02-07-11 by Los Angeles Downtown News

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February 7, 2011

The Selling of Downtown

INSIDE

Dreams of a football stadium.

When It Comes to Wooing New Businesses, It’s Part Art, Part Science and A Lot of Walking

The $80 million jail finally opens.

by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

Bike visions for Figueroa Street.

El Pueblo merchants may sue the city.

photo by Gary Leonard

Hal Bastian (left) and Justin Weiss of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District in front of the Daily Grill, one of the first restaurants Bastian recruited to the area. The two spend hours every week giving walking tours to potential new business owners.

‘Variations’ lands at the Ahmanson.

Art Walk Reloaded Monthly Event’s New Executive Director Looks to a Smoother and Self-Sufficient Future by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

Hamlet and a Supreme Court justice.

18 CALENDAR LISTINGS 21 MAP 22 CLASSIFIEDS

he signs of Downtown’s evolution in the past decade are obvious. In addition to the fancy new and renovated housing complexes and superstructures, there is the wealth of bars, restaurants and service businesses. It seems a couple new ones open each month. What’s not as obvious is what happens before the new arrivals open, before a sign is raised or a single nail is hammered into place. In fact, long before any lease is inked, there is usually a lengthy wooing period, a spate of weeks, months or longer when prospective business owners are led around the area. It’s not surprising, considering that for many entrepreneurs, Downtown still suffers from some of the negative perceptions of the pre-housing renaissance/ Staples Center days. Even if they may want to open in Downtown, they still need to be convinced that the Central City will be a profitable destination. That’s where the selling of Downtown comes into play. It’s part art, part science, part persuasion and a lot of walking. It’s also something with no single correct path, as a factoid or location that whets one entrepreneur’s appetite may do nothing for another. It’s not just finding a space, but reading a customer. For Hal Bastian and Justin Weiss of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District, it’s a situation see Selling, page 8

hen Art Walk unfolds this Thursday, it will probably seem no different than events of the past: The crowd will be huge, around 20,000 people. There will be food trucks and pop-up art spaces. Some of the more established art galleries, knowing sales are minimal during the happening, will be closed. Behind the scenes, however, things are much different than they were last year. The event on Feb. 10 marks the second Art Walk that recently appointed Executive Director Joe Moller will oversee. In addition, there is a larger board, increased funding

and a mission — to make the Art Walk selfsufficient within two years. Moller, a 36-year-old events producer, is the first paid head for the 6-year-old Art Walk. Former director Jay Lopez, who left in a cloud of acrimony last year, and previous leaders Richard Schave and Art Walk founder Bert Green, were all volunteers. After a blow-up last September that resulted in the firing of Lopez and the threatened dissolution of the event, a group of local property and business owners pledged $200,000 to keep Art Walk going. For Moller, that’s just a starting point. “We’re currently supported by benevolent see Art Walk, page 16

The Voice of Downtown Los Angeles

photo by Gary Leonard

Art Walk Executive Director Joe Moller will oversee his second event on Thursday, Feb. 10.

2 Downtown News

AROUNDTOWN Architecture Firm Gensler Moving Downtown

ensler, a giant in the architecture, design and planning industries, and a firm with numerous Downtown projects, is coming to the Central City. Company officials last week announced that Gensler, which is a finalist to design the proposed Farmers Field football stadium/events center in South Park, has signed a 12-year lease to move into City National Plaza. The firm, which also designed the Ritz Carlton/J.W. Marriott hotel at L.A. Live, and is handling an overhaul of the 7+Fig shopping center, has been in Santa Monica for more than 20 years. The company will take the top two floors of the “Jewel Box,” a three-story building between the twin 52-story towers of Thomas Properties Group’s City National Plaza. The new space currently measures 32,000 square feet, but the firm plans to build a mezzanine that will expand its footprint to about 45,000 square feet. The firm also leased 5,000 square feet in the building’s basement concourse level. Construction will begin immediately and the move is expected to take place by October. Gensler Los Angeles currently has 250 employees and the company intends to expand by more than 40% in the next five years. “Our site selection hinged on finding non-traditional space of the right size and in a desirable location that would provide great raw material for our design team,” said Gensler Managing Director Rob Jernigan. He credited Los Angeles’ “Business Tax Holiday” program, an effort launched last year by First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner, for luring the firm away from Santa Monica. The program exempts new Los Angeles businesses from gross receipts taxes for three years.

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February 7, 2011

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Weigh In on A Broadway Arts Center

ity leaders want your opinion on a planned mixed-use arts facility on Broadway. A public planning workshop is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the Los Angeles Theatre. The proposed Broadway Arts Center would provide affordable housing for artists, serve as a performance and exhibition space, have a commercial/ retail component and provide parking and loading facilities for commercial and theater use on the street. No location has yet been chosen. The project is part of Councilman José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative and is a partnership between that organization, various city departments, The Actor’s Fund and Cal-Arts.

Trade-Tech, Local Officials Put Intern Plan Into Drive

hen it comes to internships, most people think of fields such as finance and technology. Just about the last thing that comes to mind is an internship at a car dealership. Yet that is precisely what is underway along the Figueroa Corridor, thanks to a program announced Thursday, Feb. 3, by city officials, business leaders and Los Angeles TradeTechnical College. A press conference at the LATTC’s Washington Boulevard campus touted the initiation of a seven- to 10-week pilot program that will match students in Trade-Tech’s automotive technician department with local car dealerships. About 10 students will participate in the program that will start by Feb. 21, said First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner. “This is meant to provide stability for them while they’re getting an education,” he said. The seed for the project was planted at November’s L.A. Auto Show, when Beutner spoke with officials who cited a dearth of trained entry-level mechanics. He and Darryl Holter, vice president and CEO of the Shammas Group, which owns five Figueroa

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

Street dealerships, helped hatch the plan. Holter said six interns will work in his dealerships. The students will get school credit and an hourly wage that has yet to be determined. Although it has not begun, officials are already looking at a future expansion. “Sometimes you just have to break out the bolts and see what happens,” said Holter. “We’ll roll out a bigger and revised program once we learn from the first time.” Beutner said the program took two months to put together.

Soap Box Derby Zooming Back to Downtown

n September 2009, more than 100,000 people crowded Downtown streets to watch teams of costumed characters zoom down Grand Avenue in homemade and fancily decorated soapbox cars. Next month, they’re coming back. Officials with energy drink company Red Bull last week announced that applications are now being taken for the Red Bull Soap Box Derby. The event, where cars hit speeds as high as 45 mph, will take place May 21. Two years ago teams embodied themes such as Alice in Wonderland and the TV show “Baywatch” (the car came complete with a lifeguard tower). Organizers will pick 40 teams and are looking for originality, spirit and, of course non-motorized vehicles that can make it down a hill. Applications are due by March 25. More information is at redbullsoapboxusa.com.

Small Businesses Get Improvement Grants

hree Downtown small businesses are undergoing interior and exterior improvements courtesy of incentive programs offered by the Community Redevelopment Agency. Agency officials recently announced that Little Tokyo restaurant Izakaya Fu Ga is using a nearly $200,000 Commercial Incentive Conditional Loan for interior improvements and a $47,380 grant for a façade upgrade. The gift shop Bunka Do is utilizing a $50,000 façade improvement grant. Meanwhile, in the Broadway Chinatown Redevelopment Project Area, the agency awarded Gigo’s Café and Deli $55,000 to bring the restaurant into compliance with city health codes and to renovate the façade and signage.

University of Southern California

Not Finished with Wagner Conlon tackles Rouse’s fantasy on Alberich An Evening With James Conlon Thursday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. Bovard Auditorium General admission: $18 (213) 740-2167

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On the heelS Of last season’s historymaking Ring festival, the director of L.A. Opera forges ahead with his Wagner studies. This week, James Conlon leads the USC Thornton Symphony and virtuoso percussionist Sidney Hopson in a performance of composer Christopher Rouse’s Der gerettete Alberich (Alberich Saved), a 1997 fantasy for orchestra and solo percussion that puts the spotlight on Wagner’s villainous dwarf king. In a pre-concert talk, Conlon dons his musicologist hat to mine the layers of meaning embedded in the havoc-wreaking catalyst of the Wagnerian universe. Also on the program is Shostakovich’s magnificent Symphony No. 5, a 20th-century masterpiece that contains an unsolved riddle: In his exuberant finale, was the Soviet-era master submitting to Stalin’s artistic edicts or viciously mocking them? Only Conlon knows what Conlon thinks.

USC your cultural connection

Also At UsC

Opera Scenes Friday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. Each winter, USC’s outstanding Thornton Opera Program presents an evening of vignettes showcasing the many facets of its vocal talent. This year’s selections run the gamut from old (Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea) to new (Adam Guettel’s The Light in the Piazza), from tragedy (Puccini’s La Bohème) to farce (Bernstein’s Candide), from intimate (a duet from Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men) to grand (scenes from Samuel Barber’s Knoxville, Summer of 1915 for full company). Ten operas, nearly 50 soloists, with costumes and full orchestrations. How can you resist? Alfred Newman Recital Hall Admission: Free (213) 740-2167

For more information visit www.usc.edu

February 7, 2011

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February 7, 2011

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EDITORIALS Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

Bravo for The Bristol

owntown Los Angeles has too many eyesores. There are publicly owned spaces and edifices that stand empty and ugly, year after year. There are buildings that are vacant on the inside and graffiti scarred on the outside because an absentee landlord is holding on to the property, waiting until the value rises and they can make a buck. Then there is the Bristol hotel, which by all accounts should be just another frustrating and embarrassing blight spot. In fact, it was exactly that for more than seven years, until a Downtown developer surprised everyone by activating the structure and creating some light and life. Los Angeles Downtown News recently reported on how Izek Shomof has reopened the former low-income residential complex at 423 W. Eighth St. Although the renovated building will serve as affordable housing, rather than the market-rate residences some desire, the property could very easily have stood empty for another four years or more. The building now has 107 very small apartments. That’s good for proponents of affordable housing. Equally good for neighborhood stakeholders is the D-town Burger Bar that Shomof opened on the ground floor of the structure. The large windows and patio seating cast this as a pleasant place, and at night the neon lighting lends a warm glow. It makes the building inviting between two other neighborhood favorites, Colori Kitchen and the Golden Gopher bar. Part of what makes this stand out is that, due to problems with past owners, the building was poised to sit empty. The structure, which had been turned into affordable housing thanks to a 1985 deal with the Community Redevelopment Agency, was shuttered in 2003. The building was sold, but plans by the new owner to turn it into a boutique hotel were quashed because, according to the CRA contract, it had to remain low-income housing until 2015. Most observers figured no one would dream of buying the property until that date passed and a new owner could take a swing at a market-rate project. Then up stepped Shomof, who acquired the structure and spent 18 months upgrading it. He added the burger joint after experiencing success with another restaurant in a Historic Core project. No one will confuse the Bristol with the Watermarke or any of the other upscale new housing complexes in Downtown. But thanks to Shomof, neither will it languish in the ranks of Hill Street’s Clark Hotel or the other structures that continue to be eyesores. Shomof showed that even a relatively small project with some smart groundfloor lighting can do wonders for an entire street.

The Filming Battle That Never Ends

lot of people who live, work or own businesses in Downtown Los Angeles will never be fully at ease with the surfeit of film productions that clog traffic lanes, block sidewalks and shine bright lights into their homes. Similarly, a lot of people who produce film, television shows or commercials, or who make a good living on the production crews, will never agree with those they believe are complaining without recognizing the economic benefits “The Industry” provides. With the recognition that people at the poles will never be happy, along with the realization that filming will continue to be part of the fabric of Downtown for many years to come, it is worth looking closely at the issue that continues to frustrate people. Clearly, there are things that both sides can do to make the situation easier for all. To understand the present of filming in Downtown, one first needs to comprehend the history. Downtown has been a key location for production crews for decades. In the years before the residential revolution, there was a flood of bright lights, car crashes, latenight gunshots, explosions and terrain-destroying aliens (among the many other things Hollywood invents). The crews treated much of the community like a Hollywood back lot in part because there was usually little happening on the streets during evenings and on weekends. Although Central City daytime and rush hour shoots have always posed difficulties, before about 2000 there were fewer people to be bothered. The transformation of dead buildings into housing, followed by new construction and a massive wave of restaurants, nightspots

and service businesses, meant there were suddenly a lot more people whose lives and livelihoods were impacted when film crews took over. Yet the arrival of more bodies did not correspond to a decrease in Hollywood’s appetite for the area. They continued to want to use Downtown not just for shows set in Los Angeles, but as a stand-in for cities across the nation. It turns out that with some set dressing and keeping the shot tight enough so that palm trees don’t make it into the frame, Downtown can cover for a lot of other urban locations. The relationship between Downtown and the crews has endured more downs than ups, and the area’s evolution has occurred at the same time as ebbs and flows in the industry (a writers’ strike that slowed production may have given some locals a false sense of security). As Los Angeles Downtown News reported last week, filming in the area once again is spiking. The number of production days (defined as each day a film crew works in the neighborhood, so if five commercials are shot on the same day in Downtown, that means five production days) in local zip codes climbed 20% in 2010 over the previous year. The figure is expected to rise again this year, with more than 8,000 production days in 2011. FilmL.A., the organization that oversees permitting in the area, has enacted some new rules in recent years to try to make filming more palatable. The reduced hours and other steps are sometimes successful, yet in other instances seem to make little difference. Among the most frustrating things is when there are a slew of shoots within a relatively small area

— when more than one production sucks up parking lanes for giant trucks, the problems get very bad very fast. The locals are also still displeased, and rightly so, when film crews are rude or have a sense of entitlement. The people on set, and the producers paying the crews, need to remember that when they’re working Downtown, they’re guests in a neighborhood, and must always behave respectfully and responsibly, the same as Downtowners do when we go to movie theaters. In the majority of cases most of the crew acts appropriately, but it only takes one unnecessarily sharp comment from one person on set to give the whole industry a black eye for someone who lives and works here. Downtowners, meanwhile, need to recognize that filming is part of the neighborhood, the same as car exhaust and expensive parking. Also, as referenced above, it is a vital economic engine for the region. Anyone who plans to spend time in Downtown needs to be able to stomach the occasional incredibly annoying film-caused traffic jam or the explosions and gunfire that power action shots. Locals don’t have to like it, but it’s not realistic to ask for it to stop. It’s part of what you get in the Central City. The crews have to be on their best behavior. FilmL.A. has to ensure that, when problems arise during a shoot, the residents and business owners know who to call and know that those calls will be taken seriously and that, if it’s an egregious case, something can be done. If the locals’ needs can be met, we can all live with the lights, cameras and action. Even the explosions and gunshots.

