big trouble for jรณse huizar Page 5, 7
a celebration for uncabaret Page 11
November 12, 2018 I VOL. 47 I #46
E Y B D O O G t e p Pup e c a l Pa b Baker o B e h t , s r o ea After 55 Y Theater Prepares t e Marionett ve Downtown Lea
photos by Sean P. Thomas
ge 9 See Pa
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2 DOWNTOWN NEWS
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AROUND TOWN
Thief Steals Tom Hanks’ Typewriter From Library Show
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owntown, we have a problem. A typewriter owned by actor Tom Hanks was stolen on Oct. 22 from a display at the Central Library. “Typewriters” is one of several exhibitions that make up the 21 Collections: Every Object Has a Story show in the Central Library’s Getty Gallery. The theft was caught on camera and an investigation is ongoing, according to a spokesperson for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, which organized the show. During the robbery, two birds eggs from the “Birds Eggs and Nests” exhibition in the show were broken. Following the theft, there has been increased security on site. The 21 Collections show, featuring Hanks’ remaining typewriters, runs through Jan. 27.
Two Holiday Ice Rinks Return
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ou might not believe it with temperatures in the 70s and 80s, but winter is coming to Downtown Los Angeles. The surest sign is the return of a pair of holiday ice
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skating facilities. The L.A. Kings Holiday Ice Rink opened in Microsoft Square at L.A. Live on Saturday, Nov. 10, and will be open through Jan. 6. Admission to the rink, with a towering Christmas tree in the center, is $20 and includes skate rentals. Meanwhile, the Bai Holiday Ice Rink opens at Pershing Square on Thursday, Nov. 15. The rink will be open daily and skate sessions last an hour. The Pershing Square rink will be up through Jan. 21 and there will be special events including a silent skate party and DJ nights. Admission is $9 and skate rentals are $5.
Broadway Condo Building Nearly Sells Out First Phase
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he Perla building on Broadway won’t open for two years, but it is already selling. Developer SCG America, a subsidiary of the Chinese-based Shanghai Construction Group, announced this month that 85% of the 120 condominiums available in the first phase have been sold; prices range from the low $400,000s to $1.2 million. The buyers have put down 5% of the cost in a binding contract; another 5% will be paid next year, according to a spokesperson for the project. Sales of phase two units are expected to begin early next year. The 35-story building at 400 S. Broadway will have studio, one- and two-bedroom units. “Due to unprecedented interest in our new homes, we will be releasing the
second phase ahead of schedule to meet the growing demand,” SCG America said in a prepared statement. The 450-unit building is expected to open in 2020. Additional information is at perlaonbroadway.com.
Cole’s French Dip Turns 110
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ne of Downtown Los Angeles’ landmark restaurants is celebrating a milestone, and is inviting the public. Cole’s French Dip is turning 110 on Monday, Nov. 12, and is marking the occasion by serving $10 French dip and martini specials from noon-2 a.m. The festivities land on National French Dip Day, which was created by the restaurant. Cole’s, located at 118 E. Sixth St., as well as fellow Downtown Los Angeles sandwich purveyor Philippe The Original, both claim credit for creating the savory French roll sandwiches. Philippe The Original celebrated its 110th birthday in September.
New Details on Arts District Project
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ore information and fresh renderings are out for the Palmetto and Colyton residential development near the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator. Documents were recently filed with the Department of City Planning for the 12-story building at 527 Colyton St. The project being developed by Bolour Associates will have 310
NOVEMBER 12, 2018
live/work units. The design from Ankrom Moison Architecture is decidedly modern, with a concrete and glass façade, a walkway in the middle of the building and a landscaped balcony deck in the center of the structure. The project will also create 27,401 square feet of commercial space, including areas for art production and display. There will also be 237 parking spaces on two underground levels. Bolour Associates intends to break ground by early 2021. The budget has not been disclosed.
Community Clean-Up Event This Weekend
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elp spruce up the Central City by attending an inaugural community happening. Dubbed Team Up to Clean Up, the event invites local stakeholders to Pershing Square (532 S. Olive St.) to clean up the de facto city center on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Teams are expected to start the actual work around 9:30 a.m. While residents are working to clean Pershing Square, city departments will be conducting special services throughout Downtown neighborhoods including trash removal, tree planting and repairs to faulty street lighting.
Correction The table in last week’s issue titled “The Next Batch of Downtown Housing” incorrectly listed the Aven development as being a Forest City project. The developer is Mack Urban.
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EDITORIALS
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NOVEMBER 12, 2018
TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD
The Crisis of Children On Skid Row
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here is no shortage of calls to action in response to the homelessness crisis that is devastating Los Angeles. The scenes on local sidewalks simultaneously break hearts and testify to the gravity of the situation — the endless lines of tents, the men and women dressed in little more than rags, the clearly mentally ill individuals talking or gesticulating wildly to themselves. Yet amid all the unconscionable scenarios, one stands out, and demands the kind of emergency response that we have yet to see: the unprecedented number of children in Skid Row. Los Angeles Downtown News recently reported on a staggering crisis that, for some reason, has gone largely unseen. Most shocking was the Union Rescue Mission on Sept. 17 setting an ignominious “record” of 270 children staying overnight; the peak has not been equaled since, but the count has not dropped much either, mission CEO Andy Bales told Downtown News. City and County leaders are taking homelessness more seriously than ever and have embraced challenges including raising billions of dollars at the ballot box and pushing for bridge housing in communities that fight tooth and nail against it. That merits applause, but the hundreds of children living on the streets or in missions require an elevated response. Los Angeles needs emergency teams that can quickly transfer kids and their parents out of Skid Row. Even if permanent housing is not available, the children must have access to safe homes in other neighborhoods, the normalization of school and an overall sense of stability. As with everything related to homelessness, this is much easier declared than achieved, and the regional housing shortage that propels rising rents and forces more people to the streets only adds to the challenge. Still, the demand cannot be overstated — the trauma of homelessness can have life-long repercussions on a child. The first step to addressing this situation is having high-profile leaders acknowledge and respond to it. Elected officials including Mayor Eric Garcetti, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and City Attorney Mike Feuer have all made combatting homelessness a priority. Now they must build upon those efforts to aid this vulnerable population. The need for action is intensified by the fact that the situation is worsening. The 2018 homeless count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority recorded 478 homeless family members in Skid Row, with 309 of them under the age of 18. The previous year 148 children under 18 were tallied. The options are limited, especially when one considers that the Union Rescue Mission’s Hope Gardens center in Sylmar for women and children is filled to its capacity of 225 beds. But that just echoes the need for creative alternatives — the solution cannot be waiting months or years for more space to be built. Homelessness across L.A. County is being addressed on multiple fronts, and as has been said many times before, there is no quick solution. Still, if ever a facet of the issue demanded immediate additional resources and attention, it is the plight of homeless children on Skid Row.
