04-20-09 by Los Angeles Downtown News

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS April 20, 2009

Volume 38, Number 16

INSIDE

Earth Day in Downtown 13

Skid Row homicides, surplus horses, and other happenings Around Town.

The Resident Advisor finds a thriving Downtown nightlife scene.

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

More People, More Activity, More Pets Demographic Survey Finds 37% Increase in Downtown Population in Two Years by Jon Regardie executive editor

CRA headquarters needs redevelopment.

Urban Scrawl on the city budget.

Downtown’s eco-friendly buildings.

he Downtown Los Angeles population expanded by 37% in a two-year period, and while the median household income has dropped since 2006, inhabitants are dining out frequently and are increasingly taking in sports and cultural events. Additionally, a large percentage of them have pets. Those were among the findings released on April 15 by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District in the “Downtown Los Angeles Demographic Study 2008.” The 74-page report provides an indepth analysis of the people who live in the community. For the first

time, the survey also details the entertainment and spending habits of those who work Downtown or visit the area. The study reported that the Downtown population soared to 39,537 people in 2008, up from 28,878 in 2006. That reflected a rise in the number of residential units, from 18,999 apartments or condominiums in 2006 to 26,011 last year, “That is sizable growth and we are very pleased to see that,” said Carol Schatz, president and CEO of the DCBID, at a morning event to announce the results. Although the area gained almost 6,000 market-rate residences in the see Demographics, page 12

Nokia Theatre’s ‘Other’ Sell-out Sounds

Chinatown May Get $51 Million Project

L.A. Live Venue Fills a Lucrative Niche With Lineup of Regional Mexican Music A lot of restaurant news.

Theatrical Angels in the Alexandria.

Reviewing the Taper’s ‘Lydia.’

18 CALENDAR LISTINGS 20 MAP 21 CLASSIFIEDS

photo by Gary Leonard

A new study by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District found that 29% of the people who live, work or visit Downtown attend sporting events at Staples Center or other venues at least quarterly. The study also said that Downtown has a median household income of $96,200.

Conversion of Community’s Tallest Building Would Create 134 Affordable Units by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

by Richard Guzmán

dried-up credit market and paltry demand for expensive condominiums has derailed dozens of Downtown residential projects in the past year, but at least one major housing development in the planning pipeline stands to benefit from the ongoing downturn. Meta Housing Corporation, a West L.A.-based for-profit developer of affordable housing, is in the process of securing financing for a $51.3 million complex at 808 N. Spring St. in Chinatown. The company, which has been active in

city editor

s a self-described music fanatic, Downtown resident Mindy Jimenez was bursting at the seams when she heard that one of her favorite singers, Jenni Rivera, would be playing at the Nokia Theatre last year. She wasn’t the only one who was excited: The Mexican artist attracted a huge crowd to Downtown Los Angeles in August, selling out the 7,100-seat venue. “I couldn’t believe she would play at L.A. Live, right in my backyard,” Jimenez said. Many in Downtown, and indeed the rest of Los Angeles, have likely never heard of Rivera. Yet the Nokia Theatre, which was developed by Anschutz Entertainment Group and opened in October 2007, has created a lucrative niche by showcasing Rivera and other artists in a genre known as regional Mexican music. “With the Latino population of L.A. the audience is here for this music and it’s been very successful,” said Rebeca Leon, vice president of Latin Talent for AEG/Goldenvoice, which books acts in the venue. The genre includes various Mexican styles of country music such as banda, a high-energy mu-

Downtown Los Angeles, plans to buy the property for $12 million from the Kor Group. Kor, developer of the Barker Block condominium complex in the Arts District and the Pegasus Lofts in the Financial District, had envisioned creating luxury condominiums in the Chinatown property. But as the economy went south and sales prospects started to fall, Kor looked to offload the property, said Tim Soule, project manager for Meta Housing. “I think if the market-rate condominium market remained robust, see Housing, page 9

photo courtesy of AEG Live

Rebeca Leon of AEG/Goldenvoice has found success by booking regional Mexican acts into the 7,100-seat Nokia Theatre. The shows often sell out.

sic driven by polka beats; mariachi; norteña, which is known for its accordion sounds and originated in rural Mexico; and rancheras, the traditional folkloric music of Mexico, known for its soaring ballads and macho lyrics. It is one of the most popular forms of Mexican music in the United States, and the Nokia Theatre has seen more than a half-dozen soldsee Music, page 10

rendering courtesy of CRA/LA

Developer Meta Housing’s Chinatown Metro Apartments would create 134 affordable units in the building at 808 N. Spring St. Officials hope to break ground in the first quarter of 2010.

Since 1972, an independent, locally owned and edited newspaper, go figure.

2 Downtown News

April 20, 2009

DowntownNews.com

AROUNDTOWN Roosevelt, Downtown Marriot File for Bankruptcy

approximately $500 a month to maintain and feed, more than the city would gain from selling them, so officials opt to donate the equines instead.

Double Homicide Rocks Skid Row

he troubles continue for Milbank Real Estate’s Roosevelt Lofts, as officials with the long-awaited condominium project at 727 W. Seventh St. announced last week that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The move came after the project’s construction lender, Bank of America, refused to close sales, according to a statement the company issued. Filing for Chapter 11 will allow the Roosevelt to restructure its loan agreement with Bank of America in order to proceed with the closing of sales already under contract and complete a second phase of construction in the 222-unit building. According to the company’s statement, the building’s sales office remains open and marketing efforts will proceed “without interruption” during the reorganization. The developer is allowing buyers to rent and occupy their units during the process, a project spokeswoman said. Meanwhile, the Marriott Los Angeles Downtown, owned by businessman Ezri Namvar since 2007, has also filed for Chapter 11. Namvar, who sought bankruptcy protection along with his company Namco Capital Group in January, is reportedly facing multiple lawsuits alleging that he lost hundreds of millions of dollars of investors’ money in a Ponzi scheme. A renovation had been planned for the 469room hotel at 333 S. Figueroa St.

It’s Raining (Surplus) Horses!

ead a city agenda these days and it sounds like City Hall is crawling with horses. Since February, the City Council has approved or considered donating three “surplus horses” to various individuals. This week the Council is expected to consider the fate of a fourth, Tank, who would be sold to a former park ranger for $1. Before Tank there was Bubba, who the Council voted March 3 to give to a woman involved with animal rescue groups; and Chusa and Music Bar, who the Department of Recreation and Parks recommended be given away. All of the horses were part of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Mounted Unit, according to city documents, and have reached retirement age. The horses cost

t about 5 a.m. on Sunday, April 12, two men were shot and killed inside the Lamp Lodge, a Skid Row residential hotel for people with mental disabilities, in what police believe was a drug-related incident. Victims Kevin Cohen, 49, and a 26-year-old man whose identity has not yet been released, were shot in a lobby-like area in the building at 660 Stanford Ave., said LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon. The men were not residents of the Lamp Lodge and police have not identified a suspect, Vernon said. Known affectionately in the community as “KK,” Cohen was looking forward to his big screen debut as an extra in The Soloist, the film about the formerly homeless musician Nathaniel Ayers and Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, said “General” Jeff Page, Skid Row’s representative on the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council. “He was a wonderful guy who has been down here forever,” Page said. “Everybody knew him. He got to a point with The Soloist movie that he befriended some of the crew and was encouraging them to make more movies about Skid Row.” The shooting marked the first two Downtown Los Angeles homicides in 2009; Central Division’s last homicide occurred on San Julian Street on June 16, 2008, after a man hit his head on the sidewalk during a fight, said Vernon. Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call Central Area detectives at (213) 842-0727 during normal business hours. After hours and on weekends, phone the 24-hour toll-free Detective Information Desk at (877) 529-3855. Or send anonymous tips by texting CRIMES (274637) and typing LAPD to start the message.

Downtown Activist Dies in Car Accident

esley Taplin, a Downtown volunteer and one of the founders of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, died in a car accident early on Tuesday, April 14.

She was 62. Taplin was born in Berkeley and spent much of her adult life in Santa Monica. She studied theater in college and worked briefly as an actress before marrying Jonathan Taplin in the early 1980s. She and her sister, Tyra Gilb, owned Atherton Press, a small publishing company based in Palo Alto. An avid traveler, Taplin spent time in Europe and Morocco, and for the past nine years devoted much of her life to community outreach efforts in Downtown. She was a supporter of the Skid Row Photography Club, among other programs, and a member of DLANC’s Education Committee. “She was always so lovely, always so gracious and always had a smile on her face,” said Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry. “I will remember her as someone that was always helping other people, and seemed to really enjoy doing it.”

Chapman Offering ‘No Worry’ Lease

he Chapman Flats is taking a new approach for people who need an apartment but are wary about job security: The 168-unit building at Eighth and Hill streets has introduced a “no worry” lease that allows new tenants who lose their job to stay in their unit, at a 20% reduced rent, for three months or until they find a new gig, said developer Mark Farzan. Otherwise, tenants with the no worry lease can cancel their contract with no penalty. “We wanted to be sensitive to the current economic condition and we realized a lot of people are concerned about losing their jobs,” Farzan said. “We figure some people fall in love with the building but they’re concerned about their job so we came up with this idea.” Current Chapman tenants are also eligible for the deal, he said.

LAHQ to Honor Leiweke, Boyle

he Los Angeles Headquarters Association is getting ready to honor two Downtowners as part of its 48th annual awards luncheon. On Tuesday, April 28, in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the LAHQ will present its Spirit of Los Angeles Award to Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, the developer of L.A. Live and Staples Center. The Humanitarian Award will go to see Around Town, page 12

University of Southern California

Mozart’s Don Giovanni The infamous seducer-rapist, murderer and rogue gets his comeuppance in a stylish new USC production.

Harbor Subdivision Transit Corridor Community Meetings

Sunday, April 26, at 2 p.m. Bing Theatre Admission: $18, $12 seniors and students www.usc.edu/music/uscopera (213) 740-2167

CHARLES GOUNOD CALLED it “a work without blemish, of uninterrupted perfection.” Mozart’s charmingly brutal, deliciously horrid retelling of the rapacious Don Juan’s final day on Earth remains among the most beloved operas in the repertoire. See and hear the magnificent Don Giovanni as performed by the virtuosi singer-actors of USC’s worldclass Thornton Opera Program, led by the nationally renowned creative team of stage director Ken Cazan and music director Brent McMunn. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

USC your cultural connection

A L S O AT U S C :

A Musical Feat of Endurance Monday, April 27-Wednesday, April 29 5:30 p.m. - midnight Come out and experience USC’s Chamber Music Marathon – three nights of nonstop small-ensemble music played back-to-back by student-artists pushed to the brink of their artistry. Brahms, Beethoven and Bartók … Mendelssohn, Mozart and Messiaen … Schumann, Stravinsky and Shostakovich. The chamber music starts nightly at 5:30 p.m. and keeps flowing until midnight. Alfred Newman Recital Hall Admission: Free (213) 740-2584

For more information visit www.usc.edu

LA Downtown News

Please join us for a status update:

Please attend a Metro Harbor Subdivision Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis (AA) project update meeting. In September 2008, Metro held four Early Scoping meetings to obtain community input on the alternatives and environmental issues to be studied in the AA . Based on feedback received at those meetings and more detailed technical analysis, a set of modal and routing alternatives has been developed for further study.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 6pm Boys and Girls Club of the Los Angeles Harbor 100 W 5th St San Pedro, CA Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 6pm Redondo Beach Main Library 303 N Paci>c Coast Hwy Redondo Beach, CA Monday, April 27, 2009, 6pm Inglewood City Hall Community Room One Manchester Bl Inglewood, CA Tuesday, April 30, 2009, 11:30am Metropolitan Water District Room 2145 700 N Alameda St Los Angeles, CA Saturday, May 2, 2009, 10am Augustus Hawkins Nature Park 5790 Compton Av Los Angeles, CA Information on transit lines servicing these locations: call 1.800.266.6883 or visit metro.net.

Thursday, April 23; Friday, April 24; and Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m.

You are invited.

