Los Angeles Downtown News 11-23-20

November 23, 2020 I VOL. 49 I #47

Holiday Guide THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN LA SINCE 1972

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United Way and Rams event raises $550K for homeless project

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski or 13 years, the annual HomeWalk 5K in Downtown Los Angeles has been the nation’s largest annual event to end homelessness. For 2020, it went virtual and COVID-safe with “HomeWalk at Home,” sponsored by United Way of Greater Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Rams.

Across the region, participants shared their experiences on social media using the hashtags #HomeWalkatHome and #ItTakesAllofUs. More than 2,500 people registered to walk, run, ride or hike “alone but together.” Many participated as part of teams sponsored by organizations and all are connected to the countywide movement.

Teams such as East West Bank had a socially distanced hike at Eaton Canyon Park, followed by a virtual closing ceremony that brought participants together across the region with elected leaders, sports figures and an inspiring choral performance.

“The pandemic has made it harder than ever before to live outside, but it’s also rallied us to end homelessness as our communities need us now more than ever,” said Elise Buik, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles, in her ad-

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dress at the virtual closing ceremony.

“Just two weeks ago, voters supported Measure J to invest in care and racial justice instead of trying to arrest our way out of this problem. In the last six months, we brought more than eight thousand people inside to keep them safe during this pandemic. Today we are walking, running, hiking and riding forward—and bringing thousands more people in along the way.”

The closing ceremony included appearances by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; Peter Laugharn, president and CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; CSH Speak Up advocates La Rae Cantley and Marlon Pryor, who told their stories about experiencing homelessness; and a musicians Urban Voices Project.

Many members of the Los Angeles Rams participated such as coach Sean McVay; COO Kevin Demoff; defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day and offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, four-time Pro-Bowler and 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominee; the Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders and team mascot, Rampage.

“This year has proved to be challenging on so many levels,” McVay said.

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“We are proud to team up with United comes first. The United Way of Greater Los Way of Greater Los Angeles to make a dif- Angeles has been an unmissable partner ference and help our homeless neighbors in this effort.” who need our support now more than Throughout the day, approximately 121 ever. We cannot sit on the sidelines while teams comprising 2,608 people participat66,000 Angelenos suffer on our streets. ed in “HomeWalk at Home.” Once again, It’s going to take a sustained team effort the top fundraising spot was won by Soto power all of us to help prevent and end CalGas, with more than $140,000 in conhomelessness. The LA Rams are commit- tributions and over 900 registered walkted to bringing everyone in to provide ers and runners. This year’s top individual the safety and stability of a home for our fundraiser was SoCalGas’ Denita Willoughneighbors in need.” by, who raised over $85,000. SoCalGas emGarcetti said the United Way walks with ployees have raised more than $2 million the most vulnerable toward a new day— for HomeWalk since 2007. and “HomeWalk reaffirms our commitment “The pandemic has magnified inequities to the mission of ending homelessness in in our communities, and it is crucial that Los Angeles.” we support those who are struggling— During the past 12 years, HomeWalk has even though this year we are not able to raised a total of more than $9.7 million. walk physically side by side,” said Sandra This year’s virtual HomeWalk has raised Hrna, vice president of human resourcmore than $275,000 doubled for a total of es and diversity and inclusion at SoCal$550,000, thanks to the Conrad N. Hilton Gas and board member at United Way of Foundation Match Challenge. Donations Greater LA. are being accepted and matched until De“If you’re able, please support the effort cember 31. To donate, visit Donate Now at to end homelessness via HomeWalk. Those HomeWalkLA.org. struggling against homelessness need you “It was a pleasure to join all the Home- now more than ever.”

Walkers today who were virtually particiOther top fundraising teams include pating at home,” Demoff said.

East West Bank, MWest Polaris, Home for “The Rams and United Way of Greater Good, Warner Music Group, Korn Ferry LA Los Angeles understand that the roots of and City National Bank. These top teams homelessness are often a result of racial had more than 1,400 participants—SoCalinequity, housing inequity and education Gas, East West Bank, AADAP, After School inequity. For the Rams, ‘It Takes All of Us’ All-Stars and SBCC. means tackling all of those issues to solve “I am in awe of the excitement generhomelessness and to make sure that all of ated by this year’s virtual event,” said Ann our neighbors and Angelenos can live in a English, senior program manager, Corposafe home. It’s amazing to see the strides ration for Supportive Housing, Speak Up! we are making thanks to those who joined LA. us today and all of our partners.”

“The CSH Speak Up! Advocates are busy Laugharn spoke during the closing cere- sharing videos of their walks around the mony event. county and posting their stories on social “While this year’s event may look a lit- media about what HomeWalk means to tle different, I can still feel the energy of them. I am always inspired and grateful for our shared passion of ending homeless- the partnership of United Way to fully supness,” Laugharn said. “The Conrad N. Hilton port the participation of individuals who Foundation believes that housing ends are impacted by the work we all do.”

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski homelessness.

We shall succeed if housing STAFF WRITERS: Andrew Checchia, Andres De Ocampo, Julia Shapero CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sara Edwards, Kamala Kirk ART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torres STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Luis Chavez CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Myriam Santos ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski STAFF WRITERS: Olivia Dow, Annika Tomlin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Ellen Snortland, Frier McCollister, Bridgette Redman ART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torres STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Luis Chavez ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris

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NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Covered California will help OPINION

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CONSIDER THIS

Let it all out Parenting just got a little bit easier

By Ellen Snortland ur lame duck president is more like a “loose goose” these days. As of this writing, Drumpf has not formally conceded, which is not surprising as we knew he would not go gracefully. He told us as much.

