” in a piece about local politics. So if a Jacuzzi could open a wormhole in the space-time continuum, who would go back and do what? Would AnVil jet back decades and stop himself before he got the “Born to raise hell” tattoo that he later had removed? Or would his trips be more recent, maybe using his opportunity to rewrite history to prevent him from ever meeting Mirthala Salinas? (Like some

photo by Gary Leonard

Would any of these City Council members jump into a magic hot tub? Oh yes they would.

the gift that never stops giving, sort of like City Hall itself. Speaking of which, I wonder what Miguel Santana might change. Oh wait, I think I know. Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

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he new movie Hot Tub Time Machine raises some very important questions about Los Angeles politics. Yes, I’m serious. OK, I’m not totally serious, but I am about as serious as Meg Whitman when she says that the gubernatorial election is about leadership, not money. I’ve put as much thought into my premise as she has into fleshing out the details of how she plans to turn around California.

people get starter homes, think of her as a starter Lu Parker.) Would he focus on his football field full of first-term fumbles, and stop himself from spending 40% of his political capital on a bungled attempt to take over the schools? With a wayback machine, would he actually pay attention to the budget? Since the hot tub is filled with water, would Villaraigosa pull in his DWP cabal and together would they try to change, well, everything he’s sought do with the department? Would this gang that can’t float straight go back and erase Measure B, last year’s failed ballot initiative? Would they go back and erase last week’s butchered attempts at rate hikes? The thing about a hot tub political machine is that it’s

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6 Downtown News

April 5, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

So a Lemon and an Orange Meet Some Roses Downtown Breakfast Club Salutes Key Projects, and Frowns at Some Eyesores by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

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ontinuing a 30-year tradition, the Downtown Breakfast Club hosted its annual Roses and Lemon Awards ceremony last week, doling out congratulations to a slate of Central City projects, from real estate developments to nonprofit community initiatives. Of course, after the Roses, the club wagged its collective finger at the 2009 Lemon recipient: a collection of unsightly barricades the club says are souring the Downtown streetscape. On Thursday, April 1, before more than 400 Downtown

stakeholders at the J.W. Marriott hotel, the club singled out developer Anschutz Entertainment Group for its L.A. Live project with a Special Recognition award. “The sheer boldness of a private company acquiring 45 acres Downtown and successfully transforming the site into a superior landmark to benefit Downtown for the rest of the 21st century is simply remarkable,” said club member and presenter Clare DeBriere. Tim Leiweke, AEG’s president and CEO, accepted the award at what he called an important moment for Los Angeles, and Downtown in particular. The day before the

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The Downtown Breakfast Club handed out Roses to representatives of (from top) the Factory Place Arts Complex, the New Carver Apartments, Bottega Louie, The Must and the Grammy Museum.

Ritz-Carlton portion of the Convention Center hotel was due to open, Leiweke said he expects L.A. Live and the Convention Center to secure deals to bring in some marquee events. “[These are] events and conventions that we couldn’t bid on before — forget win — we couldn’t even bid,” said Leiweke. “These are the biggest fish in the pond and I believe that they’re going to come here and I believe they’re going to show us what this community and this Downtown area in particular can be.” Diverse Bouquet In the Market Rate Housing award category, the Factory Place Arts Complex, a residential project in the Arts District, won the Rose, edging out Concerto Lofts and the Great Republic Lofts. Skid Row Housing Trust’s New Carver Apartments won in the field of Affordable Housing projects, beating the developer’s other nominee, the Abbey Apartments, as well as Related Cos. Sakura Crossing, a luxury rental building with an affordable component. Bottega Louie, the Seventh Street restaurant lauded as much for its energetic ambience as for its cuisine, got the Rose for Dining Out, over nominees Rivera and Chaya Downtown. In Bars and Clubs, the winner was The Must, a Continued on next page


April 5, 2010

Downtown News 7

DowntownNews.com

El Pueblo Rent Increases Begin Move Comes After ‘Cooling Off’ Period, Approved by Council, Is Knocked Down by City Attorney by Richard Guzmán city editor

A

long battle over rental rates at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument reached a new peak last week, with rate hikes going into effect for more than 50 merchants. The April 1 move came in spite of a City Council vote asking for a 30-day delay on any boosts. On March 30, the City Council unanimously approved a motion authored by 14th District Councilman José Huizar that called for rent increases to be pushed back until May 1. However, El Pueblo General Manager Robert Andrade said that according to City Charter Section 245, time had lapsed for the city to assert its authority over the El Pueblo Commission, which in January approved the increases. Andrade said that a representative of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich’s office informed the Council that they could only request a 30-day moratorium on rent hikes. But on March 25, the El Pueblo Board of Commissioners, whose members are appointed by Mayor Antonio Villarai­ gosa, had denied a similar motion asking for a 30-day “cooling off” period. “It was a slightly different motion, but essentially it was the same only with a couple of minor modifications, but the net result of the Commission was that the direction to the general manager to seek rents effective April 1 is in place,” Andrade said. Rick Coca, a spokesman for Huizar, said in an email to Los Continued from previous page wine bar in the Historic Core. It beat out the Crocker Club and the South Park wine bar Corkbar. The Grammy Museum won the prize in a Civic & Cultural category that also included the Skid Row youth arts education institution Inner-City Arts and the new Police Administration Building. Four Downtown nonprofits took home Roses in the Good Works category, which honors groups doing community work in the area: Beyond Shelter, Skid Row Housing Trust, Chrysalis and Lamp Community all were cited for their work with the homeless. Loathsome Lemon Then there was the Lemon, presented by developer Tom Gilmore to a slate of properties that repel pedestrians with an array of barricades, fences and questionable public art. The “not so public public buildings” included the Ronald Reagan State Building (whose sidewalk planters are so wide they seem designed to keep people away, Gilmore said), the U.S. Courthouse and the Criminal Courthouse.

Angeles Downtown News that the Council has other actions it can take and that Andrade must follow some guidelines set forth in the city’s Administrative Code, though he did not explain the options or guidelines. On Jan. 14, the Commission approved new rents recommended in a study commissioned by the city and conducted by Simi Valley-based Riggs & Riggs. The report said rents for retail tenants should be $2-$6.50 per square foot. It also said that tenants of the puestos, the small kiosks that occupy the center of the street and the plaza area, should pay $950$1,350, depending on location. Officials have said new rents

will be near the low end of the range, Last year, an audit of El Pueblo conducted by the City Controller’s office found that rents at Olvera Street average $1.35 per square foot, and that puesto tenants pay an average of $300 a month. El Pueblo, meanwhile, has required an infusion from the city’s general fund in recent years to balance its budget. Huizar’s motion cited the subsidy at more than $800,000. Many El Pueblo merchants have protested the rent hikes, saying they could be forced out of business. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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In the Good Works category, all the nominees received prizes. Roses were given to officials from (l to r) Skid Row Housing Trust, Beyond Shelter, Lamp Community and Chrysalis.

Gilmore also squeezed some figurative lemon juice on blighted Civic Center properties — the giant hole in the ground where a federal courthouse was supposed to rise and the “graffiti pit” west of City Hall — and on the city that when repairing sidewalk cracks tends to make the problem worse with repeated cement overlays that make for an uneven “mosaic.” The Lemon isn’t meant to be mean, club member Hal Bastian has said; it’s intended to nudge recipients toward making lemonade, or when it comes to last year’s Lemon award, orange juice. In a first for the club, Gilmore presented an orange to John Welborne, last year’s Lemon recipient for the repeated delays in reopening the Angels Flight railway. “Orange you glad you’re not a lemon anymore?” Gilmore said. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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8 Downtown News

April 5, 2010

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In November 2008, Measure R was approved, committing a projected $40 billion to tra;c relief and transportation upgrades throughout the county over the next 30 years. Here are updates on projects in the works: Barriers Installed For Sepulveda Pass Widening > Metro’s contractor is placing concrete barriers along the I-405 Freeway to separate construction areas for the Sepulveda Pass Widening Project. > A northbound carpool lane is being added between the I-10 and U.S. 101 freeways. Underground Route Considered For Regional Connector > A new underground light rail alternative underneath Little Tokyo has been added to the Regional Connector Transit Corridor Study. > The Regional Connector would create a seamless transit link between the Metro Gold, Blue and Expo lines through Downtown LA.

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Construction Underway To Link Expo Line/Blue Line > Crews are installing a rail cross-over link for the new Exposition Light Rail line being built between Downtown LA and Culver City. > The Expo Line will share a track and two stations (7th St/Metro Center and Pico) with the Metro Blue Line as it leaves Downtown.

