JULY 26TH, 2024

Good vibes presented by Apple TV+

FRIDAY’S VIBES

WE DID IT, LA.

FRIDAY.

• 🚀 LET THE GAMES BEGIN: It’s Friday. And I know that everyone had an awesome week, and are just as excited as I am for the 2024 Paris Olympics. I’m also further excited about recent feedback received yesterday regarding CuratedLA’s content being a bit long-winded. I agree on that point. As such, I took this morning to reformat the newsletter with a more condensed feel. Let me know what you think! Have a wonderful, Olympic weekend, Los Angeles. See you all on Monday! - Wyatt

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APPLE TV+

Apple TV+ is off to the races with high-stakes new documentary series Cowboy Cartel, premiering globally August 2nd

Cowboy Cartel is the unbelievable true story of unlikely hero Scott Lawson, a rookie FBI agent from rural Tennessee, whose investigation took down the Treviño brothers, the leaders of Los Zetas, one of the most powerful cartels in Mexico. While the Treviños terrorized thousands in their pursuit of power, money and influence, Lawson risked his life on a hunch: tracking their brother’s racehorse transactions in the United States, infiltrating the deadly cartel and uncovering their international money laundering operations.

EATS

HEADLINES

• 🐼 SILVER LAKE: Woon is transforming into Woon Express for a two-night Chinese American pop-up today + tomorrow, offering creative spins on classic dishes like Orange Chicken, Honey Walnut Shrimp Roll, and Crab Rangoons. The limited-time menu takeover, available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery, will also feature special desserts and exclusive merchandise while supplies last.

• 😋 FOOD BOWL: The Los Angeles Times' 8th annual Food Bowl, a three-day culinary extravaganza celebrating Southern California's vibrant food scene, is set to take place September 20th-22nd at the Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot. The festival will showcase over forty restaurants, featuring unlimited tastings, culinary demonstrations, and cookbook signings from renowned chefs, with highlights including a special awards presentation for The Times Restaurant of the Year, Baroo, and Gold Award honoree, Mariscos Jalisco.

• 🍕 DTLA: Cody Splane of Part Time Pizza teams up with locals to bring a mouthwatering tongdak (Korean whole fried chicken) and pizza feast at Seoul Sausage Co. For $99.99, enjoy a meal for two featuring a 24-hour Dongchimi brined chicken, your choice of Korean-inspired sourdough pies, and delightful sides, all paired with Big Noise beer and complimentary soju—perfect for chicken and beer lovers!

OPENINGS

• 🍣 PASADENA: The popular South Bay tempura bowl spot, Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr., has expanded to Pasadena, offering a minimalist space with a wraparound bar and a few tables. Diners can enjoy a variety of fried eel, shrimp, and vegetables over rice, udon, or soba, along with sushi rolls and sashimi for those seeking non-fried options. | 📸 Instagram

• 🥃 ATWATER VILLAGE: Scott Zwiezen, the culinary force behind Elf Cafe and Dune, is set to open Bar Sinizki in Atwater Village on Monday, realizing his three-decade dream of an all-day European eatery. The 800-square-foot space, located at 3147 Glendale Boulevard, will showcase Northeastern European cuisine, particularly from Ukraine and Poland, featuring Zwiezen's grandmother's pierogi recipes and a menu that evolves from breakfast to dinner. | 🖥️ Website 📸 Instagram

• 🥩 SHERMAN OAKS: BLVD Steak in Sherman Oaks is redefining the dining experience on Ventura Boulevard with its chic atmosphere and expertly executed classic steakhouse fare. With plush seating and a menu featuring thick cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and creative cocktails, it stands out as a go-to spot for a sophisticated night out in the Valley. | 🖥️ Website | 📜 Menu | 📸 Instagram

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EVENTS

BIG LIST OF EVENTS

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ACTIVITIES

• ⛱️ SANTA MONICA: TONIGHT, 6P - 9P: Take a sunset swim at the historic 1920s pool of Marion Davies' former oceanfront estate + relax with friends and enjoy s'mores by the water. Pre-purchase pool passes for a fun-filled evening, and don't forget to bring your floaties—just leave the glass and alcohol at home.

