Last Meals Pt 2

Our last meals before I headed up to the Bay Area with the cats were at Starry Kitchen on Tuesday and on Wednesday we visited the Nickel Diner.. my go-to spot for really good bacon-avo burgers,amazing onion rings,tasty "Smac N Cheese", tummy-stuffing breakfasts (OMG blueberry pancakes!) and oh so naughty desserts of all kinds..

We pretty much had lunch and then hit the road.. but we left DTLA very happy (and full):


Sean and our double dose of Bacon Avo Burgers!


Bacon Avo Burger w/ those yummy onion rings..


Same but different.. with fries

What to order when you know you won't be able to eat at the Nickel Diner for the unforeseen future??

Salt Peanut Cake of course!!

Thank you so much to Monica and Kristen for all the yummy meals and for bringing such a delicious and comfy place to our neighborhood. The Nickel was one of the many bright spots our good times in the Historic Core.. and yes, like an action hero with a heavy accent, we'll be back! =)

Last Meals..

The last meals before heading up to the Bay Area with the cats were spent at Starry Kitchen and the Nickel Diner..

Lunch at Starry Kitchen, March 27th..


We both ordered the bulgogi burger.. mine on Banh Mi with Cilantro Peanut Dan Dan noodles.. and Sean had the lunch plate with the Cilantro Peanut Dan Dan noodles and brown rice. He also ordered a side of Spicy Cracked Krab Cakes. We were treated to an order of Pandan Flan for dessert.. =)







Pandan Flan! I'll miss you..


Thank you Starry Kitchen for all the wonderful meals and fun times! You know we'll be back.. just not as soon as we'd like!! *hugs* to the whole Team SK! We <3 you guys!!

Last Day at Metropolis Books

Exterior of the Canadian Building as it is today. Julie Swayze, owner & proprietor of Metropolis Books can be seen standing outside her storefront.

It's with a bit of Melancholy that I share the news that today is the last day of Metropolis Books operating in the brick and mortar location on Main Street. Owner Julie Swayze was busy packing away the last several boxes of books, loading them into a U-Haul (and later a van) as she was emptying her store out.



What book inventory that remained was being dispersed to various non-profits including a retirement home, a women's shelter and a couple public libraries, (to include the Pasadena Public Library). Julie says she hopes to wrap up today so it's finished. No lingering last quiet hours to contemplate this part of the journey of her life. She's a very busy women.

While chatting with her, one of the recipients of her donations had arrived to pick up their allotment of books. Within minutes, Downtown dweller and small business advocate Brady Westwater arrived with a cart. He was there to pick up one of the store's bookcases he purchased during the "everything must go" portion of the store's sale.. During the last couple weeks, pretty much anyone had a chance to purchase the store furniture, fixtures, framed art and poster prints straight off the walls. Now Metropolis Books will be not just a happy memory of place and time for many Historic Core neighbors but a a physical part of our home. (Yes, I too managed to pick up a small bookcase from Julie).

What's next? Julie will still have the online portion of Metropolis Books, but she will now be freed up to keep her main focus tending to an ailing family member, which will require much more of the attention, love and support that she gave to our neighborhood. Julie provided a place of community, a support for local artists and writers; A place where neighbors could get one on one customer service, a bent ear of commiseration or share a laugh.


Julie may have spent five years on Main Street, but she's earned a permanent place in the heart and history of Downtown LA.


disclaimer: If you think this is too sappy, come back and read this again in a couple weeks when the bookstore's closure has finally hit you. =) Hugs and best wishes to Steve and Julie and to Julie's family on the new part of the journey.

HAPPY 2011!!

how I'm spending my new year's morning.. watching the Rose Parade w/ a bit of a cold.

Spent a quiet NYE celebrating at home after dinner at Pete's. I think a lot of our downtown neighbors and friends celebrated too in their own way, (whether it was staying at home or going to a local club like La Cita or Villains Tavern). However you spent it, hoping you're all having a wonderful & hangover free New Year's Day!

Whatever 2011 brings, may it work out for everyone eventually.. and that you have health, happiness, and as ever, friendship.

Easter Happenings

While my Easter egg hunting days are pretty much over, I don't begrudge someone else's little one a chance to have a run in the grass..



New City Church

It seems that there's going to be a bit of a festival atmosphere at Grand Hope Park (that's that green area where dogs aren't allowed despite the sculptures hinting otherwise) near the FIDM at 9th & Hope in South Park.

