Faces of Downtown - Roger Gendron

I moved to downtown in 2004 because I needed a large loft. Aside from the architecture and the multiple art and entertainment venues, the city lifestyle and great restaurants, the best part is the people that make the community. The community is real in the downtown neighborhoods. I like real. I came out of necessity and am staying out of love.

Downtowners really do have many stories to tell. Great idea for a post, and I can't wait to read what else you've got!

Rich beat me to the punch, but I've got to say it too... What a fantastic idea for a series! I'm already addicted!! The way I see it, you will not only be showcasing the variety of downtown residents, but will also be highlighting one of our best traits: How much we care about our community. We have ideas and dreams, we're working together, and we're creating downtown's renaissance – not responding to it.

We have all dealt with people who are shocked that we live downtown, we've all got interesting (and, often, pretty deliberate) reasons for moving here, and – for better, not worse – we've got a good idea about where it's going because it's been happening all around us.

Thanks, blogdowntown.

jeannine - could you define "a really long time"?

To me the old timers are anyone who was here before the drug dealers were driven away. It's the biggest turning point in years around here. That happened in October 2006.

It's LA, right? so a really long time is someone who has been here longer than a two or three years. I didn't want all the features to be residents that just moved in. so far I have a lot of great people, but the more the merrier.

I have seen the entire circle of life in Downtown. From the Downtown of my childhood to Barker Brothers where in 1971 I bought my first furniture, to moving to Downtown in 2000. The first 'cool' spot to drink coffee and hear poetry was the coffeehouse on the 2nd flooe of the Bradbury building (1970-75). I am so happy to see the old Downtown of memory turn into the New Downtown of my experience. We are all participating in something very good.

Don Noyes-More, Editor in Cheif, DTLAL Magazine

I think this is a very good idea. Too much of blogging activity is focused on things. The interview technique also allows the subject to speak for themselves. Although, you'll have to be careful and make sure your subjects have an interesting story to tell. This should also drive traffic, too.

I also hope the selection of subjects will be reflective downtown beyond the hipster set. Downtown is a large and complicated place. Hopefully, the subjects will reflect this reality.

To me, to be an old timer means you were there at the speakeasy when it was called Inshallah back in the days before Gallery Row, when nobody believed it would or could actually happen. Only those with the "coin" know what I'm talking about.

To me, to be an old time means you've spent the night on the street.

to me, to be an old timer means you've peed on the street.

Wonton: I ain't gonna eat at your house. No way!

Jeannine, Thanks for giving a face and voice to the people who live here. The LA times reports broad trends from an arm's length and gets it wrong every time. This type of series reflects the faces and lives that make up our unique neighborhood.