12-14-09

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS Volume 38, Number 50

INSIDE

New Year’s Parties 18-20 W W W. D O W N T O W N N E W S . C O M

December 14, 2009

Downtown’s Dynamic Decade, Part 1 A Look at the 21 Most Important Projects (so Far) of the 21st Century

by Jon Regardie executive editor

The new Downtown police captain.

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Checking out eco-friendly businesses.

6

D

owntown Los Angeles has never had a decade like the one that comes to an end on Dec. 31, 2009. Not even close.

The first 10 years of the 21st century have been transformative.

Whereas Downtown in 2000 was a community with a massive office population, a handful of inhabitants and little to do after dark, today the area holds approximately 40,000 residents, extensive nightlife and weekend entertainment options, and some of the most architecturally significant new buildings in the country.

Downtown’s evolution is the re-

sult of a steady stream of housing, entertainment, civic, restaurant, office, retail and other projects. Each one came with challenges, and all required someone, or more often many people, to take a risk and put their money where their dreams were.

From the hundreds of developments during the decade, Los Angeles Downtown News has identified the 21 most transformative projects. These all opened between 2000 and 2009 (eliminating Staples Center, which debuted in 1999).

They are not always the most beautiful projects, but rather are ones that, through their existence, laid see Projects, page 14

The Culture of War Play 4th and Long Football and win prizes.

8

Theater Troupe Culture Clash Takes on Afghanistan in a New Downtown Show

by Richard Guzmán city editor

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Holiday shopping in the Financial District.

12

A swinging Nutcracker.

21

Ozomatli does it for the kids.

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24 CALENDAR LISTINGS 25 CLASSIFIEDS

he members of Culture Clash looked pretty tired after a long day of rehearsals for their new play at the Mark Taper Forum. And they still had a full show to come.

During a dinner break before a preview performance of Palestine, New Mexico, Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza plopped down on a dressing room couch and looked like they could use a nap. After a quarter-century as one of the city’s best known and most active theater troupes, who could blame them for wanting to get some rest?

But that’s not their style. photo by Craig Schwartz Instead, the three are (front to back) Herbert Siguenza, Richard Montoya taking on one of their and Ric Salinas founded Culture Clash 25 years ago. more challenging piec- Their new play, Palestine, New Mexico, is at the Mark es to date. Palestine, a Taper Forum. world premiere written

by Montoya, reaches beyond their narrative, although there is some comfortable local roots to look at humor in the work,” Montoya said. the war in Afghanistan and its ef- “It seemed like a very proper time fects on family, culture and a Native to look at the effects of war and the American reservation in New aftermath.”

Mexico.

The show, which debuted Dec. “After 25 years we’re always look- 13 (after Downtown News went to ing for challenges, and it’s a real press), includes the members of challenge to do a straight dramatic see Culture Clash, page 23

photo by Gary Leonard

The new Police Administrative Building was one of the most transformative projects to open Downtown in the decade that comes to a close in a few weeks.

Tricky Times For a Top Chef At The Gorbals, Reality Show Winner Ilan Hall Tries to Woo Crowds With Dishes Like Gefilte Fish and Chips

by Richard Guzmán city editor

W

hen newly famous reality TV chef Ilan Hall opened a restaurant in Downtown, he joined a list of other well known, albeit more established, celebrity chefs who also have spots in the neighborhood.

But unlike Celestino Drago, whose luxurious spot in the Financial District cost $7 million, or the guru of all celebrity chefs, Wolfgang Puck, who opened a flashy location at the glitzy L.A. Live, Hall’s place, The Gorbals, debuted in late August in a much less prominent area.

Hall, who won season two of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” gravitated toward the Alexandria Hotel, a middling residential building in the heart of the Historic Core. His 1,400-square-foot spot deep inside the lobby once housed a diner whose name no one seems to remember.

Things have not been easy. Hall recently endured a two-month closure brought about by a broiler system malfunction. The Gorbals reopened on Halloween and Hall is still trying to recapture the momentum.

“With all the buildup we had in see The Gorbals, page 10

photo by Gary Leonard

Ilan Hall, the winner of the second season of the reality show “Top Chef,” opened The Gorbals in the Alexandria Hotel in August. Soon after, the restaurant was closed for two months due to a broiler system problem.

The Voice of Downtown Los Angeles

2 Downtown News

December 14, 2009

Twitter/DowntownNews

AROUNDTOWN Downtown Men’s Fashion Giant Dies

Another Ice Skating Discount

os Angeles Street, Downtown’s historic hub of men’s suit stores and fashions, has lost one of its pioneers. Milton Keller, who in 1969 founded Roger Stuart Clothes, died on Dec. 2 at the age of 94. Keller’s passing comes as the block he kept close watch over for nearly 30 years is in a state of flux. Keller may have been the last of the living original Los Angeles Street men’s fashions store owners, said David Cohen, director of sales at the store and a 30-year veteran of the street’s suit scene. Like many of the stores that sprouted up on the 700 and 800 blocks of the street in the 1960s and 1970s, Keller sold quality men’s garments at discount prices — a business model that was unique at the time, but has since been adopted by chain businesses such as Men’s Warehouse, Cohen said. Keller’s son Roger Keller owns the store now, and strives to keep the same model, importing suits made in Italy. Los Angeles Street is still a hub for discount suits, but many say the crop of newer stores tend to sell low-quality garments from China (hence the ubiquitous two suits for $99 deal on the block, Cohen said). “Milton was a risk taker and always tried to bring in new enterprises and he created employment for lots of people over the years,” said store general manager Malik Khan. “He was so generous in his treatment to his employees that nobody would leave him.” Keller kept a close eye on the business until the end Cohen said: “About four weeks ago he had fallen and broken his hip, which kind of triggered the beginning of the end, and even from the hospital bed he was calling to check on business activity and whether all the salesmen showed up.”

f you missed out last Tuesday, there is another opportunity to ice skate thriftily.

On Thursday, Dec. 17, the Kings Holiday Ice skating rink at L.A. Live is again offering a two-for-one discount from 8-11 p.m. for couples with coupons clipped from page 3 of the current issue of Los Angeles Downtown News. The deal, sponsored by Downtown News, gives couples the opportunity to glide around the 70- by 50-foot ice rink for the regular single admission price of $10 (including skate rental). But don’t get any crafty ideas. The offer is limited to one coupon per couple. And this isn’t like sneaking into the carpool lane — stuffed animals, mannequins and pets don’t count. The Kings Holiday Ice rink will remain up through Dec. 31.

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I

Downtown Institutions Targeted in Federal Spending Bill

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he U.S. House of Representatives passed a major spending bill last week that includes nearly $1.5 million for a group of Downtown Los Angeles institutions.

Included in the bill that was approved by the House on Thursday, Dec. 10, is $250,000 for the Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar project being pushed by City Councilman José Huizar; $500,000 to support a program from Chrysalis that helps ex-offenders reenter the workforce; $300,000 to Homeboy Industries for a solar panel training program for former gang members; and $400,000 to Good Samaritan Hospital in City West to upgrade and renovate its Peripheral Vascular

photo by Gary Leonard

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck last week named Todd Chamberlain (left) the new captain of Central Division, which patrols most of Downtown. He will replace Blake Chow (right), who was promoted to commander. See item this page.

Disease Lab, according to the office of Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, whose district includes Downtown. Roybal-Allard is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and helped negotiate the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2010. The bill awaits expected passage in the Senate before heading to President Barack Obama’s desk for a signature.

New Central Captain Selected

L

os Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck last week appointed Capt. Todd Chamberlain to replace outgoing Central Area Capt. Blake Chow.

The change is effective Jan. 3. Chamberlain

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

currently serves as a captain with the Emergency Operations Division. Previously, he worked under Chow as a patrol captain in Hollenbeck Division. Chamberlain, 47, was born in Williamsport, Penn., but was raised in Ventura County. The 25-year LAPD veteran has worked in the Foothill Area, Southwest Area, West Bureau and in the Metropolitan Division Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, among others, according to his LAPD biography. Chamberlain was promoted to lieutenant in 2004, and made captain in 2007. Central Division covers most of Downtown. Chow, who oversaw a significant drop in crime during his less than one year as the leader of Central, was promoted to Commander, and will still be based in the division headquarters on Sixth Street. see Around Town, page 9

Santa’s Here!

Take free pictures with Santa every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from Dec.2 - Dec.23, Noon-2pm.

SHOP at&t Wireless/my mobile Italian Fashions

Pets are welcome too!

Viella Shoes & Accessories WINE & DINE Adoro Mexican Grill California Pizza Kitchen Morton’s Steakhouse EATERIES All American Philly Charlie Kabob Extreme Blendz Juice & Nutrition George’s Greek Cafe Han’s Korean Grill

Sing!

Kids Club

Find out at the landmark location near Downtown. Home of the original Chili-burger.

Quality and value since 1946:

Chili Hamburger .............. $1.85 Chili Cheeseburger ........... $2.25

Enjoy a variety of live jazz, soul, gospel and holiday entertainment throughout December on the lower level atrium, Noon-1:30pm.

12.10 • Anointed Voices 12.11 • Luis Beltran 12.12 • Mariachi Amigos 12.18 • Seville’s Motown Christmas 12.19 • Strolling Carolers 12.23 • ANDRE DELANO

Use recycled greeting cards to create crafty Holiday Gift Boxes with Art 2 Go! FREE & Open to the public. Saturday, Dec.19, Noon-2pm.

Panda Express Quizno’s Subs Sarku Japan Starbucks Coffee Trimana Grill AMENITIES 7+FIG Newsstand Alter Ego Downtown Chiropractic Dr. Jeffrey Kleinman, Optometrist Esthetic Dentistry Fedex Kinkos Gold’s Gym

Give!

tax included

The Gift of Giving!

Choose from an array of wonderful gift items from any of our retailers. Enjoy delectable bites from our restaurants and eateries to keep your motor running this shopping season.

Visit 7FIG.com for featured holiday specials.

Stop by our free gift wrapping station with an unwrapped toy or canned food item for the Midnight Mission and receive FREE WRAPPING PAPER. The 7+FIG Gift Wrap and Midnight Mission Donor Center will be open Monday-Friday, December 7-December 18, 11am-6pm, located on the middle level.

Many Imitate, But None Compare!

Mrs. Fields Cookies

735 S. Figueroa St. | Downtown L.A. | 213 955 7150 | 7FIG.com Free parking with validation | Open daily | FREE WiFi | Follow us on twitter.com/seventhandfig

Pappy’s Shoeshine Paradise Florist ShoeWiz Sloan’s Dry Cleaners Yolanda Aguilar Beauty Institute & Spa ENTERTAINMENT 7+FIG Art Space Jules Verne Festival’s Porthole

December 14, 2009

DowntownNews.com

Downtown News 3

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December 14, 2009

Twitter/DowntownNews

EDITORIALS

L.A. Opera’s Communication Problem

A

year ago, the Los Angeles cultural scene was shaken by the news of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s dire financial situation. Now, just as MOCA appears to have reversed the tide (if not fully replenished the coffers), another of Downtown Los Angeles’ most prestigious cultural institutions is hitting hard times: Los Angeles Opera is in trouble.

The current scenario is disturbing. Company officials appeared before the County Board of Supervisors last week warning that they were in imminent danger. The supervisors quickly approved a $14 million loan (though the issuance of bonds, and ultimately the money will come from a bank, not the county’s general fund). It has been spun as a financial issue that will be resolved, with the money paid back in a timely manner. The bank will get the interest.

We hope everything works out as planned. Unfortunately, we are not sure the Supervisors had any real choice in the matter — L.A. Opera is the principal inhabitant of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, part of the County-owned Music Center. Given everything invested and tied in with the com-

pany, including next year’s potentially epic presentation of Richard Wagner’s Ring cycle, the idea of the company suddenly toppling is untenable.

That said, we are distressed that the first thing the public heard about this matter comes with a $14 million bailout.

There has been a shocking lack of communication, and although L.A. Opera officials began discussing their cash crunch with certain county representatives during the summer, there should have been the opportunity for public consideration and political discussion before the company came forward with a save-us-or-else message. L.A. Opera officials have long been aware of the risks of staging the $32 million Ring Festival L.A., and no financial disaster of this magnitude creeps up overnight — proof of that was the cost-cutting already underway at L.A. Opera.

