FEBRUARY 7TH, 2025

Good vibes presented by Morning Brew

FRIDAY’S VIBES

^SUBSCRIBE

CHEERS

TO FOOTBALL

📥️ A friendly reminder to Read Online (for Curators) to prevent clipping 📥️ 

HI CUTIE! 🦁 Beast Games Exclusive next Week:

• Hi CuratedLA Family! Sorry for the delay today - I had formatting issues that took time to clean up. And I didn’t want you to read this newsletter upside down. We have had a busy week with brands reaching out to partner with us (me — I hope to humbly hire!) at CuratedLA. This…this is so awesome. Here’s the CuratedLA Media Kit if you’re interested in collaborating. Thank you all. Next week is packed with Valentine’s Day coverage and an exclusive interview with a current Beast Games contestant dropping Friday. Enjoy the Super Bowl and have a wonderful weekend! Wyatt

ON THIS DAY ⏪️ Los Angeles History

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HOV LANES

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EATS

HEADLINES

RANDY’S DONUTS 🍩 Sweetheart Specials at Randy’s Donuts:

• Randy’s Donuts is serving up love from now until February 16th with festive Valentine’s Day treats. Their limited-time lineup includes a chocolate-raised ring donut and a heart-shaped donut, both decked out in red, pink, and white sprinkles. As a bonus, guests who purchase any hot or iced specialty drink will receive a free Valentine’s Round Donut—because nothing says love like free donuts. 💌 

WEST HOLLYWOOD ❤️ Love in Every Sip at The London:

• The London West Hollywood’s Love Story in Bloom Afternoon Tea offers Rare Tea Company blends, Champagne, elegant tea sandwiches, scones, and indulgent pastries like Red Velvet Trifle and Strawberry & Vanilla Mousse Cake. Priced at $84 per person ($42 for kids), it runs weekends from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Reservations via OpenTable 💌.

OPENINGS

WEST HOLLYWOOD 🇮🇹 Alba, New York Italian:

• Alba, the acclaimed New York Italian restaurant, held its grand opening in West Hollywood yesterday, marking another East Coast import reshaping LA’s dining scene. Founded by Cobi Levy and Julian Black, the Melrose Avenue outpost embraces California’s bounty, blending Alba Cucina’s signature “holiday Italian” dishes with local influences. Chef Adam Leonti leads the kitchen, drawing inspiration from LA’s farmers markets for dishes like squash blossoms in lemon potato mousse and agnolotti in black truffle fonduta. The elegant yet inviting space, designed by GRT Architects, features a patio, midcentury-modern touches, and plans for a rooftop garden. Alba is open Tuesday through Sunday, 5:00pm to 11:00pm.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

CULVER CITY 🇵🇪 El Huarique, Peruvian:

• El Huarique Peruvian Kitchen, known for its flavorful take on traditional Peruvian cuisine, has expanded from its Venice roots to a new location in Culver City on S. Sepulveda Boulevard. The eatery, which first gained a following near the beach, brings its signature ceviches, lomo saltado, and authentic Peruvian flavors to a broader audience. With a focus on fresh ingredients and bold flavors, the new outpost continues El Huarique’s mission of delivering an authentic taste of Peru in a casual, inviting setting.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

GLENDALE ☕️ Take Away Cafe, Grab-and-Go:

• Nestled in the heart of Glendale, Take Away Cafe redefines the grab-and-go experience with a focus on quality and convenience. Located on E Broadway, the new spot offers a curated menu of freshly made sandwiches, salads, and artisanal coffee designed for those on the move. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients and efficient service, Take Away Cafe caters to busy locals looking for a quick yet satisfying bite without sacrificing flavor.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

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EVENTS

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

FIVE FUTURES

GUIDES

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ACTIVITIES

CHINATOWN 🍣 First Friday in Chinatown, Tonight:

• L.A.’s Chinatown comes alive tonight with extended hours across its historic streets. West Plaza and Chungking Road will host pop-up vendors, DJ sets, and open galleries from 6:00pm to 10:00pm, while the Damnoen Saduak Night Market at Far East Plaza runs from 5:00pm to 11:00pm. A free night of art, culture, and local flavor.

LITTLE TOKYO 🎨 MOCA First Friday: Free Art & Live Sketching:

• MOCA Geffen’s First Fridays return with free admission and a live drawing session by LA artist Tim Biskup, known for his on-demand graphite sketches. Timed RSVPs grant access from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, offering an evening of immersive art in Little Tokyo.