City Hall
Nobody’s Above the Law • Mueller Protection Mobilization
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COMMENTS
Regarding the column “Eric Garcetti Goes National,” by Jon Regardie
Regarding the article “Downtown Stakeholders Push for Trial in Key Skid Row Case,” by Nicholas Slayton
Maybe he should focus on his current day job. —David Hernandez
There is a dereliction of duty by the City of Los Angeles, which enforces laws for decent taxpaying citizens, but looks the other way while drug gangs threaten our Historic Core neighborhood. People are paying $1,000-$5,000 monthly rents for apartments, and $12,000-$15,000 rents for DTLA businesses, only to have human feces, disease, syringes and panhandling right at our doorsteps! Why is the City not taking a position on this? I am shouted at near my front door because I witnessed another crack smoker or drug deal and am told to go away by people who don’t live here. —Kirk A. Gaw
Where does this man get the idea that he can run the country when under his watch the quality of life in the city has declined by almost every metric? It’s really quite stunning. I suppose it underscores just how out of touch he is, which explains why things are worse in the city than before he took office. Maybe the silver lining is that he will actually try to do something about the big picture problems. like getting some of the homeless individuals off the streets, so he can make a good impression. We know he won’t do anything otherwise, which explains 5 1/2 years of failure. —Rachel Jamison Regarding the article “Bob Baker Theater to Close,” by Sean P. Thomas This could be such a charming new resident for the Arts District, and it would be such a loss if they decided to leave the area. The whole affair makes one wonder why someone with assets or influence doesn’t do anything. —William Wilson EDITOR: Jon Regardie STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton, Sean P. Thomas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre
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DOWNTOWN NEWS 5
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Huizar’s in Trouble. Cue the Vultures Early Morning FBI Raids! A K9 Unit! This Will Go Down in City Hall Lore By Jon Regardie n the 13 years that he has sat on the City Council, José Huizar has found himself in a number of sticky situations. But nothing compares to the current ball of wax. And by ball of wax, I mean a great big melting mess, one with sealed FBI warrants sticking out of it.
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THE REGARDIE REPORT The video of federal agents in blue jackets with yellow lettering entering Huizar’s home, fourth floor City Council office and Boyle Heights field office last week, and emerging hours later carrying boxes and electronic equipment, seemed straight out of a CBS procedural. This will go down in City Hall lore. The FBI was mum about what they were looking for in the Wednesday morning searches, and in a way that’s the worst possible thing for #TeamHuizar, which I write that way because the councilman has been working for more than a year to lay the groundwork to get his wife Richelle elected to his seat when he is termed out in 2020. The “Team Huizar” branding is everywhere. For political Huizars of the present and future, FBI Wednesday could be the equivalent of the “Game of Thrones” Red Wedding. The silence from the feds is bad because it makes everyone speculate on just what the 50-year-old councilman did to warrant the attention. And there are so many possibilities! If I’ve learned one thing about politics, it’s that having your constituents and City Hall watchers spend hours pondering your potential misdeeds is bad for your career. Intriguingly, the conversation I had most frequently after
the news broke concerned the role of the K9 doggy seen in video sniffing about Huizar’s house. The brown mutt, who someone who visited the scene told me is named Ginger, was super cute, bounding about with a tennis ball in her mouth. Was Ginger trained to sniff out drugs? Cash? Explosives? The latter seemed unlikely, but I had extended conversations about whether it could be the first two, and again, if people are talking about why a sniffer dog is in your stuff, that’s never a good thing. Later the Los Angeles Times reported that Ginger actually has a nose for electronics such as hidden cell phones and thumb drives. As one Downtowner texted me, “I guess that makes more sense.” Past Transgressions The day could have been worse for Team Huizar. Maybe not a lot worse, but definitely worse. After all, no one was arrested. To be clear, as of this writing no charges have been filed. If there are formal allegations, José Huizar will get his day in court. Actually, make that “days,” in both federal and civil courthouses, as the FBI action followed the filing of not one but two lawsuits against him by former employees. Late last month both Pauline Medina, an ex-office manager and lead administrator, and Mayra Alvarez, a onetime executive assistant and scheduler, sued Huizar and the city, alleging harassment and retaliation. Both claimed that the councilman had an extramarital affair with an office employee. Huizar strongly denied the allegations, charging that they are politically motivated. The problem — well, another problem, is that the pres-
photo by Gary Leonard
City Councilman José Huizar and his wife Richelle, who is running to replace him in 2020, could both feel repercussions from FBI searches of their home and the councilman’s City Hall office last week.
ent situation dredges up memories of the councilman’s past transgressions. Five years ago a different former employee, Francine Godoy, sued Huizar and the city, charging sexual harassment in the wake of an affair. Huizar acknowledged the relationship with Godoy (the current lawsuits allege an affair with a different, unnamed woman) and the case was settled in October 2014. The city paid no money, but one of City Hall’s best parlor games since then has been speculating as to whether there was a private payment, and if so, who wrote the check and how many zeros were in it. Right now, everyone is wondering, and continuing to specContinued on page 16
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California Hospital Medical Center Foundation thanks our sponsors and supporters for making this year’s 28th Annual La Grande Affaire the most successful gala to date with over $675,000 raised! Proceeds from this year’s event will support the $215 million modernization of the hospital’s campus, including the construction of a new state-of-the-art, four-story patient care pavilion. PLATINUM SPONSOR:
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An Urban Garden, Vintage Costumes and More By Nicholas Slayton ome Improvement: Yet another shop is seeking to capitalize on the growing residential base in Downtown Los Angeles. West Elm, a high-end home furnishings store, is now up and running in the Broadway Palace apartment complex. The 11,000-square foot store, in the buzzing neighborhood near the Ace Hotel, opened in September. It stocks furniture, home decor and bedding, with many items either evoking a Mid-Century Modern aesthetic or leaning toward contemporary minimalism. Customers can pick up everything from leather couches (one goes for about $2,000) to a bar cart for entertaining ($299). At 928 S. Broadway, (213) 683-4885 or westelm.com.
