FEBRUARY 4TH, 2025

TUESDAY’S VIBES

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IT’S GONNA

RAIN TODAY OK

HI CUTIE! 👋 More Rain Today + Interview with Peet Montzingo:

• Good morning, and Happy Tuesday LA! We’ve got some good vibes to tell you about, including our forecast that includes rain (Community Section). But first, I want to introduce you to one of our neighbors, TikTok Star Peet Montzingo. I interviewed Peet for our Curator Storytelling Series right before Christmas about his rise to fame during quarantine + how he overcame being homeless. Enjoy, and I will see everyone here Friday morning. You’re going to crush this week. I know it - Wyatt > Read Peet’s Story.

ON THIS DAY ⏪️ Los Angeles History

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HOV LANES

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EATS

HEADLINES

EREWHON 🛒  Three New Locations Coming To Los Angeles:

• Erewhon is set to open three new locations in Los Angeles County. First up is Manhattan Beach on Rosecrans Ave., taking over the former Mother’s Market. West Hollywood follows suit on Santa Monica Blvd., replacing a Sprouts, and Glendale rounds out the expansion by year’s end. With these additions, Erewhon will boast thirteen LA locations. While currently rooted in California, rumors suggest future expansions into Arizona, Nevada, or New York. For now, LA remains its home base.

DINELA 💯 Restaurant Week Continues Until Friday:

• DineLA Restaurant Week continues until this Friday. DineLA has united nearly 400 restaurants in celebrating L.A.'s culinary diversity while supporting wildfire recovery. L.A. Tourism and Banc of California will donate up to $100,000 to The American Red Cross for wildfire relief, encouraging diners to make a difference with every reservation. Participating restaurants like The Hideaway in Beverly Hills, Firefly in Studio City, and Ladyhawk in West Hollywood offer specially curated menus with a portion of proceeds aiding affected communities.

OPENINGS

CENTURY CITY 🍓 Chamberlain Coffee, Coffee Shop:

• Emma Chamberlain’s coffee empire just got a permanent home. Chamberlain Coffee has opened its first-ever café at Westfield Century City, offering a curated menu of cold brews, lattes, and signature drinks like the peanut butter mocha and salted pistachio mocha. Tea lovers can opt for matcha lattes, blue matcha, or chai, while pastries like miso kouign amann and matcha cake round out the menu. Founded in 2019 as a mail-order brand, Chamberlain Coffee has grown into a cult favorite, with products stocked at Whole Foods and Gelson’s. Now, fans can experience it firsthand at 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, open daily.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

HOLLYWOOD 🐠 Koast, Seafood:

• Chef Kevin Meehan of Michelin-starred Kali unveils Koast, a laid-back yet refined seafood just opened on Melrose Ave in Hollywood. Koast embraces East Coast influences with a globally inspired curations featuring Morro Bay oysters, cioppino-style rockfish, and pastrami-style salmon gravlax. Meehan, alongside longtime partner Drew Langley, envisioned an accessible neighborhood restaurant where diners can splurge on caviar and Champagne or keep it casual with a cheeseburger and fries. The space, designed by Cory Surovek, blends Japanese minimalism with rich blue seating and a fire-lit patio. Koast arrives as Kali temporarily closes for renovations, giving locals a fresh option in the evolving Melrose dining scene.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

WESTSIDE 🇮🇹 Al Dente, Italian:

• Nestled in West LA’s Cheviot Hills, Al Dente is the latest venture by chef Luigi Fineo, offering freshly made pastas like bucatini, tagliatelle, and pappardelle, alongside Roman-style pizzas with toppings such as porchetta and smoked mozzarella. The deli case features Sicilian pizza slices and sweet Italian pastries, all in a takeout-friendly setting reminiscent of the original Pasta Sisters. Located on W Pico Blvd, Al Dente operates Monday through Friday from 11:00am to 9:00pm, and Saturdays from 10:00am to 9:00pm.

  • DoorDash + Instagram

SOUTH CENTRAL 🧆 Bahr Café, Middle Eastern:

• Bahr Café is now open on S Broadway, offering a delightful fusion of traditional Middle Eastern flavors + modern culinary techniques. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 3:00pm, this inviting spot serves Levantine-inspired dishes alongside specialty coffees, salads, teas, and seasonal pastries. Committed to quality and ethics, Bahr Café sources fresh, sustainable ingredients from small-scale farmers along the California coastline.

