JULY 24TH, 2024

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WEDNESDAY’S VIBES

GGOOOOD MORNINNNNNN CUTIEEEE

WE. ARE. ALMOST. THERE.

🍪 WEDNESDAY COOKIES: Good morning, Los Angeles. We are halfway to Friday and I know that we are all crushing this week with some great personal and professional wins. Here’s a win for those Kylie Jenner fans: Kylie Cosmetics will have a pop-up this morning (very shortly) at 9:00am at Crumbl in West Hollywood. And if that’s not enough, check out today’s good vibes for new restaurant openings and fun activities. And I’ll see everyone back for more vibes on Friday! - Wyatt

TRENDING 

🚨 JUST IN: Salt Lake City to host 2034 Winter Games.

THE HOV LANE

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EATS

HEADLINES

🌮 TACO BELL: Taco Bell Cantina in Downtown LA will have it’s grand opening tomorrow from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at 801 West 7th Street. This unique location pays homage to LA's music scene, featuring vintage concert posters and LED panels showcasing music videos from Taco Bell's Feed the Beat artists. The first fifty guests can enjoy free Taco Bell merchandise, live music from Militarie Gun's Ian Shelton, and a chance to win prizes, including a custom electric guitar for the first fifty attendees. The Cantina will serve classic Taco Bell favorites alongside an elevated bar offering mixed drinks and a Bottoms Up Beer system, operating daily from 7:00am to 3:00am, making it a perfect spot for social gatherings in the heart of the city. Register to attend tomorrow’s grand opening. | 💌 

🌭 PARIS OLYMPICS X PINK’S: In celebration of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, upscale French restaurant Mr. T is teaming up with the iconic Pink's Hot Dogs to serve four exclusive hot dog flavors inspired by Paris' landmarks, available only on Saturday and Sunday. Guests can enjoy these unique creations, including toppings like beef bourguignon and Gruyère cheese, while watching the games broadcast live at Mr. T. The collaboration highlights the culinary friendship between restaurateur Guillaume Guedj and Pink's owners Richard and Gloria Pink, promising a delightful fusion of French cuisine and classic American street food. Each hot dog will be priced at $10.95, and no reservations are required for this limited-time offering at 953 N. Sycamore Ave.

🐖 THIS WEEKEND: Get ready for Smoking Out the Hub, a summer BBQ festival hosted by James Beard Award-winning chef Kevin Bludso in his hometown of Compton. This exciting event features a lineup of renowned BBQ masters from across the country, special performances, and family-friendly games. Don’t miss the inaugural City Vs City BBQ Getdown, where teams from Los Angeles will compete for BBQ supremacy. Enjoy delicious food, vibrant entertainment, and the chance to cheer on your favorite BBQ teams. VIP dinner kicks off the festivities on Friday, followed by the main festival on Saturday. Tickets are available now—join the BBQ celebration of the summer!

OPENINGS

🤠 KOREATOWN: A new country fair-themed barcade, Eastwood, will open Friday in Koreatown, taking over the former Mo's House of Axe space. This lively venue invites guests to enjoy a range of arcade games while sipping on craft cocktails and indulging in a menu featuring double-smash burgers, chicken wings, short rib tacos, and 13-inch hot dogs. Owned by the same team behind Mama Lion, Eastwood promises a fun and unique dining experience that blends nostalgia with delicious fare. | 🖥️ Website | 📸 Instagram

🍕 DOWNTOWN LA: PizzamoreLA, a new takeout Italian concept by owner Ivan Capasso, is set to debut in Downtown LA, though an official opening date is yet to be announced. The restaurant will offer a menu featuring pizza, pasta, and more, building on Capasso's success with Italia Pasta e Pizza, a highly-rated food truck in Covina known for its authentic Neapolitan pizza. | 🖥️ Website | 📜 Menu | 📸 Instagram

