08-27-12 by Los Angeles Downtown News

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS August 27, 2012

Volume 41, Number 35

INSIDE

Let’s Do Lunch 13-20

Mural matters, new apartments, and other happenings Around Town.

A big fight over a proposed $400 million federal courthouse in Downtown.

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

One Big Park, Two Huge Days of Music The FYF Fest Brings Nearly 90 Bands to the Los Angeles State Historic Park Sept. 1-2. See Story on p. 21.

Urban Scrawl on pot shops.

A batch of mayoral personal ads.

More police in Pershing Square.

Regional Connector station designs.

Where to go for top-shelf rims.

23 CALENDAR LISTINGS

photo by Gary Leonard

A crowded scene from a past FYF Fest. For the first time, the festival featuring scores of bands and comedians is a two-day affair.

Hundreds of Affordable Housing Units at Risk With Limited Funds for New Residences, Officials Try to Preserve Downtown’s Existing Stock by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

25 CLASSIFIEDS

SEE PAGE 28

photo by Gary Leonard

n the past year, Downtown Los Angeles has seen a wave of projects that will boost the area’s apartment stock. Firms with national portfolios are buying up parcels for tens of millions of dollars, and some

are prepared to pump hundreds of millions more into glimmering new complexes. The creation of new units masks a growing concern: In the wake of the state’s elimination of redevelopment agencies, lowincome housing providers are increasingly see Housing, page 8

SUPPORT LOCAL

JOURNALISM

Through an agreement with the CRA, the Bristol Hotel is required to remain affordable housing through 2015. After that, an owner could choose to turn the 102-unit building on Eighth Street into a market-rate complex.

SEE PAGE 28

2 Downtown News

AROUNDTOWN Pacific Electric Lofts Developer Plans Broadway Apartments

CO Development, the firm behind the Pacific Electric Lofts and the Mercantile Lofts, has acquired a mostly vacant property on Broadway and plans to turn it into apartments. ICO bought the six-story building at 430 S. Broadway this month, said Alex Moradi, managing partner at the firm. He would not reveal the purchase price of the 50,000-squarefoot edifice. Moradi said plans for the project are preliminary, but he tentatively imagines 50-60 units. The building is currently home to an array of swap-meet style retailers on the street level, but the upper floors are vacant, he said. The company expects to file initial plans with the city in the next two months. ICO has a strong track record in Downtown. In 2005, it opened the Pacific Electric Lofts, creating 314 apartments in the property at Sixth and Main streets. He followed that in 2011 with the Mercantile Lofts, a Main Street complex with 35 apartments. The new project, which is immediately south of the Judson apartment complex, is the latest development proposal on Broadway. Steve Needleman of Anjac Fashion, a major Broadway property owner, recently secured permits to do a conversion of 806 S. Broadway, where he plans to develop nine large apartments, one on each floor of the building.

‘Parklets’ and Foosball Coming to Spring Street

August August27, 27,2012 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

nearly one-acre park is under construction on Spring Street, but be-

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

fore it’s done, the Historic Core corridor will have two other new parks. Two really small parks, that is. On Friday, Aug. 24, the City Council approved a plan to move forward with building four so-called parklets — mini public seating areas that take over parking spaces — including two on the 600 block of South Spring Street. The project is an outgrowth of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council’s Complete Streets Working Group. Plans call for one parklet at 615 S. Spring St., in front of Golden Eagle Dry Cleaning and Syrup Desserts, that will include planters and bench seating. The second parklet, at 639 S. Spring St. in front of L.A. Café, would hold a foosball table and two stationary bicycles in addition to seating. Both spaces will be built on top of wooden platforms that will extend from the sidewalk into the parking spaces. Work is slated to begin in September and be complete in time for the CicLAvia on Oct. 7, said DLANC board member Valerie Watson.

depot on Sept. 8, 11, 14 and 21. For more information, or to register to volunteer, contact Jennifer Kim at (213) 683-0522 x181 or email jennifer.kim@skidrow.org.

Volunteers Needed For ‘Dish Depot’

Let’s Play Name That Mural

kid Row Housing Trust, a nonprofit developer and operator of supportive and affordable housing, is gearing up again for its Dish Depot, in which kitchen wares are given away to residents of its Downtown buildings. The residents can pick up donated plates and other items at the Sept. 14 and 21 event. Skid Row Housing Trust is seeking volunteers to staff the Dish Depot and get it ready in the days leading up to the event. Volunteers are needed to unpack, clean and sort donated items or staff the

The Akimotos (Frying Fish Rotating Sushi Bar)

uralist Kent Twitchell needs your help to complete his latest pieces of public art. But put down the paint and brushes. Instead, he’s looking for possible names for the three artworks he is creating for the renovation of the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall. A contest organized by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission closes Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 5 p.m. Twitchell will select a winner from the entries, which are being made via Facebook, in early September. The winner will receive

Nisei Week

Little Tokyo

August 12, 2012

one of the original portrait renderings created by the artist during the design phase. The new works will replace and pay homage to the original murals created by Helen Lundeberg in 1942, which were removed in 1970 and later lost. Twitchell’s murals reflect the content of the Lundeberg murals which depicted three Constitutional elements: “The Preamble to the Constitution,” “Free Assembly” and “Free Ballot.” Nearly all of the models used for the new murals are veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War. The Patriotic Hall, at 1816 S. Figueroa St., is undergoing a $45 million county-funded renovation. The 12-by-15-foot paintings will be completed in time for the reopening this fall of the Hall, which will again house the county’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Post name suggestions at facebook. com/lacountyarts.

Convenience

“Now in Your Neighborhood” At Olympic & Alameda St.

PIZZA FRESH FROM THE

OVEN

Metro Briefs

4 MInI TACoS for $1

Go Metro to USC Football Games

If you’re heading to the Coliseum for USC football games this fall, Go Metro. We’ll get you past the traªc and parking hassles, giving you more time to catch all the action and festivities. Exit at the Expo/Vermont or Expo Park/USC stations on the Metro Expo Line, or the 37th St/USC Station on the Metro Silver Line. Find out more at metro.net/usctrojans.

“Carmageddon II” Set For Sept. 29-30

Plan ahead, avoid the area, or eat, shop or play locally is the message from public safety oªcials for the second weekend closure of the I-405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass – between the I-10 and I-101 – scheduled for September 29-30. Contractors will demolish the remaining side of the Mulholland Bridge as part of the freeway improvements project. For latest updates visit metro.net/405.

Metro Rail, Orange, Silver Lines Run Til 2am

$1 A SLICE

The Metro Silver Line between El Monte and the South Bay has now joined all Metro Rail lines and the Metro Orange Line with extended service running until approximately 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. So now you can catch the overtime action, stay for the encore or take time for that bite to eat and still count on Metro for your ride home! For schedules and discounts on late-night venues, check metro.net.

1800 E. Olympic Blvd.

ExpressLanes Coming – Get Your Transponder Now

Starting this fall, Metro ExpressLanes can help you get through traªc faster on the I-110 Freeway. These special lanes are available toll-free to eligible carpools, vanpools and motorcycles, and for a toll to solo drivers – all you need is a FasTrak® account and transponder. To get yours, visit metro.net/expresslanes.

OL YM

BL VD

Go Metro To Grand Park

Exit Metro Rail at Civic Center Station to explore Grand Park, Downtown’s new urban oasis, adjacent to the Music Center and overlooking City Hall. The park includes a performance lawn and restored Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain with a new splash pool and light show. For frequent and convenient Metro Rail and bus connections to Downtown, go to metro.net.

PROPANE GAS/DIESEL

S ALAMEDA

Se Habla Español • ALWAYS OPEN • 213-627-5008

ATM

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

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

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 3

DowntownNews.com

Real People, Real Stories

Bob Mastalski, PGA Teaching Professional Currently driving: 2012 Nissan Altima

‘‘

•

Customer Since: 2012

I want to thank Carson Nissan’s General Manager Preston Han for personally taking the time to help me get a great deal. The entire staff at Carson Nissan was very friendly & knowledgeable. In addition, I was even able to view their entire inventory online before I

’’

visited the dealership in person. The ice cold bottled water on a hot day was the perfect touch!

Downtown L.A. Auto Group Family Owned & Operated Since 1955 W W W . D T L A M O T O R S . C O M

AUDI

PORSCHE

OF DOWNTOWN L.A. OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 1900 S. Figueroa St. 888-583-0981 audidtla.com

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

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

VOLKSWAGEN

NISSAN

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

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

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

CARSON

NISSAN

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

4 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

EDITORIALS Building Blocks at El Pueblo

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

lot of things can be said about El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, and one of the truest is this: You’ll probably never get everyone who has an interest in the site to agree on and be completely happy about anything. Between the management, the merchants on Olvera Street, the mayoral-appointed commission that oversees the department (yes, it is a city department), the cultural providers and the 2 million annual visitors, one group will find something about which to object. Once we accept that reality, the fact is, this is a moment for moving forward at El Pueblo. In recent years several things have occurred that make this a positive time for the site where Los Angeles was founded more than 230 years ago. Again, we may not get everyone on the same page, but it is worth recognizing the positive present, and the potential for growth that can benefit most parties. El Pueblo has seen a lot of progress recently. Last year, scores of Olvera Street merchants signed long-term concession agreements that ensure they will have a presence at the site for decades to come. While not everyone applauded the terms of the deals, this does provide a moment of stability. Los Angeles Downtown News last week reported on Christopher Espinosa, the recently appointed general manager of the department. The 42-year-old arrives at the job having worked with both the city and the merchants while he was the director of capital projects for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. This position made him familiar with El Pueblo, its plusses and its challenges. He won’t need as much time to ramp up, meet the merchants and read the political tea leaves as someone who moved over from another city department. One intriguing idea Espinosa broached is a series of evening, music-oriented events at El Pueblo. This is a good concept if the funds can be pulled together. While some might compare it to Art Walk, a more apt direction is probably something akin to the Summer Nights program in Chinatown. Those annual events (there are three this year), in which DJs spin, food trucks serve and local shops and restaurants benefit, remind thousands of people just what Chinatown has to offer and why it’s worth visiting again. El Pueblo could see similar results. Then there is the effort to activate the Pico House. This is another long-running and frustrating effort, but the move is on to get a restaurant into the ground floor of the historic building and to activate the upper levels with offices. This deserves attention. There remain plenty of challenges, among them complaints from some quarters about infrastructure and parking near the monument. Espinosa noted that a crucial matter is simply keeping restrooms clean. No detail, it seems is too small. Fortunately, the department is in the black — Espinosa said El Pueblo does about $5 million in revenue annually and covers its expenses. We look forward to seeing what comes next, even if everyone won’t agree on what that should be.

Business and the Fight Against Homelessness

couple years ago, officials with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of the United Way stood together in Downtown to announce the formation of Home for Good. The effort was intended to alter the way that people address homelessness in the region. Two things stood out immediately: A call for the local business community to put serious money into the effort, and plans to push for an increase in the creation of permanent supportive housing, an approach in which those just off the streets not only get a residence, but have a suite of counseling and support services in the same building. How it would fare was a legitimate question. Time and again Los Angeles has heard well-intentioned plans for changing the dynamic of homelessness in the city. Time and again there has been little follow through, with outsiders either frustrated by the length of time it takes to change lives, or an inability to find the money or the political buy-in. Thus, it was exciting to hear that Home for Good is making what appear to be notable advances. As Los Angeles Downtown News reported last week, millions of dollars are rolling in from the private sector, and the well-connected group is ensuring that money goes to permanent supportive housing initiatives. It is too early to tell how this will play out long term, and we remain skeptical that Home for Good officials can reach their lofty goal of eradicating chronic homelessness in Los Angeles County by 2016. Still, we are seeing vision and follow-through in taking on one of society’s most vexing problems. The implications of this approach are significant in many neighborhoods, but nowhere more so than in Downtown Los Angeles. The Central City contains Skid Row, where the decades-long policy of “containment” — essentially concentrating resources for the impoverished in one neighborhood so the homeless don’t spread across the region — created a large pocket of soul-sucking poverty. For decades the homeless, including many people suffering from mental illness and addiction issues, have stuck to Skid Row, knowing that is where they can always find food and shelter, even if they lack the greater resources to turn their lives around. When it comes to the business community, Home for Good appears to have been effective at crafting a dollars-and-cents

message: It costs society a lot more to deal with the actions of the chronically homeless than it does to house them. While some private-sector individuals might prefer to avoid the issue, in actuality it’s the taxpayers who cover prison stays and emergency room visits. It turns out that putting people in housing and getting them counseling is cheaper than letting them linger on the streets. Thus, as Downtown News reported, $5 million has been raised from the private sector (including foundations). While it won’t solve the problem, it’s a good beginning, and hopefully the donations will inspire others in the business community to be active. In this case, being active by writing a check suffices. The Home for Good team has also ensured that, of $100 million already allocated toward homelessness efforts by city and county agencies, $55 million represents new funds that will benefit the chronically homeless and homeless veterans. This will go a long way toward giving comprehensive aid to those who have been on the streets for too long. While we like the new approach, it is worth remembering that not everyone on the streets fits the “chronically homeless” category, and that money should not be directed exclusively to this sector. Downtown continues to hold many missions and service providers that aid what is commonly termed the “emergency” homeless. It is crucial that these providers not be financially cut off. Their ability to deliver aid is what prevents some homeless individuals from turning into the chronically homeless in the first place. One other aside: We hope that some members of Occupy L.A and other protesters against big business and a perceived Downtown gentrification (which is more myth than reality, but that’s a topic for another day) recognize what is occurring here and realize that they could be part of a solution. While it is easy and sometimes appropriate to shout against the many instances of corporate excess and greed, and to decry practices that result in people being forced from their homes, here is a business-powered effort to ensure that those in the worst conditions have places to live and a path to recovery. This is the business community stepping up. If the protesters would help out in this matter, even more could be achieved.

