09-07-09

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS Volume 38, Number 36

INSIDE

A Biltmore Steak Place 11

2

Condominium sales, a curious website, and other happenings Around Town.

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Editorials: School and union twists, and the benefits of ‘Project Runway.’

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

September 7, 2009

A State of the Art, and State of the Arts, School LAUSD Opens Dynamic $232 Million Downtown Facility

LAPD getting keys to new home.

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Urban Scrawl on new arts high school.

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Play 4th & Long Football contest and win prizes.

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photo by Gary Leonard

Suzanne Blake, the principal of the High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, on the campus of $232 million LAUSD facility.

In its first year the school will serve 1,220 students.

A slain officer’s lasting legacy.

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August: Osage County at the Ahmanson.

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by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

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here has been no shortage of controversy for the High School for the Visual and Performing Arts.

There were gasps over the price, which soared to $232 million. There

were both acclaim and criticism for its attention-grabbing design by a high-profile Austrian architect.

There was the long delay in hiring a principal, including two would-be leaders who turned down the job.

There was fierce debate over the composition of the student body.

As Event Turns Five and Crowds Swell, Some Say Monthly Gathering Is a Victim of Its Own Success

by Richard Guzmán

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14 CALENDAR LISTINGS 16 MAP 17 CLASSIFIEDS

the school at 450 N. Grand Ave. — opens on Wednesday, Sept. 9, the spotlight, for the first time, will be on the students.

“This is an amazing place, structurally, architecturally, but that’s not what’s going to make this place,” said see School, page 9

Art Walk or Party Walk city editor

Five great entertainment options.

The school even found itself in the center of a contentious tug of war, as the Los Angeles Unified School District battled with others who wanted a charter organization to run it.

But this week, the focus is not on the back-story. When Central High School No. 9 — the official name for

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n the second Thursday of every month, Julia Gonzalez takes the Metro from North Hollywood to Downtown. Darren Walker of West Hollywood doesn’t miss that day in Downtown either.

“This is one of my favorite events in the city. I can’t believe how fun it is,” Walker said as the two snaked their way through packed sidewalks in search of a place to get a drink during last month’s Downtown Art Walk.

“It’s like a big, huge party and everyone is out,” Gonzalez added.

This week, the event that started by bring-

ing a dozen people to a handful of galleries celebrates its fifth anniversary as a far different animal — it involves scores of venues and draws about 10,000 people from across Los Angeles.

That is both good and bad, say those involved with Art Walk. Many applaud the event, saying it activates the community and proves that Downtown can be a vibrant gathering point. Others, notably a particular batch of gallery owners, believe that Art Walk has turned into a party walk, with people more focused on hitting the bars than appreciating and buying art.

It has gotten to the point that a group see Artwalk, page 13

photo by Gary Leonard

Bert Green, who founded Art Walk in 2004, no longer keeps his gallery open late during the monthly event, which attracts about 10,000 people to the Historic Core.

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

2 Downtown News

September 7, 2009

DowntownNews.com

AROUNDTOWN A Condo Sell-Out

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he condo business was booming in Downtown on Saturday, Aug. 29, thanks to a couple of one-day-only sales events at The Rowan lofts in the Historic Core and Concerto in South Park. At the seven-story Concerto, by developer Sonny Astani, all of the 77 units sold during the sale. The 738-square-foot studios started at $219,000; 959-square-foot, one-bedroom units started at $279,000; and two-bedroom, 1,363-square-foot residences started at $449,000. But the average sale price was $400,000, Astani said. The sold-out building raised $31 million, which will be used to fund the completion of Astani’s adjacent 30-story, 271-unit tower at Ninth and Figueroa streets that is slated for completion near the end of the year. “This shows that the Downtown residential renaissance is real despite the recession and there’s obviously still a strong demand, at the right price,” Astani said. The 206-unit Rowan, at 460 S. Spring St., offered 19 units, starting at $219,00 for 550-squarefoot studios and $279,000 for 860-squarefoot one-bedrooms. Eight one-bedroom units were ultimately sold. “We did pretty well,” said Yvonne Gonzalez, a Rowan sales manager. The average sales price for the condos was $363,000, she said. Sixty-three units at the Rowan were sold during a previous auction in February. Approximately 70 units in the building remain unsold, said an official with developer Downtown Properties.

Firehouse Project Fizzles

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n effort to convert Engine Company No. 17, a 1927 firehouse at 710 S. Santa Fe Ave. in the Industrial District, into a

restaurant and gallery with live entertainment has hit a snag. Elizabeth Peterson, a project representative, said the Planning Commission denied the plans after neighbors protested additional parking spaces needed for the proposal. Peterson said there is no timeline for when the project might resume.

The 8,721-square-foot, two-story Beaux Arts structure is owned by Jeffrey Birkmeyer and is currently vacant. Built in 1904, it was a working fire station until 1980.

Are You a Coco?

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r, maybe you’re a “Kyle,” “Tiffany” or “Miguel?” These are questions apartment hunters may ask themselves if they’re interested in Meruelo Maddux’s 35-story 705 W. Ninth St. project (formerly known as 717 W. Ninth St.), which is due to open this fall.

The developer, which is currently navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy but managed to exclude this project from the proceedings, has hired marketing firm MC Squared to craft a unique online presence. The project’s new website, 705W9.com, which launched in midAugust, ties each unit layout to an imaginary resident (or residents, for larger units) and their lifestyle habits. “Coco” is a detail-oriented penthouse dweller. If you’re a laid-back type, you might be more of a “Sam,” who spends weekends by the pool with a frozen cocktail. “The big picture concept is that 705 really isn’t just one demographic,” said Ron McMillian, a principal with MC Squared.

“It’s a slice of urban life, of the multiple demographics that comprise an urban city.” The main website feature is a memory game that has users match apartment layouts with their corresponding imaginary residents. The site user with the fastest recorded time to win the

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

photo by Gary Leonard

LAPD will receive the keys to their new headquarters at First and Main in about a week. The chainlink fence surrounding the project will come down in three weeks.

Landscaped areas will be open to the public, as will a restaurant to be called L.A. Reflections. See story and more photos, downtownnews.com.

memory game gets six months free rent — if, of course, they enter their email address. The site also references other Downtown businesses and trends: “Chase and Marli” for example, host a dinner party every second Thursday to coincide with Art Walk, while “Jared” frequents the Financial District watering hole the Library Bar. Units start at $2,248 for an 862-square-foot studio. A 2,894-square-foot penthouse starts at $6,600 per month. “The site is without question out of the box and as a result I think we’re going to be really successful,” said Meruelo Maddux spokesman Michael Bustamante.

Project Restore Honors Local Organizations

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he Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Los Angeles World Airports and the US Green Building Council, LA Chapter, will be honored at the 21st annual Project Restore Heritage Awards. The awards, given out by the nonprofit organization that works to restore landmark buildings in the city, will be held Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Omni Hotel, 251 S. Olive St. Tickets for the gala start at $500.The Department of Water and Power and the

Los Angeles World Airports will be honored for their sustainability efforts. The US Green Building Council is receiving the Community Service award for planning and public policy that has contributed to more environmentally friendly developments. For tickets call (213) 978-0283 or ProjectRestore.LAcity.org.

Classical KUSC Gets Top Ranking

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o those who say classical music is dead, the Downtown-based radio station Classical KUSC, 91.5FM is certainly not listening. Nor are the station’s 737,000 average weekly listeners. Arbitron, a leading media and marketing research firm, ranked “KUSC” as the most listened-to public radio station in the country for the spring quarter, according to an announcement by station President Brenda Barnes. “We are thrilled to see how many listeners KUSC is attracting,” Barnes said in a statement. “The station owes a debt of gratitude to our loyal Los Angeles-based audience, and now listeners all across the country, for keeping the music alive for over 60 years.” The 60-year-old nonprofit station is a service of USC and broadcasts from the Manulife building at 515 S. Figueroa St.

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September 7, 2009

Downtown News 3

DowntownNews.com

New Chapter Looms for Skid Row Firehouse City Considering Sale of Historic Structure

by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

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ith its grand arched front entrance, ornate ceilings and marble paneling, the Fire Station 23 on Fifth Street was once a gleaming gem. The nearly 100-year-old structure is a city Historic-Cultural Monument and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

But, as of Sept. 1, the decommissioned and structurally ailing firehouse was deemed surplus property by the city.

The City Council’s Information Technology and Government Affairs committee on Tuesday ordered that the site be appraised and possibly sold. Developer Miles Cotton hopes to purchase the site, restore it and open a restaurant.

“The developer’s proposed improvements would potentially eradicate blight, create new property tax and sales tax revenue, unburden the city with the financial and legal responsibilities associated with owning the building and significantly revitalize the Toy District landscape,” Councilwoman Jan Perry said in the motion approved by the committee on Tuesday.

But any effort to sell the building to a private developer could be thwarted by a 1996 ballot measure that targeted the site for an upgrade and conversion to a youth arts center, said Marcia Gonzales-Kimbrough, a deputy city attorney.

The building was one of the city properties identified in Proposition K, and $2.3 million was to be appropriated for its transformation, she said.

“The fact that the site was specifically identified in the ballot measure does restrict its future use,” Gonzales-Kimbrough said.

Perry said she wants to look into whether there could be both a nonprofit community-oriented use and a private business in the site.

Kristen Gunn, who runs an arts education program called the Artist Collective that trains high school drop-outs to refine their artistic abilities and become teachers, is also eyeing the building.

The Artist Collective, which operates according to a nonprofit model, has its official nonprofit status pending. Once its status is approved, Gunn and partner Adrianne Ferree, an ar-

chitect in the county Sheriff’s Department, would like to draw from the Prop. K funds to rehab the firehouse and convert it into the Artist Collective’s permanent home, Gunn said.

Cotton’s vision for the firehouse is not unique to Downtown. It would essentially mimic the conversion of Fire Station No. 28, now known as the popular Financial District restaurant Engine Company No. 28.

The developer, who works primarily as a real estate broker, said his foremost interest is to rehabilitate a historic property.

But as for keeping it alive, he argued that a private business would be more viable than a nonprofit model.

“When there’s a threatened historic property, the tendency is to turn it into a community center, but it’s not an economically sustainable idea because it’s always going to require private fundraising, or it’s going to require public funds,” Cotton said.

