04-16-12 by Los Angeles Downtown News

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS April 16, 2012

Volume 41, Number 16

INSIDE

Hail the Gatekeepers! 12

Bridge designs, a new historic monument, and other happenings Around Town.

Ways that Downtown workers and residents can go green on, and after, Earth Day.

W W W. D O W N T O W N N E W S . C O M

PLAY BALL! The Dodgers Began a New Era, and Marked the 50th Anniversary of the Opening of Dodger Stadium, With a Win Before a Sell-out Crowd. See More Pictures on p. 10.

Budget battle heralds L.A.’s Silly Season.

Travel convention has the Wow factor.

Buy your own Chinatown building.

photo by Gary Leonard

Dodger outfielder Matt Kemp poses with fans before the team’s home opener on April 10.

Origami is all the rage.

The Pastor, the Rent, the Streets and the Cats Funding Issues Could Put an End to Skid Row Church, And to the People and Felines It Serves by Richard Guzmán city editor

Why pianos are all over L.A.

16 CALENDAR LISTINGS 18 CLASSIFIEDS

ast Monday morning, Melya Kaplan and two volunteers knelt down in front of a pile of wood pallets in a trash-filled corner of a church parking lot. As they searched beneath the wood, Kaplan spotted a black plastic bag with something wriggling inside. She knew exactly what it was. Kaplan picked up the bag, gently cradling it in her hands. She carefully unwrapped it, revealing a tiny kitten that was slowly being suffocated by the plastic. The kitten, which Kaplan estimated was a day old, is one of the dozens of stray felines that have a home at Skid Row’s One at a Time church. That, however, could change, and more than the cats could be affected. Pastor Ken Holladay said the church that has

operated at the corner of Seventh and San Julian streets for a decade has lost its primary funding source and is having a hard time making its nearly $50,000 a year rent. Without a financial lifeline, he said, the church will have to close next month. “Come May 10, we’ll have to go back to the streets ourselves,” Holladay said. “We’ll operate out of our van.” The closure would mean the loss of a place for the area’s neediest people to get a meal, some clothes or to attend Sunday services. It also means the stray cats have to be rounded up and relocated. “I don’t think cats belong on the streets so we’re going to try to catch every single one of them,” said Kaplan, who is the founder and executive director of the Santa Monica-based Voice for the Animals. Small Player Holladay has ministered to his Skid Row flock see Church, page 8

photo by Gary Leonard

Melya Kaplan with a kitten she found outside Skid Row’s One at a Time church. The 10-year-old facility, which has several dozens feral cats on its property, could go out of business.

metro.net/expo

> Ride Free All Day April 28-29, 2012 (Expo Line only)

metro> Free Activities Saturday, April 28, 10am-4pm – 7th St/Metro Center Station – USC/Expo Park Station – Expo/Crenshaw Station – La Cienega/Je=erson Station

2 Downtown News

AROUNDTOWN Design Competition for Sixth Street Bridge

he city has long been looking to replace the ailing Sixth Street Viaduct, and now, there’s a renewed effort. On Thursday, April 12, local leaders announced the launch of an international design competition for the 80-year-old bridge that connects Downtown and Boyle Heights. A condition known as Alkali Silica Reaction, which has been compared to cancer for concrete, has caused portions of the bridge to erode, though officials have said it is not in danger of imminent collapse. The city approved the Environmental Impact Report for the project last year, along with a recommendation by the Bureau of Engineering on the type of bridge to be built; calls to replicate the original design were rejected in favor of a cable-supported structure. Now, designers are being asked to come up with ideas on how to execute the plans, what exactly the bridge will look like and how it will fit into the communities on either side of the Los Angeles River. Construction for the $401 million project is expected to start in 2015 after the approval of final designs. Completion could come by 2017.

Apartment Occupancy And Rents Rise in Downtown

orget suggestions that the Downtown rental market is slowing: Last year, the community had the largest apartment gain in Los Angeles County, with 4,340 move-ins, according to the new Casden Multifamily Forecast. The survey, which was released on

April 16, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Wednesday, April 11, by the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, found that the figures boosted the occupancy rate in the area by 5.3% to 96.8%. “Intown was the big winner for 2011,” said Tracey Seslen, senior research associate for the Casden Forecast, referring to the study’s name for the submarket that includes Downtown and some neighborhoods west of the 110 Freeway. According to the report, the area boasts the second highest occupancy rate in the county, trailing only West Los Angeles’ 97.3%. The study found that rents increased 6.2% throughout the county, and Downtown was in line, with a 6% rise. The report also predicted that rents will increase by 9.6% by the end of 2013. Overall, Seslen acknowledged, the news is good for apartment building owners, and bad for renters.

Philanthropist Lundquist Speaks at Town Hall-L.A. Event

hen it comes to philanthropy, Los Angeles is often seen as a city that falls far short of East Coast counterparts such as New York and Washington, D.C. One notable exception to that will appear in Downtown this week. On Tuesday, April 18, Melanie Lundquist, co-founder of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, speaks at a luncheon at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel sponsored by Town Hall-Los Angeles. In recent years Lundquist has given more than $80 million to various education and healthcare initiatives. She has donated $50 million to the Partnership, a joint effort between the city and the LAUSD that took over and now operates 15 low-performing schools. Lundquist’s address, which starts at 12:30 p.m. and includes a

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

Certificate of Appreciation

Joe Moller & The Art Walk Board

Q&A, is titled “Philanthropy: A New Model.” Reservations are recommended and can be made at (213) 628-8141.

Stan Lee Puts His Name on Downtown Convention

an Diego has Comic-Con. This fall, Downtown Los Angeles will have a convention featuring comics icon Stan Lee. On Thursday, April 12, Lee’s POW! Entertainment and the Comikaze Expo announced that an event titled Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo will take place Sept. 1516 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The inaugural Comikaze, described by its creators as a “multimedia pop culture convention” and held in November 2011 at the Convention Center (but without Lee’s

Spring Street

April 12, 2012

name attached), attracted 40,000 attendees and 300 exhibitors. Lee is a comics legend who co-created superheroes including Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk and the Fantastic Four. “Stan is one of the greatest entertainment icons of our generation and the godfather of modern comics,” said Regina Carpinelli, the founder and CEO of Comikaze Entertainment Inc., in a statement. “It’s about damn time Stan had his own convention.”

Downtown News Gets Statewide Awards

os Angeles Downtown News is being recognized for its coverage by the state’s largest journalism organization. Last week, the California Newspaper Publishers see Around Town, page 20

Comprehensive Family Health Care

C C

Find out at the landmark location near Downtown. Home of the original Chili-burger. Quality and value since 1946:

Chili Hamburger .............. $2.05 Chili Cheeseburger ........... $2.45

tax included

Grand Medical associates • Complete Prenatal Care • Comprehensive Gynecological Care • Family Medicine • Well Pediatric/Adult Care Dr. Thomas Cachur Jr. & Dr. David Steinberg

center for Maternal fetal Medicine of l.a. • Comprehensive Obstetric Ultrasound (AIUM accredited) • CA Perinatal Diagnostic Center including Genetic Counseling • Nuchal Translucency Screening Dr. Kevin Justus & Dr. Lori Silver

We gladly accept most insurance plans.

Many Imitate, But None Compare!

Lo File

1513 S. Grand Ave., Suite 320 (Venice & Grand) Los Angeles • 213.747.7307

April 16, 2012

Downtown News 3

DowntownNews.com

Downtown L.A. Auto Group Family Owned Since 1955 We treat the needs of each individual customer with paramount concern. We know that you have high expectations, and as a car dealer we enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding those standards each and every time. Allow us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence!

2012 Nissan Sentra 2.0

CARSON NISSAN 1505 E. 223rd St. carsonnissan.com 888-845-2267

$99

per month for 39 months

Plus tax, 39 month closed end lease on approved credit. $3995 total due at signing. Zero security deposit. Purchase option at lease end $9,570.40 $.15/mile over 39,000 miles. 1 at this offer C120818 / 694982

VOLKSWAGEN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta S

$99

1900 S. Figueroa St. vwdowntownla.com 888-781-8102

per month for 36 months

$2999 due at signing (excluding title, taxes, options and Dealer fees) On Approved Tier 1 Credit with VCI. 2012 Jetta S with manual transmission MSRP $17,415. Purchase option at lease end $9,752.40 $.20/mile over 30,000 miles. 1 at this price #388045

2012 Chevy Cruze LS

FELIX CHEVROLET

$159

3330 S. Figueroa St. felixchevrolet.com 888-879-9608

per month for 24 months

Plus tax 24 month closed end lease on approved credit. $1,560 due at signing excluding title, taxes, options, acquisition fees, dealer fees and first payment. Zero Security Deposit. 12,000 Miles per year. 2 at this offer, #C7127857, C7134798.

2012 Mercedes-Benz C250

DOWNTOWN L.A. MOTORS

$369

1801 S. Figueroa St. mbzla.com 888-319-8762 Mercedes-Benz

per month for 33 months

Plus tax 33 month closed end lease on approved credit. $2865 due at signing excluding title, taxes, options, acquisition fees, dealer fees and first payment. Zero Security Deposit. Purchase option at lease end $25,196. .25cents/mile over 10,000 miles per year. All with MSRP of $38,175.

2011 Nissan Leaf SL

NISSAN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

$385

635 W. Washington Blvd. downtownnissan.com 888-838-5089

per month for 39 months

On approved credit, 39 month closed end lease, $2999 due at signing plus tax, 1st month payment, acquisition fee, license, doc fee. $0 security deposit. Residual $15,593. .15 cents per mile over 12,000 miles per year. MSRP $35,440, 1 at this offer, #N111549/ BT00841

2012 Audi Q5 3.2T

AUDI OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

$499

1900 S. Figueroa St. audidtla.com 888-583-0981

per month for 42 months

Plus tax, 42 month closed end lease on approved credit. $550 Security Deposit $499 First Month Payment $695 Acquisition Fee $2,999 Down Payment. $4,244 Due at Signing* (Excludes taxes, title, other options and dealer fees). $0.25 per mile over 10,000 miles per year.1 At this Price #CA039942

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

2012 Porsche Boxster

$499

per month for 24 months

1 available at this payment (CS710404) On approved credit, 24 Month Closed End Lease. $5,999 plus tax,1st month payment, acquisition fee, lic, doc fee. Zero Security deposit. Residual $37,429.05. 5k miles peryear. 0.30 cents per excess mileage charge.

4 Downtown News

Twitter/DowntownNews

April 16, 2012

EDITORIALS Pity Those Stuck at Parker Center

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

he $440 million Police Administration Building has become a landmark since it opened in October 2009. The crowning achievement of former Chief of Police William Bratton (who scheduled his retirement for the week after it debuted) was instantly heralded. The approximately 1,800 police officers, including the command staff, who moved into the First Street building were no doubt exhilarated to escape Parker Center, a onceinspiring edifice that had become a warren of disrepair. They traded old for new, grit for gleam. Suddenly, there was a building that both met 21st century law enforcement needs and symbolized the transformation the LAPD had gone through. The structure with a wall of windows seemed to suggest a modern, more transparent police force that had left behind the black eyes of the 1992 riots and the Rampart scandal. The new building’s double role as a headquarters and a symbol are appropriate. There is, however, a problem: As Los Angeles Downtown News recently reported, some 150 people continue to be stuck working day in, day out, in Parker Center. Parker Center, which opened in 1955, is not the oldest building in Downtown. However, it is one of the most downtrodden of those that still house people, rather than just vermin — actually, wait, Parker Center has that too. People interviewed for the story reported seeing mice. What fun. Parker Center’s physical deterioration had been decried for years before the new headquarters opened. In addition to earthquake damage, the jail was notoriously outdated. As the Downtown News story noted there are no fire sprinklers — the building’s bones are too weak to support water-filled pipes. We understand that not everyone could be moved out of Parker Center once the new building opened, but it’s distressing that so many people are still working there two-anda-half years after new Chief Charlie Beck and most of the LAPD vacated the edifice. It’s inappropriate for so many people to remain in that beleaguered building. Many of those still working in Parker Center are part of the department’s Science Investigation Division, and tasks including fingerprinting, polygraphing and some photo operations are performed there. There’s an unfortunate irony in the fact that jobs requiring modern technology are housed in a decrepit structure. Supposedly the final workers will be moved out of Parker Center later this year. The department is waiting on the completion of new office space in the Piper Technical Center, a campus best known as the LAPD’s primary heliport. It’s distressing that so many of, to use a phrase, Los Angeles’ finest have been working for so long in a building that is anything but fine. We suggest that the command staff double check the proceedings on the new building and make sure that the construction makes its completion date. The workers of Parker Center deserve better than to be stuck there.

Positive Goals in Football Stadium EIR

he most-watched Downtown project of the past few years has been Anschutz Entertainment Group’s proposed $1.4 billion football stadium and Convention Center overhaul. On April 5, the development reached a milestone when AEG filed the environmental impact report for the massive project. There is always good news and bad news in an EIR, with the bad usually concerning what effects a project will have on the surrounding neighborhood. Certainly Farmers Field will have serious impacts on life and navigation in Downtown Los Angeles, but if AEG is able to meet the goals it has set for itself in the EIR, then the community will be significantly improved. We could even see some groundbreaking behavior in how fans get to the stadium. EIRs are complex, often convoluted documents. State law requires that they be conducted for major projects and that the developer pay for them. They take into account numerous issues, and the immediate and long-term effects on the environment are only one aspect. They can investigate matters including lighting, traffic, public safety, air quality, parking and more. They are supposed to lay out potential problems and identify how these issues can be addressed or, in EIR parlance, “mitigated.” Although building a project has a greater impact on the environment than letting land sit empty, the EIR process forces developers to pay heed to the community and work to ensure that effects on surrounding neighborhoods and even the region are as minimal as possible. At 10,000 pages, AEG’s EIR for Farmers Field and the Convention Center upgrade is unlike anything ever prepared since the California Environmental Quality Act went into effect. Yes, there is an irony that an environmental document is that long. Fortunately, most access to it will be viewed online (it’s at farmerfield.com). We admit that Los Angeles Downtown News has not had the time or fortitude to read all 10,000 pages. We’re not sure any individual can or will, though the city will certainly have teams poring over the document. AEG deserves credit for being thorough in the process, and for trying to do more than the minimum required by law. It’s a good business step for the company that already brought Downtown Staples Center, L.A. Live and the Convention Center hotel. It shows that AEG, which has generally been a very good corporate citizen, is starting from the right place. Among the most interesting aspects of the EIR and the stadium plan is the effort to minimize the number of people who will drive to Farmers Field. The aim is to have 25% of event attendees utilize mass

transit, or even walk or bicycle to games and events. This makes sense in Downtown, which is the hub of the region’s transportation system. Options will increase further in several years with the completion of the Expo Line extension and the Regional Connector. AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke said this mass-transit goal will first be addressed during the ticket-selling period, and there may be incentives such as reduced prices for those who purchase, say, a Metro pass along with their entrance to a football game. It’s wise to have this as a starting point — it will be easier to shape behavior for the first arrivals than to change habits for people who have been attending games for years. We hope that, in practice, these incentives will indeed be strong. It won’t be easy to convince Angelenos to abandon their cars, but AEG does have an environmental record — it secured LEED Silver certification (an eco-friendly designation set by the U.S. Green Building Council) for the 1,001-room Ritz-Carlton/JW Marriott hotel. We’re pleased that the stadium will be designed to meet LEED standards. We also like that AEG promises to have what it labels an “environmental management system” for the daily operations of the stadium. We hope that will have teeth and will be a guiding principle once games start. If a team can be secured (still the biggest challenge to bringing football back to Los Angeles) and a stadium built, there will be some serious impacts on the community. The specter of traffic in Downtown on Monday or Thursday evening football games — during rush hour — and potentially during other mid-week events, will be frightening, and AEG will need the best congestion planning scheme the city has seen since the 1984 Olympics. Fortunately, the effects of Sunday football games will likely be less than many fear — a sell-out at 72,000 seats is far less severe than the 400,000-plus people who work Downtown every day. The public had a role in the process leading up to the EIR, with scores of community meetings. Now, there is a 45-day comment period. People with concerns have a responsibility to speak up, and should do so now rather than complain later. The easiest way to make a voice heard is via email at eircomment.conventionstadium@lacity.org. AEG has taken the right initial environmental steps on the project. We hope the company will continue to meet these high standards, and will ensure that the community is not a hurdle to the stadium, but rather a partner.

