12-24-12 by Los Angeles Downtown News

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS Volume 41, Number 52

December 24, 2012

Get Ready for New Year’s Eve

Grand Avenue apartments, Regional Connector work and other happenings Around Town

A new vision for housing and shops near L.A. State Historic Park

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

Filling the Grocery Cart Think Downtown Lacks Food Markets? With a Half-Dozen Large Outlets Open And Three More on the Way, Think Again

photos by Gary Leonard

Downtowners have a variety of mainstream, ethnic and small markets from which to get groceries, and others are on the way. Options include (clockwise from top left) the 5-year-old Ralphs Fresh Fare, Woori Market in the Little Tokyo Galleria, Grand Central Market and the new City Target. by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

owntown Los Angeles is still a young residential area, and like other emerging neighborhoods, its reputation suffers for the things it lacks. For all the bars and restaurants filling the Central City, many still point to the lack of mainstream grocery stores. Perhaps the most frequently asked question about Downtown is, “When will it get a Trader Joe’s.” Heading into 2013, the TJ’s question will persist, but the suggestion that Downtown lacks sufficient food store options may be officially outdated. Even before the scheduled openings next year of three new grocery stores — including two full-size supermarkets — Downtown already has at least six legitimate options for groceries, plus four regular farmers markets, several produce wholesalers that sell to the public and one of the city’s best seafood purveyors.

The resident demographics survey conducted by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District indicates that locals pine for that Trader Joe’s and other specialty markets such as Whole Foods. Some people still drive out of the area to hit those stores, but it’s possible to stock the fridge and pantry with basics and diverse ingredients without leaving the Central City. Not convinced? Here’s a rundown of the best local options, along with the additions slated to open in 2013. Shop Local Ralphs Fresh Fare: The massive South Park business wasn’t the first full-size grocery store in Downtown (that would have been the former Mitsuwa in Little Tokyo), but it was the first mainstream grocer to cater to the new Downtown population when it opened in 2007. The upscale iteration of the Ralphs brand stocks mostly organic produce, has a

solid wine section and carries all the basics one would expect. Additionally, there is a large prepared foods and salad bar section that is popular with the worker crowd. At 645 W. Ninth St., (213) 452-0840 or ralphs.com. Woori Market: Even though it’s a full-size grocery store, this Korean-owned spot in the fortress-like Little Tokyo Galleria is unknown to many. Those who find the business at Third and Alameda streets make it a regular pit stop for inexpensive but high quality produce, sashimi-grade fish, Jidori chicken and Snake River Farms beef and pork. As an Asian-centric market it also has more soy sauce brands than Iron Chef Morimoto would know what to do with, along with dozens of varieties of noodles and frozen pot stickers. There’s a small beer and wine selection and a respectable whiskey shelf. Weekend mornings mean tuna carving “performances” by see Supermarkets, page 8

2 Downtown News

AROUNDTOWN Grand Avenue Tower to Break Ground in January

he long-delayed Grand Avenue project is finally set to see some construction action. Developer Related Cos. was slated to begin work as soon as Friday, Dec. 21 (after Los Angeles Downtown News went to press) on a $100 million, 19-story luxury apartment tower, said Bill Witte, president of Related California. The tower designed by the Miami-based Arquitectonica will rise on Grand Avenue, just south of the under-construction Broad museum. Related will hold an official groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 10. The site, known as parcel M, was originally slated for the second phase of the Grand Avenue project. Phase one called for a Frank Gehry-designed complex with two residential towers and a hotel above a retail hub on the Grand Avenue parking lot across from Disney Hall. That portion of the project has been delayed because Related has not been able to secure financing; Related has missed multiple deadlines to break ground on the phase one piece, and instead has secured repeated extensions. The joint powers Grand Avenue Authority approved an extension for phase one through February 2013. The firm is expected to request another extension soon. For the parcel M tower, plans call for 271 units, 20% of which would be priced for low-income tenants, and 5,000 square feet of commercial space envisioned as a restaurant. The project is expected to open by late 2014.

Essel Leaves CRA Successor Agency

hen Gov. Jerry Brown axed redevelopment agencies across the state,

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Chris Essel, the then-CEO of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, stayed on to manage the successor entity charged with dissolving local redevelopment work. Now, the former Paramount Pictures executive is leaving the redevelopment world to become president of the Southern California Grantmakers. The regional association works on problem solving through effective grantmaking. Essel’s appointment will begin Feb. 1. “Ms. Essel brings to SCG decades of community building, civic involvement and leadership experience, as well as a deep knowledge of our region,” said Carl Ballton, chairman of the SCG board. “In addition, she has a high degree of visibility, extensive relationships, expertise in corporate philanthropy, finance, government and community relations, and a passion for forging creative solutions to complex community challenges.” Essel was appointed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to head the CRA in May 2010. Since July, she has managed the CRA successor agency as it winds down operations, selling excess properties and ensuring that its contractual obligations were met. The successor agency continues to meet monthly. Its actions require approval by a seven-member oversight board.

Traffic Delays for Regional Connector Work

he proposed Regional Connector is not scheduled to open until 2019, but the impacts can already be felt. On Dec. 14, crews began work to relocate underground utilities along a portion of the route of the $1.34 billion transit link that will tunnel

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through Downtown. Metro says that this portion of work, which will last through next April, will require intermittent lane closures and traffic detours in the area of Second Street between Hill and Main streets; and Broadway, Spring and Main streets between First and Third streets. The work will take place from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. MondayFriday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sunday. The project entails digging trenches in order to relocate telecommunication utilities and install conduit and new underground vaults. Crosswalks will occasionally be closed, but no more than one crosswalk will be closed at any intersection at a time, a Metro spokesperson said. Bus stops near construction areas will be temporarily relocated during project hours. Information about bus stop relocations is available by calling (213) 922-7277 or emailing regionalconnector@metro.net.

Japanese Chapel Marks 100 Years

t may not be on most Downtowners’ radar these days, but no one can deny the St. Francis Xavier Chapel Japanese Catholic Center’s history. The parish at 222 S. Hewitt St. is marking its 100-year anniversary this week. The parish was established on Dec. 25, 1912, when the first Mass with a Japanese sermon was held at a chapel at 711 Jackson St. in what today is the Arts District. The Xavier Chapel moved to its current home in 1930. According to chapel officials, St. Frances Xavier is the only Catholic parish in the country to offer Mass in Japanese on a regular basis. Over the years St. Francis has operated an orphanage, a school and a karate club. A celebratory dinner for the centennial was held last month.

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4 Downtown News

December 24, 2012

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EDITORIALS Heralding The Past

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

owntown is in the midst of a longrunning celebration of the new. This makes perfect sense — the people who in the past five or so years have opened housing complexes, restaurants, bars, stores and businesses are simultaneously reclaiming the Central City and propelling it forward. What tends to get lost amid the lauding of the present is the people who arrived in the mid to distant past and still manage to have a role in Downtown. These previous risktakers, or pioneers, to use a term popular today, generally only get their due when an anniversary that ends with a 0 rolls around. In recent weeks there have been a couple of these special anniversaries that make us remember what Downtown was once like. Los Angeles Downtown News this month reported on Pete’s Café & Bar, which began serving in the Old Bank District in 2002, and Ross Cutlery, which brothers Richard and Allen Wattenberg purchased in 1962. The survival of these businesses is worth celebrating, though for far different reasons. Pete’s was a true pioneer, the first modern eating establishment created to appeal to the burgeoning Downtown residential class. Peter McLaughlin, his wife Jerri Perrone and her business partner Tom Gilmore started the restaurant at Fourth and Main streets because they knew that the residents of the three Old Bank District buildings, and some other new housing complexes, needed a walkable, community-friendly place to eat and drink. Opening there was a huge financial gamble. A decade later it’s hard to imagine the OBD without Pete’s. Like the rest of Gilmore’s vision, it laid the groundwork that others would build upon. Once the crowds started arriving, numerous restaurateurs, many of them young and unable to afford higher rents in other neighborhoods, followed. Today the Historic Core is one of the hottest restaurant and bar scenes in the city. Ten years after Pete’s started dishing out burgers and mixing drinks, it stands as a cornerstone. Ross Cutlery, meanwhile, predated the Wattenbergs. They bought the business 50 years ago this month, and although virtually everything about Downtown has changed since then, they established a customer base that allowed them to survive. Despite the city’s sprawl and the demographic changes on Broadway over the past five decades, they offered up enough high quality knives and scissors that their base of chefs and barbers keep coming back. Those items, along with their sharpening services and an array of blades that appeal to other customers, has made Ross that rarest of breeds — a mom and pop (or in this case brother and brother) shop that survives. These are not the only venerable Downtown businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries. Running down all of them would take too long (though we’re pleased to say that Downtown News is also in its 40th year, and of course we’ll have more on that later). We’re grateful for all of the entrepreneurs who chose to settle here and continue to serve the public. Along with the new, they are part of making Downtown the vibrant place it is today.

