blogdowntown: Life in Downtown Los Angeles (Stories+Headlines)

Memorial Day weekend in DTLA: Beers, yoga and outdoor everything

Hayley Fox — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:52:38 -0700

From Grand Park to Angel City Brewery, this Memorial Day weekend brings plenty of outdoor activities to DTLA. Photo by Hayley Fox/blogdowntown.

The upcoming long weekend coupled with mild May weather, means an abundance of outdoor activities for the long, Memorial Day weekend.

Yoga at Grand Park: Free yoga sessions at Grand Park are now a bi-weekly event, but what better way to relax for the long weekend then a little Friday, lunchtime yoga. The 45-minute sessions on the park's Performance Lawn are built to help you "relax, rejuvenate and reenergize." Bring your own mat if possible. Event on 5/24, goes from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.

HempCon: Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. Billed as America's "largest medical marijuana show" and "largest hemp convention," this three day expo at the Convention Center includes live performances and booths of all kinds. There will also be legal services on hand as well as doctors' evaluations. Event goes from 5/24 - 5/26. Begins at 3 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Angel City Brewery's Food Truck Haven and Memorial Day BBQ: This Downtown brewery begins the long weekend on Saturday at 1 p.m. with a monthly food truck round-up. Brewery owners encourage people to grab a bite at one of the many food trucks and then head inside to wash it down with a beer. Trucks included in this month's event range from Steel City Sandwich, serving an array of meat-heavy sandwiches, to The Surfer Taco, serving fish-focused tortas, tacos and burritos. Event is on 5/25 and goes from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Beer enthusiasts are invited to return to the brewery on Monday for "grills, games and beer." Doors open at 1 p.m. with free sliders and mini hotdogs for the first few hours, and then move on to tacos -- which you have to pay for. There'll be board games galore and the brewery offers "bonus points" to anyone wearing red, white and blue. Event is on 5/27 and begins at 1 p.m.

Street Food Cinema: Although this outdoor movie screening takes place a bit south of Downtown, the trip down Figueroa may be worth it. For the series' debut night they're showing the Corey Feldman classic, "Stand by Me," followed by a musical performance by the real Corey Feldman. The film screening is located in Exposition Park and will be accompanied by food trucks, serving everything from coffee to grilled cheese. Event takes place on 5/25, doors open at 5:30, music starts at 6:30 and the movie begins at 8 p.m.

"Swimming with Sharks" pool party: Located on the roof of The Standard hotel, this pool party includes water guns, music and free jello shots. First 100 RSVPS get in free. Let's just hope the weather report isn't right, and it's in the 80s instead of the 60s. Event takes place on 5/25, from 1 p.m. to sundown

Sunday Sessions: The first in a monthly series, this all-day event at Grand Park features DJs, food trucks and cocktails by DTLA's own Pattern Bar. Admission is free and you can opt to bring your own picnic blanket and lunch if you don't want to purchase goods there. This Sunday's line-up includes Wolf + Lamb with Baby Prince, No Regular Play, Eduardo Castillo, Garth, Jeniluv and Wiseacre. Event takes place on 5/26, from 2:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This is just a list of events to start you off on your weekend planning. Please let us know what you will be doing this Memorial Day weekend, either in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter!

By Hayley Fox.

Skid Row shelter to be named Calif. Nonprofit of the Year

Hayley Fox — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:19:25 -0700

The Downtown Women's Center is being named Nonprofit of the year by the Office of the Governor and CaliforniaVolunteers. The organization has been on Skid Row for about 35 years, providing long-term housing options as well as medical services and vocation Photo by Mae Ryan/KPCC.

The Downtown Women's Center (DWC) will garner some state-wide attention on Wednesday.

The DWC is being named Nonprofit of the Year by the Office of the Governor as well as CaliforniaVolunteers, a state office that oversees service and volunteer programs across the state.

In 2011, the DWC served more than 4,300 homeless women, many of which have been victims of abuse and have physical or mental complications. The center offers long-term housing options as well as medical services, educational classes, hot meals and use of a computer lab.

Cheryl Willard was a victim of domestic violence and has been visiting the Women's Center for more than 13 years. She calls the non-profit a “safe haven.”

"I can’t say enough about this place," Willard told blogdowntown in December. "They taught me working skills, I learned to make jewelry, candles, there’s been journals and they’ve been put in the shop and sold so... yippee! I’ve had a little money in the sack here."