April 16, 2012

Downtown News 5

DowntownNews.com

The Return of the Silly Season L.A. Leaders Fret About a Massive Budget Deficit, Just Like Last Year, and the Year Before… by Jon RegaRdie executive editoR

was having trouble figuring out which made-up introduction to use for this column, so I decided to go with both of them. Up first: I was reading “Chicken Little” to my 3- and 5-year old the other day. They were fascinated by the story of the barnyard animals who fear that the sky is the regardie report

falling. Once I finished the story, I started looking into Los Angeles’ upcoming budget deficit and, once again, local officials are clucking like crazy that the financial sky is falling. Just like last year. And the year before, etc. Version deux: I was out in the street playing “Kick the Can” with my kids and some of their friends. Oh, what fun we had, kicking the can as far down the road as possible. “Should we bring the can back?” my daughter asked. She didn’t wait for an answer, and just kicked it further and further down the road. It was just like local political officials did with the city’s budget deficit last year, and the year before, etc. Borscht Belt-style humor aside, Los Angeles is again entering the period during which local officials go gaga over the budget. Think of it as the Silly Season — not because it’s unimportant, but rather because it just keeps happening. For the 10th year in a row, according to City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana, projections call for expenditures to exceed revenues, which I’m pretty sure is a bad thing. This means that, over the next two months, threats of layoffs and accusations of political overstatement will pop like musket fire in the War of 1812. In the coming weeks the citizenry will be deluged with news conferences and press releases: Elected officials will warn, cajole and threaten that unless labor groups agree to givebacks or delays in raises, employees will get canned (though they’ll probably tweak the verbiage). The unions will charge that the city has gone back on its promises and will pledge to fight.

The first musket pops have already been heard. A few weeks ago, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa declared at a public event that without concessions, city workers will be laid off. Then, on April 6, Santana released a 52-page report stating that the budget deficit for fiscal year 2012-13 (it starts July 1) clocks in at $222 million. That’s downright sunny compared to 2014-2015, when the projected shortfall will reach $427 million. The sky is falling, though there’s one interesting aspect: Santana’s document calls out those in power. Kind of. Parsing the Past Here’s the thing about the Silly Season: The budget doomsday scenario has been played so often that most members of the public no longer think it’s real. Los Angeles may or may not be at risk of eventual bankruptcy — former Mayor Richard Riordan warned of the possibility two years ago, and Santana’s document leads with a cautionary tale from financially ravaged Stockton — but the past hubbub makes the average Angeleno think this is no more dangerous than the 1983 movie War Games. In that film Mathew Broderick ran around and, in the nick of time, stopped the nasty computer from blowing up the world during a game of “Global Thermonuclear War.” We’ve been “saved” so many times that few take the threat seriously. Consider, in spring 2008 deficit projections for the coming fiscal year were $406 million, with the shortfall due to a slowing economy, rising costs and the $177 million the city spent to hunt alligators in the sewers (I made one of those up). Plans to deal with the deficit included raising trash fees. That was supposed to save us. The 2009 budget fight was epic, the Titanic of Silly Seasons. The deficit hit an ungodly $530 million. AnVil introduced the phrase “shared sacrifice” and City Hall officials confused everyone by offering layoff numbers of anywhere from 400 to 5,000. On April 6 of that year, Villaraigosa declared, “An unprecedented deficit threatens the long-term health of our City.” Ultimately, about 2,400 city workers took an early

photo by Gary Leonard

City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana projects a $222 million deficit for the coming fiscal year. That’s little league compared to previous deficit estimates, which went as high as $530 million.

retirement package and plans to increase the police force to 10,000 officers were shelved. That was supposed to save us. In 2010, under then-Council President Eric Garcetti, the council met daily to discuss the deficit, which was projected at $212 million. Officials warned that 1,000 jobs could be cut. Somehow, this ramped up to 4,000 potential eliminations. In late February Standard & Poor’s downgraded the city’s credit rating. At one point, Controller Wendy Greuel warned that see Budget, page 9

Metro Briefs Metro Expo Line Opens April 28

Join Metro in celebrating the opening of the new Metro Expo Line between downtown LA and Culver City on Saturday, April 28. There will be activities at four of the new stations on Saturday and free rides on Expo both Saturday and Sunday, April 28 and 29. Expo expands the Metro Rail system to 80 stations.

Thinking about saving the planet?

TRY BEFORE

Bike Week LA 2012 – May 14-18

Join Metro and community partners again this year for Bike Week LA. There’s something for everyone, including a guided ride of Expo/Mid-City and friendly pit stops on Bike to Work Day. Learn more about taking your bike on Metro Bus and Rail and get some tips to help you stay safe on the road. For more information on Bike Week, check metro.net/bikeweek.

YOU BUY.

Go Metro To Dodger Stadium

Take advantage of a winning combination to reach Dodger Stadium this season. Just Go Metro to Union Station and connect with the Dodger Stadium Express. You’ll avoid tra;c and help reduce air pollution; and your same day Dodger ticket is good for the fare! The Dodger Stadium Express is made possible by Clean Transportation Funding from MSRC. For more information, visit metro.net.

Get Through Tra;c Faster With ExpressLanes

If you drive the I-110 and I-10 freeways, you’ll want to see a new series of videos that show how Metro’s upcoming ExpressLanes program can get you through them faster. Find out about FasTrak® transponders, congestion pricing and more at metro.net/expresslanes.

Metro To Buy 550 New Buses

If you’d like to know more, visit metro.net.

The Metro Board of Directors approved a budget of $297 million to purchase 550 new 40-foot transit buses fueled by compressed natural gas. The new buses will replace buses that are past 12 years of age and 500,000 miles which will reach their retirement age over the new three years.

This Earth Day, if you’re thinking about reducing your carbon footprint, why not see what it’s like? We’ve got rental specials on all the latest Prius models, so come get into a Prius today—you’re not going to believe how much fun saving the planet can be.

It’s not just a rental...it’s a TOYOTA!

TOYOTA CENTRAL Your downtown Toyota dealer!

1600 S. Figueroa (at Venice), Los Angeles

800-583-0972 www.toyotacentral.com

6 Downtown News

April 16, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

The Wow Factor Convention for International Travel Bookers Could Have $350 Million Impact Over Three Years

hen it comes to immediate economic impact, the U.S. Travel Association’s International Pow Wow, which is bringing about 5,000 people to Downtown April 21-25, isn’t in league with some of the biggest events at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Pow Wow is expected to generate about $6.3 million in spending, with visitors booking hotel rooms, eating at restaurants, taking taxis, etc. By contrast, June’s E3 video game expo spurs more than $20 million in spending, and last summer’s five-day Microsoft convention had an estimated $50 million economic impact. But when it comes to generating money, local officials say the Pow Wow is a marathon, not a sprint. According to the USTA, the 1,200 international travel buyers and tour operators who will converge on Downtown could propel another $350 million in spending within three years. That’s because the Pow Wow draws people who send other people on vacation. “These are decision makers,” said Mark Liberman, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, the city’s recently renamed convention and visitors’ bureau. “They have a primary role in determining international travel especially into the U.S., and as a host city we have an incredible opportunity to showcase everything that’s happened here, all of the changes

that have taken place.” The travel buyers will be coming from about 70 countries including China, Japan, Australia, Canada, Italy and Mexico. They will meet with thousands of U.S.-based travel and hospitality businesses to work out bulk deals on tickets to attractions, hotel stays, museum passes and other tourist offerings. The buyers will then sell these items as part of travel packages to tourists in their home countries. During the five-day event, city and Downtown officials are going all out. Convention attendees will take sightseeing tours, with stops at Central City locations such as Walt Disney Concert Hall, Olvera Street, Little Tokyo, Broadway and the Fashion District. A closing night concert is set at the California Plaza Watercourt with food from Wolfgang Puck. Also attending will be about 500 members of the travel media. Among other things, they have a Sunday brunch at the Natural History Museum to see some of the new exhibits. “You can imagine the attention we will get from the number of articles that will be written about Los Angeles,” Liberman noted. The Pow Wow is not open to the public. Long Time No Visit It has been eight years since the USTA last held its Pow Wow at the Convention Center. A lot has changed in Downtown since then, with the $2.5 billion L.A. Live complex coming online, and scores of housing complexes, restaurants and bars opening. “It really is a very unique opportunity for

photo by Gary Leonard

The International Pow Wow, which takes place this week, will bring 1,200 travel buyers and tour operators to Downtown. They’re the people who sell vacations to other people.

Downtown and the rest of the city to have exposure to tour operators and wholesalers in person,” said Malcolm Smith, vice president of business development for the USTA and the general manager of Pow Wow. “Downtown is vibrant. You can walk to hotels and do things and that’s what people will take back with them from this convention. This is the product they’re going to be selling to their clients overseas.” The event comes at a time when more people are visiting the area. According to the Tourism & Convention Board, in 2011 the city recorded 26.9 million domestic and international visitors, a 4.2% increase over 2010. Spending rose as well, with the visitors dropping $15.2 billion, an 8% hike over the previous year. Liberman said 35% of that came from the 5.9 million international tourists, who tend to stay longer and spend more than their U.S. counterparts. Tourism & Convention Board officials said

all of the major Downtown hotels are booked during the convention. Hotel operators said they are already looking forward to future business that will be generated by the gathering. “It’s an amazing opportunity for all these international buyers to see Downtown in its renaissance,” said Carolyn Harber, director of sales and marketing for the Omni Hotel. Harber said she will have no shortage of recommendations for places the travel buyers can visit that will later help them draw tourists to Downtown. “We can recommend places like the Grammy Museum, Disney Hall, our Cathedral,” she said. “There’s so much for them to see in terms of entertainment.” The Pow Wow is booked in other cities through 2016. Liberman said his office is already in discussion to bring the Pow Wow back in a few years. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

MaY 30 LoS angeLeS tHeatre

LoS angeLeS ConServanCY presents

PAPER MOON June 6 orpHeuM tHeatre TOOTSIE June 13 LoS angeLeS tHeatre ut! o d SoL THE BIG SLEEP June 20 MiLLion doLLar tHeatre CANTINFLAS in

(1946)

(1982)

(1973)

by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

co-presented with

MAY 30 - JUNE 30, 2012 CLaSSiC FiLMS and Live entertainMent in HiStoriC tHeatreS Featuring tHe Movie paLaCeS oF doWntoWn’S broadWaY HiStoriC tHeatre diStriCt and tHe HiStoriC Saban tHeatre in beverLY HiLLS

(1942)

LOS TRES MOSQUETEROS June 27 orpHeuM tHeatre

(1922)

ROBIN HOOD June 30 Saban tHeatre

THE WIZARD OF OZ

Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Los Angeles Conservancy

(1939)

silent Film with live organ accompaniment

two shows! matinee and evening

For details, updates, and tickets, visit laconservancy.org Questions? call (213) 430-4219 (event hotline) or (213) 623-2489 SerieS Star SponSor:

HoLLYWood Foreign preSS aSSoCiation

SerieS Serie Supporting SponSor: or:

Media Spon SponSor: or:

SerieS Serie SponSorS:

Steve bing evening SponSorS:

Linda and JerrY bruCKHeiMer MaY 30 M

CatHY and Steve needLeMan June 6

June 13

June 30

June 20 Funded in part bY

April 16, 2012

Downtown News 7

DowntownNews.com

WHAT’S FOR SALE A Distinctly Modern Chinatown Building

888-I-LOVE-LA (456-8352)

2006 PORSCHE CAYMAN S

by Ryan VaillancouRt

Silver/Terracotta, One Owner, Like New P12347-1 / 6U781446

staff wRiteR

n the column “What’s for Sale,” Los Angeles Downtown News looks at everything from condos to multi-family buildings to vacant lots now on the market. We hope that regular snapshots of individual properties will make for a wide-ranging survey of the overall state of Downtown real estate. This week, the focus is on a Modern-looking mixeduse complex in Chinatown. The Property: A two-story structure in Chinatown with four ground-floor commercial spaces and one upstairs housing unit is listed for sale at $1.59 million. It is at 506 Bernard St. The corner building fronts both Bernard and Hills streets.

PORSCHE OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

888-685-5426 1900 S. Figueroa St. • porschedowntownla.com

$42,891 $50,898 Silver/Blk, Only 28K Miles, Nav. P12382-1 / 5S755351 2011 Porsche Panamera S ................ $92,894 Certified, Blk/Blk, Only 6,474 miles. P11253ADL/BL061587 Certified, Blk/Blk, One Owner, Nav. ZP1462 / 9LA11582

$32,898

2005 Porsche 911 Carrera Cab ........

Plus 22 More In Stock & On Sale!

2008 MERCEDES C300 SEDAN Certified, Low miles, 24 Valve, 3.0 L . 121464-1 / R025041

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

Mercedes-Benz

$27,991 2009 Mercedes E350W ...................... $31,991 Certified, Blk/Blk, 44k Miles. 111852-1/ B396329 2010 Mercedes ML350 ...................... Certified, White/Cashmere, Low miles. 111695-1 / A565942 $37,991 2008 Mercedes CLK350C .................. Certified, White/Black, 31k Miles, 3.5 Liter. 5602C/F254750

image courtesy CB Richard Ellis

A two-story building in Chinatown, with a residential unit on the top floor and four ground-level office spaces, is listed at $1.59 million.

Size Matters: The entire building measures about 10,500 square feet. That includes eight 210- to 450-square-foot basement spaces that are currently rented out as storage units. The building is almost entirely occupied; only one of the basement storage units is vacant. (Don’t) Forget it, Jake: Whereas Chinatown in 2007 was a hot hub in the L.A. art world, the brokers for the site today are marketing it as an opportunity to get in on a new wave of residential and commercial development. Three major projects under construction in the community could signal a new era of investment and business. There’s the 280-apartment Chinatown Gateway at Hill Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue; the Chinatown Metro Apartments, a 123-unit senior housing project at Spring and Alpine streets; and Lotus Garden, a 60-residence affordable housing complex at 715 Yale St. Compared to What: The listing price trans-

lates to about $152 per square foot. The limited number of recent building sales in the area makes it a tricky property to compare. A much smaller two-story building at 943 Chunk King Road, with residential above commercial, sold in February 2011 for $567,005, or $236 per square foot. The Bernard Street site, it should be noted, has been reduced from $2.1 million. Location Cubed: The building sits on Hill Street, one of two main north/south arteries of Chinatown, across from Bamboo Plaza and the famed dim sum joint Empress Pavilion. It’s also a short walk to Central and West plazas, the retail centers of Chinatown. Perhaps its chief location draw is that it’s adjacent to the on- and off-ramps for the Pasadena (110) Freeway. Garden of Plenty: It doesn’t come with the property, but an added perk is a patch of dirt outside the building that’s been converted to a de facto community garden. The spot, where Bernard Street ends in a cul-de-sac, is tended year-round to produce an array of crops. Life With a View: Tashjian said the building might be best suited for an owner/occupier who opts to live upstairs in the 2,644-squarefoot space with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. There are near floor-to-ceiling see What’s for Sale, page 20

Call StorQuest today

Serving all of Los Angeles

877-452-9698

$1 RENT

$25,991

Plus 74 More In Stock & On Sale!