February 7, 2011

Downtown News 5

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AEG and the Super Bowl of Marketing Naming Rights Pep Rally Brings the Football Effort to a Sparkly New Level by Jon Regardie executive editor

hen it comes to the effort to return professional football to the nation’s second largest media market, Los Angeles is currently bearing witness to history. I don’t mean that the city is watching a triumphant parade that will culminate in a team coming to a $1 billion South Park THE REGARDIE REPORT

stadium/events complex, though that indeed might happen. Rather, I’m referring to the unprecedented marketing effort that Anschutz Entertainment Group, the company behind the Downtown football effort, is unleashing. They have a message, but they’ve also got a stadium full of spectacle, sort of like if Andrew Lloyd Webber penned a Broadway stunner about a pigskin and a naming rights deal. By comparison, Eli Broad’s quest to get approval for a $100 million art museum seems like sandlot stuff. Over the last several months, the company bankrolled by Colorado billionaire Phil Anschutz and publicly led by President and CEO Tim Leiweke has brilliantly orchestrated a series of announcements, media interviews and even testimony before local government that leaves local fans begging for the future to come quickly. It hit an apex last Tuesday, when a gaggle of elected officials, labor leaders, business figures and sports stars all smiled and did the AEG jiggy dance of joy. At the end of their unity message they even brought out a blimp, which floated high over

photo by Gary Leonard

The choreographed naming rights announcement for Farmers Field culminated with an actual fake field. The cheerleaders were real.

the Convention Center. The theme seemed to be that if we stand indivisible, we’ll all ride the dirigible (for the record, the rhyme is ripped off from obscure New Jersey punk band Adrenalin OD). The amazing thing is, the seeming press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 1, contained almost no news. The hook, that Farmers Insurance is buying the naming rights to the stadium, actually appeared Jan. 8, when the L.A. Times’ Sam Farmer (probably no relation) reported a deal was nearly done. The day before the event, Rick Orlov of the Daily

News presented more details. Yet there everyone was, lauding a deal in which no money has yet to change hands for a stadium project that currently lacks an architect. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and others crowed that football is coming back to Los Angeles, even though no team has been named and the NFL, which has a history of poking Los Angeles in the eye Three Stoogesstyle, has yet to even hint to committing to the stadium. The pep rally took place five days before the Super Bowl, meaning it was scheduled for

a time when the nation’s focus is on football, but was early enough not to detract from the big game. While ostensibly for millions of Angelenos, the shebang seemed equally directed at the 32 NFL owners. After all, five minutes before the start time, an AEG spokesman strode to the lectern and said, “The show’s going to take about 45 or 50 minutes.” Not press conference, not announcement, but show. Then Magic (as in Johnson) happened. The likely part owner of a team spoke, passed the microphone to Leiweke, and it was on like Donkey Kong. AEG’s Super Bowl of marketing was underway. Hail the Gecko This is not to say that being spun like a frog in a blender is a bad thing. There’s a place for these events like there’s a place for real press conferences. It just would have been nice to know in advance so the crowd could have gone all out and brought along props like the Farmers Insurance gecko. No wait, that’s the Geico mascot. In fact, AEG’s football stadium/events complex would probably be great for Downtown Los Angeles. The company’s first local project, Staples Center (where Anschutz partnered with his now City of Industry football rival Ed Roski) and follow-up L.A. Live have turned around the southern half of Downtown. The activity and AEG’s billions in investment have spurred development throughout the area. The progress would have been even further along had Moinian Group, which owns the huge lot east of Staples, lived up to AEG’s lead and pulled together its mega-retail project. see Football, page 24

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Ten Things About the Metropolitan Detention Center The $80 Million Civic Center Facility Opens Two Years After Completion by Ryan Vaillancourt staff writer

t about noon on Wednesday, Feb. 3, some 15 inmates stuck inside Parker Center made history: They were transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center, becoming the first detainees to inhabit the $80 million city jail. Here are 10 things to know about the building on Los Angeles Street, just south of Temple Street. Size Matters: The 160,000-square-foot MDC is about 58,000 square feet larger than the Parker Center jail. Whereas Parker Center held about 440 people, the MDC can accommodate 512 inmates. Delayed Reaction: The MDC was mostly complete in June 2009, but its opening was delayed until last week due to LAPD staffing constraints. The jail’s larger size and layout requires a higher ratio of staff to inmates than the old building. Problem was, and remains, the department is handcuffed by a hiring freeze. The LAPD resolved the issue by pulling 88 officers out of the field to work the jail. “It’s not an ideal scenario,” said Commander Scott Kroeber, who oversaw the transition. The First 15: City jails are short-term detention facilities, a place where offenders are booked and held until they’re released on bail or on their own recognizance (often the case with nonviolent misdemeanor offenders), or transferred to the custody of the Sheriff’s Department. Those not transferred stay in jail for less than 72 hours, and often less than 24 hours. Pod Principle: The three-floor MDC has the jail facility on the top level. It is separated

into four “pods,” at the north, south, east and west sections of the building. Centered in each pod is an elevated control room from which jail staff can view every cell in the section. This isolated pods are intended to separate certain inmates, like rival gangs or large numbers of members of the same gang, Kroeber said. Not Coed Yet: The pod design is also intended to allow the department to house both male and female inmates. Historically, women arrested in Downtown are taken to the 77th Street Regional Jail in South Los Angeles or the Valley Jail in Van Nuys. Two years ago, Central Area officers were anticipating a shorter trip to the MDC, but at the time of opening, there simply isn’t the need to house female inmates at the new jail, Kroeber said. Inmates by Number: The LAPD has 10 jail facilities, but four are currently closed due to staff shortages. The six now operating, including the MDC, contain 1,200 beds. On Feb. 2, there were 330 inmates in the entire city system. The low number reflects a lull in arrests, which comes as Los Angeles continues to experience crime drops. During highcrime periods, like Fourth of July weekend, “It’s not uncommon to get up to about 1,000 inmates system-wide,” Kroeber said. Not Your Typical Jail: At first glance the Civic Center edifice looks like any new office structure. The exterior features blue-tinted glass and sand-colored stone. “We didn’t want the building to look like a jail because this is metropolitan Los Angeles,” said Vince Jones, who oversaw construction of the project for the city Department of Public Works. “With a jail obviously, you have to have security. But

photo by Gary Leonard

Two years after completion, the $80 Million Metropolitan Detention Center has opened.

this facility was designed so that it would fit in with the area and not stick out like a sore thumb.” Art Is Blowing in the Wind: Visitors to the jail, and inmates being released, pass some words of wisdom jangling in the air. Outside the main entrance, an art installation is meant to have a calming and inspirational effect: Suspended in the middle of four posts, 108 tiny bells dangle from a wire grid. Hanging from the bells, small metal rectangles, each inscribed with one-word virtues such as “harmony,” “mindfulness” and “service,” jostle the bells to create a light din of wind chimes. The concrete squares that make up a mini-plaza are combed with undulating and circular patterns that mimic sand art.

Brand Confusion?: Just a short walk from the Metropolitan Detention Center, at the corner of Temple and Alameda streets, the U.S. Department of Justice has a 1,050-inmate jail for federal detainees that is also called the Metropolitan Detention Center. For now, there’s no talk of renaming the city MDC. Evidence: While the inmates only moved in last week, the building’s basement has housed the LAPD’s Central Property Division since November. It functions as storage for collected evidence and seized contraband like weapons or drugs. A refrigeration unit will store evidence such as blood samples and DNA rape kits. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

2011 Annual:Downtown 2/1/2011 3:36 PM Page 1

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Figueroa Plan Eyes Bike Lanes rendering by Gehl Architects

CRA Has $20 Million Vision to Boost Pedestrian, Bicycle Use

The CRA is pursuing a plan that could bring more pedestrians and protected bike lanes to Figueroa Street by 2013.

by Ryan VaillancouRt

Downtown Auto District. It also connects the economic nerve center of Downtown with the academic and recreational hub around Exposition Park and USC. “All the new residents in South Park or in USC housing or in affordable housing up and down the corridor need places they can walk to do their errands, take their kids to school, to parks,” said urban design consultant Debora Murphy, who wrote the grant for the CRA. “The funds are all about supporting new housing.” Following Europe The agency will present several proposed streetscape improvements for the corridor at workshops on Feb. 8 and 10. Public input will help the CRA determine which options to prioritize. Among several proposed improvements, the project team considers one plan to be a sort of baseline enhancement: protected bike lanes, one in each direction, between Seventh Street and Exposition Park. They would be the first such lanes in the city. European cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen have protected bike lanes adjacent to the curb and separated from traffic by some type of barrier. American cities have not yet embraced the lanes, mostly because of liability issues. They are known to increase ridership because they give cyclists a greater sense of safety. The CRA team believes the infrastructure is key to making cyclists access the Figueroa*Corridor. The overall plan for the

staff wRiteR

magine car-choked Figueroa Street lined with trees from Downtown to USC, with wide sidewalks and protected bike lanes. Picture the thoroughfare teeming with pedestrians: People walk their dogs. Students jog down the sidewalk. Cyclists cruise wide-eyed, safe from cars that normally keep them on edge. With all the street life, new retailers have popped up. It may sound like a cyclist and pedestrian’s fantasy, but if the Community Redevelopment Agency has its way, it will be reality by the end of 2013. This week the CRA, working with a team of landscape architects and design consultants, and armed with a $20 million state grant, will present preliminary improvement options for the street. The plans were developed over the past three months, following meetings with stakeholders on how they use Figueroa Street, and key points along the corridor between USC and Downtown. “Pedestrians feel very secondary there,” said Melanie Smith, a principal with the urban planning and landscape architecture firm Meléndrez, one of the consultants working on the plan. The grant comes from the state Department of Housing and Community Development and is intended to re-think the Figueroa Corridor, which runs through a patchwork of densely populated residential neighborhoods and the

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street, however, is not focused solely on cyclists. There are also aims to shorten blocks with mid-street pedestrian crossings. “It’s about rethinking the balance of access to the streets,” said Smith. “Instead of being big ‘C’ Car, it’s going to a better balance of car, bike, pedestrian, bus and other forms of transit.” The CRA plan is not the only one tackling protected bike lanes. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s proposed Bicycle Plan, which calls for 261 miles of new bike-friendly infrastructure, goes before a joint City Council Transportation and Planning and Land Use Management committee meeting on Feb. 9. Big Ideas The area identified in the CRA proposal includes a few east/west corridors that feed into Figueroa Street, including 11th Street. The one-way South Park street, which already sees high pedestrian activity from fans moving to and from parking lots east of Staples Center on game nights, is an ideal candidate for additional improvements, Smith said. One alternative for 11th Street envisions widening sidewalks to make it a one-lane roadway flanked by pedestrianfriendly amenities such as sitting areas and landscaping. Another idea involves filling in the roadway between Figueroa Street and Broadway so it becomes level with the curb. The street would become a sort of shared flex-space for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. Of course, the plan has its hurdles. First, the grant requires the CRA to finish construction on the project by the end of 2013, or lose the funds. Projects that require buy-in and cooperation across multiple departments aren’t known for speedy implementation. “There will be business-as-usual hurdles we’re going to have to climb over with this project,” said Lillian Burkenheim, a former CRA project manager who retired last year but was brought on as a consultant on the Figueroa project. Burkenheim said that strong public participation, and a clear directive from stakeholders to follow through with the plan, will be crucial for pushing the project forward. “It’s certainly a possibility it won’t get done if people aren’t behind it,” she said. “But it will happen as long as there’s support there because it creates political will to get it done.” The workshops to discuss the Figueroa Streetscape Plan are 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 8 at FIDM, 919 S. Grand Ave., and 4-7 p.m. on Feb. 10 at Expo Center/Roy Anderson Recreation Center, 3980 Bill Robertson Lane. More information at myfigueroa.com. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

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February 7, 2011

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Selling Continued from page 1 where listening and patience rule the day. For broker Derrick Moore, success involves determining what’s missing in the area in order to sell it. For Jessica Wethington McLean of Bringing Back Broadway, it’s often about matchmaking. The path each takes is different. But they’re all getting results. Walking the Beat At first glance, Bastian and Weiss may seem to be the best-dressed tour guides in Downtown. That’s because several times a week, they’re walking on Seventh Street or another corridor, pointing out spaces to a crowd of people. Bastian, senior vice president and director of economic development for the DCBID, and Weiss, assistant director of economic development for the organization that provides cleaning, safety and marketing services for a large chunk of Downtown, are on the front lines of trying to bring in new businesses. For more than five years the BID has been offering walking tours to those interested in working or even living in the Central City. “It’s been incredibly successful and has had an amplifier effect,” said Carol Schatz, president and CEO of the DCBID. “When someone comes on a tour they realize everything that’s here. They learn about Downtown, they see it, walk it.” BID officials estimate they have helped recruit more than 50 businesses in the past six years. One of the first big ones Bastian secured was the Daily Grill, which opened in 2005. Others he played a role in luring include Maria’s Italian Kitchen, El Cholo near L.A. Live and Soi 7. “The number one thing to do is listen to the retailer and match what they want,” said Bastian. After discussing the different neighborhoods in Downtown, he said, “We try to steer them in the direction that would make more sense for them, where they would be more synergistic with other retailers.” For example, when Ilan Hall, the winner

of season two of Bravo’s “Top Chef” show, was looking for a place to open a restaurant, he first thought of being near the beach. He thought differently after Weiss walked the Historic Core with him and showed him the Alexandria Hotel. Hall’s restaurant The Gorbals opened there in 2009. “He was a New York guy that wanted to find an urban space so I knew the Historic Core was the right place for him,” Weiss said. Of course, it’s more than just being a tour guide. Bastian and Weiss are armed with a wealth of demographic data, and tout how Downtown has grown from 18,000 residents 11 years ago to 45,000 people today. At an event for a proposed Downtown football stadium last week, Schatz trotted out other numbers: She said Downtown has created 17,000 housing units and that $15 billion has been invested in the community since 1999. The BID is currently concentrating on bringing retail to Seventh Street. Weiss spends about three days a week traveling to neighborhoods outside of Downtown, including Abbot Kinney in Venice, or Melrose, to recruit hip retailers. One thing they have learned is almost nothing happens quickly. While rare deals close in a few weeks, bringing someone Downtown can take years. “This business is for very patient people, and we are patient,” Bastian said. Filling the Gaps Many people may know Derrick Moore more for his name than his face. After all, his moniker and phone number are splashed across seemingly hundreds of green and white CB Richard Ellis “For Lease” signs. Those signs have paid dividends. Over the last four years, Moore, vice president of brokerage services at CB Richard Ellis, said his office has closed about 100 deals. They have included everything from retail giants like Walgreens to restaurants such as Johnny Rockets and the upcoming Mo Chica on Seventh Street. To sell the area, Moore often looks for what’s not there. “I figure out what’s missing, who else has succeeded in that area and what’s the likelihood a new business will survive?” he said.

