12-29-08

LOS ANGELES

DOWNTOWN

NEWS Volume 37, Number 52

INSIDE

The Year in Restaurants

December 29, 2008

6

2

Nightclub trouble, BID moves, and other happenings Around Town.

5

Looking at a big year for policing issues in Downtown Los Angeles.

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

A Dozen Ups and Downs In 2008, Downtown Saw Some Huge Successes and Big Tumbles

by Anna Scott staff writer

A huge year for housing.

3

Urban Scrawl’s best cartoons.

4

Saying bye to some Downtown businesses.

7

A bumpy year for education.

9

I

n 2008, Downtown rejoiced as some long-anticipated efforts finally bore fruit. At the same time, for many the year was dominated by the national economic crisis, which in Downtown got worse as the months passed.

The past year will be remembered for delivering projects such as a $2.5 billion entertainment district and a sprawling urban park. But it was also the year that many planned projects, and even existing Downtown Los Angeles institutions suffered greatly, from the downward spiraling Los Angeles Times to the ballyhooed Park Fifth skyscraper.

Whichever end of the spectrum you look at, it is safe to say 2008 was an unpredictable year for Downtown.

Story of the Year: L.A. Live Arrives: One year after the debut of the 7,000-seat Nokia Theatre, Anschutz Entertainment Group began unveiling Phase II of the $2.5 billion, 27-acre mega-development L.A. Live. The ambitious December rollout was even more impressive considering it came at a time when many developers were see Year in News, page 8

photo by Gary Leonard

Anschutz Entertainment Group officials held opening events for Phase II of the $2.5 billion L.A. Live complex in early December. It brought about a dozen restaurants and clubs to South Park.

At Play in Downtown The Cultural Scene in 2008 Had Big Shows, Big Concerts and One Very Big Problem

Dunks, goals and other sports happenings.

14

Five great entertainment options.

15

15 CALENDAR LISTINGS 17 CLASSIFIEDS

by Richard Guzmán city editor

F

rom star-studded openings to a musical star’s departure, from exhibit unveilings to a museum in trouble, the Downtown cultural and entertainment scene had it all in 2008.

Ancient bones were dusted off in view of the public while old maps were taken out of storage and a new club promised to bring some rhythm to the city. It was a year filled with things to distract you from the recession and remind you of why it’s fun to live and work in a cosmopolitan area.

Here are some of the cultural highlights of 2008.

Curtain Call: October marked the beginning of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s final season as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Phil made sure everyone knew it.

Salonen will leave at the end of the

2008/09 season to focus on composing. His 17-year tenure breaks the record set by Zubin Mehta between 1962 and 1978. In November the Phil launched a website that showcased Salonen’s 17 seasons with the orchestra (it contains more than 100 photographs, audio interviews, videos and music). Meanwhile, the Phil’s Board of Directors announced the establishment of the Esa-Pekka Salonen Commissions Fund. With $1.6 million already raised, the endowment will support commissions and performances of new work.

Salonen will turn the baton over to Gustavo Dudamel in 2009.

And the Grammy Goes to…

Downtown: The four-story Grammy Museum opened Dec. 6 at L.A. Live, on the 50th anniversary of the music industry awards. The $34 million project not only showcases the biggest names in music, but

photo by Gary Leonard

The Museum of Contemporary Art found a world of hurt in November, when reports surfaced that its budget had sprawled while its endowment had dwindled.

also traces the evolution of the recording industry and honors many behind-the-scenes legends. While it holds artifacts such as Luciano Pavarotti’s concert jacket and Elvis Presley’s family Bible, the museum is an interactive venue where guests can even record their own hip-hop track. The museum also has a 200seat theater. Robert Santelli, formerly with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland and the Experience Music Project in Seattle, was appointed as executive director of the museum.

MOCA Capsizes: The city’s culturati were stunned in November when reports surfaced that the Museum of Contemporary Art was in major financial trouble. Under Director Jeremy Strick, the Downtown institution’s annual budget sprawled to more than $20 million while the endowment, once near $40 million, had dwindled, possibly all the way down to $7 million, as some of those funds were spent on paying the bills. Anger erupted at Strick and the museum’s Board of see Entertainment, page 12

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

2 Downtown News

December 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

AROUNDTOWN Smaller Fashion District BID Renewed

A

downsized version of the Fashion District Business Improvement District has been approved by the City Council, and cleanup and safety services within the new BID boundaries will continue uninterrupted in 2009, BID leaders announced this month. The Fashion District BID has provided trash removal and other services to a 94-block area in Downtown’s apparel-oriented southern neighborhood for 12 years. In order to be renewed for another five-year term in 2009, BID leaders needed to collect signatures from landlords representing 50% of the district’s property. But earlier this year, dozens of property owners withheld their support, stymieing the effort. As a result, Fashion District BID Executive Director Kent Smith and others decided to split the BID in two. The official Fashion District, now about two-thirds the size of the original district, was approved for another fiveyear term by the Council on Dec. 18. It is roughly bounded by the Santa Monica Freeway to the south, Seventh Street to the north, San Pedro Street to the east and Spring and Main streets to the west. Fashion District Two, which encompasses most of the property owners opposed to the renewal, cuts into a 16-block area on the east side of the main Fashion District. So far, the petition to provide services to Fashion District Two has been signed by property owners representing 46.6% of the area. While Smith continues to gather signatures for the second BID, services will be suspended in that district for at least one month starting Jan. 1.

Hilton Checkers Embarks on Renovation

A

s part of a $100 million-plus statewide push to renovate more than one-third of its California properties, Hilton Hotel Corp. recently launched a renovation of Downtown’s Hilton Checkers. The two-phase project began with an upgrade of all of the hotel’s 188 rooms, adding new bedding packages, new televisions, furniture and bathroom accessories, said General Manager Kathy Faulk. That project at 535

S. Grand Ave. is expected to wrap by late January. The second phase, which will likely be completed by the end of the second quarter, involves an overhaul of the hotel’s food and beverage offerings. “It will be celebrity chef-inspired cuisine, decor and design as well,� Faulk said. Overall, the project is expected to cost between $4 million and $5 million, she said. The last time the hotel, in a building that dates to the 1920s, upgraded its rooms was in 2002. Despite a slowdown in the hospitality industry, Hilton Checkers experienced its best October ever this year, before falling short of projections in November, Faulk said. “We’re just taking advantage of this momentary slowdown in the economy to knock this project out,� she said. “There’s excitement Downtown with the advent of L.A. Live and new restaurants on the Seventh Street corridor. We want to be part of the new wave.�

Versus Club Forced to Close

L

ess than a month after it opened, Versus, a three-story, 1,300-person capacity club has temporarily closed.

Nicholas Bacigalupo, the venue’s director of marketing, said he hopes the nightspot at 618 S. Spring St. will reopen on Jan. 16. The club, located in the 1920 Stock Exchange building, was closed on Nov. 15 by the city after inspectors mandated some construction changes, Bacigalupo said. The changes include upgrades to the bathrooms and sprinkler systems. The venue was one of a handful of new after-hours spots coming to the Historic Core. It featured dancing as well as live music events.

Metro Head Snoble to Retire

A

fter seven years at the helm of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, CEO Roger Snoble this month announced that he will retire as soon as a replacement is found. Snoble has helped turn around the once-troubled agency and, under his watch, the MTA has built several rail lines, though there have also been critiques about rising fares on buses. Recently, Snoble was a leading backer of Measure R, a half cent sales tax approved by voters in the fall that will raise $40 billion over 30 years to pay for transportation improvements “After 43 years of public service in the transit in-

Starting at $1,400

photo by Gary Leonard

The housing market may be slowing, but work continues on the Concerto, developer Sonny Astani’s project at Ninth and Figueroa streets. The first phase of the complex is slated to open in 2009.

dustry, I think this is an opportune time to move on and pass the baton to another executive who will insure the implementation of Measure R,� he said in a statement. Snoble will be in attendance at next summer’s opening of the Metro Gold Line extension to East L.A. from Downtown, which he has overseen. He also oversaw development of the Metro Orange Line busway in the San Fernando Valley and expansion of the Metro Rapid system. Before coming to Downtown, Snoble was chief executive of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system and served as president and general manager of the San Diego Transit Corporation.

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In the House in ’08 Downtown Saw Nearly 20 New Residential Projects This Year

by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

D

espite the tough economy, 2008 was nevertheless another major year for Downtown residential expansion, as many projects planned before the financial crunch came online. With nearly 20 new housing complexes debuting this year, it may be the area’s last extended expansion period for a while. Here, in alphabetical order, are some of the year’s residential highlights.

717 Olympic: The eye-catching, 26-story tower at Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street opened in June, adding 151 luxury units to South Park. Developed by Texas-based Hanover Company and designed by architecture firm RTKL, the building boasts some of the best views of any Downtown Los Angeles structure. But residents sure have to pay to stay: Rents range from $2,499 to nearly $20,000 for the largest penthouses.

Belmont Station Apartments: In August, Essex Property Trust completed the $77.7 million rental project at 1304 W. Second St. in City West on the former site of a Pacific Electric train yard and subway station. The 275-unit complex pays respect to the train-oriented history with murals, photo displays and the building name. Designed by Culver City-based John Cotton Architects, the six-story project includes 55 affordable units, an 8,200-square foot dog park and a small pool.

Brockman Building: The 12-story, $35 million Brockman building, which had been repeatedly delayed, was highly anticipated when it entered the residential scene as condominiums in September. So the news hit like a rock when developer West Millennium Group announced in December that, like many of its condo predecessors in 2008, it was switching to rentals. The restored, 1921 Beaux Arts edifice has 80 units from 850-2,280 square feet. Rents are approximately $2.25 per square foot.

Canvas L.A.: The 204-unit Canvas L.A. apartment complex, at First Street and Beaudry Avenue in City West, opened in April.

The project quickly acquired notoriety for a marketing promotion in which the eight-foot-tall silhouette of a young woman danced in front of a window on an upper floor. Developed by Arizona-based Alliance Residential, the units range from 5571,956 square feet and rents are $1,800-$5,500.

Chapman Flats: All Pacific Financial’s $30 million housing complex, originally planned as condos, opened to renters in June. The 13-story Jewelry District tower at Broadway and Eighth Street includes 168 units, which at an average size of 750 square feet were designed to be on the small side. Rents are $1,500-$2,200. The apartments are outfitted with highend appliances and finishes.

