MAY 6TH, 2024

MONDAY

MONDAY VIBES

Eats | Events | Activities
Community | Development
Biz | Entertainment | Sports

😎 RISE + SHINE, LA!

• ☀️ RISE AND SHINE, LA!: A happy early morning, 5:30am start to you all. Not too much on this Monday morning as much of the news this past weekend sourced pertained to UCLA and USC protests. There is also no business section for today as much business is done during the workweek…makes sense. I am still working on implementing the new feed to the CuratedLA Calendars and I am hoping now that we will see them by Wednesday. But first a special birthday shoutout…

THE HOV LANE

EATS

LOCAL HEADLINES

• 🍷 PORTUGUESE WINE WEEK: Los Angeles will be immersed in the rich flavors of Portugal during Portuguese Wine Week from June 2nd to June 9th. Hosted by Diniz Cellars, an importer of fine Portuguese wines, this week-long celebration promises captivating events: week: Sip & Sail Excursion: Learn about Portugal’s history as an exploration powerhouse while sailing around Marina Del Rey harbor, diving into some of Portugal’s finest wines. Wine Tastings: Sample exquisite whites, robust reds, and delicate rosés, discovering the rich history and winemaking traditions behind each bottle. Exclusive Dinners: Elevate your dining experience with wine-pairing dinners featuring the finest Portuguese wines and gourmet cuisine. Educational Workshops: Industry professionals will delve into grape varietals and winemaking techniques, providing valuable insights into Portugal’s wine legacy. Visit PortugueseWineWeek.com for tickets and follow @DinizCellars for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

• 🍔 BURGER MONTH AT HIGHLAND PARK BREWERY: During the month of May, Highland Park Brewery is turning up the heat with a sizzling lineup of mouthwatering burgers. LA’s finest burger spots are making guest appearances, creating a culinary experience that’s not to be missed. Here’s what’s on the menu:

  1. Goldburger Collaboration: Kicking off the festivities, Highland Park Brewery teams up with Goldburger to craft a burger that’s the stuff of legends. Picture a juicy patty, perfectly melted cheese, and a secret sauce that’ll have you licking your fingers.

  2. Bub & Grandma’s Burger: Next in line, Bub & Grandma’s brings their artisanal touch to the grill. Imagine a brioche bun hugging a grass-fed beef patty, topped with heirloom tomatoes, butter lettuce, and their signature pickles. It’s a symphony of flavors.

  3. Perilla’s Korean Twist: Perilla takes the burger game up a notch with their Korean-inspired creation. Marinated bulgogi beef meets spicy kimchi mayo, all nestled between fluffy sesame buns. Get ready for a flavor explosion.

  4. Yellow Paper Burger’s Veggie Delight: Vegetarians, rejoice! Yellow Paper Burger serves up a plant-based masterpiece. Think a black bean and quinoa patty, avocado slices, and a zesty cilantro-lime aioli. Even meat lovers won’t be able to resist.

  Highland Park Brewery is located at 1220 N. Spring Street, 90012. | 💻️ View Official Website | 📸 @highlandparkbrewery

OPENINGS

• 🏰 DISNEYLAND: Disneyland Resort and Patina Restaurant Group have unveiled three new authentic Mexican dining concepts by acclaimed Chef Carlos Gaytán to the Downtown Disney District. As the first Mexican-born chef to earn a coveted Michelin star, Gaytán is bringing his world-renowned expertise and passion for his cultural heritage to Anaheim with the grand openings of Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita.

  • Paseo offers an elevated dining experience that spotlights lesser-known Mexican delicacies, featuring Gaytán's reimagined takes on his childhood favorites. The robust menu showcases vibrant flavors, from the rich cochinita pibil to the creative mejillones dish blending French techniques with Mexican flair.
    💻️ Official Website | 📜 View Menu Online

  • Céntrico, an energetic social hub, presents a menu of Mexican staples and modern twists, complemented by a robust cocktail program.
    💻️ Official Website | 📜 View Menu Online

  • Tiendita, a quick-service option, delivers beloved classics like esquites and tacos al pastor.
    💻️ Official Website | 📜 View Menu Online

  Beyond the culinary offerings, the restaurants' distinct design elements, curated by acclaimed Mexican architect Jorge Gracia and artisanal Mexican brands, immerse guests in the authentic spirit of Mexican culture. | 💌 

• 🍷 BATTLE OF THE BLANCS:  Western Cape, South Africa, Marlborough, New Zealand, Napa Valley, California, which region produces the best Sauvignon Blancs?! In honor of International Sauvignon Blanc day, join us for a little friendly competition that we are calling 'Battle of the Blancs’! Indulge your palate in a unique tasting experience featuring a lineup of exquisite Sauvignon Blancs from around the world and cast a vote for your favorite! The region with the highest ranked wines will win! There will be passed apps, games and prizes, and you know we’ll have a live DJ keeping the vibes all night.

