JUNE 18TH, 2024

TUESDAY

TUESDAY’S VIBES

CURATEDLA GOING UP (AND CROSSWORDS). ON A TUESDAY. 🚀 

✏️ CROSSWORDS GOING UP… On a Tuesday. That’s right CuratedLA Family, I am pleased to introduce crosswords into our daily routine. Today’s crossword, Los Angeles attractions, can be found within the entertainment section.

And there was no CuratedLA yesterday as such Monday newsletter would have been very minimal in content…a lot of news outlets are covering the ongoing fires in our area.

CuratedLA will be back on Thursday + Friday. See you all then, fam! -Wyatt

TRENDING 

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.

EATS

HEADLINES

😋 CULVER CITY: Prepare your palates for Foodie Week at Westfield Century City, where exclusive menus and can't-miss specials await at your favorite eateries, from the trio of Eatalys to hidden gems. Indulge in delectable delights like pizza, pasta, ice cream flights, and prix fixe offerings to satisfy every craving. Whether revisiting beloved spots or discovering new culinary gems, this weeklong celebration is a foodie's dream come true - all conveniently located under one roof at Westfield Century City for easy parking and maximum feasting. Foodie Week takes place for one week starting Thursday, June 20th.

🎬️ HOLLYWOOD: After 55 years, one of Hollywood's most iconic neon signs has gone dark. The Arby’s Roast Beef restaurant on Sunset Blvd. closed its doors on Saturday, leaving customers to find workers boarding up the windows and a heartfelt farewell message: ‘Farewell Hollywood. TY for 55 great years.’ Opened on January 5th, 1969, by Marilyn Leviton, who remains the sole owner at 91, the closure marks the end of an era. Leviton cited struggles exacerbated by the pandemic and California’s new minimum wage law. As Hollywood bids adieu to its beloved Arby's, the neon sign's disappearance leaves a nostalgic void in the Sunset Boulevard landscape.

🥞 DENNY’S CORRECTION: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the opening of the Denny’s in Rosemead has changed to this Thursday, June 20th. date has changed to June 20^th. The first 100 guests will receive a collectible Denny’s coffee mug and free coffee for a month on their return visits.  This Denny’s restaurant will be open 24/7 and has a beautiful large meeting room. The restaurant is owned and operated by Farooq Ghias. This will be his 18^th restaurant location in Southern California. Denny’s Rosemead: 1021 San Gabriel Blvd. | 💌 

OPENINGS

🎡 SANTA MONICA: Turn Dough, the artisanal soft serve chain known for its European-inspired treats, is set to open a new location in Downtown Santa Monica at 215 Broadway. The space, formerly occupied by the Interactive Cafe, will offer Turn Dough's signature chimney cakes - freshly baked and filled with gelato flavors like Nutella Dream, Oreo, and S'mores. Customers can customize their treats with an array of toppings and sauces, or indulge in milkshakes, Dole Whip, crepes, waffles, and espresso drinks. With existing locations in Venice and Hollywood, Turn Dough's Santa Monica outpost promises to bring its unique fusion of European traditions and American creativity to the Westside.

• 🍨 Bakeries: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt

• ⏰ Daily: 11:30a - 9:00p

• 📸 Instagram | Website | Menus

🍕 VENICE: Fiorelli Pizza has blossomed into a delightful outdoor pop-up nestled within The Cook's Garden on Abbot Kinney in Venice. Open Thursday through Sunday (weather permitting), this lush urban oasis invites guests to savor Fiorelli's exceptional wood-fired pizzas amidst the tranquil surroundings of a working garden. The stripped-down menu is simple with seasonal ingredients, with standouts like the fennel sausage pie adorned with fresh fava greens plucked straight from the planters. Enjoy a slice or two at the picnic tables while taking in the sights and sounds of this verdant escape, where even the resident bunnies seem to approve of the delectable offerings.