2008 AUDI A6 SEDAN

Need STORAGe?

Certified, Navigation, Auto, Leather. ZA10282 / 8N167874

MONTH’S

$24,980

www.STORQUEST.com

*Cannot combine offers. At select locations. Limited time offer.

2010 NISSAN CUBE 1.8 Only 2,793 Miles! AC, CD, 30mpg, ABS. N121134-1/T168602

NISSAN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

888-838-5089 635 W. Washington Blvd. • downtownnissan.com

$17,999 $22,999 Certified, Silver, 3.5L V6, CD, Alloys. N13984/704355 2010 Nissan Murano S ...................... $24,999 Only 9206 Miles!, Certified, 3.5L V6. N111560-1/W020797 2003 Infiniti FX45 ..............................

4.5L V8 DOHC, Low miles, AWD, Leather. N121003-1/3X003463

$16,999

2008 Nissan 350 Z Coupe .................

Plus 43 More In Stock & On Sale! 2009 VW BEETLE Certified, 29k miles, Auto, AC. 9M509151

VOLKSWAGEN OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 888-781-8102 1900 S. Figueroa St. • vwdowntownla.com

$13,980 2008 VW Rabbit ................................. $14,980 Certified, 21k miles, Blk/Blk, Auto. 9W139340 2008 VW CC Sport ............................. $20,739 Certified, One owner, Turbo, White/Beige. 9E545528 2009 VW Jetta .................................... Certified, California Edition, 9M078739

$14,707

Plus 52 More In Stock & On Sale!

2010 CHEVY COBALT 37 mpg, 16V 2.2L Auto, CD, AC. UC30R/A7164846

FELIX CHEVROLET

888-879-9608 3300 S. Figueroa St. • felixchevrolet.com

$11,995 $14,995 3.5L V6, Grey, AC, CD, Low Miles. UC38 / F231246 2007 Chevy Tahoe LTZ ...................... $29,995 5.3L V8, Black, Leather, , ABS, CD. UC20 / R169056 2010 Chevy Aveo ............................... 35 MPG, 4 Dr, 16 valve, spoiler. UC994R / B108496

2008 Chevy Malibu LS ......................

Plus 48 More In Stock & On Sale!

CARSON NISSAN

888-845-2267 1505 E. 223rd St., Carson • carsonnissan.com

$10,995 2006 Ford Escape .............................. $11,995 Black, 3.0L V6, Leather, ABS. C121044-1/6KA18978 2009 Nissan Cube .............................. Certified, Auto, 4 Dr, AC, 30 MPG, CD, ABS. CU0621P/130822 $13,995 2006 Ford F-150 Reg. Cab ................

4.6L, V8, ABS, Loaded. CU0666P / B10929

$10,995 SELF STORAGE

$26,980 $38,968 Certified, 2.0T, Only 6032 miles! ZA10227 / BA075727 2010 Audi Q5 3.2 .............................. $41,855 Certified, Navigation, Fully loaded. ZA10284 / AA023114 2011 Audi A5 Quattro ......................

Plus 54 More In Stock & On Sale!

5.7L, V8, Auto, ABS, AC, 35 gal tank. CU0633P / G170779

2222 NORTH FIGUEROA ST.

888-583-0981 1900 S. Figueroa St. • audidtla.com

2009 Audi A4 Cab ...............................

2004 DODGE RAM 2500 ST

StorQuest

AUDI OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

Certified, Auto Low Miles. ZA10101/9K001417

$12,995

FIRST

FREE er* Truck & Driv

www.DTLAMOTORS.com

2009 Porsche Cayenne .....................

Creative Commons: Built in 1966, the structure was purchased in 2007 by an art world participant looking to get in on the thriving Chinatown art scene, said listing agent Andrew Tashjian of CB Richard Ellis. A major renovation followed, including adding new storefronts and finishes. The property was marketed toward and ultimately filled by creative users, among them galleries and design studios.

3707 SOUTH HILL ST.

DOWNTOWN L.A. AUTO GROUP

Plus 39 More In Stock & On Sale!

8 Downtown News

April 16, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

Church Continued from page 1 for nearly a decade. He set up shop in the community specifically because he wanted to work with the homeless and help them with donated goods. His small Baptist church is located in a modest one-story building with yellow walls. Inside, Bible scriptures are written on the white walls of the chapel. Approximately 70 people meet every Sunday for a service and free coffee and donuts. On Saturdays, the church feeds about 300 people and passes out donated shoes, clothes and other goods. The church is a relatively small player in the neighborhood — the area’s largest missions aid thousands of people a day — but has been a haven for some Skid Row residents. Holladay said the church’s main funding source was a company run by his sons. However, they are no longer able to provide the nearly $4,000 a month they had been offering. That means, said Holladay, that he can’t make the rent of $4,100 a month without finding another source. He’s not hopeful one will materialize. “The rent is pretty expensive, but in past times we’ve had a lot more support so it

was OK,” Holladay said from his desk at the church. The loss of a service provider, even a small one like One at a Time church, is a blow to Skid Row, said Rev. Andy Bales, CEO of the Union Rescue Mission, which serves 3,000 meals a day and houses nearly 1,000 people each night at its San Pedro Street building. “There have been services out of that building for years and its closing is just another sign of the times,” Bales said. “The loss of another venue is going to be difficult and just adds more insecurity and trauma.” Bales was not surprised to hear about the cat population. He said where there are people, there are usually animals, even in places like Skid Row. Cat Fancy Holladay became aware of the stray cats that lived on the property as soon as he moved into the building. He estimates up to 30 cats at a time have lived in the back of the walled parking lot. Most, he said, hide under a large metal storage unit. “My wife loves cats and she started bringing food for them,” Holladay said. “They were all over the place. We thought of them as just another Skid Row resident.” His wife continues to buy supplies, and about four times each week a church volunteer leaves piles of dry food in plastic contain-

photo by Gary Leonard

Pastor Ken Holladay runs the church at Seventh and San Julian streets. He used to receive financial support from a company run by his sons, but that is no longer available.

ers. The cats aren’t exactly friendly, and most are only seen during feeding time. Still, Holladay doesn’t want to abandon the animals. “If we move my wife had planned on coming back and dropping the food off under the fence,” he said. “I really don’t know what would happen to them if we don’t feed them.” Kaplan hopes it doesn’t come to that. She

20% Off

C onvenient Parking

1 888 711 9622 1901 W. 8th St. •

M-Sat. 8am-7pm, Sun 8am-5pm

Voted Best Dentist 2011!

Anything in the Store Must present coupon.1 coupon per person. 1 item per coupon. Expires 4/30/12

said she plans to bring trappers to catch the adult cats within the next couple of weeks, regardless of whether the church stays or goes. So far, she said, she has rounded up 20 kittens, and is trying to find homes for them. The gray cat she rescued from the plastic bag died the following day. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

cosmetic, tmj, & implant dentistry

255 Grand Ave., Suite 204, Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-620-5777 | Find us on Facebook @ www.downtowndentalla.com

metro.net

We can’t go anywhere without you. With over one million boardings a day, Metro moves a lot of people, including Martin White. A Metro customer for over 15 years, Martin commutes everyday from his home in the San Fernando Valley to his accounting job in Pasadena. Martin uses Nextrip, technology which checks bus arrivals in real time. He says knowing the actual bus arrival time makes his commute enjoyable and seamless. Metro bus operator Mark Moore, who nominated Martin for recognition, said, “I admire Martin because he chooses to use public transportation every day, even over long distances.”

“Metro is easy to use, very accessible and frequent. It’s a great way to get around.” – Martin White

Metro salutes Martin and all of our valued customers.

April 16, 2012

Downtown News 9

DowntownNews.com

Budget Continued from page 5 Los Angeles would run out money by May. Ultimately, the council approved 761 layoffs. That, along with a plan to lease out city parking garages, was supposed to save us. Later, the garage plan died. Surprise! Last spring’s Silly Season was relatively calm — the projected deficit was $336 million, and there was almost no name calling. The big moment came when elected officials and labor groups reached an agreement that would end furloughs and prevent 600 layoffs. That was supposed to save us. Oh yeah, there was also a Fire Department redeployment plan that would mean fewer trucks or ambulances at fire stations. What could go wrong? One-Time Solutions The just-launched budget season might repeat the past.

Or, if there are real teeth in Santana’s bite, things could get interesting. His report classifies the current situation as “crisis management.” The document says L.A. has faced a structural deficit for 10 years and that the 4,900 job eliminations since 2007-08 have not turned the situation around. Furthermore, it slaps the approach that elected officials employ as something that might as well be trompe l’oeil. “The City has relied heavily on one-time solutions to close the budget gaps,” Santana writes. Shortly after he adds, “Furthermore, even structural solutions such as the elimination of positions have not always been based on a strategic plan that takes into consideration the needs of departments and whether the impacted services are core services of the City. Rather, vacant positions were targeted for elimination to achieve the highest savings possible with the least layoff impact. The end result has been short-term budgets with longterm price tags.” Santana is wise enough not to blame anyone by name for

the problems. I guess, for whatever reason, he likes his job. Still, it’s obvious to whom he’s referring — the council and the mayor work out the budget. One of the many other points in the document worth noting is political hemlock to those running in the upcoming mayoral and city council elections. Santana writes that, “new revenue sources or increases to existing sources can no longer be delayed.” That’s code for raising taxes. On “Which Way, L.A.?” last Wednesday, Santana said proposals to boost the parking tax and the city tax people pay when buying a home could go on the March ballot. That’s the same time when voters will weigh in on the council and mayor races. Hiking taxes, any taxes, rarely polls well. It will be interesting to see which candidates, if any, back the tax hikes, and which ones instead wander outside for another game of kick the can down the road. Welcome to the Silly Season. Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

AVAILABLE 24/7

PROPANE GAS & DIESEL

BL VD

NEED A LOAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS?

ST.

S. ALAMEDA

OL YM

A Commercial Finance Lender

■ MicroCreditAccess Loans to $75,000 ■ MaxCreditAccess Loans to $350,000 Loans are made under a License from the ca department of corporations

Small BuSineSS SpecialiSt COMING SOON!

For more details contact: Michael Banner (213) 362-9111 www.losangelesldc.com

1800 E. Olympic Blvd. (On the corner of Olympic and S. Alameda St.)

213-627-5008

THE PETROLEUM BUILDING Commercial Office Space for Lease

BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS Beautiful 236,900 sq. ft. 11 Story Office Building. Parking Available on Premises Conference Room 24 Hour Security $1.55 Interior $1.65 Exterior Per

– RY

S CE

IN AS

S FA

Rentable Sq. Ft.

2 SUITES AVAILABLE Suite 1000 - 7,400 approximate rentable square feet. 8 offices, 1 executive office and large creative space. Access directly off elevators. Suite 1011 - 7,812 approximate rentable square feet. Large, open creative space with one office.

Suite 1011

Suite 1000

Will consider division and space build-outs.

The

Petroleum Building 714 W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015 Phone: 213.746.6300 Ext. 1455 Fax: 213.765.1910 ghollis@shammasgroup.com

10 Downtown News

April 16, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

The Old Ballgame Photos by Gary Leonard

he game was sold out. A massive American flag was unfurled. And, oh yeah, the Dodgers’ home opener on Tuesday, April 10, took place exactly 50 years after the very first pitch was thrown in Chavez Ravine. The game against the Pittsburgh Pirates followed last month’s announcement that a team including Earvin “Magic” Johnson would buy the Dodgers from Frank McCourt for $2.15 billion. The crowd feted players from the 1962 squad, the Beach Boys played the National Anthem, and the Dodgers, led by Matt Kemp, won 2-1.

Benefiting the

Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund

SUPPORT OUR LIFE SAVING HEROES! Sponsorships Available Corporate • Food Booth • Beverage Booth • Muster Team Follow us:

Hope For Firefighters

KO TORINEST downtown electrolysis April Special. First time visit includes FREE consultation.

$60 / 90 minutes

(Cash or Check only.)

electrolysis is the only method approved by FDA for permanent hair removal for men & women and any skin & hair type Permanent Hair Removal studio

by appointment only

213-308-3622

はり永久脱毛 downtown LA

kotorinest@aol.com • www.kotorinest.com

Show your appreciation for our Los Angeles City Firefighters by sponsoring this one-of-a-kind event. • Partner up with a Fire Station. • Compete in the Firefighter Muster Games. • Enjoy Great Firehouse Foods and Desserts.

Go to DowntownNews.com We want to hear from YOU ✓ comment on stories

✓ submit your own news

✓ submit your own events ✓ post your own photos

✓ place an ad in classifieds

Happy Hour Special Everyday 5-7pm

Free Chicken Dumpling (2pc) w/purchase of Pho

Pho Noodle Soup

Dumplings • Skewers • Charbroiled Boba • Desserts and more M-Thu. 10-3am, F-Sat. 10-5am, Sun. 10-2am phociti.com • 200 S. Hill St. (2nd and Hill) • 213.625.7888

A Proposition 65 Public Notice THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012 FROM 11:30 AM TO 2:30 PM On Hope Street between 3rd and Hope Place

w w w. h o p e f o r f i r e f i g h t e r s . o r g To Sponsor or Donate Call (310) 237-6430

The California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act requires California businesses to advise employees and neighbors of any potential exposure to chemicals considered by the state to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Veolia Energy Los Angeles, Inc. wants you to know that detectable amounts of some of these substances may be found in and around its facility located at 715 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA. Potential sources of these substances can include common products such as gasoline, oil, natural gas, paint.

April 16, 2012

DowntownNews.com

Downtown News 11

GO GREEN photos by Gary Leonard

In Downtown, It’s Easy Being Green In Honor of Earth Day, Some Eco-Friendly Approaches in the Central City by Ryan Vaillancourt

to Venice Boulevard. The one-way jaunt is only a 1.5-mile leg, but in the spirit of using a bike to save on gas, think of the electric green lane as an easy introduction to riding throughout Downtown. Little trips, say from the Financial District to Little Tokyo, or the Historic Core to South Park, need not require a car (or a bike lane), even if you’re picking up groceries. Strap on a backpack and channel pedal power. Mother Earth will be grateful. Your cranium will be grateful too if you wear a helmet. Check in with the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition at la-bike.org for more information on biking in the area.

staff writer

hen it comes to Earth Day, there are two takes: The first is that Earth Day returns again on Sunday, April 22, and all around the globe people will be a little more conscious of the planet and the steps they can take to aid the environment. The other take is, come on, every day is Earth Day, and people should be aware of and help preserve scarce resources 365 days a year (366 in Leap Year). You can’t argue with the reasoning. Both of those approaches are evident in Downtown Los Angeles. The city this week will mark Earth Day and Angelenos will, yes, pledge to recycle and drive Priuses. However, there are also plenty of things Downtowners can do every day of the year to help the environment. Here are a few of them.

