JUNE 26TH, 2024

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY’S VIBES

SURPRISE: ALL EPISODES OF THE BEAR SEASON THREE
DROP THIS EVENING AT 6:00PM

OH, BUT IT IS.
HAPPY WEDNESDAY, LA 🐻 

💜 THANK YOU: CuratedLA Family, thank you for helping with our recent technology speed bumps: donations have helped us bring more Air to the MacBook. And if you still would like to donate, you may do so here, and I have also included a donation link above.

I also received emails from those wishing to invest in lieu of donating to CuratedLA. I also appreciate this and will be reaching out to those by Friday who inquired about investing.

And for us all: I will release exciting updates about our Youth Influencer program next week.

Now onto today’s good vibes below ⬇️ 

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

🎫 CHIPOTLE: Chipotle Mexican Grill is opening its coveted Celebrity Card program to all fans for the first time in its 20-year history, allowing anyone to apply for a chance to receive free meals and catering for a year. From today to July 3rd, enthusiasts can vie for this privilege by sharing creative content on TikTok, Instagram, and X with #CelebCardContest. Up to five winners will be chosen based on their submissions, receiving daily free Chipotle meals and one catering order annually for up to fifty people. | 💌 

🥤 STARBUCKS: Starbucks has introduced a fresh lineup of summer delights across U.S. stores, available year-round. New handcrafted Iced Energy Beverages blend sparkling fruit flavors with iced tea, including the Melon Burst and Tropical Citrus variations, and a limited-time Frozen Tropical Citrus with Strawberry Puree. These drinks, energizing with 180-205 mg of caffeine per 20 fl oz serving, are complemented by new nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream and Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam, crafted with oatmilk and soymilk. Also debuting is the Caramel Vanilla Swirl Iced Coffee, featuring caramel swirls and Vanilla Sweet Cream. For breakfast or a snack, Starbucks offers the Egg, Pesto & Mozzarella Sandwich on cheddar and onion bun and the Blueberry Streusel Muffin, baked to perfection with cinnamon streusel topping. | 💌 

🥬 WEST HOLLYWOOD: West Hollywood is going green by mandating plant-based food at all city events, with animal products available only upon request, following a city council resolution passed Monday. The move, aimed at promoting sustainable and compassionate eating habits, exempts co-sponsored and privately held events. This follows the LA County Board of Supervisors' similar push earlier this year to include more plant-based options in county-run facilities.

🍧 FREE FROSTY: Wendy’s is celebrating five years of its Biggie Bag deal by adding a free Frosty, in what seems like a drive-thru one-upmanship against McDonald’s upcoming $5 Meal Deal. Customers who purchase a $5 Biggie Bag via the Wendy’s app will get a small Frosty at no extra charge. The Biggie Bag includes a choice of a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or Crispy Chicken Sandwich, a 4-piece nugget, Jr. fries, and a small drink. Wendy’s also launched a limited-edition Triple Berry Frosty on June 12th, blending strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry flavors.

OPENINGS

🐠 SANTA MONICA: Marelle, the latest venture by Culinary Director Raphael Lunetta, has opened on Ocean Ave, steps from the beach in Santa Monica. With thirty-five years of culinary expertise, Lunetta draws inspiration from Coastal California cuisine, global travels, and farm-fresh local ingredients. Marelle, meaning ‘Star of the Sea,’ offers a diverse menu that includes hamachi crudo with jalapeño kefir lime ponzu, Jidori chicken with summer peaches, and grilled California sea bass. The bar program, led by Amanda Fewster, features inventive cocktails like ‘La Vie En Rose’ and ‘Star of the Sea,’ emphasizing local and women-owned brands. Designed by Gulla Jónsdóttir, Marelle’s space reflects natural beauty with organic textures and floor-to-ceiling windows opening to a lush patio. Open daily from 7:00am to 11:00pm, Marelle serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, seating up to 187 guests. | 💻️ Website | 📜 Menu | 📸 Instagram

☕️ ABBOT KINNEY: Boulevard Neighborhood Coffee has opened its doors at 2321 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, offering a cozy retreat for coffee enthusiasts. Nestled in the heart of Venice, this new spot promises a vibrant atmosphere and a menu featuring artisanal coffee brews, delectable pastries, and locally sourced snacks. With its stylish decor and welcoming ambiance, Boulevard aims to become a go-to destination for both locals and visitors seeking a caffeine fix and a relaxing spot to unwind. | 📸 Instagram

