Everyday Living

Little Tokyo to Host National Night Out

By Ed Fuentes — August 03, 2008
4 Comments

National NIght Out, Downtown Style

Downtown’s National Night Out has grown from a 2006 below-the-radar Skid Row weenie roast to summer street parties that engage neighborhoods. Last year, LAPD looked for some back up from the Arts District and the 2007 version became a block party with that attracted over 2,500 people throughout the night. Little Tokyo is another neighborhood that knows how to...


All Hail Downtown

By Ed Fuentes — July 31, 2008
13 Comments

Hail Downtown

It’s the first official day of the six-month Hail-a-Taxi pilot program designed to encourage cab drivers to roam Downtown and Hollywood streets for passengers. This morning, taxis were circling Walt Disney Concert Hall like sharks hoping to be the first ceremonial cab to be hailed from a restricted Downtown Los Angeles curb. The program, called HAT, gives cab...


Images Dog Day Afternoon Brings a Four-Legged Crowd to the Cathedral

By Eric Richardson — July 30, 2008
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Hal Bastian and Scooter

Downtown's dogs were out in force on Tuesday evening, as pets and owners descended on the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the second annual Dog Day Afternoon. Turnout was high, with well over 200 dogs and almost 400 people having RSVP'ed by Tuesday afternoon.


New Signs on Old Main Street

By Ed Fuentes with Eric Richardson — July 29, 2008
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Painted Signs

Work began Thursday on two new signs facing Main street, advertising a productions company and a management firm. One of the painted signs sits up against the detailed and aging Army Navy sign, faded from decades in the elements. Old, fading signage is all around Downtown. It's a beloved part of the streetscape. And that's what makes the impact of these new...


Going for a Shake?

By Eric Richardson — July 29, 2008
31 Comments

Ed and I were on the phone just now when that little 5.8 5.4 just hit. He felt it in the Arts District several seconds before I did in the Historic Core. That makes sense: the quake's epicenter in Chino Hills is east of Downtown. So, how was the ride, Downtown? Anything exciting where you felt it?


Around the Halls: July 28 - 31

By Ed Fuentes and Eric Richardson — July 28, 2008

city hall chambers

It's Monday, July 28th, and most of the Downtown-related items on this first part of the week's Council agenda are ones that we've mentioned before in committee. It's a lesson in how City Hall works: once an item gets to Council, it's basically already over. Committees are where the real action is at.


Tuesday: Dogs and People Invited to Gather at the Cathedral

By Eric Richardson — July 27, 2008
1 Comment

Networking

On Tuesday, Downtowners with or without dogs are invited to show up at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels from 6 - 9pm for the 2nd Dog Day Afternoon at the Cathedral. The event promises quite the doggy social scene. As of earlier today, 164 dogs and 288 people had RSVP'ed for the event, and Downtown Center BID's Hal Bastian said he's hoping to see turnout...


Downtown Lens: Just Be There

By Dave Bullock — July 27, 2008
4 Comments

Condemned House

Downtown Los Angeles is always ready for its close-up. If you count the movies filmed (on a per-frame basis) Downtown is probably the most frequently photographed location in the world. One of my favorite pastimes is walking randomly through Downtown with my camera at the ready. Having a camera hanging over my shoulder inspires me to notice visually interesting...


Angels Knoll Park Still Coming Soon

By Eric Richardson — July 24, 2008
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Angels Knoll Park

When the redone Lower Angels Knoll Park got a delivery of greenery on June 24th, it seemed possible the park might just made its promised June 30th opening date. One month later, a few more plants have made their way into the ground, but there's no sign that opening the park to the public is much of a priority.


Falafel Express Brings Kosher to the Old Bank District

By Ed Fuentes — July 21, 2008
6 Comments

express

Falafel Express opened just over a month ago, but the simple and well executed cafe already seems to have found its place Downtown. During the July Downtown Art Walk, the restaurant planned to extend its hours and find enough customers to stay open until the event's official 9pm end time. Turns out the cafe was filled with gallery goers until 11:30pm. Not...