Skeletons in the Closet The new interest in the facility rekindles a checkered past for the property at 225 E. Fifth St., which was once slated by the Fire Department to become a museum. A nonprofit was established to support the project, though when the museum was shifted to Hollywood, the nonprofit continued to function under former Chief Donald Manning. According to a Los Angeles Times investigation, the group collected more than $200,000 from production companies that used the site for filming.

A City Controller’s audit later confirmed the Times report and concluded that the city was at risk because fire officials did not require a “caretaker” tenant to have $1.5 million in liability and property damage insurance.

Manning retired around the same time the scandal was uncovered, but the site has continued to host film production, said Daniel Taylor, the site’s caretaker for the past 20 years.

He is currently challenging an eviction by the city.

Taylor established the nonprofit Corporation for History, Art and Culture, which aims to turn the firehouse into a community center. When production companies shoot at the site, in addition to paying the city, Taylor often asks for a donation to his nonprofit, he said. The nonprofit uses the money to pay for basic maintenance and community events, he said.

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The city is looking to sell the historic Fire Station No. 23, and it’s got at least three potential suitors with different visions for the site.

“Just because we don’t have a lot of money doesn’t mean we don’t have access to resources,” said Taylor. “We want this place to serve the community.”

But the fact that the events are happening at all is problematic for the city, which continues to retain liability for the property, city officials said. Taylor has opened the facility for free community events (donations are accepted, but not directly solicited, Taylor said) on most weekends over the past few months. According to the Department of General Services, which oversees the property and is administering Taylor’s eviction with the City Attorney’s office, such events are not authorized.

The committee is slated to take the issue up again within 60 days.

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

4 Downtown News

September 7, 2009

DowntownNews.com

EDITORIALS

The Mayor, the Union and the Kids

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ecently the Los Angeles Unified School District voted in favor of a plan, introduced by board member Yolie Flores Aguilar and championed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, to allow charter organizations and other groups to assume control of 50 not-yet-built schools and up to 200 underperforming campuses. It was a controversial move but also the right one. Making real progress on improving public education is a goal that can no longer be deferred.

As long-time champions of quality public education and of teachers unions, we regret the move is necessary, but necessary it is. The district, the mayor and the community have been forced into adopting the new policy by decades of decreasing educational quality and the stubbornness and lack of insight by the leadership of United Teachers Los Angeles, which is advising its membership badly. They are refusing to grow and change as the need demands.

Unions played an important role in years past when teachers were paid a pittance and required to perform Herculean efforts. Teachers need to be well compensated. As a society we

should want high-quality people overseeing the social and intellectual growth of the workers of the future.

Now teachers are well compensated, especially considering the current economic environment. Average teacher pay in Southern California is more than $70,000, plus benefits. The pendulum needs to swing the other way for a while, away from the obsessive, single-minded protection of teachers’ rights. The focus now needs to be more on children.

Fifty years ago the California public school system was among the very best in the nation. It has been in slow decline since that time. Parents and community leaders have come to realize that the momentum is inexorably in the wrong direction under the current system in which no one advocates for the children, only the teachers. Whether due to its sheer size, past failures in leadership or other factors, the LAUSD has been unable to consistently provide children across Los Angeles with a quality education.

The opportunity for a good public school education ought still to be a basic right for California children. It’s important not only for them but for the future of our community and our state.

The stats about drop-out rates and lowlevel literacy boggle the mind. No stopgap measures have worked, nor have pledges of improvement by the teachers union. Nothing they have done has changed the downward momentum of the level of education.

It’s true that the low quality of education is not entirely their fault. Other enormous societal forces contribute to it. But teachers are our last line of defense. If their union can’t change with the need, we are lost.

There are advantages and disadvantages to charter schools. The key advantage is they provide more flexibility and autonomy at every level, more opportunity both to encourage and discipline children, reward great teachers and their innovations, and get rid of teachers and administrators who aren’t doing the job.

The time for patience has passed. It’s time for action, and Villaraigosa and the school board have stepped up to the plate with a significant but measured program to give other operators — including those tied to the Mayor’s Partnership for Schools — a serious try.

For everyone’s sake we hope it works.

Continue Focus on DVD Pirates

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here are many reasons to applaud the LAPD’s recent confiscation of thousands of pirated DVDs in the Fashion District. As a local matter, gangs were intimidating merchants and charging “rent” for the privilege of selling their illegal DVDs, never mind that the vendors shouldn’t be selling them anyway (serious copyright violations). In any case, taking money away from thugs who are intimidating people is always a good idea.

Internationally, copyright infringement is also a big deal.

For years the U.S. has railed against China, for instance, for its ubiquitous pirating of American movies on DVD. China has always said the equivalent of, “Aw shucks, gee whiz, we just can’t control the pirating. There are too many people.

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

China is too big. It’s too hard.” It was with some glee that Americans discovered at the Beijing Olympics last summer that not a single official Olympic souvenir was pirated.

That proved that China can control pirating when it wants to.

Still, it was a rather Pyrrhic victory, since we are not doing a good job at home. We encourage the LAPD to keep the heat on. Since there are probably half a dozen crimes being committed in every transaction, it’s worth the effort. We are also glad to see progress toward creating a crime-free Downtown.

The focus on policing our own illegal DVDs helps the U.S. hold its head up high internationally while making its arguments to protect intellectual property.

Welcome, ‘Project Runway’

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t’s enjoyable to imagine Downtown Los Angeles as the center of the universe. It feels like it when we count international stars such as Plácido Domingo and Gustavo Dudamel among our local faces. High culture at its best. La crème de la crème.

But pop culture is also fun. When we watch movies or television with their frequent focus on the stunning Downtown skyline and the neighborhood landmarks we pass every day, we can’t help but feel proud. And if we had a nickel for every time they showed the white-tiled Second Street Tunnel in a car ad, we’d be wealthy indeed.

Recently we reported on the move of the Daytime Emmys to Downtown. Since we’re at work and don’t watch daytime television, there was not much psychic link to the news, other than Downtown once again got to be the center of someone’s universe. A lot of someones.

The Orpheum got some glory for hosting the Downtown Emmys, but it’s FIDM and the Title Guarantee lofts that get the glory for “Project Runway,” which has been pinched from New York. It felt like the big time in yet another way to see Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn with this year’s contestants on the roof of the Title Guarantee building for the premiere episode, some of Downtown’s architectural wonders in the background.

For the first time the series takes place almost entirely in Downtown Los Angeles (they sometimes travel to Mood, a fabric store on the Westside). Each week the contestants work in a huge sewing room at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and each night they sleep at the Title Guarantee.

There’s no doubt that it’s fun to filch business from New York. Let’s keep it coming. We want to be the center of everyone’s universe.

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

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

One copy per person.

September 7, 2009

Joe Envy Downtown TJ’s Store Could Open in 2012, or Maybe 3012

D

owntown is not currently in Trader Joe’s two-year plan.” —company spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki, in the July 20 Downtown News Joe, you have us crying in our Blueberry Pomegranate Green Tea. We were on a retail roll until you dropped this bit of bad news, figuring (prematurely, as it turns out) that the Ralphs opening in 2007 was just the beginning of our supermarket renaissance. Guess how long we sat around drumming our Downtown fingers waiting for that to happen. Fifty years. During which time we shopped for groceries at cramped convenience stores, farflung farmers markets and countless Japanese delis.

Good luck finding typical household items in the sashimi aisle.

Spicy tuna rolls? Yes. Bite-sized Butterfinger bars? Generally, no. As you can imagine, that half-century Howard Leff was no picnic.

OK, so we’re not in the Trader Joe’s two-year plan, you say. That’s OF ONE fine. How about the three-year plan? Five? Don’t wait too long, Joe. Say, for example, you were to pencil us in for the summer of 2386. By then, cyborgs will walk the Earth and, believe me, they won’t care whether or not your Super Nutty Toffee Clusters have low sodium. Do you really want to take that risk? Plus, the way the economy’s going, we could be on the barter system at that point. We’ll be paying for Mango Vanilla Ice Cream with pieces of string and a handful of beads.

Ever try to make change for a seashell ankle bracelet?

You can’t put a ceramic ashtray in the credit card swiper and hand-woven baskets don’t come with PIN numbers.

Perhaps we should think about getting this done sooner,

PARTY

while cash is still king.

This is, after all, Downtown Los Angeles. We have big tall buildings, the NBA champions and about 35 different blogs.

Honestly, we think you should reconsider. Right now, you’re all the rage, but one year (decade?) soon, you’ll be pleading with us to let you open a store, and we might just roll our major metropolitan eyes.

“Ha! Not so fast TJ’s,” we’ll scoff. “As you can plainly see, Fresh & Easy and I have an engagement. And later, I’ll be joining Whole Foods for drinks. And I believe you know my new best friends Vons, Jons and Gelson’s.”

Then what, Joe? You’ll wind up in a dark corner sucking down those 73% Belgian Dark Chocolate Nonpareils all by yourself. (Just wondering, what’s in that other 27%?)

Still, for the moment at least, we’re craving your Oatmeal Cranberry Dunkers. We’re like a love-struck girl in high school who just found out the cute star of the football team doesn’t want to go out with her.

Have you noticed? Instead of doodling your name in our notebooks, we’re spending time trying to find the best spot for a future Downtown store. The July 20 Los Angeles Downtown News even scoped out the top six locations for a new TJ’s. Not surprisingly, we have tons of spots with your name on them (potentially). And the way the commercial real estate market’s going, we’re getting additional spaces by the hour.

Check with us in the morning.

For the record, here’s the current list of candidates: Barker Block, Desmond Building, Medallion, Metropolis, 7+Fig and the Grand Avenue project. Impressive, huh Joe? Although I haven’t visited every single one of these places, I understand that all six meet your minimum requirements for new stores. That is, between 10,000 and 15,000 square feet along with no more than nine parking spots. (A little joke Joe, but things can get a bit tense out there.) But in case you’re still not satisfied with the first six, I will offer you a seventh choice: 7. Anywhere you want: That’s right. Take a quick look around and pick someplace. Bunker Hill? Ultra-modern L.A. Live? The up-and-coming Arts District? You know the old expression, “If you build it, we shall pass new zoning ordinances to accommodate you.”

Anyway, Joe, no hard feelings. I realize there are only so many Trader Joe’s to go around and besides, as I write this, you guys have just opened a sparkling new store in the fine city of Larkspur, Calif. Not really sure where that is, but I’m

sure it’s a swell locale that deserves to have you as part of the town fabric.

