05-10-10 by Los Angeles Downtown News

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS May 10, 2010

Volume 39, Number 19

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The Eighth Lion

Barry Shy Expands His Downtown Empire With $58 Million SB Tower by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

Urban Scrawl on a football stadium.

How about a park over the 101 Freeway?

Green tech incubator for the Arts District.

eveloper Barry Shy’s newly opened SB Tower offers a few amenities you might expect in a Downtown Los Angeles building, as well as several things most people would never anticipate. On the former side, there are shimmering views of the Central City and beyond, and balconies on every unit. Then there are the rivers and waterfalls. And don’t forget the lions. The $58 million, 20-story tower by the prolific and sometimes controversial developer stands high above its neighbors in the Historic Core. Move-ins at the 270-unit

project that transformed a 46-yearold former government office building began last month. Already about 50 people live at the 600 S. Spring St. property. Units range from 800-2,500 square feet with rents from $1,295 to $3,200. Shy acquired the property in 2006, part of a $75 million purchase that also included the SB Main and SB Spring, both already open. The SB Tower is the eighth Downtown property for the Israeliborn Shy, who began his career working on subdivisions in the early 1980s. He came Downtown after the 1999 passage of the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance, which paved see SB Tower, page 12

photo by Gary Leonard

Barry Shy in the lobby of his 270-apartment SB Tower. The lions represent his eight Downtown projects.

An Eye for Counterterrorism

Welcome to Los Beutnerangeles

LAPD Pushes Community to Watch for Dubious Activity, Not Suspicious People

Imagining Mr. Mayor’s Introduction of Some New City Hires by Jon ReGaRdie executive editoR

ood afternoon Los Angeles. Today, I am pleased to announce several high-level appointments and changes in my administration. The moves which I de-

It’s time to see and eat some bugs.

THE REGARDIE REPORT

scribe will allow us to meet head-on the challenges facing us at this most difficult time. The challenges, by the way, are the fault of the City Council. Last week, I named Christine Essel

chief executive of the Community Redevelopment Agency. Today, I have appointed First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner as the chief chief executive of the CRA. These moves come after the post had been vacant for more than five months, ever since I told former CEO Cecilia Estolano, “See ya, wouldn’t want to be ya.” Some people may think that leaving the top CRA position open for nearly half a year indicates that I do not care at all about redevelopment see Austin Beutner, page 13

Behold the Downtown blues man.

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photo by Gary Leonard

LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing leads the department’s Counter-Terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau. The iWatch program is an attempt to promote public involvement. by Ryan vaillancouRt staff wRiteR

hen LAPD Public Information Director Mary Grady discusses the department’s community-based counterterrorism initiative known as iWatch, she repeatedly refers to “suspicious activities and behaviors.” That’s a specific and intentional phrase, with “activities and

behaviors” employed rather than “suspicious-looking people.” The department announced iWatch, which asks the public to report activities that may be tied to terrorism, last October. Now, as officials continue to quietly roll out the program, the focus is on schooling people to recognize what kinds of behaviors are really dubious, and see iWatch, page 11

photo by Gary Leonard

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the inimitable Austin Beutner.

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AROUNDTOWN Cleantech Negotiations Stall

alks to bring an electric car company to the Cleantech Manufacturing Center have stalled, Los Angeles Downtown News has learned. In mid-April, the Community Redevelopment Agency board was slated to consider entering into an exclusive negotiating agreement with Santa Monicabased Coda Automotive to build a battery assembly factory on the 20-acre plot on the southeastern edge of Downtown. That was postponed, however, with hopes that it would take place at the agency’s May 6 meeting. But the item was not on the agenda. Talks have “certainly slowed down,” said Forrest Beanum, a spokesman for Coda. The CRA has been angling to bring an environmentally friendly technology company to the Cleantech site since September 2008. AnsaldoBreda, an Italian rail car manufacturer, had been slated to develop the plot southeast of the Central Business District and near the Los Angeles River before it pulled out of a deal last year.

Reserve Lofts Suspect ‘Associate’ Posts Bail

May May10, 10,2010 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

s law enforcement officials continue their hunt for Reserve Lofts suspect Brian Alexik, one of his alleged associates who was arrested has posted bail. Gregory Koller, 32, was booked on April 29 for felony possession of a controlled substance after the LAPD, working with the Secret Service, discovered crystal meth during an early morning warrant search of Koller’s residence in a warehouse at 38th Street and Grand Avenue. The LAPD’s Anti-Terrorist Division arrested Koller the night before the raid, according to jail records. Investigators had been watching him since their investigation tied him to Alexik; the raid also turned up counterfeit currency and evidence consistent with manufacturing weapons, items “that directly link back to Alexik,” said Capt. Steven Sambar, who

heads the LAPD Major Crimes Division. At the time of the arrest, officials believed that Koller could face federal charges, but less than 13 hours later he posted $10,000 bail, according to jail records. He is due in court on May 20. Meanwhile, officials continue to search for Alexik, 33. On April 19, he evaded police who responded to reports of a gas odor in his seventh floor South Park apartment; officials found weapons and $15,000 in counterfeit bills. He is considered armed and dangerous.

‘Entourage’ Star Sets Up a Shop

f you see Vincent Chase from “Entourage” in the Historic Core this week, he may be working, but not on his HBO series. Actor Adrian Grenier, who plays Chase in the show, and film producer Peter Glatzer will debut SHFT, a pop-up store selling products made with sustainability in mind at the Continental Building at 408 S. Spring St. on Thursday, May 13, during Art Walk. The shop and gallery is a collection of sustainable products with more than 50 works by Los Angeles artists including Tierney Gearon, Jay Mark Johnson and Lauren Bon. As part of SHFT’s launch, Shepard Fairey’s Studio Number One designed a SHFT water bottle; 10% of the proceeds will go to water.org.

Olympic Theatre on the Market

nyone who has always wanted to own a theater now has an opportunity to get one. The 600-seat Olympic Theater at 313 W. Eighth St. is on the market for $2.3 million. The 11,330-square-foot venue built in 1927 was most recently a chandelier and light fixture store, said Dan Daneshrad, vice president of Daum Commercial Real Estate Services, the listing agent for the theater. It went on the market in late April after the current owners finished restoring the façade to its original 1920s look, Daneshrad said. “We’re looking for someone in the entertainment business to occupy it,”

Daneshrad said. According to the website cinematreasures. org, the Olympic Theater originally opened as Bard’s Eighth Street Theatre, but in 1932 was renamed to commemorate the city’s hosting of the Olympics. Architect Charles O. Matcham oversaw a 1942 renovation. It closed in 1986.

Downtown Housing on the Agenda

hose who think Downtown won’t recover its residential momentum will probably be in the minority at an L.A. Live event this week. On Monday, May 10, Merit Property Management will hold a panel discussion on the resurgence of Downtown living. The 6:30 p.m. talk features executives from Merit and others in the real estate community. On the agenda are trends in buying, selling and renting in the current housing market, as well as how to preserve property values. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a reception at the JW Marriott Hotel at 900 W. Olympic Blvd. RSVPs are required and seating is limited. More information at meritpm.com.

Police Looking for Robbery Duo

olice are searching for two men who detectives believe have committed four armed robberies in Downtown since April 25. The latest incident occurred on May 3, when police say the pair robbed a 30-year-old man of his money and cell phone in Chinatown. Lt. Paul Vernon said the suspect’s car was described as a black Honda, which matched the vehicle used in the first robbery in the series. The first two incidents occurred early on April 25; a man was robbed in a parking lot at 923 Francisco St., and 15 minutes later a woman was robbed at Eighth and Figueroa streets. Another robbery attributed to the men took place April 28 in an alley leading to the valet parking for the Orpheum Lofts. The men are described as Hispanic. In the April 28 robbery, both suspects were wearing hooded sweatshirts. The shorter suspect’s sweatshirt read “American Eagle” across the chest. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Al Rasch at (213) 972-1245.

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Metro Briefs The More You Ride, The More You Save.

Isn’t it about time you decided to start some serious saving by going Metro? Experts estimate you can save as much as $9,000 annually by using public transit instead of paying for gas and parking. Find your best route with the Trip Planner at metro.net.

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Metro Looks To “30/10” To Speed Transit Projects Readers Choice Metro is backing a proposal seeking federal funds to complete a dozen transit and highway improvement projects, planned for the next 30 years, in just 10 years. The “30/10” proposal would advance the funds needed for LA County transportation improvements outlined in Measure R. Find out more at metro.net. Go Metro To Dodger Stadium

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Bridge Rebuilding Begins In Sepulveda Pass Expect delays and detours on the I-405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass as work begins this month to restructure the Sunset Boulevard Bridge as part of the freeway widening project. For the latest on road closures and construction delays, as well as project updates, go to metro.net/405.

Celebrate Bike Week LA May 17-21 Bike Week LA kicks o= on Monday, May 17 and continues throughout the week. The highlight is Bike to Work Day on Thursday, May 20. Metro will o=er free rides to bicycle riders on all Metro bus and rail lines that day. Check out metro.net/biketowork to >nd other events in your neighborhood.

If you’d like to know more, please call us at 1.800.464.2111, or visit metro.net.

Readers Choice

May 10, 2010

Downtown News 3

DowntownNews.com

Los Angeles Trade Tech How a Community College Can Impact a Community

hammas Group CEO Darryl Holter firmly believes that the Los Angeles Trade Tech College — located in the Figueroa Corridor — has an absolutely unique role in the city’s economy. “A lot fROM OUR ADveRTiSeRS

of people don’t understand it,” Holter says. “They think of community colleges as feeders for the four-year colleges. But Trade Tech has a unique economic mission that has to do with technology and learning skills and trades. It’s very different.” Instead of steering people toward universities like USC or UCLA, Trade Tech

prepares people to enter the work force immediately. It’s the fastest growing community college in the nation, but as a consequence, its programs and courses are bursting at the seams. Initially, Holter began a relationship with the college because of its automotive department. He worked with faculty to develop student career ladders.“These ladders are important,” Holter says. “I’ve got foremen and technicians that have come out of Trade Tech and go on to make $100,000 or more as highly skilled automotive technicians. You don’t need a four-year degree. All you need to do is want to work hard,

work smart, and get the job done, and you can make a very good career of it.” Six months ago, Holter agreed to head the college’s Foundation. “We have a goal of raising one million dollars in 2010, and we’ve already raised about $240,000, so we’re on our way to reaching and breaking our goal. Plus, there are new buildings being built on campus with the new bond initiative money. It’s really coming along quite well. This college is an absolute treasure, but it’s been under the radar screen far too long. The college is very important for the economic future of L.A.”

Darryl Holter is the head of the Los Angeles Trade Tech College Foundation.

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EDITORIALS Broadway at a Crossroads

n the past few decades, plan after plan has been unfurled to refurbish Broadway. Many people have offered ideas on what it will take to enliven the historic thoroughfare, with a repeated focus on reviving the theaters. Every effort has failed, as good initial concepts were never followed by the community buy-in or the financial infusion needed to spark change. Leaders of the proposals in some cases saw their interest drift elsewhere. The result is that the Broadway of a few years ago was, frustratingly, nearly identical to the Broadway of a couple decades ago. With that line of failure as his red carpet, 14th District Councilman José Huizar in January 2008 took the stage of the Los Angeles Theatre to announce the latest dreamy street transformation plan. He described an active main drag, functioning theaters, teeming nightlife and pedestrians galore patronizing street-level restaurants and other businesses. He even foresaw the return of a streetcar. Two years later, a couple of things are clear. First, Huizar has already gone farther than anyone else in terms of creating a grand vision about what the street can become. His Bringing Back Broadway initiative has produced a wealth of ideas that appear grounded in reality. He has identified costs that seem realistic and has a team of committed individuals working on the matter. His multifaceted plan has people believing in a brighter future for the street. In Downtown Los Angeles, this is Huizar’s clearest and most exciting example of leadership. Yet, dark clouds hang over the future of Bringing Back Broadway, and despite the excellent work of the past two years, at this point we see a lot more questions than answers, with too many hopes and too few certainties. We worry that without some shifting, especially in terms of how to finance parts of the plan, the initiative will not reach its full potential. First the good news: Huizar has built a strong base on the street, with scores of stakeholders engaged in and willing to work for his plan. Most of these individuals understand that a transformation will require a true public-private partnership, that they’ll have to put skin in the game, and that this is not a case where the city can spend its way to success all by itself. A key is the way Bringing Back Broadway breaks down into numerous activities that can be tackled concurrently, and for which different funding sources are being sought. For example, the streetcar plan is powered by its own nonprofit entity. The necessary work of fixing the sidewalks and shoring up the basements under the street is being pursued with a separate pool of staff and money. It is that last word, however, which will prove key to the

whole of Bringing Back Broadway. As with projects across the city, state and nation, money is short, and too often the revenue streams appear undependable. A case in point is the aforementioned streetcar, the highlight of Bringing Back Broadway. Right now, much hope rides on securing $25 million from the federal government’s Urban Circulators program. However, that money is far from assured, and in a recent meeting with Los Angeles Downtown News editors and reporters, Huizar and his team seemed unclear about the specifics of a plan B, except to say that if the federal funds do not come through, area property owners will be asked to pay a greater (if still undefined) portion of the approximately $100 million cost. That will be a tough sell. We’d hope to see a different fallback option before turning to