Lyndon Apartments: After $7 million worth of renovations, the formerly dilapidated Lyndon Hotel reopened in June with 53 housing units for low-income tenants. Developer SRO Housing Corp. spent two years upgrading the 15,000-squarefoot, 1912 Beaux Arts Classical Revival structure at 413 E. Seventh St. in Skid Row. The 200-square-foot units house formerly homeless individuals.

National City Tower: The 150,000-square-foot, 12-story National City Tower opened in November, adding 93 highend apartments to the Historic Core. Brothers Shariar and Shahram Afshani bought the dilapidated former bank headquarters at Eighth and Spring streets for $6.5 million in 2003, then spent $16 million converting it. The building contains 7,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.

Roosevelt Lofts: This 12-story condominium project on Seventh Street opened in November after more than a year of delays. Developer Milbank Real Estate’s $150 million project is considered one of the most important pieces of revitalization on the Seventh Street corridor. The 222 condominiums range from 750-2,800 square feet and cost $495,000-$2.5 million.

There are 16 penthouses, available in two, three or four levels.

TenTen Wilshire: The 16-story City West project opened in June at Wilshire Boulevard and Beaudry Avenue. Originally planned as a condominium project, developer the Amidi Group turned the 227 units into corporate housing. The apartments are furnished and are geared toward professionals in town for extended stays. The Amidi Group said in June that it does not intend to go back to condos once the market recovers.

Union Lofts: The 12-story Union Lofts opened at Eighth and Hill streets in February, 86 years after the building debuted as the headquarters of Union Bank. Meruelo Maddux Properties spent $40 million restoring the former office tower, creating 92 high-end apartments. The company ultimately plans to turn the apartments into condominiums. Meruelo Maddux also remains in negotiations to bring a restaurant to the building.

Also new in 2008: Evo, Artisan on Second, the Mandel Lofts, SB Manhattan, Bixel at Fifth, the JW Apartments, the Judson, the Great Republic Lofts and Yale Terrace.

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

photo by Gary Leonard

The Hanover Company’s 717 Olympic project brought 151 high-end apartments to South Park. The 26-story tower opened in June.

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4 Downtown News

December 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

A Year of Urban Scrawl Highlights From Our Editorial Cartoonist

P

lenty of things happened in Downtown Los Angeles in 2008, and Urban Scrawl, the editorial cartoon by Doug Davis, was always ready with a comment. Whether addressing the LAUSD’s sinking ship, the disastrous situations at the Los Angeles Times and the Museum of Contemporary Art, the delays with the Grand Avenue project or the latest happenings with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (including his almost challenge from developer Rick Caruso), Davis expressed his opinion though art. Here are six of the year’s highlights.

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

Feb. 18, 2008

May 12, 2008

Aug. 25, 2008

Oct. 27, 2008

Nov. 17, 2008

Dec. 1, 2008

December 29, 2008

Downtown News 5

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Crime and Punishment A Leader Departs, Violent Crime Stays Flat and Safer Cities Gets a Mixed Review

by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

I

n 2008, much of the attention in Downtown Los Angeles was on new projects and the economic crisis. While many observers may not have noticed, both of those impacted policing in the community — as does almost everything else that happens in the area.

With Skid Row and a growing residential population, Downtown remains one of the most challenging areas of the city for law enforcement. Not surprisingly, there were numerous policing issues of note in 2008, from crime trends to the loss of a leader. Here are the highlights.

Numbers Game: In 2007, Downtown crime fell 24% from the previous year. The bittersweet aspect of the accomplishment was that, in 2008, the department would be fighting its own numbers as it sought to reduce violent crime even further. By mid-December (the latest stats available before press time), there were 1,041 violent crimes Downtown, eight fewer than year-to-date numbers for 2007.

That represents a drop of less than 1%.

photo courtesy of Los Angeles Police Department

Mr. Smith Goes to South Bureau: Los Angeles Police Department Cmdr. Andy Smith, who was frequently the face of the LAPD in Downtown, was transferred out of the community in April. Police Chief William Bratton, who selected Smith to run

Central Division in 2005, tapped the 20year department veteran to serve as a commander in the South Bureau Criminal Gang Homicide Group. In Downtown, Smith was known for engaging with community groups, residents, businesses and homeless service organizations. He was widely lauded for leading the crackdown on crime in Skid Row. Upon his departure, Smith said the major success during his tenure was changing the community’s notion of what is acceptable behavior in Skid Row.

In a strange September case, police seized about 30 pounds of marijuana and materials indicating a large growing operation in an Arts District loft. The man renting the unit had been murdered a few days prior.

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Crashed Mansion: The building that housed the popular Downtown nightclub Crash Mansion had been on a collision course with the Central Division vice unit and the city Zoning Administrator for years. So it was little surprise that Crash Mansion, which in 2007 replaced the Grand Avenue Night Club, was shuttered in July. Partly in response to a 2007 murder outside the club, and with pressure from the LAPD, the city imposed a slew of operating restrictions on the venue during the summer, and the state revoked its liquor license until the club paid its back taxes. The club remains closed.

Weed Whacked: LAPD narcotics investigators uncovered a large marijuana-growing operation in an Arts District loft in September, days after the unit’s occupant had been found murdered. Officers seized 100 marijuana plants and the equipment used to grow them from a loft at 1308 Factory Place. The man renting the unit, Robert Benwell, 42, had been discovered dead in his pickup truck on Aug. 27 with a bullet wound in his lower back.

Along with the plants, the bust yielded about 20 high-powered grow lights, bags of fertilizer, drying racks and an electric bill showing a monthly balance of about $1,500. The plants, which weighed 30 pounds, appeared to have been cut at the stem only days prior and stuffed into plastic trash bags. The homicide remains unsolved.

Safer Cities, Divided Communities: In 2008, debate continued over the effectiveness of the LAPD’s Safer Cities Initiative, which in 2006 deployed 50 additional officers to Skid Row and came with a heightened crackdown on misdemeanor crimes. The issue came to a head during a November Police Commission meeting, as Safer Cities supporters touted the reductions in violent crime in Skid Row and warned that canceling the strategy would be a death

photo by Gary Leonard

In April, Cmdr. Andy Smith, who for three years was the face of the LAPD in Downtown, was transferred out of the community.

knell to Downtown’s revitalization. Critics of the program argued that officers use excessive force and are ill-equipped to police the area’s mentally ill denizens. The Commission vowed to hold more meetings in 2009 to address differences among Skid Row stakeholders.

Officers Under Attack: Assaults on Central Division officers have more than tripled in two years. The rise, from 12 incidents in 2006 and 28 in 2007 to 39 by late November of this year, came as violent crime in the neighborhood has dropped. Police officials blamed the increase on the criminals who remain on Skid Row, saying they are often aggressive and prone to resisting arrest. In November, suspect Benny Allen, 50, allegedly charged police with a knife. Allen was shot in the chest but lived. Some homeless advocacy groups criticized the department for what it considered excessive use of force, a characterization the department refuted. The incident is under investigation.

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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6 Downtown News

December 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

All You Can Eat Downtown Added Plenty of Places to Stuff Your Face in 2008

by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

W

hen it came to eating in 2008, Downtown was like an all-you-can-eat buffet of new restaurants.

It almost seemed as if there was no recession, as in November and December alone, 15 new dining establishments arrived.

New restaurants were everywhere. The Arts District welcomed a French Bistro and an organic coffee haven, while the Financial District got a $7 million investment from a celebrity chef and South Park embraced the many choices at L.A. Live.

Here is a look at some of 2008’s new additions and a couple of culinary milestones.

Enter the Drago: One of the most anticipated restaurants of the year was Drago Centro, the $7 million, 9,500-squarefoot Italian restaurant from famed chef Celestino Drago. The high-end eatery opened Nov. 29 in the heart of the Financial District on the ground floor of City National Plaza. The 250seat restaurant in a former bank space has vaulted ceilings, black Murano glass chandeliers and entrees such as osso buco, roasted squab and truffle-crusted chicken breast.

Go to Church: Restaurateur Steven Arroyo, the creator of the tapas restaurant Cobras & Matadors, added a shot of energy to the southern edge of the Arts District in September when he opened the long-awaited Church & State. The French bistro at 1850 Industrial St. in the Biscuit Company Lofts was an instant hit, with dishes such as boeuf bourguignon and escargots. However, the $900,000, 3,000-square-foot establishment hit a road bump shortly after opening, when Executive Chef Greg Bernhardt left abruptly. He was replaced by Walter Manzke, formerly of Bastide in West Hollywood and Patina.

photo by Gary Leonard

The $7 million Drago Centro opened on the ground floor of City National Plaza on Nov. 29.

Welcome to Planet Urth: The organic coffee trendsetter Urth Caffe made a splash in November when it opened its flagship location and factory in the Barker Block project in the Arts District. The $6 million, 14,000-square-foot facility at 513 S. Hewitt St. also brought 100 employees to the area.

With its celebrity clientele (at least at its Westside locations) and organic coffees and meals, it has instantly added life to the area.

It’s Good to Be the King: After being forced out of his City West castle to make way for the Orsini apartment complex, the Original Texas Barbecue King reopened in Downtown, bringing a small satellite location to 525 W. Seventh St. on Aug. 6 (its headquarters is in South Los Angeles). It’s a relief to many customers who longed for the Texas-style ribs, chicken and brisket.

Back to the Future for Dips: Cole’s, the Downtown landmark that claims to be the inventor of the French Dip sandwich, reopened Dec. 4 after a $1.6 million renovation that took more than a year. Nightlife impresario Cedd Moses helmed the comeback of the 1908 restaurant at 118 E. Sixth St. Well-known chef Neil Fraser was brought in as a consultant on the menu.

A Century-Old Original: The other Downtown Los Angeles legend that claims to be the French dip originator celebrated its 100th birthday on Oct. 6. Thousands of people came out and lined up around the block as Philippe The Original rolled back prices to 10 cents for sandwiches and a nickel for coffee.

photo by Gary Leonard

The Original Texas BBQ King returned to Downtown with a small satellite location on Seventh Street. It debuted in August.

Steak Their Claim: The high-end steakhouse Fleming’s opened Dec. 10 at L.A. Live. The restaurant, which boasts 100 wines by the glass, has been filled to capacity since opening night, with a mix of visitors to L.A. Live and Downtown residents.

photo by Gary Leonard

In December Cedd Moses brought back Cole’s following a year-long renovation. The Historic Core eatery has upgraded the French dip, which it claims to have invented.

Everyone Into the Yard: With its 100 beers on tap, the Yard House is to beer lovers what ESPN is to sports fans. The 500seat restaurant that dishes up burgers, sandwiches and salads opened Dec. 21 at L.A. Live.

