06-29-09

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS Urban Scrawl on Antonio’s future.

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2 13

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More affordable housing, arts honors, and other happenings Around Town.

Howard Leff and his Party of One take in the oddities of Cirque Berzerk.

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

June 29, 2009

Volume 38, Number 26

INSIDE

Dipping at Cole’s

Another Big Project For Little Tokyo Related Companies Continues Community’s Residential Momentum With 230-Apartment Sakura Crossing

by AnnA Scott StAff writer

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The Skid Row walk turns 4.

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Rocky Delgadillo’s exit interview.

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hile the Related Companies’ $3 billion plan to transform Grand Avenue remains on hold, the New York-based developer has more quietly made a significant play in Little Tokyo’s luxury rental market.

This month, the company opened the 230-apartment complex Sakura Crossing at Second and San Pedro streets. Its first Little Tokyo venture, the 128-unit Hikari, began move-ins in late 2006.

“It is an established neighborhood with its own identity, sense of place, commercial and retail core and proximity to a lot of things,” Related of see Sakura Crossing, page 8

Audit Blasts El Pueblo Controller’s Report Cites Low Rents, Other Shortcomings at Department That Requires Nearly $1 Million City Subsidy

photo by Gary Leonard

Rick Westberg of the Related Companies at Sakura Crossing, the firm’s second Little Tokyo project. The $78 million development at 235 S. San Pedro St. opened this month.

The Wolf, the Fox, The Match-Up and The Mayor Reacting to the Shock That Villaraigosa Decides to Do His Job

by Jon regArdie

Good times with bad movies.

executive editor

O

n Monday, June 22, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa shocked millions of Angelenos: Appearing on a cable news program shortly after 1 p.m.,

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THE REGARDIE REPORT

Five great entertainment options.

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photo by Gary Leonard

El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument was criticized for numerous issues in an audit from the City Controller’s office. The report said that having the Olvera Street merchants pay market-rate rents could increase the department’s revenue by more than $1 million a year. by richArd guzmán city editor

Checking out the sports scene.

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14 CALENDAR LISTINGS 16 MAP 17 CLASSIFIEDS

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n audit released last week by the City Controller’s office blasted El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument for charging most of the merchants at the tourist attraction rents that are well below market rate. The report also cited low maintenance fees and some empty buildings as factors that force the city to supplement the department by almost $1 million a year.

The report, released by the City Controller on June 24, also criticizes the department for not making sure that merchants are authorized ten-

ants, a potentially damaging find for shop owners who claim their familial ties to the facility justify the relatively low rents.

“The auditor’s report summarized many of the issues that have been outstanding for El Pueblo for decades,” said David Louie, a member of El Pueblo’s Board of Commissioners, and the only one of the commissioners who had reviewed the report a day after its release. Louie has also led a charge to examine raising rents at the monument.

“I welcome it and am encouraged by the fact that the controller for the see El Pueblo, page 9

he announced to the world that, gasp, he will do the job that Los Angeles taxpayers give him $223,000 a year — or $196,000 after he shares some sacrifice — to do.

The announcement that Villa-

raigosa will stay in the post that 152,613 voters just elected him to has been heralded and treated with the kind of unexpected glee that materializes at the end of Slumdog Millionaire when Jamal and Lu Parker — sorry, Latika — suddenly break into a Bollywood style dance number on a train platform. On June 24, a Los Angeles Times editorial opened by stating, “Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has decided to stick with Los Angeles, and we applaud that.” see Mayor, page 8

photo by Gary Leonard

Quick, pick the 2010 gubernatorial candidate! It’s San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (left). Last week, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced that he will not run for governor next year.

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

2 Downtown News

June 29, 2009

DowntownNews.com

AROUNDTOWN Grammy Museum Extends Michael Jackson Exhibit

T

he day after Michael Jackson died, Downtown’s Grammy Museum announced that it will extend and add new elements to the exhibit Michael Jackson: HIStyle.

The show, which debuted in February, was updated Friday, June 26, with additions such as the suit he wore for the Thriller album cover and video of his Grammy Awards performances, said Katie Dunham, a spokeswoman for the museum. The exhibit also includes some of the pop star’s most elaborate outfits, such as the jacket he wore on his Victory tour and one he donned at his 1984 American Music Awards appearance. Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, who called Jackson “a great American musical icon,” noted that the HIStyle exhibit was actually in the process of being taken down to make way for a Neil Diamond show. “Of course yesterday afternoon, just as we were putting everything away and heard about it, we made the decision to repurpose parts of the original Michael Jackson exhibit to create something for fans and people who would be coming to the museum to recall Michael in a bright light and a passionate light,” said Santelli. The museum is at 800 W. Olympic Blvd.

Seventh and Broadway Now Ezat Delijani Square

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ourteenth District City Councilman José Huizar and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa last week hosted an event to name the intersection of Seventh Street and Broadway Ezat Delijani Square. The designation, which took place on Thursday, June 25, honors the investor whose family owns four historic Broadway theaters. Huizar, who proposed the Delijani Square naming in April, launched an effort to revitalize Broadway between Second Street and Olympic Boulevard in early 2008. The initiative hinges on reopening the street’s historic theaters, and Delijani’s Los Angeles, Palace, State and Tower theaters, all between Sixth and Eighth streets, are con-

sidered key properties. Delijani immigrated with his family to the United States from Iran in the 1970s. He was already a well-established local real estate investor by 1982 when thenMayor Tom Bradley asked him to purchase the 1931 Los Angeles Theatre to save it from demolition. Delijani’s son, Michael, went on to acquire the three other Broadway theaters. However, the family has also been criticized for being slow to upgrade the venues; none of the four are open to the pubic regularly.

Project Named for Jim Wood Opens in Skid Row

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he SRO Housing Corp. last week celebrated the opening of its James M. Wood Apartments. The $14.5 million, 53-unit project at 400 E. Fifth St. on Skid Row opened June 25. The residence, which will begin move-ins this week, will house formerly homeless tenants, including 31 people with severe mental illness. Tenants will have access to on-site case management and a community room.

Architect Jim Bunnell designed the project that transformed a run-down, graffiti-marked eyesore into a modern, eye-catching facility. The project was funded in part with $6.1 million from the city’s Permanent Supportive Housing program. The building was named for late labor leader and CRA Board Chairman Jim Wood.

Little Tokyo Theater Group Earns Double Honors

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he Little Tokyo-based East West Players, one of the nation’s premier Asian theater companies, received a double honor from the James Irvine Foundation this month in the form of a $300,000 grant and a prize for Artistic Director Tim Dang. The grant, which will be dispersed over the next three years, will go toward the company’s literary programs, which help develop new artists. “The demographics of California are changing quickly and this support will help us

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

raise the visibility of these new voices,” Dang said in a statement. “This recognition is significant during this challenging time when developing new works brings on added risks. It is a validation of our artistic work.” Dang this month also received the 2009 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award for his efforts to increase diversity and create opportunities for Asian American artists.

More Time to Get Berzerk

C

irque Berzerk, the adults-only circus that opened at the Los Angeles State Historic Park on June 18, has extended its run for three additional weeks. The avante-garde circus, originally scheduled to play until July 5, will now remain open through Sunday, July 26. At the same time that organizers have lengthened the run, they have also reduced the number of weekly performances in the 1,700-person tent from seven to five. The new schedule includes shows on Thursdays and Fridays at 8:30 p.m., Saturdays at 7 and 10 p.m. and Sundays at 8 p.m. The one-ring, animal-free circus has a storyline about a dark afterlife; performers include “living dead” burlesque dancers, aerialists, acrobats and more. L.A. State Historic Park is at 1245 N. Spring St. More information and tickets are at cirqueberzerk.com.

Bunker Hill Arts Grants Approved

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he City Council has approved grants to six Downtownbased arts and cultural organizations as part of the Bunker Hill Arts Retention Program. The initiative, approved June 19, provides funding and technical support for the recipients over a three-year period. During the first year, $275,600, administered by the Community Redevelopment Agency, will be distributed among the groups. The organizations that will benefit are the outdoor concert series Grand Performances, the bus tour company Esotouric, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Music Center’s REDCAT theater, Shakespeare Festival/LA and the currently out-of-service funicular Angels Flight, which will use the money to create a tile mural alongside the track. Esotouric co-founder Kim Cooper said that the company plans to use its money partly to support two bus tours with strong Bunker Hill themes. One is based on the writings of author John Fante, and the other on the work of architecture critic Reyner Banham.

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EDITORIALS Mediocre Mayor Needs to Show More in Second Term

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his week, Antonio Villaraigosa will begin his second and final term as the mayor of Los Angeles.

We hope that in the next four years he will focus squarely on the needs of the city and achieve the potential he missed, to much frustration, time and again during his first term.

Villaraigosa has not been the “failure” that he was labeled recently on the cover of Los Angeles magazine, though he has had numerous notable shortcomings. Neither has he been the success many hoped he would be.

In short, Villaraigosa has been a mediocre mayor. Not terrible and by no means great — just right in the middle, even forgettable if you consider his record and not his personality.

He has a few accomplishments, but there is a much longer list of projects and issues on which he has failed to live up to his promises.

When Villaraigosa arrived, he set some high expectations. His vision of a bright, vibrant Los Angeles, one with safe streets, an environmentally friendly agenda, improved schools and a robust economy, was laid out in his successful run against incumbent mayor Jim Hahn. The vision was further and eloquently presented in his inauguration speech of July 1, 2005, when Villaraigosa enthusiastically invited Los Angeles to “dream with me.” The hope continued in the months after he took office, as he appeared at event after event all across the city, demonstrating a passion for leadership. It had been a long time since Los Angeles saw a mayor so energetic, so exciting, and it was easy to believe that great things were possible.

In the ensuing years, however, Villaraigosa directed that passion at places and causes far beyond the city. Angelenos watched him spend significant time and energy on the presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, and he seemed to be frequently out of town stumping for her — many believed he was positioning himself for a highprofile post in case she won. When that didn’t work out as planned, he sought to reinvent himself as a prominent backer of Barack Obama, and while the spin was that it makes sense for the mayor of Los Angeles to establish close ties to the leader of a Democratic administration, it felt like the focus was his own gain, not the city’s.

That mindset continued over the past year as Villaraigosa contemplated running for governor of California in 2010.

Only last week did he finally state that he will not pursue the post, but the long period of uncertainty made it clear he con-

siders Los Angeles a steppingstone.

This ambition might be acceptable if it accompanied a record of accomplishment, but in the past four years this mayor has proved more adept at electoral politics than civic progress. His biggest success may in fact be strategic: Through aggressive fundraising before the March mayoral election, he scared off any candidates who could have challenged him on a war-chest level. He subsequently refused to debate any of the nine relatively unknown challengers, leaving voters with a bare facsimile of the democratic process.

