DTLA LIFE November 2015 www.dtlalife.com
THANKSGIVING AFFORDABILITY BILL SHERWOOD JEN HITCHCOCK HELPING OTHERS 2015 HOMEWALK
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DTLA LIFE | Magazine!
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November 2015
Publisher ULTIMATE LIFE LIVING, llc 215 West 5th Street #1103 Los Angeles, CA 90013 213 221 7090 Editor in Chief Alex LiMandri, alex@laloftsrealty.com Associate Editor Tiffany Gatto, tiffany@dwellhomes.com Art Director Alex LiMandri Contributing Writers Cinnia Finfer - Retail Tiffany Gatto - Real Estate Jim White - Community Petra Wright - Art Janene Zakrajsek - Pets Dr Eve Flores DVM - Vet Dr Leia Castaneda - Vet Juliane Pease - Design Lori Tierney - Lifestyle Margalette Audion - Fashion Dave Culwell - Finances Marieke Treilhard - Special Editorial
DTLA LIFE | Magazine! ® is a registered Trademark All Rights Reserved!
www.dtlalife.com www.laloftsrealty.com www.dwellhomes.com
The month of November is for the majority of Americans the beginning of the Holidays. Some travel to see their families, and some will celebrate with friends and their loved ones. For me, it means a lot as it is the month when I became an American Citizen. I will always be thankful for this beautiful country and for my friends here that have always supported me and accepted me as one of their own. America was created by immigrants from all over the world, from all races and religions. It is a country of freedom and acceptance that we often take for granted when we see so much violence and hate against differences. Every day we read, see or listen to stories about discrimination and news of events that go completely against the values and origins of this great country. My native nation of France was attacked last Friday, everyone was shocked by the terrorist massacre that happened in Paris. I cannot describe how sad I feel when I learned that three people I have known have passed away that day. The world is at war because of a few individuals that cannot accept others for who they are and what they believe in. It’s something that should immediately stop, we all agree that this behavior is unacceptable. This is why I invite you all to take a moment and think about how you can start bringing positive energy into this world. Helping people is probably the easiest way to start. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to lend a helping hand, to please stop being selfish and to offer our services to someone in need. Whoever they are, whatever religion they believe in, there is always a way to give. In Los Angeles, we have the country’s highest homeless population, and we can do something to stop it. Please join us for the 9th annual home walk on Saturday, November 21st, 2015. Please volunteer whenever you can at a shelter or simply donate to help people in need. I am thankful for the opportunity that this publication and its contributors have given me to help create awareness every month by offering a voice to charitable organizations. Every simple step counts. Thank you!
Alex LiMandri Editor-in-Chief DTLA LIFE ® www.laloftsrealty.com www.dwellhomes.com www.dtlalife.com
FROM THE EDITOR
LET’S TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY by
Alex LiMandri
In Los Angeles County, the median income is $62,172. The current city data show that 39.9 percent of your income goes to a monthly mortgage payment, and 48.8 percent will pay for rent. It is becoming more and more expensive to rent a home versus purchasing one. The mortgage interest rates still very low have been part of this trend. However, the new lender’s guidelines are thought and require that home buyers have some savings in the bank. A 20 percent down payment on a median-valued home in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area would require a potential buyer to have saved an average of $109,580 if we use the Zillow Home Value Index. This index rose by 4.5 percent over the past year, to $547900. The lack of inventory in Downtown LA has created an increase in pricing that will continue for years to come. Apartments monthly rent have been increasing, and the several new luxury complexes that are about to open will make the average price of all rentals to rise in the next future. Pricing like San Francisco and even New York City will not be rare in Downtown LA soon, and it will be more difficult for an actual resident to stay in the center of Downtown. We hope that the city builds some affordable housing close by to create new neighborhoods where everyone can enjoy living in our great city. As an investment standpoint, this is great and very optimistic for everyone that can afford to purchase property now. Contact me for more information and help you find the place of your dream or your next investment.
Alex LiMandri (213) 626 5433 alex@laloftsrealty.com www.laloftsrealty.com
NEW KIDS ON Photo Acuna-Hansen
N THE BLOCK by
Cinnia Finfer
DTLA welcomes Bar Mattachine, a two-story lounge situated near to 7th and Broadway catering to the expanding downtown gay community. The downstairs lounge is designed for drinking, dancing and live music and features a large Andrew Campbell canvas. The smaller upstairs bar balcony offers firstrate people watching the action below. The bar’s name is a salute to the Mattachine Society, which was formed in the 1950s, as a supportive group for those who boldly chose to live an openly gay life. Here, it’s all about craft cocktails. Come by and toast the arrival of a Harry Hay, the bar’s signature cocktail honoring the founder of the Mattachine Society. This careful blend of rye, bark of Angostura, maraschino liqueur and caramelized lemon oil will demand your attention. Bar Mattachine will be open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. And in the spirit of the Mattachine Society, all are welcome.