The dozen historic venues between Second Street and Olympic Boulevard offer both a tie to the city’s past and the potential of an extraordinary economic engine. building owners for such a large chunk of change; we’d rather see them spend their dollars on improving their properties. It is a similar situation with the sidewalk repairs. The overall infrastructure improvements are estimated at $35 million. Huizar’s office stated that $13 million has been identified, an impressive amount, but that leaves nearly two-thirds of the money unaccounted for. With Los Angeles facing a $485 million deficit for the fiscal year that starts in July, we don’t see a lot of city money materializing. Then there is the parking garage, another cornerstone of the initiative. For much of the first two years of Bringing Back Broadway, Huizar pursued a $50 million plan to buy four buildings and transform them into a 300-car garage. He said this is necessary to persuade theater owners — especially the Delijani family, which controls four faded Broadway movie

palaces — to spend the money necessary to activate the venues. But $10 million Huizar hoped to use from his district’s parking fund evaporated due to the city’s fiscal disaster. Though this was beyond his control, we do not see a clear, financially reliable line to the replacement proposal, a facility where cars would be stacked in slots through an automated lifting system. Still, it’s early in that part of the discussion. Something may materialize. There are other points of uncertainty. A wise effort to create an ordinance that would facilitate the conversion of empty space on the upper levels of buildings into new uses (think restaurants to draw pedestrians off the street) is moving very slowly due to issues with the Fire Department and the Department of Building and Safety. All of this brings up a situation where the Broadway plan is, essentially, at a crossroads. This will lead some to question if it’s worth the effort. Given the challenges, they will ask why Broadway should get all the resources, as opposed to another street in Downtown. Or why not direct the attention to a key drag in Hollywood or the San Fernando Valley? It’s a fair question. But there is a good answer: the movie palaces. The dozen historic venues between Second Street and Olympic Boulevard offer both a tie to the city’s past and the potential of an extraordinary economic engine. Though no one has yet figured out how to activate them en masse, it’s still worth working on, because Los Angeles is a new city with a dearth of beautiful historic architecture. The buildings are special and are unparalleled options for live entertainment. With theatrical events in a couple spaces, and concerts or award shows in two or three more, throngs would come to Broadway. New restaurants and bars would follow, generating sales tax that would help fill depleted city coffers. That’s a quick and simple encapsulation of the process, but it demonstrates why this plan is worth it — these theaters don’t exist anywhere else in the city. We hope that in this time of challenge, Huizar not only will continue with Broadway, but will pour even more resources into the effort. He should aggressively expand his search for funding. He should bring in others to help resolve the sticky issues with LAFD and Building and Safety. Bringing Back Broadway is a good plan, and a lot of essential work has been done. But it’s about to get much harder. We urge Huizar to keep at it and get creative. The effort is worth it, for Downtown and the rest of Los Angeles.

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

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Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie citY Editor: Richard Guzmán stAFF writEr: 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 Schmidt AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin sAlEs AssistANt: Annette Cruz clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Steve Epstein, Catherine Holloway, Tam Nguyen, 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.

One copy per person.

May 10, 2010

The Readers Speak Out

Website Comments on Broadway, Football, Olvera Street and More

os Angeles Downtown News posts comments to stories on our website. Here are some of the most recent responses. Additional comments appear on downtownnews.com (comments follow individual articles). Regarding the article “Broadway’s Mixed Bag,” which addressed a proposal for a new parking garage, by Richard Guzmán, published May 3 here is no need for a new parking garage. There’s already a huge garage at Seventh and Broadway. Why not convert that to a more welcoming garage? Don’t destroy any more buildings than what has already been taken. —posted by LA of Anaheim, May 3, 9:06 a.m.

T I

f parking garages could “bring back” neighborhoods, then L.A. would be booming more than any other city in the country. Can we leave this fallacy at the door please? It’s 2010. Transit, not parking. —posted by Chris L., May 3, 11:27 a.m. Regarding the column “Double Trouble, Toil and Fumble,” about a plan for an NFL stadium in Downtown, by Jon Regardie, published May 3 hope the NFL stadium project gets off the ground for the benefit of Downtown Los Angeles. For the past 15 years it’s been talk, talk and talk. Let’s get going now. The Staples Center and the newly completed Ritz-Carlton/JW Marriott hotels should complement the new stadium. This will bring in more tourists, stores and hotels and revitalize the area even further. —posted by Michael Tagupa, May 3, 9:02 a.m.

Downtown News 5

Opinion

he last things I want in my hometown are a bunch of rowdy football fans. Please, no stadium in Downtown L.A.! —posted by Brian Hoadley, May 3, 11:25 a.m.

Regarding the article “Dozens of Olvera Street Tenants Withhold Portion of Rent,” by Richard Guzmán, posted online April 23 round where I live, if you don’t pay your rent they kick you out. —posted by gl21, April 24, 9:55 p.m.

A T

he best way to determine market rates is to evict the deadbeats and offer those units at market rates. Even better, the city should outsource the management of El Pueblo to a professional property management company and turn a money loser into a source of revenue. Politically connected tenants will always make it difficult for guys like Huizar to do the right thing for the city. Also, don’t hold your breath for the results of the merchants’ study: It will reveal that the current estimate of market rates is too high. —posted by Philip, April 24, 10:48 p.m.

uizar’s statements seem to be emboldening the merchants to think they can grandstand and fight off paying fair rates. The mismanagement and political intrigue swirling around Olvera Street is why this issue has festered for decades. I am doubtful of an outcome that is rational. If the merchants are so hard up, how can they afford a lawyer? —posted by Dana Gabbard, April 26, 9:34 a.m.

an’t quite seem to figure out why the city should be subsidizing the rents of merchants in one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions. —posted by J McMath, April 28, 6:02 a.m.

he merchants have never been given the opportunity to own their spaces; otherwise they would have been the owners decades ago. Where is the respect to the people that have given so much to our city? Olvera Street is a living museum, thanks to Christine Sterling, who first protected the Villa Adobe from destruction, then created an urban concept to transform the surrounding area from the ghetto it was to the Mexican marketplace concept. She recruited mostly low-income families and gave them a space in the street. She implemented rules so all could make a profit. Decades later, the children and grandchildren of these pioneers are treated with adjectives that are simply insulting and disrespectful. These people are integral to the history of Olvera Street. They are part of this landmark’s 20th century authenticity. To undermine the value of their presence, to undermine how much they have contributed is a sign of utter ignorance. —posted by Alejandra Espasande, April 29, 11:08 a.m.

Regarding the Guest Comment “Taking the Road Never Expected” Susana Benavidez’s account of being a mother of two living in Downtown, published May 3 icely stated. Downtown seemed like a different world when I was growing up on the Westside in the ’60s and ’70s. I remember going to the movies and shopping with my mom and dad. Back then it was actually pleasant. By the mid ’70s and for a long time after, you wouldn’t be caught dead conducting business in Downtown. I’ve been working in Downtown since the mid ’80s and I am very happy to see the changes. I live to the west, in Harvard Heights, not far from Downtown, and I happily call Downtown an extension of my neighborhood. —posted by Hills-Jury, May 3, 7:19 a.m.

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May 10, 2010

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Dreaming of Downtown’s Central Park Another Go-Round in the Effort to Cap the 101 Freeway in the Civic Center staff wRiteR

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zA ve

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

El Pueblo

m Te pl e St .

ew York has Central Park. In Chicago, there’s Millennium Park. San Francisco boasts Golden Gate Park and the Presidio. Then there’s greater Los Angeles, and while the region has some 75 miles of coastline and beloved open spaces such as Griffith Park, the city’s center lacks the kind of iconic green space that urban dwellers flock to and visitors come to associate with their stay. A coalition of planners, urban designers and government agencies are hoping that changes with the latest revival of a proposal that seems audacious in scope: a plan to cap a segment of the Hollywood (101) Freeway that runs through Downtown, and build a park over the area where thousands of cars speed by every hour. It is clearly a mammoth undertaking. “The last time we’ve done something as grand as this was building Bunker Hill,” said Vaughan Davies, director of urban design with AECOM, a planning and engineering firm working on the project. A 101 park plan dates back to the mid1990s, when Nick Patsaouras pushed the proposal. The current version, dubbed Park 101, was formulated in 2008 by a group of international student interns working with AECOM staff. Their vision, which will get a public airing at a Downtown meeting this week, addresses the eight-lane road that slashes through Downtown, severing the Civic Center from Chinatown, El Pueblo and Union Station.

The proposed park would stretch from Grand Avenue to the Los Angeles River; its heart would cover the quarter-mile trench that sits roughly between Grand Avenue and Alameda Street. Capping the freeway, officials say, would create pedestrian friendly linkages among various government buildings. It would also convert some 100 acres currently covered in freeways or parking lots into green space, Davies said. Funding Puzzle Though Park 101 has popular support, with the California Department of Transportation, the city Planning Department and the Southern California Association of Governments among those endorsing the basic idea, it remains little more than a vision at this point. A meeting on Thursday, May 13, at the Caltrans headquarters will represent the first step in a public approval and entitlement process, though Davies acknowledges that the grand vision put together by AECOM will likely be pared down into a more feasible undertaking. He said the entitlement process could take five years. The budget is not set. In 2008, the student project pegged the cost at about $800 million, but that included elements beyond the main thrust of the cap and the park, such as extra greening of adjacent streets, said Christine Safriet, senior economics associate with AECOM. Funding sources are also unclear, though Davies said the project will pursue everything from Measure R money, which voters approved in 2009 to support various transportation projects, to federal grant dollars and

Union Station

image courtesy of AECOM

Planning and engineering firm AECOM is working on a proposal to cover a segment of the 101 Freeway from Grand Avenue to the Los Angeles River and put green space on top. A public meeting about the project takes place this week.

private investment. Perhaps the most viable economic engine for the project, said Davies, stems from the so-called Alameda District Plan. Approved by the city in 1996, it entitled some 11 million square feet of space for commercial and residential development in the area east and north of Union Station. Davies said project stakeholders will pursue a change in the plan so that its boundaries would stretch further west, encompassing the proposed Park 101 project area in order to encourage various kinds of new development. Any future projects could then be assessed a

tax that could help fund the park, he said. If the project ever gets off the ground, it will likely rise in phases. The first piece would likely center around El Pueblo and Union Station, making a more pedestrian friendly walkway between the two landmarks, and capping the segment of the freeway between Main and Los Angeles streets, Davies said. The May 13 meeting will take place from 4-6 p.m. at the Caltrans District 7 headquarters, 200 S. Main St. More information is at dot. ca.gov. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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Arts District Site Would Also House CRA Business Incubator by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

The Department of Water and Power is teaming up with the Community Redevelopment Agency on plans to turn an Arts District building into a green technology hub. The structure is across the street from the Barker Block complex.

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he Arts District has long been the heart of Downtown’s creative community, with live/work lofts dotting the neighborhood and the Southern California Institute of Architecture functioning as an academic anchor. Now, the area is poised to get an infusion of a new type of creativity, in the form of innovative technology and green business start-ups. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power recently paid $11.1 million to purchase a building on the block bounded by Hewitt, Colyton, Fifth and Palmetto streets. It plans to turn the 77,090-square-foot structure into a facility called the Clean Technology Center and Innovation Campus, where it would seek to develop new energy and water-related technologies. The DWP will be joined in the project by the Community Redevelopment Agency, whose board last week approved an agreement to locate a proposed clean technology business incubator program at the site. As part of the deal, the CRA expects eventually to spend $3 million on improvements to house lab space, offices for venture capital firms, a conference center, meeting rooms and a prototype manufacturing facility. The DWP declined to comment on plans for the site, but a staff report indicates that the department considers the property to be an anchor of the proposed Cleantech Corridor, a strip of mostly industrial land along the Los Angeles River that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other city officials have targeted for redevelopment with a focus on environmentally friendly industry. According to the report, the DWP envisions the Clean Technology Center working closely with USC, UCLA, the Pasadena-based Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the venture capital community and innovative entrepreneurs to “facilitate large-scale demonstration and deployments of new technologies.” The overarching goal is to streamline the process of fine-tuning and commercializing new energy and water technologies that can ultimately be used in DWP operations. It remains unclear, however, how the new center will integrate with the Arts District. The property sits on 3.16 acres across from the condominium development the Barker Block. It currently houses one business, the furniture maker Cleveland Art Objects. Cleveland Art owner Jeff Dreher said he is unsure how his business will be affected. “Nobody from DWP has said anything to us,” he said. When reports that the DWP was angling to buy the building first surfaced, some area residents were on edge, worrying that heavy industry would replace the mix of residentialfriendly retail. But Russell Roney, who heads the Barker Block Homeowners’ Association, said in an email that he has a sense that “the DWP Innovation Center will be a real asset to our neighborhood.” The DWP report projects that the facility will ultimately create 350 jobs. Last week’s CRA approval paves the way for the agency to hire an incubator consultant and an architecture firm. The CRA and DWP will share costs associated with those contracts, according to a CRA report. Any future rents paid by clean technology firms would be shared by the agencies. Before moving forward, the project will need additional study, including environmental review, and further approvals from the CRA board on budget authorization, the CRA report said. No timeline has been revealed. The project continues a spate of environmentally friendly business activity in Downtown. Chinese electric car company BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, last month announced plans to open a headquarters in the Figueroa Corridor by the end of the year. The company builds hybrid electric cars and expects to have its E6 model on the road by the end of 2010 for testing. It anticipates creating 150 jobs at the facility at 1800 S. Figueroa St. The CRA also continues to search for an anchor tenant and developer at the Cleantech Manufacturing Center, a 20-acre project near Washington Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue and not far from the L.A. River. The CRA had been in advanced talks with another electric car company, Coda Automotive, to develop an assembly plant at the Cleantech Manufacturing Center site, but those negotiations have slowed. The CRA board was slated to consider entering into an exclusive negotiating agreement with Coda to develop the site in April, but the public discussion was postponed, and has not been rescheduled. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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8 Downtown News

May 10, 2010

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A Clinic of Plenty Free Downtown Health Event Treats More Than 6,600 People Photos by Gary Leonard

he nonprofit organization Remote Area Medical finished its free Downtown health clinic last week. Altogether, more than 6,600 people were treated over seven days. The event occupied the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena from April 27-May 3. During that time, medical, dental and vision services were provided to 6,619 patients, most of them uninsured. That marked a slight increase from RAM’s first area clinic; last year 6,344 people received services at an event at The Forum in Inglewood. Hundreds of volunteer medical professionals teamed up to handle 4,430 dental visits, 962 podiatry services and 3,302 vision treatments (many people had new eyeglasses manufactured while they waited). Event staff provided 430 mammograms, 548 Pap smears and 1,439 acupuncture services. According to RAM, the Exposition Park event provided 1,620 more services than occurred in 2009, with a daily average of 2,300 this year versus 1,820 last year.

