Art Deco Palace

Blackstone work begins

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:00:00 +0000

***Update

Well actually not. Scaffolding was being unloaded by a truck but there is no sign of it anywhere. I don't see any work going on yet. On the bright side, a trash can was installed in front of the building at 9th and Broadway and the sidewalk was cleaned up.

Scaffolding was going up today.

Flyaway Bus

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:16:00 +0000

The Flyaway Bus, a great way to get to LAX from downtown and back. Costs $4 per person and takes approximately 25 minutes because it uses the carpool and bus only lanes. It stops at Union Station and all the bus islands at LAX with green signs. It runs every 30 minutes. There is longterm parking available for your car at Union Station. Other Flyaway Buses are available for UCLA and Van Nuys. The link above will give you all the details.

We've used the Flyaway Bus a few times now and have been very happy with it, but it is a silly name.
Z.

LA Times, Timothy Rutten writes back...

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:09:00 +0000

After writing the post below entitled Broadway Revitalization as compared to Blade Runner, I submitted it to Mr. Rutten of the LA Times.

Kindly, he responded:

Dear Mr. Seirafi:
Thanks for this. I'm certainly not arguing tht Broadway be left as it is or that it would not be wonderful to restore the theaters. I'm simply saying that, as we go about doing whatever is done with the street, the city needs to give equal consideration to those who already use the street and to where their economic activities can continue to occur.
Tim

Broadway Revitalization as compared to Blade Runner

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:54:00 +0000

Timothy Rutten of the LA Times, writes an opinion about the revitalization of Broadway. A plan heralded by residents, business owners, stakeholders and just about everyone who lives in LA. His piece is:

"L.A.'s 'Blade Runner' plans"
Will we allow the movie's nightmarish view of downtown to come true?

If you consider his opinion, Broadway would remain the same, because changing it would be a nightmare. He proposes preserving the graffiti, broken windows, flashing strobe lights, bacon wrapped sausage cooking on shopping carts, strip clubs, merchandise spilling out on sidewalks, public urination, trash, a desolate evening scape and dilapidated buildings. In my opinion letting the Historic Core of LA fall into such disrepair is the nightmare. Most cities take care of and receive many benefits from the historic and cultural centers.

No one has proposed changing Olvera street because it truly is a gem and represents Los Angeles well. What is currently on Broadway does not. This kind of resistance to progress has currently put in jeopardy the much anticipated Grand Avenue project. With continued harassment by opponents of the project it has been delayed several times now and we have a giant hole in our civic center to show for that.

I don't disagree about the 14 story light show billboard but to call the collective effort of residents, business, and city leaders to revitalize Broadway "a nightmare" is irresponsible.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention, that the beautiful building where they shot the most memorable scenes in Blade Runner is on Broadway called the Bradbury building. It's a good thing it didn't meet with the wrecking ball like so many other historic buildings along the Broadway corridor. By leaving the status quo we only invite more urban flight and the destruction of our collective history.
Z.

Downtown Recreation and Parks Meeting January 30th

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:20:00 +0000

The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) has
embarked on its 2006/2007 Citywide Parks Needs Assessment
(Assessment) that will examine current and future recreational needs
in the City of Los Angeles. This Community Needs Assessment is the
first step in developing a citywide park master plan and a five year
capital improvement plan.

The foundation of the Assessment is to engage community leaders,
stakeholders, users and the general public to gain detailed insight
into current and future needs for the recreation and parks system.
The overall objective for the Needs Assessment includes:

* Address needs for additional recreation facilities and park land
*Identify improvements to facilities to meet current and future
demands
*Prevent future maintenance issues
*Offer positive alternatives to an increasingly dense and urbanized
population

The consulting team of Mia Lehrer + Associates with PROS Consulting,
LLC (MLA/ PROS Team) has been retained to work closely with the
Department to conduct the process. The MLA/PROS Team is also joined
by The Robert Group who will assist in organizing and implementing
the public participation program.

The MLA/PROS Team will utilize existing contacts and relationships of
RAP, City officials and MLA/PROS Team members to identify
stakeholders, gather their input, and disseminate information to help
gain consensus on key strategies and recommendations. This process
is broad, gathering both qualitative and quantitative information
from which these strategies will be developed.

An additional meeting for Downtown Los Angeles stakeholders has been
scheduled for January 30, 2008, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the LADWP
Cafeteria, located at 111 N Hope St, Los Angeles. It is okay if you
can't arrive at 6:30 p.m. - it IS important that you attend. So, if
you arrive late, no worries - just be there.