🍜 OLD PASADENA: Tsujita Artisan Noodle has expanded its presence in with a new location on South De Lacey Avenue in Old Pasadena, marking its fourth outpost since debuting on Sawtelle Boulevard in 2011. Renowned for its exceptional tonkotsu ramen and tsukemen, Tsujita's latest venue is situated near Ramen Tatsunoya, another competitor in the tonkotsu scene. The menu features not only the signature ramen dishes but also a selection of appetizers like gyoza and takoyaki, rice bowls, and desserts such as Japanese shaved ice and pudding. With this opening, Tsujita joins its established locations in West LA, the Arts District, and San Gabriel, further solidifying its reputation as a top destination for ramen lovers in the area. | 🖥️ Website | 📜 Menu | 📸 Instagram

🍕 WESTWOOD: Danny Boy’s Famous Original, helmed by chef Daniel Holzman, has expanded to Westwood, taking over the former 800 Degrees location on Lindbrook Drive. Known for its authentic New York-style pizza, the new spot offers 56 seats and serves beer and wine, catering to students, locals, and office workers. The menu features classic cheese, pepperoni, and white pies, as well as specialty options like meatball and buffalo chicken pizzas. Patrons can also enjoy hot hero sandwiches, salads, and appetizers such as garlic knots and buffalo wings. This new location will start with hours of Monday through Friday from 10:30am - 5:30pm. | 🖥️ Website | 📜 Menu | 📸 Instagram

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EVENTS

BIG LIST OF EVENTS

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TRENDING

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ACTIVITIES

🍷 VENICE -  Thursday: Join LA wine lovers for Part 2 The Summer Series on July 25th at Little Lunch Coffee with Vinalia Wine, where wine lovers will be diving into an exciting selection of wines from the Americas! The evening kicks off with a curated wine tasting, followed by an open bar for continued enjoyment. This is a fantastic opportunity to savor unique flavors and connect with fellow wine enthusiasts.

🪩 WESTWOOD -  Thursday, 6:30pm: Hammer Summer Concert 2024 takes place this Thursday at 6:30pm in the Hammer Museum’s Courtyard, featuring NPR Tiny Desk winner The Philharmonik, olea of Soulection, and DJ Monalisa. Enjoy a vibrant evening with happy hour from 6:30pm-7:30pm, followed by live music from 7:30pm-10:30pm, while galleries remain open until 9:00pm. This free event is first-come, first-served, so arrive early for priority entry and a complimentary drink if you're a member.

🎾 BEL AIR -  Friday, 6:00pm: Join Sunset Tennis Club this Friday from 6:00pm to 8:30pm for an exciting afternoon of tennis and themed cocktails at our special event! Enjoy a fun 2.5-hour session tailored for intermediate and advanced players, while sipping on delicious cocktails and mocktails crafted by @lalospirits. Tickets are $40 for members and $55 for non-members, but spots are limited, so DM @williekessel reserve your place.

😎 LA BREA TAR PITS -  Friday, 5:00pm: Join the fun at Sloths Summer Night at the Tar Pits this Friday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, where you can enjoy free museum admission and celebrate the fascinating world of sloths! Meet Sid the Sloth from the Wildlife Learning Center, sip on refreshing drinks from the Tar Bar, and indulge in delicious bites from local food trucks. Bring a blanket for a sunset picnic while grooving to a curated DJ set of Slow Jams and Summer Anthems by Mike C. Engage in interactive experiences like the Excavator Tour, explore the Mobile Museum, and enjoy special presentations from museum educators.

🧺 CENTRAL PARK: Sunday, July 28th: REMINDER: Embrace the warm weather and unleash your creativity at the upcoming outdoor art picnic in Central Park. This unique event offers a refreshing escape from screens and a chance to connect with nature and fellow art enthusiasts. Choose between bringing your own supplies or having them provided, and enjoy light refreshments as you dive into creative prompts amidst the park's serene setting. Whether you're a seasoned artist or simply looking to explore your artistic side, this gathering promises a delightful blend of socializing and self-expression. Don't forget to bring a blanket and additional picnic items if desired. For more details on the exact location and to reserve your spot, reach out to [email protected] or visit the Creative Picnic’s event page! | 📸 Instagram | 💌 

