09-29-08

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LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS Volume 37, Number 39

INSIDE

Reviewing Tranquility Base

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A new restaurant, an Exposition Park guide, and other happenings Around Town.

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New plan aims to make Downtown site a green manufacturing center.

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

September 29, 2008

Little Tokyo Gym Plan Approved Fourteen-Year Effort to Build Recreation Center Gets the Green Light by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

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Get on the tour bus.

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The Biltmore Hotel turns 85.

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photo by Gary Leonard

Thomas Yee (left) and Scott Ito of the Little Tokyo Service Center, which hopes to build a $15 million gymnasium in the community. On Sept. 23, the City Council approved the plan.

Celebrating the High Holy Days.

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Evolution of a Neighborhood South Group Completes Three-Building, $305 Million Investment in Downtown by Richard Guzmán city editor

Walking for a good cause.

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The verdict on ‘9 to 5’.

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an basketball help save Little Tokyo? If you combine it with volleyball, martial arts and thousands of youths, stakeholders in the neighborhood say absolutely. After the City Council approved a plan last week to let the Little Tokyo Service Center build a gymnasium on a city-owned property, those advocates now have a chance to prove it. No problem, said LTSC Executive Director Bill Watanabe. “If we build it, I know they will come,” he said. For 14 years, the nonprofit LTSC has been waging a persistent campaign to develop a gymnasium in the area to host youth sporting events. In addition to providing an athletic and entertainment venue for the community, the LTSC sees the $15 million facility as an opportunity to re-introduce hosts of

Japanese-American families spread throughout Los Angeles to Little Tokyo. Popular Japanese-American youth and adult basketball leagues are one of the few ties that bind an ethnic community that, in recent years, has strayed from Little Tokyo, Watanabe said. The LTSC estimates that some 10,000 Japanese Americans participate in basketball leagues around Los Angeles County. Another 3,000 play in volleyball leagues. Some of the basketball leagues, like the Nisei Athletic Union, are iterations of clubs founded before World War II, a testament to the game’s history among Japanese Americans. “If we could create the gym, we thought then it becomes a part of the children’s lives and they connect with Little Tokyo like, ‘Hey, this is our community; this is our heritage,’” Watanabe said. “If they don’t come, they don’t care and if see Little Tokyo, page 9

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lthough you’re surrounded by highrises, it’s easy to stand on the sixth floor pool terrace at Evo and imagine a tight, and maybe slightly voyeuristic neighborhood. From here, a man and a woman can be seen sunbathing on the pool deck that unites two adjacent buildings. One of them waves up at a reporter looking down at them. The curiously named Evo, the third and final installment of a project from Portland-based developer the South Group, has its grand opening on Sunday, Oct. 5. It marks the transformation of

a block that was empty five years ago to one that has more than 700 residences today. It also marks the culmination of a $305 million investment. The 635,000-square-foot Evo follows the completion of South Group’s Elleven and Luma buildings, which opened in 2006 and last year, respectively. The 23-story, $160 million project is both the most upscale and the largest of the buildings, adding 311 condominiums. Priced from the mid-$400,000s to more than $3 million for units that range from 730-3,500 square feet, Evo lays down yet another brick in the rapidly rising neighborhood of South Park, one that is see South Group, page 10

photo by Gary Leonard

South Group’s Evo, a $160 million condominium project, opens this month. The building is 30% sold, a steep drop from the developer’s previous projects on the same block.

Big Questions for Mayor’s Housing Plan Efforts to Mandate Affordable Units in Other Cities Have Produced Mixed Results by Anna Scott

Check out the Elevate Film Festival.

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20 CALENDAR LISTINGS 27 MAP 29 CLASSIFIEDS

staff writer

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n the midst of an economic slump that has pummeled the nationwide housing industry, the city is working on a plan that would require nearly every new condominium and apartment project to include an affordable component. Still a work in progress, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s Mixed-Income Ordinance has already created division in the local housing community. A preliminary draft of Villaraigosa’s MIO, released last month to a small number of housing and development groups, calls for all new buildings with 20 or more units to reserve 12.5%-22.5% of them for low- to moderate-

income households, or take steps or pay to have them off-site. The measure could have particular impact in Downtown Los Angeles, where thousands of market-rate and affordable units are in the pipeline. With word of the plan spreading, many are unsure what impact it would have, and whether it could create affordable housing without stymieing development. Observers note that although more than 300 counties, cities and towns, including approximately 170 in California, have managed to create some form of mandatory affordable housing — also known as inclusionary zoning — results are mixed. “Many cities throughout the country have suc-

cessfully adopted inclusionary programs,” said City Planning Director Gail Goldberg. “I think L.A. has a more difficult problem creating affordable housing than other cities do,” she continued, but, “there are a lot of good, creative people who are right now trying to figure out, ‘How can we make this work in L.A?’” In recent weeks, some in the local business community have argued that Villaraigosa’s proposal does not offer enough incentives to offset the costs to developers. A task force of developers, organized by the Downtown-based Central City Association, has formed to work on the policy. Meanwhile, a broad coalition of organizations see Housing, page 11

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

2 Downtown News

September 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

AROUNDTOWN Church & State Opens in Arts District

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fter more than two years of planning, the long-awaited restaurant Church & State has opened in the Arts District. The establishment from Steven Arroyo, known for creating Cobras & Matadors and Malo, among others, debuted Monday, Sept. 22. “It feels amazing,” said Arroyo last Wednesday. “It feels more like home than home.” The chef is Downtown resident Greg Bernhardt, who has worked with Arroyo for the past three years and previously spent time in high-end kitchens, including helping Neal Fraser open Grace. Church & State, which is in a street-front space at the Biscuit Company Lofts at 1850 Industrial St., has an approach that marries classic bistro dishes and fine dining. Menu options range from peel-and-eat shrimp to steak frites to blanquette de veau, a veal stew. The restaurant is currently open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only, and Sunday brunch. More information at (213) 405-1434.

Inner-City Arts Celebrates Expansion

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ulminating a three-phase campus expansion launched 15 years ago, Skid Row educational organization Inner-City Arts announced last week that its $10 million final phase is open. The recently completed expansion includes a new theater, ceramics complex, a parent-teacher resource center and a courtyard. Architect Michael Maltzan designed the project and Nancy Power oversaw the landscaping. Inner-City Arts provides arts education to at-risk elemen-

tary, middle and high school students at 720 Kohler St., in the heart of Skid Row. The expansion will allow the organization to double its capacity and serve 16,000 students annually, said spokeswoman Joanna Brody. The upgraded facility will also allow Inner-City Arts to increase its Professional Development Program, which trains teachers to incorporate the arts as a teaching tool in other academic areas. Individuals and foundation and government grants funded the third phase. The lead donors were Philip Rosenthal, the creator and executive producer of the television sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and his wife Monica Rosenthal, who appeared on the show.

Club Nokia Announces Lineup

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fficials with Anschutz Entertainment Group have announced that Club Nokia, part of the second phase of the $2.5 billion L.A. Live project, will open Nov. 10 with a performance by alternative rocker Beck. Partnering with concert promoter Goldenvoice, AEG officials said they will book artists in the 2,300-seat venue that appeal to a broad fan base, from soul to pop to world music. Indeed, the opening lineup is diverse, with acts including hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco on Nov. 12, Latin alternativereggaeton band Calle 13 on Nov. 15, ’80s rocker Bret Michaels on Dec. 7, X with the New York Dolls Dec. 20 and comedian Lisa Lampanelli Feb. 28. The club features hardwood floors and theater-style seating in the balcony. Most of the second phase of L.A. Live will debut in December. The full lineup is at clubnokia.com.

metro.net

Cartifact Creates Exposition Park Map

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owntown-based mapmaking company Cartifact has created a new, detailed map of Exposition Park. The foldout guide includes a brief history of the 160-acre facility and its attractions, such as the Natural History Museum, the L.A. Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena, the California Science Center, the California African-American Museum and the Rose Garden, among other draws.

It also includes directions to the park. The publication is the latest in Cartifact’s ongoing effort to map all of L.A.’s regional parks. The firm recently completed a similar guide to Griffith Park and is working on one for Elysian Park, said Cartifact President Graham Marriott. “The City Council members are sponsoring these, but they were done for the Department of Recreation and Parks,” he said. The Exposition Park guide is available at the park’s various venues. see Around Town, page 3

University of Southern California

Midweek Minimalists

Metro Briefs

Experimental director Robert Wilson speaks; experimental dancer Hae Kyung Lee soars.

Learn About Measure R

An Evening with Robert Wilson Tuesday, September 30, 7 p.m.

Measure R is a half-cent sales tax on the November 4 ballot that could provide the local resources to finance transportation projects throughout Los Angeles County. To view the expenditure plan and the full text of Measure R, visit metro.net/measureR.

Bing Theatre Admission: Free www.usc.edu • (213) 740-6786

Join In Rideshare Week Oct. 6–10 Make a pledge and carpool, vanpool or use public transit to get to work at least one day during Rideshare Week Oct. 6–10 and be eligible to win valuable prizes. The program is open to employers and employees alike. Visit metro.net/rideshareweek for details.

Metro Sets 3.4 Million Hour Safety Record Crews building the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension set a safety record by completing more than 3.4 million hours of work without a lost-time accident since construction began July 2004. The six-mile extension of the line will link downtown LA with East LA when it opens next year.

Greener Buses: Metro Tests Hybrid They are state-of-the-art when it comes to carrying and storage capacity, but the ultimate goal for these 42-foot transit buses is improved fuel mileage. Metro is currently testing six gasoline/electric hybrid buses with the potential to get double the 3.2-miles-per-gallon average of a regular bus.

Get Latest Service Updates From Metro

GEN-FE-09-004 ©2008 LACMTA

Find out what to expect before you get to the bus stop or train station. Receive the latest service alert information from Metro via email, mobile phone or your wireless device. To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, go to System Service Alerts at metro.net.

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

photo by Gary Leonard

Council members Jan Perry, José Huizar and Tom LaBonge showed up Wednesday, Sept. 24, for the inauguration of Starline Tours’ new Downtown bus tour. The double-decker buses will pass by Downtown landmarks every 30 minutes. Rides are $30 a person.

WHETHER IT’S FOR ORIGINAL works like The Black Rider and the CIVIL warS or starkly ethereal settings of Wagner’s Ring Cycle and Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, Robert Wilson is recognized as a living treasure of the American stage. In town for his much-anticipated L.A. Opera production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, the man the New York Times has called “a towering figure in the world of experimental theater” makes a special appearance at USC. In a unique lecture-performance, the Texas native distills the essence of his integrated minimalism – an infusion of movement, dance, lighting, furniture design, sculpture, music and text, all galvanized by a strange and wonderful alchemy. An informal questionand-answer session follows the presentation.

USC your cultural connection

A L S O AT U S C :

Hae Kyung Lee & Dancers Wednesday, October 1, 7 p.m. Combining extremes of stark minimalism and high-voltage energy, internationally acclaimed choreographer Hae Kyung Lee fuses the spirituality of her Korean ancestry with a sensibility that’s uniquely postmodern. Rather than strive for unity, the Los Angeles-based company emphasizes each dancer’s integrity and individualism. Bovard Auditorium (213) 740-2167 General admission: $20

For more information visit www.usc.edu

LA Downtown News

September 29, 2008

The Loan Arranger Program Aims to Get Money to Small Downtown Businesses by Richard GuzmĂĄn city editor

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ith money woes spreading from the mortgage sector to the greater economy, it figures that small Downtown Los Angeles businesses are feeling the pressure as much as anyone. In the effort to make things at least slightly easier, an entity that has helped numerous entrepreneurs start their enterprises is now working on getting funds to local businesses with a minimal time turnaround. This year, the Valley Economic Development Center created a position for a new Downtown loan officer focused on speeding up the lending process in the Central City. The program can get loans going as quickly as 48 hours. It follows the arranging of loans for many Downtown entities. Through its SBA Microloan Program, the VEDC has helped mom and pop stores in Downtown secure more than $1 million, said Roberto Barragan, president of the VEDC. “In Downtown we’ve helped start about 45 businesses, and there’s a good number more that have received loans from us,� said Barragan. The nonprofit VEDC was formed in 1976 to help small- and medium-sized businesses with consulting, training and finance. In Downtown, it runs the Historic Downtown Retail Project, which works to attract and assist new businesses in the area. The SBA Microloan Program began in 1998 with the focus on helping small business owners, many of whom have less than stellar credit, borrow up to $35,000 to start, maintain, relocate or expand a business. Those who qualify for the loans have FICA credit scores between 550 and 680, Barragan said. The loans are on a fiveyear term with interest rates at about 10%, he said.

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With the financial woes, including last week’s Wall Street tumble, many banks are asking for higher credit scores to secure loans, said Barragan. He added that tapping into home equity, which traditionally has helped struggling business owners, is also more difficult. “When business people are going through a tough time in the economy, the first thing they’re going to do is access their homes for more capital, but that is no longer available,� he said. The SBA Microloan Program has made about $5.5 million in loans to more than 500 businesses, Barragan said. Experts said that in some cases those small loans help keep mom and pop shops afloat.

“A challenge for all small businesses is the funding for their enterprise,â€? said Gary Toebben, president and CEO of the Downtown-based Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. “Enterprises like the Valley Economic Development Center are important to giving Downtown small businesses some additional assistance.â€? Although Downtown is known for its skyscrapers and major attractions such as Staples Center and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the community is filled with countless smallPANTONE 877 C lbusinesses, u x u rincluding y a prestaurants a r t m and e nretail t soutlets. SIlver “We have this very interesting mix of high rises and mom and pop businesses,â€? said Carol Schatz, president and CEO of the Central City Association. “Obviously the lending program is very, very helpful.â€? Downtowners interested in applying for a microloan can contact the VEDC’s Virgie Peneda at (213) 488-3599 or downtownlaretail.com. Contact Richard GuzmĂĄn at richard@dowtownnews.com. Exisitng corporate colors

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Toni Morrison To Speak in Downtown

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lthough events in the Aloud speaker series are usually held in the Central Library, an upcoming guest is forcing a move to a larger venue. The series sponsored by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles will host Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison on Nov. 19 in Little Tokyo’s Aratani/ Japan America Theatre. Tickets for the event, which are $20, or $10 for Library Foundation associates, go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 1. Morrison will read from her newest book, A Mercy, then take questions from Los Angeles Times Book Editor David Ulin. “This will be her only L.A. appearance so we anticipated a large interest and demand for tickets. It was just beyond the capacity of our 240-seat theater,� said Aloud curator Louise Steinman. Signed copies of Morrison’s new book will be available for purchase the day of the event. Tickets are available online at aloudla.org, in person at the Library Store, or by calling the Aratani box office at (213) 680-3700.

Event Brings Youth To USC Football Game

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he Los Angeles Sports Council and USC are accepting donations until Thursday, Oct. 2, for the annual Touchdown for Youth program. For 16 years the university and the nonprofit Sports Council have partnered to bring local disadvantaged youth to a Trojans football game. They expect to host about 2,000 children at the Saturday, Oct. 4, game at the Coliseum against the Oregon Ducks, but donations of at least $30 are still being sought from individuals and companies. For each $30 tax-deductible donation, one child gets a ticket, hot dog and soda, council President David Simon said. “It gives them a chance to experience what in most cases is their first college football game, but more importantly what is often their first exposure to university life,� Simon said. Inaugurated at the 1993 Super Bowl, played at the Rose Bowl, Touchdown for Youth was founded by Sports Council board member Sheldon Ausman. To donate, call (213) 482-6333.

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4 Downtown News

September 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

EDITORIALS Civic Center Blight Demands Immediate Attention

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omething unsettling is happening in the Civic Center. The district that houses the largest concentration of government employees west of the Mississippi is suffering from the sudden reality of blighted plots, and there is no plan to remedy the situation. Right now two huge parcels in the center of Downtown Los Angeles stand ugly, empty and off-limits. A third is unused and decaying, while a fourth will join the mix next year. This is a vast squandering of public assets, something every Downtown stakeholder should see as an enormous lost opportunity, though one that can be remedied with effective leadership. We’re talking about two very large, vacant parcels at First Street and Broadway, plus the shuttered Hall of Justice (Temple Street between Spring and Broadway) and Parker Center (Los Angeles Street between Temple and First streets), which will be a dead zone once the LAPD moves into its new headquarters. We’re ignoring the nearby Grand Avenue project for the moment, in hopes that developers will be able to keep their promises, though in the current economic climate it cannot be a sure thing. We’d like to trust that our government leaders can address the situation, but if they failed in the recent boom cycle, there is little hope they can succeed now unless they begin to think and act differently. To be fair, some of what is happening has taken everyone by surprise, including our leaders. Unfortunately they do not have the luxury of waiting until the next economic upswing. They need to restart the momentum now. This is a key time for Downtown. So much growth has happened in recent years, and for the first time in decades there is an opportunity and passion for change in the physical landscape. There has been a wealth of construction in the private sector, and it would be smart to leverage the momentum of urban activity. Each piece can build on the rest, just as the demise of a development can dampen enthusiasm for projects still in the planning stage. To be sure, we have seen some significant investment in the Civic Center. The city spent $300 million to update and retrofit City Hall. There are also two new buildings: the $190 million Caltrans structure on the southeast corner of First and Main streets, and the $440 million LAPD headquarters, slated to open next June on the southwest corner of the intersection. Our Civic Center should be not only an economic engine contributing to the Downtown economy, but also a shining

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

jewel, something locals are proud of and visitors are impressed by. It is instead a patchwork of pretty buildings and ugly blight. The most recent piece of distressing news came this month, when an audit revealed that the price of the proposed federal courthouse on the southwest corner of First Street and Broadway has nearly tripled to $1.1 billion. We’re not sure how an edifice with just 54 courtrooms could cost that much, but the ballooning price tag has killed any near-term chance of activating the 3.6-acre site. It wasn’t always this way. A state office building once stood there, though the state sold the land for $2.5 million in 2003, and the edifice was subsequently razed, creating the opportunity for a much-needed new courthouse costing about $400 million. But that effort is now kaput, even though the federal General Services Administration spent more than $33 million on designs and site preparation. Perhaps a change of administration in Washington, D.C. will help matters, but it is clear that redesigns and a scaling down are necessary if this project is to happen. Additionally, it’s something where we could use the sway of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa — he talks frequently about going east to lobby for some of the money local taxpayers send to Washington. How about some results? The failed courthouse would be bad enough on its own, but the northeast corner of the same intersection holds another blighted plot. The land, immediately west of City Hall, has been a disgrace for decades. In 1914, a state office building rose on the site. It was damaged in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake and then torn down. The only ones to make use of it since then have been skateboarders and graffiti taggers. The land is owned by the state, while the county, which controls an adjacent parking lot, is responsible for its upkeep (the city long ago gave up a stake in the plot). Yes, it’s just as convoluted as it sounds, and the matter is made even more complex by some underground parking space whose structural integrity is in question. The last serious effort to do something there came in the late 1980s when a developer proposed building an office tower, though the idea petered out during the recession of the early ’90s. Since then, government leaders have let the land sit empty and ugly. For some reason, the symbolism of a trashed lot next to stately City Hall fails to ignite passion or action.

Then there’s the Hall of Justice. Although it was damaged 14 years ago by the Northridge earthquake, the county has no real plan — and it seems no pressing desire — to act. The 1926 Beaux Arts structure could be active and gorgeous, but the void in leadership is hampering any comeback. That makes three blighted properties around City Hall. We shudder to think of a fourth once the LAPD moves into its new home and aged Parker Center is vacated and likely razed. We have heard no plans for what will replace it. It is time for action, and by that we mean real action, not the issuing of another feasibility study, not the hiring of another consultant whose plan will be announced at a splashy press conference and then shelved. It is time for local leaders to lead, to look at ways to utilize these pieces of land in the short- and long-term. Maybe they need to be donated to the city for a dollar so the city could create another park there. Part of what is so distressing is that the pieces seem to be in place to address the matter, if government officials would work together. In the 1990s, a group called the Civic Center Authority met regularly to coordinate growth plans for the area, to address issues such as concentrating government workers within a short walk of City Hall and sharing facilities. The grouping of seven government entities could be reconstituted. Don’t let personalities get in the way. Or maybe people really need to think outside the box. A few years ago artist Lauren Bon’s Not a Cornfield group came up with an engaging way to use a huge vacant plot next to Chinatown as an agricultural art project. Bon’s team then used its momentum to create an interim park on the site. It is now embraced by the community. While this is not a call to grow corn for a year in the Civic Center, perhaps a similar plan or another type of partner could produce a positive result. Downtown leaders have an opportunity to help the community by addressing these blighted properties. These are public spaces, and the public is not being served.

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 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Julie Riggott 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, Andrew Haas-Roche, Sam Hall Kaplan, Howard Leff, Lisa Napoli, Rod Riggs, Marc Porter Zasada ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa PRODUCTION AND GRAPHICS: Kelly Coats, Juan Pacheco PRODUCTION ASSISTANT / EVENT COORDINATOR: Claudia Hernandez PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard ACCOUNTING: Ashley Vandervort SALES MANAGER: Dawn Eastin ASSISTANT SALES MANAGER: George Caston SALES ASSISTANT: Annette Cruz CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Vanessa Acuña, Robert Dutcher, Catherine Holloway, Kelley Smith CIRCULATION: Norma Rodas DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles. It is also distributed to the extended urban communities of Glendale, Hollywood, Wilshire Center, Los Feliz, Silver Lake & Larchmont Village.