Lucky Seven: Seven Restaurant Bar was billed as “Cheers” for Downtown, a place where everyone knows your name and that is “Hollywood cool” without the attitude. Seven opened at 555 W. Seventh St. in April with a dim-lit room and entrees such as grilled lamb chops and mushroom gnocchi. It’s the first new fine-dining establishment on quickly changing Seventh Street.

The Restaurant Has Landed: David Tardif opened Tranquility Base on Feb. 14. The 3,200-square-foot restaurant on the ground floor of the Sky building at Grand Avenue and Eighth Street is inspired by the seasons, changing its cuisine and decor in the spring, summer, fall and winter. The name comes from Neil Armstrong’s first words as Apollo 11 landed on the moon: “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”

Small Bites: Other 2008 Downtown restaurant arrivals included Wurstküche, a sausage and beer spot in the Arts District; McKay’s, a restaurant and lounge with a focus on casual, contemporary American fare and its namesake, former USC football coach John McKay; Johnny Rockets, the 1950s-inspired chain that serves up burgers, shakes and other American classics, which opened at the Union Bank Tower; and L.A. Live saw a slew of other dining options, among them Lawry’s Carvery, a quick-bite eatery; The Farm of Beverly Hills; ESPN Zone, a two-floor restaurant aimed at sports fans; and Boca, located inside the Conga Room.

Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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December 29, 2008

Downtown News 7

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I See Dead Businesses Ten Downtown Entities That Closed Their Doors

by AnnA Scott StAff writer

T

he year 2008 was rocky for businesses everywhere, and Downtown was no exception. At least 10 local entities, among them a batch of restaurants, closed their doors. Here are a few that didn’t make it.

In Need of Aid: After four years as the retail anchor of the Santee Village complex, pharmacy Rite Aid closed in November. The retailer at Seventh and Los Angeles streets was considered a Downtown pioneer when it moved in, preceding a critical mass of residents that never came. Dark windows and poor marketing were also blamed for the demise. Two other Downtown Rite Aids remain open.

Grill Goes Dark: The Sixth Street Bar & Grill, a burgers-beer-pizza joint, took a chance this spring when it opened in a strip mall at Sixth Street and Central Avenue. The diverse, reasonably priced menu, weekly drink specials and happy hour seemed promising. But despite the best efforts of the owners — whose track record includes Morels French Steakhouse at the Grove and Market City Caffe — the restaurant closed in November.

Crash and Burn: South Park nightclub Crash Mansion was effectively shuttered in July, when the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control suspended its liquor license. But that was only the tip of the iceberg in terms of troubles at the club, which opened in July 2007. The loss of the liquor

license stemmed from unpaid back taxes, and the venue had been under intense police scrutiny since a 19-year-old patron was gunned down in the parking lot in January.

Crash Mansion’s owners must meet strict security and other conditions by early next year if they plan on resuming operations.

furniture and more. But an audience was hard to come by, and in June, founder Phillip Dane added a farmers market to the mix and moved the 9 a.m. start time to 11. In July, Dane announced that the market would drop back to just once a month, but it never regained its momentum and ultimately disappeared.

Outmoded: The 24-hour diner Mode opened last December amid plenty of hype, but there were ominous signs from the start, including multiple delays. The restaurant at Ninth and Olive streets boasted a fashion theme and was even adorned with a catwalk — a somewhat strange accompaniment to hearty, upscale comfort food. Still, the salads, burgers and Croque Madames elicited some passable reviews. But it wasn’t enough and, amid blog reports of behind-the-scenes drama, Mode closed its doors early this year.

Not Lime Time: The Mexican eatery Lime Cafe opened on the ground floor of the Security Building in June. With a casual menu featuring enchiladas, tacos and burritos, and an emphasis on organic ingredients, the restaurant seemed to have potential. In July, however, it closed to retool its menu, among other things. Despite a reopening ceremony at the end of that month, complete with a ribbon cutting, Lime soon closed again, this time for good.

Lifeless: The gourmet chocolate shop Joy of Life, specializing in delectable truffles, opened on the ground floor of the Toy Factory Lofts in February. Its sweet charms, however, were not enough to lure big business, and the store closed over the summer.

Imagine That: The glass-fronted Main Street movie theater that debuted in December 2007 as Downtown’s cultural center for Asian films quietly changed its programming in the fall.

Now called the Downtown Independent, the former ImaginAsian Center has replaced its Bollywood and other Asian film fare with events like this month’s Zero Film Festival and a two-day homage to German independent director Uwe Boll.

photo by Gary Leonard

In November, the 4-year-old Rite Aid at Seventh and Los Angeles streets went out business. Area observers blamed a lack of street life and poor marketing efforts.

Unpopular: The South Park Flea Market opened in January to much community excitement. Held in a parking lot at Eighth Street and Grand Avenue, the market was touted as a place to scour for vintage clothes, collectibles,

It’s Toast: The no-frills Sixth Street sandwich shop The Toaster specialized in concoctions such as the salami- and ham-filled Big Italy, the pastrami-stuffed New Yorker and a club with turkey and ham. The tiny shop also offered breakfast options such as bagels, croissants and smoothies. Apparently, the latter was a bigger hit, because Union Bagel Cafe replaced The Toaster in November.

Not Quite Dead: The Downtown Comedy Club, run by Kevin Garnier and hosted by “Saturday Night Live” alum Garrett Morris, shuffled locations several times this year. It started in the Alexandria Hotel in January 2007 and moved to Kyoto restaurant at the Wilshire Grand Hotel this May. In July, the club announced it was looking to move again. Now, that seems to have happened. The club’s website advertises a new location at the Downtown Marriott, and its outgoing phone message promises a grand reopening there next month.

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

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Broadway Bounce: In less than a year, 14th District Councilman José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative has hit some impressive milestones. Launched in January, the effort to revitalize the historic corridor between Third and Ninth streets aims to encourage the development of retail, restaurants and other businesses, and possibly even revive the Downtown streetcar system after a 45-year hiatus. In July, Huizar named his planning deputy Jessica Wethington McLean as executive director of Bringing Back Broadway. The following month, trustees of the effort approved the formation of a nonprofit organization to handle the design, construction and eventual operation of the streetcar — an effort that still requires major fundraising, but is now on a faster track.

Year in News Continued from page 1 struggling with dwindling financing and construction delays. L.A. Live has already delivered five new restaurants, a nightclub, the Grammy Museum, a bowling alley and office space. Five more restaurants, an ESPN broadcast center and a 14-screen movie theater are scheduled to open next year. The final component, the $900 million Convention Center headquarters hotel/condo tower that will open in 2010, has already had an impact in Downtown, as tourism officials reported that they had booked 53 conventions since the structure broke ground last June.

Not so Grand Developments: Envisioned as one of Downtown’s transformative developments, the proposed $3 billion Grand Avenue project faced significant trouble in 2008. Things actually started brightly when, in February, developer the Related Cos. revealed that Istithmar, a fund controlled by the royal family of Dubai, had committed $100 million to the project. However, with the worsening economic crisis and a driedup lending atmosphere, Related has been unable to secure the estimated $700 million construction loan it needs, resulting in multiple groundbreaking delays. Most recently, Related of California President Bill Witte said the company will likely have to extend its latest groundbreaking date of Feb. 15, 2009. For each month beyond that, it will have to pay a $250,000 penalty.

photo by Gary Leonard

In July, Jessica Wethington McLean was named executive director of the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, Councilman José Huizar’s effort to revitalize the historic street.

In the House: Several years ago a group of city officials tried and failed to enact a policy that would require nearly every new housing project in the city to include some affordable units, including privately financed developments. This year, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa brought the measure back. An early draft of what the mayor dubbed the Mixed-Income Housing Ordinance again sparked controversy between developers, who wanted to see more incentives, and low-income housing advocates pushing for more stringent requirements. In October, Villaraigosa announced a five-year, $5 billion plan, titled Housing That Works, which included a proposal to move forward with the Mixed-Income Housing Ordinance. The lines are being drawn and the lobbying is already intense.

The Worst of ‘Times’: In 2008 the Los Angeles Times turned from the major source of news in the city to one of L.A.’s biggest news stories. The paper saw shrinking revenues, a staff gutted by layoffs and buyouts, its parent company file for bankruptcy and the added insult of a front-page retraction.

In June, Tribune Co. Chairman and CEO Sam Zell announced that he would consider selling Times Mirror Square, the Times’ Spring Street headquarters. In July, the paper endured 135 newsroom jobs cut and a major consolidation as it folded once standalone sections like the Sunday Book Review and Opinion into other parts of the paper.

The same month, Publisher David Hiller resigned, and was replaced in August by former DirecTV head Eddy Hartenstein. Meanwhile, nearly every internal memo made its way to websites such as L.A. Observed. In December, Tribune filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, potentially opening the door to even greater tumult.

photo by Gary Leonard

The 10-acre Vista Hermosa Natural Park opened in July, adding some much-needed green space, and even a soccer field, to City West.

cer field to a park-starved community. On Sept. 3 at First Street and Beaudry Avenue, the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center debuted, welcoming approximately 2,500 high school students. It marked a magnificent turnaround for the once-ridiculed project.

The LAUSD broke ground on the Belmont Learning Complex in 1997, but was thwarted by the discovery of dangerous gases and an earthquake fault.

Community at a Crossroads: The primarily Japanese enclave of Little Tokyo reached a crossroads in 2008: Following the sale of two major properties in 2007, in May the Little Tokyo Shopping Center was sold to a group of Korean investors. Meanwhile, new residents and a diverse batch of hip retailers and restaurants continued to pour in to the area.

Some of the change has been seen as positive, like the announcement in June that the area’s last large, undeveloped parcel would be sold to a Japanese-led development team that plans to create the Nikkei Center, a Japanesethemed mixed-use project. Others have been worrisome, such as the cancellation of the summer’s Tofu Festival — the parking lot where they held the event has given way to a new housing project.

One Park, One School: After a decade of problems and delays, the former Belmont Learning Complex site finally opened, with two uses: The 10-acre Vista Hermosa Natural Park arrived July 19 on the west side of the City West plot, adding walking and hiking trails, picnic areas, a playground and a soc-

BID Wars: They provide services such as street cleaning and security, but in 2008, two of Downtown’s most significant business improvement districts faced major upheaval. After months of fierce debate, in October the Fashion District BID, which covers 94 blocks, decided to shrink itself by one-third and slash its $3.3 million budget to $2 million after the BID faced opposition from a group of disgruntled property owners who no longer wanted to pay for services they felt were unnecessary. Meanwhile, the Central City East Association announced in August that it would suspend the Toy District BID, also due to a lack of support from property owners. That BID is expected to go dark at the end of 2009, raising the question of what will happen to the five tons of cardboard boxes and other garbage the organization removes from the neighborhood’s streets each day.