Simply put, we want to be the next Larkspur — wherever it might be. Or even the next West L.A. Sorry, but I couldn’t help noticing you’ve got a big grand opening planned on

Joe, take a quick look around and pick someplace for a Downtown store. Bunker Hill?

Ultra-modern L.A. Live? The up-and-coming Arts District?

You know the old expression, ‘If you build it, we shall pass new zoning ordinances to accommodate you.’

Olympic Boulevard near Barrington, less than a mile from another store on Pico and 32nd. Those lucky Westsiders can probably just grab some flip-flops and a skateboard and glide down to the nearest Trader Joe’s. We’re jealous! We like ocean breezes too, but have you checked those Santa Monica rents lately?

Back here in Downtown, we’re looking at a six-mile commute to the nearest TJ’s. Doesn’t sound like a lot to you, but if we’re desperate for Reduced Guilt Roasted Vegetable Couscous on Thanksgiving Eve, a drive like that could take us to the fourth night of Hanukkah. Just to be on the safe side, do you sell candles?

No pressure, Joe. You come calling on our little hamlet when you’re good and ready. You won’t be disappointed.

We’ve had you in our two-year plan since 1957.

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Metro Briefs Tra;c Solutions for the Future Everyone talks about the tra;c; Metro is doing something about it. More carpool lanes. Freeway improvements. Rail lines to more places. Over the next 30 years, Metro is expecting to spend some $40 billion in tra;c congestion relief projects bringing real solutions to improving your daily travel.

Check Measure R Progress Online It’s your tax dollars at work and metro.net will keep you updated. Track the progress of Measure R funded projects where you live or check up on those of special interest to you. Just go to metro.net and search for “Progress Tracker.”

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6 Downtown News

September 7, 2009

DowntownNews.com

BLOCK PARTY

Main Between Fifth and Sixth Streets Where Old Downtown Meets New Downtown

by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

A

bout the only thing consistent across Downtown is inconsistency. The look and lifestyle on Bunker Hill is vastly different than in the Arts District, Chinatown or any other community. Even within districts, life changes rapidly. As part of a new series, Los Angeles Downtown News is focusing a microscope on individual blocks, examining each one’s hyper-local identity, trademark businesses and characters. This week: Main between Fifth and Sixth streets.

Snapshot: The block could be the perfect case study for the transformation of Downtown Los Angeles during the past decade. Low-income housing complexes are here, as are businesses that cater to new residents of market-rate loft buildings. On hot days, you can get an ice cream sandwich from a vendor pushing a cart or pop into the Nickel Diner for a bowl of vegetable cassoulet.

Cleaner Streets: When Ron Crockett, a resident of the Leonide Hotel at 512 S. Main St., strolls his 8-month-old son Armand down the block, he still sometimes gets solicited by drug dealers. But it’s a far cry from the barrage of five years ago, he said. “It’s so much cleaner here now,” Crockett said.

The corner of Fifth and Main streets was a notorious place for drug sales, and outsiders — as well as people working just blocks away in the Civic Center or Financial District — generally avoided the area. But a wave of increased law enforcement via the Safer Cities Initiative, which put 50 extra cops on Skid Row in September 2006, has helped diminish the drug activity on the strip and make way for new business.

the

Doughnuts and Gay L.A.: The Nickel Diner, which opened last year, almost instantly became a neighborhood favorite.

Brunch draws crowds outside the small storefront at 524 S. Main St. every weekend and many come to experience the now famous maple glazed bacon donut. But the Nickel isn’t the first Main Street outpost to hawk those sweet dough rings: Cooper’s Doughnuts, which once occupied a small building on the west side of the street — where a Five Star parking lot now stands — was a popular 24-hour hangout for the gay community, accord-

ing to Lillian Faderman and Stuart Timmons’ book Gay L.A. In 1959, 10 years before the Stonewall riots in New York helped ignite the national gay rights movement, Cooper’s patrons clashed with police officers who had allegedly harassed customers.

Generations: “I consider this my block,” said General Dogon, while standing outside the Los Angeles Community Action Network at 520 S. Main St., where he works as an advocate for Downtown’s low-income and homeless population.

Dogon lives in the Skid Row Housing Trust’s Sanborn Hotel, one of four SRO buildings on the block. The others are the Leonide, the Pershing Hotel and the Rosslyn Hotel, where Dogon’s father lives. At the opposite end of the spectrum is a market-rate complex, the Santa Fe Lofts (northeast corner of Sixth and Main). These days, Dogon sees the block as a sort of “dividing line” between old Downtown and new Downtown.

“Of course you know gentrification is happening when you got a doggy day care across the street,” he said.

Serving Fido: Despite its dearth of park space, Downtown has a reputation for being dog-friendly. Nowhere is that more evident than on this block, which is home to two per-service businesses. Bark Avenue is tucked into a retail space in front of a three-level parking garage at 545 S. Main St. and offers doggy day care and pet adoption. Across the street and a few steps south — one might say “catty corner” — is Pussy and Pooch (564 S. Main St.), which sells luxury pet accessories and treats from its space on the ground floor of the Santa Fe Lofts. Bark Avenue keeps a plastic bag dispenser on the block for dog walkers needing to clean up after their furry friends.

Bustling Burlesque: Main Street and vice have long gone together like donuts and coffee, or cheap booze and burlesque.

This strip of the street once held two popular burlesque houses: Girlesque, which stood on the west side of the block, and the Burbank Theatre, later known as the New Follies, was on the east side, said Richard Schave, whose urban history bus tour company Esotouric discusses the theaters in its “Main Street Vice and Hotel Horrors” tour. “They’re now just parking lots, but that really represents a world that is lost to us,” Schave said. “If you think about the burlesque theater,

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The Nickel Diner (top) and Pussy and Pooch represent the changing face of this block of Main Street.

it’s really a remnant of the world before television.”

Also on the Block: Chrysalis, which provides job training for low-income and homeless individuals, 516 S. Main St.; Casa de Bolsas, a shop that sells ladies’ handbags at wholesale prices, 520 S. Main St.; and the Weingart Access Center, which connects homeless or low-income individuals with housing and other social services, 506 S. Main St. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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High School No. 9, A Photo Essay Photos by Gary Leonard

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School Continued from page 1 principal Suzanne Blake, who was hired in May. “It’s what goes on in the classroom, every single day, the relationship teachers have with their kids in their classroom and the inspiration they can bring to them.�

Still, even Blake can’t help but marvel at the sprawling 230,000-square-foot campus.

During a recent visit, as staff installed dozens of Apple iMac computers, synthesizers and audio equipment, Blake admitted that she is still awestruck every time she enters some of the buildings.

Leading a tour from the 950-seat theater to a smaller black box theater in the same building, through digital animation and design classrooms to dance studios with floor to ceiling mirrors and gleaming wooden floors, Blake got giddy. “It’s ridiculous,� she said. “Just incredible.�

Though few would argue that the facility is not state of the art, the school had its share of hurdles. Before Blake came aboard, the job was offered to two East Coast principals — each considered the post, then said no. That fueled district critics who argued that the LAUSD was significantly behind in preparations to open.

Supt. Ramon Cortines agreed that earlier this summer the school was behind, but said he is now convinced that the facility is ready to open. “I think they caught up in an unbelievable way and I think it’s probably better that I have given them more rope rather than get in their way,� Cortines said. “I’ve allowed them to do their job.�

Matter of Design What most people will notice first about the school is the design by Wolf D. Prix

Downtown News 9

DowntownNews.com of the Austrian architecture firm Coop Himelb(l)au. Looming above the mostly steel and cement campus is a 140-foot, helix-wrapped tower (if unraveled, it would resemble the number 9). Perched atop the tower is a steel-encased box that was once intended as an events space but, for budget reasons, now sits empty and unfinished.

The school is divided into four academies focusing on dance, music, theater and visual art. Students enrolled in the academies take all of the state required core curriculum classes, then choose from an array of electives specific to their chosen art field.

The theater academy, for example, is housed in a 40,000-square-foot complex that holds the 950-seat theater. A lighting booth in the rear of the house will double as a classroom for aspiring lighting technicians. The visual art, dance and music academies are in their own separate wings of the school. Each building is outfitted with technological and creative equipment specific to the artistic discipline.

There is also an indoor basketball court and an outdoor pool, which abuts a football field-sized grass area for lounging and physical education activities (including yoga).

The library is in a structure that resembles a slightly slanted cone, with its pointed top sliced off and a skylight that lets natural light beam down on readers. There are more than 60 loft-like classrooms with 14-foot ceilings and circular windows meant to mimic constellations.

Still, the helix-wrapped tower is the most recognizable feature. Prix knew it would generate a mixed reaction. “The tower is polarizing, I know,� Prix told Los Angeles Downtown News in January. “People like it. People hate it. But they’re talking about the school.�

Creative Problem Solving With its $232 million budget and need

for pricey equipment, High School No. 9 will not get by on the usual state funding model that supports other public schools.

The question of how the facility will reach its potential, and stay in the black, has lingered for years.

Philanthropist Eli Broad, who contributed $5 million in seed money to the school, later backed away from a leadership role after his quest to have a charter organization take over failed. In a March letter to Cortines, Broad said that, if left in the hands of the LAUSD, “the school is deemed to be mediocre and a failure.�

Last week, the position was lightened, if only slightly. “This school has tremendous potential, and only time will tell if LAUSD has the leadership and vision to operate the school at its full potential,� said Karen Denne, a spokeswoman for the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.

The district hopes that a unique administrative structure will help the school meet fundraising challenges. In addition to the principal, the school is co-helmed by an executive director, Rex Patton, a longtime LAUSD principal, whose role is to develop long-term fundraising strategies and persuade community partners to donate either money or services. So far, Patton said, outreach is bearing fruit.

Among the arts institutions planning to contribute to the school is CalArts, which will lead an after-school video animation program. Administrators and staff from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art plan to teach an after-school class on art museums, tentatively titled “Museum 101.� “These are the kinds of in-kind donations that don’t have a price tag, but they’re worth a great deal of money,� Patton said.

The school will start small, relatively speaking, with 1,220 students in grades 9-11.

Later it will add a senior class and another 480 seats.

The students hail from all over the city, as 30% of the seats were reserved for districtwide students. Seventy percent of the seats were open to students living in Downtown and the surrounding areas of the so-called Belmont Zone of Choice.

But at least initially, that ratio will not reflect the student body. While the entering freshman class is indeed 70% local, the district had difficulty filling all of its local seats for the 10th and 11th grades. For those grades, the ratio will be flipped on its head, so local students will represent only 30% of the classes.