If you are unable to attend, you can still provide input by
completing the online survey, which is located at:

http://losangeles.prosconsulting.com/Online%20Survey.htm

This could be a great next step in bringing more recreational space
to downtown! Whether it be saving Gladys Park, bringing a dog park
to downtown, a community garden to a pocket park - don't assume that
someone will bring up your idea.

Hope to see you there,

Ginny-Marie Case
DLANC Boardmember, Historic Core Resident
VP, Outreach and Communications
213.248.0698 or ginny@ginnycase.com

Bringing Back Broadway

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:04:00 +0000

Hi!

Several EC homeowners attended this morning's function which launched
the Bringing Back Broadway initiative. It was a great event held at the
Los Angeles theater. Most of the movers and shakers were present
including the Mayor.

Bringing Back Broadway will create a plan for a vibrant Broadway
district that provides entertainment, eclectic cultural amenities and
diverse retail options for Downtown residents and visitors to one of
Los Angeles' most remarkable historic areas, while serving as a central
focus for revived downtown streetcar transportation.

Many details can be found on www.bringingbackbroadway.com

The items that are of most interest to our building are, naturally, the
cleaning up of Broadway - all the way down to Olympic,
removal/replacement of signage and they intend on bringing back the
streetcars.

Best regards,

Bill

Bill Cooper
The Loft Expert!
www.TheLoftExpertGroup.com

Bring Back Broadway Kick-Off / Press Conference

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:28:00 +0000

Schultheis, Herman
SPNB Collection, Los Angeles Public Library

cjanebuy's photos

Please read this invitation from Tara:

Hi there,
Most who know me know that I have been involved with the Broadway
Theatre District revitalization efforts for sometime. I am very
excited to announce that the initiative is now being taken to the
next level by Councilmen Jose Huizar and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
I hope you can join us for this very exciting event to announce the
City's involvement in Broadway's revitalization and what their plans
are to move it forward. The event is open to anyone who is interested
so bring your friends!

Please RSVP with the names and number of people in your party to
Trisha.Fleming@lacity.org or 213-978-3020

Best Regards,
Tara Jones Hamacher

BRINGING BACK BROADWAY KICK-OFF / PRESS CONFERENCE
Monday, January 28
arrival 9:30am
press conference at 10am (reception to follow)
Los Angeles Theatre 615 S. Broadway

Please share this with interested downtowners. All are welcome -- we
appreciate RSVPs so we can plan accordingly for the reception.

Hope to see you there!

Bill

Bill Cooper
The Loft Expert!
www.TheLoftExpertGroup.com

Flexcar is Car Sharing - with a Green Option

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:00:00 +0000

I just got a disappointing email from Zip car saying that they are no longer offering car sharing in Los Angeles except on college campuses. So after they bought out Flexcar (merged as they called it) they got rid of all the cars without any warning at all.

Screw you Zipcar and the shared car you drove in on!

We had gotten rid of our second car and since November we were happy monthly members of Flexcar. There was an announcement of a happy merger in January. We got our new Zipcards from Zipcar and were shocked to find out that fees had tripled. We begrudgingly joined because it was still better than owning a second car, barely. Then a few days later we got this email canceling the service in LA except for colleges. You haven't made any friends in LA Zipcar.
-In loving memory of Flexcar
Z.

11/30/07, 11:29 AM
~~I wanted to share a very cool service that has started around the country for vehicle sharing.~~ You can rent a car from Flexcar by the hour. It works great if you work from home and don't drive much but once or twice a week you need a car to run an errand because public transpo in LA is a joke.

The best deal I found was to get a membership which costs $30 a month and the cars cost $3 per hour. So a typical run to the grocery store and a friends house for 4 hours would cost $12. That includes gas, insurance and maintenance!

If you think you'll use a car less than twice a week you might go with no membership. The cars will range from $6 to $10 per hour. So for the occasional user that might work best.

GOING GREEN with Flexcar or Without

So that's cool but you also want to be environmentally responsible for the emissions you are pouring into our atmosphere. Flexcar has teamed up with TerraPass to offer a CO2 offset. On their website you can enter your car model and estimated driving range which will give you an estimated pounds of C02 you are putting out. You can pay them to help fund an offset to those emissions and you can sleep soundly at night knowing that you've helped future generations with a serious climate challenge.
Z.

Two local events to support

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:21:00 +0000

YOU'RE INVITED
Open House at Loft Appeal
Meet & Greet
Senior Lead Officer Mike Fernandez L.A.P.D.

