Downtown Weekly

DOWNTOWN WEEKLY THE SPIRIT OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM VOL 16. NO. 03 JAN 13 - JAN 19TH, 2022

STAY HEALTHY

DTLA YOUR GUIDE TO HEALTH IN THE BIG CITY

CAN CANNABIS SAVE THE WORLD FROM COVID 19?

MAP INSIDE

GRAND TIP OF LA ICEBER THE G DOWNT FOR OWN DESTIN Y

THE HEALTHY CONDITION OF DOWNTOWN WEEKLY

VOL 16 NO 03 - JANUARY 13TH - JANUARY 19TH, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

ON THE COVER Robeks dtla

location: south park photo by :

KEri FREEMAN

CAN CANNABIS SAVE THE WORLD ?....

OXEFIT LAUNCHES HOME FITNESS AT CRyPTO .COM ARENA....4 the safe way. the easy way. loftway ....5 stay healthy dtla .....6 grand la - tip of the iceberg...8

THE VITAMINS

DTLA WEEKLY

editor and chief KERI FREEMAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

KERI FREEMAN christopher floch jackson roberts abel weiss jaime herrera

photography GARY LEONARD

VIDEO Production

@kerieatsdtla design and layout @kerieatsdtla

social media @kerieatsdtla

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Get2DTLA Event guide....11 Special thanks to...

MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES & council district 14 THE CITY OF LA ARTS DISTRICT CHINATOWN CIVIC DISTRICT BUNKER HILL EXPO/USC HISTORIC CORE LITTLE TOKYO FASHION DISTRICT FINANCIAL DISTRICT SKID ROW SOUTH PARK WAREHOUSE DISTRICT THEGRAWN ARTWALK NEWS

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4 STAY HEALTHY DTLA BY KERI FREEMAN

VOL 16 NO 03 - JANUARY 13TH - JANUARY 19TH, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

OxeFit Home Fitness System Launches with All Star NBA Legends at Crypto.Com Arena

W

hile most luxury apartments promise fitness rooms and spa amenities, news of uptakes in cases can suggest building management to close their communal doors, limiting tenants from benefiting from workouts at home.

The same goes for our community gyms that have taken the brute force of government lockdowns since the beginning of the pandemic.

For many, require masks to be worn during workouts that produce our heaviest breaths is a factor.

This recirculation of CO2 into the bloodstream, which pre-pandemic was widely promoted against because of its potential to cause a variety of health effects, including headaches, dizziness, restlessness, a tingling or pins or needles feeling, difficulty breathing, sweating, tiredness, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, coma, asphyxia, and convulsions.

Health enthusiasts are making the best of it, companies like OxeFit are investing in home workout systems that ensure safety and the proper air circulation designed by nature for the human being.

For Christmas, OxeFit gave the world a brand new $12.5 million home fitness system, with the intent to “bring advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to the world of strength training.”

The OxeFit XP1, is a commercial gym/ rehab/sports system with touchscreenequipped with hundreds of pounds of strength training.

OxeFit systems offer a wide range of home workouts, including standard strength, rowing, and pilates, accomplished with various add-on accessories.

The company has long insisted that its approach to AI/robotics sets it apart from the growing range of home fitness platforms.

OxeFit’s cutting-edge technology is a first-of-its-kind strength training system and recommended for a complete workout with all of the benefits of home without having to share your personal workout with the uncertain situation of the outside world.

Included in the OxeFit ecosystem is a library of engaging content. By harnessing data-driven workout programs, OxeFit’s XP1 and XS1’s computer-controlled weight loads allow for variable resistance training. At the same time, state-of-the-art technology captures data to identify weaknesses and potential for injury.

Downtown Weekly joined the creators of OxeFit on the red carpet at their launch event held at Crypto Arena in the days just before Christmas. While guests enjoyed live beats by DJ D-Nice and DJ: Deon Cole (Black-ish), CEO Rab Shanbleh, posed for photos with basketball greats Magic Johnson, Dwight Howard, and Lamar Odom.