• 🍕 Pizza: Pizzas, Outdoor

• ⏰ Thurs - Sun: 1:00p - 7:00p

• 📸 Instagram

🥪 SANTA MONICA: Bread Head, the brainchild of Trois Mec alumni Alex Williams and Jordan Snyder, has officially unveiled its flagship location on Santa Monica's iconic Montana Avenue. Bread Head elevates the humble sandwich to new heights with its meticulously crafted offerings centered around quality bread baked fresh daily in-house, premium ingredients, + innovative flavor combinations. Bread Head’s sleek and modern interior invites guests to savor their culinary curations, whether for a weekday lunch or a leisurely picnic at the beach. We believe that Bread Head will soon become a Santa Monica neighborhood staple. H/T: What Now Los Angeles

• 🥪 Deli: Sandwiches

• ⏰ Weds - Sun: 11:00a - 7:00p

• 📸 Instagram | Website | Menu

🍜 WESTWOOD VILLAGE: Noodle Street famed for its authentic hand-pulled noodles, is set to make its debut in Westwood Village. With deep cultural roots in traditional Chinese noodles, Noodle Street began as a modest endeavor in 2017 to bring the genuine taste of home to Chinese immigrants. Their menu is a tantalizing array of appetizers like fried chicken wings and lamb skewers, alongside noodle soups, stir-fries, and build-your-own noodle options. Also, look out for delightful sides like scallion pancakes and pork buns. Currently boasting locations in Fullerton, Monrovia, Arcadia, Pasadena, Irvine, and East Vale, with another spot in Chino on the horizon, Noodle Street's Westwood Village opening date remains eagerly anticipated.

• 🍜 Noodles: Chinese, Asian Fusion

• ⏰ Daily: 11:00a - 9:00p

• 📸 Instagram | Website | Menu

🔼 Back To Top of Newsletter

EVENTS

BIG LIST OF EVENTS

[CLICK FOR FULL AGENDA VIEW]

TRENDING

[CLICK FOR FULL AGENDA VIEW]

🔼 Back To Top of Newsletter

ACTIVITIES

🎬️ HOLLYWOOD: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood has unveiled an exclusive ‘Friends’ display inside its studio store, perfectly timed for the show’s 30th anniversary. This free exhibit, no tour ticket required, offers fans an intimate look at iconic costumes from unforgettable episodes. Highlights include Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel from ‘The One with All the Thanksgivings’ and Matthew Perry’s Chandler from ‘The One with the Proposal.’ Jennifer Aniston recently reflected on the show's legacy, sharing her emotions on its milestone anniversary during a Variety interview. Visitors can also snap photos at the famous ‘Friends’ fountain, explore Stage 24, and relax at the Central Perk Café.

🎤 EL REY THEATRE: Men in Blazers will have a live event tomorrow at 8pm at El Rey Theatre with Roger Bennett. Bennett will be joined by guest host and Ted Lasso star, Brendan Hunt, and former USMNT Player, Herc Gomez. , we would like to inform you of their live event with Roger Bennett. He's joined by guest host and Ted Lasso star, Brendan Hunt, and former USMNT player, Herc Gomez. Their live event will bring European Soccer to the United States fans. This includes the start of the Copa Das Copas, the continual talk of Messi’s involvement in the tournament, and the countdown to the World Cup coming to the United States in 2026. Buy tickets to tomorrow night’s event. | 💌 

🏊️ EXTENDED SWIM: Los Angeles County public pools are making a splash this year with an extended swim season, running six days a week through October 31st, offering a refreshing escape from the heat. Kicking off at the Don Knabe Regional Park Pool, County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced the expansion, highlighting the need for accessible pools during the hottest months. Enjoy low-cost swim teams, senior aquatic exercises, and the new Summer Parks After Dark pool events series. With nearly six-hundred lifeguards hired and new pool lighting installed, our swim season just got longer and brighter. Check out the full list of L.A. County pool facilities at parks.lacounty.gov/aquatics.