• 🍷 EAST HOLLYWOOD: TODAY, 5:30PM: The Barnsdall Wine Tasting Fundraiser invites the community to sip artisanal wines curated by Silverlake Wine amidst the stunning backdrop of the Hollyhock House. Enjoy a delightful evening of gourmet bites from local food trucks while supporting the arts community, and don’t forget to grab a commemorative wine glass as a token of appreciation.

• 🐖 COMPTON: TODAY + TOMORROW: Join barbecue legend Kevin Bludso in Compton for a sizzling weekend of culinary delights at two must-attend events starting today. Enjoy an exclusive VIP dinner featuring top chefs on Friday, followed by the City vs. City BBQ Get Down festival on Saturday, showcasing fierce competitions, chef demos, and a live performance by hip-hop icon Yo-Yo.

• 🎭️ GRIFFITH PARK: TONIGHT, 6PM: Experience the magic of Shakespeare tonight with As You Like It at Griffith Park. Dive into a whimsical world of romance and transformation, enhanced by an immersive prologue where you can interact with characters before settling in for a delightful evening of comedy inspired by 1930s crooner Al Bowlly.

• 🎬️ CULVER CITY: TONIGHT, 7PM: Join a nostalgic evening under the stars tonight with a free screening of The Sandlot at Ivy Station in Culver City. Arrive early at 7:15pm for complimentary popcorn and grab a spot on the lawn—just remember to bring a low chair or blanket, as tall chairs are not permitted. Enjoy local takeout options for dinner and sweet treats from Lei'd Cookies, with drinks available at Los Angeles Ale Works after the film.

• 🎤 GRIFFITH PARK: TOMORROW, 6PM: Join the celebration of Comedy Jamwich's one-year anniversary at Secret Walls in Harvard Heights tomorrow from 6:00pm to 10:30pm, featuring an exciting lineup of comedy and music. The event will kick off with a block party, complete with food, free drinks, and Jamwich merchandise, followed by a show that promises to be the best birthday bash in Los Angeles.

• 🎡 SANTA MONICA: TOMORROW, 2PM: Join the community for a free Beach Day tomorrow from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at Santa Monica Beach, where sporty singles aged 21+ can compete in Olympic-inspired games and celebrate the start of Paris 2024! Teams will be formed based on neighborhoods, and everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of athletic ability—just bring your beachwear and a playful spirit for a day of fun and connection!

• ☸️ SAWTELLE: SATURDAY + SUNDAY: Join the vibrant West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Obon & Bon Odori Dance Festival on Saturday + Sunday, where the community comes together to celebrate the rich Japanese-American cultural heritage with folk dancing, live music, and delicious Japanese cuisine. Enjoy a weekend filled with joy, games, and a welcoming atmosphere—no entrance fee required, just bring your spirit to dance and indulge in the festivities!

• 🎾 LITTLE ARMENIA: SUNDAY, 11AM: Join the LA SOSO Club for Sporty Singles, Unite! on a fun-filled day of padel and mingling for singles aged 25-45, where you can connect with fellow sports enthusiasts. Choose between player tickets for an active day of play and coaching or spectator tickets for a relaxed experience, both including drink tickets and discounts for future bookings at The Padel Courts!

• 🇨🇭 WHITTIER: SUNDAY, 11AM: Celebrate Swiss culture + cuisine at the Swiss Fair Los Angeles 2024 on Sunday at Veliz Banquets and Events, featuring a delicious array of traditional Swiss delicacies like raclette and spätzle, along with sweet treats like meringue glacé. Enjoy live music from the Accordionaires Pops Orchestra, family-friendly activities, and insights from the Swiss Consul General's office, all while supporting the SoCal Swiss Foundation's mission to foster Swiss culture in Southern California!

