FEBRUARY 21ST, 2025

Good vibes presented by Prophecy Brand

FRIDAY’S VIBES

^SUBSCRIBE

SUITS LA

THIS SUNDAY

HI CUTIE! 💼 Our Weekend + Time To Get Legal:

• Hi CuratedLA Family! I know that you (yes, you) crushed this past week. And for that, it’s time to celebrate with the good vibes below, including meeting another LA Curator whose career in law we celebrate with the upcoming release of Suits: L.A. this Sunday on NBC. So sit back, relax, I’ll do all the typing below. And I’ll see you all back here on Tuesday morning. Have a wonderful weekend, CuratedLA! - Wyatt

ON THIS DAY ⏪️ Los Angeles History

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ELEVATE. EVOLVE. EMPOWER.

Luxury Meets Destiny

In the heart of Los Angeles, Prophecy Brand is redefining what it means to build a legacy in fashion and beauty. We don’t follow industry standards—we set them, shaping brands with precision, intention, and an uncompromising vision for the future.

Prophecy Brand is not about visibility alone—it’s about impact. We cultivate emerging designers, shape narratives that command attention, and position brands for lasting cultural relevance.

For those who aren’t just looking to enter the industry but to define it—Prophecy Brand is where the work begins.

If you’re ready to build something iconic, let’s start the conversation.

HOV LANES

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EATS

HEADLINES

TACO BELL 🥳 Taco Bell x Milk Bar: Birthday Bash Bites

• Taco Bell and Milk Bar bring a sweet surprise to Los Angeles with the new Milk Bar Birthday Cake Churros, blending crispy churros with Milk Bar’s signature birthday cake frosting and confetti sprinkles. Available now for a limited time at participating SoCal Taco Bell locations, these festive treats cost $2.99 for two or $1.99 for one.

IRVINE 😋 Yum! Brands Expands Irvine Presence as KFC Moves HQ:

• KFC’s parent company, Yum! Brands, is shifting its corporate structure, relocating KFC’s U.S. headquarters from Louisville to Plano, Texas, while reinforcing its existing presence in Irvine. The move consolidates operations, with Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill continuing to be based in Irvine. While Plano absorbs KFC’s corporate team, Irvine remains a key hub for Yum! Brands, positioning Southern California as a strategic center for the company’s future growth.

CHIPOTLE 🌯 Hiring Buzz for Burrito Season 💌 

• Chipotle is hiring 20,000 new employees to gear up for its busiest season from March to May. With a fast-track career path leading to six-figure salaries and a leadership pipeline that’s produced billion-dollar regional managers, the company continues investing in employee growth. AI-powered recruiter “Ava Cado” has cut hiring time from twelve days to four, and new TV ads highlight real employees who’ve climbed the ranks. Added perks include free access to the Calm app, education assistance, and a crew bonus program. Applications are open at jobs.chipotle.com. 💌 

  • 💌 Submitted by our Marketing Curators at Chipotle.

OPENINGS

MARINA DEL REY 🍷 Stoa, Wine Bar:

• Stoa, a new wine bar and market on Via Marina, is set to offer a curated selection of wines, artisanal cheeses, and Roman-style pizzas in a space inspired by Stoic principles of intentionality and simplicity. Alongside its dine-in experience, Stoa’s market will feature handpicked artisanal goods and picnic baskets for seaside outings. Those interested in attending the soft opening can sign up for an invitation at stoawinebar.com.

SHERMAN OAKS 🐔 Chick-fil-A to Revitalize Historic Corky’s Diner:

• Chick-fil-A plans to transform the iconic Corky's Diner on Van Nuys Blvd, a 1958 Googie-style gem by architects Louis Armet, Eldon Davis, and Helen Fong. The 4,678 sq ft space will feature indoor and outdoor dining, a drive-thru, and maintain original design elements like the catenary-shaped roof and zigzag seating. Operating Monday through Saturday from 6:30am to 10:30pm, the restaurant will offer 96 interior seats, 24 patio seats, 39 parking spots, and 32 bicycle spaces. Pending conditional use approval, the project aims to blend modern convenience with mid-century charm.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

FAIRFAX 🇵🇱 Stara Pierogi and Sausage, Polish Comfort:

• Stara Pierogi and Sausage has opened its doors at The Original Farmers Market, offering a menu rich in Polish comfort foods like pierogies filled with potato and cheese or sauerkraut and mushroom, alongside schnitzels and croquettes. Visitors are also greeted by a small bronze gnome statue, a tribute to the over 800 dwarfs that adorn the streets of Wrocław, Poland, symbolizing the city's unique charm.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

SHERMAN OAKS 🍕 Big Mama’s & Papa’s Pizzeria, Pizza-Italian:

• Big Mama’s & Papa’s Pizzeria (BMPP) is set to open its twelfth location at Sherman Oaks Galleria, replacing George’s Greek Grill. Franchise owner Armen Kevorkian expects a May opening as the brand continues its growth, including expansion into Canada. Known for its oversized pizzas—including the Guinness World Record-holding Giant Sicilian (54” x 54”)—BMPP blends a traditional pizzeria feel with a Southern California twist, offering dine-in options and eco-friendly Smart Car deliveries.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

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EVENTS

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

FIVE FUTURES

GUIDES

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ACTIVITIES

SANTA MONICA 🎨 Frieze LA, Now - Sunday:

• Frieze Los Angeles returns for its sixth edition this Thursday - Sunday, transforming Santa Monica Airport into a hub for contemporary art. Led by Christine Messineo, the fair will showcase global galleries, large-scale installations, and nonprofit collaborations, alongside pop-ups from top LA restaurants. The Focus section, curated again by Essence Harden, highlights emerging US galleries founded in or after 2013, offering a platform for fresh artistic voices.

DOWNTOWN 🖼️ The L.A. Art Show, Now - Sunday:

• The L.A. Art Show returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center tomorrow through Sunday, transforming 180,000 square feet into a global art hub. Over one hundred galleries, museums, and nonprofits will showcase painting, sculpture, photography, and more. General admission is $35, while the opening night premiere runs $250.

HOLLYWOOD 🎞️ Slamdance Film Festival, Continues Thru Wednesday:

• The 31st Slamdance Film Festival enters a bold new chapter, moving from Park City to Los Angeles with screenings at the Director’s Guild of America, Quixote – West Hollywood, and a grand kickoff at The Egyptian Theatre Thursday. Showcasing 146 films—including 21 world premieres—the lineup amplifies fresh, fearless voices, with 38% of films by BIPOC creators and 55% by female filmmakers. New additions like 6xty (one-minute films) and Slamdance Utah expand the festival’s reach, while the Unstoppable program continues championing filmmakers with disabilities.

SANTA MONICA 🚀 Honoring Black History at Virginia Avenue Park, Tomorrow:

• Santa Monica’s 10th annual Black History Greens Festival returns tomorrow at Virginia Avenue Park, celebrating the legacy of Black leaders who helped shape the community. Hosted by the City and the Black Santa Monica Community Group, the event, from 11:00am - 3:00pm, features live performances, a cooking competition, and a tribute to pioneers like former Mayor Nat Trives and civic leader Lloyd C. Allen. Highlights include a discussion led by historian Robbie Jones, a gospel choir, and book readings, all set against a backdrop of music, vendors, and cultural showcases.

CULVER CITY 📚️ Book Festival, Tomorrow:

• The Wende Museum hosts the Culver City Book Festival tomorrow, bringing together local authors, small presses, and literary nonprofits. Panels cover topics like immigration, community resilience, and genre fiction, featuring writers such as Jason de León, Olivie Blake, and Chuck Tingle. Family-friendly activities include zine-making, origami, and storytime, with exhibitors like 826LA and Heavy Manners Library. 💸 🎈 

DOWNTOWN 🧘 FitspoLA - Tomorrow, 10:00am:

• Winter FitspoLA returns to The Bloc this Saturday, bringing free outdoor fitness classes and wellness pop-ups to energize your routine. Start your morning with Mat Pilates by @pilateswithashlee at 10:00am, followed by high-energy Zumba with LA Fitness at 11:15am. After class, explore health-focused product sampling from brands like Celsius, DryBar, Lifeway Kefir, and more. Presented by UCLA Health, this event runs rain or shine, with indoor options if needed. Free and open to the public, presented by UCLA Health —registration required. 💌 💸 🎈 

  • 💌 Submitted by PR Curators at DOG AND A DUCK.

SANTA MONICA 🐶 Puppy Yoga Club, Weekends Until March 30th:

• Stretch and snuggle at Puppy Yoga Club, every weekend through March 30th at Kinn Studio (150 Horizon Avenue, Santa Monica). Just $69 gets you thirty minutes of yoga + thirty minutes of puppy cuddles, ending with a ten-minute chill sesh - pups included.

WEST ADAMS, OTHERS 🚲️ CicLAvia Returns this Sunday:

• CicLAvia’s 58th Open Streets event rolls through West Adams, Jefferson Park, and University Park on Sunday. From 9:00am to 3:00pm, car-free streets invite Angelenos to walk, bike, skate, and explore local businesses and activities along the route. Free and open to all ages, this Metro-presented event transforms neighborhoods into a pop-up park for the day. Plan your ride, check out the digital map, and experience LA without traffic—rain or shine.