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April 5, 2010

Downtown News 9

DowntownNews.com

Brockman Building to Move Forward Construction Slated to Finish by July, But Still No Opening Date by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

T

he Brockman Building, a highly anticipated but longstalled residential project, is moving forward with final construction, but there remains no timeline for an opening. Lender Bank of America recently authorized Amy Goldman, the court-appointed trustee overseeing the Brockman through the bankruptcy process, to go ahead with a slate of final construction tasks needed to qualify for an occupancy permit, Goldman said. Once that work is done, the bank is expected to foreclose on the property. The bank’s decision to finish the building marks the first significant movement at the property at 530 W. Seventh St. since developer West Millennium Group filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on the nearly completed 80-unit project last year. The work is expected to take until July, said Goldman, whose role as trustee will effectively end once the bank forecloses. Once the certificate of occupancy is obtained, Goldman said she understands the bank’s plan is to hold on to the Brockman

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until the market recovers, or until a buyer makes a suitable offer for the property. That means there is no timeline for opening the building as apartments or condominiums. Representatives for Bank of America were not able to comment by press time for this story. The Brockman, which many Downtown Los Angeles stakeholders hoped would bring new residents to the Seventh Street corridor, hit trouble early in the construction process. Opening dates were repeatedly pushed back and the budget grew. In January 2009, lender Countrywide initiated foreclosure proceedings on the property after West Millennium defaulted on its $35 million construction loan (Countrywide was later taken over by Bank of America).

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.A. Central, the proposed mixed-use mega project across from L.A. Live in South Park, is inching forward after its lender agreed to extend the developer’s financing. The New York-based Moinian Group had been facing foreclosure on the property since November, after it defaulted on a Wachovia loan for $55 million used to purchase the four-acre site. Moinian bought the current parking lot for $80 million from L.A. Live developer Anschutz Entertainment Group in 2006. Wells Fargo, which has since taken over Wachovia, has agreed to withdraw its effort to pursue foreclosure and instead give Moinian new flexibility to pay its debt, said Oskar Brecher, Moinian’s director of development. While the decision grants some relief to Moinian, it does not necessarily move the $1 billion project closer to groundbreaking. The company is still looking for construction financing to build what will likely be a scaleddown version of what is currently entitled, Brecher said. The initial plan was to build 53- and 37-story towers housing 860 condominiums, plus 250,000 square feet of retail space, a grocery store, restaurants and a boutique hotel with 222 rooms. “I think that we will have to reassess whether in this economy a project of that complexity and intensity is appropriate and certainly it will, to some extent, [depend on] the financing that’s available,” Brecher said. The extended financing came around the same time that Moinian and AEG reached a settlement over a dispute regarding current parking lot operations. AEG sued Moinian last year, alleging that the sale agreement between the companies gave AEG the right to operate the land as a parking lot until Moinian started construction. According to AEG’s complaint, Moinian gave AEG notice in 2007 that a groundbreaking was imminent so the parking agreement could be canceled. But Moinian never started building, and instead began collecting parking revenues, AEG alleged. The dispute led to a June 2009 injunction that barred Moinian from operating the lot, effectively deactivating the four-acre site, and it was fenced off. Under terms of the settlement, the lot is now functioning again, with AEG operating the facility, said AEG spokesman Michael Roth. “We will continue to park cars as long as the current ownership group will use it as a parking lot,” Roth said. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

Brockman Building Lofts LLC filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection last April, temporarily halting the foreclosure process. On May 8, 2009, West Millennium itself filed Chapter 7. Between the $35 million loan and a slate of liens on the property for unpaid construction work, the total debt on the project is about $45 million, according to officials familiar with the building. Goldman has said that the structure’s debt likely far outweighs what any buyer would pay for the property in this market. “Everything here is an incremental step,” Goldman said. “They had told me I’d be out by now and they’d foreclose on April 1 and take it over themselves. [Later] they countered that and decided to send money to start the construction, but we also have to get bankruptcy court approval… And things can always change.” Bottega Louie, the restaurant on the ground floor of the building, continues to operate and is not expected to be impacted by any of the coming construction. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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10 Downtown News

April 5, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

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Continued from page 1 The Clippers, meanwhile, continue to epitomize failure. The team owned by controversial real estate mogul Donald Sterling was effectively out of the playoff running by the AllStar break. The franchise has had a winning record just twice in the past 26 seasons. On this Friday night, the Clippers are getting outplayed by the young Thunder and their 21-year-old floor general Kevin Durant. The crowd is pretty quiet. Six minutes into the game, I start to worry. Not so much about the score, but about my story. Darrell isn’t here. I know this not because I don’t see him; you don’t look for Clipper Darrell. You know he’s there when he starts screaming. But there are four minutes left in the quarter. Then the clock above the backboard ticks down to three minutes, two minutes, and no Darrell. Man, this place is lifeless. Badgering Opponents Just my luck. I come to meet the mayor of Clipper-town and he stands me up. Earlier that day, when I called to confirm our meeting, he told me he was in New York. He was joking. He does that a lot. But miss the entire first quarter of a Friday night home game against one of the rising stars of the NBA? That’s just not his style. Did I mention the place is quiet? Then Durant gets fouled. He heads to the free throw line, takes a deep breath, stares at the rim, dribbles the ball once. And then, with 55 seconds left in the quarter… “Kevvvvvvinnnnn,” hollers a voice from Section 107, sounding like a tourist lost in the Grand Canyon and shouting for his friend Kevin. “Ohhh, Kevvvvinnnn! You weak!” Distracting opponents at the free throw line is Darrell’s calling card. In other arenas, visiting players have to maintain focus against a backdrop of a sea of clapping thunder sticks. At Staples Center, they must tune out the banter of Clipper Darrell. “He made me miss one time,” Drew Gooden, who recently joined the team via trade, told me before the game. “I used to come in on opposing teams and we just knew him as the man in the suit…. I finally met him and told him, ‘Man, I used to not like you, but now that I’m with you, I like you.’” Nevermind that the steely-eyed Durant drains both free throws. On the next possession, he gets the ball and, instead of driving to the hoop, he pulls up for a contested jumper. It clangs off the rim. “Let’s go Clippers, Let’s Go,” Darrell yells, inciting the chant that’s punctuated by two in-rhythm claps. The crowd is instantly enlivened. Most in the building have seen, or at least heard of him, before. Though I do spot one woman who looks at him disapprovingly, like he’s a nuisance. This must be her first Clipper game, or the first in the last 580 games. “Five hundred and eighty-one,” Darrell clarifies. What Makes Superfan? Darrell has not missed a home game since buying season tickets in 2001. He comes sick. He comes tired. He’s come late, once arriving with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter after getting held up at a church celebration. The Clipper organization doesn’t take Darrell’s commitment lightly. “You understand the passion he has for it and we understand his devotion and you respect that,” said Kim Hughes, who took over when longtime coach Mike Dunleavy was fired in February. “When you’re going through times of stress or problems you realize that it’s nothing compared to what he does following tough losses, showing up with bad teams, and you just admire him for his ability to stay the duration.” But why? How? What drives a man to back such perennial failure? When I ask, he points one arm, the one encased in the ruby red sleeve, out toward the crowd. “Them, man,” Darrell says. “I’m here for the crowd.” Darrell clearly treats his Clipper experience as a performance. During a timeout in the third quarter, as the Clipper Spirit dance squad gathers at center court for a choreographed routine, Darrell assumes his position in the middle of the aisle in Section 107. Then he gyrates, spins, flails his arms, all loosely mimicking the Spirit ladies. Guess who the crowd watches?

CHURCHLA

“This is my high,” he says. “See, because I don’t drink, don’t smoke. This is my high.” The irony that what is so sobering to most people — the team’s abysmal track record — is Darrell’s intoxicant is not lost on him. Nor does he sugarcoat the team’s performance. He may nearly lose his voice at every home game from cheering, but don’t let the unbridled enthusiasm fool you: He’s bummed. “I get depressed,” he says in a rare moment of reflection. Most of the time, he’s too busy to reflect. During breaks and after the game, a throng of adults in Blake Griffin jerseys (in homage to the team’s top draft pick, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the final preseason game) comes up to have their picture taken with him. After the Clippers lose to Oklahoma City by 17 points, he poses for about 15 photos with random fans. He obliges every request. “Next time, Darrell,” says one fan, on his way out of the arena with eight minutes left in the game. “Sorry man,” says another. Darrell smiles and nods, sitting now, no longer jumping up

during timeouts to lead the chants. See, Clipper Darrell has a breaking point too. He’s not sure what it is yet, but the man who claims to have never left a game before the last second ticked off the clock, the man who had a tailor take a blue suit and a red suit and sew them into a single outfit, acknowledges that he can’t hold up this lopsided marriage forever. You see cracks in his spirit by the fourth quarter. When he tries to rally the crowd with a “Let’s go Clippers” chant with seven minutes left, it generates one lone, half-hearted clap-clap. “See, that’s why we losin’,” he says. Another fan ambles toward the exits. “Next game,” she says. Her friend is a few paces behind her, and wants to console Clipper Darrell too. “Next year,” he says. “See, they always saying that,” Darrell says. “Next time. Next game. Next year. When is enough enough?” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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12 Downtown News

April 5, 2010

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Restaurants Continued from page 1 Healthy Food History Downtown Los Angeles has long had a healthy food scene. The office building boom of the 1970s and ’80s led to a proliferation of power-lunch restaurants. In the 1990s, chef Joachim Splichal became the first celebrity chef to spread his reach in the area, opening Café Pinot (followed by many others). Toward the end of the decade, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, aka the Two Hot Tamales, came Downtown with Ciudad. Others, like the Palm, followed the opening of Staples Center. These days, the scene is completely different, with the expanding residential population sparking a diverse array of bars and, now, restaurants. Whereas a couple years ago the quantity of eateries was drawing attention, today it is the quality. These restaurants define what Kuh calls a “democratized gas-

tronomy,” since there was a time when fine dining was dominated by stuffy French cuisine that intimidated people, he said. “American gastronomy has been a journey away from that,” he said. “We’ve taken the stuffiness out of the dining experience, and as a critic going to restaurants, there are moments that just frame that for you, and I have to say that the restaurants that have framed it for me recently have all been Downtown.” Kuh is not alone in recognizing the area’s growth. Merrill Shindler, a contributing editor to the Zagat Los Angeles restaurant guide and host of a weekly radio show on dining and restaurants on KABC 790 AM, also sees Downtown as a hot culinary spot. “Most of us thought we would never see Downtown turn into a dining destination and we were wrong,” Shindler said. Several factors have attracted the new batch of restaurants, say observers. Relatively low rents and creative locations helped lure establishments such as Church and State and The Gorbals — the former is in a transformed loading dock in the Arts District, while the latter occupies an interior space in the Alexandria, a

photo by Gary Leonard

Drago Centro, a $7 million Italian fine dining restaurant from Celestino Drago, puts an upscale twist on traditional dishes.