Spring for a Reusable Mug: Do you fancy yourself an environmentally conscious citizen? If you answered yes (and if you’re reading this, you do), then stop putting your togo coffee, whether it’s from Spring for Coffee or Starbucks, in a cardboard to-go cup. “But it’s recycled cardboard,” you say. You’re still trashing it, along with the cardboard heat guard and the plastic top. Chances are, you’re also pitching several of the ves-

Literally, Go Green: Have you tried cruising the Spring Street bike lane yet? There’s no better time than now to get on a two-wheeler and take a trip from Temple Street down

AEG Hosts Earth Day Fair

ost people observe Earth Day. At L.A. Live, Downtowners will actually be able to cele-

Heal the Bay and Tree People. Radio Disney will have an hour of music, dancing and games at noon and 3:15 p.m., and at 3:30 p.m. there’s a different way to go green: Former Laker forward AC Green will appear with the Laker Girls for photos and autographs. Throughout the event visitors will be able to turn in recyclable materials, everything from light bulbs to batteries to used sporting sports. The Earth Day Fair runs 12-5:30 p.m. at Nokia Plaza. Additional information at lalive.com.

brate it. Anschutz Entertainment Group is staging an Earth Day Fair at Nokia Plaza at L.A. Live on Sunday, April 22. From noon-5:30 p.m. there will be performances, booths and even an opportunity to recycle old goods. The fair will be full of booths staffed by organizations promoting sustainable living. They include Friends of the Los Angeles River, Keep Los Angeles Beautiful,

RESTAURANTS

SPOTLIGHT ON

HEALTHCARE

Webster Recycling )HMXSVMEP JSV EHZIVXMWIVW MW Webster Recycling EZEMPEFPI MR XLMW WTIGMEP WIGXMSR 'EPP

Webster Recycling is committed to making Webster Recycling is committed to making a difference by providing free recycling services a difference by providing free recycling services in the community. 1264 W. 1st St., LA, CA 90026 in the community. (213) 481-1448 • FAX (213) 250-4617 Our vision isLADowntownNews.com to protect the environment by Our vision is to protect the environment by increasing awareness and promoting good increasing awareness and promoting good habits that matters to all. habits that matters to all.

CALL:

8 7 7 - 6 78 - 61 1 6

oR EmAIL:

Here’s a list of things we recycle: Here’s a list of things we recycle:

Did You Know?

DidOUT YouWHAT Know? FIND TO EAT Aluminum never AND WHERE TO EAT Aluminum never @ wears out.

wears out. LADOWNTOWN It can beNEWS.COM It canforever! be RECYCLED RECYCLED forever!

info@websterrec ycling.com

Glass – jars, bottles, any and all glass. Glass – jars, bottles, any and all glass. aluminum – cans, foil, pie trays, disposable bake-ware, etc. aluminum – cans, foil, pie trays, disposable bake-ware, etc. Tin and sTeel – soup and tuna cans are recyclable – but always rinse them out first Tin and sTeel – soup and tuna cans are recyclable – but always rinse them out first PaPer ProducTs -- white paper, junk mail, magazines, catalogs, newspaper, paper bags PaPer ProducTs -- white paper, junk mail, magazines, catalogs, newspaper, paper bags Boxes/carTons –Available cereal boxes,on-line milk & juice @cartons, paper towel & toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes Available @ Boxes/carTons – cereal boxes, milk & juice cartons, paper towel & toilet paper rolls, cardboardon-line boxes LADowntownNews.com PlasTics – in most cities, plastics with numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 are recyclable. LADowntownNews.com PlasTics – in most cities, plastics with numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 are recyclable. PlasTic BaGs – can be taken back to your local grocery store or we can take it for you. PlasTic BaGs – can be taken back to your local grocery store or we can take it for you. elecTronics/BaTTeries – old laptops, cell phones, extension cords, etc. We will dispose of it for you. elecTronics/BaTTeries – old laptops, cell phones, extension cords, etc. We will dispose of it for you.

Read Monday’s News on Friday Night!

Good Bye Junk

Read Monday’s News on Friday Night!

Removal Service

800-407-6662

Remember: Always rinse your containers. There is no need to sort. We do all the work. Remember: Always rinse your containers. There is no need to sort. We do all the work. * Keep a bag or box in your car to keep your recyclables from getting thrown into the trash. * Keep a bag or box in your car to keep your recyclables from getting thrown into the trash.

www.goodbyejunk.com • info@goodbyejunk.com

** HaZardous WasTe needs to be handled separately: Paints, stains, pool and spa chemicals, pesticides ** HaZardous WasTeproducts needs to(motor be handled separately: Paints, stains, pool and spa chemicals, pesticides and poisons, automotive oil, antifreeze) thinners and solvents, household cleaners and Downtown Los AngeLes • FuLLerton • spray PAsADenA and poisons, automotive (motor oil, antifreeze) thinners and solvents, household cleaners and disinfectants, batteries, artproducts and hobby chemicals, aerosol products. disinfectants, batteries, art and hobby chemicals, aerosol spray products.

Webster

Recycling

Ur-Bin, organized by members of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, offers a chance to grow fruits and vegetables in the heart of the city. One of their projects is a partnership with Skid Row residents on a rooftop garden.

sels per week. Those add up. So reduce trash and carry a reusable mug or thermos. Café Demitasse, a gourmet coffee specialist in Little Tokyo, sells a reusable travel mug that looks like a to-go cup, but there’s no reason ever to throw it away. The double-walled (so your hands don’t get hot) ceramic vessel bears Demitasse’s neat logo and sells for $10. That’s about the price of two extra-tall-mocha-lattareduced-soy-lowfat-milk whatevers. At 135 S. San Pedro St., (213) 613-9300 or cafedemistasse.com. Victory Garden: Tired of trekking to the grocery store for carrots and tomatoes? Then grow your own. Many Downtown lofts have balconies or roof access, where a container garden can yield all kinds of edibles. Get started at Anzen Hardware in Little Tokyo, which has an array of seeds or already sprouted seedlings for Japanese cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes and more; they’re only $2 per pot (while at the store, you can pick up energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs). Having your own garden cuts down on the gas you use to go to the store and, bonus, you’re also saving on the gas used by trailer trucks to transport food from faraway farms. If you don’t have any space suitable for a bucket of dirt, you can still get your hands dirty by volunteering with Ur-bin, a Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council-supported urban gardening initiative that tends vegetable patches in the area, including on the roof of a Skid Row apartment building. Anzen Hardware is at 309 E. First St., (213) 628-7600. For information on Ur-bin, visit facebook.com/ur-bin.dtla. Farmers for You: While you’re out on your bike and dreaming of home gardens, stock your fridge with fruits and vegetables, and your pantry with nuts and honey, from one of Downtown’s four weekly farmer’s markets. It’s your best option to “buy local” from growers in Southern California. The Pershing Square market runs from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. every Wednesday. On Thursday, the City Hall market sets up from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (though it remains at the L.A. Mall until the City Hall lawn is replanted). There is also a Thursday market at the Figat7th shopping complex; it runs from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Finally, on Friday there’s a market at Bank of America Plaza (333 S. Hope St.) from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sorry Borders: Whether you’re looking to pick up a copy of The Hunger Games or a Raymond Chandler tome, do the forests a favor and avoid buying new. In Downtown Los Angeles, you can grab a used book (for less than half the price of a new one) at the Last Bookstore. Better yet, pay nothing and check out a copy from the Central Library. (Be warned: While the library owns 36 copies of Hunger Games,

every single one was checked out at press time.) Get a book, save a tree, be happy. The Last Bookstore is at 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com. The Central Library is at 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7000 or lapl.org. Make Your Loft a Nozone: Unless you own your building, you’re not likely in the market for solar panels. Still, if you want to tap renewable energy sources and help reduce consumption of ozone burning coal-generated power, and you’re willing to pay a 3% premium on your bill, call the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and let them know. The money goes toward the agency’s purchase of energy from wind and solar farms and other renewable sources. More info at ladwp.com. Hail the Rail: OK, this is obvious, but there’s nothing wrong with obvious: When at all possible, skip the car and take a bus, train or light rail. There are more options for this in Downtown Los Angeles than car lovers might think. In addition to the massive bus network, Pasadena, Highland Park and Boyle Heights inhabitants can reach Chinatown, Little Tokyo and Union Station via the Gold Line. Get from Hollywood to the Central City on the Red Line. Heading to Staples Center or the Convention Center? Try the Blue Line. There will be even more opportunities with the long-awaited opening of the Expo Line on April 28. Plan your trip at metro.net. Help the River: The Los Angeles River could, one day, be a real source of vitality and urban naturalism. Of course, that dream is stymied by the shopping carts, tires, plastic bags and other bits of urban detritus scattered in the waterway. Fortunately, there are many ways to help revitalize the river. The best first step is to check in with the nonprofit Friends of the Los Angeles River at folar.org and register for their Great Los Angeles River Cleanup, which is slated for April 28. To get motivated for the event, it’s worth revisiting the 2010 short documentary Plastic Bag. Narrated by Werner Herzog, it traces a bag through its incredible life cycle, which naturally includes a stint stuck in L.A. River weeds. See the film at futurestates.tv/episodes/plastic-bag. Go a Different Kind of Green: Don’t care about environmentalism, but still want to tell all your friends that you “went green” on Earth Day? Well, this is the last week to check out Green Day’s American Idiot at the Ahmanson Theatre. That doesn’t count? Then take a Prius or a bus to get there. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

12 Downtown News

April 16, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

photo courtesy Rumi Noon

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS WEEK Managing the Boss The Life and Times of Downtown Gatekeepers

Marilynn Babcock

Title: Executive assistant to Andrew Leeka, the president and CEO of City West’s Good Samaritan Hospital. The Road to Good Sam: Babcock arrived at Good Samaritan Hospital with approximately 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She started at Beverly Enterprises, a Pasadena-based nursing home company where she worked as an assistant to the vice president of construction. After four years, she took a post as administrative assistant to the vice president of Good Samaritan Hospital. Three years after getting the job she was promoted to the executive assistant position. She has spent the past seven years working with Leeka. Typically Overwhelming: The job can be “overwhelming,” said Babcock, who works weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Her duties include managing Leeka’s calendar and answering his phone, as well as ordering supplies for the office, making travel arrangements and transcribing minutes from Good Samaritan board meetings. “I try to keep him organized so that he gets to those meetings,” Babcock said. Best Part of the Job: When Leeka has a good day, so does Babcock. “I just try to help him stay on schedule and get him to his next appointment,” she said. “I like to have any documents ready that he might need. Just to be able to help him have a little bit of a smoother day makes me feel good.” Pet Peeves: “A few times a month I’ll get vendors who call

and they want our business for some equipment they’re selling, and I refer them to the proper person,” said Babcock. “What mainly sticks out is when I get requests for meetings that become overwhelming. I get so many that it becomes a challenge, but most of them I try to schedule.” Gifts of Gratitude: “I don’t expect a gift and I don’t need one,” said Babcock. “Just to be appreciated throughout the year is enough for me and I feel that I am. I know in the past I’ve talked to assistants who say the flowers and lunches are nice, but what they would really like is a day off.”

Rumi Noon

Title: Project assistant to Joel Miller, the vice president and team leader of planning and entitlements at the Downtown engineering and consulting firm Psomas. The Road to Psomas: Noon was a legal secretary before coming to Psomas 20 years ago. She started at the company in 1992 as a temp in the engineering department. Five months later she moved over to the planning and entitlements department where she began working with Miller. Managing the Boss: “I’m Joel’s right-hand person,” said Noon. She’s in charge of Miller’s calendar, is his client liaison, and prepares proposals for new projects so that clients can set and achieve their goals. “I facilitate Joel’s life at the office so that he can do what he has to do,” said Noon. “Seeing what needs to be done before it’s even planned allows for ease and grace. It’s really like managing the manager.” Best Part of the Job: Noon said her working relationship with Miller is the best part of the job. “After 20 years together, there’s such integrity and respect between us,” she said. “I’ve never felt that we weren’t equals and I feel that he really respects and relies on the skills that I bring to the job.” Pet Peeves: “Five years ago I would’ve had a few, but now I’m just kind of in a place where I have a great acceptance that people are who they are,” said Noon. “If I had to pick one pet peeve of the corporate world in general, it’s that not a lot of people think outside of the box.” Gifts of Gratitude: “I would say a gift certificate or payment toward a class or workshop that I’d like to take.”

Marilynn Babcock is the executive assistant to Good Samaritan Hospital President and CEO Andrew Leeka. “I just try to help him stay on schedule and get him to his next appointment,” she says.

Edgar Miramontes

Job Title: Administrative coordinator for REDCAT. The Road to REDCAT: Before joining REDCAT, the avantgarde performance space in the back of Walt Disney Concert Hall, Miramontes held down two jobs. He worked at AltaMed Health Services, a network of community clinics, and as manager at the dance-theater troupe Rosanna Gamson/ World Wide. He was referred by a friend to REDCAT and in March, Miramontes celebrated his fourth anniversary at the Downtown venue over lunch with REDCAT executive director Mark Murphy and associate director George Lugg.

photo courtesy Marilyn Babcock

hey are known as administrative professionals, executive assistants, secretaries and gatekeepers. Their numbers are massive: More than 4.1 million of them work in the United States. Still, they often go unnoticed. They toil behind the scenes, making sure all proceeds smoothly for the boss. The only time they seem to get outside attention is when something goes wrong. Not next week. Since 1952, the United States, and later the world, has been celebrating the men and women who sit at the front desk or enable the boss to do their job effectively. They keep the calendar, field phone calls and emails, arrange meetings, etc. Don’t even start to make a “Mad Men” joke. The working holiday, sponsored by the International Association of Administrative Professionals, takes place April 22-28. April 25 is designated as Administrative Professionals Day, and APs worldwide will be heralded for their role as “the pulse of the office.” To find out a little more about those who pump life into the offices of Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles Downtown News spoke to three administrative professionals about their days, their pet peeves and how they want to be recognized for their hard work.

photo courtesy Edgar Miramontes

by Kat Mabry

Rumi Noon is project assistant to Joel Miller, an executive at engineering and consulting firm Psomas. “Seeing what needs to be done before it’s even planned allows for ease and grace,” she says.

At REDCAT, Edgar Miramontes, interacts with some of the world’s foremost avant-garde artists. “I help artists get their work out there and watch their progression after we’ve set them up on this local platform,” he says.

Hands-on Everything: Miramontes not only handles a lot of the logistics for Murphy and Lugg, but works with other departments and programs. He helps choose the artists for REDCAT’s annual CalArts’ Center for Experiments in Art, Information and Technology and its New Original Works festivals. He also assists Murphy and Lugg in coordinating

come taste Why We Were Voted Downtown L.A.’s Best M E X I C A N R E S T A U R A N T

For Your AdministrAtive ProFessionAls Week PArties! ★ Large party catering available ★ Mango Margaritas ★ Happy Hour Buffet ★ Great Service ★ Breakfast Specials ★ Banquet Room available ★ 50 Years of Excellence

Authentic Mexican Cuisine Since 1961

(213) 250-4256

1538 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 5 min. from Downtown

Open MOn. - Fri. 9:00 a.M. Sat. - Sun. 7:00 a.M.