🏎️ WILSHIRE: Opening August 3rd: Join fellow local automotive enthusiasts for an exhilarating Exhibit Opening Night at the Petersen Automotive Museum, featuring four brand new exhibits on the second floor: Supercars and Hypercars, Waymo Autonomous Vehicles, iconic Concept Cars from the 90s and 00s, and a showcase of vehicles that propelled the EV industry from 1896 to 202X. Experience the cutting edge of automotive innovation while enjoying food, drinks, and entertainment throughout the evening. Be among the first to explore these specially curated exhibits that highlight the extremes of performance, design, and technology in modern vehicles. Mark your calendars for this can't-miss event, starting with early access for members at 5:30pm and general check-in at 6:00pm, culminating in an unforgettable night of automotive celebration!

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COMMUNITY

🔥 TORCH CEREMONY: LA’s own Snoop Dogg will carry the Olympic flame through Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of Paris, as part of the final torch relay ahead of the Paris Games opening ceremony on Friday. At 52, Snoop joins a star-studded lineup of torchbearers, including French actress Laetitia Casta and rapper MC Solaar, with the flame's journey culminating near the iconic Eiffel Tower. Known for his contributions to sports through the Snoop Youth Football League, Snoop will also provide commentary for NBC's coverage of the Olympics, sharing his unique insights and experiences from the Games. The identity of the final torchbearer who will light the Olympic cauldron remains a closely guarded secret, with speculation surrounding notable figures like three-time gold medalist Marie-José Pérec and soccer legend Zinedine Zidane.

🧊 FREE AIR CONDITIONERS: LADWP's Cool LA initiative is bringing relief to hundreds of seniors in Los Angees, with a free portable air conditioner giveaway event. Aimed at helping underserved seniors combat extreme heat, the program distributed 600 AC units and offered on-site enrollment for utility bill discount programs like EZ-SAVE and Lifeline. The event, organized in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Aging and KBLA Talk 1580, also provided heat safety resources and information on job opportunities. City officials, including Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Tim McOsker, emphasized the critical importance of such initiatives in protecting vulnerable populations from record-breaking temperatures. Cool LA’s website provides local residents with rebates and other cost-saving measures during our extreme season of summer heat. | 💌 

🧑‍⚖️ ETHICS COMMISSION: The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved the initiation of an Independent Ethics Commission, a move aimed at enhancing accountability and integrity within local government. Supervisor Kathryn Barger emphasized that this commission can be established immediately, independent of a public vote scheduled for November on a broader package of government reforms. This package includes expanding the board from five to nine members by 2030 and transitioning the CEO role to an elected position by 2028. The commission will oversee ethics, financial disclosures, lobbying, and campaign finance laws, with a report on its creation expected in thirty days. Despite some dissent regarding the CEO's election, the board is committed to advancing these reforms, with the ethics proposal likely to be codified into the Charter if approved by voters in November. 🐇 

✏️ LAUSD TEST SCORES: Los Angeles Unified School District has shown promising signs of academic recovery, with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announcing gains in standardized test scores across all tested grade levels in math and English. The district saw a 2-percentage point increase in English proficiency (from 41% to 43%) and a 2.3-percentage point rise in math proficiency (to 32.8%) compared to the previous year. While the majority of students still fall below state grade-level standards, these improvements mark the first time since 2015 that scores have risen in every grade. Carvalho highlighted the district's progress in closing achievement gaps and praised the efforts of LAUSD staff. Despite the positive trends, the district acknowledges there's still significant work ahead to fully recover from pandemic-related learning losses and reach pre-pandemic achievement levels.

💰️ UCLA EXTENSION: UCLA and UC Berkeley Extensions are set to launch the groundbreaking UC Excelerator program this fall, thanks to a generous $12m gift from NYU professor and entrepreneur Scott Galloway. The program, aimed at non-traditional students and community college graduates, will offer free career-focused coursework, networking opportunities, and access to industry leaders. UCLA's offerings will focus on business and entrepreneurship, while UC Berkeley will concentrate on data analytics, facilities management, and project management. This initiative reflects Galloway's commitment to extending the transformative power of public higher education, which he credits for changing his own life, to a broader audience.