  • Website + Menu + Instagram

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EVENTS

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FIVE FUTURES

GUIDES

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ACTIVITIES

CICLAVIA 🚴 Open Streets Boom in 2025:

• SoCal is gearing up for a major year of open streets events, with eight CicLAvias and a fresh format for Golden Streets. The season kicks off February 23rd with CicLAvia – West Adams meets University Park, featuring a new four-mile route through South LA along Jefferson Blvd. On June 22nd, ActiveSGV’s Mission at Twilight brings a nighttime twist to its Mission to Mission event, stretching through Alhambra, San Gabriel, and South Pasadena. Other highlights include Koreatown meets Hollywood (April 6th) and Culver City meets Venice (August 17th).

LONG BEACH ✝️ Book of Mormon, Today + Tomorrow:

• The outrageously funny and wildly irreverent The Book of Mormon lands at the Long Beach Convention Center’s Terrace Theater for a two-night run, today and tomorrow. With a decade of shock, satire, and endlessly catchy tunes, the Tony-winning musical from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with Robert Lopez (Frozen, Avenue Q), remains as sharp and gloriously obscene as ever.

GRIFFITH PARK 🕯️ Sound Bath Experience, Thursday Evening:

• The Autry in Griffith Park invites you to unwind with a live sound bath on Thursday, blending crystal singing bowls with modular synthesizers for a deep vibrational reset. As part of the Autry After Hours series, the evening offers a chance to explore museum galleries, engage in centering breathwork, and immerse in a meditative soundscape designed to refresh the mind and body. Bring a yoga mat or settle into a chair as Modular Sound Bath guides you through a layered auditory experience. Limited tickets available—early registration recommended.

HOLLYWOOD 🎞️ Movie: LA Confidential (1997), Thursday Night:

• Step back into the dark and dazzling world of 1950s Los Angeles as L.A. Confidential (1997) screens poolside at The Hollywood Roosevelt on Thursday evening. Part of the hotel's Iconic LA Movies series, this Community Cinema Night blends classic Hollywood with open-air ambiance, offering cocktails and bites by the Tropicana Pool. Doors open at 6:00pm with the film rolling at 7:00pm. Proceeds support Baby2Baby’s wildfire relief efforts, making this night of noir more than just a movie—it's a way to give back.

HOLLYWOOD 🍝 Lady and the Tramp (with Dinner), Thursday - Sunday:

• Revisit the timeless romance of Lady and the Tramp as it returns to El Captain Theatre for a limited run from Thursday - Sunday for Valentine’s Day. Follow Lady, a pampered cocker spaniel, and Tramp, a street-smart mutt, as they navigate adventure, love, and one unforgettable spaghetti dinner. Standard tickets are $15, or elevate the experience with the $70 Sweethearts Dinner and a Movie package, featuring a classic Italian meal at Miceli’s. Showtimes at 10:00am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm + 7:00pm with themed photo ops to capture the nostalgia.

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COMMUNITY

LA COUNTY 🚿 Double Storms Set to Drench LA This Week:

• LA County is in for a wet week as two back-to-back storm systems move through, bringing much-needed rainfall and the potential for minor flooding. The first storm will peak tonight into tomorrow, delivering up to an inch of rain across the county. A stronger second storm will arrive Thursday night into Friday, with heavier rainfall and a slight chance of thunderstorms. While mudslides and debris flow remain a low risk, canyon roads and burn areas should be monitored. Winds will also pick up, with gusts up to forty mph in the mountains.

WEST HOLLYWOOD 🚇️ WeHo Prepares for Metro’s K Line Expansion:

• West Hollywood’s City Council will review the First Last Mile (FLM) Early Assessment Plan, outlining key pedestrian, bicycle, and transit improvements ahead of Metro’s K Line Northern Extension. The plan, developed through walk audits, community input, and stakeholder feedback, proposes enhancements for the proposed San Vicente, Fairfax, and La Brea stations, including wider sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and a potential Metro Bike Hub. With Metro set to finalize its station locations by spring 2025, the city aims to position itself for funding opportunities and ensure seamless integration of future rail service into the urban landscape.

