Author: Kyle Russell

Former USC Pop-Up Opens Art-Filled Restaurant

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Recently, a pop-up restaurant called Museum, started by students at the University of Southern California (USC), garnered so much buzz from word of mouth that it had a waiting list of over 6,000 names. When Eater, a Los Angeles food magazine, reached out for a reservation, they were informed by Fardad Khayami, the co-founder, that it would be a four-month wait. Very impressive for a USC student pop-up with a self-trained chef, Fardad Khayami, in its kitchen.

Museum’s success is part of a larger story. Pop-up restaurants are popular in the Los Angeles area among diners looking for the best cuisine in the city. The temporary dining experiences showcase a diversity of culinary selections and experimental settings. Chefs are free to experiment with flavors and ingredients. Many of the temporary restaurants concentrate on creating dishes from locally grown seasonal ingredients, highlighting their sustainability and small carbon footprint. Other pop-ups feature little-known cuisine from different cultures, bringing traditional flavors from all around the world to Los Angeles.

Another popular aspect of pop-ups is the unusual locations of the temporary restaurants. Since the restaurants, chefs, and founders behind the pop-ups aren’t dependent on a permanent structure, they can be very creative in crafting unique environments that elevate the dining experience. Pop-ups have “popped up” in art galleries, museums, open spaces, rooftops, empty storefronts, and other unexpected places.

Word of mouth is always important for pop-ups. A satisfied customer is likely to tell their friends, family, and co-workers about their experience. A post on social media can also gain additional attention or even go viral. The more word spreads, the better for the pop-up. Museum’s popularity among students at USC is evidence of its success among its clientele. Like most pop-ups, reservations were needed to eat at Museum, though not all pop-ups have waiting lists with thousands of names on them.

Pop-ups are also excellent places to discover new and upcoming stars of the culinary world. Chefs are free to experiment with their dishes and showcase their talents. For these unknowns, a pop-up is a place to build up their resume and draw attention. This is the case with Museum’s self-taught chef, Khayami.

Using pop-ups for artistic and culinary endeavors is a popular trend among USC students. For some time now, pop-ups that mesh food and art together into a singular, immersive experience have been a creative outlet for the students. Since pop-up restaurants are temporary, the founders can freely experiment with the menu, ambiance, artwork displayed, and forms of hospitality.

In the case of Museum, a revolving menu of fine cuisine and the exhibition of fine art were so popular it served 3,000 students over its lifespan and drew the attention of food critics. It’s no surprise that after being so successful, Khayami and his team have decided to build on their accolades like many successful pop-ups do.

Museum is now a permanent restaurant in the Santa Monica area and has been renamed Muse. Its opening was Friday, August 16, 2024. The new location has a modern look with Art Deco features and seats 35 in its intimate dining area, though it has plans for a private dining area to open in September. The interior was designed by Marc Ange Design Studio. The featured artwork for the opening is by Catalan-Spanish painter Joan Miró. In the future, the art exhibits will be rotated.

The menu showcases European cuisine from France and Italy. Divided into four sections, the menu is a la carte and the restaurant’s spokesperson says it will average “$125 a person.”

Khayami is once again in the kitchen. Chef Jason Gonzalez, formerly of Juliet, is the new general manager, while Matthew Rogel, from the acclaimed Felix Trattoria, is the wine director. Bringing on industry professionals is a clear indication that Khayami is determined to build on Museum’s success and make Muse a stellar dining experience.

August 30, 2024
LA Churches Respond to Housing Crisis with Affordable Projects
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Los Angeles is facing a severe shortage of housing for low-income renters. Making matters even more difficult is that buying land in such an expensive part of the state is often challenging for affordable housing developers. Together, these two issues create a self-perpetuating cycle, making affordable living a struggle across the city.

Fortunately, California lawmakers offered one possible answer for where to build when they passed SB 4, a statewide law that took affect earlier this year. It allows religious groups to fast-track new housing on properties they already own, effectively making it so that churches are legally allowed to build housing properties for sale or rental purposes.

The Catholic Church’s Response to L.A.’s Housing Crisis

Now, the Catholic church in L.A. plans to do just that. The Archdiocese of L.A. announced Wednesday it will partner with a newly formed nonprofit called Our Lady Queen of Angels Housing Alliance to develop affordable housing in Southern California.