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DEVELOPMENT

🏡 LA VERNE STATION: A significant mixed-use development is slated to transform an industrial site near the future La Verne Station of the A Line in La Verne, California. The project, located at 1941 White Avenue, will replace a 100,000-square-foot Novipax facility with a five-story residential building featuring 367 apartments and 1,588 square feet of retail space. Designed by AO, the complex will include a mix of studio to three-bedroom units, with 44 homes designated as affordable housing. The development, which will also incorporate a six-level parking structure, landscaped plazas, and amenities like a swimming pool, is expected to begin construction in late 2024 and be completed by 2027. This project aligns with La Verne's transit-oriented development plans and reflects the ongoing transformation of areas along the expanding A Line light rail route.

🏗️  BALDWIN PARK: A new senior affordable housing project, Central Metro Place, is taking shape at 14513 Central Avenue in Baldwin Park. Developed by Retirement Housing Foundation, this four-story building will offer fifty-four apartments for seniors aged sixty-two and above, plus one unit for on-site staff. The project features a mix of residential units, community spaces, and amenities, including commercial areas, a community room, and an outdoor patio. With contemporary design by Birbagroup Architects and construction by Walton Construction, the development aims to provide much-needed affordable housing for seniors near the Baldwin Park Metrolink station.

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BUSINESS

🍪 WEST HOLLYWOOD: Kylie Cosmetics is launching an exciting pop-up event in West Hollywood, today at 9:00am in a collaboration with Crumbl Cookies. To celebrate the debut of the new Skin Tint Blurring Elixir, the first one-hundred visitors this morning will receive a complimentary skin tint and a box of exclusive Kylie-themed cookies, while supplies last. Attendees can also participate in a social media giveaway for a chance to win one of five prize packages, each including $100 gift cards from both brands. Crumbl Cookies in West Hollywood is located at 7100 Santa Monica Blvd. | 💌

🎬️ HOLLYWOOD: A Hollywood compound renowned for its appearances in films like Memoirs of a Geisha and Kill Bill Vol. 1 is up for sale at $100m. This 7.3-acre property, which includes the iconic Yamashiro restaurant, is owned by film producers Elie Samaha and Steven Markoff. Situated at 1999 North Sycamore Avenue, the site offers potential for significant development, with plans for up to 280,000 square feet around the historic building. Originally built in 1914 as a replica of a Japanese manor, the compound has hosted exclusive gatherings and boasts California's oldest structure, a 600-year-old pagoda. After various transformations, it was revitalized in the 1960s and has since remained a staple of Hollywood culture.

🎮️ POTENTIAL STRIKE: The video game industry faces potential disruption as SAG-AFTRA inches closer to a strike over contract terms related to artificial intelligence. Los Angeles is home to many video game companies, including Playstation, Riot, EA, and others. The union's national board has empowered chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland to call a strike if no agreement is reached. This decision follows a 98% strike authorization vote by over 30,000 members last year. The expired contract covers about 2,600 performers involved in voice and motion-capture work. Key demands include consent for AI use of their voices and likenesses, compensation for AI replication, wage increases, and better working conditions. Negotiations continue, with both sides expressing cautious optimism about reaching a deal.

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ENTERTAINMENT

📖 RYAN REYNOLDS: Ryan Reynolds' remarkable journey is chronicled in the upcoming biographic comic book Orbit: Ryan Reynolds, set to release today from Tidalwave Comics. This 22-page comic captures key moments from Reynolds' life, including his romance with Blake Lively, his passion for motorcycles, and his iconic role as Deadpool. Tidalwave publisher Darren G. Davis highlights the rising popularity of biographical comics, emphasizing their appeal beyond traditional superhero narratives. Just in time for the release of "Deadpool & Wolverine" in theaters on Friday, fans can dive into this engaging portrayal of the beloved actor's life and career.