Those Perplexing Park Problems

n the annals of things frustrating to Downtowners, it’s hard to top the state of the “park” at the Police Administration Building. Its enduring foibles are maddening. The inability of local officials to get this public space up to snuff is precisely what makes Angelenos scoff at government and question who is in charge of cash and long-term planning. Here’s a simple bit of advice: Fix this situation. It may seem like a small matter, but it’s a real quality-of-life issue to those who work and live in the area. Los Angeles Downtown News this month reported on how the 3-year-old space is filled with blight spots and gardening disasters. Although the PAB cost an amazing $440 million to build, the city is now looking at a planting replacement program that could run up to $550,000. For whatever reason, those who decided to surround the replacement for Parker Center with public space and greenery lacked the foresight to include money for a maintenance program. The fact that problems continue at the dawn of 2013 is frustrating. A hubbub was raised in 2011 when plants started dying, grass began turning brown and garbage was not cleared. For a while the south lawn/unofficial dog park (which sometimes doubles as a staging area for LAPD’s major operations) was in particularly bad

shape. If not for a group of neighborhood council members who began voluntarily cleaning the property, the situation would have been even worse. Earlier this year it seemed things would improve. Councilwoman Jan Perry helped find $800,000 to care for the property. Turns out, this was no silver bullet. When city workers started looking closely at the park, they found that some damage was irreparable, and they determined that the best solution would be replacing the plantings along Spring Street. Then, in the effort to save money on maintenance, they let the Spring Street portion grow and grow and grow. This decision was questionable at best. We understand saving cash when a replanting will start in February, but the property is now a mess. They could have at least split the difference and done some trimming. Local officials should remember that in situations like this the damage isn’t just to what is immediately visible, but to Los Angeles’ reputation as well. The state of the park and the need for a major replacement so soon after opening are black eyes for the city and, because it surrounds their headquarters, the LAPD. This was entirely preventable. This is maddening.

Star-Spangled Design

hen pondering Downtown’s architectural landmarks, a few properties spring to mind: There are historic edifices such as City Hall, the Bradbury Building and the Eastern Columbia Building. There are modern structures, most notably Walt Disney Concert Hall. By the end of next year, there may be a new Downtown architectural landmark, and while we could be getting ahead of ourselves, we’re thrilled with the potential of the Star Apartments. The property under construction at Sixth and Maple streets in Skid Row just could revolutionize what people think of when they envision low-income housing. The building is being developed by Skid Row Housing Trust and designed by the accomplished Silver Lake-based architect Michael Maltzan. It commands attention

both for the look and because it is utilizing individual pre-made units that are assembled in Idaho and then trucked to Los Angeles. Work crews recently began lowering the residences into place atop a fortified one-story building. Ultimately the 102 apartments will be stacked atop each other. The Star follows the permanent supportive housing model, meaning that those just off the streets will also have access within the building to services such as job training and substance abuse treatment. Traditionally, high design has been low on the list of priorities for structures that house the recently homeless. A more pressing matter has been keeping costs down. Hence the heavy use of simple square and rectangular edifices painted gray or another drab color. In this instance, SRHT and Maltzan fig-

ured out a way to keep prices in check and make the building stand out visually. The prefabricated units will cost less than constructing new residences on site. Utilizing the existing one-story property also allows space for the supportive services and some common and recreation areas, among them a basketball court and a running track. Although the design is striking, perhaps we should not be completely surprised. Maltzan previously worked with Skid Row Housing Trust on the dynamic New Carver Apartments. The 2009 building at 17th and Hope streets stood out for its circular shape and dazzling interior courtyard. Part of the intent, officials said at the time, was to deliver the message to residents that they deserve more than boring, cookie cutter design. The Star Apartments will debut late next year. Hopefully the project will remind others that low-income housing can be inventive, appealing and affordable.

December 24, 2012

The Readers Respond

LETTERS Another Downtown Eyesore Dear Editor, our recent story “Downtown’s Worst Eyesores” (Dec. 3, by Ryan Vaillancourt), while comprehensive, omitted one: the well-trafficked Calvin S. Hamilton Pedway on Bunker Hill. I’m not surprised. Even the city doesn’t know where this location is. The block-long walkway above Figueroa and Third streets that connects the World Trade Center with Bunker Hill Towers and Figueroa Courtyard has become, literally, a dump — despite the fact that hundreds of people traverse it each day. While the location may be obscure to some, those of us who use it daily can’t ignore the trash, the busted- and burnt-out lights, and the graffiti scrawled along virtually its entire length. Broken beer bottles and dog waste often punctuate this bit of once-tidy terrain. Even a spectacular coral tree has been left to die. Long tended by some of my older neighbors, who lugged gallon jugs of water from their apartment to feed it, they’ve aged out of their self-assigned chore. Other trees have gone unclipped for months, and their weedy overgrowth at the top of the spiral staircase from Third Street now provides a storage unit, of sorts, for a homeless man’s few belongings. The pedway has also become a spot for late-night partiers and some bike messengers. It’s too far from the World Trade Center and Bunker Hill Towers for the management of either place to police it.

Downtown News 5

Opinion

For those unfamiliar, the pedway opened in the 1970s as part of the redevelopment of Downtown. It was named for the city planner who championed the 10 walkways that connect buildings in the area. Indeed, for years it provided a safe alternative to walking at street level. Residents, office workers and students at the local charter high school mingle and give the neighborhood a vibrant feel. In my nearly nine years here, there haven’t been any problems — until now. When I went online months ago to report the trouble, the city map wouldn’t accept my request — it didn’t understand the location. Myriad calls to humans in various city agencies were met with, “What’s a pedway?” There was confusion over where to direct my concern. I know the city is in financial disarray, that there are larger and far more pressing issues. But watching this little slice of pedestrian life go to pieces is our own Downtown symbol of the eroding quality of life throughout Los Angeles. —Lisa Napoli, Bunker Hill Los Angeles Downtown News encourages letters. They become the property of Los Angeles Downtown News and may be edited. All letters should be typewritten and include an address and telephone number for verification. Please send them to: Letter to the Editor 1264 W. First St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 Fax to: (213) 250-4617 Email to: realpeople@downtownnews. com

Website Comments on the LAPD Park, Pete’s Café and the Wesson-Riordan Clash

very week Los Angeles Downtown News gets online comments to the stories we publish. Additional comments are welcome at ladowntownnews.com. Regarding the article “LAPD Park’s Maintenance Malfunction,” published Dec. 10, by Ryan Vaillancourt

his is a real shame. I remember seeing the garden when it was first planted and thinking that it was such a great landscape design with unusual drought-tolerant plants. I hope whatever they replace the plants with isn’t too off the mark or typical looking and continues to be drought tolerant. —Dawn Cody, Dec. 12, 10:21 p.m. Regarding the article “A Decade Under the Influence of Pete’s,” published Dec. 10, by Richard Guzmán

took a tour with a couple of friends of the San Fernando, Hellman and Continental buildings around 2001. The tour started in the empty space that is now Pete’s. Admiring the yet-to-be polished white tile, we thought, “Wow, this could be a beautiful restaurant.” One of those friends moved Downtown in 2006, and the other friend and I moved Downtown in 2007, and Pete’s was the first place we frequented. Good times, fond memories. —Scott Bogash, Dec. 10, 5:01 p.m. Regarding the article “Skidmore, Owings

& Merrill to Design Federal Courthouse,” published Dec. 10, by Richard Guzmán

et’s hope that the initial renderings do not indicate a final design. SOM has done some good work in the past, but this project makes them look like tightly budgeted rank amateurs. —William Wilson, Dec. 12, 9:16 a.m. Regarding the editorial “Disrespectful Wesson Owes Riordan and the City an Apology,” published Dec. 10

am no fan of Mr. Wesson, but Riordan has no one to blame but himself for being unwelcome after the fumbled pension reform he promoted with only his fellow plutocrats as supporters. It brought new depths to the elitist/clueless manner of insider influence Riordan has engaged in over the decades. Except for his pile of wealth (which he has even joked was acquired by less than honorable means à la Mitt Romney) he would be of no consequence. —Dana Gabbard, Dec. 11, 2:20 p.m.

hen Riordan was mayor this was a city I was proud of. We have turned into a city run by and for the workers with little concern for the citizens. I met Mr. Wesson when he was first running for City Council. I found him to be very arrogant and I am not surprised that he would disrespect the former mayor. —Scott Campbell, Dec. 11, 3:51 p.m.

6 Downtown News

December 24, 2012

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New Plan for ‘Cornfield’ Area Zoning Rules Prize Pedestrians, Affordable Housing Staff WRiteR he portion of Downtown between the Los Angeles State Historic Park and the Los Angeles River is a somewhat bleak, tree-less patchwork of industrial zones, junkyards and public housing. It’s also the target of an expansive plan to bring housing, shops and a host of other improvements. If successful, proponents say, it would transform the area into a thriving neighborhood with ample affordable housing. On Dec. 13, the city Planning Commission unanimously approved the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan, a set of zoning regulations that by 2035 are estimated to create enough housing to support more than 26,000 additional residents. The 660-acre project area includes the triangular section of Downtown bounded by the park, the river and, to the south, College Street. It extends northeast into Lincoln Heights. “This is a tremendous opportunity for us to change how this area will grow for the next 20 years,” said City Councilman Ed Reyes, whose First District includes the area. The project was spurred in part by the city’s recognition that the Metro Gold Line, which opened in 2004, was spurring development along portions of the route in neighborhoods such as Highland Park and near its Chinatown station. Such growth hasn’t come to the Specific Plan area, however, partly because much of it is zoned for heavy manufacturing and industrial uses that are increasingly obsolete.

photo by Gary Leonard

by Ryan VaillancouRt

The Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan, which includes 660 acres in the vicinity of Los Angeles State Historic Park, aims to make it easier to develop housing and bring other improvements to the largely low-income neighborhood.