True to form, he seems hellbent on wreaking as much havoc as possible to the very end.

Nonetheless, his loosey-goosey behavior doesn’t dampen our collective relief. You can hear “phew” from just about everywhere, especially from parents. Although I am not a parent—my sisters and I did not breed well in captivity—I have profuse empathy for parents and grandparents and what they have endured over the last four years, especially since March.

A potent reminder of that recently surfaced on CNN. I was only vaguely aware of CNN commentator Van Jones before the Biden/Harris win. I had seen a few excerpts of his work and remem-

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bered him as an Obama confidante. It turns out we have a lot in common: we’re both commentators, lawyers and very relieved that the Drumpf regime will soon end. We’re also not afraid to show our emotions in public.

Van really grabbed my heart hard and shook it, when on CNN Anderson Cooper asked Van what the Biden win meant to him. While answering, Van openly cried and kept crying while expressing the depth of his feelings of relief as a parent that Drumpf lost. My soul simultaneously cried and exulted with him.

I’m a sucker for men who cry anyway. The men who dare to cry in front of others are expressing the opposite of toxic masculinity. Take a “gander” at the synonyms for the word toxic: “poisonous, deadly, lethal, harmful, pernicious, noxious, septic, pestilential, baneful, mephitic, mephitical, poison, poisonous, toxicant.”

“Toxic” has become such a ubiquitous modifier of “masculinity” that we often lose what it

really means. These toxic men are poisoning not only the planet but their families and the culture. In Drumpf’s case, he has literally been toxic, spreading COVID-19 with abandon all through the White House and Secret Service.

Hazard pay, anyone?

Anyway, back to Van Jones’ tears and his assertion that it’s easier to be a parent now because it’s now easier to show children that character does matter.

A friend I initially met decades ago at Augustana Academy in Canton, South Dakota, recently messaged me on Facebook. I’ll call her Ingrid for this column. Her daughter’s name is Heather, and her granddaughter’s name is Allison. (Allison is 4 and more mature than Drumpf.) Ingrid couldn’t wait to tell me about an exchange she heard between Allison and Heather: Allison: So, who is the president?

Heather: It’s going to be Joe Biden.

Allison: Does he call people stupid?

Heather: No, he does not.

Allison: Does he call people by their real names?

Heather: Yes, he does, Allison: Will he call me, Allison?

Heather Yes, he will.

Ahhh. A breath of civility.

Names are both a simple and profound thing. Dale Carnegie, the father of self-improvement, said, “Names are the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” The fact that Drumpf tried to normalize name calling is so emblematic of his personality that it’s mind-boggling.

I am experiencing sweetness again without

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the specter of No. 45, causing me (and us) daily—if not hourly—outrage, anger and heartbreak. I now watch the sun outside my window and notice hummingbirds sipping there. I’ve seen birds splashing in our fountain and an occasional squirrel as well. My dog lies at my feet.

I am aware of these things again, while also circumspect that I had stopped noticing them for a while.

With a last name like Snortland, it’s easy to see why I defended myself a lot with “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me!” Not true. That was merely a bromide meant to minimize the pain of playground cruelty. To deal with the endless taunts, my third-grade teacher, Sonja Staley née Erickson, dealt with it head-on. Sonja personified the opposite of toxic masculinity. Her action was sheer nongendered, adult decency.

After sending me on a “bogus” chore to the principal’s office, “Class, you have made Ellen cry, making fun of her last name. Please don’t do that,” she said.

And it stopped.

All it took was a loving adult to step in and take charge by taking some nontoxic action.

I feel bad for the man who hurts inside so much that he spreads his hurt to others by taunting and bullying. But not bad enough to avoid celebrating his lame duckness. He may be lame, but he can’t fly away fast enough for me.

Ellen Snortland has written “Consider This…” for a heckuva long time, and she also coaches first-time book authors. Contact her at ellen@ beautybitesbeast.com

11/17/20 10:39 PM

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Covered SPORTS California will help

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

GAMBLE’S OPINION

Celebrate the season with the Los Angeles Dodgers

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski he 2020 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers will host a drive-thru Holiday Festival beginning Friday, November 27, complete with a holiday light show, LED video displays, fake snow, Dodger elves and an appearance by Santa.

Dated and entry-timed tickets are on sale at dodgers.com/holidayfestival.

The Holiday Festival will operate in lots 10 and 11 at Dodger Stadium (entrance through Downtown Gate E) from 5 to 11 p.m. most nights during the holiday season. Tickets range from $55 to $115 per car, depending on day/time of entry, and must be purchased in advance.

It’s expected to take roughly 20 to 30 minutes to complete the route, which will include numerous interactive displays honoring the Dodgers’ World Championship and celebrating the holidays.

As part of the Dodgers Holiday Festival, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation will be coordinating contactless donations of new or gently used baseball or softball equipment to

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benefit Dodgers RBI, new toys to be donated to RaiseAChild and new pairs of socks, which will be given to LA Family Housing. The foundation is tackling the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice for all Angelenos.

For the safety of all, fans must remain in their vehicles at all times and wear face coverings if their vehicle’s windows are rolled down while enjoying the displays. Much of the music soundtrack will be produced by Dodger partner iHeartMedia Los Angeles’ KOST 103.5.

Hey you! Speak up!

A rendering of an attraction at the Dodgers Holiday Festival.

Rendering courtesy the Los Angeles Dodgers

Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like or dislike a story, let us know, or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community.

Participation is easy. Go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, please email christina@timespublications.com.

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

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Covered California will help HOLIDAY

Holiday Guide

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Sensible solutions for holiday gifting

By Family Features ractically every year there’s at least one person on your holiday gift list that seems to have it all. One way to think outside the box is to sift through wants and needs to find something that can truly be put to use on an almost daily basis.