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Going Green: Downtown is admittedly a concrete jungle. That said, locals can get a bit more greenery in their photo courtesy of the Last Follies lives now that the long-awaited RollThe Last Follies opened recently in the Old Bank District. It ing Greens has opened. The Arts Disstocks a wide variety of attention-grabbing costumes. trict space, which debuted on Nov. 3, is the company’s third outpost in Los Angeles, and it’s a big one that has seen quite a stamped on it. The items are made by people transformation. Rolling Greens has turned a transitioning out of homelessness, and genformer scrap metal yard into a destination for erally cost $15-$45. The space is the compaurban gardeners. There is a 15,000-square- ny’s first standalone store in Los Angeles affoot showroom with furniture, pottery and ter a series of popups or partnerships. At 836 Traction Ave. or thegivingkeys.com. more, along with a 20,000-square-foot greenhouse. There is also an on-site events space, complete with a bar and a tent for din- Play Dress Up: Those who like to don inventive and sometimes outrageous get-ups are ners and parties. in luck, as Downtown Los Angeles has a new At 1005 Mateo St. or rollinggreens.com. costume shop. The Last Follies opened at Lock and Key: Fans of socially conscious Fourth and Main streets in late September. jewelry are in luck, as The Giving Keys has The Old Bank District store focuses on vinset up shop in the Arts District. The store, on tage, 1920s outfits. There are options ranging Traction Avenue adjacent to the Arts District from David Bowie-style glam, with sequins Brewing Co., is a brick-and-mortar outpost of and sparkles, to a mermaid outfit with a full a longtime Skid Row provider. It opened in tail. There also find retro dresses and gowns, September and specializes in necklaces and and rentals are available. The clothes come earrings featuring a key, with a simple inspi- from a private collection. At 334 S. Main St., or thelastfolliescloset.com. rational message such as “Believe” or “Dream”
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DOWNTOWN NEWS 7
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FBI Searches Huizar’s Offices and Home Agents Storm City Hall. Few Details on Investigation By Sean P. Thomas BI agents served search warrants at 14th District City Councilman José Huizar’s City Hall office and home in Boyle Heights on Wednesday, Nov. 7, continuing a string of legal issues for the official who represents Downtown Los Angeles and other neighborhoods. More than a dozen FBI agents filed into Huizar’s fourth-floor City Hall office suite early Wednesday morning, shortly after staffers had opened the office for the day. That morning agents also executed search warrants at his home in Boyle Heights and a field office in the same community. FBI agents were seen leaving the City Hall office with boxes and paper bags. In a similar scene, agents departed his home on Brittania Street with bags of evidence and a computer. A K9 unit was also on the scene at his residence. It remains unclear what specifically the agents were investigating and how long they have been looking into Huizar. A spokesman for the FBI’s Los Angeles field office said that the details of the search warrants have been sealed. No arrests have been made. FBI Special Agent David Nanz, who supervised the search warrant at Huizar’s City Hall office, declined to comment when approached by news crews. “The FBI is conducting a lawful warrant
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that’s under seal and that’s all I can say,” he told reporters in the building. Rick Coca, Huizar’s communications director, directed questions to a Huizar attorney, Stephen Kaufman. “We are assessing the situation and have no further comment at this time,” Kaufman said in a statement. City Council President Herb Wesson, who has been a staunch supporter of Huizar in the past, said in a statement that the “recent events comes as a surprise to each of us.” He added, “We will continue to do the jobs we were elected to do and will cooperate with authorities if asked.” Mayor Eric Garcetti declined to comment. Previous Trouble The FBI investigation continues a difficult period for Huizar. On Oct. 22, a lawsuit was filed by a former employee, Mayra Alvarez, charging harassment and retaliation in the wake of an alleged affair with another employee. Alvarez, a onetime executive assistant and scheduler who left the office in July and now works for State Assemblywoman Wendy Carillo, also alleges that the councilman instructed city employees to engage in preliminary work on a City Council campaign for his wife, Richelle Huizar. José Huizar will be termed out in 2020. Richelle Huizar in September announced her candidacy for
Great Friends
FBI agents searched two offices and the home of 14th District City Councilman José Huizar last week, continuing a string of legal issues facing the official who represents Downtown and other neighborhoods.
photo by Gary Leonard
the seat and has begun campaigning. A second lawsuit was filed on Oct. 31 by Pauline Medina, a former office manager. It also charges harassment and retaliation and asserts that the councilman attempted to force her out of her position after she complained to Huizar’s chief of staff that her boss was engaged in unethical behavior, including an extramarital affair with an office employee, and used public funds for personal expenses. Medina left the office in June. Both lawsuit were prepared by attorney Terrence Jones. They come in the wake of a
discrimination complaint filed against Huizar on the city’s MyVoiceLA website. The identity of the person who filed the complaint has not been revealed. Jones said his clients did not file the complaint. Huizar categorically denied the allegations in the suits, calling them a “coordinated political attack by individuals who share the same attorney and have a vested interest in denigrating my name and supporting certain political opportunists.” Huizar was not available for comment last week. sean@downtownnews.com
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NOVEMBER 12, 2018
Grand Avenue Project to Finally Break Ground Developer Related Companies Secures Financing for $1 Billion Bunker Hill Effort By Nicholas Slayton or 14 years, the southeast corner of First Street and Grand Avenue has sat in a sort of limbo, awaiting a project that would raze an outdated parking structure and replace it with a gleaming mega-development designed by architect Frank Gehry. Now, finally, it is moving forward. New York-based developer Related Companies last week announced that it has secured the financing needed to get the $1 billion development dubbed The Grand off the ground. Initial site preparation is underway. On Monday, Nov. 4, Related said it had secured $630 million in construction financing from Deutsche Bank. That follows the announcement last year that Chinese firm CCCG Overseas Real Estate Pte. Ltd., also known as CORE, will contribute $290 million to the project. The Grand, which will replace the “Tinker Toy” parking structure across from Walt Disney Concert Hall, will create 436 residential units, 20% of which will be set aside as affordable housing. It is expected to open in the fall of 2021, according to Related Senior Vice President Rick Vogel. “Downtown Los Angeles, particularly Bunker Hill, needs this project,” Vogel said in an interview. “Bunker Hill has the largest collection of performance and visual arts centers in the city, but it lacks the soul and substance of
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Site preparation work for The Grand is underway. The project designed by Frank Gehry will create two towers with 436 residential units, 309 hotel rooms and 215,000 square feet of commercial space.
image courtesy of Related/ Gehry Partners
a neighborhood. There are few residents, no meaningful retail, and only a handful of restaurant options. This project is going to turn Bunker Hill into a true 24/7 neighborhood.” The Grand will include a 39-story residential tower and a 309-room Equinox hotel in a separate 20-story building. Those will be arranged around a 215,000-square-foot commercial space with a central plaza that opens to Grand Avenue. There will be an assortment of shops and restaurants, a movie theater and landscaped terraces. The project will have a five-level underground garage.
