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A Sad Farewell

By Eric Richardson
Published: Thursday, August 21, 2008, at 12:36AM

Eric Richardson [Flickr]

Ed interviews LAPD Officer Jeff Wenninger during a September 2007 march down Broadway.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — This is a story that I really didn't want to write. For personal reasons, Ed Fuentes is leaving Downtown and will no longer be writing for blogdowntown.

UPDATE: The script has a new page. Ed's staying put. He explains, in Not Quite "Letting Go" Yet.

Since joining the site on May 26, 2007, Ed's written 270 stories for blogdowntown, and has been an enormous help and resource for me as I've tried to figure out what this site is supposed to become.

Ed leaves some pretty big shoes to fill. I told him this week that I'm probably going to have to find three people to cover the range of events and roles he handled. A couple months ago I had a one-day turnaround to produce a large ad, and called Ed up about it. That afternoon he had a trio of mockups waiting for me, with catchy copy that worked perfectly for what we were trying to do. Who knows how many times I called him up to ask if he'd be up for grabbing a coffee and working through an idea or a drawing up a game plan for how we'd handle upcoming stories.

Ed tried to turn in a resignation, but I wouldn't accept it. blogdowntown's going in a pretty cool new direction right now, and Ed played a big part in that. Maybe I'm just being stubborn, but I think there's still some role left for him to play. For now, we'll just say he's the site's Arts & Culture Editor emeritus.

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Eric Richardson

Ed shoots Ed, as Fuentes grabs a shot of Councilman Reyes at the Dodger Trolley kickoff.

Eric Richardson

A wary looking Ed scopes out the scene around him at the June 2007 GP on Grand.

Conversation

Guest 1

Stephen Friday on August 21, 2008, at 12:50AM – #1

Ed & Eric:

The best to both of you.

Guest 2

Rich Alossi on August 21, 2008, at 12:54AM – #2

Ed,

You've been such a friend and inspiration to me from the start. Your consistent voice in advocating for bloggers and Downtown will never be forgotten. I can only hope that your move isn't permanent.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Guest 3

Jon Toktas on August 21, 2008, at 05:51AM – #3

Ed, You have played a pivotal role in supporting this community. Your efforts as a blogger gave a voice to us who are stuck in auto mode. Furthermore, you exposed places and experiences in downtown that I or many residents would have never had access to. Thank you and best wishes in your future endeavors. If you have some time I would love to treat you and Eric for some eats..

Guest 4

Kathy Richardson on August 21, 2008, at 07:10AM – #4

Ed,

Your passion for downtown has helped spark my own interest in the history, culture, and happenings of the area. Whenever I see you, I am struck by your warmth and humor. You’ve been a special friend, and I will miss you.

Guest 5

monk Turner on August 21, 2008, at 07:44AM – #5

I'm still going to call you the blogdowntown guy when I see you around town.

Guest 6

Urban Bruin on August 21, 2008, at 09:41AM – #6

Ed,

Thank you for kind friendship, you've been such a great ambassador for downtown. We’ll definitely miss your presence at all the local events as you’ve become such a fixture in the community.

Best wishes

Guest 7

Brady Westwater on August 21, 2008, at 10:24AM – #7

Ed -

Your leaving Downtown is unimaginable. Is there anything that can be done to reverse your decision? If this is job related, let the community know so we can see if someone else can match the offer.

Guest 8

Â® on August 21, 2008, at 11:49AM – #8

I want to hear more about this "pretty cool new direction" we're all careening towards. Ed, take care and good luck!

Guest 9

Nic Cha Kim on August 21, 2008, at 03:48PM – #9

Wow... didn't see that one coming. Almost doesn't make sense.

I'm sure you have your reasons, Ed, and best of luck to you and all your endeavors.

Eric, good luck with the site! You're right. You'll need a minimum of 3 people to fill Ed's shoes, but you've never disappointed before. Looking forward to this "new direction."

Guest 10

Benjamin Pezzillo on August 21, 2008, at 04:36PM – #10

Ed,

You embody an enterprising, free spirit I admire and are a true multi-talented individual.

It is sad to hear you are leaving Downtown, I hope you understand both how much you will be missed in the community and how much you have contributed to making Downtown better for everyone.

p.s., If it was the ad I spotted two weeks ago at Union Station it looked great.

Guest 11

iluvhatemail on August 21, 2008, at 05:12PM – #11

Met Ed once on a downtown photo outing, very cool and intelligent guy. Hopefully things will change in the future and he can come back. Until then Good Luck!

Guest 12

Brigham on August 21, 2008, at 06:07PM – #12

Thanks Ed for helping me with that little photography exhibition at Lost Souls last year. It was a small gesture, but I didn't even know you and you helped me out. Thanks again and good luck!

Guest 13

Dennis Smith on August 21, 2008, at 07:17PM – #13

Say it ain't so, Ed!

Both your work and your personal presence touched the hearts of many folks in your years downtown and for that you will be much missed. The best of luck to you!

