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GOOD VIBES GOING UP. ON A TUESDAY.
Tyra Banks typing enthusiastically at a computer.
VIBES · TUESDAY, JULY 21
🤙 PIZZA + ICE CREAM VIBES

EZPZ lands in El Segundo, Studio Ghibli fills the Bowl, and LA's next chapter keeps rising.

VIBES · Tuesday, July 21st 2026CURATIONSLA.COM
🌤️ 4-Day Forecast · LA
TUE
☀️
90° 67°
Sunny, warming begins
WED
🌤️
95° 68°
Heating up, limited marine layer
THU
🔥
100°+ 69°
Heat advisory likely inland
FRI
🔥
103°+ 70°
Peak heat, triple digits widespread
🌤️ DISCUSSION

A strong upper high pressure system is building over Southern California, kicking off a significant and potentially dangerous heatwave that will peak Thursday through Friday. Inland valleys are forecast to hit 100 to 107°F by the back half of the week, with overnight lows staying unusually warm. The marine layer is compressed and struggling to reach most beaches and valleys. South swell from offshore tropical activity is generating 4 to 8 ft surf and strong rip currents peaking Thursday and Friday on south-facing beaches. Swim near a lifeguard.

VIEW FORECAST
💭 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“They learned it on their own. Not because there was a test to pass, but because they were curious.”

— Shane Parrish, Sunday Brain Food
⏪ 1846

A group of Mormons found the first English settlement in California's San Joaquin Valley.

❓ TRIVIA QUESTION

EZPZ, the new pizza and soft-serve shop on Main Street in El Segundo, ferments its New York-style dough for how long before baking?

ANSWER AT THE BOTTOM ↓
EATS01 / 06
New York-style pizza from EZPZ in El Segundo.
EL SEGUNDO

🍕 EZPZ Brings New York-Style Pizza and Organic Soft-Serve to Main Street

Hollywood couple Beau Flynn and Marley Shelton, alongside restaurateur Scott Tremonti of Urban Oven, have opened EZPZ at 321 Main Street in El Segundo. The menu is intentionally stripped down: New York-style slices made with California organic flour fermented for 48 hours, and Straus Family Creamery organic soft-serve in vanilla, chocolate, or swirl with creative topping options including olive oil and Maldon sea salt. Combos run from $11.50 to $18, and the space leans into South Bay culture with murals nodding to the beach, LAX, and local legend.
The reopened Tasting Kitchen dining room on Abbot Kinney.
VENICE

🍝 The Tasting Kitchen Returns to Abbot Kinney with Founding Chef Casey Lane

The Tasting Kitchen has reopened at 1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd after a three-year closure following a 2023 fire, with founding chef Casey Lane back at the helm. The menu pairs returning signatures — ingredient-driven pastas, the beloved mackerel — with new live-fire dishes cooked on a custom Josper oven, plus a chef's-choice tasting menu at $150. The bar program is now led by Blake Antrobus, and the redesigned dining room keeps the iconic olive tree at its center. Currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 9 pm, with a full seven-day schedule and late-night weekends planned for August.
Lucky's Steakhouse dining room and bar in Beverly Hills.
BEVERLY HILLS

🥩 Lucky's Steakhouse Eyes Beverly Hills at the Former Nerano Space

Montecito institution Lucky's Steakhouse is targeting a December 2026 opening at 9960 S. Santa Monica Blvd, stepping into the space being vacated by Nerano, which closes July 25 after nearly a decade in the neighborhood. Known for USDA Prime steaks and a classic martini program, Lucky's has been on an expansion run with recent openings in Manhattan and East Hampton. The Beverly Hills timeline is tentative, pending permits and renovations to the two-story venue.
MORE EATS

💎 MICHELIN STARS The complete 2026 Guide to Michelin Star restaurants in Los Angeles. — LOCALE

🚀 NEW RESTAURANTS All the new restaurant openings to know in Los Angeles. — Eater Los Angeles

