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Hollywood FRINGE
June 13th through 30th
May 15, 2013
The purpose and mission of the Hollywood Fringe Festival is to inspire, promote, and host environments for bold and experimental works, champion underground art and artists, vitalize the arts industry in Los Angeles and promote and enrich Hollywood. Information available by going to: HollywoodFringe.org .
Homeless Feeding Program
Asked to Relocate
May 17, 2013
For more than ten years now, every evening on the corner of Romaine St. and Sycamore Ave. there has been a feeding program, or rather a food line that is set up for the homeless population. Operated by an organization called the Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition (GWHFC), this feeding program had previously been located in West Hollywood up until that city took action to move the program out of their municipality by way of passing an ordinance not allowing street feeding. Since the program relocated here to LA, it has grown considerably. Starting out by serving to less than 100 homeless people, it now often draws nearly 300 people a night.
With the greater numbers of homeless people attracted to this corner every night, there has come about problems for the entire area around where it is located. Complaints from property and business owners, as well as from nearby residential neighborhoods, have been that the increased homeless population have brought more trash to their streets, people are camping out in alleys, increased drug and alcohol abuse incidents, human waste is evident, and there has been a considerable increase in the number of motor-homeless parked in the area.
Thus, the time has come when the Media District as well as the greater Hollywood community are all asking the GWHFC’s organizers to stop the food line operation on the street. Also, Councilmember LaBonge’s office has been asked to help find the GWHFC a new off-the-street indoor facility for the feeding program.
New Mural on Santa Monica Blvd.
May 15, 2013
Graffiti artist DJ Neff working from lift on new mural.
Graffiti artist, DJ Neff, recently completed a large-scale mural on wall of the Arena Nightclub, 6655 Santa Monica Blvd. The large concrete block wall of the Nightclub has been bare and void of any paint or treatment since the Nightclub opened a number of years ago. Now, a vibrant colored mural reminiscent of the 1960s art of Peter Max flows across the wall, and it was entirely created with paint from spray cans.
DJ Neff is associated with CANLOVE, an organization devoted to removing discarded spray paint cans from graffiti zones and properly (and creatively) recycle them. For more information about CANLOVE visit: canlove.org .
TELEVISION CENTER
Building for the Future,
Expansion and Parking Structure
April 05, 2013
Currently Television Center, located at 6311 Romaine St., has over 163,000 sq. ft. with creative and traditional workspaces. The original building was built in the 1920s by the Technicolor Corporation, and it was a grand statement in the emerging Art Deco style of the day. Also when the building was the Technicolor Corporation, it was the primary Hollywood business that provided film producers color processing through the 1950s. Today, fully restored and well maintained, Television Center is home to creative production and technical services companies, to artists, photographers, film labs, casting agents, and Hollywood’s Gold’s Gym.
Step Up on Vine
Facility Completed and Opens
April 22, 2013
Trois Mec
716 N. Highland Ave.
April 22, 2013
The culinary trio of Ludo Lefebvre, Vinny Dotolo, and Jon Shook, have opened a 26-seat bistronomique in a tiny unassuming place, inside a strip mall behind the 76 Gas Station located at the corner of Melrose and Highland Aves. Hidden within a former hole-in-the-wall pizzeria, with the old pizza sign remaining although all the windows have been frosted over, one can’t help but think this place is being keep a secret.
Trois Mec, which means “three guys” in French, is simple but interesting with an open-kitchen interior and offering an exclusively French wine list. They will operate on a pre-paid ticket reservation system, and they will serve one nightly 5-course dinner Mondays through Fridays only. For more info go to: troismec.com .
Rao’s Italian Restaurant
Coming to Media District
1006 Seward St.
April 16, 2013
Rao’s, an infamous 115+ year-old haunt with locations in New York’s East Harlem, and inside Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, will soon be opening its Los Angeles version of this Southern Neapolitan family-style eatery in the Media District. Reps for the new Rao’s confirm that the opening should be this Summer in the old Hollywood Canteen space at 1006 Seward St. The new Rao’s, unlike the old New York restaurant with only 10 tables, will have more available seating and both indoor and outdoor.
Co-owned by Frank Pellegrino Sr. (aka Frankie No), and Ron Straci, Rao’s New York caters to a who’s who list of patrons from New York politicians to celebrities to musicians – but also regular folks from the neighborhood who have been dining at the restaurant for decades. Frank Pellegrino Jr., who is another co-owner and managing partner of Rao’s Caesars Palace, will also oversee the Hollywood location.
Frank Pellegrino Sr. is also an actor, having appeared in flicks like Goodfellas and Broadway Danny Rose, and the television show The Sopranos; and both he and Frank Jr. have written Rao’s cookbooks including “Recipes from the Neighborhood,“ “Over 100 Years of Italian Home Cooking” and most recently, “Rao’s on the Grill.”