Held high above general seating inside the massive 20,000 plus seat arena in a private suite, the star-studded celebrity and influencer event had hearts pumping as the Lakers took on the Phoenix Suns.

Event attendees and invited members of the media enjoyed lite bites, an open bar, and a silent disco, all before heading to the after part at Arts District’s Soho House with DJ Drama and Howard to exercise their rights to “get down”.

CAN CANNABIS SAVE THE WORLD FROM

C

COVID-19? By Jackson Roberts

ould it be that after all this time; fear and panic, lockdowns, mandates, furloughs, shutdowns, testing, overfilled hospitals, long lines at the grocery store, social distancing, super spreader events, protest, hand sanitizer, social media arguments, and double masking, that cannabis has been waiting in the corner of the ring all along, for scientists all over the world to finally tag it in the matchup against the deadliest pandemic of our time?

Could be.

According to our sources, new research suggests that compounds found in cannabis can prevent the virus from penetrating healthy human cells. One Bloomberg Business article states that the two compounds tested, CBGA & CBDA, are commonly found in hemp.

“In the lab, studies show they bound to the spike proteins found in the virus and block the key step in the infection process. It’s early days in the research, though. The study did it involve giving the supplements to people or comparing infection rates with a control group.”

The cannabis world embraces this mission as if Mama Nature of herself was giving the world the Go ahead to heal itself. And we’re all about healing the world right?

DTLA REAL ESTATE EMPIRE: LOFTWAY BY JACKSON ROBERTS

VOL 16 NO 03 - JAN 13TH - JAN 19TH, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM 5

STRESS FREE The Easy Way. The Safe

Real Estate Way. The Loftway.

Grabs in Downtown LA

L

oftway is a unique real estate boutique in South Park founded by Cristiano Sampaio on the principles of honesty, loyalty, understanding, and accountability.

Living in a big city can be demanding on your health. There’s noise pollution, air pollution, light pollution, and the stress of living in an unpredictable urban Metropolis.

Making significant investments call for careful research and superior customer service. What area or building you live in often depends on how long you will stay.

Loftway has been assisting buyers, sellers, landlords, renters, and developers since 2003.

Are you looking to buy or lease a peaceful dwelling with a relaxing view?

Many of our downtown residences come with health amenities: fitness centers, spas, pools, and Jacuzzi’s. Well equipped spaces for communal gatherings where tenants can come together, get to know each other and form healthy relationships.

Ah, the air is just fresher on a 28 story balcony in Downtown. On a clear day you can visually travel as far as the ocean or lose yourself within a labyrinth of neighboring city giants.

If you’re wondering what is the cost? Rest assured, it is still very much worth it to live in downtown Los Angeles. Knowing you’re coming home each day to a safe place of tranquility where you can burn a candle, prepare an organic meal, soak, and relax into a good night’s rest – is priceless.@LoftwayLA.com

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STAY HEALTHY DTLA BY KERI FREEMAN

VOL 16 NO 03 - JANUARY 13TH - JANUARY 19TH, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

STAY HEALTHY DTLA - Your Guide to Health in the BIG CITY

Presenting the first destination on DT Weekly Stay Healthy DTLA Campaign,

India on a Plate Visionaries Chirag Shah,

CEO, Antonio Kanickaraj, Director of Operations, and Amjad “AP” Pathan, CMO, opened Tulsi Indian Eatery in DTLA and its sister location in Northridge almost simultaneously in 2020. There are even plans of another Tulsi brick and mortar coming to the Finance District later this year.

Robeks DTLA in South Park, because every day is a new day to improve your health.

their chance to be chopped, squeezed or blended before meeting “the hummingbird” found on each cup.

Blenders hum from 8 am to 7:30 pm, as a steady flow of customers return each day for their low carb, low sugar smoothies so packed with flavor.

If you’re searching for a delicious smoothie, açaí bowl, or gourmet toast, look no further than Robeks DTLA in South Park.