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 5

DowntownNews.com

Mayoral Personals II Ads Hizzoner Might Place if He Wants A Special Friend at the Convention by Jon RegaRdie executive editoR

ike many people in Los Angeles, I was saddened when I heard that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and KTLA reporter Lu Parker broke up in May. It made me worry that he won’t be able to share important events with someone special. Then THE REGARDIE REPORT

again, it means he will only need one free ticket to concerts and sporting events at which he does important mayoring. Also like many people, I was taken aback when, asked about the split, Villaraigosa called one Los Angeles Times reporter an “idiot” and another a “bottom feeder.” This was shocking because, after all, Villaraigosa has long considered the media to be trolls, which he famously proclaimed back in 2007. I wish he’d make up his mind, because it’s getting confusing figuring out whether we in the Fourth Estate should be dressing as trolls, bottom feeders or idiots. That aside, I like to help when possible. So, knowing that AnVil has some big days coming up next week as the chair of the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina, and worried that the time constraints — he spends a lot of energy pushing transportation issues and putting out proObama press releases — won’t allow him the opportunity to find a plus-one for all those fancy parties, I wrote up a batch of Mayoral Personals. I also did some of these in 2007 after he split from Mirthala Salinas (aka TV

Reporter #1), but, can you believe it, he’s single again? Hopefully AnVil will use one or all of these in print and at online dating sites to find the person who completes him. Space in My Day Planner: Handsome, recently single mayor is back on the market for the first time in years! For a limited time only (maybe), this dentally blessed, legendary leader has space in his day planner for you. About me: Boyle Heights native who pulled himself up by his own bootstraps, majored in History at UCLA (go Bruins!), attended the People’s College of Law (go people!) and became Speaker of the Assembly. For all of California. More about me: Represented the City Council’s 14th District, one of the 15 most important districts in Los Angeles, for a whole two years! Even more about me: Onetime union organizer (similar to President Barack Obama’s role as community organizer) has smashingly good 2-1 record in mayor’s races! What I’m looking for in a partner: Someone hot, smart, hot, witty, hot, a good listener, and hot. No KTLA news reporters need apply. Gubernatorial, Maybe Even Presidential Material: Close personal friend of President Barack Obama looking for someone special with whom to attend cocktail parties, speeches, ribbon cuttings and press conferences. I’m an ambitious, energetic, 59-year-young power player who loves liv-

ing in Los Angeles, but sees residences in Sacramento and maybe even a nice white house in Washington, D.C., in the future. Wanna strap yourself in for the ride of your life? Brains and a sense of humor are important, but looks and an ability to appreciate the finer things in life — me, for example! Just joking! Kind of! — are even more important. Interested? Let’s meet for coffee in Charlotte, NC, sometime between

Sept. 4-6. I’ll be the one with the nametag reading “Chairman, Democratic National Convention.” Shoot for the Stars: Intelligent, massively attractive mayoral Aquarius looking for fun, companionship, and maybe more. I’m shooting for the stars and hoping to find someone who wants the same. Married once, but don’t see Personals, page 8

PROTECT YOUR TOYOTA with service designed by the people who made it.

FREE shuttle service drop-off & pick-up

EVERYDAY LOW PRICES! • Prices competitive with local garages! • $34.95 OIL CHANGE*

607 South Hill Street, Suite 204, Los Angeles, CA 90014 t 213.892.0772 | www.singlestone.com

Single Stone on Mission Street 2527 Mission Street, San Marino, CA 91108 t 626.799.3109 | www.singlestonemissionstreet.com

• Includes 27-point safety inspection

• Includes CHECK ENGINE LIGHT scan

• Service: M- F 6AM -6PM, Sat 6AM-5PM NOW OPEN SUNDAY 8AM -12NOON!

* And up. Includes up to 5 quarts of oil. Tax and hazardous disposal fees extra. Synthetic oil additional. Toyota vehicles only. Expires 10/31/2012. 60810

1-800-716-1345

• toyotacentral.com

1600 S. Figueroa (at Venice), LA — 2 blocks south of the Staples Center

6 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

A Federal Courthouse Throwdown Congressional Officials, Others, Clash Over $400 Million Civic Center Project by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

owntowners this year welcomed the announcement that a $400 million federal courthouse will be built on a notorious Civic Center blight spot. The plan has not received the same enthusiasm among some Republican members of Congress in Washington, D.C. U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham of California and Rep. Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania have been vocal in their criticism of the development that is being fast-tracked. They recently brought their critiques to Downtown Los Angeles, where they blasted the proposal as unnecessary and financially unfeasible. “We obviously want to pull the money back and take another look at it,” Denham said after an Aug. 17 meeting at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building held by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. “I’m of the position that not only should we not build the new courthouse, but we ought to be selling off the old courthouse.” Denham instead proposes moving operations into the existing Roybal building. However, he may be fighting an uphill battle. Officials with the General Services Administration, the federal agency responsible for the project, have stated that the courthouse requires no further government approvals. They also say that the funding is in place and the plans are moving forward

for the plot on the southwest corner of First Street and Broadway. Kevin Richards, the GSA’s acting regional commissioner for the Pacific Rim region, restated that position at the hearing. He said construction will begin in October. “We feel we have the authorization and appropriation to go ahead with this project,” Richards said at the hearing. Los Angeles federal courthouse operations are currently split between two buildings in Downtown: the Spring Street Courthouse, built in 1938, and the Roybal Federal Building, erected in 1992. Plans to build a new federal courthouse surfaced in 2001 when Congress appropriated $400 million for a 41-room facility on the plot immediately west of the Los Angeles Times headquarters. That, however, stalled in 2006 when a report by the Government Accountability Office found that delays and design changes had conspired to triple the cost. The project was shelved. In January, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard surprised many in Downtown with the sudden announcement that the GSA would begin construction on a $400 million project this year. The building was downsized by 431,300 square feet from the previous proposal, with plans for 24 courtrooms and 32 judges chambers. It will house district judges, jury assembly facilities and offices for the U.S. Marshals Service. The GSA later announced plans to transfer ownership of the Spring Street Courthouse,

photo by Gary Leonard

The site at First and Broadway where a new courthouse and federal building could rise.

which is set to be vacated, to a developer. The developer, in exchange, would build a new federal office building with a value similar to the Spring Street courthouse on the First and Broadway site, putting two new structures on the plot. Project proponents have cited safety issues related to prisoner transfers. They also said

seismic upgrades at the Spring Street building would cost about $250 million. Denham slammed the plans as a “sham” during the recent hearing, saying there is no need for a new courthouse and that courtrooms could be effectively shared at the Roybal building. He was particularly critical see Courthouse, page 12

Professional

Building solution provider

➤ FREE estimate ➤ No job is too small ➤ Improve your space ➤ We do it all ➤ Commercial and residential ➤ Licensed, insured and bonded

A historic destination for ﬁne food, home furnishings & the arts Located one block east of the Culver City station on the Expo Line.

Pre/Post Construction Services • Construction Safety Management • General Construction Services

helmsbakerydistrict.com

219 W. 7th St., Ste. #203, Los Angeles • 213.327.0646 • mdmbuilders.com

8800 Venice Boulevard, West LA 34

Debit card fees? Not here.

KEEPIN’ MUSIC

BEyoNd thE BEll

A fUNdrAISEr for AftEr SChool ProgrAMS PrESENtS:

SEPt. 5, 2012

WIl-dog “El gAvAChIllo”

froM ozoMAtlI fEAtUrINg: BANdA vIENto

Our Freedom Checking account pays you to use your debit card. Earn up to $60 a year! * No minimum balance requirement No direct deposit requirement No monthly fee

thE EAStSIdE lAtIN All StArS fEAtUrINg: rUdy SAlAS AloNg WIth MEMBErS of:

tIErrA thEE MIdNItErS CANNIBAl ANd thE hEAdhUNtErS

Bring this ad with you and we’ll waive the one-time $5 membership fee.

hoStEd By:

toMMy ChoNg 800-954-2327 NCUA calbearcu.org Federally insured by NCUA * Earn $5 per month with a minimum of 10 signature-based debit card transactions per month. Incentive is considered income by the IRS. $25 minimum deposit to open checking acct. Not a Cal Bear member? A share/savings acct. with minimum $25 deposit required for membership plus a one-time $5 membership fee.

dE oro

Live, work or go to school downtown? You may be eligible to join Cal Bear!

Two Downtown LA Branches: 100 S. Main St. (Caltrans Bldg.) 300 S. Spring St. (Ronald Reagan Bldg.)

thE jArEd MArqUEz dANCErS dj SloE PoKE ANd SPECIAl gUESt CoMEdIAN

$25 gENErAl AdMISSIoN $75 vIP SPECIAl $60 rESErvEd SEAtINg doorS oPEN At: 6:00 P.M.

PUrChASE tICKEtS oNlINE At: WWW.CoNgArooM.CoM THE CONGA ROOM @ LA LIVE - 800 W. OLYMPIC BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90015 - 213-745-0162

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 7

DowntownNews.com

Patrols, Cleanups Increase at Pershing Square Task Force Addresses Problems in Wake of Arrival of Occupy Protesters by Richard Guzmán city editor

or John Edwards, who runs the weekly farmers mar ket at Pershing Square, last Wednesday was a relief. After weeks of trouble related to a large contingent of Occupy L.A. protesters who had been gathering and camping in the park, the situation changed. “It’s clean. Police are patrolling the park,” said Edwards. “There’s no question about it. It’s much better.” The changes came in the wake of the creation of a task force for the park. The move was propelled by a surge in drug use, violence and human waste in portions of the facility in the heart of the Financial District. The task force, spearheaded by 14th District City Council man José Huizar, came together about two weeks ago. It includes representatives from the City Attorney’s office, the Department of Recreation and Parks, the LAPD and Huizar’s office. “We’ve been hearing from stakeholders about the decay ing conditions at Pershing Square in terms of public safety,” Huizar said. “We want to make sure that we take care of this real jewel we have in the middle of Downtown L.A.” Steps taken so far include placing uniformed police at the park on a daily basis, said LAPD Capt. Horace Frank. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has stepped up its visi tations to the park to offer services to people who congregate there. The city has also installed 13 solar trash compactors to deal with waste and reduce vermin. Frank said private security guards who patrol the park un der contract with the city have stepped up their roles and are now conducting citizens arrests for certain crimes, whereas before they would just report them to the LAPD. There has also been an increase in narcotics and undercover officers at the park, he said. Frank said there has been a rise in the past few months of reports of theft, vandalism, drug use, public drinking and people relieving themselves in Pershing Square. “People have been complaining that they can’t use the park under these conditions,” he said. Frank said there was also a recent attack on a private security guard in the park. Two individuals have been arrested, he said. While officials are not laying the sole blame for the new concerns at the park on any particular group, Huizar said some of the problems began after members of the Occupy L.A. movement began using the park as a home base. The loosely banded group holds its “general assembly” meet ings at Pershing Square three evenings a week. During this month’s Art Walk, members of the movement covered nearly all of the concrete surfaces of the park in chalk. “Once we had Occupy L.A. there, there has been this handsoff approach because of the number of people who have been

gathering there,” Huizar said. “But whether it’s Occupy L.A. or anyone else, everyone has the right to enjoy the park.” Edwards said the increase in what appears to be members of the Occupy movement hanging out at the park has been bad for business. He said some people were in sleeping bags next to food tables, while others aggressively panhandled for food and urinated or defecated nearby. Those conditions resulted in nine farmers dropping out of the market, leading to a drop of about 40% in business, Edwards said. He added that the situation made him worry for the future viability of the event. The Wednesday, Aug. 22, market was much improved, CNP retail ad_3_Layout 1 8/22/12 3:38 PM Page 1

Edwards noted. He hopes sales will increase and that he will be able to lure back some of the vendors who walked away. Doing so, he said, will be predicated on the improvements continuing. Huizar said the changes are the first of a long-term plan to revive the park, although a full proposal has yet to be de veloped. “What we’re going to do is start the conversation about the long term vision for Pershing Square,” Huizar said. “This is the beginning of re-envisioning Pershing Square, and it be gins with a safe and clean park.” Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

EAT, SHOP, GET THINGS DONE...

CITY NATIONAL PLAZA It’s All Beneath Your Feet

EATERIES photo courtesy John Edwards

A contingent of Occupy L.A. members bunking down near the Wednesday farmers market in Pershing Square has hampered business, said event organizer John Edwards. Police patrols in the park have increased and Edwards said last week’s event was much improved.

Asian American Economic Development Enterprises Presents:

CAREER EXPO 2012

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7, 2012 10am to 3pm Los Angeles Convention Center 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015

FREE ADMISSION!

$12 parking fee.

web: www.aaede.org | email: info@aaede.org | call: 626-572-7021

El Coche Gourmet Coffee & Nuts Johnnie’s Pizza Just Juice KC's Mediterranean Grill Kikka Sushi Lemonade Mangia Mangia McDonald’s Mrs. Fields Cookies Pam's Deli Delight Plaza Grille Café Rice Garden

Saffron Salata Starbucks Togo's Eatery Weiland Brewery

RETAIL Downtown Flowers GNC (General Nutrition Center) Russell’s Convenience Store

CONVENIENCES & SERVICES 24 Hour Fitness Barbershop on “A” Level

FREE PARKING!

City National Bank Courtyard Wellness Famima!! Genaro Rivera's Shoe Shine Overnight Express Parcel Service Drop Box Plaza Dental Office Sears Shoe Repair Selective Cleaners UPS Drop Box U.S. Post Office Valet Parking Weight Watchers Xpress Auto Wash

30 minutes free parking at 505 Flower, “A” Level with retail parking validation. 2 hours free parking at J2 garage, 400 South Flower, with retail parking validation.

8 Downtown News

Personals Continued from page 5 hold that against me, heh-heh. Likes: Obamacare, long walks on Hollywood red carpets, Obama’s appointees to the Supreme Court, yes men, open positions in Obama’s cabinet, and courtside Lakers tickets. Dislikes: Idiots, bottom feeders, trolls, people who voted against the Measure R transportation tax, meddling from the City Council, taxi drivers who don’t pay proper attention to bicycle riding mayors, and Carmen Trutanich. If this sounds like you, then call today! Preference given to brunette television personalities. Here Comes Success!: Deliriously handsome future governor looking for special woman to share in a post-Jerry Brown California. I’m accomplished, articulate and was recently mentioned on the World Wide Internet as perhaps maybe one day supposedly being a president or something. Big fan of music, having sat close to the stage for concerts including U2, Beyonce, Tina Turner, Mary J. Blige, Juanes and Pepe Aguilar. How do I do it all? I don’t sleep! So looking for someone to have fun and not sleep with me as we take the City of the 21st century by storm.

August 27, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews Impossible Dreamer Seeks Same: Who says all the good ones are taken? Mentally and physically buff mayor (I once worked out so much my rings stopped fitting) in search of refined Democratic lady for laughs, dancing and midnight subway rides to the sea. My hobbies: planting 1 million trees, giving out rain ponchos to protesters and appearing on national television. I’ve got a never-saydie attitude and dream about making things better, and if you have the same dream and no longer read local newspapers because you’re turned off by the Negative Nellies, then we should meet and have lunch. And maybe some sex. Come Fly With Me: Upwardly mobile mayor of second largest city in United States of Obama hoping to meet smart, breathing woman for companionship, romance and more. I work hard and play harder, but know there’s more to life than hiring police chiefs and lobbying Congress for federal transportation funds. I love travel, raising money through increased parking ticket fees and getting out of town before pension storms hit the fan. I’ve got a sensitive side too, though I’m not sure where I put it. I know it can be lonely at the top, and I’m looking for an attractive, union-friendly woman willing to be known as Mrs. VillamemberofObama’scabinet. Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

Voted Best Dentist By LA Downtown News! IMPLANTS, TMj, SEDATION & COSMETIC DENTISTry New Technology with Same Day Crowns

Housing Continued from page 1 nervous about the city’s existing stock of affordable apartments. Affordability requirements established by the now-dead Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles are set to expire on 13 Downtown buildings, representing 1,052 units, in the next five years, according to the city Housing Department. When they do, some of the property owners could choose to convert their buildings to marketrate status. In an era when funds for building new low-income housing complexes are increasingly scarce, finding ways to preserve existing affordable units has become a priority, said Rushmore Cervantes, interim general manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department. “To go about creating just new affordable units in the Downtown area or elsewhere is very expensive,” Cervantes said. “We have a large number of existing affordable units in buildings that are cheaper to maintain than building new, so we have to focus our efforts on that.” Low-income housing is not about to disappear in Downtown. An array of affordable residential developers who are committed to the area serves as a built-in check for the low-income stock. In recent years, organizations such as Skid Row Housing Trust, SRO Housing Corp. and Meta Housing have added a healthy number of high-quality affordable complexes. The trend will continue this year when Skid Row Housing Trust’s New Genesis debuts with a mix of market rate, low-income and permanent supportive housing units at Fifth and Main streets. Affordability covenants — contracts that provide a developer with tax incentives or other benefits in exchange for maintaining set, low prices in their buildings — expire after specific time periods. When such deals

We’re Like Having Your Own IT Department! Our Services: Managed IT Services • Server and Desktop Support IT Consulting • Cloud Email • Web Design & Development • Networking Supporting the following induStrieS: S: Legal • Education • Financial Non-Profit • Fashion/Retail • Medical

Invisalign Preferred Provider

For A Free Network Assessment Call 866.896.7665 CONVENIENTLY LOCaTEd dOwNTOwN! www.clientf.it

213-620-5777 | 255 Grand Ave., Suite 204, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Find us on Facebook @ www.downtowndentalla.com

An encore in every moment. Bring a friend to a Thornton event. Check out: usc.edu/music/go/events All events are free.