🎡 SANTA MONICA: After captivating audiences around the globe, the whimsical Accidentally Wes Anderson Exhibition has landed in Santa Monica, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a collection of over two-hundred photographs that evoke the distinctive aesthetic of the beloved filmmaker. Curated by husband-and-wife duo Amanda and Willy Koval, this delightful endeavor celebrates the extraordinary within the ordinary, transforming everyday scenes into stunning juxtapositions of color and composition reminiscent of Anderson's meticulously crafted cinematic worlds. Housed at the Santa Monica Art Museum, the exhibition transports guests on a whimsical journey through elaborately designed vignettes, each room a testament to the magic that can be found in the most unexpected places.

🎡 SANTA MONICA: Santa Monica Pier 360 Beach Festival celebrates the best of beach life with an awesome, free, all-ages festival. This free event takes place on Saturday, June 29th + Sunday, June 30th. With ocean sports competitions, live music, food and drinks, interactive games, sampling by some of your favorite brands and so much more, Santa Monica Pier 360 offers a peek into iconic SoCal beach culture and brings together thousands of guests for a day of good vibes. Whether you're hanging with the family, competing on land or at sea, or partying with your friends–Santa Monica Pier 360 Beach Festival has got it all.

🔼 Back To Top of Newsletter

COMMUNITY

🔎 FIRE RESOURCES: Using the latest advanced technologies available, California has a lot of resources + tools available for all things wildfire season. One resource that I have been exploring with lately is the ALERT California System from UC San Diego. And there is also plenty more of resources available, courtesy of Golden Gate Weather Services.

🔥 POST FIRE: The Post fire, a wind-whipped inferno burning through dry grasses and brush near Gorman, has exploded to over 15,000 acres, making it California's largest wildfire so far this year. As of late Monday evening, the blaze was 20% contained, with powerful gusts up to sixty-five mph, scorching temperatures in the 80s, and bone-dry conditions allowing the flames to spread rapidly. Over 1,100 firefighters and air crews are battling the blaze, which has already destroyed an auto shop, threatened dozens of buildings, and forced evacuations. Fire officials warn the volatile situation could worsen, with winds forecast to pick up again today and humidity dropping to single digits. Climate experts caution that after an unexpectedly calm start, California may face an extremely active latter half of its fire season due to the buildup of drought-parched vegetation from recent wet winters.

🧠 YOUTH HEALTH OF MIND: BrightLife Kids, brought to you by Brightline and fully funded by the State of California, offers free, personalized behavioral mental health coaching for all youth, infant ages to age twelve, in California. Families can choose from bilingual coaches for private one-on-one video sessions, with support available in seventeen languages through interpreter services. BrightLife Kids is designed to help children manage emotions, build friendships, and boost self-confidence, while empowering parents and caregivers with effective strategies. With no costs, insurance, or referrals required, BrightLife Kids ensures easy access, privacy, and a diverse coaching team to support every family's unique needs. H/T: MomsLA

🎒 K-12 FREE LUNCH:The City of Los Angeles is dishing up free nutritious meals for kids and teens all summer long through August 2nd at over ninety parks citywide. Part of the USDA's Summer Food Service Program, the no-questions-asked lunches include fresh fruits, veggies, milk, and delicious options like salads and sandwiches - a lifeline for families who rely on free school meals during the academic year. Simply show up during lunch hours at a participating LA park, no application or proof of income required. It's an inclusive community affair with meals served on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring no child goes hungry this summer while having fun outdoors. | 💌 

🎓️ USC’S FREE TUITION: In a groundbreaking move, USC's School of Dramatic Arts has announced tuition-free three-year Master of Fine Arts programs in acting and dramatic writing starting 2024-25, made possible by scholarship donors and the board of councilors. Dean Emily Roxworthy cited the initiative's aim to recruit gifted, diverse storytellers without financial barriers, allowing creative freedom. Following Juilliard and Yale, USC's first tuition-free graduate degrees will alleviate the previous $58,234 annual cost, with all 35 current MFA students receiving aid. Councilor Connie Britton hopes it encourages future students to prioritize authentic storytelling over commercialism in an industry grappling with strikes and the pandemic's impact.