He still won but in unimpressive fashion — he garnered just 55% of the vote, reflective of a big drop from his early popularity.

Villaraigosa is not without success. He has been active on environmental measures, helping lead to a greening of the port and, closer to Downtown, backing the creation of the 20-acre Cleantech Manufacturing Center. He understands that the city can and should be a leader in the green movement.

He has been a strong supporter of the police force and backed a second term for Chief William Bratton, who had been brought in by Hahn. Villaraigosa was a champion of the Safer Cities Initiative, which has led to significant improvement in and around Skid Row. Overall, he has ridden the wave of a city that feels safer than in decades past, and has not gotten in the way of progress.

Another benefit comes from Villaraigosa’s propensity to get in front of the cameras and to travel: He has been a frequent presence in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., lobbying to ensure that Los Angeles gets its share of funds from the state and federal governments. With regards to the former, he has lately sought to protect the city as the state suffers from a $24 billion deficit, one which might lead to the hawking of money from cities throughout California.

Those are worthy accomplishments. The problem is, there should be many more of them. Instead, there are numerous places where Villaraigosa has fallen short.

Villaraigosa spent too much time and political capital on a bungled effort to take over the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the cluster of schools he ultimately gained control of has shown little improvement, though to be fair there hasn’t been enough time to know much about the results. While an ally, Ramon Cortines, finally became superintendent of the LAUSD, Villaraigosa’s record on

education is otherwise nonexistent.

His ballyhooed call to plant 1 million trees in the city never came close to that number, and he has essentially been invisible on the issue of billboard blight, including digital billboards, something that frustrates many Angelenos.

Most importantly, Villaraigosa failed to prepare the city for the economic crisis that has resulted in a $530 million deficit for the fiscal year that starts the day he is sworn in.

Worse, there is little confidence he is up to the challenge of handling it. While the economy is pummeling municipalities around the globe, Los Angeles could have been in a far better position if previous union contract negotiations had been mindful of the exploding costs over time, and if current negotiations had yielded more progress. Essentially he passed the buck to the chief administrative office to find a way out of the morass. Right now, the city stands on the cusp of layoffs, furloughs and perhaps even bankruptcy. No one pretends bridging the gap is easy, but this is the kind of hard issue where a mayor needs to lead the whole city, not pander to his former union colleagues, who, it must be said, have also had their fill of his changing stances.

On Wednesday, July 1, Villaraigosa will give a speech to begin his second term. When he talks, we hope he will be at least somewhat transformed and that he will get away from the spin.

We hope that Villaraigosa’s second term brings renewed vigor, that he will continue his environmental agenda and concentrate on issues such as homelessness and the economy.

He needs to do what people elected him to do: Make Los Angeles better. Forget dreams of his next election and focus on the city. Lead by action rather than by photo op.

Although he has not come close to showing it, we still believe this mayor is capable of very good things. But he needs to be about the city, not himself.

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

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

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

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Walking the Walk Monthly Skid Row Excursion Hits a Milestone

by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

W

hen Estela Lopez, the executive director of the Central City East Association, came across a man sprawled unconscious on a Skid Row sidewalk with a needle still clinging to his abdomen, she wasn’t shocked.

It was 2005, about two years after the Los Angeles native joined the CCEA and a year after she moved to Downtown. In this povertystricken, 50-square block neighborhood just a short walk from City Hall, some 2,000 people slept on the streets at night. Encounters with drug use and public sex were to be expected.

Still, something about being in the neighborhood every day had an impact on Lopez.

“Somewhere in your psyche, there is still a bell that says, ‘No, I’m not going to become acclimated to this,’” she said. “This is not humane.”

After consulting with Orlando Ward of the Midnight Mission and Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry, Lopez hatched a simple plan to ring that bell for anyone in listening range: She would host a monthly neighborhood walk open to anyone and everyone, but especially news media.

“What I want to do is take the cameras on a walk and I don’t want to do it once or twice,” she said.

When Lopez and other walk regulars meet on July 1, it will mark the fourth anniversary of the project. Since July 2005, the walkers have left from the Midnight Mission at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, rain or shine.

They haven’t skipped a month, she said.

If consistency was Lopez’s goal, mission ac-

complished. It is harder to quantify whether the walks have created the kind of positive change its founders hoped.

Sensory Learning The ideological differences among homeless advocates, legal scholars, police and elected officials combine to make Skid Row a controversial place. But when it comes to making a judgment about the area, Ward suggests people go there first.

“It’s great that we get some media, that’s terrific, but… that’s not going to make a hill of beans in the work we do here,” Ward said.

“I think what I was looking for was bringing the business community as well as the residential community to walk around and see the faces behind the numbers.”

During the Skid Row walks, outreach teams from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority try to connect homeless individuals with services, from medical treatment to a shelter bed for the night.

Not everyone is receptive.

At the walk in May 2006, Perry said she tried to persuade a middle-aged woman who appeared sick and mentally ill to take refuge in a shelter. The woman insisted that she be left alone, and her ruddy skin and bright eyes stuck in Perry’s memory. The image of her face burned more permanently when it appeared in a Los Angeles Times article a week later: Kristi Morales, 49, an addict whose family had reportedly tried to keep her off the streets, was stomped to death near Fifth and San Julian streets.

“You can’t force somebody, and from that standpoint I feel sad about that case, but we did reach out,” Perry said.

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The Central City East Association launched the monthly Skid Row community walk in 2005. As many as 50 people participate in the event. The next one takes place Wednesday, July 1.

Other Skid Row Walk encounters had happier endings. Ward remembers walking the streets with a pastor of a large South Los Angeles church. The pastor was a “stately” man, but his demeanor transmogrified when a man on the street approached him, smiling.

The pastor and the homeless man, who Ward said was in “pretty bad shape,” were relatives.

The pastor quit the walk at that moment and took the man out of Skid Row that night.

“I haven’t seen that man since,” Ward said.

Much has changed in Skid Row since the walks began. The introduction of the Safer Cities Initiative in September 2006 deployed 50 additional officers to the area to crack down on quality of life crimes, and the number of people on the streets has since shrunk to about 600 (critics of the SCI contend that many people are in jail or are homeless in other areas).

The walk, which attracts anywhere from five to 50 people, has changed too. For some it is an academic experience, drawing high school and university classes from as far away as UC Irvine, mostly to study issues related to ur-

ban police enforcement or social justice. Some participants come once and never come back.

Others return monthly and bring friends.

The Skid Row that walkers see today is less chaotic and dangerous than four years ago, Lopez said. While she considers the area’s changes mostly for the better, she sees no reason to discontinue the program or even reduce its frequency.

“If you ask, can you name any other community that says we have 600 people on our sidewalks every day, the answer is probably no,” she said. “We are still the shameful homeless capital of the nation. So when people say to me, ‘Are you still walking?’ there’s only one answer: Yes we’re still walking.”

The Skid Row community walk meets Wednesday, July 1, at 6 p.m. at the Midnight Mission, 601 S. San Pedro St. Secure parking is available at the mission. For information contact the Central City East Association at (213) 689-8980 or centralcityeast.org.

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

6 Downtown News

June 29, 2009

DowntownNews.com

CONVERSATIONS

The End of Rocky’s Road Delgadillo Discusses His Eight Years As City Attorney

by Anna Scott staff writer

O

n Wednesday, July 1, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo will complete his second and final term as Los Angeles’ top prosecutor. By all accounts, his eight years have included significant successes and some serious stumbles.

As the third largest public law office in the state, the Los Angeles City Attorney handles approximately 100,000 civil and criminal cases a year. The position entails defending the city’s interests in civil lawsuits and claims, prosecuting criminal misdemeanors and serving as general counsel to all city departments and officials.

Delgadillo initiated several well-received efforts, such as 2002’s Neighborhood Prosecutor Program, which assigned deputy city attorneys to the city’s 20 police stations

to work on local problems. He has also dramatically increased the number of gang injunctions and cracked down on the “dumping” of homeless patients on Skid Row. At other times, however, Delgadillo’s missteps have threatened to overshadow his efforts. Chief among these was the 2007 admission that his wife was driving his city-issued SUV during a 2004 accident, and that the city had paid for repairs. In other instances, the City Council elected to hire an outside attorney rather than deal with Delgadillo.

Last week Delgadillo, who will be succeeded by Carmen Trutanich, spoke with Los Angeles Downtown News about his eight years as City Attorney, and his plans for the future.

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On July 1, Rocky Delgadillo will complete his eight years as City Attorney of Los Angeles. His tenure has seen success in several community-based initiatives, as well as criticism over his approach to billboard companies, among other issues.

headlines: A judge just ruled in your favor in your lawsuit against former City Controller Laura Chick to stop her from auditing your Worker’s Compensation program. Why did you take that to court?

Rocky Delgadillo: When I was first elected, I took an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution of the State of California and the charter of the City of Los Angeles. So when then-Controller Chick challenged the legal authority of that document, I thought it was important to stand up for that, even though I knew it was going to be a negative perception from the public and from the media.

Q: The obvious question is, what do you have to hide?

A: I knew that would be the response, but I also think that response is just scratching the surface. We’ve done a number of fiscal audits of this office already. We’ve never had anything to hide. We let the state audi-

tor come in and audit our outside counsel, and we took many of their suggestions. So we’ve never had anything to hide. But that would’ve been the simple response, to let her come in and audit. And I would’ve been, in my opinion, abridging the sanctity of the City Charter by doing so, because it was a political maneuver on her part. When she tried to audit the mayor’s gang program, I said she couldn’t do that either, so she decided to put it to me, to make it a political issue. Well, I made a tough choice and suffered from it in the press, but the justice system is beautiful, and in the end it delivers justice.

Q: Last year, you filed civil damages actions against two gangs, including the Fifth and Hill gang, which dealt heroin Downtown. Why did you file against whole gangs instead of individuals?

A: When I started there were eight gangs under injunction. As of last week, there were 70 gangs under injunction.

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Q: But you knew later, when you saw your face on the billboards.

A: My face was never on a billboard.

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Q: Homeless dumping is another big issue for Downtown that you’ve cracked down on. How did that come about?

A: First I heard the fact that hospitals were dumping patients on Skid Row, and I was told by many individuals working in and around Skid Row that that was an urban legend. Then we put our neighborhood prosecutor on the street.

Our neighborhood prosecutor discovered that in fact it was happening. So we helped to put up what we call now the “dumping cameras” on Skid Row, and we had a number of cases. That then led me to think more broadly about the healthcare system. If human beings are being dumped on Skid Row… then our healthcare system is broken.