Securing financing marks a breakthrough for a project that has been discussed for nearly two decades. In 2004, Related and Gehry won a public bidding competition for development rights to a collection of cityand county-owned parcels. A $2 billion plan was put forward, with construction slated to start in 2007, but that was stymied by the global financial collapse. There has been some activity since 2004. Related paid $50 million up front for the development rights, with the money used to fund the creation of Grand Park in 2012.
Additionally, Related opened the 271-unit apartment complex The Emerson at 225 S. Grand Ave. in 2014. Related also relinquished another parcel in the original development agreement — that site now holds the museum The Broad. Work started last week with site preparation and inspection. The Tinker Toy lot is expected to close in the coming weeks, Vogel said. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who heads the Grand Avenue Authority, a city-county joint-powers authority overseeing the development on Bunker Hill, welcomed the news of the financing. “This project will create permanent jobs and build much-needed affordable housing in my district,” Solis said in a prepared statement. “With Frank Gehry’s visionary design supporting a variety of community-supporting mixed-use development, I am excited for the future of Grand Avenue and the larger neighborhood.” City Councilman José Huizar, whose 14th District includes Downtown Los Angeles, and who also sits on the Grand Avenue Authority, called the development “great news for The Grand, Downtown Los Angeles and the millions of Angelenos and visitors who will benefit from this multi-faceted development in the coming years.” The parking structure will come down in the next six to eight weeks, Vogel said. Excavation is expected to begin before the end of the year, with formal construction starting in early 2019. nicholas@downtownnews.com
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Bidding Farewell to the Puppet Palace After 55 Years in Downtown, the Bob Baker Marionette Theater Gets Ready for Its Next Act By Sean P. Thomas hen Cain Carias learned last month that the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in City West would vacate its home of 55 years, he wasn’t surprised. Carias, the most tenured employee, with 17 years at the theater, had long known that staging puppet shows in a world dominated by digital media was a challenge. He had questioned many times whether the late Bob Baker’s vision of a family-friendly puppet palace would remain in operation. “When I started working here there was always struggle,” Carias said last week. He was one of a few employees in the empty crimson theater an hour after 150 gleeful elementary school children had taken in one of the final shows. “There was always talk of, ‘Oh, we’re going to close next year or, oh, there is no money.’ Eventually it was going to happen.” Those worries came to fruition on Oct. 2, when theater leaders announced that the final day of performances in the space at 1345 W. First St. will be Friday, Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving and 55 years to the day after the theater opened. The following day the theater will begin a five-week run of its annual holiday Bob Baker’s Nutcracker show at the Pasadena Playhouse. Plans call for a move into a new permanent home next year, though the location has not been revealed. While the staff is relieved that there is a future for the theater, the closing of the longtime home has been emotional both for those who work there, and the people who attended shows, and who in ensuing decades may have taken children of grandchildren to enjoy the decidedly old-school brand of entertainment. Alex Evans, executive director of the theater, said the staff
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is balancing the wrenching loss of the building with optimism for what comes next. “We’ll likely still be in the space packing up until January,” Evans said. “I imagine, for me, that will be the hardest time, taking down the stuff. “But there are a lot of positive things to kind of constantly remind us that the future is sweeter and sweeter. We’re stoked. By all measures this is a big step for the company.” Evans said the new location will be announced shortly. Since the announcement of the impending departure, the team has been staging a sort of greatest-hits performance dubbed Best of Bob Baker—Farewell Shows. The venue has been jammed six days a week. Evans said crowds have been larger than usual and tickets are selling faster as people seek to visit the theater, whether for the first or last time. Best of Bob Baker takes some of the best-known sequences and puppets from the theater’s five-and-a-half decade run and compiles them into one grand performance. On a recent weekday morning, this meant dusting off favorites like the ever-sneezing Eskimo, the Ice Queen and King, and a quartet of dancing Chow puppies. In total, the 45-minute performance featured close to 100 puppets, some almost as large as the puppeteers. As each marionette emerged from behind the curtains, the children giggled and cheered. When the puppeteers, adorned in the theater’s signature red garb, glided their puppets to the children, the gasps echoed off the walls. Evans said the team is frequently changing and adding to the performance. It is an effort both to keep things fresh and honor the building’s legacy. “We’re going to give all the puppets their sort of last moment on stage,” Evans said.
photo by Sean P. Thomas
Cain Carias holds one of his favorite marionettes, the ice-skating Eskimo, at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. The City West landmark is hosting a string of farewell shows in advance of its Nov. 23 closing.
