The Brief

If you’re in Hollywood and drive by the Jim Henson Company lot on La Brea, you can’t miss it: a 12-foot tall Kermit the Frog standing atop the gateway in a too-tight suit, doffing a bowler hat like some character from the silent film era.

Kermit the Frog atop the Jim Henson Company.

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Jim Henson Studios, by Amy Meredith

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It’s a nod to the studio’s storied pre-Muppets past, one that also spans TV and music.

Now the studio is about to start a new chapter. Singer John Mayer and director-producer McG are poised to buy the studio after 25 years of ownership by the Henson Company, which is consolidating production over at its Burbank facility.

A representative for Mayer told LAist in a statement this week that the pair are “under contract” to buy the lot.

The news has created a stir among those who treasure the studio and its contributions to Hollywood.

“When it went on the market, it certainly sparked our interest and potential concern about its future,” said Adrian Scott Fine, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Conservancy.

Singer-songwriter John Mayer has recorded at the Henson Studios lot in La Brea.

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Rodin Eckenroth

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Getty Images

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McG is known for directing "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle and Terminator Salvation."

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Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

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Getty Images North America

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“It's beloved by many Angelenos,” Fine said. “It's a place that they tend to look forward to seeing when they drive up on La Brea.”

But many passersby might not know how far back the studio’s history goes.

From “The Kid” to the “Red Scare”

The silent film icon Charlie Chaplin built the studio in 1917 amid groves of lemon trees after deciding he wanted to make his films in sunny L.A. and be his own boss.

Charlie Chaplin built his studio on La Brea, determined to have creative independence.

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Roy Export Company Ltd.

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“As he made more and more films, he wanted more and more independence,” said Arnold Lozano of The Chaplin Office in Paris, which represents his estate. “By 1917, he was able to build his own studio. And he maintained sort of a lone wolf status in Hollywood.”

Chaplin was so excited about having his own studio, he filmed its construction with plans to make a movie about it. It was never released, but here's a compilation of the footage.

It was at the studio where Chaplin made The Kid, The Great Dictator, Modern Times — films that are emulated to this day.

Chaplin was one of the world’s biggest celebs and was visited at the studio by the likes of Helen Keller and Winston Churchill, who toured the 80,000-square foot facility and its massive sound stage.

The Chaplin studios were built on La Brea Avenue amid groves of lemon trees that the filmmaker said gave him luck.

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Roy Export Company Ltd.

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"It really was a magical place,” Lozano said. “He could transform it into a town in Alaska. It could become the trenches in World War I. Or it became Paris!”

But after more than three decades, Chaplin’s run on La Brea ended. Chaplin was targeted as a communist sympathizer during the Red Scare sweeping the U.S. in the 1950's, despite his denials.

Chaplin was on an ocean liner on the way to a London movie premiere when he received a telegram saying that his return visa had been rescinded, Lozano said. Chaplin decided not to return to live in the U.S.

Charlie Chaplin built sets on a massive soundstage, including an Alaskan mining town for 1925's "Gold Rush."

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Roy Export Company Ltd.

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“He didn't want to have to go before a committee and justify his morals and his politics,” Lozano said.

Pop music’s big night

In 1953, Chaplin sold the studio, and over the next decade it went through a string of owners, including a real estate company, the comedian Red Skelton and CBS.

The Jim Henson Company paid homage to its La Brea studio with an exterior painting of Charlie Chaplin, who built it.

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Old Charlie Chaplain studios, now Jim Henson studios, by Adam Grosswirth

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The studio is where the network shot the courtroom drama “Perry Mason.”

Then in 1966, A&M Records moved in, and built recording spaces used by artists like Carole King, the Carpenters, and Joni Mitchell, who made multiple albums there, including 1971’s “Blue.”

It was during the A&M era, in 1985, when the studio was the scene of one of the biggest moments in pop music history. More than 40 of the world’s top music stars squeezed under one roof for one night to record the charity single “We Are the World.”

Bao Nguyen documented that night for his film “The Greatest Night in Pop” on Netflix. He said many of the singers were meeting for the first time.

“Billy Joel was just really gobsmacked when he met Ray Charles,” Nguyen said. “And a lot of people hadn't met Bob Dylan before.”

Nguyen says the studio on La Brea holds a spot in his heart — not only because he made his film there, but also because of the promise it offers to artists like him.

“What drew me as an East Coaster who always told myself that I would never move to Los Angeles are these sort of relics and artifacts of old Hollywood that draw people in, these artists and dreamers who come to Los Angeles to really follow their passion,” Nguyen said.

What's next

So many memories on this lot. What lies ahead?

Have no fear, you won’t be seeing condos going up. The property is supposed to be protected from that kind of redevelopment by its city-designated status as a Historic-Cultural Monument.

And if John Mayer is one of the studio’s new stewards, preservationists like Fine of the L.A. Conservancy express cautious optimism. Mayer records at the Henson studios and filmed a video there for his song, "Last Train Home."