The church, known for assisting immigrants and feeding unhoused people, aims to use its extensive land holdings to help address the region’s housing crisis. Their first project will be located on Archdiocese land currently used by Catholic Charities. They plan to use the property to construct affordable apartments next to L.A. City College. The goal is for these apartments to be utilized by community college students and youth transitioning out of foster care.

Amy Anderson, the executive director for Queen of Angels Housing, said the mission is to confront one of the region’s biggest moral dilemmas head-on. “We’re losing a generation of people to housing insecurity,” said Anderson, who served as L.A.’s Chief Housing Officer under former Mayor Eric Garcetti. “It’s very difficult for people to live in health — mental health, physical health — and for them to get ahead when there’s no physical foundation, no home for which to do that.”

As school enrollment declines and membership in religious orders dwindles, Queen of Angels Housing could also develop former Catholic schools or convents into housing developments.

“The properties are in transition because our communities are constantly changing,” Anderson said. “It does create this opportunity to re-evaluate what can be done with that land.”

According to figures provided by the church, the Archdiocese of L.A. has:
- 288 parishes
- 265 elementary and high schools
- 4.35 million Catholic attendees
Last year, Muhammad Alameldin, a researcher with UC Berkeley’s Terner Center, and his colleagues published a study that found faith-based organizations and nonprofit colleges across California own enough land suitable for housing development to equal nearly five times the city of Oakland.

However, Alameldin said it’s one thing for churches to support the idea of new housing on their property — it’s another to construct it.

At this early stage, it is unclear precisely how much land the Archdiocese intends to put toward housing development. However, local Catholic leaders are signaling that housing will be a growing part of the church’s charitable mission.

Collaborating with Communities to Build Affordable Housing

L.A. Archbishop José Gomez will chair the board for Queen of Angels Housing. In a statement, he said, “Through Catholic Charities and our ministries on Skid Row and elsewhere, we have been working for many years to provide shelter and services for our homeless brothers and sisters. With this new initiative, we see exciting possibilities for making more affordable housing available, especially for families and young people.”

The Catholic church isn’t the only religious organization in L.A. pursuing affordable housing development. The Jewish congregation Ikar is working on a 60-unit project on the site of its offices in L.A.’s Pico-Robertson neighborhood, and the multi-faith organization L.A. Voice has been helping local churches develop early plans for their projects.
August 20, 2024
Paris Playbook: Lessons Learned for a Stellar LA Olympics

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Setting the stage for a star-studded Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, networks are already gearing up to apply the lessons learned in Paris to future Olympic broadcasts, ensuring that the excitement only continues to build.

Revitalizing the Olympics Post-Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic cast a shadow over the 2020 and 2022 Olympics, with empty arenas and subdued atmospheres, but Paris has turned the tide. NBC’s headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, where the network produced its coverage, was buzzing with energy throughout the Games, reflecting the rejuvenation of the Olympic spirit. A scale model of the Eiffel Tower and giant Olympic rings set the scene, but it was the impressive viewership that truly brought smiles to NBC executives’ faces.

The Paris Olympics consistently drew over 30 million viewers daily, a stark contrast to the muted response to the Tokyo Games in 2021. According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, ratings for Paris surged by more than 75% compared to Tokyo, marking a significant turnaround. Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal media group, sees these numbers as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Olympics, especially when backed by innovative coverage strategies.

Key Takeaways from Paris

NBC’s most significant realization from Paris was that allowing viewers to watch events live didn’t cannibalize the primetime audience. Molly Solomon, executive producer and president of production for NBC Olympics, noted that despite knowing the outcomes, viewers were still deeply invested in the athletes’ stories and the drama of the events. “It doesn’t matter if they know the results. They want to know the stories of the athletes and how it played out,” Solomon said.

This insight is especially exciting as NBC prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where the Pacific time zone will offer even more opportunities for live coverage. Rick Cordella, president of NBC Sports, pointed out that the fear of viewers tuning out if results were known has been largely unfounded. Instead, the combination of live events and enhanced entertainment value in primetime has drawn viewers back in droves.

Innovative Programming and Star Power

One of the standout features of NBC’s Paris coverage was the “Gold Zone,” a Peacock streaming show that whisked viewers from one event to another, offering a dynamic and fast-paced experience. This program resonated with audiences and is likely to become a staple of future Olympics, even as the network continues to innovate.

