Casanova was the infamous Venetian lothario who's been immortalized in song and story. But apparently, not in Los Angeles cartography. There is a street near downtown Los Angeles, just north of Broadway, called Casanova. Alicia Brown, founder of the Historic Cultural Neighborhood Council, says Casanova owes its name to the European immigrants in the neighborhood.

"There were Italians, Croatians, Italians, so there were different groups. Irish, Germans, some Mexican people. And this was their new home. So at that time, the street was just like an alley, more like a little gully, actually, so they decided to name it their new house. Therefore, 'Casa Nova' &ndash 'new house.'"

You might still find romance on Casanova. It's practically across the street from Elysian Park.

(Airdate for this story: 9/23/07)