JULY 8TH, 2024

MONDAY

MONDAY’S VIBES

HAPPY MONDAY ALL YOU COOL CATS AND KITTENS

‘THIS IS YOUR BEST WEEK EVER, LA.’ - TIM COOK (MAYBE)

• 👋  WE ARE BACK: Hello + Shalom in the Home! We are back after a nice weeklong vaca. Today’s newsletter is a bit shorter and does not include activities (still working on calendars) as many local, regional + national outlets also took a well-deserved vacation. But I am sure that this week, and our Wednesday newsletter, will be jam-packed with good vibes.

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THE HOV LANE

• 🐇 represents our hopes to provide political news without opinions. Please don’t trust us on politics, we don’t know anything other than how to drink a good CapriSun.

• ℹ️ indicates information only, no linked content

BEETLEJUICE

⭐ Prepare to step into Tim Burton’s strange, spirited, and visually iconic world of the Afterlife in an all-new, official interactive experience inspired by this Fall’s highly anticipated movie “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”. We saved a seat for you at Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: The Afterlife Experience in Los Angeles! 

Highlights:
💀 Take a trip to the Afterlife and explore the world of the Recently Deceased!
🤩 Interactive, immersive, and DEADLY entertaining
👻 Encounter the bio-exorcist Beetlejuice alongside a cast of eclectic ghosts and other six-feet-under surprises
📸 Snap and share cool moments and memories
🌟 Browse exclusive merch and take home a memento
🍽️ Enjoy themed food and drinks that are… to die for!

Tickets are selling fast!

EATS

HEADLINES

🏆️ SANTA MONICA: Cobi's Restaurant in Santa Monica, led by owner Cobi Marsh and executive chef Arnold Marcella, has been awarded the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand, recognizing its exceptional value and quality. Located on Main Street, Cobi's features a vibrant, maximalist decor and a menu inspired by Southeast Asian flavors, which perfectly pairs with their sustainably sourced wines and Asian lagers. The restaurant's innovative and conscientious approach to both food and ambiance has made it a standout in Santa Monica's dining scene.

🤝 CO-BRANDING: Dine Brands Global Inc. is set to introduce its co-branded IHOP/Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar restaurants to the U.S. by early next year. With ten successful international locations, including the latest in León, Mexico, CEO John Peyton shared that the hybrid model, featuring shared kitchens and distinct dining areas, doubles revenue compared to standalone venues. Franchisee interest is positive, though guest spending remains cautious post-holidays. Promotions have driven increased transactions, with value strategies helping mitigate economic challenges. The company remains optimistic, bolstered by strong guest responses and innovative menu offerings.

OPENINGS

🍔 SANTA MONICA: Gott’s Roadside, the James Beard America’s Classic eatery originally known as Taylor’s Automatic Refresher, is expanding to Downtown Santa Monica next year, reports What Now Los Angeles. While the exact opening date and location are still under wraps, a representative confirmed the forthcoming L.A. debut. Gott’s menu highlights include the California Burger, Ahi Poke Crispy SOLDTacos, Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich, and hand-spun organic shakes, with ingredients sourced from local vendors. Founded in 1999 by brothers Joel and Duncan Gott in St. Helena, the restaurant is celebrated for its modern California-inspired cuisine and currently operates eight locations across California.​ | 🖥️ Website | 📜 Menu | 📸 Instagram

🍣 GLENDALE: Seabutter Sushi is expanding with a fourth location at The Americana at Brand in Glendale this month, along with a second outpost of its hand roll concept, The Bar – Handrolls by Seabutter, opening across the street this fall. Seabutter offers an extensive menu featuring sushi, sashimi, specialty rolls, tempura, and an omakase experience, along with various sake, wine, and beer options. The Bar focuses on a casual menu with hand rolls, sashimi plates, and donburi. Existing Seabutter locations include Beverly Hills, Westlake Village, and Laguna Beach, with The Bar's first location in Studio City. | 🖥️ Website | 📜 Menu | 📸 Instagram