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September 29, 2008

Downtown News 5

Opinion

The Readers Respond Website Comments on Tall Towers, Trash Troubles and Little Tokyo

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os Angeles Downtown News posts comments to stories on our website. Here are some of the most recent responses. Many more appear on downtownnews.com (comments follow individual articles). Additional responses are welcome. Regarding the article “Developer Plans 61-Story Tower,” by Anna Scott, Sept. 8

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et’s hope that they select the right architect. Good design always promotes new development nearby and this area needs better architecture than what has recently been constructed. —posted by John Crandell, Sept. 6, 12:22 a.m.

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think they’re smart to get their project in and announced early even if they drag their feet. There are several other nearby sites — some with even better locations — that are either quietly available for sale or are being held for future development. Getting this project out early helps as landowners/developers jockey for position once the market recovers. —posted by Christopher Hain, Sept. 6, 8:24 p.m. Regarding the Editorial “Trash Trouble in Toy Town,” Sept. 8

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live in the Toy District, and I am outraged at the lack of city-provided services here, including, but not limited to, sanitation service. I pay almost $10,000 a year in property taxes, plus income tax (between Federal and State amounting to 49% of my income) and

sales tax. I shop locally. Where are all those tax dollars going? Hundreds of movie and TV companies film in Downtown each year. Where are all those permit fees going? I don’t want to hear that the city has no money and no obligation to pick up the trash. —posted by Jane Wiedlin, Sept. 8, 7:50 a.m.

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very simple solution would be to enforce the law! Is it legal to dump trash in the streets of Los Angeles? If not, then think of this quote from the editorial: “Many business owners take the cardboard boxes that their merchandise was shipped in and toss them in front of their stores, onto the sidewalk or even in the street.” If that happens, fine the people who are dumping the trash. I don’t think that solution is hard to figure out. If I owned property and didn’t throw the trash from my business into the street, I wouldn’t fund the project that cleans up after the other litterbugs that are making money and trashing our city. Does this make sense, or is it just too easy? —posted by Boo Boo, Sept. 10, 10:43 a.m. Regarding the Editorial “Little Tokyo’s Future Requires Communication, Compromise,” Aug. 25

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he problem with Little Tokyo is that there are too many other areas in SoCal (West L.A., Torrance, Gardena) that have Japanese restaurants and stores. I live in NorCal, and San Jose’s J-Town is surviving just fine. Lunchtime on the weekdays is always packed with people who work at nearby City Hall, and Friday

nights and weekends are also always packed (with 70-80% non Japanese Americans) who eat or shop. There are plenty of sushi restaurants outside of J-Town, but everyone knows to go there for home-style Japanese food. J-Town doesn’t have a big Asian residential community, but with Obon and other festivals, a lot of the Japanese-American community makes its way back. What helps SJ J-Town is the Buddhist church and Methodist church are located there. They always have festivals or events. L.A. is just too spread out, and people don’t need to visit Little Tokyo to eat or shop, and Nisei Week seems like the only main festival that happens in Little Tokyo, compared to the multiple events in San Jose and SF J-Towns. —posted by Scott, Aug. 26, 4:51 p.m.

offering any free month to their new tenants. More people are moving Downtown, and many upscale stores are opening. Some large retailers are negotiating for a new location in Downtown. —posted by Downtown Realist, Sept. 15, 7:56 a.m. Regarding the article “‘American’ Success,” about the growth of American Apparel, by Richard Guzmán, Sept. 15

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harney and American Apparel are what’s right about business and community. If Exxon/Mobil operated like this, there wouldn’t be a recession. —posted by Joe, Sept. 13, 7:31 p.m.

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his is beautiful, thank you for sharing good news. I would like to hear more about businesses that are growing in L.A., even if they are smaller. Let’s highlight the positive. —posted by Elizabeth, Sept. 23, 1:59 p.m.

Regarding the Editorial “Reports of the Market’s Death Are Greatly Exaggerated,” Sept. 15

Regarding the article “Mayor’s Housing Plan Causes Division,” by Anna Scott, Sept. 8

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he fact is that the housing market in Downtown L.A. is a disaster. Rental buildings are offering two months concession and are not achieving forecasted rents. Condo plans are being shelved and developers are moving to unload units in bulk and are desperately trying to sell their land. The only good thing about this market is that land will be re-priced long term, allowing for ultimately more housing. —posted by Downtown Skeptic, Sept. 12, 11:37 p.m.

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lthough prices for lofts are down due to the housing downturn, the leasing activity is very strong. Some projects are not

ou would have to be oblivious not to know that we have a housing crisis in Los Angeles. Too many people are struggling just to pay high monthly rents, and in some areas rent increases are above 4% yearly. The median income families earning $50,000 a year are still not able to afford the rents. I totally support the mayor’s plan in developing the mixed-income housing policy. I believe the crime rate will drop tremendously; people have become so desperate just trying to survive. The housing plan should help balance out things in Los Angeles. —posted by Carmen, Sept. 13, 1:06 p.m.

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Neon Plan Would Help Entertainment District Shine

L

et there be lights. Let there the request was inspired by scenes be lots of them, dazzling, of a futuristic L.A. in the sci-fi film diverting and distinctive Blade Runner. Let him go for it. dancing diode displays that disThe city has for some time needtinguish Downtown Los Angeles. ed a new iconic image for its pale Let us not confine the lights to promotions, as well as fresh photo the barn sides of the Convention ops for tourists. Let’s face it: The Center, the signage rights of which Hollywood sign is stale, the Santa were sold recently by the city to the Monica Bay beach scene is too seaAnschutz Entertainment Group. Sam Hall Kaplan sonal and modest (not to menAlthough the state legislature has tion being a sad second to Rio de put up a roadblock, AEG hopes to Janeiro), and the Spanish burg of use the space to promote its adja- OBSERVED Bilbao with its Guggenheim mucent Staples Center as the Times seum had first dibs on the distincSquare of the West. tive, sinuous metallic styling seen If Sacramento wants to remain in the dark on Disney Hall. ages, literally and figuratively, fine. But it We do not need icons that are yesterday. shouldn’t pull the plug on L.A. We need something that expresses a now Now that the genie is out of the bottle, L.A., one that is engaging, flexible, fun and let him sprinkle at will his nighttime mag- free, and that can change in a microsecond. It ic dust in the form of light-emitting di- is also nice that the city, under the agreement, odes, commonly referred to as LEDs. Let would pick up some extra cash for granting the high-tech creations soar and exceed the these divertissements; the $2 million it will displays that decorate and date New York’s receive annually from AEG will, I expect, be Times Square, Tokyo’s Ginza sector and the just a start as Downtown tarts up. Las Vegas strip. At present the touted “sports and enterIt is time for Downtown to sparkle with an tainment district” is visually mostly a bore, imaginative array of brilliant, blinking con- with the centerpiece Convention Center havceits that will mark it as the creative capital of ing all the panache of a bland office park in the world. Orange County. If L.A. is ever to throw off its To its credit, the city appears primed for suburban shroud, it needs people to animate such a move. In a related matter, earlier this our public spaces, places to see and be seen, year it approved a proposal by developer and perhaps share an experience, without Sonny Astani to create a 14-story electron- having to buy a ticket or make a purchase. ic sign on a 30-story condo tower now in As for our “lifestyle” malls, they frankly have the last throes of construction at Ninth and become démodé. Figueroa streets. According to its developer, So let us encourage the computer wizards

CITY

Let us encourage the computer wizards of the new media and advertising age to view the entire Downtown entertainment district as a stage of sorts for the latest innovations that can be seen from sidewalks and streets. grams, laser shows, and one can only guess what some computer genius will come up with in the future. Of course, in addition to the expressive media messages and possible serial cartoons that will draw viewers back daily and weekly to see the next episodes, there will be advertising. Someone has to pay for that flashy computer programming. We certainly have the benign weather and the many perfect evenings to make outdoor displays in the entertainment district acces-

Family

sible to the public. As long as they don’t shine into any nearby residences. Indeed, such displays can be intrusive and tawdry, but I must admit my prejudices as a long-term light show enthusiast. There was the time in the 1970s in New York City when I rented a bachelor apartment on the upper floor of an East Side tower. In addition to having views of the construction of two projects I had a hand in developing, it provided a glimpse of the Empire State Building, bathed then at night in red, white and blue lights. That image became a feature attraction for my evening soirees. Actually, my enthusiasm for the bright lights of big cities dates back even further, to the late 1950s and one of my early writing assignments then for the New York Times. Besides scripting news broadcasts, every hour I also wrote the headlines that crawled around the landmark triangular Times building that lent Times Square its name. After delivering my copy to the typist who edited the sign, I took particular pride walking through Times Square seeing my words in electric lights, competing with the neighboring displays, including the smoke rings rising rhythmically out of the mouth of the smiling man in the Camel cigarette sign. It is an image I’ll never forget. Meanwhile, as a true believer, I also look forward to seeing how the video displays and other creative constructs will change our views and enjoyment of Downtown, and hopefully stir in me some more sweet déjà vu. Sam Hall Kaplan is the former design critic for the L.A. Times and an Emmy Awardwinning former reporter for Fox News. City Observed is a column by Sam Hall Kaplan. His comments do not reflect the editorial position of Los Angeles Downtown News.

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6 Downtown News

September 29, 2008

Downtown News 7

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Brownfield, Meet Greenfield City Plans Industrial Park for EcoFriendly Technology Companies On Former Polluted Site

The proposed Cleantech Manufacturing Center would house green manufacturers in the “greenest� of facilities.

by Ryan Vaillancourt

rendering courtesy of the Community Redevelopment Agency

staff writer

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20-acre industrial property once laced with toxic contaminants is where city officials hope to build Los Angeles’ future epicenter of clean technology and green jobs. The Community Redevelopment Agency announced its vision last week to develop a 1 million-square-foot Downtown Los Angeles industrial center for companies that manufacture green technologies such as wind turbines or hydrogen fuel cells. In a solar-powered press conference at the Los Angeles River-adjacent site, which the city purchased from the state for $14 million in April, officials were surrounded by solar panels and innovative vehicles powered by alternative fuels, examples of products that could be manufactured at the proposed Cleantech Manufacturing Center. “This Cleantech Manufacturing Center will not only have green products produced, the manufacturing process itself will be clean and the buildings in which they’re located will be state-of-the-art green buildings,â€? said Cecilia Estolano, the agency’s chief executive officer. The first stage of the plan was launched last week: The CRA is reaching out to appropriate companies in the effort to understand their facility needs and also to gauge their interest in relocating to Los Angeles. A package of materials being sent to companies touts Los Angeles as a center for skilled and non-skilled employees, and a city where recent environmental initiatives at the ports, the Department of Water and Power and other areas are built-in drivers of demand. Perhaps the biggest draw to potential tenants is the fact that, since the property is within the Central Industrial Redevelopment Project Area, businesses could receive an array of financial incentives including utility rebates, employment tax credits and permit expediting assistance, said Estolano. She could not place a value on the potential incentives. In January, the agency will begin the process to find a developer for the project. Those who bid will be required to come to the table with at least one partner that would occupy part of the facility. “You will not be able to bid unless you actually have a real live greentech manufacturer ready to go on this site,â€? Estolano said. “No more bait and switch.â€? Environmental Justice Situated east of Santa Fe Avenue, near 15th Street and Washington Boulevard, the site is, ironically, laden with a history of environmental waste and community struggles against perceived environmental injustice. The site formerly housed a slate of industrial users, most notably Crown Coach, a manufacturer that built buses for the MTA. Those uses led to significant contamination and the declaration of the site as a brownfield. The CRA, which in recent years has spent $2.2 million cleaning up the site, had long had an agreement to buy the property from the state. The $14 million purchase price is “way below market value,â€? said Estolano. In the 1980s, the state sought to build a prison on the site, but community opposition from groups including the Mothers of East Los Angeles derailed that plan. The group, which is still active today, argued that the surrounding neighborhood already had a disproportionate share of prisons. The group’s protests at the Crown Coach site helped lead to legislation banning state prisons in Los Angeles County. If that was the Mothers’ first major victory, the plan to bring a source of middle-class jobs to the same site is another triumph 20 years later, said Lucy Ramos, the group’s president. “I think it’s a lot better than what they had planned 22 years ago,â€? Ramos said. Still, as the project unfolds, members of the group are likely to ask questions related to whether the Cleantech Manufacturing Center will really generate blue-collar jobs, said Frank Villalobos, who advises the Mothers on issues of environmental justice and planning. “I think what people are mostly interested in is the jobs,â€? Villalobos said. “Will the jobs be too technical?â€? City officials, including 14th District Councilman JosĂŠ Huizar, who represents the area where the site is located and marched as a teenager against the prison plan with Mothers of East Los Angeles, said they are looking specifically for companies who need blue-collar workers.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also cited the benefits. “Here we’ll grow clean tech jobs and make this Cleantech Manufacturing Center a hub that will once again be a source

of good-paying middle class jobs and a center of global innovation,� he said. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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Big Time at the Biltmore Historic Downtown Hotel Celebrates 85th Birthday by RichaRd GuzmĂĄn city editoR

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September 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

t was once the largest hotel west of Chicago. It opened with 1,000 rooms, its opulent grand ballrooms a mixture of Neoclassical, Moorish, Baroque and Renaissance styles. It was designed by Leonard Schultze and S. Fullerton Weaver, who also designed New York’s Waldorf Astoria. It’s a historic landmark, and yes, the Beatles landed there. It’s also the last place where the actress who came to be known as the Black Dahlia was seen, and some believe a ghost may be running loose in the old hotel. The Biltmore Hotel, now known as the Millennium Biltmore, celebrates its 85th birthday this week. An invitation-only party on Thursday, Oct. 2, is expected to attract 500 people. “The Biltmore is clearly the most significant historic hotel in Los Angeles,� said Ken Bernstein, manager of the city’s Office of Historic Resources. “While it was predated by the Alexandria, which at the time was Downtown’s premier hotel, the Biltmore took opulence, luxury and architectural grandeur to an entirely new level.� Built in 1923, the Beaux Arts-style building is one of Downtown’s most recognizable structures. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Inside, the grandeur and luxury of its Renaissance design remains. The Rendezvous Court, off the back entrance on Olive Street, was the original lobby of the building (today the main entrance is at 506 S. Grand Ave.), and a Spanish baroque staircase and Moorish

beamed ceiling lead to a 350-foot-long galleria. Many of its cavernous banquet rooms were decorated by Italian muralist Giovanni Smeraldi. The hotel overlooking Pershing Square fell into disarray in the 1960s. It has since undergone a series of renovations that have returned it to its original glamour. It was purchased by Millennium & Copthorne in 2000. Today, it holds 683 guest rooms, and room rates start at $129 a night. Its customer base is tourists and business travelers. “It’s a staple of the business center in Downtown,â€? said Vincent Piro, vice president and general manager of the hotel. “It’s one of those buildings with so much history that when you mention the Biltmore everyone knows of it‌. It’s a staple of what Downtown Los Angeles is known for.â€? Popular Picture The anniversary will be celebrated with a formal party Thursday in the Crystal Ballroom. It’s on the same day, and in the same place, where the hotel’s opening gala was held in 1923. Today a black-and-white picture of that event, with the guests staring into the camera, the men frozen in their tuxedos and the women in their flapper dresses, hangs in the hotel. Pam Taylor, a docent with the Los Angeles Conservancy, which offers two monthly tours of the Biltmore, said the picture of the inaugural ball is one of the most popular stops on the tour. “People spend a lot of time on that. They see the way women are dressed, the flapper look, the hair, the jewelry,â€? she said. People are also fascinated by the hotel’s

many stories. “I would like to say that most of the questions are about the architecture and the interior decor,â€? Taylor said, “but truthfully they want to know if there are any ghosts, or if it’s true that the Beatles stayed there.â€? Yes, the Fab Four were helicoptered to the hotel in 1964 during their first trip to Los Angeles, she said. Then there are questions about Elizabeth Short. “They want to know if it’s true the Black Dahlia was last seen there, and that’s true. The last time she was seen alive was at the lobby of the Biltmore in 1947,â€? Taylor said. The young actress’ eviscerated body was found a few days later near the Coliseum. The crime was never solved, and today the Biltmore serves an alcoholic drink known as the Black Dahlia. But those are not the only stories to be told about the Biltmore. photo by Gary Leonard The hotel was the headquarters Millennium Biltmore General Manager Vincent Piro is for John F. Kennedy during the 1960 awaiting the hotel’s 85th birthday on Oct. 2. The hotel Democratic National Convention, has attracted everyone from presidents to the Beatles to when he was nominated for president. the actress who came to be known as the Black Dahlia. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded there in 1927. ghost here,â€? she said. Taylor said the Oscar was designed on a linen In an ever-changing Downtown, the napkin during that meeting. It was also once Biltmore has remained a consistent anchor. home to the Biltmore Theatre, where stars “The value of the Biltmore has been there like W.C. Fields and Mae West performed. cycle after cycle. It has remained beautifulIn the 1950s it hosted the Biltmore Bowl, a ly unchanged, serving as a social anchor in popular music venue and nightclub. Downtown, as a political headquarters. Its As for the ghost, Taylor has heard stories, role has been at the center of Downtown sobut has no proof. ciety, and business is as prominent as it’s ever “I’m sorry I don’t have any ghost stories. been,â€? Bernstein said. I would love to know if there’s a ghost there. Contact Richard GuzmĂĄn at It’s an old hotel, people always think there’s a richard@downtownnews.com.

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California Electroplating, Inc. emits Hexavalent Chromium (a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer). Persons within the area shown inside the thick line on the map are exposed to Hexavalent Chromium at a level determined by the State to require a warning. California Electroplating, Inc. emite Cromo Hexavalente (un quĂ­mico conocido como causante de cĂĄncer por el Estado de California). Las personas dentro la area de la lĂ­nea gruesa marcada en el mapa presentado arriba estĂĄn expuestas al cromo hexavalente a un nivel sobre el cual es requerido por el Estado se publique un advertencia.

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Services With a Smile Chabad of Downtown L.A. Celebrates the Jewish Holidays by Jon Regardie executive editor

T

his is a busy time for religion in Downtown Los Angeles. With thousands of residents moving in, new places of worship are opening, some in unlikely spots. This month, Pastor Kevin Haah began holding Sunday morning services for his New City Church in Club 740, which doubles as a nightclub. This week marks another twist, when for the first time in recent memory, Downtown’s Jewish population will have a place to celebrate the High Holy Days. Rabbi Moshe Greenwald, who this year founded the Jewish Community Center-Chabad of Downtown L.A., is organizing services for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Greenwald said he has found an active, engaged audience. “We’re getting better results than we could have imagined,” he said. “Before we moved in, people did not think any Jews lived Downtown. But there are many who live here, and many are moving in.” Chabad is building a permanent synagogue at Seventh Street and Broadway, said Greenwald. Since that is still under construction, services for the High Holy Days will take place in Premiere Towers on Spring Street, in space provided for the occasion by building owner Izek Shomof. Greenwald said all services will be free (donations are accepted), and while a portion of the proceedings will be

Little Tokyo Continued from page 1 they don’t care then Little Tokyo will basically disappear.” Aside from its potential to serve as a cultural anchor in Little Tokyo, the recreation center is being pitched as an economic driver for small businesses. Watanabe envisions the center hosting major martial arts tournaments that would draw hundreds if not thousands of families to Downtown Los Angeles. When they come, he noted, they will have plenty of opportunity to eat, shop or stay the night at an area hotel. Going Forward In 2001, the LTSC set its hopes on building the center at Temple and Judge John Aiso streets, near the heart of Little Tokyo. That plan fell apart after it encountered opposition from the neighboring Japanese American National Museum, MOCA’s Geffen Contemporary, East West Players and others. Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry, who ushered the current proposal through City Hall, later identified a property for the project on Los Angeles Street between Second and Third streets. Perry and the LTSC agreed in 2002 that the site, which had to be purchased in pieces by the city, would work for the recreation center, Watanabe said. The center is slated to rise on the east side of the block, adjacent to the under-construction parking facility for the Los Angeles Police Department, which fronts Main Street. The facility will be built on top of a new city parking structure, to be paid for by the city. “So essentially they’re building a platform for us and giving us the air rights to build on top,” Watanabe said. Preliminary designs by architecture firm Takase and Associates call for an approximately 30,000-square-foot gymnasium that would house four courts, said Thomas Yee, LTSC project manager. Each court could be used for basketball, volleyball or martial arts, Yee said. To pay for the project, Watanabe said the LTSC plans to go after public funding, seek corporate donors possibly interested in naming rights, and bundle small donations on a grassroots level. The LTSC expects to raise the $15 million in two years. Though no construction timeline is in place, Watanabe said building the center would take another two years. That may seem like a long time, but after 14 years, those who have been pushing for the center are relieved there is a real plan. “It’s been a long time,” said Edward Takahashi, director of the Little Tokyo Recreation Center’s board of directors. “Now, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.” Perhaps the person most relieved by the Council’s approval of the plan is Hayahiko Takase, 78, the Los Angeles architect who is designing the project. He also drafted ideas for the proposed center on Temple Street in 2001. “I’m just happy I’m still alive,” Takase said. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

in Hebrew, there will also be some prayers in English. Additionally, he will have what he called a “running commentary” to help people follow along. “We try to bring in stories and anecdotes to make it alive and make it meaningful,” he said. Services for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, will take place the evening of Monday, Sept. 29, and the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 30. The service will be followed by a Kiddush

where congregants will eat apples dipped in honey, to signify hopes for a sweet year. Services for Yom Kippur, the day of atonement (when many Jews fast) take place the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 8, and the morning of Thursday, Oct. 9. Greenwald said it means a lot to him to hold the services in Downtown. “This is my place, this is my family’s place. We live here as well,” he said. “I’m very excited. Services are at Premiere Towers, 621 S. Spring St. Reservations are suggested, though not mandatory. (213) 488-1543 or downtownjcc.com. Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

Downtown News 9 photo by Gary Leonard

September 29, 2008

Rabbi Moshe Greenwald of the Jewish Community Center-Chabad of Downtown L.A. is organizing Rosh Hashanah services this week and Yom Kippur services next week.

