area newsletter NOVEMBER 2017 • SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
20 17
Community News Upgrades planned for Orange Line busway
Among the projects to result from the passage of Measure M last fall is a $286 million upgrade to the Orange Line busway. The project calls for the installation of 34 crossing gates along the Orange Line, as well as the construction of a one-mile bridge that should improve travel times between Canoga and North Hollywood by 14 minutes. The length of the entire line, between Chatsworth and North Hollywood would be decreased from 50 minutes to 34 minutes. The proposed bridge would be built between the Sepulveda and Van Nuys stops, removing 5 street crossings in the process. The improvements are scheduled to begin in 2019 and completed by 2025.
LAPD program follows Van Nuys threat
Following a social media threat from a Van Nuys high school student, the Los Angeles Police Department has
announced a new social media campaign called “End it. Don’t Send It,� in order to discourage students from sending violent threats. Officials indicate that there has been a rise in students making threats via social media and they want to make it clear that those threats are treated as a criminal offenses. The campaign was released on the LAPD social media accounts, with plans made to send officers to area campuses for in-person presentations. The Van Nuys incident resulted in the offending student being arrested and released to his parents. The student claimed that his threat was a prank.
Development planned near the Burbank Metrolink station
Developers have announced plans to build a mixeduse project at the intersection of Olive Ave. and Lake St. in Burbank. The seven-story building, named Olive Stations, will include 327 residences as well as a ground-level grocery store. Located in an industrial area of Burbank, and within walking distance of the Burbank Metrolink Station, the project promises to have an immediate impact the area. Construction is expected to be completed by 2021.
Community News LA bids for location of Amazon’s second HQ
Amazon estimates its investments in Seattle from 2010 through 2016 resulted in an additional $38 billion to the city’s economy – every dollar invested by Amazon in Seattle generated an additional $1.40 for the city’s economy overall. City officials have indicated that Los Angeles is bidding to host the second headquarters of retail giant Amazon. The Seattle-based company announced in September that they were seeking to expand to a second city, setting the deadline for pitches as October 19. The company is seeking a location that can offer 500,000 square feet of space initially, with an additional 7.5 million square feet available for expansion. Amazon’s other criteria include a local population of at least 1,000,000 and a close proximity to an international airport. The Los Angeles area would appear to be a strong contender for HQ2, as it’s being called, due to the depth of its labor pool and its existing connections to Amazon, which include Amazon Studios in Santa Monica and several fulfillment centers in the Inland Empire. Acquiring the HQ2 project would have a significant impact on the local economy, with Amazon estimating that they contributed $38 billion to the Seattle economy from 2010 to 2016.
Warner Center development breaks ground
Developers are beginning the construction of a residential project at 6041 Variel Avenue, near the intersection of Canoga Ave. and Oxnard St.. The development calls for a seven-story building containing 263 apartments as well as parking for 484 vehicles. The project is being undertaken by Chinese company BCEGI, which is also behind apartment complexes in Marina Del Rey and Westchester. Plans for the Warner Center project also calls a 12-story office building on the 3 acre site, but no immediate plans for that phase have been announced.
Apartments to replace KFC in Reseda Developers are planning to build a five-story residential building at 6938 North Reseda Blvd., the current home to a KFC restaurant and an auto body shop. The project will include 165 apartments, as well as approximately 14,000 square feet of commercial space. The owners will be setting aside several apartments for low-come tenants, taking advantage of a zoning ordinance that allows developers to exceed size limits when doing so. The development is located just a block north of Van Owen, close to two other apartment buildings, containing 205 and 254 units, are in development.
Restaurant
Spotlight
Anarbagh Restaurant
Mizlala
Augustine Wine Bar
22721 Ventura Boulevard Woodland Hills
4515 Sepulveda Boulevard Sherman Oaks
13456 Ventura Boulevard Sherman Oaks
After nearly 30 years in business, this Woodland Hills Indian restaurant continues to shine. The chef here is an expert in mixing the right spices and ingredients needed for the exquisite flavors and aromas. Many of the food here is cooked in their two clay ovens. You can find classic dishes from curries to chicken tikka to tandoori options on down. The restaurant has been recognized by the LA Times and Daily News as the best Indian restaurant in Southern California. According to the restaurant, Hollywood stars, such as Martin Sheen and Nina Van Horn, are regular customers. Anarbagh is open seven days a week. They also have another location in Encino.
Danny Elmaleh, the visionary behind concepts like Cleo and Doheny Room, teamed up with wife Justine and created Mizlala, a Mediterranean restaurant in Sherman Oaks. The share-friendly menu here is composed of mainly small plates with big flavors. Each meal starts with a complementary pickle plate, which includes carrots, celery, cu¬cumber, jicama, bell peppers, cauliflow¬er, and Kalamata olives. A few items on the menu: their hummus ($7) is rich and creamy and is served with warm chickpeas, tahini, and spices. Their lamb shoulder tagine ($15) comes with tender chunks in a dark sauce with dried fruit and sesame seeds. Mizlala is open Tuesday – Sunday from 5:30 – 10 p.m.
This wine bar is for anyone looking for great bottles and awesome food. Housed in an old radio repair shop, the casual space boasts rare vintages by the glass or bottle, some dating as far back as 1860. Despite the prices on some of the bottles, you can still get a glass for $12, even $10. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, you can enjoy the 8 oz NY Strip, a fig & ricotta toast, or pasta with mushroom ragu. Chef Simon Tan runs the kitchen, turning out everything from rice-crusted sockeye salmon to charcuterie to tater tots. For dessert, try their pecan bread pudding or two scoops of ice cream. Augustine is open Sunday – Monday from 5 – 10 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday from 5 – 11 p.m., and Friday – Saturday from 5 p.m. – Midnight.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS in LOS ANGELES
J. Paul Getty Museum
LACMA
1200 Getty Center Drive Los Angeles, CA 90049
5905 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
Happy Birthday, Mr. Hockney July 18 - November 26, 2017
Chagall: Fantasies for the Stage July 31, 2017 - January 7, 2018
In honor of David Hockney’s 80th birthday, the Getty is exhibiting a two-part retrospective of his career, focusing on self-portrait paintings than span 65 years of his life, as well as photographs and Polaroid photocollages from the 1980’s.
This exhibition focuses on the work Marc Chagall created for the stage, as well as iconic paintings depicting musicians and lyrical scenes. Of particular note are Chagall’s set and costume designs that haven’t been exhibited since they were originally seen on stage. The exhibition also includes the screening of documentary footage of the original performances.
Annenberg Space for Photography 2000 Avenue of the Stars #10, Los Angeles, CA 90067 CURRENT EXHIBITION: Cuba Is September 9, 2017 – March 4, 2018 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.
RodeoRE.com