Shows are scheduled Tuesday-Sunday this week, and again on Nov. 21. Two final performances will be held on Nov. 23, at 6 and 9 p.m. Continued on page 10
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BOB BAKER, 9 Museum of Marionettes Bob Baker partnered with musician and performer Alton Wood to open the theater in 1963. It marked a new chapter for Baker, who had been a puppeteer and animation consultant in Hollywood. The theater, with its colorful circus tent aesthetic and stark-red interior, has entertained generations of Angelenos with its gentle and whimsical song-filled performances. The children last week ended their visit the same way tens of thousands of other visitors have — with a visit to the party room, where they were given a small cup of vanilla ice cream with a strawberry swirl. In 2009, the city designated the structure as a City Historic Cultural Monument. Still, there were economic challenges, and in 2013 the property was sold to real estate investor Eli Elimelech, who announced plans the following year to build a 104-apartment edifice on the site. After news of the theater’s departure last month, Elimelech told Los Angeles Downtown News that, after construction is complete, he would offer the theater an opportunity to come back (during construction the theater would have to move to a temporary location), and at a discounted price. “I am going to give them the first right to move in,” he said. Baker died in 2014 at the age of 90, but his office remains, and is used as an archival room. It is filled with out-of-print puppetry
books, records and sketches from his time working on Hollywood projects such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The new space will utilize Baker’s old theater designs. Evans said the plan is to take some of the artifacts to the new home. “There is a spirit that we’re trying to continue,” Evans said. “We’re not going to have tinsel up that has been on the wall for 50 years, but we’re going to hand make new tinsel and new decor in the same kind of spirit that Bob Baker did.” For now, the building serves as a museum of sorts to the art of puppetry. The walls are lined with nearly 50-year-old handmade ornaments. Most of the equipment, including the stage lighting switchboard, predates the building. It also predates Audrey Densmore, who at 24 has worked at the theater for four years, starting as an intern working the stage lights. She smiled warmly as she recalled her training. “Oh God, I will miss everything, but the light board is really special,” Densmore said. “That light board was my introduction to doing shows.” Now, Densmore is one of the main puppeteers, having learned from Carias and others. Although she never knew Baker, she believes he would have supported the move to a new home. “People who knew Bob said he would have wanted this. He would have wanted a bright new theater and new technologies and for us to keep moving forward, and I think they are right,” Densmore said. Still, the departure remains bittersweet,
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Puppeteer Audrey Densmore shows off Fancy Cat, a puppet she frequently handles.
says Carias, who started working at the theater when he was just 13, after coming to the United States from Tijuana, Mexico. Like Densmore, he operated the stage lights before learning how to manipulate and control the puppets. He trained with Baker himself. Amid the emotion, Densmore is grasping tight to a silver lining, knowing that although she will be part of the crew that shuts off the
lights at the theater for the final time, the performances transcend the physical space. “We’re leaving, but Bob Baker’s creations are coming with us,” Densmore said. “They are what really make the magic happen.” Bob Baker Marionette Theater is at 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettetheater.com. sean@downtownnews.com
NOVEMBER 12, 2018
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An Alternative Anniversary
photo by Stephen Blaha
Beth Lapides launched UnCabaret in 1993. On Sunday, Nov. 18, she holds a 25th anniversary show with performers including Bob Odenkirk and Julia Sweeney (below).
UnCabaret Founder Beth Lapides Celebrates 25 Years of Staging Challenging Comedy By Nicholas Slayton wenty-five years ago, Beth Lapides was starting out as a comedian in Los Angeles. Feeling stifled by the limited and often misogynistic nature of the local comedy scene, she pulled together some likeminded comedians and launched UnCabaret. Little did she know it would help ignite the “alternative comedy” movement. UnCabaret has bounced to various venues, from Downtown Los Angeles to Luna Park in West Hollywood to, most recently, Bunker Hill’s Au Lac restaurant. On Sunday, Nov. 18, Lapides celebrates a quarter century with a lineup of 16 comedians — including Maria Bamford, Bob Odenkirk and Julia Sweeney — at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. It is part of the CAP UCLA series. Lapides spoke with Los Angeles Downtown News about UnCabaret and the changes in the comedy world.
Q: Does this weekend’s lineup represent the different eras of UnCabaret? A: We do have people from all of the different iterations, from the Luna Park days to the most recent run at places like Au Lac. Odenkirk goes back to Luna Park, as do Patton Oswalt and Julia Sweeney. Jill Soloway was part of the HBO workspace. And Alex Edelman and Rebecca Corry were with us in the most recent run. Greg Behrendt, Scott Thompson and Maria Bamford all kind of came in the middle. Allee Willis is also a recent addition. Q: Beside the anniversary date, what’s different about this night? A: It is longer, so people should bring their pajamas. There are shorter sets to get everyone in; it was an embarrassment of riches of talent. We also have some video works and there’s a nine-piece band that Mitch Kaplan put together. I suspect there will be a little less experimentation this time. UnCabaret is about being in the moment, and if the moment you’re celebrating is a 25-year history, some people will do some material they’ve done before. I know there are a couple stories I’m asking people to tell because they’re great stories. Q: Can having the openness that is typical of UnCabaret make things more challenging for the performers? A: Sure, it is more challenging, but in that way where the greater challenge results in greater opportunities. Maybe that’s not what everyone wants, but it broadens the spectrum of what comedy can be. For some people the happiest place is in very traditional comedy clubs, and many audiences are well served by that. It’s just been my mission to expand what comedy can mean.
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Los Angeles Downtown News: What was the comedy scene like in 1993? Beth Lapides: The comedy world was very stratified. The clubs were filled with comedians doing what was called a “tight 10,” which got you your late-night set, your sitcom; everything was a showcase. I was a performance artist-turned-comedienne from New York and was frustrated by the structure. I thought, there’s got to be a better way. Then I was at a comedy show at the Women’s Building in Downtown L.A. It was for the women there, and they were
terial is about alternative subjects. It was a way of breaking free of the comedy rhythm that was really repressive. It doesn’t seem possible now, but even just a short time ago there was that rhythm in comedy clubs you couldn’t get away from. Laughs had to come at a certain pace, and without a longer setup, you can’t talk about anything more complicated. Alternative comedy can also mean more storytelling, being friendlier to women, more LGBTQ friendly, going off the beaten track or being more experimental.
laughing so hard. When I asked why, they said, “We’re artists, women, lesbians. We don’t usually get stuff to laugh at.” I said, I will make you a show that’s unhomophobic, not sexist. It will be an uncabaret. I don’t know where it came from as I had never been to a cabaret. Q: UnCabaret is usually called “alternative comedy.” What’s alternative comedy to you? A: It means that people are generally trying to process the art of comedy outside the standard setup and punch line delivery. Or maybe they’re using that format, but their ma-
Q: When UnCabaret started, it was up-and-coming comedians trying to do something different. Now the comedy world is more open to looser sets and you have some of the biggest comedians in the world. How does that change UnCabaret? A: It does change things. At the beginning I was very focused on changing the art form of comedy. It resulted in a huge liberation for audiences and comedians. Audiences were hungry for it, because the smart audiences of L.A. were not being served by the constrictive nature of comedy clubs. Currently, I really work to structure the shows so that audiences feel uplifted. There’s the addition of music, the balance of acts, and where we’re ending. I really work toward a feeling of hope and possibility as people leave the show. That’s UnCabaret responding to what the world is. UnCabaret is Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, (213) 235-9614 or cap.ucla.edu. nicholas@downtownnews.com
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dren’s menu (for kids 10 and under) is $29. Also, you don’t have to eat on the patio — the interior is nice, too. At 700 W. Fifth St., (213) 239-6500 or patinagroup.com/cafe-pinot.