"There seems to be an affinity and already a connection to this place," Fine said. "I think that's always a positive signal for the future."

California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided guidance this week to childcare providers on new legal requirements to protect children and their families from immigration enforcement activities.

Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are not allowed to collect information about a child's or family member’s immigration status, unless necessary under state or federal law. Bonta’s office says there currently is no such requirement, though that could change with federal programs like Head Start.

“Childcare and preschool facilities should be safe and secure spaces so children can grow, learn and simply be children,” Bonta said in a statement.

His office says daycare centers also should not keep information about a formerly enrolled child longer than is required by state law.

The new law also requires facilities to inform the attorney general’s office and the state’s licensing agency if they get any requests for information from law enforcement related to immigration enforcement.

Facilities also must ask families to regularly update a child’s emergency contact information to make sure someone can be reached in case a parent is detained by federal immigration officials.

The Santa Ana winds are here to welcome us into the weekend, bringing warmer temperatures.

The winds will reach Point Mugu to the Santa Clarita Valley, down to Orange County and parts of the Inland Empire valleys and foothills east of the 5 Freeway.

Peak gusts are expected to reach 35 to 55 mph. The western San Gabriel Mountains, Highway 14 corridor, Santa Susana Mountains and the western Santa Monica Mountains are under a high wind warning until 6 p.m., when gusts could reach 65 mph.

As for temperatures, highs for L.A. County beaches will reach the upper 70s and up to the low 80s for inland areas.

Parts of Orange County and Coachella Valley will see temperatures in the mid- to upper 80s, with the warmest areas expected to reach 88 degrees.

Getting together with friends at a bar or pub tends to get a lot harder when children and needy pets enter the mix. One solution — Breweries! Beer gardens! Brewpubs!

Because parents (of kids and pets) want to go out, too — and not necessarily to a fast food restaurant with an indoor playground and no beer.

Thankfully, the Orange County suburbs where I live have gotten on board with my family- and pet-friendly craft brewery dreams. The key ingredients for me are spacious patios, a water bowl for the pooch, and food — either made onsite or, at the least, easy and quick to order and get delivered from somewhere else. Board and pub games are an added bonus.

Plus, of course, great beer from small, independent, local breweries. On the beer front, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of beer I encountered on my self-arranged tour of breweries in the Costa Mesa-Huntington Beach area.

Gone are the dark, dank days of nothing but IPA (IYKYK); now, you can find everything from pickle-tinged blondes, to mild sours, to rich and creamy stouts. If you’re not a big beer fan, every place I visited also had their own craft-made hard seltzers on the menu, as well as some non-alcoholic beverages.

Here are some of my favorites:

Riip (Huntington Beach)

Riip in Huntington Beach has two spots with full kitchens specializing in pizza and a wide variety of IPAs and other beer styles.

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Jill Replogle

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Riip has been a family favorite since the company opened its first tasting room in Sunset Beach in 2015, with board games and tables the kids could write on. They have since expanded a lot, with a pizzeria next door and another location near Fountain Valley, which also serves excellent pizza, and has a small arcade to keep the kiddos busy.

One thing they do especially well: For serious IPA drinkers, Riip is your place. They usually have at least half a dozen different IPAs on tap, along with a decent variety of other beers, lighter and darker.

This place is great for … dinner after the kids’ [insert sport] game. Also for date night.

At Flashpoint Brewing Company in Huntington Beach, you can check out the brewing vats and other machinery up close while enjoying the results.

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Jill Replogle

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LAist

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Flashpoint Brewing Co. (Huntington Beach)

I only recently discovered Flashpoint, which opened in 2020 on an industrial street near Huntington Beach Central Park. I actually love this aspect of craft brewery taprooms: they’re often located outside of trendy food and retail areas because they need to be able to actually brew beer there as well as serve it.

Flashpoint has a big patio lit with fairy lights. The tall doors of their brewing area, and an adjacent room with the taps and more tables are rolled up during opening hours, giving it a spacious, indoor-outdoor feel.

One thing they do especially well: All the beers I tried were highly drinkable. In other words, not crazy hoppy or overly heavy on flavors. The nectarine sour was especially good, refreshing with just the right amount of tartness.

This place is great for … An early evening toast, watching the clouds turn pink.

Green Cheek Beer Co. in Costa Mesa serves great beer and food, including shareable, snackable items like pad thai cauliflower.

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Jill Replogle

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LAist

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Green Cheek Beer Co. (Costa Mesa)

Green Cheek Beer Co. now has three locations in Orange County and one in Oceanside. Their Costa Mesa spot is conveniently located not far from the city’s Bark Park. So, naturally, after my pooch has fun, I deserve a cold one.

Green Cheek has a huge covered patio filled with long picnic tables. My dog, Ace, was very happy to find a bowl of water set out for their canine visitors, and lots of pets from the humans.