Temporary Bus Line Serves Future Metro Gold Line Stations

Q: You were criticized after the public learned that your wife had been driving your city-issued vehicle during a 2004 accident, and the city paid for the repairs. You were also fined for campaign finance violations and accused of using staff members for personal errands. How much do you think those things hurt you politically?

A: First, let me say that I acknowledge my mistakes. I own them, I’ve atoned for them and I think I’m stronger for them.

It put me in a place where I’ve grown. I think I’m in a much better place, a much stronger place, and I look forward to taking on the next challenge.

Several local bus lines in East LA and Little Tokyo have been rerouted to serve eight new stations that will become part of the Metro Gold Line later this summer.

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Until the new stations become operational, temporary bus service is being provided along the Gold Line route between Union Station and Atlantic, with stops adjacent to each of the future rail stations.

Q: Have you felt frustrated that some of those things may have overshadowed the work you do as City Attorney?

A: You know, I think of my work as trying to protect those who can least protect themselves. And most of those individuals, with all due respect, probably never read the newspaper.

But I know that in exchange for the scrutiny that I get and that, by the way, every public official deserves, I get to go save the lives of 5-year-olds in South L.A., Skid Row, Pacoima and Wilmington. If I put it on the scales, it always comes in the favor of saving the lives of kids.

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ST This temporary route, Metro Local Line 632, is operating OA ER GU FI every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes o=-peak from 5am to 9pm weekdays. Look for exact schedules at metro.net.

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Q: During your campaign you accepted free billboard space promoting your candidacy. So— A: [Jumping in] —First, no, that’s wrong. That’s what a journalist would do. I didn’t even know about it. I knew about it like the regular public would know about it, but I didn’t “ac-

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Q: Another controversial issue during your tenure has been billboards. Many people wonder why you agreed to the 2005 and 2006 settlements with three billboard companies, which seemed to give them concessions beyond even what they were asking for in their lawsuits.

A: At the time, the lawyers working on those settlements believed that those were good settlements on behalf of the city.

And be mindful of the fact that we don’t do all of this in a vacuum. We talk to our client on a regular basis. They weigh in. Council members talk to us about it and we responded to our client, and then we brought it forward to them and I think it was unanimous. So all of us at the time thought it was the right thing to do. But as we all know, the world changes and sometimes what we’ve encapsulated in a document might not fit the times a few years forward. We have a couple of outstanding cases with billboard companies and if the decisions come down in the city’s favor, I think we’ll be in a better place.

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Q: So the answer is no, you haven’t been frustrated?

A: Look, I think that the media is a very powerful force. So I’m always going to try to do a better job to make sure the messages about our work are clear and convey as much information about what we do as possible. But it’s a challenge.

Q: What’s your advice for Carmen Trutanich?

A: My advice for him is that the City Attorney’s office is the heart of the city, because all things flow to it and away from it, but it touches every part of this city, and that heart has to beat, or there’s no life in this city. So I hope that Nuch will take this opportunity and allow this office to soar and to beat and bring life to this city, and I hope that he continues to bring it closer to the people. And I’m available to help any time.

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

Q: Your name, then.

A: Yes, my name. But it could’ve been an advertisement for the new Rocky movie. All that was on there was the word “Rocky.” So that part I think should be clarified. But, on the other hand, the billboard industry is a powerful force in the state of California. I’ve brought now two pieces of legislation in the state to curtail in a fair way the billboard industry’s reach in our communities, and each time the bills never got out of committee.

SO TO

Q: How do you enforce that judgment?

A: Like any other judgment. If I sued you for injuring something in the city I would be able to exercise on that judgment, whatever I obtained, by taking your assets. And we know that gang members have cars, they have homes, businesses, nightclubs, tattoo parlors, other businesses that they operate, and we’re going to have to hire forensic accountants but that’s who you would hire anyway. It’s not really unlike what the Goldmans did to O.J. Simpson when they sued him civilly. The money we obtain, by the way, goes back to that neighborhood. So there’s a potential for that to come back to Downtown Los Angeles.

Q: Will you run for Attorney General of California in 2010?

A: I’ve opened a committee for Attorney General. I understand that Jerry Brown is contemplating a run for governor, which means he would vacate the Attorney General seat, and if he does I would be honored to be the state’s Attorney General. But if he doesn’t, I’m not running against Jerry Brown.

cept” it. If you exercise your First Amendment rights, I don’t get to say, “I accept that.” It’s an independent expenditure. I think I said at the time, I’d be happy to tell them to stop, but that’s not my providence to do.

P

One way to deal with gangs is to take away their power of violence, so that’s suppression, or to put them in jail; another is to take away their membership or their employees, so reduce their recruiting pool; and then money, take away their money. So what I wanted to do was stand in the shoes of victims and sue gangs for the damages they cause in our communities. I believe I’m the only prosecutor in America that’s ever done it. I’m the only prosecutor that’s ever actually gotten a judgment against a gang, $5 million against the Fifth and Hill gang, that will last for 10 years, and we’ll be able to use that to help the community and take away the assets of these gang members whether or not they were obtained legally or illegally.

Downtown News 7

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8 Downtown News

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Sakura Crossing Continued from page 1 California President Bill Witte said of Little Tokyo. “It’s not only an established neighborhood, but it has its own unique character and vibrancy.”

The project’s name pays heed to that heritage: “Sakura” refers to the cherry trees that will be planted on the property. Other Japanese-inspired, community-oriented features include Toyo Miyatake Lane, a narrow, landscaped road that cuts through the development site to connect San Pedro and Los Angeles streets. The street, named for a celebrated local photographer, is open to the public and was constructed partly to help accommodate Little Tokyo events such as Nisei Week, which are usually centered on San Pedro Street, said Sakura Crossing Project Manager Rick Westberg.

Bill Watanabe, a local activist and executive director of the nonprofit Little Tokyo Service Center, praised the effort.

“We thought that was a good idea, and if there are future festivals, they could easily be held on that street and it will have a very neighborhood kind of feel,” he said. “I can only extend positive remarks about their contact with the community and how they have tried to blend in with the Little Tokyo community.”

Reinventing a Block The $78 million Sakura Crossing (MacFarlane Partners invested in the project) stands on one of four contiguous parcels collectively known as Block 8, bounded by Second, Third, Los Angeles and San Pedro streets.

In 2005, Related obtained city approval to construct a $250 million, market-rate housing community on the site, but subsequently sold two of the Block 8 plots to developers the Kor Group and K. Hovnanian.

In turn, those developers separately sold their pieces to AvalonBay Communities Inc., which plans to build another six-story rental project, called Matsu, at the southwest corner of Los Angeles and Second streets. Meanwhile, Related is holding on to the parcel on the northeast corner of the block until the economy recovers, Witte said.

The six-story, U-shaped Sakura Crossing houses 230 studio, one- and two- bedroom residences that range from approximately 550-1,200 square feet, including 46 units reserved for low-income tenants. The market-rate apartments rent for $1,500-$3,000.

The residences come in 34 layouts, “which is crazy,” said Westberg during a recent tour of the building. “Most projects, there are maybe four unit types that repeat.”

The building also includes nine ground-floor units, which

Mayor Continued from page 1 Not to be Capt. Jack Sourpuss here, but isn’t this sort of like giving a smiley face sticker to a 6-year-old simply because he shows up for soccer practice? Sure, there were shiny baubles in the Sacramento distance that Villaraigosa thought long and hard about gunning for, but after he flirted with a gubernatorial bid for more than a year, I’m having a difficult time treating the decision that he’ll keep a job many would kill for as the equivalent of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Break it down and the facts are pretty much these: Villaraigosa recognized that he has about as much chance of being the next leader of California as South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has of hiking the Appalachian Trail. Upon coming to that conclusion, he found a media opportunity nearly as threatening as a Shamwow, and he fashioned a spindle of spin that he knew would be picked up in every major newspaper in the country.

All of which brings us back to where we were four years ago: Villaraigosa promises that he’ll do his job. And for this he thinks he gets a cookie?

Blame It on Grandpa I’m not trying to treat Villaraigosa like three-days-and-counting Councilman Jack Weiss treats his Fifth District constituents.

Rather, there is a huge sense of frustration in Los Angeles over the unrealized potential of Villaraigosa’s first term, and after refus-

June 29, 2009

have individual security systems and storefront windows.

The developer installed the maximum amount of allowable window space in each unit, Westberg said, and white cabinets and light-colored hardwood floors add to a bright, airy aesthetic. All apartments include dishwashers and washer-dryer units. Many of the highlights of Sakura Crossing are borrowed from the Hikari, said Westberg.

“With this project, we took what we did at Hikari and upped all the finish levels, added more amenities and made the amenities bigger,” said Westberg.

Those amenities include a business center, pool, Jacuzzi, screening room, two roof decks with barbecue areas and fire pits, a fitness center and a “club room” that residents can rent for private parties. photo by Gary Leonard The building also features several quirky details, The 230-unit project includes a pool, jacuzzi, fire pits and a barbeque area. such as a nook in the lobby near the elevator that holds hotel-style baggage carts for hauling groceries or other things. The mailroom features a flat screen television continued, “They didn’t want an architectural Disneyland, that displays information on which residents have new mail. and they wanted it to be modern but still somehow feel like Despite the similarities, Sakura Crossing is geared toward it had a place in their community.” a younger crowd than Hikari, which contains a higher per- The building incorporates numerous small tributes to centage of two-bedroom units, Westberg said. So far, 19 Little Tokyo. The façade, for example, features curved apartments have been rented, mostly by young single pro- surfaces and an overhang structure above the north-facing fessionals or couples and USC students. Move-ins began side that was “loosely based on a fish movement shape,” June 16. said Gehman. The landscaping, which is still largely unfin Lloyd Lee, a 31-year-old real estate loan specialist, and ished, will also reflect Japanese influences, said Witte. his wife relocated from Las Vegas into a sixth-floor, one- Sakura Crossing also features a small garden that conbedroom unit at Sakura Crossing. nects to the community garden at Casa Heiwa, an afford “We were looking for the right combination of secu- able housing complex southwest of the new building. rity, price, location, amenities and service,” said Lee. “We “We thought that was very considerate of them to make looked at literally every decent place in Downtown as well it that way,” said Watanabe of the LTSC, which developed as Pasadena and this was the best place to go with.”

Casa Heiwa.

While Westberg said that Related is not advertising any As residents trickle in, Westberg said he is focused on the rent reductions or other economy-sensitive deals, Lee said final piece of Sakura Crossing — the project’s 7,000 square his unit at Sakura Crossing is less than $1,700 per month. feet of ground-floor retail space, which he expects will He would not reveal his exact rent, however, because “They house up to four businesses. The space is equipped to hold might be mad at me for telling you, because I got a really two restaurants and one or two retailers, he said. He hopes good deal.” to sign leases for all of them by the end of the year.