Sept 13

USC Thornton Symphony with Carl St.Clair, Artistic Leader and Principal Conductor

Sept 14

USC Concert Choir with Conductor Cristian Grases and special guest Joan Cantoni Conlon

Sept 23

Jazz great Ndugu Chandler - 60 Years of Life & Music Requires RSVP - usc.edu/dept/pubrel/visionsandvoices

Oct 08

USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra directed by Bob Mintzer, special guest Ignacio Berroa

through the CRA or another government entity are set to fade out, the housing department negotiates with the property owner to try to extend the low rent limits. Usually, the city offers to issue tax-free bonds. Sometimes property owners agree to the trade. Sometimes they don’t. Diminishing Streams Preservation, housing advocates say, will be extra important in the coming years because there will be fewer ways to finance new projects. Los Angeles’ CRA, which along with some 400 other California redevelopment agencies was formally dissolved on Feb. 1, spent 25% of its annual budget to support new affordable housing development and maintain low prices in existing buildings. In 2012, the agency was slated to spend $162 million on such projects. Other key funding sources are gone or on thin ice: The federal government this year slashed by 38% the budget for its Home program, which replenishes the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. There also was the state’s $345 million Multifamily Housing Program, funded by a voter-approved bond measure in 2006. The key financing source for affordable housing developers in the last few years is now “overwhelmingly depleted,” said Colin Parent, a spokesman for the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The cuts come at a time when demand for inexpensive units is exploding. A line formed around the corner when Skid Row Housing Trust opened its application rolls for the 106-unit New Genesis. The $22.3 million project was funded in part with dollars from the state’s Multifamily Housing Program, said Molly Rysman, the SRHT’s director of external affairs. “The demand is just staggering,” Rysman said. “Preservation is extremely important to us because we know that we’re not going to build our way out of the affordable housing crisis. It would be wonderful if we could provide as many homes Downtown as people need at reduced rent, but we can’t.” To Market They Go, or Not The 13 buildings in which CRA covenants are due to expire in the next five years represent a variety of properties. They include several Skid Row complexes, as well as buildings like the 102-unit Bristol Hotel at Eighth and Olive streets, where the affordability mandate expires in January 2015. That’s also when a CRA mandate sunsets for the 27-unit 932 Mei Ling Way Apartments in Chinatown. Whether a building transitions to market-rate status often depends on the owner. Entities like the several nonprofits that build and manage residential projects in Skid Row are less likely to abandon affordability — providing housing for impoverished residents is their raison d’être. Take Ballington Plaza, a 135-unit apartment complex at 622 S. Wall St. in Skid Row. Its CRA covenant expired in 2010, but the owner, the Veterans of America organization, has no intention of taking advantage of their new flexibility, said VOA spokesman Orlando Ward. “We could actually go market rate with the Ballington if we wanted to, but we will work like the dickens to make sure we can ensure that those who need services can find it with us,” Ward said. The VOA subsidizes rents at the Ballington through a mix of sources including federal Section 8 housing vouchers, he said. Most of the other Skid Row buildings with CRA covenants expiring in the next four years are owned by SRO Housing Corp., another nonprofit that works primarily to provide homes for the needy. Projects outside Skid Row may face a greater risk. A CRA covenant at the Renaissance Tower apartments at Hope Street and Olympic Boulevard expired in 2010. The 29 units bound by the agreement have since been transitioned to market rate, a building spokesman said. Then there is the Huntington Hotel, which for 20 years was required by the CRA to keep all of its 196 units affordable. It was no coincidence that a deal to sell the building closed two months after its CRA covenant expired. The owners have already undertaken improvements and plan to price the apartments according to the market, though the small size of the residences, most of which lack bathrooms or full kitchens, will limit rents. While some owners will follow suit and take their properties market rate, others could choose to maintain affordability in exchange for financing incentives offered by the city. Forest City, a publicly traded real estate investor that has long been active in Downtown, was bound by a CRA affordability covenant at its Metropolitan apartment complex at 950 S. Flower St. through 2010. The company opted to extend its affordability agreement in exchange for tax-exempt bond financing coordinated by the CRA, said Forest City spokesman Jeff Linton. Now, 42% of the building’s units are reserved for moderate-income tenants, a property spokeswoman said. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

Downtown News 9

DowntownNews.com photo by Gary Leonard

August 27, 2012

The Huntington Hotel was an affordable housing complex for two decades. Two months after its deal to remain low-income expired, it was sold to a developer who will make the units market rate.

10 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

images courtesy Metro

Big Project, Better Stations Metro, Hoping for Lower Costs and a Consistent Look for Regional Connector, Reveals ‘Kit of Parts’ Approach by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

ounty transportation officials have heard loud and clear from critics who say their subway and light-rail stations are a visual patchwork with too many colors and too many materials. That’s going to change with the Regional Connector, they promise. In conjunction with the release last week of preliminary station designs for the $1.34 billion Regional Connector, Metro officials launched a new design program aimed at streamlining the look of rail hubs. The approach hinges on what the agency is calling its “kit of parts,” a collection of infrastructure elements and materials, from trash cans to digital display monitors, that will be used to assemble future stations, starting with the three Regional Connector hubs. The shift aims to get beyond a smorgasbord of materials — red paint and brick floor in a station here, teal tile and a cement landing there and steel and glass somewhere else. The new approach, officials say, will make for a more cohesive look and more efficient maintenance. “The visual field in general, there’s just a lot of clutter,” Martha Welborne, Metro’s executive director of countywide planning, said during the Wednesday, Aug. 22, presentation at the Los Angeles Times building. “We’re trying to create a framework to organize all this stuff so it doesn’t look quite so cluttered visually and it’s easier for the passenger to find what they need to find.” The design shift comes in response to a set of directives passed by the Metro board in 2010. While the designs could evolve over the next year after they’re subjected to community input, the preliminary Regional Connector stations would seem to offer a passenger experience quite different from other Downtown underground stations. Instead of accessing stations like those for the Red Line via an escalator portal that descends to a mezzanine for ticketing, then further to the platform, Regional Connector riders will

get their tickets at street level. Kiosks will be built into aboveground, glass-enclosed station entrances. While no station will be the same, the three Regional Connector hubs will echo one another through shared materials, namely an emphasis on durable, long-lasting concrete, steel and glass, and drought-tolerant plants. The approach is expected to save the agency money in future maintenance costs, though it is unclear whether the kit of parts will lower initial station construction prices. “We’re still costing it out,” Welborne said. “It’s probably not radically different because we want to use the best materials.” Three Stations The Regional Connector is intended to improve connectivity of the existing subway and light-rail network. It will allow passengers to ride from Pasadena to Long Beach, or from East L.A. to Culver City, in one trip. Those rides currently require two transfers. The new link will extend north from the Seventh Street Metro Center station (where the Red, Purple, Blue and Expo lines converge) and travel under Flower Street. It will curve to Hope Street at Second Street where the first of three new stations will get built. Passengers will exit at Hope Street, behind the under-construction Broad museum. The route continues east to Second Street and Broadway. Tentative plans call for a single portal that will front Broadway, but Metro will ask candidates for the design/build contract to incorporate a second portal that would face Spring Street. That would produce two entrances, officials said. The third station, at First Street and Central Avenue, will displace three Little Tokyo restaurants. Because trains will rise from underground to link up with the at-grade Gold Line, the station is relatively shallow at about 40 feet — the other stations approach 90 feet in depth. Metro has started removing underground utilities along the route. That effort will continue through the end of the year. Construction is tentatively slated to start in late 2013, but a pending legal challenge could push that date back. Current

The new station at First Street and Central Avenue would take over the site now occupied by the Spice Table, Weiland Brewery and Senor Fish restaurants.

This overhead view looks down at the aboveground, glass-enclosed station at Second and Hope streets.

plans call for the project to open in 2019. Thomas Properties Group, one of two Flower Street property owners suing to block Metro’s proposal to tear up a chunk of the Financial District street for construction, has asked a judge to halt the project while its complaint makes its way through court. A hearing is slated for Sept. 14. In the meantime, Metro is proceeding on schedule, agency spokesman Dave Sotero said. Metro will host two more community meetings to discuss the Regional Connector and station designs, from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at the Colburn School, and from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the Japanese American National Museum. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

THE PETROLEUM BUILDING Commercial Office Space for Lease

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

Finally a Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon in Historic Downtown!

– RY

S CE

IN AS

S FA

Rentable Sq. Ft.

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

Suite 1011 mention downtow n news and receiv e $100 off in office t reatment !

Spring Arcade Building 541 South Spring St. Suite 221 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Suite 1000

Will consider division and space build-outs.

The

Specialist In:

*Botox and Facial Fillers *Breast Augmentation *Body Sculpting *Rhinoplasty

By Appointment Only 424.652.8801 www.drsejalpatel.com

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

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 11

DowntownNews.com

507 W 6th St.

(Next to Pershing Square) (213) 570-8995

Grand Opening Special

FREE Tablet + MiFi Idolian TURBOTAB C8 • Light Weight 0.7 pound • Supports 32GB Micro SD •1.5 GHz Cortex A9 • Skype™ Video Chat •Android™ 4.0 ICS • HDMI Output • 7” Display

$99.99

Appointments Available

Connect Up To 10 Devices on 4G LTE+

Verizon Jetpack™ 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MiFi® 4620L

COUPON000036

Sign up for our newsletter & save. Text 4GW to 22828 *With new 2yr activation after $50.00 mail in rebate debit card. (REFURBISHED MiFi JetPack device is FREE after new 2r activation and NOT ELIGIBLE for $50.00 mail in rebate debit card – connrm with sales associate at time of sale). Data pack required for the Idiolan TURBOTAB C8 and Jetpack™ bundle. Limited to stock on hand. Restrictions apply. See stores associate for details.

w o n r e t r9 s e i b m g e t e r asses start sep Cl

Adult Studies offering music appreciation music performance yoga and pilates

200 South Grand Avenue | Los Angeles, ca 90012 www.colburnschool.edu | 213.621.4745

12 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

Courthouse Continued from page 6 of the building exchange plan, expressing doubt that the GSA could find a developer to take on the project. Mark Goldstein, director of physical infrastructure for the Government Accountability Office, also testified at the hearing. He submitted a report stating the justification for the project was flawed and outdated. He echoed the sentiment that a more efficient courtroom-sharing program would eliminate the need for a new courthouse. Denham said that proceeding on the project would be a mistake. “The result will be hundreds of millions of dollars wasted on a new courthouse while vacant space lingers for years, all paid for by the taxpayer,” Denham said. Local Support Despite the claims by the members of Congress, local support for the project remains strong. Councilman José Huizar, whose 14th District encompasses the courthouse site, said some of the opposition to the plan may have more to do with Republican-Democrat divides

than cost concerns. “It’s hard to decipher right now how much of what they’re saying is partisan politics in an election year when the stakes are so high,” Huizar said. “I think the new buildings on Broadway makes sense and I support them.” Although some Downtown real estate experts have questioned the financial feasibility of the plan to trade the Spring Street building for a new structure — the cost of the seismic upgrades is a key concern — Huizar remains optimistic that the project could come to fruition. “We’ve seen a lot of forward-thinking developers in Down town. There’s a lot of creativity and flexibility, so I think it’s possible,” he said. District Court Judge Margaret Morrow, who is overseeing the project for the judiciary, noted that while courtroomsharing policies are in place, with numerous judges becoming eligible for senior status by 2019 (a form of semi-retirement), new district judges will be appointed to the bench. That, she said, will mean a need for more space. She also said that safety is a primary reason for vacating the Spring Street courthouse and building a new structure. She said that concerns have been expressed by the U.S. Marshals Service. “They feel that the Spring Street courthouse is one of the

greatest security risks in the country,” she said. She also provided a 2011 letter from David Singer, the United States marshal for the Central District of California. In the letter, Singer stated that concerns include matters such as a lack of holding cells, having to unload prisoners in the same lot where judges park, and having to transfer prisoners through public hallways and potentially near victims or family members. “The fact that we haven’t had an incident is fortunate, but not probative of whether or not the building is safe,” Morrow said. Although Roybal-Allard did not attend the hearing, she submitted a letter reaffirming her support for the project. “I want to stress again the critical need of the Los Angeles community to have safe, functional and efficient facilities in which to litigate cases and redress grievances,” she wrote. “The new courthouse that is currently planned will allow them to do so.” Others local leaders who submitted statements for the hearing in support of the project included Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Gary Toebben, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and Carol Schatz, president and CEO of the Central City Association. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

Grand Tower 255 south Grand avenue Leasing Information 213 229 9777

Promenade Towers 123 south Figueroa street Leasing Information 213 617 3777

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

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

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

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

Now For Call n Specials Move-I

8 7 7 - 2 65 - 714 6

museum Tower 225 south olive street Leasing Information 213 626 1500

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

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

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

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

It’s our business to make you comfortable... at home, downtown. Corporate and long term residency is accommodated in high style at the Towers Apartments. Contemporary singles, studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartment homes provide fortunate residents with a courteous full service lobby attendant, heated pool, spa, complete fitness center, sauna and recreation room with kitchen. Beautiful views extend from the Towers’ lofty homes in the sky. Mountain vistas and slender skyscrapers provide an incredible back drop to complement your decor. Far below are a host of businesses ready to support your pampered downtown lifestyle. With spectacular cultural events nearby, even the most demanding tastes are satisfied. Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore. Visit the Towers Apartments today.