“Everyone is invited Everyone belongs”

Thus, in neighborhoods driven by foot traffic from local residents, he often looks to match spaces with community-oriented businesses such as markets, mom-and-pop stores or bars. In areas powered by the corporate crowd, he aims for businesses that can serve customers during their lunch hour. “That’s why you see a lot of banks in certain places, or restaurants with a strong lunch crowd following,” he said. Moore also is frequently on foot with potential tenants. He estimates that he spends 20-50 hours on the streets with a client before photo by Gary Leonard they choose a space. Jessica Wethington McLean sometimes acts as a matchmaker, Interestingly, he some- introducing Broadway businesses with landlords. She recently helped times finds himself saying work a deal to bring in Umamicatessen. no to businesses he things may fade out quickly. The damage, he says, could send “I see my role on behalf on the councilman a negative message to other potential tenants. as sort of a matchmaker sometimes,” she said Thus he often avoids “concept” establish- after a recent event to announce the opening ments he believes are trending down. He of two new Broadway restaurants, Two Boots declined to name any of them. Pizza and Umamicatessen. “It’s almost like “It makes my job a lot easier when other I’m setting them up on a blind date and hopbusinesses are succeeding in Downtown, so ing it works out.” the last thing you want is someone to come McLean also spends a good portion of in with a gold rush mentality,” he said. “They her day walking with potential Downtown need to have a realistic budget and projec- business owners. She talks to them about tions.” the future of Broadway and about getting in The Matchmaker a space at the beginning of a new era for the While Moore and the team of Bastian and corridor. Weiss cast a wide net, McLean works in a Working personal connections is one of much smaller geographic area. With her fo- her tools. She pointed to Mac & Cheeza, cus on a single street as part of Councilman a 400-square-foot spot that opened last José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initia- February on the ground floor of a building at tive, she strives to lure specific businesses to a Eighth Street and Broadway. She knew ownfocused location. ers Larkin Mackey and Joshua McBride from “It’s a little bit of both looking at vacant their restaurant in Eagle Rock, and when they spaces and seeing who we can recruit and said they wanted to open a new space, she taking folks that express an interest and try- started selling Broadway. She also worked the ing to match them up with the right spaces,” building owners. said McLean. “I talked to a number of property owners McLean does more than just tour the who had space that would work,” she said. area. She has to work with landlords, who “That’s really my role. I facilitate it, I connect must sometimes be willing to look beyond them together, and they go from there.” quick profits and consider the long-term Contact Richard Guzmán at effects of a deal. richard@downtownnews.com.

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Editor & PublishEr: Sue Laris GENErAl MANAGEr: Dawn Eastin ExEcutivE Editor: Jon Regardie citY Editor: Richard Guzmán stAFF writEr: Ryan Vaillancourt coNtributiNG Editors: David Friedman, Kathryn Maese coNtributiNG writErs: Pamela Albanese, Jay Berman, Jim Farber, 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 PhotoGrAPhEr: Gary Leonard AccouNtiNG: Ashley Schmidt AdvErtisiNG dirEctor: Steve Nakutin sAlEs AssistANt: Annette Cruz clAssiFiEd AdvErtisiNG MANAGEr: Catherine Holloway AccouNt ExEcutivEs: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Billy Wright, Lon Wahlberg circulAtioN: Norma Rodas distributioN MANAGEr: Salvador Ingles distributioN AssistANts: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla

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El Pueblo Merchants May Sue City Claim Says Damages Are in Excess of $52 Million by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

erchants along Olvera Street last week initiated a legal process that could lead to them suing the city for $52 million. The action comes two months after they rejected the latest rental agreement offered by the city. Paul Hamilton, an attorney who represents about 45 merchants, said a claim was filed against the city Jan. 31. He said the claim is the first step before filing a lawsuit. Officials with the City Attorney’s would not comment on the claim. Calls to the office of Councilman José Huizar, whose 14th District covers El Pueblo, were not returned. In the claim, the merchants say the dispute stems from the city and the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument

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Authority’s denial “of the Olvera Street Merchants’ rights to a long term lease and fair and reasonable terms.” The claim points to Proposition H, which was approved by voters in 1992. The merchants say it gives them the right to leases such as the 55-year terms signed by 17 tenants more than a decade ago. The claim says tenants “will suffer damages in excess of $52,375,00 over the remaining 43 year lease terms,” which includes loss of profits, new rent they would have to pay if they are evicted, relocation costs and attorney’s fees. However, city leaders have in the past disputed the terms of Proposition H. In a letter sent to Huizar last year, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich stated that under Proposition H, the city is permitted, but not required, to enter into long-term

concession agreements. “Nothing in the language of Proposition H or in the current Charter, requires any particular length of time for a long term concession agreement,” the letter stated. The claim comes a year after the civilian El Pueblo Commission approved new rents for merchants based on a study commissioned by the city. The report recommended rents of $2-$6.50 per square foot. The merchants countered with their own study that suggested rates of $1.20-$2 per square foot for merchants in most of the standalone businesses. Last April, the city’s new rents went into effect. However, more than 40 tenants have paid only their old rates, which city officials say costs them about $72,000 per month. There have been numerous efforts to resolve the matter, including a failed mediation attempt in the summer. The most recent offer by the city called for 20-year leases with an option to renew for another 20 years, at rates up to 30% below what the city sought in April. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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10 Downtown News

February 7, 2011

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R mance in the city Feed the Heart Downtown Offers Numerous Dining Options On Valentine’s Day

by RichaRd Guzmán city editoR

t’s the time of year again when Cupid goes wild. It’s the time of year when love conquers all. It’s Valentine’s Day, and it’s the time of year when you better have a dinner reservation, and probably some other nice things too, for your significant other. To be sure, we get that it’s a Hallmark holiday. That said, there’s a decent chance that the one you love actually likes the romance and celebration that comes with Feb. 14. So grab a meal or suffer the consequences. Fortunately, there are a lot of places in Downtown Los Angeles where you can have a romantic dinner for two. The following 12 spots are just a few of the many you might try. They offer everything from steaks to seafood to plenty of red wine. The romantic messages are up to you. Love Train: Keep love on the right track with the Traxx Restaurant Valentine’s Day Special. The establishment in Union Station is seeking to bring romance to a transit hub with a $65 per person special. You start off with a choice of crusted lamb, roasted beef Napoleon with goat cheese, chilled crab or caramelized wild mushrooms. Entrees include crispy eggplant, braised veal, boneless half chicken and striped bass. If you want Valentine’s Day to get sticky, there’s a cheese course, offered for $12, with domestic and imported varieties with honey and spiced walnuts. At 800 N. Alameda St., (213) 625-1999 or traxxrestaurant.com. California Love: If a prix-fixe menu is too much of a commitment even on Valentine’s Day, Corkbar, the South Park wine emporium with a focus on California vino, is giving couples some space with an à la carte menu. The dinner will include options like seared duck breast with port wine reduction and molten chocolate

photo by Gary Leonard

Traxx evokes a romantic atmosphere with its setting in Union Station. It is offering a Valentine’s Day dinner for $65 per person.

cake. Prices range from $10-$20 for entrees and for another $25 you can get a flight of sparkling wine. It may not be as romantic as a trip to Napa, but after a few flights of wine you probably won’t care where you are. At 403 W. 12th St., (213) 746-0050 or corkbar.com. Secret Love: You can impress your significant other by becoming a real Downtown insider at Border Grill. The Mexican restaurant in the old Ciudad space is featuring a four-course dinner for $48; it includes grilled cumin skirt steak, pear and cabrales blue cheese quesadilla and macadamia crusted Hawaiian ono. But the best part is the super secret password. When you call to make a reservation, drop the words “Downtown valentine” and you’ll get a free cocktail with dinner. If you want to be real slick, don’t tell your sweetie about the deal and pretend you got a free drink just because you’re cool. At 445 S. Figueroa St., (213) 486-5171 or bordergrill.com. Tough Love: The key to any relationship is trust. That’s also key to a meal at Sugarfish. So put your stomach in the strict but loving hands of chef Kazunori Nozawa and

check out his Trust Me Valentine’s Day menu. There are no substitutions, no requests and hopefully no regrets when you commit to the $90 dinner for two. The meal includes more than 20 pieces of sushi, everything from toro hand rolls to sweet shrimp. All the chef wants is your trust — the love will come later. At 600 W. Seventh St., (213) 627-3000 or sugarfishsushi.com. Roses and Strings: J Restaurant & Lounge isn’t relying solely on their cool patio to set the mood on Valentine’s Day. The South Park hotspot is adding even more romance to the weekend with the alluring sounds of Spanish guitar and a few flowers. A three-course prixfixe menu is being offered from Feb. 11-14 for $60 per person. It includes choices like a 28-day dry aged New York steak, crispy Mediterranean bass and mini chocolate mousse cake for dessert. On Sunday and Monday, private cabana seating will be available with the food; it includes a dozen roses and a bottle of champagne and costs an additional $100. There will also be a guitar serenade throughout the lounge At 1119 S. Olive St., (213) 746-7746 or jloungela.com. The Food of Love: If French is the language of love, then French food is always a good choice for the holiday of love. Kendall’s Brasserie is one of Downtown’s few French spots, and it’s offering a V-Day menu from Feb. 11-14. The options include roasted foie gras mousse, seafood risotto, duck confit, shrimp-crusted Alaskan halibut and poached salmon. A three-course dinner will run $60 and a four-course option is $75. At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7322 or patinagroup.com. That’s Amore: While it’s not as romantic as a gondola ride down the canals of Venice, Zucca Ristorante can still put you in a loving mood with some good Italian dishes. For Valentine’s Day, the restaurant is offering a $55-$65 menu. Butternut squash soup, baby artichokes and seared scallops are among the first course options. The main course offerings include filet mignon, woodoven roasted chicken, roasted bone-in pork loin and Mediterranean seas bass. At 801 S. Figueroa St., (213) 614-7800 or patinagroup.com.

photo by Gary Leonard

J Restaurant and Lounge will add a Spanish guitarist and flowers to their Valentine’s meal.

Grand Plans: If you’re on a budget, or, and it’s not that we condone this, if Cupid has been working overtime for you

February 7, 2011

and you have more than one Valentine’s date, the Wilshire Grand is ready to help. The hotel’s Cardini Ristorante will serve a three-course dinner with selections like roasted bell pepper soup, petite filet and seafood skewer and amaretto cheesecake for dessert. The $24.95 per person special is available Feb. 11-14, and it’s priced so you could even come back for seconds with that other date. If you get caught, just blame it on stupid Cupid. At 930 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 896-3822 or wilshiregrand.com. Loving Rendezvous: The Millennium Biltmore restaurant is serving a “Love at Smeraldi’s” Valentine Menu. This is one place where money can buy you love: For $65 you get a four-course menu that includes choices like lobster flan, beef tenderloin or pan-seared breast of chicken. The meal will be served Feb. 11-14 from 5-11 p.m. If you go on Valentine’s Day, head to the hotel’s Rendezvous Court after dinner for a buffet of chocolates, truffles and other desserts, along with some live jazz, from 8-11 p.m. At 506 S. Grand Ave., (213) 612-1562 or millenniumhotels.com. Meat Lovers: Whether it comes from land or sea, if you love meat, then you’ll want to start a serious relationship, or at least a couple of days of bliss, with Morton’s The Steakhouse on Valentine’s weekend. The restaurant is offering a prix-fixe steak and seafood three-course meal for two for $109. The deal is available Feb. 11-14. You and your sweetie will get a pair of single cut filets, seafood choices like broiled scal-

Romance in the City

Downtown News 11

lops or crab cake, and desserts such as key lime pie or crème brulee. To add a little more love to the dinner, Morton’s is also offering a Valentine’s Day cocktail called Red Velvet. The $14 drink is made with prosecco, Chambord and lindemans raspberry lambic. Reservations are a must. At 735 S. Figueroa St., (213) 553-4566 or mortons.com. To Market You Go: The supermarket isn’t a romantic place, but there will be plenty of love in the air on Feb. 14 at LA Market. The restaurant in the lobby of the JW Marriott hotel is a pretty cool looking space, and the menu is all about modern American food with a focus on California flavors. For Valentine’s Day, that means a three-course, $45 per person dinner that includes beet salad, panseared sea bass and a dessert junk food platter for two. Everyone loves junk food. At 900 W. Olympic, (213) 765-8600 or lalivemarriott.com. Belle of the Ball: Go old school on Valentine’s Day at First & Hope, the 1940s and ’50s-style supper club on Bunker Hill. The Feb. 14 party includes a $65-$75 prix-fixe menu with choices such as spiced filet mignon and wild striped bass. Of course, the joint it all about the aesthetics. The Fedora Room will feature jazz starlet Gina Saputo with 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. shows. At 710 W. First St., (213) 617-8555 or firstandhope.com. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

photo courtesy of Border Grill

The cumin skirt steak is part of the Valentine Day’s special at Border Grill.