Subtle Tributes Though Sakura Crossing is debuting in a difficult eco The building’s design was influenced by Little Tokyo, nomic environment, and has plenty of competition within though in a subtle way, said architect Daniel Gehman of Downtown, Witte said he is optimistic that the project will the Irvine-based Thomas P. Cox Architects. The company draw residents and retailers. also worked on the Hikari.

“We tend to build for the long haul,” he said. “We con “We did a lot of outreach, and there were two important tinue to own and not to sell, and we think what you do things that drove the design process almost from the very with the building for the long haul matters a lot.” beginning,” he said. In terms of the Japanese influences, he Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

ing to pledge allegiance to the city even as he conducted a rubber stamp election to lead it, the drivel he spilled to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer is dispiriting.

Having his coming-out party in Wolfwood seems emblematic of just where Villaraigosa’s head is. When the leader of Los Angeles decided to inform the 4 million residents he represents that his top priority is continuing to lead the city, where did he go? Was it to a Los Angeles institution like the Times? To a City Hall legend such as the Daily News’ Rick Orlov? Even to a television station like KTLA, where his gal pal/journalist/model/actress Lu Parker reads the news and works on her Twitter account?

Nope, it was Blitzer, who works for a cable network based in Atlanta. People associate Blitzer with the City of Angels about as often as they think of Manny Ramirez as Mr. Clean.

The only thing sillier than shunning the local populace for the announcement were the lines he shoveled toward Blitzer. I re-read the transcript on CNN’s website and, holy Mirthala full of grace, I think he first blamed the decision on his grandfather. Asked if he’ll run for governor, Villaraigosa stated, “The answer is no. And I make that decision because, as I’ve said many times, I love the city I was born and raised in, the city that my grandpa came to 100 years ago.”

I never met Grandpa Villar, but I can picture him taking 6-year-old Antonio on his knee, just after the youth got a smiley face sticker for attending soccer practice, patting him on the head and saying, “Sonny, remember, I came to Los Angeles

in 1909, and if you ever have a choice between being mayor of the city or getting belly punched repeatedly by Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom in a governor’s race, knowing they’ll bring up your inability to hire 10,000 police officers, your failure to reform the LAUSD, the dissolution of your marriage, your problems planting a million trees, the 55% you got in the last election and more, then pick the first option.”

Blame It on Little Precious To be fair, Villaraigosa did not blame the entire decision on his grandfather.

He also laid some of it at the feet of his daughter. He told Blitzer, “This is about the city I love. And I also have a young girl, 16 years old. She’s the apple of my eye, and she’s got two more years of high school and then she’s gone. And I don’t want to be campaigning for a year and then leading the state in Sacramento and my little precious is, you know, finishing up her high school education.”

It’s nice that he’s thinking about his little precious and making sure that he’s not in Sacramento during senior prank week, but given the dissolution of his marriage after he had an affair while in office, isn’t this an odd time to bring up how personal decisions impact one’s family?

Really, the only thing missing from the whole situation right now is any kind of truth. With Villaraigosa preparing to be sworn in for a second and final term on July 1, it’s like he’s trying to position himself as St. George, the savior ready to slay the $530 million beast. Yet while he talks tough, he overlooks the fact that the bud-

getary beast grew so big and gruesome on his own watch.

No one believes that Villaraigosa is sticking around because his grandpa came here in 1909, or that his little precious needs to finish school, or even that he feels a personal desire to get the city through the budget crisis — if any of those were the case, the decision would have been made long ago.

Sure, he finally made the right choice, but it’s for all the wrong reasons.

Instead, like the NBA finals in which the Lakers throttled the Magic, it’s all about match-ups. With his record and the troubles that have befallen Los Angeles in the past four years, Villaraigosa knows that he might get by Newsom, but he would have serious trouble eclipsing Brown, the wily attorney general and former governor who has huge name recognition. As Dan Schnur pointed out in the L.A. Times the day after Villaraigosa’s bit of “breaking news,” he may be better positioned for taking a swing at Dianne Feinstein’s senate seat in 2012, when the then-79-yearold might hang it up.

It’s sort of like the fox and henhouse, and by this I’m not saying that anyone has laid an egg, or a lot of them. Rather, you have to recognize a creature’s nature and know what to expect. Ultimately, the fox is gonna go berserk on the cooped creatures.

Ultimately, AnVil is going to pounce at a higher office.

Until then, it looks like he’s decided to do his job. Yeehaw.

Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

June 29, 2009

Downtown News 9

DowntownNews.com

El Pueblo Continued from page 1 city of Los Angeles has reviewed and concluded that there are many areas that our department needs to improve in,� he said.

The harsh 37-page audit gives El Pueblo officials until July 23 to advise the Controller’s office on how they plan to implement the report’s 28 recommendations. “We asked for a response to our audit from El Pueblo management to get back to us within 30 days,� said Farid Saffar, director of auditing for the Controller’s office.

Saffar said copies of the report were given to officials including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman JosĂŠ Huizar, whose 14th District includes El Pueblo.

Neither Villaraigosa nor Huizar’s office returned calls to Los Angeles Downtown News by press time.

Plan of Attack The audit was released the day before a meeting of El Pueblo’s Board of Commissioners. At that session, department General Manager Robert Andrade said he would not comment about the audit until he had a chance to review it more thoroughly.

However, the report stated that a draft copy was provided to El Pueblo management on May 29, and that it was discussed with management on June 12.

On Thursday, El Pueblo Commission President Herbert Siguenza said he had received the report earlier that day and could not yet comment on it. He said the commission would study the document. “As president I will be reading it and if there’s concerns here, then I’m concerned and I will be addressing all these issues and hopefully under my leadership they will be resolved,� he said. “Once I read it I would

like a general discussion with the commissioners and start prioritizing what we want as a commission to attack first.�

Siguenza added that many of the findings are not new to El Pueblo leaders. “We know about the leases that were not up to market value,� he said. “We’re working on them along with our general manager, along with the council member, along with the city, so ultimately it’s going to be their decision what those fees are.�

City Supplements El Pueblo, a collection of shops and cultural attractions on the site of the city’s birthplace, operates as a city department with an annual budget of $4.1 million. It contains four museums and five parking lots with 74 stores on Olvera Street. It draws more than 2 million visitors a year.

Despite Olvera Street’s popularity, the department requires a subsidy every year from the city. In fiscal year 2007-08, the department earned $3.3 million, with about $2 million generated from parking and about $840,000 from rent paid by merchants.

That year, El Pueblo required a $921,000 boost from the city’s general fund. That was a significant rise from the $369,000 in city support just two years earlier.

The report highlights several key findings and offers recommendations to help El Pueblo become self-sufficient. Chief among them is that merchants pay market-rate rents. “While general fund contributions to El Pueblo have increased each year for the past several years, rents from El Pueblo merchants have not. We found numerous opportunities for El Pueblo to increase its revenues by using assets more effectively,� the report stated.

Most merchants have not seen rent increases for about a decade. Seventeen tenants have 55-year leases, which have also been criticized by some real estate experts who say

such long-term agreements are not beneficial to the city.

The audit states that 57 tenants operate without leases, and instead have “concession agreements.�

The average rent paid by all Olvera Street merchants is $1.35 per square foot per month. Market rates for comparable retail spaces currently range from $2.65-$6.75 per square foot, the report states.

If the 57 tenants who operate under concession agreements paid market-rate rents, the department could increase its revenue by an additional $1.1 million to $1.5 million a year. Boosting rents for the 17 tenants with existing leases could mean another $196,800 to $287,460 per year.

Messy Rents Raising rents for Olvera Street merchants has long been a contentious issue, with most tenants saying their cultural contribution to the city and long ties with El Pueblo justify lower rates. They also maintain that the city has not delivered on promised infrastructure improvements. “The leases have been a mess and they’ve been a mess for years, so we’re just cleaning it up,� said Siguenza. “It’s going to take a lot of cleaning up to bring everyone up to a uniform agreement and that’s what we’re doing right now.�

The commission’s Budget and Operations Committee, chaired by Louie, is compiling a report with recommendations on what the new rental rates should be.

The audit also criticized the department for the low common areas charges, also known as CAM fees, paid by tenants. These cover trash removal, restroom maintenance, cleaning and security.

El Pueblo currently collects $60,000 per year in CAM fees from tenants, though they should gather $356,000 a year from merchants, said the report. Maintenance costs the department

$1.65 million a year, the study said.

Another problem area is that El Pueblo does not adequately verify that merchants are authorized tenants. The report stated that some tenants sold their businesses without the approval of the department, as required.

The audit said some concession agreements went for up to $150,000.

The issue, said the report, is that the transfer of ownership could cost the city control over the process of managing the properties.

It could also impact the city’s ability to “obtain the best rates available.�

Currently, there is a waiting list of 106 parties that want to rent space at El Pueblo, according to the audit. The report advises the department to put all available spaces out to competitive bid.

Another concern is the lack of oversight of nonprofit organizations that use El Pueblo, the report states. It said that nonprofit groups use about 19,000 square feet of space at El Pueblo without paying rent, costing the department approximately $342,000 annually in potential revenues.

The Controller’s report also criticized the department for not utilizing several buildings that could generate up to $1.5 million a year if rented out as office space.

Although she had yet to read the report, El Pueblo Commissioner Carol Jacques was critical of the audit, noting that interim City Controller Rushmore Cervantes was a former general manager at El Pueblo. “I felt there was a conflict of interest there,� she said. “I think you have a guy that was here last time four years ago. It’s like him auditing himself about things he should have completed.�

Saffar said Cervantes had recused himself from participating in the audit because of his prior position with El Pueblo.

Contact Richard GuzmĂĄn at richard@downtownnews.com.

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The pork made a good showing and was tender, but it wasn’t as tasty as the lamb. The beef is substantial and goes well with cheddar or Swiss, but it benefits from that sinusclearing mustard. The subtle flavor of thyme and herbs shone through in both the meat and au jus, creating a lovely layering of flavor in everything I ate.

A friend and I split the grilled cheese (the only non-dip entree), an appropriately gooey and crispy rendition that pairs cheddar with thick slices of sourdough bread. If you order this, the tomato soup is mandatory for dipping. A frothy root beer float doesn’t hurt, either.

The sides come à la carte for about $3 to $4. You’ll either love or hate the potato salad here, though most love it. Chock full of smoked bacon, it’s assertive and packed with chopped parsley. The macaroni and cheese is best eaten piping hot from the oven, though it could use more seasoning. The spicy garlic fries are delicious with horseradish and ketchup. While the coleslaw is forgettable, the Caesar salad is elevated with the addition of anchovy filets. Dinner brings another winning side in the decadent creamed spinach.

I’ve returned a few times to Cole’s to sample the desserts.