One thing they do especially well: Green Cheek makes great beer. But what I love most about their Costa Mesa spot is that you can soak up the alcohol with food, including smash burgers, tots, and pad thai cauliflower, from their good and reliably fast kitchen.

This place is great for … reading a book, or making a new friend! Their long picnic tables make it easy to opt in or out of the surrounding social scene.

Bootlegger's Brewery outside the LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa has a quiet patio for day drinking, and a lively trivia night scene.

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Jill Replogle

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LAist

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Bootlegger’s Brewery (Costa Mesa)

Within walking distance of Green Cheek is Bootlegger’s Brewery. Bootlegger’s started in Fullerton, and now also has tasting rooms in Costa Mesa and Redlands.

Their Costa Mesa spot is on the outskirts of the LAB Anti-Mall, a collection of small businesses and restaurants, at least one of which will deliver food to your table. A section of the parking lot has been turned into a nice outdoor patio with sun shades for daytime and heat lamps for chillier evening hours.

One thing they do especially well: Their Kosher Crusher pickle blonde ale. They debuted it last fall and it is seriously good — light, refreshing, and just a little bit zesty.

This place is great for … “working” on a Friday afternoon (I was not the only one there typing one-handed on my laptop with a beer in the other), and then inviting friends to join you for happy hour.

There's an ambiance for everyone at Salty Bear Brewing Co. in Costa Mesa.

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Jill Replogle

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LAist

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Salty Bear Brewing Company

Salty Bear is part of The Camp, an uber-cool retail and restaurant complex also within walking distance of Green Cheek and Bootlegger’s (you can do a tasting tour!).

Salty Bear is worth a visit for the aesthetics alone. It has a great bar with midcentury tiling and dimpled red leather. The sprawling, leafy outdoor patio provides plenty of room for the kids to wander.

One thing they do especially well: Their Coastline Strawberry Blonde made me nostalgic for the fruity beers that got me hooked on craft beer in my 20s — but so much better.

This place is great for … Kickin’ it on the patio with friends, either listening to live music, or letting your kids practice performing on the teepee-themed outdoor stage.

Other options in OC south of the 405:

Steady Kitchen and Taps, 18055 Magnolia St, Fountain Valley

Synth Beer Company, 2960 Randolph Av, Costa Mesa

Brewing Reserve of California, 2930 College Ave D, Costa Mesa

Some government funding streams for L.A. County’s public health system are drying up, and officials are turning to private philanthropy to fill the gap.

A new privately funded foundation launched Thursday to strengthen public health services after $50 million in federal, state and local funding cuts to the county’s Department of Public Health since early last year.

“It is really a hard day for our community when we have to ask for private donations to fund a public good, but unfortunately, we've lost too much money to not take this important step,” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

In February, the county’s Public Health Department closed seven clinics, with six remaining open. About half of the patients seen in those clinics are uninsured, according to county officials. The department also cut hundreds of staff positions.

Ferrer is on the board of the new foundation, The Fund for Advancing Public Health LA, which held its first meeting Thursday.

She said the fund will help the county maintain its basic public health infrastructure, including disease prevention, health promotion, environmental health, and emergency response efforts.

Other board members include several health insurance executives, as well as actors Sean Penn and Danny Trejo. Board member Saree Kayne of the R&S Kayne Foundation pledged $150,000 to the fund Thursday. Kayne said she hopes the donation encourages others to give.

The foundation aims to raise $2 million this year.

More cuts expected

L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said it’s crucial to have an alternative funding stream to protect services for the county's most vulnerable residents.

“We are saving public health,” Mitchell said. “This fund represents a new approach, one that brings together government philanthropy in the private sector to invest in community-based solutions, protect vulnerable populations, and strengthen our public health infrastructure.”

Officials say more public health cuts are coming, through the federal budget law known as the "Big Beautiful Bill," which slashes funding for Medi-Cal.

The county Department of Public Health anticipates losing up to $300 million in revenue over the next three years because of the federal budget bill and other potential funding freezes. Federal funding accounts for almost 50% of the public health budget, according to county officials.

Mitchell also led an effort to put a half-percent county sales tax increase to fund public health on the June ballot.

If approved by voters, that proposal, known as Measure ER, is expected to raise about $1 billion a year for county safety net health services, including about $100 million for the public health department.

Board members

The Fund for Advancing Public Health LA announced its founding board of directors, which includes:

• Dr. Barbara Ferrer, LA County Department of Public Health director
• Debbie I. Chang, Blue Shield of California Foundation CEO
• Sean Penn, actor and co-founder of Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE)
• Martha Santana-Chin, LA Care Health Plan CEO
• Saree Kayne, R&S Kayne Foundation CEO
• Danny Trejo, actor and restaurateur
• Jarrett Barrios, an executive at the American Red Cross
• Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Charles R. Drew University College of Medicine Dean
• Kristin McCowan, an executive at the Los Angeles Dodgers