10 Downtown News

South Group

tion, as opposed to an adaptive reuse of an older building. He noted that South Group’s properties stand alone as the only new ground-up high-rise projects for sale in Downtown in more than two decades. “We expected that there was going to be a lot of competition and the floodgates would open up and there would be a lot of people doing this kind of thing, and that hasn’t proven to be the case,� he said. Evo, he said, “is for now the only new construction option Downtown.� Upscale Option South Group has long sought to establish itself as an environmentally conscious developer. Luma and Elleven were California’s first condominium buildings to earn LEED Gold ratings, awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. Evo is also expected to earn a LEED Gold rating, Cody said. In terms of design, Evo is the most sophisticated of South Group’s three buildings. “The whole outside skin is a single entity made of glass and metal,� said Kevin Johnson, a principal with GBD Architects, which worked on Evo along with TVA Architects. “It’s more commonly seen in commercial office buildings. It creates a really defined modern product. We countered that with balconies and decks so it keeps a residential aesthetic.� The units, in 49 different floor plans, are modern, with hardwood floors, wall-to-wall windows, balconies and exposed cement columns. Along with the sixth-floor pool deck, Evo has a rooftop deck, lounge and gym. It also has 6,800 square feet of retail space, although no deals have been inked yet, Cody said. A mid-block park sits between Elleven, Luma and Evo. The landscaped area has been eyed for a possible farmers market as well. “The idea there is to create a mid-block crossing that has some really beautiful landscaping through it. Putting these buildings together is really creating this neighborhood,� Johnson said. A Village Rises When South Group began construction of its first building, South Park was a much different place. The Ralphs supermarket had yet to open, and projects such as the Met Lofts had not come online. The second phase of Anschutz Entertainment Group’s $2.5 billion L.A. Live, which opens in December, had not broken ground. Now, the South Group’s 700 units add another cluster to the rising South Park community. “They have created a village from the ground up,� said Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry. “I like what they’ve done, particularly with the ground level, the street level, how they’ve greened the sidewalk and amenities both inside and outside the building.� The concentration of units will have a great impact not

photo by Gary Leonard

The 311 condos in Evo come in 49 floor plans. Most have hardwood floors, wall-to-wall windows and balconies.

only on South Park, but throughout Downtown, Sidhu said. “The new residential buildings, and particularly in South Park with those three new buildings, means there are more residents who are going to be around in the evening who are going to take advantage of the retail outlets,â€? she said. “For the Downtown economy, it’s a wonderful thing.â€? Mike Pfeiffer, executive director of the South Park Stakeholders Group and manager of the South Park Business Improvement District, said projects like Luma, Elleven and Evo both give residential momentum to the neighborhood, and could help expand the community’s commercial area. He noted that the South Park BID recently commissioned USC to conduct an analysis that looks at Pico Boulevard as the new retail center of the area. “That wouldn’t be going on if we didn’t have an increasing number of residential units coming online in the South Park area,â€? Pfeiffer said. For the South Group, putting a neighborhood where there were once only parking lots has been difficult, but rewarding. “Getting people to believe we could execute the vision, that was a challenge,â€? Cody said. “We spent countless days and months standing on the corner trying to convince people these parking lots could turn into something extraordinary, and that we could shape this into a place where people actually wanted to live. “What we and what AEG are doing are the key things going on in the neighborhood. We both have a long-term view on this neighborhood, and we’re building for the future.â€? Contact Richard GuzmĂĄn at richard@downtownnews.com.

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Continued from page 1 seeing more residents, as well as the creation of phase two of the L.A. Live project. Yet for all the hoopla, there are also difficulties. Evo is coming online at a time when the housing market is ailing and nationwide credit woes make it difficult for many prospective homebuyers to get a mortgage. South Group officials acknowledge that pre-sale figures for Evo are nowhere near what they were for Luma and Elleven. “The reality is the market threw us a curveball, just like it threw everybody a curveball,� said Tom Cody, a principal of the South Group. “One of the aspects of that is that no one is buying pre-sale right now. So unless somebody can walk through a project and it’s completed, the buyers out there are not committing. We needed to get the building done, and it’s now done to the point where we can walk people through it and show how wonderful the homes are, and we’re very optimistic that our sales will pick up.� Elleven, a 13-story, 176-unit project that cost $65 million, sold out before its opening in 2006. Luma, a 19-floor, $80 million development that created 236 units, had sold 90% of its residences when it debuted in 2007. Evo, said Cody, is 30% sold as it prepares for move-ins this month. “We went from selling 100%, which was based on a drawing with Elleven, to beginning to deal with the fallout in the financial market with Luma, to really having to confront it head-on with Evo,� said Cody. “We’re going to have to sell the majority of the building when it’s complete.� Some Change Course While the numbers are down, some experts said that compared to the market, Evo is faring well. “Thirty percent is not a bad number in today’s conditions,� said Nancy Sidhu, vice president and senior economist for the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp. Sidhu noted that Evo’s target market of high-wealth individuals could work in its favor, as that crowd may have an easier time getting a mortgage, or may not need one at all. Several Downtown Los Angeles projects have faced so much uncertainty that, although designed to condominium specifications, they have switched to rentals before opening, hoping to get some cash flow and perhaps change to for-sale status in the future. Those developments include Amidi Real Estate Group’s $50 million, adaptive reuse high-rise TenTen Wilshire in City West, and the 118-unit Artisan on Second, from Trammell Crow Residential, in the Arts District. Cody said that in addition to staying a condominium complex, Evo is different because it features ground-up construc-

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Housing Continued from page 1 and individuals under the umbrella Housing L.A., along with other affordable advocates, have praised the mayor’s effort, yet are calling for even higher affordable thresholds. The controversy is nothing new. Attempts to create an affordable housing requirement in L.A. date back years. All ultimately failed because of political and popular rancor. Data Collection The biggest concern over Villaraigosa’s MIO is how it would affect market-rate housing. “How could it not raise costs?� asked CCA President and CEO Carol Schatz, echoing several developers. “Somebody has to pay for it. Obviously, the people who are paying market rate are going to see it in terms of an increase in the price of their unit.� Others dispute the CCA’s stance. “People don’t go out of business,� said Peter Dreier, chair of the Urban and Environmental Policy Program at Occidental College and the former housing director for Boston, which employs inclusionary zoning. Dreier was also part of the mayor’s early MIO task force. When it comes to developers, he suggested, “They change their pricing, the people selling materials change their prices, everyone figures out how to make this work.� He added, “Now is the time to change the rules, when there’s a lull in activity. When the market’s recovering, then developers know what the expectations are.� Gauging which side is right is no simple task, said Jenny Schuez, a research affiliate at NYU’s Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, a research center that in March released a study on inclusionary zoning in and around Boston, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. “One of the big reasons is that there’s the program as it’s written and the way it’s implemented, and the two might be quite different,� said Schuetz. “There are differences in how these policies are enforced, how much developers can negotiate on a case-by-case basis.� Complicating things is that research and reports tend to be “advocacy-based,� said Bill Fulton, publisher of the California Planning and Development Report and head of a public poli-

cy research firm. “It’s very hard to find a straight-up analysis.â€? For example, a 2004 study by two economists at the Reason Public Policy Institute — a think tank affiliated with the L.A.based libertarian organization the Reason Foundation — analyzed data from more than 50 jurisdictions in the San Francisco Bay area. The report, sometimes cited by development advocates, concluded that the measures raised market-rate home prices an average of $22,000-$44,000. On the other hand, another study released the same year by two planning professors at UC Irvine and San Diego State, who have also advocated for inclusionary zoning, directly debunks the Reason Institute’s conclusions. “There so much advocacy in this arena‌ it gets in the way of having a useful discussion,â€? said Fulton. By way of comparison, the Furman Center’s March study found that inclusionary policies in and around San Francisco have produced at least 9,154 affordable units with no discernable impact on the prices or production of single-family homes. The report notes, however, that inclusionary policies may have contributed to slight home price increases in Boston suburbs. Role Models Studies aside, if L.A. adopts an inclusionary zoning policy, the city would follow many others that have seen sometimes surprising results. San Diego has two different measures, adopted in 1992 and 2003, which apply to different neighborhoods. Overall, most multi-family developers must include 10% or 20% affordable units in their projects. They also have the option to pay the city to construct the housing elsewhere, a practice known as “in lieu feesâ€? (the L.A. plan would include that option). Together the programs have produced 1,899 affordable units, according to the San Diego Housing Commission. The programs have helped create a significant number of mixed-income projects that integrate market-rate and affordable housing, observers say — a key goal of Villaraigosa’s plan. “For the larger developments, it’s just easier to get it approvedâ€? if developers build the units rather than pay the fee, said San Diego Housing Federation Executive Director Tom Scott. The rising cost of in lieu fees and incentives such as reduced setback and parking requirements have also encouraged developers to incorporate affordable housing, he said. Goldberg, who previously oversaw planning in the city of

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San Diego, said there are several ways to achieve that integration in L.A., including Villaraigosa’s proposal to limit in lieu fees to the communities where they are collected. Other tactics include exempting communities that already have significant affordable housing and offering enticing incentives. Cities that have benefited from flexible, incentive-based inclusionary policies include San Jose, Carlsbad and Petaluma, said Evelyn Stivers, field director for the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California. The organization last year completed a survey of housing produced by inclusionary ordinances in the state between 1999 and 2006. “Policies that offer more incentives and provide more flexibility, with a strict income targeting and a strict percentage requirement, were able to get more units at deeper levels of affordability,� Stivers said. In those areas, “staff has worked really hard not to make it a punitive tool, but a useful tool.� Of course, none of those cities are close to the size of Los Angeles. Making It Work Finding the right balance between mandates and incentives, at least for the development community, will be a major hurdle in moving the MIO forward. Lack of agreement killed off a Los Angeles inclusionary zoning effort several years ago. “The proposal that came forward in 2004 did not provide meaningful incentives and so it was a non-starter to begin with,� said Schatz. “We will work with the mayor to try to achieve some kind of consensus, but right now we need to see more incentives and we need to understand where it’s going to apply.� However it eventually takes shape, L.A.’s MIO will no doubt go through many incarnations. In the coming weeks, 10th District Councilman Herb Wesson is expected to introduce a motion calling for a citywide ordinance. After that, the Planning Department, along with the Housing Department and the City Attorney’s office, will work to craft the measure. The process could take months, officials say. For the moment, one thing everyone seems to agree on is that inclusionary zoning is only one small part of tackling the city’s affordable housing needs. “The MIO would be one part of a much larger strategy,� said Goldberg. “There is no silver bullet solution to affordable housing.� Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

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of stress due to the high pressures of daily life. There is no doubt that stress is a major factor in increasing the symptoms of TMJ, but contrary to what most people believe, it’s not the primary cause. The primary causes are reflexes that are triggered by the teeth that cause spasms of the numerous muscles of the jaw, neck and face. Most joints of the body are fixed in a hinge axis. This is the same movement a door makes when it’s opening and closing from its hinge. The jaw joint is the only joint in the body that is able to slide out of its socket. Because it can do this, it’s able to deviate from its hinge axis and do the complex motion of chewing, an ability we all take for granted. If teeth occlude (come together) at the hinge axis position of the jaw, most people would be fine. However, if the teeth developed in a position where the bite occludes outside this hinge axis, where the jaw is slightly protruded from the socket, then there is a potential for TMJ symptoms. The average person cannot tell if their bite comes together forward of this hinge axis, only observing that their jaw is intermittently sore or they have

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a sudden uncontrollable urge to clench and grind their teeth. Only a properly trained dental professional can diagnose if the teeth are occluding outside of this hinge axis position.

The initial treatment for TMJ Disorder is relatively simple and noninvasive. However, it does require thorough care by a dental professional. We simply make a custom TMJ splint, adjusting it meticulously at several appointments so that the patient’s teeth come together on the device in the ideal hinge axis position. After achieving proper adjustment the splint will eventually neutralize the harmful reflexes. A mouth guard from a drugstore or by mail order will not resolve TMJ Disorder because it will be arbitrarily set to a bite position anywhere but the correct position. After wearing a proper TMJ splint for only 48 hours, the TMJ patient will notice a difference. They will find that their jaw feels more rested, headaches occur less frequently and teeth sensitivity is resolved. For the most part, TMJ Disorder can be managed with splint therapy. But fixing the bite itself could be required if an individual cannot wear a splint indefinitely, by either re-contouring certain teeth, doing crowns and/or veneers, doing orthodontic treatment or a combination of any of these treatments. But contrary to what most people have heard, there is an effective treatment for this disorder. At the same time, if not treated and ignored, it will only worsen, resulting in breaking teeth, worsening gum disease and/or severe jaw joint damage requiring painful surgeries. We are here to help and answer any of your questions. Call for your complimentary consultation at (213) 6205777.

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September 29, 2008

HEALTH In Loving Memory Thousands Expected to Participate In Downtown Alzheimer’s Walk by Kathryn Maese contributing editor

D

owntown Los Angeles commercial real estate broker Mark Tarczynski has been privy to scores of major deals, has sat on numerous business boards and has shared his market expertise in more ways than he can count. But when he was asked to help organize the Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk in the Central City two years ago, it became personal. “My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, or myocognitive impairment, a mild form of dementia,” said Tarczynski, who this year was tapped as committee chair of the 16th annual walk. “I was giving a speech at the Rotary Club and this woman came up to me and asked if I would get involved with the event after I told her about my mom. I look at this as a way to give back.” On Sunday, Oct. 5, nearly 4,000 people with similar stories of family members and friends suffering from Alzheimer’s are expected to participate in the three-mile morning walk, which begins at the California Plaza Watercourt and stretches from Walt Disney Concert Hall to Grand Hope Park in South Park and back. With participation from individuals and corporate teams, the idea is to raise awareness as well as money for research. Now in its second year Downtown, the local version of the national walk has set an aggressive fundraising goal of $1 million, an attempt to trump the $750,000 raised last year. Tarczynski has set a goal of $7,000 for his Urban Redevelopment Team, while several local businesses have also started teams and are providing support for the event, including Wells Fargo, Brookfield Properties and the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. The Association’s signature event, which is held in cities across the country throughout the year, has raised more than $230 million for the cause since its founding in 1989. It is funding that has become crucial in light of the sobering statistics: 5.1 million Americans suffer from the disease, and another 7.7 million could be diagnosed by 2050. In California alone, there are 450,000 people living with Alzheimer’s, according to the Association. “Alzheimer’s is the epidemic of our generation,” said Peter Braun, president and chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Association California Southland Chapter. “In the U.S., someone develops Alzheimer’s every 71 seconds, making it the sixth-leading cause of death. Everyone that participates in Memory Walk is making a commitment to support families currently dealing with this disease and prevent it from impacting others in the future.” Last year’s Downtown walk drew approximately 3,500 participants from across the city. They took part in the procession and a ceremony, which was overseen by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Once again this year, Villaraigosa will be joined by a handful of city officials as well as several celebrities including Bob Goen of “Entertainment Tonight,” Steve Edwards of “Good Day L.A.,” actors Peter Gallagher and Lea Thompson, and Olympian Rafer Johnson. “It was so well received last year and I believe it will be much more well received this year,” Tarczynski said. “The walk exposes Downtown to a lot of people who wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to this area. It has also been a popular venue for the event, which was previously held in Hollywood Park.” The 5K walk, which begins at 9 a.m., will take participants past landmarks such as Disney Hall, the Central Library and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. A closing ceremony at California Plaza will feature live music and remarks by Alzheimer’s Association officials. A Champions Health and Well-Being Expo will also unfold on the plaza with more than 100 booths and family activities. Tarczynski said he hopes his story and that of his mother Marie will help put a face on the degenerative disease and raise funds for research that will one day result in a cure. Though there has been very little progression of his mother’s disease, Tarczynski said she and others could benefit from research funded by this week’s Memory Walk. Currently on the horizon are two promising Alzheimer’s drugs that are in the late stages of clinical trials. They are expected to be available in the next five to 10 years.

photos courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association

Last year’s Memory Walk drew 3,500 people, including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and raised $750,000 for research into Alzheimer’s disease. On Sunday, Oct. 5, Downtown will host the event for the second time, with a three-mile walk encompassing Disney Hall and Grand Hope Park.

“This is a terrible disease, and to sit there and witness someone suffering from it is horrible,” Tarczynski said. “My uncle had it. I grew up with him laughing and being jovial, and his mental abilities have broken down to the point where he can’t remember to eat and go to the bathroom, and he doesn’t even recognize you. The more people who come out and talk about this thing, the more it will hopefully raise awareness of the horrors of this disease and raise money to help find a cure. “I certainly think this is a very curable disease. We’re really close.” The Alzheimer’s Association’s 16th Annual Memory Walk is Sunday, Oct. 5. Registration begins at 7 a.m.; the walk starts at 9 a.m. For more information, to donate or register to walk visit alz. org/memorywalk.

Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease n Every 71 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. n Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. n More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. n This year, more than 200,000 people across the nation will participate in the Memory Walk. Source: Alzheimer’s Association

September 29, 2008

Downtown News 15

Health

Keck School Has Big Fundraising Year USC Institution Pulls in $116 Million in Contributions by Sara Reeve

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he Keck School of Medicine surpassed last year’s fundraising tally by 75% percent in fiscal year 2008, raising $116.5 million in philanthropic contributions. Dean Carmen A. Puliafito said the financial gifts received in the last fiscal year “will help to continue the Keck School’s pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and clinical care. We are deeply appreciative of the confidence these donors have placed in the school.� The largest gift was a $60 million donation from the estate of Jane Anne Nohl; it was the sixth-largest gift in the university’s history. That bequest has created the Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases at the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. The gift provides the resources for attracting new faculty and for the education and training of new clinical scientists. Other donations included a $10 million gift from the Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation for the USC Epigenome Center, a $5 million gift from businessman Larry Freeman and his wife, Judy, to name the Judy and Larry Freeman Cancer Day Hospital, and a $5 million

‘In order to establish the Keck School as a premier education and research institution, it is imperative that we build on this fundraising success.’

Combined with donations received by affiliated institutions, including Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the Doheny Eye Institute, the total raised in the last year adds up to more than $186 million. Since 1999, the year that USC President Steven Sample unveiled a 10-year fundraising initiative, the Keck School and affiliated hospitals have raised more than $1.55 billion. The initiative began with the W.M. Keck Foundation’s historic naming gift of $110 million to the school. Puliafito recently outlined the following fundraising priorities for the Keck School:

n Fully developing the USC Academic Medical Center. n Capital funding for the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research. n Programming funding for stem cell research. n Increasing availability of student scholarships. n Establishing a Doctors of USC satellite facility in Beverly Hills. n Building a new HSC Student Fitness Center. n Increasing unrestricted gifts to fund additional programs and projects as needed. Article courtesy of USC HSC Weekly.

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gift from the L.K. Whittier Foundation to extend funding of the L.K. Whittier Foundation Innovative Tailored Therapies Initiative at USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Senior Executive Director of Development William Loadvine noted that many of the gifts were the result of considerable time and effort. “Thanks to the dedicated efforts of staff and faculty, the Keck School continues to attract substantial donors who are engaged in the work of this school,� said Loadvine. “In order to establish the Keck School as a premier education and research institution, it is imperative that we build on this fundraising success.� The total of $116.5 million represents an increase of more than 75% over the previous fiscal year, when $65.4 million in gifts were given to the Keck School.