“The land use stagnated because we were stuck in a 1940s mindset,” Reyes said. “We were stuck in the place where the area behaved as if we still had rail spurs, we still had the type of activity that depended on railroad technology.” Today, a developer could propose a housing project in the area east of the L.A. State Historic Park, or the “Cornfield,” but it would require a litany of hearings and a slew of zoning exceptions. There would be no guarantee of approval. If the Specific Plan is passed by the City Council, it would clearly establish what developers could build, officials said. The Specific Plan establishes four new “zones” with varying land-use regulations including a range of residential density limits. Aside from the Greenway Zone, which generally runs along the river, the other zones

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would allow commercial, residential and/or light-industrial developments. Affordability Challenge During the past two years, as city planners have developed the regulations, affordable housing advocates have watched warily. They worried that an effort to jumpstart marketrate residential projects would leave behind the low-income communities now in the area. The portion of the plan area west of the river includes the 449-unit William Mead Homes, a public housing project at 1300 N. Main St. run by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. The median income throughout the project area is $25,000 for a four-person household, said Remy De La Paz, an attorney with Public Counsel, which represented community members pushing for more affordable housing provisions.

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Public Counsel pushed the Planning Department to include a provision that requires housing developers to include affordable units in exchange for extra density. Those incentives are considered “rather generous,” said City Planner Claire Bowin. For example, said Bowin, for every square foot of an extremely low-income unit set aside for someone earning 35% or less of the area median household income (approximately $60,000), a project would be granted an extra 18 square feet for market-rate units. The bonus varies with the level of affordability. The affordable housing provisions, which were first recommended by city Planning staff at the Dec. 13 hearing, prompted Public Counsel and other housing advocates to support the project. “We hope that the plan in total really is a meaningful transit-oriented development plan,” De La Paz said. “This a transit rich area that we want to be vibrant and sustainable with amenities like open space, affordable housing and community opportunities, but not at the expense of the existing community that lives there.” Reyes, who is termed out next year, said the plan could be a model for other parts of Los Angeles, especially blighted neighborhoods still governed by an antiquated zoning code. “If the city could embrace this process then we could enliven and stimulate new economies throughout the city,” Reyes said. “Instead of being reactive, this is being proactive.” The proposal will go to the Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee, which Reyes chairs, and after that to the full council. The hearings have not yet been scheduled. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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December 24, 2012

Downtown News 7

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Women’s Center’s Old Home Is New Again Long-Running Service Facility Gets a Second Building and a Second Shop by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

achel Cowles left her frigid Northern Idaho home for the warmth of Southern California. But when Cowles, who is diabetic and requires a wheelchair, landed in Los Angeles, she did not necessarily find respite. For the past year-and-a-half she slept in cars, cheap hotels and shelters. Most recently, Cowles stayed at the Union Rescue Mission in Skid Row. For meals, she often visited the Downtown Women’s Center, a service provider exclusively for homeless women. She went for the food, but was also introduced to the potential for permanent housing. The DWC, which was founded in 1978, opened a $26 million San Pedro Street facility in 2010. Cowles was told there was a two-year wait to get one of the 71 apartments. So when the DWC announced that its original, smaller headquarters on Los Angeles Street would also be rehabbed — it had been temporarily shuttered when the nonprofit

other aspects of small business, Mason said. Revenue from the shops, and from sales of the same goods at Bloomingdale’s in Century City and at Hudson News at LAX, goes toward supporting the nonprofit. So far, the effort is generating a small profit, said Watson. But turning big profits is not necessarily the goal, she said. “The whole thing with social enterprise is really about providing women with the core support that they need,” Watson said. “We talk about supportive housing. Now we’re talking about supportive employment. We value it more toward the impact than the financial side.” Cowles is an active member of the craft workshops that

produce goods for the shops. She also participates in a DWC program that coaches women in storytelling. The entire DWC experience has given her the beginning of a new life, but Cowles said she is mindful that her path to stability is ongoing. A tarot hobbyist, she broke out her pack of cards on a recent afternoon to get a little folk wisdom. “There is more to do,” the card read. “You’ve gained a lot from where you are but you still have a lot more to fulfill… don’t stop now.” Cowles put the deck down. “That just actually makes a whole lot of sense,” she said. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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After nearly two years bouncing from shelters to cars, Rachel Cowles has an apartment in the Downtown Women’s Center’s recently renovated Los Angeles Street facility.

moved to San Pedro Street — Cowles acted quickly to submit a rental application. “I was one of the first people at 6 a.m. waiting in line,” she said of the December 2011 morning. Fast forward to the present day, and Cowles is now living in her own studio apartment in the DWC’s original facility following a $5 million renovation of the building at 333 S. Los Angeles St. In reopening its original home, the DWC has grown its apartment supply from 48 to 119 units. Of the 71 women who moved into the San Pedro Street building two years ago, all remain stable and housed, said DWC Executive Director Lisa Watson. There are other types of growth too. In 2011, the DWC aided 4,300 women, a 72% increase over the previous year. There is also a new form of community engagement. When the San Pedro Street building debuted, the organization tried something of an experiment by opening a ground floor store. The shop Made by DWC is a cafe and boutique that sells crafts created by DWC residents and clients, who are paid for their efforts. In renovating the Los Angeles Street structure, the organization also opened a second, larger Made by DWC. The shop, which occupies the building’s former drop-in center, sells the same handmade crafts plus an array of donated clothes. Just don’t come only expecting Goodwill-type finds. The Los Angeles Street shop is more of a secondhand boutique with everything from a $5 bar of soap to a Marc Jacobs dress for $50 to a pair of Jimmy Choo heels for $85. That range of goods is meant to appeal to a diverse customer base, from Skid Row residents to Historic Core loft dwellers, said Annah Mason, who manages the stores. Attached to the retail space is a sort of workshop where customers will sometimes see women creating the crafts. DWC residents and clients will also have the opportunity to work as retail interns, learning about customer service and

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with bulk food items is primarily patronized by small restaurateurs who need 50-pound sacks of potatoes for a few nights’ worth of French fries. But this Thai-centric market sells to the public should you too need a massive sack of onions or something similar. There is also a seafood section where you can grab an array of ocean creatures, including Maine lobster, as well as a separate area for Thai sculptures and furnishings (don’t try to eat those). On weekends, snag one of the coconut cakes sold by a vendor outside. At 1100 N. Main St., (323) 343-9000 or lax-c.com.

Supermarkets Continued from page 1 sushi masters. Warning: You may leave with a Korean pop earworm from the in-store stereo. At 333 S. Alameda St., (213) 617-0030 or ewoorimarket.com. Marukai: This is a small, Japanese-centric market in Little Tokyo. It has just the basics in the produce department to go along with an array of snacks and sweets (green tea Kit-Kats, anyone? Hai!). It is not, however, the place to stock up on groceries for the week. Think of it more like a novelty stop-in, where you can grab a bento box to go along with those leeks you forgot to grab at Ralphs for dinner. Or, if thinly sliced shabu shabu beef is what you need, then Marukai is for you. At 123 S. Onizuka St., (213) 893-7200 or marukai.com. City Target: The recently opened City Target at the revamped FIGat7th came with a sizable grocery section. Get the basics from eggs, milk and packaged chicken breasts to cheese and bread. There is a small array of fruit, like bananas and apples, plus packages of cut-up fruit, bags of salad greens and veggies. The store is stocked deep with frozen and packaged foods and contains a sizable beer aisle. Per Target’s reputation, none of the items will break the bank. At 735 S. Figueroa St., (213) 330-4543 or target.com. Two Bits Market: Sort of like the Historic Core’s answer to Little Tokyo’s Marukai, Two Bits is not where you’re going to fill the fridge for the week. But its stock of organic produce and fruit will tide you over for a

photo by Gary Leonard

Construction is underway at Urban Radish in the Arts District. It will offer artisanal cheeses, sustainable foodstuffs and more.

couple of days. The small shop utilizes the space well, with a solid charcuterie case and nice cheeses. A small freezer keeps grass-fed ground beef and the occasional steak or pork chop. There is always fresh bread, and the “day-old” baguettes are marked down 50%. It’s also the kind of mom-and-pop shop where the proprietors will happily package some of their fresh items used for prepared sandwiches if they can’t otherwise be found on the shelves. At 210 W. Fifth St., (213) 6272636 or twobitsmarket.com. Grand Central Market: Some Downtown denizens swear by Grand Central Market’s low-priced produce and Latin American foodstuffs, from bulk dry beans to vari-

ous moles to pan dulce. Others eschew the Mexican tomatoes and peppers because they often bear bruises and fruit fly halos. But if you’re not buying all organic anyway, the produce here is roughly equivalent to what you’ll find in most markets, only it doesn’t come wrapped in cellophane. There’s a butcher who, again, isn’t chopping up free-range grass-fed steers, but few meat purveyors do these days. The butcher does, however, offer whole pig heads. Oink! At 317 S. Broadway, (213) 624-2378 or grandcentralsquare.com.