Blake attributes the lower local demand for the higher grades to the likelihood that area students enrolled at other schools were less likely to want to switch and leave their friends and school-specific studies.

As for the political back story, Broad’s allies who were pushing for charter status have moved on to other battles, said Maria Casillas, president of the nonprofit Families and Schools, and a member of the coalition that was pushing for a charter. “We were hopeful that with a new staff they’d see the benefit, but at this point I think they’d have to reach out to us,�

Casillas said. “It’s like we’re always going to be intruders and we don’t want a shotgun wedding here. We wanted a partnership with a lot of valuable resources. It didn’t happen.�

Blake insists she is focused on running the school and that she has long since shoved aside the charter controversy surrounding the school. “Had to,� she said. “Leave me alone. Stop.

Stop fighting. Broad, Cortines, stop. Give me the autonomy to do this.�

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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10 Downtown News

September 7, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Overdue Recognition for Slain Officer

by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

T

he intersection of Sixth Street and Central Avenue is not the kind of nexus that is typically highlighted in tourist books or city literature.

It sits at a boundary of Skid Row and leads to an industrial neighborhood studded with scrap metal recyclers, construction suppliers and a few small retail businesses.

But that may soon change.

The overall landscape isn’t slated for a physical makeover, but if a proposal now making its way through City Hall to

dedicate the intersection and name it after a slain LAPD officer is approved, it will take on new historical meaning for the city.

LAPD Off. Charles P. Williams was shot in the line of duty near the intersection on January 13, 1923. As the story goes, he was killed by a local vigilante enraged by prostitution, who had taken up arms near a brothel at Sixth and Stanford streets. Scared citizens flagged down Williams, who was near Sixth and Central in plain clothes. When Williams, who was in his mid 30’s, arrived on the scene, the suspect shot and killed him.

photo courtesy of LAPD

Downtown Intersection Could Be Named After First Black LAPD Cop Killed in the Line of Duty

Eighty-six years since former LAPD Officer Charles Williams was killed in the line of duty, the city is looking to name a Downtown intersection for him.

Williams’ death was tragic, but his passing would prove especially heart-breaking some 70 years later. As the result of a record keeping snafu, a department staffer mistook Williams, an African American, with another officer who had the same last name but was white.

For years, Charles P. Williams was more or less forgotten.

The man memorialized as a slain officer was not that at all, said John Thomas, the former LAPD Lieutenant and history enthusiast who uncovered the snafu in 1998. Thomas is now assistant chief of security at USC. “This was the result of very poor record keeping on the part of the city and the LAPD and that was typical of the time, but as far as my research revealed, it was just a mix up,” Thomas said. “I haven’t been able to determine whether it was an intentional mix up or not but it was definitely a mix up.”

Officer Oscar Joel Bryant, who was gunned down in 1968, was later memorialized as the department’s first African American killed in the line of duty. A foundation created to advocate for and promote African American officers in the department is named after Bryant. Williams meanwhile, remained in an unmarked grave until Thomas’ discovery prompted the department to give him a proper headstone.

At the time, Thomas had been researching a baseball team comprised of black LAPD officers. While scrolling through micro film at the Central Library, he came across a headline that read: “City Pays Tribute to Slain Negro Officer.”

“Below that headline was a picture of Charles P. Williams,” Thomas said. “It was a micro film, mind you, but you could clearly tell he was black officer.”

A Public Tribute While Thomas’ discovery prompted the department in 1998 to give Williams a new headstone and proper funeral, Central Division Capt. Darrell Russell and Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry are looking to give the late officer a more public memorial.

“It’s just a way of saying to the community, ‘Hey here’s this guy who gave his life so many years ago and we’re just catching up to what should have happened years and years ago,’” Russell said. “So I just think it’s important that the community knows about Officer Williams and I think it’d be a nice tribute to that intersection, which is not in the greatest neighborhood, but still, it’ll be good for the community to know.”

It was at Russell’s suggestion that Perry sponsored a motion to dedicate the intersection of Sixth Street and Central Avenue after Williams.

“I, too, am a student of history, particularly city history and the relationships among people, so I was pleased to be able to move forward on this,” Perry said. “I know that [Russell] and other officers are very interested in using this man’s life as a teaching moment.”

Perry said that if the plan is approved, the intersection would get new signage that briefly explains Williams’ story.

The council’s Public Works Committee approved the motion on Sept. 2, and there was no date set for it to go before the council for final approval as of press time. Perry’s office, however, said the issue could be heard this week.

“This one should not be difficult because he was a public servant,” Perry said. “And this is fixing a historical record.”

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

September 7, 2009

Downtown News 11

DowntownNews.com

RESTAURANTS

Two Guys From Italy

Biltmore’s Rendezvous Court Gets a Hearty New Restaurant Option

W

hen you pull up a chair at the La Bistecca restaurant in the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, it is pretty much like dining with a Southern Italian family back in the old country.

That is, if the family lived in a grand Spanish Baroque-style home with a threestory Moorish plaster ceiling decorated with hand-painted wood beams, crystal chandeliers and a marble fountain, and they raised their own vegetarian-fed cattle.

While the setting for the restaurant, which opened in May in the hotel’s Rendezvous Court, is stunning, the food, created by Executive Chef Franco de Dominicis and Executive Sous Chef Orazio Parisi, is decidedly down to Earth — in a Southern Italian homestyle way.

“The research for this menu was pretty much my culture,” said Parisi during a recent afternoon visit. “This is my mom’s cuisine.

I’m bringing my and Franco’s roots, our culture here. It’s nothing new.”

“What we’re doing with these dishes is done from what we learned at home,” de Dominicis added.

De Dominicis, 38, joined the Biltmore in 2005. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, he moved to Italy with his family at the age of 11, and later trained at the Accademia dell’ Arte Culinarie di Napoli. He came to Los Angeles in the mid-1990s and has worked at places including the Jonathan Club, the Wilshire Grand Hotel and USC, where he served as executive chef of conferences and catering.

Sicilian-born Parisi, 39, came to the United States in 2002. He studied at the California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena, graduating from their Le Cordon Bleu program.

He spent time at McCormick’s & Schmick’s, La Terza and Il Fornaio before joining the Biltmore in 2007.

Despite the Italian background of the chefs, don’t expect to be drenched in red sauce.

Instead, their concern is much heartier fare.

“We wanted to create a short menu where the steak is king,” Parisi said. “We have pastas and appetizers but the meat is the most important part.”

Officials at the Biltmore, meanwhile,

wanted to take advantage of the Rendezvous Court, which before the opening of the restaurant was activated in the afternoon for high tea, but otherwise was relatively unused.

“We wanted to make it romantic,” said Ariana Matei, the restaurant manager. “We wanted people not to see an empty room.

We wanted them to see people, food, desserts, a live room.”

On to the Food La Bistecca is open Wednesday through Saturdays from 6-10 p.m. So far the space, which holds about 70 people, has seen an average of 40 to 50 people per night. About 40% are locals, Matei said.

The regulars, as well as hotel guests and other tourists, are treated to a menu that includes appetizers like minestrone soup. It’s a hearty concoction that the chefs say is vegan, since there is no egg in the pasta.

Another option is both familiar and unusual at the same time — La Bisteca serves a spicy meatball appetizer, though it is made with American kobe beef. It comes on a bed of caponata, a salad made of eggplant, onions, tomatoes, anchovies, olives, pine nuts and vinegar.

The meatballs are unlike most meatballs.

The consistency is similar to a matzo ball, and they are very tender, literally falling apart in your mouth. They are also spicy, since the meat is mixed with peperoncino chili.

And yes, Parisi sighs, people have asked for spaghetti and Kobe beef meatballs.

All About the Meat The main show at La Bistecca is the beef entrees. Steak-wise, they offer a bone-in rib eye, rib eye, New York steak, T-bone and a filet of beef. There is also a Marcho Farms veal chop and a lamb chops choice.

The beef comes from animals raised on a 100% vegetarian diet with no added hormones or antibiotics. The steaks are dry-aged in-house, first marinated and rubbed with sea salt, then put in the refrigerator to mature.

The portions, priced at $36-$41, come with a choice of sides, plus toppings like the Barolo wine sauce or mascarpone horseradish cream.

The steaks all come with caponata as well, which Parisi calls the symbol of Southern Italy.

The T-bone, at 16 ounces, looks as if it just came out of a Texas grill, and frankly, it’s a

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The taste is unusual and delicious. The familiar flavor of the Brussels sprouts is obvious from the first bite, but the aftertaste is slightly meaty.

In a way, the surprise of the Brussels sprouts is akin to the surprise of a steak restaurant in the Rendezvous Court. But for Parisi and de Dominicis, their home cooking and the elaborate lobby are a fit.

“Food is art and this lobby is art, so it’s a perfect combination,” Parisi said.

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bit intimidating. Yet it is surprisingly light and fresh tasting, a testament perhaps to the cow’s vegetarian diet.

The bone-in rib eye, also at 16 ounces, is a similar cut to the T-bone, though a bit more tender and juicy.

The standout of the meats (though traditionalists may disagree) is the 14-ounce veal chop. The cut is thick though also delicate, and almost melts off the fork. Like the T-bone and rib eye, it feels fresh and light, while also being a filling meal.

The steaks come with side dishes, and though these are often secondary, at La Bistecca you would do yourself a disservice if you paid attention only to the beef.

The best of the sides is the eggplant parmigiana, which is made with San Marzano tomatoes from Italy. These are sweeter than most, and the result is a slightly citrusy aftertaste that makes the dish pop with unexpected flavor. The eggplant is also softer and more tender than expected. It has become so popular that the restaurant will soon debut it as an appetizer, Parisi said.

The Parmesan fries are also a surprising side. Parisi said he loves the fries at In-N-Out and decided to use the same kind of potatoes.

Don’t expect what you get with a doubledouble, however. Although as flavorful as those found in the burger chain, La Bistecca’s fries are thicker and served with Parmesan cheese.

There are vegetables too, and Parisi would make your mom proud, since he can get most people to eat their Brussels sprouts. At La Bistecca, they are prepared with pancetta, an Italian bacon cured with salt and spices but not smoked. The Brussels sprouts look burned when they are served, but that is by

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September 7, 2009

DowntownNews.com

CALENDAR

August Opens in September Pulitzer Prize Winning Play Opens at Ahmanson Sept. 9

photo by Robert J. Saferstein

Director Anna D. Shapiro creates a realistic dinner scene in August: Osage County.

by AnnA Scott StAff writer

E

stelle Parsons’ role in the play August: Osage County, which opens in Downtown this Wednesday, is a plum part. But the veteran actress is hardly jumping for joy.