HOLLYWOOD ❤️‍🩹 Levi Strauss & Co. Hosts Benefit Shop for Wildfire Relief:

• Levi Strauss & Co. is offering a helping hand to those affected by recent fires in Los Angeles with a special benefit shop event today + tomorrow. Fire-impacted individuals can sign up for a time slot to receive free clothing from brands like Levi’s, Beyond Yoga, Dockers, and more. The event will be held at Ovation Hollywood, with priority given to those directly impacted by the fires. In addition, the broader LA community can shop tomorrow (Saturday), with 100% of sales benefiting the California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund. Sign-up is required, and each impacted individual will receive a voucher for free items.

HOLLYWOOD 🚀 Black\stract - A Multi-Sensory Black Art Experience:

• Kick off Black History Month with Black\stract, an immersive art exhibition tonight at NeueHouse Hollywood. This all-ages event celebrates Black identity and future possibilities through the lens of abstraction. Featuring Miela's transformative works, the show delves into emotional depth and collective resilience, inviting attendees to explore the boundless potential of Black creativity. The exhibit blends vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and compelling narratives into an experience that challenges conventions and invites reflection. Tickets range from $5 to $20, with a special offer for those 21+ including a drink ticket.

WEST HOLLYWOOD 💕 Valentine’s Day Pottery Workshop, Tonight:

• Treat yourself to a soulful evening at the Valentine’s Pottery Workshop tonight from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Cruz Creations in West Hollywood. This hands-on, guided pottery session is perfect for all skill levels, led by Erica, where you’ll create meaningful pieces while sipping festive cocktails. The experience includes clay, tools, glazes, and firing of your creations, with your finished pottery ready for pickup in 2-2.5 weeks. This workshop is all about mindfulness, self-care, and creativity—take a moment to unwind and reflect.

VENICE ❤️‍🩹 Fundraiser for Wildfire Victims & First Responders:

• Nalu Vida Venice Beach hosts a day of giving back tomorrow (Saturday), rallying the community to support first responders and those impacted by California’s wildfires. Kicking off with a Firefighters Pancake Breakfast from 9:00am - 11:00pm, the event spans fourteen hours with live music from Unkle Monkey, Bro Bots, and Thirsty Heroes, plus comedy and DJ sets by Yoga Matt. Every donation aids wildfire relief efforts—because rebuilding starts with community. 1 Washington Blvd, Venice Beach. 💌 

CULVER CITY 🐶 FREN’s Valentine’s Day Pop-Up, Tomorrow:

• Celebrate your love for dogs and Valentine's Day at FREN's exclusive pop-up event, ‘For the Love of Dogs,’ tomorrow, from 11:00am to 4:00pm at The Newsstand at Platform in Culver City. This special event features FREN's latest dog accessories collection, perfect for pampering your furry friends. Enjoy delightful matcha beverages and puppuccinos from Little Match Studio as you browse the collection. Whether you're a dog owner or simply a dog lover, this event offers a heartwarming experience to share with your canine companions.

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COMMUNITY

DISNEY 🐭 LA Strong T-Shirt Supports Wildfire Relief:

• Disney is rallying behind Los Angeles with its LA Strong t-shirt, featuring Mickey Mouse and a bold message of resilience. For every shirt sold through December 31st, Disney will donate $25 to the American Red Cross to aid wildfire recovery. This effort follows Disney’s $15m pledge to support relief organizations and its employees' donation drives, which have collected over 200,000 essential items. More than just apparel, the LA Strong t-shirt symbolizes the city's strength and Disney’s commitment to rebuilding the community. T-Shirts start at $30.00 and are available to purchase here. 💌 

DASH 🚌 Free Rides? Community Weighs the Cost:

• LA City Council has requested a cost-benefit analysis on eliminating DASH bus fares, potentially making the service free next fiscal year. The study will examine expenses related to TAP hardware, fare enforcement, and administrative costs to determine if the city can operate without charging riders. Councilwoman Heather Hutt, backed by Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez, introduced the motion. DASH, which serves downtown and 27 neighborhoods, suspended fares during the pandemic but resumed collection earlier this month. Currently, rides cost 50 cents, with discounts for seniors and people with disabilities.

FORECAST 📡 Clearing Skies But Storm Returning Mid-Week:

• A Pacific storm system is moving out of Southern California today, bringing a mix of showers tapering off in the afternoon. Breezy to gusty southwest winds will continue into the morning, especially in interior areas like northeastern Los Angeles County. As the storm clears, expect drier conditions over the weekend with below-normal temperatures. Snow levels will drop to 5,500-6,500 feet, potentially affecting higher roadways. Looking ahead, dry weather will persist into early next week, but a significant storm could return mid-week, bringing rain and mountain snow. Stay tuned for updates as this could be the strongest storm of the season.