For example, tools, binoculars, vacuum cleaners, knife sharpeners and security solutions can serve as practical gifts that give your recipient a functional piece of equipment for daily life. These types of presents show your thoughtfulness and can provide your loved one a frequent reminder of the relationship you share each time the gift is used.

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Find additional holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list at eLivingtoday.com.

An eye-catching gift If you’ve got someone on your holiday gift list that enjoys pursuits such as sports, concerts, nature viewing or stargazing, help bring the action closer with a gift like the Bushnell Powerview 2 binocular. An evolution from the popular line, the versatile, general-use binoculars deliver clear views in multiple sizes and magnifications.

The binoculars feature an aircraft grade, aluminum alloy chassis built for durability, and high-quality, soft-touch black rubber armor and brushed metal texture finishes

Give the gift that keeps on giving.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Los Angeles Self Storage hosts Toys for Tots drive

Los Angeles Self Storage will serve as a drop-off location for Toys for Tots and it is striving to collect more toys this year than previous years.

Los Angeles Self Storage at 1000 W. Sixth Street asks the public to drop off toys before December 11.

The objective of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to help needy children throughout the United States experience joy at Christmas.

Los Angeles Self Storage appreciates guests’ continued support for this very worthwhile charity.

The community can help make this an enjoyable Christmas for many children.

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Holiday Guide

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

provide eye-catching exterior design, easy handling and a confident grip. For more information, visit bushnell.com.

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battery lasts 30 minutes without recharging. Visit raycop.com for more information.

The gift that protects

A cut above the rest This holiday season get the chef or outdoorsman in your life a gift that keeps on giving, such as the Wicked Edge Go knife sharpener. Made from high-quality materials, it’s easy to use for both new and experienced knife sharpeners. It offers guided angle control, can sharpen a variety of knife types and makes cutting more efficient while increasing the longevity of your knives. Find more at wickededgeusa. com.

If you’re looking to secure connected toys and devices received this holiday season, consider internet security products that allow you to protect your family. With advanced protection for all your devices, ESET’s Smart Security Premium solution helps protect against identity theft with the latest malware detection, online banking, password security and smart home support. Find more security solutions at eset.com/us.

Get the job done

Cleanliness on the go Give the gift of cleaner living spaces anywhere and everywhere with the ultra-portable Raycop GO vacuum, which uses UVC light technology to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and viruses along with dust mites. It’s less than 2 pounds, easy to assemble and stores in four pieces, making it simple to take in the car, to the office or on vacation. It can even sanitize phones, handbags or luggage, and the

The Wicked Edge Go knife sharpener and the Raycop Go vacuum are great gifts for the on the go, chefs and outdoor people.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Help the handyperson in your life finish the job quicker with the Milwaukee M12 Drill and Driver Kit from Ace Hardware, the only tool in its class with an all-metal locking chuck. Its compact, lightweight and durable design delivers comfort and efficiency along with an onboard LED light and fuel gauge to help increase productivity and avoid interruptions. Find more information and holiday gift ideas at acehardware.com.

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Shop early and get rewarded So many retailers are encouraging safe, socially distanced shopping, with rewards for shopping early. Black Friday seems to be extended throughout all of November and December, so we rounded up some of our favorite rewards. We all love a gift with purchase!

November 28: Time to upgrade your watch or buy that necklace for your special someone as Jewelry Pavilion is offering a leather jewelry case for any purchase over $300 to the first 30 customers.

After that head to Hatch Yakitori + Bar where spending $100 on cocktails and amazing food will get guests a five-piece sake set for the first 100 customers. #cheers December 5: Time to namaste your way to Zen as lululemon at The Bloc is giving a mindfulness card set, the one all the celebs rave about, with any purchase over $100 to the first 50 customers.

You deserve that new yoga outfit.

December 6: Everyone needs their own noodle bowl. We are in luck as Marugame Udon’s DTLA location is giving a custom udon bowl to the first 100 customers who spend $25. We know where we will be for lunch. #nomnom December 13: Holiday-themed cocktails and beautiful views from the third-floor deck, #yesplease. District DTLA is gifting a holiday candle set with your meal for the first 50 customers to spend over $100. We already have our reservations, see you there!

For more holiday gifts with purchase, visit theblocla.com/sparkledtla ADVERTORIAL

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Covered California will help HOLIDAY

Holiday Guide

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Accelerate Your Holiday Gift List with Adventure

By Family Features early ever yone on your gift list may need a little revving up this year. Bringing a smile or much-needed dose of adventure is an easy way to leave a lasting impression this holiday season—especially with these gift ideas.

Whether that hard-to-buy-for person on your list is already a rider or it’s on his or her to-do list, Harley-Davidson has something for nearly everyone.

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Elevate work-from-home wardrobe Working from home doesn’t mean you can’t dress for adventure. Hoodies and sweatshirts can keep your loved ones

looking cool and comfortable, no matter how long their next video conference call might last. With a variety of color and style options for men and women, you can find the right fit for basically everyone on your list.

Inspire the next generation of riders The thrill of riding can be felt at any age, especially for kids on your list looking for a new activity. Options like the IRONe12 and IRONe16 electric bikes are tools for learning hand-eye coordination and developing riding skills while having fun. Kids will learn to push, balance and coast in non-powered mode before graduating to the powered mode, where they’ll learn to

Give the gift of adventure with Harley-Davidson.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Socially distant ‘Shogun Santa’ coming to Little Tokyo Patrons who come to Little Tokyo during the holiday season will be able to take pictures with Southern California’s only Asian American Santa Claus, known as Shogun Santa, starting Saturday, December 12, according to Little Tokyo Business Association (LTBA) president Mike Masao Okamoto.