TOWERS T H E

A PA RT M E N T S

www.TowersApartmentsLA.com

MAID SERVICE • FURNITURE • HOUSEWARES • CABLE • UTILITIES • PARKING RESIDENCES: SINGLES • STUDIO • ONE BEDROOM • TWO BEDROOM

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 13

Let’s Do Lunch

LET’S DO LUNCH A

Chef ’s

EYE VIEW

photos by Gary Leonard

How Four Downtowners Run Their Kitchens and Get Diners In and Out at Lunch

Diving Into Il Mare An Italian Seafood Restaurant From a Downtown Cooking Veteran by Jeff favre contributing writer

l Mare Ristorante Italiano & Bar is evocative of Los Angeles while providing an echo of New York’s Little Italy. There are pizzas cooked in a brick oven, pastas with a modern California flair, an arugula goat cheese and watermelon salad, and a lot of fresh seafood. The tasty combo is the brainchild of chefowner Kay Lee. It’s just around the corner from The Palm, where Lee helmed the kitchen before his entrepreneurial step. Whatever you order, don’t be surprised if Lee steps out from the kitchen to check on your dining experience. The lunch crowd enjoys a casual atmosphere with dishes served in a timely manner, including a variety of appetizers from beef carpaccio to a classic bruschetta. At his core, Lee is a fish fan, as the restaurant’s name — Il Mare means “The Sea” in Italian — and the decor reveal. Lee is in the restaurant by 8 a.m. to prepare the vegetable minestrone soup and to ready his ingredients for salads and entrees. Los Angeles Downtown News: What makes Downtown Los Angeles diners different from others? Kay Lee: It’s hard to explain, but let me try: One, they are loyal. Two, they stick together. But it’s also how they group themselves. They think of themselves as Downtowners and they have a different energy. They are friendlier. They like to go out together. It feels like a small community. It is different than other places in Los Angeles. Q: When does your lunch rush begin and how long does it last?

A: It has been a bit different in the summer, but usually it starts about 12:10 p.m. and it goes until 1:30. Everyone comes in at the same time. Q: How much should people expect to spend on lunch at your place? A: Usually customers spend about $10, for a caprese or a funghi pizza, to $15, for Poached Salmon Il Mare. The specials are a bit more. That’s because sometimes I have to charge more because the price of good, fresh seafood can be high. There are also appetizers and salads. Q: What’s your most popular lunch item? A: Usually the most popular items at lunch are the pizzas and the pastas. The seafood pastas are very popular; the Perciatelli Il Mare includes shrimp, clams, mussels and calamari. In the last few weeks people have started ordering the new sandwiches. People love all of the pizzas. Q: Are daily specials the best options because they’re what the chef is most interested in that day? A: The specials depend on availability and freshness. Around 10 p.m. I am able to find out what’s coming in on the boats the next morning. So I can start to think about the specials. When I prepare the next morning, after I get the seafood, I really don’t do that much because I don’t want to destroy the flavor of the fish. Q: What’s the best way to get in and out fast during the lunch rush? A: All you have to do is tell the waitress you

photo by Gary Leonard

Kay Lee used to run the kitchen in The Palm. He moved around the corner to open his own restaurant, Il Mare.

need to get in and out fast and we will get you out fast. You should order a pasta item. We can cook them in two or three minutes. It’s no problem at all. Q: Are desserts popular during lunch in Downtown? A: Desserts are not too popular at lunch. We do have a tiramisu that you can get throughout the day, but I think people don’t get it

as much at lunch because they are so full of pizza and pasta. Q: What atmosphere do you try to evoke? A: We have high quality food, but it’s also important to me that people feel comfortable. I want them to be relaxed. I want them to feel like they are coming home for lunch. Il Mare Ristorante Italiano & Bar is at 1111 S. Hope St., (213) 746-7766 or ilmareitaliano.com

14 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Let’s Do Lunch

Using Their Noodles The Biltmore Hotel’s Sai Sai Has a New Menu and A Casual Yet Still Classy Atmosphere by Jeff favre contributing writer

hange came this year to Downtown’s Millennium Biltmore Hotel, when Sai Sai retooled and reopened as Sai Sai Noodle Bar. Gone is the traditional Japanese menu. It has been replaced by, as the name indicates, a focus on refined noodle dishes. Twenty-something chef Jonathan Shin, formerly of Nobu West Hollywood, is working under executive chef Thomas Ryan to create a menu that fits the hurried Downtown lunch lifestyle, while not losing the class of the Biltmore. A rotating menu offers a variety of traditional Japanese flavors and staples in a new-look, casual dining atmosphere. While all appears serene, don’t be fooled: Just like at every busy restaurant, for Shin and the staff the lunch rush is anything but casual. Los Angeles Downtown News: As a chef, how do you prepare for lunch? Jonathan Shin: The day starts a lot earlier than people think. We open at 11 a.m. but I’m here usually at 8 a.m., making sure that everything is prepped and ready for lunch service. What I do is different every day. I need to make sure all of our broths and stock are made and that the line is ready to go. Q: When does your lunch rush begin and how

long does it last? A: It usually starts around 12:30 p.m. It goes on until about 1:30. Q: What’s the most difficult thing about lunch service? A: Lunch service is always difficult because we get a lot of business people in Downtown L.A. who have a tight schedule. So it’s hard to get them in and out at the same time. They have about 30 minutes for lunch. They want it quick, but they want it good. They don’t want McDonalds or Subway. They want quality. Q: What is your pet peeve from customers? A: Pleasing everyone is challenging. Some people like their food a little bit saltier than others. It’s hard to meet that medium. It’s hard to match everybody’s palate. Q: How much should people expect to spend for lunch at your place? A: Our noodle bowls are on average $11. If you get it with a drink your check is about $14. On the higher end we have the Lobster Miso Ramen [lobster miso-dashi broth, edamame, lobster, wakame, green onions and grilled corn], which is $14. It’s pretty popular. Q: What’s your most popular lunch item? A: The most popular item is our Galbi

photo by Gary Leonard

Chef Jonathan Shin arrives at the Sai Sai Noodle Bar kitchen at 8 a.m. for a lunch rush that starts at 12:30 p.m.

Ramen, which is marinated beef on top of beef stock ramen [it comes with jalapeños, bean sprouts, Thai basil Key limes and cilantro]. I believe it is popular because no one else is doing it. It’s very different from what other people have. Q: A waiter often reads off lunch specials. Are these the best options because they’re what the chef is most interested in that day? A: We have a menu that rotates every two weeks. On that menu our most popular item is the Garlic Noodles. It’s vegetarian, but you can add protein if you want. We try to make some specials for the season. It has been hot recently so we made specials without hot soup, a few soup-less noodles. Q: What’s the best way to get in and out fast during the lunch rush? A: If you can come before 12:30 you are better off. If you come later you can stay for our

happy hour, which starts at 3 p.m. We have $3 beers from microbreweries from throughout California and $4 sustainable wines, and we have a bunch of TVs and we play sports and good music. Q: Are desserts popular during lunch in Downtown? A: Desserts are more popular from 5-7 p.m., which is our dinner rush. But for both lunch and dinner we have a mochi ice cream that no other place has. It’s specially flown in from Hawaii, from Bubbles Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts. They have some great flavors. Recently, we had cantaloupe and honeydew flavors. At the beginning of the year they had a root beer float one. Some are really strange and no one else has them. Sai Sai Noodle Bar is at 501 S. Olive St., (213) 624-1100 or millenniumhotels.com/millenniumbiltmorelosangeles.

20% Off Your Entire Order

No substitutions. Limit one coupon per customer. At participating locations only. Not valid with any other offer. Expires 1/31/13.

New!

A GrAb & Go Style CAfé feAturinG: Daily Specials • Hearty Sandwiches Gourmet Salads • Fresh Baked Goods Homemade Soup • Starbucks Coffee

reAder’S ChoiCe winner beSt middAy eSCApe Hot luncH served daily till 2pm.

Turkey Avocado Bacon Wrap At the Cathedral our lady of the Angels 555 West Temple Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-680-5271/5273 www.levyrestaurants.com

With Fries & 22 oz. Drink

$ 99 With this coupon.

No Substitutions. Limit one offer per coupon. State sales tax applicable. One coupon per person, per visit at participating locations only. Not valid with any other coupon, combo meal, advertised special or offer. Expires 1/31/13.

213-228-8999 | farmerboysla.com | 726 Alameda St. (Bay & Alameda) | Open 24/7

Come taste why we were voted Downtown LA’s best Mexican restaurant!

FREE Lunch/DinnER We’ve Steaked our Claim Prime Steak • Fine Wine • Private dining • New menu

EntREE

Buy one lunch/ dinner and two drinks, get 2nd lunch/dinner entree of equal or lesser value for free!

7 days/week. With this coupon. Not valid with other offers. Limit 1 coupon per table. Specials not included. Expires 9/30/12.

$5 Off Any purchase of $20 or more! 7 days/week. With this coupon. Not valid with other offers. Limit 1 coupon per table. Specials not included. Expires 9/30/12.

Authentic Mexican Specialties Prepared From Family Recipes Since 1961

735 South Figueroa St | Los Angeles, CA | (213) 553-4566 | mortons.com

Taco Mondays • Margarita Wednesdays • Cantina • Happy Hour • No Lard or Preservatives www.barragansrestaurants.com

LoS AngeLeS: 1538 Sunset Bl., 213-250-4256 • BuRBAnk: 730 N. Victory Bl., 818-848-2325 • gLendALe: 814 S. Central Ave., 818-243-1103

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 15

Let’s Do Lunch

The most entertaining place on the planet. STAPLES Center Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE

lalive.com

GRAMMY Museum® Club Nokia The Conga Room Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14

Boca ESPN Zone The Farm of Beverly Hills Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar gLAnce Wine Bar ION Rooftop Pool Bar Katsuya LA Market by Kerry Simon The Mixing Room Lawry’s Carvery Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge

New Zealand Natural Ice Cream Rock’n Fish Rosa Mexicano Starbucks Trader Vic’s Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill WP24 by Wolfgang Puck Yard House

16 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Let’s Do Lunch

Everybody Needs a Hiro Fat Spoon Chef Gets Downtowners Fed and Back to Work by Jeff favre

where people can take lunch all day. Here they get an hour, really only 45 minutes because they have to walk back to work. But they expect the same quality that they would get at a leisurely lunch in Beverly Hills. I am a stickler about that. Also, in Downtown they are on a budget. The difficulty is when we have 50 people all come in at the same time and we have to get them out at the same time, but not have them feel rushed.

contributing writer

or Fat Spoon chef Hiro Fujita, the day and the menu begin with traditional vegetable-based, MSG-free Japanese curry. It then expands to a mix of pastas, salads and seasonal daily specials, while keeping in mind the budget and time constraints of busy Downtown diners. The lunch rush at the 50-seat establishment on First Street in Little Tokyo starts around 11:30 a.m. It’s a hectic environment, and the Japanese native Fujita, with help from restaurant owner (and translator) Michael Cardenas, notes that diners are vocal about receiving fast service. Fujita, a pasta specialist at Tokyo’s Tableaux restaurant, came to Los Angeles in 1999 to work as executive chef for Hamasaku and Kumo restaurants, owned by talent agent Michael Ovitz. Now, he begins his day by visiting the Santa Monica Farmers Market and he shops for fish at a Downtown seafood market near Sixth and Alameda streets. He arrives at Fat Spoon at 9:30 a.m. to prepare his signature curry and make the breads.

Q: How much should people expect to spend on lunch at your place? A: A basic entree is $12, for example the Seafood Curry (which contains shrimp, calamari scallops and clams). The specials are $16$18, which could include Santa Barbara sea urchin pasta or Santa Barbara prawn pasta.

they’re what the chef is most interested in that day? A: I have been a chef for more than 25 years and I use my instinct and my experiences from the past. One special, which used flavors my mother used, was Salmon Potato Curry, which we used when salmon was prevalent and cost effective. I use seasonal ingredients. Recently, it has been hot, so we had chilled fruit salad, and on some occasions I will make a vegetable pasta with the fresh farmer’s market vegetables. Always ask about the specials. We usually have one off-menu item too, so be sure to ask. I follow my gut every day, using whatever is cost-efficient and in season.

Q: What’s your most popular lunch item? A: We have two. One is a pasta side dish called Tarako Pasta, which is a Japanese pasta with spicy cod roe, with manufacturing cream (a high fat cream) and butter, which we condense and put on top of the pasta. The other is the Pork Cutlet Curry, which is a pork cutlet that we lightly batter fry and serve with the curry.

Los Angeles Downtown News: What makes Downtown Los Angeles diners different from others? Hiro Fujita: I used to work in Beverly Hills,

Q: What’s the best way to get in and out fast during the lunch rush?

Q: Are daily specials the best options because



 Suim nner m i D ch and D Lun 

photo by Gary Leonard

Hiro Fujita oversees the kitchen at the 50-seat Fat Spoon on First Street in Little Tokyo.

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

Free Parking Next to Restaurant

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

Why Cook? 10 PieCe SPeCiAL

Now Accepting Credit Cards

We Deliver

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

Party Paks Available



GourmetLA

BAKERY LUNCH DINNER BREAD PASTRIES

Thighs & Legs

2 Downtown Locations

Tel/Fx:

226 e. 9th St.

TAX

✤ Delivery, Minimum Order $15 ✤ Party Tray Available ✤ Lunch Special $4.95 M-F 11-5, Sat.-Sun. 11-3

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

oNLy

$10.99

Authentic Chinese Cuisine in Chinatown

260 S. Broadway

(213) 626-4572

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

Tel/Fx:

(213) 623-9405

739-747 N. Main St., Los Angeles, 90012 213.680.3333 • Regentchinainn.com FREE PARKING

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Late night

So Good, So Fresh!

1903 West Olympic Blvd., L.A. 90006 213-385-5800 • myspotla.com

CAKES ICE CREAM COFFEE TEA DRINKS

548 S BROADWAY AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90013 BROADWAY BETWEEN 5TH & 6TH STREETS, GOURMETLABAKERY.COM HOURS, SATURDAY: 6:30AM – 8AM, SUNDAY: 7AM – 7PM

DeLivery avaiLaBLe

Sai Sai

Q: Are desserts popular during lunch in Downtown? A: We have a popular dessert made from scratch. It is our version of a sweet potato pie. It’s a whole sweet potato, which we bake, then take it out and mix with butter, flavors and custards. We stuff it back into the potato, bake it some more, pull it out and put vanilla ice cream on it. It’s $6 and it’s a game-changer. Fat Spoon is at 329 E. First St., (213) 6217890 or fatspoonfood.com

Regent China Inn

CorNer of BroADWAy & 3rd

with Tortillas & Salsa

A: The best time to come is after 1 p.m. That’s when things start to slow down. If you want the most time-efficient quality item that best represents Fat Spoon, get the Braised Beef Curry with rice. We also have Curry Pan, which is a homemade bread stuffed with beef and vegetable curry.