Although the DWC was run entirely by volunteers for its first 14 years, it is now overseen by a variety of paid positions. But volunteers still pay an integral role by cooking meals for the women, leading workshops and teaching vocational skills.

“As more and more women become homeless, DWC is fortunate to have the support of 2,500 volunteers, advocates, and friends who empower our organization to work towards ending homelessness for women,” said Lisa Watson, CEO of the DWC, in a statement.

A total of seven other agencies and individuals will also be receiving state volunteer and service awards on Wednesday, three of which are located in Los Angeles: Reco Sanders Jr. of City Year Los Angeles will be awarded California’s AmeriCorps Member of the Year; Muslims and Jews Inspiring Change (MAJIC) will be awarded California’s Faith-based Organization of the Year; and Power 106 FM will be awarded California’s Small Business Volunteer Program of the Year.

According to 2011 data from Volunteering in America, about 26 percent of Californians volunteer, mostly for religious organizations, educational outlets and social services.

This lands the Golden State at number 37 for volunteering, out of all the states in the U.S. The top state is Utah and number 51 (the list includes Washington D.C.), is Louisiana.

By Hayley Fox.

30 new DTLA surveillance cameras set to launch at the end of the month

Hayley Fox — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:17:29 -0700

LAPD's Central Division is about a week away from launching their new system of surveillance cameras located throughout three Downtown neighborhoods. Photo by Flickr via Waltarrrrr.

The Los Angeles Police Department is working with a contractor to install 30 new surveillance cameras throughout Downtown in an attempt to curb crime in the area. The project was announced at the end of last year and is now about one week away from completion.

LAPD Central Division Capt. Horace Frank said according to the contractor, the project should be up-and-running by May 28.

These new cameras are replacements for the broken ones that hung defunct in Downtown for more than three years. Funded by a federal grant, Frank said the new cameras along with their technological set-up and monitoring system costs almost $300,000.

The cameras will be concentrated in Skid Row, the Fashion District and the Historic Core — "key problem crime locations," explains Frank.

The original cameras were funded by private donors and Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) throughout Downtown, but those cameras weren't adequately maintained or monitored and many eventually stopped working altogether.

This time around, there will be no lapse in operation, said Capt. Frank. The contractor the LAPD is working with has agreed to maintain the surveillance system for free for three years. During that time, Central Division will work to secure funding for future camera upkeep.

So far, 27 of the 30 new cameras are installed. In November, Blogdowntown was told there would be 38 cameras, but Frank confirms that number is actually 30.

Once the installation process is complete, a group of LAPD officers will be trained on how to monitor them. These officers will come from Central Division's Safer Cities Initiative, which deployed 50 extra police officers to Skid Row starting in 2006.

Frank said the cameras will "absolutely" make a difference in Downtown's crime rates by helping officers interrupt crime as they see it occurring, as well as tracking suspects.

By Hayley Fox.

LA Bike Week round-up: Group rides and giveaways celebrate cycling all week

Hayley Fox — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:44:58 -0700

This week is Bike Week in Los Angeles and in addition to group rides and tutorials, the celebration of cycling includes giveaways, freebies and discounts at local shops. Photo by Flickr via cyclotourist.

Metro's Bike Week L.A. began Monday and continues through the weekend in an effort to encourage Angelenos to dust off their two-wheels and ride, for their health and for the environment.

“About 40 percent of all car trips are one mile or less,” Lynne Goldsmith, bicycle program manager for Metro told The Source. “If we can encourage people to make some of those trips on a bicycle, we are helping to reduce road congestion and improve air quality."

Metro is collaborating with other public transit organizations and bike advocacy groups from across L.A. County to put on Bike Week's seven days of bicycle blessings, group rides and incentivizing giveaways.

Wednesday May 15 is Guided Ride Day and Thursday May 16 is Bike to Work Day; if you promise to do so online, you will be entered to win a free commuter bike from REI. Also on Thursday, Metrolink will be offering free rides to any passengers who board with their bike.

But the real freebies come over the weekend with Metro's "Bike Local" event where restaurants, museums, retail stores and more offer deals for participating in Bike Week events.

Peddler's Creamery: This Main Street ice cream store is offering $1 off your sweet treat purchase through Sunday when you mention Bike Week.

Los Angeles Theatre Center: Bike to a performance and save $2 on your tickets from May 17 to May 19.

