JANUARY 21ST, 2025

TUESDAY’S VIBES

^SUBSCRIBE

LA IS

STRONG

STAYING STRONG 🤙 Commitment to Good Vibes:

• As wildfires challenge our city, CuratedLA has taken a pause since January 8th to avoid amplifying the difficult images saturating the media. While CuratedLA will continue to provide updates through hyperlinks, our focus remains on Good Vibes. This is not to downplay anything, rather, have an outlet of content with something a bit different locally. If you’d like to highlight your brand or share a shoutout, reply to this email or contact me at [email protected].

  • ^*Please forgive any content brevity: though they are there, finding Good Vibes right now is tough! + publication schedule might fluctuate based on local content.

• Also - CuratedLA turned two on January 17th. Thank you all for two incredible years, this has been so fulfilling personally to share Good Vibes with you all. Here’s to brighter days ahead.

ON THIS DAY ⏪️ Los Angeles History

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HOV LANES

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EATS

OPENINGS

PORTER RANCH 🥤 Nékter Juice Bar Returns with a Fresh Start:

• Nékter Juice Bar is making a long-awaited comeback to Los Angeles, opening at Porter Ranch Town Center next Wednesday. Known for pioneering the juice cleanse movement with cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and acai bowls, Nékter closed its previous LA locations but now returns under a new franchise owner, Sal Hanif. Positioned as the only current LA location, this marks the first step in a broader expansion plan throughout the San Fernando Valley. With a commitment to ingredient transparency and handcrafted offerings free from artificial additives, Nékter aims to bring a fresh and clean dining experience back to LA, starting in the former Owl’s Ice Cream space.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

SANTA MONICA 🐠 Bay Area Favorite Pacific Catch Lands in Santa Monica:

• Pacific Catch West Coast Fish House has opened its first Los Angeles location at 2nd Street and Wilshire Boulevard, bringing its sustainable seafood and Pacific Rim-inspired menu to Santa Monica. The 5,600-square-foot space features a patio, open-air dining room, and bar, offering signature dishes like poke, ceviche, tacos, and Miso Black Cod, alongside tiki cocktails and zero-proof drinks. A commitment to sustainability drives the brand, recognized as a James Beard Foundation Smart Catch Leader and partnered with Seafood Watch. The Santa Monica debut continues its expansion, joining locations in La Jolla and Tustin.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

CHATSWORTH 🍖 Queen Kabob Brings Syrian Tradition to Chatsworth:

• Queen Kabob, a family-owned Mediterranean eatery, has opened in Chatsworth, offering authentic kabobs, shawarma, hummus, and more. Run by two Syrian mothers, the restaurant draws on family recipes passed down through generations in their hometown of Fairouzeh, Syria. With one owner’s decade of culinary expertise and the other’s business acumen, Queen Kabob serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, delivering a genuine Middle Eastern dining experience steeped in tradition and passion.

  • DoorDash + Instagram

SHERMAN OAKS 🍛 Jip Bap Brings Homestyle Korean Comfort to LA:

• Jip Bap, located on Burbank Boulevard, offers a cozy neighborhood spot for traditional Korean cuisine with a modern twist. The menu features comforting favorites like kimchi jjigae, bibimbap, and bulgogi kimbap, alongside standout dishes like tteokbokki and kimchi bokkeum rice. Guests rave about the nostalgic flavors, attentive service, and charming decor, including an inviting patio. Already a local favorite, Jip Bap delivers authentic homestyle cooking that feels straight out of Korea, making it a must-visit for comfort food seekers in the Valley.

  • DoorDash + Instagram

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EVENTS

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

GUIDES

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ACTIVITIES

HOLLYWOOD 🏰 Free Community Screenings of Disney Movies:

• Disney's El Capitan Theatre is offering free screenings of Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King for those affected by recent LA-area fires. Running now until January 26th, the daily showings include complimentary popcorn and a beverage for all attendees. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. The screenings aim to provide a moment of joy and connection during challenging times, with each film rated PG and designed to entertain audiences of all ages. Full details and schedules can be found on the theater’s website.

