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Central Area Weekly Update: October 31, 2009

By blogdowntown Staff — November 02, 2009
3 Comments

Each week Captain Blake Chow, Commanding Officer of LAPD's Central Division, sends out an email to the community. Captain Chow has agreed to let blogdowntown bring his emails to our readers.


Location Managers Say Six of Ten "Hardest to Film" Spots Downtown

By Eric Richardson — November 02, 2009 — 28 Comments

bomb squad entering bank jim Winstead

Downtown Los Angeles has six of the City's top ten "hardest to film" locations, according to a report released on Monday.

On that list is the Farmers and Merchant Bank at 4th and Main, and owner Tom Gilmore finds that interesting. "I find it odd that we are both one of the most filmed locations in Los Angeles and also the hardest to film location in Los Angeles," said Gilmore. "I find that contradictory." — Continued Inside...


Halloween in Grand Hope Park

By Ed Fuentes — November 02, 2009 — 5 Comments

IMGP7715 Ed Fuentes

|Photo Gallery| Costumed Downtown kids and their parents brought some Halloween flair and scare to South Park on Saturday for the Second Annual "Halloween Party for Downtown L.A. Kids," sponsored by the Downtown Center BID, Ralphs and FIDM.

Once again, turnout showed that Downtown does indeed have a younger set. DCBID VP Hal Bastian estimates that 500 children and 600 adults turned out over the course of the night. — Continued Inside...


Politics

Around the Halls: November 2 - 4

By Eric Richardson — November 02, 2009

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Today is Monday, November 2, and the week begins without an obvious blockbuster item. A request to house the Joint Terrorism Task Force inside the new LAPD headquarters moves through committees and Council and the Amerland Group is looking for $20 million in bonds to purchase the Rosslyn Hotel.


Bratton Says His Final LAPD Goodbye

By Ed Fuentes — November 01, 2009

BrattonBye Ed Fuentes

|Photo Gallery| A few days after stepping down as chief, William Bratton returned to the Los Angeles Police Department's new headquarters on Saturday to take care of one last task before waving goodbye.

In a small, informal ceremony, Bratton passed the keys to his briefly-used 10th floor office over to Interim Chief Michael P. Downing.

Bratton, credited with bringing major advances to the department over his seven-year tenure, announced in August that he was leaving for the private sector. His departure came the same week the department dedicated its new home, the 500,000-square-foot Police Administration Building. — Continued Inside...


Roads/Rails

Alzheimer's Walk to Bring Sunday Traffic Impacts

By Eric Richardson — October 31, 2009
1 Comment

Traffic on 6th

California first lady Maria Shriver will lead 4,000 participants in the Alzheimer's Association's 2009 Los Angeles Memory Walk on Sunday morning, bringing traffic impacts for those needing to get into or out of Downtown.


When the Gold Line Extension Opens, Will Downtown Ride?

By Eric Richardson — October 30, 2009 — 34 Comments

Gold Line Eastside Extension Eric Richardson

The six-mile Gold Line Eastside Extension opens on November 15, connecting East L.A. and Boyle Heights to Union Station. The stop nearest to most Downtown residents is the Little Tokyo / Arts District station, at the corner of 1st and Alameda.

On a Friday morning preview ride, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Jose Huizar praised the line and the impact it will have on the eastside. It remains to be seen, though, if those who live Downtown will become regular riders. — Continued Inside...


Arts/Culture

The Spirits of the City Live On at El Pueblo

By Ed Fuentes — October 30, 2009
1 Comment

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Just as Latino culture would feel incomplete without ceremonial skeletons dancing around pan luce this time of year, a city with creaky historical structures would disappoint if there were no whispers that ghosts can be heard. The birthplace of Los Angeles was active this week preparing for Day of the Dead celebrations. El Pueblo will feature community altars...


Everyday

L.A. Live Regal Offering Free Movies on Monday

By Eric Richardson — October 30, 2009
21 Comments

Regal Cinemas L.A. Live

The newly-opened Regal Cinemas L.A. Live takes a slight breather from Michael Jackson showings on Monday, November 2, offering seven flicks free to Downtowners. The screenings are first-come first-serve, and offer big box office summer fare.


50 Years Ago: Bunker Hill Funds Approved

By Eric Richardson — October 30, 2009 — 24 Comments

1960 View of Bunker Hill Plan Los Angeles Examiner / USC Digital Archives

Fifty years ago today, $58 million in federal funding for Los Angeles' 136-acre Bunker Hill redevelopment project was announced, paving the way for the city's redevelopment agency to begin acquiring land.

At the time, Community Redevelopment Agency head Joseph T. Bill told the L.A. Times that "within six years after the land buying begins, all the new buildings on Bunker Hill should be completed." Six, give or take 45 or so... — Continued Inside...