From Amazon Drones to LG at CES and more! | Tech News

Dive into the week’s tech news as we get ready to close out 2022! From Amazon Drones to LG at CES and more, we have you covered! Read on for the major headlines happening in the world of tech, media, and science. 

Amazon Begins Delivering Packages Via Drone in California and Texas

Prime Air, aka Amazon, is revolutionizing the delivery service industry with a new drones-only system for getting your parcels to you in record time. Already implemented in California and Texas, selected customers have benefited from having orders dropped off quickly within their backyards. All of this has been made possible by Amazon’s commitment to safe aerial navigation – both now and as they gradually expand services across more locations nationwide! In 2020, Amazon achieved a major milestone in drone delivery when its application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was approved. The company filed Final Environmental Assessment documents for two different rural and suburban locations: Lockeford, California – 50 miles southeast of Sacramento with an estimated population of 3,500; and College Station, Texas –100 miles northwest of Houston, known best as home to renowned Texas A&M University. Residents can sign up now, while other customers will soon have access via notice.

New Samsung Fridge features 32-Inch Touch Screen Display

Samsung has unveiled its latest refrigerator addition to the Bespoke Refrigerator Family Hub Plus range. Featuring a massive 32-inch touchscreen display, this model allows users to control SmartThings compatible devices and view Google Photos images or watch videos in high-definition clarity. The Samsung TV Plus service enables access to 190 US channels or 80 South Korean ones for endless entertainment options at no additional cost – making it truly an ideal appliance for modern homes! Likewise, with its vertical orientation, this display is perfect for catching up on social media videos – from TikTok to YouTube Shorts. Plus, you can multitask with convenience thanks to its picture-in-picture (PIP) mode that will play the video in an always visible floating window while leaving your screen free and clear.

iPad Mini Potentially A Year Away from Consumer Market

Apple is giving its beloved iPad Mini a processor upgrade, according to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Scheduled for release within the next two years, this 8.3-inch features Apple’s A15 Bionic chip with optional 5G connectivity! Thanks to the power of its unique updated processor, users can enjoy enhanced performance on this classic tablet device. It is likely the iPad Mini will receive a chip upgrade in two years. Additionally, Apple may look to unveil new hardware as soon as fall 2023. Potential upgrades range from an A16 to an M-series processor similar to those used by other iPads. Of course, this makes for exciting advances within the model line!

Flat Smartphone Camera Module by LG to be Unveiled at CES

LG Innotek is set to debut an innovative camera module at CES that could revolutionize the photo capabilities of smartphones. This micro component merges optical-zoom technology seen in DSLR cameras. It does so through a sleek and slim design, granting zoom magnifications without relying on digital zooms. LG is making an ambitious move to create space within smartphones. In addition, they are also seeking to improve battery efficiency by combining multiple optical-zoom options into a single module. The thickness of the module has been reduced in order to remove any camera bumps. Additionally, LG is partnering up with Qualcomm for optimal software designs as well as joint marketing strategies!

Where to Dine for NYE 2023 | L.A. Eats

Still unsure of where to dinner as you ring in 2023? We have you covered! From Hollywood to the Valley, there are plenty of places to enjoy a gourmet meal for the new year. Read on below for the top choices to enjoy this New Year’s Eve!

LOS ANGELES NYE 2023 RESTAURANTS 

Redbird

Location: DTLA

Celebrate the New Year in style at downtown Los Angeles’s Neal Fraser restaurant! Enjoy a luxurious three-course prix-fixe dinner with options like fresh oysters, grass-fed beef tartare, and dayboat scallops – all accompanied by an optional $95 wine pairing for added indulgence. Top off your evening on a sweet note with delectable desserts such as milk chocolate custard or cheddar cheesecake. With gourmet cuisine and atmosphere to match, Neal Fraser is sure to provide you the perfect start to 2023!

Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant

Location: Hollywood

Immerse yourself in a luxurious New Year’s Eve dining experience this year courtesy of celebrity chef Curtis Stone. His newly Michelin-starred steakhouse, Gwen, will provide an eight-course meal with delectable dishes such as oysters, chicken, and duck liver terrine; burrata; pappardelle with black truffles and seafood bouillabaisse medley – all topped off by Wagyu main course. End the night sweetly with blood orange & Prosecco granita or white chocolate & pistachio bombe to bid farewell to 2023!

République

Location: La Brea

On New Year’s Eve, experience a taste of the extraordinary at République – Walter and Margarita Manzke’s Michelin-starred Californian French restaurant. Savor multi-course flavors featuring seasonal ingredients such as high-quality meat and seafood, which may include winter truffles for an added dose of deliciousness. Unfortunately, vegan options are not currently available, so make sure to plan accordingly!

