Photo and article from Curbed LA by Adrian Glick Kudler.

Are we finally getting to the good part in planning the Subway to the Sea (aka Westside Extension of the Purple Line)? Metro is holding a series of community meetings to share the latest news since the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report process started in April, and there was firm-ish talk of station locations and construction arrangements. Curbed was at last night’s West Hollywood meeting, where Metro’s Jody Litvak and David Mieger presented updates and heard from community members. (First shot: Wilshire Blvd, peeled back. At Fairfax)

While the Draft EIS/EIR will look at a total Santa Monica Boulevard alignment, the presentation focused on the much more favored Wilshire alignment. Stations along that line are confirmed for Western, La Brea, Fairfax, Beverly Drive, and 26th, 16th, and 4th in Santa Monica. The Crenshaw station is still a possibility. Here’s what’s up for debate:

Read the full article at Curbed LA

Photo from Angeleno Magazine, photographed by Spencer Lowell, Michael Todd.

Article from Angeleno, a Modern Luxury magazine.By Gary Baum, Jade Chang, Marissa, Gluck, Alexis Johnson and Degen Pener.

In the August 09 issue of Angeleno magazine, staff writers report on five neighborhoods are good investments that will hold their value, even if they aren’t the talk of the town.

Mar Vista: This town is bordered by National to the north, Sawtelle to the east, Washington to the south and Walgrave to the west. Although the town is only elevated 200 feet above the surrounding areas, it offers surprising views of Santa Monica Bay and Century City. Mar Vista retains some charm with an unexplored vibe and a sense that not everything there has been carefully manicured and thought-out.

West Bel Air: You have heard of Bel Air, but its calmer neighbor West Bel Air provides a completely different atmosphere for those who want a less glamorous locale. Houses here often have large yards and beautiful views of the ocean. This neighborhood seems a bit more old-fashioned than its neighbors, and people who buy here tend to stay. Bonus: West Bel Air has its own winery, Moraga Vineyards.

Whitely Heights: Described as “physically close to and mentally far from Hollywood,” this neighborhood was a popular home to movie stars in the early 20th century. The Mediterranean- and Spanish-style houses must approve renovations through a historic preservation board, which prevents the invasion of over-the-top modern mansions, and the small-town feel fosters a sense of community.

Wilshire Corridor:  The ten-block stretch between Glendon and Comstock has over 30 luxury towers, providing the services of a hotel with the privacy of one’s own home. Buildings such as the Remington and the Californian are bringing in a younger, more urban crowd, and new features such at the Carlyle such as a yoga lawn and anti-paparazzi guards will cater to a hipper clientele.

Palisades Riviera: This neighborhood has always been home to the rich, but now the famous are starting to buy in this luxurious area. The large lots and large homes also offer beautiful views and easy-access to the Will Rogers State Park’s horse trails. This neighborhood will always be expensive, but with the housing market on the decline, the time to buy is now.

Read the full article with more details and photos in the August 09 issue of Angeleno.

Buying in unfinished buildings is risky because many things could go wrong. Although it may seem like construction is moving along nicely now, lenders can always change their minds and back out of the project, stopping construction and leaving an unfinished project halted and awaiting funding. Think of how many buildings you have seen or heard about sitting for ten years before a buyer comes along and decides to renovate. Or worse, tear the whole thing down to build something new.

If the project loses funding and you have already committed to living there, you may be stuck in a building that feels like a ghost town. The beautiful apartment that you fell in love with is still just as beautiful on the inside, but you have no neighbors and the building has an eerie quiet. The sense of community that you hoped to buy into is nonexistent, and you may not have enough money to try to find another place to live.

There are plenty of beautiful and finished buildings opening their doors around the country all the time, so if you feel tempted by that fancy new unfinished project, resist the urge to buy. In a year, if you still haven’t found the right place to live, maybe that dream building will be finished and you can buy into a safe bet.

Photo from blogdowntown

Article from blogdowntown by Ed Fuentes

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The Downtown Film Festival returns for its second run August 12 – 22, with a lineup long in dark themes mixed with a bit of comedy.

Along with its features and shorts, this year’s festival features a free homage to Paul Newman and a line-up of music documentaries that will culminate with “Jackson 5 in Africa,” filmed in Senegal in 1974.

The Opening Night Gala at AT&T Center will screen “Reach For Me” (2009) on Friday, August 14. Directed by LeVar Burton, the story is of a man confined to a hospice who finds love in what may be his last days. It stars Seymour Cassel, Johnny Whitworth, Lacey Chabert, Adrienne Barbeau and Alfre Woodard.

This is the Los Angeles premiere for the Burton-directed film, and Cassel will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Downtown Film Festival.

The 500-seat theater at AT&T Center will be the main venue for the festival’s featured films, which include “My Suicide,” a 2008 film about a student filmmaker who announces the documentation of his own death is his new school project. As with many indies, it took a few years of filming and post production before being completed, and the picture happens to be one of actor David Carradine’s last filmed performances.

Other featured films include “The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle” (2009), a dark comedy that tells the story of a recently unemployed twenty-something forced to take a job as a janitor at a marketing research firm. He unknowingly becomes a guinea pig testing “self-warming” cookies that carry side effects. “In The Drink” (2009) is about a hipster who walks into a dive only to find he represents the invasion of gentrification, a violation of the old watering hole / dive and finds resistance from the bartender and a long-time customer.

Also featured are varied collective screenings of short films, including the themed Environmental Shorts, Latin-American Shorts, Young Filmmakers, and Digital Arts.

The GRAMMY Museum will host a music series, with documentaries including 2000’s “My Generation,” 2009’s “In Search of Beethoven,” and 2008’s “Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison” The Downtown Independent Theater, formerly the ImaginAsian Center, will host two nights with “special events.”

In addition, arts>Brookfield Properties will host a free double feature Paul Newman tribute with a screening of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969) and “HUD” (1963) at 7+Fig on August 13; The Rowan Gallery will host experimental videos August 13 – 16 from Noon to 5pm; August 20th is the day for ‘SUSTAINABLE L.A.” The All-Day ‘Green’ event is part product expo, and mini green film festival.

The Closing Night Gala will be held at the Los Angeles Theatre on August 22 and showcases the West Coast premiere of “Jackson 5 in Africa,” a 50 minute documentary about the pop group’s first tour of Africa. Filmed in Senegal in 1974, it managed to stay stored away until recently. Fascinatingly, in 1982 an unfinished version of the film was exchanged for a rough diamond. “Jackson 5 in Africa” was recently premiered at Harlem’s National Black Theater.

Downtown Film Festival / August 12 – 22, 2009

Photo: One of three route options from LA Streetcar, Inc.

Article from blogdowntown by Eric Richardson