TAX RELIEF? 💸 Proposed: Tax Relief for SoCal Artists, Entertainers For Wildfires:

• In the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades Fires, Rep. Judy Chu is pushing to renew the Performing Arts Tax Parity Act, which would allow actors and musicians to deduct work expenses as they rebuild. With studios and equipment lost in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, the bill aims to support working-class artists who face steep upfront costs, from agent fees to audition expenses. Backed by eleven major entertainment unions, including SAG-AFTRA and the Recording Industry Association of America, the measure seeks to ease financial burdens on SoCal’s creative workforce. 🐇

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DEVELOPMENT

HOLLYWOOD 🏡 Mixed-Use Development, Hollywood Blvd:

• Plans for a seven-story mixed-use development on Hollywood Blvd. are advancing, set to replace the existing Goodwill store. The project, led by Kristin Harrison of the Z Wayne Griffin Trust with designs by Warren Techentin Architecture, includes 181 residential units—20 reserved for extremely low-income households—alongside 15,400 square feet of retail space. Featuring a W-shaped layout, the design incorporates courtyards, a pool deck, and rooftop amenities. Transit Oriented Communities incentives are key to its approval, with the L.A. City Planning Commission supporting further environmental review. A construction timeline remains unannounced.

UNIVERSAL CITY 🎢 CityWalk Undergoes Major Overhaul:

• Universal CityWalk is in the midst of a major transformation, with nearly a dozen businesses closing and new ones moving in. Recent closures include Mini Monster, Abercrombie & Fitch, and iFly, among others, while newcomers like Insomnia Cookies and Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe are taking their place. Mini Monster, a longtime tenant, expressed disappointment over losing their lease, highlighting the challenges small businesses face in high-rent areas. More openings are expected in the coming months as Universal reshapes its shopping and dining experience.

BEVERLY HILLS 🏡 Mixed-Use Development, Burton Way:

• A six-story mixed-use project has been proposed for 8800 Burton Way, replacing an on-site car rental business with 24 apartments and ground-floor retail. Designed by architect Farhad Ashofteh, the development includes studios, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, with three set aside for very low-income housing. Plans also feature 2,261 square feet of commercial space and a 42-car subterranean garage. The project, led by 8800 Burton Way LLC, seeks density bonus incentives and is set for a review meeting on January 30. If approved, construction would span nineteen months, with completion expected in 2027.

ECHO PARK 🛍️ Sunset + Everett Moves Forward:

• The Los Angeles City Council has upheld approvals for Sunset + Everett, a mixed-use project from Aragon Properties in Echo Park, rejecting an appeal to block construction. The development will bring 327 apartments—41 designated as very low-income—across two seven-story buildings at 1185-1247 Sunset Blvd., along with 9,462 square feet of commercial space. Designed by KTGY, the project features terraced balconies, a fitness center, and community spaces. With a thirty-month construction timeline, the long-awaited development benefits from updated density bonus incentives, allowing for a larger build than initially proposed a decade ago.

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BUSINESS

FILM PERMITS 🎥 Hollywood’s On-Location Comeback 💌 

• FilmLA reports a 6.2% rise in on-location filming for Q4 2024, with 5,860 shoot days recorded. Despite this uptick, the year-end total fell 5.6% compared to 2023, making it the second weakest year on record. Feature films saw a notable 82% jump in Q4, driven by indie productions and California’s tax credit program. Reality TV, however, continued its decline, dropping 45.7% for its ninth consecutive quarter of losses. Wildfires also impacted filming, with FilmLA President Paul Audley acknowledging the toll on both industry workers and iconic locations. 💌 

AMAZON 🎞️ Lionsgate’s Prime Video Power Play:

• Amazon has locked in a multi-year deal with Lionsgate, securing up to twenty theatrical releases per year for U.S. Prime Video subscribers. The agreement includes Lionsgate’s full 2026 slate—headlined by Now You See Me 3 and Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping—along with select 2025 titles. Movies will first stream on STARZ before landing on Prime Video in an exclusive window. Amazon also gains access to Lionsgate’s deep library, including John Wick, Saw, and Twilight.