WESTSIDE & BEACH COMMUNITIES NYE 2023 RESTAURANTS 

Merois

Location: West Hollywood

Ring in the New Year with a luxurious dining experience! Enjoy delicious cuisine and stunning city views while grooving to live music from our DJ. Those booking for later seatings also receive complimentary champagne at midnight as part of a four-course tasting menu – perfect for an unforgettable night out.

Pasjoli

Location: Santa Monica

Welcome the New Year with an unforgettable culinary experience at Pasjoli’s! Featuring a decadent prix-fixe menu, guests will be treated to delights such as caviar amuse-bouche, crab gnocchi, and dry-aged ribeye – or opt for their signature pressed duck dish complimentary of Chef Dave Beran. Those looking for something more vegetarian can replace steak with mushroom risotto. Seats are available both early on and later throughout the night, including midnight champagne toast & extra foie gras brioche – you won’t want to miss it!

Mélisse

Location: Santa Monica

Experience the ultimate luxury this New Year’s Eve with a two-and-a-half-hour gastronomic adventure crafted by acclaimed chef Josiah Citrin of Santa Monica’s two Michelin-starred restaurants. Enjoy delightful hors d’oeuvres paired perfectly with succulent gourmet meats and delectable seafood – all for an exquisite price of $595 per person. Embark in culinary brilliance at one of the city’s most celebrated fine dining institutions!

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY NYE 2023 RESTAURANTS 

Firefly

Location: Studio City

Celebrate the New Year in style at Firefly, a secluded hideaway draped with ivy. Chef Perry Pollaci has crafted exquisite menus for two seatings of deliciousness – three courses prepared to perfection for $125 and four courses including Périgord black truffle risotto plus a Champagne toast at midnight, all yours from just $150! To get you dancing is none other than DJ CA playing an unforgettable set between 10am-2am!

Valley Inn Restaurant and Bar

Location: Sherman Oaks

This New Year’s Eve, bid adieu to 2022 and hello to 2023 in style at Valley Inn Restaurant & Bar – a beloved staple of the Sherman Oaks community since 1959! Enjoy classic American fare paired with expertly mixed drinks for an unforgettable culinary experience.

Taisho’s

Location: Sherman Oaks

Welcome in 2023 at Taisho’s “Studio 22” New Year’s Eve extravaganza with a blast from the past – disco-era ’70s style and fare! Delectable dishes such as Osetra Caviar, Hokkaido sea scallops, and fresh truffles, plus their signature main menu, will be available for guests to enjoy. Round out your evening by staying until 1:30 am for drinks after dinner is served up until 11:30 pm. Don’t forget that Champagne toast when you hit midnight – party favors included!

 

CONEJO VALLEY NYE 2023 RESTAURANTS 

Moonshadows Malibu

Location: Malibu

Make this New Year’s Eve truly special with an unforgettable night at Moonshadows in Malibu. Enjoy a delicious dinner, toast to the coming year, and dance the night away while counting down to midnight! Don’t miss out on premium cuisine for only $100 per person.

Pasta | Bar

Location: Encino

Celebrate the New Year in style at Award-winning Pasta | Bar! Located right here in Encino, this restaurant is a spectacular blend of Cali’s freshest flavors and Italy’s most traditional recipes. Buy tickets to their exclusive event featuring premier dishes with tantalizing tastes – plus you’ll get an indulgent welcome drink on arrival, as well as opportunities throughout the night for extra drinks to add that special touch, including bottles of exquisite Italian wine – perfect for ringing in 2023!

Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach

Location: Ventura Beach

Celebrate the start of a new year with breathtaking views and live music! Spend your evening partying like royalty at Club 12, located in the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel’s Top of the Harbor Ballroom. Dance Invasion provides an upbeat soundtrack while you admire 280-degree panoramic sights from city skylines to coastal horizons – what better way is there to ring in 2023?

From Free WiFi on Delta to NFL Sunday Ticket Changes and More! | Tech News

Another week has gone by, and it’s time to round up the latest tech news headlines. From free wifi on Delta to NFL Sunday Ticket changes and more, we have you covered. Read on for the latest headlines in the world of technology, media, and science. 