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largely low-income residential building in the Historic Core. Then there’s the loft-dwelling population, a young-skewing crowd that both Kuh and Shindler say is adventurous when it comes to eating. That fuels the creativity of the chefs who feel the freedom, and even the responsibility, to get innovative. “You look at restaurants like The Gorbals, like Bottega Louie and the Lazy Ox; it’s very good food, very interesting food in extremely casual settings,” said Shindler. “There’s an adventurous clientele who won’t look at your bacon-wrapped matzoh ball and say, ‘What’s that? It’s disgusting, don’t you have any chicken?’ No they’ll say it sounds good, I’ll try that.” That kind of reaction is like butter in the pan to chefs such as Hall, whose travels through Europe, and in particular to Gorbals, a neighborhood in Glasgow, Scotland, have shaped his culinary view. “The dining scene Downtown is fresh and young,” Hall said as he sat at the empty and quiet bar of The Gorbals shortly before a recent Friday night dinner rush. As a chef, Hall said he sees more opportunities in Downtown than in other neighborhoods, both in terms of food and location. That sense of possibility helped bring him to the area. “I think there are a lot of amazing spaces, cool old buildings that have been retrofitted, beautiful architecture where you can adapt your style,” said Hall. “And I think there’s an adventurous audience, a fresh audience, and there’s a lot of in-

Great Eight The Downtown Restaurants Pushing the Culinary Envelope

Downtown News 13

DowntownNews.com teresting people moving Downtown. It’s such a diverse blend in such a small area that lends itself to new innovations.” Those innovations come into play in Hall’s menu, with choices such as a haggis burger with turnip pickles and Highland Park aioli (flavored with Highland Park whiskey) and his interpretation of the BLT, which contains lettuce and tomato on rye, but with Gribenes, a crispy, oven-roasted chicken skin, replacing the bacon. In a way, The Gorbals lineup is not a far cry from the inventiveness Centeno provides at Lazy Ox. His offerings, including the beef neck, steamed whelks and veal tongue, have made the Little Tokyo restaurant one of the most difficult reservations in the city. In addition to the food, the crowd has impressed Kuh. “There are moments at the Lazy Ox where one table is getting lengua and another is discussing microbrewers from Belgium and everyone is in T-shirts and tattoos and it’s fantastic. This is the new gastronomy,” he said. see Restaurants, page 14

photo by Gary Leonard

It’s tough to get a reservation at Lazy Ox Canteen, thanks to chef Josef Centeno’s small plates menu.

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owntown Los Angeles has seen the creation of scores of new restaurants in the past few years. The eight here are the ones drawing the most attention for pushing the community’s dining scene forward. Lazy Ox CanteeN: The 2,400-square-foot eatery helmed by chef Josef Centeno has an open kitchen, and oversized light bulbs hang from the ceiling. The food is described as new American with a global influence, with a focus on small plates driven by whatever ingredients Centeno happens to come across. At 241 S. San Pedro St., (213) 626-5299 or lazyoxcanteen.com. The Gorbals: Tucked inside the lobby of the Alexandria Hotel and owned by chef Ilan Hall, winner of season two of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” the quirky 1,400-square-foot spot serves dishes inspired by Hall’s Jewish and Scottish background. That means combinations like the octopus with gizzards and lemon. At 501 S. Spring St., (213) 488-3408 or thegorbalsla.com. Church and State: This gem in the Art District serves French comfort food in a former loading dock. Although it recently lost chef Walter Manzke, the establishment still draws crowds with dishes such as snails baked in garlic and parsley butter, and the roasted marrow bone. At 1850 Industrial St., (213) 405-1434 or churchandstatebistro.com. Rivera: The brainchild of chef John Rivera Sedlar and business partner Bill Chait offers a modern blend of traditional dishes from Latin America. Highlights include braised kurobuta pork short ribs and the xnipek, Sedlar’s answer to chips and salsa, with a charred-habanero based sauce. At 1050 S. Flower St., (213) 749-1460 or riverarestaurant.com. Drago Centro: The Italian fine dining establishment draws a high-end crowd. The 9,500-square-foot restaurant from acclaimed chef Celestino Drago focuses on traditional Italian dishes “revisited” for local customers. At 525 S. Flower St., (213) 228-8998 or dragocentro.com.

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14 Downtown News

April 5, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews menu, it is tweaked from expected fare with choices such as l’anatra, a duck confit with potatoes, frisee and pomegranate. The risotto “vialone nano” ai gamberi features saffron risotto, seafood ragout and spot prawns. The most acclaimed of the new restaurants is Rivera, which opened in January 2009 on the ground floor of a residential building in South Park. It comes from John Rivera Sedlar, a pioneering fusion chef who came out of food retirement to open the Downtown space. The restaurant has been praised by Esquire magazine, and Kuh named it number one in his ranking of the 10 best new restaurants. Shindler is equally effusive. “He has a take on Latino cooking unlike anybody else,” Shindler said. “He takes those concepts and turns them upside down and inside out.” That is borne out in dishes such as the poblano chile relleno, which is stuffed with smoked chicken, corn and pimentón aioli. The duck enfrijolada is served with poached egg, rioja wine and cascabel chile sauce. Rivera doesn’t only make his mark with the taste of his food. He also decorates his plates with messages fashioned from spices. One resembles the signs warning drivers about immigrants crossing freeways. Another shows a gas mask to raise awareness of the environment. Kuh realizes that that type of message may annoy some diners. It is also what makes Sedlar stand out for him. “Some people may ask why the chef would glorify something

Restaurants Continued from page 13 Another key member of the group of cutting-edge chefs is Walter Manzke, who put Church and State on the dining map. Though he recently left the French bistro in the Arts District so he can work on his own restaurant, he said he found a clientele willing to be guided toward new things. One of his biggest successes was the deep fried pig’s ears. “The amounts that we were serving here were more than I ever served at any other restaurant,” Manzke said. “Certainly everybody that was coming into Church and State was very open to anything adventurous.” Old Guard, New Tricks Chefs such as Hall, Centeno and Manzke represent a sort of new guard. According to those who follow the food scene closely, they are joined by Joseph Pitruzzelli and Tyler Wilson at Wurstküche, a sausage purveyor in the Arts District; Sam Marvin at Bottega Louie; and Ricardo Zarate at Mo-Chica, a food stand inside Mercado La Paloma close to USC. There is also a more experienced element pushing the food scene forward. Well-known chef Celestino Drago has received accolades for Drago Centro, a $7 million fine dining establishment in City National Plaza. Though clearly an Italian

like that, and Sedlar says, ‘Why wouldn’t I? This is what my food is all about, the Latino/Anglo dialogue, the very thing that makes L.A. a fantastic city,’ and for me that’s thrilling,” Kuh said. Rivera, meanwhile, credits the growth of Downtown with the success of the dining scene. His clients are a mix of show goers at the Music Center or L.A. Live, Convention Center attendees and locals. “Downtown to me is a multilevel experience,” he said. “There’s a lot of synergy, there’s a lot of visiting the bars, going to eat, going to a show, going to a concert. It has different levels and layers and I don’t see that on the Westside.” Although the restaurant has been open a little more than a year, Sedlar is ready to change things up. He said he is preparing to introduce different menus in each of the restaurant’s three rooms. “We’re in essence going to be three restaurants in one: a Spanish menu, South American and a Mexican menu, and we’re creating a chronological and geographic culinary story of the progression of Latin food,” he said. As Sedlar gets ready to alter what has already worked, chefs like Hall consider Downtown an exciting place with plenty of possibilities. “It’s a very exciting time to be here, and I’m so excited to be a part of it,” he said. “And I’m glad that I became a part of it at the time I did.” Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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Downtown News 15

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RESTAURANTS

How Sweet It Is

Steven Seav (left) and Stan Lin launched Syrup Desserts in the Historic Core last year.