We’re not sure if this was preventable. We’re not sure what will happen if the opera board’s promised pledges, which will pay back the loan, do not materialize. What we do know is that $14 million went out before the public even knew the

company was in such a precarious state.

If the situation was so dire, L.A. Opera should have trusted the public that has long supported it, and through whatever means, explained the issue and the need to go to the county.

People are not pleased when they suddenly learn that their government has already had to step in and help out.

This is not an easy time for cultural institutions anywhere in the country. Staff and production cuts have been felt from coast to coast. In Downtown Los Angeles, along with L.A. Opera, the travails include decreased hours at the Japanese American National Museum and job slicing at Center Theatre Group.

Of course, the situation is different at L.A. Opera. With the production of the four Ring works, the company has been aiming high, exciting opera fans worldwide. That’s a good thing. But the method in which the company unveiled the current troubles casts a shadow. In fact, it will make it hard to be sure of how healthy L.A. Opera is from this point forward.

The public trust for the company has taken a hit. That’s a problem of L.A. Opera’s own making.

Push Forward With Hall of Justice Plan

T

he once shimmering Civic Center has been going in the wrong direction the past few years, with blighted properties outnumbering worthy new projects like the Police Administrative Building. Thus, it is refreshing to hear that an effort could be underway to restore and reopen the Hall of Justice.

Recently the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to look at the feasibility of reopening the 1925 building at 210 W. Temple St. This is an excellent proposition, and county officials should ensure that it is fast-tracked and that the Chief Executive Officer, who will handle the report, makes this a priority.

The 14-story landmark has been vacant since the 1994 Northridge earthquake. A renovation effort had begun, but it was halted in 2004 amid questions over its rising cost and the extent of the damage. Officials have since determined that the building made of Sierra granite is structurally sound, an important finding for obvious reasons.

The plan at this time is for the Sheriff’s Department to move into a restored Hall of Justice. Sheriff Lee Baca is in favor of the proposal, which would allow much of the department’s hierarchy to leave a home in Monterey Park (the sheriff’s Detectives Division would stay in the current location under this scenario). Nothing against Monterey Park, but Downtown Los Angeles is a better and more appropriate

location for this powerful law enforcement arm.

This is a good idea on several fronts. First and foremost, it would activate a once stately building that is currently a blight on the Downtown landscape because it stands empty, dingy and surrounded by dilapidated construction fencing. Situated northeast of City Hall between Broadway and Spring Street, the block has become moribund. This is a tragedy for a building with so much history and so much potential. If cleaned and occupied, it would add the energy of thousands of workers and visitors, and surrounding streets would feel alive.

There is a symbolic element as well. The very name, the Hall of Justice, would feel appropriate again with the Sheriff’s Department as an occupant. The 84-year-old structure has a rich history (though a dark one too; inhabitants of the former jail in the building included Charles Manson and Sirhan Sirhan).

Of course, it’s money that swings votes and most impacts decisions, and in this case it appears that upgrading the structure might be economically smart. A project once estimated at $300 million could now be significantly lower due to factors such as a tumble in the cost of construction materials.

Additionally, interest rates are low and federal funds could be available.

There is another positive to restoring the building, one that extends beyond the structure itself: Upgrading and reactivating

the Hall of Justice would be good for the entire Civic Center.

As this page has noted before, the area that should be the glimmering jewel of Downtown is not living up to its potential. Along with the defunct Hall of Justice, the neighborhood has black eyes in the form of the gaping hole at First and Broadway (waiting for a proposed federal courthouse), the fenced-off plot immediately west of City Hall (a state office building long ago; now a graffiti-scarred pit), and Parker Center (awaiting years of studies before anyone determines if the ex-police headquarters should be razed or reused). That’s four dead zones in a relatively compact area.

This is not a new dilemma. Back in the 1990s a group of local stakeholders crafted the Ten Minute Diamond plan, an effort to concentrate government entities of all levels within a 10-minute walk of City Hall. That plan recognized the potential for many thousands of government workers to enliven the community.

That effort faded away. Now, there is a chance to implement one aspect of it and reuse a crucial building. County officials have made a wise and appropriate decision to look at the costs and possibilities of bringing back the Hall of Justice.

Give this project the attention it deserves, and do whatever is necessary to make it happen. The time and the cost may be right, and there probably will not be a better opportunity than the present.

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

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

One copy per person.

December 14, 2009

Downtown News 5

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photo by Gary Leonard

What the Piano Player Saw In His Own Words, Mark Cole Talks About Five Years of Entertaining Crowds at Macy’s Plaza As told to RichARd Guzmán city editoR

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started playing when I was 7 years old. I was playing the piano at my neighbor’s house and when my parents noticed that I was able to pick up songs by just hearing them, they bought me a piano.

“I still have the same piano today that I had all those years ago. I took piano lessons starting at the age of 7 and ended up taking four years of piano, but I never took it seriously until about five or six years ago when I met the main pianist at the Hotel Bel Air. “I had never made my living as a musician. I was in the clothing business working as a sales rep for a jeans company and played piano at parties. I was hired out at parties all the time, but I never took it as a steady gig until I was able to immerse myself enough so I could make a living off it.

“My friend asked if I would be his fill-in at the Hotel Bel Air. He had been playing there for 12 1/2 years and also played at Macy’s Plaza before me. When he gave up Macy’s Plaza I took it over. I’m also in charge of their holiday entertainment where we bring in people to sing for the noontime holiday concerts the week before Christmas.

“The biggest pressure comes when someone requests a song that I don’t know. But I probably know 200 to 300 songs. One of the most requested is ‘As Time Goes By,’ from Casablanca. Most of the songs that are requested are standards from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. If I don’t know the song they want, I’ll probably know something similar and I’ll offer to play it.

“At Macy’s Plaza you’re constantly getting people from all over the world. Macy’s Plaza is a hub not only for the towers that are surrounding it, but for an influx of Asian and European tourists. I probably have my picture taken 30 times a day. So if you think about it, my picture is all over the world.

“There have been a lot of memorable moments through the years. One woman, who is probably in her late 80s, has been coming here from Long Beach for the last 10 years. She used to come in every day; she doesn’t anymore because it’s hard for her, but she still is a regular. She’s very supportive of the arts, she loves great music and when her husband died 10 years ago she had nothing left except for the piano, so it cheers her up to come listen. Her favorite songs are a series from Phantom of the Opera. She usually doesn’t leave from the time I start until the time I leave.

“There’s also one man who for two months would come in and start crying at the piano, and he would sing a completely different song than the one I was playing, then give me a tip and run out of the mall. I think he might have had some issues. The songs were undistinguishable, a lot about Jesus. At first I thought about calling security, but he was OK. “Another man would come in often and start dancing next to the piano. He would just start dancing to anything I played, in front of everybody, and it was hilarious. But you don’t really want that because it scares some people.

“The only harrowing event was when an undercover security guard at Macy’s chased a shoplifter and caught him right by the piano. I just had to keep on playing.

“My most memorable moment occurred one day when, all of a sudden, I was surrounded, swarmed by 150 kids that were on a field trip. For some reason they all headed for the piano and surrounded the piano and me and started singing.

I was playing a song from Beauty and the Beast and they all knew the words and they all started singing and it sounded like it was choreographed. It was very cool.

“My job is not only to play, it’s also to talk to people, show them a good time, make sure they’re enjoying their time. It’s a dignitary kind of job. It’s fun.”

Mark Cole performs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at Macy’s Plaza, 700 S. Flower St. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

“

RESTAURANTS

Mark Cole just hit his five-year anniversary of playing piano at the Macy’s Plaza shopping mall in Downtown Los Angeles. He plays three times a week and has regular fans.

New Year New You

Life and Health Transformation in Educogym Downtown Major Results within 2 Weeks The results have met and exceeded my expectations. I’ve surprised myself by my own dedication, probably due to staff’s personal attention and interest in succeeding. I’ve lost weight, gained muscle in areas that I haven’t seen since I was in my twenties. The results were immediate. I saw major results within two weeks but felt the mental results within days, which makes it very easy to follow the program.

Big Changes in my Life That’s actually where I was really sold when I first met with Educogym. A little background... I’m about to turn the big 4-0 and have recently had some big changes in my life and body: I got a blood clot on a plane trip back from Asia; had spinal surgery for a bulging disc; lost my mother to ovarian cancer and my job was/is stressful and all consuming. I had turned a corner in life and wasn’t sure how to deal with all the pressures and changes. I suffered from depression, had poor concentration, was losing sleep, out of shape, lacked discipline and felt that all that was effecting my personal and professional life adversely. I felt that a proactive investment in preventative healthcare, physical and mental, was absolutely necessary rather than picking up the pieces after-the-fact, or waiting for the next crisis.

Life is still hectic, but like I said Educogym is my lifestyle but doesn’t take up much of my life. I’m a happy person again, I’ve gained confidence and self-esteem and I enjoy life in general a lot more. The glass is once again half-full, not completely empty - life is good. Educogym is absolutely responsible for those changes. I’m addicted to the gym and I hope they know how much they’ve changed my life so quickly.

Focus, Concentration and Goal Setting My focus, concentration and goal-setting has taken a 180 turn. I’m able to tackle more complex goals involving my profession. I’m an urban planner and need the focus and concentration to help accomplish my current work and future growth goals.

A New Lifestlye Now Educogym is my lifestyle. I made room in my life as I couldn’t sustain my past lifestyle. I was seriously going crazy until I met the Educo Team. They’re very serious about assisting you to make a lifestyle change. I went back east for a week and couldn’t wait to get back to LA to go to the gym.

Educogym is a lifestyle. You really can’t put a price on your health and I do think the price is a good value. When you put the cost in the context of healthcare it’s worth every penny. I’m already saving for the renewal. It’s that important to me.

Only 20 Minutes Exercise a Few Times a Week The intensity, form and weights have given me better results than I’ve ever had! I believe no waiting for machines is very important. Like I said Educogym is my lifestyle but doesn’t take up much of my life. I’m able to sustain a healthy lifestyle and don’t have to spend hours working at it. But remember it’s not only about the exercise but diet, as well, which I do my best to follow every day, for every meal.

A Fun Atmosphere The trainers are proof of their philosophy. They are all in fantastic shape, excellent attitudes and very motivational - they practice what they preach. I’ve also witnessed the changes in other members. The atmosphere is fun with lots of laughing but everyone is serious about making their lives and bodies better. I recommend the gym to anyone that is serious about making changes to their lives.

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Snapshots in Green Downtown Businesses Find That an Environmentally Friendly Approach Can Pay Off With Customers

by Ryan VaillancouRt staff wRiteR

T

he color green has long been a prominent symbol in business, usually because of its association with cash.

These days, “green” means something entirely different — concern for the environment.

Driven in large part by surging demand from a consumer base committed to environmentally friendly living, businesses are embracing “green” practices. They hope to reduce their carbon footprint and deliver a product or service that helps buyers do the same.

From environmentally friendly dry cleaners to distributors of organic produce, Downtown Los Angeles has its share of green businesses. Here are a few, though by no means all, of the local entities who make environmental concerns part of their business plan.

Indie Printing: Biodegradable banners, check. Soy-based ink, check. Hybrid delivery vehicles, check.

Frankie Carranza and Andy Rosillo co-founded Indie

Printing in 2003. Carranza had previously been a print broker, selling the services of other manufacturers to vendors. As a broker, he had a hard time pushing products geared around low-impact printing. So he started his own company.

Existing governmental regulations require a certain level of environmental friendliness in printers, but Indie Printing has tried to incorporate a focus on sustainability in all its operations. The company owns a gas/electric hybrid car that it uses for “at least 90%” of its deliveries, Carranza said. He is looking to buy another delivery vehicle that runs on compressed natural gas.

The company’s stock paper — the default paper in their printers — is Forest Stewardship Council certified, which guarantees that the paper comes from legitimate logging operations and is at least 75% composed of recycled pulp.

Indie Printing counts a host of Downtown companies as clients, from large corporations like Anschutz Entertainment Group to small start-ups and artists from the Brewery.

