Everyday Living

Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice Opens 2009-2010 Season

By Eric Richardson — 01:20 PM

Downtown on Ice Kickoff Eric Richardson

The first of Downtown's two outdoor ice rinks had its official opening this morning, as Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice returned for its 12th season. The ice is open seven days a week through January 18, 2010.

An hour on the 70 foot by 50 foot sheet of ice is $6, plus $2 for skate rental. — Continued Inside...


Faulty Railing May Have Led to Alexandria Death

By Eric Richardson — 08:41 AM — 4 Comments

Spring Street Police Tape Eric Richardson

A failed fire escape railing may have led to the death of an 87-year-old resident of the Alexandria this morning.

Spring street was closed for over two hours this morning as police investigated what they are calling an accidental fall. They believe that the man was leaning on a railing which gave way, causing him to lose his balance and drop approximately nine floors. They do not believe the incident was a suicide or that foul play was involved. — Continued Inside...


School Search: Solano Elementary

By Susana Benavidez — Yesterday, 03:26 PM — 4 Comments

Solano Elementary Susana Benavidez

It seems like I have been looking for a school since Bella and Iza were kicking in my belly: first there was the traumatic daycare hunt that aged me five years, then the pre-school stressor and now the hovering animal called Kindergarten. To keep other Downtown parents from my fate, this series will showcase schools and day cares that can save your sanity, beauty and youth.

Solano Elementary is the needle in a LAUSD haystack. I considered not sharing it, out of fear that my own kids will not be able to get in when you all rush to enroll. My excitement got the best of me, though, and I decided that this local school is too good to keep to myself. — Continued Inside...


In Tough Times, Talking Helps

By Ed Fuentes — Wednesday — 5 Comments

flowers Ed Fuentes

Last week, a stranger brought a Downtown neighborhood together.

In the days after a young woman committed suicide on Spring street, those who lived and worked nearby reflected on the event in comments here on blogdowntown. Perhaps they found it cathartic to share with others who had a shared experience of the neighborhood. — Continued Inside...


Thursday: Give Your Input on Greening Harlem Alley

By Eric Richardson — Tuesday
8 Comments

Thursday: Give Your Input on Greening Harlem Alley

Before Lost Souls Cafe could open in January of 2006, those involved had to convince the city that Harlem Alley was not an active street, full of dangerous cars that would endanger those making simply in search of a latte. Now DLANC's Sustainability committee and a team of masters students from U.C. Santa Barbara's Bren School for the Environment want to take...


Bolt Barbers Opens on Spring Street

By Eric Richardson — November 12, 2009
6 Comments

Bolt Barbers Opens on Spring Street

Spring street's Bolt Barbers makes its debut this afternoon, offering men haircuts and shaves in a social setting. Kicking things off, the shop is running a fundraiser called "Hawks for Homeless," raising money for the Midnight Mission.


A Little Worse for Wear, 2nd Street Park Reopens

By Eric Richardson — November 11, 2009
12 Comments

A Little Worse for Wear, 2nd Street Park Reopens

Its grass may look as if a season of football has been played on it, but the park at the new Police Administration Building is again open to the public. The space was closed off for nearly two weeks to host Saturday's Police Foundation True Blue gala.


Female Found Dead After Apparent Spring Street Suicide Jump

By Eric Richardson — November 10, 2009
44 Comments

Officers from the Police and Fire departments are on Spring street this evening investigating a fatal fall. The body of a black female was found in the parking lot between Spring Tower Lofts and Premiere Towers before 5pm.


New Marathon Route Light on Downtown

By Eric Richardson — November 09, 2009 — 18 Comments

Los Angeles Marathon 2009 Eric Richardson

The newly unveiled "Stadium to the Sea" course for the 2010 Los Angeles Marathon takes runners from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica, just touching Downtown's Civic Center before heading west.

The new route and the race's return to March are bringing a big uptick in signups. Race officials plan to cap participation at 25,000, just higher than the 2007 race's 24,000 entries and far above the approximately 15,000 who participated in 2009's May race. — Continued Inside...


False Alarm: Suspicious Package at 5th and Grand

By Eric Richardson with Ed Fuentes — November 06, 2009

FalseAlarm8261

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...