Syrup Skips Lunch and Dinner and Goes Right to Dessert

W

hen Steven Seav, Stan Lin and Tony Tee decided to open a food business in Downtown Los Angeles, they elected to skip breakfast, lunch and dinner. Instead, they decided to go straight to dessert. With the goal of satisfying Downtown’s sweet tooth, Syrup Desserts, at 611 S. Spring St., opened last summer. The 1,000-square-foot space offers a modern loft vibe with cement floors and brick walls. There are tables and chairs on the ground floor and a second level serves as a lounge with a sectional couch and a coffee table. It’s a good place to hide from those who might look aghast as you devour your sweets. “We wanted a place everyone can enjoy, where they can hang out and have fun,” said Seav, the head baker at Syrup Desserts. The trio picked a spot in the Historic Core to take advantage of the growing vibrancy in the neighborhood. They also have late hours, serving until midnight every day of the week. That allows them both to satisfy bar hoppers looking to hit their sweet spot, and to complement other establishments in the area, such as The Gorbals restaurant that stays open until 2 a.m. on the weekends, and L.A. Café, which is open 24 hours. Naturally, there are plenty of sweet offerings at Syrup. Here are some of the standouts. It’s the Cheese: One of the most popular menu items is the raspberry grilled cheese sandwich ($5.75), Seav said. It’s served on a flaky croissant with raspberries, toasted almonds and Brie. It’s not the only sweet grilled cheese option: There

Isn’t it Continental?: Crêpes, more common in Europe than the United States, are also a Downtown hit, said Seav. Like the sweet grilled cheeses, there are a variety of decadent combinations. One of the house favorites is the Crêpe Tiramisu ($5.75), described as a tiramisu that has been converted to a crêpe with espresso ice cream, espresso-dipped ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese and topped with strawberries. Also noteworthy is the French Obsession ($5.75). It’s one of the more savory crêpes, and is made with apples, French vanilla ice cream, dark buckwheat honey and toasted walnuts. Brie is layered on the top and inside. Ding Dong Daaang: Syrup’s Ding Dongs ($5.50) are not to be taken lightly. Each is the size of a Rubik’s Cube, although they are a lot more fun than trying to solve a puzzle. They come in chocolate, espresso and red velvet flavors. With its bright red top, the red velvet sells out quickly, Seav said. The espresso, he added, is “like an espresso sponge cake; the cream inside is almost tiramisu-ish in flavor, but a little bit light.” They all have cream inside, and the chocolate and espresso versions are topped with icing, while the red velvet is capped with sprinkles. O Say Can You Cheese: It may be simple, but it works. The Oreo cookie cheesecake ($4.25) is creamy with bites of Oreo cookies inside. It comes in cheesecake form, with crushed bits

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of Oreo spread throughout the creamy interior. Not Just for Breakfast: At Syrup, waffles are a favorite of the late night crowd. Seav and company offer Belgian waffles ($5.25), which are light and crispy and are served with strawberries, bananas, a scoop of French vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and powdered sugar. The classic buttermilk waffle ($4.25) is kept simple by Syrup standards. It is served with strawberries, bananas, maple syrup and whipped cream. Customers can get creative with the Liege sugar waffles ($2.50). These are sweeter, denser and chewier than regular Belgian waffles. They are served with whipped cream and powdered sugar and come in more than a dozen flavors, including cranberry, lemon drop blueberry, orange cranberry twist and the house recommendation, banana chocolate chips. Cool Off: Those who prefer that their dessert come chilled also have plenty of options at Syrup. The Virgil’s Frosty Root Beer Float ($3.95) is made with Virgil’s root beer and two scoops of ice cream. There are more than 20 flavors, including cookies and cream, Dutch chocolate, strawberry and cherry vanilla. Drink Up: While dessert options power Syrup, they also offer a caffeine punch. The latte ($2.95) and cappuccino ($2.95) are complemented by the hazelnut latte ($3.15), sweetened with Nutella, or the caramel macchiato ($3.15), in which caramel is mixed into the drink. Syrup Desserts is at 611 S. Spring St., (213) 488-5136. Contact Richard Guzman at richard@downtownnews.com.

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16 Downtown News

April 5, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

CALENDAR

Hubbard Street on Grand Avenue Chicago Company Led by Former Colburn School Dance Director Comes to the Ahmanson

photo by Tommy Lee

Glenn Edgerton leading a class for students at Downtown’s High School for the Visual and Performing Arts in February. Edgerton’s company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, performs at the Ahmanson Theatre April 9-11. by AnnA Scott

O

n a February morning inside a Downtown Los Angeles dance studio, Glenn Edgerton led a dizzying combination of ballet moves. His audience was rapt as the former Joffrey Ballet dancer performed pirouettes, soutenus, sautés and sashays, every time gliding across the floor as though suspended by invisible strings. What made the moment stand out was not the acclaimed dancer, but rather those watching: The approximately two dozen teenage girls and boys were students at Downtown’s High School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Edgerton taught as a guest instructor at the now seven month-old institution as a prelude to the Music Center debut this weekend of his contemporary dance company. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, where Edgerton is artistic director, will perform at the Ahmanson Theatre April 9-11 as part of the Dance at the Music Center series. Edgerton, who from 2006-2008 served as director of the Trudel Zipper Dance Institute at Downtown’s Colburn School (just south of the arts high school on Grand Avenue), said his February visit to Los Angeles was partly to create some anticipation for this weekend’s performances, particularly among local student dancers. “I like the idea that Hubbard Street can come into the community and make itself known,” said Edgerton. “I prefer that to what I call a hit and run performance.” Modern Trio The 16-member Hubbard Street Dance Chicago grew out of the acclaimed school the Lou Conte Dance Studio more than 35 years ago. Today the company is known for an athletic and innovative contemporary repertoire, as well as its works with choreographers from across the globe. Hubbard Street’s Downtown show will consist of three pieces. The first, by Czech choreographer Jiri Kylian, is titled “27’52,” a reference to the 27-minute and 52-second duration of the dance. “A sense of time is important in the piece,” said Edgerton. The dance, he said, “has mo-

ments of reversing time,” during which moves are performed and then done again in reverse order. Next up is the West Coast premiere of contemporary Israeli choreographer and Julliard School graduate Ohad Naharin’s 1986 work “Tabula Rasa.” The piece, set to music by Arvo Part, features a variety of technically challenging movements, said Edgerton, and revolves around the concept of loss. It also features a major change of pace. “It is very bombastic in the first movement,” he said, “and serene in the second, like the calm after a tsunami.” Finally, Hubbard Street will present a 2001 work by former Royal Swedish Ballet and Netherlands Dance Theater dancer and choreographer Johan Inger. The piece, “Walking Mad,” is essentially a choreographed madcap comedy set to Maurice Ravel’s single-movement 1928 “Boléro.” In terms of choreography, Edgerton said, “Walking Mad” steadily builds in energy and pacing, and features bizarre scenarios and an unusual set. Overall, the trio of dances aims to offer something for all tastes, Edgerton said. “My goal is that you have a diverse range of music and movements,” he said. “That way, everyone leaves with something.” Local Ties Hubbard Street’s Music Center debut constitutes a sort of homecoming for Edgerton, who has a history with Downtown Los Angeles and its dance scene. The 49-year-old Texas native began his career with the Joffrey Ballet more than three decades ago, and spent 11 years in leading roles with the company. That was followed by five years as a dancer with the Netherlands Dance Theater, and then a decade as that company’s artistic director. After leaving that post, Edgerton moved to Los Angeles and began to teach. Edgerton taught at UCLA, Pasadena Dance Theater and Loyola Marymount University, among other places, before landing at Colburn in late 2005. The school asked Edgerton to step

photo by Todd Rosenberg

Members of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will perform choreographer Johan Inger’s “Walking Mad,” seen here, as part of their show.

in full time that year, and the following April he took over as director of the Colburn Dance Institute, where he set about creating a professional training program. During his two years in the post, he said, he aimed to raise the bar for the school’s dance program. “Everybody knows the Colburn School and the prestige it has for music,” he said. “I wanted to bring the dance up to that level.” To that end, Edgerton tapped the connections he made during his long career. That included a series of collaborations with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. “His goal was to find links between the school and the professional dance world,” said current Dance Institute director Leslie Carothers-Aromma, who served as associate director under Edgerton. “I think he was quite successful at doing that and it’s something we are continuing. We have a lot of liaisons with the Music Center and a variety of dance companies. I think he brought a lot of momentum to the program.” Edgerton left the school to join Hubbard Street’s staff, which at the time was led by his former colleague in the Netherlands Dance Theater, Jim Vincent. In a game of dancing musical chairs, when Vincent left Hubbard Street to return to the Dutch company as artistic director in August 2009, Edgerton took over Vincent’s role at Hubbard Street.

Edgerton has continued to exercise his educational bent with the company, which also runs a school and summer programs for young dancers — including one that will be held at Colburn this summer from June 21-July 9. Edgerton said that he hopes to solidify his ties to Downtown in the coming years, with future Hubbard Street performances at the Music Center and collaborations with other arts organizations. Meanwhile, he may have begun fostering a new crop of local dance devotees with his recent visit to the arts school. At the end of Edgerton’s class, he gathered the students around him for a question-and-answer session. After fielding a few queries (How did you know you wanted to retire from dancing? Have you ever looked yourself up on Youtube?), Edgerton posed one of his own: “Do you know what it’s like to be a professional dancer?” he asked. “It’s rigorous. You’ve got to love it.” Then, to whispers and squeals of excitement, he invited the entire class to attend Hubbard Street’s rehearsals before this weekend’s performances. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago performs April 9-11 at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Information and tickets at (213) 972-7211 or musiccenter.org.