🏊️ EXTENDED SWIM: Los Angeles County public pools are making a splash this year with an extended swim season, running six days a week through October 31st, offering a refreshing escape from the heat. Kicking off at the Don Knabe Regional Park Pool, County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced the expansion, highlighting the need for accessible pools during the hottest months. Enjoy low-cost swim teams, senior aquatic exercises, and the new Summer Parks After Dark pool events series. With nearly six-hundred lifeguards hired and new pool lighting installed, our swim season just got longer and brighter. Check out the full list of L.A. County pool facilities at parks.lacounty.gov/aquatics.

🕺 DICK VAN DYKE: Legendary entertainer Dick Van Dyke and his wife Arlene were honored in true Hollywood fashion at Malibu High School this past weekend. The beloved couple, who have called Malibu home for decades, celebrated the renaming of the school's theater to the Arlene and Dick Van Dyke Theater. A star-studded affair with performances by Jason Alexander, Tom Bergeron, Mark Hamill, and more, the event doubled as a fundraiser for the Van Dyke Endowment for the Arts, supporting arts education in Malibu public schools. At 98 years young, the inimitable Van Dyke continues to inspire with his infectious spirit, remarking, ‘I'm going to make 100 while I'm doing my sitcom!’ as he awaits his next iconic role.

🔼 Back To Top of Newsletter

DEVELOPMENT

🏡 SILVER LAKE: Wood framing has taken place in Silver Lake for a new, five-story, 74 studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartment complex. Six apartments within this complex have been set aside as deed-restricted affordable housing. Lahmon Architects out of Culver City designed the complex. The complex also includes a landscape courtyard, community room, and a rooftop deck.

🌴 SEPULVEDA BASIN: A plan to revitalize the Sepulveda Basin into a climate-resilient oasis was unveiled by L.A. officials yesterday. The visionary blueprint aims to redefine our relationship with nature by enhancing recreational amenities, preserving the environment, improving access to green spaces, bolstering climate resilience, and restoring the ecosystem within the 2,000-acre flood basin. With nearly five billion dollars earmarked for capital projects, including pedestrian and bicycle pathways, wildlife habitats, and community spaces, this ambitious initiative promises to transform the Valley's largest open space into a world-class destination, just in time for the 2028 Olympics.

🏡 SAWTELLE: The Los Angeles City Council has upheld the approval of a proposed infill apartment complex at 2662-2668 S. Barrington Avenue in Sawtelle, rejecting a neighbor's appeal to block the project's construction. The development, designed by Aaron Brumer & Associates, will replace two single-family homes with a five-story, 21-unit building featuring three very low-income affordable units and semi-subterranean parking for thirty nine vehicles.

BUSINESS

💪 THE ROCK: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions has signed a groundbreaking first-look deal with The Walt Disney Company, granting exclusive access to develop films for theatrical and streaming releases, while also opening doors for collaboration across all Disney divisions - from parks and cruises to sports and consumer products. This multi-year agreement promises endless possibilities, with Johnson's charismatic presence potentially gracing iconic Disney attractions, branded merchandise, and even fitness experiences on cruise ships, solidifying his status as a Disney mainstay after previous collaborations like Jungle Cruise and the upcoming Moana sequel and live-action adaptation.

📺️ YOUTUBE: In an exclusive reveal to TechCrunch, YouTube (mini-HQ in LA) is piloting a new "Notes" feature that allows viewers to add context and information under videos, mirroring X’s Community Notes. Launching during a pivotal U.S. election year, the move aims to minimize the spread of misinformation, especially AI-generated content. Initially available on mobile in the U.S. in English, a limited number of eligible users with active channels in good standing will be invited to write notes, which will be rated by third-party evaluators and viewers for helpfulness and accuracy. An algorithm will then determine which notes to publish based on ratings, continuously improving as more data is collected across different video types, potentially leading to an official rollout if successful.