BEVERLY HILLS 🤗 Kindness Week with Citywide Events + Donations:

• Beverly Hills kicks off National Kindness Week with a donation drive at the Farmers’ Market on Sunday, supporting local charities like Foster Love, Midnight Mission, and Safe Parking L.A. Donations sought include stuffed animals, toiletries, socks, canned goods, and new or gently used shoes, clothing, and pet supplies. The week continues with various activities, including a Senior Valentine’s Day Dance on Monday, Library Story Time on Tuesday, and a Kindness Pledge at Beverly Hills High on Thursday. Social media challenges and Self-Care Saturday on February 15th round out the celebrations. Full event details are available at beverlyhills.org/csevents.

DOORDASH ❤️‍🩹 Financial Relief for LA Businesses Affected by Wildfires:

• DoorDash is stepping up to support Los Angeles businesses impacted by recent fires with grants and reduced financing rates. Local merchants in affected areas can apply for $10,000 relief grants from the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, with funds for rent, repairs, stock, or payroll. Additionally, DoorDash has committed $50,000 towards reduced financing rates through DoorDash Capital, partnering with Parafin to assist with payroll, equipment, and inventory costs. These efforts complement the company's previous support, including fee waivers for consumers and donations to relief organizations. DoorDash continues its dedication to helping LA’s economy recover.

  • I believe DoorDash is a great company, I once delivered food for them. So, shoutout to you, DoorDash.

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DEVELOPMENT

LA BREA 🌳 Tar Pits Set for a Major Makeover:

• The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a transformative plan for the La Brea Tar Pits and George C. Page Museum, greenlighting a Weiss/Manfredi-led redesign of the thirteen-acre Hancock Park site. The project, known as Alternative 3, will expand exhibition space by 20%, upgrade the museum to modern standards, and introduce a new 40,000-square-foot building with a café. Additional improvements include ADA-compliant pathways, reconfigured entrances, enhanced research facilities, and a refreshed landscape. With $22m already allocated, fundraising efforts are underway to support the seven-year phased construction.

SANTA MONICA 🎡 Shutters and Casa del Mar Eye Branded Residences:

• The owners of Shutters on the Beach and Casa del Mar are exploring a capital raise to develop over 350 branded residences on adjacent land, marking a major expansion for the iconic Santa Monica hotels. Edward and Thomas Slatkin are working with Eastdil Secured on a recapitalization that could value the properties at around $700m, with additional land potentially worth $100m. The move isn’t a sale but a strategic effort to unlock long-term value while keeping hotel operations unchanged. With luxury coastal real estate fetching record valuations, this project aligns with a growing trend of high-end hospitality investments.

HOLLYWOOD 🎬️ Affordable Housing Expansion:

• A five-story, 49-unit affordable housing project has been proposed on West La Mirada Avenue in Hollywood. Developed by RJGoldenRock, LLC, with designs by KB Fard Architects, the project will replace an existing single-family home and offer all one-bedroom units. No on-site parking is planned, and the project will utilize Mayor’s Executive Directive 1, seeking density bonus incentives for increased capacity. Renderings depict a modern low-rise structure with a rooftop amenity deck, located just west of the US-101 Freeway. The construction timeline has yet to be announced.

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BUSINESS

CHERUB 💸 The Dating App for Angel Investing?

• Bridging the gap between founders and angel investors, Cherub, co-founded by Angeline Vuong and Jaclyn Johnson, functions like a dating app—matching startups with investors based on shared characteristics, from industry focus to leadership diversity. Since launching its beta in 2024, Cherub has processed 2,455 intro requests, with a 58.8% approval rate and over $3m in funding facilitated. It also introduced an SPV program, allowing smaller investors to pool funds. Notably, every founder who secured funding in Cherub’s alpha phase was either a woman or from an underrepresented group, addressing disparities in venture capital access.

AI FILM 🎞️ LargoAI Secures $7.5m Investment with Stallone on Board:

• AI-driven film analytics platform Largo.ai has closed a $7.5m Series A funding round, with Sylvester Stallone joining as an investor and strategic partner. Co-led by TI Capital and QBIT Capital, the investment aims to expand Largo.ai’s core offerings, including its AI-driven content recommendations and Simulated Focus Group technology for testing audience reactions. The company, which works with over six hundred film and TV partners, plans to debut its Version 3 system and further develop its Brands Suite for advertisers. Largo.ai will showcase its AI-powered project analysis at the European Film Market on February 15th.

PARAMOUNT X NIELSEN 🤝 Four Month Standoff Ends:

• Paramount Global and Nielsen have finalized a multiyear ratings measurement deal, ending a four-month impasse that began when their previous contract expired in October. The agreement covers ratings across Paramount’s entire ecosystem, including CBS, cable networks, and streaming platforms like Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Nielsen will provide advanced audience insights, big data + panel measurement, and ad-supported streaming ratings. The deal follows Paramount’s record-setting NFL viewership and Nielsen’s recent accreditation for its big data + panel methodology. Paramount also maintains its partnership with VideoAmp for additional audience measurement.

