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Roads/Rails

Tour of California Time Trial Route Released

By Eric Richardson — February 12, 2010
1 Comment

Tour of California Time Trial Route Released

The Amgen Tour of California released details for its final two stages today, including a 21-mile time trial centered on Downtown. While a route under earlier had gone from L.A. Live to the ocean, the final map creates a loop bookended by Exposition Park and the Civic Center.


Art Walk Wrap, February, 2010

By Ed Fuentes — February 12, 2010 — 11 Comments

IMGP5003 Ed Fuentes

|Photo Gallery| For those who [heart] the Downtown Art Walk, the Valentine's Day edition was another night of crowds filling bars, cafes, trucks, and even galleries.

Interestingly, it was easier to look at art during the early part of the evening. It seems like the "party crowd" starts showing up 15 minutes later each month. According to the blogdowntown almanac, for the March Art Walk, the sun will set at 5:56pm and the non-art crowd will wander in around 7:45pm.

Let's take a spin through some visuals from Thursday night.


Creating a Stronger Conversation

By Eric Richardson — February 11, 2010 — 31 Comments

On the blogdowntown masthead, we say that this site is "a conversation about life in Downtown L.A." Over the last five years, you've added roughly 18,000 comments to the stories that have been posted here on the site. Your thoughts have helped to shape the direction of Downtown's development.

Every good conversation needs a few guidelines, though, and tonight we've launched a change to our comment system that I believe will help keep us on the right track as we continue to grow and move forward. — Continued Inside...


Shopping

Elmer Ave Wrapping Up Short Move Across 4th Street

By Eric Richardson — February 11, 2010
2 Comments

Elmer Ave Wrapping Up Short Move Across 4th Street

|Photo Gallery| Just under a year after moving into the Historic Core to share SKINGRAFT's 4th street boutique and showroom, punk-inspired label Elmer Ave moves out on its own this Saturday. It's not going far. The new space is located directly across the street from the old one, a storefront that used to be home to Fremont Apparel Co.


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...