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Downtown News 9

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Fare Plan, Mixed Results Hailing a Cab May Be Legal in Downtown, But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Common by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

early two years ago, Downtown officials came together to launch a program allowing people to hail cabs on the streets of the Central City. Being able to grab a taxi anywhere, as opposed to just hotels or specific stands, they said, would let Central City denizens act like folks in most other major metropolises. They touted other benefits, saying it might cut down on pollution and gridlock with people leaving their cars in garages for short trips. They forecast late-night bar hoppers having fun without having to worry about driving. In the spring of 2010, things have changed — though not a lot. “It’s picked up a little,” Jose Bustillos, a cab driver, said last week after dropping off a customer near Pershing Square. “It’s still not New York or anything like that, but we do see a few more people hailing us.” Hail-A-Taxi was launched in July 2008 as a six-month pilot program to loosen restrictions on where drivers may pick up fares in Downtown and Hollywood. The program was later extended through January 2010, and in April Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry introduced a motion to make it permanent. Perry describes the results as a “mixed bag.” It is difficult, she notes, to make people aware that they can do what was previously forbidden. It’s the same for cab drivers. “It’s a major cultural shift on both sides of the equation,” Perry said. “It’s going to take

time for people to begin to realize that it’s the norm.” The motion still requires final approval from the City Council. If OKed, it could become permanent by the end of the year. In the meantime, Downtowners who want a cab are still most likely to find one parked around hotels and shopping areas. That’s the Ticket Taxi drivers say they welcome the initiative, since it is another tool to increase business. However, some report that they are still being ticketed while picking up passengers in no stopping and no parking zones. That was supposed to be eliminated under the Hail-ATaxi program. Maru Dadese, a driver for United Cab, said there are more people hailing taxis in Downtown on the weekends, especially late at night when the bars close. Then he pulled out a ticket he said he got for stopping in a red zone while dropping off a fare. “I had a customer paying with a credit card.” he said. “I was running the card when a parking [officer] came. I told him I was dropping off with a credit car payment and I still got an $80 ticket.” Dadese spoke last week while waiting in a taxi queue at Seventh and Figueroa streets with more than a dozen cab drivers. Another driver in the line, Israel Tadeshe, who works for Yellow Cab, said that while business is slow, and not many people know they can hail cabs, the program is helping a little.

Urban Land Institute Study of Downtown LA’s CleanTech Corridor

Maru Dadese, a driver for United Cab, said he has seen more people hailing cabs in Downtown, but is still being ticketed for stopping to pick them up. He recently got hit with an $80 fine.

“It should be permanent because every little thing helps us, especially now because of the economy and how slow it is for us,” he said. One of the worries before Hail-A-Taxi went into effect was how it would impact traffic flow in crowded Central City streets. Tom Drischler, taxicab administrator for the Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Franchise & Taxicab Regulation, said there has been little impact on Downtown congestion as a result of cabs stopping to pick people up. “It’s been smooth sailing both in Downtown and Hollywood,” he said. However, he said the program appears to be a greater success in Hollywood, where more people are catching on to the fact that they can hail a cab just like

in other major cities. Drischler said making the program permanent is important because it will take time for Angelenos to realize they can catch a cab with just a raised hand. Perry said that it is also necessary to think about the tourists coming Downtown who are used to hailing cabs in other cities. She said crowds could be even larger now that the new Convention Center hotel is open. “People are coming from other cities where they are accustomed to being able to hail a cab,” she said. “It was incumbent upon me to make it permanent.’ Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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May 10, 2010

Downtown News 11

DowntownNews.com

iWatch Continued from page 1 what kinds of suspicions amount to racial profiling. It’s an issue that commands special attention in Downtown Los Angeles, where the cluster of government offices, sports and entertainment centers and high-rises, including the tallest building west of the Mississippi, make potential high-profile targets. The matter takes on even more urgency in the wake of the failed bombing last week in Times Square. In the years following the Sept. 11 attacks, said LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing, who heads the CounterTerrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau, “We would get these reports that I would call MWC — Muslim With Cameras — and that’s not against the law. It’s not suspicious. Somebody can wear a burka and take pictures and there’s no reason to be alarmed.” iWatch is really the second phase of a counterterrorism strategy that began in April 2008 under former Chief William Bratton. With the internal implementation of SAR,

Although the LAPD is hoping to draw community support, iWatch has already been met with some criticism. Last October, the American Civil Liberties Union expressed concern that the program will encourage the public to report suspicious activities that could just as well be innocuous. Peter Bibring, an attorney with the Los Angeles chapter of the ACLU, pointed to some of the allegedly suspicious activities and behaviors outlined on the iWatch website. In a pamphlet geared toward shopping centers and malls, these include obvious red flags such as unusual inquiries about security procedures and unattended bags. But Bibring noted that it also warns against individuals with “unseasonal bulky attire.” “That’s half the high school kids in Los Angeles, right?” said Bibring, who worries that some of the suspicious activity reporting invites racial and religious profiling. “The problem here is not that the department is open to taking citizen complaints. It’s that they’re engaging in this campaign to get

people to report with only vaguely defined standards about what should be reported, and what it really amounts to is a call for people to react to their gut instinct, and it’s peoples’ gut instincts that are often informed by biases.” Downing dismisses the idea that iWatch prompts that response. In fact, it’s his hope that it will encourage the opposite. By focusing on behaviors and activities, Downing believes iWatch will start to steer the public toward an understanding that the threat of terrorism in America is not confined to radical Muslim plots. “We can’t be a one-eyed Cyclops in our approach,” Downing said. “I think what we need to be able to do is convince the public, the American public really, that they have a responsibility to step up, that they have a stake in keeping a peaceful, resilient community for their kids. “Just report it and then we’ll decide what to do with it.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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or Suspicious Activity Reporting, the department identified some 65 acts, from surveillance to trespassing, and trained officers to look for and report those incidents. When it came to devising iWatch, the department turned largely to volunteer reserve specialist Rene Greif, an attorney who became interested in counterterrorism in the post 9/11 era. “I think some people think that this is law enforcement’s job whether it’s local or state or at the federal level, and that people shouldn’t be involved in this,” Greif said. “For me, I look at it as completely the opposite. I think that we are a part of the solution. We can help and I don’t see why we shouldn’t.” Public Presentation With the SAR system now firmly integrated within the department, Grady and her team, including Greif, are leading a push to roll iWatch out to the public. They’re presenting the program at community police advisory board sessions, meeting with major employers in the city, and are sharing the plan with local media outlets in the effort to help spread the word. This month, Los Angeles World Airports is slated to put up posters and distribute literature on the program at LAX. Grady notes that getting the public to keep an eye open for suspicious activity is nothing new. On a localized level, such behavior forms the basis for many neighborhood watch groups. The difference here is the effort to train citizens to be aware of things that, pre-iWatch, they might not have recognized as potential indicators of terrorism. In a short film that the department features on its iWatch website (iwatchla.org) a detective pieces together some seemingly unconnected tips: a garden supplier notes a client’s purchase of a large amount of fertilizer; a security guard observes a van casing a Downtown office tower and taking photos; a man smells diesel fumes coming from a neighbor’s garage. The tips help uncover a plot to bomb critical city infrastructure. At least that’s how the department hopes the program plays out.

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12 Downtown News

May 10, 2010 photos by Gary Leonard

Twitter/DowntownNews

SB Tower Continued from page 1 the way for residential conversions of aging Central City office buildings. Altogether he has about 1,100 units in Downtown. But the SB Tower looks to be his jewel. At least so far. Newer Addition While most of the older Downtown office buildings that have been turned into housing were built in the early 20th century, the SB Tower is a relatively newer addition. It was erected in 1966 and primarily housed city government offices, Shy said. With a 40-foot high base and sleek tower, the property has a distinctly modern look. Shy said he did not use an architect for the project, and designed the building himself. He admits that when he first laid eyes on the structure, he didn’t like what he saw. “You can see the architecture is very modern. The tower was an office building, but the base was horrible in my opinion,” he said. “There were no windows, no openings, just granite all around, like an executive box. I didn’t like the building at all but right away I could see the difference that could be made.” The main exterior changes came in the form of some paint, windows and the balconies. Many of those windows and balconies offer views of Shy’s other properties, such as the SB Lofts and SB Manhattan. The theme of other things Shy has undertaken continues in the lobby. The currently sparsely decorated space (an indoor waterfall is coming; Shy is still working on the design) is dominated by an approximately 20-by-10foot mural of Downtown. Seven male and one female lion are depicted around Downtown, lying lazily around Shy’s eight properties. Rivers run through the streets and waterfalls spill from some of his buildings in what Shy terms his “futuristic” look at Downtown. Behind the depiction of the SB Tower, a male lion stands on a rock, overlooking the building. “It’s kind of the modern jungle of Downtown,” he said. “I’ve got eight lions representing my eight buildings.”

Shy purchased the 20-story edifice in 2006. It was part of a $75 million acquisition that included two other buildings.

The 270 apartments start at $1,295. Amenities include white travertine floors and balconies.

Towering Views The interiors of the apartments are more polished and offer higher-end details and furnishing than previous Shy properties such as the SB Lofts or SB Grand, which adhere closer to traditional loft designs. Shy also added new elevators to the building. The units have white travertine floors and bare white walls, with just a few small pipes exposed along with the air conditioning ducts. The bathrooms and closets feature smoked glass doors, and the glass-enclosed balconies add to the modern look and offer about 30 square feet of space. Rosani Stephens, who is Shy’s fiancé, helped with the design of the apartments. “Most of the people that come here are young professional artistic types,” she said. “They like the clean look, that’s why we left everything white. It’s an empty canvas and they can do any color as long as they return it to the original when they leave.” There is a four-story subterranean garage with about 300 spaces that Shy rents to tenants for $200 a month. The facility is also used by residents in some of Shy’s other properties. At the opposite vertical end of the building is a 700-square-foot rooftop gym. The roof also houses a pool and spa.