For the past seven years, LTBA has hosted appearances by Shogun Santa in Japanese Village Plaza on December weekends before Christmas. To ensure that visitors remain socially distant, the Little Tokyo Business Association hit upon the idea of creation a life-size standee (cardboard cutout) of the real Shogun Santa.

Professional photographer Alan Miyatake of the legendary Toyo Miyatake Studio in San Gabriel captured the full-length photo, and the holiday icon was born.

Starting December 12 and continuing December 13, December 19 and December 20, visitors can take photos with their cellphone cameras while standing next to the no-touch Santa.

JVP was created in the 1970s by architect and developer David Hyun.

The plaza, a collection of stores and restaurants that has become the hub of Little Tokyo activity, is located at First Street and Central Avenue.

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DTLA for the holidays This holiday season treat your loved ones to a few of our favorite things in Downtown LA. Plan a retail and dining excursion for an experience to remember. From the perfect gifts that show your appreciation to the special outings that you’ll never forget, Downtown is where you can find it all. Whether you’re buying gifts for family, friends, colleagues or even your beloved pets, we’ve put together a list of our top picks to help you find everything you need while supporting your favorite boutiques and small businesses in the Downtown Center—many of them owned by people of color.

Experience all DTLA has to offer for the holidays. Check out downtownla.com/holidays for gift and celebration ideas, then head to Downtown LA to shop, dine and celebrate for the holidays. Don’t forget to enter for a chance to win one of 20 holiday gift packages filled with a few of our favorite things in DTLA! ADVERTORIAL

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Holiday Guide

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NOVEMBER 23, 2020

ACCELERATE YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT LIST WITH ADVENTURE, 8 use the throttle and brake. These bikes can provide a one-of-a-kind learning experience and spark a lifetime love for riding on two wheels.

Connect with the Inner Child Give the gift of building something unique with a present like the Lego Creator Expert Harley-Davidson Fat Boy building sets. This set showcases the beauty of a real-life motorcycle and provides an immersive building experience that can make people of all ages feel like kids again.

Adventure in style Few things beat a warm, durable and fashionably versatile motorcycle jacket.

Whether your loved one enjoys a more rugged look to pair with outdoor adventures or is a style trend-setter who likes to stand out from the crowd, a leather motorcycle jacket is a must-have for almost any wardrobe.

Give the git of reading For the person in your life you haven’t seen in a while, reconnect and give the gift of an experience that can be appreciated for years to come with the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy New Rider Course. This course will help you and any thrill-seeker in your life learn to ride with confidence on two wheels after just one weekend.

This holiday season, Harley-Davidson is giving away 500 Riding Academy passes. All you have to do is share your favorite personal Harley-Davidson motorcycle photo on Instagram or Twitter, tag the friend or family member in your life you want to learn to ride with and use #GiftOfRiding and #Giveaway.

Find more holiday gift-giving inspiration at H-D.com/Holiday.

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Harley-Davidson provides fun for everyone in the family.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

FIGat7th offers open-air dining and shopping FIGat7th is open for all the holiday rituals that give that spark of joy you’ve been craving.

With open-air shopping and dining in the heart of DTLA, FIGat7th is the perfect place to find that one special gift for anyone and everyone that matters in your world.

From Zara to Nordstrom Rack to Bath & Body Works to M.A.C. Cosmetics, the gifting choices are endless and soon you’ll have all your holiday to-dos done.

Then it’s time to treat yourself with holiday eats from one of FIGat7th’s 15 restaurants and eateries, including Sprinkles Cupcakes, The Melt, Ocho Mexican Grill, California Pizza Kitchen and Oleego by Parks BBQ. Savor the moment while dining alfresco on the park-like Plaza while admiring the sparkling lights of FIGat7th’s monumental holiday tree.

And finally, pick up dinner for the family and get $20 back when you spend $50 or more as part of FIGat7th’s Dine with Purpose promotion. Simply submit your receipt at dinewithpurpose.com to get your $20 reward card. And then Share with Purpose too! Post a photo of your meal on Instagram with #DineFIGat7th and FIGat7th will donate an additional $20 to the Social Justice Learning Institute to support their response to food insecurity caused by COVID-19.

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Holiday Guide

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NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Covered California will help BUSINESS

Turkey tips for beginners, thanks to Diestel

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski eidi Diestel knows a thing or two about turkeys. She’s a fourth-generation turkey farmer, as her family has owned and operated Diestel’s home ranch in Northern California for 70 years.

She has one piece of advice for those who want to have a successful Thanksgiving dinner—keep it simple.

“You don’t have to do anything that’s really elaborate to the turkey,” Diestel says.

“It’s been raised the same way. We have a recipe on our website and on the back of all of our turkeys.”

The rub calls for 4 tablespoons of oil (melted butter, margarine, olive oil); 4 teaspoons of salt or to taste and 2 teaspoons of paprika.

“That’s a great way to just enjoy your bird,” she said.

Diestel suggested beginners practice before the big Thanksgiving dinner.

“The turkey can go sideways on us all,” she said with a laugh. “The temperature is everything. If it’s super cold, if you bought a frozen turkey and it’s still frozen in the center, it’s

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not going to cook evenly. That’s the quickest way to ruin a turkey—cook it frozen.”

As for the Diestels, they are a “pretty traditional family” who stuffs their turkeys.

“We make a homemade gravy out of the drippings,” she said. “We make mashed potatoes. We usually do some type of green—a salad or green beans, but not green bean casserole. We keep it very straight forward, very easy. If you have those four things, you don’t need anything else.”

