Not currently logged in. [Login or Create an Account]
From the Newsroom

45 Years Ago: Council Committees Back Plan to Put Convention Center in Elysian Park

By Eric Richardson — February 23, 2010 — 2 Comments

Elysian Park Convention Center Rendering Los Angeles Times

|Photo Gallery| On February 23, 1965, a pair of City Council committees voted to back a plan to build a new Los Angeles Convention Center in the heart of Elysian Park. 63 of the parks 575 acres would have been given up to the $10 million plan, which seemed to have all the backing it needed before it was eventually undermined through a campaign organized by the Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park. — Continued Inside...


Eating "Sunshine and Rainbows" at Starry Kitchen

By Pamela Rouse — February 22, 2010 — 6 Comments

Team Starry Kitchen Pamela Rouse

|Photo Gallery| As business men and women were making their way to lunch today in the courtyard of California Plaza's Watercourt, I overheard this exchange. "Starry Kitchen?" one man answered another. "Yeah, I've eaten there twice."

Not bad for a place that has only been open four days. Starry Kitchen has relied on word of mouth and a strong social media presence to help kick-start its Downtown launch. — Continued Inside...


Tonight: Grand Avenue to Act as Venue for 222-Wheeled Musical Performance

By Eric Richardson — February 22, 2010 — 3 Comments

Route for 'Eine Brise'

Downtown is no stranger to musical performances both experimental and mainstream, but the sights and sounds of 111 bicycles pedaling up Grand Avenue will perform Mauricio Kagel's "Eine Brise" may set a new bar for uniqueness.

The wheeled performance is the intermission to Monday Evening Concerts' evening celebrating the composer, who passed away in 2008. The outdoor performance is free, while tickets for the show itself are $27. — Continued Inside...


Politics

Around the Halls: February 22 - 24, 2010

By Eric Richardson — February 22, 2010

Around the Halls: February 22 - 24, 2010

Today is Monday, February 22, and the week starts in unusual fashion: with a City Council meeting. The body added meetings on Mondays and Thursdays as it continues to wrestle with a massive budget deficit. Among the few non-budget items making their way through are environmental documents for the Arts District MegaToys development and a discussion of issues...


Everyday

Chinatown Brings in the Year of the Tiger

By Ed Fuentes — February 19, 2010

Chinatown Brings in the Year of the Tiger

Saturday’s 2010 Golden Dragon Parade, accompanied with a festival on Saturday and Sunday, is a striking reminder that there is history in Los Angeles. The parade has been a part of Downtown for 110 years. 110,000 spectators are expected to line up on Hill, Bernard, and Broadway tomorrow to watch the two dozen floats, marching bands, and a host of civic and entertainment...


Downtown's New Burger Joint: LA Market by Kerry Simon

By Eric Richardson — February 19, 2010 — 22 Comments

LA Market Eric Richardson

As media were taking a tour of the JW Marriott L.A. Live on Tuesday, a writer asked Simon his favorite dish on the menu at LA Market, the hotel restaurant where he serves as consulting chef. "The burger," he said without hesitation.

"As soon as I walked away, I was like, 'Should I have said that?'" says Simon when we sit down for an interview the following day. "But that to me is All-American, and it's something that everybody gets. We're going to sell a lot of them here, we already have. I embrace things like that." — Continued Inside...


LADOT Seeking Input on Transit Cuts

By Eric Richardson — February 19, 2010 — 5 Comments

Prep Ed Fuentes

The city's transportation department in January proposed the elimination of three Downtown DASH routes and doubled fares as part of a plan to eliminate a budget deficit now projected to reach $350 million over the next ten years.

It is currently holding a series of community meetings on the moves, and on Tuesday afternoon one of those hearings will be held Downtown at the Caltrans building. — Continued Inside...


Roads/Rails

Study of Underground Regional Connector Passes Metro Committee

By Eric Richardson — February 18, 2010
16 Comments

Study of Underground Regional Connector Passes Metro Committee

An underground option for the proposed Regional Connector light rail link was approved for further study by Metro's Planning and Programming committee today, but project team members warned that savings would need to be found to keep the project within the original $700 - $900 million budget.


El Cholo Slated to Open Downtown

By Ed Fuentes — February 18, 2010 — 20 Comments

IMG_0013 Ed Fuentes

Like El Cholo but dislike having to drive all the way to Western? Your life is about to get easier.

blogdowntown has learned that the venerable Mexican restaurant will soon be opening a Downtown outpost, taking over the South Park building that was home to Liberty Grill until late last year. — Continued Inside...


Politics

Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of City Hall Staffer

By Eric Richardson — February 17, 2010

Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of City Hall Staffer

Flags at City of Los Angeles facilities are at half-staff today in honor of Charmette Bonpua, who passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. Bonpua, 44, was chief of staff to Councilman Herb Wesson.