Ten Things Los Angeles Lost in 2009

It was another rough year for farewells in Los Angeles, where frequently there's truth to that old cliche that nothing here is ever permanent.

A few things we lost in 2009:


(Pic by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.)
1. Much of the Angeles National Forest, sadly, to the massive Station Fire. The fire burned 160577 acres (251 square miles) and killed two firefighters. Ash from the mountains continues to rain down on Angelenos, and it will be decades before the forest starts to recover.


2. Indie 103.1 (KDLD/KDLE) and 97.1 FM Talk (KLSX) both disappeared in 2009, the victim of a weak radio economy and the rise of personal people meters -- Arbitron's new way of measuring radio listenership. Indie was never a big ratings grabber, while KLSX's replacement, KAMP "Amp Radio," has turned into a strong performer for owner CBS Radio.


(Pic by Gary Leonard.)
3. Richard Ankrom's guerilla 110 Freeway sign art installation disappeared after Caltrans replaced its signs on the 110 North. Ankrom attempted to find the signs he made and secretly installed -- but discovered that they'd already been crushed for scrap metal.


4. KNBC's Paul Moyer (above, when he decided to give his on-air farewell from the golf course, rather than show up to say goodbye in the Channel 4 studios) retired due to budget cuts, while former KTTV anchor John Beard, fed up with L.A. news operations, headed to his old stomping grounds in Buffalo, N.Y. Also, Rick Dees gave up his attempt at an L.A. radio comeback, as "Movin' 93.9" flipped to a Spanish format.


5. Former Police Chief William Bratton made major strides in decreasing crime and turning the Los Angeles Police Department around. And although the chief would be the first to tell you that (modesty isn't his strong suit), much of that conventional wisdom is true -- crime is down in the city of Los Angeles, while the LAPD's image has been greatly improved. Bratton stepped down in late fall, replaced by Charlie Beck.


6. A preservation group managed to "Save the Derby" -- at least, the Los Feliz building (the last surviving one-time Brown Derby restaurant) where the Derby nightclub was housed. But The Derby itself -- the club known best for its cameo in the movie "Swingers" and as ground zero for the 1990s swing dance revival --shut down in early 2009. Other clubs closing in 2009 included the Knitting Factory and the Key Club.


7. Chili My Soul, the Encino eatery known for its adventurous chili selections (my fave was the Habanero/Mango Chicken), shut down in late summer after the death of owner Randy Hoffman. Other eateries closing in 2009 included Fritelli's Doughnuts and Twin Palms; also shut down were popular book store Cook's Library, as well as Little Tokyo grocer Mitsuwa Marketplace.


8. The first big event I ever took Evan to, the Echo Park Lotus Festival, didn't take place this year -- a victim of budget cuts, and even sadder, the death of the once-vibrant lotus blooms in Echo Park. Also nowhere to be found this year: Another favorite event, Little Tokyo's Tofu Festival.


9. A year after the Lou Ehlers Cadillac showroom was torn down, a similar fate was in the cards just down Wilshire for the mid-century Columbia Savings Bank building. Demolition has already begun on the 1965 Miracle Mile building, which the L.A. Conservancy notes is "an important example of postwar bank design as well as the innovative integration of art and architecture." The building had most recently served as a Korean church.


10. Army Archerd passed away in September at the age of 87. Army spent more than 50 years at Variety (where I saw him on a nearly daily basis for 10 years), spanning several generations of Hollywood. A lot of us cover Hollywood -- but none of us will ever have the career that Army had at Variety. The stars changed, the pictures changed, the whole industry evolved -- yet there, until nearly the end, was Army, chronicling it all daily in his "Just for Variety" column.

Share your thoughts on L.A.'s great 2009 losses below.

Soy Long: The Tofu Festival Is Canceled

Longtime readers of Franklin Avenue know that Little Tokyo's annual Tofu Festival is one of our favorite events of the year. That's why we were sad to learn that the annual event has been scrapped.

It wasn't a surprise, however, as we noted last year that the event was in trouble. Indeed, last year's Tofu Fest, while still pretty well attended, nonetheless had fewer food booths than years past, and no major musical concert. Plus, the parking lot where it used to be held was under construction, forcing the event on to just one street, San Pedro.

As a result, the Little Tokyo Service Center told the Downtown News last year that the event might just go away.

Here's our description of the 2007 event.