• 😺 PASADENA: AUGUST 3RD + AUGUST 4TH: CatCon 2024 is set to take over the Pasadena Convention Center on August 3rd-4th, bringing together cat lovers for a weekend filled with feline-themed fun, including an adoption village and celebrity meet-and-greets. This year's highlights include the whimsical ‘Whisker Wonderland’ art exhibit, immersive photo experiences, and over 150 vendors, making it the ultimate celebration of cat culture and community.

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COMMUNITY

• 🚓 IRVINE: Our neighbors in Irvine are set to debut a police Cybertruck as a community outreach vehicle, marking Irvine PD as the first police department to own a Cybertruck. The Cybertruck will not be used for patrols or high-speed chases, but will rather aim to engage the community + promote discussions about public safety and sustainability initiatives in the city.

• 💸 PILOT PROGRAM: Applications are now open for the second phase of the Mobility Wallet Pilot Program, which will provide up to $1,800 annually in transportation subsidies to two-thousand low-income residents across Los Angeles County. To be eligible, applicants must be eighteen years old, live in L.A. County, and meet income requirements based on Metro's LIFE program. The application and full details can be found at metro.net/mobilitywallet1, with a deadline of August 31, 2024. | 💌 

• 🚇️ K LINE REPORT: Metro has released a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the K Line Northern Extension Project, inviting public comments until September 5th. K Line’s extension will provide access from the South Bay to Hollywood. Projected daily ridership by 2045 is between 47,000 and 60,000 riders.

• 🎒 MALIBU HIGH SCHOOL: The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has appointed Dr. Adam Almeida as the new principal of Malibu High School, effective August 1st. Dr. Almeida, who previously served as assistant principal at MHS from 2019 to 2022, brings over twenty-five years of educational experience to the role, including his most recent position as assistant principal at La Canada High School and a part-time lecturing role at Cal State Northridge.

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DEVELOPMENT

• 🛍️ GARDENA: Construction progress has been revealed for a new mixed-use building at 1341 Gardena Boulevard, developed by South Bay Developers, which will feature 15 apartments above ground-floor commercial space. The three-story structure, designed with a contemporary brick and stucco facade, is part of a growing trend in Gardena, enhancing the area's housing options and commercial offerings as it continues to evolve.

• 🔌  PASADENA: New locations including Victory Park and Robinson Park in Pasadena are set for the install of dozens of new chargers, including fast-charging hubs for medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

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BUSINESS

• 📚️ THE LAST BOOKSTORE: The Last Bookstore is set to open a new location in the North Hollywood area while the original Downtown L.A. store remains intact. Before the grand opening, a liquidation sale at the current space will offer discounts to fans of the bookstore, making way for an exciting new chapter in the heart of the Valley.

• 🌯 CHIPOTLE EARNINGS: Chipotle Mexican Grill reported impressive second quarter 2024 results, with total revenue increasing 18.2% to $3.0b and comparable restaurant sales rising 11.1% year-over-year. The Newport Beach-based company's strong performance was driven by successful marketing initiatives, including the return of Chicken Al Pastor, which led to over 8% transaction growth and improved restaurant-level operating margins, while also opening 52 new company-operated restaurants, 46 of which included a Chipotlane. | 💌 

• 🪸 CITY OF MALIBU: The City of Malibu is once again searching for an interim planning director after announcing and then retracting the appointment of Jack Wong due to pension-related hiring restrictions. Wong, who lacked experience with the California Coastal Commission, was deemed infeasible for the role, prompting the city to restart its search following the retirement of Richard Mollica on July 25th.

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ENTERTAINMENT

• 🎮️ SAG-AFTRA STRIKE: SAG-AFTRA has officially launched a strike against major video game companies, halting all voice acting, motion capture, and stunt work starting Friday, after prolonged negotiations over AI protections failed to yield results. Union President Fran Drescher emphasized that members will not accept contracts that exploit AI, while gaming companies assert they have made significant concessions, including wage increases and safety measures, in their proposals to the union.