Bar Mattachine 221 West 7th Street Los Angeles, CA 90014 (213) 278 0471 www.facebook.com/BarMattachine
Photo Acuna-Hansen
Photo Cinnia Finfer
What strikes you about Little Sister is there are none of the justopened jitters. This attractive east-meets-west mashup strode onto the DTLA stage like just another day at the office. The space is intimate and inviting but wait aren’t those helicopters on the wall and hip-hop classics pounding out the door? Chef Tin Voung is anything if confident, and why not, the Little Sister concept has already distinguished itself in the competitive Manhattan Beach dining scene, so DTLA is just a natural progression. Not your usual place and that’s a good thing. Bring your favorite been-theredone-that friend and enjoy watching them try to camouflage how taken they are with the place. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served so you can fit this into your routine. Prices range from $11 to $38 with most items landing in the $15 - $22 range. The wine selection includes both domestic and foreign labels. The craft beer selection includes batches from The Brewery at Abigaile, created just for Little Sister.
Little Sister 523 West 7th Street Los Angeles, CA 90015 (310) 545 2096 www.littlesisterla.com
A former staple of the Arts District’s Traction Avenue shopping scene, The Jewel’s high-end streetwear boutique, 12345 has landed in South Park. Curated for forward–thinking urbanites, 12345’s prices run from premium t-shirts for $60 to Canada Goose jackets for $1,000. Most of the merchandise is priced in the high $200s. Featured brands include: Henrik Vibskov, Robert Geller, MM6, as well as candles and beauty/skincare products from Earth U. What seems right now as a semi-obscure location will undoubtedly inspire and energize a whole new corridor of shopping.
12345 Clothing Co. 1046 South Olive Street Los Angeles, CA 90015 www.12345clothing.com
Yes you know it’s open, but have you gone yet? There is simply nothing else like it. Whether running in for some baked goods in the morning, doing a full-tilt cafeteria lunch with friends or hiding out from the rush hour after work, every trip to Clifton’s is an adventure. Take some time and explore. There are all kinds of crazy little vignettes, nooks and crannies and odd little displays, to say nothing of the 4-story faux redwood planted in the middle of the place. In an age of slick minimalistic spaces, there is something wildly charming in unapologetic kitsch. Old timers tell me they got it right, visitors to DTLA cannot hide their amazement. P.S. the food is really good, and the staff could not be more welcoming. Doors open at 11 a.m. the cafeteria serves till 9 p.m., the Monarch, and Gothic Bar are open until 2 a.m.
Clifton’s Cafeteria 648 South Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90014 (213) 627 1653 www.cliftonscafeteria.com
Photo Cinnia Finfer
JEN HITCHCOCK
by
Margalette Audoin
Photo Deva Schaufuss
Photo Deva Schaufuss
In the huge Fashion family, you must have a comics expert as Jen Hitchcock around your entourage. Miss Hitchcock broke you at, right away, with her laughter and her welcome to her Book Show!!! Is she human? or a curious subliminal character out of all these books? For sure she’s real, an electric flesh and bones person and true experts in Comics magazine. She will focus your search by passing an unforgettable moment in her company, especially when the notion of the time doesn’t count in imagination. Jen’s first venue she explored in DTLA was Al’s Bar. It was this cool, gritty punk rock club. It always felt electric to go there. I saw so many sweaty, packed and incredible shows at Al’s. It is long gone sadly. She said. She likes DTLA because she grew up on the East Coast, so when she thinks “city,” she thinks of a landscape more like New York or Boston. Downtown LA has this landscape and feels like a “city” to her. She likes the pace of downtown too. It seems faster paced, exciting and there are a lot of bustles. Also attributes I grew up connecting to “city.” I am also very much into history and love the all the architecture. You can feel and see the bones of the past when you are walking through DTLA. I have to say one of my favorite evenings in DTLA was when I went to see PJ Harvey at the Mayan Theater. What a beautiful, magical theater. Her favorite street of DTLA is Broadway! Talk about feeling the history. I love the theaters. I did a walking tour along Broadway with the Los Angeles Conservancy, and they took us to many of them. My favorite part of the tour, which might also speak to #5 of this questionnaire (a hidden pleasure of DTLA), was when they walked us through the space of an existing business (I believe it was an electronics store) and into the businesses back room. We were all blown away to see that it opened up into a huge old theater. Even though it was full of boxes and junk, and incredibly dirty and dusty, you could see through all of that to the former beauty of theater. So much hidden history in DTLA. Aside from making discoveries like the forgotten theater, she loves Union Station. It is far from being hidden, but I’m not sure a lot of people know the enjoyment of just going there to hang out. It is fun people watching, and again, you just soak up the history of our city there. So many people arrived and started new lives through this gateway! If DTLA was a book, she said it would be something published by Writ Press Large (an incredible small press based in DTLA!!!!). If it was a perfume, she mentioned Eau d’Exhaust and Bacon-wrapped Hot Dog. Downtown is grungy, beer-soaked and rocking like L7, with a little bit of hot jazz here and there.