April 5, 2010

Downtown News 17

DowntownNews.com

When You’re Strange and Kozmic The Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin at the Grammy Museum by Richard Guzmán city editor

F

or many, they defined a generation, and despite their short lives, they left a legacy that continues to impact music. The Doors, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin are the subject of an exhibit at the Grammy Museum opening April 5. Although plenty has already been written about each, the show attempts to offer a fresh look at the artists nearly four decades after they stopped making music. “The idea is to bring back these artists and their contributions but in a new way,” said museum Executive Director Robert Santelli. “We’re giving a new look at something that has been around and with legendary status for a long time but with fresh eyes and fresh ears.” The exhibit Strange Kozmic Experience takes its name from a combination of contributions by the three: The Doors’ 1967 single “People Are Strange,” written by lead singer Jim Morrison and guitarist Robbie Krieger; Joplin’s 1969 album I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Momma; and Hendrix’s group, the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The exhibit, which runs through Feb. 13, 2011, includes more than 60 artifacts and 30 photographs obtained from the artists’ estates, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and private collections. Items on display include Morrison’s journals, which have never been displayed in public before, and an original painting by Joplin. There are also clothes worn by the artists, instruments they played, and handwritten lyrics and letters. One item sure to stand out is Joplin’s custom-painted 1965 Porsche Cabriolet. Untimely Deaths The Doors were formed in 1965 when UCLA alums Ray Manzarek, a keyboardist, and Morrison met on Venice Beach. The group was additionally made up of guitarist Krieger and drummer John Densmore. Joplin first rose to fame as the singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company, and later performed as a solo artist backed by her group, The Kozmic Blues Band. CCRF Quarter Page FINAL.pdf

3/24/10

Hendrix, a Seattle native, is of course considered by many as the greatest electric guitar player of all time. “For those that haven’t been introduced to them before, [the exhibit] will provide insight into why these artists impacted us in such a profound way,” Santelli said. One thing the three have in common is that their careers were cut short. Morrison, Joplin and Hendrix passed away within a year of each other in 1970 and 1971; each was just 27. “Their deaths back in the day stifled all of the great rock and roll creativity of the ’60s,” Santelli said. Some of the most poignant items may be the photographs, which capture the artists in passionate performances. One image shows Joplin clasping her hands as she belts out one of her blues-infused tunes. Another shot shows Morrison’s deep lost stare as he caresses the mic stand. “Morrison was constantly searching for deeper, more meaningful reasons to sing and write poetry,” Santelli said. Hendrix is frequently pictured performing with his guitar, but he is also seen in more intimate moments shot by veteran music producer Eddie Kramer. One of Kramer’s photos show Hendrix backstage with a cigarette in hand, talking to a young Mick Jagger. In another he is sitting down, rehearsing some songs on his guitar. “The three of course are icons, there’s no question about that,” Kramer said. “My particular view is that Jimi Hendrix is on the very top of the pile in terms of his influence.” From the moment Hendrix burst onto the scene in 1966 in England, it was obvious that he was destined for greatness, Kramer said. “Every single guitar player in London wanted to see this new amazing guitarist named Jimi Hendrix,” he said. “His influence reached to everyone and the fact is that kids today, every successive generation of young musicians picking up the guitar, have to go to Jimi Hendrix because he was the master.” Since Morrison, Hendrix and Joplin all died at the peak of their careers, those who attend the exhibit may walk away questioning what music would sound like today if they had been able to keep creating.

photo © Elliott Landy/Landyvision.com

Jimi Hendrix is considered by many as the greatest electric guitar player of all time.

photo © Elliott Landy/Landyvision.com

Janis Joplin brought passion and the blues on stage during her career.

“There was a lot more music in Hendrix, Joplin and Jim Morrison, but unfortunately that didn’t happen,” Santelli lamented. Strange Kozmic Experience runs through Feb. 13, 2011, at the Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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18 Downtown News

EVENTS

April 5, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

LISTINGS

The ‘Don’T Miss’ LisT

Opera Happenings, International Music and the Monthly Art Walk photo by Monika Rittershaus

by Lauren CampedeLLi, Listings editor

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ThRee

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ow does a small retail business or entrepreneur serve the customer, the community and the “greening” of Los Angeles, even with limited means and space? Greg Horos and Melissa Rosen of the deli Locali are living that challenge and will share their knowledge and resources at a Farmlab Public Salon event on Friday, April 9, at noon. The title of the presentation is (take a breath first) “The Aesthetics of Sustainable Retail (Or: How to Fit a Full Service Organic Deli, a Wine and Beer Shop and a Natural Grocery in Under 500 Square Feet of Retail Space).” Bring your eco-concerns, and if you can, head over to the space north of Chinatown on a bicycle or by walking. At 1745 N. Spring St., (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. Send information and Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.

photo by Gary Leonard

¡El Gran Silencio! is anything but! The band from Monterrey, Mexico, blends rock, reggae, dancehall and dub with traditional Latin American musical forms such as cumbia, vallenato and banda. That’s a lot of non-silent stuff. So grab your favorite dance partner and catch them live and loud at the Conga Room on Wednesday, April 7, at 8 p.m. Fuel up on the venue’s pan-Latin cuisine with its regional influences from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. We’re detecting a theme here. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 745-0162 or congaroom.com.

“This is our music. Esta es nuestra música.” English and Spanish. North and South. Gustavo Dudamel, the Venezuelan music director of the L.A. Philharmonic, opens his first major festival with the Downtownbased orchestra. In Americas and Americans, he’ll explore and celebrate the diverse musical traditions born from the blending of cultures, religions and landscapes. The Chamber Music Society kicks things off Tuesday, April 6, at 8 p.m. at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the work of Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas, among others. Then we’re off and running from Pat Metheny to Dudamel conducting Leonard Bernstein and Antonio Estévez to electro-tango collective Bajofondo and mucho, mucho more through May 14. At 111 S. Grand Ave. and some off-site venues, (213) 850-2000 or laphil.com.

ot art? Downtown sure does, all day, every day, and especially on the second Thursday of the month. Get some party with your art, and hit a few food trucks, during the Downtown Art Walk, in which dozens of venues — commercial art galleries, museums and nonprofit spaces — fling open their doors from noon-10 p.m. or later. Highlights of the April 8 event include the Pedals and Prints exhibition of hand-printed bicycle art at Crewest; a M-E-Y-K (Made to Express Your Kinetics) interactive art project at the Art Walk Lounge; and “The Haiti Encounter” photography, performances and mock clinic at the Rowan Gallery. Information and a map are at downtownartwalk.com.

photo courtesy of Melissa Rosen

SPONSORED LISTINGS Caña Rum Bar at the Doheny 714 W Olympic Blvd., (213) 745-7090. April 8, 7 p.m.: Caña Rum Bar officially opens April 8. Taste the world’s largest selection of small batch rums and party to the Latin beats of Domingosiete. D.J. Ruin entertains starting at 11 p.m. The event is a fundraiser benefiting the United States Foundation for the Children of Haiti. $20 annual membership is donated to USFCH.org and means inclusion in the Caña Rum Society, which provides access to monthly tastings and spirit education. Happy hour drinks specials run from 6-8 p.m., Tues.-Fri. and all night Monday. 213 Ventures Launches Site 213 Spirited Ventures, (213) 817-5321. The Downtown-based nightlife proprietor 213 Ventures has launched an online calendar for nocturnal events happening at its collection of themed watering holes. Visit 213NightlifeCalendar.com to catch up on weekly happenings at the Golden Gopher, Broadway Bar, Seven Grand, Caña Rum Bar at The Doheny, Casey’s Irish Pub, Cole’s French Dip, The Varnish, Tony’s Saloon and Las Perlas. Youth Center Concert with Ozomatli DTLA Youth and Culture Center, 132 S. Beaudry Ave., (213) 426-8696 or downtownlaycc.org. April 9, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.: The Downtown Los Angeles Youth and Cultural Center, an upstart organization serving area youth with after school art, music and mentoring programs, is hosting a fundraiser concert featuring Ozomatli. All proceeds go to the DTLAYCC, which is a project of the MacArthur Park Foundation, to help the group keep its doors open in City West. Also performing are Olmeca, Las Cafeteras and Reverie. Tickets are $40 in advance or $60 at the door. Only 150 tickets to be sold. Kids 4 Kids Run/Walk L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (310) 2075330 or ccrf-kids.org. April 25, 10 a.m.: Toyota and AEG host the “All-Star” carnival and finish line entertainment for the Kids 4 Kids 5k Run/Walk 2010. A host of celebrities and professional athletes have been invited to attend, including Jordan Farmar, Rafael Furcal, Luc Robitaille, Landon Donovan, Michael Cooper, Noelle Quin and Emma Roberts. The event is a benefit for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Griffith Observatory’s 75th Birthday Party 2800 E. Observatory Rd., (213) 473-0807 or FriendsOfTheObservatory.com. May 15, 5:30-10:00 p.m.: Celebrate Griffith Observatory’s 75th birthday and support science education at the same time. See the Observatory bathed in shimmering northern lights. Attend the premiere of Light of the Valkyries, a live planetarium show with celebrity performers. Dine on gourmet cuisine by Wolfgang Puck. Proceeds fund field trips for thousands of students. For ticket and sponsorship information, see contact information above.

