Embrace C.L.E.A.N. A Vision for a Greener and Cleaner DTLA
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

Embrace C.L.E.A.N. A Vision for a Greener and Cleaner DTLA

As Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) undergoes a renaissance, we are at a pivotal point in shaping the future of our community. One crucial aspect that demands our attention is waste management in public spaces. The C.L.E.A.N. program (Conscious Living in Environmentally Aware Neighborhoods) emerges as an innovation and practical method.

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Political News: 8 Candidates Qualified for CD14 City Council Race.                   Their Answers to Our Questions Part I – South Park Questions
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

Political News: 8 Candidates Qualified for CD14 City Council Race. Their Answers to Our Questions Part I – South Park Questions

Eight of 14 candidates running to represent our neighborhood and Council District 14 on the Los Angeles City Council obtained enough signatures to qualify for the primary election on March 5, 2024 - Wendy Carrillo, Nadine Diaz, Genny Guerrero, Teresa Y. Hillery, Ysabel Jurado, Kevin de León, Miguel Santiago, and Eduardo “Lalo” Vargas.

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Join Us for the First Ever SPNA Community Cleanse
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

Join Us for the First Ever SPNA Community Cleanse

January is the month when we think about New Year’s Resolutions, addressing our bad habits, and some decide on a cleanse for the month. With the decadent eating (and drinking) that happens during the holidays, a cleanse during January is growing in popularity.

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It was a Very Good Year! A Look Back at SPNA in 2023
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

It was a Very Good Year! A Look Back at SPNA in 2023

South Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) was created in March 2022 as a volunteer organization to be a voice and advocate for residents of South Park. As SPNA completes its 2nd calendar year, we look back with pride of our accomplishments. 2023 saw major advancement in the organization and within our community.

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Virtu Coffee - blend of hospitality, specialty roasted beans, urban setting (Read on - see what Virtu has for you!)
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

Virtu Coffee - blend of hospitality, specialty roasted beans, urban setting (Read on - see what Virtu has for you!)

Crossing bells ringing, a train horn blaring, red lights blinking, doors slamming open. The “A” train rumbles out of the Pico Metro Station. A few moments later the “E” train brakes squeakily as it pulls to a stop enroute to Santa Monica. Ah, the sights and sounds of urban living! And across the Metro entrance on Flower St, just south of CVS on 12th, owner and barista, James Fastiggi, opened Virtu Coffee in October, 2023.

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Urban Med Reimaging as                “Athlete Within”
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

Urban Med Reimaging as “Athlete Within”

It is a new year; January is the month to refocus your priorities. Have you been dealing with too much anxiety? Have you been ignoring a nagging injury? Are you finding your lateral mobility being limited? If you answer yes to any of those questions, check out Athlete Within (previously Urban Med) located next to Starbucks on 11th, west of Grand Ave. They are offering a free tour, a free cold plunge, and a compression boot experience. 

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Modern Animal Welcomes Your Pets
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

Modern Animal Welcomes Your Pets

South Park pet owners have long been  challenged in locating convenient local veterinary care for their dogs and cats.  The recent opening of Modern Animal at 301 West Olympic Blvd. between Olive and Hill has solved this challenging aspect of South Park life with a bright new cheerful facility and an excellent program that offers the best health care for Fido or Tiger. I recently visited Modern Animal with my Chihuahua/Terrier mix Elizabeth, and I was completely satisfied and impressed. Let me tell you about Modern Animal and my first experience.

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SPNA January Community Cleanse
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

SPNA January Community Cleanse

Laden with turkey, ham, potatoes, gravy, sweets, and treats, all of us are going to be thinking about some much-needed healthy eating and some physical activity come January. 

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Photo Page:                                                     L.A. Comic Con Just Wraped up at LA Live!
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

Photo Page: L.A. Comic Con Just Wraped up at LA Live!

L.A. Comic Con is a three-day multi-genre convention held annually in downtown Los Angeles, California. L.A. Comic Con is one of the largest independent conventions in the United States and encompasses several categories, including comic, horror, sci-fi, anime, gaming, and pop culture, with a particular focus on the local Los Angeles community. Thousands of Comic Com visitors made for an exciting and active South Park this last weekend!

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Take off Your Skis! SPNA Themed Holiday Event Sunday Dec. 17th
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

Take off Your Skis! SPNA Themed Holiday Event Sunday Dec. 17th

The French call it APRÈS-SKI. We call it AFTER SKI PARTY! Think cozy by the fireplace, snow falling outside, warm sweaters, just hanging and relaxing with friends and neighbors. You will not want to miss this SPNA Themed Holiday event at HiDef Brewing on Sunday evening, December 17th. from 5:00 to 9:00-pm. Dress in theme, or as you wish, and join us for food, creative drinks and brews, music, icebreakers, engaging conversations, competitively fun contests, awesome prizes, stocking stuffers, snow, a visitor from the North Pole, and more.  

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Looking for a Winter Experience in LA?   Lazy Dog Restaurant for the Holidays
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

Looking for a Winter Experience in LA? Lazy Dog Restaurant for the Holidays

Winter holidays in LA feature warm temperatures and no snow. If you are looking for a more wintery experience, check out the Lazy Dog restaurant at LA Live. The restaurant was designed to draw inspiration from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Lazy Dog’s grand interior is complete with lodge-inspired furnishings such as ledge stone, a chandelier crafted from Aspen logs, a wall crafted from 150-year-old barn wood siding, as well as heavy timber ceiling elements. The rustic elements allow diners to experience the spirit of the mountains. Also now, you can step outside to ice skating and a gigantic Christmas tree in the center of the rink at LA Live.

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JOY for the Children in Our Neighborhood
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

JOY for the Children in Our Neighborhood

Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive is underway in South Park. We are asking for toy/gift donations for children 0-18 years of age served by the Hope Street Margolis Family Center at Hope and Venice in the South Park neighborhood. We need 2,500 toys!

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South Park Residential Market Leads the Way in DTLA’s Revitalization
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

South Park Residential Market Leads the Way in DTLA’s Revitalization

Bisnow, the world’s leading B2B platform serving the U.S. commercial real estate industry, recently published an article regarding Downtown Los Angeles’s struggle to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.  It is no secret that DTLA’s life as a 9 to 5 business district has been greatly challenged in the last few years with commercial occupancies falling dramatically.  The silver lining of future growth and greatness for DTLA is now found in a flourishing residential market.

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Next StepRunning for CD14 Council
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

Next StepRunning for CD14 Council

For a candidate’s name to appear on the March 2024 primary ballot for CD14 Council District, each candidate must file a Nominating Petition with the City Clerk containing signatures from 1,000 registered voters in the CD 14 district.

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SPNA’s Spooktacular Howl-O-Ween Dog Party
Debra Shrout Debra Shrout

SPNA’s Spooktacular Howl-O-Ween Dog Party

The fur monsters of South Park came out on Sunday, October 29th for our second annual Howl-O-Ween event. Over 50 dogs showed up in costume for a paw-some afternoon filled with contests, photos, and treats.

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