Her three favorite places in DTLA are; the Smell, the Original Pantry, and the Los Angeles Central Library. She describes Downtown LA in three words: Bustling With Energy! The Book Show 5503 North Figueroa Street Highland Park, CA 90042 Bookshowla@gmail.com www.bookshowla.com
StĂŠphanie Margalette Audoin Los Angeles*Paris LA showroom 1259 South Camden Drive Los Angeles, CA 90035 PARIS showroom > Mamzelle Margalette 64 rue Tiquetonne 75002 Paris margaletteproduction@gmail.com
Photo Deva Schaufuss
Bill Sherwood’s “Ch
ART
SPOTLIGHTS by
Petra Wright
hasing Momentum.�
“Chasing Momentum” is the highly anticipated Los Angeles solo debut of Canadian artist Bill Sherwood. Doors are set to open at Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts (GDCA Gallery) on November 5th, 2015. Sherwood’s groundbreaking collection of Reverse Paintings on Plexiglas are impossible to describe. They simply must be seen to be believed. This is work that has never been seen before. This work that has never been done before. Sherwood redefines our concepts of Mixed Media Art. “Chasing Momentum” sets a new standard for how we experience painting, taking the two-dimensional art form into a third: Light. Whether working abstractly or referencing figure, the trajectories of Sherwood’s paintings continue from the page, or rather of the glass. The element of light allows for an alternate narrative to develop, as our perception expands and our imagination becomes limitless. “Light is in constant motion, and it continues for us the creative flow,” Sherwood says, ”it adds another dimension, offering the viewer color, texture, glass and light on a single surface.” The result is dramatic compositions of radiant colors, visceral texture and lighted reflections interlaced on plexiglass. Sometimes the artist creates LED Lighted Shadow boxes, at other times the luminosity derives from layers of resin, which allow light to shine through from behind, or reflect off the surface. Thematically, the exhibit organizes into four sections: ‘Culturally Themed Works’, ‘Urban Contemporary’, ‘Abstract Panels’ and ‘Lighted Works’. Beneath the visual dramatics of his creations, Sherwood’s paintings center around the question of existence. The fight for survival, the grasping of mortality, the search for love. On a spiritual and emotional level, “Chasing Momentum” is a metaphor for chasing Life itself. According to the artist, “All we have been the next day …we are constantly chasing the next day of breath, the next breath itself. ‘Chasing Momentum’ ultimately is a metaphor for Chasing Love.” Interestingly, the artist’s’ existential musings are commonly offset with irreverent perspectives, which are rooted not in judgment but understanding of the human condition. “I like to take the opposite of emotion or a concept and illustrate that point of
view to make it enlightening.� Sherwood smiles. Indeed, there is a lot to take in, a lot to process and much to take away from this rich and exciting body of work. Exhibit Dates: November 3rd - November 30th, 2015 Gallery Hours: Tues. - Fri. 12pm - 7pm. Sat & Sun 12pm - 5pm. Evenings by appointment. Closed Mondays. *November 28th from 6-10pm. * Open and free to the Public ** Tickets available for purchase @ $25.00
Petra Wright GDCA GALLERY (323) 309 2875 info@GDCAgallery.com www.GDCAgallery.com
MAGICAL SYN
JOURNAL NOTES FROM
NCHRONICITY:
M A SEDONA JOURNEY. by
Lori Tierney
I knew that this journey, this personal urban vision quest, would be different than all the past trips combined. The year had been a challenging one, as years go, and I was eager to get away and feel my feet on the red earth of Sedona. The place is so nearly perfect if it only had an ocean! It has been my go-to place of spiritual refuge for over two decades now, and it has never disappointed. Whatever is going on in one’s life, a trip to Sedona is the great amplifier, the truth barometer, and the litmus test for life. The great smoking mirror, as my Native American teachers would say; that is the gift of Sedona. But it isn’t for the faint of heart. Oh, no, Sedona is only for those who want to see through their Vidya, the fog that shields them from their truth, their knowing, and desire to be the very best human beings possible. There were a few longstanding friends that I wanted to see on this journey. One, Larry Sprague, had been sharing his gift of the medicine wheel with me for over 25 years. Each trip around his wheel ceremony, a reflection on one’s wheel of life. Am I in a place of the East? New beginnings, with the hawk or eagle soaring above, like my totem. Or am I in the North, the great winter of completions and endings, with the white buffalo as my guide? With every ending is a new beginning. I felt my feet planted in both directions as I walked the land that stretched out with a welcoming embrace. I knew it was a time of both endings, completions, and