Another major success was the integration of star power into the broadcasts. Celebrities like Tom Cruise, Tom Brady, and Ariana Grande were featured prominently, adding a layer of glamor and excitement to the coverage. NBC also brought its own celebrities into the fold, with Snoop Dogg serving as a correspondent and Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson co-hosting the opening ceremonies. The involvement of these stars not only drew in viewers but also created a sense of community and shared experience.

Looking ahead to the Los Angeles Olympics, NBC plans to double down on these strategies. With LA being a hub for celebrities, the 2028 Games are expected to bring even more star power, both in the stands and on the screen. And while nothing is set in stone, the possibility of Snoop Dogg returning as a correspondent in his hometown is something NBC executives are seriously considering.

The Future of Olympic Coverage

As NBC looks toward the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, one thing is clear: the network is committed to continuous innovation. “We’re going to change the times. Look at 2024, look at 2028, moving forward to 2032, we’ll change along with it,” Cordella said, emphasizing the network’s willingness to adapt and experiment.

The success of the Paris Olympics has given NBC a blueprint for the future, but it’s a blueprint that will be constantly evolving. With a focus on live events, star power, and dynamic programming, NBC is set to make the Los Angeles Olympics a spectacle that will captivate audiences around the world.

August 13, 2024
Grammy Museum to Launch Landmark K-pop Exhibit Featuring Hybe and Iconic Artifacts from BTS, LE SSERAFIM, and More

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In a groundbreaking nod to Korean pop music, the Grammy Museum is about to roll out its first full-floor K-pop exhibit, shining a spotlight on the lively music, culture, tech, and fandom that fuel K-pop’s global rise. Partnering with Hybe, the South Korean entertainment giant behind BTS and other global hits, this exhibit dives deep into the company’s influence on the music scene.

“Hybe: We Believe in Music, A Grammy Museum Exhibit” will take place from August 2 to September 15 at the museum in downtown Los Angeles. Spanning a hefty 4,000 square feet, this display is a landmark for the museum, being the largest exhibit ever curated.

“This will be one of the most extensive exhibits we’ve ever curated,” said Grammy Museum President and CEO Michael Sticka. “Hybe’s impact on music worldwide is undeniable, and this exhibit celebrates their contributions to K-pop and beyond.”

A Treasure Trove of Artifacts

For the first time, the exhibit will showcase artifacts never before displayed in a museum, including items from 78 K-pop idols. Attendees can expect to see iconic outfits from music videos and concept photos, such as BTS’s “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment),” SEVENTEEN’s “Maestro,” TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s “Sugar Rush Ride,” and LE SSERAFIM’s “Easy.”

The exhibit also features memorabilia from Hybe’s rookie teams, including BOYNEXTDOOR, TWS, &TEAM, and ILLIT. Additionally, three influential books from Big Hit Entertainment founder Hitman Bang’s personal collection will be displayed, highlighting their inspiration behind BTS’s albums. These include Hermann Hesse’s “Demian: The Story of Boyhood,” Erich Fromm’s “The Art of Loving,” and Murray Stein’s “Jung’s Map of the Soul.”

Interactive Experiences and Technological Innovations

Beyond the artifacts, the exhibit offers several interactive experiences designed to engage fans and newcomers alike. A “random dance play” in the museum’s rotunda will allow visitors to sing and dance along to Hybe artists’ music. There will also be a Photoism booth for fans to pose with images of their favorite acts.

“We’re even going to have a little fan area where fans can express what K-pop means to them and leave their mark on the exhibit,” said Grammy Museum curator Kelsey Goelz. “This is the biggest and most in-depth K-pop exhibit we have ever done.”

A permanent interactive feature, “Mono to Immersive,” will demonstrate the evolution of recording technology using BTS’s 2022 Grammy performance of “Butter.” Visitors can experience how the performance would sound through different eras of technology, from the 1920s to the present day.

Hybe’s Vision and Global Reach

Hybe’s COO, Tae-Ho Kim, expressed his hopes that the exhibit will appeal to both K-pop and Hybe superfans as well as those curious about the genre. “We aim to introduce Hybe to visitors and showcase the journey we have taken in the global music industry,” he said. “I hope this exhibit will be a great chance for our rookie teams to be introduced to American music fans. This can be a significant momentum for their entrance into the American music market.”