The view was one of the reasons that Robert Vallejo and his wife Laura moved to the building from the Pacific Electric Lofts. “We were awestruck by the views,” he said, noting that from their 17th floor corner unit they can see as far as the South Bay on a clear day. Going Condo One Day While Shy won’t disclose details about his financing of the SB Tower, like other developers he ran into some setbacks during the construction process. “I was hoping to sell them as condos, but the economy didn’t let me do it,” he said. Unlike some other Downtown developers, however, Shy was able to bring the project to the finish line without falling into bankruptcy. He said he still plans to turn the property into condominiums once the market recovers. In fact, Shy credits his Downtown experience with getting him where he is on SB Tower. The seven projects under his belt helped him survive a down economy. “By this time I already knew all of the ins and out of getting these projects completed, so it gets a lot easier,” he said. Even with his experience, Shy still finds

himself suffering the slings and arrows of his past projects. Shy has been criticized for things including overcharging for parking and shoddy construction work. Those are critiques that Shy maintains are not deserved, especially when a historic view is taken. “When I started years ago, the prices did not justify to build something luxurious,” he said. “Also there was the area. Years ago Downtown was not what it is today. “I built things according to the market at the time. The difference was in small things in the final product, not structure and safety but things like less expensive cabinets or tile countertops instead of granite, or I didn’t place a washer and dryer in every unit.” With SB Tower, Shy stepped up on the details, with the granite, the travertine floors and, yes, the laundry facilities in every apartment. While it may be more upscale than his previous offerings, Shy stops short of calling SB Tower his favorite building. “I like this building,” he said, “but I like them all.” Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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of the kind of leadership by example he has become known for, Austin Beutner will personally neuter and spay a baker’s dozen of animals each week. He will learn how to do this online, in the time it takes mere mortals to drink a tall Starbucks latte. Continued from page 1 Some may wonder how Austin Beutner will handle all this in Los Angeles. Let me be clear, Los Angeles: I do kind of care in addition to his other tasks. I point to his time in the private about redevelopment. sector, where he oversaw work on dozens of companies with We could not have found a better chief chief executive than tens of thousands of individuals. Austin Beutner. Some of you may know him as the man Additionally, Los Angeles, Austin Beutner only needs 45 who oversees 12 city departments and who is interim gen- minutes of sleep a night. Also, Austin Beutner’s brain has eral manager of the Department of Water & Power and as the been scientifically proven to operate 68.7% faster than the avdude in charge of bringing business to the city and creating erage earthling’s, and his intelligence quotient is higher than jobs and as the guy who was my point man on getting electric the IQs of all the City Council members put together. car company BYD to build a headquarters in Los Angeles. There are other changes I am pleased to announce. As many That may be more than enough for most individuals, but people are aware, the city has bounced around like a drunken Los Angeles, it does not begin to fill the capacities of Austin hobo on the number of layoffs and early retirements required photo by Gary Leonard Beutner. Austin Beutner contains multitudes. to balance our budget, with a previous worst-case scenario of Austin Beutner is making Los Angeles better for $1 a year. At the CRA, Beutner will execute a whole-scale review of 4,000 job reductions. Through much hard work, we have now the agency. As part of this top-to-bottom examination, he settled on final numbers: A total of 6,375 people have qualified will determine which programs and project areas will go for- for our early retirement program. Another 12,625 will be laid As chairman of the board of trustees of the California ward and where we can cut back. If he thinks we should fold off. In total, we will reduce the city workforce by 19,000 people Institute of the Arts and chair of the Broad Stage in Santa the whole shebang into another department, it’s his call. He — no cuts will come to the police department. Monica, Austin Beutner is uniquely qualified to lead Los will get the nicest office in the building. The formerly hardworking city employees will all be re- Angeles’ police and fire departments. Additionally, he can I am not giving him all these jobs because he makes $1 a year. placed by Austin Beutner. shoot the eye out of a rattlesnake at 200 paces with just a Some may wonder how Austin Beutner can do so many Some may question how one individual can perform the du- slingshot and a spitball. He once extinguished a dumpster fire things at once. Those who question the abilities of Austin ties of 19,000 ex-city workers. Those people have not worked with a sippy cup full of warm apple juice. Beutner have not met Austin Beutner. This former Wall Street closely with Austin Beutner for a whole four months. I hired There is one additional announcement I am happy to make. executive became a partner in investment firm Blackstone when him Jan. 11, and he had me at hello. He’ll have you too. That is the establishment of the Environmental Villaraigosa he was just 29 years old. Later he single-handedly transformed Los Angeles, ask not what your city can do for you, but Investment League. The first act by EVIL will be to establish and Russia to a market economy, and then went on to found invest- what you can do for Austin Beutner. fund a green-tech scientific hub in the Arts District. Staff there ment banking firm Evercore Partners. Last year he jumped the There are two more changes. First, effective yesterday, Police will begin, immediately, to work on cloning Austin Beutner. Grand Canyon on a skateboard fueled by the power of his brain. Chief Charlie Beck and Fire Chief Millage Peaks have both I understand that some may raise moral qualms about this ES N B Los Angeles, Austin Beutner invented that skateboard. been demoted to assistant chief in their respective departments. course of action, that not everyone agrees with theLconcept A I A I am also here today to announce a new general manager of Each will advise new Public Safety Guru Austin Beutner. of cloning human beings. I share thoseBconcerns, EST IT butSAustin HINES C T N E the Department of Animal Services, a vacant position that many Some may ask why a man with no experience in police work Beutner is no normal human who Abeing. To those B still ex- T CA UofMthe 21st century MERofIC S A animal lovers are passionate about. Choosing the right individ- or firefighting should head the most important departments press doubts, S I say, think what the city BES M T I D E D B T O S E O ual will allow us to care for both the cuddly and the non-cuddly in the city, the ones which I am basing my legacy on. Those could four score and seven Austin Best B TDO AF Beutners. ASTachieveEwith U ) E F S O D K A T T A S S E animal citizens of Los Angeles deep into the 21st century. are probably the same individuals who question whyBAustin of all, itO H only cost SLos Angeles R BE $87 aNyear. BE T would ST should E raise D E E A I B K BEST The new GM of Animal Services is Austin Beutner. Beutner, a man with no background in water or power, I realize that all of these announcements may one adE S A I H C T U ( T P C N N N U N if Austin C RA is tak-IN LU MEno one ditional In his new post, Beutner will inspect every shelter in the city run the DWP. But the results Some ERwonder, URAfor themselves, ESTquestion. RAand TAUBeutner STwill TAspeak B S S T A E E S E R E R E H B RGA L S L what is my to insure it meets the highest standards when it comes to giving can argue that the DWP of today is more modern, more job? Cef- ing on soIDmuch, E A N D N T I B E O H O I T R S T H S F P transparent SUmore beloved IGHT BE Omore STis to hire Austin love to puppies, kitties and the occasional bunny. He will use the ficient, than Beutner. ST the DWP ofBESTMyMjob, Los Angeles, Tand E N E C S I B B T E H N S B C E A O G three weeks E when Austin ties and experience he gathered in the private sector to make UTS was made LUNwe trust. NER gen- ESThank ORLos ESago, NBeutner SBeutner T TACyou. InIAustin INinterim OT B ACTION N H S P D A E P G I S P T N B U D A T S S O J Angeles’ animal services system the envy C of H the world. As a sign Contact B Jon URegardie at regardie@downtownnews.com. IGH ST eral manager. He T TR T Dcan effect change justBEby raising an eyebrow. HAI

Austin Beutner

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corporate catering

14 Downtown News

May 10, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

The 10 Questions Downtown Caterers Offer Tips on Preparing the Perfect Corporate Event

hat are the secrets of planning and catering an effective corporate event? How does the business providing the food and other items make sure the business hosting the event is happy? There is a lot of variety in the answers. In the following pages, we

posed the same 10 questions to six Downtown Los Angeles caterers, hoping to glean tips on how to bring off successful business events. They offer a wealth of advice, from menu suggestions to cost factors to food trends to whether themed events are a good idea.

Service in the Ciudad

expect? Waiters? Is a chef present at the event? A: We provide chefs and cooks according to their needs: servers, bartender, party supervisor and catering captains. Normally the standard staff for the truck is just the folks needed for cooking and maybe light bussing.

Longtime Downtown Restaurant Can Bring it All, Including a Food Truck by Jessica Hamlin

amed food pair Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger bet big on Downtown when they opened Ciudad; it was the 1990s and Staples Center hadn’t even debuted. The bet paid off, and not only is the restaurant still crowded, but the catering business is healthy too. Catering manager Kathryn Sweeney talked about how they can do light events, posh affairs or even bring out the Border Grill truck. Q: How far ahead does a customer need to call to set up a workplace event? A: For catering rather than a pick-up or delivery, as much notice as possible. I really like a week’s notice at the very least but we can do things last minute. I think to really have ideal time for planning, a month is nice, but a week is great and that can happen. Q: What types of food are best to have at a workplace event? A: I think keeping it simple with appetizers and other sorts of nibbles. I like to have a stationary area with, say, tapenades, so people can nibble on that. Then have passed appetizers so they can really control that people are getting enough food and someone is not stuck in a corner talking to someone they don’t like and can’t get to the food.

Q: How do you plan for the vegetarians in the workplace? A: We have a lot of guests that are vegetarian and our menus reflect that — we usually have a wide variety of vegetarian options. We have a few vegan options as well. A couple of the appetizers are vegan and on the truck our avocado taco can be made vegan, so we do try to keep those guests in mind. Our organic rice and beans are vegan.

Q: What do you provide, and what should the business provide? A: We provide any serving equipment we would use as well as staff according to their needs. We work with clients to figure out what they need. We are happy to provide our mojitos, margaritas and sangrias with a corporate catering package but it’s not always necessary. Q: Are themed events a good idea or tacky? A: I think they’re fun. With our style of food you almost get into some sort of theme. Our food is very California cuisine but it has a pretty strong Latin theme to it. Particularly in a corporate environment people need that bit of fantasy to get them out of their cubicles in a way — their mental cubicles — and remember it’s a party. Q: What are current popular trends food-wise? A: It’s all about the truck these days, and we have the Border Grill truck. The truck has been really fun especially for corporate events. If they have that smaller budget it’s nice to be able to provide something that’s different, fun and still has quality food and delicious ingredients. Companies have been enjoying it because the price point is right. Q: How do you ensure that what you provide fits the theme/mood of the business? A: It’s about doing a little research. Talking

photo by Gary Leonard

Kathryn Sweeney, catering manager at Ciudad, offers Downtowners not just food from the restaurant, but also the Border Grill truck created by chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.

with clients and finding out what they want and need and finding out as much as I can about the business itself. If [clients] can be open and honest, disclosing to a certain degree what they want their budget to be and what they need, that enables me to craft a good party for them to suit their budget and the style of the party. I try to ask as many questions as I can: Are they partiers? Are they drinkers? Are they more reserved? It helps us to be better prepared when we show up that day. Q: What kind of support staff can the business

Q: What is your specialty? A: One signature dish that reflects all our restaurants and truck and catering services is our Peruvian ceviche. It’s made with ahi, amarillo pepper — a yellow pepper from Peru — and it also involves ginger, lime juice and cilantro and all sorts of other fabulous things. It is a seafood dish and we only serve sustainable seafood. Environmentalism is a very large part of our corporate philosophy. Q: How much should businesses expect to pay per person? A: Even if someone has an incredibly restricted budget, I will customize a menu to try and suit that budget. It differs if you want a cocktail party, dinner party or truck party and can fluctuate quite wildly. If there’s one thing 2009 taught me, it is that there is a menu for every budget. Ciudad is at 445 S. Figueroa St., (213) 4865171 or ciudad-la.com.

May 10, 2010

Downtown News 15

Corporate Catering

From Drop-Off Dishes to Eight-Course Dinners Wolfgang Puck Runs the Catering Gamut by Jessica Hamlin

ne of the first celebrity chefs, Wolfgang Puck has created an empire that spreads from a to-go restaurant at LAX to the Governors’ Ball following each year’s Oscar ceremony to a restaurant in Downtown’s new Ritz-Carlton/JW Marriott hotel. His catering company exemplifies that variety. “Wolfgang’s personality translates into what we do as a catering environment too — that more friendly, welcoming approach,” said Pamela Brunson, director of marketing and brand communications. Brunson offered more thoughts about what Wolfgang Puck Catering provides its corporate clients.

dants at the table. Especially here in L.A. we have a great oncall team of butlers and captains. We can send a chef to your home to prepare your meal for 10 people as well as someone to serve and wash dishes, or any kind of variety.

Q: What is your specialty? A: Certainly [Puck] has a few signature items, probably the tuna cones and Chinois chicken salad, pizzas of course. I really think our signature is using the best quality seasonal ingredients.

Q: How do you plan for the vegetarians in the workplace? A: Know who is going to be in your environment and have options that will satisfy everybody. The food we prepare really focuses a lot on the quality of the ingredients and the flavors, so even if you have some vegetarian dishes and meat eaters among your group they are going to enjoy those dishes as well; it’s not an “either/or” type thing.

Q: How much should businesses expect to pay per person? A: That’s really hard. There’s a huge variety between dropping dishes off at your office and catering an eight-course dinner. I think we do a great job at providing a high quality experience and service at almost any price point. Wolfgang Puck Catering is at (213) 765-7084 or wolfgangpuck.com.

photo by Gary Leonard

(l to r) Meredith Oritt, Pamela Brunson, Erin Chiney and Rosie Castro are part of Wolfgang Puck’s catering team.

