MARCH 27TH, 2024

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY’S VIBES

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👋 HAPPY WEDNESDAY, GOOD LOOKIN’

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 ⚡️THE HOV LANE

EATS

 😋 HEADLINES

• 🍟 MCDONALD’S + KRISPY KREME: The Golden Arches and the Krispy Kreme Glaze are joining forces to bring a sweet new treat to McDonald's customers nationwide. In a surprise announcement yesterday, the two iconic brands revealed plans to roll out Krispy Kreme doughnuts at participating McDonald's locations across the country over the next few years. Starting in the second half of 2024, select McDonald's restaurants will begin offering three classic Krispy Kreme flavors - Original Glazed, Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles, and Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled. And by the end of 2026, the companies expect Krispy Kreme doughnuts to be available at every single McDonald's in the U.S.

• 🏰 STAR WARS + DISNEYLAND: New popcorn buckets are landing at Disneyland Park and include creatively designed options, such as one featuring Jabba the Hutt. The galactic goodies are part of the Season of the Force celebration at Disneyland Park in Anaheim from April 5th through June 2nd. Guests can expect Star Wars experiences, themed foods like Bantha Burgers, and the debut of the Jabba the Hutt buckets during this period.

 🚀 OPENINGS

• 🍺 SANTA MONICA: The future branch of Met Her At A Bar in Santa Monica will be located on Main St. in Santa Monica. This expansion is part of the cozy neighborhood cafe's growth, known for its Belgian waffles and coffee. Meet Her At A Bar is described as a hip little neighborhood cafe that currently has a location on S. La Brea Ave. | 💻️ View Website | 📸 @meetheratabar

• ⚓️ BURBANK: CAVA, a fast-casual Mediterranean chain, is expanding to Burbank with a new location on N Victory Pl, replacing California Roll & Sushi. Known for health-focused salad- and grain-based bowls with bold flavors like spicy harissa and tender braised lamb, CAVA also offers dips, spreads, and sauces available at Whole Foods and other grocery stores nationwide. Founded by childhood friends Ike Grigoropoulos, Chef Dimitri Moshovitis, and Ted Xenohristos, CAVA has twenty-five locations in SoCal and over 250 across the U.S., with plans to operate a thousand locations by 2032. | 💻️ View Cava’s Winter Menu | 📸 @cava

• 🍷 WESTLAKE VILLAGE: We Vino, a woman-owned restaurant in Westlake Village, is set to open this season on Via Collinas. Helmed by business partners Kathy Panchenko, Diana Brigitt, and Liliya Bezinover, We Vino will offer an extensive wine collection focusing on wine pairings and education. The menu, crafted by Executive Chef Edward Brik, will feature small plates and wine pairings like caviar pasta, truffle salmon carpaccio, lobster risotto, bone marrow, signature dishes, and seasonal selections. The restaurant aims to provide an upscale yet casual dining experience for locals and visitors alike, offering a private room for special events and gatherings. | 📩 Join We Vino’s Email List | 📸 @wevino_westlake

• 🥘 SILVER LAKE: Azizam, a celebrated Iranian pop-up, has found a permanent home in Echo Park, Los Angeles. The restaurant, which translates to 'my dear' in Farsi, offers a unique take on Persian cuisine beyond the typical kebabs. Chef Cody Ma and partner Misha Sesar aim to showcase the diverse cultures and ethnicities of Iran through their dishes. Their menu includes specialties like Tabriz-style kofteh and turmeric pilaf, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of Iran. Azizam's success as a pop-up led to its establishment as a full-fledged restaurant, emphasizing homestyle Persian food that may be less familiar but has garnered overwhelming support from customers. The restaurant operates from Thursday to Monday, with plans to extend to dinner service in the future. | 🖥️ View Website | 📸 @azizam_la

EVENTS

 🔥TRENDING 

• 📥️ ADD YOUR EVENTS: To add your event, simply send a calendar invitation to [email protected]. Upon approval, your event will show up within our Big List of Events Calendar and/or our Trending Calendar.

 📆 BIG LIST OF EVENTS

ACTIVITIES

• 🎨 SANTA MONICA: The Other Art Fair in Santa Monica is not your typical art fair, offering innovative emerging artists, live music, and unique experiences. Attendees can interact with artists in person, discover new and exciting works, and even inspire art by stripping down. The fair will feature original work from 140 exhibiting artists, including paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, ceramics, and installations. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists and potentially connect with future art world stars. The event will take place at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica from April 4th-7th, providing a platform to explore and support emerging talent in the art world.