Expanding the Narrative of Music History

This exhibit stands as a testament to the Grammy Museum’s dedication to exploring a wide array of music genres and their cultural significance. With K-pop growing worldwide, this exhibit offers a rare chance for both fans and newcomers to dive into the genre’s complexities and its impact on the global music scene.

“Hybe: We Believe in Music, A Grammy Museum Exhibit” doesn’t just celebrate K-pop’s artistic feats; it also bridges cultural divides, inviting visitors to connect with the lively, dynamic realm of Korean pop music.

July 19, 2024
Spacey Earns Recognition for Performance in 2023 Thriller Amid Comeback

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Kevin Spacey, an Academy Award actor, has won yet another victory within the film world. The actor won a leading prize for Best Thriller Performance in the 2023 film Control at the Folkestone Independent Film Awards. The win marked a milestone comeback to Hollywood for Spacey, who had faced immense pressure following allegations of sexual misconduct.

Kevin Spacey’s Milestone Comeback

Control, by Gene Fallaize, marks Spacey’s first on-screen appearance since his acquittal on sexual assault charges. Following its troubled release in 2023, the film showcased Spacey’s performance and gathered additional accolades by winning Best Thriller. As the controversial lead casting of Spacey made waves with the movie, Fallaize defended his faith in the actor; he was convinced that Spacey could muster a performance to make a dark horse comeback.

It’s a journey that has been noted with highs and lows for Spacey, whose career had come to a standstill after allegations of sexual misconduct emerged in 2018, the first of which were made by Anthony Rapp, which resulted in a lawsuit resolved in Spacey’s favor. But regardless of all this, with Spacey’s recent win at the Folkestone Independent Film Awards, paired with his announcement of an upcoming lifetime achievement award during the Nations Awards in Taormina, Sicily, he could be on the verge of a true career revival.

Organizers Michel Curatolo and Marco Fallanca have had to resolutely defend their decision to honor Spacey with a lifetime achievement award. They declared, “Spacey is a timeless monument in film and theater history,” and that he deserves a chance to regain his footing in the industry. This came when it was reported that Spacey was active and involved in new projects, including the release of Peter Five Eight this past March 2024, and was scheduled to take on the role of The Devil in the thriller film The Contract, directed by Massimiliano Caroletti.

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Debates on Redemption and Forgiveness

Spacey’s comeback sparks debates about redemption and forgiveness in entertainment. His journey from accusation to acquittal has been closely watched, sparking broader discussions about accountability and second chances in Hollywood. Despite controversies from his past, his recent success underscores his undeniable talent and the industry’s willingness to recognize it.

Spacey’s potential future growth, along with his recent achievements and upcoming projects, will no doubt be closely monitored by both fans and critics. How he navigates through personal and professional challenges will determine his ongoing involvement in the industry. He once expressed, “I always knew I’d come back. In some way, shape, or form, I always knew I’d come back.” His experience, filled with ups and downs, shows how tough it can be to make it in the talent industry, where there’s almost always friction and fans are ready to criticize.

July 12, 2024
Los Angeles Harbor Commission Approves $2.6B Port Budget

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The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved a $2.6 billion budget for The City of Los Angeles Harbor Department for the 2024/25 fiscal year. This capital will help support The Port of Los Angeles, one of the world’s busiest seaports and a hub for international trade.

The revenue and spending plan for the 2024/25 fiscal year will be designated to uphold the Port of Los Angeles’ priorities including community investment, decarbonization of port-related operations, workforce development, and cargo infrastructure modernization. “This year’s budget takes a prudent approach that carefully balances revenues and expenses, and sets up the Port well for the future,” said Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Lucille Roybal-Allard. “Most importantly, the plan will allow us to stay the course and follow through on many strategic priorities and industry-leading initiatives in the coming year.”

This year’s budget is a 2% increase over last year’s. The approved budget forecasts a total of 9.1 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). This boost in cargo is expected to generate a 4.9% increase in operating revenues, which are estimated at $684.7 million. Shipping services comprise approximately 75% of those revenues.

“With a healthy economy, continued consumer spending, and a strong U.S. labor market, we are optimistic about cargo volumes for the next fiscal year,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We’ve prepared a budget that leaves room for unanticipated changes in the global trade market or other uncertainties that may arise.”