Carranza said that while plenty of customers walk in the door just thinking about their business card order, more and

photo by Gary Leonard

Indie Printing’s stock paper is at least 75% composed of recycled pulp. The company co-founded by Andy Rosillo (left) and Frankie Carranza uses a hybrid car for most of its deliveries.

ST The il Or l T igi he nal Be & ST ! re s e r l (No P a r u t a All N

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December 14, 2009

Downtown News 7

DowntownNews.com ture at a variety of organic farms from Santa Cruz to Arkansas in the 1970s.

“I believe in a small-scale bio-diverse agricultural model that’s not built on the backs of fossil fuels and the chemical industry that also incorporates soil-building techniques like composting,” Lejeune said. “I’m also a believer that small biodiverse farms can grow product that tastes better, even if it doesn’t always look better because they can’t use chemicals to create a cosmetically perfect fruit.”

At 1206 E. Sixth St., (213) 489-2212.

Urban Life Cleaners: Dry cleaners go hand-in-hand with spotless, pressed garments, throwaway clothes hangers and those ubiquitous polyurethane sacks draped over customers’ orders.

Urban Life Cleaners, which opened in the Old Bank District in September, is trying to remove the second half of that equation at its small Main Street shop.

Owner Steve Woods touts the company’s attention to

sustainability, manifested largely in its use of “Garmentos,” reusable laundry bags (they’re actually yellow). Woods invites customers to be a VIP member of the store, which is free: Though it has a $50 value, new members get a $50 gift certificate that cancels the cost, he said. Membership comes with two Garmentos that customers can reuse.

Urban Life Cleaners, which also has a shop in City West, offers free pick up and delivery to members. It uses what Woods said is the highest quality hydrocarbon cleaning system available.

Woods said his company’s attention to sustainability is rooted in the fact that consumers are, more and more, demanding it.

“With everyone very aware and looking to do the best thing possible to keep the earth fresh and clean, it kind of gave us an opportunity,” he said.

Urban Life Cleaners is at 421 S. Main St., (213) 928-5433 and 1010 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 785-5132.

photo by Gary Leonard

Urban Life Cleaners, which has two Downtown locations, is trying to get beyond the plastic bags that most customers use once and then throw away. Store employees Amy Duran (left) and Tiffany Rodas show off the reusable bags known as “Garmentos.”

more patrons are seeking out companies that are committed to lowering their own impact.

“We steer clients to understanding why we’re different,” he said. “Everything was petroleum-based before. Obviously now the ink manufacturers are being pushed to change because clients are pushing us to change.”

At 162 W. Pico Blvd., (213) 745-6395 or indieprinting.com.

ReGreen Inc.: From their 7,000-square-foot warehouse in the Arts District, four recent business school graduates run ReGreen Inc., an energy and water consultant. The fledgling company contracts with commercial and residential property owners to help them reduce their electricity and water use.

“It’s a growing industry,” company co-founder Kevin Refoua said. “You’d be surprised: Businesses spring up out of nowhere.”

Refoua, along with fellow USC graduates Sean Neman and Suraj Bhojwani, and partner David Duel, work closely with the Metropolitan Water District and the L.A. Department of Water and Power.

For clients such as the Downtown Marriot, ReGreen provides an “energy audit” for free, then offers an estimate on how much a retrofitting of infrastructure would save the client in energy bills in the long run. They look at appliances, fixtures and faucets, and more, Bhojwani said.

If the client signs on, ReGreen administers the paperwork with the appropriate utility agency to access any applicable rebates or incentives, then does the construction work required.

“We do everything, from the consultation to construction,” Bhojwani said.

Though less than 2 years old, the company has a subsidiary that handles all the construction. ReGreen and its construction subsidiary together employ between 60 and 100 people, about 70% of whom work full time, Bhojwani said.

At 605 Imperial St., (213) 621-7792 or regreencorp.com.

Heath and Lejeune Inc.: Whereas all kinds of companies have embraced low-impact business models in recent years, Heath and Lejeune’s wholesale distribution of organic produce is a more obvious example of a green company.

The Arts District-adjacent company distributes wholesale California produce to retailers in and out of the state. Clients range from the massive Whole Foods and Safeway to individuals.

To buy from Heath and Lejeune, however, customers can’t just pop in to the warehouse at Sixth and Alameda streets and snag an organic apple. Instead, they have to buy a 40-pound box.

Rick Lejeune, the second-generation owner of the company, has seen people come in, buy a box, then share it with family and friends. Lejeune said he is also open to partnering with locals who want to set up a buying group, where people split a box or specified bulk order. The company even does the deliveries.

The produce comes primarily from small to medium-sized farms, in the 40 to 80 acre range, as opposed to one of the relatively newer breeds of organic mega farms that can span hundreds of acres, said Lejeune, who got his start in agricul-

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8 Downtown News

December 14, 2009

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Around Town Continued from page 2

Paint-Splattered Park Fifth Sign Gets Painted Over

D

owntown workers and residents tired of looking at the paint-splattered sign advertising the stalled Park Fifth development can now enjoy a fresh view. Park Fifth developer David Houk on Dec. 8 had the sign at Olive and Fifth streets painted over in plain white. The freestanding billboard, which pictured a man on a cell phone with the slogan “Downtown is looking up,” was marred by what looked like giant multi-colored paintball splatters in early 2009. “We’ve been getting multiple complaints about the paintballing of the sign, and finally decided to paint it over so nobody had to look at the paintballs anymore,” said Houk. “We’re leaving it blank until we’re ready to start over again.” The fully entitled, $1.3 billion project was slated to rise on a parking lot just north of Pershing Square, where the sign stands. Plans for the development, which has been halted by the economy and financially troubled capital partners, call for condominiums, a hotel and retail inside three buildings: a 76-story tower, a 44-story tower and a 15-story structure. There is no current timeline for the project.

Spirituality for Professionals

D

owntown Center Business Improvement District Senior Vice President and Director of Economic Development Hal Bastian will step outside his usual role on Tuesday, Dec. 15, when he gives a talk on “practical spirituality” at Downtown’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. The talk is the latest in a monthly series organized by the new group Downtown Cathedral Associates, which includes Downtown working professionals who meet for discussions on incorporating spirituality into daily life. Tuesday’s 45-minute event starts at 7:30 a.m. in the Cathedral conference center (following the regular 7 a.m. mass), and includes a continental breakfast.

Entry is $20. The Cathedral is at 555 W. Temple St. For more information contact the Cathedral’s development director, Lydia Henley, at (213) 680-5219 or lhenley@olacathedral.org.

Request to Halt El Pueblo Memorial Denied

A

Los Angeles Superior Court judge last week denied an effort to halt the construction of a memorial to Congressional Medal of Honor winners at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. On Monday, Dec. 7, Judge James Chalfant denied the request by a group of activist organizations because the work on the second phase of the project is nearly complete. The Wall of Honor, which includes the names of more than 3,000 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, was unveiled Dec. 5. The lawsuit was filed two days before by the City Project; JohnTommy Rosas, a Tongva tribal member; the El Pueblo Park Association; and Concerned Citizens of South Central Los Angeles. They argued that construction on the Eugene A. Obregon Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial should stop because it has allegedly not received proper legal reviews, approval by government agencies, and has not gone through an Environmental Impact Report. They also claimed it would affect a site that has historical significance to the city’s Native American, Chinese and other ethnic communities. Robert Garcia, president of the City Project, said they will use the courts to try to stop the project. A future 20-foot high structure near the wall would pay tribute to the 40 Latino recipients of the medal. That element is expected to cost about $1 million, though memorial officials recently said they have only raised about $60,000.

Gallery Row Celebrates New Signs

T

he Gallery Row Organization, a group of local stakeholders who helped bring a concentration of art galleries

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to the Historic Core, last week celebrated the installation of 25 signs designating Gallery Row. Since 2004, Gallery Row — the stretch around Main and Spring streets between Second and Ninth streets — has grown from three to more than 40 art galleries, according to the Gallery Row Organization.

The new signs are made of ultra-light aluminum, feature a sleek design and logo and have been installed on streetlamps on and around Main and Spring streets. The Gallery Row Organization officially unveiled the signs during the Downtown Art Walk on Thursday, Dec. 10.

Metro Playing Designated Driver

I

f you are trying to talk someone into being your designated driver for holiday parties, don’t worry — Metro is volunteering for the job. The transit agency announced last week that it will be offering 24-hour rail service from Dec. 31 into Jan. 1 with trains running every 20 minutes. Metro will also

offer free rides on all bus and rail lines from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1.

L.A. Live Bartenders Throw Down

D

owntown bartenders will rumble this week at ESPN Zone — in a good, non-booze way. On Tuesday, Dec. 15, the TV-filled restaurant is hosting the Battle of the Bartenders, a showdown to see who is L.A. Live’s best mixer and pourer of “mocktails.” The 10:30 a.m. competition will feature 13 bartenders pouring alcohol-free drinks to promote responsible partying and designated drivers during the holiday season. The drinks will be judged by food critics and officers from the LAPD and the California Highway Patrol. “For designated drivers, the holiday parties don’t have to start and end with club soda,” said L.A. Live spokeswoman Tammy Billings in a statement. “These non-alcoholic drinks will put the fun back in the festivities for those responsible for driving their friends home.”

10 Downtown News

Twitter/DowntownNews

The Gorbals Continued from page 1 the beginning, it’s hard to get that back,” he confessed on a recent Tuesday after the lunch rush. “We came out so strong but we’re still busy.”

It took nearly a dozen city inspections before Hall could reopen. Crowds have been mixed — on weekends, when The Gorbals stays open until 2 a.m., they can see up to 250 people a day, Hall said. On weekdays during dinner the 70-seat restaurant has been more than half full on a consistent basis.

Lunch service, from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., started this month.

On the first day lunch was served, Sixth District Councilman Tony Cardenas was glimpsed eating at the bar as Hall, who works just a couple of feet away from his customers in an open kitchen, prepared his food.

“Downtown is still very supportive of us,” Hall said.

Father Cooks Best The Gorbals has an open kitchen and rustic wooden tables and stools. The vibe is odd but cool. The theme extends to the menu, an unexpected blend of cuisines including Scottish and Jewish dishes, some infused with pork.

Hall comes from an Israeli mother and a Scottish father; the latter cooked dinner for the family. Hall said his biggest influences are his mixed roots and his father’s dishes.

“My parents have always been supportive of my cooking and I drew my inspiration from watching him cook,” Hall said. “He still cooks for my mom every day.”

Hall’s travels through Europe also shaped his culinary view.

One of the most influential places was Gorbals, a neighborhood in Glasgow, Scotland where his father grew up. The immigrant-heavy district was home to the largest Jewish population in Scotland.

“That’s where you find a bizarre mix of Jewish and Scottish

QUICKLY?

December 14, 2009

food all in the same place,” Hall said. The Downtown Los Angeles Gorbals, Hall added, is a reflection of that neighborhood.

The mix of influences is evident in the ever-changing menu, which Hall makes without worrying about rules for preparation or even tradition.

The bacon-wrapped matzo ball exemplifies his cooking style. The matzo ball is traditional, but is wrapped in bacon with black pepper, and the house-made mayonnaise is infused with horseradish.

Other offerings include the Haggis burger with turnip pickles and Highland Park aioli (flavored with Highland Park whiskey) and the octopus with gizzards and lemon, a warm salad made with octopus braised in red wine and crisped on the griddle. It is served with chicken gizzards that have been slow-cooked and tenderized.

“It’s a dish from Spain, where the octopus is cooked slowly, grilled with olive oil and garlic. I introduced chicken gizzards because it’s a different way of getting into that dish,” Hall said.

The trickery continues. The shepherd’s pie has ground beef, is spiced with cumin and coriander and is topped with a soft-cooked quail egg. The BLT contains lettuce and tomato on rye. Gribenes, a crispy, oven-roasted chicken skin, replaces the bacon.

Also on the lineup is Gefilte fish and chips. The fish is blended with matzo meal and eggs almost like a meatball, then is spiced, battered and deep-fried. It is served with fries that have been cooked once in water then deep-fried.