🥬 SANTA MONICA: Health Nut, the Southern California healthy fast-casual restaurant chain, has opened a new location in Santa Monica onLincoln Blvd, featuring a spacious outdoor patio and free underground parking. This expansion marks their second new opening since March, aligning with their mission to grow across Los Angeles. Known for popular menu items like the Chinese Chicken Salad and Tuna Avocado Sandwich, Health Nut has gained fame from regular features on ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ and Hulu’s ‘The Kardashians.’ Founded in 1988 as a vitamin shop, the chain offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, and homemade dressings, catering to vegan, vegetarian, organic, and gluten-free diets. In 2022, Kris Jenner became its first investor and equity partner. | 💻️ Website | 📜 Menu | 📸 Instagram

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EVENTS

BIG LIST OF EVENTS

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TRENDING

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ACTIVITIES

🇺🇸 FOURTH OF JULY: Get ready to celebrate the Fourth of July with lawn chairs, blankets, and fried chicken as fireworks light up the sky in 2024. While many places now charge for viewing, here are a list of sixteen spots where we can still catch the dazzling displays for free. Most shows start around 9:00pm, though some may not be on July 4th itself:

• San Pedro: June 28th: Port of Los Angeles show, Harbor Blvd at Swinford St. Free shuttle, classic car show, food trucks, and live music starting at 5 p.m. Port of Los Angeles Events

• Arcadia: June 29th: Patriotic Festival and Fireworks, First Ave between Huntington Dr and Diamond St. Mini parade, music, adoptable dogs, free kids fun zone, and food. Eventbrite

• Montebello: June 29th: Independence Day Spectacular, Grant Rea Park, 600 Rea Dr. Family fun, fireworks, and free shuttle service. Shuttle lots open 3:00pm to 11:00pm.

• Monterey Park: July 2nd: Independence Day Fireworks Show on July 2, Barnes Park, 350 S McPherrin Ave. Live entertainment and fireworks. Contact: 626-307-1388

• Duarte: July 3rd: Independence Day Celebration, Duarte Sports Park, 1401 Central Ave. Live music, food trucks, family play, and fireworks. VIP tickets available. Contact: 626-357-7931

• Cerritos: July 4th: Let Freedom Ring celebration, 4:00pm-10:00pm, Cerritos Civic Center, 18125 Bloomfield Ave. Activities, food trucks, free entertainment, and fireworks. Contact: 562-916-1254

• El Segundo: July 4th: Independence Day Fun, El Segundo residents get four free wristbands per adult with a current rec card. Non-residents pay $5. Fireworks at 9:00pm. El Segundo Rec Parks

• Huntington Beach: July 4th: Annual Fireworks over the ocean on with free beach viewing. Paid seating available on the pier. Parade at 10 a.m. HB 4th of July

• Laguna Beach: July 4th: Drone show with synchronized music from Monument Point at Heisler Park. Road closures around Heisler Park. Live audio simulcast on Voice of Laguna and KXFM Radio. Visit Laguna Beach

• Long Beach: July 4th: Annual fireworks show over the Queen Mary from Ocean Blvd and downtown shoreline. Queen Mary Events

• Marina del Rey: July 4th: Fireworks synchronized with music over Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village. Visible in Marina, Venice, Playa Vista, and Dockweiler Beach. Visit Marina del Rey

• Rosemead: July 4th: Parade, family fun, and fireworks. Parade at 10:00am, free swim at Aquatic Center at 1:00pm, dog patriotic costume contest at 4:00pm, music at 6:00pm, and fireworks. City of Rosemead

• Santa Ana: July 4th: Celebration at Centennial Park, 3:00pm - 9:00pm. Free live music, kid zone, trivia, food for sale, and patriotic dog contest at 7:00pm. Fireworks at 8:45pm. 3000 W Edinger Ave, Santa Ana. Santa Ana Events

• Santa Clarita: July 4th: Fireworks over Valencia Town Center at 9:15pm. 24201 W Valencia Blvd, Valencia.

• Walnut: July 4th: Music, games, pooch parade, food trucks, and fireworks from 5:00pm-9:30pm. Suzanne Park, 625 Suzanne Rd. Contact: 909-598-6200

🚀 DTLA: The next DTLA Marketing Roundtable meeting at Dekkadance, located on the 69th floor of the InterContinental Los Angeles Hotel (900 Wilshire Blvd), takes place today from 2:00pm - 3:30pm. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views while learning about exciting summer activations in DTLA. This event offers a perfect opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow marketers, businesses, and institutions in Downtown LA. The agenda includes ‘Happening in DTLA’ and the ‘DTLA Alliance x Yelp Treat O’Clock.’ Don’t miss out on this vibrant networking session! 🔗 No link, just show up!

