area newsletter NOVEMBER 2017 • WESTSIDE
20 17
Community News Restoration planned for Ballona Wetlands
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife have announced early plans to restore the Ballona Wetlands, the ecological reserve located between Marina Del Rey and Playa Del Rey. Officials have released a draft environmental impact report that details three options, with varying levels of restoration. All 3 plans call for enhancing wetland and upland habitats and the construction of bike paths and educational and art features. The more aggressive alternatives would address the actual direction of Ballona Creek, removing concrete walls and recreating the original winding flow of water to the ocean. Officials have not announced a formal timeline for the project, but it is expected that the project would take at least 5 years to complete, with the more ambitious plans requiring a second phase of construction at a later date.
Jon & Vinny’s coming to Brentwood If you’ve enjoyed the causal Italian-American food of Jon & Vinny’s on Fairfax Ave., you’ll be pleased to learn that the noted restaurateurs behind the joint are planning to open a new location on San Vicente in Brentwood. Taking over the space currently occupied by Early World Restaurant, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo will be trying to replicate the hip, Millennialfriendly style that has garnered many fans and made reservations a necessity. No timeline for the new
restaurant has been announced, but signs point to a 2018 opening.
Lyft proposes Wilshire Blvd redesign
Ride-sharing company Lyft has teamed with Drive. ai, an artificial intelligence startup, to propose a major redesign of Wilshire Blvd. that would capitalize on self-driving vehicles to alleviate traffic congestion. Under the plan, the current lane configuration would be altered to permit only 3 lanes of conventional vehicles, with 2 lanes designated for autonomous vehicles and ridesharing pickup zones. The remaining space along Wilshire would be dedicated to bike lanes and wider sidewalks. The proposal suggests that automating a significant amount of car traffic will help traffic run smoothly. Critics, on the other hand, suggest that ridesharing has increased the number of vehicles on the roads, making traffic worse. Architecture firm Perkins + Will and transportation consultants Nelson/Nygaard also contributed to the proposal.
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.
Brentwood shopping center due for renovation The shopping center at 11819 Wilshire Blvd., near Granville Ave. in Brentwood, is expected to be renovated, converting it into a more pedestrianfriendly retail destination. The owners plan to replace the central parking lot with an outdoor plaza, as well as adding a pedestrian bridge across the property. CorePower Yoga, a current tenant at the mall is expected to remain in the new plaza and represent the type of businesses that the owners hope to attract going forward. The project isn’t the only pending construction in the area as a 34-story residential tower is planned for 11750 Wilshire, about half a block away.
Restaurant
Spotlight
MTN
HiHo
Sidecar Doughnuts
1305 Abbot Kinney Boulevard Venice
1320 2nd Street Ste. B Santa Monica
631 Wilshire Boulevard Santa Monica
MTN is an izakaya with counter and barstool seating. Pronounced “mountain,” the new restaurant is located on trendy Abbot Kinney in Venice. The super-slick izakaya has no sign, but you’ll know where it’s located by the line of people outside, some who wait before the door opens. The seasonal menu here includes ramen with house-made noodles, raw fish sashimi and seared meats. Sake, beer, and a full wine selection is also available. This new spot is walk-in friendly and is open nightly from 5:30 p.m. – Midnight. Limited reservations are available.
This fast-casual burger joint is located in the heart of Santa Monica. For only $9.75 you can get a well-seared double-patty, double-cheese burger plus thick-cut French fries. HiHo is the only burger restaurant that exclusively serves 100 percent grass-fed and 100 percent grass finished Wagyu. The main burger here comes with lettuce, pickles, onion jam, and ketchup. Their classic is a double patties and cheese with ketchup burger. To drink, enjoy one of their thick Straus Creamery milkshakes. If you have room for dessert, try their key lime and banana cream pie. HiHo is open Monday – Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
This sweet shop is located inside a refurbished art deco building in Santa Monica. Here you can find sweet and savory treats that are topped with just about everything, from maple and bacon to huckleberry glaze. The doughnuts here are made daily, from scratch, using only the finest ingredients possible, and no preservatives! Doughnuts are fried every hour, guaranteed to be fresh and warm when you get your hands on one. Flavor selections change monthly, with a weekly Gluten-free option that changes every Monday. Make sure to enjoy your donut with one of their signature blends! Whether you crave something hot or icy cold, they got you covered! Sidecar Doughnuts is open daily at 6:30 a.m.
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.
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