ClOSe Sun. - thu. 9:30 p.M. Fri. - Sat. 10:30 p.M.

www.BarraganreStaurantS.COM

OTHER LOCATIONS ★Glendale ★Burbank

April 16, 2012

Downtown News 13

Administrative Professionals Week

events, including “New Zealand in L.A.,” a program featuring musicians from New Zealand scheduled to hit REDCAT April 18-19. Additionally, he is responsible for travel arrangements and managing visas with the Department of Homeland Security for REDCAT’s many international artists. Best Part of the Job: Miramontes enjoys watching artists grow after their appearance at REDCAT. “What we present is a dialogue with national and international artists on issues that are pertinent,” he said. “I help artists get their work out there and watch their progression after we’ve set them up on this local platform. It’s great to see the growth and follow each artist’s career.” Downtown Downside: Like many in Downtown, Miramontes grows frustrated with parking, even though he has access to the Disney Hall garage. “We have to submit parking requests every day for people to come in and visit, whether it’s an artist or visitors to meet with people on REDCAT’s staff,” he says. “The communication is lacking in that sense and parking memos often get lost.” Gifts of Gratitude: Miramontes is part of a team and says the best gift would reward everyone. “Maybe have a day where most of us can go to see a show somewhere outside of REDCAT, all together,” he suggests.

Winning the Awesome Attitude Award For a Gatekeeper, Keeping a Positive Front Makes a World of Difference by Kat Mabry

ork can be difficult. Work can be demanding. But if you’re not the boss, and sometimes even if you are, you can’t let the rigors of the office give you a bad attitude. That is especially true for administrative professionals, the “gatekeepers” who are often the only line between the demanding public and a harried executive. How can an administrative professional keep up the positive energy, even in a negative environment? That’s a topic Susan Clarke, President at MotivateU, Inc., will take up on Wednesday, April 25. Although the talk organized by the Pasadena chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals takes place in, yes, Pasadena, it is open to Downtowners. Clarke gave Los Angeles Downtown News a sneak preview of the talk titled “The FUN-Damentals of Attitude.”

Los Angeles Downtown News: What are some of the challenges administrative professionals face in the workplace? Susan Clarke: They aren’t fully appreciated. Administrative professionals are the gatekeepers because they really run their boss’ schedule. They can do 100 things right throughout the course of a day and get screwed up by one mistake. Q: What’s the most important thing you can do

Why Cook?

RESTAURANTS

10 PieCe sPeCiAL

Now Accepting Credit Cards

FIND OUT WHAT TO EAT AND WHERE TO EAT @

Read Monday’s News on Friday Night! Available on-line @ LADowntownNews.com

We Deliver

with Tortillas & Salsa

Party Paks Available

$9.99

With minimum order of $10. Only when available. Limited area & hours.

LADOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

thighs & Legs

onLy

TAX

2 Downtown Locations Corner of BroADWAy & 3rd

to change your attitude at work? A: The first hour of your day is reflective of how your whole day is going to be, so you set yourself up in that hour. Let’s say you oversleep, your kids are sick, or there’s traffic. The more layers of stress you add to that first hour, the more difficult it’s going to be the rest of the day. Build a bridge and get over it. Q: What advice do you give to administrative professionals who have a demanding boss that never seems to be satisfied? A: Deal with it directly. Ask yourself, what is it that I can do that would make me better? What would I need to do that would make them feel better? Keep in mind you’re dealing with somebody with low self-esteem. Insecure people don’t like to give other people acknowledgment. Q: If you’re having a hard time at work, when should you look for another job? A: When you’ve got to drag yourself out of bed and you really hate going to work. When you have a job that fulfills you, it doesn’t matter how many hours you work, you’re getting something out of it. If not, then it’s time to move on. Life is too short. Q: How much fun should you have at work? A: You can never have too much fun. I’m not talking about horsing around, but there should be an enjoyment in what you’re doing and the people around you. Q: How can a good attitude translate into more money? A: If you make people feel good about spending their money, they’ll throw it at you. There’s

photo courtesy of Susan Clarke

Susan Clarke.

too much competition, so you want to be the first person people think of. Your service and atmosphere are just as important as your product. It’s your job to take their money and feel good about it. Q: Does an administrative professional with a good attitude stay in one job longer than someone with a bad attitude? A: I don’t think a good attitude or a bad attitude is going to make somebody stay. I think that you’re going to lose people if you’re not a good employer and don’t create an environment that nurtures people or makes them feel a part of a family. People will stay where they feel taken care of and appreciated. Susan Clarke speaks at the Pasadena chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals on Wednesday, April 25. The 6-8 p.m. event costs $25 and includes dinner. Location and information at iaap-pasadena.org.

260 S. Broadway

L.A., CA 90012 (213) 626-7975 • (213) 626-8235

“B Thank y est ou for Fo voting u od s for Co 2011 urt !”

YOUR DOLLAR

Tel/Fx:

(213) 626-4572

FAshion DistriCt 226 E. 9th St.

at corner 9th/Santee (213) 623-5091 • (213) 327-0645

Tel/Fx:

(213) 623-9405

DOLLAR GoesYOUR A Long Way At . . . Goes A Long Way At...

988 N. Hill St. • Bamboo Plaza Chinatown (213) 617-9898 www.empresspavilion.com goodmeals@empresspavilion.com

Plan your next event in one of our

Banquet orviP rooms Chinese • Dim Sum • Seafood M.-F. 10am-9pm, Sat. 9am-10pm, Sun. 8:30-10pm

Gift like a Professional!

Give Them Chocolate Dipped Appreciation

Looking for a lunchtime Looking lunchtimebargain? bargain? GrandCentral CentralMarket Market has has Downtown’s Downtown’s best Grand bestselection selectionofofinternational international cuisine,fruits, fruits,vegetables, vegetables, meats, meats, poultry and cuisine, poultry and andfish fishfrom fromCalifornia California and around at amazingly amazinglylow lowprices! prices! aroundthe the world world - all at

Save $1 To order, please call or visit: Los AngeLes 213.489.0900 • 868 W. 7th St.

PAsAdenA 626.229.7571 • 452 E. Colorado Blvd. studio City 818.755.1777 • 11702 Moorpark St.

Administrative Professionals Day is

April 25!

EdibleArrangements.com

Feeding Los Angeles Since 1917 Open Seven Days a Week 9AM to 6PM

317 South Broadway between 3rd and 4th, Broadway and Hill

Just bring this coupon to the vendor of your choice.

You’ll save $1 on any purchase of $5 or more. With this coupon only.



Coupon expires 5/14/12.

(213) 624-2378

FREE www.grandcentralsquare.com

14 Downtown News

April 16, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

photo courtesy of Robert Lang

CALENDAR

You Gotta Know When to Fold ’em

by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

Evolving Art Form Japan is generally considered the birthplace of origami, the art of transforming a single sheet of paper into a sculpture by folding it. By the 17th century, the practice had become a popular pastime, with birds and other animals as the primary figures being designed. Origami spread to Europe by the 19th century.

photo by Herbert Bu ngratz

Japanese American National Museum Exhibit Shows That Origami Is More Than a Paper Crane jor folds that act as a blueprint for his pieces. They resemble complex, colorful puzzles, and are filled with geometric shapes and lines. McArthur considers them a work of art on their own. The show draws ties between science and origami. Lang said he used his knowledge of the art to design a prototype for a large

obert Lang, who has worked as a physicist and engineer, and who edited a journal on quantum electronics, Although at first glance it may not appear as knows all about subjects like hexagonal symtechnically eloquent as others in the exhibit, metry and angle quintisection. What many a close look reveals that it depicts the Torah would find unusual is exactly what he is reand the Koran side by side. White strands ferring to with those big words. of paper emerge from the pages. The strings Lang isn’t talking about building a spacethen turn into human figures. Mira Golan’s “Two ship. Instead, he’s discussing folding paper “She’s using origami as a tool for peace,” Books” depicts both the into shapes such as birds, scorpions and even McArthur noted. Torah and the Koran. a moose. Then there are the minimalist designs. “Most people’s idea of origami is what Koshiro Hatori’s “Faded Flower” is a barely or m co s. wntownNew corner at Do t they learned in elementaryupschool,” folded piece of paper that takes the shape of ndsaid ha ht rig r llis ai e pe m/forms/m symbol in th ntownnews.cofullE-NEW Lang, a SPNorthern two petals that appear to be collapsing into Look for thisCalifornia-based, dow .la w w w SIGN U time origami artist. “But nothing is imposeach other. Starts Apr. 6 & 13 sible with origami.” Another piece, by Paul Jackson, isn’t even Lang’s work is part of the current Japanese folded. Instead, a crease divides two rectanAmerican National Museum exhibit Folding gular pieces of paper so that they appear to be Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami. It in the midst of a dance. runs through Aug. 26 and includes 150 pieces “It’s not a really common style with only a from 45 international artists. couple of artists specializing in that art form,” Check Our Website for Full Movie Listings LADowntownNews.com The exhibit is JANM’s first show focusing McArthur said of the minimalist approach. on origami, said Chris Komai, a spokesman Then there is “The Plague,” by Sipho for the Little Tokyo venue. It also goes well Mabona. The Swiss artist employed sheets photo by Leonid Padrul beyond the folded crane most people tend to Origami was long considered a child’s craft telescope that could be transformed into a of one-dollar bills to create a flying swarm associate with origami. or a hobby for adults. That began to change rocket, which ended up resembling a foldable of locusts. He used about $5,000 for the The familiar figure is featured several times in the mid 20th century with the introduc- umbrella. project, with each locust comprised of $21 in the exhibit, though in unique ways. One tion of new materials and techniques, said Also showing the connection between the in single bills. The rest of the cash lies on JANM crane is about the size of the tip of a Komai and Meher McArthur, the exhibit two fields is a prototype for a stainless steel the ground as the 144 insects take shape pinky finger and is fashioned from a candy curator and an Asian art historian. heart stent. The cylindrical medical device from the pile of money. s owntownNew Komai pointed out that Folding Paper was designed by Oxford University scienwrapper and foldedFawith “The Plague” is a comment on money’s ef.com/L.A.D ceboaokneedle. Starts April 13 It sits alongside pieces such as a red-tailed artists hail not just from Japan, but also tists Zhang You and Kaori Kuribayashi- fect on society and the corporate hunger for hawk, a dinosaur skeleton and even a swarm Uruguay, Italy, Russia and the United States. Shigetomi. profit. With all that cash lying around, it’s the of locusts. Also on display are a facemask They employ a variety of techniques in their They were inspired by an origami figure part of the exhibit that museum officials are folded when the paper was wet, a paper flow- modern designs. known as the water bomb to develop the de- watching most closely. er arrangement and other animals such as “This show really highlights that evolu- vice that is folded and maneuvered through Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of grasshoppers and shrimp. tion,” he said. “These artists are all doing it a blood vessels into a blocked artery, which it Origami runs through Aug. 26 at the Japanese “This show isn’t about your grandmoth- little differently.” Check Our Website forthen props openListings to restore blood flow. American Museum, 369 E. First St., (213) 625Full Movie LADowntownNews.com er’s origami,” said Komai. “It’s a good exFor example, Lang’s works include the Another Folding Paper standout is a piece 0414 or janm.org. ample of how far what was once just a craft scorpion, the hawk and the moose. Also on called “Two Books,” by Miri Golan, foundContact Richard Guzmán at has come.” display are his crease papers, the maps of ma- er and director the Israeli Origami Center. richard@downtownnews.com.

APR 2

ws! e N E r o f p ✔ Sign U

APR 9

n! a F a e m o c Be

Fan Downtown News on Facebook & Be Entered to Win Movie Tickets!

APR 16

s! w e N E r o f ✔ Sign Up

E-NEWS SIGN UP

com or ntownNews. rner at Dow co nd ha ht t s/maillis e upper rig symbol in th ntownnews.com/form Look for this www.ladow

Starts April 20

Sign Up for Our E-News Blasts & Be Entered to Win Movie Tickets! Check Our Website for Full Movie Listings LADowntownNews.com

April 16, 2012

DowntownNews.com

Downtown News 15

Making Beautiful Music Project Puts Pianos in Public Places, Including 10 in Downtown by Kat Mabry

Each instrument also has what Fine termed a “piano buddy,” who will ensure that the device is in tune and remains safe. The pianos, most of which were donated by the Hollywood Piano Company, are connected to cinder blocks or chained to nearby benches, just in case any potential player has the wrong idea. A Life With Art Grand Performances, the Bunker Hill concert programmer, is the host of the Cal Plaza piano, which was decorated in blue paint and polka dots by visually impaired artists at the Braille Institute of America. GP Executive Director Michael Alexander said the project mirrors his organization’s mission. “We have proven over the years that people of every socioeconomic background want the arts in their lives,” said Alexander. “I think that it’s exciting when people in Los Angeles are doing something that they know other people in the city are doing and touching at the same time.” “Play Me, I’m Yours” involves more than just plopping pianos in public places. Each instrument is uniquely decorated. In the project, which took a year to organize, LACO worked with more than 90 groups and volunteers. Artists of all ages and skill sets were chosen to produce the artworks, and Fine said they were given few directions or limitations. The only restriction was not to paint on the keys. Some pianos reference music and art. An instrument at USC decorated by renowned muralist Kent Twitchell has a pair of oversized hands playing a separate painted-on keyboard on the top of the piano. Others reflect their surroundings. The Chinatown instrument is adorned with a dragon. The City Hall piano, designed by Silver Lake artist Danny Heller, features intricate designs of landmarks such as Angels Flight and, on the bench, an Art Deco version of City Hall itself.

he Wells Fargo Center, City Hall and Chinatown’s Central Plaza are not known as music hubs. That changes over the next few weeks, as pianos have been deposited at each location. Perhaps the only thing more unlikely than seeing the instrument with the 88 keys in these public locales is that they are available for anyone to play, at any time. Ten art-adorned, upright pianos are on display in Downtown as part of “Play Me, I’m Yours,” a cultural initiative organized by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Altogether 30 pianos are on display across the city. The Downtown Los Angeles pianos are decorated with everything from brightly colored polka dots to images of palm trees and bridges. One is clad in metal. They went on display last week and will remain up though May 3. “Play Me, I’m Yours” was launched in 2008 in Birmingham, England, by British conceptual artist Luke Jerram. It has since been replicated in nearly two dozen cities from Barcelona to Cincinnati. The effort first caught the eye of LACO Executive Director Rachel Fine, who was mesmerized by the project and thought it would be a fitting way to help celebrate Music Director Jeffrey Kahane’s 15th year with the organization. Kahane played at the launch event at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, April 12. “It’s a project that everyone can relate to and a gift to the community,” said Fine. “It adds a level of humanity to our culture.” Jerram’s initial concept involved placing pianos in high-traffic locations. LACO’s goals inEditor choosing sites included bringing attention & PublishEr: Sue Laris toGENErAl performance spots and emphasizing accesMANAGEr: Dawn Eastin sibility. Each piano will be available 24 hours ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie a citY day,Editor: seven Richard days a Guzmán week, and anyone can sit stAFFand writEr: Ryan Vaillancourt down play, whether they’re an expert or coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese just want to hit a few keys.

coNtributiNG writErs: Dave Denholm, Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Kristin Friedrich, Howard Leff, Ryan E. Smith, Marc Porter Zasada Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins

Buy 1 Combo Receive 2nd AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt Combo at

FREE Parking • We Do Catering

PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard

50% OFF

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

AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Catherine Holloway, Sol Ortasse, Brenda Stevens Equal or Lesser Value.Claudia 1 coupon per Hernandez customer, per visit. Expires5/15/12 sAlEs*AssistANt:

Gourmet Fast Casual Restaurant Since 1973 circulAtioN: Norma Rodas distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles 7 Days-7am to 10pm distributioN Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla 1657 W. 3rdAssistANts: St. at UnionLorenzo Ave. • 213-483-8885

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

One copy per person.

