TO INFINITY AND
NOSTALGIC RETRO VIBES
TODAY'S CURATIONS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CORNBREAD HEMP
👋 HEY CUTIE!
Laying out this edition brought back childhood vibes with the Toy Story branding today. And with Toy Story 5 on the horizon, I can't help but notice the already nuanced wave of incorporating late 90s and early 2000s retro vibes once more. I have a feeling more of this is to come. Enjoy this CurationsLA and I will see you all back here on Friday! -Wyatt
When you're only halfway interested in something, you'll lose to someone obsessed. It won't even be close.
🔙 ON THIS DAY | 1933 The first NFL game on a Sunday takes place at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field. Prior to this, sporting events on Sundays were illegal.
🗳️ TODAY'S TRIVIA | In Toy Story, Sid’s room features a toolbox branded with the fictional 'Binford' logo as a meta nod to which 1990s TV show starring Buzz Lightyear’s voice actor, Tim Allen?
- Home Improvement
- Tool Time
- Taylor's Hardware
- Al's Workshop
Answer located at bottom of today's publication in a toggle-down.
🏡 DEVELOPMENT | 💼 BIZ
🤙 GOODIES | 💌 EMAIL CONTENT
🛣️ NATIONAL
- 🤠 TOY STORY 5: The first teaser trailer for Toy Story 5 dropped yesterday, and it looks amazing
- 🔭 3I/ATLAS: Astronomers detect first 'radio signal' from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, and no, it wasn't aliens
- 👾 PRIVATE AI: Google launches Private AI Compute, to build private and helpful AI
- 🎵 AI MUSIC: The number one country music song is AI generated
- 🎨 BOB ROSS: Three Bob Ross paintings auctioned for more than $600k to help funding for public broadcasting
- 🔗 CURATIONSLA: Last publication's most viewed content: Tesla says shareholders approve Musk's $1T pay plan.
🤙 LOCAL
- 💪 SNAP: These Los Angeles restaurants are helping those that have been impacted by SNAP cuts
- 🎬 HOLLYWOOD BOWL: Legendary film composer John Williams (Star Wars, Jurassic Park) receives stage name dedication at Hollywood Bowl
- 🧠 AVOID SCAMS: Essential tips to avoid scams during the festive season from LA Biz Journal
- 💼 GLENDALE BIZ: The City of Glendale receives award for most business-friendly large city in Los Angeles County
- 🚿 SPRINKLERS: Burbank changes watering schedule for this upcoming winter
🎉 FUN
- 🚀 INSIDER APP: CurationsLA's favorite LA insider, Mady Maio, launches Camber Places
- ☠️ JACKASS: Crew of Jackass announce art show at Complex LA to honor 25th anniversary, runs Friday - Sunday
- 💸 FREEBIES: Free things to do this month in Los Angeles
- 🎨 BILLBOARDS: Angelenos share their favorite billboard signs over the years
- 📆 THIS WEEK: Things to do this week in Los Angeles
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BEVERLY HILLS 🌴 LA OLA
The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills just opened La Ola, a new rooftop spot that finally brings coastal Mexican flavors to Beverly Hills. Chef Jesus Medina leads with bold dishes like octopus chicharrón, dry aged red snapper a la talla, and swordfish al pastor tacos, all paired with top-shelf agave flights and bright cocktails from a jade onyx bar. Set between the spa and pool, the space glows with pink umbrellas and cabanas and stays open from midday through late night. Weekend brunches bring live mariachi and a relaxed downtown-by-the-pool energy.
DOWNTOWN 🇲🇽 VACA
Chef Amar Santana and partner Ahmed Labbate are opening their Costa Mesa hit, VACA, at The Beaudry in DTLA’s Financial District on November 20. About 80% of the menu sticks to its Spanish steakhouse roots—tapas, jamón, and paella—while the rest leans into LA’s more adventurous tastes. The restaurant sits at the base of California’s tallest residential tower, just steps from FIGat7th and a dense ring of offices and hotels. It’s Santana’s first Los Angeles venture after two decades of shaping Orange County dining.