Q: How far ahead does a customer need to call to set up a workplace event? A: It depends on what it is. If it’s something we’re bringing into the office we can do something with as little as 48 hours notice. If we are doing something more customized it may require more time than that. Q: What types of food are best to have at a workplace event? A: Typically we are going into a situation where there isn’t a kitchen and somebody is not making time to cook something on the spot, so we would have chefs make dishes that still have a great visual and taste appeal even though it hasn’t been prepared on site. We have a variety of things you can serve room temperature too, so those are prepared with creative side dishes, condiments and those type of things. Q: What do you provide, and what should the business provide? A: We can certainly provide everything. We have some offices that may be conscious about not using up a lot of disposables and may have cutlery and dishes on site and a pantry to be able to clean that up. We can drop off permanent [or disposable] ware. We use compostable recycled products that are Earth-friendly. Q: Are themed events a good idea or tacky? A: In the workplace you are less likely to see themed events. Our real focus is using the best quality ingredients this season, prepared simply so you get maximum flavor and a delicious meal regardless of what it is. Q: What are current popular trends food-wise? A: From a restaurant perspective, Wolfgang has a couple of newer concepts that are Asian. I know people are interested in using those flavors and we have a lot of great options for catering that have those kinds of influences. I think you see maybe not so much formal entertaining, so there are bite-size variations of something you would see on a buffet or entree plate. We do a mini mac and cheese, mini burgers, mini crab cakes; things that are one or two bites that are easy for someone to eat but you are still getting the textures and flavors. Q: How do you ensure that what you provide fits the theme/ mood of the business? A: We spend a lot of time getting to know what the occasion is, who the audience is, what the clients’ needs are and what the individual guests’ tastes are. Q: What kind of support staff can the business expect? Waiters? Is a chef present at the event? A: That comes down to logistics and some extent to budget. A lot of times it’s just setting up a buffet in a conference room. We also can do any kind of elaborate event with wine pairings and multiple courses where you need to have a lot of atten-

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16 Downtown News

May 10, 2010

Corporate Catering

The Metropol Method Arts District Establishment Has a World of Options by Pamela albanese

afé Metropol has been serving Down town for 12 years. Owner Angie An describes the establishment in the Arts District as a Europeanstyle cafe with a large variety of options. Indeed, the menu is gigantic, with dishes including burgers, pizzas, entree salads, Mexican food, Asian influenced small bites and their popular mixed antipasto platters. Metropol also has a fullservice catering operation, with platters overflowing with sandwiches, salads, appetizers and even cheese. An talked about how they connect with Downtown. Q: How far ahead does a customer need to call to set up a workplace event? A: It usually depends on what the event calls for, but if it’s a pretty big event, then we sug gest at least a week. If it’s just a small office, meeting type of setting, say less than 25 peo ple, we would require 48 hours notice.

business provide? A: We accommodate everything. Whether we’re setting up onsite at the restaurant or offsite, we provide whatever the client needs. If they ask us to take care of everything, we’ll take care of everything. Q: Are themed events a good idea or tacky? A: I don’t think they’re tacky at all. I think it’s good to have certain types of themes, other wise it can get kind of boring. Nothing corny, but if people want to have a certain style, let’s say Asianstyle or Latinostyle, I’ll customize the menu according to the theme. Q: What are current popular trends food-wise? A: Small bites are still very popular. A lot of people want to be able to mingle and social ize at events.

Q: What types of food are best to have at a workplace event? A: It depends on the type of event. If it’s a social mixer, appetizers will be great. But if it’s sit down, we’ll have something simple like sandwiches with salad and pasta, dishes that don’t require too much handling of the food.

Q: How do you ensure that what you provide fits the theme/mood of the business? A: Working with your clientele is the best way to do it. We go through the menus together. What I do is ask certain questions: “What kind of event is this? Is this more social or more business? Is there a theme?” Then I come up with a menu, I present it to them, and then they come back to me and say that this isn’t exactly what they’re looking for, or this is exactly what they’re looking for.

Q: What do you provide, and what should the

Q: What kind of support staff can the business

expect? Waiters? Is a chef present at the event? A: We do have staffing for serv ers. The chef already takes care of the food and so forth, but we have service staff available if they want it. Most of the time they do want to have service staff around to take care of ev erything, unless they’re having it at their site and want do it on their own. Q: How do you plan for the vegetarians in the workplace? A: You know, there are a lot of dietary requirements for a lot of people, and I always include a vegetarian dish no matter what. If customers don’t require it, I’ll tell them there might be some body who is vegetarian, so I try to put at least one or two veg etarian dishes on the menu.

photo by Gary Leonard

Café Metropol owner Angie An works closely with clients on preparing the menu for corporate events.

Q: What is your specialty? A: For catering I would say our appetizers. We offer many different appetizer assort ments. We have lists and lists of appetiz ers. I did a theater event and they wanted a lateafternoon tea style, and so we did little finger sandwiches with scones and fresh fruit and tea. Now we have a late evening theater group coming in, so it’s more formal with cocktails. We’ll have wine and cheese pair ings, antipasto with prosciutto, Italian salami and things like that. Our antipasto and cheese platters are very popular because there’s an assortment of everything in them. So I would

say more of a charcuteriestyle, more bite sized because people like to nibble. Q: How much should businesses expect to pay per person? A: On average, we start about $15 per person for appetizers, but lunches could start from $12, including sandwiches, salads and drinks. Dinners could be around $25 because there are more entrees. It varies depending on what they’re looking for. Café Metropol is at 923 E. Third St., (213) 613-1357 or cafemetropol.com.

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May 10, 2010

Downtown News 17

Corporate Catering

Viva Italia Maria’s Brings the Best of Their Kitchen to Downtown Businesses by Jessica Hamlin

Q: What are current popular trends food-wise? A: What’s very popular right now are gluten-free menus, which we offer. You probably have a lot of friends who are discovering their allergies to gluten, which is flour, and a couple different grains that have gluten in them. People are also looking for more salad options and lighter fare at lunchtime.

Q: How far ahead does a customer need to call to set up a workplace event? A: Mostly, a day ahead of time. At the very most, two days advance notice. But pretty much same day or one day ahead of time and we can do pretty much anything.

Q: How do you ensure that what you provide fits the theme/ mood of the business? A: When people call to place an order for catering, we always ask a little about them. “Have you ordered from us before?” is usually one of the first questions, and that tells us right away if they know who we are and what we do and what we provide. We feel out what the customer needs and we do random follow-up phone calls for about 25% percent of our customers on a weekly basis, so that gives us real feedback.

aria’s Italian Kitchen has been serving classic Italian fare throughout Southern California for 30 years and in their Downtown restaurant for about two years. They pride themselves on feeding any demographic. Catering manager Nikki Schrader said corporate catering in the Central City is fun because every business is so different.

Q: What types of food are best to have at a workplace event? A: We think about things that are easy to share and not very messy. If someone wants spaghetti marinara we suggest a penne marinara, a shorter noodle that is easier to eat when you are in large groups and having a meeting and your paperwork out. Q: What do you provide, and what should the business provide? A: Everyone has different preferences, and especially Downtown the range is incredible. Some people just want you to drop off the food and they’ll set up and have their own plates and silverware and kitchen setting. Other people would like for us to do a partial setup where we unpack everything and organize the spread. Other people would like a full set up where we bring linens, chafing dishes and silver and we stay and work the event. In general what we provide is food, beverages, dessert, serving utensils and regular utensils, plates, napkins and condiments. Q: Are themed events a good idea or tacky? A: Theme events can go either way. I think they are a great idea if you have someone in the office that’s really passionate about it and wants to do it.

Q: What kind of support staff can the business expect? Waiters? Is a chef present at the event? A: It depends on the number of people, venue, timing and what they want. We can do as little as drop the food off to as much as a bartender, catering captain, chef, server or several servers. We really push the idea that we can feed anybody because we have family-style, great traditional dishes and also have fancier upscale Italian cuisine that caters to a different kind of clientele. Q: How do you plan for the vegetarians in the workplace? A: Our entire menu is categorized by vegetarian dishes and gluten-free dishes, so it’s very user-friendly from the get-go. When they call we ask if they have any vegetarians in the group. Or if they’re having trouble picking their menu, we’ll suggest they always have a vegetarian option. Over half our menu is vegetarian. Q: What is your specialty? A: We do classics really well, like chopped Italian salad, meat lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken piccatta, Bolognese. We also have select items only available for catering that are

photo by Gary Leonard

Nikki Schrader, catering manager of Maria’s Italian Kitchen, said Downtown corporate catering is fun because every business is so different.

some of our signatures, like mini meatballs and caprese skewers, which is the traditional caprese salad grilled on skewers. Q: How much should businesses expect to pay per person? A: Our catering menu is very competitively priced and our portions are very generous. If you are doing food only and no service, just a drop off and partial set up, I tell people they can get away with $10-$15 per person. I suggest if someone is on a budget there are certain items that will stretch a long way because they are really rich or we can double-cut things to make it even smaller and they spread out a little longer. Maria’s Italian Kitchen is at 615 S. Flower St., (213) 6234777 or mariasitaliankitchen.com.

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18 Downtown News

May 10, 2010

Corporate Catering

Breakfast and Beyond L.A. Café Specializes in the Morning Meal, but Doesn’t Stop There

any Downtowners know L.A. Café as the place on Spring Street that never closes. Whether it’s early morning, late afternoon or a few hours after the bars close, the establishment that opened in 2001 is ready, willing and able to serve. They even offer all-night delivery. The business also has a healthy catering operation. Manager Hue Adams talked about all the offerings Downtown businesses can take advantage of, everything from homemade pastries to salad bowls to a variety of panini platters for veggie and meat lovers alike.

Q: How far ahead does a customer need to call to set up a workplace event? A: It would be best to book a day in advance, because we bake all our goods every day. Q: What types of food are best to have at a workplace event? A: We actually do breakfast and lunch, so it just depends on the time of day. We do pastries, bagels, coffee, that kind of thing for breakfast, and then we also have bowls of salad, a mixture of panini and sandwiches for lunch. We can do the catering menu any time, but it mostly depends on the time of

photo by Gary Leonard

L.A. Café manager Hue Adams makes sure Downtown businesses get their breakfast platters and other catering orders.

day that the customer would want it. Q: What do you provide, and what should the business provide? A: All we really need is the name and where it’s going if we’re delivering it. As far as cups and plates, we’ll provide everything. Q: Are themed events a good idea or tacky? A: Do I think themed events are tacky? No, we’d definitely cater them. Q: What are current popular trends food-wise? A: We do have breakfast, lunch and dinner options for catering events, but honestly, we always, always get breakfast items. They’re popular. Q: How do you ensure that what you provide fits the theme/ mood of the business? A: We’ll drop off what the business needs and asks for. Q: What kind of support staff can the business expect? Waiters? Is a chef present at the event? A: We normally make the food and then take it to them. It’s already made, so we don’t have any staff at the event. We prepare the platters and then drop them off. Q: How do you plan for the vegetarians in the workplace? A: We have a lot of options. We have tons of vegetarian and vegan food, actually. In fact, we just added a vegetarian burger to our menu, and soon we’ll have a vegan wrap. Q: What is your specialty? A: I would recommend the pastries. They’re really good and they’re baked every single day. It’s the breakfast, the pastries, the muffins, the jugs of coffee, everything like that. Q: How much should businesses expect to pay per person? A: Well, it’s based on platters. A $29.95 breakfast basket, an assortment of muffins, pastries and bagels, serves about 10 people and would be about $3 per person. Each person would get about four or five items. That’s about average for our breakfasts. L.A. Café is at 639 S. Spring St., (213) 612-3000 or thelacafe. com.

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May 10, 2010

Downtown News 19

Corporate Catering

Giving an Event the Patina Shine Planning Starts Long Before the Food Arrives tions and certain times of year and we have a lot of inventory for that. Q: What are current popular trends food-wise? A: We see a lot of attention to organic, salads, and people eating healthier. Local is really popular and something Patina really cares about; supporting sustainable farmers. Also fun items like zucchini blossoms and that type of thing. Patina really specializes in customizing. If someone has a craving for soul food, we can do that; if they want Japanese we can do that.

photo by Gary Leonard

Vanessa Pope (second from right) and members of the Patina catering team have an “anytime, anywhere” catering motto. by Jessica Hamlin

atina is one of the most well-known and reputable restaurant groups not just in Los Angeles, but in the entire country. Their “anytime, anywhere” catering motto promotes a diversity of food and events, from gourmet boxed lunches to buffets to even a “block party.” Vanessa Pope described some of what they provide. Q: How far ahead does a customer need to call to set up a workplace event? A: We always try to accommodate last-minute requests, however for some items we do need 24 hours notice just for the purposes of ordering food. If it is a small order we often have inventory we can provide for a client. Q: What types of food are best to have at a workplace event? A: For workplace events we find that buffets and seated lunches are the most popular

thing. You can do a continental breakfast or something like that. The buffet idea is really popular because they get their food and go to the boardroom. You don’t have waiters coming in if you’re having a private meeting. Seated lunches are also popular if you want something a little more formal and a little bit more elegant. Q: What do you provide, and what should the business provide? A: We provide everything and we can also coordinate rentals if that’s necessary. We’re a full-service caterer. We can bring platters, disposable platters, back of the house and front of the house staff, linens, silverware, glassware, everything. We can be as involved as the business would like. Q: Are themed events a good idea or tacky? A: I think themed events are a lot of fun. I think themes are fine for holidays or celebra-

Q: How do you ensure that what you provide fits the theme/mood of the business? A: We have really open communication lines. Our sales managers talk to event planners and the business about exactly what they want. We send photos of what we’ve done before and detailed descriptions of all the menu items. We keep meticulous records of all the events we’ve ever done so we can go back to former events and plan something around what the client really wants and we know if it works because we’ve done it before and we have the background. Q: What kind of support staff can the business expect? Waiters? Is a chef present at the event? A: We can do anything from a drop-off of sandwiches and salads and maybe have a waiter there to serve it, to a full-fledged event with a chef, cook, kitchen assistant, kitchen supervisor, party supervisor and bartender. But what every event has is the sales manager’s attention and the sales manager will print you up a proposal and figure out what a good

cost would be and talk about menu items. Q: How do you plan for the vegetarians in the workplace? A: We have a lot of vegetarian requests and we have an extensive vegetarian menu; it’s not just pasta with a plain sauce. It’s exciting and healthy things, interesting vegetables. It’s important the vegetarian option isn’t just the meat option without the meat. Q: What is your specialty? A: Making sure that the event comes off perfectly, and that starts with the first call with the customer and finding out what they want and need and asking questions they might not think to ask. That and innovative foods; every season it’s a new menu and it is always excellent and at the cutting edge of the industry. Q: How much should businesses expect to pay per person? A [by Heather Bailey, catering sales manager]: That’s a difficult one because it’s customized to what they want. We have a Market Café and it’s starting a delivery service. For that you can get items for $7 a person up to platters that are $80 that serve 10 people. Beyond that, if they’re looking for something that’s more of an event, we do a lot of wine and cheese and tray-passed receptions in the workplace that can be a bit more expensive, because we’re bringing in servers and kitchen staff to prep and serve food. You’re going to spend anywhere from probably $40-$150 a person and that depends on how nice you want it. Patina Catering is at (213) 814-3049 or patinagroup.com.