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September 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

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hen Apollo 11 landed on the lunar plain called the Sea of Tranquility in 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong uttered these words to Mission Control: “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.� Inspired by that historic trip, restaurateur David Tardif borrowed the phrase for his South Park restaurant and lounge Tranquility Base, which occupies the ground floor of the Sky Lofts. Perhaps less important than the mission to the moon, the concept behind the 3,200-square-foot venue is nonetheless ambitious: a lunar-themed establishment that changes decor and menu with the celestial seasons and phases of the moon; dramatic mood lighting that morphs colors every half hour; programming that features a gay night, “Sex and the City� night and a Wii bowling night;

a late-night nosh menu, Sunday brunch, happy hour and even sports on the video wall. There’s a lot going on here, and some things work better than others, but overall it’s worth a trip. Though the kitchen serves a diverse small-plates menu with a few recently added entrees, Tranquility Base feels and functions more like a lounge than anything else. It can be a bit tricky to find the place, which lacks clear signage, so look for the frosted glass wall to the left of the building’s lobby. Inside, the design picks up a few space-inspired cues with metallic-hued circular booths and swaths of billowing fabric that take on an otherworldly feel, especially when illuminated with glowing blue, green and pink LED lights. Still, it pulls off a warm, cozy vibe thanks to the wood bar and chairs and seasonal images on the video wall. During a recent dinner, I opted to sit outside on the glass-

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enclosed patio, which offers a few covered cabanas, pillowstrewn couches facing a glowing fire pit and a handful of intimate tables lit with candles. It was empty except for another party. The restaurant and bar, however, were packed for a USC football game. Our excellent server Justin brought out a round of pre-dinner cocktails. The bar was out of its signature infused vodkas, which are usually flavored with a fruit like pineapple, lychee or berries, so I had a classic martini that was strong, generous and well made (no small feat these days). My dinner guest ordered a beer from the dozen or so on tap. For those At Tranquility Base in who prefer wine, Tranquility Base South Park, customers has a deep list featuring mostly can lounge inside or take their fruit-infused vodka California labels. cocktail onto the open-air The menu is a casual assortpatio, complete with a ment of soups, salads, pastas, fire pit. grilled meats and Asian-inspired items such as sushi rolls and skewers. We started with a bowl of the lobster bisque ($12), which was flavorful and contained bits of lobster, though I wish it had more richness and intensity. Still, it’s a nice option for fall. The grilled shrimp salad ($13) with mixed greens, halved grape tomatoes, caramelized garlic cloves and roasted red peppers was dressed too lightly and could have used a bit of zing, but the flavor-packed shrimp more than made up for it. The four plump shrimp were perfectly tender and liberally seasoned with herbs and garlic. They’re obviously the star of the dish. The sliders ($10) come two to an order and have blue cheese and grilled onions. The beef patties had a nice grilled flavor, but the bun was bland and doughy — it needed to be toasted or switched out for a brioche bun. As a complement we got a basket of the shoestring solar fries with blackened Continued on next page

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September 29, 2008

Downtown News 17

Restaurants Grub With GuzmĂĄn

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Get Some Rest and Blossom Chicken Soup, and a Day Off, Cures All Ills by RichaRd GuzmĂĄn

city EditoR he flu season has just begun, and already I’ve been hit hard. Although the sore throat, fever and sniffling make life difficult, there are some good things about being sick, like being sent home from work and getting to eat a gallon of delicious chicken soup. Fortunately, Downtown Los Angeles has some tasty

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Continued from previous page seasoning and a trio of sauces. This is a good bet, especially if you come with a group. The meal was good, if not out of this world, and my one pet peeve was that the chef regularly under-seasoned the food. We reached for the salt shaker on every dish. Fortunately, that is an easy fix. After dinner we moved to one of the low couches in front of the fire and ordered another round of cocktails. Justin suggested a martini made with St. Germain, a boutique liqueur made with subtle elder flower blossoms and a hint of citrus. It was garnished with a grapefruit peel and was a light end to the evening. The patio is my favorite part of the space, a bit of an undiscovered oasis that makes for pleasant lounging even through winter — there are plenty of heat lamps. It was reason enough for me to return for the Sunday brunch with a few friends. The build-your-own Bloody Mary bar ($10) was also a nice incentive. After popping open a few patio umbrellas and staking out our table, the server brought out our Bloody Mary glasses. At first I thought they were filled with ice water nearly to the top, but it turned out to be a serious serving of vodka. You can play mixologist and add an assortment of items to your drink: spicy tomato mix, horseradish, olives,

chicken soup, and being that the community has restaurants serving food from all over the world, one does not have to settle for run-of-the-mill, plain-old chicken soup. That’s why I went all exotic with my illness and got some fantastic Pho Ga chicken soup from Blossom, a Vietnamese restaurant on Main Street. Blossom is known for its inexpensive dishes, its cool location with outdoor seating and, yes, the delicious pho, or rice noodle soup. There are several choices

onions, various seasoning salts, hot sauce, Worcestershire, celery, and my favorite garnish, Slim Jims. Even if you come just for the Bloody Mary bar, it’s a fun diversion. We were in the mood for some serious eating though, so two of my companions ordered the steak and egg plate ($15) with home-style potatoes and toast. The steaks were a touch overcooked, but the potatoes with peppers were incredibly tasty. Another friend sampled the eggs Florentine ($10), which was petite but still satisfying. He added a side of pancakes with berries that came out late due to a griddle malfunction, and ended up being quite rubbery. I decided on the omelet station, which turned out to be an excellent choice. The cook folded spinach, onions, sausage and peppers into my creation, which was fluffy and delicious. I’m eager to go back for the Grand Marnier French toast ($12), which looks tantalizing. Looking to boost business and generate more traffic, the restaurant has set up several special event nights. On every other Saturday, the patio draws scores of customers for the popular Hideaway, one of Downtown’s only gay nights. On Tuesdays, when episodes of “Sex and the City� are shown, there are $5 Cosmopolitans and other drinks. The most

when it comes to the soup, including the Pho Tai, with thinly sliced rare steak ($7), the Pho Tom with shrimp ($7), the Pho Chay vegetarian selection ($7.25), or if you can’t make up your mind, the Pho Dac Biet combination soup with steak, brisket, tendon, tripe and a beef ball ($7.25). I had my mind set on the Pho Ga ($7) and was not disappointed. It was hot, tasty and filling and instantly made me feel better. It was just like the chicken soup my mom would have made, if she was Vietnamese, if Blossom wasn’t around, and if I was still living at home. Even if you’re not sick, you can still enjoy Blossom, since there are other choices besides soup. Try some Com Ga Ro Ti, Cornish hen with pan-fried rice ($9.25), or the selection of curry. Options include Com Ca Ri

intriguing night, for me at least, is the Wii bowling league on Wednesday in the VIP lounge, where you can test your video game skills with a drink in one hand and a Wii wand in the other. At Tranquility Base, there’s something for everyone, and that has pros and cons. There’s the sense that the restaurant changes too frantically in an attempt to be all things to all people: Is it a sports bar, a sleek lounge, a

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serious restaurant or a singles hangout? But then, that’s part of the appeal. From what I can see, there are enough positives to keep me interested, certainly through the winter solstice anyway. Tranquility Base is at 801 S. Grand Ave., (213) 404-0588 or tranquilityla.com. Open weekdays 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat. 1 p.m.-2 a.m.; and Sun. 10 a.m.-11 p.m. (brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m.). Street parking or in nearby lots.

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Tom, a shrimp curry ($7.50), and Com Ca Ri Bo, a beef version ($7.25). But I am a little worried, because judging by the amount of soup bowls I saw in Blossom, it seems there may be an epidemic spreading through Downtown. Or maybe a lot of people are just angling to take a sick day. So if you need a day off, here is some advice: Show up to work coughing, preferably with a bottle of medicine so the boss feels bad and sends you home after admiring your commitment to still show up while sick. That way you get the benefit of a guilt-free day off. Not that I was faking it. I really was sick. Honest. At 426 S. Main St., (213) 623-1973. Contact Richard GuzmĂĄn at richard@downtownnews.com.

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DowntownNews.com

CALENDAR What a Way to Make a Living Dolly Parton’s Toe-Tapping Songs Stand Out in Premiere of ‘9 to 5’ by Jeff Favre contributing writer

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fter only three songs, technical malfunctions stopped the opening night performance of the world premiere musical 9 to 5 for 15 minutes — and the crowd was thrilled. That’s because the show’s composer, country music legend Dolly Parton, led the audience in a sing-along of the title number, which she wrote for the 1980 movie. Parton also filled time by introducing her co-stars from the hit film, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman, who were sitting in the audience with her, before the glitches were fixed and the onstage entertainment resumed without incident. Audiences during the rest of the perforphoto by Craig Schwartz mances through Oct. 19 at the Ahmanson Stephanie Block, Marc Kudisch, Allison Janney and Megan Hilty sing Dolly Parton’s Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles — or tunes in 9 to 5. The world-premiere musical runs at the Ahmanson Theatre through during its planned Broadway run next year Oct. 19. — likely will be less forgiving of unexpected stoppages unless Parton is there to save the night. boys club with a promotion to management; Doralee (Megan Still, if all runs smoothly, as the production did two nights Hilty), the well-endowed Southerner with a big heart and later, they should enjoy at least several of the 20 songs, as well doting husband; and newcomer Judy (Stephanie J. Block), as the trio of spirited, sharp lead performances. Weighing whose husband has left her for a younger woman. in at two-and-a-half hours (not counting the pause), 9 to 5 The women bond over their disdain for male-chauvinist would be more engaging with some alterations, including boss Franklin Hart (Marc Kudisch). A marijuana-induced secutting a couple of the weaker musical numbers, retooling ries of “getting even with the boss” fantasies becomes a reality, the sluggish choreography and exorcising the cornball jokes thanks to an accidental poisoning and some creative tinkering from Patricia Resnick’s book (adapted from her screenplay). with a garage door opener. But even with its unevenness, Parton, Resnick, director Joe The other characters of interest are Roz (Kathy Fitzgerald), Mantello and their team offer enough visual and aural treats to a nosy administrative assistant in love with Hart, and Joe hold interest from the raising of the curtain to the final bows. (Andy Karl), who has feelings for Violet. Following the movie version fairly closely, 9 to 5 opens with The production is at its most vibrant with songs that reits well-known theme song, introducing three women at a semble Parton’s signature style of clever, simple lyrics and toelarge nondescript business in 1979: the all-knowing widow tapping melodies. The evening’s highlights are “Tattletales,” Violet (Allison Janney), who is hoping to break into the all- about office gossip, and Doralee’s lamenting “Backwoods

Barbie,” which appears on Parton’s latest album. Mantello effectively recreates the movie’s memorable fantasy sequence, using projected images on a large upstage screen and an array of quick costume changes to move from a sassy noir scene to a cowboy hoedown to a Disney-esque wonderland. Though the entire cast is strong, Hilty — as she did portraying Glinda in Wicked — proves she is one of theater’s brightest young stars. Her comic timing and vocals are impeccable, and she captures the spirit of Parton’s movie performance while putting her personal stamp on Doralee. Block, who also cemented her reputation in Wicked (as Elphaba), lends her powerhouse voice to Judy’s second-act solo “Get Out and Stay Out.” Janney, thanks to “The West Wing,” is the most recognizable cast member. Her vocal limitations and poor dance skills are obvious, and the show would be better served by eliminating Violet’s overblown number “One of the Boys.” But her strong acting abilities create a believable Violet, which overshadows her weaknesses. A notoriously good “bad guy,” Kudisch doesn’t disappoint as the dastardly Hart. He succeeds partially by refraining from making the evil womanizer too buffoonish. Resnick’s book needs some fine-tuning. She relies too much on hackneyed sex jokes, weak puns and vaudevillianstyle humor. A low point comes when poison is dumped onto a plant and it wilts on cue. Also, Andy Blankenbuehler’s choreography serves as little more than a distraction. While there are clear odes to 1970s moves, he repeats ad nauseum the same “Solid Gold” steps without finding ways to make them fresh. The production’s double-edge sword is Scott Pask’s set. He recreates with remarkable detail the time period’s office look (accented nicely by William Ivey Long’s costumes), but if the automated set changes don’t work, it’s all for naught. It may just be a matter of working out the kinks. Rough edges are expected with world premieres, though the opening night of 9 to 5 will forever be recalled for its major snafu and Parton’s impromptu singing. If there are not any future technical issues, L.A. audiences should appreciate the latest movie-turned-musical, though only time will tell if it has the legs to make it long-term on Broadway. 9 to 5 continues through Oct. 19 at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.

Salonen’s 17th L.A. Phil Season Celebrates the Music Director’s Final Year by Julie Riggott arts & entertainment editor

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he Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 2008/09 season is a celebration of Esa-Pekka Salonen, who has led the orchestra since 1992. His tenure has been remarkable for many reasons. Salonen has hired 51 orchestra members and, by the time he leaves in 2009, will have served 17 years as music director, breaking the record set by Zubin Mehta between 1962 and 1978. But his mark on the L.A. Phil goes beyond mere numbers. “Esa-Pekka led us from the 20th century into the 21st century, musically, emotionally, technically and, of course, geographically,” said Philharmonic President and CEO Deborah Borda at a press conference earlier this year at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the orchestra’s home since 2003. “It’s no exaggeration to say that Esa-Pekka has defined the culture and the direction of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.” Programming for Salonen’s final season, which opens with a gala on Thursday, Oct. 2, will focus on a couple of defining aspects of his directorship. One of those is music by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. Salonen, who programmed Stravinsky’s revolutionary “Rite of Spring” at the first public concert at Disney Hall, has said of

the composer, “I know he is the heart of all that is new in the music of the last century and this century.” “Esa-Pekka has revisited Stravinsky and his key works throughout his tenure as music director,” said Chad Smith, vice president of artistic planning. “He and the orchestra have grown through these works.” A series of residencies will celebrate some of the collaborations Salonen has cultivated during his tenure. The season will include visits from director Peter Sellars, soprano Dawn Upshaw, pianist Yefim Bronfman and composer John Adams. “These key collaborators have played a major role in his creative life in Los Angeles,” said Smith. They “are a part of the Philharmonic family because of their relationship with Esa-Pekka.” Opening night is a fitting prelude to the season as Stravinsky, Adams and Upshaw are on the program. Beginning at 7 p.m., Salonen will lead the orchestra in selections from Stravinsky’s breakthrough 1910 ballet “The Firebird.” Upshaw, a multiple Grammy winner and MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, will perform songs from two operas, Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress and John Adams’ Nixon in China. The singer, for whom Salonen has composed music, begins her residency on Nov. 18 with a staged production of

Kurtág’s “Kafka Fragments,” directed by Peter Sellars. Also on the opening-night program are two more sopranos. Barbara Hannigan will reprise Ligeti’s “Mysteries of the Macabre,” performances of which have earned her significant acclaim; and multiple Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, who can currently be seen on TV’s “Private Practice,” will perform pieces by Ellington and Sondheim. For the first time, tickets for the concert are available to the public separately from the gala dinner (which costs between $1,500 and $10,000 and is a fundraiser for the Musicians Pension Fund and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association). Other highlights this fall focusing on Salonen’s collaborations include Bronfman’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (Oct. 9-12) and his duo piano recital with Emanuel Ax (Nov. 12). Plus, András Schiff completes his twoyear cycle of Beethoven piano sonatas (Oct. 15 and 22), and the conductor to whom Salonen will hand the baton in 2009 returns to the hall. Gustavo Dudamel will conduct the Israel Philharmonic in a program of Bernstein and Tchaikovsky (Nov. 24) and then the L.A. Phil in a mix of traditional European and contemporary works, including Beethoven and Ligeti (Nov. 28-30) and Mozart and Kurtág (Dec. 4-7).

photo courtesy of the L.A. Phil

Esa-Pekka Salonen starts his 17th, and final, season as music director of the L.A. Phil on Thursday, Oct. 2. Selections from Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” are on the program for the gala opening night.

When the season was announced in February, Salonen made a prediction that was at once humble and grand. Seated on the Disney Hall stage, he said, “I tend to think that the best things are still ahead, and in this case I strongly believe so. The L.A. Philharmonic is on a trajectory that is headed toward something amazing, and the journey has just begun. We’ll check back in 10 years time and find I’m right.” Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.com. For gala tickets, (213) 972-3051. A special website, celebratesalonen.com, will be up by Sept. 29. Contact Julie Riggott at julie@downtownnews.com.

September 29, 2008

SearchDowntownLA.com

Downtown News 19

Rising to the Occasion Elevate Film Festival Gives Quick, Socially Conscious Work a Platform by Julie Riggott aRts & enteRtainment editoR

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ilmmaker Mikki Willis was in New York City to attend an actor’s funeral and meet with a possible distributor for his latest film when the Twin Towers were hit on 9/11. Instead of fleeing Ground Zero, Willis put on a gas mask and helped with rescue efforts. What he saw instantly changed his priorities. “It really brought everything in focus for me,” Willis said in a recent interview. “By being there, it really gave me the clarity of what’s possible when people come together and drop their facades and work together for one cause.” The first decision he made was to quit his work as a director in Hollywood, where he had built a reputation with his Spanishlanguage music videos. “I felt that everything I was doing was very insignificant,” he said. After a year off, Willis returned to the field with the desire to work on films that were meaningful and inspirational. He was able to realize that vision in 2005 when he founded the Elevate Film Festival. In four events in the past three years, filmmakers were given 48 hours to complete socially and environmentally conscious short films. This year, they were given seven days. Elevate Film Festival 5: All Tribes Unite, the latest in a long line of film events taking place in Downtown Los Angeles, comes to the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 3-8 p.m. The event, which includes an awards presentation, will premiere 25 shorts,

documentaries, music videos and commercials. The lineup includes videos featuring blues musician Keb’ Mo’ and Apl from the L.A. hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas. Two documentaries cover foster care organizations across the globe and a group working with children in Ghana. “We always have projects centered around some kind of empowerment for youth,” said Willis, adding that children involved in the films, as well as groups from local schools, attend the festival. Willis provided specific direction to the directors he selected so that each film fits the festival theme and builds toward a “social transformation.” “It’s not just a filmmaking competition, nor is it really just a film festival,” Willis said from the festival’s new offices on Olive Street in South Park. “It’s really an experience. We view the three-hour show as if it were one three-hour movie.” Willis said the intent of the festival is to elevate the human spirit and move people to take action. For example, at the end of the festival, the audience will meet Christopher Howe, who will be walking from L.A. to Brazil in the effort to promote peace (iamwalking.org). “It’s a pilgrimage to ultimately help unite tribes he meets along the way,” Willis said. “We will show a film about his journey, and then all 7,000 people will exit the theater, and whoever chooses to join us, we’re going to march five blocks with a full parade of drummers.”

Friends Friends of of the the LosAngeles LosAngeles River River PRESENT:

Bavarian Biergarten ON THE SIXTH STREET BRIDGE! Saturday, October 4

5:00 to 10:00 PM

Eat, Drink & Dance under the Stars with with the Driving South American Rhythms of

Very Be Careful

Tickets are $50 per person and include: Bavarian cuisine by Brats Brothers Mexican menu by Pescado Mojado Beer by Angel City Brewing Company Soft Drinks by Jarritos Plus FoLAR’s Signature Los Angeles River Mojitos!

WE DARE YOU NOT TO DANCE Join Us As We Present the

2008 Los Angeles River Awards to:

Isar River “Re-Naturalization” Team, Munich, Germany Natural Resources Defense Council Southern California Office Laemmle Theaters The Ira Yellin Award

Lupé Vela, Senior Policy Advisor to the Ad Hoc Committee on the Los Angeles River, The Merrill Butler Award

Man One, Crewest Gallery,

The Joseph Beuys Award

The Attire is Casual, the PARTY is NOT to be Missed! A partial list of Event Sponsors:

Bank of America • Downtown News • Goethe Institut Los Angeles Ad Hoc Los Angeles River Committee • Arte Calidad Warner Bros. Entertainment • Wright Color Graphics Angel City Brewing • CDM • CH2MHill • Jarritos Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. • Mia Lehrer + Associates • MWH Global Spilo Worldwide

For Tickets: www.folar.org 323-223- 0585

photo courtesy of Elevate Film Festival

A music video featuring blues musician Keb’ Mo’ is one of the works premiering at the Elevate Film Festival. Twenty-five socially conscious short films, all finished within seven days, will screen at the Nokia Theatre on Oct. 5.

Energy and Spirit The Elevate Film Festival started off as a “conscious 48-hour film festival” in a yoga studio that attracted 500 people. It then moved to the 1,200-seat Ford Amphitheatre and the 3,500-seat Kodak Theater. Because of its rapid growth, Willis decided to make it an annual event and move it to the 7,100-seat Nokia Theatre. Elevate is a nonprofit organization with limited corporate sponsorship (“we will only accept money from people who are in alignment with our mission,” Willis said) and the festival is free to the public. Willis said the filmmakers are given a small budget, but the rest is up to them. “Almost everyone coming on board is doing it as a labor of love.” Hamed Mosdegh, 26, took four weeks off from his television work in Germany to participate in the festival for the second time. “We don’t do this job for money,” Mosdegh said after a long weekend of shooting his film, which will be accompanied by

live music when it screens at the festival. “We do it because we are artists…. This festival you direct for passion, you get back what no one can pay with money.” The fact that professionals from around the world are willing and eager to do for free what they ordinarily earn often-substantial salaries for is part of the vibe that pervades the festival. “It actually embodies a certain energy, a certain spirit, and people are really present to that,” Willis said. “These are people not just trying to win an award or advance their career or whatever. They are actually producing something that matters.” Free tickets are available at the box office starting at noon; premium reserved seats available for $35. Doors open at 2 p.m.; festival and awards show runs 3-8 p.m. Nokia Theatre, 777 Chick Hearn Court. For info, (323) 285-5533 or elevatefilmfestival.com. Contact Julie Riggott at julie@downtownnews.com.

20 Downtown News

September 29, 2008

LADowntownNews.com

LISTINGS

Friday, Oct. 3 Public Safety Personnel Barbecue 7+Fig, upper level, 735 S. Figueroa St., downtownla.com. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: The Downtown Center Business Improvement District hosts its annual appreciation barbecue for the men and women of the LAPD, LAFD, FBI, CHP, LADOT, the Sheriff’s Department and other Public Safety departments. Farmlab Public Salons 1745 N. Spring St. #4, (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. Noon: Allan Ides and Linda Pollack appear in My Daily Constitution. It’s the first in a five-Friday series of salons related to contemporary political issues. Walk Downtown Starts at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, 431 W. Seventh St., visit walkdowntownla.com. 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Participants will walk every street in Downtown (between the 110, 101 and 10 freeways and the L.A. River — though not all in one night) and discover its hidden treasures. Donations are requested and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Emergency Department at Good Samaritan Hospital. saturday, Oct. 4 Metropolis Books 440 S. Main St., (213) 612-0174 or metropolisbooksla.com. 5 p.m.: The Ghost Society signs and discusses their young adult book, “The Ghost Files.” RioFest Under the arches of the Sixth Street bridge. Visit folar.org. 5-10 p.m.: The Friends of the Los Angeles River close the Sixth Street Bridge for their annual event. A Munich, Germany-based team that led the restoration of that city’s Isar River is in town, and to honor them, and because it’s October, the center of the bridge will become a beer garden with German and Mexican food and music by Colombian-L.A. dance band Very Be Careful. sunday, Oct. 5 Memory Walk California Plaza, 300 S. Grand Ave., alzla.org/mw.