Next Sunday New City Church is hosting an "Easter Fest" with an Easter egg hunt, arts & craft-y stuff and the ubiquitous bounce house.

Easter falls on the 4th of April and the fest will run from 12-3pm. I don't know much else so you'll want to contact the folks at New City Church with any questions.

Easter@newcitychurchla.com or 213-471-2415

I'm not active in any churches at the moment so I have no personal agenda with this, just figuring with the uptick of folks with little ones, they'd want to know about this.

Our Lady of the Angels

For a less boisterous and not-so-kid-friendly way to spend Easter the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is hosting (with advanced reservation required) an Easter Champagne Brunch.

The Champagne Brunch is after Mass and is prepared by the chefs at the Center at Cathedral Plaza.. Adults $30, Children (2-12) $20 plus tax.; For more information & reservations please call (213) 680-5271.

J Restaurant & Lounge


Can't make up your mind?? J Restaurant and Lounge will be hosting a family friendly Easter Sunday Brunch from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Easter Sunday at 1119 S. Olive Street in South Park. Brunch will be served on the outdoor patio and an Easter egg hunt will be held for the kids.

There's plenty of churches around downtown and they may also have some Easter Sunday activities.. The ones I listed are the ones I knew about.. I'm not suggesting you go to any of these but if you want to there you go..


As for me, I'll probably end up at Disneyland. Unless Botegga Louie is open.. mmmmm Botegga Louie. For me the holidays are about food of course.

Happy Anniversary Raw Materials!

Along with the celebrations that goes on during your average downtown Art Walk tonight, is something definitely worth celebrating! One year ago tomorrow (the date of last year's November art walk) was the grand opening & official ribbon cutting with our Councilwoman, Jan Perry..






Jim & Celia, co-owners & proprietors of Raw Materials Art Supplies
Happy Anniversary Raw Materials!! Here's to many, many more!!



Raw Materials
460 S Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 627-7223

Nickel Diner on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives!!

REMINDER! Nickel Diner on D3 Monday the 19th!!


Back in June some folks may recall (or not) that Guy Fieri (season 2 winner of Next Food Network Star) & his crew came to film at Monica & Kristin's "Nickel Diner" near 5th and Main. The time has come for the show to finally be aired!!

Set your DVR/VCR or be sure and catch the episode.. or if you're in the neighborhood, be sure to meet up at Cole's just off 6th & Main just before 10pm Monday night the 19th and watch it with some of your neighbors.

We got the DVR set, but we'll be ambling down there as well.

Nickel Diner
524 S Main St.
Los Angeles, CA.

Main in Bloom

Stella waters her sunflowers.. You can see them blossoming outside Stella Dottir dress shop near Winston & Main.

It's National Night Out!

Downtown/Skid Row Senior Lead Deon Joseph at last year's National Night Out (held in Little Tokyo).

Tonight is National Night Out.. a night out against crime. Block parties will be going on all over the city, and downtown LA is no exception. Downtown neighbors will want to head over to the Paseo Plaza at El Pueblo tonight as the party will be going on there from 6-10pm.

National Night out is a good opportunity to meet your SLO (Senior Lead Officer) in a fun, informal environment.. live music and food and possibly booths with local businesses and neighborhood committees might be there as well.

If you haven't seen it already, check out Downtown News article SLO Patrol about your Downtown Senior Lead Officers.

Believe it or not, the LAPD is very community minded, and the National Night Out is an excellent opportunity (among many) for residents and the community as a whole.

The LAFD should be there as well in a support mode. However, I hear from a very reliable source that they are also happy to meet the community! So say "Hi!" and if you want, thank them for their efforts. In a time of budget cuts, staffing cuts and State-wide deficits, they are still doing a most excellent job and deserve all our support.

PDF List of Events going on around LA

my (fuzzy) 2008 National Night Out flickr set

Regent Theatre

Never get tired of seeing the Regent sign lit up!

Maple Bacon Donuts @ Banquette Cafe & Wine Bar!

Hey Downtown Neighbors!



Coming back home from an afternoon out, this homemade sign caught my eye as I walked through the entry gate of San Fernando Bldg. What's this? Homemade Donuts!! So I popped into Banquette & took a closer look.. Asking one of the Baristas if these were those same delicious donuts created by Sharlena Fong at the Nickel, the reply was but of course!

Can I get a WHOO HOO!!!!

