LOS ANGELES
DOWNTOWN
NEWS
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Building upgrades, a library suicide attempt, and other happenings Around Town.
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A Downtown resident discovers the Vista Hermosa Natural Park.
W W W. D O W N T O W N N E W S . C O M
April 27, 2009
Volume 38, Number 17
INSIDE
Bargain Lunches
Broad Approach for Broadway Effort to Revitalize Historic Street Sees Progress, Challenges After One Year by AnnA Scott StAff writer
Violin virtuoso at an elementary school.
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Arts high school won’t be a charter.
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Urban Scrawl on the new police building.
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or years, reviving Broadway has been one of the most difficult challenges facing Downtown Los Angeles. With the street’s heyday as a destination for movies, dining and shopping decades in the past, the historic corridor has seen multiple plans offered. All of them failed. Just over a year ago, another ambitious effort was launched to turn the thoroughfare into a major, entertainment-focused destination. Fifteen months later, those working on the project appear to have gained more ground than any of the other recent revival attempts.
At the same time, much work and many challenges lie ahead, with questions about money and private participation still to be answered. On Jan. 28, 2008, at a splashy event at the Los Angeles Theatre, 14th District City Councilman José Huizar launched Bringing Back Broadway, an initiative to revitalize the corridor between Second Street and Olympic Boulevard. The effort hinges largely on reactivating the street’s 12 faded movie houses. Plans also include reviving the Downtown streetcar after a 45-year hiatus, building a new parking garage — which could cost upwards of $50 million between acquisition see Broadway, page 8
photo by Gary Leonard
Fourteenth District Councilman José Huizar, shown here on Broadway shortly before launching his Bringing Back Broadway initiative, has big plans for revitalizing the street. While he has made significant progress in the past year, much remains to be done.
A New Era for the Natural History Museum
Rent Drama Continues at El Pueblo
Exposition Park Facility Gets $91 Million Upgrade
More Debate About Below-Market Rates; Past Official Calls Lack of Deal One of His ‘Great Failures’
All the latest Health news.
by richArd Guzmán
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city editor
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he quest to raise rents for merchants at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument continued last week, as a former president of the appointed panel that oversees the department described how he tried, and failed, to raise rents more than a decade ago. “[The leases] was one of the great failures of our commission,” Philip Bartenetti, the ex-head of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical
Misbehavin’ at the Ahmanson.
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Monument Commission, stated during a meeting on Tuesday, April 21, in the Pico House. He appeared at a session organized by El Pueblo’s Budget and Operations Committee, which has been charged with reviewing rents at the monument and coming up with recommendations on what new rates should be. Bartenetti, along with members of Chief Legislative Analyst Gerry Miller’s office, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo’s office and 14th District City Councilman José see El Pueblo, page 6
photo by Gary Leonard
The Natural History Museum in Exposition Park has completed a $91 million renovation of a 1913 building. The first of three new exhibits will open next summer. by AnnA Scott
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo.
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17 CALENDAR LISTINGS 18 MAP 21 CLASSIFIEDS
StAff writer
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he Natural History Museum in Exposition Park last week unveiled the first piece of a $91 million renovation, the largest in the 96-year-old institution’s history. NHM officials on Thursday, April 23, opened the doors to the museum’s newly renovated historic centerpiece, a 1913 building that will eventually house three major exhibits. The renovation marks the first completed phase of a project intended to physically update, and
reinvent, one of Los Angeles’ oldest museums. “The primary thing is transforming the space and changing the way that we do exhibits,” said Paul Haaga, president of the museum’s board of trustees. “If you think of the real old days, natural history museums were curio cabinets: ‘Here’s our stuff, you’re welcome to look at it.’ The new museum we’re inventing really engages you in multiple ways.” The restored facility will open to see Museum, page 7
photo by Gary Leonard
David Louie, chair of El Pueblo’s Budget and Operations Committee, at a Feb. 24 meeting. The department is conducting a study to determine what rents for the street’s 78 merchants should be.
Since 1972, an independent, locally owned and edited newspaper, go figure.
2 Downtown News
April 27, 2009
DowntownNews.com
AROUNDTOWN Man Attempts Suicide Inside Central Library
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man estimated to be about 35 years old was in critical but stable condition after he jumped from the fourth floor of the Central Library on April 20 at about 1:30 p.m. Police are calling the incident, which happened inside the building, an attempted suicide. “Witnesses saw him jump, so it wasn’t an accident,� LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon said. The man’s name has not been released. The incident comes two weeks after Downtown saw two “jumper� suicides in two days; on April 8, 33-year-old Sun Sannes, who had legally changed his name from Doral Fields, jumped off a six-story parking structure at the southeast corner of Hill and Third streets. The following day, Reuben Escocio Bie, 26 leapt to his death from his 20th floor apartment in the Promenade Towers at 123 Figueroa St.
Steve Martin to Open Aloud/AEG Series
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omedian Steve Martin will kick off the new Aloud at L.A. Live series May 11 to benefit the Los Angeles Public Library. The show will take place at the 2,300-seat Club Nokia and will also feature humorist Dave Barry. Tickets for the show, priced at $25-$250, went on sale last week at clubnokia.com. The Aloud at L.A. Live series is a partnership between the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and Anschutz Entertainment Group, the developer of the $2.5 billion L.A. Live. Since 1993, Aloud has been drawing crowds to the Mark Taper Auditorium in the Central Library. “The folks at AEG were looking at creating a speaker series themselves, and rather then duplicate
the efforts of other people in town they approached us and offered us this opportunity,� said Ted Habte-Gabr, director of corporate relations and special projects at the Library Foundation. He said the Library Foundation and AEG hope to do four events a year at L.A. Live. While he would not reveal who else will appear in the series, he said it would likely be a mix of big-name authors who don’t usually tour, and other performers.
Downtown Design Guidelines Adopted
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he City Council on Friday approved a new set of requirements for Downtown developments intended to make the area more pedestrian-friendly. The Downtown Design Guide and Urban Design Standards Guidelines aim to create wider sidewalks, landscaped parkways and medians, and bring additional streetlights, trees and street parking to Downtown. For example, the stipulations would require most Downtown developers to widen sidewalks instead of streets near their projects and make room for landscaping. The standards will apply to an approximately 2.8-square-mile area in the Central City. The new standards could serve as a template for improving other parts of the city, said Emily Gabel-Luddy of the Planning Department’s Urban Design Studio, which spearheaded the effort. The guidelines will take about 30 days to go into effect.
Ninth and Olive Building To Get Exterior Upgrade
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he owner of a 1920s-era property has begun exterior renovations of a build-
photo by Gary Leonard
Grammy-winning violinist Joshua Bell surprised a class of music students at Castelar Elementary School in Chinatown last Wednesday when he dropped by to perform for them. During the April 22 event, arranged by the nonprofit organization Education Through Music-Los Angeles, the third-, fourth- and fifth-graders also played for him. The students have been learning Bell’s music.
ing that has not had an outdoor spruce-up in decades. Lance Ordin, who through his LJO Properties, LLC owns the structure at 318 W. Ninth St., has begun a $250,000 upgrade of the Historic Core edifice. “I’m actually cleaning the façade and the sides and sealing it,â€? he said. “The back side and on the alley side, since the 1920s it has never been painted.â€? Ordin’s family purchased the 12-story, approximately 120,000-square-foot property in the 1970s. In its early years it was a hub for insurance companies, though today it is fully occupied with garment manufacturing businesses, said Ordin. He added that he has already done interior renovations, and the exterior work will be undertaken by J.P. Rodriguez Inc. Ordin expects the upgrade to take about four months. “It will be painted, it will be done correctly,â€? Ordin said, adding that he was inspired to fix up the property by the changes occurring all across the community. “I never
thought I would see the Downtown area the way it is now. It’s just so wonderful.�
Unscientific Poll Frowns on Villaraigosa Gubernatorial Run
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n one of the least scientific polls ever conducted, Los Angeles Downtown News used its website to ask readers how they felt about Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa running for governor during his second term. A full 40% chose “It’s just wrong,� while 26% said they are “Okay with it,� 21% said “Not so good� and the remainder, 13%, responded that they “Don’t care.� This week’s poll, about how long it will take the Lakers to vanquish the Utah Jazz, appears on ladowntownnews.com. Scroll down and look on the left side of the page to vote.
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LAUSD to Run Arts High School Cortines Repels Push for Charter Facility as Advocates Admit They Have Run Out of Time by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer
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fter months of a political tug of war for control of the High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, it appears that Superintendent Ramon Cortines and the LAUSD have out-muscled a group of stakeholders who wanted to make the $232 million school a charter. Although no principal has been hired and no arts curriculum has been developed, the school at 450 N. Grand Ave. is slated to open in September and will be run by the district. That represents a victory for Cortines and Local District 4 Superintendent Richard Alonzo, who has been working on the project for years. Billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad and other critics of the district’s handling of the high-profile school have been pushing for months for the campus to be handed to a charter organization. But those charter advocates concede that their plan has run out of time, at least for this year. “Right now, we can’t do it,” said Maria Casillas, a member of Discovering the Arts, an advisory board that was set up to help develop the school, and a vocal backer of making the arts school a charter.
photo by Gary Leonard
The LAUSD will open the $232 million High School for the Visual and Performing Arts in September as a traditional school. A group that includes Eli Broad had been pushing for it to come online as a charter school.
