Eastern Columbia Community

Thanks to KOR and fellow residents...

2007-07-26T18:13:00.000-07:00

...for the wonderful party last night, and my apologies to every one I failed to introduce myself to. Here are images for all to share.

P.S. Z, I came close to saying hi in person, but the bar crowd was too dense!

Don't miss the best jazz singer!

2007-07-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

Please don't miss the best jazz singer and my friend Kurt Reichenbach
He sings at the Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill Friday, August 3, 2007, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Gerry Schroeder-piano, Tom Warrington-Bass, Ralph Penland-Drums, plus surprise guests!
No Cover-Two drink minimum or dinner-Free Parking! Call 323.466.9917 for reservations.
Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 6122 Sunset Blvd. (in Gower Gulch), Hollywood, CA 90028

See you there & be well!

Dr.D.

Esotouric Tours July 21st & 22nd For the Literature Lovers

2007-07-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

For the literature lovers, there are two Esotouric tours this weekend around downtown LA.

July 21st Raymond Chandler

"Bungalows. Crime. Hollywood. Blondes. Vets. Smog. Death.
This was Raymond Chandler's Los Angeles, which resonated from deft and melancholy fits of his writer's bow. Join us as we go down the mean streets that shaped his fiction..."

July 22nd John Fante

"Before Kerouac, before Bukowski, there was John Fante, author of "Ask the Dust," "Dreams of Bunker Hill," "Full of Life," "The Road to Los Angeles" and "Wait Until Spring, Bandini." This five-novel cycle, written over sixty years, introduced the world to Arturo Bandini, an outspoken, down-and-out Mr. Hyde to Fante's Dr. Jekyll.

As Bunker Hill's prodigal son, Fante-as-Bandini chronicles a forgotten Los Angeles neighborhood..."

Details on Live Downtown LA

http://livedowntownla.blogspot.com/

Z.

Pardon Our Dust!

2007-07-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

For all of you restorers, re-builders, refurbishers and re-decorators:

please check out this blog:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/pardonourdust/

Have Fun & Be Well!

Dr.D.

The 626 Adventures.

2007-07-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Neighbours,

There are certain life experienced that can be found only in downtown New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and, yes, the Downtown Los Angeles.

Please check out the 626 Reserve Wine Bar in creative (chocolate) partnership with the 626 Art Galleries.

Be Well!

Dr.D.

The Doctor is in the building

2007-07-06T17:40:00.001-07:00

In responce to a number of inquiries from residents and owners new to LA/Downtown LA concerning possible referrals to local doctors/dentists/other health professionals, I would like to share the following information:

I am not in active clinical practice any longer, but am engaged in consulting Naturopathic & Alternative Medicine practice (http://www.askdrd.blogspot.com/w.askdrd.blogspot.com/) .

I also run the National Health & Wellness Advocacy engaged in the economics, policy and politics of health carING (ot at least it should be) established in 1993 (http://www.drdorodny.blogspot.com/)

Having practiced in ER/ORs in Los Angeles/Pasadena/Glendale/Santa Monica areas, (after escape from NY--Albert Einstein and Bronx-Lebanon) for over 25 years I am an invaluable resource for a free neighbourly "triage" and appropriate referral and would be happy to be of service to all nice intelligent people.

Such free friendly advice does not constitute a formal confidential contractual doctor-patient relationship; and, as always, I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

For the duration of remodeling of my unit I will continue to live in Malibu, but can be reached by phone at (310) 663-2949. In case of medical emergency, stop reading this posting and Dial 911!

Be Well!

Dr.D.

If you are not concerned with the National ID Card, ...

2007-07-06T13:08:00.000-07:00

...you really should be. And here is why:

http://www.adcritic.com/interactive/view.php?id=5927

You are welcome to opine.

Be Well!

Dr.D.

Attention grocery shoppers!

2007-07-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday July 05th 2007, 11:46 am reported by the Angelinic blog:

"Original Ralphs at Sixth and Spring in Downtown Los Angeles, c.1886. Click for larger view.
CIM Group, developer of the Market Lofts above the new Ralphs, believes that the new Ralphs Fresh Fare in Downtown LA’s South Park neighborhood will be opening July 20 of this year.

We are all anxiously awaiting this July 20 opening, though others have had differing information, both hearsay and direct from Ralphs. Despite all of this, I think we can all agree that barring any labor problems, some day later this month will be the big day.

Though full of self-congratulatory BS, as quoted below (it’s a loft sales press release, after all), this is the event that thousands of Downtowners have been waiting for, as a pseudo-validation of the neighborhood and as a validation for the dozens of condescending “You live Downtown?? Downtown LA?” comments we all seem to get."

No one knows when that label was applied to the urbanization of Downtown, but it’s been tossed around by local media. However, if all of us practice what we preach , i.e. shop locally we can expedite the rebirth of Downtown LA.

Be Well!

Dr.D.

FREE Art & Drinks at 2121 Lofts.

2007-07-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

Free Art, Drinks at 2121 Lofts

It's a steamy, summertime downtown party! 2121 Lofts is throwing its yearly free arts party this Saturday night, an event which looks promising if only because the press release notes the celebration could go on till 2 a.m. A publicist asked us to mention the event, of course.