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie citY Editor: Richard Guzmán stAFF writEr: Ryan Vaillancourt coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Dave Denholm, Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Kristin Friedrich, Howard Leff, Ryan E. Smith, Marc Porter Zasada Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins

PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Catherine Holloway, Sol Ortasse, Brenda Stevens sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez circulAtioN: Norma Rodas distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

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

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

One copy per person.

photo by Gary Leonard

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Music Director Jeffrey Kahane played a piano at Wells Fargo Center last week for the launch of “Play Me, I’m Yours.” Of the 30 pianos set up in the city as part of the arts initiative, 10 are in Downtown.

Heller, who spent three weeks working on his piano, said he wanted to emphasize the history of Downtown. His instrument also includes a long-gone Victorian house on Bunker Hill, as well as the First Street Bridge. “It was important for me that people were reminded that some of these beautiful buildings are still around,” he said. There’s another component in addition to making music. Fine said participants are encouraged to upload video or photographs of themselves playing the pianos to the website

streetpianos.com. After May 3, Fine said the pianos, depending on the shape they’re in, will be donated to area schools and community groups. Once they’re gone, however, she expects that the memory, and the music, will live on. “My hope is that everyone takes part in the celebration of Los Angeles as a destination for great music,” said Fine. Locations of Downtown pianos and more information on “Play Me, I’m Yours” are at streetpianos.com.

LISTINGS

EVENTS

The Don’T Miss LisT

SPONSORED LISTINGS Deals and Dancing at Bar 107 Bar 107, 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382, facebook.com/bar107 or twitter.com/bar107 Mondays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: Every Monday night at Bar 107, indulge in cheap beer and Jameson. While a weekly DJ spins tunes, bartenders are serving 10 beers at $2 a pop. Jameson shots are $4, well drinks are $5. Thursday, April 19: GhettoBlaster is DJing so the dance floor will be packed. Well drinks for $5, $4 pints and $3 cans. 5th Annual Spring Green Expo Metropolitan Water District Headquarters, 700 N. Alameda St., mwdh2o.com May 3, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: This unique one-day sustainability event has something for everyone. Noted speakers on water conservation, home energy usage and green transportation; eco-innovative concept projects created by So Cal college students; vendor exhibits showcasing green products and services; and new for 2012, a water themed photo exhibit. Admission is free. For more details or to register for seminars, visit mwdh2o. com and click Spring Green Expo.

Thursday, april 19 Bierut in L.A. Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main St., (213) 6171033 or downtownindependent.com. 7 p.m.: Designer and Pentagram partner Michael Bierut gives a talk entitled “Learning on the Job: 10 Lessons from 35 Years in Design.” Seriously, Just Go to Sleep at Aloud Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org. 7 p.m.: Adam Mansbach and Ricardo Cortes welcome Jenna Elfman for a dramatic reading of their Seriously, Just Go to Sleep. It’s a follow-up to their cherished kids book for adults Go the F*** to Sleep. Friday, april 20 Transmission LA: AV Club MOCA Geffen Contemporary, 152 N. Central., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org. April 20-May 6, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.: The Avant/Garde Diaries presents Transmission LA: AV CLUB. Curated by the Beastie Boys’ Mike D, the 17-day festival features the work of 16 artists, musicians, designers, filmmakers and chefs. Participants include Peter Coffin, Jim Drain, Will Fowler, Benjamin Jones, Mike Mills, Takeshi Murata and Tom Sachs.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. April 17: John Escreet Group.

by Dan Johnson, listings eDitor | calendar@downtownnews.com

uburban malaise, military interdiction and the wistful whims of youth intersect in a choreographed panoply of bubbly pop punk as Green Day’s celebrated rock opera American Idiot runs for one final week at the Ahmanson Theatre. Based on the Grammy-winning album of the same name, the musical hit Broadway in 2010 to immediate accolades. Since then the show has earned the affection of theatrical purists and Dookie-era Green Day fans alike with its melodic commentary on modern suburbia. The final performance is Sunday, April 22. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.

photo by Doug Hamilton

photo by Carole Sternicha

ans of the “1812 Overture” will be heartily disappointed by the lack of booming cannons at this month’s Tchaikovsky themed Le Salon de Pavilion. On Musiques at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Sunday, April 22, the intimate chamber music series will highlight the soft and subtle side of the late Russian composer with renditions of his “Arensky: Variations on a Theme Opus 35” and “Souvenir De Florence.” After the strings have been sufficiently bow-swept, concertgoers are invited to a lesson in musicology by Julius Reder Carlson and a tasty accompaniment from Patina. Champagne will be provided to lubricate conversation in the 4-6 p.m. happening. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7211 or lesalondemusiques.com.

pril is jazz appreciation month. So Arts Brookfield, which delivers some culture to the massive office buildings owned by Brookfield Properties, is appreciating you with some free jazz. On Tuesday, April 17, at 12:30 p.m., musicians from the Thornton School of Music under Jacob Reed (above) will be playing jazz at the corner of Figueroa Street and Wilshire Boulevard; it’s part of the JAM! in L.A. series. Wednesday finds band director Paul Young leading his jazz quintet at the Figat7th Farmers Market (which, for the uninitiated, is at Seventh and Figueroa streets). Reed’s back in action on Thursday with a jazz quartet outside the Bank of America building at Third and Hope streets. All concerts are free, and there are more shows at the same venues April 24-26. More information at artsbrookfield.com/Los_Angeles.

very country in North America deserves a massively popular band that combines the fashion sense of Nickelback and the accessible, pop rock stylings of 3 Doors Down. Mexico claims Mana, though the band’s many fans say the quartet from Guadalajara dress better than the former and write much poppier, more danceable songs than the latter. Mana has been rocking the Latin charts since their debut in 1990. The more than 20 years of success means the band garners not one, not two, but three nights at Staples Center this month. Tickets sell out extra quick for this act, but if you miss your chance to see them Thursday or Friday, April 19-20, they’ll be back on April 25 for an encore. At 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or staplescenter.com.

photo by Adam Sheridan Taylor

Wednesday, april 18 L.A. Times Photographer Mark Boster Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstore.com. 7:30 p.m.: Los Angeles Times photographer Mark Boster shows his work covering news in Southern California. He also talks about his year-long passion project capturing Yosemite. New Zealand in L.A. REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. April 18-19, 8:30 p.m.: Richard Nunns, the world’s foremost authority on Maori music, is the guest artist for a two-day celebration of New Zealand contemporary chamber and orchestral works and music for nga taonga puoro — traditional Maori instruments. The concerts feature compositions by Chris Cree Brown, James Gardner, Ross Harris, Samuel Holloway, John Psathas and Gillian Whitehead.

An Idiot Departs, Mana Arrives and We Appreciate Jazz

photo courtesy of AEG

Tuesday, april 17 Mark Haskell Smith at Aloud Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org. 7 p.m.: Just three days before 4-20, Mark Haskell Smith brings a marijuana discussion to the Central Library. He talks about his book Heart of Darkness, which takes up underground botanists, outlaw farmers and the race for Amsterdam’s Cannabis Cup. Duuuude, he’ll totally be in conversation with author Tod Goldberg.

April 16, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

photo courtesy Arts Brookfield

16 Downtown News

or many the iconic footage of Navy helicopters evacuating refugees from the American embassy in Saigon is a detached historical bookend to a distant war. For playwright Christina Joy Howard, the images hit painfully close to home. Her new play, The Last Day, now running at the Loft Ensemble in the Arts District, is the story of her father’s experience as a pilot during the evacuation. Memory and identity run deep in this evocative conjuring of the past in the present. The Last Day runs weekends through May 20, with shows at 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 p.m. on Sundays. At 929 E. Second St., (213) 680-0392 or loftensemble.com.

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

April 16, 2012

Downtown News 17

DowntownNews.com

We Got Games NBA Regular Season Winds Down, the Dodgers Hit the Road

The Dodgers head out of town, and hope that some of the enthusiasm and momentum from last month’s sale of the team travels with them. Everyone knows that Clayton Kershaw is carrying the pitching staff, but if the Dodgers hope to compete during the 162-game season, they’ll need a serious return to form for Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly. Both have been nearly brilliant in the past. Do they still have the stuff it takes to win? The road is always a test. First this week, the Blue Crew faces the Brew Crew, travelling to Milwaukee to play the Brewers (April 17-19). Then they dart to Texas to play the Houston Astros (March April 20-22). Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/lakers. April 17, 7:30 p.m.; April 22, 12:30 p.m.: The scheduling gods made sure the Lakers would not ease into the postseason. The Lake Show starts the week hosting the tough San Antonio Spurs, then journeys to Golden State (April 18) and, déjà vu, those tough San Antonio Spurs April 18: Anthony Wilson Residency Part III. April 19: Kamasi Washington Group. April 20: Scott Kinsey Group. April 21: Kate McGarry is straight off the boat from New York. Yes, we know there are no cross-country NYC-to-LA boats April 22: New West Guitar Trio. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. April 16, 8 p.m.: Welcome back Grace Woodroofe. We hope you’re enjoying your residency. April 18, 8 p.m.: Emili Sande has pipes as prominent as that platinum blond she-hawk. April 18, 9 p.m.: Songwriter and producer Coco Morier is taking a break from making music for other artists so she can enthrall the crowd at the Bootleg with some of her homemade pop. April 19, 8 p.m.: Heywood captures dystopic vignettes of an alternate west and a destructive civil war in his forthcoming debut album. Prepare for an overload of optimism. April 20, 9 p.m.: The Peach Kings, who are actually one king and one queen, will fill the Bootleg with “gypsydelic” rock on this high holiday. April 21, 9 p.m.: In the great tradition of lo-fi husband and wife acts, we bring you Thurlow. It’s the 21st century’s answer to Les Paul and Mary Ford. Broadway Bar 830 S. Broadway, (213) 614-9909 or broadwaybar.la. April 19, 10 p.m.: Broader Than Broadway returns with your favorite nerds turned music makers, the HM Soundsystem. Casey’s Irish Pub 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com. April 20, 10 p.m.: Every Friday this month you will be rocked heartily as Downtown/Union plugs in. April 21, 10 p.m.: Modern Time Machines will wow you with some gritty feedback and the love and support of their colleagues Wrong Way Driver and Cardboard Lamb. Club Nokia 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or clubnokia.com. April 16: Madness is both the Brit ska band playing tonight and the condition of continuing to find ska appealing even in 2012. April 17: If you’ve ever sought validation for your inappropriately long dreadlocks or proclivity for low-key alt rock, you’ll love Counting Crows. April 18: If you can’t make it to Coachella due to a nasty skin condition or heavy social anxiety, be sure to check out festival vets and accomplished French DJs Justice with The Rapture and Busy P. DJ sets only. April 19: Nero fills an important societal void. Their post-dubstep electronica captures the sounds of prescribed happiness and off-meter computer ramblings of our dear, strange world.

THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

(April 20). The Lakers’ close the week with a Sunday home matinee against the almighty Oklahoma City ThunDurants. Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/clippers. April 16, 7:30 p.m.; April 22, 6:30 p.m.: Blake Griffin and the Clippers host Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder to start the week, then zoom to Denver to try and steal one from the Nuggets (April 18). After another road game in Phoenix (April 19), it’s back to Staples to host Chris Paul’s ex-friends, the New Orleans Hornets. Los Angeles Kings Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., 1 (888) KINGS-LA or kings.nhl.com. April 18, 7 p.m.: It’s the playoffs, baby. By press time, the Kings had taken the opening game of the seven-game series from the top-seeded Vancouver Canucks. Game four is Wednesday at Staples and game five, if necessary, is April 22 back in Canada. —Ryan Vaillancourt Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. April 18, 8 p.m.: After Randy Rhoads’ untimely demise, guitarist Zakk Wylde earned a name for himself as Ozzy Osborne’s ax-man. Wylde will drop by the Grammy Museum to chat about life, music and his new book Bringing Metal to the Children. War and Peace it is not. Nokia Theater 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6020 or nokiatheatrelalive.com. April 19, 8 p.m.: Gotye’s been blowing up the airwaves recently. He takes a break between Coachella dates to blow up a bit of Downtown with his oh-so-smooth screech. Nola’s 734 E. 3rd St., (213) 680-3003 or nolasla.com. April 22, 11 a.m.: Betty Bryant on jazz piano and vocals. Orpheum Theatre 842 S. Broadway, (213) 538-3831 or laorpheum.com. April 21, 8 p.m.: Marcel Khalife and Al Mayadine Ensemble present an homage to the poet Mahmoud Darwish and a salute to the Arab Spring. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la. April 17: If you’re still reeling from Santorum’s exit from the Republican field, head on down to the city’s best whiskey bar where taxidermy and libations will remind you of a simpler time while the Makers’ improv jazz fills you with fearsome premonitions of a world where rules are dissolved and the morally loose roam amongst us. The Smell 247 S. Main St., alley between Spring and Main streets, thesmell.org. April 16: Americana from Frank Fairfield. April 17: The Gypz, Motherless and Death on the Radio. April 18: Filthy Still: dirty whiskey or enduring sleaze? You decide. April 19: Guitars a Go Go with Insect Surfers, 3 Balls of Fire and Casino 66. April 21, 12 p.m.: The Sensitive Side, Cochinas, The Kill Pills, The Telephone Lovers, Black Mambas, The Flytraps and Chinese Rocks. April 21: Patt Todd & The Rankoutsiders, Chinese Rocks, Piss Broke Rebels and the ever-pure Lightnin’ Woodcock. April 22, 3 p.m.: Third Grade Teacher. Yes, she’s actually a third grade teacher. Staples Center 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or staplescenter.com. April 19 and 20, 8 p.m.: Latin rock icons Mana. The Varnish 118 E. Sixth St., (213) 622-9999 or thevarnishbar.com. April 17, 9 p.m.: Jamie Elman tickles the keys. April 18, 8:30 p.m.: Somewhere deep in a Downtown back room Mark Bosserman will play you a song

photo by Gary Leonard

Blake Griffin and the Clippers have their final home game of the regular season this week, but for once, fans can look forward to the playoffs.

Davis Guggenheim’s Waiting for Superman, about kids hoping to hit gold on charter school lotteries. It’s a skewering look at the American educational system. It’s also a follow-up to his The First Year, which followed five first-year LAUSD teachers. You can Netflix that one. Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com. April 18, 8-11 p.m.: Outfest Downtown 30 celebrates the 30th anniversary of film screenings related to the LGBT community. This month features Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. IMAX Theater California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org. Soar over primordial earth in Flying Monsters 3D. 220 million years ago dinosaurs were beginning their domination of Earth. But another group of reptiles was about to make an extraordinary leap: pterosaurs were taking control of the skies. The story of how and why these mysterious creatures took to the air is more fantastical than any fiction. Experience the gripping story — full of hope, crushing disappointment, dazzling ingenuity, bravery, and triumph — in Hubble 3D, the seventh awe-inspiring film from the award-winning IMAX Space Team. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. April 16, 8:30 p.m.: Nathaniel Dorsky’s films explore the world through images of extraordinary beauty and a montage that awakens mystery. REDCAT screens his new works, Pastourelle and The Return. April 22, 1 p.m.: The 3rd annual ONE Queer Film Fest is a celebration of the diversity, culture and history of queer communities. Both historic and contemporary films are screened within the festival.