yet new beginnings too! The second special friend I had hoped to see was Mario Cruz, a Yaqui Tribal Leader, Sun Dancer and facilitator of the Native American purification ritual and cleansing ceremony, the sweat lodge. I had been participating in Mario’s sweat lodge ceremonies for many years, and each time the flap would close inside the vast darkness of the heated lodge, I would see my maternal grandmother, Carmen, steadfast in her love for me and unwavering in her role as one of my guides this lifetime. Magic and synchronicity prevailed. Cellular technology was not needed to contact my friends. Seems the great mystery would align us to meet face to face in the flow of the days there. Larry pulled his jeep in front of me at least three times coming out of the Sacred Seven Canyons area, and Mario and I ran into each other at Java Time, a local coffee hangout on Sunday morning. Mario was excited to see me and said that he wanted to share a gift with me. Grateful and humbled by his gesture, I arranged with my friend Betsy to meet with him at his home on Schnebly Hill. As we sat down in the comfort of his outdoor patio, surrounded by the most stunning scenery imaginable, Mario began to tell us his story. It was a story of perseverance, faith, honoring, humility and love for Mother Earth.
He shared with us that every year for the past 25, he had hiked up to a plateau deep in the adjoining mountains to a place where the Earth color went from deep red to white. The white represented a large slab of the most beautiful crystal rock imaginable. The rock had translucent striations mixed with a golden-reddish hue. Every year upon arriving at this place, he would lie on his back, close his eyes and in a deeply reverent and meditative state, he would ask the Earth Mother if he could have some of the crystal rock beneath him. He would wait patiently for her reply and every year for 25 years she would reply, “No, my son, it is not the time.” And he would leave again, glancing back at the intact crystal slab that had been beneath him. And then it happened. This year, after the recent lunar eclipse and solar eclipse cycle, Mario traveled back to the crystal slab and once again lay down on the Earth and asked if indeed it was time for the Earth Mother to share this special crystal with him. And this time, much to his profound amazement, She said, “Yes, the time is now to share the crystal. Share it with the healers, they will come to you and you will know them. Call this stone Angel Citrine, for it is a stone of magical healing properties, ensuring abundance and wellness to those who are humble, those who work with it and those who are open to receiving its magical gifts.” Dumfounded, yet overjoyed that he was chosen to be the guardian of this great gift from the Earth Mother, Mario excavated a careful amount of the precious crystal and returned home. This was his gift to the other healers he would encounter and to me. I had, but a day earlier asked humbly for a stone or rock, perhaps a heart shaped one to come to me during my time here. And just as he was told, the healers began to cross his path and the crystals would scatter to their new homes. Some would end up on healer’s tables and yet others would go to the animals, the wolves and their caregivers to help aid and strengthen the packs, which would ensure our survival in the chain of inner-connectivity of all species. Abundance comes to us in many forms and unexpected ways when we open our hearts to the gifts of Great Spirit. To each of you who find that you are reading these words, trust and know that this magic is meant for you too. For you are indeed the Creator’s greatest gift and a treasure to be cherished. Aho! Mitakuye Oyasin Lori Tierney @cougaryoga www. Tierneymanagment.com www.redroadretreats.com
DESIGN by
Julianne Pease
Designing A Great T
Photo Julianne Pease
Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. Are you prepared for the onslaught of turkey, dressing, sides and pies? Are you are looking for ideas on how to host family and friends in a smaller loft space, or hosting your very first Thanksgiving dinner? Or, maybe you would like to let someone else do the work and dine out this year. Read on to discover several helpful suggestions from Cathi and Mary Alice, our go-to Interior Designers at CM In The City. Both Cathi and Mary Alice wanted to start with tips on how to host your first Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you’ve ever dreamed of the day when you could host your Thanksgiving dinner or dreaded it, hosting Thanksgiving for the first time can be very stressful. Cathi said her top tip was to make a list and check it twice. She prefers to use Word or Note on her computer and does a few separate pages: One for the guest list, another for the menu with recipes (keeping recipes in the document will have all your resources at your figure