🧑‍🍳 AUSSIE, AUSSIE Chef Konstantinos Vais Opens New LA Restaurant. — LA Weekly

COMMUNITY02 / 06
HOLLYWOOD BOWL

🎬 Joe Hisaishi Brings Studio Ghibli to the Hollywood Bowl Tonight

Legendary composer Joe Hisaishi opens a three-night run at the Hollywood Bowl tonight as the LA Phil's 2026 Composer in Focus, performing scores from Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, and more. The concerts feature vocalist Mai Fujisawa, soprano Ariadne Greif, and the CSU Fullerton University Singers alongside the LA Philharmonic, with film clips synced live to the music. Tonight through Thursday, gates open at 6 pm and the show begins at 8 pm.
MORE COMMUNITY

🎒 BACK-TO-SCHOOL SoCal students and parents: where to find back-to-school resources. — ABC7

💸 FREE CONCERTS 108 free concerts hit Los Angeles County Parks this summer. — Secret Los Angeles

🛜 PASADENA Pasadena Transit looks to install WiFi, tech time for arrival. — Pasadena Now

DEVELOPMENT03 / 06
Rendering of the mixed-use project rising at 400 S. San Vicente Blvd.
BEVERLY GROVE

🏗️ Aprés Beverly Grove Goes Vertical on San Vicente, Bringing 126 Homes and New Retail

Construction has reached vertical phase at 400 S. San Vicente Blvd in Beverly Grove, where The Abraham Companies is building an eight-story mixed-use project designed by Steinberg Hart. The development replaces the former Beverly Plaza strip mall with 126 apartments (14 deed-restricted affordable), 11,600 square feet of ground-floor retail including two restaurant spaces with outdoor dining, and a rooftop pool deck. Completion is targeted for mid-2027, with the project sitting half a mile from the Metro D Line at Wilshire/La Cienega.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

🏙️ Fourth and Central Approved: 1,589 Homes and 400,000 Sq Ft of Office Coming to DTLA

The LA City Council unanimously approved the Fourth and Central mixed-use project, transforming a 7.6-acre industrial site near Little Tokyo and Skid Row into ten buildings ranging from two to thirty stories. The project delivers 1,589 residential units including at least 262 affordable homes, over 400,000 square feet of creative office space, and 145,000 square feet of retail anchored by discounted space for Little Tokyo nonprofits and local businesses. A Community Benefits Agreement with Little Tokyo stakeholders was central to the approval.
MORE DEVELOPMENT

🚇 NORTH HOLLYWOOD New apartments under construction near North Hollywood Metro Station. — Urbanize Los Angeles

🌳 CULVER CITY Bill Botts Fields reconstruction project breaks ground. — Culver City Observer

BUSINESS04 / 06
Concept image for Hollywood Hotels & Residences.
HOLLYWOOD

💼 Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Launches Global Luxury Hotel Brand with 20-Year Partnership

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has entered a 20-year strategic partnership with The Scene Hotels and Resorts to launch Hollywood Hotels and Residences, a new global luxury hospitality brand carrying the Hollywood name and lifestyle to upscale properties worldwide. The brand will combine premium accommodations, social spaces, curated culinary experiences, and programming celebrating Hollywood's creative legacy, with locations and market announcements to follow. The partnership was facilitated by United Talent Agency, with Ron Frierson leading as President and CEO of the Chamber.
FIFA WORLD CUP 26

🏨 World Cup Delivers for LA Hotels, with RevPAR Beating Early Projections

Los Angeles hotels have outperformed expectations during the FIFA World Cup, with revenue per available room climbing sharply above the 13% year-over-year gain initially projected. The surge is rate-driven rather than occupancy-driven, with average daily rates jumping roughly 21% around match days as international visitors proved willing to pay a premium. Total economic impact for LA County is now projected to top $1.1 billion, up nearly 50% from initial estimates, with direct visitor spending expected to hit $515 million. The gains are concentrated around game days and central venues, with higher-tier properties capturing the largest share of the windfall.
MORE BUSINESS