For the Slow Motion Divas and The Mosh Pit Dancers by Kristin ristin Friedrich riedrich by

1

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or some, Robert Wilson’s stylized imprimatur on theater and opera is like watching paint dry; for others, it’s a revelation. His take on Madama Butterfly, grouped by most critics into the latter category, returns to the L.A. Opera this week (it was last here in 2004). Wilson’s version of Puccini’s tragedy contains no flailing arms and puffy gowns. Instead, the director/designer has infused the production with his trademark slow motion movement, a set made of naturalized wood and stone, and angular costumes — all to evoke the story’s austere Japanese atmosphere. This week’s shows are Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. It runs through Oct. 18. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0777 or laopera.com.

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ou have to hand it to MOCA for continuing to activate its public spaces in interesting ways and, this time around, for getting the good people at the James Irvine Foundation to foot the bill. The latest public space initiative, Engagement Party, is a three-year experiment that will bring different nonprofit collectives to the museum campuses for some collaboratively artsy high jinks. The first collective is Finishing School, which will soon create a communal medicinal garden at the Chinatown gallery Fringe. But never mind the garden — at MOCA on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 7-10 p.m., Finishing School stages “Executive Order Karaoke” in the MOCA Grand Avenue sculpture plaza. Here, in a de facto open-air karaoke bar, participants are invited to sing their favorite mixes of George W. Bush’s executive orders to popular music. 250 S. Grand Ave., visit moca.org/party.

three

image courtesy of Finishing School

On the hallowed ground of the ’80s-era Atomic Café and Brave Dog parties now stands Señor Fish. There’s nary a punk band or Mohawk in sight; these days, Downtown’s shirt-and-tie crowd comes for the fish tacos. But on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 6-9 p.m., the restaurant’s patio will be lit up with a collection of clips from film and videos shot in, or written about, the Downtown Los Angeles of 1980-1990. The work includes Regina O’Brien’s documentary Plastic Passion, named for the club she co-owned; director Richard Newton’s Traction Avenue; snippets of area classics Repo Man and Bar Fly; and appearances by club man Paul Greenstein and photographer Gary Leonard. There will also be vintage punk and new wave spun by the DJ who programmed Atomic’s infamous jukebox. 422 E. First St. For info, email acicchino@aol.com.

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As the story goes, the first Italian settler arrived in Los Angeles in 1827. A little Italy sprouted up in the heart of the city and spread eastward in ensuing years to Lincoln Heights. There are still remnants of that community — St. Peter’s Church, for one, and the fellas at Alpine Street’s Eastside Italian Deli. A new exhibition at the Pico House Gallery (part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument) chronicles the early L.A. Italian presence with neverbefore-published photographs and historical artifacts. Among the interesting tidbits you’ll learn is that Bozzani Motors, one of the largest automobile dealerships in Southern California, began in 1912 as a bike shop on North Main Street (shown here). Sunshine and Struggle: The Italian Experience in Los Angeles, 1827-1927 opens Wednesday, Oct. 1, and runs through Nov. 15. 424 N. Main St., visit italianhall.org.

5 photo courtesy of Detour Festival

thursday, Oct. 2 Jumpstart’s Read for the Record Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., readfortherecord.org. 10 a.m.-noon: School kids and VIP readers gather at the library for the start of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign. It creates the world’s largest “shared reading experience,” with kids and adults reading the campaign book, “Corduroy,” by Don Freeman. Shaun Robinson of “Access Hollywood,” Adam Gregory of “90210” and Lo Bosworth of “The Hills” will be in attendance. Thursdays at Central Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., meeting room A, (213) 228-7241 or lapl.org. 12:15-1 p.m.: Part of the To Your Health Series, “Consumer Health Information on the Web” offers reliable health sites from a Good Samaritan Hospital librarian. ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Dr. Barbara Tversky, Stanford Professor Emerita of Psychology, is on hand for a discussion of her book “Thinking in Images.” She’s in conversation with science writer Margaret Wertheim. Engagement Party MOCA Grand Avenue, Sculpture Plaza, 250 S. Grand Ave., visit moca.org/party. 7-10 p.m.: In this new initiative at the museum, nonprofit artist collectives activate public spaces with public interventions. For this, the first night, Finishing School transforms the plaza into an open-air karaoke bar where participants will be invited to sing their favorite mixes of George W. Bush’s executive orders to popular music.

The ‘Don’t Miss’ List

photo courtesy of Pico House Gallery

Wednesday, Oct. 1 ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Annette Gordon-Reed appears with “The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family,” her book about the black family with secretive (until recently) blood ties to the third president, Thomas Jefferson. SCI-Arc Lecture Series 960 E. Third St., (213) 356-5328 or sciarc.edu. 7 p.m.: Julie Eizenberg, from the Santa Monicabased Koning Eizenberg, appears. Her firm has won two national competitions of late — the Chicago Public School Northside and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

photo by Robert Millard

EVENTS

This time, it won’t be a protest march gathering in the coiffed grounds of City Hall — Saturday, Oct. 4, brings the third L.A. Weekly Detour Music Festival, created to fill the void in L.A.’s indie music festival scene. Detour is a daylong (noonmidnight), multi-stage affair with headliners including The Mars Volta, in whose young souls many believe a kind of Led Zeppelin mojo resides, and the gypsy punks of Gogol Bordello. At least a couple dozen other bands, including Black Lips, Shiny Toy Guns, and the Presets (shown here), are on the lineup. Betwixt and between the stages in this six-city-block village are a silent disco, a musicians’ area, food and drink booths, and a DJ area. Entrances at Second and Main streets, (213) 480-3232 or ticketmaster. com for tickets; laweekly.com/detour for info.

September 29, 2008 9 a.m.: A 5K walk that takes participants past iconic L.A. landmarks, including Walt Disney Concert Hall, the L.A. Central Library and Grand Hope Park. It benefits the fight against Alzheimer’s. California African American Museum 600 State Drive, (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org. 11 a.m.: Celebrating the independence of Colonel Allensworth and the Allensworth pioneers is Gumption at the Junction. Exposition Park Chess Club Exposition Park Regional Library, 3900 Western Ave., (323) 290-3113. 1 p.m.: An open, free, unrated, three-round chess tournament. First Sundays Are for Families The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 621-1765 or moca.org. 1-3:30 p.m.: An interactive spotlight tour of “Index: Conceptualism in California From the Permanent Collection,” and a chance to create a conceptual work of your own. Free, and no reservations required. Ikebana Performance Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., (213) 680-3700 or jaccc.org. 2 p.m.: The Ohara School of Ikebana Los Angeles Chapter celebrates its fourth decade with a floral performance. To Remember…Or Forget Señor Fish, 422 E. First St., acicchino@aol.com 7-10 p.m.: Clips from films and video shot in and written about Downtown circa 1980-1990 will be shown. Some of the artists behind them will be on hand, and there will be new wave and punk in the air. It all unfolds on the site that used to house the original Brave Dog and Atomic Cave.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ 2nd Street Jazz 366 E. Second St., (213) 680-0047, 2ndstjazz.com or myspace.com/2ndstreetlivejazz. Music usually starts at 9 or 10 p.m. Tuesdays: Jazz jam session. 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. Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382 or

SearchDowntownLA.com myspace.com/bar107. Tuesdays: A classic island mix of reggae with attitude. Jah! Wednesdays: The world famous (or at least in L.A.) Bar 107 Karaoke Gong Show. Come join the fun and help the judges vote for the best act of the evening. Sundays: DJ’s choice with 107’s Matt Dwyer, the comic-actor genius who plays music while serving the meanest drinks (in the nicest way) Downtown. Blue Velvet 750 S. Garland Ave., (213) 239-0061. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 p.m.: Live music and DJs. Casey’s Irish Bar and Grill 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com. Fridays: Live Irish music. Chop Suey Café 347 E. First St., (213) 617-9990 or chopsueycafe.com. Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.: Live jazz on the patio of the restored landmark. 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. J Restaurant and Lounge 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com. Tuesdays: Live acoustic performances in the lounge. Wednesdays: Salsa in the City features complimentary salsa lessons at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., a batch of live musicians takes over for a jam session. Fridays: Live bands on select dates. La Cita 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111 or myspace.com/lacitabar. Mondays, 9:30 p.m.: Cocktails and Jazz, with the HDR Jazz Trio. Thursdays: Dance Right, voted Downtown’s best dance night. Free if you RSVP, $5 otherwise. So duh, RSVP. Saturdays, 6 p.m.: Hacienda Nights features live

tejano, norteno and cumbia music. Cover $10. Sundays, 1 p.m.: Hacienda Nights again, $8. LA Weekly Detour Music Festival Entrances on Second and Main streets, (213) 480-3232 or ticketmaster.com for tickets; laweekly.com/detour for info. Oct. 4, noon-midnight: A daylong, multi-stage live music festival featuring The Mars Volta, Gogol Bordello, Shiny Toy guns, the Presets, Hercules and Love Affair, and more than a dozen others. Mountain Bar 475 Gin Ling Way, (213) 625-7500 or themountainbar.com. Sept. 30: The every Tuesday “Broken Dreams” is DJ’ed by China Art Objects’ Steve Hanson and the Red Krayolas’ Tom Watson. Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com. Oct. 1: “So You Think You Can Dance,” the tour culled from the TV show, swings by Downtown. Oct. 2: Santana, the group that takes its name from its legendary guitarist frontman, appears. Carlos is Prince’s favorite guitarist, incidentally, so further description isn’t necessary. Carlos’ son Salvador, a keyboardist and singer, opens with the Salvador Santana Band. Orpheum Theatre 842 S. Broadway, (213) 622-1939 or laorpheum.com. Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m.: American rocker Jackson Browne. Pete’s Café and Bar 400 N. Main St., (213) 618-1759. Tuesdays, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.: Pablo Calogero and Fabiano Nacimento play Brazilian jazz. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800, redcat.org. Oct. 2-3, 8:30 p.m.: Rock music icon Lou Reed and sonic experimentalist Ulrich Krieger hit the stage together for the first time. They’ll use guitars, saxophones and electronic treatments to draw on new music, free jazz, avant-rock, noise and ambient. Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar. com. Oct. 3: SOS presents Whispering Pines, Dustin Fire. Rerax Fridays at Señor Fish 422 E. First St., (213) 625-0566 or senorfishla.com. Fridays, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.: Music, art, VJ performances, silk screening and photos.

Downtown News 21 Royale 2619 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 388-8488 or royaleonwilshire.com. Mondays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A live musical showcase with bands, a DJ and an Eastside vibe. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: An acoustic live set in the historic Royale lounge. A DJ spins between sets. Wednesday (second of every month), 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A fusion of spoken word and acoustic musical melodies. Sundays, 9 p.m.-midnight: Rat pack protégé Max Vontaine. Standard 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotels.com. Nightly DJs at both the lobby bar and rooftop lounge.Wednesdays, 8-11 p.m.: Live DJs spin in a swank, but still comfy, lobby. And yes, there’s a bar right there. Saturdays, noon-8 p.m.: Local DJs unleash indie, rock and electronica at “Diss.” Staples Center 1201 S. Figueroa St., staplescenter.com. Oct. 4: That longtime balladeer Neil Diamond. Forget about the music, what about the hair? All these years, and he’s still got it. Tranquility Base Restaurant and Lounge 801 S. Grand Ave., (213) 404-0588 or tranquilityla.com. Every other Saturday, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.: There’s a new gay lounge night called The Hideout, with house and dance music, drink specials and an awesome outdoor lounge with cabanas and a fire pit.

CLASSICAL MUSIC Tuesday, sepT. 30 Piano Spheres Zipper Concert Hall, Colburn School of Performing Arts, 200 S. Grand Ave., (323) 692-8075 or pianospheres.org. 8 p.m.: Gloria Cheng plays a program of compositions by Esa-Pekka Salonen, Witold Lutoslawski, Gerald Barry, Charles Ives and Steven Stucky. Thursday, OcT. 2 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 7 p.m.: The symphony begins its season, and EsaContinued on page 22

Listings Continued from page 21 Pekka Salonen begins his last. Tonight’s gala benefits the Musicians Pension Fund and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. The program includes selections from Stravinksy’s “The Firebird” and songs performed by sopranos Dawn Upshaw, Barbara Hannigan and Audra McDonald.

LADowntownNews.com

September 29, 2008

Events photo by Kevin Break/ 6thstreetbridge.com

22 Downtown News

Friday, Oct. 3 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 8 p.m.: A Casual Fridays evening with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting a program of Falla and Ravel. Saturday, Oct. 4 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 11 a.m.: A Symphonies for Youth program, Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.” These are meant to make the experience of symphonic music come alive for children ages 5 to 11, and before every concert, from 10-11 a.m., there are musical activities, dance, storytelling or theater. Da Camera Society The Doheny Mansion, 8 Chester Place, (213) 477-2929 or dacamera.org. 8 p.m.: Clarinetist Richard Stoltzman and pianist Menahem Pressler meet under the Pompeian room’s gold Tiffany dome for a program of Schubert, Berg and Brahms. Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 8 p.m.: The Phil and Salonen perform a program of Falla, Debussy and Ravel. Sunday, Oct. 5 Los Angeles Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.org. 8 p.m.: See Oct. 4, 8 p.m. listing.

Nothing says you love the Los Angeles River like a party on the Sixth Street bridge. The organization Friends of the Los Angeles River is closing the bridge down on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 5-10 p.m., for RioFest ’08, the annual fundraiser and awards event that celebrates the river and the nonprofit’s volunteers and community partners. In its efforts to restore some of the natural environment that once thrived in the now mostly cement river, FoLAR discovered that the city of Munich, Germany, had transformed its Isar River from a flood channel to a place where people swim, boat and even surf. FoLAR has invited city engineers from Munich to Saturday’s event and will declare the Isar and the Los Angeles “sister rivers.” Two cultures will merge in an evening that features a beer garden with bratwurst and tacos and music by vallenato dance band Very Be Careful. Tickets are $50 and sponsor packages are available. For info, (323) 223-0585 or folar.org.

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE The 1940s at Club Sweet Lorraine’s Playhouse Theatre Players, 600 Moulton Ave., (323) 227-5410 or kslgplayhousetheatre.com. Oct. 4, 6 p.m.: Set in a New York hot spot post-WWII, this show features the songs and characters of Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine and Peggy Lee. No end date. Through Oct. 21. 9 to 5: The Musical Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.com. Sept. 30, Oct. 1-3, 8 p.m.; Oct. 4, 2 and 8 p.m.; Oct. 5, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: The “West Wing’s” Allison Janney stars as Violet Nestead, the most sound in the triptych of secretaries who engage in a corporate battle royale with boss Franklin Hart. The musical is based on the movie, with the film’s star Dolly Parton writing the music and lyrics. The show opens in Downtown Los Angeles and then goes to Broadway. Through Oct. 19. Adramelech’s Monologue Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.com. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Sept. 30-Nov. 5, 8:30 p.m.: French playwright Valère Novarina creates a piece part Book of Genesis, part nursery rhyme. In it, a king who hasn’t uttered a word since the dawn of time speaks. Be Like Water East West Players, David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 or eastwestplayers.org. Oct. 1-4, 8 p.m.; Oct. 5, 2 p.m.: Five years after the death of Bruce Lee, Tracy Fong is a 14-year-old kung-fu fanatic tomboy whose mother just wants her to be a normal girl. Fortunately, the ghost of Bruce Lee appears to teach her the meaning of strength and the true power of water. It’s the season opener for the Little Tokyo-based company. In the Los Angeles Downtown News, Jeff Favre wrote “the playwright’s concept — bringing the martial arts master back as a ghost to pass on his knowledge to a young fan — is compelling. But those scenes are overwhelmed by what resembles a poorly executed TV after-school special.” Through Oct. 12. Bob Baker’s A Musical World 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. Sept. 30, Oct. 1-3, 10:30 a.m.; Oct. 4-5, 2:30 p.m.: Dozens of the local puppet master’s marionettes appear in this musical extravaganza. It’s an hour-long show, and afterwards, the audience is invited to visit with the puppeteers and enjoy refreshments in the theater’s famous party room. No end date. The Boychick Affair The Hayworth Theatre, 2509 Wilshire Blvd., (800) 838-3006 or boychickaffair.com. Oct. 5, 2 p.m.: “Boychick” is a hands-on comedy in which audience members mingle with actors, following the journey from Harry Boychick’s bar mitzvah ceremony to the rollicking catered reception. Through Oct. 26. The Chalk Boy Alexandria Hotel, 501 S. Spring St., (323) 883-1717 or companyofangelstheater.org or managementcompany.org. Oct. 2-4, 8 p.m.; Oct. 5, 7 p.m.: The Company of Angels is back Downtown with a new black comedy in which small-town local girls lead a tour of their funny, brutal reality — which includes faith, friendship, sex, the occult, algebra and the disappearance of the title character. Through Oct. 12. El Vagón of the Immigrants Frida Kahlo Theater, 2332 W. Fourth St., (213) 382-8133 or fridakahlotheater.org. Oct. 2-4, 8:30 p.m.; Oct. 5, 6 p.m.: The story of a group of immigrants trying to cross the border hiding in boxcars. Through Nov. 16. House of Blue Leaves Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.

Sept. 30, Oct. 1-3, 8 p.m.; Oct. 4, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Oct. 5, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: The Taper reopens after a yearlong $30 million renovation with a revival of John Guare’s 1971 dark comedy. In “ House of Blue Leaves,” the Pope’s 1965 visit to New York impacts zookeeper Artie Shaughnessy’s life. Says Jeff Favre in the Los Angeles Downtown News, “given that it’s sharply executed, Guare’s tragic farce — or farcical tragedy — feels appropriate for a new beginning to Downtown’s most important theater.” Through Oct. 19. Kiss of the Spider Woman Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., (800) 595-4849 or havoktheatre.com. Oct. 2-4, 8 p.m.; Oct. 5, 3 p.m.: The newly formed Havok Theatre Company has its way with this tale of persecution, in which two unlikely cellmates — a revolutionary and a gay man — share fantasies and secrets. Through Oct. 26. Madama Butterfly Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0777 or laopera.com. Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 5, noon: An L.A. Opera revival of director/ designer Robert Wilson’s production of Giacomo Puccini’s tragedy. Wilson’s austere take on the opera was first seen in Paris in 1993; it became a modern classic thereafter. Through Oct. 18. The Women 2511 Wilshire Blvd., (323) 960-1054 or circustheatricals.com. Oct. 3-4, 8 p.m.: “The Women,” by Clare Booth Luce. This social satire about high society in New York during the Great Depression is still relevant today. Through Nov. 1.

ART SPACES Opening Crewest 110 Winston St., (213) 627-8272, crewest.com or thelabellab.com. Oct. 4, 2-9:30 p.m.: Thelabellab exhibition is “The Z-Boy Show: Direct From the Source,” and it combines top skate artists, fashion, images and installations. Through Nov. 1. OngOing 01 Gallery 530 S. Hewitt St., Suite 141, (213) 689-0101 or 01gallery.com. Through Oct. 4: Painter Michael Knowlton’s “Blackwater Babylon” features nightmarish landscapes of the Middle East and moments in the daily life of war. 2nd Street Cigars and Gallery 124 W. Second St., (213) 452-4416 laplatacigars.com. Through September: “Cigars and Portraits of Cuba, Images in Photography” features photos by Les Bernstein. 410 Boyd 410 Boyd St., (213) 617-2491. Through September: Celebrity photographer Michael Tighe’s “Photographic Sketchbook.” 626 Gallery and 626 Gallery at Studio B 626 S. Spring St., (213) 614-8872 or 626artgallery.com. No end date: “An Art Collector’s Paradise” features work from Jaami Abdul-Samad, Donna Angers, Archerone, Sharon Louise Barnes, Nadine Baurin, Marlaya Charleston, Rin Colabucci, Walter Eubanks, d.goth, Julia C R Gray, Rosalyn Grimes, Paul Houzell Jr., Kenji, Tony Lavall, Nick “Neneki” McGee, Duane Paul, Ron Phillips, Jesse Raudales, Synthia Saint James, Deborah Shedrick, Robert Vargas, Diana Shannon Young, Barbara Wesson, Kathleen Wilson, Richard Wilson and more. 7+Fig Art Space 735 S. Figueroa St., Suite 217, (213) 955-7150. Art Slave 216 S. Spring St., (213) 598-3155 or artslavegallery.com.

