12/6: Old Bank District Block Party to Let Downtowners Play in the Streets

Tom Gilmore is incredible. He tastefully builds all his buildings, he contributes to the community with the businesses in his buildings, and now this.

I wish the other major buildings would also do the same. The Historic is quickly becoming a destination and we need more owners like this.

It looks like Main is closed between 4th and Winston, not all the way down to 5th.

Won't it be cool if they made it snow on Main street, or Persian Square one year. Real snow with the snow blowers. Imagine how much foot traffic the place would have.

Outstanding! These are the things that build community and a sense of place. Between Cole's opening that afternoon and the OBD party that night, it'll be an amazing day. Congrats to people like TG for his vision and his contributions to the neighborhood.

Ya know, this actually sounds like a lot of fun. I may actually leave my warehouse for this one!

DAMN, I just realized that I'm in NYC that weekend. Save some good art for me!

Truly inspiring to see how Tom Gilmore goes out of his way to take care of his little corner of downtown.

Can't wait to see how Barry Shy tries to one-up him!

Thats exactly what we need. Can someone send a memo to Barry Shy and the Shlomofs?

We need the rest of the street of Main and Spring to be spruced up a bit.

I will definitely be there! I was hoping DOwntown would have community Holiday events! yay! I hope everyone finds the time to bring a toy to the Midnight Mission.

10% of Gilmore's procedes will be donated? Is he running the bar in the alley too? Hmmmm.......it looks as if Tom and Trish will still be making money on this event.

In either the short or the long run, everything Tom and Trish do is about the profit.

Well, he is a business person. But just because there is profit involved, doesn't mean it isn't a good thing for the community.

Enlightened self-interest is a very good thing.

I heard it was 10% of GROSS sales that are going to go to the charities. Seeing as most restaurants only make 10% profit after payroll, food costs, insurance, mortgage, etc - that looks to me like all profit goes to charities. Besides, why hate?

I think it's a beautiful thing - giving back to the community with a FREE block party. I used to go to Sunset Junction when it was free and think it's criminal that they charge $20 to get in so that you can spend more money on the vendors and food and drinks. This event is very noble to make it accessible to all.

I, personally, can't wait!

I'm definitely looking forward to it! Should be lots of fun!

Oh, you'll have lots of fun and it is partly for a good cause. Just don't drink any of that snake oil Tom and Trish are dealing from the trunk of their car. It's toxic.

So, EP, I am so glad to hear that you will be donating all of your earnings this holiday season to charities. That's so admirable. If only everyone else downtown could follow your example.

"This event is very noble to make it accessible to all."

Noble?

Great PR for current and future loft renters, for sure! One of the few holiday-seasoned events downtown that doesn't force you to ice skate on a rink the size of an ice cube, definitely! Something to distract diners at Rocket Pizza that the food is mediocre, hellz yah. An overhead display that's prettier than a spinning, crystal unicorn, hands down.

But noble, it ain't.

"This event is very noble to make it accessible to all."

Come to think of it, just how accessible to all is it? Gilmore has banned one homeless man who serves on the Downtown neighborhood council from all of his properties. Will other homeless area residents also be denied entry? Sure, Chrysalis, The Salvation Army and the Midnight Mission will be benefitted, but will those people served by these agencies be allowed into the party?

I'm sorry 'EP', but would you like to go back to the way things were in Downtown, say 10 years ago? I think what Gilmore is doing is great considering that it's not costing you or me one extra penny, and i'm pretty sure something like the lights or the block party isn't cheap. At the very least he and his company is trying to make the neighborhood a more livelier place. Why not just enjoy it?

Noble? Yeah, I agree 'Well, I wouldn't go that far', it's not noble. Putting up lights won't exactly save a life by giving blood or throwing down a jacket across a puddle of water for a distressed lady. But, everyone knows that Gilmore has done everything possible to help out the community, especially the homeless. For example, a good number of his employees are from Chrysalis, many of whom turn out to be success stories. Conceivably, there will be and have been individuals who take advantage of situations or people, particularly generous men and women like Tom. Let me assure the public though, Gilmore isn't a god; however I think he's doing something that in a hundred years, people will look back and respect him tremendously.

"But, everyone knows that Gilmore has done everything possible to help out the community, especially the homeless. "

er.....sure he has! I certainly hope the homeless DLANC representative who has been banned from all Gilmore properties weighs in on this post. Trust me, Skeptic, you won't be seeing him in the bank building on party night. He's not allowed in because of orders given by Tom and Trish!

Hey EP, who is the homeless individual you refer to? And who are you? Stop being such a coward. Name names. Heckling is infantile.

HI, all:

Please keep in mind that the homeless individual of which you write may not want his name tossed around within the context of his homelessness. It reduces him to merely a "have not."