Next Up Urban Radish: Early next year, the Arts District will be home to Urban Radish. The small market focusing on seasonal produce and quality meats is slated to open a short walk from Linear City’s concentration of residences at the southern end of the Arts District. Construction on the shop started this month. With its promise of artisanal cheeses and sustainable foodstuffs, Urban Radish could start to satisfy the area’s desire for a higher end market At 660 Mateo St., facebook.com/urbanradish.

Farmers Markets: These weekly markets represent the best produce available in the Central City. Those who care about fruit and veggie quality make one of the four Downtown markets a weekly tradition. They’re at Pershing Square on Wednesdays; City Hall East and FIGat7th on Thursdays; Bank of America Plaza on Fridays; and in the Historic Core on Fifth Street, between Spring Street and Broadway, on Sundays.

Smart & Final Extra: The Commercebased grocery chain specializing in bulk food items at low prices plans to open a store at 845 S. Figueroa St. in late 2013. The shop will be 25,000 square feet. The market is known for serving two primary demographics: business entities stocking up on office supplies — from bulk bottled water to paper towels — and household shoppers looking to fill the pantry for the week or host a big party on a budget. At 845 S. Figueroa St., smartandfinal.com.

L.A. Fish Co.: It’s not a supermarket, but those looking for seafood in Downtown should look no further than this wholesaler that also sells to the public. Get your tuna, grouper, oysters, salmon, razor clams and shrimp from the same purveyor that sells to hundreds of Los Angeles restaurants. The catch is that the shop is in Skid Row and the hours are limited. Monday-Friday, it’s open from 6-10:45 a.m. and noon-2 p.m. On Saturday, it’s open from 6-9 a.m. and it’s closed on Sundays. Think of it as an adventure. At 420 Stanford Ave., (213) 629-1213 or lafishco.com. photo by Gary Leonard

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Canton Food Co.: Another bulk supplies joint for the restaurant industry, Canton Food Co., which is a bit south of the American Apparel headquarters, sells to the public too. Imagine a full-service grocery store, but where everything comes in triplesize bags. It’s sort of like a Chinese Costco. At 750 S. Alameda St., (213) 688-7707.

The Wholesalers LAX-C: This massive warehouse stocked

Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market: The store for everything is building out a 33,000-square-foot market on the ground floor of Grand Plaza, a 302-unit senior housing complex at Cesar Chavez and Grand avenues. It will be another option for budget friendly groceries and household items, plus a pharmacy. While part of the target audience is Downtown dwellers, it is also aiming for residents of nearby Echo Park and Angeleno Heights. At 701 W. Cesar Chavez Ave., walmart.com. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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The Last Man Out After 39 Years at the Herald-Examiner Building, Charles Lutz Is Ready to Retire by Richard Guzmán city editor

ven as the last of his fellow employees were leaving the Herald-Examiner building when the newspaper published its final edition on Nov. 2, 1989, no one told Charles Lutz that he too had to go. So he stayed on the payroll and continued coming to work as part of the three-person closeout crew. When that assignment ended no one from the New York-based Hearst Corporation — the newspaper’s parent company, which still owns the structure at 1111 S. Broadway — told Lutz that he was no longer needed at the vacant building. So he kept coming back to work every day. Now, the day of departure is finally approaching. On Jan. 9, 2013, after 39 years, Lutz will leave the building. While Lutz admits he’s had it pretty easy in the last few years — he insists on not walking unless he absolutely has to — he’s not going to miss the job. “I can’t wait for it to get here,” he said, referring to his last day. With a celebratory tone that escalated into a laugh, he added, “Because then I won’t have to come to work anymore!” That’s not to say the 68-year-old building manager hasn’t been a passionate worker for nearly four decades. “It goes without saying Chuck has been a dedicated L.A. Herald-Examiner and Hearst Corporation employee,” said Marty Cepkauskas, the San Francisco-based director of real estate for Hearst and Lutz’s boss. “He is the person with all the answers. He’s

the go-to man for anything to do with the property.” When the paper closed in 1989 some Herald-Examiner employees moved on to other positions with the company, but Lutz is the only one from that era still at the old building, which is now mainly used for film shoots, Cepkauskas said. He will be replaced by another Hearst employee who has no ties to the Herald-Examiner. Getting Paid William Randolph Hearst founded the Los Angeles Examiner in 1903. In 1913 he commissioned architect Julia Morgan to design the 100,000-square-foot building at the corner of Broadway and 11th Street. In 1962 the newspaper merged with the Herald Express to become the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. Lutz moved to Los Angeles from Ohio with his brother in 1965 to look for work. He later learned from a neighbor about a job at the Herald-Examiner driving trucks and delivering newspapers to dealers, who at the time brought the papers to subscribers. It was 1974 and about 1,800 people worked in the building, Lutz recalls. He worked nights and ended each shift with a 4 a.m. breakfast at a coffee shop across the street. “It wasn’t hard,” said Lutz, who sports a short gray beard and a hefty physique. “You had a good time, you did your job and you got paid.” Lutz moved through several departments at the paper, from a stint in outside purchasing where he would head to Costco to buy

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photo by Gary Leonard

Charles Lutz in his office facing the parking lot of the vacant Herald Examiner building. Although the paper stopped publishing in 1989, he stayed on as a caretaker for the property.

office supplies, to taking inventory of newspapers in stock to other odd jobs, some of which he can’t recall. “That’s why I don’t walk now, because I did enough walking then,” he said. Lutz arrives at work at about 6 a.m. As building manager he takes care of any problems that arise. These days that mostly means calling the plumber or electrician if anything goes wrong. Or if the gate breaks and he can’t fix it himself, he will call a repairman. He’s also in charge of signing a lot of film contracts, since the building is currently mainly used for that purpose. He checks the mail, makes sure bills get paid and collects several newspapers a day, which he then sends to the San Francisco office so Hearst officials have hard copies of local news. His most frequent contacts are employees of Hollywood Locations, which represents the building for film shoots. They include Shannon Halliday, who has an office at the property.

“Chuck is very blunt and to the point,” Halliday said. “I like working with him. He’s a breath of fresh air.” Halliday, who also works for Hearst to help maintain the building, often brings Lutz his breakfast, along with his newspapers, and he collects the mail for him. He also makes sure that when film crews are in the building no ones moves his stuff or takes anything from the property, since that really upsets Lutz. “I am going to miss Chuck,” Halliday said. “There’s a sense of stability when he’s here.” A week after Lutz stops working his brother will retire as a Metro bus driver. The two plan to move to Nevada and have a few horses, which Lutz loves to train. Lutz doesn’t expect to look back after his final day at work. “I’m just happy to be done,” he said. “At 68-years old I’m kind of old and run down. I want to take it easy.” Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

10 Downtown News

December 24, 2012

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New Year’s Eve

Eat, Dance and Rock Out on New Year’s Eve

oodbyes tend to be sad occasions, except when people say goodbye to another year. After mumbling and stumbling through “Auld Lang Syne” because no one actually knows the words, the night usually turns into a party. Come New Year’s Eve, there will be plenty of that happening in Downtown Los Angeles. Best of all, there is something for seemingly everyone, whether it involves a nice meal, dancing or music. Here are some of the many ways in Downtown that you can welcome 2013.

CatCh a Show Seeing Redd In recent years The Alexandria has turned into a happening spot. On Dec. 31, the Historic Core building that holds The Gorbals restaurant and Garrett Morris’ Downtown Blues & Comedy Club will also be the site of the community’s biggest New Year’s Eve concert. Stalwart pop punks Redd Kross and heavy hitters The Melvins will perform in the hotel’s King Eddie Ballroom. The show, presented by Spaceland, Blundertown and radio station KROQ, is for the 21 and over crowd, and in the words of the organizers, “black dress attire is preferred.” Redd Kross, a pioneer of the L.A. punk scene in the ’80s, is still fronted by brothers Jeff and Steve McDonald; the band recently released their first album in 15 years, Researching the Blues. The Melvins, meanwhile, formed in Seattle in the early ’80s and are known for their dark, heavy and moody sound. They influenced

Pacific Northwest acts including Nirvana and Soundgarden, even if they never got the acclaim of their more accessible brethren. At 501 S. Spring St., tickets at theecho.com.

Have a Hart Starting the new year with a few laughs is never a bad thing, and comedian Kevin Hart will try his hardest to help you do just that. The funnyman will perform at Staples Center on Dec. 31 at 10 p.m. In addition to dominating on the stand-up circuit, he’s been on the big screen in films like this year’s Think Like a Man. He also notched roles on sitcoms such as “Modern Family.” At 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or staplescenter.com.

Vienna to Idina On Dec. 31, the Walt Disney Concert Hall hosts two performances by Tony winner Idina Menzel. You may know her for her Broadway turns in Rent and Wicked and on TV’s “Glee.” She’s also known for singing some of Broadway’s best-known tunes, and in Downtown on New Year’s Eve she’ll do it twice, with shows at 7 and 10:30 p.m. In case you want to get an early jump on the new year, Disney Hall is also going continental. Dec. 30 marks the return of the program Salute to Vienna. The 2:30 p.m. show pays homage to the king of waltzes, Johann Strauss Jr. The concert re-creates Neujahrskonzert, which is the New Year’s concert of the Vienna Philharmonic. It will be conducted by Austrian native Andreas Mitisek of Long Beach Opera.