Casillas, who is no longer involved in developing the school, had been part of a group that tapped Judy Burton, CEO of the charter management organization Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools, to approach the district with a charter plan for the school. Burton said that making it a charter at this point would require proactive support and commitment from Cortines and the district. “If a charter petition were submitted tomorrow and had to go through the regular channels, get in the queue, go through the traditionally lengthy process of review, go to committee and then the board, then no, there isn’t enough time,” Burton said. “If the superintendent decides this is what he wanted to do and directed staff to make it a charter, yes it could be done.” Open to Conversion Cortines has remained steadfast in his opposition to opening the school as a charter — a scenario he has likened to “selling” the school — since he took over lead control of the facility from Alonzo in March. “Supt. Cortines has been very clear and said repeatedly that this school is not for sale,” said Alonzo, who has also long opposed opening the school as a charter. Cortines and Alonzo, however, both say they are open to converting the school into a charter after it opens, a scenario that would require the approval of parents and teachers. To create a new charter, a petitioning organization must collect signatures from a majority of parents of students who could attend the school, or from teachers who are “meaningfully interested” in teaching there. For a conversion, a charter petition requires the signature of more than half the teachers already at the school, or parents of a majority of existing students. Alonzo sees the push to make the arts school a charter as the mission of a small group of stakeholders, and not the will of the constituencies that will feed the school with students. “But if something like that were to happen once it opened, it would be the decision of parents and staff,” Alonzo said. Casillas said that she and other charter advocates intend to pursue that path, though their next step is unclear. Budget Autonomy The district’s priority for the school remains hiring a principal. After two prominent East Coast educators rejected offers to run the Downtown school, the district is now looking
within the LAUSD and Southern California for a top administrator. Fifteen candidates have filed applications and Alonzo said his office expects to begin interviews soon. The crux of the debate has been whether a traditional high school would have the flexibility to offer a creative arts education and hire top instructors. Charter advocates argue that standard district curriculum, staffing and budgeting rules would handcuff the school’s ability to provide a top-notch arts education. Alonzo said that the school will function with more autonomy than traditional district institutions: United Teachers Los Angeles, the teachers’ union, agreed to a staffing contract
for the arts school that closely resembles the one in place at several small, Downtown “pilot” schools that have some flexibility in hiring, budgeting and scheduling. At schools such as the Academic Leadership Community, a 435-student school housed at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, a governing board can allocate district funds according to need. School leaders could, for example, opt to cut one position to better fund other programs, said ALC principal Rosie Martinez. At traditional district schools, most staffing positions are mandated. see Arts School, page 9
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April 27, 2009
DowntownNews.com
EDITORIALS Mayor Needs to Lead in ‘Shared Sacrifice’ By Sitting Out Governor’s Race
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n his effort to confront a budget deficit that currently stands at $530 million for the upcoming fiscal year, and could soar past $1 billion the year after that, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has called for “shared sacrifice.” It’s a good phrase, one that is accurate and appropriate in its ambition. It also succinctly states what will be required by workers, union leaders, politicians and others to get Los Angeles out of its current mess. In fact, Villaraigosa expressed the situation best last week when he said, in releasing his new budget, “During these extraordinary times, it is the responsibility of all City leaders to recognize that reform is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. The need for shared sacrifice is not just rhetoric; it is a reality.” We hope Villaraigosa believes what he said and is ready to live up to it. We hope he is prepared to lead by example and to demonstrate that this is not rhetoric, because for Los Angeles to regain its financial footing, shared sacrifice needs to begin at home. To address this emergency, Villaraigosa personally must sacrifice more than the pay cut he already announced he would take. For Los Angeles to emerge from a fiscal crisis more severe than any the city has seen, Villaraigosa needs to sacrifice the timing of his gubernatorial ambitions. He needs to stand up and state that he will not run for governor in the next election, that he will complete his term as mayor, and that from now until 2013 he will be here working to solve the crisis for the people of Los Angeles. This is not a message the peripatetically ambitious Villaraigosa wants to hear. However, it is the responsibility he should face. For Los Angeles to recover, to maintain essential services and to ensure that thousands of people keep their jobs, Villaraigosa needs to concentrate fully on his. With all the wrangling and negotiating with union representatives this year and next, Los Angeles needs Villaraigosa, whose union ties run deep, to work on the city’s behalf. He’s the right person for the job, and giving the city less than his full focus now would be irresponsible. It would be a decision that would haunt the rest of his career. While Villaraigosa has yet to declare publicly that he will run for governor, he also has not denied his ambitions. And he has softened his tone on the topic: After years of deflecting questions about his future by saying he loves his job, he has
Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis
recently taken to offering comments about not wanting to make a promise he cannot keep, code for his intention to run. The cognoscenti say that sometime in the next few months, Villaraigosa will enter the race to succeed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. In a way the 2010 election is a can’t-losetoo-badly opportunity for him — even if Villaraigosa fails, he would still have his job running the city and would be well positioned for a future election. Yet Los Angeles’ losses from his run this time would be significant: Were Villaraigosa to win, a special election would be required, and given the likely crush of candidates and eventual runoff, the city would go months without a mayor at a time
Villaraigosa personally must sacrifice more than the pay cut he already announced he would take.
of extreme difficulty. Even if Villaraigosa were to lose, his attention would be diverted from the city and its problems. We shudder to think of the consequences if Villaraigosa is gallivanting across the state, stumping for votes from Sacramento to San Diego just months after unveiling a $7 billion budget that needs his leadership. There is no way he can give the deficit the time and attention it requires. Calling this situation serious is an understatement. Factors such as the housing market crash and the credit crisis have helped put the city more than half a billion dollars in the red for the upcoming fiscal year. But that is only what we know now — although there have been signs of recovery, many believe that the global recession has a long way to go. We could be looking at even greater deficits. In the time Los Angeles’
deficit has been in the news, it has grown more than 25%, from about $400 million to $530 million. How much will it be six months from now? The budget Villaraigosa released on April 20 seeks to avoid as many as 2,800 layoffs. To do that, he proposes that city employees take off one unpaid hour per week, contribute more to their retirement benefits and defer pay raises. He has called for reducing the cost of the city workforce by more than 10%. This is not going over easily with representatives of police officers, firefighters and other public employees. It also is not a one-time thing — the larger deficit anticipated in fiscal year 2010-2011 (in part because of rising pension costs) means that, a year from now, there will be more contentious negotiations or requests for concessions. Local, hands-on leadership enhances the chances for finding the right solution. Villaraigosa will spend the next few weeks trying to gain support for his plan. He also will talk up the sacrifices that he and his staff are making — along with reducing his $223,000 salary by 12%, he stated that he would freeze the wages of his staff and lower his office budget by 10%. That is a nice sentiment, but relatively speaking, it is pennies in the bucket. If the 15 City Council offices follow suit, that will mean a few more pennies, but still will not come close to addressing the $530 million gap. There is no quick fix here, but there is an opportunity. Villaraigosa, who has yet to live up to his potential as mayor, has another chance at establishing his legacy if he can meet this challenge. The crisis will only be remedied over the long term, but he can put his mark on a path to success and be remembered for it. In any case, Villaraigosa needs to sacrifice his aspirations for higher office until he finishes his term. Reminding him of his own words, it is time for him to move beyond rhetoric and into reality.
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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.
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April 27, 2009
Taking in the Beautiful Vista Out of the Home and Into a Downtown Oasis
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don’t know about you, but the very thought of walking west on Second Street from the Civic Center and through the dark and dingy Second Street Tunnel has never been my idea of a good time. The only possible reason to head that way on foot is if you’re a fan of the taco joint that magically pops up in the parking lot on the corner of Bixel Street several nights a week. But suddenly, that lonely strip is worth every step, thanks to the spectacular Oz that’s been constructed a half mile down the street: The Vista Hermosa Natural Park, right at the corner of First and Toluca streets. Spring has sprung, and after being cooped up for months on a big project, I’ve got a wicked case of the fever. This 10.5-acre park has Lisa Napoli been the perfect place to find a cure, the urban oasis of my West FOOT Coast dreams. (Truth be told, I also PATROL dream about the beach, but no way am I going to wake up and fight the freeway every morning to enjoy it.) Vista Hermosa’s origins are rooted in long-standing controversy, but what matters now is that it can be counted among Downtown’s greatest treasures. A day hasn’t gone by since I discovered it that I haven’t been there, sometimes twice a day, usually with one of my dear neighbors (thank you George and Bernie) and/or my hula-hoop in tow. At Vista Hermosa, birds congregate and chirp gaily; the smell of sage wafts in the air as you climb the steps into the main area; the hills on the half-mile trail are at the perfect incline to get your blood rushing; the grassy center begs for a yoga class, or, better yet, a picnic. There’s a playground area with a sweet little slide and a (faux) turtle that make even the cutest toddlers even more adorable. Next to that, a lovely, tranquil waterfall almost drowns out the surround-
Downtown News 5
Opinion
ing street noise. Every detail of the place is eco-conscious in design and execution, a self-contained watershed right smack in the midst of urban traffic and sprawl. From various vantage points you can salute that trifecta of Downtown architectural perfection: the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. (If you could only see the fountains at the John Ferraro Building, it
Every detail of the place is eco-conscious in design and execution, a self-contained watershed right smack in the midst of urban traffic and sprawl.
would be heaven.) Vista Hermosa deserves its name because it provides some of the best angles of Downtown. Take special note of the back-to-back benches perched high on a hill at the eastern edge of the park. Perhaps more remarkable than any of the above is the fact that even the bathrooms in this gem of a park are improbably, spotlessly clean. My excuse for the discovery of a park that opened last July is that I was away most of the second half of last year, but given the blank stares in response to my raves about it to various Downtown denizens, it still seems a well-kept secret. Aside from a few love-struck teenagers and the occasional
jogger/walker/dog owner, the place is virtually empty in the mornings. In the afternoons, there’s a bit more foot traffic languishing about. The soccer field at the southern edge of the park appears to be the most lively element, with games breaking out almost every afternoon and on weekends. When I arrived on Bunker Hill five years ago from the East Coast, I felt the absence of just two things: The first, a mondo grocery store within walking distance, was mercifully addressed about two years ago (and enhanced by a proliferation of farmer’s markets in Downtown proper). The other was the absence of a place to walk that didn’t require my getting in the car, one where I could stroll uninterrupted by traffic or stoplights. With Vista Hermosa, now that problem has been solved, too. I keep a running list in my head of fantasy party locations, places where if money were no object and I made the rules, I’d host a spontaneous bash for a thousand of my closest personal friends and anyone who happened by. The plaza outside the Oscar de la Hoya High School at the World Trade Center is one such spot. (It offers an awesome view of Disney Hall, and a great wide-open space for a crowd.) The park at the top of the Disney Hall steps is another. (If you haven’t been there, especially now that the trees are in bloom, don’t wait another minute for that, either.) Then there are the pathways surrounding the fountains of the John Ferraro Building; how much fun it would be to sip cocktails at dusk as the fountains burst into action. The little park adjacent to the Bunker Hill Steps at the side of the Citigroup Center has great views of the Central Library and would be another perfect place to gather. Vista Hermosa upstages all of these fine places. Note to the owner of that enormous white house that gleams at the top of the park — we’ll all be over for a barbecue, soon. In other words, whatever you’re doing right now, you should head on over immediately, grab a bench or a seat at one of the picnic tables, and finish reading this newspaper there. If you see a short, dark-haired woman hooping her way around the half-mile trail, muttering “I love Downtown Los Angeles,” that’ll be me. In fact, drop me a note. I’d be happy to walk over there with you and show you the place myself. Lisa Napoli is a former reporter and host for the public radio show Marketplace. Her book, Three Good Things: What I Learned in the Happiest Place on Earth, will be published by Crown early next year. She can be reached at lisanapoli@mac.com.
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El Pueblo Continued from page 1 Huizar’s office, was asked to address the committee about why rents for El Pueblo merchants have remained so low for so long, and why no leases have been signed in more than a decade. Although the issue has been raised periodically for years, the rents paid by many tenants remain far below market-rate. Last year Los Angeles Downtown News reported that some merchants pay less than $1 a square foot, although local retail experts have stated that certain spaces at Olvera Street could command four times that amount. At Tuesday’s meeting, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo’s office sent someone, for the second time, who did not have knowledge of past practices. A CLA representative said it was
too early for his office to get involved. Huizar sent his chief of staff, Ana Cubas, who did not address the committee. Huizar later said he has not yet determined what steps to take. “We need to work toward creating a stable environment that everyone can count on that will ensure the success of this great cultural landmark,” he said the day after the meeting. “I think given that, we need to move toward some better lease rates. But until I see what will be proposed, I really can’t say I will support market rate rents, but I certainly do think that we are going toward market rate.” Similarities to the Past David Louie, chair of El Pueblo’s Budget and Operations Committee, and the only one of four committee members to attend the meeting, said part of the committee’s task is to review leases and find out why certain decisions, like those that resulted in 55-year leases, were made a decade ago by the City Attorney’s office and the Chief Legislative Analyst’s office,
URBAN SEEN
both of which had roles in negotiating rents. Seventeen merchants signed long-term leases in the late 1990s. The remaining 61 have not had new leases since 1987. Although some of the tenants who did not sign leases say their rent was increased in the late ’90s, Robert Andrade, El Pueblo’s general manger, said that did not occur. Concerns have also been raised about the practicality of giving 55-year leases to merchants. At a Feb. 24 Budget and Operations Committee meeting, Michael Meyer, a prominent leasing attorney and managing partner of the Los Angeles offices of the firm DLA Piper, called 55-year terms for that kind of retail space “really unheard of.” He recommended that Olvera Street leases be no longer than five years. Bartenetti, who was a commission member from the late 1990s to 2005, detailed many similarities between his work and what the new commission is doing today. He said in 1998, the commission came up with a market-rate study to determine what rents should be. They also expressed concern about 55-year leases, although city officials ignored those concerns when the long-term deals were signed. “For various reasons, when it got back to City Hall, they said no to market-value rents,” Bartenetti said. He said city officials instructed the department to negotiate long-term rents in order to protect the historical legacy of families that have been running businesses at Olvera Street for decades.