Although some people go gaga over the bourbon pecan pie à la mode, I was a bit disappointed. This version suffered from

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Why Cook?

2 Downtown Locations

Leonard photo by Gary

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n a recent Art Walk night, Cole’s on Sixth Street was packed with hipsters, suits, residents and gallery goers. A group of friends and I were lucky to snag a booth just before the wait became unbearable, and we settled into the noisy, energetic dining room.

This historic eatery, officially known as Cole’s PE Buffet, sits on the ground floor of the former Pacific Electric railway hub, now in its second life as loft-style apartments. The restaurant and bar reopened late last year after a $1.6 million spruce-up by Downtown nightlife guru Cedd Moses, though much of the old charm was preserved.

Maroon vinyl booths, wood wainscoting, a mahogany bar, Tiffany glass accents, penny tile floors, and black and white photos of the city’s old Red Cars stay true to its roots. Red damask wallpaper and a painted red tin ceiling give the space an updated look. There’s even an amusing and timely sign that reads, “We don’t extend credit to stockbrokers.” I was a fan of Cole’s in its pre-makeover days, and spent quite a few nights nursing cocktails in the dark, worn bar. Though some denounce the changes, I think they’re an improvement, especially in the kitchen.

Chef Neal Fraser of Grace was brought in to help resurrect Cole’s unappetizing culinary reputation, one that declined over the years with greasy food and questionable hygiene. Since opening in 1908, the restaurant’s claim to fame has been its French dip sandwiches, which the neon sign out front boldly heralds as an original invention. Of course, Downtown’s other French dip bastion, Philippe, The Original, vehemently debates that provenance with its own tale of au jus.

It’s nearly impossible to talk about Cole’s without constantly making comparisons to its competitor. The bread is dipped differently. There are no pickled eggs or custard in sight.

Coffee isn’t 10 cents. And yes, the sandwiches are smaller. A dining companion scoffed at the idea that anything could rival his beloved Philippe’s, where he spent idyllic lunches with his grandfather as his feet dangled above the sawdust-covered floors.

But to be fair, these are two different animals entirely.

This new Cole’s produces a more upscale version of the French dip, pricier yes, but also more refined. The carving station near the entrance advertises Cole’s renewed passion for sandwich making. To drive home the point, the very basic menu offers just five classic dips for $8-$9: lamb, pork, beef, turkey and pastrami. For an extra buck you can add a hunk of Swiss, cheddar, goat or blue cheese. Each sandwich is served with a spicy pickle spear and a cup of au jus on the side.

Yes, we all know Philippe’s dips and double dips its sandwiches in the pan drippings. But at Cole’s, you’ve gotta do it yourself. It’s a difference that outrages some, while others like the fact that you can dip each bite.

But enough with the comparisons. On this night, we were primed for some comfort food. James, our excellent waiter, walked us through the menu and some of his favorites. I ordered the delicious lamb with blue cheese, an herbaceous and tender creation that was slathered with the piquant housemade mustard. I’d prefer the rolls to be a tad crispier, but once they dive into the au jus, you don’t even notice. The pastrami was popular with our table, and one of my guests even proclaimed that it rivaled the legendary Langer’s. I’m usually not a big fan of turkey, which is often dry and bland, but this

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cinnamon overload, and I prefer my pecan pie on the stickier side. The lemon chiffon came highly recommended by the waiter, but after a few bites I needed a break from the sweetness. Instead try the apple pie with ice cream, a hands-down favorite.

Cole’s is on its way to reclaiming its place in L.A. history as both a restaurant and watering hole. You can listen to Led Zeppelin while the barmen mix up artisan cocktails. You really can’t go wrong with any of the drinks, and getting through the cocktail menu is a fascinating and tasty tour of history, whether you order a Sazerac with absinthe and a bitterssoaked sugar cube or the 1926 Cosmo made with fresh juices and syrups. A small speakeasy-esque club in the back called Varnish runs with the 1920s theme and builds on the array of fabulous libations.

At Cole’s, the drinks are as much a food group as the French dip sandwiches. If the cuisine lacks some of the continuity of Philippe’s, no matter. It makes up for it with a spunky new tradition.

Where else can you chow down on a good sandwich with a killer martini and get the Led out at the same time? Certainly not Philippe’s.

Cole’s PE Buffet is at 118 E. Sixth St., (213) 622-4090 or colesfrenchdip.com.

Gill’s Indian Restaurant Free Delivery Downtown!

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Open Mon-Fri: Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm Dinner 5:30pm-10pm

gillsindianrestaurant.net • (213) 623-1050 • 838 S. Grand Ave.

June 29, 2009

Downtown News 11

Restaurants Grub With Guzmán

Side Dish

Raising the Dead Salvadoran Restaurant Represents in Downtown

by RichaRd Guzmán

Cuba Central

tions like the shrimp cocktail and soups such as the

The oddity of Cuba Central is that it’s smack dab in

different seafood items. At 1300 Wilshire Blvd.,

7 Mares (or seven seas) with, you guessed it, seven

the middle of Little Tokyo. Located next to Weiland

(213) 353-4930 or laparillarestaurant.

Brewery, it’s a welcome option in a neighborhood full of excellent sushi and ramen restaurants, but short on other options. Prices are reasonable, with

Korean BBQ House

entrees ranging from a media noche sandwich —

You hear it coming before you taste it. A plate of

ham, cheese and thin slices of roast pork layered

mouthwatering short ribs sizzling on an iron plate

on sweet bread — to a plate of grilled shrimp paired

atop a bed of shredded cabbage that has soaked up

with rice, black beans and fried plantains. All meals

all the marinated goodness. You can order it mild,

start with a bowl of complimentary oversized potato

medium or spicy, though the latter is just the right

chips accompanied by a tiny container of garlic-

amount of chili kick. The portion is big enough to

flecked oil. At 114 S. Central Ave., (213) 687-3193.

feed a small army, accompanied as it is by a bevy of sides such as pickled bean sprouts, kimchee, ad-

La Parilla

dictive and slightly sweet potato cubes and spinach.

For those who have never tried the Mexican food

who want a serious meal, stick to the ribs. It even

The chicken plate is delicious as well, but for those

at La Parilla, it’s never too late to jump on the band-

comes with a light yet flavorful chicken broth and

wagon. The restaurant has four locations, including

a vinegary salad that you’ll finish quickly. There are

one in City West that is popular for its Happy Hour,

more than a dozen small plates, from sushi rolls to

with $2.50 daily drink specials. Locals also rave

pot stickers to cold tofu. Service at the Korean BBQ

about the breakfast plates served from 8-11 a.m.,

House is simple but efficient, with a similarly modest

which include authentic Mexican dishes such as the

interior and a narrow bank of booths. You’ll be back

Nopalitos à la Mexicana, a combination of cactus

for more. At 323 E. First St. in Japanese Village Plaza,

and scrambled eggs. Also popular are seafood op-

♦♦♦

(213) 680-1826.

A

city editoR

lthough I love all types of food, sometimes I can’t help but feel a little left out when it comes to the cuisine of my home country: El Salvador.

Downtown has plenty of great new Mexican places, as well as establishments serving food from all over the world. While the San Fernando Valley, where I grew up, has a selection of topnotch Salvadoran spots, in Downtown they are few and far between.

While I’m hoping there are some local hidden gems I’ve yet to discover, I can only think of two Salvadoran restaurants in Downtown. One spot in City West, which shall remain nameless, was a horrible representation of my home country, with poorly cooked food and ingredients that were long past their prime.

Luckily, the other restaurant, Sarita’s at Grand Central Market, does El Salvador proud, with native dishes tailor-made for the lunch crowd.

For those not familiar with Salvadoran food, the cuisine is fairly simple. It’s dominated by beans, cheese, tamales (bigger and less dry than Mexican tamales) and barbecued meats like chicken, steak and pork chorizos. But perhaps its greatest contribution to the world is the soups, yuccas and pupusas.

Soups are a Sunday afternoon staple in most Salvadoran households. They usually follow a big party the night before and are especially appreciated during the summer when they can help

you sweat out a hangover, which is why they’re nicknamed “levanta muertos,”or “raising the dead.”

The king of levanta muertos is the sopa de pata, a hearty soup made of tripe, corn, yucca and cow’s feet. Yes, cow’s feet.

It may not sound that appetizing, but after one mouthful you’ll look at cow’s feet in a whole new way. At Sarita’s the sopa de pata ($5.75), which usually takes hours to prepare, is premade and ready for a workday lunch, although I recommend a bib or an extra shirt since it’s a messy meal. You’ll need to use your hands to get to all the delicious meat and chewy tripe.

El Salvador’s crown jewel, its version of the hamburger and taco, is the pupusa, a thick tortilla stuffed with either beans, cheese, pork or a combination of all three. It’s eaten with a pickled salad called curtido and salsa. This is another dish that takes a while to prepare, but Sarita’s speeds it up and even adds some unusual combinations, all for $2 a pupusa.

I’ve been happy with the mushroom and cheese combo, the beef and cheese and the rare cheese and loroco, which is an edible flower that grows in El Salvador.

There may not be too many Salvi restaurants around Downtown, but Sarita’s is making this not so little Salvadoran proud.

At Grand Central Market, 317 S. Broadway, (213) 626-6320.

Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

12 Locations in Downtown Los angeles

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(213) 614-4983 Figueroa Towers 221 N. Figueroa (213) 977-9338 Wells Fargo Center 330 S. Hope St (213) 620-1803

7+FIG 735 S. Figueroa (213) 622-8879

Manulife Plaza 515 S. Figueroa (213) 624-3575

AT&T Center 1139 S. Hill St. (213) 742-6774

California Mart 110 E. 9th St. (213) 623-1985

Jewelry Center 550 S. Hill St. (213) 627-1960

LAUSD 333 S. Beaudry St. (213) 241-6952

Paramount Plaza 3550 Wilshire Blvd., #116 (213) 382-8818

Bank of America Tower 333 S. Hope (213) 680-2261

US Bank Tower 633 W. 5th St., #150 (213) 622-9523

Menu & prices varies at each location.

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12 Downtown News

June 29, 2009

DowntownNews.com

CALENDAR

B

Un

-lievable

Natural History Museum Brings Back a Whacked-Out Sci-Fi Film Series

by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

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um Muse istory ral H Natu of the rtesy es cou imag

t’s sometime in the mid-1950s and Chicago is being threatened by a seriously mean swarm of gigantic grasshoppers, enlarged by exposure to radiation. They’re big, they’re green and they have an insatiable hunger for human flesh.

Of course, it’s science fiction, a scenario from the 1957 film Beginning of the End.. But for those who wonder if radiation exposure could ever create a colony of mammoth maneating insects, the curators and directors of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County want you to know that the short answer is, well, definitely not. On the other hand, some aspects of the film aren’t so far from the truth.