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photo by Gary Leonard

With a Lineup of Parties, Shows and Meals, Downtown Has Something for Everyone on Dec. 31

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Idina Menzel will perform two New Year’s Eve shows at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

At 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.com. Information on Salute to Vienna at salutetovienna.com.

Dance Mix The EDM crowd never misses a reason to dance the night away. Fortunately for them, on Dec. 31 there will be plenty of electro house and techno dance music with DJs Nicky Romero and Zedd. The show starts at 9 p.m. at Club Nokia. Expect a cornucopia of dazzling sounds from the duo who teamed for the track “Human.” They’ll break in the new year by playing some of their best mixes. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-5000 or clubnokia.com.

All for One Speaking of raves, there’s nothing like the

Together as One party, which every year attracts thousands of revelers. The website doesn’t list who’s manning the turntables, but it’s a safe belt that some big names will be on hand and they’ll share their love of the music. In case that’s not enough dancey unity, there is also a pre-party taking place on Dec. 29. Everything happens at the Shrine Exposition Hall. At 649 W. Jefferson Blvd. or newyearsevela.com.

Eat Up Less Is More The folks at WP24 initially planned on offering a 10-course tasting menu for $190 on New Year’s Eve. But things got changed up at the Wolfgang Puck outlet. Now the venue on the 24th floor of the Convention Center hotel

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December 24, 2012

Downtown News 11

is offering a four-course dinner for $110. The meal includes options like “Angry” live Maine lobster, roasted Peking duck, glazed pork belly and glazed quail. Exceptionally hungry diners can get extra side dishes like Shanghai noodles and the stir-fried wild mushrooms, both for $14. At 900 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 743-8800 or wolfgangpuck.com.

photo by Gary Leonard

New Year’s Eve

Noé Year’s Eve As the night progresses, Noé Restaurant & Bar is going to be taking things up a notch as it offers different ways to say farewell to 2012. The celebration at the restaurant in the Omni Los Angeles Hotel starts at 5 p.m. with a three-course dinner, followed by a four-course meal at 7 p.m. and the grand finale, a six-course feast at 9:30 p.m. Noé’s neo bistro cuisine specializes in seafood, and the wines come from around the world. At 251 S. Olive St., (213) 356-4100 or noerestaurant.com.

photo by Gary Leonard

Get in touch with your inner Gatsby at the Fashion District’s Pattern Bar, where Dec. 31 brings a Roaring ’20s party.

Grill Time Downtown restaurant veterans Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken are still going strong more than a decade after opening Ciudad. While Ciudad is now a Border Grill, the chefs are still cooking in Downtown and they’re gearing up for New Year’s Eve. On Dec. 31, Border Grill will serve a four-course, prix fixe meal for $65 that will include an oxtail tamale, a bacon-wrapped steak and lobster surf and turf, and for dessert roasted banana crepes with dulce de leche and vanilla bean ice cream. The drinks, including a bevy of inventive cocktails, are up to you. At 445 S. Figueroa St., (213) 486-5171 or bordergrill.com.

Party Hardy Stylish Fun The Fashion District’s Pattern Bar is a fashionable place and they’re having one fashionable Roaring ’20s New Year’s Eve party. So get in touch with your inner Gatsby at the black tie affair that begins at 9 p.m. Enjoy tiny tempting tapas and an open bar while dancing to the soundscapes of bar owner Eduardo Castillo. It’s a blend of classic looks and spirits with modern music. At 100 W. Ninth St., (213) 627-7774 or patternbar.com.

Still Here Those unreliable Mayans, they told us the world would end Dec. 21. Yet here we are still hanging on for another New Year’s party. But there is a Mayan you can still trust to deliver what they promise: the Mayan Theater. The veteran Hill Street club promises a good time when it comes to celebrating the new year with some music and dancing. Starting at 8 p.m., the club will be bumping with a trio of music masters. DJ Pedro el Sabroso, DJ Pepper and DJ Saturn will spin a see New Year’s, page 12

The Edison celebrates boiler room chic with a massive party. There will be music, stilt walkers and someone pushing an absinthe cart.

12 Downtown News

photo courtesy Redd Kross

Continued from page 11 variety of genres on different floors of the Downtown party palace. Bring your moves and your appetite because there’s also a dessert and appetizer lounge, as well as a champagne toast at midnight. At 1038 S. Hill St., (213) 746-4674 or clubmayan.com

photo courtesy The Melvins

New Year’s

December 24, 2012

New Year’s Eve

Redd Kross (right) and the Melvins break in 2013 with a show at the Alexandria Hotel.

Conga Ball The Conga Room’s annual La Desvelada masquerade ball and circus returns to celebrate the new year and the club’s 10th anniversary. The party will be hosted by radio station Latino 96.3 DJ Sandra Peña. It will include DJs Lu Rox and Santa Rosa as well as aerialists and other circus acts. The Azucar VIP room will be blasting cumbia and merengue while Boca, the restaurant space, will be turned into a top 40, hip-hop and flashbacks dance floor. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 745-0162 or congaroom.com.

Golden Ticket Those who don’t want to waste their money on expensive tickets, gather round and thank the Golden Gopher. The Eighth Street spot plans to party with DJ Mike T, who will spin rock, pop, punk and soul to accompany the $6 drink specials and a champagne cocktail menu. If you want to save even more you can always grab a Pabst Blue Ribbon and chill out. At 417 W. Eighth St., (213) 614-8001 or goldengopherbar.com.

Boiler Ball Live music, a DJ, aerialists, stilt walk-

ers, dancers and more will all occupy the 100-year-old Higgins Building for The Edison’s Dec. 31 Cabaret Ball. The club known for its boiler room decor and potent cocktails will feature the Green Fairy on Dec. 31. While it may seem like a bad trip, it’s actually someone traversing the 14,000-square-foot venue with a tiny trolley car containing Kubler absinthe. The party starts at 8 p.m. Dress up. At 108 W. Second St., (213) 613-0000 or edisondowntown.com.

Next Level Take the party to the next level. Actually, take it to the 21st level and make sure to bring your finest duds, because a strict dress code will be enforced at Elevate Lounge. The New Year’s Eve party at the penthouse space overlooking the Financial District starts at 9 p.m. The $50 admission includes a glass of champagne at midnight. VIP tickets and table service will be available for those with deeper pockets. The drinking will stop at 2 a.m., but the music from DJ Ekidd will go on for another 45 minutes.

photo courtesy of Salute to Vienna

Get a jump on New Year’s Eve with a Dec. 30 replica of Neujahrskonzert, the New Year’s concert of the Vienna Philharmonic. The Salute to Vienna event takes place at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

drunk. Metro is helping accomplish this mandatory goal with free rides. All Metro rail and bus lines will be free starting at 9 p.m. Dec. 31. If your party goes past 2 a.m., Metro rail lines will still be open, but the regular fares will apply. Information at metro.net.

At 811 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 623-7100 or elevatelounge.com.

Take a Ride One of the most important things to remember on New Year’s Eve is never, ever drive

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Downtown News 13

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CALENDAR photo by Ed Krieger

The holiday STage

photo by Ed Krieger

Performers at the L.A. County Holiday Celebration include (clockwise from top left) the Jouyssance Early Music Ensemble, the Colburn Children’s Choir, the Harmonic Bronze Handbell Ensemble, Double G and Strings and the Pacifico Dance Company.

County Delivers Its Annual ‘Gift’ to Locals, a Diverse, Three-Hour Performance on Christmas Eve

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lmost every family has its Christmas traditions,

whether they involve at the crack of Fan Downtown Newswaking on up Facebook dawn to make a dash for the presents under the & Be Entered to Win Movie Tickets! tree, or getting together for a meal.

Los Angeles County has its own tradition, but it takes place the day before the holiday arrives. The 53rd Annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration starts at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 24. Over the span of three hours, more than 20 local choirs, dance companies and other ensembles will take the stage at the 2,600-seat Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The event, as always, is free, the county’s version of a gift to the 10 million area residents. “It’s the signature event for Christmas for Los m or s.cothe Angeles,” said Laura Zucker, executive director nNewof at Downtow hand corner maillist ht rig r pe Los Angeles County Arts s/which produces e up Commission, l in th s.com/form E-NEWS Look for this symbo wntownnew UPcelebration. www.lado SIGNthe Lines usually form early and people traditionally cycle in and out of the show. While thousands are expected to make it into the Chandler, others will watch it live on KCET TV (channel 28 in Los Angeles). The show will also be broadcast on radio station KPFK 90.7 FM and on the web at kcet.org. Close to 100 groups and acts applied to be part of the concert, but the list was narrowed down to 22. Those selected, said Zucker, best reflect the county’s cultural, artistic and musical spectrum. “We also want to get the best possible mix of what’s going to work on the stage and what’s going to fit in with the holiday theme,” she said. New this year is a webcam in the backstage area. This will allow those at home to watch the acts as they prepare s to take the stage. It should be fevered, considering that ntownNew om/L.A.Dow .c k o o b ce each group only Fa plays for approximately five minutes. The roster includes amateur acts, professional groups and performers who have a long history with the concert. There are also newcomers to the event, among them Geoff “Double G” Gallegos. The founder of the popular daKAH Hip-Hip Orchestra, an act with about 70 members that has played numerous dates at the California Plaza Watercourt during the summer, this time will take the stage with his six-musician ensemble Double G and Strings.