‘There’s all kinds of possibilities here, so I don’t want to be cornered into a position that says, hey, we’re going to market rate. I think we’re going in that direction, but then again you have to look at the whole package.’ —Councilman José Huizar
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The current El Pueblo commission is awaiting the completion of a market rate study being undertaken by the department to help determine what the rents should be. At the meeting, Louie indicated that it will take the involvement of city leaders to propel the situation. “From my perspective, not a lot has changed,” Louie said. “This is going to have a lot to do with the determination of the elected officials.” Huizar, whose district includes El Pueblo, detailed potential options beyond raising rents. He pointed to the possibility of profit sharing clauses or similar initiatives. “There’s all kinds of possibilities here, so I don’t want to be cornered into a position that says, hey, we’re going to market rate,” he said. “I think we’re going in that direction, but then again you have to look at the whole package, the length of the lease, the profit sharing, the amount that’s paid for common area fees. There’s all these other factors that need to be taken into account.” Knowledgeable Officials Last Tuesday’s meeting continued a series of efforts to shed light on the rental issue and bring fiscal attention to a department that each year requires about $1 million from the city’s general fund to balance its budget. The concept of raising rents to help El Pueblo sustain itself could take on greater significance this year, with the city facing a $530 million budget shortfall. The city budget presented by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on April 20 proposed cutting El Pueblo’s budget this year by more than 11%, from more than $2.1 million to less than $1.9 million. The meeting also followed a pattern in which not all the requested information was offered. During the Feb. 24 meeting, Louie asked Assistant City Attorney Dov Lesel to address the lease issue. Lesel at the time said he had no knowledge about his office’s role in the negotiations that resulted in the 55-year leases or why the other 61 leases were never completed. He said a City Attorney’s representative with information about the past would attend the next session. Last week, however, Lesel was again present. He told Louie that he would try to get someone who is familiar with the leases at the next meeting. Meanwhile, Avak Keotahian, who spoke on behalf of the CLA, said his office’s role would be to help the council make a decision on the leases once new rates have been determined. Louie said no date has yet been set for the next committee meeting. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.
April 27, 2009
Downtown News 7
DowntownNews.com
Museum Continued from page 1 the public next summer, with exhibitions in the rotunda just inside the building’s entrance and in its north wing, the Age of Mammals hall. The south wing, the Dinosaur Mysteries hall, is scheduled to debut in 2011. Under the Sun, an exhibition focusing on Southern California’s environmental history, will open in a third wing in 2012. All of the openings will lead up to the museum’s centennial in 2013. While the NHM for some might evoke memories of elementary school field trips to dark, cavernous rooms lined with dioramas, the upcoming exhibitions will feature interactive and multimedia elements. “There is going to be a lot of difference in how the public experiences this,” said NHM President and Director Jane Pisano. “We’re looking to help people understand how we know what we know.” A Natural Evolution The 1913 building, originally designed by Frank Hudson and William Munsell and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was closed in December 2006. It took more than two years to retrofit, restore and renovate.
role of scientists. “Museums have traditionally been the purview of explaining the world,” said Petri. “What’s happening here is… we are giving visitors the tools to understand the world.” Dinosaur Mysteries, designed by Evidence Design, will use fieldwork archives, film footage and movie props alongside skeletons to explore all things dinosaur-related. Meanwhile, the building’s rotunda will house eight architectural cases that will display a rotating collection of unusual objects — from hairballs (“from our fine collection of hairballs,” said Dr. Margaret Hardin, the museum’s anthropologist and a curator) to old Hollywood sound devices — that visitors will try to identify. Some of the specimens on display were part of the museum’s founding collection, said Pisano. The goal of the upcoming exhibits is to present them in a new way. “Before, we presented our mammal fossils just one after another in a gallery with a large mural behind them,” said
Pisano. “What we’re doing now is using these specimens to tell a much larger story.” Some signs of change are already apparent at the museum. To continue drawing visitors with less exhibition space during the renovation, NHM officials focused on programming such as the popular First Fridays series, which pairs museum tours and lectures with wine, DJs and bands. It has lured many visitors in their 20s and 30s. That effort will continue in the future, said Haaga, as part of a goal to draw visitors who have not been to the facility in years, if not longer. “When we do surveys, people have wonderful impressions of us, but haven’t been back in a while. They liked it but didn’t feel driven to return. That’s what’s going to change,” he said. “There was no race to get here. Now we’re going to have more programming and more temporary exhibits, which you have to show up for.” Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.
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One of the highlights of the upgraded facility will be the Dinosaur Mysteries exhibit. It will open in 2011.
“[The museum] has secured its place… as one of this region’s, and beyond that, icons,” said Second District County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, whose territory includes Exposition Park. “As it moves past the century mark, I think we’ll see that more and more.” The project’s budget, funded by public and private sources, increased from $84 million to $91 million when officials realized they would also have to seismically strengthen part of the museum’s adjacent 1920s building, which remained open during construction. Some of the work is invisible to visitors, such as reinforcements inside the walls and new rooftops. But architect Jorge de la Cal of CO Architects and project manager Don Webb of Cordell Corp. and Matt Construction also restored or uncovered many building features, such as the rotunda’s stained glass skylight, the marble walls and mosaics and the gargoyle tiles that ring the building. Architectural highlights include the arched windows lining the north and south wings. That brightens things, said Haaga. “One of the halls had the windows blacked out, because at the time it was built, we hadn’t invented glass yet that could protect species and objects from the sun,” he said. “Now we are opening things up.” In addition to revamping the physical structure, the renovation allows museum officials an opportunity to plan more compelling, modern exhibits. The Age of Mammals hall, for example, will focus on the evolution of mammals in response to climate change. While the main level will include skeletons, multimedia features and other displays, the mezzanine will be dedicated to explaining the scientific process. Stephen Petri of Reich + Petch, the Toronto-based firm designing Age of Mammals, said the goal is to put visitors in the
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8 Downtown News
April 27, 2009
DowntownNews.com
Broadway Continued from page 1 and construction — improving the sidewalks and laying the groundwork to lure new commercial investment to the street. The program has made some significant strides: The 27-member Bringing Back Broadway Board of Trustees was formed last year. The group, which includes city officials, private property owners and other stakeholders, is already raising funds. Additionally, new measures to bolster the initiative are in the works, and a nonprofit entity has been formed to guide the streetcar. Some local observers say Bringing Back Broadway has the potential to succeed where others failed. “There’s a lot of good energy this time around,” said Councilwoman Jan Perry, whose Ninth District surrounds the Broadway corridor. “The disagreements of the past don’t seem to be there now, and that bodes well for the future of this.” Still, Huizar and the group need to raise more than $100 million, much of it for the streetcar. Another question is whether some of Broadway’s theater owners will invest in
their properties, a longtime stumbling block. Huizar said several Broadway property owners have already pledged support by serving as trustees. He expects continuing cooperation. “A lot of people talk about public-private partnerships, but this is truly one where the city is saying, ‘We’ll do this,’ and hopefully the private sector will too,” said Huizar. “In this one year alone, we’ve come very far, and we’re going to do a lot the second year.” Parking Problems One of the biggest hurdles in past Broadway revival efforts has been the lack of adequate parking. Many theater owners have maintained that they cannot lure crowds to the area for after-dark entertainment. “We are continuously approaching producers to bring their shows to Broadway, however, the one consistent deal breaker is the lack of reliable, convenient and accessible parking for theater patrons,” said Michael Delijani, whose family owns Broadway’s Los Angeles, Palace, State and Tower theaters, in an email. With the street’s residential conversions, he added, “the shortage is getting worse in the middle of Broadway, between Sixth and Seventh street, where three of our theaters are located.” To that end, a new garage is a major com-
ponent of Bringing Back Broadway. Huizar has identified $27 million in city funding to acquire space that could become a garage for at least 300 cars. His office has made offers for four potential sites. He hopes to break ground in approximately 18 months, said Jessica Wethington-McLean, Huizar’s former planning and economic development deputy, who he tapped to be executive director of Bringing Back Broadway. But that is only the beginning. Huizar recently estimated that $25 million will be needed for construction of the garage. That could be a challenge at a time when, Huizar admits, “Our general fund is getting smaller and smaller.” If he manages to break ground within the next year and a half, Huizar expects the garage to help convince theater owners such as Delijani to invest in their properties. He said he plans to create a written agreement with Delijani and others, committing the landlords to putting money into their theaters if a garage is built. Although some have estimated that fullscale renovations of the theaters could cost $10 million a venue or more, Huizar said he
believes investments of $2 million to $4 million apiece could make them viable. Delijani said he is working with architects and hopes to reopen all four of his theaters within the next few years. Some Broadway property owners, however, are skeptical about whether a parking garage will be the turning point for the Delijanis, who have been criticized for moving slowly in restoring their theaters after as much as two decades of ownership. Steve Needleman, who reopened his Orpheum Theatre at 842 S. Broadway as a concert venue in 2001 following a $3.5 million renovation, said he does not think parking is a major deterrent for hosting regular events on the street. “I’m disappointed that we’re not seeing other theaters brought back into line,” he said, “but that’s not all of Bringing Back Broadway. I think the other components are moving ahead.” He added, “There’s been a lot of previous talk, but Councilman Huizar brought in a program and has tried to make something happen. I give him credit. But that doesn’t Continued on next page
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Continued from previous page mean that everything will succeed.” Street Level The Bringing Back Broadway trustees last summer voted to form a nonprofit organization, L.A. Streetcar Inc., to handle the design, construction and eventual operation of the proposed Downtown streetcar. Things have moved swiftly since then. Dennis Allen, formerly an executive with Downtownbased developer the Kor Group, was appointed to head the nonprofit in January. LASI has begun gathering support for the project that could ultimately connect L.A. Live and Bunker Hill. LASI has also begun fundraising efforts, and has secured $10 million from the Community Redevelopment Agency. While significant, it is only a small fraction of the estimated $100 million needed to complete the project. Huizar said he is looking at a number of potential federal sources to help close the gap, but expects about 60% of the funding to arrive from private donations. Some, he said, could come from an assessment district, in which property owners along the proposed route would be taxed for the project — a proposal modeled after Portland’s streetcar system. “We want to see this car up and running by 2014, and that’s fast,” he said. “If we get federal money, it may slow us down, so we’re kind of grappling through that.” In the meantime, several legislative measures that would improve Broadway are in the works. First up is an “entertainment overlay zone” to make the street more pedestrianfriendly with new guidelines for signage, lighting, landscaping and other elements. Huizar hopes to bring the proposal before the City Planning Commission in July and secure City Council approval by the end of August. The so-called Infrastructure Improvements and Streetscape Plan would focus largely on fixing Broadway’s sidewalks,
Downtown News 9
DowntownNews.com which are crumbling in places because they are above the basements of the street’s historic buildings. So far, Huizar has secured approximately $1.5 million for those improvements, about enough to cover one side of one block. Huizar also hopes to see a new city measure modeled after the 1999 Adaptive Reuse Ordinance that paved the way for residential conversions of aging Downtown properties. His version would allow building owners to transform commercial space. The ordinance, Huizar hopes, could help activate the empty upper floors of Broadway’s buildings. That could take up to five years to be adopted. Still, local stakeholders praise Huizar’s efforts thus far. “There’s so much groundwork that’s being done,” said activist and Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Vice President Brady Westwater. “I think it’s a stunning success because it’s laying out all the stuff that needs to be done to make things happen in the future.” Huizar’s attempt comes as the street is seeing a physical
change in its makeup and activity. In recent years, a smattering of residential conversions has brought life to historic, formerly vacant office buildings, including the Chapman Flats at 756 S. Broadway and the Judson building at 424 S. Broadway. At the same time, some of the heavily Latino audience that long flocked to the street for shopping is going elsewhere. Although Broadway’s sidewalks are lined with small clothing, electronics and discount shops, Huizar said 15% of the ground floor retail space is vacant. “Most of those shoppers are going to other places, they’re going to Huntington Park,” said Huizar. “We’ve got to remake ourselves.” While he envisions most of Broadway’s existing businesses staying in place, he said, “At the same time you’re going to see a lot more coffee shops, a lot more entertainment areas, restaurants… and I think that’s a good thing.” Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.