April 20, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Downtown News 3

CRA Building Needs Redevelopment Agency Claims Landlord Has Let Property Fall Into Disrepair by Anna Scott staff writer

t is a situation that smacks of irony: the Community Redevelopment Agency, the city entity charged with helping turn around Los Angeles’ blighted neighborhoods, finds itself headquartered in a building that it says is tumbling into disrepair. That puts the agency in a direct dispute with one of the city’s largest landowners. The CRA occupies six floors of the Banco Popular Center at 354 S. Spring St. The building is owned by Jamison Properties, which controls dozens of buildings in Los Angeles. A recent CRA memo says the landlord has failed to maintain the property, and is threatening to relocate. “The current owner… has allowed the building to fall into disrepair and has been slow to make even basic repairs and ordinary, needed improvements,” reads an April 2 CRA memo. The CRA, which moved into the Popular Center in 1980 as part of an effort to revitalize the Historic Core, plans to remain in the building until at least 2010, according to the memo. In the meantime, agency staff are searching for a potential new home. If the agency has to move, it will stay in the neighborhood, said CRA spokeswoman Kiara Harris. Harris declined to list the agency’s specific complaints about its current location, because “they said everything they needed to say in the board document.” Others are more willing to talk. Sarita Ezrol, vice president and branch manager for 354 S. Spring St. ground-floor tenant Banco Popular, backed up the CRA’s claims. The bank is on a month-to-month lease, she said, and plans to move out as soon as possible because of maintenance issues. “The management didn’t really work with us to try to improve it,” said Ezrol. Anita Nelson, CEO of the nonprofit Single Room Occupancy Housing Corporation, which resides on the building’s fourth floor, said the organization has only faced “minor problems” with the property. But, she added, “Our lease expires at the end of the year also, so we are waiting to see what the CRA is going to do.” Another building tenant, who did not want to be named because she did not want to publicly criticize her landlord, detailed a laundry list of maintenance issues that she said have only recently been addressed after years of neglect: burned out common area light bulbs, dirty carpets and floors and a leaky stained-glass skylight in the lobby that was long covered by a black tarp. One elevator (the building has four) is still not working after at least four years on the fritz. Paul Kim, head of Jamison’s management arm, referred questions about the Popular Center to property manager Regina Cho. She admitted that Jamison does not have a stellar track record at the building, but said the company is stepping up its efforts. “It is an older building, so sometimes we maintain it not to the point where we’d like it to be,” she said of the 1903 edifice. “I started managing the building last August and since I arrived we’ve been making quite a bit of improvements. The bulbs have been replaced and we’re looking at doing all the maintenance on the HVAC, the air conditioning.” Regarding the still broken elevator, she said, “That was a freight elevator, which we just modernized, and it should be up and running by the end of this week.” Mixed Reviews Jamison Properties, headed by internist Dr. David Lee, has a Southern California portfolio worth more than $3 billion. Best known for dozens of semi-faded office buildings in Wilshire Center, Jamison has over the past seven years spent more than $600 million to acquire 11 properties in Downtown. In addition to the eight-story Banco Popular Center, which Jamison purchased for $6 million in 2002, the company’s Downtown holdings include the MCI Center at 700 S. Flower St., the California Market Center at 110 E. Ninth St. and the glossy high rise at 811 Wilshire Blvd. Jamison has a mixed record when it comes to building improvements. Lee, particularly with his Wilshire properties, has long had a reputation for buying underperforming buildings, keeping rents low to drive up occupancy and investing little in renovations. Former Jamison Senior Vice President Norman Lee acknowledged that business model last year in an interview with Los Angeles Downtown News, and said that many of the company’s inexpensive, early acquisitions had to be operated leanly to turn a profit. Since moving into Downtown, however, Dr. Lee has been more high-profile in terms of property management and leasing, at least with some buildings. Jamison began a multi-million dollar renovation of fashion behemoth the California Market Center last January, and brought the popular Takami Restaurant and Elevate Lounge

to 811 Wilshire. Yet other buildings, such as the Popular Center and an office building at 420 E. Third St., have remained largely untouched. Jamison’s Kim would only say that the company prioritizes upkeep. “We do make our maintenance rounds and take care of our properties,” he said. “It’s an asset we have.” Cho said tenants at the Popular Center will see more improvements in the coming months. “We would very much like for them to stay,” she said of the CRA. “They will be with us another year hopefully, and in that year we hope they will change their minds.” Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

photo by Gary Leonard

The Community Redevelopment Agency is threatening to move out of the Banco Popular Center. The CRA claims that owner Jamison Properties has not adequately maintained the building.

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April 20, 2009

DowntownNews.com

EDITORIALS Chick Changed the Face of the Controller’s Office

his marks the last full week that Laura Chick will serve as Controller of the city of Los Angeles. As she prepares to take a job with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, it is safe to say that she has redefined both the role of the Controller and the public’s understanding of the office. Los Angeles loses one of its most effective and popular public officials as Chick takes a job overseeing the state’s use of federal stimulus funds (she starts April 27). She is the stick to which incoming Controller Wendy Greuel and all future Controllers will be measured. We commend Chick on a job well done. Chick’s eight-year tenure represents a prime example of someone in city government seizing an opportunity. When she was sworn in in 2001, following eight years on the City Council, she came to a job where the parameters had been redefined. Changes to the City Charter ratified by voters in 1999 allowed the Controller to conduct performance audits on city departments and projects. Though it sounds innocuous to the layman, it allowed Chick far greater reach than previous Controllers. Of course, like any city ordinance, what matters is not just the change in the books, but also the implementation. This is

where Chick proved herself to be the right person at the right time: The diminutive grandmother turned into the proverbial pitbull, focusing her attention and her staff on matters that were costing the city money. “I use my knowledge of knowing where the big bucks are because I want bang for my buck,” she told Los Angeles Downtown News in a 2008 interview. The city, including Downtown Los Angeles, is all the better for it. Among her approximately 175 audits was one critical of the city’s handling of gang prevention programs; that helped lead to the decision to give control of anti-gang efforts to the mayor’s office. In Downtown she shed light on, among other things, the escalating cost of the LAPD headquarters and the Department of Recreation and Parks’ failure to spend more than $130 million in Quimby funds that were supposed to go to park creation. Chick was unafraid to battle prominent figures. In the past year she notoriously clashed with City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo over whether she had the right to audit his workers’ compensation program. She had public confrontations with Councilman Richard Alarcon and former Mayor Jim Hahn. Chick has never been media shy, and while some wondered

if she was positioning herself for a run for higher office, it also served her well in her job. Before she came aboard, few in Los Angeles knew what a controller did or that the city even had one. If in raising the profile and thereby the effectiveness of the office she also made herself look better, then more power to her. There was another effect of all the media coverage, though it has been less successful: drawing attention to the financial miscues, a public and noisy step to help ensure that change is made and that government functions more efficiently. Unfortunately, as Chick noted in that 2008 interview, “So many of my recommendations are collecting dust. The resistance to change is enormous.” That is why Greuel needs to be at least as aggressive as Chick. It will be difficult, as the job will pit her in certain cases against council members or department heads she worked with closely in her seven years on the council. She will have to get used to the idea that watching the city’s finances will mean publicly critiquing people she may like personally. Fortunately, the path has been blazed. Laura Chick may be moving on, but Los Angeles is a better place because of her.

Questionable Results for ‘Dumping’ Penalties

n April 8, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo announced a $1.6 million settlement with College Hospital for a prolonged series of “dumping” cases. For more than two years, according to the settlement, indigent patients were taken from facilities in Cerritos and Costa Mesa and left in and around the Skid Row area of Downtown Los Angeles, despite that fact that no adequate arrangements had been made for their care. The settlement has been hailed as an important financial punch, one that could send the message that dumping comes with serious consequences. We’re glad that an institution has been made to pay for this reprehensible practice. At the same time, the settlement reveals something shocking, something that makes us wonder if any message is getting across: The $1.6 million settlement is for dumping 150 psychiatric patients in and around Skid Row over two years. Let us state that number again: 150. This means that, on an average of more than once a week, officials with College Hospital decided that it was okay to ship a psychiatric pa-

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

tient to one of the dirtiest and most dangerous neighborhoods in the nation. This is appalling. We thought the curtain had already been thrown back on dumping and that change was occurring. The general population of Los Angeles learned of dumping in September 2005 when former LAPD Central Division Capt. Andy Smith caught two Sheriff’s Department deputies dropping off a man in Skid Row whom they had picked up in Lakewood, some 20 miles away, even though there was no patient-related reason to bring him Downtown. The outrage was immediate, and grew as other instances of dumping were reported. In one notorious case a paraplegic man was pushed out of a van and into the street, where he was seen clutching his possessions in his teeth. There were signs of progress since then. In November 2006 Delgadillo filed charges against Kaiser Permanente and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals for dumping; a settlement was reached in May 2007. Civil charges were later filed against Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center and Methodist Hospital of Southern California for other cases. Even the City Council

got involved, and in May 2008 unanimously voted to make dumping a misdemeanor. We thought those settlements and maneuvers were sending a message. We thought that, if the loss of morality that leads to dumping was not enough, then the financial penalties and bad press would force some institutions to re-think their practices. Obviously the effect is far from what we and many others had hoped. Now, there is a case where one institution is taking it on the chin, paying $1.6 million. We’d like to believe change will come, but given what we have just learned, we are not optimistic.

How to reach us Main office: (213) 481-1448 MAIL your Letter Letters to the Editor • L.A. Downtown News 1264 W. First Street • Los Angeles, CA 90026 Email your Letter realpeople@downtownnews.com FAX your Letter (213) 250-4617 Read Us on the Web DowntownNews.com

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

One copy per person.

April 20, 2009

A Clippers Game? That’s Kid’s Stuff A 2-Year-Old, Ice Cream and Cheerleaders Who ‘Dance Real Hard’ by Jon Regardie executive editor

e do our best to protect our children, to maintain their innocence as long as possible and shield them from things like war, drugs and

illness. Despite that, I recently introduced my daughter, who will turn 2 in a month, to something far uglier than all of those combined: I took her to see the Los Angeles Clippers. THE REGARDIE REPORT

My announcement that I intended to drive her to Downtown Los Angeles for a game that starts at the time she normally goes to sleep produced a variety of responses. Some thought it would be a waste, that she would be too young or too tired to enjoy it. Others said that it was cute, a nice fatherdaughter bonding opportunity. Then there was my friend Mike, who as a Clippers season ticket holder for more than a decade felt it was his responsibility to, well, threaten me. “If you take sweet Vivian to a Clippers game,” he wrote in an email, “it will be my duty as a citizen of the realm to report you to social services.” I understand the allusion to child abuse. The Clippers, long the poster boys of the losing sports franchise, were awful again this year. I wouldn’t show Vivian a Pauly Shore movie, so why would I willingly expose her to the sports world’s equivalent? Still, I thought this could work. She is good-natured, not afraid of crowds and has a quizzical enjoyment of sports. She has a small basketball hoop she sometimes plays with, and sports is one of only two things she gets to watch on television — my wife and I limit her intake to a few minutes of watching the game with dad, or else a Mary Poppins video. We felt she could handle a game starting at 7:30 p.m., in part because she had just attended a Passover seder until 9:30 and thoroughly enjoyed herself. I figured this would be like

Downtown News 5

Opinion

that, though with more fouls and less matzoh. The Routine My wife and I prep Vivian for new things by talking about them repeatedly. A few days before the game we began telling her that she and I would go to watch the boys play basketball, that we would sit in black seats, that we would also watch the girls (aka cheerleaders) dance and, as a kicker/bribe, that she could have ice cream. At 7 o’clock on Friday I loaded her into the car. As we drove, I went through the routine. “Vivian, where are we going?” “Ba-kett-ball,” she chirped. “That’s right. What will we eat?” “I cream.” “Exactly. Where will we sit?” “On table.” I have no idea where that came from, and though I liked the concept, I reminded her we would actually be in the black seats. Vivian marveled at the lights outside Staples Center, though once in the arena, the situation was slightly precarious. At about 30 inches tall, she is hard to see amidst crowds loading up on nachos and beer. Taking her hand and leading her to our seats was sort of like pulling a fish on a leash though an obstacle course of whirling legs. Finally I scooped her up. Once in our row, I plopped Vivian in her seat, though she immediately clambered out and onto my lap. She took in the colorful, illuminated, sensory overload spectacle, and when the announcer introduced the players and the crowd cheered, she caught on and applauded. So did I, which I thought was the right thing. “No daddy,” she instructed me. “Only Vivi clap.” I’m still learning the rules. After 10 minutes we went for ice cream, which turned out to be a vanilla cone about the size of her forearm. Back in our seats, she managed to consume most of it. She even shared a few bites, and as she munched away I prompted her to let out

the occasional “Go Clippers.” Do the Wave Of course, the game’s appeal for Vivian was limited. More interesting was the seat she could flip up and down (about 10 minutes of fun). Then the cheerleaders came out and performed a choreographed routine. Vivian loved it. “Girls come back,” she demanded a few minutes later. “Really?” I responded. “What do you want them to do?” “Dance real hard,” she said, and again, I have no idea where that came from. The evening’s highlight came a few minutes later. Amazingly, the Clippers were leading, prompting some enthusiastic fans to start the wave. As it reached us, I grabbed Vivian’s arms and lifted them above her head. We stood and cheered, and as everyone around us did the same her face lit up, sort of like if Mary Poppins had floated down off a cloud and offered her an ice cream cone in one hand and a kitten in the other. “More again!” she shouted, her refrain for when she likes something. The wave petered out after a few rounds (each one followed by “more again!”) and then my daughter was feeling social. Uh oh. In Vivian’s mind, there are two kinds of people: those who love her, and those who don’t but only because they have yet to meet her, and she’ll do whatever it takes to charm them. With about four minutes left in the half and the game no longer holding her interest, she began to approach the people around us. “Hi!” she said in her cricket voice to the man next to her, and when he said hello back I whispered something in her ear. She stuck out a hand and said “Nye to meet you.” This was repeated to the person on the other side and six people in the row behind us, and would have gone on had there not been a break in the action, bringing back the cheerleaders and prompting Vivian to do a circular dance in front of her seat. We left at halftime, and the evening was a grand success. And not just for us: Due to some weird cosmic shift, the Clippers played extremely well, dismantling the Sacramento Kings. As we walked out they were leading by 25. More again. Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