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“The show was definitely something we wanted to do,” at Disneyland, having performed there nine times. Gallegos said. “The whole vibe of it, it’s always a good “It’s tough to be chosen consistently, since we try to Starts Nov.21/Dec.7 time.” rotate groups,” Zucker said. “But Harmonic Bronze Double G and Strings, whose members come from the brings in something every year. They up the game.” daKAH Orchestra, will perform Monday at 3:15 p.m. Other highlights include the Jouyssance Early Music The act is one of the few that didn’t have to try out for Ensemble. The Los Angeles-based vocal group performs the show. Instead, Zucker said, they were recruited by music written before 1650, mostly a cappella. members of the Arts Commission. At the Downtown Los Angeles event they will perform Check Our Website for Full Listings “We actively scout throughout theMovie year. We’re always LADowntownNews.com traditional Mexican Christmas songs with a blend of on the lookout for new acts,” Zucker said. Spanish and Nahuatl, an Aztec language still spoken in Musical Roots parts of Mexico. The first holiday show was organized by the late The celebration will offer other international touches County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn. It was originally a 12- that reflect the diversity of Los Angeles County. The hour event called the Christmas Program. Shakti Dance Company will perform a classic Indian In the early years the show took place in the large dance while the Shin Dance Company will present a Sports Arena at Exposition Park. It later moved to the Korean drum dance meant to symbolize the Chang Bai Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Bunker Hill, where it has mountains, which border China and North Korea. been held ever since. It has been produced by the Arts Downtown’s Colburn Children’s Choir will perform Commission since 1964. holiday songs in Hebrew and English, while another loThe length of the show has vacillated over the years cal favorite, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, will offer mariachi depending on the county’s fiscal health. In 1993, the Starts 12- holiday Dec.14/19 tunes. hour event was slashed to three hours due to economic The stage will get a little crowded when Pacifico Dance woes from the ongoing recession. It increased to six Company brings its 20 dancers up. They will be dressed hours the next year and was renamed. in colorful outfits to perform a folklorico dance inspired In 2010, after several years of a budget crunch, the by a region in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. CheckBoard OurofWebsite foragain Full voted Movie county Supervisors to Listings go back to LADowntownNews.com “There’ll be lots of beautiful people, costumes and three hours in an effort to lower the the cost of the pro- amazing music,” said Adriana Gailey, general and artistic duction. director for the 20-year-old company. Regardless of how long it is, for people like Gallegos, The music the company will dance to is driven by who grew up watching it on TV, the Holiday Celebration African beats and Peruvian folk sounds. The company remains a signature local event. will perform two numbers during the five minute set at “It’s something that has always been very L.A.,” he 5:30 p.m. said. This marks the company’s fourth time performing at Other highlights of the Dec. 24 performance include the holiday celebration. Gailey said she enjoys the time Las Cafeteras, an East L.A. act that mixes Mexican folk on the stage, but she also appreciates it as a holiday and music with African beats. The group sprinkles in poetry music fan. in English and Spanish. It has both music and political “It’s a nice collage of Christmas and the arts,” Gailey messages. said.December 21 Starts “They’re completely appealing and captivating,” The Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration is Monday, Zucker said. Dec. 24, 3-6 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Returning for their 10th performance at the concert is Grand Ave., (213) 972-3099 or holidaycelebration.org. The the Harmonic Bronze Handbell Ensemble. The 20-per- show is free. son groupOur is comprised elementary and high school LADowntownNews.com Contact Richard Guzmán at Check Websiteoffor Full Movie Listings students from the Antelope Valley. They are also regulars richard@downtownnews.com.

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December 24, 2012

Bidding Farewell to the King Famous Skid Row Dive Bar Goes Out With a Crowd and an Auction by Richard Guzmán city editor

t about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, as he took a short break in his tiny office hidden in a corner of the King Eddy Saloon, Dustin Croick wasn’t sure what to expect from the upcoming auction he had planned. It was the next-to-last night for the storied dive bar that had been in his family for nearly a half century. Over the previous two weeks, Croick had been trying to get his customers to literally drink the bar dry through a nearly round-the-clock happy hour. Now, Croick, a 26-year-old with a boyish face and a friend-

ly demeanor, was nearing the end of his run. He had agreed to sell the bar at 131 E. Fifth St. to Michael Leko and Will Shamlian, partners in the hip and upscale Library Bar and Spring Street bar. Croick, whose grandfather bought the King Eddy in the 1960s, wanted pieces of the watering hole to go home with his customers. So as he sat in his office, which barely had enough room for three adults to stand, he went over the inventory of things to be auctioned starting at 9 p.m. sharp. They included neon Budweiser, Miller and other beer signs, many of which would have starting bids of $20. There were also bar glasses, paintings, statues, stools, a bingo game and photo by Gary Leonard

King Eddy Saloon owner Dustin Croick (with microphone) organized an auction of items from the bar on its final Saturday night in business.

even a pair of nunchucks that hung over the bar. Altogether, about 100 items would go up for bid. Croick had no idea how much he would make that night, but he was sure there would be a lot of interest in the items his family had collected over the years. Last Dive The King Eddy sits on the ground floor of the 1906 King Edward Hotel. The bar, which has one of the oldest liquor licenses in the city, once operated as a speakeasy out of the basement of the current space. Back then the upstairs portion was a piano shop. The King Eddy, especially in the weeks leading up to the closure, was often touted as the last Skid Row dive bar, though there’s another one, Camper’s Corner, on Seventh Street and Towne Avenue. Croick’s business has made a name for itself in recent years by its distant past — writers including John Fante and Charles Bukowski were once regulars. The road to the end began in March, when developer Izek Shomof purchased the King Edward Hotel and two other nearby buildings. Shomof announced plans to upgrade the structures (while still keeping them as low-income housing) and wanted Croick to renovate the space and change the operating hours, which thanks to the ancient liquor license allowed the bar to open at 6 a.m. Croick didn’t have the money to make all the changes Shomof wanted, so he opted to sell to Shamlian and Leko. They plan on keeping the King Eddy name when the bar reopens in early 2013. The new owners have said that they don’t plan to make any significant changes to the bar but do intend to bring everything up to code. Still, longtime customers fear the place will look different and the prices will be higher when it reopens. That all led up to Saturday night, which was widely heralded as the closing party (even if it would stay open one more night) and the auction. Some of the regulars were looking forward to bringing a piece of their shared history home. “I’m taking one of the barstools and I want the bell that’s in the corner there,” announced Hazel Lopez, who frequented the bar at least three nights a week. The closure generated an immense wave of advance publicity, which meant that an hour before the auction was scheduled to start, the bar was packed not just with the regulars, but also young drinkers and aging partiers. The bartenders had already been given the chance to take a few items. The first things claimed were the handful of flat screen TVs, Croick said. Leo LaMadrid, who had worked behind the King Eddy bar for three years, went a different route. He chose a 1933 hot rod toy car that sat on a shelf above the bar and a Coca Cola plate he estimates had been there since the 1950s. The plate, he said, will be a gift for his father. LaMadrid was planning to bid on some items himself, among them a sign on the bar’s indoor smoking area — it was secured to the front of a plexiglass wall — that warns customers not to do or deal drugs at King Eddy’s. “I don’t know why we need a sign for that, but it’s cool,” LaMadrid said. PBR Empty At 9 p.m. the auction hadn’t yet begun. However, there was a more serious problem — the Pabst Blue Ribbon tap had run dry. The effort to rid the bar of its alcohol stock before closing was succeeding. Meanwhile, the customers were ogling the goods. “I’ll go as high as $30 for those nunchucks,” said Luis Chavez, who appeared to be in his early 60s and said he had visited the bar a few times over the years. “They used to belong to Bruce Lee. That’s true.” Not so, Croick said later. He also ended up not auctioning them, worried about the results in a room full of people see King Eddy, page 20

December 24, 2012

Downtown News 15

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EVENTS

Erykah Badu’s Spaceship, Kinky’s Rhythms, Pershing Square Pirouettes and More Downtown Fun by Dan Johnson, listings eDitor | calendar@downtownnews.com

ONE

Be still thy beating heart, for Dallas native and galaxy-wide queen of neo-soul Erykah Badu will land her spaceship of R&B, hip-hop, funk and jazz parts at Club Nokia on Saturday, Dec. 29. For the uninitiated, Badu’s effervescent sampler of music forms, reshapes and analyzes the contradictions and ugly realities at the bottom of the American experience. A spontaneous personality and dynamic musical presence, we’re not sure if concert goers are due for her sultry sardonics à la “On & On” or perhaps even the nude, neo-nationalist statement of “Window Seat.” At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or clubnokia.com.

It’s high noon at Pershing Square and the park’s winter programming is waiting for you. For enthusiasts of frozen liquid and perilously sharp blades, the Downtown on Ice rink is cool and ready for pirouettes and seasonal showboating. Fans of aural stimulation, meanwhile, benefit from a noon concert series that starts Wednesday, Dec. 26, with the Fort Worth Country Band. It continues the next day with the group Bob’s Your Uncle. The Zoot Suit Revue performs Saturday at 8 p.m. and Stone Soul plays on Sunday at 2 p.m. So pick your pleasure and have a little free and chill fun. At 532 S. Olive St., (213) 485-1645 or laparks.org/pershingsquare.