We always loved the Tofu Fest because the food was plentiful and cheap, the booths were interesting (and many boasted free stuff) and the entertainment pretty good. It was never insanely crowded either, and we loved the downtown locale. We'll miss you, Tofu Fest!

Soy You Later, Tofu Festival?

After a lackluster turnout this year, the Tofu Festival -- our favorite street fair of the year -- may undergo a major overall of disappear all together, the Downtown News reports.

Funny, I thought last week's event was still pretty well attended, considering the decrease in the number of food booths, the lack of a major musical talent (unlike past years' concerts by the likes of Ozomatli) and the fact that we went in the evening.

Still, because this year's Tofu Fest was pushed out of its normal parking lot home and allowed only on San Pedro St., it was confusing. I detailed the shortcomings of this year's event -- which was still awesome -- here.

The Downtown News, meanwhile, fills us in on the future:

The Little Tokyo Service Center, which stages the event, said the heat wave and a smaller space (a new residential project is being built nearby) contributed to the drop in attendance.

Noelle Ito, a spokeswoman for LTSC, said the festival has become a large undertaking for the small group, requiring more manpower than they can supply.

"It's a really huge event for a non-profit to produce," she said. "We haven't made a final decision. It's still early but it's a potential thought (to cancel it)."

Ito said the LTSC is considering several options including hosting a new event altogether. The organization also stages an annual sake tasting that draws hundreds of people.

Here's hoping they find a way to save it.

Tofu Festival: The Roundup

Mr. Tofu is mobbed by photographing fans

Like I mentioned on Friday, the Tofu Festival is one of our favorite street fairs of the year.

And how could it not be? The food is plentiful, and cheap. And every year we've gone down, we've had surprisingly little problem finding free parking -- this year, for example, we found an abandoned (at least on the weekends) parking lot near the Artists District and next to all the Little Tokyo condos being built.

We decided to go Saturday evening around 5 p.m. to avoid the heat and the crowds, and it was a smart move. The Tofu Fest was still crowded, but not packed.

But the event itself lacked the excitement of recent years, due partly because of its new layout. The large parking lot that normally held the food booths (with the other booths on San Pedro St.) is now under construction, which means the food booths instead had to be spread out among the health booths, business tables and other vendors. What's worse, the fest was split into three parts (with 2nd St. separating the sides). And this year, the main stage was far away from the food and the booths. (What's more, there appeared to be several fewer food booths at this year's event.)

But griping aside, the event remains well-organized, and well worth the trip. This year we were joined by Blogger Toddler's cousin, plus his parents. We each popped down $20, which was more than enough. Some of the highlights:


Tofu Hamburger -- from Tokyo Table (non-vegetarian)


Mixed fruit and tofu, with blackberry sauce -- from Maison Akira


Soon Du Bu -- from BCD Tofu House


Tofu Keema Curry Rice -- from Curry House


Sweet Potato Pie with Tofu Cream -- from New Way of Life Cafe


Green Tea Boba -- from Arroyo Thai Food -- and Shave Ice -- from Premium Snow Cones


Honestly, I'd prefer a glass of "Soil Mike."

Previously on Franklin Avenue:

2006 Tofu Festival coverage

2005 Tofu Festival coverage

Tofu or Not Tofu

The answer, of course, is Tofu. Forget the crowded, annoying Sunset Junction this weekend and instead head down to Little Tokyo for one of our fave shindigs of the year, the annual Tofu Festival.

Funny, when I mention the Tofu Fest to people who have never been, they think I'm nuts. Tofu is bland enough. But a festival devoted to it?!

Aha, that's where you're wrong, my friend.



Tofu Fest -- a part of Little Tokyo's Nisei Week -- is what every food fest should be: Booths and booths of cheap, plentiful -- and here's the important part -- unique food. Check out some of the twists on tofu being offered at the varied booths:

Pad Sei Eu Noodle with Tofu, Inai BBQ Tofu, Spicy Noodle with Tofu, Tofu Sushi, Tofu Bibimbap, Tuna Poke Salad, Tofu Satay, Pad Thai Tofu , Mapou Tofu Boba Drink, Tofu Ciabatta Sandwiches, Tofu Pizza, Malaysian Tofu Salad (Rojak), Tofu Hamburger, Chowmein with Tofu, etc.

But yes, wusses, there's plenty of meat-based dishes to be had too, not to mention drinks and dessert.