Arts School Continued from page 3 While the pilots have flexibility in devising their budget, staffing is on the district pay scale, which some charter advocates say will hinder the arts school’s ability to attract the best instructors. The debate has been pushed by Broad, who this month donated $425,000 to save a program for lowincome minority students at the Juilliard School in New York. He said in a statement that he would provide similar funds for a Los Angeles school if it provided Juilliard-quality instruction. Referring to the High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, he said it needs “the best possible music, dance and fine art instructors available nationwide and stable funding revenue — components that will be difficult, if not impossible, to secure unless the school receives fiscal and operational flexibility and freedom.” Alonzo has repeatedly rebuffed Broad’s entreaties for a school that would seem to cater to students already brimming with artistic talent. He said such a model would exclude most students from the lowincome, historically low-performing neighborhoods around the school. “We are creating a community school, whereas charters are creaming off the top,” Alonzo said. “They’re appealing to parents that are dissatisfied with the system.” Burton, whose organization oversees 11 LAUSDauthorized schools, primarily in low-income areas, called Alonzo’s argument misleading, saying her applications require only a name, address, phone number and grade level. “If you look at the incoming data from our kids you would definitely see there’s no creaming going on,” she said. Casillas said any effort for charter conversion after the school opens would keep the focus on local students. Currently, the 1,700-seat school, which will open without a senior class, will reserve 500 seats for students citywide. “We’re very clear we want the local youth to occupy the 1,200 seats and the 500 would go district-wide,” Casillas said. Although Broad and some other charter advocates have suggested that the district delay the school’s opening by a year, Alonzo does not see that happening. “Different organizations have been coming to [Cortines] with proposals,” Alonzo said. “And he has been stalwart in telling them that we’re moving forward.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.
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10 Downtown News
April 27, 2009
DowntownNews.com
BARGAIN LUNCHES
The Bargain Lunch Challenge
Searching for Inexpensive Meals in the Heart of Downtown
D
owntown Los Angeles is in part identifiable by its diversity. Still, there is something that almost every person who lives or works in the community has in common: They all need to get lunch somewhere. Fortunately, there are a huge number of somewheres that can provide that mid-day meal, from white tablecloth establishments to greasy spoons. Whether you want a sandwich, a salad, a plate of pasta or even just an ice cream cone, there are plenty of choices. In the effort to sample a few of the budget-conscious options, a group of Los Angeles Downtown News writers and editors congregated at Pershing Square on a recent, 90-degree Tuesday afternoon. We also shared a common goal: Take $10 and 45 minutes and bring back the best bargain lunch possible. These are the results. Tea Time Jon Regardie, Executive Editor Details: I marched south from Pershing Square and onto Seventh Street, where there seemed to be dozens of lunch choices. The new Bottega Louie was enticing, though I didn’t think I could make it work for under $10. Heading east, I wandered through St. Vincent’s Court, a sort of Mediterranean Disneyland, but with less rides and more old men drinking espresso. A couple places looked appetizing, but I rejected them because they broke a few of my restaurant rules: I never eat at a place that has laminated pictures of the food, because the food usually tastes equally laminated; and I never dine where there is a television showing a soccer game
at lunch. Life is too short to waste a meal watching soccer. I continued my trek, and at Broadway and Seventh Street I spied an old favorite, Clifton’s Cafeteria, where it’s actually hard to spend more than $10. Still, wanting to try something new, I walked on and turned south on Spring Street. I took note of the intriguing Infusion Café, then passed a couple old reliables: Angelique Café at the point where Main and Spring streets meet, and L’Angolo at Ninth and Main, where a friend once introduced me to a delectable Kobe burger. A couple minutes and a couple turns later, I saw a place I’d heard about but had not yet tried. It was Siptea, a sweet, airy spot that the friendly woman behind the counter said opened about six months ago. As the name implied, it is heavy on tea choices (options include elderflower from India, dragon well tea from China and Taiwanese jade oolong), and the interior was decorated with tea cups, tea kettles and other tea things. It was more tea than I ever thought I would encounter. They also had a small but inventive list of salads and sandwiches (listed on the menu under the heading “nourish”), with fresh, healthy ingredients. I almost opted for the Organic P.B. & J. ($6.95) and pondered the Caprese ($9.95). However, I settled on the Fig & Manchego sandwich ($7.95), which came with mixed greens on a baguette. The meal was by no means large, but the bread was fresh and the combo of the sharp cheese and the fig (actually a sugary fig jam) worked well together. Plus, my to-go container was not a Styrofoam standby, but rather a folded, thick-paper box. It was nice to see that the eco-friendly approach extended well after I walked out the door. Results: A Fig & Manchego sandwich and a raspberry soda, $11.42. Okay, the soda pushed me over $10 — I was hot, I walked a lot, I plead guilty. 852 S. Broadway, (213) 622-8007 or siptea.biz.
photo by Gary Leonard
Siptea, a relatively new arrival to Broadway near the Eastern Columbia Building, offers dozens of teas and fresh, organic fare such as a fig & manchego sandwich.
And the Oscar Goes to… Pulled Pork Ryan Vaillancourt, Staff Writer Details: I knew exactly what I wanted for lunch: breakfast. Specifically, I was craving a hearty plate of moist, spicy, barbecue pulled pork, snuggling with crisp potatoes under a blanket of over easy eggs — otherwise known as the “5th and Main” at the Nickel Diner. The whole plate, which costs about $9, is enough to keep you full until dinner, maybe even until tomorrow. Alas, my 45-minute time frame to depart Pershing Square and walk to and from lunch, combined with searing heat, ruled out my imagined trek to the Nickel Diner. So I ambled west along Sixth Street,
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pondering a burger at Library Bar, but still lamenting the spicy pork goodness that would have to wait. Or would it? A theater-esque, marquee sign for Show Biz Ribs (not even a block from Pershing Square) caught my eye with a pitch for an enticing matinee special: “Pulled Pork, $5.95.” Show Biz Ribs, a barbecue joint that opened in September, is run by Tony “K,” an effusive maitre d’ with an entertainment industry background who stops by to chat with every customer. “Don’t use my last name,” Tony says, “because I used to be on tour and there’s girls out there all over the place who’ll find me.” Tony’s got the place decked out in old movie posters and photos, with quotes from classic films, and a small staff dishes out plates of open face barbecue sandwiches — juicy tri tip, double-patty, half-pound cheeseburgers, and what I came for, that pulled pork. “My pulled pork is gonna knock you out, man,” Tony assures. It’s hard to go wrong with a slow-roasted hunk of pig, cooked at a low temperature just to the point where the stringy flesh sloughs off the bone with a light tug. At Show Biz Ribs, the kitchen crew gets in there with their fingers to remove excess fat from the meat, then throws a portion on the griddle with some “pork juice.” It’s served with a squeeze bottle full of barbecue sauce on the side to further lather the sandwich. No barbecue lunch is complete without cornbread, as long as it’s not that crumbly, dry stuff that many supermarket brands offer. At Show Biz Ribs, the cornbread is pillowy; you can actually taste the corn, and it’s served with a ramekin of sweet honey butter. In the words of the Terminator (as a poster of old movie
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photo by Gary Leonard
The gregarious Tony “K” runs Show Biz Ribs, a Sixth Street restaurant specializing in barbecue. It has a standout pulled pork sandwich.
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Chew on the latest restaurant news & reviews. www.DowntownLADining.com
April 27, 2009
Downtown News 11
Bargain Lunches
the easy-to-miss category, Colori has built up a solid Downtown fan base with its down-home style, Mediterraneanaccented Italian cuisine. Even on a budget, it does not disappoint. I opted for one of the eight paninis, among the less expensive items on the menu. The grilled sandwich offerings include everything from a vegetarian version with marinated peppers and mozzarella to prosciutto or sliced New York steak and Jack cheese. I went for the middle ground, ordering the $8 pesto chicken. The hearty sandwich was held together by perfectly crisped bread, soft on the underside and spread with fresh pesto, and stuffed with a generous slab of grilled chicken breast, lettuce and grilled Roma tomatoes. It usually comes with cheese too, which I skipped because I photo by Gary Leonard have trouble stomaching melted cheese The comfy Colori Kitchen on Eighth Street boasts an eager Downtown fan base, who come on a hot day (it dates back to an unfor pastas and sandwiches such as the chicken pesto. fortunate childhood incident involving quotes in the restaurant reminds us), “I’ll be back.” string cheese and a hot car — enough said). Results: Barbecue pulled pork sandwich, upgraded with Regardless, the sandwich, which came with a generous side fries, fountain root beer and a slice of cornbread, $8.90. salad of greens in balsamic vinaigrette, was filling. In fact, it 520 W. Sixth St., (213) 439-5700 or showbizribs.com. fed me for two meals. The pesto, bursting with fresh basil and just the right amount of salt, was excellent. While I do not Colori Me Happy claim to be a food critic, I am a bona fide pesto snob, so that Anna Scott, Staff Writer means something. Details: Plenty of Downtown lunch spots fall into the deliResults: A chicken pesto panini sandwich with a small cious-but-easy-to-miss category, my favorite kind of place green side salad, $8.19. when it comes to eating and drinking. As I set out into the 429 W. Eighth St., (213) 622-5950 or neighborhood just south of Pershing Square, a few popped colorikitchen.wordpress.com. to mind. Contenders included the unassuming Arda’s Café on Sixth Trust the King Street and City Thai on Hill Street, both of which I’ve noted Richard Guzmán, City Editor on my mental map because of their fresh, vegetarian-friendly Details: With $10 and all the great little spots Downtown, I menus. But having recently eschewed vegetarianism for a knew I would not have any problem finding a place to eat. host of personal reasons (though I haven’t worked my way My only issue would be deciding what type of food would up to red meat yet), I was ready to try something a little, well, best go with a broiling day. meatier. I walked down Olive to Eighth Street, where I knew Enter Colori Kitchen, the small, brightly lit Italian trattoria Uncle John’s Ham and Eggs was waiting. It’s a tiny joint on Eighth Street just east of Olive. Though visually it fits in that mixes Chinese food with American classics like burgers,
Why does this little burger stand attract over a million people a year?
pork chops, steak and eggs, and a great chicken chow mein. Unfortunately, the line was out the door, so I walked on. I headed back to Seventh Street and, with the reasoning that nothing beats a 32-ounce Big Gulp, I stopped at 7-Eleven store No. 33713, at the corner of Olive Street. I spent $1.39 on a Big Gulp and 79 cents on a bag of extremely hot habanero chips. I also dropped $1.69 for an X-Men straw I just had to have. That left me $6.13. I passed Sunset International Grill on Seventh Street, which serves Mediterranean food. Unlike some of my colleagues, I’m a fan of places that display pictures of the food they serve, as it shows me exactly what I’m getting, and if I don’t get that, I can point to the picture and demand a better plate. Sunset Grill’s pictures looked good, but everything was around $7-$9. I was getting worried that I may have bought too much Continued on next page
photo by Gary Leonard
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April 27, 2009
Bargain Lunches
Continued from previous page too soon. I momentarily considered the Subway next door, since they have the $5 foot-long sub. But the guy holding a Subway sign outside the restaurant looked bored and unhappy as he barely moved the sign from side to side (understandable on a 90-degree day). I worried I would have the same moribund expression on my face after a meal there. But next to Subway was my savior — The Original Texas Barbecue King, where the smell, the flavors and the prices equaled perfection. This may be Barbecue King’s satellite location (it is based in South L.A, after losing a City West home), but the menu is classic, with ribs, tri tip, links, beans, cornbread and greens. And the prices were right. Although lunch specials like the Texas Style Ribs
($9.50), pork loin ($9.50) and beef tri tip ($9.50), which all include a roll and two sides, were beyond my budget, the sandwiches fit my hunger and wallet. Pete’s link sandwich ($6) was tempting, as were the tri tip, chicken sandwich, turkey breast and boneless pork loin (all $6.25). I chose the pork loin, which was dripping in hot barbecue sauce, with lettuce, pickles and onions. It was a big meal considering my Big Gulp, chips and X-Men straw, and perfect for a hot afternoon. Results: A boneless pork loin sandwich, habanero chips, Big Gulp and X-Men straw for $10.75. Yeah, I busted the limit, but I got a souvenir straw 525 W. Seventh St., (213) 627-7555 or texasbbqking.com.