Shake-up on Olvera Street: After years of budget problems, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument in April found itself facing a $350,000 deficit. The city covered the shortfall, which was blamed on an accounting error. Still, El Pueblo was forced to slash hours at four Olvera Street museums and lay off 17 employees. El Pueblo General Manager Robert Andrade touched off a veritable firestorm in June by announcing that he would work to raise rents for the 79 El Pueblo merchants, some of whom have not seen an increase for more than two decades.

For Sale! No, for Rent!: The Brockman Building on Seventh Street became the latest Downtown condominium project to open as rentals, announcing the switch in early December. Other buildings originally projects that instead SPOTLIGHT ON planned as for-sale RESTAURANTS came online as rentals this year included the Union Lofts on Hill Street, the Chapman Flats on Broadway and the Judson, also )HMXSVMEP JSV EHZIVXMWIVW MW on Broadway. Experts say the switch has EZEMPEFPI MR XLMW WTIGMEP WIGXMSR helped saturate Downtown’s rental market, 1945 S. FIgueroa St., LoS angeLeS, Ca 90007 Los Feliz, Silver Lake, serving Downtown, to a nearly 10% dip in apartthe Hancock Park area and its surrounds Serving Downtown, Los Feliz, Silver Lake,serving Hollywood, echo Park, uSC & atwater 'EPP contributing Hollywood, Echo park, and Atwater” /& $/7.4/7. ,/3 !.'%,%3 ment occupancy since September 2007.

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Downtown News 9

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The Class of 2008 Education Took Center Stage With New Schools, Long-Awaited Projects and Trouble at the LAUSD

by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

T

he year 2008 had many lessons for Downtown Los Angeles when it came to education.

We learned that not only is Downtown an attractive place for high school students, it is also a destination for adults who want to further their education. We learned never to give up on a project, that getting outbid can end up costing much more in the end, and that sometimes it’s expensive to say goodbye to a “leader.”

Here are the 2008 Downtown education highlights.

Adios Admiral: The Los Angeles Unified School District paid $500,000 to David Brewer, the now former LAUSD superintendent, to leave midway through his four-year post. The long-embattled ex-Navy admiral, who was hired two years ago, never quite fit in with the LAUSD and L.A.’s political scheme. Under assault by Board of Education President Monica Garcia (an ally of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who many believe wanted Brewer gone), Brewer on Dec. 8 announced that he was willing to accept a buyout. It was an ugly, expensive end to his tenure. About a week later, the board hired respected Ramon Cortines as the new superintendent.

Who Wants to Run a High School?: In October, LAUSD and other officials began discussing the possibility of giving control of the $232 million High School for the Visual

and Performing Arts to a nonprofit organization. A proposal was solicited by the Broad Foundation, run by Eli Broad, which suggested giving the arts school at 450 N. Grand Ave. charter-like independence. It could lead to handing the reins of the institution to a nonprofit that would have the power to control staffing, the budget, maintenance, fundraising and more. The issue immediately drew fire from the teachers’ union. It all occurred as the school is less than a year from opening, and the educational direction and make-up of the student body remain unsettled.

Roybal’s Legacy: After years of delays, cancellations and redesigns, not to mention expensive lessons in figuring out how to detect and mitigate those pesky methane and hydrogen sulfide gases that were discovered in the late 1990s, the infamous project formerly known as the Belmont Learning Complex opened on Sept. 3. Approximately 2,500 students now attend the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center in City West (named for the late U.S. congressman), which ended up costing more than $350 million, including the earlier work. The school is broken into six academies, each with about 400 students.

A Lesson in Dispute Resolution: An eminent domain dispute with Meruelo Maddux Properties over a 23-acre Cypress Park site was settled on June 17 when the school board agreed to pay the Downtown-based developer $50 million for the land. The deal involving the property known as Taylor Yard came four

Year in News Continued from previous page Park Fifth Falls Apart: Park Fifth, the proposed 76-story, $1.3 billion complex that would boast the country’s tallest tower west of Chicago, faced financing issues in 2008. The complex is planned for a lot north of Pershing Square, and would hold a hotel, condominiums and retail. In December, following months of delays, developer David Houk revealed that he is trying to replace capital partners Namco Capital Group and Africa Israel Investments, which are both facing financial issues. Now, with the search for an investment team starting from scratch in the midst of a nationwide recession, Park Fifth’s anticipated early 2009 groundbreaking is on hold indefinitely.

photo by Gary Leonard

The Edward R. Roybal Learning Center in City West finally opened in September. The $350 million project stands on the site of the never-finished Belmont Learning Complex.

years after the district sought to buy the land for $27 million, only to be outbid by a $31.8 million offer from Meruelo Maddux. A judge ruled in 2007 that the district could take the land, which it wanted for a 2,200-seat facility.

But attorneys for both sides argued over what constitutes fair market value. The district is now building a high school on the site.

their cross-town rivals setting up shop near their campus, the 16,000-square-foot UCLA Extension campus at Figueroa Courtyard continued the school’s presence in Downtown.

The extension program has had a continuous place in the Central City for 43 years and the new campus, which debuted on Sept. 20, offers more than 60 classes in 13 new classrooms.

Get Psyched: With an inaugural class of 102 students, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology’s first satellite campus opened in Downtown on Oct. 24. It occupies a 16,300-square-foot space on the eighth floor of the building at 617 W. Seventh St. The school moved to Downtown to be close to social service agencies and to make it easy for students to work with those entities as part of their curriculum.

Bye Bye Board Members: In October, two veteran school board members announced they would not run for re-election when their terms expire in June. Julie Korenstein, the longest-serving board member and a key teacher’s union ally, will step down after 22 years.

Marlene Canter, a two-term board member, was known for her efforts to ban junk food in schools and to build new facilities. Their departure opens up the door for Villaraigosa to help get other allies elected to the board.

Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com

UCLA in Downtown: While USC fans and alumni may have cringed at the thought of

A Gem of a Scandal: One of the year’s most intriguing stories actually began more than a decade ago, when a man named Oren Shachar began working as a salesman in the Downtown Jewelry District. Today, Shachar sits in jail, charged by District Attorney Steve Cooley’s office with defrauding 19 people or businesses, mostly in the Jewelry District. Alleged victims claim Shachar slowly built up his credit with diamond and jewelry wholesalers until he could obtain a large amount of merchandise at once, ostensibly to sell to third-party clients, which he would then pay for with bad checks. While Shachar’s case continues to play out in court (he struck a deal with the D.A. in April, and more hearings on a second set of charges took place in December), numerous business owners say they have been bilked out of millions of dollars worth of precious gems. At least one business owner was forced to close because of his losses.

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com.

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the art of whole medical healing must be demanded and recaptured during such challenging financial times. In other words, a medical utopia similar to that island in the

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DowntownNews.com Now with reader comments.

care crisis is unfolding, the situation may become worse.

Our failing economy not only affects our pocketbooks, but has had a profound effect on healthcare, which is often driven by the bottom line. Insurance companies will cover and pay as little as possible for services provided, meaning hospitals and physicians at times are forced to practice “assembly line” medicine to make ends meet. This type of behavior often gets the job done, but does nothing for the doctor-patient relationship. It also does nothing to empower the consumer (patient) with useful medical knowledge that could benefit good health maintenance.

Despite the efforts of many doctors to provide competent medical care, while at the same time meet fiscal demands, the nurturing part of medicine at times is not fully embraced. Therefore, true healing is often lost in the doctor-patient relationship. This is a travesty, and

Our failing economy not only affects our pocketbooks, but has had a profound effect on healthcare, which is often driven by the bottom line.

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There would be minimal paperwork and little, if any, time in an uncomfortable waiting room. The patient would also have direct electronic access to medical records, including X-ray exams.

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12 Downtown News

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December 29, 2008

CALENDAR Skid Row Art Grows: Nonprofit educational organization Inner-City Arts completed a $10 million expansion in early October. The building at 720 Kohler St. created a new theater, a parent-teacher resource center, an administrative building and a new ceramics studio. Inner City Arts provides educational instruction in a variety of artistic pursuits to at-risk kids in the hopes that it will help them think creatively.

Nearly 500 elementary and middle school students attend classes at Inner-City Arts daily; the expansion is expected to double that figure.

Entertainment Continued from page 1 Trustees. By mid-December, there seemed to be only two options: Accept a $30 million bailout proposal from billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad, one that would require MOCA to raise a lot of money on its own; or agree to a merger with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, one that might strip MOCA of its independence. While MOCA’s Grand Avenue space will stay open, at least for now, officials said they would shut the Geffen Contemporary in Little Tokyo for six months to save money. No matter how you look at it, it’s an embarrassing disaster for the museum founded in 1979.

Celebrating an Artist: Loved for his children’s books, the late Leo Politi was honored in 2008 with a year-long celebration of his work. It began in January on Olvera Street, a fitting locale for the man whose best-known work was Pedro, the Angel of Olvera Street. He was also known for sketching people, and children in particular, in communities such as Chinatown and Little Tokyo. His children’s books highlighted cultural diversity and tolerance. The Leo Politi Centennial Celebration featured music, dance, puppet shows, art exhibits, readings, slide presentations and more.

Silent no More: February held the second installment of Los Angeles Opera Music

photo by DavidAllenStudio.com

In March the Ahmanson Theatre hosted a bloody and inventive production of Sweeney Todd in which the cast doubled as musicians.

Director James Conlon’s Recovered Voices series. Conlon’s passion project is an attempt to revive the music of composers who were silenced or killed by the Nazi regime.

He wowed crowds at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with Alexander Zemlinsky’s The Dwarf, the tragic tale of a dwarf who falls in love with a princess, written by a man who, with his music banned, fled the Nazis twice.

Also on the bill was the U.S. premiere of Viktor Ullman’s farce The Broken Jug. Downtown’s Jurassic Park: In April the

Natural History Museum opened the door to another time with the Thomas the T-rex Lab, allowing Downtowners to watch scientists assemble a 66 million-year-old dinosaur skeleton. The lab is built of glass, meaning visitors can watch the technicians clean, photograph and document each bone before it is sent out for mounting. The skeleton will become the centerpiece of the new dinosaur galleries that are scheduled to open in 2011.