The bespectacled Hall, with his simple hipster style, looks much younger than his 27 years. Although his reputation on the show was that of a cocky young chef, in person he seems more grounded and aware of the fleeting nature of fame.

He repeatedly apologized to a reporter for being 10 minutes late to an interview, and continued to apologize for his messy office, although once he began to talk about food, he became more relaxed, sitting back in a chair and eagerly fielding questions.

Hall is undeniably confident about his unusual dishes.

Although he can be somewhat matter-of-fact when talking about his passion for food, he is still curious about his craft and willing to test his abilities.

“I love all the food we make and I’m always on a constant path to try and rework it and fix up things that aren’t right and just change it,” Hall said. “I’m a bit erratic and I get inspiration all over the place. I’ll sometimes even want to change a dish mid-service, although that would get a little crazy.”

Downtown Inspiration Hall is also continuously inspired by Downtown and, in particular, the unusual location of his restaurant. The Alexandria for decades was a rundown establishment. It was acquired and renovated by the Amerland Group, but sill houses a significant low-income population.

“I thought there was a lot of energy going on in Downtown.

There’s a lot of great restaurants, but there’s room for more,” Hall said from his second floor office at the Alexandria, which is sparsely decorated with two office chairs, a desk, a few scattered papers and files, bottles of wine and Hall’s mountain bike, which he rides daily from his home at the Barker Block.

“I love being just a couple of minutes from work. Although I’ve only been here a couple of years, this feels like home,” he said.

After moving to Downtown from New York in 2008, Hall began searching for a spot for his first restaurant. He initially considered Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach, since the idea of being by the ocean appealed to him.

But Downtown was even more appealing. In the Alexandria, he saw a gem.

“It’s a jewel of Downtown with so much history,” Hall said.

“The building itself is beautiful and there are all these hidden gems inside. The ballrooms are beautiful. I find nothing negative; it all adds to the restaurant.”

With the restaurant located inside the lobby, there is no street frontage (though a flag emblazoned with “The Gorbals” now hangs out front). Still, Hall was instantly inspired, recalls Justin Weiss of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, who gave Hall a tour of potential Downtown locations.

“Within five minutes he said, ‘This is it, this is what I want,’ and I was shocked because I tour a lot of restaurant guys and retail guys and it’s very unusual for someone, especially in that area, to want a space that doesn’t front the street,” Weiss said. “But he’s a New Yorker, where you have a lot of hidden underground spots that you can’t see from the streets that are very popular.”

For Ruben Islas, president and CEO of Amerland, The Gorbals was a perfect fit.

“The coolest thing is, he’s an urban guy, he gets the nuances of Downtown,” Islas said. “We’re very happy to have him.

The buzz is very exciting and his menu is very interesting.”

The Gorbals is at 501 S. Spring St., (213) 488-3408 or thegorbalsla.com.

Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

December 14, 2009

Downtown News 11

DowntownNews.com

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December 14, 2009

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Festive in the Office Where to Go When Shopping for Coworkers

by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

I

t can be hard to find the perfect gift for a loved one during the holidays. It can be even harder when shopping for someone you don’t love, or even know all that well.

But that is what you’ll have to do if your office decides to take part in a holiday gift exchange. You know, one of those events where everyone pulls a name from a hat. It’s all well and good until you find out that you have to shop for Bert from the mailroom or Tibby from accounting, neither of whom you have ever spoken to for longer than an elevator ride.

Fortunately, there are plenty of local options to solve your conundrum. If you work in the Financial District, you don’t have to go far either — all the places below allow you to get your holiday shopping done during the lunch hour.

Bert and Tibby will wonder how you know them so well.

The Basics: When shopping for a man, you can never go wrong with a nice wallet. At Macy’s in Macy’s Plaza, a Fossil leather wallet costs $25 and comes in an attractive tin box that will add an element of class to the gift. The wallet has a classic look and plenty of pockets for carrying cash, credit cards and pictures; it also has an ID window and a business card holder. If you are shopping for a high roller, or someone who just likes to flash cash, a $20 Kenneth Cole money clip may be the way to go. It’s a simple but elegant

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photos by Gary Leonard

12 Downtown News

Though Brooks Brothers is known for suits, during the holiday season it is also selling gifts such as teddy bears and tins of butter cookies.

Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Pre-wrapped chocolate boxes at See’s Candies make a quick and sweet holiday treat. They are perfect lastminute options if you forgot to get someone a present.

brushed steel design and comes in a Kenneth Cole storage box.

If the rainy weather continues, your coworker will appreciate the Mistle Totes Umbrella. It’s a stylish umbrella that comes in a variety of colors, but the best feature is its size. When opened it’s a regular sized umbrella, but when closed it fits nicely into a seven-inch case that can easily be slipped into a drawer or purse.

At Macy’s Plaza, 750 W. Seventh St., (213) 628-9311 or macys.com.

Tech Touches: High-tech gadgets always make great, although usually expensive, presents. But it’s unlikely you’ll want to spend that much money on a coworker. Fortunately, some gadgets that are useful and entertaining make good, inexpensive office gifts. Radio Shack, also in Macy’s Plaza, is smaller than the big electronics retailers, so you won’t have to deal with jostling holiday crowds.

One option is the Sliding Lighted Magnifier. It’s the size of a credit card and, just as the name suggests, the $9.99 tool magnifies and illuminates things at the same time. Or, if you want to make sure your colleagues don’t miss a word of that important meeting, the Olympus pocketsize digital voice recorder makes a great gift. The $29 device can hold up to 300 hours of recordings. It has slow and fast playback options so you can hear voices at different speeds, which can also be kind of funny if you want to record your boss and play back the sound in fast mode so he or she sounds like a chipmunk.

At Macy’s Plaza, 750 W. Seventh St., (213) 680-1500 or radioshack.com.

How Sweet It Is: It’s not a real holiday season unless you eat lots of stuff you’re not supposed to consume. So get your coworker a box of chocolates or sweets from See’s Candies. Some of the boxes come pre-wrapped for the holidays, so it’s also a good last-minute gift you can get on your way in to work. A gold box of truffles is $8.95, as is a silver box of assorted chocolates. If you want to make sure your coworker really eats it up during the holidays, try a one-pound box of chocolates for $17. It comes pre-wrapped and chances are that all the chocolates will be too much for just one person, so you’ll get to enjoy some sweets as well.

See’s Candies is at the Downtown Visitor Information Center, 685 S. Figueroa St., (213) 689-8822.

The Gift of Giving: If you’re joining with a few colleagues to buy your boss a nice gift, then Brooks Brothers is a reliable option. On the low end you can team up and get the boss a $60 leather crafter desk diary. It includes a 2010 calendar and can be personalized with up to three gold initial block letters. Pony up a little more for a pair of $118 Italian lambskin gloves lined with cashmere. Also, during the holiday season Brooks Brothers is selling a variety of items and giving the proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Choices include a $28 tin of butter cookies, a $19 teddy bear, a box of holiday cards designed by children at the hospital for $30, and a scented candle, also for $30. By the way, the store has suits, ties and shirts too.

At 604 S. Figueroa St., (213) 629-4200 or brooksbrothers.com.

Hands On: If you have an overworked colleague, buy them some relaxation from Yolanda Aguilar Beauty Institute and Spa, located at the 7+Fig mall.

For $50, you can get either a 45-minute Swedish massage, or a 50-minute reflexology massage, which focuses on the hands and feet. Both are available at the spa Tuesday through Thursday.

At 735 S. Figueroa St., (213) 687-6683 or yabeauty.com.

Gift Eating: Everyone likes a nice meal out. That’s where Ciudad comes in.

The popular Latin food establishment has gift card options starting at $25. The cards are good for meals and cocktails and can be used at the Downtown restaurant, as well as the Border Grill restaurants in Santa Monica and Las Vegas.

If you go with the $50 card, you get an additional $20 dining certificate that you can use on yourself as a reward for being such a great holiday gift-giver.

At 445 S. Figueroa St., (213) 486-5171 or ciudad-la.com.

Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

December 14, 2009

Downtown News 13

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Projects Continued from page 1 significant groundwork for other Downtown developments to come. All the new projects played a role, but these are arguably the 21 of greatest consequence.

This week, Downtown News details projects 21 through 11.

In the Dec. 21 issue, we unveil the top 10.

It’s been a heck of a decade.

21) Police AdministrAtive Building (2009)

T

he $440 million price tag for replacing (at a new location) the outdated and earthquake-ravaged Parker Center will make anyone blanch. Fortunately, the new headquarters for the Los Angeles Police Department is a stately and worthy home for the entity that has undergone significant change over the past seven years. The 500,000-square-foot edifice offers ample glass, an open courtyard on the First Street side and a small park in the rear of the building.

Impact: The 10-story project that was designed by AECOM Design and Roth + Sheppard Architects is part of the mix of old and new in the Civic Center. It sits directly south of City Hall, and complements both that historic building and the ultra-modern CalTrans headquarters to its east. Its 2,300 employees activate the area. It is not only a civic landmark, but also a symbol of the change and openness that came to the department during the tenure of former Chief William Bratton.

20) PegAsus APArtments (2003)

T

he 322-unit apartment complex from Kor Group was one of the earliest adaptive reuse projects in Downtown.

The $53 million development transformed a 1949 former oil company headquarters, originally designed by Welton Beckett, into a modern residential hub at Sixth and Flower streets. Architecture firm Killefer Flammang oversaw the transformation of the 13-story structure.

photo by Gary Leonard photo by Gary Leonard

Impact: Although other old Downtown office buildings had been converted into housing, this was the largest by far. With its upscale amenities, it helped establish a residential beachhead in the Financial District, and people were paying $2.50 a square foot or more right off the bat. The impact continued two years later when a $2 million outpost of the Daily Grill opened on the ground floor. Suddenly the building was not just drawing residents, but surrounding office workers too.

19) toy FActory/ Biscuit comPAny loFts (2004/2007)

I

n 2004, when residential growth in Downtown was mostly focused in the Historic Core, gutsy developer Linear City put $25 million into the Toy Factory Lofts, its renovation of a hulking 251,000-square-foot building on Industrial Street at the southern end of the Arts District. The project created 109 modern loft-style condominiums, and three years later, Linear City continued the momentum across the street with the Biscuit Company Lofts (shown here), turning a 1925 former Nabisco plant into 105 condos.

Impact: In two large-scale swoops, Linear City established a

near critical mass of residents. That has been followed by a concentration of businesses in the live-work space, including a batch of denim designers, as well as the popular restaurants Church & State and Royal Claytons. Altogether, the projects turned a onetime industrial zone into a community.

18) edwArd r. royBAl leArning center/vistA HermosA nAturAl PArk (2008)

A

fter a decade of problems and $350 million, the infamous project once known as the Belmont Learning Complex came alive better than anyone expected: A high school for 2,500 students opened on 14 acres at First Street and Beaudry Avenue. It sits adjacent to the park run by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. That 10-acre plot holds picnic areas, winding paths, a soccer field and more.

Impact: Opening the facility allowed the Los Angeles Unified School District to put an embarrassing debacle behind them — the original school had been stymied by the discoveries of dangerous gases and an earthquake fault below the surface. It also helped ease overcrowded conditions in the area that had

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December 14, 2009

Downtown News 15

DowntownNews.com

L

photo by Gary Leonard

led to the busing of students. The park, meanwhile, was an urban oasis, a place for the green-space starved community to escape the bustle and exhaust of the city.

ike most former Broadway movie palaces, the 1926 Orpheum was a gem whose glitter had long since dulled.

Then owner Steve Needleman spent $3.5 million to restore the venue to its original glory, installing new seats, air conditioning and lighting and polishing the marble lobby, the bronze doors and the marquee. The venue was again ready to host theater, concerts and other events. The following year, Needleman turned the former office space above the theater into 37 apartments.

Impact: Although renovations were confined to the building at 842 S. Broadway, the energy was felt throughout Downtown, as well known bands have played the theater and shows such as “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent” use the space for shooting. More importantly, it demonstrates to other Broadway theater owners that it is possible (and financially feasible) to restore and reopen the faded venues.

Today, Downtown waits for others to follow Needleman’s lead.