🔼 Back To Top of Newsletter

ENTERTAINMENT

🕺 JIMMY FALLON: Jimmy Fallon has secured his spot as the host of NBC's iconic The Tonight Show through 2028, inking a new deal with NBCUniversal. The extension comes on the heels of Fallon's recent tenth anniversary celebration at the helm of the late-night franchise, which he took over in 2014. Taped live from Studio 6B at 30 Rockefeller Center, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon has expanded its digital reach, amassing nearly one-hundred million followers and over eight billion views in 2023 alone. The longest-running talk show on television continues to rank highly in the key 18-49 demographic, solidifying Fallon's status as a beloved late-night host.

CROSSWORD

✏️ CROSSWORD 001: Our inaugural crossword today is ten of Los Angeles’ most-popular attractions. Can you name all of them? You can always come back to the crossword by hitting save accordingly.

🔼 Back To Top of Newsletter

SPORTS

🫲 MOOKIE BETTS: Mookie Betts was placed on the injured list for the Dodgers after suffering a broken left hand when he was hit by a 97.9 mph fastball from Royals reliever Dan Altavilla on Sunday. The 2018 AL MVP, hitting .304 with 10 homers and 40 RBIs this season, won't require surgery but will be sidelined for an undetermined period in his first IL stint since 2022. With Betts out, Miguel Rojas and Kiké Hernandez will split shortstop duties, while two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani was inserted into the leadoff spot for Monday's game against the Rockies, which the Dodgers won. To fill the roster spot, the Dodgers recalled outfielder Miguel Vargas from Triple-A after he slashed .290/.368/.541 with 8 homers and 38 RBIs in the minors. The Dodgers play again in Colorado tonight for game two of the four-game series at 5:40pm.

🏄‍♂️ WORLD SURF LEAGUE: The World Surf League (HQ: Santa Monica) announced Cloudbreak, Fiji, as the location for the 2025 World Surf League Finals. This one-day, winner-take-all competition will determine World Champions for both men + women. Cloudbreak, located off the island of Tavarua, is one of the most perfect waves in the world, a fast, left-hand barrel that breaks over a shallow reef and can hold waves from two to twenty feet, providing a dynamic challenge to the Final 5 surfers and an exciting wave of consequence to crown the 2025 World Champions. The CT first hosted a competition at Cloudbreak in 1999, where Mark Occhilupo won and went on to win the World Title in the same year, and it has been long considered a staple on the 'dream tour'. The 2024 CT will host Cloudbreak as the last event of the regular season, providing a thrilling preview of the 2025 World Title showdown.

🧢 DODGERS 9, ROCKIES 5: Shohei Ohtani had three hits, including two doubles and an RBI, while James Paxton tossed seven stellar innings, allowing just one run as the first-place Dodgers defeated the last-place Rockies 9-5, opening a four-game series with a barrage of 14 hits. Miguel Rojas, Jason Heyward, and a five-walk night from Freddie Freeman complemented Ohtani's latest two-way brilliance, while Paxton struck out eight in his longest outing of the season. The Rockies' sixth loss in eight games was highlighted by homers from Jacob Stallings, Greg Jones' first career hit, and Hunter Goodman.

⚾️ ANGELS 5, BREWERS 3: In his first major league start since April 2022, Zach Plesac tossed six innings of four-hit ball in his Angels debut, while rookie Zach Neto launched a two-run homer to power Los Angeles past the Brewers 5-3. Luis Guillorme's RBI triple highlighted a three-run third aided by Milwaukee's defensive miscues, and Nolan Schanuel added two hits and an RBI as the Halos hung on despite late threats. Local products Jake Bauers and Brice Turang went deep for the NL Central-leading Brewers, who couldn't capitalize on scoring chances against the Angels' bullpen in the opener of their California trip. Carlos Estévez secured his 13th save after Plesac's impressive outing following his call-up from Triple-A. The Angels face off tonight in Anaheim against the Brewers at 6:38p.

🔼 Back To Top of Newsletter

CU THURSDAY, LA!

🤙 See you Thursday good lookiiiinnnn

🔼 Back To Top of Newsletter