“Community is one of the important things to Urth Caffe. We want to be part of communities, and that’s what brought us here. We saw this as a new, thriving and artistic community we wanted to be part of…”

So how does he plan to celebrate Urth Caffe’s grand opening in its new, thriving, and artistic community?

The grand opening on Nov. 16 could well bring the paparazzi to Downtown. The invitation-only event is slated to include celebrities such as comedian Will Ferrell, rapper and actress Queen Latifah, actor Jon Voight and the cast of “Entourage.”

The community can stay home and refresh TMZ.

Merely winning the election already is a foregone conclusion but it means nothing if you have lost the confidence of the people in your leadership, in the future of the city.

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Why Me? (featuring the family of Jamiel Shaw, II)

…while I am genuinely grateful for all the encouragement I have received from people all over this city to run for mayor and the confidence they put in me, I have decided that the obligation of serving as mayor would put a burden on my family that is too much at this point in their lives and, as a result, I will not be a candidate in the upcoming campaign for mayor. Having worked closely with Mayors in the past, I understand the commitment necessary to properly fill that role, and it is not the right time for me to commit myself wholly to the City at the expense of my family, particularly my young children…

Yesterday, Mayor Villaraigosa made formal his bid for re-election. Today, he’s in Chicago, meeting with President-elect Barack Obama as a member of Obama’s Transition Economic Advisory Board — a group described as “experts on the economy” and whose members include Warren Buffett and several former Treasury Secretaries.

Memo to Mr. Obama.

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…Prop 2 is a question of ethics; a referendum on our progress as a society. It’s a modest measure that says animals destined for slaughter ought not be tortured in the process; egg-laying hens ought not be denied basic leg movement; pigs and veal calves ought not be confined to crates so small they can’t turn around, lie down, or extend their limbs…

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You still can’t find vegan Kung Pao in Chinatown, but Doomie’s menu of “classic American diner fare” is, ironically, a better welcomed addition to the neighborhood. After all, vegan Chinese options abound just a short drive east on the 10, while the nearest restaurant offering good chicken fried seitan is way out in the west Valley.

With menu options ranging from burgers to chicken alfredo; French onion soup to country fried steak with gravy, Doomie’s offers what I view as a coming trend in the evolution of vegan dining; no-compromise, cruelty-free food, sans the promises of divine health and spiritual enlightenment. This is, put simply, delicious food that’ll leave you ready for a nap.

Thanks to El Chavo at LA Eastside for the tip. Doomie’s is located upstairs at Roberto’s Club — 686 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.