photo by Riccardo Musacchio

ONE

! Two preWunderbar, zwei opernaufführungen eles Opera. Ang mieres are now in repertory at Los Wagner’s ard Rich of Götterdämmerung, the final chapter this week ance orm epic Ring cycle, opened April 3 (a perf s,” again God the of is Sunday, April 11). “The Twilight begins er, Frey im helmed by director and designer Ach all But . fried Sieg and with the love story of Brünnhilde , rich Albe rf dwa the is not peachy, as Hagen, the son of d. goo be t can’ that plots against Siegfried. You know week is the latest installAlso at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion this es Conlon’s passion project, ment of L.A. Opera Music Director Jam s to save the creations of the Recovered Voices series, which seek cut short by the Nazi recomposers whose lives and careers were atized is the first opera gime. Opening Saturday, April 10, The Stigm presented in the American by Austrian Franz Schreker ever to be erdämmerung closes a day hemisphere. It runs through April 24; Gött or laopera.com. later. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8001


April 5, 2010

Downtown News 19

DowntownNews.com

But Wait, There’s More!

Additional Event Information on the Web

LADOWNTOWNNEWS.COM/CALENDAR : EVENTS | ROCK, POP & JAZZ | CLASSICAL MUSIC THEATER, OPERA & DANCE | ART SPACES | FILM | BARS & CLUBS | MUSEUMS | FARMERS MARKETS | TOURS Monday, April 5 ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Writer and poet Sapphire, whose novel Push put her on the national scene when it was turned into the feature film Precious, talks about her work on myths and assumptions of class, gender and race in America, with Brighde Mullins of USC. Tuesday, April 6 ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Three award winning poets, Ralph Angel, Carol Muske-Dukes and Cecilia Woloch, read from their work. Wednesday, April 7 SCI-Arc Lecture Series 960 E. Third St., (213) 356-5328 or sciarc.edu. In the W. M. Keck Lecture Hall. 7 p.m.: Known for exploring the ways in which architectural mass can produce distinct sensations, the Honk Kong firm davidclovers brings together the practices of David Erdman and Clover Lee. Thursday, April 8 16th Annual Treasures of Los Angeles J.W. Marriott at L.A. LIVE, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 624-1213 or ccala.org. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: The Central City Association of Los Angeles’ luncheon will honor notable individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to Downtown in a variety of fields. 2010 “Treasures” include developer Tom Gilmore, L.A. Dodger Fernando Valenzuela, The Leavey Trauma Center at California Hospital Medical Center, Orpheum Theatre, Ralphs and more. Downtown Art Walk Info and map at downtownartwalk.com. Noon-10 p.m.: The Downtown Art Walk is a selfguided tour that showcases the many art exhibition

venues in Downtown Los Angeles — commercial art galleries, museums and nonprofit art venues. The Haiti Encounter 460 S. Spring St., (310) 497-8982 or mosaic.org. Noon-10 p.m.: The Rowan Gallery hosts the Mosaic ministry in an all-day event focused on Haiti medical relief. Two medical teams that recently returned from the country will share their experiences. The exhibit will include photographs taken by the teams, interpretive dance and music, an experiential mock medical clinic under tarps and tents, and spoken word performances of actual survival stories. Town Hall Los Angeles The Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 S. Grand Ave., (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org. Noon: Sharon Allen, chair of Deloitte LLP, is the featured speaker in this installment of Town Hall’s CEO Series. John Fante Square Dedication Fifth Street and Grand Avenue, lavatransforms.org/ johnfantesquare. 11 a.m.: In a ceremony honoring the Los Angeles literary icon, city officials will unveil new signage at Fifth Street and Grand Avenue dedicating the intersection as John Fante Square. The event coincides with what would have been Fante’s 101st birthday. Following the formal dedication, there will be a free walking tour of Fante’s lost and surviving Downtown, including a stroll up to Bunker Hill, a ride on Angels Flight, lunch at Grand Central Market and a final stop at the King Edward Saloon. MOCA Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-1745 or moca.org. 6:30 p.m.: In conjunction with the MAK Center for Art and Architecture’s exhibition “How Many Billboards?”, MOCA will screen a two-part series of films and video exploring advertising, media and popular culture. “How Many Billboards?” is a public exhibition mounted on Los Angeles billboards that highlights the legacy of California’s conceptually oriented art. Free. No reservations

required. LAVA Lecture The Los Angeles Athletic Club, 431 W. Seventh St., lavatransforms.org/lanoir. 7 p.m.: John Buntin presents “Just the Facts: Chief William Parker’s War on Mickey Cohen and the Los Angeles Underworld,” a free lecture presented by the Los Angeles Visionaries Association. Buntin will explain how the bitter rivalry between lawman and violent criminal haped the culture of the LAPD and the history of L.A. Reservations required. Friday, April 9 Farmlab Public Salons 1745 N. Spring St. #4, (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. Noon: Greg Horos and Melissa Rosen discuss “The Aesthetics of Sustainable Retail: How to Fit a Full Service Organic Deli, a Wine and Beer Shop and a Natural Grocery in Under 500 Square Feet of Retail Space.” Saturday, April 10 CityRace El Pueblo and Olvera Street, (310) 360-6950 or racela.com. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: “Olvera Street, El Pueblo and Beyond: Birthplace of the City”: This popular CityRace Hunt is a fun-filled journey where you’ll discover the hidden secrets and historic treasures of this vibrant area, the oldest part of present-day Los Angeles. SoCal Bhangra 2010 Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, socalbhangra.com. 6 p.m.: So you think you can Bhangra? The Punjabi Society of Los Angeles presents its annual Bhangra competition of traditional Punjabi folk

Listings for additional concerts, exhibits and more in Downtown Los Angeles can be found on our website. Go to ladowntownnews.com/calendar for full information, including time and location, for all the happenings in Downtown. dance and music featuring top teams from the United States, UK and Canada and a live performance by H-Dhami.

CLASSICAL MUSIC Tuesday, April 6 Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., musiccenter.org. 8 p.m.: Members of the L.A. Phil perform a slate of chamber works in the opening concert of the festival “Americas and Americans.” Composers include Silvestre Revueltas and Stephen Hartke. Thursday, April 8 Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., musiccenter.org. 8 p.m.: Thomas Adès conducts a concert featuring three of his own works, including his violin concerto played by Anthony Marwood, plus Respighi’s “Feste Romane.” Also April 9, 8 p.m.; and April 10, 2 p.m. Friday, April 9 Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., colburnschool.edu. Through May 7: All spring, Friday nights are for student performances. Times and programs vary, so check the website. Sunday, April 11 Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., musiccenter.org. 7 p.m.: The Los Angeles Master Chorale partners with the St. Louis Symphony in a commissioned

Continued on next page

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20 Downtown News

April 5, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

Listings Continued from previous page work from Meredith Monk. The performance will also include a vocal work by Arvo Part.

ART SPACES Art Walk Lounge 114 W. Fifth St., (213) 784-2598 or downtownartwalk.org. April 8: DIY with M-E-Y-K (Made to Express Your Kinetics) interactive art project. Bert Green Fine Art 102 W. Fifth St., (213) 624-6212 or bgfa.us. Through April 12: John U. Abrahamson’s “Flesh and Blood” includes 20 oils on wood and paper with a central installation work of the same title. The installation is steel, glass, wood, journals, blood and flesh: 650 suspended vials of the artist’s own blood and flesh create the shape of a prone human form that hovers three feet over 30 journals opened upon a table for the viewer to destroy — 15 years worth of the artist’s daily writings. Paul Guillemette’s “Found Food” features an array of sculptures comprised of found wood and other materials. CB1 Gallery 207 W. Fifth St., (213) 806-7889 or cb1gallery.com. Through April 18: Artists Timothy Nolan, Jaime Scholnick and Osvaldo Trujillo explore and interpret the ubiquitous axis mundi in sculpture and drawings. Cirrus Gallery 542 S. Alameda St., (213) 680-3473 or cirrusgallery.com. April 10-June 5: New paintings by Gillian Theobald explore how humans interface with shapes and forms. Crewest 110 Winston St., (213) 627-8272, crewest.com or thelabellab.com. Through April 30: “Pedals and Prints” showcases hand-printed bicycle art. Fifth Floor 502 Chung King Court, (213) 687-8443 or

fifthfloorgallery.com. Through April 17: “Science Pets, R.I.P.,” is a series by Bay Area artist Carol Selter that follows the lives of western tussock moths being raised in an artificial environment by a biology graduate student. Gary Leonard 860 S. Broadway, takemypicture.com. Through April 30: Award-winning editorial cartoonist Doug Davis — creator of the Los Angeles Downtown News’ “Urban Scrawl” — has a show of cartoons. Ongoing: “The Billboard Show: Selling the So-Cal Lifestyle” features photographic landscapes of the 1950s and 1960s. Hive Gallery and Studios 729 S. Spring St., (213) 955-9051 or thehivegallery.com. Through April 24: Hive celebrates its 5-year anniversary with a group show, “Denizens of Hiveland,” featuring the work of Erik Siador, Chase Osborne, Jeff Christenson, Lauren Gardine, Thomas Lynch III, and dozens more. L2kontemporary 990 N. Hill St. #205, (626) 319-3661 or l2kontemporary.com. Through April 10: “Perhaps” is the second solo exhibition of new work by Los Angeles based sculptor Steven Simon. Morono Kiang Gallery 218 W. Third St., (213) 628-8208 or moronokiang.com. Through May 22: “Move,” a group exhibition of cutting-edge contemporary art, features new works by John Carr, Kendall Carter, Ricardo Duffy, Kimmy Kim, Betty Lee, Camilo Ontiveros, Steven Yao-Chee Wong and Xin TunPeng. Rouge Galerie 548 S. Spring St., Unit 108, (213) 489-7309. Ongoing: This gallery features the work of painter Sylvain Copon.