16) rainbOw aparTmenTs (2006)

S

kid Row Housing Trust’s 89-unit project was a stalwart example of “permanent supportive housing,” the term for a development that helps homeless individuals turn their lives around by offering not just a room, but a variety of services, such as drug treatment programs and job counseling, all under one roof. The project at 643 S. San Pedro St. was designed by prominent architect Michael Maltzan.

Impact: The six-story cube of concrete and glass, with asymmetrical red windows, an open-air courtyard, common rooms and outdoor corridors, was like nothing Skid Row had ever seen. It raised the bar in design standards, proving that neighborhood structures do not have to be bland gray blocks.

Since then, other new low-income projects in the area have also embraced high design. The permanent supportive housing model continues to be effective and today is recognized as a crucial tool in returning the homeless to mainstream society.

15) sCi-arC (2000)

17) Orpheum TheaTre renOvaTiOn (2003)

photo by Gary Leonard

the

photo by Gary Leonard

photo by Gary Leonard

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16 Downtown News

13) los Angeles stAte Historic PArk (2005-2006)

Projects Continued from page 15 moved into Downtown, leaving a home in Marina Del Rey. The 1906 structure became a hive for 500 students and the school’s faculty and administrative offices. Classes were first held in a tent before the building at 960 E. Third St. opened in fall 2001. The renovation was designed by Gary Paige.

Impact: SCI-Arc was an early adopter in the Arts District, and the activation of the 89,000-square-foot space was by far the most important project in the community in decades.

The $15 million development injected new residential and economic life into the area. The array of restaurants, retail establishments and housing projects that have blossomed in the district this decade all follow from the opening of SCI-Arc.

photo by Gary Leonard

F

or decades, the “brownfield” property on the edge of Chinatown known as the Cornfield was dead land. Then, after the community dodged an effort to turn it into an industrial park, something miraculous happened: Artist Lauren Bon and her team used an Annenberg Foundation grant to make the site a living art project titled “Not a Cornfield” (the city and state helped clean it up). After growing and harvesting corn and holding community events, the California State Parks Department used the infrastructure left behind to create the Los Angeles State Historic Park.

Impact: Suddenly, Downtowners had a clean, vast, grassy expanse not far from the skyscrapers. The park has become a community gathering point, with picnic areas, a dirt running track and plenty of green space. Farmlab, the successor to Bon’s “Not a Cornfield” project, holds regular events on site, and the park has hosted concerts and even a circus big top.

14) Art WAlk (2004)

photo by Gary Leonard

12) elleven/lumA/evo (2006-2008)

I

n 2004, Bert Green of the Fifth Street space Bert Green Fine Art helped eight Historic Core gallery owners organize simultaneous openings on a Thursday evening. That opened the floodgates, and in the ensuing years dozens of new galleries arrived in the area, bars and restaurants piggybacked on the activity, and crowds swelled. Although there is currently a debate about the future of Art Walk, following the departure of the leader who succeeded Green, the attendees don’t seem to care — more than 10,000 people regularly show up.

Impact: The Downtown Art Walk is the most salient demonstration of how far the once gritty neighborhood has come. The events on the second Thursday of every month demonstrate that the streets of the Historic Core can come alive and draw pedestrians after dark. No wonder big bucks automaker Cadillac is considering becoming an ongoing sponsor of the event.

photo by Gary Leonard

R

ight now it is easy to see the popularity of South Park.

However, Portland developer South Group, headed by Homer Williams, realized the potential years before most

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W

hen hotelier Andre Balazs placed a skull and crossbones flag atop a rehabbed 1956 building at 550 S. Flower St., the area was far from trendy. That all changed, as the 12-story, 207-room hotel drew national attention with its high-design rooms (some, for no apparent reason, included a giant black foot; others boasted beds large enough for NBA players) and especially the rooftop pool and bar scene. The building, once the headquarters of Standard Oil, became an instant magnet for the young, hip and monied.

Impact: Balazs, who made his money in biotech, foresaw that the community could appeal to more than the buttoneddown business crowd. The Standard preceded the Pegasus Apartments across the street, as well as the myriad newschool bars with expensive cocktails and plenty of beautiful people willing to wait to get in. Today, the hotel still has staying power, as the rooms and the bar and restaurant scene remain popular.

Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

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everyone else (though Forest City Development had been on the scene), and began buying land and building housing. The $65 million Elleven opened at 11th Street and Grand Avenue in 2006, bringing 176 condominiums and an elegant steel and glass design. The next year the $80 million, 236-unit Luma (shown here) debuted on the same block, and the trio’s final piece, Evo, arrived in late 2008. That $160 million effort created 311 residences.

Impact: Although South Group recently hit financial difficulties, its creation of more than 700 housing units on a single block transformed the neighborhood and led to significant investment from other residential developers, as well as restaurateurs and retailers. The $305 million investment also made a statement with its attention to environmentally friendly design elements.

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Happy New Year Should Old Acquaintance Be Celebrated In Downtown Ten Local Events to Ring in 2010

by Ryan VaillancouRt

Q

staff wRiteR

uick: Do you know the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne? Well you’ve got three weeks to learn a verse or two. As everyone else just hums the tune, impress the midnight revelers by singing out loud. Then again, it’s pretty easy to blend in just mumbling, dancing and lifting your glass of champagne.

Armed with the lyrics or just an earnest hum, there is no shortage of things to do in Continued on next page

December 14, 2009

Downtown News 19

Happy New Year

Continued from previous page Downtown Los Angeles on 2009’s last night, and the first hours of 2010. If you’re the bar hopping type, keep in mind that Metro buses and trains are free for the evening. The rail lines will run until 2 a.m., every 20 minutes.

lobster, snow crab claws, jumbo shrimp, mussels and littlenecks in an aromatic broth, served with jumbo lump crab baked in a pastry shell with mornay sauce ($70). It’s your best chance to smell the ocean in Downtown.

At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 745-9911 or flemingssteakhouse.com.

Clipping 2009: Los Angeles Clipper Baron Davis’ New Year’s resolution is to make Elton Brand and his Philadelphia 76ers pay for luring the former Clipper star away from L.A. At 6:30 p.m., you can watch the grudge match for $12 if you buy direct from the team (though if you try stubhub.com or another third party broker in the hours before tip-off time, you might be able to secure seats for single digit prices). Or you could splurge on courtside seats so you can make New Year’s resolution suggestions to players. Tell Blake Griffin to get, and stay, healthy. Come see New Year, page 20

photo by Gary Leonard

Baron Davis and the Los Angeles Clippers start New Year’s Eve early with a 6:30 p.m. game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Take the opportunity to trash talk Allen Iverson.

photo by Michael Tullberg

The Financial District gets ravetastic once again with the return of the Giant Maximus party. The all-night event is outdoors at Eighth and Figueroa streets.

Big-Time Celebration: For the third straight year, Giant Maximus takes over Eighth and Figueroa streets for an allnight outdoor rave. The massive event, which runs from 7 p.m.-4 a.m., will offer pulsing beats from some of the biggest names in electronic music, including Moby (again), Paul Oakenfold and Mark Farina. The circus-like event includes high-flying acrobatics and a monster Ferris wheel, but this one ain’t for the kiddies: 21 and over only. Tickets are $80.

At 835 Francisco St., (323) 464-7373 or giantclub.com.

CHRISTMAS EVE

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Friends and family are warmly welcome to join us for a festive feast! Most dinners begin at 5pm. Children dine for $15.95.

Ring in the New Year with good friends, Champagne and a delectable dinner!

Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse 3-courses $59 | 4-courses $70

Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse 3-courses $45 | 4-courses $59

Zucca Ristorante 4-courses $68 | 5-courses $85

Zucca Ristorante 4-courses $45

Kendall’s Brasserie + Bar 3-courses $47 | 4-courses $65 5-courses $75

Kendall’s Brasserie and Bar 3-courses $47 | 4-courses $58 Café Pinot 3-courses $55 | 4-courses $68

Café Pinot 3-courses $65 | 4-courses $65-95 5-courses $95

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Enjoy a gourmet brunch, holiday cookie decorating and a visit from Santa.

Music Center of Los Angeles | Reservations 213 972 7565 December 19 at 10am & December 20 at noon | $40 adults | $18 children

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY!

image courtesy of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Walt Disney Concert Hall goes from a classical music chamber to a swinging venue with a 10:30 p.m. performance by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Zoot Suit Salute: Break out your wingtips and flapper dresses for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s New Year bash, starting at 10:30 p.m. You don’t have to go some sweaty club — the band is breaking in 2010 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Tickets start at $60. Dance in your seats, or swing vicariously through the performers who will waltz around Frank Gehry’s structure.

At 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.com.

Crustacean Celebration: Russell Shall, the chef at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar at L.A. Live, is putting a twist on surf and turf and heralding the arrival of the next decade with a wagyu beef and cold water lobster special, washed down with some Veuve Clicquot ($76). Or skip the turf entirely and go for the lobster and seafood special with a Maine

801 S. Figueroa St. 213 614 7800

330 S. Hope St. 213 680 0330

700 W. Fifth St. 213 239 6500

135 N. Grand Ave. 213 972 7322

Holiday entertaining 213 239 2508

Chef Joachim Splichal’s

www.patinagroup.com

20 Downtown News

Air Trance: Combine the trance outfits Above & Beyond, Christopher Lawrence and Cosmic Gate with the Westin Bonaventure’s two enormous ballrooms and a poolside terrace and you’ve got Giant Hotel-Check In To 2010, from 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Tickets are $70. Seize the opportunity not to drive and get a room, then ride up and down the hotel’s scenic elevators.

At the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, 404 S. Figueroa St., giantclub.com.

Get Together: The dance options just don’t stop in Downtown. The groovy, house-heavy bash Together as One is another huge and raveriffic opportunity.

This one is sure to make the floors of the L.A. Sports Arena shake from 6 p.m.-4 a.m. Tickets start at $80. The big name is John Digweed, who DJs from 10 p.m.midnight. Don’t forget your light sticks.

And stop staring at your hands.

At 3939 S. Figueroa St., newyearsevela. com.

Speak Easy: Ring in 2010 in Prohibitionera style at the Varnish while imbibing in a bottomless Grand Marnier Centenaire punch bowl, an open bar for cocktail list drinks, a Moet toast, live jazz piano and limbo. The opportunity to party like it’s 1929 is $125 per person and starts at 10 p.m. Got plans for

photo courtesy of The Edison

Continued from page 19 on, who doesn’t want to spend part of New Year’s Eve with Rasual Butler?

At Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., nba.com/clippers.

late night already? You can pre-game at the Varnish, from 7-9:30 p.m., with $9 champagne cocktails.

At 118 E. Sixth St., (213) 622-9999 or thevarnishbar.com.

Steam Dream: Experience the Nautilist’s Ball, where the Edison celebrates the art of invention. All table reservations include a bottle of champagne, a midnight toast and desserts.

Steampunk band Abney Park will get everyone all riled up inside the old, converted electric facility. Individual tickets are $75 and tables start at $300.

At 108 W. Second St., (213) 613-0000 or edisondowntown.com.

The Edison is one of the many Downtown restaurants and bars holding a New Year’s Eve party. Table reservations (which start at $300) include a bottle of champagne.

Fine Dine: Get your night started, or spend the whole evening, at Drago Centro, which is on every foodie’s list of Downtown Los Angeles’ finest restaurants. Chef Celestino Drago is offering a five-course menu ($85) featuring a foie gras torchon, truffle agnolotti, cioppino, roasted lamb loin and chocolate budino.

Wine pairing available, or just stick with bubbly.

At 525 S. Flower St., Suite 120, (213) 228-8998 or dragocentro.com.

photo by Gary Leonard

New Year

December 14, 2009

Happy New Year

Juliette and Chromeo: Montreal’s electro duo Chromeo headlines what promises to be a sweaty, funky New Year’s dance party for all the neo b-boys and b-girls at Club Nokia. They’re joined by fellow DJs Peanut Butter Wolf, Vega, Gaslamp Killer and (thee) Mike B. The wax starts turning at 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $41.

At Club Nokia, L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., clubnokia.com.

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

Drago Centro celebrates the new year with a five course menu.