And, Action!: The community saw its share of stars at the inaugural Downtown Film Festival in August. Twenty-three feature films and 180 shorts screened over five days at 11 venues, including Broadway theaters, Los Angeles Center Studios and the Museum of Contemporary Art. The neighborhood was also a star, as festival co-director Greg Ptacek said at the time that part of the aim of the event was to spotlight the “fascinating” neighborhoods and cultural institutions, business and residential communities.

Take Two: The Mark Taper Forum reopened with a dedication ceremony in late July, following a $30 million, year-long renovation that upgraded the 41-year-old building’s theatrical systems, almost doubled the size of the lobby and, perhaps most importantly, added bathrooms to the Neo-Classic circular landmark designed by Welton Becket. The first production in the updated venue was John Guare’s The House of Blue Leaves, which premiered in August.

Downtown Got Down: Excuses for not grooving to some Latin tunes disappeared in December with the opening of the Conga Room. The 15,000-square-foot nightclub and restaurant, with investors including Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Smits and Paul Rodriguez, has a reputation for attracting big-name acts. The club dubbed the “Latin House of Blues” has already attracted a slew of prominent performers, and more are coming in 2009.

Who Let the Dogs Out? Dogs hobnobbed, rubbed noses and possibly even networked at the plaza of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in July during the second annual Dog Day Afternoon. The event brought together about 200 dogs and 400 of their human companions for an afternoon of mingling and tail wagging. It was hosted by Hal Bastian of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District and his late dog Buddy, and the Cathedral’s Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik and his four-legged friend Joaquin.

Pulling Strings: Bob Baker, owner of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater, tried to pull as many strings as possible to save his City West venue. In November he revealed that he needs to raise approximately $30,000 to stave off foreclosure proceedings. The theater will hold a fundraiser in January to help make ends meet.

Living Monument: In May, Little Tokyo’s Aoyama Tree became the city’s first living Historic-Cultural Monument. The 50-foot Moreton Bay Fig tree was planted in 1920 by members of the Koyosan Buddhist Temple.

The historic status, granted by the City Council, gives the tree certain protections before it can be altered or changed. It is seen as an important symbol for the city’s Asian community.

photo by Gary Leonard

About 200 dogs and 400 people thronged the plaza of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in July for the second Dog Day Afternoon event.

December 29, 2008

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Downtown News 13

The $34 million Grammy Museum brought an interactive experience to L.A. Live. It opened in December. Shown is museum Executive Director Bob Santelli.

photo by Gary Leonard

Break Into Song: The Ahmanson Theatre this year was the site of three major, and vastly different, musicals. In March, it showcased a new version of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; in the inventive production, the cast doubled as musicians. In September, Center Theatre Group held the world premiere of 9 to 5, based on the Dolly Parton film, with seven-time Grammy winner Parton composing the music and lyrics. It opened in Downtown Los Angeles before moving on to Broadway. In October, it was a different kind of show with Spring Awakening, a Tony-winning production based on an 1891 German play about adolescent sexuality and angst. It even brought a bit of nudity to the Ahmanson stage.

and sculptures made for an unusual and constantly changing experience at the Little Tokyo museum.

Smell the Flowers: Although curator Karin Higa told Los Angeles Downtown News that Living Flowers: Ikebana and Contemporary Art was not a show about flowers in art, there certainly were a lot of flowers, and art, in the exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum. The June show examined the different schools and styles of the ancient art of Japanese floral arrangement. The combination of beautifully arranged flowers mixed with paintings, photographs

Treasure Maps: Although there weren’t any maps marking the way to buried treasure, the Central Library’s L.A. Unfolded: Maps From the Los Angeles Public Library exhibit, which opened in November and runs through January, is a treasure trove of the city’s history. Dozens of maps from the library’s collection detail the evolution of the city, with some pieces more than 150 years old. There are also plenty of non-city maps.

Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

Sounds of the City: Pershing Square was alive and loud with the sounds of music over the summer, and it was more than the familiar cover bands that populate the lunchtime concerts. In July and August, the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks staged a series of shows with some familiar names. Ambrosia, a Grammy-nominated band with a following of progressive rock and R&B fans, was the first to take the stage, followed by Pedestrian and Sophie B. Hawkins. The Gin Blossoms wrapped up the Wednesday evening series on Aug. 20. photo by Joshua White

The Japanese American National Museum took a delicate turn with June’s show about ikebana, the ancient art of floral arrangement.

14 Downtown News

December 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

A Year of Almosts No Championships, But in 2008 Four Downtown Teams Made the Post-Season

by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

C

onsidering how dismal 2007 was for Los Angeles sports fans, 2008 was a major upgrade. Four Downtown teams went to the post-season. Records aside, the fact that a Los Angeles sporting event prompted hundreds of people to wear blue do-rags with long, natty fake dreadlocks (any Dodgers game from August on) is deserving of some kind of trophy.

Ah yes, it was the year of Mannywood. But 2008 also saw the debut of one of the most dynamic athletes in the country, as Candace Parker, the Sparks star, captured two of the WNBA’s highest honors. Downtown Los Angeles also got another standout in the form of the new Los Angeles Sports Museum.

For those who hate change, don’t worry: the Clippers and Kings struggled as expected. And those USC Trojans?

Conference champs — again.

Cleaning House in Clipperdom: The perennially bad Los Angeles Clippers had another tumultuous year. They ended the 2007/08 season in last place in their division. Things actually looked great for a week in the summer when ex-UCLA standout Baron Davis announced he would come to L.A., but then team star Elton Brand shocked everyone, including coach Mike Dunleavy, by flying to Philadelphia. As if to prove they’re the Clippers, they managed to embarrass an NBA legend, unceremoniously dumping General Manager Elgin Baylor, who had been with the team for more than two decades. Sure enough, the Clippers got off to a miserable start to the 2008/2009 season. But for all those Clipper fans (hey, the team might not be able to beat the Lakers, but their ticket prices sure can), there is the potential for improvement: They acquired forward Zach Randolph, who in December helped the team to its first consecutive wins of the season.

photo by Gary Leonard

Manny Ramirez’s arrival in August invigorated the Dodgers and their fans. The team went on to win its first playoff series in more than 20 years.

photo by Gary Leonard

Candace Parker of the L.A. Sparks became the first WNBA player to win Rookie of the Year and league MVP honors in the same season.

The Sparks, coming off a dismal 2007 campaign, made the playoffs this year.

season is, so far, a pleasant surprise, as the squad led by new coach Terry Murray has been floating around a .500 record for more than a month. Nobody’s predicting a Stanley Cup coming to L.A. in 2009, but the fact that a winning record seems possible for the team led by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown is exciting hockey fans.

photo by Gary Leonard

Downtown sports fans found a new diversion in the Los Angeles Sports Museum, which opened in November. Owner and founder Gary Cypres has a memorabilia collection worth an estimated $30 million, including a room dedicated to the Dodgers.

A Manny-Splendored Thing: In baseball lore, 2008 will go down as the year the Boston Red Sox sold temperamental slugger and future Hall-of-Famer Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers for pocket change. Manny proceeded to capture the hearts of the city and, as the City Council in October re-drew the boundaries around the stadium, giving the area its own zip code and the official name of Dodgertown, in 2008 Los Angeles was really Mannywood. Led by Ramirez, new coach Joe Torre and a cast of young stars including Russell Martin, Andre Ethier and Chad Billingsley, the team in October won its first playoff series in more than two decades, beating the Chicago Cubs. However, they fell in the National League Championship Series to the Phillies. The post-season was dominated by questions of whether owner Frank McCourt will spend the bucks to bring back Ramirez.

The Kings of Mediocrity: The Kings are like the Clippers of the NHL. They’ve never won a championship, and they’re rarely close. So it was little surprise that they finished last in the Pacific Division in 2008. That is also why the 2008/2009

The Lake Show Is Never Dull: Early in 2008, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak shocked the basketball world by acquiring Spanish star Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies for spare parts. The purple and gold instantly catapulted to the top of the Western Conference and buzzed through the playoffs.

However, they got thumped by the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. But the start of the 2008/2009 season has proven that, with the return of Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom heading up the bench, this is a stronger Lakers team. The squad is off to a dominating start. The big question is, can Kobe get a ring without Shaq?

Sports on the Walls: The rookie of the year on the Los Angeles sports scene may not be an athlete, but a venue. The Los Angeles Sports Museum, which opened in November, features the memorabilia collection of founder Gary Cypres.

His trove includes thousands of vintage baseball cards, hundreds of uniforms (from Wilt Chamberlain’s high school basketball jersey to Hank Aaron’s cleats) and unexpected items like Babe Ruth’s shotgun. The museum at 1900 S. Main St. places an emphasis on sports history and the evolution of things such as equipment, playing fields and uniforms. All told, the collection includes more than 10,000 pieces and is estimated to be worth about $30 million.

Sparking Change: One year after the Sparks labored through their worst season ever, the Staples Center’s WNBA squad returned to form, thanks largely to No. 1 draft pick Candace Parker. The rookie sensation from Tennessee was the talk of the league, from the time she dunked (becoming only the second player in the league’s 12-year history to do so), to when she became the only person to win both Rookie of the Year and league MVP honors in the same season. With a wealth of fan promotions, second-year owners Carla Christofferson and Kathy Goodman helped boost average attendance at home games at Staples Center by 9%, from 8,695 to 9,508.

More of the Same: The USC Trojans football team captured their seventh straight Pac-10 title and won their fourth consecutive berth in the Rose Bowl (they’ll face the Nittany Lions of Penn State on Jan. 1). The lone blemish for the team that plays home games at the Coliseum in Exposition Park? An upset loss to division opponents the Oregon State Beavers.

But coach Pete Carroll’s club rebounded, and after that September fall, only one opponent came within a touchdown of the mighty Trojans, whose shutdown defense, led by linebacker Ray Maualuga, emerged as perhaps the team’s strongest attribute in 2008.

Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com

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

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

One copy per person.

December 29, 2008

Downtown News 15

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LISTINGS

by AnnA Scott, StAff writer

ONE If you are a hard thinker, an active planner and a believer in teamwork, then 2009 — the Year of the Ox — is your lucky year, according to Japanese folklore. But even if you’re a solo-riding soft thinker, you can enjoy the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center’s New Year’s festivities this week.

The fun begins with children’s workshops on Tuesday, Dec. 30, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., where young ones can take part in arts and crafts activities and see demonstrations by local artists. On Sunday, Jan. 4, at 1 p.m. the JACCC hosts Western and Japanese dance performances from the Bando School, the Colburn Dance Institute and other local groups. Afterward, stick around for an exhibit showcasing the Shikishi paper board, a kind of centuries-old Japanese canvas, and enjoy sake, mochi sweets and fortune-telling in the George J. Doizaki Gallery. 244 S. San Pedro St., (213) 680-3700 or jaccc.org.