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t is easy to uncover inexpensive lunches in the Central City. Here are a few of the many ways urban eating expert Richard Guzmán has found to fill up without spending more than $10. Wurstküche: The alligator and hickory smoked pork sausage ($7.75) I tried was magnificent. It was crisp and fresh, and biting down on actual alligator meat made me feel surprisingly masculine. Other exotic sausage choices include the buffalo, beef and pork with chipotle ($7.75), the rabbit, veal and pork ($7.75), and for the really adventurous types, the rattlesnake and rabbit with jalapeño ($7.75). At 800 E. Third St., (213) 687-4444 or wurstkucherestaurant.com. Village Kitchen: The sandwiches are as impressive as many of the more expensive options you’ll find across town. Choices include a hot pastrami with house-made coleslaw ($6), roast beef sandwich with horseradish cream ($6) and grilled salmon BLT with house-made tartar sauce ($8). For meat lovers, they have barbecue specials every Friday. But Village Kitchen really shines with its baked goods, with most costing less than $2. I recommend the red velvet cupcake ($2), a miniature version of the popular, and often expensive, dessert choice. Also impressive are the chocolate pound cake ($2) and the carrot cake ($4), the most expensive dessert item. At 1667 Beverly Blvd., (213) 235-1487.
Spitz: I recommend the Classic Doner ($6.47 a la carte, or $9.24 as a meal with a drink and a side of fries, pita strips or a salad). The meat is half-lamb, half-beef and can be wrapped in focaccia bread, which is close to the European-style doner, or in a lavash wrap (think pita bread). The sandwich is topped with tzatziki and chili sauce. Those who don’t eat meat can try The Veg ($6 or $8.50 in the combo) with hummus, feta cheese, olives and vegetables. The Chicken Doner ($6.47/$9.24) is another must-try, with a lightly spiced bird and green peppers. At 371 E. Second St., (213) 613-0101 or eatatspitz.com. Old Bank Deli: The Old Bank Deli lives up to its name with a selection of great deli sandwiches, hot paninis and salads. The sandwich selections include the Italian Combo ($6.49), with Black Forest ham, Genoa salami, mortadella, black olives and chopped pepperoncini. But if you’re like me and you loathe olives, make sure you ask for the sandwich without them, because if you forget you’ll be picking out dozens of the nasty little fruits. My favorite sandwich is the one I make myself with the deli’s Build Your Own Menu ($4.99). I usually go for the Black Forest ham with cheddar cheese on a French role with mayo, spicy mustard, tomato, lettuce, onion, pepperoncini and horseradish sauce. But please, hold the olives and the sardines. At 409 S. Main St., (213) 680-9000.
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April 27, 2009
Downtown News 13
DowntownNews.com
HEALTH The Oral Cancer Battle New Findings and Comparatively Low Survival Rates Highlight Need for More Education by Beth Dunham
A
photo by Philip Channing
s people look for ways to cut corners and save money in this time of economic uncertainty, healthcare sometimes takes a back seat to other expenses — putting lives at risk. A visit to the dentist is crucial and could mean the difference between life and death; someone in the United States dies of oral cancer nearly every hour, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Early detection is crucial in the fight against oral cancer, an aggressive, deadly disease that hasn’t seen the same improvements in survival rates as other cancers, said Parish Sedghizadeh of the USC School of Dentistry. “Oral cancer has one of the highest mortality rates among cancers,” said Sedghizadeh, assistant professor of clinical dentistry at USC. “It’s usually not noticed until the later stages,
Parish Sedghizadeh of the USC School of Dentistry urges increased attention on detecting oral cancer. “Oral cancer, given its location, can seriously affect a patient’s quality of life,” he said.
when a recovery is less likely. People have heard of oral cancer, but they don’t know what it looks like.” The disease rarely causes pain or other noticeable symptoms until it reaches a very advanced stage, he said. And while many people stay vigilant for the symptoms of more common cancers, dental care access challenges and a lack of oral cancer education means that most patients don’t know the early signs of oral cancer. “Oral cancer will often start as a small red or white plaque or sore that doesn’t go away with time, unlike other normal mouth, tongue, or lip sores that usually heal within a week or so,” Sedghizadeh said. Even if the disease is spotted and treated, fighting it can be especially traumatic, even compared to battling cancer in other regions of the body. “Oral cancer, given its location, can seriously affect a patient’s quality of life,” Sedghizadeh said. “The disease, as well as the methods used to treat it, can impact a person’s ability to breathe, speak and eat and can permanently disfigure the face.” Oral cancer is unique in that its diagnoses usually come from
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dentists instead of physicians. A visual screening for oral cancer involves examining every surface in the mouth, from the lips to underneath the tongue, but physicians may only give the back of the throat a brief examination during a checkup and do no further oral investigation if any at all, Sedghizadeh said.
“Most physicians aren’t looking for problems in the mouth,” he said. “It’s the oral health care professionals that should be performing the oral cancer screenings and diagnosing cases.” The majority of oral cancers are seen in older patients with see Oral Cancer, page 14
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April 27, 2009
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Grateful Patient How Teri Garr Survived A Brain Aneurysm by Katie Neith
F
or Oscar-nominated actress Teri Garr, her toughest role yet has been surviving a real-life medical drama In December 2006, Garr suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. A brain aneurysm is a blood-filled bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakening of the vessel wall. She was rushed to the USC University Hospital after her teenage daughter could not wake her from a nap. “I had no warning signs. I just went to sleep and couldn’t be woken up,” says Garr, who has acted in more than 60 feature films, including Tootsie and Young Frankenstein, and on numerous television shows. After she was admitted to the Department of Neurological Surgery, a team of physicians decided that due to the severity of the bleeding caused by the rupture, an endovascular approach would be the best type of treatment. Endovascular surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that accesses regions of the body through major blood vessels. In Garr’s case, Dr. Donald Larsen, an interventional neuroradiologist and associate professor in the Keck School of Medicine of USC, inserted a catheter into her femoral artery, a large artery in the muscles of the thigh. Using X-ray guided imagery, he directed soft coils of platinum alloy through the body and directly into the aneurysm. The goal of this surgery is to fill the aneurysm with coils and clot it off from the inside. Traditional treatment for aneurysms requires removing part of the skull and closing the base of the aneurysm with a clip. “There usually is very little recovery time using this cuttingedge endovascular approach,” says Larsen, who has been implementing this technique since it was approved in the mid ’90s. Unfortunately Garr, who had severe bleeding as a result of the rupture, did have quite a recovery period. She was in a coma for over a week and underwent extensive rehabilitation for two months. Garr’s recovery was also hampered by her multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system for which she has been treated by Dr. Leslie Weiner, a neurologist at the Keck School, since 1999. Nonetheless, she has had what Larsen calls a full recovery — no small feat considering 50% of people with a ruptured brain aneurysm die immediately. According to Larsen, of those that survive, half have a stroke as a result and endure significant neurological distress. “Teri is very lucky to have gotten back to the same level of brain function as she had prior to the rupture,” says Larsen. “It’s quite remarkable. Garr also credits the physical activity she did post-aneurysm — including swimming and work on a cross-training machine — with helping her make a strong recovery. “I love Dr. Larsen so much — his guts and his tenacity. I’m here because of him,” she says. And despite her health setbacks, Garr remains active in Hollywood. She starred in two movies released last summer, Expired and Kabluey. The author of a memoir titled Speedbumps, which chronicled her experiences with MS, Garr says a second book is in the works. “I’ve got something to add now — another speedbump,” she says. “I want to write about overcoming incredible odds and moving forward.” Article courtesy of USC Health Magazine.
Oral Cancer
RESTAURANTS Continued from page 13 several years of exposure to risk factors, including the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. But new findings recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlight a possible connection between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in young adults and higher rates of oral cancer, including a type of cancer previously found FIND OUT WHAT TO EAT only in older smokers. AND @ While the studyWHERE needs toTObeEAT replicated and the findings need to be further supported, it’s clear that people of all LADOWNTOWN EWS .COM good oral health ages and backgrounds needNto maintain practices, stay vigilant for the signs of oral cancer and make sure that they receive a regular oral health checkup from a dentist or other oral health professional, Sedghizadeh said. “Even though treatment has improved, we need to be catching oral cancer much earlier,” he said. “And the Monday’ News people best Read prepared to detects it are dentists.” Article courtesy the USC School of Dentistry. onofFriday Night! Available on-line @ LADowntownNews.com
April 27, 2009
DowntownNews.com
Downtown News 15
CALENDAR Making the Ahmanson Jump Ain’t Misbehavin’, the Fats Waller Musical, Strides Into Downtown
by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR
I
t was a time of swing, of jazz, of places like the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom. It was a time of rent parties, jumping joints and of stride piano players like Thomas “Fats” Waller. The Harlem musical renaissance of the 1920s and ’30s may be long gone, but the era’s spirit has been rekindled in Downtown Los Angeles. The show Ain’t Misbehavin’, which features 30 Waller songs including “The Joint Is Jumpin,’” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Black and Blue” and the title track, opened on April 24. Created in 1978 by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr., Ain’t Misbehavin’ went on to earn three Tony Awards and is credited with helping to renew interest in AfricanAmerican musicians and the Harlem renaissance. A 30th anniversary touring production, which continues at the Ahmanson through May 31, features a reunion of members from the original team. Maltby is back directing the Downtown engagement. Other original members include Armelia McQueen, who was in the Broadway cast, and Arthur Faria, the choreographer. For Maltby, it’s an exciting opportunity to bring back, again, the music of Waller. “It was the first and it’s still the model that everybody holds up for a show that’s a tribute to a songwriter,” he said last week. “It was the first show to put jazz on the stage effectively, to honor music and artists of 1930s Harlem.” The show is a revue based on the life of Waller, Maltby explained. Instead of a traditional storyline, it features musical numbers all linked by the artist. But, he added, there is still a story behind the music. “It’s a revue, that is to say it’s one song after another, but we put into it all of the content that you would put into a book musical,” he said. “We put in character relationships, historical information, biographical information.” By all accounts, Waller was one of the most entertaining performers of the time, drawing attention both for his music and his personality. Born in New York in 1904, Waller was a prolific songwriter who wrote hundreds of
photo by Craig Schwartz
Debra Walton and Eugene Barry-Hill dance in the 30th anniversary performance of Ain’t Misbehavin’. The show built on the music of Thomas “Fats” Waller is at the Ahmanson Theatre through May 21.