• 🏖️ SANTA MONICA BEACH RESTORATION: The City of Santa Monica has initiated Phase 2 of the Santa Monica Beach Restoration Project, focusing on enhancing natural dune habitat to protect coastal infrastructure and residences from sea level rise using natural barriers. This phase aims to expand the restoration to an additional five acres of native coastal strand habitat, following the success of the initial pilot program that restored three acres of beach dunes. The project involves planting seeds of California native vegetation, installing post, rope, and sand fencing to restrict beach grooming, and adding interpretive signage to educate the public about the environmental benefits of native coastal habitats. Notably, this project supports significant native species like the federally threatened Western Snowy Plover, with the first nest in the LA-region discovered within the site during the first phase of the project in April 2017.

• 🎭️ HAMLET + LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE: The Long Beach Playhouse is set to host a captivating rendition of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Directed by James Rice and Amanda Karr, this adaptation of the classic play will run from April 6th to May 4th with a focus on bringing Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece to life in a fresh and innovative way. Tickets to Hamlet are on-sale now via Long Beach Playhouse’s website.

• 🏎️ PETERSEN MUSEUM: The Eyes on the Road exhibition opening at the Petersen Automotive Museum this Friday will showcase artworks by renowned artists like Ed Ruscha, Vik Muniz, Andy Warhol, and others. The exhibition, curated by the museum and Guest Curator Jim Farber, aims to highlight the intersection of art and the automobile culture that has shaped America's landscape. The event will feature an artist panel discussion with notable figures like J. Carter Tutwiler, Harry Chandler, Jeffrey Sincich, Bob Gurr, and Jim Farber. Attendees can enjoy VIP early access or general admission tickets that include access to the penthouse, food, beverages, and a unique artistic experience.

• 🦋 NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: Natural History Museum’s Butterfly Pavilion has commenced and runs through August 25th. The exhibition offers a captivating experience where visitors can walk among beautiful butterflies in a seasonal exhibition featuring hundreds of butterflies, colorful native plants, and ample natural light. We as guests can witness all stages of the butterfly life cycle, interact with museum educators, animal care specialists, and even shop at the Butterfly Pavilion store. With up to thirty different butterfly species to observe, including California natives like the Mourning cloak and Common buckeye, patrons can enjoy a unique and educational adventure surrounded by these fascinating insects.

• 🖼️ BEVERLY HILLS: REMINDER: Jean-Michel Basquiat's exhibition Made on Market Street, curated by Fred Hoffman with Larry Gagosian, is a significant showcase of works produced by Basquiat in LA between November 1982 and May 1984. The exhibition, which runs until June 1st, features loans from various collections and reflects on Basquiat's prolific period here in Los Angeles. It includes approximately a hundred paintings, works on paper, and silkscreen editions. The exhibition also offers a conversation with Larry Gagosian, Fred Hoffman, filmmaker Tamra Davis, and Basquiat's sisters, Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, providing insights into Basquiat's innovative and symbolically rich oeuvre during this era.

• 🎈LA STATE HISTORIC PARK: The annual celebration honoring the late Bob Baker (not to be confused with Barker - I made that mistake) is set to take place at the Los Angeles State Historic Park on Sunday, April 21st. Running from 10:00am to 5:00pm, this free event promises a day filled with puppet performances, engaging crafts, and a variety of activities suitable for all ages. We can look forward to a lineup that includes David Arquette portraying Bozo the Clown, a kid's talent show emceed by Kate Micucci, live music by Very Be Careful, and an opening ceremony featuring renowned puppeteer Sid Krofft.

COMMUNITY

• 🐰 EASTER FORECAST: Our upcoming weekend is expected to be wet due to a rare late-season storm hitting the region. The storm is forecasted to bring significant rainfall, with the potential for one-to-two inches in the Los Angeles Basin and up to three-to-four inches in the foothills and mountains. This weather event is unusual for this time of year and could lead to widespread flooding, stronger winds, thunderstorms, and heavier snow in higher elevations. The storm's impact will depend on its strength and speed, with the possibility of it being among the top storms experienced this water year.