You are invited to meet Senior Lead Officer Mike Fernandez, L.A.P.D.
One of the Police Officers in Downtown who is making a difference in
our area.
Come enjoy food and drink, and learn what's going on in Downtown,
and learn how to channel any concerns you have through the Los
Angeles Police Department.
Mix & Mingle with other residents and business owners, and city
officials.
"Together we can make Downtown a better place to live"

When: January 29, 2008 6 P.M.
Where: LOFT APPEAL
903 S. Hill St .
Downtown Los Angeles , CA . 90015
Corner of 9th & Hill, 3 blocks East of Ralph's
RSVP to 213 629 9105
Or via email to loftappeal@sbcglobal.net

Food will be Compliments of COLORI KITCHEN
Located at 429 W. 8th St. at Olive,
Just 4 doors West of Golden Gopher
213 622-5950

Downtown Flea Market
Beginning Sunday January 20, 2008, the brand-new South Park Flea
Market will transform a parking lot at 8th and Grand into a weekly
open-air bazaar.

Phillip Dane, the organizer behind the Fairfax Flea Market (also known
as the Melrose Trading Post), has organized the Downtown venture.
Assuming the South Park market finds the success of its more
established Fairfax counterpart, the flea market will be a draw not
only from the local community but from Eastside, Central and South LA
neighborhoods as well.

visit www.southparkfleamarket.com for details.

From Robert Armstrong

Welcome Hunters LA

noreply@blogger.com (ken duncan) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:58:00 +0000

On Sunday, I headed to Chinatown to check out a six month old clothing store located at 454B Jung Jing Rd. called Welcome Hunters (www.welcomehuntersla.com). The owners, Robin and Jason, are extremely laid back, and willing to tell you all about the designers that they carry. Almost every line in the store is exclusive to the US. Whether it's the latest designer from Stockholm or London they have something for everyone (men, women, or unisex). I scored a pair of dress socks from a Paris designer that are keeping my toes warm right now.

** LA Weekly is doing a piece on them so get there before it's discovered by the hipsters in neighboring Silverlake and Echo Park.

If you want to make a day of it, than check out Via Cafe around the corner for noodles and Munkey King for collector toys. And of course, buy yourself a Buddha statue for your Zen garden.

Downtown LA City Hall Christmas Tree

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:38:00 +0000

"Listen. For a dress like that, you've got to start laying plans when you're about thirteen." Guess the Movie..

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:00:00 +0000

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

Charles Brackett (written by) and
Walter Reisch (written by) ...
more

Release Date:

21 January 1953 (USA) more

Genre:

Drama / Film-Noir / Thriller more

Tagline:

Marilyn Monroe and "Niagara" a raging torrent of emotion that even nature can't control!

A Night Under the Stars at the Roosevelt

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:37:00 +0000

Here are some Roosevelt Pool People lounging by the pool. There's a party at the Roosevelt Saturday Night October 13 but you will have to RSVP. The info is below.
Z.

Best of Downtown Special: A Night Under The Stars @ The Roosevelt | Sat. Oct 13

The Roosevelt is pleased to invite you to a special gala event in celebration of the LA Femme Film Festival. For those interested in the very Best of Downtown, this is an event not to be missed.

Admittance is by invitation only, and requires a confirmed RSVP. Sign in now in now to submit your information for this exclusive Downtown party.

Hercules Goes 130 mph on a Mountain Bike - Breaks World Speed Record

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:06:00 +0000

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/speed-record/hercules-hits-1307mph-on-a-bicycle-305161.php

Upcoming Events at the Orpheum This Week

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:28:00 +0000

Sunday October 7, 2007
Buffalo Killers 7:00 PM
The Black Crowes
Show Time 8:00 – 11:00 pm
Tickets through Ticket Master.

Saturday October 13, 2007
Devendra Banhart
With Special Guest Hecuba
Show Time 9:00 pm

Sunday October 14, 2007
Aid for AIDS benefit “Best in Drag”
Pre-Party begins at 5:30 pm
Show Time 7:00 pm
For more info go to aidforaids.com

Orpheum Theater

Blue Velvet's First Halloween Ball Wednesday October 31st.

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:22:00 +0000

Carnival, Moulin Rouge, turn of the century themed party. Regular menu will be served and DJ will play throughout the evening as guests move into the lounge for continued fun and cocktails.

Blue Velvet

Blue Velvet Sushi Event Friday October 5th

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 05:17:00 +0000

Friday, October 5th – Corporate Executive Chef, Mat Clouser and Master Sushi Chef, Kiyomi Sano of Kenichi Restaurant (locations: Aspen, Dallas, Austin and Kailua-Kona ) will join forces with Blue Velvet's Chef Kris Morningstar for one evening. It will be an evening of great sushi dishes along with Blue Velvet's regular menu and a couple of surprises throughout the evening. Wine/Sake/Cocktail pairing for the various courses.

