DTLA LIFE MAG #27 | MAY-JUNE 2016

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DTLA LIFE MAG

®

MAY | JUNE 2016 www.dtlalife.com

IT’S ALMOST SUMMER NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK SELLING YOUR HOME THIS SUMMER MUSIC CENTER SUMMER SERIES RITA MORENO TRIBUTE HIP-HOP EXPERIENCES SUMMER SPRUCE-UPS PATH MAKING IT HOME HILLARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT ART SPOTLIGHT ON GIANFRANCO CIOFFI


ALMOST SUMMER


T R

DTLA LIFE MAG

®

MAY/JUNE 2016

Publisher Alex LiMandri 215 West 5th Street #1104 Los Angeles, CA 90013 213 221 7090 Editor in Chief Alex LiMandri alex@laloftsrealty.com Art Director Alex LiMandri Contributing Writers Cinnia Finfer - Retail Jim White - Community Petra Wright - Art Juliane Pease - Design Lori Tierney - Lifestyle Margalette Audion - Fashion DTLA LIFE | Magazine! ® is a registered Trademark All Rights Reserved

www.dtlalife.com www.laloftsrealty.com www.dwellhomes.com


It’s almost summer; Los Angeles is starting to prepare for pool parties, great summer events, and beach days. The Beach is even closer than ever for Downtowners with the opening of the Subway line to Santa Monica. No More traffic to go to the Beach from DTLA. It will also be the most active real estate season, and DTLA is booming better than expected. Less inventory, more resident moving in, prices on the rise, mortgage rates as their lowest. Don’t think twice. It’s time to buy. Broadway is getting its own Apple Store; more high-end retailers are coming in. Please contact us for more information about what is available on the market and we will give you the best advice of 11 years in the neighborhood.

Alex LiMandri Editor-in-Chief

DTLA LIFE MAG

®

www.dtlalife.com www.laloftsrealty.com www.dwellhomes.com

Photo Courtesy of Metro LA


FROM THE EDITOR


NEW KID ON THE BLOCK by

Cinnia Finfer


DS

Photo Courtesy of Spread


www.spreadkitchen.com


Photos Cinnia Finfer


Spread Mediterranean Kitchen has reenergized upper Main Street in an amazingly short time. Dan Coury and Brandon Weaver’s homage to middle eastern flavors is a hit. Lunch becoming a thing with neighbor office workers swarming for Spread’s fresh and tasty alternatives to the usual grab and go options. They’d love for you to stay, but if it’s a take-out kind of day, wraps, rice bowls and salads sure beat a plastic wrapped sandwich at your desk. Though outdoor seating is available, the oversized window makes the room positively airy. The vibe is one of casual quality. Very relaxed and welcoming, yet the staff and selection is first rate. Another surprise is the full service bar that draws people back after work, for dinner and into the night. With six beers on tap and intriguing cocktails ranging from Hibiscus Rum Punch to a Peanut Butter Alarm, it’s going to take more than one visit to crack bar consultant Adam Sandroni’s master plan. More good news: Spread Mediterranean Kitchen is open seven days a week 11:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., so when you are done reading this, why don’t you go check it out?

SPREAD MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN 334 South Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 537 0284 www.spreadkitchen.com