Diestel’s turkeys are available at Whole Foods Market and the birds are a key part of the fami-

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Heidi Diestel’s family has run its ranch in Northern California for 70 years.

Photo courtesy Diestel

ly’s regenerative agriculture practices.

Slow grown and raised with the freedom to forage on Diestel’s home ranch in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, they’re continuously rotated with chickens, goats, sheep and hogs to ensure the soil’s nutrients are replenished. Diestel’s structured compost, along with filtered and reclaimed water, support

the health of their pastures. The GAP 5-rated, non-GMO project verified, and no antibiotics ever birds are 100% vegetarian-fed and contain no gluten, casein, carrageenan, phosphates, MSG, artificial ingredients or preservatives, and no growth stimulants or hormones.

Holiday Guide

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

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The holidays are not canceled at ROW DTLA

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski xperience the season of giving at ROW DTLA with retail residencies and holiday décor supporting local creators for Small Business Saturday and beyond.

ROW DTLA, Downtown’s collective of creative retail, dining and lifestyle destinations is celebrating the season with “The Holidays are Not Canceled,” an ongoing series of retail pop-ups, holiday décor and Instagram-worthy moments throughout the property, kicking off Saturday, November 28 (Small Business Saturday).

ROW DTLA will host an eclectic array of limited-run shopping experiences spanning throughout November and December, beginning with Unique Markets Holiday PopUp, a two-day marketplace, and pop-ups featuring LA-based vendors focused on arts and design (Sage Culture, House of Spoils), vintage clothing (Bleach Gift Shop), floral arrangements for purchase (Boy Who Cried Flowers) and others.

With its expansive 30-acre outdoor space fit for social distancing, ROW DTLA serves as a safe venue for the community to gather and shop for unique holiday gifts this year, and provides an alternative to the typ-

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ical mall experience with ample parking and easy flow throughout the district, all while supporting small businesses when they need it most. Details on each pop-up and activation below: • Unique Markets Holiday Pop Up: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 28, to Sunday, November 29. Entry via online prepaid tickets only for $10. Shop the 13th annual Unique Markets Holiday Pop-Up to discover and support LA’s best designers, emerging brands, and artists such as Lunika Designs, Remedium, Nice Beast and Pocketsquare Clothing. The two-day marketplace will feature over 50 small businesses, festive vibes and its usual colorful selfie moments in an open-air outdoor atmosphere. To ensuring greater social distancing and safety for all attendees, masks will be required, booths will be spaced 8 feet apart, and there will be touchless entry and hand sanitizer stations throughout.

• Boy Who Cried Flowers: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday to Sunday through December 31. The Long Beach-based team offers full floral and botanical services, translating florals into meaningful works of art for the perfect unique gift. Expect to find thoughtfully

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• House of Spoils: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday through December 31. House of Spoils is expanding to the eastside from its Venice location and will bring its affordable, framed fine art photography prints from a global collective of artists to ROW DTLA. • Sage Culture: Shopping by appointment only through December 31. An art gallery and multidisciplinary space based in LA’s Arts District, Sage Culture comprises art exhibitions and the development of a diverse range of projects within the arts and culture sector. The space highlights creatives whose deep connection to nature serves as their primary source of inspiration—reimaging the crucial but endangered bond with Earth. Appointment booking can be found at sageculture.com/ • Bleach Gift Shop: Shopping by appointment only Monday to Wednesday; open to the public noon to 6 p.m. Thursday to Sunday through December 31. A concept space started to bring like-minded creatives together under one roof, Bleach Gift Shop provides customers a place where they can experience new brands and a curated assortment of vintage clothing. For the holiday season, Bleach Gift Shop is collaborating with brands including cara cara, Noah Collins, Cherry Vintage, Silverlake Market, OTIS LAMB, Redux Ritual and Plants & Spaces to bring the perfect gifts for every list.

ROW DTLA is located at 777 S. Alameda Street, Downtown.

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7 Eleven Staff (above left to right): Guillermo and Bertha. (right): Manuel, Propane Manager.

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NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Covered ARTS & California CULTUREwill help

Rose River Co-founder Marcos Lutyens brings his extensive expertise and international reputation as an artist working at the intersection of art and healing to the Rose River Memorial.

Photo courtesy Marcos Lutyens

Art project honors those killed by COVID-19

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski new temporary installation artwork on the exterior wall of Self Help Graphics and Art memorializes each of the 189 lives taken by COVID-19 in Boyle Heights and unincorporated East LA and begins a handcrafted national memorial to the virus’ devastating impacts.

The Rose River Memorial is made from handcrafted red felt roses set against a mural

by Oaxacan muralists Tlacolulokos and is part of SHG’s 47th annual Día de los Muertos activities.

“It was an important one to start with,” co-founder Dr. Tilly Hinton said of Boyle Heights. The piece, on display through November, is one of many planned throughout the United States. Santa Monica is projected to be the next one. “(Boyle Heights) represents the community of color and where poverty is ever present.

These are some of the demographics that are being hit the hardest by COVID-19. COVID has affected the community harder than others and Boyle Heights is one of those.”

This begins an extended collaboration which will see the distribution of rose-making materials into the East LA community.

As COVID-19 deaths continue to climb across the nation, the Rose River Memorial is using art and crafting to support collective grief and acknowledgement of loss. People from across the nation are making red felt roses using a simple design and then mail them to the Rose River Memorial team, Hinton said. Contributions so far have flowed in from across California, as well as New York, Washington, North Carolina, Arizona, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.

The national memorial is set to be finished in winter 2021, and relies on community support to make this happen.

“If we installed the national Rose River Memorial today, there would be more than 234,000 roses assembled tightly together and covering more than 3 acres or 30 basketball courts,” Hinton said.