Robeks DTLA, a leader in the smoothie franchise business, is nestled between two gyms and two coffee shops. It is completely surrounded by the promise of South Park’s new loft developments.

There’s just enough room behind the counter at Robeks for just about every nutritious fruit and vegetable known to man, all waiting patiently for

Medical journals show the best source for antioxidants comes from consuming foods such as kale, blueberries, strawberries, spinach, oranges, beets, and a longer list of naturally occurring unprocessed fruits and vegetables.

Robeks DTLA purposely blends these high-quality foods sourced from organic growers.

They blend to boost nutrition; they blend to bolster immunity and add energy. They blend to appease the hummingbird.

Robeks fresh juices come with cool titles like “The Hero’s Garden” with fresh green spinach, Matcha green tea,

pineapple, banana, spirulina, flaxseed, and apple juice.

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. If so, what can adding spirulina and flaxseed do? @robeksdtla

Tulsi Indian Eatery – Intersection of Health and Diversity in the Old Bank District

As individuals, each responsible for our own health and well-being, it’s up to us to find our own paths to love and joy. Luckily for DTLA, Main and Forth Street is the path to Tulsi Indian Eatery.

Their purposeful intent was to bring Indian food into America’s franchise food scene, and they are set right on course. Four courses, please.

Tulsi Indian Eater DTLA Where traditionally, Indian food restaurants have been dimly lit enclaves run by mom and pops, offering wellknown mainstream dishes and buffets, Tulsi Eatery brings America affordable, exotic items most may have not yet been exposed to.

Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is a healing plant found and celebrated in India for its immuneboosting qualities.

Tulsi Eateries offer several flavors of probiotic and immune-enhancing lassis, along with dishes prepared with the healing spices of India. @tulsieatery

ADVERTISE WITH US CALL: 888-732-DTLA

VOL 16 NO 03 - JANUARY 13TH - JANUARY 19TH, 2021 DTLAWEEK-

Au Lac on Bunker Hill.

Âu Lac is home to all-natural plant-based cuisine operated by restauranteurs Linh Nguyen and Chef Ito. Linh is our gracious host, and Chef Ito, a quiet fellow, only uses his mouth to taste. He does not talk. He hasn’t spoken in 20 years. Chef Ito has taken a vow of silence and ask you to let the food speak for itself.

And it does. It speaks with perfect diction, it screams delicious, and it whispers in your ear, “you’re doing the right thing.”

Linh and Chef Ito harness the power of healing foods and fuse them within memorable Vietnamese-inspired dishes.

The Ravioli Rosa is made with Vidalia onion, and cannellini bean ravioli prepared in sun-dried tomato and macadamia cream sauce topped with vegan parmesan and fresh basil served with toasted garlic bread. No gluten.

One item on the menu is of particular health interest.

Au Lac serves the not so well known, Gynostemma tea, aka Miracle Grass. There’s a name that speaks for itself.

Winning the hearts of fans from around the world, Au Lac is not only a restaurant; it’s a purpose. The creators have been here for our health from the beginning, serving dishes with ingredients they knew along would heal and sustain us.

Los Angeles where you could close your eyes, make a wish and toss in an almond.

Then magically prepared before your very eyes, your nutritious Açaí bowl topped with sliced bananas and sweet strawberries, buried beneath ripe blueberries and hemp seed sprinkles.

You wished for health.

You wished well.

If you are on a specific health plan, whether for weight management or sports conditioning or over all wellness, Naturewell can recommend the best smoothies and juices for your dietary requirements.

Rooted within the Spring Arcade Building in the Historic Au Lac is not only a restaurant; Core, this convenient one stop it’s a loudspeaker for what the shop for fruits and vegetable vegan movement has become.

Delicious, memorable, and relentlessly good for you. @aulacrestaurant

Meat is never missed at Au Lac because of their well-prepared, thought-out meals. Knowing each ingredient’s beneficial affect on your health, Chef Ito creates dishes like Spicy Calamari. Here’s a crispy plate of battered organic eryngii mushrooms sautéed with ginger, garlic, chives, Thai basil, and Thai chili peppers served with chef’s dipping sauce and black rice. The crispy calamari mushroom rings are such a complete What if there was a magical substitute in flavor and texture wishing well somewhere in they make you wonder why we the Historic Core of downtown still fish the sea?