12 Downtown News

February 7, 2011

Romance in the City

Love Lines 2011

Surprise!! All that we really have is Silly Love Songs. Love You So Much BABU!!... Raul + Jonathan

Downtowners Find Many Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ Pedro… You make my life very interesting and fun. I will always be there for you — now and forever!... Keith

David… Having you in my life makes me the Luckiest Girl in the World! Happy Valentine’s Day Baby! Love… Perla

Sun Youngie... You’re my everything, my tour de force, my sweet princess, sarang heyo, larve... Rodgie

Sara… You are the wobbliest giraffe in the world! Love, hunny

Erika… It’s been 12 yrs already!! I still love u the way I did the first day. I love u… LUIS M! Louie… thanks for always being there for me, as I am for you. Love you very much… Daniel

TB… We don’t need no stinking Wayans brother to celebrate. I love you like crazy! Like crazy!... RJR Pookie… You are the love of my life!... From Coco

Eve, Lisa, Valerie… You give all meaning to my life. Thank you for being, and for my Grandchildren… Love, Dad Janet… yes, there is a God. He sent me you from up above to hold, love and protect… Love Always, Erich ox Cesare… I love you and our three beautiful kids. Let’s make it happen! My Valentine Always and Forever!... Stephanie Vikki B… Wishing you another Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Here are my two lips!!! XXXOOOXXX… Your Big Daddy

Sandra... with all my expectations long abandoned and a future I no longer saw my hand in, there’s no doubt that you’re the reason I’m still standing; my stunning mystery companion… MHB James... you’re my Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and my Valentine for a lifetime… Vermyil

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Downtown News 13

Romance in the City Crackers… I’m glad you liked my muffins… Cereal aisle

wonderful friend, partner & lover… Yours, Glenda

Gabriela… u are my one and only love. U will always be number 1 to me… Love, George

Alex… Thank you for being a wonderful husband and a father. I love you with all my heart… Lily

Alex… Yo te quiero mucho!... Yolanda

Nina and Camille… You girls make me so happy! Happy Valentine! I love you so much. Daddy and hubby… Vince

Michelle… you are the Giacometti sculpture/Modigliani painting of my life… Tristan

Cookie Crumbs… You are the best part of the last 30 years... The Baker

Patricia W… Happy Anniversary Sweetheart, I will love you forever & ever you are everything to me! Love… Stephen W

FB… You’re my one way ticket to Snuggleville! I love you… Fab

Vicky… We meet, eat, talk, text, and fall in love all over again 17 years later… Fabian

Mari… You bring happiness and love to my world, who’d think I find someone like you to call my wife… Roberto

Neil loves Sunny, and duckies and bears are funny, and you’re my honey, my only oney, with love… your hubby

Rena Nakasaka… I am so very proud of you… Love, mommy

D… falling in ❤ w/ u was the best thing that ever happened to me! ❤… ur lil esticky b.

I Love You very much my Pirate Kitty Bear Princess. Happy Valentine’s from your Tiger Kitty… Prince

Stiv… Everything is Sunshine. Congratulations, and I hope things are ShipShore from here on out… Lamby

Ismael… I love you with all my heart. Thank you for being a

see Love Lines, page 14

Chely: You are so sexy, your legs drive me crazy. Love always… Bubba

Anizette… Happy Valentines and Happy Anniversary to us… Noel Lingad Doogie... thanks for always making me smile. ❤ Frootz Mr. G… Wiggle me… Mrs. G Cuervito… I love u with all my heart. Thanxs for all ur love... ur babe L.O. Snuggie aka Jane… You are the woman of my dreams… love you, Michael Chiquita Amor de mi vida… soon I will have you, forget that half hour I’m stealing you for 3 days... Jessica Brian... I love being your wife, the mother of your children and your best friend. Forever yours… Seak B’nose… Don’t stop loving me… Vike Los Angeles… I am completely in love with you, we’ve come such a long way. You are stunning… Love, Dustin Puppy Poo… Babe, I love you so so so so so so so so so much. Happy Valentines Day, love!... Keith

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February 7, 2011

Romance in the City Gil… my gorgeous man, I’m the luckiest woman in the world because you’re mine! Every day is Valentine’s Day! Love you… Paty

Love Lines Continued from page 13 Eduardo Islas… Babe thank you for always being there for me. I Love You… Rosie Ramos-Islas

Abue, Mamanina & Abuelito… Gracias! Son una bendicion en mi vida! Feliz Dia de San Valentin! Con mucho amor… David & Victoria

Reina… One year ago today you said yes… how about it… one more year???... Andres

Jeff Pelczar… You had me at “Dive bar”!... Juanita

Rushmore… I love you more than you know, and I can’t wait to share our lives together. Happy Valentine’s Day!... Elsie

Mine honey… You’re the best, babydollar. This is how we are doing it. I love you always… Stif Da-Wei... We are one body, mind, spirit. Hawaii was awesome. Where next? My love is eternal and new... Lotus Hey Fat Boy... rawr ❤ and even tho we have our days I still love you and forever more... Kevin To my Hummingbird... It’s your imperfections that make you perfect. I love you forever and ever beautiful… your Superman

Skip… you are the dreamboat of my cupcake… Olivia JV… being with you, loving you, has been the greatest joy in my life. I love you cutie… Jenina Roger… Happy Valentine’s Day I truly do love you!! You are my heart. Love Your Boo… Susan

George… You are made for hug hug hugging. We can love you all day. Happy Valentine’s Day… Daddy and Mama Gustavo… I am blessed that you love me! You are my unanswered prayer. I love you!... Adriana Hey Mr. Cruz... thanks for making this lifetime super fun... Love, Mrs. Cruz Jeremy, Nicole and Henry... you’ve made my life have more meaning, don’t know where I’d be without you... Love Mom

JP... You’re the BOMB!!... Sandrapoo ❤ John-Michael… Happy 7th Valentine’s Day Son, Mommy loves you and Daddy Duron so much. Thank You Grandma Maruko, I love you... Lactrice Justin… you’re the best hunny a girl could ask for. Happy Valentine’s Day. I love you!... Wobbly Jenny G… I LOVE U & MISS U so much… Ricardo Ashley… My busy little cookie, sweet cupcake, vanilla drop, Happy Valentine’s Day!... Sugga Momma

Danny, my love… I found everything w u and I love it. I never knew that true love existed until u walked right into my heart. Happy Valentine’s Day Corazon! Te Amo… Norma Happy Valentine’s Day! I Miss You… Andrea Tammy Loo… you had Joy, you’re a great Chick, always Weiss, and now Paul? Remember, Andy is forever Dandy JueJue… My honey bunny, DJ Tagman, Who Loves You Baby, Yo Mama Zombie baby... I love you with all my heart... and brains... V-Ron Marcos… I love you, happy late birthday, thank you for everything and don’t worry. Te AMO nino… Sara Cody Tono-kun… We love you so much. You are the cutest little boy ever… Mom & Dad Kiana Hime-chan… You are the walking sing along. The funniest & cutest girl we’ve ever known and we love you so much… Mom & Dad BM&Y… CW2CU IYKWIM IOW I LUV U ((H))s :-x 8-)… TK

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Downtown News 15

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CALENDAR Writer/director Moisés Kaufman struck gold when he got Jane Fonda to play the lead role in 33 Variations. It was the actress’ first live theater appearance in 46 years.

Variations on a theme

Jane Fonda, Moisés Kaufman and Ludwig Von Beethoven on the Ahmanson Stage

by Jim Farber

n one of the most memorable scenes from Peter Shaffer’s play Amadeus, the wunderkind Mozart is greeted in Vienna by the pompous court composer, Antonio Salieri, who presents him with “a little march” of his own creation. Mozart then proceeds to spin the maestro’s mediocre melody into a series of golden variations. A similar musical confrontation between genius and mediocrity lies at the heart of Moisés Kaufman’s time-traveling drama, 33 Variations, which opens Feb. 9 at the Ahmanson Theatre. The production, which is also directed by Kaufman, stars Jane Fonda as Dr. Katherine Brandt, a devoted musicologist (and dysfunctional mother) who is determined to unravel a lingering mystery — the inspiration behind Beethoven’s late-life masterpiece, the 33 “Diabelli Variations.” Though she is suffering from a debilitating illness, Fonda’s character remains dogged in her determination to complete her self-appointed task. At the same time, back in 19th century Vienna, Beethoven, played by Zach Grenier, is hard at work on the variations and also suffering from a variety of infirmities that include the onset of total deafness. For Fonda, who joined the cast in 2009 (for the Broadway opening; it previously played in Washington, D.C. and La Jolla) 33 Variations represents a return to live theater after a 46-year hiatus. The performance garnered a Tony nomination for the 73-year-old Academy Award-winning-actress. A little historical background: In 1819, an entrepreneurial publisher named Anton Diabelli proposed a project to 50 of Vienna’s leading composers. He wanted them to pen a set of variations based on a waltz of his own creation. Initially, the most famous of them all, Ludwig von Beethoven, dismissed the idea. But then, for whatever mysterious reasons, Diabelli’s little waltz lodged itself so deeply in Beethoven’s consciouscom or nNews. ness that he could not say goodbye to it until three years and wntow corner at Do t nd ha ht rig upper s/maillis 33Evariations mbol in the s.com/form -NEWS Lolater. ok for this sy www.ladowntownnew P U N In SIGthe view of the great conductor and musical scholar Hans von Bülow (1830-1894), the “Diabelli Variations” represent a microcosm of Beethoven’s genius. In his words, “The whole image of the world of tone is outlined here, the whole evolution of musical thought and sound fantasy from the most contained contemplation to the most abandoned humor.” Lucky Turn In much the same way that Shaffer became fixated on the life of Mozart, Kaufman, whose previous works include The Laramie Project and Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, became obsessed with unlocking the secrets of

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the “Diabelli Variations.” His research eventually led him to Bonn, Germany, birthplace of Beethoven and home to the greatest Beethoven archive in the world. “When I am working on a historically based subject I become obsessed with the lives of these people and their era,” said Kaufman during a phone conversation between rehearsals. “For me the membrane between the past and the present becomes very permeable.” The question that plagued Kaufman was why would Beethoven, so late in life and at the height of his powers, dedicate three years to modifying a melody that, according to his assistant and biographer, Anton Schindler, he described as little more than a “schusterfleck” — a “cobbler’s path”?

Then fate stepped in. “By a stroke of luck,” said Kaufman, “she was at a party in Dallas, and a friend asked her what she was up to. She said she was considering doing this play. And one of the people at the party said they had just seen it at the La Jolla Playhouse. ‘You have to do it!’ She said it was a message from above.” For Grenier, who has embodied the role of Beethoven since the production in La Jolla, 33 Variations has also been a journey of discovery. “The play I originally read is a very different play than the one we’re doing now,” said Grenier, who is perhaps best known for his role as the pox-ridden gambler Andy in the HBO series “Deadwood.” “Every production has been a variation of the one that came before. And that’s still true. Moisés’ process is one of continuous revision and improvement.” The scene in the play that Grenier said he enjoys most comes in the second act as Beethoven begins to create the 32nd variation — a complex fugue inspired by Bach and Handel. “It’s as if I am drawing the notes in the air before me,” he said. “It’s a wonderful moment that always gets applause.” As past and present collide, Samantha Mathis plays Katherine’s underappreciated daughter, Clara. For Mathis, the part contains more than a hint of irony, since she was born in Vienna and her family tree dates back to the era of Beethoven. “My grandfather had a jewelry store in Vienna that had been jewelers to the crown for 250 years,” Mathis explained proudly. “There is also a Wittgenstein branch of our family. They’re mentioned in the play because they owned the Wittgenstein Sketchbook, which contains Beethoven’s original sketches for the ‘Diabelli Variations.’ There are members of my family that photo courtesy Center Theatre Group might have actually seen Beethoven perform.” Zach Grenier plays Beethoven in the show that opens at the Mathis, like Fonda, joined the show in New York. It was Ahmanson Theatre on Feb. 9. her second visit to the Great White Way after appearing in Starts “Beethoven became obsessed with Diabelli’s waltz,” Arthur Miller’s The Man Who Had All the Luck. Jan.28/Feb.4 Kaufman explained. “Katherine becomes obsessed with “It was a very intense experience,” Mathis said. “I’ll never Beethoven’s obsession. And I became obsessed with forget the last night we were allowed to receive script revisions Katherine’s obsession. It’s sort of a round-robin.” — Moisés gave me 30 changes! It was a nightmare, but it was When 33 Variations opened on Broadway, having Fonda’s also thrilling. It’s been fantastic and Jane and I have developed name on the marquee was a fabulous asset. But her joining the a real relationship. She’s a wonderfully giving actress.” company was a long time coming and involved a stroke of luck. With the opening of the Los Angeles engagement days “Jane was always my first choice to play Katherine on away, I asked Kaufman if the rewriting of 33 Variations was Broadway,” said Kaufman. “We contacted her and she read finally over. He laughed and quoted one of Beethoven’s lines Website Movie LADowntownNews.com theCheck script. ItOur seemed to speakfor to Full a lot of thingsListings she’s dealing from the play: “I could have used another couple of weeks.” with right now. She’s very interested in what kind of work 33 Variations runs through March 6 at the Ahmanson you take on in your ‘third age,’ what you do when your body Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4400 or centerthheis growing older. These are issues that the play addresses.” atregroup.org.