All this will come to light in the “B-Movies and Bad Science” film series, which debuted last year at the Exposition Park facility and, thanks to sizeable crowds, returns this summer. The program features screenings of films from the 1940s and ’50s, followed by museum experts laying the scientific smackdown on the works’ various falsities and realities. Year two of the series opened June 28 (after Los Angeles Downtown News went to press) with The Monster That Challenged the World and continues Sunday, July 5, with Beginning of the End.. It continues with The Flying Serpent on July 26; Mothra Vs. Godzilla on Aug. 23; and Reptilicus on Sept. 6.

“We’re never quite sure whether a new public program is going to be successful, but this is one that certainly we wanted to try,” said Beth Werling, collection manager of the museum’s history department and curator of the film series. “We had such an overwhelmingly positive response to the program last summer that each week the audiences just grew and we’ve already had people ask us when it was coming back. There was great word of mouth.”

Most of the movies the series highlights feature brass-heavy symphonic scores that were meant to be spine-tingling, handsome male stars who give earnest performances and a token delicate, victimized female. They’re the kinds of films that were meant to shock and scare audiences, but today most of the enduring B-movie fans delight in the films for their overt scientific distortions, low-tech special effects and really bad acting, Werling said.

Speaking of B-movie fans, the series was born out of informal lunchtime discussions among museum colleagues regarding their common love for these types of films. When the public program department asked staff for ideas, those chats evolved into a bona fide series that pairs movies with post-screening talks led by museum scientists.

Flesh Eating Herbivores Entomologist Brian Brown (entomology is the study of insects) will curate the screening of Beginning of the End.. In addition to leading the post-film discussion, he will arrange a display featuring specimens of the world’s largest grasshoppers.

It should come as no surprise that those specimens, which are up to five inches long, do not come close to the 20-foot Hollywood representations.

“This movie is jaw droppingly bad,” Brown said. “I would say it’s an example of the high culture of B-movie kitsch.”

Some of the films in the series have a decent amount of fact, compared to the obvious fiction. While Beginning of the End is not one of them, Brown said that at least this 52-year-

The Natural History Museum continues the second year of its “B-Movies and Bad Science” film series with a screening of Beginning of the End on Sunday, July 5. It concerns a group of 20-foot long grasshoppers that attack Chicago. The Flying Serpent will be shown on July 26.

old movie features scary monsters with physical similarities to the real-life creatures. That’s because the director filmed actual grasshoppers, and through some not-so-magic production tricks, overlaid the insects on moving films and some photographs.

“The cheese factor is extraordinarily high in this movie,” Brown said.

Some of the Natural History Museum staff who participate in the series assume the producers of the films were betting on an audience that, in the case of The Monster That Challenged the World, which featured a giant man-eating mollusk, didn’t know a World mollusk from a mole hill.

“They’re hedging on that most people won’t know or won’t care what a prehistoric mollusk would look like, and believe that’s what they’re supposed to be because they’re exposed to radiation,” said Lindsey Groves, the museum’s director of collections for malacology (the study of mollusks).

If modern audiences are more skeptical, Groves nevertheless believes there are still plenty of viewers inclined to believe sci-fi silliness.

“There are too many people who do watch sci-fi movies and think some of it can be real,” he said.

Werling said she gauges the program’s success mostly by observing attendees on their way in to the screening, as they pass the displays set out to supplement the film, then see how they act when they exit.

“At first they walk in and maybe sometimes just glance at the cases, and afterwards everyone just crowds,” she said. “You can hear them point out, ‘Oh, this one was in the movie.’”

Beginning of the End screens at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-3466 or nhm.org.

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

June 29, 2009

Downtown News 13

DowntownNews.com

Tent of Iniquity Stop Clowning Around, It’s Time for Cirque Berzerk

J

ust off Spring Street, not far from City Hall, there are decadent and sexually charged forces on the loose, ready to satisfy Downtown’s most perverse instincts. But enough about Lu Parker’s website photos.

Actually, these forces are even steamier. And they serve alcohol.

Step inside, ladies and gentlemen (and ill-mannered dwarves), we have a new circus in town! Coincidentally, what better place for the mayor and his new journalist friend to unwind after a rough day of not running for governor (him) and no longer reporting on politics (her)? Perhaps these two might even get in the act. He could twirl on the high wire while she waits below, in a sequined mini, casually eating fire.

Not that it’s my concern, but how does a prominent guy like this make time with a string of fetching local television journalists and con- Howard Leff sistently bypass that spitfire Jillian Reynolds? (I don’t mean to imply the mayor has a thing for local TV OF ONE talent, but it’s gotten to the point where Fritz Coleman’s blocking all calls from the 213.)

Not to worry. Turns out the circus in question, known as Cirque Berzerk, has nothing to do with City Hall (or as it might soon be called, Parker Center). The adults-only-please show takes place about a mile up the street, at the otherwise family-friendly Cornfield (aka the Los Angeles State Historic Park), a space that could soon turn into just plain historic thanks to our current budget woes. Performances run through July 26, but I wish they could keep it there permanently. That way, Los Angeles would be the only California city with a full-time Downtown circus.

Besides Sacramento.

Cirque organizers are right about leaving the children at home. In fact, after catching a recent 10 p.m. perfor-

ing an innocent young woman. She, in the most fetching red dress, has seemingly plunged into the gates of, if not hell, then hell-adjacent. He’s wearing a black dunce cap and offers her a prophetic warning: “This is no place,” he says, “for a girl with such exquisite taste.”

The lights dim. Our story begins. Cirque Berzerk’s actually a two-act mini-musical entitled Beneath, loosely centered around this woman who finds herself on death’s door — literally. Once there, she’s faced with a variety of shady characters, many of whom could have stepped out of any number of David Lynch films. They include a passive-aggressive clown who pulls hats out of rabbits, a dwarf with an attitude problem and several ominous high-flying performers coaxing her to experience all that the Underworld has to offer.

The show opens with our heroine engaged in a tightly choreographed funeral dance, her introduction to the afterlife.

She’ll soon wind up in an eerie nightclub (death is a cabaret too, apparently) and watch, along with the rest of us, the acrobatic fireworks to come. Act 1 builds to a vibrant close, with

four men unleashing a flawlessly precise, gravity-teasing trampoline spectacle that sort of mimics an old silent film being run forwards and backwards in quick succession. These guys can jump off a 10-foot-high wall, and back on, in one fluid motion.

The obvious message here: Why fear crossing over to the dark side when it’s filled with young, attractive, talented, and above all, incredibly limber people who evidently have yearround memberships at L.A. Fitness?

Through it all, a small, powerful and very much alive band, located on a platform above the stage, bangs out Cirque Berzerk’s perfect soundtrack complete with thrilling mood music and stellar vocals.

“She fell in your world,” we’re told near the end, “and rises in ours.” Don’t dismay. This recently deceased woman in the red dress has made a lot of friends here. She’ll do quite well.

Hold on, a new character approaches. Another limber, very good-looking man with a sparkle in his eye. She’s intrigued.

Good luck with him, little missy. But for your sake, let’s hope eternal damnation doesn’t have any local news.

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mance, I’m not quite sure home is far enough away from Downtown’s new freak emporium. Standard kid-friendly circus fare like jugglers and elephants have given way to moments of lust, death, fire, and the always people-pleasing evil.

This place is one part Barnum and three parts bourbon.

No doubt, Bailey would have bailed.

Cirque Berzerk has found the perfect spot. Sometimes, the best L.A. destinations don’t feel like L.A. at all. Absent the impressive skyline, Cirque’s setting feels more “open desert” than Downtown. It’s off both the beaten path and the urban grid.

Audience members roam freely outside the circus big top before the nighttime performances. There is also a smaller, adjacent tent under which you’ll find some of what has made our city great for more than two centuries: food, beer, shopping and free vintage pinball. There’s live music and dancing too, but one never knows when terrifying things might step out of the darkness. And those jarring, periodic bursts of bright orange flames, a nod to Cirque Berzerk’s roots in the Burning Man arts festival, give the impression we’re on the edge of chaos.

Sort of like a Lakers post-game celebration, minus the overturned cars.

It’s a rousing pre-party, this little tent, one last ray of good cheer before the night turns sinister. The flames are shooting even higher now, signaling one thing: Showtime.

Clinging to my seat inside the main tent next door, I’m suddenly 15 feet away from an ax-wielding man on stilts eye-

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The obvious message at Cirque Berzerk: Why fear crossing over to the dark side when it’s filled with young, attractive, talented, and above all, incredibly limber people who evidently have year-round memberships at L.A. Fitness?

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14 Downtown News

LISTINGS The LIST ‘Don’t Miss’ The Last Last Seats, a Righteous Songwriter,

SponSored LiSting Casey’s Irish Pub 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353, caseyirishpub. com or visit Casey’s on facebook.com July 10, 17 and 24, 9 p.m.: Casey’s continues its Irish Girls of Summer live music series with Anita & The Yanks. Also, do you know your Godzilla from your Bridezilla? Wild Bunch from Brady Bunch? The Knack from the Knicks? Test your wits for cash prizes during Casey’s Team Trivia events every Wednesday night. No entry Fee.

and a Lot of Funny Business

by AnnA Scott, StAff writer

one

Monday, June 29

Thursday, July 2 Thursdays at Central Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., meeting room A, (213) 228-7241 or lapl.org.

12:15-1 p.m.: Learn about new programs and resources for the beginning blogger.

MOCA Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-1745 or moca.org.

7 p.m.: In “Flesh Car Crash,” members of the OJO collective will pack into two small cars, where they will make music utilizing objects and materials in the cars’ interiors and by playing instruments powered by the cars’ batteries. Audience members will be invited to assist with the composition. The cars will dance, glide, and narrowly miss each other in a choreographed game of chicken.

Cirque Berzerk Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., cirqueberzerk.com.

8:30 p.m.: Cirque Berzerk continues its show of jaw-dropping acrobats, stunning aerialists, fiery burlesque dancers, gothic stilt walkers, punk rock clowns, psychedelic vaudevillian tomfoolery, and one very voluptuous contortionist. Need we say more? The crazy big top is in town through July 26, with performances at 8:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday; 7 and 10 p.m. on Saturdays; and 8 p.m. on Sunday.

photo by Gary Leonard

ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org.

June 30, 7 p.m.: Jane Mayer appears in conjunction with her book, “The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals.”

