Ellen Riotto resigned her position as Executive Director of the South Park Business Improvement District (SPBID) in October. In a letter to the SPBID Board, Ellen said, “I have decided it is time for me to close this chapter.” Ellen’s last day is November 18.

Over 70 of South Park’s finest costumed pups came together with 200 of their owners and friends for an epic Halloween canine costume party in South Park Commons on Oct. 30. The event included a dog costume contest, pizza, prizes, plus beer served by HiDef Brewery and First Draft Tap Room. OrangeTheory offered a demonstration and the animal welfare organization The Rescue Train, (www.therescuetrain.org) provided information about the organization. Everyone had a paw-sitively good time!

The opening of the Moxy + AC Hotels, brands of Marriott Hotels and Resorts on Figueroa at Pico, scheduled to open on December 15.

“The story is inspirational. More than any other holiday, Thanksgiving goes to the heart of who we are, and what we do at the Pico Union Project,” said Pico-Union neighbor Craig Taubman, Founder of FaithsGiving.

Among the most visible organizations at last Sunday’s SPNA Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade was Race for the Rescues, an animal welfare organization that sponsors the annual Race for the Rescues in Los Angeles and Orange County. Race for the Rescues is a day when animal lovers of all ages run, walk, or adopt – to help save the lives of homeless dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and farm animals in Southern California. This is a fundraiser where 100% of the net proceed go to local animal welfare organizations. The race is a timed sporting event featuring a mixture of serious athletes and people who just want to come out and walk, with or without their dog, to help support the benefiting organizations.

An Open Letter Regarding Former Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez and Councilmembers Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo

A group of South Park residents were recently certified in 3 life-saving methods – packing, pressure, and tourniquet - to stop bleeding in emergency situations as part of a nationwide preparedness plan.

The Sauna Lab is the newly opened infrared sauna spa on 11th and Hope St. We decided to check it out and had an interview with the owner, Laura Weiss.

Two years of perseverance, cooperation, and artistry from a Portuguese artist led Branded Arts to unveil an amazing mural of Kobe, Gia, and the snake symbolizing the Mamba mentality on the side wall of the WCTL building facing 12th and Hope Streets in August.

A Costumed Dog Parade is planned for Sunday, October 30 from 4 to 6 pm at South Park Commons (referred to a Wishbone Park), next to Aven and Pine and Crane on Grand Avenue between 11th and 12th Streets. HOWL-O-WEEN is hosted by South Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA).

A night of wonder in South Park was created with projected sound and video feeds, live performances, immersive artworks, and a digital drone activation on the walls of 12 neighborhood buildings the night of September 17 at Luminex 2.0. The projected art installations “explored the entanglement between realities and dreamscape illusions, our physical and digital worlds in conflict, and change as a constant driving force”. More simply stated, the whole show was a HOOT!

At the corner of Hope and 12th sits a 47-year-old family-owned restaurant with no concrete menu and an impressive loyalty base. I spent a Wednesday morning at Aladdin’s with Cyndi, the owner, and some of her regulars.

One of the perks of living in Downtown L.A. is that there is always something to do nearby! You don’t have to look far to plan your next outing or to just get out for a day. We’ve rounded up some of the best events, shows, and activities going on in October / November that you can’t miss out on.

A group of South Park residents were recently certified in 3 life-saving methods – packing, pressure, and tourniquet - to stop bleeding in emergency situations as part of a nationwide preparedness plan.