FIREAID BENEFIT CONCERT ❤️‍🩹 A Star-Studded Effort for Wildfire Relief:

• Tickets for the highly anticipated FireAid Benefit Concert go on sale tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12:00pm, with the event taking place next Thursday (January 30th). Music legends like Stevie Wonder, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and Joni Mitchell will perform across two separately ticketed shows at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome and Kia Forum. Dedicated to rebuilding wildfire-devastated communities, the event also supports long-term prevention efforts through contributions managed by the Annenberg Foundation. Full performer lineups and ticket pricing details are yet to be announced.

MIRACLE MILE 🏎️ Sunday from 8:00am - 11:00am:

• The Petersen Automotive Museum’s legendary Cruise-ins take on a meaningful twist this Sunday with a fundraiser supporting fire relief efforts. Open to cars of all makes and models, the event runs from 8:00am to 11:00am and offers $50 tickets that include museum admission, bagels, coffee, and on-site parking. Funds raised will benefit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, the LAFD Foundation, and the LAPD’s West Bureau. The event will also feature donation areas for blood and essential goods for evacuees. First responders can enjoy complimentary museum admission through April 2025.

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COMMUNITY

METROLINK 🚇️ Moorpark-to-Goleta Train Service Eyes October Launch:

• Metrolink is set to expand northward with a new commuter train linking Moorpark to Goleta, offering a streamlined option for workers commuting to Santa Barbara. The pilot program, funded jointly by Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, aims to ease 101 Freeway congestion. Trains would depart Moorpark around 6:30am, reaching Goleta by 8:00am, with a return trip mid-morning. The $4.4m first-year cost includes startup expenses, and officials hope fares will offset $500,000 annually. If successful, the one-year trial could extend for up to three years, marking a major step forward in regional connectivity.

SAN PEDRO 🚢 Zero-Emissions Ferries Set Sail in San Pedro Bay:

• A $31m grant from the California Air Resources Board is propelling San Pedro Bay toward greener waters. Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze Cruises will share the funds, matched by $15m from each company and additional contributions from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Catalina Express plans to design a renewable diesel-powered ferry to replace smaller vessels, enhancing its routes to Avalon and Two Harbors. Meanwhile, Harbor Breeze Cruises will deploy two excursion boats with zero-emissions capabilities for up to 100% of their routes.

ST. ELMO VILLAGE 📜 Securing Historical-Cultural Monument Status:

• St. Elmo Village, a nonprofit arts hub in Mid-City Los Angeles, has been named a Historic-Cultural Monument by the City Council. Founded in 1969 by Rozzell and Roderick Sykes, the Village transformed a former horse farm into a vibrant space for workshops, murals, and performances, fostering creativity and community for over 55 years. Known for its self-sufficiency and partnerships like the Getty Marrow Internship Program, the Village continues its legacy with public workshops, live music, and educational outreach, is now safeguarded against rapid development.

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DEVELOPMENT

CULVER CITY 🏡 Nearly 3,000 Homes Planned in Culver City:

• Culver City’s updated zoning rules are paving the way for a massive residential overhaul in Fox Hills. Developers have set their sights on replacing office parks and retail centers with nearly three thousand homes across several mixed-use projects. Highlights include Lincoln Property Company’s 309-unit complex on Hannum Avenue and Link Logistics’ proposed 1,077-unit trio on Uplander Way. Other key plans feature the 6201 Residences, a modern wrap-style complex near Westfield Culver City Mall, and a redevelopment on Uplander Way offering 329 units, including affordable options. Construction could begin as early as 2026, reshaping Fox Hills into a vibrant residential hub.

WEST HOLLYWOOD 🏳️‍🌈 Mixed-Use Transformation Begins on Santa Monica Blvd:

• Site preparation has commenced for a six-story mixed-use complex on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. Designed by Tighe Architecture and proposed by 8500 WH, LLC, the project includes thirty apartments—blending one- and two-bedroom units—alongside 3,800 square feet of ground-floor retail space. With a 50% density bonus allowing for a larger structure, five units will be reserved for low- and very low-income households. Amenities include a rooftop deck and subterranean parking for 33 vehicles, bringing a new blend of residential and commercial energy to the intersection of Santa Monica and La Cienega Boulevards.

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BUSINESS

NETFLIX 📈 Earnings Today: Streaming Giant Shifts Focus:

• Netflix is set to report its Q4 earnings today, marking a strategic shift as the company moves from emphasizing subscriber growth to prioritizing revenue and engagement metrics. Analysts expect subscriber gains of up to 13.1m, fueled by high-profile events like the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight and Squid Game’s second season. With live sports investments—including NFL and FIFA Women’s World Cup rights—bolstering its ad-supported tier, Netflix is positioning itself as a leader in the evolving streaming landscape. This earnings call will set the tone for 2025 as competitors, including Disney, navigate similar industry challenges.