MOVE UP TO DOWNTOWN (9th & Fig)

Concerto high-rise condominiums merge the integrity of enduring design with unparalleled views and proximity to urban life. A full acre of green space surrounds a saltwater pool, cabanas, gardens, fire pits and a Tai Chi park. Full-length glass walls, hardwood floors, European appliances and sunrooms complement the warmth and light of the Angeleno climate.

concertodowntown.com

213.537.0007

6 Downtown News

April 20, 2009

DowntownNews.com

California Hospital Was Built For You Whether it’s a routine visit or a medical emergency, we’re here if you need us. California Hospital is a 316-bed acute care facility that has been serving our community since 1887.

THE OFFICIAL HOSPITAL OF THE LOS ANGELES MARATHON

Medical ServiceS State-of-the-Art Cancer Services and Treatment: IMRT, Sentinel Node Biopsy, Brachtherapy, HDR Comprehensive Orthopedics and Rehab Services

For the second year, California Hospital Medical Center serves as the official medical provider of the LA Marathon. To ensure that each participant is provided timely and proper medical attention, a team of volunteers consisting of doctors, nurses and tech professionals from California Hospital will be stationed in eight separate tents along the 26.2 mile course and at two locations at the finish line. An event that is as strenuous and as widely attended as the LA Marathon demands a tremendous amount of medical resources. California Hospital will again be ready to administer care for the thousands of runners who will be hitting the streets of LA on Memorial Day, May 25, 2009.

Trauma Care – Level II Trauma Center Intensive Care Unit Pediatrics, NICU, Maternity Care Surgery Suites and Intensive Care Services Women’s Health and Gynecologic Services Diagnostic Treatment and Imaging Center

CHW California Hospital Medical Center 1-866-213-CHMC • www.chmcla.org

1401 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (On Grand Ave., just 2 blocks from the Staples Center.)

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April 20, 2009

Downtown News 7

DowntownNews.com

Musings From a Thursday Night From French Macarons to a Broadway Speakeasy, The Evolving Downtown After-Dark Scene Is Full of Surprises

couldn’t believe my eyes. There they were near the baguettes and eclairs, lined up like an edible rainbow of meringue and buttercream. The jaunty lilac, fuschia, chocolate and orange cookies seemed to be calling out my name. French macarons had finally arrived Downtown. It was a dream realized. I came across these lovelies during the opening party for Bottega Louie on Seventh Street, a new gourmet grocer/ deli/restaurant reminiscent of the famed Parisian patisserie Laduree and the East Coast’s Dean & Deluca. The wine and champagne flowed from the beautiful antique bar, as did the eye-popping trays of appetizers that included tiny lamb chops, duck paté and baby potatoes topped with caviar. The counter displays dazzled with every kind of pastry imaginable, Kathryn Maese and it was hard not to press your nose up against the glass to ogle RESIDENT the luscious tarts, canelés and tiny a d v is o r cupcakes. In the deli case were Cornish game hens, flaky pot pies, pasta salads and more. It was a breathtaking investment considering the current economy. About three years ago I toured the space when it was little more than a debris-strewn cavern occupying the ground floor of the future Brockman Building lofts (a project that has yet to open). I could hardly envision then that the end result would encompass marble tables and floors, a glowing brick pizza oven and a gleaming open kitchen where skilled chefs move with choreographed precision. The upscale restaurant’s opening is a bright spot in a dark climate. Loft values have plunged over the last year, housing developers are going bankrupt and friends and neighbors are struggling to find work or keep their businesses afloat. But Bottega Louie isn’t alone in its optimism that there is still money to be made Downtown. A surprising crop of new restaurants has joined the fray, and existing businesses are hanging tough despite the slowdown. Curious to see how other locales were faring, a few friends and I left the party and ventured across the street to Seven Restaurant & Bar, which happened to be in full swing as it celebrated its first anniversary. Revelers spilled out onto the patio, the music was pumping and this long-dead strip of Seventh Street seemed to be staging a mini-comeback. Despite the restaurant’s rocky start and pricey menu, it has managed to find a niche. A few doors down we popped into the Seven Grand whisky bar. There was a respectable gathering, though on this night it was nowhere near as packed as when it opened two years ago. Then again, there are more than a dozen new hangouts competing for our dollars. Seven Grand owner Cedd Moses has opened two more venues, Cole’s and Varnish, both happening spots in the Historic Core. We moved on to the L.A. Athletic Club at Seventh and Olive streets for a horror film screening starring the weird and wacky Christian Glover. I have to say, it was awesome. Watching noir gore in this elegant venue made for a memorable evening, and was perhaps a sign that even once rarefied Downtown establishments are opening their doors to welcome new, er, blood. Closer to home on Spring Street we decided to brave the bouncers at the new Crocker Club. Luckily our modest garb passed muster and we took a seat at the bar. There were two other couples sipping cocktails, definitely a slow night for the stunning bank vault-turned-lounge. Some locals are upset with the club’s strict dress code, which makes it nearly impossible to gain entrance if you’re in casual gear. I don’t have a beef with dressing up on weekends, but it seems counterproductive on weekdays when crowds are thin. We chatted up the bartenders, who told us that business has indeed been impacted and management is wrestling with the club’s posh identity. The Edison a few blocks away managed to enforce a similar policy, but then again, it’s now a changed economy. A friend, who I can confidently say is a bona fide expert on Downtown nightlife, commented that it’s all about “the nice” right now. The places doing well are the ones that have great customer service. “I think the bad attitude or snobbishness thing doesn’t fly Downtown anymore,” she said. “They’re really nice at The

Association, for instance. And I firmly believe The Must is the new Banquette… the new post-Pete’s neighborhood spot. It’s where all my drinking buddies want to go now.” We headed down the block to check out this new wine bar, which was hopping. The Must replaced the Lime Café a few months ago, delivering a relaxed vibe, a great wine list and decent food. On this night we tried one of the fresh sangrias displayed in glass jars on the counter and mingled with a mixed crowd that included a party to raise funds for

a nonprofit music group. Everyone I’ve spoken with raves about the friendly staff and service, and apparently the owner really knows his wine. I’ve found that people are still willing to spend money and indulge in entertainment Downtown, but along with great service, they want value and a residentfriendly attitude. At the end of the evening we walked over to a speakeasy on Broadway — which I probably couldn’t find again if I tried — and had the whole of the boulevard to ourselves. A few people waited for buses or stumbled by, but it was otherwise a ghost town. Obviously Broadway is not back yet. If there’s an upside to this recession, it’s that lower rents and home prices have made Downtown much more accessible to a wider demographic. In the process, it’s helping to establish that long-sought after goal of creating a thriving residential community. More bodies mean more business, something that can only help macaron sales. Contact Kathryn Maese at kathryn@downtownnews.com.

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Housing Continued from page 1 we wouldn’t be working on this because it would have been developed by the Kor Group,” Soule said. “As a result of the decline in that market, it’s enabled us to renew our interest in the project.” Meta officials said they already have a commitment for a $26.9 million loan from a private lender that would cover the bulk of their development costs. The remainder of the project, known as Chinatown Metro Apartments, will be supported through public channels, including the Community Redevelopment Agency, which approved a $3.6 million loan for the project on April 2. The CRA dollars are contingent on Meta securing another $13.1 million from the Los Angeles Housing Department and $13.9 million from the state Department of Housing and Community Development’s transit-oriented development funds. Meta is confident that its pending applications for the city and state funds have a strong pitch: The proposed project is situated one block from the Metro Chinatown Gold Line station. “It’s a perfectly weaving confluence of transportation and housing issues,” Meta Housing President John Huskey said. “This project is really one of the kind of things that, frankly, I got into this business to do.” Filling Vacant Buildings Meta already has a successful track record in Downtown. The company built the 85-unit Emerald Terrace apartments in City West in 2007, and followed up with the neighboring 21-unit Coronita Family Apartments in 2008. The Chinatown Metro Apartments would reinvent two longstanding structures, both of which have been mostly vacant for a decade after serving office tenants, at North Spring and Alpine streets. One of the buildings, a nine-story edifice built in 1918 as a storage facility for nearby train depots, is the tallest structure in Chinatown. The adjoining six-story building was built about 10 years later, Soule said. The Kor Group had already gutted them when Meta stepped in. Only the outside walls, interior structures and a rudimentary electrical system are intact. Huskey sees the building’s current state as a sort of head start. “Shovel-ready is a huge advantage, because it’s the idea of using economic stimulus to get workers back to work and this obviously meets that,” Huskey said. The project would transform the buildings into 134 apartments, 117 of which would be reserved for very low-income residents, or those making 31% to 50% of the Area Median Income of about $60,000. The remaining units would be reserved for low-income residents who make 51% to 80% of the AMI. Based on its projected funding timeline, Meta expects to break ground in the first quarter of 2010, Soule said. Construction would last about 18 months and Meta estimates that it would take three months after opening to get the project fully leased. Those who work with affordable housing in Los Angeles say the demand for such units is insatiable. “We will have no problem leasing the building,” Soule said. Catalytic Project Besides helping to meet demand for affordable housing, the project could be a catalyst for further development in Chinatown, said land-use consultant Kate Bartolo, who worked on the 808 N. Spring St. project as a former executive with the Kor Group before starting her own company. She is no longer affiliated with the Meta project. “It meets every single objective you could want from an urban planning perspective,” said Bartolo, who also serves on the Downtown Center Business Improvement District’s economic development committee. “So much of what makes this project work is its physical proximity to the Gold Line, but it’s also its position as the southern-most anchor and certainly the tallest of Chinatown to breathe new life into an area that really has been more moribund from a retail and pedestrian activity perspective.” The Chinatown Metro Apartments would help realize the CRA’s vision of a community with more round-the-clock pedestrian and social life, said Bibiana Young, an assistant project manager with the agency. “Once we activate this building, we anticipate some of the live/work artists are going to be there and families,” said Young. “Then it really would invigorate that part of the community and we anticipate on the lower floor there will be a little bit of retail space, like coffee shops.” For First District City Councilman Ed Reyes, who has focused on revitalizing and “greening” the Los Angeles River and adjacent neighborhoods like Chinatown, the project represents ideal economic development because it allows more people who live and work in the area to stay there.

Downtown News 9

DowntownNews.com “The fact that it’s 100% affordable truly speaks to this important concept of access,” said Reyes, who noted that 40% of his district, which includes Chinatown and portions of City West, is at or below the poverty line. Too often, Reyes said, after neighborhoods see public improvements, from new street furniture to new parks, rents in the area go up and low-income residents are forced to move out. Reyes is already looking forward to the project’s impact on the neighborhood. “If we make this a successful model,” Reyes said, “we could look at other parcels that are underused or dormant and stimulate these types of scenarios in a way that we can reach many more individuals and still not concentrate the economic poverty.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

photo by Gary Leonard

A previous plan for the building called for creating upscale condominiums. Former developer Kor Group is selling the property.