• 🥘 EASTER BRUNCH: LA’s Easter Brunch scene offers a plethora of choices for celebrating the holiday with family and friends. From traditional favorites to innovative menus, there are options to suit every taste. Some notable venues like Redbird in DTLA offer special prix fixe menus featuring unique dishes like Basque with short rib and Lobster Cavatelli. For those looking for a British flair, The Cat and Fiddle in Hollywood serves up a three-course meal with options like Maple-Glazed Niman Ranch Ham and Oven-Roasted Scottish Salmon. Additionally, places like Shutters on the Beach provide an à la carte brunch menu with favorites like Crab Cake Benedict and DIY Avocado Toast.

• 🎡 SANTA MONICA: The City of Santa Monica has initiated polling on a proposal to double the parking tax, aiming to finance various road safety initiatives following concerns over traffic safety, particularly after a recent cyclist's death. The proposal, prompted by declining revenues during the pandemic and the need for safety improvements, seeks to use the increased tax revenue to enhance street infrastructure, hire more crossing guards and traffic officers, and address downtown parking structure maintenance.

• 🏡 HOP120 + HOP80: LA County has introduced the HOP120 Program, providing up to $85,000 in aid for first-time homebuyers. This program offers a 2nd mortgage loan that can cover either up to $85,000 or 20% of the purchase price, whichever is less generous. The assistance is specifically for down payment or closing costs, and applicants must meet certain criteria to qualify. Additionally, there is another program called HOP80 that offers a zero-interest, payment-deferred loan for first-time homebuyers. Both programs require completion of an eight-hour homebuyer education seminar and adherence to specific income and property requirements.

• 🌹 PASADENA: The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is preparing for #ThisGen2024: A Youth Empowerment Forum on April 17th, aiming to inspire a new generation of leaders and help students align their passions with their skills. The event, now in its fourth year, will be hosted by the Tournament of Roses and presented by Pasadena City College. Registration is open for this half-day event, which will include panelists from various fields like sports, entertainment, and technology. The theme for this year's event is Best Day Ever, focusing on providing young people with a day filled with inspiration and interaction with professionals from diverse backgrounds.

• 💊 AMAZON PHARMACY: Amazon Prime customers within LA’s city limits, San Bernardino, Riverside and Anaheim now have access to Amazon's same-day prescription delivery through Amazon Pharmacy. Amazon started offering a prescription service in 2020 with the company’s 2018 acquisition of PillPack. New AI technology and other Amazon logistics, including the incorporation of stocking smaller Amazon facilities with medication throughout the city, have enabled Amazon to allow same-day medication delivery for patients. Representatives from Amazon informed CNBC that the company plans to add more than a dozen other cities by the end of the year with the broader LA-metro area to be completely up and running next month in April.

• 🏡 SUN VALLEY: The Los Angeles Unified School District recently celebrated the grand opening of the Sun Kings Apartments, a new housing complex aimed at helping individuals and families transition from homelessness into permanent housing. This affordable, permanent supportive housing project was developed in collaboration with Many Mansions, a nonprofit developer of affordable housing and services. The twenty-five unit apartment complex provides supportive housing for chronically homeless households and offers fully furnished units strategically located near essential amenities like hospitals, pharmacies, and schools. The project emphasizes supporting students experiencing homelessness to overcome educational challenges.

• 🌳 WOODLAND HILLS: El Camino Real Charter High School has emerged victorious in the California Academic Decathlon, securing a spot in the U.S. Academic Decathlon National Competition after winning the state title in Santa Clara. This achievement marks the third time El Camino Real has claimed the state championship in the last five years. The school, based in Woodland Hills, will be competing alongside Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies and Granada Hills Charter High School at the national level in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

• 💻️ SIGNAL HILL: SpaceTime Collaborative in Signal Hill provides a unique creative space for independent artists to collaborate and create innovative projects. The studio offers various amenities like a hydroponic station, woodworking area, 3D printing capabilities, and more, fostering a diverse environment for artists to explore different mediums and technologies. Founded by David Hedden, the collaborative aims to support local creatives through workshops, residencies, and exhibitions, encouraging a culture of collaboration and creativity.

DEVELOPMENT

• 🏳️‍🌈 WEST HOLLYWOOD: The West Hollywood Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing for the Viper Room redevelopment at Sunset Boulevard on April 18th. The hearing aims to discuss the request to demolish existing commercial buildings and redevelop the site with an eleven-story mixed-use hotel and residential development. This project includes hotel guest rooms, rental apartments (including affordable units), restaurants, a nightclub (Viper Room), and various amenities. The redevelopment plan also focuses on sustainability, community building, and economic benefits for West Hollywood. The hearing will take place at the West Hollywood Public Library, Council Chambers, starting at 6:30pm.