Power of access automatically springs up here and this should be more obvious.

While we sit in our warm homes playing defender of the disenfranchised and Gilmorocide, a homeless person doesn't have the opportunity to engage in this discourse until, say, the Public Library re-opens on Saturday.

I agree, Dino. That's why I am not giving out his name. He needs time to hear about this and to find a computer. I will say, however, that he is an elected member (as of the June election) of the DLANC and is homeless. Any DLANC member knows who he is. Hopefully one of those members will alert him to this discussion.

This man can explain why Tom and Trish banned him from all Gilmore properties, including the bank. The reason why makes Gilmore's party efforts on behalf of the homeless hypocritical.

He's a hardworking man who is popular in the Historic Core. He often works from sunrise to sundown and many know, trust and respect him. You know him personally, Bert Green. You've even hired him to work for you. Why play dumb? You could name him yourself if you weren't into silly games.

Dino, I agree. Bert Green is being insensitive. Let's give the homeless representative time to read this and find a way to respond.

EP, I am tired of your nonsense. You are the perfect example of someone that complains to no end but really does nothing himself to help the cause.

Wake up and be more realistic. Is everyone on this blog suggesting that Tom Gilmore is Santa Claus, flying around on a sled, climbing down chimneys, and giving away free presents? NO.

But I do believe that he is doing something that will help downtown develop into a better community. Of course this is a business and Gilmore needs to make money, but at the same time its going to help DTLA's growth.

What we need less of is property owners who simply care about their rent income like those on Broadway who destroy their buildings and leave Downtown in a state of disarray.

LA, I can live with your tiredness. Let's just wait until the homeless guy abused by Gilmore has a chance to write in. It will inform everyone about how much Gilmore cares for flashy PR events like the party and how little he really cares for the feelings and rights of the homeless.

EP, this is quite tiresome. You are grandstanding to make some point about Gilmore using a "homeless individual" as a pawn in YOUR game of character assassination. Then you accuse me of being insensitive?

I am not that interested in you naming that person, but in you naming yourself. Hiding and accusing people of nefarious things is childish. Most of us here know each other and do not hide our identities from each other.

Do you really know the full story behind Gilmore's "banishment" of this person? Yes, I do know who it is, and I am not asking anyone to identify him, it is YOU who needs to step forward.

Let's just say that the situation is very significantly more complicated than is being portrayed here.

Either EP is uninformed of all the details, or is purposely leaving them out. This should not be a conversation about a subject that has little bearing to the block party.

Either attend and enjoy it, or choose not to attend.

And there are always many many social service needs and opportunities to get involved. Maybe using the time to commit to that change can also be helpful.

Russell Brown

"who is the homeless individual you refer to? "--Bert Green 11/27 "I am not asking anyone to identify him."--Bert Green, 11/28

"Most of us here know each other and do not hide our identities from each other." This post has comments from LA, Skeptic's Skeptic, I Wouldn't Go That Far, Believer, Susana, Yea!, Bravo Tom, Seb, bromike666 and Me...and EP.

The DLANC rep banned by Gilmore will soon post a comment here. He will state "all the details."

I will be attending the holiday event escorted by the banned DLANC rep.We will be entering the Old Bank Building together and we plan to have a drink in Harlem Alley. Bert, I'm sure we'll run into you by the bar. You'll know my identity then.

So why was the guy banned from this event? I'd like to attend this but I'd like to hear the full story before I decide.

Hey EP, I just got off the phone with Henry Proctor, the person you claim to be speaking for, and he knows nothing about your post, your plan to attend the party with him, or your plan to have him post anything here.

Go back under your rock.

He was not banned from the event. That's a lie.

Nice try, Bert, but it's not Henry Proctor. I'll see you at the holiday event!

its a FREE community event..great for us! I hate people that bitch and moan, seriously and honestly be grateful- don't be debbie downer. -enough said.

You know, I totally agree, loveandhatela. Let's all let go of old grudges, past basishments and snooty gallery owners and have fun! I have my holiday finery picked out and I hope you do too. Just look for the person on the arm of someone who hopefully will be welcomed back into the fold.

Like lonely pilgrims leaving the manger, we'll be high-stepping back into the palace!

.......and if you see me under the mistletoe, darling, be sure to toss a kiss my way....and save one for my escort too! Oh, let the fun begin!

EP, this is all BS. You have a personal beef with Gilmore, so you use other people, spread lies and call me names to further your agenda of slander against Tom and Trish. Chickenshit tactics. Time to grow up.

Bert, whether you're naughty or nice, I have you on my dance card. My escort and I will see you at the party!