tips), and last is a list of who is bringing what and if their item will need to be heated or to use your platters or bowls. It might sound a bit detailed, but this process saves all that last minute stress of not having oven space or a lack of serving pieces. Mary Alice shared a few of her favorite resources for both recipes and menu planning. Start with Food Network’s Thanksgiving Planner, and follow this guide to keep your stress level low. When it comes to menu planning, Mary Alice loves flipping through her many dog-eared cookbooks and making notes until she has her menu set. If you don’t have a vast library of cookbooks like Mary Alice, here are a few websites with creative and detailed Thanksgiving menus: Martha Stewart’s Thanksgiving 101 menu, Smitten Kitchen’s everything but the turkey and of course, keep Butterball’s turkey talk line, bookmarked for a quick resource. Keep your table décor simple: A monotone color scheme with a pop of color is a great way to go. It is simple and easy to execute, but the results typically look high end, peaceful and will not compete with your fabulous food. Think ivory pillars staggered along the center of the table with a smattering of acorns or cinnamon sticks bundled and tied with rustic twine. Linen napkins in a classic rectangle fold add a lot to your tables’ design and are readily available at local home design stores. When everyone is gathered around your beautiful table and enjoying your delicious meal take a moment to be thankful that your Thanksgiving is a success. One of the biggest challenges of small space living is entertaining. On a daily basis an 1100 sq. ft. Loft is often more than enough space for two people or even a small family, but
Photo Julianne Pease
Photo Julianne Pease
add in a dozen or more dinner guests, and suddenly your tiny abode is bursting at the seams. The team at CM In The City has a furniture-buying tip that will allow you to convert your lovely loft into a functional yet still beautiful space for dinner parties and large gatherings. As interior designers, Cathi and Mary Alice are always on the hunt for furnishings that have a small footprint, but can expand when needed. In their search, they found an item called a gate table, sometimes referred to as a drop leaf table. This piece is hands down, the best multifunctional table they’ve found for a small space. Closed it is about 22” deep and makes a perfect sofa or console table. When fully extended this petite 22” table expands in some cases to over 80” and can seat up to 10 for dinner. These expandable tables are available in many design styles and finishes. For chairs consider some of the “new” folding chairs such these from Front Gate. Cathi loves that these chairs are a long way from the metal folding card table chairs used at the kid’s table, back in the day Mary Alice offered a few thoughts on using a buffet for your Thanksgiving dinner versus serving tableside. Thanksgiving dinners served buffet style can make the whole process run smoothly and will keep your table free of serving dishes. A good practice is to set your table with utensils and glasses but have the plates and food stationed at the buffet.
offerings for your holiday dinner: Side Dishes Zinc Cafe. The Art’s District offers this terrific vegetarian restaurant, a one-stop shop for all your Thanksgiving dishes. You will love their delicious array of classics sides, sides with a twist, and desserts that will dazzle you and your guests. Zinc also offers a cool extra: For a small deposit they will have your sides table ready, in beautiful serving dishes. Complete Dinners Urban Radish Don’t feel like cooking at all? Urban Radish to the rescue! You can order everything your Thanksgiving heart could desire. Just one step inside the Art’s District’s Urban Radish, it becomes obvious that the relationships they cultivate with local farmers and food artisans are very important to them. Their array of wonderful and unusual products includes delicious canapés and custom designed cheese. Whole Foods DTLA is finally getting its own Whole Foods, opening November 4th. Whole foods (if the opening stays on target) will have a large ready to go food section and a special pre-order menu for all things Thanksgiving, all located within the market. How’s this for convenience?
If space allows, position the buffet table away from the wall so your guests can have access from both sides. Remember to lay out your food in logical order: Entrees before side dishes, etc. If you decide to serve tableside, remember to have all of the necessary hot plates and serving utensils on the table.
Farm To Table Grocery
Cathi suggested thanking someone else for Thanksgiving cooking. What better way to tame a hectic holiday than to have someone else cook the meal? Ordering a complete pre-cooked holiday dinner or some components of your dinner may be a great option.