Photo Courtesy of Spread


Photo Cinnia Finfer


In a town known for unusual professional combinations( lawyer/magician singer/teacher) Amelia Rose Posada takes it to a new level with butcher/florist. Let’s start at the beginning. Having worked and a flower kiosk in Montecito at age 14, she went on to distinguish herself in New York, heading flower design for the storied St. Regis Hotel for 5 years. Designing both for on-site events and a considerable list discerning private clients, Amelia proved she could interpret a range of occasions into stand-out floral creations. She then developed Lindy and Grundy an award-winning sustainable butcher shop with her then husband, landing many coveted accounts including the Ace Hotel. The marriage ran its course and Amelia chose to return to flowers. She reconnected with the Ace, this time pitching her floral chops and started a new chapter with a with Valentine’s pop-up in the Ace DTLA lobby 2 years ago. In addition to subsequent Ace pop-ups, Posada built her portfolio, creating floral elements for SoHo House and Vanity Fair. When the opportunity for the ticket booth space outside the Ace Hotel, Amelia threw her hat into the ring, knowing it would be a remarkable opportunity. Remarkable, yet challenging, in that the ticket booth is still active, and event buyouts of the theater can send her packing. In spite of this unique arrangement and the full-tilt construction next door and across the street, Amelia has created an inviting space with signature offerings. Liberated from the “sweet peas in silver jars” sensibility of the Upper East Side, Amelia personally favors more exotic and funky selections -South African Proteas being a favorite. Yet Amelia prides herself in creating whatever her client envisions. Her singular approach is also expressed in her “Love on the Run” bouquets. These $20, prearranged, grab-and-go bundles are a lifesaver for arriving dinner guests, an almost belated birthday gift or reparations for the most recent argument. The Birch and Bone Terrarium Bar allows customers a chance to assemble a custom table top treasures in no time flat. A jar of cactus-shaped cookies add a charming touch.

BIRCH AND BONE 929 South Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213) 612 4997 www.birchandbone.com


The Spring Arcade’s newest addition, Garcons de Café, is a soothing, civilized oasis in a sea of cranes and jackhammers. This wine bar/newsstand/store/café offers everything one needs to make a quick escape to France without a passport. Passing by the classic café chairs and topiary on the patio, one is transported to a place where savoring is the operative word. It’s quite a trick to take raw space and convert it into a bistro that feels that it’s been there for decades, but that effect has been achieved. The space has a way of unraveling its guests. Whether reading the paper with a cup of coffee or tea, or reconnecting with a friend over glasses of wine, no one is in a hurry to depart. I don’t know about you, but the combination of a wine flight, a cheese and charcuterie plate and a French magazine could dull the sting of the worst day. And once that has done its magic, you might as well try on some sunglasses and a handmade sweater. Why, you could leave with an entire new perspective.

GARCONS DE CAFE 541 South Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 278 0737 www.garcons-de-cafe.com


Photo Courtesy of Garcons de Cafe


Photo Cinnia Finfer


Kudos to Chase and Tami Spenst, who in blending two well-developed concepts, a coffee house and a bike shop, deliver something utterly original. I’m not a cyclist but the intriguing selection of bikes (Surly, Stinner, Handsome…) and top shelf accessories is making me rethink this. The Quick Fix Stand is at the ready for necessary adjustments or to fix a flat. If your cycle requires critical care, you are in good hands with a full service repair department equipped to get you back on the road. So get comfortable in the café while you wait. The café selection is an exercise in simple quality. The usual suspects are offered with beans from Olympia Coffee Roasters. Pastries and breads from Superba, August Uncommon Teas and Juice from Moon Juice provide what you need. The soaring two-story space and spill out patio seating makes for what in other hands could be cold and industrial, an inviting and oddly homey spot. Alex and Max, the baristas were remarkably chill an accommodating as they greeted multiple guests and handled their orders. And while the phrase “building community” is sometime overused with the new entities, the gatherings, classes and events the Wheelhouse has developed speaks of a genuine effort. Note to first timers, don’t be alarmed at the sound of gunshots—there is a gun club next door.

THE WHEELHOUSE 1375 East 6th Street, Suite 6 Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 628 3117 www.thewheelhouse.bike


Having peeked into the windows of the SW corner of 9th and Broadway more times that I can count, it is exciting to see it come to life as the U.S flagship store for BNKR, (pronounced “Bunker�). This Adelaide Australia Based contemporary womenswear retailer was founded in 2007 by Dean and Melanie Flintoft and features top Australian lines such as Finders Keepers, Cameo, Keepsake and The Fifth. New names to most, but certainly will become local favorites in no time. Prepare to be impressed, as the clothes are generously spaced on wire-hung rods in a manner one would expect in a designer atelier. Just in time for our warmer weather, the store is wellstocked with pieces that can be worn as separates or matched and an edgy selection of footwear to provide the perfect accent. If you looking for some key new items for your summer wardrobe, BNKR is the place to start.