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Art Walk Continued from page 1 property owners and we would like to become self sufficient, not have to continuously rely on donations from the public,” Moller said. The future, he added, will involve reaching out to corporate sponsors. He said it is too early in the process to name companies or types of businesses he might be seeking. However, he did say that it will require somewhere “in the neighborhood” of the $200,000 a year they are receiving now from the property owners. “The goal is not to turn this into a trade show or expo, but to keep the essence of Art Walk intact,” Moller said. “The ideal organizations are those that are socially responsible, that understand the benefit Art Walk offers and want to participate and engage. We’re hoping our partners will add value to the experience.” Izek Shomof, who was one of the property owners to contribute money to Art Walk, agreed that it is important for the event to become self-sufficient. “That’s very important for them,” he said. “I think it can sometimes feel like it’s getting out of hand with the crowds, so they also need to control it a little more.” That control could be achieved with more information. In December, Art Walk launched partnerships with the publications Brand X and Canvas LA; they will promote the event and distribute an Art Walk map. Brand X is also sponsoring the Art Walk Lounge, the visitors’ center for the gathering. Having the information in the publications will make it easier for people to navigate the event, said Bonnie Tseng, a member of the Art Walk board, which recently expanded from seven to 10 people. A byproduct of that is an intent to focus more attention on the galleries. Whether that will translate to sales remains to be seen. In fact, Moller thinks gallery owners should look at Art Walk like a first date, where potential customers can be exposed to the art spaces, and can return later, hopefully to purchase art. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for all businesses in Downtown,” he said. Online Walk One coming change won’t have anything to do with what

February 7, 2011

Twitter/DowntownNews visitors at the event see on the second Thursday of every month. Rather, it involves the happening’s digital presence. A new website is being designed and should launch by the end of the second quarter. Moller would not provide specifics as to what the changes will involve, but said the goal is to make the site like “going to a museum without walls.” “We’re working to upgrade a website so users can connect to gallery owners, educate themselves about where to go, what to do,” he said. “We really want to just help supporters of Art Walk and attendees of Art Walk optimize their experience.” The event’s current website, artwalkla.wordpress.com, includes previews where galleries submit information about their exhibits during the event. It also lists 37 galleries and venues that are part of Art Walk, along with safety information. Some of the upgraded online efforts are already evident on Art Walk’s Facebook page and Twitter account. “We’re live blogging events, trying to draw more attention to the galleries and we have an ever-growing fanbase on Facebook,” Tseng said. The Art Walk Facebook page, which was launched in 2009, has close to 25,000 fans. Crowded Block Of course, for most people, Art Walk is about what they experience when they arrive at an event centered at Fourth and Main streets in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. While an influx of 20,000 people can seem like an invasion, Moller said the focus of Art Walk will be less on the size of the crowd, and more on making sure those who come have a satisfying and safe experience. Hence, the online upgrades and media partnerships are designed to inform crowds before they get here. “If you haven’t been here before it can be quite nebulous. Where do you park? Where do you start? We’ll have the answer to those questions,” Moller said. LAPD Central Division Capt. Todd Chamberlain agreed that it’s not as much about the size of the crowd as it is their demeanor. Having event organizers reach out to people and let them know what to expect, as opposed to having crowds come and look for a party, is key to making the happening manageable. “We just want to make sure we get the right crowd, not coming here for just a party on the street,” Chamberlain said. “We want to see the Downtown area continue to make a turn for the better.”

photo by Gary Leonard

Moller hopes to make Art Walk more manageable by letting attendees know in advance things like where to park and what the galleries will be showing.

There are other changes that will take place out of sight of the crowds. Moller plans to hold meetings with gallery owners every other month. He also intends to organize quarterly “Town Hall” meetings to get the local community’s concerns and hopes for Art Walk. No dates for those meetings have been set. With a more manageable event, the Art Walk boundaries could expand, Moller said. That could happen as soon as the summer. It’s a move applauded by board members like Tseng. “You’ll see there’s a broader landscape, more awareness of other galleries in other parts of Downtown,” Tseng said. She pointed out that this is already happening organically with places like FIDM in South Park holding special events during Art Walk. Meanwhile, Moller, a longtime Art Walk attendee and Downtown resident, plans to continue to enjoy what he has always enjoyed about the event. Even if he has to work it. “As someone who’s attended Art Walk for years, the diversity, the experience really represents L.A. You can walk around and see people from all walks of life, all ages, all demographics,” he said. Contact Richard Guzmán at richard@downtownnews.com.

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To Be Sane, or Not to Be Sane That Is the Question When a Supreme Court Justice Presides Over the Trial of Hamlet by Jeff favre contributing writer

photos by Gary Leonard

United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy presided over a mock trial of Hamlet held at USC.

The prosecution team, Nathan Hochman of Bingham McCutchen’s Santa Monica office, and Danette Meyers, a 24-year veteran of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, had another view. Meyers pointed out that seeing ghosts in Denmark during this time period was not uncommon. Hamlet, she explained, carefully considered his actions while plotting to kill Claudius, who murdered his father and married his mother, and that he only pretended madness. The defense called Dr. Saul Faerstein while the prosecution countered with Dr. Ronald Markman, both psychiatrists who have testified in hundreds of trials. Each side was allowed a brief cross-examination and a chance to re-direct before an intermission and closing arguments. The cast was well versed in Hamlet and everyone got into the spirit of the event, in particular Faerstein, who recited several pertinent quotes from memory. Also up to the task was Markman, who held his ground when pushed by Hirsch to explain Hamlet’s seemingly erratic behavior. Director Ben Donenberg placed the attorney’s podium toward the onstage jury, cheating slightly to the audience, but maintaining a sense of a real trial. Despite some wordplay

Kennedy and Graham Hamilton, who played Hamlet, after the three hour show.

with Shakespeare’s text (the defense argued Hamlet had lost weight based on his quote, “O that this too solid flesh should melt”), all participants handled the fictitious matter with a sense of decorum. If some in the audience tended to focus on the jury, it’s because two of the decisionmakers were Helen Hunt and Tom Irwin. The famed actors did get a chance to be heard along with their colleagues, as an off-stage

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20-minute jury deliberation was captured by video camera and projected onto a large screen. The verdict was not unanimous, but with more time Hamlet likely would have stood trial for murder. The jury voted 10-2 that he was criminally responsible for his actions. Then Kennedy laid down the law. He sentenced Hamlet back “to the pages of our literary heritage.”

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erhaps the writ of habeas corpus got lost in the mail, or the red tape in Denmark slowed down the process. But after four centuries, Hamlet, who apparently recovered from being poisoned, finally got his day in court to determine if he was criminally responsible (read, not insane) at the moment he stabbed Polonius. Granted, Shakespeare’s melancholy prince is a fictional creation, but The Trial of Hamlet, which took place Monday, Jan. 31, in USC’s Bovard Auditorium, seemed real enough. If there was any doubt, the point was brought home by the man that event organizer Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles wrangled to oversee matters — United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy was presiding. While there was a lack of costumes and props, the mock trial featured real attorneys and a couple of real actors, Graham Hamilton as Hamlet and J.B. Waterman as a Crier. As an educational exercise melding fictional events with real-life legal and psychological mores, the trial was a rare and intellectually stimulating evening, pitting top attorneys, armed with expert witnesses, before a jury. As a piece of theater, well, three hours may be shorter than an unedited production of Hamlet, but anyone who has served on a jury knows that even the most clever quips by brilliant legal minds can get tedious and repetitive. Given the tendency for lawyers to use 1,000 words when 100 will do, it’s a good thing that Kennedy had the Bailiff (actress Sabra Williams) keep a clock on learned counsel, or the proceedings might still be going. Hamlet, dressed in his usual black and looking sullen, sat on the stage next to his impressive legal team: Blair Berk of the L.A. law firm Tarlow & Berk, and criminal law specialist Richard Hirsch. Berk summed up the evening best with one of her several plays on the Bard’s work, remarking, “To be sane, or not to be sane. That is the question.” Berk laid out the defense, which likely would have confused those who don’t know the pertinent evidence (aka the play). Her argument? Hamlet suffered from depression and several other symptoms laid out in the DSM IV, here jokingly renamed the Danish Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Also, he took a direct command from a ghost that only he could hear.

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18 Downtown News

February 7, 2011

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LISTINGS EVENTS

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Horns plus funk, times eight. The Hot 8 Brass Band brings the sounds of New Orleans street music to the outdoor Keck Amphitheatre at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Saturday, Feb. 12, with two free, family-friendly performances, at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (tickets are distributed about an hour before each show). The band is known for playing the traditional Second Line parades — descendents of the city’s famous jazz funerals — accompanied by dancing and parasol-twirling in the streets, but minus the casket. Get your own funky dance on at this performance that is part of the World City series. After the shows, kids can explore New Orleans culture in art-making workshops. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4396 or musiccenter.org.

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photo by Justin Bernhaut

photo by Taro Nishita

Ever want to just bang on the drums all day? Thirty-nine years ago, a group of young Japanese left their urban lives behind for the remote Sado Island in the Sea of Japan and did just that, banged on drums — big, BIG taiko drums. They also explored dance, song and stagecraft along with other traditional instruments and became… Kodo. Now the “samurai drummers” are off the island, and are brining their One Earth Tour to Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. It’s a rare opportunity to get primal in a Frank Gehry building. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 8502000 or laphil.com.

3 photo by Paul Gronner

photo by Mark Young.

The Da Camera Society, which pairs music with architecture, ventures into a 1,250-foot-long, revitalized freight depot in the Arts District on Sunday, Feb. 13, at 3 p.m. That’s when the Southern California Institute of Architecture hosts the JACK Quartet, a foursome that not only gets inventive with early music, but also performs new, commissioned works. Sunday’s program includes pieces by Machaut (14th century), Gesualdo (16th century), Philip Glass (Quartet No. 5) and architect-composer Iannis Xenakis (Tetras). At 960 E. Third St., (213) 4772929 or dacamera.org.

Wednesday, Feb. 9 Commercial Real Estate Women-Los Angeles Millennium Biltmore Hotel, 506 S. Grand Ave., (818) 497-3968 or crewla.org/programs. 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.: A presentation on strategies and tips for professional development, how to create the slate for a recession-proof career and how to turn big ideas into powerful results. SCI-Arc Lecture Series W. M. Keck Lecture Hall, 960 E. Third St., (213) 3565328 or sciarc.edu. 7 p.m.: Benedetta Tagliabue, director of Barcelona-based Miralles Tagliabue EMBT, discusses her recent work and other architectural topics. Grammy Museum L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. 7:30 p.m.: Music industry icon/impresario Clive Davis comes to the theater named after him for a discussion about his career. He’ll speak with songwriter Diane Warren and record producer Harvey Mason.

saTurday, Feb. 12 Culinary Historians of Southern California 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7000 or lapl.org. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.: Randy Clemens speaks on “Sriracha: The Story Behind the Addictively Spicy ‘Rooster Sauce.’” It’s getting hot, hot, hot. Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7000 or lapl.org. Noon-3 p.m.: David Meyer-O’Shea conducts oral history interviews with WWII veterans for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Meeting Room A. Grammy Museum L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or

by Lauren CampedeLLi, Listings editor

One

Tuesday, Feb. 8 ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Erwin Chemerinsky, founding dean at U.C. Irvine School of Law and an overall smartypants, and John Eastman, the Kennedy Chair in Law at Chapman University, debate whether the Supreme Court has been ideologically motivated during recent decades.

Thursday, Feb. 10 Downtown L.A. Art Walk Info and map at downtownartwalk.com. Noon-10 p.m.: The Downtown Art Walk is a selfguided tour that showcases the many art exhibition venues in Downtown Los Angeles — art galleries, museums and nonprofit art venues — as well as plenty of musical entertainment and food trucks. MOCA Grand Avenue Ahmanson Auditorium, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-1745 or moca.org. 6:30 p.m.: In conjunction with Suprasensorial: Experiments in Light, Color and Space, MOCA presents an evening of film and video, including documentaries about the artists and work by them: Hélio Oiticica, The Invention of Color; Neville D’Almeida, Verde Moreno; and Julio Le Parc, Le Parc Lumiere. Free. ALOUD at the Central Library 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7025 or aloudla.org. 7 p.m.: Biographer Leslie Brody, author of Irrepressible: The Life and Times of Jessica Mitford, talks with KPCC’s Patt Morrison about her muckraking subject who eloped with Winston Churchill’s nephew, fought in the Spanish Civil War and joined the Freedom Riders in Montgomery.

The ' D on'T on' Miss' LisT Horns of Plenty, Big Drums and the Nice Spice

photo by Will Templin

SPONSORED LISTINGS Live Church LA Club Nokia, 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 4934329 or livechurchla.com. 10 a.m.: Every Sunday, Live Church L.A. takes over the VIP Lounge at Club Nokia, bringing great music, people and inspiring messages. This Sunday, Feb. 13 is the All You Need is Love service, with special music and guests. Single and happy, single and searching, married or not — everyone is welcome. The Altervision 3D Blacklight Experience The Medallion, 334 S. Main St., facebook.com/ altervision3d Feb. 10, all night: A3D is an immersive, interactive art installation in which participants don a pair of 3D glasses to enter a neon, three-dimensional wonderland. It’s the first Art Walk installation that will have an entrance fee and proceeds benefit Art Walk. The cost is $2, or $5 for an all night pass.

What red-hot fowl has 231,624 friends on Facebook? Sriracha, that’s who. Nicknamed “Rooster Sauce” for the bird pictured on the label of the hot sauce brand, the spicy chili sauce began as a Thai condiment and is sprinkled on everything from Vietnamese pho to Mexican nachos to Buffalo wings and Bloody Mary’s. What does this mean to you? Find out on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 10:30 a.m., when the Culinary Historians of Southern California detail the story behind the stuff from aficionado Randy Clemens, author of The Sriracha Cookbook. At 11:30 a.m. they’ll have themed refreshments. You’ve been warned. At 630 W. Fifth St., (323) 663-5407 or chscsite.org.

A drive-in theater Downtown? Really? Really. Best of all, you don’t even need a car. Once a month, the Devil’s Night Drive In screens a film on the second floor of the parking garage at Broadway and Fourth Street. Sprawl in your car with the FM transmitters provided or hang out on the fanny-friendly Astroturf for the walkers and bikers. On Saturday, Feb. 12, the Charlie Kaufman-penned surrealistic fantasy-romance Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, plays at the concrete movie palace at 7:30 p.m. The gates open at 6 p.m., so settle in to the spins of DJ Morgan and score some food and popcorn delivered by the Angel City Derby Girls carhops. At 240 W. Fourth St., (310) 584-1086 or devilsnight.com.

