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Food/Nightlife

Arts District Food Truck Lineup Posted

By Eric Richardson — February 11, 2010
2 Comments

Arts District Food Truck Lineup Posted

A schedule for the first three days of the Arts District's mobile food court has been posted. The site will see a baker's dozen of trucks over the span, which includes lunch service today, lunch and dinner service Friday and dinner service on Saturday.


Roads/Rails

Streetcar Sends $25 Million Request to Feds

By Eric Richardson — February 10, 2010
15 Comments

Streetcar Sends $25 Million Request to Feds

Get ready to hear more about the Downtown streetcar. The non-profit charged with building a Downtown streetcar today sent off its application for $25 million in federal funding, and later this month will launch an awareness campaign that will place ads on neighborhood bus stops.


History

Philippe’s Patriarch Passes at 94

By Ed Fuentes — February 10, 2010
1 Comment

Philippe’s Patriarch Passes at 94

The former owner of landmark Downtown eatery Philippe's passed away on January 28 at the age of 94. William “Bill” Binder took over the restaurant after he married into the French Dip institution, keeping the menu the same with its main offerings of beef, pork and ham dips.


Art Walk Preview: February, 2010

By Ed Fuentes — February 10, 2010

IMGP2229 Ed Fuentes

February's Downtown Art Walk take place this Thursday, and the night will use the same map that the event debuted in January.

Off the map, though, others are trying to ride on the Art Walk synergy. The mobile food court at Alameda and Traction hopes to attract some gallery-goers on their way in, and an "Art Walk After Party" at Downtown Youth and Culture Center (132 S. Beaudry) hopes to get some folks on the way out.

In the middle, though, is the art. — Continued Inside...


Food/Nightlife

Mac & Cheeza Preps for Art Walk Soft Opening

By Eric Richardson — February 10, 2010
9 Comments

Mac \u0026 Cheeza Preps for Art Walk Soft Opening

Downtown is no slouch when it comes to mac & cheese. Pete's Cafe has always been known for its offering, and more recently entries from the Nickel Diner and South Park's Corkbar have gotten praise. Into that crowded field steps the new Mac & Cheeza, a new offering from the owners of Eagle Rock's Larkin's Joint. The eatery will be having a four-hour...


Camacho's Opens New Cafe on Olvera Street

By Ed Fuentes — February 09, 2010 — 2 Comments

Cafe de Camacho Ed Fuentes

|Photo Gallery| Just in its second week of a soft opening, Café de Camacho is a new coffee house located in Olvera Street's Simpson-Jones building. Situated with a view of El Pueblo's plaza, the eatery is currently serving a start-up menu of coffees and hot chocolates, pastries, and pre-made salads and sandwiches.

The contemporary cafe is a smart addition to the historic complex, sparing customers from tourist trappings and prices. No stranger to Downtown, Camacho's operates Olvera Street's El Paseo Inn and concessions at both Staples Center and Dodger Stadium from a corporate office steps away from the new cafe. — Continued Inside...


Etc

Rainbow Over City West

By Ed Fuentes — February 09, 2010
1 Comment

Rainbow Over City West

Today's storm dropped nearly a half inch of rain Downtown, but this evening the skies cleared and the passing front gave the city a colorful gift. While each year brings its share of rainbows, this evening's stacks up well against any of the more impressive ones I've seen Downtown.


Politics

City Moves Forward on Privatization Deal for Convention Center

By Eric Richardson — February 09, 2010

City Moves Forward on Privatization Deal for Convention Center

As it continues to find ways to close a growing $200 million budget deficit, the City Council today voted to move forward on trying to find a private operator to take over the Los Angeles Convention Center and potentially reduce the roughly $50 million spent annually on the facility. Most of that money goes toward servicing the $480 million in debt remaining...


The Great Debaters of Pershing Square

By Eric Richardson — February 09, 2010 — 5 Comments

Pershing Square Debaters LAPL Photo Collection

The L.A. Times' Steve Harvey yesterday dedicated his Then and Now column to the Long Beach Spit 'n' Argue Club, a group that for 75 years would gather to chew tobacco and debate just about anything.

Harvey includes a mention of Downtown's own debate scene, which for decades was the defining feature of a visit to Pershing Square. — Continued Inside...


Arts/Culture

Animated Basses to Benefit Grammy Music Education Programs

By Ed Fuentes — February 08, 2010
3 Comments

Animated Basses to Benefit Grammy Music Education Programs

|Photo Gallery| String basses with a New Orleans theme, an Enchanted Princess, Dumbo's Pink Elephants, a Cheshire Cat grin, and a Genie were introduced at the Grammy Museum on Thursday. The next time the instruments stand side-by-side will be in the summer when they are auctioned at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas to benefit the Grammy In The Schools music education programs of...