🍿 PRIME: Prime Video is enhancing its user experience with a global rollout of updates designed to simplify navigation and improve content discovery. Starting today, users will benefit from a new navigation bar that categorizes content by type, allowing for quick access to movies, TV shows, sports, and live programming, along with a dedicated section for titles included with Prime membership. The interface will also feature improved personalized recommendations powered by generative AI, making it easier to find tailored content. Users can now manage add-on subscriptions and see clearly which titles are available at no extra cost versus those requiring additional payment, all while enjoying a seamless experience across devices.

🤡 JOKER SEQUEL: Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga are set to ignite the screen in Joker: Folie à Deux, the highly anticipated sequel to 2019's Oscar-winning Joker, which premieres in theaters on October 4th, following its world premiere next month at the Venice Film Festival. This time, Phoenix returns as Arthur Fleck, now institutionalized at Arkham Asylum, where he encounters Gaga's Harley Quinn, leading to a chaotic and darkly romantic journey. The film, directed by Todd Phillips, promises a unique musical twist, expanding on the original's themes with vibrant dance sequences. The star-studded cast also includes Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Zazie Beetz, with the narrative set to explore the complexities of love and madness in a standalone universe, distinct from other DC projects.

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SPORTS

🏀 KOBE BRYANT: Kobe Bryant's iconic locker from the Staples Center is now up for auction at Sotheby's, where it is expected to fetch between $1m and $1.5m. Used by Bryant from 2003 until his final game in April 2016, this locker was saved from demolition by a maintenance worker during renovations in 2018. After being privately acquired, it was reunited with Bryant's nameplate, enhancing its significance as a cherished relic of his legendary career. Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectables, Brahm Wachter, emphasizes that this locker represents a unique opportunity to own a piece of Kobe's legacy, embodying the triumphs and challenges he faced throughout his storied journey. The locker will be on display at Sotheby’s New York gallery from July 26th to July 30th, with bidding currently open.

📺️ WARNER BROS. X NBA: Warner Bros. Discovery has made a move to retain its long-standing relationship with the NBA, matching Amazon Prime Video's $1.8b per year offer for media rights. This decision comes as part of the league's new eleven-year, $76b media rights deal set to begin in the 2025-26 season. If accepted, the matching offer would allow TNT to continue its forty-year legacy of NBA coverage, including its iconic Inside the NBA show. The deal would likely see TNT airing games on Thursdays, with additional content streamed on Max. The NBA is currently reviewing the offer.

⚾️ ANGELS 5, MARINERS, 1: José Soriano led the Angels to a 5-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners, allowing just one run over 7 2/3 innings. Soriano, who struck out five and surrendered only three hits, achieved a season-high one-hundred pitches in his first start after a ten-day break. Luis Rengifo made a significant impact in his return from injury, contributing a two-run single during a five-run fifth inning that highlighted the Angels' offensive surge. Meanwhile, the Mariners, struggling with their seventh loss in eight games, faced further setbacks with key players Julio Rodríguez and J.P. Crawford on the injured list, and first baseman Ty France designated for assignment. Despite a late rally attempt, Seattle's offense faltered again, managing only two runs or fewer in six of their recent losses.

🧢 DODGERS 5, GIANTS 2: The Dodgers clinched their fifth consecutive victory, defeating the San Francisco Giants 5-2. Shohei Ohtani shone with two hits and three RBIs, while rookie pitcher Landon Knack delivered a strong five-inning performance, allowing just one run. Giants rookie Tyler Fitzgerald made history by becoming the first player in team history to homer in five straight games, contributing both of the Giants' runs. Gavin Lux, recently named NL Player of the Week, added a two-run double early in the game. Despite a late rally from the Giants, which included Fitzgerald's RBI single in the ninth, Dodgers' Evan Phillips secured the win with a groundout for his fifteenth save.

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CU FRIDAY, LA!

🤙 Have a great Wednesday to my favorite LA crew. See you all on Friday!

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