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February 7, 2011

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grammymuseum.org. 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Ozomatli’s “Ozokidz” show, for kids of all ages, gets the audience on their feet, dancing and singing along to the band’s multicultural music. The show is free with the purchase of a discounted $10 museum ticket. Sunday, Feb. 13 MOCA Art Talk The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, 152 N. Central Ave., (213) 621-1745 or moca.org. 3 p.m.: Art historian Catha Paquette will explore the socially and politically oppositional nature of the works in the exhibit Suprasensorial: Experiments in Light, Color and Space. Free with museum admission.

FILM Devil’s Night Drive In 240 W. Fourth St., (310) 584-1086 or devilsnight.com. Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m.: Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004), starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, screens on the rooftop parking lot in the great outdoors. No car necessary. Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com. Feb. 7-8, 7 p.m.; Feb. 9, 4:30 p.m.; Feb. 10, 6 p.m.: Zenith is a retro-futuristic steam-punk thriller about two men in two different time periods, whose search for the same grand conspiracy leads them to question their own humanity. Feb. 11, 6 p.m.; Feb. 12-17, tba: Director Gregg Araki’s Kaboom riffs on the themes of teen sexual identity and love. Flagship Theatres University Village 3323 S. Hoover St., (213) 748-6321 or flagshipmovies.com. Through Feb. 10: The Roommate (12:30, 2:50, 5:10, 7:30 and 10:10 p.m.); Sanctum 2D (11:10 a.m. and 1:50, 4:40, 7:10 and 9:50 p.m.); The Rite (11:50 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 7:50 and 10:30 p.m.). Regal Cinema L.A. Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (877) 835-5734 or lalive.com. Through Feb. 10: The Roommate (12, 12:50, 2:20, 3:10, 4:40, 5:30, 7, 7:50, 9:30 and 10:20 p.m.); Sanctum 3D (12, 2:40, 5:20, 8, and 10:50 p.m.); From Prada to Nada (1:40, 4:20, 7:10 and 9:50 p.m.); The Mechanic (12:10, 2:30, 5, 7:20 and 9:40 p.m.); The Rite (1, 1:50, 4, 4:50, 6:50, 7:40, 9:40 and 10:30 p.m.); No Strings Attached (1:30, 4:10, 6:50 and 9:30 p.m.); The Dilemma (1:40, 4:40, 7:30 and 10:10 p.m.); The Green Hornet 3D (1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.); True Grit (1:10, 3:50, 6:30 and 9:10 p.m.); The Fighter (1:20, 4:30, 7:40 and 10:40 p.m.); Black Swan (12:40, 3:40, 6:40 and 9:20 p.m.); The King’s Speech (1:10, 4:10, 7 and 10 p.m.). Feb. 11 (partial list): The Eagle (1:50, 4:40, 7:30 and 10:20 p.m.); Gnomeo & Juliet 3D (12:10, 2:30, 4:50, 7:10 and 9:30 p.m.); Just Go With It (1:30, 4:30, 7:20 and 10:10); Justin Bieber: Never Say Never 3D (12, 2:30, 5, 7:40 and 10:30 p.m.).

ROCK, POP & JAZZ Casey’s Irish Pub 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353 or bigcaseys.com. Feb. 11, 10 p.m.: Fridays in February C-Horse rocks out along with a special guest every week. Club Nokia Corner of Olympic Blvd. and Figueroa St., clubnokia.com. Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m.: British black metal band Cradle of Filth plays lullabyes. No wait, they don’t. Feb. 11, 9 p.m.: One half of the Southernplayalistic duo Outkast, Big Boi twists his tongue to that Southern pulse. Joining him is modern expletivedropping soul man Cee Lo Green. Feb. 12, 9 p.m.: Atlanta rapper B.o.B headlines with the “free-wired” hip-hop/pop of Far East Movement. Conga Room L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic, (213) 749-0445 or congaroom.com. Feb. 12, 8 p.m.: Funky times with Latin dance band Los Amigos Invisibles from Venezuela and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue from the Big Easy. Nokia Theatre 777 Chick Hearn Court, (213) 763-6000 or nokiatheatrelalive.com. Feb. 9, 8 p.m.: Sarah McLachlan with special guests Butterfly Boucher and Melissa McClelland. Feb. 11, 8 p.m.: Mexican singer/songwriter Larry Hernandez. Feb. 12, 8 p.m.: A tribute to the late R&B legend Teena Marie with performances from the Teena Marie Band, the Mary Jane Girls, Val Young and The Whispers and Keith Sweat. Orpheum Theatre 842 S. Broadway, (213) 622-1939 or laorpheum.com. Feb. 13, 7 p.m.: Armenian poet, guitarist, singer and songwriter Ruben Hakhverdyan. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. Feb. 7, 8:30 p.m.: The Mark Dresser Trio (piano, bass, flute) uses unconventional amplification and extended techniques to explore the sonic possibili-

ties of jazz. Redwood Bar & Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 680-2600 or theredwoodbar.com. Feb. 7, 10 p.m.: Phil Alvin & Friends. Feb. 8, 10 p.m.: Swords of Fatima, Charmkin Rebellion and the New Rome Quartet. Feb. 9, 10 p.m.: Rockin’ rhythm and blues of RumbleKing and Red Roses. Feb. 11, 10 p.m.: Mike Watt & His Secondmen with Drag the River and Jr. Juggernaut. BTW, Mike Watt is awesome. Feb. 12, 10 p.m.: The Gears, Deadbeats, RF7 and Inazuma. Feb. 13, 7 p.m.: Gashcat, ElephantApple, Engine, Sofacity Sweetheart, EZ Tiger and Frisco the Man. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., sevengrand.la. Feb. 8, 10 p.m.: The Makers rock the joint. The Smell 247 S. Main St., alley between Spring and Main streets, thesmell.org. Feb. 11, 9 p.m.: White Widow, Magick Orchids, Extra and HowardAmb. Feb. 12, 9 p.m.: The Chuck Dukowski Sextet and more. Way back when, Dukowski sang for Black Flag. Feb. 13, 9 p.m.: Rare Grooves, C.J. Boyd and more. The Varnish 118 E. Sixth St., (213) 622-9999 or thevarnishbar.com Feb. 7, 9 p.m.: Drink in great jazz piano every Monday with Jamie Elman serenading live on The Varnish keys. Feb. 8, 8:30 p.m.: Jazzman Mark Bosserman entertains on the house piano every Tuesday. Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4396 or laphil.com. Feb. 10, 8 p.m.: The gymnastic feats of drumming and dance from the samurai percussionists Kodo. Feb. 12, 8 p.m.; Feb. 13, 2 p.m.: Leonard Slatkin conducts the L.A. Phil and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis in a program of Shostakovich (Jazz Suite No. 1), Gershwin (An American in Paris) and the West Coast premiere of Marsalis’ Swing Symphony. World City W.M. Keck Amphitheatre, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4396 or musiccenter.org. Feb. 12, 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: The Hot 8 Brass Band has epitomized New Orleans street music for over a decade. Free to the public including postperformance art workshops.

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE 33 Variations Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 6282772 or centertheatregroup.org. Feb. 8-11, 8 p.m.; Feb. 12, 2 and 8 p.m.; Feb. 13, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: Jane Fonda plays a Beethoven scholar driven to solve the genius’ greatest mystery, while her own life crumbles around her. Through Mar. 6. As The Globe Warms Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.com. Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m.: The final season of Heather Woodbury’s weekly dramatic serial is a solo performance narrative about God, sex and ecological disaster. Through April 5. Dmitri Hvorostovsky in Recital Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8001 or laopera.org. Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m.: L.A. Opera presents the internationally acclaimed Russian baritone. The program includes songs by Gabriel Fauré, Franz Liszt, Sergei Ivanovich Taneyev and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The accompanist will be pianist Ivari Ilja. La Razón Blindada 24th Street Theatre, 1117 West 24th St., 213-745-6516 or 24thstreet.org. Feb. 12, 8 p.m.: Argentine playwright/director Aristides Vargas infuses Cervantes’ classic novel El Quijote with Franz Kafka’s The Truth About Sancho Panza and testimonies by Chicho Vargas and other political prisoners held in the 1970s during Argentina’s dictatorship. Two political prisoners, oppressed by physical and emotional abuse, find solace in meeting every Sunday at dusk to tell the story of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Through Feb. 26. Magic Strings The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. Feb. 8-11, 10:30 a.m.; Feb. 12-13, 2:30 p.m.: Over 100 of Bob Baker’s fantastical marionettes in an hour-long variety revue include puppet horses frolicking on an old-fashioned merry-go-round and a marionette “Day at the Circus.” After the performance, guests are invited to have refreshments in the Party Room. Open-ended run. Stories by Heart Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 6282772 or centertheatregroup.org. Feb. 8-11, 8 p.m.; Feb. 12, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Feb. 13, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: Featuring the works of P.G. Wodehouse and Ring Lardner, Tony Award winner John Lithgow tells stories of his youth and of the storytell-

ers who introduced them to him. Through Feb. 13.

CLASSICAL MUSIC Tuesday, Feb. 8 Pianospheres The Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave., (323) 6928075 or pianospheres.org. 8 p.m.: The LA Piano Duo, Liam Viney and Anna Grinberg, perform a recital that includes RAD, a work for two electronic keyboards by Enno Poppe, Pierre Boulez’ Structures Livre I, Henri Dutilleux’s Figures de Resonances, Diamond Morning by Los Angeles composer Shaun Naidoo, and Hallelujah Junction by John Adams. Thursday, Feb. 10 Camera Pacifica The Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave., (805) 8848410 or cameratapacifica.org. 8 p.m.: Clarinetist José Franch-Ballester joins the classical ensemble for performances of Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsodie and Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, both with principal pianist Warren Jones. Jones also performs Muzio Clementi’s seldom-heard Sonata in B Minor, Op. 40, No.2. Principal violinist Catherine Leonard joins him for Debussy’s Sonata in G Minor. The program concludes with Sebastian Currier’s Verge for clarinet, violin and piano. Saturday, Feb. 12 The Da Camera Society Doheny Mansion, 8 Chester Place, (213) 477-2929 or dacamera.org. 8 p.m.: The Vienna Piano Trio performs a program of Viennese masterworks by Mozart, Schubert, and Schumann. Catered artist reception follows. Sunday, Feb. 13 The Da Camera Society SCI-Arc, 960 E. Third St., (213) 477-2929 or dacamera.org. 3 p.m.: The Da Camera Society presents the JACK Quartet performing a program that juxtaposes works of Machaut (14th C.) and Gesualdo (16th C.) along with works of Philip Glass (Quartet No. 5) and architect-composer Iannis Xenakis (Tetras). The Colburn School 200 S. Grand Ave., colburnschool.edu. 7 p.m.: The school’s Orchestra Da Camera performs a free concert. No reservations required.

ART SPACES ADC Contemporary Art Gallery Factory Art Place Complex, 1330 Factory Place, (323) 839-5786 or adccontemporaryartgallery.com. Current: Breathing Walls is a solo exhibition of the paintings of Francisco Romero. Art Walk Lounge Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., (213) 784-2598 or thelatc.org. Feb. 10, 6-9:30 p.m.: The Artwalk Lounge is a central meeting point for all things Artwalk. You can pick up an Artwalk map, enjoy musical offerings, have a unique art experience, and browse through gallery, bar, restaurant and event flyers, and local art publications to plan your evening. Arty 634 S. Main St., (213) 213-7829 or artyla.com. Contemporary art gallery featuring West Coast artists. Currently featuring APES grAPES & landscAPES, work by Richard Reiner and Faith Taylor. Bert Green Fine Art 102 W. Fifth St., (213) 624-6212 or bgfa.us. Through Feb. 19: New paintings and drawings from artist/writer/director/producer Clive Barker; and small scale paintings of skeletons and animal musculature in action, S&M scenes enacted by a skeletal dominatrix, and chimerical animals from Sandra Yagi. In the Project Windows, The Four Seasons interprets seasonal fluctuations in Jerico Woggon’s signature graphic style, using color and black light. The Box Gallery 977 Chung King Rd., (213) 625-1747 or theboxla.com. Opening Feb. 12: Dog, Bus, Palm Tree is a solo show of artist Koki Tanaka. Buchanon Gallery 204 W. Sixth St., (323) 823-1922 or byronbuchanan. com. Ongoing: Pop paintings by Bryon Buchanan. CB1 Gallery 207 W. Fifth St., (213) 806-7889 or cb1gallery.com. Through Feb. 20: Unfoldings is the solo debut of Los Angeles-based Alexander Kroll—a series of modestly scaled abstract paintings, both structural and intuitive. Charlie James Gallery 975 Chung King Road, (213) 687-0488 or cjamesgallery.com. Through Feb. 12: Danish contemporary artist Eske Kath’s first Los Angeles solo show, There Are Houses Everywhere, explores subject territory that balances colorful exuberance with images of destructive threat. In large format paintings and sculpture, Eske depicts nature and human civilization in

