Central Ave Jazz Kickoff Recognizes Little Tokyo's Place in History

By Ed Fuentes — 08:56 AM

This weekend, jazz aficionados pay homage to the days when Central Avenue was a mandatory stop on the national jazz circuit. From 1900 to 1950, the Dunbar Hotel housed A-list musicians playing local spots like Club Alabam, the DownBeat, Ivie’s Chicken Shack, the Last Word, and the Memo Club.

Only the more zealous historian will know Little Tokyo's place in jazz, back when it was briefly renamed "Bronzeville." This Thursday evening, history and music come together as the Japanese American National Museum plays host to the opening of the 2008 Central Ave Jazz Festival. — Continued Inside...

Council Approves CRA's Plans for More WIFI

By Eric Richardson — July 23, 2007

Eric Richardson

Back in January CRA asked the City Council for funding to expand the free WIFI at Pershing Square to a larger area that would cover portions of the Financial District, Historic Core and Little Tokyo. It slipped under my radar that the Council approved that funding on July 3rd. I'd ask Curt Gibbs what the timetable is for implementation, but I believe he's still off in Paris, blogging about green transit.

The points slated for Grand Avenue should negate the need for the pictured portable point, installed last year for the Grand Avenue Festival

Apples at the Omni

By Eric Richardson — July 23, 2007

I get a decent amount of email from PR people, most often about non-Downtown stuff that I'm certain not to be interested in. Every once in a while, though, one seems just different and catchy enough to give it a mention. This one ties in nicely to the end of produce week.

This week Omni Hotels is doing a chain-wide sweepstakes where each location will be giving away an iPhone. You can enter online, or stop by the Omni on Olive to register between now and Wednesday afternoon. At 7pm on Wednesday the hotel will be having an apple-themed reception where it will draw the local phone winner.

To carry on the apple motif, Noé executive chef Glen Ishi has put together a four-course apple-themed tasting menu. It's available at dinner today through Wednesday for $55.

So if you're feeling the need for apples this week, be sure to check out the Omni.