Buy one get one 50% off Entrees Only • Promo Code: Downtown News • Offer expires 9/30/12

happy hour everyDay 3-7 fuLL Bar • over 15 Beers on tap Watch aLL fights & games

Free Delivery Full Bar Free Parking Private Parties Welcome evenings (call for details)

NOODLE BAR

Beautiful Garden dininG

at Millennium Biltmore Hotel

Happy Hour Monday - Friday 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. $3 Beer ~ $4 Wine

Free Wi-Fi Sai Sai Noodle Bar

Asian Fusion Noodle Soup House Specialties: • Galbi Ramen • Kimchee Ramen • Lobster Miso Ramen @SaiSaiNoodleBar

213.624.1100 | 501 South Olive St., Los Angeles, CA 90071 M-F 11am-7pm | SaiSaiNoodleBar.com

1936 East 7th Street | Los Angeles, California 90021 | between Alameda & Mateo Monday through Friday 10:30am–2:30pm | phone: 213.623.4028 | fax: 213.629.4555

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 17

Let’s Do Lunch

Lunch With an Uncle

LUNCH

Grand Avenue Café Serves Chinese Fare To an Army of Regulars

GRAND OPENING SPECIAL 2 COURSES - $12 { SOUP OR SALAD & ENTREE } Food by Alex Reznik Al Fresco Dining / Valet Parking

photo by Gary Leonard

Uncle John’s Café serves American fare at breakfast. At lunch chef Randy Ng cooks up Chinese food.

by Jeff favre contributing writer

ncle John’s Café has the look and feel of a small-town diner. The restaurant near the corner of Eighth Street and Grand Avenue sees a heavy dose of regulars, including city employees and police officers (check out the review at 2hungrycops. com). Although the breakfast menu relies on typical American fare, at lunch the restaurant heads east, concentrating on Chinese food, including plenty of spicy options. Uncle John’s Café opened in 1975 and the Ng family took over in 2000. Two years ago they moved from a cramped Eighth Street space dominated by a long counter to a much more roomy, modern spot on the ground floor of the Stillwell Hotel. The more expansive and sophisticated dining room is twice the size of the original. It seats about 50. Chef Randy Ng, who starts his workday at 6:30 a.m., learned the trade from his dad, Wai Chun Ng. Los Angeles Downtown News: What makes Downtown Los Angeles diners different from others? Randy Ng: Downtown diners like to eat. They expect big portions, so we make sure to satisfy their hunger. They like to try different things. When we first took over I wasn’t sure people would like an American breakfast and a Chinese lunch, but people have embraced it. We have people who come in and eat the same thing every day, some who go back and forth between two or three things, and some people like to try something different all the time. Q: When does your lunch rush begin and how long does it last? A: The rush usually begins at 11:30 a.m. and it goes through about 1:30 p.m. It’s complicated because we have a lot of people come in all at once. We don’t deliver but we have takeout, so the kitchen can get really crazy. Q: How much should people expect to spend on lunch at your place? A: We have daily combos that are about $7, and some of the dishes are about $8 or $9. If you want to add a drink or add side orders, or make some substitutions, it can be about $12.

Q: What’s your most popular lunch item? A: One of our most popular items is our Spicy Pork Chops. We lightly batter the pork chop. We fry it up and we add our mixture of scallions and chili peppers and we put our special salt on it. Also popular is our chow mein, where you have a choice of shrimp or beef or chicken. Q: Do you have daily lunch specials? A: We don’t have changing specials. Our specials are the daily combos, served with steamed or fried rice, that we have carried on for 12 years. What we also have for our core customers is a secret menu. We do things that we never added to the menu. When a regular comes in and wants something different we can suggest something that is not on the menu. Or a customer may have seen someone working here eating something and say, “I want to give that a try.” For example, we have Chow Fun, which is a big, thick noodle. Regular customers know we have it. We also have a string bean plate, which a lot of people like with fish, and if it’s in season we will pick up some asparagus and make a plate with meat or fish. Q: What’s the best way to get in and out fast during the lunch rush? A: One of our quickest items is the Spicy Fish, which is prepared similarly to our Spicy Pork Chops. Or you can get the Spicy Orange Chicken. Q: What separates your Chinese food from others? A: I think it’s our flavors and our quality. A lot of Chinese restaurants have something like the Spicy Pork Chops, but people say ours tastes better because we use a better cut of meat. With some places, their Spicy Orange Chicken tastes like sweet-and-sour sauce, but with ours you can really taste the orange. We have good flavors. Q: Are desserts popular during lunch in Downtown? A: Customers have asked us, but so far we have not incorporated desserts into our menu. Uncle John’s Café is at 834 S. Grand Ave., (213) 623-3555 or ujcafe.com

O LY M P I C

LUX E CIT Y CENT ER HOT EL 1020 Sout h F igueroa St reet Los A ngeles, CA 90015 {facebook}

{twitter}

{foursquare}

213-743-7600 • F igOly.com

18 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Let’s Do Lunch

The

New Lunch Bunch

Ten Recently Opened Downtown Choices for a Mid-day Meal

photo by Gary Leonard

Industriel opened in May on the ground floor of the Milano Lofts. The farm-driven French fare includes an escargot panini. photo by Gary Leonard

Two Boots Pizza on Broadway mixes traditional pies with Cajun flavors. by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

or many people, lunch in Downtown is a ritual, or a chorus of small rituals: They go to the same spot day after day, or rotate among a few favorites, and order either the same meal or choose from between a few favorite dishes. It’s understandable — we are, after all, creatures of habit. There’s nothing wrong with that per se, but it does limit the options. That’s an important thing to consider, because in Downtown Los Angeles, the lunch selections are growing by leaps and bounds. The restaurant revolution that began several

years ago is not slowing down one bit. So even if you’ve got a favorite, some of the new spots are worth a try. Below is a list of 10 Downtown restaurants that have opened within the last year, and some of their intriguing mid-day meal choices. They range from French eateries to pizza joints to sandwich spots, so there’s something for all tastes. Don’t be afraid of choice, even if it forces you out of your comfort zone. Fresh French: The black and white images of worn-out farmers that adorn the entrance to Industriel are probably as far as you can get from the happy-face yellow star that greet-

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

Plan your next event in one of our

Banquet orviP rooms Chinese • Dim Sum • Seafood

ed customers when the spot was a Carl’s Jr. The cuisine is just as different, with a French “urban farm” approach replacing the fast food fare. The 95-seat, two-story Industriel opened in May, and lunch menu highlights include the escargot panini and a version of the club sandwich called Le Club, made with truffle ham, turkey and bacon. If you really miss Carl’s Jr., Industriel has a much better cheeseburger with Roquefort fondue, bacon and arugula on a brioche bun. There are plenty of salads too, and the restaurant makes its own sausages, cured sturgeon and gravlax as well as jams, chutneys and pickles. At 609 S. Grand Ave., (213) 488-8020 or industrielfarm.com.

They can all be ordered as a salad, sandwich or wrap (except for the soup, of course). A chalkboard menu details the daily specials. There are a couple of small tables outside, but Kitchen Faire is really ideal for a quick, casual meal or to grab some to-go orders for the rest of the office. At 512 W. Sixth St., (213) 347-0211 or kitchenfaire.com. Two Good: There are few things at lunch as satisfying as finding a good pizza joint. Add a dash of Cajun flair and a bit of New York attitude to that and you have Two Boots Pizza. The small NYC-based chain opened a 1,000-square-foot spot at 828 S. Broadway next to Broadway Bar in April. The restaurant has a large window providing a view of pizza dough being tossed. The mix of traditional pies and Louisiana-flecked pizzas can be made with toppings such as olives, mushroom or crawfish, spiced shrimp, tasso (Cajun ham) or Creole chicken. There’s more than just pizza too, with po’boy sandwiches and calzones on the menu. Like all good pizza joints, they deliver. At 826 S. Broadway, (213) 623-2100 or twoboots.com.

Faire Game: If you find a favorite sandwich, salad or wrap at Kitchen Faire, it may be a good idea not to get too attached — owner Owen Timoteo said the menu at the 600-square-foot restaurant is expected to change seasonally. “If it’s not at the farmer’s market, you shouldn’t have to eat it,” said Timoteo, a former video game developer who opened the Sixth Street spot in June. Current choices include the pear-apple Cubano made with smoked hickory ham and pear-apple compote, spicy ahi with a wasabi sriracha aioli and soups such as a tomato basil bisque.

Take it to the Trattoria: In July, Soleto

FREE DELIVERY

M.-F. 10am-9pm, Sat. 9am-10pm, Sun. 8:30-10pm

FINALLY... VEGAN FOOD THAT TASTES LIKE IT ISN’T. New Home of Hollywood’s Notorious BadAss Breakfast Sandwich & LA’s Voted #1 Vegan Reuben FREE Bike Delivery in DTLA; Catering & Curbside Pick Up, too.

SiLO Vodka Bar 221 West 7th St DTLA 90014 213-221-7956 Open daily from 12noon-2am

SiLO Slider Bar 225 West 7th St DTLA 90014 213-622-3033 Open daily from 11am-11pm

A Friendly Neighborhood Bistro

Escape to The Park for Lunch! Fresh Gourmet Sandwiches Starting at $5 Open 7 Days for lunch and dinner Sandwiches • Salads • Vegetarian

See you at The Park!

1400 Sunset Blvd. (Corner of Douglas) in Echo Park 213.482.9209 • www.thepark1400sunset.com

EAT NICE. LIVE NAUGHTY.

Our sandwiches will rock your world!

817 S Los Angeles St. | Ph: 213-623-3223 | TEXT ORDERING:213-810-7359 | www.localita.co

Buy 1 Combo Receive 2nd Combo at

50% OFF *Equal or Lesser Value. 1 coupon per customer, per visit. Expires 9/30/12

Gourmet Fast Casual Restaurant Since 1973 7 Days-7am to 10pm 1657 W. 3rd St. at Union Ave. • 213-483-8885

FREE Parking • We Do Catering *

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 19

Let’s Do Lunch

photo by Gary Leonard

Artisan House in the Historic Core is a market, deli, bar and restaurant.

Trattoria and Pizza Bar replaced the upscale Italian restaurant Zucca. The fare at the new 3,500-square-foot space is still Italian, but with a focus on the southern portion of the country and a more casual atmosphere, although it’s not too casual for a business lunch. At mid-day Soleto serves items including antipasti, salads, pizzas, panini and pastas; the latter includes a pumpkin ravioli and a perfectly al dente linguine with shrimp. If you’re going with pizza, try the truffle mushroom pie or the roasted chicken and artichoke; there’s also a more traditional pepperoni and sausage. Bigger lunch appetites may be filled with dishes like the branzino milanese or the balsamic-marinated skirt steak served with truffle cheese fries. At 801 S. Figueroa St., (213) 622-3255 or soletorestaurant.com. Open Wide and Say Ummm: The long wait for Downtown fans of Umami Burger

ended in March when the 7,000-square-foot Umamicatessen opened on Broadway. The response has been rapturous for specialties including the truffle burger, the Umami burger with the homemade ketchup and the hefty manly burger, with beer-cheddar cheese, onion rings and bacon. The space also holds a deli called The Cure, which serves matzo ball soup, pastrami, corned beef, chicken salad, lox and chicken liver. But wait, there’s more. The space has another counter, PIGG, that focuses on all sorts of pork dishes. Try the crispy pig ears or the hoof and mouth (yes, hoof and mouth), sandwich with pickled carrots and onions. At 852 S. Broadway, (213) 413-8626 or umami.com. Oly not Lonely: It’s interesting how many participants from TV cooking shows wind up in Downtown. The latest is former “Top Chef” contestant Alex Reznik, who in July opened FigOly in the Luxe City Hotel (for-

“B Thank yo e u Co st Fofor voting u urt od s for 2 012 !”

photo by Gary Leonard

Burgers, deli items and all things pig are served at Umamicatessen.

merly the Holiday Inn across from L.A. Live). The name comes from the restaurant’s location at Figueroa Street and Olympic Boulevard and the food is Californian cuisine with Northern Italian influences. For lunch this means dishes like tuna carpaccio, or the picante pizza made with pork shoulder sausage. In the seafood department there’s a barramundi served with red rice. Bigger appetites can opt for a 12-ounce skirt steak. At 1020 S. Figueroa St., (213) 743-7600 or figoly.com. Mo Mo Mo: Ricardo Zarate started Mo-Chica as a small food stand inside a market near USC in 2009. Three years later, Mo-Chica is

YOUR DOLLAR

YOUR Goes A DOLLAR Long Way At . . .

Goes A Long Way At...

r ea

an actual restaurant on Seventh Street that serves a refined version of Peruvian comfort food. Lunch may not be as speedy as at other restaurants, so plan on spending some time there chowing down on dishes such as the lomo saltado, a sautéed beef filet served with thick Kennebec fries, or the Peruvian seafood paella, a rich rice mix with scallops and octopus. Other highlights include the alpaca and lamb burger and the Cau Cau, a tripe stew made with potatoes. There is also the dish that many consider Zarate’s signature: his ceviche, made with halibut, prawns, scallops and squid. At 514 W. Seventh St., (213) 622-3744 or mo-chica.com. see Lunch, page 20

Come to

1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90026 • 213.481.1448

see why the readers of 1264 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90026, • 213.481.1448

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

Save $1

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

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

Just bring this coupon to the vendor of your choice.

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



Coupon expires 9/30/12.

(213) 624-2378

FREE www.grandcentralsquare.com

Free 1 hour parking with $10 minimum purchase; Courtesy of the City of Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation Metro redline passengers exit Pershing Square

Open 6 a.m. tO 10 p.m. Daily 1001 n. alameDa St. PLENTY OF FREE PARKING! (213) 628-3781 • philippes.com

Voted us...

20 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Let’s Do Lunch

Lunch Continued from page 19

photo by Gary Leonard

Mo-Chica, a Peruvian restaurant, is a Seventh Street hit with choices including ceviche, lomo saltado and an alpaca and lamb burger.

New in Towne: Those who get nostalgic over dishes like mac and cheese, pigs in a blanket and sweets such as Twinkies will find something to like at the $4 million Towne Food & Drink. The recently opened South Park spot puts a modern spin on the old-school dishes. For instance, the mac and cheese utilizes pasta rings and lobster, while pigs in a blanket is a hot dog made with a lobster sausage instead of a beef or pork frank. Also worth trying at lunch is the juicy, spiced grilled skirt steak, pastrami pork belly sliders, the crispy pork shank or the ground brisket burger. Desserts include some delicate, delightful macarons.

At 705 W. Ninth St., (213) 623-2366 or towne-la.com. A Xlixe of Life: Pizza is not the first thing most people will associate with Little Tokyo, but maybe they should. Xlixe Pizzeria Pies and Pints opened in Honda Plaza last August and serves New York style thin-crust pizza in a spot that previously housed a Vietnamese restaurant. The dough is made in-house and tossed before your eyes. Pies include the New Yorker, made with a secret ingredient they call “grandma sauce” (probably not made from real grandmas). There’s also the Furious Pig pie, with spicy marinated pork belly. Non-

photo by Gary Leonard

The $4 million Towne restaurant in South Park puts a modern spin on American comfort food dishes.

carnivores can try the Veggie, prepared with olives, bell peppers and mushrooms. Pizzas are also sold by the slice, and two slices should be enough for most appetites. While pizza is the specialty, the sandwiches and pastas are worth trying. The spicy salami panini and the Baller, a meatball sandwich, are wise choices. At 432 E. Second St., (213) 620-0513 or xlixe.com. In the House: Is Artisan House a restaurant? Is it a deli? Is it a bar? Is it a market? Is it open for lunch? The answer to all those questions is yes. The 5,900-square-foot Historic Core

establishment opened in December as a onestop-shop for all culinary needs. For those just seeking lunch, the menu includes salads, soups, shared plates and heftier entrees such as salmon with sautéed portobello mushroom with chimichurri sauce, a short rib burger, a lobster grilled cheese sandwich and an ovenroasted turkey breast. Shared plates include wild boar meatballs, truffle beets and feta, house-cured salmon and spicy tuna tartare. At 600 S. Main St., (213) 622-6333 or artisanhouse.net. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

Holid H olidaayy P Parties arties Catering

Have a great party space? Do you cater? Let the readers know in our annual catering section.

Special section publishes September 10, 2012

For more info call 213-481-1448.

Downtown News 21

DowntownNews.com

photo by Ariele Hertzoff

CALENDAR David Cross

photo by Ryan Russell

Against Me!

AUG 6

ws! e N E r o f p ✔ Sign U Dinosaur Jr.