Moving On Main Street

Downtown Neighbors may have noticed a certain chubby Meeko schlepping stuff on a trolley across the street.. Meeko is moving yet again.. but still on Main Street, so no blog title changes.. just a few days of hard labor with us getting our stuff out and moved to the new place.


New Place, New View, (same landlord!)

We love living in Old Bank District and hopefully a major difference will be that we'll have places to put all of Sean's Disneyana prints and I'll be able to move my desk & stuff back into the loft and give up the little office I've been renting the last few months. A place for everything and everything in its place (that's one of my mom's favorite sayings but not sure where she got that from).

We've eaten out almost every day this week.. which isn't usual for us but I've got some new pix.. so I'll be posting soon.. (The Nickel on Tues & Friday, Blossom on Wed & Royal Clayton's on Thurs & I had lunch @ Weeneez on Friday!) So now you know why it's been more quiet than usual around here. There's just so much stuff to do! DirectTV guy comes this morning so we'll have to move the TV next I guess! (then the cats!)

Alexander will have to take a nap first to get ready for his move today!

New City Church LA to move to New LATC

Just posted to Kevin Haah's blog CALLED the New City Church of LA will be re-locating once again, this time to the New LATC on Spring Street.

The "come as you are" church which welcomes everyone in the community will be relocating the 7th of December. Currently the church is holding worship services at Club 740 in the Globe Theater on Sunday mornings.

From Called:

"From December 7, 2008, New City Church of LA will be meeting at Los Angeles Theatre Center (which is called The New LATC) for our Sunday worship gathering. It's only about 2 blocks away from Club 740 and it is a fantastic facility. It's been my dream venue. It is the only multi-plex playhouse in downtown. There are four performance theaters in there. They have a great room for kids ministry there as well. And, it is clean! The facility is operated by Latino Theater Company and owned by City of Los Angeles."

I am wishing Kevin and his congregation the very best. They have really reached out to the community and grown to answer the needs of downtown LA. The New LATC is a fabulous place and I think will be a very warm & welcoming place for folks in the community.

Yes We Can

Everyone Vote Today if you haven't already!

Reminder "No on 8" Rally Sunday

No on 8 Rally at Pershing Square today 1-4pm. Prop 8 is discrimination and that's just wrong.


New No on Prop 8 Ad Calls Upon Californians to Reject Discrimination. Narrated by Samuel Jackson.

Happy Hallowe'en Downtowner's!

Have a Safe & Fun Halloween! (and don't forget to vote!)
and now a 'hopeful' message from "yes we carve" (fun pumpkins!)


you tube video courtesy "YES WE CARVE" (Barack O'Lanterns!)

remember NO on 8!

Margaret Cho explains why you need to Vote "NO on Prop 8"

It's about the right to Marry!

Say NO to H8te!

Also reminder that there is a "No ON 8" Rally at Pershing Square Sunday the 2nd of November at 1-4pm!

Unity Festival 2008

Saturday's Unity Festival put on by the CHAC (Corporation for History, Arts & Culture) & local businesses had many activities for the community.

This family-friendly event brought music, dance, and lots of good times to 5th Street, just around the corner from the Historic Core. The massive line-up of entertainment included: skateboarding, various bands, gospel & blues singing groups, dramatic readings from Dramastage Qumran, and much more.

Here's just a sampling from the set of photos I took this afternoon:


The Rockafarians sang Reggae, blues & some Cajun too!


Several games of chess were played simultaneously at the festival.


There was face painting for the kids..


Salsalicious Latin Dance troupe performed.



art from Lamp Community Art Project.

My Unity Festival 2008 set on flickr

learn more about the CHAC Unity Festival & firestation 23

VP Debate tonight @ "The Exchange"

Tonight is the much anticipated Vice Presidential debate between (D)Sen Joe Biden and (R)Gov Sarah Palin. There was to be a last minute opportunity to view the debate. It had been posted recently on downtown bulletin board groups NewDowntown & Downtown LA Life, respectively. Unbeknown to me, there were no follow-up approval made, so I went to the location where I found it had been canceled.



Instead,"The Exchange" (or DLANC HQ as most of us may know it) will be host to some pro-Obama phone banks every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4pm. Also every Monday at Morona Kiang Gallery from 5-8pm 218 W 3rd Street in the Bradbury Building. You will need to bring your own phone with you to participate, as "The Exchange" does not currently have a DSL or phone line.

Phone banks are not my thing, but may be yours. Hope you enjoy the debate wherever you watch it.