BNKR DTLA STORE Broadway and 9th Street Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213) 327 0442 www.us.fashionbunker.com


Photos Courtesy of BNKR


SELLING YOUR HOME THIS SUMMER by

Alex LiMandri


R Photo Alex LiMandri


If you are considering putting your home on the market, summer may be the perfect time. The frenzy of the spring buying season has ended, meaning there are fewer houses listed and competing for buyers’ attention. Tax refunds have been sent out, so potential buyers who have been saving for a down payment may now have the funds they need. And families hoping to get settled into a new home before the school year starts are abundant.

you’ll want to make sure it’s not so cold that potential buyers will be searching for their sweaters, but cool enough that they won’t want to head back out into the heat.

Make sure to greet potential buyers the way you would guests and provide refreshing drinks. During the hot summer days, bring out a cold pitcher of lemonade or a cooler full of bottled water for would-be buyers. Embracing the season and spending a few According to the National Association of Realtors, extra dollars can help you stand out among the other more than 40% of all home sales occurred during the houses for sale. It also can help potential buyers form months of May through August last year, meaning a happy mental picture of spending the summer in summer buyers are serious buyers. People visiting this home and perhaps increase the dollar amount of an open house in the summer aren’t window-shop- potential offers. ping — they are looking for their next home. Know your summer plans: Organize all of your sumSo how can you make your house stand out in this mer vacation and getaway plans well in advance so market? Here are a few simple tips to help increase you can list your home accordingly. Timing is everyyour chances of quickly finding the right buyer for thing when it comes to selling a home, and if you are your home this summer. going to be unreachable — at the beach, out of the country or anywhere without cellular service — your Maintain or revamp your home’s curb appeal: Your real estate agent needs to know. You don’t want front yard is your home’s first impression, so make time-sensitive offers to start coming in when you’re sure that it’s welcoming. Don’t let your lawn and out of town. flowerbeds suffer in the summer heat; keep all your plants well hydrated and mulched. Keep the grass Following these tips will help you take advantage of trimmed by mowing as much as needed. Replant a hot market and make sure summertime is the right any unsightly brown spots and plant colorful sea- time for selling your home. Don’t hesitate to contact sonal flowers. And if your home’s façade is looking a us for the best marketing plan to sell your home this little faded, give it a fresh coat of paint and perhaps summer. spruce up your front porch or walkways. Freshen up outdoor spaces: Pools can be huge selling points during the sweltering summer months, so if you have one, play it up by making sure the water is crystal clear and there is no debris floating on top. If your home has a patio, deck or outdoor kitchen, keep it clean and make any necessary repairs. These projects can be completed inexpensively and may make a much larger difference in the perceived value of your home. Keep the inside cool and inviting: During the summer months, some people may spend more time inside to avoid the heat. Use this to your advantage during your open house by making your home extremely comfortable. Houses can become hot and stuffy this time of year, so it is important to keep the air conditioning running. Just be careful with the temperature;

ALEX LIMANDRI Powered by BIG BLOCK REALTY 215 West 5th Street #1104 Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 447 4080 alex@laloftsrealty.com www.dtlalife.com CalBRE # 01822666 | Disclaimer: If you are not the intended recipient or responsible for the delivery of this email, please notify us immediately and destroy it. This message is strictly confidential and may include information subject to legal privilege. Anyone in possession of this email may not use, copy, distribute, deliver any part of its contents, or take any action in reliance on it without written consent of our legal department. Our company do not accept any responsibility for loss or damage arising from the use of this e-mail or attachments. All reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure no viruses are present in this e-mail. We decline all responsibility for the views, opinions, conclusions and other information expressed in this electronic mail that are not given or endorsed by the company unless otherwise indicated by an authorized representative independent of this message. Access to this e-mail by anyone other than the intended is unauthorized. For more information, please contact us at info@laloftsrealty.com. BROKER: BIG BLOCK REALTY - 2820 Camino Del Rio South, Ste. 314 - San Diego, CA 92108.