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10 Downtown News

April 20, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Music

“He said he was happy and proud to be playing at that theater,” said Kun. “He said it was just more proof this kind of music belongs in any venue. There was a sense of a kind of arrival.” Playing the new Downtown space can also help a group’s reputation beyond city limits. Gary Bongiovanni, editor in chief of Pollstar, a concert industry trade publication, said that when artists such as Rivera play the Nokia Theatre, people across the country pay attention. “People always look to what’s going on in New York and L.A., the trendsetting cities, and eventually that will filter down to other parts of the country as well,” said Bonjiovanni. “They’re photo courtesy of AEG Live playing at an A-list class place in Los Jenni Rivera played to a big crowd at the Nokia Theatre Angeles. It’s the equivalent of going to last year, and will return to the venue in July. New York City and playing Radio City Music Hall in terms of recognition.” Going Mainstream? Julio Trejo, a Downtown-based publi- tions like Univision and in Spanish-language cist who helps promote Latin shows for newspapers like La Opinion. AEG and Goldenvoice, likens the popularStill, Luis de La Parra, director of marketity of regional Mexican acts at Nokia to the ing and promotions with Univision, who has emergence of hip-hop as mainstream music attended regional Mexican concerts at the rather than as a niche subculture. The latter Nokia Theatre, said the audience at the shows is much further along. is not strictly native Spanish speakers. He said “I see a lot of parallels with the two genres,” he often sees older Latinos mixing with secsaid Trejo. “Just like people started taking ond and third generation Latin Americans. chances with hip-hop, they’re starting to take “They grew up with it, it’s part of their culchances with regional Mexican and it’s pay- ture,” he said of the younger crowd. ing off.” Jimenez, who plans on seeing Rivera again, Like early hip-hop, word of the region- is thrilled that Nokia Theatre has become a al Mexican shows is spreading outside the hot spot for her favorite music. mainstream. Much of the promotion that “It’s cool that these bands are all playing sells out Nokia Theatre for these concerts is right here, and they’re selling out too,” she said. done on radio stations such as Que Buena Contact Richard Guzmán at (105.5/94.3 FM), on Latin television sta- richard@downtownnews.com.

the

Continued from page 1 out shows with its artists. More are on the way, including a concert this week. In the process, the $100 million concert hall is becoming the go-to spot for artists and for fans hoping to hear some of Mexico’s most popular stars. However, the shows often go on without the knowledge of most of the people who live or work near the venue — the majority of promotion for the concerts takes place on Spanish-language radio stations. Big Names Leon does not have a particular focus on regional Mexican acts, she said, but rather she looks for what fans in the area are not getting elsewhere. “It’s a very popular genre and we wanted to reach out to all L.A. and bring in the acts they want to see,” Leon said. The Nokia Theatre has hosted some of the biggest names in the genre. The first regional Mexican act to play the venue was Conjunto Primavera, a Chihuahua, Mexico-based Latin Grammy winning group, which performed in February 2008. That was followed by Rivera’s sold-out performance and another August sell-out by Los Temerarios. In October, Marco Antonio Solis filled the Nokia Theatre twice. Last month, Conjunto Primavera returned for their own sell-out performance. The trend continues this week, as Los Inquietos del Norte, from Guadalajara, Mexico, are set to take the stage on Saturday, April 25. Regional Mexican acts are already on the calendar for the summer, with Banda Arrolladora scheduled for June and Rivera set to return in July.

Josh Kun, an associate professor at the USC Annenberg School of Communication who writes about popular music, attended the March Conjunto Primavera show. He noted the importance of staging the concerts in the center of Downtown. “It’s great that a major theater in the heart of L.A. Live is paying attention to this incredibly important and massive demographic in the city of Los Angeles that for too long has been left invisible,” said Kun. The Conjunto Primavera show, he said, was filled with moments that remind him why this is such a popular genre. “Everybody knows all the words to the songs, people request songs, do dedications,” he said. “These bands are icons, but they’re not that far removed from their audience.” Sound of Money It also makes economic sense for a venue like the Nokia Theatre to open its doors to these acts, Kun said. He noted that regional Mexican accounts for about 60% of all Latin music sales nationally, and people are willing to shell out big bucks to see its artists. Seats at the Nokia Theatre for acts like Rivera can cost upwards of $150. The Nokia Theatre is not alone in booking these acts, of course. In Downtown, groups with a smaller following can play the alsonew Conga Room and Club Nokia. Other groups historically have performed at the 6,100-seat Gibson Amphitheater at Universal City Walk or the Pico Rivera Sports Arena, a 6,000-seat venue primarily used for rodeos. Still, there is an appeal for the groups to perform in the new venue, which is part of AEG’s $2.5 billion L.A. Live. Kun said that during the Conjunto Primavera set last month, lead singer Tony Melendez paused in the middle of a song to talk about the space.

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April 20, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Demographics Continued from page 1 two-year period, approximately 40% of the community’s housing stock, or 10,487 units, remain affordable, according to the study. The number of low-income residences increased by 919 since 2006. Schatz noted that before the DCBID conducted its first survey in 2004, three-quarters of the units available in Downtown were either priced as affordable housing or were single room occupancy residences. The full survey results can be viewed on the DCBID’s website at downtownla.com. Among the findings was that the household median income actually decreased, from $99,600 in 2006 to $96,200 last year. The study attributed that fall to residential prices decreasing from their peak about two years ago, and also noted that the new study surveyed all residents of Downtown, not just new arrivals, as the previous report had. Schatz said that the research had two aims: to identify the people who are living Downtown, as well as those who work in or visit the area. (The demographic studies conducted in 2004 and 2006 were limited to residents who had arrived since 2000). The second goal is to use the report as a tool to lure major retailers and others to the Central City. Schatz noted that the DCBID continues to host an annual event for CEOs and other executives, and that BID officials routinely give tours of the area to interested entities. She expects the affluent population base and workforce to be another incentive for businesses. “We aggressively outreach to a very broad array of retailers,” she said. The findings queried Downtown residents on the outlets they would most like to see come to the community. The report said that 67% of Downtown inhabitants want a discount department store to open in the area, with Target being the most requested option. Although the Ralphs Fresh Fare in South Park has been filled from the day it opened in 2007, the study revealed that Downtowners are still pining for other grocery options; the report said that 89% of residents identified Trader Joe’s as one of the grocery stores they most want to see. That figure was 85% in 2006. Still, Downtown will have to wait. “It is nice to be honored and wanted,” said Trader Joe’s spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki upon hearing of the survey results. “Unfortunately Downtown Los Angeles is still not in Trader Joe’s two-year plan of opening a location.” Margin of Error The 2008 study was broader in its search parameters than previous DCBID efforts to chronicle the community, which has evolved significantly since the passage of the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance in 1999. That move, which made the conversion of older buildings into housing less cumbersome and expensive, has been widely credited with launching the dramatic increase in Downtown residents. The study was conducted by Downtown-based Lauren Schlau Consulting. With all response via the Internet, it collected 10,243 surveys between Oct. 29 and Dec. 9, 2008 (Los Angeles Downtown News is a sponsor of the report). The number of residents who participated climbed from 931 in 2006 to 3,454 last year. Although participants were “self-selected” in that they

chose to fill out the study, Schlau said the large sample size means that the figures are highly accurate and present a fair picture of Downtowners. “Most studies of this nature, you can survey 400-800 people and consider that to be a representative sample, and there is usually a margin of error of about 2.5%-3%. In this case, with 10,000 people, we have less than a 1% margin of error,” she said. She added, “I just feel like with that sample size it is way beyond a self-selecting sample of a few people who are predisposed [to like Downtown].” The study said all respondents, including those who visit or work in the area, have a median household income of $92,200. While below the Downtown residents’ level, it is well above the $46,292 median household income in the city of Los Angeles. Another finding was that those who live Downtown eat out for lunch seven times a month, spending an average of $13 per person. They also have four dinners out each month, with an average tab of $27. The survey found ample use of Downtown for more than just work, with 29% of all respondents attending live sports in the area at least quarterly. Schatz indicated that the population will continue to rise, at least in the short term. In addition to the condominiums and apartments that have opened recently and are not yet filled, she said that 3,480 housing units are under construction and are expected to hit the Downtown market in the next few years. Another 3,100 units have been permitted, though not all are funded.

Meet the Neighbors Other Findings From the Study n Downtown residents surveyed in 2008 had lived in the area an average of 2.3 years, a sharp rise over the 10 months reported in 2006. n The community is well-educated: 78% of residents have at least an undergraduate college degree. n The median age of Downtown residents climbed from 31 in 2006 to 37 last year. n Nearly 30% of all respondents attended the Pershing Square ice rink set up over the winter, while 28% have taken in a summer Grand Performances show at the California Plaza Watercourt. n The number of area inhabitants who also work Downtown grew from 55.1% in 2006 to 63.5% in 2008. n Public transit use is rising. Although only 11% of Downtown residents reported using mass transit in 2006, that number has risen to 33%. Additionally, while two-thirds of Downtowners drove alone to work in 2006, only one-third did so last year. n Also climbing is the area’s pet population. Whereas 35% of residents in 2006 had an animal companion, now 40% do. Dogs are growing in popularity — the 18% canine ownership level in 2006 reached 24% last year.

She noted that the continued addition of residences will be good news for potential inhabitants looking to get a deal, but may be bad news for developers. “It is not a question of vacant units,” said Schatz. “It’s a question of units selling or being leased at a lower price than the developer cares for so that people are in the units. That means there are more people living here. That means there is more business for our restaurants and our theaters, and that gives us the ability to attract more.” Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

Around Town Continued from page 1 Father Gregory Boyle, who runs the gang intervention organization Homeboy Industries, which is headquartered in Chinatown. Tickets for the event, which will also honor WET Design and the Autry National Center, are $175 or $165 for LAHQ members. The Los Angeles Headquarters Association was founded in 1965 with the goal of helping businesses open their headquarters in the Los Angeles area. Tickets and other information at laheadqarters.com.

Restaurant Approved for LAPD Headquarters

he City Council on Tuesday, April 14, unanimously approved a lease agreement that will lead to a full-service restaurant in the under-construction Los Angeles Police Department headquarters at 155 S. Main St. The 5,692-square-foot, ground-floor eatery will be operated by three partners under the moniker L.A. Reflections, Inc. The restaurant will serve main dishes, salads, sandwiches and soups. Neighborhood groups have long called for a full-service restaurant with extended hours to open in the building. “It will be open evenings and weekends,” said Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry. “I made a commitment to the community that we were going to do that and things proceeded as planned.”

From Downtown to Ethiopia

alifornia Hospital last week got ready for Earth Day in an unconventional way: It shipped medical supplies and first aid equipment to Ethiopia. On Friday, April 17, the hospital headquartered on Grand Avenue in Downtown put together a batch of baby warmers, mattresses, ventilators and other medical gear that, while still functioning, are no longer used in the United States. Rather than be trashed, they will be sent abroad via a partnership with Ethiopia Health Aid, a medical charity founded by Dr. Gudata Hinika, who is also a physician at California Hospital. “These resources will help ease the suffering of these families, as well as encourage earlier and more frequent visits to a health care provider. By helping struggling communities help themselves, we ensure not just their survival, but their progress,” said Hinika.