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Downtown News 21

CALENDAR BALLET ON BROADWAY Downtown-Based Company Nurtures Relationships and Takes a Swinging Nutcracker to the Orpheum

by Anna Scott staff writer

I

n a mirrored dance studio a bit west of Staples Center, a male and female dancer work on a pas de deux for an upcoming twist on The Nutcracker. The graceful lifts and dainty tippy-toe steps, set to a Tchaikovsky score, are pure classical ballet. But when the music shifts to a lively Duke Ellington tune, the dancers’ movements become even more loose-limbed as they bound across the floor.

“I love tradition, but I like to put an edge on things,” said choreographer Robyn Gardenhire, the founder and artistic director of the City Ballet of Los Angeles.

The dancers rehearsing on a recent afternoon were preparing for The Nutcracker Swings, CBLA’s updated version of the classic holiday ballet. The show has two performances at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 19.

The show represents something of a milestone for CBLA. It is an opportunity not only to perform in a desired, historic venue, but to expose more of Downtown Los Angeles to an institution that also offers ballet classes to children who otherwise might not get them.

Step by Step Gardenhire, 45, has close-cropped hair, an expansive laugh and the animated, elongated mannerisms of a lifelong dancer.

On a recent afternoon inside the Salvation Army Red Shield Youth and Community Center, a spot just west of the 110 Freeway where the company makes its home, the Lynwood native recounted her unlikely journey to forming CBLA. Gardenhire first took up ballet at a small school in Compton at age 3. She later earned scholarships to train with the then-Los Angeles Ballet and the American Ballet Theater, among other schools. Her professional dancing career included stints with the Joffrey Ballet, the Cleveland Ballet, American Ballet Theater and Mikhail Baryshnikov’s touring company, the White Oak Dance Project.

In her 30s, everything suddenly changed. Gardenhire was sidelined by mysterious, crippling symptoms. Already thin, she lost weight and was wracked with inexplicable pain.

“I was this big,” she said, holding up a pinky. “The bottoms of my feet hurt when I got out of bed and stepped on the floor.”

Gardenhire moved in with her mother temporarily to recover. She was eventually diagnosed with lupus, and her health improved with treatment. She eased into dance again by teaching ballet at schools around town. But she felt unfulfilled.

“Just teaching for other people was rubbing me the wrong way, and I was rubbing other people the wrong way,” she said, letting loose another infectious laugh.

A Company Is Born In 2000, Gardenhire launched CBLA. The enterprise encompasses a professional-level company and a school, which operate from three donated dance studios at the Red Shield Center.

The company includes 12 classically trained dancers, diverse in age (20s to 40s) and race. Gardenhire said that is a deliberate attempt to reflect the city itself.

“Everywhere I danced, I was the only black dancer,” she said. “Our company always looks like our audience.”

CBLA’s school caters to local students who otherwise could not afford ballet lessons. Anywhere from 50 to 100 children ages 3-13 take classes at any given time. Instruction is just $20 a month.

Gardenhire hopes that the school will eventually feed dancers to the company, and that the troupe will grow into a profitable enterprise. For now, CBLA is purely a labor of love.

Gardenhire, who lives near Leimert Park with her husband and three children, does not collect a salary. Attracting dona-

Robyn Gardenhire (front) and members of the City Ballet of Los Angeles rehearse for two shows at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 19. The Nutcracker Swings puts a swing twist on the holiday classic.

tions and grants in the current economy has been “like pushing a boulder up a hill,” she said.

Still, CBLA has managed to build its stature as a local arts institution, thanks in part to a deepening alliance with the Downtown business community. Developer Sonny Astani, Central City Association officials and Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry are among those who have given financial or other support to CBLA in the past couple of years.

photos by Gary Leonard

Gardenhire founded the City Ballet in 2000. In addition to the company, there is a school for children 3-13.

The head of the company’s advisory board is Douglas Hanson, a principal at the Downtown-based architecture firm Destefano Partners. He first learned of CBLA in 2001, when he read a Los Angeles Times profile of Gardenhire and her then fledgling company.

“I clipped it out, thinking this was a person doing something interesting,” said Hanson.

He filed the article away and promptly forgot about it. A few years later, he rediscovered the clipping while preparing to move his office from the Westside to Downtown Los Angeles. He put in a call to Gardenhire and, in short order,

offered to help steer the business side of CBLA. “I was looking to get involved in some Downtown organization that had a lot of potential and was looking to grow,” said Hanson. He knew nothing about ballet, but was lured by the possibility of learning.

“As an architect, I always look for other influences,” he said. “I thought I could learn something from the creativity that is in dance. There was something about it that was a bit of a mystery, and that intrigued me.”

Getting to Broadway Orpheum owner Steve Needleman is among the Downtown players Gardenhire has become familiar with in recent years.

Gardenhire said she had long dreamed of mounting a ballet in the ornate, 2,000-seat, 83-year-old Broadway venue, but the rental price was always too high. This year, Needleman offered her a discount. He said he too had long wanted to work with CBLA, but the timing was not right until now.

“I think the City Ballet is a great organization, and dancing is very hot today, between ‘Dancing With the Stars’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’” said Needleman. “This was the right timing, the right event.”

As for what audiences at The Nutcracker Swings can expect to see, it is not quite the dreamy, delicate world of the traditional Nutcracker.

Gardenhire has moved the setting from early 1800s Germany to L.A.’s Hancock Park neighborhood in the 1940s.

She has reinvented some aspects of the story and bypassed others, added a touch of jazz and infused the choreography with her personal style.

“It’s all classically based, but I love a little more freedom in the body than you would see with the Royal Ballet,” said Gardenhire.

It is a style that should please fans of the original Nutcracker, along with those craving something new.

The Nutcracker Swings is at the Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, Saturday, Dec. 19, at 2 and 8 p.m., (213) 480-3232 or cityballetofla.org.

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

22 Downtown News

December 14, 2009

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Ozomatli Does It for the Kids Popular L.A. Band Has a Weekend of Downtown Shows, Including One for the 10-and-Under Set

by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

T

hey may be a band with a global sound and a wandering spirit, but Ozomatli is coming home this week with a trio of shows in Downtown Los Angeles. Although the Dec. 18 and 19 dates at Club Nokia will feature all the energy and hits the band is known for, the group may face a tougher audience with a Saturday morning show at the Grammy Museum: They will be playing for kids.

The older audiences can expect an elaborate show, with a mixture of songs from the two-time Grammy-winning band’s previous albums as well as tunes from a new record due out next April.

“We traditionally do a West Coast run,” said saxophonist and clarinetist Ulises Bella.

“I think this time around we wanted to do something a little bigger and incorporate a little more production, guest musicians, video, dancers.”

The new material, said bassist Wil-Dog Abers, is high energy, with more of a punk rock bent than the band has demonstrated in the past.

“It’s kind of raw, more live than any of our other records,” said Abers. “It’s our best album, but I say that every time. It’s where we’re at right now. The band is constantly growing, the relationship between us is growing, the musicianship is growing. Everything about us is constantly growing.”

An L.A. Band Ozomatli formed 14 years ago to play at several local labor protests and community activist events. These days, the touring group can include up to a dozen members.

Musically, the band is a sonic reflection of the multicultural city they call home. They follow a self-described mantra of taking listeners around the world by taking them around L.A. They fuse bilingual lyrics with hip-hop, Afro rhythms, rock, salsa, funk, merengue, samba and cumbia sounds.

They also do it for the kids.

The band is known for often ending shows by inviting children in the audience to come onstage and rock out with the group. For the members, it’s a more exhilarating and honest moment than having drunk, rowdy fans clamber on stage.

On Dec. 19, the band will participate in the Grammy Museum’s Musical Explorations series. At the 10 a.m. show, they will teach children and their families about music (suggested ages are 5-10). Ozomatli will perform some of their songs and invite kids in the audience up on stage to teach them a song.

Those kids will then be invited, if they are allowed to stay up that late, to the evening’s Club Nokia show. There, they will be able to perform the song they have just learned with the band on stage.

“If you have ever been to one of our shows you know that if there’s a kid in the audience, that kid is on stage,” Abers said. “It’s just about encouraging the next generation to do this, because what a wonderful thing it is to be able to play music.”

Bob Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum, said the band is a perfect fit for the musical series and with the museum in general.

“They are as L.A. as you can get when it comes to music,” Santelli said. “We recognize what they mean to the L.A. community and there is a cross-section of genres that Ozomatli does, and that’s what we’re about as well. We’re about all forms of music.”

He said the museum event will be almost like a workshop where kids get involved in the musical and creative process so they really understand what goes on in the songs.

In the Mix Older fans have not been left out of the loop for the L.A. shows. The band recently held a contest for local DJs to remix one of their songs. The winner got tickets to each Downtown show, among other prizes.

“We decided to give it a shot and it’s been pretty good responses; some are super, super creative,” Bella said.

photo by Jon Coulthard

Ozomatli has three performances in Downtown on Dec. 18-19. Children who attend a Saturday morning concert and learn an Ozomatli song will be invited on stage that night at Club Nokia. Shown are (l to r) Jiro Yamaguchi, Wil-Dog Abers, Raúl Pacheco, Ulises Bella, Asdru Sierra and Justin Poirée.

The winning remix was a reworking of the song “Here We Go,” from their last album, Don’t Mess With the Dragon. “It’s hard to describe it; it’s just something you have to hear,” Bella said of the remix.

While most of the band will be exhausted from the local shows and attendant celebrations, one member of the group will have to do even more: Abers’ side project Wil-Dog El Gavachillo y Su Banda Sinaloese (The White Boy and his Sinaloan Band) will open for Ozo’s Saturday night show. The group focuses on banda music.

While Ozomatli’s music is eclectic, they have yet to touch much on the banda genre, a traditional Mexican brass-based style that mixes German polka sounds with heavy percussion beats. Although popular in Mexican immigrant communities and

Spanish-language radio in Los Angeles, the genre has yet to cross over to most other audiences.

“It’s banda banda,” Abers said, emphasizing that it’s not a watered-down or Americanized version of the music. “It’s straight-ahead banda and I’m singing.”

But while Abers will be experimenting with the banda sound, for the Ozomatli part of the show, the group will stick to all of the other genres they’re known for.

The kids will love it.

Ozomatli performs Dec. 18-19 at Club Nokia, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (800) 745-3000 or clubnokia.com. They play Dec. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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a r k i n g

December 14, 2009

Downtown News 23

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Culture Clash Continued from page 1 Culture Clash and 10 additional actors. It runs through Jan. 24, 2010.

The play follows a visit by U.S. Army Captain Catherine Siler (played by Kirsten Potter) to the New Mexico reservation that was home to Private First Class Raymond Birdsong.

She’s there to inform the chief of the tribe, played by veteran activist and actor Russell Means, that his son died under her command in Afghanistan.

Although his death was ruled a friendly fire incident, there are suspicious circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

“But it’s not a war play,” Montoya interjects. “It’s a play that takes place on a Native American reservation and the stories and secrets that unfold and the aftermath of a young soldier’s death.”

Local Record Culture Clash formed in 1984 in San Francisco’s Mission District. Blending social and political satire with their bilingual roots and a keen eye for pop culture, the troupe’s work ranges from sketch comedy to adaptations of Greek plays.

The trio settled in Los Angeles in 1991, though they have also focused on site-specific works in other locales, creating plays in Miami, San Diego, New York, Houston, Boston and San Francisco. They have performed at venues such as Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Seattle Repertory.

But their roots are firmly planted in Los Angeles, both in terms of production locale and the subject of their works. The Taper was home to the premieres of Chavez Ravine, about the displacement of families to make room for Dodger Stadium, and Water and Power, an insider look at city politics complete with references to politicians including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Supervisor Gloria Molina. Both shows won critical and commercial acclaim.

“With each play it just amazes me how difficult the next one is,” Montoya said. “You think it would get easier, but there was a lot of labor in this birth and I guess we don’t know another way to work.”

Culture Clash has a unique style. Rather than hole up in a room with a computer and pot of coffee, the trio go into the

photos by Craig Schwartz

Native American activist and actor Russell Means plays a tribal chief in Palestine, New Mexico. Kirsten Potter is the army captain who travels to the reservation to tell him his son has been killed in battle.

world. They often conduct extensive interviews and meticulous research to craft their characters and storylines.