Desserts
Whether you want the main course, a few fancy side dishes, or everything from dinner rolls to dessert, there are lots of options in every price range. All the prep work is done for you, but you do have to allow time for reheating. Usually one to two hours, depending on the size of the bird and the number of sides. Remember to order early. Here’s the low-down on some of Downtown Los Angeles’ area grocers, and bakeries that have Thanksgiving
Grow Located in the Arts District, Grow has table offerings straight from the farm, and besides cooking these delicious dishes for you; they’ll even deliver them to you!
The Pie Hole No Thanksgiving shopping list is complete without PIE and DTLA’s; The Pie Hole is the perfect place for all things pie as well as many other delicious items, both sweet and savory. Be sure to pre-order. Big Sugar Bakeshop Known for their wonderful bread, exquisite wedding cakes and lots of desserts and pies. Big Sugar Bakeshop is a sweet tooth’s dream. Be sure to check out their caramel apple pie and remember to order early. Remember there is no reason to be stressed unless it’s over all of the delicious decisions you’ll need to make
in planning your wonderful dinner. Thanksgiving is a great celebration of family and friends. Rule number one – relax and enjoy your home and your company. Have a great holiday season everyone!
CM DESIGNS Cathi Marcoly (323_ 942 9920 Mary Alice Slattery (323) 942 9921 www.cm-designs.com
Photo Julianne Pease
Photo Julianne Pease
FURRY DENIZENS
Photo Natalia Knezevic
S URBAN OASIS by
Janene Zakrajsek
Photo Natalia Knezevic
Eat, Sleep, Play, Repeat. Ahhh the lives of our animal companions are so simple! Ever wish you could trade lifestyles with your dog or cat? Ok well maybe their day-to-day is a little more complex than just eating, sleeping, and a walk around the block, but meeting their basic needs for food, shelter, and exercise can be interpreted differently by the humans that care for them. The beauty of the pet industry is that these days, there are choices and options for every type of pet related gear and services, and at every price point, and so how you choose them says a lot about your style of consumerism and parenting. Yes, parenting. The fact is that the trend of humanization of our pets is now the norm. Our dogs and cats are our family, our best friends, and for some, our partners in life and adventure. Beyond DTLA development of new restaurants, bars, and retail for humans, what’s an equal equivalent for our four-legged friends living the good life? The scented trail leads right to the urban oasis in the Historic Core. Pussy & Pooch is more than a neighborhood destination for the pets and the humans that love them. It is a pet lifestyle experience that educates on pet care, provides a myriad of pet products for raising well-healed animals in the city, supplies premium pet nutrition as the foundation to wellness, and keeps our furry beasts looking healthy, clean, and shiny with a trip to the tub. Shop the Pethouse boutique for modern pet bedding, apparel, accessories, and gear to suit your pet’s’ style and activity, from toy to giant breeds and everything in-between. Dine-in or takeaway meaty pet meals from the Pawbar, an in-store pet cafe featuring raw and alternative diets, specialty items, and themed pet socials monthly on the last Tuesday. Barber or Stylist? Pet groomers are a cross between the two ensuring a good shampoo and blowout at the Bathhouse is just as important as the trim. The frequency of a regular grooming routine is key to your dog (or cat) looking (and smelling) their best. Yes- Cat grooming is a thing. Kangaroo, bison, and venison are among the dozens of types protein-rich pet foods stocked in the Meat Market, featuring premium brands and human-grade whole food diets, including the largest local selection of raw diets. Stay well with a variety of natural health supplements complementing healthy pet nutrition and providing solutions to many common pet care issues.
Although your dog would be disappointed to miss a trip to the store and a free sample from the Pawbar, Pussy & Pooch is technically open 24 hrs/day for their humans. Convenience with a mouse-click, shop online for the everyday essentials and select home or office local delivery or easy curbside pick-up. Next month Pussy & Pooch will be celebrating NINE great years on Main Street! Stay tuned for special surprises and plenty of lime Holiday cheer. The annual ‘12 Days of Twinkle’ will be kicking off on Friday, December 11th with daily deals and special events, including a festive Anniversary toast in honor of all the furry denizens of DTLA! Check www.pussyandpooch.com/twinkle for full calendar details
PUSSY AND POOCH 564 Sout Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 438 0900 www.pussyandpooch.com
HELPING OTHER FOR THANKSGI
Photo Julianne Pease
RS IVING by
Julianne Pease
During the holiday season, many of us want to look beyond the dinners and gifts for opportunities to help others that might have fallen on hard times. This year, the need for food pantries and homeless shelters is strong in our community.