For more information visit raos.com/history.aspx#.UW2NboVpfro
Eat This Café
6547 Santa Monica Blvd.
April 15, 2013
Now open offering seasonal sandwiches, fresh salads, and panini in an eclectic space in the heart of the Media District. Also lemon bars and peanut butter cookies for your sweet indulgences. Lunch and dinner daily, serving brunch on weekends 9am to 3pm, and catering available. Call 323.999.2003, or go to: eatthiscafe.com/
Little India Restaurant
Now Open for Business
6775 Santa Monica Blvd.
April 15, 2013
If you love traditional Indian cuisine, this is the place to go. Serving lunch with a terrific all you can eat buffet, or try their dinner menu. Also they can cater your next event. Give them a call at 323.463.4226.
Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND)
Opens New Office at corner of
Highland Ave. / Santa Monica Blvd.
April 16, 2013
Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND) is a non-profit art organization that was founded in 2009. As a public art initiative committed to curating contemporary art projects in the Los Angeles area, LAND supports dynamic and unconventional artistic practices using a tripartite approach:
1) Commissioning public projects of site- and situation-specific works with national and international contemporary artists. 2) Collaborating with a variety of institutions and organizations, such as universities, museums, and theaters, as well as other types of spaces, industries, and entities.
3) Offering additional programs such as performances, workshops, residencies, discussions, and publications.
For information call 646.620.8289, or go to nomadicdivision.org .
Media District Business Watch Meetings
with LAPD and BID Security
March 22, 2013
In cooperation with the LAPD Hollywood Station, The Media District holds bimonthly BID Business Watch meetings. These meetings are held at Hollywood Neighborhood City Hall, 6501 Fountain Ave. (corner of Wilcox and Fountain). They are free and open to the public, and a light lunch is provided. For each meeting a guest speaker is featured, providing information on topics that will be useful to business owners. Security issues are discussed and there is always an opportunity to speak with the Hollywood Senior Lead Officer (SLO) and the BID’s Security Patrol staff.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 9th, from 12 noon until 1pm. Please come and join us.
BID Security Patrol Office Moves to 7000 Romaine St.
April 16, 2013
The Security Patrol Office of the Hollywood Media District BID has moved from the corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and Highland Ave. to a new location. The new location of the BID’s Security Patrol Office is at 7000 Romaine St. Also, all Security Office contact phone numbers remain unchanged and there are Patrol Officers on duty 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Contact Capt. John Irigoyen: office 323.871.4150, mobile 213.276.3165, fax 323.871.4121, or email jirigoyen@universalpro.com .
The Media District wishes to thank the owner and PDR Property Management for providing the BID with an office for the past six years. Their generosity has been greatly appreciated. And now through the generosity of the Producers Film Center, by providing the BID with the new office, the Media District is able to continue its patrols and services to keep you and the entire Media District safe.
BID Services Keep Your Property
and Business Clean and Safe
February 21, 2012
Highland Ave. looking north from Melrose Ave.
Also, the Media District contracts with Universal Protection Services (UPS) to provide Security Patrols within the BID. These patrols are by foot, on bicycles, and in the Media District’s security vehicle. Patroling security officers are present throughout the District 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. If needed, they can be directly contacted by calling 323.871.4150.
If you are having any problems keeping your property or business clean and safe – trash dumped or graffiti, suspicious or nuisance individuals coming onto your property or into your business – please consider completing two very important forms that can help. These forms are: a “Trespass Authorization” form and a “Graffiti Paint Out Agreement” form.
The first form is a “Trespass Authorization” that gives permission to Officers of the LAPD and the Media District to come on to your property and exercise enforcement of your No Trespassing signage. (Please note, you must have No Trespassing signs posted.)
The second form is a “Graffiti Paint Out Agreement” that allows HBT to come on to your property and paint out tagging and graffiti. Also, upon request they will accept paint from property owners and businesses in order to match your existing colors.
To obtain these Authorization and Agreement forms, or to request any other services within the BID, please contact Jim Omahen, Operations Manager for the Media District at 323.860.0088 or email jim@mediadistrict.org .
A Bit About BIDs
April 08, 2013
A business improvement district (BID) is a defined area within which commercial property owners pay an additional assessment in order to fund improvements within the district's boundaries. BIDs may go by other names, such as business improvement area, business revitalization zone, community improvement district, special services area, or special improvement district. BIDs provide services, such as cleaning streets, providing security, making capital improvements, and marketing the area. The services provided by BIDs are supplemental to those already provided by the local municipality.
The first BID was the Bloor West Village BIA, which was established in Toronto in 1970. The first BID in the United States was the Downtown Development District in New Orleans in 1974. BIDs have been established around the world, including in New Zealand, South Africa, Jamaica, Serbia, Albania, Germany, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. A study in 2007 found 739 BIDs worldwide, but current estimates are that there are over 900 BIDs in the United States alone.