2

Do you want the party to continue into 2009? Then get funky with George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love, who take the stage at L.A. Live’s Club Nokia on Friday, Jan. 2.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Clinton is one of the original architects of funk and is also one of the most sampled recording artists in the business. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 10 p.m. Club Nokia, pho 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 742to p rovi ded 7340 or clubnokia.com. b yt he

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3

What better way is there to spend New Year’s Eve than partying under three climate-controlled big-top tents with 10,000 of your closest friends? Wait, don’t answer that. The third annual Giant Maximus New Year’s Eve party, to take place on a seven-acre Downtown site, will feature three stages and electronic-heavy music with performances

by Moby, Paul Oakenfold, Mark Farina, Mickey Avalon and many others. Carnival rides, including a giant Ferris wheel, plus circus-themed games and attractions are part of the fun. The event goes from 7 p.m.-4 a.m. At 835 Francisco St., (323) 4647373 or giantclub.com.

5

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2nd Street Jazz 366 E. Second St., (213) 680-0047, 2ndstjazz.com or myspace.com/2ndstreetlivejazz. Music usually starts at 9 or 10 p.m.

Tuesdays: Jazz jam session.

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

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

Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382 or myspace.com/ bar107.

Tuesdays: A classic island mix of reggae with attitude. Downtown says “Jah!” Wednesdays: Tap the spirit of Chuck Barris with the Bar 107 Karaoke Gong Show. The audience gets to help the judges vote for the best act of the evening.

Sundays: DJ’s choice with 107’s Matt Dwyer, the comic-actor genius who plays music while serving the meanest drinks (in the nicest way) Downtown.

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

Tuesdays, 10 p.m.: Live music and DJs. Casey’s Irish Bar and Grill 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com.

Fridays: Live Irish music. It’ll be like Dublin your pleasure.

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

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

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

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

Dec. 29: Goldenvoice presents Robin Thicke with Chrisette Michele.

Dec. 30: Akon mixes southern rap beats and styles with his trademark singing. With Shontelle.

Dec. 31: They were huge in the ’90s and they’re poised for a comeback, on New Year’s Eve no less.

The Stone Temple Pilots.

Jan. 2: Nobody can rock the rainbow dreadlocks like George Clinton. He and Parliament Funkadelic groove it out with the jazzy Greyboy Allstars.

Conga Room L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic, (213) 749-0445 or congaroom.com.

Dec. 31: A tango and guitar-infused New Year’s Eve bash with the Gipsy Kings.

Fridays: “The Beat Down” features global beats and dance groove starting at 9 p.m.

Saturdays: “Plata” brings an upscale Latin flavor from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. e3rd Steakhouse and Lounge 734 E Third St., (213) 680-3003 or www.myspace. com/therhythmsectionla.

Second Saturdays: The Rhythm Section brings in DJs and live acts to this Arts District restaurant, playing eclectic selections in nujazz, soul, rare groove, soul and hip-hop.

Echoplex 1154 Glendale Blvd., attheecho.com Dec. 31: Kingston born Ranking Joe leads a reggae cast for a Dub Club New Year’s.

The Edison 108 W. Second St., #101, (213) 613-0000 or edisondowntown.com.

Dec. 31: The Nautilist Ball features performances

by Abney Park, Lucent Dossier and DJ Imagika, plus lavish dessert spreads, champagne and a general throw-back feel.

J Restaurant and Lounge 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com.

Tuesdays: Live acoustic performances in the lounge.

Continued on page 16

List Ring in the Year of the Ox With Music, Dance and Art

photo courtesy of JACCC

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

The

4

If an early evening taking in the sounds of an acclaimed, multilingual, 12-member pop orchestra is more your speed on New Year’s Eve, then you’re in luck. The Portland-based Pink Martini has been described by the New York Times as “vintage-chic” and by Rolling Stone as a mix of “Fellini-esque fanfare, Technicolor samba and other cosmopolitan frills.” On Dec. 31, the group plays a 7 p.m. show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall — early enough to still make Giant Maximus, if you want a truly rounded night out. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or musiccenter.org.

This week is your last chance to check out the Museum of Contemporary Arts’ sprawling retrospective of German “bad boy” artist Martin Kippenberger. Kippenberger was known for a wicked sense of humor, on full display in works such as his series of self-portraits depicting the artist in nothing but a pair of white underpants. The MOCA exhibit features hundreds of paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, posters and more. Part of the exhibit, an installation titled “The Happy End of Franz Kafka’s Amerika,” is on display at MOCA’s Geffen Contemporary space in Little Tokyo. It features a mini-soccer field covered with a wild assortment of tables and chairs, with bleachers on either end. The show is on display until Jan. 5. MOCA Grand Avenue, 250 S. Grand Ave., and Geffen Contemporary, 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 621-2766 or moca.org.

Contact Anna Scott at anna@downtownnews.com. photo © Estate Martin Kippenberger, Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne/courtesy of MOCA

photo by Sherri Diteman

SponSored LiSting Christmas Party at Bar 107 107 W. Fourth St., (213) 625-7382 or myspace. com/bar107.

Dec. 31: Come join the folks at Bar 107 for their Fourth Annual “Dress to the 9’s New Year’s Eve Bash.” It’s the only night of the year that Bar 107 has a dress code (and it will be strictly enforced) but who doesn’t like to dress up for New Year’s? DJs will spin all night, and there’s a champagne toast at midnight. $5 cover.

16 Downtown News

December 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

But Wait, There’s More!

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

Additional Event Information on the Web

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM/LISTINGS : EVENTS | ROCK, POP & JAZZ | CLASSICAL MUSIC | THEATER, OPERA & DANCE ART SPACES | FILM | BARS & CLUBS | MUSEUMS | FARMERS MARKETS | TOURS

777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com.

Dec. 29-31, 8 p.m.: Comedian George Lopez finishes up a weeklong stint at the Nokia Theatre.

Orpheum Theatre 842 S. Broadway, (213) 622-1939 or laorpheum.com.

Pete’s Café and Bar 400 N. Main St., (213) 618-1759.

Tuesdays, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.: Pablo Calogero and Fabiano Nacimento play Brazilian jazz.

Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com.

Dec. 29, 10 p.m.: Jake LaBotz, praised by Tatoo Magazine for his “sadder than hell balladry, razor sharp testifying, storied takes on loneliness, beatnikon-the-Mexican-border music, coffeehouse chic.”

Dec. 30, 10 p.m.: Shoe-gazer pop sounds from Intelligence, with Lamps, Wounded Lion and Christmas Island.

Dec. 31, 10 p.m.: Americana New Year’s with honky tonk Mike Stinson and friends.

Jan 2, 10 p.m.: Indie pop and dance rock courtesy of You Me and Iowa, with Shiloe.

Jan 3, 10 p.m.: Dirty Ed presents Psychostar, Carnage Asada, Stab City.

Jan. 4, noon: Brunch Americana with Buzz Campbell and Hot Rod Lincoln, the Sidewynders and the Hula Girls.

Jan. 4, 10 p.m.: Nanna Larsen, from Copenhagen, Rerax Fridays at Señor Fish 422 E. First St., (213) 625-0566 or senorfishla.com.

Fridays, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.: Music, art, VJ performances, silk screening and photos.

Royale 2619 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 388-8488 or

Wednesdays are dance nights with Latin music.

Second and fourth Wednesdays, 9 p.m.: Full Frontal features big-time DJs from LA and beyond. $5 cover.

Fridays, 9 p.m.: Punky Reggae Party. That’s right: punk plus reggae equals party. Free before 11 p.m.

After that, it’s $5, Saturdays, 6 p.m.: Hacienda Nights features live tejano, norteno and cumbia music. Cover $10.

Sundays, noon-10 p.m.: Hacienda Nights again, $8.

Mountain Bar 475 Gin Ling Way, (213) 625-7500 or themountainbar.com.

Every Tuesday “Broken Dreams” is DJ’ed by China Art Objects’ Steve Hanson and the Red Krayolas’ Tom Watson.

Nokia Plaza L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., lalive.com.

Nokia Theatre

Listings Continued from page 15 Wednesdays: Salsa in the City features complimentary salsa lessons at 8 p.m. At 9 p.m., a batch of live musicians takes over for a jam session.

Fridays: Live bands on select dates.

La Cita 336 S. Hill St., (213) 687-7111 or myspace.com/ lacitabar.

Mondays, 9 p.m.: Mustache Mondays is a gay/ mixed theme night with the best in electro, dance and live performances.

Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Cheap Souls, featuring DJs spinning funk, soul, old school and electro dance.

First and third Wednesdays, 9 p.m.: Mucho

All Beers

3.00 All Day Monday

$ small plates, cigars, smoking patio

available for private parties, bottle service, location shoots

Open M-F 4pm-2am, Sat 7pm-2am Happy HOur M-F 4pm-8pm: $4 Drafts, Wines, Wells & Appetizers 404 s. figueroa st.

on flower st. at the bonaventure hotel (between fourth & fifth st.) valet parking: $4.50 for up to 5 hours with validation.

213-489-3590

www.suedebarla.com

myspace.com/suedebarla

Please email Your event info To submit events for this section, please email a brief description, street address and a public phone number to calendar@downtownnews.com.

Web addresses are welcome. Listings are due 10 days before publication date. Because of time constraints, submissions without full information cannot be considered for publication. Inclusion in the listings is at the discretion of the L.A. Downtown News. Sorry, we cannot accept follow-up calls about event listings.

Location: ROP J 2008 File Name: Jasons 11-10.indd Rep: Catherine Date: 11-4-08 Creator: ar Live Sashimi, Rolls, Changes: new Dungeness Crab, Salad,

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$27.99 - $34.99

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royaleonwilshire.com.

Mondays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A live musical showcase with bands, a DJ and an Eastside vibe.

Tuesdays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: An acoustic live set in the historic Royale lounge. A DJ spins between sets.

Wednesday (second of every month), 9 p.m.-2 a.m.: A fusion of spoken word and acoustic musical melodies.

Sundays, 9 p.m.-midnight: Rat pack protégé Max Vontaine.

Standard 550 S. Flower St., (213) 892-8080 or standardhotels.com.

Nightly DJs at both the lobby bar and rooftop lounge.

Wednesdays, 8-11 p.m.: DJs spin in a swank, but still comfy, lobby. And yes, there’s a bar right there.

Saturdays, noon-8 p.m.: Local DJs unleash indie, rock and electronica at “Diss.”

Tempura, Sushi, Rice Porridge!