Thank you for being part of what makes living in Downtown Los Angeles so great! Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. ~Elizabeth Andrew
Volunteers are needed by food banks to help fill food bags, directing recipients and more. At shelters and missions volunteers are needed to serve meals, help distribute needed items and clean up after meals. Before blocking your calendar be sure to sign up, as most require pre-registration. To help you find the best match, here are five places where your time can make a difference this Thanksgiving: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, located at 1734 E. 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058. Donations of non-perishable food are needed year round but during the holidays it takes on an even more urgent need. Consider volunteering to distribute food and donate food or money. Fred Jordan Mission, located at 445 Towne Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013 will be serving their annual Thanksgiving meal on November 26th. Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve this very needed meal. You can find all information on their site as well as the advanced registration link. The Midnight Mission, located at 601 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014 will be hosting their annual Thanksgiving dinner called a Street Banquet in the heart of skid row on Thanksgiving Day. The Mission will be collecting toys in November and December for holiday gift giving. Los Angeles Mission, located at 303 E 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 will be serving over 4000 meals on Thanksgiving. After dinner, the volunteers help distribute such needed items as a blanket, tarps and more. To volunteer, be sure to register ahead of the event. If you are not able to volunteer, consider making a donation. Every $2.03 you give will provide a hot Thanksgiving meal. Socks 4 Souls volunteers will meet at the 7th Street Metro Center station at 8:30 AM as they head to skid row to distribute socks, coats, blankets, and other common winter necessities. Their philosophy is to partner with volunteers, and along with conversations and smiles, take donations directly to an area in Downtown Los Angeles, Skid Row, that houses up to 11,000 homeless individuals.
JULIANNE PEASE jujupease@gmail.com
Photo Julianne Pease
TALK TO THE VET by
Dr Leia Castaneda
Thinking of Pet Health Insurance? These days pets are an important part of the family. They sleep in our beds. We cook for them. And pet health insurance is becoming more and more commonplace. And why shouldn’t your baby be covered? When purchased wisely, it can be invaluable. Here are a few things to consider before you commit to a plan. Watch for the difference between a medical plan and a wellness plan. These are usually two separate products. Medical plans will cover the unexpected things like illness and injury while wellness plans will cover routine care like vaccinations. Be sure to check where cancer, prescription diets and dental care and fall, including advanced procedures like dental x-rays and extractions. These items may only be covered under special plans or additional riders. Also if you have a purebred dog, especially a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, be very careful to ask if hereditary conditions are covered - they usually aren’t. Premiums vary based on the kind of animal being insured, the type of plan selected, the deductible/coverage level chosen and where you live. Sometimes discounts are available if more than one pet is insured. Remember that your annual premium will probably not be your only cost. It’s very standard to pay a deductible before your coverage kicks in. While humans usually have annual deductibles, your pet’s deductible will probably be applied per incident. Usually, higher deductibles mean a lower annual premium. If you want to save money on the monthly cost, make sure you have enough set aside to cover the deductible first.
to know how each company defines this term. Also ask about lifetime maximums and payout limits per illness or injury - these are common. Think about your pet’s personality. Does she chew and swallow things that she shouldn’t? Hello, intestinal blockage. Is he flat-faced? Does he have respiratory issues? Even healthy bulldog puppies can develop serious breathing problems as adults. Is he a large or giant breed dog? Some policies will not cover conditions like hip dysplasia. And of course, pre-existing conditions are usually excluded. This is important to remember because even at the first examination if the veterinarian detects a loose kneecap, a heart murmur or some other abnormality, this will be documented on the pet’s record that day. Any records that the insurance company requests will state this finding, and it will likely be considered a pre-existing condition. Health insurance, whether it’s for your pet or yourself, can represent peace of mind, and that’s worth the consideration. For other pet parents, that peace of mind comes in simply saving a set amount of money each month. Some of our clients have opened a savings account specifically for their pet(s). Whatever the method, it never hurts to be prepared for the unexpected. Bottom line: when considering pet insurance, know what you are buying before you buy it. Does pet health insurance seem right for you? The veterinarians and staff at DTLAvets are always happy to chat with you - give us a call to schedule an appointment today! (While DTLAvets does not endorse any one particular insurance company, we do find it valuable to explore the idea with each owner.)