WALNUT 💰️ Big Industrial Deal: $100m Sales Sets Unique Trend:

• CapRock Partners has sold its newly developed 270,000-square-foot West Valley Logistics center in Walnut to an alternative fashion company for an estimated $100m. The buyer will use the facility as its corporate headquarters, expanding its office space with CapRock’s assistance. This transaction stands out in a market where properties of this scale are typically acquired by investors rather than owner-users. The San Gabriel Valley remains one of the county’s tightest industrial markets, with historically low vacancies and strong demand, driven by L.A.’s ports and population density.

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ENTERTAINMENT

JURASSIC WORLD 🦖 Rebirth Unleashes Its First Trailer:

• The Jurassic era returns with Jurassic World: Rebirth, unveiling its first trailer ahead of Universal’s global release on July 2nd. Set five years after Jurassic World: Dominion, the film follows covert operative Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) and paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) as they hunt for genetic samples from Earth’s most colossal dinosaurs—one in the sea, one on land, and one in the air. With the planet now inhospitable to these prehistoric giants, their survival holds the key to a life-saving drug for humanity. Directed by Gareth Edwards and penned by Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the Amblin Entertainment production also stars Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in a high-stakes mission that collides with a shipwrecked family and a long-buried secret.

SPORTS EMMYS 🏆️ David Hill Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award:

• Legendary sports producer David Hill will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 46th Annual Sports Emmy Awards on May 20th in New York City. Hill, a visionary behind game-changing innovations like the Fox Box score bug and football’s first-down marker, revolutionized the way sports are watched. As FOX Sports' founding president, he played a pivotal role in shaping modern sports media, launching networks and pioneering augmented reality in broadcasts. With accolades from the Pro Football Hall of Fame to the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Hill’s impact on global sports coverage remains unmatched. 💌 ℹ️ 

STREAMING CHARTS 📈 Squid Games Hold Streaming Crown:

• Netflix’s Squid Game continued its reign atop the streaming charts for the week of January 6th -12th, logging 2.37bn minutes of viewing—though down 48% from the previous week. Landman (Paramount+) peaked with 1.38bn minutes following its season finale, while American Primeval (Netflix) had a strong debut at 1.25bn. Bluey (Disney+) remained the top acquired series at 1.11bn minutes, and Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1 (Max/Netflix) led films with 524m minutes. Nielsen’s rankings, which track U.S. TV viewing only, highlight Netflix’s dominance while showcasing rising contenders across platforms.

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SPORTS

LAKERS 🏀 LeBron Leads Lakers Past Warriors in Statement Win:

• LeBron James dominated with 42 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists as the Lakers held off the Warriors 120-112, despite nearly squandering a 26-point lead. Austin Reaves added 23 points, while Gabe Vincent knocked down five threes to help secure LA’s fourth straight win. Stephen Curry battled back with 37 points, but James’ clutch shooting, including three threes in 38 seconds, sealed the victory. The 40-year-old James also set another record as the oldest player with 30 points and 15 rebounds in a game. Meanwhile, the Warriors await Jimmy Butler’s debut after his blockbuster trade from Miami.

SUPER BOWL LIX 🏈 Chiefs Chase History, Eagles Stand in the Way:

• Kansas City is on the verge of an NFL first—three consecutive Super Bowl wins—but the Philadelphia Eagles are ready to rewrite the script. The Chiefs, already the first team to win two straight and return for a third, face an Eagles squad that has won 15 of its last 16 games. While Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid have mastered close-game victories, Philadelphia’s defense and run game could be the difference. The game kicks off Sunday at 3:30pm from Caesars Superdome, airing on Fox and streaming on Tubi. Betting lines favor Kansas City at -1.5, with a total of 48.5 points. Expect a tight, physical battle, with history hanging in the balance.

DICKIE V 🏀 Vitale Returns to Call Duke-Clemson:

• Legendary ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale returns to the mic Saturday for No. 2 Duke vs. my Clemson Tigers, marking his first live call in nearly two years after battling vocal cord cancer. Originally set to return in January, the 85-year-old college basketball icon delayed his comeback due to health setbacks. Now cancer-free, Vitale will call the game alongside Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander. Duke’s freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, a projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick, has been a major storyline, averaging 20 points per game. Vitale, a staple on ESPN since 1979, brings his signature energy back to the court. Go Tigers! Beat Duke.

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HAVE A GREAT WKND, LA!

🤙 GO TEAMS GO FOOTBALL.

GO CLEMSON, BEAT DUKE! 🏀 

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