songs. He first made a living at parties where pianists would play to pay their rent. According to the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey, Waller is credited with being one of the masters of the stride style of piano playing. The style, which was influenced by ragtime but with more blues notes and swing rhythms, became known as the Harlem stride. During his career, Waller performed with the likes of Gene Austin and jazz singer Adelaide Hall. He went on to have success both in the U.S. and Europe with his band, Fats Waller and His Rhythm. “Fats Waller also had a delicious sense of humor and his era changed the world of music. During his period the music that came out of Harlem altered popular music forever,” Maltby said. A Familiar Cast Cast member Eugene Barry-Hill may not have been there for the Broadway debut of the show, but he is no stranger to the revue. A veteran performer who has appeared in The Lion King on Broadway and Jesus Christ
Superstar, Hill performed Ain’t Misbehavin’ on a national tour with the Pointer Sisters in 1996. The Ahmanson Theatre performance is a sort of homecoming for Hill, who was itching to get back to the show. Like the other performers in the show, Hill doesn’t play a specific character, but rather a different aspect of the Fats Waller persona. “Everyone is a bit of a playboy or playgirl in the show. I try to be the sexy gigolo throughout the piece,” he laughed. With the high-energy music comes the high physical demands of the show. Part of Hill’s desire to perform Ain’t Misbehavin’ again was to challenge himself. “I wanted, at my age, to find out whether or not I could still do it,” said the 52-year-old. And? “I am deeply bruised and battered,” he joked. Despite the physical demands of 30 hopping songs, the musical is a very graceful show, he said, with a timeless theme. “We’re doing a very traditional version
of the show,” he said. “There have been so many different incarnations out there, but this is the one they consider authentic again since we have the original creative team.” In 1979, Roz Ryan took over the role Nell Carter originated the year before. She was doing the musical Chicago on the road when she got a call from Maltby about the 30th anniversary show. With its high-energy music and party atmosphere, Ain’t Misbehavin’ provides a great escape for people, especially in these times, she said. “People are going to be walking out of here feeling good, singing the songs, remembering the lyrics,” Ryan said. “It’s a good time, a great party. They have two hours to forget about everything and just come out and be part of this wonderful party.” Ain’t Misbehavin’ runs through May 31 at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org. Tickets start at $20. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.
16 Downtown News
April 27, 2009
DowntownNews.com
The Top Cinco for Cinco de Mayo Five New Restaurants Where You Can Chow Down and Drink Up on May 5 by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR
T
here are many reasons to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It’s not just because of the unlikely Mexican victory against the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 (no, it’s not Mexican Independence Day, as many mistakenly believe), or because it’s usually a great party. Downtown Los Angeles this year has another reason to celebrate: In the past few months, the city has seen a kind of Mexican/ Latin food revolution, as five new eating and drinking establishments have opened. So in honor of Cinco de Mayo — and yes, we know Tuesday, May 5, is more than a week away, but don’t wait until the last minute to plan — Los Angeles Downtown News suggests discovering these cinco new places. Rivera: Chef John Rivera Sedlar chose Downtown as the location for his latest offering because of the area’s history as a melting pot of culture and food. At his restaurant, which opened in January, he offers a mix of culture and cuisine that is already winning rave reviews. The restaurant features three themed rooms: Samba, which is chic and contemporary with a bar, tequila tasting chairs and wood plank tables; Sangre, with a red chandelier and conquistador helmet lamps, holds a private tequila case; and the Playa Bar, an open area for communal dining with a raw bar that serves yellowtail and ahi tuna and where customers can watch tortillas being made from scratch. Sedlar also serves seasonal tequila on tap, which he blends with citrus and juices, which can certainly add more spirit to your Cinco
photo by Gary Leonard
The patio at Casa will get lively on Cinco de Mayo. It is one of five Mexican or Latin restaurants to arrive Downtown in the past few months.
celebration. The fusion cuisine features standout items such as the poblano chile relleno salad, red chile chicken enchiladas, cochinita pibil, duck “enfrijolada” and braised kurobuta pork short ribs. At 1050 S. Flower St., (213) 749-1460 or riverarestaurant.com. Casa: Bunker Hill lunch mobs and taco truck lovers got some good news in December when Casa opened. The restaurant, which includes co-owner Mario Del Pero of Bunker Hill sandwich joint Mendocino Farms, focuses on authentic, modern Mexican small plates. Set in what owners call a “modern ha-
Tuesday, May 5th
cienda setting,” Casa is a perfect spot for a daylong Cinco de Mayo celebration. From 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on May 5, Casa will have drink specials like $5 margaritas, $3 Modelo beers and $5 sangrias. Happy hour is 5-8 p.m. with Cazadores margaritas for $7, and at 9 p.m. the Lucha Vavoom after-party begins. Expect much of the action to take place on the patio. The spot has also become popular for its taqueria menu, which is modeled after the deliciously famous taco trucks. The food can be paired with drinks like the house margarita, which features Milagro Silver tequila with agave nectar. At 350 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2249 or casadowntown.com. Provecho: With a name that means “bon appetit,” the Financial District spot that debuted in December provides Mexican food prepared with a creative spin. It’ll be hard not to have a good time on Cinco de Mayo when you’re munching down on dishes like the lob-
ster chile rellenos, chorizo-crusted scallops, Kobe beef torta sliders or a grilled snapper taco. Provecho aims to modernize Mexican street dishes and grandma’s old recipes, like the machaca. Here, it is prepared with scrambled eggs French style (just to show there are no hard feelings on Cinco de Mayo), truffles and Kobe brisket. The tequila menu has more than 100 choices, which will add another level of excitement to your celebration. And if you want to hang around after your meal, Provecho has a lounge called Remedy, which is open until 2 a.m. At 800 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 489-1406 or provechorestaurant.com. Yxta: Don’t get caught up trying to pronounce the name. Instead, concentrate on having a good time at the newest Downtown Mexican restaurant. Located in the Warehouse District, Yxta was launched by Jesse Gomez, who also owns Highland Park staple El Arco Iris. With a nice-sized patio, an ever-bigger interior and cool Latin rock playing in the background, it will definitely get you in a Cinco de Mayo mood. Foodwise, expect typical Mexican, with tacos, burritos, mole and the standout, a delicious carnitas plate. There is also a full bar and enough room to bring in as large as party as you want. And don’t worry about the neighborhood; Yxta offers valet parking. At 601 S. Central Ave., (213) 596-5579 or yxta.net. Boca: Although more of a pan-Latin spot than a Mexican restaurant, the establishment inside the Conga Room at L.A. Live is almost guaranteed to have a great Cinco bash. In fact, Boca offers a “hangover menu,” served from 11 p.m.-2 a.m., which includes huevos revueltos (scrambled eggs) and the medianoche, a Cuban ham, pork and cheese sandwich. But it can also be a subdued celebration at Boca. The restaurant is surrounded by glass walls so you can look onto the dance floor while still having enough peace and quiet to enjoy your food. The menu includes classic tamales, ceviches, arroz con pollo and an Oaxacan grilled cheese sandwich. At 800 W. Olympic, (213) 749-0445 or congaroom.com. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.
A Day of Celebration at
Lunch 11-5pm
$5 Margaritas $5 Sangria $3 Modelo Can
ith ” w y t it on r a “P r su you
Happy Hour 5-8pm Live Music into the night “NO WAIT” Margarita Cart Tableside Margarita Bar
o y a M e d Cinco Tuesday, May 5th Lunch & Drink Specials Live Music
(213) 250-4256 u 1538 W. Sunset Blvd. u 5 min. from Downtown ALSO VISIT OUR OTHER 2 LOCATIONS
BURBANK
730 N. Victory Blvd. (818) 848-2325
GLENDALE
814 S. Central Ave. (818) 243-1103
CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION All Day – 4pm to 2am
DJ, $5 Suede Margaritas, $4 Beers (Corona, Modelo especial and pacifico)
Special Guest Appearance by the famous Luchador The Blue Demon small plates, cigars, smoking patio
350 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles CA, 90071 213-621-2249 shel@CASAdowntown.com
ry menta Compliin the Bar t Buffe m-8pm 4p
The Tastiest Margaritas in L.A!
Late Night 9pm-2am
Open to the public, RSVP to the guest list at CASA@CASAdowntown.com
J Live D from ht idnig 6pm-M
Authentic MexicAn cuisine since 1961
(E-mail Shel@CASAdowntown.com for details and reservations)
Official After Party
ys Trio Pla from pm Noon-2
available for private parties, bottle service, location shoots
Open M-F 4pm-2am, Sat 7pm-2am Happy HOur M-F 4pm-8pm: $4 Drafts, House Wines, Wells & Appetizers 404 s. figueroa st.
on flower st. at the bonaventure hotel (between fourth & fifth st.) valet parking: $7.00 for up to 5 hours with validation.
213-489-3590
www.suedebarla.com
myspace.com/suedebarla
April 27, 2009
Downtown News 17
SearchDowntownLA.com
LISTINGS
‘Don’t
EVENTS
The
Miss’ List
SPONSORED LISTING Mothers Day Champagne Brunch The Center at Cathedral Plaza, 555 W. Temple St., (213) 680-5273, (213) 680-5271 or levyrestaurants.com. May 10, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: The Center at Cathedral Plaza restaurant hosts a special Mother’s Day champagne brunch with a menu featuring a hot iron waffle station, made to order omelets, baked goods, carved roast beef and turkey, salads, champagne, mimosas and more. Cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Advanced reservations required.