🍔 MORE BURGERS In-N-Out continues to grow throughout Southern California and other regions. — KTLA

🛥️ FLOATING CARS Water taxi project draws operator interest. — Random Lengths News

ENTERTAINMENT05 / 06
THE ODYSSEY

🎬 Nolan's The Odyssey Opens with $264 Million Globally, His Biggest Debut Ever

Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's epic debuted with $124.5 million domestically and $139.6 million overseas for a $264.1 million global opening weekend, surpassing both "The Dark Knight Rises" and "Oppenheimer" as Nolan's best-ever global launch. IMAX drove $29.6 million in domestic ticket sales and $51.8 million globally, reflecting the film's distinction as Nolan's first feature shot entirely on IMAX cameras. The R-rated epic, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus alongside Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and Zendaya, carried a $250 million production budget and $125 million global marketing spend from Universal. For LA cinephiles, a special three-week 70mm run continues at Westwood's Village Theatre through August 6.
SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY

🕷️ Tom Holland Returns as Spider-Man This Friday in Brand New Day

Spider-Man: Brand New Day opens in theaters July 31st, picking up four years after "No Way Home" with Peter Parker living alone and unrecognized after Doctor Strange's memory-erasing spell. Tom Holland returns alongside Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, and Mark Ruffalo, with Sadie Sink joining the MCU in an undisclosed role that has been a closely guarded part of the film's marketing. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by the "No Way Home" team of Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, the film is framed as a genuine fresh start for the franchise within Phase Six.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT

🧑‍⚕️ MARVEL Robert Downey Jr. returns to Marvel as Doctor Doom in first full _Avengers: Doomsday_ trailer. — UPI

🎵 TAYLOR SWIFT Taylor Swift tops the Billboard Hot 100 with “I Knew It, I Knew You,” her original song written for _Toy Story 5_. — Variety

SPORTS06 / 06
Aaron Donald featured in a CurationsLA Rams sports graphic.
RAMS

🐏 Aaron Donald Back at the Rams Facility as Comeback Chatter Builds

Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald has been spotted working out at the Rams' practice facility in July 2026, reigniting serious speculation about an unretirement after stepping away following the 2023 season. Donald has made clear he will only return if he can play at a full-season level alongside newly acquired All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett, giving LA one of the most feared defensive fronts in the league. No contract talks have begun, but the Rams are keeping the door fully open as Donald continues testing his readiness. NFL analyst Chris Simms, who personally texted Donald about the decision, has weighed in publicly, adding fuel to one of the biggest offseason stories in football.
DODGERS

⚾ Turner's 200th Career Homer Leads Phillies Past LA, 10-7

Trea Turner went 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double (his 300th career), and five RBIs as Philadelphia handed the Dodgers a 10-7 loss at Citizens Bank Park on July 20. The milestone moment came in the sixth inning when Turner laced a three-run shot just inside the left-field foul pole for career home run number 200. Bryce Harper also reached his 200th home run as a Phillie in the same game, making it a night of rare symmetry at the top of Philadelphia's lineup. The Dodgers fall back as the Phillies continue their push in the NL East.
MORE SPORTS

🧢 DODGERS Peralta's Milwaukee game spoiled amid Dodgers trade rumors. — MLB Dodgers News

💸 MORE DODGERS Dodgers acquire reliever Seth Halvorsen. — Fox Sports

🏀 LAKERS Lakers sign Arthur Kaluma to two-way contract. — Silver Screen and Roll

🧧 MORE LAKERS Lakers agree to deal with free agent forward Matisse Thybulle. — San Gabriel Valley Tribune

✅ TRIVIA ANSWER
ANSWER: 48 hours.

EZPZ ferments its New York-style dough for two full days before baking.

Blue ocean waves rolling toward the Los Angeles coast.
RIDE THE WAVES THIS WEEK, LA!