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May 10, 2010

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working together.” Selecting a vitamin off the drugstore shelf may not be the best choice, Reid advises. “Most multivitamins are going to state that they contain a lot of the basics that everybody needs,” he said. “However, I’m not a big fan of food-grade vitamins. You have to ask yourself, ‘If they sell it for this cheap amount and spend millions of dollars to market it, how good can it be?’ “Then there is a class of vitamins that are made by companies that are pharmaceutically licensed,” added Reid, who owns Reid Chiropractic & The Nutrition Center. “Those are the ones that I carry, the vitamins that I take and that I have my family take. Understand that as in anything else, you get what you pay for.” Vitamins are not meant to replace a healthy diet; they enhance the nutritional quality of a person’s diet. Vitamins always should be taken with meals, when they are absorbed more effectively. “I think we all want to be healthy, but we don’t quite know how to get there,” Reid says. “There are so many questions out there.” Gaining good health involves simply getting the right information and then following through. “I tell my patients, ‘This is not rocket science.’ My job is to get people the right information, if they are willing to hear it,” Reid said. Article copyright 2010 creators.com.

May 10, 2010

DowntownNews.com

Downtown News 21

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photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

A millipede crawls up the arm of a young girl during a previous Bug Fair. This year’s event takes place May 15-16 at the Natural History Museum.

Insects Appeal The Creepy, the Crawly and the Fascinating Come Out for the Natural History Museum’s Bug Fair by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

hey’re icky, creepy and fascinating. Some may even be delicious. Thousands of them will take over the Natural History Museum this weekend. They may even outnumber (human) visitors at the annual Bug Fair, which takes place at the Exposition Park venue Saturday-Sunday, May 15-16. “This is a festival that celebrates insects, and the museum is overrun by everyone who appreciates them and even some people who don’t,” said Brent Karner, manager of invertebrate living collections at the museum. He is more commonly known, especially during Bug Fairs, as Brent the Bug Guy.

“It is a celebration of a group of animals that are the most diverse group of animals on the face of the planet,” he continued. “We often just don’t think about them, and in fact, in most cases we detest them.” The Bug Fair is one of the museum’s busiest times of the year. About 14,000 people are expected at the two-day event that will include more than 70 exhibitors. Displays will highlight all sorts of creepy crawlers, everything from rare beetles and butterflies to hissing cockroaches and silkworms. There will be “pet” insect sales as well as entomological equipment, insect-themed books, toys, T-shirts and jewelry. Museum scientists will hold court at booths where visitors can handle bugs and learn about them. The museum’s Ralph M. Parsons Insect Zoo will open at its new location on the main museum floor during Bug Fair weekend. A highlight this year will be the launch of the Lost Ladybug Project, an NHM community science effort to identify various species of the critters. Of course, the most unforgettable aspect of the fair will turn the tables on something often forbidden at museums. Not only will visitors be able to touch some of the insects, they’ll be allowed, even encouraged, to eat them. Crawlers Everywhere The insect zoo will include approximately 100 bug species. They will run the gamut of the arthropod world from grasshoppers to walking sticks to velvet ants to cockroaches. Karner said there will also be

photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

Butterflies will be among the approximately 100 insect varieties on display at the Exposition Park event.

non-insects such as spiders, millipedes, centipedes and crayfish. The exhibitors will add their own exotic insects to the mix. “A lot of collectors will be showing off some pretty crazy bugs, both visually and sometimes real rarities,” Karner said. “There’ll be some butterflies that are almost impossible to find.” Since it’s a museum, there will be plenty of educational opportunities. Karner said a beekeeper will be on hand to teach visitors about the honey makers. Those who want to take something home can purchase tarantulas, scorpions, silkworms and ladybugs. “We’ll also have instructions on how to keep live bugs, so if people want to buy some bugs they can know what they’re getting into,” Karner said. “There are people who think bugs are pets too. When it comes to the bug fair it’s almost what can’t you buy.” Another popular demonstration will come from New Orleans-based Zack Lemann. Throughout the weekend, he will hold cooking demonstrations, and will prepare dishes using “ingredients” such as crickets and wax worms. “My goal is to uphold the reputation of New Orleans, which you might have heard over there in L.A. is kind of a food town,” he said by phone. “My goal is not the ‘Fear Factor’ gross-out I-dare-you kind of approach. My goal is to help people realize not only are these things eaten in other parts of the world out of necessity, but many times because they like the way insects taste. And we can certainly cook them in ways to make them plenty yummy.” Yes, attendees will have the opportunity to gobble down some of Lemann’s creations.

Hey Ladybugs The museum is also hoping that fair attendees join their research team. The Lost Ladybug Project, a sort of insect census, will launch with an exhibit featuring some of the most common ladybug species in the area. There will also be a field guide to help people identify ladybugs they find in the hopes that they will snap a picture and send it back to the museum. Lila Higgins, education coordinator for the museum, said that about 100 ladybug species are historically from the Los Angeles area. However, only three of them are easily located, and the rest are becoming rare. She hopes that the public can help provide a good sense of which bugs are really out there, she said. There is one ladybug Higgins is particularly hopeful of finding — the elusive nine spotted ladybug. It pretty much looks like any other ladybug, except it has nine spots on its wings. “It’s one of the native ladybugs that are now becoming very rare,” Higgins said. “It was once common and I do know there are a few in the area, in Santa Monica and Claremont, but we need to know if there are more here.” Higgins is also looking forward to spending the weekend with like-minded people. “I just love insects, and I love meeting other insect geeks,” she said. But not everyone expected at the Bug Fair is an insect lover. Karner said there are a number of people who come for the ick factor and love being grossed out by bugs. The Bug Fair is May 15-16 at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-3466 or nhm.org. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

22 Downtown News

May 10, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews photo by Gary Leonard

A Piece of Artwork Downtown’s Resident Blues Man Sings From the Gut by Ryan Vaillancourt

neer on albums by rap artists such as Ice Cube, Tupac and Coolio and R&B singer he man who calls himself Artwork Montell Jordan. He ran his own studio in definitely stands out in a crowd. But Glendale, Graphic Sound Arts, from 1995 it’s not just because he weighs in at until 2000. He folded the shop to take care about 350 pounds, or because he has one of of his ailing mother and grandmother, both those megawatt smiles. of whom later passed away. It’s more the voice, a baritone so thick “My grandmother, she gave me her and resonant it may as well emanate from blessing to go and do my own thing full the depths of a volcano. And he’s not even time,” Jamal said. “My heart was always plugged in and singing yet. in the blues. I was doing better for myself The voice really gets unleashed when back then [as an engineer] but the business Artwork Jamal, 44, an electric bluesman changed, I got older and I got back to where who prays at the altars of Muddy Waters my heart is, which is playing the blues.” and Howlin’ Wolf, straps on his Gibson A Musical Life guitar. As a child, everyone in Jamal’s family was “I’ve always had this voice,” said Jamal, involved in music. His grandfather, who he who had his first live gig at a Crenshaw said played the bugle during World War I, nightclub at age 14 and today lives in the played trumpet for him when he was a boy. Historic Core. “When I was younger, yeah As a teenager, Jamal played trumpet himself it was a little bit higher, but it always had in the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic. that resonance, that timbre.” The transition to guitar came later in Jamal has been playing Downtown Los his teens, when he was listening to Jimi Angeles venues such as 410 Boyd and Five Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and ParliamentStar Bar for the past four years, and has a Funkadelic. That’s also around the time monthly show at Seven Grand. He appears he ditched the name his mother gave him, at The Mezz at the Alexandria with his five- Arthur, and started going by Artwork. piece band — a rotating cast of players often “Then I discovered Muddy Waters and it featuring organ player Deacon Jones — on hit my spine, hit me so hard, and I thought Thursday, May 13, the night of Art Walk. this is it for me,” Jamal said. of missing sales opportunities? Before trying to make a living perform Jamal’s sets are comprised largely of ing, he worked behindWe’ve thegot scenes in the classic numbers the solution. Juggling too many projects,written deadlines or andpopularized vendors? Let by PIPa manage the creation re-ordering of all of yourKing business music industry. He was recording engi- andMuddy Waters, B.B. andcommuniother blues staff writer

Blues singer and guitarist Artwork Jamal plays Seven Grand every third Wednesday of the month. He also appears regularly at the Mezz, including this Thursday, May 13.

giants. He intersperses them with his own songs, many of which are odes to his wife Leda Harris. People are listening. After a tour in the Bay Area last year, Jamal generated enough attention for the Bay Area Blues Society to name him blues singer of the year. Ruben Islas, president and CEO of the Amerland Group, which owns the Alexandria Hotel, hires Jamal to play the Mezz once every six weeks or so. They met

and became friends when Jamal moved in to Amerland’s Rosslyn Lofts last year. “I think it’s part of the untapped artistic talent in Downtown L.A. that has not been fostered,” Islas said. “There is an authenticity when he sings the blues. He is the blues. That kind of authenticity is hard to find, and to find a man with a voice like his with a presence like his is a gift for all of us.” Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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Downtown News 23

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Wednesday, May 12 Pedestrian Symposium One Gateway Plaza, (213) 922-2218 or metro.net/ projects/ped/. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Metro hosts the “2010 Pedestrian Symposium: Walking Into the Future City” to discuss pedestrian related issues and explore strategies to increase travel options and create sustainable, healthy, livable communities. Thursday, May 13 Downtown L.A. Art Walk Info and map at downtownartwalk.com. Noon-9 p.m.: The Downtown Art Walk is a selfguided tour that showcases the many art exhibition venues in Downtown Los Angeles — art galleries, museums and nonprofit art venues. Thursdays at Central 630 W. Fifth St., Meeting Room A, (213) 228-7272 or lapl.org. 12:15-1 p.m.: “Yosemite: Then and Now” features anecdotes about the world-famous national park and tips on making the most of your visit. ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: “Tattoos on the Heart: Stories of Hope and Compassion” presents Gregory Boyle, pastor at Dolores Mission and founder of the gang intervention group Homeboy Industries, in conversation with journalist Celeste Fremon. Friday, May 14 Farmlab Public Salon The Metabolic Studio, 1745 N. Spring Street #4, (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. Noon: Media theorist Lev Manovish will speak on manga, comics, and video games. saTurday, May 15 Japanese American Cultural & Community Center JACCC Plaza or Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., (213) 628-3700 or jaccc.org. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: The venue hosts its 27th annual Children’s Day Celebration. Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., musiccenter.org. 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: A World City event; the Kuniko and On Ensemble combines Japanese folktales with traditional musical instruments, magical masks, origami and mime with contemporary elements of hip-hop, rock and electronica. See Complete Listings on the Web at ladowntownnews.com/calendar.

2your EVENT iNfo EaSy wayS To SubmiT

4 wEb: LADowntownNews.com/calendar/submit 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.

calendar@downtownnews.com

image courtesy of Ashley Gibbons

hy does the Downtown Art Walk attract thousands of people to the Historic Core the second Thursday of every month? Probably because it’s as much about the party (and the food trucks) as it is about the art. Still, the art is the base of the event, and plenty of shows are in store for the happening on Thursday, May 13. This month, the gallery Edgar Varela Fine Arts joins forces with Bert Green Fine Art in a coop at 102 W. Fifth St. There, EVFA will present Ashley Gibbons’ textile art (shown here), which utilizes quilting, lingerie and garment remnants to create images of ladies and the female form. Meanwhile, BGFA holds Christian Rex Van Minnen’s paintings, which are reminiscent of 19th century portraiture but with a contemporary edge. Info and map at downtownartwalk.com.

See Isab el Allend e, the ryteller of myth master stoic tales, Aloud m when ak from the es a special shif t Ce the Arata ntral Library to ni/Japan America Theatre. Bo raised in rn in Peru and C now resid hile, Allende es in Cali fornia. She’ll rea d cuss her from and disne Beneath th w novel, Island e Sea, the story which tells of a 9old mula yeartto who is so girl ld slave and as a c cubine in on18th century S an D o m i n to g Allende o . w ill w b e in conv ith and ther ersation e will be novelist and poe t Giocon a Q&A s the feet o da B essio fA 10, at 8 p llende for the pr n. Claim your s elli, eat at ogram o .m. At 24 n 4 S. San or aloudla Pedro St. Monday, May .org. , (213) 6 80-3700

1 THREE

ver fantasized about getting up close and personal with a Lamborghini? Porsche? Jaguar? Now’s your chance to realize that dream, when the Los Angeles Motorexpo revs into Bank of America Plaza with a lineup of hot cars and motorcycles. The event, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 10-14, will feature the two- and four-wheeled rides positioned throughout the indoor and outdoor spaces of the plaza, amongst the fountains, gardens and artwork. You can even hop behind the wheel of some luxury models. No greasy fingers, please. It’s free and it’s at 333 S. Hope St., motorexpo.com.