GEOLINKS 🖥️ Telecom Veteran David Gray appointed to Channel Sales:

• GeoLinks has appointed telecom sales leader David Gray to spearhead its Channel Sales division, reinforcing partnerships with telecom, cloud, and IT distributors across California, Arizona, and Nevada. With over 25 years in market development and business strategy, Gray brings a proven track record of driving revenue growth and fostering collaborative relationships. Previously with Splice Communications and Consolidated Communications, he has led channel expansion and delivered multimillion-dollar successes. Reporting to Christine Morris, SVP of Sales and Marketing, Gray's expertise will enhance opportunities for channel agents and bolster GeoLinks' mission of delivering cutting-edge connectivity solutions. 💌 

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ENTERTAINMENT

OSCARS 🏆️ Rachel Sennott + Bowen Yang to Reveal 97th Oscars Nominations:

• Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang will announce the 97th Oscars nominations live from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater this Thursday, early at 5:30am. The live stream will cover all 23 categories, from Best Picture to Costume Design, via Oscar.com, Oscars.org, and the Academy’s social platforms. Broadcasts will also air on ABC, Hulu, and other major networks. The 97th Oscars ceremony is set for March 2nd airing on ABC and Hulu. Here is the YouTube Stream that you can bookmark. 💌 

AMAZON 🦁 Beast Games Breaks Records on Prime Video:

• MrBeast's reality competition series, Beast Games, has become Amazon Prime Video’s most-watched unscripted series ever, with fifty million viewers tuning in within 25 days of its December 19th premiere. This milestone also makes it the platform’s second-biggest series debut of 2024, following Fallout. International audiences played a significant role, with half of the viewership coming from countries like India, the U.K., and Mexico. Hosted and co-created by Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast), the show pits one thousand contestants against each other in mental, physical, and social challenges for a $5m prize, cementing its appeal as a global phenomenon.

MORE AMAZON 🎤 Tom Green’s Three New Prime Video Projects:

• Prime Video is set to release three highly anticipated projects from comedian and filmmaker Tom Green, offering a deep dive into his groundbreaking career and unexpected lifestyle shift. This Is The Tom Green Documentary (Friday) charts his rise from Canadian beginnings to Hollywood fame and a rural retreat, using rare footage to explore his influence on comedy and internet culture. Tom Green: I Got A Mule! (next Tuesday) highlights his sold-out stand-up tour, blending comedy and music. Finally, Tom Green Country (next Friday) follows his move to a country farm, offering a heartfelt look at life with his 1,500-pound mule and quirky humor. 💌 

PARAMOUNT+ 🤠 Winter’s Wrath Returns: 1923 Season Two Trailer Drops:

• Paramount+ unveiled the trailer for 1923 season two, set to premiere on February 23rd. The Yellowstone prequel, starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, continues the Dutton family saga as a brutal winter and new threats jeopardize their Montana ranch. Spencer (Brandon Sklenar) races against time to reunite with his family, while Alexandra (Julia Schlaepfer) embarks on a perilous trans-Atlantic journey to reclaim their love. Executive produced by Taylor Sheridan, the series promises high stakes and intense drama, further solidifying its place in the Yellowstone universe.

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SPORTS

COLLEGE FOOTBALL 🏈 Ohio State Triumphs in Historic National Title Win:

• Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 last night to claim its sixth national championship and the first in a decade, capping off the inaugural 12-team playoff. Quarterback Will Howard’s late-game 56-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith sealed the victory, thwarting Notre Dame’s comeback. The Buckeyes, seeded eighth, dominated throughout the playoffs, overcoming a turbulent season that included a loss to Michigan. Running back Quinshon Judkins led with three touchdowns, highlighting Ohio State’s transfer portal success. The win solidifies Ryan Day’s coaching legacy while extending Notre Dame’s search for a national title under Marcus Freeman.

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WE GOT THIS, LA!

🤙 We are strong. And hoping to bring more Good Vibes to your inbox next week, if not sooner. Sourcing is a bit tough right now, so please submit anything of interest. We love you, LA

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