“That is almost a quarter of a million loved ones lost. It is that many empty seats at Thanksgiving tables this year, it is a loss on a scale that is almost impossible to imagine, which is where art and collective crafting becomes so important.

“Those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 often don’t experience compassion or awareness from the greater community because of the divisiveness and discord that’s present,” said Carolyn Freyer-Jones, founder of The Friday Minute. Her father died from

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COVID-19 in July.

“The Rose River Memorial project is important because it acknowledges. It communicates the preciousness of each life, and it communicates tangible beauty that we can see and touch. The fact that people everywhere take the time to make the fabric roses demonstrates love, kindness, and compassion. I tell everyone I know about the project.

As someone who lost a loved one it means so much to me personally, and as a fellow member of the human race it gives me great hope because it shows that beauty and love are always present, even in the most challenging of times.”

Marvella Muro, director of artistic programs and education at Self Help Graphics and Art, said that one of their reasons for curating the installation into their 47th annual Día de los Muertos activities is that “the process of creating and coming together is very important. History has shown us that art has been very vital in helping us process difficult and wonderful times. Art is the platform and the tool that will help us all come together and create a common ground.”

People who have made and mailed roses talk about the comfort and peace that the simple crafting process has brought to their lives in these anxious time, Muro said.

Rose River Co-founder Marcos Lutyens brings his extensive expertise and international reputation as an artist working at the intersection of art and healing to this project.

“When the concept of the Rose River Memorial arrived in my thoughts and my sketchbook in August this year, I knew immediately the healing resonance it could bring, and how acutely this is needed,” Lutyens said.

Hinton added, “We’re encouraging people to handmake roses and send them to us.

You realize every single rose is an actual person who will not be sitting at a table on Thanksgiving. They’ll be forever missed by this ripple effect. Because of the scale of devastation, we knew we had to do it to make that visible. It’s too hard to hold into our brain. We have to see it. It’s a beautiful opportunity for people to see what’s been happening across the country and grieve together.”

Rose River Memorial roseriver.memorial

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 15

Covered California will help BUSINESS

Green Dot schools mark 20th anniversary

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski reen Dot Public Schools California marks its 20th anniversary this year with student academic growth soaring in its Los Angeles schools.

These gains are among socioeconomically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, English learners, African American and Latino students.

Seven of the network’s 19 schools are up for renewal before the Los Angeles Unified School District Board in November and December.

These include Ánimo Ellen Ochoa Charter MS in Boyle Heights, Ánimo Legacy Charter MS in West Athens, Ánimo Florence Firestone Charter MS in South Los Angeles, Ánimo Jackie Robinson Charter High School in Downtown Los Angeles, Ánimo James B. Taylor Charter Middle School in Watts, Ánimo Ralph Bunche Charter High School near Downtown Los Angeles, and Ánimo Watts College Prep Academy in Watts.

Green Dot middle school students are growing more than 77% of their peers in ELA and over 79% in math, according to CORE Districts, a nonprofit organization that provides student academic growth analytics based on Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium data. In addition, students at Green Dot high schools are growing more than 74% of their peers in ELA and over 85% of their peers in math.

These growth scores are significantly higher than those of LAUSD’s middle schools and high schools.

One school in particular, Ánimo Legacy Charter Middle School, has outperformed local area residential schools on the state’s SBAC test for the past three years. Students at Ánimo Legacy are growing more than 75% of their peers in ELA and over 95% of their peers in math compared to the residential school median student growth percentiles (SGP) of 61% for ELA and 33% for math. This has earned Ánimo Legacy the CORE Districts SGP High Impact Award for continuous student academic gains. Once known as Henry Clay Middle School and one of the lowest performing schools in the state, Ánimo Legacy’s academic performance now exceeds the academic performance of every nearby school across all student groups. “Ánimo technically means encouragement in Spanish,” said Annette Gonzalez,

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Green Dot Public Schools California chief academic officer.

“Our schools carry this word in their name because to us, it represents a spirit of tenacity and the ability to stand strong in the face of adversity. At Green Dot, we focus on growing student proficiency quickly to put all students on the path to college.”

These successes weren’t easy to come by. Green Dot is known for taking on some of the lowest performing schools in urban areas and turning them around.

Founded in 1999 as a response to parent demand for more high-quality options in their neighborhoods, Green Dot went from a ninth-grade class serving 140 students, to 19 schools serving more than 11,000 youth in middle and high school.

The global health pandemic has brought on new challenges for the charter school operator, as it has for many school communities, but it’s met these with resilience and support for students, their families, and staff. In the wake of COVID, Green Dot has provided: • a Chromebook for every student • 2,000 hotspots • daily live lessons • 100 additional minutes of daily instruction (more than is required by the state) • over 1 million meals • daily advisory classes that carve time out for socioemotional and technology support • counseling and mental health services • academic outreach “Green Dot’s schools are needed now more than ever,” said Dr. Cristina de Jesus, CEO and president of Green Dot Public Schools California. “While the last eight months have been incredibly challenging, we have maintained an unwavering focus on supporting the students and families we have the privilege to serve. We’ll get through this crisis and, in the meantime, will continue to focus on our mission to transform public education for all students so that they’re prepared for college, leadership and life.”

16 DOWNTOWN NEWS

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NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Photographer creates deep connections with transit workers

By Bridgette M. Redman ome stories take time to tell, especially when they are still evolving without an end in sight.

Ken Karagozian first headed underground 30 years ago, having obtained permission for a one-time shoot of the miners who build Los Angeles subway system. That one-time shoot grew into three decades worth of work, numerous friendships and a lifetime of stories.