Operating expenses have increased significantly over last year, at $403.7 million. This 8.4% increase will be put toward hiring and filling open positions at the Harbor Department. The budget for the Port’s capital improvement program (CIP) is getting an even higher boost. With a 19% increase over the previous fiscal year’s budget, the CIP budget comes out to $257.7 million for 2024/25. The CIP’s biggest projects include the State Route 47/Vincent Thomas Bridge & Front Street/Harbor Boulevard Interchange Reconfiguration which will be allocated $44.3 million, the Zero-Emission Port Electrification and Operation program which will be allocated $15.3 million, the restoration and improvements of the Pasha Terminal which will be allocated $14.2 million, and Marine Oil Terminals Maintenance Standards (MOTEMS) projects which will be allocated $12.5 million.

$28.5 million in Capital Improvement Project funds will also go toward LA Waterfront public access improvement projects in Wilmington and San Pedro. The San Pedro Waterfront Promenade – Phase II and the Wilmington Waterfront Avalon Pedestrian Bridge & Promenade Gateway are among the major projects the organization will fund in 2024/25. $4 million of the CIP budget will go into planning for the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach Good Movement Workforce Training Facility. The facility will be the first workforce training facility in the country dedicated to the goods movement sector and career training in longshore work, trucking, and warehousing. The $150 million project is currently in the environmental impact review process, which began earlier this year.

June 14, 2024
LA Launches Initiative to Help Small Businesses Owners in Topanga

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Survival for businesses hinges on their customers’ ability to reach them, a challenge that has plagued business owners in Topanga since March. The aftermath of a powerful storm that struck the hillside of Topanga Canyon has left businesses teetering on the edge. The storm’s deluge triggered a massive landslide, closing Route 27 to travelers. To aid these struggling businesses, LA County has unveiled a new program to support small business owners grappling with the prolonged closure of Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

Under the auspices of LA County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath and the administration of LA County’s Department of Economic Opportunity, Topanga business owners can now access the Topanga Canyon Business Interruption Fund (BIF). This new initiative, designed to assist qualifying businesses reeling from the landslide’s detrimental impacts, offers a lifeline to those experiencing a loss of customer support and business revenue.

According to Horvath, the county asked Topanga business owners, “What do you actually need? And so this financial assistance is something that they said would make the difference.” Horvath further shared, “I know people are trying to figure out how they keep staff on through this time and how they are able to prepare. A couple months is different than a year.” Helping make a difference, qualifying businesses impacted by the Topanga Canyon road closure can receive grant awards of up to $10,000 from the new initiative.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard is typically used by tens of thousands of daily travelers who commute between the coast and the San Fernando Valley. This road closure has resulted in a significant drop in people passing through the unincorporated town. Enrico Busto, who owns a custom hat shop in Topanga, stated, “I mean, like, we are 50% down since the closure. So, you know, it’s been like a few months, but we roll up our sleeves and start working. So, we funded this nonprofit called Visit Topanga Canyon. So we are bringing all the businesses together and try to, you know, organize something.”

Busto and others have helped organize an event called “Second Saturday,” which invites people from all over to visit and shop in Topanga. Busto commented, “Every second Saturday of each month we organize music all over Topanga. There are like four or five different concerts and activities and a play area for the kids and, you know, card reading and, you know, all the fun stuff that Topanga has to offer with all the artists and the musicians we have in the area.”

While many Topanga business owners are still trying to recover from the aftermath of the March landslide, Second Saturday aims to attract more people to the town, with the new initiative providing a boost for qualifying businesses to get back on their feet.

The governor’s office announced this past Friday that Topanga Canyon Boulevard reopened Sunday, three months ahead of its fall schedule. Governor Gavin Newson stated in a social media post, “I just want to thank the men and women of Caltrans for working overtime to get this done.” Surely, the business owners of Topanga can remain hopeful that state efforts have their back.

June 7, 2024
The LA Kings’ New Coach, Jim Hiller, Remains Loyal to Defense-First Strategy

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The Los Angeles Kings have decided definitively on their coaching staff following another early playoff elimination. General Manager Rob Blake has formally designated Jim Hiller as the new head coach. Hiller replaced Todd McLellan as temporary head coach in February after his dismissal. This decision was made in spite of the team’s recent history of failing to get past the first round of the playoffs.