10 Downtown Thanksgiving Options, From Fancy Meals to a Charity Run
Pleased to Meat You: Another Patina Group restaurant is keeping the doors open on Thanksgiving Day. And although the moniker makes one think of thick cuts of meat, Nick and Stef’s Steakhouse isn’t straying too far from the expected Thanksgiving feast. The Bunker Hill eatery will offer traditional plates with a meal anchored by turkey and gravy, along with chestnut stuffing, potato puree, candied butternut squash and pickled cranberry compote. The dinner runs from 3-9 p.m. and is $55 per person. If you’re one of those rebels who shirks off tradition, then steaks and a full à la carte menu will be available. At 330 S. Hope St., (213) 680-0330 or patinagroup.com/nick-and-stefs-steakhouse-la.
photo courtesy Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse at L.A. Live is one of a handful of Downtown restaurants that will be open on Thanksgiving and serving a traditional turkey dinner.
By Sean P. Thomas he sun is setting around 5:30 p.m., the Halloween costumes have been shoved into closets, and the midterms are a distant memory. All this means one thing: Thanksgiving is right around the corner. The holiday lands on Thursday, Nov. 22, and while that’s more than a week away, it makes sense to start planning now. This is particularly useful advice for those who want nothing to do with spending two days in the kitchen preparing for a bountiful meal that will take another two days to clean up. Thankfully, Downtown Los Angeles has a number of options for those who want to gather with family and friends
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but don’t want to cook. Below, we detail 10 ways to celebrate the holiday, whether you plan to visit a local restaurant or bring in dinner. There’s also an option to help you shed a few pounds after indulging in a delicious meal. Central Cuisine: Take in one of Downtown Los Angeles’ most attractive patio spaces as you give thanks. Café Pinot, the long-running Patina Group eatery adjacent to the Central Library, will serve a traditional $70 three-course meal or a $90 four-course dinner from 2-8 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Menu highlights include artichoke soup, sliced turkey breast and a pumpkin mousse. Curated wine pairings are available. A chil-
Pleased to Meat You, Part 2: At the opposite end of Downtown, another steakhouse is getting in on the Thanksgiving fun. This time it’s L.A. Live venue Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, which is offering a $48 Thanksgiving meal. From 11 a.m.-8 p.m., diners can enjoy a menu including herb-roasted turkey, sliced beef tenderloin, lobster bisque and a list of sides including mashed sweet potatoes. If you happen to be bovine-inclined, Fleming’s main menu will be available. Children can enjoy a three-course menu for $19. Note: If you head this way, the L.A. Live skating rink will also be open, in case you want either to work up an appetite or work off the meal. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 745-9911 or flemingssteakhouse.com. Palm Paradise: Another option in South Park is The Palm. The restaurant known for the walls covered in colorful caricatures is serving a $59 three-course prix-fixe menu that starts
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25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW & CELEBRATION FEATURING: Bob Odenkirk, Maria Bamford, Julia Sweeney, Janeane Garofalo, Andy Kindler, Greg Behrendt, Byron Bowers, Justin Sayre, Rebecca Corry, Alex Edelman, Allee Willis, Julie Goldman, plus special guests!
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The sixth annual Turkey Trot returns to Downtown Los Angeles on Thanksgiving day. The fundraising run includes a 5K and a 10K course, as well as a one-mile course for kids.
with a choice of roasted butternut squash, lobster bisque, and baby kale and apple salad. For the main course, The Palm is keeping it traditional with herb-roasted turkey with homestyle dressing, cranberry sauce and giblet gravy. For dessert, diners can pick from flourless chocolate cake or pumpkin cranberry bash. The meal comes with a choice of a side dish including green beans, wild mushrooms, sweet potatoes or whipped potatoes. It’s $24 for kids 12 and under. At 1100 S. Flower St., (213) 763-4600 or thepalm.com/restaurants/los-angeles. The Inn Crowd: Hotels are frequently popular stops for Thanksgiving dinner, and that includes Bunker Hill’s Omni Hotel, where executive chef Simon Warren is serving an allyou-can-eat Thanksgiving lunch buffet at the Grand Café. Priced at $65, the menu features traditional Thanksgiving fare including slow-roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing and roasted potatoes. Soft drinks and bottomless mimosas are included. A serving of chocolate pecan pie, pumpkin white chocolate cheesecake and other sweets closes things out. The meal for children 7-12 is $32, while kids 6 and under eat free. At 251 S. Olive St., (213) 617-3300 or omnihotels.com.
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Thanksgiving Ooh La La: When one mentions Thanksgiving, a French restaurant is not the first thing that pops to mind. But don’t rule out Le Petit Paris, the establishment in the El Dorado Building. The Historic Core restaurant is offering a $55 three-course prix-fixe menu on the holiday from 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. The starters are a choice of crab cake and warm goat cheese salad. The main course offers a selection of turkey, roasted salmon, pumpkin risotto or vegetable tagine. Pecan and maple syrup pie, pumpkin éclairs and a coconut milk panna cotta are lined up for dessert. A $25 meal for children under 10 is available. At 418 S. Spring St., (213) or 217-4445 or lepetitparisla.com. A Turkey’s Eye View: Granted, turkeys rarely fly to the top of Downtown skyscrapers, but the gang on the 71st floor of U.S. Bank Tower is not dissuaded. The restaurant 71Above will be serving Thanksgiving fare from 1-7 p.m. on the holiday. Chef Vartan Abgaryan has put together a three-course menu that includes turkey breast, wild rice, mushrooms, and maple sausage and apple stuffing. Traditional Thanksgiving sides such as green beans, cranberry sauce and gravy will be served family-style for the table. The dinner is $78 per person; a children’s menu is $45, and the thirsty can opt for a wine pairing for $48. At 633 W. Hope St., (213) 712-2683 or 71above.com. Bring It In: We’ve established that you don’t want to sully your kitchen by cooking on Thanksgiving, but what if you also don’t want to leave your home? Whole Foods has you covered with a bevy of take-away options. The health-oriented Financial District supermarket is offering a slate of packages including a full 14-person feast for $449.99. This Continued on page 16
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What is Fluxus? Let the Los Angeles Philharmonic fill you in when the orchestra takes a deep dive into the late-1950s avant-garde movement. The Fluxconcert, part of the L.A. Phil and the Getty Research Institute’s Fluxus Festival, begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The lineup includes four performances in the venue’s interior and exterior spaces, including the auditorium. An 8 p.m. performance by the L.A. Phil and Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth (shown here) will include work by Yoko Ono, Benjamin Patterson and a world premiere performance of “Howl” by Steven Takasugi. Other guest artists include Richard Kennedy and, get this — “Party Hard” master Andrew W.K. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.com.