WESTWOOD 💰️ Omnitron Sensors Secures $13m for LiDAR Reliability:

• Westwood-based Omnitron Sensors, founded by former Raytheon, Tesla, and Google engineers, has raised $13m in Series A funding to tackle a critical issue in LiDAR technology: reliability. LiDAR sensors, essential for EVs, robotics, and satellites, struggle with misalignment due to environmental conditions, impacting accuracy. Omnitron’s micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) aims to solve this by enhancing sensor stability. The investment, led by Corriente Advisors and L’ATTITUDE Ventures, reflects a broader venture shift back to hardware, with $145.58bn funneled into EV hardware innovations. While hardware demands longer timelines than software, investors are betting big on its role in AI and robotics advancements.

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ENTERTAINMENT

NBC 💼 Suits LA: A Legal Drama with Hollywood Stakes:

• NBC and Peacock’s Suits LA brings the high-powered legal drama to Los Angeles, following former New York prosecutor Ted Black (Stephen Amell) as he launches Black Lane Law, an entertainment firm navigating Hollywood’s legal minefields. The series blends new characters with familiar faces, including the return of Suits icon Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) in a recurring role. Set against LA’s entertainment industry, the show tackles modern legal battles, social media’s influence, and the blurred lines between personal and professional life. With sharp storytelling and intense character chemistry, Suits LA premieres February 23rd promising to redefine legal drama for a new era.

AMAZON MGM 🎤 Zac Efron x Will Ferrell in New Amazon Comedy:

• Following the success of You're Cordially Invited, Amazon MGM Studios is fast-tracking another Will Ferrell-led comedy, now with Zac Efron set to co-star. Directed by Nicholas Stoller, the film follows a young ex-con (Efron) who takes a reality TV courtroom hostage, blaming its egotistical judge (Ferrell) for a past ruling that ruined his life. The project reunites Efron with Amazon MGM after Ricky Stanicky and comes as he wraps Famous, a Hollywood thriller from Jody Hill. A24 has secured domestic rights to Famous, following Efron’s acclaimed performance in The Iron Claw.

YOUTUBE 📺️ Super Bowl Tailgating with YouTube:

• YouTube is stepping up its NFL game by replacing TikTok as the official sponsor for the pre-Super Bowl Tailgate Concert. The streaming giant, fresh off major wins like NFL Sunday Ticket rights and a groundbreaking media program for former players, is set to produce a two-and-a-half-hour live pregame event just steps from the Caesars Superdome. With headliner Post Malone and digital creators like Kristy and Desmond Scott, Chanen and Juwan Johnson, Monet McMichael, and Carter Kench on deck, fans can expect an immersive experience enhanced by YouTube’s innovative multi-view technology—a move that not only marks the end of TikTok's four-year run but also hints at even bigger live event ambitions ahead.

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SPORTS

RAMS 🐏 End of an Era: Rams to Trade Cooper Kupp

• Cooper Kupp’s time with the Rams is officially over. The veteran wide receiver announced the team is seeking to trade him immediately, a move he openly disagreed with. After eight seasons in Los Angeles, Kupp had hoped to finish his career with the franchise that drafted him in 2017, but with a $29.78m cap hit and an injury-plagued past, the Rams are opting to move on. Teammates Puka Nacua and Quentin Lake reacted to the news, with Nacua posting photos of Kupp and Lake expressing disappointment. The Rams plan to work with Kupp to find a suitable landing spot, much like they did for Jalen Ramsey in 2023.

LAKERS 🏀 LeBron Stays, Luka Joins:

• LeBron James will remain with the Lakers beyond the trade deadline, solidifying a new superstar duo with Luka Doncic. Despite past inquiries from the Warriors, James' commitment to L.A. never wavered, reinforced by his two-year extension. The stunning three-team trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas shocked even James, who learned of the move while dining with family. Now, with Doncic—who has long idolized him—James enters the next chapter of his career, eyeing a record-setting 23rd season.

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SEE YOU FRIDAY, LA!

🤙 Have a wonderful rest of the week, you’re going to crush it.
I’ll see you all on Friday!

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