Angels Flight: Although a ride typically only costs 50 cents, this historic DTLA staple is dropping that price to a quarter this weekend in honor of Bike Week. An excellent excuse to follow up your lunch at the Grand Central market with a very short ride on Angels Flight.

El Maestro Bicycle Shop: Before riding your bike this week, it may be a good idea to get it a check up. Maestro is offering $20 safety checks all week long.

Casey's Irish Pub: With all that cycling you'll be doing this week, a hearty Irish meal washed down with a Guinness may be just what the doctor ordered. And Casey's is offering 15 percent off your bill this weekend in celebration of L.A. cyclists.

Bike Week is after all, about biking, so in addition to all the deals and discounts there will be multiple organized rides throughout the city. The Source reports that that Metro has forged a partnership with Cyclists Inciting Changes Through Live Exchange (C.I.C.L.E.), to lead 20 community bike rides throughout L.A. County over the next two years.

These group rides are intended for all levels of cyclists and are meant to introduce Angelenos to "some of L.A. County’s iconic destinations they might not visit on their own."

“Each ride is led by a trained guide who will not only point out places of interest, but will instruct riders how to negotiate live traffic lanes and bike paths,” C.I.C.L.E Executive Director Dan Dabek told The Source.

But despite all the city's best efforts, the LAist reminds us that L.A. still lags in terms of bike-friendliness. According to Walk Score,, Los Angeles doesn't even rank in the top ten in terms of the most bikeable big cities in the country.

Cities that do make the list include Portland, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Tucson.

For more details on Bike Week events in L.A., visit Metro's website.

By Hayley Fox.

Indian gastropub now open for dinner in DTLA

Hayley Fox — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:05:24 -0700

An Indian gastropub is now open on 2nd and Main streets in DTLA, serving a selection of re-imagined Indian street food. Photo by Courtesy of Badmaash.

Badmaash is now open for dinner at 2nd and Main streets, serving an array of re-imagined Indian street food staples.

Owners Pawan and Nakul Mahendro — a father-son duo — describe menu items in a press release as "classic Mumbai street fare and bar food maash-ups" (pun-intended), which include the Spicy Lamb Burger, Crispy Tamarind Glazed Pork Belly and Hot, Spicy Indian Sausage.

Other Badmaash dishes include the Holy Cow! Keema POW! — a ground beef and pea dish stewed with tomato and cardamom; as well as the Chicken Tikka Masala Poutine that blends the traditional Indian Chicken dish with the Canadian fries, cheese and gravy concoction known as poutine.

The elder Mahendro, Pawan, is also the head chef at Badmaash. He is formally trained in French and Italian cuisine, but spent years travelling India gathering inspiration.

“If Mugambo, the most villainous Bollywood character of all time, and Chef Gordon Ramsey had a love-child inside an erupting volcano, it would be Badmaash,” said son Nakul in a statement. “My father and I are thrilled to finally bring a taste of our Indian heritage combined with our unique approaches to food to the streets of Downtown LA.”

Badmaash is located in the Higgins Building in DTLA and is meant to embody the "approachability" of roadside cafes in Bombay, India, and showcase the "colors, textures, and styling indicative of the owners' Indian roots."

The eatery is two stories with dark wood tables and chairs, brightly colored bench seating and Indian movie posters that decorate one of the dining areas. Badmaash is now open for dinner beginning at 5 p.m. and will begin lunch service next Wednesday.

Dinner menu items range from about $6 for a pair of samosas, to $16 for tandoori shrimp and $11 for a "big and beefy" burger. Badmaash also serves a selection of wine as well as Indian and craft beer.

Badmaash is located at 108 W. 2nd St.

By Hayley Fox.

Urban Outfitters to open in Rialto Theatre, restore marquee

Hayley Fox — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:38:39 -0700

Urban Outfitters will open inside the Rialto Theatre on Broadway. Photo by Flickr via Hana Selly.

Urban Outfitters is making the move to downtown L.A., and plans to fill Broadway's Rialto Theatre with two stories of its hip clothes, shoes, housewares and knick-knacks.

“Urban Outfitters understands the market and knows where Broadway is going, and I thank them for planting their flag and saying they want to be part of Bringing Back Broadway," said area Councilman José Huizar in a statement. "We’re looking forward to Urban Outfitters’ Broadway debut.”