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Wooster Group alum Kaneza Schaal returns to REDCAT on Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 15-17, this time as a director of her own work. Social codes and norms get placed under a microscope in Jack &, a comedy of errors that follows a man’s attempt to acclimate to civilian life following a stint in prison. Full of vivid colors and kinetic energy, the performance draws inspiration from the real-life experiences of its star, Cornell Alston, who spent more than three decades behind bars. Each performance begins at 8:30 p.m. At 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.
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Prepare for a double serving of bone-rattling body slams and dropkicks when World Wrestling Entertainment takes over Staples Center this weekend. On Saturday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m., Staples plays host to NXT TakeOver: Wargames II. On the off chance you’re unfamiliar, two four-person teams will battle it out in two side-by-side steel cages. The headlining match features the team of United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne, North American Champion Ricochet and the War Raiders squaring off against Undisputed Era. Sunday at 3 p.m. brings the Survivor Series. There’s a full card of sports entertainment, highlighted by WWE Champion AJ Styles and WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar taking part in a cross-brand matchup. Also on the bill is Ronda Rousey (!) defending her undefeated streak against Smackdown Women’s champ Becky Lynch. At 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or wwe.com.
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Want to be “Happy”? Then get down with multi-platinum recording artist and 11time Grammy winner Pharrell Williams, who is stopping by The Novo on Saturday, Nov. 17, to discuss his almost 30-year career in the music industry. Appearing as part of the speaker series Live Talks Los Angeles, Williams will discuss his second book, A Fish Doesn’t Know It’s Wet, which, through more than 250 photographs and illustrations, follows his development as a musician, from his early days with the R&B group The Neptunes and N.E.R.D., to his current role as one of hip-hop’s most sought-after super producers. Tickets (except for $25 balcony seats) include a signed copy of Pharrell’s book and the talk starts at 8 p.m. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or livetalksla.org.
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Belasco Theater 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or thebelasco.com. Nov. 12: “Xs and Os” singer Elle King will likely sing that song. Nov. 13: Harmonica enthusiasts and people who are tired of getting the runaround can rejoice: Blues Traveler is back in Los Angeles. Nov. 14: Irish indie rockers Kodaline are here. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Nov. 12: Mark Guiliana’s Space Heroes. We are intrigued. Will Flash Gordon appear? Nov. 13: Whale Fall. Nov. 14: Molly Miller Trio. Nov. 15: Janis Mann and Kenny Werner. Nov. 16: Alan Hampton Group. Nov. 17-18: Get all sorts of ironic with The Quiet Noise. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Nov. 12: Motor Sales tries to do that catchy electronic-tinged rock sound. Find out if they succeed. Nov. 13: Ural Thomas is still singing despite nearly being 80. You can’t keep a soul man down. Nov. 14: New Jersey-based rockers The Parlor Mob sound like they can do some stripped-down and muscular songs. Nov. 15: Papercuts will rock you in a thousand tiny ways. Continued on next page
photo courtesy New Filmmakers
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One of the film industry’s least represented groups gets some attention this week. On Saturday, Nov. 17, the NewFilmmakers Los Angeles Film Festival will show a slate of seven short films of Native American, Aboriginal and Inuit cinema. It takes place at 7 p.m. at the South Park Center. The event is part of a day-long festival that runs from 4-11 p.m. and include other activities and film screenings, including Sometimes Our Friends Come Over (and sometimes we’re all alone) by CalArts alum Daniel Watkins. The film explores Millennial relationships in the era of President Trump. At 1149 S. Hill St., (213) 741-7400 or newfilmmakersla.com.
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TUESDAY, NOV. 13 Bob Newhart Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or grammymuseum.org. 7:30 p.m.: The actor, comedian and national treasure comes to L.A. Live to discuss his nearly six-decade career. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14 Boxing Philosophical: Can Art Change the World? Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, 1717 E. Seventh St. or theicala.org. 7 p.m. A panel of scholars comes to the Arts District museum to try to answer that question. Tom Hanks Aratani Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St. or livetalksla.org. 8 p.m.: One of the world’s most beloved actors comes Downtown in support of his newest project: Hanks has penned the short story collection “Uncommon Type.” He’ll be in conversation with Tim Long. THURSDAY, NOV. 15 En Cuatro Patas 221 S. Grand Ave., (213) 232-6200 or thebroad.org. 8:30 p.m.: Artists Nao Bustamante, Gina Osterloh and Dorian Wood stage performances inside and outside The Broad as part of the museum’s feminist Latinx performance series. SATURDAY, NOV. 17 Pharrell Williams The Novo, 800 W. Olympic Blvd. or livetalksla.org. 8 p.m.: The multi-talented performer sits down to discuss his career and new book. Something to Wrestle With Live The Regent, 448 S. Main St., (323) 284-5727, or theregenttheater.com. 1 p.m. Former WWE producer Bruce Prichard brings his podcast to Downtown, for an afternoon discussion of the latest in professional wrestling. SUNDAY, NOV. 18 The Thing in the Labyrinth The Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com. 9:30 p.m.: Halloween’s over, but this horror book club continues, with a discussion of Grady Hendrix’s “We Sold Our Souls.”
BY SEAN P. THOMAS
5 image courtesy World Wrestling Entertainment
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Nov. 17: Muncie Girls mixes punk rock with inspiration from Sylvia Plath. Nov. 18: Avant-garde rock with a hint of indie pop courtesy of Steady Holiday. The Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com. Nov. 16: Don’t Tell Sara, Wicklow Atwater. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Nov. 16: Anna Lunoe.