The fabric of history takes on literal meaning in Textured Lives: Japanese Immigrant Clothing from the Plantations of Hawai’i at the Japanese American National Museum. The exhibition represents the textiles and clothing collected and documented by Barbara Kawakami, a scholar and author/dressmaker who was raised on an Oahu sugar plantation. The major wave of Japanese immigrants to Hawaii began in 1885 to supply labor to the plantations. The women refashioned their traditional kimonos for the working conditions, and tried to keep some of their cultural identity in the new duds. The interweaving of history and fabric runs through Aug. 22 at 369 E. First St., (213) 6250414 or janm.org.

f you were one of the millions who rode the new wave of a-ha back in the 1980s, or at any other time throughout the Norwegian group’s 25-year career, you will want to catch the band’s Ending on a High Note — Farewell Tour at Club Nokia on May 15-16 at 8 p.m. The pop-rock trio will perform “Take on Me” for the very last time in Oslo in December, leaving a legacy of nine studio albums and more than 500 concerts in 33 countries. Speaking of legacy, a-ha owns a chunk of the Amazon rainforest as part of a 1980s reforestation/preservation scheme. Ah hah. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (800) 745-3000 Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com. or clubnokia.com. photo by Stian Anderson

photo courtesy of Los Angeles Motorexpo

Tuesday, May 11 Commercial Real Estate Women-Los Angeles The City Club, 333 S Grand Ave., 54th Fl., (818) 4973968 or crewla.org. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: CREW-LA presents “What’s New and Hot in Downtown Los Angeles.” Hal Bastian, director of economic development for the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, will speak on the latest trends in Downtown and what is being done to attract and recruit commercial and residential real estate investors, lenders, office tenants, retailers, restaurants and residents.

Walk With Art, Rock With Norwegians and Ride the Rides by Lauren CampedeLLi, Listings editor

photo by Norman Sugimoto

Monday, May 10 Los Angeles Motorexpo 333 S. Hope St., motorexpo.com. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.: The inaugural LA Motorexpo fills the Bank of America Plaza with hot new cars and motorcycles. Through May 14. ALOUD Lecture Series New Aratani/Japan America Theater, 244 S. San Pedro St., or aloudla.org. 8 p.m.: “An Evening with Isabel Allende” presents the renowned storyteller in conversation with Gioconda Belli. Allende will read from her new novel, Island Beneath the Sea, about a slave and concubine determined to claim her own destiny against impossible odds.

photo © W illiam Gor don

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Metro Blue Line

E. CH

R CESA

CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT HQ ING SPR

ANGELINO HEIGHTS

Metro Rail Station Entrances

CHINATOWN BL VD

Metro Gold Line

E ST

ALPIN

NEW

WAY

EGE S

COLL

CASTELLAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

EGE S

COLL

CHINATOWN STATION D BROA

PACIFIC ALLIANCE MEDICAL CENTER

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

HILL

FIGUEROA TERRACE

CENTRAL PLAZA

G RD

M WAY

KAISER MENTAL HEALTH CENTER

ANN STREET ELENTARY SCHOOL

BAMBOO PLAZA

G KIN

Los Angeles

ARD S

BERN

STADIU 14

Downtown

N CHU

CASA ITALIANA

YS EL

LOS ANGELES STATE HISTORIC PARK (CORNFIELD)

AIN

N F

ELYSIAN PARK

CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

BROAD WAY

110

W STADIUM

DODGER STADIUM

NORTH

ELYSIAN PARK

NOR TH M

NORT H SPR ING S T

May 10, 2010

Downtown News 25

DowntownNews.com

CLASSIFIED

place your ad online at www.ladowntownnews.com

FOR RENT

L.A. Downtown News Classifieds Call: 213-481-1448 Classified Display & Line ads Deadlines: Thursday 12 pm REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL Acreage/Lots AUCTION - SPECTACULAR 106 acre Property near Paso Robles with highway frontage, nice home, irrigation, well and more! Visit www.AuctionCA.com Call Elite Auctions (661) 3256500. Auction June 5th @ 12 noon. (Cal-SCAN) GET MORE 4 LESS! 10+ acre in New Mexico close to Arizona border. Views, trees, power, for less than $300/month. You’re approved! Call now 888-8125830. www.SWProperties.com. (Cal-SCAN) Real Estate Services CONSIDERING Foreclosure? Are you late in payments? A short sale may be your solution. Call Lady Rodriguez, Realtor 310-600-7534. Represent both buyers and sellers.

homes for sale

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

lofts for sale

Slvr Lke/Echo Prk Home 3bd/1.5bth $449k

2 Story w/Views Tierra Properties • Lic#467438

310-477-3192 Irma or Rod

Buying, Leasing or Selling a Loft?

Call 213-625-1313

2 offices for rent, all hook-ups, partly furnished. 530 sqft. flex lease.

OVIATT BUILDING

213.623.7008 or 213.280.5452

TheLoftExpertGroup.com Downtown since 2002

Great 9th Flr View

Bill Cooper

310-477-3192 Irma or Rod

Office space lease/sale

DOWNTOWN L.A.

LA’s #1 Loft Site

1bd/1bth $329k Tierra Properties Lic#467438

REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL

TheLoftGuys.net

Condos/townhouses

Skyline Condominium

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

213.598.7555

retail space lease/sale

Retail Store Front Starting at $1 a foot gross Lease

FREE RENT SPECIALS Up to $3500 off select apartment homes! Additional Look + Lease specials may apply. Free parking, free tanning, free wi-fi + biz center avail. Cardio Salon, pool, Spa, steamroom, sauna. Call us today. 866-742-0992. ORSINI III - Now Pre-leasing for May 2010. Hard Hat Tours Available by appointment. Never Lived in, Brand New Luxury Apartment Homes, Free Parking, Karaoke Room, Free Wi-Fi, Indoor Basketball, Uncomparable Amenity Package. Call today to schedule a tour - 866-479-1764.

LOFT LIVING Your number 1 source for Loft sales, rentals and development! LADowntownNews.com

Free ReNT SPECIALS @ the Medici. Penthouse 1 & 2 bdrm apts. Granite kitchens, washer/ dryers, business center, 2 pools, spa! Visit TheMedici.com for a full list of amenities. Call 888886-3731. Continued on next page

Downtown LA

1250-2500 sq.ft., 20ft ceiling, water included, central AC w/private restroom. Call Pierre or Terri at 818-212-8333 or 213-744-9911

FOR RENT

THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

Commercial Investment MANAGING ASSISTANCE If you need help collecting the rent or managing/supervising your business or property. Call Rik Martino ...Conservator/executor/ investigator...(Actor M D B) youtube.com 323-850-8580.

FREE RENT SPECIAL $725, spacious studio with large kitchen, newer carpets, appliances. 131 S. Carondelet Street. 310922-5437.

Apartments/Unfurnished

Milano Lofts Now Leasing! • Gorgeous Layouts • 10-15’ Ceilings • Fitness Center • Wi-Fi Rooftop Lounge • Amazing Views 6th + Grand Ave. • 213.627.1900 milanoloftsla.com

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

26 Downtown News

May 10, 2010

Twitters/DowntownNews

Continued from previous page

FOR RENT

Condos/unfurnished

Promenade West 2 bedroom, 2 bath Spacious, unfurnished.

$2,000 month.

213-680-1729

CommerCial spaCe

lofT/unfurnished

TWO GREAT ARTIST’S work studios. Sunny, 16’ ceilings, gated parking, wi-fi. Close to downtown and freeways. 240sf for $350/mo, 300sf for $465/mo. Work Only/ Not Live-in. 213-509-4403.

old Bank District The original Live/Work Lofts

Town houses CHARMING HIGHLAND PARK Townhome. 1/2 block from Goldline, 15 minutes downtown, near 110FWY, 2 bed/2.5 bath, 1131SF, quiet building, central AC/heat, garage, laundry in-unit. $1,695. (626) 625-6096 and (818) 731-5670.

EMPLOYMENT CompuTers/iT ATTN: COMPUTER WORK. Work from anywhere 24/7. Up to $1,500 Part Time to $7,500/ mo. Full Time. Training provided. www.KTPGlobal.com or call 1-800-330-8446. (Cal-SCAN)

from $1,100 Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, Parking adjacent. Pets no charge Call 213.253.4777 LAloft.com

drivers

LA Live Loft

DRIVER- CURRENTLY HIRING Experienced Teams with HazMat. Dry Van & Temp Control available. O/Os welcome. Call Covenant 1-866-684-2519 or apply at www.CovenantDrivers.com Equal Opportunity Employer. (Cal-SCAN)

1 & 2 Bdrm Lofts

Hardwood, Bar, AC, Sauna, Greenhouse, all appliances, Was./Dryr., Secure, Garage.

starting @ $1695 (310) 275-2076

Offices • Offices • Offices • Offices

MILANO LOFTS Now Leasing! • Gorgeous Layouts • 10-15’ Ceilings • Fitness Center • Wi-Fi Rooftop Lounge • Amazing Views

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

SLT NEEDS CDL A TEAM Drivers with Hazmat. $2,000 Bonus. Company teams paid $0.68 for all miles. Owner operators paid up to $1.70 per mile. 1-800-8359471, 1-877-253-2897. (CalSCAN)

General AUTOMOTIVE Great jobs in downtown LA! Full time or part time. Two blocks south of the Staples Center at Figueroa & Venice. Toyota Central is growing! Sales Associates - all levels. Internet Associates. Service Technicians. Service Consultants. Drivers. Cashiers. Receptionists. Bilingual Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern and women encouraged to apply. Great compensation package and employee benefits. Please call 800-597-5516 or send resume to autosuccess@ aol.com. EOE. JOBS. JOBS, JOBS! Get paid to train in the California Army National Guard. Up to 100% tuition assistance. Part-time work. Fulltime benefits. May qualify for bonus. www.NationalGuard.com/ Careers or 1-800-GO-GUARD. (Cal-SCAN)

HELP WANTED Movie Extras. Earn up to $150/day. People needed for background in a major film production. Exp. not required. 888-366-0843 sales ADVERTISING SALES PROJECT The Los Angeles Downtown News is seeking an experienced advertising sales professional to sell our annual Downtown Guide during the next 10 weeks. A successful selling campaign could lead to a longterm relationship. The Guide is in its 11th year of publication and is considered the best and most comprehensive guide to Downtown. Last year’s edition was nearly 100 pages and had more than 70 different advertisers. You will be selling to a wide array of advertising prospects including restaurants, boutiques, museums, retail businesses, real estate, auto dealers and more. The ideal applicant would have prior print media sales experience, be well-organized, tenacious, ambitious, high-energy, self-starter and have solid phone and in-person skills. You must also be a strong closer and live in or near Downtown Los Angeles or, at the very least, have a detailed understanding of the uniqueness that is Downtown

the loft expert! group

Luxury Rooms in Downtown

Don't settle for anyone less experienced! Call us today!

Monthly Rents Start at $780 1 & 2 Rooms Available

Bill Cooper • 213.598.7555 • TheLoftExpertGroup.com

Special STUDeNT RaTe! $690 1 person

$100 off

$200 off

Mayfair Hotel 1256 West 7th street

Simin (213) 484-9789 Ext. 555 or (213) 632-1111

rosslyn hoTel

LOFTS • RENT • LOFTS • RENT

Laundry on site. All utilities included. 112 W 5th St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 213.503.7449 • www.rosslynstudios.com

Made pursuant to Section 3381, Revenue and Taxation Code Pursuant to Sections 3381 through 3385, Revenue and Taxation Code, the Notice of Power to Sell Tax-Defaulted Property in and for Los Angeles County, State of California, has been divided and distributed to various newspapers of general circulation published in the County. A portion of the list appears in each of such newspapers.

SPECIAL MOVE IN -

NOTICE OF IMPENDING POWER TO SELL TAXDEFAULTED PROPERTY Made pursuant to Section 3361, Revenue and Taxation Code

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

Notice is hereby given that real property taxes and assessments on the parcels described below will have been defaulted five or more years, or, in the case of nonresidential commercial property, property on which a nuisance abatement lien has been recorded or that can serve the public benefit by providing housing or services directly related to low-income persons when three or more years have elapsed and a request has been made by a city, county, city and county, or nonprofit organization that property will become subject to the tax collector’s power to sell.

TWO WEEKS FREE RENT AND LOW DEPOSIT.

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

Casaloma L.A. Apartments Unfurnished rooms starting at $480 a month

ALL CASH VENDING! Be Your Own Boss! Your Own Local Vending Route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy for $9,995. MultiVend LLC, 1-888-625-2405. (Cal-SCAN)

SERVICES CleaninG CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants. Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818-409-9183.

NOTICE OF DIVIDED PUBLICATION

Downtown since 2002

Stay 6 months & get

Business opporTuniTies

I certify, under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing is true and correct. Dated this 21 day of April, 2010.