Delta Considers Offering Free Wifi to Passengers in the New Year

While airline tickets may be priced higher these days, one airline is giving passengers something to look forward to. Delta Air Lines is planning to offer free Wi-Fi service on its flights beginning in 2023. As first reported by WSJ, the company is testing out the service. The company announced that by the end of this year, it would equip all its domestic aircraft with the level of Wi-Fi connectivity that customers would find at home. Likewise, the company has enlisted help by tapping Viasat as its Wi-Fi provider. Viasat — one of two Wi-Fi providers for Delta — is currently available on more than 400 of the company’s planes. If the airline eliminates the fee, it could become an appealing perk for passengers.

NFL Sunday Ticket Lands on Youtube 

The NFL Sunday Ticket has a new home on Youtube. The announcement was made by Google and the NFL this week. Previously, the service was available in the US exclusively on DirecTV. Likewise, the satellite provider will no longer have the NFL Sunday Ticket beginning with the 2023 season. Fans can see their favorite teams play on the streaming platform either as an add-on for YouTube TV subscribers or à la carte via YouTube Primetime Channels, which launched last month to “bring shows and movies from more than 30 services directly into the YouTube interface.” The cost of the service on Youtube has not yet been disclosed. 

NASA Insight Lander Retires on Mars

The NASA Marsquake-detecting InSight lander has completed its final mission. The lander has retired to the place where it began its career on the Martian surface. The news was as InSight’s solar panels have been generating dust, leading to them being inoperable. The panels generate electricity for the lander and have recently become unfurled. The mission was expected to run out of power this summer, but a spate of good weather bought it a few additional months of work on Mars. NASA has been monitoring the lander’s status, and it became clear that it wasn’t going to make it. The official Twitter account for the lander told followers in October that it was “staying calm” as a dust storm darkened the skies. Its team thanked fans for sending virtual postcards and assured the millions of people who sent their names along on the rover that “we’re together here on Mars, my forever home.”

Netflix to Stream Nike Training Club Classes Beginning this Month

There is another place you can get your fitness on, and it’s the same place you can catch hit shows like Stranger Things. Netflix will begin streaming Nike Training Club classes starting December 30. The platform will let Netflix subscribers have access to 30 hours of content in multiple languages and with varying exercise options. Nike Training Club is a popular fitness app where users can take strength, yoga, and high-intensity interval training led by Nike trainers. It’s geared toward improving your strength, endurance, and mobility across all fitness levels. While some classes require equipment, many don’t. The offerings are similar to that of Apple Fitness Plus or Peloton, albeit without any Nike-branded hardware.

Weekend Events: Holidays 2022 Edition

The holidays are here, and so is our weekend round-up of fun local events. From yuletide screenings to hitting the ice, we have you covered on merry holiday cheer. Read on below!

Los Angeles Weekend Events | Holidays 2022 Edition

L.A. County Holiday Celebration

When: December 24

Where: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion | DTLA

What: Gather your loved ones and make your way to DTLA for the biggest holiday show of the year. Enjoy more than 20 choirs, music ensembles, and dance troupes from all over the city. The free three-hour show celebrates L.A.’s multicultural observation of the holidays with everything from an all-women soul ensemble to Hawaiian music to Indian dance.

Yuletide Cinemaland

When: December 23 

Where: Heritage Square | San Pedro

What: The holidays are not complete without a fair share of timeless holiday film classics. Street Food Cinema invites you to Heritage Square for Yuletide Cinemaland. Enjoy Victorian home tours, piano sing-alongs, strolls through a light tunnel, and sips on hot chocolate, mulled wine, and craft beer. Likewise, you can catch screenings of flicks (showing twice each night, typically at 6 and 8 pm) like Elf, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and more.

Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square

When: Until January 8, 2023 

Where: Pershing Square | DTLA

What: If you are in search of a winter wonderland, then make your way to DTLA’s Pershing Square. The downtown park has been transformed into a holiday wonder with a skating rink amongst the city’s skyscrapers. Skate rentals are included in admission, though lockers and skating aids cost a few dollars extra.

Westside & Beach Communities Weekend Events | Holidays 2022 Edition

Long Beach Nutcracker

When: December 23

Where: Long Beach

What: Venture to Long Beach for a stunning performance of The Nutcracker. The holiday classic production will feature a live full orchestra, a flying sleigh, and pyrotechnics.

Astra Lumina

When: Until January 15, 2023

Where: Rancho Palos Verdes

What: Stroll through a garden illuminated by celestial-inspired lights during this year-end event at South Coast Botanic Garden. Astra Lumina will set up about an hour-long nighttime trail through the Palos Verdes garden, with eight starry installations along the way.