EVENTS

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TRENDING

BIG LIST OF EVENTS

ACTIVITIES

• 🚲️ PASADENA BIKE MONTH: Pasadena is gearing up for Bike Month, a citywide celebration promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation. Organized by the City of Pasadena, Day One, and the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, Bike Month features the following events for the remainder of the month of May:

  • MAY 8TH: Bike & Roll to School Day: Inviting participants to celebrate the joy of active commuting while building a sense of community and school spirit. Whether addressing the need to make routes to school safer for active trips or encouraging children and teens to be more active, these events can be powerful tools to inspire lasting change.

  • MAY 11TH: Bicycle Tour of Pasadena - African American History, The 710 Stub: Join Allen Edson, President of the NAACP Pasadena branch, as he leads a bike tour highlighting the 210 freeway, the 710 stub, and the community displaced by the construction.

  • MAY 12TH: Women of Pasadena Ride: Explore significant sites in women's history, discover the impactful Pasadena women who made a difference, and support women-owned businesses.

  • MAY 15TH: Ride of Silence: Join cyclists worldwide in a silent, slow-paced ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

  • MAY 16TH: Bike to Work Day: Visit the Bike to Work Day rest-stop at Pasadena City Hall to say hello and enjoy free refreshments to help fuel your ride, pick up some biking information, and some other free goodies. Remember, if you need to travel far, go multimodal. Metro buses and trains, Metrolink trains, and Pasadena Transit buses are free for bicyclists on Bike to Work Day.

  • MAY 18TH: Pasadena Public Art Ride: Join the Complete Streets Coalition and City of Pasadena Arts and Culture staff as we ride to visit the locations of Pasadena's newest public art, the Rotating Public Art Series IV.

  • MAY 19TH:  Pasadena E-Bike Expo: Experience and test ride electric bikes from six local bike shops, all gathered in one convenient location.

  • MAY 22ND:  Bike-In Movie, The Engine Inside: Join us for a captivating film screening of "The Engine Inside," featuring the stories of six everyday people from around the world. Witness the extraordinary power of the bicycle to transform lives and create a better world!

  • MAY 25TH: The Remnants Ride, Retracing the Forgotten Cycleway from Pasadena to Los Angeles: Join us as we ride the length of the once-operational elevated cycling highway from the early 1900s, with key history and landmark stops.

  • MAY 26TH:  Pasadena Ice Cream Ride: What’s better than riding bikes on a beautiful day in May? Riding bikes and eating ice cream! We’ll visit local purveyors of America’s favorite frozen treat and sample their offerings.

• 🎱 LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE: The Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge (CCLCF) is hosting a family bingo night as part of the La Cañada Flintridge Fiesta Days on Saturday, May 25th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Tickets include a trip to the Handel’s Ice Cream Sundae Bar, sponsored by Carrie Grochow of Engel & Völkers Real Estate. Local businesses have donated prizes for the game winners.  Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children. Seating is limited. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

COMMUNITY

• ✝️ FATHER GREG BOYLE: President Joe Biden recognized Father Greg Boyle’s pioneering gang intervention programs during the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony. Through Homeboy Industries, Boyle has helped marginalized community members turn their lives around, emphasizing redemption and rehabilitation. The organization’s impact extends beyond employment, fostering healing and transformation for families, children, and former gang members.

• 👮 UCLA’S NEW SAFETY MEASURES: Gene Block has created a new Office of Campus Safety that will oversee the UCLA Police Department and the Office of Emergency Management. Veteran law enforcement officer Rick Braziel, former Chief of Police in Sacramento, has been appointed as the inaugural Associate Vice Chancellor to lead the new office. The move comes as the Federated University Police Officers Association criticized UC administrators for their handling of the recent attacks on a pro-Palestinian encampment, prompting a systemwide investigation by UC President Michael Drake.

• 🎸A MALIBU BAND IN THE HALL OF FAME: The Malibu-based band The Malibooz, founded over sixty years ago by childhood friends John Zambetti and Walter Lindsay Egan, has been inducted into the prestigious California Music Hall of Fame. The band's signature surf rock sound and timeless compositions have entertained audiences nationwide for decades, with hits like Goin' to Malibu and Queens’ English, featuring collaborations with British Invasion icons. In addition to the band's recognition, Egan was also inducted individually for his successful solo career, including the hit Magnet & Steel.

DEVELOPMENT

• 🎢 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD: Universal Studios Hollywood has announced the year 2026 as the opening of its first-ever high-speed outdoor roller coaster, aptly named Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. Inspired by the popular film series, this thrilling coaster will feature cars capable of spinning 360 degrees as they race along an elaborate track. The park promises a superior experience, thanks to meticulous sound reduction technology. Scott Strobl, the theme park’s general manager, expressed excitement about the coaster’s arrival, stating that it would elevate the park’s dynamic offerings. The ride’s cars will resemble vehicles from the films, and the aerial track will wind through various sections of the theme park. Visitors will board the attraction on the upper level, passing through a large, red-brick garage-type structure. Fans of the Fast & Furious franchise can also enjoy the existing Fast & Furious — Supercharged attraction during Universal Studios’ famed backlot tram tour, which features actors from the films, including star Vin Diesel.

