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Bring Out the Best
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| Illustration by Doug Davis. |
Two Decades Later, Downtown Is Still Changing
by Jon Regardie
This marks a milestone for Los Angeles Downtown News: It is our 20th annual Best Of Downtown issue. While that doesn't make us old enough to drink, it does allow us, and the community, to have one heck of a good time.
Fortunately, there is a lot to be happy about in Down-town Los Angeles these days. Despite the woes of the national economy, this varied community continues to grow, with more residents and businesses pouring into the area every month. The stakeholders are getting involved in a number of ways.
That includes voting for our Best Of Downtown issue. This year, more than 1,700 respondents filled out our online ballot, choosing everything from Downtown's Best Affordable Restaurant (Mendocino Farms) to the Best New Bar (Takami Sushi & Elevate Lounge) to the Best Sports Team (Los Angeles Lakers, to no one's surprise). In total, the readers selected winners in 35 categories. The editorial staff chimed in with another 53.
Getting to the 20th annual issue has been often exciting, occasionally frustrating and always interesting. For years Downtown News employed themes, some of which worked, and some of which, in retrospect, didn't fare as well. Last year we ditched the idea altogether and realized the Best
Of Downtown is valid in itself. We stuck with it this year.
Readers' ballots have been various sizes over the years. A decade or so ago, we asked folks to fill out about 75 categories and answer some short essay questions. While that yielded a few very interesting and amusing results, it also produced a lot of blank ballots. Now we're down to a (hopefully) quick and painless few dozen categories, and with all the voting taking place online, there are no ink stains required. Hey, we learn.
Despite the changes, the message remains the same: This is a great community, with a lot to be excited about and a lot to celebrate. Even if a few people have gotten a bit jaded by Downtown, others are arriving in the area and are excited about everything it offers.
The following pages hold the details on the 88 winners, along with a few other stories, such as the Best Ways to Help the Community, the Best Blind Date Spots and the Best Kid-Friendly Destinations. Thanks to all who helped choose the Best Of Downtown.
page 3, 7/21/2008
© Los Angeles Downtown News. Reprinting items retrieved from the archives are for personal use only. They may not be reproduced or retransmitted without permission of the Los Angeles Downtown News. If you would like to re-distribute anything from the Los Angeles Downtown News Archives, please call our permissions department at (213) 481-1448.
Fortunately, there is a lot to be happy about in Down-town Los Angeles these days. Despite the woes of the national economy, this varied community continues to grow, with more residents and businesses pouring into the area every month. The stakeholders are getting involved in a number of ways.
That includes voting for our Best Of Downtown issue. This year, more than 1,700 respondents filled out our online ballot, choosing everything from Downtown's Best Affordable Restaurant (Mendocino Farms) to the Best New Bar (Takami Sushi & Elevate Lounge) to the Best Sports Team (Los Angeles Lakers, to no one's surprise). In total, the readers selected winners in 35 categories. The editorial staff chimed in with another 53.
Getting to the 20th annual issue has been often exciting, occasionally frustrating and always interesting. For years Downtown News employed themes, some of which worked, and some of which, in retrospect, didn't fare as well. Last year we ditched the idea altogether and realized the Best
Of Downtown is valid in itself. We stuck with it this year.
Readers' ballots have been various sizes over the years. A decade or so ago, we asked folks to fill out about 75 categories and answer some short essay questions. While that yielded a few very interesting and amusing results, it also produced a lot of blank ballots. Now we're down to a (hopefully) quick and painless few dozen categories, and with all the voting taking place online, there are no ink stains required. Hey, we learn.
Despite the changes, the message remains the same: This is a great community, with a lot to be excited about and a lot to celebrate. Even if a few people have gotten a bit jaded by Downtown, others are arriving in the area and are excited about everything it offers.
The following pages hold the details on the 88 winners, along with a few other stories, such as the Best Ways to Help the Community, the Best Blind Date Spots and the Best Kid-Friendly Destinations. Thanks to all who helped choose the Best Of Downtown.
page 3, 7/21/2008
© Los Angeles Downtown News. Reprinting items retrieved from the archives are for personal use only. They may not be reproduced or retransmitted without permission of the Los Angeles Downtown News. If you would like to re-distribute anything from the Los Angeles Downtown News Archives, please call our permissions department at (213) 481-1448.
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