Hi everyone, henry proctor here. just wanted to weigh in a little with this discussion. I have been aware of the party and wont be going. I do not feel comfortable at events sponsored by the gilmores, and this is a result of an altercation between tom and myself dating back to a year a go at sally daliges store. He was very verbally abusive toward myself and Mary, a employee at the store. He will not allow me to work in any of his properties, though previous to this I worked in 6 units in both buildings. This however is not a situation thats new, nor does it really need any additional discussion. The man can do as he pleases here, and so can I, as I have replaced the revenue I lost with other customers who treat me with more respect and we are all glad to not deal with him or his minions. I hope you all enjoy yourselves, and dont make a choice based on this, as I will make a choice to be with people who enjoy my company,and I dont need anything else.

Sounds like another great event downtown. See you all there!

Anyone not fully dressed will not be admitted, or anyone with boxing gloves.

This sounds like a great event- I really think the Christmas lights that TG put up on Main St. look awesome. I wish there was more spirit like that up near me (Higgins). OBD/Historic Core/Gallery Row is such a fun place to live, and TG's restaurants and events help make it.

Now my only concern is what is a cool toy or two to bring for the Mission- I'm kind of out-of-the-loop on that one.

The Midnight Mission will be accepting toys at their booth. With the recent downturn in the economy and the high rate of foreclosures, more families have been coming in to the Mission for help. I feel that providing a child with a toy will bring much joy and a break from hard circumstances. When I was a child we were very very poor and I remember that LAPD came by our neighborhood and gave us baseball cards and had us sign up for a free trip (transportation provided) to Knotts Berry Farm. YOu cannot imagine how wonderful and special it made me feel since we could not afford to buy gifts or any similar outing. I know it's not much to donate a toy but I know that young children will definitely appreciate having a doll to hold near or a whatever you might give them to treasure.

I will definitely be at the party along with my family. I could care less what politics or self-interests are behind the organization of this event, I will enjoy it for what I make of it.

Thank you Tom Gilmore for realizing that Downtowners want a sense of community. The lights are awesome! :)

Erica and I are very much looking forward to participating in the artists' bazaar with her semi-precious jewelry.

Tom is a complete ass , but I still love him. And I will be attending in drag. That is if someone can help me get dressed up in drag.

Bert know of anyone. I am just psissed off at the whole world right now and coming to the party in drag would be my way of flipping off the world!!!!

So all Tom Gilmore is interested in is making money ? What do you think the Macy's Thanksgiving parade is all about ? So, please think of the fringe benefits.

Manny

Yay, my trip t NYC is changed to Sunday so I will be at the party. I can't wait to see the lights, the art and then watch y'all verbally bitch slap each other senseless. Please don't start until we get there and save us some good art.

Re: toys for the Midnight Mission.

The representative of the Midnight Mission has asked that we bring toys for teenagers and tweens - such as sporting goods like basketballs, soccer balls, tennis rackets and backpacks, notebooks, etc. It turns out that plenty of people bring toys for kids and the teens are left out at the end. If we could support the teens that would be the greatest! Unwrapped toys are the best.

Thank you, everyone! Looking forward to seeing you all there!

LATANYA----

Do you know if they are taking clothes (sweaters) as gifts for the teen group? I bought extra clothing for Xmas gifts and I thought it would be nice to be able to include those. Im not sure since they are supposed to be unwrapped gifts??

Susana - I'm not sure. It seems like a great idea but to be sure, you can always contact Midnight Mission. Their website is http://www.midnightmission.org/ or you can call 213-624-9258 ext 1335

Thank you!

Can I make any food donations there?

WOW - all you people are such a bunch of suckers & hypocrites... After all the filming that mucks up the area (you bitch & moan, of course) for their own profit, then you fall prey to this Svengali (Gilmore) who's also doing this for his own profit (he owns all the businesses which will benefit). But do you guys bitch about this? NOOOOO - why? Because you all think this is a party and you'll get laid or get some booze... what about the rest of us who will be inconvenienced by the street closures and the all-night revelry which will keep me awake. At least when the film companies come here, I can extort them for money and nice hotel room for the inconvenience. Who's gonna pay for my vacation and hotel room for this crap?? Gilmore? I think not. Keep smiling and nodding, suckers - but don't worry about the probe you feel from behind.

Ummm. I'm just coming to stare at the lights.

You people are so easy. Gilmore has his boy ruuning the BID, theyve got a bunch of unqualified minions over there acting like they got real power (most of whom, curiously enough don't live downtown like Justin Weiss), calling themselves a "private government", deciding how to split the downtown loot between Gilmore and Cedd Moses, running block parties amidst all of his businesses, and harming small entrepreneurs like the people at Bar 107.