Those stories and his art are now being shared in a Metro Art exhibition called “Deep Connections,” which is being shown in the Union Station Passageway Art Gallery. Karagozian has photographed the workers and the machinery they use on black and white film, which he typically processes himself.

“We are living in a digital world, but I still enjoy using film,” Karagozian said. “I like the look of film, especially black and white. I like to do my own developing and printing of my film.”

The exhibit features photos displayed in rectangular light boxes, something Karagozian said presented an initial challenge because so many of his prints are square.

The Passageway Art Gallery has been around since 2014 and its managers have curated artwork from landscaping to architecture to portraiture. With this exhibit, said Heidi Zeller, senior manager of the LA Metro Arts and Design, they are recognizing that they are part of a major transportation hub with Union Station being the gateway to Los Angeles.

“We have a broad section of society passing through,” Zeller aid.

“We always want something that appeals to everyone. In this particular case, there is a direct tie-in to transportation. We thought it would be of interest to people passing through a tunnel-like space to have these multiple layers of tunneling and to learn about the system. When you’re within this large metropolitan station, you can see what is going on down belowground all throughout the county through what Ken has been documenting all these years in such a creative manner.”

Karagozian’s photos often contrast the coldness of oversized machinery with the humanity of the workers who operate them.

“I try to put a human perspective to my images,” Karagozian said. “I’m not just documenting the construction, I’m also documenting the builders of the construction, the human labor force, the workers.”

When Karagozian was taking photography and art classes, his instructor told the stu-

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dents they should pick projects that are close to their home so they can go back as often as needed to see the lighting and plan times to work.

Living in Los Angeles, one of his first projects was the Pasadena Rose Bowl Swap Meet.

Then, every day as he drove to work along Hollywood Boulevard, he started to see fences go up for a federally funded project. He contacted the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and said he’d like to get permission to photograph underground for a day.

That day turned into 30 years.

During that time, he’s gotten to know workers and their families, now into a second generation. He photographed one set of brothers decades ago and has since photographed them again with one of those brother’s sons, who is now carrying on his father’s work. There is a mother and son who work together underground.

It’s a project that continues to draw him back in with new things to see and capture.

“The technology is constantly changing, and the locations are changing too,” Karagozian said.

“I started along Hollywood Boulevard, right along Hollywood and Vermont, the redline continued west along Hollywood Boulevard up through the Hollywood Hills and to the San Fernando Valley. The locations have been changing, the equipment has been changing and the process has been changing.

The modernization of the equipment has changed from the ’90s to now. I just enjoy it.”

The MTA helped him choose the name “Deep Connections,” a title that is figurative and literal. They also worked with him to choose which photos to use for this exhibit.

He worked with Allison Porterfield, a senior art program specialist, to choose images and figure out how to best present them in the lightboxes.

There are 30 boxes in the long passageway, Zeller said. They are internally luminated boxes in a passageway that connects the historic part of the station built in 1939 and the section built in the ’90s. Interspersed between the light boxes are ramps leading up to the different train tracks.

A dozen of the boxes are in sets of three, so that one image can be divided up among three boxes.

“That allows us to display artwork that is horizontal in nature,” Zeller says. “Each box is vertical, but three together is a triptych that gives us more flexibility and a horizontal view.”

As a photographer, Karagozian brings im-

Ken Karagozian’s “Deep Connections” is on display at Union Station Passageway Art Gallery through 2021.

Photo courtesy Ken Karagozian

ages to patrons that most people don’t get to see. While people are familiar with the endless orange cones on roads denoting construction or the tall cranes that pierce the skyscape, few people other than the workers and inspectors get to see what is being done underneath the ground. His work can bring those images to a wider audience and open a new world so they can see what is going on below them.

“I consider myself a painter, but instead of art materials, I paint with light onto film,” Karagozian said. “That is one of the critical things when photographing—how is the lighting going to affect the image. When there are workers working, I try not to capture an image where all you see is the backside of the worker, but rather part of the face.”

Zeller, who has seen Karagozian’s work displayed elsewhere around the station for the past nine years, said the gallery welcomed this opportunity to collaborate with him.

“Images that balance heavy machinery and the humanity and give that juxtaposition are really interesting,” Zeller said. “When you consider the large scale of these light boxes— you’re staging some as high as a person. It almost feels like you can step right into the image.”

Zeller said they are constantly brainstorming ideas about what artwork they can share

in the Passage Gallery and for the past year, they’ve been talking about the possibilities of this exhibit.

“We thought it was an exciting way to share with the public the expanse of what MTA is working on,” Zeller said. “There is a whole world underground that most people do not get to see. We were just thinking about his work and looking at it. This is an amazing opportunity to share what is happening between us…and the landscapes are so otherworldly, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to share.

After the holidays, he’ll release a book that features 50 of Karagozian’s images. It will be available in hard copy and online to view.

“We usually produce a publication for all of our exhibitions,” Zeller said. “It will focus not just on the works, but really amplify the exhibition, the heavy machinery and the broader space and more of the people (in the photographs).”

Karagozian, whose work has been featured in such publications as Life, Archeology Dig and the Los Angeles Times, says he plans to continue telling the stories of the people who make their living underground.

“It’s just rewarding for me,” he said. “It’s something I love, and I’ll be doing it for the rest of my life.”

“Deep Connections” photography exhibition by Ken Karagozian Union Station Passageway Art Gallery, 800 N. Alameda Street The exhibit runs through 2021 For more information, visit unionstationla.com

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 17

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NOVEMBER 23, 2020

Covered DINING California will help

PITCHOUN! Hey kiddo, you’ll love this place

By Frier McCollister ey Kiddo! That’s the loose English translation for the French word “pitchoun” and the name of one of the most authentic French bakeries in Los Angeles. I use the English term “bakery” because it encompasses what in France comprises two or three dedicated entities, all of which apply to Pitchoun!: boulangerie, patisserie and café or restaurant.