• 💎 BEVERLY HILLS: The Beverly Hills Planning Commission recently approved an amended conditional use permit for O’Gara Coach Company to transform its vehicle storage facility into a new showroom. The approval includes reconfiguring the interior layout, renovating the parking lot, constructing a new driveway, installing landscaping features, and relocating a bus stop. The decision was made with a 4-1 vote on March 14th. Attorney Murray D. Fischer mentioned that the current proposal focuses on enhancing the building's facade to align better with the street's character.

• 🏣 KOREATOWN: A residential-retail complex has been planned in Koreatown on S. Western Avenue. The redevelopment involves of a corner lot to make way for a new six-story building featuring 157 apartments and commercial space. This project, named 870 Western, will offer amenities like a rooftop deck, courtyard, and club room, catering to modern urban living needs. Sixteen of the apartments will be designated as affordable housing for extremely low-income households, aligning with Transit Oriented Communities incentives.

• 🛹 VENICE: The Division 6 site in Venice previously mentioned has officially received two recent development proposals. Our prior reporting did not include the imagery and final details. The first proposal, Sunset + Main, by Camden Securities Company, includes EAH Housing for affordable units and envisions mixed-use buildings with 310 residential units, including 75 affordable ones and commercial space. The second proposal, Metro on Main (above) by the Python Group and local architects Marmol Radziner, suggests building 314 residential units, including 86 affordable homes and commercial space. The project is expected to progress with a developer selection recommendation in Spring or Summer 2024.

• 🛫 PLAYA DEL REY: The Staples store near LAX in Westchester/Playa Del Rey is set to undergo a transformation into a senior housing complex. The project, led by SRM Development, plans to utilize the former Staples store site on Sepulveda Boulevard for this redevelopment. The proposal includes two new buildings, one seven stories and the other eight stories tall, offering a mix of assisted living and independent senior apartments, along with amenities, parking, and some commercial space. The larger building is designed to house 120 units for assisted and independent living, while the seven-story structure will accommodate 146 senior apartments. The project also includes plans for a new pedestrian plaza to enhance the street frontage.

• 🎢 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD: The first pieces of track have been installed for the new Fast and Furious roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2025. For the installation, the coaster station is the initial focus with reparations are underway for further track installations.

• 🌴 HISTORIC SOUTH-CENTRAL: Property on E. Washington Boulevard in Historic South-Central is set to be transformed into affordable housing, featuring a new five-story building with 71 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. These apartments will be reserved for rent by low-and moderate-income households.

• 🏢 GLENDALE: The Stevenson Family Trust is planning to construct a 249-unit multifamily apartment complex in Glendale. This project involves redeveloping a site with a light industrial property, requiring new zoning for the redevelopment. The property currently houses an industrial building and will undergo a transformation into a multifamily residential complex.

• 🎬️ FAB FACTORY ENTERTAINMENT: Fab Factory Entertainment's recently signed a lease for a 66,000-square-foot postproduction, office, and event facility in East Hollywood. The company, founded by Steven and Shaun Fabos in 2016, is expanding to create a new creative hub in LA. The facility features eleven studios, multiple sound suites, and a Crystal LED Theater. Notable subtenants include In the Black Network and Lux Angeles Studios.

BUSINESS

• 🛰️ SPACE INDUSTRY: California lawmakers are advocating for increased investment in the space industry to boost the state's economy and job market. The lawmakers, including members of California's congressional delegation, are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to prioritize this initiative, highlighting the potential for high-paying jobs and economic growth. With existing federal space facilities in California and a strong aerospace industry presence, the lawmakers believe that the state is well-positioned to lead in the space economy. This push for investment aligns with efforts to capitalize on the growing commercial space sector and secure California's role as a global leader in space technology and exploration. 🐇 

• 💼 CODI CO-WORKING: Codi, a co-working rival to bankrupt WeWork, has expanded its office-as-a-service platform to Los Angeles, opening thirty-six flexible offices across the greater LA area. These locations include spots in Santa Monica, Culver City, and other key areas. With an innovative approach and a focus on filling the gap between overcrowded co-working spaces and expensive long-term leases, Codi offers flexible one-year leases, curating to the needs of tech and entertainment companies in LA.