“There are very few actors who are crazy enough to want to reach the depths of their darkest places, and that’s what every actor in this play has to do,” said Parsons. “I have the phone number of a psychiatrist, if I get into real trouble.”

Summoning the emotional stamina, Parsons said, is her biggest challenge as star of the 13-character tragicomedy, which opens at the Ahmanson Theatre Sept. 9 and runs through Oct. 18 as part of a national tour. The physical demands of the three-and-a-half hour production are also extremely tolling.

“I go to the gym every day,” said Parsons, 81. Outside of performances, she said, “that’s about all I do.”

August: Osage County, by playwright Tracy Letts, debuted in 2007 at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater Company under the direction of Anna D. Shapiro. Shapiro took the play to Broadway in June 2008 (Parsons also starred in that production) and is directing the national tour, including the run at the Ahmanson.

A rich blend of humor and tragedy, said Shapiro, has kept the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play fresh even after so many performances.

“The ride doesn’t feel long,” she said. “It helps when you have a really great writer.”

Not Sweating the Small Stuff August: Osage County tells the story of three generations of the Weston family as they come together at their rural Oklahoma homestead after the alcoholic family patriarch disappears. The gathering sets the stage for ugly character clashes and explosive family secrets to surface as the drama unfolds.

Parsons plays the pill-popping, verbally abusive Violet Weston, whose husband of 30 years is the one missing.

“It was a real challenge to play this person who is so violently cruel,” said Parsons. Yet, she said, Violet has “incredible depth,” and “even after a year, I’m discovering things all the time. Any play where you can find things after a year and get better is amazing material.”

Parsons credits Shapiro with encouraging the cast to continually mine the script for new insights.

“Her direction is very much about the stuff around the event; the grief and love; the stuff that you don’t always talk about in

“The way we worked on August: Osage County has to do with not just talking about ‘you walk here, you do this,’” she said. “We talk a lot about what the source is of those feelings. The challenge is making sure it stays really honest and true. When we first started work on the show we had some fluffy nights.

We don’t have them any more.”

Eavesdropping Shapiro’s staging of August: Osage County, the director said, aims to create the feeling that audience members are secretly witness-

photo by Robert J. Saferstein

Shannon Cochran and Estelle Parsons in the Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s production of August: Osage County. The play went on to Broadway, and the national tour comes to Downtown’s Ahmanson this week.

rehearsal periods,” said Parsons. “It’s never any small stuff with her. It’s big abstractions about what the play is about, and you have to enter into that.”

Shapiro agrees that her directing style focuses much more on relationships, emotions and other big-picture elements of the script than what’s on the surface. The performances have evolved accordingly, she said.

ing a real-life family meltdown.

For example, instead of relying on one central playing area, Shapiro’s set reveals a few rooms in the Weston house and characters move in and out of them simultaneously.

“You’re talking about a group of people who happen to be a family, so they’re asked to live their lives simultaneously,” said Shapiro. “You don’t want to present the play as, ‘now this

person has the floor.’ In a family you feel like you’re always fighting for the floor, to be heard, and I think that’s reflected in the staging.”

During a dinner scene in the play’s second act, Shapiro eschews the traditional theater rule that actors’ backs should never face the audience for a similar effect.

‘If you do that ‘Last Supper’ dinner table, it’s not real,” she said. “This dinner table gets to look like a real dinner table.”

Audience members, by act two, have had time to become familiar enough with the characters to accept the visual picture, she said.

“What starts to happen in act two is that …you’re able to tell the story with less playlike information,” said Shapiro. “You’re able to have those half conversations that people in families together have, those arguments that start from a word, those looks.”

Act 2 is also where the play’s real drama unfolds.

“The second act of the play, after over two years of watching it, I know what the audience is going to get and they don’t know, and it doesn’t ever not thrill me,” said Shapiro.

Parsons has trouble picking a favorite moment in August: Osage County because, as Violet, “there’s no moment I’m happy to be doing anything and I’m under the influence of drugs all the time,” she said. But she also points to the second act as one of the play’s most memorable parts. “ I get enormous gasps at some of the nasty things I say, sometimes groans and protests as the play goes on,” she said. “And in the second act I get a lot of three-second gasps.

It’s a lot of fun.”

August: Osage County previews at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 7:30 p.m. The show opens Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and performances continue Tuesdays-Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

For information and tickets contact (213) 9724400 or CenterTheatreGroup.org.

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

Artwalk Continued from page 1 of gallery owners has spun off from the main organization, forming their own group to try to draw art fans during the rest of the month. They question whether the organizers of Art Walk, who formed a nonprofit board during the summer and have a new director, can make it work for everyone.

Street Party The crowd at the August Art Walk showed how far things have come.

The proceedings started slowly for the event that officially takes place from noon-9 p.m. Around 6 p.m., crowds were manageable and orderly.

A swarm of people started arriving after 7 p.m., and soon the Historic Core was packed. Food trucks lined the streets while performers on corners banged out music. Lines began to form at area bars by 8 p.m. and restaurants soon had long waiting lists.

“It’s a great event, and good for Downtown, but sometimes I feel like I created a monster,” said Bert Green, owner of Bert Green Fine Art at Fifth and Main streets, at about 6 p.m. as approximately 30 people explored his space.

Green should know. He founded the event in September 2004 and, after running it for nearly five years, handed the reins to Richard Schave, who owns the company that operates a bus that ferries Art Walkers around the area.

“It’s an amazing success story, Green said “When we first started the gallery scene Downtown we were constantly told it was not possible, that this is Skid Row, that people will never come. But it has turned into a big party. I close my gallery at 6 p.m. because the evening crowds are too big.”

Art Walk’s roots stem from 2003, when the city designated Main and Spring streets between Second and Ninth streets as Gallery Row, although at the time only three galleries were in the area. By September 2004, Gallery Row had grown to eight galleries, including Green’s space. The inaugural event that month attracted about 12 people.

“The goal was just to get people to come Downtown,” said Green.

Now about 45 galleries participate, and word of mouth has fueled the gathering. Schave, who with his wife Kim Cooper

DowntownNews.com photo by Gary Leonard

September 7, 2009

Richard Schave, the new director of Art Walk, is helming an event that some believe is no longer serving the gallery owners who helped start it. “I don’t think two years ago people running the Art Walk thought we would get 10,000 people per month, but we do,” he said. “We have to deal with that now.”

also runs the tour company Esotouric, noted that there are new challenges.

“I don’t think two years ago people running the Art Walk thought we would get 10,000 people per month, but we do,” Schave said. “We have to deal with that now.”

One thing gallery owners are learning to deal with is sales that do not meet their expectations. Glenda Jennings, the owner of Compact Gallery on Sixth Street, said that on a normal business day she sees about 30 customers. During Art Walk that number swells to around 500, but most are not looking to buy.

“About half come in to see if we have free alcohol,” she said.

To combat the trend, some have begun organizing different kinds of events. Jennings hosts occasional readings on non-Art Walk nights, while Catherine Coan, co-owner of Arty, which sells work by local artists, has begun holding parties for her artists. That, she says, draws the buyers that she seldom sees during Art Walk.

Not everyone reports meager Art Walk sales. The hard part, notes Bill Eiseman, owner of Todd Browning Gallery on Fifth Street, is finding the buyers among the larger crowds.

Downtown News 13

“A lot of people come down just to check out the scene, but in that group there will be people that buy,” said Eisman.

Brining the Focus Back Part of the problem in bringing in art patrons, said Deborah Martin, owner of the Deborah Martin Gallery on Fifth Street, is that Schave and the new Art Walk management are going through a “learning curve” when it comes to the Art Walk.

Martin said gallery owners have asked for maps detailing where galleries are, more advertising for the galleries and a website that focuses on the art spaces rather than on the onenight event.

“I’m not really sure what’s going on exactly,” she said.

“There’s a transitional period but there really hasn’t been a lot of progress made.”

In the effort to drum up business, Martin and a handful of others last month launched the Downtown Los Angeles Galleries Association. The group, which includes Art Walk founder Green, will “focus on the other 29 days of the month,” said Martin, while leaving the monthly Art Walk in the hands of the board.

The group has launched a website, DTLAGalleries.com, and has begun creating a new map of the galleries. They plan to stage smaller events throughout the month for buyers wary of joining the big crowds during Art Walk.

Schave, who said he had not heard about the new association until informed by a reporter, said he would see them as partners to help promote the art scene in Downtown.

“I don’t know anything about these gallery owners, but I look forward to hearing about it,” he said.

Sandie Richards, an Art Walk board member, said she has heard the concerns from gallery owners but, since the board is so new, it will take time to address their concerns.

“We spent most of the first meeting listening to the concerns of the galleries, one by one going down those concerns,” she said. “But we don’t feel like we are at odds with them.

This should be a partnership.”

What is undeniable is that things are different. Perhaps the most telling is that Green no longer tries to sell art to the biggest of the Art Walk crowds. Once 6 p.m. hits, he closes up and joins the masses.

“I’m very proud if it,” he said. “I show it off to friends, and say, ‘Hey I did this,’” he said.

Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownews.com.

14 Downtown News

LISTINGS

isT L ’ s s i M T ’ n o ThE‘ D

SPONSORED LISTINGS Summer Concerts in Macarthur Park Levitt Pavilion, 2230 W. Sixth St., (213) 3845701 or levittpavilionlosangeles.org.

Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.: The band Radaid seeks to break the barrier of space and time. Singing in Spanish, French and English, these Guadalajara, Mexico natives undertake a radical fusing of electronic wave music and trip hop with all manner of ritual music from Arabia, Mexico and the Balkan Mountains.

Sept. 13, 6 p.m.: Conjunto Hueyapan features the shimmering, sonorous sound of the guitar-like jarana, the plucked requinto, and the folk harp. The Herrera family ensemble is comprised of two generations dedicated to the son jarocho, a lively, vibrant traditional music of Veracruz, Mexico.

Video Installation Take My Picture Gallery, 860 S. Broadway, (213) 622-2256 or takemypicture.com.