E-NEWS

ews.com or DowntownN nd corner at aillist ha ht rig r s/m e uppe symbol in th ntownnews.com/form Look for this www.ladow

Beirut

Refused

Starts August 10

P SIGN UCan’t The Miss Acts at the Two-Day Downtown Show

n recent years, the FYF Fest has become a can’t miss event for local indie music fans. This year, it’s twice as big as ever — that’s because the organizers have expanded to two days of shows at the Los Angeles State Historic Park. Nearly 90 bands and comedians will perform in the park on the edge of Chinatown on Sept. 1-2. The lineup is a mix of punk and independent acts with veterans, newcomers and some reunited bands. The plentitude makes it impossible to catch everything, so Los Angeles Downtown News has compiled a list of some of the most interesting performers. Saturday Refused: Swedish hardcore punks Refused nrecently reunited ntow News .Dow .Afar om/L after more than a decade apart. So their reunion has taken .c k o o b ce Fa them to events including Coachella and New York’s cavernous Terminal 5. They’re known for their political edge and melding bits of metal and some funky grooves into the songs.

AUG 13

n! a F a e m o c Be

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

Redd Kross: The L.A. based punk-pop favorites released their first EP back in 1980. Although there have been plenty of lineup changes along the way, the act has always been rooted in the charismatic brothers Steve and Jeff McDonald. They had a kind-of hit in 1990 with “Annie’s Gone” and another one three years later with “Jimmy’s Fantasy,” but their most passionate fans still adore records like the wiggly, catchy 1987 Neurotica. The band went on hiatus in 1999 but reunited in 2006 and just released a new album, Researching the Blues. It’s the group’s seventh studio album and first collection of new songs in 15 years.

AUG 20

s! w e N E r o f ✔ Sign Up

ews.com or

ntownN make Simian Mobile Disco: James Ford and James Shaw rner at Dow right hand co rms/maillist r pe up e th com/fo is symbol inand wremain upESimian -NEWS Mobile ntownnews.a prominent name in Look for thDisco, www.lado UP N IG S the electronic dance music scene. The duo’s first album was 2007’s Attack Decay Sustain Release. They’re known for their energetic live sets that usually include a pulsating light show.

M83: Anthony Gonzalez is the man behind French electronic act M83. The music is a heavy mix of instrumentals and electronic sounds, with the lyrics delivered in a soft, almost spoken tone. M83’s new album, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, is a two-volume, 22-track monster that Billboard called “confident, grand and outrageously beautiful.” It’s doubtful wheth-

AUG 27

er any of the kids in the FYF Fest crowd will have read the Billboard review, but there you go. Quicksand: The New York band broke up in 1999 after Redd Kross their sophomore album, but their cult has remained strong. Check Our Website for Full Movie Listings LADowntownNews.com Quicksand formed in 1990 and drew comparisons to posthardcore groups like Fugazi. They were also the first headliner of Bright Eyes (who is laso performing). Their last release was of the Warped tour, way back in 1995. They reunited this year. 2008’s Fascination, which included the single “The Geeks Were Right.” The band has been relatively quiet since, but like so The Sklar Brothers: Twin comedy duo Randy and Jason many others on the FYF Fest bill, they’re ready to ramp things Sklar are known for their tag team delivery on stage, with one up again. This will be their first Los Angeles show since 2009. brother often completing the other’s sentences. They’ve been everywhere over the years, from the short-lived MTV show Aesop Rock: He’s been compared to Kool Keith and Del tha Starts Aug. 15&17 “Apartment 2F” to appearances on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Funkee Homosapien. His rapid-fire lyrics are abstract and and “Grey’s Anatomy,” where they played conjoined twins. layered over dark beats. He is Aesop Rock, also known as They currently write and appear in a regular segment on Ian Bavitz, and was one of the most popular rappers in the ESPN’s SportsCenter called “The Bracket.” alternative rap scene of the late 1990s. His first major album Sunday was 2000’s Float and this year he released Skelethon. Cool fact: Dinosaur Jr.: Fans of 1990s alternative music will instantly rec- In 2007 he composed a 45-minute piece for Nike’s Original ognize a Dinosaur Jr. song. J. Mascis has a gloomy but catchy Run series, a continuous song meant to be listened to while vocal style, but what really sticks out is his guitar playing — his jogging. use of controlled feedback and distortion drew accolades and Check Our Website for Full Movie Listings LADowntownNews.com huge numbers of fans. Bassist Lou Barlow was an equally big Beirut: Zach Coldon started Beirut as a solo project in his component, and the group drew serious buzz in 1993 with the New Mexico bedroom. The multi-instrumentalist mixes single “Start Choppin.” The only problem was that Mascis and Balkan folk, indie and other world sounds in songs heavily Barlow reportedly detested each other. They broke up in 1995. influenced by his travels. He first gained a following with his Somehow, they resolved their differences and reunited in 2005. 2006 debut Gulag Orkestar, which was recorded mostly in his They have released three albums since their comeback. bedroom. The newest album is The Rip Tide. Expect upbeat horns and somber strings. Against Me!: The Florida punk band has been in the news lately, but not for their sound. In a May Rolling Stone article, David Cross: Cross is one of the funniest guys around. He lead singer Tom Gabel announced that he is transitioning into dominates wherever he goes, from his roles in “The Ben August 24 Show” to the killer HBO series “Mr. Show” to his dropa woman. Gabel now goes by the name Laura JaneStarts Grace and is Stiller still fronting the band. Against Me! is known for their outspo- dead performance as the sexually questionable Tobias Funke ken political bent, Gabel’s growling lyrics (less growling these on “Arrested Development.” He began performing stand-up days) and furious live shows — in 2006 Spin magazine named at age 17 and has had roles in films including Men in Black them one of the 25 greatest live bands. Their newest album is II and Year One. If you’re ever bored and have a high-speed White Crosses, produced by Butch Vig of Garbage. Internet connection, YouTube his appearances as Donnie, a pretend-dimwitted character on “Just Shoot Me.” Check Our Website for Full Movie Listings LADowntownNews.com The Faint: The Omaha, Neb. based indie group was formed by The FYF Fest is Sept. 1-2 at Los Angeles State Historic Park, skaters Todd Fink, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechele. They were 1245 N. Spring St. Tickets at fyffest.com. originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst Contact Richard Guzman at richard@downtownnews.com.

an! F a e m o c e B ntownNews om/L.A.Dow Facebook.c

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

Starts Aug. 29&31

Check Our Website for Full Movie Listings LADowntownNews.com

photo courtesy of Redd Kross

photo courtesy of FYF Fest

photo by courtesy of Dinosaur Jr.

FYF Fest

photo by Dennis Blomberg

Rockin’ Out at the

M83

photo courtesy of M83

August 27, 2012

22 Downtown News

Twitter/DowntownNews

August 27, 2012

WHAT’S IN STORE

7th Exotic Wheels Skid Row Car Emporium Pimps Your Ride by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

n most cars, the wheels are considered simple if obligatory components. They’re like a carpenter’s boots — sturdy, dependable, but not eye-catching. At 7th Exotic Wheels, a tire specialist in Skid Row, they treat wheels like designer shoes for the modern executive. The custom wheel emporium opened at Seventh Street and Central Avenue last November to cater to the luxury car driver not satisfied with the standard look of factory rims, or those who simply want standout wheels for a standard ride. As part of a recurring series on Downtown retail, Los Angeles Downtown News looks at what’s in store. Are Those Twenty-Sixes?!: They sure are. 7th Exotic Wheels sells high-end rims in a range of sizes, starting at 17 inches (an economy sedan generally calls for 15-inch rims) and rising all the way to 32 inches. The “thirty-twos” are rare and not always in stock, mostly because few customers come looking for them. The largest wheels regularly on the showroom floor, at 26 inches, seem plenty big enough. A set of four aluminum 26-inch rims by the brand Giovanna, which would fit a Cadillac Escalade or other large SUV, go for about $3,100. The price includes a compatible wheel and installation. Hot Wheels: The 7,000-square-foot Seventh Street shop is actually something of a satellite to the 7-year-old Rush Exotic Rims at Central Avenue near 14th Street. The owners of the wheel depot opened the Seventh Street location to focus on high-end wheels, said Colin Padilla, the company’s marketing director. The original store feels like a garage — it’s where wheels get painted or altered with high-tech (and loud) machines. 7th Exotic Wheels is more like a boutique: a mural depicts a car-loving supermodel and the place is spit-shine clean. This year, the shop plans to add a VIP lounge for mem-

photo by Gary Leonard

The off the beaten track location makes a large warehouse affordable — the store fills 7,000 square feet of space.

photo by Gary Leonard

Colin Padilla of 7th Exotic Wheels, where wheel sets go for $900 to $10,000.

Custom Cut: Car manufacturers do not design their accessories and parts with universal metrics. In other words, rims are not one-size-fits-all-cars. That’s why many of the high-end pieces at 7th Exotic Wheels come without holes cut for the lug nuts that attach them to the car. The shop uses a special machine to drill the holes specifically to fit the metrics of the make, model and year of the customer’s vehicle.

bers. “It’ll be like Morton’s,” Padilla said. Same Day Service: Padilla, who was a Rush customer before he joined the company, said that the business is one of few shops in the region that stocks enough inventory so customers can get in and out in one day (at many shops, customers choose from model rims, and then the store has to order a set). The Total Package: Depending on the size, model and level of customization, a set of four rims will run from about $900 to $10,000. Do you want your rims to have electric yellow spokes? Do you want the rims to mirror the taupe paint job on your Benz? Those are extra. Generally, Padilla said, buyers opt for the “full package,” which includes rims, tires, lug nuts and installation. “We want the customer to be able to come in, pick what they like, we do everything and they roll away happy,” Padilla said.

Why Skid Row: If you’re a customer at 7th Exotic Wheels, you’re pushing a nice ride, plain and simple (or you’re putting four-figure rims on a beat-up Hyundai and have questionable money management skills). Either way, do you really want to roll down Seventh Street through Skid Row in your prized four-wheeler? Padilla said the location makes sense for several reasons, with affordable rent being the prime driver. Large spaces are hard to find, especially ones that offer parking (the shop is in a former fish factory). Plus, Seventh Street offers close proximity to high-end clients, including those who hold executive positions in Financial District office towers. “They’re driving through here anyway,” Padilla said. Contact: 7th Exotic Wheels is at 1225 E. Seventh St., or (213) 239-9795. It is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. every day. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 23

DowntownNews.com

The ‘Don’t Miss’ List

EVENTS

See Outfest’s Shorts, Bang the Drums, and Say Goodbye to the Butterflies

photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

At the Natural History Museum, the seasonal Butterfly Pavilion is shutting its doors and ceasing the fluttering of delicate wings. The 53 intrepid species of lepidoptera must rest and reproduce over the long winter so as to hibernate during the taxing bacchanalia that is USC football at the Coliseum. Monday, Sept. 3, is your last chance to wander amidst the butterflies in the special pavilion set up on the front lawn of the Exposition Park attraction. Alas ye butterfly lovers, all good things must come to an end, but like karma and taxes, so too do these things return. See you next spring, butterflies. At 900 Exposition Boulevard, (213) 763-3466 or nhm.org.

photo courtesy Kristin Hersh

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

Heads bob, willfully determined to fight the growing narcolepsy. Minimal lighting bounces off of copious flannel and ironic facial hair. But fear not, indie rockers, for there is hope. Punk styled six-string maven and former Throwing Muses frontwoman Kristin Hersh is invading the Bootleg Theater on Tuesday, Aug. 28. She may not rock you like a hurricane, but she will destroy complacency and subtly shock you into vigorous head shaking and inadvertent motion. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org.

photo courtesy Outfest

July’s Outfest in Downtow n earned heaps of praise and attention. But the folks behind the country’s oldest gay and lesbian film festival aren’t packing it in until ne xt year. They’ve got plenty to share, and they con tinue to do so with the monthly Downtown 30 series. On Wednesday, Au g. 29, at the Downtown Independe nt, Outfest presents a select ion of the finest short films from the rec ent festival. From narrative to documentary and light-hearted hu mor to dark tragedy, Downtow n 30 features the full spectrum of cinematic delights, among them Janella Lacson’s First Date (sh own here). Showtime is 9 p.m . at 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-10 33 or downtownindependen t.com.

Would the critics who have denigrated modern art for its lack of relevance please direct their attention to Ends of the Earth: Land Art to 1974. The exhibit, in its last week at MOCA’s Geffen Contemporary, finds the elemental aspect of earth as inspiration, backdrop and collaborator in a series of, you guessed it, Earth-related works. The show hits an intriguing sweet spot between scenic work and contemplative meditations on our tumultuous relationship with our planet. Remember, the Geffen is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and the exhibit will be taken down on Sept. 3. At 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org.

Keith Arnatt, Liverpool Beach Burial, 1968, courtesy Maureen Paley, London and the Estate of Keith Arnatt

The good folks at the Music Center are here again to remind Downtown that drum circles aren’t just for Occupy L.A. The Saturday, Sept. 1, installment of Drum Downtown invites the public to take part in a collective act of rhythm free from radical politics. All talent and experience levels from beginner to Neil Peart are welcome to indulge. The theme at the event on the Music Center Plaza is Pitch and Percussion, and instructors will call attention to the various and sundry ways in which the things you hit can make lovely noises. Prepare for percussive melodies, ditties and haunting airs. It starts at 10 a.m. at 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 9727211 or musiccenter.org.

sunday, septeMber 2 Sunday Studio at MOCA MOCA, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org. 1 p.m.: Indulge in a veritable Mark Rothko extravaganza as Red plays at the Music Center and MOCA hosts guided tours of his work and offers special insights into the artist’s life and perspective.

Continued on next page

2. 1.

Monday, august 27 Open Mic at the Last Bookstore 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com. 8 p.m.: Hop up on stage and perform a poem, acoustic song or pointed rant in Downtown’s finest open mic nights, where the other participants are warm and supportive and the books are silently judgmental.

Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Aug. 28: Adam Benjamin/Jason Harnell Duo. Aug. 29: Latin jazz residency. Aug. 30: Vardan Ovsepian. Aug. 31: Mark de Clive-Lowe Group. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Aug. 27, 8 p.m.: The final night of the extended saga that is Meg Myers’ residency. Will she find satisfaction or will she be forced to move back to Tennessee? Find out this week. Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Former Throwing Muses singer and all around special person Kristin Hersh. Aug. 28, 8:30 p.m.: Veteran L.A. act Spain is back with a new album and some classy support by super punker Mike Watt and the Missing Men. Aug. 29, 8 p.m.: What will Mike Andrews do when his silky smooth residency ends? Aug. 30, 8 p.m.: Chicano Batman value their superhero anonymity so they choose to hypnotize audiences with vintage surf rock and soul influenced jams. Aug. 31, 8 p.m.: Billy Ray Cyrus is playing the Bootleg, which is a sure-fire sign that the apocalypse is nigh and that it’s time for me to move into a log cabin above Mono Lake and watch the end of days. Sept. 1, 8 p.m.: Irreverent rock squad Nerf Herder is back and as scruffy as ever. Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m.: Heartfelt guitarist Javier Dunn has some good feelin’ tunes. Broadway Bar 830 S. Broadway, (213) 614-9909 or broadwaybar.la. Aug. 30, 10 p.m.: Each week HM Soundsystem gets especially jazzed to fill Broader Than Broadway with their electronica mixes. Casey’s Irish Pub 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com. Aug. 31, 10 p.m.: Noise pop from Central Valley

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

photo courtesy Music Center

SPONSORED LISTINGS Under the Sheet Music Film Series Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., (213) 8474970 or laparks.org/pershingsquare. Aug. 31, 8 p.m.: Late great Clash frontman Joe Strummer is the subject of The Future Is Unwritten. Autumn Lights L.A. 2012 Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., (213) 247-8800, autumnlightsla.com, facebook.com/autumnlightsla or twitter.com/autumnlightsla. Sept. 22, 6 p.m.-1 a.m.: Autumn Lights L.A. is a multi-media light art spectacle now in its eighth year. Experience interactive light art, installations, performances, projections, live music and more. All lights by local and international artists. Live feed will be available. Stay tuned on Facebook and Twitter. Bands include Killsonic, We Funk, Ruby Friedman Orchestra, Easter Conference Champions ECC and Kings of Spade. Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St, (213) 625-7382, facebook.com/bar107 or twitter.com/bar107. Every Monday, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: Ten beers are $2 each. Jameson shots are $4. Wells are $5. Thursday, Aug. 30, 10 p.m.: GhettoBlaster is DJ’ing so the dance floor will be packed. Wells are $5; $4 drafts; and $3 PBR & Busch. Dancing starts at 10 p.m.

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

24 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

Continued from previous page wizards The Quiet Americans. Club Nokia 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or clubnokia.com. Sept. 1 and 2, 1 p.m.: Freestyle Session Battles is exactly that. Onlookers check their awe as quickwitted MCs duke it out with great lingual prowess. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Aug. 31, 10 p.m.: Awakening features an extended set by W&W. FYF Fest 1245 N. Spring St., (323) 441-8819 or parks.ca.gov. Sept. 1 and 2: FYF Fest returns with blistering, summer closing indie explosions. See story p. 21. Levitt Pavilion 2230 W. Sixth St., (213) 384-5701 or levittla.org. Aug. 30, 7 p.m.: Authentic Jamaican reggae spouts forth from Don Carlos. Aug. 31, 7 p.m.: Another cumbia act? Say it ain’t so! Buyepongo. Nola’s 734 E. 3rd St., (213) 680-3003 or nolasla.com. Aug. 27 and 29: Aalon. Aug. 28: Sharon Ridley with her famous concoction of piano and vocals. Aug. 30: Cal State Long Beach Jazz with Eric Hagstrom. Aug. 31: The 20-year Los Angeles reunion of the Umoja Hi-Fi Soundsystem. One-Eyed Gypsy 901 E. First St., (626) 340-3529 or one-eyedgypsy.com. Aug. 29: RT N the 44s. Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or

heredwoodbar.com. Aug. 27: The Yiffs and Spaceships. Aug. 28: Dethtrip Forever, Them Howling Bones and The Ugly Kids. Aug. 29: Michael Van London and Wojcik. Aug. 30: Images, L.A. Drugz, Knight Stalker and the Wild Ones. Aug. 31: CH3. Sept. 1: White Murder. Sept. 2, 2 p.m.: Electric Children and the Hi Z’s. Sept. 2, 3 p.m.: Abby Hankins. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la. Aug. 27: daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra veteran Double G will be in the house, congratulating Seven Grand on opening a doppelganger in San Diego. Aug. 28: Down San Diego way, they think they have some hot action going with jazz singer Erika Davies, but they don’t know squat about a good time ’til they’ve heard the Makers on a Tuesday. Aug. 29: Deacon Jones Blues Review and its bombastic Hammond organ solos are exactly the sort of thing that doesn’t play well down in San Diego. The Smell 247 S. Main St., alley between Spring and Main streets, thesmell.org. Aug. 27: “Free Pussy Riot” benefit concert featuring Vivian Girls, Bleached, Pangea and Haim. Aug. 29: Jounce and Gun Outfit. Aug. 31: This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb, Shellshag and Moses Campbell.

FILM Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or

N YM W O T N W M-DO

downtownindependent.com. Aug. 27, 9 p.m.: A monthly slate of short films screens during Salute Your Shorts. IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 7442019 or californiasciencecenter.org. Explore the remnants and wisdom of an ancient empire in Mysteries of Egypt. Ice and polar bear enthusiasts will likely dig To the Arctic 3D. Experience the gripping story full of hope, crushing disappointment and triumph in Hubble 3D. Under the Sheet Music Film Series Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., (213) 847-4970 or laparks.org/pershingsquare. Aug. 31, 8 p.m.: Late great Clash frontman Joe Strummer is the subject of The Future Is Unwritten.

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE Fiesta The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. Sept. 1-2, 2:30 p.m.: Fiesta is a south of the border marionette extravaganza featuring everything from skating sombreros to dancing cacti. It was first presented at the theater in 1964, and still resonates today with children of all ages. Call for reservations. Mary Poppins 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7231 or centertheatregroup.com. Aug. 28-31, 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 1-2, 2 and 7:30 p.m.: Clean out your chimneys, take a spoonful of sugar and get down with a nanny and a chimneysweep in Mary Poppins. Through Sept. 2.

Red 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7231 or centertheatregroup.com. Aug. 21-24, 8 p.m., Aug. 25, 2:30 and 8 p.m. and Aug. 26, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m.: Behold the fury of Mark Rothko, celebrated bad boy of the art world, as powerful pigments and opinions splatter the canvases of his newly commissioned works for New York’s luxurious Four Seasons restaurant. Paint collides with canvas live on stage, and Alfred Molina is in control as the late artist. Through Sept. 9.

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

EASy wAyS TO SubMIT yOuR

EvENT INFO

4 wEb: LADowntownNews.com/calendar 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.

B M I L C R I A T S LOS ANGELES KETCHU

FOR

FRIDAY SEPT. 28

www.YMCAStairClimb.org Asian American Economic Development Enterprises Presents:

CAREER EXPO 2012

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7, 2012 10am to 3pm Los Angeles Convention Center 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015

FREE ADMISSION!

$12 parking fee.

web: www.aaede.org | email: info@aaede.org | call: 626-572-7021

I SUSeH T ers Original Revolving d S a E R ED B News

VOT.A. Downtown by L

Sushi Counter in LA!

RESTAURANTS

Featuring

sashimi, yakitori, Tempura, different kinds of sushi open 7 days a week, 11 am - 10 pm 120 Japanese Village plaza (Little Tokyo)

(213) 680-0567

Validated Parking (Enter on Central Ave.) or use DASH Route A–Bus

FIND OUT WHAT TO EAT AND WHERE TO EAT

LADOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

SPOTLIGHT ON

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 25

DowntownNews.com

CLASSIFIED

plaCe your ad online aT www.ladownTownnews.Com

FOR RENT

L.a. downtown news Classifieds Call: 213-481-1448 Classified Display & Line ad Deadlines: Thursday 12 pm REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL

Guest house

Mt. Washington

Lofts for saLe

WITH VIEW Private Guest House for Rent

TheLoftExpertGroup.com

Including Utilities, DSL Cable, Washer/Dryer, Central Air & Heat

Downtown since 2002

818-640-9161

Bill Cooper

213.598.7555

50% OFF Ocean Front Condos! 2BR/2BA was $700K now $399,000. Acquired from Bank 1 hour Vancouver, 2 hours Seattle. 1-888-99-Marin (62746) X 5417. (Cal-SCAN)

GaraGe

5500 Square Feet AUTO REPAIR, STORAGE, MFG., STUDIO PROPS. 715 Garland Ave. 5 Blocks West of 7+FIG

Owner: 310-858-1718 apartments/furnished

homes for saLe EAGLE ROCK/ South Pasadena. Home for sale. 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths. $735,000. agent # 01259540 323-770-3468.

FOR RENT

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

drivers

Labor/warehouse

LeGaL

ATTENTION: DRIVERS Apply Now, 13 Driver Positions. Top 5% Pay, 401K, Great Insurance. New KW Conventionals. Need CDL Class A Driving Experience. 877-258-8782. (Cal-SCAN)

FREE TRAINING: Manufacturing Technicians/Process Operators Orientations: August 6,7,9,13,14,16,20,21,23 @10am 3550 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 500, LA Call 213-805-4227 to RSVP

LOOKING FOR Joseph Carlton Morgan Please call (323)7624634 or contact L.A. Superior Court Case #BD559659 (323)762-4634

DRIVERS - ANNUAL Salary $45K to $60K. $0.01 increase per mile after 6 months. Quarterly Bonuses. CDL-A, 3 months current OTR experience. 800414-9569 www.DriveKnight.com (Cal-SCAN)

professionaL

$1,400/mo.

Garage Building

Condos/townhouses

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

NEAR DOWNTOWN. $370/mo. Private room/Private entrance. Want woman to share kitchen and bath with another woman. Furnished. Utilities paid. Quiet, garden, lobby, references. 213250-7893.

SERVICES

Market Research Analyst: Master’s in Business Admin required. $33,467 yearly. Fax resume: Meg Company (310)798-4957 Hermosa Beach (310) 372-8033

DRIVERS - ONLY 6 Months Experience Needed! Pets Welcome. $250 Orientation Pay! Up to 38 CPM. O/O’s, Lease-Purchase Drivers Needed. CDL-A. OTR 48-states. 888-476-1514. (Cal-SCAN)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

DRIVERS: NO experience? Class A CDL Driver Training. We Train and Employ! Experienced Drivers also Needed! Central Refrigerated. 1-877-369-7091. www.CentralTruckDrivingJobs. com (Cal-SCAN)

attorneYs

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

Get your Green Card or CitiZenship Law Office of H. Douglas Daniel Esq., (213) 689-1710

ADVERTISE YOUR Truck Driver Jobs in 240 California newspapers for one low cost of $600. Your 25 word classified ad reaches over 6 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)288-6019. (CalSCAN) ADVERTISE YOUR vacation property in 240 California newspapers for one low cost of $600. Your 25 word classified ad reaches over 6 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)288-6019. (CalSCAN) REACH CALIFORNIANS with a classified in almost every county! Experience the power of classifieds! Combo~California Daily and Weekly Networks. One order. One payment. Free Brochures. elizabeth@cnpa.com or (916)288-6019. (Cal-SCAN) CLeaninG CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants. Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818-409-9183.

eduCation ATTEND COLLEGE Online from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Criminal Justice, *Hospitality. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 888-210-5162 www.CenturaOnline.com (Cal-SCAN)

eLderLY Care MEDICAL ALERT for Seniors - 24/7 monitoring. Free Equipment. Free Shipping. Nationwide Service. $29.95/Month CALL Medical Guardian Today 866944-5935. (Cal-SCAN)

finanCiaL serviCes EVER CONSIDER a Reverse Mortgage? At least 62 years old? Stay in your home & increase cash flow! Safe & Effective! Call Now for your FREE DVD! Call Now 888-698-3165. (Cal-SCAN) GET FREE of credit card dept now! Cut payments by up to half. Stop creditors from calling. 888416-2691. (Cal-SCAN)

franChise opportunitY

advertisinG

Computers/it

heaLth

START NOW! Open Red Hot Dollar, Dollar Plus, Mailbox, Discount Party, Discount Clothing, Teen Store, Fitness Center from $51,900 worldwide! www. DRSS25.com. 1-800-518-3064. (Cal-SCAN)

ADVERTISE A Display Business Card sized ad in 140 California newspapers for one low cost of $1,550. Your display 3.75x2” ad reaches over 3 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)288-6019. (CalSCAN)

MY COMPUTER Works! Computer problems? Viruses, spyware, email, printer issues, bad internet connections - FIX IT NOW! Professional, U.S.-based technicians. $25 off service. Call for immediate help. 1-888-8650271 (Cal-SCAN)

24/7 EMERGENCY response $1/day. Living alone? You could fall! Deaths from falls can be avoided. Help is a button push away. Lifewatch 1-800-2074078. (Cal-SCAN) Continued on next page

store 1800 SQUARE Ft. Manufacturing - Retail - Show Room - Storage. 1226 West 7th St. Owner 310-858-1718.

Lofts/unfurnished

oLd bank District The original Live/Work Lofts from $1,295 Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, Parking adjacent. Pets no charge Call 213.253.4777 laloft.com

the LOFT expert!

EMPLOYMENT Downtown since 2002 manaGement ENTRY-LEVEL managers. Marketing, Training, Sales. Los Angeles and Pasadena areas. Email resume to lahr@ailla.com

Bill Cooper 213.598.7555 TheLoftExpertGroup.com RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE

DRE # 01309009

Voted BEST Downtown Residential Real Estate Agent!

Real Estate Specialist of San Gabriel Valley Proudly serving the communities of San Gabriel, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Montebello and El Monte.

Cal Best Realty Emi Terauchi

Realtor / Notary

Lic.No.00810238 English/Japanes/Chinese speaking emiterauchi@yahoo.com (626) 786-9086

Children’s Performing Group

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

SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433

Eﬃciency/Studio (285-308 sq ft)

Artist Eﬃciency/Studio (307-420 sq ft)

Artist Loft / 1 bedroom

(567-770 sq ft)

is your teen experiencing:

adolescent support group now forming ages 13-17 Low fee (323) 662-9797

Clean furnished single rooms. 24-hour desk clerk service. •Daily, $30.00 •Weekly, $109.00 •Monthly, $310.00 (213) 622-1508 423 East 7th St.

(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.) Starting Jan. 1, 2011

456 S. Main St. - In The Heart Of Art Walk For Info Call 213.623.9730 ext. 290 or email: newgenesis@skidrow.org

Secure Gated Entry Eﬃciency Kitchens Secured Parking

Call marney stofflet, LCsw 4344 fountain ave. (at sunset), suite a Los angeles, Ca 90029

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

Utilities & WiFi INCLUDED!

Perfect For Artists Large Open Courtyard On-Site Laundry Facillities

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

• School problems? • Conflict at home or with friends?

madison hotel

- $665 - $738 - $949

Take us home

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

ADOPT (OR FOSTER) your forever friend from Bark Avenue Foundation. Beautiful, healthy puppies, dogs, cats and kittens are available. Call Dawn at 213-840-0153 or email Dawn@BarkAveLA.com or visit www.Bark Avenue Foundation.org.

Monthly from $600 utilities paid. (213) 612-0348

premiere Towers

Elevate Your Lifestyle @ PE Lofts Today! ■ Covered On-Site Parking ■ 24 Hr. State of the Art Fitness Center ■ Heated Pool and Spa ■ Rooftop Lounge with Cabanas, Fireplace and BBQs (866) 561-0275 • PELOFTS.COM • 610 S. Main, Downtown LA NOW HIRING!!