2

Ever fantasized about broadcasting your thoughts to the World Wide Web, or read a blog and thought, “I could do that”? If you answered yes, but don’t know the difference between WordPress, TypePad and Zine, dream no more. On Thursday, July 2, the Central Library hosts a 45-minute lunchtime program titled “What’s New in Blogging,” which will showcase new programs and resources for the beginner blogger. The program will take place from 12:15-1 p.m. in the library’s Meeting Room A. 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7000 or lapl.org.

anny photo by D

Clinch

sunday, July 5 MOCA Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., visit moca.org.

1 p.m.: A First Sundays are For Families Workshop. For two years, Swiss-born photographer Robert Frank traveled by car throughout the United States and took more than 20,000 photographs, 83 of which he carefully selected and arranged for his landmark 1959 book, “The Americans.” Take a guided tour of “From the Permanent Collection: Robert Frank’s ‘The Americans.’” Then, meet artist Patrick Miller, who will lead a photography project inspired by “The Americans.” Teens can drop in any time from 1-3:30 p.m. Info at (213) 621-1765.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-DINO or visit nhm.org.

2 p.m.: Join members of the museum’s history and science departments for a lighthearted movie series, B-Movies and Bad Science, that explores the “science” behind Hollywood’s creature features. “The Beginning of the End” (1957) finds gargantuan grasshoppers terrorizing the streets, but Entomology Curator Brian Brown is on hand to settle your nerves.

ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org.

3 p.m.: Tom Hines, the country’s foremost Richard Neutra scholar, explores how Neutra and other L.A. architects and builders survived the economic crisis of the 1930s by finding work funded by New Deal agencies and the relatively recession-proof Hollywood film industry.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ 2nd Street Jazz 366 E. Second St., (213) 680-0047, 2ndstjazz.com or myspace.com/2ndstreetlivejazz.

Tuesdays: Jazz jam session. Music usually starts at 9 or 10 p.m.

626 Reserve 626 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9800 or 626reserve.com.

Tuesdays, 6 p.m.: Live music with Goh Kurosawa.

Thursdays, 6 p.m.: More live sounds, this time with Jessie Torrez.

If you have not yet made it to the Los Angeles Conservancy’s 23rd season of the Last Remaining Seats, time is running out. The festival that screens classic films in historic Broadway theaters closes Wednesday, July 1, with an Orpheum Theatre showing of the 1929 Pandora’s Box, considered one of the greatest silent films ever made. As a bonus, Robert Israel will accompany the film on the Orpheum’s Wurlitzer organ. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the program starts an hour later.

Though the event is sold out, there are often stand-by tickets available at the door. By the by, the evening’s sponsor is Hugh Hefner, so you just might see the man and his girlfriends in the audience. 842 S. Broadway, (213) 623-2489.

3

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Cap off your Independence Day weekend with some laughs on Sunday, July 5, at the Nokia Theatre show “6 Jokers and a Queen of Comedy.” The queen is comedienne Sommore, known for her frank and sassy style. The first woman to host BET’s “Comic View,” Sommore was more recently seen sweating it out on VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club.” The six jokers are J. Anthony Brown, George Willborn, Don “DC” Curry, Michael Coylar, Damon Williams and Jimmie “JJ” Walker. Wait, Jimmie Walker?! Dine-o-mite! The show begins at 8 p.m. 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6030 or nokiatheatrelalive.com.

image courtesy of OJO

EVENTS

June 29, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Want to take part in some truly explosive music making? On Thursday, July 2, from 7-10 p.m.

MOCA Grand Avenue hosts Flesh Car Crash, an event that can only be described step-bystep: First, members of the artist collective OJO will split into two groups, each of which will pack into a small car. Then each team makes music, utilizing objects inside the cars and instruments powered by the cars’ batteries. Audience members will be invited to assist with the composition, and all the while the cars will dodge each other in a choreographed game of chicken.

The event is part of MOCA’s Engagement Party series, which offers emerging collectives threemonth residencies culminating in showcases on the first Thursday of each month. 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org.

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

June 29, 2009

Downtown News 15

DowntownNews.com

But Wait, There’s More!

Additional Event Information on the Web

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM/CALENDAR : EVENTS | ROCK, POP & JAZZ | CLASSICAL MUSIC | THEATER, OPERA & DANCE ART SPACES | FILM | BARS & CLUBS | MUSEUMS | FARMERS MARKETS | TOURS

Café Metropol 923 E. Third St., (213) 613-1537 or cafemetropol.com.

July 3, 8 p.m.: Vocalist Shirlee Kong.

Chop Suey Café 347 E. First St., (213) 617-9990 or chopsueycafe.com.

Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.: Live jazz on the patio of the restored landmark.

Cicada Cicada Restaurant, 617 S. Olive St., (213) 488-9488 or cicadarestaurant.com.

Thursdays, 8-11 p.m.: The velvet-voiced Max Vontaine recreates the sounds and styles of rat packers Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. His smoking jackets and tunes are vintage; his bawdy repartee is less so. Keep a close eye on the unlit cigarette.

Sundays, 6-11 p.m.: The restaurant is transformed into a vintage, old Hollywood-style dance club every Sunday. Come out to appreciate the big band, swank costumes, dinner and cocktails. Visit cicadaclub.com.

Club Nokia Corner of Olympic Blvd. and Figueroa St., clubnokia.com.

June 30, 8:30 p.m.: The Brazilian band Skank mixes Jamaican dancehall with Brazilian pop.

Conga Room L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 749-0445 or

congaroom.com.

July 2: La Internacional Sonora Show July 4: If Angels played the congas, it’d sound like conguero Angel Lebron.

Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite A245, (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

July 1, 7:30 p.m.: The museum hosts the famous folk group in “The Weavers in Work O’ The Weavers: Celebrating America’s Pioneering Folk Quartet.”

Celebrating the museum’s special exhibit “Songs of Conscience, Sounds of Freedom,” this rousing program will have you singing the songs that gave heart to a generation.

J Restaurant and Lounge 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com.

Tuesdays: Live acoustic performances in the lounge.

Wednesdays: Salsa in the City features complimentary salsa lessons at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., a batch of live musicians takes over for a jam session.

La Cita 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111 or myspace.com/ lacitabar.

July 1, 8 p.m.: The En Tu Ciudad tour, which features the Latino bands Very Be Careful, La Santa Cecilia and Wait Think Fast, touches down at La Cita. In addition to the bands, expect “mucho DJs.”

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Orpheum Theatre 842 S. Broadway, (213) 622-1939 or laorpheum.com.

June 29, 8 p.m.: Rocker and self-made label owner Ani DiFranco.

Pete’s Café and Bar 400 N. Main St., (213) 618-1759 or petescafe.com.

Tuesdays, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.: Pablo Calogero and Fabiano Nacimento play Brazilian jazz.

Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com.

June 29, 10 p.m.: Jake LaBotz has been praised by Tatoo Magazine for his “sadder than hell balladry, razor sharp testifying, storied takes on loneliness, beatnik-on-the-Mexican-border music, coffeehouse chic.”

June 30, 10 p.m.: Honky Tonk hero Mike Stinson.

July 1, 10 p.m.: Right On John, Lynda Kay, Rizorkestra.

July 2, 10 p.m.: Spider Problem, Werewolves and Soft Black.

July 3, 10 p.m.: Mario Matteoli and the Vaquetones.

July 4, 10 p.m.: Weird Owl. July 5, 10 p.m.: From Stockholm, the Poppets.

Rerax Fridays at Señor Fish 422 E. First St., (213) 625-0566 or senorfishla.com.

Fridays, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.: Music, art, VJ performances, silk screening and photos.

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

Royale 2619 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 388-8488 or royaleonwilshire. com.

Mondays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A live musical showcase with bands, a DJ and an Eastside vibe.

Tuesdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: An acoustic live set in the historic Royale lounge. A DJ spins between sets.

Wednesday (second of every month), 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A fusion of spoken word and acoustic musical melodies.

Sundays, 9 p.m.-midnight: Rat pack protégé Max Vontaine.

2

Easy ways to submit Your

Event Info

4 WEB: www.DowntownNews.com 4 EMAIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com

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

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AMERICAN TAX RELIEF. * Settle IRS Back Taxes * Do You Owe Over $15,000? If So... Call us Now! * Free Consultation*. For Less Than What You Owe! Stop Wage Garnishments! Remove Bank Levies Tax Levies & Property Seizures! Stop Payment Plans That Get you Nowhere! Settle State and Business Payroll Tax Problems Eliminate Penalties, Interest Charges & Tax Liens! * Settle IRS Back Taxes * No Obligation! Confidential! Call American Tax Relief 1-800496-9891 * Free Consultation * (Cal-SCAN) mUsiC Lessons CHILDREN’S PERFORMING Group! Singing, dancing, performing and fun! For boys & girls ages 3 and up! See SunshineGenerationLA.com or call 909861-4433.

AUTOS & RECREATIONAL

finanCiaL serviCes CREDIT CARD RELIEF. * Free Consultation * Save Thousands of Dollars. Out of Debt in Months! Avoid Bankruptcy!

Credit Card Relief. Not a High Priced Consolidation Company or A Consumer Credit Counseling Program. Call Credit Card Relief 1-866-479-5353. * Free Consultation * (Cal-SCAN)

aUtos Wanted 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)

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

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.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY BUsiness opportUnities 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) NUTRITIONAL COMPANY Needs Experienced Salespeople. Make Great Money. Training and leads provided. Work from office or home. FT/PT. Car/ computer required. Small investment.

Jim 661-259-0790. (Cal-SCAN)

EASY AS

jahn@regentBC.com www.regentbc.com

Please call 213.627.6913 www.cityloftsquare.com

Luxury Rooms in Downtown the alexandria at 501 S. Spring St.

is Now Leasing!

On-site laundry, free utilities, indiv. bathrooms, 24 hr. security & pet friendly. Free Internet. Close to metro, restaurants, farmers market & supermarket. Units starting at

$775/month jULy move in speCiaL: ½ off 1st & 2nd month’s rent

Children’s Performing Group

Monthly Rents Start at $780 1 & 2 Rooms Available

Sunshine Generation

• 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

Singing, dancing, performing and fun!

For boys & girls ages 3 and up!

Special STUDeNT RaTe! $690 1 person

Mayfair Hotel

income & other restrictions apply.

Call 213.626.1743 or stop by for a tour

50 Channels Direct TV

SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433

1256 West 7th street

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

DowntownNews.com makesplacing a classified ad in the L.A. Downtown News is easier than ever.

Your ad will appear online and in our publication in a couple of easy steps.

• Online ads will appear immediately after they are approved.

• Print ads must be received before Thursday at noon PST to be processed for the following Monday's edition.

Deadlines subject to change for special issues and holidays.

For legal notices please call 213-481-1448

Do you have something to sell?

Ad Copy: _________________________________________

Ad Prices

________________________________________________

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

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

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________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

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.