Sept. 10, 7-9 p.m.: Artist Barnaby Levy’s “Accident” is a four wall video installation that displays four major streets in Los Angeles: Beverly Blvd., Sepulveda Blvd., Washington Blvd., and Western Ave. Each was videotaped through the windshield of a 1987 Ford Crown Victoria, then divided into five parts and twenty composers chose a section to score as they pleased. Then twenty writers were invited to add words (read or performed) to the sections of sound and image.

The show runs through Sept. 13.

thursday, sept. 10 Aloud at Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7509 or aloudla.org.

7 p.m.: KCRW “Bookworm” host Michael Silverblatt picks the brain of author Lorrie Moore on her latest novel, “A Gate at the Stairs,” which is set after the events of September 2001. Moore explores post 9/11 racism, the shock of war and the carelessness perpetrated against others in the name of love.

Wagner, for the Eyes California Plaza Watercourt, 350 S. Grand Ave., californiaartclub.com or laopera.com.

10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Fine artists with the 100-year-old California Art Club will set up easels at Cal Plaza for a “paint-out” of scenes from Wagner’s epic four-opera “Ring” cycle. The artists will capture on canvas images of four live models outfitted in costumes to represent “Ring” characters.

Friday, sept. 11 Farmlab Public Salons 1745 N. Spring St. #4, (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org.

Noon: Reincarnated for the 21st century, the old Millie’s burger stand on the site of the Los Angeles State Historic Park is in the process of becoming “Urban Green at LASHP.” Rather than burgers and chips, Urban Green will grow vegetables and serve them up in delicious vegetarian dishes. Discussing the venture and answering questions will be Urban Green founder and director, Rickey Smith. saturday, sept. 12 International Art Affair at Carmins Palace Benefit Chung King Plaza, 971 ½ Chunk King Rd., (626) 589-6322 or carminwong.com.

6-9 p.m.: Carmins Palace hosts a fashion show and art opening benefit to raise money for lowincome residents of Chinatown.

Mass and Festival of Cultures Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels, 555 W. Temple St.,

by on

itoR ecutive ed egaRdie ex

❶

photo by Monika Rittershaus

Remember that 2002 Gore Verbinski movie The Ring, where Naomi Watts tried to escape the powers spawned by an evil videotape and the catch line was “Before you die, you see the ring?” Well, an event related to The Ring in Downtown Los Angeles this week has nothing to do with the film. Instead, on Thursday, Sept., 10, crowds will congregate at the Cal Plaza Watercourt to get amped for next year’s Ring Festival,, L.A. Opera’s celebration of Richard Wagner’s four-opera uber-work. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the California Arts Club and Grand Performances will host the Rhinemaiden Paint-Out. A passel of nationally known artists will do some plein-air painting on the plaza of, you guessed it, the opera’s Rhinemaidens… none of whom look like Naomi Watts. At 350 S. Grand Ave. or ringfestivalla.com.

three 5 photo by Linda Nylan

Wednesday, sept. 9 Aloud at Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7509 or aloudla.org.

7 p.m.: UC Irvine History professor Jon Wiener talks with author Rebecca Solnit about her latest book,” A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities that Arise in Disaster.”

Mind Matters: Meditate Your Angst Away MOCA Grand Ave., 250 S. Grand Ave., transformyourlifeinla.org.

6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: The museum hosts the Kadampa Meditation Center for a session on basic meditation. The lesson is geared toward discovering the power of the mind to keep calm under pressure, become free from angst and influence others with a happy and effective presence.

‘Love’ o t t o L a d n a re Mo,ore o M , g in h T g Rin J R

2

The Aloud series, which for 17 years has been blowing away Downtown audiences with free readings and discussions from some of the world’s top authors, poets and thinkers, resumes this week with two events. Author Rebecca Solnit kicks things off on Wednesday, Sept. 9, discussing her new book about communities that rise after disasters, but the big ticket is Lorrie Moore’s appearance on Thursday, Sept. 10.

Moore, widely praised for the short story collection Birds of America and the novel Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?, has a new novel, A Gate at the Stairs, set in the post 9-11 world. She appears at the Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium with KCRW “Bookworm” host Michael Silverblatt, who knows more about reading than you ever will. At 7 p.m. at 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org.

photo by Ked Howard

EVENTS

September 7, 2009

DowntownNews.com

In the history of art, there have been two great comedies related to the wackiness that ensues from imbibing magic potions.

The first was The Nutty Professor (the original Jerry Lewis version, please). The second, Gaetano Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, comes Downtown this week, and opens the L.A. Opera 2009-2010 season. The opera concerns a love potion and a love triangle involving the town flirt, a handsome sergeant and a lovable bumpkin. James Conlon conducts and Steven Lawless directs the show that opens Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Elixir runs through Sept. 30. Make sure to get there an hour early for the pre-show opera talk. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8001 or laopera.com.

4

prominent place The number nine has a There’s the Jimi in the cultural landscape.

David Mitchell’s Hendrix song “If 6 Was 9,” l Number 9 Dream and, underappreciated nove an musical act Nena’s most importantly, Germ s” (“99 Luft Balloons” 1983 hit “99 Red Balloon New LATC offers the for purists). On 9/9/09, the de, presented by venue world premiere of Solitu eatre Company and operator the Latino Th tion’s head, Jose Luis directed by that organiza Evelina Fernandez conValenzuela. The story by day of his mother’s cerns a man who, on the nds over to sip wine, funeral, invites some frie mama’s legacy. The open up and celebrate BTW, on Friday, Sept. show runs through Oct 4. premiere of Ruby, 11, the New LATC hosts the Jon Lawrence ed by Tragically Rotund, direct or thelatc.org.

Rivera. At 514 S. Spring St.

photo courtesy of Latino Theater Company

FIVE

If you like looking at fish but don’t want to trek down to the Long Beach Aquarium, then consider dropping by the California Science Center Imax Theatre this week. The space with the 70-foot tall screen has two ocean-oriented features: Wild Ocean 3D looks at the feeding frenzy that takes place off the coast of South Africa (think whales, sharks, dolphins and more), while Imax Under the Sea 3D focuses its lens on some of the curious creatures in the waters around Southern Australia and New Guinea. At Figueroa and 39th streets in Exposition Park, (213) 744-7400 or calsciencecenter.org.

Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

September 7, 2009

Downtown News 15

DowntownNews.com

But Wait, There’s More!

Additional Event Information on the Web

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM/CALENDAR : EVENTS | ROCK, POP & JAZZ | CLASSICAL MUSIC | THEATER, OPERA & DANCE ART SPACES | FILM | BARS & CLUBS | MUSEUMS | FARMERS MARKETS | TOURS (213) 637-7215 or olacathedral.org.

10 a.m.: Cardinal Roger Mahony and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will celebrate the city’s diverse ethnic communities at the annual Mass. A Festival of Cultures immediately follows across from the cathedral at the Los Angeles County Mall at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple Street. The Mass includes native songs and dances performed by various ethnic communities in their traditional dress.

Southern California Transit Advocates Angelus Plaza, 255 S. Hill St, 4th Floor, (213) 3882364 or socata.net.

1 p.m.: Michael Biagi, Los Angeles World Airports Landside Operations Manager, will speak.

Biagi will discuss recent changes to the Flyaway bus service, including recent fare increases and the decision to operate the Van Nuys-to-LAX route with a “no cash accepted” policy.

Sunday, Sept. 13 Through the Dark Soiree The Edison, 108 W. Second St., 6-11 p.m.: The Stella Link Children Foundation hosts a Carnival-esque night featuring live music, special guest performers, an art exhibit, chance drawings and more to raise funds to help combat child slavery and trafficking in Cambodia.

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

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

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

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

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

Blue Velvet 750 S. Garland Ave., (213) 239-0061.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 p.m.: Live music and DJs. Café Metropol 923 E. Third St., (213) 613-1537 or cafemetropol.com.

Sept. 11, 8-10 p.m.: Saxophonist Chuck Manning.

Sept. 12, 8-10 p.m.: Vocalist Max Winkler.

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

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

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

Thursdays, 8-11 p.m.: The velvet-voiced Max

Vontaine recreates the sounds and styles of rat packers Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. His smoking jackets and tunes are vintage; his bawdy repartee is less so. Keep a close eye on the unlit cigarette.

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

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

Sept. 11, 9 p.m.: Comedian Sinbad brings down the house.

Sept. 12, 9 p.m.: The Dan Band headlines a show with MC Mr. Napkins.

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

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

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

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September 7, 2009

Downtown News 17

DowntownNews.com

CLASSIFIED

pLACe your Ad onLine At www.LAdowntownnews.Com

l.a. downtown news Classifieds Call: 213-481-1448 Classified Display & Line ad Deadlines: thursday 12 pm

“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.”

REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL lofts for sale

Downtown since 2002 Don’t settle for anyone less experienced!

Call us today!

Bill Cooper 213.598.7555

TheLoftExpertGroup.com

Buying, Leasing or Selling a Loft?

TheLoftGuys.net LA’s #1 Loft Site

Call 213-625-1313

Homes for sale 140+ FORECLOSED California Homes selling by auction September 22-27, 2009 valued from $50k to $735k. Get all the details at www.HudsonAndMarshall. com or call 1-866-826-1670.

(Cal-SCAN) FORECLOSED HOME Auction.

Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside & more. 250+ Homes Must Be Sold! REDC | Free Brochure. www.Auction.com. (Cal-SCAN)

FOR RENT? FOR LEASE? FOR SALE?

APARTMENT, LOFT OR CONDO

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

(213) 481-1448

FOR RENT apartments/UnfUrnisHed

MILANO LOFTS Now LeasiNg!

■ Gorgeous Layouts ■ 10-15’ Ceilings ■ Fitness Center ■ Wi-Fi Rooftop Lounge ■ Amazing Views

6th + Grand Ave. www.milanoloftsla.com

213.627.1900 CHARMING MID-CENTURY Studio with kitchenette. Cozy and private. Secure.

Quiet 4-plex. Close to Downtown $650 818-352-1732.

FREE RENT SPECIALS (O.A.C.) Brand New Resort Apartments. Granite kitchens, washer/dryers, pools, spas, saunas, fitness ctr, free tanning beds & much more! 866-690-2894.

FREE RENT SPECIALS (O.A.C.) New downtown luxury apartments with granite kitchens, marble baths, pool, spa, saunas & free parking. 888-736-7471.

FREE RENT SPECIALS Los Angeles Studio $1688/ month Luxury at it’s finest! Granite counters, W & D 888-262-9761.

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

ONE BEDROOM 1 bath, swimming pool, jaccuzzi. 2 blocks from L.A. Live. $1,100/mo. 213327-0597.