FILM

Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Dec. 26: Josh Nelson Residency Part IV features two robust trios hard at work mining the jazz for the people. Dec. 27: Nate Wood Band and The Black Plums. Dec. 28: Hadrien Feraud Group. Dec. 29: Erima. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Dec. 27, 8 p.m.: Backyard skate/surf dream pop from GRMLN. What could go wrong? Nothing. As long as you don’t pour water on them or feed them after midnight. Broadway Bar 830 S. Broadway, (213) 614-9909 or broadwaybar.la. Dec. 27, 10 p.m.: Always a relief to find out HM Soundsystem’s Broader Than Broadway electronica variety show has survived another forecasted apocalypse. Club Nokia 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or clubnokia.com. Dec. 29, 8 p.m.: I think you better call Tyrone. Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Erykah Badu. Dec. 30, 8 p.m.: We’ll be partying like its 1999 as Hotlanta superstar and Justin Bieber enabler

Continued on next page

photo by Jonathan Ellis

Do you like to yell “Mas!” Do you like Mexican rock that doesn’t sound like what you think “Mexican rock” should sound like? If you answered yes, then get thee to L.A. Live’s Conga Room on Sunday, Dec. 30, for a show by Kinky. The quintet from down Monterrey way are subtle masters of Latin rhythms and modern electronics. For a decade now they’ve been making groovy, synth-heavy music that’s more akin to LCD Soundsystem than anything else you may be expecting. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 745-0162 or congaroom.com.

Meanwhile, on the far end of the musical spectrum comes a band of special folks who have carved out a niche in the land of American arcane music and junk culture. You may have heard the distant chords of their “folk noir” emanating from one of Downtown’s noted dive bars or perhaps you’ve seen them perform with their homemade instruments and jury-rigged microphones. They are RT n the 44s, and their decidedly lo-fi take on the old honkytonk is a spooky enchantment that is slowly becoming a fixture in Downtown. Haunted former brothel One-Eyed Gypsy hosts the band of merry music makers on Wednesday, Dec. 26. They also hit The Escondite on Sunday. Be there. Both times. One-Eyed Gypsy, 901 E. First St., (626) 340-3529 or one-eyedgypsy.com; The Escondite, 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com.

photo by Jessica Luna

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

The title of “residency” gets tossed around a lot. Frequently, the month-long concert series plays more like a promotional bonanza than an artist’s coming of age on the stage for all to see. Fortunately, the latter is in effect at jazz joint the Blue Whale, where Wednesday, Dec. 26, marks the last installment of the residency of vibrant young pianist Josh Nelson. He has already incorporated visual, audio and thematic elements to make each night special, and you can expect him to do the same this week. At 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. photo by Pablo Levinas

Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com. Dec. 24-27, 7 p.m.: Sansara is a Sanskrit word that means “the ever turning wheel of life” and is the point of departure for the filmmakers as they search for the elusive current of interconnection that runs through our lives. Dec. 24-27, 5 and 9 p.m.: Tchoupitoulas. Dec. 28-Dec. 30, 4:45 and 7 p.m.: Over the course of a single day, Monsieur Oscar travels by limousine around Paris to a series of nine “appointments,” transforming into new characters or incarnations at each stop in Holy Motors. IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 7442019 or californiasciencecenter.org. Explore the remnants and wisdom of an ancient empire in Mysteries of Egypt. Ice and polar bear enthusiasts will likely dig To the Arctic 3D. Experience the gripping story full of hope, crushing disappointment and triumph in Hubble 3D. Regal Cinemas 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive. com/movies. Through Dec. 27: Django Unchained (12, 4 and 8 p.m.); Les Miserables (12:10, 3:50 and 7:40 p.m.); Parental Guidance (1:50, 4:30, 7:10 and 9:50 p.m.).

photo by Nabil Elderkin

T H E D O N'T M I S S L I S T

photo by Gary Leonard

SPONSORED LISTINGS Downtown On Ice Lunchtime and Weekend Concerts Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., (213) 8474970 or laparks.org/pershingsquare. Downtown on Ice is back. The seasonal facility at Pershing Square has skates for rental for $2, with skate sessions costing $6. There will be an array of special events and programming at the rink for the next month, including regular lunchtime concerts from Dec. 26-30 from noon-2 p.m. There are weekend concerts on Dec. 29 from 8-10 p.m. and Dec. 30 from 2-4 p.m. Every Wednesday along with live music and ice skating Pershing Square holds its award-winning farmers market. Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382, facebook. com/bar107 or twitter.com/bar107. Dec. 25, 4 p.m.: Bar 107 celebrates baby Jesus by having a Christmas feast of Chinese food with all the fixings. Hot Chinese food served at the bar, which opens at 4 p.m. Wells will be $5, with $3 beers. Nighttime brings the eighth annual XXXMas Party. Join Bar 107 as we board up the windows and end the holiday in style with $5 fireballs and well drinks, $4 Schlitz and $3 beers. DJ and movies start at 10 p.m. Merry Schlitzmas.

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

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THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

theredwoodbar.com. Dec. 26: The Zoo Foundation, which has nothing to do with helping lions, tigers and bears. Dec. 27: The Redwood Acoustic X-Mas Show with Lightnin’ Woodcock, Michael Van London and Des Cadet. Dec. 29: The Generators, Rum Rebellion and The Plexikill. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la. Dec. 26: The Vibrometers’ warm funk will help brighten your forlorn world. The Smell 247 S. Main St., alley between Spring and Main streets, thesmell.org. Dec. 27: Come celebrate the fourth annual Riot Grrrl X-Mas Carnival, a benefit for the Downtown Women’s Center featuring performances by Mermaid, Spare Parts for Broken Hearts, Smelveteen and more. Dec. 28: Good luck buying some booze when you come to see Better Whatever, Brown and Blue, Kids and Daniela Jimenez. Dec. 29: White Fence, Fuzz and Chad and the Meat Bodies. Dec. 30: DJ Nate Harrington, DJ David Scott Stone and DJ Dane Chadwick. Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.com. 7 and 10:30 p.m.: Tony winner Idina Menzel offers a double dose of her rousing new live show.

All Aboard photo by Joan Marcus

Continued from previous page Ludacris takes the stage with former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland. Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com. Dec. 27, 11 p.m.: The Downtown Train and Yonatan are tag-teaming Thursday. Dec. 28, 11 p.m.: The blues are alive and well with Johnny Moezzi and Trevor Menear. Dec. 29, 11 p.m.: Charlie Chan and the S.O.B.s. Dec. 30, 11 p.m.: Overalls and wash barrel bass with RT n the 44s. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Dec. 28, 10 p.m.: Aly and Fila with their colleague John O’Callaghan will be spinning tunes to the window, to the walls and ’til the sweat drips down… their palms. Dec. 29, 10 p.m.: Oh things will get straight-up funky as Chromeo pops Downtown for a DJ set. One-Eyed Gypsy 901 E. First St., (626) 340-3529 or one-eyedgypsy.com. Dec. 26: RT n the 44s, pulling the first of a double duty this week. Dec. 28, 9 p.m.: The Icy Hot Club brings Gypsy Jazz to an aptly themed bar. Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or

December 24, 2012

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE Anything Goes Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 6282772 or centertheatregroup.org. Dec. 26, 8 p.m., Dec. 27, 2 and 8 p.m., Dec. 28, 8 p.m., Dec. 29, 2 and 8 p.m., and Dec. 30, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love. It’s a Cole Porter classic. Through Jan. 6. Bob Baker’s Nutcracker The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. Dec. 29-30, 2:30 p.m.: Employing more than 100 of puppeteer Bob Baker’s famous marionettes, this family performance features all the characters from

s with any romantic musical comedy, Anything Goes connects like-minded lovers searching for a happy ending — along with a few fun dances. In the version of the show at the Ahmanson Theatre through Jan. 6, the most exciting pairing is Rachel York (playing Reno Sweeney) and the music of Cole Porter. She’s an evangelist turned nightclub entertainer who wants more than a friendship with her longtime pal Billy Crocker. In the effort to get that, she and the rest of the cast take on classic tunes such as “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top” and “It’s De-lovely.” Although no one is going to mistake Anything Goes for high-concept entertainment, the show’s popularity is proof that there’s a desire for a musical that is strictly about having a good time. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Downtown News 17

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the beloved story. Call for reservations. Other Desert Cities Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org. Dec. 26-28, 8 p.m., Dec. 29, 2:30 and 8 p.m. and Dec. 30, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: It’s Christmas Eve in Palm Springs when Brooke presents her Reagan-friendly parents with a tell-all confessional book that turbocharges the holidays and the Wyeth family dynamic. Through Jan. 6.

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he Moroccan-inspired Figueroa Hotel just a block north of Staples Center manages the unique feat of making you feel like you’re in the heart of the city and removed from it at the same time. The light-filled Veranda Bar is right by the glittery pool, where suit-clad Downtowners and swimsuit-wearing Euro-tourists are a common pairing. Yes, even in December. At 939 S. Figueroa St., (213) 627-8971 or figueroahotel.com.