DTLA happens to be the location of the original Pitchoun! which opened on Olive Street at Pershing Square in 2015. A smaller satellite hub opened in 2018 in the outdoor corner shop at Third Street and San Vicente at the Beverly Center.

“The Downtown location is our baby.

It’s our flagship,” Fabienne Soulies explained.

She and her husband Frederic are the thoroughly French auteurs behind the thoroughly French bread, pastry and savory entrees offered on the daily menu at both locations. Fabienne grew up in Monaco on the French Riviera with a family in the food business, while Frederic was raised in the small town of Agen in southwest France, halfway between Toulouse and Bordeaux. According to Fabienne, Frederic’s family was comprised of “Bakers and farmers. I was more of a city girl. He’s more related to the ground.”

That said, while Frederic’s family represented a long line of rural bakers, he trained at the vaunted Ecole de Boulangerie et de Patisserie de Paris.

Despite their mutual French provenance, the couple met in San Francisco in 1995. They returned to France together, married and had three children, all the while pining for California.

“We have a long love story with California and California only,” Fabienne said. “We always said we would come back here. Our best friends lived in Los Angeles. We were coming back and forth to LA very regularly.”

By 2011, “It was time (for) a new change in our professional lives.”

With their children aged 11, 7 and 2 at the time, the move was intended as

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Pumpkin tart.

Phtoo courtesy PITCHOUN!

French toast.

Phtoo courtesy PITCHOUN!

“A family experience as well as a professional experience. We wanted to show people (here) the French way: a small family-owned business bringing this passion for baking here with our French traditional recipes. This is who we are.”

Frederic’s exper tise has been acknowledged here and in France, where Pitchoun! won the award for Best Baguette in Los Angeles in a competition sponsored by French American media company French Morning in 2019. His croissants have also been competitive finalists in international baking competitions.

“What makes the difference here is we truly have an authentic French taste,” Fabienne said. “We truly have French recipes. Our sourdough is different.

Our starter, our ‘levain’ that we make in house is different.”

While you expect to find baguettes and croissants at a French bakery—and Pitchoun! quite possibly offers the finest in town—there is a daily menu of savory items also worth considering here. Limited to breakfast and lunch hours, both locations offer distanced outdoor seating for guests who want to enjoy fresh samples from the menu on-site.

Breakfast options include everything from Provençal eggs served sunny side up with fried tomatoes ($12.50) to a classic Parisian omelet prepped with French cooked ham, gruyere and mushrooms ($13.60). There’s also a Nutella crepe ($10.50) and a French take on the ubiquitous avocado toast ($12.95).

For lunch, there are nine compositions that can be ser ved either as a sandwich on fresh baguette or ciabatta, as a salad, or as an open-faced tartine on a single slice of country or sourdough loaf. These range from a Parisian-style with ham, brie, lettuce and cornichons ($11.25) to “Rosbif ” with roast beef, hard-boiled egg, lettuce, tomatoes and capers ($13.20) to “Pan Bagnat” a rich mix of tuna, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes, niçoise olive, radish, celery, green onions and anchovies ($14.95).

The menu would not be complete without the classic French couple: croque monsieur and madame ($10.50/

NOVEMBER 23, 2020

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DOWNTOWN NEWS 19

Fancy mini pastries.

Phtoo courtesy PITCHOUN!

Parisian omelette.

Phtoo courtesy PITCHOUN!

$11.50), the latter of course distinguished by the fried egg topping the ham, cheese and béchamel, all encompassed by pan de mie bread. Finish it off with an éclair ($6.20) or fruit tart ($6.50) or anything else that looks good (and it all looks good).

Now the holidays are suddenly upon us. Pitchoun! is offering pies designed for just such occasions. Whole 9-inch pumpkin or apple streusel pies ($36) or pecan ($39) can be ordered in advance online for pick-up this Wednesday. There’s still time!

Another seasonal special features pumpkin spice danish and macarons. Expect more holiday-themed fare as Christmas approaches. Think: candied orange zest, gingerbread and Bouche de Noel yule logs. By the way, one of the pastry chefs here is also an expert chocolatier. “We do a lot of chocolate at Christmas,” according to Fabienne.

The Downtown location of Pitchoun! on Olive Street has always been the core business. Prior to the pandemic lockdown it was a lively and vibrant shop. “(It was) a wonderful business,” Fabienne said. “A lot of people enjoying our food.

We were the right fit at the right time.”

An average of 400 to 500 people visited the location on any given workday. Now with offices closed and “WFH” the common acronym for home-bound workers, Pitchoun! lost nearly 70% of its usual business. With the Beverly Center open again as of last month, the smaller space is helping make up some of the difference.

Besides the two shops—prepandemic—Pitchoun! had active wholesale and catering sidelines with 67 employees, most of whom were furloughed in March. Both shops closed on the advent of lockdown. The Beverly Center store reopened in July and the Downtown location just reactivated on September 1. Store hours were trimmed, and the staff is back to 15 with the single breakfast and lunch shift at each location.

As to her beloved Downtown customers, Fabienne is quite emphatic, “We just want them back! Make Downtown great again!” Got that Kiddo?

Quiche lorraine.

Phtoo courtesy PITCHOUN!

PITCHOUN! BAKERY 545 S. Olive Street, Downtown 213-689-3240, contact@pitchounbakery.com 8500 Beverly Boulevard 323-381-5328, beverly@pitchounbakery.com

Macaron box.

Phtoo courtesy PITCHOUN!

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NOVEMBER 23, 2020