Everyday Living

False Alarm: Suspicious Package at 5th and Grand

By Eric Richardson with Ed Fuentes — Yesterday, 12:30 PM

FalseAlarm8261 Ed Fuentes

A suspicious shopping cart near U.S. Bank tower led to street closures just before noon, but turned out to be a false alarm.

Rosie Carrillo, a Coffee Bean barista, says it was frightening to be evacuated along with other lunch retail shops on 5th street. She saw the suspicious package, made of a shopping cart with a photo of Obama, a soldier and a cross. "It was neatly stacked next to the bus stop," she said. — Continued Inside...


Overcrowded Jails Lead to Quick Releases for Illegal Animal Vendors

By Ed Fuentes — Thursday — 7 Comments

R. Ferber Ed Fuentes

|VIDEO| A September raid on illegal animal sales in the Fashion District led to ten felony arrests, but overcrowding in Los Angeles' jail system means that those charged have avoided time behind bars and may not ever show up for prosecution.

One month after the raid, blogdowntown caught up with Robert Ferber, Head of the City Attorney's Animal Protection Unit, to get an update on how the cases were progressing. — Continued Inside...


Lengthy Closures for Saturday Police Gala

By Eric Richardson — Thursday — 3 Comments

Park Closure Eric Richardson

Saturday evening's True Blue gala at the new Police Administration Building is expected to draw 800 guests, each of whom has contributed at least $500 to the non-profit Los Angeles Police Foundation. Tonight Show host Conan O'Brien will emcee.

It's likely that some Downtowners feel they've given their own mandatory contribution to the festivities. The new public park constructed as part of the headquarters facility has been closed since October 28, as has the linear landscaping along Spring street and sidewalks along both Spring and 2nd. — Continued Inside...


USC Students Next in Line for Free Regal Films

By Eric Richardson — Wednesday
6 Comments

Regal Cinemas L.A. Live

Downtown's new Regal Cinemas is offering another free movie night on Thursday, this time targeted at USC students. The event is part of the venue's week-long transition away from wall-to-wall Michael Jackson screenings and toward normal operation.


Halloween in Grand Hope Park

By Ed Fuentes — Monday — 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...


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.


Downtown Kids' Halloween Party Returns on Saturday

By Eric Richardson — October 28, 2009
1 Comment

Pumpkin Patch

Grand Hope Park will be overrun with costumed tykes on Saturday, as the Community Halloween Party for Downtown L.A. Kids returns for its second year. The event, sponsored by Downtown Center BID, Ralphs and FIDM, currently has RSVPs from 360 kids and 400 adults.


"This Is It" Red Carpet Closer to an Award Show than a Movie Premiere

By Eric Richardson — October 28, 2009
1 Comment

|Photo Gallery| L.A. Live is more familiar with hosting award shows than movie premieres, but the complex was right in its element on Tuesday night for the premiere of "This Is It." Staging and media attention for the event rivaled that of shows like the GRAMMY Awards.


First In Line for the Regal

By Ed Fuentes — October 28, 2009
2 Comments

jackson fans

As celebrities walked the glitzy red carpet on Nokia Plaza on Tuesday night for the premiere of "Michael Jackson's This Is It," Oskar sat in a much more modest queuing line next to L.A. Live's West Garage. The young moviegoer from East Los Angeles, along with his brother and two sisters, were the very first in line for the kickoff 9pm screening at the new Regal...


Win Tickets to See the Clippers Home Opener at Staples Center

By Eric Richardson — October 26, 2009
38 Comments

Clippers Media Day

The Los Angeles Clippers play their home opener on Wednesday night, October 28, but the game against the Phoenix Suns is actually their second inside Staples Center. The team opens its season the night before as visitors of the Lakers. That little bit of confusion is a small price to pay for the teams' shared home, which they've now occupied for ten years....