Ice at Santa Monica

When: Until January 16

Where: Santa Monica

What: Hit the ice in Santa Monica! The 8,000-square-foot outdoor rink runs daily on the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue. All-day admission ($20) includes skate rentals, and you can book private parties and cabanas if you’re looking for something a bit more premium.

San Fernando Valley Weekend Events | Holidays 2022 Edition

Christmas at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

When: Until January 1 

Where: Universal Studios | Universal City

What: Add some sorcery and magic to your holidays! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter invites all muggles, witches, and wizards to Universal Studios Hollywood for a proper Potter-themed celebration. Catch the evening showing of “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts” (Nov 25–Jan 1) and pick up some tasty holiday treats that you can only find in Hogsmeade.

Holidays Made Here

When: Until January 1

Where: Warner Bros. Studio | Burbank

What: Calling all Gilmore Girls fans! Warner Bros. Studio Tour switches things up from its regular tour for something a bit more festive. The Holidays Made Here tour decks out the Stars Hollow section in festive decor, among other cheerful additions. 

Christmas Night Skate

When: December 25 

Where: Moonlight Rollerway | Glendale

What: If you prefer to ditch the ice but keep the skates, you’ll love Christmas Night Skate at Moonlight Rollerway. The Saturday skate night goes for full festive fun at the Glendale skating rink. 

 

Conejo Valley Weekend Events | Holidays 2022 Edition

Wild Lights and Jungle Nights at America’s Teaching Zoo 

When December 23 and December 26-30

Where: Moorpark College

What: America’s Teaching Zoo shines bright this holiday season during the holiday light event – WILD LIGHTS & JUNGLE NIGHTS. Take a self-guided 45-minute stroll throughout the zoo, which will be filled with dynamic lights, immersive interactive experiences, photo ops, and seasonal magic. 

“A Christmas Carol” Hosted by Tim Conway on KVTA 1590

When: December 24-25

Where: On the Radio

What: For those staying in and bundled up this holiday weekend, you can opt for a retro way to celebrate. Tune into KTVA 1590 for the 3x award-winning 2003 revised radio theatre broadcast of “A Christmas Carol.” Hosted by Tim Conway, the late legendary master of mirth will guide you through a spirited, fast-paced, commercial-free 57min ghost story. The broadcast will air nationwide on KTVA 1590 and online via www.kvta.com.

Holiday Road

When: Until December 30 

Where: Santa Monica Mountains

What: Stroll across the grounds of King Gillette Ranch as the Santa Monica Mountains hideaway is illuminated during Holiday Road. Enjoy festive decor like a treetop canopy of icicle lights, a small Christmas village, and more! There are also food trucks and a holiday bar for bites and beverages.

Pantone Color Trends for 2023 | Home Tips

With a new year on the horizon, there is one tradition you can always expect at this time. The Pantone Color Trends for the new year have been announced. Likewise, the predicted on-trend color scheme announcement also brings a fresh spark of creativity to your inner interior designer…or actual interior designer.  “Colors for Spring/Summer 2023 are recalibrated for the new era we are entering,” said Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a press release. “Blending escapism with reality, wholesomeness, and joy, we embrace the exploration of extreme contrast in mood and color.” Start off 2023 with a new shade or hue in your abode, and read below for the forecasted Pantone Spring/Summer Color Trends. 

It’s the New Classics

The team decided to start with five “neutral” colors as the foundation and build the contrast from there; the grounding shades are tranquil and represent a “quiet presence.” Anchored by Pantone 12-4604 Skylight, a pure, water-inspired color, which mirrors cleansing aqua, and Pantone 13-3804 Gray Lilac, a “dreamy and ethereal lilac infused gray,” this part of the color trend report represents its “utility and basic-ness.”

  • PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse
  • PANTONE 14-6011 Grayed Jade
  • PANTONE 12-0912 Tender Peach
  • PANTONE 19-3954 Bluing
  • PANTONE 13-4201 Oyster Mushroom

Vibrant Brilliant Brights

The remaining 10 shades, however, signal the “uplifting, vital sense of play that comes through” the color scheme. These vibrant hues were all meant to boost experimentation and expression: Pantone 18-1664 Fiery Red signals energetic intensity, while Pantone 14-0756 Empire Yellow is a representation of joy.

  • PANTONE 16-0229 Titanite
  • PANTONE 16-1544 Persimmon
  • PANTONE 14-1140 Iced Mango
  • PANTONE 12-0643 Blazing Yellow
  • PANTONE 14-4122 Airy Blue
  • PANTONE Electric Blue Lemonade
  • PANTONE 17-1563 Cherry Tomato
  • PANTONE 17-3020 Spring Crocus
  • PANTONE 16-6230 Andean Toucan
  • PANTONE 16-2122 Pink Cosmos

Ultimately, pairing these shades together via your wardrobe or throughout your home imparts the sense of freedom that comes with trying something new. This “quirky contrast” highlights our desire for individualism, notes the release—and “encourages us to express ourselves in unexpected ways.”