FREE RENT SPECIALS Panoramic downtown views. 1 bed/1 bath starting at $1398. Washer dryer in unit, gated,Pool, spa and sauna. 888-265-1707.

old Bank District The original Live/Work Lofts

dUplexes DOWNTOWN L.A. $975. Cozy one bedroom, duplex. Garage & patio, stove, refrig. 3rd and Union. Manager 323-664-4377.

HUNTINGTON PARK Newly Remodeled Apartments in tranquil, gated, key only four plex.

Ceramic and laminated floors.

New bathrooms. Upper and lower 1 bdrm. Easy access to USC and Downtown by freeway and METRO. $800/month with out pkg. $850 (with parking) + deposit. 323-589-5996.

SILVER LAKE DUPLEX, Upper Floor, Unbelievable View, very Large Private Terrace, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Garage, quiet, very clean, 2 months security.

Per month $2750. 213.386.0200 CondominiUms 1BDR & 1.5 BTH in VERO Downtown on Wilshire Blvd. 24 hr. Security w/ full gym. 909-4766012.

loft/UnfUrnisHed

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

REAL ARTIST LOFTS 13002000 Sq. Ft., $1750-$2050/mo.

High ceilings, hardwood floors, fireplace, pool/spa, gated parking, laundry, sorry no dogs, Open House Sundays 12-3pm @ 1250 Long Beach Ave. 213629-5539, LAartistlofts.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

SERIOUS ENTREPRENEURS wanted. Work Part-Time or FullTime. Incredible Opportunities that could change your life 562788-7278.

SERVICES advertising CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING in 240 Cal-SCAN newspapers for the best reach, coverage, and price. 25-words $550. Reach 6 million Californians!. Free email brochure. Call (916) 288-6019. www.Cal-SCAN.com.

(CalSCAN)

DISPLAY ADVERTISING in 140 Cal-SDAN newspapers statewide for $1,550! Reach over 3 million Californians! Free email brochure. Call (916) 288-6019. www.Cal-SDAN.com.

(CalSCAN) NEWS RELEASE? Cost-efficient service. The California Press Release Service has 500 current daily, weekly and college newspaper contacts in California. Free email brochure. Call (916) 288-6010. www.CaliforniaPressReleaseService.com.

(Cal-SCAN) Continued on next page

THE ANSWER to LAst weeK’s puZZLe

BUsiness opportUnities ALL CASH VENDING! Be Your Own Boss! Your Own Local Vending Route. Includes 25 Machines and Candy for $9,995.

MultiVend LLC, 1-888-625-2405.

(Cal-SCAN) DOLLAR & DOLLAR PLUS, Mailbox, Party, Discount Clothing or Teen Store from $51,900 Worldwide! 100% Turnkey. Call Now 1-800-518-3064. www. drss6.com. (Cal-SCAN)

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

18 Downtown News

September 7, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Continued from previous page

CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants.

Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818-409-9183.

attorneys

ABOGADO DE IMMIGRACION! Family, Criminal, P.I. for more than 20 yrs!

Child Support / Custody Necesita Permiso de trabajo? Tagalog / Español / Korean

Health & Fitness Free Fitness Bootcamp in Little Tokyo on corner of First St. and Central Ave. September 21st-25th Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 760-583-8337

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

tailor

Music Lessons

EDDIES TAILOR SHOP

Children’s Performing Group! Singing, dancing, performing and fun! For boys & girls ages 3 and up! See SunshineGenerationLA.com or call 909-861-4433.

Take your wardrobe to the next level!

Same Day Service! Open 7 days a week!

115 E. 8th St. L.A. 90014 (213) 399-1177

eddiestailorshop.com

Financial Services GET OUT OF DEBT in Months!

Avoid Bankruptcy. Not a high priced consolidation company or a consumer credit counseling program. Free consultation Credit Card Relief 1-866-4755353. (Cal-SCAN)

Cleaning Monte Carlo Cleaners offering Free Pick Up & Delivery 7 Days a Week on Dry Cleaning,Laundry,& Alterations.

Call for specials. (213)489-9400

WE PAY CASH for Notes, Residential, Commercial, Private Party, Portfolios. Equity & Debt for Real Estate, Patented Technology, Medical, Business Expansion/ Acquisitions. Atlantic Capital Fund 1-866-218-1185.

(Cal-SCAN)

EZ SHIATSU & MASSAGE 30 min. (Reg. $30) $10 Off with this AD 400 E. 2nd St., #205 LA CA 90012

(Honda Plaza Mall)

213-680-4970

TAX RELIEF! Do You Owe Over $15,000 in Back Taxes? Need to Settle State, Business, Payroll Tax Problems, Eliminate Penalties, Interest Charges, Wage Garnishments, Tax Liens! Call American Tax Relief 1-800-4969891. Free, Confidential, No obligation, consultation. (CalSCAN)

EMPLOYMENT General

Help Wanted Telemarketing

Housekeeping

EARN $1000+

Monte Carlo Maids References available. All major credit cards accepted, call for a free estimate. Licensed & Insured.

(213) 489-9401

Weekly!

Commercial Collection sales.

Guaranteed weekly rate plus commissions on every deal. *$300 Signing Bonus!

FT/PT/Seniors/Students.

Business to business cold calling. Start immediately!

Experience preferred.

Downtown LA.

Massage therapy

Star Holistic Spa Massage/Acupressure $40 (1 Hour)

213.621.2394 • Fax 213.621.7679

Tel: 213-383-7676

Hayward Manor Apartments $695-$795/mo.

Burbank • Brentwood Century City • Downtown L.A. Woodland Hills

Studios Full bath & kitchenette Corner of 6th & Spring St.

Locations Nationwide

Downtown L.A.

Beautiful Offices For As Little As $400 Fully Furnished/Corporate ID Programs Flexible Terms/All New Suites

Seniors & S-8 Welcome

all utilities paid

Services Include: • Reception • Mail • T-1 • State-of-the-Art Voice Mail & Telephone • Westlaw • Fax • Photocopy • More

n New Remodeled Rooms n 24-Hour Doorman n Cable/Internet Ready

Additional Features: Kitchen Facilities, All Support Services, Great Views, Free Conference Room Hours, Fully Trained Staff, Cost Effective.

n Wi-Fi Lobby Lounge n On-Site Laundry n Controlled Access

213.623.1464

www.haywardapts.com

Available Immediately

Jenny Ahn (213) 996-8301 jahn@regentBC.com www.regentbc.com

Top floor of 11 story (18,000 SF) historic building available now!

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

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

Information available to qualified prospective tenants.

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

Van For Sale

Only 6,573 miles Like-new for $22,000 Excellent Condition Still under warranty!

CHEVROLET 2008 EXPRESS 3500 Extd wb Passenger Van- 6,573 miles.

15-Passenger, excellent condition, all power. 5 year /100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty with 24 hr roadside assistance. 4-Door, loaded with power steering, power windows, power locks, tinted windows, security alarm, tilt wheel, air conditioning. Remote keyless entry, loaded with an 6.0 Liter vortec v8 engine. Passkey III theft deterrent, am/fm stereo CD player w/mp3 format. $22,000. (323) 721-3947 Virginia or (323) 314-4360 Fernando.

ATTN: COMPUTER WORK. Work from anywhere 24/7. Up to $1,500 Part Time to $7,500/ mo. Full Time. Training provided. www.KTPGlobal.com or call 1-800-330-8446. (Cal-SCAN) IT Programmer in LA. Oracle apps devlpmt w/in projs framewk.

Reqs: Bach + 3 yrs exp. Apply: E. Ephrem, AECOM Tech. Corp., Job ID #ITP3, 515 S. Flower St., 3rd Fl., LA, CA 90071 General

2551 W. Beverly Blvd.

LA, CA, 90057 (Beverly Rampart)

Offices • Offices • Offices • Offices

Computers/IT

The Alexandria at 501 S. Spring St.

is Now Leasing!

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

$775/month Sept. Move In Special: ½ Off 1st & 2nd Month’s Rent income & other restrictions apply.

Must move-in by Sept. 30

Call 213.626.1743 or stop by for a tour

HELP WANTED, Movie Extras.

Earn up to $150/day. People needed for background in a major film production. Exp. not required. 888-366-0843 WHOLESALE BUYER- BS Marketing or related req’d; Fax resume: BS&T USA (323) 6514733 Los Angeles

TRUCK DRIVERS: CDL training. Part-time driving job. Fulltime benefits. Get paid to train in the California Army National Guard. May qualify for bonus. www.NationalGuard.com/Truck or 1-800-GO-GUARD. (CalSCAN) Retail/Sales OVER 18? AVAILABLE to Travel? Earn Above Average $$$ with Fun Successful Business Group! No Experience Necessary. 2wks Paid Training.

Lodging, Transportation Provided. 1-877-646-5050. (CalSCAN)

ITEMS FOR SALE Clothing/Jewelry VINTAGE 1950’s Sterling Silver pocket lighter. Asking $50. 213488-0930.

Drivers ANDRUS TRANSPORTATION Seeking Team Drivers! Dedicated Team Freight. Also Hiring OTR drivers - West states exp/ hazmat end, great miles/hometime. Stable Family owned 35 yrs+ 1-800-888-5838, 1-866806-5119 x1402. (Cal-SCAN) SLT - IMMEDIATE OPENINGS for CDLA teams, solo drivers willing to team. $1,000 Signon bonus. $1100/wk minimum pay. Hazmat & 1 yr experience.

Background check required.

1-800-835-9471. (Cal-SCAN)

Misc. Items ARCADE VIDEO GAME Golden Tee Golf. Complete, not working $75. 818-642-4263 John Lawn & Garden/Farm Equip SAWMILLS FROM ONLY $2,990 - Convert your Logs To Valuable Lumber with your own Norwood portable band sawmill. Log skidders also available. www.NorwoodSawmills.com/300n -Free Information: 1-800-578-1363 x300-N. (Cal-SCAN)

Monthly from $695 utilities paid.

(213) 627-1151

Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator.

Full bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly rate $275 inc.

Monthly from $595 utilities paid.

(213) 612-0348

THAI MASSAGE SPECIALIST

Low Move in Special

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

Unfurnished bachelor rooms with shared bath at $550/mo. with private bath $695/mo.

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

Includes utilities, basic cable channels, laundry room on site. Gated building in a good area.

