area newsletter JANUARY 2018 • SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
20 18
Community News Valley microbreweries get reduced water fees
Los Angeles’s Public Works Committee recently voted to reduce water discharge fees in response to an appeal by microbreweries in the San Fernando Valley. The brewers argued that it was unfair to be saddled with the same permit and inspection fees as large scale breweries despite producing significantly less beer. Microbreweries are generally defined as producing less than 15,000 barrels of beer annually, compared to the 12 million barrels that Anheuser Busch produces at their Van Nuys facility. Current law requires brewers to pay $450 for a permit application and an additional $2,000 a year for quarterly inspections, regardless of the size of the operation. For brewers that may produce as few as 250 barrels a year, the fees are a significant obstacle to their growth.
Armenian museum spurs redevelopment of Glendale park The city of Glendale has announced a new master plan for developing its Central Park area, coinciding with the release of new renderings for the park’s planned Armenian American Museum. The park is located northeast of the intersection of Brand and Colorado and is based around the city’s Central Library and Adult Recreation Center. Adapting to the addition of the Armenian American Museum, the city will create an additional north-south
paseo between Colorado and Harvard and convert an existing parking lot into additional green space. The
Armenian American Museum will be located in the southwest corner of the park and will feature a design that evokes the rock formations of Armenia, as well as the Verdugo Mountains of Glendale. At the time of the 2000 U.S. Census, there were approximately 400,000 people of Armenian decent living in the U.S., with approximately 54,000 calling Glendale home.
Apartments to be built near Burbank Metrolink
Developers have announced plans to build an expansive mixed-use project on Front Street, near the Burbank Metrolink station. The development will include three buildings containing 542 apartments and 317 hotel rooms. Amenities include a pool and multiple restaurant spaces. The 10 acre property will include a public park with a synthetic lawn, a children’s playground, and a fitness area.
Community News Initiative would speed up Metro projects
approximately 44% of California. The change in regulations follows allegations that the October fires in wine country, which killed 44 people, were caused by powerlines toppled by high winds. Over the years, several other fires have been attributed to the negligence of utility companies, leading to millions in civil fines and verdicts.
Uber plans to bring flying taxis to LA On the heels of Los Angeles being selected as the host for the 2028 Summer Olympics, the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority has announced a proposal to ramp up construction of several projects throughout the city. Dubbed “ Twenty- Eight by ’28,” the initiative would speed up the timelines for projects, such as expansion of Metro lines and redevelopment of the Washington/ Flower junction, to help prepare the city for hosting thousands of athletes and spectators from around the world.
State passes new rules to prevent wildfires With wildfires still raging in various parts of the state, California’s Public Utilities Commission recently adopted regulations requiring utility companies to do a better job in reducing fire hazards near power lines. The new rules would require utilities to maintain clearances between power lines and vegetation in high-risk areas, which accounts for
Ride sharing pioneer Uber recently announced plans to bring a fly-on-demand rideshare service to the Los Angeles area by 2020. Named UberAir, the service would utilize electrical vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL’s) that would allow passengers to beat ground traffic by flying above it, travelling in four passenger vehicles that will take off and land at 20 rooftop bases around the city. With their proposed vehicles capable of flying 200 mph, the company estimates that a 1 ½ hour commute could be reduced to 30 minutes, for a cost similar what would be charged by highend UberX for the same distance. Proponents of the project claim that short-distance aircraft will reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as offer customers a transportation option that will reduce time spent on the road.
Restaurant
Spotlight
Firefly
Les Sisters
Scratch Bar & Kitchen
11720 Ventura Boulevard Studio City
21818 Devonshirre Street Chatsworth
16101 Ventura Boulevard Encino
The menu at this upscale eatery includes crispy manzanilla olives, chicken liver pâté, ricotta gnocchi and desserts including the Beautiful Disaster, an ice cream dish that’s a Pollock-inspired work of art. The upmarket American cuisine has a library-like foyer, a hopping bar and a romantic patio area. The restaurant also has live Jazz and DJs on weekends. Firefly is generally open from 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
If you’re looking for a taste of the South—look no further. This family owned institution was established in 1986. The Cajun/ Creole/ Soul food includes buttermilk pie, jambalaya, smothered chicken and hush puppies. The restaurant is small so prepare to wait, but once inside you’ll be greeted by the sweet scent of Southern cuisine and a friendly staff. Les Sisters Southern Kitchen & BBQ is open Tuesday – Sunday, generally from 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., staying open an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays.
This casual American eatery delivers big taste in the valley. Top Chef contestant Philip Frankland Lee and his wife moved from La Cienega to the second floor of a shopping center in Encino. The space is small, but allows diners to interact with the chefs to design a custom menu for each guest. All of the ingredients are made from scratch including the olive oil. Some standout dishes include carrots with yogurt and pistachio, and scallop with apple and jalapeno. Scratch Bar & Kitchen is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and is open Wednesday – Sunday from 6 – 10 p.m.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS in LOS ANGELES
Natural History Museum
LACMA
Annenberg Space for Photography
900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007
5905 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
Tattoo November 19, 2017 – April 15, 2018
Painted in Mexico, 1700–1790: Pinxit Mexici November 19, 2017–March 18, 2018
Cuba Is September 9, 2017 – March 4, 2018
This exhibition focuses on Mexican paintings of the 18th century, a time that featured major stylistic advances as Mexican artists often sought to distinguish themselves from the European counterparts. LACMA has gathered over 100 works to display, including paintings that were previously unpublished, or were restored for the exhibition.
Cuba has long held the fascination of many Americans, and even as travel restrictions have decreased in recent years, few have seen what life is actually like on the island. This exhibit features over 120 photos depicting a wide range of Cuban subjects, as well as an original film documenting how the photographers captured the images.
Demonstrating 5,000 years of history, the Natural History Museum’s exhibition displays the cross-cultural impact of body art through the years and around the world. Featuring historic samples of tattoo art and the equipment used to create it, the museum also brings the experience into the present with a series of tattoo artists offering their services on-site during the exhibition.
2000 Avenue of the Stars #10, Los Angeles, CA 90067 CURRENT EXHIBITION:
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