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April 20, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Downtown News 13

GO GREEN photos courtesy of Louie Tomaro

M e l s a s b age o l G Earth Day Exhibit Displays Art For the Sake of the World

by RichaRd Guzmán

city EditoR n a quest to save planet Earth, a group of students in an after-school program, along with a troupe of Girl Scouts and dozens of artists, have teamed up to create a new world. No, it’s not some sci-fi movie. Rather, it’s Cool Globes-Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet, a traveling exhibit opening in Downtown on Earth Day. In the effort to fight global warming, about 50 fiberglass globes will go on display at Exposition Park on Wednesday, April 22. The exhibit, part of a national tour launched in Chicago in 2007, features the seven-foot tall, 2,000-pound globes that have been personalized with paint, recycled materials and even fabric woven on the surface. “The idea with this project is to raise awareness of climate change in a positive way,” said Wendy Abrams, an environmental artist and founder of the Cool Globes organization. Abrams said she wanted to use public art, and in particular the globes, to force people to confront the issue. “The reason people tune out the problem is that it’s overwhelming,” she said. “The symbolism of creating the big globes is that you had to confront this issue. You would stumble upon it out on the sidewalk or outside in public.” The original exhibit featured 130 globes. A smaller version has since traveled to Washington, D.C., San Francisco and San Diego. It stops in Los Angeles, where it will be up through August, before heading to Europe. “When you see a big painted globe, you have to stop and confront it, just like we have to confront climate change,” said Abrams. Abrams is not alone in trying to raise a sense of urgency about the issue. According to the International Panel on Climate Change, an organization set up by the United Nations Environment Program and the World Metrological Association, the average global temperature increased by 1% in the 20th century. It blames global warming, which is partly caused by the use of fossil fuels. By 2100, according to the group, the average temperature could increase by 2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit if no significant steps are taken to reduce global warming. This could lead to a catastrophic rise in sea levels, an increase in mosquitoes, rodents and other disease-carrying animals, and severe weather in certain parts of the world. Although it may sound gloomy, the globes

created by the artists are not dark, nor do they preach a doomsday scenario. “The globes are fun and each has a message, a solution to global warming, things everybody can do in their everyday lives,” Abrams said. Local Artists Many of the globes at the Exposition Park exhibit, which will kick off with an opening event on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Rose Garden, were created by local artists. Each received a prefabricated globe from Cool Globes. They all start as blank canvases with raised continents that can be transformed in any way. For Bernyce Talley, art coordinator at A Place Called Home, an after-school program based in South Los Angeles, the project was a chance both to create art and educate the approximately 20 young artists who worked on the project. “Many of them were not aware of global warming, so it had both to be an art lesson and a lesson on global warming before we started coming up with ideas,” Talley said. The students worked on the globe for about a month. They came up with sketches that highlighted solutions and narrowed it down to the theme of “Less than Zero.” “It was basically lowering things to zero or very few emissions,” said Talley. Their globe is painted with a polar bear riding a bike and a penguin on a Vespa on floating glaciers, representing animals vulnerable to global warming. Talley explained to the students that the effects of global warming can be seen on our polar ice caps. For Manhattan Beach architect Louie Tomaro, taking part in the project meant recruiting some unlikely artistic help — Girl Scout Troop 8505 helped create a piece made of environmentally conscious material. Working after school and on the weekends, the Girl Scouts used recycled tile, carpet and rubber mixed with environmental quotes. The globe was painted blue with red letters that read “Imagine If We Built Responsibly.” On the continents the girls glued on materials to represent wetlands, deserts and other natural environments. “We thought it would be important to educate the youth about what they can do in order to be green,” said Jessica Reitz, a project manager for the Tomaro globe. “It was good to get the girls involved and it’s a great way to reach the public.” More information at coolglobes.org. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

Members of Girl Scout Troop 8505 worked with architect Louie Tomaro to create a globe from recycled material for an environmental exhibit at Exposition Park. The Cool Globes exhibit opens on Earth Day, April 22.

14 Downtown News

April 20, 2009

Go Green

arth Day arrives on Wednesday, April 22, prompting everyone to talk about what they can do to be more environmentally friendly. It’s an important issue, but even more important to note is that a few Downtown Los Angeles buildings are way ahead of the

Project: Evo Address: 1155 S. Grand Ave. LEED Status: Gold Budget: $160 million Details: The South Park highrise at Grand Avenue and 12th Street opened in November. It is part of the South community, a collection of three environmentally friendly high rises from Portland-based developer the South Group; it follows the Luma and Elleven buildings. In terms of green credentials, Evo is at the top of the Downtown list. It was the first LEED Gold high-rise condominium building in California, and was constructed from renewable and recyclable materials. It was also built with low-emission glues, paints and other materials, and the developer employed local vendors to cut down on transportation and fuel use. Builders also took care to contain dust and prevent contamination throughout the construction process. Environmentally sensitive landscaping, such as drought-tolerant and native plants, surrounds the building, while interior details are equally eco-conscious, from non-toxic janitorial supplies to the non-ozone depleting refrigerants used in the building’s cooling systems. The lobby even contains special mats to help remove contaminants from residents’ shoes. Increased wall insulation throughout the building helps regulate its temperature without use of the HVAC system, and residents have access to their own

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curve: They have been built, or renovated, with energy efficiency in mind. Here are snapshots of three of the biggest environmentally friendly edifices in Downtown, all with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the United States Green Building Council. If they can go green, so can you.

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recycling and sorting facilities. Plus, lowand ultra-flow kitchen and bath fixtures and dual flush toilets reduce water usage by 30% over conventional systems. The property also boasts luxury features, lest you think that green living is synonymous with sparse quarters. The building’s 311 residences, ranging from 730-3,500 square feet, include studios, one- and two-bedroom residences, two-story town homes and penthouses. Amenities include a rooftop lounge with an outdoor fireplace and a terrace, a fifth-floor terrace, pool and sun deck and a full gym. Ground floor retail includes a Starbucks, the wine bar Corkbar and Salon Eleven.

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The block-long development, bounded by First, Second, Main and Los Angeles streets in the Civic Center and surrounded by a public plaza, bustles throughout the week. It houses state and city transportation workers, and includes a childcare facility, a health center and a first-floor cafe. It also holds an auto shop to service a transportation fleet. The project has won several design and construction awards, including the “Building Team of the Year” honor from the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Mayne was awarded the prestigious Pritzker Prize for architecture in 2005.

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Project: Caltrans Headquarters Address: 100 S. Main St. LEED Status: Silver Budget: $190 million Details: The 13-story, horizontally skewed Caltrans headquarters generated plenty of debate when it opened in 2004. Designed by Thom Mayne, the project has been praised by some for its sleek, modern look and compared to a file cabinet or the Star Wars “Death Star” by others. When it comes to environmental credibility, however, the reviews are all positive. Developed by Downtown-based Urban Partners, the Caltrans edifice features windows that allow light in but not heat, to help regulate interior temperatures without overusing air conditioning and heating systems. The building’s southern-facing façade is covered with photovoltaic panels, which collect solar energy for a green power source. The building is encased in a high-performance “skin” that mitigates heat gain during the day in order to put less pressure on its mechanical systems. “Skip-stop” elevators stop only on every third floor, to save energy and encourage a more healthful workplace by forcing workers to use the stairs. (Another elevator for those who cannot navigate stairs is available.)

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ago, despite rising utility rates and an increased convention load. “From a clear financial standpoint, that’s added to our base in terms of cost because those savings continue as we move forward,” Abassi said. The center is not finished with its ecofriendly renovations: Abassi said he plans to apply for federal funds from the recent stimulus package in order to add a white roof and more solar panels to the facility’s south hall. A white roof, which repels sun rays and heat, was installed on its west hall as part of the LEED process, and now Abassi wants to repeat the project. “One of the things we keep saying when we’re applying for funds is, look at what we’ve already done,” Abassi said. “We’ve been a model facility.”

photo by Gary Leonard

What Makes Some Big Downtown Buildings Eco Friendly

Project: Los Angeles Convention Center Upgrade Address: 1201 S. Figueroa St. LEED Status: Silver Budget: $3 million Details: When the Convention Center began a wholesale greening of its massive South Park facility in 2007, the investment was motivated by multiple factors. First, renovations to make the center more energy efficient helped it notch LEED certification in October 2008. With LEED certification comes a certain cache in the growing world of green business that has already helped the center attract environmentfocused conventions. “This has been a great selling tool, a marketing tool for us,” said Pourria Abassi, the convention center’s general manager. “Even if it wasn’t, it was the right thing to do, but this is the side benefit.” For a building that totals 4.1 million square feet and occupies a 54 acre site, perhaps the most important motive to go green is savings. Since 2007, Abassi has poured $3 million into boosting energy efficiency at the facility, retooling its air conditioning system, adding solar panels and cutting back on food waste. The Convention Center, one of the Department of Water and Power’s largest customers, spends about $3.6 million on utilities every year, Abassi said. But thanks to the center’s more efficient systems, that cost is the same as it was about five years

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Downtown News 15

DowntownNews.com

RESTAURANTS Restaurant Buzz Coffee Shop Disappears, Sake for a Good Cause, Casa Celebrates and Cheesy Fun by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

n Home for Spring: It was a busy time at Casa last week, as the Bunker Hill restaurant debuted its new spring dinner menu and outdoor bar and patio. A daylong celebration with cocktail deals and live music took place Thursday, April 16, and the establishment also held its ribbon cutting, with Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry among those in attendance. Mario Del Pero, a partner in Casa, said the new menu features lighter fare for the season. Offerings include ceviche de atun (tuna) and flautas de pollo (chicken). The restaurant is also debuting a new chef: Nicholas Albrecht, formerly chef de cuisine at Brasa in Seattle, takes over the kitchen after the departure of original chef Kris Morningstar and a short stint by Mendocino Farms chef Judy Han (who is still involved with the restaurant). At 350 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2249 or casadowntown.com. n Double the Sandwich Fun: Speaking of Mendocino Farms, Mario Del Pero, owner of the popular Cal Plaza sandwich spot, has plans to open a second location in Downtown. A restaurant at 444 S. Flower St. will arrive this summer, said Sean Krajewski, director of operations for Mendocino Farms. It will fill a space that formerly held a computer shop. “The store we currently have is so maxed out, overwhelmed and bursting at the seams,” he said. The new Mendocino, to be located at the Citigroup Center at Fifth and Flower streets, will provide 2,100 square feet of space, about double the size of the current location. Krajewski expects the establishment to open by the end of July. While its price points are higher than many comparable outlets, Mendocino Farms has become known for its gourmet approach to sandwiches, with a focus on fresh ingredients from small farms. It also has an inventive streak,

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n No Guilt Buzz: Most of the time, getting wasted during the work week signifies a problem. But if you’re doing it for a good cause then you’re not a drunk, you’re a humanitarian. Okay, it’s a flimsy argument, but whatever — come help humanity, and yourself, with a few shots of sake and some food at the California Science Center on Thursday, April 23, from 7-9:30 p.m. The $60 admission fee to the event titled Mystery of Sake is the path to dozens of types of sake, along with some hors d’oeuvres. The proceeds will benefit the Little Tokyo Service Center, a nonprofit organization that provides social services and emergency food and shelter assistance. The event sold out the last three years, so log on early for tickets and drink responsibly — in other words, don’t spill any sake. At California Science Center, 700 State Dr. Information and registration at (213) 473-1615 or sake.ltsc.org. n Foodie Tenticals: Restaurant Buzz was excited to learn that Octopus Japanese Restaurant opened its eighth location in Downtown last week. It wasn’t just because they

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offer fresh and healthy affordable Japanese food, including sushi starting $1.98. No, Restaurant Buzz was really excited because an octopus has eight arms, and since this is the eighth location for the restaurant, it was screaming for a clever, witty and hilarious eight arms and eighth location connection. But alas, the pressure was too much and Restaurant Buzz couldn’t come up with anything clever on deadline. So go try Octopus, which has set up shop on the ground floor of the Roosevelt Lofts on Seventh Street, a building that is now tangled in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (Tangled, get it? Ha! Restaurant Buzz still has it.) At 729 W. Seventh St., (213) 402-1500 or octopusrestaurant.com. n Spring Savings: J Restaurant & Lounge must be feeling giddy now that spring is here. The mammoth South Park restaurant and night club is showing its affection with a prix-fixe lunch that runs through June 20. The $17 menu offers a two-course mid-day meal with a salad and a choice of the J Burger or the turkey club sandwich. For $6 more you can bump up to three courses and finish it off with a dessert such as the flourless chocolate cake or crème brûlé. There is also a $38 prix-fixe special that includes petit filet mignon with ocean garden prawns. At 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com. n Elevate Lounge Goes (Relatively) Low: It may be 21 floors above the street, but the prices are getting lower at Elevate Lounge. The ultra-hip space with a commanding view of Downtown is offering free cover to those who arrive before 10 p.m. Since cover can be $20 for the swanky spot, it’s a substantial savings that can be used for more important things, like bottle service, which has also been lowered due to the economy. You can apply the Jackson (he’s on the $20; yes, Restaurant Buzz had to look that up) toward a bottle of Grey Goose, which used to be $350 but now costs $295, or a bottle of Absolut for $275, down from $325. But since this is about savings (and, well, drinking), Restaurant Buzz recommends going with the tequila. A bottle of Patron Silver, which was $350, is now $295. Of course, the other option is cutting a couple hundred Benjamins (the guy on the $100 bill) off the price by heading to the supermarket and enjoying your beverages at home with some friends. Then again, your home probably doesn’t have Elevate’s view. At 811 Wilshire Blvd., suite 2100, (213) 623-7100 or elevatelounge.com. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry (right) joined Mario Del Pero (pink shirt) and others on Thursday, April 16, at the ribbon cutting of Casa, a Mexican restaurant at California Plaza.

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Ground Out: In a quick over-the-weekend sleight-ofhand, the popular Arts District coffee shop Groundwork disappeared and re-emerged on Monday, April 13, as the Novel Café. The change had been in the works since December, said John Chung, owner of the Novel Café chain, which has five other locations in the county. Chung said he bought the Groundwork outpost in December with plans to continue to run it as is for a while before changing the name. On April 13, the green writing on the windows with the new moniker was the only indication that anything had changed; the interior, and the menu, is identical to the old Groundwork. Chung said any changes will be minimal. “Everything will be the same, just better and fresher,” he said. Richard Karno, owner of the Groundwork chain, could not be reached for comment. The Arts District Groundwork opened in 2002; it was followed by a second Downtown location, at the base of the Higgins Building in 2007. That will remain open, according to company officials. Groundwork became a favorite gathering spot in the Arts District thanks to its focus on organic coffee and a health-oriented lunch menu.