Jenny Ahn (213) 996-8301

Stay 3 months & get

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

LEgAL NOtICE

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

jahn@regentBC.com www.regentbc.com

• 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

Los Angeles. Compensation for this position includes salary plus commission. A successful selling campaign could lead to a long-term relationship. Please send your cover letter and resume to Advertising Director Steve Nakutin at steve@downtownnews.com. Please include the subject line DTG SALES POSITION.No phone calls please.

Clean unfurnished bachelor rooms with shared bath at

$550/mo.

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

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

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 310-826-8810 x24

HELP WANtED AdvERTiSiNg SALES - PROjEcT The Los Angeles Downtown News is seeking an experienced advertising sales professional to sell our annual Downtown Guide during the next 10 weeks. A successful selling campaign could lead to a long-term relationship. The Guide is in its 11th year of publication and is considered the best and most comprehensive guide to Downtown. Last year’s edition was nearly 100 pages and had more than 70 different advertisers. You will be selling to a wide array of advertising prospects including restaurants, boutiques, museums, retail businesses, real estate, auto dealers and more. The ideal applicant would have prior print media sales experience, be well-organized, tenacious, ambitious, highenergy, self-starter and have solid phone and in-person skills. You must also be a strong closer and live in or near Downtown Los Angeles or, at the very least, have a detailed understanding of the uniqueness that is Downtown Los Angeles. Compensation for this position includes salary plus commission. A successful selling campaign could lead to a longterm relationship. Please send your cover letter and resume to Advertising Director Steve Nakutin at steve@downtownnews.com. Please include the subject line DTG SALES POSITION. No phone calls please.

The parcels listed will become subject to the tax collector’s power to sell on July 1, 2010, at 12:01 a.m., by operation of law. The tax collector’s power to sell will arise unless the property is either redeemed or made subject to an installment plan of redemption initiated as provided by law prior to 5:00 p.m., on June 30, 2010. The right to an installment plan terminates on June 30, 2010, and after that date the entire balance due must be paid in full to prevent sale of the property at public auction. The right of redemption survives the property becoming subject to the power to sell, but it terminates at 5:00 p.m. on the last business day before actual sale of the property by the tax collector. All information concerning redemption or the initiation of an installment plan of redemption will be furnished, upon request, by Mark J. Saladino, Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, 225 North Hill Street, First Floor, Los Angeles, California 90012. The amount to redeem, in dollars and cents, is set forth opposite its parcel number. This amount includes all defaulted taxes, penalties, and fees that have accrued from the date of tax-default to the date of June 30, 2010.

MARK J. SALADINO TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES STATE OF CALIFORNIA PARCEL NUMBERING SYSTEM EXPLANATION The Assessor’s Identification Number (AIN), when used to describe property in this list, refers to the Assessor’s map book, the map page, the block on the map, if applicable, and the individual parcel on the map page or in the block. The Assessor’s maps and further explanation of the parcel numbering system are available in the Assessor’s Office, 500 West Temple Street, Room 225, Los Angeles, California 90012. The real property that is the subject of this notice is situated in the County of Los Angeles, State of California, and is described as follows: PROPERTY TAX DEFAULTED IN YEAR 2007 FOR TAXES, ASSESSMENT, AND OTHER CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007 2847 $5,966.31 FARNSWORTH,SHAWN SITUS:654 N NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90004-2113 AIN: 5538-027-002 2848 $4,365.61 FARNSWORTH,SHAWN SITUS:4216 MELROSE AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90029-3509 AIN: 5538027-004 2849 $14,269.25 FLECK AND ASSOC SITUS:675 N KENMORE AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90004-2109 AIN: 5538031-013 2851 $20,160.06 NEW GROVE LLC SITUS:531 N HOOVER ST LOS ANGELES CA 90004-2308 AIN: 5539-028-010 PROPERTY TAX DEFAULTED IN YEAR 2005 FOR TAXES, ASSESSMENT, AND OTHER CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004-2005 2844 $216.98 DISTEFANO,JAMES M AND GRETCHEN G SITUS:4958 MARATHON ST LOS ANGELES CA 90029-3712 AIN: 5535-029-019 2845 $12,633.43 CERON,REYNALDO A AND CERON,ELISEO SITUS:5336 LA MIRADA AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90029-1009 AIN: 5537-004-006 2846 $26,526.82 YEZEGELYAN,NERSES SITUS:5079 ROMAINE ST LOS ANGELES CA 90029-2462 AIN: 5537-019016 2850 $45,296.44 123 RAMONA LLC SITUS:4119 NORMAL AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90029-2907 AIN: 5539-012020 2852 $10,631.77 KAZAZIAN,AIKAZ AND TAKOUHI TRS KAZAZIAN TRUST SITUS:1130 N KENMORE AVE LOS ANGELES CA 90029-1504 AIN: 5540-028-003

Children’s Performing Group

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

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

SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433

HELP WANTED CLINICAL DIETITIAN

Provide medical nutrition therapy to patients. Plan & develop, monitoring & revision of nutrition care plans to ensure optimal cares for patients. Req. Master in Nutritional Science, Human Nutrition & Food plus Registered Dietitian license. Resume: Linda Lopez, PAMC, 531 W. College St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

May 10, 2010

Downtown News 27

DowntownNews.com

Accounting/Bookkeeping EXPERIENCE COUNTS Bookkeeping, Accounting, Projections. Contact Office Mgr. 213880-5992 stephanie@jkbassoc. com 600 W. 9th St. #1102, LA, CA 90015. Education HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA! Graduate in 4 weeks! Free Brochure. Call Now! 1-866-5623650 ext. 60 www.SouthEasternHS.com. (Cal-SCAN)

ADVERTISE ONLINE in a network of 120-plus newspaper websites. Border to Border with one order! $7 cost per thousand impressions statewide. Minimum $5,000 order. Call for details: (916) 288-6010. www. CaliforniaBannerAdNetwork. com. (Cal-SCAN) CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING in 240 Cal-SCAN newspapers for the best reach, coverage, and price. 25-words $550. Reach over 6 million Californians! Free email brochure. Call (916) 2886019. www.Cal-SCAN.com. (Cal-SCAN)

IS YOUR TEEN Experiencing: School Problems - Conflicts at home or w/friends? Adolescent support group ages 13-17. low fee. Marney Stofflet, LCSW 323662-9797. attorneys

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

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

Financial Services CASH NOW! Get cash for your structured settlement or annuity payments. High payouts. Call J.G. Wentworth. 1-866-SETTLEMENT (1-866-738-8536). Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. (Cal-SCAN) Advertising DISPLAY ADVERTISING in 140 Cal-SDAN newspapers statewide for $1,550! Reach over 3 million Californians! Free email brochure. Call (916) 288-6019. www.Cal-SDAN.com. (CalSCAN)

AUTOS Health DEPRESSED? Anxious? Relationship Issues? Seasoned clinician will provide supportive therapy. Individuals, couples, groups. Wilshire Blvd., near Good Samaritan. Info: www. drannewarman.vpweb.com (310) 281-9797.

PRE-OWNED

Downtown L.A. AUTO GROUP Porsche Volkswagen Audi Mercedes-Benz Nissan chevrolet cadillac

FDA APPROVED MEDICAL. Medical Vacuum Pumps. Viagra,Testosterone, Cialis. Free Brochures. (619) 2947777. www.drjoelkaplan.com. (Cal-SCAN)

‘08 HONDA CIVIC EX only 16K miles with navi. N13552/507882, only $17,999. 888-838-5089. 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E-350 4Dr Sedan, stk1003011/886015, $26,884. Call 888319-8762. 2007 AUDI A4 Certified, vin7a005605, $21,995. Call 888583-0981. 2008 911 TURBO CABRIOLET black/black, 6-spd, deviated stitching, 9K miles CPO 789471, $115,988. 888-685-5426. 2008 INFINITI G37 Low Miles, Loaded, CO1055D1-1/122597. $31,887. 888-879-9608 2008 KIA OPTIMAAbsolutely like new! $8,985. CUO129P/222797. Call 888-203-2967

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

ANTIQUE CAR & PARTS SWAP MEET

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

May 23 6am-3pm 209-777-5654

500 Speedway Dr Irwindale www.IrwindaleSwapMeet.com Autos Wanted DONATE YOUR CAR: Children’s Cancer Fund! Help Save A Child’s Life Through Research & Support! Free Vacation Package. Fast, Easy & Tax Deductible. Call 1-800-252-0615. (Cal-SCAN)

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

2010 VOLKSWAGEN CC 2,369 miles, white, carfax 1 owner, VIN 528667, $26,888. 888-7818102.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Volunteer Opportunities Helping kids heal. Free Arts for Abused Children is looking for volunteers to integrate the healing power of the arts into the lives of abused and at-risk children and their families. Today is the day to get involved! Contact Annie at volunteers@freearts. org or 310-313-4278 for more information.

CHURCHES THE BRIDGE / Little Tokyo: Contemporary worship, 4:00pm Sundays, 401 E. Third St. www. thebridgewired.org.

The Downtown Renaissance Collection

Be Inspired... Best Downtown Locations!

I c o n i c B e au t y S e e k s S t y l i s h M at e

On Spring St.

Spring Tower Lofts:

1900 sqft, open LOFT w/views $2850/mo. • 17 ft ceilings • Live/Work space • 14 story Bldg. • Rooftop garden terrace w/city view • Pet friendly

Premiere Towers:

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

NOW LEASING

$1,400’s/Mo. Free Parking

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

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

877-239-8256

FOR RENT? FOR LEASE? FOR SALE?

FINANCIAL & BUDGET ANALYST

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

People are looking here, shouldn’t your ad should be here?

(213) 481-1448

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

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

(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.)

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

Ad Copy: _________________________________________

Ad Prices

________________________________________________

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

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

With a circulation of State Check $

Zip Credit Card $

47,000,

our classifieds get results!

Elegant World Class Resort Apartment Homes

Piero 616 ST. PAUL AVE.

877-235-6012

WWW.THEPIERO.COM

Visconti 1221 WEST THIRD ST.

866-690-2888

WWW.THEVISCONTI.COM

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

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

Version 3

Do you have something to sell? FREE! $11.50 $14.00 $16.50 $19.00

Medici WWW.THEMEDICI.COM

Financial and budget analyst: Coordinate accting functs; develop & maintain financial/budgetary control sys; prepare cash & other financial projts; prepare monthly & yearly repts; prepare profit plans & budgets. BA in Accounting, Business Administration or Finance req. Send resume to E-Times Corporation at 601 S. Figueroa St., Ste 5000, L.A., CA 90017

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

WWW.THEORSINI.COM

725 SOUTH BIXEL ST.

HELP WANTED

• Items under $300 • Items $301 to $500 • Items $501 to $1200 • Items $1201 to $2000 • Items $2001+…

877-231-9362

www.cityloftsquare.com

Pricing subject to change without notice.

(Marketplace and Automotive Categories ONLY)

550 NORTH FIGUEROA ST.

Please call 213.627.6913

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

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

Orsini

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

cool furniture. cool stuff. cool store. cool prices

get there!

Client: Publication: Size/Color:

G.H. Palmer Associates LADT News 4.3125” x 8” 4C c u s t o m

f u r n i t u r e

Design by: apluscreative@yahoo.com Ph: 323.474.4668 8342 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048 | 323.655.3325 www.davinciLA.com

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

Fictitious Business Name Statements:

________________________________________________

Only $85. For 4 insertions

________________________________________________

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

Call (213) 481-1448 for details. (Note: The Downtown News does not perform filing services)

28 Downtown News

May 10, 2010

Twitter/DowntownNews

We Got Games The Lakers Are Jazzed Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/lakers. May 12, TBD: In the first two games of the series between Utah and the Lakers, the purple and gold had more jazz than the Beehive State’s finest (game three took place after Los Angeles Downtown News went to press). Kobe has been the flashy soloist and, as usual, the capable bandleader, directing a low-post rhythm section of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Derek Fisher, Ron Artest and Jordan Farmar have carried a consistent melody. If they keep playing the same tune, games three and four in Utah will be all she wrote. If necessary, they’ll encore in Staples Center for game five. Game six would shift back to Utah and a possible game seven would be in Downtown May 17. But don’t expect the show to go on that long.

Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., (213) 224-1400 or dodgers.mlb.com. The Dodgers are on the road all week, taking on two divisional foes. First, it’s a three-game set in Arizona against the Diamondbacks (May 10-12), who occupy the spot above last place in the National League West. The only team in the division with a worse record? That’d be the Dodgers. After the three-day basement series, the Blue Crew heads to San Diego to take on the Padres (May 14-16), who are off to their hottest start in years. The good news is that Manny Ramirez, who has been rehabbing with the Inland Empire 66ers, the Dodgers’ Class-A affiliate, is expected to join the team on the road trip. The bad news is that the starting rotation continues to get hammered, and both Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw were shelled last week. —Ryan Vaillancourt

photo by Gary Leonard

Jordan Farmar has been a spark off the bench for the Lakers, hitting some key three-pointers.

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

Grand Tower 255 south Grand avenue Leasing Information 213 229 9777

Promenade Towers 123 south Figueroa street Leasing Information 213 617 3777

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

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

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museum Tower 225 south olive street Leasing Information 213 626 1500

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

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

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

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

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