With pet insurance, policyholders are free to visit any veterinarian they choose. Policyholders pay the entire bill at the time services are rendered. Receipts are submitted to the company, and a reimbursement check is returned to the policyholder. The amount reimbursed is based on the conditions of the specific plan. But which pet insurance company should you choose? Ask friends and family what their experiences have been. Read reviews. Call the company and ask questions - how to they respond to your questions and concerns? How many claims to they deny/ accept a year? Watch for the term “reasonable and customary”. Some plans say they will cover 90% or even 100% of the bill. Other plans will only cover a set percentage for what they deem “reasonable and customary” - you’ll want
DTLAvets (213) 613 1537 www.dtlavets.com
PERFORM
Photo courtesy of the Music Center
MANCES by
Alex LiMandri
The Music Center’s Ukulele Christmas Orchestra Mele Kalikimaka! The Music Center invites beginner and intermediate adult musicians to play and sing along to the songs of the Christmas season, all for free. Participants should bring their ukulele and music stand. Sleigh bells are also welcome! Visit musiccenter.org for more information. Friday, December 11, 2015 The Music Center’s Holiday Sing-Along This long-standing, free participatory event invites family and friends to share in the warmth and joy of the holidays with a grand night of singing amid twinkling holiday lights. Live accompaniment and lyric sheets are provided. Visit musiccenter.org for more information. Friday, December 18, 2015 For more information: The Music Center After Hours, visit musiccenter.org
THE MUSIC CENTER 135 North Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 972 0777 www.musiccenter.org
Photo courtesy of the Music Center
THE WORLD IS
A SAFE PLACE by
Jim White
The 9th Annual United Way HomeWalk, where over 10,000 LA County residents expected to Run/Walk in Exposition Park on Saturday, November 21st. 2015. Since its inception, the event has raised over $5 million and has moved 15,900 people off the streets and into housing.The Walk is one of the area’s biggest fundraisers geared to end homelessness, one of the most extreme forms of poverty. It also plays a big role in the City/County/Non-Profit and private sector’s collaborative fight to end Veteran homelessness by 2015 — a goal that is expected to be met by early 2016 (in fact, some areas have already eradicated homelessness, including the cities of Santa Monica and Pasadena). As part of United Way’s plan to impact poverty in L.A. County, the organization will host its 9th Annual HomeWalk, a 5K run/walk to raise public awareness and funds to end homelessness. Over the past eight years, 63,000 people have participated, raising over $5 million helping move 15,900 people into housing. Every dollar raised goes directly towards ending homelessness and, thanks to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, every fundraising dollar will be doubled. This year’s goal is to raise $1.2 million with this match. L.A. County has one of the highest homeless populations in the country, with over 40,000 living without homes. 1 in 4 children in L.A. County lives in poverty, 44,359 are homeless in L.A. County, 4,362 of the homeless are veterans who risked their lives in service to our country, and 14,118 are chronically homeless. Some of the few reasons to join celebrities and officials expected to run and walk to help end homelessness. Join us on Saturday, November 21, 2015, at 7:00 a.m. to Register. The Opening Program will start at 8.20 a.m., and the Run/Walk will Begin at 9 a.m.
Exposition Park 700 Exposition Park Drive - Los Angeles South Lawn in front of Natural History Museum www.homewalkla.org
An Annual 5K Walk/Run to End Homelessness in Los Angeles
Major Sponsors
Event Sponsors City National Bank | Enterprise Rent-A-Car | ExxonMobil | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | KPMG | LBA Realty | Parsons Corporation | US Bank | Valero Energy Corporation
Media Partners
PRIME LA
Photo courtesy of the DCBID
A’S RETAIL by
Alex LiMandri
Photo courtesy of DTLArising
On November 5th, 2015 the Downtown Center Business Improvement District hosted a full day retail conference, ‘DTLA: The Future of Urban Retail’ at The BLOC open-air retail center. The morning panels featured retail industry leaders who shed light on Downtown LA’s current retail developments and the upcoming opportunities in all corners of the burgeoning market. Guests were also invited to join guided bus tours of Downtown’s distinctive retail districts to experience first hand the outposts and landmarks that make each unique. The conference concludes with a special cocktail reception at a downtown location to be revealed. The conference proved that Downtown LA’s retail future is bright and unstoppable. The opening of one of the most beautiful Whole Foods Market in Los Angeles promises more gentrification and big brands coming to offer services to the growing population. The 41,000 Sq Ft newly opened Whole Foods includes a restaurant and bar and Roy Choi. The Kogi founder’s restaurant Chego will be part of the prepared foods area. Some rumors emerged about the possibility of our own Apple Store at the corner of 8th and Broadway. Hopefully, the Streetcars are on the way to be able to travel to all these great new additions without having to drive. When that happens, a real city will be created.
www.downtownla.com www.dtlarising.com