Thursday, april 30 ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Behavioral science writer Winifred Gallagher, author of “Rapt: Mastering Attention to Transform Experience,” is in conversation with Irene Borger, director of the Alpert Award in the Arts. MOCA Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., moca.org. 6:30 p.m.: MOCA Curatorial Assistant and “Dan Graham: Beyond” research assistant Christine Robinson leads a walkthrough, discussing the film and video works featured in “Dan Graham: Beyond.” From the Court to Court ESPN Zone, 1011 S. Figueroa St., glaala.org. 11:30 a.m.: The Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators hosts former Laker and current Sparks coach Michael Cooper to talk about how his coaching strategies translate into successful models for managing attorneys and legal managers. Friday, May 1 First Fridays at the Natural History Museum 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-DINO. 5:30-10 p.m.: The museum’s popular sciencemeets-pop-culture series continues with a look into the “Quest of Human Origins” by hosting paleoanthropologist Donald C. Johanson, best known for discovering the “Lucy” skeleton. John Harris, NHM’s chief curator of vertebrate paleontology, will show fossil casts from Africa, many of Continued on page 19
On Tuesday, April 28, the two candidates running for city attorney will duke it out Downtown, in a debate hosted by Town Hall Los Angeles and the League of WomenVoters. To refresh, Jack Weiss (right) is the former federal prosecutor and current City Councilman representing District Five, which includes parts of West L.A. and the San Fernando Valley; Carmen Trutanich (above) is an exdeputy DA and current attorney. KNBC News reporter Conan Nolan will moderate the debate, and a question-and-answer session with the candidates will follow. Then you have three weeks to mull it over before the May 19 runoff election. Doors open at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy at 6:30 p.m. for a reception, and the debate begins at 7. 111 N. Central Ave., (213) 6288141 or townhall-la.org.
photo courtesy of Unique Los Angeles
Hall L.A. photos courtesy of Town
1
3
It is the end of an era — sort of: The Los Angeles Master Chorale conclud es its multi-year “Homage to Haydn” program on Sunday, May 3, with the composer’s rarely perfo rmed Heilig Mass. Over three season s the homage has showcased Josep h Haydn’s six final masses, or sacred musical compositions. It wraps just a few weeks shy of the 200th anniversary of the composer’s death. The beau tiful and lyrical Heilig Mass, a work in three movements, is thought to be the first of Haydn’s six late masses. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (800) 787-5262 or lamc.o rg.
photo by Steve Cohn
Wednesday, april 29 ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: The annual new poet night with Billy Burgos, Peter Eirich, Erica Erdman, Ro Gunetilleke, Cathie Sandstrom and Mary Torregrossa. Colburn School Spring Benefit Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-1021 or laphil.org. 5 p.m.: Arts leader Ernest Fleischmann receives the first Richard D. Colburn award at the Colburn School’s annual spring benefit “Celebrate Colburn.” The evening includes cocktails and dinner at the school at 5 p.m., followed by a performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall at 8 p.m. Music Director Yehuda Gilad leads the Colburn Orchestra in Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and Corigliano’s Voyage for Strings with guest soloist Elmar Oliviera joining the ensemble to perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 2.
by AnnA Scott, StAff writer
2
Pabst Blue Ribbon and Barefoot Wine. Need I say more? Yes? Well, those are just two of the sponsors of Unique Los Angeles, a design and gift show taking over the California Market Center penthouse on Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3. The biannual event invites shoppers to peruse great deals from popular designers and unknown local gems from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. There’s also complimentary bio biodegradable shopping bags, a photo booth, music, free drinks, a craft area and more. 110 E. Ninth St., uniquelosangeles.com.
photo courtesy of RE DCAT
Tuesday, april 28 City Attorney Debate National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, 111 N. Central Ave., (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org. 6:30 p.m.: Town Hall L.A. and the League of Women Voters hosts a debate between city attorney candidates Carmen Trutanich and Jack Weiss. This is the most hotly contested race in Los Angeles politics this year, and this event is sure to offer the best in Los Angeles political theater. The debate will be televised, but would you rather see Ali vs. Frazier on the tube or in person? Tickets are $20. ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: America’s favorite surrealist poet and NPR commentator, Andrei Codrescu, offers an impractical handbook for practical living in “The Post Human Dada Guide: Tzara and Lenin Play Chess.” L.A. Headquarters Association Awards Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 291-8137 or laheadquarters.com. Noon: The L.A. Headquarters Association hosts its gala awards luncheon, where Tim Leiweke of AEG will take home the top award. Fr. Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries will receive the Humanitarian Award.
Political Debate, Fashion and Poetry Make a Great Downtown Week
4
Love those old Kung Fu movies where the actors’ lips don’t quite jibe with the dialogue? Us too. For a similar effect, vis it REDCAT on Wednesday, April 29, at 8:3 0 p.m. for “The Cinema Ca bar et: Live Film Narration.” The program features poets and filmma ker s performing live re-dubbings of scenes from films like the 1981 Bo llyw ood offering Silsila, the 1959 atomic noir On the Beach and the cla ssic 1966 flick Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wo olf?, among others. Yeah, it’s got similarities to Mystery Science Theat re 3000, but the results still ran ge from hilarious parodies to sly critiqu es. 631 W. (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.
5
Not one, not two, not even three, but six (!!) poets will read their works at the Central Library on Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. as part of the Aloud series. The writers are Erica Erdman, author of The Apocalyptic Kid; Peter Eirich, winner of the 2008 Edith Herman Memorial Prize from the Academy of American Poets; L.A.-based illustrator, designer and Gotpoetry.com curator Billy Burgos; Sri Lankan-born Ro Gunetilleke; Shoebox Poems author Mary Torregrossa; and Cathie Sandstrom, author of several anthologies. We’re guessing that none of their poems involves the line “There once was a man from Nantucket.” 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or lfla.org/aloud. Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.
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Contact Cartifact for the full-color, every-building version of this map and others. Available as a poster and in print, web, and mobile media.
700 S. Flower St, Ste. 1940 Los Angeles, CA 90017 213.327.0200 maps�cartifact.com
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Listings Continued from page 17 which will appear in the human evolution component of the museum’s upcoming Age of Mammals exhibit. The Phatal DJ and Chico Sonido spin throughout the evening, and the Ruby Suns perform. Saturday, May 2 Unique Los Angeles California Market Center, 110 E. Ninth St., uniquelosangeles.com. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.: Unique Los Angeles is a two-day shopping event that showcases independent design talent at great prices. The event brings together over 230 of the best designers, artists and merchants who design and produce their goods in the U.S. Not intrigued yet? There’s free Pabst Blue Ribbon and Barefoot Wine in the Lounge. Also on May 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grendel, Meet Homer Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7000 or lapl.org.
Noon-2 p.m.: Dorota Dutsch, associate professor of Classics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, will discuss the Grendel episode from the epic poem “Beowulf” and also Book Nine of “The Odyssey.” The role of heroes as defenders of civilization will be explored. The event is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities as a part of the “From Homer to Hip Hop: Reinventing the Classics” series. Reading at Metropolis Metropolis Books, 440 S. Main St., (213) 612-0174 or metropolisbooksla.com. 4 p.m.: Micah Linton will sign her children’s book “Weebeasts.” Southern California Transit Advocates Angelus Plaza, Room 422, 255 S. Hill St., (213) 3882364 or socata.net. 1 p.m.: Fabio Ficano, director of government affairs for the Italian light rail company AnsaldoBreda, will give a presentation. AnsaldoBreda has been the center of controversy in recent months, due to reported deficiencies in their contract with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for light rail vehicles to be used on the Metro Gold Line. Reports have also been published alleging difficulties with AnsaldoBreda’s contracts
in Denmark, Washington D.C., and Boston. Ficano will offer the company’s response; the Metro Board of Directors has given the company until May 31 to make official replies to their concerns. Members of the public are invited to attend and submit questions for Ficano. Sunday, May 3 Japanese American Cultural & Community Center Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., (213) 382-04886 or jaccc.org. 1-3 p.m.: From the traditional to the more freewheeling, elements of training and creating bonsai will be demonstrated by members of Nampukai Bonsai. Have a bonsai that needs a little emergency care? Bring it in and let the experts help you out. California African American Museum 600 State Dr., (213) 738-9240 or caamuseum.org. 1-5 p.m.: This Target Sundays event is themed “High Tea and Hattitude,” an annual event that encourages visitors to wear their best hat and participate in a hat showcase parade. The hat voted best will win a grand prize. Tea and treats, along with opera and contemporary music, will be served. Artisans and food vendors will offer handcrafted items and food all day.
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. May 1, 8-10 p.m.: Bassist Ryan McGillicuddy leads a jazz group, promising plenty of low-end. May 2, 8-10 p.m.: CD release party for vocalist Kenton Chen. 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. May 2, 7 p.m.: Goldenvoice presents multi-platContinued on page 20
may 10, 2009
CelebraTe
Mother’s Day ...IN A sPeCIAl WAY!
Where else would you TreaT mom on Her day?
Cafe Pinot 700 W. Fifth St. | 213 239 6500 Three-course brunch 10:30am-2:30pm (adults $35.50; children $16) A la carte menu 4:30-9pm
ZuCCa ristorante 801 S. Figueroa | 213 614 7800 Three-course brunch 11am-2:30pm (adults $48; children $25) A la carte menu 4:30-9pm
Kendall’s Brasserie Music Center of Los Angeles 135 N. Grand Ave. | 213 972 7322 Three-course brunch 11:30am-2pm (adults $35; children $15) A la carte menu 4:30-10:30pm
niCK & stef’s steaKhouse Wells Fargo Center 330 S. Hope St. | 213 680 0330 A la carte menu 4:30-8:30pm
Patina Walt Disney Concert Hall 141 S. Grand Ave. | 213 972 3331 Three-course brunch 11am-2pm (adults $49; children $29) A la carte menu 4-9:30pm
Walt disney ConCert hall Blue Ribbon Garden 141 S. Grand Ave. | 213 972 3550 Buffet brunch Seatings at 10:30am & 12:30pm (adults $58; children $18)
To view menu and make your reservation today, please visit www.patinagroup.com
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
F m B7 F F F
☞ 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
F Where to Office F m D5
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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
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CBS Seafood Restaurant • 700 N. Spring St.
617-2323
F C7
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
☞ B7
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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20 Downtown News
April 27, 2009
DowntownNews.com
But Wait, There’s More!
Additional Event Information on the Web
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM/CALENDAR : EVENTS | ROCK, POP & JAZZ | CLASSICAL MUSIC | THEATER, OPERA & DANCE ART SPACES | FILM | BARS & CLUBS | MUSEUMS | FARMERS MARKETS | TOURS
Listings Continued from page 19 inum-selling rock band Third Day, with Brandon Heath and Revive. Conga Room L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic, (213) 749-0445 or congaroom.com. May 2: Ricardo Lemvo y Makina Loca is lead by Lemvo, a Congo-born but Los Angeles-based salsero who incorporates Spanish, Lingala, Kikongo, French, Portuguese and English in his singing. Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com. May 2, 8 p.m.: Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar and a Grammy after taking the country by storm in American Idol. But until now, she hadn’t headlined her own tour. The co-headliner is suave pinup popster Robin Thicke. 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 27, 10 p.m.: Jake LaBotz, praised by Tattoo Magazine for his “sadder than hell balladry, razor sharp testifying, storied takes on loneliness, beatnikon-the-Mexican-border music, coffeehouse chic.” April 28, 10 p.m.: Deep-rooted country from Mike Stinson and Dave Gleason. April 29, 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 30, 10 p.m.: Mother Louth and Radio Noir. May 1, 10 p.m.: The Legendary Dogs, with Bloodhook. May 2, 10 p.m.: Saturday Night Fish Fry with Ramblin’ James and the Billy Boppers and The Sidewynders. May 3, Noon: Brunch with Abbeygate and Lorena Lynch. 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.
CLASSICAL MUSIC Tuesday, April 28 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 8 p.m.: A night in the Chamber Music Society series. Prokofiev’s String Quartet No. 2, Arensky’s Piano Trio, Stravinsky’s L’histoire du Soldat trio and Stravinsky’s Octet. Piano Spheres Colburn School’s Zipper Concert Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., (323) 692-8075 or pianospheres.org. 8 p.m.: Pianist Mark Robson performs a program of Arnold Schoenberg, Morton Feldman, Maurice Ohana, Patricio Da Silva, György Ligeti, Beat Furrer, Mauricio Kagel and Charles Ives. Wednesday, April 29 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 8 p.m.: The Colburn Orchestra plays, conducted by
Thursday, April 30 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org 8 p.m.: Hans Graf conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group in Kodály’s Concerto for Orchestra, Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Dvorák’s Symphony No. 8. Friday, May 1 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 8 p.m.: See April 30 listing. Colburn School Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2200 or colburnschool.edu. 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.: Various student ensembles and individuals perform Friday night recitals. Visit colburnschool.edu for details. Dilijan Chamber Music Series Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., 818.572.5438 or dilijan.larkmusicsociety.com. 8 p.m.: The Dilijan ensemble, led by director and violinist Movses Pogossian, presents a program of music to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. The program include Bach’s Chaconne, a world premiere of Stepan Rostomyan’s “The Tagh of Angels,” string quartet pieces by Komitas/Aslamazian and Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet. Saturday, May 2 Colburn School Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2200 or colburnschool.edu. 3 p.m.: Conservatory student Jens Tenbroek gives a double bass recital. 7:30 p.m.: In the Olive Rehearsal Hall, the Aniela Piano Trio, comprised of three Conservatory students, gives a recital. 7:30 p.m.: In Thayer Hall, Conservatory student Soo Ryun Baek gives a violin recital. Sunday, May 3 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 2 p.m.: See April 30 listing. Colburn School Zipper Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2200 or colburnschool.edu. 2 p.m.: Students from the School of Performing Arts present a “String Festival” in two concerts featuring original and arranged repertoire from the Baroque through the contemporary. Los Angeles Master Chorale Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 7 p.m.: The group concludes its multi-year initiative “Homage to Haydn” with Haydn’s rarely performed Heilig Mass. Haydn’s work is paired with Messiaen’s masterpiece Trois petites liturgies, written for women’s chorus and ondes Martenot, one of the world’s first electronic instruments. Mary Chun, one of only two ondistes in the U.S., and Vicki Ray, piano, will be the featured instrumentalists with this work.