Through September: “Santalope and Friends” features works from Andrew Erdos, Matthew Jakielski, Julianne Zimmerman, Andrew Wilkinson, Matthew Corson-Finnerty and Hyung Jan Yum. Bailey Gallery Located inside Pussy & Pooch, 564 S Main St., (213) 438-0900 or pussyandpooch.com/bailey. Through Oct. 31: Group show “Animals” features the work of nine L.A. artists. Bank 125 W. Fourth St. #103, (213) 621-4055 or bank-art.com. Through Oct. 25: For “Foreign Exchanges: Galileo,” Dorit Cypis transforms the gallery into a site-specific installation of photography, sculpture and text that becomes performative as soon as viewers enter. Bert Green Fine Art 102 W. Fifth St., (213) 624-6212 or bgfa.us. Through Oct. 25: Scott Siedman’s “Obscenary” is the painter’s fourth solo show at the gallery. Siedman’s looking at redemption through sexuality in these new works, combining sculptural references, impressionism and Renaissance imagery. Also in the gallery is a show of works on paper by gallery artists such as Siedman, Clive Barker, Ed Ruscha, Valerie Jacobs, John Baldessari and Peter Romberg. Through Dec. 31: Megan Geckler’s installation fills the Project Windows. Big Sur Education Gallery Located in the California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities, 1000 N. Alameda St., visit calendow.org. BOXeight Gallery 1446 E. Washington Blvd., (213) 631-0560 or boxeight.com. Through October: Twelve Latin American artists from around the world. Curated by Box8 member Changku. Brewery Arts Colony 2100 N. Main St., (213) 694-2911 or breweryart.org. Andlab: 600 Moulton Ave. #303, (323) 222-2225 or andlab.com. Gallery 618E: 618E Moulton Ave., illuminatednegatives.com. I-5 Gallery: 2100 N. Main St. #A9, (323) 342-0717 or breweryartwalk.com. Through Oct. 18: “Postcards From the Art Edge” is a fundraiser for the gallery. It features small pieces mailed to the gallery, displayed and sold for $100. I-5, by the way, is a program of the Brewery Art Association, a California art nonprofit. L.A. Artcore Brewery Annex: 650A S. Ave. 21, at the Brewery, (323) 276-9320. LS Contemporary and MLA Gallery: 618 Moulton Ave., Suite F, (323) 222-3400 or mlagallery.com. Café Metropol 923 E. Third St., (213) 613-1537. Through Sept. 29: “Amberback” features recent paintings in oil and varnish on canvas by local artist Richard Godfrey. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels 555 W. Temple St., (213) 680-5200 or olacathedral.org. Through Oct. 10: Jerry Berndt’s photograph exhibit “Orphans of the Rwanda Genocide: Portraits of Survival and Hope” focuses on two populations of survivors: orphans who are heading households of their surviving siblings, and widows who are struggling to take care of their children. Chung King Road and Adjacent Galleries Many galleries are located in Chinatown’s West Plaza, adjacent to 949 N. Hill St., (213) 680-0243 or chinatownla.com. Acuna-Hansen Gallery: 427 Bernard St., (323) 441-1624 or ahgallery.com. Through Oct. 18: Abstract paintings by New York artist Eric Sall. Automat: 936 Chung King Road, (213) 617-0422. Bamboo Lane Gallery: 958 N. Hill St., (213) 620-1188 or

September 29, 2008 bamboolane.com. Bonelli Contemporary: 943 N. Hill St., (213) 617-8180 or bonellicontemporary.com. Through Oct. 4: Michele Lombardelli’s “A Story About the Old, About Nothing, About This or That.� The Box Gallery: 977 Chung King Road, (213) 625-1747 or theboxla.com. China Art Objects: 933 Chung King Road, (213) 613-0384 or chinaartobjects.com. Chinese Historical Society of Southern California: 415 Bernard St., (323) 222-0856 or chssc.org. Ongoing: An exhibition about the history of immigration from China to the United States. Chung King Project: 945 Chung King Road, (213) 625-1802 or chungkingproject.com. Cottage Home: 410 Cottage Home Road, cottagehomela.com. David Kordansky Gallery: 510 Bernard St., (323) 222-1482 or davidkordanskygallery.com. David Salow Gallery: 977 S. Hill St., (213) 6200240 or davidsalowgallery.com. Through Oct. 4: “Surface/Depth� features recent abstract paintings by Steven Hampton. Fellows of Contemporary Art: 970 N. Broadway, Suite 208, (213) 808-1008 or focala.org. Fifth Floor: 502 Chung King Court, (213) 6878443 or fifthfloorgallery.com. Fringe Exhibitions: 504 Chung King Court, (213) 613-0160 or fringexhibitions.com. Happy Lion: 963 Chung King Road, (213) 6251360 or thehappylion.com. High Energy Constructs + Solway Jones: 990 N. Hill St., Suite 180, (323) 227-7920 or highenergyconstructs.com. Through Oct. 18: Work from Alice Aycock, Michael Decker, Jean-Pierre Hebert, David Horvitz, Branden Koch, Dana Maiden, Dane Picard and Alan Rath appears in “Cycling Apparati.� Kontainer Gallery: 944 Chung King Road, (213) 621-2786 or kontainergallery.com. L2kontemporary: 990 N. Hill St. #205, (626) 319-3661 or l2kontemporary.com. Through Oct. 11: Local artist Gronk presents “A Tale of Two Rocks.� Leefahsalung at the New Chinatown Barber Shop: 930 N. Hill St., (323) 810-8830. LMAN: 949 Chung King Road, (213) 628-3883 or lmangallery.com. Main Field Projects: 418 Bamboo Lane, (323) 559-1568 or mainfieldprojects.com. Mandarin Gallery: 970 N. Broadway, Suite 213, (213) 687-4107 or mandaringallery.com. Mesler and Hug: 510 Bernard St., (323) 221-0016 or meslerandhug.com. North Hill: 945 N. Hill St., (213) 500-7778 or northhillchinatown.com. Peres Projects: 969 Chung King Road, (213) 6171100 or peresprojects.com. POV Gallery and Print Studio: 939 Chung King Road, povevolving.com. Sam Lee Gallery: 990 N. Hill St. #190, (323) 2270275 or samleegallery.com. Sister: 955 Chung King Road, (213) 628-7000 or sisterla.com. Through Oct. 4: Sister returns to Chung King Road with “Take It All Back,� a collection of acrylic and collage work from Michael Lazarus. Telic Arts Exchange: 975 Chung King Road, (213) 344-6137 or telic.info. Cirrus Gallery 542 S. Alameda St., (213) 680-3474 or cirrusgallery.com. Through Nov. 8: The group show “Cosmos Factory� brings together seven artists from L.A. and the Bay Area who unite the cosmic and the mundane

Downtown News 23

SearchDowntownLA.com through painting, photography and sculpture. Curated by artist Brad Eberhard. Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2200 or colburnschool.edu. Ongoing: Work from three artists whose oeuvres are influenced by music: photographer Jenny Okun, sculptor and author Sarah Perry and photographer Barbara Strasen. It is installed throughout the lobby and hallway areas of the school. Compact/space 105 E. Sixth St., (626) 676-0627 or compactspace.com. De Soto Higgins Building, 108 W. Second St., Suite 104, (323) 253-2255 or gallerydesoto.com. DIY Gallery 1218 W. Temple St., diygallery@yahoo.com. Doizaki Gallery At the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, 244 S. San Pedro St., (213) 628-2725 or jaccc.org. Oct. 4-5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: The Ohara School of Ikebana L.A. Chapter’s 40th anniversary exhibition. Downtown Art Center Gallery 828 S. Main St., dacgallery.com. Downtown Art Gallery 1611 S. Hope St., (213) 255-2067 or downtownag.com. Tuesdays, 7:30-10:30 p.m.: Figure drawing classes are $12; bring your own materials. Edgar Varela Fine Arts 542 S. Alameda St., second floor, (213) 494-7608 or edgarvarelafinearts.com. El Nopal Press 109 W. Fifth St., (213) 239-0417 or fauxpop.com/nopalpress. Farmlab Farmlab Salon, 1745 N. Spring St., (323) 226-1158 or farmlab.org. g727 727 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9563 or gallery727losangeles.com. Gallery Waugh 548 S. Spring St., Suite 108, (310) 435-9551 or gallerywaugh.com. Gary Leonard 740 S. Olive St., (213) 304-4279. Ongoing: Quick prints, museum-quality archival prints, limited edition prints, fine postcard originals and poster-sized prints by photojournalist Gary Leonard. Every second Sunday: Poetry readings. Habeas Index 7+Fig at Ernst & Young Plaza, 735 Figueroa St., middle level, (213) 955-7150 or habeasindex.org. Open weekdays, noon-6 p.m. Helen Lindhurst Fine Arts Gallery Watt Hall 104, USC University Park Campus, (213) 740-2787 or roski.usc.edu. No end date: “Out of Paper: Summer and Fall 2008 Faculty & Student Exhibition.� Hive Gallery and Studios 729 S. Spring St., (213) 955-9051 or thehivegallery.com. Oct. 4, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.: Opening for a group show with featured artists 13:11 (Joe Scarano, Dion Macellari and Terri Woodward) and Ted von Heiland. On opening night, as is the Hive wont, there are performances, live painting and burlesque. Through October. Infusion Gallery 719 S. Spring St., (213) 683-8827 or infusiongallery.com. Through September: Solo show by Marina Reiter called “Reach Out, Connect, Don’t Wait,� with

a separate group show featuring Patrick E. Hiatt, Chantal Monte, Charlie Quintero, Paul Tokarski, Ignacio Montano, Hallie Engel, Pauline Saleh, Jere Newton Jr., Kara Ann Stevens, Milton Aviles, John R. Math, Bryan Cahen, Frank Hoeffler and Kristina Valentine. Jail 965 Vignes St., Suite 5A, (213) 621-9567 or thejailgallery.com. Katalyst Foundation for the Arts 450 S. Main St., (213) 604-3634 or kffta.org. Through Oct. 4: “Kiche/Salerno/Vargasâ€? is an exhibition of recent works by three L.A artists KGB Studio and Gallery 1640 N. Spring St., kgbla.com. LADWP John Ferraro Office Building, 111 N. Hope St., (213) 481-5411 or ladwp.com. Ongoing: A salute to William Mulholland with historic photos, artifacts and memorabilia. Open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This is the first installment of what will be a permanent exhibition showcasing the water and power of Los Angeles. La Mano Press 1749 N. Main St., (323) 227-0650 or lamanopress.com. Lamp Community Art Project 452 S. Main St., lampcommunity.org or lampartproject.org. Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture At the New LATC, 514 S. Spring St., (213) 626-7600. Library of Congress/Ira Gershwin Gallery At Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4399 or musiccenter.org. Oct. 4-March 2009: “Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: 50 Years as Cultural Ambassador to the Worldâ€? celebrates the troupe’s African American expression and modern dance tradition. Lime CafĂŠ 118 W. Fifth St., (213) 627-1133 or weeneez.com. Los Angeles Artcore Center at Union Center for the Arts 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 617-3274 or laartcore.org. Los Angeles Center for Digital Art 107 W. Fifth St., (323) 646-9427 or lacda.com. Through Oct. 4: “The Lost Museumâ€? follows in the aftermath of The Council for Documentation of Lost Art and Cultural Heritage’s early-’80s project to preserve art, history and vanishing cultures in an electronic archive — which didn’t really work. This exhibition is a part of the collection of artworks that were found corrupted. Los Angeles Public Library Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lapl.org/events. Ongoing: “Bunker Hill by Leo Politiâ€? features the work of the beloved local artist known for murals in several libraries and, most famously, at the entrance to the Eugene Biscailuz Building on Olvera Street.

Ongoing: “Treasures of Los Angeles� features items from the Hollywood collections, including vintage posters and publicity photographs. In the Annenberg Gallery. Mexican Cultural Institute Gallery 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Suite 100, (213) 624-3660 or mexicanculturalinstitute.com. No end date: Joe Bravo’s tortilla artwork appears in “The Traveling Museum of Tortilla Art.� Learn more at joebravo.net. M.J. Higgins Fine Art 110 E. Fourth St., (213) 617-1700 or mjhiggins.com. Morono Kiang Gallery 218 W. Third St., (213) 628-8208 or moronokiang.com. Through Oct. 25: The “Quotidian Truths� series features solo shows of new works that recount the pain and pageantry of contemporary Chinese life as seen through the news media. The second artist in the series is painter Xia Xing. Niche.LA Video Art 453 S. Spring St., Suite 443, (213) 247-0002 or niche.la. Through Oct. 25: “Negative� features black-andwhite digital photography with an urban theme by Cole Thompson. Perfect Exposure Gallery 3519 W. Sixth St., (213) 381-1137 or theperfectexposuregallery.com. Pharmaka Art 101 W. Fifth St., (213) 689-7799 or pharmaka-art.org. Through Nov. 1: “Outside the Inside, Outside� features art by the Lamp Community Art Project, curated by Pharmaka and Shane Guffogg. Phyllis Stein Art 207 W. Fifth St., (213) 622-6012 or phyllissteinart.com. Through Oct. 4: “Snapshot Aesthetics� features the first exhibition from L.A. Polaroid wunderkind Rony Alwin. There’s also “Stockholm Syndrome,� the first L.A. exhibition of painter Nolan Hendrickson. Pico House Gallery El Pueblo Historical Monument, 424 N. Main St., (213) 485-8372 or lacity.org/elp. Popkiller 343 E. Second St., popkiller.us. PYO Gallery 1100 S. Hope St. #105, (213) 405-1488 or pyoart.com. Through Nov. 6: Chinese artist Park Sung-Tae uses industrial material such as aluminum inset screening, radiation matter, steel wiring and fluorescent paint to convey the philosophy of his art. Raw Materials 436 S. Main St., visit winsteadadams.com or rawmaterialsLA.com. Remy’s on Temple 2126 W. Temple St., (213) 484-2884 or remysontemple.com. Through October: “Singgalot: The Ties That Continued on page 24

A Free Event Friday, October 10, 2008 6 to 10 pm

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Envision the Night Enjoy a free evening of art, music and entertainment as Pasadena’s most prominent arts and cultural institutions swing open their doors.

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information and download a free pass at

Armory Center for the Arts

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Pasadena ’s Best Kept Secret! Tour homes on Sunday,Oct.5,noon to 5 pm in Historic Garfield Heights. Admission is $12 per person in advance,or $15 the day of the tour. Reserve in advance by sending a check payable to the Garfield Heights Neighborhood Association,P.O.Box 90322,Pasadena,CA 91109.Check-in and purchases will begin at 11:45 am that day at 1247 N.Garfield Avenue.

Free Shuttles Free shuttles will loop throughout the evening with stops at each venue. Park at any one venue and ride to the others.

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24 Downtown News

LADowntownNews.com

Continued from page 23 Bind” celebrates the 100th anniversary of Filipino immigration to the U.S. REDCAT Gallery 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. Roark 549 W. 23rd St., (213) 747-6100 or linsleylambert.com. Through Oct. 2: “Downtown Diaspora” is Roark’s first look back at the art and artists that came out of the Downtown neighborhood starting 25 years ago, when rent was a penny and a half a foot. Rouge Galerie 548 S. Spring St., Unit 108, (213) 489-7309. Ongoing: Painting, sculptures and limited editions from Sylvain Copon. SCI-Arc Gallery Southern California Institute of Architecture, 960 E. Third St., (213) 613-2200 or sciarc.edu. Seventh Street/Metro Center 660 S. Figueroa St., (213) 922-4278 or metro.net/metroart. Ongoing: Artist Stephen Galloway offers “Coming and Going,” the latest installment in the Metro Art Lightbox series on display in the mezzanine level of the rail station. Showcave Gallery 1218 ½ W. Temple St., (213) 663-3521 or myspace.com/showcave. Spring Arts Collective Spring Arts Tower, 453 S. Spring St., mezzanine level. Visit springartscollective.com. Studio for Southern California History 525 Alpine St., Suite 103, (213) 229-8890 or socalstudio.org. Through September: “Sign of Our times” tracks changes in the So Cal zeitgeist — in the landscape, pivotal legislation and awe-inspiring events. The kid-friendly exhibit invites visitor participation and includes a massive timeline, a community quilt, the “L.A. History Pinball” and the Wall of Neighborhoods. Sunset Gallery 1321 Sunset Blvd., (213) 482-9948. Taller 410 410 S. Spring St., (213) 617-7098. Todd/Browning Gallery 209 W. Fifth St., (310) 926-6347 or toddbrowning.com. Tropico de Nopal Gallery 1665 Beverly Blvd., (213) 481-8112 or tropicodenopal.com. USC Gayle and Ed Roski Master of Fine Arts Gallery 3001 S. Flower St., (213) 743-1804 or roski.usc.edu. Velaslavasay Panorama 1122 W. 24th St., (213) 746-2166 or panoramaonview.org. Ongoing: Located in the historic Union Theater in the West Adams district, the Panorama is now exhibiting a 360-degree painting of the Arctic entitled “The Effulgence of the North.” Open FridaySunday noon- 6 p.m. Through December 2009. Venus on Hope 1228 S. Flower St., (213) 359-9097 or venusonhope.com. Ongoing: Collaborative drawings, sculpture, limited edition collaborative art publications, works on paper, ink paintings and artist interaction at the studio of Jared David Paul. Wigbox Gallery 1242 E. Seventh St. #106, (213) 624-0433. Ongoing: Works by Chicana painter Yolanda Gonzalez and assemblage/installation artist Alex Rodriquez. Winstead Adams Projects 601 S. Los Angeles St., (213) 840-7164 or winsteadadams.com.

FILM Flagship Theatres 3323 S. Hoover St., (213) 748-6321 or flagshipmovies.com. Through Oct. 2: Eagle Eye (1:30 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:45 p.m.), Lakeview Terrace (noon, 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 10 p.m.), My Best Friend’s Girl (12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 10:30 p.m., but no 5:30 or 8 p.m. shows on Wednesday), Starts Oct. 3: Beverly Hills Chihuahua. ImaginAsian Center 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or iacenterla.com. Through Oct. 10: Frozen River is the story of Ray Eddy, an upstate New York trailer mom lured into the world of illegal immigrant smuggling. IMAX Theater California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org. Through Oct. 16: Sea Monsters 3D: A Prehistoric Adventure has viewers accompany modern and

BARS & CLUBS 626 Reserve 626 S. Spring St., (213) 627-9800 or 626reserve.com. This small but stylish wine bar welcomes with warm lighting, burgundy-colored walls and a curvy bar where you can sip from more than two dozen wines by the glass. There’s a decent selection of international beers and nearly 70 varietals by the bottle. Banquette 400 S. Main St., (213) 626-2768 or banquette-cafe.com. This petite cafe and wine bar with its red and white striped awning has become a popular hangout for casual evenings of drinking wine and meeting up with friends. During monthly Art Walks on the second Thursday of the month, Banquette buzzes with almost every kind of Downtown denizen you could imagine. They have a small but lovely selection of wines by the glass as well as beers. Barbara’s at the Brewery 620 Moulton Ave., No. 110, (323) 221-9204 or barbarasatthebrewery.com. On the grounds of the Brewery, this bar and restaurant in an unfinished warehouse is where local residents find their artistic sustenance. Beer on tap, wine list and full bar. Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382 or myspace.com/bar107. Inside the keyhole-shaped door, tough-as-nails Derby Dolls vie for elbowroom with crusty old bar guys and a steady stream of Old Bank District inhabitants. Velvet señoritas, deer heads with sunglasses, a wooden Indian and Schlitz paraphernalia plaster the red walls. There’s no shortage of entertainment, with the funky dance room, great DJs and the occasional rock band. In the photo booth, you can capture your mug in old-fashioned black and white. Located just two blocks east of the Pershing Square Metro stop, Bar 107 is open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. Blue Velvet 750 S. Garland St., (213) 239-0061 or bluevelvetrestaurant.com. Located off a small side street, look for the blue neon sign that says The Flat. This stylish poolside restaurant and lounge in the former Holiday Inn (now a residential building) features sparkling views of Staples Center, a dining room with a 17-foot sunken granite table, and a sleek bar with white stools where you can saddle up cowboy style. Bonaventure Brewing Company Westin Bonaventure, 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 236-0802 bbc2go.com. Where can you get a drink, order some decent bar food, sit outdoors and still feel like you’re Downtown? It’s a tall order to fill, but this bar in the Bonaventure Hotel does it admirably. Sure, the hotel is vaguely ’80s, and you’ll probably encounter some convention goers tying a few on, but it only adds to the fun. Pub Quiz Trivia Night every Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. Bona Vista Lounge 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 624-1000 or starwoodhotels.com. Located in the heart of the Financial District in the landmark Westin Bonaventure Hotel, this revolving cocktail lounge offers a 360-degree view of the city. Bordello 901 E. First St., (213) 687-3766 bordellobar.com. If the name doesn’t clue you in, a sultry voiced “madam” on the answering machine lets you know Bordello isn’t exactly for the buttoned-up crowd. This onetime house of ill repute has shed its most recent life as Little Pedro’s with a gussied up inte-

Rock, Pop & Jazz photo by Alan Silfen

Listings

historical fossil hunters to remote locations as they learn about creatures from the deep (10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.). Through Oct. 16: Journey to the royal tombs of Egypt and explore the history of ancient Egyptian society as told through the mummies of the past in Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharaohs (daily: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.; Sat.-Sun.: 5:30 p.m.). Laemmle Theaters Grande 4-Plex 345 S. Figueroa St., (213) 617-0268 or laemmle.com. Through Oct. 2: Eagle Eye (5 p.m., 7:40 p.m.), Righteous Kill (5 p.m., 7:30 p.m.), Burn After Reading (5:30 p.m., 7:50 p.m.). National Center for the Preservation of Democracy 111 N. Central Ave., visit laaa.org. Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.: A screening of Multiple Feeds, work by the Otis College of Art and Design’s timebased and new-media artists. Free. Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, visit elevateexperience.com. Oct. 5, 3-8 p.m.: The Elevate Film Festival features 25 short films, documentaries, music videos and commercials, all made in seven days, focused on the theme All Tribes Unite and designed to elevate the human spirit. Among them are music videos featuring Keb’ Mo’ and Apl of Black Eyed Peas.