Photo Zane Levitt


MUSIC CENTER by

Alex LiMandri


Photo Courtesy of The Music Center


The Music Center kicks off Dance DTLA, its annual free summer Friday night dancing-under-the-stars program on The Music Center Plaza or in Grand Park, on June 3, 2016. The program runs on most Friday nights from June-September 2016. The Music Center’s Dance DTLA includes Dance Downtown (7:00 – 11:00 p.m.), an open air dance floor with beginner dance lessons by top LA dance instructors alongside a live band or DJ, and alternating DJ Nights (8:00 – 11:00 p.m.), curated by influential artists and tastemakers who will give voice to the dynamic, vibrant LA culture through music, dancing, arts and aesthetics. The series** includes: June 3: Dance Downtown: Bollywood/The Music Center Plaza June 10: DJ Nights, curated by Garth Trinidad/The Music Center Plaza June 24: Dance Downtown: Line Dancing/The Music Center Plaza July 1: DJ Nights, curated by Money Mark/The Music Center Plaza July 8: Dance Downtown: Cumbia/Grand Park July 15: DJ Nights, curated by Rashida/The Music Center Plaza July 22: Dance Downtown: Argentine Tango/The Music Center Plaza July 29; DJ Nights, curated by Alberto Lopez/The Music Center Plaza August 5: Dance Downtown: Salsa/The Music Center Plaza August 12: DJ Nights, curated by Anthony Valadez/The Music Center Plaza August 19: Dance Downtown: Samba/The Music Center Plaza August 26: DJ Nights/curator TBD/The Music Center Plaza September 2: Dance Downtown: Disco/The Music Center Plaza The Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or Grand Park 200 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This is a free event open to all ages. Parking is available in The Music Center parking lot under The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, for $5.00 after 8:00 p.m. Visit musiccenter.org/summer for more information. ** Schedule and artists subject to change.

THE MUSIC CENTERS 135 North Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 972 0711 www.musiccenter.org/summer


Photo Courtesy of The Music Center


RITA MORENO by

Alex LiMandri


O

Photo Courtesy of The Music Center


The Music Center will award its Excellence in the Performing Arts Award to one of the nation’s most beloved performers – Rita Moreno – at The Music Center’s Summer Soirée (Soirée) this coming July. The award, which salutes individuals who are pioneers in the creative and performing arts, honors Moreno for her revolutionary efforts to help redefine the role of women in the arts. The multi- talented actress, dancer and singer is one of only 12 performers to receive all four major American entertainment awards, winning the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards. Her countless credits span more than six decades, beginning with her Broadway debut at age 13. She has starred on Broadway and on London’s West End; appeared in more than 40 feature films and countless television shows; and performed in numerous regional theaters and in her one-woman show, Life Without Makeup, at the Berkeley Rep. Moreno will be honored by The Music Center in the inaugural year of its Soirée, which features a special benefit performance by American Ballet Theatre (ABT) of Alexei Ratmansky’s 2012 Firebird, starring ABT principal dancers and Southern California natives, Misty Copeland and Stella Abrera. The Soirée, which will take place on Thursday, July 7, 2016, at both The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles, will celebrate the new generation of groundbreaking artists, such as Copeland and Abrera, who are transforming the arts. The evening precedes The Music Center’s July 8-10, 2016 ABT engagement presented by Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center. Soirée guests will have the opportunity to attend an exclusive pre-performance dinner for sponsors followed by the Firebird performance and a post-performance party with the ABT cast, including cocktails, festive fare and dancing outdoors under the stars in Grand Park. Proceeds will benefit The Music Center’s arts education, dance and community programs, which collectively impact more than 100,000 students, teachers and families annually. As a high school student, Copeland was a winner of The Music Center’s nationally acclaimed Spotlight scholarship and arts training program, where she received oneon-one training from distinguished teaching artists, the opportunity to dance on The Music Center’s Dorothy Pavilion stage in front of a live audience, and a cash award to continue to pursue her artistic dreams. Spotlight is just one of The Music Center’s many arts

education initiatives that inspire students to work hard, push boundaries and reach their potential. Given Misty Copeland’s participation in The Music Center’s Spotlight program and the San Pedro Boys and Girls Club, The Music Center will host Spotlight students at the Soirée Firebird performance and partner with Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCA summer camps to invite more than 1,000 children to watch an afternoon rehearsal of the performance. Sponsor packages include all three elements of the evening, while single Soirée tickets include the performance and the party. More information about packages and Soirée tickets is available at (213) 9724322 and online at musiccenter.org/firebird. Single tickets for the performance alone start at $28 and are available at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Box Office, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012; by calling (213) 972-0711; and online at musiccenter.org/firebird