• 🛹 GUY MARIANO + DICKIES COLLAB: Guy Mariano, a renowned pro skater from Burbank, has teamed up with Dickies to launch a skateboarding collection inspired by California skateboarding in the '90s. This collaboration brings forth a range of apparel including Guy Mariano's signature jorts, athletic mesh shorts, a classic striped polo, and a 3/4 zip anorak. The collection, priced between $34.99 to $89.99, features details like embroidery, branded pull tabs, and a California-inspired color palette.

• 🐶 FABFITFUN ACQUIRES PUPBOX: FabFitFun, the LA-based subscription box company, has acquired PupBox from Petco to expand into the pet category, responding to member demand for more pet-focused offerings. PupBox was founded in 2014 by Ben and Ariel Zvaifler after they adopted a dog and struggled to find products suited to its changing needs. The subscription box includes toys, treats, grooming tools, and accessories, along with training guides to help pet parents navigate different stages of their dog's life. PupBox previously appeared on ABC's Shark Tank and was later acquired by Petco in 2017. | HQ: FabFitFun - Santa Monica

ENTERTAINMENT

 🎬️ HEADLINES

• 🎤 KEVIN HART + MARK TWAIN PRIZE: Kevin Hart was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center on Sunday. Hart was honored with a star-studded lineup of friends, including Dave Chappelle, Dave ‘Lil Dicky’ Burd, Nick Cannon, Jimmy Fallon, Nelly, Jerry Seinfeld, Chelsea Handler, Chris Rock and others. Hart’s films have grossed over four billion dollars. Sunday’s event was filmed for a Netflix premiere on May 11th.

• 🏆️ GOLDEN GLOBES: The Golden Globe Awards, once on the brink of abandonment, has secured a new five-year deal with CBS, marking a significant turnaround in their fortunes. This agreement solidifies the show's return to Hollywood's good graces after facing controversy and undergoing reforms. The 2023 broadcast on CBS saw a notable increase in viewership, indicating a positive reception. The Golden Globes' recent history, marred by diversity and ethical concerns within the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., has now taken a positive turn with this long-term partnership.

•  ⭐️ CHARLES FOX: Composer and songwriter Charles Fox will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, April 5th at 11:30am. Fox will receive his star in the Recording category, making him the 2,777th honoree on the Walk of Fame.

• ⏩️ FRIDAY WILL BE ENTERTAINING: More Entertainment news coming our way on Friday as there is plenty of content, but nothing pressing. This turned out to be a rather long newsletter (HOV Lane is a friend when needed) and I have been giving a lot of love our Entertainment Section lately. Have to cut it off somewhere!

SPORTS

• 🏀 MARCH MADNESS IN LA: The NCAA Tournament is bringing the excitement of college basketball to Los Angeles with the Sweet 16 games set to take place this Thursday followed by the Elite Eight on Saturday at Crypto Arena. The teams competing in the 2024 Los Angeles regional include No. 1 North Carolina, No. 2 Arizona, No. 4 Alabama, and my beloved No. 6 Clemson. Fans have the option to purchase tickets for individual days or a two-day pass, with prices starting as low as $174 for Thursday's games and $141 for Saturday's Elite Eight matchup.

• 💪 TERANCE MANN LA Clippers’ guard Terance Mann was named the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for February. Mann's foundation, the Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation, focuses on promoting youth mentorship and community engagement. Mann received the David Robinson trophy and a $10,000 donation from the NBA for his efforts. Mann's foundation partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles to provide mentorship and community engagement opportunities for young individuals. His work reflects a commitment to supporting children and making a positive impact beyond the basketball court.

• 💰️MAGIC JOHNSON: Magic Johnson, the legendary basketball player turned successful businessman, recently shared his business advice with over three thousand people at a conference in LA. Despite earning relatively modest amounts during his playing career, Magic Johnson's strategic investments in various ventures like movie theaters, healthcare, Starbucks franchises, real estate, and sports have propelled him to a net worth of $1.2 billion. Notably, he acquired a 4.5% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers back in 1994 for $10 million, showcasing his acumen for lucrative investments.

• 🏈 AARON DONALD: Sean McVay says what every Rams fan feels after Aaron Donald announced his retirement.

• 👔 BEST + WORST UNIFORMS: The best and worst uniform looks for every NFL team via YardBarker.

CU FRYDAY, LA!