MorE LIstInGs Hundreds of listings of fun and interesting things to do in Downtown Los Angeles can also be found online at ladowntownnews.com/calendar: Rock, Pop & Jazz; Bars & Clubs; Farmers Markets; Events; Film; Sports; Art Spaces; Theater, Dance and Opera; Classical Music; Museums; and Tours.

2your EvEnt InFo Easy ways to subMIt

4 wEb: LADowntownNews.com/calendar/submit 4 EMaIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com

FILM

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

CAAM 600 S. Drive, (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org. April 19, 7 p.m.: The California African American Museum screens

Free 6 Days Delivery Downtown!

All You Can Eat Lunch Buffet $8.95

Tandori Chicken, Meat Curry, Two Vegetables Dal, Pullao Rice, Naan, Salad, Dessert, Fruits and much more!

Open Monday - Saturday: Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm Dinner 5:30pm-10pm

gillsrestaurant.com • (213) 623-1050 • 838 S. Grand Ave.



Gill’s Indian Restaurant

 Suim nner m i D ch and D n Lu 

Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., (213) 224-1400 or dodgers.mlb.com.

An Extensive Seafood Menu including Dim Sum at Moderate Prices Relaxed Dining in an Elegant Ambiance Live Lobster Tank

Free Parking Next to Restaurant

700 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Tel: 213.617.2323



18 Downtown News

April 16, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

CLASSIFIED

place your ad online at www.ladowntownnews.com FOR RENT

L.A. Downtown News Classifieds Call: 213-481-1448 Classified Display & Line ad Deadlines: Thursday 12 pm

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

All submissions are subject to federal and California fair housing laws, which make it illegal to indicate in any advertisement any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income or physical or mental disability. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

management Management Research Analyst: Resume/Ad to: Pristine Home Health Providers, 30 E. Santa Clara St., Ste H, Arcadia, CA 91006. . Office/Clerical

REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL Lofts for Sale

TheLoftExpertGroup.com Downtown since 2002

Bill Cooper

213.598.7555

Vacation Homes

lofts/unfurnished

ADVERTISE YOUR Vacation property in 240 California newspapers for one low cost of $600. Your 25 word classified ad reaches over 6 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)288-6019. (CalSCAN)

FOR RENT

Acreage/Lots 3-8 HOME SITES in New Mexico near AZ border. Views, trees, underground utilities, water. From $24,995! Lowest prices ever! CALL NOW! 888-8125830 www.hitchingpostland. com. (Cal-SCAN) Condos/Townhouses 2br. 2ba., balcony, some city view, top floor 1988 condo in a gated community near Chinatown . Asking only $200,000. Probate w/no court confirmation. Agt. Paxton 626-201-3464.

Apartments/Unfurnished $675/LARGE SINGLE,1435 S. UNION AVE. L.A.90015 $1,200/2+1, 433 COTTAGE HOME ST. L.A.90012 PLS CALL 818-593-9060 OR 818-716-7297. SENIOR APARTMENTS 62 + Studio $754 1 Bedroom $864 Balcony, Full Kitchen, A/C, Clubhouse, BBQ, Resource room, Laundry, SEC 8 O.K. Visit GSL SAN LUCAS.com 213-6232010.

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

BUNGALOW ECHO PARK bungalow 1 bdrm. 1 bath. stove. Starting at $850 a month. 213-250-4810 leave message.

EMPLOYMENT

APPLY NOW. 12 Drivers needed. Top 5% Pay. 2 Months CDL Class A Driving Experience. 1-877-258-8782. www.MeltonTruck.com/drive (Cal-SCAN) DRIVERS - NEW freight lanes in your area. Annual Salary $45K60K. Flexible hometime. Modern Fleet of Trucks. CDL-A, 3 months current OTR experience. 800-414-9569. www.driveknight. com (Cal-SCAN) GORDON TRUCKING, INC - CDL-A Drivers Needed. Regional and OTR Positions Open Now! Consistent Miles & Time Off! Great Benefits, 401k & More. EOE. Call Today 866-4474892. (Cal-SCAN)

Accounting/Banking Drivers A LEASE PURCHASE You’ll Like! Zero Down. No Upfront Payment. Two Year Bumperto-Bumper Warranty. $500 Fuel Credit. O/O’s, Company Drivers Welcome. 888-440-2465 or www.drivenci.com. (Cal-SCAN)

Accountant. Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc. seeks Accountant. Resumes to James Bathker, CFO, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., 1531 James M Wood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015-1112.

ACCOUNTING entry level. Masae@wing-mate.com. Please send resume. Or call 213-6123700 x301. Travel agency.

SERVICES Cleaning CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants. Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818-409-9183. Business Services ADVERTISE A display Business Card sized ad in 140 California newspapers for one low cost of $1,550. Your display 3.75x2” ad reaches over 3 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)288-6019. (Cal-SCAN) ADVERTISE YOUR Truck Driver Jobs in 240 California newspapers for one low cost of $600. Your 25 word classified ad reaches over 6 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)288-6019. (Cal-SCAN)

REACH CALIFORNIANS with a Classified in Almost Every County! Experience the power of classifieds! Combo~California Daily and Weekly Networks. One order. One payment. Free Brochures. elizabeth@cnpa.com or (916)288-6019. (Cal-SCAN) attorneys

ABOGADO DE IMMIGRACION! Immigraiton, Criminal, Accidents. Child Support/ Custody over 25 years’ experience. Necesita Permiso de trabajo? Tagalog / Español / Korean / Mandarin Chinese

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

ComputerS/IT MY COMPUTER works. Computer problems? Viruses, spyware, email, printer issues, bad internet connections - fix it now! Professional, U.S.-based technicians. $25 off service. Call for immediate help. 1-888-865-0271 (Cal-SCAN) Education ATTEND COLLEGE Online from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice, *Hospitality. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 888-210-5162 www.CenturaOnline.com (Cal-SCAN)

HIGH SCHOOL diploma! Graduate in 4 weeks! Free Brochure. Call Now! 1-866-562-3650 ext. 60 www.SouthEasternHS.com (Cal-SCAN) Financial Services EVER CONSIDER a Reverse Mortgage? At least 62 years old? Stay in your home & increase cash flow! Safe & Effective! Call Now for your Free DVD! Call Now 888-698-3165. (Cal-SCAN) Health ATTENTION DIABETICS with Medicare. Get a free Talking Meter and diabetic testing supplies at No Cost, plus free home delivery! Best of all, this meter eliminates painful finger pricking! Call 888-781-9376. (Cal-SCAN) ATTENTION SLEEP APNEA Sufferers with Medicare. Get free CPAP Replacement Supplies at No Cost, plus free home delivery! Best of all, prevent red skin sores and bacterial infection! Call 888699-7660. (Cal-SCAN) Health & Fitness ATTENTION JOINT & Muscle Pain Sufferers: Clinically proven all-natural supplement helps reduce pain and enhance mobility. Call 877-217-7698 to try Hydraflexin risk-free for 90 days. (CalSCAN) Continued on next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

April 16, 2012

Downtown News 19

DowntownNews.com

Continued from previous page

HealtH & Fitness DIABETES/CHOLESTEROL / Weight Loss. Bergamonte, a Natural Product for Cholesterol, Blood Sugar and weight. Physician recommended, backed by Human Clinical Studies with amazing results. Call today and save 15% off your first bottle! 888-392-8780 (Cal-SCAN) FEELING OLDER? Men lose the ability to produce testosterone as they age. Call 888-904-2372 for a free trial of Progene- All Natural Testosterone Supplement. (Cal-SCAN) legal CONTRACT PARALEGAL services. Fast turnaround. Support areas include complex and limited civil, criminal, appellate, and bankruptcy. Notary. Email: RMCO@live.com. 213-6108302 SOCIAL SECURITY Disability benefits. Win or Pay Nothing! Start your Application In Under 60 Seconds. Call Today! Contact Disability Group, Inc. Licensed Attorneys & BBB Accredited. Call 877-490-6596. (Cal-SCAN)

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

autOs WanteD DONATE YOUR car, truck or boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 888-9026851. (Cal-SCAN) I BUY ANY junk car - $350 Flat Rate *Includes Pick-Up. 1-888366-7662. (Cal-SCAN)

AUTOS Pre-OWneD

WEB ADDRESS for sale. loftslosangeles.info, loftsdowntownlosangeles.com, condosdowntownla.com. 310-383-0831.

MOtOrcyles

UNIQUE SHAG loom rug from Plummers. Purple, silver, black white. 100% polyester. Perfect condition and very cool. 5.6x7.9 323-839-5161

VECTRIX Electric Motorcycle - 2007 with 1340 miles. Perfect urban bike that easily carries 2. Freeway legal and can go more than 60 mph. $1,000 or best offer. 310-710-9082

PETS/ANIMALS aDOPt a Pet ADOPT (OR FOSTER) your forever friend from Bark Avenue Foundation. Beautiful, healthy puppies, dogs, cats and kittens available at Downtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest private adoption facility. Call Dawn at 213-840-0153 or email Dawn@BarkAveLA.com or visit www.Bark Avenue Foundation. org.

ITEMS FOR SALE

DOWntOWn l.a. autO grOuP Porsche Volkswagen audi Mercedes-Benz nissan cheVrolet cadillac

MANTIS DELUXE Tiller. New! FastStart engine. Ships free. One-Year Money-Back Guarantee when you buy DIRECT. Call for the DVD and free Good Soil book! 888-815-5176. (CalSCAN)

auctiOn ADVERTISE YOUR Auction in 240 California newspapers for one low cost of $600. Your 25 word classified ad reaches over 6 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)2886019. (Cal-SCAN) nOtices WANTED - UNEXPIRED diabetic test strips. Up to $26/Box. Prepaid Shipping Labels. Hablamos Espanol! 1-800-266-0702. www.SellDiabeticStrips.com. (Cal-SCAN) PersOnals MEET SINGLES right now! No paid operators, just real people like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and connect live. Try it free. Call now: 888-962-3056. (Cal-SCAN)

LEGAL

tickets DodgerTickets. behind Dodger Dugout, FieldLevel, Face value, Aisle seats + parking. 4 seats,greatlocation. Dosxx222@ yahoo.com for list of available games. 626-926-3298

Sell Your Car!

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

Call 213-481-1448

FictitiOus Business naMe Fictitious Business name statement FILE NO. 2012043594 The following person(s) is(are) doing business as: CHINATOWN SUMMER NIGHTS, 727 N. Broadway, Suite #208, Los Angeles CA 90012, is hereby registered by the following registrant: LOS ANGELES CHINATOWN BUSINESS COUNCIL, 727 N. Broadway, Suite #208, Los Angeles CA 90012. This business

the LOFT expert!

is conducted by a corporation. Registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with DEAN LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on March 14, 2012. NOTICEâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 4/02, 4/09, 4/16, 4/23/12 Fictitious Business name statement FILE NO. 2012050625 The following person is doing business as: 1) DOWNTOWN BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2) L.A. DOWNTOWN BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3) LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN BUSINESS JOURNAL, 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026, are hereby registered by the following registrant: CIVIC CENTER NEWS, INC., 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on May 22, 2001. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 26, 2012.

NOTICEâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 4/02, 4/09, 4/16, 4/23/12 Fictitious Business name statement FILE NO. 2012056568 The following person is doing business as: (1) GLOBAL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC (2) GC MANAGEMENT, 3470 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1030, Los Angeles CA 90010, are hereby registered by the following registrant: GLOBAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, INC., 3470 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1030, Los Angeles, CA 90010. This business is conducted by a limited liability corporation. Registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 15, 2012. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 3, 2012. NOTICEâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself

Chic Urban Lofts with Massive Floor Plans in an Unbeatable Historic Core Location

Bill Cooper 213.598.7555 TheLoftExpertGroup.com RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE

Elevate Your Lifestyle @ PE Lofts Today! â&#x2013; Covered On-Site Parking â&#x2013; 24 Hr. State of the Art Fitness Center

2009 CHEVY IMPALA Certified, Low Miles, #CH1041-1 $9,995 Call 888-879-9608

â&#x2013; Heated Pool and Spa â&#x2013; Rooftop Lounge with Cabanas, Fireplace and BBQs

2009 NISSAN VERSA Certified, Must See CU0547P-1/497708 $12,995 call 888-845-2267

(866) 561-0275 â&#x20AC;˘ PELOFTS.COM â&#x20AC;˘ 610 S. Main, Downtown LA

madison hotel Clean furnished single rooms. 24-hour desk clerk service. â&#x20AC;˘Daily, $30.00 â&#x20AC;˘Weekly, $109.00 â&#x20AC;˘Monthly, $310.00 (213) 622-1508 423 East 7th St.

(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.)

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

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

he Mercantile Lofts offer a wonderful mix of history and contemporary style. Our recently remodeled lobby and common areas offer vintage appeal together with modern sophistication and offer an exclusive live/work experience in LAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trendiest urban neighborhood. Centrally located in the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles, The Mercantile offers residents the best that Downtown living offers. Within walking distance are unique dining venues and the epicenter of nightlife which includes local favorites such as The Varnish, The Association, Coleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s French Dip Sandwiches, Mignon Wine and Cheese, BabyCakes NYC, featuring vegan baked goods and our newest establishmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Artisan House, featuring a wonderful bar/restaurant/marketplace with in-suite delivery options The Mercantileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic featuresâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;such as barn-style doors and exposed brick wallsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;are highlighted within the context of the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modern amenities. These amenities include custom bamboo flooring on some floors, polished concrete flooring on others, stainless-steel appliances and an in-suite washer/dryer unit. Perhaps most unique about the units are their 14 foot ceilings, floor to ceiling windows and floor plans ranging from approximately 1400 to 2000 sf, providing the units with an abundance of volume.

HIGHLIGHTS â&#x20AC;˘ STUNNING BEAUX-ARTS DESIGN WITH URBAN 4 $-07&3%"-& "7& -04 "/(&-&4 SOPHISTICATION

-JNJUFE 1SF 4BMF &YDMVTJWF 0GGFS ! â&#x20AC;˘ 1400-2000 SF FLOOR PLANS

WITH 14 FOOT CEILINGS

â&#x20AC;˘ IN-SUITE APPLIANCE PACKAGE, INCLUDING WASHER-DRYER

Starting Jan. 1, 2011

sec. Deposit special @$100 Includes utilities, basic cable channels, laundry room on site. Gated building in a good area. 208 W. 14th St. at Hill St. Downtown LA

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

Learn the key to self confidence and Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always known Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always known you had potential? you had potential? aIsnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happy life. it time you Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it time you unleashed it? unleashed it? BUY READ BUY& & READ BUY & READ

DIANETICS DIANETICS THE MODERN SCIENCE OF THE MODERN SCIENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH by L. Ron Hubbard by L. Ron Hubbard Price: $20.00 + tax Price: $20.00 + tax

Church of Scientology of Scientology 4810 Church Sunset Blvd, LA CA 90027 4810 Sunset Blvd, LA CA 90027 323-953-3206 â&#x20AC;˘ www.Scientology-LA.org 323-953-3206 â&#x20AC;˘ www.Scientology-LA.org

PreMiere towers

7000 sqft. Basement Space â&#x153;Ś set up for Gallery/Office space

Call For PriCe

â&#x20AC;˘ w/Gallery Lights â&#x20AC;˘ Wide Private (Spring St.) Entrance â&#x20AC;˘ Ideal for Art Gallery, SPA, Office Space â&#x20AC;˘ Wired for internet service/telephone outlets â&#x20AC;˘ Prime Location in Downtown (Gallery row, residential area, wine bar, cafĂŠ, market)

213.627.6913 | cityloftsquare.com

â&#x20AC;˘ FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOWS 4 $-07&3%"-& "7& -04 "/(&-&4 -JNJUFE 1SF 4BMF &YDMVTJWF 0GGFS !

