SPJ hits the Redwood

The Greater L.A. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (website here) is launching a series of monthly "mixers" at what they hope will be historic or journalistically significant locales. The first is tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Redwood on Second Street downtown. The Redwood used to be a Times haunt with an LAT phone extension in the bar where editors could summon reporters after deadline (or editors could be found if news broke during lunch). The paper's staff celebrated its Pulitzer prixes there last week with an open tab, but it's not the Times hangout it used to be. Going way back, the original Redwood Saloon had been in a house on First Street next to the Times building and was a watering hole for the paper and City Hall pols. No RSVP is needed for the party; just look for Mariel Garza of the Daily News or Claudia Peschiutta of KFWB.