The result is that they expose often under-represented corners of society, giving an urgent voice to those segments of the population. Their work feels local, inspired by and written for the people they portray, but at the same time conveys a wider message that can help those unfamiliar with the topic relate to the plight of their subjects.

The trend continues with Palestine. Although the show

possesses an international scope, it touches on many of the same themes as their previous productions.

“It feels pretty epic because of the war and it’s not just local, it’s about where the country is at the moment,” Salinas said.

“But at the same time it’s still very intimate. There’s a family that has to bury a son at the end of this thing.”

Siguenza, who knows a thing or two about politics by virtue of being a Villaraigosa appointee to the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Board of Commissioners, said he appreciates what Palestine reveals.

“It shows New Mexico’s Spanish history and Mexican, native tradition,” he said. “And what I love is it exposes something not very well known.”

Although the group again conducted interviews when preparing for the work, Montoya said they spoke with fewer people than for previous plays. Instead, they relied heavily on public records as they made visits to New Mexico and to reservations to meet Native Americans and war veterans. That helped them capture the local culture and flavor.

“In rural areas of the Southwest people sign up [for the military] to get out of their situation,” Montoya said. “There is a warrior spirit on the [reservations], and patriotism.”

Means, an early leader of the American Indian Movement, who is famous for leading the occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973, is making his stage debut with Palestine, New Mexico.

He said the play captures a true slice of Native American life that other cultures can easily relate to as well.

“I loved the script, I think it’s ingenious,” Means said. “It’s a complex story and so contemporary.”

True to Culture Clash form, in addition to getting into the culture of New Mexico’s Native Americans, the play also captures the essence of multiculturalism through the shared hardship of war.

“If a flag-draped coffin is coming home, that’s one of the very few moments when it doesn’t matter what color the person is,” Montoya said. “But the play is also making a point about who’s paying the ultimate price for this war — it’s working class and poor kids.”

Make no mistake — although the setting may be different, Culture Clash still brings the politics home.

Palestine, New Mexico runs through Jan 24, 2010 at the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.

Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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24 Downtown News

EVENTS SponSored LiStingS Senior Minister’s Christmas Reception First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, 540 S. Commonwealth Ave. Dec. 20, 11 a.m.: First Congregational Church Senior Minister Dr. R. Scott Colglazier gives a sermon called “The Art of Christmas.”

The talk is part of the church’s Advent sermon series. Afterward, at noon, there will be a reception with holiday music and hors d’oeuvres.

LISTINGS The ‘Don’t Miss’ List Singing, Comedy, Fine Manners and Fine Kitsch

by AnnA Scott, StAff writer

one

FILM Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., downtownindependent.com.

Dec. 16-22: In Examined Life, filmmaker Astra Taylor accompanies some of today’s most influential thinkers, including Cornel West, on a series of excursions through places and spaces that hold particular resonance for them. Featuring Avital Ronell, Peter Singer, Kwarne Anthony Appiah, Martha Nussbaum, Michael Hardt, Slavoj Zizek, Judith Butler and Sunaura Taylor.

Dec. 18-24: Producer David Lynch and director Werner Herzog present My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done, a fantastical murder mystery.

Flagship Theatres 3323 S. Hoover St., (213) 748-6321.

Through Dec. 17: The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2, 4:50, 7:40 and 10:30 p.m.); The Princess and the Frog (Noon, 2:20, 4:40, 7 and 9:20 p.m.); Ninja Assassin (Dec. 13-16: 12:30, 3, 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m.

Dec. 17, 12:30, 3, 5:30 and 8 p.m.).

Dec. 18, 12:01 a.m.: Avatar.

REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.

Dec. 14, 8:30 p.m.: The venue presents two documentaries on indigenous Mexican culture. 2501 Migrants: A Journey, by Yolanda Cruz, who will attend, examines the effects of mass emigration in the Oaxacan town of Teococuilco, which was virtually deserted after most of its adult indigenous population departed to look for work in the United States or Mexico City. Then, Dante Cerano’s award-winning video essay Day Two is an idiosyncratic and irreverent take on the second day of a P’urhepecha wedding ceremony.

Regal Cinema L.A. Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (877) 835-5734 or lalive.com.

Through Dec.16: Invictus (1:40, 4:40, 7:40 and 10:40 p.m.); Armored (12:30, 3, 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m.); Brothers (1:10, 4:30, 7:20 and 10:10 p.m.); Everybody’s Fine (11:50 a.m. and 2:20, 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m.); Ninja Assassin (12:40, 3:10, 5:40, 8:10 and 10:50 p.m.); Old Dogs (11:40 a.m. and 2, 4:20, 6:40 and 9:10 p.m.); The Princess and the Frog (11 a.m. and 1:30, 4:10, 7 and 9:30 p.m.); The Twilight Saga: New Moon (12:50, 3:50, 7:10 and 10:10 p.m.); The Blind Side (11:10 a.m. and 2, 5, 7:50 and 11 p.m.); Planet 51 (11:20 a.m. and 1:50, 4:20, 6:40 and 9:20 p.m.); 2012 (11:50 a.m. and 3:20, 6:50 and 10:20 p.m.); Fantastic Mr. Fox (Noon, 2:30, 4:50, 7:10 and 9:30 p.m.); Disney’s A Christmas Carol in 3D (11 a.m. and 1:20, 4, 6:30 and 9 p.m.); Precious (11:30 a.m. and 2:10, 4:50, 7:30 and 10:20 p.m.).

Dec. 18: All of the above, plus Avatar in 3D (12:01 a.m.); Did You Hear About the Morgans (12:01 a.m.).

EVENT INFo

4 wEb: www.DowntownNews.com 4 EMaIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com

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

photo by Craig Schwartz

W

hat’s more festive than karaoke and cheaper than singing in the shower? How about a free holiday sing-along at the Music Center Plaza, which is open to singers of all levels but won’t impact your water bill.

All you have to do is show up: Lyric sheets and live musical accompaniment will be provided at the event on Friday, Dec. 18, with tickets distributed on a first come, first served basis starting at 6 p.m. For a fancier sing-along (or if you just can’t get enough), you can also visit Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sunday, Dec. 20, for the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s 29th anniversary of its “Messiah” sing-along (shown here), conducted by Music Director Grant Gershon and featuring soloists from the Chorale. Tickets range from $24-$74.

The Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7211 or musiccenter. org. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7282 or lamc.org.

3

e o rg e C o m e d ia n G uch ses m Lopez, who ba on his up dof his stan owing up experiences gr Mexicanin Los Angeles’ munity, American com own met returns to his ho three r fo nd ke this wee Li ve ’s .

A L. at sh o w s e. Lopez, Nokia Theatr observaknown for his d focus tional style an hosts s, on race relation TBS ht ig -n te la the new ght.” ni To ez op show “L Friday, He will perform nday, h Su Dec. 18, throug m. each p.

8 at Dec. 20 return to night. He will ree more the Nokia for th rday, tu shows next Sa fo le th d an ay Su n d y. At 777 lowing Tuesda (213) urt, Chick Hearn Co kiathe763-6030 or no atrelalive.com.

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December 14, 2009

DowntownNews.com

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avid Daniels, who has been described by the Chicago Tribune as the modern “gold standard among countertenors” (the highest adult male singing voice), will be using his voice in a different way during a free discussion on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. at the USC Thornton School of Music. The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus is sponsoring the event, and Dr. Steven Kronauer — director of the Children’s Chorus’ new ensemble Cantus, which features boys with changing voices — will moderate the conversation. Daniels, who is in town for appearances at Walt Disney Concert Hall, will address the challenges and techniques of performing in the high range of a countertenor and his own voice change during adolescence. At Booth Hall on the USC campus, at Figueroa Street and McCarthy Way, (213) 793-4231 or lachildrenschorus.org.

four

If you are spending the holidays with your significant other’s famfam ily for the first time, have a bit of anxiety about the work-related party scene or simply want to drop break your bad habit of dropsweat ping meatballs on your sweater, don’t miss the lunchtime seminar at the Central Library on Thursday, Dec. 17, titled “Etiquette for the Holidays.” Manners and protocol expert Lanie Denslow will offer valuable tips on cultivating the perfect decorum for dining and seasonal parties. The discussion, which goes from 12:15-1 p.m., is part of the leclibrary’s Thursdays at Central series of afternoon lec tures and seminars. At 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7000 or lapl.org.

Theatre y of the Nokia image courtes

5

is the season for “kitsch culture expert” Charles Phoenix,, known for his school bus field trips of Downtown L.A. and his comedic slide shows based on photos culled from thrift shops and flea markets. This weekend, Phoenix brings a new, expanded version of his retro holiday slide show to REDCAT for four performances. The Charles Phoenix Holiday Jubilee celebrates how Americans decorated, dressed, dined and drank during the holidays in the 1950s-’60s, and features singing, dancing, music, cooking and a few surprises — including a how-to on making holiday-style ambrosia. The show runs Thursday, Dec. 17, through Sunday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. each night. At 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or charlesphoenix.com.

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

photo courtesy of Charles Phoenix

December 14, 2009

Downtown News 25

DowntownNews.com

CLASSIFIED

place your ad online at www.ladowntownnews.com

FOR RENT

L.A. Downtown News Classifieds Call: 213-481-1448 Classified Display & Line ad Deadlines: Thursday 12 pm

“Be wary of out of area companies.

Check with the local Better Business Bureau before you send any money for fees or services. Read and understand any contracts before you sign.

Shop around for rates.”

REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL lofts for sale

Buying, Leasing or Selling a Loft?

TheLoftGuys.net LA’s #1 Loft Site

Call 213-625-1313

TheLoftExpertGroup.com Downtown since 2002

Bill Cooper

213.598.7555

Out of State

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

office space lease/sale

20 ACRE LAND Foreclosures Near Growing El Paso, Texas. No Credit Checks/Owner Financing. $0 Down, Take over $159/mo. payment. Was $16,900, NOW $12,856. 800-755-8953 www.

TexasLandForeclosures.net.

(Cal-SCAN)

REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL SERVICES COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Loans $$$... Rates start at 5.7% Fixed. Call us for a free quote.

(714) 258-0177 ext 301. E-mail: Gocapitalequity@aol.com Visit Us: www.CapitalEquity.com.

(Cal-SCAN)

FOR RENT

ALA 99¢/Sq. Ft. High Rise Office Space Walking distance to Metro Station, Social Security Office, Immigration Office, and Jewelry District.

Close to 110 &101 Fwy. On site security guard.

213-892-0088

Apartments/Unfurnished

Milano Lofts Now Leasing!

retail space lease/sale

Retail Store Front $1000 gross rent Downtown LA 1240 sq.ft., 20ft ceiling, water included, central AC w/private restroom.

Call Pierre or Terri at 818-212-8333 or 213-744-9911

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

LADowntownNews.com

• Gorgeous Layouts • 10-15’ Ceilings • Fitness Center • Wi-Fi Rooftop Lounge • Amazing Views 6th + Grand Ave. • 213.627.1900 milanoloftsla.com BRAND NEW Large, Mid-City 1bd, 1 ba., hardwood floors, granite. $1100. 323-936-5220.

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

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

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

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

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

RESERVE IT IT’S YOURS!! $1,150/$850 433 Cottage Home St. in Chinatown 2BR/1BA and 1BR/1BA, New Paint, Laundry on-site,Includes Parking, 818593-9060 or 818-716-7297

Old Bank District The original Live/Work Lofts from $1,100 Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, Parking adjacent. Pets no charge Call 213.253.4777 LAloft.com

REAL ARTIST LOFTS 12002000 Sq. Ft., $1600-$2100/mo.

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

Condominiums/Unfurnished

Downtown

Promenade west 2 Bdrm. 2 Bath + 1Bonus Rm Heated Pool, Spa, Jacuzzi, Sauna, Indoor Gym. $2000/mo.

(213) 926-3163 Continued on next page

We've got what you're searching for!