Downtown News 19 conflict. Chinese Historical Society of Southern California 411 Bernard St., (323) 222-0856 or chssc.org. Ongoing: An exhibition about the history of immigration from China to the United States. The Company 946 Yale St., (213) 221-7082 or thecompanyart.com. Through Mar. 5: Next Time They’ll Know It’s Us features the work of Elias Hansen. Crewest 110 Winston St., (213) 627-8272 or crewest.com. Through Feb. 27: Visual commentary and documentation of paintings, murals, graffiti and other Things That Get Buffed, featuring the work of Pablo Cristi, Phantom Street Artist, John Carr, Mark of the Beast, Sahl, Larry Yust, Man One, Leo Limon and more. Downtown Art Gallery 1611 S. Hope St., (213) 255-2067 or dacgallery.com. Opening Feb. 10: A Simulation of Home: a solo exhibition by Ivory Hill. Edgar Varela Fine Arts 102 W. Fifth St., (213) 604-3634 or edgarvarelafinearts.com. Through Feb. 25: Photographer Michael Grecco takes an R-rated look at the X-rated porn industry in Naked Ambition. Gary Leonard 860 S. Broadway, takemypicture.com. Take My Picture is a gallery dedicated to Gary Leonard’s photographs, documenting the public and private culture of Los Angeles with significant guest collections. Hive Gallery & Studios 729 S. Spring St., (213) 955-9051 or thehivegallery.com. Through Feb. 28: The “Lovers and Haters” show features the work of Patrick Mizumoto, Jose Carabes, Jessica Van Hulle, Matthew Hibben, Lisa Moneypenny and Marcel DeJure as well as 50 artists’ custom Tarot Card-inspired pieces. L2kontemporary 990 N. Hill St. #205, (626) 319-3661 or l2kontemporary.com. Opening Feb. 12: Shelter Skelter features the work of Chris Collins. Through Mar. 12. The Latino Museum 514 S. Spring St., (213) 626-7600 or thelatinomuseum.com. Ongoing: The Latino Museum holds a unique collection of work from emerging and established contemporary Mexican, Latino and Chicano artists working and living in the United States as well as throughout Latin, Central and South America. Los Angeles Center For Digital Art 107 West Fifth St., 323 646 9427 or lacda.com. Through Feb. 26: Wally Gilbert: Geometric Series: Squares and Triangle. Los Angeles Public Library Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lapl.org. Through Apr. 30: The exhibit Forty Years of Sesame Street Illustration: Selections from the Publishing Archive of Sesame Workshop explores the history of the popular children’s educational television show Sesame Street. Ongoing: The Annenberg Gallery displays some of the extraordinary materials collected by the Los Angeles Public Library since its founding in 1872. The inaugural exhibit Treasures of Los Angeles features items from the Hollywood collection, including vintage film posters, publicity photographs, postcards and other promotional items such as photo advertisements from Mexican films of the 1950s and 1960s. Morono Kiang Gallery 218 West 3rd St., (213) 628-8208 or moronokiang.com. Through Feb. 19: The concept of the evolving installation “Edifice Cache” is based on the idea of exquisite corpse, whereby a work of art is created by the collaboration of a group of artists who add their work to components in sequence. The public is invited to watch the artists at work during gallery’s business hours. Norbertellen Gallery 215 W. Sixth St., (818) 662-5041 or norbertellengallery.com. Opening Feb. 5: The Infini Couleur group exhibition is a classic parlor-style exhibition of painting, illustration, photography, mixed media and sculpture from 24 established and emerging local, national and international artists. Optical Allusion Gallery 2414 W. Seventh St., (310) 309-7473 or wix.com/ OAGallery/OAGallery. Opening Feb. 12: The Abstractionist group show features the work of Greg Bernhardt, Nicholas Dahmann, Yehonatan Koenig, Courtney Reid, Suzanna Schulten, Kymm Swank and Christina Thomas. Through Mar. 12. POVevolving Gallery 939 Chung King Rd., (310) 594-3036 or povevolving.com. Opening Feb. 12: Strange/Love features new works by New York-based Clark Goolsby: a mix of new sculptures and paintings, and for the centerpiece of the exhibition, Clark has constructed an

20 Downtown News

February 7, 2011

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We Got Games

play the Knicks (Feb. 9), and on to Cleveland to face the hapless Cavaliers (Feb. 11). Finally, Blake and friends bear the cold in Canada and take on the Toronto Raptors (Feb. 13). That should be a good one, eh?

Lakers, Clippers and Kings Are Road Trippin Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/lakers. The Lakers are on the road, thanks to the Grammys, and the path is paved with potential hazards. First up are the Memphis Grizzlies (Feb. 7), anchored by Pau Gasol’s brother, Marc. Then it’s on to Chowdaville for a rematch with the Celtics (Feb. 10), who beat the Lakers at home less than two weeks ago. Next on the itinerary is Madison Square Garden (Feb. 11), which Kobe Bryant has been known to make his personal playground, against the

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THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

Amar’e Stoudemire-led Knicks. The Lakers finish off the week in Orlando against Dwight Howard and the Magic (Feb. 13). Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., (213) 742-7100 or nba.com/clippers. The Grammys are taking over Staples Center, sending the Clippers on the road for virtually the entire month. They start in Orlando (Feb. 8), where Blake Griffin will get ready for the All-Star game. Then it’s up to New York to

18-foot-long skeletal figure from wood and foam that is suspended by hundreds of colored strings. PYO Gallery 1100 S. Hope St. #105, (213) 405-1488 or pyoart.com. Through Feb. 26: On The Beach, a solo exhibition from Rusty Scruby. REDCAT Gallery 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. Opening Feb. 18: Vancouver-based artist Geoffrey Farmer creates context-specific installations developed from an interest in the relationship between the production of art objects and theories of drama and dramatization in Let’s Make the Water Turn Black. Through Apr. 10. Sabina Lee Gallery 971 Chung King Road, (323) 935-9279 or sabinaleegallery.com. Through Feb. 12: New wall-reliant sculptures by Amanda Gordon Dunn and the geometric abstractions of Suzanne Song. Sam Lee Gallery 990 N. Hill St. #190, (323) 227-0275 or samleegallery.com. Through Feb. 19: Half Breeds, a solo exhibition by New York-based artist Fay Ku. Sci-Arc Gallery 960 E. Third St., (213) 356-5328 or sciarc.edu.

Los Angeles Kings Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., 1 (888) KINGS-LA or kings.nhl.com. The Kings really dug themselves in a hole, losing all but one during a recent eight-game homestand. Now they’re on the road for six straight games, and this could be a make-it-or-break-it trip. After starting the season 12-3, the Kings find themselves at 28-22 as of press game, and one spot out of the playoffs. This week they visit Pittsburgh (Feb 10), Washington (Feb. 12) and Philadelphia (Feb. 13). —Ryan Vaillancourt

Through Mar. 13: Out of Memory, designed by Patrick Tighe for the SCI-Arc Gallery, is an experience at the convergence of sound, material, light, form and technology. Accompanied by a sitespecific composition by Ken Ueno, the installation introduces a soundscape integral to the experience. Through Apr. 22: Audience of Objects includes six projects by SCI-Arc faculty members previously seated in the Venice Architecture Biennale 2010 Austrian Pavilion, which was designed and curated by SCI-Arc Director Eric Owen Moss. Temple of Visions 719 S. Spring St., templeofvisions.com. Ongoing: Contemporary mystical and visionary art. Terrell Moore Gallery 1221 S. Hope St. (213) 744-1999 or terrellmoore.net. Ongoing: A mini-retrospective of Terrell Moore includes his recent work, Glyphs. Group shows and featured solo artists revolve on a continual basis.

MUSEUMS African American Firefighter Museum 1401 S. Central Ave., (213) 744-1730 or aaffmuseum.org. Ongoing: An array of firefighting relics dating to 1924, including a 1940 Pirsch ladder truck, an 1890

hose wagon, uniforms from New York, L.A. County and City of L.A. firefighters, badges, helmets, photographs and other artifacts.

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

Easy ways to submit Your

Event Info

4 WEB: LADowntownNews.com/calendar/submit 4 EMAIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com

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

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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700 S. Flower St, Ste. 1940 Los Angeles, CA 90017 213.327.0200 maps�cartifact.com

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22 Downtown News

February 7, 2011

Twitters/DowntownNews

CLASSIFIED

place your ad online at www.ladowntownnews.com

FOR RENT

call: 213-481-1448

“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.”

Classified Display & Line ad Deadlines: thursday 12 pm REAL ESTATE RESIDENTIAL

Lofts for sALe

out of stAte EVERYTHING MUST Go! $1,000 an acre. Priced less than the developer paid. 90 minutes north of Phoenix. 36 acres with electric, reduced to $36,000. Private, peaceful setting, breathtaking mountain views, abundant wildlife. Financing available. Saddle Creek Ranch by AZLR. 1-888-690-8271. (Cal-SCAN)

TheLoftExpertGroup.com Downtown since 2002

AcreAge/Lots WILDERNESS RANCH Foreclosure $222 Per Month. 40.27 heavily wooded acres secluded in scenic N. AZ wilderness setting at a cool-clear 6,800’ elev. Quiet and peaceful with sweeping views from prime cabin sites set amid fragrant evergreens and grassy meadows. Maintained road access, garden soils and abundant groundwater available. Borders 1,100 acres of State Trust lands. Scenic drive to nearby pioneer town services and fishing lake. $22,900, $2,290 down. Guaranteed seller financing-no escrow fees. Photo brochure/maps. 1st United 800.966.6690 www.ArizonaLand.com. (Cal-SCAN)

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

Bill Cooper

213.598.7555 reAL estAte services

RUIDOSO, NEW Mexico Area - 5 acres w/city water and city maintained roads near small fishing pond and golf course. Only $19,900. Financing avail. Call NMRS 1-888-791-6136. (Cal-SCAN)

Buy Sell leaSe

BestLArealestate.com 323.298.0100

CONSIDERING Foreclosure? Are you late in payments? A short sale may be your solution. Call Lady Rodriguez, Realtor 310-600-7534. Represent both buyers and sellers.

FOR RENT

ApArtments/unfurnished BEAUTIFUL, SPACIOUS, one bdrm. Hardwood Floors. Private Garage and Patio. Quiet $950 805-772-9079.

Brand new

Bristol apartments

Available Immediately

423 West 8th street

Top floor of 11 story historical building available now! We have approximately 2,868 square feet of contiguous exterior space facing Olympic Blvd. Stunning views of L.A. Two blocks away from the Staples Center and adjacent to the new L.A. Live Complex. The building also has other beautiful contiguous space & some small offices available. This space can be viewed by appointment.

Prime downtown location now leasing studios ALL UtiLities pAiD

$662/month

Information available to qualified prospective tenants.

income qualifications - under $46,400/year

213-228-3000

Now LeasiNg! • Gorgeous layouts • 10-15’ ceilings • fitness center • Wi-fi rooftop lounge • amazing Views 6th + Grand Ave. • 213.627.1900 milanoloftsla.com

oLd BAnK District The original Live/Work Lofts from $1,100 Cafes, Bars, Shops, Galleries, Parking adjacent. Pets no charge call 213.253.4777 laloft.com

BRAND NEW Luxury Apartments Homes. Orsini III. Now open for immediate Occupancy. Call for Specials. Never Lived in, Free Parking, Karaoke Room, Free Wi-Fi, Indoor Basketball, Uncomparable Amenity Package. Call today to schedule a tour - 866-479-1764.

LOFTS STARTING AT $1700 Real artist lofts, high ceilings, hardwood/concrete floors, kitchen, fireplace, pool/spa, gated parking, laundry, sorry no dogs. Open House Sundays 12-3pm. Leasing office @1250 Long Beach Ave. & 14th St. 213-6295539

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

condominiums/unfurnished ExPLOSIVE CITY Lights Views, Hardwood Floors, $1,800 month. All Utilities Included & Parking. Agent (310) 247-1230 NS&A/ DRE/LIC/#01127380.

CALL FOR SPECIALS @ The Visconti. Free parking, free tanning, free wi-fi + biz center avail. Cardio Salon, pool, Spa, steamroom, sauna. Call us today. 866742-0992.

WITHIN WALKING distance of LA LIVE, FIDM, USC, shopping, dinning, bus routes, i-110 24 security monitoring Swimming pool/Jacuzzi 1 Bed/Bath appx 750 squarefeet Washer in unit Ask about pets 2133270597

homes/unfurnished 2 BED/BATH HOUSE $2495/mo South Pasadena STUNNING VIEWS 10mins to downtown GOLDLINE accessible Huge fenced-in yard VERY PRIVATE Garage 1000ft deck NEW stainless appliances, heat & AC ellenteez@aol.com (626) 232-8243

Sell Your Car!

Expose your auto to Downtown Los Angeles. With one of the fastest growing residential areas Los Angeles Downtown News gets results.

Call 213-481-1448

professionAL

Market research analyst Jacob Supplies, Inc. 2424 E. 26th St. Vernon, CA 90058 ATTN: Martin Park

Market analyst ellen & eric enterprises, inc. 2019 E. 48th St. Vernon, CA 90058 ATTN: Seung Jae Choi

the loft expert! group

Call us today! Bill Cooper • 213.598.7555 • TheLoftExpertGroup.com

REGIONAL West Coast - Up to $0.36 Per Mile- Company Drivers! Class A CDL. 1 year OTR required. Steady freight. Great Benefits. Apply 1.888.619.6845 or www.NationalCarriers.com. (Cal-SCAN)

17 DRIVERS Needed! Top 5% Pay! Excellent Benefits. New Trucks Ordered! Need CDL-A & 3 months recent OTR. 1-877258-8782. www.MeltonTruck. com. (Cal-SCAN)

TRAVEL-WORK- Party-Play 50 states! Play in Vegas, Hang in LA, Jet to New York! Hiring 18-24 gals/guys. $400-$800 wkly. Paid expenses. 877.259.6983. (CalSCAN)

COMPANY DRIVERS (Solos & Hazmat Teams) * Great Pay * Great Miles * CDL-A Required. We also have dedicated & regional positions available. Call 866-789-8947. Swift. (CalSCAN)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

COMPANY SOLOS & Teams - Western US! National Pay for Regional Work! Great home time. 1-year OTR or recent grad. Hazmat required. 1-888-9059879 or www.AndrusTrans.com. (Cal-SCAN) DRIVER - $.33/mile to $.42/mile based on length of haul, PLUS $.02/mile safety bonus paid quarterly. Van & Refrigerated. CDL-A w/3 months current OTR experience. 1-800-414-9569. www. DriveKnight.com. (Cal-SCAN)

professional massage for men & women. services include thai massage, shiatsu massage, swedish oil massage, foot massage, sauna, steam, and more. lounge area.

Downtown since 2002

DRIVERS/CDL Training - Career Central. We Train and EMPLOY You. Company Drivers up to 40K First Year. New Team Pay! Up to 48c/mile Class A CDL Training Regional Locations! 1-877-3697091 www.CentralDrivingJobs. net. (Cal-SCAN)

sALes

Vip room available. the best Way for business meetings & entertainment

DRIVERS - New pay package. Hiring Class-A CDL Flatbed Drivers for Regional and OTR Lanes. Solos, O/OP’s and Teams. Top Pay, Great Equipment. 1-888801-5614. www.SystemTrans. com. (Cal-SCAN)

drivers

THAI MASSAGE SPECIALIST

Voted Best Downtown Residential Real estate Agent

Email request to ghollis@shammasgroup.com or call (213) 746-6300 x1455

all applications can either be mailed in or dropped off to: 206 West 6th st., la ca 90014 or 423 West 8th st., la ca 90014

Loft/unfurnished

Milano Lofts

EMPLOYMENT

sAKurA heALth gYm & sAunA, inc. 111 n. atlantic blvd. ste #231-233 monterey park, ca 91754 (626) 458-1919 [corner of Garvey ave.]