The entertainment factor, however, seems to be rather sparse this year. Past fests have included concerts by Ozomatli and Blackalicious, but there doesn't seem to be any headlining performer this year... or even a stage. Not sure if that signals a downsizing of the fest -- but the food appears to still be plentiful.

Tix are $5 -- but don't pay that. Make sure you print out the coupon here that allows you in for $3. (Kids under 12 and seniors over 60 are free.)

The Tofu Festival takes place Saturday, Aug. 18, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 19, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Check out the fest's companion blog here.

Return of the Tofu Festival

Maria and I were excited to see that our favorite food festival of the year, Little Tokyo's Tofu Festival, is less than a month away. The event, which takes place August 12 and 13, is a fundraiser for the Little Tokyo Service Center, which provides services to low income, immigrant, homeless and distressed seniors and families.

Yes, it's a good cause, but here's another reason to go: The food is cheap, plentiful and tasty.

I know, I know. "Tofu" and "tasty" aren't regularly used in the same sentence. First off, you're wrong -- last year I tried a tofu chili dog that was absolutely delicious. And secondly, the food vendors do offer a lot more than just tofu.

Some vendors already confirmed, and their planned menu: Arroyo/Chandra Catering (Pad Thai Noodle with Veggies, BBQ Chicken Sticks, BBQ Tofu, Thai Ice Tea); Bamboo Hut (Fried Sweet and Sour Tofu, Yakisoba Noodles with Tofu, Vegetable Tempura, Fried Rice Tofu); Berth 55 (Tuna Poki); Blue Hen (Fried Tofu with Scallion Sauce, Tofu in Ginger Corriander Sauce, Vietnamese Curry with Tofu and Potatoes); Chandra Thai Restaurant (Tofu Satay, Lemongrass Chicken, Pad Thai Tofu, Garlic Tofu with Rice); LL Bakery (Tofu Ciabiatta, Tofu Bruschetta, Tofu Pasta Salad, Tofu Pizza); Maison Akira (Smoked Salmon with Balsamic Reduction and Wasabi Furikake, Grand Marnier Marinated Strawberry and Fresh Mint on Tofu with an Almond Cookie); Your House Thai (Sticky Rice with Mango, Tofu Thai Salad, Fried Tofu with Bananas and Taro); and more.

Blackalicious headlines the entertainment, performing on stage at 8:30 p.m. on Satuday, Aug. 12. Also scheduled to appear are Real Food Daily's Ann Gentry; Iron Chef Morimoto; PBS chef Tommy Tang; and contestants from "Hell's Kitchen," "Top Chef," and "The Next Food Network Star."

The Tofu Festival is also kid-friendly; check the Tofu Festival website for discount coupons.

Previously on Franklin Avenue: Tofu or Not Tofu (August 2005)

Tofu or Not Tofu

Most festivals don't live up to the hype... but I'm happy to report that the Tofu Fest was even better than expected.

Maybe that's because it's all about the food. Maria, Evan and I spent several hours this afternoon in Little Tokyo, sampling offerings from several vendors and restaurants, as well as catching some of the event's live entertainment and puchasing a few odds and ends from booths inside the perimeters.

This year's 10th annual Tofu Fest, subtitled "Tofuzilla :When Giant Tofu Takes Over Little Tokyo," continues on Sunday -- capped off by a performance by Ozomatli at 7 p.m. Bring some money and head down there. Admission is $8, but the official Tofu Fest website has a $1 off coupon you can print and take along. Also, food can only be purchased by scrip -- $1 per ticket. Most items take two tickets. We managed to fill our bellies with a total of 13 scrip between the two of us.

Booths offer items such as Soyrizo burritos (with eggs in flour tortilla); Tofu Curry Chili Dogs; Tofu and Wild Mushroom Ragu Open Ravioli; Green Thai Coconut Curry Tofu; Tofu Fried Rice; Tofu Gumbo; Tofu Nuggets; Tofu Tostadas; Cold Tofu Noodles in Wasabi Sauce; Tofu Spaghetti and a lot more. And yes, there are plenty of non-tofu dishes on sale as well.

Some images:

Tofu Curry Chili Dogs, from Curry House restaurant


Fresh Naked Tofu t-shirts


Kultura Philippine Dance Company


Rice balls and the city


Taikoproject (that's Emmie's roommate Bryan on the big drum)


L.A.'s past (the St. Vibiana Cathedral) and present (the hulking new Caltrans building) loom over the Tofu Fest