7000 sqft. Basement Space ✦ set up for Gallery/Office space

Apply in Person at our location in Los Angeles, for the following positions:

• w/Gallery Lights • Wide Private (Spring St.) Entrance • Ideal for Art Gallery, SPA, Office Space • Wired for internet service/telephone outlets • Prime Location in Downtown (Gallery row, residential area, wine bar, café, market)

All Shifts - 6pm - 6am • Must be 18 + w/ ID to Apply: Déjà Vu Showgirls - After Hours - Los Angeles 710 E. Commercial St., LA, CA 90012 (213) 213-1112 • Dejavu.com

CALL For PrICE

213.627.6913 | cityloftsquare.com d o w n T o w n n e w s . C o m

• Wait Staff • Hostess • Security Guard must have Guard Card

26 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

Continued from previous page

ATTENTION DIABETICS with Medicare. Get a Free Talking Meter and diabetic testing supplies at No Cost, plus Free home delivery! Best of all, this meter eliminates painful finger pricking! Call 888-781-9376. (Cal-Scan) ATTENTION SLEEP Apnea Sufferers with Medicare. Get Free CPAP Replacement Supplies at No Cost, plus Free home delivery! Best of all, prevent red skin sores and bacterial infection! Call 888-699-7660. (Cal-SCAN) CANADA DRUG Center is your choice for safe and affordable medications. Our licensed Canadian mail order pharmacy will provide you with savings of up to 90 percent on all your medication needs. Call Today 866723-7089 for $10.00 off your first prescription and free shipping. (Cal-SCAN)

OVER 30 Million Women Suffer From Hair Loss! Do you? If So We Have a Solution! Call Keranique to find out more 888-6900395. (Cal-SCAN)

SELL YOUR unwanted gold jewelry and Get Cash! Ranked #1 on NBC`s Today Show SellYourGold. Call to Request a Free Appraisal 1- 888-650-1019. (Cal-SCAN)

Legal

PSYCHOTHERAPY

SOCIAL SECURITY Disability Benefits Win or Pay Nothing! Start your Application In Under 60 Seconds. Call Today! Contact Disability Group, Inc. Licensed Attorneys & BBB Accredited. Call 877-490-6596. (Cal-SCAN)

Anxiety, depression, relationship, and other issues. Contemplative, analytic approach. Individuals, couples, adolescents. 7th/Fig. tfordmft.com Marriage and Family Therapist #49861 213400-3474

Misc. Services

2008 NISSAN ROGUE Gotham Gray/Silver, AWD, ABS, CU0714P /188220. Only... $13,995. Call 888-845-2267 2009 AUDI A5 QUATTRO PREMIUM Certified, AWD, Only 13,144 Miles, White/Blk. ZA10405 /BA073241. Only... $38,980. Call 888-583-0981 2009 PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS Certified, Silver/Black, Pano. Roof, Navi., Bose. ZP1500 /9LA62364. Only... $57,898. Call 888-685-5426.

AUTOS

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

2007 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB SE Low miles, 4.0L, 6 Cyl., ABS, and more, N121283-1 /7C429668. Only... $14,499.Call 888-838-5089

PRE-OWNED

2009 VW PASSAT TURBO Certified, White/Beige, Leather, Moonroof. ZV1679 /9P001079. Only... $18,480. Call 888-7818102.

Downtown L.A. AUTO GROUP

Do you have something to sell?

_____

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:

FREE! $11.50 $14.00 $16.50 $19.00

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

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

With a circulation of State Check $

Zip Credit Card $

47,000,

our classifieds get results!

Ad Copy: _________________________________________

Ad Prices

________________________________________________

SAVE OVER $800 when you switch to DISH. Promotional prices start at $19.99 a month. Call Today and ask about Next Day Installation. 800-305-1028. (Cal-SCAN)

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

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

THE ANSWER

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

Over 1000 FREE! $11.50 $14.00 $16.50 $19.00

All ads run for 2 weeks. Ads may renewed For abe complete list ofafter our pre-owned to two weeks forinventory, 50% offgothe www.DTLAMOTORS.com original price of the ad.

vehicles on Sale Now!

Nearly Every Make & Model Visit us online

State Check $

Zipdtlamotors.com 1966

CLASSIC CADILLAC 4-door. As is. Needs work $7000 OBO. (323) 974-1977.

Credit $ CoupeCard Deville,

2010 CHEVY AVEO 4 DOOR Auto, AC, 35 mpg, Silver/Gray. UC174R /AB088565. Only... $13,995. Call 888-879-9608

ITEMS FOR SALE

With a circulation of

Building/Supplies

47,000,

Hot, cold water storage tanks for buildings. Carbon, stainless steel pressure vessels. Durable glass, epoxy, cement linings. Hanson tank ships worldwide from Los Angeles. Prices, specs, designs: http://www.hansontank.com. 213-747-7514

our classifieds get results!

_____

Restrictions: Offer good on private party ads only. Ads must be pre-paid by cash, check or credit card. Certain classificat

Do you have something to sell?

FEELING OLDER? Men lose the ability to produce testosterone as they age. Call 888-904-2372 for a FREE trial of Progene- All Natural Testosterone Supplement. (Cal-SCAN)

Ad Cop

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

2006 MERCEDES ML350 CertiWe've got what fied, Silver/Black, 3.5L V6, 36K Restrictions: Offer good on private party ads only. Ads must be pre-paid by cash, check or you're for!Certain classifications Miles.121888-1 /A580846.Only... Restrictions: Offer good on private party ads only. Ads must be pre-paid by cash, checksearching or credit card. excluded. Deadline: Thursday at noon for next issue. credit card. Certain classifications excluded. Deadline: Thursday at noon for next issue. $37,991. Call 888-319-8762. DowntownNews.com

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

August 27, 2012

Downtown News 27

DowntownNews.com

Lawn & Garden/Farm equip MANTIS DELUXE Tiller. New! FastStart engine. Ships Free One-Year Money-Back Guarantee when you buy Direct Call for the DVD and Free Good Soil book! 888-815-5176. (Cal-Scan) misc. items SAVE 65 Percent & Get 2 Free Gifts when you order 100 Percent guaranteed, delivered to the door Omaha Steaks Family Value Combo. Now Only $49.99. Order Today 1-888525-4620 use code 45393JRK or www.OmahaSteaks.com/ father56 (Cal-SCAN)

ANNOUNCEMENTS auctiOn ADVERTISE YOUR Auction in 240 California newspapers for one low cost of $600. Your 25 word classified ad reaches over 6 million+ Californians. Free brochure call Elizabeth (916)2886019. (Cal-SCAN) dOnatiOns DONATE YOUR car, truck or boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 888-9026851. (Cal-SCAN) speciaL events HYMAN KOSMAN Productions presents “The Drive-By Comedian.”

LEGAL civiL summOns SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES NO. 10K15186 PLAINTIFF: JIN REE vS DEFENDANT: JUNG A KIm AKA JULIA JUNG KIm; DOES 1-10 NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal

papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form, if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbritation award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. The name and address of the court is: Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles 111 N. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012-3014 Case Number: 10K15186 Dated: August 30, 2010 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without attorney is Jin Ree, 401 N. Bixel St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 Telephone: (213)482-1805 NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served as an individual defendant.. Pub. 8/6, 8/13,8/20, 8/27/12 prOBate petitiOn tO administer estate NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADmINISTER ESTATE OF SALvADOR SANABRIA

CASE NO. BP134573 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of Salvador Sanabria. A Petition for Probate has been filed by: Jobani Sanabria in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The Petition for Probate requests that: Jobani Sanabria be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 09/10/12 - Time: 8:30 A.M. - Dept.: 9 Address of the court: 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided in Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-1 54) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for petitioner: Javier H. Castillo, Esq., 2126 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640; Tel.(888) 229-0089. Pub. 8/20, 8/27, 9/3/12

EASY AS

DOWNTOWN L.A. AUTO GROUP 888-I-LOVE-LA (456-8352)

NEW ’12 NV Commercial Van

21,872

Buy for only $

Automatic, Air & more!

+ tax & license fees. 1 at this price model 61112/104162

MSRP...$25,560 Factory Rebate...$1,200 Dealer Discount...$2,488 Net Price...$21,872

NEW ’12 Volkswagen Jetta S Lease for only

109

per month for 36 mos

+ tax 36 month closed end lease w/ approved Tier 1 VW Credit. $1,999 due at signing. Excludes title, tax, options & dealer fees. Excludes TDI Models. MSRP of $17,415 w/ man. trans., $0 Sec Dep. Residual $9,404.10. $0.20/mile over 30K miles. 1 at this price: 428361

NEW ’13 Nissan Altima 2.5S Lease for only

129

per month for 39 mos

Plus tax, 39 month closed end lease on approved credit. $0 Sec. Dep. $5359 due at Signing. (Excludes taxes, title, other options & dealer fees). Residual $14,280. Model # 13113. $0.15/mile over 12,000 miles/year. 5 At this Price.

NEW ’13 Chevy Volt Lease for only

259

per month for 24 mos

Plus tax, 24 month closed end lease on approved credit. $300 Security Deposit. $3250 Due at Signing (Excludes taxes, title, other options and dealer fees). Based on MSRP of $39,995. Residual $ 29,996 $0.20 per mile over 12,000 miles per year. 1 At this Price. # DU103441.

NEW ’12 Mercedes C250 Lease for only

369

per month for 24 mos

DowntownNews.com makes placing 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.

+ tax 24 month closed end lease on approved credit. $2865 due at signing excluding title, taxes, options, acquisition fees, dealer fees & first payment. Zero Sec. Dep. Residual $25,196. .25cents/mile over 10K miles/year. All with MSRP of $38,175.

NEW ’13 Audi A4 Quattro Lease for only

429

Deadlines subject to change for special issues and holidays.

per month for 42 mos

For legal notices please call 213-481-1448

+ tax, 42 month closed end lease on approved credit. $0 Sec. Deposit. $0 Due at Signing with first month payment, registration, & bank acquisition fee. Must qualify for $1000 Audi Loyalty rebate. MSRP of $38,185. $0.25 per mile over 10,000 miles per year. # 003555

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

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

Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris

Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com email: realpeople@downtownnews.com facebook: L.A. Downtown News twitter: DowntownNews The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.

One copy per person.

NEW ’12 Porsche Boxster Lease for only

588

per month for 48 mos

+ tax, 48 month closed end lease on approved credit. $0 Sec Dep. $4,988 plus tax,1st month payment, acquisition fee, lic, doc fee to start. Residual $24,952 $0.30 per mile over 5K miles/year. 1 At this payment # P12216A/S710404

w w w.DTLAMOTORS.com

CARSON NISSAN

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

$11,995 Gray/Gray, Auto, AC, Low Miles, ABS. C121766-1 / A5320871 $12,995 2006 Nissan Frontier King Cab ....... $12,995 Silver/Gray, Auto, AC, ABS. CU0683P / C460698 2009 Toyota Corolla Sedan .............. Blue Streak/Beige, AC, CD, Low Miles. CU0711R-1 / Z051653

2010 Toyota Yaris Liftback ...............

Plus 287 More New & Used In Stock & On Sale!

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

$13,980 2009 VW Jetta Calif. Edit. ................. Certified, DOHC-MPFI, Red/Blk, 30K Miles. ZV1820 / 9M146924 $14,980 2009 VW Passat Turbo ...................... Certified, White/Beige, Leather, Moonroof. ZV1679 / 9P001079 $17,587 2009 VW Beetle ................................. Certified, Blk/Blk, 25K miles, Leather. ZV1796 / 9M507346

Plus 427 More New & Used In Stock & On Sale!

NISSAN OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

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

$13,499 2008 Nissan Xterra S ........................ $15,999 A versatile beauty. Low miles. N120878-1 / 8C509860 2010 Nissan Cube 1.8S .................... Certified, Only 8054 Miles, Blk/Gray. N121007-1 / AT164993 $15,999 2005 Nissan Murano SL .................... Only 73K Miles, Must See!! N122079-1 / 5W319429

Plus 259 More New & Used In Stock & On Sale!

FELIX CHEVROLET

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

$13,995 $14,995 White/Black, Auto, AC, CD, Low Miles. UC175R / A7194437 2011 Chevy Malibu LT ...................... $17,995 Silver/Gray, ABS, CD, AC, Loaded. UC134R / BF135241 2011 Chevy Aveo Sedan ................... White, 35 mpg, Low Miles, Great Car. UC211R / BB119057

2010 Chevy Cobalt 4DR ...................

Plus 181 More New & Used In Stock & On Sale!

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

Mercedes-Benz

$24,991 2008 Mercedes E350 ......................... Certified, Silver/Gray, 3.5L V6, 7 Spd Auto. 121874-2/B218683 $27,991 2009 Mercedes GL450 ...................... Certified, Arctic Wht/Silver, V8, 36K Miles. 112368-1/A529087 $43,991 2009 Mercedes C300 Sport ..............

Certified, Black/Gray, Only 23K Miles, 7 Speed. 6073C/R055512

Plus 375 More New & Used In Stock & On Sale!

AUDI OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 888-583-0981 1900 S. Figueroa St. • audidtla.com

2009 Audi Q5 Quattro ................... Certified, Prem. Pkg., Gray/Blk, AWD. ZA10248 / 9A031839

2009 Audi A6 3.2 Sedan ............ Certified, Blue/Blk, Auto, FWD. A12742P-1 / 9N055052

2009 Audi A8 Quattro ..............

Certified, White/Blk, AWD, 20K Miles. ZA10457 / 9N007635

$29,980 $30,810 $49,977

Plus 93 More New & Used In Stock & On Sale!

PORSCHE OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

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

$38,899 2008 Porsche Carerra 4 .................... $58,897 Certified, White/Blk, Like New. P12385-2 / 88710489 2011 Porsche Panamera .................. $67,893 Certified, Blk/Blk, 20” Whls, 1 Owner. BLA10522 2008 Porsche Boxster Conv. ............ Certified, Red/Blk, Only 19K Miles, Navi. ZP1472 / 8U712838

Plus 96 More New & Used In Stock & On Sale!

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM

28 Downtown News

August 27, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

“Most of us probably feel we couldn’t be free without newspapers, and that is the real reason we want newspapers to be free.” —Edward R. Murrow

“Were it left to me to decide if we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” —Thomas Jefferson

Freedom of the Press does not mean the press is free. And a free newspaper only appears to be free. Increasingly, as the economy shifts and changes, the formula of producing a weekly print newspaper and a daily online publication on the sole revenue stream of advertising dollars does not compute. It doesn’t pencil. To continue to deliver timely, original local news based on the principles of journalistic objectivity and relevance — our hallmark for 40 years — we are inviting you, our dedicated readers, to become paid supporters. We are asking for your participation. Give what you think is both fair and generous. If you think Downtown should have a robust local paper, now is the time to support that idea. For details please go to LADowntownNews.com/supportlocaljournalism. When we started the paper in 1972, Los Angeles was famously 88 small towns in search of a city. Over the last four decades, Los Angeles has found its city, and it is Downtown. Downtown Los Angeles has become one of the most powerful communities in the world, and we Downtowners — residents, workers, everyone — are its citizens. From Chinatown to LA Live, from the Arts District to Disney Hall, from the Historic Core to the gleaming towers of the Financial District, you’ll find the Downtown News and its readers. From new residents and businesses to the stalwart pioneers of Downtown, we’re in it together. Downtown News is the award-winning news organization that has reported on every major news story impacting the area for forty years, helping to spur local growth and a sense of community. We like to think we’ve played a key part in giving Downtown the strong identity it has today. Please go to LADowntownNews.com/supportlocaljournalism to make your contribution. Or mail it if you prefer. We thank you — and welcome you to the Downtown News team. Sue Laris Editor, Publisher and Owner

downtownnews.com/supportlocaljournalism

SERVING DOWNTOWN FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS

1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90026 • 213.481.1448