Guest 14

Chris on August 21, 2008, at 10:22PM – #14

Wow, I must say that Ed will be missed as a very talented member of our community. The best of luck. I have really looked up to him for his contributions and insight in our community. (His pictures and writings were awesome and stood on their own). I will hold the best wishes and positive thoughts for you, Ed. Best wishes!!

Guest 15

Lynxwiler on August 22, 2008, at 12:28AM – #15

Aw crud. Downtown won't be the same without you Ed.

Guest 16

Naomi Hirahara on August 22, 2008, at 06:16AM – #16

Ed is definitely a communications pioneer. I loved his coverage on Little Tokyo and he certainly helped to bridge the gap between the Japanese American community and the different neighboring districts. He will be missed.

Guest 17

Maureen Kahn on August 22, 2008, at 08:12AM – #17

Ed - Though I didn't get to you know you very well in the short time since we met, I know that your creative energy and passion for what you do and how you do it is magical! I'm glad you came into our store that day - when we first opened! Wishing you all the good stuff you want and that it always accompanies you in your travels.

Guest 18

Marc Loge on August 22, 2008, at 08:43AM – #18

Ed and Pam,

Gorsh! I even spoke to you last night at Banquette and you didn't EVEN mention that you were leaving us in downtown! You will truly be missed, my friend! Reading everyone elses comments, I realize you were not only always there for my promotions, but for everyone in downtown you were a true friend. We will all miss you, our "man on the streets". We ALL certainly wish both of you the very best. Please keep us informed on your new ventures. You were a true pioneer in the downtown community.

Guest 19

jim winstead on August 22, 2008, at 08:54AM – #19

it is sad to see ed going, but his silence is deafening. we're just going to have to fill the void with groundless rumors.

i heard that he killed a man for blocking his light.

Guest 20

David Kennedy on August 22, 2008, at 09:40AM – #20

I figure there's a woman involved.

Guest 21

Joe Cornish on August 22, 2008, at 09:58AM – #21

Ed, don't forget the fertilizer. I already found some grow lights.

Ed Fuentes on August 22, 2008, at 10:13AM – #22

Jim: Any prosecuting attorney would certainly use the last photo on this post to identify a man who would hurt an innocent bystander for blocking fill light. The defense would use the above comments to support the rumors that that same man merely reacted in a fit of artistic passion, and wasn't a bad person at all.

I wish I could everyone who commented, emailed or called in person, but only have time to say thank you here. This overwhelming response makes leaving downtown much harder.

I am very glad to know I helped you all make this city a very real community.

Guest 22

marybeth on August 22, 2008, at 10:35AM – #23

thanks ed, for introducing me to the blog a month ago. sorry to see u go so soon! enjoy what's ahead

Guest 23

shannon on August 22, 2008, at 10:42AM – #24

love the hypothesis on ed's situation and joe's comment had me laughing out loud.

ed, i'll always remember our first official face-to-face meeting in the elevator at title guarantee...

i wish you well in your future endeavors

Guest 24

meekorouse on August 22, 2008, at 11:20AM – #25

While I wasn't going to post any comment, I wanted to say that I've enjoyed learning so much about downtown LA and all that is downtown & so much of the photo tips I picked up along the way.

I will still be here, of course, but it's going to be more quiet for me at the cafe without the open air "blogger patio" chats. =) For me, this is the second friend I've lost to new adventures in as many months. Hoping for the very best, of course and that your adventures keep you local.

Sincerely, Pamela

Guest 10

Benjamin Pezzillo on August 22, 2008, at 03:13PM – #26

Why speculate?

It's obvious, he's heading on a new edventure!

But, as a fellow photographer, I must say Ed is a true painter with light so I would not be surprised if Jim's rumor had some basis in reality...

Guest 19

celia on August 22, 2008, at 03:26PM – #27

"Why speculate?"

because done right, it can be fun. and sometimes it can take the edge off a real bummer like, you know, ed leaving downtown.

okay, jim says he probably killed a man, david guesses a woman is involved, and joe hints that they'll be gentlemen farmers up in humboldt.

i think it's all three.

but they can't cuff you if they can't find you, so good luck ed, wherever you're headed. you will be missed.

Guest 25

qathryn on August 22, 2008, at 11:58PM – #28

ok! so now we know Obama's VP????

Guest 26

Nancy-Jean on August 25, 2008, at 03:20PM – #29

Wait.....am I missing something here??? Ed Fuentes is LEAVING Downtown LA?? What is this world coming to? Have we experienced a polar axis shift? Does he know something we don't?? Really, Ed - you are such a fixture in the landscape of Downtown and we will certainly miss you. Your humor, the camera always hanging around your neck...wow. Best of luck to you in all that you do.

Guest 27

Lynn Jeffries on August 25, 2008, at 11:06PM – #30

Hey Ed -

I really enjoyed your performance in Attraction! It was so nice to see you actually IN a Cornerstone show. Sorry to hear that you're leaving the neighborhood. Best of luck to you, and thanks for your support.

Guest 28

Walter Melton on August 26, 2008, at 01:20AM – #31

This is indeed a shocker. I still remember the advice and suggestions you gave me when I first started blogging, along with welcoming me into the Downtown blogging community. Best of luck to you Ed and I wish you much happiness.

Guest 29