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DowntownNews.com

April 20, 2009

CALENDAR

Angels in the Alexandria

Theater Company Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary By Growing Into Its Downtown Home by Ryan Vaillancourt

on the building it calls home. Each of the eight plays — they’re all about 10 minutes — was developed by members of the company’s writers group, which meets weekly in the hotel. The works revolve around celebrities who either lived or frequented the Alexandria nearly a century ago. “Goodbye, Mary Pickford” is a modern take on the storied 1919 meeting of Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin when the trio founded United Artists in the lobby of the Alexandria. “For the first half, they’re discussing United Artists, but it ends up the woman playing Pickford is a drug addict taken over by spirits in the building — she’s come to believe herself as Pickford — and the guys have to play those characters to get her out of the building,” Gatto said. “It’s a total screwball, 1930s comedy.” Some works focus on lesser-known aspects of the icons that inspired them. “Seppuku!” is a meditation on the silent movie star Sessue Hayakawa and the Japanese ritual of honorable suicide. Best known for his role in The Bridge on the River Kwai, Hayakawa attempted suicide in his early, pre-acting years to atone for his perceived failure to meet his father’s wish that his son would be a Navy Admiral. In “Pan Troglodytes,” two men bicker back and forth,

trading petty accusations and denials of trifling allegations as they sip tea. The dialogue later reveals its inspiration to be opast the lobby of the Alexandria Hotel, at the rear of a era legend Enrico Caruso, and the allegation that he pinched minimally furnished ballroom, 10 people sit in a semia woman’s bottom in the monkey room at the zoo. As the circle, singing in near perfect harmony. story goes, Caruso denied the charge and accused a monkey Their sustained tones undulate through the vast Palm of doing the pinching. Court, a room remarkable for its architectural remnants of Theatrical Landlord luxurious, old Hollywood. In its heyday, the walls of this The Company of Angels, which is quietly celebrating its 50th room watched as silent movie stars danced and past presiyear, came to the Alexandria thanks largely to Ruben Islas, dents gave speeches. president and CEO of Amerland Partners, which bought the While the Tiffany glass ceiling plates and carved columns Alexandria in 2006 and has since upgraded the building, constill impress, the Alexandria’s spirit of celebrity and opulence verting the former residential hotel into affordable apartments. are long gone: The storied hotel, which was built in 1906, While he is best known as a developer, Islas comes from a went bankrupt shortly after the Biltmore opened in 1923. In theater background: Before going into business, he graduated recent decades it was known mostly as a run-down, dilapiwith a theater degree from UC San Diego. dated residential hotel for very low-income tenants. “When I first walked into the Alexandria, I saw this place Now a group of playwrights, directors and actors are that was perfect for a black box,” Islas said. working to summon the spirit of the building’s past. The It was around the same time that rising rents were forcCompany of Angels — founded in 1959, it’s believed to be ing Company of Angels out of its then home on Hyperion the city’s oldest repertory theater company — moved into the Avenue in Silver Lake. Company board member Catalina Historic Core building in 2007. Maynard (who is currently appearing in Lydia at the Mark The group produces original works about Los Angeles, by Taper Forum) ran into Islas, a former classmate at UCSD. Los Angeles artists, and as part of its mission to conduct arts “Through serendipity I had the idea and Catalina aprelated community outreach, it also gives acting workshops proached me with her needs, and I thought what better way to Alexandria residents. Those pitch-perfect harmonies in to get theater for my tenants than to get a theater company the Palm Court? They came from students into the building,” Islas said. in the resident theater workshop class, all of Besides some nominal fees to cover utilities, them with little to no theater background, Company of Angels does not pay rent, said who were warming up their voices before reArmando Molina, the company’s artistic dihearsing for a show of original monologues. rector. Instead, in exchange for the space, the The company’s real focus is on the third company provides the weekly theater workfloor, where a former VIP waiting room has shops for residents, which it co-runs with the been transformed into a black box theater. nonprofit Urban Possibilities. Alexandria resiThat’s where the company is presenting LA dents can also attend company productions Views II, a collection of new short plays that on a pay-what-you-can basis. are inspired by old hotel celebrity residents While Company of Angels does not have or frequent guests. a long-term lease, both parties envision their “We’re doing stuff for, by and influenced partnership lasting well into the future. by Los Angeles,” said Tony Gatto, who runs “It’s a mutually beneficial relationship,” the acting workshop for residents and is the Molina said. “And it just feels good to come supervising director of LA Views II. “We’re into this old building. We hope to be here the only theater company that we know for a while.” of that focuses fully on Los Angeles and its LA Views II runs through May 10 on the community. The diversity of Los Angeles, third floor of the Alexandria Hotel, 501 S. we take to heart the best we can.” Spring St. Shows are Friday and Saturday at Pickford, Hayakawa, Caruso 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets LA Views II is a sort of follow-up to are $20; $15 for students and seniors. More LA Views II (top) runs through May 10 in a small third-floor theater at the Alexandria Hotel. The show LA Views I, the first play produced afinformation at (323) 883-1717 or companyis a collection of eight short plays inspired by former celebrity residents or guests of the Alexandria, ter Company of Angels moved into the ofangelstheater.org. among them Mary Pickford and Enrico Caruso. (bottom) As part of its occupancy agreement, Company Alexandria in 2007. In the show that contin Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at of Angels runs a theater workshop for building residents. ues through May 10, the company zooms in ryan@downtownnews.com.

staff writer

photos by Gary Leonard

16 Downtown News

April 20, 2009

Family Ties Taper’s ‘Lydia’ Has Fine Performances but Can’t Maintain Momentum by Jeff favre contributing writer

gnoring the elephant in the room is common vernacular for not dealing with an obvious issue that dominates a situation. In the case of Octavio Solis’ Lydia, which opened last week at the Mark Taper Forum in Downtown Los Angeles, the elephant is Ceci, a curious and frustrated teenage girl who can’t communicate her emotions due to a severe brain injury. Ceci, parked on a mattress in the living room of a home in the Texas border town of El Paso during the early 1970s, needs constant care from a highly dysfunctional family, whose members all refuse to openly accept the situation — with destructive results. This marks the Los Angeles premiere of Lydia. The Taper production, which continues through May 17, imports the director, Juliette Carrillo, and several cast members from last year’s world premiere in Denver. Solis, in the vein of August Wilson, has loaded a family drama with sharp comedic barbs, some wonderfully poetic language, a few violent outbursts and an attempt to close with a shock. But there’s not enough of those elements to sustain a running time of nearly three hours. After a first act that frequently sparkles, thanks to steady direction, a fascinating title character and a pair of impressive performances, the conclusion lacks payoff. There’s too much repetition in two storylines that head toward obvious conclusions. Also, the “shocking” final moments feel contrived and unmotivated, and might offend more audience members than they impress. The opening 10 minutes, where Solis’ gift for language shines, is quite impressive. Though in reality she is unable to do more than make unintelligible sounds, Ceci (Onahoua Rodriguez) converses with the audience in free-flowing poetry. She can’t recall exactly why she was in a car accident that

Downtown News 17

DowntownNews.com sent her flying through the windshield, her head smashing on concrete. Ceci’s not the only one with problems. Claudio (Daniel Zacapa), her father, is a night shift short order cook who was born in Mexico and spends his days listening to music and wearing his headphones. He either ignores his family or abuses them. Ceci’s brothers are the younger, well-behaved Misha (Carlo Albán), and the older, violent Rene (Tony Sancho), whose secrets are tearing him apart emotionally. The family dynamic alters radically when Ceci’s mother Rosa (Catalina Maynard) decides to go back to work. So she hires Lydia (Stephanie Beatriz), an illegal immigrant whose surprise skills include apparently being able to understand what Ceci is thinking. The other character is Alvaro (Max Arciniega), Ceci’s cousin, who returned from serving in the Vietnam War to work for the border patrol — a job that doesn’t sit well with the family. Solis relies on archetypes — angry dad, mom in denial, opposing sons. The only exceptions are Ceci and Lydia, which is why those two young women hold the genuine surprises and laughs. Ceci’s lyrical whimsy is otherworldly and fascinating. Lydia’s forwardness makes her the wild card. She is fearless when it comes to Ceci and cares for her like they are sisters, not strangers. Their relationship, despite no direct exchanges, is the strongest and most realistic, aided significantly by two remarkable performances. Rodriguez transitions seamlessly from the contorted, drooling Ceci to her graceful, excited spirit. Though portraying brain damage is sometimes maligned as being simply a matter of technique, Rodriguez injects personality into Ceci so you sense what she’s feeling even though she cannot move or speak. Beatriz delivers a spirited portrayal of Lydia that conveys pure joy. She rattles off laugh lines like a stand-up comic, but she’s also capable of heartfelt and anguished moments. The high quality of the first 90 minutes makes the second act that much more disappointing. There is little new or surprising, and the tension that has been built either dissipates or gets lost in the flood of too many subplots. Technically, Lydia is solid. Christopher Acebo’s set design is an accurate re-creation of a rundown 1970s living room,

photo by Craig Schwartz

The Los Angeles premiere of Lydia tells the story of a woman, Ceci (right, played by Onahoua Rodriguez), suffering from a severe brain injury, and the woman who comes to care for her. Carlo Albán plays Ceci’s younger brother Misha.

complete with green shag carpet. It provides the setting for heavy action sequences and creates a natural focal point for Ceci and her mattress. Also worth noting is the haunting music by David Molina and the late Chris Webb, which, along with Christopher Akerlind’s often foreboding lighting, makes it clear that dark and unpleasant things are coming. It’s difficult to recommend a lengthy and sharply uneven evening of theater, but the high points of Lydia are magical. Lydia runs through May 17 at the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.

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April 20, 2009

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LISTINGS The ‘Don’t Miss’ LIST

EVENTS SPONSORED LISTING CHEER LA Rummage Sale Harlem Alley, Fourth Street, between Spring and Main streets, next to the Museum of Neon Art, (213) 628-0628 or cheerla.org. Saturday, April 25, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.: The Cheer for Life Fund is hosting an all day rummage sale to benefit organizations that support AIDS research and victims. Cheer LA, a group of philanthropic cheerleaders, will be on hand performing as people shop for clothes, toys, electronics, furniture, books, shoes, DVDs, VHS tapes and art supplies.

Sake, Art and a Garden Party. What Could Be Better?

Sake to me! Okay, that was bad. What’s not is the Little Tokyo Service Center’s annual fundraiser, which takes place Thursday, April 23, from 7-9:30 p.m. Titled “Mystery of Sake,” the event at the California Science Center will feature tastings of premium sake and Asian cuisine from some of L.A.’s top chefs. Tickets, at $60 each, are likely less than the tab at many fine dining establishments, so consider yourself thrifty. Plus, proceeds benefit the LTSC, a local affordable housing developer and social services provider. 700 State Dr., (213) 4731615 or sake.ltsc.org.