And best of all our Stone Grill Tenderloin Steak!

98 Vintage Gift Set

110 E. 9th St. Unit A-2 | (213)485-9465

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CBS

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

Free Parking Next to Restaurant

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

700 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Tel: 213.617.2323 | Fax: 213.617.0065





Open New Year’s Day

High quality sashimi from live fish!

Prepared daily by experienced sushi chefs!

Never frozen or pre-packaged ready sushi!

601 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 365-0730



20% OFF COFFEE A Gourmet

CAFE

Best coffee in town

Famous Huli Huli Chicken

We Cater & Deliver: Hot Pressed Sandwiches, Pastas*, Lasagna*, Salads*, Desserts Soup, Coffee, Latte, Smoothies & more

HawaiianChicken.com

F i n e H awa i i a n F u s i o n

Find us at these .

Farmers Markets..

Free GaraGe ParkinG aFter 6PM (Closed thursday & sunday)

L.A. Central Library - Wed. 11am-3pm City Hall Farmer’s Mkt. - Thurs. 10am-2pm Bank of America Plaza - Fri. 11am-3pm

Happy Hour 3-7 M-F & Karaoke 7-Close Fri-sat

*Requires 24 hour notice.

Free WI-FI

Catering • Fundraisers • outdoor Patio Beer & wine Bar

213-229-0030 714 W. 1st. St., Los Angeles, CA. 90012

686 North SpriNg St., LA, chiNAtowN •

(At 1St & Hope NeAr WALt DiSNey HALL)

Sushi & Japanese Food BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

Grand Star Jazz Club

Live Jazz Music Friday & Saturday 9:30pm-1:30am

213.626-1678

RESTAURANTS

Mo

DINNER SERVED DAILY — 5-10 pm Dinner serveD Daily — 5-10 pm

Join Us For Our Firecracker

Fr

—1st,N3rd ridays 10pm e w& 5th Y eFa r ' s •P a r-1:30am ty soulStarts hiphop jazz at house 9pm breaks Karaoke Sun -Tuesday 8:30pm -1:30am Dancing Karaoke

Open: Mon.-Thurs. 9a.m.-10p.m., Fri.-Sun. 8a.m.-10p.m.

316 E. 1st St. • (213) 626-4046

943 N. N. Broadway, Broadway, Chinatown Chinatown 943 (BehindStandard StandardSavings Savings&&Loan) Loan) (Behind

Facility Available For Rental

((213) 626-2285 213) 626-2285

FIND OUT WHAT TO EAT AND WHERE TO EAT

LADOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

@

SPOTLIGHT ON

Av LADo

Read

SearchDowntownLA.com

December 29, 2008

Downtown News 17

CLASSIFIED

pLAce your Ad onLine At www.LAdowntownnews.com

L.a. downtown news classifieds call: 213-481-1448 classified display & Line ads deadlines: thursday 12 pm for rent STOP RENTING! Own A Home.

100% Financing. Zero Down.

No Closing Costs. Federally Insured. 1st Time Buyer OK. Call 866-903-8051. Green Planet Mtg. DOC LIC#4130948. (CalSCAN) ThE MEdIcI 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 for Specials!

TWO MONThS FREE! (O.A.C.) Brand New Resort Apartments.

Granite kitchens, washer/dryers, pools, spas, saunas, fitness ctr, free tanning beds & much more!

866-690-2894.

UP TO 1 month free! (O.A.C.) New downtown luxury apartments with granite kitchens, marble baths, pool, spa, saunas & free parking. 888-736-7471

Lofts Buying, Leasing or Selling a Loft?

TheLoftGuys.net LA’s #1 Loft Site

Call 213-625-1313

“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.”

2 Bd skyLine end unit North facing with great skyline view Upper floor; cove molding $599,000 Rob Nesbitt, Broker Wilshire Metro Realty, Inc. 213.629.2530 (office) 213.617.8225 (direct)

reaL estate for saLe

oLd Bank district

Lofts from $1,100. High ceilings.

A/C. Parking available.

High speed internet/T1 & direct T.V. Pets no charge. call 213-253-4777 LAloft.com

reaL estate cOLORAdO FOREcLOSURE40 Acres $29,900. Outstanding Views. Access to BLM Canyon Rec Land. Financing. Call 1-866696-5263 x4843. (Cal-SCAN)

office Lofts

1,250 Sq. ft Loft For Rent.

High ceilings, wooden floor, kitchen, shower, big window.

Free utilities. $1,275.00/Mo. 213-327-0105.

reaL estate apartments

MILANO LOFTS Now LeasiNg!

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

6th + Grand Ave. www.milanoloftsla.com Downtown since 2002 Don’t settle for anyone less experienced!

Call us today!

Bill Cooper 213.598.7555

TheLoftExpertGroup.com

doWntoWnneWs.com

213.627.1900

heLp Wanted BASKETBALL- Director of Development & Operations. Masteris Kinesiology, Physical Ed, or related & Speak/read/write Japanese & English required. Fax resume: All American Tickets 213217-5135 Los Angeles.

Teams earn Top dollar plus great benefits.

Solo drivers also needed for Western Regional

Werner enterpriSeS

1 (800) 346-2818 x123 dRIVERS-ASAP! Sign-On Bonus. 35-41 cpm. Earn over $1000 weekly. Excellent Benefits. Need CDL-A & 3 months recent OTR. 1-877-258-8782. www.MeltonTruck.com. (Cal-SCAN)

Business services A BEST-KEPT cLASSIFIEd Advertising Secret! A 25-word ad costs $550, is placed in 240 community newspapers and reaches over 6 million Californians. Call for more information (916) 2886010; (916) 288-6019 www.CalSCAN.com. (Cal-SCAN)

Loan MORTGAGE ALERT!! Loan Modifications, FHA Programs May save your home. Get the facts now. Free 24-hour recorded information. 1-800-715-6117 x17. (Cal-SCAN)

Business opportunity 100% REcESSION PROOF! Do You Earn $800 in a Day? Your Own Local Vending Route Includes 25 Machines and Candy for $9,995. MultiVend LLC, 1-888-625-2405. (Cal-SCAN)

OWN YOUR OWN Professional Business...Not a franchise or mlm! New, improved method in high demand! Only $98 down.

1-800-927-9594 24 hrs. www.

DrytechSystems.com/LesSaffil (Cal-SCAN)

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) Continued on next page

THE ANSWER to LAst weeK’s puZZLe

AdVERTISE EFFEcTIVELY! Reach over 3 million Californians in 140 community newspapers.

Cost $1,550 for a 3.75”x2” display ad. Super value! Call (916) 288-6010; (916) 288-6019. www.

Cal-SDAN.com. (Cal-SCAN) LOOKING FOR A cOST efficient way to get out a news release?

The California Press Release Service is the only service with 500 current daily, weekly and college newspaper contacts in California.

Questions call (916) 288-6010. www.CaliforniaPressReleaseService.com. (Cal-SCAN)

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

18 Downtown News

December 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

Continued from previous page

AUTOS wAnTed

lAUndry ServICeS

DONATE YOUR VEHICLE! Receive Free Vacation Voucher.

United Breast Cancer Foundation. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer Info www.ubcf.info Free Towing, Tax Deductible, NonRunners Accepted, 1-888-4685964. (Cal-SCAN)

AUCTIOnS FORECLOSED HOME AUCTION! Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside & More. 1000+ Homes Must Be Sold! Free Brochure: 1-800269-0782. www.USHomeAuction. com REDC. (Cal-SCAN)

Let us do the dirty work!

Beverly's Laundromat Drop Off

25% OFF 1st time customers only. Minimum 25lb

FREE Pick-up & Delivery with minimum 35lb

Open Daily 7 a.m.-10 p.m. • Free Parking

PArkIng

Star Holistic Spa

Monthly Parking Available

Massage/Acupressure 2551 W. Beverly Blvd.

LA, CA, 90057 (Beverly Rampart)

WORLD GUITAR SHOW, Buy, Sell, Trade, Marin Civic/San Rafael, January 10-11, Orange County Fair, January 17-18, Saturdays 10-5, Sundays 10-4. www.TXShows.com Clip this ad!

(Cal-SCAN)

ServICeS CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants. Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818409-9183.

$125. group discounts.

727 W. 7th Street Call (310) 693-0362

Tel: 213-383-7676

PREGNANT? Considering Adoption? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families nationwide. Living Expenses Paid. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions. 1-866-459-3369.

(Cal-SCAN)

AnnOUnCemenTS

610 S. Rampart Blvd. @ 6th St (213)804-0069

mASSAge

mISCellAneOUS

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

Familiar o Amigo Arrestado?

Necesita Permiso de trabajo? Tagalog / Español

get your green CArd or CITIZenSHIP Law Office of H. Douglas Daniel Esq., (213) 689-1710

legAlS PUBLIC NOTICE PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) ART FABRICATORS AND TECHNICIANS RFQ NO. NP 8021 The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, California (“CRA/LA”) plans to issue Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. NP 8021 to interested and qualified art fabricators and technicians for the fabrication and installation of artwork for a new pre-qualified pool list. These art fabricators/ technicians will be eligible for consideration in managing up-

coming public art projects commissioned by CRA/LA, under the direction of the CRA/LA Cultural Arts Planner. Artwork fabricators and technicians with experience working in durable materials and other various related services are encouraged to apply.

Qualified art fabricators and technicians are requested to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) referencing RFQ No. NP 8021, including complete firm name, contact name and title, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail. LOI’s should be addressed to CRA/LA, Contracts & Purchasing Dept., 354 So. Spring Street, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90013, Attn: Ms. Margie De La Rosa, Contracts Specialist, RFQ No. NP 8020, or

by FAX to (213) 626-0090, or by e-mail to mdelarosa@cra.lacity. org. Respondents interested in this RFQ will be placed on the “Registered List” for this RFQ No. NP 8021. Registration is not essential, but it will allow you to receive updates relative to this RFQ. A non-mandatory pre-submittal conference to discuss this RFQ will be scheduled for Friday,

save?

I’M THERE

FICTITIOUS BUSIneSS nAmeS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 20082181808 The following persons doing business as: (1)MANNY SOPRANO, (2) MANNY SOPRANO WEB GROUP, (3) LOS ANGELES

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

™

On Spring St.

Locations Nationwide

Spring Tower Lofts:

2bdrm/2bath, 2300 sqft, $3000/mo. • Live/Creative work space • 14 story bldg. • Rooftop garden terrace w/city view • Pet friendly

Every day, over 4,000 drivers switch their car insurance to State Farm® for average annual savings of $369.* Next! Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

CALL MY OFFICE FOr A quOtE 24/7.