 

From Breakthroughs in Fusion to Starlink News and more! | Tech News

Stay connected with the world of tech, science, and media! We have you covered with a bit-sized breakdown of the latest headlines sweeping the world wide web. From Breakthrough in Fusion to Starlink News and more, read on for this week’s tech news roundup. 

U.S. Fusion Achieves Major Breakthrough

As many have heard by now, this week brought a significant breakthrough in the world of fusion. This past week scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory announced that they have achieved net energy gain in a controlled fusion experiment. The breakthrough happened here in California at the National Ignition Facility at LLNL in San Francisco. “We have taken the first tentative steps toward a clean energy source that could revolutionize the world,” Jill Hruby, administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, said in a press conference Tuesday. Likewise, a fully operational platform connected to the grid and used to power homes and businesses likely remains a few decades away.

Uber to Roll Out Sidewalk Robots for Food Delivery

Get ready to see more robot delivery machines on a local sidewalk near you. Uber has announced a new partnership with Cartken that will bring food to you via sidewalk robots. The new venture will only be rolling out in Miami at this time, but the move is major for robot delivery. This will be the first major partnership for Cartken, a California-based company that creates self-driving sidewalk robots. The company’s fleet of AI-powered robots has been used in a number of other places, including parts of California, Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan, and a handful of US college campuses. Cartken and Uber will begin working with select merchants to roll out the robot delivery system. Likewise, there are plans to expand to other parts of Miami-Dade County and additional cities in 2023. 

SpaceX Seeks to Connect Your Smartphone to Starlink

The green light has been given to SpaceX to grow its Starlink broadband network. Starlink will expand its constellation to more than 10,000 small satellites in low-Earth orbit over the next several years. In addition, it hopes to offer service for smartphones via T-Mobile by the time just half of those flying routers are operating. The application to equip some of its second-generation Starlink satellites with “direct-to-cellular” hardware was filed with the FCC this month. Of course, SpaceX must clear this regulatory hurdle in order to deliver on the August announcement with T-Mobile to connect the two data networks in the name of eradicating mobile dead zones, at least in much of the US. The application is also a key follow-on to an FCC approval announced Dec. 1 that authorizes SpaceX to launch 7,500 “Gen2” Starlink satellites before the decade is out.

Google Tech Announces AR Concert with Gorillaz

AR Concerts are continuing to be on the rise as the virtual world, and its capabilities expand. While Google has not released a consumer pair of AR glasses, the company continues experimenting with AR tools on phones. Google announced a virtual Gorillaz performance in New York City, and London will be its latest location-based AR experiment. The Gorillaz single Skinny Ape will get its own concert via the band’s Gorillaz Presents app. The app was developed along with Google, to showcase an AR concert performance over the weekend. The experience will be “live performed”  in Times Square at 2:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 17 and in Piccadilly Circus at 2:00 p.m. GMT on Dec. 18, using Google’s own map-connected AR technology (called ARCore Geospatial API). The performance will also be viewable after the concert in the app.

Super Nintendo World to Open in Hollywood this February

Gamers can rejoice as the long-anticipated Super Nintendo World will finally open at Universal Studios Hollywood. The latest addition to the Hollywood location will open its gates in February of this upcoming year. This will mark as the Mario-inspired immersive theme park’s US debut, after its Japanese counterpart opened in 2021. The theme park will have a variety of entertainment options, including an augmented reality experience. Additionally, park patrons can buy Power Up bands — similar to Disney Parks’ MagicBands. The bands will allow visitors — to keep track of their score and unlock character interactions.

Weekend Events | December 16 – December 18

Holiday fun is in full swing this weekend, and we’re ready for festive fun. From performances of The Nutcracker to holiday parades around town, we have you covered for local fun. Read on for all the happenings in your neighborhood this December 16 through December 18.

Los Angeles Weekend Events | December 16 – December 18 

American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker

When: Until December 18

Where: DTLA

What: is there anything more timeless during the holiday season than catching a performance of The Nutcracker? See the American Ballet Theatre as they return to SoCal for their production of this Christmas classic. The show will feature larger-than-life scenery, a Christmas tree, and sets and costumes designed by Tony Award-winner Richard Hudson.

Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square

When: Until January 8, 2023 

Where: Pershing Square | DTLA

What: If you are in search of a winter wonderland, then make your way to DTLA’s Pershing Square. The downtown park has been transformed into a holiday wonder with a skating rink amongst the city’s skyscrapers. Skate rentals are included in admission, though lockers and skating aids cost a few dollars extra.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Experience

When: Until December 23 

Where: Melrose

What: Get in on the mystery that’s afoot in Knives Out second installment Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. This escape room-like experience inspired by the new Rian Johnson film is full of fun and games. Try your hand at solving a series of challenges and put your detective skills to the task. The experience (held at 8175 Melrose Avenue) is free, but you’ll need to book a coveted reservation.

 

Westside and Beach Communities Weekend Events | December 16 – December 18

‘The Nutcracker’

When: December 26 

Where: Westwood 

What: If you don’t feel like heading downtown for a performance of ‘The Nutcracker’, the L.A. Ballet will be taking the stage in Westwood. See this beloved show as it tours from Glendale to Hollywood and now the Westside, backed by an orchestra.

Astra Lumina

When: Until January 15, 2023

Where: Rancho Palos Verdes

What: Stroll through a garden illuminated by celestial-inspired lights during this year-end event at South Coast Botanic Garden. Astra Lumina will set up about an hour-long nighttime trail through the Palos Verdes garden, with eight starry installations along the way.

Justin Roiland: Debut

When: Until January 21, 2023,

Where: Beverly Hills

What: Rick and Morty co-creator (and titular voice actor) Justin Roiland debuts his stellar work for all to see. View stunning acrylic-on-canvas paintings of his colorful, familiar characters during this UTA Artist Space exhibition.

 

San Fernando Valley Weekend Events | December 16 – December 18 

35th Annual Los Angeles Toy Run

When: December 17 

Where: Harley-Davidson® of Glendale

What: Roll up to Harley-Davidson of Glendale and ride out to the iconic Plaza De La Raza in Lincoln Heights for our 35th annual LA Toy Run.

Electric Dusk Drive-In Presents: Home Alone

When: December 18 

Where: 236 N Central Ave | Glendale, CA 91203

What: See the holiday cult classic ‘Home Alone’ this Sunday at LA’s longest-running Pop-Up Drive-In now in Glendale! Enjoy this festive outdoor movie inside or outside your car, along with delicious food and great times.

VALLEY RELICS MUSEUM EXPERIENCE

When: Every Saturday and Sunday

Where: 16781 Stagg Street Hangar C3 & C4 | Van Nuys

What: Visit the Valley’s beloved museum of Pop Culture this weekend! The Valley Relics Museum invites you to join them for a day full of nostalgia and fun. Their one-of-a-kind museum.

 

Conejo Valley Weekend Events | December 16 – December 18 

Holiday Road

When: Until December 30 

Where: Santa Monica Mountains

What: Stroll across the grounds of King Gillette Ranch as the Santa Monica Mountains hideaway is illuminated during Holiday Road. Enjoy festive decor like a treetop canopy of icicle lights, a small Christmas village, and more! There are also food trucks and a holiday bar for bites and beverages.

Ventura Harbor Holiday Parade of Lights

When: December 17 

Where: 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura

What: Ventura Harbor celebrates the season with its 46th Annual Holiday Parade of Lights.

The two-day fun-filled event includes a carnival, seaside shopping, and dining, followed by the lighted boat parade at 6:30 pm. Parking and admission are free. 

20th Annual Chanukah Celebration and Chocolate Gelt Menorah Lighting

When: December 18 

Where: Constitution Park | Camarillo

What: Chabad of Camarillo hosts its 20th Annual Chanukah Celebration this Sunday. Enjoy a chocolate gelt menorah, Juggler Obediah, free donuts and latkes, music, a Chanukah gelt for the kids, and a raffle!

From a Hobbiton Airbnb to Updates to Waze and More! | Tech News

We’re wrapping up the week with the latest tech news. From a Hobbiton Airbnb to Updates to Waze and more, read this week’s blog for the news you need to know in the world of tech, media, and science.

Airbnb Debuts Stay in Hobbiton for the 10th anniversary of The Hobbit

For the 10th anniversary of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Tolkien fans are being given the chance to book an exclusive stay in Hobbiton. Airbnb announced the news this week in a press release. As with prior experience-based stays, the booking will be on a first-come, first-served basis from March 2nd–4th, March 9th–11th, and March 16th–18th. The stays will be available for $6.50 per night. Likewise, its limited availability with only three individual two-night stays for up to four guests up for grabs. The stay itself will feature private access to a personal Hobbit Hole, an evening banquet in The Green Dragon Inn, and a behind-the-scenes private tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set. You can request to book one of three overnight stays on Tuesday, December 13th at 4 PM ET at airbnb.com/hobbiton.