THE MUSIC CENTERS 135 North Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 972 0711 www.musiccenter.org/firebird


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HIP-HOP EXPERIEN by

Alex LiMandri


P NCES

Photo Courtesy of The Music Center


The Music Center will break new ground as it surrounds its upcoming dance engagement of Compagnie Käfig presented by Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center with four days of HipHop dance experiences (#hiphop4days) from June 16-19, 2016, on The Music Center campus and in Grand Park. Working closely with a number of highly respected members of the Hip-Hop community, including academics, artists, dancers and curators among others, the performing arts center will examine the culture, artistry and evolution of Hip-Hop dance through live performances, international dance competitions, discussions, demonstrations, late-night dance parties and more. The public can choose from ticketed and free events. The four days of events include a free panel discussion called “Ain’t No Half Steppin’: Dance from Soul Train to B-Boys” on June 16, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Grand Park; three ticked performances of Compagnie Käfig on June 17 and 18, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. and on June 19, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; a free Hip-Hop beginner dance class led by Compagnie Käfig on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles; the ticketed Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours/Hip-Hop Special Edition on June 17, 2016 from 11:30 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. on June 18, 2016 at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall; and the free Beat Swap Meet on June 19, 2016 from noon – 6:00 p.m. at Grand Park. To celebrate the four-day experience, The Music Center has commissioned artist, curator and entrepreneur Man One to create a special piece of art that will be translated to the steps leading to The Music Center Plaza on Grand Avenue. According to The Music Center President and CEO Rachel Moore, the four days of Hip-Hop dance events will introduce Angelenos to the progression of street dance in the context of the highly dynamic Hip-Hop culture. “Hip-Hop dance has evolved dramatically over the years from its early roots of funk style dances to the b-boys and b-girls and dance crews of today,” Moore said. “Our four-day exploration will highlight how and why Hip-Hop dance has played an important role, socially, culturally and politically,” she explained. “Dance fans will witness a range of performance types, including freestyle improvisations and dance competitions along with the work of French

choreographer Mourad Merzouki with his Compagnie Käfig, who has expanded the language and theatricalized Hip-Hop dance for audiences around the world,” Moore added. Single tickets for the June 17-19, 2016 engagement of Compagnie Käfig at The Music Center start at $34 and are available at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Box Office, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012; by calling (213) 972-0711; and online at musiccenter.org/hiphop. For groups of 10 or more, call (213) 972-8555 or email mcgroupsales@musiccenter.org In addition, the public (18 and over) can sign up for a free Hip-Hop beginner dance class led by Compagnie Käfig on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles. The class is geared towards beginners with no experience necessary. Visit musiccenter.org/kafig to sign up.

THE MUSIC CENTERS 135 North Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 972 0711 www.musiccenter.org/kafig


Photo Courtesy of The Music Center





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Photos Julianne Pease


SIMPLE SUMMER SPRUCE UPS by

Julianne Pease


Summer is almost in full swing. Soon guests will be arriving for weekend brunches, pool parties, backyard barbecues and sophisticated al fresco dinners. If you’re feeling the urge to spruce up your home for summer entertaining, you can make a big impact on a modest budget with some simple steps. Refresh your home’s look for summer by investing in four easy areas -- lighting, floors, wall, and accents. Lighten up While you’re reveling in the natural light of summer, don’t overlook the importance of using light to create a mood for warm weather evenings. You may find you need to add light less for visibility and more for ambiance. Summer is a great time to add dimmers to a dining room or bedroom, give bright lights a break in favor of subtly placed table or floor lamps. Outdoor lighting has come a long way baby. With energy-efficient solar lights you can set the mood for evening and night gatherings without the worries of needing electricity nearby. Nothing adds ambiance to an alfresco dinner party more than café lights. There are great retro options (think Edison bulbs) or simple round bulbs, even old school holiday lights can work. If café lights are not an option consider lots and lots of candles or a combination of both. Be sure to check for outdoor ratings and if you plan to keep the lights up year round it is worth the investment to buy commercial grade. Fabulous floors Carpets will benefit from a simple deep cleaning -- something we recommend be done seasonally. For tile, stone or hardwoods, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and maintenance. Another great way to dress up floors, indoors or out is to add a splash of color with an area rug. These will act as an accent or conceal flaws. It is easy this time of year to find large area rugs in all design styles and colors. From big box retailers to online specialty design sites the there are amazing options at this time of year. Wall décor Walls are the largest space element in your room décor, and brightening them for the season can be as easy as switching out the artwork or adding a fresh coat of paint. If you enjoy