Someone throws a party and you think its all for the downtown vibe? You hear Britneys lighting the tree at LA LIve? Hehehe..if downtown grows like we all think its going to, wait til you see what happens when the big conglomerates come. From Elevate to every other bar/lounge/club downtown hoping the likes of Britney would grace their failed concepts and in one little swoosh these guys got her lighting their trees! The BID is handing loot and power to their biss so that when the multinational biggies come , he will have preserved a stake. When the financial district spreads east and your lofts are 2500 a month, will you still be celebrating the growth of downtown. When the anti homeless laws turn into mandatory yuppie laws will you still be in? Keep doing the bidding of the BIDDY and see what happens when it requires 12000 votes not 21 to get on the DLANC. All someone has to do is throw ye a party on the streets and hide their true ambitions and you get a sense of community. Roll over to visit the biggest accomplishment you've been talking about for years so excitedly and tell me which Ritz unit you'll be taking. You like Cedd Moses and his cool, chill, down-to-earth bars? Well, get your ass ready for Brent Bolthouse. Im sure he'll have a big welcome mat for all you downtown dwellers! Plenty of Pabst Blue Ribbon on sale...yep, i can see the donations to the Midnight Mission and Art Walk participation coming a block away. Walk over and see where you fit in the rand schema of this great boom. Nevermind the poor little entrepreneurs who have tried to carry the weight of the community in terms of lifestyle options...they'll get what they deserve in no time. They got their big BID grand opening and nothing else after that. Nope. The good news is that you're going to have a new appreciation for some of your least favorite places! Yep. See when Brent Bolthouse invites his a-list people to downtown protected by the velvet rope, and the conga room gets the A- list, your favorite doorman will fill your favorite lounge with B listers from all over the city. "Sorry, private oarty tonight, guys". You can hear it now. All of a sudden, the entrepreneurs who you left behind after they created your vibe whne this place was dark and dingy will be your best friends. You'll be in the Redwood, 107, and Hanks complaining about all of the outsiders coming in. You'll be crying because you love Broadway Bar but can't get in. Britney lighting the tree is not a sign that things are turning for the worse. Its a reminder that downtown LA is still part of LA. Its a reminder that you better do NOW what Tom Gilmore is doing: consolidate your power and claim your stake. Cuz in no time soon, they're coming. Britney is just a symbol for who the downtown development is for and who the BID is doing outreach to get. Hope you had a blast!

Thats the awesome part about downtown man.

Theres always going to be a area thats affordable, just move 5 blocks one way, and prices will drop. Its just how dense housing is. If historic dist prices go up - just move to chinatown.

so . . what you saying is that Downtown is doomed and there is nothing we can do about? I think your wrong. If anything, it is becoming a much more affordable place to live, and more people living here is a good thing. Good for small businesses too.

And block parties are great fun.

Downtown is becoming "much more affordable to live"?

Uhh... for whom?

@Imagine that... As always you are 100% correct. Maybe people will finally understand why I never wanted ANY services to come to Downtown. I used to bitch about the Brewery Artwalk back in the 80's for the same reason and look what happened there.

Exposure = more people, more people = higher prices, higher prices = Starbucks. Starbucks = crappy coffee. And I sure as hell didn't move downtown to drink crappy coffee!

FYI, next year my building's new annex and swimming pool will be opening. I wonder how long it'll be before the neighbors force Mr. Cartoon and the LA Gun Club to move away because it's not an appropriate atmosphere for children?

I was really excited about coming to this event until I started reading the comments. People behind the scenes should find another place to blog these issues. (or put general event info somewhere else) I'm happy that I don't know any of you so when I attend I'll still have a great time.

We live in a capitalist society. Its a reality. Its good marketing for whomever this Tom and Trish people are. But it also give us unassuming citizens an opportunity to enjoy the holidays and give to charities. Everyone wins.

The comments are not appropriate here, as this link is how a friend invited me, and it makes one shy away from attending. Consequentlty, less people to donate gifts to the missions, less people to support the local artists and vendors. Its hurt everyone involved. So, unless the community's attendance and support of this event is indirectly supporting some type of war crimes or grossly inhumane activity...Keep the back end issues off the blogs and let other people searching the event have a chance to enjoy it!

Happy Holidays and Festive Cheer :)

Is the above actually Paris Hilton?

It's eye-opening when people reveal their desire to negate discourse, to the point where she waded through tens of comments.

"But I just want to go to a parteee!"

If someone truly wants to donate gifts, they will make their donation regardless of blog commentary. Otherwise, are they only showing up at a party so that someone sees them putting their wrapped toy into the donation bag?

With sparkles and unicorns,

Brandeee

P.S. Ashlee, Santa doesn't exist. Sorry. : *(

F the politics behind the scenes. The lineup on the main stage is an awesome batch of local music that everyone should enjoy.

I am now heading out to the parteee!

party still going on?

This was a great event and I would just like to thank Gilmore and Associates for the opportunity for us to be involved in it.