HBODY

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

Business opportunities ALL CASH Vending route! Be Your Own Boss! 25 Machines + Candy All for $9995. Vend3, 880 Grand Blvd., Deer Park, NY. 1- 877-915-8222. Major CC accepted! (Cal-SCAN) heLp WAnted ABLE TO TRAVEL. Hiring 8 people. No experience necessary. Transportation & lodging furnished. Paid training. Work and travel entire USA. Start today. www.ProtekChemical.com 1-208-590-0365. (Cal-SCAN) CHURCHILL COUNTY (Fallon, NV) Hiring detention specialists for Juvenile Justice Facility. $15.68/hr. Apply by 3:00 PM on 3/11/11. Hiring on 7/5/11. www. ChurchillCounty.org/hr. (CalSCAN)

madison hotel

HealtH Dept. rank a for 7 ConseCutive Years

3386766 0119

L.A. downtown news classifieds

Clean furnished single rooms. 24-hour desk clerk service. •Daily, $30.00 •Weekly, $109.00 •Monthly, $310.00 (213) 622-1508 423 East 7th St.

(2 blocks west of San Pedro St.) Starting Jan. 1, 2011

Do you have something to sell?

Ad Copy: _________________________________________

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

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our classifieds get results!

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

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

February 7, 2011

Downtown News 23

DowntownNews.com HIGH SCHOOL Diploma! Graduate in 4 weeks! Free Brochure. Call Now! 1-866-562-3650 ext. 60 www.SouthEasternHS.com. (Cal-SCAN)

SERVICES ChildCare

Infant - Pre-K full-day care

FinanCial serviCes

2-5 days, some subsidies Near Little Tokyo Metro Station Harry Pregerson Center 213-894-1556 Joy Picus Center 213-978-0026 mtwashingtonpreschools.org

PAYDAY LOANS up to $1000! Fast & Friendly Phone Approvals! No Credit Checks! Call Today & Have Your Advance in 24 hrs. Call Now 888-443-3217. (Cal-SCAN)

AUTOS

2009 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S Certified, air with power pkg # NI3609 / 9N487053 $14,999, call 888-838-5089.

Pre-oWned

2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX Low Mileage, Black/Black stk # UC562R/221046 $20,990 Call 888-879-9608.

doWntoWn l.a. auto grouP Porsche Volkswagen audi Mercedes-Benz nissan cheVrolet cadillac

For a complete list of our pre-owned inventory, go to www.DTLAMOTORS.com

health

attorneys

ABOGADO DE IMMIGRACION! Family, Criminal, P.I. for more than 20 yrs! Child Support / Custody Necesita Permiso de trabajo? Tagalog / Español / Korean

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

Business serviCes ADVERTISING- Best kept secret. A business card sized display ad 140 California community newspapers. Reach 3 million+ Californians. Cost $1,550.$1.33 cost per thousand. Free brochure (916)288-6019; www.CalSDAN.com. (Cal-SCAN) Cleaning CONCEPTO’S CLEANING Crew. Professional, experienced, cleans apartments, homes, offices and restaurants. Call for a quote. 323-459-3067 or 818-409-9183. eduCation

NOT FEELING any joy? Overwhelmed by stress and emotional overload? Professional counseling helps! www.drannewarman. vpweb.com, Downtown Wilshire Office, reasonable rates, insurance accepted, 310-281-9797. legal TODO ALESPANOL Conference Interpretation, Express Translation in by 8 done by 4 213-924-8646. PsyChiC ASTROLOGY READINGS In person or telephone. Straightforward, no-nonsense. Call Malcolm 323-244-9906. Email for link to my podcasts: EchoParkAstrology@yahoo.com (323) 244-9906

2007 INFINITY G35 Stock C110085-1 vin 706331 Silver, Great condition! $23,782 call 888-203-2967.

autos Wanted DONATE YOUR car, truck or boat to heritage for the blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 888-9026851. (Cal-SCAN)

2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 Pewter/Black, 3.5 Liter, leather, $28,999 4JGBB86E77A260898 Call 888-319-8762.

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)

2008 AUDI A6 Premium package, Premium sound Certified. #8N025116 $27,610 Call 888583-0981 2008 PORSCHE LIMITED EDITION BOXSTER Tiptronic, Bose, Navigation Sport Chrono, 31K miles, certified, #710470. $38,888. Call 888-685-5426.

PETS/ANIMALS adoPt a Pet ADOPT (OR FOSTER) your forever friend from Bark Avenue Foundation. Beautiful, healthy puppies, dogs, cats and kittens available at Downtown’s largest private adoption facility. Call Dawn at 213-840-0153 or email Dawn@BarkAveLA.com or visit www.Bark Avenue Foundation. org.

HORSE SALE! Tulare Agri Center, February 23rd-27th. Stiock Horse Show, Stallion Auction & Western Trade Show. Online Catalog & Information www. nationalstockhorse.com, info@ nationalstockhorse.com or (800) 511-5157. (Cal-SCAN)

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

notiCes VONAGE Unlimited Calls in U.S. & 60 Countries! No annual contract! $14.99 For 3 Months! Then only $25.99/mo. Plus free Activation. Call 877-881-2318. (Cal-SCAN)

ChurChes THE BRIDGE / Little Tokyo: Contemporary worship, 4:00pm Sundays, 401 E Third St. www. thebridgewired.org.

Be Inspired...

LOFT LIVING

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

WANTED DIABETIC Test Strips. Cash Paid. Unopened, Unexpired Boxes Only. All Brands Considered. Help others, don’t throw boxes away. For more information, Call 888-491-1168. (Cal-SCAN)

The Downtown Renaissance Collection

TAX PREPARATION SERVICE for individuals and businesses, GB Tax Services, Inc. Gracita Babao, EA, enrolled to practice before the IRS. 213-1748. Free Evaluation!

Best Downtown Locations!

Downtown Los Angeles Brentwood y Century City Woodland Hills Downtown Los Angeles Brentwood y Century City Woodland Hills

Beautiful Fully Furnished Offices Starting at $500 y Flexible Terms y Corporate ID Programs Beautiful Fully FurnishedAvailable Offices Starting at $500 y Flexible Terms y Corporate ID Programs Available Services Include:

Beautiful

Reception y Mail y Fiber Optic Internet y TelephoneServices & Voice Include: Mail y West Law y Reception y Optic Internet y Photocopy & Mail FaxyyFiber Video Conferencing Telephone & Voice Mail y West Law y Photocopy & Fax y Video Conferencing

EstD 1912

Additional Features: Kitchen Additional Facilities, Mail/Copy Features: Room, Conference Rooms, Mail/Copy Spectacular Views, Kitchen Facilities, Room, Fully Trained Staff Views, Conference Rooms, Spectacular

Historic beauty. Modern refinement. Eclectic elegance.

Orsini 550 NORTH FIGUEROA ST.

877-231-9362

WWW.THEORSINI.COM

Medici

Fully Trained Staff

JENNY AHN JENNY AHN (213) 996-8301 noW leasing

$1,400’s/Mo. Free Parking ROOFTOP GARDEN RETREAT WITH BBQ AND LOUNGE GRAND LOBBY • FITNESS CENTER • SPA MODERN KITCHEN w/CAESAR COUNTERTOPS HIGH SPEED INTERNET DESIGNER LIVING SPACES • PET FRIENDLY • DRAMATIC VIEWS WALKING DISTANCE TO RALPHS SUPERMARKET

(213) 996-8301

laleads@regentbc.com

www.regentbc.com

MILANO LOFTS Now Leasing! • Gorgeous Layouts • 10-15’ Ceilings • Fitness Center • Wi-Fi Rooftop Lounge • Amazing Views

Pricing subject to change without notice.

6th+Grand Ave. • milanoloftsla.com • 213.627.1900

Furnished single unit with kitchenette, bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly rate $275 inc.

is your teen experiencing:

• School problems? • Conflict at home or with friends?

adolescent support group now forming ages 13-17 low fee Call Marney stofflet, lCsW

Monthly from $550 utilities paid. (213) 612-0348

hollyWood

(323) 662-9797

4344 Fountain ave. (at sunset), suite a los angeles, Ca 90029

Nails & Spa

Monthly from $595 utilities paid. (213) 627-1151

725 SOUTH BIXEL ST.

877-239-8256

WWW.THEMEDICI.COM

www.regentbc.com

756 S. Broadway, Los Angeles 213-892-9100 | chapmanf lats.com

Fully furnished with TV, telephone, microwave, refrigerator. Full bathroom. Excellent location. Downtown LA. Weekly maid service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MisC. iteMs

tax serviCes

ATTEND COLLEGE Online from Home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 888-210-5162 www.Centura.us.com. (Cal-SCAN)

WINE OF THE Month Club! Send the gift of wine all year long! 2 Bottles each month from award-winning wineries around the world. Call 888-682-7982 and get Free Shipping! (CalSCAN)

ITEMS FOR SALE

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)

2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Certified. Low miles. Manager’s Special. vin 036025 $17,510. Call 888-781-8102.

SHARI’S BERRIES - Mouthwatering gourmet strawberry gifts fresh for your Valentine! 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Delivered nationwide. Save 20% on Dipped Berries! Visit www.berries.com/berries or Call 1-888903-2988. (Cal-SCAN)

Professional Nail Care & Waxing for Ladies & Gentlemen 323.662.2718 • 4335 W. Sunset Blvd.

Elegant World Class Resort Apartment Homes

Piero 616 ST. PAUL AVE.

877-235-6012

WWW.THEPIERO.COM

Visconti 1221 WEST THIRD ST.

866-690-2888

WWW.THEVISCONTI.COM

FREE Rent Specials On Select Floor Plans • Free Resident/Guest Parking in Gated Garage • Private Library, Business Center & Conference Rooms • Free Wi-Fi & DSL Computer Use • Resident Karaoke Lounge • Directors Screening Room • Lavish Fountains & Sculptures • On-Site Private Resident Park with Sand Volleyball, BBQ’s and Jogging Track • Night Light Tennis Courts • Indoor Basketball

Version 2

• Brunswick Four-Lane Virtual Bowling • Full Swing Virtual Golf • 3100 Square Foot Cybex Fitness Facility • Free Tanning Rooms • Massage Room, Sauna & Steam Room • Rooftop Pools with Dressing Rooms • Concierge Service • 24-Hour Doorman • 24/7 On-Site Management • Magnificent City Views *Amenities vary among communities

Children’s Performing Group

Real Estate Specialist of Sunshine Generation Singing, dancing, San Gabriel Valley Client: G.H. Palmer Associates performing and fun!

Publication: LADT News For boys & Proudly serving the communities of Size/Color: 4.3125” x 8” 4C girls ages 3 San Gabriel, Alhambra, Monterey and up! Park, Montebello and El Monte. Design by: apluscreative@yahoo.com

Cal Best Realty

Ph: 323.474.4668

Emi Terauchi Realtor / Notary • Lic.No.00810238

English/Japanes/Chinese speaking emiterauchi@yahoo.com • (626) 786-9086

SunshineGenerationLA.com 909-861-4433

Walk-in Welcome • GIft Certificate Available M.-F. 9:30am - 7:30pm Sat. 9am - 7:30pm • Sun. 10am - 7pm

downtownnews.com

24 Downtown News

February 7, 2011

Twitter/DowntownNews

Football Continued from page 5 The pesky recession quashed it. Of course, the football project isn’t just to benefit L.A. (nor should it be). While the bars and restaurants of L.A. Live are packed on many game nights, AEG’s project is also frequently fairly empty, especially at lunch. A stadium that hosts two NFL teams (and that has to be the end play here, just like the new New Jersey stadium is home to both the Giants and the Jets) and helps the city attract huge conventions brings more customers for that development day and night. More conventions means more businesses and more hotel construction, which is why at the pep rally everyone took their two-minute turn at the podium to say something like, “This creates jobs and jobs are awesome!” There are three big questions right now. In descending order of importance, they are: Will the state legislature give the project the same protection from environmental lawsuits Roski’s stadium proposal received? AEG is lobbying for the pass, implying that what’s good for the Roski gander is good for the Farmers Insurance goose. No wait, the insurance

goose is the mascot for Aflac. Question two is, will the city really play hardball when it negotiates with AEG? Leiweke has nearly burst a vein with his vociferous promises that AEG will back the $350 million in bonds needed to raze and rebuild a new Convention Center West Hall. He’s virtually sworn on a stack of quarterly reports that the city’s general fund won’t be touched, much less torched, for the project. However, the devils are always in the 29,000 pages of details these agreements contain, and one wonders if any current council member will go to the mat to ensure that the city is protected. The biggest question is, will the Downtown stadium proposal satisfy the All Powerful Ruler of the Galaxy, the NFL? The league has slapped L.A. silly for 16 years, and in that time multiple teams have successfully used the threat of moving to Los Angeles as a bargaining chip to get new stadiums in their cities. Will the NFL give that up and go all in on the only city ever to lose two football teams in a single year? Actually, there’s one other question: If Uncle Tim succeeds and a squad arrives, who will play on Farmers Field? Probably not the L.A. Ducks or L.A. Geckos. Also likely out are the L.A. Blue Shields. Maybe the South Park Marketing Wizards. Contact Jon Regardie at regardie@downtownnews.com.

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

Grand Tower 255 south Grand avenue Leasing Information 213 229 9777

Promenade Towers 123 south Figueroa street Leasing Information 213 617 3777

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

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

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

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

Now For Call n Specials Move-I

8 7 7 - 2 65 - 714 6

museum Tower 225 south olive street Leasing Information 213 626 1500

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

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

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

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

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

TOWERS T H E

A PA RT M E N T S

www.TowersApartmentsLA.com

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