WEST HOLLYWOOD 🎄 HOLLY JOLLY BAR
Heartbreak Saloon is decking the halls as Holly Jolly Bar on Level 2 at EP & LP in WeHo starting November 19, with strict 21+ entry and bookings via hollyjollybar.com or Resy through December 22nd. Tickets start at $23 for a 90-minute reservation with a welcome cocktail, and weekend brunch runs $50 per person with an entree and drink. Expect Christmas-loaded cocktails like Rum Rudolph Rum and Drummer Boy in a space drenched in floor-to-ceiling tinsel, ornaments, and trees. One note: it’s a timed experience, so plan pre- or post-drinks downstairs if you want to linger.
🔗 EAT LINKS
- 🐔 BELLFLOWER: First Chick-fil-A restaurant for Bellflower celebrates grand opening, via What Now Los Angeles.
- 💯 BEST OF LA: Los Angeles' best new restaurants of 2025, via The Infatuation.
📆 TODAY'S EVENTS
- 7:00PM 🎤 THE IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, quick-witted comedy in Shakespearean style LARGO AT THE CORONET
- 7:00PM 🎵 THAT'S THE POINT, musical showcase and performance TERAGRAM BALLROOM
- 8:00PM 🎸 GRIZZLY BEAR With Ioanna Gika, lush indie rock harmonies and arrangements SHRINE AUDITORIUM
- 8:00PM 🎸 DALLAS BURROW With Parker Smith, country storytelling and heartfelt songwriting THE WAYFARER
- 9:30PM 🎸 BRENDAN ABERNATHY, soulful rock and blues-infused performance MOROCCAN LOUNGE
🔗 VIEW ALL OF TODAY'S EVENTS 🔥
➡️ TOMORROW'S EVENTS
- 8:00PM 🎤🧑🎤 JESSE MCCARTNEY With Ana Sky, pop nostalgia and smooth vocal performances HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM
- 8:00PM 🎸 WAYLON WYATT, country rock authenticity and storytelling EL REY THEATRE
- 8:00PM 🎤 MARC MARON STAND-UP SHOW With Clare O'Kane & Very Special Guest, observational comedy and candid storytelling LARGO AT THE CORONET
- 8:00PM 🎤🧑🎤 CHRISTIAN NODAL, regional Mexican music and romantic ballads HONDA CENTER
- 9:30PM 🎵 LAYTO With Kode, emotive pop and R&B fusion MOROCCAN LOUNGE
🔗 VIEW ALL OF TOMORROW'S EVENTS 🔥
🔗 ACTIVITIES + GUIDES
- 🌴 LA X SOCAL: The best things to do this week in Los Angeles and Southern California, via LAist.
- 🤙 LOS ANGELES: Things to do this week in Los Angeles, via We Like L.A.
FORECAST 🌧️ RAIN
| Day | Vibes | Hi/Lo | Rise | Set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed | ⛅ Partly Cloudy | 71 / 57 °F | 6:23 AM | 4:51 PM |
| Thu | 🌧️ Heavy Rain | 68 / 56 °F | 6:24 AM | 4:50 PM |
| Fri | 🌤️ Partly Sunny | 66 / 52 °F | 6:25 AM | 4:49 PM |
A fast-moving storm will bring widespread rain Thursday, with up to four inches in mountain areas and one to two along the coast, according to the NWS. Thunderstorms, gusty winds, and flooding are possible before clearing skies and cooler weather arrive Friday, with another system possible early next week.
MENTORSHIP 🎞️ FILM INDUSTRY
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles is running monthly hands-on sessions at Universal Studios where LA County high school students can learn cinematography, directing, sound recording, marketing, and distribution from working professionals. The program kicks off today with sessions running 2:45pm to 5:00pm through December, and students who complete the year get a certificate from the Mayor's office plus a free NFMLA membership for festival access and internship opportunities. Snacks are provided, excuse letters are available, and spots go first-come. View: NFMLA Student Mentorship Application.