🎛️ DTLA: DTLA's latest hotspot, Wax On Hi-Fi, fuses a vinyl bar with a Japanese-Creole menu, perfect for those who enjoy funky DJ sets paired with culinary delights like miso honey butter biscuits. Open for dinner Thursday through Sunday until midnight, this venue also offers a weekend brunch featuring sake cocktails and matcha pancakes. In addition, Wax On Hi-Fi hosts special DJ nights and vinyl listening sessions, making it a must-visit for both music and food enthusiasts. | 🖥️ Website | 📜 Menu | 📸 Instagram

🍷 SANTA MONICA: AJA Vineyards, a family-owned winery from the Malibu Coast, is opening its first tasting room in Santa Monica at 1417 2nd St. While the exact opening date is yet to be announced, the winery has started hiring tasting room associates. Founded by Todd and Heather Greenbaum in 2007, AJA Vineyards began with cabernet sauvignon and syrah vines inspired by Napa Valley varietals. The vineyard also offers a wine club, educational programs, and events​. | 🖥️ Website | 📸 Instagram

🍨 SANTA MONICA: Yogurtland has opened its second location in Santa Monica at the bustling Third Street Promenade, bringing its total number of stores to 204 nationwide. Known for its self-serve frozen yogurt experience, this new spot offers over two-hundred handcrafted flavors and a wide range of toppings. Visitors can enjoy their treats on the patio or at home, with delivery, pickup, and catering options available soon. Open daily from 11:00am to 11:00pm Sunday through Wednesday, and until midnight Thursday through Saturday, this new Yogurtland aims to attract more customers with its prime location and extensive menu options. The grand opening included festivities like balloons, music, and giveaways, reflecting the brand's enthusiasm for the Santa Monica community. | 🖥️ Website | 📜 Menu | 📸 Instagram

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EVENTS

BIG LIST OF EVENTS

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COMMUNITY

🔥 FORECAST: Los Angeles is bracing for a week of intense summer heat, with temperatures nearing 100 degrees in portions the city by midweek, and temperatures upwards of 115 in the Antelope Valley, according to the National Weather Service. The warm spell kicks off with a high of 94 degrees on Sunday, escalating to 98 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday, well above the historical average of 86 degrees for this period. An Air Quality Alert adds to the health concerns, particularly for sensitive groups. Residents are advised to stay hydrated, minimize outdoor activities during peak heat, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Despite the sweltering days, nighttime temperatures will offer only slight relief, dipping to the mid-60s. Winds will remain light, providing little respite from the heat. For more details and updates, visit the National Weather Service website.

👨‍🦳 DICK VAN DYKE: Malibu High School celebrated Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke and his wife Arlene with a star-studded gala on Saturday, unveiling the newly renamed Arlene and Dick Van Dyke Theater. The event, attended by celebrities and local residents, honored the couple for their lifelong commitment to the arts and their establishment of a three million-dollar endowment aimed at enriching arts education across all Malibu public schools. Guests enjoyed performances by notable artists like Melissa Manchester and tributes from friends including Tom Bergeron and Michelle Lee, highlighting the Van Dykes' enduring legacy in fostering creativity and supporting young talent in the community.

🤝 TEAM BEVERLY HILLS: Applications for the Team Beverly Hills program are open now until August 9th. Launched in 1996, the program gives residents a hands-on look at local government operations through a series of interactive class sessions covering departments like Public Works, Emergency Management, IT, Community Services, and Public Safety. With over 800 alumni, including 70% of current elected officials and city commissioners, the program is influential in shaping civic leadership. This year, fifty residents will be selected (thirty by City Council, eighteen by lottery, and two by the Beverly Hills Unified School District), along with five business community reps. Apply at beverlyhills.org/teambeverlyhills or email [email protected].

🏥 MLK JR. HOSPITAL: The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Compton has secured $25 million in state funding, ensuring the continued operation of its vital maternity ward. This funding, included in the state budget signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, is crucial for many local residents who rely on MLK as their primary healthcare provider. The hospital, known for its safe and comprehensive maternal care, predominantly serves Black and brown women. MLK's emergency department is the second busiest in Los Angeles County, handling an average of 120,000 visits annually. While the immediate future is secured, work continues on finding a permanent solution for the hospital's long-term needs.