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

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California African American Museum 600 State Drive, (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org. Through Dec. 30: Shared Thread finds CAAM hosting local artists Charla Puryear, Nikki Presley, Duane Paul, Michael Massenburg, Pam Douglas and Tanya Aguinga. Through Jan. 20: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War is African American Military Portraits, a collection of wet plate photographs from the seminal era. Ongoing: The multi-functional Gallery of Discovery offers visitors the opportunity to connect with the lineage of their own family, engage in artistic workshops, educational tours and other programs of historical discoveries. Hear recordings of actual living slaves from the Library of Congress archives and discover stories from the past. California Science Center 700 State Drive, (323) 724-3623 or californiasciencecenter.org. Through Dec. 31: The only West Coast appearance of Cleopatra: The Exhibition at the California Science Center. This dramatically staged 13,000-square-foot exhibit features the largest collection of Cleopatraera artifacts from Egypt ever assembled in the U.S. Here for a limited time only. From the producers of the King Tut exhibition.

photo by Gary Leonard

December 24, 2012

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AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway DrIvers The originalExEcutivEs: Live/Work Lofts AccouNt Yoji Cole, Catherine Holloway, Sol Ortasse from $1,295 Claudia Hernandez DRIVER - $0.03 enhanced quarsAlEs AssistANt: Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, terly bonus. Get paid for any Parking adjacent. Pets no charge circulAtioN: Jessica Tarr portion you qualify for: safety, call 213.253.4777 production, distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles MPG. CDL-A, 3 laloft.com months current OTR exp. 800distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

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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 Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris knowingly GENErAl accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie equal opportunity basis.

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NotICes

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californians with a classified in email: realpeople@downtownnews.com 2009 MERCEDES C300 almost every county! Over 270 SPORT Certified, Black/Gray, month, while 164 million read a newspapers! Combo~California facebook: PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard Only 23K Miles, 7 Speed 6073C newspaper in print or online in Daily and Weekly Networks. / R055512 ONLY....$24,991 L.A. Call Downtown News the past week? Advertise in 240 Free Brochures. elizabeth@ AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt 888-319-8762. California newspapers for one cnpa.com or (916)288-6019. low cost. Your 25 word classitwitter:(Cal-SCAN) dirEctor: Steve Nakutin fied ad will reachAdvErtisiNG over 6 million+ 2009 VW JETTACALIF. EDITION DowntownNews AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway Californians. ForclAssiFiEd brochure call Certified, DOHC-MPFI, Red/ CleaNINg Elizabeth (916)288-6019. (CalAccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Catherine Holloway, Black, Only 30K Miles ZV1820 / SCAN) Sol Ortasse 9M146924 ONLY....$14,980 The Los AngelesCall Downtown News is the must-read CLEANING 888-781-8102.newspaper for DowntownCONCEPTO’S sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez Los Angeles and is dis- experiCrew. Professional, WANTED DIABETIC test strips. tributed every Monday throughout the offices and enced, cleans apartments, circulAtioN: of Downtown Angeles. Cash Paid. Unopened, Unex-Jessica Tarr 2010 NISSANresidences CUBE 1.8S Cer- Los homes, offices and restaurants. distributioN pired Boxes Only. All BrandsMANAGEr: Salvador Ingles tified, Only 8054 Miles, Black/ One copy per person. Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 Considered. HelpdistributioN others – don’tAssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, GustavoGray BonillaN121007 / AT164993 or 818-409-9183. throw boxes away. For more inONLY.....$15,999 call 888-838formation, call (888) 491-1168. 5089 CompUters/It (Cal-SCAN)

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AC, ABS, CU0683P / C460698 coNtributiNG writErs: Dave Denholm, Jeff Favre, eDUCatIoN ONLY....$12,995 call Leff, 888-845Los Angeles Downtown News Greg Fischer, Kristin Friedrich, Howard Ryan E. Smith, 2267 aUtos WaNteD1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 Marc Porter Zasada ATTEND COLLEGE online phone: 213-481-1448100%. • fax: 213-250-4617 *Medical, *Business, Art dirEctor: Brian Allison 2008 PORSCHE CARERRA 4 DONATE YOUR CAR, truck or Your number 1 web: DowntownNews.com *Criminal Justice, *Hospitality, Certified,Yumi White/Black, Like New, boat to Heritage for the Blind. AssistANt Kanegawa source for Loft Art dirEctor: *Web. Job placement assistance. email: realpeople@downtownnews.com Low Miles P12385-2 / 88710489 Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Desales, rentals and ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins Computer available. Financial Aid

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AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Yoji Cole, Catherine Holloway, Sol Ortasse sAlEs AssistANt: Claudia Hernandez

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Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin

Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com email: realpeople@downtownnews.com

facebook: L.A. Downtown News

twitter: DowntownNews

ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie citY Editor: Richard Guzmán stAFF writEr: Ryan Vaillancourt coNtributiNG Editor: Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Dave Denholm, Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Kristin Friedrich, Howard Leff, Ryan E. Smith, Marc Porter Zasada

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

Art dirEctor: Brian Allison AssistANt Art dirEctor: Yumi Kanegawa ProductioN ANd GrAPhics: Alexis Rawlins

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.

PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard

One copy per person.

December 24, 2012

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LEGAL

Salisbury, NC 28144 Telephone: (704) 637-1111 State Bar No. 5889 Pub. 12/10, 12/17, 12/24/12 Fictitious Business naMe FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2012193506 The following person is doing business as: KISSA GROUP, 2316 1/2 Union Ave., #1, Los Angeles, CA 90007, are hereby registered by the following registrant: Vivi Tran Lynch, 940 E. 2nd St., #15, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrants has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on September 27, 2012. 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. 12/3, 12/10, 12/17, 12/24/12. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2012224792 The following person is doing business as: Ax+Apple, 719 S. Los Angeles St., #506, CA 90014, are hereby registered by the following registrant: JAMIE DORFMAN, 1341-1/4 Harvard Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrants began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on October 1, 2012. This statement was filed with DEAN LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on November 9, 2012. 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. 12/10, 12/17, 12/24. 12/31/2012.

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notice oF aPPLication to seLL aLcoHoLic Beverages Date of Filing Application: December 4, 2012 To Whom This May Concern: URBAN RADISH LLC Is applying to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to sell alcoholic beverages at: 661 Imperial Street Los Angeles, CA 90021-1320 Type of licenses applied for: 20 - Off-sale Beer and Wine 41 - On-sale Beer and Wine Eating Place

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LegaL notice IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE FOR ROWAN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA FILE NO. 12 SP 754 NOTICE OF PUBLICATION ANTONIO FIGUEROA RUIZ, PETITIONER, vS. JOSE ANTONIO URAGA ANd MIREYA EdITH OCHOA, RESPONdENTS dATE OF FILING: dECEMBER 6, 2012 IN RE: K. URAGA, A MINOR CHILD BORN AUGUST 31, 2006. TO: JOSE ANTONIO URAGA Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought as follows: Legitimation of a minor child. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than January 19, 2013, said date being forty (40) days from first publication of this notice, and upon your failure to do to the Petitioner will apply to the court for the relief sought. This 5 day of December, 2012. Cecil L. Whitley, Attorney for Petitioner 305 N. Main Street

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20 Downtown News

December 24, 2012

Twitter/DowntownNews

King Eddy Continued from page 14 drinking heavily. “I don’t want anyone in here swinging them around and chopping someone’s head off,” he said. Time passed and the auction didn’t begin. By 9:30 p.m. people were dancing in a tight corner of the bar in front of the DJ who was spinning Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” At 10 p.m. the bartenders couldn’t find many of the glasses they had been serving people, so they began encouraging the crowd to order drinks from bottles. By 10:15 p.m. the Newcastle tap was also dry and the bar reached its capacity. Still, no auction. Thirty minutes later a woman was kicked out of the bar for being too drunk. She was a Skid Row resident in a red tank top and Santa hat celebrating her birthday. It was poor timing for her — a few minutes after her departure someone bought the entire bar a shot of vodka. Finally, a few minutes shy of 11 p.m., the auction began. It was a cash-only event and winners had to pay within 10 minutes of placing the top bid. The first item up was a neon

Budweiser sign with a starting price of $20. One bid came in and Croick tried to up the price, telling the crowd the sign worked. He was unsuccessful. It sold for $20 to a regular. It quickly became clear that low bids were the rule rather than the exception. A mirrored Miller beer sign that Croick said was a steal at $30 had to be lowered to $20. “This is Skid Row [expletive],” someone in the crowd yelled. “We don’t got money.” With no bids, Croick opted to keep the sign for himself. He was OK with taking it home. “I though that was a great piece,” he told the crowd. “I’m going to be keeping a [expletive] of things if this is the way it’s going to go.” It turned out he would indeed be keeping a [expletive] of things. Only about 25 of the 100 items ended up selling, and very few of them went higher than the starting price. Curiously, one item went for far more than the opening bid. A painting of a trotting white unicorn with a rainbow flowing from its horn started at $2. Although some regulars said they had never before seen it at the King Eddy, it ended up selling for $30. “People really liked that unicorn,” Croick said, bemused. In the end, the auction only netted about $200. But the last

photo by Gary Leonard

Bar regulars seized the opportunity to have one last night before the King Eddy closed and was turned over to its new owners. Longtime customers fear the decor will change and prices will rise.

Saturday night party at the King Eddy continued long after it was over. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

Grand Tower 255 south Grand avenue Leasing Information 213 229 9777

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

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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.

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