Ramon Pantoja, Agent Insurance Lic. #: 0F70474 712 W 1st Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Bus: 213-225-0655

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

Premiere Towers:

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

2 bdrms/2 bath, $1750/mo. • 3 bdrms/2 bath, $2100/mo. • Rooftop garden terrace/GYM w/city view • 24 hr. doorman • free (1) parking

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

City Lofts:

880 sqft, 13 ft ceilings, $1650 • Granite marble top • Stainless steel appliances/ refrigerator etc. • Pet friendly

*Average annual household savings based on national 2007 survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm.

Daily average based on 1.5 million drivers switching to State Farm in 2007.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL

Jenny Ahn

We are located in a prime area in Downtown LA nice neighborhood w/ salon, market, café etc. Wired for high speed internet & cable, central heat & A/C

Please call 213.627.6913

3 Learn while you play 3 Shot visualization 3 Mastering club selection

3 Driving strategies 3 Mid/long iron techniques 3 Short game fundamentals

In golf, its you versus the course. Learn to manage the entire game, not just the mechanics of your swing. Learn course management and improve your game.

Steve Andelich Professional Golf Instructor

818.618.2099

Catering to Intermediate/Advanced Players

Move-in Special 1/2 Month Free Single rooms starting from $550/mo.

Includes utilities, basic cable channels, laundry room on site, street parking, 1 yr lease.

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

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

Children’s Performing Group

Sunshine Generation Singing, dancing, performing and fun!

For boys & girls ages 3 and up!

SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433

Luxury Rooms in Downtown Monthly Rents Start at $880 1 & 2 Bedrooms Available • 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

Special STUDeNT RaTe! $780 1 person

$100 OFF on 1st months Rent Exp. Jan. 15, 2009

Mayfair Hotel 1256 West 7th street

Simin (213) 484-9789 Ext. 555 or (213) 632-1111 Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator.

Full bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

Monthly from $695 utilities paid.

(213) 627-1151

Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom.

Excellent location.

Downtown LA. Weekly rate $275 inc.

REAL ARtist Lofts foR LEAsE

Monthly from $595 utilities paid.

(213) 612-0348

Open House Sunday 12:00pm-3:00pm 1250 Long Beach Ave. L.A. (Friendly Fun Community)

Wood floors, New kitchen, fireplace, high ceilings, jacuzzi, laundry room, pool.

Gated Parking. View of Downtown.

Sorry No Dogs

Visconti

2 MONTH FREE! 2 Bedroom/2 Bath, Starting at $2205 Walk to Downtown! Must M/I by 12/31 (877) 644-2623

1100 Sq Ft – 2000 Sq Ft. Prices from $1600-$2300 Includes 1 Pkg space.

Call Emily Emily (866) 425-7259 Call W W W. D O W N TO W N N E W S . CO M

Do you have something to sell?

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

Ad prices (Marketplace and Automotive Categories ONLY): • Items under $300…12 words, 2 weeks FREE! • Items $301 to $500…15 words, only $11.50 • Items $501 to $1200…15 words, only $14.00 • Items $1201 to $2000…15 words, only $16.50 • Items $2001+…15 words, only $19.00 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.

www.regentbc.com

MOVe-In SPeCIAL

Take Your Game to the Next Level Learn Course Management

(213) 996-8301

jahn@regentBC.com

www.cityloftsquare.com

Rent

LATINA, (4) LOS ANGELES LATINA TV, 256 S. Robertson Blvd., Suite #7061, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, are hereby registered by the following registrant: MANUEL ESPINOZA, 256 S. Robertson Blvd., #766, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. This business is conducted by an Individual. Registrant has not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on December 11, 2008.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles on December 11, 2008.

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. 12/15, 12/22, 12/29, 1/05/2009

Offices • Offices • Offices • Offices

Driven to

P080090 05/08

January 9, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., at the CRA/LA Central Office, 354 So. Spring Street, 6th Floor Board Room, Los Angeles, CA 90013. All interested parties are highly encouraged to attend this meeting. Please RSVP to attend this meeting by contacting Ms. Cynthia Foronda, Administrative Assistant at (213) 977-1763 or

by E-MAIL to cforonda@cra.lacity.org.

The RFQ is anticipated to be available for downloading only on the CRA/LA Website at www. crala.org on or after December 16., 2008. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 30, 2009.

12/29/08 CNS-1491792#

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

State Check $

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

Zip Credit Card $

Ad Copy: ___________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

December 29, 2008

H E L P WA N T E D

Available Immediately

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

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

Join Us! llEnt PAy We Are Growing Everyday! ExcE nEfits!! & BE IMMEDIATE OPENINGS FOR

BUS DRIVERS FOR Downtown DASH • Have superb customer relations skills • Exercise sound judgment in stressful situations • Understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions • Quickly and accurately count money at a glance • Fluent in English

Our complete benefits package includes: Health Insurance and Paid Vacations

Minimum Requirements • Minimum age: 21 years old • Class C driver’s license • No more than 2 pts. in the last 36 months on DMV record (H6 form)

(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.)

05002822B850

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

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

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

Information available to qualified prospective tenants.

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

Downtown News 19

SearchDowntownLA.com

2012 Laura Street, Huntington Park, CA 90255 Job line 323-582-1875

TWO MONTHS FREE!

Bunker Hill real estate Co, inC.

Promenade West Condo

2 Story Townhouse. West Facing With Downtown City View. Upgrades. Large Patio. Very Elegant.

Asking $599,900

Mirza alli

Broker/Realtor Leasing-SalesLoans-Refinance

(213) 680-1720 e-mail us: Info@bunkerhillrealestate.com

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

www.Bunkerhillrealestate.com

Santee Court Lofts from $1,450 716 Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014

(213) 623-8101 • www.santeecourt.com For Sale

Wine Bar/Restaurant





Award-Winning

626 reserve

in the Heart of Downtown l.a.’s Historic Core

Dozens of customers book the bar for private parties, corporate events and film shoots.

For more information, please contact: Tom Pratt

(415) 262-0077

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

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

HealtH Dept. rank a for 7 ConseCutive Years

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

HBODY

MASSAGEH

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

3386766 0119

For rent: EstablishEd 1984 ❏ Prom. West-2 Bed. 2 Bath. 7th Floor. Elegant Upgrades. Green House.

Pride of Ownership. $3,200 Furn. $3,000 Unfurn. ❏ Prom. West-2 Bed. 2 Bath. 5th Floor. $2,200 Month ❏ Bunker Hill Tower-2 Bed. 2 Bath. N/W View. $2,200 Month ❏ LA Fayette PK. PL.-2 Bed. 2 Bath. 3rd Floor. $1,750 Month Foreclosures-los Angeles ❏ 4 Bed, 2 Bath. Pasadena. Semi Circular Driveway. Price $411,900. ❏ 3 Bed, 2 Bath. Pasadena. Great For Growing Family. $409,900 ❏ 3 Bed. 2 Bath. Pasadena. Upgrades. 3 Car Gar. Big Lot. $594,900 ❏ 3 Bed. 3. Bath. Lawndale. Tri-Level Townhouse. Large $329,900 ❏ 2 Bed. 2. Bath. Altadena. 18,500 sq.ft. Lot Needs Some TLC. $412,000

W W W. D o W n to W n n e W s . co M

Last years guide was a hit...

Don’t miss out!

Los Angeles Downtown News is offering a once-a-year opportunity to reach more than 180,000 potential customers with its 2009 Los Angeles Restaurant Guide. 25,000 copies of this attractive magazine will be “outserted” around Los Angeles Downtown News.

We also print 55,000 extra copies that are requested throughout the year by visitors, concierges, meeting planners and hotel and convention organizers. Don’t miss out.

Your review-style ad includes an inviting, upbeat story and a color photograph of your restaurant.

The Restaurant Guide will be online throughout 2009 at DowntownLADining.com.

The 2009 Los Angeles Restaurant Guide Publishes March 30, 2009.

Deadline is February 2, 2009.

Reserve your space today.

Call (213) 481-1448.

20 Downtown News

December 29, 2008

DowntownNews.com

photo by Gary Leonard

We Got Games Clips Celebrate New Year’s With an Old Friend (and New Foe) Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or nba.com/lakers.

Friday, Jan. 2, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 4, 6:30 p.m.: The Lakers’ holiday homestand continues with two tough Western Conference opponents. First, they face Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz, a team the Lakers beat in six games in the 2008 conference semifinals. Then the resurgent Portland Trailblazers come to town as a squad that has improved greatly since the Lakers beat them 96-76 in the season opener.

Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or nba.com/clippers.

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 4, 12:30 p.m.: Clippers coach and GM Mike Dunleavy was miffed when longtime Clipper Elton Brand left in the off-season for Philadelphia. New Year’s Eve was supposed to be Dunleavy

and the Clippers’ grudge match opportunity to face Brand and his new team. But after injuring his shoulder, Brand is out for at least a month, and it’s unknown whether he will make the trip. You gotta wonder whether Dunleavy is bummed not to have the chance to beat Brand, or whether he’s grateful that his team doesn’t have to play against the former star. Also this week, the Detroit Pistons come to town for a Sunday contest.

Away games this week include trips to Sacramento (Dec. 30) and Phoenix (Jan. 2).

Coach Mike Dunleavy and the Clippers will take on the Philadelphia 76ers on New Year’s Eve. Former Clipper star Elton Brand is injured and won’t play.

Los Angeles Kings Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7340 or kings.nhl.com.

Monday, Dec. 29, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.: The Kings roll out the welcome mat for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who the Kings shut out earlier this month. Then, after nearly a week of rest, the locals host the hard-hitting Philadelphia Flyers.

—Ryan Vaillancourt

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

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

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

LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N

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

(213) 229-9777

LEASING I N F O R M AT I O N

(213) 617-3777

(213) 626-1500

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

sauna and recreation room with kitchen.

Far below are a host of businesses ready to

at home, downtown. Corporate and long term

Beautiful views extend from the Towers’ lofty

support your pampered downtown lifestyle.

residency is accommodated in high style at

homes in the sky. Mountain vistas and slender

Even the most demanding tastes are satisfied

the Towers Apartments. Contemporary singles,

skyscrapers provide an incredible back drop to

with gourmet dining, shops, theatres and

studio, one bedroom and two bedroom

complement your decor.

the cultural events that make headlines.

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

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore.

heated pool, spa, complete fitness center,

Visit the Towers Apartments today.

SINGLES, STUDIO, ONE BEDROOM & TWO BEDROOM RESIDENCES

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