Apple to Add end-to-end encryption to iCloud backups

End-to-end encryption will soon be coming to iCloud backups. Apple announced the news as part of a major set of security announcements on Wednesday. The company will expand the number of “data categories” protected by end-to-end encryption under what it calls Advanced Data Protection. Likewise,  categories like iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar are not covered because “of the need to interoperate with the global email, contacts, and calendar systems,” according to its press release. The full list of data categories and what is protected under standard data protection can be found on Apple’s website.

Amazon to Add TikTok-like Feed of Shoppable Content to App

Another tech company takes a page out of the TikTok playbook. Amazon has announced it will feature a short-form video-like feed that will feature shoppable content on the app. Similar to TikTok, the feed will feature photos and videos of items users can purchase. Likewise, Amazon has been working on new ways of engaging users by debuting features like Livestream shopping. Inspire will appear as a lightbulb icon in the app and will roll out to select US shoppers early this month. 

Google to Bring Waze and Maps Team Together to Help Avoid Overlap

The team working on navigation for the Waze app will now be the same group that oversees Google Maps. The company announced the change this week in what it hopes will help both apps avoid overlap. According to the Wall Street Journal, there are not any layoffs planned. However, Waze CEO Neha Parikh will likely leave the role after the transition. “Google remains deeply committed to Waze’s unique brand, its beloved app, and its thriving community of volunteers and users,” Waze’s head of PR, Caroline Bourdeau.

December 9 – December 11 | Weekend Events

The holiday celebrations continue with this weekend’s round-up of fun! Enjoy local happenings in your neighborhood, from festive to funny! We have you covered on weekend events from December 9 through December 11. 

Los Angeles Weekend Events | December 9 – December 11 

KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas

When: December 10 

Where: Kia Forum | Inglewood

What: Don’t miss the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas. This annual concert features some of the year’s top mainstream alt-rock radio staples. The lineup includes Imagine Dragons, the Black Keys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Death Cab for Cutie, Jimmy Eat World, Yungblud, Måneskin, the Interrupters, and Wet Leg.

Unique LA Holiday Market

When: December 10 – December 11

Where: Downtown Fashion District

What: The annual Unique holiday market returns just in time for last-minute holiday shopping. Browse clothes, accessories, art pieces, and more from 150 designers, brands, and artists. 

Amy Schumer

When: December 10

Where: Downtown Historic Core

What: Don’t let Amy Schumer’s status as a pop culture star overshadow the fact that she’s a stellar stand-up at heart. Schumer manages to balance wicked smarts and nasty quips with a routine that delves into her personal insecurities.

 

Westside and Beach Communities Weekend Events | December 9 – December 11 

Marina Del Rey Boat Parade

When: December 10

Where: Marina del Rey

What: It’s time for the 60th annual Marina del Rey Boat Parade! Escape to the idyllic Fisherman’s Village or Burton Chace Park to see 70 boats display their best holiday ensemble. Categories include Best Theme, Best Animation, Best Band, Best Lights, and more. The festivities begin at 5:55pm with fireworks, and the boat parade starts at 6pm, rain or shine.

Astra Lumina

When: Until January 15, 2023

Where: Rancho Palos Verdes

What: Stroll through a garden illuminated by celestial-inspired lights during this year-end event at South Coast Botanic Garden. Astra Lumina will set up about an hour-long nighttime trail through the Palos Verdes garden, with eight starry installations along the way.

Justin Roiland: Debut

When: Until January 21, 2023

Where: Beverly Hills

What: Rick and Morty co-creator (and titular voice actor) Justin Roiland debuts his stellar work for all to see. View stunning acrylic-on-canvas paintings of his colorful, familiar characters during this UTA Artist Space exhibition.

San Fernando Valley Weekend Events | December 9 – December 11

VCF’s 2nd Annual Holiday Arts and Music Festival

When: December 10 

Where: Warner Center Park

What: A fun-filled holiday awaits at VCF’s 2nd annual Holiday Arts and Music Festival. Enjoy entertainment, Santa, and more at this family-friendly holiday fair. Shop for holiday gifts and support small businesses or enjoy a special “Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz” performance by nationally renowned Judy Garland impressionist Elaine Horn.

Winter Wonderettes

When: December 9 – December 11 

Where: Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts | Santa Clarita

What: The Wonderettes are back! This seasonal celebration features great ’60s versions of holiday classics such as “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and more! 