June 29, 2009

Downtown News 19

DowntownNews.com

ITEMS FOR SALE

EMPLOYMENT

applianCes

Clothing/Jewelry 2 NECKLACES one is for $100 and the other is for $175. Call 323-428-6274.

Furniture COMPUTER DESK, blue glass trinity from Staples $95. 310997-6531. lawn & garden/Farm equip SAWMILLS FROM ONLY $2,990 - Convert your Logs To Valuable Lumber with your own Norwood portable band sawmill. Log skidders also available. www.NorwoodSawmills.com/300n -Free Information: 1-800-578-1363 x300-N. (Cal-SCAN)

SPACEMAKER Over-the-Range Microwave, automatic cooking control. In good condition, can deliver 213-820-0275 misC. items BEAUTIFUL BASKETS, Themed Baskets, Variety Baskets, Holiday Baskets, all kinds of baskets for all occasions! For the best price call 213-440-6288; email: fourangelsdesigns@ hotmail.com; www.myspace. com/FourAngelsDesigns3. (CalSCAN) CAR JACK for small - medium vehicles. Works great. $10. 818642-4263.

Computers/it ATTENTION: COMPUTER WORK! Work from anywhere 24/7 processing nutritional supplement orders. Great pay. Will train. Bilingual a plus. Request info online: www.KTPGlobal.com or 1-800-330-8446. (Cal-SCAN) drivers ANDRUS TRANSPORTATION Seeking Team Drivers! Dedicated Team Freight. Also Hiring OTR drivers - west states exp/ hazmat end, great miles/hometime. Stable Family owned 35 yrs+ 1-800-888-5838, 1-866806-5119 x1402. (Cal-SCAN)

general BRAND NEW start-up company is looking for Reps in ALL areas.

We train & support at no cost. http://texxton.com/vacancies. html INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL Exchange Representative: Earn supplemental income placing and supervising high school exchange students. Volunteer host families also needed. Promote world peace! 1-866-GO-AFICE or www.afice.org. (Cal-SCAN)

LEGAL alCohol permit NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES DATE OF FILING APPLICATION:

downtownnews.com

JuNE 24, 2009 To Whom it May Concern: The Name(s) of the Applicant(s) is/are: TERRY PARKER INC The applicants listed above are applying to the department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to sell alcoholic beverages at: 710 W. 1ST STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 900122442 Type of license(s) applied for: 41-ON-SALE BEER AND WINE-EATING PLACE Pub. 6/29, 7/6, 7/13/09 FiCtitious Business name FICTITIOuS BuSINESS NAmE STATEmENT FILE NO. 20090861007 The following person is doing business as: BEAT BY COOL BENSON, 645 W. 9th St., LA CA 90015, are hereby registered by the following registrant: BEAT COSMETICS LLC, 645 W. 9th St., Suite #417, LA CA 90015.

This business is conducted by a

voted downtown's best residential living six years in a row

FASHION DISTRICT, 110 E. 9th Street, Suite A-1175, LA CA 90079 are hereby registered by the following registrant: DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, 110 E. 9th Street, Suite A-1175, LA CA 90079. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Registrants has begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein.

This statement was filed with DEAN LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on June 25, 2009.

NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code).

Pub. 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20/09

Limited Liability Company. Registrants has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein.

This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on June 9, 2009.

NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code).

Pub. 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20/09 FICTITIOuS BuSINESS NAmE STATEmENT FILE NO. 20090956347 The following person is doing business as: 1) LA FASHION DISTRICT 2) LOS ANGELES

Free Rent!

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Orsini

IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY! studios from $1,685* • 1 bedroom from $1,818* • 2 bedroom from $2,212* *Availability and prices are subject to change at any time.

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Perfect for corporate hqtrs. Features separate executive suite(s).

Stunning views of LA two blocks away from Staples Center and across the street from the new LA Live complex. The building also has approx 4,000 sq ft of beautiful contiguous space and some small offices available. These spaces can be viewed by appointment.

Information available to qualified prospective tenants.

Email request to mdavis@shammasgroup.com or call (213) 746-6300

Rent

Low Move-in SPECIAL Single rooms starting from $550/mo.

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

• Lavish Fountains and Sculptures • Free Tanning Rooms • Concierge Service • 24 Hour Doorman • 24/7 On-site Management • Free DSL Computer Use Available • Free Wi-Fi • Magnificent City Views • On-Site Private Resident Park with Sand Volleyball Court, Workout Stations, BBQ’s and Jogging Track

• Brunswick Four Lane Virtual Bowling • Full Swing Virtual Golf • 3100 Square Foot Cybex Fitness Facility • Massage Room, Sauna and Steam Room • Rooftop Pools with Dressing Room • Free Abundant Gated and Garage Parking • Business Center, Conference Room • Directors Screening Room

UNITS FEATURE: Private Washer and Dryer • Fully Equipped Gourmet Kitchens Maple European Style Cabinetry • Granite Counter Tops Natural Stone Marble Counter Baths

FREE RENT SPECIALS! • • • • • • • • • • • •

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• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Golf driving cages Putting green Tennis courts Sand volleyball court Designer carpet And ceramic tile Roof top pool and spa Fitness center with sauna Executive Business Center Study Library FREE tanning bed 24-hour doorman Spectacular waterscapes Lush courtyards

close to l.a. live and nokia theater

888.886.3731 •TheMedici.com 725 Bixel St., Los Angeles, CA 90017

Orsini

550 NORTH FIGUEROA ST. LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 OPEN DAILY

877-267-5911

WWW.THEORSINI.COM

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

OFFICE SPACE

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

HealtH Dept. rank a for 7 ConseCutive Years

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

HBODY

MASSAGEH

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

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.)

3386766 0119

saKura health gym & sauna, inC.

oFFiCe spaCe & event spaCe For lease!

Beautiful, historic Banks Huntley building located in Gallery Row district of Downtown LA offering office space close to Federal Court House and City Hall – ideal for non-profits! Rental rate: $1.70-$2.00/sq.ft./month Full Service Gross. Ground-floor event and conference space also available in gorgeous art-deco setting, perfect for private functions, weddings, business meetings, etc.

For further information, please contact Joe Dieringer at 213-629-2512 ext. 110

Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly rate $275 inc.

Monthly from $595 utilities paid.

(213) 612-0348

Bunker Hill real estate Co, inC. For sale: bunker Hill Tower ❏ 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath. Elegant. Ready To Move In. South City Lights View. Recently Refurbished.

Offered At $329,999.

For renT: ❏ Prom. West. 2 Bed. 2 Bath. 7th Flr. Elegant Upgrades. Green House. Pride Of Ownership. $3,000 Furn. $2,800 Unfurn. ❏ Prom. West-1 Bed. 1 Bath Penthuse. Overlooks Pool & Gardens. Greenhouse Windows And Balcony. Stunning! $1995 Month.

EstablishEd 1984

❏ Prom. West-2 Bed. 2 Bath. 5th Floor. Move In Now. $2,200 Month. ❏ 1 Bed. 1 Bath. Lafayette Park Place. Move In Now. 1100 Month. ❏ Prom. West-2 Bed. 2 Bath PenthouseSophisticated, Spectacular One Of A Kind Condo. Top Of The Line Upgrades & Décor.

Gorgeous Furnishings Adorn This Pride Of Ownership Home. Corporate Lease Welcome.

Furnished $3500 Per Month. Un-Furnished $3200 Per Month.

Promenade West Condo

2 Story Townhouse. West Facing With Downtown City View. Upgrades. Large Patio. Very Elegant.

Asking $579,900 Call us for other condos for sale or lease Dwntwn & surrounding areas!!

Mirza alli

Broker/Realtor leasing-salesloans-refinance

(213) 680-1720

e-mail us: info@bunkerhillrealestate.com

www.Bunkerhillrealestate.com

Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator.

Full bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

Monthly from $695 utilities paid.

(213) 627-1151

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

save $1000 to $100,000+ on your property taxes now!

Attorney Moritz will personally file your application for property tax reduction, your assessment appeal & comparables in support.

also bankruptcy Emergency Filings (Next Day) Ch. 7&13 low Fees

law offices of louisa moritz csb#232509 Call 310.981.6539 or 475.8153 LOFTS

•

RENT

•

LOFTS

•

RENT

SPECIAL MOVE IN two weeKs Free rent and low deposit.

Industrial Lofts available in original 18 unit Downtown Artist Loft bldg. close to Southern Cal. School of Architecture. Approximately 1400 Sq. ft. large open space with new kit and bath. Laundry, gated parking and intercom entry from $1800.

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

20 Downtown News

June 29, 2009

DowntownNews.com

We Got Games Dodgers and Sparks Await the Return of Their Stars Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., (213) 224-1400 or dodgers.mlb.com.

June 29-30, 7:10 p.m.; July 1, 12:10 p.m.: The Colorado Rockies are coming to town and the Dodgers are soooo scared. Not quite. Even though the visitors have been hot lately, the Blue Crew has dominated the Rockies, taking eight of nine match-ups so far this year. This will be an interesting week, not only because the June 30 game also marks the Dodgers’ “Fourth of July” fireworks extravaganza (they’ll be on the road on Independence Day), but also because it is the last time catcher Russell Martin and the rest of the team play without suspended outfielder Manny Ramirez. The slugger who in some still-undefined-tothe-public way violated baseball’s substance abuse policy returns to the line-up on July 3, during the Dodgers’ ninegame road trip that starts with a swing through San Diego.

Los Angeles Sparks Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 929-1300 or wnba.com/sparks.

July 5, 6:30 p.m.: The Sparks were already dealing with life without star Candace Parker, who after a fabulous rookie season gave birth to a baby in the spring. Now, kaboom, they’re also without their other star, veteran center Lisa Leslie, who is sidelined for several weeks with a strained right knee. But in Leslie’s first game on the bench, backup center Vanessa Haydn scored 12 points, eight of them coming in the first quarter, as the Sparks beat the Sacramento Monarchs. So there is some hope. It’s a very light week for the Sparks, and in their only game they’ll host the Phoenix Mercury and try to avenge an earlier loss this season. But really, the team wants Leslie and Parker to get back. Soon.

—Ryan Vaillancourt

photo by Gary Leonard

The L.A. Sparks, who have had a disappointing 2-4 start to their season (as of press time), are without stars Candace Parker (right), who recently had a baby, and Lisa Leslie, out with a strained knee.

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

Call N

ow For Move -In S peci als

G r a n d To w e r 255 South Grand Avenue

Promenade To w e r s 123 South Figueroa Street LEASING INFORMATION

LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N

M u s e u m To w e r 225 South Olive Street

(213) 229-9777

LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N

(213) 617-3777

(213) 626-1500

It’s our business to make you comfortable...

sauna and recreation room with kitchen.

Far below are a host of businesses ready to

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