Nov. 17: Nora en Pure. Ham and Eggs Tavern 433 W. Eighth St. or hamandeggstavern.com Nov. 15: Patty Cakes and the Puff Pastries have an album release show. Yaawn, The Andrea Dangerfield Band and Ella open. Moroccan Lounge 901 E. First St., (213) 395-0610 or themoroccan.com. Nov. 12: Louis Prince says he’s influenced by jazz from the 1950s and 1960s. Blue Whale patrons, please go to the Arts
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Superior court of California, County of Los Angeles ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME No. 18BBCP00013 Petitioner (name of each) Guadalupe Correa, 6009 Morella Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91606 filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: GUADALUPE CORREA Proposed name: LUPIE REYES THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at
Superior court of California, County of Pomona ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME No. KS021511 Petitioner (name of each) Francisco Jaime Herrera, 15902-A Haliburton Rd #307, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: FRANCISCO JAIME HERRERA Proposed name: FRANCISCO CHANG THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this
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the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of hearing Date: 11/30/2018 Time: 8:30 AM Dept.: A The address of the court is: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 300 East Olive, Burbank, CA 91502, Burbank Courthouse. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in LA DOWNTOWN NEWS, 1264 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county. Prepared by: Sherri R. Carter Executive Office/Clerk. Deputy: Melody Scott Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles 300 East Olive Burbank, CA 91502 Burbank Courthouse Date: October 17, 2018 Hon. Darrell Mavis Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 10/22, 10/29, 11/5 and 11/12
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court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of hearing Date:11/30/2018 Time: 8:30 AM Dept.: O Room: 543 The address of the court is: Superior Court of California, County of Pomona, 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in LA DOWNTOWN NEWS, 1264 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county. Prepared by: Sherri R. Carter Executive Office/Clerk. Superior Court of California, County of Pomona 400 Civic Center Plaza Pomona, CA 91766 Date: OCTOBER 4, 2018 Hon.Peter A. Hernandez Judge of the Superior Court Pub. 10/22, 10/29, 11/5 and 11/12. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2018245316 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) CHAIDEZ SUPPORT SERVICES, 4907 GLACIER DRIVE, Los Angeles CA
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Starts November 16 90041 LA COUNTY, are hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) FLOR CHAIDEZ, 4907 GLACIER DRIVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90041 LA COUNTY. This business is conducted by an Individual. Registrant(s) began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on SEPTEMBER 26, 2018. 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. 10/22, 10/29, 11/5 and 11/12. Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2018265686 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) MUNGUIA’S PROMOTIONS, INC., 311 EDENFIELD AVE, AZUSA, CA 91702 LA COUNTY, are hereby registered by the following registrants: (1) MUNGUIA’S PROMOTIONS, INC., 311 EDENFIELD AVE, AZUSA, CA 91702 LA COUNTY. This business is conducted by a Corporation. Registrant(s) began to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 9/2018 This statement was filed with DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk on OCTOBER 19, 2018. NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years
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from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name
in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 11/5, 11/12, 11/19 and 11/26.
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ulate (that word again) on what will happen next. Just beware: Predicting what federal investigators will do and when is nearly impossible. One never knows how deep they are going, what work they have already done, and what result they are ultimately seeking. Unlike City Hall, that gang doesn’t leak. Then there’s the impact of the investigation on Richelle Huizar’s 2020 campaign. She has already held a couple Downtown fundraisers, part of an effort to scare off big-name competitors from running against her. She’s got the experienced Huizar campaign machine churning on her behalf. On the other hand, there has been plenty of chatter about her husband’s past extracurricular activities and the current lawsuits, and Richelle Huizar has yet to publicly comment on them. Throw in an FBI search of her home and, even if the target is her husband, the effect on her campaign could be like the effect the cup of hemlock had on Socrates. People are also watching City Hall leaders. In 2013, after Huizar had been accused of sexual harassment by Godoy, Council President Herb Wesson famously showed up at a Downtown Huizar fundraiser (Huizar was seeking re-election) and told the crowd, “Mr. Huizar is my brother, my best friend on the council.” In other words, the City Hall crew stepped up to defend one of their own. Political observers expect Wesson to run for Second District County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas’ seat when Ridley-Thomas is termed out in 2020. So one wonders whether Wesson will again stick with his best buddy, or whether it will become politically expedient to turn against a council colleague facing mounting legal woes. Right now there are many more questions than answers. Don’t be surprised if vultures start circling City Hall. regardie@downtownnews.com
THANKSGIVING DINNER, 13 includes the expected bird, along with prime rib roast, a large shrimp platter, butternut squash, traditional herb stuffing, and pumpkin pie and cranberry crumble pie for dessert. There is also a floral arrangement to brighten up your table. For a smaller crowd, there is a classic eight-person dinner for $119.99 that includes turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing and more. Plenty of side dishes are available à la carte, and there is also a two-person vegan option for $39.99, if you’re into that sort of thing. You can order the meal in store, over the phone or online. At 788 S. Grand Ave., (213) 873-4745 or wholefoodsmarket. com/thanksgiving. Bring It In, Part 2: Whole Foods isn’t the only Downtown Los Angeles supermarket providing take-home Thanksgiving packages. Ralphs Fresh Fare has turkey and ham meals for $59-$79. Each meal comes with an eight-inch pumpkin pie, Hawaiian rolls, and a choice of traditional sides including cheesy green bean casserole, cornbread or traditional dressing and smashed potatoes with gravy. Ralphs is also selling fully cooked turkeys (13-16 pounds) starting at $36 and hams (7-9 pounds) for $35. At 645 W. Ninth St., (213) 452-0840 or ralphs.com. Go For a Run: Before you sit down for your Thanksgiving feast, how about working up a sweat? Even better, it’s for a good cause. The sixth annual Turkey Trot takes place on Thanksgiving from 8 a.m.-noon. There is a 5K, a 10K and a one-mile “Widdle Wobble” for kids. The run starts and finishes on Spring Street on the steps of City Hall. Entry is $40 for the 5K and $45 for the 10K, and proceeds benefit homeless services provider the Midnight Mission in Skid Row. While it’s not a tradition quite like Thanksgiving NFL games, some people do come back each year, and a few even don holiday-themed outfits. Participants will receive a trucker hat and a finisher medal. At 200 N. Spring St. or turkeytrot.la. sean@downtownnews.com