Huizar's office announced yesterday that Urban Outfitters would take over the historic theater, make the necessary renovations and restore the marquee. Murmurings of the retailers move to Downtown were reported by KPCC in September 2012, but no deal was agreed upon until now.

“We had been looking at Downtown L.A. for several years, watching what was happening and where," said John Hauser, Urban Outfitters Chief Officer of Brand Experience, in a statement. “The Rialto movie palace building still has incredible character – you can feel the history when you are there."

Built in 1917, the theater was originally designed to show movies. It included an orchestra pit for up to 25 musicians, balconies on either side of the stage and a lobby finished in marble. The Rialto's marquee was restored in 1930 and is the longest existing historic theatre marquee in Los Angeles.

Although the building has a rich history, Huizar's office explains that the theater has been "gutted through the years" and had little chance of being revitalized as an entertainment venue. So instead, it will open as Urban Outfitters — owned by parent company URBN INC. who also owns retail chains Anthropologie and Free People. among others.

Urban Outfitters has signed a long term lease and is expected to open in early 2014.

To keep tabs on Urban Outfitters' progress as well as other current developments in Downtown, visit blogdowntown's map.

By Hayley Fox.

Metro releases four possible plans for Union Station redesign; asks for public input

Hayley Fox — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:50:56 -0700

Metro will present four plans for Union Station's Master Plan to the public tonight at a community workshop. Photo by Courtesy of Metro.

Tonight at a community workshop in downtown L.A., Metro plans to release four possible plans for the complete overhaul and redesign of Union Station.

These four concepts for the station's Master Plan focus on streamlining the station to make it easier to use and more accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. Metro officials say they want the station to become a "world class" transit hub, which means adding more amenities such as retail and restaurants, and preparing for major transit additions including the High Speed Rail and the Regional Connector.

Union Station was built in 1939 and though the community around it has changed drastically over the decades, the station has stayed pretty much the same. Metro says that currently, about 60,000 people go through the station on a daily basis; by 2020, officials expect that number to reach 100,000.

But the station with it's Art Deco details and grandiose entryways, is an iconic structure in Downtown and has been featured in movies, commercial shoots and real-life weddings.

Some may be wary of any proposed sweeping changes to the building, but Metro says they aim to maintain the structure's aesthetic and history while adapting it to contemporary needs. The original Union Station was built as a succession of buildings and courtyards, which creates an airy feel and allows some natural sunlight in — a feature Metro wants to keep in the redesign.

Over the next few months Metro, with the help of the public, will analyze the four possible designs and hope to have selected one finalist by September. Once they nail down the basic layout of where all the transit elements will go, they can begin planning additional developments for the area that include restaurants, shops, apartments or theaters.

Officials hope that the new Union Station will become a place where visitors can live, work and play, 24 hours a day.

Metro purchased Union Station for $75 million in 2011. Since then, they have been developing a Master Plan to map out a complete overhaul of the station.

Tonight's community workshop is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Aratani Central Hall of the Japanese American National Museum. The museum is located at 100 N. Central Avenue.

By Hayley Fox.

Grand Park kicks off summer with musical 'Sunday Sessions'

Hayley Fox — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:52:13 -0700

Grand Park will host a new Sunday series this summer featuring a rotating cast of DJs. Photo by Andres Aguila/KPCC.

DTLA's summer calendar is beginning to fill up, as Grand Park announces a monthly weekend performance/picnic series that starts at the end of May.

Sunday Sessions will take place on the park's Performance Lawn between Grand Avenue and Hill Street on the last Sunday of the month. Starting at 2 p.m. sunny-day revelers can bring their picnic blankets and set up shop on the grassy knoll to listen to a rotating cast of DJs.

The party will of course include food trucks, and Downtown's own Pattern Bar will be serving up cocktails. The first event kicks off on May 26 with DJs Lamb with Baby Prince, No Regular Play, Eduardo Castillo, Garth, Jeniluv and Wiseacre.

The rest of the summer's schedule includes:

JUN 30: Audiofly / Droog / Eduardo Castillo

JULY 28: Scissor + Thread Showcase with Francis Harris / Bob Moses / Gry and Eduardo Castillo

AUG 25: The Leverage Agency Showcase with Acid Pauli / NU / Eduardo Castillo

Grand Park plans to roll out additional programs this summer as well, including a free weekly boot camp that starts in June and takes place every Tuesday night, and a special 4th of July block party that lasts all day in the 12-acre park.

By Hayley Fox.