Thursday, april 23 Mystery of Sake California Science Center, 700 State Dr., 213.473.1615 or ltsc.org. 7-9:30 p.m.: Join the Little Tokyo Service Center for a special sake and food tasting event, featuring hors d’oeuvre stations by top L.A. restaurants, a silent auction and private viewings of the “CSI: The Experience” exhibit. The Changing Face of Publishing USC University Club, 645 W. Exposition Blvd., (213) 740-3252 or usc.edu. 7:30 p.m.: The economy is in tatters, publishing is in a crisis, the Internet has changed the old rules. How does an aspiring writer find the right agent for a manuscript? A panel of experts, including Louisa Ermelino, Barbara Lowenstein and Suzanne Wickham, with moderator Gina Nahai, will take on these and other questions. They will offer up-to-date and pragmatic insights to both aesthetic and practical success. Friday, april 24 Farmlab Public Salons 1745 N. Spring St. #4, (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. Noon: Susan Gray, arts planner for the CRA/ LA and John Malpede of the Los Angeles Poverty Department will discuss their project to create a series of public artworks to acknowledge the cultural contribution to the city of people who have lived and worked in Skid Row. saTurday, april 25 Chinatown Art Night Go to chinatownla.com for more information. 6-9 p.m.: Stroll the alleyways and courtyards of Chinatown, home to 32 cutting edge art galleries. “Chinatown Art Nights” is a new quarterly series of free art walks along Chung King Road and the streets of historic Chinatown. Baby and Tween Bonanza L.A. Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., (213) 741-1151 or babycelebrationla.com. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: This convention is billed as the event “where the hippest moms meet the hottest companies in one of the nation’s coolest cities.” Explore and shop for state-of-the-art gear, fashions, technology, furniture decor and more for babies, toddlers and tweens. Also on April 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ 626 Reserve 626 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9800 or 626reserve.com. Tuesdays, 6 p.m.: Live music with Goh Kurosawa. Thursdays, 6 p.m.: More live sounds, this time with Jessie Torrez. Café Metropol 923 E. Third St., (213) 613-1537 or cafemetropol.com. April 24, 8-10 p.m.: Slumgum, featuring Trevor Continued on next page

Roses are red, violets are blue, we love poetry, don’t you? Okay, that was bad too. You can take in verses much better than that on Thursday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m., when the Colburn School hosts the ceremony for Claremont Graduate University’s 17th annual Kingsley and Kate Tufts Poetry Awards. The free event will feature a reading and book signing by six-book author David St. John, a USC professor and recipient of Guggenheim and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships. The award winners, also appearing, are Matthea Harvey and Matthew Dickman (shown here). 200 S. Grand Ave., RSVP to (909) 621-8974 or cgu.edu/tufts.

photo by Gary Leonard

Wednesday, april 22 ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Linda Gregerson, Paul Muldoon and Robert Pinsky, three members of the final judging panel for the Kingsley and Kate Tufts Poetry Awards, read from their own prize-winning work.

photos courtesy of Davidson & Choy Publicity

Tuesday, april 21 ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Judge Thomas Buergenthal, currently the American judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, arrived at Auschwitz at age 10 and was soon separated from his mother and then his father. He’s touring with his memoir “A Lucky Child.”

photo courtesy of the Little Tokyo Service Center

by AnnA Scott, StAff writer

Dance! Move! Talk! Sing! Experience it all on Friday, April 24, at It’s (A)live: Brave Live Arts From Los Angeles. The performance art extravaganza, to take place at 8 p.m. in an ever-changing, ground-floor commercial space at 115 W. Fifth St., will examine the real and imagined landscapes of L.A. through dance, movement, literature, storytelling and music. The event, organized by local filmmaker and photographer Dino Dinco, is partly inspired by the temporary spaces and illegal nightclubs that once littered Downtown. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Now that Downtown’s monthly Art Walk is a well-established hit, Chinatown is stepping up. On Saturday, April 25, Chinatown Art Nights debuts from 6-9 p.m. Check out 32 galleries while strolling the alleyways and courtyards of Chinatown. Bonus: If you get tired, stop for some dumplings or slippery shrimp. The event, which harkens back to the days when the Chung King Road gallery scene exploded (even Rolling Stone wrote about it), is the first in a quarterly series that will repeat July 11, Sept. 12 and Dec. 12. Parking adjacent to Chung King Road will be available for $3 and gallery maps will be provided by the Chinatown Business Improvement District. chinatownla.com.

Five

A smattering of herbs, a handful of roses, a patch of grass; no matter how small, gardens can improve your outlook and enrich your life. Think you need a backyard to reap the benefits or exercise your green thumb? Learn how to create a “doorstep garden” of your very own on Thursday, April 23, from 12:15-1 p.m. at the Central Library. The lunchtime program is part of the library’s Thursdays at Central series, and could tide you over while city officials work on bringing more green to Downtown L.A. 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 2287000 or lapl.org. Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

April 20, 2009

Downtown News 19

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Additional Event Information on the Web

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Continued from previous page Anderies, combines elements of jazz, free improvisation, world music and contemporary classical music. April 25, 8-10 p.m.: Vocalist Julia Gottlieb. Casey’s Irish Bar and Grill 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com. Friday: Fridays are for fiddles, as the bar hosts live Irish music. Chop Suey Café 347 E. First St., (213) 617-9990 or chopsueycafe.com. Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.: Live jazz on the patio of the restored landmark. Club Nokia Corner of Olympic Blvd. and Figueroa St., clubnokia.com. April 23, 8 p.m.: British soul popstress Joss Stone. April 24, 8 p.m.: Lovelorn, bandana clad Bret Michaels appears on his Rock of Love tour. April 25, 7 p.m. Luis Fonsi. Conga Room L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic, (213) 749-0445 or congaroom.com. April 21: Kat Adams showcase, with guest Jeffrey Osborne. April 22: Rick Ortiz presents “Noches Rockeras.” April 24: Go to the point of no return with Stacy Q. April 25: Chino Espinoza y Los Dueños del Son. Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com. April 20: Hillsong United. April 25: Los Inquietos Del Norte. Pete’s Café and Bar 400 N. Main St., (213) 618-1759 or petescafe.com. Tuesdays, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.: Pablo Calogero and Fabiano Nacimento play Brazilian jazz. Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. April 20, 10 p.m.: Jake LaBotz, praised by Tatoo Magazine for his “sadder than hell balladry, razor sharp testifying, storied takes on loneliness, beatnik-on-the-Mexican-border music, coffeehouse chic.” April 21, 10 p.m.: Deep-rooted country from Mike Stinson and Dave Gleason. April 22, 10 p.m.: Paging Beto, which features members of Social Distortion, The Blasters and Top Jimmy, continues its April residency with its power blues sound. April 23, 10 p.m.: The Honorable DHC, I See Hawks in L.A. and (goodness, gracious) 3 Balls of Fire. April 24, 10 p.m.: Groovy Rednecks, Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies and Custom Made Charlie. April 25, 10 p.m.: Travesuras with La Cholita, featuring Moonlight Cruisers and Larry s Juan Man Band April 26, Noon: Brunch with ‘Lil Mo and the Unholy 4, Crash Justice and Hellbound Eddie’s Trainwreck Trio Royale 2619 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 388-8488 or royaleonwilshire.com. Sundays, 9 p.m.-midnight: Rat pack protégé Max Vontaine. Sheraton L.A. Downtown Hotel 711 S. Hope St., (310) 216-5861. Fridays: The hotel presents a weekly live jazz night.

Tuesday, April 21 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 8 p.m.: The Australian Chamber Orchestra appears to play concertos from Vivaldi and Mozart, Haydn’s Symphony No. 44 and Rameau’s Suite from Dardanus. Thursday, April 23 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 8 p.m.: Violinist Joshua Bell guests, with Lionel Bringuier at the podium for a piece from Ravel, Lalo, Schmitt and Liszt. Camerata Pacifica Zipper Concert Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2200 or cameratapacifica.org. 8 p.m.: The Santa Barbara-based string ensemble presents a concert of Haydn’s Divertimento in G Major, Dring’s trio for Flute, Oboe and Piano and Mozart’s Adagio for Cor Anglais and String Trio. Friday, April 24 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 8 p.m.: See April 23 listing. Colburn School Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2200 or colburnschool.edu. 1:15 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.: During the day and into the evening, conservatory students give free recitals. Go to colburnschool.edu for more information. Los Angeles Master Chorale Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 11 a.m.: The 20th annual Los Angeles Master Chorale High School Choir Festival features, for free, choirs from 26 high schools in Los Angeles and Orange counties. They’ll be conducted by Music Director Grant Gershon, and the program will feature the world premiere of “Prayer,” commissioned by the chorale for this milestone anniversary from acclaimed composer Ricky Ian Gordon. Starting at 1 p.m., Gershon conducts a 1,000-voice choir in works by Puccini, Handel and others. Saturday, April 25 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 2 p.m.: See April 23 listing. Colburn School Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2200 or colburnschool.edu. 8 p.m.: School faculty member Ronald Leonard gives a cello recital. Sunday, April 26 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 2 p.m.: See April 23 listing. Colburn School Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2200 or colburnschool.edu. 3 p.m.: The school’s Colburn Chamber Music Society performs a program featuring Schoenberg’s

“Pierrot Lunaire,” Hartke’s “Meanwhile,” and Reich’s “Double Sextet.”

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE The Birds L.A. Opera, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8001 or laopera.com. April 23, 7:30 p.m.; April 26, 2 p.m.: Conductor James Conlon continues his exploration of long forgotten masterpieces by the lost generation of composers affected by the Holocaust. Featured in this year’s Recovered Voices series is Walter Braunfels’ “The Birds,” a lush, late Romantic work reminiscent of Strauss and Wagner. Braunfels freely adapted the ancient Greek comic-dramatist Aristophanes’s play “The Birds” to compose what he described as an “airy play of imagination... everything here is a game, a metaphor.” Soprano Désirée Rancatore makes her company debut in the role of the Nightingale and Brandon Jovanovich makes his first L.A. Opera appearance in the role of Good Hope. Die Walküre L.A. Opera, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8001 or laopera.com. April 22, 6:30 p.m.; April 25, 6:30 p.m.: In round two of the L.A. opera’s Ring cycle, Plácido Domingo and soprano Anja Kampe star in “Die Walküre,” the compelling love story between the doomed hero and his soul mate, which features some of Wagner’s most memorable music. LA Views II Company of Angeles at the Alexandria Hotel, 501 S. Spring St., Third Floor, companyofangelstheater.org. April 24 and 25, 8 p.m.; April 26, 3 and 7 p.m.: LA Views II, a reincarnation of LA Views, the first production the company did in its home at the Alexandria, takes inspiration from luminaries of the silent film era. This collection of eight short plays draws from past celebrities like Mary Pickford and Sessue Hayakawa who lived in or frequented the hotel in its glory days. Through May 10. Lydia Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org. April 21-24, 8 p.m.; April 25, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; April 26, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: In “Lydia,” a MexicanAmerican family is mired in grief and guilt over a daughter tragically disabled. So, the Flores family welcomes Lydia, an undocumented maid, into their El Paso home and is immediately set on a mysterious journey of discovery. Through May 17.

BARS & CLUBS 626 Reserve 626 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9800 or 626reserve.com. This small but stylish wine bar welcomes with warm lighting, burgundy-colored walls and a curvy bar where you can sip from more than two dozen wines by the glass. There’s a decent selection of international beers and nearly 70 varietals by the bottle. The Association 610 S. Main St. Carved out of the back area that used to belong to Cole’s, the bar in front, the Association is a dimly-lit, swank little alcove with some serious mixologists behind the bar. Banquette 400 S. Main St., (213) 626-2768 or banquette-cafe.com. This petite cafe and wine bar with its red and white striped awning has become a popular hangout for

Listings for additional concerts, exhibits and more in Downtown Los Angeles can be found on our website. Go to downtownnews.com/calendar for full information, including time and location, for all the happenings in Downtown.

casual evenings of drinking wine and meeting up with friends. During monthly Art Walks on the second Thursday of the month, Banquette buzzes with almost every kind of Downtown denizen you could imagine. They have a small but lovely selection of wines by the glass as well as beers. Barbara’s at the Brewery 620 Moulton Ave., No. 110, (323) 221-9204 or barbarasatthebrewery.com. On the grounds of the Brewery, this bar and restaurant in an unfinished warehouse is where local residents find their artistic sustenance. Beer on tap, wine list and full bar. Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382 or myspace.com/bar107. Inside the keyhole-shaped door, tough-as-nails Derby Dolls vie for elbowroom with crusty old bar guys and a steady stream of Old Bank District inhabitants. Velvet señoritas, deer heads with sunglasses, a wooden Indian and Schlitz paraphernalia plaster the red walls. There’s no shortage of entertainment, with the funky dance room, great DJs and the occasional rock band. In the photo booth, you can capture your mug in oldfashioned black and white. Located just two blocks east of the Pershing Square Metro stop, Bar 107 is open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. Blue Velvet 750 S. Garland St., (213) 239-0061 or bluevelvetrestaurant.com. Located off a small side street, look for the blue neon sign that says The Flat. This stylish poolside restaurant and lounge in the former Holiday Inn (now a residential building) features sparkling views of Staples Center, a dining room with a 17-foot sunken granite table, and a sleek bar with white stools where you can saddle up cowboy style. Bonaventure Brewing Company Westin Bonaventure, 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 236-0802 bbc2go.com. Where can you get a drink, order some decent bar food, sit outdoors and still feel like you’re Downtown? It’s a tall order to fill, but this bar in the Bonaventure Hotel does it admirably. Sure, the hotel is vaguely ’80s, and you’ll probably encounter some convention goers tying a few on, but it only adds to the fun. Pub Quiz Trivia Night every Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. Bona Vista Lounge 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 624-1000 or starwoodhotels.com. Located in the heart of the Financial District in the landmark Westin Bonaventure Hotel, this revolving cocktail lounge offers a 360-degree view of the city.