The Kings have stuck to their tough, defense-first philosophy under Hiller’s direction, which has been a defining feature of their style of play. The Kings have realized they need to increase their offensive output even if their defense has made them one of the NHL’s best defensive teams. Hiller and General Manager Rob Blake stressed the significance of striking a balance between attacking inventiveness and defensive resiliency.

The 1-3-1 neutral zone trap, which tries to limit opponents’ scoring possibilities, is the cornerstone of the Kings’ defensive approach. Though this strategy is good at preventing goals from being scored, it has occasionally made it more difficult for the Kings to create scoring opportunities. Hiller and his coaching staff are dedicated to resolving this problem and maintaining the team’s defensive identity.

The Kings’ failure to make it far into the playoffs despite having a team full of elite players is one of their biggest problems. In spite of large expenditures on high-scoring forwards like Kevin Fiala and Pierre-Luc Dubois, the Kings have had difficulty converting their success in the regular season into postseason triumphs. GM Rob Blake stressed the necessity for players and staff to accept discomfort in order to achieve success, and he voiced a feeling of urgency about instilling a greater passion to win inside the squad.

Since he was selected by the Kings in the 1989 NBA Draft, Jim Hiller has been associated with the franchise since his playing days. He is in a good position to guide the squad ahead because of his love for coaching and his background as an NHL player. Hiller said that Stanley Cup-winning coach Jacques Lemaire, who served as his mentor, had influenced his coaching style and mindset.

The Kings have declared that assistant coach D.J. Smith will stay on the coaching staff in addition to keeping Hiller as head coach. Smith, who joined the team in February, will keep assisting Hiller in carrying out the plans the team has developed. The Kings will also bring on a new assistant coach who will specialize on the power play, replacing Hiller, who had this position under McLellan.

It has now been 10 years since the Kings raised the Stanley Cup in Los Angeles after defeating the New York Rangers in five games. They had also won in 2012, being the first team in the NHL’s salary cap era to win two Stanley Cups in three years.

The Kings are committed to strengthening their defensive base and making the required changes to increase their offensive production. The Kings want to escape their postseason rut and compete at a better level in the upcoming seasons, and they plan to do it with Hiller leading the team and a dedication to consistency among the coaching staff.

May 31, 2024
Pret a Manger Opens First California Location in Los Angeles

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Sandwich enthusiasts are celebrating the opening of the first Pret a Mangers California location earlier this month. The renowned London-based chain is famous for its convenient sandwiches and pastries. Situated at the corner of Le Conte Avenue and Westwood Boulevard, opposite the University of California Los Angeles campus, this marks the debut standalone cafe for this dining spot in California.

The cafe is the first of more than forty locations to open in California. Lots of foot traffic occurs at the Westwood location due to its proximity to UCLA and is situated on a block full of popular shops and restaurants. Pret a Manger menu includes chicken and bacon sandwiches, tuna and cucumber baguettes, and blueberry and granola pots. With most sandwiches coming it around $10, they are a cheap and convenient option for UCLA students. Baked goods like cookies and croissants are also available alongside the restaurant’s signature organic coffee.

Plenty of seating is inside, and the walls are adorned with nods to Los Angeles and Pret’s native London. According to SF Gate, the cafe was already filled with students and locals this week.

In 2019, a small Pret a Manger opened in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. Still, aside from that, the Westwood location is the company’s first installment anywhere west of Chicago. The brand boasts over 650 international locations, and conquering the West Coast is the next stage of development. President and CEO of Dallas Holdings, Shane Thakar, revealed that most of the locations will be concentrated in Los Angeles and Orange County, with another storefront expected to open soon in the Studio City neighborhood of LA. Rumor has it that another Los Angeles location is also in the works and is expected to open at a ground-floor location in the Westfield Century City Mall.

Pret a Manger, which translates to French for “ready to eat,” was founded in London in 1983. The restaurant chain steadily grew and became popular in the city before expanding into the United States with a New York location in 2000. By 2016, 74 Pret a Manger storefronts across the United States already existed. Today, there are outposts of the chain in sixteen countries worldwide, including France, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, and Greece. Four hundred ninety-eight locations are in the United Kingdom, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. The brand is still strongly associated with London and has 291 locations in the city alone.