THE ELYSIAN 🎤 Catholic Guilt, Tuesday - March 4th:

• Kelly McCaughan (HBO, Apple TV+) brings her award-winning solo comedy Catholic Guilt to the Elysian Theater for one night only on March 4th. A wild, boundary-pushing mix of stand-up, clowning, and audience participation, the show hilariously dismantles the impossible standards of the Catholic Church—covering everything from losing virginity to divine damnation. Praised at Edinburgh Fringe with ★★★★★ reviews, Catholic Guilt is irreverent, explicit, and shockingly brilliant. Tickets are $18. Book now—before salvation (or seats) runs out. 🙈 💌 

  • 💌 Submitted by Curator Kelly McCaughan.

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COMMUNITY

BEVERLY HILLS 🚨 Vanity Fair x Oscars Shuts Down Streets:

• Vanity Fair’s iconic Oscars after-party returns to Beverly Hills on March 2, bringing road closures around North Crescent Drive through March 7. Expect disruptions near City Hall, with closures on North Cañon Drive and South Santa Monica Boulevard eastbound. Detours will route traffic via Rexford Drive. Businesses remain accessible, but motorists should plan ahead. More details at beverlyhills.org/vanityfair.

HOLLYWOOD BOWL 🚀 2025 - A Summer of Stars and Soundtracks:

• The Hollywood Bowl’s 2025 season promises a lineup as dazzling as a warm LA night, featuring legends like Diana Ross, Earth, Wind & Fire, Cynthia Erivo in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Yo-Yo Ma. Hugh Jackman kicks things off on June 7th, with the Blue Note Jazz Festival set for June 14th -15th. JAWS will get its cinematic symphony moment, alongside tributes to Minnie Riperton, The Greatest Showman, and more. Classical nights with Gustavo Dudamel round out the mix. Subscriptions are open now, ‘Create Your Own’ packages launch March 25th, and single tickets go on sale May 6th.

WEHO BIZ ❤️‍🩹 West Hollywood Gives to Struggling WeHo Businesses:

• With local businesses reporting revenue drops of 25–50%, West Hollywood is launching WeHo Gives Back to help offset losses. Though untouched by wildfires, the city has felt the ripple effects, as residents and visitors stay home. The initiative, starting March 1st, will raise funds to support struggling businesses through QR-coded napkins and online donations. With restaurants and shops facing an unexpected downturn, community support is crucial to keeping them afloat. Learn more at pledge.to/weho-gives-back.

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DEVELOPMENT

DOWNTOWN 😎 531 New Apartments Planned Near Historical Morrison Hotel:

• Despite setbacks from a late-2024 fire, plans to develop new housing around DTLA’s Morrison Hotel remain on track. Relevant Group is moving forward with a scaled-down, eight-story, 531-unit development on S. Hope Street, featuring studio apartments, retail space, and a rooftop pool deck. In exchange for zoning incentives, 27 units will be designated for very low-income residents. Designed by MVE + Partners, the project brings a modern black-and-brick aesthetic to the neighborhood, though it’s notably smaller than the pre-pandemic vision for the site.

HOLLYWOOD 🛍️ Hollywood Gets a Housing Boost on Sunset:

• The Los Angeles City Planning Commission has approved a seven-story, mixed-use development on W. Sunset Blvd., replacing a shuttered commercial space with 112 apartments and 2,850 square feet of retail. Designed by Newmark Architecture, the project includes a rooftop deck, courtyard, and a sixty-car garage, with six units set aside for very low-income households. Backed by Crossroads Management, the development joins a wave of high-rise projects reshaping Sunset and Highland. Construction is expected to take twenty months.

EXPOSITION PARK 🏡 Seven-Story, Seven-Unit Building Planned Near USC:

• A seven-story, seven-unit apartment complex is proposed for W. 37th Pl. in Exposition Park, replacing a century-old home. Designed by Next Architecture for New Materials Corp, the project includes three-bedroom layouts and a rooftop amenity deck but no on-site parking. A density bonus allows for a taller structure in exchange for one affordable unit. Pending city approval, no construction timeline has been set.

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BUSINESS

VEGAS 🎬️ Hollywood 2.0: Nevada Eyes Big-Budget Film Hub:

• Nevada's legislature is set to review Assembly Bill 238, a potential game-changer for film production in the state. Dubbed the ‘Hollywood 2.0’ bill, it proposes $80m in annual tax credits starting in 2028 to support Sony Pictures and Howard Hughes Holdings' $1.8bn Summerlin Studios project. Unlike past incentives, this plan requires Sony to invest $100m per year for a decade, ensuring local job creation and infrastructure development before credits are awarded. Industry heavyweights, including The Creative Coalition and actors like LeVar Burton and Tim Daly, rallied behind the initiative at a Las Vegas summit. With an estimated 17,000 permanent jobs and a $2.8bn economic impact, developers say construction could start immediately if the bill passes.