THEATER, OPERA & DANCE Ain’t Misbehavin’ Ahmanson Theater, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 6282772 or centertheatregroup.org. April 28-May 1, 8 p.m.; May 2, 2 and 8 p.m.; May 3, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: At the height of the historic Harlem Renaissance, venues like The Cotton Club were jumping to a new beat called swing. Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a rollicking, finger-snapping, toe-tapping,
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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 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.
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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 old-fashioned 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) 2360802 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. Bordello 901 E. First St., (213) 687-3766 bordellobar.com. If the name doesn’t clue you in, a sultry voiced “madam” on the answering machine lets you know Bordello isn’t exactly for the buttoned-up crowd. This onetime house of ill repute has shed its most recent life as Little Pedro’s with a gussied up interior oozing sex appeal — lush scarlet velvet, ornate black chandeliers and heart-shaped chairs in hidden alcoves. Broadway Bar 830 S. Broadway, (213) 614-9909 or thebroadwaybar.net. Located next to the Orpheum Theatre in the Platt Building, the Broadway Bar’s blue neon sign beckons patrons inside to its 50-foot circular bar. The casual-chic spot is based on Jack Dempsey’s New York bar, with low lighting and a dose of ’40s glam. There’s a patio upstairs with nice views, and a jukebox.
2
Easy ways to submit Your
Event Info
4 WEB: www.DowntownNews.com 4 EMAIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com
Email: Send a brief description, street address and public phone number. Submissions must be received 10 days prior to publication date to be considered for print.
I SUSeH T ers Original Revolving d S a E ews R DB
Tony Award-winning musical revue and a tribute to the black entertainers of the early 1900s. Its main focus is on the music of Thomas “Fats” Waller. The Designated Mourner Son of Semele Theater, 3301 Beverly Blvd., (213) 3513507 or sonofsemele.org. May 1-2, 8 p.m.: The play by Wallace Shaw is not unlike a literary puzzle to be deciphered by its audience. Non-linear and multi-layered, it takes place in an imaginary country where tension between priviliged and impoverished classes has generated fears of revolt among the elite and motivated the government to remove anyone capable of igniting such an event. The story is voiced through three narrators who explore class, culture and the role of the self in a divided country. LA Views II Company of Angeles at the Alexandria Hotel, 501 S. Spring St., Third Floor, companyofangelestheater.org. May 1 and 2, 8 p.m.; May 3, 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 old hotel in its glory days. Through May 10. Lydia Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 6282772 or centertheatregroup.org. April 28-May 1, 8 p.m.; May 2, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; May 3, 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 that threatens to uncover elusive secrets. Through May 17. Young at Art Hayworth Theater, 2511 Wilshire Blvd., (323) 9604442 or thehayworth.com. May 2, 1 p.m.: This family-oriented program portrays a murky dream world where a child’s hopes and fears come to life in an exploration of birth, life, death, sadness, joy and renewal. A performance woven of poetry, spoken word, music and dance intertwined featuring the work of gifted young poets and dancers.
Yehuda Gilad and featuring violinist Elmar Oliveira.
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.
An Extensive Seafood Menu including Dim Sum at Moderate Prices Relaxed Dining in an Elegant Ambiance Live Lobster Tank
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April 27, 2009
Downtown News 21
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22 Downtown News
April 27, 2009
DowntownNews.com
Continued from previous page
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LEGAL LeGaL notiCe 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 partnership. 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
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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 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-
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Piero HeLP WAnteD information Systems Project manager Design & Implementation of Oracle Property Manager & Oracle Financials, namely Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets, & Gen. Ledger. Including business requirement gathering, business process mapping, conversion strategy & custom report development, testing, end-user training & support. MA degree in Information Systems or related field. 2 yrs. exp. rqrd. Send resume to: LA United Investment Company, LLC, 650 S. Hill St., #1010, LA, CA 90014.
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
• Italian marble counter baths
• Private one acre park
• Washer/dryer in every home
• Golf driving cages
• Crown molding
• Putting green
• Direct TV & Internet access
• Tennis courts
• Oversized windows with Dramatic views of the city
• Sand volleyball court
• European maple cabinets
• Designer carpet And ceramic tile
• Balcony or patio
• Roof top pool and spa
208 W. 14th St. at Hill St. Downtown L.A.
For English Call Terri or Pierre 213.744.9911 For Spanish call Susana 213.749.0306
Children’s Performing Group • Fitness center with sauna • Executive Business Center • Study Library • FREE tanning bed • 24-hour doorman • Spectacular waterscapes • Lush courtyards
Sunshine Generation Singing, dancing, performing and fun! For boys & girls ages 3 and up!
close to l.a. live and nokia theater
888.886.3731 •TheMedici.com 725 Bixel St., Los Angeles, CA 90017
Single rooms starting from $550/mo.
Includes utilities, basic cable channels, laundry room on site, street parking, 1 yr lease.
(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.)
Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly rate $275 inc.
Monthly from $595 utilities paid. (213) 612-0348
SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433
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 27, 2009
Downtown News 23
DowntownNews.com
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 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 inconve-
nience: $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
Offices • Offices • Offices • Offices
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 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
TWO MONTHS FREE!
starting at $1645
On Spring St.
Spring Tower Lofts:
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2 bdrms/2 bath, $1600/mo. • Rooftop garden terrace/GYM w/city view • 24 hr. doorman • free (1) parking
Burbank • Brentwood Century City • Downtown L.A. Woodland Hills
City Lofts:
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920 sqft, 16 ft ceilings, $1600/mo. • Granite marble top • Stainless steel appliances/ refrigerator etc. • Pet friendly
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We are located in a prime area in Downtown LA nice neighborhood w/ salon, market, café etc. Wired for high speed internet & cable, central heat & A/C
Services Include: • Reception • Mail • T-1 • State-of-the-Art Voice Mail & Telephone • Westlaw • Fax • Photocopy • More
www.cityloftsquare.com
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
jahn@regentBC.com www.regentbc.com
Available Immediately
the alexandria
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
is Now Leasing!
Business
name
statements:
Only
$ 85.
fOr 4 insertiOns Call (213) 481-1448 for details.
(Note: The Downtown News does not perform filing services)
• Fully Furnished • 100% Utilities Paid • • Refrigerator, Microwave & TV In Each Room • • Wireless Access Throughout Bldg. • Gym • • Close to USC & Loyola Law School • • Presidential Suite with Kitchen • Parking Available Onsite
Bunker Hill real estate Co, inC.
Jenny Ahn (213) 996-8301
Promenade West Condo
at 501 S. Spring St.
2 Story Townhouse. West Facing With Downtown City View. Upgrades. Large Patio. Very Elegant. Asking $599,900
On-site laundry, free utilities, indiv. bathrooms, 24 hr. security & pet friendly. Close to metro, restaurants, farmers market & supermarket. Units starting at
$570/month
income & other restrictions apply.
call 213.626.1743 or stop by for a tour
& 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.
Mirza alli
FIND AND SELL YOUR TREASURES HERE IN CLASSIFIED!
(213) 680-1720 e-mail us: info@bunkerhillrealestate.com
Special STUDeNT RaTe! $690 1 person
1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90026 • 213.481.1448
50 channels Direct tV
Mayfair Hotel
Downtownnews.com
Broker/Realtor Leasing-salesLoans-Refinance
Luxury Rooms in Downtown Monthly Rents Start at $780 1 & 2 Rooms Available
Please call 213.627.6913
Additional Features: Kitchen Facilities, All Support Services, Great Views, Free Conference Room Hours, Fully Trained Staff, Cost Effective.
fictitiOus
Why go to the bottom of the ocean?
1256 West 7th street
Simin (213) 484-9789 Ext. 555 or (213) 632-1111
Call us for other condos for sale or lease Dwntwn & surrounding areas!!
www.Bunkerhillrealestate.com
Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator. Full bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.
Monthly from $695 utilities paid. (213) 627-1151
Take Your Game to the Next Level Learn Course Management
3 Learn while you play 3 Shot visualization 3 Mastering club selection
3 Driving strategies 3 Mid/long iron techniques 3 Short game fundamentals
In golf, its you versus the course. Learn to manage the entire game, not just the mechanics of your swing. Learn course management and improve your game.
Steve Andelich Professional Golf Instructor
818.618.2099
Catering to Intermediate/Advanced Players
Do you have something to sell? 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90026 • 213.481.1448
All ads run for 2 weeks. Ads may be renewed 1264 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90026, ph. 213.481.1448 after two weeks for 50% off the original price of the ad.
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24 Downtown News
April 27, 2009
DowntownNews.com photo by Gary Leonard
We Got Games The Lakers Get a Playoff Test, and the Dodgers Are Hot Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or nba.com/lakers. Monday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.: After beating the Lakers last Thursday, the Utah Jazz extended their lease on playoff life for at least a game. Utah’s game three win also means the Lakers will play at least one more first round game at home, on Monday. If the series goes any further (Downtown News went to press before game four), it would shift back to Utah for game six, then finish up in Downtown Los Angeles. The Lake show has been sparked by mid-season acquisition Shannon Brown and also Trevor Ariza, whose hot hand from outside and shutdown defense are reminding fans how sorely he was missed in last year’s run. While some of the team may be looking ahead, rest assured that that coach Phil Jackson is focused on stopping Utah’s Deron Williams, who hit
the game three winner, and Carlos Boozer. Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., (213) 224-1400 or dodgers.mlb.com. Thursday, April 30-Saturday April 2, 7:10 p.m.; Sunday, April 3, 1:10 p.m.: Sure, it’s early, but it’s a good feeling when the home team is leading the division. At the end of last week, the streaking Dodger bats led by Manny Ramirez and Andre Ethier had the team tied for second in the league in runs scored. The pitching staff is also stepping up, and boasts one of the lowest earned run averages in baseball — Chad Billingsley had a brilliant performance last week in Houston. This week, after taking on the Giants in San Francisco, the Dodgers host the San Diego Padres, who are fighting for division dominance. —Ryan Vaillancourt
Trevor Ariza went from a bench player at the beginning of the season to a key starter. He’ll try to help the Lakers close out the playoff series against the Utah Jazz.
Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!
G r a n d To w e r 255 South Grand Avenue
Promenade To w e r s 123 South Figueroa Street LEASING INFORMATION
LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N
Penthouse Available
M u s e u m To w e r 225 South Olive Street
(213) 229-9777
LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N
(213) 617-3777
(213) 626-1500
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