• 🍿 WEEKEND: The Marvel Cinematic Universe is back in the spotlight as Deadpool & Wolverine shatters records with an astounding $38.5m in Thursday previews, marking the highest ever for an R-rated film. With a massive opening weekend projected across over 4,200 theaters, including 400 IMAX screens, this film is poised to redefine box office expectations and potentially become the biggest R-rated opening of all time.

• 👻 SCARE TACTICS: Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions is set to reboot the hidden camera prank show Scare Tactics for USA Network, with a premiere scheduled for this fall. This new iteration promises to immerse unsuspecting participants in horror-movie scenarios, blending comedy and scares as they navigate hilariously twisted situations crafted by friends and family.

• 🍎 APPLE ORIGINAL FILMS: Apple Original Films has secured The Corsair Code, a high-octane sci-fi mystery adventure starring Chris Hemsworth, following a competitive auction. Based on a short story by Jonathan Tropper, who will also write the screenplay and produce, the film is set to be produced through Hemsworth's Wild State production company, with plot details remaining closely guarded.

• 💃 KARDASHIANS: Hulu is extending its collaboration with the Kardashian family, ordering twenty additional episodes of The Kardashians, following the success of Season 5, which became the most-watched unscripted series premiere on the platform this year. With a consistent release pattern since its debut in 2022, fans can expect new seasons to continue showcasing the family's dynamic lives later this year.

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SPORTS

• 🏅 USC: Sixty-five Trojan athletes will represent twenty-six nations across nine sports in Paris, continuing its legacy of Olympic excellence with at least one gold medal in every summer Games since 1912. Notably, this year features first-time Olympians Chris Borzor from Haiti and Ashley Erasmus from South Africa, alongside seasoned competitors like Andre De Grasse.

• 🇺🇸 UCLA: A total of 49 Bruins, including forty athletes and nine coaches, have arrived in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games, competing across fourteen sports and representing eighteen countries. With the majority of athletes hailing from the United States, UCLA continues its legacy, having contributed 436 participants to the Olympics since 1928, amassing an impressive 270 medals.

• 🧢 DODGERS 6, GIANTS 4: Clayton Kershaw made a triumphant return to the mound, allowing two runs over four innings in the Dodgers' 6-4 victory against the Giants, marking his first start since shoulder surgery last November. In a thrilling eighth inning, Nick Ahmed and Shohei Ohtani hit back-to-back home runs, sealing the win for Los Angeles and highlighting Kershaw's emotional comeback in front of a packed Dodger Stadium crowd.

• ⚾️ ATHLETICS 6, ANGELS 5: Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker each launched their ninth home run of July, fueling the Oakland Athletics to a 6-5 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Angels. With a remarkable 21 homers in their last eight games, the Athletics continue to showcase their offensive prowess, positioning themselves as a formidable power team in the league.

• 🏈 DESHAUN FOSTER: UCLA's new head coach DeShaun Foster faced a rocky start at his first Big Ten Media Days, fumbling through an awkward opening statement before finding his footing and sharing his vision for the Bruins. Emphasizing high energy and discipline, Foster expressed excitement about revitalizing UCLA football as they prepare for their season opener against Hawaii on August 31st.

• 🏟️ LINCOLN RILEY: USC head coach Lincoln Riley made a strong impression at Big Ten Media Days, emphasizing the Trojans' readiness for their upcoming Big Ten debut. Riley highlighted the team's revamped defensive staff, including the addition of D'Anton Lynn from UCLA, and stressed the importance of maintaining high standards and a fighting spirit as they prepare for their season opener against LSU on September 1st.

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HAVE A GREAT WKND!

🤙 Have yourself an Olympic Weekend, LA. See you all on Monday!

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