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A HAndy MAP RefeRence To food, ATTRAcTions & enTeRTAinMenT F

Where to Eat

§F § § §

C5 C5 B5 B8

Where to Shop

§ Where to Live

Grand Tower • 255 S. Grand Ave. Museum Tower • 225 S. Olive St. Promenade Towers • 123 S. Figueroa St. The Metropolitan Apartments • 950 S. Flower St.

229-9777 626-1500 617-3777 489-3300

EF m C6

The Millennium Biltmore Hotel • 506 S. Grand Ave.

624-1011

FF_ C6 E# #

California Plaza II • 4th St. & Grand Ave. • Watercourt • 4th St. & Grand Ave. • Angels Flight Railway • 4th St. & Hill St.

687-2001 687-2190 626-1901

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☞ C5

Wilshire Grand Hotel • 930 Wilshire Blvd. • Cardini Ristorante • Seoul Jung • Kyoto

688-7777 896-3822 688-7880 896-3812

Downtown Dental Office • 255 S. Grand Ave., Suite 204

620-5777

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Points of Interest

Kyoto Grand Hotel & Garden • 120 S. Los Angeles St.

629-1200

Frying Fish Restaurant • 120 Japanese Village Plaza Mall

680-0567

The Los Angeles Athletic Club • 431 W. 7th St.

630-5200

Bunker Hill Real Estate • 800 W. 1st St., #401

680-1720

Dr. Silvia Kasparian DDS • 601 W. 5th St., Suite 1110

892-8172

F C2

CBS Seafood Restaurant • 700 N. Spring St.

617-2323

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Clifton’s Brookdale Restaurant • 648 S. Broadway

627-1673

FF_ C2

Far East Plaza/Wing Hop Fung • 727 N. Broadway

626-7200

The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM FIDM Museum Galleries & Shops • 919 S. Grand Ave.

624-1200

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels • 555 W. Temple St.

680-5200

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El Pollo Loco • 260 S. Broadway Orsini Apartments • 505 N. Figueroa St. Gus’s Drive-In • 1657 W. 3rd St. Medici • 725 S. Bixel St. Carl’s Jr. • 254 S. Broadway

626-7975 877-267-5911 483-8885 888-886-3731 625-1357

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PIP Printing • 700 Wilshire Blvd.

489-2333

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Tommy’s • 2575 W. Beverly Blvd.

389-9060

7+FIG • 7th & Figueroa Sts.

955-7150

Ernst & Young • 725 S. Figueroa St.

955-7100

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

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

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20 Downtown News A

April 20, 2009

Downtown News 21

DowntownNews.com

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REAL ARTIST LOFTS 1200-2000 Sq. Ft., $1600-$2200/mo. High ceilings,hardwoodfloors,fireplace, pool/spa, gated parking, laundry, sorry no dogs, Open House Sundays 12-3pm @ 1250 Long Beach Ave., L.A.866-425-7259, LAartistlofts.com.

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Continued on next page

THE ANSWER to LAst weeK’s puZZLe

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

22 Downtown News

April 20, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Continued from previous page

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FictitiouS BuSinESS nAmE StAtEmEnt FiLE no. 20090413274 The following persons doing business as: OTAAT, ATP., 2102 Hillcrest Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90016, is hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) ALBERT CHU, 2102 Hillcrest Drive, Los Angeles CA 90016, (2) AMELIA STEPHENSON, 818 S. Lucerne Blvd., #101, Los Angeles, CA 90005. This business is conducted by a general partner-

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ship. Registrants began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on November 1, 2008. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 23, 2009. NOTICE—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. 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11/2009. FictitiouS BuSinESS nAmE StAtEmEnt FiLE no. 20090499891 The following persons doing business as: WELCOME, 1497 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, is hereby registered by the following registrant(s): LAUREL BROUGHTON, 1497 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrants has not began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on April 7, 2009 NOTICE—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

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Professions Code). Pub. 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11/2009. Civil summons SuPERioR couRt oF cALiFoRniA countY oF LoS AnGELES no. Kc 053121 PLAintiFF: RAFAEL cAStiLLo; JoSE FLoRES; VAnESSA ZAmoRA; KEniA FLoRES, A minoR, BY VAnESSA ZAmoRA, HER GuARDiAn AD LitEm VS DEFEnDAnt: REnEE BELL; EntERPRiSE REnt-A-cAR; JoHn DoE AND DOES 1-20, INCLUSIVE You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form, if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia. org), the California Courts Online

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877.223.1494 616 St. Paul Avenue ARTIST LOFTS FOR LEASE Live/Work in Downtown Fashion District 700 to 1500 Sq. Ft. Lofts. High ceilings, skylights, cable, kitchen, bath+shower, laundry room, elevator, controlled access, sub. parking. Sorry no dogs. Call George: 818-634-7916 or 310-275-9831 x24

Rent

Low Move-in SPECIAL

up to 2 months free! • Studio, one & two Bedrooms

• Nine foot ceilings

• Granite kitchens

• Subterranean, gated parking

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• Private one acre park

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• Golf driving cages

• Crown molding

• Putting green

• Direct TV & Internet access

• Tennis courts

• Oversized windows with Dramatic views of the city

• Sand volleyball court

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• Designer carpet And ceramic tile

• Balcony or patio

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

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Single rooms starting from $550/mo.

Includes utilities, basic cable channels, laundry room on site, street parking, 1 yr lease.

HealtH Dept. rank a for 7 ConseCutive Years

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

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oFFicE/cREAtiVE SPAcE in Artist District (Little Tokyo) 618 ½ E. 1st St. Prime location on 1st street 1 block East of Alameda. Parking lot adjacent/ spaces also available. Beautiful garden and patio in rear of building. 4 Offices currently available. Starting @375/mo. (month to month)

Bobby Grahm @ (213) 437-0211

April 20, 2009

Downtown News 23

DowntownNews.com

Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. STATEMENT OF DAMAGES (Personal Injury or Wrongful Death) PLAINTIFF: RAFAEL CASTILLO Seeks damages in the aboveentitled action, as follows: 1.GENERAL DAMAGES a. Pain, suffering, and inconvenience: $12,000.00 b. Emotional distress: $12,000.00 2. SPECIAL DAMAGES a. Medical expenses: $3,745.00 b. Future medical expenses: $1,000.00 c. Loss of earnings: $1,500.00 PLAINTIFF: JOSE FLORES Seeks damages in the aboveentitled action, as follows: 1. GENERAL DAMAGES a. Pain, suffering, and inconvenience: $5,000.00 b. Emotional distress: $5,000.00 2. SPECIAL DAMAGES a. Medical expenses: 3,915.00 b. Future medical expenses: $1,500.00 PLAINTIFF: VANESSA ZAMORA Seeks damages in the aboveentitled action, as follows: 1. GENERAL DAMAGES a. Pain, suffering, and inconvenience: $5,500.00 b. Emotional distress: $5,500.00 2. SPECIAL DAMAGES a. Medical expenses: $3,970.00

b. Future medical expenses: $ 1,500.00 PLAINTIFF: KENIA FLORES, by and through her Guardian Ad Litem Vanessa Zamora Seeks damages in the aboveentitled action, as follows: 1. GENERAL DAMAGES a. Pain, suffering, and inconvenience: $1,500.00 b. Emotional distress: $1,500.00 2. SPECIAL DAMAGES a. Medical expenses: $575.00 b. Future medical expenses: $250.00 Dated: July 31, 2008 The name and address of the court is: POMONA COURTHOUSESOUTH(EAST DISTRICT) 400 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA POMONA, CA 91766 Case Number: KC053121 Dated: June 16,2008 John A Clarke, Clerk E. Leon, Deputy The name, address, telephone number, and fax number of Plaintiff’s attorney is: THE LAW OFFICES OF ARTHUR G. LESMEZ BERNARD WARE, ESQ (SBN 159833) A Professional Corporation 854 Pico Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405-1325 Telephone: 310-399-1111 Fax: 310-399-3299 Pub. 4/06, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27/09

Fictitious Business name statement File no. 20090459681 The following persons doing business as: SIX-GUN ANTHEM, 1636 Sheridan Road, Glendale CA, 91206 is hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) SASHA BOGHOSIAN, 1636 Sheridan Road, Glendale, CA 91206. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrants has not began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on March 31, 2009. NOTICE—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. 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27/2009

Fictitious Business name statement File no. 20090474372 The following person is doing business as: CHRISTINE NOR, 880 W. 1st Street, #613, Los Angeles CA 90012, are hereby registered by the following registrant:CHRISTINE NORENE SMITH, 880 W. 1st Street, #613, Los Angeles CA 90012. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrants has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on April 2, 2009 . NOTICE—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. 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/04/09

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Pricing subject to change without notice.

Top floor of 11 story (18,000 SF) historic building available now! Perfect for corporate hqtrs. Features separate executive suite(s). Stunning views of LA two blocks away from Staples Center and across the street from the new LA Live complex. The building also has approx 4,000 sq ft of beautiful contiguous space and some small offices available. These spaces can be viewed by appointment. Information available to qualified prospective tenants. Email request to mdavis@shammasgroup.com or call (213) 746-6300

the alexandria at 501 S. Spring St.

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income & other restrictions apply.

Bunker Hill real estate Co, inC.

EstablishEd 1984

For SaLe: bunker HiLL Tower ❏ 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath. Elegant. Ready To Move In. South City Lights View. Recently Refurbished. Offered At $329,999. For renT: ❏ Prom. West. 2 Bed. 2 Bath. 7th Flr. Elegant Upgrades. Green House. Pride Of Ownership. $3,000 Furn. $2,800 Unfurn. ❏ Prom. West-1 Bed. 1 Bath Penthuse. Overlooks Pool

& Gardens. Greenhouse Windows And Balcony. Stunning! $1995 Month. ❏ Prom. West-2 Bed. 2 Bath. 5th Floor. Move In Now. $2,200 Month. ❏ 1 Bed. 1 Bath. Lafayette Park Place. Move In Now. 1100 Month. ForeCLoSureS: ❏ 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath Pasadena. Upgrades. Large Deck. $477,800.

Promenade West Condo

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SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433

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Mirza alli

Broker/Realtor Leasing-salesLoans-Refinance

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Call us for other condos for sale or lease Dwntwn & surrounding areas!!

www.Bunkerhillrealestate.com

call 213.626.1743 or stop by for a tour

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

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PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9 AM PST, April 20, 2009 Notice is hereby given that: Cathay Bank, headquartered at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012 has filed with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) an application to establish a new office: Cathay Bank Taipei Branch To be located at: 6/F, Ste. 3 146 Sung Chiang Road, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. Any person wishing to comment on this application may file his or her comments in writing to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Stan Ivie the Regional Director, 25 Jessie Street at Ecker Square, Suite 2300, San Francisco, CA 94105-2780, not later than 15 days after the date of this newspaper publication. The non-confidential portions of the application are on file at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation‘s San Francisco Regional Office located at 25 Jessie Street at Ecker Square, Suite 2300, San Francisco, CA 94105 and are available there for public inspection during regular business hours. Photocopies of the nonconfidential portion of the application file will be made available upon request. This notice is published pursuant to 12 CFR §303.7.

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

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

24 Downtown News

April 20, 2009

DowntownNews.com photo by Gary Leonard

We Got Games The Long Road of the NBA Playoffs Begins Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or nba.com/lakers. Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.: The Lakers continue their first-round playoff series at home against the pesky Utah Jazz. Nobody outside Salt Lake City is picking the Jazz to triumph, but with point guard Deron Williams, forward Carlos Boozer and the long arms of Andrei Kirilenko, they’re as tough a first round opponent as the Lakers could face. The return of big man Andrew Bynum has added life and muscle to an already surging Lakers squad powered by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. The series switches to Utah on April 23 and 25. If the best-of-seven series is not a sweep, the purple and gold will return home for a game next week.

Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., (213) 224-1400 or dodgers.mlb.com. The Dodgers are already showing promise, having ripped off a five-game winning streak (by press time) just 10 games into the season. It’s not just Manny either — Orlando Hudson last week became the first Dodger ever to hit for the cycle in Dodger Stadium, and pitcher Clayton Kershaw had a gem of a game against San Francisco. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are also showing their worth in the outfield. But it’s a very long season, so don’t get excited just yet. The Blue Crew is out of town all week, with an away series in Houston (April 21-23) against the Astros, followed by a visit to the Colorado Rockies in Denver (April 24-26). —Ryan Vaillancourt

Andrew Bynum’s return has the Lakers surging into the playoffs, where they face the Utah Jazz in the first round.

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