Legislation is necessary to permit local governments to create BIDs. The process for creating a BID varies from one jurisdiction to another, but generally three steps are involved. First, some number of property owners in the area organize and petition the local government to create the BID. Second, the local government determines that a majority of property owners, usually done by a vote, want the BID. Third, the local government enacts legislation creating the BID. Residences and some governmental entities are usually exempt from making any contributions, and the operating budgets of BIDs range from a few thousand dollars to tens of millions of dollars.
A BID may be operated by a nonprofit organization or by a quasi-governmental entity. The governance of a BID is the responsibility of a board of directors composed of some combination of property owners or their designated representatives. The management of a BID is the job of a paid administrator usually called an executive director or a management company and often other managing staff.
BIDs have also become a powerful lobby group, lobbying government for improvements such as new sidewalks, trees, park benches and other restorations. BIDs can also lobby different levels of government for a complete facelift on their area if they feel it is necessary. BIDs have been created in situations where neither the private sector nor government can adequately provide needed changes or services for the betterment of a specific area.
There are four BIDs in Hollywood: Hollywood Media District, Hollywood Entertainment District, the Hollywood & Vine Business Improvement District, and the East Hollywood Business Improvement District.
Media District Dining Guide
April 22, 2013
With an upscale atmosphere and an air of sophistication, AMMO has been located on Highland Avenue since 1996. With a full bar, AMMO is a great place for lunch or dinner. www.ammocafe.com
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Chinese Express, 6775 Santa Monica Blvd.
Inexpensive chinese food, good combo deals available.
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Crown of India, 6755 Santa Monica Blvd.
Come see why people are flocking to this authentic Indian eatery! Amazing food with great lunch specials keep this place bustling.
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Eat This Café, 6547 Santa Monica Blvd.
Offering seasonal sandwiches, fresh salads, and panini in an eclectic space in the heart of the Media District. Also lemon bars and peanut butter cookies for your sweet indulgences. Lunch and dinner daily, serving brunch on Sat-Sun 9am to 3pm, and catering available.
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Grub, 911 Seward St.
Serving up California Comfort Food with a side of sass and a quirky and inviting atmosphere! Now open for lunch or dinner everyday, plus weekend brunch on Sat-Sun (and also now serving wine and beer). www.grub-la.com
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The Hollywood Corner, 1156 Highland Ave.
This place has a little of everything, including wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, an amazing breakfast menu, beer and wine, and red velvet mini-cakes to die for! Sign up for their loyalty program and get 15% off your meal. callthecorner.com
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Jack in the Box, 1243 N. Highland Ave.
Fast food with an eclectic menu - everything from salads to burgers, to egg rolls and tacos. Drive-thru open late. www.jackinthebox.com
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Little India Restaurant, 6775 Santa Monica Blvd.
Serving up traditional Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Offering a terrific all you can eat lunch buffet. Also offering catering for your next event.
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Marino Ristorante, 6001 Melrose Ave.
This family owned business has been serving up the finest traditional Italian food for nearly thirty years. With an upscale atmosphere and a great wine list. Serving lunch and diner. marinorestaurant.net
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Shakey's Pizza, 7001 Santa Monica Blvd.
Known for their large buffet, Shakey’s is a favorite lunch time spot for many employees in the District. Mojo Potatoes are just one of the highlights here. www.shakeys.com
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Subway, 6775 Santa Monica Blvd.
A healthy alternative to fast food, who doesn't love a Subway sandwich? www.subway.com
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Susan Feniger's Street, 742 Highland Ave.
Inspired by exotic street food from around the world, this relatively new eatery is in the space formerly occupied by The Dive (and earlier, Highland Grounds). www.eatatstreet.com
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Taqueria La Pinata, 6751 Santa Monica Blvd.
This taco stand, formerly Benitos and more recently Hoagie's and Wings, is now operated by the same folks that run the Crown of India Restaurant directly behind it. So expect the same quality food and service but with a latin flavor!
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Tasty Thai Restaurant, 718 N. Vine St.
Great lunch specials at this hole-in-the-wall asian eatery.
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Trois Mec, 716 N. Highland Ave.
Simple but interesting with an open-kitchen interior and offering an exclusively French wine list. Pre-paid ticket reservations only, serving one nightly 5-course dinner Mondays through Fridays only. troismec.com
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Xiomara Restaurant, 6101 Melrose Ave.
A favorite of the Media District Board of Directors, this exotic restaurant features Cuban-inspired food and a full bar where you would think the mojito was born. Great lunch specials, too! www.xiomararestaurant.com
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Yoshinoya, 6300 Santa Monica Blvd.
Home of the Beef Bowl, Yoshinoya is fast food with a Japanese twist. Drive through available, open late. www.yoshinoyausa.com
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Did we miss you? We aimed to include every restaurant within the boundaries of our District, so please let us know if we failed to include something. Email Jim Omahen, jim@mediadistrict.org with your information.