area newsletter FEBRUARY 2018 • WESTSIDE
20 18
Community News Santa Monica wins minimum wage case
stand 19 stories but contain only 17 apartments, as well as offering 3 levels of subterranean parking. The building will be located at 3812-3818 Dunn Drive, a vacant lot near Venice Blvd. and Culver Blvd. that previously featured 3 small residential buildings. The tower will include studio, one- and two-bedroom units and feature a contemporary glass façade.
Twilight concerts retooled amidst scrutiny The City of Santa Monica recently prevailed in a criminal case filed against the owner of LA Boutique Gift Shop, located in the JW Marriott Hotel, for violating the city’s minimum wage ordinance. According to city officials, the case is the first successful prosecution under the “$15 by 2020” law, which went into effect in July 2016. The owner of the gift shop pleaded ‘no contest’ to three misdemeanor counts of failing to pay employees the minimum wage, and one misdemeanor count of unlawful retaliation, for firing an employee who demanded to be paid the legal rate. In Santa Monica, the minimum wage from July 2016 to July 2017 was $10 for businesses with 25 or fewer employees, and $10.50 for business with 26 or more employees. In July 2017, the rates rose to $10.50 and $12, respectively. The owner of LA Boutique Gift Shop, who was not identified by the city, was ordered to pay $11,000 in back wages and $3,000 in investigation costs, and complete 150 hours of community service. The defendant was also placed on probation for 3 years.
Apartment tower proposed for Palms Plans have been announced to build a tall, narrow apartment building on border of Palms and Culver City. Named The Icon at Culver City, the structure would
The exponential success of the “ Twilight Concerts on the Pier” has led to concern from officials that the event has grown too popular, threatening the safety of concert goers. The Santa Monica City Council recently considered a proposal to put the event on hiatus in 2018, in order to evaluate the future of the concerts. Instead, the council voted to institute immediate changes, moving the concerts from summer to fall, and to reorient the staging so that crowds do not spill onto the sand, creating difficult situations for police and fire departments to handle. The council also instituted a strict budget of $400,000 for police expenses, noting that activities will be suspended if costs go above that figure.
Community News Sawtelle development moving forward
the current red-brown to a neutral gray that will better blend into the surrounding promenade. The interior surface of the fountains will be finished in a light-blue color that make the water look more appealing. Mosaic glass tiling and new underwater lighting will also be installed. Adjacent planters will also be replaced. Restoration of the sculptures is expected to take four months to complete.
L.A. housing valuation highest in U.S. Developers have begun construction on a mixedused project at 11421 W. Olympic Blvd. Called “On Butler,” the project will consist of a six-story building containing 77 apartments and approximately 6,500 square feet of ground floor retail space. The north side of the building will step down several feet in order to be blend better with the lower-profile residences in the area. The project has been in development for several years, with the projects architect Farhad Ashofteh working with local residents to adapt the building’s design.
Promenade topiaries to be renovated The iconic dinosaur sculptures of Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade will soon get a $400,000 makeover. The six topiaries, which have stood since the Promenade opened in 1989, are due for upkeep as nearly three decades of weather have taken their toll. Plans call for the resurfacing of the fountains surrounding the sculptures, changing the exterior color from
Analysts recently announced that the value of Los Angeles’ residences grew 5.7% last year, to a total of $2.7 trillion, the highest valuation in the country. According to a report released by Zillow, New York City ranked a close second, with a value of $2.6 trillion, an increase of 7.9% over the previous year. L.A. and New York far outpace the rest of the country as the only cities with a valuation over $1 billion. Overall, the U.S. housing market gained 6.5% in 2017, to a valuation of $31.8 trillion. Some experts indicate that home prices are unlikely to continue rising at this rate with inventory increasing and investors seeing the effect of new federal tax laws.
Restaurant
Spotlight
Vito’s Pizza
The OP Café
Bottlefish
2455 Santa Monica Boulevard Santa Monica
3117 Ocean Park Boulevard Santa Monica
11677 San Vicente Boulevard Brentwood
Delicious authentic New Jerseystyle pizza is now available on the west side. Vito’s Pizza has officially opened its doors on Santa Monica Boulevard. The restaurant serves signature pizzas, sandwiches, and salads for dining in, take-out and delivery. The Santa Monica pop-up offers a full-bar for customers’ diningin. Here you can buy by the slice or purchase the whole pie. Prices range from $1.45 – $29.95. To drink, enjoy a list of cocktails, canned beers, wine, or simply a soda. For dessert, get the full-blown Italian American experience and enjoy a cannoli with chocolate chips and powdered sugar. Vito’s Pizza is seven days a week, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m, with extended hours on the weekends.
This hidden gem in Sunset Park along Santa Monica’s southern border has been serving up some of L.A.’s best breakfasts and lunches since 1996. The vintage bungalow-sized café is loved by locals and loyalists for its relaxed beach-town charm, friendly service, and even friendlier prices. Lifelong Santa Monica residents and owners Mark and Lani Verge run the eatery with one motto in mind: It’s personal. Here you can get chilaquiles, eggs benedict, loaded pancakes and much more! Their extensive menu also has a healthy start option, wraps, burgers, and sandwiches. If you’re looking to spend a lazy afternoon around a historic photography exhibit, The OP Café is a great option! The restaurant is serving Santa Monica daily from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The 4,000 sqft seafood restaurant has a 16-seat bar, a temperaturecontrolled outdoor patio, and almost 100 seats inside. Their menu offers a seasonal selection of seafood, salads and locally grown vegetables. The small bites section has shareable plates such as the Smoked BBQ Oysters, or the Black Cod Meatballs with spicy tomato sauce and arugula. Diners can also order a la carte from the raw bar or opt for a seafood platter that features an assortment of oysters, shellfish, scallops, lobster, and ceviche. The elevated seafoodcentric concept has a full bar consisting of handcrafted cocktails, craft beers, and seasonal draft cider. Bottlefish is open daily for lunch and dinner. Hours of operation are Sunday –Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Friday – Saturday from 11:30 a.m. – 11 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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