Since establishing shops in the United States in the early 2000s, Pret a Manger has significantly increased its presence nationwide. There are 58 storefronts across the East Coast, two in Chicago, and now the Westwood location in Los Angeles. Time will tell whether the brand will successfully become a part of West Coast culture the way it has elsewhere.

May 30, 2024
Joshua Skenes Wants You Just To Have a Good Time at His New LA Restaurant

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Los Angeles is home to many well-established and recognized restaurants, making it a major foodie destination. Also making L.A. home is celebrated chef Joshua Skenes, who is known for founding Saison, a once three-Michelin-star restaurant (now a very honorable two-star Michelin spot). With a rich culinary resume, Skenes is set to further impress with his new, casual L.A. restaurant, Leopardo, which opened May 14.

Skenes’ culinary skills attracted attention when he opened his first restaurant in 2009 in the Mission District of San Francisco. He eventually found a permanent home in the South of Market neighborhood. It didn’t take long for this culinary mastermind to earn a lifetime’s worth of the food world’s highest honors. Skenes is respected for forging a fire-based culinary pathway unique enough to be called Skenesian.

With unquestionable cooking talent, Skenes has led the founder’s Saison restaurant to reach number 27 on the World’s 50 Best restaurants. But that is not the only feather in this chef’s hat. On the ground floor of the Beverly Center in L.A., Skenes opened his Michelin-starred San Francisco restaurant, Angler, before he parted ways with his former restaurant group. Despite this restaurant’s struggles with running during the global pandemic with dining regulations, Angler was still considered one of the top L.A. food destinations.

While Skenes still hopes to open an exclusive ranch restaurant where he will serve wild-caught food, next up on this chef’s list is Leopardo, offering the best ingredients with sheer simplicity. The chef said, “We want to use incredible local products that nobody uses, like the ocean tilefish. It’s so delicious and crave-able — we just treat it really well with good buttery olive oil, lemon, salt, [and] seasoning.” Through specific sources, Leopardo’s menu will reflect the changes of what the daily catch brings in, opening cooking opportunities for Dungeness crab with mafaldine pasta, grilled whitefish, spot prawn crudo, or sea urchin.

Yet, despite the delicious dishes from fresh sources, one menu item at Leopardo that Skenes and his team have worked tirelessly on was pizza, a dish that has already gone through hundreds of variations. Skenes plans to serve this popular dish in different styles that range from puffy-crusted neo-Neapolitan style to something Skenes calls “neo-Minato,” a reference to the pizzas found at the Tokyo district’s famed pizzerias.

Skenes remarked, “The gluten is beautifully gelatinized, and the crust is very light despite being very big. You could put a whole pie away yourself. And it retains sweetness because it doesn’t become a sourdough, despite long fermentation.”

At the heart of Skene’s mission at Leopardo is ensuring people have a good time and raising diners’ awareness that the quality of ingredients used at Leopardo’s is on par with that of his other restaurants. With subtle references to his previous establishments, this culinary master endeavors to make Leopardo and its food stand on their own, and Skenes, with a name that manifests a big draw, wants to shadow himself from the project as much as possible and refer to himself and Leopardo partner on the website as “anonymous pizza lovers.”

May 23, 2024
First Grade Student From Long Beach Selected as NASA STEM Semi-Finalist

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Of more than 1,700 entries submitted to NASA’s “Power to Explore Student Challenge,” only 45 were selected for the student semi-final round. One of those students is 6-year-old Kiki Leone of Long Beach. A first grader at Emerson Elementary School, located on Long Beach’s eastside, Kiki submitted an essay that discussed the exploration of a lake located on Titan, one of the more talked-about moons of Saturn.

“I’m super proud of her,” said Kiki’s father, Mario Leone. “It’s the beginning of the future.”

NASA’s “Power to Explore” STEM Contest

“Welcome to my spacecraft Chicken-fly,” wrote Kiki. “My spacecraft is powered by NASA’s radioisotope power systems. It’s a nuclear battery that can last for 14+ years.”

The focus on the Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) is built into the contest. The so-called “Nuclear Battery” has been used in some of NASA’s most significant projects, including space missions. The contest asked participants to write about how the power systems could serve in missions that reach for the most extreme environments in the solar system.