Wish For Health at NatureWell

smoothies, juices and açaí bowls will help your body attack free radicals, boost immunity, add essential vitamins and minerals to your diet and aid in digestion.

Enzymes present in several fruits help dissolve body fat and clear up your circulatory system.

You’ve Been Stressing

Organic fruits and vegetables serve as excellent stress busters. Smoothies made of fresh ingredients relieve stress, balance hormones, and help you stay happier and healthier longer.

Keep making wishes to replenish and take overall good care of yourself with the help of Naturewell. @naturewelljuicebar

8 DTLA REAL ESTATE EMPIRE BY ABEL WEISS

VOL 16 NO 03 - JANUARY 13TH - JANUARY 19TH, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

Grand LA on Bunker Hill: Tip of the Iceberg for Downtown Destiny

By ABEL WEISS

Seems like only yesterday, Eli and Edythe and Lillian Disney broke ground on the site that would become Walt Disney Concert Hall.

T

he year was 1999.

Joined by Mayor Richard Riordan, all holding their shovels, acoustic hall designers Minoru Nagata and Yasuhisa caught their footing alongside Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry.

Breaking the earth, this well-seasoned group of philanthropists and visionaries plunged their golden shovels into downtown destiny – the destiny of Bunker Hill transforming into America’s most treasured cultural epicenter.

It’s happening.

With Music Center, MOCA and Colburn School firmly rooted in Bunker Hill for decades, the introduction of the LA Phil and Master Chorale at the newly constructed Walt Disney Concert Hall coupled with the legacy of Eli Broad rang the city’s highest notes.

But it wasn’t over yet. As Covid forced the cancellations of many a show, construction of the Grand LA continued amid this performance Mecca.

The final piece of the Grand Design, or Grand Ave Project as it was officially named, The Grand LA would become the tip of the iceberg reaching high into our city’s skyline.

The second building designed by Gehry, Grand LA, would exist as two massive skyscrapers. The taller structure offers mixeduse luxury and affordable housing units while the smaller structure, facing north; 305 rooms inside the 28-story luxury hotel.

Related Companies’ (Time Warner Center and the Bronx Terminal Market City) mixed-use The Grand LA, designed by Frank Gehry, highlights incorporate luxury accommodations for visitors and permanent residents, hotel, three levels of retail, and a 16,000 sq ft rooftop pool deck joined together at ground level with year-round concerts in the plaza.

Rick Vogel, senior vice president for a private New York real estate company and developer Related Companies, oversees the project.

“What The Grand LA is doing is creating a 24/7 neighborhood that gives something to do for everybody…Hopefully, it will be in the top two of three destinations for visitors when they visit Los Angeles,” he said.

There will be views… and food.

Frank Gehry’s 30-year dream awakens with interior designers by AD100 firm Ingrao Inc. Both structures offer tremendous city views.

Enter José Andrés Joining the list of prestigious chefs destined to produce the lush aromas up on the Hill comes one of Spain’s most lovable culinary masterminds.

On the second day of this year, Jose Andres shocked the world with his recent announcement on Ellen that he would be responsible for the entire food program at The Grand LA’s hotel.

Audiences cheered, matching the energy of Andres as he wittily spoon-fed the famed talk show host his version of “hope and new beginnings for 2022”; a spherified Mohito in the form of an intoxicating bursting tongue bubble.

Andres proudly told America how excited he was to return to Los Angeles, sharing news of not only one but three new restaurants he would head inside The Grand LA. Jose Andres has long shared his savory dishes with added joy and laughter across the nation and is no stranger to hotel extravagance. At that very moment, operating restaurants in Miami, Chicago and New York; at Sahara Hotel, as many as 350 guests dined on lamb chop perfection, poolside, sipping cocktails in the electric dessert that is Las Vegas.