September 29, 2008

Carlos Santana plays at the Nokia Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 2. Yeah, he was big in the ’60s and ’70s — who doesn’t know his versions of “Evil Ways” “Oye Como Va” and “Black Magic Woman”? — but he also hit it big in 1999 with his collaborative Supernatural album. Hits like “Smooth,” recorded with Rob Thomas, and “Maria, Maria,” with the Product G&B, were the reason the album swept nine Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Plus, Rolling Stone put him No. 15 on the list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. His son Salvador, a keyboardist and singer, opens with his band, which has a distinctive sound influenced by Latin rock, jazz and hip-hop — and his famous dad. 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com.

rior oozing sex appeal — lush scarlet velvet, ornate black chandeliers and heart-shaped chairs in hidden alcoves. Broadway Bar 830 S. Broadway, (213) 614-9909 or thebroadwaybar.net. Located next to the Orpheum Theatre in the Platt Building, the Broadway Bar’s blue neon sign beckons patrons inside to its 50-foot circular bar. The casual-chic spot is based on Jack Dempsey’s New York bar, with low lighting and a dose of ’40s glam. There’s a patio upstairs with nice views, and a jukebox. Casey’s Irish Bar & Grille 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com. With its worn brick staircase, tin ceilings and dark wood decor, it’s easy to see how this neighborhood bar and grill still works its Irish charm. Regulars cozy up to the 60-foot mahogany bar with a pint of Guinness and a plate of bangers and mash. Casey’s has a full menu with six beers on tap and a selection of Belgian ales and microbrews. Charlie O’s 501 S. Spring St. in the Hotel Alexandria, (213) 622-5053. Though currently closed for renovations, Charlie O’s is under new management by the people who brought you Bar 107. Hidden on the corner of Fifth and Spring streets in the Alexandria, you’ll find old school basics and old school attitude, beers from around the world, pinball machines, pool tables, a stage for live bands and a dance floor with DJs spinning everything but house and techno. It’s a clubhouse in Downtown for musicians on the rise and also part of the Downtown “Barmuda Triangle.” Ask your bartenders for info, then get lost in it. Cicada 617 S. Olive St., (213) 488-9488 or cicadarestaurant.com. On Thursdays, velvet-voiced Max Vontaine recreates the sounds and styles of rat packers, and every Sunday, the restaurant is transformed into a vintage, old Hollywood-style dance club, with a big band, swank costumes, dinner and cocktails. (For the latter, visit cicadaclub.com.) Ciudad 445 S. Figueroa St., (213) 486-5171 or ciudad-la.com. Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger’s Downtown restaurant serves up Latin recipes from Spain and South America. The modern space also hosts a thriving happy hour with live music on the outdoor patio several nights a week. Don’t miss the mojitos. Club 740 740 S. Broadway, (213) 225-5934 or 740la.com. This 1920s theater has been transformed into a three-level party playground sprawling over 40,000 square feet. Club 740 is a spectacle with ornate gold balconies, go-go dancers and private skybox lounges. Music includes hip-hop, Latin vibe, Top 40 and even indie rock. Eastside Luv 1835 E. First St., (323) 262-7442 or eastsideluv.com. A stone’s throw from Mariachi Plaza and all that Metro Line construction, this tucked-away spot features Mexican movie posters on the wall, good

beer on tap, regular sangria, live bands, and different from anything to its west, no attitude. e3rd 734 E. Third St., (213) 680-3003 or eastthird.com. This Asian-style steakhouse with an artsy flavor features a sleek lounge with low, circular tables and a long psychedelic bar that changes colors like a mood ring. There’s a full bar, inventive cocktails (including soju) and a reasonable wine list. DJs spin. Edison 108 W. Second St., (213) 613-0000, edisondowntown.com. Downtown history has come full circle in this former power plant turned stunning cocktail bar. The Edison is perhaps Downtown’s hottest hotspot and draws an eclectic crowd, including jaded Hollywood types who can’t help but gawk at the preserved bits of machinery, the huge generator and the coal box that now houses the jukebox. Far Bar 347 E. First St., (behind the Chop Suey Café), (213) 617-9990 or chopsueycafe.com. Tucked behind the Chop Suey Café is the Far Bar, where intimacy and a sense of noir L.A. collide. If you can find the place, which you enter through the back of the café or via a skinny alley a few doors down, you can throw them back in the same spot author Raymond Chandler is rumored to have done the same. Figueroa Hotel 939 S. Figueroa St., (213) 627-8971 or figueroahotel.com. The Moroccan-inspired Figueroa Hotel just a block north of Staples Center manages the unique feat of making you feel like you’re in the heart of the city and removed from it at the same time. The light-filled Veranda Bar is just steps from the clear, glittery pool, and it’s common to see suit-clad Downtowners a few feet from swimsuit-wearing Euro-tourists. Gallery Bar Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles, 506 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1011 or millenniumhotels.com. This elegant lounge in the Millennium Biltmore Hotel is known for its martinis, wines and vintage ports. Genji Bar Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens, 120 Los Angeles St., (213) 253-9255 or kyotograndhotel.com. The Genji Bar offers a hip, private karaoke room that you and a dozen or so of your friends can rent for about $10 apiece. It’s got new songs, old songs, odd songs and songs that you wish no one would sing. It also means you can warble “Sweet Home Alabama” all you want without the agonizing wait. Golden Gopher 417 W. Eighth St., (213) 614-8001 or goldengopherbar.com. This stylish, dimly lit space with exposed brick walls, chandeliers and golden gopher lamps has a rockin’ jukebox, cheap Pabst Blue Ribbon and an outdoor lounge for smokers. Best of all, it also has Ms. Pac Man and Galaga. The bar also has a rare take-out liquor counter. Grand Star Jazz Club 943 Sun Mun Way, (213) 626-2285.

September 29, 2008 Firecracker club heats things up every other Friday atop the Quon Brothers’ Grand Star. Start the evening at the latter, where the lapu lapus are wicked strong. There’s usually alternating karaoke and a good jazz trio. Upstairs you’ll find the hip-hop haven known as Firecracker, a longtime dance club with good music and an eclectic, lively crowd. Hop Louie 950 Mei Ling Way (Central Plaza), (213) 628-4244. This is old school Chinatown, on the ground floor of the Hop Louie Restaurant, with slightly indifferent bartenders and décor — it’s actually a relief. J Restaurant & Lounge 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com. Once the site of the historic Little J’s, this South Park lounge a stone’s throw from Staples Center now offers signature cocktails, cigars, beer and about 20 wines by the glass. The sprawling space is highlighted by a 10,000-square-foot outdoor patio featuring cozy cabanas, a glowing fire pit and a 30-foot granite bar. Happy hour is from 5 p.m. until sunset all summer long. La Cita 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111. Though the owners of Echo Park’s Short Stop bought it, little has changed. Everything in this former Mexican Ranchero bar oozes red, from the vinyl booths lining the wall to the glowing light fixtures. Hipsters, Latino regulars and artists mingle as DJs get their groove on during the week. Saturday and Sunday bring Hacienda Nights with traditional Ranchero music. La Fonda 2501 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 380-5053 or lafondala.com. The palatial restaurant and stage has re-opened. Live performances by the Mariachi Monumental de America plays nightly at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Library Bar 630 W. Sixth St., (213) 614-0053 or librarybarla.com. This dimly lit bar is more upscale than your typical pub, which means you won’t find a boisterous USC crowd here. A very busy happy hour draws associates from the law firm across the street, as well as bankers, secretaries and other professionals for the grown-up beer and wine selections. There’s a full bar, but the main attractions are the seven craft beers on tap. Mayan 1038 S. Hill St., (213) 746-4287 or clubmayan.com. A multi-level nightclub in the refurbished Mayan Theatre features Latin dance, Spanish rock, house and tropical music on the main floor. Upstairs, its ’80s music, KROQ selections, disco, hip-hop and R&B. McCormick & Schmick’s 633 W. Fifth St., Fourth Floor, (213) 629-1929 or mccormickandschmicks.com. With a bar, adjoining dining rooms and patio where patrons can take in the dazzling skyline, this is a longtime Downtown happy hour scene, and one of its most festive. The drinks come quick, and the food specials are unbeatable — formidable burgers and appetizers for mere dollars. Moody’s Bar and Grille Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, 333 S. Figueroa St., (213) 617-1133 or marriott.com. Located in the lobby of the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown, Moody’s is a traditional sports bar, serving pub grub from steaks to sandwiches. Morton’s The Steakhouse, Bar 12·12 735 S. Figueroa St., (213) 553-4566 or mortons.com. Sinatra croons and cocktails chill. And during Power Hour, bar bites are $5, Mon.-Fri. from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 9:30-11 p.m. Mountain Bar 475 Gin Ling Way, (213) 625-7500 or themountainbar.com. There’s something to be said for a spot that’s a bit tricky to find. No matter. Your hard work will be rewarded with an extra strong drink at this artsy Chinatown haven decked out with stunning light fixtures, red bleeding walls and post-modern decor. The second level features a dance floor. There’s usually an art show every month, and weekly DJs. O Bar & Kitchen O Hotel, 819 S. Flower St., (213) 623-9904 or ohotelgroup.com. Surrounded by warm orange walls and exposed brick, try California-inspired Mediterranean tapas and relax with a house cocktail or specialty martini. Oiwake 122 Japanese Village Plaza Mall, (213) 628-2678. The first karaoke restaurant and bar in Downtown boasts a monster songbook. Point Moorea Wilshire Grand Hotel, 930 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 833-5100 or wilshiregrand.com. Step into the South Pacific at this casual drinking bar that was voted the area’s best place to meet singles by this newspaper. The gathering spot features a grand bar, a martini bar, the Harem Room and a daily happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. This maritime-inspired tavern is decked out in nautical gear, including fishing nets and floats, weathered wooden planks and the stumps of dock timbers. A rusty anchor and reproductions of pirate flags adorn the ceiling of the entryway. DJs spin in a backroom while a high-tech jukebox churns out everything from the Clash to Frank Sinatra. Royal Clayton’s Pub 1855 Industrial St., (213) 622-0512 or royalclaytonstavern.com. This stylish Gothic-Industrial restaurant on the ground floor of the Toy Factory Lofts has a laidback vibe and no Hollywood scene in sight. Drinks are strong, the lighting is soft and the short ribs are insane. There’s a tavern menu after 10 p.m. to keep you going as you play pool or listen to the nightly DJs spin everything from Euro grooves to ’80s anthems. Royale 2619 Wilshire Blvd. , (213) 985-0676 or royaleonwilshire.com. Set in the historic Wilshire Royale Hotel on Downtown’s western fringe, Royale restaurant has created a Roaring ’20s cocktail lounge with a modern twist. During the week, check out Happy Hour Remixed (5-8 p.m.), where a bar menu features items from $4-$9 includ-

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SearchDowntownLA.com ing crispy pork spareribs, sea bass carpaccio and a beefy Royale burger. There are also $4 well drinks and draft beer, and delicious $5 martinis to enjoy while you listen to the DJ music or lounge in a 35-seat booth. Sabor 847 S. Union Ave., (213) 388-3311, saborlounge.com. This margarita lounge also offers karaoke and dancing. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 A neon stag head near Seventh Street and Grand Avenue marks the entrance to this high-end whiskey lounge. At the top of a staircase you’ll find a diorama with a gun-toting hunter, one of several quirky elements that also include bejeweled crows in the ladies room, plaid fabric, and plenty of stag and elk imagery. More than 120 whiskeys are displayed behind the stunning backlit bar, and the expert mixologists whip up some truly amazing cocktails (happy hour prices apply all day Monday). A smoker’s patio is onsite. The action around the pool table is always lively and there’s a nice lineup of live music. Standard Hotel 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotel.com. Despite only a few short years in operation, you can pretty much consider the Standard hotel’s rooftop bar a local nightlife veteran.

From buttoned-up office workers who flock to the space for happy hour drinks to the swanked-out late-night crowd, the place is always buzzing. Floating amid the surreal skyline, the mod lounge features pod-shaped cabanas, vibrating waterbeds, super hot bartenders and lots of beautiful people. Takami & Elevate Lounge 811 Wilshire Blvd., 21st floor, (213) 236-9600 or elevatelounge.com. This former 1960s office suite is split between the 130-seat restaurant on the east and a stylish lounge on the west. The modern Japanese aesthetic with warm wood tables, leather floors, low lounge seating and striking sculptural pieces makes an immediate impression, though not nearly as much as the wall-to-wall windows and endless views. The stylish lounge features VIP seating, a dance floor, two bars and DJs spinning nightly. Valet available after 6 p.m. nightly (Wilshire/Lebanon). Tatou 333 S. Boylston St., (213) 482-2000 or tatouclub.com. The dance club is pure indulgence, with multiple VIP nooks (some with PlayStation3 systems), a bit of Cocoanut Grove glam in the form of four 15-foot palm trees and vintage circular booths. The 40-foot Continued on page 26

29th Annual Edition

LANDMARKS 2008

By Invitation Only

Y   D R

A tribute to the development and restoration of Downtown Los Angeles As the annual chronicle of Downtown growth, Landmarks features time-honored buildings and businesses, classics of tomorrow, and other enduring elements of Downtown life.

Publishes November 3, Space Reservation Deadline September 29 If you would like to be included in this exclusive issue,

Call 213.481.1448

26 Downtown News

September 29, 2008

LADowntownNews.com

Listings Continued from page 25 stage jumps with DJs and go-go girls, while a large bar stretches across the opposite end of the wall. Tranquility Base Restaurant and Lounge 801 S. Grand Ave., (213) 404-0588 or tranquilityla.com. Distinctive in that it changes its menu and dĂŠcor with the seasons, Tranquility Base is the latest restaurant from David Tardif. It was named for the first words Neil Armstrong uttered when the Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Located on the ground floor of the Sky Lofts at Eighth and Grand and within walking distance of the Nokia Theatre and Staples Center, Tranquility Base serves up small plates and high-end spirits until 2 a.m. for late-night concertgoers. Weiland Brewery 400 E. First St., (213) 680-2881 and 505 S. Flower St., (213) 622-1125 or weilandbrewery.net. This Brewery with two Downtown outposts hosts one of the friendliest happy hours in town from 3-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.-close. Zita Trattoria 825 James M. Wood Blvd., (213) 488-0400. Located within steps of the Staples Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center, this skylight-lit trattoria and bar offers many wines by the glass.

MUSEUMS African American Firefighter Museum 1401 S. Central Ave., (213) 744-1730 or aaffmuseum.org. Ongoing: An array of firefighting relics dating to 1924, including a 1940 Pirsch ladder truck, an 1890 hose wagon, uniforms from New York, L.A. County and City of L.A. firefighters, badges, helmets, photographs and other artifacts. Annette Green Perfume Museum FIDM, second floor, 919 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1200 or fidm.edu. Ongoing: “Fame and Fragrance� is up in this, the only museum of its kind in the U.S. It’s dedicated to enhancing our understanding the art, culture and science of the olfactory. Originally opened in New York City in 1999, the collection — 2,000 bottles, perfume presentations and documentary ephemera dating from the late 1800s to the present — was do-

nated to FIDM in 2005. California African American Museum 600 State Drive, (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org. Through April 12: “Black Chrome� looks at the contributions African Americans have made to motorcycle culture, mechanical technology and aesthetics since World War II. Oct. 2-April 5: “A Moment in Time: Bingham’s Black Panthers� captures several months in 1968, when photographer Howard Bingham and journalist Gilbert Moore documented leaders of the Black Panther Party — the energy of their activity in political education classes, conferences, public rallies, demonstrations, courts and jailhouses, but also in the spaces of Eldridge Cleaver’s apartment and the Panthers’ headquarters. Through Oct. 5: “Allensworth: 100 Years of the California Dream� looks at the settlement founded in 1908, which symbolized the dream of Col. Allen Allensworth. Permanent: “The African American Journey West� is a collection of pieces chronicling the path from the West Coast of Africa to the West Coast of America. California Science Center 700 State Drive, (323) 724-3623 or californiasciencecenter.org. Oct. 2-May 3: “Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause,� developed by the Drug Enforcement Administration Museum, looks at the science and technology of illegal drugs and their effects on the mind and body. There’s an actual jungle coca processing lab confiscated in South America, a recreated Afghan heroin factory and a simulated MRI machine with scans of a normal brain and that of a drug addict. Ongoing: The Science Center’s permanent exhibits are usually interactive and focus on human innovations and inventions as well as the life processes of living things. The lobby Science Court stays busy with the High Wire Bicycle, a Motion-Based Simulator and the Ecology Cliff Climb. The human body is another big focus: The Life Tunnel aims to show the connections between all life forms, from the single-celled amoeba to the 100-trillion-celled human being. Chinese American Museum 425 N. Los Angeles St., (213) 485-8567 or camla.org. Through Oct. 25: “Sunshine and Shadow: In Search of Jake Lee� marks the first comprehensive review of a prolific yet intensely private artist who embraced California landscapes and city scenes

through watercolor. Ongoing: “Growing Up Chinese American: Childhood Toys and Memories� is an exhibit that explores everyday life for children of Chinese descent coming of age in a rapidly changing 20thcentury America. Permanent: Re-creation of the Sun Wing Wo, a Chinese general store and herbal shop, and “Journeys: Stories of Chinese Immigration,� an exhibit exploring Chinese immigration to the United States with an emphasis on community settlement in Los Angeles. The display is outlined into four distinct time periods. Each period is defined by an important immigration law and/or event, accompanied by a brief description and a short personal story about a local Chinese American and their experiences in that particular historical period. Permanent: “Neighborhood Stories� a photographic exhibition exploring the beginnings of Los Angeles’ changing Chinese American communities, from the city’s original Chinatown, New Chinatown, China City and Market Chinatown. This exhibit will provide a glimpse of how the Chinese American community began to make Los Angeles home. El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument 124 Paseo de la Plaza, (213) 485-8372 or elpueblo.lacity.org. Oct. 1-Nov. 15: “Sunshine and Struggle: The Italian Experience in Los Angeles, 1827-1927� explores the Italian presence in L.A., and its long-disappeared Little Italy. In the Pico House Gallery at El Pueblo, 424 N. Main St. Ongoing: The whole of El Pueblo is called a “monument,� and of this monument’s 27 historic buildings, four function as museums: the Avila Adobe, the city’s oldest house; the Sepulveda House, home to exhibits and the monument’s Visitors Center; the Fire House Museum, which houses late 19th-century fire-fighting equipment; and the Masonic Hall, which boasts Masonic memorabilia. Check its website for a full slate of fiestas, including Cinco de Mayo, Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in November and December’s beautiful candlelight procession, Las Posadas. Open daily, though hours at shops and halls vary. FIDM Museum and Galleries 919 S. Grand Ave., (213) 624-1200 or fidm.edu. Grier Musser Museum 403 S. Bonnie Brae St., (213) 413-1814 or griermussermuseum.com. Ongoing: A turn-of-the century historic Queen

Anne house that displays antique collections in monthly holiday exhibits throughout the year. Japanese American National Museum 369 E. First St., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org. Oct. 4-Jan. 11: “20 Years Ago Today: Supporting Visual Artists in Los Angeles� features the work of recipients of the California Community Foundation’s Fellowships for Visual Artists. Ongoing: “Common Ground: The Heart of Community� chronicles 130 years of Japanese American history, from the early days of the Issei pioneers to the present. Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Avenue 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2766 or moca.org. Through Jan. 5: “Martin Kippenberger: The Problem Perspective� is the first major U.S. retrospective of the German artist who died in 1997. It includes key selections and bodies of work from his entire career: paintings, sculptures, works on paper, installations, multiples, photographs, posters, announcement cards, books and music. Permanent: Nancy Rubins’ cheekily and comprehensively titled “Chas’ Stainless Steel, Mark Thompson’s Airplane Parts, About 1000 Pounds of Stainless Steel Wire, Gagosian’s Beverly Hills Space, at MOCA (2001-2002)� is a monumental sculpture made out of parts of an airplane. Museum of Contemporary Art, The Geffen Contemporary 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 621-2766 or moca.org. Through Jan. 5: Most of “Martin Kippenberger: The Problem Perspective� unfolds at MOCA Grand Avenue (see listing above). At the Contemporary, there is some additional work and the giant Kippenberger installation, “The Happy End of Franz Kafka’s ‘Amerika.’� Through Dec. 15: “Index: Conceptualism in California From the Permanent Collection� surveys the evolution of conceptual practices in California by highlighting individual works and groupings by more than 60 artists. Museum of Neon Art 136 W. Fourth St., (213) 489-9918 or neonmona.org. Through Nov. 2: “Text: Style and Content� features a variety of font styles from neon signs and text-based neon and kinetic work like Jim Jenkins’ bouncing “Yes.� Through Nov. 2: In conjunction with the 70th anniversary of Central Plaza and the relighting of historic neon in three Chinatown buildings, MONA opens a “Chinatown Neon in Postcards� exhibit at Continued on page 28

douginks@ix.netcom.com

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Listings Continued from page 26 the Hong office building, 445 Gin Lin Way. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763–3466 or nhm.org. Through Nov. 1: The museum’s annual “Spider Pavilion” is an outdoor exhibit, where visitors can watch the work of hundreds of web-weaving spiders. Ongoing: A life-sized T. rex and Triceratops roam the museum Wednesday-Sunday. They’re actually puppets — and the Dinosaur Encounters program they star in aims to teach visitors about dinosaur habits and physicality. Ongoing: “Thomas the T. rex Lab” is a working paleontological lab, wherein museum preparators will work on a T. rex skeleton in full view of the public. Ongoing: Three diorama halls show African and North American mammals in their natural environments; more than 2,000 gem and mineral specimens are on view in the Gem and Mineral Hall; and the Ancient Latin America Hall covers prehistoric societies including the Maya, Aztec and Inca. And that’s just the first floor. USC Fisher Museum of Art 823 Exposition Blvd. on the USC campus, (213) 740-4561 or fishergallery.org. Through Nov. 8: Group show “Phantasmagoria: Specters of Absence” features work with shadows, alluding to death, the obscure, the unnamable. Wells Fargo History Museum 333 S. Grand Ave., (213) 253-7166 or wellsfargohistory.com. Ongoing: Take in an Old West exhibit including a faux 19th-century Wells Fargo office, a real-life Concord stagecoach that once traversed windy southern Kentucky roads and a gold nugget weighing in at a shocking two pounds.