DowntownNews.com

THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

Commercial Space ARTIST’S WORK STUDIO Sunny, 150sf, 15’ ceiling, wi-fi, gated parking. Part of larger studio at Santa Fe Art Colony, close to downtown and freeways. $235/ mo + sec 213-509-4403 Loft/Unfurnished FOR RENT South Park studio loft top floor above Ralphs market 645 West 9th St. Covered parking, gym, rec room, washer, dryer. $1,900 per mo. Contact John (310) 505-4024.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

26 Downtown News

December 14, 2009

Twitters/DowntownNews

Continued from previous page

FOR RENT

GET DISH WITH FREE Installation – $19.99/mo. HBO & Showtime Free - Over 50 HD Channels Free! Lowest Prices – No Equipment to Buy! Call for Details 1-877-887-6146. (Cal-SCAN)

EMPLOYMENT

Condominiums/Unfurnished

Savoy studio end unit

ANDRUS TRANSPORTATION Seeking Team Drivers for fast turning freight lanes! Also Hiring Solo OTR drivers - West states exp/hazmat end, great miles/ hometime. Stable Family owned 35 yrs+ 1-800-888-5838, 1-866806-5119 x1402. (Cal-SCAN)

Rob Nesbitt, Heritage Realty

(213) 617-8225

ITEMS FOR SALE

REGIONAL DRIVERS needed!

More Hometime! Top Pay! Up to $.41/mile company drivers!

12 months OTR required. Heartland Express 1-800-441-4953. www.HeartlandExpress.com.

(Cal-SCAN)

Misc. Items NORDIC TRACK EXERCISE Excellent Machine. Family fitness $500 best offer 323-734-7604.

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

Drivers

$1,300 per mo 6mo.; longer possible

Computers/IT

MECHANICS: Keep the Army National Guard rolling. Fix Humvees, Strykers, etc. Expand skills through paid career training.

Part-time work. Full -time benefits. www.NationalGuard.com/ mechanic or 1-800-GO-GUARD. (Cal-SCAN)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

OVER 18? AVAILABLE to Travel? Earn Above Average $$$ with Fun Successful Business Group! No Experience Necessary. 2wks Paid Training. Lodging, Transportation Provided.

1-877-646-5050. (Cal-SCAN)

“Open in Case of Fire” Minutes Count!

“Do-it-Yourself”

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

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

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

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

Get your GREEN CARD or CITIZENSHIP

www.Fire-Fires.com 800.447.0387

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

MultiVend LLC, 1-888-625-2405.

(Cal-SCAN)

Cleaning

ABOGADO DE IMMIGRACION!

Smoke & Safety Mask

security

SERVICES

attorneys

Law Office of H. Douglas Daniel Esq., (213) 689-1710

home improvement

崔Roof

Apartment Alarm System

No Monthly Fee, No Wiring

Michael Choi Roofing

Since 1972 • Free Estimate Reroof, Repairs • Lic. #C-39-588045

www.Alarm-Alarms.com 800.447.0387

323-229-3320 (C) 323-722-1646 (B)

Massage therapy

Advertising

Star Holistic Spa

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

(CalSCAN)

Massage/Acupressure $40 (1 Hour) 2551 W. Beverly Blvd.

LA, CA, 90057 (Beverly Rampart)

Tel: 213-383-7676

Luxury Rooms in Downtown

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

• Fully Furnished • 100% Utilities Paid • • Refrigerator, Microwave & TV In Each Room • • Wireless Access Throughout Bldg. • Gym • • Close to USC & Loyola Law School • • Presidential Suite with Kitchen • Parking Available Onsite

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

Special STUDENT RATE! $690 1 Person

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

50 Channels Direct TV

Santee Court Lofts from $1,250 716 Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014

(213) 623-8101 • www.santeecourt.com

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

jahn@regentBC.com www.regentbc.com

madison hotel

Monthly from $695 utilities paid.

(213) 627-1151

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.)

LOFT LIVING

Your number 1 source for Loft sales, rentals and development!

DowntownNews.com

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

(Cal-SCAN) Music Lessons Children’s Performing Group!

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

ComputerS/IT COMPUTER HEADACHES? FREE In-Home Diagnosis, Virus-Spyware Removal, Computer Setup, Repair, Wireless Networking, Training, Troubleshooting, Software. We are Microsoft Certified. 310.927.9233

✓ Private Bathroom ✓ Cable TV w/HBO ✓ 24 hr. Front Desk Weekly $175 1-2 people Daily $45 1-2 people Stuart Hotel 718 S. Union Ave. (Union & 7th St.)

213.413.8100

Low Move in Special

1256 West 7th Street

Jenny Ahn (213) 996-8301

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

(CalSCAN)

Rooms Available

Monthly Rents Start at $780 1 & 2 Rooms Available

Locations Nationwide

Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator.

Full bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

safety

Business Opportunities

Retail/Sales

DowntownNews.com

Offices • Offices • Offices • Offices

SALES EXECUTIVES needed for Exclusive Skincare Brand.

Founders/creators of Proactiv, Drs Rodan and Fields created another #1 skincare line. Email resume:mseeley@myrandf. com. (Cal-SCAN)

the loft expert! group

TM

Downtown since 2002

Don't settle for anyone less experienced!

Call us today!

Bill Cooper • 213.598.7555 • TheLoftExpertGroup.com

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

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

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

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

Do you have something to sell?

Ad Copy: _________________________________________

Ad Prices

________________________________________________

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

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

FREE! $11.50 $14.00 $16.50 $19.00

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

State Check $

Zip Credit Card $

All ads run for 2 weeks.

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

With a circulation of 49,000 , our classifieds get results!

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

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

December 14, 2009

Downtown News 27

DowntownNews.com

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

PETS/ANIMALS Adopt A pet ADOPT (OR FOSTER) your forever friend from Bark Avenue Foundation. Beautiful, healthy puppies, dogs, cats and kittens available at Downtown’s largest private adoption facility.

Call Dawn at 213-840-0153 or email Dawn@BarkAvewLA. com or visit www.Bark Avenue Foundation.org.

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

LEGAL Fictitious Business nAme Fictitious Business name statement File no. 20091707368 The following persons doing business as: (1) LITTLE BARN,(2) THE LITTLE BARN, located at 130 S.Beaudry Ave., Los Angeles CA 90026, are hereby registered by the following registrant: LITTLE BARN, LLC, 1804 Cerro Gordo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026, This business is conducted by a Limited Liability Company in California. Registrants began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on November 1, 2009.

This statement was filed with the Los Angeles County Clerk of Los Angeles on November 12, 2009.

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

Pub. 11/23, 11/30, 12/7, 12/14/09 Fictitious Business name statement File no. 20091736090 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: MS. SOMMELIER, 600 W. Ninth Street, Unit #1102, Los Angeles CA 90015 are hereby registered by the following registrant: STEPHANIE BADEN, 600 W. Ninth Street, Suite #1102, Los Angeles CA 90015. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on November 11, 2009.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on November 17, 2009.

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

Pub, 11/30, 12/07, 12/14, 12/21/09 Fictitious Business name statement File no. 20091754156 The following persons doing business as: RUNAWAY CART, 617 E. 9th Street #2, Los Angeles, CA 90015, is hereby registered by the following registrant: Edward Patrick Ferry, 617 E.

9th Street #2, Los Angeles CA 90015. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrants began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on November 19, 2009.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on November 19, 2009.

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

Pub. 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28/09

Free Rent!

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

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

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Excellent location.

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sAKurA HeAltH Gym & sAunA, inc.

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

HBODY

MASSAGEH

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

RENTING • BUYING • LIVING

RENTING • BUYING • LIVING

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

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

Visit us online at www.LoftLivingLA.com

Visit us online at www.LoftLivingLA.com

8 7 7 - 4 L A- LO F TS Guess where Drew prefers to eat Mexican food and WIN!

Monthly from $550 utilities paid.

(213) 612-0348

EASY AS

6th+Grand Ave. • milanoloftsla.com • 213.627.1900 For rent Single Family Home For Sale ❚ 1 Bed. 1 Bath. Lafayette Park Place. Move In ❚ East Pasadena. 3+2 W/Pool. Bank Has Now. $1200 Month Foreclosed. Price Tbd. ❚ Prom. West-2 Bed. 2 Bath PenthouseBunker Hill real estate Co, inC. Sophisticated, Spectacular One Of A Kind Condo.

EstablishEd 1984 Top Of The Line Upgrades & Décor. Georgeous leasing-salesM irza a lli loans-refinance Furnishings Adorn This Pride Of Ownership Home.

Broker/Realtor (213) 680-1720 Corporate Lease Welcome. Furnished $3500 Per e-mail us: info@bunkerhillrealestate.com Month. Un-Furnished $3200 Per Month. www.Bunkerhillrealestate.com

2 months*

FRee

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

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

• Online ads will appear immediately after they are approved.

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

Deadlines subject to change for special issues and holidays.

For legal notices please call 213-481-1448

8 7 7 - 4 L A- LO F TS Guess where Nicole loves to eat sushi and WIN!

DRE #01706351

Pricing subject to change without notice.

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noW leAsinG

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. We have approximately 7,800 square feet of space open with offices along the exterior.

Full kitchen with dishwasher, high exposed ceilings and stained floors. 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.

Living Outrageously For Today!®

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

DRE #01706351

Available Immediately S e e k S S t y l i S h M at e

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

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

www.cityloftsquare.com

I c o n I c B e au t y

ELEGANT WORLD CLASS RESORT BRAND NEW APARTMENT HOMES

Orsini

3386766 0119

FRUSTRATED BY Computers? For services or solutions for home or business, call 213458-6873.

Unfurnished rooms starting at $450 a month Laundry on site. All utilities included.

112 W 5th st., los angeles, ca 90013 213.503.7449 • www.rosslynstudios.com RENTING • BUYING • LIVING

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

RENTING • BUYING • LIVING

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

Children’s Performing Group

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Sunshine 8 7 7 - 4 L Generation A- LO F TS

Guess One of Elicia’s Favorite Cafe Hang-Outs and WIN!

Guess Ted’s Favorite Frozen Singing, Yogurt Hang-Out and WIN! dancing, performing and fun!

For boys & girls ages 3 and up!

Visit us online at www.LoftLivingLA.com

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

Visit us online at www.LoftLivingLA.com

SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433

S

28 Downtown News

December 14, 2009

Twitter/DowntownNews

We Got Games Kings Roll, Lakers and Clips Hit the Road Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/lakers.

The Lakers are the hottest team in basketball, but they’ve played fewer road games than any other squad. That changes this week, as Kobe, Pau, Derek, Lamar and the rest of the Purple and Gold embark on a stretch where they’ll play six of the next eight games as the visiting team. Then again, their foes this week are not too threatening. Look for the Chicago Bulls (Dec. 15), Milwaukee Bucks (Dec. 16), New Jersey Nets (Dec. 19) and Detroit Pistons (Dec. 20) to prove the Lakers aren’t a home hoax.

Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/clippers.

Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.: Give them this: The perennially woeful Clippers have a good amount of fight in ’em this year. By this time last season, they were essentially already out of the

playoff race, and while Baron and the boys aren’t scaring anyone yet, they’re not a laughingstock anymore. This week, they’ll try their hearts out to scare Gilbert Arenas and the Washington Wizards. After that, it’s a road trip, with visits to the Minnesota Timberwolves (Dec. 16), New York Knicks (Dec. 18) and Philadelphia 76ers (Dec. 19).

Theoretically, those are four winnable games.

Los Angeles Kings Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., 1 (888) KINGS-LA or kings.nhl.com.

The Kings are on the road again, and look to maintain a hot streak. Or do they call it a cold streak in hockey? Either way, Anze Kopitar and the team are playing some quality puck of late, winning six of their last eight matches as of press time. This week’s games are against the Vancouver Canucks (Dec. 14), Edmonton Oilers (Dec. 15) and Calgary Flames (Dec. 17). If they lose all three, well, blame Canada.

—Ryan Vaillancourt

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

Grand Tower 255 south Grand avenue Leasing Information 213 229 9777

Promenade Towers 123 south Figueroa street Leasing Information 213 617 3777

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

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

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

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

Now For Call n Specials Move-I

8 7 7 - 2 65 - 714 6

museum Tower 225 south olive street Leasing Information 213 626 1500

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

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

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

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

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

TOWERS T H E

A PA RT M E N T S

www.TowersApartmentsLA.com

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