THAI MASSAGE SPECIALIST Orange PersOnal COurier serviCe

$25 saMeDay sPecial (Includes 30-Miles One-Way)

Call Us Today

Limited Time Offer

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

(213) 627-5600

sakura HealtH gyM & sauna, inc. 111 N. Atlantic Blvd. Ste #231-233 Monterey Park, CA 91754 (626) 458-1919 [Corner of Garvey Ave.]

Restrictions Apply

First Professionally Licensed Massage Shop in L.A. County.

Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator. Full bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

â&#x20AC;˘ PETS WELCOME

HealtH Dept. rank a for 7 ConseCutive Years

WWW.mYoPcs.com

(323)788-5802

â&#x20AC;˘ ON-SITE SECURE 4 $-07&3%"-& "7& -04 "/(&-&4 ASSIGNED PARKING -JNJUFE 1SF 4BMF &YDMVTJWF 0GGFS !

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

HBODY

MASSAGEH

3386766 0119

Clean unfurnished bachelor rooms with shared bath at $550/mo. with private bath at $695/mo.

Fictitious Business name statement FILE NO. 2012056569 The following person is doing business as: (1) ARLINGTON RODEO PROPERTIES, LP, (2) ARLINGTON RODEO APARTMENTS, 3470 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1030, CA 90010, are hereby registered by the following registrant: GLOBAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, INC., 3470 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1030, Los Angeles, CA 90010. This business is conducted by a limited partnership. Registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on March 15, 2012. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 3, 2012. NOTICEâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30/2012.

Voted BEST Downtown Residential Real Estate Agent!

2008 VW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE Certified, Low Miles ZV1420/8M412815 $16,378 Call 888-781-8102.

Casaloma L.A. Apartments

authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30/2012.

Downtown since 2002

DRE # 01309009

2008 AUDI A4 2.0T Certified, Low Miles, ZA10095/8A164278 $17,810 Call 888-583-0981

2010 MERCEDES C300W Certified, 3.0L, 34k miles, Blk/Blk 112182-1/R090076 $27,711,Call 888-319-8762.

Furniture

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Misc. iteMs

2007 NISSAN FRONTIER Certified, 21k miles, NI2053/129626 $9,499 call 888-838-5089

2009 PORSCHE CAYMAN Certified, Silver/Black, Only 18k Miles, 9LA04712 $44,891. Call 888-685-5426.

READERS & Music lovers. 100 Greatest Novels (audio books) ONLY $99.00 (plus s h.) Includes MP3 Player & Accessories. Bonus: 50 Classical Music Works & Money Back Guarantee. Call Today! 1-866-979-4428. (CalSCAN)

SELL YOUR car, truck or SUV Today! All 50 states, fast pickup and payment. Any condition, make or model. Call now 1-877818-8848. www.MyCarforCash. net (Cal-SCAN)

Misc. services SAVE ON Cable TV-InternetDigital Phone. Packages start at $89.99/mo (for 12 months.) Options from all major service providers. Call Acceller today to learn more! Call 1-888-8977650. (Cal-SCAN)

100 PERCENT Guaranteed Omaha Steaks - Save 65 percent on the Family Value Collection. Now only $49.99 Plus 3 free gifts & right-to-the-door delivery in a reusable cooler. Order today at 1-888-525-4620 or www.OmahaSteaks.com/ family16, use code 45069TVH. (Cal-SCAN)

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

t #SJHIU 4QBDJPVT #FESPPNT BOE BUUSBDUJWF #BUISPPNT QMVT 1SJWBUF #POVT 7BOJUZ .BLF 6Q SPPN X XBSESPCF DMPTFU t /FX .JMHBSE 4VQFS &OFSHZ &GmDJFOU 8JOEPXT %PPST t -BSHF #SJHIU ,JUDIFO BOE $MBTTJD GPSNBM %JOJOH 3PPN t /FX SFmOJTIFE QBOPSBNJD XJEF QMBOL IBSEXPPE nPPST t -JWJOH SPPN GFBUVSFT YUSB IJ DFJMJOHT QBOFM XJOEPXTDBQF t 3FUSP 4UZMJTI 8PPECVSOJOH 'JSFQMBDF 4IPXSPPN 0BL .BOUFM t /FX "SJ[POB 'MBHTUPOF 8PPE %FDL 1BUJP GPS FOUFSUBJOJOH HVFTUT 4 $-07&3%"-& "7& -04 "/(&-&4 t #SJHIU 4QBDJPVT #FESPPNT BOE BUUSBDUJWF #BUISPPNT QMVT 1SJWBUF #POVT 7BOJUZ .BLF 6Q SPPN X XBSESPCF DMPTFU t /FX &DP 8BUFS 4BWJOH %SPVHIU 3FTJTUBOU -BOETDBQF %FTJHO $729,000 t /FX .JMHBSE 4VQFS &OFSHZ &GmDJFOU 8JOEPXT %PPST -JNJUFE 1SF 4BMF &YDMVTJWF 0GGFS ! t #SJHIU 4QBDJPVT #FESPPNT BOE BUUSBDUJWF #BUISPPNT QMVT t /FX 1BJOU $VTUPN $SPXO .PVMEJOH JOTJEF PVU 1SJWBUF #POVT 7BOJUZ .BLF 6Q SPPN X XBSESPCF DMPTFU t -BSHF #SJHIU ,JUDIFO BOE $MBTTJD GPSNBM %JOJOH 3PPN t $SFBUJWF -PGU 4UZMF 4UVEJP .VMUJ VTF EFUBDIFE DBS HBSBHF t /FX .JMHBSE 4VQFS &OFSHZ &GmDJFOU 8JOEPXT %PPST t /FX SFmOJTIFE QBOPSBNJD XJEF QMBOL IBSEXPPE nPPST t -BSHF #SJHIU ,JUDIFO BOE $MBTTJD GPSNBM %JOJOH 3PPN t )BMPHFO BSU HBMMFSZ TUZMF USBDL SFDFTTFE MJHIUJOH TZTUFNT t -JWJOH SPPN GFBUVSFT YUSB IJ DFJMJOHT QBOFM XJOEPXTDBQF t /FX SFmOJTIFE QBOPSBNJD XJEF QMBOL IBSEXPPE nPPST t 1PMJTIFE $MFBO %VSBCMF /BUVSBM 4MBUF TUPOF nPPST t 3FUSP 4UZMJTI 8PPECVSOJOH 'JSFQMBDF 4IPXSPPN 0BL .BOUFM t -JWJOH SPPN GFBUVSFT YUSB IJ DFJMJOHT QBOFM XJOEPXTDBQF t /FX "SJ[POB 'MBHTUPOF 8PPE %FDL 1BUJP GPS FOUFSUBJOJOH HVFTUT t #SJOLT "MBSN 4ZTUFN PQUJPOBM $BNFSB 4FDVSJUZ 4ZTUFN t 3FUSP 4UZMJTI 8PPECVSOJOH 'JSFQMBDF 4IPXSPPN 0BL .BOUFM t /FX &DP 8BUFS 4BWJOH %SPVHIU 3FTJTUBOU -BOETDBQF %FTJHO t /FX "SJ[POB 'MBHTUPOF 8PPE %FDL 1BUJP GPS FOUFSUBJOJOH HVFTUT t $MBTTJD .JEDFOUVSZ UPVDIFT BOE QFSJPE CVJMU JOT t /FX &DP 8BUFS 4BWJOH %SPVHIU 3FTJTUBOU -BOETDBQF %FTJHO t /FX 1BJOU $VTUPN $SPXO .PVMEJOH JOTJEF PVU t 1BSUJBM 7JFXT PG 8JMTIJSF -" TLZMJOF 8FTU -" )PMMZXPPE )JMMT t /FX 1BJOU $VTUPN $SPXO .PVMEJOH JOTJEF PVU t $SFBUJWF -PGU 4UZMF 4UVEJP .VMUJ VTF EFUBDIFE DBS HBSBHF t 8BML UP BMM -"$." 1BHF .VTFVNT 5IF (SPWF 'BSNFST .BSLFU t $SFBUJWF -PGU 4UZMF 4UVEJP .VMUJ VTF EFUBDIFE DBS HBSBHF t )BMPHFO BSU HBMMFSZ TUZMF USBDL SFDFTTFE MJHIUJOH TZTUFNT t )BMPHFO BSU HBMMFSZ TUZMF USBDL SFDFTTFE MJHIUJOH TZTUFNT 4UBSCVDLT /#$ 8IPMF 'PPET .BSLFU 'BJSGBY MPDBM IPUTQPUT t 1PMJTIFE $MFBO %VSBCMF /BUVSBM 4MBUF TUPOF nPPST t 1PMJTIFE $MFBO %VSBCMF /BUVSBM 4MBUF TUPOF nPPST

GWUb EF 7cXY hc gYY h\]g `]gh]b[ cb mcif gaUfhd\cbY

t #SJOLT "MBSN 4ZTUFN PQUJPOBM $BNFSB 4FDVSJUZ 4ZTUFN t #SJOLT "MBSN 4ZTUFN PQUJPOBM $BNFSB 4FDVSJUZ 4ZTUFN t $MBTTJD .JEDFOUVSZ UPVDIFT BOE QFSJPE CVJMU JOT t $MBTTJD .JEDFOUVSZ UPVDIFT BOE QFSJPE CVJMU JOT t 1BSUJBM 7JFXT PG 8JMTIJSF -" TLZMJOF 8FTU -" )PMMZXPPE )JMMT t 1BSUJBM 7JFXT PG 8JMTIJSF -" TLZMJOF 8FTU -" )PMMZXPPE )JMMT t 8BML UP BMM -"$." 1BHF .VTFVNT 5IF (SPWF 'BSNFST .BSLFU t 8BML UP BMM -"$." 1BHF .VTFVNT 5IF (SPWF 'BSNFST .BSLFU 4UBSCVDLT /#$ 8IPMF 'PPET .BSLFU 'BJSGBY MPDBM IPUTQPUT 4UBSCVDLT /#$ 8IPMF 'PPET .BSLFU 'BJSGBY MPDBM IPUTQPUT

XXX $-07&3%"-& DPN t #SJHIU 4QBDJPVT #FESPPNT BOE BUUSBDUJWF #BUISPPNT QMVT 1SJWBUF #POVT 7BOJUZ .BLF 6Q SPPN X XBSESPCF DMPTFU

t /FX .JMHBSE 4VQFS &OFSHZ &GmDJFOU 8JOEPXT %PPST Information Deemed Reliable Though Not guaranteed. Buyer to Verify All Information. Seller Reserves All Services.

GWUb EF 7cXY hc gYY h\]g GWUb EF 7cXY hc gYY h\]g `]gh]b[ cb mcif gaUfhd\cbY `]gh]b[ cb mcif gaUfhd\cbY

t -BSHF #SJHIU ,JUDIFO BOE $MBTTJD GPSNBM %JOJOH 3PPN t /FX SFmOJTIFE QBOPSBNJD XJEF QMBOL IBSEXPPE nPPST Lic.No.00810238 t -JWJOH SPPN GFBUVSFT YUSB IJ DFJMJOHT QBOFM XJOEPXTDBQF Information Deemed Reliable Though Not guaranteed. Buyer to Verify All Information. Seller Reserves All Services. Information Deemed Reliable Though Not guaranteed. Buyer to Verify All Information. Seller Reserves All Services. t 3FUSP 4UZMJTI 8PPECVSOJOH 'JSFQMBDF 4IPXSPPN 0BL .BOUFM t /FX "SJ[POB 'MBHTUPOF 8PPE %FDL 1BUJP GPS FOUFSUBJOJOH HVFTUT t /FX &DP 8BUFS 4BWJOH %SPVHIU 3FTJTUBOU -BOETDBQF %FTJHO t /FX 1BJOU $VTUPN $SPXO .PVMEJOH JOTJEF PVU t $SFBUJWF -PGU 4UZMF 4UVEJP .VMUJ VTF EFUBDIFE DBS HBSBHF t )BMPHFO BSU HBMMFSZ TUZMF USBDL SFDFTTFE MJHIUJOH TZTUFNT

Presented by: Emi Terauchi

â&#x20AC;˘ emiterauchi@yahoo.com â&#x20AC;˘ (626) 786-9086 XXX $-07&3%"-& DPN XXX $-07&3%"-& DPN

20 Downtown News

April 16, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews the House Ad/Advertising Campaign category for its “Best of Downtown” competition.

Around Town Continued from page 2 Association announced the finalists for its 2011 Better Newspapers Contest. Downtown News competed against weeklies in the state with a circulation larger than 25,000. The paper received either a first or second place prize (the exact honor will be revealed at a May 5 luncheon) in Investigative Reporting, for Ryan Vaillancourt’s “The Curious Case of Brian Alexik”; Environmental Coverage, for stories about the problematic Cleantech Manufacturing Center; Local Breaking News, for Richard Guzmán’s reporting on the financial scandal at the LA Plaza de Cultura y Arte; Editorial Comment, for the piece “Council Disrespects Los Angeles With Lack of a Quorum”; and Editorial Cartoon, for a work by Doug Davis about the disaster Arnold Schwarzenegger left for Jerry Brown. Additionally, the paper received Honorable Mentions for two other cartoons by Davis, a column in the Writing category by Jon Regardie, Feature Photo for a Gary Leonard image of an Occupy L.A. protestor, and Best Website. In the non-editorial segment, Downtown News is a finalist in

DWP Building Goes for Historic Status

he John Ferraro Building, a 47-year-old structure at 111 N. Hope St. that houses the headquarters of the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, could soon get a special designation. The City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee will consider a motion by Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry to put the 17-story structure on the city’s list of Historic-Cultural Monuments. No date has been set for when the committee will take up the issue (a scheduled March 27 vote was postponed and has not been rescheduled), but if approved, the Cultural Affairs Department would submit an application to the Cultural Heritage Commission. The City Council would cast the final vote. Opened in May 1965, the 880,000-square-foot structure was built to be energy efficient and visually stunning, according to Perry’s motion. Light from inside the building makes the structure appear to glow at night, and the grounds contain illuminated pools and fountains as well as drought-tolerant plants.

What’s for Sale Continued from page 7 windows on all sides and a 360-degree wraparound balcony. Views to the south include City Hall and the Downtown skyline. To the north and northwest are Dodger Stadium and the green hills of Elysian Park. The space is currently occupied by an online art gallery, Tashjian said. The site might also end up in the crosshairs of a production company — Chinatown has increasingly become home to film businesses. Mirror Films last year bought the Happy Lion building at 963 Chung King Road. Cinevision has its headquarters on Bamboo Lane. In fact, 506 Bernard St. was recently in escrow with another production company, but that deal fell apart, Tashjian said. Contact: The listing agents are Andrew Tashjian at (213) 613-3024 and David Louie at (213) 613-3383. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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