VALLEY RELICS MUSEUM EXPERIENCE

When: Every Saturday and Sunday

Where: 16781 Stagg Street Hangar C3 & C4 | Van Nuys

What: Visit the Valley’s beloved museum of Pop Culture this weekend! The Valley Relics Museum invites you to join them for a day full of nostalgia and fun. Their one-of-a-kind museum.

 

Conejo Valley Weekend Events | December 9 – December 11

NOËL: A Christmas Concert Under the Stars in Ventura

When: December 9

Where: Ventura College | Ventura

What: Be marveled by “Noel: A Christmas Concert Under the Stars!”  It will feature an hour’s worth of live Christmas music and is a FREE event that is open to the public.

Camarillo Christmas Parade

When: December 10

Where: Las Posas and Temple Ave

What: Celebrate 60 years of service in the Camarillo community this Saturday. Enjoy the annual Camarillo Christmas Parade as it celebrates various decades with holiday cheer.

Santa to the Sea Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, and 5K

When: December 11

Where: 2801 Ventura Blvd., Oxnard

What: Fit and festive! Don’t miss the Santa to the Sea Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, and 5K planned for this Sunday. The half marathon and 5K start at 7:30 am, and the quarter marathon starts at 7:50 am.

NOW SHOWING:

See Rodeo Realty Agent Sara Wynne in the special premier of ABC’s new series ‘The Parent Test,’ debuting on December 15th at 10pm PST, after ‘The Beauty and the Beast’ 30-year Reunion Special.

The 2022 Michelin Star Restaurants | LA Eats

It’s that time of year again. No, not the holidays, the Michelin Guide awards. For its second year in Los Angeles, 25 restaurants have either received, added to, or maintained their Michelin star status. As most fine dining connoisseurs know, a Michelin star is one of the highest honors a restaurant can receive. Michelin stars are awarded from 1-3 stars and are announced once per year. This year’s list features one and two-star selectees. Read on for the 2022 Michelin Star restaurants!

Two Star Michelin Restaurants

Hayato

Location: DTLA

Omakase-style fine dining is served at a small counter, featuring raw & cooked Japanese food.

Melisse

Location: Santa Monica

Josiah Citrin’s chic French-New American restaurant is known for its season-driven prix fixe menus.

n/naka

Location: Palms

Upscale Japanese tasting menus prepared by chef Niki Nakayama & served in a modern setting.

Providence

Location: Hollywood

Chef Michael Cimarusti’s fine-dining destination delivers innovative seafood in a tranquil setting.

Sushi Ginza Onodera

Location: West Hollywood

High-end branch of a Tokyo restaurant for omakase-only sushi in a pared-down yet earthy setting.

 

One Star Michelin Restaurants

715 Sushi

Location: Downtown Arts District

Not just an ordinary sushi restaurant, 715 Sushi, keeps the traditional Japanese sushi concept but with its own originality. 

 

Camphor

Location: Downtown Arts District

Camphor is a modern bistro led by Co-Executive Chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George. The restaurant is all about easy & relaxed eating and letting classic French flavors & culinary techniques do the talking.

 

Citrin

Location: Santa Monica

Citrin is a modern Californian cuisine restaurant by Chef Josiah Citrin that is a fun, welcoming, and approachable experience.

 

Gucci Osteria

Location: Beverly Hills

Mattia Agazzi Brings to LA the Vision of a New, Produce-Driven, Joyful Italian Cuisine. Expect the highest quality in fine dining at this luxury eatery located in the luxury shopping capital of the world.

 

Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant

Location: Hollywood

Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant is the second restaurant from fine dining chef Curtis Stone. For this venture, Curtis partnered with his brother, Luke Stone. Gwen is both an old-world, European-style butcher shop and an elegant restaurant that is redefining fine dining in LA.

 

Hatchet Hall

Location: Culver City

Stylish, lodge-like spot with taxidermied animals, a hidden spirits bar & hearty meat-centric menu.

 

Kali

Location: Central LA

Offering fresh and simple Californian cuisine in a casual setting, menu items are made exclusively with locally sourced ingredients.

 

Sushi Kaneyoshi

Location: Los Angeles

Sushi Kaneyoshi is a call back to the history of edomae techniques, and it’s utilization. Chef Yoshiyuki Inoue comes from a plethora of Michelin-graced restaurants and is now individually venturing beyond to bring his skills and his heart from Japan to your plate.

For more restaurants awarded the prestigious honor of a Michelin star, check out the full Michelin Guide by clicking here