MELROSE AVE 👻 STRANGER THINGS
Melrose Ave goes full Hawkins this month as CicLAvia closes out its 2025 season with Netflix x CicLAvia—Melrose Ave: Stranger Things 5 One Last Ride on Sunday, November 23rd from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Slip on your best ‘80s gear and cruise car-free streets that’ll feel straight out of the Upside Down. It’s not a race, just a chance to explore local shops, street art, and the real magic of biking Melrose with your neighbors. Check the interactive map to plan your route and roll through the final CicLAvia of the year in true retro style. 💌
🔗 COMMUNITY LINKS
- 🚌 UKRAINE: Santa Monica student drives 1300 miles to deliver vehicle to Ukrainian forces, via Santa Monica Daily Press. 🐰
- 📱 SILVER LAKE: Content creator Cat Goetze hosted a no-phone Y2K party in Silver Lake to help people connect off the gird + find a balance with technology, via ABC7.
DTLA 🥤 COCA-COLA BUILDING
Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling just kicked off a major facelift of the iconic 1930s 'Ship' building on Central Avenue, with design work from Gensler. The project brings back Robert Derrah’s ocean liner-inspired look—think porthole windows and life preservers labeled 'S.S. Coca-Cola' while adding a rooftop deck and upgraded patio for event hosting. With construction set to wrap before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the refreshed site could become one of LA’s go-to gathering spots when global fans flood the city.
DOWNTOWN 🏡 SOUTH BROADWAY
Related California and HACLA are turning the former state office site at 1405 S. Broadway into a three-phase affordable community spanning the block between 14th, 15th, Broadway, and Hill. Phase 1 delivers 105 low- and extremely low-income family units, with later phases adding 100 senior homes and 98 supportive units, all wrapped around a new 6,000-square-foot pocket park at 14th and Hill designed by Steinberg Hart. The buildings are planned as standalone structures that can move as funding lands. One clear win: that pocket park gives residents and neighbors real green space in a dense slice of DTLA.
HAWTHORNE ✈️ ARCHER AVIATION
Archer Aviation acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126m cash to serve as its LA air taxi headquarters and AI flight tech testing ground ahead of the 2028 Olympics. The Crenshaw facility sits three miles from LAX near Olympic venues where Archer's Midnight eVTOL will shuttle VIPs and fans as the games' exclusive air taxi provider. United Airlines is backing the play through its venture arm, betting on Archer's AI platform to reshape aviation in congested airspaces.
LOS ANGELES 💻 REAL ESTATE APP
Josh Flagg’s Estate Media is proving there’s major money in real estate storytelling. The Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star’s digital-first media company just cleared $6m in revenue and closed a $1m seed round, attracting investors from Tinder’s Justin Mateen to Zillow Gone Wild creator Samir Mezrahi Built by and for realtors, Estate Media has quickly become a social hub for agents and fans alike, with more than 2.5m followers and shows like Mansions & Martinis pulling in big views.
🔗 BUSINESS LINKS
- 🏋️ ANAHEIM: Planet Fitness franchisees expand local footprint with 100th club opening in Greater Los Angeles Area, via Bakersfield.
- 🧢 FUTURE OF LA SPORTS: LAEDC Chief talks future of sports business, via Los Angeles Business Journal.
TOY STORY 5 🤠 TRAILER DROP
Disney and Pixar are taking Toy Story into the digital age with the first teaser for Toy Story 5, where Woody, Buzz, and Jessie face off against Lilypad, a mischievous, frog-shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack return, joined by Conan O’Brien as a high-tech potty training toy named Smarty Pants. Director Andrew Stanton says the film dives into how classic toys handle a world run by technology, mixing humor with heart. The film hits theaters on June 19th, 2026.
PRIME VIDEO 🎄 OH. WHAT. FUN.
Michelle Pfeiffer plays Claire Clauster, a mom juggling a Christmas gathering that gets delightfully out of hand—think arguments, mishaps, and relatives you never see enough. Angelenos will spot Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, and a stacked cast making chaos look pretty cozy. It’s not about nailing every detail, it’s about the mess and the memories that come with it. Oh. What. Fun. streams December 3rd if you need a holiday escape without leaving the house.
🔗 ENTERTAINMENT LINKS
- 👾 AI ACTRESS: Tilly Norwood creator Eline Van Der Velden talks backlash, reveals another 40 AI actors are in the pipeline, via DEADLINE.
ANSWER TO TODAY'S QUESTION: In Toy Story, Sid’s room features a toolbox branded with the fictional 'Binford' logo as a meta nod to which 1990s TV show starring Buzz Lightyear’s voice actor, Tim Allen? ANSWER: Home Improvement