FARMERS MARKETS Wednesdays Financial District Farmers Market Fifth Street, between Flower St. and Grand Ave., ccfm.com. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Produce, flowers, coffee, baked goods and soap are just a few of the items for sale at the market that livens up the street in front of the Central Library. Thursdays City Hall Farmers Market South Lawn of City Hall, between Main and Spring streets, downtownfarmersmarket.org. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Farm fresh produce, flowers, olives, oils, hummus, dips, honeys and crafts. Music 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. It’s a chance to pick up fresh goods and get some face time with your favorite civil servant. 7+Fig Farmers Market 725 S. Figueroa St., (213) 955-7150 or 7fig.com. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: The outdoor mall in the Financial District offers produce, hot and sweet kettle corn, flowers, honey, breads, bonsai trees, tamales, olives, nuts and more. Chinatown Farmers Market 727 N. Hill St., between Alpine and Ord streets, (213) 680-0243 or chinatownla.com. 3-7 p.m.: Wares from certified growers, plus a variety of Asian produce. Fridays Bank of America Farmers Market 333 S. Hope St., at Bank of America Plaza, ccfm.com. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Visitors rave about the falafel, samosas and tamales, but there’s also produce, flowers and crafts.

TOURS Angelino Heights (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every first Saturday of the month, take a walk through one of the first suburbs of Los Angeles. The neighborhood has a rich history and well-preserved Victorian architecture. Architecture Tours L.A. (323) 464-7868 or architecturetoursla.com. Monday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and by appointment. Two-to-three-hour driving tours of Downtown and other areas, focusing on the significant historic and contemporary architecture, culture and history of various neighborhoods. $65 per person. Art Deco Tours (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A walking tour and up-close look at Downtown’s Art Deco palaces, including the Oviatt Building, led by the Los Angeles Conservancy. $10, $5 for members.

LADowntownNews.com Biltmore Hotel (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Second Sunday of the month, 2 p.m. See the amazing architecture of the “Host of the Coast,” as it was known to its old jazz clientele. The tour of the stately structure next to Pershing Square explores the ballrooms and common areas of the hotel built in 1923. Broadway Theatre District Tour (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Get an up-close glimpse and taste of history with a Los Angeles Conservancy walking tour of the historic Vaudeville-era theaters that line Broadway. The street has the largest collection of old theaters on the West Coast. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels All tours begin at the Lower Level Plaza, 555 W. Temple St., (213) 680-5215 or olacathedral.org. Monday-Friday, 1 p.m. A free one-hour tour of the cathedral designed by Jose Rafael Moneo is led by volunteers. Also available are tours for children and a traditional English tea and tour. Chinese Historical Society of Southern California 415 Bernard St., (323) 222-0856 or chssc.org. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m. Docent guided tours of Chinatown, a unique and still perplexing community, are available for groups of 10 or more. City Hall (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every first Saturday of the month, 11 a.m. This tour explores the architecture and history of this fully restored landmark. Stops include some of the building’s important public spaces, such as the rotunda and City Council chambers. Make sure to glance up at the ornate ceiling. Doheny Mansion Tour Doheny Campus, 10 Chester Place, (213) 477-2962 or dohenymansion.org. Call for times: The Gothic Renaissance-style Victorian mansion on the Doheny Campus of Mount St. Mary’s College designed by Theodore Augustus Eisen and Summer P. Hunt in 1898. This was home to oil baron Edward Doheny and family for almost 60 years. The mansion boasts the Pompeian Room, with an iridescent Tiffany glass dome and imported Siena marble. Public tours, which cost $25 a person, include the first floor of the mansion and surrounding grounds. Seniors are $15, and other discounts apply. Downtown Housing Bus Tour Visit downtownla.com. Saturday, twice a month: From loft style units to historic office buildings to new luxury construction, tour both visiting models of “for sale” units as well as “for lease” properties. Along the way, you’ll see icon architecture and the developing neighborhoods in the area. Downtown Los Angeles Business Walking Tour Visit downtownla.com. Friday, twice a month: A primer in all the major Downtown hotspots — new developments such as L.A. Live, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, new loft buildings and quality office space. Downtown’s Evolving Skyline Tour (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every third Saturday of the month. This tour of the architecture, art and open spaces of the Central Business District focuses on the postwar urban built environment and how a city’s future is shaped by the choices it makes about its past. El Pueblo 130 Paseo de la Plaza. (213) 628-1274 or lasangelitas.org. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Free docent-led tours of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, where the city of Los Angeles was founded. Esotouric (323) 223-2767 or esotouric.com. Enjoy well-researched, often darkly funny tours of an L.A. of old — where musicians, writers and architects, and (usually separately) criminals toil. The company does tours all over L.A. Historic Core Tour (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Learn about the architecture of one of the city’s most storied districts on a walking tour led by the Los Angeles Conservancy. $10, $5 for members. L.A. Fashion District Shopping Tour (213) 683-9715 or urbanshoppingadventures.com. Monday-Saturday with advance reservation, 10:30 a.m. Three hours of walking and shopping with a guide in the nation’s largest fashion district. Learn how to ferret out the finds for $36 per person. Little Tokyo Tour (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every second Saturday of the month. As the cultural and historic heart of the Japanese community in Los Angeles, Little Tokyo offers vivid contrasts between the old and the new. This tour includes architectural and cultural history as well as background on the city’s Japanese community. Los Angeles Central Library Tour 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7168 or lapl.org.

September 29, 2008

Rock, Pop & Jazz photo by Ralph Gibson

28 Downtown News

Lou Reed may have finally found his musical home. The pioneer of the avant-garde is coming to REDCAT Thursday and Friday, Oct. 2 and 3. The singer-songwriter and guitarist behind the Velvet Underground from 1965-73, Reed has enjoyed a long solo career that included the hit “Walk on the Wild Side.” Yet he has successfully avoided the trappings of the mainstream music world and headed in experimental directions, using distortion and nonstandard tunings in his music and even producing an album of feedback loops in 1975, Metal Machine Music. For the REDCAT shows, he will draw on everything from free jazz to noise in an improvised evening with sonic experimentalist Ulrich Krieger, a CalArts faculty member. The two first collaborated in 2002 when Krieger transcribed Metal Machine Music for a chamber orchestra. Expect the unexpected. REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.

Daily walk-in tours: Monday-Friday, 12:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m., 2 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Docentled tours of the Central Library, including its art and architecture, are daily. Call to arrange a time. Tours begin in front of the library store in the main lobby. Reservations are necessary for groups of 10 or more. Los Angeles River FOLAR Tours (323) 223-0585 or folar.org/rivertours. These sporadic tours, created by Friends of the Los Angeles River, convene at the River Center (near the 5 and 110 freeways) where carpools are formed and the tour is laid out. Then the fun begins, with stops at the Sepulveda Basin in the Valley, the Glendale Narrows across from Griffith Park, the historic Arroyo Seco confluence, the Los Angeles State Historic Park (which is to say, the Cornfield) and the heart of industrial Downtown. Metro Art Tours (213) 922-2738 or metro.net/art. Every first Saturday and Sunday of the month, 10 a.m.-noon. Tour provides insights into Metro transit system artworks and is led by knowledgeable docents. Free. Tours meet at Hollywood/Highland Metro Station on Saturday and at historic Union Station on Sunday. Museum of Neon Art Tours 136 W. Fourth St., (213) 489-9918 or neonmona.org Frequently scheduled neon bus tours, which rumble through downtown and Hollywood as a wisecracking host tells the story of the city’s electric signage. Sept. 27: An open-top British double-decker neon tour of the city. Upcoming tours: Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25; Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29. Red Line Tours Tours meet inside the Bradbury Building, 304 S. Broadway, (323) 402-1074, ext. 11, or redlinetours.com. Daily. “Inside Historic Downtown L.A.” operates at 9:45 a.m., and “Inside Contemporary Downtown L.A.” takes place at noon. Reserve tours by 9 p.m. the day prior. San Antonio Winery Tour 737 Lamar St., (323) 223-1401 or sanantoniowinery.com. Monday-Friday, noon-2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free tour of the only working winery in Los Angeles, culminating with a wine tasting. Live jazz Thursday-Sunday from noon-4 p.m. Group reservations required for parties of six or more. Undiscovered Chinatown Tour (213) 680-0243 or chinatownla.com. First Saturday of every month, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.:

Tours take visitors to a number of off-the-beatentrack points of cultural and historical interest, including a temple, an herb shop, art galleries, antique stores and more. Starline Tour Thirteen stops, beginning at Olvera Street and ending at L.A. Live, visit starlinetours.com. This tour, which operates seven days a week from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., has a “hop-on-hop-off” policy. Union Station (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every third Saturday of the month. Explore the last great railway station built in America, an inspiring building combining the Spanish Colonial revival and Art Deco styles. The East portal area, added in 1993, and the MTA headquarters are also included on this tour. USC (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every other month. More than 125 years old, USC has a rich architectural, historical and cultural heritage, and long ties to the Central City. Visit many of the campus’ architecturally significant buildings during this two-and-a-half-hour walking tour. Wall Street of the West Tour (213) 623-2489 or laconservancy.org. Every fourth Saturday of the month. The L.A. Conservancy leads a tour of Spring Street, once the West Coast’s center of finance. Tour starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until 12:30 p.m. $10, $5 for members. Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4399 or musiccenter.org. Daily. The swirling building designed by Frank Gehry offers a variety of tours: self-guided audio tours, matinee public guided tours, lunchtime expresses and a walk through the Urban Garden. But be warned: the actual concert hall is only open during performances. Call for each day’s schedule.

Please email Your event info To submit events for this section, please email a brief description, street address and a public phone number to calendar@downtownnews.com. Web addresses are welcome. Listings are due 10 days before publication date. Because of time constraints, submissions without full information cannot be considered for publication. Inclusion in the listings is at the discretion of the L.A. Downtown News. Sorry, we cannot accept follow-up calls about event listings.

SearchDowntownLA.com

September 29, 2008

Downtown News 29

CLASSIFIED

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THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

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DowntownNews.com

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

30 Downtown News

September 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

Continued from previous page

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Sorry No Dogs

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

Jenny ahn jahn@regentBC.com

www.regentbc.com

Silverlake Lofts residential/ commercial

1100 Sq Ft – 2000 Sq Ft. Prices from $1750–$2500 Includes 1 Pkg space.

Gated 4 unit compound. Owner managed. New construction. All kitchen appliances + washer/ dryer. Private garage. Include maid service. $1800 & $2300. Also available 800 sq. ft. office suite $2300

Call Emily (866) 425-7259

You never know what you’ll find in the…

(213) 996-8301

323-667-2150 www.billbrame.com

Downtown News

Classified

Place your classified ad online, its safe and secure at DowntownNews.com/classified. Or call 213.481.1448

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

Monthly from $595 utilities paid. (213) 612-0348

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

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

Do you have something to sell? All ads run for 2 weeks. Ads may be renewed after two weeks for 50% off the original price of the ad.

Ad prices

(Marketplace and Automotive Categories ONLY):

• Items under $300…12 words, 2 weeks FREE! • Items $301 to $500…15 words, only $11.50 • Items $501 to $1200…15 words, only $14.00 • Items $1201 to $2000…15 words, only $16.50 • Items $2001+…15 words, only $19.00

eds get results! i f ssi a cl r ou 0, ,00 49 of n o ti a l cu r ci a h Wit Name: Address: City Phone: Cash $ Credit card #: Exp. Date:

State Check $

Zip Credit Card $

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.

Ad Copy: _________________________________________

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

September 29, 2008

COMPUTER SUPPORT Service for home and small business. Low rates, call 213-427-9298.

massage

DELL DESKTOP $800. Dell LapTop $900. With Intel Multimedia processor & $500+ software package included. 213-2215750. LADY’S GOLD 1/4 diamond engagement ring & 19 diamonds band. $295. 310-779-3040.

Star Holistic Spa Massage

SPA 2008 MODEL Neck jets, therapy seat. Warranty! Never used. Can deliver. Worth $5950 sell for $1950. 818-785-9043.

(2 hr.) $60.00 2551 W. Beverly Blvd. LA, CA, 90057 (Beverly Rampart)

Tel: 213-383-7676

laundry services Let us do the dirty work!

Beverly's Laundromat Full Self Service & Quality Drop-Off

• Professional Fluff & Fold Service • Large & Best Equipped Washer & Dryer • FREE Pick Up & Delivery (25lb. Minimum) • Friendly & Helpful Attendants on Duty • Service commercial accounts

Free Fluff & Fold Services We will WASH, DRY & FOLD

(up to 5lb.) FREE w/any incoming order of 20lb. or more. FREE pick up & delivery (25lb. Min.)

1st time customers only. Must present coupon. Exp. 10-30-08.

610 S. Rampart Blvd. @ 6th St (213)804-0069 Open Daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free Parking

FOR SALE

Kids performing schools

SCHWINN Beach Cruiser bicycle with white wall tires. Classic bike. $280. 323-583-2526.

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. (CALSCAN)

services CRYSTAL MATRIX Center. Vibrational medicine services. Classes, crystals, jewelry and readings. Call 323-644-7625 or visit our website www.thecrystalmatrix.com.

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

FREE BOOK: “Dare to double your business now!” In exchange for problem example for new book. Contact Author Tom Franklin: 323-871-6862.

education

Volunteer OPPORTUNITIES

GET CRANE TRAINED! Crane/ Heavy Equipment Training. National Certification Prep. Placement Assistance. Financial Assistance. Southern California College of Construction. www. Heavy7.com Use Code “SCCNH” 1-888-211-3768. (CAL-SCAN)

MISCELLANEOUS

4 STEREO Speakers $60. Work table $10. Chair $5. 818-3102837.

WE BUY ALL Musical Instruments, Guitars, Amplifiers and Records. If it’s musical and you want to sell it - then we’re the Guys to Call. 760-987-5349. (CAL-SCAN)

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.

LEGALS LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT No. BC384689 Plaintiff: CITY OF LOS ANGELES, a municipal

Available Immediately

National City Tower Lofts

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

810 South Spring Street 213-623-3777

corporation vs Defendants: SON HEE MOON, an individual, DBA: ALL COMPUTER SYSTEMS and Does 1 through 20, inclusive You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form, if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. The name and address of the court is: Los Angeles County Superior Court

Luxury Living in the heart of Downtown Studio, 1 Bdrm, 2 Bdrm, Bi-Level Penthouses from $1 ,395

www.nctlofts.com Amenities: • Gourmet kitchen / gas • “Quartz Stone” counters • European cabinets • Stainless appliances • Polished concrete floors • Glass tiled bathrooms • Spacious Walk-in closets

• WiFi/High Speed • Rooftop garden / Spa • Fitness room • Billiard room • Controlled access • Large historic windows • Magnificent City views And much much more

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.)

Bunker Hill Real Estate Co, Inc. Established 1984 Bunker Hill Tower ❏  Studio. Eastern City View. All Utilities, Basic Cable & Internet Access Included. Partially Furnished, 24 Hour Security. Tennis, Pool, GYM. Ready to Move In! $1,400 Mo.

Foreclosures - Los angeles ❏  4 Bed. 2 Bath. Pasadena. Semi Circular Driveway. $445,900 ❏  3 Bed. 2 Bath. Pasadena. Great for Growing Family. 454,900 ❏  3 Bed. 2 Bath. Pasadena. Upgrades. 3 Car Gar. Big Lot. $641,900 ❏  3 Bed. 3 Bath. Lawndale. Tri-Level Townhouse. Large. $374,900 ❏  2 Bed. 1 Bath. Pasadena. Wood Floors. Tiled Counters. Price TBD ❏  3 Bed. 1 Bath. Pasadena. Major Fixer / Land Value Only. Price TBD Call us for other condos for sale or lease Dwntwn & surrounding areas!!

Mirza Alli

Broker/Realtor Leasing-SalesLoans-Refinance

(213) 680-1720

e-mail us: Info@bunkerhillrealestate.com

www.Bunkerhillrealestate.com

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

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

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

3386766 0119

MASSAGEH

Block Move-in Special 1/2 Month Free Includes utilities, basic cable channels, laundry room on site, street parking, 1 yr lease.

SAKURA HEALTH GYM & SAUNA, INC.

HBODY

Rent

Single rooms starting from $550/mo.

Health Dept. rank A for 7 Consecutive Years

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

Downtown News 31

SearchDowntownLA.com

208 W. 14th St. at Hill St. Downtown L.A.

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

freshly designed Lofts for Rent

$99 Moves You In* One of the most prestigious & beautiful residences in Downtown.

$1,595 to $2,500 On Broadway at 8th St. C h a pma n f l ats.com 213.892.9100 *For a limited time.

**with approved credit.

FOR SALE

Downtown Condos & Lofts WilshireMetro.com

213.629.2530 Since 1987

n 600 W. 9th 2+2 599K n 600 W. 9th(PH) 2+2 949K n 600 W. 9th 1+1 448K n 121 S. Hope 2+2 639K n 880 W. 1st 1+1 449K n 880 W. 1st 2+2 650K n Elleven Loft 770 sqft 488K Pending n 121 S. Hope 2+2 Lease 2595/mo.

ARTIST LOFTS FOR LEASE Live/Work in Downtown Fashion District 700 to 1500 Sq. Ft. Lofts. High ceilings, skylights, cable, kitchen, bath+shower, laundry room, elevator, controlled access, sub. parking. Sorry no dogs. Call George: 818-634-7916 or 310-275-9831 x24

Central District 111 N. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012-3014 Case Number: BC384689 Dated: January 31, 2008 The name, address, telephone number, and fax number of Plaintiff’s attorney is: Rockard J. Delgadillo, City Attorney (125465x) Beverly A. Cook, Deputy City Attorney (SBN 68312) Wendy A. Loo, Deputy City Attorney (SBN 176587) Los Angeles Office of the City Attorney, 200 N. Main Street, Room 920 City Hall East, Los Angeles, CA 90012 John A. Clarke, Executive Officer/Clerk By D.M. Swain, Deputy Pub. 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13/08

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department WORCESTER, Division Docket No.08D2113DV1 Divorce/Separate Support Summons By Publication CHRISTINE MUKANGWIZE, Plaintiff v. THOMAS A. BREWER, Defendant To the above named Defendant: A Complaint has been presented to this court by the Plaintiff, Christine Mukangwize, seeking a divorce. An automatic Restraining Order has been entered in this matter preventing you from taking any action which would

negatively impact the current financial status of either party. Please refer to Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411 for more information. You are required to serve upon John J. Loscocco attorney for plaintiff whose address is 10 Winthrop Square, Boston, MA 02110 your answer on or before November 28, 2008. If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer in the office of the Register of this Court at WORCESTER. Witness, Joseph L. Hart, Jr., Esquire, First Justice of said Court at Worcester, this Second day of September, 2008. Pub. 9/22, 9/29, 10/6/08

32 Downtown News

September 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

We Got Games Playoff Fever Hits Los Angeles Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave., (213) 224-1400 or dodgers.mlb.com. Saturday, Oct. 4; Sunday, Oct. 5; times TBA: Playoff match-ups and schedules were not finalized as of press time, but the Dodgers have advanced to the post-season, beating out the Arizona Diamondbacks for the NL West title. No matter who else reaches the playoffs, the Blue Crew will be the visiting team, meaning they’ll play games one and two on the road (Oct. 1-2), then host games three and four. Hothitting Andre Ethier recently moved into the cleanup spot to help protect Manny Ramirez, who has been nothing short of an RBI machine. With Rafael Furcal back from

a months-long injury, who knows how far the team can go? Anything can happen in the playoffs. Los Angeles Sparks Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or wnba.com/sparks. After holding on for a hard-fought victory against the Seattle Storm in the first round of the playoffs, the Sparks advanced to the Western Conference finals against San Antonio. Sound a little like the 2008 playoff roadmap of another Los Angeles basketball team? The series against the Silver Stars was not settled as of press time, but if Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and the rest of the Sparks can best the Texans, they’ll advance to the

WNBA Finals, where they’ll take on the winner of the Detroit-Connecticut series for a chance to win their fourth league title. Good news: There’s no women’s team in Boston. USC Trojans Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 3939 S. Figueroa St., (213) 740-4672 or usctrojans.cstv.com. After getting shocked by Oregon State, USC returns to the Coliseum to host fellow Pac 10 competitors the University of Oregon Ducks. Like OSU, the Ducks are a significant underdog, though the Trojans are no longer the nation’s top-ranked team. —Ryan Vaillancourt

photo by Gary Leonard

RBI machine Manny Ramirez leads the Dodgers into the post-season.

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

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

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

LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N

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

(213) 229-9777

LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N

(213) 617-3777

(213) 626-1500

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

sauna and recreation room with kitchen.

Far below are a host of businesses ready to

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studio, one bedroom and two bedroom

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the cultural events that make headlines.

apartment homes provide fortunate residents with a courteous full service lobby attendant,

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore.

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MAID SERVICE FURNITURE HOUSEWARES CABLE UTILITIES PARKING WWW.GKIND.com

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