area newsletter DECEMBER 2017 • WESTSIDE
20 17
Community News Amazon Studios relocating to Culver City
reservations a necessity. No timeline for the new restaurant has been announced, but signs point to a 2018 opening.
Juvenile puma found in Santa Monica Mountains
Amazon Studios, the film and TV production arm of the Seattle based e-commerce gitan, has announced they will be moving into Culver Studios in Culver City, from their current home in Santa Monica. Their new facilities, located at 9336 Washington Blvd., is a 14-acre campus that was originally built by filmmaking pioneer Thomas Ince in 1919 and was subsequently home to filmakers such as Cecil B. DeMille and David O. Selznick. Amazon Studios is responsible for original streaming content such as Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, and Mozart in the Jungle, as well as theatrical releases such as Manchester by the Sea. Moving to new facilities will allow Amazon to expand their production capabilities in the area. They are expected to begin their relocating at the end of 2018.
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
New drama has surfaced in the local mountain lion community as officials recently announced the discovery of a new puma in the Santa Monica Mountains and the loss of an animal that had been tracked since 2013. The National Park Service announced that a juvenile mountain lion, named P-61, has been identified in the east end of the mountain range. The male cat is believed to be approximately 1½ years old and tissue studies are underway to determine his parentage. This follows the discovery of two baby pumas in August, named P-59 and P-60, bringing the estimated mountain lion population in the area to 17 cats. The NPS also announced the death of P-27, a male puma that had been dominant in the area for years. He was estimated to be 10 years old. A cause of death was not determined.
Community News Uber plans to bring flying taxis to LA
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 1½ hour commute could be reduced to 30 minutes, for a cost similar what would be charged by an UberX car 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.
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
MOCA Grand Avenue
LACMA
152 N Central Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012
5905 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
Anna Maria Maiolino August 4, 2017 - January 22, 2018
Chagall: Fantasies for the Stage July 31, 2017 - January 7, 2018
Anna Maria Maiolino is a contemporary Italian-Brazilian artist whose work takes many forms, from drawings and woodblock prints, to sculpture and perfor¬mance. This exhibition represents the first major museum retrospective of Maiolino’s career and is part of the Pacific Standard Time LA/ LA initiative taking place through¬out southland art institutions.
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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