Twenty percent of the units have sold since the building opened in March--there are 59 artist lofts and 19 loft townhomes. The units were slowly released; the townhomes were first to go on sale in March, and the artist lofts weren’t released for sale until May. Most of the townhomes are available for move-ins this summer, and the lofts will be ready in late fall.

Have a drink or two, enjoy art on 2121 and check out our neighbours.

Be Well!

Dr.D.

411 on New Restaurants in 213

2007-07-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

New stuff on the way downtown.

Ready to open:

Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant and Elevate Lounge in the 811 Wilshire building offers stunning city views and plenty of patio space as well as dishes like "Pop Art Crab." Bow is projected for the last week of July. Former Katsu-ya chef Kenny Yamada is in charge.

Under construction:

Chaya is expanding its Westside-oriented eatery empire to downtown at 505 S. Flower St.

Speakeasy themes are all the rage, and construction is under way on the Crocker Club at 453 S. Spring St. A hidden entrance will lead to a basement vault bar and lounge.

Calling all astronauts: Tranquility Base will be a lunar-themed American cuisine restaurant on the ground floor of the Sky Project at 801 S. Grand Ave.

Swanky Roosevelt Lofts on Seventh Street are said to be getting an outpost of Hollywood hot spot Citizen Smith.

Down the line:

Michael Cimarusti, owner of Providence, wants to open a French brasserie. He told the L.A. Times: "The perfect place for it is someplace downtown, where you've got good walking traffic and a good lunch crowd."

London uberchef Gordon Ramsay, who already announced a West Hollywood eatery, is said to be planning a second location -- and may be attracted to downtown's burgeoning scene.

Chef Laurent Quenioux is looking for a downtown base now that he's left Bistro K, where he introduced veal feet and ant larvae to adventurous Angelenos.

Be Well!

Dr.D.

To all alleged traffic violators!

2007-06-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

Effective July 1, 2007 the "new" fines are in effect:

Driving in carpool lane--$1068.50, the second time it will double, the third time triple and DL will be suspended with the fourth fine

Incorrect lane change--$380.00

Blocking the intersection--$485.00

Driving on the shoulder--$450.00

Cell phone (if not "hands free")--$285.00, double in construction zones

Seatbelts--if the passenger is not wearing the seatbelt, both the passenger and the driver will be ticketed.

Speeding--is anything over 3 (three) miles over posted speed limit

DUI--mandatory jail time and 10 years on the record.

If enjoyed the changes as much as I did, please send a thank you not to you State legislators.

I gripe, you decide!

Help for the directionally-challenged

2007-06-22T17:11:00.000-07:00

If you are like me, you would like to know the location of at lest a couple of Starbucks stores within walking distance of our building.

Since I managed to find one in the Forbidden City, I offer this useful link to the directionally-challenged, Starbucks-addicted fellow Easterners:

Please click the log for a quick search and short walk to the nearest Starbucks.

Be Well!

P.S. I am not a Starbucks shareholder, but I wish I was.

Community in action

2007-06-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

During my official walk-through yesterday (06/20/07) I was similarly impressed by the professionalism of Claudia (Customer Service Representative), her assistant Rodrigo and Betty, the front desk clerk.

In addition to answering all of my questions she made a point of introducing me to residents that were passing us by. By the same mechanism I was introduced to a fellow resident who is also a Realtor, Bill Cooper, who promptly informed me that there is an active Yahoo group moderated by a resident.

I look forward to working together with Bill and other members of the group.

For up-to-date information on LA Live please check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnLrg5jtJPE&eurl=http://la%

It is also my understanding that the condos at The Ritz are selling like crazy at $1,000-1,100 per sq.f!

Be Well!

Dr.D.

Return to "Eastern Columbia" roots

2007-06-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

About a year and a half ago, on advice of my good friend and great realtor David Kean, I have entered into an agreement to purchase an 8th floor unit in the building (facing 9th and Hill Str.) that, of course, only existed on paper.

In doing so, I've met the two wonderful professional women in KOR sales: Sanju and Ardemis (no longer with KOR). I was excited about living in downtown (DT) and an opportunity to be a part of the diverse, vibrant community at Eastern. With that in mind, I've secured this blogsite that remained dormant until a week ago.

Unfortunately, my excitement was short lived as I had to surrender the property due to a forced transfer to London (someone had to go).

Upon completion of my engagement in England, I returned to my home in Malibu and was contacted by Ardemis Freeland who was advertising a unit in the now completed building.

Fortunately, I was able to visit Eastern building in mid-May and reconnect with my favorite real estate professionals. In addition, I was fortunate to meet KOR's charismatic Kimberly Lucero, the driving force of KOR sales.

My astonishment with meticulous restoration and artful decoration of the common areas, not to mention the clock tower and the pool deck, combined with a sense of belonging resulted in my purchase of Unit #1203 on the spot, despite the smoggy day and limited visibility.

Having visited the building on a number of occasions, I was pleasantly impressed both by residents and staff.

I look forward to being an active member of this community by working together with all stakeholders: residents, owners, BOD of the HOA, KOR and Action Property Management, Inc.

I would also like to invite all of the stakeholders to participate in this blog.

Hope to meet you all in person soon.

Be Well!