Health Dept. rank A for 7 Consecutive Years

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

HBODY

MASSAGEH

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

3386766 0119

SERVICES

208 W. 14th St. at Hill St. Downtown LA

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

COLLECTABLES ANATOMICALLY Correct collectable set of dolls. Great x-mas gift. $250 OBO.

AUTOS & RECREATIONAL Autos Wanted DONATE YOUR CAR: Children’s Cancer Fund! Help Save A Child’s Life Through Research & Support! Free Vacation Package. Fast, Easy & Tax Deductible. Call 1-800-252-0615. (CalSCAN) DONATE YOUR VEHICLE! Receive Free Vacation Voucher. United Breast Cancer Foundation. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf. info Free Towing, Tax Deductible, Non-Runners Accepted, 1-888468-5964. (Cal-SCAN)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AUCTION AUCTION DEALS! Acoustic Guitars, SDSU Surplus (computers, lab, proaudio/video), salon/day spa, pilates + gym equipment, trucks (water/ sweeper), European wines. Dates & information www.abamex.com 1-800-8413364. (Cal-SCAN)

DowntownNews.com madison hotel Clean furnished single rooms. 24-hour desk clerk service.

•Daily, $25.00 •Weekly, $99.00 •Monthly, $295.00 (213) 622-1508 423 East 7th St.

(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.)

Requesting Sub-bids from qualified MBE/WBE/ OBE subcontractors/ vendors for: RFP#1917 42’ Heavy Duty Trailer with specialty body Owner: City of Los Angeles Due:9/15/09@1:00pm For information on plans and specifications, and subcontractor assistance, please contact our office.

Gerling and Associates 138 Stelzer Ct. Sunbury, Ohio, 43074 Tele: 740-965-2888 Fax: 740-965-5076 Contact: Algy Arnold

Do you have something to sell?

Ad Copy: _________________________________________

Ad Prices

________________________________________________

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

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

FREE! $11.50 $14.00 $16.50 $19.00

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

State Check $

Zip Credit Card $

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 49,000 , our classifieds get results!

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

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

September 7, 2009

Downtown News 19

DowntownNews.com name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk.

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 et. seq. Business and professions Code). pub. 8/24, 8/31, 9/7, 9/14/09

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

LEGAL

puBlic notice notice to FoRmeR Patients oF DR. mYRon teitelBaum: This is a notice to the patients of dr. Myron Teitelbaum, now deceased, that medical records for his patients are currently being stored. You may contact Marianne O’donnell at the address below to obtain your medical records.

M. Teitelbaum M.d.

6230-a Wilshire Blvd., suite #1762 los angeles, Ca 90048-5126 pub. 8/24, 8/31, 9/7/09

Fictitious Business name Fictitious Business name statement File no. 20091255539 The following person is doing business as: (1) nOdaV Jewelry laserworks (2) eco-Fusion Jeweled adornments, 412 W. 6th street, suite #908, los angeles, Ca 90014, are hereby registered by the following registrant: david alvarado, 806 s. lake ave., pasadena, Ca 91106. This business is conducted by an individual.

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

This statement was filed with dean lOgan, los angeles County Clerk on august 14, 2009. NOTICE—This fictitious

Murray gross, Commissioner By dawn alexander, deputy John a. Clarke, executive Officer/Clerk pub. 8/17, 8/24, 8/31, 9/7/09

no. Bs122138 petitioner (name): TaMMY ann BYleR, 3579 e. Foothill Blvd., #638, pasadena, Ca 91107, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name: TaMMY ann BYleR proposed name: isaBella sOpHia ROMalaTTi THe COURT ORdeRs that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. nOTiCe OF HeaRing date: 9/25/2009 Time: 9:00 am dept.: 1a Room:548 The address of the court is los angeles superior Court, 111 n. Hill street, los angeles, Ca 90189. a copy of this Order to show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set of hearing on the petition in the los angeles downtown news, 1264 W. First street la Ca 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county of los angeles.

Filed: august 12, 2009

name change suPeRioR couRt oF caliFoRnia, countY oF los anGeles oRDeR to sHoW cause FoR cHanGe oF name

suPeRioR couRt oF caliFoRnia, countY oF los anGeles oRDeR to sHoW cause FoR cHanGe oF name nO. Bs122139 petitioner (name): dOnna MaRie lee, 3579 e. Foothill Blvd., #638 Pasadena, CA 91107 filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name: dOnna MaRie lee proposed name: MikaYla angelina ROMalaTTi THe COURT ORdeRs that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. nOTiCe OF HeaRing date: 9/25/09 Time: 9:00 a.m. dept.: 1a Room: 548 The address of the court is los angeles superior Court, 111 n. Hill street, los angeles, Ca 90189. a copy of this Order to

show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in los angeles downtown news, 1264 W. First street, la Ca 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county of los angeles.

Filed: august 12, 2009 Murray gross, Commissioner John a. Clarke, executive Officer/Clerk By dawn alexander, deputy pub. 8/24, 8/31, 9/7, 9/14/09 petition For custoDY & support suPeRioR couRt oF caliFoRnia countY oF oRanGe lamoReauX Justice centeR PlaintiFF: DaRla Jean seBastian-aRanDa vs.

DeFenDant: Ramon cRistoBal aRanDa summons case no.

09P000612

nOTiCe TO RespOndenT: RaMOn CRisTOBal aRanda YOU aRe Being sUed BY peTiTiOneR: daRla Jean seBasTian-aRanda an indiVidUal You have 30 CalendaR daYs after this summons and petition To establish parental Relationship or Response to petition for Custody and support of Minor Children at the court and serve a copy on the petitioner. a letter or phone call will not protect you. if you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs. if you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. if you want legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. 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 do not know an attorney you may

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 contracting your local court or county bar association.

The name and address of the court is: lamoreaux - Orange County superior Court 341 The City Center Drive Post Office Box 14170 Orange Ca 928631570. The name address and telephone number of petitioner’s attorney or petitioner without an attorney is: Joseph Robert Terrazas iii sBn 258404 The law Office Of Joseph Robert Terrazas iii 444 West 10th st., suite 200 santa ana Ca 92701 (714) 543-1851 date: May 11, 2009 alan Carlson Clerk, by Victoria l. do, deputy. pub. 8/24, 8/31, 9/7, 9/14/09

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OFFICE SPACE

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Offered at $629,000

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

HELP?

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Visit us online at www.LoftLivingLA.com

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photo by j. mcnicol

Distributing Medical Supplies, Food & Clothing to Children & Families.

RENTING • BUYING • LIVING RENTING BUYING All products must be in there original packaging and clothing with• price tags due•toLIVING customs.

Since 2001, LoftLivingLA.com has

been helping people live in Downtown’s be collected at: best condos, lofts & apartments!

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8 7 7 - 4 L A - L1105 O FWesley T S Ave. Pasadena, 8 7 7 -CA 4 L91104 A- LO F TS Visit us online at www.LoftLivingLA.com

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Create a medical clinic to service the community.

DRE #01706351

8 7 7 - 4 LFor A -legal L O Fnotices T S please 8 7call 7 - 213-481-1448 4 L A- LO F TS

Mission to Cambodia

Since 2001, LoftLivingLA.com has been helping people live in Downtown’s Items will best condos, lofts & apartments!

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been helping people live in Downtown’s been helping people live in Downtown’s Deadlines subject to change for special and holidays. best condos, lofts & apartments! bestissues condos, lofts & apartments!

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DRE #01706351

• Print ads must be received before Thursday at noon PST RENTING • BUYING • LIVING RENTING • BUYING • LIVING to be processedhas for the following edition. has Since 2001, LoftLivingLA.com Since 2001,Monday's LoftLivingLA.com

(213) 680-1720

CAN YOU DRE #01706351

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Deadlines subject to change for special issues and holidays.

• OnlineFor ads legal will appear immediately they are approved. notices please callafter 213-481-1448

leasing-salesloans-refinance

www.Bunkerhillrealestate.com

Living Outrageously For Today!®

L.A. Downtown News is easier than ever.

• Online ads will appear immediately after they are approved.

Your ad will appear online and in our publication • Print ads must be received before Thursday at noon PST in a couple of easy Monday's steps. edition. to be processed for the following

Mirza alli

Broker/Realtor

e-mail us: info@bunkerhillrealestate.com

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EstablishEd 1984

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Offered At $315,000.

oFFice space & eVent space For lease!

Beautiful, historic Banks Huntley building located in Gallery Row district of Downtown LA offering office space close to Federal Court House and City Hall – ideal for non-profits but for profit organizations are also welcome! Rental rate: $1.60-$1.70/sq.ft./ month Full Service Gross. Ground-floor event and conference space also available in gorgeous art-deco setting, perfect for private functions, weddings, business meetings, etc.

For further information, please contact Karrie Lieu at 213-629-2512 ext.110 (klieu@maldef.org) or Carlito Manasan at ext.117 (cmanasan@maldef.org)

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

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For more info visit our web site or call toll free. Donations in the form RENTING • BUYING • LIVING of checks, cashiers checks or money orders can be made payable to: Since 2001, LoftLivingLA.com has Since 2001, LoftLivingLA.com has RENTING • BUYING • LIVING

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photo by Gary Leonard

We Got Games The Dodgers Get Help and the Sparks Are Playoff-bound.

Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., (213) 2241400 or dodgers.mlb.com.

The Dodgers are on the road this week, first in Arizona and then up to the bay to face the Giants in San Francisco. They’ve got a little more help than last time too, with recent acquisitions Jim Thome — a powerful left-handed bat and veteran clubhouse presence — and pitcher John Garland.

General Manager Ned Coletti seems determined to win a ring this year, as the trades come with the Giants and Rockies looming closer in the standings.

If there’s any potential negative to the addition of Thome, who has clubbed 23 homers this year (he’s got 564 for his career, making him 12th on the all-time home run list) is the fact that the veteran has been a designated hitter for the past two years and hasn’t played a lick of defense. Then again, it

certainly doesn’t hurt having a power-hitter looming on the bench for a late-game pinch hit opportunity.

You never know when Thome might come up big.

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

Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m.: The Sparks finish the regular season this week, with two home games, including what promises to be an emotional farewell game against the Minnesota Lynx on Sept. 11 for Lisa Leslie, the club’s iconic veteran who will retire after this year. Though it will be the Sparks’ final home regular season game of the year, they’re on track to make it to the post season, where Leslie will try to lead the team to her own storybook ending.

—Ryan Vaillancourt

Lisa Leslie will play in her final home, regular season game this week.

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