🤖 SANTA MONICA: Join the LA tech community happy hour to network with founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts discussing the future of modern industry. The event, starting Thursday at 5:30pm in Santa Monica, features a panel on ‘An AI-first Future of Work’ at 7:00pm, highlighting AI's impact on data privacy, cybersecurity, and open source. Speakers include Ron Williams of Kindo AI and Steve Marcus of Riot Ventures and is moderated by Brandon Hoffman of Emerging LA. Tickets are required, with check-in via QR code. Ride-sharing is recommended due to limited parking. Organized by Emerging LA, AI LA, and Sunset Ventures, this event promises valuable insights and connections.

🖼️ ROW DTLA: Gallery Weekend Los Angeles, runs from tomorrow thru Saturday. This event offers an immersive dive into the city's vibrant art scene. This year’s format allows member galleries to host events at their discretion, creating a dynamic and personalized experience. Highlights include the launch event at ROW DTLA, walkthroughs, meet and greets, and opening receptions at notable galleries like L.A. Louver, David Zwirner, and Jeffrey Deitch. Events feature prominent artists and exhibitions such as Uta Barth at 1301PE, Isaac Psalm Escoto at Jeffrey Deitch, and Erika Vogt at Overduin & Co. The weekend culminates with unique activities, including a Tim Hawkinson look-alike party and late-hour festivities at Block Gallery.

 🪚 LAGUNA BEACH: Celebrating its 58th year, the Sawdust Art Festival returns to Laguna Beach this Friday on June 28th, transforming into a vibrant artist village featuring 180 local artisans. Renowned airbrush artist Star Shields, a fixture since 1974, reflects on the festival's multigenerational appeal: "It's amazing to see families return, with kids now bringing their own children." With over 100,000 attendees expected, Vice President Joshua King credits a dedicated team for the festival's success. Visitors are invited to explore sawdust-covered grounds, immerse themselves in art, and reconnect with the community until September 1st.

🎾 CERRITOS COLLEGE: Angel City Sports will host their 10th Annual Angel City Games from June 28th-30th at Cerritos College. Recognized as the largest Paralympic-style adaptive sports event in the Western United States, the Games will feature eighteen sports like track and field, wheelchair basketball, and swimming, alongside clinics and special events. Designed for individuals of all ages and skill levels with physical, mobility, or visual impairments, the Games celebrate a decade of achievements in adaptive sports. Registration is open for athletes, volunteers, spectators, and media, emphasizing inclusivity with no entry fee.

 🌹 ROSE BOWL: Celebrate July 4th with a thrilling soccer showdown between LA Galaxy and LAFC at Pasadena's iconic Rose Bowl Stadium. The match kicks off at 7:30pm, preceded by a lively FanFest from 2:30pm to 6:30pm. Enjoy pre-game tailgating, a tribute to Veterans, and stick around for the West Coast's longest-running fireworks display after the game. Gates open at 5:30pm.

⏪️ HOLLYWOOD BOWL: Experience the magic of movies and music this July at the Hollywood Bowl with an electrifying lineup of events. Kick off with ‘Maestro of the Movies’ from July 12th to 14th, where the LA Philharmonic brings John Williams' legendary scores from Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter to life. On July 19th, dive into nostalgia with Disney's 80s & 90s Celebration, featuring live performances of classics from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. Then, on July 27th, don’t miss ‘Barbie the Movie in Concert,’ a vibrant showcase of the iconic doll's adventures with dazzling visuals and sing-along hits. Celebrate summer with unforgettable nights under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl. | 💌 

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COMMUNITY

🚀 LOCAL WINS: Tell CuratedLA about a recent win that you had. This could be professionally, or personally. Losing weight? We'd love to hear it. Made a sale? We would love the hear that too!