FILM Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., downtownindependent.com for showtimes. April 5-6: In Night of the Comet, a passing comet has turned everyone directly exposed to its radiation into red carbon dust and those not directly exposed

are becoming flesh-eating zombies. Two teenage sisters discover that they are two of the last people on Earth. Will they survive? April 7, 7 p.m.: CINEFIST presents “Epic Movies on Micro Budgets:
The Indie Filmmaker’s Guide To
Tax Law, State Rebates and Raising Capital.”
Stay on for a free sneak preview of A Lonely Place for Dying and a Q&A with actor James Cromwell, plus cast and crew. April 9-14: Terribly Unhappy tells the tale of a Copenhagen police officer who, following a nervous breakdown, is transferred to a small provincial town where he gets mixed up with a married femme fatale. Flagship Theatres University Village 3323 S. Hoover St., (213) 748-6321 or flagshipmovies.com. Visit website for current schedule. Inside, Undercover Spring Arts Tower, 453 S. Spring St., (310) 212-7190 or linkglobal.org April 11, 12:30 p.m.: Journalist Lisa Ling, in connection with National Geographic, sneaks cameras into North Korea. Ling, whose sister was detained in North Korea last year, poses as a medical assistant on a humanitarian mission. The film takes a rare look into human rights abuses, labor camps and indoctrination to Korea’s leader Kim Jong Il. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. April 5, 8:30 p.m.: Irish-born, New York-based filmmaker Julie Murray combines found and original footage to conjure strange and paradoxical universes resonant with ambiguous meanings. Regal Cinema L.A. Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (877) 835-5734 or lalive.com. Through April 8: Alice in Wonderland in 3D (11:40 a.m. and 2:30, 5:10, 7:40 and 10:30 p.m.); Clash of the Titans 3D (11 a.m. and 1:50, 4:50, 7:50 and 10:50 p.m.); Clash of the Titans 2D (12:30, 1:10, 3:30, 4:10, 6:20, 7, 9 and 9:50 p.m.); Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too? (11:10 a.m. and1:20, 2, 4:20, 5, 7:20, 8, 10:20 and 11 p.m.); The Last Song (11:10 a.m. and 1:40, 4:30, 7:10 and 9:50 p.m.); Shutter Island (10:40 p.m.); Green Zone (1 and 6:40 p.m.); She’s Out of My League (11 and 1:30, 4, 6:40 and 9:10 p.m.); Hot Tub Time Ma-

chine (12:20, 3, 5:30 and 8:10 p.m.); How to Train Your Dragon 3D (11:20 a.m. and 12, 2, 2:40, 4:30, 5:10, 6:50, 7:30, 9:20 and 10 p.m.); How to Train Your Dragon 2D (12:40, 3:20, 5:50 and 8:10 p.m.); The Bounty Hunter (1, 4, 6:50 and 9:30 p.m.); Repo Men (3:50 and 9:40 p.m.).

2

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22 Downtown News

April 5, 2010

Twitters/DowntownNews

CLASSIFIED

place your ad online at www.ladowntownnews.com

FOR RENT

L.A. Downtown News Classifieds Call: 213-481-1448

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EMPLOYMENT Drivers COMPANY DRIVERS (Solos & Hazmat Teams) * Great pay * Great Miles * CDL-A Required. We also have dedicated & regional positions available. Call 866-789-8947. Swift. (CalSCAN) HIRING: SOLO DRIVERS OTR for fast turning freight lanes! Hiring: Team Drivers West states exp/hazmat end, great miles/ hometime. Andrus Transportation 1-800-888-5838, 1-866-8065119 x1402. (Cal-SCAN)

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INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL Exchange Representative: Earn supplemental income placing and supervising high school exchange students. Volunteer host families also needed. Promote world peace! 1-866-GO-AFICE or www.afice. org. (Cal-SCAN)

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ABOGADO DE IMMIGRACION! Family, Criminal, P.I. for more than 20 yrs! Child Support / Custody Necesita Permiso de trabajo? Tagalog / Español / Korean

Get your GREEN CARD or CITIZENSHIP Law Office of H. Douglas Daniel Esq., (213) 689-1710

Financial Services CASH NOW! Get cash for your structured settlement or annuity payments. High payouts. Call J.G. Wentworth. 1-866-SETTLEMENT (1-866-738-8536). Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. (Cal-SCAN) Health IS YOUR TEEN Experiencing: School Problems - Conflicts at home or w/friends? Adolescent support group ages 13-17. low fee. Marney Stofflet, LCSW 323662-9797.

madison hotel Clean furnished single rooms. 24-hour desk clerk service. •Daily, $25.00 •Weekly, $99.00 •Monthly, $295.00 (213) 622-1508 423 East 7th St.

(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.)

Do you have something to sell?

Ad Copy: _________________________________________

Ad Prices

________________________________________________

(Marketplace and Automotive Categories ONLY) • Items under $300 • Items $301 to $500 • Items $501 to $1200 • Items $1201 to $2000 • Items $2001+…

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

FREE! $11.50 $14.00 $16.50 $19.00

12 words, 2 weeks 15 words 15 words 15 words 15 words

All ads run for 2 weeks. Ads may be renewed after two weeks for 50% off the original price of the ad.

With a circulation of State Check $

Zip Credit Card $

47,000,

our classifieds get results!

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

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


April 5, 2010

Downtown News 23

DowntownNews.com

massage

EZ SHIATSU & MASSAGE 1 Hr. (reg. $60) $38+tax 1st customers only. 400 e. 2nd st., #205 la Ca 90012

(Honda Plaza Mall)

213-680-4970 Home Improvement

崔Roof Michael Choi Roofing

Since 1972 • FREE Estimate Reroof, Repairs • Lic. #C-39-588045

323-229-3320 (C) 323-722-1646 (B) advertIsIng CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING in 240 Cal-SCAN newspapers for the best reach, coverage, and price. 25-words $550. Reach over 6 million Californians! Free email brochure. Call (916) 2886019. www.Cal-SCAN.com. (Cal-SCAN) DISPLAY ADVERTISING in 140 Cal-SDAN newspapers statewide for $1,550! Reach over 3 million Californians! Free email brochure. Call (916) 288-6019. www.Cal-SDAN.com. (CalSCAN)

ADVERTISE ONLINE in a network of 50-plus newspaper websites. Border to Border with one order! $7 cost per thousand impressions statewide. Minimum $5,000 order. Call for details: (916) 288-6010. www. CaliforniaBannerAdNetwork. com. (Cal-SCAN)

seCurItY IF YOU NEED help or a body guard/security guard, Rik Martino: 323-850-8580 youtube. com. Fluent in English & Italian Physically fit.

AUTOS

06 TOYOTA PRERUNNER DOUBLE CAB, N134771vin6Z2978222, $22,999. Call 888-838-5089. 2008CHEVROLETCOLORADO Extended cab, auto, air, ABS, tow pkg., UC488 / 102567. $11,887. 888-879-9608

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

CleanIng CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants. Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818-409-9183. eduCatIon HIGH SCHOOL Diploma! Graduate in 4 weeks! Free Brochure. Call Now! 1-866-562-3650 ext. 60 www.SouthEasternHS.com. (Cal-SCAN) mIsC. servICes IF YOU USED Type 2 Diabetes Drug Avandia and Suffered a Stroke or Heart Attack. You may be entitled to compensation. Attorney Charles Johnson 1-800535-5727. (Cal-SCAN)

Sell Your Car!

Expose your auto to Downtown Los Angeles. With one of the fastest growing residential areas Los Angeles Downtown News gets results.

pre-oWned

autos Wanted doWntoWn l.a. auto group POrSChE VOLkSwAgEN AudI MErCEdES-BENz NISSAN ChEVrOLEt CAdILLAC

07 CARRERA S CABRIOLET silver/black, tiptronic, only 20k miles, certified, VIN 776462, $69,888. Call 888-685-5426 08 GTI 2.0 Turbo Carfax 1 owner. 24,221 miles, gray VIN 257476. $18,888. 888-781-8102 2006 SLK280 Black/Beige. Certified (118314/4635c). $26,995. 888-319-8762 2007 AUDI A4 premium pkg., leather, moonroof, certified VIN #7A149635. $19,888. 888-5830981

DONATE YOUR CAR: Children’s Cancer Fund! Help Save A Child’s Life Through Research & Support! Free Vacation Package. Fast, Easy & Tax Deductible. Call 1-800-252-0615. (CalSCAN)

ITEMS FOR SALE FurnIture

adopt a pet

speCIal events

DREXEL SOLID OAK Dining room table. 2 leaves. 6 chairs. $275 obo. 323-668-0926.