“I love Los Angeles! It is where we debuted The Bazaar years ago and since then, we’ve evolved with many new stories to share through food,” said Andrés. “This city welcomed me so warmly when we first opened, and I can’t wait to return to give Angelenos and the world an exciting new destination for dining in Downtown LA.” Destiny has arrived for the visionaries of Bunker Hill, cementing downtown Los Angeles as the number one destination for life, work, and play in Southern California. @thegrandla

O

DTLA ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

VOL 16 NO 03 - JANUARY 13TH - JANUARY 19TH, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM

n the second day of this year, José Andrés shocked the world with his recent announcement on pirituality Ellen that he would involves the be responsible for the entire food program recognition at The Grand LA’s of a feeling or hotel. sense or belief Audiences cheered, matching the energy of Andrés as he wittily spoon-fed the famed talk show host his version of “hope and new beginnings for 2022”; a spherified Mohito in the form of an intoxicating bursting tongue bubble.

Andrés proudly told America how excited he was to return to Los Angeles, sharing news of not only one but three new restaurants he would head inside The Grand LA. José Andrés has long shared his savory dishes with added joy and laughter across the nation and is no stranger to hotel extravagance. At that very moment, operating restaurants in Miami, Chicago and New York; at Sahara Hotel, as many as 350 guests dined on lamb chop perfection, poolside, sipping cocktails in the electric dessert that is Las Vegas.

“I love Los Angeles! It is where we debuted The Bazaar years ago and since then, we’ve evolved with many new stories to share through food,” said Andrés.

“This city welcomed me so warmly when we first opened, and I can’t wait to return to give Angelenos and the world an exciting new destination for dining in Downtown LA.” Destiny has arrived for the visionaries of Bunker Hill, cementing downtown Los Angeles as the number one destination for life, work, and play in Southern California.

The Journey Into Spirituality

Begins at Art District’s Wisdome LA

S

that there is something greater than thyself, something more to being human than on a singular plane. Spirituality establishes a connection between our experience in this realm and the next and answers the question: If we are cosmic or divine, how do we tap in to manifest a better life for ourselves and humanity?

Thanks to Wisdome LA, your mystic journey of spiritual enlightenment awaits right here Downtown.

Wisdome LA offers a multisensory experience that combines music, dance and immersive visuals to build a deep connection to oneself.

Rotating gurus and yogis, sound healers meditate under its domes to fulfill their purpose to improve mental health and support stress reduction.

With 14 mystical realms of the universe with mind-blowing art and interactive augmented reality, Wisdome LA brings something new for the spirit to groove to each month.

This month at Wisdome LA, leap into the magical realms of virtual reality, iconic musical art, 3D sound, and a mindbending 360 IMMERSIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE as Think:X performs the very best of Pink Floyd’sFloyd’s music live! Beyond the Wall, ft Think:X Immersive 360 Xperience of Pink Floyd’sFloyd’s Music. Jan 21 & 22nd.

––Are you ready for Battle? Art Battle LA Returns Art Battle® LIVE is back and coming to Wisdome LA, January 27th with a silent auction and some thunderous battle cries throughout the evening.

Art Battle LA is part of a National and International Art Battle competition. This one-night tournament at Wisdome LA features 12 artists competing against a 20-minute clock and audience votes. Let the Best Art Win! Artists competitors include; Plutos, Katherine Zhukovsky, Darren Domingo, Ariana Bennardo, CS Murphy, Michael Jon Vargas, Leekovision, JUJU, Michelle Doand Sabrina (SAB) Evan.

If mind, body, and spirit are one, then a spiritual connection is probably one of the healthiest activities we should set time away for.

Wisdome LA opens its doors at 4:00 pm, Battle LA doors open at 7 pm. @artbattle @wisdome.la

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More Cancellations at Music Center as Covid Scrooge Vows to Ruin the Holidays

VOL 15 NO 16 - DECEMBER 9TH - DECEMBER 16TH, 2021 DTLAWEEKLY.COM