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DEVELOPMENT

🛒 SOUTH LOS ANGELES: Costco is addressing the affordable housing crisis with a new mixed-use development in South Los Angeles. Teaming up with Thrive Living and AO architects, Costco plans to build an 800-unit apartment complex, including 184 affordable units, atop a new store in Baldwin Village. The project will feature amenities like a gym, rooftop pool, community gardens, multi-purpose spaces, and a large parking lot. Despite awaiting permits, this innovative venture aims to combine housing and retail in a way that meets community needs while streamlining the approval process. The site, previously a vacant hospital lot, will also offer easy access to mass transit, a multi-floor underground garage, a pharmacy, and an optical center​.

🎬️  HOLLYWOOD: A 1920s courtyard apartment complex in Hollywood is set to be replaced by a mid-rise hotel, as the proposal clears another hurdle. Property owner Fairborz Moshfegh plans to demolish forty rent-stabilized apartments at 1719 N. Whitley Avenue to make way for a ten-story, 156-room hotel with a gift shop and a three-level garage. Architect Daryoush Safai designed the building, which will feature a rooftop deck. Previously approved in 2019, the project faced legal challenges, but updated findings now address the city's housing element, gaining support from Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez. Despite an appeal from United Neighborhoods for Los Angeles, the City Council upheld the project's approval.

🚌 NEW BUS SHELTERS: The City of Los Angeles launched the Sidewalk and Transit Amenities Program (STAP). This initiative aims to enhance bus stops by installing three-thousand new shelters and 450 shade structures citywide, ensuring 75% of bus riders have shelter. Featuring larger canopies, better lighting, and digital displays with real-time bus arrival info, the first shelter was unveiled in Tarzana as part of Metro's North San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Project. With extreme heat being a significant concern, this program is a vital step towards a more comfortable and safer transit experience in the city.

🏡 HOLLYWOOD: A new mixed-use development at 4773 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Feliz is proposed, featuring a six-story building with 86 residential units and 2,600 square feet of retail space. Developed by Beverly Hills-based Lazer Properties and designed by KFA Architecture, the project includes studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, along with amenities such as a spa deck and rooftop terrace. The building will also provide underground parking for 93 cars. Notably, nine units will be designated as very low-income affordable housing. Acquired for $8.5 million in March 2023, the project's application is now under review by the Los Angeles Department of City Planning.

🚧 BOYLE HEIGHTS: A seven-story mixed-use development is underway at 1308 South Soto Street in Boyle Heights, transforming a former bank site into a vibrant residential and retail hub. Developed by Shahram ‘Sean’ Mousavi of Soto Equity, LLC, with designs by Lahmon Architects, the project will feature 123 apartments, including studios, one + two, and three-bedroom units, along with four thousand square feet of ground-floor retail space. Aimed at creating affordable housing, thirteen units will be reserved for extremely low-income residents. Amenities include a rooftop deck, a third-floor courtyard, a community room, a fitness center, and private balconies for forty units. The development also includes a 122-car garage, supporting transit-oriented growth in the neighborhood​.

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BUSINESS

💰️ SKYDANCE BUYS PARAMOUNT: David Ellison's Skydance Media is set to gain control of Paramount Global, as its board approved the $8.4bn deal to acquire the Redstone family's National Amusements Inc. This move transfers the Redstones’ voting stock to Skydance, with Ellison taking over a storied media empire that includes Paramount Pictures, CBS, and MTV. The transaction, which includes a $1.5bn cash nfusion and $4.5bn for shareholder buyouts, aims to rejuvenate Paramount amidst its financial struggles. The deal, expected to close pending regulatory approval, marks the end of the Redstone family's nearly 40-year reign over the company.

⚽️ ANGEL CITY FC X BOB IGER: Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay are reportedly nearing a deal to acquire a controlling share of Angel City FC, potentially replacing current majority stakeholder and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The acquisition, first reported by Semafor and Puck, and confirmed by The Athletic, could see Iger and Bay invest an additional $50 million, elevating the club's value beyond $300 million. Angel City FC, founded in 2020, boasts a diverse ownership group including Natalie Portman, Billie Jean King, and former USWNT stars. The club, valued at $250 million, aims for a billion-dollar valuation, driven by its high-profile investors and strategic plans.