Blue Velvet

Grand Avenue Festival 2007

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:50:00 +0000

Here are some pics. We sampled food from Noe which we really enjoyed.
Z.

Giant Village? Saturday Sept. 29th 8:00pm

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:43:00 +0000

I hear that the evening news reported, a bunch of people over-dosed and went to the hospital -- fun, fun!
Z. 10/1/07

There's a big rave going on right now. near 9th and Figueroa.

"Keep away from the windows. Somebody might... blow you a kiss. " Guess the movie...

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:42:00 +0000

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:
Mickey Spillane (novel)
A.I. Bezzerides

Release Date:
18 May 1955 (USA) more

Genre:
Thriller / Film-Noir / Crime more

Tagline:
"I don't care what you do to me, Mike - just do it fast!"

Chinatown Moon Festival Saturday Sep. 29th 2-8 pm

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:11:00 +0000

Annual Chinatown Moon Festival in Central Plaza presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Free entertainment and moon cakes samples. For information: call (213) 617-0396 x 10 or visit www.lachinesechamber.org.

Grand Avenue Festival Sunday Sept. 30th

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:24:00 +0000

This Sunday!
Z.

Grand Avenue Festival

Sunday, September 30, 2007
11am to 5pm
Grand Avenue (between Temple and 5th Street)
Downtown Los Angeles
FREE Admission

Discover Downtown Los Angeles for the best in arts & culture!

Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the cultural heart of Downtown LA as theaters, concert halls, museums, and other attractions along Grand Avenue join together and offer a free and unbeatable day of entertainment.

The 2nd Annual Neighborhood Music Festival Sat. Sept. 29th

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:20:00 +0000

This Saturday!
Z.

On Saturday, September 29th, 2007, The 2nd Annual Neighborhood Music Festival will bring an avant-garde musical line-up to the greater Los Angeles area. Designed to give emerging indie artists a platform to flaunt their unique, pioneered sounds, DIM MAK Records and Stake Productions have joined forces to showcase a broad range of ground-breaking talent before a trendsetting, tastemaking audience.

Featuring The Faint, Mickey Avalon, Spank Rock, DJ AM, Steve Aoki, Crystal Castles, A-Trak, Kid Sister, Flosstradamus, Shit Disco, Amanda Blank, Santo Gold, Aaron LaCrate, Guns and Bombs, Them Jeans, Royal Rumble, Young Americans, Funeral Party, Brother Reade, Andre Legacy, Dirt Nasty, Lucky I am, Squeak E Clean, DJ Sin plus Special Guest Performances To Be Announced.

For more information, please visit: www.NeighborhoodMusicFest.com

Jessica Biel to Play Wonder Woman in Justice League of America

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:40:00 +0000

Speed Racer First Look

noreply@blogger.com (z) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:00:00 +0000

Summer 2008 Release

Art Deco Palace

Blackstone work begins

Flyaway Bus

LA Times, Timothy Rutten writes back...

Broadway Revitalization as compared to Blade Runner

Downtown Recreation and Parks Meeting January 30th

Bringing Back Broadway

Bring Back Broadway Kick-Off / Press Conference

Flexcar is Car Sharing - with a Green Option

Two local events to support

Welcome Hunters LA

Downtown LA City Hall Christmas Tree

"Listen. For a dress like that, you've got to start laying plans when you're about thirteen." Guess the Movie..

Director:

Writers:

Release Date:

Genre:

Tagline:

A Night Under the Stars at the Roosevelt

Hercules Goes 130 mph on a Mountain Bike - Breaks World Speed Record

Upcoming Events at the Orpheum This Week

Blue Velvet's First Halloween Ball Wednesday October 31st.

Blue Velvet Sushi Event Friday October 5th

Grand Avenue Festival 2007

Giant Village? Saturday Sept. 29th 8:00pm

"Keep away from the windows. Somebody might... blow you a kiss. " Guess the movie...

Robert Aldrich

Writers:Mickey Spillane (novel)A.I. Bezzerides

Release Date:18 May 1955 (USA) more

Genre:Thriller / Film-Noir / Crime more

Tagline:"I don't care what you do to me, Mike - just do it fast!"

Chinatown Moon Festival Saturday Sep. 29th 2-8 pm

Grand Avenue Festival Sunday Sept. 30th

The 2nd Annual Neighborhood Music Festival Sat. Sept. 29th

Jessica Biel to Play Wonder Woman in Justice League of America

Speed Racer First Look

Writers:
Mickey Spillane (novel)
A.I. Bezzerides

Release Date:
18 May 1955 (USA) more

Genre:
Thriller / Film-Noir / Crime more

Tagline:
"I don't care what you do to me, Mike - just do it fast!"