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Morning Brief: LA’s Food Scene Takes More Hits
An empty plate.
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Richard Bell/Unsplash
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Good morning, L.A.
For some of us (myself included), the 101 Coffee Shop encapsulated the feeling of moving to Los Angeles from elsewhere in the country. The kitsch, the Googie-inspired decor, the celebrity regulars and the vague air of Hollywood secrets combined to make it a uniquely local experience.
The beloved cafe recently announced that it would be closing for good, due to pandemic-related losses. I’m far from alone in mourning the news, but as my colleague Elina Shatkin points out, the 101 isn’t the only historic eatery to announce its closure as the coronavirus drags on.
Wah's Golden Hen in Virgil Village was in business for 48 years. Unlike the 101, about whose closure some high-profile Twitter users speculated before it was confirmed to Eater LA, Wah’s owners announced the end of their run with a note taped to the restaurant’s front door.
“Just over 30 years ago, we came to America with many hopes and dreams,” it reads, in part. “We soon joined the family business at Golden Hen, where we would raise our children and see many of our dreams fulfilled and more.”
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
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What You Need To Know Today
L.A.’s Surge: Health officials say the anticipated post-holiday surge of new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths has now begun. A shuttered Long Beach hospital reopened in order to serve non-COVID-19 patients, with authorities hoping it will relieve the burden on other facilities.
The Vaccine: In California, dentists will help to administer the coronavirus vaccine, and there is $300 million in the budget for vaccine distribution.
Pandemic Travel: L.A. County has made mandatory a 10- to 14-day quarantine for people traveling back to the region, but it’s not clear how it will be enforced.
On Set: Representatives for actors, producers and advertisers said they want all local filming to stop immediately to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19 during the post-holiday surge.
Questioning The Count: Rep. Mike Garcia says he will join other Republicans in objecting to the Electoral College vote count.
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Before You Go… Some Things To Do From Your Couch
The 'Ghost Adventures' team gear up for an eerie investigation inside Los Angeles’ Cecil Hotel. (Courtesy of discovery+)
L.A. is in the worst coronavirus surge yet, but many artists are coming up with creative ways to express themselves (and entertain us!) virtually. These online events will help us get through the stay-at-home order, which is vital to our communal health.
You and yours can ease into 2021 with a Golden Girls parody, catch the Marx Brothers on the big screen, go deep into the bat cave(s), and more. (Read the story)
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The news cycle moves fast. Some stories don't pan out. Others get added. Consider this today's first draft, and check LAist.com for updates on these stories and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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