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

GAY & LESBIAN SPEED DATING in Downtown LA! Visit LA Lords Presents at www.lalords. com for events & details! 213683-8387

laWn & garden/Farm equIp NEW NORWOOD SawmillsLumberMate-Pro handles logs 34” diameter, mills boards 28” wide. Automated quick-cyclesawing increases efficiency up to 40%! www.NorwoodSawmills. com/300N 1-800-661-7746 ext. 300N. (Cal-SCAN)

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE! Receive Free Vacation Voucher. United Breast Cancer Foundation. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info Free Towing, Tax Deductible, NonRunners Accepted, 1-888-4685964. (Cal-SCAN)

Best Downtown Locations!

550 NORTH FIGUEROA ST.

877-231-9362

WWW.THEORSINI.COM

Medici

Premiere Towers:

3 bdrms/2 bath, $2100/mo. • Rooftop garden terrace/GYM w/city view • 24 hr. doorman • free (1) parking

City Lofts:

noW leasIng

800 sqft, 13 ft ceilings, $1425/mo. • Granite marble top • Stainless steel appliances/ refrigerator etc. • Pet friendly

ROOFTOP GARDEN RETREAT WITH BBQ AND LOUNGE GRAND LOBBY • FITNESS CENTER • SPA MODERN KITCHEN w/CAESAR COUNTERTOPS HIGH SPEED INTERNET DESIGNER LIVING SPACES • PET FRIENDLY • DRAMATIC VIEWS WALKING DISTANCE TO RALPHS SUPERMARKET

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

756 S. Broadway • Downtown Los Angeles 213-892-9100 • chapmanf lats.com

Please call 213.627.6913

Pricing subject to change without notice.

www.cityloftsquare.com

Do you live or work around Downtown?

THAI MASSAGE SPECIALIST

Join your local Adult Kickball League!

Professional massage for men & women. Services include Thai Massage, Shiatsu Massage, Swedish Oil Massage, Foot Massage, Sauna, Steam, and more. Lounge area.

Season starts April 22 At Shatto Recreation Center, 3191 W. 4th St. Located right off the METRO Red Line station

visit kickball.com/CAjunction Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator. Full bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

Offices • Offices • Offices • Offices

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

Individuals, groups and corporate teams welcomed!

VIP Room Available. The Best Way For Business Meetings & Entertainment

Monthly from $695 utilities paid. (213) 627-1151

Burbank • Brentwood Century City • Downtown L.A. Woodland Hills Locations Nationwide Beautiful Offices For As Little As $400 Fully Furnished/Corporate ID Programs Flexible Terms/All New Suites Services Include: • Reception • Mail • T-1 • State-of-the-Art Voice Mail & Telephone • Westlaw • Fax • Photocopy • More Additional Features: Kitchen Facilities, All Support Services, Great Views, Free Conference Room Hours, Fully Trained Staff, Cost Effective.

Jenny Ahn (213) 996-8301 jahn@regentBC.com www.regentbc.com

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

Elegant World Class Resort Apartment Homes

Orsini

1900 sqft, open LOFT w/views $2950/mo. • 17 ft ceilings • Live/Work space • 14 story Bldg. • Rooftop garden terrace w/city view • Pet friendly

Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly rate $275 inc.

Monthly from $550 utilities paid. (213) 612-0348

HELPING KIDS heal. Free Arts for Abused Children is looking for volunteers. Today is the day to get involved! Contact Annie at volunteers@freearts.org or 310313-4278 for more information.

Be Inspired...

On Spring St.

Spring Tower Lofts:

volunteer opportunItIes

The Downtown Renaissance Collection

I c o n I c B e au t y

From $1,250’s/mo. Free parking

downtownnews.com

DONATE YOUR CAR. Free Towing. IRS Tax Deductible. We Accept Any Year, Model or Condition. Help Disabled War Veterans with Job Training VETMADE www.Cars4DisabledVets.org 1-800-613-3123. (Cal-SCAN)

Call 213-481-1448

S e e k S S t y l i S h M at e

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PETS/ANIMALS

725 SOUTH BIXEL ST.

877-239-8256

WWW.THEMEDICI.COM

Piero 616 ST. PAUL AVE.

877-235-6012

WWW.THEPIERO.COM

Visconti 1221 WEST THIRD ST.

866-690-2888

WWW.THEVISCONTI.COM

FREE Rent Specials On Select Floor Plans • Free Resident/Guest Parking in Gated Garage • Private Library, Business Center & Conference Rooms • Free Wi-Fi & DSL Computer Use • Resident Karaoke Lounge • Directors Screening Room • Lavish Fountains & Sculptures • On-Site Private Resident Park with Sand Volleyball, BBQ’s and Jogging Track • Night Light Tennis Courts • Indoor Basketball

Version Casaloma1L.A. Apartments

• Brunswick Four-Lane Virtual Bowling • Full Swing Virtual Golf • 3100 Square Foot Cybex Fitness Facility • Free Tanning Rooms • Massage Room, Sauna & Steam Room • Rooftop Pools with Dressing Rooms • Concierge Service • 24-Hour Doorman • 24/7 On-Site Management • Magnificent City Views *Amenities vary among communities

MILANO LOFTS Now Leasing!

Clean unfurnished bachelor rooms with shared bath at $550/mo. with private bath $695/mo. Client: Includes utilities, basic cable chanPublication: nels, laundry room on site. Gated building in a good area. Size/Color: 208 W. 14th St. at Hill St. Downtown LA

For English Call Pierre or Terri Design 213.744.9911 For Spanish Call Susana 213.749.0306

Children’s Performing Group

Sunshine Generation Singing, dancing, performing and fun! For boys & girls ages 3 and up!

SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433

• Gorgeous Layouts • 10-15’ Ceilings Associates• Fitness Center • Wi-Fi Rooftop Lounge • Amazing Views

G.H. Palmer LADT News 4.3125” x 8” 4C

by: apluscreative@yahoo.com

Ph: 323.474.4668

6th+Grand Ave. • milanoloftsla.com • 213.627.1900

LOFTS • RENT • LOFTS • RENT

SPECIAL MOVE IN -

TWO WEEKS FREE RENT AND LOW DEPOSIT. Real Artist Lofts available in original 18 unit Downtown Artist Loft bldg. close to Southern Cal. School of Architecture. Starting at approximately 1200 to 2100 Sq. ft. large open space with new kit and bath. Laundry, gated parking and intercom entry from $1200.

1427 E. 4th St. Contact Julie at (323) 261-1099


24 Downtown News

April 5, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

We Got Games

going through the motions just enough to fool the other team into thinking that they’re human. We Got Games is pretty certain though that this is the week Chris Kaman goes full zombie and tries to eat Portland guard Andre Miller. The Clips do their best Thriller dance in Sacramento (April 8), then come home to host Golden State.

The Dodgers Return, and the NBA Team of the Living Dead Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/lakers. April 11, 12:30 p.m.: The Lakers hit a few bumps on their recent road trip, so they’re looking to buckle down in the last five games of the season. They’re on the road for what could be a Western Conference finals preview at Denver (April 8), then head to Minnesota (April 9). For a Sunday matinee, the Lake show hosts Portland. Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/clippers. April 7, 7:30 p.m.; April 10, 7:30 p.m.: The Clippers are like the zombies of the NBA — they’re the living dead on the court,

Los Angeles Kings Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., 1 (888) KINGS-LA or kings.nhl.com. April 8, 7:30 p.m.; April 10, 1 p.m.: The Kings finish off the regular season this week. If they are to roar into the playoffs, they’ll need strong performances in Anaheim (April 6), then at home against Phoenix and Edmonton. Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., (213) 224-1400 or dodgers.mlb.com. Anybody got a hankering for a Dodger Dog? Yep, it’s that time of year again, as the Blue Crew is back. Except you’ll have to wait one more week for that Dodger Dog, as the team starts the season on the road, first in Pittsburgh (April 5, 7-8) and then in Florida (April 9-11). —Ryan Vaillancourt

photo by Gary Leonard

Chris Kaman and the rest of the living dead Clippers have two home games this week.

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

Grand Tower 255 south Grand avenue Leasing Information 213 229 9777

Promenade Towers 123 south Figueroa street Leasing Information 213 617 3777

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

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

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

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

Now For Call n Specials Move-I

8 7 7 - 2 65 - 714 6

museum Tower 225 south olive street Leasing Information 213 626 1500

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

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

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

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

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

TOWERS T H E

A PA RT M E N T S

www.TowersApartmentsLA.com

MAID SERVICE • FURNITURE • HOUSEWARES • CABLE • UTILITIES • PARKING RESIDENCES: SINGLES • STUDIO • ONE BEDROOM • TWO BEDROOM


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