Photos Julianne Pease


Photos Julianne Pease


changing up your home’s’ design seasonally we recommend starting with a neutral wall shade and add color with wall art that fits your mood, taste and the season for which you’re decorating. Remember neutral is not just white or beige. Working with a design professional or a paint colorist is a great way to discover color possibilities.

stemless as well highball and rocks glasses are made in heavy high quality plastic and in lots of colors. Perfect you’re your outdoor parties and most are dishwasher safe. Happy summer!! Cathi and Mary Alice

Summer is also a great time to add a decorative mirror. Adding a mirror on the wall opposite a window is a great way to reflect sunlight throughout the room and make a small space appear more expansive. Accents and pops of color Pillows are an easy way to change up your homes décor. Both indoor and outdoor options fill the shelves in bright, bold and patriotic colors. When you are designing your outdoor space be sure you purchase outdoor rated pillows with fabrics such as Sunbrella. They keep their color year after year and you can leave them out in a summer. What’s better on a cool summer evening than to snuggle up with a light blanket and a good book? Consider strategically placing throws on your sofa and chairs. Lightweight throws can be purchased very reasonably at a myriad of stores. If you plan to entertain outside a lot this summer why not get a few extra that can be brought outside during those long lingering summer dinner parties. Small accent art is also plentiful this time of year and very affordable. There are beach and lake themes, summer themes and more. These are a fun and easy way to add a visual decorative reminder it’s summer! Last, but not least don’t forget tableware, linens, and glassware. A few bright and colorful platters or trays can bring that pop of color to your table. Colorful drink ware including pitchers and retro dispensers are plentiful. Wine glasses both stem and

CM DESIGN IN THE CITY

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CM-DESIGNS info@cm-designs.com (213) 705 7241 www.cm-designs.com


ART SPOTLIGHT GIANFRANCO CIOFFI by

Gianfranco Cioffi’s art focuses on the human being and his deepest feelings. HIs paintings reveal our true essence, our purest, most authentic selves. Through his artwork, Cioffi creates a kind or Rorschach test of the soul - artistic examinations of the spirit - executed with precision, supreme delicacy, brutal honesty and love. This body of work, consisting of Sumo and Acrylic Ink paintings on Paper, is a collection of spiritual portraits. It focuses on the ‘secret side’ of the human being and their relationship with themselves. Essentially our shadow-beings, the most protected and vulnerable sides of ourselves, which we most often reveal in our intimate relationships... with our lovers…our family... and ourselves. Technically, Gianfranco’s paintings are defined by their flatness of color or form, their economy of line, and their cool but seductive emotional symbolism; The color black is often the skin of his characters, which represents the combination of all colors, feelings and emotions. “The scheme of the painting invite the observer to move into an unknown space that activates deep and forgotten reminiscences”, the artists states, “ ...some are an introspective research, full of energy

Petra Wright

and intuition, searching for the light within the darkness of the spirit.” “Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which never shows to anybody” - (Mark Twain). For more information on the artists and this collection of paintings, please contact Petra at GDCA Gallery.

GDCA GALLERY 727 South Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90014 (323) 309 2875 pw@gdcagallery.com www.gdcagallery.com


Photos Courtesy of GDCA Gallery


Photos Courtesy of GDCA Gallery



Photos Courtesyof PATH


THE WORLD IS A SAFE PLACE by

Jim White


The Downtown Center Business Improvment District put out this exciting announcement, DCBID’S INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH PATH (PEOPLE ASSISTING THE HOMELESS) ENGAGES MORE THAN 400 HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO CONNECT WITH SERVICES IN FIRST 6 MONTHS

viduals in the area, the teams have been extremely efficient, allowing them to engage and service a greater number of individuals and cover larger areas than anticipated.”