🇺🇸 LA = BEST CITY FOR 4TH: WalletHub compared the one-hundred largest U.S. cities based on how much holiday fun can be had on a budget. Their data set of eighteen key metrics ranges from average beer and wine prices, to the duration of fireworks shows, to the Fourth of July forecast. Our City of Angels took the number one spot:

1. Los Angeles, CA

2. New York, NY

3. Seattle, WA

4. Las Vegas, NV

5. Minneapolis, MN

WalletHub’s data claims that LA is the best city for the Fourth of July, in part because it makes it easy to prepare for a 4th of July bash with the second-most party supply stores per capita. In addition, Los Angeles residents get really excited about the holiday and search Google for terms related to July 4th more than people in other cities. And then of course, it’s very unlikely there will be precipitation on the 4th here at home, and our city has great walkability in addition to a multitude of other recreational activities to enjoy on the day off. Read more about what the data says from our friends at WalletHub. | 💌 

👑 PRINCESS DIANA: Julien's Auctions is hosting Princess Diana's Elegance & A Royal Collection, the largest auction of Diana's personal items since her death in 1997. Starting at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, the event features iconic pieces like the 1987 Victor Edelstein Magenta Silk And Lace Evening Dress, expected to fetch $200,000 to $400,000, and the Catherine Walker Pink Floral Dress, estimated at $100,000 to $200,000. For those on a budget, items such as handbags and personal letters may go for under $5,000. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Muscular Dystrophy UK.

🛝 LET’S PLAY OUTSIDE: In celebration of eighty years of fostering connections with nature, Los Angeles County launched the Let’s Play Outside campaign, offering free kids’ programming throughout July. The initiative promotes the Outdoor Children’s Bill of Rights, featuring ten activities like exploring nature, swimming, and biking at county facilities. Emphasizing inclusivity, the campaign aims to provide all children with equitable access to outdoor experiences regardless of background or location.

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DEVELOPMENT

🌊 VENICE: Metro has selected the Metro Venice Art Collective's ‘Metro on Main’ proposal for the Division 6 property on Main Street in Venice, marking a major step forward for a project in planning since 2016. The development at 100 Sunset Avenue will feature 341 residential units, including eighty-six affordable units, 12,900 square feet of public open space, and a pedestrian crossing for beach access. It will also offer 5,400 square feet for Venice Arts to host a café, classes, and exhibits, plus 30,000 square feet of commercial space prioritizing local businesses. The project, which integrates the existing Vietnam War Memorial, includes a subterranean parking garage. The development team, including the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust and designers Steinberg Hart and Marmol Radziner, estimates the cost at $315.8 million.

🏅 LA2028 X OKC: For the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, softball and canoe slalom events will be hosted in Oklahoma City, over 1,300 miles away from Southern California. This collaboration between LA28 and Oklahoma City utilizes existing top-notch facilities like Devon Park for softball, renowned for hosting the Women’s College World Series and boasting extensive upgrades. Meanwhile, Riversport OKC will host canoe slalom along the Oklahoma River, having successfully hosted the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.

🌹 PASADENA: The Pasadena Design Commission reviewed new plans from Malibu Equities, LLC for a multifamily residential complex at 713-719 Locust Street, just south of the 210 Freeway. The proposed five- and six-story structure, designed by Desai Architects, will feature twenty-seven apartments above parking for nineteen vehicles. The 26,500-square-foot development will include amenities such as a gym, a community room, and a central courtyard. The design, described as modern with undulating facades and varied materials, aims for a visually dynamic presence. The initial consultation has taken place, with further reviews pending.

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BUSINESS

🐝 BEEHIIV: Our friends Beehiiv have officially acquired Typedream, an AI-based website builder that allows users to create full websites in minutes without coding. Typedream, which emerged from the Y Combinator Winter 2020 cohort and was named #1 Product of the Month on Product Hunt in July 2021, hosts tens of thousands of active websites for companies, publishers, and creators. For beehiiv users, this acquisition means a significant upgrade: more templates, customizations, landing pages, and an all-new drag-and-drop web builder. Expect a library of web templates, an advanced analytics suite, and integrated AI tools for building robust sitemaps, copy, design, and optimizations.

• 🚀 TYLER DENK: Read: Curate Los Angeles with Tyler Denk, Santa Monica resident + beehiiv CEO.

🧧 PARAMOUNT: Paramount Global has enlisted bankers to explore selling assets to reduce debt and fortify its financial standing, as disclosed by the company's three co-CEOs during a recent employee town hall. Potential divestitures could include cable networks like BET Networks, a move reflecting the broader industry trend of consolidating and streamlining operations amidst shifting media consumption patterns. Paramount’s strategic review aims to optimize its portfolio, potentially paving the way for increased investment in streaming services like Paramount+ and Pluto TV, which are crucial to the company's future growth.