As a semi-finalist, Kiki has already won a prize pack from the NASA RPS project offices, which is funding the contest. Over four thousand participants received invitations to a “Power Up” virtual event, where they learned about NASA’s work from RPS Program Manager Carl Sandifer, Kim Rink of NASA’s JPL Lab, and Nicola Fox of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.

The contest is split into multiple age groups, with winners, finalists, and semi-finalists chosen for a grade K-4 division, a grade 5-8 division, and a grade 9-12 division. Fifteen semi-finalists were selected for each category. The previous year’s K-4 winner, Jason Pollack (nine years old at the time), wrote about exploring the seas on Europa, which included drilling a hole through the icy surface and dropping a mini-submarine into the deep ocean. He hoped to find life in the alien ocean.

Taking Inspiration from the Coming Totality

Kristin Jansen of NASA said, “As we’re coming into the totality of the eclipse, we wanted to highlight that when sunlight is not available, there are other options.” Kristin went on to say that Kiki’s essay featured standout creativity. “Entries like Kiki’s give NASA hope for the future if she wants to continue to do this.”

The finalists will be announced on April 8, coinciding with NASA’s broadcast of the total eclipse. The eclipse will reach its totality between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. CDT, with prime viewing spots near major metropolitan areas, including San Antonio, Dallas, Indianapolis, and Cleveland.

An Introduction to the Artemis Generation

“It has been so exciting to see how many students across the nation have submitted essays to NASA’s Power to Explore Challenge,” said Carl Sandifer in a statement published on NASA’s RPS website. “We have been thrilled to read their creative RPS-powered mission concepts and have been inspired learning about their many ‘superpowers’ that make them the bright future of NASA—the Artemis Generation.”

Sandifer’s reference to Artemis refers to NASA’s next-generation space exploration goals, which involve constructing moon habitats for long-term exploration and scientific work.

May 3, 2024
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz Eyes Strategic Advantage in Upcoming NFL Draft

Image credit: Pexels

As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, Joe Hortiz, in his first year as the general manager of the Los Angeles Chargers, is carefully weighing the potential of the team’s No. 5 overall pick. With the draft set to commence in Detroit in just a week, Hortiz is focused not just on selecting top talent but also on maximizing the strategic value of their high draft position.

During a recent pre-draft press conference, Hortiz emphasized that the Chargers are not interested in simply making a “fair trade” for their No. 5 pick. Instead, they are looking for an offer that is too compelling to refuse—an offer that significantly benefits the Chargers. “The whole, ‘It’s a fair trade, it’s a wash,’ I don’t think that’s a trade that we’re interested in,” Hortiz explained. “If we’re going to trade away from great players, there has to be a reason, in terms of value, for us.”

The value of the Chargers’ fifth pick could potentially increase depending on how the initial four picks of the draft unfold. Hortiz hinted at the possibility that if these picks are used on quarterbacks—a common expectation—the fifth pick could become even more valuable. This scenario would position the Chargers to either select the best non-quarterback player in the draft or negotiate a trade with teams eager to secure top-tier talent. “We believe we have the first pick in the draft… If four quarterbacks go, we believe, strongly, that we have the first pick in the draft,” said Hortiz.

Hortiz’s strategy reflects his background and the philosophies of his mentors, Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta, from the Baltimore Ravens. His approach prioritizes selecting the best player available rather than focusing solely on filling positional needs. This method ensures that the team remains adaptable and prepared, recognizing that injuries or unexpected changes can swiftly alter a team’s needs. “You’re never just one player away, ever,” Hortiz remarked, underlining the importance of depth and flexibility in team planning.

The Chargers face several roster challenges following the departures of wide receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, which have created gaps in the team’s lineup. According to NFL Network’s Chad Reuter, the Chargers have needs at wide receiver, cornerback, offensive line, and running back. Although the recent signing of running back J.K. Dobbins may address one of these needs, the team’s strategy in the draft will be crucial for rebuilding and strengthening the squad.

As the draft day nears, all eyes will be on the Chargers’ management to see how they leverage their No. 5 pick—whether they choose to use it directly or trade it for a more advantageous position. The decisions made by Hortiz and his team could significantly impact the Chargers’ roster and their performance in the upcoming NFL season. With strategic acumen and a clear focus on value, the Chargers are poised to make critical decisions that will define their direction and success in the league.

April 26, 2024