Combined with PATH’s experience, training, and relationships with a full complement of housing opBuilding on its long history of homeless outreach, tions, those experiencing homelessness are providthe Downtown Center Business Improvement Dis- ed with a multitude of solutions for every individutrict’s [DCBID] recent partnership with PATH al engaged, whether they be single, a couple, or a [People Assisting the Homeless] www.epath.org family. “While homelessness is one of the most complicated and multifaceted social challenges we face, has exceeded all initial expectations during its first experts agree that getting individuals into some form six months, announced Carol Schatz, President and of housing is a critical step,” stated Schatz. “PATH’s CEO of the DCBID. “Homelessness is one of the industry-leading experience engaging the homeless most critical issues currently facing Downtown Los population and guiding them to the most appropriAngeles and the DCBID has always strived to con- ate housing options gives the partnership the most tribute meaningful support to our neighborhood’s complete solutions for self sufficiency,” Schatz addhomeless community. And the early returns from our ed. new partnership with PATH appear to be making a significant difference,” said Schatz. Over the past 15 years, the DCBID’s ACTION Team has been the only homeless outreach team staffed The partnership provides for two, full-time mobile and managed by any Business Improvement District outreach teams to engage homeless individuals in Downtown Los Angeles. The team has assisted and, utilizing the County’s foremost screening and nearly 3,000 individuals in the Downtown hometriage tool (the Coordinated Entry System or CES), less community with a variety of services including connect them with the most appropriate interim and assistance into housing and rehabilitation programs, permanent housing, mental health and wellness, health screenings, clothing, blankets, and more. In education, and employment services. The two mo- 2014, the BID ACTION Team became an official adbile teams each consist of one PATH outreach worker minister of the Coordinated Entry System (CES) asand one of the BID’s specially trained ACTION Team sessment, the County’s primary pre-screening and members (employed via Chrysalis). In just their first triage tool designed to be used by all service prosix months, the two teams have engaged 430 new viders to quickly assess the health and social needs homeless individuals and secured interim and per- of homeless persons, and match them with the most manent housing for 55. Additional partnership ac- appropriate support and housing interventions complishments include: available. This new partnership has helped us to focus our efforts in the most effective way to help the Six-Month Achievements: greatest number of people. This is a great collabora430 homeless individuals engaged tion and it takes everyone to be involved at all levels. 57 homeless entered into CES I invite you to visit www.epath.org or ChangeLives. 20 clients linked to interim housing org. to see how you can donate or volunteer today. 35 clients linked to permanent housing 40 people who acquired a California ID* Thank you, Jim White *Having an ID is a crucial requirement for obtaining THE many of the city and county’s assistive services. Fully financed by the DCBID, the partnership’s particular effectiveness has resulted from the experience, tools, and relationships both parties bring to the alliance. According to Tescia Uribe, LCSW, of PATH, “Due in large part to the BID ACTION team members’ relationships with many of the homeless indi-

WORLD IS A SAFE PLACE

jim@theworldisasafeplace.com www.theworldisasafeplace.com



VOTE FOR HILLARY ON JUNE 7 by

Alex LiMandri

Photos Courtesy of Michael Davidson for Hillary for America


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DTLA LIFE Magazine endorses Hillary Clinton for the President! This has been one of our most “topsy-turvy” primary presidential election seasons ever! We really need someone to build upon the legacy of Barack Obama as our next President. After studying the qualifications and platforms of each candidate while trying not to get caught up in the “hype” surrounding them, we are endorsing Secretary Hillary Clinton for the June 7th California Primary and the November Presidential Election. We are joining Governor Brown, the LA Times and other major backers in choosing Hillary Clinton to lead us down the path to beat Donald Trump in November. We encourage everyone to vote for Secretary Clinton in the upcoming June 7, 2016 primary and then for President in November! To learn more about what her campaign is about and support her candidacy, please visit: www.hillaryclinton.com

Alex LiMandri Editor-in-Chief

DTLA LIFE MAG www.dtlalife.com www.laloftsrealty.com www.dwellhomes.com


Photos Courtesy of Barbara Kinney for Hillary for America

Photos Courtesy of Michael Davidson for Hillary for America







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