🤘 LIQUID DEATH X OZZY: Ozzy Osbourne stars in a new ad for Liquid Death, our LA-based metal-themed canned water company. In the commercial, two kids are about to mix Liquid Death’s Death Dust electrolyte drink mix into their water when Ozzy appears, warning them humorously against snorting, freebasing, or injecting it. Instead, the kids explain they just want to hydrate. Liquid Death emphasizes in the ad’s description that their Death Dust hydration powder is safest when mixed with water and consumed. Known for its edgy marketing, Liquid Death previously released an ad featuring a cover of Judas Priest's ‘Breaking the Law’ and partnered with Blink-182's Travis Barker for a signature enema kit. Watch the ad on YouTube above. SSSHHHHAAARRRONNNNNN!!!

🔌 VW X RIVIAN: Volkswagen announced a significant partnership with Rivian Automotive in Irvine, investing up to $5 billion to form a joint venture aimed at advancing electric vehicle (EV) software and systems. This collaboration marks VW's strategic move to enhance production efficiency and reduce costs, leveraging Rivian's innovative technology. RJ Scaringe, Rivian's CEO, expressed excitement over VW's recognition of their technology, highlighting the investment's role in facilitating growth and innovation for the Irvine-based automaker. The joint venture is expected to propel both companies towards scaling up EV production and introducing new vehicles in the coming years, amid challenges in the EV market.

👛 PALISADES VILLAGE: Cult Gaia is set to open a new store next to Anine Bing at Palisades Village, marked by its logo covering the storefront. Known for its statement-making designs, the L.A.-based fashion brand offers a variety of high-end clothing, accessories, swimwear, and bags, such as the $500 Tallulah Wristlet and the $1,500 Bebe Dress. Current collections include ‘Life Of The Party,’ ‘Escape With Us,’ and ‘Golden Hour.’ Founded in 2012 by Jasmin Hekmat, the brand gained prominence with the bamboo Ark bag in 2014. The Palisades location joins recent openings in Miami, Melrose, Soho, The Hamptons, and St. Barths.

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ENTERTAINMENT

👨‍🦳 EUGENE LEVY: Apple TV+ has renewed The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy for a third season. This multi-award-winning travel series, hosted by Emmy Award winner Eugene Levy, follows his journey to create the ultimate travel bucket list. Despite his reluctance, Levy's adventures have garnered critical acclaim for blending travel documentary and comedy. The new season promises more global escapades as Levy continues to step out of his comfort zone. With the first two seasons streaming on Apple TV+, fans can join Levy as he faces new challenges and broadens his horizons. | 💌 

 🍿 TUBI: Tubi, the second-largest free streaming platform after YouTube, drew an average audience of one million viewers in May, marking its most-watched month ever with a 46% increase from the previous month, according to Nielsen data. Owned by Fox Corp., Tubi operates solely on advertising revenue, offering a vast library of 250,000 movies and TV episodes that include classic films and lower-budget original content. Positioned against rising subscription costs in the streaming market, Tubi's ad-supported model provides free access to entertainment, attracting eighty million monthly active users. CEO Anjali Sud highlights Tubi's appeal in providing a diverse content mix and a seamless viewing experience across multiple devices, emphasizing accessibility and entertainment value without subscription fees.

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SPORTS

🐏 RAMS TRAINING CAMP: The Los Angeles Rams have announced their 2024 training camp schedule, with eight open practices for fans to attend at Loyola Marymount University from July 25th to August 3rd. Open practices are scheduled offer fans a firsthand look at the team’s preparations for the upcoming season. Notable dates include joint practices with the Dallas Cowboys on August 8th and the Rams’ first preseason game against the Cowboys at SoFi Stadium on August 11th. Each open practice day will feature giveaways, such as schedule magnets, pennants, cooling towels, sunglasses, and a ‘Vamos Rams’ keychain, with Rams legends also available for autographs on August 1st.

🤝 CONTRACT FOR LEBRON: The Lakers, with LeBron James' approval, are reportedly set to re-sign him for three more seasons, keeping him with the team until his 41st birthday on a $160 million deal, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. This extension echoes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's legendary tenure, who retired at 42. As the 2024 NBA Draft kicks off, the spotlight is on which team will select LeBron's oldest son, Bronny James, who played one season at USC before declaring for the draft. LeBron has long dreamed of playing alongside Bronny in the NBA, and despite interest from multiple teams, Bronny only worked out with the Lakers and Suns. Speculation suggests the Lakers might pick him 55th overall, though another team could swoop in earlier. Meanwhile, the Lakers' front office, led by GM Rob Pelinka, remains committed to their star roster, including Anthony Davis, who secured a $186 million contract extension last August.

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CU FRIDAY, LA!

🤙 Finish this week strong, LA. You’re the best one that can,

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