• 🛫 LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: LAX is allocating an additional two-hundred million dollars to its Automated People Mover project, following approval by the Board of Airport Commissioners. The funds will be used to settle claims submitted by the contractor, LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS), bringing the project’s total budget to $2.9 billion. The People Mover, a driverless train, is a crucial component of LAX’s multibillion-dollar plan to modernize terminals, enhance airport signage, and improve ground transportation. Originally slated for completion in 2024, the project faced delays due to disagreements between LINXS and the airport. It is now expected to be finished by late 2025, offering convenient access to airport terminals, parking lots, rental car facilities, and connecting to the Metro train system. The People Mover promises to eliminate 117,000 vehicle miles per day, benefiting both travelers and the local community. As LAX prepares for major events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, this transportation upgrade will play a vital role in enhancing accessibility and efficiency.

• 📈 4.8 MILLION TRIPS ON 405-EXPRESS: The 405 Express Lanes, part of a $2.1 billion improvement project, have become a reliable time-saving option for commuters traveling through one of the nation’s busiest stretches of highway. Since opening on December 1st of last year, these lanes have recorded 4.8 million trips, consistent with revenue projections funded by tolls. The project also included new bridges, ramps, sidewalks, and bike lanes, enhancing access to neighboring communities.

ENTERTAINMENT

HEADLINES

• 🎤 JERRY SEINFELD ON SNL: In a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld offered advice to actor Ryan Gosling about the perils of doing too much press for a new movie. Seinfeld, who was promoting his own new Netflix film Unfrosted about the making of Pop-Tarts, admitted that he had appeared on everything to publicize the project and warned Gosling that he was headed down a similar path, watch above.

• ⭐️ FRANKIE VALLI + THE FOUR SEASONS: A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was recently unveiled, honoring the iconic vocal quartet Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Their illustrious career began in 1962 and included chart-topping hits like Big Girls Don’t Cry and Walk Like a Man. On his 90th birthday, Valli accepted the star on behalf of fellow band members, including the late Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. Valli’s journey from a school recital performance to becoming a successful singer is nothing short of remarkable. The Four Seasons’ unique blend of falsetto vocals set them apart, and their Grammy-nominated hits left an indelible mark on music history. Their legacy lives on through the acclaimed musical Jersey Boys and a farewell tour that concludes in Long Beach on November 22nd.

SPORTS

• 🧢 MUNCY THREE HOMER GAME: The Dodgers cruised to an 11-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night, led by standout performances from Max Muncy and Shohei Ohtani. Muncy had the first three-home run game of his career, driving in four runs, while Ohtani collected three hits and became the Dodgers' franchise leader for most home runs by a Japanese-born player. Freddie Freeman also contributed three hits for the Dodgers, who have won four of their last five games. Rookie Andy Pages added a home run as the Dodgers hit five long balls in the game. Tyler Glasnow struck out ten batters and earned his sixth win of the season, going at least seven innings for the third time this year. The Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. had three hits, but the team lost for the fourth time in five games.

  • RELATED: Yesterday: Shohei Ohtani homers twice as Dodgers sweep Braves with 5-1 win.

• 🏀 CANDIDATES FOR NEXT LAKERS COACH: The Lakers have parted ways with head coach Darvin Ham. After a disappointing season that ended with a first-round exit in the NBA playoffs, the Lakers conducted a thorough evaluation and decided to seek a new direction at the coaching position. Ham’s tenure saw the Lakers finish eighth in the regular season and exit the playoffs early, prompting the team to explore other options.

  Three early candidates have emerged to fill the coaching vacancy:

  1. Mike Budenholzer: The former head coach of the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, Budenholzer led the Bucks to an NBA championship in 2021. Known for his defensive-minded approach, he has an impressive coaching record and could bring stability to the Lakers.

  2. Kenny Atkinson: Currently an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, Atkinson previously served as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. His ability to optimize lineups and rotations could make him an attractive choice for the Lakers.

  3. JJ Redick: The ESPN broadcaster and basketball analyst, Redick co-hosts a podcast with LeBron James. While he lacks coaching experience, his basketball knowledge and insights could be valuable.

  Additionally, LA Clippers coach Tyronn Lue could become a candidate if he becomes available. Lue, a former Laker, has championship experience and has led teams to the NBA Finals. The Lakers will prioritize finding a coach who can command respect, manage game situations effectively, and maximize the potential of their star players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Budenholzer’s defensive expertise and Lue’s championship pedigree make them strong contenders for the role.

• 🏐 USC WINS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: USC secured their fourth consecutive NCAA beach volleyball title by defeating second-seeded UCLA with a 3-0 victory. The Trojans showcased their prowess on the sand, with standout performances from their talented players. Notably, the Nourse twins, both graduate students, capped off their college careers in style, finishing the season with an impressive 32-7 record and a flawless 12-1 performance in the NCAA tournament. USC’s Megan Kraft, Delaynie Maple, and the Nourse-Pater-Seits team earned well-deserved spots on the All-Tournament Team. The USC-UCLA rivalry intensified during the season, with the Trojans prevailing 4-3 overall. Their victory in the championship dual extended their series lead to 27-20. USC boasts a 4-2 record against UCLA in NCAA tournaments, including a 3-1 mark in championship showdowns.

CU WEDNESDAY, LA!