🎈 BOYS + GIRLS CLUBS: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor will welcome Peter Settelmayer as its new CEO on August 1st. Settelmayer, currently CEO of Downtown College Prep in San Jose, brings over fifteen years of educational experience to the role. He succeeds Mike Lansing, who led the organization for thirty years and will stay on as a consultant until his retirement in December. Settelmayer’s background includes serving as executive director of City Year Americorps San Jose and board roles with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley and the Charter School of Morgan Hill. The organization, one of LA County’s largest youth-serving entities, provides athletics, academic, and afterschool programs to over 2,600 underserved kids daily in the Harbor Area.

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ENTERTAINMENT

🎵 CHILDISH GAMBINO: Childish Gambino has announced his final album, ‘Bando Stone & The New World,’ set to release next week on July 19th. The album's first single, ‘Lithonia,’ named after a city near Atlanta where his TV show is set, explores a rock-inspired sound with heavy guitars and reverb vocals. This announcement follows the premiere of his film trailer for ‘Bando Stone & The New World’ at the BET Awards, showcasing a dystopian narrative featuring Gambino as the title character. Fans can get an early listen at an interactive event on July 6th at Little Island in NYC, with tickets available tomorrow. The ‘New World Tour’ kicks off on August 11 in Oklahoma City, featuring Willow and Aamarae as supporting acts.

💪 JOHN CENA RETIRES: John Cena announced his retirement from wrestling with an emotional speech in Toronto, declaring WWE WrestleMania 2025 as his final match. Despite boos from the crowd, Cena shared his gratitude and detailed a farewell tour beginning next year. He revealed that the 2025 Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber would also mark his last appearances in those events. Cena, a sixteen-time WWE champion, has successfully transitioned to Hollywood with roles in ‘Barbie’ and the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise, but emphasized his enduring love for WWE. He plans to remain involved with WWE in various capacities post-retirement, ensuring his connection to the sport he loves.

🎤 DARK COMEDY: Kevin Bacon and Glenn Howerton join the cast of Netflix's limited series Sirens, a dark comedy by Maid creator Molly Smith Metzler. The series, inspired by Metzler's play Elemeno Pea, unfolds over a weekend at a lavish beach estate. Julianne Moore, Milly Alcock, and Meghann Fahy also star, with Bacon playing Peter Kell, an old-money outdoorsman, and Howerton as Ethan Corbin II, a trust-fund bachelor. Sirens marks Metzler's first project under her Netflix deal, with Nicole Kassell directing the initial episodes and executive producers including Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley.

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SPORTS

🏀 BRONNY JAMES: Bronny James made his NBA Summer League debut for the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center, donning jersey No. 9 and capturing attention with his resemblance to his father, LeBron James. In his first professional game, Bronny scored four points, going 2-for-9 from the field and missing all three of his 3-point attempts, along with recording two assists, two rebounds, and a steal in nearly 22 minutes. Despite the Lakers' 108-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings, Bronny's debut was marked by familiar mannerisms and expressions reminiscent of his father. He received warm cheers from the crowd, particularly when he scored his first NBA points on a driving layup just before halftime.

💸 LEBRON JAMES: LeBron James has agreed to a reduced contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, signing a two-year extension worth $101.35 million instead of a potential $104 million maximum deal, as reported by ESPN. This move aims to give the Lakers flexibility under the salary cap, potentially allowing them to make impactful roster additions. Despite efforts to secure players like Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan, who chose other teams, James remains committed to enhancing the Lakers' lineup, currently eyeing Gary Trent Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie. This strategic maneuver echoes James' past decisions to optimize team resources, reminiscent of his tenure with the Miami Heat, where salary adjustments paved the way for multiple NBA Finals appearances and championships.

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CU WEDNESDAY

🎆 Light up your personal wins this week with more fireworks. CU Wednesday, Los Angeles.

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