NETFLIX 🍿 Netflix Bets Big on Mexico with $1B Investment:

• Netflix is committing $1bn to Mexico for film + TV production over the next four years, reinforcing its deep ties to the country. Announced alongside President Claudia Sheinbaum, the investment will boost local studios, talent development, and production companies. The streamer is also putting $2m into Churubusco Studios while expanding programs for emerging creatives. Since launching in Mexico in 2011, Netflix has grown its local presence significantly, producing hits like Club de Cuervos, Roma, and Pinocchio, and cementing Mexico as a key player in its global strategy.

SANTA MONICA 🏎️ TrueCar Accelerates Growth with AI and Expanded TC+:

• Santa Monica’s TrueCar (💲NASDAQ: TRUE) closed 2024 with its strongest revenue growth since 2017, hitting $175.6m, a 10.6% YoY increase. The company’s TrueCar+ platform saw a 50% jump in transaction volume, driving momentum into 2025. CEO Jantoon Reigersman projects over 20% revenue growth this year, backed by dealer network expansion, AI-powered fraud detection, and deeper OEM partnerships. While Q1 will see higher marketing and headcount costs, management expects reaccelerated growth and profitability by Q2. Long-term, TrueCar is targeting $300m in annual revenue and a 10% free cash flow margin by 2026.

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ENTERTAINMENT

COME ON DOWN! 🎲 The Price Is Right Hits 10,000 Episodes:

• The Price Is Right marks its 10,000th episode next Wednesdsay, with host Drew Carey leading the celebration. Contestants will play special 10,000-themed games, including a chance to win $100,000 in “Grand Game.” In honor of the milestone, the show will donate $10,000 to NAMI for mental health advocacy. The episode encores in primetime on March 4th. Fans can still grab tickets for the final tapings. 💌 

  • Submitted by PR Curators from SMITHHOUSE Strategies.

JAMES BOND 🤵 Jeff Bezos Wants You To Pick the Next Bond:

• With Amazon MGM Studios now in control of James Bond, Jeff Bezos is letting fans weigh in. The Amazon founder posted a BBC News headline about the franchise shake-up, asking Instagram followers: ‘Who’d you pick as the next Bond?’ Speculation has been rampant since Daniel Craig’s exit, with names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, James Norton, and Damson Idris in the mix. While no official decisions have been made, Bezos’ post signals a new era—one where audience input might just shape 007’s future.

STEVEN SPIELBERG 🎥 Spielberg’s Next Big Move:

• Universal has shifted Steven Spielberg’s untitled event film from May 15th to June 12th of next year, avoiding a clash with ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu.’ The move clears space for the Daniels' own untitled project, which now needs more time. Spielberg’s film, starring Josh O’Connor, Emily Blunt, and Colman Domingo, is written by longtime collaborator David Koepp and rumored to be a UFO story. With a less competitive release window against the ‘Scary Movie’ reboot and ‘Toy Story 5,’ the shift is seen as a strategic win for all involved.

VIEWERSHIP 📈 Football, News + Streaming Power a Strong Start in 2025:

• TV viewership jumped 5% in January, fueled by NFL playoffs, college football, and rising interest in scripted dramas and news. The AFC Championship on CBS led with 57.4m viewers, while ESPN’s College Football Playoffs drove a 42% spike in cable sports. Streaming set records too—Netflix hit a platform-high 8.6% TV share, thanks to Squid Game (9bn minutes watched), and Prime Video’s exclusive NFL Wild Card game contributed to the second-highest streaming day ever (47bn minutes). With streaming now commanding 42.6% of TV time, audience habits continue shifting across platforms.

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SPORTS

ESPN ⚾️ ESPN Strikes Out, Ends MLB Partnership After 2025:

• After 35 years, ESPN will step away from broadcasting MLB games following the 2025 season. The network and MLB mutually opted out of the final three years of their deal, citing financial differences. ESPN had already scaled back coverage in recent years, cutting regular-season games and axing Baseball Tonight. MLB, unhappy with ESPN’s push for reduced fees, now eyes new broadcast and streaming partners for 2026 and beyond. Fox and Turner remain locked in through 2028, while Apple and Roku have already secured smaller deals.

STAFFORD 🐏 Rams Weigh Stafford’s Future Ahead of NFL Combine:

• The Rams are set to meet with Matthew Stafford’s agents at the NFL Combine (February 27th – March 2nd) to determine his future, with trade talks looming but a preference to keep him for a fifth season under Sean McVay. While L.A. values Stafford at a first-round pick, his $49.3m cap hit complicates a potential move. Teams like the Vikings and Steelers could be in play, but their interest remains uncertain. With no urgency on either side, any major developments are at least ten days away.

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HAVE A GREAT WKND, LA!

🤙 Have a wonderful weekend, CuratedLA Family!
I will see everyone back here Tuesday morning! Crush this weekend!

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